Hong Kong: District governance panel convenes

The Steering Committee on District Governance chaired by Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki convened its first meeting today and formulated strategies after holding a discussion that focused on five areas of community interests.

Mr Chan said the steering committee proposed to launch at full steam the School-based After School Care Service Pilot Scheme in the new school year to allow primary students who need to stay after school to receive care and learning support, while enabling parents who are bound by after-school child care duties to work and improve their livelihood.

On caring for the elderly and enhancing community support, the steering committee suggested to improve and set up more fitness equipment for the elderly and provide umbrellas and hiking poles for borrowing in large parks.

It also proposed to step up efforts in identifying and caring for the elderly and carers in need for referral to social welfare units for support.

To improve the environmental hygiene of public markets and cooked food markets, the steering committee recommended to improve the hardware and management of toilets, strengthen inspection and enforcement and expedite the overhaul of stalls.

Additionally, it proposed to enhance anti-rodent work, including exploring the adoption of new rodent detection and control technologies and strengthening nighttime rodent prevention and control work.

Another item identified for implementation is to strengthen the patrol coverage of law enforcement agencies such as Police, as well as the work and visibility of enforcement.

Furthermore, the steering committee proposed to expand the repaving of footpaths for a more comfortable walking environment, and install new auxiliary devices with red light beam projection at pedestrian crossings for improving road safety.

Apart from pointing out that the various items identified by the committee will benefit all members of the public at the district level, Mr Chan said such policy areas will respond to people's needs in various aspects from both the micro and macro perspectives.

The formulated strategies will be followed up by the Task Force on District Governance chaired by the Deputy Chief Secretary to finalise relevant measures for implementation, he added.

This story has been published on: 2023-07-12. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Embassy of Solomon Islands inaugurated in Beijing

Xinhua) 08:45, July 12, 2023

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, and Manasseh Sogavare, the prime minister of Solomon Islands, jointly unveil the nameplate of the Solomon Islands embassy while attending the inauguration ceremony of the embassy in Beijing, capital of China, July 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attended the inauguration ceremony of Solomon Islands embassy in Beijing on Tuesday, together with Manasseh Sogavare, the prime minister of Solomon Islands.

Wang offered warm congratulations on the opening of the embassy, saying that the country has established diplomatic ties with China, and stands on the side of international justice, historical correctness, and the future development of the country and people of Solomon Islands.

He pointed out that, since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations, bilateral exchanges have moved forward in all aspects, vigorously promoted the development of Solomon Islands and brought tangible benefits to the people of the Pacific island country.

"We are glad to see the historic breakthrough in relations between China and Solomon Islands," Wang said.

On Monday, the two sides jointly announced the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development for a new era, opening a new chapter in the history of bilateral cooperation and charting the course for the development of bilateral relations, said Wang. The official opening of Solomon Islands Embassy in China is another important moment in the development of China-Solomon Islands relations, he noted.

"We believe that the embassy will become a bond between the two peoples and a bridge for China-Solomon Islands relations," he said, adding that China is ready to work with Solomon Islands to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and set a benchmark for high-level mutual trust and high-quality cooperation between China and Pacific island countries.

Sogavare said that, since the establishment of diplomatic ties nearly four years ago, bilateral cooperation has been expanding in breadth and depth. Solomon Islands has actively participated in the Belt and Road Initiative, and China has become the largest trading partner of Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands will unswervingly develop relations with China, firmly adhere to the one-China principle and consider Taiwan an inalienable part of China's territory, said Sogavare.

Sogavare and Wang jointly unveiled the nameplate of the embassy.

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, addresses the inauguration ceremony of Solomon Islands embassy in Beijing, capital of China, July 11, 2023. Wang and Manasseh Sogavare, the prime minister of Solomon Islands, jointly unveiled the nameplate of the embassy. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

Manasseh Sogavare, the prime minister of Solomon Islands, addresses the inauguration ceremony of Solomon Islands embassy in Beijing, capital of China, July 11, 2023. Sogavare and Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, jointly unveiled the nameplate of the embassy. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Re: Poilievre in Penticton (Castanet, July 11)

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre would hold a "meet-and-greet" at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 12 in Penticton, but pre-registration is required online.

Poilievre is just following in the footsteps of former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper, who also made online pre-registration mandatory to attend his election campaign events.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh would never insist on that.

If you plan to attend Poilievre's meet-and greet, please ask him what he thinks of Harper's recent photo-op with Hungarian neofascist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a meeting both Orban and Harper proudly tweeted about, and whether he would ever pose for a photo with Orban.

Orban tweeted first (in English) about his great meeting with Harper, saying: International co-operation between right-wing, conservative parties is more important than ever. Chairman Harper is a great ally in this respect. Thank you for your support, Mr. Chairman!.

A couple of hours later, Harper followed up with: I was pleased to meet with Fidesz Party Leader @PM_ViktorOrban today in Budapest. We discussed the IDUs strong support for Ukraine and the importance of centre-right parties strengthening their collaboration.

David J. Climenhaga, author at AlbertaPolitics.ca commented: "Calling Fidesz a centre-right party is genuinely Orwellian. The same case could be made more convincingly nowadays about the Conservative Party of Canada, I suppose, although its been held back a little by the stubbornly small-l liberal preferences of large numbers of Canadian voters from achieving Harpers ambitions for the party he helped to found."

David Buckna, Kelowna
Morocco will decide on the future of cooperation with the European Union (EU) in the field of fisheries in the light of the governments own assessments and in consultation with European partners, said, on Wednesday in Rabat, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita.

The Morocco-EU fisheries Agreement is still in force. On the other hand, its the fisheries Protocol, concluded for four years (2019-2023), which expires on July 17, said Bourita, who was speaking at a press briefing at the end of the 3rd Ministerial Meeting of the Atlantic African States Process.

This is a programmed expiry since the conclusion of the Protocol for a period of 4 years, starting on July 18, 2019.

Bourita described as satisfactory the implementation of the Protocol, noting that cooperation had been positive and mutually beneficial over the past four years.

He stressed that a meeting is scheduled for this week in Brussels between the Moroccan authorities and their European counterparts, within the framework of a joint Commission in the fisheries sector, to make a joint assessment of these four years.

With regard to the future of the fisheries Agreement, the Minister indicated that the Moroccan government is currently considering three parameters.

The first is doctrinal, he said, stressing that Morocco today, in line with the vision and foreign policy outlined by King Mohammed VI, favors partnerships with a clearer added value.

Morocco would like to see more advanced partnerships, where Moroccan added value is stronger, underlined Bourita.

Concerning the second parameter, the Minister explained that the Kingdom has developed a national fishing strategy Halieutis and put in place a vision dedicated to the development of the sector, which takes into account the expectations of operators and requires adaptations within the framework of interaction with partners.

The third parameter, which the government is integrating into its thinking and assessment, is linked to scientific data, with the aim of preserving this important natural resource for Morocco and Moroccans, and ensuring its sustainability, he added.

Morocco will therefore interact with the European side on the basis of this reflection, which is underway, stressed Bourita, noting that dialogue and cooperation with European partners are ongoing.
As more companies want to establish a presence in the UAE, Business Link has seen growth in terms of both customer acquisition and regional expansion

why we are the ideal business consultancy to hire. Our key links with government bodies and relevant authorities are advantages we hold high and make use of to process our clients paperwork, licenses, and approvals quickly and efficiently, shares Hatem Elsafty, CEO.The business provides an extensive array of business formation services, such as PRO services, business registration, licensing, corporate structure, legal compliance, and virtual office setting. The company advises clients on the best legal structure for their circumstances while ensuring local regulations are followed. The companys flagship services across the board include support with company formation, business establishment, and getting required licenses and permissions. The amount of experience and personalization that BUSINESS LINK offers, together with the speed and efficiency with which the team executes processes, are some reasons that set its services apart from those of its rivals.Through the expert solutions designed and offered, BUSINESS LINK seeks to address and resolve the multitude of challenges that clients face and fulfills their expectations of reliability and efficiency of service. These and other concerns are put to rest through the teams indepth knowledge of the local laws, ability to understand the clients needs and offer customization of solutions, as well as a drive to ensure complete client satisfaction.Furthermore, the firm has various quality assurance measures set in place to periodically inspect the relevancy of solutions.Our team is equipped with knowledge of local laws and regulations, industry specific expertise, and experience working with businesses of different sizes and types. Our combined experience and diversity in legal and marketing backgrounds help Business Link grow by offering tailored solutions to clients, building strong relationships, and providing ongoing support. Our quality assurance measures include compliance audits, periodic reviews of documentation, and ongoing support to ensure clients remain in compliance with local laws and regulations, further adds Elsafty.NAISs inclusive admission policy accepts students based on their willingness to work hard and be part of the community. The school does not exclude students who present with learning difficulties or disabilities and the focus on developing options for students comes from the schools individualized approach to education. NAIS maintains a small school and a family atmosphere that has led to its success. Parents have access to teachers and administrators through the schools open-door policy, and students have access to free tutoring after school if needed and teachers, counselors, and administrators support students to achieve their best. The school is committed to creating the next generation of mathematicians, writers, and scientists.In the future, NAIS will see continued measured growth, maintain its small school environment and prioritize student and staff well-being. The school will invest in facility improvements, expand its academic programs, and enhance its community partnerships. The school aims to maintain its position as a leading international school and provide exceptional student education.
MSZ corporate service provider focuses on quality of services & ensures to provide all the necessary information & challenges upfront to set up exactly as per the clients expectations

Feasibility Studies, Business Planning, Business Setup in the Mainland, Free Zone & Offshore, Bank Account Opening, Golden Visa, VAT Registration, Accounting & Bookkeeping, VAT Filing, Audit, Legal Translation, IP & Trademark Registration, Product Registration with MOH & DM, and Liquidation, to name a few. However, the company considers setting up a free zone, offshore company setup, golden visas under all the categories, and product registration with Dubai municipality or ministry health as its core flagship offerings.As a boutique business consulting firm, we assist foreign companies to set up their branch offices in Dubai, along with the complete support services for business management including but not limited to PRO services, accounting, and Audit. We take pride in serving clients from all industries, be it services, trading, manufacturing, family offices, foundations trust, or hospitality. We have set up business in all the jurisdictions in UAE, adds Zubair.As a client-centric organization, MSZ follows a no compromise approach in each of its services and is always ready to go that extra mile to ensure 100 percent client satisfaction. The company primarily functions around the core values of honesty, integrity, constant focus on safety & quality, respect for all stakeholders, a cooperative team environment, and professional & technical excellence, thus enabling MSZ to maintain longterm relationships with its clients.Additionally, MSZ uses the latest technologies to ensure the quality and timely delivery of all its services. The company also maintains complete transparency with its clients, wherein they are given real time updates about the projects progress. MSZ follows a step-by-step when dealing with client business, wherein it first meets the clients, identifies their wet areas & requirements, proposes a suitable action plan, negotiates the necessary aspects, and then finalizes the deal, thus making sure to handhold the client throughout the process. Every lead that is generated through its online campaigns is assigned to an expert consultant, who understands the client requirement and then answers the query in 30 seconds, thus creating a record benchmark for response time in the industry.From being just a one person team during inception, MSZ today has an 18 member team comprising business consultants, company secretaries, and MBS graduates each having vast domain knowledge and industry experience. The company has grown exponentially since its inception and diversified into two different verticals, with MSZ HR Consultancy and MSZ e-Commerce taking care of the respective areas of operations.When asked about the companys future roadmap, Zubair says, We envision setting-up new offices in GCC countries by 2026 and are also working on opening a back office in India this year. We are also currently working on a one-of-its-kind process, where people will be able to set up businesses online without any human intervention. Any individual who is willing to set up a business in UAE will be able to register his/ her company remotely without being physically present, that too just within 4-5 working days. This will be up and running by the end of this year.
Two men were penalized for illegally searching for elk antlers on the Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area, south of Seeley Lake, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials.

Ivan Yarmolich, from Missoula, and Logan Baston, an Anchorage, Alaska resident, allegedly trespassed in the refuge on March 22, 2022 during a closed season, according to an FWP news release. The two were reportedly looking for shed antlers.

Yarmolich and Baston were trespassing on the WMA nearly two months before the public opener to hunt for elk shed antlers," FWP Criminal Investigator Justin Singleterry said in the news release. "Antlers can weigh anywhere from 5 to 15 pounds on average and fetch about $15 to $20 per pound from an antler buyer.

On June 20 of this year, Yarmolich pleaded guilty to a criminal trespass charge in Missoula County Justice Court, the release stated. He was fined $585 and barred from hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for two years. He's also banned from WMAs for two years.

This was not the first time Yarmolich has been caught trespassing to steal antlers, Singleterry said in the release. He was federally charged and prosecuted for a 2013 trespass onto the National Bison Range and then again in 2014 for trespassing on the Sun River Wildlife Management Area owned by FWP.

In May 2023, Baston was given a deferred prosecution agreement and was prohibited from WMAs for six months.

"Due to the popularity and value of shed hunting, FWP wardens have seen an increase in trespass on WMAs during the closed season," the release stated. "People entering WMAs during closed seasons can disrupt wildlife during their more vulnerable times. Trespass also takes opportunity away from others."

The Blackfoot-Clearwater wildlife area opens to the public on May 15 each year.
NEW YORK  Celebrities, lawmakers, brands and everyday social media users are flocking to Meta's freshly minted app Threads to connect with their followers, including many Twitter refugees tired of the drama surrounding Elon Musk's raucous oversight of that platform.

But the real question is: Will they stay?

Instagram head Adam Mosseri said in a Threads post Monday that in the five days since its launch, 100 million people have signed up for Threads, which was rolled out as a companion app to Instagram.

Ann Coleman is among them. The 50-year-old, who lives in Baltimore, said she joined Threads after hearing about the platform from a comedian she follows on social media. She said she loves Twitter and has been using it for more than 10 years. She even met her husband on there.

But Coleman, who is politically progressive, has been looking to switch to a new platform because of Musk's political views and changes he's made to Twitter, like upending its verification system. She previously joined the decentralized social network Mastodon, but found it a bit confusing to use.

She said she likes Threads but wishes she could easily follow all her Twitter friends there. Threads gives Instagram users the option to automatically follow the same accounts they do on the photo-sharing app, which makes it easier for active Instagram users to replicate a similar type of engagement on Threads. But others starting from the ground up will have to do more work.

"If I'm going to leave Twitter entirely, I'm going to have to try and find some of these people" from Twitter, Coleman said.

Michael Evancoe, 28, said he hasn't used Twitter much since his personal page was suspended years ago for what the platform attributed to violations of its rules on spam. Evancoe, who now works in production, said he agrees with some of the changes Musk has been making on Twitter and he created a new account this year. But he wasn't able to gain many followers or interactions.

He joined Threads last week, and says he's been able to interact more with other users. But he hopes that Meta does not moderate the platform overly aggressively.

"I think that would be a deterrent to both interest and engagement as well," Evancoe said.

Meta has said it will moderate using Instagram's content guidelines. In the past few days, the company has been positioning the much-hyped platform as a new digital town square that's a less toxic version of 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," Mosseri said Friday.

In the first two full days that Threads was broadly available  Thursday and Friday of last week  traffic on Twitter was down 5% compared with the same period a week ago, and down 11% compared with the same period a year ago, according to the web analytics company SimilarWeb. But it also said Twitter traffic has experienced an overall decline even in the absence of Threads.

To Jennifer Billinson, a professor of media studies at Nazareth University in New York, the first days of Threads have highlighted a potential culture clash  specifically one between Twitter refugees and what is likely a much larger number of people just clicking over from Instagram.

The idea that Threads will just become a Twitter clone, she says, is running headlong into the reality that the Twitterites are going to be "vastly outnumbered" on the new platform by those from Instagram, which has more than 2 billion monthly users.

Despite the influx of users, Brendan Gahan, partner and chief social officer at the creative agency Mekanism, stressed it's too early to know how successful Threads will be. He further questions whether the rapid growth of Threads is even a good thing, pointing out some other successful platforms began with a focused approach and expanded more gradually.

There's also the question of how influencers will use Threads and whether they can replicate the same following as on other platforms. Most notably, Jimmy Donaldson  a popular YouTube video maker who goes by MrBeast  has already amassed more than 4 million followers on Threads.

By integrating the new app to Instagram, Meta made it very easy for content creators to convert their Instagram followers to Threads followers. But that can also create a situation where popular content creators gain more influence while crowding out emerging talents from cultivating their own culture on a new platform, Gahan said.

Creators might also face other challenges.

"Somebody who is purely video and photo-based may have trouble translating to a text-focused platform," Gahan said. "That said, a lot of them I see reposting the same content. Time will tell whether or not that's a successful strategy."
Its hard to put into words the heartache many people of Butte and beyond felt when the news came last Monday that Lori Maloney had lost her short battle with cancer.

The thought of never seeing her smiling face again, nor being able to hear her Hi, darlin! greeting seemed almost unfathomable.

The former Butte-Silver Bow clerk of the court and an enthusiastic ambassador of the Irish festival, An Ri Ra, was well loved and Maloney reciprocated that love time and time again.

Lori raised the bar on who we should aspire to be in this life, said Shawn Harrington.

With his voice quivering, Harrington reflected on the lessons his beloved relative taught in her lifetime. The Maloney-Harrington crew had experienced loss numerous times before and according to Harrington, Lori stepped up to the plate each and every time.

She was such a wonderful caregiver, he said, and the chief nurse in our family.

The Harringtons and Maloneys are first cousins, but thats not how they view it. To them, they are a band of brothers and sisters who gravitated toward each other through good times and bad to form a single nucleus. That bond is unbreakable.

Lori was an irreplaceable part of Butte and an irreplaceable part of our family, said Shawns twin, Bernie. We were darn lucky to have her.

Whether the topic was Butte or family history, Maloney was a wealth of knowledge.

She knew so many families in Butte, explained Bernie, and if you needed a genealogy lesson, she was the go-to person, too.

Tom Powers, the recently retired clerk of the court, worked side by side with Maloney for 30 years. In fact, she hired him as a deputy clerk.

I spent as much time with her as I did my wife, laughed Powers, who had hoped to spend more time with his longtime friend now that he, too, has retired.

Maloney and Powers did indeed spend a lot of time together  at work, planning the next An Ri Ra or any other Irish event that came along or more.

Lori threw herself into everything she did, said Powers. She didnt just dive in; she cannon-balled.

Without the presence of such an energetic ball of fire, An Ri Ra wont be same.

She absolutely poured her heart into An Ri Ra, said Shawn.

According to Powers, Maloney always hated to see the yearly Irish celebration come to a close. So much so that she would host an impromptu gathering in her garage at the festival's end, with an abundance of food and drink for all the artists and volunteers.

She always wanted to squeeze a bit more music out of the weekend, laughed Powers.

Hearing the news of Maloneys diagnosis, many of these past An Ri Ra performers called her in the days leading up to her death. Some wanted just to talk to her one last time, while others paid homage by singing to her over the phone.

Kurt Krueger worked with Maloney for nearly 40 years, first as a lawyer and later as a district court judge.

Judge Krueger was always impressed with Maloneys commitment to her job, her kind demeanor and her willingness to always assist.

She was truly a Butte person, said the judge, and always concerned about Buttes citizens.

Maloney took over the helm in the clerks office following the passing of Dan Bukvich in 1986. The first woman to hold the job, such was her popularity that she would stay at the elected position for more than 30 years.

The fast-paced job seemed to suit Maloney.

When she became clerk of the court, Lori enhanced that position as we headed into the computer age, said Krueger, and she did an excellent job.

Along the way, Maloney helped others while working at the courthouse, including Mary McMahon, who had served as clerk and recorder.

Lori wanted to make sure that other employees knew they were appreciated, said McMahon. She was always right there to help.

According to McMahon, Maloneys death has left a giant void.

She was a walking powerhouse who gave 150 percent, said McMahon.

Close friend Danette Harrington shared the same sentiment.

Everything Lori did, she did from her heart, said Danette. She was a gal who gave it her all.

Looking through past Montana Standard articles, it was more than evident that Maloney did give her all. If there was a medical benefit to organize, she pitched in to help. Need a hand putting together a reunion, class or otherwise? Well, that was her, too.

In her spare time, she was an active member of Soroptimist International of Butte, served as president a time or two with the Montana Association of Clerks of District Court, and, no surprise here, was a loyal member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians of Butte.

She didnt bleed red, laughed McMahon, she bled green.

Oh yes, Maloney was proud of her Irish heritage.

As a proud, card-carrying member of the Original Street Painters, Maloney, Ellen Kelly, Rand Rafish, Betty Ann Harrington, and siblings Sherrie, Kathy and Bubba, began a St. Patricks Day tradition that remains to this day.

In 1984, led by Rafish, Maloney, who was the last surviving original member, along with the rest of the crew painted a small shamrock in Uptown Butte to honor their loved ones who had died. That Irish symbol eventually grew to be giant-sized and painted right at midnight every March 17, in the middle of the busy intersection of Main and Broadway streets.

It was no secret that Maloney loved all the holidays, whether they were in winter, spring, summer or fall. She, along with close friend Danette Harrington, were credited with getting the courthouse adorned with yuletide lights. The two took it up a few notches by initiating the departmental contest for the best decorated courthouse Christmas tree and the competition for the top carved Halloween pumpkins.

We did some stupid, silly, wonderful and great things together, said Danette

Later, and not surprising giving their surnames, the courthouse would be all decked out with festive decorations just in time for St. Patricks Day. A time or two, the women even served up some corned beef sandwiches and blarney stones to their fellow workers.

She was Irish from her toenails to the top of her head, said Danette.

Maloney loved her family and friends, and was an unapologetic Butte fan.

According to Danette, her friend wanted others to love Butte, too.

She was so proud of her hometown, she said.

Each August, though, Maloney was truly in her element.

That was when she, Danette and McMahon, along with a few others, donned their Irish attire to become members of the Apron Ladies, an An Ri Ra group that looked after the entertainers by providing meals and finding lodging.

According to McMahon, the women took their cues from Maloney, who was the leader of this particular pack.

She just got things done, said McMahon.

A friend of more than 50 years, Dan Kelly, totally agreed with that statement.

If it was for Butte, she was in, said Kelly. If it was for the Butte Irish, she was in even more.

Through the years, the two, along with friends and families, took numerous out-of-two trips. He even traveled to Ireland with her, along with other members of the Kelly and Maloney families.

A dozen people boarded a plane to the Emerald Isle in 1984, and as Kelly recalled, it was a wild time

It was the best way to see Ireland, said Kelly.

Kelly will miss his longtime friend. The two An Ri Ra volunteers also sat together on the Butte Catholic Communitys parish council.

Loris most endearing quality was the fact that she truly cared, said Kelly. She will be a tough act to follow.

Because Father Patrick Beretta is currently out of town, funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, July 18, at St. Patricks Church. A devout Catholic and loyal St. Patricks parishioner, it was Maloneys wish that the Butte priest preside over her funeral.

Her family wouldnt have it any other way.

So, those who loved this wonderful Butte woman, they will have some time to gather their thoughts before saying their farewells.

In the meantime, in her memory,

May the Irish hills caress you.

May her lakes and rivers bless you.

May the luck of the Irish enfold you.

Saint Patrick behold you.

On a more personal note and it needs to be said to a woman who made such an impact on so many lives, including my own  Bye, Darlin  until we meet again.
VARMDO, SWEDEN - A Swedish soldier sits on a military boat with a machine gun during the Baltic Operations NATO military drills (Baltops 22). (Photo by Jonas Gratzer/Getty Images)

Russia's Baltic Fleet already had a tough transit when it needed to go anywhere. It's based largely near St. Petersburg and in the Kaliningrad Enclave. For decades, when it left St. Petersburg, it needed to pass in the narrow waters between Finland and NATO member Estonia. When it left the Baltic Sea, it had to pass within spitting distance of NATO member Denmark. With the addition of Finland and, soon, Sweden, the Baltic Sea will be a NATO lake.

Russia's Baltic Fleet

Russia's Baltic Fleet is its smallest, but it has an outsized strategic importance. Russia, as well as its potential rivals and adversaries in Europe, rely on the Baltic Sea to import and export a large number of goods. The Baltic marine area typically has thousands of ships transit every month, with 3,500-5,500 measured per month in a 2018 report.

The sabotaged Nord Stream pipelines both run through the Baltic Sea, as well. And the Russian navy base on the Kaliningrad Enclave is its only Atlantic-facing base that is ice-free year-round. In recent years, Russia has invested heavily in its defenses.

The Baltic Fleet has 52 vessels, including modern submarines. And Russia slated its six of the upcoming Lada-class advanced submarines for the Baltic. Despite the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, Russia has prioritized the Baltic Sea and kept most of the ships, missiles and planes assigned to the region at home. (Ground forces from the area have, reportedly, been deployed to Ukraine and suffered heavy losses.) And, it has continued to hold large exercises there.

As retired Coast Guard Capt. Lawson Brigham said in a Proceedings article:

Russia has strategic interests in the Baltic Sea regionnotably, exporting oil by tankers and gas by pipeline, and projecting power with its Baltic Sea Fleet. Unrestricted access for commercial and naval vessels to the open ocean through the Danish Straits is paramount for Russia, and regional air, sea, and land control are among its most visible, proactive pursuits. Ret. Capt. Lawson Brigham, U.S. Coast Guard, "Future Challenges for the Baltic Sea"

All of which is to say, Russia has vital interests in the Baltic Sea and everyone knows it.

This sucks for Russia, since the accession of Finland and now Sweden means it will be the only non-NATO member that borders the sea.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson addresses a joint press conference with the NATO Secretary General in Stockholm on March 7, 2023, following a meeting with all Swedish party leaders who are in favor of a Swedish NATO membership. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP) (Photo by JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Sweden is joining NATO

Sweden announced its plans to join NATO at the same time as Finland. But while NATO quickly welcomed Finland, a surprise protest by Turkey froze Sweden's accession plans. Finland officially joined the alliance April 4, and Sweden has been in limbo since.

But in a surprise announcement Monday night, on the literal eve of a NATO summit, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that his country backed Swedish accession. With Erdogan's backing, Sweden could join in weeks. The only other holdout, Hungary, has already said it doesn't want to be the last to ratify Sweden's membership.

When the treaties are ratified, Sweden will be the 32nd member of NATO and it will deliver 2,000 miles of Baltic coastline to the alliance, as well as top-tier military equipment like the Gotland-class submarine.

Not only does this mean that the Baltic Sea is a NATO lake except for a few Russian aberrations, it means there are new chokepoints where NATO can track Russian submarines and other ship traffic.

Now, all ships or submarines leaving St. Petersburg will have to pass between NATO members Finland and Estonia. In fact, ships will have to pass within 20 miles of two NATO capitals, as both Tallinn and Helsinki are on the Gulf of Finland.

As ships leave the gulf, it just gets worse for the Russians. The Danish straits are already quite tight, and three of the major passageways through them were entirely NATO-controlled. With the accession of Sweden, the sole remaining passageway, "Oresund" or "the Sound," is entirely NATO-controlled, as well.

In fact, it's now impossible to take a boat on the water from St. Petersburg to the Atlantic without passing under a NATO bridge, as Denmark and Sweden have road connections across the thin straits.

Russia's Baltic Fleet is now, more than ever, going to be its Alamo if it starts a war with NATO.
On Sunday, July 9, deputies with the McDowell County Sheriffs Office responded to a Nebo residence for a possible breaking and entering. Upon arrival, they observed Herbert Hayes Carver, 71, on the porch of the victims home with a gun. Carver is a convicted felon and is prohibited by North Carolina law from possessing a firearm. He was detained without further incident, according to a MCSO news release.
Glen Alpine Food Pantry Inc. received a Human Hurt and Hope Grant on June 15 from Epsicopal Diocese of Western North Carolina.

This grant was provided through one of the seven partner churches who supply a base of regular financial support, board representatives, and volunteers: St. Pauls Episcopal Church at Lake James, 1865 N. Powerhouse Road. This historical church dates back to 1906 while currently offering many outreach mission opportunities to the Lake James Community.

This sizeable grant of $15,000 will be used to create a cold storage room at the GAFPs location at Glen Alpine United Methodist Church. GAFP supports food needs for residents of Western Burke County with the continued support of our seven local churches: St. Pauls Episcopal at Lake James, Glen Alpine United Methodist, First Baptist of Glen Alpine, Faith Missionary Baptist Church, Gibbs Chapel Wesleyan Church, and Crosslink Carbon City.

GAFP, a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit established in 2017 is a partner agency with Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. The pantry serves over 300 families per month. In the past year, GAFP has distributed over 227,000 pounds of food to 598 families, consisting of 1,280 individuals, including 226 seniors, 294 children and 760 adults. The cold storage room will help the food pantry continue to meet food needs by ensuring adequate cold storage for perishable foods.

GAFP has more than 70 volunteers that complete over 200 tasks with around 500 hours of work being done per month by the all-volunteer staff. The food pantry is open to low-income Burke County residents on Tuesday evenings from 6-8 p.m., Thursday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon, and Fridays from noon to 2 p.m. Food donations may be dropped off a half hour before those serving times. Monetary donations may be sent to the Glen Alpine Food Pantry at P.O. Box 7, Glen Alpine, NC 28628.

GAFP is currently seeking a new director. If you are interested in learning more about this volunteer opportunity for food missions in our area, contact GAFP Board of Directors President Pastor John Terry of First Baptist Glen Alpine at pastorjohn_fbcga@yahoo.com.

For more information and to learn more about opportunities to volunteer, find us on Facebook.
The board of directors of the Community Foundation of Burke County announced Tuesday the resignation of Nancy Taylor, foundation president/CEO. Taylor plans to relocate to be closer to family members and to explore new professional endeavors.

On behalf of the board, I want to express my deep gratitude to Nancy for her many contributions to the Community Foundation of Burke County and to our community as a whole, said David Fletcher, board chair. She has led the organization with a strong commitment to its mission and to the donors and community it serves. During her tenure, Nancy has tripled the assets of the Foundation, developed lasting relationships with our donors, led the organization strategically and built strong relationships with local private foundations and community leaders.

Taylor has served as the executive leader of the foundation for more than a decade, overseeing a period of significant growth in assets, gifts received, grantmaking and impact across Burke County. In 2022 alone, the foundation awarded 645 grants and scholarships totaling more than $1.1 million to benefit community and economic vitality, arts and culture, health, education, human services and more.

It has been one of the greatest joys of my life to serve the Burke County community, Taylor said. I have been honored to work with a board of directors who cares deeply about the community we call home. The board has allowed me to explore the various avenues available to this organization to improve the lives of those who live here. I hope that in my own way, I have been able to move the foundation forward and have shown the community the extraordinary value of having a local foundation. Now, it is time for me to move closer to my family up north and explore my next professional adventure.

Taylor will continue to serve in her role until a successor has been selected. The board of directors has named a search committee, led by personnel committee chair Alan LeCroy, and has launched a broad-based search for the next president/CEO of the foundation.

About the foundationThe Community Foundation of Burke County, founded in 1998, is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that receives gifts, endowments and bequests from individual families, businesses and organizations. The foundation uses distributions from these funds to make grants to qualified charitable agencies and institutions in Burke County. The mission of the foundation is to encourage, develop and participate in philanthropy by providing flexible giving opportunities, professional support and responsible stewardship for the benefit of donors and qualified recipients.
Photo: Alanna Kelly Attessa V Yacht as seen in Vancouver's False Creek on July 11, 2023.

A 95-metre superyacht priced at $200 million was spotted cruising through False Creek before docking in North Vancouver.

Attessa V Yacht was built in 2010 by Blohm and Voss, a German shipbuilding and engineering company. It arrived in Vancouver on Tuesday and moved over to a dock in North Vancouver on Wednesday morning.

AV can entertain 24 guests in 12 rooms and has a crew of 33 people. It features a large swimming pool on the deck, a private movie theatre and a jet pool jacuzzi.

The superyacht was designed by Michael Leach Design and soars in speed and style.

It costs $10 to $20 million per year to run the yacht.

Website SuperYacht.com lists the owner of the AV as Dennis Washington, an 88-year-old American billionaire whose net worth is listed at US$6.4 billion and is ranked number 397 in Forbes' richest people in the world.

Washington, from Montana, claims to be self-made and owns a copper mining, marine transportation and heavy equipment business, according to Forbes. He is married with two children. In an interview with Forbes.com, Washington said his passion is boats.

Washingtons network of companies includes Washington Marine Group and Seaspan Shipyards in North Vancouver, where Kyle Washington, Dennis Washingtons son, is executive chairman.

The AV Yacht was previously known as Palladium and is listed as an award-winning superyacht.



It was previously owned by Mikhail Prokhorov, a Russian oligarch and previous owner of the Brooklyn Nets. The yacht drew attention when The Late Show host Stephen Colbert visited Prokhorov on the yacht.

Superyachts flocking to Vancouver Island

Superyachts flock to B.C. every year. One recently drew attention in B.C.s capital when a Brazilian billionaire docked in Victoria.

The 62-metre-long vessel called the Anawa was docked at Ship Point on May 30, clad with its own helicopter on deck.

Billionaire Jorge Paulo Lemann owns the yacht, according to Superfanyacht.com. Forbes.com says the investor-philanthropist lives in Switzerland and is worth $14.8 billion.

Anawa was custom-designed and built in 2020 by Damen Yachting. Its one of the companys SeaXplorer class of vessels, billed as long-range, luxury expedition yachts.

It can carry 12 guests and 15 crew plus a captain, Damen said.

Back in 2020, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones's yacht was spotted in the waters off Vancouver Island. The "Bravo Eugenia" is worth an estimated quarter-billion dollars.

The superyacht is designed to use 30 per cent less fuel than other vessels of its size and class but it doesn't skimp on amenities. The "Bravo Eugenia" can accommodate 14 guests and 30 crew members and features six guest suites, a beach lounge, spa and gym.

Vancouver

On Tuesday, the AV Yacht wasnt the only yacht drawing attention. A 32-metre vessel called the Snowbored was passing through False Creek with the final destination of Galiano Island.

The Snowbored, built by Westport in 2003, is a 32-metre vessel with a satin cherry wood interior, and a sundeck sporting a hot tub, wet bar, and lounge pads. It also has a fighting chair and rocket launcher for sport fishing, and can launch a Novurania tender and Yamaha waverunners.

Glacier Media reached out to Port of Vancouver for a comment about AV, but has not received a response at time of publication.

To see the inside of the AV superyacht, visit the designer's website.
A Butte EV driver can snag a recharge even before Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas play the Dance Pavilion stage Friday night.

Regional options for electric vehicle recharging include, but are not necessarily limited to, four charging stations at Town Pumps Flying J Travel Center in Rocker and six Tesla stations near the Perkins Restaurant and Bakery in Butte.

A contractor working for Town Pump is installing eight charging stations at the companys other truck stop in Rocker.

We are hopeful to be operational by the end of August, said Bill McGladdery, a spokesman for the Butte-based corporation.

He said Town Pump has five charging stations at its new store in Whitefish.

Thriftway Super Stops did not respond to requests for information.

One website tracking the deployment of EV charging stations reports that Montana ranks third among states with the most spread-out charging locations.

There were said to be an average of about 359 miles between each of the states 205 charging ports available when calculations were crunched  a metric that likely sounds worse than it is. It does not acknowledge, for example, that most of the existing charging ports follow major highways and are available in this rural states more urban areas.

In March, Car and Driver ranked the longest-range electric cars for 2023, a ranking especially relevant to drivers in Big Sky Country.

Lucid Motors, based in California, ranked first with the Lucid Air, boasting an EPA-estimated 516 miles of range  enough to get most Montanans to the grocery store and back. Base price: $139,650.

The Tesla Model S ranked second, with an EPA-estimated range of 405 miles on a full charge. Base price: $91,630.

The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 has an EPA-estimated range of 361 miles and is more affordable, with a base price of $46,615.

Electric cars are the future, and each year weve seen automakers add more EVs to their lineups, Car and Driver reported this month. Everyone is working on electric vehicles, from well-established existing manufacturers to new names such as Lucid, Canoo and Rivian.

Level 3 EV charges, the fastest charge favored by most long-distance drivers, can be found in Montana in places that include, among others, along Interstate 90 west of Butte in Missoula, along I-90 east in Bozeman, off I-15 south in Lima and off I-15 north in Helena and Great Falls.
I cant see anyone visiting that wall and not being moved.

Allow me to explain. About five years ago I attended a powwow on the Meskwaki Reservation outside of Tama. At the time, it was big news in Iowa that Mollie Tibbetts, a 20-year-old student, had disappeared. She was found a few weeks later murdered. Her killer, Cristhian Rivera, is serving a life sentence. At the time I think everyone had heard of Tibbetts, in fact, then President Donald Trump mentioned her in a speech. This further intensified my shock when I saw the wall.

No, it wasnt anything ornate. It just looked like a wall with several photos taped up. For people looking more closely, there were photos of women who had gone missing from the reservation. There must have been at least 20 photos on that wall and I feel safe in saying that I had not heard of even one of them. As a white person and a media professional, I felt about two inches tall. I got my phone out of my pocket and snapped a photo. That photo was on my Facebook page for quite some time.

I would love to say that the Indigenous population is just being overly sensitive when they say that society doesnt care when Indigenous women disappear, but no. The proof was right there in front of me, big as life.

This year the annual Meskwaki Powwow is Aug. 10-13 and anyone visiting the Tama area could certainly do a lot worse than go.

I am writing about this  for those who have been in a cave on Mars with their fingers in their ears for the last week  because of the recent controversy involving the Independence Day parade. During the parade, a woman on horseback simulated dragging another woman wearing a Spirit of Halloween version of a Native American dress with a rope around her hands. Needless to say, this drew some objections.

A quick note here  I am someone who doesnt feel art should necessarily be pretty. Many times it should be ugly, but it should make you think and reflect.

Anyone watching the Facebook livestream I was filming will see the definite pause as they walked by, which was me processing what I just saw. It was right at the tail end of the parade, I remembered the women on horseback from last year, and I was not expecting it.

As many people in the crowd did, I thought it was a statement about how Native Americans had been treated by settlers. In fact, I believe that was the two womens intent. People have criticized the Chamber of Commerce for not stopping them. Well, then the complaint would be they didnt allow a message regarding Native Americans in the parade. Damned if you do, damned if you dont.

A big lesson I have learned (shout out to Elisabeth Duckett who made sure I understood this message) is not to assume you understand the thought processes of a group other than yourself. They may see things much differently. In this case, an Iowa Indigenous group took offense to the statement, saying it trivialized violence and dehumanization toward women. Of course they did, just as they tried to convey a similar message on the wall at the powwow.

Since this happened, Mayor Bark has been in discussions with the Great Plains Action Society. I think both sides are hoping to work together to turn this bad thing into a good thing. Im sure they will get something good accomplished for Muscatine. Im hoping for the best. Having a segment of the population feeling no one cares about them is unacceptable.

Close 050816-powwow001 Beedoskah Stonefish 18, of Suttons Bay, MI., dances the Fancy Shawl dance, Sunday, May 8, 2016, during the last day of the Algonquin River Powwow of Champions held at Credit Island in Davenport. 050816-powwow002 Women join the dance circle during the Grand Entry, Sunday, May 8, 2016, during the inaugural Algonquin River Powwow of Champions held on Credit Island in Davenport. 050816-powwow003 Demery Jackson works on the hair of her neice, Cherish Kingbird 12, Sunday, May 8, 2016, during the final day of the inaugural Algonquin River Powwow of Champions held on Credit Island in Davenport. 050816-powwow004 Caitlyn Nicholas (L) of London Ontario along with her sister Jasmine Phillps both with the Oneida Nation, shade their faces with feather fans, Sunday, May 8, 2016, while watching the ceremonies at the inaugural Algonquin River Powwow of Champions held on Credit Island in Davenport. 050816-powwow005 Native Americans from several Nations wait to dance, Sunday, May 8, 2016, during the final day of the inaugural Algonquin River Powwow of Champions held on Credit Island in Davenport. 050816-powwow006 Colorful bead work highlights the headband of a dancer Sunday during the Grand Entry of the inaugural Algonquin River Powwow of Champions at Credit Island, Davenport. For more photos, go to qctimes.com/gallery 050816-powwow007 Native American Fancy Dancers enter the dance circle during the Grand Entry, Sunday, May 8, 2016, during the last day of the inaugural Algonquin River Powwow of Champions held on Credit Island in Davenport. 050816-powwow008 Native American Fancy Dancers enter the dance circle during the Grand Entry, Sunday, May 8, 2016, during the last day of the inaugural Algonquin River Powwow of Champions held on Credit Island in Davenport. 050816-powwow009 Native American Dancers enter the dance circle during the Grand Entry, Sunday, May 8, 2016, during the last day of the inaugural Algonquin River Powwow of Champions held on Credit Island in Davenport. 050816-powwow010 Vera Kingbird of Bemidji, Minn., dances during the Grand Entry on Sunday at the Algonquin River Powwow of Champions held on Credit Island, Davenport. For more photos, go to qctimes.com/gallery Photos: Algonquin River Powwow of Champions - Sunday The last day of the inaugural Algonquin River Powwow of Champions took place, Sunday, May 8, 2016, on Credit Island in Davenport. 050816-powwow001 Beedoskah Stonefish 18, of Suttons Bay, MI., dances the Fancy Shawl dance, Sunday, May 8, 2016, during the last day of the Algonquin River Powwow of Champions held at Credit Island in Davenport. 050816-powwow002 Women join the dance circle during the Grand Entry, Sunday, May 8, 2016, during the inaugural Algonquin River Powwow of Champions held on Credit Island in Davenport. 050816-powwow003 Demery Jackson works on the hair of her neice, Cherish Kingbird 12, Sunday, May 8, 2016, during the final day of the inaugural Algonquin River Powwow of Champions held on Credit Island in Davenport. 050816-powwow004 Caitlyn Nicholas (L) of London Ontario along with her sister Jasmine Phillps both with the Oneida Nation, shade their faces with feather fans, Sunday, May 8, 2016, while watching the ceremonies at the inaugural Algonquin River Powwow of Champions held on Credit Island in Davenport. 050816-powwow005 Native Americans from several Nations wait to dance, Sunday, May 8, 2016, during the final day of the inaugural Algonquin River Powwow of Champions held on Credit Island in Davenport. 050816-powwow006 Colorful bead work highlights the headband of a dancer Sunday during the Grand Entry of the inaugural Algonquin River Powwow of Champions at Credit Island, Davenport. For more photos, go to qctimes.com/gallery 050816-powwow007 Native American Fancy Dancers enter the dance circle during the Grand Entry, Sunday, May 8, 2016, during the last day of the inaugural Algonquin River Powwow of Champions held on Credit Island in Davenport. 050816-powwow008 Native American Fancy Dancers enter the dance circle during the Grand Entry, Sunday, May 8, 2016, during the last day of the inaugural Algonquin River Powwow of Champions held on Credit Island in Davenport. 050816-powwow009 Native American Dancers enter the dance circle during the Grand Entry, Sunday, May 8, 2016, during the last day of the inaugural Algonquin River Powwow of Champions held on Credit Island in Davenport. 050816-powwow010 Vera Kingbird of Bemidji, Minn., dances during the Grand Entry on Sunday at the Algonquin River Powwow of Champions held on Credit Island, Davenport. For more photos, go to qctimes.com/gallery
Plans are underway to send more Kenyan nurses to work in the United Kingdom.

The Ministry of Health Tuesday said it was making preparations to send the second batch.

The first cohort of nurses left the country in June last year following a bilateral agreement between Kenya and Britain signed by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and UKs Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Principal Secretary of State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni Muriuki said progress is being made in the development of recruitment guidelines for nurses under the Kenya-UK Bilateral Agreement for Collaboration on Healthcare Workforce.

Speaking during a consultation with officials from the Ministry of Health and British High Commission, Muriuki emphasized the purpose of the guideline to streamline the preparation and recruitment process, thereby opening up more opportunities for Kenyan nurses.

The Principal Secretary reiterated the governments unwavering commitment to ensuring the successful execution of the bilateral agreement, further underscoring the significance of this opportunity for Kenyan nurses.

UK and Kenya governments signed a bilateral agreement in July 2021 on health workforce collaboration.

Kenya is expected to send at least 20,000 nurses to the UK in three years in an agreement inked between the two countries when Kenyatta visited the UK in July 2021.
Jomo Gecaga says he is a responsible father to all his five children in response to a child maintenance suit filed by former Television presenter Anne Kiguta.

The journalist is demanding Sh2.7 million monthly upkeep for their twins from the former State House insider or an alternative lump sum of Sh413 million to take care of the children for a period of 12 years until they turn 18 years.

But in reply to Kigutas suit, Jomo Gecaga has told the court that the amount demanded by Kiguta is way above what he currently earns.

Gecaga says that he is neither a company owner nor a director. He has also stated that he will continue to provide for the minors within his means.

I have been blessed with five children, who include, the twins born by the plaintiff, and three other children for whom I have parental responsibility. I confirm that I take care and provide for my five children to the best of my ability and within my means, court papers read in part.

The nephew of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who also worked as his private secretary, adds that it is unfair to associate him with wealth. He mentions that Anne Kiguta is likely under the impression that his relation to the Kenyatta family means he has access to their wealth.

The plaintiff seems to be under the mistaken impression, that because I am related to the family of the former presidents of Kenya, the said familys alleged wealth belongs to me and that I have access to it and to endless resources, and she has made extremely unreasonable and unrealistic demands, to fund an untenable lifestyle, Gecaga argues.

Additionally, in the affidavit sworn on July 5, 2023, Jomo Gecaga asked the court to direct Kiguta to allow him custody of the minors.

I urge the court to grant the following prayers: That both parents be granted the joint legal custody of the two children. That the defendant be granted the physical custody, care, and control of the children, with reasonable access rights to the plaintiff, the affidavit reads in part.

In the alternative, the parties be granted a shared custody order, with suitable modalities that will bear in mind the childrens convenience and comfort as well as the parents competence to take care of them, Gecaga added.

The former presidents aide at the same time claims Kiguta is a successful journalist who is financially stable and capable of providing for the children as well.

He, therefore, wants the court to direct that the maintenance of the children be jointly and equally catered for by both parents.

Further, Gecaga mentions that there was nothing between him and Kiguta other than a brief encounter in 2015. He denies having a five-year relationship with Kiguta saying he neither spent time with her in the same house since the minors were born.

The conception of the children was unplanned for and a surprise to me. However, I accepted the paternity of my twins and have since their birth provided for them to the best of my ability. I confirm that I have never been intimate with the plaintiff since the conception of the children, he adds.

Jomo Gecaga adds that he has provided his children with a decent life and has always been available for them.

I have provided for the accommodation, education, medical cover, clothes, house-helps, a driver to pick and drop the children to school, and security for my children and it is preposterous to hear the plaintiff state in her pleadings that she has had to take loans to maintain the children, when all the big expenses are catered for singlehandedly by myself, from the childrens birth to date, he says.
The Media Council of Kenya(MCK) has reprimanded a section of the media for the manner in which they reported the death of Fr. Joseph Kariuki Wanjiku.

The 43-year-old Catholic Priest at the Archdiocese of Nairobi(St. Peters Church Ruai) passed away hours after spending Saturday night with his alleged lover, with multiple mainstream and social media outlets running the story on their platforms.

On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, however, MCK accused the media of sensationalizing the clerics death and lacking empathy.

An analysis conducted by the Council subjected to the test of empathy, intrusion into grief and shock and the Do no harm principle has shown that most of the coverage in both mainstream and social media was unprofessional, unnecessarily intrusive, and lacks common decency as provided for in the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya, MCK said in a written statement.

The Council noted that there were several inconsistencies in how the story was reported and the dignity of the subjects involved was violated.

The use of sensational words and derogatory terms was insensitive and uncalled for, violating the dignity of the subjects involved and resulting in invasion of the individuals privacy.

A review of the media coverage shows inconsistencies in reporting facts of the story, sensational headlines and breaches of the code of conduct on accuracy, fairness, integrity, accountability, obscenity, taste and tone, the statement added.

The council cautioned the media to protect the dignity of individuals and adhere to journalistic ethos.

The Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya requires that: In cases involving personal grief and shock, inquiries shall be made with sensitivity and discretion. Journalists shall present news with integrity, common decency and respect the dignity of the audience as well as the subject of news, MCK stated.

The councils statement comes after MCSK CEO Ezekiel Mutua also faulted a leading media house over what he termed as an insensitive headline on the same story.

One of the most sickening and callous headlines I have ever seen in the news was Nzi kafia kidondani on one of the leading TV stations at 7 pm yesterday.

It was referring to the death of a catholic priest in Nyeri. This is heartless, insensitive and unprofessional in the extreme. You cant mock a dead person that way no matter the cause of his deathHes human, deserving of respect. He has relatives and friends who are mourning him, Mutua said.
Comedian Njugush(born Timothy Kimani) has shrugged off musician Jua Calis comments suggesting that he should focus on creating skits rather than pursuing stand-up comedy.

Njugush has been the talk of the town in recent days following his stand-up show in Australia. Netizens shared snippets of the show on Twitter, drawing criticism from a section of social media users.

One of them was Jua Cali, who tweeted: Njugush ni boy wangu but hakuna comedian hapo, not funny at all.

The heat would soon turn on Jua Cali, who was castigated by netizens forcing him to apologise through social media and through Njugushs pal, Abel Mutua.

Fans wa Njugush na Njugush poleni sana kama hio tweet ilicome out harsh hio haikua intention napenda Skits za Njugush ni vile tu StandUp ni ballgame ingine noma but polepole with practice NJUGUSH will become one of the Greats, lets come together StandUp ni artform inataka patience na a lot of resources kama tu music industry but done right hapo kuna doe kuruka!!! If we put our heads together tutatoboa, Jua Cali wrote in part.

His apology notwithstanding, Njugush said everyone is entitled to their own opinion. He also took a dig at Jua Calis claim that they are boys saying theyve only ever met once.

Unajua alisema ni boy wangu, but we have only met once. But its fine, it is his own sentiment and everyone has their own opinion. His opinion does not prevent me from telling Kenyans to watch TTNT 1 to 4, Njugush said.

He added: Art is very subjective  its very relative. Ngoma unalike maybe mimi sitai-like. Comedy unawatch maybe mimi sitawatch. But that doesnt mean we are not working.

Njugush mentioned that throughout his career, he has encountered critics who questioned his abilities. He proudly stated that he has consistently defied those doubts, surpassing expectations and proving his naysayers wrong.

TTNT 1, 2, 3 & 4 sold out. The UK was sold out, Australia was sold out. Do you know how hard it is to sell out a show outside Kenya?

When we started Real House helps of Kawangware show, they said it would not go far but the show became a hit. When I left TV and became a content creator they asked why an actor would start doing skits, he added.

Njugush expressed his gratitude towards his loyal fan base, acknowledging their unwavering support in defending him. He credited his fans for compelling Jua Cali to apologize for his remarks.
Spouse of the Deputy President Pastor Dorcas Rigathi on Tuesday joined African women from across the continent on the final day of celebrating 20 years of the Maputo Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa.

Pastor Dorcas challenged the hundreds gathered in Nairobi that mothers and women do not just meet, but their meeting counts with the birth of international, earthshaking and transformative agendas.

Women are the economic drivers, especially in Kenya, constituting the bulk of the population at 51 per cent, she said

She further recognized the beaten path by women who sought for the empowerment of women and girls, and also made commitments for their countries.

Kenya is among the 43 countries out of 54 in Africa that have ratified the Maputo Protocol. The protocol addresses violence against women, harmful cultural practices, female genital mutilation, girls empowerment through education and employment, promotes economic safety nets, and rights of women living with HIV/AIDS.

Today, we stand on the shoulders of formidable women who have bravely laid the foundation we build upon. I honour them and the sacrifices they made to get us where we are today. Those who attended the Beijing conference and started clamouring for womens rights. Those who paid high prices to form many impactful organizations that have made great strides in womens rights including the Pan African Womens organization, said Pastor Dorcas.

She urged those attending the anniversary celebrations to implement the Maputo protocol the African way for effectiveness, and sustainability.

If we resort to the African values of mentorship we shall achieve some intended outcomes of the Maputo Protocol, said Pastor Dorcas.

She also urged women to work together, promote and protect each other for the peace and security in Africa, integration of the African union and promotion of the African ideologies.
President William Ruto has assured Kenyans of the Governments commitment to bettering their lives. He said the cost of living will soon ease following the Governments heavy investment in food production.

The subsidised inputs have had a huge impact on our agriculture. We will have a bumper harvest this year.

He was speaking on Tuesday during the issuance of title deeds to more than 2,000 Embakasi Ranching Company shareholders.

The President said the title deeds will minimise disputes and put value to property.

This will pave the way for productive use of land in our country.

He added that the document will also be used as collateral in securing loans from financial institutions.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet Secretaries Zacharia Njeru (Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development), Moses Kuria (Investments, Trade and Industry), Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, MPs and other leaders, were present in the function.

Mr Gachagua noted that the Opposition will not deter the Government from transforming Kenya.

On his part, Mr Sakaja said protests cannot uplift Kenyans.

It is time we engaged in development-oriented politics, argued the Governor.

Later, the President commissioned the 220/66kV Athi River sub-station, part of the 220kV Nairobi Ring Project that seeks to improve uninterrupted supply of electricity in the City.

He observed that the Government is investing in additional electricity supply to improve access to adequate, low-carbon, reliable and affordable energy.

This, he added, will unlock Kenyas production potential and spur economic growth.

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti lauded the Government for its commitment to empowering ordinary people.

The governor said she had witnessed great support from the President for county governments to succeed.
The alleged mastermind of an avocado painting scam in Muranga County has been arrested.

Days after a victim of the scam shared how traders at Kaharati market paint unripened and rotten avocados and sell them to unsuspecting buyers, police officers raided the market and arrested several suspected traders.

Among them was an elderly man said to be the ring leader of the avocado-painting racket. A video shared online captured the authorities exposing the man and illustrating how some of the fruits had been painted.

In the video, an official in a suit notes that the scam also involves bananas that are injected with chemicals to appear ripe.

We want Kenyans to see the person selling people-painted avocadoes. You guys are doing dangerous business and endangering Kenyans lives. There are also bananas that you might think are ripened but have been injected with chemicals. Let us do legitimate business, the man urges the traders.

He adds: We also have avocadoes stolen from farms. You must stop it.

Watch the video below.
What impressed me most at a recent meeting of church members from around the world was the willingness expressed by one and all to address the elephant in the room: Whats to be done about declining interest in organized religion?

For me, the answer begins and ends with love: Learning to love God more, to love myself as Gods creation, and to be more consistent in loving my neighbor as myself, an ethic both embraced and encouraged by nearly every faith tradition.

Isnt this what church is all about? Isnt this what inspires us to join hands with one another in furthering a greater sense of harmony in our community? Isnt this what keeps our churches thriving?

This was certainly the case for one man who spoke at this meeting, an annual gathering of my denomination, the Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, which a number of my fellow church members and I attended online. Shortly after being released from jail, he found himself walking into one of the worldwide branches of my church. He said, Even though I didnt belong to this church, I felt the love for this church. And I felt that the people in this church would love me. He then shared how much this church community has blessed and supported his life, and that he has felt a renewed sense of purpose while serving there.

This helped me see that church isnt so much about packing the pews as it is committing ourselves to living the love at the heart of our being  a love that is necessarily expansive and inclusive. As this man put it, What could be better than coming to church and trying to heal a community?

There have been various times in my life when such a commitment has proved practical. On one occasion I was verbally attacked by a man while waiting in line to go into a bank. Fortunately I was able to stay calm, thanks in no small part to my sincere desire to truly love my neighbor, and to see that this love has its source in God, in divine Love itself.

Within a short time another gentleman spoke up and was able to defuse the situation. The outbursts ceased. Peace prevailed.

To me, this is a great example of church in action. Even if this man wasnt a churchgoing person himself, that doesnt mean that he was excluded from the embrace of church, the all-encompassing and ever-expanding arms of divine Love  God. As someone expressed it at the meeting in Boston, No matter how small we may be, were still a force for good.

Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of the Christian Science Church, writes, The praiseworthy success of this church  sprang from the temples erected first in the hearts of its members  the unselfed love that builds without hands, eternal in the heaven of Spirit.

As long as we continue to erect such temples ourselves, we can expect that our churches will continue to thrive.
Photo: Mary Ellen Mann Knox Mountain wildfire on July 1.

A B.C. government Twitter account updating residents about driving conditions reached its tweet limit on a weekend it was sharing information about wildfire evacuations.

The incident, which occurred earlier this month, prompted the Ministry of Transportations DriveBC account to issue a warning.

HEADS UP - As many others have this weekend, @DriveBC on Twitter and its sub accounts have exceeded the temporarily imposed post rate limit, tweeted the ministry account July 2.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and appreciate your patience while we work to resolve this issue going forward.

The outage, first reported by CBC News, lasted little more than an hour but nevertheless has worried emergency preparedness experts, who say it's the latest sign that the once-reliable platform can no longer be counted on.

It's kind of the end of public alerting through social media, said Ryan Reynolds, an emergency preparedness consultant with Resilience Mapping Canada.

These limits basically mean that we can't distribute that information quickly and easily at any scale.

DriveBC has a dedicated website, but many access its automated messages through its Twitter account, a platform accessed by more than a quarter of Canadians in 2023, according to the companys advertising data.

In the past, Twitters more than 370 million users have accessed the platform as a last bastion of critical information during social upheavals and disaster. It played a crucial role redirecting Pakistanis to a Red Crescent emergency help line during massive floods in 2022, and amplified emergency service information when Hurricane Ian struck Florida last September.

Since Elon Musks takeover of the platform, however, Twitter has put new rules in place that limit the number of automated tweets an account can send without paying. The move was carried out partly as a response to rising concerns artificial intelligence platforms would use the historical archives of social media platforms to train their large language models.

We've been trying to use private infrastructure as public infrastructure for communications, said Reynolds. But it really doesn't work once things change.

We need to acknowledge that we still want to be where everyone is (so on social media), but we also need fallbacks that are much more reliable.

Other jurisdictions feeling pinch of Twitters new limits

B.C. is far from the first jurisdiction to feel the effects of recent tweet limits. The U.S. National Weather Service uses Twitter to share hurricane and tornado alerts. But on July 4, its Boulder, Colo., bureau tweeted that rate limits meant it was unable to sift through tweets during active severe weather events.

Due to issues with Twitter rate limits, we are unable to access most tweets at this time, said NWS Boulder.

Send reports to our other social media accounts or direct through our email/phone lines.

Similar warnings were posted to the weather services bureaus in North Carolina and Virginia.

Some agencies have responded by cutting off their use of Twitter as a source of critical information. Last week, Dutch politicians told Reuters Twitter had become an unreliable platform after the Netherlands most intense summer storm on record ripped through North Holland.

In New York, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said in April it would suspend use of the platform for service alerts after it was twice locked out of the platforms Application Programming Interface (API).

The MTA has terminated posting service information to Twitter, effective immediately, as the reliability of the platform can no longer be guaranteed, said North Americas largest transportation authority in a press release.

"The MTA does not pay tech platforms to publish service information and has built redundant tools that provide service alerts in real time.

Big disasters in big cities present largest risk

Twitters API service limits tweets for non-paying users to 1,500 a month  not enough for many emergency accounts. And while a small fee for the platform's 'Blue Check' service will increase that ceiling for individual users, the cost of an enterprise account has reportedly climbed into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Twitter did not respond to Glacier Media's questions.

Reynolds says Twitter's recent posting limits will likely have a limited effect on communication during emergency events in smaller communities, simply because they are less likely to send out as many tweets.

But he worries what might happen during a major disaster, such as a powerful earthquake striking large population centres in Metro Vancouver or the Capital Regional District on southern Vancouver Island.

For a place like say Metro Vancouver, that's going to be a very different story, where you're seeing potentially very large number of messages going out during an emergency, Reynolds said.

Like many government information services, DriveBC and the BC Wildfire Service share information on their own websites. But Reynolds worries whether such websites could handle the surge in traffic should a disaster occur in a major population centre.

That's the official way to get that message out, he said of the websites. It has to be bulletproof and support that messaging, but I'm not convinced that that's the case right now. There aren't really good alternatives yet.

A spokesperson from Metro Vancouver said it plans to use a number of communication platforms to inform residents in an emergency  including the app Alertable.

Metro Vancouver is active on social media, but doesnt rely on any one platform or method to get important information out during an emergency, said the spokesperson.

The B.C.'s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure was not immediately available for comment.

Government playing catch-up with 'tech bros'

Reynolds says he's worried regional, provincial and federal governments aren't taking household disaster preparedness seriously enough.

A former researcher at the University of British Columbia, Reynolds led the development of an emergency app to prepare and warn British Columbians of everything from floods to tsunamis and fires.

Initially rolled out in seven communities on Vancouver Island, Reynolds planned to scale up the app across B.C. But the province turned down two of his grant applications and he says the project, developed after years of community-level research, will become dead unless Public Safety Canada picks it up.

That's a concern for me, he said. We need to have either a Canadian alerting app that is send only  the part of Twitter that we need for emergency management  or we need to reinforce the alternative approaches.

Reynolds said that could come through partnering with the U.S. and Mexico or even NATO so Canada doesnt have to reinvent the wheel.

In the meantime, apps like Alert Ready offer a good option to receive emergency alerts, but they have their limits when it comes to preparing households beforehand, said Reynolds.

We're losing these other passive solutions. We don't really have a great replacement for them right now, he said. This is just the privatization of social media, and the kind of balkanization of social media that we weren't anticipating.

Emergency management moves at a much slower rate than tech bros.
The phrase existential threat is much in vogue these days. There are indeed some situations where its appropriate. One is the nuclear program of the terrorist Iran regime, which poses a vital threat to Israel. Another one is Putins war of aggression against an independent Ukraine. And then we have the Hunter project here in St. Helena, where a domineering state government wants to fundamentally alter our town.

The narrow decision of the City Council to approve Hunter lies somewhere between comical and cowardly. No one voiced an optimistic opinion vouching for some social good that Hunter would provide. Instead, the majority cowered before the fascistic powers of the state. Why fascistic? Because the states attempt to impose Hunter on us is an example of an all-powerful higher authority trying to stamp out local control and independence. As the Stars editor wrote in a news story, this is unprecedented pressure on a local government.

Why is Hunter a great threat? Because it will endanger the character of St. Helena, our finances and our safety. St. Helena already is suffering from too many second homes; many dozens more would define us as a part-time destination. We cant afford the burden of this monstrous development on our physical and fiscal resources. And building by the levee threatens the east side of town when we next face floods, wildfires and earthquakes.

Also unprecedented has been a city departments veiled attack on a St. Helenan. Dr. Angela Zivkovic is a professor and research scientist at UC Davis. Id put her analytical black belt up against any bureaucrat. She has been consistently and effectively arguing against Hunter.

Most recently, Zivkovic addressed a state bureaucratic chieftain, stating that It is not only irresponsible but also amoral for state officials to be pressuring small municipalities  to build housing in a high-risk area that could lead to the loss of lives especially and including the lives of vulnerable, low-income, underrepresented minorities and elderly. Her declaration highlights the fascistic element in the states action: the lack of morality and the overpowering of the weak and defenseless.

Moreover, the states intervention runs counter to Gov. Gavin Newsoms campaign against climate change. As Dr. Zivkovic writes, weather disasters are only increasing in both severity and frequency. To deny the impact of weather on Hunter is to live in a world of fantasy.

What can and will be done? First, focus on Gavin Newsom. Remind him of his belief in climate change and his never-ending political ambition. St. Helenans should tell him we will oppose his eventual campaign for president unless he acts now to rein in his misguided and misbegotten Sacramento mandarins.

Our mayor, Paul Dohring, is standing out for his leadership against Hunter. His was the only City Council vote against both approving Hunter and its related environmental impact report. He is now offering two useful and meaningful action ideas. The first is to embark on a professional, neutral, comprehensive emergency evacuation assessment and then immediately implement the resulting recommendations.

Dohrings second proposal is for the city to now hire a neutral, third-party expert to assess the maintenance, stability, and functionality of the levee, and then follow the recommendations. What Dohring is telling us is that substantive analysis must lead to action. He is following Churchills declaration that expert knowledge, however indispensable, is no substitute for a generous and comprehending outlook. The citys response to evacuation risks and levee dangers can and should put a full stop to Hunter before any possible approval of the projects final map and water and housing agreements.

Going forward, we dont need to take counsel of our fears, but move strategically to stop Hunter. That should involve political pressure on Sacramento and legal action. Im told that several lawsuits are in play to cripple and cancel Hunter.

We recently paused to celebrate our glorious Fourth, which commemorates successful resistance to tyrannical power. Later in 1776, George Washington offered words to support his soldiers which can reassure us now: Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the whole world, that a freeman contending for liberty on his own ground is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth.
Soroptimist International of St. Helena awarded 12 scholarships to St. Helena High School seniors this year, totaling $15,000.

Since the club began in 1954, it has given out more than $250,000 to St. Helena High graduates. The students honored this year plan to attend four-year schools, community colleges and trade schools. They are:

Arleth Bautista

Gema Jimenez-Ceja

Brandon Fregoso-Diaz

Aribella Farrell

Nina Gregorutti

Erin Ries-Juncker

Mariela Rivera-Moreno

Talia Ricci

Westin Staid

Mabel Wilms

Madeline Sullivan

Alice Wrede

The club also gave a $3,000 Live Your Dream Award to Ana Rodriguez, a single mother who is going back to school to improve her life and the economic status of her family. Since Soroptimist started the Live Your Dream Award, it has given out more than $75,000.

Soroptimist also recognizes local youth who exemplify what it means to be a Soroptimist by giving back to their community through service. Soroptimist has given out more than $15,000 to these students and their charities. This year the club recognized Carolyn Wagner for her community service with the Rutherford Grange Hall.

Soroptimist recently has begun to add some financial support with the Monarch Justice Center in Napa, which provides a range of free services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, child abuse, and elder and dependent adult abuse in Napa County.

Those are just a few of the places where Soroptimist spends the money raised from its annual crab feed held on the first Saturday in February. The next crab feed will be on Feb. 3, 2024.

Breaking down the types of scholarships available to students Breaking down the types of scholarships available to students Merit aid Need-based aid Identity-based scholarships Government scholarships Athletic scholarships Activity-based scholarships Military scholarships Employer-sponsored tuition assistance
A Napa native imprisoned for murdering his former girlfriend nearly two decades ago will get another chance to seek early release later this year.

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Eric Nathaniel (Nate) Marum, 43, will appear before a state parole panel Nov. 2 at Folsom State Prison, according to a hearing schedule posted by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Marum has been held at Folsom since pleading guilty to the 2005 slaying of Nicole Sinkule at her home in Oceanside north of San Diego.

The parole bid will be the third by Marum, who was arrested after Sinkule was bludgeoned to death with a claw hammer on Oct. 16, 2005. Marum pleaded guilty to her murder in October 2006 and was sentenced to 16 years to life behind bars.

Marums initial parole application was rejected in 2019. In November 2021, two members of the Board of Parole Hearings recommended freeing Marum, but Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed the release in March 2022, arguing that Marum had not yet proven he would not be a danger to women.

While crediting Marum  who attended Vintage High School and UCLA  for receiving treatment for psychological and drug problems since his arrest, Newsom, in a statement, concluded Marum must do additional work to mitigate his risk for intimate partner violence before he can be safely released.

At his 2021 hearing, Marum told the parole board of a worsening methamphetamine addiction that he said fueled his violence against Sinkule during their year-long relationship. When Sinkule tried to leave him, his meth use drove him into a psychosis on the night he killed her, Marum said at the time.

Prosecutors, as well as Sinkules relatives, rejected Marums expression of remorse as a way to minimize the violence of his behavior in the months before the murder. Family members have continued to fight Marums further efforts to go free, starting an online petition to keep him jailed and giving multiple interviews about the case to news outlets.
LOS ANGELES  Former Manson family member Leslie Van Houten was released from prison Tuesday after more than five decades behind bars, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said.

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Van Houten, 73, was serving a life sentence for her role in the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca in Los Angeles in 1969.

Gov. Gavin Newsom denied Van Houtens parole three times, and Gov. Jerry Brown also had denied Van Houtens parole when he was in office.

But Newsom was overruled by a California appeals court earlier this year, and on Friday, he said he would not challenge the appellate courts decision to allow parole for Van Houten.

Newsom was disappointed by the Court of Appeals decision to release Ms. Van Houten, Erin Mellon, communications director for the Office of the Governor, said Tuesday in a statement.

A former homecoming queen from Monrovia, Van Houten became involved with the Manson family in the 1960s. Supporters described her as a misguided teen under the influence of LSD on the night of the killings.

She was involved in the second of the Manson family murders  the killings of Los Feliz grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary, at their home in 1969.

Van Houten and another woman held down Rosemary LaBianca as Charles Tex Watson stabbed Leno LaBianca. After Watson stabbed Rosemary LaBianca, he handed Van Houten a knife. She testified to stabbing the woman at least 14 more times.

And I took one of the knives, and Patricia had one  a knife  and we started stabbing and cutting up the lady, Van Houten testified in 1971. (Patricia Krenwinkle was a co-defendant and family member.)

The day before the LaBianca murders, Charles Manson followers had killed Sharon Tate and her friends Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger and Steven Parent in a brutal attack at a home on Cielo Drive in Benedict Canyon.

The two slayings, commonly referred to as the Tate-LaBianca murders, drew international attention and became inexorably linked to Los Angeles and the late 1960s.

Krenwinkle remains in prison and is not up for parole again until November.

Van Houten went through three trials for her role in the killings. The first led to her conviction and a death sentence, which was overturned on appeal because her lawyer disappeared before the verdict.

The second trial ended with a hung jury, and the third led to her murder conviction and a sentence of seven years to life with the possibility of parole.

One of Van Houtens attorneys, Rich Pfeiffer, who has been working on her case for a decade, said he was relieved after her release.

Its been a long battle, and its been emotional for her at times, he said. All of these hearings have been hard. The governor always waits until the last possible minute to reverse the grant of parole before she can be released. I think thats incredibly mean.

Pfeiffer said that Van Houten, who earned a masters degree in humanities while incarcerated, has job offers and the support of family and friends. Shell do just fine, he said.

Van Houten didnt want to make any public statement because shes afraid if she says anything, itll offend the victims, her attorney said.

She has respect for them, Pfeiffer said.

Photos: Cult killer Charles Manson, who died after almost a half-century in prison, through the years Obit Charles Manson Obit Charles Manson Obit Charles Manson Obit Charles Manson Obit Charles Manson Obit Charles Manson Obit Charles Manson Obit Charles Manson Obit Charles Manson Obit Charles Manson
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Re. David Bucknas letter Questions for Tory leader (Castanet, July 12)

I have a question for David Buckna. Why would he (say something) that is easily disproved?

Buckna states, about Conservative leader (Pierre Poilievre's) event in Pentiction, online pre-registration is mandatory to attend his "election campaign" events but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh would never insist on that.

A five-second Google search and Trudeau's own website shows his next event is July 17 in Nova Scotia at the Laurier Club. To access the event you need to register online. A five-second Google search and Singh's own website shows his last meet-and-greet was May 6 in Sudbury Ontario. To access the event you needed to RSVP by registering online.

The other point I would make is the (upcoming Poilievre meet-and-greet) is not an "election campaign" event, as no election has been called to my knowledge.

Mike Porter, West Kelowna
The expectations in Stepanakert from the Russian peacekeepers not being met; one of the problems is that the closure of the Lachin corridor is a very serious problem. Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, Armen Grigoryan, stated this in an interview with the VOA Armenian Service.

According to him, the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020 did not envisage any presence of Azerbaijan in the Lachin corridor, and it was the task of the Russian peacekeepers to ensure free movement through this corridor.

"Today there is no such change, and our expectation is that the [Russian] peacekeepers carry out their mission in full, and the people living in Nagorno-Karabakh do not face such a humanitarian crisis because the ongoing crisis is deepening. In recent times, the [Lachin] corridor is completely closed, there is not even movement of goods, and this complicates life in Nagorno-Karabakh itself. The expectation is that there will be no such crises. The main expectation is that the [Russian] peacekeepers will be able to fulfill the functions within the scope of their mandate; i.e. ensure the safety of the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh," said the secretary of the Security Council of Armenia.

During the interview, reference was made also to Armenia's relations with the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). In this regard, Grigoryan emphasized that Armenia discusses all matters with the other CSTO member countries and uses the CSTO platforms to raise all matters and find solutions.

"We see that the [other] CSTO member countries say in a certain way, at least publicly, that the issues raised by Armenia are legitimate. It is very important that our partners understand that the issues we raise are legitimate. And we expect a solution to these issues," said the secretary of the Security Council of Armenia.
James Warlick, former US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, considers premature the statement of the US ambassador to Armenia that the United States considers the safe life of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Armenians within Azerbaijan to be possible. According to the retired diplomat, the people of Nagorno-Karabakh should first be provided with assurances of security and protection of rights. Warlick expressed such a view on the air of "Factor of Power" program of Armenian News-NEWS.am.

"I dont know the full context of the US ambassadors statements. I saw them and I believe that her statements were premature. There need to be protections put in place for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, and certainly no talk of ethnic cleansing. This starts at the top with [Azerbaijani] president [Ilham] Aliyev, and he needs to give assurances that there will be no ethnic cleansing, that he will respect the rights of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, and that he is prepared to offer some sort of status within the territory of Azerbaijan for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh," emphasized the former US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, adding that all this has yet to happen.

According to Warlick, in a number of other issues that are part of the settlement, such as regional communications and transportation, those assurances need to be given, and the people of Nagorno-Karabakh need to fully accept that their rights are going to be protected in the future.

"Given the history of the relationship between Armenia and Azerbaijan, of course both sides are going to be very skeptical and have reservations. But any talk of ethnic cleansing should be off the table, and there need to be assurances given that the people of Nagorno-Karabakh will be fully protected and have all of the rights of the people within the territory of Azerbaijan.," said Warlick.

Recently, on the air of Public Television of Armenia, referring to the opinions that if Artsakh is left as part of Azerbaijan, the safe and protected life of Armenians will be physically impossible, US Ambassador to Armenia Kristina Kvien had stated that the United States believes and hopes that this is possible.

Later, in response to Armenpress's inquiry, the US Embassy in Yerevan stated that the United States does not predetermine the results of the negotiations on the future of Nagorno-Karabakh, but supports the signing of an agreement that will be lasting, stable, and provide the basis for peace.

And the Artsakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responding to the US ambassador's statement, had stressed that the mediators' approaches should not predetermine the outcome of the negotiations.
11:14





There are two major barrages on the Yamuna -- Dakpathar in Dehradun and Hathnikund in Yamunanagar, upstream of Delhi. There are no dams on the river and, therefore, most of the monsoon flow remains unutilised, resulting in floods during the season.





Delhi recorded a rapid increase in the Yamuna's water level over the past three days. It shot up from 203.14 metres at 11 am on Sunday to 205.4 metres at 5 pm on Monday, breaching the danger mark of 205.33 metres 18 hours earlier than expected. The river exceeded the evacuation mark of 206 metres Monday night, prompting the relocation of people residing in flood-prone areas to safer locations and the closure of the Old Railway Bridge for road and rail traffic.





PWD Minister Atishi explains, "The Yamuna river is bound to overflow its banks when the water goes up to this level. The 'nalas' around the Yamuna are also filled with water, because of which the areas around Yamuna, especially ISBT, Ring Road, and ITO are facing waterlogging. Human beings cannot control the flow of the water. We are constantly in touch with Haryana to ensure that they release the least amount of water so that the situation doesn't get worse. Water has also entered several roads in Delhi as well. The PWD has closed such roads."





The water level breached the previous all-time record of 207.49 metres by 1 pm on Wednesday and the 208-metre mark by 10 pm. Major floods in Delhi occurred in 1924, 1977, 1978, 1988, 1995, 1998, 2010 and 2013. An analysis of flood data from 1963 to 2010 indicate an increasing trend for floods occurring in September, and a decreasing trend in July, according to research.





According to the CWC, the flow rate at the Hathnikund barrage remained above 1.5 cusecs at night. Normally, the flow rate at the barrage is 352 cusecs, but heavy rainfall in the catchment areas increases the discharge. One cusec is equivalent to 28.32 litres per second.





The India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rain in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh on Thursday and Friday, raising concern about a further rise in the water level in the rivers.





Delhi witnessed its highest rainfall (153 mm) in a single day in July since 1982 in the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Sunday. The city received an additional 107 mm rainfall in the subsequent 24 hours, exacerbating the situation. The heavy rain transformed roads into gushing streams, parks into watery labyrinths and marketplaces into submerged realms.





The Yamuna river system's catchment covers parts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. The low-lying areas near the river in Delhi, inhabited by around 41,000 people, are considered prone to flooding. Encroachments on the river's floodplain have occurred over the years, despite the land belonging to the Delhi Development Authority, the revenue department and private individuals.





The city's northeast, east, central, and southeast districts are most affected by floods in the city. A study on 'Urban Flooding and its Management' by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department identifies east Delhi under the floodplain region and highly vulnerable to floods.

The Yamuna in Delhi swelled to a staggering 208.48 metres Thursday morning, inundating nearby streets and public and private infrastructure, and causing immense hardships to people living in close proximity to the river.
US climate envoy John Kerry to visit China next week

John Kerry's visit to China follows recent trips by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to the country. File photo: AFP

John Kerry, the US special envoy on climate issues, will visit China from July 16-19, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment said on Wednesday, the latest senior American official to travel to Beijing in recent weeks.



The ministry said the two countries will have an in-depth exchange of views on working together to address climate change.



Kerry's trip follows a visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken last month and will come a week after the departure of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.



Given the scale of their economies, cooperation between China and the US is considered vital to international efforts to avert the worst impacts of climate change. While in Beijing, Yellen stressed that both countries need to work closely together on the issue.



Kerry said in May that China had invited him to visit "in the near term" for talks on averting a global climate crisis.



Climate experts have said they do not expect Kerry's trip to add much momentum to climate negotiations, given ongoing political tensions between the two sides, but there are potential areas of cooperation on issues like the abatement of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.



"First and foremost, it's just very important that it is happening," said Joanna Lewis, an expert on Chinese climate policies at Georgetown University.



"I think it is important that some sort of positive agenda comes out of this meeting, even if it is simply an agreement to continue to meet," she said during a webinar on US-China climate cooperation on Tuesday. (Reuters/Xinhua)
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas listens as President Donald Trump speaks before administering the constitutional oath to new Justice Amy Coney Barrett at the White House in Washington on Oct. 26, 2020. (Patrick Semansky/AP)

If you live long enough to see your heroes deposed from their former glory by the exposure of long-hidden truths, it can make you feel as though, maybe, you have lived too long.

I had heard of Horatio Alger, but not the Association of Distinguished Americans that was named after him  until I heard that their honored members included Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. And that would not have mattered a lot to me if Thomas had not spent recent weeks making headlines for his membership in the Alger association and similar well-heeled groups.

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As you may know  or, at least, should know  Thomas benefited personally from being a member of that exclusive association of wealthy and influential Americans, which has its philosophical roots in the Gilded Age, an era roughly running from 1877 to 1900.

The eras name comes from a novel, co-authored by Mark Twain; its a reference to the way serious social problems were thinly masked, in Twains view, by the gold gilding of economic expansion. A new mechanized and industrial America emerged in that period as wages grew in the Northern and Western industrial belts, along with wages and demands for labor, skilled and unskilled.

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A cultural change came too. Algers bestselling books about poverty-stricken boys who rise above their circumstances helped build a grand American narrative taught to one generation of boys after another, including mine, that anyone can succeed, regardless of difficulties, if they work hard enough, stick to it and dont quit.

I still believe that, and despite the corniness of its themes to modern sensibilities, my wife and I have tried to teach this concept to our son, who, despite his initial resistance, began to see Algers message after he grew old enough to have a mortgage and pay taxes.

Were talking, of course, about the American Dream, as it is widely known. It is, of course, widely debated as to whether the dream is still alive. As near as I can tell after reading years of studies by the Brookings Institution and the like, it works better at lifting the boats of the poor but hardworking up to affluence in a robust economy, with robustness varying from one period to another.

An excerpt from the schedule for the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans' April 2018 induction of new members. The exclusive Alger association brought Justice Clarence Thomas access to wealthy members and unreported VIP treatment. (Excerpt via The New York Times)

Nevertheless, the Alger association seeks, according to quotes from its tax filings, to spread the message that Americas free enterprise system provides the greatest opportunities in the world for personal achievement and success.

I agree, up to the point of saying those opportunities could have even better outcomes with a little help from, say, job training and placement programs, among other possibilities.

But that gets us into politics of the sort that brought Thomas to our attention in the first place. The Supreme Court recently made the momentous decision of overturning affirmative action programs as unconstitutional if they were based on race. That was a big disappointment to people who feel  or know from experience  that race might have made a difference in their being able to take advantage of career or educational opportunities.

[ Paul Vallas: Supreme Courts affirmative action ruling offers a less divisive way to deal with inequities ]

And it was a big victory for those who feel that using race as a criterion for affirmative action is a form of racism in itself, even if in pursuit of anti-racist goals.

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I think, for this moment, that the high court made the right call. Now, lets see how it works out, and if necessary, we can revisit the issue. In the meantime, I hope we can learn to be realistic about how our economy opens up opportunities and how problems such as racism can close those doors.

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In short, I know the spirit of Algers comfortable myths teach a valuable lesson about how hard work leads to appropriate rewards or, at least, that it should.

Sometimes, you see, opportunities can use a little help to make them open up. Im fortunate that, although I was born into a hardworking family of farmers and factory workers, we had enough healthy influences that encouraged us to keep working hard, no matter how many impediments happened to be thrown our way.

[ Harvey Young: Critics of affirmative action won a Supreme Court victory. But diversity unquestionably matters. ]

Thomas was fortunate enough to be invited into the association and given proximity to what The New York Times calls a lifestyle of unimaginable material privilege.

Now questions have come up as to why he did not disclose more of these material privileges on the forms on which justices are supposed to report possible conflicts of interest. Hell have to answer those questions on his own, as all justices should be required to do  as long as they hold the job.

cpage@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @cptime
Crises push global public debt to record level

Antonio Guterres says many developing countries face a stark choice on debt. Photo: AP

Global public debt surged to a record US$92 trillion in 2022 as governments borrowed to counter crises, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, with the burden being felt acutely by developing countries, a United Nations report said.



Domestic and external debt worldwide has increased more than five times in the last two decades, outstripping the rate of economic growth, with gross domestic product only tripling since 2002, according to the Wednesday report, released in the run up to a G20 finance ministers and central bank governors' meeting July 14-18.



"Markets may seem not be suffering  yet. But people are," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters. "Some of the poorest countries in the world are being forced into a choice between servicing their debt, or serving their people."



Developing countries owe almost 30 percent of the global public debt, of which 70 percent is represented by China, India and Brazil. Fifty-nine developing countries face a debt-to-GDP ratio above 60 percent  a threshold indicating high levels of debt.



"Debt has been translating into a substantial burden for developing countries due to limited access to financing, rising borrowing costs, currency devaluations and sluggish growth," the UN report added.



Furthermore, the international financial architecture made access to financing for developing countries both inadequate and expensive, the UN said, pointing to net interest debt payments exceeding 10 percent of revenues for 50 emerging economies worldwide.



"In Africa, the amount spent on interest payments is higher than spending on either education or health," the report found with 3.3 billion people living in countries that spend more on debt interest payments than on health or education.



"Countries are facing the impossible choice of servicing their debt or serving their people."



Private creditors, such as bondholders and banks, represent 62 percent of developing countries' total external public debt. (Reuters)
BusinessWire India Gurugram (Haryana) [India], July 12:MG Motor India, the British automobile brand with a 99-year-old legacy, today launched the enhanced variant of its ZS EV with Autonomous Level-2, (ADAS) at a price of Rs 27.89 Lakh valid for a limited time. The Autonomous Level-2, (ADAS) set of features enhances the driving experience by providing assistance, control, and comfort in various driving situations. The MG ZS EV embodies the evolution of electric mobility, combining electric power, internet connectivity, and autonomous capabilities. The futuristically designed SUV offers a good on-road appearance, driving convenience, and luxurious plush interiors. The MG ZS EV's Autonomous Level 2 (ADAS) technology which works on three levels of sensitivity low, medium and high, and three levels of warning haptic, audio and visual, enhances the driving experience and safety of the passengers. Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) ensures a hassle-free driving experience, even in congested traffic. Forward Collision Warning (FCW) enhances safety by notifying the driver of potential collisions and applying autonomous deceleration if there is no action from the driver. The Speed Assist System (SAS) alerts and preventsonefrom over speeding. Lane Functions improve safety by helping prevent unintentional deviation from the driving lane. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) enhances convenience by reducing driver fatigue and safety by maintaining proper distance from the vehicle in front. According to Gaurav Gupta Deputy Managing Director, MG Motor India, The globally successful MG ZS EV brings with it safety and convenience with the introduction of Autonomous Level 2 (ADAS) and underscores MG's commitment to electric mobility and a sustainable future. By offering a viable, attractive ownership experience, and an accessible electric SUV to Indian consumers, MG Motor India aims to accelerate the transition towards a zero-emission future and help boost the EV ecosystem in India. Evolved Battery The pure-electric SUVs battery has been tested to meet the most stringent safety and performance requirements that enhance its overall durability, provide stable battery operation and better lifespan in Indian driving conditions. The battery has been designed to comply with IP69K to provide better dust and water resistance and meets the UL2580 Safety Management System as well as the ASIL-D Enhanced Safety Integrity Level rating.Evolved Charging With its range and versatile charging options, the MG ZS EV empowers customers to explore more without compromising on convenience. Charging the vehicle is a hassle-free process, offering flexibility for various lifestyles. The vehicle can be charged easily and conveniently through six charging solutions, such as DC Super-Fast Chargers at dealerships, AC Fast Chargers which can be installed at homes and offices by MG, a plug-and-charge cable onboard, charge-on-the-go with RSA (Roadside Assistance), and community chargers etc. Evolved Ownership In addition, the ZS EV with its progressive look and wide SUV stance comes tailor-made for uninterrupted, performance-assured ownership, and enjoyable drives all thanks to its extended driving range of 461*km on a single charge with its 50.3kWh advanced prismatic battery. Engineered with precision, the prismatic battery delivers one of the best real-world ranges in its class and comes with 8 years battery warranty*. MG ZSEV owners can enjoy an extended driving range on a single charge, empowering them to embark on longer journeys with confidence. Also, the ZS EV makes economic sense with its superior TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) and running cost of 60 paise/km*. In effect, this translates to savings of up to Rs 4,00,000*over three years as compared to the costs of comparable SUVs built on ICE powertrains. Evolved Exteriors The ZS EV comes with full LED Hawkeye headlamps and LED tail lamps. The wheels are R17 Tomahawk hub design alloy, and the SUV comes in three variants: Excite, Exclusive, and Exclusive Pro. It is available in four colours: Glaze Red**, Aurora Silver, Starry Black, and Candy White. Evolved Tech The ZS EV comes bundled with iSMART next-gen technology that combines hardware, software, services, and applications to offer 75+ connected car features to make for smoother, more satisfying driving experiences. The first-in-segment Digital Key enables locking, unlocking, starting, and even driving the ZS EV, without the physical key. The SUV also comes with a full digital cluster with a 17.78 cm, embedded LCD screen and a segment-leading 25.7 cm HD Touchscreen infotainment system. The ZS EV has 100+ VR commands to control various features like Sky Roof, AC, Music, Navigation, etc. It has Live location sharing & tracking and weather forecast information. Evolved Safety In terms of safety, MG ZS EV is offered with a 1stin-segment 360-degree around view camera with rear parking sensors and a Hill Descent Control (HDC), another first-in-segment feature. The vehicle has 6 airbags (dual, front, side, and curtain), electronic stability control, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and a hill-start assist. Evolved Interiors The interiors of the ZS EV combine aesthetics and comfort. It comes in a Dual-tone Iconic ivory theme and a Dark Grey theme already available for existing models. The ZS EV has a first-in-segment rear AC vent.Evolved Engine The ZS EV 8-layer hairpin motor delivers 176PS power and provides a 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 8.5 seconds. The vehicle comes with three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport, for drive customization as per driver requirements. Evolved Service As with other MG vehicles, the ZS EV brings with it the unique car ownership program MG e-SHIELD with after-sales service options for the assurance and convenience of owners. Customers can opt for combinations of warranty extension, RSA extension and maintenance plans at competitive prices.+For the ZS EV Exclusive Pro variant*Actual performance figures may differ in conditions other than test conditions**Dual Tone Iconic Ivory interior theme available in Exclusive & Exclusive Pro variants onlyTouchscreen Infotainment, Digital Cluster, Sky Roof - available in Exclusive & Exclusive Pro variants only*Glaze Red is available in Exclusive & Exclusive Pro variants (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)
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], July 12: Moscow has become a culinary paradise as the city has geared up to host the eagerly awaited "Tastes of Russia" gastronomic festival from 7th to 16th July. This 10-day event organised in the frames of Moscow Seasons project is allowing visitors from around the world, including India, to explore the rich culinary traditions of Russia. The Moscow Seasons project is an initiative that unveils the beauty of Russian culture and history to visitors from around the world. From the iconic Kazan pilaf with chicken, and Ryazan Kurnik (chicken pie), to the savoury delights of Nizhny Novgorod okroshka, the food festival is offering a range of gastronomical pleasures. This culinary event offers not only the chance to savour exquisite Russian delicacies but also to learn the art of preparing them. Expert chefs are unveiling the secrets behind these time-honoured recipes through an array of 550 master classes and cooking shows tailored to suit all levels of culinary expertise. The festival also features rare and exotic products such as apples from Stavropol, lamb from Dagestan, cedar milk from Tomsk, Altai cheeses, and succulent crabs from Murmansk. More than 300 passionate producers from 70 regions of Russia are participating to showcase their finest offerings at the event. Children will not be bored either as the Young Farmer's School is present at the event to teach them the basics of beekeeping, vegetable growing and cheese-making. They are also getting the opportunity to practise traditional Tula Pryanik (Tula gingerbread) painting. Moreover, traditional songs and dances of Russias diverse ethnic groups are being presented on Manezhnaya Square throughout the event. Also, the mesmerising sounds produced by the hand-crafted mouth harp Khakass Khomus is keeping the visitors enthralled. Guests from India can taste unique treats at 25 venues across the city, with Manezhnaya Square taking centre stage as the main venue. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Investments in the Indian real estate sector by private equity firms in the April-June 2023 quarter stood at USD 1.3 billion as against USD 704 million recorded in the period last year, according to a report by Savills India, which is into real estate consulting globally. On a yearly basis, the rise in private investments in Indian real estate sector was about 85 per cent higher. According to the report, the commercial office assets maintained their leading position, capturing about 66 per cent of the total investment volume during the quarter. The investments received in this April-June quarter were entirely from foreign institutional investors, with a majority focus inMumbai, Delhi-NCR, and Hyderabad. Additionally, industrial and logistics assets in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai too attracted a significant portion, accounting for 20 per cent of the quarterly investment inflows. Despite ongoing global recessionary concerns, institutional investors demonstrated their commitments in India and made long-term investments in the sector. The report said this quarter saw the completion of several large-scale transactions that had been in the pipeline for over a year. The influx of private equity investments has not only fuelled the development of large-scale projects but has also supported the growth of niche segments such as warehousing, logistics, and co-working spaces, said said Diwakar Rana, Managing Director, Capital Markets, Savills India. According to the Savills India report, GIC, PAG Credit and Markets, and GIC were among the top investors, bringing in funds to the tune of USD 397 million, USD 183 million, and USD 128 million, respectively. The investees, according to the report, were Brookfield, M3M, and Phoenix Group. (ANI)
Taking to Instagram, actor Varun Tej shared the pre-teaser and captioned it, Here is the pre-teaser of#GandeevadhariArjuna I bet the teaser will have you in overdrive. Coming soon.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CulYHMaRbgT/

The clip showcased some hardcore action sequences of the film.

The film, starring Varun Tej in the lead role, is all set to hit theaters on August 25.

Soon after the actor dropped the pre-teaser, fans flooded the comment section with red hearts and fire emoticons.

Feel like John wick franchise, a fan commented.

Another fan wrote, Something big.

The film is directed by Praveen Sattaru.

The makers recently wrapped the Hungary schedule of the film. Varun took to his Instagram account and shared a video which he captioned, "That's a wrap to one of my most exciting and adrenaline pumping schedule of #GandeevadhariArjuna in Hungary."

Meanwhile, Varun Tej will also be seen in the upcoming aerial action thriller film 'VT 13' opposite actor Manushi Chillar.

'VT 13' marks the debut of the former Miss World in Telugu cinema.

The makers have now begun the shooting of the film based on true incidents.

Helmed by Shakti Pratap Singh Hada, the official release date of the film is still awaited.(ANI)
As per CNN, Kundera died on Tuesday in Paris.

Milan Kundera, a Czech-French author who is among the worlds most translated authors, died on July 11, 2023 in his Paris apartment, the Moravian Library in Brno said in a statement.

The author of 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being', Kundera was known for his witty, tragicomic tales, which were often intertwined with deep philosophical debates and satirical portrayals of life under communist oppression.

Kundera was part of an influential generation of Czech writers, filmmakers and intellectuals who came of age during the turbulent post-World War II years.

His first novel "The Joke", a work of dark humour about the one-party state published in 1967, led to a ban on his writing in Czechoslovakia while also making him famous in his homeland.

He was awarded the 1985 Jerusalem Prize, the Austrian State Prize for European Literature in 1987 and the 2000 Herder Prize. In 2021, he was honoured with the Golden Order of Merit from the president of Slovenia. (ANI)
Then-Speaker Michael Madigan works the floor as the Illinois House convenes at the Bank of Springfield Center on Jan. 8, 2021. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Former House Speaker Michael Madigans attempt to suppress the dozens of wiretapped calls and secret recordings that form the backbone of the governments bombshell racketeering case is a flimsy effort to create an air of impropriety where none exists, federal prosecutors said in a motion Tuesday.

The 152-page filing also ripped defense claims that the indictment fails to connect any benefits Madigan allegedly received from utility giants Commonwealth Edison and AT&T Illinois to any action the powerful speaker took  or didnt  on particular legislation.

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Without batting an eye, time and again Madigan stood prepared to take official action in his capacity as an Illinois representative and Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, at times with the connivance and assistance of his confederate (Michael) McClain, in exchange for legal work being steered to his private law firm, the filing stated.

The governments response to defense pretrial motions is part of a protracted legal battle in a case that rocked Illinois politics and ultimately ended Madigans record run as the states most powerful politician.

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Defense attorneys have four weeks to file any reply, and U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey has set a motion hearing for Aug. 29.

The filing Tuesday goes deep into the legal weeds at times but also lays out in the starkest language yet what prosecutors intend to prove at trial: That Madigan, the longest-serving legislative leader in the country, exploited his position as a high-ranking public official to manipulate the levers of state and local government for the purpose of illegally enriching himself and his associates.

Madigan, together with his loyal lieutenant Michael McClain  a self-described soldier and faithful agent for Madigan  arranged for a flood of corrupt payments and perks to be doled out to Madigan and his associates in exchange and as a reward for Madigans abuse of his official powers, the prosecution team, headed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu, wrote in its filing.

Madigan, 81, and McClain, 75, are charged in a 23-count indictment with racketeering conspiracy and individual counts of using interstate facilities in aid of bribery, wire fraud and attempted extortion. They have pleaded not guilty, and a jury trial is set for next April.

Among the allegations in the indictment was a scheme by ComEd to secretly funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments and other perks to Madigan loyalists in exchange for the speakers influence on legislation in Springfield.

Four others charged separately in that scheme, including McClain, were convicted by a jury on bribery conspiracy charges in May. McClain is scheduled to be sentenced for that offense in January.

In November, prosecutors unveiled a superseding indictment adding allegations that Madigan and McClain participated in another scheme to funnel payments from AT&T to a Madigan associate in exchange for the speakers influence over legislation the telephone company wanted passed.

The Madigan indictment also accused the former speaker  along with the assistance of McClain  of illegally soliciting business for his private property tax law firm during discussions about a potential commercial development on a state-owned parcel of land in Chinatown.

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Then-Ald. Daniel Solis, who was secretly cooperating with the investigation, recorded numerous conversations with Madigan as part of the Chinatown land probe, including one where the speaker allegedly told Solis he was looking for a colleague to sponsor a House bill approving the land sale. The deal was never consummated.

Attorneys for both Madigan and McClain have argued in previous court filings that federal investigators, in their zeal to land a prized political target, cut corners in the investigation and ultimately filed charges that misuse the bribery statute and attempt to criminalize legal lobbying and politicking.

Madigans legal team also accused federal prosecutors of misleading the chief judge in applications to tap Solis phone and later members of Madigans inner circle, saying they deliberately misconstrued an innocent 2014 meeting with Chinatown developers at the speakers law office as a possible shakedown, then later buried crucial exculpatory information in a footnote.

Madigans attorneys, Sheldon Zenner, Daniel Collins and Gil Soffer, have asked Blakey for an evidentiary hearing to determine whether investigators made any misrepresentations in the wiretap applications.

Though rarely granted, the so-called Franks hearing could provide a fascinating glimpse into how the government built its investigation, first by gathering evidence on Solis own misdeeds, then by pressuring him into cooperating against two of the states most powerful and long-standing politicians, Madigan and then-Chicago Ald. Edward Burke.

The motions have focused largely on an Aug. 18, 2014, meeting at Madigans law office where developer See Wong, who was secretly cooperating with investigators due to his own misdeeds, met with the speaker, Solis and a Chinese real estate magnate who wanted to build a hotel in Chinatown.

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The roughly half-hour meeting formed the basis of future wiretap requests for Solis and was also included in later applications to tap a phone belonging to McClain, which led to numerous recordings of Madigan himself.

The defense motion said prosecutors improperly theorized in their original 2014 application that Madigan and his law partner had conspired with Solis, who at the time was the head of citys Zoning Committee, to threaten to withhold Solis approval of a zoning request unless the developer hired Madigans law firm.

The misrepresentations were repeated by prosecutors for years in subsequent wiretap requests, even after Solis, when confronted with a recording of the meeting, tried to explain that he would have very likely approved the zoning change regardless of whether the developer hired Madigans firm, according to the defense motion.

It wasnt until 2018 that the government, in a footnote buried in the McClain wiretap application, acknowledged Solis statements denying any quid pro quo at the meeting. But the footnote also tried to spin Solis comments by adding hed admitted an independent observer would interpret what was said at the meeting as pressure to hire Madigans firm.

According to the motion, that comment was added to an FBI report about a remarkable two-day session where Solis was repeatedly challenged by agents and prosecutors who were trying to parse what was said on the disjointed recording.

Solis, according to the motion, never adopted the governments viewpoint during the questioning, offering only the comment, I see (your) point.

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Madigan was not charged with any wrongdoing stemming from that 2014 meeting. The defense motion stated that was due to one simple reason  Madigan had committed no crime.

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The response by prosecutors on Tuesday contained numerous pages of blacked-out material regarding the Solis warrant and any interviews he gave to investigators, much of which have never been made public.

In the unredacted portions of the motion, prosecutors called the defense arguments without merit, noting that the Solis wiretap was approved by then-U. S. District Judge Ruben Castillo four years before any of the recordings that will be played at Madigans trial were made. If there were any issues with the application, they had no bearing on the legality of the request, prosecutors said.

Moreover, according to prosecutors, Solis cooperation had led to a trove of other evidence by the time the McClain wiretaps were approved in 2018, including consensual recordings he made of Madigan allegedly directly soliciting business for his law firm in exchange for official acts.

In short, there were no errors in the affidavit, let alone material and intentionally made ones, that would justify an evidentiary hearing, the motion stated.

Solis was charged with unrelated corruption counts last year as part of a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. attorneys office and will likely see charges dropped after his cooperation is completed.

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According to officials, the fire broke out at the Raja Ali Adarsh Path slum area in Tinsukia at around 10.30 pm, engulfing 16 houses.

However, no casualty or injury to anyone has been reported in the incident so far, said officials.

The house of a local, namely Vishwanath Mahato, caught fire, and around 16 houses in the slum area were engulfed in flames, they said.

According to locals, there was three cylinder explosions were also heard in the fire incident. While the authorities managed to bring the fire under control, the exact reason behind the fire was not known.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday requested the people of the state and the pilgrims to avoid unnecessary journeys in view of continuous rainfall in the state. In view of continuous rains in all areas of the state, I request all the people of the state and pilgrims to avoid making unnecessary journeys. Im overseeing the condition of roadways and rain from all the districts 24 hours a day from the State Disaster Control Room. The district administration and SDRF have been instructed to remain on high alert in all the districts, CM Dhami shared in a tweet. The chief minister further shared the disaster relief numbers issued by the state to help citizens stranded in different places including Himachal Pradesh due to the heavy rains and flash floods. Our government has issued disaster relief numbers to help the citizens of Uttarakhand stranded in different places of the state and Himachal Pradesh. For any help, you can contact on the following numbers - 9411112985, 01352717380, 01352712685. Apart from this, you can also message on WhatsApp number- 9411112780, he said. Meanwhile, the Central Flood Control Room in Dehradun informed that the water level of most of the rivers in the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions including Haridwar has touched the danger mark due to continuous heavy rains in the state. Further, they added that the water level in dams and reservoirs has reached almost close to the danger mark. Further, Uttarakhand's Chamoli Police informed that the Pokhri-Karnprayag road has been completely closed due to debris from the rain. "The work of removing debris with the help of a JCB is in progress by the concerned executive body RGB. It may take more than 24 hours to open the road...Please be patient...", the Chamoli police shared in a tweet. Earlier today, a road in Dharali on the National Highway towards Gangotri was washed away due to the surge of Kheer Ganga. Uttarkashi district administration said that efforts are on to open the closed road for the last 12 hours amid heavy rains. Also, in view of the alert of the Meteorological Department, the duty officer of the State Emergency Operation Center has asked the Tourism Development Council to take precautions for the safety of the passengers and on the pedestrian routes while operating the Char Dham Yatra. Earlier the officials informed that the Kedarnath Yatra has been stopped at Uttarakhand's Sonprayag and Gaurikund due to continuous heavy rains. In view of the safety of the passengers, the district administration stopped the passengers at Sonprayag and Gaurikund due to continuous bad weather. Due to rain, four state roads and 10 link roads are closed due to debris. Due to heavy rains, Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers are in spate, the officials said. Amid the heavy rains in Uttarakhand, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for July 12 on Monday. "Orange Alert: #Uttarakhand and adjoining areas of Western #UttarPradesh likely to get Heavy to Very heavy rainfall (115.6 to 204.4mm) on 12th July", IMD shared in a tweet. (ANI)
The water level was 207.48 metres at 12 noon on Wednesday, Delhi Flood Control Department officials said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called an emergency meeting in the wake of rising level of water in Yamuna.

Water in Yamuna had breached the danger-level mark on Sunday.

It reached 207.25 metres at Old Railway Bridge at 8 am on July 12, officials said.

They said that the previous record of highest level of water in Yamuna was in 1978 at 207.49 metres.

In 2013, water level in the river had reached 207.33 metres.

In the wake of rising levels of water, rescue and rehabilitation teams are engaged in relocating those living in low-lying areas to safer locations.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued an orange rainfall alert for Delhi. (ANI)
A National Investigation (NIA) Special Court in Kochi convicted six of the 11 accused in the sensational case where the hand of a college professor in Kerala was chopped off. The court is set to pronounce the quantum of punishment on Thursday. The convicted persons were members of the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI). Judge Anil Bhaskar pronounced the verdict in the second phase of the trial. A total of 11 persons were prosecuted in the phase II trial, in which, after the verdict, five accused have been acquitted. The accused persons underwent trial after being charged with offences under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, the Explosives Act, criminal conspiracy, grievous bodily harm with a deadly weapon, and criminal intimidation under the IPC. The prime accused in the case Savad is still at large, even 13 years after the crime. The case was taken over by the NIA on March 9, 2011, from the state police that had investigated the case initially Nassar, Sajil, Najeeb, Noushad, Kunju, and Ayoob were found guilty, while Shafeeq, Azeez, Rafi, Subair, and Mansoor were acquitted. In the first phase, 31 people had been put on trial in connection with the incident and 13 of them had been found guilty in 2015. A total of 31 people had been put on trial in connection with the crime in the first phase, and 13 of them had been convicted by the court. On July 4, 2010, Professor T J Joseph of Newman College, Thodupuzha was attacked allegedly because he had insulted the Prophet Mohammed in a question paper for an exam in the college. In the attack, the Professor's right hand was chopped off with an axe and he was stabbed in his left leg. The attack took place when he was on his way to church accompanied by members of his family. (ANI)
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has proposed to increase transparency of the selection process of its PhD students, by shifting the assessment pattern to objective written examinations instead of interview-based selections. Aiming to have high-quality research and enhance NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) rankings, AIIMS administration has announced reforms in the selection process for PhDs and awards of Institute fellowships at the institute. The institute also proposed allocating a budget of Rs 200 crore to start 4050 PhD Institute Fellowships on par with the Prime Ministers Research Fellows scheme and apportion a budget of Rs 200 crore for the same, subject to necessary approvals from statutory committees of AIIMS and Government of India. "The Director, AIIMS, New Delhi is pleased to announce reforms in the selection process for PhD and Award of Institute Fellowship at the institute. These reforms will act as a positive reinforcement for high-quality research and enhance the NRIF rankings in research for AIIMS, New Delhi," said a press release issued by AIIMS on Tuesday. The approval for the budget proposed for the starting of 40-50 PhD Institute Fellowships will be sought from the Union Government. During AIIMS Director Dr M Srinivas interaction with the faculty, PhD students and scientists the Director identified the requirement for an in-house funding mechanism to increase the intake of meritorious PhD students. "The Director interacted with AIIMS faculty, PhD students and Scientists and identified the requirement for an in-house funding mechanism to increase the intake of meritorious PhD students and award institute fellowships to enable high-impact research at the institute," said the statement. It was proposed to increase the transparency of the selection process of PhD students, by shifting the assessment pattern to objective written examination based on MCQs and OSCE/OSPE instead of interview-based selection, said the institute The entrance exams for PhD will be conducted biannually along with the DM/MCh Entrance Examinations at various centres throughout the country. Further deliberations on the proposed modifications will be held in the Staff Council Meeting, Academic Committee meetings and Standing Finance Committee Meetings to ensure timely implementation of these reforms, said AIIMS director. (ANI)
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister, Tejaswi Yadav, on Wednesday hit out at the opposition in the state, saying that they are not interested in talking about development. The statement came following an uproar in the Bihar assembly where the opposition demanded the Deputy CM's resignation following a chargesheet against him by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the alleged land-for-job scam. "We come to the assembly everyday so than we can address the questions of the public and work for development of the state be carried out. But people sitting in the opposition do not seem to be like MLAs. They are not interested in talking on development. They are only into talking rubbish", Tejashwi told media. On being asked about the demand for his resignation, Yadav said, "The chargesheet was filed against me in 2017. God knows what all have happened since then. But when I took an oath as the Deputy CM, why did they (opposition) not protest?" The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), on July 3, had filed a chargesheet in an alleged land-for-job scam case in Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi. The chargesheet named Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav and several others including firms as accused. According to the Central Bureau of Investigation, irregular appointments of candidates were made in Central Railway, violating the laid down norms and procedures of Indian Railways for recruitment, while Bihar former CM Lalu Yadav was the Union Railway Minister. In addition, talking about the Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge collpase in Bhagalpur, on June 4, the Bihar Deputy CM said, "The matter is pending in the court. When the bridge collapsed, it was we who raised the question. And when the report came, our government took the relevant action". Further, taking a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party government, he added, "When the bridge collapsed for the first time while the BJP was in power, what did they do? They did not fire a single engineer". Notably, an under-construction Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge in Bhagalpur collapsed on June 4. As per information, the 206-metre-long bridge had developed cracks. The front part of the bridge between pillar no 2 and 3 collapsed. (ANI)
Alleging Trinamool Congress (TMC) of looting the entire Bengal, state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rahul Sinha on Wednesday said that the recently conducted Panchayat poll was 'loot ka vote' and not 'janata ka vote'. "This was 'loot ka vote' and not 'janata ka vote'. The result would have been different if this had been the people's vote. We don't accept this vote. They looted the entire Bengal...I don't accept this victory of TMC...By sending a fact-finding team (of BJP) this soon, our national president has proven that the party stand with the people of the state," the BJP leader said. Counting votes in the panchayat elections is still underway, but the trends suggest TMC is sweeping the rural polls. The Trinamool Congress won over 28,985 and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 7,764 seats while Congress has secured 2,022 seats so far. West Bengal BJP President, Sukanta Majumdar, sat on a dharna (sit-in protest) outside a counting centre at Balurghat College under Dakshin Dinajpur district late on Tuesday night, alleging fabrication in Panchayat poll results. Alleging the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of fabricating the results, State BJP chief Majumdar said that he will be opting for legal action in the matter. Violence broke out in West Bengal ahead of the Gram Panchayat elections which were previously to be held on July 8. However, the voting day was marred with widespread violence, looting of ballots papers and rigging. There were reports of booth capturing, and assault of presiding officers from several districts such as Murshidabad, Cooch Behar, Malda, South 24 Parganas, North Dinajpur and Nadia. Reports of ballot boxes being set on fire and clashes between political parties in different locations also emerged. As a result, the State Election Commission announced the re-polling of the Panchayat election on July 10. So, it concluded on Monday and the counting was carried out on Tuesday, July 11. West Bengal has 3,341 gram panchayats and the number of village panchayat election centres is 58,594. There are 63,229 seats at the Gram Panchayat level, 9730 at Panchayat Samiti and 928 at the Zila Parishad level. In 2018, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) won uncontested, 34 per cent of the seats in panchayat elections, which also saw various instances of violence.(ANI)
Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday said that India is emerging as a powerful country in the world under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While addressing the personnel of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) at Karzok village of Ladakh, Anurag Thakur said," The present government is working hard to make India a stronger and better nation. The stronger forces backed by a stronger government under the leadership of Prime Minister India is making India as one of the most powerful countries in the world." He further praised the forces for performing their duties with courage and securing the borders of the nation. "It is the perseverance of such soldiers that helps maintain the secure borders of the country. It is the responsibility of one and every citizen to work for the betterment of the country in their respective roles," he said. Union Minister Anurag Thakur also mentioned that Government has increased its defence manufacturing under the initiative of Atmanirbhar Bharat. "Earlier the country solely relied on imports but with the initiative of Atmanirbhar Bharat, more than 400 items in the defence sector are manufactured indigenously and the previous year saw the manufacturing of defence equipment worth 1 lakh crore rupees and export of 16 thousand crore rupees which in itself is a great achievement," he said. "Use of latest technologies in defence equipment manufacturing has invited the attention of foreign companies to join hands with the Indian companies. Government is working hard to strengthen all the three wings of the defence system of India," he added. He also addressed a public gathering in Karzok village and said that the development of the Union Territory of Ladakh is a priority for the Union Government and it is working hard for it. "PM Modi is keen for the faster development of Ladakh and eagerly sends union ministers here to assess the situation at the ground level so that the problems faced by the local people are addressed in an efficient manner," he said. "Modi government has implemented many programmes and schemes across the country to improve the standard of living. In Ladakh also, the scenario has changed; people associated with agriculture have become more profitable, trade and industry have increased, employment opportunities have increased in various fields, and good education and health services are being provided even in the remotest areas," he added. He also emphasised that villages should not be worried by external influences since the government has taken appropriate measures to safeguard the borders. Anurag Thakur also visited the Chumur area of Ladakh near Indo China border on the second day of his visit. He was accompanied by Member of Parliament Jamyang Tsering Namgyal and other senior officers of the district and UT administration. (ANI)
Protesting against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's defamation case and disqualification from Lok Sabha, party leader Sachin Pilot on Wednesday said that the former was always targeted even though he always preached love, non-violence and spoke about unity. Congress leaders and party workers observed 'maun satyagraha' (silent protest) in Rajasthan today to express solidarity with Rahul Gandhi. "Rahul Gandhi has always talked about love, non-violence and uniting people but he was targeted. We will fight against this and will go among people," said the Rajasthan Congress MLA. Pilot further said that the way a climate of hostility was developing in the country was not a good indication of the country's democracy. "This is not about an individual, it is about how the whole system is getting polluted. It is how there should be justice in a democracy, it is how there should be a freedom of speech, and the way there is an atmosphere of hatred rising, different agencies are being misused, institutions are being weakened, this is not a good sign for the democracy of our country," said Pilot. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal wrote to the state party presidents requesting them to organise a massive one-day 'Maun Satyagraha' (silent protest), in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statues, at all state headquarters on July 12 to express solidarity with party leader Rahul Gandhi. KC Venugopal wrote to all PCC presidents after the Gujarat High Court on Friday upheld the Sessions Court order denying a stay on the conviction of Rahul Gandhi in the defamation case over the 'Modi surname' remark. "In the present circumstances, it is high time that we stand together and reiterate that Rahul Gandhi is not alone and millions of congressmen and crores of people irrespective of their political affiliations are with him in this fight for truth and justice," the letter read. "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 (Silent Protest) in front of Gandhi statues, in all State Headquarters from 10 AM to 5 PM, on Wednesday, on July 12, 2023, with maximum possible mobilisation and involvement of all the senior leaders, MPs, MLA/MLCs and other elected representatives," it added. The Congress on July 7 said the order by the single judge bench of the Gujarat High Court, dismissing Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction was "disappointing" but not an "unexpected judgement". The party said that it will approach the Supreme Court in the matter."We will fight both the political battle and the legal battle," Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said in light or the high court ruling. The Gujarat High Court in May reserved its order on Rahul's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in the 2019 'Modi surname' defamation case. The court had refused to grant any interim relief to the Congress leader. Rahul 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 court had, on April 20, rejected Rahul's plea seeking a stay on his conviction by the lower court in the 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, saying he should have been more careful. The lower court convicted and 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 connection with the defamation case filed by Purnesh Modi. At a rally in Karnataka's Kolar in April 2019, Rahul, in a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said, "How come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?". (ANI)
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, right, and former President Bill Clinton listen to the national anthems on July 3, 2023, during a ceremony in the Albanian capital of Tirana. (Adnan Beci/AFP)

In a move that predictably led to increased tensions between Kosovos ethnic Albanian majority and its ethnic Serbian minority, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti recently installed ethnic Albanian mayors in four Serbian-majority towns in northern Kosovo after the ethnic Serbians boycotted the elections.

Violence and road blockages ensued, starting at the end of May that to date have led to injuries in dozens of United Nations peacekeeping members and even more locals. As a result, NATO has increased the number of peacekeeping forces in Kosovo in an attempt to prevent further violence.

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Kurtis actions brought quick condemnation from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and French President Emmanuel Macron that he had fomented an unnecessary crisis. And in the latest attempt to calm the stormy waters, former President Bill Clinton, largely credited for ending the Kosovo war nearly 25 years ago, has traveled to the Balkans once again in the hopes of restoring order.

Their shared concerns, and the ethnic Serbian resistance, has thus far not dissuaded the prime minister. Instead, Kurti has used state agencies to attempt to target media outlets reporting on the crisis.

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In a surprise hearing in mid-June, the Kosovo Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade suspended the business certificate of television station Klan Kosova and its parent company, and the ministry filed charges against company executives for the alleged crime of naming Kosovar cities as Serbian cities in what would otherwise amount to a clerical error. Days later, ministry officials also revoked outright the business certificate of cable provider Artmotion LLC, citing it as a serious threat to public security.

Artmotion since 2018 has provided subscription cable TV services to a million Kosovar homes via a 14-channel lineup in cooperation with such companies as Sony, Paramount and NBCUniversal. As Klan Kosova transmits on the Artmotion cable network, this move virtually shut down the TV station.

The action prompted the International Press Institute to join other media freedom and journalism organizations in expressing alarm, calling the actions of the Kosovar government extremely serious and saying it poses a threat to the exercise of media freedom in Kosovo.

The very act of informing Klan Kosova of the charges was an act of intimidation, pure and simple  a lone company representative was hauled before Minister Rozeta Hajdari and six or seven bureaucrats without any foreknowledge of the purpose of the meeting. The representative was told that one of Klan Kosovas business documents included the names Peje-Serbia and Gjakove-Serbia  again, a clerical error at most.

Various legal scholars and human rights advocates, including the Kosovo Journalists Association and former Kosovo Chief of Protocol Adnan Merovci, argued that suspending Klan Kosovas license was more political than legal. Embarrassed by legal analysis showing it lacked authority to suspend the license, the Ministry of Industrys Kosovo Business Registration Agency revoked the suspension and instead filed the criminal charges.

Kosovar journalist Adriatik Kelmendi expressed shock that this kind of censorship against the nations leading media outlet could occur in a democracy, done to intimidate a people whose ideal to live freely has never been suppressed, he stated on Klan Kosovas website, in remarks translated from Albanian. The station, he said, maintains a critical and watchdog approach toward various phenomena within the institutions of the government and society.

This government move is a stain on Kosovos claim to be a democratic state. There are powers that intend to close the media. As in places like Russia and Belarus, as in Serbia and North Korea, Kelmendi said.

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Despite the potential for a quick resolution of this clerical error, tensions between ethnic Serb and ethnic Albanian Kosovars  and between Serbia and Kosovo  remain high.

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Kurtis hard-line stance has only heightened the resistance of his ethnic Serbian population and enraged the Serbian government. Kosovos leading daily newspaper, Koha Ditore, reported on June 19 that Serbian protesters had again blocked roads to prevent buses and trucks from Kosovo from entering Serbian territory. Meanwhile, the European Union has placed sanctions on Kosovo, including halting a large portion of economic aid, and has threatened more measures if Kurti does not back down.

Speaking in the capital of Albania over the Fourth of July weekend, Clinton urged the Kosovo government to stop its divisive actions in the Serb majority north. In a speech, he said, What major political issue can possibly be advanced by how those four little towns are run?

Its easy for the Albanians now in the majority (in Kosovo) to try to use the moment to make a point. But the real thing we need to do is to stop this foolishness, Clinton added.

That foolishness surely must include the hostile actions taken against the nations most popular cable TV network and TV station.

Only when Kurti backs down from this clearly political assault on Klan Kosova and Artmotion  on stifling the freedom of speech in his own country  and allows the ethnic Serbians in the north to run their own local affairs will this crisis be ended.

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Duggan Flanakin is a director of policy research at the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow, a nonprofit that supports free-market solutions to environmental issues.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Talking to the reports after meeting Sitharaman, KN Balagopal said that the state has also sought additional special packages for some schemes.

I met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman seeking fiscal support for Kerala. We sought additional special packages for some schemes and requested her to continue the GST compensation, he said.

In February this year, the Union Finance Minister announced that Kerala will get Rs 780 crore as GST compensation from the Centre.

Earlier on Tuesday, KN Balagopal said that two GST appellate tribunals will be set up in Kerala at Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam.

Briefing reporters, he said that each tribunal will have two members -- one judicial and one technical.

The decision was taken at the 50th GST (Goods and Services Tax) Council meeting in the national capital.

Goods and Services Tax was introduced in the country with effect from July 1, 2017, and states were assured compensation for loss of any revenue arising on account of its implementation as per the provisions of the GST (Compensation to States) Act, 2017 for a period of five years.

For providing compensation to States, Cess was being levied on certain goods and the amount of Cess collected was being credited to Compensation Fund. The compensation to States was being paid out of the Compensation Fund with effect from July 1, 2017. (ANI)
Amid persistent rainfall and a breach in the Sonali River dam has raised a threat of floods in the Laksar town of Uttarakhand's Haridwar district, officials said on Wednesday. According to officials, the Sonali River dam breached near village Kuan Kheda. Laksar Police Station in-charge Amarjit Singh along with his team immediately reached the spot and alerted the people after receiving information about the breach of the dam. "The Sonali river flowing through dozens of villages of Laksar swelled. As a result, the Sonali River dam broke down near Kuan Kheda village. As soon as the dam broke, the water of the river started flowing on the other side," they said. Earlier today, the Kedarnath Yatra was stopped at Uttarakhand's Sonprayag and Gaurikund due to continuous heavy rains. Keeping in view the safety of the passengers, the district administration stopped the passengers at Sonprayag and Gaurikund due to continuous bad weather. Due to rain, four state roads and 10 link roads were closed due to debris. Due to heavy rains, Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers are in spate, the officials said. Amid the heavy rains in Uttarakhand, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for July 12 on Monday."Orange Alert: #Uttarakhand and adjoining areas of Western #UttarPradesh likely to get Heavy to Very heavy rainfall (115.6 to 204.4mm) on 12th July", IMD shared in a tweet. "A red alert has been issued in four districts. We are in alert mode. The CM also took the review yesterday. Only one unfortunate incident has taken place in which fourpeople died and seven were injured. Rest everything is under control. We are continuously working to ensure the safety of people," Disaster Management Secretary Ranjit Sinha said. Earlier, four persons died and 10 people were injured due to falling debris on Gangotri National Highway near Gangnani in Uttarakhand. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday said that the state administration is on full alert mode in view of the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) heavy rainfall alert in the region. (ANI)
A National Investigation Agency (NIA) special trial court here in Kerala convicted six more accused persons on Wednesday in the 2010 case of attempted murder of a professor by chopping off his hand. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced by the court on Thursday, said the NIA. The six Popular Front of India (PFI) cadres have been convicted under Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosive Substances Act. They have been found guilty of promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion and carrying out terrorist acts. These six accused have been identified as Sajil, Nasar, Najeeb, Noushad, PP Moideen Kunhu and Ayoob. "One PFI cadre, Savad, who was part of the barbaric attack is still absconding and the trial against him is pending and a hunt is on for him," the anti-terror agency said. As per the NIA, all the accused in the case are cadres of the banned PFI, and they had conspired to kill Professor TJ Joseph by chopping off his right palm over his alleged derogatory remarks about Prophet Mohammed in a Question Paper prepared for the Malayalam examination for B.Com students in Newman College, Thodupuzha, Idukki district, Kerala. The accused had carried out the barbaric daylight attack on the professor in the presence of his family members on July 4, 2010, said the NIA, adding that the accused had attacked the professor while the family was returning from church after the Sunday morning mass. As per the NIA, the assailants had also hurled a bomb to terrorise the public and escape from the scene. Kerala Police had, on January 10 in 2011, filed a chargesheet against 27 accused persons. Subsequently, the NIA took over the case and, following extensive raids, arrested and chargesheeted another 20 accused.In April 2015, the NIA Special Court had convicted 13 accused persons. The NIA has been tightening the noose around the PFI across India and has so far filed a total of seven cases and arrested 138 office bearers and cadres of the banned outfit following 346 raids spanning over several states. A total of 332 bank accounts have been frozen and 27 properties of the PFI have been attached in these cases.NIA investigations in these cases had revealed that PFI had conspired to overthrow the democratically elected government in India and establish Islamic State by 2047. It was engaged in carrying out communally divisive crimes and incidents of terror, targeting members of other communities, in pursuance of this goal, as per the investigations.PFI maintains a set of trained cadres, constituting service teams and Hit Teams, to recce, identify and eliminate leaders and members of various other communities. During investigation in Kerala, the NIA said, it found that the outfit also maintained a set of cadres called Reporters, whose primary task was to conduct recce and collect maximum details on select individuals belonging to various other communities, for eventual elimination of the targets. (ANI)
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Wednesday came down heavily on the Karnataka government over the brutal murder of Jain monk Kamakumara Nandi Maharaj of Hirekodi village in the Belagavi district, saying that the incident depicts the condition of the state. In a self-shot video, the union minister, while calling it a brutal murder, alleged that the Congress government came into action only after the Opposition BJP held protest. https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1679050784829493253 "This recent brutal murder of Jain Muni Kamkumar Nandi Maharaj is shocking... The police and the government swinging into action only after repeated protests of the BJP shows the kind of state that Karnataka is surely and slowly becoming a safe haven for these types of criminalities," Rajeev Chandrasekhar said. The brutal murder of Jain monk Kamakumara Nandi Maharaj of Hirekodi village in the Belagavi district of Karnataka has taken a political turn with the opposition BJP taking up the issue to target the Siddaramiah government demanding a CBI investigation into the alleged killing. Alleging that the state police is conducting a shoddy investigation in the case, BJP on Wednesday staged a protest outside the Assembly on Wednesday and demanded that the case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Speaking to ANI former state minister R Ashoka said: "Everyday Hindu karyakartas are being targetted in the State, the government need to assure the Jain community the security which they seek from the Government. We feel that a CBI investigation is required to unearth the truth." Protests were held across Karnataka to condemn the killing of Jain monk Aacharya Kaamakumar Nandi. On Saturday, police found the chopped body parts of the Jain monk who allegedly went missing two days ago from his ashram in Hirekodi village of the district. The murder triggered a political faceoff with the opposition BJP accusing the Congress government of appeasement politics and demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into them. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday said there is no need for a CBI probe while claiming that a few arrests have been made in the case. Union Minister Prahlad Joshi had termed the murder as "highly condemnable. "Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge on Monday said the murder of the Jain monk appears to be the "fallout of a personal feud", vowing to take strict action against criminals behind Saturday's murder. (ANI)
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies on Tuesday affirmed their support for Ukraine's push for becoming a member of the military alliance. However, the NATO allies stopped short of extending an invitation to Ukraine to become a member of the alliance. NATO allies noted that the future of Ukraine lies in NATO and recognised that Kyiv's path towards full Euro-Atlantic Integration has moved beyond the need for the membership action plan, according to a joint communique issued by NATO leaders at a summit in Vilnius. NATO allies in the joint communique said, "We fully support Ukraines right to choose its own security arrangements. Ukraines future is in NATO. We reaffirm the commitment we made at the 2008 Summit in Bucharest that Ukraine will become a member of NATO, and today we recognise that Ukraines path to full Euro-Atlantic integration has moved beyond the need for the Membership Action Plan." NATO allies noted that Ukraine has become "increasingly interoperable and politically integrated" with the alliance. The NATO allies said that they will continue to support and review Ukraine's progress through the adapted annual national programme. "Ukraine has become increasingly interoperable and politically integrated with the Alliance, and has made substantial progress on its reform path. In line with the 1997 Charter on a Distinctive Partnership between NATO and Ukraine and the 2009 Complement, Allies will continue to support and review Ukraines progress on interoperability as well as additional democratic and security sector reforms that are required," a joint communique issued by NATO leaders reads. "NATO Foreign Ministers will regularly assess progress through the adapted Annual National Programme. The Alliance will support Ukraine in making these reforms on its path towards future membership. We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the Alliance when Allies agree and conditions are met," it added. NATO allies reiterated their condemnation of Russia's "blatant violations of international law." They said that Russia must stop the war and cease its use of force against Ukraine. "We continue to condemn in the strongest terms Russias blatant violations of international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and OSCE commitments and principles. We do not and will never recognise Russias illegal and illegitimate annexations, including Crimea," the joint communique issued by NATO leaders reads. On Tuesday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that the alliance has changed the requirements needed for Ukraine to become part of the group, CNN reported. Stoltenberg said allied nations have "agreed to remove the requirements for membership action" which will make Ukraines membership path from a "two-step process to a one-step process," as per the CNN report. He said that NATO allies will invite Ukraine to become part of the military alliance "when conditions are met." (ANI)
Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar said that India and US need to work strongly together to challenge the aggression from China. Speaking to ANI the Indian American congressman said that India and US need to strongly stand against China's military and economic aggression. I have a lot of respect for India and tremendous accomplishment India has done India and United States need to work strongly together to challenge the aggression from China, Thanedar said. Washingtons relationship with China has changed from that of a strategic competitor to a rival or outright threat that must be deterred and contained. There is a bipartisan consensus that India is a crucial geopolitical and even economic, counterweight to Chinas dominance in the Indo-Pacific region. We have seen a lot of aggressive behaviour from China, economic aggression. They have infringed on workers' rights. They have dumped products into the United States market by subsidizing businesses. So, we need to effectively strong stand against China's military aggression, China's economic aggression. And the best way to do that is a strong India and a strong India-United States relationships," he added. Earlier in June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed a four-day State visit to the United States. PM Modi was not only feted with a welcome ceremony and state dinner but was also invited to address Congress for the second time during his prime ministership. PM Modi arrived in Washington DC, the capital of a country he was once prohibited from visiting for almost 10 years. He joined the ranks of Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Volodymyr Zelenskyy as one of the few leaders who addressed a joint session of Congress more than once. Thanedar who escorted Modi to the chamber heaped praises on Modi and stated that India has made a lot of progress and there is a lot of misinformation about the largest economy. Reacting to the criticism over the Indian government's restrictions on free speech and treatment of minorities, Thanedar stated that there are a lot of baseless attacks that happen against India. He noted that people of all kinds of faith live harmoniously in India. "Look, no country is perfect. Look, no democracy is perfect. But, India has made a lot of progress and there is a lot of misinformation about India. There are a lot of baseless attacks that happen about India. But, India is a country that has many different cultures, many different languages, many different religious. People of all kinds of faiths have lived harmoniously in India. We all have work to do. United States have work to do. United States need to work on racism. United States need to work on equity, economic equity, racial equity, social Equity," Shri Thanedar said. Thanedar also addressed the challenges faced not just by India but also by the United States and said US needs to work on racism, economic equity, racial equity and social equity. With Modis state visit, the United States and India declared themselves "among the closest partners in the world" and referring to the success of the visit the lawmaker said that India and US have a great collaboration culturally and promoting education, healthcare, medical innovations and space and defence technology. Thanedar further said that he would like to see India become the strongest ally of the US. "I think these are the two biggest democracies, world's oldest democracy and world's largest democracy. And it is about time that we work with deep trust, we work with deep friendship, and we help the people of each of the countries economically. And we have a great collaboration culturally and also promoting education and health care, medicine innovations, and in terms of space and defence technology. So, I would like to see India become the strongest ally of the United States of America," Shri Thanedar said. On Tuesday, Thanedar was one of the US lawmakers who attended the Hindu advocacy day on Capitol Hill. An event that highlighted the challenges Hindus face in the US, rising violence against Hindus, Hinduphobia, caste laws, academic bias and more. When asked about attending the event, Thanedar said that he is here to support the Hindu community and believes every person has a right to practice his or her religion without hate, bigotry or without any kind of attack. Thanedar said, "I'm here to show them support because I believe that every person has a right to practice his or her religion without hate, without bigotry, without hatred, without any kind of attacks or phobias. And I strongly believe that religious freedom is important. And I'm here to support the Hindu community. And also I happen to be a US Congressman that formed the Hindu caucus in the United States Congress." (ANI)
North Korea on Wednesday fired an unspecified ballistic missile towards the East Sea, Yonhap news agency reported citing the South Korean military. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that it detected the ballistic missile launch. It did not give further details regarding the launch, the report said. Pyongyang fired the ballistic missile amid tensions caused by North Korea's accusations against US Spy aircraft operations earlier this week. Previously, North Korea launched the ballistic missile on Jun 15, Yonhap news agency reported. North Korea has accused the United States of illegally flying over the economic zone eight times and warned of counter-action, state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Tuesday. Kim Yo Jong, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister, in a press statement, said, "In case of repeated illegal intrusion, the US forces will experience a very critical flight."She also claimed that South Korea had again impudently taken the lead in denying the encroachment on North Korea's sovereignty and still the nation assert that it was a "normal flight of the 'ROK' and the US." "The strategic reconnaissance plane of the U.S. Air Force illegally intruded into the economic water zone of the DPRK side in the East Sea of Korea eight times in the sky above the sea of 435 km east of Thongchon of Kangwon Province~276 km southeast of Uljin of North Kyongsang Province from 5:15 to 13:10 on July 10, to commit an aerial espionage act," Kim Yo Jong said. The Pentagon earlier brushed aside Pyongyang's accusations of airspace violations and said the US military had adhered to international law, reported KCNA. "The United States, as always, remains committed to safely and responsibly flying, sailing, and operating anywhere that international law allows and alongside our allies and partners," Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary said in a media briefing. "I just don't have anything more to say on those comments or those threats coming out of North Korea. We operate responsibly and safely in international waterways and -- and airspaces wherever -- wherever we can," she added. (ANI)
Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar on Tuesday (local time) condemned the attacks on Indian Embassy and called the recent attacks on Indian Consulate in San Francisco "unacceptable." In an exclusive interview with ANI, Thanedar said that the US must strongly condemn such attacks and provide protection to democratic institutions. Sikh separatists tried to set fire to the consulate the last weekend there was no major damage nor any injuries and police were investigating. Sikh separatists have for generations sought an independent Sikh homeland called Khalistan in India. In response to a question regarding attacks on Indian Consulate in San Francisco, Shri Thanedar said, "It is never acceptable to have such attacks. Arson and violent physical attacks on an embassy. You know, I believe in freedom of speech. I believe every group person has a right to express their views. But, attack on an institution, physical attack, threats to workers are totally unacceptable." Fire crews were called about 2 am (local time) on Sunday to the Consulate General of India in the heart of the city, where they found a smouldering debris fire on the sidewalk.The fire damaged the front door and entryway, according to San Francisco fire officials. The consulate had been previously vandalized in March by Sikh protesters earlier this year. "We need to express our disagreement in a democratic and peaceful manner. And I strongly condemn attacks on the Indian embassy and United States must strongly condemn such attacks and provide the protection these democratic institutions need," he added. Days after Khalistan supporters set ablaze the Indian consulate in San Francisco, Top White House official Kurt Campbell in an exclusive interview with ANI termed the incident as 'deeply regrettable' and said the US is taking steps to ensure the Indian diplomatic community feels safe and secure in the country Indian-American Congressman Thanedar escorted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his historic joint address to the US Congress on June 22. Calling it an honour and reflecting on his meeting with PM Modi, the US lawmaker said that he and PM Modi talked about bringing US Congress members to India to see them and to know what India is really like. When asked about Hindu phobia in the US, Shri Thanedar said, "I had a chance to meet with Prime Minister Modi when he was here. I actually had the honour to escort him to the joint session of Congress and I had conversation with Modiji for over 40 minutes. And Modiji expressed his happiness that I formed the Hindu Caucus. I think what we need to do is we need to educate people. There is a lot of misunderstanding." "And one of the things I and Prime Minister Modi spoke about was bringing United States Congress members to India to see them, what India is really like, how people of different religion, different faith, live in harmony, how people of minorities have risen in high positions in Indian government, in Indian businesses. So, there is a lot of misinformation, but it's important that they understand," he added. Shri Thanedar said that it is "critical" to educate people about the realities of India with its different cultures. US Congressman said that India is one of the leading economies in the world. He called it "important" for US and India to have a "good working relationship and strong friendship." He said that the strong relationship between India and the US will be good for the people of both nations. "It's critical thing is to educate people about the realities of India with its different cultures. Every hundred miles as Modiji said, India has different culture, different food, different languages and all of that. Everybody lives in harmony. India is not perfect, not as United States, not is any other country. We all have better things. We need to improve on human rights, we need to improve on freedom of expression. We need to improve on a number of things," Shri Thanedar said. "But India has made a lot of progress. It is one of the leading economies in the world. And it's important that United States and India have a good working relationship, a strong friendship. So it would be beneficial for American economy, it will be important to create American jobs and good for the people of both countries, people of American as well as people of India," he added. Earlier in June, PM Modi travelled to the US for a State visit. During his US visit, PM Modi attended various events and met top Indian and American CEOs. PM Modi addressed the joint session of the US Congress. He received a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at the White House upon his arrival.He was hosted by US President Joe Biden as well as First Lady Jill Biden for a state dinner at the White House, as well as a State Luncheon by the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and US Vice President Kamala Harris. PM Modi interacted with the Indian diaspora at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington DC. (ANI)
Richard Ravitch, then chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, rides the Lexington Avenue subway in Manhattan in 1980. (Don Hogan Charles/The New York Times)

Chicago has recently lost some community giants. In February, we lost the beloved Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation. Recently we lost businessman and civic leader Jim Crown.

The same Sunday that Crown died, New York lost a giant of its own. You may not know his name, but Richard Ravitch was a New York leader and businessman best known for ushering New York City through its near bankruptcy in 1975. It was no small feat  at the time, New York was facing a projected billion-dollar deficit, and bankers had finally decided not to extend further credit.

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In his memoir So Much to Do: A Full Life of Business, Politics, and Confronting Fiscal Crises, Ravitch leaves behind advice that would go a long way if applied here in present-day Chicago, in particular the passages in which he spells out the mistakes and gimmicks that city officials fell prey to on their march to insolvency.

Mistake No. 1: City officials prioritized placating special interests when the city didnt have the money to do so and often took on debt to keep certain people happy.

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The elected officials who approved the citys budgets were far more concerned about allocating city spending among various constituencies and interest groups than they were with the question of whether the expenditures were matched by recurring revenues, Ravitchs memoir reads. This is Chicagos budget process known as wheres mine.

A pervasive technique for masking deficits was using the citys capital budget to pay for recurring operating expenses, Ravitch writes. Chicago recently passed a $3.7 billion capital borrowing for similar expenses.

The citys most egregiously misleading gimmick, however, was to treat the proceeds of borrowing as revenues and to use these revenues to claim that the budget was in balance, he writes. Several recent Chicago budgets have included borrowing as revenue and even the savings from borrowing.

Mistake No. 2: City officials overspent even when the banks became more and more hesitant to lend money. And there was a political unwillingness to face the truth.

Several problems brought New Yorks municipal financial crisis to a head.

The first problem was  that the citys recurring expenses exceeded its actual recurring revenues, Ravitch writes. The second problem was that banks were becoming reluctant to lend money against city revenues that were merely aspirational. The third was a crisis of political culture: none of the people with power to manage the citys affairs was willing to face the first two crises and change the behavior that produced them.

And so the crisis came. New York appealed to the federal government for help, and the reply was made famous by the New York Daily News headline citing President Gerald Ford: Ford to City: Drop Dead. The city and state were on their own.

First, Gov. Hugh Carey appointed an advisory board from the commercial world to look into the matter. This is where Ravitch entered the picture. Ultimately, Carey put the city under the supervisions of an emergency Financial Control Board, a group of stewards with the mission of saving the city from its leaders bad habits.

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Ravitch writes that the board allowed the city to spend its money only in accordance with a financial plan, which was also then approved by the board. The plan required a budget that was balanced according to generally accepted accounting principles. The city could not change its revenue estimates, issue debt, or execute labor contracts without board approval. There would be a wage freeze.

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These restrictions at first seemed onerous, but officials came around. Ravitch says the board provided an external discipline that the politicians privately welcomed, so they could point to the monitors as the reason why services or benefits had to be cut or taxes had to be raised.

Very few saw the 1975 New York fiscal crisis coming. City officials didnt talk about it, politicians were uninformed and public opinion was preoccupied with more trivial matters. The people expected their leaders to keep things under control. In the end, those leaders failed.

In Chicago, there is that same political unwillingness to face the uncomfortable truth that the city is spending too much and that our ability to borrow is becoming more costly. Thats why it has resorted to the dangerous practice of pledging sales tax revenue to borrow.

Despite declarations that recent actions by Chicago mayors have put us on solid financial footing, Chicagos finances have not improved. Massive one-time COVID-19 aid has barely improved our net position.

Ravitch was a hero in New York. Before the new Chicago mayor and City Council grapple with the next budget cycle or undertake new ambitious spending, they would be wise to heed the words of this wise civic giant.

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Ed Bachrach is a co-author of The New Chicago Way: Lessons from Other Big Cities.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan challenged a trial court's decision before the Islamabad High Court (IHC), over the maintainability of an Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) complaint seeking criminal proceedings against him in the Toshakhana case, Dawn reported. Khan's challenge in the Toshakhana case came after Additional District and Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar last week declared the ECPs reference as maintainable. Earlier, on May 10, the trial court framed charges against the former PM, however, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq stayed the proceeding and recently directed the judge to re-examine the matter in seven days, keeping in view eight legal questions he framed to decide the maintainability of the Toshakhana reference. The questions included whether the complaint had been filed on behalf of ECP by a duly authorised person, whether the ECPs decision of Oct 21, 2022, was a valid authorisation to any officer of ECP to file a complaint, and whether the question of authorisation was a question of fact and evidence and could be ratified subsequently during the course of proceedings, according to the Pakistani English-language newspaper. However, when the judge re-examined the matter, Khans counsel Khawaja Haris did not appear before the court to argue the case in three consecutive hearings. The IHCs single-member bench, comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, is set to hear the appeal on Wednesday (today). Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court granted interim protective bail to Khan for two weeks in seven criminal cases relating to the May 9 violence. The LHC has also issued a notice to the PTI chief on a government appeal challenging a stay order he secured against an inquiry into an audio leak relating to the cypher controversy. The former prime minister appeared before a two-judge bench along with his counsel, Barrister Salman Safdar, as per Dawn. Separately, the LHC also issued a notice to the PTI chief on Tuesday on a federal government appeal challenging a stay order secured by him against an inquiry into an audio leak relating to the cypher controversy. In December, the high court suspended a call-up notice issued to Khan by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in the cypher inquiry. (ANI)
Ahead of the Bastille Day celebrations in France, the Indian contingent expressed their excitement and said that it is a matter of pride for them to march with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the guest of honour. Lt Commander, Indian Navy, Disha Amrith said that they have been practising in France since June 8 and the entire contingent is feeling very proud. Speaking to ANI, Lt Commander Disha Amrith said, We cant express what we are feeling right now. I am sure the entire contingent is feeling the same. PM Modi is the Chief Guestwe feel very fortunate. Here we have started practising from the 8th of June. Before this, we did practice in India for over a month. She further said that the interaction and tuning between the Indian and French forces is going pretty well and the two talk about each others culture. Everybody knows the past, the World War I and IIalso there are exercises that we undertake with the French. Exercise Varuna is an annual exercise, and it happened last in January this year. We are 64 men and four officers, she added. Subedar Satinder Pal Singh, from the Punjab Regiment, said, that is a proud feeling and the perception of people about India is very positive and strong. We are feeling very proud. The whole Punjab Regiment is very fortunate, that our ancestors did good work. The sacrifice they laid 107 years before. On being asked about PM Modi being the guest of honour at the event, he added, It is a very proud feeling, when we will march ahead saluting and PM Modi will be sitting in front of us. He further said that the interaction of the Punjab Regiment with French forces has been very positive. The interaction has been very nice. They are very positive people, they helped us, became our friends and also gave us gifts and we will also give them gifts. We are here for eight days practising. As we are interacting with people, their perception of us is very strong, he said. At the invitation of France President Emmanuel Macron, PM Modi will be the Guest of Honour on France's National Day on July 14. Three Indian Air Force Rafale fighter jets, as part of the military contingent, are poised to participate in the Bastille Day flypast over the Champs Elysees, Paris. The French traditional military parade is held in Paris during Bastille Day on July 14. PM Modi's visit will coincide with the 25th anniversary of the "strategic partnership" between France and India. Prime Minister's visit is expected to herald the next phase in the India-France Strategic Partnership by setting new and ambitious goals for our strategic, cultural, scientific, academic, and economic cooperation, including in a wide range of industries, as per the official statement released by the Indian Embassy in France. India and France defend the goals and tenets of the United Nations Charter, which serve as the cornerstone of collaboration between the two nations in the Indo-Pacific region, and share a vision for peace and security, particularly in Europe and the Indo-Pacific "This historic visit of PM Modi will also deliver common initiatives in order to respond to the key challenges of our time, including climate change, biodiversity loss and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and will be an opportunity for India and France to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism, including in the context of India's G20 Presidency," the official statement added. India and France defend the goals and tenets of the United Nations Charter, which serve as the cornerstone of collaboration between the two nations in the Indo-Pacific region, and share a vision for peace and security, particularly in Europe and the Indo-Pacific. (ANI)
In a major collaboration, Japan has offered medical scholarships for Bhutanese students, which will provide them with the opportunity to pursue their dreams of becoming medical professionals, Bhutan Live reported. The Royal Civil Service Commission has signed a memorandum of understanding with the esteemed International Japans University of Health Welfare, marking a milestone for Bhutans education and healthcare sectors. Under this collaboration, the University of Health Welfare will grant two scholarships for the prestigious Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) courses to Bhutanese students. This opportunity is part of the universitys longstanding tradition of providing scholarships to numerous South Asian countries, reaffirming their commitment to fostering educational exchanges and international cooperation, Bhutan Live reported. The decision to allocate two slots exclusively for Bhutanese students underscores the growing recognition of Bhutans potential in the field of medicine. In addition, the University of Health Welfare has also expressed its intention to continue offering medical scholarships to Bhutanese students in the future, ensuring a sustained flow of talented medical professionals to Bhutans healthcare system. As per Bhutan Live, Thimphus healthcare system has been striving to meet the needs of its citizens, particularly in remote and underserved areas. So, by sending promising students to study medicine in Japan, Bhutan aims to address the scarcity of medical professionals within its borders and enhance the overall quality of healthcare services across the country. The selected Bhutanese students will embark on an educational journey that combines rigorous academic training with exposure to advanced medical techniques and technologies. They will be exposed to Japans cutting-edge medical infrastructure, renowned for its innovative approaches and emphasis on research and development. This invaluable experience will also equip the students with the necessary skills and knowledge to tackle complex healthcare challenges upon their return to Bhutan. Moreover, this exchange program is expected to foster cultural understanding and strengthen bilateral ties between Bhutan and Japan. The students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Japanese society and experience its rich heritage and vibrant traditions first-hand. This exposure to a different culture will broaden their perspectives, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration in the field of healthcare, Bhutan Live reported. The Royal Civil Service Commissions visionary partnership with the University of Health Welfare is a testament to Bhutans commitment to investing in its human capital and ensuring the well-being of its citizens. As per Bhutan Live, by nurturing the next generation of medical professionals, Bhutan is paving the way for a brighter future in healthcare, where the nations own experts will contribute to the welfare of their fellow citizens. Bhutan continues to prioritize the development of its healthcare sector, partnerships like these are instrumental in addressing the countrys unique challenges. The governments proactive efforts to provide its citizens with access to quality healthcare align with its overarching goal of Gross National Happinessa holistic approach that seeks to balance material progress with spiritual and social well-being, Bhutan Live reported. (ANI)
China's slow economy, high unemployment rate and the wave of corporate layoffs have become major decision drivers in the younger generation's lives that they continue postponing major life decisions and contribute to a record-low marriage rate, The New York Times reported. Grace Zhang, a tech worker who had long been ambivalent about marriage, spent two months in the barricaded space during the lockdown of Shanghai last year. And when she came out of lockdown, her sense of optimism faded. When China reopened in December, Zhang felt that working back in the office could help her in restoring the positive outlook but the rising layoffs have just confused her. She has a boyfriend but no immediate plans to marry, despite frequent admonishments from her father that its time to settle down, according to New York Times. This kind of instability in life will make people more and more afraid of making new life changes, she said. The number of marriages in China declined for nine consecutive years, falling by half in less than a decade. Last year, about 6.8 million couples registered for marriage, the lowest since records began in 1986, down from 13.5 million in 2013, according to government data released last month. Although the numbers have risen so far in 2023 compared with the year before, more marriages are ending, too. In thefirst quarterof this year, 40,000 more couples married compared with the same period a year earlier, while divorces rose by 127,000. The figures have shown that young people are deterred by the toll of putting a child through Chinas cutthroat education system. As women in cities achieve new levels of financial independence and education, marriage is less of an economic necessity to them. And men say they cannot afford to get married, citing cultural pressure to own a home and a car before they can even begin dating. The instability of the last three years has compounded these pressures, reshaping many young peoples expectations about building a family. China has imposed an increasingly tight grip over every aspect of society under its leader, Xi Jinping with effects that could weigh on the marriage rate, New York Times reported. If young people are not confident about the future, its very difficult for them to think about settling down and getting married, said Xiujian Peng, a senior research fellow at Australias Victoria University. In China, where it is extremely rare for an unmarried couple or a single person to have children, the marriage decline is tied to the countrys falling birthrate. Last year, Chinas population shrank for the first time since the early 1960s, when there was widespread famine. Last month, a video, showing a Chinese man killing his wife by repeatedly driving over her with his car after a domestic dispute made the marriage a hot topic on Chinas micro-blogging site, Weibo. The app flooded with comments warning women against getting married. A recent Weibo hashtag about rejecting marriage generated 92 million views, with commenters citing the lack of protections for women in Chinas divorce and domestic violence laws, as per the New York Times. The share of women age 25 to 29 in urban China who have never been married rose to 40.6 per cent in 2020 from 8.6 per cent in 2000, according to an analysis by Wang Feng, a professor of sociology at the University of California, Irvine. Many men say they are delaying marriage because they feel economically insecure. Because of a cultural preference for boys during the governments one-child policy, which ended in 2016, China has around 35 million more men than women, fueling a sense of economic competition for marriage, New York Times reported. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Muslim World League Secretary General Mohammad Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa held discussions here on furthering the inter-faith dialogue, countering extremist ideologies, promoting global peace and also deepening the partnership between India and Saudi Arabia. PM Modi and Al-Issa met and held insightful discussions on Tuesday and addressed a wide range of issues, including Indian diversity within the framework of its national constitution. Pleased to have met H.E. Sheikh @MhmdAlissa, Secretary General of @MWLOrg and Chairman of the Organisation of Muslim Scholars. We had a great exchange of views on furthering inter-faith dialogue, countering extremist ideologies, promoting global peace, and deepening partnership between India and Saudi Arabia, tweeted PM Modi on Wednesday, a day after their meeting. Following their meeting, the Muslim World League chief said that he appreciated PM Modis passionate perspective towards inclusive growth. He tweeted, I had an insightful discussion with the Indian PM, H.E. @narendramodi, on a variety of issues. This included ways to further human-centric development and the importance of promoting understanding and harmony among the followers of faith and culture. I appreciate His Excellency's passionate perspective towards inclusive growth. There was also agreement on the importance of working together on confronting all aspects of extremism and hatred, regardless of their source and reason, as peace and prosperity in our diverse world can only be achieved with aware and comprehensive citizenship, his tweet added. The Muslim World Leagues chief also spoke about the details of his important meeting with PM Modi in his lecture at the India Islamic Cultural Center. Also, I elaborated upon the details of this important meeting in my lecture at the India Islamic Cultural Center, which was delivered after the meeting with His Excellency the PM; it was attended by senior scholars, both Muslim and non-Muslim, along with thinkers and politicians-coming from different states of India-who valued and appreciated the lecture, Al-Issas tweet concluded. Al-Issa who is the current Secretary General of the Muslim World League (MWL), an organisation based in Saudi Arabia and representing Muslims worldwide is on a five-day visit to India that began on July 10. While delivering an address at an event at the India Islamic Cultural Centre in the national capital organised by the Khusro Foundation on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia's former Minister for Justice said that India with its diversity, is "a great model for coexistence" and that the country can send a message of peace to the world. "We have talked just moments ago about the different components in the Indian society and we have been in the past days engaging with them. And I know that the Muslim component of the Indian society, they are, as I said, proud of their Constitution and proud of their nation and they are proud of the brotherhood that they share with the rest of the components of the Indian society" Al-Issa said in the national capital on Tuesday. Appreciating "Indian wisdom", Al-Issa said, "We reach out with the different components and diversity for the common objectives that we share. We have heard a lot about Indian wisdom and we know that it has contributed a lot to humanity..." "We know that here coexistence is very important... we also work on promoting stability and harmony all over the world. We know that the Indian component, with all its diversity, is a great model for coexistence not only in just mere words but also on the ground." The visiting Saudi delegate said that his organisation is working across the world to promote religious awareness. (ANI)
Started my engagements in Indonesia with a meeting with ASEAN Secretary General Dr Kao Kim Hourn. Discussed the development of our comprehensive strategic partnership. Suggested India-ASEAN dialogues in finance, cyber and maritime domains, EAM Jaishankar tweeted on Wednesday.

Noted the ongoing work in energy, disaster management and health and wellness. Agreed to expand our Track II engagement, Jaishankar further wrote.

The EAM said the ASEAN relationship paves the way for the Indo-Pacific Vision. India is therefore deeply committed to the principle of ASEAN centrality, Jaishankar wrote.

EAM Jaishankar on Friday also met Malaysia Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir.

Great to meet the Foreign Minister of Malaysia Dr Zambry Adbul Kadir. Discussed our expanding bilateral cooperation. Exchanged views on ASEAN-related issues. Look forward to welcoming him in India, the EAM tweeted on Wednesday.

EAM Jaishankar is on a six-day visit to Indonesia, Thailand from July 12-18.

In the first leg of his visit, the EAM will reachIndonesiato attend Foreign Ministers Meetings under theASEANon July 13-14 and then he will go toThailandfor the Foreign Ministers Meeting ofMekong Ganga Cooperation(MGC), a release from the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday.

Jaishankarwill visit Jakarta,Indonesiafor the Foreign Ministers Meetings under theASEANframework in the format,ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit andASEANRegional Forum on July 13-14.

The External Affairs Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other countries.Indias engagement with thisASEAN-centered regional architecture signifiesIndias strong commitment toASEANcentrality in the Indo-Pacific.

After Jakarta, the EAM will travel to Bangkok, Thailand to participate in the 12th Foreign Ministers Meeting of Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Mechanism on July 16, 2023.

MGC is one of the oldest mechanisms of the lower Mekong region and is guided byIndias Act East Policy.

In Bangkok, the EAM will also attend the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Foreign Ministers Retreat on July 17, 2023.

BIMSTEC is an economic and technical initiative which brings together the countries of the Bay of Bengal for multifaceted cooperation. The retreat would discuss ways to further deepen the BIMSTEC agenda and strengthen the organisation. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach United Arab Emirates (UAE) on July 15 and meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The PM would be given a ceremonial welcome, after which several bilateral talks and other events will be organized in honour of the Prime Ministers visit, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Wednesday. "After concluding his visit to France, the Prime Minister would depart for UAE and reach there on the fifteenth of July where he will meet His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi. To be followed by a ceremonial welcome, bilateral talks and other events organized in honour of prime minister's visit to UAE," Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said while addressing a press conference on Wednesday. Kwatra said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayadal Nayan last met in June in Abu Dhabi when the PM visited UAE while on his return from the G7 summit in Munich. "They have since also met on many virtual platforms, including in July last year, during the I2U2 (India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States) summit," the Foreign Secretary said. Kwatra further mentioned that in February 2022, during the virtual summit, the comprehensive economic partnership agreement between India and UAE was signed. A joint vision statement was also issued at that time. "We have seen a significant jump, qualitative enhancement, in the substance of our engagement across the whole range of areas since the signing of the CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement). And the partnership has continued to grow from strength to strength. This is particularly reflected in the strong economic exchanges, both on the trade side, but also on the investment side, people-to-people ties and also convergence on a range of regional and international issues," Kwatra added. "UAE is also a special invitee during India's G20 presidency summit to be held in September this year. Indian and UAE are also cooperating very closely on COP28, which will be held in UAE towards the end of this year," Foriegn Secretary Vinay Kwatra said. "Prime Minister's visit to UAE provides a useful opportunity for us to review this important partnership and inject further momentum across the whole range of areas that we cooperated," he added. Further speaking on the economic ties between India and UAE, Kwatra informed that the bilateral trade is at 85 billion dollars between India and UAE. Which made UAE India's third-largest trading partner last year. India's second-largest export destination is UAE. "Bilateral trade is currently at a very strong 85 billion dollars between India and UAE, making UAE India's third largest trading partner last year and India's second-largest export destination is UAE. Also, very substantial large sums of FTI (Foreign Trade Investments) flows from UAE have taken place to India, making UAE the fourth largest overall investor in India," Kwatra informed during the press briefing. Kwatra further informed that the UAE and India are also very strong partners in the field of energy security. Several new areas of partnership and engagement have also registered strong progress including in the field of renewables, health, food security, SNT, education, fintech, and defence and security. "The Indian diaspora presents very strong and robust numbers in UAE, about 3.5 billion," he said. Kwatra credited the historical people-to-people ties between India and UAE to remain a key pillar of the strategic partnership between India and UAE. Kwatra said that in the last few years, a significant transformation has taken place in India-UAE relations and central driver of this has been the vision of the two leaders, the President of the UAE and the Prime Minister of India. "Both of them, of course, also enjoy an excellent personal rapport, which is reflected in their very frequent engagements," Kwatra added. Prime Minister will depart for the UAE after concluding his visit to France. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit France later this week to attend this year's Bastille Day parade as the guest of honour, at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron. The Bastille Day Parade will witness a 269-member tri-services contingent of the Indian Armed Forces marching alongside their French partners. The Fete Nationale Francaise is celebrated on July 14 or the National Day in France. It is also known as Bastille Day as this day is the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille in 1789 during the French Revolution. The Indian military contingent would also be part of the marching contingent on Bastille Day, alongside their French counterparts to mark this important milestone. Notably, PM Modi's visit will coincide with the 25th anniversary of the "strategic partnership" between France and India. PM Modi's visit is expected to herald the next phase in the India-France Strategic Partnership by setting new and ambitious goals for our strategic, cultural, scientific, academic, and economic cooperation, including in a wide range of industries, an official statement released by the Indian Embassy in France said earlier. (ANI)
A Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) highlighted the challenges being faced by Hindus in the US amid the rising violence against the religion, Hinduphobia, caste laws and academic bias. The event titled 'National Hindu Advocacy Day on the Hill' was organized by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) at the US Capitol Hill. The event was attended by a group of lawmakers, both Republicans and Democrats including Congressman Rich McCormick, Indian American entrepreneur turned politician Sri Thanedar, Buddy Carter of Georgia, Congressman Thomas Keane and Hank Johnson. A strong supporter of the Indian American community, Congressman McCormick praised the hard-working, harmonious and peaceful US Hindu community numbering about three million; who had made a lot of contributions to the nation and society; especially in his constituency. On February 21, Seattle became the first US city to ban caste-based discrimination by incorporating it into its anti-discrimination laws. The legislation, SB 403, originally sought to add caste as a new category under the states non-discrimination law, but it now enumerates caste as one protected class under the larger umbrella of ancestry. I think it's racist and it classifies people in a divisive way. I've also been very outspoken against any intimidation. We will take them on publicly, privately, whatever need to do, because they should never exist right here in America McCormick told ANI. Hindus in America are a vibrant and diverse community, who have contributed significantly to American progress, well-being and democracy, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The talent and contributions that Hindus are making to American society are universally recognized, and yet ignorance about Hinduism is widespread, and the community has increasingly found itself the target of bigotry and hate. On Tuesday Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar was the only Indian American US lawmakers that attended the Hindu advocacy day on Capitol Hill. When asked about the event, Thanedar said that he is there to support the Hindu community and believes every person has a right to practice his or her religion without hate, bigotry or without any kind of attack. I am here to show them support because I believe that every person has a right to practice his or her religion without hate, without bigotry, without hatred, without any kind of attacks or phobias. And I strongly believe that religious freedom is important. And I am here to support the Hindu community. And also I happen to be a US Congressman that formed the Hindu caucus in the United States Congress." Thanedar said. Hindu American students, workers and community members exist in every part of the country and have been part of the American tapestry for decades. Yet, data shows that only one in four Americans actually knows a Hindu and according to 2020 Federal Bureau of Investigation data, hate crimes against Indian Americans are up 500 per cent. Salvatore Bobonus, the associate professor at the University of Sydney and executive director of the Indian Century Roundtable in Sydney, Australia, who was also one of the speakers at the event, told ANI, Indians might be surprised to hear that caste has come to America and in a big way. Now, by that, I don't mean any actual caste discrimination. What I mean is the politicization of caste. Indians will be very familiar with caste reservations and the disputes over who is classified as a Scheduled Caste, Salvatore added. Over the years, CoHNA has held several congressional briefings on various issues impacting the Hindu American community and is leading efforts to educate stakeholders about Hinduism and the growing challenges it faces today in the US through events like its Hindu Advocacy on the Hill event. Notably, caste hierarchies are also prevalent among the Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist and Christian communities in the region but growing attention has been paid to casteism among Hindu South Asians, including in the US, which is home to 5.4 million people of South Asian descent. According to data collected by Pew in 2015, there are now 2.23 million Hindus in the United States, making them the fourth largest religious group in the country after Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Hinduism belongs to a family of religions known as Indic or Dharmic religions. Hinduism is the largest dharmic tradition in the United States. Two other dharmic religions also have large populations in the United States: Sikhism, with around 500,000 individuals, and Jainism, with around 180,000 adherents. There are also large populations of Muslims and Christians from the Indian subcontinent in the United States. Approximately 16 per cent of Muslims in the United States are from South Asia (around 600,000 people). Additionally, there are smaller populations of Buddhists and Zoroastrians (Parsis) from South Asia in the United States. So in California, we are actually now getting pretty close to passing a law that for the first time we will be Profiling and singling out people and subjecting them to discrimination simply based on something we can't control our birth. This doesn't come just for folks like us who have migrated from India. It's something that's in perpetuity for our kids. So 2nd, 3rd, 10th generation there's really no end limit to being targeted for your background if you happen to be Hindu...": Pushpita Prasad, Member (COHNA) Coalition of Hindus of North America on Hindus in America. Indian Americans of Hindu faith have the highest retention of any religion in the United States, with a full 80 per cent of those raised Hindu still identifying with Hinduism as adults, according to Pew data. This is not surprising due to the nature of Hinduism, whose philosophical and cultural traditions encompass several religious viewpoints including monism, pantheism, panentheism, henotheism, monotheism, polytheism, and atheism. Most Hindus are either immigrants or the children of immigrants from India, Nepal, Guyana, and Suriname, although there are some from non-desi (South Asian) backgrounds. (ANI)
The Harry Potter books famously feature a sorting hat, a magical way of determining in which house Hogwarts students truly belong: Gryffindor? Slytherin?

Last week, The Associated Press reported that Americans have no need for such sorcery to find the like-minded: Republicans and Democrats are separating physically at such a furious pace, the news agency reported, the ideological divide between the states is now starker than at any point in living memory.

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The most striking evidence? A single party controls the legislature in all but two states. And only 10 states are led by governors of parties that differ from the one that controls the legislature.

Some of that is a consequence of pernicious gerrymandering, of course, but there is so little common ground these days that Americans increasingly are picking up and moving to where they feel at one with the dominant cultural norms and free to express themselves.

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If you want to put out a gay pride flag, you might think twice about living in one of the seven states  Indiana, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and South Carolina  where the Republican attorneys general issued a threatening collective letter to the retailer Target last week over its display of LGBTQ-friendly merchandise, expressing concern about the companys promotion and sale of potentially harmful products to minors and how that might constitute a possible violation of fiduciary duties by the companys directors and officers.

We consider the protection of a states children to be a primary duty of all attorneys general, and we respect the rights of parents to guide their children, but that letter was a political salvo, an offensive contextualizing of gay pride with harm to minors, the potential for which exists in people of all kinds. The letter represented time that would have better spent investigating prosecutable predators and products with far more capacity to harm than a slogan on a T-shirt and other items of clothing.

Target does not force anyone who does not wish to buy its products to walk through its doors, and Americans are free to insist that their children shop elsewhere and to have them join them in protesting in the parking lot if they so choose.

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 attorneys general should not be in the business of creating a chilling political climate for private businesses trying to navigate varying community standards. As Target and other businesses well know, the marketplace can do that by itself.

Conservatives, on the other hand, also told the AP that they can be made to feel uncomfortable, in their case if they display a pro-police flag in liberal communities or even the Stars and Stripes. Thats a sad state of affairs. Americans should have the right to indicate their support of law enforcement or express their patriotism with displays on their own property.

In some ways, of course, the so-called big sort is a harmless clustering of the like-minded: Certain college towns long have attracted progressives just as other communities, offering lots of space and open air, have appealed more to conservatives. And wed also note that these divides are not always marked by a state line; most small communities in downstate Illinois, for example, have more in common with rural Missouri than the towns in the Land of Lincolns northern reaches.

But the busy moving vans still represent a worrying trend. Homogenized states mean less incentive for politicians to work together and less incentive for Americans to see the other side of issues. They represent the diminishment of core American values that enhance the nations unity.

And on the most personal level, it means less chance to learn something from, and teach something to, a decent person with different views who just happens to live next door.

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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.
Dawn is a Pakistani English-language newspaper.

Bhati Gate Station House Officer (SHO) Mohammad Sajjad confirmed the death toll to Dawn. Lahore DIG Operations Ali Nasir Rizvi said the deceased belonged to the same family.

As per an official statement from Rescue 1122, the department was alerted about the fire at 2:32 am. In response, the rescue service deployed 33 rescuers and 11 vehicles to the incidents location.

The statement further said that the fire erupted on the second floor of the house, which was located in a very congested area. Rescue 1122 further said that the bodies have been shifted to Mayo Hospital, as per Dawn.

The list released by Rescue 1122 showed that five of the deceased were teenagers while two of them were a four-year-old and a seven-month-old.

The rescue service later said that the fire was controlled and the cooling process was underway.

State-run Radio Pakistan reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow and grief over the incident and prayed for the departed souls. (ANI)
TV BRICS International Media Network summarised the results of the BRICS Global Media Tour - Russian Edition, which brought together heads of iconic media from BRICS countries and Africa, reported TV BRICS. The event was organised by the BRICS-Media Association in cooperation with TV BRICS, with a grant provided by the support of Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund. The media tour programme consisted of several tracks: educational, business and cultural. The educational track included a series of conferences and expert sessions devoted to the problems of professional education in journalism and media, as well as multilateral cooperation between BRICS and Africa, which were held at the GITR Film & Television School and the Gorchakov Fund. During the educational track, the participants of the media tour visited the UN Information Centre in Moscow, where they took part in the expert session "UN Work in Russia. SDGs and Media," as per TV BRICS. During the session, TV BRICS presented the results of cooperation with UNIC in the framework of SDG promotion. In addition, the heads of the leading BRICS and African media had a tour of the RGISI (Russian State Institute of Performing Arts) branch in Kemerovo. They were told about the educational programmes, teaching principles and opportunities to study at this university. RGISI is the oldest theatrical university in the country and Europe's largest scientific and educational centre of performing arts that trains specialists in theatrical professions. "During the media tour, delegates from Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique visited the leading higher education institutions in the Russian capital that train professionals for the media industry, as well as gaining exclusive access to attend and cover leading events of the international agenda held at a high organisational level in Russia. The BRICS Global Media Tour. Russian Edition allowed to establish new ties between the media of Russia and the BRICS countries. I am sure that the media tour will contribute to the further development of contacts between universities of BRICS countries," Janna Tolstikova CEO of TV BRICS said. The central event of the tour was the delegation's visit to the ceremony of announcing the names of the laureates of the Global Energy Prize 2023 in Kemerovo. This is an international event initiated and held for many years at a high level by Russia, which has become a centre of attraction for global scientific events. Over the years, the Global Energy Prize has gained a high international status and has become widely recognised around the world. The main goal is to reward scientists for outstanding results of scientific developments and systematic research of global problems aimed at sustainable development of civilisation, according to TV BRICS. Kuzbass is one of the leading energy regions of Russia, which was noted by the tour participants who visited the Chernigovskiy coal mine. They were shown how the process of mining this natural mineral in the Russian Federation takes place. In addition, the Kemerovo Region is rich in museums and cultural artefacts. The delegates of the BRICS Global Media Tour. Russian Edition was convinced of this when they visited the Tomskaya Pisanitsa Museum-Reserve, a unique complex of the history and culture of the peoples of Eurasia, which covers an area of 156 hectares. The cultural programme for representatives of media companies from BRICS and Africa included visits to Red Square, the Tretyakov Gallery, the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve and the Museum of the Special Purpose Garage of the Russian Federal Security Service. The business track included a business dialogue at the Moscow representative office of the TV BRICS. "Based on the results of the nine days, we can definitely say that the media tour was a success. It is gratifying that the participants were able to get acquainted not only with our cultural, historical and natural riches but also gained and exchanged practical knowledge, found new contacts and intensified cooperation both between their media and with Russian journalists. I think that after visiting Moscow and Siberia, the participants will return to their countries with a more complete and objective view of Russia, of life inside the country, and of its opportunities for building international cooperation. I hope that it is our colleagues from Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe who will continue to cover interesting topics in their reports in cooperation with the BRICS-Media Association and TV BRICS, as well as continue to cooperate with the Gorchakov Fund in new formats and other events," said Sergey Orlov, Leading Specialist at the Gorchakov Fund. "I had an incredible experience during the media tour. I am very grateful to TV BRICS and the Gorchakov Fund for this opportunity. After all, we were able not only to get to know Russia but also to get to know each other and exchange experience. I think this is a very important exchange because every country should share its experience with each other, this is what we should do as media representatives," emphasised Luiz Augusto de Freitas Erthal, editor-in-chief of the Brazilian newspaper Toda Palavra, according to TV BRICS. Janna Tolstikova noted that this format of the press tour has significant potential for a series of similar tours in other BRICS countries, which could be organised in each country separately with the assistance and patronage of Russia as the initiator of the project, TV BRICS reported. (ANI)
The Khaama Press is an online news service for Afghanistan.

As per a news release, the people were arrested from Kabuls Kargha area. The convicts have been sentenced to three months of imprisonment by Taliban officials.

Talibans Supreme Court in a press release on Wednesday stated that after the verdict was issued, Taliban officials publicly lashed criminals in the Paghman district court in the presence of government officials and some common people.

Each convict was sentenced to twenty lashes and one-month imprisonment, the news release stated.

The Taliban after seizing power in August 2021, resumed practising physical punishment among the ordinary people.

Meanwhile, Human Rights advocacy groups have repeatedly stated in their reports that convicts do not have access to a legal and standardized judicial system in Afghanistan under the Taliban.

Many human rights organizations have condemned the physical punishment of convicts by Taliban officials.

The Taliban is accused of committing human rights violations in many cases, particularly banning Afghan women and girls from attending education, work or public engagements. (ANI)
Indias indigenously built stealth destroyer INS Chennai and the countrys naval personnel arrived in France on Wednesday for the French National Day celebrations on July 14. "A warm welcome in France to Indias indigenously built stealth destroyer INS Chennai, and our naval personnel. Symbol of Indias naval power. Here for the French National Day on July 14, with PM @narendramodi as the GoH. A message of India-France maritime security partnership, Indian Ambassador to France Jawed Ashraf tweeted on Wednesday. PM Modi will be the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade of France on July 14, where the tri-services of the Indian armed forces contingent would be participating. French National Day, or Bastille Day, occupies a special place in French consciousness. This day commemorates the Storming of the Bastille Prison in 1789 during the French Revolution. The Bastille Day Parade is the highlight of the Bastille Day Celebrations. Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Wednesday said PM Modi will leave for his France, UAE visit on Thursday. The Prime Minister will first visitFrancefrom July 13-14 at the invitation ofFrench PresidentEmmanuel Macron. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will depart tomorrow morning for his visits toFranceand UAE. The first segment will be his visit toFrance, the PM will reach Paris tomorrow. The PM will stay inFranceon July 13, 14 at the invitation ofFrench PresidentEmmanuel Macron, Kwatra said during a special briefing on Prime Ministers visit toFranceand UAE. The foreign secretary said the visit comes as PM Modis sixth visit toFrance. After PM Modi reaches tomorrow, he will meetFrancePrime Minister lisabeth Borne and President of French Senate Grard Larcher on the same day, he said. Kwatra said on Thursday evening, the prime minister will interact with the Indian community which would be followed by a private dinner to be hosted by President Macron at lyse Palace in honour of the prime minister. The visits major ceremonial part will start on Friday wherein the Prime Minister will participate in Bastille Day celebrations. Major ceremonial part of the visit will start on July 14. PM Modi will participate in the French National Day celebration- Bastille Day. This is a very special gesture extended by France to PM Modi. A large tri-services contingent from India will also participate in the Bastille Day Parade along with three Indian Air Force aircraft, which would also take part in the flypast after the Bastille Day celebrations, the foreign secretary said. Program on the fourteenth also includes meeting with the President of the French National Assembly Yal Braun-Pivet and a series of other meetings with the thought leaders and prominent business people. There is going to be another ceremonial reception at the Lisa Palace on the fourteenth, he said. This will be followed by delegation-level discussions led by Prime Minister Modi and French President Macron. The two leaders will also interact with the CEOs from both countries under the rubric of the India-France CEO forum. Then the program in France would conclude with a state banquet to be hosted in honour of the Prime Minister in the evening of July 14 at the iconic Louvre Museum, he said. (ANI)
Maldives Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid on Wednesday said that Maldives has an outstanding relationship with India and every time, Maldives had an emergency, India has always been the first to respond. "We have confidence in India that every time the Maldives has to dial international 911 in an emergency, India has always responded 1988, the mercenary attack in the Maldives undermining our sovereignty, the 2004 tsunami, the 2015 water crisis in Mali, and the most recent COVID-19 pandemic," the Foreign Minister of Maldives told ANI about how India has been helpful to the Maldives in the past and in recent times. Abdullah Shahid said that India has earned a lot of respect and love from the countries of the world, including Maldives when it reached out during the COVID-19 pandemic with the Indian vaccine. "I have travelled to many parts of the world. From everywhere I travelled, I heard the gratitude of those countries which India reached out to during the COVID pandemic with the Indian vaccine. And this kind of sharing has created a lot of respect, a lot of love for India around the world. And so is it in the Maldives," the Foreign Minister of Maldives said. He further said that Maldives is encouraged by the policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the SAGAR policy, and the neighbourhood first policy. The outstanding relationship between India and Maldives has enormously flourished. "No doubt that President Solih has this India-first policy in his foreign policy. And we are encouraged by the policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the SAGAR policy, and the neighbourhood first policy. So this outstanding relationship has enormously flourished," he said while speaking to ANI. On asking how he looked at the analogy that Maldives is always seen as a place where India and China are always competing and when people compare the two countries and the fight for influence, Maldives' Foreign Minister said that President Solih has India-first policy in his foreign policy. Referring to China, he said that Maldives is not a battleground for anyone. "Maldives is not a battleground for anyone. Maldives is a ground for everyone to come together," Abdullah Shahid said. "We are friend to all and enemy to none. However, we have the geographic reality of India as our largest next-door neighbour. We are very happy that we have had an outstanding relationship with India," he added. Speaking on India's G20 presidency, Shahid on Wednesday said that the G20 leadership of India should be admired for the simple reason that India did not restrict G20 activities to G20 alone. Prime Minister Narendra Modi picked the theme of sharing with everyone. "G20 leadership of India should be admired for the simple reason that the Prime Minister has picked the theme of sharing with everyone. It's not about G20, but also sharing. The theme he (PM Modi) has taken for G20 is how the rest of the world takes comfort in India's Chairmanship of G20," Shahid said while speaking to ANI. "India has the largest population in the world and it is a country full of talent being respected around the world. Even as chair of G20, India has not restricted the G20 activities to G20 alone. It has reached out to countries all around, large and small countries. So India has this habit of sharing its development, its wealth, and its knowledge," he added. Prime Minister Modi has stated multiple times that India's G20 Presidency is guided by the principle of 'One Earth, One Family, One Future' and in line with ''Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam." PM Modi has stated that India's G20 Presidency has worked to "further global good and create a better planet." (ANI)
Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan on Wednesday arrived in Syria on a two-day official visit to the country. The MoS will during his visit hold discussions with the Syrian leadership on ways to strengthen India-Syria bilateral ties. Hon'ble Minister of State for External Affairs Shri V. Muraleedharan has arrived in Syria today, July 12, 2023. He is on a two-day visit to the country and he will have fruitful discussions with the Syrian leadership on ways to strengthen bilateral ties between India and Syria, Indian Embassy in Syria tweeted on Wednesday. MoS Muraleedharan is visiting Syria from July 12-13. This will be the first Ministerial-level visit from India to Syria since August 2016, and the first visit of V. Muraleedharan to the country, the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official release. During the visit, the MoS will also interact with a group of Syrian students who have studied or are proceeding to study in India under the Government of Indias scholarship scheme. He is also expected to meet the functionaries of the Syrian Orthodox Church. Syria and India have historically had cordial relations built on deep-rooted people-to-people ties. The Indian Embassy in Syria has remained open throughout the Syrian conflict. Many people visit India as tourists, businesspeople, and patients. This visit is expected to lend further momentum to the strong relationship between the two countries. India has contributed immensely to the capacity building of the Syrian youth over the years through scholarship schemes and training courses under the flagship ITEC programme, the official release read. Meanwhile, the MoS during the inaugural session of the 6th India-Arab Partnership Conference, on Tuesday, said: "India and the Arab World have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations. These relations date back to ancient times. Traders, scholars and diplomats would often traverse the Arabian Sea and the land routes linking India to West Asia and the Arabian peninsula, transferring knowledge and merchandise commodities. The shared cultural heritage, through the linkages of language, customs and traditions continues to lend energy to our historic bonds." "The Arab world is indeed a part of Indias extended neighbourhood. Indias staunch commitment to deepen engagement with the region, our shared views on major international developments, strong economic and commercial relations and deep people-to-people ties form the foundation of our relations," the MoS further said. Muraleedharan said: "Bulk of Indias external trade passes along the Suez Canal, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. There are vital Indian investments in countries stretching from Oman and Saudi Arabia to Egypt, Sudan and beyond. Moreover, India has a large expatriate community of over 9 million in the Arab world, who over generations, have contributed to the prosperity of countries of their residence." (ANI)
Ausaf Sayeed, Secretary (CPV&OIA), Ministry of External Affairs, has informed of the resumption of discussions on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) at the 6th India Arab Partnership Conference. Under the aegis of the Arab-Indian Cooperation Forum, the 6th India-Arab Partnership Conference on "New Horizons in Investment, Trade & Services was organised on July 11, 12. Ministers, senior officials and businesspersons from the Arab States and India participated in it. "India and GCC have resumed discussions on concluding the Free Trade Agreement. We have exchanged preliminary documents, and the delegations have been meeting. We hope this will soon become a reality, bringing newer opportunities for businesses on both sides," Sayeed said during his special address. In addition, the secretary alluded to the discussions on exploring alternative forms of trading with GCC nations. There are discussions with our bilateral partners, talks about Rupee trading, barter trading and many other things, especially under the circumstances where most countries are facing challenges of foreign currency, he said. The conference is the flagship initiative of both sides to provide an institutional platform for robust engagement between the business communities. The previous five editions of the conference have guided in laying the foundations of a roadmap and synergizing the economic cooperation between India and the League of Arab States (LAS) countries. V Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs (MoS) inaugurated the Conference and delivered a keynote address. From the Arab side, the Conference was led by Ambassador Ali Ibrahim Al Malki, Assistant Secretary General, Head of the Economic Affairs Sector of the League of Arab States headquarters who gave a welcome address. The conference was rich in content with the inaugural session at Ministerial-level, followed by Special Sessions in which discussions were held on investment climates and opportunities. The speakers elaborated on the present state of India-Arab cooperation in various sectors including healthcare, food and energy security and resilient supply chain and means to further enhance them, including by sharing expertise and best practices. The meeting also stressed the important role of the private sector to push trade and investment relations to wider horizons. On the main day evening, Ausaf Sayeed, Secretary (CPV & OIA) hosted a dinner for dignitaries, speakers and participants from the Arab and Indian sides with MOS being the Chief Guest of the occasion. In the concluding session, Secretary (CPV & OIA) delivered a special address to the participants. The conference was jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and the LAS, in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Federation of Arab Businessmen (FAB) and Union of Arab Chambers (UAC). In conclusion, the participants conveyed their sincere appreciation to all stakeholders for the excellent coordination in putting together a substantive programme. They agreed to convene the seventh edition of the IAPC in the Arab country in the year 2025. (ANI)
Maldives Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid on Wednesday said that the G20 leadership of India should be admired for the simple reason that India did not restrict G20 activities to the group alone but Prime Minister Narendra Modi picked the theme of sharing with everyone. "G20 leadership of India should be admired for the simple reason that the Prime Minister has picked the theme of sharing with everyone. It's not about G20, but also sharing. The theme he (PM Modi) has taken for G20 is how the rest of the world takes comfort in India's Chairmanship of G20," Maldives Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid told ANI. "India has the largest population in the world and it is a country full of talent being respected around the World. Even as chair of G20, India has not restricted the G20 activities to G20 alone. It has reached out to countries all around, large and small countries. So India has this habit of sharing its development, its wealth, and its knowledge," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated multiple times that India's G20 Presidency is guided by the principle of 'One Earth, One Family, One Future' and in line with ''Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam." PM Modi has stated that India's G20 Presidency has worked to "further global good and create a better planet." Abdullah Shahid said that India has earned a lot of respect and love from the countries of the world, including Maldives when it reached out during the COVID-19 pandemic with the Indian vaccine. "As the UNGA President, I have travelled to many parts of the world. From everywhere I travelled, I heard the gratitude of those countries which india reached out to during the COVID pandemic with the Indian vaccine. And this kind of sharing has created a lot of respect, a lot of love for India around the world. And so is it in the Maldives," the Foreign Minister of Maldives said. He further said that the relationship has enormously flourished during President Solih's government. "We have confidence in India that every time the Maldives has to dial international 911 on an emergency, India has always responded. 1988, the mercenary attack in the Maldives undermining our sovereignty, the 2004 tsunami, the 2015 water crisis in Mali, and the most recent COVID-19 pandemic," he said mentioning how India has been helpful to the Maldives in the past and in the recent times. (ANI)
Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid on Wednesday said Maldives is not a battleground for anyone but a ground for everyone to come together. The minister said the country is a friend to all and enemy to none. The Maldives Foreign Minister was responding to a question on Maldives being seen as a place where India and China are always competing. Maldives is not a battleground for anyone. Maldives is a ground for everyone to come together. The premises where we start is that we are friend to all and enemy to none, Shahid said. Although we have the geographic reality of India as our next-door neighbour, the largest next-door neighbour, we are very happy that we have had an outstanding relationship with India, Shahid further said. The Maldives Foreign Minister said the relationship between the two countries has enormously flourished during Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solihs government. "We have confidence in India that every time the Maldives has to dial international 911 on an emergency, India has always responded. Not only responded, but the first responder has always been India, Shahid said. Shahid said Maldives President Solih has India First Policy in his foreign policy. And we are encouraged by the policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Sagar Policy, the Neighborhood First Policy. This outstanding relationship has enormously flourished, he said. Abdulla Shahid on his India visit said: Visiting Delhi is a pleasure. And the visit has been most constructive and productive. I met the external affairs minister yesterday during which we reviewed the ongoing development cooperation projects. Also, we exchanged views on international developments and issues that are close to both our countries. He said during the visit, nine MoUs were exchanged for high-impact development projects. The two countries on Tuesday signed various MoUs on the development of a volley court, mental health unit, school digitalization project, upgrading hospitals and schools and preserving culture. The Maldives Foreign Minister said India came to the countrys rescue during COVID. The Maldives Foreign Minister said: During the COVID pandemic when the entire world went into lockdown, India came to our rescue. There was an instance when our state trading organization, which imports all the medicines to the country had pre-ordered many of the required medicines, and they were in five different locations in India. India was in lockdown, but then the Indian air force made sure that they collected from these different locations and flew all of them to Mali, delivering it. If this hadn't happened, then we wouldn't have been able to get our required essential medication, he said. Abdullah Shahidon Monday arrived in India for a two-day official visit. Shahidon Tuesday interacted with the Non-Resident Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Maldives based in New Delhi.Shahid said he discussed the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation and enhancing people-to-people contact. Shahid spoke at length about climate change on Tuesday and said that everyone wants the small island states to be part of the debate on climate change. During his address at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) in the national capital today, Abdulla Shahid said, "We intend to never give up because we cant. Everyone who wants to speak about climate change, they want to speak on the small island state. They want us to be part of the debate." (ANI)
World Sindhi Congress held an interactive discussion on the situation on oppressed Pakistan, particularly on the enforced disappearance of political workers and forced conversion of Sindhi Hindu girls, the statement read. On June 30, the World Sindhi Congress held an interactive discussion in Peterborough, Canada, titled Current Situation in Pakistan - What the Oppressed Nations Should Do?" At the event, the speakers discussed various issues ranging from the enforced disappearance of political workers to the forced conversion of Sindhi Hindu girls. The key message of the deliberations was that the current situation of the oppressed nations is the gravest that keeps worsening. The way forward is the unity of the oppressed nations on the ground and internationally. A large-scale mobilisation is needed on the basis to counter the atrocities and internationally to muster action from the International Community. The special guest of the event, Atif Tauqeer, a renowned vlogger, poet, journalist, and human rights activist from Germany, spoke in detail on the subject. The other participants included leaders of the diaspora organizations of the oppressed nations, political activists, writers, poets and journalists. The contributions on the subject were made by Zafar Baloch, the leader of the Baloch Human Rights Council, Mumtaz Khan, the president of the International Center for Peace and Democracy, and Andrew Lamkiewicz of the World Sindhi Congress. Afaf, a researcher on forced religious conversion, poetess Huma Dilawar, human rights activist and poet Ruhi Kalhoro, and president of Sana Ontario, Imtiaz Shaikh. At the start, Hajan Kalhoro, the Senior Vice Chairman World Sindhi Congress, welcomed the guests who came to speak and participate. He presented the case of Sindh against the backdrop of the dire situation of the oppressed nations in Pakistan. To remember the missing persons, Sheikh Ayaz's song, "We will meet when the red flowers bloom," which was sung by Saif Samijo in his melodious voice was seen in the video. The WSC documentary on the forced religious conversion produced for the The Hague Human Rights Film Festival by Global Human Rights on the same day was screened at the event. Afterwards, Affaf Azhar talked in detail about his research and findings on forced religious conversions in Pakistan. Following this, Nadir Baloch presented the poetry of Gul Naseer Khan's Balochi poetry withtranslation. Irfan Sattar, Salman Haider and Huma Dilawar recited their selected poetry in theprogram on the subject of the situation of oppressed nations, highlighting human rights atrocities. In the end, Atif Tauqeer recited his famous poem on forced disappearances reminding andremembering the pain from Sindhu to Attock. The United Nations too has raised concerns over the lack of a legal instrument that facilitates relatives of the victims to pursue the cases of enforced disappearances due to "fear of reprisals or lack of trust," according to the publication. Amnesty International in its 2021-22 report said accountability for enforced disappearances remained elusive in Pakistan. (ANI)
Some countries' silence on Japan's discharge plan raises eyebrows

China Daily) 08:45, July 12, 2023

In the days since the International Atomic Energy Agency released its report on the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from the defunct Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan, much of the international community has expressed fierce opposition to the plan, but many Western countries have kept a studied silence.

After the IAEA report was released, the US State Department issued a statement "welcoming" it. Some Western media outlets pointed out how the Japanese side and the IAEA called it "treated water" instead of "nuclear-contaminated water". A BBC report even inserted a video in which a reporter participated in a "fish-eating performance" to say fish caught near Fukushima was "very safe" and there was nothing to worry about.

Some Western media outlets have tried to be "objective" or "neutral" by quoting various sources, but they deliberately avoid asking key questions, including what are the environmental hazards of the discharge plan, how independent and representative are the samples obtained by the IAEA, and is Japan's assessment of the discharge plan adequate?

Multiple studies have shown that the nuclear-contaminated water from the nuclear plant contains more than 60 radionuclides. Even Japan admits that about 70 percent of the treated nuclear-contaminated water does not meet discharge standards.

A German marine research institute said the radioactive materials will spread across most of the Pacific within 57 days. The radionuclides will be discharged continuously into the sea for 30 years or more, not only damaging the marine ecological environment but also endangering human health and life.

So why are some Western countries so "calm" about it? It is because of their own convoluted past. After all, in the 1940s and 50s, the United States conducted 67 nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands. The US also uses nuclear security as a bargaining chip to win over Japan and make it dependent on the US.

However, the attitude of Western countries cannot help but make people ask: What kind of hypocrisy and double standard makes one keep an eye on developing countries while being selectively blinded to its allies? The Japanese government should heed the just call of all parties and immediately stop the nuclear-contaminated water discharge plan.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
A posting on the window at Stolp Island Social in downtown Aurora announces the restaurant is on summer vacation but that the venue will be open for private events. (Steve Lord/The Beacon-News)

Stolp Island Social, the Amy Morton restaurant in downtown Aurora, has closed for the summer.

The closing has some local officials wondering about the long-term future for the restaurant at Stolp Avenue and Galena Boulevard.

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Morton, both in a social media post and in comments to The Beacon-News, framed the situation this week as taking a summer vacation.

She said she plans to reopen the restaurant in late August, to coincide with the week of previews for the next Paramount Theatre Broadway Series show Little Shop of Horrors, scheduled to run Aug. 30 through Oct. 15. The restaurant closed at the end of June.

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I know people are so done with talking about COVID, but were still dealing with it, she said. I lose less money being closed that I would being open.

Morton has said the restaurant would continue to host and book private events throughout the summer, and will be part of events on Stolp Island, such as the Stolp Block Party as part of First Fridays on Aug. 4. She said the restaurant will open to feature free nibbles and a cash bar.

Morton said the Stolp Island Social staff was transferred to her restaurant in Evanston, and would be transferred back to Aurora in the fall.

Its too expensive to retrain, she said. We could never do that again.

Stolp Island Social was announced in 2019 after a city search for a high-end tenant for the restaurant suite, which is part of the Aurora Arts Center building.

Amy Morton smiles inside Stolp Island Social restaurant in Aurora in early 2020. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

The restaurant has had good reviews and a lot of attention because of Morton, who owns several other well-known restaurants in the Chicago area and whose father is Chicago restaurant legend Arnie Morton. But the restaurant was only open for a few months before the shutdown for the pandemic in 2020.

Since then, it has been a struggle to find enough staff and train them to keep the restaurant open. This has led to concern on the part of officials at the city and the Aurora Civic Center Authority.

Officials from both sides confirmed that Morton has met with Mayor Richard Irvin and people in the mayors office. But both sides described the situation as a sort of limbo.

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As of now, shes taking a break, said Jonathan Hylton, Civic Center Authority board president. To our knowledge, Amy is taking the summer off. We have heard the mayors office is unhappy.

David Dibo, Auroras Economic Development director, said this week the city was unsure if Morton would reopen in the fall. Dibo denied the city has gone as far as putting out requests for proposals for another restaurant in the space.

Its our job to be prepared, he said. I would be surprised if in the fall, there isnt a conclusion, one way or the other.

Dibo described Mortons situation as a Catch-22. Her business plan is tied to the Paramount Theatre being open, which for the most part it is not in the summer. Morton herself said that while the ultimate goal of officials is to have downtown Aurora become a place to go for restaurants, whether the Paramount is open or not, it is not there yet.

She pointed out that while the renovated Copley Theater in North Island Center has put on some extraordinary shows with its Bold Series, they were poorly attended, and thus did not create a lot of business for restaurants.

The dreams are not out of reach, she said. But COVID put a damper on things.

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The city of Aurora spent about $5.5 million as part of the about $40 million Aurora Arts Center project. Some $1.3 million of that went into creating the restaurant suite that is right next door to the Paramount.

Of that, about $300,000 went into Stolp Island Social itself, with the city adding another grant of $45,000 to help the restaurant recover from the COVID closing.

Some of that money was intended as an investment, with the city getting the first payback among other investors in the restaurant. The restaurant also is supposed to be paying $5,200 a month in rent.

Hylton said the restaurant is not up to date on its rent payments, but he is unsure by how much.

When asked who has final say over that restaurant space, the city or the Civic Center Authority, Dibo said, both.

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The lease is with ACCA, but the money flows through the city, he said.

The space is technically ours, we operate that, Hylton said. This particular space is important for us. But the city has a lot of influence. Were on hold right now.

As of now, Morton intends to reopen in the fall. And she said she remains such a believer in downtown Aurora, that more restaurants bring more people.

But this was the smartest thing for us to do, she said.

slord@tribpub.com
Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on Wednesday said that the launch of Chandrayaan -3 will raise the level of India's international collaborations including that between India and the United States. Jitendra Singh was speaking at the grant launch event of the India-US Science And Technology Forum (IUSSTF) Artificial Intelligence And Quantum Technologies. "I have the confidence to say that the launch of Chandrayaan-3 is going to raise the level of India's international collaborations including that between India and the US," MoS Jitendra Singh said. Regarding the grant launch event, Singh said that the event was happening at a landmark point just two weeks after Prime Minister's famous visit to the USA and two days just before the launch of Chandraayan. Chandrayaan-3, Indias third lunar exploration mission and second attempt to make a soft landing on the Moons surface, is ready to take off on July 14 (Friday) at 1435 IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. It will be launched aboard the Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM 3). Singh also said that India and the US are equal collaborators in technology. "As it was evident from the recent visit of the honourable Prime Minister and the signing of the different agreements, while India looks up to the United States for collaboration, I have the courage to say the United States also looks up to us with equal enthusiasm," Jitendra Singh said. Jitendra Singh said that the US looks at India as an equal collaborator and it was evident from the fact that one of the agreements between the USA would be soliciting Indian astronauts to accompany them to the International Space Station. "When you are operating at an equal level, you have the zeal to grow equally, to share your best practices, the collaboration becomes meaningful, also becomes durable," he added. Quoting Prime Minister Modi, Jitendra Singh said, "Al stands for America-India relation. Al also stands for artificial intelligence." Speaking on India-US ties, Singh said, "Strengthening of the ties between any two countries from the 21st century onwards is also going to be technology-driven, not merely rhetoric driven. Chandrayaan has actually added value to this collaboration," Jitendra Singh added. Chandrayaan-3, Indias third lunar exploration mission and second attempt to make a soft landing on the Moons surface. In a last-minute dry run, the Launch Rehearsal simulating the entire launch preparation and process lasting 24 hours has been meanwhile concluded by the ISRO. (ANI)
Sita Dahal, spouse of Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has been cremated with state honours at Pashupati Aryaghat on Wednesday afternoon. Dahal, 69, breathed her last on Wednesday morning at Norvic International Hospital after suffering cardiac arrest. She was admitted there earlier due to prolonged illness. Before the cremation at the Pashupati Aryaghat with state honours, the first lady of Nepal was paid tribute by leaders and senior party members at the party office of the CPN-Maoist Center. Prime Minister Dahal, who is also the Chairman of the Maoist Center, solemnly lit the funeral pyre. In recognition of her contributions, an emergency cabinet meeting had earlier determined that Sita Dahal would be cremated with state honours. A significant number of individuals, including political leaders, prominent figures, artists, and members of the general public, gathered at the Aryaghat to pay their respects. Dahal had been suffering from Progressive Supra-Nuclear Palsy (PSP) and was declared dead at 8:33 am (local time) as per the release from the hospital. Sita Dahal 69 yrs/female, known case Progressive Supra-Nuclear Palsy, Parkinsonism, Diabetes Mellitus-II and hypertension under (on/off) Domiciliary oxygen with PEG feeding and indwelling catheter went into cardiac arrest at 8:00 AM 27th Ashad (12 July 2023). Despite resuscitation, she could not be revived and declared dead at 8:33 am, Professor Dr Yubraj Sharma, personal physician of Prime Minister and Cabinet of Nepal announced in a release. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed his condolences to his Nepal counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal over the passing away of his wife Sita Dahal. Extremely saddened to learn about the demise of Mrs. Sita Dahal. I express my sincere condolences to @cmprachanda and pray that the departed soul finds eternal peace. Om Shanti, PM Modi said on Twitter. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a rare brain disorder that causes problems with movement, walking and balance, and eye movement. It results from damage to nerve cells in the brain that control thinking and body movement. The disorders long name indicates that the disease worsens (progressive) and causes weakness (palsy) by damaging certain parts of the brain above nerve cell clusters called nuclei (supranuclear) that control eye movement. PSP is different from Parkinsons disease-another movement disorder-although they share some symptoms. Currently, there is no effective treatment for PSP, but some symptoms can be managed with medication or other interventions. As per the doctors, PSP is a rare disease and is seen in only 5/6 out of 1,00,000 people. Dahal has been taken to various hospitals in India as well as in Nepal for further treatment but her condition hadnt changed. Sita was born on July 5, 1954, in Hemja of Kaski to mother Harikala Paudel and father Maheshwar Paudel. She married Prachanda (Pushpa Kamal Dahal) in 1969. (ANI)
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has requested Pakistans federal government to deploy additional military and paramilitary troops under Article 245 to put an end to the Kurram conflict, Dawn reported. Dawn is a Pakistani English-language newspaper. This comes as the death toll from the dispute reached 11 with two more deaths on Tuesday. The clash which started on July 7 between inhabitants of Dandar Sehra and Boshehra, has left more than 70 people injured, with both sides using heavy and automatic weapons to inflict maximum casualties, as per Dawn. The Kurram conflict has created fear in the area as well as a shortage of essential goods, including edibles, due to road blockades. On Tuesday, the clashes continued in Pewar, Gido, Balishkhel, Khar Killay, Sadda, Para Chamkani, Muqbal, and Kunj Alizai areas. Parachinar District Headquarters Hospitals Dr Qaiser Abbas told Dawn that Tuesdays clashes left two people dead and 25 injured. He said that the injured were shifted to the DHQ Parachinar and THQ Sadda. Three of the critical injured were shifted to Peshawar, as per Dawn. Federal Minister for OverseasPakistanis and Human Resource Development Sajid Hussain Turi said that he was personally involved in negotiations to achieve a ceasefire, Dawn reported. Sajid Hussain Turi said Kohat Commissioner Muhammad Ali Shah and other police officials have arrived at Parachinar.He further said, "We will soon restore peace in the area and armed forces will be posted in the war zones." He called on the provincial and federal governments to take measures to stop the clashes, as per the news report. The minister said, "Due to repeated violation of the ceasefire agreements, the situation has not yet been brought under control." He called for the need to take action against those who were persistently violating the ceasefire agreements. (ANI)
$1 for $20?

Republican presidential candidate and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is promising a $20 gift card to supporters who donate $1 to his presidential campaign.

We want to help, so were offering YOU a $20 gift card, and all YOU have to do is contribute $1 to claim it, a fundraising page for Burgums campaign says, limiting the offer to the first 50,000 donors.

The governor confirmed on Twitter that the donors will receive a Visa or Mastercard gift card to their mailing address, adding Im not messing around!

The Republican National Committee has said in order to participate in the GOP debate next month in Milwaukee, candidates must have received contributions from at least $40,000 individual donors and at least 200 unique donors in 20 or more states.

Were serious about securing a spot on the debate stage so the American people can hear our plan for unleashing the economy and unlocking the best of America, Burgum shared on Facebook on Wednesday, calling the gift cards Biden relief cards, an apparent jab at President Joe Biden.

Burgum has received .1% support in a Real Clear Politics average of polls on the crowded field of Republican candidates. Former President Donald Trump is leading the group with 52.6% support, followed by DeSantis with 21%.

But Burgum isnt the only candidate trying to convince potential donors to help him qualify for Republican debates. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence and others have all in recent days appealed to supporters to donate to their campaigns to help them meet the RNC threshold.

Candidates aren't allowed to reimburse others for campaign contributions, but it wasnt immediately clear that Burgums strategy would violate election rules, according to multiple reports. The Federal Election Commission in a statement to USA TODAY said it "is unable to comment on specific activities, nor may we speculate on matters that may have the potential to come before the agency."

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Republican 2024 presidential candidate offers $20 gift cards to donors
Illustration: Lex Villena; David G. McIntyre/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom, TERRY SCHMITT/UPI/Newscom

Last summer, San Franciscans voted by a 10-point margin to recall Chesa Boudin, the city's progressive district attorney. Boudin was one of several high-profile progressives who ran in local district attorney races on a platform of smarter, more humane criminal justice policy. Crime continued to plague San Francisco after Boudin's election, and his recall looked like a major setback for criminal justice reform in urban areas.

His successor, Brooke Jenkins, assumed office one year ago this month after promising a return to more punitive prosecution. Is San Francisco any safer now than it was under Boudin?

From her first days in office, Jenkins pledged to serve as a contrast to her predecessor. She revoked plea agreements for drug offenses offered during Boudin's time in office and said she would more aggressively prosecute possession of illicit fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid often mixed with other narcotics. She has touted increased arrests as necessary for "disrupting open-air drug markets."

However, over her first 11 months, violent crime rose, driven by a 12 percent increase in robberies and a 1.6 percent increase in assaults. San Francisco is also on track to have its deadliest year ever in opioid overdoses.

According to The San Francisco Standard, Jenkins convicted fewer drug dealers in her first 11 months in office than Boudin did in his final 11 months, and reported drug offenses are up 41 percent during her tenure. Boudin also charged a higher percentage of drug cases brought to his office in 2021 than Jenkins has in 2023: 73 percent versus 68 percent, respectively.

The Standard article does note that in her first 11 months, compared to Boudin's final 11 months, Jenkins has filed more charges for drug offenses. And although Jenkins has secured fewer drug convictions than Boudin, she has secured more felony convictions for drug offenses.

Boudin ran for office promising to end "mass incarceration" and no longer seek cash bail or prosecute "quality-of-life crimes." His term began in January 2020 and recall efforts had begun by April 2021. Opponents cited rising crime rates in the city and a general sense that Boudin was not enforcing the law. The San Francisco Police Officers Association called Boudin a "criminal defense attorney masquerading as the DA."

During his two-year tenure, nearly half of the prosecutors in Boudin's office resigned or were fired. Jenkins quit in October 2021 and immediately joined the recall effort. In July 2022, one month after the recall, Mayor London Breed picked Jenkins as interim D.A., and she won a special election in November to serve out the remainder of Boudin's term.

Solving San Francisco's crime problem has proven as difficult for a tough-on-crime prosecutor as it did for a smart-on-crime prosecutor. That should come as no surprise: The U.S. has spent over a trillion dollars across more than five decades fighting the War on Drugs, and yet the drugs are still here. Data shows that harsher penalties, including longer prison terms, do not lead fewer people to use drugs.

"Everyone deserves to feel safe and we can't incarcerate our way out of a public health crisis. We encourage prosecutors to make incarceration a last resort and favor alternative solutions backed by evidence and research," Akhi Johnson, director of the Reshaping Prosecution initiative at the Vera Institute for Justice, a nonprofit that supports criminal justice reform, tells Reason in an emailed statement. "We have to move beyond tough on crime tactics that encourage people to believe that communities must choose between safety and reform to recognize that real safety will require approaches that reduce our reliance on incarceration."

The post 1 Year After Chesa Boudin's Recall, Is San Francisco Safer Under His Successor's More Punitive Policies? appeared first on Reason.com.
1 dead after a police shooting in Southern Kentucky, officials say

One person is dead after being shot by law enforcement in Clinton County, according to Kentucky State Police.

The shooting happened near the intersection of KY90 and Willow Grove Road at approximately 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to KSP. A male was declared dead at the scene by the Clinton County coroner.

Police didnt immediately release specifics on what led up to the shooting, or the victims age or name.

The investigation into the shooting remained ongoing, KSP said. KSP has statewide jurisdiction to investigate all shootings involving Kentucky law enforcement officers.

KSP is committed to being transparent while ensuring the integrity of the investigation, KSP said in a press release. To protect the integrity of an ongoing investigation, it is KSPs standard operating procedure not to release specific details until vital witnesses have been interviewed and pertinent facts gathered.

A timeline for the investigation is unknown.

This is a developing story and will be updated.
10 years ago, I fell in love at first sight. Now that I'm a parent, I don't believe in it anymore.

The author (right) and her husband. Courtesy of Alexis Tai

I met my husband in 2013 in rural Japan and felt like I had always been in love with him.

We married and had a child together, and I went from being a workaholic to a stay-at-home mom.

I know that there's a lot of labor to put into relationships, not just love, so they work.

I come from a broken family, and both my parents have been married and divorced  multiple times. It seemed unlikely any kind of love would last, let alone love at first sight.

Then I met my husband.

I saw him for the first time when I moved to rural Japan in 2013 to teach English. We shook hands on a business trip to plan a summer camp.

Meeting him felt like meeting family, not so much that I was falling in love, but that I had always been in love and was just realizing it for the first time. Even as instant attraction was binding us together, I reminded myself how infrequently love lasts.

Despite this, I quickly started to suspect that this courtship was different. We made a good team, and having mostly just each other to talk to in English in a world of Japanese bonded us quickly.

I married him 10 years ago

Less than six months later, he asked me to marry him. I trusted him, and so despite my skepticism over love at first sight, lasting love, and marriage itself, I said yes. This happened 10 years, eight moves, two countries, two advanced degrees, and one child ago.

We have been through mental health struggles, burnout, failed friendships, and broken familial relationships, but nothing has challenged us as much as parenthood.

Parenthood wasn't just one transition, but many; it changed our identities, our priorities, and our needs. We were faced with all the parenting struggles that lead so many people to divorce or at least to seek a 50/50 custody agreement with their spouse.

While my husband and I were supportive of each other doing whatever it took to pursue our passions before kids, having a child meant we both had to make sacrifices to take care of her.

We have to look for a good relationship actively

Without access to affordable or quality childcare, I made the conversion from a workaholic to a stay-at-home mom. This transition set us out of orbit; we were no longer both free to give our all to our careers.

That imbalance weighs on us every day.

When we are too tired to talk it out, too tired to think logically, too tired to say "I'm sorry" or "I still love you," love at first sight isn't enough.

"Love at first sight" sounds like "happily ever after" a romantic spell two people are put under that allows them to weather every storm, beautifully navigate every fight, and forgive every wrong. But I don't believe in magic.

Instead, I live by this: "In life, there are no right choices. We make our choices right." These words, shared with me by a student in Japan, have given me the resolve to make the best not just of my marriage but of every major life decision I have made since.

My upbringing put the longevity of romantic love into question, but I recognize I have the ability to change and influence my own future. I actively pursue a healthy relationship, not leaving it to chance, fate, or the magic of love at first sight.

So yes, I fell in love at first sight. But I don't believe in it and don't trust it to put in the work of sustaining us.

Instead, I believe in the labor that is love: the questions we still ask and the choices we make every single day to do better and be better as parents, partners, and professionals.

Labor doesn't sound as romantic as love at first sight, but it's how we make our love last.

Read the original article on Insider
11 out of 15 Shahed Russian drones downed by Ukraine overnight, no fatalities

Destruction of a kamikaze drone over Kyiv, June 20, 2023

Russia attacked Ukraine with 15 Iranian Shahed-136/131 kamikaze drones during the early hours of July 12, with defense forces downing 11 of them, the Ukrainian Air Force has reported.

Russia launched the drones from the northeast, from the city of Kursk, the air force said. An air raid alert was declared in several regions of the north and center of the country.

Read also: Ukraine downs 10 Russian Shahed suicide drones overnight

Air defense forces in the East and Center commands shot down 11 of the attack drones. The Ukrainian formations involved in shooting down the drones included anti-aircraft missile units, fighter aircraft, and mobile fire groups.

Kyiv municipal authorities reported the destruction of all enemy targets near the capital.

But in Cherkasy Oblast, an infrastructure facility was hit and two people were hospitalized with burns, regional authorities reported.

Read also: Ukrainian military official reports decrease in Russian attacks in southern region

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  Twelve Republican state attorneys general are asking a federal court to side with Florida in a legal challenge to a new state law barring land ownership by some Chinese people.

And in a related development, an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer on Wednesday said his Chinese immigrant clients and a real estate firm that caters to Chinese people already are facing illegal discrimination under the new law.

Florida is heading into a hearing July 18 on the ACLU's request to block the new law sought earlier this year by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The U.S. Department of Justice in late June told U.S. District Judge Allen C. Winsor that the Florida law is discriminatory and therefore violates the U.S. Constitution and federal Fair Housing Act, though the DOJ has not formally intervened in the case.

But the Republican attorneys general told the court late last week that Florida is one of at least 24 states that legally restrict foreign ownership of land along with numerous other countries.

Led by Idaho Attorney General Raul R. Labrador, the Republicans argued in an amicus brief filed July 7 that such state laws are not preempted by federal laws despite such claims by the DOJ and ACLU.

Florida and these other states and countries are not driven by 'racial animus as the Plaintiffs charge," the Idaho attorney general's office wrote. "They are instead fulfilling their most basic state functions by exercising sovereignty over their soil."

Florida and other states also are protecting their citizens from foreign real estate investments that threaten to drive up the price of farmland and housing, the brief said.

Idaho did not list the other 23 states, but a footnote in the brief cited some state statutes including a new Virginia law that prohibits agricultural land ownership by any "foreign adversary" as determined by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

DeSantis and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said earlier this year the new law was needed to protect Florida's farmland and food supply from the Chinese Communist Party.

DeSantis, who is running for president, in late June accused the DOJ of siding with the Chinese Communist Party, or CCP.

"As governor, I prohibited CCP-tied entities from buying land in Florida," DeSantis tweeted. "As president, I'll do the same."

Florida officials argued in a court brief last week that Chinese immigrants who claim they face discrimination under the new Florida law are not domiciled in China and therefore are not subject to restrictions. The state says the immigrant clients of the ACLU therefore lack legal standing to sue.

In a response brief filed Tuesday, the ACLU said the state's arguments don't protect its clients from discrimination or prosecution under the new law but do demonstrate how the law is unconstitutionally vague.

Under the law, anyone in Florida buying agricultural land or property within 10 miles of a military base, installation or designated "critical" infrastructure must sign an affidavit saying they are not prohibited under state law from doing so.

The law, which took effect July 1, labels eight nations as a "foreign country of concern": China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria and Venezuela.

According to the law, anyone "domiciled" in those nations who are not "lawful" U.S. residents may not purchase agricultural land after July 1.

The new law, which passed as SB 264 (23R), specifically prohibits those from China from owning additional property or buying more than a single parcel of two acres and that it must be at least five miles from a military installation.

The ACLU reply brief filed Tuesday included emails to ACLU plaintiff client Multi-Choice Realty of Clermont from two lending firms that said they no longer will finance real estate transactions for Chinese citizens because of the new state law.

"We are already seeing the devastating effects for homebuyers and real estate businesses, and we look forward to being in court next week to explain why this unconstitutional law must be halted, Patrick Toomey, deputy director of ACLUs National Security Project, said in a statement Wednesday.

The other states that joined Idaho in filing the brief are Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota and Utah.
A water tower in Montgomery. Montgomery Village Board members this week approved an engineering contract for water main replacement work in 2024. (Judy Pochel / The Beacon-News)

Montgomery Village Board members this week approved an engineering contract for water main replacement work in 2024 as part of the villages overall push to replace all pre-1970 water mains before Montgomery switches to Lake Michigan for its drinking water.

The project is part of a program the village is actively working on to reduce water loss in the system to levels deemed acceptable to receive Lake Michigan water.

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Montgomery intends to switch its source water from shallow and deep wells to Lake Michigan water obtained through the DuPage Water Commission. As a condition to the villages Lake Michigan water permit, it is required to reduce its system water loss to below 10% for a full year ahead of receiving the Lake Michigan water.

Montgomery Public Works Director Mark Wolf said at present there is up to a 30% loss of water in the system. That number needs to shrink substantially, to under 10%, he noted.

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The contract approved this week with Engineering Enterprises Inc. of Sugar Grove for $279,000 is for design engineering for the 2024 water main replacement program.

In total, the entire water main replacement project in Montgomery will cost the village $80 million, officials said, with the goal of completing the whole program by 2030.

The village plans to fund the overall water main replacement project with village sales tax proceeds and grants. While officials said that eventually a bond sale may be needed for funding, it is not in the plans at this time.

Some 28.1 miles of water main pipes in the Montgomery system were installed before 1970, and those mains are beginning to leak, Wolf said. He noted the village is already busy replacing water mains.

We already did River Street to Ashland, he said.

Village engineer Pete Wallers said Montgomery has been working on the water loss issue in the system for the past few years.

Judy Pochel is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.

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After 134 days in the hospital, these formerly conjoined twins are home

After more than four months in the neonatal intensive care unit and a complex surgery to separate them, formerly conjoined twins Ella and Eliza Fuller are finally home. It was a long-awaited homecoming for their parents and their older sister, Emilia.

"It's hard to explain in words exactly how excited we are," father Jesse Fuller said in a video provided by the Texas Children's Hospital. "It's been 134 days, so the feelings are overwhelming."

The twins had been in the hospital since their birth by cesarean section in March each weighing 5 pounds, 10 ounces. They shared an abdomen, as well as liver tissues, according to the hospital.

Ella and Eliza Fuller were born on March 1, 2023, at Texas Children's Hospital by cesarean section  each weighing 5 pounds, 10 ounces. / Credit: Texas Children's Hospital

When Sandy Fuller found she was pregnant with twins during her second trimester, she was "completely shocked" but excited. But after doctors found out that the twins were conjoined, the couple were referred to the Texas Children's Hospital.

"Conjoined twin pregnancies are incredibly rare and very high-risk, so it's important that an expectant mother receive care from a highly-skilled maternal-fetal medicine team," Dr. Roopali Donepudi, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, said in a statement from the hospital.

Conjoined twins occur once in every 50,000 to 60,000 births, and most are stillborn, according to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

But instead of worrying about the statistics, the couple decided put their trust in God.

"My faith has guided me through this entire journey," Sandy Fuller said. "I knew if He was going to give us these twins, He was going to work it out all the way to the end."

Before the babies were even born, months were spent carefully planning and preparing for an operation that was done last month.

"We have all been working together to achieve one common goal: The best outcome for Ella and Eliza," Dr. Alice King, a pediatric surgeon at Texas Children's Hospital, said in a statement.

Conjoined twins Ella and Eliza Fuller before their surgery on June 14, 2023. / Credit: Texas Children's Hospital

Before the surgery, Sandy and Jesse spent time with their babies and then prayed with the surgical team. During the nearly six-hour surgery, a team of 17 people including seven surgeons, four anesthesiologists, four surgical nurses and two surgical technicians  worked to separate the girls. Dr. King led the team.

Three days after the surgery, the Fullers were able to hold Ella and Eliza separately for the first time. Four weeks later, Ella and Eliza continued to make "excellent progress toward healing, growing and returning home."

Jesse and Sandy Fuller hold their formerly conjoined twins, Ella and Eliza. / Credit: Texas Children's Hospital

The couple said the only way to tell their daughters apart is by a "small, little flat spot" Ella has on one ear. But as they get older, their personalities will speak for themselves, added Jesse Fuller.

"I always say Ella is just sassy with a little bit of drama," Sandy Fuller said. "And Eliza is just more laid back, goes with the flow. But they're both such sweet, happy babies."

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A 14-year-old boy is one of the only people to survive a deadly brain-eating amoeba. Now he wants to find a vaccine.

Dr_Microbe/Getty Images

Caleb Ziegelbauer is one of a few people to survive the "brain-eating amoeba" Naegleria fowleri.

Infections rise during the summer, and are often contracted from inhaling contaminated warm water.

Experts recommend wearing a nose clip and swimming in properly disinfected pools.

For five months, Caleb Ziegelbauer communicated using only his eyebrows. His facial paralysis and inability to speak were caused by an infection with a rare but extremely deadly brain-eating amoeba, which he contracted from swimming in Port Charlotte Beach, Florida in July 2022.

Now, he has become one of only a handful of people in the US to survive an infection with the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, according to the CDC.

Today, the 14-year-old is able to stand, laugh, speak some words, and have facial expressions. In an interview with NBC2, Ziegelbauer stated "I have come so far and yet I have a lot of progress."

Ziegelbauer got the infection while swimming with his family

Naegleria fowleri thrives in warm freshwater, and is typically found in lakes and rivers in the southern United States. If inhaled up the nose, it can trigger a deadly brain infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM).

On average, there are three reports of brain-eating amoeba each year  and 97% of the time, the infection is fatal. Symptoms typically begin within a week of exposure.

For reasons that aren't clear, boys ages 14 and younger are the most likely to contract the infection. Ziegelbauer was 13 at the time he contracted the infection, while swimming with his family last summer, NBC2 reported.

When Ziegelbauer was first infected, he developed a headache and fever which rose to 105 degrees, causing him to experience hallucinations. The infection lead also led to brain swelling and seizures.

Other common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, a stiff neck and coma.

But gradually, Ziegelbauer started improving.

Ziegelbauer's mother, Jesse Ziegelbauer, said to ABC News in September 2022 that her son "is made of pure grit and determination," as he entered his 50th day with the infection and was unable to open his eyes.

He left an intensive rehab program in March, NBC2 reported, and continues to improve.

Brain-eating amoebas are rare, but infections increase in the summer

According to the CDC, summer infections are more common because hot temperatures lead to higher water temperatures and lower water levels.

As global temperatures continue to rise, the amoeba is also migrating further north, Insider previously reported  last summer it was discovered for the first time in both Iowa and Nebraska.

Although the idea of contracting the amoeba is frightening, it is still rare, and it is preventable. The infection cannot be contracted by swallowing water that contains the amoeba  it can only be contracted if inhaled.

"Anyone that enjoys time in a body of water should cover their nose before they go in or use nose clips," Mirna Chamorro, Florida Department of Health in Orange County spokeswoman, said to People. Additionally, the amoeba can't survive in properly disinfected pools.

Fortunately, Ziegelbauer is home for good. In the interview with NBC2, Ziegelbauer, who wants to be an epidemiologist, said he "was going to find the cure for Covid, but now I am going to find the vaccine for Naegleria fowleri."

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Investigative documents reviewed by Military.com are giving more insight into the timeline and events that led to a 14-year-old girl, who was missing for weeks, being discovered in the barracks room of a junior Marine at a California base.

While the young girl at the heart of this story went missing in early June, federal investigators concluded that she had been at Camp Pendleton for only about 24 hours and appeared to have met the Marine whose barracks room she would come to stay in just a day prior.

The documents also show that investigators have begun to look into the claims that the girl was a victim of human trafficking. So far, investigators are reporting that the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), which is being aided by several other agencies, has been unable to find any corroborating evidence to back up those claims.

Read Next: 'Families Get a Huge Vote': Joint Chiefs Nominee Warns Officers Will Leave Military Due to Confirmation Delay

The documents seen by Military.com say that when agents first interviewed the Marine and the victim, both said they met on the dating app "Tinder" where the girl used a different name and claimed to be 22. The Marine told investigators the connection happened on June 26 -- a day before he would help drive her onto Camp Pendleton -- and admitted to having had sexual contact with the girl in his barracks room.

The investigative documents also note that the Marine allowed agents to take all the data from his cell phone, including later messages in which the victim admitted to lying to the Marine about her age.

Capt. Charles Palmer, a spokesman for the 1st Marine Logistics Group, confirmed to Military.com that a Marine with Combat Logistics Battalion 5, 1st Marine Logistics Group, was taken into custody for questioning by NCIS on June 28.

"The Marine was questioned by NCIS and released to his command pending further investigation," Palmer said, adding that the Marine was not kept overnight. Jeff Houston, a spokesman for NCIS, told Military.com that no charges have been filed so far and no arrests have been made in connection with this case.

The documents reviewed by Military.com say that the girl was interviewed by agents again last week, and that she told them she was kept locked up and sold out for sex by a pimp she knew only by a first name. Agents say they looked into the girl's claims of being a human trafficking victim but so far have not found evidence to support them.

In a TikTok video posted last week, the girl's aunt, Casaundra Perez, alleged that her niece had been a victim of human trafficking and accused the military of a cover-up.

Perez also faulted base security for allowing her niece on base unquestioned.

"Our family is worried about retaliation from the military and the man that has trafficked my niece," Perez said in the video.

The documents outline a timeline when the girl was on the base.

On June 27, the Marine; a friend of his, who is another service member; and the young female victim drove through a security checkpoint for Camp Pendleton. The documents say personnel at the gate asked for the identification of the Marine and his friend, but not the girl.

Once on base, the Marine and the female victim went to his barracks room, where they spent time with the Marine's roommate. On the morning of June 28, the pair of Marines left the victim in the barracks room, but eventually the roommate returned and kicked the girl out of the room. She used another service member's cell phone to get the Marine to let her back into the barracks room.

However, two Navy corpsmen found the girl wandering the barracks building.

Entries from a barracks duty logbook posted to social media in the days after the arrest show that the girl was discovered around 9 a.m., and she was removed to a separate location within 30 minutes. Agents from NCIS arrived within hours, the logbook shows.

According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, the victim was last seen by her family on June 9 -- more than two weeks before it appears she encountered the Marine who would eventually bring her to Camp Pendleton. NBC reported that San Diego law enforcement officials said her family reported her missing on June 13.

Both the documents reviewed by Military.com and local reports noted that the girl's family told officials that she had a history of running away from home.

Houston said that the San Diego Sheriff's Department and the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force are assisting the investigation.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: Girl Found in Camp Pendleton Barracks Was Raped by Marine, Family Alleges
A 15-year-old girl died in the custody of the U.S. refugee agency while being treated for a "significant, pre-existing illness," federal health officials said Tuesday.

The girl was declared dead Monday morning "as a result of multi-organ failure due to complications of her underlying disease," the Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement.

Officials did not offer details on the disease. The unnamed teenager from Guatemala was in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, a Health and Human Services agency.

Though her mother and her brother were at her side at El Paso Children's Hospital in Texas during her last moments and days, the teenager was described by the department as an unaccompanied child.

El Paso Children's Hospital in EL Paso, Texas. (Google Maps)

Health officials said the Office of Refugee Resettlement was not directing the girl's day-to-day care when she died.

"While the child remained in ORR custody, medical treatment was provided according to the mothers wishes and aligned with the recommendations of the hospitals health care provider team," it said.

It is not clear when she reached the border. Health and Human Services said she was referred to refugee officials in May, when she was already at El Paso's Children Hospital for her illness.

Her condition started to deteriorate Friday, the department said. "Our heart goes out to the family at this difficult time," it said.

The El Paso-based nonprofit Border Network for Human Rights expressed condolences to the teen's family as it criticized federal policy on migrants and refugees.

The group said in a statement Tuesday that it was the fourth death of a migrant child in federal custody this year.

"These incidents are part of an aggravated systemic failure that disregards the rights and well-being of refugees and migrants," said the groups executive director, Fernando Garcia, who acknowledged the child had pre-existing conditions and was getting care.

The organization is calling on the federal government to develop "welcoming centers" along the U.S.-Mexico border to provide migrants with medical care, housing, food and legal services.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Criminal charges have been filed against two men who police say were part of a mob that chased another man and stabbed him multiple times. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Two men are facing criminal charges after investigators say were "part of a mob" that chased another man and stabbed him multiple times.

David Oling, 29, and Nyawoke Biel, 30, both of Salt Lake City, were each charged Monday in 3rd District Court with aggravated assault resulting in serious injury, a first-degree felony. Two other men are listed in court documents as co-defendants, but as of Tuesday, formal charges had not been filed.

The attack happened about 3:45 a.m. on July 4 near 414 W. 500 South. Police say the victim claimed that his son was being attacked by a group of men so he tried to intervene. The men then turned their attention to the father, and four of them  including Oling and Nyawoke  were "part of a mob of men that chased" the victim, according to charging documents.

"(He) reported being struck in the back of the head with a crutch and stabbed multiple times during the incident," the charges state.

Police found the man "lying on the ground, covered in blood with three lacerations on his back," according to the charges.

He was taken to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries. Detectives made multiple arrests by, in part, following a trail of blood along Rio Grande Street, the charges state.

Additional charges were pending Tuesday.
Police are investigating after the bodies of two women who had dated the same man were found in separate storage units in Minnesota.

Joseph Steven Jorgenson, 40, was charged with second-degree murder on June 30 for the death of Manijeh Mani Starren, 34, whose dismembered body was found in a storage unit in Woodbury, east of St. Paul. Starren, a mother of three, had disappeared April 21, according to a missing person alert. Jorgenson has not yet entered a plea, and the local public defenders office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

On July 7, police said in a news conference that they had found the remains of Fanta Xayavong, 33, in a separate storage unit in Coon Rapids, north of Minneapolis and 30 miles from the unit where Starrens body had been discovered.

Manijeh

Manijeh "Mani" Starren (left) and Fanta Xayavong.

Both women had been dating Jorgenson, according to police and their families. A caller told the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension that Xayavong, a mother of two who disappeared in 2021, had been in an abusive relationship with Jorgenson at the time, police said.

A St. Paul police spokesperson told HuffPost that the investigation into Xayavongs death is ongoing. Police previously said that Jorgenson was a person of interest.

When investigators believe they have enough for charging, they will forward their case to the appropriate county attorney where they believe the crime occurred, Sgt. Mike Ernster said.

Starrens mother, Ricki Lynn Baehr Starren, said on Facebook that she was upset about Jorgenson being called her daughters boyfriend in media reports.

We believe maybe it was mutual at first but then he became more obsessed with her and basically used her, she said. Anyone that truely knows her would know that she must of felt extremely threatened by him and couldnt see a way out!

According to a police affidavit, a neighbor of Manijeh Starrens said that she had previously seen the woman with a black eye and red marks on her neck. When the neighbor offered to call the police, she said Starren told her it would just make things worse.

Police said that surveillance footage from a camera near Starrens apartment showed her running outside on April 21, and that she was trailed by Jorgenson, who grabbed her, turned her around, and pushed her back in the apartment. She was never seen in that cameras footage again.

But Jorgenson was seen on the video coming and going from Starrens apartment, where he did not live, in the week that followed, accessing it 28 times, according to remarks by the apartment complex manager cited in the affidavit. On April 28, the footage showed Jorgenson carrying two duffel bags and a suitcase out of the apartment, loading them into a pickup truck, and driving off, police said.

In a search of Starrens apartment, police said they found large amounts of her blood in the living room and kitchen. A TV screen was cracked, microwave glass was broken, and a mattress pad had a large hole cut and removed from it.

On May 9 and 11, Starrens debit card was used at two different Dollar Tree stores to buy a cleaning bucket, six boxes of plastic wrap, paper towels, garbage bags, and other cleaning products, authorities said. When police arrived to search his apartment, Jorgenson allegedly locked himself in his bedroom, started a fire and tried to take officers weapons when they broke in. A woman who was at the apartment when police arrested Jorgenson said that he had strangled and threatened to kill her, according to police, who said they noticed that she had multiple bruises, scratches, and her neck was red.

Chief Axel Henry of the St. Paul police said that cases like this serve as a reminder that monsters can be real.

A GoFundMe campaign to help pay for Xayavongs memorial said: Fanta leaves behind two beautiful children that will truly miss her. She was such a beautiful soul, and gave selflessly when it came to others. Her vibrant smile would light up the room when she entered.

In a separate GoFundMeto help the Starren family with funeral expenses, friend Bre Moinicken wrote that April 21, when Starren went missing, was the first day of the worst 2 1/2 months this family could be put through.

Her beautiful three kids have horrifically lost the most beautiful person in their lives, Moinicken added.

Police have not yet released Starrens or Xayavongs cause of death.

Jorgenson is being held in a Ramsey County jail on $5 million bail. His next court date is Aug. 21.

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

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FILE - Photographer Evgeniy Maloletka, from left, "Frontline" producer/editor Michelle Mizner, director Mstyslav Chernov, and field producer Vasilisa Stepanenko pose for a portrait to promote the film "20 Days in Mariupol" at the Latinx House during the Sundance Film Festival on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, in Park City, Utah. The film, a joint project between The Associated Press and PBS "Frontline," is coming to a handful of theaters around the U.S. in July, starting with New York and Chicago this Friday. (Photo by Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP, File)

Associated Press video journalist Mstyslav Chernov had just broken out of Mariupol after covering the first 20 days of the Russian invasion of the Ukrainian city and was feeling guilty about leaving. He and his colleagues, photographer Evgeniy Maloletka and producer Vasilisa Stepanenko, had been the last journalists there, sending crucial dispatches from a city under a full-scale assault.

The day after, a theater with hundreds of people sheltering inside was bombed and he knew no one was there to document it. Thats when Chernov decided he wanted to do something bigger. Hed filmed some 30 hours of footage over his days in Mariupol. But poor  and sometimes no  internet connections made it extremely difficult to export anything. All told, he estimates only about 40 minutes of that successfully made it out to the world.

Those shots which went out were very important. They went on the AP and then to thousands of news outlets, Chernov said earlier this year. However, I had much more. ... I thought I should do something more. I should do something more with that 30 hours of footage to tell a bigger story and more context to show the audience of the scale.

The bigger story became a documentary, 20 Days in Mariupol, a joint project between The Associated Press and PBS Frontline, which premiered earlier this year at Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, where it won the audience award for world cinema documentary. Their reporting was also awarded two Pulitzer Prizes, including the prestigious public service award and for breaking news photography. And now the film is coming to a handful of theaters around the U.S. in July, starting with New York and Chicago this Friday.

Chernov knew there were many ways to tell this story. But he decided early on to keep it contained to those harrowing first 20 days that he and his colleagues were on the ground, to evoke the claustrophobic feeling of being trapped. He also chose to narrate it himself and tell it as a journalist would.

Its just a lens through which we see the stories of Mariupols residents, the death, their suffering the destruction of their homes, he said. At the same time, I felt that I can do it. Im allowed to do it because Im part of the community. I was born in eastern Ukraine and (a) photographer who worked with me was born in the city which is right next to Mariupol, which got occupied. So this is our story too.

As an AP employee, Chernov was extremely aware of maintaining neutrality and being unbiased.

Its OK to tell the audiences about your emotions, he said. Its just important to not let those emotions dictate what you show and dont show. ... While narrated by me, I still tried to keep it fair.

He encounters quite a few different reactions to him and his colleagues being on the ground. Some thanked them for doing their jobs. Some called them prostitutes. Some doctors urged them to film graphic scenes of injured and dead children to show the world what had been done.

After Chernov left Mariupol and was finally able to catch up with the news reports around the world, he was stunned by the effect their footage had. They followed up with people theyd met during their time there, some who got out, others who didnt, and asked whether or not theyd affected their lives.

Some said relatives had found them because of the footage, or that theyd been able to get help. Doctors and officials said it made it easier to negotiate the green corridor to safety.

I dont know how much of that is our footage, how much of that is just what happens, Chernov said. But I really would like to believe that we did make a difference, because I guess thats what journalism is about, to inform people so they make certain decisions.

Another mission for him was to provide historical evidence for potential war crimes. Chernov is keenly aware that the war is not even history yet. It is a painful reality that is ongoing.

At Sundance he was able to watch the film, edited by Michelle Mizner of Frontline, with an audience two times. The film got a standing ovation at the premiere. And at a subsequent screening he met several audience members who said they were from Mariupol and that their relatives were escaping the besieged city at the same time he was. The theaters had counselors on standby in case anyone needed support.

I hoped they will have emotional responses and they did. But at the same time to watch people crying, its hard, he said. When you place an audience for 90 minutes into this chaos and this mess and this violence, there is a risk of people getting too overwhelmed or even pushed back by the amount of this violence.

You just really want to show how it really was, he added. That was the main challenge of making choices while assembling the film. How do you show the gravity but at the same time not push the audience away? ... We had already two screenings and audience responses are very strong. People are crying, people are depressed and they express a wide range of feelings, from anger, to sadness, to grief. That is what I as a filmmaker intended to do. But at the same time, I realize that probably thats not easy for everyone.

___

This story first moved on Jan. 23, 2023. It has been updated to include the films awards and theatrical release plans.
Sebastian Ssempijja, owner of Sebastian Family Psychology Practice on Friday, June 23, 2023 in Glendale. His clinic's works with immigrant and refugee communities.

For Sebastian Ssempijja, a clinical psychologist and owner of a Glendale-based family and child clinic, a career as a healer wasnt just a life goal.

It was a calling from God.

Born in Uganda, Ssempijja immigrated to the United States in 1979 to attend Marquette University. Today, he owns and operates Sebastian Family Psychology Practice in partnership with his wife and co-owner Yvonne. The couple and their staff of nearly 50 fills what had been an unmet need.

They provide services to clients from immigrant and refugee communities.

The mission is one handed down from both Sebastian and Yvonne's elders, they said.

Sebastian has a rich and deep family history of traditional healers familiar with herbal medicine and patient care in Uganda. For as long as he can remember, his father, a tailor and spiritual man, regularly spoke of the family's caregiving roots.

He always reminded me that we have the gift of healing in our family, Sebastian said. We needed to listen to God on how he wanted us to pass on that (gift).

Couple developed the practice while working other jobs

In the late 1980s, both Sebastian and Yvonne Ssempijja were working full time in Milwaukee, Yvonne as an accountant and Sebastian at what was then St. Aemelian-Lakeside, a community-based care clinic.

We saw there was a gap, Sebastian said, noting that he would get calls from the hospitals and neighboring psychiatric units needing providers who spoke different languages and understood the nuances of different cultural backgrounds.

For eight years, the Ssempijjas continued their jobs while developing a new practice, often seeing clients in the evening to accommodate their schedules. Sebastian would even visit families homes to check up on them.

In 1998, they left their other jobs and opened Sebastian Family Psychology Practice.

(The) clinic is actively involved with all of the communities from which people come, said Fred Coleman, a 20-year clinic partner and psychiatrist on the clinical faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Refugees, immigrants and other minority groups "know the clinic not as an office that you go to but as the place that Sebastian Family connects to their community.

The clinic uses a model of healing that places a special emphasis on not just the biological and psychosocial elements of a client and their health, but also their culture, language and spiritual and economic background, Sebastian said.

Frederick Coleman, psychiatrist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is interviewed at the Sebastian Family Psychology Practice on Friday, June 23, 2023 in Glendale.

The clinic "is as close as it could come to every one of these communities having their own mental health practice, Coleman said.

The practice can provide services in up to 20 languages, with the hired staff speaking 13. The clinic hires translators and interpreters for the other seven.

Being able to meet the client where they are, within their language, has brought us a lot of mileage and trust, Sebastian added.

Its as close as it could come to every one of these communities having their own mental health practice in their community, Coleman said about the clinic.

Sebastian's and Yvonnes experience coming to Milwaukee from Uganda has informed that model.

We may not have experienced the trauma or what they went through, Yvonne Ssemipjja said about the clinics clientele. But as an immigrant, we all have the same story. The story may have variations, but the story of an immigrant is almost the same.

At the clinic, it is integral to approach community care for immigrants and refugees from both a local and global angle, said her husband, who goes by "Dr. Sebastian" to all his patients.

They have a lot of needs and talents they bring to us, he continued. To understand them well, we also have to be aware of what is happening in their countries.

At a local level, the practice has longstanding ties and partnerships with city, county and state agencies, including Madison Public Schools, Milwaukee Countys Behavioral Health Division and different refugee support organizations. Personal connections with spiritual leaders and cultural groups also are critical, Sebastian said.

Knowing where (clients are) coming from in term of their cultural beliefs, practices  who they trust  becomes so crucial, he noted.

They teach the next generation of providers

The Ssmepijjas, who have four children, are involved in multiple other endeavors, from literacy campaigns to helping Ugandan grandmothers who have to raise children because their parents have died from AIDS.

Their long-term goal with the clinic is to destigmatize mental health while also training the next generation of culturally attuned mental health professionals.

When we are ready to leave, who else is going to carry the torch? Who is going to continue providing services? Yvonne said.

Working with the Medical College of Wisconsin, Marquette and other institutions, the Ssempijjas' clinic has sought to build a diverse learning collective. And, again, it was the influence of an elder who gave them a mission.

Two days before Sebastians father passed away in October 2011, he asked one thing of his son and daughter-in-law. Yvonne's dad had been saying much the same thing before his death.

"The work (you) do in America, Sebastians father told them. Do it for Africa.

With that inspiration, the clinic became involved with the Uganda Behavioral Health Alliance, a nonprofit established in 2009 that focuses on improving mental health visibility and access in East Africa. Through work with the Alliance, the Ssempijjas, and collaborators such as Coleman, have trained more than 1,000 providers.

Sebastian underscored the important of preparing providers to have the training, and the cultural capacity, to contribute to global healing.

Mental health is not just a local issue, he added. Its a global issue.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee immigrants find mental health care tailored to their needs
Emmy nominations 2023  live: Succession, The Bear and The Last of Us lead TV nominations

The 2023 Emmy Awards are fast approaching, with nominations to be announced this afternoon.

The annual celebration of the best TV programming will take place this year on 18 September, with the nominated shows to be announced at 8.30am PT, or 4.30pm UK time, on Wednesday (12 July).

Shows eligible for the Primetime Emmys must have been broadcast in the US between 1 June 2022 and 31 May 2023, with the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences choosing the nominees.

The nominations will be announced on a livestream by Community star Yvette Nicole Brown and Television Academy chair Frank Scherma. The host of Septembers awards show is yet to be announced.

Its been a stellar year for TV, with The Last of Us, The Bear, Abbott Elementary and the final season of Succession all expected to receive nods.

However, the awards also arrive at a tense moment for the television industry, with the Writers Guild of America still on strike. Should the strike still be going on in September, it will undoubtedly affect the 2023 Emmy Awards.

Follow below for more updates...

Pedro Pascal earns his first Emmy nomination!

16:45 , Tom Murray

Can you believe its only his first?

The Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series are:

 Jeff Bridges - The Old Man

 Brian Cox - Succession

 Kieran Culkin - Succession

 Bob Odenkirk - Better Call Saul

 Pedro Pascal - The Last of Us

 Jeremy Strong - Succession

Pedro Pascal (AP)

Emmys nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie'

16:42 , Tom Murray

 Ali Wong - Beef

 Dominique Fishback - Swarm

 Jessica Chastain - George & Tammy

 Kathryn Hahn - Tiny Beautiful Things

 Lizzy Caplan - Fleishman is in Trouble

 Riley Keough - Daisy Jones & the Six

Riley Keough in Daisy Jones & The Six (Lacey Terrell/Prime Video)

Emmy nominations for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series'

16:38 , Tom Murray

 Beef

 Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story

 Obi-Wan Kenobi

 Fleishman is in Trouble

 Daisy Jones and the Six

Ali Wong and Steven Yeun in Beef' (ANDREW COOPER/NETFLIX)

Emmy nominations for Outstanding Reality Competition Program'

16:37 , Tom Murray

 RuPauls Drag Race

 The Amazing Race

 Top Chef

 The Voice

 Survivor

Emmy nominations for Outstanding Talk Series'

16:36 , Tom Murray

 The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

 Late Night with Seth Meyers

 Jimmy Kimmel Live

 The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

 The Problem with Jon Stewart

Stephen Colbert (CBS)

Frank Scherma has an immediate message about the WGA writers strike

16:34 , Tom Murray

The chairman and chief executive of the Television Academy is presenting the nominations alongside Yvette Nicole Brown (Community). He could hardly have failed to mention the ongoing Hollywood writers strike, which has stalled the entertainment industry including the Emmy Awards.

A question of How many? for The Last of Us'

16:25 , Tom Murray

Many fans will be waiting to see just how many nominations HBOs adored adaptation of The Last of Us will receive today.

Some will argue that it should take home its fair share of silverware purely for its third episode, which was dedicated to a gay love story between Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett).

My colleague Louiss excellent take on that here:

The Last of Uss gay love story breaks new ground for an entire genre

16:15 , Tom Murray

Gooooood afternoon everyone! And good morning to our readers in the USA. Were just 15 minutes away from the Emmy nominations. Studios, crew and cast members have been waiting on tenterhooks for this moment.

Well keep you updated with all the results as they happen, here.

How to watch 2023 Emmy nominations livestream

15:40 , Isobel Lewis

You can watch the 2023 Emmy nominations at the link before.

Non-binary Yellowjackets star sits out of race over gendered categories

15:05 , Isobel Lewis

One actor who wont be getting a nod at this years Emmys is Yellowjackets star Liv Hewson.

The Australian actor, who is non-binary, shared in April that they would not be being submitted for Emmy consideration as they felt the gendered awards categories were inaccurate of their gender.

I cant submit myself for this because theres no space for me, they said.

Inga Parkel reports:

Yellowjackets Liv Hewson will sit out 2023 Emmys race over gendered categories

Successions final season expected to be among most-nominated shows

14:50 , Isobel Lewis

Ever since the explosive final season of Succession concluded, fans have reckoned the HBO show and its stars will dominate this years Emmy Awards.

In some categories, the cast are even expected to compete against each other, with Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin and Jeremy Strong all eligible for the Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series category.

Over the years, Succession has been nominated 48 times, winning 13 times. It has been named Outstanding Drama Series twice, with Matthew Macfadyen last year winning for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

When are the 2023 Emmy nominations being announced?

14:27 , Isobel Lewis

Welcome to The Independents Emmy nominations live blog! Well be keeping you updated on all the snubs and surprises as they come in.

The 2023 Primetime Emmy nominations will be announced at 8.30am PT, or 4.30pm UK time, on Wednesday (12 July).
A second suspect was arrested Tuesday in connection with the shooting death of a 25-year-old man in April, according to Fort Worth police records.

Jordan Thurman, 22, of Forest Hill, was booked into the Fort Worth Jail around 3:20 p.m. Thurman faces a capital murder charge in the death of Jailon Freeman.

Freeman was fatally shot outside a south Fort Worth apartment building in the 5100 block of Ivy Wood Lane the afternoon of April 4. Fort Worth police were dispatched to that location around 2:30 p.m. regarding a shooting call. They found the victim dead from a gunshot wound to the head.

Police said at the time that Freeman had been involved in an argument with someone, and that person shot him and fled the scene. Authorities have since learned that Freeman was shot during a robbery or attempted robbery, according to court records.

The other suspect arrested in the case is Freemans cousin, 23-year-old Jacoby Roberts, who turned himself in to the Tarrant County Sheriffs Office on May 31. Court records show that Roberts is charged with capital murder and is being held in the Tarrant County Jail with bond set at $500,000.

Thurman also has been moved to the county jail with bond set at $500,000, according to jail records.
Elgin police Officer Josh Miller will receive the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Hero Award at a ceremony in September. Over the course of his career, he has made more than 300 DUI arrests, officials said. (Elgin Police Department/HANDOUT)

Elgin police officer to receive Hero Award from MADD

Elgin police Officer Josh Miller has been selected by the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Illinois Law Enforcement Recognition Committee to receive the MADD Hero Award.

Miller has made more than 300 DUI arrests during his career, according to the Elgin Police Department. He is also a certified standardized field sobriety test instructor, an in-house police academy instructor on DUI enforcement and a member of the departments traffic crash callout team.

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Miller will receive his award at a ceremony being held Sept. 9 in Springfield.

D300 Food Pantry seeking rice, school supply donations

The D300 Food Pantry is holding an emergency food drive to replenish its dwindling rice supplies and a back to school supply drive for items it can distribute to students heading back to class.

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The food pantry is running out of rice, which it has not been available to purchase through the Northern Illinois Food Bank, according to a post on the D300 Food Pantry Facebook page.

Donations can be dropped off from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 15, and 8 to 10 a.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, at Oak Ridge School, 300 Cleveland Ave., Door 20, Carpentersville.

School supplies can be dropped off at various locations or money can be donated so the pantry can purchase them. For a list of school supply dropoff locations or to donate money to either effort, go to www.d300foodpantry.org.

For more information, email donate@d300foodpantry.org.

Elgin library holding program on how we see lightwaves

Mark Kuntz, a retired geology college professor and founding member of the Elgin Rock Club, will discuss Vision, Light and Ultraviolet: How We See Lightwaves from 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin.

Kuntz will provide a hands-on example of ultraviolet light on glowing minerals and discuss how human vision responds to different light waves, according to the librarys website.

To register, see attend.gailborden.info/event/8509172.

Randall Oaks Zoos Enrichment Day set for July 22

Randall Oaks Zoo visitors can help zookeepers make items that benefit animals during Enrichment Day, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at the 1180 N. Randall Road zoo in West Dundee.

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Items being made, such as toys, platforms and vines, assist in satisfying the physical and psychological needs of animals and encourage natural behaviors, according to the zoos Facebook page.

Normal zoo admission rates will apply. For more information, call 847-551-4312 or email kellinghausen@dtpd.org.

South Elgin residents who want to participate in the village's 50/50 parkway tree planting program need to apply by July 31. (Jennifer Johnson/Pioneer Press )

South Elgin parkway tree program deadlines July 31

The deadline to apply for participation in the village of South Elgins 50/50 parkway tree replacement program is Monday, July 31.

With the program, residents and the village share the cost of planting trees along a homes parkway, according to the villages Facebook page. Homeowners choose a tree from the species offered, forward a completed application, and public works crews take care of planting in the fall.

For an application and more information, go to www.southelgin.com/5050.
Monroe police have been granted a secure custody order for three juveniles in connection to a deadly shooting earlier this month.

On July 1, police found Anthony Delts, 18, shot to death in a room at the Red Roof Inn on Roosevelt Road. Residents told Channel 9 a party was going on in one of the rooms on the night of the shooting, with multiple minors involved.

Three juvenile suspects were quickly identified and one suspect was taken into custody by the next day, police said.

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On Wednesday, Monroe detectives said theyve obtained a secure custody order for three juveniles. A juvenile can be taken into temporary custody if an adult in the same situation would be arrested. That temporary custody can then be upgraded to secure custody.

Police said because there are people involved in the case under the age of 18, they arent releasing any more information at this time. However, the case is still an active homicide investigation.

The department has not shared information about the motive behind the shooting.

(PREVIOUS: Friends, family of teen killed at Red Roof Inn hold protest saying situation was preventable)
Three police officers were killed and 10 other people wounded Tuesday in an "unprecedented" explosives attack in the Mexican state of Jalisco, the state governor said.

Police officers and staff from the state prosecutor's office "suffered a cowardly attack with explosive devices, which preliminarily caused the death of three colleagues from the municipal police and the Prosecutor's Office, as well as 10 people injured," Governor Enrique Alfaro said on Twitter.

"This is an unprecedented event that shows what these organized crime groups are capable of," the governor said. "This attack also represents a challenge against the Mexican state as a whole."

The western state is the base of operations of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, one of Mexico's most powerful drug trafficking groups that has a presence in a large part of the country and is embroiled in disputes with other drug syndicates.

Alfaro said Jalisco's security cabinet was "in permanent session" to investigate the attack, which has not been attributed to a specific criminal organization.

Authorities learned of the incident shortly after 8:00 pm Tuesday, with reports indicating a vehicle on fire with five people inside in Tlajomulco de Zuniga, a suburb of the city of Guadalajara, police sources said.

Forensic investigators were on the scene, as well as several ambulances to transport the injured to hospital.

According to reports by local network Televisa, the explosion occurred near a vehicle in which the security officials were traveling.

Authorities were investigating whether a grenade or homemade mine was used, police said. The Jalisco New Generation cartel -- which the U.S. Department of Justice has called "one of the five most dangerous transnational criminal organizations in the world" --has used the latter device in the western state of Michoacan.

In April, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against members or associates of the Jalisco cartel who apparently went into a side business of timeshare fraud that allegedly targeted elderly Americans.

The Jalisco cartel is better known for producing millions of doses of deadly fentanyl and smuggling them into the United States disguised to look like Xanax, Percocet or oxycodone. Such pills cause about 70,000 overdose deaths per year in the United States.

The cartel's leader, Nemesio Oseguera, "El Mencho," is among the most sought by Mexican and U.S. authorities.

Authorities also reported a drone attack on a house in the Michoacan town of Apatzingan this month that wounded one person.

While car-bomb attacks are rare in Mexico, a car bomb killed a National Guard member and wounded others in June in Guanajuato, another state hit hard by cartel-linked violence.

Also on Tuesday, 13 security personnel who had been taken captive the day before by protesters in the southern state of Guerrero were released after negotiations with authorities.

Officials said the protesters were infiltrated by a criminal group.

Guerrero has endured years of violence linked to turf wars between drug cartels.

Mexico has recorded more than 340,000 murders and some 100,000 disappearances since the launch of a controversial military anti-drug offensive in 2006, most attributed to criminal organizations.

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buying a new car

Purchasing a vehicle is a massive decision. In fact, its one of the largest expenses in most household budgets, second only to housing. Its important to prepare by researching, comparing prices and choosing how to finance your new vehicle so you dont make a costly mistake at the dealership.

Here are 5 things to keep in mind when it comes to financially preparing to drive away in a new car:

1. Know your needs

Before heading to the dealership or hopping online to compare prices on that brand-new truck you have been eyeing, take some time to consider why you are replacing your car. Maybe your family situation has changed, youre spending too much on maintenance and repairs or you might just want to take advantage of your reenlistment bonus. There is no right or wrong answer here, but this is a wise first step in your car-buying journey.

List out the things you like and dont like about your current vehicle. Are you wanting more tech inside and outside your car? Does there need to be an extra row of seats in the back for your growing family? Or perhaps you love the storage you have in your current vehicle. Go through your list and prioritize the features you want most.

Think about the purpose of your next vehicle. If it is for commuting, you might consider something more fuel-efficient like a hybrid. Or, if this is a fun off-roading vehicle, you may want something with a little more power behind the wheel. It is important to look at the big picture and plan ahead. Buying a new Mustang might not be the best choice if you plan to start a family in the near future.

2. Secure your own financing before going to the dealership

One of the best things you can do when buying a new car is to get pre-approved for your loan. You can easily apply for a pre-approved auto loan with Navy Federal Credit Union before you head to the dealership to help you save time and shop confidently.

This is good for a few reasons. First, it will give you an accurate idea of how much car you can really afford. The person selling you the car is not looking out for the best interest of your financial health, so dont look to them to tell you your budget. It's really easy to talk yourself into buying more than your budget allows when sitting in those fancy leather seats smelling that new car smell. Make sure you know that number before you even set foot in a dealership parking lot.

Second, securing your own financing ahead of time can reveal the state of your credit. A good credit score is one that can get you the rate you want, so it is good to know what that number looks like before a dealership does. This also gives you a chance to clear up any mistakes that could be on your credit history and lets you know if you need to boost your score before starting your car-buying journey.

Third, when going through a dealership for financing, they may inflate the interest above the rate you qualify for. This means you could have qualified for 6%, but they charge you 9%. By securing your financing ahead of time, you know the rate you can get from another lender and can tell if the dealer is trying to take advantage of you.

3. Negotiate the price of the car BEFORE you tell them about your trade-in

If you are looking to get a new car and want to get the best deal on your trade-in, negotiate the selling price of the new car first. Dont even tell them you have a trade-in until after they draw up a buyer's order and you see everything you are paying for in total.

If you were to tell them about your trade-in, oftentimes they will pad the value of your trade-in to make you think you are getting a good deal. Then, they will adjust the sales price of the new car to be higher than if you didnt have a trade-in. Make sure to negotiate each separately so one doesnt have a negative influence over the other.

With Navy Federal's Car Buying Service powered by TrueCar, you can get an instant offer on your current vehicle online. Answer a few questions about your vehicle and then connect with one of the thousands of Certified Dealers who can pay you directly for your used car.

4. Check the cost of ownership before buying

There are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to how much owning this vehicle will cost you in the long run. Experts generally recommend spending no more than 10-15% of your take-home pay on a car. But that doesnt just mean the final cost of the car at the dealership when you signed on the dotted line. Keep in mind this vehicle also comes with additional monthly costs such as the price of insurance, what kind of fuel it is going to take, registration prices, etc. Make sure you are able to afford the whole cost of the car before getting slapped with higher prices for months to come.

5. Buy through a car-buying service like NFCU offers

If this entire car-buying process seems overwhelming, check out Navy Federal's Car Buying Service, powered by TrueCar. This perk of membership takes the guesswork out of a daunting process by allowing you to do it all in one place. You can search online, see upfront price offers and get a trade-in offer in minutes. Also, Navy Federals Car Buying Service offers additional incentives, worth up to $4,500 on select vehicles.

The Navy Federal Car Buying Service, Powered by TrueCar1, also has special manufacturer incentives. As an added bonus, Navy Federal members could benefit from TrueCars Military Appreciation Package, which includes features such as auto deductible and partial repair expense reimbursement with up to $4,000 when purchased through their TrueCar Certified dealerships.2

Buying a new or new-to-you car doesnt have to be an intimidating experience that ends up costing you thousands of dollars more than you should have paid. By following these five steps, youll make smart choices that you can be proud of every time you get in that new ride. Plus, you can help your friends and family make more strategic choices the next time they have to buy a car.

1 TrueCar operates the Navy Federal Car Buying Service. Navy Federal is not responsible for any offer, purchase, lease or service provided by or through the Navy Federal Car Buying Service.

2 Benefits not available in all states. Purchase from a TrueCar-certified dealer must be reported within 45 days. Auto deductible reimbursement of up to $500 two times a year for 2 years. Auto repair expense reimbursement of 20% of payment, up to $500 two times a year for 2 years. Additional terms and conditions apply.

This article is sponsored by Navy Federal Credit Union. Navy Federal Credit Union is federally insured by NCUA.
Thanks to a 6,500-square-foot addition, Lees Summit Medical Center has the capacity to treat more critically ill patients through its expanded intensive-care unit. The new ICU helps meet a growing need for treatment of seriously ill or critically injured individuals while providing this care closer to many patients homes and support systems.

Lees Summit Medical Center made a significant commitment to our community, building new programs, specialties, recruiting new doctors and staff to meet the growing need of this great community, said Paige Baker, Lees Summit Medical Centers chief nursing officer.

Work on the $6 million project began in August 2022 with the expanded ICU opening in May. In all, ICU beds at the medical center increased from 10 to 18.

Baker said conditions treated at the ICU vary but typically consist of life-threatening or very serious health issues such as pneumonia, cardiovascular issues, organ failure, breathing or lung complications, and injuries resulting from serious automobile accidents.

The expanded ICU includes larger rooms equipped with advanced monitoring of patients, specialized equipment, resources and support to treat complex, life-threatening medical conditions, Baker said. The renovation also features a second medication room, a second point-of-use room to keep resources close to all ICU rooms and a separate shower room for patients requiring a larger space than the bathroom/shower in the private rooms.

With the expansion, Lees Summit Medical Center added a second entrance from the hospital emergency room directly into the ICU for both quick access and more privacy as patients transfer from the ER to the ICU.

Additionally, the ICU staff (members) are highly specialized caregivers, with a caregiver treating fewer patients due to the level of care they require, she said.

Many patients relying on healthcare at the medical center live within the Lees Summit community or surrounding areas.

So, having the ability to care for more patients makes a difference to many communities, some of whom would have otherwise been transferred further from their home community, Baker said. When a critically ill patient receives the healthcare they need close to home, the added benefit to their loved ones is the convenient opportunity to be more involved.

In all, ICU beds at the Lees Summit Medical Center increased from 10 to 18.

Examples of this involvement include input on the patients history and care plan, additional family support and guidance on discharge options in their community.

This level of family collaboration, input and support has proven to make a positive impact on their loved ones care, long-term outcomes, which is especially important for critically ill patients, she added.

The added ICU beds also benefit first responders, allowing them to more quickly access treatment for patients while getting the ambulance and crew back into service in a timely manner, Baker said.

Another recent addition at the Lees Summit Medical Center is the new CareNow Urgent Care facility, which opened in March. Later this year, construction will begin on a new $11 million ambulatory surgery center.

Lees Summit Medical Center has been at its location  2100 S.E. Blue Parkway  since 2007 when it opened as a new 64-bed community hospital. As the community continued to grow, a new third floor addition was completed, increasing capacity to 88 beds.

The medical center has a long history in Lees Summit, opening its doors at 600 N.W. Murray in 1978 when it was originally known as Lees Summit Hospital. It is currently part of HCA Midwest Health.
A 6-year-old girl in Kentucky has been hospitalized after she was shot in a road rage incident on Monday.

The Louisville Metro Police Department said the incident began at around 8 p.m. when people in a vehicle got into an altercation with three motorcyclists, WDRB reported. The group of motorcyclists fired at the vehicle, striking the child in the back, police said.

LMPD Lt. Steve Lacefield said Tuesday that the girl is in critical but stable condition. The incident took place throughout an eight-mile stretch of I-65 North, the officer said. He added that at least 15 rounds were fired from three different weapons.

During a press conference Monday night, LMPD Maj. Mindy Vance called the shooting inexcusable violence.

This evening, the Louisville community experienced an act of inexcusable violence, hostility and a blatant disregard for human life during a road rage incident, Vance said.

The three motorcyclists were detained and questioned, but Lacefield declined to say Tuesday if they would be charged. Police are asking for more witnesses to come forward.

At the end of the day, there was a road rage incident here that involved a young child getting shot, Vance said. This is just absolutely ridiculous and its gotta stop. I mean this is completely senseless. Im so glad more people were not hurt or involved.

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79-Year-Old Man Who Spent Years In Prison Earns Bachelors Degree Just Days Before 80th Birthday | skodonnell via Getty Images

A 79-year-old man is proving that its never too late to go to school. Rev. Willie Ryals, who started attending an online school in 2021, has now earned his bachelors degree in criminal justice, the Tallahassee Democrat reported.

Ryals will accept his degree from the American Intercontinental University during a graduation ceremony in Atlanta on July 21. Three days after graduation, Ryals will celebrate his 80th birthday.

Im happy for myself, because my father always wanted me to go after a degree, Ryals told the Tallahassee Democrat. Hes passed and gone, but Im keeping this promise.

While focusing on his education, Ryals has continued to serve as pastor of Zion Hope Community Baptist Church in Gadsden County, Florida. In addition, he still makes sure to take care of his wife Mandy Woodard Ryals.

He would miss some of his classes because of my doctors appointments and would have to catch up, but he never gave up, Mandy told the Tallahassee Democrat. He works all night and sometimes would have to prop his legs up for the swelling, but he would still go after it. Im proud of him and very, very happy.

As a teenager, Ryals attended Florida A&M Universitys Developmental Research School, but he dropped out and became a traveling vocalist with various bands. In 1962, Ryals joined the U.S. Army. After he was discharged two years later, the Florida native was convicted of aggravated manslaughter. Ryals, who was sentenced to 10 and 20 concurrent year sentences in prison, said he was acting in self-defense during a house break-in.

While he was incarcerated, Ryals finished high school and took college courses. He was then granted an early release from prison in 1971. Ryals experience in prison inspired him to study criminal justice.

While I was in prison, I saw a need for criminal justice reform, he said. There are too many young Blacks going to jail for crimes that they didnt commit, and there needs to be some changes.

Ryals will be accompanied by his wife and daughter, Marionette Taylor, at his graduation ceremony.
79-year-old shoots apartment manager during inspection, then sets fire, Arkansas cops say

A 79-year-old man shot two employees of an Arkansas apartment complex, killing one, then set his unit on fire, police told news outlets.

Police received a call about a shooting at the Sheridan Heights Estates at about 2:54 p.m., July 10, the Sheridan Police Department said in a news release.

Two employees, the apartment manager and a maintenance worker, entered the suspects apartment for a routine inspection, police told KARK.

During the inspection, the man opened fire, killing the manager, the station reported. The worker was shot too but managed to escape, and he was found wounded in a stairwell by police as they arrived at the scene.

As officers neared the unit, they smelled a powerful odor coming from inside, police told KTHV. Then there was a blast and the unit went up in flames.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze, police entered and arrested the suspect, the outlet reported. The body of the apartment manager, identified as Katharyn Barraclough Linker, was found inside, according to the station.

The suspect, Ryan Hodges, has been charged with first-degree murder, as well as first-degree battery and arson, police told the outlet.

Sheridan is roughly 35 miles south of Little Rock.

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ASHEVILLE  Amanda Branks loves to spend time with her two children, but she purposely hides a lot from them. Her husband is a sanitation worker, bringing in about $31,200 per year. Branks, who is 29-year-old and lives in Hendersonville, does her best to conceal her familys tight budget from her kids.

Summer camps are not feasible for her family. She and her husband take their kids camping in Pisgah National Forest. Her husband teaches the children about the dangers of poison oak and ivy. Branks teaches them about flowers. They make smores at night and tell ghost stories.

I was raised in a poor family. Even though we are financially tight, we are nowhere near as bad as it was with my family, Branks told the Citizen Times July 11. My parents did not hide it. They kind of involved me in it and it made my childhood very hard. I don't want my kids to ever have to worry about that. They're too young to worry about that. That's mom and dad's problems, not theirs.

Branks also does her best to keep her mental health episodes from her kids. Among her afflictions are bipolar disorder and manic depression. These health issues have made it challenging for her to hold a job and consequently maintain health insurance. She has slid on and off Medicaid as she has gained and lost employment, falling into and out of the coverage gap that has plagued North Carolina because the state has opted not to expand Medicaid.

The state legislature passed Medicaid expansion earlier this year. A March 27 news release from Gov. Roy Cooper's office noted that this policy will provide insurance to more than 600,000 people. However, expansion will not go into effect until elected officials in Raleigh pass the budget for the 2024 fiscal year and the state's plan is approved by the federal government. This will send thousands of North Carolinians back into the coverage gap.

What is Medicaid? What is the coverage gap?

Medicaid is the state-run insurance program for people with low incomes. In North Carolina, for a family of four, people need to make less than $744 per month to qualify for Medicaid; thats $8,928 for the year and just below 30% of the federal poverty level.

As part of the Affordable Care Act, which became law in March 2010 under President Barack Obama, adults making between 100% and 400% of the poverty level could qualify for health insurance assistance. States were also mandated to expand their Medicaid coverage to people with incomes below the 138% poverty level. A 2012 Supreme Court ruling upheld the Affordable Care Act but made Medicaid expansion optional. People living in states that did not expand Medicaid who have incomes below the federal poverty level and above the state Medicaid barrier dont have access to government provided insurance. This is what is known as the coverage gap.

In North Carolina, adults who financially qualify for original Medicaid also need to have a disability to get coverage, which can be difficult to prove without an extensive medical history.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, pictured here, is pushing to separate Medicaid expansion from the state's budget.

Branks became a Medicaid member again early in the pandemic. As part of the federal public health emergency, states were prohibited from terminating Medicaid enrollees, meaning that no matter Branks income level, she was going to have insurance. Recently she has made progress on her health struggles. She once had episodes two or three times each day. Now they are less frequent.

Congress detached this continuous coverage requirement from the public health emergency as part of the omnibus spending bill it passed in December, meaning that states would soon need to begin recertifying Medicaid eligibility.

For states that did not implement expanded Medicaid like North Carolina, this means that people who lost their jobs during the pandemic and qualified for Medicaid could lose insurance if their current incomes placed them in the coverage gap, according to Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services Economic Services Director Phillip Hardin.

Legislators in Raleigh addressed that concern when Cooper signed expanded Medicaid into law March 27. When expanded Medicaid goes into effect, the disability requirement will be removed. North Carolina will be the 40th state to expand Medicaid, however, a provision in the bill timed Medicaid expansion implementation to the legislature approving the 2024 fiscal year budget. Cooper opposed this stipulation at the time and continues to. Despite the 2023 fiscal year ending June 30, legislators in Raleigh have not agreed to a budget, delaying Medicaid expansion.

In a July 3 statement, Cooper urged the General Assembly to separate Medicaid expansion from the budget. State Department of Health Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley agreed in a July 10 conversation with the Citizen Times.

There is no reason why Medicaid expansion should be tied to the budget, Kinsley said. Having it tied to the budget significantly ties our hands and makes implementation incredibly complex.

Republicans, who control the state senate and house, would lose leverage over Cooper in budget negotiations if they separate expansion. Cooper holds veto power over the budget.

Medicaid is a substantial portion of the annual state budget and shouldnt be separated for the Governors political expediency, spokesperson for Senate President Pro Tempore, Phil Berger, Lauren Horsch said in a July 11 statement to the Citizen Times. Berger represents Guilford and Rockingham counties. Legislative leaders are making good progress on budget negotiations, and we look forward to Gov. Cooper swiftly signing the budget.

As budget negotiations drag on, counties are moving forward with recertifying Medicaid eligibility, placing some North Carolinians back in a momentary coverage gap. Kinsley estimated 9,000 people per month will lose insurance and not qualify for ACA subsidies until expansion is implemented.

Based on state direction, county health departments began opening cases for recertification on April 1. This process takes 90 days, so recertifications started going into effect June 30.

Branks said she will soon lose her Medicaid coverage. She would qualify for Medicaid expansion if it was in operation and her familys income is just high enough for her to receive an ACA subsidy.

The federal government has created a special enrollment period for people who lose Medicaid coverage, allowing people to sign up for coverage through the open marketplace outside of the open enrollment period that begins Nov. 1. According to Thomas Lodwick, Public Benefits Program Director at Pisgah Legal Services, a legal aid organization based in Asheville, changing insurance providers can cause difficulties for enrollees, who may need to find new in-network doctors, which can cause delays in care. This change can also cause increases in cost of care and benefits. Lodwick noted that if Medicaid expansion was already online, people would be able to seamlessly move from one Medicaid category to another without experiencing a gap in coverage.

Thomas Lodwick, Public Benefits Program Director at Pisgah Legal Services.

Branks is also applying for federal disability. It is difficult for people to prove disability without building their medical records, according to Lodwick.

Income changes are not the only reason people lose their Medicaid coverage. According to Hardin, many do not turn in the information necessary for the county to recertify their eligibility. When those people reapply for Medicaid a few months down the road, the process takes more time.

More: Opinion: Strong bipartisan majority of North Carolinians want to expand Medicaid

More: NC approves Medicaid expansion, could help 600,000 adults

If I could keep up the percentage of people who return their recertification paperwork to 80%, it would be like gaining staff for me, Hardin said to the Citizen Times June 27. It may take me an hour to do a recertification. It may take me two and a half hours to do an application.

Expansion approval with budget is just the beginning

Once the state approves the budget, North Carolinas Medicaid expansion plan is reviewed by the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. According to Kinsley, this process can take time depending on when the budget passes.

The process with CMS for getting their approval and getting our go-live date for expansion is not single factorial, said Kinsley It is not solely based off time. It is based off time and exactly when that time begins.

He went on to explain that it could take weeks or months to implement Medicaid expansion. CMS may be dealing with hospital assessments, or end or quarter reports, for example.

Lodwick says not having health insurance can put people in dangerous situations.

Lives are hanging in the balance. It's just catastrophic to not have health insurance coverage, Lodwick said. I'm just hoping they move as expeditiously as possible. Remember that these are real lives of people facing terrible choices. Potentially having to choose between the cost of food and the cost of medicine.

For Branks, there is no choice. Paying out of pocket for the care she needs to handle her mental health challenges means taking money away from her kids. She won't entertain that.

My kids have to come first, so if it was too expensive, I would probably have to skip a month or two, she said Thats one of the things that scares me with this whole Medicaid ordeal. Ive been working on getting to a spot in my health where I feel somewhat normal. Ill never feel completely normal with my health issues.

I dont want to lose all the progress I have made just because I dont have insurance, she added.

Need assistance?

Call Pisgah Legal at 828-253-0406 or visit pisgahlegal.org.

Mitchell Black covers Buncombe County and health care for the Citizen Times. Email him at mblack@citizentimes.com or follow him on Twitter @MitchABlack. Please help support local journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Waiting for Medicaid expansion keeps families waiting health insurance
A Palestinian presidential guardsman kisses the head of a boy as they sit by the graves of Palestinians killed in the recent Israeli raid on Jenin camp (Zain JAAFAR)

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is due Wednesday to visit the northern West Bank city of Jenin for the first time in over a decade, a week after the largest Israeli raid there in years.

Twelve Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were killed in the two-day raid on Jenin and its adjacent refugee camp, a regular site of fierce fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups.

The raid on the camp, which Israel views as a "terrorism hub", employed hundreds of troops as well as drone strikes and army bulldozers that tore up streets and damaged scores of houses.

Soon after the raid, several top officials of Abbas's Fatah party, including deputy chairman Mahmoud Aloul, had visited the camp only to be heckled by crowds of angry residents.

On Wednesday, Abbas was expected to visit the city as well as the camp, along with the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).

He was due to review "progress of work in the reconstruction of the camp and the city", his office said in a statement.

Ahead of Abbas's arrival, hundreds of soldiers from the presidential guard were seen patrolling the streets of the camp, an AFP journalist said.

The Jenin camp was established in 1953 to house some of those among the 760,000 Palestinians who fled or were expelled from their homes in 1948 when Israel was created, an event Palestinians call the "Nakba" or "catastrophe".

Over time, the camp's original tents have been replaced by concrete, and it now resembles something closer to a neighbourhood.

The camp, which houses some 18,000 people, was also a hotbed of activity during the second "intifada" or uprising of the early 2000s.

Over the past 18 months, the security situation in the camp has deteriorated, with the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority having little real presence there.

Abbas, 87, last visited Jenin in 2012 but had not toured the camp at the time.

While the PA remains somewhat present in the city, it has largely abandoned the camp to local armed groups such as the Jenin Brigade, which Israel alleges is backed by Iran.

Abbas had previously visited the camp itself in 2004 while running for the Palestinian presidential election after the death of leader Yasser Arafat.

During that trip Abbas was famously embraced by Zakaria Zubeidi, a senior militant in the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, who for years was on Israel's most wanted list.

Experts were however sceptical of Abbas's visit on Wednesday.

"Through his made-for-camera visit, Abbas wants to show that he and his Palestinian Authority are firmly in control of Jenin," Hugh Lovatt, a senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told AFP.

"In reality, making a rare visit outside of his Ramallah fiefdom will do little to re-establish the Palestinian Authority given the deepening crisis of legitimacy it is facing and the rise of Palestinian armed groups."

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A Palestinian presidential guardsman kisses the head of a boy as they sit by the graves of Palestinians killed in the Israeli raid on Jenin camp (Zain JAAFAR)

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas vowed to rebuild the Jenin refugee camp during a rare and brief visit Wednesday, a week after a deadly Israeli raid destroyed much of the camp in the occupied West Bank.

Abbas, 87, hailed the Jenin camp as an "icon of struggle" during his first trip to the area in more than a decade, a period during which armed groups have gained popular support at the expense of his Palestinian Authority.

The two-day Israeli raid last week was the largest such operation in years, involving hundreds of troops, drone strikes and armoured bulldozers. It killed 12 Palestinians including children and militants from a local armed group the Jenin Brigades.

One Israeli soldier was also killed during the operation.

Israel views the densely-populated urban area, a stronghold of militant groups that also include Islamic Jihad and Hamas, as a "terrorism hub" and has launched frequent armed raids there since early last year.

Popular discontent with the PA, which cooperates with Israel on security, has been simmering in Jenin. Crowds last week heckled several visiting top officials of Abbas's Fatah party, including deputy chairman Mahmoud Aloul.

On Wednesday, Abbas expressed determination to back Jenin's reconstruction and security, describing the camp as an "icon of steadfastness and struggle", in a short address to cheering supporters.

"We have come to say that we are one authority, one state, one law," Abbas said, warning against anyone who "tampers with the unity and security of our people".

Speaking in front of a restaurant that was destroyed in last week's Israeli raid, Abbas vowed to oversee the reconstruction of the camp and the wider city to restore it "to what it was, or even better".

- 'Pride and honour' -

Concluding his visit, Abbas laid a wreath on the graves of Palestinians who lost their lives in recent Israeli raids.

A number of Arab countries have announced aid for the camp after last week's offensive.

Ahead of Abbas's arrival, hundreds of soldiers from the presidential guard patrolled the camp's streets, an AFP journalist said, and snipers were positioned on rooftops.

His visit "is a strong and important message... that he stands with the Palestinian people in their resistance to the occupation," Atta Abu Rumaila, Fatah's secretary-general in the camp, told AFP.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since the 1967 Six-Day War and its forces regularly launch raids on Palestinian cities.

Abbas travelled by helicopter from Ramallah, seat of the Palestinian Authority, for the visit which lasted barely an hour.

The Palestinian president was flanked by potential successors, including Palestinian prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organisation.

Abbas used his speech to issue a veiled threat at armed groups "undermining" Palestinian security.

"There will be one authority and one security force. Anyone who seeks to undermine its unity and security will face the consequences... Any hand that reaches out to harm the people and their stability shall be cut off," he said.

Prior to Abbas's arrival, a group of children were chanting "Katiba, Katiba, Katiba" at the camp in support of local armed group the Jenin Brigades.

Alaa Washahi, 27, speaking after Abbas's departure, defended the militants.

"The Jenin Brigades are our pride and honour... their presence is part of our existence," said the camp resident.

"The truth is we have suffered from the negligence of (Palestinian) officials. This is what the president must see with his own eyes."

- Deteriorating security -

The Jenin camp was established in 1953 to house some of those among the 760,000 Palestinians who fled or were expelled from their homes in 1948 when Israel was created, an event Palestinians call the "Nakba" or "catastrophe".

Over time, the camp's original tents have been replaced with concrete buildings, and it now resembles an urban neighbourhood.

The camp, which houses about 18,000 people, was also a hotbed of fighting during the second "intifada" or uprising of the early 2000s.

Over the past 18 months, the security situation in the camp has deteriorated with repeated Israeli raids, and the Palestinian Authority has little real presence there.

Abbas last visited Jenin in 2012 but did not tour the camp at the time.

While the PA remains somewhat present in the city, it has largely abandoned the camp to groups such as the Jenin Brigades, which Israel alleges is backed by Iran.

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New this summer are iced tea pitchers in which the tea steeps inside, said Laura Sabato, manager of Adagio Teas in downtown Naperville. (Steve Metsch/Naperville Sun)

Business: Adagio Teas

Address: 27 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville

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Phone/website: 630-428-2556, www.adagio.com

Manager: Laura Sabato, 62, of Naperville

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Years in business: 13 in Naperville

What does your business do? We sell farm-direct teas. ... We have fewer than 50 people in the company, Sabato said.

What is farm direct? Teas are sold at auction by the Chinese government to German wholesalers. Many tea companies will buy from German wholesalers. We dont do that. We work with farmers all over the world. China, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan. A lot of the herbal teas are sourced in this country.

Whats the companys history? Weve been in business since 1999. Initially, we sourced tea from German wholesalers, but found that the teas werent as fresh. Sometimes, they can be sitting there for years and we wouldnt know. We werent satisfied with the quality.

How many locations do you have? This and (Westfield) Old Orchard (shopping center in Skokie). I manage both stores.

Laura Sabato, manager of Adagio Teas in Naperville, prepares an iced tea. They are very popular with walk-in customers on hot summer days, she says. (Steve Metsch/Naperville Sun)

How many varieties of tea do you sell? A couple hundred. ... Tea is kind of like wine, where it depends on how good of a year they had. What kind of soil do they have? What time of year theyre harvested. ... Tea grows on trees, but theyre kept shorter. Tea trees can grow 20 feet tall, but you cant really harvest them at that (height). Its the leaves and sometimes the stems. The bark (is used) in some herbal teas.

How long have you worked here? Ive been here since 2012. Id worked in retail a while. My last job was at Godiva (Chocolates). I didnt know that much about tea, but I enjoyed it. ... All tea comes from the same plant, but they can taste so different.

Which tea is most popular? Earl Gray is up there. A tea we call Jasmine Phoenix Curls outsells the Earl Gray. Its wonderful. A delicate balance between the jasmine and the green tea.

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Tea or coffee? Tea is something you do for yourself, time you take out of your day for yourself. Coffee gets you out of bed in the morning. I drink coffee first thing in the morning, tea all day. ... In the world, more people drink tea than coffee. Beer is third.

Is downtown Naperville good for business? Yes, it is. But parking and traffic have been a source of angst, not only for us but the customers too.

Whats the secret to a good cup of tea? Three things. Time, temperature and the type of tea. White teas steep for less time than a black tea. Temperature is very important. Whites and greens, you steep in cooler water, 180 to 195 degrees. Oolong teas are 195. Black teas are generally 212, which is boiling.

Do you have a favorite tea? It depends on the time of year and my mood. If Im drinking iced tea, I prefer flavored teas. If its hot (tea), I like the traditional teas. I enjoy the differences, subtle and otherwise.

When is tea time? Every hour is tea time. We drink it right when we get in, drink it until we leave.

There are hundreds of varieties of tea sold at Adagio Teas in Naperville, manager Laura Sabato said. The company buys them from farmers around the world. (Steve Metsch/Naperville Sun)

Served with crumpets? We have tea cookies. We dont have crumpets, (which) kind of look like English muffins.

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What do you like best? I love the product. Thats important. You cant be successful in selling anything unless you believe in it.

Do you offer promotions? We always have buy four, get the fifth free. We have an excellent loyalty program You get a point for every dollar (spent). When you get to 100 (points), you get $10 off and that never expires.

Any negatives? Unpacking the shipment, all the boxes.

Whats in the future? We have a warehouse in London, so we ship in Europe. We do a lot online. ... I get to visit there in September. I cant wait to see it.

What misconceptions do people have? Theres no such thing as chamomile tea. Its an herbal infusion. Thats a common misconception.

Any memorable stories? Jim Gaffigan, the comedian, came in here. He was doing a show at North Central College. ... Everyone wanted a picture with him. He was polite, quiet.

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How did the virus impact your business? Fortunately, because there are only two retail stores and a majority of our business is done online, it didnt affect us adversely. Online sales exploded, up 200%. After we reopened the stores, we had record sales the next full year.

What about prices? $9 to $34 (per pack).

When are you busy? The holidays. Christmas shopping.

Whats your advice for someone starting a business? Dont diversify right away. Find your niche and stick with it instead of going in all directions at once.

If you know of a business youd like to see to profiled in Down to Business, contact Steve Metsch at metschmsfl@yahoo.com.

Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
On June 26, a man celebrated the anniversary of the 2015 Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage. Four days later, a different court majority ruled that a web designer could refuse to create a wedding website for gay couples. (Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images)

Now that the legal door has been opened to anti-LGBTQ+ bigots or racists, theres just no telling how far the Supreme Courts license to discriminate will go.

Last month, the courts conservative majority ruled that a website designer in Colorado would not violate the states antidiscrimination law if she refused to create wedding websites for gay couples.

Mind you, Lorie Smith, the proprietor of 303 Creative, was not actually creating wedding websites at that point, but she wanted to know in advance whether it would be OK to turn away gay people because she abhors same-sex marriage.

Smith is represented by the right-wing Christian legal juggernaut Alliance Defending Freedom, which is hellbent on reversing LGBTQ+ rights.

To Smith, her lawyers attested, same-sex marriage is not only problematic because it violates Gods will, but also because it harms society and children because marriage between one man and one woman is a fundamental building block of society and the ideal arrangement for the rearing of children.

In telling their clients story, the ADF laid it on thick: Lorie believes that our cultures movement away from Gods design for marriage is particularly pronounced in the wake of the Supreme Courts Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which held that there is a constitutional right to same-sex marriage.

I thought it was bizarre to be able to bring a lawsuit with imaginary facts, but as Berkeley Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky explained to me, federal law allows for such a thing, especially if the situation seems likely to arise eventually.

No one should have to eat a mushroom in order to know if its poisonous or not, Chemerinsky said. She says, I am not going to set up this business if I have to serve same-sex couples, so let me know in advance.  Fair enough.

Read more: Opinion: With its 303 Creative decision, the Supreme Court opens the door to discrimination

As for reports that Smith made up the gay couple she claimed had contacted her for wedding website services (even though she hadnt launched that business yet, hmmmm), Chemerinsky said it no longer matters whether they existed or not.

Once the court decides, he said, you cant challenge the case.

It will come as no surprise that the Alliance Defending Freedom also represented the Colorado baker who won a limited Supreme Court victory in 2018 after he refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. Later  and I tell you this to demonstrate that fears about the repercussions of Supreme Court-sanctioned discrimination are not far-fetched  the same baker, Jack Phillips, found himself back in court after refusing to make a cake celebrating a gender transition.

What he can and can't refuse to do remains contentious: The state appeals court found that Phillips violated Colorados antidiscrimination law.

How so? Because the customer, Autumn Scardina, had simply ordered a pink cake with blue frosting. That design, said the court, had no message or imagery that could be construed as violating the bakers rights.

Of course, the ADF has appealed the ruling to the Colorado Supreme Court.

Read more: Guerrero: The Supreme Court is waging war on young people

But back to the 303 Creative decision.

In this case, the Supreme Court said, essentially, "Why, yes, of course, Ms. Smith, if same-sex marriage goes against your beliefs, then by all means you may refuse service." The courts opinion did not turn on the fact that her beliefs arise from her religion (although they do), but that her freedom of expression  her 1st Amendment rights  would be violated if Colorado forced her to create websites for same-sex couples, or fined her for not doing so.

Making a wedding website may indeed involve the maker's creative expression. But what else falls into that category?

In the wedding context, said Chemerinsky, it could be designing a cake, floral arrangements, stationery. In other contexts, it could be a cabinet maker  all of it is open.

There really is no stopping point.

Doubtless, determining what qualifies as expressive activity protected by the First Amendment can sometimes raise difficult questions, opined Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, who may not be able to define expressive activity, but will undoubtedly know it when he sees it.

The ACLU, staunch defender of the 1st Amendment, said the court got it all wrong. The case was not about free expression but about



discrimination.

Read more: Opinion: Angry about the Supreme Court? Blame Congress

Properly framed, ACLU attorneys wrote in a friend-of-the-court brief, the question presented is whether an artist who has chosen to open a business to the public at large, can constitutionally be prohibited  from discriminating against customers on the basis of a protected characteristic. In Colorados antidiscrimination law, those characteristics include race, color, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity, among others.

It is too soon to see exactly what ripple effects this unfortunate decision will have. But you can be sure it will be construed in many corners as a license to discriminate based purely on personal beliefs.

As Colorado Atty. Gen. Phil Weiser put it after the decision came down, A business may think that it can refuse to serve interracial couples because it believes interracial marriage is wrong. A payroll company may  refuse service to women-owned businesses because the business owner believes women should not work outside the home. A bookseller of religious texts may believe it can refuse to sell books to a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints because he doesnt believe it to be a legitimate religion.

Thanks to the Supreme Court, the possibilities for discriminating against those who have traditionally been protected by civil rights laws are endless.

Heckuva job, justices.

@robinkabcarian





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.
Abortion providers and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging Iowas just-passed bill that would ban most abortions after roughly six weeks of pregnancy.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, the Emma Goldman Clinic and the ACLU of Iowa filed the challenge in district court less than 12 hours after the bill passed.

Without court intervention, the bill will take effect immediately when Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signs it Friday.

The state legislature passed the ban late Tuesday night after an all-day special session. The bill would ban all abortions after an ultrasound is able to detect fetal cardiac activity, which is usually around six weeks gestation  before many people even know they are pregnant.

The bill has limited exceptions for the life and health of the pregnant person as well as exceptions for certain survivors of rape and incest, so long as the cases are reported to law enforcement authorities. It also has exceptions for fetal abnormalities that are incompatible with life.

By banning the vast majority of abortions, the lawsuit claims the bill violates Iowans constitutional rights to abortion and substantive due process.

The lawsuit also alleges the ban violates their rights to equal protection under the state Constitution by singling out abortion from other medical procedures, and discriminating against women based on their sex.

The lawsuit asks the court for a temporary injunction blocking the policy from taking effect before hearing arguments about its constitutionality.

If this abortion ban goes into effect, it will place an unacceptable burden on patients ability to access essential abortion care, especially those who already face systemic inequities. Hundreds of Iowans will be impacted in mere weeks, Ruth Richardson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said in a statement. We refuse to stand idly by and will fight every step of the way to block this abortion ban and restore Iowans rights.

Last month, the state Supreme Court deadlocked 3-3 on whether to overturn a lower courts injunction against a similar 2018 version of the law, leaving the status quo in place and returning the issue to the legislature.

Reynolds said she intends to sign the bill into law Friday at the Family Leadership Summit, where former Fox News host Tucker Carlson is set to interview several 2024 GOP candidates including Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.), Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Top Tennessee orthopedic surgeon Benjamin Mauck was shot to death Tuesday in a targeted attack by an irate patient, police said.

Larry Pickens, 29, allegedly waited for "several hours" before executing 43-year-old Mauck inside an exam room at Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics in Collierville, a town roughly 30 miles east of Memphis, authorities told reporters Tuesday at a news conference.

"This appears to be a one-on-one interaction," said Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane, adding that the gunman did not attack the many patients and employees who were present.

After firing, the shooter ran outside the clinic and was arrested five minutes later. He had a gun, but he was not holding it, Lane said.

RANDY TRAVIS STAGEHAND SHOT DEAD BY JEALOUS WIFE: POLICE

"Its bad. Its horrific. Its terrible," the police chief told reporters. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Police released the suspect's name and booking photo Wednesday.

Pickens is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault. Bond was set at $1.2 million, and he's scheduled to be arraigned in Collierville Town Court on Thursday.

FLORIDA MAN BEAT CHEATING WIFE'S LOVER WITH BAT AFTER CATCHING THEM IN BED: POLICE

The Collierville Police Department added that it had no prior contacts with Pickens but is checking on whether he has a criminal history with other agencies.

Police did not disclose a possible motive for the slaying, but Tennessee Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, said Tuesday the shooter had threatened a clinic employee over the course of the prior week.

Mauck, who graduated from the University of Tennessee-Memphis Medical School, specialized in elbow, hand and wrist surgery, according to his biography on Campbell Clinic's website.

He has more than 700 patient reviews with a rating of 4.9 out of 5. "Awesome doctor!" one patient wrote. "He performed surgery on my left thumb. Thanks to him I'm sitting here with my left thumb."

ELIZA FLETCHER DEATH: MEMPHIS KIDNAPPING SUSPECT CLEOTHA ABSTON HELD WITHOUT BOND

Mauck is survived by his wife, Rhiannon, and two young children. In a statement, the clinic said it would close all nine of its locations Wednesday.

"We are shocked and heartbroken," the statement says. "We ask that you please lift his family in prayer."

The killing comes two weeks after Memphis Magazine published a feature on Mauck, saying he was named one of the 2023 Top Doctors in Memphis by the Castle Connolly medical group.

In addition to his work at Campbell, Mauck headed the congenital hand clinic at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, according to the article.

Mauck told the magazine he knew he wanted to be an orthopedic specialist since he was a teenager.

"The hand is how we interact with the outside world, and when your hand is involved, it affects almost every single thing you do," he said.
Adrienne Alexander wants to help young children better understand good and bad touch. To help little ones learn the essentials of boundary setting, the author wrote a new safe touch childrens book called, Dont Touch My No No Parts!

Alexanders new book is accompanied by individual and group safe touch affirmations and an original animated jingle, Dont Touch My No-No Parts! The book, affirmations, and jingle, use kid-friendly language and illustrations to help parents begin the conversation surrounding potential abuse. They will also guide children to recognize and better understand abuse if it happens.

This moment is surreal to me, but at the same time. I know its bigger than me. Stories like the one in my hometown of MD, where more than 150 priests and others associated with the Archdiocese of Baltimore were accused of sexually abusing more than 600 children. Or the situation with the Dali Lama, I want to be the voice for children I didnt have when sexual abuse happened to me, Alexander explained.

Freedom from Sexual Assault

In March 2023, President Biden said in a statement, Freedom from sexual assault is a basic human right. Yet, tens of millions of Americans, our family and friends, colleagues, neighbors, and classmates, carry the trauma of sexual assault with them.

Research shows that children who disclose their abuse within one month are at a reduced risk for depression. Furthermore, if children can talk about their abuse, they are less likely to experience depression. Alexander says she created the book from a male and female because boys and girls are equally at risk of sexual abuse.

Dont Touch My No No Parts! is available on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

The post Adrienne Alexander Releases New Safe Touch Childrens Book appeared first on 21Ninety.
Ads on buses at the NATO summit are shaming delegates for not giving F-16s to Ukraine

Ads on buses at the NATO summit are shaming delegates for not giving F-16s to Ukraine

A Lithuanian soldier stands next to a public bus with an ad on it urging the arming of Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets on the first day of the 2023 NATO Summit on July 11, 2023 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Buses in Vilnius have been emblazoned with slogans encouraging NATO to back Ukraine more.

The Lithuanian capital is hosting the NATO conference.

NATO members have hesitated in providing Ukraine with all the weapons its requested.

Buses in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius have been emblazoned with slogans encouraging NATO delegates gathered there to increase support for Ukraine.

Buses carrying delegates to and from the conference venue showed the slogan "while you are waiting for this bus, Ukraine is waiting to become a NATO member," reported CNN, in a reference to NATO members hesitating in admitting Ukraine to the alliance.

Other pictures showed buses with the message "while you were waiting for this bus, Ukraine is waiting for F-16s," referring to the US fighter jets Ukraine has long requested.

NATO member states have committed to training Ukrainian pilots with the jets, but have not committed to providing any actual planes.

The long lead-time involved in transferring any planes mean that it would be many months before Ukraine could use the jets, even if they were approved immediately.

In the meantime, Ukraine is feeling the lack of modern aircraft against Russia, which has a far superior air force.

NATO members have sought to project an image of unity and defiance at the summit in response to Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

But Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised the 31-member alliance for not producing a clear timetable for his country becoming a member, and in June criticised allies for delayed F-16 training schedules, reported Ukraine's Pravda.

Ukraine has launched a counteroffensive aimed at driving back Russian forces in south and east Ukraine that has so far made modest gains.

Lithuania was part of the Soviet Union and gained independence around the same time it collapsed.

A NATO and EU member, it has long warned about the threat posed by Russian aggression in eastern Europe and has provided Ukraine with weapons and funds to battle Russia.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A gender and LGBTQ rights advocacy group has filed a lawsuit challenging Idahos abortion travel ban on the basis that the law is overly vague and unconstitutional, becoming the first organization to file such a legal challenge.

The progressive group Legal Voice filed its lawsuit against Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador (R), arguing the abortion travel ban harms Idahoans reproductive health and their options for reproductive health care.

Signed into law in April, the ban prohibits what is referred to as abortion trafficking, which it defines as an adult procuring an abortion for a minor who is not their child, whether its by providing abortifacient drugs or transporting them to obtain an abortion.

Those who are found guilty of violating this law face between two and five years in prison. The Idaho state government enacted some of the strictest restrictions on abortion after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, banning abortions at all stages of pregnancy apart from some exceptions for rape, incest and cases where the mothers life is threatened.

In its suit, Legal Voice blasted the law as draconian and infringing on multiple rights.

The statute is unconstitutional. It is poorly written. It is vague and unclear in the conduct it

prohibits, the suit stated.

It infringes on First Amendment rights to speak about abortion and to associate and to engage in expressive conduct, including providing monies and transportation (and other support) for pregnant minors traveling within and outside of Idaho to access out-of-state legal abortion care, it continued.

Republican lawmakers in Idaho have characterized the bill as a parental rights bill and not a ban on interstate travel. Regardless of how the bill is worded, the plaintiffs argue that the net outcome is still an interstate travel ban in effect and was the intent of the those who supported the legislation.

This right to travel is not only a right to travel interstate but a recognized right to travel intrastate, sometime referred to as the right to movement, the suit stated, further citing previous rulings that had found the Constitution protects the right of a citizen of one State to enter and to leave another State.

The organization further argued that a ban on interstate travel to seek care is particularly harmful due to Idahos physician shortage. Data from the state government suggests that Idahos number of physicians per capita is significantly lower than the national average.

In Idaho, minors must obtain the permission of their parents before obtaining an abortion, and Legal Voice argued not all minors have a strong, trusting, or stable relationship with a parent or guardian.

The plaintiffs are asking that the abortion travel ban be declared a violation of the First Amendment, an infringement on the right to interstate travel and that Labrador be blocked from enforcing the law.

Labradors office did not immediately respond when asked for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A refugee evacuated from Afghanistan says he now regrets leaving after living in a hotel for almost two years.

Sami, whose name we have changed, and his family were among thousands evacuated to the UK after the Taliban seized control of the country in 2021.

The refugees were promised support by then Prime Minister Boris Johnson as part of Operation Warm Welcome.

But thousands of evacuees who are still in hotels have now been sent eviction notices by the Home Office.

Sami was invited on to an evacuation flight because he could have faced reprisals for involvement in the UK's mission in Afghanistan.

He has since found a job, but said finding a new home had proved difficult due to landlords being reluctant to take on a tenant who is a refugee.

Sami said: "When we arrived at this hotel, we were told we'd be here for one to three weeks. My wife said three weeks would be boring.

"Now we've been here for two years. The British government helped us, but we didn't think we'd stay for two years in hotels.

"In two years, we haven't received a single offer of accommodation. In two years, why wasn't it possible to create accommodation with all the money they've spent?

"I regret leaving. If I'd known we'd spend two years in a hotel, we wouldn't have left."

'We don't have a home'

Sami, who is living in one of the four hotels in the East Midlands used to accommodate Afghan evacuees, said not having a permanent home had been tough for him, his wife and their young child.

He added: "We can't cook. We don't have a home. My wife is very tired. It's very difficult."

He is happy the hotels are closing [to them] next month, but worried his family will have nowhere to go, as they have already applied to rent homes in several towns and cities without success.

Another Afghan evacuee said he had telephoned a number of landlords, but many of them end the call when he mentions the Home Office. One letting agent told him the Home Office process takes too long, so she would prefer to rent to other applicants.

Ali, whose name we have also changed to protect his family in Afghanistan, is a former British Army interpreter who is now in Derby with his wife and three children.

He said: "I am now in a house. It's going well. Everything is good. I've been in a house for one year."

However, even though Ali is settled, he said he was "still struggling", because he is relying on unpredictable agency work. He is now trying to pass his driving test, so he can work as an Uber or delivery driver.

Local Authorities in the East Midlands have resettled 570 Afghans, but are still trying to find permanent accommodation for 321 Afghan refugees.

East Midlands Councils' executive director, Stuart Young, said housing every family by the end of August would be "very challenging" because suitable properties are in short supply, and they may need to consider "consolidating" bridging accommodation into one or two hotels.

He added: "The main thing is to make sure these Afghan people are not homeless because that's distressing for them obviously, but it will also lead to increased costs and pressure for local authorities because they have a statutory responsibility to stop homelessness."

'We owe them a huge debt'

During the announcement of Operation Warm Welcome in 2021, Boris Johnson said: "We will never forget the brave sacrifice made by Afghans who chose to work with us, at great risk to themselves.

"We owe them and their families a huge debt."

Veterans' Affairs Minister, Johnny Mercer, then said in March this year about 9,000 Afghans had been helped to find settled housing, but 8,000 were still living in bridging hotels and about half of those were children.

He announced 35m in extra funding to help local authorities move Afghan families from bridging hotels into permanent homes.

However those who remain in the hotels have now received eviction notices from the Home Office.

In a statement the Home Office said it was not in refugees' "best interests to be living in hotel accommodation for months or years on end", and it was now speeding up their resettlement into long-term homes.

It has also promised that local councils will help those affected with initial rent, furniture costs and deposits, and can support households who do not have a guarantor.

But some still living in hotels have rejected offers of rental accommodation, sometimes because they were too far away from their families or jobs.

Mr Mercer has told Parliament the refusal of homes cannot continue.

He said: "Where an offer of accommodation can be made and is turned down, another will now not be forthcoming. At a time when there are many pressures on the taxpayer and the housing market, it is not right that people can choose to stay in hotels when other perfectly suitable accommodation is available.

"We remain unbowed in our commitment to those who supported us at great personal risk in Afghanistan. The debt we owe them is one borne by our nation as a whole.

"There are veterans across this country enjoying normal lives today because of the service and sacrifice of that cohort who kept them safe in Afghanistan. It is a national duty that we have in communities up and down this country."

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell says her office launching a big effort to get so-called ghost guns off local streets.

She says law enforcement is encountering untraceable weapons more often in their investigations.

In recent years, the office as well as the Mass State Police have seen an increase in the purchase the possession of these guns and there are numerous investigations, were currently undertaking with respect to ghost guns, Campbell says.

Boston 25 News anchor and investigative reporter Kerry Kavanaugh was invited to a roundtable discussion about the growing concern with Campbell and members of her team. They laid out several weapons they seized in various cases as well as equipment to make them.

Campbell and her investigators say even with Massachusetts tough gun laws are seeing a tidal wave of ghost guns, something they only started seeing locally in 2019.

Ghost guns are made at home. They dont have serial numbers and cant be tracked, and Massachusetts gun law language doesnt address some of the new concerns making it tough to hold some offenders accountable. Theyre bought and sold without background checks.

AG Campbell says her team is working with state lawmakers to update legislation to specifically address ghost guns. Right now, someone can only be charged with unlawful possession of a gun if it is fully functioning and can fire ammunition. Campbell wants to expand the statute to, in part, account for gun pieces and gun-making kits and require serial numbers. It is legal in Massachusetts to build a gun, but you must be licensed to possess it once its completed.

Giving us the tools that we need to actually be able to hold folks civilly and criminally liable for the possession, trafficking, manufacturing of ghost guns, Campbell said. To change law and policy and allow us greater tools to take these guns off the street.

AG Campbell says her office is also putting together a gun violence prevention unit which she believes will be funded in the new state budget once its finalized.

Boston 25 News has told you about a massive gun reform bill thats making its way through the State House right now that does include some of these ghost gun provisions.

The bill already receiving pushback from gun owner groups who says its complicating already complicated laws.

AG Campbell says discussions are ongoing with state lawmakers.

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
It may be hard to visualize an otter stealing a board from a surfer  until you see it on video.

A surfer in Santa Cruz was the latest victim of an aggressive otter who jumped on the back of his board and damaged it. But to make things even stranger, the Santa Cruz Police department said this was not an isolated incident.

"An aggressive sea otter in the area is biting, scratching and climbing on surfboards," the police wrote on Facebook on Tuesday. "There have been four incidents of otter interactions with surfers in Santa Cruz."

They said the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, or CDFW, is working to capture and relocate the otter.

In a statement to CBS News, a representative for the the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said the otter in question is a 5-year-old female "exhibiting concerning and unusual behaviors" including "approaching surfers and kayakers recreating in the area."

"Due to the increasing public safety risk, a team from CDFW and the Monterey Bay Aquarium trained in the capture and handling of sea otters has been deployed to attempt to capture and rehome her," the statement reads.

The department said once the sea otter is captured, it will be examined at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and officials will look for a long-term home for her. "While this otter's behavior is highly unusual and the exact cause for this sea otter's behavior is unknown, aggressive behavior in female southern sea otters may be associated with hormonal surges or due to being fed by humans," the department said.

A sea otter showed similar behavior in September 2022 and the aquarium successfully "hazed" her, or deterred her from the area.

Police said no injuries have been reported, but they are advising kayakers, surfers and others not to approach otters.

Native Santa Cruz, an Instagram account that shares photos and videos from locals in the California county, shared the video on Tuesday.

The surfer in the video posted a photo of his damaged board after the incident. "Had an interesting weekend," he wrote on Instagram.

Photos from the beach where the otter stole the surfboard show signs warning people of an "aggressive sea otter" in the area, advising them to "enter the water at your own risk."

The signs, posted by California officials, also advise people to stay away from marine life and to report any interactions to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Democrats fear No Labels candidate could pull support from Biden

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AI's kryptonite might just be... AI.

In a fascinating new paper, scientists at Rice and Stanford University found that feeding AI-generated content to AI models seems to cause their output quality to erode. Train generative AI models  large language models and image generators both included  enough AI-spun stuff, it seems, and this ouroboros-like self-consumption will break the model's digital brain.

Or, according to these scientists, it will drive the model "MAD."

"Seismic advances in generative AI algorithms for imagery, text, and other data types has led to the temptation to use synthetic data to train next-generation models," the researchers write. "Repeating this process creates an autophagous ('self-consuming') loop whose properties are poorly understood."

"Our primary conclusion across all scenarios is that without enough fresh real data in each generation of an autophagous loop, future generative models are doomed to have their quality (precision) or diversity (recall) progressively decrease," they added. "We term this condition Model Autophagy Disorder (MAD)."

In other words, without "fresh real data"  translation: original human work, as opposed to stuff spit out by AI  to feed the beast, we can expect its outputs to suffer drastically. When trained repeatedly on synthetic content, say the researchers, outlying, less-represented information at the outskirts of a model's training data will start to disappear. The model will then start pulling from increasingly converging and less-varied data, and as a result, it'll soon start to crumble into itself.

The term MAD, as coined by the researchers, represents this self-swallowing process.

Take the results with a grain of salt, as the paper is yet to be peer-reviewed. But even so, the results are compelling. As detailed in the paper, the AI model tested only made it through five rounds of training with synthetic content before cracks in the outputs began to show.

https://twitter.com/tomgoldsteincs/status/1677439914886176768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1677439914886176768%7Ctwgr%5E8f715c93e869a18d5b4a3056544ff087ce7c95a5%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tomshardware.com%2Fnews%2Fgenerative-ai-goes-mad-when-trained-on-artificial-data-over-five-times

And if it is the case that AI does, in fact, break AI, there are real-world implications.

As the many active lawsuits against OpenAI make very clear, AI models have widely been trained by scraping troves of existing online data. It's also been generally true that the more data you feed a model, the better that model gets. As such, AI builders are always hungry for more training material  and in an age of an increasingly AI-filled web, that data scraping will get more and more precarious. And meanwhile, AI is being used by the masses and by major companies like Google to generate content, while the folks at Google and Microsoft have embedded AI into their search services as well.

That's the long way of saying that AI is already deeply intertwined with our internet's infrastructure. It's creating content, attempting to parse through content, and it's swallowing content, too. And the more synthetic content there is on the internet, the harder it will likely be for AI companies to ensure that their training datasets steer clear of it  potentially leaving the quality and structure of the open web hanging in the balance.

"Since the training datasets for generative AI models tend to be sourced from the Internet, today's AI models are unwittingly being trained on increasing amounts of AI-synthesized data," the researchers write in the paper, adding that the "popular LAION-5B dataset, which is used to train state-of-the-art text-to-image models like Stable Diffusion, contains synthetic images sampled from several earlier generations of generative models."

"Formerly human sources of text are now increasingly created by generative AI models, from user reviews to news websites, often with no indication that the text is synthesized," they add. "As the use of generative models continues to grow rapidly, this situation will only accelerate."

Concerning indeed, although fortunately, as Francisco Pires points out for Tom's Hardware, there could be ways to somewhat curb this future, where the whole internet world goes MAD alongside AI models, particularly in regard to adjusting model weights.

The results of the paper also raise the question of how useful these systems really are without human input. From the results shown here, the answer seems to be not very useful at all. And in a way, that feels a bit hopeful. See, machines can't replace us entirely  their brains will melt!

But then again, that might not be so hopeful after all. When AI takes over the world, maybe it won't kill humans; perhaps it'll just corral us into content farms, where we'll all be forced to write listicles about the "Star Wars" franchise and sacrifice our family recipes to Botatouille to keep the models running without collapsing.

More on AI training: OpenAI Sued for Using Everybody's Writing to Train AI
Ukrainian forces shot down 11 of the 15 drones Russia launched overnight on July 12, Ukraine's Air Force reported.

Russian forces reportedly launched Iranian-made Shahed 131 and 136 drones on Ukraine from the northeast near Kursk.

Air Defense reportedly used anti-aircraft missile units, fighter aircraft, and mobile fire to repel the attack.

Meanwhile, the Air Force reportedly struck Russian positions, including a concentration of troops and military equipment, almost 30 times over the past day.

New York Times: Biden weighs sending Ukraine ATACMS missiles Officials from the U.S. and Europe say the Biden administration is debating whether to arm Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles, the New York Times reports. The Kyiv IndependentAbbey Fenbert

The day before, as NATO's 2023 Vilnius Summit and discussions of Ukraine's potential membership in the Alliance began in Lithuania, Russia launched 28 Iranian-made Shahed 131 and 136 drones from the southeast on the night of July 11. Ukrainian forces shot down 26 of the 28 drones.

According to the ISW's assessment, the display of agggression was calculated to coincide with the commencement of the NATO summit and to jeopardize the Black Sea grain initiative.

Russian officials have expressed their displeasure over the NATO summit, at which members have rallied to consolidate military support for Ukraine. Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov complained of the summit's "pronounced, concentrated anti-Russian character."
An airline passenger climbed out of an emergency exit, jumped off the wing, and hid for 45 minutes in a truck when he found out he was going to be arrested

A Sun Country Airlines Boeing 737. Tupungato/Shutterstock

A 44-year-old man wanted by police escaped out of a plane's emergency exit, CBS Minnesota reported.

Police had been waiting by the gate to arrest the man as other passengers deplaned.

He jumped off the wing and fled across the tarmac before being discovered hiding 45 minutes later.

A passenger onboard a Sun Country Airlines flight climbed out of an emergency exit to try to avoid being arrested, CBS Minnesota first reported.

The Boeing 737 from Orlando, Florida landed at Minneapolis-St Paul Airport around 11 p.m. on Sunday, per FlightAware.

Airport police were waiting at the gate to arrest a 44-year old man wanted for violating a restraining order, who also had an active felony drug warrant, an airport spokesperson told Insider.

Then when the other passengers were deplaning, the suspect opened an emergency exit and stepped out onto the wing before jumping off.

He was then seen running across the tarmac towards the terminal. Police couldn't find him for around 45 minutes, CBS reported.

The airport police searched for the suspect with help from the state patrol, Bloomington Police, and Metro Transit Police, the spokesperson told Insider.

The man was then discovered hiding inside a truck used for airline catering, and placed under arrest.

"The 44-year-old suspect from New Brighton, MN was taken into custody for trespassing and violation of a restraining order," the airport spokesperson said. "The suspect search did not impact airport operations."

"We take these incidents very seriously, and the crew called airport police who responded quickly. Fortunately, passengers and crew are fine," Sun Country Airlines said in a statement shared with other outlets.

Sun Country Airlines did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, sent outside US working hours.

Simple Flying reports the incident was included in the Federal Aviation Administration's unruly passenger rate.

With 983 instances of unruly passengers so far this year, the frequency is already nearing the number of incidents in 2020  but is still on track to be lower than the 2,455 seen last year.

Read the original article on Insider
An intense search for a suspect was underway in Birmingham, Alabama, after two firefighters were gunned down Wednesday in what authorities suspect was a targeted attack.

The violence unfolded at Station 9 in Birminghams Norwood community before 8:30 a.m. CT, around the same time firefighters started their shifts for the day, AL.com reported. They were doing routine maintenance when the shooter entered the fire station through the bay door, which is typically left open in case residents need help or some type of assistance, according to Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond.

Three firefighters were at the station at the time, including two who were struck in the gunfire. They suffered wounds to their chest and legs and both remained hospitalized at UAB Hospital in serious condition, according to Birmingham Fire Chief Cory Moon.

Neither of the first responders wounded in the shooting, both of them male, were identified.

At least one of the victims required surgery, Thurmond added.

A preliminary investigation into the bloodshed suggests the attack was targeted.

We dont know why it would be a targeted attack, thats one of the things were trying to determine, Thurmond said. Its extremely unusual for someone to come target one of our fire stations and so were trying to see why would someone want to target one of these fire stations in Birmingham.

He added: Firefighters are there to protect and aid and rescue our citizens and to see them critically injured is troubling, disheartening.

Police are currently searching for a suspect in a silver car, the police chief said.

So far, no arrests have been made, but Thurmond does not believe there to be a danger to the community at this time. He asked those with any information about the shooting to call detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

I think there could be some individuals that could have some information on this, so we would encourage them to call us, he said.
Convicted South Carolina killer Alex Murdaugh chatted awkwardly with his son in their first publicly released prison call, according to audio obtained by FitsNews.

"Hey, buddy," Murdaugh said from the McCormick Correctional Institution, where he is serving two life terms for fatally shooting his wife, Maggie, 52, and his son, Paul, 22.

"Hey, I dont have a whole of time, I just boarded a ferry to go back to Hilton Head Island from Daufuskie (Island)," Murdaugh's son, Buster, replied.

"Yeah, I know, I  I been trying to call  I was supposed to call you while you were with Jim, um, about this meeting," said Murdaugh, 55, likely referring to his defense attorney, Jim Griffin. "But anyway. How about text him and let him know Im trying to call him?"

ALEX MURDAUGH: TIMELINE OF ONCE-POWERFUL SOUTH CAROLINA LAWYER'S SPECTACULAR DOWNFALL

"Mm-kay," Buster told his father on the call, which connected May 16 at 5:38 p.m.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Did he talk to you about that  about the thing (line crackles) that I told him?" asked Murdaugh.

ALEX MURDAUGH CONVICTED OF MURDER IN FATAL SHOOTING OF WIFE AND SON

"No, I cant really understand you, either," Buster said.

"Alright, alright  Im gone, um, Im going to leave word with Jim, and hell be in touch with you," Murdaugh said.

At the end of the 42-second conversation, Murdaugh told Buster, "Love you."

After an awkward pause, Buster responded, "Alright, love you, too."

"Proud of you," Murdaugh added.

"Thanks," Buster said, quickly hanging up.

ALEX MURDAUGH PRISON LOVE LETTERS: ADMIRER SAYS SHE'S JESSICA BIEL LOOK-ALIKE

The pair may have spoken before the May 16 call after Murdaugh was convicted in March of the double murder, but it was the first time the disbarred attorney called his son directly, according to records obtained by the local news outlet.

Murdaugh has insisted he is innocent and is appealing the verdict. The call was obtained through South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act.

Buster Murdaugh sips from a bottle of water as he leaves Colleton County courthouse in Walterboro, South Carolina, on March 1, 2023. Murdaugh's father, Alex Murdaugh, was found guilty in the double slaying of his son Paul and wife Maggie.

Sources told FitsNews that the call occurred around the time Buster was filming an interview for FOX Nation's upcoming documentary on the Murdaugh family.

"The Fall of the House of Murdaugh" will feature Martha MacCallums exclusive sit down with Buster and will air Sept. 12.

Filming for the three-part series took place on Daufuskie Island, suggesting that Buster may have been returning from the shoot at the time he received the call from his father, the local news outlet reported.

Buster has stood by his father since the murders, attending every day of the Colleton County trial and testifying for the defense.

He told jurors his dad was "destroyed, heartbroken" after finding the dead bodies of his wife and son on the family's hunting estate in Moselle.

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Actor Rob McElhenney revealed Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with several neurodevelopmental disorders and learning disabilities, saying he was sharing the news so that others in similar situations would feel less alone.

I was recently diagnosed with a host of neurodevelopmental disorders and learning disabilities! At 46! the Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia performer tweeted Tuesday.

McElhenney said that he will explain his full diagnosis and prognosis an upcoming episode of The Always Sunny Podcast, which he hosts alongside costars Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton.

Its not something I would normally talk about publicly but I figured there are others who struggle with similar things and I wanted to remind you that youre not alone, he added. Youre not stupid. Youre not bad. It might feel that way sometimes. But its not true.

McElhenneys post was largely met with a positive response, with Twitter users thanking him for sharing his diagnosis publicly.

According to research published in the Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience journal, neurodevelopmental disorders are conditions that come on during the developmental stages of childhood, and can include intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, learning disabilities can impact someones ability to pay attention and understand language and mathematical equations.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Congress consideration of the defense budget now includes a debate on whether the United States should be a member of NATO, which it helped found after World War II to protect Europe from Russian aggression.

The Senate and House will consider amendments on their own versions of the National Defense Authorization Act that could force the countrys withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or lock it in indefinitely, barring an act of Congress.

During his administration, former president Donald Trump reportedly discussed withdrawing from the organization. On Tuesday, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, an influential member of House leadership, introduced an amendment to the House bill that would direct the president to withdraw from the international military alliance. And on Wednesday, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) reintroduced legislation to prohibit any U.S. president from withdrawing from NATO without Senate approval or an Act of Congress.

Norfolk is home to the only NATO headquarters on U.S. soil, and the outcome could have a significant effect on Hampton Roads. While NATOs presence in Norfolk dates to 1952, the Allied Command Transformation was established June 19, 2003, following a restructuring in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. For the past two decades, the Norfolk-based alliance has led NATOs development of new warfighting capabilities through scientific research, experimentation and technological development.

Kaine said there has been some ambiguity surrounding the countrys partnership with NATO, referencing a statement made by a cabinet secretary to President Donald Trump.

Cabinet Secretary (Mark) Esper indicated that it was President Trumps desire to exit NATO if he were to have a second term as president. Its very important that we send a message to NATO allies and those who rely upon NATO support, that no matter how the 2024 presidential election comes out, no president of either party at any time can withdraw from NATO without congressional authorization, Kaine said Wednesday.

But in outlining her reasoning for an amendment to the Houses version of the defense spending bill, Greene said NATO is not a reliable partner whose defense spending should be paid for by American citizens.

The House will consider Greenes amendment, along with approximately 1,000 others, this week. Both of the Republican House members who represent parts of Hampton Roads, Rob Wittman and Jen Kiggans, indicated Wednesday that they support a continued partnership with NATO.

Rep. Wittman has always been a strong supporter of NATO, which plays a vital role in promoting democratic values around the globe. This alliance is more relevant than ever as Europe unites to counter Russias senseless war of aggression in Ukraine. Virginia is proud to be NATOs home in North America with its presence in Norfolk, and the United States is safer because of our role as a leader in NATO, said Julianne Heberlein, communications director for Wittman.

Congresswoman Kiggans is a staunch supporter of the NATO Alliance and its positive impact on global security. She will continue to be a loud voice for strong national security and a unified global defense in Congress, said Reilly Richardson, press secretary for Kiggans.

In a statement to The Virginian-Pilot on Wednesday, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) called Greenes amendment ludicrous and completely disconnect from reality.

NATO stands for democracy, peace, and strategic coordination with our closest allies around the globe  crucial work that actually happens in large part at the NATO Allied Command Transformation in Hampton Roads. Particularly now, amid heightened Russian aggression and an increasingly antagonistic China, we need to bring our allies closer, not push them away, Warner said in an emailed statement.

Meanwhile, Kaines version of the amendment would require the president to seek the advice and consent of the Senate before suspending or withdrawing U.S. membership from NATO.

The amendment circulating the senate has received bipartisan support and was co-sponsored by Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. Kaines bill was first introduced last year, passing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with a 20 to 1 vote.

But I could never maneuver it for action on the Senate floor. But because the vote was so bipartisan, I wanted to do it again this year as a way of sending a strong message that Congress is very much supportive of U.S. NATO leadership and the incredible work NATO has been doing, particularly in the war in Ukraine, Kaine said.

The Senate will consider the amendment next week.

Caitlyn Burchett, caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com
American Airlines canceled a teenager's 'skiplagging' ticket after realizing he wasn't planning to board the connecting flight to New York: report

A teen skipped his connecting flight and his ticket was said to have been canceled by American Airlines. Tang Ming Tung/Getty Images; Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio/Getty Images

American Airlines canceled the ticket of a teen who wasn't planning to fly to his final destination.

He planned to disembark at his layover in Charlotte, North Carolina, instead of New York City.

American said skiplagging is a violation of its terms and conditions. Here's why airlines hate it.

American Airlines canceled a teenager's ticket after realizing he wasn't planning to board his connecting flight to New York City, so his family had to purchase a direct ticket to Charlotte, North Carolina, instead.

The teenager was scheduled to fly from Gainesville, Florida, to New York City, but he planned to disembark during the layover in Charlotte, according to the local television station Queen City News.

His father, Hunter Parsons, told the outlet that he booked the ticket using Skiplagged, a website that shows flights with layovers that are less expensive than direct routes.

"We've used Skiplagged almost exclusively for the last five to eight years," Parsons told Queen City News, adding that it was the first time his son traveled alone on a plane.

But Parsons said the gate agent in Florida was doubtful of his son's final destination after seeing his North Carolina driver's license. The agent suspected the teenager wouldn't continue flying to New York City, per the report.

"They kind of got out of him that he was planning to disboard in Charlotte and not going to make the connecting flight," Parsons said in the report, adding that his son was taken to a security room to be questioned.

An airline representative then canceled the teenager's ticket, per Queen City News. His family then bought him a new direct ticket to Charlotte.

The family said they weren't aware that skiplagging  the controversial practice of booking a flight with a layover and skipping the second leg  was prohibited by American Airlines and many other airlines. Skiplagging is a strategy that helps passengers save money on tickets, but this often results in lost revenue for airlines.

"Purchasing a ticket without intending to fly all flights to gain lower fares (hidden city ticketing) is a violation of American Airlines terms and conditions and is outlined in our Conditions of Carriage online," the airline told Queen City News in a statement, adding that it was in contact with Parsons.

Parsons said in the report that he was concerned about his son being detained and questioned by gate agents in Florida.

"Our records indicate the customer was questioned only at the ticket counter about their travel while attempting to check-in for their flight," a representative for American Airlines told Insider in a statement. "A member of our Customer Relations team has been in touch with them to address their concerns."

Parsons told Queen City News that his son shouldn't have been detained because he was a minor and that gate agents should have given him "a stern warning, 'hey this is frowned upon, if you do it again, there would be consequences, financial penalties."

In January 2021, American Airlines announced in a memo that it would begin cracking down on skiplagging  and in recent years, it hasn't hesitated to punish passengers caught skipping their final destinations.

In August 2020, a passenger said they were charged $2,500 for skiplagging 52 times on American Airlines flights. Four months prior, another passenger said he was kicked out of the airline's frequent-flyer program for skiplagging on 95 flights.

Parsons did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Editor's note: This story was updated at 12:40 p.m. with a statement from American Airlines.

Taylor Rains contributed reporting to this story.

Read the original article on Insider
Iam Tongi, the beloved Hawaiian high schooler who was dubbed winner of the 21st season of American Idol, is apologizing for wearing a hat during a recent performance of the National Anthem.

The 18-year-old from Kahuku, Hawaii, took to Seattle Mariner's T-Mobile Field to belt out the American tune on July 11 for the MLB's 2023 All-Star Home Run Derby.

However, as the crowd rose to their feet and players removed their caps to pay their respects to the United States during the song, Tongi neglected to follow suit.

"Tens of thousands of people. I walk out and my uncle reminds me to remove my hat before I start singing. I remember. A few seconds later the nerves took in and didnt remember until it was all done," he wrote on Twitter.

Tens of thousands of people. I walk out and my uncle reminds me to remove my hat before I start singing. I remember. A few seconds later the nerves took in and didnt remember until it was all done. I will try to do better next time  pic.twitter.com/CUbwQXU0js  Iam Tongi (@wtongi) July 11, 2023

Accompanied by a video of his voice soaring for the massive crowd, Tongi pledged to "try to do better next time."

On Instagram, the teen shared a video with a behind-the-scenes look at the people filling Seattle's historic stadium, as well as a close-up of the field.

"First time singing the National Anthem and it was nerve wrecking that the nerves took over and I forgot to take my cap off. So sorry guys. Biggest crowd yet!" he wrote, accompanied by the hashtags #yessah and #unitedstatesofamerica.

Social media users encouraged Tongi in response to his apology and video, impressed with the patriotic performance despite the hat mishap.

"Brah your performance was absolutely patriotic and inspiring. Your voice resonated with so much passion and talent," one person tweeted. "Dont worry about the hat, its a tiny blip compared to the incredible impact you made on that huge stage."

Another wrote, "You were awesome young man. For some reason every time I hear you sing I get emotional. So proud of you. We voted for you every round I know you will learn to remove your hat. Much success."

After capturing the country's heart over the past several months, Tongi took home his emotional "American Idol" win last month and, once again, wowed judges with an acoustic performance.

During the show's season finale May 21, Tongi dedicated his original song "I'll Be Seeing You" to his late father, singing of his dad's laughter living on in his memory and the loneliness he's felt since the passing.

This ones for you, dad. Ill Be Seeing You is out now. Its been such a special process making this song, and it really took a village to make it happen, he wrote on Instagram. Thank you to everyone involved, and everyone who has shown me support. I see you showing love and it means the world to me.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Analysis-Scope of Poland's spending spree in focus as NATO ups defence goal FILE PHOTO: Polish army trains with new tanks and howitzers from South Korea

By Marek Strzelecki and Justyna Pawlak

VILNIUS (Reuters) - NATO leaders agreed on a more ambitious military spending goal at a summit in Vilnius this week, but the case of the alliance's big spender, Poland, highlights the complexity of spending the money effectively.

Poland surged to the top of NATO's spending charts this year, with the alliance's latest forecast showing it pouring 3.9% of gross domestic product into military goals, almost twice NATO's current 2% target.

Spurred by alarm over Russia's war in Ukraine, leaders at the summit set 2% as an enduring minimum for defence spending, rather than a figure to aim towards that was set in the wake of Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Only 11 members currently meet that goal with four, Finland, Romania, Hungary and the Slovak Republic, hiking spending above the 2% threshold in 2023 - reflecting the heightened nervousness in Eastern Europe and on Russia's borders.

The three Baltic states Estonia, Latvia and current summit host Lithuania were among those already spending above the 2% target.

Like many other countries across Europe, Sweden - which won a much-awaited green light to join NATO from Turkey at the summit - is sharply scaling up its spending from a from the lows hit as Cold War threats evaporated.

But even with investment in cutting-edge hardware such as submarines, reintroduced conscription and construction of new military bases, it does not expect to reach the 2% threshold until 2026 from the current level of around 1.4%.

Poland's spree, by contrast, represents almost a doubling of defence spending compared with the previous year.

However, some experts question whether Warsaw can maintain such a high level of spending over the longer term, and how much it reflects joined-up thinking with allies.

"This is a huge step-up in the budget. So it will be a big, big financial commitment," said Alice Billon Galland, a research fellow at Chatham House.

"To what extent will this be actually delivered? And how can that influence the calculus for other allies?"

WHERE WILL THE MONEY COME FROM?

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Warsaw has ordered 250 U.S.-made Abrams tanks, hundreds of Chunmoo rocket launchers, K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, and FA-50 fighter aircraft from South Korea as well as Lockheed Martin Corp's HIMARS rocket launchers.

Warsaw's ruling Law and Justice government (PiS) says it is also making a historic overhaul of its air defences.

The last time Poland was close to present defence ambitions was in 1982, in the throes of the Cold War, when it spent 3.2% of GDP on defence, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.But former officials and opposition groups say new purchases are too fragmented - several types of tanks are being bought - which increases the cost of maintenance, training and repairs, and that budgetary plans are not transparent enough.

"One-third of the spend is booked outside the budget, we don't see it," one former official said. "It is hard to say any of the decisions are wrong but the government does not explain where the money will come from."

The government says it has the financial backing to fund defence plans. "The implementation of the tasks for the purchase of military equipment (...) is based on the projected financing possibilities of the programme," the Polish defence ministry said in response to questions from Reuters.

ELECTION CYCLE

With a closely contested election in Poland due in October or November, experts say the pace of spending and the domestic debate around it are driven in part by campaigning."Poland is moving fast, spends a lot, but I do have a sense that whoever is in the next government, there will be a need to get to the bottom of figuring out how much it all costs, how all the elements work together and the question of lifecycle costs," said Michal Baranowski, a managing director at the German Marshall Fund.

The PiS government's frosty relationship with Germany may also weigh on whether new purchases are used to their full potential - highlighting the need for coordination across the 31-nation NATO alliance.

Berlin and Warsaw were unable the finalise plans for a maintenance hub for tanks damaged in Ukraine, for example, and struggled to agree on the location of Patriot missile units offered by Germany after a stray missile hit eastern Poland, killing two, in late 2022.

A big question for NATO is whether Germany will meet the 2% target consistently over the long term. Berlin says it will meet the goal next year.

Increased spending could give Warsaw and Berlin a chance to jointly bolster the land defences of NATO's eastern flank - but only if they can mend fences and come up with a coherent plan. "If you're talking about a strong NATO conventional defence than logically the two big land powers in the region should take the lead and cooperate to supply that," Jamie Shea, a former senior NATO official, now with Chatham House, told Reuters.

(Additional reporting by Andrew Gray, Niklas Pollard and Sabine Siebold in Vilnius and Karol Badohal in Warsaw; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Scientists reexamined paintings in the Valley of the Kings using new portable imaging and chemical analysis techniques (Handout)

From subtly shifting the position of Ramses II's sceptre, to touch-ups on a necklace or headdress, ancient Egyptian artists were more creative than previously thought, according to a study published Wednesday.

Using new portable imaging and chemical analysis techniques, an international team of scientists took a fresh look at paintings in the Valley of the Kings -- a royal burial ground for pharaohs and other ancient Egyptian elites.

Egyptologists have until now considered art in these tombs to be very conventional, adhering to certain rules and using predefined patterns which were transferred onto walls.

However, a small robot moving in front of the painted walls used X-ray, ultraviolet, and infrared vision to "scrutinize" the art in-depth, much like a medical scanner, said Philippe Walter of the French centre for scientific research, CNRS, a co-author of the study published in the PLOS One journal.

On an image of Ramses II, decorating the tomb of the priest Nakhtamon, painted some 1,200 years BCE, the pharaoh is depicted in profile, wearing a necklace and headdress and holding a royal sceptre.

However image analysis revealed a different composition, hinting at efforts to touch up the original work.

"We didn't expect to see such modifications of a supposedly very formal representation of a pharaoh," meant to be frozen in time, said Walter.

Similar alterations were found on the tomb of the nobleman Menna, depicted with his arms stretched out towards the god of the dead, Osiris.

Analysis showed the position of one of the arms had been moved, while changes were made in the pigments used for skin colour.

It is unclear how many years passed between the alterations, or why they were carried out, but the scientists said it showed evidence of "freedom of creation."

Walter compared this "personal touch" to that seen from "the great painters of the Renaissance," who were shown to make adjustments to their work.

Philippe Martinez, the other co-author of the study with the CNRS, said that if this practice was shown to be commonplace, it would bring pharaonic art closer to our "modern aesthetic standards, nourished by Greco-Roman art".

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Tucker Carlsons Andrew Tate interview has been severely criticised by commentators (Screengrab/@TuckerCarlson)

Tucker Carlson has once again invited criticism for uploading a two-and-a-half-hour long interview with rape and sex trafficking accused Andrew Tate on Twitter.

The former Fox News host, who now uploads a new series he calls Tucker on Twitter, sat down with the controversial social media influencer, who was arrested and charged with rape, human trafficking and leading an organised crime group to sexually exploit women in Romania.

The extensive interview, Carlsons first on his new show that is on its ninth episode, has raked in millions of views hours after it was uploaded.

Carlson, who previously defended Mr Tate and called his arrest a human rights violation, has sparked outrage by giving a platform to the controversial influencer without proper scrutiny or contextualisation.

The right-wing TV personality kicked off the interview by asking viewers to make up your own mind about Mr Tate, who has defended himself and denied the charges against him.

The former kickboxer and social media influencer, who gained notoriety over the years for peddling misogynistic views, was held in police custody from 29 December until 31 March by Romanian authorities before being put on house arrest.

His brother Tristan and two of their associates also face charges.

Given the widespread allegations against Mr Tate, the decision to host the British-American has drawn criticism from various quarters, ranging from media personalities and journalists and including conservative commentators as well.

DailyBeast reporter Justin Baragona weighed in on the interview, calling Mr Tate an unapologetic pornographer.

After lamenting about how young men are now withdrawing into porn, Tucker Carlson then proceeds to sympathetically interview an unapologetic pornographer  for two and a half hours! he said.

After lamenting about how young men are now withdrawing into porn, Tucker Carlson then proceeds to sympathetically interview an unapologetic pornographer -- for two and a half hours! https://t.co/315U1OoreK  Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) July 11, 2023

Two and a half hours defending & singing the praises of an accused rapist and human trafficker. So brave, said Joe Walsh, a former 2020 Republican presidential candidate.

Two and a half hours defending & singing the praises of an accused rapist and human trafficker. So brave. https://t.co/Pg89NNzWQv  Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) July 11, 2023

American conservative talk radio host Erick Ericson said Mr Tate is charged with rape, human trafficking, and forming an organised crime group to sexually exploit women.

Are you an Andrew Tate right winger or a Sound of Freedom right winger. You cant really be both, he said.

Tate is charged in Romania with rape, human trafficking, and forming an organised crime group to sexually exploit women. Are you an Andrew Tate right winger or a Sound of Freedom right winger. You cant really be both. https://t.co/SWbS9xxFAZ  Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) July 11, 2023

HuffPost correspondent SV Date called out Carlson for glorifying an accused rapist/human trafficker.

Not going to waste 2.5 hours of my life on these two, can someone tell me if Tucker asked Tate his opinion of Sound of Freedom, said The Spectators editor-at-large Ben Domenech.

Elon Musk also tweeted about the interview, calling it interesting.

The Twitter chief was called out for his tweet supporting the Fox News anchor by Ahmed Baba, an entrepreneur and journalist who is also a columnist for The Independent.

Elon Musk (owner of Twitter) promotes an interview with Tucker Carlson (disgraced former Fox News anchor who pushed white supremacist rhetoric) and Andrew Tate (misogynist influencer charged with rape and human trafficking).



This is why millions of people are leaving Twitter. pic.twitter.com/5gJtgQFTO9  Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) July 12, 2023

This is why millions of people are leaving Twitter, he said, calling out Mr Musk for promoting the interview between Carlson, who he said pushed white supremacist rhetoric, while calling Mr Tate a misogynist influencer.
Angler thought he was reeling in average fish. Turns out, it could set world record

When Damien Cook felt a tug on his fishing line while sitting in his kayak, he didnt think it was anything special.

The Maryland angler was out on a Dorchester County river on July 5, using custom bait he called a cooker.

On the other end of the line was a northern snakehead, a type of invasive fish in Marylands waters.

Honestly I thought it was just your average 30-inch snakehead when I first hooked the fish, Cook told the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in a July 7 release. It pulled hard, but I had the advantage of it being close and I got it in the net pretty quickly.

But soon after the fish was out of the water, Cook knew he had something special.

Weighing in at 21 pounds, the catch was a new state record.

I am a full-time fishing guide, Cook told McClatchy News. I am on the water six to seven days a week. They are mine and my customers main target.

The Northern snakehead is an invasive species now common throughout Marylands Chesapeake Bay tidal waters, wildlife officials said. Snakeheads have become popular for sportfishing in Maryland because they fight hard and strike traditional artificial lures that are often used for largemouth bass.

Cook brought the fish to a certified weigh station in Cambridge and was met by a Maryland DNR biologist to certify the catch.

The chunky fish was 36 inches long, according to the release.

The fish officially broke the state record, formerly set on May 24, 2018, at 19.9 pounds. That fish was 35.157 inches long, according to the state DNR.

(It) feels great, Cook said. I do this for a living so it definitely makes me feel like I have done something.

But thats not the only title Cook might be able to claim.

The official world record for largest northern snakehead caught is 19 pounds, 5 ounces, according to the International Game Fish Association that certifies world record catches.

The standing world record was caught in Virginia in 2018, the association said.

Even with a larger state record reached just weeks after the world record, Cooks fish knocks both titles out of the water.

The paperwork is already turned in to the IGFA, Cook said.

Cook, a full-time fishing guide, is on the water almost every day, he said.

Friends of Cooks shared their excitement on social media.

I am so happy it was you, Rashan Hunt said in a comment on Maryland DNRs post. You have put in the time and effort and grind  Such a humble guy with a great personality, and values.

Cooks friend and fishing partner, Matt Fletcher, said he was happy to finally publicly congratulate Cook in a Facebook post.

Im happy as can be for Damien Cook for catching this record breaking fish. This is a great picture of him and the fish, but for (me) personally, seeing and holding it, the picture doesnt do the fish justice of how fat that fish really is. Congrats bro, Fletcher said.

The Maryland DNR encouraged anglers to kill all snakeheads that they catch to help knock down their numbers as an invasive species and save the native wildlife.

Dorchester County includes the eastern bank of Chesapeake Bay, about 100 miles southeast of Baltimore.

Angler reels in monster catfish  and breaks his own state record. See the catch

Anglers catch was so big, it bent the net. Now, he holds a record in North Carolina

Angler reels in monster fish on Georgia lake. See his record-breaking catch

One fishing line catches 28 angry-looking sea creatures in Gulf of Maine, photo shows
Angry condo buyers tell CT town: a lot of people have been taken advantage of

Frustrated by unpaid tax bills and growing complaints from property owners, Simsbury officials are considering a tax foreclosure against the Cambridge Crossing condominium complex.

Several buyers waiting to close their purchases, though, asked the town to hold off, saying they fear the possibility of losing homes theyve already invested in heavily.

The board of selectmens discussion of Sunlight Construction LLCs delinquent taxes is the latest of a series of financial troubles to hit the company, including a court filing by Peoples Bank last week seeking to foreclose on a $1.8 million loan.

William Ferrigno, a longtime Farmington Valley homebuilder and principal of Sunlight, did not return phone messages Tuesday.

The website for Cambridge Crossing appears to have been scaled back sharply; where it once listed location and building details and stated prices start in the upper $200,000s  $600,000s, it now merely lists Sunlights office phone and email address.

Sunlight originally billed Cambridge Crossing as a nearly 80-unit detached condominiums. Dozens were built but the rear section of the property still had many others units half-finished or, in some cases, still dirt lots. A few appear to be constructed, but still lacking paved driveways.

Connecticut Builder, a home construction trade magazine, wrote in 2019 that Cambridge Crossing in Simsbury offers 79 smaller-sized homes with six of them affordable at 80 percent of Simsbury median income.

But the project was never finished. Now, court files and municipal records show a mounting volume of liens and lawsuits claiming the company isnt paying its bills.

At issue are several properties in Simsbury, Avon and Burlington, but its the Cambridge Crossing project in northern Simsbury thats currently drawing the most attention.

Among the numerous creditors are Dalene Hardwood Flooring, which recently filed court papers claiming its owed $25,765, and Glasco Heating and Air Conditioning, which says Sunlight owes more than $32,000. The town in April said Sunlights unpaid taxes were about $56,000, and also listed $1,200 in overdue sewer bills.

Several condo buyers  some who put down deposits, others whove apparently moved in and are renting until their purchase is finalized  showed up at town hall Monday evening to ask selectmen to think about them before acting against Sunlight.

A resident who identified himself to selectmen only as John said he lives at Cambridge Crossing and is worried the people whove already put substantial money into their properties could be hurt by a tax foreclosure against the developer.

Id encourage you to look at the numerous lawsuits against our developer, theyre in the dozens now, he said. A lot of people have been taken advantage of. There are people from what I understand who are putting down deposits and theyre not getting houses built.

Some people who were ready to complete their purchase have been blocked because of tax liens, sewer liens and contractors liens seeking money for Sunlights unpaid bills.

Some people are renting because they cant close due to the liens, he told selectmen.

Residents called on the town to move cautiously, and several balked at the prospect of a tax lien sale that could potentially put the whole project into the hands of a different developer or investor. Theyve complained that drainage, sidewalks and roads havent been maintained, and fear that a new owner might do nothing to improve those deficiencies.

Town Attorney Robert DeCrescenzo said the town is more likely to pursue a straightforward tax foreclosure, and said that could help existing residents as well as prospective buyers who are in limbo.

Were going to name as a defendant the lenders, the banks that are owed money on the property. In the normal course, once we bring a tax foreclosure and theres a lender, the bank steps up and pays the taxes, which would clear the title, he said.

Because some speakers said they feared the towns action could be directed against their individual units, DeCrescenzo emphasized that Simsbury wont be proceeding against owners who are current with their taxes.

If someone buys a house, gets a deed and has paid the taxes, were not foreclosing on that, he said.

Instead, a foreclosure action would target the roughly 40% of the property thats still in Sunlights control.

Selectman Eric Wellman wrote to residents afterward, inviting them to meet with him to discuss the details of whats been happening at Cambridge Crossing.

I want to understand the history of this issue and your engagement with the town up to this point. It would be helpful to understand what youve requested from the town and what information youve received up to this point, he wrote. I want to temper expectations.  I dont know right now what role the Board of Selectmen and the town have in this process.
Another Trump Presidency Would Be Even Worse Than You Think

Donald Trump Delivers Remarks At Nevada Recruitment Event

Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump smiles before he delivers remarks at a Nevada Republican volunteer recruiting event at Fervent: A Calvary Chapel on July 8, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Trump is the current frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination amid a growing field of candidates. Credit - Mario TamaGetty Images

Throughout Donald Trumps presidency, aides worried he wanted to invoke the Insurrection Act, which would allow him to deploy the military on U.S. soil. The prospect became a vivid possibility on January 6, 2021. What hasnt been widely discussed is that Donald Trump came within sentences of making it happen  two years prior.

Trump asked aides to draft language invoking the extraordinary powers in 2019, so that he could expel migrants from the United States by force. The president was talked out of it. But if a MAGA figure returns to the White House, our luck may run out.

Thats because Trump 2.0 wont be as bad as many think. It will be worse.

Over the course of the past two years, Ive interviewed dozens of former officials about the ex-presidents undisclosed plans, including what Trump or a savvier successor would do in office next time. The picture was bleaker than I expected.

I thought Id seen the worst. After all, I served as chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security for part of the Trump era. We believed the mans immoral impulses could be managed. We were catastrophically wrong. I wrote an unsigned opinion piece from within the administration to shine a light on presidential misconduct, but it only got darker. So I quit my job, unmasked myself as the anonymous author, and recruited others to campaign against the president in 2020.

Trump lost. In many ways, so did I. Contending with the vindictive chief executive nearly destroyed my life, from financial and legal troubles to stalkers and death threats. More importantly, it nearly destroyed our republic.

Read More: The Dangerous Whataboutism of the Trump Classified Docs Case

Since then, Ive wondered: how much worse could it have been? What will happen if the disgraced tycoon or the next Trump recaptures the presidency? Ive asked cabinet secretaries, Trump aides, whistleblowers, and current and former GOP leaders.

Three predictions alarmed me the most.

First, ex-officials I spoke with warn that the executive branch will be weaponized by another MAGA president in previously unreported ways.

The damage Trump did in the first term is reparable, said former national security advisor John Bolton, but he said the next Trump would do damage that is not reparable, especially in a White House surrounded by fifth-raters.

Intelligence agencies and the military are of particular concern.

The MAGA movement has paved the way for a politicized intelligence community, explained Fiona Hill, a former advisor on Trumps National Security Council (NSC). She worries that having ideologues run such agencies will lead the United States into wars  wars that America might not be prepared to win.

Trumps former defense secretary Mark Esper added that his biggest concern would be withdrawing troops from key places abroad and abandoning alliances, projecting the next Trump could leave America vulnerable to attack. Other defense leaders worry about military forces being brought home for the wrong reasons.

Indeed, Donald Trump came close to deploying armed U.S. troops on American soil in February 2019. After watching television footage of migrants at the border, he told aides to invoke the Insurrection Act to put down what he called an invasion. Then-president Trump prepared to include the announcement in his State of the Union Address, forcing a number of officials (myself included) to rush to the White House and talk the president out of it.

Next time, no agency will be spared from such abuses of power.

Interviewees told me about everything from MAGA plans to force the Education Department to kick undocumented children out of public schools (the idea was a cockroach that wouldnt die, claimed Josh Venable, Trumps former chief of staff at the department) all the way to fully gutting the Department of Veterans Affairs in order to use its $250 billion budget on other political priorities (Veterans would die by the thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands, explained Jim Byrne, Trumps number-two at the agency).

Second, the legislative branch will be neutralized and GOP objectors muzzled.

Former Tea Party congressman Reid Ribble said Congresss checks and balances against the presidency will be undone entirely by another MAGA White House. Current and former Republican representatives like him projected that another Trump would actively obstruct Congress, from bypassing the Senate by installing unqualified acting officials to run government agencies to simply ignoring subpoenas.

If theres a legislative agenda, one veteran GOP operative said it would be: guns, gays, and girls. The White House would pressure Congress to water down gun laws, overturn protections for same-sex marriage, and seek to outlaw abortion, putting the culture wars center stage.

Meanwhile, would-be GOP dissenters will think twice about voicing concern.

I dont use the word frightening very often, but it really did frighten me, recalled former GOP Congressman Scott Rigell, reflecting on how swiftly people like him were ostracized from the party for opposing Trumpism, calling it cult worship.

Even after GOP rebels like Adam Kinzinger and Denver Riggleman were run out of Congress, the vitriolic threats and abuse continued. Now I carry at all times, one ousted Republican confessed, revealing a concealed pistol in his waistband. Im carrying a Wilson Combat 45.

Former RNC chair Michael Steele said the intimidation works, which is why it will escalate next time. Thats why the hammer came down so hard on Liz Cheneyto send a message of fear, he remarked. No one wants to be targeted the way shes been targeted.

Third, the justice system will be used to punish the MAGA movements enemies.

Former FBI leader Andy McCabe and others worry that purging the FBI of the deep state has gone from an unserious Trump refrain to a mainstream GOP position. They fear the bureau will be used for revenge.

You will see them cock the weapon and aim it at a new target, explained Tom Warrick, a Trump-era counterterrorism czar. I assume we are going to see the invention of domestic terrorist enemies, he said. Warrick predicted political opponents would be harassed under the guise of counterterrorism  one of the scariest aspects of what a Trump Two would bring into office.

The courts may not be able to protect these Americans, especially if the White House ignores the judges, as Trump wanted to do. Jon Burks, former chief of staff to House Speaker Paul Ryan, said that a refusal by Trump 2.0 to comply with court orders could spark war in the justice system.

Others used words like civil war, soft secession and political assassinations to describe how such a period might devolve. Such terminology would have seemed absurd less than a decade ago. Now it is eerily common in conversations with former officials.

So what can we do?

We should assume the probability of a MAGA redux is significant. The GOPs anti-democratic, populist wing remains firmly in control of the party, and if another Trump-like leader is elected, Congress and the courts will struggle to keep up.

We may be left to depend on conscientious insiders, the dwindling few in government who are prepared to blow the whistle in times of crisis. Unfortunately, they risk extinction. The cost of speaking up in the U.S. remains alarmingly high, and would-be whistleblowers fear crowd-sourced hate and death threats.

Short of giving up on free speech, theres only one way to lower the price of dissent: increase the supply. More people must step forward and tell the truth, especially the many GOP figures who privately shared with me their fears about the MAGA movement, or the everyday Americans whove been swept up in it, only to find theyve been swindled.

The only scenario scarier than a wayward president deploying troops on U.S. city streets is the scenario in which no one is brave enough to say anything.

As the 2024 primary season approaches, voters can make sure we dont end up in this situation by telling themselves the truth: democracy cant afford a repeat.
Archaeologists think the Nessglyph carving contains a figure with four horns

Archaeologists have returned to dig on a hillside where they previously unearthed an unusual sandstone carving.

Named the Nessglyph, the discovery was made in January at Nesscliffe hill, near Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

The council-managed site contains remains of an Iron Age hillfort, which was later occupied by the Romans.

The stone carving, which has circular and straight lines carved into it, was discovered by archaeologists Dr Paul Reilly and Gary Lock.

The Nessglyph sandstone carving was discovered by Dr Paul Reilly in January

Dr Reilly, a visiting fellow at the University of Southampton, said it was "extremely rare" to find cut marks in carvings in Britain.

"That was terribly exciting for us," he said, speaking about the previous find. "But then we started looking at what did it mean?"

Archaeologists have returned to dig at the site on Nesscliffe hill, near Shrewsbury

The discovery attracted attention from experts in countries such as Australia, Brazil and Japan, after teams appealed for help to identify it.

"We literally were getting two dozen emails every day for nearly four months, from all around the world," Dr Reilly added.

He told BBC Radio Shropshire he believed the carving, which contains a figure with four horns, had possibly represented a "deity" dating back to the Pagan movement.

The excavation site is set to open to the public on Sunday, between 10:00 and 16:00 BST.

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk
Trump supporters clash with police as they storm the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 (Olivier DOULIERY)

An Arizona man filed a defamation lawsuit on Wednesday against Fox News after being accused of being an undercover FBI agent who incited the January 2021 attack on the US Capitol.

Ray Epps, in a complaint filed with a court in Delaware, said he had received death threats because of Fox's false portrayal of him, had lost his business, been forced to move and suffered "mental anguish" because of the ordeal.

"In the aftermath of the events of January 6th, Fox News searched for a scapegoat to blame other than Donald Trump or the Republican Party," Epps said in his suit.

Fox and its host Tucker Carlson, who has since left the network, engaged in a "years-long campaign spreading falsehoods about Epps," the suit said.

They concocted a "fantastical story" in which Epps was "an undercover FBI agent and was responsible for the mob that violently broke into the Capitol," it said.

"Those lies have destroyed Ray's and Robyn's lives," the suit said in a reference to Epps and his wife.

Epps, a former Marine, said he had voted for Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 US presidential elections.

He was an "avid and loyal" Fox viewer who was lured to the January 6 protests by "lies broadcast by Fox asserting that the election had been stolen" from Trump by Democrat Joe Biden, the suit said.

Epps attended the January 6 protest but did not enter the Capitol building, it said.

"Contrary to Fox's lies, Ray was not a federal agent of any kind, was not law enforcement of any kind, and was not any type of government agent or informant," the suit said.

Because of the death threats and harassment, Epps and his wife have been forced to abandon their lucrative wedding venue business in Arizona and move to Utah, where they are living in hiding, it said.

Epps is asking for unspecified compensatory and punitive damages to be determined by a jury.

Fox News reached a $787.5 million settlement in April in a defamation case brought by voting technology company Dominion that alleged the network knowingly aired false claims linking its machines to a conspiracy to undermine the 2020 election.

Dominion had sued Fox News for $1.6 billion in March 2021, alleging it promoted Trump's baseless claim that its machines were used to rig the vote.

Fox still faces a $2.7 billion lawsuit from another electronic voting company -- Smartmatic -- which claims that Fox News broadcast lies that "decimated" its business prospects.

During testimony on Wednesday before a House committee, FBI Director Christopher Wray said the "notion that somehow the violence at the Capitol on January 6 was part of some operation orchestrated by FBI sources and agents is ludicrous."

cl/nro
Arizona Republicans are now 0-for-27 in election challenges. Maybe it's time to move on?

People hold no machines signs at the Arizona GOP's biennial statutory meeting on Jan. 28, 2023, in Phoenix.

The Arizona Republican Party on Tuesday lost yet another case in the ongoing, unending failed attempts to challenge the results of the states elections.

Ive lost track of what this particular lawsuit claimed. Something about the partys outrage that a state-mandated sample hand count audit of ballots in 2020  one that turned up zero evidence of a problem  was done at voting centers rather than precincts.Suffice it to say, the party lost. Again.

And now has been ordered by the Arizona Court of Appeals to pay nearly $9,000 to cover the taxpayers cost of the appeal. Thats in addition to $18,000 already awarded to cover the taxpayers cost of defending the lawsuit.

Donors fund winners, not loser lawsuits

While $27,000 sounds like pocket change, its more than half of what the state Republican Party had in the bank as of March 31, according to federal filings.

Money has flown out the door in the once-Grand Old Partys now three-year-old quest to overturn the election, with precious little coming in to replace it.

At this point four years ago, Reuters reports the state party had nearly $770,000.

It seems big GOP donors prefer backing winning candidates to backing losing lawsuits  or paying lawyers to fend off trouble from the fake elector scandal.

Meanwhile, with less than 13 months until the primary election, Kari Lake, the partys likely Senate nominee, continues making the rounds of pretty much any far right podcast thatll have her, wherein she waxes on about the many ways in which the 2022 election was stolen.

Never mind that every one of her claims has been rejected by the courts.

National committee isn't trying to win here

In between interviews, she hawks her new book about the many ways in which the election was stolen and holds rallies, preaching to her choir about the many ways in which the election was stolen.

While she plays pretend governor, Politco reports the National Republican Senatorial Committee is busy recruiting and endorsing candidates in the other key states where it thinks it has a chance to pick up a seat.

Places like Nevada and Montana.

Aggressively recruiting quality candidates is the only way Republicans will retake the Senate majority, Senate Leadership Fund President Steven Law told Politico. Every one of these top-tier races will be very tough, and sub-par candidates only help Democrats.

Politico describes it as the groups most aggressive Senate primary intervention strategy in nearly a decade.

A strategy that apparently doesnt extend to Arizona.

Meanwhile, Arizonans can look forward later this month to what Im sure will be a riveting speech by white nationalist Nick Fuentes, who is coming to the state to speak at a national convention of College Republicans United.

DeWit can't turn the state party around

I find myself feeling almost sorry for state GOP Chairman Jeff DeWit, who in January inherited this mess from the one-woman wrecking crew that was Kelli Ward.

DeWit is a Trump supporter but hes also a former state official who knows what it takes to win a statewide campaign.

What he is not is a miracle worker.

He appears to have no hope of convincing the far right wing that controls the party that its continued obsession with stolen elections and RINO Republicans is a losing campaign strategy.

Heck, several of the partys legislative district committees have even censured DeWit for his refusal to throw in with the madness.

Another view: AZ GOP may be broke. But it has a larger problem

Theyre plotting to run primary challengers against Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell and Recorder Stephen Richer, traditional Republicans who have managed to win countywide offices.

With a sneer, they dismiss those all-important independent voters, the ones who decide races and now outnumber Republicans both in the state and in Maricopa County.

They'll lose more seats if this continues

Ive long said that reports of Arizona turning blue are premature.

What we are is black and blue, from years of crazy conspiracy theories and Cyber Ninjas and Kari Lake and Kelli Ward and Wendy Rogers and all of the far-right fanatics who have sold their supporters a bill of goods.

And sold out their party, relegating it to also-ran status.

The result is an Arizona now led by two Democratic senators, a Democratic governor, a Democratic secretary of state and a Democratic attorney general.

Not because election workers cheated but because the true believers are determined to purify the party to the point of political irrelevance.

If theyre not careful, theyll not only fail to retake the U.S. Senate seat next year, theres a good chance theyll also lose the Arizona Legislature.

Speaking of losing, Richer reports that Tuesdays Courts of Appeals ruling is the 27th loss by Republicans challenging the countys elections since Joe Biden won the state in 2020.Put another way, Republicans are now 0-for-27, with more likely to come.

And that doesn't even count their losses at the ballot box.

Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LaurieRoberts.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Republicans now 0-27 in election lawsuits. Time to move on?
Army Lt. Gen. Randy George testifies during the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to examine his nomination to be reappointment to the grade of general and to be Chief of Staff of the Army, Wednesday, July 12, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Army officer tapped to be the services next chief of staff outlined for senators on Wednesday his plan to fix what he described as the services top challenge  rebuilding recruiting  as it becomes clear the Army will again fall short of its enlistment goal.

Gen. Randy George, the current vice chief of staff of the Army, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the service is looking at short- and long-term ways to improve how recruiters are chosen and deployed around the country, and to better tailor marketing to attract young people.

Gen. James McConville, the Army chief of staff, said in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday that preliminary estimates suggest the Army will recruit more than 50,000 soldiers this year, an increase over last year, but still short of it 65,000 goal. Last year the Army enlisted 45,000, missing its goal by 15,000. Recruiting this year, said McConville, could go up by 10%-20%.

McConville will step down Aug. 4, but George's confirmation is uncertain at best, due to a Senate dispute over military nominations. More than 260 are being stalled by Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, who is blocking confirmation of all senior military officers to protest a Defense Department policy that pays for travel when a service member has to go out of state to get an abortion or other reproductive care.

While senators spent a significant amount of time sharply debating the confirmation issue, they also asked pointed questions about how George would solve the recruiting shortfall.

Its the No. 1 challenge that we face, and the one thing that we have to be focused on, George said, adding that young people fear that enlisting will put their lives on hold. I can remember that I was basically told, hey, its going to accelerate your life. And I still use that because it was, because it has, and I think we need to get that word out.

George said he believes the Army must better tailor its messaging and marketing based on local areas, since national ads don't always resonate in cities or towns.

Asked what the U.S. Army has learned from the war in Ukraine, George said it has demonstrated the importance of a number of missile defense and new systems that can shoot down smaller drones. He said the Army is moving ahead with a wide range of modernization programs.

He was also asked about potential cuts to U.S. Army special operations forces. He said no decisions have been made, but the Army is reviewing the overall need for special operators since the counterterorrism fights by thousands of commandos in Iraq and Afghanistan are no longer the focus.

George is a highly decorated Army infantry solider, who commanded at all levels and did multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was commissioned at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1988 and more recently served as commander of I Corps at Joint Base Lewis McChord.

He also was the senior military assistant to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. He became vice chief of the Army last August. His awards including a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with three oak clusters.

For the second day in a row, a Senate hearing on a new military leader devolved into a series of heated exchanges between the lawmakers over Tuberville's block on all Pentagon nominations.

I cant help but comment on the futility of this hearing, said Sen. Angus King, I-Maine. Since we know that General George will not be confirmed any time in the foreseeable future, not because of his qualifications or his experience or his vast knowledge that he would bring to the job. But because of a hold.

Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the committee, countered that the Democratic leader can seek a vote on George using the normal legislative process. Tuberville earlier this week blocked an effort to get a Senate vote on the confirmation of Marine Gen. Eric Smith as the next commandant.

The comments triggered a lengthy rebuttal at the end of the session by the panel's chairman, Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island.

He said that voting on the more than 260 military nominations through the regular procedure, if Tuberville does not relent, would take 27 days with the Senate working around the clock or 84 days if the Senate worked eight hours a day.

That is an impossible goal to achieve, he said, adding that it would prevent the Senate from dealing with other critical bills such as the budget.

Reed also said there will be a briefing for staff next Wednesday on the abortion policy and its legality.
An Army veteran accused of crashing a military vehicle July 10 into the front of the 3rd Infantry Divisions headquarters at Fort Stewart, Georgia, was arrested and booked, officials from the post said.

The retired soldier, Treamon D. Lacy, 39, was charged with theft of government property and destruction of government property, Kevin Larson, a spokesperson for the installation, said in a release.

The incident occurred at approximately 10 a.m. on Monday, when an Army Humvee slammed into the front entrance of the division headquarters. Photos quickly circulated on social media showing the Humvee smashing into the glass door entrance of the building, under a sign with the divisions nickname, Rock of the Marne.

Lacy is a retired Army [s]oldier, a status that allows him to access the installation, Larson noted. Exactly when the Humvee was taken, and any motive behind the collision, remains unclear.

The incident poses questions about the security of military vehicles across installations following a similar incident earlier this month when a Humvee was stolen from a National Guard armory in Santa Rosa, California, and was later seen being driven recklessly nearby.

Fort Stewart police and Army Criminal Investigation Division agents detained Lacy immediately following the incident, Larson said, adding that no injuries were reported and there is no additional threat from the event to the community.

Lacy reportedly took the Humvee from the 87 BSSB motor pool on base, according to a criminal complaint filed with the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia.

Estimated damages to the building are over $1,000, the court filing noted.

Lacy served in the Army from June 2002 to July 2013 as a wheeled vehicle mechanic, the release said. He obtained the rank of staff sergeant and deployed twice to Iraq, it added.

Based on the mode and precision with which the Humvee was driven, I believe that [Lacy] intentionally drove the Humvee into Building 1s front doors, Jordan M. Poe, a special agent with Army CID, said in the complaint.

Army Times reporter Davis Winkie contributed to this story.

Editors note: This story was updated on July 12 at 11:02 a.m. EST with additional information from a criminal complaint filing.
Iraq Vet Stole Humvee Before Smashing it into Building at Fort Stewart, Prosecutors Say

The man charged with plowing a Humvee into the 3rd Infantry Division's headquarters building at Fort Stewart, Georgia, is a retired Iraq war veteran, Army officials said Tuesday. Images of the wreck, with the vehicle half enveloped in the crumbled glass facade of a building, quickly took over social media shortly after the incident Monday.

Treamon Lacy, 39, was immediately arrested after the incident and charged with theft of government property and destruction of government property. As a retired soldier, Lacy had access to the base, though he did not have any authority to drive military vehicles, according to court filings.

"Fort Stewart Police, along with Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division agents, detained Lacy at the 3rd Infantry Division headquarters building immediately following the incident," a service spokesperson said in a statement.

Read Next: Senate Plan Would Force the Army to Revert to Old Fitness Test But Would Allow New Events

Authorities say Lacy stole the Humvee from the 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion's motor pool Monday morning and within minutes intentionally crashed it through the front doors of the 3rd Infantry Division headquarters.

No one was injured. It is unclear what motivated the crash.

Lacy served in the Army from June 2002 to July 2013 as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. He left the service as a staff sergeant.

Like most military ground vehicles, Humvees do not require keys. Units will sometimes use a tool to lock the steering wheel in place, or a bolt lock on the outside of the doors on some models. But if unsecured, the vehicles can be driven off with ease.

The Humvee was the go-to ground combat vehicle in the early years of the Global War on Terrorism, until they were replaced with Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected, or MRAP, vehicles, which were much better at withstanding blasts from roadside bombs.

Humvees are still used in typical garrison duties and training. While the vehicles can be easily outfitted with heavy weapons like the M2 .50-cal machine gun, MK 19 automatic grenade launcher and TOW missile system, they are not outfitted with those during day-to-day duties outside of a training or combat environment.

In an unrelated incident, California authorities have been on the hunt for an Army National Guard Humvee stolen from a 579th Engineer Battalion armory in Santa Rosa since July 3. In 2021, another California National Guard Humvee was stolen from the 40th Brigade Support Battalion; it was eventually found under a bridge in Los Angeles.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

Related: Have You Seen a Humvee? The Military Would Like it Back, Please
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi is hosting two days of talks with Southeast Asian ministers (AJENG DINAR ULFIANA)

ASEAN chair Indonesia on Wednesday urged a political solution to the Myanmar crisis at regional talks where Thailand's envoy announced he met the country's deposed democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi last week.

Myanmar has been ravaged by deadly violence since a military coup ousted Suu Kyi's government more than two years ago, unleashing a bloody crackdown on dissent.

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations has long been decried as a toothless talking shop, and it remains split over diplomatic attempts to resolve the crisis as it tries to form a united position on the junta-run country.

"Only a political solution will lead to a durable peace," Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told ASEAN counterparts in her opening remarks on the second day of talks in Jakarta.

The meeting was dealt a surprise when Thailand's foreign minister disclosed he met with Myanmar's ousted democracy leader Suu Kyi on his own on Sunday in the country's capital Naypyidaw and said she was in "good health".

In the meeting Suu Kyi -- who has only been seen once since she was detained after the coup in early 2021 -- "encouraged dialogue", Don Pramudwinai told reporters on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting.

The Philippines' foreign minister said Don briefed ASEAN ministers on his meeting with Suu Kyi, but he reiterated any independent effort to restart the peace process should be in line with a five-point ASEAN plan agreed two years ago with Myanmar's junta.

"We feel any initiative should be consistent with the five-point consensus. He (Don) just reported on that," Enrique Manalo told reporters.

Indonesia's top diplomat repeated the bloc's position that a resumption of dialogue between Myanmar's warring parties and a negotiated political pact would be the only way to bring an end to more than two years of turmoil.

"We are still very much concerned to see the continuing and increasing violence in Myanmar. We strongly urge all stakeholders to denounce violence as this is paramount to build trust," Marsudi said.

ASEAN efforts to kick-start the five-point plan that calls for an end to violence and renewed peace talks have been fruitless, as Myanmar's junta ignores international criticism and refuses to engage with its opponents.

The bloc's initiatives are limited by its charter principles of consensus and non-interference.

- 'Complex and delicate' -

Ministers were still hammering out a joint position on Myanmar on the second day of talks but a communique would be issued by the end of the meeting on Wednesday, a Southeast Asian diplomat told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

In an early draft of the joint communique seen by AFP, the Myanmar section was left blank.

ASEAN has tried to show a united front at its official high-level meetings from which Myanmar is barred, but Thailand last month hosted the junta's foreign minister for controversial "informal talks" that further split the bloc.

On Wednesday, Marsudi appeared to criticise that meeting, which Indonesia did not attend.

"The implementation of the five-point consensus should remain the focus of ASEAN," she said. "Any other efforts must support the implementation of (that plan)."

After a morning meeting, Marsudi said all ASEAN members "stressed the importance of unity" and backed the five-point plan.

In its seven months as chair, Jakarta had held more than 110 engagements concerning Myanmar, she added.

On Thursday an ASEAN-plus-three ministerial meeting with Japan, South Korea and China will take place ahead of the ASEAN Regional Forum and an 18-nation East Asia Summit foreign ministers' meeting on Friday, which will also include Washington and Beijing.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in capital Jakarta Wednesday for an unannounced trilateral meeting with Marsudi and China's top diplomat Wang Yi.

Wang is representing Beijing in place of Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who was unable to attend for "health reasons", the Chinese foreign ministry said Tuesday.

dsa-jfx/aha
ASEAN ministers call for unity in tackling Myanmar conflict Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Minister's Meeting in Jakarta

By Kate Lamb and Stanley Widianto

JAKARTA (Reuters) -ASEAN foreign ministers on Wednesday called for regional unity in addressing an intensifying conflict in Myanmar, amid doubts over the bloc's capability to implement a two-year-old peace process that has yet to get off the ground.

The gathering of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta comes as patience wears thin among its 10 members over Myanmar's military rulers' refusal to halt hostilities and start inclusive dialogue, as agreed to by its top general in April 2021.

Myanmar has been beset by fighting since the military seized power in early 2021 before unleashing a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy opponents, which prompted a wave of retaliatory attacks by a resistance movement and ethnic minority armies.

ASEAN chair Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said she and her counterparts discussed implementation of the "five-point consensus", which is the only diplomatic process in play for achieving peace in Myanmar, where the United Nations estimates 1.5 million people have been displaced.

All members emphasised unity on the issue, she said, adding, that "without cessation of violence, there would never be a conducive environment needed for the start of dialogue and the delivery of aid".

Retno's remarks come after a Thai-led meeting last month attended by Myanmar's military leaders who have been barred from high-level ASEAN meetings. Most ASEAN members shunned that meeting, which Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai defended, saying Thailand was suffering in terms of its border, trade and refugee problems.

On Wednesday, Don revealed he had met with ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been in detention since shortly after the 2021 coup and is currently appealing sentences of 33 years in jail.

Suu Kyi was in good health, he said, without providing further details.

The Thai foreign ministry said in a separate statement the two had a "private one-hour meeting".

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Wednesday said the agreed peace plan should remain ASEAN's focus.

"Any other efforts must support the implementation of the five-point consensus," she said.

Rizal Sukma, an international relations expert at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Jakarta, said it was crucial that ASEAN stick with its plan.

"It provides legitimacy for ASEAN to get engaged in this issue, not to mention intervene," Sukma said.

"Without the five-point consensus, there is no basis for the intervention."

Indonesia is also working behind the scenes to kick-start the process by trying to bring all stakeholders together for talks.

Wednesday's retreat is also expected to discuss the protracted talks on an ASEAN-China code of conduct on the South China Sea, which started in 2017, 15 years after the idea was hatched.

China's coast guard has been accused by the Philippines of "aggressive acts" several times this year, while Vietnam has complained about a Chinese research ship and a flotilla of suspected militia lingering near its offshore energy projects.

China, which claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, maintains it is operating lawfully.

The Jakarta meetings come ahead of Friday's East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum, with top diplomats of the United States, Russia and China among those attending.

(Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty and Michael Perry)
Astonishing discovery as 200-pound bluefin tuna turns up in Salish Sea for first time ever

Researchers on Orcas Island stumbled on a bizarre discovery Wednesday morning, after finding a five-and-a-half-foot-long bluefin tuna washed ashore on Crescent Beach.

So, whats special about this 200-plus pound fish? For one, this marks the first time a bluefin tuna has ever been scientifically documented in the Salish Sea.

Ive never seen one out here in the Pacific Northwest, University of Florida researcher Karly Cohen told KIRO 7. It was astonishing.

Cohen says that bluefins are typically found off the coast of California, and prefer to swim in more temperate waters than the much colder Salish Sea.

As for how it ended up hundreds of miles away from its usual home, that has scientists baffled.

We woke up to discover this beautiful Pacific #bluefin tuna dead on Crescent Beach in Eastsoundright here on Orcas Island. Bluefin tuna had never previously been scientifically documented in the #SalishSea! pic.twitter.com/RI5GQD4fkL  The SeaDoc Society (@SeaDocSociety) July 11, 2023

It wasnt just on shore on the outer coast -- it was in this weird inner channel that we have, Cohen described. Its really quite a puzzling picture of how it not only got to Washington, but how did it get to this tiny little inlet of islands in Washington?

Other researchers were similarly shocked by the sudden appearance of the giant tuna.

What is this doing here? asked SeaDoc Society Science Director Joe Gaydos. This is crazy to see this thing, and then I was like, I need to double check the ID on this.

The cherry on top: A new field guide to fish in the Salish Sea released on Tuesday, which Gaydos had just reviewed. Unsurprisingly, the bluefin tuna is nowhere to be found in that book.

Thats just not in there, right? Gaydos joked. You just never know what youre gonna wake up to -- the ocean keeps you wondering.

In the meantime, this tuna is going to get a lot of attention from scientists across the region, wholl want to study its skeleton, test the fish for harmful algal toxins, and figure out what it was eating while it was here. That could give researchers more of an idea as to what it was doing in our waters.
















The past two years have dramatically shown the climate whiplash that California must prepare for. Two years of punishing drought have been followed by a dozen atmospheric rivers blanketing the Sierra Nevada with snow and overtopping our rivers. Homes in Planada, Pajaro, the Tulare Lake Basin and elsewhere have been inundated. Along the San Joaquin River and Cosumnes River, some parts of our districts have also been underwater, and the risk of flooding will extend well into the spring as our record snowpack melts.

Weve seen more than a billion dollars in flood damage this winter. Yet scientists tell us that floods in the future could be dramatically larger and more deadly. We need major federal, state and local investments to protect our people and economy from those floods. Thats why weve introduced Senate Bill 638, a $6 billion bond to fund flood and dam safety investments around the state.

The stakes could not be higher. According to the States Central Valley Flood Protection Board, the worst-case Central Valley flood could cause more than $1 trillion in damage. Thats 1,000 times more costly than the current floods. And the risk to lives is even more sobering.

Opinion

The greatest risk may be in the San Joaquin Valley and southern Delta, where future peak flood flows on the San Joaquin River are projected to be up to five times greater than previous estimates as climate change turns our snowpack into a torrent of rain-driven runoff. Stockton, in Senate District 5, faces one of the most serious and growing flood risks in the nation. A big flood there could harm the whole states economy by damaging highways, rail lines and critical water infrastructure.

But the truth is that communities across California could be struck by damaging climate-driven floods. As recent floods have shown, the communities most at risk are among our most vulnerable populations.

Fortunately, last December, after years of work, the Central Valley Flood Protection Board adopted a new Central Valley Flood Protection Plan which includes a comprehensive approach by strengthening urban levees, expanding floodways and restoring floodplains to allow floodwaters to spread out, recharge depleted aquifers and revitalize riverside habitats for fish and wildlife.

Californians are famous for fighting over water. But flood policy is an exception to that rule thanks to the collaborative planning effort led by the Central Valley Flood Protection Board and the Department of Water Resources. The new Central Valley Flood Plan and its proposed investments to reduce flood risk enjoy universal support from farmers, developers, cities, counties and environmentalists.

Investments in Central Valley Flood resiliency benefit all Californians. The vast majority of Californians rely on water from the Central Valleys rivers for at least part of their water supply. Improving levees and expanding floodways will make it easier for reservoir operators to safely balance the competing demands of flood control and water supply. Wider floodways and restored floodplains will recharge depleted aquifers and revitalize fisheries, benefiting every Californian who eats fruits and vegetables grown in the Central Valley or salmon caught off the Pacific Coast.

Revitalized floodplain wetlands and aquifers will help purify drinking water for Californians from Sacramento to San Diego. The Central Valley is home to farm worker communities that put food on our tables. They deserve adequate flood protection and will benefit from the revitalized rivers and new parks the Flood Plan envisions.

Court decisions have determined that the state is legally obligated to provide flood protection for the Central Valley. As a result, all Californians are on the hook for paying for failure of the flood system. Investment in the Central Valley will reduce that liability, while delivering benefits for all Californians.

California has not passed a flood bond since 2006. Scientists, flood planners, communities at risk and Mother Nature are all telling us that its time for another.

State Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) represents the 5th Senate District. State Sen. Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) represents the 6th Senate District.
Atrium Health breaks ground on $900 million tower in midtown. What you need to know

Atrium Healths midtown flagship campus, Carolinas Medical Center, is getting a $900 million, 1.1-million-square-foot advanced care facility. Groundbreaking for the project was held Wednesday.

The new tower is the latest project in Atriums ongoing redesign for updating its campus on Blythe Road, according to a news release. The Charlotte-based non-profit hospital network employs 70,000 people and is the regions only Level I trauma center.

Here are five things to know about the new facility:

Atrium Healths latest addition to its flagship campus in midtown will feature a helipad and a modern emergency department, according to the news release. Courtesy of Atrium Health

 The project will take five years to complete and will open in 2027.

 Atrium said its goal is to channel 30% of the projects capital spending to women, minority or veteran-owned construction businesses.

 The facility will have 448 patient rooms, 38 operating rooms and 16 procedure rooms. It also will have dedicated space on each floor for employee health and well-being, the hospital system said.

 Instead of having an emergency department where nurses and doctors are assigned specific patients, that department in the new facility will feature a more modern pod style. This will assign healthcare workers to rooms of several beds, which optimizes flow and increases speed of access to care, according to Atrium Health.

 This 12-story tower is planned to be the largest structure at the flagship campus and add to the city skyline, said Ken Haynes, president of the southeast region for Advocate Health, which combined with Atrium Health in December. That created the countrys fifth largest hospital system.

This new expansion to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center will tremendously improve both the patient and caregiver experience, said Dr. Dan Handel, vice president and chief medical officer for Atrium Healths central area.

The total capital cost for Atrium Healths master plan is $1.4 billion, which was approved in 2018. This money has also gone towards projects like the new Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Charlottes first four-year medical school, expected to open next year.

The Carolinas Medical Center campus also recently opened a $100 million project, the David L. Conlan Rehabilitation Center. The center broke ground in 2020, with 72 beds and a goal to take strain off of other hospitals in the region, Atrium Administrator Todd Bennett told the Charlotte Business Journal.
Australia will hand over another 30 Bushmaster armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine

Australia is allocating a new military aid package for Ukraine, including 30 Bushmaster armoured personnel carriers.

Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram; Anthony Albanese, Australian Prime Minister on Twitter

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Thank you! A new powerful defence package, including 30 Bushmasters. As always, we have a full political understanding. A successful meeting."

Details: Anthony Albanese, Australian Prime Minister, confirmed that the country provides another 30 Australian Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles for Ukraine.

Quote from Albanese: "Thanks to the new military assistance package, the total number of Bushmasters has reached 120 units."

Background:

On 12 July, G7 plans to announce long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, which are called a step towards the end of the current phase of the war.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
A baby girl was feared kidnapped by a carjacker. Now police say she may have rolled away in an unparked SUV

Harlow Freeman was found safe in her fathers car after reported kidnapped (Parrish Police Department)

A nine-month-old girl, who was previously reported kidnapped in a stolen SUV in Alabama, may not actually have been abducted and the car not stolen, as she was found in a kudzu across the street still strapped into her fathers car.

Parrish police in Alabama had reported Harlow Darby Freeman was kidnapped at approximately 6:50pm in a Lexus on Monday.

The babys father reported the girl was in her car seat in the back seat of his SUV when he ran into a friends house, only to find the car had vanished moments later, according to AL.com.

But by Tuesday, the girl was found and reported safe in her car seat. The car has damage on the rear passenger side and appears to be taped with clear tape due to an unrelated incident, the police said, which provided ventilation for the baby.

Daylight was our friend on this one, Parrish police Chief Danny Woodard told the outlet. Chief Woodard suggested that one explanation was the vehicle was not put into park, causing it to roll down a large embankment and into the kudzu.

Its also possible, he added, that someone else could have moved the car there. Were just not sure yet, he said.

This is not something that happens in a small town like Parrish, Chief Woodard told AL.com. This is a strange turn of events. Luckily, the child was found safe and were going to continue to investigate. He said it was too early to tell whether charges will be filed.

The babys mother, Bethany Smith, shared the good news on Facebook: I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart!! Harlow was found safe! The amount of people who came together to help us find her was overwhelming!! It made my heart so happy in such a horrific time! Thank you all soooo much! We love yall!!
Local districts have announced their back-to-school plans for the 2023-2024 school year.

This is self-reported by the districts, and we are relying on them for any updates to the information you see below.

This list is organized alphabetically by county and shows all of the districts for which we have information. If school officials have information on districts not listed here, or information that has changed since this list was created, they can contact our newsroom through their standard methods, or by e-mailing WHIO at newsdesk@cmgohio.com.

AUGLAIZE COUNTY

St. Marys City Schools: Start date: Aug. 22 for all grades.

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY:

Graham Local Schools: Start date: Aug. 22 for all grades.

Mechanicsburg Exempted Village Schools: State Date: Aug. 22.

West Liberty Salem Local Schools: Start date: Sept. 5 for all ages.

CLARK COUNTY

Springfield City Schools: Start date: Staggering start dates - Grades 1-9 on Aug. 23; Grades 10-12: Aug. 24.

Tecumseh Local Schools: Start Date is Wednesday, August 16 for grades 1-12.

Kenton Ridge Local Schools : Start Date: August 29 for Last Name: A-K | Start Date: August 30 for Last Name: L-Z

Northeastern Local Schools: Start Date: August 29 for Last Name: A-K | Start Date: August 30 for Last Name: L-Z

Northwestern Local Schools: Start Date: August 22

Greenon Local Schools: Start Date: August 24; KDG (Last Name A-M: August 24, Last Name: N-Z: August 25)

Clark Shawnee Local Schools: Start Date: August 24

Southeastern Local Schools: Start Date: August 24

DARKE COUNTY

Greenville City Schools: Start Date: August 28.

Mississinawa Valley Local Schools: Start date: Aug. 30 for all ages.

Arcanum-Butler Local Schools: Start date: Aug. 29 for all students.

Tri-village Local Schools : Start date: Aug. 29 for all grades.

Versailles Schools: Start date: Aug. 28 for all students.

Franklin Monroe Local School: Start date: Aug. 29 for all ages.

GREENE COUNTY

Fairborn City Schools: Start Date: August 17

Beavercreek City Schools: Start dates: August 15 - All Students in Grades 6-12; Start Date - August 15 for students in Grades 1-5 (Last Name A-L); Start Date - August 16 for students in Grades 1-5 (Last Name M-Z); August 17-18 Kindergarten Staggered Start

Xenia Community Schools: Start date: Staggering start dates begin Aug. 18. Grades 1-6, 9: Aug. 17; Grades 7-8, 10-12: Aug. 18; Grades 11/12: Aug. 21; Preschool/Kindergarten: Aug. 22 (Last Name A-K); August 23 (Last Name L-Z)

Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Schools: School begins Aug. 17

LOGAN COUNTY

Bellefontaine City Schools: Start date: Sept. 5 for all ages.

West Liberty Salem Local Schools: Start date: Sept. 5 for all students.

Benjamin Logan Local Schools: Start date: Sep. 5 for all grades.

Indian Lake Local Schools: First day of school: August 30.

MERCER COUNTY

Marion Local Schools: Start date: Aug. 23 for all ages.

Celina City Schools: Start date: Aug. 23 for all students.

St. Henry Local Schools: Start date: Aug. 22 for all grades.

MIAMI COUNTY

Troy City Schools: Start date: Aug. 23 for all grades.

Milton-Union Local Schools: Start date: Aug. 23 for all grades.

Miami East Local Schools: Start date: Aug. 23 for all students.

Piqua City Schools: Start date: Sept. 5 for all students.

Newton Local Schools: Start date: Aug. 22 for all students.

Tipp City School: Start date: Aug. 28 for Grades 6-12; Aug. 31 for Grade K-5

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Northmont Local Schools: Start date: Staggering start dates beginning August 16.

Centerville City Schools: Start date: Aug. 16 for grades K-12.

Huber Heights City Schools: Start date: Aug. 17.

Kettering City Schools: Start date: Grades 1-10: Aug.17; Grades 11-12: Aug. 18; Preschool: Aug. 21 and Kindergarten: Aug. 23.

Oakwood City Schools: Start date: Aug. 16 for grades 7-12. Aug. 18 for grades 1-6. Aug 21 for preschool and kindergarten.

Miamisburg City Schools: Start date: Aug 15.

Trotwood City Schools: Start date: Aug 14.

Dayton Public Schools: Start date: Aug 16. for all ages.

Jefferson Twp. Public Schools: Start date: Aug 10 for all grades.

Mad River Local Schools: Start date: Sept. 5 for Grades 1-12; Start Date: Sept. 5 for Kindergarten (Last Name: A-L); Start Date: Sept. 6 for Kindergarten (Last Name: M-Z)

New Lebanon Local Schools: Start date: Aug. 17 for all ages.

Vandalia Butler City Schools: Start date: Aug. 17 for Grades 1-12

PREBLE COUNTY

Eaton City Schools: Start Date: Aug. 24 for all students.

National Trail Local Schools: Start date: Aug. 17 for grades 1-12

Preble Shawnee Local Schools: Start Date: Aug. 22.

Tri-County North Local Schools: Start Date: Aug. 16.

Twin Valley South Local Schools: State Date: Aug. 16 For Grades 1-12; Start Date: Aug. 18 for Kindergarten; Start Date: Aug. 21 for Pre-K.

SHELBY COUNTY

Fairlawn Local Schools: Start Date: Aug. 23.

Fort Loramie Local Schools: Start Date: Aug. 15.

Anna Local Schools: Start Date: Aug. 22.

Botkins Local Schools: Start Date: Aug. 17.

Hardin-Houston Local Schools: Start date: Aug. 17 for all students.

Jackson Center Local Schools: Start Date: Aug. 23

Russia Local Schools: Start date: Aug. 22 for all ages.

Sidney City Schools: Start date: Grades 5-12: Aug. 30; Grades PK-4 (Group A): Aug. 30; Grades PK-4 (Group B): Aug. 31; PK-4 (Group C): Sept. 1; Grades K-4: Sept. 9.

WARREN COUNTY

Springboro City Schools: Start date: Aug. 15 (Grades 1-12)

WAYNE COUNTY

Centerville-Abington Community Schools: Start date: Aug. 9 for all ages.

Richmond Community Schools: Start date: Aug. 3 for 9th Grade; Aug. 7 for All Students

Nettle Creek Schools: Start date: Aug. 9 for all grades.








Bank of America raked in at least $80 million by repeatedly charging some customers a $35 fee, regulators say

A sign hangs above an ATM machine outside of a Bank of America branch in the Loop on April 09, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Scott Olson/Getty Images

Bank of America made at least $80 million by repeatedly charging customers a $35 fee, the CFPB said.

The bank would sometimes push the fee multiple times on the same transaction, per the CFPB.

It's been ordered to pay a total $250 million in penalties over multiple allegations revealed Tuesday.

For nearly four years, Bank of America generated millions in revenue by charging customers a $35 fee multiple times on declined transactions, regulators said on Tuesday.

The bank would issue the $35 fee when customers held insufficient funds in their accounts, and charged them again whenever a selling merchant tried to re-push the transaction, the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau said in a statement.

"The CFPB's investigation found that Bank of America double-dipped by allowing fees to be repeatedly charged for the same transaction," the bureau wrote. "Over a period of multiple years, Bank of America generated substantial additional revenue by illegally charging multiple $35 fees."

These repeated fees affected customers from September 2018 to February 2022, the CFPB added.

The regulator ordered the bank to refund customers $80.4 million, and to pay a $120 million total fine.

Bank of America was also accused by the CFPB of withholding cash and points rewards from customers, and of fraudulently opening credit card accounts for people without their consent. It's been ordered to pay a combined $250 million in penalties.

"Bank of America wrongfully withheld credit card rewards, double-dipped on fees, and opened accounts without consent," said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra. "These practices are illegal and undermine customer trust. The CFPB will be putting an end to these practices across the banking system."

Bank of America spokesperson William Halldin told Insider that the company in February 2022 stopped charging customers the non-sufficient fund fees that were repeatedly issued.

"We voluntarily reduced overdraft fees and eliminated all non-sufficient fund fees in the first half of 2022," Halldin said in a statement. "As a result of these industry-leading changes, revenue from these fees has dropped more than 90%."

The latest fine is one of the largest penalties faced by Bank of America in its history. In May 2022, the bank was also made to pay $10 million in civil penalties for unlawfully garnishing its customers' wages.

Later that year, it was fined $225 million by authorities for "botching" payments of state unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bank was also ordered to pay $727 million in 2014 for misleading consumers in marketing for its credit card add-ons.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Bank of America staffers secretly opened credit card accounts for people without their knowledge and damaged their credit scores: regulators

Signage is displayed outside of a Bank of America branch in Rolling Hills Estates, California, on March 13, 2023. PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

Bank of America was issuing credit cards to people without their consent for years, the CFPB said.

The employees would secretly take people's credit reports and make bogus applications, per the CFPB.

The bank is ordered to pay $250 million in penalties for a number of offenses revealed Tuesday.

Bank of America employees for years have been quietly opening new credit card accounts for people without their knowledge, regulators said on Tuesday.

Since at least 2012, the bank's staff, wanting to reach their sales incentives, used information from consumers' credit reports to submit bogus account applications, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said in a statement.

Meanwhile, those affected neither knew about these applications nor gave consent for their credit reports to be used, the statement said.

"Because of Bank of America's actions, consumers were charged unjustified fees, suffered negative effects to their credit profiles, and had to spend time correcting errors," the bureau added.

The allegation against Bank of America is one of several announced on Tuesday by the CFPB, which ordered the bank to pay a combined $100 million to affected customers and a total fine of $150 million. The CFPB did not say how many current and former bank staffers were accused of submitting false credit card applications.

The bank is also accused of withholding cash and point rewards from customers, and charging people a $35 fee multiple times for declining the same transaction when their accounts ran out of money.

"Bank of America wrongfully withheld credit card rewards, double-dipped on fees, and opened accounts without consent," said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra in the statement. "These practices are illegal and undermine consumer trust."

In 2022, Bank of America removed the non-sufficient fund fees that were repeatedly charged to customers, company spokesperson William Halldin told Insider

"We voluntarily reduced overdraft fees and eliminated all non-sufficient fund fees in the first half of 2022," Haldin said in a statement. "As a result of these industry leading changes, revenue from these fees has dropped more than 90%."

When asked about the CFPB's allegations of bogus accounts being opened, Halldin pointed to the bureau's order against the bank, which said Bank of America eliminated its sales-based goals and incentives in January.

In a separate case in May 2022, Bank of America was also made to pay $10 million in civil penalties for unlawfully garnishing its customers' wages. Later that year, it was fined $225 million by authorities for "botching" payments of state unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bank was also ordered to pay $727 million in 2014 for misleading consumers in marketing for its credit card add-ons.

In 2016, Wells Fargo was similarly fined $185 million for secretly issuing credit cards to customers without them knowing.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Egyptian Minister of Culture Nevine El Kilani on Tuesday met with the head of UNESCO Cairo Office Nuria Sanz to discuss the two sides' joint efforts to protect cultural heritage.

The minister lauded the "fruitful" cultural cooperation with the UNESCO in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in Egypt's capital Cairo, which she described as "a genuine part of our cultural identity," the English-language daily Egyptian Gazette reported.

"Living heritage provides meaning in the everyday lives of communities, a sense of identity, continuity, and belonging that contribute to people's well-being," El Kilani was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

As this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, the minister said Egypt has planned a series of events to celebrate the anniversary.

The events include launching the Heritage House set to contain the national archive in Cairo at the end of August and hosting the Dates Festival in the Siwa Oasis in October.
Barbie will not be banned in the Philippines after meticulous review

The News

The Philippines decided that it will not ban from being shown in the country after a meticulous review of a map of the South China Sea thats depicted in the upcoming Greta Gerwig movie.

At the center of the controversy was the nine-dash line  a U-shaped line on the map which outlines Chinas territorial claim in the region that isnt recognized globally.

Philippines Movie and Television Review and Classification Board said Wednesday that after consulting a legal expert on the West Philippines Sea, it was convinced that the world map in the movie does not actually depict the nine-dash line  but instead portrayed the route of a make-believe journey of Barbie from Barbie Land to the real world, as an integral part of the story.

The government will instead issue a PG13 rating for the film.

Know More

The film, which stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken, sparked debate on social media and among countries in the South China Sea for its depiction of the nine-dash line on the world map.

In a letter shared with reporters, the Philippines censorship board said that the Southeast Asian country, along with Malaysia and Indonesia, are not visible on the map, adding that they would not hesitate to sanction or ban any film or filmmakers who inaccurately portray the controversial boundary along the South China Sea.

The board also said they had asked Warner Bros. to blur the lines on the map in the film, but it is unclear whether the production company has agreed to this.

The View From Vietnam

Vietnam, on the other hand, moved swiftly to ban the film.

Vi Kien Thanh, head of the Department of Cinema, a government body that decides on the licensing and censoring of foreign films, called the depiction of the territorial line an offending image.

The energy-rich strip in the South China Sea remains a contentious issue between China and Vietnam, with Hanoi repeatedly accusing Chinese ships of violating its sovereignty, Reuters reports.

In a statement to Variety, a spokesperson for Warner Bros. Film Group said that the map in Barbie Land is a 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.
Barstow Police report second suspected attempted murder by stabbing within a week.

Two Barstow men were arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide after police said they stabbed a 43-year-old man multiple times.

It's the second attempted homicide by stabbing in Barstow within a week.

Around 7:43 a.m. on Tuesday, officers responded to a stabbing in the 200 block of East Main Street. Detectives arrived in the area and spotted the victim lying on the ground and suffering from multiple stab wounds.

Barstow Fire Protection District paramedics responded and provided aid to the victim, who was later transported by helicopter to a trauma hospital. His condition is unknown on Wednesday.

Officers believe that the victim, a resident of Barstow, argued with two suspects, who were later identified as Joshua Patrick, 25, and Demarrea Deion Patrick, 27.

During the argument, the victim attempted to flee from the suspects, who gave chase and tackled him. One of the men then stabbed the victim multiple times, before the suspects fled on foot toward Third Avenue, police said.

The suspects were later found in the 300 block of N. Third Avenue. Demarrea Patrick was arrested without incident, and Joshua Patrick was arrested after a brief foot chase. Witnesses identified both men as the stabbing suspects, police said.

They were booked into the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department High Desert Detention Center on suspicion of attempted murder, with bail set for each at $1 million, sheriffs booking records show.

The Patricks have a fugitive warrants out of Washoe County, Nevada, sheriffs officials reported.

East Virginia Way stabbing

Around 1:42 p.m. on July 6, Barstow officers were dispatched to the 600 block of East Virginia Way regarding a stabbing.

The victim told dispatchers she had been stabbed in the neck by her boyfriend and needed medical aid, police officials said.

Officers arrived on the scene and were immediately confronted by a man identified as Marcus Huffman, 31, of Barstow.

As officers attempted to detain Huffman, he charged and assaulted one of them. Officers deployed a Taser, which was ineffective, according to officers.

Huffman continued resisting officers and fled to the backyard of the residence. Officers were able to catch up with Huffman, who struggled and was arrested without further incident.

Officers provided medical aid to the woman until Barstow Fire paramedics arrived. She suffered several stab wounds and was transported to a trauma center by air ambulance.

As detectives processed the scene, they discovered evidence from the stabbing that occurred inside the home.

Huffman was booked into the High Desert Detention Center on suspicion of attempted murder.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Barstow Detective Hollister at 760-255-5189, or email ahollister@barstowca.org.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact the WE-TIP hotline at 800-78-CRIME (27469) or wetip.com.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Barstow men arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after stabbing man
The wife of newsreader Huw Edwards has identified him as the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images.

Vicky Flind said her husband was suffering from serious mental health issues and was now in hospital, where he will stay for the foreseeable future.

As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years. The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, Ms Flind said.

The Metropolitan Police has said no criminal offence has been committed by the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images.

It gives the green light for the corporation to resume its internal investigation into the star, accused of paying a young person around 35,000 for sexually explicit images.

There are now four separate allegations against Edwards, including breaking lockdown rules and sending threatening messages to a person in their early twenties whom he met on a dating app.

Key Points

Former colleague to BBC presenter says TV star is extremely angry over allegations

Accused presenter hopes to walk back into the building, says Jeremy Vine

Broadcasters and BBC staff call for unnamed presenter to come forward

Second young person felt threatened by BBC presenter

BBC pauses investigation into presenter while police examine case

Huw Edwards identified as star

18:03 , Jane Dalton

Vicky Flind, the wife of news reader Huw Edwards, has named him as the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images in a statement issued on his behalf.

Huw Edwards named by wife as BBC star at centre of sex scandal

18:05 , Jane Dalton

Edwards has serious mental health issues, says wife

18:04 , Jane Dalton

In a statement released to the PA news agency, Vicky Flind, the wife of BBC news reader Huw Edwards said: In light of the recent reporting regarding the BBC Presenter I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family. I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children.

Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.

The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where hell stay for the foreseeable future.

Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published.

To be clear Huw was first told that there were allegations being made against him last Thursday.

In the circumstances and given Huws condition, I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected. I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end.

Police drop investigation, saying no offence committed

17:54 , Jane Dalton

No criminal offence was committed by the BBC employee, the Metropolitan Police say they have concluded, dropping their probe.

Detectives from the Mets Specialist Crime Command have now concluded their assessment and have determined there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed, the force said.

They said they had spoken to a number of parties including the BBC and the alleged complainant and the alleged complainants family, both via another police force.

There is no further police action. As such, the Met has advised the BBC it can continue with its internal investigation.

They added: We are aware of media reporting of further allegations against the same individual. No specific details or information about these allegations have been passed to us and therefore there is no police action at this time.

Should evidence of criminality or safeguarding issues be identified at any point we would expect matters to be referred to the relevant police force.

Police had asked the BBC to put its own investigation on hold while it carried out further scoping.

Jeremy Vine call strange, says Susanna Reid

15:55 , Jane Dalton

Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid says Jeremy Vines call for the accused presenter to identify himself is odd.

She said: Now we have a very high-profile presenter, Jeremy Vine, putting pressure on the unnamed presenter to come forward, which I think is a strange move for another presenter.

Right that claims investigated quickly, says Rishi Sunak

15:34 , Jane Dalton

The prime minister says he was personally concerned by the claims against the BBC presenter and they should be investigated quickly.

Rishi Sunak said: With regard to the BBC, I think, as youll be aware, the police have asked the BBC to suspend their inquiry whilst they do their assessment, and it is right that we let that continue.

I personally was concerned by the allegations, they are serious and its right that they are investigated swiftly and rigorously.

Im glad that thats happening and we should let that continue and conclude.

He declined to comment when asked if the presenter should resign.

The new claims and questions explained

15:25 , Jane Dalton

Everything known and the unanswered questions surrounding the furore over the BBC presenter:

BBC presenter allegations: What are the new claims and the unanswered questions?

Accused presenter hopes to walk back into the building, says Jeremy Vine

14:50 , Jane Dalton

Presenter Jeremy Vine says the BBC presenter at the heart of the ongoing sex scandal is angry but hopes he can one day walk back into the building:

Jeremy Vine says accused BBC presenter angry but hopes to walk back into building

Broadcasters must have ways of flagging claims, says Channel 4 boss

14:19 , Jane Dalton

A Channel 4 boss has said broadcasters needed to ensure procedures were in place that would quickly flag up issues such as the allegations facing the BBC.

Chief executive Alex Mahon was asked during the annual report press briefing whether the BBC had a duty of care to identify the presenter, to which she replied: It doesnt look easy does it.

She added: The key thing for us is to make sure that our procedures would flag something like that to us.

We have a speak up procedure that is on every call sheet that goes out on every production, and those instances are described to us as senior management, to me, within 24 hours, if something comes in.

Channel 4 boss weighs in on duty of care debate amid BBC presenter allegations

Watch: Jeremy Vine urges presenter to come forward

13:30 , Jane Dalton

Jeremy Vine urges BBC presenter to come forward in opening monologue of show

Lessons to be learned by BBC- government minister says

12:35 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Government minister Victoria Atkins said this morning that there were lessons to be learned by the BBC in the handling of complaints against the unnamed presenter at the centre of a row over alleged payments for sexually explicit photos.

But the Treasury minister said the police scoping exercise and the BBC investigations must be allowed to run their course before the post-mortem can begin.

Because the allegations are so serious, and we have always acknowledged this, we have to let these processes now go through, she told Sky News.

There will certainly be lessons to be learned for the BBC and I can understand why people may be asking questions at this point and Im sure those questions will continue to be asked.

BBC presenter scandal: All the allegations made against TV star so far

12:16 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A BBC presenter accused of paying for sexually explicit photos now faces four allegations against him.

A 23-year-old has claimed the unnamed presenter broke lockdown rules to meet them during the pandemic in February 2021, according to The Sun.

Separately, a 17-year-old has alleged they were following the star on Instagram when he messaged them, using love hearts and kisses, reported The Sun on Tuesday.

In a different set of allegations, BBC News reported on Tuesday that a person in their early 20s has claimed they were sent threatening messages by the unnamed man.

It comes after The Sun alleged a young person was paid around 35,000 for sexually explicit images by the presenter, who has been suspended by the BBC.

All the allegations against BBC presenter accused of paying for explicit images

BBC presenter scandal timeline as four claims made against household name

11:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The BBC is facing increased pressure after fresh claims emerged about an unnamed presenter who has been facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit photos.

Below we set out a timeline of how the story has developed over the last week:

BBC presenter scandal timeline as four claims made against household name

Jeremy Vine says BBC behaved with extraordinary decency'

11:32 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Jeremy Vine defended the BBC, saying the corporation has behaved with extraordinary decency and he understands that if it sacks the presenter, it may not be able to name him.

On whether the person thinks they are above being held to account for their alleged actions, Vine said: It may be more complicated than that, they may be in some sort of terrible crisis, unable to judge whats right and whats wrong any more, I dont know.

Even if the identity of the scandal-hit BBC presenter is never disclosed, the damage has already been done

11:09 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

How do you drag back into private something which has gone viral and become common knowledge? Media law expert David Banks explains the consequences:

We may not find out who the BBC presenter is  but the damage is done | David Banks

Former colleague to BBC presenter says TV star is extremely angry over allegations

10:35 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A former colleague of the unnamed BBC presenter has said the broadcaster is extremely angry over the allegations after he was accused of sending a teenager thousands in exchange for explicit photos.

Jon Sopel, a former BBC correspondent, told The News Agent podcast: A number of people have been in touch with the presenter to say they feel righteous fury over the way The Sun has covered this and it is fair to say that the presenter at the heart of this is also extremely angry over a lot of The Sun coverage and is convinced theyre trying to dig and find new dirt to harm this particular persons reputation.

Since the first accusation emerged on Saturday, three more allegations have surfaced, including claims the presenter broke lockdown rules and sent threatening messages to a person in their early twenties who he met on a dating app.

Jeremy Vine says BBC presenter will have to answer allegations against him

10:29 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Jeremy Vine said the unnamed BBC presenter will have to answer the allegations against him, suggesting the man will not be able to remain anonymous for ever while continuing to work for the broadcaster.

Vine - who also hosts an afternoon show on BBC Radio 2 - said on his Channel 5 show: I think its better for him if he does, I think he needs to.

He will have to answer this, and whats happening is all this stuff is aggregating with no response.

Now, he must have a defence, he must have one. Maybe hes going to say its all a misunderstanding? Well I assume it.

But the idea that he can just remain anonymous for ever and then one day walk back into the building with his ID pass, oh no, thats not going to happen.

Vine, who was among a number of BBC stars who have publicly denied being the accused presenter, said: I had a situation: I was going to see Bruce Springsteen at the weekend and my wife said, are you going to be safe there?

Thats how serious this thing is, and she gave me a baseball cap and said you better wear this.

What are the allegations against the BBC presenter?

10:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

There are now four separate allegations against the BBC presenter.

The first allegation accused the presenter of paying a teenager thousands of pounds in exchange for explicit photos.

The second allegation surfaced on Tuesday when a young person in their early 20s claimed they felt threatened by messages they received from the BBC presenter.

Speaking to BBC News, the individual in their early 20s said they were first contacted anonymously by the male presenter on a dating app.

When the young person hinted online they might name the presenter, they claim they were sent abusive messages and became frightened by the threats made in the messages.

The unnamed TV star was also accused of breaking lockdown rules to meet the person. The Sun claimed the presenter visited the person he met online and sent cash to them, with the paper further alleging he travelled out of London in February 2021 to meet them.

The Sun reported a fourth allegation against the presenter on Tuesday evening. An individual claimed the TV personality messaged them on Instagram when the individual was 17-years-old.

The presenter allegedly messaged the teenager with heart emojis despite the two having no prior contact.

Jeremy Vine says unnamed BBC presenter needs to come forward'

09:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Jeremy Vine has said the unnamed presenter at the heart of the BBC scandal needs to come forward.

Speaking on his Channel 5 show, Vine - who also hosts an afternoon show on BBC Radio 2 - said: Its his decision but he needs to come forward now, I think.

I know his survival instinct has kicked in and I know he saw what happened to Phillip Schofield, but my God look at the damage to the BBC, look at the damage to his friends, to those falsely accused - and the longer he leaves it the worse it will be for him.

Vine said he thought very carefully before posting his tweet on Tuesday night urging the unnamed presenter to reveal himself, adding: I know the individual concerned. I am very worried about his state of mind and what this is doing to him.

I havent spoken to him but I gather from somebody who has that he is described as angry and keen to play it long.

Now to me that means that he wants to be anonymous for as long as possible hoping that he can one day walk back into the building.

(PA Archive)

Lisa Nandy says politicians should not try to out the BBC presenter

09:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Shadow minister Lisa Nandy said politicians should not try to out the BBC presenter at the centre of the scandal.

The Labour frontbencher acknowledged there would be less risk of people speculating about other personalities if the individual identified himself, but said that is a matter for the individual concerned.

She told Sky News: I dont think its right for politicians to start trying to out an individual. I dont think its helpful for the public to be speculating about, either.

Its a question for the individual concerned, its not a matter for me... It is hurting others but whats hurting others most of all is the constant speculation about the identity.

Theres a number of people who have ended up in the firing line over the weekend. I just urge people to stop doing that.

Presenter Kay Burley suggested an easy way to fix that is for the individual to come forward, to which Ms Nandy responded: Thats true, but it is a question for the individual concerned.

(PA)

Victoria Atkins pushed on whether BBC presenter should identify himself

08:47 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Government minister Victoria Atkins was pushed on whether the BBC presenter should identify himself after a number of stars at the broadcaster felt forced to deny being the person at the centre of the scandal.

The Treasury minister told Sky News the situation had been exacerbated by the use of social media to name people suspected of involvement: There is this real problem, that I think we as a society have to face, as to the impact on innocent people when allegations of this sort are made and people try to work out who is at the centre of the allegations.

Pushed on whether the presenter should identify himself to end that speculation, she said: Im not going to comment on an individual, the duties or responsibilities of them to name themselves.

But she said there was a role for social media firms to see what they are doing and checking on their platforms.

And she said MPs should be very careful about using parliamentary privilege to identify the presenter, saying they had to remember the huge responsibility they have.

BBC star sent abusive messages to second young person after contact on dating app

08:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A person in their early twenties has said they felt threatened by expletive-filled messages from the BBC presenter facing allegations he paid a teenager for sexually explicit photos as the scandal surrounding the corporation deepens.

The fresh shock allegations, reported by the BBC, add further pressure on the broadcaster as it reels from the fallout from separate claims made against the unnamed male presenter and first reported by The Sun.

The individual in their early twenties  who has no connection to the person at the centre of The Suns story  met the male presenter on a dating app before their conversations moved to other platforms, according to the BBC.

The presenter revealed his identity and asked the young person not to tell anyone. The young person later posted online alluding to having had contact with a BBC presenter and hinting they might name him.

Adam Forrest reports:

TV star sent abusive messages to second young person after contact on dating app

MPs should be very careful about using Parliamentary privilege to name presenter

08:18 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Government minister Victoria Atkins said MPs should be very careful about using parliamentary privilege to identify the presenter, saying they had to remember the huge responsibility they have.

Ms Atkins was pushed on whether the BBC presenter should identify himself after a number of stars at the broadcaster felt forced to deny being the person at the centre of the scandal.

The Treasury minister told Sky News the situation had been exacerbated by the use of social media to name people suspected of involvement: There is this real problem, that I think we as a society have to face, as to the impact on innocent people when allegations of this sort are made and people try to work out who is at the centre of the allegations.

Pushed on whether the presenter should identify himself to end that speculation, she said: Im not going to comment on an individual, the duties or responsibilities of them to name themselves.

But she said there was a role for social media firms to see what they are doing and checking on their platforms.

Watch: Government must not interfere in police investigation on BBC presenter, minister says

08:01 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Treasury minister, Victoria Atkins, has said the government must not interfere in police investigation on the unnamed BBC presenter.

Lessons to be learned by BBC, Treasury minister says

07:36 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Government minister Victoria Atkins said there were lessons to be learned by the BBC in the handling of complaints against the unnamed presenter at the centre of a row over alleged payments for sexually explicit photos.

But the Treasury minister said the police scoping exercise and the BBC investigations must be allowed to run their course before the post-mortem can begin.

Because the allegations are so serious, and we have always acknowledged this, we have to let these processes now go through, she told Sky News.

There will certainly be lessons to be learned for the BBC and I can understand why people may be asking questions at this point and Im sure those questions will continue to be asked.

(PA)

BBC faces increased pressure after fresh allegations about presenter

07:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar

The BBC is facing increased pressure after fresh claims emerged about an unnamed presenter who has been facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit photos.

BBC News reported yesterday that a person in their early 20s has alleged that they were sent threatening messages by the unnamed man.

They appear to be separate to a young person who The Sun claims was paid around 35,000 over three years, from the age of 17, for sexually explicit images by the presenter, who has been suspended by the BBC.

The second young person reportedly told The Sun that the star was always asking to meet and I found it quite pressurising. There were restrictions and they kept getting stricter but he constantly asked.

Read the full story here:

Voices: The BBC presenter scandal  and the cracks in The Suns story

06:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

There are so many question marks about The Suns journalism that it risks ending up making them look far worse than the presenter at the centre of the explicit images allegations, whose private life is their own affair if no laws have been broken, writes Sean OGrady:

The BBC presenter scandal  and the cracks in The Suns story | Sean OGrady

BBC presenter scandal: The claims and timeline of allegations

06:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar

On 10 July, the Met said it is carrying out further inquiries to establish whether any crime has been committed after BBC representatives met with detectives virtually.

A lawyer representing the young person said the claims in the inappropriate article are rubbish.

In a letter reported by BBC News At Six, the young person said via the lawyer: For the avoidance of doubt, nothing inappropriate or unlawful has taken place between our client and the BBC personality and the allegations reported in The Sun newspaper are rubbish.

Heres the timeline of allegations:

Timeline of allegations against BBC presenter accused of paying for explicit images

ICYMI: Lawyer for young person at centre of BBC presenter sex case says nothing inappropriate happened

05:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

The teenager at the centre of the BBC presenter scandal has said nothing inappropriate or unlawful happened with the unnamed star accused of paying them 35,000 for sexually explicit images.

In another day of extraordinary drama, they said the allegations published in The Sun, were rubbish, in a letter issued by their lawyer to the broadcaster.

The claim comes hours after the Metropolitan Police confirmed there is no investigation at this time following a weekend of online speculation over the identity of the male star, believed to be a household name.

Its understood BBC staff are furious at the broadcasters handling of the scandal, which prompted several of the corporations top talent to rush to declare their innocence and that the presenter, who was suspended on Sunday, is not minded to reveal their identity until the outcome of any police probe.

Holly Evans reports:

Lawyer for young person at centre of BBC presenter sex case says claims are rubbish

BBC star sent 'abusive messages' to second young person after contact on dating app  report

05:03 , Maroosha Muzaffar

A person in their early twenties has said they felt threatened by expletive-filled messages from the BBC presenter facing allegations he paid a teenager for sexually explicit photos as the scandal surrounding the corporation deepens.

The fresh shock allegations, reported by the BBC, add further pressure on the broadcaster as it reels from the fallout from separate claims made against the unnamed male presenter and first reported by The Sun.

The individual in their early twenties  who has no connection to the person at the centre of The Suns story  met the male presenter on a dating app before their conversations moved to other platforms, according to the BBC.

Read the full story by Adam Forrest here:

TV star sent abusive messages to second young person after contact on dating app

Fellow broadcasters and BBC staff call for unnamed presenter to come forward

04:36 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Jeremy Vine and Piers Morgan are among the high-profile figures who have called for the unnamed presenter at the heart of the BBC scandal to come forward publicly for the good of his colleagues at the corporation.

Fresh claims about the anonymous man emerged on Tuesday, following previous allegations over payments he had made for sexually explicit photos.

The Sun newspapers front page on Wednesday also reported that a 23-year-old person has claimed the presenter broke lockdown rules to meet them during the pandemic in February 2021.

Posting online on Tuesday, Vine said the latest allegations would result in yet more vitriol being thrown at perfectly innocent colleagues at the BBC.

Read the full story here:

Fellow broadcasters and BBC staff call for unnamed presenter to come forward

ICYMI: Piers Morgan blasts BBC for refusing to name presenter at the centre of explicit photos row

03:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Piers Morgan has berated the BBC on Twitter for failing to name the presenter accused of paying a teenager for sexually explicit photos.

The Sun first reported last week that a high-profile broadcaster had paid more than 35,000 for explicit pictures and appeared in his underwear on a video call with a then-17-year-old. Its report also omitted the stars name.

The BBC confirmed on Sunday (9 July) it had made contact with the Metropolitan Police over the presenters reported actions.

Tom Murray reports:

Piers Morgan blasts BBC for refusing to name presenter in sexual photos row

ICYMI: Read BBC statement on presenter scandal in full as it admits seven-week delay

02:00 , Eleanor Noyce

The BBC has admitted bosses only spoke to the top presenter at the centre of a sexual images scandal seven weeks after their family first complained.

The unnamed TV star is accused of paying 35,000 for images over three years to a the-17-year-old teenager, who is now aged 20.

Family members complained to the broadcaster on May 18 but it has since emerged that only two follow-up attempts via email and phone were made by the BBCs Corporate Investigations Team.

Holly Evans reports:

Read BBC statement on presenter scandal in full as it admits seven-week delay

BBC presenter scandal: Why has star not been named and could they be jailed over explicit photos?

01:00 , Eleanor Noyce

A high-profile BBC presenter has been accused of paying a teenager more than 35,000 for explicit pictures.

Once the allegations went public, the now-suspended star said, what have you done? in an effort to try and stop the investigation, it has been claimed.

It came afterThe Sun reported last week how the star allegedly appeared in his underwear in a video call and began paying the person for explicit content when the complainant was 17.

Oliver Pritchard-Jones has the full story:

Why has BBC presenter not been named and could they be jailed over explicit photos?

BBC explicit image scandal: Key points from Tim Davie grilling

Wednesday 12 July 2023 00:01 , Eleanor Noyce

BBC director general Tim Davie has publicly commented on the corporations presenter scandal for the first time.

A presenter has been accused of paying a person 35,000 for explicit images over three years which began when the person, now aged 20, was 17, in allegations published by The Sun.

Mr Davie told BBC Radio 4s World At One programme on Tuesday (11 July) that he has not yet spoken to the unnamed presenter.

The BBC boss added that the complaints are clearly damaging to the broadcaster, and addressed a challenge from host Sarah Montague that everyone is this building knows the identity of the unnamed star.

Holly Patrick reports:

BBC explicit image scandal: Key points from Tim Davie grilling

BBC presenter allegations: A timeline of key events

Tuesday 11 July 2023 23:00 , Eleanor Noyce

The BBC has suspended a male member of staff following allegations an unnamed presenter paid a teenager tens of thousands of pounds for sexually explicit images.

But the young person at the centre of the controversy has said nothing inappropriate or unlawful happened.

Here is a timeline of how events unfolded based, in part, on information from the BBC and The Sun.

Jacob Phillips reports:

BBC presenter allegations: A timeline of key events

BBC presenter accused of breaking lockdown rules to meet online date

Tuesday 11 July 2023 21:38 , Eleanor Noyce

A BBC star at the centre of sex scandal has been accused of breaking covid rules to meet someone he met on a dating app.

According to The Sun newspaper messages suggest the TV personality visited the home of the person he met online and sent cash to them.

He travelled on public transport to meet them out of London on February 18, 2021, the paper claims, weeks after the public were told they could only travel for work.

In an interview, the person, who has not been named, adds: He (The BBC star) came round for an hour.

I was quite shocked that he broke the rules to come and meet me because of who he is. I was just a random person online.

The newspaper has handed over evidence of the texts to The BBC.

Piers Morgan blasts BBC for refusing to name presenter at the centre of explicit photos row

Tuesday 11 July 2023 20:48 , Eleanor Noyce

Piers Morgan has berated the BBC on Twitter for failing to name the presenter accused of paying a teenager for sexually explicit photos.

The Sun first reported last week that a high-profile broadcaster had paid more than 35,000 for explicit pictures and appeared in his underwear on a video call with a then-17-year-old.

The BBC confirmed on Sunday (9 July) it had made contact with the Metropolitan Police over the presenters reported actions.

Tom Murray reports:

Piers Morgan blasts BBC for refusing to name presenter in sexual photos row

The Sun not entirely on solid ground, says former Guardian editor

Tuesday 11 July 2023 20:00 , Eleanor Noyce

The former editor of The Guardian has expressed he feels that The Sun is not entirely on solid ground in its story regarding the allegations against a BBC presenter.

If the story was pitched as high as they were pitching it initially.. they could have argued the public interest defence in court if there was subsequent legal action, Alan Rusbridger told Sky News, stating that usually a newspaper would name a person it was accusing.

It was curious that The Sun had not, he added, noting that he felt it was goading the BBC into trying to do their dirty work for them.

Come forward publicly, Jeremy Vine urges BBC presenter

Tuesday 11 July 2023 19:20 , Eleanor Noyce

Jeremy Vine has urged the BBC presenter to come forward publicly as speculation about their identity deepens.

Im starting to think the BBC Presenter involved in the scandal should now come forward publicly, Mr Vine tweeted.

These new allegations will result in yet more vitriol being thrown at perfectly innocent colleagues of his. And the BBC, which Im sure he loves, is on its knees with this.

But it is his decision and his alone.

Im starting to think the BBC Presenter involved in the scandal should now come forward publicly. These new allegations will result in yet more vitriol being thrown at perfectly innocent colleagues of his. And the BBC, which Im sure he loves, is on its knees with this.

But it  Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) July 11, 2023

Show us what youve got, podcast urges The Sun on BBC presenter allegations

Tuesday 11 July 2023 19:00 , Eleanor Noyce

A podcast has urged The Sun to show us what youve got as the allegations against the BBC presenter continue.

Surely the onus has to be on The Sun now, presenter Jon Sopel told The News Agents podcast.

Well, you know, put up or shut up. Show us what youve got. Because at the moment, all we had in The Sun last night after the youngster had made this statement through the lawyer was the parents saying well, we stick by our story.

Rule number one of journalism is it is meant to inform, co-host Lewis Goodall added.

It is meant to shed more light than it takes away.

This as a piece of journalism clearly completely fails on that.

Every day, we seem to know less.

At some point the dam will burst, says BBCs former chief political correspondent

Tuesday 11 July 2023 18:22 , Eleanor Noyce

The BBCs former chief political correspondent has described BBC director-general Tim Davies interview as deeply embarrassing.

I think [the BBC will] stagger on waiting for someone else to break the news - or make the real allegation - as to who the famous presenter is, John Sergeant told Sky News.

My feeling is that at some point the dam will burst, Mr Sergeant added.

You cant go on having this extraordinary kind of phoney war between BBC management, their own news staff and all the journalists from Fleet Street crying out for more information.

Sunaks press secretary calls for anyone with allegations to come forward

Tuesday 11 July 2023 17:35 , Holly Evans

Rishi Sunaks press secretary said anyone with similar allegations to come forward.

We would call on those people to come forward to ensure that they are supported and their claims looked into, they said.

Police force first contacted in April, BBC confirms

Tuesday 11 July 2023 17:28 , Eleanor Noyce

Having received a statement from the force, the BBC has confirmed that a police force was contacted in April but that no criminality was identified.

The force has also now held meetings with both the Metropolitan Police and the BBC, and as a result of recent developments, further enquiries are ongoing to establish whether there is evidence of a criminal offence.

BBC on a journey to uphold transparency, says Ofcom chair

Tuesday 11 July 2023 17:20 , Holly Evans

The BBC is on a journey in its efforts to uphold transparency, the chairman of Ofcom has said.

Lord Grade of Yarmouth told the Lords Communications and Digital Committee: The BBC in terms of its relationship with the commercial sector is a journey which theyre still on.

We are pushing in detailed ways to ensure theyre much more timely in their publication of changes they may want to make so we can assess the market impact.

Dame Melanie Dawes, chief executive of the watchdog, said efforts should be made so that people dont feel blindsided as they sometimes do by something that comes out a little bit too late.

Asked what his assessment was of how well the BBC was doing in terms of upholding transparency, Lord Grade said: I think theyre on a journey.

BBC boss had been unable to comment on further allegations

Tuesday 11 July 2023 16:55 , Holly Evans

During a press briefing around the BBCs annual report, director-general Tim Davie said he was unable to comment on further allegations against the presenter due to an active police discusssion going on.

It has since been reported by BBC News that a second person has made an allegation against the TV star after being first contacted anonymously on a dating app.

The individual said that they were send abusive, expletive-filled messages after hinting online that they would reveal his identity.

The person, aged in their 20s, has no connection to the individual at the centre of the Suns story about payments for photos.

BBC News has contacted the presenter directly and via his lawyer but has received no response to the latest allegations.

BBC star sent abusive messages to second young person after contact on dating app

Tuesday 11 July 2023 16:28 , Holly Evans

A young person in their early 20s said they had felt threatened by messages received from the BBC presenter facing allegations he paid a teenager for sexually explicit photos, the broadcaster has reported.

According to the BBC, the individual met the presenter on a dating app before their conversations moved to other platforms.

The presenter then revealed his identity and asked them not to tell anyone. The individual later posted online alluding to having had contact with a BBC presenter and hinting they might name him.

Adam Forrest has more.

TV star sent abusive messages to second young person after contact on dating app

BBC has seen threatening messages and confirmed presenters phone number

Tuesday 11 July 2023 16:19 , Holly Evans

According to the BBC, the person in their early 20s met the presenter on a dating app before their conversations moved to other platforms.

The presenter then revealed his identity and asked the young person not to tell anyone.

The young person later posted online alluding to having had contact with a BBC presenter and hinting they might name him.

The presenter then sent a number of threatening messages which the BBC says it has seen and confirmed came from a phone number belonging to the presenter.

The BBC said the young person felt threatened by the messages and remain scared.

BBC News said it had contacted the presenter via his lawyer but had received no response to the allegations.

Second young person felt threatened by BBC presenter

Tuesday 11 July 2023 16:10 , Holly Evans

A young person in their early 20s felt threatened by messages they received from the BBC presenter facing allegations he paid a teenager for sexually explicit photos, the broadcaster has reported.

Speaking to BBC News, the individual in their early 20s said they were first contacted anonymously by the male presenter on a dating app.

When the young person hinted online they might name the presenter, they were sent abusive messages and became frightened by the threats made in the messages.

Read BBC statement on presenter scandal in full as it admits seven-week delay

Tuesday 11 July 2023 15:49 , Holly Evans

The BBC has admitted bosses only spoke to the top presenter at the centre of a sexual images scandal seven weeks after their family first complained.

The unnamed TV star is accused of paying 35,000 for images over three years to a the-17-year-old teenager, who is now aged 20.

Family members complained to the broadcaster on May 18 but it has since emerged that only two follow-up attempts via email and phone were made by the BBCs Corporate Investigations Team.

Holly Evans has more

Read BBC statement on presenter scandal in full as it admits seven-week delay

Broadcasters frustrated at Tim Davie interview - It beggars belief

Tuesday 11 July 2023 15:47 , Holly Evans

Following the interview with Tim Davie on BBC Radio Fours World at One programme, Sky News journalist Katie Spencer said: All of us broadcasters have asked for interviews with Tim Davie. Weve been told hes not giving any interviews.

If the BBC open, fair, honest and it is up front about whats going on - to only give an interview to a BBC outlet; to avoid walking in any of the entrances or exits here at the building - for Tim Davie to have gone in via the loading bay to avoid answering of our questions - it just beggars belief.

Board of the BBC must take full responsibility, says Ofcom chair

Tuesday 11 July 2023 15:40 , Holly Evans

The board of the BBC must take full responsibiliy for the current crisis, the chairman of Ofcom said as he downplayed the prospects of the family at the centre of the claims being able to pursue a complaint with the broadcasting watchdog.

Appearing before the Lords Communications and Digital Committee, Baron Michael Grade was asked whether the family may have recourse to contact Ofcom if the case is not found to be a matter for the police and they are dissatisfied with the BBCs own handling of the allegations.

He replied: I very much doubt it. I think it (wouldnt) be unless it was a specific programme complaint, a content complaint or a complaint that the BBC had somehow breached its charter then obviously we would look at it, but I dont see us getting involved in this one way or another.

Lord Grade added: It is for the board of the BBC to take full responsibility for this present crisis.

Board of the BBC must take full responsibility for the crisis (PA)

Ofcom said governance is a matter for the board of the corporation

Tuesday 11 July 2023 15:33 , Holly Evans

The chairman of Ofcom said the management and governance of the BBC is entirely a matter for the board of the corporation.

Lord Grade of Yarmouth told the Lords Communications and Digital Committee: Theres a danger that what this current furore might confuse is the role of Ofcom and the role of the BBC.

We need to be absolutely clear that the public interest in the BBC, the money, its independence, its standard of journalism, its quality of management  that resides singly and solely with the board of the BBC. They are the BBC.

He added: Ofcoms role is very clearly defined and very limited, we create the operating licence under which the BBC television and radio broadcast, we make sure they stick to the licence, were there as a court of appeal as it were for members of the public who have not had satisfaction going through the BBC complaints procedure, and we generally monitor the BBCs performance against its purposes.

We have nothing to do with the management of the BBC, the governance of the BBC, that is entirely a matter for the board of the BBC.

Key points from Tim Davie grilling

Tuesday 11 July 2023 15:14 , Holly Evans

BBC director general Tim Davie has publicly commented on the corporations presenter scandal for the first time.

A presenter has been accused of paying a person 35,000 for explicit images over three years which began when the person, now aged 20, was 17, in allegations published by The Sun.

BBC explicit image scandal: Key points from Tim Davie grilling

BBC reveal highest paid talent in annual review

Tuesday 11 July 2023 15:10 , Holly Evans

Gary Lineker is the BBCs highest paid on-air talent for the sixth consecutive year and the only star to earn more than 1 million in the year 2022/2023, according to the corporations annual report.

While there are four women in the top 10 list of highest earners, none of them has broken the 1 million threshold.

The salaries of the corporations top talent have been unveiled while the BBC is under pressure over allegations an unnamed presenter paid a teenager for explicit images.

Laura Harding has more.

Gary Lineker remains at top of list of BBCs highest paid on-air talent

Met Police release new statement

Tuesday 11 July 2023 14:55 , Holly Evans

In a recent statement, the Metropolitan Police said: We have asked the BBC to pause its own investigation while we continue our assessment to establish whether there is evidence of a criminal offence being committed.

The assessment is being led by detectives from the Mets Specialist Crime Command and follows a virtual meeting with representatives from the BBC on the morning of Monday, 10 July.

There remains no police investigation at this time.

Tim Davie says he has not spoken to accused BBC presenter

Tuesday 11 July 2023 14:35 , Holly Evans

In an interview with BBC Radio Fours World at One programme, the director-general said that he had not spoken directly with the accused presenter, but that a very senior manager had been in contact.

Row clearly damaging for BBC, admits Tim Davie  but defends handling of complaint

Tuesday 11 July 2023 14:20 , Holly Evans

BBC director-general Tim Davie was also grilled on Radio 4s World at One about whether the corporation had acted quickly enough on initial complaint made by the young persons family.

Asked what exactly the initial complaint was, and why it was not considered potentially criminal until claims made in The Sun on 6 July, Mr Davie said he cannot get into specifics but accepted they were clearly serious allegations.

He told the programme it was right not to put the initial allegation to the presenter at the centre of the allegation until efforts were made to verify the complaint.

Asked if the presenter has denied the claim, Mr Davie: Im not going to get into specific conversations with the presenter.

Asked if further allegations had been made against the presenter, the director-general said: Because this is the subject of an active police discussion in terms of what they want to do looking forward ... I cannot comment on that.

Asked if he was saying that he was satisfied with the timing of the BBCs handling of complaint, he said: No I think thats the wrong characterisation.

He added that the BBC had to learn lessons and said he wanted to make sure the process for how serious complaints are red flagged to be immediately reviewed. On the impact of the row, Mr Davie admitted said The BBC is often in the midst of quite painful and difficult affairs and storms, and these are clearly damaging to the BBC. And its not a good thing for the BBC.

Everyone in the building knows who it is: BBC host grills Tim Davie

Tuesday 11 July 2023 14:01 , Holly Evans

Director-general Tim Davie has been grilled by BBC Radio 4s World At One, where he was told everyone in the building knows the identity of the presenter at the centre of allegations.

Host Sarah Montague said: Hes not been named. Everyone is this building knows who it is. And theres a lot of people who you also have a duty of care presenters on air, who are having to go on air to say its not them  Its not a sustainable situation, is it?

Mr Davie said: It is a very difficult and complex situation, and we are trying to calmly and judiciously navigate our way through quite difficult circumstances.

He added: It is absolutely not the right thing to be doing to speculate. Some of the malicious stuff online, I would condemn.

Mr Davie again confirmed that he had not spoken to the presenter directly  but said it was appropriate for a very senior manager to have spoken to the BBC star after The Sun approached the corporation with new claims.

Tim Davie was told by a Radio 4 presenter Everyone in the building knows the identity of the presenter (PA)

Director-general has not spoken to suspended presenter

Tuesday 11 July 2023 13:32 , Holly Evans

In an interview with BBC Radio 4s World at One programme, the director-general said that he had not spoken directly with the suspended presenter, who has not been named.

Tim Davie added that a senior manager had been in contact with the well-known presenter, who was first made aware of the allegations on July 6.

He described it as a very difficult and complex situation.

When asked about further allegations against the presenter, he said he absolutely cannot comment as the police continue to investigate.

The Sun questions why allegations werent escalated by BBC

Tuesday 11 July 2023 13:24 , Holly Evans

The Sun, in response to the BBC setting out its timeline, said: It seems to us that the family is being attacked by the BBC for not fully understanding their complaints system.

It remains to be understood why the allegations werent escalated and the presenter was not spoken to at the time.

Lee Anderson claim BBC is safe haven for perverts rejected by No 10

Tuesday 11 July 2023 13:13 , Adam Forrest

No 10 has rejected comments made by Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson about the BBC being a safe haven for perverts.

The right-wing Tory MP said on Monday: Its time this taxpayer-funded safe haven for perverts was made a subscription service.

Asked if Mr Sunak agree, his official spokesman said: The BBC is a vital institution much cherished by the British public and continues to do vital and important work. It is important they establish the facts and act appropriately.

Tim Davie grilled on presenters bank accounts and phone

Tuesday 11 July 2023 13:00 , Holly Evans

Asked if the BBC had asked the presenter for his bank statements or asked for his phone before their own inquiries were paused, Mr Davie said it was not right to comment now that the police are looking at the matter.

Asked if the BBC had ascertained who is paying for the young persons lawyer, Mr Davie said it wasnt a matter for the corporation.

Mr Davie did not give a direct answer when asked if he was hopeful that the BBC presenter would be back on-air if he is cleared.

The director-general said he had not spoken directly to the presenter. He would not comment when asked if the presenter had offered to resign.

He also said he had asked the corporations chief operating officer to assess whether the BBCs protocols and procedures are appropriate in light of the allegations presenter. Of course there will be lessons to be learnt, and how processes could be improved.

BBC handled allegations judiciously, says Tim Davie

Tuesday 11 July 2023 12:58 , Holly Evans

BBC director-general Tim Davie said the corporation had handled the allegations made against that a BBC presenter had paid a teenager for explicit images responsibly and judiciously.

The BBC revealed that it has been asked to pause its investigation into allegations while the police scope future work following a meeting with the Metropolitan Police. The broadcaster also set out a timeline of the row.

It showed the corporation had only tried to contact the family member of the young person twice, once by email and once by phone, in the period after the initial complaint on 19 May and The Sun story being published.

It also showed that the BBC did not hold any conversation with the presenter about the family members claims until The Sun approached the BBC about its story  seven weeks after the initial complaint.

The BBC has paused its own investigations into the allegations (PA)

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Mr Davie said it was clearly a complex and difficult situation where the BBC had to manage a number of factors  including sensitively managing duty of care issues, appropriately respecting the privacy of individuals and justified public interest.

He added: We do believe we are navigating these responsibly and judiciously, but we recognise its not easy to do so. The director-general said he had faith that the public would see the BBC is doing the right thing.

Asked about the difference between the complaint on 19 May and the complaint made in The Sun story on 6 July  Mr Davie said those those new allegations [in The Sun] clearly related to potential criminal activity, criminality  that in a nutshell is the difference.

Grilled on why the initial allegation did not get put to the presenter for seven weeks, Mr Davie said: I think its right they should make contact with the individual who made the initial allegation and get some verification.

Accused presenter was not informed until last Thursday of allegations

Tuesday 11 July 2023 12:37 , Holly Evans

BBC boss Tim Davie said the unnamed presenter was first talked to last Thursday on the day the allegations in The Sun came to the BBC.

He said the BBC received a call on 19 May, which was taken by the BBC services team, before an investigation by the corporate services team.

It was serious but their assessment was it didnt include an allegation of criminality, he said.

Just two attempts were made to contact the family before The Sun approached the BBC on July 6.

Downing Street denies Sunak is avoiding finding out identity of BBC presenter

Tuesday 11 July 2023 12:30 , Holly Evans

Downing Street has denied that Rishi Sunak is trying to avoid finding out who the suspended BBC presenter is, in order to evade questions.

When this was put to the Prime Ministers official spokesman, he told reporters: I wouldnt characterise it like that.

I mean, the Prime Minister is at the Nato summit and yesterday had the president of the United States here, so obviously his time is taken up with those issues.

Its for the BBC and others to look into this one.

There will be lessons to be learned, says TV boss

Tuesday 11 July 2023 12:22 , Holly Evans

Tim Davie said he has asked Leigh Tavaziva, the BBCs Group chief operating officer, to assess whether its protocols and procedures are appropriate in light of this case, and report to the BBC Board on this in due course.

Speaking at a press conference about the BBCs annual report, Davie said: Of course there will be lessons to be learned, and how processes could be improved.

Immediately I have asked that we assess how some complaints are red flagged up the organisation.

We will take time to properly review the current protocols and procedures to ensure they remain sufficient based on anything we learn from this case.

BBC assessed no allegation of criminality in May complaint

Tuesday 11 July 2023 12:11 , Holly Evans

When asked about the difference between the complaint on May 19 and the complaint made in The Sun story, Tim Davie said: The process is that we did receive a call as you can see in the timeline on May 19 that was taken by Audience Services Team who then make a summary of the call and put it to our highly experienced Corporate Investigations team.

On the basis of the information they had at that point, it did not include an allegation of criminality, but none the less was very serious and they wanted to follow it up, and you can see the attempts to follow it up on the timeline.

It was serious but the key was their assessment was it did not include an allegation of criminality.

When The Sun made new allegations on July 6 they were different to the matters considered by BBC Corporate Investigations and those new allegations clearly related to potential criminal activity, criminality, that in a nutshell is the difference.

BBC director-general Tim Davie said the assessment in May was that the complaint did not include an allegation of criminality (Hannah McKay/PA) (PA Archive)

BBC sets out a timeline of presenter allegations

Tuesday 11 July 2023 12:05 , Holly Evans

18 May  A family member of the young man attended a BBC building to try to make a complaint about the behaviour of a BBC presenter. And on 19 May, the family member contacted BBC audience services, before the details of the allegation were referred to the BBCs corporate investigations team.

19 May  the BBCs corporate investigations team assessed that it did not include an allegation of criminality, but then emailed the family member to see additional information  but said there was no response.

6 June  Having received no response to the email referenced above, a phone call was made to the mobile number provided by the family member by this call did not connect.

6 July  The Sun newspaper informed the BBC via the press office of allegations concerning a BBC presenter. The claims made by The Sun contained new allegations different to the matters being considered from 10 May. This was the first time that the director-general or any executive directors at the BBC were aware of the case.

6 July  the BBC initiated an incident management group to lead the response to this case, involving senior BBC executives including the director-general. The acting chairman was updated, and the board was regularly updated in the coming days.

6 July  A senior manager held the first conversation on this matter with the presenter concerned, to make him aware of the claims being outlined by The Sun. It was agreed that the presenter would not be on air while this matter was being considered.

7 July  the BBCs corporate investigations team contacted the family member again. The BBCs Serious Case Management Framework (SCMF) was initiated and the investigation brought into the SCMF. The BBC also made contact with the police.

8 July  The family member sent the BBC some materials related to the allegation. More material was sent on 9 July.

9 July  The BBC issued an update to staff and the media; the BBC also confirmed that it had suspended the presenter.

10 July  The BBC met with the Metropolitan Police. The police requested that the BBC pause its investigations into the allegations while they scope future work.

BBC pauses investigation into presenter while police examine case

Tuesday 11 July 2023 12:00 , Holly Evans

The BBC has said it has paused its investigations into the allegations about its presenter after a meeting with the Metropolitan Police chiefs on Sunday.

The corporation said it had been asked to put the matter on hold while Scotland Yard scope future work on the matter.

BBC director-general Tim Davie told reporters that the broadcaster had not been given a timescale by police for their inquiries.

Mr Davie also said that if any further information came to light in the meantime, it would be passed onto the police.

BBC director-general to face media at midday

Tuesday 11 July 2023 11:41 , Holly Evans

The BBC director-general is due to appear at noon to deliver the corporations annual report, which usually details their highest-paying presenters.

Tim Davie will face questions from journalists for the first time since the BBC suspended an unnamed male presenter who has been accused of paying a teenager for explicit photos

Rishi Sunak declines to comment on report MPs could name BBC presenter

Tuesday 11 July 2023 10:49 , Holly Evans

Rishi Sunak has declined to comment on reports some MPs could be considering naming under the protection of parliamentary privilege the BBC presenter accused of paying for explicit images.

On his trip to the Nato summit in Lithuania, the Prime Minister said: We have an existing set of laws that govern free speech and privacy.

I think its important that the BBC conducts this investigation quickly and rigorously given the concerning and serious nature of the allegations.

He said the Government is confident the BBC is investigating this both rigorously and rapidly and that this is the right course of action.

Sunak shocked by BBC presenter allegations

Tuesday 11 July 2023 10:30 , Holly Evans

Rishi Sunak has said he was shocked at the allegations against a top BBC presenter.

The prime minister said he had not been told who the claims were about, and said the government had been assured that the issue was being handled swiftly by the BBC.

The young person at the centre of the controversy said nothing inappropriate or unlawful happened with the unnamed presenter, however their mother reportedly stands by the claims made in The Sun newspaper, which reported he paid a young person tens of thousands of pounds for explicit images.

On his way to the NATO summit in Lithuania, Mr Sunak said: They were shocking and concerning allegations, of course they were.

Asked if he had been told the name of the star at the centre of the claims, he said: No.

Mr Sunak said the culture secretary Lucy Frazer has talked with the director general of the BBC on Sunday for reassurance that the process is rigorous and will be swift. He added it was important to let that process carry on.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was shocked by the allegations against the BBC presenter (Frank Augstein/PA) (PA Wire)

Urge BBC and Sun to name presenter, former culture secretary tells ministers

Tuesday 11 July 2023 10:16 , Holly Evans

Former culture secretary David Mellor called on the government to urge the Sun and the BBC to name the presenter accused of paying a teenager for sexual images.

Mr Mellor said the BBC should breathe out and identify the unnamed employee, allowing him to defend himself publicly as so many people already know who he is.

Mr Mellor told Times Radio: Its now got to the point where its quite damaging that so many people know but a lot of people dont. Information should be open to all. And I think that the BBC should just breathe out.

He said the BBC should of course name the presenter. And Mr Mellor said: The government has got to maintain the credibility of a state publicly funded broadcasting organisation, it should say to them, as it should say to The Sun, publish and be damned. Lets have it out there. Why hasnt The Sun published any of this?

The public has a right to know this has dragged on for long enough. Theyve made a perfectly legitimate effort to protect a senior and valued employee, but its gone beyond that.

Why has star not been named and could they be jailed over explicit photos?

Tuesday 11 July 2023 09:47 , Holly Evans

A high-profile BBC presenter has been accused of paying a teenager more than 35,000 for explicit pictures.

Once the allegations went public, the now-suspended star said, what have you done? in an effort to try and stop the investigation, it has been claimed.

It came afterThe Sun reported last week how the star allegedly appeared in his underwear in a video call and began paying the person for explicit content when the complainant was 17.

Oliver Pritchard-Jones has more.

Why has BBC presenter not been named and could they be jailed over explicit photos?

Tuesday 11 July 2023 09:43 , Holly Evans

The BBCs director-general is due to face reporters later today following the publication of the BBCs annual report, which typically reveals how much the biggest earners make.

A former legal correspondent for the corporation said Tim Davie will have to say something about the allegations facing one of his presenters.

Speaking to Sky News, Joshua Rozenberg said: Certainly, I think there are questions to be answered.

The BBC will certainly have to say something at the news briefing today.

However, he said Mr Davie might simply say that he cannot answer any questions about the scandal.

Im sure the BBC would like to be able to say something and I very much hope the BBC has a statement at the very least saying why it cant say what we want it to answer, he added.

Presumably, this is because it owes a duty to the presenter not to throw him under the bus.

The claims and timeline of allegations

Tuesday 11 July 2023 09:09 , Holly Evans

A BBC presenter allegedly paid tens of thousands of pounds to a teenager for explicit images, according to a report published on Friday.

The family of the teenager reportedly complained to the BBC in May but the broadcaster said that new allegations were put to us on Thursday of a different nature, according to the Sun.

BBC boss Tim Davie was summoned for crisis talks on Sunday as it emerged that the company had known of the allegations against the star presenter for almost two months now.

Timeline of allegations against BBC presenter accused of paying for explicit images

The presenter is entitled to privacy, says media lawyer

Tuesday 11 July 2023 09:04 , Holly Evans

Media lawyer Mark Stephens has shed some light on the privacy issues surrounding this case.

In an interview with BBC Breakfast, he said: The presenter is entitled to privacy.

In 2018, in an entirely separate dispute, Sir Cliff Richard won a privacy case against the BBC over its coverage of a police raid on his home in Berkshire.

Stephens says that the judge said from that case onwards if someone was a suspect but there was no investigation, no charge, then they had a reasonable expectation of privacy.

He adds that the rationale for that is quite sensible because no-one has all the facts at that early stage.

Cabinet minister says he wont use his parliamentary privilege to name BBC presenter

Tuesday 11 July 2023 08:21 , Holly Evans

Cabinet minister says he wont use his parliamentary privilege to name BBC presenter

Government minister warns MPs against naming BBC presenter using parliamentary privilege

Tuesday 11 July 2023 08:12 , Holly Evans

A government minister has urged MPs not to name the BBC presenter at the heart of a scandal over allegations he paid a teenager for explicit images.

Work and pensions secretary Mel Stride said parliamentary privilege, which lets MPs speak in the Commons without fear of legal repercussions, should be used very sparingly and with great thought.

Asked whether the presenters identity should be revealed, Mr Stride told Sky News: I can only speak for myself and say that that is certainly something that I would not choose to do. He said: I would personally certainly not be doing that.

Members of parliament do have a right to privilege and to be able to say things in the commons without fear of legal repercussions.

But I think that is a privilege that should be used very sparingly, and with great thought.

It followed suggestions in the Daily Mail that MPs were considering naming the individual in the Commons.

Cabinet Minister Mel Stride said he wouldnt be naming the presenter in the commons (Sky News)

Cabinet Minister says BBC should be given space to investigate

Tuesday 11 July 2023 07:57 , Holly Evans

A Cabinet minister has urged people to resist the urge to opine on the allegations that a BBC presenter paid a teenager for sexually explicit images, and about how the allegations are being dealt with.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride told Sky News: Once its all over and concluded, I think that is most certainly the time to be looking at whether things were done correctly or not.

But at the moment, it seems to me this is a highly fluid, unknown situation and we should give the BBC a bit of space.

Its really important that all of us resist, to the extent that we can, the urge to opine on what was right, or what was outrageous or wrong, until we know all the facts.

Asked about the BBCs handling of the situation, he said: We dont know enough of the facts to be able to start pointing too many fingers yet at the process.

I think we have to wait till this has played out as quickly and effectively as possible, and thats what the Secretary of State (for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) has been pushing for. And then we can start to make those judgments.

Cabinet Minister urges people to resist the urge to opine on the BBC allegations (BBC Radio 5 Live)

BBC director-general to face the media today

Tuesday 11 July 2023 07:32 , Holly Evans

Director-general Tim Davie is due to face the media on Tuesday for a scheduled briefing following the release of the corporations annual report, although the controversy will dominate the agenda.

The report, planned before the allegations came out, is an assessment of the BBCs performance over the last 12 months.

It typically reveals the pay remuneration of the corporations biggest earners, with Mr Davie also expected to answer questions about stars pay packets.

BBC scandals involving high-profile stars to have shocked over the years

Tuesday 11 July 2023 03:00 , Eleanor Noyce

The BBC has been hit by several scandals involving high-profile stars over the years.

The broadcasters reputation has been rocked by a series of wrongdoings which have raised questions about its culture and practices, including allegations of sexual abuse and fraud.

After the suspension of an unnamed BBC presenter amid claims he paid a teenager for sexually explicit photographs, the PA news agency looks at the scandals associated with the corporation over the years:

BBC scandals involving high-profile stars to have shocked over the years

Voices: Trial by Twitter for those named in the BBC scandal is desperately unfair  and dangerous

Tuesday 11 July 2023 02:00 , Eleanor Noyce

It doesnt take very long to browse social media and find out who the BBC presenter in the news is not.

Its not Gary Lineker, its not Rylan Clark, its not Jeremy Vine, its not Nicky Campbell and its not any of the other people whove felt it necessary to make a denial.

All have been forced, almost blackmailed, into this by the keyboard sleuths of Twitter calling them a nonce, the accumulated malign speculation helpfully collated by suitable hashtags. Suddenly, weve all acquired the brilliant digital forensic skills of Colleen Rooney.

This doesnt feel very much like a lawful process, let alone natural justice, for whoever it is. It feels like a modern, digital version of lynching  and any celebrity will do, writes Sean OGrady:

Trial by Twitter of BBC presenters is unfair  and dangerous | Sean OGrady

What are the allegations against BBC presenter and why hasnt he been named?

Tuesday 11 July 2023 01:00 , Eleanor Noyce

A BBC presenter allegedly paid tens of thousands of pounds to a teenager for explicit images, according to a report published on Friday.

The family of the teenager reportedly complained to the BBC in May but the broadcaster said that new allegations were put to us on Thursday of a different nature, according to the Sun.

BBC boss Tim Davie was summoned for crisis talks on Sunday as it emerged that the company had known of the allegations against the star presenter for almost two months now.

Read more:

What are the allegations against BBC presenter and why hasnt he been named?

BBC presenter scandal: Could suspended star be jailed over explicit photos?

Tuesday 11 July 2023 00:01 , Eleanor Noyce

A high-profile BBC presenter has been accused of paying a teenager more than 35,000 for explicit pictures.

Once the allegations went public, the now-suspended star said, what have you done? in an effort to try and stop the investigation, it has been claimed.

It came afterThe Sun reported last week how the star allegedly appeared in his underwear in a video call and began paying the person for explicit content when the complainant was 17.

Oliver Pritchard-Jones reports:

BBC presenter scandal : Could suspended star be jailed over explicit photos?

Timeline of allegations about BBC presenter

Monday 10 July 2023 23:00 , Eleanor Noyce

The BBC has suspended a male member of staff following allegations an unnamed presenter paid a teenager tens of thousands of pounds for sexually explicit images.

However, the young person at the centre of the controversy said nothing inappropriate or unlawful happened.

Here is a timeline of the events surrounding the emergence and fallout from the allegations.

Cormac Pearson reports:

Timeline of allegations about BBC presenter

Dangerous absence of facts in presenter story, says former BBC News exec

Monday 10 July 2023 21:41 , Eleanor Noyce

Former BBC News executive Tim Luckhurst has warned of a dangerous absence of facts in the BBC presenter story.

This story has been marked from the beginning by a dangerous absence of facts, at every stage there have been more questions than answers and that remains the case tonight, Mr Luckhurst told the BBC.

The emphasis has shifted - now it seems that the parents may have raised concerns with The Sun concerns which did not directly reflect the concerns of their child.

But at no stage in this story have we seen the full details that The Sun purports to have.

I am beginning to suspect that the problem is that the facts are not entirely clear to The Sun, theyre not clear to the BBC either.

Young person and mother estranged, lawyer claims in letter

Monday 10 July 2023 21:18 , Eleanor Noyce

Revealing more details from the letter penned by the young persons lawyer, the BBC has reported that they and their mother are estranged.

Criticising both The Sun and the BBC for failing to contact their client, the lawyer further claims that the reporting has amounted to an invasion of privacy.

Nobody from The Sun newspaper appears to have made any attempt to contact our client prior to the publication of the allegations on Friday 6 July, the lawyer writes.
PLYMOUTH  The units arrived as planned, the cranes were ready to go and the crew on the ground knew what was going where.

The addition of 25 new emergency-room observation units at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth got off to a good start as the prefabricated units arrived from Pennsylvania at the end of June. The work of putting them together into one 7,000-square-foot space is underway.

As the first of the units for the $14 million project was being lowered onto the construction pad, BID-Plymouth President Kevin Coughlin explained the need for the units, based both on statistics and his day-to-day interactions with patients.

I walk around the hospital every day to see how everything is going, and I hear directly from patients and families that (the ER) is very uncomfortable and crowded, he said. Its a ridiculously small space, and it's difficult for staff to work like that. It's important that we right-size our services and care for the number of patients that are coming here right now.

A crane lowers the first of 25 emergency room observation units that were made in Pennsylvania and delivered to BID-Plymouth on June 26.

BID-Plymouth seeing more and more patients

What is now Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth operated for more than a century as Jordan Hospital before being renamed after merging with Beth Israel Leahy Health in 2014.

The 170-bed hospital serves 12 towns in Plymouth and Barnstable counties stretching from Bourne to Marshfield.

The whole strategic plan of Beth Israel Lahey Health is to export Boston-level care out into the community, Coughlin said.

That includes specialty services previously unavailable in the region, such as expanded neurology procedures that can be performed in Plymouth.

Bringing that level of care to the community attracts more patients, and this community is growing tremendously, he said. The hospitals volume of ER patients has increased at least 5% annually over the past few years, he said.

Participating in the groundbreaking are, from left: Tenny Thomas, chief medical officer for BID-Plymouth; Sean Greene, NEMD Architects; Ron Rutherford, RN, support services, BID-Plymouth; Catherine McKenna, board of trustees member; BID-Plymouth President Kevin Coughlin; and Sean OKeefe, Consigli Construction Co.

If that sounds modest as a percentage, the actual number of patients tells a different story.

We are set up here to see 25,000 patients a year, but now we're seeing between 45,000 and 50,000, Coughlin said.

The hospital is affected by the development of more 55-plus housing in Plymouth and surrounding towns, he said.

That age bracket disproportionately uses the hospital, but we also need to be prepared to take care of the entire community, he said.

Patients visiting the ER today may find themselves sitting in hallways or behind a folding screen while waiting to be seen.

This (project) will allow us to put patients in a private space, Coughlin said. Theyll have a room with a door, and they can do the testing there to determine whether they can be released within 24 hours or whether they should be admitted to the hospital.

More: How a new doctor allows Plymouth hospital to expand to awake brain surgeries

The addition is being built next to the main entrance of the hospital and stretches north into a physicians parking lot off Coles Lane.

Catching up after pandemic delays

Planning for the observation units began in 2018, but the COVID-19 pandemic soon put any construction work on hold, Coughlin said.

The idea of bringing in prefabricated units came into play during that time.

As the units were being made in Pennsylvania, the hospital received all the regulatory approvals required and prepared the site.

Using the modular units will save upwards of 15 months on the project, according to the hospitals facilities and planning officials, making it possible for the work to be complete before the end of this year.

A rendering of the ER addition at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth.

This is not something we would have been capable of doing as a stand-alone hospital, Coughlin said.

Other projects planned at the Plymouth hospital

The new observation units are part of a larger set of projects BID-Plymouth is planning in the coming years that includes:

Expanding the ER and renovating existing space to allow more private rooms for medical and behavioral patients. The project is estimated to take place over the next three or four years.

Moving the hematology-oncology and infusion clinic to a nearby, off-site location to allow for more patient space and program expansion. Work on that project will occur over the next 18 to 24 months.

More: Beth Israel Deaconess-Plymouth opens breast care center, receives 'A' for hospital safety

This article originally appeared on wickedlocal.com: BID-Plymouth adds more ER observation units
President Biden on Wednesday will announce plans for the U.S. and Group of Seven (G7) allies to provide long-term security commitments to Ukraine to ensure its military is capable of fending off Russia, the White House said.

Biden and allies will make a major announcement alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the conclusion of the NATO summit this week in Lithuania, Amanda Sloat, the senior director for Europe at the National Security Council, told reporters.

The United States, along with G7 leaders, will announce our intent to help Ukraine build a military that can defend itself and deter a future attack, Sloat said.

The announcement will launch a process for a series of negotiations with Ukraine to reach bilateral security commitments, Sloat said. The process will ensure that the military assistance we provide Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression continues to be part of a long-term investment in Ukraines future force, she added.

Sloat noted that the message will make clear Russia will not simply be able to wait out Ukrainian forces.

The announcement comes as Biden is set to meet one-on-one with Zelensky and deliver remarks detailing U.S. support for Ukraine in the roughly 17 months since Russian forces invaded the country.

It also comes after Zelensky on Tuesday expressed frustration about the skepticism from Biden and some other world leaders about Ukraine joining NATO, a move Biden has said should wait until after the war with Russia has ended.

It seems there is no readiness neither to invite Ukraine to NATO nor to make it a member of the alliance, Zelensky said. This means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraines membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia. And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror.

The U.S. has already allocated billions of dollars in military and financial support to Ukraine in the year and a half since Russia invaded, and Biden has pledged his administration will support the Ukrainians for as long as it takes to end the war.

But some Republicans in Congress have opposed a blank check policy of sending aid to Ukraine, and leading GOP presidential candidates, such as former President Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, have signaled they would roll back U.S. support for Ukraine if elected.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Steve Holland and Trevor Hunnicutt

VILNIUS (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden concluded a NATO summit on Wednesday denouncing Russian President Vladimir Putin as "craven" and promising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy full support even without membership in the military alliance.

Capping the two-day meeting of NATO leaders in Lithuania, on Russia's doorstep, Biden praised the people of the formerly Soviet-occupied country while heralding the addition of Finland to the alliance and the prospective admission of neighbour Sweden.

Biden, who has made unifying NATO countries a foreign policy priority, said Putin had badly underestimated their resolve.

"NATO is stronger, more energized and yes, more united than ever in its history. Indeed, more vital to our shared future. It didn't happen by accident. It wasn't inevitable," Biden said to thousands of people at Vilnius University, many of them cheering him on with Lithuanian and American flags.

"When Putin, and his craven lust for land and power, unleashed his brutal war on Ukraine, he was betting NATO would break apart... He thought our unity would shatter at the first testing. He thought democratic leaders would be weak. But he thought wrong."

Biden's speech aimed to rally allies and showcase his role on the world stage ahead of a 2024 re-election campaign focused on healing divisions at home and abroad. Sweden's entry to NATO comes as Turkey, which once opposed the admission, is due to get F-16 fighter jets from the United States.

Before meeting Biden and other leaders, Zelenskiy criticized NATO for not offering a clear pathway for Ukraine to join the alliance, calling it "absurd." Biden, who opposes Ukraine membership at this time, told reporters before leaving Vilnius that Zelenskiy's concerns were assuaged after G7 leaders made new security pledges.

"One thing Zelenskiy understands now is that whether or not he's in NATO now is not relevant" - as long as he has the new commitments that have been made at the summit, Biden told reporters. "He's not concerned about that now."

Despite the public goodwill, U.S. officials privately struggled with their counterparts in Vilnius to forge a consensus on where the war was headed, how to bring it to a close, and what assurances to give Ukraine about its future in the Atlantic military alliance, according to four NATO diplomats involved in those conversations.

Ukraine has pushed for NATO membership while fighting a Russian invasion unleashed in February 2022. NATO has avoided extending any firm commitments to Ukraine, worried it would risk taking it closer to a full-on war with Russia.

NATO allies agreed that Ukraine would join eventually, when "allies agree and conditions are met," but offered no details on when, if ever, Kyiv would meet such conditions.

After his speech in Vilnius, Biden met with opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya of Belarus to "underscore the continued commitment of the United States to defend and advance human rights, including freedom of expression, and free and fair elections in Belarus," the White House said.

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko is one of Putin's biggest allies.

U.S. NEEDS A 'SECURE EUROPE'

"The idea that the United States could prosper without a secure Europe is not reasonable," Biden said, adding that the U.S. and its allies wanted an end to war on just terms.

"We will not waver. We will not waver. I mean that. Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes," Biden said in the university speech.

In contrast with former President Donald Trump, Biden made Washington, by far the largest contributor to NATO, a driving force for strengthening the group. Trump - the Republican front-runner to challenge Biden, a Democrat, in the November 2024 election - considered pulling out of the defence pact founded at the onset of the Cold War in 1949.

Republican presidential hopefuls seeking to unseat Biden have largely kept silent about Biden's performance during the NATO summit, suggesting they see little to gain by criticizing him. There is majority support in the United States for Washington's approach to the Russian invasion 500 days ago, polls show.

Trump has long admired Putin and has expressed scepticism of extended U.S. involvement in the Ukraine war; on Tuesday he criticized Biden's decision to send munitions to Ukraine.

Trump faces an open primary against candidates including former Vice President Mike Pence and onetime U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, who have pushed for greater support of Ukraine. Haley on Tuesday criticized NATO and Biden for not committing to add Ukraine to the alliance.

(Reporting by Steve Holland in Vilnius, Lithuania, and Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington; Additional reporting by Jonathan Landay, Sabine Siebold, Andrew Gray, Doina Chiacu, Jeff Mason and John Irish; Writing by Jeff Mason and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Heather Timmons, Howard Goller and Rosalba O'Brien)
'We will not waver': Biden highlights unity on Ukraine as high-stakes NATO summit ends

President Joe Biden highlighted allied unity in a major speech Wednesday following a two-day, high-stakes NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Biden spoke to a large crowd gathered in the courtyard at Vilnius University, where he touted the strength of the alliance and the importance of continued support for Ukraine against Russian invaders.

MORE: Russia-Ukraine live updates: Zelenskyy takes softer tone ahead of meeting with Biden

"Today, our alliance remains a bulwark of global security and stability as it's been for more than seven decades," Biden said.

"NATO is stronger, more energized, and yes, more united than ever in its history," he continued. "Indeed, more vital to our shared future. It didn't happen by accident."

PHOTO: President Joe Biden delivers remarks at Vilnius University during a NATO leaders summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 12, 2023. (Yves Herman/Reuters)

Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin thought the alliance would fracture, but instead the U.S. has built a coalition of more than 50 nations to support Ukraine's sovereignty.

We will not waver," Biden said. "I mean that. Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for liberty and freedom today and tomorrow and for as long as it takes."

Biden emphasized an attack on one allied nation is an attack on all as he vowed NATO would always defend its people and territory.

"The defense of freedom is not the work of a day or a year," Biden said. "It's the calling of our lifetime; of all time. We are steeled for the struggle ahead. Our unity will not falter, I promise you."

PHOTO: President Joe Biden appears on stage to deliver a speech at Vilnius University during a NATO leaders summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 12, 2023. (Yves Herman/Reuters)

All eyes were on Biden earlier Wednesday as he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian leader said he had a "good, powerful" discussion with Biden that ran twice as long as scheduled.

Despite his earlier harsh tone over the lack of a clear timeline for Ukraine to join the alliance, Zelenskyy said he felt satisfied with the outcome of the summit as he sat alongside Biden.

"We have great unity from our leaders and security guarantees, that is a success for this summit, I think so, but it's my opinion," Zelenskyy said.

The U.S. and global allies unveiled new security commitments for Ukraine, and reassured Kyiv has a place in the treaty organization after the war is over and after certain reforms are implemented.

Zelenskyy also singled out the aid provided by the U.S., thanking Biden for his decision last week to send controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine as it continues its counteroffensive against Russia.

Biden praised Zelenskyy and Ukraine for their "resilience and resolve" and said he looks forward to the day they can celebrate their official entry into NATO.

When ABC News asked Zelenskyy how soon Ukraine would like to join the alliance after the conflict ends, Biden offered a sarcastic response of "an hour and 20 minutes."

PHOTO: President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pose during an event with G7 leaders to announce a Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine during the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 12, 2023. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden secured a major foreign policy win earlier this week when Turkey agreed to back Sweden's bid to join the alliance, a sudden reversal more than a year after the Nordic nation applied for membership.

The president strongly pushed for Sweden's entry, and lauded the agreement reached between Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the eve of the summit. Questions have been raised about how much of a role the U.S. played in the agreement, as the administration announced Tuesday it is moving ahead with the potential sale of American F-16 fighter jets to Ankara.

Following his speech in Lithuania's capital, Biden will travel to Helsinki, Finland for a U.S.-Nordic Leaders Summit. There, he will celebrate Finland becoming the newest member of the NATO alliance.

ABC News' Justin Gomez and Cheyenne Haslett contributed to this report.

'We will not waver': Biden highlights unity on Ukraine as high-stakes NATO summit ends originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
President Biden will host Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the White House on July 27, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced Wednesday.

The visit to the White House is the first since Meloni, the head of a right-wing governing coalition, took office in October.

The meeting between the two will be to reaffirm the strong relationship between the United States and Italy, according to Jean-Pierre.

They will discuss our common strategic interests, including our shared commitment to continue supporting Ukraine in the face of Russias aggression, developments in North Africa, and closer transatlantic coordination regarding the Peoples Republic of China, she said.

Italy is set to take the Group of Seven (G7) presidency role in 2024. Biden and Meloni are currently together at the NATO summit in Vilnius.

The two had their first meeting since Meloni took office on the margins of the Group of 20 summit in Bali in November.

Biden in October had expressed concern over Melonis election, seeing her victory as a warning to the U.S. of the possibility of far-right leadership. Meloni, who is the first female prime minister of Italy, is a member of the conservative Brothers of Italy party that has been tied to neofascism.

When Meloni was sworn in in October, Biden congratulated her in a statement. Her and the hard-right coalition were elected to the majority in the Italian Parliament in September.

The White House had stressed that Italy is a NATO ally, G7 partner and member of the European Union when pressed on the Italian elections when they first occurred.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Biden can leave Vilnius feeling like he got almost everything he wanted from the NATO summit

President Joe Biden got almost everything he wanted from the NATO summit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shot for the stars and reached the moon  securing a permanent rearmament pipeline well into the future from G7 nations but failing to win the collective defense guarantee that membership in NATO would bring.

And Russia saw its strategic and military failure entrenched but will surely view the institutionalizing of support for Ukraine as confirming its suspicions of the West.

Poignantly, the meeting hosted by a former Soviet vassal state whose NATO status secured the freedom, independence and prosperity that Zelensky craves for his country, was overshadowed by the torment of the Ukrainian people.

Its just like something out of the 14th century the way they are acting, Biden said, narrowing his eyes in disbelief at the Russian assault on civilians.

Zelensky, who came into the summit as a guest boiling with frustration at the alliances unwillingness to give him a timeline for NATO membership, nevertheless contextualized what US and Western help means, in moving remarks to Biden.

You spend this money for our lives. And I think that we save the lives for Europe and for all the world, Zelensky told Biden.

What the summit achieved

The summit ended on Wednesday with a joint declaration from G7 leaders for their nations to negotiate long-term bilateral security commitments for Ukraine to build up its land, sea and air defenses to deter future Russian attacks. The move is a halfway house measure designed to tide Ukraine over until a future moment when it could join NATO and enjoy the attack on one, is an attack on all umbrella its members enjoy  a moment that the alliance has yet to determine.

Zelensky arrived at the summit blasting the blocs refusal to offer a timeline as absurd. But Biden insisted that granting membership now would mean NATO states having to go to war against Russia  a disastrous escalation he has been desperate to avoid.

And while the leaders eased the pathway for Ukraines eventual membership, they deferred a fateful geopolitical decision, possibly for their successors, by stating that it had yet to meet economic and political conditions for joining.

The other landmark moment of the summit was Turkeys sudden dropping of its veto on Sweden becoming the alliances 32nd member  which followed months of behind-the-scenes diplomacy by the Biden administration  overseas and in the US Congress.

The president will highlight the post-Ukraine invasion expansion of the alliance, a significant part of his legacy, later on Wednesday by traveling to another new member, Finland. The two Nordic neighbors left behind decades in Moscows shadow to apply for NATO membership, after feeling threatened by Putins effort to rewrite the map of post-Cold War Europe. Finlands entry illustrates how the invasion backfired for Putin on a broader continental stage by delivering NATO a frontier hundreds of miles long with Russia itself.

How Biden controlled the summit

Biden, NATOs most important leader, went into the summit determined to maintain his balancing act of bolstering Western support for Ukraines existential struggle while avoiding the outbreak of a war with Russia, a nuclear superpower. He also needed to remind Americans why billions of dollars of taxpayer cash must continue to be sent to Kyiv, which is becoming a 2024 campaign issue. And before he left Lithuania, he warned Putin that the summit was evidence the Western alliance would not waver.

When Putin and his craven lust for land and power unleashed his brutal war on Ukraine, he was betting NATO would break apart  he thought our unity would shatter at the first testing. He thought democratic leaders would be weak. But he thought wrong, Biden said in a speech at in speech at Vilnius University.

The President told CNN before leaving that membership for Ukraine at this time was impossible, given the raging war with Russia. But he also told Zelensky on Wednesday that he understood how irksome the Wests conditions may seem given the horror unfolding in Ukraine.

The frustration, I can only imagine, Biden said.

President Joe Biden speaks at Vilnius University in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday, July 12, 2023, after attending the NATO Summit. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) - Susan Walsh/AP

Involving the G7 nations in a permanent flow of arms to Ukraine was a creative solution to fulfilling its future needs while navigating constraints on a tighter relationship between Kyiv and NATO. If carried out, the scheme could effectively make Ukraine a Western-armed vanguard that may not formally be in NATO but will still be a linchpin of its forward posture in Europe. The certainty offered by the prospect of long-term defense purchases may also trigger expansions in defense industries in Europe and the US and ease a crisis in getting sufficient ammunition to Ukraine.

Its ironic that the G7 was the G8 until Russia was kicked out over its invasion of Crimea in 2014 and will now be the entity that could turn Ukraine into a modern defense state in the future.

The G7 agreement also goes some way to cementing the commitment to Ukraine of US and allied leaders in years to come and making Bidens policies harder to reverse. Ukraine must worry that a future US president  perhaps the former commander-in-chief, Donald Trump  may downgrade American support. Trumps former Vice President Mike Pence for instance warned on CNN Tuesday for instance that his ex-bosss vow to end the war in 24 hours could only be honored by giving Vladimir Putin what he wants.

While critics may complain the administration is doing too little to help Ukraine  or in the eyes of some conservatives, too much  the summit highlighted Bidens comfort on the world stage even if it is not recognized in his rough approval ratings.

The presidents decision to skip a leaders dinner on Tuesday refocused attention on his advanced age, 80, which is a legitimate issue in the 2024 presidential race. Yet the presidents choreographing of the summit to meet US goals demonstrated considerable diplomatic skill and papered over splits  notably over Sweden and the desire of some Eastern European members to offer Ukraine a faster track to membership.

His experience on Capitol Hill  and choice of a former Republican senator, Jeff Flake, as US ambassador to Ankara who worked to overcome congressional worries about the sale of F-16 fighters to Turkey  could be the key to greasing Swedens entry into NATO. The presidents understanding of political forces weighing on fellow leaders was also noticeable when he twice publicly praised Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for signing up to the G7 aid program for Ukraine.

He also got some good news to return home to Wednesday with new data showing that the rise in the annualized cost of living cooled to 3% in June, raising his hopes of neutering GOP attacks over Bidenflation.

Ukraine won a victory short of its goals

Zelensky barnstormed into Vilnius in typical style, using moral and media pressure to pressure NATO leaders to go further on their guarantees. His tone risked offending foreign leaders who have faced questions at home over bankrolling Ukrainian resistance.

Still, Zelenskys vehemence is understandable since he doesnt just have a restless electorate to placate. His troops are fighting bloody battles in which morale is vital and a long-planned offensive moves more slowly than hoped.

Civilians are also under assault. On Wednesday for instance, Russia marked the NATO summit by launching airstrikes against Kyiv region.

US President Joe Biden (R) attends a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Vilnius on July 12, 2023. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) - Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

Still, Zelenskys tactics of aiming high and squeezing everything he possibly can out of the West may have worked again in the shape of the G7 program.

The potential for tensions to erupt over what NATO was prepared to offer animated a tense exchange earlier on Wednesday between Bidens national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Ukrainian activist Daria Kaleniuk in Vilnius.

Please advise me: what should I tell my son? That President Biden and NATO didnt invite Ukraine to NATO because hes afraid of Russia? Kaleniuk asked. Sullivan replied that Americans deserve gratitude for supporting Ukraine and dismissed questions about Bidens motives.

By the end of the day, however, Zelensky was declaring a significant security victory. He spun G7 aid as security guarantees even though it might be more accurately described as security commitments since it lacks the certainty of NATO treaty requirements.

US President Joe Biden delivers a speech next to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during an event with G7 leaders to announce a Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine during the NATO Summit in Vilnius on July 12, 2023. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) - Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

Western leaders, however, know it wont be long before their indefatigable Ukrainian colleague asks for more. Constant pressure has frequently dismantled their red lines, and secured high-tech weapons systems, tanks and even the promise of F-16 fighter jets for the war effort.

The costs of Putins Ukraine fixation

The entry of Sweden in NATO and solidified long-term G7 support for Ukraine weakened Russias strategic position. Even so, the risk of war against Moscow, including an implicit recognition of its nuclear arsenal, still tempers how far and quickly Biden is ready to go in bringing Ukraine into the Western club.

Russia played into this reality when Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned the summit for its pronounced, concentrated anti-Russian nature and complained that Moscow was treated as an enemy not an adversary.

NATO leaders must also worry whether the renewed prospect of alliance membership for Ukraine  even without a date certain  will give Russia a fresh incentive for ensuring the war never ends with a formal peace agreement.

And no one in the US government has illusions about the likelihood of Putin relinquishing his illegal claims on Ukraine while he is still in power.

CIA Director William Burns said at the Ditchley Park forum in the UK earlier this month that hed spent most of the last two decades trying to understand and counter the combustible combination of grievance, ambition and insecurity that Putin embodies. He added: One thing I have learned is that it is always a mistake to underestimate Putins fixation on controlling Ukraine and its choices, without which he believes it is impossible for Russia to be a major power or him to be a great Russian leader.

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Biden 'looks forward' to Ukraine NATO membership, just not now

By Steve Holland

VILNIUS (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday that he looks forward to the day he can welcome Ukraine to NATO, aiming to take the sting out of recent comments that now was not the time for Ukrainian membership in the military alliance.

"Your resilience and your resolve has been a model for the whole world to see," Biden told Zelenskiy ahead of a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a NATO summit meeting in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius.

The two leaders offered a sharp contrast as they sat side by side, Biden in a traditional business suit and Zelenskiy in a military green T-shirt and trousers.

Biden said he understood the Ukrainian leader's frustration at getting the help he needs quickly enough.

"I promise you the United States is doing everything we can to get you what you need," Biden said in the presence of reporters.

"I look forward to the day when we're having the meeting celebrating your official, official membership in NATO," Biden said.

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Wednesday that Biden would discuss with Zelenskiy the possibility of providing Ukraine with long-range missiles when they met.

Before he left the U.S. for the NATO trip, Biden told CNN in an interview that he thought the time was not yet right for Ukraine to join the NATO alliance. If Ukraine were to become a member now, Biden said then, "were in a war with Russia." Biden was asked by a reporter on Wednesday how soon after the war he would like Ukraine to join NATO and responded "an hour and 20 minutes."

During the NATO summit, the G7 grouping of the world's most industrialised countries pledged military and financial support, intelligence sharing and a promise of immediate steps if Russia should attack Ukraine again.

Zelenskiy, who had said on Tuesday it would be "absurd" if Ukraine was not offered membership, abandoned the tough talk on Wednesday and adopted a more appreciative, conciliatory tone in his meeting with Biden.

He said he wanted to thank "all Americans" for the billions of dollars in aid his country had received.

"You have to know that you spend this money" for more than just fighting, he said. "You spend this money for our lives."

(Reporting by Steve Holland and Doina Chiacu; Writing by Heather Timmons; Editing by Howard Goller)
A visitor looks at works on display at the "Integration and Diversity" Invitational Exhibition of Contemporary Malaysian Figure Paintings of Eminent Artists at the China Cultural Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)

Promoting cultural exchanges and fostering better people-to-people ties motivated Malaysian artist Teh Chin Boon to create "Happiness", a close-up of a woman holding a Baba-Nyonya porcelain storage jar, or "kamcheng."



The vibrant red dress contrasts with the turquoise-colored jar, both featuring Chinese and other motifs, blending together to create a unique image that showcases the rich cultural heritage that artists like Teh are able to draw on when seeking inspiration.

The painting is one of over 70 pieces of art prepared by local renowned artists for the "Integration and Diversity" Invitational Exhibition of Contemporary Malaysian Figure Paintings of Eminent Artists launched on Tuesday at the China Cultural Center in Kuala Lumpur.

Teh explained that he seeks to bring to life the cultural exchanges that he has observed in Malaysia to a wide audience.

"Because for Chinese culture and Malay culture, (there are) actually a lot of things that we can actually feel and you can see. We are actually living in harmony. So like these paintings (are) actually, I think, a reminder for the diverse culture in Malaysia," Teh told Xinhua.

The Baba-Nyonya are the descendants of early immigrants from China with local people in Malaysia. They openly adopted local beliefs and practices, resulting in a unique culture. The jar holds special significance for its role as part of marriage ceremonies, in which the bride presents her prospective groom with the jar filled with sweets symbolizing happiness and good things in life.

In his remarks at the launch, Zhang Jiexin, director of the China Cultural Center in Kuala Lumpur, said Malaysia and China have a long history of cultural exchanges, with friendly interactions between the people of both countries.

Zhang said that China and Malaysia have a long history of friendly exchanges, dating back over 2,000 years to the Qin and Han dynasties.

"In modern times, as Chinese art spread and developed in Southeast Asia, Malaysian Chinese artists have inherited the artistic legacies of their ancestors. They have skillfully transformed various art forms such as calligraphy, painting, relief sculpture, and temple architecture from Chinese traditions to incorporate Nanyang (Southeast Asian) styles," he added.

For his part, Malaysian National Art Gallery director-general Amerrudin Ahmad said that Malaysia-China relations are important, not only for economic reasons but also for cultural and arts initiatives, mutual creativity and cross-cultural exchange through art.

"Through exhibitions, performances, and cultural exchanges, Malaysia and China have forged an enriching partnership, showcasing the diversity of their artistic expressions," he said.

"This mutual appreciation has fostered understanding, promoted cultural diplomacy, and strengthened the bond between the two countries, creating a platform for continuous exploration and celebration of their artistic legacies," he added.

Among the visitors was Li Kejia, an art graduate from China who came to admire the works, with the various aspects of Malaysia's cultural diversity brought to life in the paintings catching her eyes.

"Today is amazing. Their paintings show different cultural styles. We can see the advantages of cultural diversity from these paintings," she said.
Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya -- seen here carrying a photo of her jailed pro-democracy activist husband Sergei Tikhanovsky -- met with US President Joe Biden in Vilnius, the White House says (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS)

US President Joe Biden met Wednesday with exiled Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya while in Vilnius attending a NATO summit, the White House said.

Tikhanovskaya, who claimed victory against Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko in 2020 presidential elections, has been in exile in since the aftermath of the disputed vote, and lives in Lithuania.

Biden's meeting with Tikhanovskaya underscored "the continued commitment of the United States to defend and advance human rights, including freedom of expression, and free and fair elections in Belarus," the White House said.

Belarus is an authoritarian state in which opposition voices and independent media have been stifled during Lukashenko's nearly three decades in power.

Biden's meeting with Tikhanovskaya comes after Lukashenko last month acted as mediator between Moscow and the Wagner group after its short-lived rebellion against Russia's army, producing a deal under which Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin had been supposed to move to Belarus.

Last week, Tikhanovskaya said she had received an anonymous message saying her jailed husband Sergei Tikhanovsky, who she has not heard from since March, was dead.

Tikhanovsky had planned to run against Lukashenko in the August 2020 presidential election but was arrested and detained before the vote.

Svetlana, who ran in his place, has been sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison.

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President Biden and other NATO leaders will meet Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the second day of the major summit hosted in Lithuania's capital city of Vilnius.

The crucial meeting comes a day after leaders committed to providing Ukraine with more military assistance to fight against Russia but failed to offer the country membership to the international alliance, prompting a critical response from the Ukrainian leader.

Ukraine's future membership remains the most divisive issue at this year's summit, as leaders are worried a formal invitation could provoke further Russian aggression.

Zelenskyy said Wednesday that he wants to ensure Ukraine "will have this invitation when security measures will allow. We want to be on the same page with everybody."

ZELENSKYY OUTRAGED AFTER BIDEN REJECTS UKRAINE'S NATO MEMBERSHIP: 'UNPRECEDENTED AND ABSURD'

President Biden, left, is set to meet with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky during the second day of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Zelenskyy has supporters in NATO who are willing to accept Ukraine as its newest member, but some oppose the move, and others remain on the fence.

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Biden has explicitly said he does not think Ukraine is ready to join NATO and previously cited concerns that the country's democracy is unstable and corruption in its administration remains deeply rooted.

He also validated NATOs mission under Article 5 of the NATO charter, where members are obligated to defend each other from attack, which would subsequently draw the U.S. and other countries into the war with Russia  should Ukraine be added as a member.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said Wednesday any consensus from NATO must be "to the benefit of everyone."

"We have to stay outside of this war but be able to support Ukraine. We managed that very delicate balancing act for the last 17 months. Its to the benefit of everyone that we maintain that balancing act," he said.

BIDEN MAKES COY COMMENT ABOUT TURKEY ALLOWING SWEDEN'S NATO BID AS COUNTRY DEMANDS AMERICAN F-16 FIGHTER JETS

Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins, whose country has a long, troubled history with Russia, said he would have preferred more for Ukraine.

"There will always be a difference of flavor of how fast you would want to go," he said. Karins added, however, "At the end of it, what everyone gets, including Ukraine, and what Moscow sees is we are all very united."

On Tuesday, Zelenskyy said in Vilnius he had faith Ukraine would be accepted into NATO, but he would "like this faith to become confidence, confidence in the decisions that we deserve, all of us, every soldier, every citizen, every mother, every child."

"Is that too much to ask?" he asked during his speech in a town square.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi during briefing with press on July 8, 2023 in Lviv, Ukraine.

That same day, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced the new NATO-Ukraine Council, a permanent body where the 31 allies  the previous NATO countries with the newly added Finland  and Ukraine can call for meetings in emergency situations.

The council is a temporary balancing act in appeasing those who want to bring Ukraine as close as possible to the military alliance and critics who do not wish for Ukraine to actually join it.

CRITICAL NATO SUMMIT: BIDEN SAYS UKRAINE PATH UNLIKELY AS ZELENSKYY MAKES LAST-MINUTE BID

On Tuesday, the NATO leaders also said that Ukraine can join "when allies agree and conditions are met."

The ambiguous comments left Zelenskyy disappointed, and he responded to them in a tweet calling these conditions "unprecedented and absurd."

"Its unprecedented and absurd when [a] time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine's membership. While at the same time vague wording about conditions is added even for inviting Ukraine," Zelenskyy said in a lengthy tweet Tuesday morning. He also said the international alliance was disrespecting his country and was subsequently "motivating" Russia in the process.

At a minimum, commitments on Wednesday will include a new G7 framework that would provide for Ukraines long-term security.



British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who supports Ukraines membership, said: "Progress on the pathway to NATO membership, coupled with formal, multilateral, and bilateral agreements and the overwhelming support of NATO members will send a strong signal to President Putin and return peace to Europe."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden nominated Lt. Gen. James Mingus to become the Armys next vice chief of staff, according to a notice in the Congressional Record.

Mingus, who will pin on a fourth star if confirmed by the U.S. Senate, comes from the Pentagons Joint Staff, where he has served as director since June 2022. He joined the staff in October 2020 as director for operations.

Over the last year, one of his duties has included serving on a new high-level team focused on rushing military aid to Ukraine.

A 1985 graduate from Winona State University in Minnesota, Mingus was commissioned as 2nd lieutenant through the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps. He became a platoon leader in 5th Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Seventh Army in Germany in 1988, serving there for four years.

He joined the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty), North Carolina, in 1992. Mingus also took command of the Long Range Surveillance Detachment, 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment there and became the aide-de-camp to the 82nds commander.

The three-star also commanded another Long Range Surveillance Company within the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg.

Mingus took a three-year teaching job in 1997 as an assistant professor of military science at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Then he attended the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Following his time in academia, Mingus joined the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia, serving as a liaison officer and operations officer. Later he would take command of the regiments Regimental Special Troops in 2007.

Returning to Fort Bragg in 2003, he became the chief of the Joint Planning Group with Joint Special Operations Command.

If confirmed, Mingus would work closely with Gen. Randy George, who is nominated to be the next Army Chief of Staff. Both have been commanders of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado. George commanded the brigade from 2008 through 2010 and Mingus replaced him in 2010.

Mingus later returned to Fort Carson in 2015 as the 4th IDs deputy commanding general (maneuver) after a time at US Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, as the chief of the Commanders Action Group and a stint in the J-5 directorate as the deputy director of the Special Plans Working Group.

Mingus also served as director of the Mission Command Center of Excellence at the US Army Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth for two years. Then he took command of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg until 2020.

George, who is the current vice chief, testified today in a confirmation hearing to become the next Army chief of staff before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Biden nominated him to be the next chief in April.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville will retire from military service next month.
A Biden plan cuts student loan payments for millions to $0. Will it be the next legal battle?

FILE - President Joe Biden speaks about student loan debt relief at Delaware State University, Oct. 21, 2022, in Dover, Del. This summer, millions of Americans with student loans will be able to apply for a new repayment plan that offers some of the most lenient terms ever. Interest wont pile up as long as borrowers make regular payments. Millions of people will have payments of $0. And starting in 2024, undergraduate loan payments will be reduced by half. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration calls it a student loan safety net. Opponents call it a backdoor attempt to make college free. And it could be the next battleground in the legal fight over student loan relief.

Starting this summer, millions of Americans with student loans will be able to enroll in a new repayment plan that offers some of the most lenient terms ever. Interest wont pile up as long as borrowers make regular payments. Millions of people will have monthly payments reduced to $0. And in as little as 10 years, any remaining debt will be canceled.

It's known as the SAVE Plan, and although it was announced last year, it has mostly been overshadowed by President Joe Bidens proposal for mass student loan cancellation. But now, after the Supreme Court struck down Bidens forgiveness plan, the repayment option is taking center stage.

Since the ruling Biden has proposed an alternate approach to cancel debt and also shifted attention to the lesser-known initiative, calling it the most affordable repayment plan ever. The typical borrower who enrolls in the plan will save $1,000 a month, he said.

Republicans have fought against the plan, saying it oversteps the presidents authority. Sen. Bill Cassidy, the ranking Republican on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, called it deeply unfair to the 87% of Americans who dont have student loans.

The Congressional Budget Office previously estimated over the next decade the plan would cost $230 billion, which would be even higher now that the forgiveness plan has been struck down. Estimates from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania put the cost at up to $361 billion.

Emboldened by the Supreme Court's decision on cancellation, some opponents say its a matter of time before the repayment plan also faces a legal challenge.

Heres what to know about the SAVE Plan:

WHAT IS AN INCOME-DRIVEN REPAYMENT PLAN?

The U.S. Education Department offers several plans for repaying federal student loans. Under the standard plan, borrowers are charged a fixed monthly amount that ensures all their debt will be repaid after 10 years. But if borrowers have difficulty paying that amount, they can enroll in one of four plans that offer lower monthly payments based on income and family size. Those are known as income-driven repayment plans.

Income-driven options have been offered for years and generally cap monthly payments at 10% of a borrowers discretionary income. If a borrowers earnings are low enough, their bill is reduced to $0. And after 20 or 25 years, any remaining debt gets erased.

HOW IS BIDENS PLAN DIFFERENT?

As part of his debt relief plan announced last year, Biden said his Education Department would create a new income-driven repayment plan that lowers payments even further. It became known as the SAVE Plan, and it's generally intended to replace existing income-driven plans.

Borrowers will be able to apply later this summer, but some of the changes will be phased in over time.

Right away, more people will be eligible for $0 payments. The new plan wont require borrowers to make payments if they earn less than 225% of the federal poverty line  $32,800 a year for a single person. The cutoff for current plans, by contrast, is 150% of the poverty line, or $22,000 a year for a single person.

Another immediate change aims to prevent interest from snowballing.

As long as borrowers make their monthly payments, their overall balance won't increase. Once they cover their adjusted monthly payment  even if it's $0  any remaining interest will be waived.

Other major changes will take effect in July 2024.

Most notably, payments on undergraduate loans will be capped at 5% of discretionary income, down from 10% now. Those with graduate and undergraduate loans will pay between 5% and 10%, depending on their original loan balance. For millions of Americans, monthly payments could be reduced by half.

Next July will also bring a quicker road to loan forgiveness. Starting then, borrowers with initial balances of $12,000 or less will get the remainder of their loans canceled after 10 years of payments. For each $1,000 borrowed beyond that, the cancellation will come after an additional year of payments.

For example, a borrower with an original balance of $14,000 would get all remaining debt cleared after 12 years. Payments made before 2024 will count toward forgiveness.

HOW DO I APPLY?

The Education Department says it will notify borrowers when the new application process launches this summer. Those enrolled in an existing plan known as REPAYE will automatically be moved into the SAVE plan. Borrowers will also be able to sign up by contacting their loan servicers directly.

It will be available to all borrowers in the Direct Loan Program who are in good standing on their loans.

WHAT ABOUT BORROWERS WHO MISSED OUT ON EARLIER PROGRAMS?

The administration announced last year it would make fixes to correct mistakes in tracking payments that qualify toward forgiveness under income-driven repayment plans. As a result, the education department said Friday, it will wipe out $39 billion in debt held by more than 800,000 borrowers

Officials said eligible borrowers will be informed starting Friday that they qualify for forgiveness without further action on their part.

For far too long, borrowers fell through the cracks of a broken system that failed to keep accurate track of their progress towards forgiveness, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said.

WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS?

Supporters say Bidens plan will simplify repayment options and offer relief to millions of borrowers. The Biden administration has argued that ballooning student debt puts college out of reach for too many Americans and holds borrowers back financially.

Opponents call it an unfair perk for those who don't need it, saying it passes a heavy cost onto taxpayers who already repaid student loans or didnt go to college. Some worry that it will give colleges incentive to raise tuition prices higher since they know many students will get their loans canceled later.

Voices across the political spectrum have said it amounts to a form of free college. Biden campaigned on a promise to make community college free, but it failed to gain support from Congress. Critics say the new plan is an attempt to do something similar without Congress approval.

IS IT LEGAL?

That depends on who you ask, but the question hasnt been taken up by a federal court.

Instead of creating a new payment plan from scratch, the Biden administration proposed changes to an existing plan. It cemented those changes by going through a negotiated rulemaking process that allows the Education Department to develop federal regulations without Congress.

Its a process thats commonly used by administrations from both political parties. But critics question whether the new plan goes further than the law allows.

More than 60 Republicans lawmakers urged Cardona to withdraw the plan in February, calling it reckless, fiscally irresponsible, and blatantly illegal.

Supporters argue that the Obama administration similarly used its authority to create a repayment plan that was more generous than any others at the time.

The Biden administration formally finalized the rule this month. Conservatives believe its vulnerable to a legal challenge, and some say its just a matter of finding a plaintiff with the legal right  or standing  to sue.

___

The Associated Press education team receives support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
President Biden said Wednesday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky understands that NATO membership for his nation, which he has been aggressively seeking, is not relevant at this time.

When asked in Europe how long it will take for Ukraine to join NATO, Biden responded, I think until the war is over.

But, look, the one thing Zelensky understands now is that whether or not hes in NATO now is not relevant as long as he has the commitments that  guarantee his security, along with a number of other NATO countries, Biden told reporters.

The president and Zelensky met one-on-one in Vilnius, Lithuania, earlier Wednesday, a day after the Ukrainian president raised criticism over his country not being formally invited to join NATO and not being given a clear timeline for a membership. He bashed the alliance, saying uncertainty is weakness and motivates Russia to continue terror in its war.

Zelensky said Wednesday that while he was grateful NATO removed a procedural step for Ukraine to join the alliance, a direct invitation to join would have been ideal.

Biden and other allies have highlighted that NATO members have a responsibility to defend each other to make clear that Ukraine cant be accepted into the alliance at this time. While Ukraine is still at war with Russia, a NATO membership would mean all of NATO is at war with Russia.

Biden also said last week that Ukraine wasnt ready for a NATO membership; in June, the president said that he wouldnt make the path to membership for Ukraine any easier.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Biden is still considering ATACMS for Ukraine

US President Joe Biden has confirmed that he is still considering providing Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles.

Source: European Pravda, citing Biden's comments to Bloomberg journalists

Quote from Biden: "We are working on that".

Details: The US President explained that the issue of providing Ukraine with long-range missiles is still being discussed. At the same time, he clarified that the Ukrainian forces already have the equivalent of ATACMS (probably, referring to Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles).

For reference: The Army Tactical Air-to-Air Missile System (ATACMS) is a surface-to-surface missile with a range of about 300 kilometres. This distance is almost four times longer than the range of the HIMARS mobile missiles that the US began sending to Ukraine last year.

Background:

Earlier, The New York Times reported that a "quiet" debate was going on in the administration of US President Joe Biden on whether to send ATACMS long-range tactical missile systems to Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that during the negotiations with US leader Joe Biden, he raised the issue of providing Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles, but there are no agreements as of now

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






President Biden on Wednesday capped a three-day visit to Lithuania for the NATO summit by vowing that the U.S. and its allies would maintain a united front with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.

We stand at an inflection point, an inflection point in history where the choices we make now are going to shape the direction of our world for decades to come. The world has changed. Will we turn back naked, unchecked aggression today to deter other world-would-be -aggressors tomorrow? he said in remarks in Vilnius.

Biden spoke to a crowd of around 10,000 Lithuanians, foreign diplomats, members of the Belarusian opposition and others, all surrounded by and waving American and Lithuanian flags.

We will not waver. I mean that, Biden said. Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes. We all want this war to end on just terms.

Our unity will not falter, I promise you, he added.

The location of the presidents speech Wednesday was symbolic, as Lithuania shares a border with Russia. Lithuanias membership in NATO is seen as a critical deterrent to potential Russian aggression.

Every day, we have to make the choice. Every day, we must summon the strength to stand for what is right, to stand for what is true, to stand for freedom, to stand together, Biden said.

Bidens address came at the conclusion of a NATO summit that was dominated by talk of continued support for Ukraine in its war against Russia but also exposed tensions over what path Ukraine might have to join the alliance.

Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday expressed frustration about the skepticism from Biden and some other world leaders about Ukraine joining NATO, a move Biden has said should wait until after the war with Russia has ended. By Wednesday, Zelensky acknowledged that Ukraine would not be able to join the alliance while the war was ongoing.

While Biden didnt mention Ukraines potential membership into NATO during his remarks, he highlighted that NATO members have an obligation to defend one another; Biden and other allies have warned that taking Ukraine into NATO at this time would mean all allies are at war with Russia.

It is a sacred oath: An attack against one is an attack against all, Biden said.

Biden noted that his meeting with Zelensky on Wednesday follows other one-on-one meetings theyve held in Washington, Kyiv, and Hiroshima in the 16 months since Russias invasion. He also blamed Russia for not seeking an end to the conflict.

One country cannot be allowed to seize its neighbors territory by force. Russia could end this war tomorrow, he said. Unfortunately, Russia has shown thus far no interest in a diplomatic outcome.

The U.S. and its Group of Seven allies Wednesday announced plans for security negotations with Ukraine to ensure it had the military support it needed in the short-term and in the future to defer further Russian aggression.

The U.S. has provided billions of dollars in military and financial aid to Ukraine since Russia first invaded in February 2022. Biden last week announced the U.S. would send Ukraine cluster munitions, a controversial weapon outlawed by dozens of countries.

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Biden opened his remarks acknowledging that NATO welcomed Finland and reached agreement with Sweden to join the alliance.

President Erdogan kept his word, he said, referring to the president of Turkey who Monday agreed to not block Swedens membership into NATO.

And, he praised the people of Ukraine for this strength in the nearly year-and-a-half since the Russian invasion, saying they remain unbroken.

Ukraine remains independent. It remains free, he said.

Biden also praised citizens of Lithuania and other Baltic nations for supporting Ukraine, saying the older citizens there know better than anyone how precious the fight to determine your future is.

My message to all of you is keep it up, keep it going, keep reminding the world of hope that Lithuania embodies, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Joe Biden Illustrated / Getty Images

Heads of state from across NATO's 31 member nations have gathered in Vilnius, Lithuania this week for the Cold War-era alliance's latest global summit. There, all eyes are on Ukraine as it continues to fight off a more than year-long invasion effort by Russia, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy makes an emphatic case for his country to be officially admitted into NATO's ranks.

In one of its first acts of the summit, NATO on Tuesday announced a massive, three-part aid package for Ukraine, including "the most comprehensive defence plans since the end of the Cold War" that presents "a clear path towards its membership in NATO," Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement. Significant as it may be, the NATO plan was met initially with pointed skepticism from Zelenskyy himself, who criticized it as "unprecedented and absurd" for its lack of a concrete timeline for Ukraine's membership aspirations. Just hours later, Zelenskyy took a more moderate tone, lauding the newly created "NATO-Ukraine Council" as an "instrument of integration" into the global body, while acknowledging that "Ukraine cannot become a member of NATO while the war is ongoing."

Notably, Zelenskyy's pivot toward moderation came the same day as he was scheduled to meet with American President Biden, who has helped spearhead much of the West's ongoing aid to Ukraine. But can a face-to-face meeting between these two world leaders truly quell Ukraine's growing frustration with what it sees as NATO's half-measures?

What are the commentators saying?

"Zelensky's tone sitting next to President Biden and an array of American national security officials on Wednesday was starkly different" than the previous day's frustrations, The New York Times' David Sanger reported. Biden himself acknowledged Ukraine's predicament publicly during a summit news conference, saying "the frustration, I can only imagine." But, Biden promised, "the United States is doing everything we can to get you what you need as rapidly as we can get it to you." Behind closed doors, however, Biden is expected to be "straightforward" with Zelenskyy, predicted National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Sullivan's own interaction with a Ukrainian activist earlier on Wednesday  in which he insisted that "the American people do deserve a degree of gratitude" for their support for Ukraine  offered "perhaps, a preview of how Biden will respond to Zelenskyy's frustrations later on in the day," CNN said.

No matter the public comity in their pre-meeting appearance, Biden appeared pointedly aware of  and annoyed with  any preoccupation with a concrete countdown to Ukraine's NATO admission, offering what the Independent deemed a "sarcastic swipe at the press" when Zelenskyy was asked how soon he'd like Ukraine to become a NATO member after the war ends. "An hour and 20 minutes," Biden quipped, preempting any answer from his counterpart. "You guys ask really insightful questions," he added.

Though NATO's priority this week has been to project a solid, unified front of support for Ukraine's war effort itself, "there's been more caution inside the summit itself, especially from Biden, who has explicitly said he doesn't think Ukraine is ready to join NATO," AP reported, citing "concerns that the country's democracy is unstable and its corruption remains too deeply rooted." Nevertheless, by all indications, Biden and Zelenskyy's conversation seemed to have quelled the most immediate concerns between Ukraine and the rest of the global body.

"A very good, powerful meeting," Zelenskyy tweeted after he and the president concluded their talk, heralding it as "at least twice as long as planned, and it was as meaningful as it needed to be."

"We clearly see how to end this war with our common victory," he concluded. "Thank you, Mr. President!"

What comes next?

For the time being, the nebulous relationship between NATO and Ukraine seems to be contained within the context of the country's concrete war needs as it repels Russia's invasion. "This process will ensure that the military assistance we provide Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression continues to be part of a long-term investment in Ukraine's future force," National Security Counsel Europe Senior Director Amanda Sloat said. "We'll focus on ensuring Ukraine has a sustainable fighting force capable of defending Ukraine now and deterring Russian aggression in the future."

Crucially, both Biden and Zelenskyy must contend not only with the international ramifications stemming from this latest meeting, but with the domestic fallout, as well. "There are now fears among Ukrainian decision-makers that Germany and others want to use potential NATO membership as a bargaining chip in any future peace talks with Russia," one Ukrainian official told Politico, highlighting the pressures Zelenskyy is facing at home. Meanwhile, "a number of Republicans in Congress, and some GOP candidates vying for the party's presidential nomination, have begun to question the need for more funding for Ukraine" from the United States, CBS noted.

While America's relationship with Ukraine still "poses major questions both domestically and internationally" after Wednesday's meeting between Biden and Zelenskyy, "we can at least say one thing: The GOP's march away from support for Ukraine has halted," countered The Washington Post's Aaron Blake. "It's true that a strong majority of congressional Republicans have supported and appear to continue to support Ukraine," Blake continued, "but we've also seen how much force the pull of the base can have in today's GOP."

That base seems less inclined to pull the U.S. away from supporting Ukraine for the time being. But, if recent bombastic statements from former President Donald Trump are any indication, a potentially significant portion of the GOP might not feel that way for long.

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Secret discussions are taking place in the White House regarding the possible supply of long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine.

Source: The New York Times with reference to its own sources among US and European officials

Quote: "But two American officials and one European official described a quiet debate within the Biden administration over whether to send [to Ukraine  ed.] even a few of the surface-to-surface guided missiles, which are being reserved for other security threats."

Details: The New York Times said that US officials had warned that their ATACMS arsenal is relatively small, and the missiles were intended for other Pentagon military plans, in particular on the Korean Peninsula.

Background:

Earlier, the US Department of Defense stated that it has no information about plans to supply Ukraine with ATACMS missiles in the near future.

France has decided to provide missiles to Ukraine that will allow strikes in the deep rear of Russia.

In a statement to the UK House of Commons on Monday, 26 June, Ben Wallace, Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom, noted the impact of Storm Shadow long-range missiles on the course of the war in Ukraine.

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Journalist emotionally criticized the NATO summit

NATO leaders are implying that Ukrainian soldiers in the trenches are not modern enough for the alliance, which is a kick in the teeth to the countrys military, German journalist and deputy editor-in-chief of the Bild newspaper Paul Ronzheimer said on July 12.

The real issue is how NATO justifies its reluctance to give Ukraine specific terms of accession, Roznheimer said.

I understand everyone who is worried and has mixed feelings these days when it comes to Ukraine joining NATO, Ronzheimer said.

But the real concern is how NATO justifies its reluctance to give Ukraine specific terms of accession. In particular, the conditions for providing the road map include modernization of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Imagine: the heads of state and government have gathered safely in Vilnius and from there, theyre sending a signal to all Ukrainian soldiers in the trenches that, unfortunately, they are not yet modern enough for NATO.

Read also: NATO drops MAP requirement for Ukraine, introduces conditions for entry

Before the full-scale war, almost no one believed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces would be able to stand up to Russia, Ronzheimer said

How humiliated must the soldiers feel? he said.

Almost no one believed that this army could stand up to Russia. Many politicians who drafted this NATO statement gave Ukraine only a few days to survive.

NATOs excuses are also absurd for another reason, the journalist said.

In fact, NATO countries are hiding the real reason why they dont want to give Ukraine a road map yet, he said.

In particular, the United States, Germany and other countries have fears about possible further escalation of (tensions) with (Russian dictator) Vladimir Putin.

Ronzheimer said that the Ukrainian counter-offensive is not going as well as someone expected and there is constant talk behind closed doors that maybe its time to start (peace) talks.

Its still unclear when it may happen and how many years it may take, he said.

But one thing is clear: all NATO countries no longer believe that Ukraine will be able to recapture its entire territory, at least at the moment.

U.S. President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz should openly name the reasons why they do not want a NATO road map for Ukraine, Ronzheimer said.

Ukraine deserves the truth, he said.

Especially the soldiers who are lying in the trenches at the front.

NATO Summit in Vilnius: What is known

The summit in Vilnius has brought together leaders from 31 NATO countries, including U.S. President Joe Biden, along with additional delegations from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Ukraine, and Sweden (Turkey has finally agreed to unblock Swedens membership).

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Vilnius on July 11, along with the First Lady, Olena Zelenska.

Ukraine hoped to receive a clear signal regarding the prospects of a future membership of the alliance.

On the eve of the summit, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that allies had agreed that Ukraine would join NATO in the future without a Membership Action Plan  the traditional process of accession for new members.

Although NATO member states on July 11 agreed on a unified communique concerning Ukraines membership in the alliance, making no timeframe commitments as to when Kyiv might receive an invitation to join.

The communique noted that Ukraine would be invited to join the alliance once member states agree and all prerequisites have been satisfied, without specifying what those prerequisites are, exactly.

The document also remarked that the alliance would aid Ukraine in implementing reforms on its pathway to prospective membership.

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The 6th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival will be held in Urumqi, northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, from July 20 through Aug. 5.

Set to span 17 days, the festival will feature 28 acclaimed performances from domestic and international sources. Audiences can expect 60 diverse and captivating shows, including ballet, national dance drama, musical drama, dance theater, and song and dance galas, according to a press briefing held Tuesday in Beijing.

A performance of Xinjiang Uyghur Muqam is given at the beginning of a press briefing in Beijing, July 11, 2023. The press conference was held to introduce the upcoming 6th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

The festival will commence with the grand historical dance drama "Zhang Qian," a Xinjiang original, and conclude with the ballet "The Red Detachment of Women," performed by the National Ballet of China.

In light of the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Dance Festival will underscore the Silk Road and aim to strengthen exchanges and cooperation among Belt and Road countries and regions, stated Xu Ruijun, secretary of the Leading Party Members Group of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Artistic troupes from 11 countries  Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and South Africa  will present their acclaimed performances, fostering a bridge for cultural exchanges and cooperation among the Belt and Road countries, according to Xu.

He said that it would also be the first time for all five Central Asian countries to gather on the stage of the Dance Festival, and over 1,000 artists from Asia, Europe and Africa will meet in Xinjiang to make a beautiful tapestry of the Silk Road through art.

Xu Ruijun, secretary of the Leading Party Members Group of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, introduces the upcoming 6th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival at a press briefing in Beijing, July 11, 2023. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

In addition to international contributors, renowned domestic art troupes will showcase their signature plays, including the dance-poetry drama "Poetic Dance: The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting"  a dance representation of the famous Chinese painting "A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains"  by China Oriental Performing Arts Group, the dance drama "Picturesque Waters" by China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater, and the ballets "The Red Detachment of Women" and "Swan Lake" by the National Ballet of China.

Xinjiang's original dance dramas, such as "Zhang Qian" and "Five Stars Rise in the East," as well as the grand outdoor musical "A Thousand-year Promise to Kunlun," and the dance-poetry drama "The Story of Veterans," will also be staged. These performances will offer a window into Xinjiang culture, encourage a global appreciation for Xinjiang, and further the reach of Chinese culture, added Xu.

More than an artistic extravaganza, the dance festival will be a community celebration, according to Xu. To encourage wide participation, the culture and tourism authorities have implemented preferential measures such as affordable ticket prices and complimentary shows for locals. The festival will also feature side activities such as the "Brilliant Silk Road, Harmonious Coexistence" fashion show, the "Silk Road" street dance show in Xinjiang, the Xinjiang Dance Creation Exchange, and the "Join Xinjiang Dance Together" square dancing show.

The event will provide local residents of all ethnicities with an opportunity to enjoy high-quality performances in their hometown, share Xinjiang's cultural evolution with the world, and heighten their cultural appreciation and fulfillment, Xu concluded.
Bill Gates publishes blog post on the risks of AI, says employees will need 'retraining' and 'support' as workplace transforms

Bill Gates believes technology will revolutionize the nation in many different areas. There may be some bumps in a road, but he is overall 'optimistic.' VCG / Contributor/Getty Images

Bill Gates wrote a 3,000-word post on his blog, GatesNotes, discussing artificial intelligence.

Gates believes that AI is a powerful tool, but society will have to learn to use it efficiently.

The Microsoft cofounder predicted AI will impact the workplace, and some people will need retraining.

As the debate about artificial intelligence and its future impact continues, one of AI's most prolific supporters, Bill Gates, published a new 3,000-word blog post on Tuesday. Gates shared his thoughts on some of the drawbacks of AI  such as disruptive impacts on workers and the classroom  and how those effects can be mitigated.

Gates said that he believes AI is the future of tech, but he's also taking a realistic and practical view amid the hype and hysteria.

"The future of AI is not as grim as some people think or as rosy as others think. The risks are real, but I am optimistic that they can be managed," Gates said on his blog, GatesNotes.

He's not underselling it either: He compared the introduction of AI to that of other innovations like cars, computers, and calculators  advancements that may have caused confusion at first but would eventually make lives easier.

Referencing the introduction of calculators and computers decades ago, Gates wrote about how teachers worried at the time that these tools would prevent students from learning. He then drew similarities between those concerns and fears about students using AI to write essays and quoted teacher Cherie Shields, who uses AI in her classroom.

"'Teachers will have to embrace AI technology as another tool students have access to,' she wrote. 'Just like we once taught students how to do a proper Google search, teachers should design clear lessons around how the ChatGPT bot can assist with essay writing,'" Gates wrote.

However, Gates does not believe classrooms will look too different. In March, Gates predicted that AI will revolutionize many fields, but that "learning will still depend on great relationships between students and teachers."

What about AI's impact on people's jobs?

Many workers  and even some executives, according to a recent survey  fear that AI will come for their jobs. A survey commissioned by employee screening service Checkr found that 79% of employees worried that AI would threaten their income and their jobs. However, 86% of those surveyed said they'd be willing to take pay cuts if it meant they got to work less.

"It is true that some workers will need support and retraining as we make this transition into an AI-powered workplace," Gates wrote. "That's a role for governments and businesses, and they'll need to manage it well so that workers aren't left behind."

Research from Goldman Sachs concluded that Generative AI and text-generating programs like ChatGPT could impact 300 million jobs. While that doesn't necessarily mean 300 million people are expected to lose their jobs, it does indicate that, for many, some aspect of their job could become automated.

"I don't think AI's impact will be as dramatic as the Industrial Revolution, but it certainly will be as big as the introduction of the PC. Word processing applications didn't do away with office work, but they changed it forever," Gates said. "Employers and employees had to adapt, and they did."

White-collar professions like the legal, administrative and finance industries will likely be the most impacted by changes related to AI, studies suggest, while blue-collar occupations, construction, manufacturing and trades, will likely see less of an impact.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Theres a push to help federal student loan borrowers repair their credit scores if they have fallen behind on payments.

A group of House Democrats reintroduced three bills: the Clean Slate through Rehabilitation Act, the Clean Slate Repayment Act and the Clean Slate Through Consolidation Act.

The measures would remove negative credit reporting from a borrowers credit history if they have taken steps to get back on track with repayment.

The three bills in the clean slate legislative series will help borrowers truly get a second chance after doing the hard work to get their finances in order from crippling student loan debt, and I know exactly how hard this can be because Ive been there after falling behind on my own student loan payments, said Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA), a co-sponsor of the measures.

It comes after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Bidens student loan debt forgiveness plan last month.

Ive said it before and Ill say it again, the debt is just too damn high, said Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC), another co-sponsor of the proposals. The Supreme Court is helping to turn college and universities into another barrier that keeps families out of the middle class.

Republicans in Congress blasted President Bidens student loan debt forgiveness plan from the start.

Senate Republicans will continue to stand against radical student loan socialism  in whatever form it may take, said Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on the Senate floor on Wednesday.

Senate Republicans are pushing a proposal for more transparency with college cost and to cap borrowing for certain students.

House Republicans introduced the Federal Assistance to Initiate Repayment (FAIR) Act, which aims to streamline the repayment process and prevent excessive interest from accruing on loans.

In a joint statement, the sponsors of the FAIR Act including Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT), Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) and Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) said: The FAIR Act is a fiscally responsible, targeted response to the chaos caused by Bidens student loan scam. This Republican solution takes important steps to fix the broken student loan system, provide borrowers with clear guidance on repayment, and protect taxpayers from the economic fallout caused by the administrations radical free college agenda.

We spoke with Melissa Byrne, the founder of the group We, The 45 Million, which is fighting to cancel student debt about the proposals announced by House Democrats on Wednesday.

I think its great that members of Congress want to take action on student loan debt, but right now the action they should be taking is fully engaging in the Higher Education Act process, said Byrne.

The Higher Education Act is the step the Biden administration is now taking to try and provide student loan debt relief following the Supreme Courts ruling.

The Biden administration argues the law gives the Education Secretary a broad set of tools to help borrowers in financial distress.

They need to be all in, and they need to be publicly demanding that we provide relief for people, said Byrne. The president made a promise.

There is a lengthy process for the Higher Education Act, which involves public hearings and public comment.
A black Lab mix has been at a Washington shelter for over 500 days. The volunteer who posted his story on TikTok thinks 'black-dog syndrome' could be to blame.

Butter, not pictured, has been in a shelter for 500 days. Nicolas Jooris-Ancion/Getty Images

Butter, a 3-year-old Lab mix, has been at a shelter for "over 500 days," a volunteer said on TikTok.

The clip, posted by volunteer Julie Saraceno, has been viewed almost 156,000 times.

Saraceno suggested "black-dog syndrome" could be to blame.

A viral TikTok video shows a 3-year-old black Labrador mix who has been at a Washington shelter for over 500 days, according to the volunteer who posted the footage. The video, which has been viewed over 155,000 times since it was posted on July 7, is tugging at the heartstrings of TikTok users.

In the clip, animal volunteer Julie Saraceno shows Butter, who was taken to the Benton-Franklin Humane Society in Kennewick in November 2021.

"POV you've been a shelter dog for over 500 days and nobody wants to take you home," she wrote on the clip.

Saraceno told Newsweek that Butter "always been a nervous guy, and the shelter life doesn't help much either."

Benton-Franklin is a no-kill shelter, which means that some animals can stick around for a long time, like Butter or another dog, Balto, who had been at the shelter for 483 days in June 2023. In another TikTok video, Saraceno said Butter's adoption fee is $55.

"I have no idea why someone hasn't adopted this precious face!" one commenter wrote on the July 7 video. "Come on guys, let's get this baby a home," another added.

Adult dogs stay in shelters for longer than puppies on average, Zazie Todd, an animal-behavior expert and author, wrote on her website. Todd said she compared two shelters in New York and found that puppies had an average stay of 23 days, while adult dogs stayed for almost double the time, at 42 days.

What is black-dog syndrome?

In one of her TikTok videos, Saraceno posits that Butter could be having a more extended stay because he's a black dog, and those tend to get adopted slower.

"Black dog syndrome or big black dog syndrome is a phenomenon in which black dogs are passed over for adoption in favor of lighter-colored animals," Saraceno wrote. "Observed by shelters and rescue groups across the world, BDS is an issue negatively affecting the adoption rates of black dogs."

Black dogs can sometimes stay at shelters longer. Samantha Grindell/Insider

"It definitely exists," Madeline Bernstein, president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles, told the Los Angeles Times in 2008, explaining that some people mistakenly see black dogs as mean.

Kim Saunders, the head of shelter outreach for Petfinder.com, told ABC News in 2009 that black dogs are euthanized more than lighter dogs. She also said that she thought that she believed black dogs don't photograph as well, rendering them almost invisible.

Saraceno agreed, telling Newsweek, "I do feel like, from what I've seen, black dogs stay in the shelter longer. I think it's some sort of unconscious bias people have walking through the shelter. The darker dogs just don't stand out as much in their kennel."

Whether it's because of his coloring, his "nervous" personality, or just bad luck, Butter is still available at Benton-Franklin.

Read the original article on Insider
Blood found in bedroom leads cops to body of missing mom in car trunk, Florida police say

A mother was found dead in a car after she was reported missing by her family, according to Florida cops.

Rosemene Decius, 46, was reported missing on July 8, according to a post shared on Facebook by the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office.





Decius daughter said she had not heard from her mother for a day, according to First Coast News.





The U.S. Postal Service, where Decius worked, told the sheriffs office on July 7 that she had not shown up for work, News4Jax reported.





Detectives searched a home Decius shared with her boyfriend, Pierre Pinard, and found a pool of blood on a bed in the master bedroom, according to Action News Jax.





Detectives then searched Pinards car, which was parked in the garage, and found Decius body in the trunk, according to News4Jax.

Pinard, 53, is charged with murder, according to Duval County jail records. He is being held without bond.

The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office declined to release information on how Decius died or a possible motive in her killing.

One of Decius coworkers, Khalilah Mitchell, told News4Jax that Decius didnt deserve what happened to her.

She was a beautiful person inside and outside and loved her kids, she told the outlet. She talked about them all the time and how  proud she was of them.

An obituary for Decius could not be found online.

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MARYVILLE, Tenn.  The parents of a Maryville teenager who alleges she was sexually assaulted in April 2022 by a former teacher at Maryvilles Apostolic Christian Academy is unhappy with how law enforcement has handled the investigation from the start.

And they're not alone.

In recorded conversations with the family earlier this year, Blount County District Attorney Ryan Desmond excoriated how the Blount County Sheriff's Office handled the investigation and apologized to the family on the sheriff's office's behalf.

A Knox News investigation found top administration officials at the school, which is housed within First Apostolic Church of Maryville, knew of at least two separate incidents where teacher Joseph Kade Abbott messaged the 14-year-old girl but allowed him to maintain contact with students.

Abbott, who is no longer employed by the school, was suspended both times after church leaders learned he was messaging the girl, but the parents of the girl were not told about it and there is no evidence to show they notified law enforcement. Tennessee law requires anyone who thinks a child under the age of 16 is being abused to immediately report it to local law enforcement or the Tennessee Department of Childrens Services.

After his second suspension in March 2022, Abbott allegedly sexually assaulted the girl multiple times, including in a stairwell of a Gatlinburg hotel while he was chaperoning students on an overnight trip. Abbott, 26, was arrested in January 2023 and charged with sexual assault by an authority figure in Blount County. He has since been charged in Sevier County with two more counts of sexual assault by an authority figure against the same girl. He has not entered a plea in either county.

The girls family has sued the church and Abbott, alleging the church should have known about the abuse. The lawsuit is paused while the criminal charges are adjudicated.

In June 2023, Desmond told the girl's parents he had decided to ask the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to look into the school and whether there were additional victims, according to an email obtained by Knox News.

"Secondly, I wanted to let you know to expect a call from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation," Desmond wrote June 22. "After discussing the matter in detail with BCSO (Blount County Sheriff's Office), I have opted to request that the TBI have an informational meeting with the two of you regarding the actions of the school and the possibility of additional victims."

A spokesperson for the TBI told Knox News the agency has been in contact with Desmond but he has not requested the TBI open an investigation into the sheriff's office's handling of the initial investigation.

Desmond declined to respond to multiple questions about his comments to the family and his thoughts about the handling of the initial investigation. Further, he would not say why he contacted the TBI given that the Blount County Sheriff's Office has been investigating the case for over a year.

Through a spokesperson, Sheriff James Berrong declined to comment or answer a series of questions from Knox News about the investigation and Desmond's comments about how it was handled.

The church, through its attorney, declined to answer 13 questions from Knox News about the allegations.

It took months to arrest and charge Abbott, leaving potential victims vulnerable

Desmond was direct in his first conversation with the family, days before police in North Carolina arrested Abbott in January: He would be upset if he were in their shoes, he told them.

Blount County District Attorney Ryan Desmond.

I do not think this has transpired or progressed the way it should have progressed, he said, according to an audio recording obtained by Knox News. And there are reasons for that that we can discuss, but none of them are to the point  this should have been charged months and months and months ago and theres really not a good excuse as to why.

This has now gone on, as you said, for seven months where this person  I pray he has not victimized anyone else, but he certainly had the opportunity to when he should not have, he said later in the conversation.

"I feel like I owe you an apology on behalf of this office because had I known about this it wouldnt have stretched out as long as it has," he said. "Thats not typically how we operate."

Blount County sheriff's investigator disciplined for work

The original investigator on the case, Detective Doug Folmar, was reprimanded, according to a performance evaluation signed Jan. 12, 2023, for his lack of timeliness and handling of evidence, Blount County Sheriffs Office Capt. JT Trentham told the 14-year-old girl's family during a meeting in April that included prosecutors.

When church leaders learned in June 2022 that Abbott had been seen walking into an unoccupied classroom with the 14-year-old girl  after he had twice been suspended for messaging her  a church leader called the girl's parents to set up a meeting. During the meeting, church leaders showed the girl's parents security footage of their daughter walking into a classroom with Abbott. Folmar, it appears, did not think this was necessary evidence to obtain because he didnt think it showed criminal behavior, Trentham told the family.

A copy of Folmar's personnel file, provided by the sheriff's office through a Knox News records request, confirms the reprimand.

In an employee evaluation covering July 1, 2022 through the end of that year, Folmar received a "3" on a scale of 1-5 for "dependability and communication/relationships. A "3" is considered "unsatisfactory." The evaluation detailed issues with the detective's lack of communication with the alleged victim's family, among other things.

"All of these issues have or are currently being addressed for corrective action," his evaluation reads. In his most recent review, covering January 1, 2023 through the end of June, Folmar received an improved rating, up to a "4" for those same areas.

Desmond apologized to the family in the April meeting.

Mistakes were made and theres no changing that now  theres just no doubt that things probably could have been done  well, not probably  they definitely been done better, he said, according to an audio recording. And unfortunately, theres no changing that. Theres just making the best of the situation we have now.

Potential conflicts of interest

There were also at least a handful of potential conflicts of interest for Blount County investigators.

The first officer, deputy Tim Pace, who came to speak with the family about the alleged assault previously attended the church and even provided investigators  after the fact  with about an hours worth of knowledge about how the church operated, according to an audio recording of Desmond, the district attorney.

Both the Rev. Kenneth Carpenter, the church's senior pastor, and his wife, Penny Carpenter, have served as chaplains for the sheriffs office, an aspect of outreach for the couple, according to a summary of Kenneths ministry posted on the church denomination website. The volunteer role would bring them into contact with sheriffs office personnel.

The Carpenters daughter, Fallon, and her husband, Chad Erikson, were made deputy sheriffs in February 2011, according to minutes of the Blount County Commission meeting.

Correction: the story originally misstated the date when church leaders learned of Abbott meeting with the 14-year-old girl. It was June 2022, not June 2023.

Tyler Whetstone is an investigative reporter focused on accountability journalism. Email tyler.whetstone@knoxnews.com. Twitter @tyler_whetstone. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Blount County sheriff's office bungled girl's sex assault allegation
'Scam Likely' written on a smartphone

Banks cannot be held responsible for fraudulent payments that are authorised by customers themselves, the Supreme Court has ruled.

Barclays has won a landmark legal ruling that banks are not liable for fraudulent transactions that have been requested by account holders, in a case that threatened to spark a flurry of claims from fraud victims had the bank lost.

The Bank faced a compensation claim from a music teacher Fiona Philipp who, along with her husband, Robin, was tricked in an Authorised Push Payment or APP scam into sending their life savings  700,000 held in a Barclays account  to a fraudsters bank in the United Arab Emirates.

APP scams involve fraudsters deceiving victims into making bank transfers to accounts posing as legitimate payees. For example, fraudsters may pretend to be someone from a bank or another trusted organisation claiming you need to move your money to a different account.

But in a blow for victims of fraud, Judge George Leggatt said requiring banks to block payments expressly requested by customers themselves, even in cases where fraud was suspected, was inconsistent with first principles of banking law.

The case, which was first brought against Barclays in 2020, was thrown out at the commercial court in Bristol in 2021. But that decision was overturned by the Court of Appeal last year, before lawyers for Barclays lodged an appeal with the Supreme Court.

The banks appeal was unanimously upheld by the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Judge Leggatt said: Where the customer has authorised and instructed the bank to make a payment, the bank must carry out the instruction promptly.

It is not for the bank to concern itself with the wisdom or risks of its customers payment decisions.

Britains most senior court did, however, allow Mrs Philipp to pursue an alternative case against Barclays based on the grounds that the bank failed in its duty to take adequate steps to recover the funds she and her husband lost in the scam.

Previously lawyers for victims of scams made use of a ruling from a 1992 case, known as Quincecare, in which the judge said that bankers must refrain from executing a payment requested by a customer if they suspect it is fraudulent and make necessary enquiries. This conventionally has only applied to payments made by agents of a company, rather than account holders themselves.

Mrs Philipp unsuccessfully claimed in her case that Barclays should have followed the Quincecare duty for the fraudulent payments she approved.

Simon Fawell, a partner at commercial law firm Signature Litigation, said that Barclays victory brings to an end a recent line of cases which have suggested a widening of the Quincecare principal and, while entirely sound in its reasoning, reduces the avenues through which victims of fraud might recover their losses.

Notably, the court has allowed Mrs Philipps claim to proceed in one respect. Her claim that her bank owed her a duty to act more promptly in trying to recover the sums lost requires a full investigation and so must be determined at trial.

He added: Perhaps the biggest gap for victims of fraud currently is that claims against a fraudsters bank remain difficult under English law There remain, however, a number of claims proceeding through the courts seeking to push the boundaries of when victims may be able to recover from the fraudsters bank.

The Supreme Court ruling comes as the Payment Systems Regulator is set to bring in new rules requiring banks and payment companies to reimburse victims of Authorised Push Payment, which cost victims nearly 500m last year, according to the latest figures from UK Finance, the banking tradebody.

The court acknowledged such frauds were the cause of hardship for victims but said it was ultimately a matter for Parliament to consider who should be responsible for the losses, noting the new Financial Services and Markets Act provided for the mandatory reimbursement scheme for certain cases of domestic fraud.

Most common scams

Overseas payments, such as Mrs Philipps, will not be covered by the proposed rule changes, however.

Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at Which?, the consumer advisor, said that her organisation acknowledges the Supreme Courts decision, however we are disappointed by this missed opportunity to enhance consumer protections against bank transfer scams and encourage banks to put in place better systems to protect their customers.

She added: Which? campaigned for the Financial Services and Markets Act, which will ensure all banks treat victims of authorised push payment fraud more fairly and consistently. However, its protections do not apply to victims who send money abroad, as in this case, nor does it give them the right to redress in court.

Banks should do the right by their customers and proactively extend enforceable reimbursement to all payments, and government and regulators should act to close any loopholes to ensure all scam victims have equal and effective protection.

A spokesperson for Barclays said: We welcome the Supreme Courts decision in this case which provides certainty and clarity on an important issue of law and public importance regarding the obligation banks have to act on customers instructions.

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It used to be you could get fired from a government job for being too prejudiced.

Now, in Sterling, Kansas, you get fired for not being prejudiced enough.

Last week, the towns Library Board sacked both the library director, Kari Wheeler, and her top assistant, Brandy Lancaster.

Their offense? They didnt cater enough to the boards anti-LGBT agenda.

According to the former librarians, the friction started with a dispute over whether to shelve one of the books in the William Allen White Reading Program, which happens to include a gender-nonbinary character.

Each year, the program publishes a list of award-winning books for the elementary and middle-school levels. Its a big deal in a lot of school districts and there are often rewards for reading the entire list.

When my sons were in school, the reward was a field trip to Emporia to see Whites former office at the Emporia Gazette and learn about the revered newspaperman, who won the Pulitzer Prize, rubbed elbows with presidents and was one of the leading voices for middle America from the late 1890s into the 1940s.

Wheeler had a donor who offered to buy the library the entire set of William Allen White books for this year. One of the selections is Flight of the Puffin, a novel including a nonbinary teen character who lives on the streets after being shunned at home.

A board member told Wheeler to go ahead and order the books, but to hide Flight of the Puffin in her desk drawer and not check it out to anybody.

Its an order no librarian worthy of the title would ever follow.

The rainbow incident seems to be the last straw.

In a small display case at the entry to the library, Wheeler and Lancaster were putting together a diversity display when Library Board Vice President Michelle Miller showed up and laid down the law: No rainbows, because theyre associated with LGBT rights.

Now, neither of the rainbow images for the display case had anything to do with that.

One was a collage of a girl in a wheelchair sitting in front of a rainbow and the other was the international symbol of autism awareness, a rainbow-colored infinity symbol.

In a June 22 board meeting that Lancaster recorded, Miller explained her rationale, such as it is: I do not want any kind of rainbow display . . . especially in this month. We are in Pride Month. People are on display. We have a conservative town and as a library, do not need to make political statements like Target and Bud Light.

While were at it, maybe we should change the unofficial theme song of this state to Somewhere Over That Thing We Cant Talk About Cuz Its Too Gay.

And speaking of Bud Light, many of my conservative friends were rejoicing online yesterday at the news that the boycott over the brand hiring a transgender influencer is forcing the closure of two glass factories that make Bud Light bottles.

The factories, which arent owned by the beer-maker, are in Louisiana and North Carolina. Modelo, a Mexican beer, has taken over from Bud Light as the No. 1 beer in the United States.

So the Bud Light backlash just destroyed 600 blue-collar jobs in red states and is creating jobs in Mexico. Hard not to see the irony there.

I spent Monday afternoon in Sterling and found myself dealing with one of the most insular, secretive and generally incompetent government bodies Ive ever encountered.

I had to go there in person because Sterlings mayor, Bob Bolt, who serves on the eight-member Library Board, hung up on me as soon as I introduced myself. The president, vice president, treasurer and secretary of the Library Board didnt return phone calls.

One board member chewed me out for calling her six weeks after she lost her husband  although I had no way of knowing that and she had participated in the special Library Board meeting where the librarians were canned.

Of the two board members willing to give me the time of day, neither would tell me how they or anyone else voted on the librarians firings  citing executive privilege  although under state law the vote is required to be public and is a matter of public record.

I asked for the Library Boards budget, to see where they get their money and what they do with it. It turns out they havent done a budget for years and theres no way to tell what theyve been doing with the $60,000 or so they get from city taxes each year, plus state and nonprofit support.

The city government owns the library building and allocates the bulk of the money to run it. But thats about the extent of its involvement.

The board is largely self-appointed. Members decide who they want on the board with them and the mayor trots the names over to be rubber-stamped by the City Council.

Given the process, its not hard to see how this became the Book Ban of the Month Club.

Board members serve four-year terms. I asked who they answer to for their decisions and the answer I got was the state Constitution.

The state Constitution was unavailable for comment.

So Ill just quote Lancaster instead: Its total abuse of power, its discrimination and its bigoted and we need a change.

Shes not wrong.

Board members say they fired her and Wheeler because theyd lost confidence in them.

Theyve got some nerve. If anybody in this sorry scenario doesnt inspire confidence, its the board members.

The only things they seem to be good at are censorship, clandestine decision-making and stonewalling.

They fail miserably at the open-mindedness, transparency and stewardship of public funds that community members should expect from the people running their library.

A local citizen, Samantha Corwin, has launched a petition to try to reinstate the librarians. Its got about 200 signatures so far.

William Allen Whites most famous editorial was about how Kansas was falling behind the rest of the country in population and wealth, because back in his day it was run by a bunch of ignorant clodhoppers.

The piece was titled, Whats the Matter with Kansas?

Ask me that today and Id give you a one-word answer.

Sterling.
The Walt Disney Co. announced that CEO Bob Iger has agreed to stay in his position with the company through the end of 2026.

In a news release posted Wednesday, the company said its board of directors voted unanimously to extend Igers contract by two years. Iger, 72, returned to the company last November after previously stepping down in 2020 following a 15-year tenure as CEO.

The company said Igers extension provides continuity of leadership during its ongoing transformation. It added that the move will give the company more time to execute a transition plan for CEO succession, which it noted is a top priority for the board of directors.

Time and again, Bob has shown an unparalleled ability to successfully transform Disney to drive future growth and financial returns, earning him a reputation as one of the worlds best CEOs, Disney Chairman Mark G. Parker said in a statement.

Bob has once again set Disney on the right strategic path for ongoing value creation, and to ensure the successful completion of this transformation while also allowing ample time to position a new CEO for long-term success, the Board determined it is in the best interest of shareholders to extend his tenure, and he has agreed to our request to remain Chief Executive Officer through the end of 2026.

In a separate statement, Iger said even with the challenges the company is currently facing, Disney has a bright future ahead.

But there is more to accomplish before this transformative work is complete, and because I want to ensure Disney is strongly positioned when my successor takes the helm, I have agreed to the Boards request to remain CEO for an additional two years, Iger said. The importance of the succession process cannot be overstated, and as the Board continues to evaluate a highly qualified slate of internal and external candidates, I remain intensely focused on a successful transition.

Disneys decision comes amid a heated battle between the company and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) that began after Disney publicly criticized Floridas Dont Say Gay law, which places restrictions on the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in public school classes.

Following that criticism, DeSantis signed legislation earlier this year stripping Disney of special status that gave it self-governing power over the Reedy Creek Improvement District. The company then filed a lawsuit against the presidential candidate alleging that he used his office and influence as governor to take action against the company for its political stances.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Bodies of 19 Ukrainian soldiers who died in Russian captivity have been brought back to Ukraine

Oleh Kotenko, Ukraines Commissioner for People Missing Under Special Circumstances, has said that Ukraine had brought back the bodies of 19 soldiers who died in Russian captivity. The bodies of another four soldiers will be returned to Ukraine in the coming days.

Source: Suspilne, citing Oleh Kotenko during a roundtable on missing persons

Quote from Kotenko: "I want to mention the sad cases when people were held in [Russian] captivity and interrogated, as we saw [in video footage]. I brought back 19 bodies; they died in captivity. I will bring back another four [bodies] in the coming days. They are the bodies of people who were held in [Russian] captivity and died there."

Details: Kotenko stressed that Russia is handing over the bodies of prisoners of war who died in captivity to Ukraine, but did not offer any additional comments on the process of bringing the bodies of those soldiers to Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Reuters/Getty

When OceanGates Titan submersible imploded on a trip to the Titanic wreckage killing CEO Stockton Rush and four othersa lot was revealed about Rush and his company. But the biggest takeaway from the disclosures is that Rush did not take criticism well.

Perhaps this is not surprising. Rush was born into money, which itself provides a fair amount of insulation from criticism. And on top of that, he fashioned himself an innovator in a society that tends to laud the eye-popping self-confidence of those who pursue bold endeavors with the promise of bringing something new and exciting within humanitys grasp.

But self-confidence can be a double-edged sword.

Tech Bosses Are Letting Dictators Censor What Americans See

Great achievements and advancements have been made by innovators who dream big, think outside the box, and turn others doubts into motivation to succeed. But too much confidence can be blinding, leading fervent self-believers to dismiss or ignore valid criticismand even to try silencing it.

A favorite tool of the rich and powerful for bullying critics into silence is the SLAPP: Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation.

A SLAPP is a meritless lawsuit filed (or merely threatened) not to vindicate any rights, but instead to silence its target by imposing (or threatening to impose) the substantial cost and burden of litigating. The goal is not to win the case; the process is the punishment. Politicians use them to punish rivals or journalists for unflattering commentary, businesses use them to silence public reporting about their practices, sexual predators use them to cow their victims into silence, and entrepreneurs use them to suppress questioning of their claimed contributions.

One judge summarized the effect of SLAPPs this way: Persons who have been outspoken on issues of public importance targeted in such suits or who have witnessed such suits will often choose in the future to stay silent. Short of a gun to the head, a greater threat to First Amendment expression can scarcely be imagined.

The OceanGate tragedy demonstrates that SLAPPs are not only a metaphorical gun to the head of free expression, but also potentially to those who might have received the information targeted for suppression.

Many tried to warn Stockton Rush that he was flirting with deadly disaster. When Karl Stanley, a friend of Rush and a submersible expert, heard a cracking sound during a dive on the Titan, he cautioned Rush to conduct extensive testing on the hull. Rush replied to Stanley saying Keep your opinions to yourself, and I hope you of all people will think twice before expressing opinions on subjects in which you are not fully versed.

When Rob McCalluman expedition leader and former adviser to OceanGateraised concerns, Rush replied, We have heard the baseless cries of 'you are going to kill someone' way too often. I take this as a serious personal insult. Rush followed what might be the worst-aged email ever with a phone call to McCallum.

Trump Will Never Stop Reminding Us That He Hates Free Speech

As McCallum recently explained to me, Rush threatened him with litigation if he criticized OceanGate to others. (To his great credit, McCallum told Rush that he would not be intimidated into silence by the threat.)

And when one of his own employees sounded the alarm about OceanGates dangerous trajectory, Rush lashed out with a SLAPP. David Lochridge, once OceanGates director of marine operations and chief submersible pilot, had serious concerns about the Titans safety. After his concerns were ignored by the company, Lochridge wrote a detailed inspection report of the vessels defectsresulting in his termination. When the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) informed OceanGate that it was investigating Lochridges termination as a whistleblower protection matter, things took an even uglier turn.

Rush and OceanGate had Washington attorney Thomas Gilman threaten that, if Lochridge did not withdraw his OSHA complaint and pay the companys legal expenses, OceanGate would sue him, take measures to destroy his professional reputation, and accuse him of immigration fraud. And OceanGate did exactly that.

Elon Musk, Joe Rogan, and the Apocalyptic Centrists

Ultimately, after being put through financial and emotional hell, Lochridge settled with OceanGate. In order to get the company to stop destroying his life, Lochridge withdrew his OSHA complaint and was forced into silence about the Titans safety issues.

Its impossible to know for sure whether a full OSHA investigation and public scrutiny would have forced OceanGate to reconsider its plans, or if it would have deterred potential expeditioners from entrusting the company with their lives. But Stockton Rush and OceanGate did everything they could to ensure that they didnt have to find out.

And while Rush got off easyhe doesnt have to live with what hes doneif I were a lawyer that he hired to silence safety concerns ultimately vindicated at the expense of four innocent lives, Id be doing some painful soul-searching about how far I am willing to go for a billable hour.

Thirty-two states (and Washington, D.C.) have passed anti-SLAPP laws of varying strength that allow defendants to obtain speedy dismissal and force SLAPP-filers to cover their legal fees.

Elon Musk, Worst Free Speech Hero Ever

Unfortunately, David Lochridge didnt have that option: Washington states Supreme Court ruled its anti-SLAPP law unconstitutional in 2015, and it wasnt until 2021 that the legislature passed a revised law. And because most federal courts will not apply a states anti-SLAPP law, those laws can be easily evaded by filing in federal court. There is no federal anti-SLAPP law on the books, despite proposals in every Congress since 2009.

SLAPPs have terriblebut not usually deadlyconsequences. This tragedy should serve as a wakeup call to state legislatures and Congress alike that they must do more, and soon, to prevent powerful interests from silencing speech they find inconvenient, uncomfortable, or embarrassing through abuse of the legal system.

Ari Cohn is a First Amendment and defamation lawyer who serves as Free Speech Counsel at TechFreedom, a non-profit, non-partisan think tank dedicated to technology law and policy. Follow him on Twitter at @AriCohn and on Bluesky at @aricohn.com.

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Chinese envoy urges respect for Syria's sovereignty while delivering aid

Xinhua) 08:51, July 12, 2023

UNITED NATIONS, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Humanitarian assistance to Syria should be delivered in a way that respects the country's sovereignty, a Chinese envoy said Tuesday.

The authorization of cross-border aid deliveries into Syria expired on Monday, and the UN Security Council failed on Tuesday to adopt either of two draft resolutions that would have renewed the mechanism.

Russia vetoed a draft resolution tabled by Brazil and Switzerland that called for a nine-month re-authorization. A Russian draft resolution, which would have renewed the mechanism for six months, failed to obtain the required number of votes for approval.

In an explanation of vote, Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said that China regrets the failure of the Security Council to reach consensus on this important matter.

"China's position on the humanitarian issue in Syria has been consistent and clear," he said. "We have all along maintained that humanitarian assistance to Syria should be provided in a way that respects the sovereignty of Syria and the Syrian government's ownership."

Cross-line relief should become the primary modality for humanitarian assistance to Syria. The cross-border relief mechanism was a temporary arrangement made under specific circumstances, and there is a need to speed up the transition to cross-line assistance and to phase out the cross-border mechanism over time until its eventual destination, he said.

In view of the current humanitarian situation in Syria, China is supportive of continuing to keep the cross-border arrangement, Zhang noted.

"China maintains in the same breath that the Security Council must take seriously the problems and inadequacies of the existing humanitarian relief mechanism and make efforts to address these problems and inadequacies," he added.

The envoy stressed that practical measures should be taken to prevent the parties in de-facto control of northwestern Syria from once again obstructing cross-line relief efforts and to ensure that the frequency and scale of cross-line relief efforts are significantly higher than those at the same time last year.

The scope of humanitarian activities should be further expanded, he said, adding that humanitarian de-mining should be integrated into early recovery.

Adequate humanitarian funding for Syria is also an important measure of how well the resolution is implemented, said Zhang.

"We must face squarely the negative impact of unilateral sanctions on humanitarian assistance and take practical measures to eliminate such negative effects," he said.

He pointed out that dialogue and consultation is the ultimate way to resolve differences and forge consensus.

In order to extricate the Security Council from the current predicament, China calls on all parties to be rational and pragmatic, to demonstrate the political will needed, to abandon double standards and the politicization of humanitarian issues, to continue to consult patiently, and to search for the greatest common factor that can accommodate each other's concerns, Zhang said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Teachers play with children at a "parent-child workshop" in Shanghai. [Photo/Xinhua]

China will step up efforts to provide daycare services for children under three in a bid to relieve mothers of the heavy burdens of child-rearing, a health official said Tuesday.

The country now has about 75,000 nurseries for children under three, which can take in more than 3.6 million children, said Yang Jinrui, a senior official with the National Health Commission, at a seminar marking this year's World Population Day, which falls on Tuesday.

About 6 percent of children under three in China have gone to nurseries, according to Yang.

A majority of Chinese children under three are taken care by their families, particularly mothers who are struggling to balance child-rearing with their careers.

The Chinese government will try hard to perfect its population policies, establish a childcare service system that is accessible to all, and encourage fathers and mothers to share the responsibilities of child-rearing, Yang said, adding that these are part of the efforts to create a favorable environment for couples to raise children.

In 2021 China began to allow each couple to have three children. Measures are being taken to boost the fertility rate as the country faces an aging population.
Secrets of Army life

High jinks in the mess. Unholy amounts of booze. Medals and braid and black tie and ball dresses and lots and lots of sex.

To anyone on civvy street, the alleged antics of Major Duncan Wiggins, of the Queens Dragoon Guards, at a summer ball in Norfolk, are utterly horrifying. To someone with any experience of Army life, they may be equally horrifying, but honestly? Not that surprising. If you dont believe me, take a look at some of the comments on the story from the military community on Twitter. Ginger Ninja is one of the more acceptable  along with what a lad.

To recap: Major Wiggins, 34, faces claims that he had sex with two women  guests of a fellow, junior, officer  at the ball in Robertson Barracks after his wife and the mother of his two small children had left the revels and gone to bed. In true classy military fashion, one of the liaisons is alleged to have happened in the TV room (pretty disgusting  communal military sofas are no beds of bliss), and the other in a mess bedroom (pity the poor officer whose bedroom it was). Major Wiggins has now been suspended pending disciplinary action.

Major Duncan Wiggins of the Queens Dragoon Guards

If true, its gross, of course. When your wifes asleep upstairs? Two women? And youre a Major? But Ive heard equally revolting tales, often from parties on bases, when strong drink has been consumed and something about the secure, enclosed nature of the location makes people feel safer than they otherwise might to behave in outrageous ways.

In that kind of Alpha environment  theres lots of it, says one former cavalry officer. Summer parties were like the fall of Rome. He recounts the tale of one such party involving a hot tub  when the bubbles were turned off the next morning, the water left behind was essentially a sea of bodily fluids. I was so glad I hadnt got in it.

As a young woman entering this world for the first time, it can all seem very glamorous. Dinners are formal, in black tie and full mess dress; youre served by soldiers who are often older than you, dazzling with gold braid, calling you maam. It is both bizarre and intoxicating. Especially in those regiments that until recently only admitted men, you feel like a rare and exotic creature: observed, desired, something to be flirted with.

Its fun  until its not: usually when dinner is over, dancing has moved from something jolly and amusing to something more akin to dry humping and heavy amounts of hard liquor have turned formerly polite gentlemen into something more animalistic. Thats when the dodgy stuff can happen, and youd be wise to get out  except when you cant, because youre stuck on a barracks in the middle of Salisbury Plain miles from anywhere. All you can hope is that your date is a gent who knows how to hold his drink  and has a lock on his mess bedroom door.

To be fair, things have changed since women were accepted to all regiments, and the presence of females became less exotic. There was a bit of a boom [of this sort of behaviour] about 10 years ago, but this feels a bit retro, says one Army WAG. It does still go on, but this seems to be a fairly extreme example.

Marry into the services and, usually, things change. As an officers wife you become a somewhat respected entity, one of the lads, up to a point. And the more senior your spouse gets, the better behaved they are  you dont tend to hop in the hot tub if youre a married man  or his wife. Most COs or equivalent know when to leave a party  its no fun for the more junior personnel if their boss is there breathing down their necks. Which is partly why the claims about Duncan Wiggins are so horrible  his wife was asleep upstairs; they had two children; he is alleged to have dallied with the guests of a junior colleague. Im not that shocked, but he wasnt even slightly single, says one Army wife.

In fact, says the former officer, the real issue here isnt really the alleged sex per se, its the issue of rank. He recalls one officer, on tour in Germany, who joked about the inappropriateness of having had a threesome with one of his corporals - not because of the act itself, but because the other man was a corporal, not a fellow officer.

There are other red lines. Its all fine until it breaks up someones marriage. Theyre quite traditional folk, Army officers, and s------g other officers wives is quite rare  its a small world. We had one lieutenant whod had an affair with his Commanding Officers wife, and he was basically banished. [Although, crucially, not suspended  although perhaps he would have been these days.]

Theres an argument to say that, in this instance, if the sex was consensual, theres nothing wrong with it  your private life is private  and infidelity, although horrible is not actually illegal, agrees another senior officer. But, he says, when it comes to the case of Major Wiggins, there is a moral issue at play. This man is in a leadership position. He sets the standards  so he absolutely should have been suspended. That is the right and proper thing to do. In pure military terms, what happens on the dancefloor and beyond can, if it goes too far, have an effect on the battlefield. Its about not destroying the cohesion of your team, says one insider. S------g someone elses missus is the surest way to have that happen.

Of course, the Army puts weird pressures on those who serve. Soldiers exist outside the norms of civilian society, are subject to an entirely different set of professional rules, live peripatetic lives, in a state of perpetual readiness, ready to carry out the tasks that nobody else wants to do. Its perhaps unsurprising that many of them think they are outside the conventional moral code the rest of us try to adhere to.

Does that make it acceptable? No. What a wrong un, says the former officer. High jinks is stealing a traffic cone when youre p----d, not having sex with two women who arent your wife, says the wife of another former serviceman. Especially not when shes asleep upstairs.

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A British cruise ship operator apologized after passengers watched 78 dolphins get slaughtered, part of the centuries-old whaling tradition of the Faroe Islands

The whaling tradition in the Faroe Islands is centuries-old. ANDRIJA ILIC/Getty Images

A cruise ship docked at the Faroe Islands on Sunday, leaving its passengers to witness a mass hunt of dolphins.

The British cruise ship operator, Ambassador Cruise Line, has since apologized on Twitter.

Grindadrap is a centuries-old mass hunting tradition that involves the killing of marine mammals for sustenance.

On Monday, British cruise ship operator Ambassador Cruise Line took to Twitter to apologize after its passengers watched residents of the Faroe Islands slaughter wild dolphins.

As part of a mass hunting tradition, 78 long-finned pilot whales  a species of oceanic dolphins  were killed near the capital of Torshavn on Sunday, per Yahoo News Australia.

Cruise ship passengers were left to watch the mass hunting event take place after the luxury vessel Ambition docked at the European island. The British cruise ship operator has since apologized on Twitter.

"We were incredibly disappointed that this hunt occurred at the time that our ship was in port," tweeted Ambassador Cruise Line on July 10.

"We strongly object to this outdated practice," the British cruise ship operator added in a follow-up Tweet, referencing the mass hunt tradition.

Known as Grindadrap in Faroese, the mass slaughter of pilot whales is a centuries-old hunting tradition in the Faroe Islands, a Danish territory located between Scotland and Iceland.

Grindadrap  or "Grind"  takes place every summer, and involves the killing of sea mammals like pilot whales and dolphins with knives or spinal lance. The dolphin meat and blubber harvested are then evenly distributed amongst the participants and islanders for consumption.

Animal activists and conservationists have been against the controversial whaling practice for years, calling it unsustainable and cruel. Many have also called for the boycott of the Faroe Islands as a way to take a stand against the tradition.

"Cruise companies need to take a stand in support of ocean wildlife and remove the Faroe Islands from itineraries," Rob Read, the chief operations officer at Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK, told Yahoo News Australia.

"Their continued visits to the Faroe Islands inadvertently supports the abhorrent practice that is the Grindadrap," he added.

The British cruise ship operator told Insider it doesn't think boycotting will do much to stop the longstanding tradition.

"Visiting gives an opportunity to apply pressure whilst boycotting is the end of any influence or impact that Ambassador can make," a representative of Ambassador Cruise Line told Insider.

The Faroe Islands have been a semi-autonomous region since 1948 and are not part of the European Union, which means the whaling traditions are likely to continue unless the island's government decides otherwise.

The Faroe Islands Ministry of Fisheries did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment sent outside business hours.

July 13, 2023: The article has been updated with a statement from Ambassador Cruise Line.

Read the original article on Insider
Broadcom just took a big step toward clinching its $61 billion purchase of VMware, albeit with some requirements attached. The EU's European Commission has approved the merger following a months-long investigation of the potential competitive harm. Officials found that Broadcom only had limited opportunities to abuse its power, and that some remedies could ensure healthy competition going forward.

The Commission determined that Broadcom doesn't have a "strong position" that could hurt competition in network and storage adapters, and that it wouldn't have an incentive to limit a networking partnership with AMD and NVIDIA. It also couldn't bundle VMware with its own software. Broadcom would, however have the motivation to squeeze its longtime rival Marvell by limiting the compatibility of that company's Fiber Channel adapters with VMware.

To address this, the EU regulator will require that Broadcom offer third parties the tools to make compatible Fiber Channel adapters. The firm will also have to provide source code for the drivers that run those adapters. Ideally, companies will know that their equipment works properly with VMware's server virtualization technology.

In a statement, Broadcom says that it "continue[s] to make progress" in getting approvals for the merger, and points to similar arrangements in countries like Australia, Canada and South Africa. It's still facing reviews from the US Federal Trade Commission and the UK's Competition and Markets Authority.

If the deal closes, it will represent one of the largest tech acquisitions yet. Only Dell's purchase of EMC ($67 billion) and Microsoft's tentative buyout of Activision Blizzard ($68.7 billion) are larger. For Broadcom, this would also be a pivotal expansion  it would make a deep dive into enterprise software that could help it control more of the business world. To some degree, it would also help Broadcom make up for its failed takeover of Qualcomm in 2018.
BROCKTON  The Brockton school police executive officer has filed a lawsuit against the school district's superintendent, a school committee member and another former employee seeking $680,000 in damages for alleged retaliation against him.

Daniel Vaughn, an East Bridgewater resident who has been a Brockton school police officer since 1994, filed a complaint in Brockton Superior Court on May 31 against the city of Brockton, Superintendent of Schools Michael Thomas, Brockton School Committee Ward 4 representative Tony Rodrigues and Neusa Semedo, who was an access control specialist for the schools.

Vaughn alleges that the defendants committed biased hiring and political favoritism, which he made formal complaints about, resulting in retaliation against him.

"As a result of his complaints, Officer Vaughn has been subjected to multiple adverse employment actions including, but not limited to, subjecting him to false claims of misconduct, multiple unwarranted investigations, an overtly aggressive and hostile work environment and removal from his position, duties and responsibilities," the complaint states.

2009 File photo: School police supervisor Daniel Vaughn patrols inside Brockton High School the day after a former student was shot outside the gym.

Rodrigues said he couldn't comment on the matter due to pending litigation and forwarded a request for comment to the Brockton Public Schools spokesperson, Jess Silva-Hodges.

"The school district denies the narrative reflected in Mr. Vaughn's complaint and looks forward to the full facts coming to light," Silva-Hodges said in a written statement. "Due to pending litigation, we will not be commenting further at this time."

Attempts to reach Semedo were unsuccessful.

'Chaos-bomb' Hundreds of Brockton High teachers sign petition decrying layoffs

What are the allegations in the lawsuit?

The complaint details reports Vaughn made into perceived violations of law in Brockton.

In January 2021, Vaughn was part of an interview panel for hiring several new school police officers. One of the candidates was Semedo, who was working at Brockton High School as an access control specialist, tasked with monitoring students and visitors who enter the building.

Vaughn was Semedo's supervisor in her role and said he noticed she would often arrive late for work and leave before her shift ended. Vaughn said he knew of at least one instance in which Semedo submitted a request for overtime pay when she didn't work overtime, according to the complaint.

Semedo was known to be personally close friends with several school committee members, including Rodrigues, the complaint states.

Vaughn said he and Lt. Frank Vardaro, then the commanding officer for Brockton school police, expressed concerns to Thomas regarding Semedo's application as a police officer given her conduct as an access control specialist. Thomas said he didn't personally believe Semedo to be a qualified candidate, but that several school committee members were advocating for her to be hired, according to the complaint.

Brockton Public School Superintendent Michael Thomas speaks at a press conference about the stabbing inside the Brockton Therapeutic Day School outside the Brockton Public Schools Crosby Administration Building on Thursday, March 16, 2023.

'So many changes that need to happen' In striking move, superintendent to double as Brockton High principal. Here's why

Accusations of favoritism in school department hiring

Vardaro learned that Rodrigues had called the supervisor of another school police candidate to ask questions about his character despite not being a part of the interview panel. That candidate was dating the daughter of another Brockton police officer. That officer's daughter had been previously selected for a school department job over Rodrigues' wife, the complaint states.

Why is Officer Vaughn suing school board member Rodrigues?

Rodrigues confronted Thomas about the decision and demanded he create another position for his wife, the complaint states. Rodrigues' wife was later given a job in that same office.

Vardaro said Thomas later asked him to "do him a favor" and allow Rodrigues to sit in on the school police interview process. Vaughn said he told Vardaro he believed allowing Rodrigues in could be illegal and that it created a conflict of interest and an unfair process, according to the complaint.

During the interviews in March 2021, Vaughn said Semedo did not perform well and wasn't one of seven candidates chosen by the panel to move forward in the process. Thomas asked for a list of the candidates before background checks were started and later included Semedo as a candidate to move forward, the complaint states.

Five of nine candidates passed their background checks, including Semedo, but Vaughn and Vardaro said they didn't believe she was a viable candidate and tried to discuss it with Thomas.

Why is Officer Vaughn suing Superintendent Thomas?

Thomas told Vardaro and Vaughn that "you have to hire Neusa Semedo," the complaint states, but they initially objected.

Thomas allegedly told the officers that he needed a two-year contract extension from the school committee, so Semedo needed to be hired.

The complaint states that Vardaro was soon after told by Thomas that he wasn't welcome working in the schools because the school committee was angry at him for not selecting Semedo.

Why was there an internal affairs investigation of Officer Vardaro?

Semedo learned of Vardaro's opposition to her appointment and reported to Thomas that she had allegedly heard Vardaro making disparaging comments about Cape Verdeans, according to the lawsuit.

An internal affairs investigation found the complaint to be unfounded, the lawsuit says.

Vardaro was still removed from his position as the head of school police and Vaughn was then temporarily promoted to his position.

Although the internal affairs investigation found Semedo to be untruthful in her reporting of the alleged incident involving Vardaro during three separate instances, she was still selected for the school police position and began the police academy in January 2022, the complaint states.

Vaughn was later replaced by Lt. Kevin Jones and Sergeant Michael Livingston and returned to his executive officer position.

In the police academy, Semedo failed the driving portion of the examination and was terminated from her enrollment in that academy class. After leaving the academy, Livingston told Semedo to report to the high school to work as an access control specialist until they could get her into another police academy.

Vaughn told his supervisors that he didn't feel comfortable supervising Semedo given her previous false claims against Vardaro.

Allegations of faked timesheets

In June 2022, Vaughn said he learned that Semedo had not been working a full week as far back as the camera surveillance system recorded, according to the complaint. Vaughn was responsible for submitting payroll and attendance for school resource officers and access control specialists.

Despite having work hours of 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Vaughn said Semedo would frequently arrive after 8 a.m. and leave around 1:30 p.m. despite submitting a payroll card each week for 40 hours, the complaint states.

Vaughn reported Semedo to the school district's human resources director.

Why was there an internal affairs investigation of Officer Vaughn?

When confronted about her timesheets, Semedo deflected and instead claimed that Vaughn had sent inappropriate text messages to a different access control specialist containing the N-word, the complaint states.

Vaugn was placed on administrative leave pending an internal affairs investigation. His work cellphone was sent to Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory for forensics examination.

"Nothing was located on Plaintiffs phone that implied any type of racist remarks whatsoever," the complaint states.

A 134-page internal affairs report declared the accusations against Vaughn to be unfounded and unsubstantiated, the complaint states.

"Defendant Semedos false allegations regarding the Plaintiff were defamatory, made with the intention to cause harm to the Plaintiff, including the loss of his employment and future promotional opportunities," it states.

What kind of retaliation does Officer Vaughn allege?

Vaughn returned to work in November 2022 after four months of leave. The complaint says he was never compensated for his lost earnings, which were in excess of $30,000, during that time.

"Since returning to work, Plaintiff has been retaliated against, isolated and had his previous responsibilities curtailed," the complaint states. "Plaintiff was also told by Defendant Thomas that Plaintiff would not be permitted to go to the Brockton High School where his office is located or attend sporting events."

Vaughn said he also learned that Rodrigues had communicated with Thomas and falsely claimed that Vaughn had been "stealing time," according to the complaint. Vaughn is now subject to a third internal affairs investigation.

The complaint alleges that Vaughn's civil rights were violated, as were his protections under the Massachusetts Whistleblower statute.

The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and a demand of $680,000 in damages.

Enterprise senior reporter Cody Shepard can be reached by email at cshepard@enterprisenews.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton school police officer Daniel Vaughn sues city for retaliation
Utah Congressional 2nd District candidate Bruce Hough speaks during the Utah Republican Partys special election at Delta High School in Delta on June 24, 2023. Hough is officially qualified for the Republican primary ballot in the race to replace Rep. Chris Stewart in Utahs 2nd Congressional District. | Ryan Sun, Deseret News

Bruce Hough officially qualified for the Republican primary ballot in the race to replace Rep. Chris Stewart in Utahs 2nd Congressional District, after gathering more than 7,000 signatures, Utahs elections office said Wednesday.

The office of Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson announced Wednesday it had verified 7,000 signatures  the number required  out of the 11,000 submitted by the Hough campaign.

Hough is a former state GOP chair and Republican National Committee member.

In a statement to the Deseret News, Houghs campaign said it never doubted it would make it on the primary ballot and repeated Houghs claim that he is the conservative in the race.

People want choice, they want an authentic conservative. A Republican that actually votes for a Republican president instead of voting for Democrats or not voting at all, the statement said.

Hough will join fellow Republicans Becky Edwards and Celeste Maloy on the GOP ballot for the Sept. 5 primary election. Maloy received the Utah Republican Partys delegate nomination in the partys convention last month, and, after facing questions about her voter registration status prior to filing to run, had her name submitted as the partys nominee.

Related

Maloy did not vote in the two general elections following her move to Virginia in 2019 to work as Stewarts chief legal counsel.

At the convention, Maloy said she is qualified for office despite a lack of experience as an elected official. I dont have a voting record, but I do have a track record, a track record of serving you, she said to the delegates.

The message broadcast by Maloy at the convention and during the two GOP debates was a desire to listen to her constituents and employ her experience gained working with Stewart on 2nd District problems and as an attorney in Washington County dealing with public lands and water rights.

Edwards, who spent five terms representing North Salt Lake in the state legislature, has positioned herself as a political moderate in previous races and reportedly voted for President Joe Biden in 2020. She ran against U.S. Sen. Mike Lee in the Republican primary last year, receiving just under 30% of the vote.

During her time in the statehouse she focused on issues of air quality and housing affordability, while showing a commitment to bipartisanship.

In my own experience, Ive seen how getting to know and in fact love those we disagree with is where some of my greatest and most compassionate work has occurred, Edwards said during her convention speech. We need a leader willing to have tough conversations, someone who can turn discussions into decisive action. I am that leader.

Because of her prior campaigns, Edwards may enjoy more name recognition than Maloy, who was endorsed by Stewart after serving as his chief legal counsel for the past four years. Maloy also received the endorsement of former Rep. Rob Bishop.

Related

Hough will also count on having a higher name ID than Maloy as well as more resources to advertise his brand and message. Hough is the co-founder of Nutraceutical Corporation, a nutritional supplement brand, and a partner in multiple business consulting firms.

So far, Houghs campaign has focused on his years in GOP leadership and traditional conservative values. In Houghs convention speech, he listed the principles he would adhere to no matter what, including preserving the family as the basic structure, and building block of society, defending the Constitution and freeing the country from debt.

State GOP chair Rob Axson has said the party will host a debate before the September primary if there is demand for one.
FILE  California Gov. Gavin Newsom sits in the state Assembly at the state Capitol, June 30, 2023, in Sacramento, Calif. In an interview with The Associated Press, Newsom said the prospect of multi-billion dollar budget deficits over the next few years does not change his agenda for his second term in office. Newsom said he will focus on implementing the programs he launched in his first term, including free kindergarten for all 4-year-olds and free health care for low-income residents regardless of their immigration status. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli,File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Throughout the various crises in California Gov. Gavin Newsom's first term  devastating wildfires, the bankruptcy of the nation's largest utility, the deadly COVID-19 pandemic  the state's record-smashing budget surpluses were always there to smooth things over.

Now, as Newsom moves to build his national profile for political aspirations beyond the governor's office, looming multibillion dollar deficits could threaten to unravel the things on which he's staked his reputation, including free kindergarten for every 4-year-old and free health care for low-income residents regardless of their immigration status.

On Monday, after signing a budget that cut, delayed and borrowed to cover a $31.5 billion deficit, Newsom convened hundreds of agency officials, department heads and deputies for an all-day meeting to stress the importance of protecting those commitments.

I have a sell-by date, three and a half years. The clock's ticking, the Democratic governor told The Associated Press in an interview the next day. I'm a milk carton, you know? And I don't want to get sour.

Newsom spoke broadly about his plans for navigating the state's challenges during his second and final term in office, which runs through January 2027, with deficits that could reach a combined $81 billion over those four years.

How Newsom governs the nation's most populous state through the budget downturn may serve to bolster or diminish his credibility on the national stage. Newsom has repeatedly said he's not running for president in 2024. But he's increasingly stepping beyond California as a surrogate for President Joe Biden  and future standard bearer of the Democratic Party. He's burnishing those credentials by raising money for Democrats in red states and casting himself as a political and cultural foil to Republican rivals like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Newsom told AP that California's budget troubles won't change his agenda or stop him from taking big policy swings, such as overhauling how the state spends money on and treats people with mental illness and more quickly building clean energy and water projects.

He indicated he supports legislation that would let more people be detained against their will because of mental illness or drug addiction, though he stopped short of committing to sign it.

The bill, by Democratic state Sen. Susan Eggman, has the support of mayors from California's largest cities, who say they need it to better care for the nations largest homeless population.

Weve made it crystal clear to her privately that we are supportive of the direction shes going, Newsom said. That said, you know, it depends what comes out.

Newsom said he wants to be sensitive to concerns from some mental health advocates about the potential for depriving people of fundamental rights.

Im very sensitive that we dont want to go back to the old ways, he said. Im confident that in her bill she will be sensitive to those broader concerns as well.

More broadly, Newsom wants voters to approve a $4.6 billion bond to build 10,000 new clinic beds and homes for people with mental illnesses. He has also proposed changing how the state spends money from a nearly two-decade old ballot measure that raised taxes on millionaires to fund mental health services.

Newsom doesn't see his second term as playing defense to prevent cuts to some of his priorities. Instead, he said, his job is to implement the promises he made in his first term. But some adjustments are inevitable.

Newsom has committed to spending more than $50 billion on climate projects and protections over the next few years, an unprecedented amount of environmental spending. But he reduced that commitment by a few billion dollars this year to balance the budget, drawing criticism from some environmental groups who accused him of backtracking.

This year Newsom paired the climate spending with an overhaul of building and permitting codes to speed up how long it takes to put up things like wind turbines and solar farms. Newsom said the changes were necessary because the climate spending meant nothing unless we could deliver on it.

Still, some environmental groups initially opposed them, seeing them as a ploy to benefit projects they say have no ecological benefit, like building new reservoirs. They've grown increasingly critical of Newsom's environmental policies over the years, with one advocate calling him the state's worst governor on water and endangered species issues.

The dispute is personal for Newsom, who said he bonded with his father, a California judge who died in 2018, from a young age over support for environmental causes.

You find me a governor in the country with a record like ours, and yet (environmental groups) are still so quick to criticize. I don't know how that advances the cause, he said. I don't think they're building more trust around here.

Newsom still has his eye on national politics, including plans to lobby other state legislatures to pass an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would impose a waiting period for all gun purchases, ban assault rifles, require universal background checks and raise the minimum age to buy a gun to 21.

To boost that effort, he's using money from a political action committee he started to raise money for candidates and causes in Republican states. He recently met with Democrats in Idaho and Utah, and he's received invitations to other state party conventions.

I'm not just raising money, I'm writing checks, Newsom said. I'm not surprised I'm getting calls.
The shooting took place in a majority black community in Buffalo, New York

A lawsuit has been filed against social media companies, body armour manufacturers and a gun shop over a mass shooting at a New York supermarket that left 10 people dead.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump alleged the companies had helped the gunman "load that gun" and were "conspirators, even if they don't want to admit it".

The suit was filed on behalf of family members who lost loved ones in the May 2022 rampage in the city of Buffalo.

The gunman is serving a life sentence.

In a racially-motivated rampage, the 18-year-old white supremacist drove some 200 miles (320km) to a predominantly black community in Buffalo and gunned down shoppers inside the Tops Friendly Market.

His victims were Ruth Whitfield, 86; Roberta Drury, 32; Aaron Salter, 55; Heyward Patterson, 67; Pearl Young, 77; Geraldine Talley, 62; Celestine Chaney, 65; Katherine Massey, 72; Margus Morrison, 52; and, Andre Mackneil, 53.

He posted a manifesto online and also live-streamed his attack.

Three people were shot dead in the car park and the other seven were killed inside the supermarket, with three others wounded. All but one was black.

"This is one step closer to trying to get justice," said Mr Crump, who announced the lawsuit alongside victims' family members at a Buffalo church on Wednesday.

Among the companies named in the lawsuit are Vintage Firearms, the gun store where the weapons were legally purchased; Twitch, the live-streaming service the attacker used; Facebook; YouTube; Google; and, Amazon.

Most were not immediately available for comment, but a spokesperson for YouTube told the BBC: "We have the deepest sympathies for the victims and families of the horrific attack at Tops grocery store in Buffalo last year."

"Through the years, YouTube has invested in technology, teams, and policies to identify and remove extremist content," said Jose Castaneda. "We regularly work with law enforcement, other platforms, and civil society to share intelligence and best practices."

Remington, the manufacturer of the AR-15-style rifle used by the gunman, is not named in the suit. The company recently filed for bankruptcy and co-counsel Terry Connors said "we felt that if we were to bring a claim against them, that would only slow us down in litigation".

Last year, Remington settled for $73m (56m) with families who lost loved ones in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre.

A wave of lawsuits have been filed against gunmakers in the wake of that settlement, while states like California and New York have sought to hold manufacturers and distributors liable for shootings.

In May, the families of three victims in Buffalo filed a wrongful death lawsuit against multiple social media companies.
A bunch of future Navy chiefs will head back to boot camp this fall

Nearly 200 chiefs-select will return to the Navys boot camp this fall as part of a program that the sea service is resurrecting after doing away with it five years ago.

The Chief Selectee Back to Boot Camp program will see 176 chiefs-select and 30 mentors from across the fleet return to Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois, for a week of specialized leadership training from Sept. 4 to Sept. 8, according to a Navy message released last week.

It will take place during the second week of the six-week chiefs initiation process, according to officials.

Those attending will be unable to leave the base and will stay in open berthing areas, where they will enjoy the same type of accommodations as recruits and staff, the message states.

After a week of leadership and heritage training, selectees for the voluntary program will attend a recruit capping and a recruit graduation ceremony.

Chief select gives birth. Chiefs mess pins her at the hospital

The Navy halted the program in 2018 but is bringing it back because it offers chiefs selectees a fresh look at how their soon-to-be junior sailors are being trained, officials said.

The Fiscal Year 2024 chiefs selection board began June 26 and will adjourn July 21, and the Navy has not yet released E-7 quotas regarding how many sailors will make chief in this cycle, officials said.

Command master chiefs looking to nominate their chief selectees for the boot camp must do so within a week after the selection board results are announced, according to the Navy.

Mentor nominations are due by July 21.

Those looking to nominate chiefs-select or mentors should do so via their fleet or force master chiefs, according to the Navy.

See the Back to Bootcamp Fact Sheet.
Burger Kings new dish is Thailand is causing a bit of a meltdown for foodies.

The fast food joint seemed to abandon its Have it your way motto when it debuted a totally-cheese burger on its Facebook page for the Thailand region over the weekend.

This is no joke. This is for real, the brand wrote, according to a Facebook translation. The post showed off a melty 20 slices of American cheese sandwiched between a classic sesame seed bun  with no meat, veggies or condiments in sight.

BK Thailand tempted lactose-lovers more on its website, calling the burger, The real one, real cheese, full of flavor for those who love cheese, according to a Google translation.

The dairy-centric Super Cheeseburger was first available on Sunday and costs the equivalent of $3.10, which the Facebook post said is a reduced price from $10.90.

Diners, however, were left less than satisfied.

Thailand-based travel writer Richard Barrow weighed in on the dish on Twitter, explaining how a current Thai trend is to put cheese on literally everything.

Despite being a fan of cheese, Barrow said he struggled eating even half of this burger.

Burger King has made some adventurous moves when it comes to its menu choices.

In 2015, the franchise began grilling a limited-edition black Halloween Whopper. It was not a success.

It began courting the plant-based crowd when it debuted the meat-free Impossible Whopper in 2018.

Burger King appeared to be aiming for another viral moment when its Brazilian business kicked off a collaboration with the Barbie movie on Wednesday, offering a burger with questionable-looking pink sauce as well as a cute pink milkshake with a donut on top.

Related...
When it came time to re-enter the restaurant business, Joe Murphy turned to three things he loves: his wife, his favorite food and his favorite place to live.

Murphy is the owner of Zafiros Mexican Grill and Cantina in Colleyville. Just over six months in business (they opened Jan. 26) and it seems Murphy made a great choice.

My favorite cuisine has always been Mexican food. That was further influenced by my wife Carmen, who is from Mexico. She lived in places like Acapulco and Mexico City, so I have had the pleasure of enjoying her wonderful cooking for the last 16-plus years, Murphy said.

The tacos del mar are a popular dish, a blackened fish of the day, savoy cabbage, fried Fresno pepper, grilled corn, radish, avocado, serrano mayo, and Guajillo salsa served on fresh flour tortilla. Another of the biggest sellers is mi madres flank steak.

The flank steak is my mothers secret recipe, Murphy said, describing it as marinated flank steak cooked on an open flame, sliced very thin, with Mexican sweet corn, and mashed potatoes mixed with Oaxaca cheese and minced bell peppers.

Investment in community

Colleyville Assistant City Manager Adirenne Lothery said the new restaurant is also a highlight to the city, sitting at 5204 Colleyville Blvd. The site was previously a medical building.

Its exciting to see more restaurants begin to locate in that area, with Stone House leading the way a few years ago, Lothery said. Its even more exciting that its a Colleyville citizen making that investment back into the community.

Murphy said its simply a great location, at the entrance of the Village of Colleyville, where City Hall is located.

Murphy does not come from family with any history in the food industry. However, he has carved out his own strong reputation through four decades in casual dining operations.

He has been in executive leadership roles with such companies as Darden Restaurants, Brinker International and Cinemark Holdings, and operated brands like Red Lobster, Chilis and On the Border.

He retired from the restaurant business after spending seven years at Cinemark as a divisional vice president and vice president of restaurant operations, where he was part of a team that was developing restaurant brands of both free-standing and dine-in-theater concepts.

Investing in community

Murphy couldnt resist the urge to re-enter the world as a restaurant owner. And what better place to do it than in his beloved city of Colleyville, where he has lived twice  this time for the past six years after having lived there six other years in the past.

I think investing into the community is part of our mission. We are a fledgling mom-and-pop company, just getting our legs under us, so at this point in our journey our giving back means being a part of the chamber, donating to school programs, the library, kids sport programs and such where we can, he said.

Murphy also praised the work of his General Manager Scott Newman for helping make Zafiros a quick success.

Scott is a long-time friend and business associate, and he has been instrumental in our success at Zafiros. We are both really excited to be here in Colleyville, Murphy said.

Joe is not only a great business partner but also a wonderful human being. One of his greatest qualities is that he genuinely cares about people, Newman said. This really helps us create a positive work environment and its easy to see why people love working with him so much.

Opening a business with Joe in Colleyville has been extraordinary for many reasons. Everyone is so welcoming and its absolutely amazing how much support there is for local small businesses. There is this sense of camaraderie and a feeling of being a part of something special in our community.

As for expanding to other locations in other cities, Murphy knows you never say never, but thats a conversation for another time.

Right now our focus is 100% on Colleyville, he said. If it leads us somewhere else down the road that would be a great outcome.
A medical worker gets a newborn baby's commemorative footprint at a hospital in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 22, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's maternal and infant mortality rates both dropped to historic lows in 2022, according to data from the National Health Commission.

The country's maternal death rate dropped from 43.2 per 100,000 in 2002 to 15.7 per 100,000 in 2022, while infant mortality declined from 37.6 per 1,000 in the early days of reform and opening up to 4.9 per 1,000 last year, official figures show.

The mortality rate of children under 5 fell to 6.8 per 1,000 in 2022, marking another record low, according to the commission.

The World Health Organization considers average life expectancy, infant and maternal mortality rates as the main indicators of the health level of a country's people.

China aims to reduce the maternal mortality rate to under 12 per 100,000 and the mortality rate of children under 5 to less than 6 per 1,000 by 2030, said Song Li, head of the commission's department of maternal and child health.

The government is implementing a package of action plans to improve maternal and child health, while making related services more equitable, accessible and convenient.

At present, the testing rate of HIV/AIDS, syphilis and hepatitis B in pregnant women is over 99 percent in China, while the mother-to-child transmission rate of HIV/AIDS has dropped to 3 percent amid efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission of these diseases.

Since 2009, China has been promoting a program to raise cervical and breast cancer screening.

Covering over 90 percent of county-level regions across the nation, the program has provided free cervical cancer screening for 180 million women and free breast cancer screening for nearly 100 million women.

The National Health Commission also launched a nationwide project this year to provide infants under 3 and their caregivers with nutritional feeding assessments, counseling and guidance, as well as parenting risk screening and regular health management follow-up services, especially aimed at those in rural areas.

"China has been reforming its medical services for children in recent years," said Ni Xin, director of the National Center for Children's Health, noting that the government has set up one national and five regional children's medical centers to ensure more equitable allocation of pediatric medical resources in different regions.

The National Health Commission would take steps to ensure more quality resources go to grassroots medical institutions, while implementing stimulus measures to ensure that pediatricians are well trained and willing to stay at the primary level, Song said.
California bill holding fast food companies liable for worker safety is down but not out

BILL HOLDING FAST FOOD ACCOUNTABLE SLOWS DOWN

Via Mathew Miranda...

Is the latest bill aimed at improving conditions in the fast food industry dead for this year? Not quite.

AB 1228 was pulled from the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday morning, but supporters are holding out hope for a future hearing. In most cases, the legislation would have to wait until next year as it will miss the July 14 deadline to pass out of a policy committee.

But the committee chair, Senator Tom Umberg, D-Santa Ana, said he would push for a waiver to hold a special hearing in August or September. The Senate Rules Committee grants these waivers.

The request to reschedule came from the bills supporters, giving them more time to workshop the controversial legislation.

In the meantime - my expectation is that both sides of the issue must get to the table, stop posturing and negotiate a global agreement, Umberg said.

AB 1228, authored by Assemblyman Chris Holden, D-Pasadena, would make fast food corporations liable for any health and safety violations of their California franchisees.

Holden said Tuesday he views the rescheduling as positive.

I respect the space that is being provided for deeper vetting and look to serve as a resource for clarity, he said, in a statement.

Advocates argue that the current franchise model protects companies from legal and financial liability and leaves independent owners to fend for themselves. Those in opposition contend the bill would decrease the number of franchisees.

AB 1228 is a terrible bill that would undermine the rights of small restaurant owners, said a statewide coalition of restaurant owners, in response to the postponement.

EMOTIONAL PLEAS AS SEX TRAFFICKING BILL DIES IN COMMITTEE

A bill that would make sex trafficking of minors a serious felony, adding it to the list of crimes that can earn an offender a strike under the Three Strikes law, failed to pass the Assembly Committee on Public Safety Tuesday. The bill, SB 14, which has bi-partisan sponsorship, cleared the Senate with unanimous support in May.

The six Democratic abstainers objected to the bills linkage to the Three Strikes law. A person who commits three serious crimes as defined under the statute receives a sentence of 25 years to life. Crimes including homicide, rape, kidnapping and robbery currently earn offenders a strike.

Over half of inmates sentenced under the three strikes law, however, are serving life sentences for nonviolent crimes, a statistic opponents of the measure point to.

I want to want to be able to make sure its right before it leaves here, said Chair Reggie Jones-Sawyer, D-Los Angeles. Well be able to make sure that the Three Strikes law doesnt become a problem in the community that I represent and a lot of members on this committee represent.

Trafficking victims who had testified at the hearing sobbed after the bill vote.

A MOVE TO STOP JUDGE SHOPPING

Via Gillian Brassil...

California Sens. Alex Padilla and Dianne Feinstein are among Senate Democrats who want to stop judge shopping, the practice of plaintiffs steering cases toward judges that seem most likely to be sympathetic to their causes.

In a letter to Judge Robin L. Rosenberg, chair of the Advisory Committee on Civil Rules, 19 senators wrote that some federal district courts essentially allow plaintiffs to pick who presides over their case because only one or two judges cover a geographic area. Judges are assigned at random in most judicial districts.

It is a complete perversion of the intent of the judiciary to leave open this glaring loophole that allows plaintiffs to effectively choose their judges, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

The letter cites the Northern District of Texas, where civil cases are assigned to the same judge or judges based on the courthouse a plaintiff files in. There are 16 judges but it is a vast jurisdiction  covering 96,000 square miles and eight million people. Plaintiffs can choose which of the districts courthouses in which they file their case, allowing them to effectively select a judge.

The State of Texas itself has sued the Biden Administration at least 31 times in Texas federal district courts, but it has not filed even one of those cases in Austin, where the Texas Attorney Generals office is located, the senators wrote. Instead, Texas has always sued in divisions where case-assignment procedures ensure that a particular preferred judge or one of a handful of preferred judges will hear the case.

The senators pointed to U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, the only judge who hears cases filed in Amarillo, Texas. In April, he ruled to suspend the decades-old FDA approval of abortion drug mifepristone, in response to a lawsuit brought by a conservative Christian legal advocacy group. Later that month, the Supreme Court blocked the order to restrict sales of mifepristone while the case continues in a federal appeals court.

Padilla and Feinstein, members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, both condemned Kacsmaryks mifepristone ruling.

This is another far-right attack on reproductive rightsand Democrats will continue to stand up against them, Padilla wrote at the time.

Appointed by former President Donald Trump, Kacsmaryk was previously an attorney for a conservative religious liberty group. Since joining the bench in 2019, he has ruled against the Biden administration many times on issues related to LGBTQ rights and immigration.

In the senators letter to the committee, which is charged with recommending changes to federal judicial procedures, they wrote there may be good-faith reasons for districts to assign judges to certain divisions, such as reducing travel time. But, they wrote, any logistical inconveniences must be balanced against unfairness in judicial process.

Congress does not regulate how district courts assign cases. In the wake of the abortion-drug ruling, several congressional Democrats proposed legislation to curb judge shopping.

Without reforms, these activist judges will continue to impose their will on the country and offer flawed and chaotic rulings on abortion access, LGBTQ+ protections, legal immigration, and climate legislation, Schumer said.

Quote of the day: I have never ever ever ever supported a camera program, but Im gonna support this one. One, it is so comprehensive (...) reading the bill, its as complicated as a pickleball rules book. Number two, maybe its because Im getting older, but it seems like everyone is speeding these days, said Sen. Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita at the Senate Judiciary hearing for AB 645, which would authorize a pilot of speeding cameras in six California cities.

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This summer, Cal Poly students will spend 10 weeks shadowing doctors at a San Luis Obispo hospital as a part of an innovative program to develop medical technology.

A total of 10 biomedical engineering majors gathered alongside medical professionals at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center on July 5 to kick off the second year of the clinical immersion program.

The students will not only identify some of the biggest challenges faced by medical professionals, but also use their engineering skills to create cutting-edge solutions to those problems.

You are among the future of health care in our industry and nation, Mark Lisa, CEO of Tenet Health Central Coast, told the students at the July 5 kick-off event.

Some of the projects developed by students who participated in the program in the summer of 2022 included a skin strip that measures alcohol levels, robotic artery stitching and a device that measures blood loss during birth-related hemorrhaging.

Emily Wolfert, a Cal Poly student who participated in the program last year, is currently working toward commercializing a device she developed with Dr. Steve Van Scoy, neonatologist and director of Sierra Vistas neonatal intensive care unit.

The device will help babies suffering from drug withdrawal.

Dr. Michael Whitt, associate professor at Cal Poly; Dr. Chris Heylman professor at Cal Poly, and Michael Keleman, chief operating officer at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center. Whitt, Heylman and Keleman played a foundational role in the establishment of the clinical immersion program.

Program pairs Cal Poly students with doctors

The clinical immersion program, which is the first of its kind, was created by Cal Poly professors Chris Heylman, Michael Whitt and Ben Hawkins in partnership with Sierra Vista.

The program is funded by a five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health.

This program is part of a broader vision we have for spurring innovation in medical technology in San Luis Obispo, Heylman said.

As a part of the program, students will shadow physicians in five different departments, including the intensive care unit, NICU and labor and delivery departments.

Additionally, students will observe patient operations in the operating room and spend time in the emergency room.

In a development thats new this year, the students will also spend time in the hospitals blood lab and imaging, radiology, respiratory and rehab departments, Sierra Vista chief operating officer Michael Kelemen said.

Physicians are excited to be a part of the program, Keleman said.

This year many more physicians are participating than last year, he said. Now its about two to three doctors per department.

According to Heylman, many of the projects developed in the summer of 2022 benefited the entire bio engineering department at Cal Poly.

Projects from the program go on to be case studies and senior design projects at the school, he said.

Additionally, students are able to continue developing their projects through Cal Polys Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the HotHouse. The latter is funded by San Luis Obispo County tax dollars.

One of the factors that has made the program so successful is the level of commitment to the community in San Luis Obispo, Kelemen said.

Mark Lisa, CEO of Tenet Healthcares Central Coast market, addresses Cal Poly bioengineering students and Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center employees participating in a clinical immersion program. The kick-off meeting took place at Sierra Vista on July 5, 2023.

During the program kick-off on July 5, many of the program participants said they are looking forward to seeing health care up close.

Riley Gordon, a third-year student at Cal Poly, said she looks forward to gaining clinical experience while learning how various medical devices directly impact patient care.

Gordon, who initially planned on applying for medical school, said she fell in love with engineering and believes the program will show her a broader impact of the field.

Other program participants echoed Gordons excitement.

I think this program will give us an advantage for our future careers and a lot of inspiration on how devices are being used within the field, said Kayla Lovejoy, a third-year student at Cal Poly.

Through this program we will be able to speak with the patients who will be affected by our innovations, she said. We will get feedback from people who will actually use them.

In reference to the upcoming challenges students will face, Lisa said, In the end, were all here for the same mission. The patient is at the center of what we do.
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Fresno City College will join the small  but growing  pool of California community colleges offering bachelors degrees, starting in fall 2024.

The program will be in dental hygiene, a subject in which the school has offered an associates degree for over 40 years, said the colleges dean of allied health, Lorraine Smith, in an interview Thursday.

Dental hygiene students were already doing a lot of the work that a bachelors degree demands but for the existing associates degree, Smith said. They were completing 107 credits, when a bachelors program asks for 120. They were also taking their board exams to become licensed.

This degree recognizes the work that students currently complete, she said in an email to The Bees Education Lab Friday. We believe that not awarding a bachelors degree disadvantages students from future opportunities.

In March, Fresno City received conditional approval to launch its first bachelors degree program  unlike the two-year associate degrees it and other community colleges have historically offered. Since then, the program received green lights from both the board of governors for California Community Colleges as well as the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.

Now, the task is to update the curriculum, Smith said. The school plans to welcome applications from students to fill roughly 30 spots in the bachelors program as soon as spring of 2024.

The growing wave of bachelors degree offerings at community colleges could help close achievement gaps in higher education, studies have shown. An April report from the University of California, Los Angeles Civil Rights Project team found that offering four-year degrees at community colleges benefited low-income students and students of color in particular.

At Fresno City, students will pay significantly less than they would at a private college for a dental hygiene degree. The schools program will cost $10,000 over four years, Smith said.

In contrast, a case study in the UCLA report showed that dental hygiene programs at private schools in Southern California cost $65,000-$109,000 more than one offered at a community college.

Students who graduate from the Fresno City program and pass their board exam will be qualified for work as a licensed dental hygienist. The role comes with an average salary of $84,860, according to May 2022 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A national shortage of dental hygienists has also placed the job in higher demand as of late.

The shortage is more pronounced in less populated areas of California, where there are dental deserts, said Anthony Lum, executive officer of the states Dental Hygiene Board, in an email to The Bees Education Lab. More hygienists are needed to help fill those gaps.

The baseline requirement to become a dental hygienist is typically an associates degree.

But data collected by the California Community Colleges Chancellors Office shows a growing number of students in the system are pursuing a bachelors, as opposed to an associates, degree in dental hygiene each year between 2017 and 2022. That number increased from 51 to 137  or more than 150%  between the 2017-18 and 2021-22 school years.

The profession is moving towards awarding bachelors degrees, she said.

It opens up adjacent career paths as well, Smith said, like in public health.

Graduates of these programs with a bachelors degree also have the option to go on and teach in a dental hygiene program, Lum said.

Smith confirmed that graduates will now be able to return as instructors once the bachelors degree program starts at Fresno City.

This is going to prepare not only dental hygienists, she said, but also the future educators of the region.

The Education Lab is a local journalism initiative that highlights education issues critical to the advancement of the San Joaquin Valley. It is funded by donors. Learn about The Bees Education Lab at its website.
Six California condors from the Central California flock have died so far in 2023, according to the Ventana Wildlife Society, stewards of the California Condor Recovery Program.

The deaths of the critically endangered giant birds, which have wingspans nearing 10 feet, mean that the flocks population now totals 94.

Six chicks have not yet fledged. Four of those chicks are in the Big Sur region and two are at Pinnacles National Park.

The Central California flock will surge to 104 bids when 10 juvenile condors  fully grown but with black heads instead of the red-orange coloring sported by adults  are scheduled to be released from the mountains above San Simeon this fall.

California condor dies after losing leg, mate

One of the condors that died this year was 11-year-old Junipero (No. 663).

Junipero, who was found dead in June, was one of the great ones, Ventana Wildlife Society lead biologist Joe Burnett said.

Everyone followed his incredible story, said Burnett, calling Junipero a really great bird.

Junipero lost his leg and survived nearly two years with one leg, Burnett explained in a Condor Chat Zoom update. Its just awesome to watch a bird hang on so long.

How did he lose his left leg? Biologists arent sure, but Junipero was observed on camera struggling with his leg when, suddenly, it just fell off.

Shortly after that, his mate died. The pair also lost their chick.

He had a big personality; he did a lot through his life, VWS staffer Darren Gross explained in the June Condor Chat. Hes a special bird we will remember fondly.

The necropsy on Junipero is pending, so the specific cause of death has not yet been revealed.

The other five condors that have expired in 2023 include Wassak (No. 968), Poseidon (No. 697) lead poisoning) and No. 700, who all died from lead poisoning.

No. 1082 perished in a landslide and Big Gulp (No. 711) died from trauma.

Staff at Pinnacles National Park do not name birds; they use only numbers. Big Sur and San Simeon-released condors receive names.

Who was Junipero?

Junipero was a wild-raised condor who was hatched on March 30, 2012. He is the offspring of Shadow (No. 209) and Tiny (No. 236).

He took his first flight in the shadow of Junipero Serra Peak, the tallest mountain in the Big Sur coast range. This inspired his nickname Junipero.

Because Junipero had not been handled before he fledged, he was not fitted with a radio transmitter or with an identification tag.

He eluded the VWS crews attempt to capture him for more than a year.

Biologists didnt know his gender until he was trapped at Pinnacles in the summer of 2013. Then a blood draw determined he was male.

Junipero paired with No. 438 from Pinnacles in 2021. They were raising a chick together in a Big Sur redwood tree when No. 438 died unexpectedly.

For a time, Junipero cared for the pre-fledged chick on his own, but he couldnt keep that parenting duties up and the chick was declared dead in 2022.

He was elusive, particularly after his injury, Burnett said of Junipero, noting that the bird was seen at odd times of the day taking advantage of not having other condors around.

Junipero was the only condor to survive in the wild after losing a leg for a significant amount of time, Burnett explained in an email. He was a true fighter with a strong will to survive.

For more information on condors, visit ventanaws.org.
The California prison systems Code of Silence took center stage in a Sacramento courtroom Tuesday as the trial began for an officer accused of ordering a cover-up in a 2016 guard assault on an inmate that led to the 65-year-old prisoners death.

Former correctional Sgt. Brenda Villa is the third prison guard to be charged in the incident involving inmate Ronnie Price. She faces charges of conspiracy to commit falsification of records, three counts of falsification of records and lying to a federal grand jury that was investigating the Sept. 15, 2016, incident at California State Prison, Sacramento, also known as New Folsom.

Her trial began Tuesday afternoon in federal court in downtown Sacramento with Assistant U.S. Attorney Rosanne Rust describing the code of silence  or Green Wall as it is dubbed for the color of guards uniforms  as the basis for Villas decision to allegedly order subordinates to file false reports about the assault on Price.

That code allowed Villa to abandon her duties and participate in the cover-up, Rust told the jury before Senior U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb.

Accused guard was not part of code of silence

Villa, who was fired in 2018 along with two other guards who subsequently pleaded guilty, is fighting the charges, with her attorney, Eric Hintz, arguing that she was a 26-year-old sergeant at the time who had been in the job at New Folsom for only two weeks.

Brenda Villa was not a part of this code of silence, Hintz told the jury. To the contrary, we expect the evidence will show that just as Ronnie Price was a victim, in a different way so was she.

Hintz maintained that Villa was lied to by officers who were present at the scene, and that they failed in their duty to file truthful reports about what happened.

Brenda Villa has told over the last seven years a consistent, truthful account of the use of force against Ronnie Price, Hintz said.

And, Hintz said, Villa will take the stand as a witness to defend herself.

Ms. Villa herself will definitely testify, he told jurors.

Two guards have already been sent to prison

The case, which already has sent two former guards to prison, stems from an afternoon incident during which three guards were escorting inmate Ronnie Price from one cell to another one.

Officer Arturo Pacheco handcuffed Prices hands behind his back and began moving Price, along with his partner, Ashley Aurich, and a third officer, Arturo Luna.

During the escort, Price stopped walking for a moment, and Pacheco bent down and grabbed his legs, then yanked them back, forcing Price to fall face first onto the concrete floor, where his dentures fell out of his mouth and he began bleeding.

Aurich sounded an alarm and officers began responding to the scene, with Villa arriving first, court documents say.

Villa immediately took charge, according to the trial brief filed by Rust and fellow Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Anderson, who are prosecuting the case together.

She told Aurich to get a camera to document Prices injuries and, critically, told officers present that anyone involved in a use-of-force against an inmate had to file what the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation refers to as an 837 report.

Villa told the officers whoever touches the inmate writes a report, the trial brief says.

Ronnie Price, an inmate who died at California State Prison, Sacramento, is seen in an undated photograph provided by his familys attorney. His family is suing two former guards and the prison warden over his 2016 death.

Inmate died two days after the incident

Price was walked away to a treatment center and later taken to UC Davis Medical Center in an ambulance with a chase car following.

He died there two days later from a pulmonary embolism, and his family has filed a civil rights lawsuit saying they never knew anything about the case until reading news accounts of the cover-up.

According to prosecutors, after the incident Villa emailed officers who had been present to write up their 837 reports on the use of force. She sent a second email five minutes later with more details for them to include.

After receiving her emails, the officers started working on their drafts, the trial brief says. Before submitting theirs, Pacheco and Aurich agreed they would keep theirs in house.

Aurich understood this to mean she and Pacheco would purposefully exclude Luna and would write their reports in a similar fashion, so that their recitation of the events matched and their story made Pachecos use of force seem justified.

Having documentation that Luna was present was a problem, though, because he had been involved in another use-of-force incident against an inmate with Pacheco a week earlier and it looked bad, the trial brief says.

Guard ordered to file false report, court papers say

Villa told one officer, Dorian Lopez, to edit Lunas presence out of the report after Lopez had filed it, court papers say, so he followed her orders and resubmitted the report without mentioning that Luna had been present.

He also contacted another relatively new officer, Todd Jones, who responded to the incident, the trial brief says.

Lopez also contacted Jones to alert him that apparently they were omitting Luna from all reports despite Luna being present and participating in the incident, the trial brief says. All subsequent draft and final reports submitted to Villa entirely omitted Lunas participation in, or presence at, the (Price) incident.

In the end, Villa only collected reports from five of the six correctional officers who should have submitted reports in violation of CDCR rules and regulations.

But there was a sixth report: Lunas.

Luna knew he was required to submit an 837 report because he had witnessed Pachecos use of force and because he had used force himself to secure Price after he fell to the floor, the trial brief says.

To make sure that Luna did not submit a report, Pacheco also contacted Luna and told Luna he did not need to write a report, the trial brief says. Luna knew that he was required to write and submit a report under the rules and regulations governing use of force incidents at a CDCR institution.

So, Luna wrote a report on what had happened, then emailed a copy to himself and printed it out for safe keeping, the trial brief says.

He never submitted his draft to Villa, the trial brief says. And, contrary to CDCR protocols, Villa never asked Luna for his report despite his participation in the incident.

But the report remained on CDCRs computer servers and eventually was discovered by investigators.

Green Wall or code of silence not sanctioned

The prosecutions first witness, CDCR internal affairs officer Angela Lujan, testified that any one who uses force against an inmate or witnesses it must file one of the 837 reports, and that the green wall or code of silence is not sanctioned by prison authorities.

Its a group thats not supposed to exist in CDCR, she said, adding that participants do not want to be ostracized by fellow officers.

They do not want to be outcasts, or sometimes people will stop talking to each other and not respond when theyre supposed to respond, or theyll be labeled a snitch, she said.

Both sides rested their case Wednesday afternoon after hearing testimony from Luna, Villa and Aurich, who was sentenced in December 2022 to 21 months in prison.

Aurich had been serving her sentence at a federal facility in Texas, but was booked back into the Sacramento County Main Jail in May as the trial approached.

Pacheco, who was sentenced in October to 12 years and seven months in prison, is being held at a federal prison in Texas.

Jurors were told to return to court Thursday afternoon in advance of the case going to them.
Three men inside a car on Blackstone and Nees avenues in Fresno were hit with pepper spray as they joined a May 2021 rally denouncing Israeli aggression against Palestine. A pro-Palestine man accused the sprayer of stating that all Palestinians will be killed.

An LGBTQ couple walking in the Tower District in October 2022 encountered verbal slurs that evolved into an assault. They reported to police that off-color comments were directed at them.

A Black family in north Fresno woke up in July 2022 to discover a mannequin in their backyard with the heads face painted black and a belt looped around its neck. In a Facebook post, the father said the family has dealt with anything from ignorance, stupidity, or just straightforward racial comments and/or slurs.

Discrimination, hate speech, rhetoric and bullying are not hate crimes, but they fall into the spectrum and could be the building blocks to hate crimes, according to experts who are focused on providing prevention and support services.

California State Library

In the San Joaquin Valley, the regions rich diversity could also be a liability, at a time when hate crimes are spiking across the state.

Latinos account for the majority of residents in Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Merced, Kings, Kern, and Stanislaus counties. The Latino numbers also include Oaxacans and Salvadorans.

Armenians and Sikhs/Punjabis each number 40,000 in Fresno County alone. More than 120,000 Asians live in the county.

The Fresno Unified School District reports more than 59 languages are spoken in its schools.

All that adds up to potential for racial friction that officials hope to keep in check at a time when politicians and others are constantly attacking Spanish-speaking migrants, LGBTQ+ people, Jews and other minority groups.

California sees a spike in hate crimes; Valley not immune

The San Joaquin Valley was not immune from a spike in hate crimes when state Attorney General Rob Bonta released the latest hate crime report for California.

Although the number of incidents dont match those in Los Angeles or the Bay Area, the 2022 figures showed an increase over the previous year. In an eight-county region stretching from Kern to San Joaquin counties, the 113 reported hate crime events represented an increase of 33% over the 85 cases reported in 2021.

Hate crime statistics do not tell the entire story, say those who track the data, because most incidents are not reported.

In California, hate crimes have increased by 145.7% in the last 10 years. From 2021 to 2022, hate crimes rose by 20.2%.

Bonta and law enforcement officials said hate crimes against transgender people and Blacks drove the spike.

The alarming increases in crimes committed against Black, LGBTQ+ and Jewish people for the second year in a row illustrates the need for our communities to join together unified against hate, said Bonta.

Fresno County reported 23 events, 27 offenses, 26 victims and 29 suspects in the 2022 hate crime report. More than half of them were reported by Fresno police.

A hate crime is one that targets a person for his or her gender, race/ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, nationality or association with a person or group with one of these characteristics.

A hate crime event meets the criteria for a hate crime and has been documented by law enforcement.

An offense is a criminal act that can range from murder, rape and robbery to simple assault, fondling and intimidation.

A hate incident can be name-calling, insults, a display of hate materials, or distribution of hate materials in public.

Acts of discrimination, hate incidents and hate speech do not qualify as hate crimes.

Stop the Hate project

Vida en el Valle was among 46 ethnic media organizations that received grants from the California State Library in an effort to raise awareness of hate crimes.

The Stop the Hate Program is administered by the state Department of Social Services, which helps hate crime victims and works to prevent such incidents from happening in the first place.

Crimes targeting victims because of their race or ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender or a disability have no place in the state of California, said Gov. Gavin Newsom when the grants were announced in April 2022.

These grants will increase awareness of the valuable services provided by the Stop the Hate Program, reduce stigma surrounding the reporting of hate incidents, and promote community healing.

The grant program is part of the states Asian and Pacific Islander Equity Budget, a three-year, $166.5 million plan established in response to a sharp rise in hate crimes and incidents.

Vida en el Valle has teamed with The Fresno Bee and the Central Valley News Collaborative to follow up with stories on communities that have encountered hate crimes or hate incidents. Those stories will be published online in English and Spanish, and in print in either language.
Mildred Garcia, president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and a former president at Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Dominguez Hills, was introduced on Wednesday as the 11th chancellor of the California State University system at a board of trustees meeting.

Garcia since January 2018 has led the AASCU as an advocate for higher education at a national level, driving policy issues and its strategic agenda on behalf of the organizations 400-plus institutions.

In her six years as president at Cal State Fullerton, Garcia oversaw a 65% increase in graduation rates for first-time freshmen and a 30% increase in six-year graduation rates. The university also more than doubled its philanthropic gift commitments to $22 million. Upon her departure in 2018, the university was ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 2 in the nation in awarding bachelors degrees to Hispanic students and No. 5 in graduating students of color.

Garcia, the first Latina appointed to oversee the CSU, will be paid $795,000 a year plus $80,000 annually in deferred compensation, a housing allowance of $8,000 per month and an auto allowance of $1,000 per month.

The California State University is a powerful engine of change and upward mobility for California and the nation, supporting hundreds of thousands of students in achieving their educational, career and personal aspirations, Garcia said in a statement from the CSU.

I am honored, humbled and excited for this opportunity to serve the nations largest four-year university system and work alongside its dedicated leaders, faculty and staff and its talented and diverse students to further student achievement, close equity gaps and continue to drive Californias economic prosperity.

As chancellor, Garcia takes on the CSU at a turbulent time with the largest public university system in the nation reeling from sexual harassment allegations that led to the resignation of former chancellor Joseph I. Castro. It also is facing labor, budget and infrastructure issues across its 23 campuses and declining enrollment at a time when it has proposed annual tuition increases to help close a daunting $1.5 billion funding gap.

This system of higher education and its 23 universities continues to face significant fiscal challenges that are unsustainable in the longer run, interim chancellor Jolene Koester told the CSU board of trustees on Tuesday, addressing its 2023-24 budget.

The system does not have the revenue sufficient to do all that we must continue to do to provide a transformative education. Not just access, but a quality education, and to also provide our students with the holistic support services that they need to succeed. And, yes, to fairly compensate our valued faculty and staff. And, yes, to provide safe and modern facilities where learning and discovery can thrive. And, yes, to strengthen our culture of care and compliance. We have been and are continually expected to do more and we want to do more, which is why we take on work and commitments for which we do not have the revenue.

We are now at a point where the budget I just described, for which we are deeply grateful and appreciative, but this budget simply does not come close to bridging, to closing, to eliminating, to reducing the gap that exists between our revenues and our expenditures. It does not come close to allowing us to do what we are called to do by the public, by our students, by our faculty, by our staff.

Trustees debate multi-year tuition increase

The CSU has proposed an annual 6% tuition increase over five years, though university officials said it alone would not close a widening gap between revenues from state funding, tuition and fees and its expenses.

The tuition increase, which could be voted on by the board of trustees in September or pushed to November, is targeted for fall 2024. Tuition would increase by $342 a semester, to $6,084 from $5,742. By 2028-29, it would be up to $7,682, not including fees that vary by campus.

Tuition across the system has not been increased since 2011-12, when it was bumped by 5% or $270 a semester.

Several trustees, including Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, an ex-officio member of the board, expressed reservations about the increase and the way it would be implemented, while acknowledging the grim reality.

Kounalakis, who joined the meeting remotely, questioned whether the tuition increase would not harm the 60% of students receiving financial aid.

Weve heard about this notion that this will only affect 40% of our student body, Kounalakis said: $840 million raised in five years, put on the backs of 40% of our students. How can we possibly contemplate that kind of money, while we are talking about students who we know are not wealthy.

The Cal State Student Association spoke against the increase at the meeting and in a statement said: Despite understanding the universitys need to address revenue challenges, we believe the proposal does not serve the best interests of students, particularly considering the current financial strain and declining enrollment, it said.

The suggested increase is considerably higher than the average Higher Education Price Index of the past three years (3.25%), and it threatens to burden students, especially those struggling with the pandemic aftermath and escalating living costs.

CSU facing backlog of $6.5 billion in deferred maintenance

The CSU also is facing massive infrastructure upgrades. A report from the Legislative Analysts Office released in January detailed $3.1 billion in emerging capital renewal projects in the CSU over the next 10 years, with a backlog of $6.5 billion in deferred maintenance projects including the replacement of roofs and upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), electrical and multimedia communications systems.

Capital renewal spending within the CSU and University of California system has not kept pace with emerging needs, according to the Legislative Analysts Office, and there also are no plans to fund capital renewal projects. The UC is projecting $12 million in capital renewal projects over the same period with $7.3 million in deferred maintenance projects waiting to be addressed.

State funding has been episodic, with large amounts provided in some years and none in other years, the LAO stated. In addition, as UC and CSU continue to explain their academic space, no process is in place to account for the future capital renewal needs of new facilities. Absent a plan to address these issues, backlogs very likely will continue to grow - leading to higher costs and greater risk of programmatic disruptions.

The CSU board of trustees also is to release a full report on a systemwide assessment of its Title IX and Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation departments completed by the law firm Cozen OConnor on Monday. A report into its handling of sexual harassment complaints by the California State Auditor is scheduled to be released on Tuesday.

But the CSU board of trustees is among the defendants in a number of lawsuits, at least three involving Fresno State and its handling of sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuits.
Clarissa Garcia works on a problem during a geometry class at Compton Early College High School last fall. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

California education officials on Wednesday approved a long-studied overhaul of the state's math teaching guide, with sweeping changes designed to make the subject more relevant and accessible, stirring debate over whether it will improve poor student achievement or harm learning for 5.8 million public school students.

The 1,000-page teaching framework before the state Board of Education was approved unanimously, culminating a process that has taken more than four years and three versions.

The guide emphasizes replacing traditional instruction with a focus on "big ideas" with the hope that students with varying math skills can work together in the same class for most of their schooling and reverse the state's low math achievement levels. Critics predict a decline in math achievement from what they see as watered-down curriculum and teaching approaches that they say rely more on ideology than research.

The framework is not a mandate that school districts must follow  and the adopted guide stresses the importance of local control  but the document is influential. Textbooks publishers, school districts and those who train teachers will rely on it, and its influence extends beyond California.

The framework embraces the goal "that all students develop deep skills and a love of mathematics and that many more choose to pursue a science, technology, engineering, or math major in college or pursue other careers that benefit from quantitative knowledge and reasoning."

The guide presents teaching strategies at all grade levels and connects the instruction of young children to advanced high school math and college-level work. There's a particular emphasis on "equity" by raising the achievement of Black and Latino students and those from low-income families.

"This is huge," Kyndall Brown, executive director of California Mathematics Project, said in an interview. "Finally things will start to be able to move forward. We will have a real direction for teaching and learning." Brown spoke in support of the framework at Wednesday's board meeting in Sacramento.

One area of criticism that gained steam last week was opposition from faculty members at the University of California and California State University systems.

They noted that the framework draft offered strong support for students choosing data science as a high school math class. The framework also supports other courses outside the traditional progression of classes that lead to calculus, including financial algebra, statistics and computer science.

There is an ongoing debate in academia over whether students should be allowed to take data science instead of Algebra II to fulfill college-admission requirements. These faculty members oppose that substitution, and their position was supported Friday in a vote by a key UC faculty committee.

Even so, applicants for fall 2024 seats will be able to use data science instead of Algebra II while a faculty working group reviews the issue over the coming months.

The final draft of the framework included last-minute word changes to match up with UC policy. The state board also instructed staff to make sure the framework remains aligned to UC.

What has changed?

Overall, the new framework incorporates many changes sought by critics, but still falls short in the view of many  and comes as tests scores are at the lowest levels in years.

The revised document clarifies an earlier flashpoint: Schools and districts can still pursue the goal of advanced math for students using traditional pathways that start with Algebra I and lead to calculus. And there's more guidance on how to meet student needs.

"While some students have been able to succeed despite various barriers and challenges, that does not mean we cant open the doors wider so more students can succeed, especially those that have been historically marginalized and shut out," said Ivan Cheng, a professor in the College of Education at Cal State Northridge.

There continues to be great debate over how data science fits into the picture. Many students who aren't reaching calculus can benefit from knowing more about analyzing data. But how much math needs to be incorporated into data science, especially within high school courses that would fulfill requirements for applying to the University of California or Cal State?

A majority of Black faculty members in UC science, math, technology and engineering fields said allowing data science to substitute for Algebra II would harm students of color by steering them away from math and science fields and undermine university efforts to improve diversity and equity.

Framework supporters deny that they aspire to dilute curriculum. Instead, they emphasize the need for an early and improved onramp to higher-level math for students of color and those from low-income families. They also want a road map to achievement for students who do not excel at math right away. This means de-emphasizing "tracking," which groups students by perceived ability or test scores.

The first draft of the framework in particular touted the benefits of grouping students of all math levels together until well into high school. The first draft also de-emphasized calculus as a goal for high school math.

Read more: Will your gifted child take calculus? Maybe not under California's reimagined math plan

Those two changes ignited immediate pushback in 2021 and strong enough to delay the process for at least a year. Critics saw a watering-down of standards  and a counterproductive effort to hold back students who were ready for more advanced math, putting them at a competitive disadvantage in applying for college with students from other states and private schools.

State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond said that if many critics read the framework more closely, they would be reassured. The framework, she said, is about "equity for excellence, not in lieu of excellence.

The document has evolved to address concerns, she said in an interview, adding the effort is largely an attempt to update math education to account for new knowledge about learning, student needs and the workplace of the future.

"There are multiple ways to get to calculus, and also lots of encouragement for people to think about progress in math  and not about math as just an early tracking system, where some kids are going to get to advanced math and others will not have a chance to do that," Darling-Hammond said. "Accelerate where kids are ready to accelerate, but also make sure that there are opportunities for others."

Critics remain dissatisfied.

"Each draft fixed some problems but left many others unchanged," said Brian Conrad, a math professor and director of undergraduate studies at Stanford. "A major overhaul is necessary."

Conrad was among those who asserted that the framework pervasively misstated and misapplied research in supporting its concepts. Many changes have been made based on such complaints, but Conrad said the use of citations remains unacceptably sloppy or ideologically tainted. One example, he said, was the use of a flawed and unpublished study  one that did not undergo the standard peer review  to oppose teaching Algebra I in eighth grade.

In comments at the meeting Conrad urged a delay in approval.

Others found the entire document and its philosophy unsalvageable.

"The progressive-education authors of the math framework want students to learn through their own inquiry and self-discovery," blogged Williamson M. Evers, director of the Center on Educational Excellence at the Independent Institute. "The authors give little emphasis to mastery of facts and standard algorithms" but instead promote "vague, billowy 'big ideas.' "

Framework supporters counter that the big ideas are very much math-focused  and that they are a necessary update to the old way of looking at math as a series of abstract problem-solving skills.

"The learning standards have not changed," Brown said. "What the framework is talking about is how topics are supposed to be taught."

Big ideas in sixth grade include patterns inside numbers, fraction relationships and modeling the world.

A look inside the framework

The academics who wrote the first draft  and who continue to lobby for the framework  say students with different math levels could be in the same class learning about the same big idea, but they would approach it at their own level. The teacher would challenge the more advanced students with more complex work. This is called differentiated instruction and, to some degree, it happens all the time in class.

Supporters say this structure opens the way to advanced math at all times to students with unrealized potential. But others worry that well-prepared students will be held back  rather than progressing appropriately at their more advanced level.

The framework also speaks of making math relevant to students' lives and backgrounds. This would be part of the push for equity.

One example cited in the framework is a lesson on measurement that asks students to locate "different places where their relatives lived or that they had heard mentioned." The students select starting and ending points of immigration and figure out the distances, using the scaling feature on maps. The exercise also offers an opportunity to work on unit conversion to and from the metric system, noting which countries use which system.

Another example, or "vignette," in the framework stresses the need to build confidence and teamwork among high school students through "math identity rainbows."

The teacher asks students to "reflect on and share the strengths that you and your teammates bring to the group."

Each person arranges cords according to individual strengths: Pink is perseverance; orange is numerical reasoning; yellow is communicating; blue is modeling, that is, representing "situations in everyday life mathematically to make predictions and solve problems; purple is recognizing patterns; white is reflecting, as in: I know what Ive learned and what I still need to learn.

The teacher emphasizes that all of these are extremely important to being mathematicians and everyone has these qualities, but you have different strengths, right?"

The exercise "provides students with the opportunity to notice that together they are part of a mathematical community."

Reversing low math achievement

The starting point in the debate centers on low math achievement. Although test scores in math declined sharply during the pandemic, they already were trending downward nationally even before COVID-19.

Comparisons to other countries are flawed, but it's widely accepted, based on international testing, that the math skills of U.S. students are below average. On national tests, California is below the norm compared to other states: An estimated 23% of the state's students achieve proficiency in math. There also are wide gaps among groups, with students from more prosperous backgrounds doing better. And white and Asian students have higher test scores than Black and Latino students.

Read more: California test scores show deep pandemic drops; 2 in 3 students don't meet math standards

It's challenging to know what is going wrong. The state has approved a succession of math frameworks  the last in 2013  among steps taken to turn things around.

Part of the problem is teacher training, exacerbated by a shortage of teachers with a deep understanding of math. It's unclear that the 2013 teaching guide was truly carried out at the classroom level across the state, experts said. The same issue could hinder the new framework.

The new framework aligns with those who favor a more thoughtful, potentially slower pacing in math instruction as a civil rights issue. In their view, too many Latino and Black students and those from low-income families have been left behind as part of a math race in which a small number of students reach calculus.

Teacher Jaime Fisette checks on her students' progress during math class at El Segundo Middle School during the 2022-23 school year. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times)

The framework also builds on the states existing push toward integrated math, which sets aside the traditional sequence of math instruction: computation, algebra, geometry and ultimately advanced algebra, trigonometry and calculus.

Instead, concepts from all areas are introduced early on and brought together to solve problems  as might happen in a real-world use of math.

The traditional math sequence and teaching practices have worked well for some students. But math-related fields continue to be dominated by white men, supplemented by workers who learned math in other countries or who grew up in a family or culture that emphasized math attainment.

Critics, including many parents, fear the new approaches will limit opportunities for gifted and well-prepared students to reach advanced math, and there will be less time for them to master advanced concepts. Some argue that tracking, as long as its not used to exclude students by race, ethnicity or gender, can put students in groupings where their individual needs can be addressed most directly, allowing all students to learn faster.

Another concern is that many top colleges still place an emphasis on whether applicants get to calculus and how well they do in that course.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
CAMDEN, Ala.  Long before the official declaration of Juneteenth as a federal holiday, Betty Anderson was welcoming her Wilcox County neighbors to her home to learn and reflect on the day.

The holiday, she said, challenges citizens to reflect on what occurred in the past so that history isn't forgotten. For her, Juneteenth is an opportunity to educate whoever is willing to learn, and she's been doing that since 2010.

This year's event, on June 19, was held in connection with the federal holiday commemorating the freeing of Texan slaves in 1865, two years after the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln.

Bad weather conditions forced Anderson to move her front-yard event inside. Still, she welcomed more than 50 people into her home with guests covering nearly every inch of the charming, quaint cottage.

More: Montgomery Advertiser partners with Auburn University program to share more rural stories

Betty Anderson, center, coaches children from the Vredenburgh Youth Program who presented her play, Gees Bend Stories," during a Juneteenth Celebration at her home in downtown Camden, Alabama, on June 19, 2023.

A highlight of the 2023 event was a play, Gees Bend Stories, written by Anderson and acted out by the children of the Vredenburgh Youth Program. The play focused on the interconnected lives of slaves on a plantation, their roles and duties and, for a couple of characters, their lives before slavery.

Anderson, inspired by a novel she had read based in North Carolina, decided to put an Alabama spin on the story and changed her plays setting to a plantation in Gees Bend.

To further personalize her theatrical variation, she added realistic elements within the play connected to her own life, including the Gees Bend plantation house, and one character whose existence was far more than mere fiction.

The cooks story was true  that character was real. My grandmother used to tell me about her, stated Anderson. Her name was Emma. She came down to the Gees Bend plantation, and she lived in a little shed behind the big house. She was real.

Andersons grandmother often told her about what life was like during slavery. One piece of information she once revealed about their ancestors stuck with her, driving her to author her own version.

My great-great-grandparents walked 700 miles from North Carolina to Gees Bend. My great-grandfather was 7 years old, and his father was 30-something. And, strangely enough, they walked from the same exact county that the book was based on, she said.

Members of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Choir, visiting from Prattville, Alabama, treat the audience to a variety of African American gospel spiritual songs during the Juneteenth Celebration in Camden on June 19, 2023.

The Juneteenth Celebration also featured Bethlehem Lutheran Church Choir, visiting from Prattville, Alabama. The choir treated the audience to a variety of African American gospel and spiritual songs.

Some were familiar classics; other songs, though old, were reborn during the performance. Strong harmonies started and ended the program, and the choir sang songs after each child read the life story of their assigned character.

The music proved a successful means of unifying every audience member who joined together and, according to a few attendees, was the highlight of the event.

Nancy Ziccardi, a local artist and dancer from Selma, Alabama, described the experience as somber but edifying. I liked the harmonizing  it felt spiritual, Ziccardi said. It was heavy really heavy.

James Ephraim Jr., former pastor of First United Presbyterian Church and family friend of Anderson, said, Theres a teaching component to what Betty is doing. Something Ive come to understand about teachers and educators is that a good teacher tells you where to look but doesnt tell you what to see.

He added, So, what she does is tell people where to begin looking  how to begin  and this opens the door for self-education. You can see for yourself how things are connected and thus learn how to think for yourself about the things that go on around you.

Ephraim also clarified why celebrating the holiday is beneficial. Its imperative that we have something that draws us together collectively  that draws other people in, he explained. Its the joy, fun and laughter of celebrating that attracts a persons initial interest. But soon, theyll want to dig deeper and discover what it all really means.

These aspects also encourage a sense of community and brings closer people who share a world of differences, he added.

At the end of the program, everyone gathered in Andersons kitchen for dinner. Guests enjoyed classic Southern comfort foods, traditional African cuisines and colorful vegetarian eats, made and served by Anderson and her co-hosts.

As they ate, attendees discussed their favorite moments from the gathering. People who had never met chatted like old friends and laughed together like close family.

Kaitlin Stabler, a Living Democracy student at Auburn University, is living and learning this summer in her hometown of Camden in Wilcox County, Alabama, as a Jean O'Connor Snyder Intern with the David Mathews Center for Civic Life. The nonprofit program, coordinated by the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities in the College of Liberal Arts, prepares undergraduate college students for civic life through living-learning experiences in the summer.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Camden woman hosts Juneteenth with 'Gee's Bend' play, visiting choir
MANCHESTER, N.H. - Chris Christie has a dream. Not a fantasy, though some might call it that, but rather a waking ambition that he is pursuing with open eyes. "I am going to be the alternative to Donald Trump," he says. "And when I am, I'm going to beat him."

The former New Jersey governor made this declaration standing behind the counter at the Red Arrow Diner, a pilgrimage site for presidential hopefuls who seek to ingratiate themselves with New Hampshire voters. At the moment, Christie was ingratiating himself to a gaggle of reporters who were trailing Christie on his first visit to the Granite State (really, outside a green room) since he'd declared his candidacy a few weeks earlier.

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Reporters lob their questions with notes of skepticism. Christie is unfazed, and with each answer, his dream campaign comes into sharper focus. It might go something like this: Christie tells "the truth" about Trump. About how the former president is willing to "lie to the American people to preserve his own ego." About how Trump "has been a loser, now three times in a row: '18, '20, '22."

In his dream campaign, Christie prosecutes the case against the former president like the prosecutor he once was, and the MAGA base turns out not to be quite as Trump-loyal as people think. "I don't buy this 'Trump voter' stuff," Christie says. "He doesn't own anyone."

In his dream campaign, Christie and Trump end up on the same debate stage. (In Christie's dream, Trump actually shows.) He's ready to debate Trump, because he has debated him before: First, as a stand-in for Hillary Clinton in 2016; then again, in 2020, as a stand-in for Joe Biden, back when Christie was putting his life on the line to help Trump in his bid for a second term. (Christie landed in intensive care after catching covid, which he thinks he caught from Trump.) In his dream campaign, Republican primary voters give Christie credit for boosting Trump then and for breaking with Trump now. "They look at me and know that I'm somebody who was willing to give him a chance and work as hard as I could to make them as good a president as he could be, but he failed," he says.

In his dream campaign, New Hampshire is the start of something. A pivotal faction of Christie voters turn out in South Carolina ("which has become a satellite of New Jersey") and Nevada (where "we have lots of friendships and relationships"). "Then we'll move on to Super Tuesday after that point," Christie says, by which time Trump's spell will be broken.

Here's what's obvious to many political watchers: Chris Christie's dream campaign doesn't have a prayer.

"There's absolutely no appetite," says Gunner Ramer, the political director of the Republican Accountability Project, a Never Trump outfit that conducted focus groups with college-educated Trump voters. "He reminds voters of the exact thing they do not want, which is being a part of the establishment."

How does he remind them of that?

"They see him as someone who's attacking Trump," Ramer says. "That's exactly what the establishment does."

But what about Ronald Reagan and the John Birch Society? Christie's dream campaign has historical precedent. Look back to the 1960s, as Christie does in his recent book, when William F. Buckley and Reagan purged the Birchers and their kooky fringe conspiracy theories from the GOP. Then, as now, there was a need "for Republicans to tell the truth to other Republicans about what's out there and what's obvious," Christie said in an interview with The Washington Post.

"It's a wishful analogy," says Bill Kristol, editor at large of the Bulwark, a redoubt for Republicans turned off by Trump. For one thing, the Birchers weren't fielding the Republican front-runner like the Trump wing of the party is doing now. "The oddball fringe ran the country for four years and has run the party for six or seven years," Kristol says.

"I really wish Christie well - I'm glad he's making the run," Kristol adds. "I hope he endorses Biden after Trump wins the nomination."

Christie won't endorse Biden. He won't run on a third-party ticket, either, like the one he says No Labels reached out to him about. (No Labels did not respond to a request for comment.) "I've always been a Republican," Christie says, "and that's the nomination I want."

In the dream campaign, that nomination is still within reach - Republican voters just need to wake up.

Chris Sununu, New Hampshire's Republican governor, dreams of a GOP field that tries to jostle the party's base like Christie is trying to do. "My fantasy is that all the candidates speak in unison with the truth: Trump represents himself, not the party," Sununu says. "They need to say that so the base gets the message loud and clear."

"At some point, Trump's base is going to start thinking about actually winning," says William P. Barr, who served as Trump's attorney general. "I also think they're going to start noticing that the only people who lionize Trump are the people who actually haven't really worked with and seen him in action."

Most Republicans have not worked with Trump, of course. And most still like what they see from afar, despite his election failures in 2020 (and, by proxy, the 2022 midterms) - assuming they think Trump actually lost, which is no guarantee. Trump holds steady in recent national polls of Republican voters, with more than 50 percent of support. In New Hampshire, independent polls have been scarce but suggest that, although Trump's support is slightly smaller, it's still roughly double that of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, with Christie and others trailing in single digits.

"No matter what Chris Christie says - I apologize for my language - he has no f---ing shot to get the nomination," says Joe Walsh, a former Republican Illinois congressman who mounted a doomed primary challenge to Trump in the 2020 election cycle. "None. He may believe he has a shot, but he really doesn't."

Walsh's campaign was a protest of, as he puts it, the "stupid, Trumpy, dishonest, ugly, authoritarian, cruel thing." It didn't get much traction.

"I'll never forget it: I stood in a room of 3,000 Republicans and said, 'It's wrong that we have a president who lies,'" he recalls. "Everybody booed me."

- - -

New Hampshire is where dream campaigns sometimes go to die. It's also where, months before any ballots are cast, they can seem more real than almost anywhere. On a Wednesday evening in late June, Christie came to a VFW hall in Derry to talk to Republican voters who share his dream of a GOP without Trump.

It was a coalition of people whom the Trump and Biden eras had rendered politically homeless. A "Rockefeller Republican" ("we're pretty much extinct," he said) who wanted to know how moderate voters fit into the present-day GOP. A middle-aged man in a New England Patriots polo who stood up to lament the "divisiveness in politics." An older gentleman who demanded to know what has happened to the Republican Party. ("We know that Trump lied about the election, but why did so many of our fellow citizens believe that?") A Christie-curious Democrat asking for his take on the foster-care system.

Christie, in a gray wool suit and red floral tie, stood at the center of the room, slowly orbiting a wooden stool. "People want to believe the president of the United States when he says something," he told them. He praised George W. Bush's ability to work with Ted Kennedy on education reform. He promised he'd bring civility to the White House, along with Republican values. He seemed intent on showing how he could be a father figure to this room of political orphans - those who hungered for a more stable, more adult role model at the head of the table.

Even among the relatively sympathetic town hall attendees in Derry, there were doubts about whether the former governor stood a real chance.

"Realistically, Christie's odds of winning are: Pigs will fly, and hell may freeze over," says Alex Rodriguez, a lifelong Republican who drove here from Melrose, Mass., and hasn't voted for a GOP candidate since Marco Rubio in the 2016 primary. "But that's not the point. The point is to have a discussion about the leader for the party and the existential threat to democracy."

A discussion among whom? At gatherings like the one at the VFW in Derry, the possibility of a return to form for the Republican Party can seem, at least, plausible. Quinn Mitchell, a gangly 15-year-old from Walpole, N.H., rose to speak, and he pressed Christie on whether the self-selecting crowd members here at the VFW were really the ones the former governor needed to be impressing.

"In my opinion, you have already drawn in the small group of Republican voters who hate Trump as much as you do," Mitchell began. "However, this message is not going to play into the larger electorate of Republican voters who are on the Trump hate wagon." What did Christie plan to offer the many people who don't hate Trump?

"First of all, I don't hate Trump," Christie replied. "I just don't respect him." He then suggested that Trump's base of support might be softer than it appears. "He's never had a campaign against him like the one you're going to have now," Christie said.

Did that satisfy Mitchell? "I do think he answered my question," he told The Post afterward, "but ..." Mitchell paused, searching for the right words. "It's really hard to reach those types of voters."

Christie went to the Red Arrow Diner the next morning. Perhaps it was a place he'd find some Trump loyalists to liberate.

"Ah, it's good to be here," Christie said to no one in particular as he landed on a stool at the counter with his wife, Mary Pat. He got oatmeal with bananas and brown sugar; she got eggs over easy and toast. "You would wonder why do I look like I look and she looks like she looks," the famously corpulent Christie told their server, unprompted. "But you know, there's no fairness in life."

Only a few patrons had been at the counter when Christie arrived from another breakfast, back at his hotel, with potential supporters who had backed different non-Trump Republicans (Jeb Bush, Rubio, John Kasich) in 2016. They were outnumbered by the roughly dozen reporters who had squeezed into a semicircle around Christie.

"New Hampshire can be the state that sets out on the right course, and that's why I'm here," Christie told a local radio reporter. "I'm going to spend most of my time here talking to voters."

A woman named Pam penetrated the media gaggle to tell him he's her "favorite candidate." (Pam later told The Post that she was visiting her father from out of state and voted for Biden, whom she still likes, even if she worries about his age.)

- - -

Christie finished his oatmeal and left by 11 a.m., speeding away to Boston to catch a flight to Washington. "One of the things I learned from the last time is that motion isn't progress," he told The Post. "You don't have to be in New Hampshire or Iowa every day. Because after a while, there's diminishing returns."

The next morning, back in D.C., Christie did find some loyal Trump supporters - not in a diner, but in the ballroom of the Washington Hilton. He was scheduled to speak at the Faith and Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority summit in Washington, along with most of the other GOP presidential candidates.

"We'll have some people in that audience who agree with us and some people who don't, but that's the nature of a primary," he said. "I'm ready for it."

Christie took the stage late in the morning after Mark Robinson, the North Carolina lieutenant governor who had brought the audience to its feet when he announced that he was endorsing Trump for president. The thunderous applause gave way to polite claps as Christie replaced him behind the lectern.

"I thought this morning, 'The most appropriate issue to discuss is the issue of character,'" Christie began.

A pair of 20-somethings in MAGA hats exited the ballroom.

Christie continued. Abraham Lincoln showed character in the face of the Confederacy, he said. Franklin D. Roosevelt showed character in the face of Hitler. Reagan, in the face of the Soviets. Then he turned to a recent president who, in Christie's estimation, hadn't shown such character.

"I'm running because he's let us down," Christie said of Trump. "He's unwilling to take responsibility for any of the mistakes that were made, any of the faults that he has."

A few boos.

"That is not leadership, everybody," Christie said. "That is a failure of leadership."

The boos were louder now, nearly drowning out his voice.

After Christie's remarks, Billy and Brandy Walkowiak passed through the lobby, seeming a bit perplexed what the former governor thought he was doing. The Trump-loving couple from Gastonia, N.C., had thought Christie was talking about character to tee up to attack Biden - and couldn't believe he'd land the punch on Trump instead.

"This was not the place for it," Brandy said.

"I don't know why he did that," Billy said.

In Christie's dream campaign, boos are just part of it. "Part of your job as a leader is not to tell them what they want to hear," Christie told reporters afterward. "It's to tell them what they need to hear."

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A doctor puts sanfutie  a therapeutic bandage filled with herbal medicine  for a child in Linyi, Shandong province, on Tuesday, the first day of sanfu, the hottest period of summer. [Photo/Xinhua]

With temperatures soaring past 40 C across parts of China, sanfu moxibustion  a traditional Chinese medicine treatment aimed at boosting immunity  has picked up steam, prompting experts and authorities to urge careful use of the therapy.

Sanfu moxibustion involves plastering warm herbal pastes onto acupuncture points during the three hottest periods on the lunar calendar as a means to prepare the body for cold seasons and protect against winter illnesses such as colds and coughing.

On Tuesday  the first day of the first period this year  several departments at the Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences' Guang'anmen Hospital, including its respiratory, pediatrics and rheumatology clinics, began providing the service for registered visitors.

The hospital said that since it launched its appointment system for sanfu moxibustion on June 26, it has processed over 10,000 applications.

Li Guangxi, head of the hospital's respiratory illness department, said during a recent interview that this year's sanfu, which roughly translates to "three periods", will total 40 days, longer than usual.

"People who feel itchiness, heat or pain around skin plastered with the patch should immediately stop receiving the treatment," he said.

Record-breaking heat waves have been registered in a number of northern regions in China in recent weeks, including Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province.

On Tuesday morning, the National Meteorological Center renewed an orange alert for high temperatures  the middle level of a three-tier system  forecasting that parts of the provinces of Hebei, Henan, Zhejiang, Sichuan and Yunnan will record temperatures exceeding 40 C.

Wang Yi, head of the traditional Chinese medicine department at a community health center in Beijing's Haidian district, said that more than 1,000 people have made appointments with the center to receive the TCM treatment, double the number of the same period last year.

"The increase is likely associated with the rising incidence of respiratory illnesses this year," Wang said during an interview with Beijing Daily, a local newspaper.

"The patch we use is the same as those prescribed at major hospitals, so residents living nearby can obtain convenient and quality services."

The Beijing Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine said in a notice released in late June that the patch should be restricted for use among people with chronic respiratory diseases and allergic rhinitis, as well as children, the elderly and people who are prone to colds, recurrent coughs and asthma.

"It is strictly prohibited to unreasonably expand the scope of application and target groups in pursuit of economic benefits," it said, adding that medical institutions should guide patients to gain a correct understanding of the therapy.
May Sarah Cardinal sits for a portrait outside the Law Courts building in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on Thursday, May 25, 2023. Cardinal said she was pressured into having her tubes tied when she was 20. The doctor told me: There are hard times ahead and how are you going to look after a bunch of kids? What if your husband leaves?' ... I was afraid if I didnt go through with it, they would be angry with me, and I didnt feel like I had a say. (AP Photo/Amber Bracken)

TORONTO (AP)  Decades after many other rich countries stopped forcibly sterilizing Indigenous women, numerous activists, doctors, politicians and at least five class-action lawsuits say the practice has not ended in Canada.

A Senate report last year concluded this horrific practice is not confined to the past, but clearly is continuing today. In May, a doctor was penalized for forcibly sterilizing an Indigenous woman in 2019.

Indigenous leaders say the country has yet to fully reckon with its troubled colonial past  or put a stop to a decades-long practice that is considered a type of genocide.

There are no solid estimates on how many women are still being sterilized against their will or without their knowledge, but Indigenous experts say they regularly hear complaints about it. Sen. Yvonne Boyer, whose office is collecting the limited data available, says at least 12,000 women have been affected since the 1970s.

Whenever I speak to an Indigenous community, I am swamped with women telling me that forced sterilization happened to them, Boyer, who has Indigenous Metis heritage, told The Associated Press.

Medical authorities in Canadas Northwest Territories issued a series of punishments in May in what may be the first time a doctor has been sanctioned for forcibly sterilizing an Indigenous woman, according to documents obtained by the AP.

The case involves Dr. Andrew Kotaska, who performed an operation to relieve an Indigenous woman's abdominal pain in November 2019. He had her written consent to remove her right fallopian tube, but the patient, an Inuit woman, had not agreed to the removal of her left tube; losing both would leave her sterile.

Despite objections from other medical staff during the surgery, Kotaska took out both fallopian tubes.

The investigation concluded there was no medical justification for the sterilization, and Kotaska was found to have engaged in unprofessional conduct. Kotaska's severe error in surgical judgment was unethical, cost the patient the chance to have more children and could undermine trust in the medical system, investigators said.

The case was likely not exceptional.

Thousands of Indigenous Canadian women over the past seven decades were coercively sterilized, in line with eugenics legislation that deemed them inferior. In the U.S., forced sterilizations of Native American women mostly ended in the 1970s after new regulations were adopted requiring informed consent.

The Geneva Conventions describe forced sterilization as a type of genocide and crime against humanity and the Canadian government has condemned reports of forced sterilization elsewhere, including among Uyghur women in China.

In 2018, the U.N. Committee Against Torture told Canada it was concerned about persistent reports of forced sterilization, saying all allegations should be investigated and those found responsible held accountable.

In 2019, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged that the murders and disappearances of Indigenous women across Canada amounted to genocide, but activists say little has been done to address ingrained prejudices against the Indigenous, allowing forced sterilizations to continue.

In a statement, the Canadian government told the AP it was aware of allegations that Indigenous women were forcibly sterilized and the matter is before the courts.

Sterilization of women without their informed consent constitutes an assault and is a criminal offense, the government said.

We recognize the pressing need to end this practice across Canada, it said, adding that it is working with provincial and territorial authorities, health agencies and Indigenous groups to eliminate systemic racism in the country's health systems.

Boyer, the senator collecting data on the issue, recalled once being approached by a tearful Indigenous woman describing her forced sterilization.

It made my knees buckle to hear her story and to realize how common it was, Boyer said. "Nothing has changed legally or culturally in Canada to stop this.

___

Indigenous people comprise about 5% of Canadas nearly 40 million people, with the biggest populations residing in the north: Nunavut, Yukon and the Northwest Territories.

The more than 600 Indigenous communities, known as First Nations, face significant health challenges compared to other Canadians. Suicide rates among Indigenous youth are six times higher than their counterparts and the life expectancy of First Nations people is about 14 years less than other Canadians.

Until the 1990s, Indigenous people were mostly treated in racially segregated hospitals, where there were reports of rampant abuse.

Its difficult to say how common sterilization  with or without consent  happens. Canada's national health agency doesn't routinely collect sterilization data, including the ethnicity of patients or under what conditions it happens.

In 2019, Sylvia Tuckanow told the Senate committee investigating forced sterilizations about how she gave birth in a Saskatoon hospital in July 2001. She described being disoriented from medication and being tied to a bed as she cried.

I could smell something burning, she said. When the (doctor) was finished, he said, There: tied, cut and burnt. Nothing will get through that, Tuckanow said, referring to her singed fallopian tubes. She said she hadnt consented to the procedure.

The Senate committee's work was prompted by a previous 2016 investigation led by Sen. Boyer into about a dozen forced sterilizations of Indigenous women at a Saskatchewan hospital.

In November, a report documented nearly two dozen forced sterilizations in Quebec from 1980 to 2019, including one woman who said her doctor told her after bladder surgery that he had removed her uterus at the same time  without her consent.

The report concluded that doctors and nurses insistently questioning whether a First Nations or Inuit mother wants to (be sterilized) after the birth of her first child seems to be an existing practice in Quebec.

Some women were not even aware they were sterilized.

Morningstar Mercredi, an Alberta-based Indigenous author, was sterilized as a 14-year-old, but didnt find out until decades later when she sought help after being unable to conceive.

I went into a catatonic stage and had a nervous breakdown, Mercredi wrote in her 2021 book, Sacred Bundles Unborn.

She told the AP the cost to First Nations peoples of coerced sterilizations was staggering, noting the procedures were previously routine in Indigenous residential schools and hospitals.

These many generations of Indigenous persons denied life is an effective genocide, she said.

The Senate report on forced sterilization made 13 recommendations, including compensating victims, measures to address systemic racism in health care and a formal apology.

In response to questions from the AP, the Canadian government said it has taken steps to try to stop forced sterilization, including investing more than 87 million Canadian dollars ($65 million) to improve access to culturally safe health services, one-third of which supports Indigenous midwifery initiatives.

Last year, the government allocated 6.2 million Canadian dollars ($4.7 million) to help survivors of forced sterilization. It said the Senate report was further evidence of a broader need to eliminate racism and acknowledged that bias in the health system continues to have catastrophic effects on First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities.

____

Dr. Alika Lafontaine, the first Indigenous president of the Canadian Medical Association, recalls times in his own training when it was unclear whether Indigenous women had agreed to sterilization.

In my residency, there were situations where we would do C-sections on patients and someone would lean over and say, So well also clip her (fallopian) tubes, he said. It never crossed my mind whether these patients had an informed conversation" about sterilization, he said, adding he assumed that had happened before patients were on the operating table.

One problem, Lafontaine said, is that many First Nations women must fly hundreds of miles south to deliver their babies. That happens because we literally did not build any health facilities where Indigenous people live, he said.

Gerri Sharpe, president of Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, said health centers serving Inuit women often arent staffed by Indigenous people, resulting in translation problems. For example, in Inuit culture, people often communicate with facial expressions, like raising their eyebrows for yes or wrinkling their nose for no.

Doctors will be speaking, and they look to the woman to acknowledge something. When she (raises her eyebrows), the doctor labels it as non-responsive, Sharpe said.

Dr. Ewan Affleck, who made a 2021 film,  The Unforgotten, about the pervasive racism against Canada's Indigenous people, said the way forced sterilization happens now is more subtle than in the past. He noted an ongoing power imbalance in the country's health system. If you have a white doctor saying to an Indigenous woman, You should be sterilized, it may very likely happen, he said.

___

There are at least five class-action lawsuits against health, provincial and federal authorities involving forced sterilizations in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and elsewhere.

May Sarah Cardinal, the representative plaintiff in the Alberta case, said she was pressured into having her tubes tied after having her second child in 1977, but the doctor never explained the procedure was irreversible.

The doctor told me: There are hard times ahead and how are you going to look after a bunch of kids? What if your husband leaves? Cardinal told the AP. I was afraid if I didnt go through with it, they would be angry with me, and I didnt feel like I had a say.

Cardinal only realized she had been a victim of forced sterilization when her daughter, Anita, pieced it together after watching a video in a university class about eugenics and forced sterilization.

My mother had always told me she wanted more children but that she didnt have a choice, Anita Cardinal said.

May Sarah Cardinal said she recalled her doctor asking if she and her husband were native Canadians and wondered why that should make a difference.

I would see mothers with their kids and my heart ached not to be able to have more, she said.

-

Kotaska, the ob-gyn who carried out the surgery that left an Indigenous woman sterile in 2019, was the president of the Northwest Territories medical association and held teaching positions at several Canadian universities.

Documents show an anesthetist and surgical nurse became alarmed when Kotaska said during the surgery to remove the woman's right fallopian tube: Lets see if I can find a reason to take the left tube as well."

Kotaska told investigators he was voicing his thought process out loud that removing both tubes would lessen the womans pelvic pain, the documents say.

Describing Kotaskas actions as a violation of his ethical obligations, investigators suspended Kotaskas medical license for five months, ordered him to take an ethics course and reimburse the cost of the inquiry. The Northwest Territories health department said it was the first time a non-consensual medical procedure had been referred for investigation.

The woman is suing Kotaska and hospital authorities for 6 million Canadian dollars ($4.38 million).

There was no suggestion in the documents that Kotaska was motivated by racism. Kotaska declined to comment to the AP.

The Canadian government would not comment on Kotaska's actions but said forced sterilization is illegal and prosecutable under Canadian criminal law. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the Northwest Territories said there is no criminal investigation into Kotaska.

People dont want to believe things like this are happening in Canada, but cases like this explain why entire First Nations populations still feel unsafe, said Dr. Unjali Malhotra, medical officer of the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia.

Despite Canada's reputation as a progressive society, its continued forced sterilization of Indigenous women puts it alongside countries like India and China, where the practice mostly affects women from ethnic minorities.

In Europe, forced sterilizations affected more than 90,000 Roma women in past decades in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria. Court rulings, apologies from the governments, reparations programs and modified health policies have mostly stamped out the practice; the last known forced sterilization on the continent was in 2012.

In 1976, the U.S. found that forced sterilizations happened in at least one-third of the regions where the government provided health services to Native Americans. The U.S. government has never formally apologized or offered compensation.

Indigenous leaders in Canada say an official apology would be a critical step towards rebuilding the country's fractured relationship with First Nations people. Only the province of Alberta has apologized and offered some compensation to those affected before 1972.

Mercredi said she continues to endure the repercussions of being sterilized without her knowledge decades ago.

Those who subject women to this must be held accountable, she said. No amount of therapy or healing can reconcile the fact that my human right to have children was taken from me.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

___

This story has been corrected to show Dr. Unjali Malhotras title is medical officer, not chief medical officer.
Nike Canada is one of two companies being investigated by the Canadian watchdog

Canada's ethics watchdog has launched investigations into allegations that Nike Canada and a gold mining company benefitted from Uyghur forced labour in their China operations.

The watchdog's probes stem from complaints filed by a coalition of human rights groups.

Nike says they no longer have ties to the companies accused of using Uyghur forced labour.

Dynasty Gold says these allegations arose after they left the region.

A United Nations report in 2022 found China had committed "serious human rights violations" against Uyghurs, an ethnic Muslim minority population living in the region of Xinjiang, that "may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity". Beijing denies the accusations.

This is the first such investigation announced by the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (Core) since it launched its complaint mechanism in 2021.

The agency alleges that Nike Canada Corp has supply relationships with several Chinese companies that an Australian think tank identified as using or benefitting from Uyghur forced labour.

In 2020, the think tank, Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), published a report estimating that over 80,000 Uyghurs had been transferred to work in factories across China.

The report says the company has not taken "any concrete steps to ensure beyond a reasonable doubt that forced labour is not implicated in their supply chain".

The Uyghurs are the largest minority ethnic group in China's north-western province of Xinjiang

Nike says they no longer have ties with these companies and provided information on their due diligence practices.

According to the report, Nike turned down meetings with the ombudsman, but sent a letter saying "we are concerned about reports of forced labour in, and connected to, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR)".

"Nike does not source products from the XUAR and we have confirmed with our contract suppliers that they are not using textiles or spun yarn from the region."

The report on Dynasty Gold suggests it benefitted from the use of Uyghur forced labour at a mine in China in which the gold mining company holds a majority interest.

The mining company says it does not have operational control over the mine and that these allegations arose after it left the region.

More on this story

Dynasty's chief executive Ivy Chong told the CBC the initial report was "totally unfounded".

The ethics watchdog has a mandate to hold Canadian garment, mining, and oil and gas companies working outside of the country accountable for possible human rights abuses that arise from their overseas operations, including in their supply chains.

"On their face, the allegations made by the complainants raise serious issues regarding the possible abuse of the internationally recognized right to be free from forced labour," Ombudsperson Sheri Meyerhoffer said in a copy of her initial assessment, made public Tuesday.

"It is our mission to resolve human rights complaints in a fair and unbiased manner in order to help those impacted and to strengthen the responsible business practices of the companies involved."

The watchdog looked into complaints filed by a coalition of 28 civil society organisations in June 2022.

There were 11 other complaints, besides the ones against Nike and Dynasty Gold, which the watchdog will release reports on soon.

The BBC has reached out to both companies for comment.
Canadian health officials are preparing to recall Prime Energy, a popular drink promoted by social media influencers, over concerns the product "exceeds the acceptable caffeine limits".

Officials said they are aware some stores may be selling Prime Energy without approval.

The company has yet to officially launch its product in Canada.

In Canada, drinks cannot have more than 180mg of caffeine per serving. Some Prime Energy products have 200mg.

Prime Energy "contains a comparable amount of caffeine to other top selling energy drinks, all falling within the legal limit of the countries it's sold in", the company said in a statement to the BBC.

It also said the packaging states it is not made for anyone under the age of 18.

"As a brand, our top priority is consumer safety, so we welcome discussions with the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) or any other organisation regarding suggested industry changes they feel are necessary in order to protect consumers," it said.

The official Canadian product is expected to contain about 140mg per can once available.

In 2022, social media influencers Logan Paul and KSI - who have around 48 million YouTube followers between them - launched the caffeine-free Prime Hydration drink. The company began selling Prime Energy this year and the product quickly became an online sensation, sparking chaotic scenes outside of stores as customers fought to get their hands on the product.

But health officials have raised concerns about the drink's caffeine content - which is over twice the level of a 250 ml can of Red Bull.

How much caffeine is in energy drinks and other beverages?

Prime Energy - 200mg (355ml can)

Red Bull - 80mg (250ml)

Monster - 160mg (473ml)

Coca Cola original - 32mg (330ml)

Brewed coffee - 135mg (235ml)

Black tea - 30-50mg (235ml)

Source: caffeineinformer.com/Health Canada

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency advised that customers should not "consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute" drinks with more than 180mg of caffeine. The agency said officials are "actively working to address this issue" of stores possibly selling Prime Energy without approval.

Officials will share additional details about the recall in the coming days.

"Further assessment is underway for similar products that have been identified as potentially non-compliant," it said in a statement.

The recall comes as US lawmakers have accused the company of marketing the caffeinated drink to children.

On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called on federal regulators to investigate the company for its marketing practices. He alleged that Prime Energy was packaged and marketed "in near identical form" as the brand's caffeine-free drink, Prime Hydration.

Research shows consuming large amounts of caffeine can damage the heart and blood vessels. Studies also show consuming highly caffeinated drinks can be especially harmful for children and young adults and lead to issues with heart rhythm and blood pressure.
An elderly man and a child walk past a Nike logo in Wangfujing shopping district in Beijing in June 2021 (Noel Celis)

Sporting giant Nike and mining company Dynasty Gold are being investigated in Canada over allegations they used forced labor from China's Uyghur minority, a Canadian watchdog announced Tuesday.

The companies are both "alleged to have or have had supply chains or operations in the People's Republic of China identified as using or benefitting from the use of Uyghur forced labor," a statement from the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise said.

The investigations were announced after a coalition of 28 civil society organizations filed several complaints in June last year about the overseas activities of the two Canadian companies, according to the statement.

Nike Canada is suspected of having "supply relationships with Chinese companies identified as using or benefitting from the use of Uyghur forced labor. Nike maintains that they no longer have ties with these companies and provided information on their due diligence practices," the statement said.

The second investigation targeting Dynasty Gold alleges that the company "benefited from the use of Uyghur forced labor at a mine in China in which Dynasty Gold holds a majority interest.

"Dynasty Gold's response to the complaint is that it does not have operational control over the mine and that these allegations arose after it left the region," the statement continued.

Rights groups say more than one million Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim minorities have been held in re-education camps in China's western Xinjiang region, with a slew of abuses that include forced labor.

The announcement of the investigation was welcomed by the Ottawa-based Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, which applauded "an important step in the right direction".

Asked for response late Tuesday by AFP, the sports giant did not immediately respond.

Lawmakers in Western nations, including Canada, have called the crackdown in Xinjiang a "genocide," and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has referred to the treatment of Uyghurs as crimes against humanity.

Beijing denies the accusations, describing the facilities as vocational centers designed to curb extremism.

In April, the French justice system closed a preliminary investigation into clothing giants such as Uniqlo and Zara owner Inditex, accused by associations of having profited from the forced labor of Uyghurs in China.

A new complaint was filed in May.

ast/dax/st/jh/bfm
Carlsbad man accused of drunk driving crash that killed an El Paso man and his dog

A Carlsbad man was arrested and charged with drunk driving in the death of a Texas man who was walking his dog, police said, in El Paso.

Cody Reid Lesher, 32, of Carlsbad was arrested after police responded to the crash at 7:50 p.m. June 16 in the 4500 block of Emory on the western side of the city, according to a news release from the El Paso Police Department.

Lesher was driving drunk in a 2015 Maserati, police said, when he hit pedestrian 35-year-old Alfredo Dominguez, killing Dominguezs dog at the scene.

More: Man charged in Carlsbad 2002 cold case murder sought after shooting, stabbing

Dominguez was transported to a nearby hospital where he died, police said.

Police said Lesher lost control of the car while driving at a high rate of speed, rolling the vehicle after colliding with a wooden post and gas meter.

The investigation revealed that 32-year-old Cody Reid Lesher was driving a 2015 Maserati south on Emory at a high rate of speed and lost control, the release read.

More: Dell City man killed in truck crash in Culberson County, Texas near Guadalupe Mountains

The vehicle flipped and hit Dominguez and his dog, continuing to skid and hit a wall where it stopped.

The vehicle continued skidding, striking a traffic sign, a fence, and finally came to rest after hitting a rock wall, read the release.

Lesher exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, police said, but was arrested and taken to a hospital for treatment along with his passenger.

Lesher was found intoxicated, police said, and was charged with intoxication manslaughter, the release read, a second-degree felony along with causing an accident involving personal injury or death, also a second-degree felony.

A judge issued a $650,000 in bonds for the first charge, and a $100,000 bond on the second charge.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Carlsbad man accused of drunk driving crash that killed an El Paso man
Cause, manner of death released for Jarrell Garris, man shot by New Rochelle police

A man shot by a New Rochelle detective after police confronted him about not paying for food he ate at a grocery store died from a bullet wound to the neck that impacted his cervical spine and spinal cord, the Westchester Medical Examiner's Office said Wednesday.

Jarrell Garris' death was ruled a homicide following an autopsy. He was taken off life support Monday night after remaining in a coma since the July 3 shooting.

The state Attorney General's Office is investigating Garris' killing, as it does all alleged police killings in New York.

A New Rochelle police detective fatally shot Jarrell Garris, 37, on Lincoln Avenue after Garris was accused of stealing from a nearby grocery store.

The autopsy findings were expected and William Wagstaff, a lawyer representing the family, had no comment about them other than to say that each piece of information underscores how difficult and long the grieving process is going to be for Garris' loved ones.

What video released by the city shows

Garris was shot by Detective Steven Conn during a struggle late that afternoon on Lincoln Avenue.

Moments earlier, Officers Kari Bird and Gabrielle Chavarry were trying to question Garris about the complaint police received from New Rochelle Farms, according to police body-camera footage released by the city hours after the shooting.

When Conn arrived, Chavarry told him the store wanted to press charges. Conn told Garris he was under arrest and began handcuffing him, getting one of the cuffs on his right wrist.

Garris started to pull away and Conn and Bird began scuffling with him. At one point, Conn calls for Garris to be tased, and Chavarry pulls out her Taser. It was not clear from the videos if a Taser was ever activated.

Garris eventually topples to the ground with Bird on top of him, trying to subdue him by grabbing his ankles. The right side of her body was facing Garris and the body cam video and screen shots released by the city appear to show Garris holding onto her holster.

Conn then yelled, "He's got a gun. He's got a gun" before shooting Garris. State police have said one bullet was fired.

The city's only statement detailing what happened said that Garris "grabbed an officers gun, in an attempt to remove it from the holster."

The body cam video released publicly stopped before the shooting itself. The city said that was out of sensitivity for Garris' family, although his relatives have called for the full video to be released.

Garris, a New Rochelle native living in North Carolina for the past year, was in town to pick up his son. He had a history of struggling with mental illness that his family said police were aware of. Demonstrations against the shooting and the store for reporting Garris have closed the intersection of Lincoln and North avenues in recent days and many residents spoke out against the killing at the City Council meeting Tuesday night.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Police bullet killed Jarrell Garris in New Rochelle hit neck, spine
Channel 11s Chief Investigative Reporter Rick Earle has obtained an internal memo that details the Pittsburgh Police Bureaus plan for dealing with a recent uptick in violence on East Carson Street, a popular night spot with bars, restaurants and clubs.

In response to a shooting last weekend, and other recent incidents of violence, Earle has learned that seven Pittsburgh police officers will now be stationed on East Carson Street overnight beginning next Thursday through Sunday. They will continue to patrol the area every weekend.

Pittsburgh Police Chief Larry Scirotto confirmed the reallocation of manpower in an interview Wednesday morning.

We will have increased presence with all of our units throughout this weekend, and then theyll be a dedicated patrol that starts next weekend, said Chief Scirotto.

The seven officers, known as the Southside Entertainment Patrol, will work four 10-hour days Thursday through Sunday from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Were working with the business owners. Weve been for quite some time now but much more intentional over the last two months and coming up with creative solutions together, understanding that this is not just a police issue. We all have to own the environment down there and work together to improve it, said Scirotto.

After the most recent shooting, the Carson City Saloon announced it would be temporarily closing because of the uptick in violence.

Channel 11 spoke to business owners earlier this week, who expressed frustration dealing with the city for the past several years.

We need results. Weve been having meetings for over two years over 50 of them and we are in the same situation, said Rich Cupka, owner of Cupkas Cafe, a bar on Carson Street.

Last summer, in response to a spate of shootings, Mayor Ed Gainey spent a night on East Carson Street, walking up and down the popular stretch with Councilman Bruce Kraus, whos represented the area for years.

Police last summer beefed up patrols, altered traffic patterns to create a safety lane and banned parking in certain areas. They tagged and towed a number of cars.

Its unclear if any of those measures have been implemented this year.

Chief Scirotto tells Channel 11 that one of the big problems continues to be an influx of underage kids hanging outside the clubs on the street and in parking lots.

Scirotto had a very strong message for those juveniles.

Those that arent over 21, find somewhere else because this wont be the environment for you. I assure you that, warned Scirotto.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

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The air in East Palestine, Ohio, had high levels of a chemical irritant in the weeks following the February derailment of a train carrying hazardous chemicals, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters.

Researchers from Carnegie Mellon and Texas A&M universities drove through the town in a research van following the derailment, monitoring the air for unusual concentrations of compounds that were not present before the incident.

Attention on potential hazards from the crash largely focused on vinyl chloride, a hazardous substance used in the production of plastics, which spilled in the derailment. But the team only detected vinyl chloride levels below what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers an unsafe long-term level.

However, the researchers found atmospheric concentrations of acrolein were up to six times the normal level near the crash site on Feb. 20 and 21, nearly two weeks after officials cleared evacuees to safely return home. Acrolein, which was not among the chemicals spilled in the derailment, is an irritant to the eyes, skin and nose that has been linked to increased cancer risk.

Researchers said that while the EPA has also been measuring acrolein levels in the atmosphere, the agency did not pick up the lower levels of the compound linked to long-term risk.

The studys authors wrote that the results indicate the need for ongoing mobile air quality monitoring at the site of disasters like the East Palestine crash, particularly during the ongoing cleanup process, which may unearth contaminants in the soil.

More broadly, this study illustrates that the ability of highly sensitive, nontargeted mobile monitoring to detect known and unknown [volatile organic compounds] can serve as a complement to the targeted and stationary monitoring typically deployed, facilitating characterization of the impacts of disasters on air quality and ultimately better protecting public health, they wrote.

In a statement to The Hill, an EPA spokesperson said that the agency cannot speak to the data interpretation reported by Carnegie Mellon but welcomes their scientific review and interpretation.

EPA has been posting air monitoring summaries and data validation reports for air, soil, and water sampling since February and researchers are free to use the EPA data that has been made publicly available, the agency added.

 Updated 4:27 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Chicago Man Accused of Brutally Killing Cats and Replacing Them With Lookalikes

Cook County Sheriffs Office

A Chicago man has been accused of killing at least six kittens since May and buying lookalike replacements of the animals so that his mother wouldnt become suspicious.

Prosecutors have charged Thomas Martel, 22, with four counts of animal torture as well as two counts of aggravated animal cruelty, according to CWBChicago.

At a bail hearing Tuesday, Cook County Assistant States Attorney Sarah Dale-Schmidt detailed horrific allegations of brutality in which she claimed Martel drowned and possibly microwaved the kittens.

Police reportedly became aware of the alleged cruelty last month when Martels girlfriend gave authorities disturbing images and videos she found on his phone, including one picture of a living kitten captioned just before I murdered her.

Prosecutors claim he also recently told his partner that he enjoyed killing cats and he had been like that since he was eight years old.

At one point during his alleged spree, Martels girlfriend said he kicked her out after she told him he had to stop buying catsonly to immediately call asking for more money to buy another kitten.

Martels girlfriend also said he later told her he had microwaved three cats and put them in the pantry of his apartment, where police subsequently found a bag containing what looked like parts of multiple kittens, according to Dale-Schmidt.

Martel turned himself into police on Monday.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Two Hialeah cops and a private investigator involved in the alleged beating and kidnapping of a homeless man have been granted a trio of legal requests: First, the judge originally overseeing the case moved on. Then his replacement not only agreed to a speedy trial but also indicated a proposal to seat two juries in the same courtroom was not likely to happen.

The speedy trial is extremely significant because as a police officer, my client cant return to his job until the case is dismissed, said attorney Michael Pizzi, whose client Rafael Otano was fired after his arrest. Hes also been under house arrest. So its crucial.

An investigator charged with witness tampering in the case also had requested in early May that Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Robert Watson remove himself from the case. Ali Amin Saleh argued that because Watson had been represented in the past by an attorney hired by one of the Hialeah officers, it created a conflict of interest. When Watson denied that motion, attorney Stephen Lopez appealed to the Third District Court of Appeals.

But when Chief Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Andrea Wolfson announced June 30 that Watson was moving from criminal to civil court, Salehs motion became moot. Wolfson herself took over the proceedings. And though she hasnt publicly announced she doesnt intend on seating twin juries  a rare move that Watson said he was entertaining  two of the attorneys involved in the case said they were told so by the judge during a status conference.

The new judge suggested that the dual jury would not be likely, Pizzi said.

Watson had told the parties in May he was strongly inclined towards seating two juries in the very same courtroom  essentially giving the officers separate trials at the same time. Though not unheard of, its rare and usually done because of financial constraints in the court system. Its also a way of being certain that a jury pool isnt tainted from an earlier trial, though overlapping witnesses and the potential for jurors in separate cases to speak with each other can pose problems.

Wolfson is now expected to seat a single jury for both officers and the trial for Otano and Lorenzo Orfila is scheduled to begin July 31, an unusually quick time-frame for a high-profile case in which arrests were announced less than six months ago.

Prosecutors from the Miami-Dade State Attorneys office have accused the two former officers of abducting a well-known homeless man from a Hialeah strip mall after a business owner complained he was harassing people. Then, the state claims, the two officers took Jose Ortega Gutierrez to a wooded area several miles away where they beat him and left him injured. Gutierrez told police the officers told him he was being taken to jail for public intoxication and disorderly conduct.

During a January press conference announcing the arrests, State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle explained how GPS in one of the officers patrol cars showed Gutierrez was taken to a wooded area several miles away and that he was later found beaten and disheveled by an off-duty Hialeah cop, who called police. Otano and Orfila have been charged with kidnapping and battery, potential life sentences.

Also charged with taking part in the cover-up of the incident was Saleh, who investigators say found Gutierrez at the same strip mall several weeks after the alleged Dec. 17 incident and offered him $1,350 to sign an affidavit saying the officers did nothing wrong. Also charged is Juan Prietocofino, who the state claims fraudulently notarized the misleading affidavit meant to clear the cops.
You are here: China

The Zhuque-2 carrier rocket blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China July 12, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

China on Wednesday successfully launched a new carrier rocket into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

The Zhuque-2 carrier rocket blasted off at 9:00 a.m. (Beijing Time) and completed the flight mission according to the procedure.

This was the second flight mission of the Zhuque-2 carrier rocket.
Child rape suspect caught with fly undone, 6 kids in vehicle during traffic stop: video

An Albuquerque, New Mexico, drunken driving suspect caught with his fly open and six kids in the back of his pickup truck appears on bodycam video slurring his speech as he tries to talk his way out of the stop  which ultimately led to child rape charges against him for allegedly molesting one of his passengers.

Police pulled over Jeremy Guthrie, 42, last summer as he swerved across the road, "driving like an idiot," as one trooper put it, and he then failed a field sobriety test, bodycam video shows. After his arrest, investigators uncovered shocking allegations involving one of the girls in his vehicle.

The video, recently released to the public, begins with Guthrie fumbling around the driver's seat after a state trooper asks for his license.

The officer shines his flashlight in the back window, revealing a backseat packed with minors, and then returns to the front, where Guthrie still hasn't produced identification.

WILD DASHCAM VIDEO SHOWS HANDCUFFED SUSPECT STEAL SQUAD CAR BEFORE HIGH-SPEED CHASE, FATAL CRASH IN COLORADO

Jeremy Guthrie was initially arrested on drunken driving and child abuse charges after police allege he failed a field sobriety test with six kids in his pickup truck.

"There's your wallet right there between your legs," the trooper says.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Oh, sorry, I was a little bit nervous," Guthrie replies.

"So was I, the way you're driving," the trooper says, before going through a litany of dangerous swerves and turns he had just allegedly witnessed.

At another point, the officer counted off six children in the car and asked Guthrie, "Who are these kids to you?"

"They're just my friends," the driver slurred.

OHIO MAN ACCUSED OF EXECUTING 3 YOUNG SONS SEEN IN BODYCAM VIDEO SITTING CALMLY NEXT TO GUN AFTERWARD

"That's your friend? How old's your friend?"

"Eighteen?" Guthrie replies.

"That girl's not 18," the trooper scoffs.

Guthrie was pulled over last year with six children in the back of his pickup truck.

When Guthrie got out to face the field sobriety test, his fly was unzipped.

"Why's your buttons down?" the trooper asks.

CALIFORNIA MAN WHO PUMMELED, SHOT AT FEMALE DEPUTY FOUND NOT GUILTY DESPITE VIDEO OF ATTACK

"Well, I probably just forgot."

Guthrie failed the field sobriety tests, but the DWI charges were only the start of Guthrie's legal troubles, according to New Mexico's Second Judicial District Attorney's Office.

Guthrie is seen in the backseat of a police car after declining to submit to a Breathalyzer test.

"During that arrest, there were six children in the car, so he was also charged with abuse of a child," the DA's communications director Nancy Laflin told Fox News Digital.

Then, during a follow-up investigation, one of the girls told authorities Guthrie had sexually abused her, according to prosecutors.

"Based on statements from the child and corroborating evidence in the case, police arrested Guthrie," Laflin said.

Police conduct a field sobriety test on Guthrie.

Additional charges included 10 counts of criminal sexual penetration of a minor, three counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor, two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and one count of false imprisonment.

Officers told the kids to call their parents and to pick them up at the scene as they processed Guthrie.

Guthrie has been held without bond at Bernalillo County's Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque since July 2022, records show. He's due back in court in November.

Fox News' Haley Chi-Sing contributed to this report.
China-based hackers have breached email accounts at two-dozen organizations, including some United States government agencies, in an apparent spying campaign aimed at acquiring sensitive information, according to statements from Microsoft and the White House late Tuesday.

The full scope of the hack is being investigated, but US officials and Microsoft have been quietly scrambling in recent weeks to assess the impact of the hack, which targeted unclassified email systems, and contain the fallout.

The federal agency where the Chinese hackers were first detected was the State Department, a person familiar with the matter told CNN. The State Department then reported the suspicious activity to Microsoft, the person said.

The Department of Commerce, which has sanctioned Chinese telecom firms, was also breached. The hackers accessed Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondos email account, one source familiar with the investigation told CNN. The Washington Post first reported on the access of the secretarys account.

The Chinese hackers were detected targeting a small number of federal agencies and just a handful of officials email accounts at each agency in a hack aimed at specific officials, multiple sources familiar with the investigation told CNN.

Microsoft notified the (Commerce) Department of a compromise to Microsofts Office 365 system, and the Department took immediate action to respond, a department spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday.

The spokesperson did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the targeting of Raimondos email account.

The hackers targeted email accounts at the House of Representatives, but it was unclear who was targeted and if the breach attempts were successful, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN.

The breaches add to what is already one of the steepest cybersecurity challenges facing the Biden administration: limiting the ability of Beijings formidable hacking teams to access US government and corporate secrets.

Last month, US government safeguards identified an intrusion in Microsofts cloud security, which affected unclassified systems, National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said in a statement to CNN.

Officials immediately contacted Microsoft to find the source and vulnerability in their cloud service, Hodge said. We continue to hold the procurement providers of the US Government to a high security threshold.

The State Department detected anomalous activity, took immediate steps to secure our systems, and will continue to closely monitor and quickly respond to any further activity, a department spokesperson said on Wednesday.

US Capitol Police declined to comment, referring CNN to the FBI.

Hodge did not identify who was behind the hack, but Microsoft executives said in a blog post that the hackers were based in China and focused on espionage.

In response to the Microsoft and White House statements, the Chinese foreign ministry on Wednesday accused Washington of conducting its own hacking operations.

US officials have consistently labeled China as the most advanced of US adversaries in cyberspace, a domain that has repeatedly been a source of bilateral tension in recent years. The FBI has said Beijing has a larger hacking program than all other governments combined.

China has routinely denied the allegations.

The hacking began in mid-May, when the China-based hackers used a stolen sign-in key to burrow their way into email accounts, according to Microsoft. The tech giant has since blocked the hackers from accessing customer emails using that technique, Microsoft said late Tuesday.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited China in mid-June, but it was not immediately clear if the cyber-espionage campaign was connected to that high-stakes visit.

Some US officials credited the State Department with investing in more cyber-defense capabilities, allowing the agency to detect the suspicious activity earlier than in past advanced hacks.

The number of US organizations, public or private, impacted by the hacking campaign is in the single digits, a senior US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency official told reporters on Wednesday.

This appears to have been a very targeted, surgical campaign, the official said.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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China lashes back at NATO criticism, warns it will protect its rights

FILE PHOTO: The Chinese national flag is seen in Beijing, China

BEIJING (Reuters) -Beijing lashed back at NATO's accusation that China challenges the bloc's interests and security, and opposed any attempt by the military alliance to expand its footprint into the Asia-Pacific region.

In a strongly worded communique issued midway into a two-day summit in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius on Tuesday, NATO said the People's Republic of China (PRC) challenged its interests, security and values with its "ambitions and coercive policies".

"The PRC employs a broad range of political, economic, and military tools to increase its global footprint and project power, while remaining opaque about its strategy, intentions and military build-up," NATO heads of state said in their communique.

"The PRC's malicious hybrid and cyber operations and its confrontational rhetoric and disinformation target Allies and harm Alliance security."

The Chinese mission to the European said in a statement on Tuesday the China-related content of the communique disregarded basic facts, distorted China's position and policies, and deliberately discredited China.

"We firmly oppose and reject this," it said.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters at the summit that while China was not a NATO "adversary", it was increasingly challenging the rules-based international order with its "coercive behaviour."

"China is increasingly challenging the rules-based international order, refusing to condemn Russia's war against Ukraine, threatening Taiwan, and carrying out a substantial military build-up," he said.

However, NATO made no mention of Taiwan in its communique.

Taiwan's foreign ministry said it was "very meaningful" for Stoltenberg to once again clearly express his concern for security in the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan is a responsible, democratic member of the Indo-Pacific region, and is willing to work with like-minded partners such as Europe and the United States to jointly combat coercion by and challenges from authoritarian regimes, it added.

'SPREADING ITS TENTACLES'

Attendance at the two-day summit also includes some Asia-Pacific leaders.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, joining for a second time, aimed to remind the military alliance to pay heed to East Asia risks, while South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol sought deeper international security cooperation amid rising North Korean threats and tension over China.

In May, Kishida said Japan had no plans to become a NATO member, even though NATO was planning a Tokyo office, its first in Asia, to facilitate consultations in the region.

The Chinese mission said China resolutely opposed NATO's "eastward movement into the Asia-Pacific region" and warned any action threatening Beijing's rights would be met with a resolute response.

"Any act that jeopardises China's legitimate rights and interests will be met with a resolute response," it said.

In the communique, NATO said China sought to control key technological and industrial sectors, critical infrastructure, and strategic materials and supply chains, and that Beijing also used its economic leverage to create strategic dependencies and enhance its influence.

China's state-run Xinhua news agency hit back, saying in a report that the wars and conflicts involving NATO states suggest the bloc is a "grave challenge" to global peace and stability.

"Despite all the chaos and conflict already inflicted, NATO is spreading its tentacles to the Asia-Pacific region with an express aim of containing China."

(Reporting by Liz Lee and Ryan Woo; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by Michael Perry and Stephen Coates)
China on Wednesday raised concerns about an eastward expansion of NATO as the alliance concludes its annual summit in Lithuania and appears to be moving closer to adding new members.

The countrys diplomatic mission to NATO in Brussels responded to a joint communique from NATO criticizing Chinas stated ambitions and coercive policies, accusing NATO of having a bad history and meddling in affairs beyond its borders.

China vowed to resolutely safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests, and it resolutely opposes NATOs eastward expansion into the Asia-Pacific.

NATO said Beijings policies challenge its interests, security and values, but the alliance is still open to constructive engagement with China.

The Chinese diplomatic mission said the NATO statement was filled with Cold War mentality and ideological bias.

This fully exposes NATOs hypocrisy and its ambition of seeking expansion and hegemony, it said.

NATO most recently expanded with the addition of Finland, and it is set to add Sweden after Turkey agreed to Stockholms admittance this week. Both countries had been outside NATO but shifted their positions amid Russias invasion of Ukraine.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced at the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Tuesday that the alliance is creating a simpler path for Ukraine to join. Ukraine formally applied for membership in NATO in the fall in light of the invasion.

Stoltenberg called for increased support and relations between NATO and Ukraine, a council to work with Ukraine and the removal of a procedural step for it to join the alliance. But he would not give a firm timetable on when Ukraine would officially become a member.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the plan because of its lack of a set timeline on membership for his country, arguing it would only embolden Russia in its invasion.

President Biden said in an interview with CNN that aired Sunday that Ukraine is not ready for being a member of NATO and signaled it would need to wait until after the war with Russia had ended.

China and Russia have both expressed concerns about an eastward expansion of NATO.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- China sent the most warplanes into sensitive areas around Taiwan since large-scale military exercises in April, a move that follows visits to the democratically run island by US and Canadian lawmakers.

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A sortie of 32 planes crossed the median line in the Taiwan Strait or the islands air-defense identification zone as of early Wednesday, the Defense Ministry in Taipei said in a Tweet. Chinas military has stepped up flights across the line the US drew in 1954, sorties that effectively shrink the buffer zone between the two sides and wear down Taiwans smaller armed forces.

The Chinese aircraft cooperated with naval vessels to carry out joint sea and air training, the ministry said in a separate statement Tuesday evening. Taiwans military kept a close watch on the movements of the warplanes and vessels, including using shore-mounted missile systems to closely monitor and deal with them.

See: Taiwan Candidate Says Its Presidents Should Visit White House

Last week, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen met with delegations of US and Canadian lawmakers, while Taiwanese Justice Minister Tsai Ching-hsiang held talks with German counterpart Marco Buschmann in Berlin. That was the first ever meeting of justice ministers from the two sides, and part of Tsais strategy to grow Taiwans profile internationally.

China strongly opposes nations that it has official ties with having contact with Taiwans leaders, saying it amounts to interference in its internal affairs. The Peoples Liberation Army sent a record 54 warplanes into sensitive areas around Taiwan in April after Tsai met House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in the US. That followed major drills the PLA held to practice a blockade of Taiwan in August last year because then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei  exercises that included sending missiles over the island.

Beijing has pledged to bring Taiwan under its control someday, by force if necessary. US President Joe Biden has repeatedly vowed to defend Taiwan if it is invaded. Leaders of North Atlantic Treaty Organization nations said in a statement released Tuesday at their summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, that Chinas stated ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security and values.

Beijing employs a broad range of political, economic, and military tools to increase its global footprint and project power, while remaining opaque about its strategy, intentions and military build-up, the statement added. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday that China is increasingly challenging the rules-based international order, and is threatening Taiwan.

The latest warplane incursions also follow Taiwan Vice President Lai Ching-te saying that the leader of the island of 23 million people should someday be able to visit the White House, just as top officials from Japan and South Korea do. Lai is the ruling Democratic Progressive Partys candidate for president in the election in January next year.

Beijing blames the DPP for worsening tensions in the Taiwan Strait. It prefers contact with the opposition Kuomintang. When the KMTs Ma Ying-jeou led Taiwan from 2008 to 2016 he forged closer ties with China, even meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

More: Why Taiwans 2024 Election Matters From China to US: QuickTake

The flights by Chinas air force also come as Paraguays president-elect, Santiago Pena, visits the island. Tsai said in a meeting with Pena on Wednesday that his visit showed how he sees Taiwan as important. Paraguay is the only South American nation to officially recognize Taiwan as a nation.

Separately, Taiwan plans to hold annual live-fire drill July 24-28. The island-wide Han Kuang exercises are intended to strengthen countermeasures against China military threats and incorporate lessons from the war in Ukraine, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

(Updates with Tsai Ing-wen meeting Paraguays Santiago Pena.)

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FILE PHOTO: Xie Feng, China's new ambassador to the U.S., arrives at JFK airport in New York

China's US envoy makes rare Pentagon visit for security-related talks FILE PHOTO: Xie Feng, China's new ambassador to the U.S., arrives at JFK airport in New York

By Phil Stewart and David Brunnstrom

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -China's ambassador to the United States held a rare meeting at the Pentagon on Wednesday with the top U.S. defense official for Asia, the Pentagon said, in talks that followed U.S. criticism of Chinese reluctance to engage in military communications.

A brief Pentagon statement said Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng discussed defense relations and "a range of international and regional security issues" in talks with Ely Ratner, a U.S. assistant secretary of defense.

"Ratner also underscored the Department's commitment to maintaining open lines of military-to-military communication between the United States and the PRC," Pentagon spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Martin Meiners said, using the acronym for China's official name.

The discussions lasted about 90 minutes, Meiners said.

In a statement early Thursday, China's embassy in Washington said Xie urged the U.S. to meet China halfway to gradually return relations between the two countries and their militaries to the right track.

"A healthy and stable China-U.S. relationship is in the common interest of both countries," Xie said in the meeting, according to the statement.

Xie also requested "the U.S. side to take action to remove obstacles, manage differences, handle Taiwan and other important and sensitive issues cautiously in accordance with the principles of the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques."

Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, said the meeting was "quite unusual."

"The Chinese ambassador does not often meet with U.S. senior defense officials," Sun said. "It suggests China is at least responding to U.S. concerns, but the actual progress still requires time and negotiations."

With U.S.-China relations at a low over national security issues, including Taiwan, U.S. export bans on advanced technologies and China's state-led industrial policies, Washington has been trying to repair ties between the world's two biggest economies.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited China earlier this month and climate envoy John Kerry is expected to visit next week. Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Beijing last month, the first trip to China by a U.S. secretary of state since 2018.

But Beijing snubbed U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's efforts to hold an in-depth meeting with his Chinese counterpart at a defense forum in Singapore last month, and military communications have stalled.

"We have regularly reached out to thicken our crisis communications and crisis management channels with Beijing and they have serially pushed us off," Colin Kahl, the Pentagon's top policy adviser, told a forum in London on July 10.

China has publicly cited U.S. sanctions as an obstacle to military dialogue. Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu has been sanctioned since 2018 over the purchase of combat aircraft and equipment from Russia's main arms exporter, Rosoboronexport.

But Kahl said in London that China appeared to be concerned that Washington was going to use crisis management channels "so we can have more crises".

"When we have these conversations with them, they're like: 'If you don't want crises, there's a simple answer ... Get out. Like, you're not a Pacific power," Kahl said, adding that was a strange thing to hear as someone from the Pacific coast state of California.

Sun said Beijing was unlikely to accept a defense minister-level meeting with Austin unless Washington addresses the sanction on Li.

"Some have argued that the Li-Austin meeting would be a prerequisite for working-level mil-to-mil to resume. It doesnt have to be, but it makes sense given the protocol," Sun said.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart, David Brunnstrom and Rami Ayyub, and Liz Lee in Beijing; editing by Mark Heinrich and Diane Craft)
China-based hackers seeking intelligence information breached the email accounts of a number of US government agencies, Microsoft said (GERARD JULIEN)

Chinese-based hackers seeking intelligence information breached the email accounts of a number of US government agencies, computer giant Microsoft said.

"The threat actor Microsoft links to this incident is an adversary based in China that Microsoft calls Storm-0558," the company said in a blog post late Tuesday.

Microsoft said Storm-0558 gained access to email accounts at approximately 25 organizations including government agencies.

Microsoft did not identify any of the targets but a US State Department spokesperson said the department had "detected anomalous activity" and had taken "immediate steps to secure our systems."

"As a matter of cybersecurity policy, we do not discuss details of our response and the incident remains under investigation," the spokesperson said.

According to The Washington Post, the breached email accounts were unclassified and "Pentagon, intelligence community and military email accounts did not appear to be affected."

In the blog post, Charlie Bell, a Microsoft executive vice president, said "we assess this adversary is focused on espionage, such as gaining access to email systems for intelligence collection.

"This type of espionage-motivated adversary seeks to abuse credentials and gain access to data residing in sensitive systems," Bell said.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan addressed the hack in an appearance on Wednesday on ABC's Good Morning America, and said it had been detected "fairly rapidly."

"We were able to prevent further breaches," Sullivan said.

"The matter is still being investigated, so I have to leave it there because we're gathering further information in consultation with Microsoft and we will continue to apprise the public as we learn more," Sullivan said.

Microsoft said Storm-0558 "primarily targets government agencies in Western Europe and focuses on espionage, data theft, and credential access."

The Redmond, Washington-based company said it had launched an investigation into "anomalous mail activity" on June 16.

"Over the next few weeks, our investigation revealed that beginning on May 15, 2023, Storm-0558 gained access to email accounts affecting approximately 25 organizations including government agencies as well as related consumer accounts," it said.

"They did this by using forged authentication tokens to access user email using an acquired Microsoft account consumer signing key," the company said. "Microsoft has completed mitigation of this attack for all customers."

US Senator Mark Warner, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said the panel is "closely monitoring what appears to be a significant cybersecurity breach by Chinese intelligence."

"It's clear that the PRC is steadily improving its cyber collection capabilities directed against the US and our allies," Warner said in a statement.

cl/sst
Chinese-based hackers gained access to the emails of the Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and U.S. State Department officials last month through a vulnerability in Microsoft email systems, according to a department spokesperson and a news report.

Raimondo's targeting was first reported by The Washington Post. The State Department confirmed Wednesday the attack on its officials' emails.

Zoom out: The hack comes weeks after a Russian-linked cybercriminal group also breached networks at U.S. agencies, and as tensions grow between the U.S. and China.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the FBI put out a joint advisory Wednesday announcing the breach, but did not specify the target, saying a federal agency first spotted the suspicious activity in mid-June after noticing Microsoft 365 audit logs were being accessed by licensed users in Exchange Online mailboxes through abnormal programs. The agency reported the activity to Microsoft and CISA.

Raimondo has been one of the Biden administration's most outspoken voices against Beijing and has a heavy role in shaping China policy. She's helped steer the Chips Act through Congress and through her department is responsible for oversight over the so-called "Entity List," which categorizes foreign businesses prohibited from importing American technology without obtaining prior approval. Right now, the list comprises more than 600 Chinese entities.

A State Department spokesperson, who was not authorized to talk on the record on this issue, confirmed the department was hit.

Details: The spokesperson said the department "detected anomalous activity, took immediate steps to secure our systems, and will continue to closely monitor and quickly respond to any further activity." But they declined to give further details of the response, citing cybersecurity policy, and said the incident remains under investigation, adding: "We continuously monitor our networks and update our security procedures."

CISA and the FBI said the attackers pierced systems at State and about two dozen other global organizations by using forged authentication tokens in a breach first made public by Microsoft on Tuesday night. The Microsoft investigators identified the infiltrators as Storm-0558, a group that primarily uses espionage, credential access and data theft to target government agencies in Western Europe.

Last month, U.S. government safeguards identified an intrusion in Microsofts cloud security, which affected unclassified systems, White House National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said in a statement Wednesday. Officials immediately contacted Microsoft to find the source and vulnerability in their cloud service. We continue to hold the procurement providers of the U.S. Government to a high security threshold.

There were no classified systems or data impacted by the campaign, senior officials at the FBI and CISA said in a briefing to reporters, adding that the number of U.S.-based organizations impacted was in the single digits. However, the officials made clear they were applying pressure on Microsoft to provide more log data at no cost  including the premium feature that was needed to detect the attack.

"It bears noting that a preponderance of organizations using Microsoft 365 or other widely used technology platforms are not paying for premium logging or other telemetry services," said one senior CISA official, who like the others spoke anonymously as a condition of the briefing to reporters. "And we believe that model is not yielding the sort of security outcomes that we have."

China responds: Wang Wenbin, the spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, did not deny the breach when asked about it during a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday, but accused the U.S. of being "the world's biggest hacking empire and global cyber thief."

"Since last year, cybersecurity institutions from China and elsewhere in the world have issued reports to reveal U.S. governments cyberattacks against China over the years, but the U.S. has yet to make a response," Wang said. "It is high time that the U.S. explained its cyberattack activities and stopped spreading disinformation to deflect public attention."

The cyberattack also came to light just ahead of Lt. Gen. Timothy Haughs long-awaited nomination hearing Wednesday to lead the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, though the incident was not a major topic of the session. Haugh did, however, commend government agencies, foreign partners and industry for producing "very clear, unclassified, releasable advisories" on how China targets U.S. infrastructure while speaking to the Senate Intelligence Committee.



Congressional reaction: Senate Intel Committee Chair Mark Warner (D-Va.) said in a statement Wednesday that his committee is closely monitoring what appears to be a significant cybersecurity breach by Chinese intelligence.

Its clear that the PRC is steadily improving its cyber collection capabilities directed against the U.S. and our allies, Warner said. Close coordination between the U.S. government and the private sector will be critical to countering this threat.

House cyber subcommittee Chair Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y) also said his panel "is in contact with CISA as we continue to uncover more details about China's latest attack on our federal government."

Pattern of attacks: The breach is the latest to hit federal agencies in recent years. Most recently, Russian cybercriminals exploited the file transfer system MOVEit last month in an apparent attempt to steal data from U.S. government agencies and dozens of other groups around the world. The Department of Energy was one of the agencies reportedly impacted by this breach. A spokesperson for DOE did not respond to a request for comment on whether the agency was impacted by the new attack on Microsoft systems.
Piers Morgan tried to sell Donald Trump as some kind of foreign policy mastermind  but former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) wasnt having it.

The former president has bragged of his close friendships with dictators and autocrats, including North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Morgan said on Fox News Tonight that the U.S. never went to war under Trump and that no dictators pulled any stunts during his presidency.

Was there a bit of method to Trumps madness in the way he dealt with these people in that people thought he was crazy but actually maybe the unpredictability of Trump kept people like Putin and Kim Jong Un in their boxes? Morgan said.

Christie  who is challenging Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination  stepped in with a reality check.

I dont think by calling Kim Jong Un a great guy he stopped him from continuing to develop missile technology that now allows those missiles to reach the United States, Christie said. That happened on Donald Trumps watch.

Putin, he said, continued to build his military in anticipation of a strike on Ukraine.

He doesnt answer for that, either, Christie said. And he doesnt answer for holding back military aid from Ukraine to try to get dirt on Joe Biden.

See more below:
Chris Christie pins North Korean weapon advancements squarely on Trump: 'That happened on Donald Trump's watch'

Chris Christie AP/Matt Rourke

Former New Jersey governor and current GOP presidential candidate appeared on "Fox News Tonight" on Tuesday.

On it, he blamed former President Donald Trump for North Korea's weaponry advancements.

"That happened on Donald Trump's watch," he said.

GOP presidential candidate Chris Christie blamed former President Donald Trump for North Korean weapon advancements in a televised interview.

Christie, the former governor of New Jersey, pushed back against "Fox News Tonight" guest host Piers Morgan, who suggested that adversarial leaders such as North Korea's Kim Jong Un and Russia's Vladimir Putin were dissuaded from improving their missile technology and advancing its military toward Ukraine, respectively.

"I don't think by calling Kim Jong Un a great guy he stopped him from continuing to develop missile technology that now allows those missiles to reach the United States," Christie said to Morgan. "That happened on Donald Trump's watch."

Christie continued, this time pointing to Morgan's point of how Russia didn't invade Ukraine until Biden became president.

"He doesn't answer for that, either," Christie noted. "And he doesn't answer for holding back military aid from Ukraine to try to get dirt on Joe Biden.

Christie, a long-shot candidate who previously supported Trump for president in 2016 and 2020, has been on a spree as of late denigrating the 45th president.

In early July, Christie called out Trump for posting the Obamas' purported DC address on social media, ultimately leading to an armed January 6 defendant staking out the home.

"It's like calling the special counsel a 'crackhead,' it's like putting out a former president's address," Christie said. "It is irresponsible conduct."

And after Trump dodged a question in a televised town hall about which country he wanted to win the war with Russia, Ukraine or Russia, Christie hopped onto the opportunity to take aim at Trump.

"Donald Trump refused to say tonight that he wanted Ukraine to win the war with Russia," he tweeted. "More proof that he continues to be Putin's puppet."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Fox News host Piers Morgan pressed GOP presidential primary candidate Chris Christie about his stance on issues relating to transgender youth.

Calling the former New Jersey governor the most progressive of the GOP presidential primary candidates on transgender issues, Morgan asked Christie whether the government should intervene when parents wish to provide gender-affirming health care to children.

Were having a big argument in our country too about parents being excluded from educational choices for their kids, and we as a Republican Party and conservatives say parents should decide their childrens educational choices, Christie responded.

Well, I dont think the government has any business getting in between a parent and their child in any one of these instances, he added.

Morgan pressed the Republican further, telling him that he may not be a conservative on transgender issues by the modern yardstick.

No no no, Christie shot back. Thats like saying that now a biological woman isnt a woman by a modern yardstick. So dont use the modern yardstick one way and then want to change it a different way, OK?

What is very clear to me is that conservatives dont want big government in their lives. They dont want big government interfering in their lives, especially in their personal lives. They dont want the government saying what books their children can read, he continued They dont want the government saying, you know, what their education should be. They want parents to be involved in the middle of that. Well gee whiz, Piers, shouldnt they be in the middle of making those decisions?

The Republicans comments mirror statements he has made on the campaign trail knocking transgender health care bans implemented by Republicans across the country in recent months.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Chumak set to construct tomato paste factory in Odesa Oblast despite war

Chumak tomato paste was disappearing from the shelves of Ukrainian stores

Tomato paste producer Chumak is planning to build a tomato paste plant in Odesa Oblest, Alla Stoianova, director of the Department of Agrarian Policy, Food and Land Relations of the OdesaOblast State Administration, announced on Facebook on July 11.

"Vegetable growing is a highly costly business," said the official.

It depends on irrigation and the purchase of specialized equipment, as farmers are complaining about the shortage of workers. In addition to investing in production mechanization, attention should also be paid to storage and post-processing. We have enormous potential  natural, logistical (...), and human.

The company considers this region to be favorable due to its climatic conditions. The relocation of Chumak's production facilities to Odesa Oblast will be a significant support for the region's agro-industrial complex and will create almost 5,000 additional jobs, Stoianova said.

Read also: Farmers to face two disasters in south Ukraine: waterlogged fields and uncertain future

For his part, Mykhailo Bilyi, director of Evryka LLC, suggested "a systematic and balanced approach to product logistics," which will make it easier for farmers to deliver products for processing and help Chumak.

Farmers have also expressed their willingness to expand their tomato production areas.

In the summer of 2022, due to Russia's invasion and occupation of parts of the southern regionsof the country, Ukraine sharply reduced tomato paste exports.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A Miami city board on Tuesday unanimously approved temporary protection for a portion of a newly uncovered prehistoric settlement in the Brickell neighborhood, laying the groundwork for what could be a future tussle between a prominent developer and preservationists over construction on the site.

By a 6-0 vote, the city historic preservation board approved preliminary designation as a protected archaeological site for 444 Brickell Ave., one piece of a larger property on the Miami River slated for redevelopment by the Related Group. Archaeologists excavating a portion of the Related property for the past two years have unearthed an unexpectedly rich trove of artifacts, plant and animal materials and traces of indigenous structures dating back thousands of years.

Independent archaeologists say the extensive and unusually intact discoveries on the site make it one of the most significant prehistoric sites in South Florida.

The vote ratifies an April agreement between preservationists and developer Related, which earlier in the year had begun construction on one of three planned residential towers on its property after archaeologists completed excavation on that vacant piece, which abuts an existing office building at 444 Brickell. Excavation continues on another vacant portion of the Related property.

Aerial view shows people working on an archaeological dig in Brickell on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. Artifacts going back 7,000 years have been found at the site, along with postholes, gravesites, human remains and other evidence of Tequesta Native American tribe settlement.

The approval came with little discussion after a dozen members of the public, including members of Native American groups, spoke in favor of designation, with none opposed. Board member Luis Prieto y Munoz said it was abundantly clear that the property merits the designation as a protected site.

That site should be preserved for future generations of Miamians, Ernesto Cuesta, president of the Brickell Homeowners Association, told the board.

The vote halts issuance of any demolition or major building permits on the 444 Brickell property for at least six months, while the city preservation office prepares a detailed study for its final designation as a legally protected archaeological site. Related did secure one concession on Tuesday: the board agreed the company can apply for permits for interior work at 444 Brickell, an occupied office building, as part of its ongoing 40-year recertification.

That final designation would give the preservation board significant say in any project built by Related on the property, including imposing requirements for preserving portions of the site and the handling and public exhibition of findings. But it doesnt by itself settle the question of whether any portion of the site would be set aside for those purposes.

As part of the April agreement, Related pledged to develop a plan to highlight the archaeological finds on the site, though it committed to no specifics. Under the deal, Related has six months after the ongoing excavation is concluded to release its plan, Relateds attorney Iris Escarra told the board. That excavation wont be done for several more months, she said Tuesday.

Under that earlier agreement, preservationists agreed to drop a proposal to designate the entire Related property as an archaeological site. Foundation work already has begun on an apartment tower on Southwest Fifth Street, and Related has started advertising a planned luxury condo next to it at the rivers edge called Baccarat Residences.

Escarra strongly indicated to the board that Related intends to move ahead with plans to redevelop the 444 Brickell property, though she offered no timeline or details. The firm has said it will eventually demolish the office building to clear the way for a residential high-rise. Under city law, Related is obligated to conduct an extensive archaeological excavation once the building is torn down.

Although no digging or exploration has yet taken place below 444 Brickell, the city archaeologist concluded in a preliminary report that its likely to sit atop a portion of whats now confirmed to be an extensive Tequesta Indian village that once stretched along both banks of the river to the edge of Biscayne Bay and included the Miami Circle, today a national historic landmark.

But what the city can require Related to do at 444 Brickell will in large part depend on what archaeological discoveries are eventually made there, Escarra said.

Final designation would require Related to seek approval from the preservation board for any building plan, and while it could block or limit development on the site, the shape of a final plan would more likely be the subject of negotiation between the two.

Thats what happened in 2014 after archaeologists found significant traces of Tequesta settlement on the opposite bank of the river in downtown Miami. The developers of the Met Square project agreed to save circular posthole foundations and set aside space to exhibit artifacts, though litigation continues because preservationists say the builder MDM havent fully kept their promise.

Related can also appeal board decisions to a presumably city commission known to be developer friendly.

Among members of the public, sentiment for preserving all or most of the property as a green space and public park was strong.

We have a lack of green spaces, Cuesta, the Brickell Homeowners Association president, told the board. The city is becoming a concrete jungle.

The associations director, Abby Ape, echoed Cuesta, noting that Related has yet to accept an invitation to speak to its members.

You need to make sure we preserve some of the history in some way, shape or form, she told the board.

Members of some Native American groups, while supporting the designation, urged the city to also stop all excavation at the site, calling it a desecration of indigenous peoples resting places.

Partial, ancient human remains have been found at the site. Under Florida law, they are reburied under the supervision of leaders of officially recognized tribes. But some tribal groups and individuals dont agree with that practice or with archaeological excavation, and think historic indigenous sites should be left undisturbed.

Robert Rosa, a leader in the American Indian Movement in Florida, asked the city not to allow demolition of 444 Brickell to protect what lies under it.

It needs to go a step further beyond designation, Rosa said. One site has already been desecrated. I ask of you to take this next step. Everything else has already been looted.

Whats been unearthed at the Related property includes hundreds of thousands of artifacts, pottery shards and other materials, as well as patterns of postholes in the limestone that archaeologists say formed the foundation of structures of a 2,500-year-old Tequesta Indian village.

Some spear points found at the site date back even longer, some 7,000 years or so, to the Late Archaic period of prehistory, suggesting the possibility it has been continuously occupied since then, independent archaeologists say.
City workers cant keep up with growing Meridians workload. This is what may happen next

Meridian Mayor Robert Simison proposed an 8.5% increase in the city budget for next year, attributing the increase to the need for new employees to accommodate the fast-growing city.

The proposed fiscal year 2024 expenditure budget is $165.5 million, up from last years $152 million. Some budget details are still being worked out and will be available for public viewing on Tuesday, July 18, said Stephany Galbreaith, a spokesperson for the city.

The city plans to take over half of the allowable 3% increase in property taxes next year. That is less than what the city took last year, 2.37%. The increase would result in an estimated increase of $0.26 per $100,000 of taxable property value each month.

The property tax increase will result in about a $1.04 per month property tax increase on a home valued at $400,000, said Galbreaith.

One of the biggest increases in the budget is personnel costs.

Simison proposes to add 16 full-time employees, including six police officers and a police records clerk. He also seeks to add three parks maintenance technicians, a water operator and a human resources generalist, among other jobs.

Some City Council members say the additions may not be enough.

I do believe that we have departments that are really struggling with employees that are working longer hours, Council Member Jessica Perreault said in a budget workshop. We have departments that are doing their very best to be efficient but still are not able to get tasks done that they would prefer to have done, and things are getting set aside that some staff believe should be completed.

Perreault suggested that the city circulate a survey throughout city departments to analyze which areas the city could add resources.

...We havent increased positions at the rate at which our city has grown, and I have not seen what I would consider an appropriate study on how many staff we should have per department, Perreault said.

With the latest budget proposal, Meridian, population 138,600, would have 624.5 full-time employees. That is less than half as many as Boise, which has over 2,300 employees, most full-time, serving a population of 247,000. That works out to 4.5 employees per 1,000 residents in Meridian and 9.3 in Boise.

Other council members agreed that an employee survey would be a good next step, but Simison said he relies on department heads to let his office know when their employees may be overburdened and need tasks off their plates.

The budget is scheduled to be available for public viewing at a council meeting on Tuesday, July 18. The deadline for written public comments 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15. The City Council is scheduled to vote on the budget at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2.

California chain to open on corporate row in Meridian where local restaurant folded

How much does Ada County pay employees? Search our 2023 salary database
A 25-year-old Congers man facing federal fentanyl dealing charges is accused of causing two deaths and multiple overdoses involving the narcotic.

A federal indictment charges Justin Turnick with two counts of narcotics distribution that resulted in the deaths of two people and four additional counts of causing serious bodily injury to four others. Each of the six counts carries a statutory prison sentence upon conviction of 20 years to life. Sentencing would be at the discretion of the judge.

Turnick was arrested Wednesday for drug dealing in Rockland County between February 2020 and April 2022 U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a news release. He has yet to be assigned an attorney or a judge in White Plains, according to the U.S. District Court website.

Federal indictment: Congers man charged with causing two deaths through fentanyl dealing

Law enforcement confronts opioid crisis

Turnick's arrest comes amid a crisis involving fentanyl and opioid use, with 70 overdose deaths reported in Rockland in 2021, authorities said.

The victims were between the ages of 19 and 24 at the time of their overdoses, Williams said. The Rockland District Attorney's Office, which has focused on opioid distribution and illegal prescription sales, took part in the investigation with other law enforcement agencies, including several in Rockland.

Williams said Turnick witnessed several people overdose on the drug he provided, One person overdosed twice on the narcotic, he said.

Fentanyl is one of the foremost crises the United States faces today, as (a) leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 49," Williams said. "The fentanyl epidemic is lethally perpetuated by, among others, dealers like Justin Turnick who allegedly knowingly sell a drug that can be fatal to their customers."

Williams said, "Turnick was well aware of the dangers of the poison he peddled as he had witnessed three of his victims overdose before his own eyes, but he continued to distribute the drug anyway."

Indictment details charges

The indictment charges Turnick regularly distributed narcotics to Rockland residents, including his friends, partners, and acquaintances. In particular, Turnick is accused of knowingly distributing what he referred to as "fenti" pills or "fake percs," among other narcotics. He packaged the deadly and highly potent opioid into pills, pure fentanyl, and fentanyl-laced powder, according to the indictment.

"Turnick distributed pills that he told his customers were legitimately manufactured pharmaceuticals but that he knew were actually pure fentany] or fentanyl-laced narcotics," according to the indictment. "On other occasions, Turnick knowingly distributed pure fentanyl or fentanyl-laced powder."

The potency of fentanyl has led the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to "rename overdoses to poisonings for one simple reason  drug traffickers are intentionally lacing all drugs with fentanyl, making todays street drugs more lethal than ever," DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III said.

"Fentanyl is responsible for killing more and more Americans at unprecedented rates," he said. "These six poisonings, including two deaths, allegedly linked to Turnick, underscore the devastation fentanyl traffickers have brought into our homes and exemplify law enforcements pursuit to bring those responsible to justice."

Rockland District Attorney Thomas Walsh said his office investigators and prosecutors work with the DEA's New York Field Office to arrest "fentanyl dealers who are devastating our community."

"Fentanyl is killing people from all walks of life, every demographic and every ethnicity," Walsh said.

Biggest threat: The drug threat to kids right now? It's pot, not fentanyl, Hudson Valley hospitals say

Williams said the investigation is continuing.

Williams praised the DEAs Westchester Resident Office, the Clarkstown Police Department, and the District Attorneys Office. Also involved were the Ramapo, Westchester County, Yonkers, and Orangetown police departments, along with the Rockland and Putnam county sheriff's offices.

The case is being prosecuted by the Offices White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan W. Allison and Kathryn Wheelock are in charge of the prosecution.

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: Clarkstown man facing federal drug charges, accused of causing deaths
Clovis, NM  A 7-year-old girl was shot in the head during an incident Tuesday afternoon in Clovis, New Mexico, which led to three arrests.

According to the Clovis Police Department, on Tuesday, July 11, at about 1:56 p.m., Clovis Police Dispatch received an emergency phone call reporting a small white SUV-type vehicle was being shot at by a man wearing all black near 12th and Calhoun Street.

The Dispatch Center received a second call, in which the caller said his sister had been shot in the head and they were driving to the hospital.

Officers were dispatched to the area of 12th and Calhoun Street and were able to locate evidence of a shooting and immediately began speaking to possible witnesses.

Officers also responded to Plains Regional Medical Center and found a small white SUV with multiple bullet holes on the drivers side of the vehicle. Officers were notified of a girl, age 7, inside the facility's emergency department with a gunshot wound to the head. The child was then taken to a medical facility in Texas for further treatment of her injuries.

"The 9th Judicial District Major Crimes Unit was activated and began working on a joint investigation into this shooting," the Clovis Police Department said. "This shooting is an active investigation. A person of interest has been located for this shooting and was transported to the Clovis Police Department for questioning."

As a result of the investigation, Jeffrey Smiley, 48, was arrested for child abuse resulting in great bodily harm, a first-degree felony, as well as five counts of assault with intent to commit a violent felony, child abuse, and a felon in possession of a firearm.

Also charged as a result of this investigation were Jocelyn Smiley, 29, on charges for child abuse, and Brandon Brooks, 32, charged with accessory to assault with intent to commit a violent felony, and harboring or aiding a felon.

The Clovis Police Department is asking for the publics help with information related to this shooting. Anyone who has any information related to this incident is asked to contact the Clovis Police Department at 575-769-1921. Information can be provided anonymously by using the Clovis Police Departments tip411 program which can be accessed by going to www.police.cityofclovis.org or via the Curry County Crime Stoppers at 575-763-7000.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Clovis police arrest 3, investigate shooting that injured girl
Kyiv believes that the use of cluster munitions will become a game changer in the fight against Russian troops.

Source: Oleksii Reznikov, Minister of Defence of Ukraine, on the sidelines of the NATO summit, quoted by Politico

Details: Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit, Reznikov rejected the disapproval of some countries and humanitarian groups over the US government's decision last week to supply Ukraine with these controversial weapons.

Reznikov has stressed that the use of these weapons will be limited to non-urban areas in Ukraine. According to him, Ukraine's partners will also be informed about the use and effect of cluster munitions.

Quote: "As we got in May 2022 155-millimeter artillery systems, it became a game changer. In July, we got different types of [Multiple Launch Rocket Systems] it became [the] next game changer  And I hope that cluster munitions [become] a next game changer as weaponry or ammunition for liberation of our temporarily occupied territories."

Details: Cluster bombs are banned in many countries, but not in the United States, Ukraine or Russia. These munitions drop explosive bombs to kill enemy soldiers over a wide area, but the unexploded projectiles can pose a long-term threat to civilians.

Russia has been using cluster munitions against Ukraine since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine over a year ago.

In July 2023, international human rights activists from Human Rights Watch accused Ukraine of using cluster munitions, which allegedly led to civilian casualties.

Background:

The Pentagon has revealed details of a new US$800 million military aid package for Ukraine.

The new US military aid package includes so-called advanced dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (cluster munitions).

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the United States for providing Ukraine with a new defence aid package.

Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that Ukraine is committed to using cluster munitions in compliance with five principles, including the inability to use them in cities and on the territory of Russia, and will keep records of the areas affected.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Ryan Young and Dylan Mulvaney

CNN News Central ran a segment Tuesday in which national correspondent Ryan Young misgendered trans TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney and highlighted anti-trans viewpoints. CNN has now apologized for the misgendering.

The segment dealt with backlash that brewer Anheuser-Busch received after partnering with Mulvaney to promote its Bud Light beer. Several right-wing celebrities, such as Kid Rock, and conservative activists lambasted the company for the relationship and called for a boycott, and some of its factories were targeted by bomb threats. Meanwhile, LGBTQ+ advocates were angered by Anheuser-Buschs lukewarm response to the criticism.

Anchor Kate Bolduan noted that Bud Light sales had fallen 28 percent in the past four weeks, then introduced Young. He talked to two people who objected to the Mulvaney partnership, with one saying, People just dont want it shoved down their throat, and another saying, We dont need to put that in the young kids heads. A third interviewee appeared to support the company, mentioning that when he overheard a fellow bar patron say he was done with Bud Light, everybody else in the bar kind of rolled their eyes at him.

Young then explained the controversy, misgendering Mulvaney, a trans woman, in doing so. He, of course, is the transgender person they were going to sponsor and go along with, with Bud Light, Young said. But [the LGBTQ+ community] didnt like how Bud Light didnt stand by him after all this.

CNN got roasted for the segment. Ari Drennen of Media Matters for America tweeted video of it and called it unbelievably bad, adding that it could have run on Fox News. The Daily Beast dubbed it a cringe segment.

 (@)

Bolduan didnt correct Young at the time, but she did on Wednesdays broadcast. Yesterday in a segment about transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, who was featured in Bud Lights recent campaign, she was mistakenly referred to by the wrong pronouns, she said. CNN aims to honor individuals ways of identifying themselves, and we apologize for that error.

The Advocate has sought further comment from CNN but has not received a response.
Collaborators from the so-called occupation "administration" in Luhansk Oblast agree with the Kremlin on the possibility of "evacuation" to Russian territory in the event of the oblasts liberation from the Russian invaders.

Source: National Resistance Center

Quote: "In the context of the offensive operation of the Defence Forces of Ukraine, a group of collaborators at the TOT [temporarily occupied territories  ed.] of the Luhansk region seeks to obtain security guarantees from the highest political leadership of the Russian Federation in the event of the liberation of the region from the Russian occupation forces."

Details: In particular, the National Resistance Center reported, the Kremlin intends to create conditions for the "evacuation" of a small group of collaborators from Luhansk Oblast to Russian territory for further integration into Russian social and political life.

"For this purpose, it is planned to attract approximately 10 to 15 people who work in the local occupation administration to membership in the All-Russian political party [United Russia] and issue the corresponding party tickets [membership documents  ed.]," the National Resistance Center noted.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
'College prospect to handcuffs': Teen gets 18 years in prison after fatal shooting in Tempe

A police car blocks the entrance to a road leading to the scene of a shooting in the parking lot of Ikea on March 21, 2022, in Tempe, Ariz.

A struggle over a gun between two teenagers and a man outside a Tempe business left the man dead and two teens charged with murder. On Monday, one of the teens was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

In June, Isaiah Williams, 19, pled guilty to the second-degree murder of Chris McCrimmon, who was 21 when he died in March 2022.

At Williams' sentencing, both his mother and McCrimmon's mother spoke about their grief over the violence.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Joseph Kreamer pointed out that neither family was happy about the plea deal or the prosecution's proposed 18-year prison sentence. McCrimmons parents felt like 18 years was too short a sentence for the loss of their son, and Williams' parents felt like 18 years in prison would only deepen their sons exposure to corruption and violence, dimming his chances of redemption.

On March 21, 2022, Williams and Saif Woods, both 17 at the time, met with Chris McCrimmon to buy some marijuana.

According to witness statements in a court report, the two teens got into a struggling match over a gun with McCrimmon when the gun went off, hitting McCrimmon in his side. He died after being taken to a hospital.

Williams told police that he and Woods had been planning to rob McCrimmon after McCrimmon had robbed Williams months earlier, according to court reports.

Williams said he got into McCrimmons car outside the Tempe Ikea. McCrimmon pulled a gun when he recognized Williams, and a fight started. A second gun was pulled that belonged to Williams. According to police, it was a bullet from Williams' revolver that hit McCrimmon.

After McCrimmon had been shot, Williams and Woods fled in their car and were later found by police. Officers found a backpack that Williams threw out of the car that had a bag of marijuana and two guns: Williams' revolver and McCrimmons gun.

The prosecution believed Williams had planned the violence, while his defense said he was in over his head and decided to fight back when a gun was brought out.

Initially, both Williams and Woods were charged with first-degree murder.

Williams took a plea in June to second-degree murder, which included a possible range of 10 to 25 years.

'From college prospect to handcuffs in seconds'

At sentencing, the court filled up with family and friends of Williams who were there to show that the violent murder of McCrimmon had been out of character for Williams.

McCrimmons family was on a livestream and sent more than 20 letters to the court describing their grief and loss.

Christina Regan, McCrimmons mother, spoke first, telling the court that she also lost her best friend in losing her son.

To lose a son, my only son, is strangely painful, she said.

She explained that she had not gotten closure and hoped the whole truth would emerge about what happened to her son. She also hoped the judge would show no kindness, grace, or mercy in his sentencing.

Williams' mother, Tracy Williams, also spoke in court about the grief she felt over what happened. She said that she cried as one mother to another for the loss McCrimmons mother felt in losing her son.

She told the court that her son had to pay for what he did, but she worried that she would not live to see the day when he would be out of prison. In the courtroom, crying, she spoke to him, demanding he find redemption.

When you get out, you do something right, you make this right. When you get out you make it up, and although they never will forgive you, I know God has. But you make this right, somehow, some way, she said.

Williams spoke to the court before the judge handed him his sentence. He told everyone that he felt sorry about what happened and that he knew his decisions had changed many people's lives. He said that he loved his family and that he would miss them.

I went from a college prospect to handcuffs in a matter of seconds, he said.

Williams was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Woods is still waiting for his trial, which has been set for September.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Isaiah Williams gets 18 years in prison in death of Chris McCrimmon
Commissioners approve plan to bring over 200 new apartments to Strip District

The City of Pittsburgh Planning Commission discussed several proposals that could change city neighborhoods on Tuesday night.

Commissioners approved a plan to bring more than 200 new apartment units to the Strip District.

Some neighbors voiced concerns about the construction process and developers said they are open to making changes.

The original plan included two six-story apartment buildings with 234 total one and two-bedroom units.

The current plan is to have the apartments complete by 2025.

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When Is It Considered Too Late To Get The HPV Vaccine?

The HPV vaccine can protect against high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus, which can cause cancer.

The HPV vaccine can protect against high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus, which can cause cancer.

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a group of more than 200 related viruses that are spread by skin-to-skin and sexual contact. Not only is it the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, but about half of the infections are with high-risk strains that are responsible for roughly 3% of all cancers in people assigned female at birth and 2% in those assigned male.

Fortunately, theres a vaccine for HPV  and thanks to an October 2018 decision by the Food and Drug Administration, Gardasil 9 (the latest version of the vaccine) was approved for people up to age 45. That means people who were past the previous age limit of 26 have the green light to get catch-up jabs.

HPV vaccination isnt recommended for all adults ages 27 to 45, though. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states the option doesnt need to be discussed with most adults in this age group  which could explain why a 2020 national survey found that over 60% of adults in this age bracket are unaware its approved for them.

So now that youre in the know, how old is too old for the HPV vaccine? It depends, according to experts.

First, A Crash Course On The HPV Vaccine

There are 15 types of HPV that are characterized as high-risk. Two types  16 and 18  are responsible for most cervical cancers and pre-cancers, as well as many cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus and throat, according to the American Cancer Society.

Gardasil 9 protects against nine types of HPV, including seven high-risk HPV types that cause most HPV-related cancers (16 and 18 among them), plus two low-risk HPV types that cause most genital warts.

HPV vaccines stimulate the body to produce antibodies, explained Heather Brandt, a behavioral scientist at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. These antibodies, in future encounters with HPV, protect someone from becoming infected.

Gardasil 9 is made up of virus-like particles, which are essentially knockoffs of the HPV virus. They arent infectious in that they lack the virus DNA, Brandt explained, but they look enough like it to the immune system that the antibodies produced against the virus-like particles also work against the actual virus.

Virus-like particles have been found to induce high levels of antibody production by the body, which is why the HPV vaccine works so well, Brandt said.

The decision to get an HPV vaccine when you're older should be made with your primary care doctor.

The decision to get an HPV vaccine when you're older should be made with your primary care doctor.

Why The HPV Vaccine Is Less Effective When Youre Older

The immune response to the vaccine gets weaker as you age (it starts to dwindle as early as your late teens, according to the American Cancer Society) and it cant protect you against any HPV strains youve already been exposed to. So it was originally thought the vaccine wouldnt provide much benefit for cancer prevention past 26 years of age.

What changed? Since vaccinating against HPV is most effective prior to any exposure, the original studies were done in girls and younger women, who likely hadnt been exposed to HPV, said Dr. Jill Purdie, board-certified OB/GYN and medical director at Pediatrix Medical Group in Atlanta.

It wasnt until later that studies were done in women up to age 45. The one that moved the needle for the FDA found that Gardasil 9 was still 88% effective in the prevention of vulvar, vaginal and cervical precancerous lesions, cervical cancer and genital warts caused by the nine HPV strains, even in people assigned female at birth who may have been exposed to the virus already. (The effectiveness of the vaccine in people assigned male at birth was inferred from this data, too.)

This is because its unlikely they were exposed to all the HPV types, so the vaccine still offers some protection, Purdie said.

Still, its important to keep in mind your response to the vaccine might not be as robust; the vaccines effectiveness is highly individualized and influenced by your history of prior HPV infections.

How To Decide Whether Getting The HPV Vaccine Is Right For You

Until now, the assumption that youve already been exposed to various HPV strains may have left you wondering whether getting catch-up vaccines is worth the effort.

The best way to decide is to go through a process called shared clinical decision-making, where you and your doctor determine together how much youll realistically benefit from this particular series of shots, according to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Theres limited guidance on how exactly to apply the recommended [shared clinical decision-making] approach, Brandt said, in large part so the decision-making remains flexible and highly individualized to your situation.

But there are several factors to be considered by you and your doctor, including:

Previous evidence of HPV

Risk of HPV cancer, based on medical history and possible level of exposure

Relationship status

Cost and access to coverage of vaccination costs

Understanding the likelihood of reduced protection

You unequivocally shouldnt get the HPV vaccine if youve ever had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient of an HPV vaccine or a previous dose of the HPV vaccine itself, have an allergy to yeast (Gardasil 9 contains yeast protein), or are pregnant, according to the CDC.

Ultimately, what matters most is your peace of mind: I do feel that getting vaccinated, even if youve already been exposed to HPV, is helpful since its unlikely a person has been exposed to all the types the vaccine protects against, Purdie said.

What if youre over 45 and want to get vaccinated? Administration after 45 is considered off-label, Brandt said, so insurance may not cover your vaccinations. (On average, each dose costs around $250 if not covered, with three doses being the requirement, Purdie said.)

Unless you have an allergy to ingredients in the vaccine or are pregnant, theres no harm or risk in getting vaccinated, Brandt said. The chance of protection against even a fraction of the high-risk HPV strains is worth a shot (pun totally intended).

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Construction under way on phase 2 of Martin Way affordable housing. Heres when itll be done

Construction of another affordable housing building on Martin Way in Olympia is under way and expected to be completed by September 2024.

The building, located on the corner of Martin Way East and Pattison Street Northeast, will feature 64 affordable units, including 40 studios and 24 one-bedroom apartments.

The Low-Income Housing Institute, a non-profit developer, announced Wednesday that construction began June 12. The new building, known as Martin Way Phase 2, will stand next to the Phase 1 complex called Unity Commons.

In a statement, LIHI Executive Director Sharon Lee said her non-profit is pleased to add more long-term rental apartments for people in Olympia.

Permanent supportive housing is critically needed in Thurston County, given the Point-in-Time Count documenting 792 homeless people on January 26, 2023, Lee said. More than half were sleeping outside in tents, sleeping bags, and vehicles. We must have sufficient low-rent housing to keep people warm and safe.

LIHI completed Unity Commons in December 2021. It features 65 permanent supportive housing units operated by LIHI and a 60-bed shelter on the ground floor operated by Interfaith Works, according to the release.

The new 48,513-square-foot building will be separated from Unity Commons by a protected courtyard for vehicles. It will have covered parking under the building that will be hidden from street view.

The release indicates Deacon Construction is the contractor and Encore Architects designed the building.

The project has been financed by Raymond James, a tax credit equity investor, and JP Morgan Chase as an investor and construction lender, according to the release.

Additional funders include the Washington State Housing Trust Fund, Thurston County, the City of Olympia, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, the Home Depot Foundation and Banner Bank.
A controversial new drama eight years in the making has become a surprise hit at the box office.

On Independence Day (4 July) in the US, a brand new movie starring The Passion of the Christ star Jim Caviezel was released  and made enough money to place third behind high-profile releases including sequels Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

Impressively, it managed this feat while being released in half the number of screens as the new Indiana Jones film, which marks Harrison Fords final adventure as the popular character.

The film, titled Sound of Freedom, comes from director and co-writer Alejandro Monteverde and was shot in 2018, with its release delayed due to Covid. The film came to fruition after distributor Angel Studios launched a crowdfunder in order to earn enough money to market the film.

In just two weeks, the crowdfunder  endorsed by Caviezels Passion of the Christ director Mel Gibson  succeeded in amassing the studios goal of $5m (3.8m), which was donated by 7,000 people.

The film is purported to be based on real events, with Caviezels character embarking on a mission to rescue children from sex traffickers in Colombia. The lead role is inspired by anti-human trafficking activist Tim Ballard, whose story has been questioned by researchers since 2020.

In the past, Ballard has credited his organisation Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) with saving thousand of trafficking victims.

However, according to American Crime Journal investigative reporters Lynn Packer and Damion Moore, Ballard embellished details about the story depicted in Sound of Freedom.

Caviezel himself has courted controversy in recent years. In 2021, the actor supported certain claims made by the conspiracy theory known as QAnon.

The far-right-supported theory, claimed to be formulated by someone who has seen classified government materials, circulated in 2021, and made baseless claims that devil-worshipping paedophiles were working for the US government.

Jim Caviezel in controversial sleeper hit Sound of Freedom (Angel Studios)

Ballard has criticised reports claiming the film is tied to QAnon, telling Fox News: They make zero connection to the actual story. Its very difficult to make that connection when its actually based on a true story.

In 2020, he also suggested the belief that QAnon shares unfounded theories, telling The New York Times: Some of these theories have allowed people to open their eyes, so now its our job to flood the space with real information so the facts can be shared.

However, Caviezel didnt help matters when promoting the film at at a QAnon-affiliated conference in Oklahoma in 2021. While participating, he said Ballard was currently saving children from adrenochroming, a conspiracy theory that claims traffickers drain childrens blood to harvest a life-enhancing substance called adrenochrome.

When asked to elaborate, Caviezel said: If a child knows hes going to die, his body will secrete this adrenaline. These people that do it, therell be no mercy for them. He then appeared to conflate the theory with events in the movie, calling Sound of Freedom one of the best films Ive ever done in my life.

Despite the controversy, Sound of Freedom is attracting a large audience  and has grossed $41.7m (32.3m) from a budget of just $14.5m (11.2m).

Sound of Freedom actor Jim Caviezel has supported QAnon theories (Angel Studios)

Brandon Purdie, head of theatrical distribution at Angel Studios, said the figures have exceeded our expectations. Angel Studios also denied the notion that the film supports conspiracy theories.

A UK release date is yet to be announced. The film also stars Mira Sorvino and Bill Camp.

The Independent has contacted Operation Underground Railroad and Caviezel for comment.
Courtesy of Campbell Clinic and Collierville Police Department.

Tennessee cops identified 29-year-old Larry Pickens as the man who allegedly staked out and shot physician Benjamin Mauck dead in an exam room this weekan unthinkable tragedy thats horrified his loved ones and colleagues.

Pickens now faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated assault. Hes accused of waiting inside Maucks orthopedics office for hours before eventually barging into an exam room and shooting the beloved doc dead around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Details surrounding the slaying have been limited. Cops in Collierville, a city of 50,000 about 30 miles west of Memphis, are yet to release a suspected motive, but confirmed Pickens was receiving care from Mauck.

Chief Dale Lane said officers responded to Maucks office in less than five minutes, but they werent able to revive him. Lane said Pickens seemingly spared other patients after he opened fire then ran outside the buildinga sign that Tuesdays slaying was targeted.

This appears to be a one-on-one interaction, Lane said Tuesday. Its bad. Its horrific. Its terrible. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Lane said Pickens was holding a handgun when officers took him into custody outside Maucks office without incident. Video from the scene showed officers sprinting out of the clinic with guns drawn. Separate footage from a body-worn camera showed a man telling officers the shooter had a gun in his hand and came running out.

Speaking to WREG 3, a woman fought back tears as she recalled her experience inside the clinic. Someones not going home to their family, she said. It could have been anybody else in that clinic today.

While cops have remained mum on a possible motive, Memphis Senator Raumesh Akbari said in a statement that the shooter had been threatening a clinic employee for over a week. Lane said his department was unaware of the alleged threats.

Tragedies like this underscore the urgent need for common senselike reinstating background checks and gun licenses, and establishing new reforms like an order of protection so police can remove firearms from a person who is threatening others, said Akbari.

Mauck, 43, was married with two kids, the New York Post reported, citing the Facebook page for Rhiannon Mauck. That pages profile photo appears to show Rhiannon and Mauck smiling with two young children in front of a lake.

An outpouring of tributes emerged Tuesday after Campbell Clinic Orthopedics identified Mauck as the slain doctor. An online bio said he graduated medical school from the University of Tennessee-Memphis and specialized in elbow, hand and wrist surgery for the last six years.

I am saddened and in a place of unhappiness right now! Dr Benjamin Mauck was an incredible and brilliant physician, wrote Constance Terry on Facebook, adding that Mauck was the only physician to properly diagnose and treat her after a car accident in 2021.

Just last month, Mauck was named a 2023 Top Doctor in Memphis by Castle Connolly, a national healthcare research agency that puts patients in contact with physicians.

In a statement, Campbell Clinic Orthopedics said it was closing all nine of its clinicsscattered around West Tennessee and Mississippion Wednesday as colleagues, loved ones and patients continue to mourn.

We are shocked and heartbroken to confirm the incident resulted in the tragic loss of one of our highly respected and beloved physicians, a spokesperson for the clinic, Irina Ollar, said in a statement.

Mauck was also the head of the Congenital Hand Clinic at Le Bonheur Childrens Hospital, where he was a beloved colleague and a dedicated physician, said Dr. Trey Eubanks, the hospitals interim president.

We already miss him, Eubanks wrote in a statement. His death is an unthinkable tragedy, and I am at loss at what to say. I am so sorry to those who loved and knew him, for those who worked alongside him every day.

A judge set Pickens bail at $1.2 million, police posted to NextDoor on Wednesday. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The Cornwall Police Department will meet with representatives of the Elizabethtown Borough Water Authority to discuss the issue of unauthorized swimmers seen in the authority's water reservoir in Cornwall.

Borough council was informed by a resident in June that about 30 people had parked near Miner's Village and hiked to the open ore mine pit, which now serves as a reservoir. Council members asked their solicitor to notify the water authority about the issue.

The body of water is owned by the authority, but the land surrounding the man-made lake is owned by Cornwall Properties, an entity owned by Byler Enterprises. Byler Enterprises and the water authority both said in response letters that they are willing to meet with council, if council wishes to do so.

Cornwall resident Raymond Fratini recommended that fishing be allowed at the lake as a recreational activity. Fratini, a fisherman, said he would welcome the chance to cast a line into the lake.

National Night Out

Council members also approved a National Night Out event on August 1 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., to be sponsored by the police department. This will be the 14 year National Night Out has been celebrated across the country to encourage a partnership between the police and the community.

Multiple law enforcement departments and fire companies will participate, including the Lebanon County SWAT Team, the Lebanon County District Attorney's office, the PA Dog Law Officer and the Cornwall, Quentin and Mount Gretna fire departments.

Community organizations such as Rails to Trails, Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging, Life Lion, and Cornwall Iron Furnace will also be present, as well as representatives of the U. S. Army and U. S. Marine Corps. WINK 104 and the Lebanon County Dairy Princess will be there, and Patches Creamery ice cream and food trucks will be available.

The event will be held across from the Cornwall Elementary School, rain or shine.

Part-time police officer hired

Council approved the hiring of John Zatorski to serve as a part-time police officer for the borough. Zatorski retired from the Lebanon Police Department and serves as a resource officer for the Cornwall-Lebanon Middle School.

Monday's meeting was the first council meeting to be held in the borough office building on Rexmont Road in a year. During that time meetings were held at a variety of remote locations while the maintenance garage area was being turned into a bona fide meeting room.

Road work rage: 'Virtually impassable': Lebanon council gets an earful about disruptive road projects

The council first held a meeting in the garage several years ago when it expected a large gathering of people to attend a meeting where the council planned discuss the increasing problem of feral cats in the borough, in response to complaints.

Later the council decided to hold the meetings there permanently when monthly attendance began to exceed the available seating in the regular meeting room. The council talked about eliminating the large garage doors, finding a substitute for the large industrial heating fan on the ceiling and hiding visible maintenance storage cabinets and shelving.

Attendees of this Monday's meeting were surprised to see the renovation went beyond basic cosmetic work. The space has been turned into a genuine meeting room with painted walls, floor trim, new doors leading to storage rooms, windows in a wall where the garage doors were located, carpet tiles over the concrete floor, and a suspended ceiling.

Pool party: I dont want to buy a pool membership. Where can I get a day swim pass in Lebanon County?

Council member Ron Ricard thanked and gave credit to Raymond Fratini, president of a borough's planning commission, and a contractor, for donating his time to creating the new room. Fratini gave credit to the borough maintenance crew for helping with the project.

Borough residents can see the transformed space when the council holds a "Coffee With Council" session in the room, Wednesday, July 12 at 10:30 a.m.

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Cornwall officials deal with unauthorized swimmers near reservoir
Could rice be the key to Southern Black farmers' battle against climate change?

PJ Haynie surveys one of his rice fields on April 25, 2023. nnHaynie is a fifth-generation row crop farmer with land in Virginia and in Arkansas, which is where he grows his rice. He also co-owns a rice mill in Arkansas, helping to add value to one of the state's most important crops.

Disaster helped make the Arkansas Delta lowlands favorable for farming. It also contributed to the decline of Black-owned farmland.

The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 was the most devastating flood in U.S. history. It displaced nearly 640,000 people, mostly in Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. A disproportionate number of the displaced were Black. Some were held in refugee camps. Others fled for work elsewhere, hastening the Great Migration of Southern Black farmers.

Many of the Black farmers who were most impacted lived and worked in flood-prone areas, and that was not by accident. Minority farmers have long been saddled with poor land and not much of it. Most of the good farms belonged to white farmers.

"They homesteaded, they had options to go buy land when my ancestors were slaves," said PJ Haynie, a fifth-generation row cropper who grows 1,000 acres of rice on the Arkansas Delta and co-owns a rice mill. "After slavery, most African Americans got what was left over, which was mostly marginal ground."

PJ Haynie stands in one of his rice fields in Arkansas.

Still, just two generations after the Emancipation Proclamation, Black farmers had accumulated an estimated 16 million acres of farmland in the country. Then decades of discrimination, largely by the Department of Agriculture, chipped away at that achievement. By 1990, Black farmers lost 90% of that land, while white farmers lost only 2% of their acreage.

But there are still Black farmers, who still face discrimination along with a newer challenge: climate change.

In late April, Haynie wore boots nearly up to his knees. His rice field was damp but drying quickly considering the fact that just days earlier it was full of standing water. Still, he had no trouble digging a rice seed from the dirt with his pocketknife. A shoot pushed through the bran. Alive.

"Because these fields are so flat and it's such low-lying land, rice is the only thing that won't drown out when you get a 6-inch rain in the middle of the summer," Haynie said, turning the grain in his hand. "Corn, soybeans, cotton  they don't like to get their feet wet."

He sliced open a bag of one of his latest crops: medium-grain rice, one specialty of a California rice industry that's suffered from years of drought. It drove that state's rice production down 50% last year.

His daughter, a pre-med student, worked on the family farm a couple of summers back. She visited his rice mill and turned to her father on the way home.

"And her exact words were, 'We can feed the world, Dad,'" Haynie said.

PJ Haynie holds a just-sprouted grain of rice.

As the water rises, the rice still grows

"Rice is a tough crop to grow, but it's a rewarding one because you're growing food rather than feed," said Brandy Carroll, director of the Arkansas Farm Bureau's commodities division. "It's a nice thing to look at your fields and think about how many people you can feed from your crops."

Carroll knows. She grew up in Poinsett County, Arkansas, flagging the rice-seeding planes to the furrows on her family farm before GPS took over that hard work.

Now, she said, the crop is generates a billion dollars in annual revenue in the state, with Arkansas growing between 1.1 million-1.5 million acres each year. For many years, Arkansas has been the No. 1 rice-producing state in the nation, growing just under half of the nation's crop, Carroll said.

These lowlands, with the sort of mineral-rich alluvial soil favorable for farming and a subterranean aquifer that spans the Delta, are well-adapted to rice.

"And in many cases, not much else," Carroll said. "There's hardpan under the topsoil that holds water, which is great for rice, but challenging for other crops at times."

Rice requires quite a lot of water, and there is no shortage of water in Arkansas. This year was especially wet, according to the National Weather Service in Little Rock, Arkansas. Through April, Pine Bluff got 27.79 inches of rain  that's 9.06 inches above average.

"When we have a wet year, the rice is happy and so are the farmers," Carroll said.

PJ Haynie shows off some of his medium grain rice, along with a farm worker.

Arkansas has another advantage over other rice-growing states, positioned as it is with access to both the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers, important shipping arteries. And though the state exports some "rough" or unmilled rice, the rice milling industry is booming.

Since agriculture is a big part of the economy in the Delta, that's crucial. Processing the state's rice in mills such as Haynie's adds value and keeps a lot of cash right in the Delta, Carroll said.

The challenges of rice

But as with anything that grows in the ground, rice farming has its challenges. Though rice likes hot humid days, it prefers to cool off at night. When the temperatures don't drop, the grain has a tendency to break.

The Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board is working with the University of Arkansas in a collaborative breeding program, created with funds invested by farmers, to develop a strain of rice that's more heat tolerant.

PJ Haynie shows off some of his rice to a worker on the farm.

"These farmers are investing their own money to adapt and thrive and flourish and continue to provide a product that customers want," Carroll said. "That's important when you're attempting to sell 1 million acres of rice. They're making sure their product is adapted to our changing world."

Another downside of rice is that it's one of the leading methane-emitting crops. The standing water it tolerates acts as a natural herbicide and pest control, but it also creates an anaerobic environment that emits greenhouse gas.

Haynie is the chairman of the National Black Growers Council, which has a partnership with the Ducks Unlimited Rice Stewardship. Together in 2022, they received $80 million through a USDA program to support sustainable rice farming, some of it earmarked specifically for historically underserved farmers.

"We're (trying) to showcase and lead and grow the next generation, and the only way we can do this is to share knowledge," Haynie said in an interview shortly after the grant was awarded.

Robot farmers?: Machines are crawling through America's fields. And some have lasers.

Haynie, for example, uses several growing methods to reduce methane, including eliminating the standing water that traps it, when possible.

Sharing strategies like these can make Black-owned farms more sustainable, which creates value and protects Black-owned farms, PJ Haynie said.

"What I say is that, if we protect the herd, the herd will grow," he said. "If we protect the small amount of Black farmers that are left in America, it will create opportunities for their children and grandchildren, their nieces and nephews."

Rice, he believes, has the potential to do that.

Beating the odds

Haynie co-owns Arkansas River Rice, a Pine Bluff rice mill, with Alabama farmer Billy Bridgeforth. The operation, which Haynie said is the only Black-owned rice mill in the United States, can process 22 metric tons of grain an hour. Both men, who also help run farms founded by their formerly enslaved ancestors, offer reasonable rice packaging rates for small farmers and serve as mentors to other growers.

"The work that we're doing out here on the farm, the brand that we're trying to move in the rice mill, and also the rice that we're buying from other farmers," he said. "That's never happened in the Black farming community before, and that's exciting."

For subscribers: Black farmers have lived here for generations. Now, a Ford plant is changing the landscape.

In Pine Bluff, Arkansas, nearly 80% of the population is Black. But its white farmers have an advantage. The majority of the Black farmers in the Delta have smaller operations, which means less payout in the way of crop insurance, Haynie said.

That's just one of the reasons Black farmland ownership has dramatically declined across the U.S., he said.

"Black farmers are still dealing with the inequities of the past at the hands of the federal government, which are still creating present-day disparities," he said.

Haynie's family beat the odds. Besides the Arkansas land, Haynie farms in all four counties of Virginia's Northern Neck, a peninsula that juts into the brackish water where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay.

Haynie's great-great-grandfather, the Rev. Robert Haynie, was born on the Northern Neck as a slave. After emancipation, he purchased 60 acres of land on Sept. 14, 1867, at the age of 44.

"And by the grace of God, we still own it and have grown it from the original 60 acres," Haynie said.

PJ Haynie with a bag of rice near one of his grain silos in Arkansas. The Arkansas Delta's conditions are perfect for growing rice.

When asked what he thought his grandfather would say about the farm, the acres of row crops, the state-of-the-art mill, Haynie paused.

"I hope that he would say job well done," he said. "And I hope that my ancestors would be able to see the seeds that I'm trying to plant for the future."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: In the face of climate change, Southern Black farmers plant rice
BRANCH COUNTY  County commissioners approved hiring a second social worker for the office of Public Defender Tuesday, but it came with some concerns.

I dont think theres concern so much about the value that (the position) adds. I think its more the potential for the future, the county getting stuck, and having to pay for them if the state withdraws funding," Commission Chairman Tim Stoll said.

Branch County

With a new 2024 budget of $1,580,031, up from $1.3 million, the office of the Public Defender becomes the largest county agency.

After federal lawsuits about inadequate indigent defense representation in 2019, the state took over funding public defenders.

County public defender contribution is capped at $256,000 under the state funding plan.

I dont see them taking the funding away. There was a lawsuit that the state of Michigan ended up losing," public defender Matt Glaser told commissioners.

Branch County Prosecutor Zack Stempiens 2023 budget is $550,250 to prosecute all criminal cases in district and circuit court and juvenile proceedings in probate court.

Tim Stoll

The juvenile defense is a separate contract with local attorneys.

Matt Glaser

Glaser explained the social worker job would save the county money by getting newly arrested defendants through the system quicker. He estimates it costs the county between $5,000 to $6,000 a month to house an inmate waiting for trial.

At the end of the day, its cheaper to get these guys in programs. Thats what were doing here at the public defenders office, Glaser said.

He said 98% of his clients have substance use problems, with violence added in.

As soon as I get all felonies, I get the social workers involved and get these people right away into treatment programs, literally right out of the blocks, Glaser said.

The office uses Pines Behavioral and other programs in the region.

We are taking a proactive stance. Without the social workers up front, nobody was getting them into treatment, Glaser said when they were held in jail trying to get help on their own.

Subscribe Follow local government. Subscribe to the Daily Reporter.

Glaser receives funding to hire five local contract attorneys but can only find two, with most of his staff coming from Calhoun County. Court records show the public defender has two full-time and four part-time contract attorneys. Support staff includes two investigators and now two social workers.

---Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: County commission concerned about future public defender funding
Crisis in 'Strollerville': San Francisco mothers fear for safety of kids as violence becomes more widespread

Parents and nannies in the affluent Noe Valley neighborhood told Fox News they're afraid for their safety after groups of bat-wielding children robbed and assaulted several mothers and babysitters in the area.

The neighborhood, nicknamed "strollerville" or "stroller alley" because of the many young families that live there, experienced 11 phone robberies at the end of June, which local authorities believe are linked to a gang of kids who target women with children, according to The Telegraph . One of the mothers was allegedly hit with a baseball bat.

"I don't really know where I can be and be safe," Rebecca, a Noe Valley mother, told Fox News. "There's kind of a general sense of lawlessness."

Two suspects in San Francisco were caught on camera robbing a 61-year-old man in the Sunset District in May.

SAN FRANCISCO MAYOR FIRES BACK AFTER 'GOOD MORNING AMERICA' CALLS HER CITY'S DOWNTOWN 'DANGEROUS': REPORT

She said the recent attacks are particularly troubling since they're happening in the middle of the day when parents are out with their children.

"You're kind of on your own to look out for yourself without having a lot of support from the city," Rebecca said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Police arrested a minor last month in relation to the phone thefts and are continuing to investigate. Authorities are also looking into a similar string of robberies and assaults targeting women and their cell phones in the nearby Lower Haight neighborhood, according to the San Francisco Examiner.

"Moms in this area and all neighborhoods have been affected by what's happened in the last few weeks," Teri, a Noe Valley nanny, told Fox News. "I definitely think moms are afraid."

WATCH MORE FOX NEWS DIGITAL ORIGINALS HERE

"There are kids in these strollers. They're starting to go after the vulnerable," Teri continued. "It's extremely unsettling."

Andrea, another Noe Valley nanny, said the assaults and robberies are scary because they target women and children. She said the family she works for told her not to go out with their child for the week following the attack.

"Honestly, it just makes me feel unsafe to work and be out," Andrea told Fox News.

Robbery and motor vehicle theft are up 12% and 8%, respectively, since the beginning of the year, while larceny theft and burglary are both down by just under 10%, according to San Francisco police data.

PROTESTERS MARCH ON SF PRECINCT AFTER COPS IN RIOT GEAR THWART SKATEBOARDERS' 'HILL BOMB' EVENT

A sign warns visitors to not leave their valuables in their car because of frequent smash and grab robberies in San Francisco.

Robberies specifically targeting phones are an issue everywhere in the city, according to Scott, a Noe Valley father.

"I always tell my wife to never look at her phone while she's walking around," he told Fox News. "I think that makes you much more of a target."

Rebecca said robberies are rampant because perpetrators don't believe they will be caught or prosecuted.

"You're not going to be prosecuted for these types of things," the mother told Fox News. "It's really hard to catch people."

"You don't hear a lot of stories of people getting caught after these types of events," she continued.

To watch the full interviews with San Francisco residents, click here.
U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty | YouTube

Some critics of last week's preliminary injunction in Missouri v. Biden, which bars federal officials from encouraging social media platforms to suppress constitutionally protected speech, reject the premise that such contacts amount to government-directed censorship. Other critics, especially researchers who focus on "disinformation" and hate speech, pretty much concede that point but see nothing troubling about it. From their perspective, the problem is that complying with the First Amendment means tolerating inaccurate, misleading, and hateful speech that endangers public health, democracy, and social harmony.

The day after Terry Doughty, a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, issued the injunction, The New York Times gave voice to those concerns in a piece headlined "Disinformation Researchers Fret About Fallout From Judge's Order." According to the subhead, those researchers "said a restriction on government interaction with social media companies could impede efforts to curb false claims about vaccines and voter fraud."

That much is true by definition. Doughty's injunction generally prohibits various agencies and officials from "meeting with social-media companies," "specifically flagging content or posts," or otherwise "urging, encouraging, pressuring, or inducing" the "removal, deletion, suppression, or reduction of content containing protected free speech." The injunction also bars the defendants from "threatening, pressuring, or coercing social-media companies" toward that end and from "urging, encouraging, pressuring, or inducing" them to "change their guidelines for removing, deleting, suppressing, or reducing content containing protected free speech."

The injunction includes some potentially sweeping exceptions. Among other things, it does not apply to "postings involving criminal activity or criminal conspiracies"; "national security threats, extortion, or other threats"; posts that "threaten the public safety or security of the United States"; "foreign attempts to influence elections"; posts "intending to mislead voters about voting requirements and procedures"; or "criminal efforts to suppress voting," "provide illegal campaign contributions," or launch "cyber-attacks against election infrastructure."

Some of these categories are commodious enough to encompass constitutionally protected speech by American citizens. In particular, "national security" is a broad, ill-defined excuse that might apply, for example, to information derived from classified sources or even to criticism of U.S. surveillance practices. The goal of resisting "foreign attempts to influence elections" can easily result in misidentification of Americans as Russian agents or mischaracterization of accurate reporting as foreign "disinformation."

But insofar as Doughty's order has bite, which it presumably does as it relates to COVID-19 "misinformation" and speech embracing Donald Trump's stolen-election fantasy, those anxious researchers surely are right that it "could impede efforts to curb false claims about vaccines and voter fraud." Notably, these critics take it for granted that preventing the government from demanding removal of disfavored content will have a substantial impact on the speech that platforms allow.

"Most misinformation or disinformation that violates social platforms' policies is flagged by researchers, nonprofits, or people and software at the platforms themselves," the Times notes. But "academics and anti-disinformation organizations often complained that platforms were unresponsive to their concerns." The paper reinforces that point with a quote from Viktorya Vilk, director for digital safety and free expression (!) at PEN America: "Platforms are very good at ignoring civil society organizations and our requests for help or requests for information or escalation of individual cases. They are less comfortable ignoring the government."

The reason social media companies are "less comfortable ignoring the government," of course, is that it exercises coercive power over them and could use that power to punish them for failing to censor speech it considers dangerous. In the 155-page opinion laying out the reasoning behind his injunction, Doughty notes implicit threats against recalcitrant platforms, including anti-trust actions, new regulations, and increased civil liability for content posted by users.

Doughty cites myriad communications that show administration officials expected platforms to promptly comply with the government's censorship "requests," which they typically did, and repeatedly complained when companies were less than fully cooperative. He emphasizes how keen Facebook et al. were to assuage President Joe Biden's anger at moderation practices that he said were "killing people."

The major platforms eagerly joined what Surgeon General Vivek Murthy described as a "whole-of-society" effort to combat the "urgent threat to public health" posed by "health misinformation," which he said might include "legal and regulatory measures." It beggars belief to suppose that the threat of such measures played no role in the platforms' responses to the administration's demands.

As the fretful researchers quoted by the Times see it, that is all as it should be. "Several disinformation researchers worried that the ruling could give cover for social media platforms, some of which have already scaled back their efforts to curb misinformation, to be even less vigilant before the 2024 election," the paper reports. Again, that concern assumes that the interactions covered by Doughty's injunction resulted in stricter rules and more aggressive enforcement, meaning less speech than otherwise would have been allowed.

The Times paraphrases Bond Benton, an associate communication professor at Montclair State University, who worries that Doughty's ruling "carried a message that misinformation qualifies as speech and its removal as the suppression of speech." As usual, the Times glides over disputes about what qualifies as "misinformation," which according to the Biden administration includes truthful content that it considers misleading or unhelpful. But since even a demonstrably false assertion "qualifies as speech" under the First Amendment, the "message" that troubles Benton is an accurate statement of constitutional law. That does not mean platforms cannot decide for themselves what content they are willing to host, but it does mean the government should not try to dictate such decisions.

The concerns expressed by Doughty's critics go beyond health-related and election-related "misinformation," and they go beyond the soundness of this particular ruling. In an interview with the Times, Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, complained that the U.S. takes "a 'particularly fangless' approach to dangerous content compared with places like Australia and the European Union." Those comparisons are telling.

Australia's Online Safety Act empowers regulators to order removal of "illegal and restricted content," including images and speech classified as "cyberbullying" and "content that is inappropriate for children, such as high impact violence and nudity." Internet service providers that do not comply with complaint-triggered takedown orders within 24 hours are subject to civil penalties. The government also can order ISPs to block access to "material depicting, promoting, inciting or instructing in abhorrent violent conduct" for up to three months, after which the order can be renewed indefinitely.

Freedom House notes that Australia's law includes "no requirement for the eSafety Commissioner to give reasons for removal notices and provides no opportunity for users to respond to complaints." The organization adds that "civil society groups, tech companies, and other commentators have raised concerns about the law, including its speedy takedown requirements and its potential disproportionate effect on marginalized groups, such as sex workers, sex educators, LGBT+ people, and artists."

Australia's scheme plainly restricts or prohibits speech that would be constitutionally protected in the United States. Likewise the European Union's Digital Services Act, which covers "illegal content," a category that is defined broadly to include anything that runs afoul of a member nation's speech restrictions. E.U. countries such as France and Germany prohibit several types of speech that are covered by the First Amendment, including Holocaust denial, disparagement of minority groups, and promotion of racist ideologies.

These are the models that Ahmed thinks the U.S. should be following. "It's bananas that you can't show a nipple on the Super Bowl but Facebook can still broadcast Nazi propaganda, empower stalkers and harassers, undermine public health and facilitate extremism in the United States," he told the Times. "This court decision further exacerbates that feeling of impunity social media companies operate under, despite the fact that they are the primary vector for hate and disinformation in society."

Critics like Ahmed, in short, do not merely object to Doughty's legal analysis; they have a beef with the First Amendment itself, which allows Americans to express all sorts of potentially objectionable opinions. If you value that freedom, you probably consider it a virtue of the American legal system. But if your priority is eliminating "hate and disinformation," the First Amendment is, at best, an inconvenient obstacle.

The post Some Critics of the Ruling Against Biden's Censorship by Proxy Have a Beef With the 1st Amendment Itself appeared first on Reason.com.
Crows and magpies are getting revenge on humans by using anti-bird spikes around their nests as weapons

Aude-Florian Hiemstra, a biologist, and a magpie nest made of spikes. Scientists have found clever birds have started using anti-bird spikes in their nests to protect their offspring from other birds. Alexander Schippers

Anti-bird spikes are used around the world to keep birds off buildings.

But clever magpies and crows in Europe have figured out how to use them to their advantage.

They have started using the spikes in their nests to keep other birds away.

Birds in Europe are getting their revenge on human-made anti-bird spikes by using them as weapons to protect their young.

Anti-bird spikes are usually placed on rooftops to keep birds from landing on buildings. These strips can be seen on virtually every skyscraper in the world.

But magpies and crows in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and Antwerp, Belgium, have figured out that by using them in their nests, they could keep other birds and pests away.

The birds "appear to be using the pins exactly the same way we do: to keep other birds away from their nest," biologist Auke-Florian Hiemstra of the Naturalis Biodiversity Center who wrote a study about the phenomenon, said in a press release.

This magpie nest is full of anti-bird spikes. Auke-Florian Hiemstra

One of the nests, shown above, was found in Antwerp, Belgium. For this particular nest, magpies pulled up 150 feet of the spiky metal strip from the rooftop of a nearby hospital, creating "an impregnable fortress," said Hiemsa.

Hiemstra also regularly finds a whole host of other materials in the nests, including condoms, cocaine wraps, and fireworks, per the press release.

"It's like a joke, really," says Hiemstra said.

"Even for me as a nest researcher, these are the craziest bird nests I've ever seen," he said.

Hiemstra told the BBC that more research is needed to confirm the intent of the corvids using the spikes in the nest.

Though their placement suggests that these are meant as protection  the spikes are mostly placed outwards, he said  it's possible the birds just picked up whatever material was readily available to them.

Still, he sees this as a form of "beautiful revenge".

"They are using the material that we made to keep them away, to make a nest to make more birds," he told the BBC.

Magpies build roofed nests and favor spiky materials. sandra standbridge/Getty Images

The behavior, which has also been spotted in the Netherlands and Scotland, isn't completely outside of the birds' normal wheelhouse.

Magpies, for instance, favor thorny branches to create a roof around their nests, keeping pests away from their young. Other spiky materials had previously been spotted in nests in the area, such as barbed wire and knitting needles.

Jim Reynolds, an ornithologist at the University of Birmingham, told The Guardian he wasn't surprised that the birds spotted using the deterrents to their advantage were part of the corvid family. This group of birds, which includes crows and magpies, is known for its creative problem-solving skills.

Crows, for instance, have been trained by a French amusement park to pick up cigarette butts and litter in exchange for a food reward.

"They are even more amazing than I think they are," said Reynolds, who was not involved in the study.

But it's not only corvids that have found a creative use for the murderous deterrents. Peregrine falcons in Amsterdam have previously been observed impaling their prey's remains on the spikes to save them for a later snack, the study reported.

The findings were published in the Natural History Museum Rotterdam's periodical journal Diensea on Tuesday.

Read the original article on Business Insider
HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba's National Assembly said on Wednesday it "strongly condemns" a resolution by the European Parliament, which criticized the country's human rights record and called for EU sanctions against Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and other top officials.

"The European Parliament lacks the moral, political and legal authority to judge Cuba," Cuba's parliament said in a statement. "This could cast doubt on the EU's objectives of seeking to re-launch its relations with Latin America and the Caribbean."

EU leaders will meet in Brussels next week with heads of state of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), their first bi-regional summit in eight years.

They are expected to discuss issues such as climate change, development funding and Haiti's security crisis. Cuba on Monday said it wanted stronger relations but accused the EU of being opaque and manipulative in its preparations.

The European Parliament resolution proposes "autocratic regimes should not participate in such summits" and strongly condemns Cuba's human rights record, saying this could jeopardize a 2016 cooperation deal between Cuba and the EU, its top trade partner.

It also calls for the "immediate and unconditional release" of "unjustly detained prisoners". Hundreds of Cubans remain in jail following anti-government protests in July 2021, the largest since Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution.

Cuba's Communist government says those jailed committed crimes including assault, vandalism and sedition.

The EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell visited the island in May where he criticized the United States over its 60-year trade embargo and said the EU had "neither the capacity nor the will to impose changes in Cuba." The European Parliament resolution said it "deeply deplores" this comment.

Cuba's National Assembly, in turn, called the resolution "highly interfering".

In May, Borrell said the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, will visit the island in November to evaluate the consequences of the 2021 protests.

(Reporting by Nelson Acosta and Sarah Morland, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
Cuba on Tuesday said the docking of a nuclear-powered submarine at Guantanamo Bay last week was a provocative escalation from the U.S., and officials in Washington dismissed the incident as a routine and scheduled stop.

The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the American submarine arrived at the naval base in Guantanamo Bay, a piece of U.S. territory, on July 5 and remained there until July 8.

The presence of a nuclear submarine there at this moment makes it imperative to wonder what is the military reason behind this action in this peaceful region of the world, what target is it aiming at and what is the strategic purpose it pursues, Cuban officials said in a statement.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a Tuesday briefing that the U.S. does not discuss the movement of military assets.

But Miller stressed the U.S. will continue to fly and sail and otherwise move military assets wherever it is appropriate to do so under international law.

A U.S. defense official told The Associated Press that a Navy submarine made a scheduled logistics stop at Guantanamo Bay before heading over for a maritime exercise, UNITAS.

Cuba also called for the U.S. to relinquish its control over Guantanamo Bay, which it considers an illegal occupation. Washington has permanently leased the territory from Havana since 1903.

U.S.-Cuba relations have historically been low but have soured in recent weeks amid reports that China has hosted a spy base in the island nation since 2019.

Tuesday was marked by the second anniversary of the historic Cuba protests, which saw thousands of Cubans speak out against an ongoing economic crisis.

The U.S. operates a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.

This year, the Biden administration announced a deal, known as AUKUS, to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. Washington also plans to send a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea for the first time since 1981.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Culture wars: Here are the major fights brewing over the defense spending bill

Lawmakers are bracing for a series of battles as they take up the mammoth annual defense policy bill this week, from the Pentagons abortion policy to diversity programs and other hot-button culture war topics.

House lawmakers Wednesday will begin to hash out its version of the legislation, known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), after the House Armed Services Committee last month voted it out of committee 58-1.

The Senate Armed Services Committee had similar bipartisan support with a 24-1 vote.

Even with the nearly unanimous bipartisan votes, lawmakers and observers are expecting some fireworks on the House floor, as more than 1,500 amendments have been submitted for the bill.

Far-right GOP lawmakers are gunning to use floor amendments to tank Pentagon policies on diversity, climate change and other initiatives they claim distract the military from its national security goals.

Though not every initiative will get a vote  the GOP-led House Rules Committee on Tuesday will decide how many of the proposed amendments make it to the floor  several hundred are sure to make it through.

And some Democrats, including House Armed Services Committee ranking member Adam Smith (Wash.), have already expressed their worries over extreme right-wing amendments making it into the bill.

Due to Republicans thin majority in the House, however, GOP leaders must strike a balance between their far-right colleagues and the Democratic-led Senate for the bill to eventually become law.

Here are the key fights ahead:

Abortion policy

Conservatives want to end a post-Roe Defense Department policy covering travel expenses for service members and their dependents who seek out-of-state abortions because the procedure is banned in their state.

The topic has become all the more contentious in the past several months as Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) has kept hundreds of Pentagon officials from being confirmed due to his opposition to the policy.

While the House Armed Services Committee didnt touch the issue when marking up the bill last month, amendments on the topic are expected to make it to a floor debate.

Among them is one offered by Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), whose initiative would stop the Pentagon from paying or reimbursing expenses relating to abortion services, effectively rolling back the travel policy. Jacksons proposal has more than 60 co-sponsors.

But Democrats have warned these initiatives, should they make it into the House NDAA, would effectively tank the bill.

Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), a retired Navy sailor, has put forward a rebuttal to Jacksons amendment that has 18 co-sponsors. Her amendment would establish leave policies in law and prevent any adverse action for requesting or taking leave in relation to abortion care.

Transgender medical care

Transgender service members have experienced a whiplash in policy over the past two administrations, beginning six years ago when then-President Trump banned such individuals from serving in the armed forces.

President Biden quickly revoked the ban upon entering office, but GOP lawmakers are now threatening to curtail benefits for transgender troops using the NDAA.

Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) has the backing of seven of his colleagues with an amendment to prohibit TRICARE, the health care program for active-duty service members, from covering sex reassignment surgeries and gender hormone treatments for transgender individuals.

Other amendments, including one from Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), look to prevent hormone therapy and surgeries for those seeking to transition while in the service.

Outside of medical coverage, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) also targeted transgender individuals in an initiative that would require biological women who identify as men to register with the Selective Service should the United States have another military draft.

The current U.S. policy stipulates that all biological males are required to register with Selective Service, regardless of how they identify their gender.

Ukraine funding

The House NDAA saw an explosion of amendments related to the war in Ukraine, calling for everything from more oversight to curtailing funding and certain weapons for the embattled country.

One from Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) would establish a Special Inspector General for Ukraine Assistance Office charged with overseeing all U.S. assistance for Ukraine, with quarterly reports to be submitted to Congress.

A slew of more extreme initiatives put forward by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) would entirely halt Ukraine funding until a diplomatic solution to the war is reached, cut $300 million in aid to the country and prohibit giving long-range missiles and F-16 fighter jets to Kyiv.

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While some of those amendments will never make it to the floor, one that will  proposed by Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.)  would stop the transfer of cluster bombs to Ukraine, which the Biden administration announced last week.

The initiative has 15 co-sponsors, including Gaetz, who Monday argued children will be left without limbs and without parents because of this decision if we do not work together in a bipartisan fashion to stop it.

Climate change

The Republican-led House Armed Services Committee already pushed through several initiatives to blunt efforts to combat climate change, but some lawmakers hope to go further.

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) wants to terminate Pentagon contracts for electric nontactical vehicles, proposing an initiative to prevent prioritizing climate politics over national security. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) hopes to prohibit federal funds from supporting various environmental trust funds.

Democrat lawmakers pushed back with their own amendments.

Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif), wants to have the Office of the Director of National Intelligence submit a report to Congress every four years on the national security and economic implications of climate change.

And Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) hopes to direct the Defense Department to establish a Center of Excellence for Innovation in Energy Security and Climate Resilience for Military Installations.

DEI programs

Republicans have already succeeded in inserting GOP-penned language into the House NDAA that would repeal or alter several Biden-era personnel initiatives, including axing the Pentagons chief diversity officer role, halting funding for drag shows at military installations and limiting or reversing punishments for troops who refused to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

GOP lawmakers are now seeking to further target diversity and anti-extremism policies  passed in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection  that they claim hurt military recruitment by alienating potential troops.

Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) hopes to ensure that no U.S. diplomatic or consular post flies any flag other than the American flag, a rule aimed at excluding the pride flag from being flown at such locations.

We dont need to be flying the pride flag. Its meant to divide. Its not meant to heal and unite, Davidson argued during the House Rules Committee meeting.

Others on the right want to strip an affirmative action carveout for military academies in the Supreme Courts decision last month to end race-based affirmative action in higher education.

Leaders of the New Democrat Coalition, a group representing nearly 100 center-left Democrats, earlier Tuesday called on Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to reject the extreme elements of his party.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
One of the first projects is to increase numbers of water voles which have been in decline

More than 4m is being spent restoring some of Cumbria's largest habitats.

Landowners, farmers and conservationists are working together to improve more than 84,000 acres (34,000 hectares) of woodland, peatland and wetlands.

The group, Cumbria Connect, said its first project would be to boost water vole populations, one of the county's most threatened native species.

A spokesman said the project would "breathe new life into cherished landscapes".

The project will also create jobs in conservation advice for land managers and scientific research

As well as enhancing the fells, ancient woodlands, peatlands, lakes and rivers, the project will try to boost red squirrel populations as well as bird species such as ring ouzels and pied flycatchers.

The project will create 10 new jobs in the fields of conservation advice for land managers and scientific research.

It will also offer opportunities to PhD students and support farming apprenticeships.

David Morris, RSPB area manager for Cumbria, said: Traditionally, the landscape has hosted a diverse agricultural economy with mixed farming practices, creating a rich rural landscape.

"However, post-war agricultural policies intensified land management and impacted vulnerable habitats, the wildlife that lives in them and how the landscape functions ecologically for those who live, work and visit here too.

"This programme will harness the collective knowledge and resources of the partnership to forge a path to redress some of that.

'Biodiverse landscape'

Organisations involved include the Orton Fells Farm Cluster, Natural England and the Lowther Estate.

The funding for the scheme has been secured from the Endangered Landscapes Programme.

Tim Winder, a farmer and member of the Orton Fells Farm Cluster, said: Our work is about combining the best of modern farming and traditional practices to ensure we produce healthy, sustainable food alongside a rich biodiverse landscape."

Longhorn cattle help conserve habitats with their varied grazing

Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.
Map of Cyprus, an island divided since 1974 (Paz PIZARRO)

Cyprus said Wednesday that for the first time in years the number of migrants it is repatriating has outpaced those seeking asylum on the eastern Mediterranean island.

The EU member state argues it is a "frontline" country in terms of migrant arrivals, with asylum-seekers now making up five percent of its population of 915,000, a record for the bloc.

Cyprus has over the past year accelerated efforts to repatriate illegal residents and rejected asylum seekers to multiple countries within and outside the European Union.

"For the first time, after many years, as a result of coordinated actions and measures, the total number of migrants who left Cyprus is greater than the total number of migrants who entered," the interior ministry said in a statement.

It said that 2,381 asylum applications were submitted between April and June, and that during the same quarter 2,714 migrants had departed Cyprus, either voluntarily or though deportations to their countries of origin.

Human rights groups have in recent years criticised Cyprus for squalid conditions in its main migrant reception camp, which has been badly overcrowded and rocked by violent clashes, and which is being upgraded with EU funding.

The interior ministry said one of its latest transfers took 51 asylum seekers to France through the EU's voluntary relocation programme, with the support of the EU Agency for Asylum and the International Organisation for Migration.

"There is a positive balance in the number of migrant departures from Cyprus compared to the number of inflows," said the ministry.

In June alone, 735 asylum applications were submitted, while 926 third-country nationals left Cyprus, said the ministry, without giving their nationalities.

"Transfers through this programme, aimed at supporting frontline member states with increased migration challenges, will continue in the coming period," it said.

The next flight is scheduled for July 19, with 40 people expected to be transferred to Norway.

Cyprus has been split since a 1974 Turkish invasion launched in response to a Greek-sponsored coup. The self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which covers the northern third of the island, is recognised only by Ankara.

Cyprus charges that many irregular migrants have arrived from the north across the UN-patrolled Green Line that divides the island.

It has long argued, with other EU Mediterranean states, that it needs more funding and political support from Brussels to tackle irregular migration.

cc/fz
This year the Moravian Library in Brno opened the Milan Kundera Library on one of its floors (Radek Mica)

Czech-French writer Milan Kundera, author of "The Unbearable Lightness of Being", has died aged 94, the Milan Kundera Library said Wednesday.

"Unfortunately I can confirm that Mr Milan Kundera passed away yesterday (Tuesday) after a prolonged illness," Anna Mrazova, spokeswoman for the library in his native city of Brno, told AFP.

"He died at home, in his Paris apartment," she said.

The novelist, poet and essayist lived in France since his emigration from Communist-ruled Czechoslovakia in 1975.

He was known for dark, provocative novels dealing with the human condition and sprinkled with satire reflecting his experience of being stripped of his Czech nationality for dissent.

Born on April 1, 1929 in the second Czech city of Brno, Kundera studied in Prague.

He translated works by the French poet Guillaume Apollinaire and wrote poetry as well as short stories.

Kundera also taught at a film school, where his students included the future Oscar-winning director Milos Forman.

His breakthrough novel "The Joke" about a young man expelled from university and the Communist Party over an innocent joke was published in 1967.

A former Communist himself, Kundera fell out of favour with the authorities after the Prague Spring reform movement was crushed by Soviet-led armies in 1968.

Following his departure for France, Kundera taught at the University of Rennes.

Rarely speaking to the public, Kundera was stripped of Czech nationality in 1979, following the publication of "The Book of Laughter and Forgetting".

He became a French national in 1981.

- 'Across all continents' -

By far his most famous work, "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" was published in 1984 and turned into a film starring Juliette Binoche and Daniel Day-Lewis in 1987.

The novel is a morality tale about freedom and passion, on both an individual and collective level, set against the Prague Spring and its aftermath in exile.

Criticised for turning sour with his homeland and for his decision to ban the translation of his French books into Czech, Kundera only regained his Czech nationality in 2019.

It was 30 years after former Czechoslovakia shed the Moscow-steered Communist rule in the Velvet Revolution of 1989, and 26 years after the country's peaceful split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993.

On his birthday this year, the Moravian Library in Brno opened the Milan Kundera Library on one of its floors, displaying part of his collection of author copies in dozens of languages to which his books have been translated.

Kundera was frequently touted as a favourite to win the Nobel Prize for literature, but he never did.

"Not only Czech literature, but world literature as well has lost one of the greatest contemporary writers, and one of the most translated writers too," Tomas Kubicek, director of the Kundera library, told the public Czech TV.

Also born in Brno, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said Kundera was able to "appeal to whole generations of readers across all continents" with his work.

"He leaves behind remarkable novelistic but also outstanding essayistic work," Fiala added on Twitter.

frj/mmp/rox
Danny Dyers new series Heat has premiered on Channel 5  but the actor has cautioned that some fans should steer clear.

The four-part series follows Steve Cameron (Dyer), a man whose dark family secrets emerge during a devastating Australian bushfire.

During an appearance on This Morning previewing the show, Dyer said that the nutty programme would be a difficult watch for some viewers.

Its a nutty bit of work, the former EastEnders star told presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot OLeary.

I got this script and I read it and thought... This is just... Im going to be straight, Im here to promote it but, if you dont like dark things, dont go near it.

The actor continued: Its dark. Its so dark, I was thinking, Can they put this on the telly?

Heat is airing on Channel 5 this week on four consecutive days, from Tuesday (11 July) to Friday (15 July)

In the series, Dyer plays Steve, a British expat living in Australia who visits his friend Brad (played by Darren McMullen) at his lavish estate.

Before long, however, Steves family  his wife Sarah (Pia Miranda) and daughter Mia (Matia Marks)  begin to suspect he is having an affair. The series also stars Jane Allsop and Richie Morris.

Dyer is best known for his nine-year stint on the BBC soap EastEnders, playing Mick Carter, as well as his roles in films such as the 2006 horror-comedy Severence and the 2004 sports-dramaThe Football Factory.

Danny Dyer in 2022 (Getty Images)

McMullen is best known in Australia as the co-host of The Voice, while Miranda portrayed Karen Oldman in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.

Heat continues on Channel 5 at 9pm.

Earlier this year, Dyer addressed the conversation surrounding his daughter Dani Dyers name, describing the reproval as classist.

Asked in February about the criticism he had received for naming his daughter after himself, Dyer responded: I think there is classism.

As soon as I open my mouth Im judged as thick and poor and not articulate. I noticed that early doors, but it hasnt really bothered me.

Dani is best known for her appearance in the fourth season of the hit ITV2 reality series Love Island, which she went on to win with her then-partner Jack Fincham.
Daughter born during Mariupol siege: the story of the National Guardsman whose photo from Azovstal won hearts worldwide

27-year-old Volodymyr is a defender of Mariupol who became famous when a photograph of him at the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works was published worldwide.

He caught the attention of Dmytro "Orest" Kozatskyi, photographer and press officer for the Azov Regiment, and his photo was exhibited in various European countries.

The National Guard of Ukraine has told the soldier's story on Facebook.

Volodymyr is the father of two children, the younger of whom was born on 9 March 2022, when the Guardsman was on his latest rotation in Donetsk Oblast.

Photo: Dmytro Kozatskyi

At that time, Russian troops already surrounded Mariupol, and there was almost no network connection.

Quote: "I remember I was sleeping before my shift, and the guys woke me up and started congratulating me. I didn't understand at first, and then I went to look for a connection to call my wife and see the baby. Then I promised myself I had to return home, because my family was waiting for me there," Volodymyr recalls.

The fighter also recalled how the legendary photo was taken.

"Once, in the bunker, a fighter from Azov [the regiment] saw me and told me I was famous because my photo had spread all over the Internet and was in various exhibitions abroad. The photo was taken on the spur of the moment. I wanted to look neat (a military habit), so I asked for a few minutes to wash and get changed," the National Guardsman says.

Volodymyr says that even in the horrific conditions they were living in, the fighters tried to protect their families from the truth and did not talk about the severity of their injuries.

That rotation was the first for many soldiers. For several weeks, a group of National Guardsmen was on duty at the fish canning factory and had to conduct observations and report back on the operational situation.

At the end of March 2022, the group had to relocate to another position in the seaport area because the Russian occupiers began deploying more and more equipment and were engaging the Ukrainians in heavy artillery bombardments.

"It is difficult to fight against tanks with small arms. Combat is not a Counter-Strike game, so couch strategies don't work here. The situation changed every minute, and you had to adapt to everything," Volodymyr recalls.

Photo: National Guard of Ukraine

After a convoy broke through to Azovstal in mid-April, the National Guardsman, together with his comrades, returned to the position.

During shelling, he received a shrapnel wound to his face and was evacuated to a field hospital on the premises of the steelworks.

After many months of captivity, Volodymyr returned home as part of a prisoner swap in February 2023.

"Today, the Guardsman is continuing his treatment and rehabilitation following his injury and spending time with his family," the National Guard of Ukraine added.

Background:

The defenders of Mariupol defended the city from the Russian invaders for three months, and their last stronghold was the Azovstal metallurgical plant.

Soldiers, marines, patrol policemen, border guards and other fighters held the plant under constant Russian fire amidst shortages of medicine, water and food.

Dmytro "Orest" Kozatskyi captured the life and conditions of the dungeon where the wounded soldiers lived on film. The former press officer of Azov also created a short film about the last day at Azovstal before leaving the territory of the plant.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Russias full-scale war exposes the terrifying horrors that come as no surprise, given the long history of Russian atrocities committed against Ukraine. The deliberate infliction of severe physical and psychological pain and suffering by the Russian army upon Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war reveals the expansion of Russia's historical agenda to eradicate the Ukrainian people and their identity.

With Russia shamelessly displaying its genocidal efforts, negotiating peace with such an aggressor will only allow Russias evil to persist into the future.

Volodymyr Vynnychenko, who served as Ukraine's first prime minister from 1918 to 1919, profoundly captured the essence of Ukrainian history as an agonizing chronicle of unimaginable suffering, stating that it was impossible to read Ukrainian history without taking bromide (once used as a sedative) because it was so painful, horrible, bitter and sad.

Oksana Lutsyshyna: Every wave is for you Now it seems to me like I always knew Vika Amelina. This past week has been hellish  a mix of anticipation, knowing, and the impossibility of reconciling with this knowledge. How can I imagine life without her now? Where do I even begin? We met in 2014 in New York The Kyiv IndependentOksana Lutsyshyna

Much of Ukraines historical suffering is due to Russia and its never-ending slaughter of the Ukrainian people.

Reports by a UN Commission have documented distressing patterns of rape and sexual violence inflicted on Ukrainians throughout the war. Russian forces have repeatedly employed widespread sexual violence to instill fear and intimidate the most vulnerable members of society, including children and the elderly, who have become primary targets.

The report documented that a Russian soldier forced a four-year-old girl to perform oral sex on him before her parents. An 83-year-old woman also described how she was raped by a Russian serviceman in front of her physically disabled husband.

There have been reports of Russian soldiers using window sealant to irreparably harm raped women, denying them the ability to bear children. During the summer of the previous year, a disturbing video circulated depicting a Russian soldier wearing blue surgical gloves while castrating a Ukrainian prisoner.

At the start of Russias full-scale invasion, Ukraine's then ombudsman for human rights, Lyudmyla Denisova, said, "About 25 girls and women aged 14 to 24 were systematically raped during the occupation in the basement of one house in Bucha. Nine of them are pregnant. Russian soldiers told them they would rape them to the point where they wouldn't want sexual contact with any man, to prevent them from having Ukrainian children."

The barbarism displayed by Russian forces extends beyond sexual violence.

Recent revelations from the United Nations and various sources expose state-endorsed torture as a deliberate and systematic weapon of war by Russian soldiers. Electric shocks, beatings, hooding, mock executions, and even castration are among the sadistic practices employed. Such levels of sadism have led Mikhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the Ukrainian president, to accurately describe Russia as "a country of cannibals who enjoy torture and murder."

Ukraines Prosecutor Generals Office has unequivocally stated that Russia's aggression against Ukraine extends far beyond that of a conventional military conflict. It depicts Russias actions as a calculated strategy to annihilate the Ukrainian populace.

Russia's weaponization of sexual violence is identified as a key tool in propagating a state of dread, leading to profound distress and the spread of fear among the population. This tactic is designed to cause severe physical, emotional, and psychological harm, imparting enduring trauma on survivors, and ensuring a lifetime of suffering. The ultimate goal is the destruction of their collective morale and the quelling of their resistance.

Women attend a protest called 'Rape Is a War Crime' in front of the Consulate General of Russia in Krakow, Poland, on May 8, 2022. A day before "Victory Day" celebrated by Russians to commemorate the victory of World War II, protesters representing rape victims stood in silence to demonstrate against violence and brutal rapes of Ukrainan women and children by Russians soldiers during the ongoing invasion on Ukraine. (Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

It is crucial to grasp the significance of these atrocious acts, as they go beyond isolated incidents and form part of Russia's enduring pattern of aggression toward Ukraine.

Throughout its expansive history, the Russian state has consistently displayed a disconcerting willingness to employ extreme violence against Ukrainians and suppress their aspirations for freedom. A poignant illustration of this historical aggression can be traced back to the Great Northern War in the 18th century.

In response to an uprising in Ukraine in 1708, Russia unleashed a brutal onslaught on the Hetmanates capital, Baturyn. The city was leveled, and the population was subject to a horrific massacre that claimed the lives of an estimated 15,000 people, including innocent women and children. Russian troops committed heinous acts such as looting, razing buildings to the ground, and even using the bodies of leading Cossacks in a chilling display of power, floating them down the river for all to see.

After the October Revolution in 1917, the Ukrainian People's Republic courageously declared its independence from Russia in 1918. Vladimir Lenin and the Bolshevik regime wasted no time in suppressing Ukrainian nationalism and consolidating their power. In their relentless pursuit to dominate the nation, Lenin's forces waged a brutal war against the Ukrainian people, resulting in the merciless massacre of hundreds, if not thousands, of citizens. Even prominent figures such as Metropolitan Vladimir of the Orthodox Church fell victim to Russias ruthless campaign to seize control of the country.

The Holodomor, a 1930s man-made famine deliberately orchestrated by Stalin, is a glaring example of Russias effort to destroy Ukraine. Its devastating consequences claimed the lives of between 3 to 7 million Ukrainians from 1932 to 1933. By the end of 1933, an estimated 15% to 25.8% of the Ukrainian population had perished. The deliberate starvation of Ukrainians was a calculated strategy to crush their spirit, eradicate their national identity, and force them into submission.

Holodomor: Soviet Unions man-made famine in Ukraine Editors Note: This article contains graphic photos and descriptions. The Holodomor, which means murder by starvation in Ukrainian, is widely considered to be one of Ukraines most devastating national tragedies. A man-made famine brought on by the agricultural collectivization policies and acti The Kyiv IndependentAlexandra Keeler

The use of rape as a weapon of war has persistently served as a means to inflict humiliation, degradation, and break the resilience of defenders. Regrettably, this abhorrent tactic continues to be employed in Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. The immediate harm caused by such acts of violence represents only a fraction of the enduring aftermath, as survivors are condemned to a lifetime of unimaginable trauma. Rape is one tool among many utilized to achieve the reprehensible objective of subjugating the Ukrainian people.

Russia's historical record bears the weight of grievous atrocities, including the obliteration of cities, large-scale massacres, and the systematic imposition of Russian culture upon the Ukrainian people. The current barbaric acts perpetrated by Russian soldiers in Ukraine should serve as a resounding wake-up call for the West.

This situation starkly underscores the impossibility of Ukraine engaging in diplomatic negotiations with a country that continuously brutalizes and ravages its land. We must apprehend the unyielding nature of the turbulence currently besieging Ukraine, recognizing it not as an isolated event but as an enduring testament to Russia's extensive history of violence and devastation spanning centuries.

Only recently has the world begun to comprehend the profound violent nature that truly defines modern imperial Russia.

Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

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Down in a bunker a little way back from the Ukraine frontline, I am watching a staple of modern warfare: a drone attack in real time.

The command centre is a small room with three TV monitors, two of which are divided into four screens. All are showing drone footage from different parts of the fronts 20 kilometres of trenches. Four men sit in front of the screens. Two men sit off at the side  one on a laptop, one manning a two-way radio. In the centre of the room stands Bereza, the Brigade commander, barking voicenotes into his phone.

Two of the screens go black and a message pops up: Your livestream will play again as soon as its available. Get Ready! Im told it happens all the time. The screens cut in and out for all manner of unpredictable reasons. But, then, the image reappears and we are looking at a forest. A Russian tank is on the move  changing direction and wheeling around. The men inside this room are trying to destroy it. Their constant banter  about girls and weapons  doesnt seem to affect the focus with which they pursue the tank. One man shouts into the radio; Bereza growls into his phone. A screen goes black again. Your livestream will play again as soon as its available. Get Ready!

A screen flashes with light. Then billowing smoke. The men whoop and cheer. I have just seen a successful strike. Dima grins. The atmosphere is electric but also strangely banal. The exclusively male cohort, the puerile jokes, the screens, the repeated invocation to Get Ready!. Its like they are all playing a video game.

This is modern war, David says Dima. The war online.

In some respects, 21st-century warfare began the first time a US MQ-1 Predator UAV (thats an unmanned Aerial Vehicle) drone flew over the Talibans positions to photograph the scene below. The Americans realised drones could be used for more than snooping. They could be modified for combat, armed with missiles and other incendiary devices. China, Iran and Turkey joined the arms race, and now they flood the market with their own cheap and effective drones.

For any state fighting without the wealth of the United States and China (which is everyone else), what is cheap and effective is also necessary. Out in Ukraine, the skies throng with Chinese-made DJI Mavics, Iranian Shaheds, Russian Orlan-10s and Turkish Bayraktar TB2s. Drones may not have the same payload or firepower as a fighter jet, but then again you cant buy a fighter jet on the internet. For the price of one F-35, you can buy 55,000 DJI Mavic 3s. For less established militaries, drones offer the chance of levelling the field to at least some degree.

I spot a DJI Mavic 3 drone amid the scattered clothing, food and weaponry in the Dnipro 1 base. Its not more than around 1312 inches. This is a civilian camera drone  anyone can buy it online for around $3,000. If resource constraints breed creativity, then the Ukrainians are becoming artists. When I covered the battle of Bakhmut, an officer there explained to me how his unit could take out a multi-million-dollar T90 Russian tank by simply buying a Mavic online and fitting it with a small explosive. The Ukrainians have become masters of modifying consumer drones for conflict; of weaponising the everyday into something far more potent.

There is an atmosphere of relaxed watchfulness here. The sound of shells and rockets is distant but constant. The soldiers are fighting the Russians up close with tanks, rockets, artillery, sometimes even rifles. And always drones. Some, including the Iranian-made HESA Shahed 136 that the Russians use, are designed to directly strike targets. These are generally expensive  though the Shahed comes in at around $10,000 upwards, which makes it affordable enough to be expendable (only increasing their threat). But the Ukrainians mainly use drones as eyes in the sky  they use the cheaper camera ones to spot enemy targets and then call in their coordinates to other units, mainly artillery, to enable them to strike them more accurately. When ammunition and equipment stocks are low, firing must be accurate. On the front, there are few second chances.

If I had had this technology in 2014, Putin would not have been able to occupy any of our territories. Fact, says Dnipro 1 commander Yuriy Bereza. The most important thing now is online comms. The most important thing is that I can see the reality on the ground. Hes whittling a piece of cardboard with a knife, which he waves it around for emphasis as he makes his point. When soldiers are on the front they are stressed and often give the wrong information, but with a drone I can see the situation calmly on the screen I see the reality, the truth of it all  from above. It impacts how quickly I can make a decision. And whoever is quicker wins.

Its incredible how drones are changing the war. If I turn on my phone  a rocket will come out of the sky and land on me. The Russians can track it and they have orders to kill me. So many things in war now are about WhatsApp, Facetime, Signal  wars are being run out of phones. And if you leave a phone on in the wrong place you can die.

The next morning after coffee, Bereza calls over a soldier who introduces himself as Oleksiy and who was part of the team last night. He is a studious-looking man who before the war was, like Dima, an IT engineer. Once those fighting here would have been the most physically impressive. Now they are recruited for their digital skills. Contemporary conflicts now require different types of soldiers  and theyre neither AI-generated nor Olympians.

He explains that what I had seen yesterday was part of a multi-pronged mission to stop two Russian tanks trying to destroy Ukrainians positions on the zero line while simultaneously trying to draw the units attention away from an attack from the other side. My role is to coordinate the direction of fire and to give tasks to the different units around me. Those who pilot the drone; those who analyse the coordinates; those who shoot  all of them I coordinate on the battlefield.

He picks up a book from the table. Look at this book on how to be a commander. Its several years old, but we need to react to events as they are now. Military doctrine is like a computer program, it needs to be updated every six months. Drones are the best for choosing tactics, not tomorrow, but right now.

And you need to be creative. Last night one of the tanks managed to get away but they got the other one by sending the drone up to follow it in real time and then send its coordinates to the artillery as it moved. They could direct their fire in such a way that while they didnt hit it directly, they forced the tank onto a mine, blowing it up. The whole operation took about three minutes. How would they have done this operation without drones? Before drones, he replies, the only eyes we had were of the infantry. We sucked.

What about the air force? He smiles. Well, for a start the Russians also have more planes. But even so, maybe you can hear a tank from a plane, but you cannot work out where it is. Especially if the tank is hidden and then two minutes later comes out of its hiding place  and the Russians use jamming systems to disguise their movements, but we use drones from a big distance to get around this. Drones allow us to watch the battle in real time. The benefits drones bring are more than just narrowly military. For a start, there is the question of morale. One of the units key tasks, Oleksiy explains, is to aid their infantry. When they see us over their heads, [they know] we are protecting them, so they are happier to stay on their frontlines positions, because they know we can be there in one minute, he says. This, in the end, its what its all about in war: speed. And drones, if used properly, give you that. Right now, the Ukrainians are reaping the rewards.

The Russians are neither stupid nor technologically naive. According to reports, Ukraine is losing around 10,000 drones per month to Russian electronic warfare. When I spoke to Dima earlier in the year, he told me how much better the enemy was getting at jamming and disrupting his attacks and how much more advanced they were in medium-range drones. Now, 18 months on, despite all their problems, the Russians remain in the field and they are getting better. They have significant technological capabilities  and, crucially, they are learning from their mistakes.

The Ukrainians, meanwhile, are forced to crowdfund for drones (and indeed other equipment). The Russians, bereft of international or often popular domestic support, are reliant on Moscow to keep delivering. It does so inadequately and with little concern for its own men. But its artillery is still firing, and its drones are still in the air. And as the counteroffensive intensifies all the way up and down the line of contact, it is becoming clear that whoever wins the drone wars will come to hold the upper hand in the war  perhaps for good.
Torrential downpours have washed away vehicles, demolished buildings and torn down bridges in Himachal Pradesh, the worst-affected state (Arun SANKAR)

Days of relentless monsoon rains have killed at least 66 people in India, government officials said Wednesday, with dozens of foreign tourists stranded in the Himalayas after floods severed road connections.

Flooding and landslides are common and cause widespread devastation during India's treacherous monsoon season, but experts say climate change is increasing their frequency and severity.

Torrential downpours have washed away vehicles, demolished buildings and torn down bridges in Himachal Pradesh, the worst-affected state.

At least 33 people have lost their lives in the state -- popular for its picturesque Himalayan hill stations -- since Saturday, said Onkar Sharma, head of the state disaster agency.

Rescue teams were mobilised to assist 40 foreign travellers -- including 14 Russians and 12 Malaysians -- stranded at tourist destinations alongside several hundred Indian nationals, state police chief Satwant Atwal told AFP.

"Due to heavy snowfall and bad weather it has become very difficult to evacuate them," Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said Wednesday on Twitter.

"We are exploring all possible options."

At least 12 people were killed in neighbouring Uttarakhand state, including nine on Tuesday when debris fell on their vehicles on a national highway, officials said.

A popular pilgrimage to the state's Kedarnath temple, home to a revered shrine of the Hindu deity Shiva, was suspended due to heavy rains.

- 'Huge loss of life' -

"In view of continuous rains in all the areas of the state, I request the people and pilgrims to avoid making unnecessary journeys," Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami wrote on Twitter.

Incessant rain had caused significant damage across Punjab state, with at least 10 killed in flash floods.

"There is a huge loss of life and property, the loss is being assessed," state revenue minister Brahm Shankar Jimpa told reporters Tuesday.

At least 11 people were killed in Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, according to state officials.

The capital New Delhi has also been put on high alert for flooding after the Yamuna river, which snakes past the megacity, recorded its highest levels since 1978.

The waterway has already inundated homes along its banks and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said it was expected to rise further later on Wednesday evening.

The monsoon brings South Asia around 80 percent of its annual rainfall and is vital both for agriculture and the livelihoods of millions of farmers.

But it brings destruction every year in the form of landslides and floods. Melting glaciers add to the volume of water while unregulated construction in flood-prone areas exacerbates the damage.

The rainfall is hard to forecast and varies considerably, but scientists say climate change is making the monsoon stronger and more erratic.

str-abh/gle/pjm/aha
The News

A showdown between China and a coalition of island and European nations is taking place in Kingston, Jamaica this week over the prospect of mining minerals on the seafloor. For now, the industry has the upper hand.

This is the crunch-time moment, said Emma Wilson, policy officer at the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, an environmental group.

Tims view

It seems likely that deep-sea mining could begin in earnest within the next two years. The debate over the emerging industry goes to the heart of a central dilemma of the energy transition, which is that production of the minerals needed to build EV batteries and other clean tech entails its own unavoidable environmental risks.

Deep-sea mining could reduce the need for even more damaging forms of onshore mining; a boom in nickel production in Indonesia, for example, is emerging as a major threat to that countrys rainforests. But its not clear that these two forms of mining are indeed mutually exclusive, given the global economys voracious appetite for minerals. So the end result could be more mining on both fronts.

Thus far, deep-sea mining has not yet been done at commercial scale anywhere in the world. But a handful of companies  with the backing of China and other countries hungry for a new supply of nickel, manganese, and other minerals needed for the clean energy transition  are ready to forge ahead.

The notion of a delay or moratorium is nonsense and has zero legal basis, Gerard Barron, the CEO of Vancouver-based The Metals Company, told me. To go ahead, they need approval from an obscure UN agency called the International Seabed Authority, which hit a legal deadline this month to finalize regulations for the emergent industry and is now negotiating them in Kingston. TMC is happy with draft rules currently on the table in Kingston, Barron said. It plans to file its mining application once the rules are adopted, and is prepared to begin mining by late 2024 or 2025. China holds the greatest number of ISA exploration licenses, and is keen to extend its existing dominance of the critical mineral supply chain to the deep sea.

For now, only Canada, France, Germany, and about a dozen other countries support a temporary or permanent halt, which would require a majority vote by the ISAs 167 member states. The U.S., which is not an ISA member, has not taken a public position.

Unless dozens more countries commit to a moratorium, TMCs application  sponsored by the island nation Nauru  will almost certainly be approved, setting off an undersea gold rush. (Although some of its Pacific island peers are opposed to deep-sea mining, Naurus government has cultivated a close relationship with TMC executives and stands to reap royalties from its mining activities, according to a Bloomberg investigation.)

Know More

Courtesy The Metals Company

TMC plans to harvest nickel and other minerals held in billions of oyster-sized deposits called polymetallic nodules scattered across the Pacific seafloor. Wilson and other conservationists argue the ISAs proposed mining rules are too weak and contravene existing U.N. agreements against biodiversity loss, including the high seas treaty adopted last month.

The nodules, they argue, serve an important ecological function, and the process of mining them  involving huge harvesting machines connected via pipeline to collection ships on the surface  could cause catastrophic undersea pollution from dust, heavy metals, and noise. The ISA, which has a relatively small staff and budget, is not equipped to adequately oversee mining that takes place deep underwater in remote stretches of the Pacific, Wilson said.

Room for Disagreement

Even if the ISA applications of TMC and other prospective prospectors are approved, they also face the challenge of finding buyers willing to stomach the reputational risk associated with a controversial new industry. Several of the corporations that should be target customers for a new source of battery metals, including Volvo, Volkswagen, BMW, GM, Ford, and Renault, have committed to exclude deep-sea minerals from their supply chains, amid mounting public scrutiny of mineral supply chains. TMC also lost an important partner earlier this year when Maersk, which had previously planned to provide shipping services for TMC, decided to sell its stake in the company.

The View From Paris

The necessity of deep-sea mining is also being called into question by a deluge of investment in onshore mining. A new analysis this week from the International Energy Agency found that the gap between mineral demand and supply is narrowing as the clean energy industry drove a 30% jump in upstream mining investment from 2021 to 2022.

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(Reuters) - Gerry and Elizabeth Paulus love taking road trips across the United States, and soon theyll be preparing for what they call their "ultimate road trip" - one that will take them into deep space.

The couple from Mesa, Arizona, will be sending their DNA into space in the upcoming Enterprise mission being launched by Celestis, a space burials company based out of Houston, Texas.

It helps us to think about the future and even though we're not going to be there physically, we're going to be a little part of it in some way and that really does make me smile, Elizabeth Paulus said.

While space burials are not a new concept, the company is preparing for their first deep space flight, orbiting around the sun indefinitely.

The flight will carry approximately 196 capsules, including the ashes or DNA of notable individuals such as Gene Roddenberry, the creator of "Star Trek," along with the remains of actors James Doohan and Nichelle Nichols, who starred in the science-fiction saga.

Presidents George Washington, Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy will also be represented.

"That repository is going to be 330 million kilometers out into space," Celestis President Colby Youngblood said. "It's going to be the first ... repository of our civilization out in the universe."

(Reporting by Liliana Salgado and Evan Garcia; Writing by Mark Porter)
Deltona man sentenced to 30 years for fatally stabbing co-worker during commute

A Deltona man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for stabbing to death a co-worker he said was teasing him as they returned from work in a van on Interstate-4, according to the State Attorneys Office.

Christopher Sanchez-Roman, 36, pleaded no contest to second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of Yoni Cipriano-Cruz, 30.

Sanchez-Roman also pleaded no contest to attempted second-degree murder in the stabbing of Juan Carlos Hernandez, 29.

Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols adjudicated Sanchez-Roman guilty on Friday and pronounced the sentence. He received credit for 1,056 days time-served.

This past week in Volusia County, Defendant Christopher Sanchez-Roman was sentenced to 30 years in Florida State Prison. The defendant pled to Second-Degree Murder and Attempted Second-Degree Murder last month.



1/2 pic.twitter.com/dVCuwsQHJX  State Attorney, Florida's 7th Circuit (@SAO7FL) July 11, 2023

The men were returning home on Aug. 14, 2020, to Volusia County after a day of working construction in Tampa.

Sanchez-Roman was sitting behind the driver, Jose Chavarria-Damien. Hernandez was sitting in the backseat behind front-seat passenger Cipriano-Cruz.

Man kills co-worker on I-4: Deltona man stabs co-worker to death during I-4 commute home, deputies say

Sanchez-Roman told investigators the men began teasing him, according to a charging affidavit.

Sanchez-Roman claimed he saw Cipriano-Cruz reach for something but did not see anything in his hands, according to a charging affidavit. Sanchez-Roman admitted to stabbing Cipriano-Cruz in the left side.

Man fatally stabbed: Daytona Beach man fatally stabbed early Saturday

The driver heard Cipriano-Cruz yell that he had been stabbed by Sanchez-Roman.

Sanchez-Roman then began stabbing Hernandez.

Hernandez fought Sanchez-Roman while Chavarria-Damien called 911 and drove off the interstate and parked at a RaceTrac at 3201 Howland Blvd.

Hernandez pulled Sanchez-Roman out of the vehicle as the two continued to fight over the knife until a patron intervened and disarmed Sanchez-Roman.

A detective found an approximately 5-inch-long, "butterfly-type knife" near the front door of the RaceTrac. The blade tip was bent and appeared to have blood.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Deltona man who killed co-worker during commute gets 30 years in prison
Cornel Wests third-party presidential campaign is stirring up unpleasant flashbacks to 2016 for members of the Democratic Party, some of whom are starting to grow anxious about the effect it could have on President Bidens reelection.

West, a philosopher, Ivy League academic and leftist, recently announced he is newly registered with the Green Party as he seeks to challenge Biden and the eventual Republican nominee for the White House.

Now, some prominent figures supporting Biden, from the head of the Democratic National Committee to veteran campaign hands, are already sounding the alarm about his quixotic White House run.

This is not the time in order to experiment. This is not the time to play around on the margins, warned DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison, a close Biden confidant, over the weekend.

Seven years ago, when Hillary Clinton lost to former President Donald Trump, many in her orbit blamed Green Party nominee Jill Stein as a factor that contributed to her defeat. Heading into 2024, Democrats worry West could emerge as a similar spoiler by earning just enough votes to fracture the coalition Biden needs to win.

In 2016, the Green Party played an outsized role in tipping the election to Donald Trump, wrote David Axelrod, who served as former President Obamas chief strategist, on Twitter last weekend. Now, with Cornel West as their likely nominee, they could easily do it again. Risky business.

The concerns come as Democrats stare down yet another possible race against Trump. After multiple indictments and other potentially consequential legal entanglements, hes polling well ahead of his rivals for the Republican nomination, and Democrats are already preparing for the third consecutive general election with him as their opponent.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

Bidens allies are warning publicly that theres little room for error. If the twice-impeached former president is again his partys nominee, they see a hard and unpredictable fight on the horizon and are calling for loyalty and focus. Wests bid complicates that path to victory, some suggest.

What we see is a lot of folks who want to be relevant and try to be relevant in these elections and not looking at the big picture, Harrison said, adding, We got to reelect Joe Biden.

While Democrats continue to be haunted by what happened in 2016, there are some notable differences between then and now. Clinton was, in millions of voters minds, a highly flawed candidate with a family history and political track record that made many uncomfortable. Some of those voters in key battleground states found Stein, who ran twice on the Green Party ticket and is now advising West, an appealing alternative.

There was also a widespread assumption at the time that Clinton would beat Trump and that a third-party vote on principle would not make much of a difference.

In 2016, it was clear to me and other organizers that a significant number of voters were unwilling to vote for Hillary Clinton because of her record supporting disastrous wars and were willing to vote Green Party as a protest vote, under the assumption Clinton would win anyway, said Alexander McCoy, a progressive operative and organizer.

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Biden is different for a number of reasons, Democrats say, in part due to his policy considerations during his first term.

I dont think that will happen again to the same scale, McCoy said, because Joe Biden ended the war in Afghanistan and has kept U.S. troops out of new conflicts like Ukraine. A Donald Trump presidency also feels more real to people.

Democrats are just starting to express concerns about West after previously ignoring his newly formed campaign. So far, hes had some defenders. West, a surrogate for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in 2020 and a former Harvard scholar, has been praised by those who share the progressive senators worldview, mostly for the activist-minded spirit he brings and his commitment to leftist ideology.

His allies see his candidacy as a way to show policy distinctions with Biden and to introduce more progressive ideas to the voting public. Still, even some of his admirers acknowledge he could hurt the incumbent president in favor of the GOP.

They just hope that doesnt happen.

Dr. West and his supporters ideas and frustrations deserve to be heard, but hopefully, that doesnt come at the cost of the worst possible candidate winning again because of our antiquated electoral system, said Hassan Martini, executive director of No Dem Left Behind, a progressive group focused on rural voters.

Many of Wests ideas already have a home within our party, and our party winning enough elections is key to making those ideas a reality, he said.

Some progressives close to West want him to agitate Biden further. Theyd like to see him debate the president but concede theres a slim chance of that happening.

Biden risks the same thing that scared the hell out of neoliberals in 2016, said Nina Turner, a staunch progressive and former state senator from Ohio who worked with West on Sanderss last campaign.

The ideas of the progressive left are popular with the majority of the American people, she said, suggesting West has tapped into something Biden has not.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

Progressives indeed helped Biden attract a broad support base in 2020. That included many who werent overly enthusiastic about his candidacy but showed up out of fear or anger toward Trump. Now, some Democrats say they could entertain voting for other choices this time around, and that West could prove to be a dark horse.

One Democratic campaign strategist said Biden should include West in conversations about the direction of the party as a way to keep him and fellow progressives on board.

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Get them in a fing room and ask what they want and include it in the platform, the strategist said, adding progressives love Wests run. I think theyll be happy if he moves Biden[s] rhetoric left.

West did not respond to a request for comment by publication time.

Its still very early in the cycle, but a sizable number of voters  44 percent  are willing to contemplate a third-party presidential candidate, according to an NBC News poll released in late June.

Theres also a considerable lack of appetite for a redo of the last election. A CNN/SSRS survey also taken last month found 31 percent of voters polled did not want either Trump or Biden to be their respective partys nominee.

We are confident that the Democratic Party best serves Dr. Wests agenda, said Martini, of No Dem Left Behind. Maybe not completely, but certainly far more than if Republicans can cement Supreme Court dominance for the next 30-40 years.

It would be terrible for his legacy and our country if his candidacy leads to the reelection of a man who seriously threatens to destroy our Democracy and the rule of law, he said.

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Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee are asking the Supreme Court Historical Society for information on its donors, its events and the extent of the access it grants exclusive members to justices on the court.

The letter from Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) comes as the panel works to craft new legislation strengthening ethics standards for the court.

It also follows a series of reports that Supreme Court justices have accepted lodging and travel gifts from various parties.

The two Democrats noted that a report in The New York Times last year said donors to the society had been granted access to justices.

Last year, the New York Times reported about access that donors to the Supreme Court Historical Society (Society) have to Justices. We therefore write to request information regarding the ways in which the Society provides such access to its donors, the letter states.

Durbin and Whitehouse noted the Times had reported that the society organizes events promising access to justices.

Notably, not all of these events are open to the general public, allowing special access to donors, the two wrote.

Regardless of the intentions behind this access, the ability of those with interests before the Court to obtain special access to the Justicesthat is not available to all Americansat minimum creates an appearance of undue influence that undermines the publics trust in the Courts impartiality, Durbin and Whitehouse wrote.

They provided a list of questions and requested a response from the societys president, Chilton Davis Varner, no later than July 25, 2023.

They asked for a full list of current and former members and officers to the society and the length of their service.

They also wanted details of the events attended by any Supreme Court justice for the last 20 years  when the event took place, which justice attended and whether the events were open to the general public. If they were not open to the public, the senators asked whether attendance was restricted to those who donated above a certain amount and what the donation amount was.

Maintaining faith in the impartiality of the federal judiciary is a necessary prerequisite for preserving the rule of law. In the absence of action by the Supreme Court to address shortcomings in its ethical standards and practices, Congress must act to restore faith in the Court by passing legislation that addresses those shortcomings, Durbin and Whitehouse wrote.

The information requested by this letter will help clarify the full scope of ethical concerns that the legislation must address, they added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- Democrats unsuccessfully sought an immediate US House inquiry into whether Republican lawmakers leveling accusations of corruption against presidential son Hunter Biden were misled by an informant who is now charged with working secretly for the Chinese Communist Party.

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Their demand followed the unsealing Monday of a federal indictment charging Gal Luft  the purported whistleblower  with arms trafficking, breaking US sanctions against Iran, making false charges to federal agents and operating as an unregistered foreign agent of the Chinese Communist Party.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican, who rejected the request for a probe, responded that Luft is a credible witness to the Bidens influence-peddling schemes because he said both men received payments from the same company allegedly linked to the Chinese Communist Party.

But Representative Jamie Raskin, the top-ranking Democrat on the panel, released a letter Wednesday seeking an investigation into whether the panel was unwittingly duped by Mr. Luft in furtherance of the CCPs interests.

Raskin, joined by Democratic Representative Dan Goldman, questioned whether Luft sought special whistleblower witness status from Comer and Congress in an effort intended to shield himself from criminal prosecution or to further Chinese interests in undermining President Joe Biden.

They criticized Senator Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, for urging Luft be granted immunity from prosecution in order to help Republicans attack President Biden.

Luft, a dual US-Israeli national, fled after being released on bail following arrest in Cyprus in February and has since been a fugitive.

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Democrats want to take on Rick Scott next year. They still need to find a candidate.

Florida Democrats are girding to take on Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott next year. The one thing missing so far: an established candidate.

Democratic Party leaders in both Florida and Washington, D.C. have started reaching out to potential candidates in an effort to gauge their interest in a Senate run. While no major challenger has stepped up to the plate, at least a few prominent Democrats have expressed interest in the race.

Former U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, who lost reelection in a key South Florida House to Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez in 2020, acknowledged during the Florida Democratic Partys annual conference in Miami Beach over the weekend that she had been approached about challenging Scott in 2024 and said she is considering a bid.

Florida State House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell is also said to be considering a Senate run, as is Jennifer Jenkins, a Brevard County School Board member who has gained a reputation for challenging Republicans on education-related culture war issues.

Driskell said that her work in the state House remains her priority, but did not explicitly rule out a Senate bid. Jenkins, who was given a prime speaking slot at the Florida Democratic Partys fundraising gala over the weekend, told the Miami Herald that shes already begun to put together a team to look at what a Senate campaign would look like. She said a decision on running is likely to come sooner than later.

This seat can obviously not go uncontested, Jenkins said. We need a candidate thats dynamic, that can inspire young people to turn out. And whoever that person ends up being, I will absolutely support them.

Florida Democrats are particularly eager to put up a top-tier candidate against Scott, believing that a win  or at least a formidable challenge  would help them reverse the narrative that Florida is rapidly becoming a lost cause for their party. National Democrats are also eyeing the state as a rare opportunity to go on offense in an election year in which some of their most vulnerable incumbent senators will be on the ballot.

Scott, meanwhile, has butted heads with Republican leaders in Washington. And while the former two-term governor has never lost an election, his three statewide wins have all come by narrow margins.

Nikki Fried, the chair of the Florida Democratic Party, has insisted that state and national Democratic leaders are committed to beating Scott in 2024. At a press conference over the weekend, she said that she had received assurances from national party leaders, including Democratic National Committee Chair Jamie Harrison, that flipping Scotts Senate seat is a top priority for the party.

READ MORE: A new day for Florida Democrats: Party leaders project optimism at Miami Beach gathering

In a statement to the Herald on Tuesday, Fried also said that she believes Scott is vulnerable to a challenge. She said her party is ready to seize on the momentum weve built over the summer through our new rebrand, grassroots outreach and fundraising efforts.

As for who is running, all Ill say right now is that we will support a formidable Senate candidate  and we expect to win, she said.

RELATED CONTENT: Rick Scott says hes sticking to reelection after report hes mulling presidential run

Stakes

Finding a formidable candidate is only part of the battle for Democrats. Scott, who won his Senate seat in 2018, is heading into his first reelection bid with the advantage of incumbency and almost-limitless financial resources to draw from.

He raised more than $1.5 million for his campaign in the second quarter of the year and has nearly $3 million in the bank. Beyond that, Scott has a vast personal fortune that hes drawn from in the past to fund his political ambitions. During his first Senate run in 2018, he spent nearly $64 million of his own money to defeat then-Sen. Bill Nelson, according to federal campaign finance records.

There are broader challenges for Democrats. The party hasnt won a Senate race in Florida since 2012 and is in the midst of rebuilding after a devastating 2022 midterm election cycle that saw Republicans win supermajorities in both chambers of the state legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis coast to a 19-point reelection victory.

Democrats also have significant ground to make up in South Florida, especially in Miami. For decades, Miami-Dade County was considered relatively safe territory for Democrats running in statewide races, and a key population center for the party to bank votes. That changed last year when both DeSantis and Rubio won Floridas largest county by 11 and 9 percentage points, respectively.

Joshua Karp, a Democratic consultant who has worked on multiple statewide campaigns in Florida, said that any effort to reassert the state Democratic Party as a real political force would have to begin in South Florida.

Democrats need a candidate whos going to be an inspiration to a party that desperately needs revitalizing, Karp said. And that revitalizing has to start in South Florida, where the partys been losing ground for years.

The 2024 Senate race in Florida isnt the only one posing a challenge for Democrats.

Nationally, the party is trying to defend the seats of 23 Senate incumbents, including several in Republican-leaning states, like West Virginia, Ohio and Montana, as well as perennial battlegrounds like Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Those races are likely to pull national resources away from Florida, where statewide campaigns are notoriously expensive.

Still, national Democrats said that Floridas U.S. Senate race is still on their radar, pointing to Scotts track record of narrow election wins and noting that next years presidential election could help boost Democratic voter turnout after an abysmal showing in Florida last year.

There are pythons more popular than Rick Scotts plan to cut Medicare and Social Security, Maevy Coyle, a spokesperson for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), said. Democrats will look for every opportunity to put Republicans on defense, including in states like Florida.

Scott came under fire from Democrats and even fellow Republicans last year after he released a 12-point policy plan that included a call to sunset all federal programs, including Medicare and Social Security. He later walked back that proposal, carving out an exemption for those programs.

Priscilla Ivasco, the communications director for Scotts reelection campaign, said that Floridas junior senator isnt taking anything for granted and like hes done in past races hes running full steam ahead, raising money and traveling the state meeting with Floridians.

But she was also quick to note that Democrats have yet to field a major candidate against Scott. The only well-known Democrat that has filed paperwork for a Senate bid is former U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, a liberal firebrand who has made multiple attempts at a political comeback since losing a Senate primary in 2016.

Meanwhile the Florida Democratic Party continues to struggle to find a legitimate opponent for this cycle, besides disgraced former Congressman Alan Grayson, Ivasco said in a statement. Every time we think the Florida Democratic Party has hit a new low, they find new ways to surprise us. Betting against Senator Scott is never smart, and Florida Democrats know that better than anyone.
James Craig has yet to be asked to enter a plea to the charge of first degree murder - Aurora Police Department

A US dentist accused of murdering his wife searched is arsenic detectable in autopsy? before lacing her protein shakes with the lethal chemical, prosecutors have said.

James Craig, 45, is charged with first degree murder.

Authorities believe he killed his wife of 23 years Angela Craig so he could pursue a relationship with another woman.

Mr Craig has yet to be asked to enter a plea to the charge.

The mother of six, aged 43, was hospitalised three times in 10 days. She was taken off life support on 15 March after she was declared medically brain dead.

In the weeks before the death, Mr Craig allegedly used a computer at his dental practice to create a new email address and make online searches including: How many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human and Is arsenic detectable in autopsy, according to an affidavit.

Mr Craig ordered arsenic from Amazon on February 27, police allege. They believe he put the chemical in one of her protein shakes on March 6, the affidavit states.

Two days later, Mrs Craig texted her husband saying she was dizzy and felt drugged.

Angela and James Craig

When she survived he ordered a shipment of potassium cyanide that he told the supplier was needed for a surgery.

Police began investigating Mr Craig after his dental practice partner told a nurse he had ordered potassium cyanide even though they did not need it for their work.

Police in Aurora, Denver, allege he was meeting Karin Cain, who flew from Texas to visit him.

Ms Cain, an orthodontist, told Good Morning America she met Mr Craig at a dental conference in February when she was in the process of getting a divorce.

She said she didnt willingly have a relationship with someone who was married and she doesnt like being called his mistress.

I dont like that label, she said. If I had known what was true, I would not have been with this person.

Ms Cain said they were together for three weeks.

Asked whether she thought Mr Craig killed his wife to be with her, Ms Cain said they hadnt been planning a future together.

Theres no way Im motive, she said.

A lawyer representing Mr Craig was approached for comment by The Telegraph.

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Deputies looking for suspects after theft at area Panera Bread

Deputies are asking for the publics help after a theft at an area Panera Bread.

Mongomery County Sheriffs Office said at the Panera Bread on Lyons Road a woman had her wallet stolen out of her purse while she was dining in the restaurant.

>> 1 person in custody after reportedly firing shots from SUV in Dayton

The sheriffs office posted photos of three people they said are believed to be involved in the theft.

Anyone who can identify any of the individuals is asked to call Det. Linda Shutts at (937) 432-2765 or Crime Stoppers at (937) 222-STOP.












FILE- San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers answers a question after a news conference, Sunday, April 30, 2023, in Cleveland, Texas. Capers, who has faced years of complaints about dysfunction and corruption, was repeatedly reported to state and federal law enforcement by his own deputies, but an outside investigation never gained momentum, according to interviews and records reviewed by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

DALLAS (AP)  A Texas sheriff who's been the subject of years of complaints about dysfunction and corruption was repeatedly reported to state and federal law enforcement by his own deputies  yet an outside investigation never gained momentum, according to interviews and records reviewed by The Associated Press.

Two of San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers' former deputies said they tried to get the Texas Rangers to look into wrongdoing in the sheriff's office when they worked there, but the state's elite investigative agency did little to pursue a case. One of them later gave a detailed interview to an officer with the FBI's regional public corruption taskforce but said it was met with the same result.

Despite the reports from members of law enforcement, the state and federal agencies appear not to have pursued what an AP investigation found were longstanding accusations that Capers office has ignored misconduct and neglected basic police work while pursuing asset seizures that boost its $3.5 million budget but dont always hold up in court.

The small, Houston-area sheriff's office drew national scrutiny amid a four-day search for a man accused of killing five neighbors in April when they complained that his late-night shooting was keeping their baby awake. The sheriffs office disclosed in response to AP's questions that deputies took nearly four times as long as Capers initially said to arrive at the mass shooting.

Last year, county leaders paid nearly $50,000 to have a police consulting firm examine the sheriffs office but disregarded its recommendation to ask the Rangers public corruption squad to investigate. The consultant's report says Capers fostered a fear-based culture, oversaw the improper seizure of tens of thousands of dollars of property and that his deputies failed to follow up on reports of 4,000 crimes.

Everybody in law enforcement knows whats going on, but nobody will do anything, said Michael Flynt, a former deputy who won a $240,000 settlement after suing the sheriffs office for retaliation when it fired him and charged him with crimes in 2018. A judge later dismissed the charges.

Capers did not respond to requests for comment. His second-in-command previously called the accusations against the sheriff straight-up lies, stressed their good working relationship with the Rangers and said the state agency is welcome to investigate their office "top to bottom.

A Rangers spokesperson said Tuesday they are not conducting an investigation into this matter.

Flynt, a veteran Houston-area officer who Capers personally recruited, said he drove to the regional state police office in the fall of 2017. He said he spoke with three Rangers and showed them documents supporting his accusations, including that Capers improperly handled seized assets and dismissed concerns about an affair between a deputy and an informant in a series of gambling cases.

Flynt said the Rangers told him they would need approval from their higher-ups to pursue an investigation and that he never heard back.

The next year, Michael Voytko said he called one of the same Rangers in tears after finding a tracking device on the bottom of his San Jacinto County patrol car. Voytko recalled telling the Ranger that he was terrified for his safety after challenging what he saw as wrongdoing in the sheriff's office. He said the Ranger responded that he would write a report but nothing could be done because it was a sheriff's department vehicle.

In October 2020, after Voytko left the sheriff's office for another job in law enforcement, he spoke with an FBI taskforce officer. Records reviewed by AP show the officer took detailed notes, writing that Voytko's allegations focused on Capers misusing seized funds and that other deputies could testify to what had been going on.

An FBI spokesman said the agency doesn't discuss complaints and neither confirms nor denies the existence of investigations. Voytko said he never saw any sign of one.

To my knowledge, nothing was ever done, he said.
Armed and dangerous Georgia trucker who said he wont go back to prison is now back in custody

The Bulloch County Sheriffs Office said a Georgia trucker who was considered to be armed and dangerous, is now back in custody.

Tommy Ellis Brown was accused of threatening to harm his estranged wife and her teenage daughter and told officers that he wont go back to prison.

He was wanted for aggravated stalking, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, violation of family violence order and criminal trespass.

In their post on Facebook, the sheriffs office said Brown had been taken back into custody in an update Wednesday afternoon.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Deputy Head of Russia's Security Council believes Russia is already at war with NATO

Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Head of Russias Security Council, has said that Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) are already at war with each other.

Source: Medvedev on Twitter

Details: Medvedev said that he deems the newly created NATO-Ukraine Council futile, referring back to the creation of the NATO-Russia Council in 2002, which had since failed.

Quote from Medvedev: "Everyone knows how that ended. The Alliance and our country are currently on the edge of war (in fact, they are already over that edge)."

Details: Medvedev also said that the Ukraine-NATO Council will stop existing because "one of the parties will cease existing".

Background:

On 11 July, the leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) approved the establishment of the NATO-Ukraine Council, a new body designed to facilitate cooperation between Kyiv and the Alliance.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that the NATO-Ukraine Council will be a tool for Ukraine's integration into the Alliance.

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Relatives of a 26-year-old man who was shot to death by an Orlando police officer in downtown earlier this month spoke publicly Wednesday afternoon outside the Orange County Courthouse after watching police body-worn camera video of the shooting.

Police said three officers on bicycles approached Derek Diaz on July 3 at East Jefferson Street and North Orange Avenue as he was sitting in his parked car because they suspected him of doing drugs. Police shot him one minute into their interaction.

Orlando police Officer Jose Velez shot Diaz as he reached toward the cars center console with his right hand.

Investigators said Velez shot Diaz because he thought the man was reaching for a gun. They later determined that Diaz had thrown drugs out of the cars window after being shot, but they have not specified what type of drugs they were. No weapon was found in the car.

Read: Derek Diazs family holds vigil and demands answers from OPD after an officer-involved shooting

One of the familys attorneys, Natalie Jackson, said during Wednesdays news conference that police showed Diazs family bodycam video of the shooting during a 10-minute meeting Wednesday morning, but investigators did not answer any of their questions.

She said that during the meeting, Diazs family members were not allowed to rewatch the video, read the police report or question police about the circumstances that led up to the shooting.

Our reaction to what we saw is that its not the complete evidence, Jackson said.

Sonja Nava, the mother of Diazs daughter, said she was deeply disturbed by the videos.

The video was so sickening to watch (that) I threw up while watching it, she said. All we know from that video is that Derek was sitting in his car and he was not doing anything wrong. Three aggressive officers approached him.

She said she informed their daughter Tuesday of her fathers death.

I did tell her yesterday that he did pass away, and she was upset, Nava said. She did cry.

Jackson said she would like to know what led police to approach Diaz.

What was the reason to approach Derek in the first place? she said. Why did they say downtown Orlando ... was a drug-ridden area?

Jackson said Diaz had a medical marijuana license because he suffered from anxiety and that that might have caused him to have a slower reaction time to officers commands.

She said her legal team will bring in a police use of force expert to determine whether the shooting was justified.

Read: Release the video: Ben Crump & family of man shot, killed at Orlando traffic stop seek answers

The family said a funeral service will be held for Diaz on Friday.

Click here to see newly released video of the shooting.

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 Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) on Tuesday said he would turn down the opportunity to run for vice president under former President Trump if given the chance.

I dont think so. Im not a No. 2 guy, DeSantis said on the Wisconsin Right Now radio show, NBC News reported. The Florida governor is trailing Trump in the 2024 GOP primary race by nearly 30 points nationally, according to a FiveThirtyEight poll.

DeSantis said he would opt to stay in his governorship over joining Trumps ticket, adding that the vice presidency doesnt really have any authority.

When asked whom he would consider signing on as a running mate, the Sunshine State governor said its a little bit presumptuous to be doing that at this stage, adding that hes focused on winning the early primaries before delving deep into his search for vice president.

The DeSantis campaigns struggle to gain traction has set off alarms among Republicans who expected a better performance from the candidate, with a spokesperson of the pro-DeSantis PAC Never Back Down referring to Trump as the runaway front-runner earlier this month.

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DeSantiss lagging campaign has also spurred other GOP leaders to reconsider running for the nomination.

In addition to leading DeSantis at a national level, the former president is also outperforming the Florida governor in polls of Sunshine State voters.

The Hills 2024 Elections coverage

The feud between DeSantis and Trump has reached a boiling point in recent weeks, with Trump bashing the DeSantis campaign as being in total disarray following the governors rally in New Hampshire earlier this month.

Former Vice President Mike Pence went through his own falling out with his former boss following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and has decried the former president as unfit for the presidency, launching a rivaling campaign against his old executive partner.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who is running for president in 2024, spoke out Wednesday against the Biden administrations decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, joining former President Trump in opposing the move.

Would you support sending cluster bombs to Ukraine, like some of the other Republican candidates, or are you opposed to it? host Howie Carr asked DeSantis in an interview on The Howie Carr Show.

I dont want to do anything thats gonna escalate this conflict. I think that right now you have an open-ended blank check. Theres no clear objective for victory. And this is kind of dragging on and on, DeSantis said, adding that the danger is this could escalate or end up just going on for years.

So, yes or no to cluster bombs if you were president? Carr pressed the Florida governor.

I would not do that, no. I think it runs, I think it probably runs a risk of escalation. Basically what I said from the beginning is no weapons that could lead to attacks inside Russia or escalating the conflict. We cannot become involved in this directly, DeSantis said.

The administration last week announced plans to provide Ukraine with the controversial weapons. The bombs contain several submunitions that can lay dormant after theyve been deployed, posing risks to civilians.

President Biden, who is running for reelection in 2024, defended the call, saying it was a very difficult decision and explaining that a factor is the Ukrainians are running out of ammunition.

Trump, who lost his reelection bid to Biden in 2020 and is running for another four years in the White House in 2024, said this week that Biden should not be dragging us further toward World War III by sending cluster munitions to Ukraine.

DeSantis, who has been polling as a top Republican contender after Trump, also raised concerns in the Wednesday interview that sending the weapons to Ukraine could diminish our own stockpiles and prevent us from being able to respond to exigencies around the world.

What if something happens in the Indo-Pacific? What, we just dont have an ability to respond? So theres a whole host of things around the world that weve got to be concerned with and I think Biden is ignoring a lot of other threats, DeSantis said.

Trumps former Vice President Mike Pence has backed the Biden administrations move. He told Fox Newss Americas Newsroom that he welcomes the decision to send cluster munitions, and that the U.S.s interest is to give the Ukrainian military the means to repel Russian aggression.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday criticized former President Donald Trump for suggesting that he may skip the first Republican primary debate in August, accusing him of ignoring a major step in the partys nominating process and acting as if hes entitled to the GOPs presidential nod.

Nobody is entitled to this nomination. You have got to earn the nomination. And  doing things like these debates  theyre important parts of the process, DeSantis told the conservative radio host Howie Carr in an interview. Ill be in Milwaukee for the first debate and Ill be at all of the debates.

Even more problematic, DeSantis said, is that Trump would miss out on the debate after losing to President Joe Biden in 2020, arguing that the former president needs to work to earn back the GOP nomination and not take it for granted.

This idea that hes entitled to this, you know, I just totally reject, especially given we had Biden-Trump in 2020 and Bidens president, DeSantis said. The idea that hes just entitled after that, it just doesnt make any sense.

Trump and his allies have repeatedly dangled the possibility that he wont participate in the first Republican primary debate, given his outsize lead in most national and state-level polling. The debate is scheduled to take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Aug. 23.

Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trumps campaign, snapped back at DeSantis criticism, saying that the Florida governor should focus on his own flailing campaign rife with internal conflict and subversion among his closest supporters, instead of throwing a temper tantrum because he is losing so badly.

President Trump has traveled to Iowa more times than DeSantis has, and holds a commanding lead because voters know he is the only person who can beat Joe Biden and take the White House back, Cheung said.

Trump has faced at least some pressure to show up at the debate. In addition to DeSantis remarks on Wednesday, another 2024 GOP presidential candidate, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, suggested that Trump is a coward for refusing to commit to the debate.

Donny, you got so much to say, why dont you say it directly to my face on the debate stage? Christie tweeted. Or are you a coward?

Exactly who will be allowed to participate in the debate remains an open question. The Republican National Committee has imposed a list of requirements around fundraising and polling that candidates must meet in order to make the debate stage. Once the candidates meet those requirements, theyll also have to sign a pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee.

DeSantis  who is polling in a distant second place behind Trump and raised $20 million in the first six weeks of his campaign  is almost certain to meet those requirements. He committed to debating in an interview on Fox News last week, saying that he would be in Milwaukee regardless of whether Trump participates or not.

Despite that commitment, Trumps team has continued to play up the notion that Trump shouldnt  and likely wont  participate in the August debate. Jason Miller, a senior adviser to Trumps campaign, said during an appearance this week on NewsNation that Trump has indicated that hes unlikely to participate, at least in the first two debates.

Ultimately, President Trump will make a decision as we get closer, Miller said. He has not said anything definitive, one way or the other. Im not expecting him to participate, though.
DeSantis on whether Trump should debate: He needs to step up and do it

DeSantis on whether Trump should debate: He needs to step up and do it

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is putting pressure on former President Trump to participate in the first GOP presidential debate next month, saying in an interview Wednesday that he needs to step up and do it.

Nobody is entitled to this nomination. You have got to earn the nomination and doing things like The Family Leader event in Iowa, doing things like these debates  theyre important parts of the process, DeSantis said on The Howie Carr Show Wednesday.

Every candidate needs to be put to the test, and I think he needs to step up and do it, he added later.

DeSantis is among a number of GOP candidates who will join a forum in Iowa this week hosted by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. The Trump campaign cited a scheduling conflict.

DeSantis also took a jab at Trump during his interview Wednesday over what he called the former presidents failure to deliver on his promises during his first term in office, such as draining the swamp and building the wall.

So he should debate, he should go to all these things and see if he can earn it with his vision, DeSantis said.

The Florida governor added some of Trumps proposed ideas like having parents electing school principals are not good ideas.

Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung fired back at DeSantis in an email to The Hill, saying the governor should focus on his own flailing campaign rife with internal conflict and subversion among his closest supporters, instead of throwing a temper tantrum because he is losing so badly.

He doesnt have an original thought in that minor league brain of his, so thats why hes been stealing President Trumps policy ideas from Day One, he added.

DeSantiss latest comments come as Trump has not yet formally said whether he will participate in the partys first presidential debate, which is slated for Aug. 23 in Milwaukee.

Some Republican contenders have complained about some of the criteria needed to qualify for the debate stage, including signing a loyalty pledge saying that they will support the eventual GOP nominee.

Trump has been noncommittal about backing the eventual Republican presidential nominee if its not him.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant questions Taylor Meehan, an attorney for the state, during oral arguments for a case challenging Utahs congressional districts before the Utah Supreme Court in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. | Leah Hogsten

The Utah Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday over a challenge brought against the states recently enacted redistricting maps, though a decision in the case isnt expected right away.

The lawsuit, which was filed last year, alleges that the GOP-dominated Utah Legislature undermined Utahns constitutional rights to participate in free elections when it adopted new congressional maps that represent an extreme partisan gerrymander, which heavily favor Republicans in each district after splitting Salt Lake County four ways.

The lawsuit was moved to the state Supreme Court after the Legislature appealed a decision by a lower-court judge who denied requests by the Legislature to have the case dismissed.

The plaintiffs include the League of Women Voters of Utah, Mormon Women for Ethical Government and several individuals.

We commend the courage of the plaintiffs in their pursuit of fair electoral districts, said Katie Wright, executive director of Better Boundaries, the group that sponsored the 2018 ballot initiative to create an independent redistricting commission. These are individuals and organizations who care deeply about fairness and equality under the law and were grateful for their principled sincerity. ... We trust the Utah Supreme Court will evaluate the arguments from today and adhere to the principles of justice.

Under Proposition 4, which voters approved in 2018, an independent commission was given the power to create new political boundaries every 10 years, but the Legislature later watered down the proposition. It ultimately reached a compromise with Better Boundaries wherein the commission makes recommendations to lawmakers, who have the final say.

But lawmakers ignored the proposals from the commission and enacted their own maps during the most recent redistricting cycle in 2021.

The Legislatures decision to amend the Proposition 4 ballot initiative is at the heart of the case, League of Women Voters of Utah v. Utah State Legislature, and the justices are now mulling whether the courts have standing to weigh in on political maps or the process by which they are created.

We appreciate the Utah Supreme Courts taking the time to hear our arguments and reviewing our case, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, and House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, said in a joint statement to KSL.com. We also thank our legal counsel for their thoughtful efforts in representing the Legislature and legislative process.

Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson listens to oral arguments for a case challenging the states congressional districts before the Utah Supreme Court in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. | Leah Hogsten

Legislative process vs. ballot initiatives

The Utah Constitution makes clear that all political power is inherent in the people and also makes the Legislature and the the people of the state of Utah co-equals in terms of passing legislation. Utahns power to legislate comes in the form of ballot initiatives, although they have been used only a handful of times.

In overturning the role of the independent commission as outlined by Proposition 4, the plaintiffs argued the Legislature was ignoring the power of the voters which is supposed to be equal.

The governments lawyer argued that the Legislature also rules on behalf of the people and shall divide the state into congressional, legislative and other districts accordingly, as stated in Article IX of the Utah Constitution. The Legislature is also more responsive and accountable to the will of the voters than an independent commission, argued Taylor Meehan, counsel for the defendants.

In a way were outsourcing redistricting, and frankly, putting politics underground instead of in public, she said. Its politics all the way down. Redistricting is all about politics ... and the people accountable for that since the founding have been the Legislature.

Attorney Mark Gaber from the Campaign Legal Center presents oral arguments on behalf of groups suing the state for a case challenging the states congressional districts before the Utah Supreme Court in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. | Leah Hogsten

Attorney Mark Gaber, who argued on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Utah, said that when it comes to redistricting, voters cant easily hold their representatives to account if the district lines have been drawn in a way that favors those same lawmakers.

Thats the problem with a partisan gerrymander is that ... once you take the power from the people, you have it  the Legislature has it. They can draw the lines for themselves so that it doesnt matter what the people want, he said.

The lawsuit challenges Utahs congressional map, but any ruling would likely also impact the state House and Senate maps, which were drawn by the same process.

Gaber said the plaintiffs are asking that the districts be drawn in a way that doesnt systematically dilute the voting power of any group of voters. When asked by Justice Jill Pohlman if equal protection of voters requires that each district be competitive and give Republicans and Democrats equal chances to win, he said, No. Practically, I dont think you can do that in Utah.

But ... if you sit down and try to draw a congressional map of Utah ... you have to try very hard to come up with what the Legislature achieved here, he continued. Were not asking the court to draw the line between fair or competitive or safe or any of that. Were asking the court to ensure that people are not treated nonuniformly in the legislative process, and thats exactly what happened here.
VILNIUS, Lithuania  After rallying trans-Atlantic allies in a message of support for Ukraine as it vies for new security guarantees, President Joe Biden now faces critics who say the distant promise of its path to future NATO membership will do little to ward off Russias aggression in the near term.

The military alliance is meeting here in Lithuania's capital this week to discuss plans to shore up its defenses against Russia, with the war in Ukraine atop the agenda.

Kyiv argues it won't be safe from Moscow until it's a member of NATO, an alliance whose bedrock commitment is the mutual defense of all its members. Talk of an invitation into the alliance for Ukraine, or even a pathway, was watched closely leading up to the summit and throughout Tuesday as the 31 leaders tried to forge a consensus on the issue.

Previewing the summit, Bidens national security adviser told reporters that leaders would send a united, positive signal on Ukraines path to future member membership in the alliance, though they were unlikely to offer a timeline for the process.

Every few months, the question is called: Can the West hang together? Can NATO hang together, trans-Atlantic unity hang together? Jake Sullivan said. Every time allies gather, that question gets re-upped, and every time allies come together and answer forcefully and vehemently, Yes we can.

Sullivan also pushed back against the notion that cracks had appeared inside the alliance over Washingtons decision to provide Ukraine with cluster bombs, saying Britain was simply meeting its legal obligation when Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he discourages Ukraines use of the controversial munitions.

The summit in Vilnius would very much disappoint Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has been counting on the West to crack, NATO to crack, the trans-Atlantic alliance to crack, Sullivan said.

The summit opened with Biden touting the entry of two new members into the alliance after Turkey agreed to support Sweden in a sudden reversal. Yet allies couldnt escape scrutiny over their assessment of a pathway for Ukraine.

Asked point-blank after an interview with NBC News' Andrea Mitchell on Tuesday whether the word invitation would appear in the summit's final communique, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Ukraine would see a positive and strong message on Ukraine and the path forward for membership.

Soon after, Biden, who is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday before he delivers a speech at Vilnius University, appeared to take steps to mollify criticism from those who felt the alliance wasnt going far enough.

After Zelenskyy lashed out over vague wording about conditions in a draft communique that leaders of the defense alliance were negotiating Tuesday, Biden said in a carefully worded statement that Washington backs language on the future of Ukraine joining NATO.

Still, Biden warned that any NATO fractures risked rewarding Putin, who he insisted wouldnt break the alliance.

Kyiv has pressed the 31 leaders of the countries that make up the North Atlantic Treaty Organization for clearer security guarantees, even as Biden over the weekend ruled out a pathway to membership while the war continues and said political and security reforms that must be met render any vote premature.

But closing the gap between Bidens comments and NATO allies who have urged a path for Ukraine publicly took on a measure of urgency Tuesday.

What Biden needed here was NATO unity, said Michael Allen, who was a senior director on the National Security Council under President George W. Bush. He wanted to project that to the Russians that theres absolutely no daylight between us at all.

In the formal communique from allies, NATO promised that it will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met.

Ukraines future is in NATO, the document said.

Not everyone was satisfied with that wording.

They failed to come up with the right combination of words that would both give comfort to Ukraine that eventually they would become NATO members and also signal caution, as the Western Europeans and the United States feel about provoking Russia, Allen said.

Bret Bruen, a National Security Council aide in the Obama administration, said NATO risks prolonging the conflict without tangible progress on Ukraines membership demand.

This summit was supposed to send a strong message to a weak Putin, Bruen said. Instead, it has delivered a diplomatic dud, failing to meet Ukrainians and many of our allies demands that there be a clear, concrete path to membership.

Dangling a distant prospect in front of Kyiv is both insufficient and insulting, he added, charging that the outcome delivers Moscow an incentive to continue the war.

It tells Moscow that so long as they drag on this conflict and dont negotiate a resolution, Ukraine can be kept from NATO, Bruen said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Disabled Voters Were Evenly Split in 2016. Now the GOP Is Pushing Them Away

Disabled Voters Were Evenly Split in 2016. Now the GOP Is Pushing Them Away

(Bloomberg) -- Republican efforts to restrict voting have sparked a backlash among people with disabilities, hurting the partys appeal to a key group of swing voters.

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Disability rights advocates say new laws to reduce early in-person voting, restrict vote-by-mail and ban curbside voting  in response to Donald Trumps baseless claims of widespread fraud  have angered voters with disabilities.

You are going to hear from us, said Vincenzo Piscopo, president of the United Spinal Association, which advocates for people with spinal injuries.

Disabled voters make up a sizable, diverse group, with nearly 16 million casting ballots in the 2022 midterms, according to a US Election Assistance Commission report released Wednesday.

Voters with disabilities were evenly split between Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016 but swung hard against the former president four years later amid concerns about his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which was especially threatening to those with pre-existing health problems.

A poll from Greenberg Research just before Election Day in 2020 showed voters with disabilities in battleground states backed Biden over Trump, 60-35%. The same survey showed 62% of voters with disabilities disapproved of Trumps handling of the coronavirus outbreak  10 points higher than voters without disabilities.

And the wave of Republican-spearheaded voter restrictions passed since 2020 has left voters with disabilities really angry, said Dom Kelly, president and CEO of the nonpartisan advocacy group New Disabled South.

This is an issue that will polarize our community and push us toward the folks who are going to make it easier for us to vote, Kelly said.

Republican-led states have reduced early voting hours popular with blind voters who need assistance; restricted who can return a ballot and limited drop boxes, changes that make it harder for voters with mobility issues; and tightened signature requirements, creating problems for those with limited fine motor skills.

I dont think these laws were necessarily targeted at people with disabilities, but they have an outsized impact on us, said Brian Dimmick, senior staff attorney for disability rights with the ACLU.

In Wisconsin, Republican officials have sought to restrict who can assist voters living in long-term care facilities with their ballots. Alabama and Texas banned curbside voting popular with those who have trouble walking or use wheelchairs.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott vetoed a bill in June that would have made it easier for people with disabilities to vote by mail. Advocates say they were particularly angry about that decision, since Abbott uses a wheelchair and his own advisory panel backed the measure.

In a veto statement, Abbott said bills intent was laudable but that it was overly broad, saying he would help to rework it.

Kathy Bernier, a former Republican state senator in Wisconsin, said that she worked closely with disability rights advocates on a bill that sought to clarify state law around voters confined to their homes amid concerns the provision was being abused during the pandemic.

Its like a disabled parking space, Bernier said. You want to make sure its only used by the disabled.

Democratic pollster Celinda Lake said her surveys have found that when new voting limits were described as making it harder for people with disabilities, more than 80% of likely voters opposed them.

People were quite angry when they were told that this restriction or that restriction would make it harder for seniors, veterans or people with disabilities to vote, she said. Its really operating less at a policy level than a values level.

Beyond the voting laws, Republican presidential candidates have so far done little outreach to the disabled community.

Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, the retired founder of RespectAbility, a nonpartisan advocacy group, noted that none of the candidates has put forward a disability policy platform.

She said theyre also failing to take simple steps, such as posting alt text that describes photos on their campaign sites and social media feeds or adding captions and hiring sign language interpreters for live events.

Even if they had the best message, theyre going to lose votes because people cant receive it, she said.

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Paul Cummings, right, and Scott Franklin of City Water, Light and Power reattach a power line onto a house on South Ninth Street Friday, June 30, 2023. They were part of a crew out recording damage locations and fixing what they could from the derecho storm that struck June 29.

With Gov. JB Pritzker issuing a disaster proclamation for Sangamon County Tuesday as a result of the June 29 derecho storm, city workers were scurrying to issue a report to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency via the county, said Mayor Misty Buscher after a speedy committee of the whole meeting.

The proclamation, which also includes Morgan County and six other counties, gives entities broader access to state resources in the months ahead.

Also at Tuesday's meeting, former Mayor Jim Langfelder addressed what he called "misstatements" by Buscher at a July 5 city council meeting about technology which might have better aided City Water, Light and Power in the aftermath of the storm that caused widespread damage across the city and knocked power for more than half of its customers.

More: Superintendent: District 186 schools, buildings escaped storm damage

Langfelder told The State Journal-Register later Tuesday that he had members of the public say "the administration was blaming (me) for the outages. The bottom line why I came up there tonight was because they were misleading."

Buscher said after the meeting that the city was still tracking expenses and accruing bills and receipts for the clean-up "so we can turn all of that in. That's our first step and then we'll go from there. It will be a continuous bouncing ball for a while."

Businesses that lost merchandise or restaurants that lost food and drink were encouraged to submit totals to the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Buscher said.

"(With the disaster proclamation) we can now work with them to get help with the Small Business Administration," Buscher said.

IEMA will submit the city's report to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Buscher said. When she asked IEMA officials if there was a specific timeframe for FEMA to respond, she was told it could take "weeks, months, so just be prepared. This will be a long, arduous process," she said.

Officials with IEMA and the Office of Homeland Security have worked alongside local governments. The considerable amount of work has exhausted many local resources thus prompting the need for more assistance.

Many Illinois communities suffered extensive damages due to last weeks torrential rain and severe weather, said Pritzker in a statement. To support those impacted across the state, I have signed a disaster proclamation to mobilize every available resource, accelerating the recovery process and providing relief for our residents. I want to thank IEMA-OHS for their ongoing coordination.

CWLP Chief Utility Engineer Doug Brown said at a press conference Monday that the utility has in the neighborhood of $20 million in expenses alone, though that could change.

Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher speaks during a press conference on storm recovery at City Hall Monday, July 3, 2023.

There were still out-of-town mutual aid crews assisting the utility Tuesday, Buscher said, though they are going to be sent home soon. Illinois Department of Transportation crews will remain helping Public Works through the end of the week.

A glimpse of what happened in the aftermath of the brief but intense storm also has started to emerge Tuesday.

"What a lot of citizens don't know is that radios weren't working. 911 couldn't get communication," Buscher recalled. "It was mass chaos and if anything could have gone wrong for that storm, it did."

As office directors piled into the emergency operations command center in the lower level of the Municipal Center East the evening of the storm, Buscher asked who was the city's emergency management coordinator.

"They said, we've never had one, so I appointed myself the emergency management coordinator that evening," she said. "In a perfect world, that would not be me. It would be a first responder."

Buscher said one of the frustrating parts was that Police, Fire, Public Works and CWLP were on separate programs "so no one knew what the (other) was doing that night in the operations center. We have to put everybody into one system so they can see and work together."

Much of the communication, she said, was by cell phone.

Another fallout from the storm will be the creation of a long-term recovery committee, which is being shored up by Director of Community Relations Ethan Posey.

"We've invited a handful of stakeholders from the community to start the conversations with Director Posey and they will invite others to be at that table," Buscher said. "That way, if any disaster were to recur, whether it's Mother Nature or man-made, this group can step in and assist the community."

Langfelder speaks out

At issue for Langfelder, who was defeated by Buscher in the April 4 election, was Buscher's response to a July 5 public comment made by Greg Vogt about not being able to get answers on power being restored to his home on Lake Springfield following the storms.

Buscher said Advanced Metering Infrastructure, or AMI readers, would have allowed CWLP workers to see immediately who did and didn't have power.

"This is the mess I've inherited a little bit," Buscher said at the July 5 city council meeting. "Doug Brown asked for AMI readers, which would have expedited our process in the past and they were not approved. This administration will get information to these council members so they will see the costs of those AMI readers."

Langfelder, however, told the COW Tuesday that his administration pushed for smart meters.

"The misstatement was when they said CWLP presented it and it wasn't approved. That's not the case," Langfelder said after the meeting. "We were pushing for smart meter technology and CWLP wanted to phase-in and not go as expeditiously as we wanted to. The reason I came up there (Tuesday) was to correct that misstatement and to show the support (for the technology)."

Buscher afterwards didn't immediately address Langfelder's comments.

"I've been in office two months," Buscher said. "That person had 96 months, so we'll just leave it at that."

Langfelder acknowledged the costs would run into the millions but said there had been previous discussions with companies that offered to come in and do assessments and what it would take to implement the readers.

He added there were "plenty of funds to put together a financial structure to make the project come to fruition."

The storm, Langfelder said, should move the technology to the top of the pile for Buscher.

"We'll see," he said, "if they have the initiative or the gumption to do it."

Reporter Patrick Keck contributed to this story. Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Springfield takes next steps after disaster proclamation issued
Disgraced fashion mogul Peter Nygard arrested in Canada on new sex assault charges dating back to 1993

Disgraced Canadian mogul Peter Nygard has been arrested for the alleged sexual assault and unlawful confinement of a 20-year-old aspiring model at the headquarters of his fashion empire in Winnipeg in 1993.

The 81-year-old, who was already facing sexual assault charges in the US, Quebec and Toronto, is accused of raping the woman after inviting her to the Nygard Corporate offices to audition for a modeling job, the CBC reported.

Former Miss Canada April Telek, one of 80 women who signed on to a class-action lawsuit in New York alleging they had been sexually assaulted by Nygard, identified herself as the alleged survivor in an interview with the CBC on Tuesday.

Ms Telek said the arrest was an immense relief.

This feels like such a huge victory for me after such a long battle trying to get my truth told and heard and believed, the 48-year-old actress and model told the Canadian public broadcaster.

But for me today, I want to really, truly embrace this as a win and the justice system works.

Police in Winnipeg, Manitoba, said in a statement they had began an investigation in June 2020 after receiving a complaint of a sexual assault at the headquarters of the Canadian clothing brand on or about 19 November 1993.

Officers from Winnipeg Police Services Sex Crimes Unit arrested Nygard on Tuesday (11 July) at the Toronto South Detention Centre.

The founder of womens clothing company Nygard International has been in custody since 2020 on a US arrest warrant.

Canada fashion mogul Peter Nygard, pictured in 2014, faces sexual assault charges in at least three jurisdictions (AP)

Winnipeg police said no further information about the case could be released as it is before the court.

In a nine-count federal indictment filed in December 2020, US prosecutors accused Nygard and others of using his company  force, fraud, and coercion to recruit dozens of victims  including minors  in Canada, the United States and the Bahamas for his sexual gratification.

Nygard allegedly targeted women from disadvantaged backgrounds and controlled them through threats, false promises of modeling opportunities, the Department of Justice said.

In 2021, Nygard agreed to be committed for extradition to the US to stand trial in New York.

The Finnish-Candian national was initially taken into custody in Winnipeg before being transferred to Toronto after facing further sexual assault charges there.

Nygard is facing one count each of sexual assault and forced confinement in Quebec over an alleged attack that took place between November 1997 and November 1998, according to the CBC.

He is expected to stand trial for the alleged Canadian offences before being extradited to the US.

In May, Nygard was ordered to pay $203m in damages to his Bahamas neighbour Louis Bacon over making wild allegations against the billionaire as part of a decade-long feud over a shared driveway.

A New York judge ruled Nygard had spread malicious falsehoods about Mr Bacon through TV and radio ads and on doctored videos.
Dismissals, acquittals and a few convictions: What happened with 2022 Akron protest cases?

It took nearly a year for a Lorain mans case related to an Akron protest last summer to make its way through court.

It took an Akron judge less than an hour to hear the evidence and decide the minor misdemeanor charges against Caleb Mays should be dismissed.

Mays, who had to travel to Akron numerous times for court appearances, walked out of the courthouse with no penalties for participating in a protest last July over the fatal shooting of Jayland Walker by Akron police.

Caleb Mays listens to Shaliek Riggsbee-Powell of the public defender's office at the start of his bench trial June 22 in Akron Municipal Court. Mays was the last person charged the July 2022 protests over Jayland Walker's shooting death to go on trial. Judge Jon Oldham dismissed the charges against Mays.

Mays recent trial, the last in the 62 cases against people arrested during protests between July 3 and 6 of last year, was indicative of the outcomes in most of those cases.

Thirty-eight cases, or more than 60%, were dismissed and 10 cases netted pleas or placements in diversion programs, according to the Summit Legal Defenders Office, which represented most of the people arrested in the protests.

Made with Flourish

In four cases judges granted Rule 29 motions, which means they dismissed the charges, similar to a summary judgment in a civil case. This request isnt granted often in criminal cases.

Of the 14 cases that went to trial, seven resulted in not-guilty verdicts, five ended with guilty verdicts on some charges, and two had mistrials, with these cases later dismissed, according the public defenders office.

I think the results indicate these individuals were arrested while engaging in protected activity, said Andrea Whitaker, who heads the public defenders office.

City Prosecutor Craig Morgan, though, said he is satisfied with the outcome of the cases after a herculean effort by his office to review voluminous evidence that included hours of body-worn camera videos from police.

What these numbers represent is intentional, thoughtful prosecution, he said. We didnt put everybody in one bucket and either dismiss or throw the book at them. We were looking at each case.

Morgan disagreed with some of the public defenders numbers; his office believes, for example, there were 58 cases related to the July 2022 protests, compared to 62 by the public defender's count.

He said the differences could be attributed to people who faced multiple charges, cases that were consolidated, or people who were arrested but werent actually protesting.

However, Morgan declined to do an analysis of the differences in the results, saying he couldnt comment further because of a recent federal lawsuit by 24 of the people arrested during Akron protests. All 24 either had their cases dismissed or were acquitted.

Protesters sue: Federal lawsuit filed against Akron by people arrested during protests last summer

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Akron against the city, Mayor Dan Horrigan, Police Chief Steve Mylett and numerous officers. The claims include excessive force, false arrest and imprisonment, malicious prosecution and abuse of power.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys fees and costs, as well as an injunction against the city for its unlawful polices and training for the Akron Police Department.

We all need to take a stand together, said Bianca Austin, one of four national activists who were arrested for Akron protests and are part of the federal lawsuit. If it can happen to us, we know its going to happen to you all.

Austin is the aunt of Breonna Taylor, who was shot and killed in March 2020 in a botched police raid in Louisville, Kentucky.

Akrons case against her was dismissed.

Protests follow shooting

The protests last summer followed the fatal shooting of Jayland Walker on June 27, 2022.

Walker was shot 46 times by eight Akron officers after fleeing from them first in his car and then on foot.

Walker, 25, was unarmed as he ran, though investigators say he fired a shot out of his car window. After the shooting, a gun was found in his car.

The size of the protests in 2022 ramped up after the city released police body-camera footage of Walkers shooting, with a large group amassing in downtown Akron on July 3 and 4.

Police arrested more than 50 people and used tear gas to disperse the crowd after numerous buildings were damaged and fires started.

A protester runs through tear gas as officers in riot gear progress down Main Street near University Avenue during protests July 3, 2022, in response to the shooting death of Jayland Walker.

Those arrested were charged with misdemeanors like rioting, failure to disperse and misconduct at an emergency. They spent a day or two in jail and were released after their arraignments, some with cash bonds and others with personal recognizance bonds.

Attorneys request dismissals

Attorneys representing the people arrested during the protests requested in December that about 50 of the cases be dismissed on the grounds that demonstrators were exercising their First Amendment rights and that many of the complaints filed against them were deficient.

A young man was killed and people came out to express their objections, Elizabeth Bonham, a Cleveland attorney representing some of the protesters, said at the time. Thats political speech. Its a right within the core of the First Amendment.

The attorneys didn't seek dismissals in the handful of cases that involved charges like criminal damaging and arson involving destruction of downtown property.

City officials defended the mass arrests in court documents, saying the protests had turned from peaceful to destructive.

Setting fires, shattering windows and bullying a community is not a conversation, Assistant City Prosecutor Lisa Bradley said in a court document.

None of the cases were dismissed on First Amendment grounds. Judges did, however, throw out several charges in the cases because of deficiencies in the complaints.

The first large group of dismissals happened in January, with prosecutors dismissing 10 cases without prejudice, which means they could be refiled.

Morgan said his office needed more time to review evidence, including body-worn camera video, before deciding if cases should be brought back.

National activists go to trial

Most of the people arrested during the protests were from Northeast Ohio, but four were well-known community activists from out of state.

Austin, Jacob Blake Sr., Michael Harris and Cortez Rice are involved with a group called Families United Against Police Brutality, which supports people across the country who have been involved in cases of alleged police brutality.

Pepper spray, excessive-force claims: What happened during the Jayland Walker Akron protests

Harris' volatile arrest that included him being hit in the face several times by an officer was captured in a video that went viral. He was acquitted in a jury trial in February.

Justice for Jayland Walker, Harris, who is from North Carolina, said as soon as he heard the verdict.

Out-of-state activist Michael Harris rejoices with defense attorneys Sarah Gelsomino, left, and Elizabeth Bonham, in February after being acquitted of charges related to the protests of Jayland Walker's shooting.

Blake, whose son was paralyzed in a police shooting in Wisconsin, had a medical issue during his arrest alongside Harris on July 6, 2022, outside the Akron Police Department. Blake passed out and was taken to the hospital.

Blake became emotional during his trial in March in which body-worn camera video was played that included him yelling in distress.

Activist Jacob Blake Sr. becomes emotional during his trial in March during a viewing of the police body-camera footage from the night of his arrest during a protest. A mistrial was declared after jurors deadlocked. Prosecutors then dismissed Blake's case.

Blakes trial resulted in a deadlocked jury, with the judge declaring a mistrial. Prosecutors opted not to retry Blake and dismissed his case.

During Blakes trial, Sgt. Utomhin Okoh testified that another officer learned that Blake had been paid to protest in Akron. He also said Blake told officers there were no hard feelings after his arrest.

Blakes attorneys objected and said these statements were incorrect. Ralph Perk, the visiting judge in the case, stopped any further testimony from Okoh and instructed jurors to disregard Okohs statements.

Morgan said he isnt aware of anything happening as the result of Okohs testimony, though he suggested checking with police.

Capt. Dave Laughlin said no disciplinary action was taken against Okoh.

Cases against Austin and Rice are dismissed

Austin and Rice were arrested while waiting in the parking lot of the Summit County Jail to post bond for Harris. They faced similar charges to those arrested during the protests  riot, disorderly conduct and failure to disperse.

Austins charges were dismissed in March; Rices were thrown out in May.

Austin, a single mother who lives in Kentucky, had to travel to Akron five times for court appearances before her case was dismissed.

This whole thing  I havent wrapped my head around it, Austin said in a recent interview. Ive tried to put the experience in the back of my head. Wow. Did this actually happen?

Blake, who lives in North Carolina, was pleased to hear that his case wouldnt be retried.

It was a relief that I didnt have to travel back to Akron for that, he said. I thanked my creator  immediately.

People arrested during protests sue the city

The four national activists are among the 24 people arrested in Akron protests who filed a lawsuit June 29 against the city.

The suit claims some of those arrested were roughed up by police and faced hardships during the months their cases were pending in court, including losing jobs, missing work and classes, and having to find transportation and child care to repeatedly go to court.

The city needs to look at how it's treating First Amendment protected protesters, said Bonham, one of the Cleveland attorneys representing the protesters. It cannot be censoring people. It cannot be attacking people. It cannot be prosecuting people.

City spokeswoman Stephanie Marsh declined to comment on the lawsuit, saying the city doesnt discuss pending litigation.

A few of the plaintiffs claim they were downtown during the protests but werent part of them. This includes a woman who was going out with friends, a man who was having dinner at a downtown restaurant, and a man who was waiting outside the Depot Apartments for his friend to let him inside.

Several people also claim they suffered injuries during their arrests because of tear gas or pepper spray or excessive force.

Jack Rohrer, a Copley man who is part of the lawsuit, said during the public speaking period at a recent Akron City Council meeting that he was tackled and beaten by officers during his July 3 arrest. He said he has scars on his elbow and all the way down his body.

We see the violence  and we want it to stop, he said.

Chief Steve Mylett: Change made to protest procedure

Mylett said in a recent interview that police have changed one policy in their approach to handling protest arrests.

Mylett said when officers previously made arrests during protests, they would hand the person off to another officer and return to the protest. The other officer would then take the person to jail.

Mylett said this impacted the quality of the probable cause statements in arrest documents, with some charges being dismissed.

So, based on that, we made adjustments, the chief said. If I go hands on somebody and I make the arrest, Im walking him through the entire system.

Asked if the prosecutors office will make any changes to how it handles these types of cases, Morgan said they know they need to prepare for mass arrests as much as possible.

Morgan said his office hasnt refiled any charges against the people whose cases were dismissed. The statute of limitations on misdemeanor charges is two years.

None of these people have reoffended, he said. That will be a critical analysis if we chose to reinstitute a charge. Theyre moving in the right direction.

Whitaker said she doesnt think any of those cases should be brought back.

I dont believe there is evidence to support any of the cases being refiled, she said.

Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com, 330-996-3705 and on Twitter: @swarsmithabj. Beacon Journal reporter Doug Livingston contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Few arrests in protests over Jayland Walker's death end in convictions
Dispute over China's embassy in London strains ties with Britain Proposed new Chinese Embassy site in London

By Andrew MacAskill and Elizabeth Piper

LONDON (Reuters) - It started as a local dispute over China's plans to build a new embassy next to the Tower of London - pitting the world's second biggest superpower against an inner-city borough that blocked the project.

Just over seven months later, it is escalating into a diplomatic standoff that, officials from both countries told Reuters, is undermining efforts to repair their badly damaged relations.

Two Chinese and three British officials told Reuters the Chinese government had expressed its frustration over the failure to grant planning permission for its embassy at official-level meetings.

That has led officials in Britain, which is trying to forge deeper economic ties post-Brexit, to fear it could also halt their own plans to rebuild its embassy in Beijing. Space is already running short on the existing cramped site. One visitor said a squash court had to be turned into a office.

The officials say the embassy spat has undermined attempts by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to forge a new approach to China, one which would balance London's national security interests with better cooperation on trade and climate change.

It is a far cry from 2015 when former Prime Minister David Cameron and President Xi Jinping shared beer and fish and chips at an English village pub and declared a "golden era" for London-Beijing relations.

China first announced plans in 2018 for a 700,000-square-foot embassy on the former site of Britain's the Royal Mint - the official maker of British coins - its biggest mission in Europe, almost twice the size of its one in Washington.

It bought the land - around 4 miles from its current base in central London - for about 255 million pounds ($311 million). But while unelected planning officers accepted the proposal, local elected councillors overruled them, rejecting it on security grounds and the impact on residents.

Chinese officials told Reuters they suspected the British government had plotted to stop the embassy plans and orchestrated the local opposition.

They have raised their unhappiness about being unable to relocate to the new site in meetings with British counterparts in recent months, according to four people involved or with knowledge of the talks. Reuters could not determine in exactly how many meetings the issue had been raised.

"It is definitely political," one Chinese official said.

British officials - caught between the demands of Beijing, politicians and some equally vocal local residents - have dismissed those accusations, saying councils make their own decisions.

The stakes are high - China has been the second-largest source of foreign direct investment into London for the last decade, behind the United States.

"It is very messy and a headache we could do without," one British official said. Britain's housing and foreign ministries declined to comment.

DEADLINE LOOMING

The British government has been keen to distance itself from the whole planning process. But it will most probably need to pick a side soon.

An Aug. 11 deadline looms for Beijing to appeal against the planning refusal.

The first step in any such appeal would require an application to an independent Planning Inspectorate reviewer.

If the Planning Inspectorate finds the application contentious or nationally significant it would go to British housing minister Michael Gove, who could also "call in" the project if he wants to take the final decision himself.

And that is when it gets more difficult.

Concerns about the crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong, reports of human rights abuses against the Uyghur people in Xinjiang, and suspicion over China trying to penetrate security systems have all intervened. Beijing has denied all the charges.

There have been no leader-level face-to-face meetings since 2018. Planned talks between Sunak and Xi on the sidelines of a global summit in November last year were abruptly cancelled. The last telephone call between the nations' leaders came more than a year ago.

Like other European states, Sunak's government has adopted a policy of seeking to neutralise security threats posed by China - notably by banning some Chinese technology  while seeking to engage in areas such as trade, investment and climate change.

Iain Duncan Smith, a former leader of Sunak's governing Conservative Party, wants it to go further, saying a decision to block the embassy would show how Britain prioritises national security in its relationship with China.

The government's approach to China "is all very mushy. We need to be able to say we are not prepared to kow-tow", he told Reuters.

'OUT OF OUR HANDS'

The Chinese foreign ministry in a statement to Reuters last month urged the British government to meet its "international obligation" to help it build a new embassy and said China wants to find a solution "on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit".

British officials, who declined to be identified, said they feared that London's plan to rebuild its embassy in Beijing would be affected.

An application had been submitted but permission had not yet been granted, one official said. It was not clear when the application was submitted.

Another official said they see the planning applications as two separate processes.

The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity, due to the sensitivity of the subject.

And then there are the people of Tower Hamlets to take into account.

During the original planning process, some residents from the area, which has a big Muslim population, raised what they said was China's persecution of the Uyghurs.

At one point, councillors wanted to hammer their point home by renaming local streets or new buildings Uyghur Court and Tiananmen Square - plans that were never adopted.

Residents say they are also worried about more local security issues.

About 300 of them live in flats that back onto the site. China became the freeholder of these properties when it purchased the land and is now, effectively, their landlord.

Dave Lake, the chair of the Royal Mint Court Residents Association that represents the home owners, said local opposition might decline if China promised never to enter the flats or take actions such as banning flags.

But his biggest concern now was that Britain and China would force through a deal, ignoring the locals.

"I feel hopeless. It is completely out of our hands and it doesn't sound good at all," he said. "Our security issues are that critical and that big, and I feel they could be overlooked."

(Additional reporting by Martin Quin Pollard in Beijing. Editing by Kate Holton and Andrew Heavens)
A day after being appointed to lead the highest law enforcement seat in West Texas, prominent Texas attorney Bill Hicks walked into a chaotic El Paso County District Attorney's Office that was understaffed and mired in controversy.

Hicks inherited a backlog of 14,000 cases, 20 open prosecutor positions and no El Paso Walmart shooting team to handle the biggest capital murder case in city history.

"One thing I've committed to do is to not look backwards, but to look forward," said Hicks, who was appointed DA by Gov. Greg Abbott in December 2022. "I will say that there were a lot of concerns that I had when I took over this office. We have had to do a lot of work in restructuring the office and moving us forward."

Hicks replaced District Attorney Yvonne Rosales, who abruptly resigned Nov. 28 as she faced a trial to remove her from office and accusations that she and her staff intimidated witnesses in the El Paso Walmart mass shooting case. Her last day in office was Dec. 14, 2022.

The petition to remove Rosales was filed Aug. 24 by El Paso lawyer Omar Carmona. He alleged "official misconduct and continued incompetence" by Rosales and her administration.

Bill Hicks is sworn into office as the new El Paso County district attorney on Dec. 21, 2022, at the El Paso County Courthouse. Hicks replaced Yvonne Rosales, who resigned in mid-December.

After six months in office, Hicks has formed an experienced three-person Walmart shooting prosecution team and addressed staffing woes, but he and El Paso defendants still are struggling with a massive backlog of pending criminal cases.

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal, who would have tried the case to remove Rosales from office, declined to comment on the current state of the District Attorney's Office.

Through a county spokesperson, Bernal listed several reasons why she declined to comment, including that her "primary duty is to uphold the law and maintain impartiality in all matters."

"Offering an opinion on the job performance of the new district attorney, who is a fellow public servant, may be perceived as biased and could compromise the trust that the community places in our respective offices," she said.

Carmona, who raised the red flag on the beleaguered District Attorney's Office, said Hicks' reforms are "heading in the right direction."

"It is much better. It just seems like the people are being positioned in a place where the DA's Office is more likely to succeed, which wasn't the case under the last administration," Carmona said, "but I do think that it's definitely heading in the right direction. It's just gonna take awhile, but it's definitely going in the right direction."

Concerns, however, remain as thousands of people arrested remain on court-ordered bond conditions without being charged with a crime, El Paso County Public Defender Kelli Childress said.

"There is definitely still a concern on our part with respect to our clients who are suffering with bond conditions that should have long been discharged," Childress said. "These clients haven't been found guilty. They haven't even been charged yet.

"They literally have not been charged with a crime, but they've been following bond conditions as they sit and wait to see what happens in their case. This is just what we are seeing with public defender clients. There are still people throughout the whole county who are still following bond orders without even being charged."

DA Bill Hicks stands for a portrait at the El Paso County District Attorney's Office on Thursday, July 6, 2023.

Case backlog continues to be main issue in DA's Office

The previous administration left Hicks' staff with a backlog of more than 14,000 cases. The backlog peaked at around 17,000 cases under Rosales administration, Hicks said.

In the final months of Rosales' tenure, the El Paso Public Defender's Office successfully got hundreds of cases dismissed due to inaction by the District Attorney's Office. The dismissals came as part of 32.01 motions, which allow for clients to be dismissed from bond conditions if they have been under those conditions for 180 days without having a charge filed against them.

The Public Defender's Office has not filed a new rounds of 32.01 motions since Hicks' appointment. It was prepared to file about 600 motions, but it was unable to get court hearings on the cases, Childress said.

The Public Defender's Office then attempted to get the Texas Eighth District Court of Appeals to hear the matter, but Hicks' staff indicted the cases the public defenders were challenging had now been charged, "rendering the matter moot," Childress said.

Currently, the Public Defender's Office has about 900 cases eligible for a 32.01 motion, she said.

The action so far by the district attorney in regard to the number of cases being handled by the Public Defender's Office has been "disappointing," Childress said.

"These unfiled case referred to as a backlog are having a massive impact on our clients and our community," Childress said. "That's where it concerns me the most. We do no work on the case because we can't. We're kind of sitting around helpless, but we're watching people's lives being deeply impacted."

DA Bill Hicks stands for a portrait at the El Paso County District Attorney's Office on Thursday, July 6, 2023.

Impact on people's lives

While cases remain in limbo, accused people's lives remain in legal turmoil.

"There are people who can't go into a restaurant with their family for a birthday party because the restaurant serves alcohol, and that's a bond condition. People who can't maintain the job they currently have with a new work schedule that comes out weekly because they have to be in a certain place at a certain time each week," Childress explained. "Some of the worst cases are those related to DWIs, where people are paying a lot of money to install devices that determine when they can and can't get in their cars because of having a drink of alcohol. These are people who have not even been charged with a crime."

According to internal data kept by the Public Defender's Office provided by Childress, more and more cases continue to reach the 180-day time period.

Date Unfiled cases Unfiled cases over 180 days 12/15/2022 1,852 1,077 01/15/2023 1,660 733 02/15/2023 1,690 911 03/15/2023 1,684 894 04/15/2023 1,776 937 05/15/2023 1,733 898 06/03/2023 1,758 876

The Public Defender's Office had more than 1,000 32.01-eligible cases dismissed already, and several hundred others were declined pursuant to an October 2022 agreement with the Rosales administration, Childress said.

Hicks said the backlog has dropped below 10,000 cases. Childress questioned that number since her office has only seen a 5% reduction in cases in the more than six months Hicks has led the District Attorney's Office.

"While we represent about 40% of filed (charged) cases, we probably have a much lower percentage of the backlog (uncharged) cases, because so many of ours have been dismissed," Childress said. "Mr. Hicks claims the overall backlog has been decreased by more than 28%. But if that is true, I'm troubled that our backlog reduction has only been 5%  or 94 cases  in six months."

Hicks said he is not sure where the Public Defender's Office is getting its data from, but his office does not keep track of which cases come from private defense attorneys or the Public Defender's Office.

"The answer is much more complicated, but the Public Defender's Office, and I don't want to say this disparagingly, but the Public Defender's Office has no idea what the intake process is of the District Attorney's Office," Hicks explained. "I honestly have no idea why they think they have 5% of something or 94 cases that has absolutely nothing to do with our backlog and our numbers."

DA Bill Hicks stands for a portrait at the outside the El Paso County Court House on Thursday, July 6, 2023.

Hicks added each case his office receives can have multiple defendants and multiple charges. The District Attorney's Office can then add charges or drop charges, so the number fluctuates depending on what action his office decides to pursue.

Cases dismissed through a 32.01 motion can later be refiled by prosecutors.

The DA's Office is focusing on addressing new cases and backlog cases where the statute of limitations to file charges is approaching, he said.

The statute of limitations for misdemeanors is two years and typically three years on a felony, he said. Crimes like capital murder, murder and sexual assault of a child have no statute of limitations.

"My instructions to the intake division were: address the new cases as they come in first; second, address the cases that are approaching the statute of limitations," Hicks said. "In addressing the cases from the backlog, the older cases, the intake section are addressing DWIs and cases with victims first, followed by administrative crimes and drug cases last.

"I don't want to lose those cases because we hit the statute of limitations because the DA's Office just didn't get to their case."

Overall, Hicks said he is working to regain the public's trust in the DA's Office.

"We are working very hard to re-earn their trust," Hicks said. "And part of that is those cases where people did the right thing, they called the police. The police investigated the cases and the cases were submitted to the DA's Office. We're working very hard to get to those cases. So if a person was a victim of crime a year, a year and a half ago, and nothing has happened on their case, we want them to know we're working very hard to get to their case."

Progress in the Walmart mass shooter case

The District Attorney's Office's biggest case  El Paso Walmart mass shooting  hit several road blocks during Rosales' two years in office.

The District Attorney's Office is now making progress on the case and will be ready to try the case when a trial date is set by 409th state District Judge Sam Medrano, Hicks said. It's unclear when Medrano will act on a trial date.

El Pasoans gather to honor the El Paso shooting victims on the third anniversary as luminarias are placed around the Healing Garden and Ascarate Park on Aug. 3, 2022.

"In the Walmart case, there were many issues that had cropped up that were, I'll just say, issues that were sidelining that case," Hicks said. "My number one goal was to put that case back on track. And I feel very confident now that when that case comes to trial, we will be ready. We have a good, dedicated team of prosecutors on that case who are going to be ready to go to trial when that case is set for trial."

A gag order issued in the case prevents Hicks, his prosecutors, defense lawyers, witnesses, family members of the victims, or anyone else associated with the case from discussing it.

Judge Medrano declined to comment on the status of the case and the progress made on it under the new district attorney.

Hicks has brought in several attorneys with experience trying death penalty cases to handle the Walmart case. Twenty-three people were killed by an admitted white supremacist who entered the store Aug. 3, 2019, to target Hispanics.

Loretta Hewitt, Rebecca Tarango and Ron Banerji are assigned to the case. The prosecutors are working "40 hours a week" on the case, Hicks said.

Tarango was originally one of the prosecutors working on the case prior to Rosales eliminating a quarter of the district attorney's staff when she took office.

Rebecca Tarango

Hicks, along with prosecutors Rick Locke and John Briggs, also are actively involved in the development and strategy sessions on the case.

In state court, Patrick Crusius, 24, is facing one count of capital murder of multiple persons and 22 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

The District Attorney's Office is seeking the death penalty.

The last action taken in the case was on June 16, when a written notice of prospective witnesses was filed, court records show. A copy of the notice was not immediately available.

Earlier this year, the gunman pleaded guilty Feb. 8 to 90 charges in federal court stemming from the mass shooting. The charges included 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.

More: 'No one feels safe': Cielo Vista Mall shooting triggers the trauma of Walmart tragedy

Crusius' guilty plea was part of an agreement with federal prosecutors. The details of the plea agreement have not been released.

He was sentenced July 7 to 90 consecutive life sentences in the federal case, meaning he will spend the rest of his life in prison. The U.S. Attorney's Office elected not to seek the death penalty.

Hicks: Community deserves experienced prosecutors

One of Hicks' other priorities was restaffing the DA's Office with experienced prosecutors.

In the weeks before Rosales took office in January 2021, she announced 25% of the previous administration's staff would not return, resulting in the office losing as many as 40 of 90 prosecutors. This included prominent prosecutors with experience in handling major cases in El Paso. The overall number of staff lost included many who were not prosecutors.

District Attorney Bill Hicks joins El Paso FBI and other law enforcement agencies as they discuss school threats at a news conference at the El Paso Regional Communications Center on Feb. 21.

"The serious kind of trial work that we do with murders, with sexual assault of a child, with intoxicated manslaughter, these very, very serious heavy hitting cases are not the kind of cases that you want to send a young prosecutor who has had five or 10 trials under their belt, and they haven't had a murder case before," Hicks said. "The citizens of our community deserve experienced prosecutors. We've brought experienced prosecutors back."

More: 'Invasion' language continues after El Paso Walmart shooting

The District Attorney's Office currently has 80 prosecutors. There were about 60 attorneys working for the office when he took over, Hicks said.

"Our manpower chart fluctuates almost daily," Hicks said. "For example, this summer we have brought on over 15 interns who are helping throughout the office, but particularly in the intake division. We have approximately 80 attorneys overall but are ... losing an attorney that wants to move back to East Texas to be close to family at the end of the month. Such is the nature of a large law firm."

Along with the Crusius case, the District Attorney's Office is seeking the death penalty against Facundo Chavez.

Chavez faces one count each of capital murder of a peace officer and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. He is accused of fatally shooting El Paso County Sheriff's Office Deputy Peter Herrera during a March 22, 2019, traffic stop in San Elizario.

With two major death penalty cases pending, the lack of experienced prosecutors was an issue immediately addressed as soon as he took over the DA's Office, Hicks said.

More: After El Paso Walmart shooting, debate over domestic terrorism law rages on. Here's why.

"When I took over the office, and I walked in the doors on the 15th of December, I was the only prosecutor who had death penalty experience as a prosecutor in this office," Hicks said. "That's it. Just me.

"We now have six prosecutors who have death penalty experience in order to move forward on the cases that we have now. It's not that we have or need six prosecutors to prosecute two death penalty cases, but that speaks to the depth of experience in the level of prosecutors that we've brought back to this office."

DA Bill Hicks stands for a portrait at the outside the El Paso County Court House on Thursday, July 6, 2023.

While experience prosecutors are key to the DA's Office, Hicks also is working on getting young prosecutors the experience they need to advance in their careers and help the DA's Office meet its goals.

"We still have very hardworking public servants, young, inexperienced prosecutors who are learning and getting that experience," Hicks said. "And that's great. And that's what we're here for. It's what all district attorney's offices are like with young, inexperienced attorneys who get that experience. But they should get that experience under the tutelage, training and mentoring of experienced prosecutors. When I took over, this office didn't have that kind of mentoring process. It does now."

Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso County DA Bill Hicks makes progress on Walmart shooting case
Generative AI spurs new impetus across industries in China

08:56, July 12, 2023 By Zhou Qianxian, Gao Jianfei and Zhang Zhaoqing ( Xinhua

BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) -- With generative artificial intelligence (Al) becoming the talk of the town, many content-creating professionals such as writers, web editors, and painters have begun to give it a shot, sizing up the strength and prospects of the new technique.

A painting art blogger surnamed Kang is one of those who have thrown themselves into this new domain.

Type a combination of words into the prompt field at an AI painting platform developed by Westlake Xinchen technology company, choose an art style, and click the "create" button. In as fast as 0.8 seconds, the picture generated popped up on Kang's computer screen.

"It's an assistant for me that provides some useful insights and a tool that augments our capabilities," Kang gave user feedback as such to the developer.

More creators have joined to ride the new wave of technology and utilized the tools to get their writing or drawing juices flowing. But from the fear of it being able to write university essays to make anyone from journalists to artists obsolete, these mysterious AI chatbots have sprung into public consciousness and triggered mixed responses.

NEW FRONTIERS

Chinese technology companies have begun making their dent in the generative AI space. Some have unveiled large language models, while others are developing industry-specific models covering various fields.

Speaking to Xinhua, founder of Westlake Xinchen company, Lan Zhengzhong, said China has been doing some terrific work in basic research, algorithms, and industrial application of AI models, and AI technology is a crucial tool for upgrading industries and boosting productivity.

Generative AI is able to support multi-dimensional interaction, integration, and penetration of digital content with other industries to provide new driving forces for various sectors, according to a white book released by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology.

The use cases of generative AI are already taking flight across industries. Some financial services institutions are testing the technology to help financial advisers better leverage insights from the research reports, while the salesforce has integrated the technology into its customer-relationship-management platform.

Tian Qi, chief scientist of Huawei Cloud AI field, said that AI technology has ushered in an explosion after decades of development. "It has not only changed the way humans interact with machines but also greatly enhanced productivity."

The value of the generative AI market is set to reach 1.3 trillion U.S. dollars by 2032 from just 40 billion dollars in 2022, according to a report by Bloomberg Intelligence.

The compound annual growth rate for the sector over the next ten years could expand by 42 percent, driven first by training infrastructure and then inference devices for large language models, advertising, and other services, the report added.

INDUSTRIAL CONCERNS

But the commercial use of generative AI chatbots has triggered concerns, including upending the professional sector, ethics, and leaks that infringe on personal privacy and data security.

"On one hand, generative AI will facilitate the automation and intelligent upgrading of certain job positions, potentially rendering them obsolete, but on the other hand, generative AI will also create new professions," said Lan.

As for the protection of intellectual property rights, Du Lan, senior vice president of Chinese AI and intelligent speech company iFLYTEKAI, said that a balance should be struck between protecting the rights and interests of originators and encouraging innovation.

The Chinese internet regulator published a draft regulation on generative AI in April, covering a wide range of issues that are frequently debated in relation to the governance of generative AI globally, such as data protection, non-discrimination, bias, and the quality of training data.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) Wednesday slammed MAGA Republicans after Iowa passed a six-week abortion ban in the state, highlighting comments by several 2024 GOP White House candidates backing bans on the procedure.

MAGA Republicans just passed a bill that would force Iowan women to give birth, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison said in a release.

The ban, Harrison said, was only possible because of former President Trump and his Supreme Court appointees, who ruled in a landmark decision last summer to overturn Roe v. Wade and hand the decision to restrict or protect abortion over to the states.

Republican abortion extremists are running for the highest office in the United States, and we know they wont stop until they rip away reproductive freedom from every woman in this country, Harrison said.

Urging voters to take it from the candidates themselves, the DNC also highlighted comments backing abortion bans from former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, former Texas Rep. Will Hurd, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov Ron DeSantis  who are among the dozen GOP candidates running for the White House in 2024.

The DNC highlighted that former Vice President Pence and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), both of whom are running for the Republican nomination in 2024, have backed the idea of a federal 15-week abortion ban.

MAGA Republicans relentless crusade against abortion wont end until they ban abortion nationwide, the DNC said.

Hutchinson told Fox News Sunday in April that hed sign a pro-life bill  that sets reasonable restrictions, and Suarez told the Wall Street Journal last month that hed back a 15-week ban with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother.

Hurd has said that 15 weeks sounds right, and Haley said in May that shed sign a federal ban, but expressed doubt that such a bill would get the votes necessary to advance.

DeSantis, who signed a six-week ban on abortion into law in Florida earlier this year, has avoided defining his stance on a federal ban and said he thinks theres a role for both the federal [government] and the states. The Florida governor has been polling as a top challenger to Trump in the 2024 race.

Trump himself has been more evasive about whether hed back a federal ban, arguing in May that exceptions are very important. He said last month that theres a vital role for the federal government in protecting unborn life.

Iowa Republicans, who hold large majorities in both the state House and Senate, passed a bill in the state Tuesday that would ban most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, lowering the legal threshold from its current 22-week gestation mark.

Abortion providers and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued Tuesday to challenge the Iowa bill, which is headed to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynoldss (R) desk.

After the conservative-majority Supreme Court voted last June to overturn the right to abortion in Roe v. Wade, some states moved to shore up abortion protections, while others acted quickly to restrict access to the procedure. More than a year after the controversial decision, abortion is appearing as a crucial issue for candidates as the 2024 race heats up.

The Republican Party doesnt appear to have a clear consensus for its candidates on the issue, with differing opinions on both a federal ban and whether the cutoff point should sit at 15 weeks or elsewhere.

Another White House contender, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R), has also signed a six-week abortion ban in his state, but he said last week that he would not sign a federal abortion ban if he was elected, arguing he supports the Supreme Courts decision and that this is the decision that should be left to the states.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, another GOP contender, has said the federal government should not be involved and that each state should make its own call on abortion, rather than a federal ban.

Vivek Ramaswamy has told CNN that he doesnt think a federal ban makes any sense, and conservative radio host Larry Elder wrote in an op-ed last year that the Supreme Court properly returned the issue of abortion to the states with its overturning of Roe.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Justice Department (DOJ) has appealed a decision by a federal judge affirming former President Trump can be called to testify in suits against the DOJ by former FBI agents Peter Strzok and Lisa Page.

Strzok was fired and Page left the FBI after they came under intense public and congressional scrutiny for their role in the FBIs investigation into potential ties between Trump and Russia in 2018.

Text messages became public where the pair spoke about how they personally disliked Trump, causing concern the entire investigation was biased.

Strzok is suing the department for wrongful termination, while Page is suing for invasion of privacy.

Judge Amy Berman Jackson ruled in February that Trump and FBI Director Christopher Wray could be forced to testify in the case, which the Justice Department asked her to reconsider.

The judge then delayed Trumps deposition until after the DOJ attempted to stop it, allowing Wray to testify first.

Berman Jackson upheld her ruling forcing Trump to testify last week, causing the DOJ to appeal to a higher court on Tuesday.

Only the most extraordinary of circumstances would justify allowing a plaintiff to depose a former high-level official about actions he took in the course of his official duties. This case falls far short of that standard, government attorneys said in the filing, reviewed by NBC News.

The DOJ said that Trumps testimony is unnecessary because Wray and former White House chief of staff John Kelly have already testified. Trump has also spoken about Strzok and Page extensively on social media.

Strzok hardly needs to confirm whether the President expressed the same views in meetings in the Oval Office that he expressed publicly. the DOJ said.

Last week, newly released testimony from Kelly said that Trump wanted to see Mr. Strzok fired and considered other retaliatory actions.

President Trump questioned whether investigations by the Internal Revenue Service or other federal agencies should be undertaken into Mr. Strzok and/or Ms. Page. I do not know of President Trump ordering such an investigation. It appeared, however, that he wanted to see Mr. Strzok and Ms. Page investigated, Kelly said.

Strzoks lawyer criticized the DOJs efforts to block the testimony.

The lengths to which the government has gone to prevent this deposition is striking and suggests that their true concern is what Mr. Trump will say, attorney Aitan Goelman said in a statement to CNN.

The matter will be considered by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, with the case then going back to Berman Jackson. The judge previously said that she would allow limited questions in a two-hour session if Trump is to testify.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
In a courthouse in Florida, federal prosecutors are trying to put Donald Trump in jail. But in Washington, D.C., a different wing of the Justice Department is trying to shield him from being forced to testify under oath in a long-running lawsuit.

Welcome to the bizarro-world reality facing Attorney General Merrick Garland, the first DOJ leader balancing the prosecution of a former president with the departments longstanding mission to protect the presidency itself. DOJ has often taken absolutist positions against efforts to sue current and former presidents for their actions on the job  but never before have they been prosecuting one of those ex-presidents at the same time.

The Justice Department has the Herculean task of trying to put an ethical rope through a needle, said Gene Rossi, a former federal prosecutor and civil litigator. At best, there is an apparent conflict for DOJ, which has to rightly defend constitutional principles to protect the former president and the office he once held, while striving mightily to prosecute him for alleged crimes. This balancing act is legal schizophrenia.

That schizophrenia is rooted in the unprecedented decision by special counsel Jack Smith to seek dozens of criminal charges against Trump for allegedly hoarding military secrets at his Mar-a-Lago estate after leaving office, and then directing a scheme to conceal them from government officials who attempted to reclaim them. Trump faces the prospect of a lengthy prison term if convicted.

Meanwhile, Trump faces a long list of civil lawsuits in which private individuals are suing him for things he did or said while president. For decades, DOJ has often invoked the separation of powers to argue that former presidents are immune from such lawsuits. Presidents, the DOJ has argued, wont be able to fulfill their responsibilities to the nation if they fear theyll later be dragged into court over anything they might do in office.



Courts have largely agreed, establishing a high bar for bringing lawsuits against current and former presidents. But Trump, who has been a magnet for lawsuits for most of his adult life, is testing the limits of those protections.

Since leaving office, Trump has been sued at least half a dozen times by Capitol Police officers, their families, members of Congress and D.C. police for damages related to his actions on Jan. 6, 2021. Hes also fending off a pair of lawsuits from writer E. Jean Carroll, who has accused him of raping her in the 1990s and repeatedly defaming her after she went public with the allegation. (In one of Carrolls lawsuits, Trump is appealing a jury verdict against him; the other is slated to go to trial in January.)



And Trump is fighting a long-running legal battle against two former FBI officials, Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, who say Trump appointees illegally released the pairs private text messages in which they expressed animus toward Trump and his supporters. Strzoks suit also says the FBI fired him for political reasons about a day before he became eligible for a full law-enforcement pension.

All of those suits have forced the Justice Department to weigh in. Strzok and Page won a judges order in February to require Trumps deposition in their case, prevailing on fights related to executive privilege and more recently a bid by the Justice Department itself to stop them from hauling Trump in. But in recent days  just four weeks after Smith indicted Trump  the department leapt in to try once again to block Strzok and Page from obtaining Trumps testimony, agitating the judge who had already approved it.

On Tuesday evening, the Justice Department asked a federal appeals court to step in and overrule the lower-court judge  Amy Berman Jackson  for refusing to quash the subpoena for Trumps testimony. In the 35-page filing, the Justice Department contends that requiring Trump to testify  even on just four narrow topics related to Strzok and Page  would encroach on the separation of powers.

This is simply the uncomfortable reality that DOJ and the country must cope with when a former president is facing criminal prosecution, said Chuck Cooper, who headed Justices Office of Legal Counsel under President Ronald Reagan.



Cooper said the unprecedented dynamic reflects DOJ pursuing its institutional responsibilities on both fronts: protecting the constitutional prerogatives and interests of the office of the presidency with respect to the civil cases, without regard to who is president, and investigating and prosecuting criminal activity without regard to who is the offender.

If the Justice Department were a private law firm, the conflict would be inherent. Lawyers cant ethically advocate for a client who is simultaneously being sued or targeted by another division within the same firm. Judges often recuse from cases that involve their former firms, if only to avoid even the appearance of conflict.

But when it comes to defending the office of the presidency itself, there is no firm other than the Justice Department. And thats created a dissonant dynamic in which federal prosecutors are seeking to put Trump in prison  possibly for decades  while lawyers across the hall are seeking to shield him from lawsuits alleging other forms of misconduct.

Theyre largely rooted in executive branch institutional interests. Its more about the presidency and taking a consistent approach across administrations with respect to those issues than it is personally about Trump, said Jody Hunt, a longtime DOJ lawyer who served as head of Justices Civil Division under Trump. There are some doctrinal issues that are important to the executive branch.

You want to be consistent across administrations, Hunt added. You dont want to be making decisions for political reasons, and I think people are sensitive to that issue.

Rupa Bhattacharyya, a former senior DOJ official now with Georgetown Laws Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, said the departments stance against senior-level officials having to testify in suits about their official acts is grounded in legitimate concerns.

You dont want to be in a position where cabinet officials refuse to leave their offices because theyre subject to deposition the moment they walk out the door, she said. The department's policy of resisting depositions of high-level government officials is a little less critical with former officials, but still pretty important.

Of course, granting presidents broad immunity from liability and from testifying has its costs. Judges have sometimes pushed back against what they view as extravagant claims that the president must be exempt from litigation.

"The fundamental purpose of presidential immunity is to avoid 'diversion of [the presidents] energies' and 'distract[ing] a President from his [or her] public duties' by subjecting the president to 'concern with private lawsuits," Judge Lewis Kaplan wrote last month as he rebuffed an immunity claim from Trump in one of Carroll's suits. It is not a 'get out of damages liability free' card that permits the president to say or do anything he or she desires even if that conduct is disconnected entirely from an official function.

Indeed, some of Trumps unusual legal troubles are stretching the DOJs typical shield to its breaking point.



DOJ was asked by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to take a stance on whether Trump has absolute immunity from lawsuits brought by members of Congress and police officers related to the violence they endured on Jan. 6, 2021, much of which they attribute to incitement by Trump. In a March 2 filing, Civil Division attorneys rejected Trumps categorical claims of immunity from the Jan. 6 lawsuits, saying that if Trump did in fact incite the crowd to violence  a possibility the Justice Department took no position on  then he could be sued.

And on Tuesday, the Justice Department reversed its decision to stand in for Trump in one of Carrolls lawsuits. DOJ had indicated while Trump was in office that it would take over the defense of the defamation suit by substituting the federal government as the defendant in place of Trump individually  a step that would have effectively ended the lawsuit. But DOJ officials now say the legal terrain has shifted  not only because Trump is out of office but because a recent D.C. Court of Appeals decision required them to determine whether Trumps allegedly defamatory statements about Carroll were intended to benefit the U.S. government, his employer at the time.



The Department has determined that there is no longer a sufficient basis to conclude that the former President was motivated by more than an insignificant desire to serve the United States Government, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton wrote in a six-page filing.

Trump lashed out Wednesday at the DOJ about-face, calling it all part of the political Witch Hunt.

The uncomfortable dynamic is most apparent in the litigation brought by Strzok and Page. They sued in 2019, claiming invasion of privacy after hundreds of anti-Trump text messages between the two were made public by senior DOJ officials. Strzok also alleged his firing after two decades at the FBI was engineered by Trump out of political vengeance. The lawsuits have lingered for years but have begun accelerating in recent months under Jackson, a federal district judge in Washington, D.C.

Jackson, earlier this year, granted Strzoks request to depose Trump in the cases, the result of a months-long battle that included a fight over executive privilege  which the Biden White House ultimately opted not to assert  and fierce pushback from the Justice Department about whether Strzok needed to directly question Trump at all. Jackson, an appointee of President Barack Obama, has emphasized that she has only permitted extremely limited topics for Trumps questioning.

The deposition was slated to take place in May, negotiated by Trumps lawyers Alina Habba and David Warrington, but was halted at the last minute by a Justice Department demand that Strzok depose FBI Director Christopher Wray first. And the department signaled it was prepared to seek intervention from higher courts if Jackson didnt agree to the arrangement.

Wrays deposition took place on June 27, and the department renewed its request for Jackson to call off Trumps appearance. Attorneys from DOJs Civil Division contended that recent evidence gleaned from Wray  as well as other former senior Trump administration officials like chief of staff John Kelly and top DOJ official Scott Schools, failed to support the notion that Trump played a direct role in Strzoks firing. Rather, they said, FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich made the call without any suggestion from the White House or Wray that Trump wanted him to do it.

The availability of that evidence to Mr. Strzok means the deposition of former President Trump is not appropriate, Senior Trial Counsel Bradley Humphreys wrote for DOJs Civil Division.

Jackson bristled at the renewed request on Friday and ultimately rejected it, noting that her analysis of the need for Trumps testimony hadnt changed.

The fact remains that the former President himself has publicly boasted of his involvement, Jackson said, emphasizing the limited nature of the deposition that has been ordered, and the fact that the former President's schedule appears to be able to accommodate other civil litigation that he has initiated.
Dorset PCC David Sidwick said there was "no place" for racist, sexist and homophobic officers

Police officers sacked and disciplined for sharing offensive WhatsApp messages were appropriately punished, a police and crime commissioner (PCC) has said.

A Dorset officer was sacked last month and his former colleague barred from policing over racist, sexist and homophobic messages on a group chat.

Dorset PCC David Sidwick said there was "no place" for this type of behaviour.

He said the PCs let down the public and urged people to report "any experiences of wrong-doing" by officers.

Constables Mark Jordan-Gill and Paul Perdrisat, who were based in Bournemouth, were found guilty of gross misconduct by a police tribunal after the panel heard evidence of their "toxic" group conversations.

Mr Jordan-Gill was dismissed without notice while Mr Perdrisat was told he would have been dismissed if he had not already resigned.

PC Mark Jordan-Gill was fired following a disciplinary hearing

Speaking at the county's police and crime panel meeting, Mr Sidwick said: "There is no place in Dorset Police for anybody who is racist, sexist or homophobic: I expect, as the Dorset public do, that Dorset Police officers are held to the highest standard."

He said he welcomed "the clear leadership" shown by the force over the investigation and disciplinary hearings, as well as the apology offered by the deputy chief constable to the public.

Mr Sidwick said he had sought reassurances from the chief constable on the vetting of new recruits and officers being transferred to the Dorset force and has also asked for force-issued IT equipment to be monitored, with software now in place to do so.

"While the chief constable and I will be everything we can to stop similar cases arising in the future... because human beings are flawed there will always be some who have biases and prejudices," he added.

"As we go forward I am satisfied that whatever may come we will dealt with correctly for the people of Dorset."

The meeting heard that in the past three months no Dorset officers, or other staff members, had failed the re-vetting process that forces across the country had been undertaking.

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The Commonwealth Fund recently ranked Massachusetts tops in the nation when it comes to healthcare -- but a new state report suggests things are far from perfect.

Wednesday, the Department of Public Health released An Assessment of Severe Maternal Morbidity in Massachusetts. It found that rates of serious pregnancy-related illnesses nearly doubled between 2011 and 2020 -- going from about 52 incidents per 10,000 births in 2011 to about 100 incidents per 10,000 births in 2020.

These are stunning numbers in a state that is supposed to have some of the best health care in the world, said Rebecca Hart Holder, president of Reproductive Equity Now. We know that there has been a severe maternal health crisis across the country for decades. I think the surprise is how sharp the increase in maternal morbidity is.

Serious Maternal Morbidities, or SMMs, include pregnancy-related issues with the heart, lungs, kidneys and vascular system. Pre-eclampsia is a well-known complication.

The symptoms that you see are an elevated blood pressure that is continuous, said Nawal Nour, MD, MPH, chair of Brigham and Womens Hospitals OB/GYN Department. When we do blood levels, their liver enzymes increase, the platelets might drop. And then patients might say, I see spots in my vision and I have the worst headache of my life.

The goal with such patients is to keep them from advancing to actual eclampsia, which involves seizures.

People can end up with eclampsia weeks after delivery, said Noor, who advocates reconsideration of what is considered the postpartum period.

Birthing people and mothers are at risk of death and morbidity even after delivery, Noor said. In the past weve been thinking about the postpartum period as up to six weeks. But in fact we should be thinking much like European countries.

While the report found serious pregnancy-related illness rose across racial groups, the disparity between white and black women grew by 25 percent. In 2011, black women were twice as likely to end up with a serious complication than white women. That risk rose to 2.5 by 2020.

Noor said part of the problem is systemic racism in medicine -- a situation in which some patients are not taken as seriously as others -- or are just not listened to. That could mean missing important warning signs during a pregnancy that all is not well.

While everyone has biases, Noor suggested that sometimes this lack of listening has little to do with the actual patient.

It could be the amount of acuity on the labor floor, said Noor. It could be the amount of patients that a provider has to see in a session.

Overall, Noor said she was surprised by the states numbers -- because OB/GYN has been focused on reducing maternal morbidity and mortality for years. She was also disappointed.

Maternal mortality is something that we should be able to prevent, she said.

As you compare ourselves with other Western nations we rank the lowest. How is it that other countries are doing so much better than we are?

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Drag Race Holland winner Envy Peru was allegedly attacked by four people in Amsterdam.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday (11 July), the 34-year-old TV personality called the incident a wake-up call that we still have a long way to go in the LGBT+ community.

They threatened me with a weapon while making offensive slurs towards me and filming it, Peru alleged. Even when I tried to distance myself from the situation by moving away, they continued and kept trying to hit me.

As I tried to get away, what shocked me the most was that only one sweet lady stood up for me  in a whole bus full of people.

Peru added: When the bus finally got to my stop at central station, I sensed the boys following me, then one of them ran towards me and kicked me to the floor. Four women stood up for me and scared the boys away and escorted me to where I needed to go.

Peru, whose real name is Boris Itzkovich Escobar, said that she is physically doing OK.

The Drag Race winner added that she was hesitant to file a report since I am a person in the public eye.

But as a proud member of our community and Pride Ambassador I cant be silent! she wrote in her Instagram post. These hate attacks need to stop! I know a lot of our community members stay silent when violence happens towards them because of fear.

But I decided Im going to go to the police and will show them the footage I took of the incident. Nobody should go through this, and these cowardly actions should be punished.

In response to Envys post, several Drag Race contestants and alums have commented with messages of support.

I love you I am so sorry that happened to you, All Star 8 finalist Kandy wrote. Im so sorry this happened to you. I love you so much and Im happy youre safe now. I wish I could give you the biggest hug, Jujubee wrote.

Host of Drag Race Mexico, Valentina, added: Im so sorry to hear that sister. Youre not alone  its happened to me several times and its not ok. Thank you for speaking up about it. We love you.

American drag queen Jujubee wrote: Im so sorry this happen to you. I love you so much and Im happy youre safe now. I wish I could give you the biggest hug.
A driver stopped in the middle of a road  and then he attacked, Florida sheriff says

A driver sitting in the middle of a road rammed into cars and then got out of his SUV and started attacking other vehicles with a tire iron, according to a Florida sheriffs office.

The driver then confronted deputies with a crowbar before trying to run away, the Brevard County Sheriffs Office reported. They arrested the man, Raymond Hofmann, in the attacks.

It started when deputies received reports of a Chevrolet Tahoe parked at an intersection in Cocoa. The SUV then started ramming into vehicles that tried to pass it, according to a post on the sheriffs office Facebook page.

The incident escalated when Hofmann got out of the SUV holding a tire iron and began striking vehicles that passed by him. He broke the drivers side window of a passing truck, reports said. Hofmann also had a nail gun and crowbar that he used to threaten people, according to the sheriffs statement.

When deputies got there, Hofmann was holding the crowbar and began approaching them, the report said.

Deputies commanded him to drop it, but Hofmann responded, You will have to kill me, before throwing the crowbar and running away, according to the release.

When deputies chased after him, Hofmann threw a chair and barbecue grill at them. The brief foot chase ended with Hofmanns arrest.

Hofmann faces charges that include resisting and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch Justice Minister Dilan Yesilgoz on Wednesday announced her candidacy to lead outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte's conservative VVD party in elections this autumn.

Yesilgoz, 46, who immigrated to the Netherlands from Turkey as a child, would be the first woman to lead the VVD party in national elections.

Other top politicians in the party have said they will not stand, and party leaders are expected to announce they back Yesilgoz later this week. However she must still win a party vote before her leadership is assured.

Rutte, the longest-serving Dutch prime minister, said on Monday he would leave politics following the collapse of his government on Friday over asylum policy. He will continue to serve in a caretaker role until a new cabinet is installed.

A date for national elections in one of the last three Wednesdays in November will be determined later this week.

(Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Mark Potter)
Dylan Mulvaney said she traveled to Peru to 'feel safe' after facing anti-trans backlash in the US over her Bud Light deal

Dylan Mulvaney said she traveled to Peru in a new TikTok video. Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Dylan Mulvaney revealed she traveled from the US to Peru in a series of TikTok videos.

Mulvaney said she had to "leave my country to feel safe."

Mulvaney faced backlash in April after Bud Light partnered with her for a promotion.

Dylan Mulvaney is vacationing in Peru to "feel safe" after facing anti-trans backlash over her Bud Light partnership.

On Monday, the transgender influencer updated her 10.7 million TikTok followers about her travels in Peru. Mulvaney said in the video that she flew to the South American country to "feel something."

"I've done shaman ceremonies that were like 10 years worth of therapy," Mulvaney said. "It was wild. I've seen a lot of llamas, and the people here are so kind. I feel very safe here."

Mulvaney then suggested she didn't feel safe in the United States.

"It's a little sad that I had to leave my country to feel safe, but that will get better, eventually," she said.

She added: "This trip has me feeling like I'm my own best friend again, and that's the best feeling in the world."

Mulvaney shared two additional videos, one showing Machu Picchu and another of her posing with a llama.

Mulvaney's recent remarks come after sharing an Instagram video featuring Bud Light beer in April. Soon after, conservative figures like Ben Shapiro and Donald Trump Jr. blasted the partnership and called for a boycott of Bud Light.

Although Mulvaney initially remained mum about the criticism, Anheuser-Busch  which owns Bud Light  commented on the partnership with Mulvaney in a statement to BuzzFeed News in April.

"Anheuser-Busch works with hundreds of influencers across our brands as one of many ways to authentically connect with audiences across various demographics and passion points," the statement read. "From time to time, we produce unique commemorative cans for fans and for brand influencers, like Dylan Mulvaney. This commemorative can was a gift to celebrate a personal milestone and is not for sale to the general public."

Anheuser-Busch also indirectly addressed the criticism in a second statement.

"We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people. We are in the business of bringing people together over a beer," it said.

That same month, Mulvaney shared how she felt about the criticism on the "Onward with Rosie O'Donnell" podcast. Mulvaney's previous partnership with Nike was also under fire at about this time.

Mulvaney shared her thoughts about the Bud Light backlash in April. Rob Kim/Getty Images

"I think it comes back to the fact that these people, they don't understand me, and anything that I do or say somehow gets taken out of context and is used against me," Mulvaney said. "It's so sad because everything I try to put out is positive. It's trying to connect with others that maybe don't understand me. It's to make people laugh, or to make a kid feel seen."

In June, Mulvaney told her followers that Bud Light never reached out to her amid the backlash.

"For a company to hire a trans person and then not publicly stand by them is worse, in my opinion, than not hiring a trans person at all because it gives customers permission to be as transphobic and hateful as they want," Mulvaney said in a TikTok video.

Read the original article on Insider
Its been nearly two years since an arbitrator said the city of East St. Louis owed union members in the police department years of back pay.

But they still havent received the money, and union members say they want the public to know. The union picketed outside of City Hall last week to call attention to the issue.

The East St. Louis police officers are fed up and concerned about the apparent lack of concern for public safety from City leaders, said David Amerson, a staff lawyer and representative for the Policemens Benevolent Labor Committee. When city leaders play games with frontline public servants, they diminish the safety and well-being of the entire community.

According to union members and their president, Tia Mitchell, the city owes the members more than $1 million in back pay, including active and retired officers or their surviving family members.

City Manager Robert Betts said in a recent BND interview that there are ``some discrepancies in the unions calculations of how much the financially troubled city owes the union members, but officials hope to have the back-pay issue resolved soon.

Were working on some final calculations, trying to get the final numbers in place to try to get the officers their back pay, Betts said.

Union members say they already know what they are owed and are tired of delays in getting their back pay after a court-appointed arbitrator in a contract dispute ruled in their favor on Aug. 2, 2021. The arbitrator, Jacalyn Zimmerman, said that officers were entitled to a 2% raise, retroactive to the December 2015 expiration of an old contract.

The arbitration ruling did not indicate how much the retroactive pay would total. But any officer who was on the citys payroll since the last contract expired at the end of 2015, even if they have left the East St. Louis Police Department or retired, is entitled to a prorated share.

The officers started receiving a 2% raise in March 2022, according to the union, but not the back pay.

Despite the rising cost of living and dwindling staff, the East St. Louis police officer did not receive raises for years, Amerson said.  When the city was ordered by an arbitrator to raise wages and back pay for missed wages, the city still refused. Several months later the city finally started paying the required wages, but has still refused to pay the backpay they owe.

Betts said city officials hope to have the back-pay issue resolved this month.

Weve communicated that to the officers and to their union representatives as well. The city has had some transition recently, said Betts, referring to the new city administration under Mayor Charles Powell III.  Anytime transition takes place, it takes a little time to get your hands around things, get reorganized and figure out how things are going to work. It is a priority for us to get this resolved.

Mitchell, the local union president, said the union simply wants the city to honor the arbitration ruling.

The union never wanted to fight with the city, we just want what is owed to us. Were not asking for anything we havent worked for, Mitchell said..

Officers raise questions about staffing

Betts, in the BND interview, also addressed concerns by some officers that the Powell administration is creating new positions for people when it should be saving the money to fund the back pay owed the union members.The officers did not want to be named for this story for fear of retaliation.

Betts said no new positions have been created. He said some officials who were ``wrongfully terminated in the former administration have been brought back. He said director of the Emergency Disaster Service Agency was also an existing position, but it had been contracted out in prior administrations. The Powell administration recently hired former fire chief Jason Blackmon to fill that role at about $55,000 per year.

Those funds that are owed the police officers are available and the ESDA position has no impact on the funds available to pay them whatsoever, Betts said.  No other positions to my knowledge - no new positions have come through the city. We have a couple of grants where people may see some new people running around- a development grant to help get the city cleaned out. Outside of that no new employment positions have been created.

He said the mayor and city council have been briefed on the police union back pay situation and were moving forward with trying to bring that to fruition as quickly as possible.

Betts acknowledged that the police department on some shifts has worked with a skeleton crew, but he said officers are on patrol for every shift. The East St. Louis officers who did not want to be identified insist that there has been at least one shift where local rank and file officers were not on duty.

We always have some officers on the streets, Betts said.  ISP (Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group) has been assisting. We have mutual assist with other municipalities. We had several officers call off our the weekend ( a couple of weeks ago) for power outages and different things at their residences. We always have some officers on the street. 

Betts said there is a shortage of officers, but the problem is one that other towns are experiencing too. And, he said, the city is currently looking to hire additional qualified and certified officers.
[Photo/VCG]

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen recently concluded her four-day trip to China, where she held direct, substantive, and productive talks with senior Chinese officials. Important insights on strengthening communication channels, and supporting concrete U.S. actions on key sanctions and irritants, underline the strategic value of Yellen's trip to building a consequential U.S.-China economic relationship. "We had substantive conversations about the global economy, developments in our own economies, financial markets, and a list of concerns that each of us brought to the table that we agreed to follow up on over time," Yellen recently said during a "Face the Nation" interview.



The landmark visit was her first as Treasury Chief, and widely seen as an attempt to set up economic guardrails and improve the countries' relationship after an historic low. Cautious optimism stemmed from Yellen's talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who rightly recommended healthy cooperation as a "realistic need and the right choice" for two of the world's largest economies. In a bid to maintain a level playing field for businesses, the trip merits some hope against unwarranted U.S. export controls and sanctions. Headway there is critical for the U.S. to advance "mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation."

It is true that China's peaceful development is a "gain rather than a risk" for the United States. These remarks from Premier Li offered strong incentives for Washington to recalibrate its perceptions towards China and support future common-ground in areas such as global financial stability, macroeconomic coordination, and debt crisis. Yellen's refusal to endorse zero-sum talks about "de-coupling" is also a welcome step forward, making it easier to implement the core consensus reached between the two countries in Bali last year.

That landmark consensus also included continuation of dialogue, as well as coordination on macroeconomic policies and trade ties. For these reasons, Yellen's up-close engagement with Chinese officials and the larger business community reflects active efforts to implement those understandings, and coordinate differences where possible. "China hopes that the U.S. can meet China halfway and bring bilateral relations back on the right path, guided by reason and pragmatism," stated Li in his exchange with Yellen.

Extensive talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng also reveal an opening for the U.S. to work together to tap considerable growth in trade and investment engagements. After all, in the past two years alone, U.S.-China trade volume has steadily expanded, reaching $690 billion last year. To build on future progress, it is in the U.S.'s interests to avoid "overstretching the concept of security" on such cooperation and support international expectations for healthy and consistent U.S.-China economic engagements.

Interestingly, Yellen's visit is also a significant step toward reducing the risk of misunderstanding between both sides. For one, it provides an opening for Washington to respond to China's major economic concerns, including lifting tariffs and relaxing export controls, while advancing more frequent contacts in the future. China has been a staunch advocate of direct communication channels with Washington, and puts a premium on trust-building based on a "rational and pragmatic" attitude. There is a fair chance that Washington may build on Yellen's goodwill, given her admission that she does not see ties through the frame of "great power conflict."

Ultimately, Yellen's four-day trip to China should be seen as an important confidence-building measure and a much-needed input to strengthening direct Sino-U.S. communication. From macroeconomy to challenging global issues, critical discussions reinforced the wide-ranging common ground between both countries. By addressing China's stated economic concerns, the Biden administration stands a fair chance to advance bilateral trust and meet Beijing halfway for the benefit of U.S.-China relations.

Hannan R. Hussain is a foreign affairs commentator, author and recipient of the Fulbright Award.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
The Eastern Washington man arrested last month with weapons and explosives materials outside of former President Barack Obamas will be held without bail.

The judge said that Taranto is not a flight risk, but there is clear and convincing evidence Taranto poses a danger, according to a tweet from CBS Congressional Correspondent Scott MacFarlane.

MacFarlane was reporting from the federal court in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday morning where Taranto, 37, of Pasco, appeared for a bail hearing.

Taranto is currently being held on four misdemeanor charges related to his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, but has not yet been charged for his alleged actions in June.

He appeared in court on Wednesday for a pretrial detention hearing where prosecutors argued he should be held without bail, describing Taranto in court documents as dangerous and a flight risk.

At the heart of the matter was whether Federal Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui could hold Taranto as a flight risk without new charges having been filed for his arrest by federal agents for allegedly threatening the Obamas and other lawmakers.

Defense attorneys told the judge that Taranto was savagely attacked Tuesday in the D.C. Metropolitan Jail by other Jan. 6 defendants, according to NBC News reporter Ryan Reilly.

MacFarlane said that his defense attorney told the judge Taranto was moved to isolation after the attack.

The reason for the attack was not clear but commenters on a Gateway Pundit article that Trump had linked to accused Taranto of being a false flag and a federal plant, despite his long history of promoting similar conspiracy theories about federal agents and Antifa being the real cause of Jan. 6.

Taranto is a one-time Pasco school board candidate and former webmaster for the Franklin County Republican Party. He had been traveling back and forth between the Tri-Cities and D.C. over the past two years to participate in various protests, according to now deleted social media videos.

He was in the Tri-Cities as recently as April participating in a protest against a drag brunch at Emerald of Siam. Despite his recent local activity, the Franklin County Republican Central Committee says it cut all ties with Taranto last year.

According to court documents, Taylor Taranto identified himself in this photo during a livestream. Taranto is speaking in the bottom left.

Arguing bail

In a filing in support of detention prosecutors argued that the judge had authority to hold Taranto without bail, and pointed to his actions in filming children at an elementary school while allegedly trying to intimidate Congressman Jamie Raskin, D-Maryland, who had served on the Jan. 6 House Select Committee and led the impeachment against former president Donald Trump, according to court documents.

The filing revealed that not only had Taranto been filming students at Piney Branch Elementary School near Raskins home and entered the school, but investigators have since learned he also had been allegedly filming students at another school.

In that second instance prosecutors say Taranto filmed an evacuation drill at Payne Elementary School in D.C., allegedly saying on the recording they were evacuating because there was violent white supremacist out somewhere,  according to court documents.

The prosecutors also included transcripts of previous bail hearings related to Jan. 6 riot defendants in which it had been successfully argued they should be held without bail on similar charges.

His wife had flown to D.C. to attend the hearings last week, and to ask the judge to name her Tarantos third-party supervisor, according to a report from WUSA9.

Taylor Taranto is seen motioning toward scaffolding outside of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in this image included in court documents.

The warrant for Tarantos arrest for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection was issued last Thursday morning, just hours before his arrest outside former president Barack Obamas Kalorama neighborhood home.

Taranto is also a co-defendant in a wrongful death civil lawsuit brought by the widow of a D.C. Metropolitan Police Officer.

Court documents show federal agents were already searching for him after Taranto made multiple threats to turn his van into a bomb to attack lawmakers and a federal building. Prosecutors say he went to Obamas neighborhood after Trump posted the address and conspiracy theories about the home on Truth Social.

Guns, hundreds of rounds of ammo and materials to make explosives were found in his van after Taranto was arrested running toward Obamas home after being spotted by Secret Service.

In the days before his arrest, Taranto is accused of making threats to bomb U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, as well as a federal facility. He also is accused of entering the elementary school, claiming on the livestream that he was doing it because the school was near Raskins home, according to court documents.

Federal investigators began searching for Taranto immediately, but were unable to locate him because he had been living out of his van. They honed in on him on the morning of June 29 when he began posting about Obama and then livestreaming himself walking around the neighborhood looking for secret tunnels, access points and angles for a shot, according to court documents. Its unclear what kind of shot he was referring to.

Protection order and search warrant

According to a search and seizure warrant filed Wednesday, investigators found weapons in Tarantos van including: two guns, more than 600 rounds of ammo, 13 magazines, a machete and a mini sledge hammer. They also found several jars with white powder and one jar with black powder.

There was also a variety of video recording equipment and pills in baggies labeled as various vitamins. A hat matching the Make Space Great Again hat Taranto is seen wearing in Jan. 6 surveillance was also found in the van.

This search and seizure warrant contains an inventory of what federal investigators say they found in Taylor Tarantos van after his arrest outside former president Barack Obamas home.

Also filed this week was a protection order regarding discovery in the case. The order is centered on any discovery of sensitive or highly sensitive materials entered into evidence, and bars Taranto from posting or disseminating them outside the confines of the case.

For example, if details of the former presidents Secret Service security was entered into evidence, and Taranto were out on bail and posted about those sensitive details on social media, he could find himself in hot water.

Trump recently blasted news outlets for using a photo of Taranto with a cardboard cutout of the former president, calling them Fake News and suggesting that the special counsel investigating him had been involved in using the photo.

That photo is from a Franklin County Republic event, and was posted on social media by Taranto.
From about 1880 to the mid-1950s, historic Horner Mill in Eaton Rapids was a thriving manufacturing site that turned out blankets and clothing.

EATON RAPIDS  Demolition of a blighted and crumbling historic mill that's stood at the corner of M-99 and Main Street for more than a century could start by August.

The news comes just more than a week after the Eaton County Land Bank Authority secured $653,000 for the work from the Michigan State Land Bank Authority.

The money will help pay to demolish seven of the eight buildings at the former Horner Woolen Mill on 7 acres in Eaton Rapids at the northern entrance to the city, paving the way for site decontamination and a mixed-use redevelopment at the property.

Horner Woolen Mills operated at 224 N. Main St. from about 1880 to the mid-1950s. A flour mill operated on the site as early as 1837, but was purchased by businessman Samuel Horner in 1880. The company later supplied wool for blankets and uniforms during World War I and World War II.

The vacant buildings have been crumbling for decades. The property has been considered an eyesore and, at times, a danger by city officials.

The total demo could cost $2.6 million

Demolition of a blighted and crumbling historic mill that's stood at the corner of M-99 and Main Street for nearly two centuries could start in August.

Cleaning up and rehabilitating the property is expected to cost $2.6 million, Eaton County Treasurer Bob Robinson said in an email.

"The Eaton County Land Bank believes its grant for $653k will go a long way to helping (property's owner) Mill Street LLC redevelop the site into an attractive location for commerce and residence," he said.

"The city council and city administration are thrilled to see progress with the Horner Mill property, Eaton Rapids Mayor Pam Colestock said in the news release. Thanks to Eaton County Treasurer Bob Robinson and the Eaton County Land Bank, we finally have positive momentum."

Demolition work could start by August and is expected to be complete by the end of this year, Robinson said. Redevelopment of the site is slated for 2024.

READ MORE:

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Dropped lawsuit paved the way for grant

The city filed a lawsuit against the property owner, Mill Street LLC, a subsidiary of Utah-based Cache Private Capital Diversified Fund, in December demanding that the structures come down. The city dropped the litigation in April to apply for state funds to help with demolition on the property.

Mill Street LLC intends to pay for the remainder of the demolition costs at the property, said Luke Loveland, vice president of assets and funding operations for Cache Private Capital Diversified Fund, last month.

Loveland said the company is committed to redeveloping at least one building on the site, located at the intersection of Dexter Road and Main, into residential housing and mixed-use.

"...this project will serve as the catalyst for transforming the site into a captivating space that revitalizes Eaton Rapids with fresh energy and enthusiasm. Following the completion of demolition, Mill Street LLC is committed to integrating historical elements from the original site into the new development, ensuring that the rich story of the old Mill lives on, Loveland said in a news release on Tuesday.

Contact Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @GrecoatLSJ .

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Eaton County grant to helps fund demolition of blighted Horner Mill site in Eaton Rapids
The admitted white supremacist who was sentenced to life in prison by a federal court for the Walmart mass shooting is now in state custody and remains in El Paso as he awaits a state trial in connection with the attack, officials said.

El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks announced Tuesday during a news conference that Patrick Crusius, 24, was transferred about 1 p.m. Tuesday from federal custody to state custody  the first major step to moving forward with the state of Texas' case against the gunman.

District Attorney Bill Hicks said the transfer of the Walmart mass shooter to state custody came as a surprise. He is shown July 6.

"I was surprised this morning (Tuesday) when I came into work and was informed that the Marshal Service had informed us that they were going to go ahead and transfer Mr. Crusius, the Walmart shooter, back into state custody today (Tuesday) at 1 p.m.," Hicks said. "This was a little bit of a surprise to us. We were expecting him after the restitution hearing. To be clear, for the federal restitution hearing the Walmart shooter does not have to appear. His attorneys can waive his appearance at that federal restitution hearing."

The gunman was sentenced July 7 to 90 consecutive life sentences in federal court in connection with the Aug. 3, 2019, mass shooting at an East El Paso Walmart. The gunman killed 23 people and injured dozens more.

The killer, who drove 700 miles to El Paso to commit the mass shooting, confessed to law enforcement that he was targeting Mexicans and other Hispanics to dissuade them from coming to the United States, federal prosecutors and court documents stated.

More: Tearful testimonies continue as victims of El Paso Walmart shooting confront gunman

The consecutive sentences handed down by Senior U.S. District Judge David C. Guaderrama means the gunman will spend the rest of his life in federal prison. The U.S. Attorney's Office was not seeking the death penalty.

The judge ordered the gunman to serve his prison time at ADX Florence supermax federal prison near Florence, Colorado. However, he will remain in El Paso as he awaits a federal restitution hearing and a state trial.

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.

He was sentenced to life in prison on each count.

The federal restitution hearing is the last proceeding pending in federal court. It is expected to begin in late September.

While the sentencing phase of the federal trial is over, the state of Texas' case against the gunman now takes center stage.

In the state case, the gunman faces one count of capital murder of multiple persons and 22 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The El Paso County District Attorney's Office is seeking the death penalty.

Patrick Crusius, 24, was sentenced July 7 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.

The gunman was originally in state custody when he was arrested Aug. 3, 2019.

He then was indicted Feb. 6, 2020, in federal court by the U.S. Attorney's Office on 90 charges in connection with the mass shooting. The gunman was transferred Feb. 11, 2020, to federal custody, court and jail records show. He remained in federal custody until Tuesday.

The DA's Office continues to be in contact with the U.S. Attorney's Office for any federal related hearings that may need the gunman to be in court, Hicks said.

"We have been in contact with the U.S. Attorney's Office," Hicks said. "We have an agreement that if his attorneys do not waive his appearance, we will make arrangements to transfer him back into federal custody for the one or two days of that federal restitution hearing. They (federal officials) will then transfer him back to our custody.

More: Tearful testimonies continue as victims of El Paso Walmart shooting confront gunman

"So, he is going to remain in state custody now moving forward to all the way through our trial, disposition and sentencing, and then serving the sentence. If he needs to go back to federal custody for that restitution hearing for the day or two, we will transfer him back to federal custody but just for the length of that one hearing."

The trial could begin next year or in 2025, but the early transfer of custody could lead to the trial being held earlier than expected, Hicks said. He added the trial date depends on when 409th District Court Judge Sam Medrano orders the case to trial.

"That is up to the judge," Hicks said. "Judge Medrano in the 409th will set our trial date, but it does certainly move our calendar a little more advance than what I had originally thought. We are very excited about that."

Lead defense attorney Joe Spencer speaks to the news media outside the Albert Armendariz Sr. Federal Courthouse in El Paso on July 7 after his client, Patrick Crusius, was sentenced to 90 consecutive life sentences in the mass shooting that occurred Aug. 3, 2019, at an East Side Walmart.

The gunman's lawyer, Joe Spencer, said the change of custody was "premature" as the federal case against the gunman isn't over.

"He has to go back for the restitution hearing in September. The DA's Office knows, or should know, that the move to state custody was only temporary and was actually, I think, premature," Spencer said. "He is going to have to go back Sept. 25 or right before Sept. 25 for the restitution hearing, and then it (federal case) will end after that. Then he will be in state custody after that."

Whether or not the gunman and his lawyers waive his right to appear, he will have to be transferred to federal custody for the federal restitution hearing, Spencer said.

"We may want to waive his appearance, but we can't waive his jurisdiction," Spencer said. "The (federal) court would not have jurisdiction if he's in state custody."

The transferring of the gunman between state and federal custody will not impact their defense in the case, Spencer said.

Mexican government officials respond to federal sentencing

Officials with Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the sentencing a step forward in fighting white supremacy and violence toward Mexicans.

"The ruling is a clear condemnation against hate speech, xenophobia, white supremacism and any act of violence," Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials said in a news release.

"The government of Mexico will continue to use all the resources at its disposal to prevent this type of incident from happening again, and to denounce violence and white supremacism. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is committed to continue providing proactive, humane and comprehensive assistance and protection to all Mexicans abroad, regardless of their immigration status," the news release said.

Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso Walmart gunman now in state custody, faces death penalty trial
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, announced Wednesday he will be launching and leading a new artificial intelligence firm called xAI.

The company provided few details on what the firm will entail but wrote on its website, The goal of xAI is to understand the true nature of the universe.

In a tweet Wednesday, Musk wrote, Announcing formation of @xAI to understand reality.

The firms Twitter account, @xAI, posted its first tweet Wednesday, writing, What are the most fundamental unanswered questions?

The team behind the AI firm is comprised of 12 members, including Musk.

According to the companys website, people will be able to meet the team behind the AI firm and ask questions during Musks chat about AI with Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) on Twitter Spaces Wednesday at 7 p.m. EDT.

Khanna and Gallagher have both been outspoken about the potential benefits and dangers of AI.

The conversation comes amid lawmakers increased interest in emerging technology. Senators received their first-ever classified briefing on artificial intelligence Tuesday.

AI has this extraordinary potential to make our lives better, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said after the heading. If it doesnt kill us first.

In an interview with Semafor in April, Khanna, whose district includes Silicon Valley, said there has to be proper antitrust regulation around AI without undermining the positive things about AI.

He also said that hes happy to engage with Musk, who has become an increasingly divisive figure on the left with his promotion of right-wing voices and conspiracies since taking over Twitter.

Ive always engaged with him and I think hes a brilliant entrepreneur. One of the most talented entrepreneurs in the world. But that doesnt mean I dont let him know I think he does things that are wrong, and I disagree with him. But I engage with him, Khanna told Semafor.

While Musk has officially entered the AI race, he has also been a leading voice of caution about how the technology could impact humanity.

Gallagher told Bloomberg Tuesday he considers Musk, the most prominent name associated with the AI pausers, those who are concerned about the existential risk and want to pause.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Chesnot/Getty Images

Elon Musk announced his latest endeavor on Wednesday, an artificial intelligence company called xAI to rival ChatGPT in its efforts to better provide a "maximum truth-seeking AI." Advised by Dan Hendrycks, who currently serves as the director of the Center for AI Safety, the goal of the new company "is to understand the true nature of the universe," according to its website.

Musk's xAI team  alumni of DeepMind, OpenAI, Google Research, Microsoft Research, Twitter and Tesla  will provide greater detail on the company via a live Twitter Spaces chat on Friday, but as of what's known now, it will work to combat Musk's fear that "AI companies are prioritizing systems that are "politically correct."

Per CNN, "Musk was an early backer of ChatGPT-creator OpenAI, but later criticized the company for inputting safeguards that aim to prevent the viral chatbot from spewing biased or sexist responses." In their coverage of the xAI announce, a tweet from Musk back in December in which he said, "The danger of training AI to be woke  in other words, lie  is deadly," is used to highlight what he's going for.
FILE - Patrons gather for at Stay Social Tap + Table's Going out with a Bang show during their last night of business in Evans, Ga., on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022.

Stay Social Tap and Table could be staying closed.

The former Evans tapas bar exhausted what is likely its last court appeal, argued Monday, to overturn Columbia Countys decision to rescind the business alcohol license. The decision renders Stay Social owner Renee Hajek ineligible to apply for an alcohol license in Georgia for the next 10 years.

The countys Board of Commissioners voted in October 2022 to nullify the license. The county concluded that the eatery didnt obey a local ordinance requiring that an eating establishment serving by-the-drink alcohol must derive at least 50% of its "gross annual sales from food.

Several supporters of the business have alleged the license revocation was a reaction to Stay Social playing host to shows over the summer featuring drag queens.

But in his 29-page ruling issued Tuesday, Columbia County Superior Court Judge James G. Blanchard Jr. dismissed Stay Socials contention that the county pulled the license because of the drag shows. He also declared inadmissible an affidavit from Stay Social owner Renee Hajek that relates her interpretation of the events leading up to the license revocation.

Dragged out: Farewell show marks closing of embattled Columbia County tapas bar

Faced with a lack of record support, the affidavit is an attempt to allege new facts to claim that the court was incorrect in its order and that the court should reverse itself, Blanchard wrote.

He also stated that the scope of the most recent appeal is limited to deciding whether the Board of Commissioners decision is supported by substantial evidence.

Ultimately, at base, Stay seeks to use the petition and the new, untested affidavit to create a different record now that its initial attempt failed, the judge wrote. "Stay does not get two bites of the apple, however.

Currently, Columbia County restaurants serving by-the-drink alcohol arent legally required to disclose whether their food sales cleave to the 50% rule.

Stay Socials food sales numbers came to light during a review of the business' financials by the Development Authority of Columbia County, which had extended to Stay Social owner Renee Hajek a $64,000 grant and a forgivable loan of about $36,000 to help grow the new business.

Amid public complaints that the law that closed Stay Social was applied unfairly and unevenly, Columbia County announced at its Jan. 3 Board of Commissioners meeting that the county plans to require all local restaurants serving by-the-drink alcohol to report precisely how much food and alcohol they sell. County staff are presently determining the method by which those figures will be collected.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Evans tapas bar featuring drag queens loses appeal, alcohol license
Broadcom is seeking to expand into the software market to boost its server business (JUSTIN SULLIVAN)

The European Commission approved US chipmaker Broadcom's planned $61-billion takeover of cloud computing firm VMware on Wednesday after the company offered remedies to ease competition concerns.

The massive deal raised fears that it would stifle competition following its announcement in May 2022, prompting probes by antitrust watchdogs in the European Union and Britain.

The European Commission said its in-depth investigation found that the transaction, as originally proposed, "would harm competition in the worldwide market for the supply" of Fibre Channel Host-Bus Adapters (FC HBAs).

Part of the worries was that rivals would not be able to build components compatible with those made by VMware.

As a remedy, Broadcom offered interoperability commitments to ensure that VMware software would work with that made by rival Marvell and other potential competitors, the EU's executive arm said.

The company also guaranteed access to the source code for all of its current and future FC HBA drivers through an irrevocable open source licence.

The commission concluded that "the proposed acquisition, as modified by the commitments, would no longer raise competition concerns".

- 'Enhance competition' -

Britain's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) decided in March to deepen its probe into the mega-merger.

Broadcom is seeking to expand into the software market to boost its server business and has already acquired two complementary firms, CA Technology and Symantec.

VMware, a leader in cloud computing and virtualisation technology, was spun out of Dell Technologies in 2021.

Broadcom said that while it believes the deal "will only increase competition and innovation in cloud computing", it provided a remedy "that preserves interoperability, a core principle that would not have changed as a result of this transaction".

The California-based company said in a statement that it expects the transaction to close in its 2023 fiscal year.

"Broadcom looks forward to continuing to work constructively with regulators around the world," it said.

The company said it has received merger clearance in Australia, Brazil, Canada, South Africa and Taiwan.

"Broadcom is confident that when regulators conclude their review, they too will see that the combination of Broadcom and VMware will enhance competition in the cloud," it said.

It will also "benefit enterprise customers by giving them more choice and control over where they locate their workloads".

mad/lth/rox
faucet tap water pouring in glassBen Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images

Although the European Commission has promised to ban all but the most essential of the hazardous chemicals found in commonly used products in Europe, a new report by The Guardian indicates that they are prepared to break that promise. If they do so, it will continue a pattern of government regulators failing to adequately monitor businesses that release potentially hazardous chemicals into the environment.

Despite promising to prohibit "the most harmful chemicals in consumer products, allowing their use only where essential," leaked documents obtained by The Guardian reveal that regulators have been folding to industry pressure. The document presents three options (the European Commission usually chooses the middle one) and they include restricting 1%, 10% or 50% of the 7,000 to 12,000 hazardous substances in consumer products.

Perhaps the most prevalent and controversial of these chemicals are PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These chemicals are linked to cancer, liver disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, autoimmune disease, birth defects and other serious health problems  even when people are only exposed at low levels. PFAS are also known as "forever chemicals" because they are not able to organically degrade, meaning once in the environment they tend to stay there permanently. In the United States and elsewhere, it is difficult to regulate these products because companies engage in a practice known as "regrettable substitution." This is when they make minor changes to dangerous chemicals to bypass regulations intended to catch them.
The European Parliament on Wednesday voted in favor of legally binding targets to protect and restore nature in the European Union, despite strong opposition from some policymakers.

The flagship EU nature law will also require countries to introduce measures to restore nature on a fifth of their land and sea by 2030.

The law passed narrowly with 336 votes for, 300 against, and 13 abstentions.

It is the first major piece of legislation to protect biodiversity in the EU in the last 30 years, according to Greenpeace. The aim of the law is to improve or reestablish biodiverse habitats, reverse the decline of pollinating insects and restore marine habitats such as sea grass.

The world is facing a biodiversity crisis, due to land clearing, pollution and climate change, with some scientists saying we are entering a sixth mass extinction. Almost half the planets species are experiencing rapid population declines, according to a May study.

This vote shows that there is still hope to restore and grow whats left, Spela Bandelj, Greenpeaces Central and Eastern Europe biodiversity project manager, said in a statement.

As another unprecedented heatwave grips Europe, its clear that to survive climate breakdown and ensure food supplies well need nature on our side, she added.

The vote comes after months of protracted negotiations that exposed long-standing divisions in the European Parliament after the European Peoples Party (EPP), the EU Parliaments biggest lawmaker group, spearheaded a campaign to reject the plan.

The EPP group chairman, Manfred Weber  who was among the most vocal opponents of the bill  called into question the financial implications of the legislation in a press briefing after the vote, saying it would hurt farming.

EPP chairman Manfred Weber who voted against the nature restoration law. - Mykhaylo Palinchak/SOPA Images/Shutterstock

The law is not giving us a real answer about the food production question creating legal uncertainty for local and regional authorities and will potentially hurt our renewable energy transition  rather than support it, he said.

However, before the vote several EPP members including Irelands Frances Fitzgerald broke ranks to support the bill.

I cannot in good conscience and good faith vote against this law, Fitzgerald said in video on Twitter. We need to protect biodiversity. We need this law to protect our citizens, our businesses and, above all, the future generations, she added.

Other supporters of the bill included the Parliaments center-left Socialists & Democrats, the Greens, the Left and part of Renew Europe. Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg also attended the voting session to show support for the new climate legislation.

Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg reacts as she attends a voting session on EU nature restoration law during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. - Frederick Florin/AFP/Getty Images

EU lawmakers and member countries will now negotiate the final text, aiming for a deal before EU Parliament elections in 2024.

The nature restoration law is one of two key pillars of the EUs 2030 Biodiversity Strategy, a package of proposals aimed at rehabilitating Europes already damaged ecosystems.

In 2021, the European Environment Agency found that 81% of the EUs ecosystems are in either a poor or bad condition, according to Greenpeace.

Call to Earth is a CNN editorial series committed to reporting on the environmental challenges facing our planet, together with the solutions. Rolexs Perpetual Planet initiative has partnered with CNN to drive awareness and education around key sustainability issues and to inspire positive action.

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A European airline is buying train tickets for its customers on a 108-mile journey to encourage passengers to fly less

A KLM Embraer 175, and a Thalys train passes Cologne Cathedral. Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images; Omar Havana/Getty Images

KLM's CEO told Politico: "We are moving our customers from plane to train."

The Dutch airline has been buying tickets on the high-speed Thalys train from Amsterdam to Brussels.

That 108-mile journey is the same distance as Wall Street to the tip of Long Island.

KLM, the flag carrier airline of the Netherlands, is buying train tickets for its customers traveling from Amsterdam to Brussels, Politico reported.

"We are moving our customers from plane to train," CEO Marjan Rintel told Politico.

Traveling between the capital cities of the Netherlands and Belgium takes 45 minutes by plane, or 1 hour 38 minutes on the high-speed train Thalys.

At 108 miles, that's about the same distance as Los Angeles to San Diego, or Wall Street to the tip of Long Island.

KLM is doing this partly due to pressure on the aviation industry to reduce its carbon footprint, with the airline having launched a "Fly Responsibly" campaign back in 2019.

There have, however, also been issues at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, the airline's hub. The Dutch government won a court appeal against KLM last Friday to reduce the airport's annual number of flights from 500,000 to 440,000, AeroTime reported.

KLM first piloted the train-ticket scheme last summer, replacing one of its four daily Amsterdam-Brussels flights with the rail service.

Then in February, it announced it was buying tickets on four more Thalys trains for passengers transferring between the two airports.

Since then, KLM has purchased tickets for eight trains  four in each direction, an airline spokesperson told Insider.

"We have purchased as much capacity as possible on trains that match the arrival and departure time of the flights," the spokesperson said.

Although the pilot scheme also found it needed easier transfers for passengers, luggage assistance, and communication with customers who might be unfamiliar with Thalys.

"These obstacles must be removed before KLM can permanently replace flights to and from Brussels with rail capacity," the airline said in the press release.

"To accomplish this, KLM will need all of its Action Plan partners to cooperate. After all, it has no control over the trains, the railway platforms or the airport."

And Rintel told Politico: "If there are connections, if the connections are good, if they arrive at Schiphol, if they run also in the weekends, we are more than willing to stop flying to Brussels."

Read the original article on Business Insider
 Flash

The 11th World Peace Forum, organized by Tsinghua University and co-organized by the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, opened in Beijing on Sunday.

China's Vice President Han Zheng delivers a keynote speech at the 11th World Peace Forum opening ceremony on July 3, 2023. [Photo courtesy of the World Peace Forum Secretariat]

China's Vice President Han Zheng delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony, calling on all sides to safeguard world peace and security.



He said that in the face of profound changes in the international situation, China has put forward a series of major initiatives, such as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, constantly enriching the connotation and practical path of the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity, and injecting strong positive energy into world peace and development.

China is ready to work with other countries to safeguard world peace and security, seek global development and prosperity, advocate exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, and share the fruits of human development, security, and civilization, Han said.

He called for upholding independence and mutual respect, resolving conflicts through dialogue and consultation, and firmly upholding and practicing multilateralism to make global governance more just and equitable, and called on all sides to promote inclusiveness, mutual benefit, and win-win results.

Han stressed that Chinese modernization follows the path of peaceful development, and China will unswervingly advocate, build and uphold world peace.

Liu Jianchao, minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), delivered a speech at the lunch meeting the same day.

Liu expanded on the keyword "peace" and shared his perspectives and insights with both domestic and international guests.

Peace has always been the shared aspiration of nations worldwide, Liu said. However, even today, humanity has not been able to break free from the historical cycle of war and peace. "Long-lasting peace and universal security remain scarce and highly sought-after," he said.

Especially in the context of shifting profound changes unseen in a century, the international community faces increaing instability, uncertainty, and insecurity. The need for consensus, cooperation, stability, and peace on a global scale remains a task with heavy responsibility, Liu noted.

In his speech, Liu highlighted the inherent peaceful nature of the Chinese nation, which has established a long-standing foundation for peaceful development of the country.

Liu emphasized that illuminating the light of world peace is a collective endeavor of all humankind. He called for all parties to focus on common development and the establishment of a solid material foundation for peace, emphasize universal security to create the wings of peace and security, and promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning to strengthen the foundation of peace through civilization.

Wang Xiqin, president of Tsinghua University and chairman of the World Peace Forum, extended a warm welcome to the attendees and expressed gratitude to all those who have consistently supported the forum.

He noted, "Those who share the same aspirations are not deterred by distance." In the past 11 years, the forum has become a major platform, playing an important role in promoting exchanges and cooperation in the realm of international security, he said.

The theme of this forum, "Stabilizing an Unstable World through Consensus and Cooperation," aligns with the current needs and aims to contribute to the establishment of a world that is characterized by lasting peace, universal security, shared prosperity, openness, inclusiveness, and environmental beauty, Wang said.

He affirmed that Tsinghua University will continue to make utmost efforts to sustain the forum's global impact, actively address major security challenges faced by the international community, and play an important role in building a community with a shared future for mankind and a global community of security for all.

He encouraged attendees to engage in open and candid discussions, freely express their thoughts, and strive to seek common ground and promote extensive cooperation. Amid complex and diverse circumstances, he also emphasized the importance of offering constructive proposals for stabilizing the international order, safeguarding world peace, and contributing thoughts and wisdom to enhance mutual learning and cooperation among different civilizations.

Dilma Vana Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank (NDB) and former president of Brazil, Igor Ivanov, president of the Russian International Affairs Council and former secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, and Hassan Wirajuda, former minister for foreign affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, as well as more than 400 attendees including diplomatic envoys from various countries in China, experts, and scholars, participated in the forum.

Rousseff said the world today is facing multiple crises including the climate crisis, economic recession, protectionism and geopolitical conflicts. She called on all parties to promote inclusive and sustainable development, aiming to create an environment of shared prosperity and peace for people across nations.

Rousseff emphasized the need for collective action in reforming global governance to address the fractures within globalization, and counteract protectionism and unilateralism. She urged all parties to seek consensus on the basis of shared prosperity, condemning any form of "unipolar model," and working toward cooperative and mutually beneficial outcomes.

With four major plenary sessions and 20 panel discussions, the forum touched on topics such as a new world order in the making, the evolution of multilateralism, major-power roles in international security, and regional cooperation in reform.

The World Peace Forum, founded in 2012, is a non-governmental annual forum on international security organized by Tsinghua University and co-organized by the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.
ROME  A plan by the European Union to spend 500 million ($555 million) on beefing up the blocs ammunition factories to help Ukraine risks draining much needed funds from long-term weapons development programs, a senior industrial official has said.

The EU deal to splash that amount of money on souping up the continents ammo making capacity edged a step closer to reality last week, as the EU Council agreed its plans with the European parliament, with a sign- off expected by end July.

The investment in Europes industrial output is the third element of the EUs so-called Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP), which also pays for states to donate existing stocks to Ukraine and funds joint procurement by members in a bid to supply Kyiv with one million artillery rounds in 12 months.

The problem is that 260 million of the 500 million promised for the ASAP investment will likely come from the 2024 budget of the European Defence Fund, which funds EU member states joint research and development of new weaponry.

We are still awaiting the publication of the final text, but we assume the sources of funding will not change, and the use of the EDF-budget for ASAP is not a positive solution, said Burkard Schmitt, the defense and security director at the Brussels-based Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD).

With a budget of around 8 billion for 2021-2027, the EDF has an annual budget of about a billion euros, meaning it will lose around a quarter of its 2024 funding when it hands over 260 million to bolster ammo production.

We understand the pressure to fulfill immediate needs, but we need to be careful to avoid negative impacts on long-term objectives. If there is less investment in future capabilities, EU member states will be forced to depend more on off-the-shelf purchasing from abroad in the future, said Schmitt.

One potential remedy was a 1.5 billion boost to EDF funding in 2025-2027, now being proposed by the EU Commission, he said.

Europes defense industry is generally satisfied with the EDF  there has been a very positive reaction to it, even if there is always room for improvement, he added.

In a statement released last week, the ASD praised the EUs plan to incorporate a so-called ramp-up fund into its ammunition investment scheme, which aims to make it easier for firms to access private and public financing.

This is a so-called blending mechanism already used by the EU in the past in other sectors, where you put public money on the table as a guarantee to encourage private investment. It mitigates the risk for private investors, said Schmitt, who added the currently envisaged total was a maximum of 50 million maximum.

The industry group has called for the European Investment Bank  the lending arm oft he EU  to be involved, but Schmitt said member states were opposed to the idea.

The EIB would be the natural candidate to handle the ramp-up fund but until now it has not been involved in core defense activities, only dual- use technology. The European Commission is in favor of a more active role of the EIB in defense, but certain member states are against, he said.

Another measure that member states have questioned is the EUs proposed power to regulate the ammunition market.

While they are positive about the idea of financially supporting industrial ramp-up, Schmitt said they have not welcomed most of the proposed regulatory measures aimed at the ammunition market.

The proposed authorities have raised fears that the EU would be able to make companies with a surplus of raw materials like explosives sell to firms with a shortage. The scenario has alarmed firms who fear they would be made to give up confidential inventory information and bail out competitors.

An EU spokesperson previously told Defense News that member states had expressed concerns the plan could require the notification and possible violation of commercial secrets or sensitive information and hand too much power to the EU.

Said Schmitt: The member states position is to eliminate most of the regulatory provisions proposed by the Commission, and I believe (the EU) parliament has agreed, although we have yet to see the final text.
Evacuations as US state of Vermont hit by catastrophic floods

Main Street in Montpelier, Vermont is flooded on July 11, 2023 (Kylie Cooper)

President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency in the northeastern US state of Vermont Tuesday as heavy rains triggered flooding from which dozens of residents were rescued by boat.

The move, which frees up funds to help relief efforts, came after officials warned that a dam close to the state capital Montpelier was nearing capacity and close to spilling into a river.

"This has never happened since the dam was built so there is no precedent for potential damage," Montpelier city manager William Fraser said in a statement late Monday, referring to the Wrightsville Dam.

There were no immediate reports of any deaths or injuries in the state from the rains, which officials said had flooded downtown Montpelier, a city of 8,000 people.

The excessive rainfall -- more than eight inches (20 centimeters) in some places, according to the National Weather Service -- came after flash floods in New York state killed a woman on Sunday.

Much of the northeastern United States, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Vermont, was lashed by rain on Sunday and Monday, washing out bridges and leaving roads impassable.

More than 100 people in Vermont had been rescued from cars and homes as of midday Tuesday, officials said. Authorities were trying to airlift others by helicopter, The New York Times reported.

"We are still in a very dangerous part of this disaster. We are performing active rescues as we speak today," said Mike Cannon, an official with Vermont's Urban Search and Rescue team.

Governor Phil Scott likened the flooding to Tropical Storm Irene, which killed six people in the state in 2011.

"The devastation and flooding we're experiencing across Vermont is historic and catastrophic," he told reporters.

Scott added that despite the sun coming out on Tuesday afternoon, "it's not over."

"We expect more rain later this week which will have nowhere to go in the oversaturated ground," he warned.

More than 600 people also had to be evacuated from their homes in the neighboring Canadian province of Quebec following torrential rains.

In the space of 48 hours, nearly 5.5 inches of rain fell in the Montmorency forest, near Quebec City, causing river levels to rise rapidly, authorities said.

"Similar floods are expected in winter. But this late in the summer? It's unheard of," Josee Poulin, a 60-year-old woman from Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval, told Le Journal de Quebec.

Scientists say that climate change intensifies the risk of heavy rain because a warmer atmosphere holds more water.

pdh-arb/dw/st/bfm
Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder walks into the Potter Stewart Federal Courthouse in Cincinnati. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and former Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges are officially appealing their convictions in the statehouse's largest bribery scandal.

Householder, 64, of Glenford, was convicted earlier this year of orchestrating a nearly $60 million bribery scandal that helped him return to power, pass a $1.3 billion bailout for nuclear plants and defend that law known as House Bill 6 against a ballot initiative to block it.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Black sentenced Householder to the maximum penalty for racketeering conspiracy: 20 years in prison.

Bottom line: You were a bully with a lust for power who thought he was above everyone else," Black said at sentencing in June.

Borges, 51, of Bexley, participated in the final stages of the scheme by paying for insider information about the ballot initiative to block the bailout, the jury found. Black sentenced Borges to five years in prison, citing Borges' contrition and smaller role.

Matt Borges, former Ohio GOP chairman, enters the Potter Stewart United States Courthouse for a sentencing hearing on Thursday, June 30, in downtown Cincinnati.

Householder and Borges are currently at the Butler County Jail awaiting a more permanent location within the federal prison system.

Throughout the seven-week trial, Householder's attorneys raised objections about how the case was handled. Lawyer Mark Marein, in particular, accused Black of bias against Householder dating back to the judge's 2000 Ohio Supreme Court bid. They also expressed concerns about the inclusion of secretly recorded conversations with ex-lobbyist Neil Clark, who died in March 2021.

Wednesday's filings do not outline the legal arguments attorneys will make to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Borges is represented by a new attorney for his appeal: Columbus-based Dennis Belli.

Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder appeals corruption conviction
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in an interview with Fox News Digital continued to proclaim his innocence against an avalanche of cases brought against him for various charges, just days before Pakistans election commission issued a non-bailable warrant for his arrest.

"I have no doubt that its a question of time, whether its on Monday or some other day next week. Im convinced theyre going to put me in jail because every day I have more cases against me," Khan said last week during a video interview.

"I think Ive broken a world record that I have now 180 cases  and increasing by the day  and, unfortunately, right now, we are facing the law of the jungle," he insisted. "This is unprecedented."

Khan, a former cricket player of international renown and fame, won office in Pakistan's parliament in 2002 and became prime minister in 2018. Then he started to face numerous charges from different agencies in Pakistan for a range of crimes, but most directly charges on corruption and terrorism.

SCHOOLS IN NEW DELHI CLOSE AFTER HEAVY MONSOON RAINS CAUSE 15 DEATHS

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan gestures as he speaks with Reuters during an interview in Lahore, Pakistan, March 17, 2023.

Pakistan passed its first and only no-confidence vote against a sitting prime minister last year to remove Khan from power. The move proved highly unpopular among Khans many supporters, leading at times to clashes between police and the general population.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Government officials earlier this year alleged Khan and his wife had received land worth millions of dollars as bribes, as well as an antique watch, a gold pen, a ring and cufflinks he received as gifts while prime minister then allegedly sold for personal profit, The Guardian reported.

Police arrested Khan and held him at a police facility in Islamabad, where supporters gathered around in protest, occasionally clashing with the police. The tensions hit a new height when the supporters then attacked several military assets in protest over his arrest, vandalizing an air base, several garrisons and the house of a general. Police released him on bail shortly after due to a ruling from the country's supreme court.

Police this week issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Khan regarding a contempt case, broadcaster Ary News reported Tuesday. The case relates to "intemperate" language against the election commission and the chief election commissioner.

Supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan throw stones toward police during a protest against Khan's arrest in Peshawar, Pakistan, May 10, 2023.

Khan, who also survived an assassination attempt in late 2022, claimed his current crisis resulted from a disagreement with his foreign policy, namely that other parties  either the U.S. government or his countrys own military  were not happy with how he chose to align Pakistan in the international community.

"Definitely, ex-army chief [Qamar Javed Bajwa]  engineered the whole thing," Khan alleged, claiming Bajwa used intelligence agencies to divide Khans party and keep them distant from his allies. He said the military wields disproportionate power in the country, and that while he insists he received no help from the military when he ran for office, the army "did not oppose me."

TURKEY WILL BACK SWEDISH NATO MEMBERSHIP AT SUMMIT

He further alleged that ex-Pakistani ambassador Husain Haqqani lobbied the U.S. government to help remove Khan from power because he was "anti-American."

"He actually had a lobbyist who was paid by my government without my knowledge, was lobbying in the U.S. to see how anti-American Imran Khan was," he said. "That was the U.S. interference," which he alleged happened March 6, 2022, and that he read a cipher that insisted that if Khan remained in power, Pakistan would face "consequences."

"The vote of no confidence was taken the next day," he said. Khan is seemingly no longer accusing the U.S. of being the main culprit for his demise. "We now realized it was engineered by our army chief, rather than Washington, that's what we think."

The U.S. State Department told Fox News Digital "there is no truth to these allegations," stressing that the department supports "the peaceful upholding of democratic, constitutional and legal principles."

"The United States values our long-standing cooperation with Pakistan and has always viewed a prosperous and democratic Pakistan as critical to U.S. interests. That remains unchanged," a State Department spokesperson said.



"We do not let propaganda, misinformation and disinformation get in the way of any bilateral relationship, including our valued partnership with Pakistan," the spokesperson added. "The United States does not have a position on one political candidate or party versus another."

Pakistani security forces intervene with supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf who gathered outside his home to prevent his possible arrest in Lahore, Pakistan, March 15, 2023.

CHINA'S FOREIGN MINISTER WILL NOT ATTEND 2-DAY SUMMIT OF ASEAN DUE TO ILLNESS, SPOKESPERSON SAYS

Khan acknowledged he pursued "nonaligned" foreign policy with India and trade with China and Russia despite the tensions and international condemnation Moscow faced for its invasion of Ukraine. Khan famously met with Putin just as the invasion commenced, and Pakistan abstained during a United Nations vote for a draft resolution to condemn Russia for the attack.

"My idea was not to be anti any government: My idea was that my concern should be the people elected me to help them get out of poverty," Khan explained. He noted that his country assisted the U.S. with its "jihad" against the Soviets in the 1980s and then after the attack on 9/11 to help with the war on terror.

"Both these conflicts took a heavy toll on Pakistan," he said. "The '80s one left 5 million refugees in Pakistan: Kalashnikovs, drugs flowing in, militant groups  and we suffered from all that the consequences.

"Then, after 9/11, we joined the U.S. war on terror [and] 80,000 Pakistanis died," he continued. "They were killed in that war, and then over $100 billion was lost to the economy. So, my concern was the 100 million vulnerable people of Pakistan, and the best ways to stay out of conflicts  to be partners in peace."

Khan highlighted Pakistans role in the Doha talks, which looked to broker a deal with the Taliban before their rout of the Afghanistan government and military in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from the country.

He lamented that he never understood why the U.S. went to Afghanistan in the first place, provoking a conflict in a country that historically "did not accept foreign invaders."

WHAT HAPPENS IN BRITAIN IS BIDEN'S BIGGEST EMBARRASSMENT

"If the target was Usama bin Laden, then after Usama bin Laden was taken out, they should have left, or  I never understood the aims of the venture by the U.S.," he added. "I never understood that. What did they want to achieve from it if it was to install democracy there?

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party activists and supporters of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran shout slogans next to a fire as they block a road during a protest against the arrest of their leader in Karachi May 9, 2023.

"Well, it wasnt going to happen through the barrel of a gun," he mused. "If it was to liberate the Afghan women  never in human history has another country come to liberate someones women.

"In the end, I didn't think Joe Biden had much option left," Khan stated. "I mean, they had to withdraw from Afghanistan some time or the other. The only problem was the way the withdrawal took place," adding that he didnt blame President Biden for not anticipating former Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani "would take off in the middle of the night."

"The moment he left the country, the whole army collapsed," Khan said, noting that President Donald Trump had thought the Afghanistan government would last at least six months after the withdrawal. "No one expected the way it would collapse.  I think President Biden actually got a lot of flak."

The Pakistani Embassy did not respond to a request for comment regarding allegations made throughout the interview by Imran Khan.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Russia is rotting in absurdity and repression, veteran rights campaigner says Russian veteran human rights campaigner Oleg Orlov attends an interview in Moscow

(This July 12 story has been refiled to remove an additional word in paragraph 1)

By Guy Faulconbridge and Filipp Lebedev

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia is decaying in a potent brew of absurdity and repression that is comparable to the Leonid Brezhnev-era of the Soviet Union, Oleg Orlov, one of Russia's most respected human rights campaigners, told Reuters.

Orlov, 70, is on trial in Russia for articles he published last year which cast Russia as a "fascist" state seeking revenge for the perceived humiliations of the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. He faces up to three years in prison.

One of the leaders of the Memorial rights group, which won a share of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 a year after being banned and dissolved in Russia, Orlov stood by his articles and cast Russia as a country gripped by the demons of history.

"Russia is going backwards," Orlov told Reuters in his Moscow flat over a glass of the traditional fermented kvas. "We left Communist totalitarianism but now have returned to a different kind of totalitarianism. I call it fascism."

"What is happening in Russia right now is absurd," he said when asked about the failed June 24 mutiny by Wagner mercenaries and the apparent absence of punishment given to the mutineers while he was prosecuted for publishing an article.

Russia's future, he said, would be decided on the battlefield in Ukraine, though he expressed regrets that Russia had missed a historic chance to occupy its place among the powers of the 21st Century.

"If this regime persists for a long time, then Russia will face a long, slow decay, lagging behind the whole world," Orlov said. "Russia has already been thrown somewhere out of the 21st Century, not even into the 20th but into the 19th Century."

Orlov, a biologist who as a Soviet dissident sought to shed light on the 1979-1989 war in Afghanistan and the rise of Poland's Solidarity movement, said he did not believe in revolution but that if Putin's successors were from his entourage there would never be true reform.

"Mostly likely what awaits Russia is a slow rot," he said, adding that Russia had missed a major opportunity to reform as the Cold War ended.

'MAN OF WAR'

He said that the early 1990s were a period of intense struggle and hardship for the Russian people, but he remembered the years as "a time of change and hope and opportunity".

The hopes of what he called the revolution of 1991 began to unravel, he said, during the First Chechen War (1994-1996) and then after Vladimir Putin's rise to the top job in 1999 amid the Second Chechen War (1999-2009).

"For Putin, war is his political technology," Orlov said. "Putin is a man of war."

Current Russian levels of repression, he said, could be compared to the Brezhnev era of the Soviet Union after the arrest of writers Andrei Sinyavsky and Yuli Daniel in 1965.

"This is the Brezhnev period," Orlov said. "The state intervenes in everything: not only in politics, not only in public activity, not only is the economy entirely subordinate to the state, but also culture and even private life."

Putin has repeatedly cast himself as a Russian leader who brought an end to the tumult of the 1990s and started standing up to an arrogant West which he says dismissed Russian interests and has repeatedly plotted to split up Russia.

Supporters of Putin dismiss campaigners such as Orlov as unpatriotic Soviet-era dissidents who are in the pocket of the West and who fail to grasp the trauma of the Soviet collapse which was mired by corruption, poverty and decay.

When asked about such a critique, Orlov said: "If they think that I and my like-minded people do not represent anyone, then why is such the huge machine of the state aimed at our suppression?"

Asked whether his criticism was unpatriotic, Orlov, citing Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's "Gulag Archipelago", pointed out that military defeats have played a significant role in driving reform and development Russian history.

"I know that I will not be acquitted," Orlov said of his trial. "But what option do I have: Should I ask for forgiveness, weep and promise never to do it again? I will not do that."

He showed Reuters the pro-war graffiti that was sprawled on the front door of his flat, including a giant "Z" - a symbol of the war.

So what will a 70-year-old do if he is sent to a Russian prison?

"I will sit and try to survive in very difficult conditions," Orlov said. Asked what he might read, he said that he would read some William Faulkner and certainly Fyodor Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov".

Orlov's wife, Tatiana, told Reuters that she was extremely worried about the prospect of him going to prison.

"But I must carry on so I can support him."

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow, Filipp Lebedev in Tbilisi; Editing by Nick Macfie)
By James Pearson

LONDON (Reuters) -Hackers suspected of working for Russia's foreign intelligence agency targeted dozens of diplomats at embassies in Ukraine with a fake used car advert in a bid to break into their computers, according to a cybersecurity firm report published on Wednesday.

The wide-reaching espionage activity targeted diplomats working in at least 22 of the roughly 80 foreign missions in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, analysts at Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42 research division said in the report.

"The campaign began with an innocuous and legitimate event," said the report, which was first reported by Reuters.

"In mid-April 2023, a diplomat within the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs emailed a legitimate flyer to various embassies advertising the sale of a used BMW 5-series sedan located in Kyiv".

The Polish diplomat, who declined to be identified citing security concerns, confirmed the role of his advertisement in the digital intrusion.

The hackers, known as APT29 or "Cozy Bear", intercepted and copied that flyer, embedded it with malicious software, then sent it to dozens of other foreign diplomats working in Kyiv, Unit 42 said.

"This is staggering in scope for what generally are narrowly scoped and clandestine advanced persistent threat (APT) operations," said the report, using an acronym often used to describe state-backed cyberespionage groups.

In 2021, U.S. and British intelligence agencies identified APT29 as an arm of Russia's foreign Intelligence Service, the SVR. The SVR did not respond to a request from Reuters for comment about the hacking campaign.

In April, Polish counterintelligence and cybersecurity authorities warned that the same group had conducted a "widespread intelligence campaign" against NATO member states, the European Union, and Africa.

Researchers at Unit 42 were able to tie the fake car advert back to the SVR because the hackers re-used certain tools and techniques which have previously been connected to the spy agency.

"Diplomatic missions will always be a high-value espionage target," the Unit 42 report said. "Sixteen months into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, intelligence surrounding Ukraine and allied diplomatic efforts are almost certainly a high priority for the Russian government".

USED BMW

The Polish diplomat said he had sent the original advert to various embassies in Kyiv, and that someone had called him back because the price looked "attractive".

"When I checked, I realised they were talking about a slightly lower price," the diplomat told Reuters.

SVR hackers, it turns out, had listed the diplomat's BMW for a lower price - 7,500 euros - in their fake version of the advert, in an attempt to encourage more people to download malicious software that would give them remote access to their devices, Reuters found.

That software, Unit 42 said, was disguised as an album of photographs of the used BMW. Attempts to open those photographs would have infected the target's machine, the report said.

Twenty-one of the 22 embassies targeted by the hackers and subsequently contacted by Reuters did not provide comment. It was not clear which embassies, if any, had been compromised.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson said they were "aware of the activity and based on the Directorate of Cyber and Technology Security's analysis found it did not affect Department systems or accounts."

As for the car, it was still available, the Polish diplomat told Reuters:

"I'll try to sell it in Poland, probably," he said. "After this situation, I don't want to have any more problems".

(Reporting by James Pearson; Editing by Conor Humphries)
EXETER  Select Board Chairman Niko Papakonstantis made one last plea Tuesday night to garner voter support for a $3.5 million bond to complete the Squamscott River sewer project.

This is a big request, this is a lot of money, said Papakonstantis. But if this doesnt pass, we still have to do the project, we still have to find the money the longer we wait, the more this is going to cost.

The bond will go before voters at the Special Town Meeting on Aug. 15, with voting from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Talbot Gymnasium. The bond requires three-fifths approval. The loan would be paid off over 10 years with a 2% interest rate, and there will be no tax impact as it will be paid via sewer fees.

The work continues on the sewer project near the Squamscott River in Swasey Parkway in Exeter May 24, 2023.

The funds will be used to finish the $7.7 million project to install two 12-inch siphons, replacing 8-inch pipes, from Jady Hill to the main pump station. The sewer serves more than 35% of the town.

On Tuesday, voters aired support for the project during the town's deliberative session, held prior to the upcoming Special Town Meeting.

However, some residents expressed they are not happy about how the costs for the project have skyrocketed. It was initially projected to cost $2.8 million, but now is $7.7 million.

I wanna know initially who was responsible for the $2.8 million figure that is now $7.7 million? said Exeter resident Jeff Bouvier. Who is responsible for the first estimate? And why are we, the taxpayers, now responsible for picking up the difference.  Ive been in this town for 25 years. How many times has the sewer rates gone up for something? Quite a few times.

Paul Vlaisch, the town engineer and interim public works director, explained the jump in cost was due to unforeseen circumstances.

Vlasich said initially the project was just to add capacity with an additional barrel. However, crews discovered the existing pipes had holes and needed to be replaced.

There was some of the escalation right there, he said.

Vlasich said crews then hit ledge, and as a result the project was redesigned to replace the existing 8-inch pipes with 12-inch ones.

Resident Doug Flockhart said although he is extremely unhappy about the additional costs, he supports the warrant article.

It has to be done, said Flockhart. I dont care how we got there, were here, and it has to be dealt with, and if we dont deal with it, EPA is going to come in and tell us how to do it, and itll cost more when they do.

Anthony Zwaan agreed, saying the bond is necessary to complete the second pipe and to have a functional sewer system.

We gotta have the second pipe, we just have to, said Zwaan. The pipes that were replacing were put in the 1960s, when there were no rules in place to do this  now we have a lot of rules.

Town Finance Director Corey Stevens said the $3.5 million would come from a loan through the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services at zero tax impact. He said the borrowing will be repaid through sewer ratepayers, but noted that residents on the town sewer will not see an immediate increase on their bills.

"We change our rates because it's been a few years, and we need to look at them again, not just because one project has come along  you kind of build your rates for a longer period than just from project to project," Stevens said.

Resident Sally Ward asked if the $3.5 million will complete the project.

It would be good to know that this is it, said Ward. If we approve this $3.5 million that were not going to come back in six months saying, Oops, we need another million.

Town Manager Russ Dean told voters the additional $3.5 million will complete the project. He said the town has entered into a lump sum agreement with the contractor, which means payment will only be made once the project is completed.

We are confident we will be done at $7.7 million, Dean said.

If approved, the $3.5 million would be combined with the current $4.2 million already earmarked for the $7.7 million project. The $4.2 million includes $1.6 million approved by voters in 2020, $1.15 million in Sewer Fund Reserves, $670,000 in local American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, $600,000 in federal congressional direct spending funds, and $180,000 in state ARPA funds.

If voters approve the additional funding, the second pipe will be installed in the fall and have a completion date of early next year.

Papakonstantis previously said staff involved in the project believe the larger pipes will offer enough capacity to meet existing demand and future development. He said that would allow the town to accomplish the mission it set out in 2020 to increase sewer capacity for future town growth.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Exeter voters to decide on $3.5M bond for sewer project
Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat thanks voters ahead of the vote for a new prime minister on July 13, in Bangkok

By Martin Petty

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's parliament will on Thursday start the process of voting on a new prime minister, with the outcome far from certain and set to test the unity of an eight-party alliance seeking to form the next government.

HOW WILL THE PM BE DECIDED?

The newly elected 500-seat lower house and the appointed, 250-member Senate must vote jointly on a new premier. Once the session is convened, parties will be asked to nominate candidates, which require endorsement by 50 members.

The vote is an open ballot and each of the 750 legislators will be called out in alphabetical order to reveal their choice. To become prime minister, a candidate needs 376 votes - more than half of the legislature.

If no one reaches that threshold, another vote will be scheduled. The same candidates can be put forward again or new ones can be nominated and the process is repeated until one candidate gets 376 votes. There is no time limit.

WHO CAN RUN FOR PM?

In the lead-up to the May 14 election, parties were required to each submit potential prime ministerial candidates. Any party that won at least 25 of the 500 lower house seats can nominate one of those names to be put to a vote.

There are currently nine people eligible. From the alliance, those include Pita Limjaroenrat of election winners Move Forward, and from second-placed Pheu Thai, real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin and Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter and niece of former premiers Thaksin Shinawatra and Yingluck Shinawatra, who were overthrown in coups.

From opposing parties, those eligible include outgoing deputy premier and health minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, and royalist former army chiefs and junta leaders Prawit Wongsuwan and Prayuth Chan-ocha, the incumbent premier. Prayuth announced his retirement from politics on Tuesday but remains eligible.

The constitution also has a provision for an outsider to be nominated for prime minister but rules stipulate that person needs two-thirds support, or 500 lawmakers.

WHO WILL CONTEST THE VOTE?

The eight-party alliance is backing Move Forward's Pita, a U.S.-educated former executive of ride and delivery app Grab.

Retired general Prawit, 77, has been tipped as a contender, but his army-backed Palang Pracharat confirmed it will not nominate a candidate on Thursday.

No others have so far expressed an intent to run, but that is likely to change if Pita fails in the first vote, where he is expected to run unopposed.

CAN PITA GET THE VOTES NEEDED?

Pita's alliance has 312 seats, so he needs 64 votes from among other parties or from senators. But that will not be easy.

Move Forward's anti-establishment agenda, which includes reforms to institutions like the military and to a lese-majeste law that prohibits insults of the revered monarchy, might be too much for many conservative senators to stomach.

A few surprise developments on the eve of the vote might also have dented Pita's image and his chances of getting the required votes. The Constitutional Court agreed on Wednesday to take on a complaint against Pita and Move Forward over their policy on the lese-majeste law, just hours after the election commission recommended Pita be disqualified as a lawmaker over a shareholding violation.

In another blow, the Democrat Party also confirmed its 25 lawmakers would not back Pita because of Move Forward's position on the lese-majeste law.

WHAT IF PITA FAILS?

Move Forward may have miscalculated before the election in naming Pita as their only potential prime ministerial candidate. Though he could be nominated again, alliance partner Pheu Thai, a political heavyweight, might seize the opportunity to nominate one of its candidates for premier, which could significantly alter the coalition dynamic.

Another possibility is that Pheu Thai backs a candidate from outside of the alliance in return for control of key ministries. In that scenario, the most likely premier would be retired general Prawit who was involved in the past two coups and has ironically been touting himself as a unifying figure able to bridge political divides.

A notorious dealmaker, Prawit has deep connections and influence in the establishment, Senate and among conservatives to could be enough to rally the support needed.

(Additional reporting by Panu Wongcha-um; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Andrey Gurulyov, a deputy of Russias State Duma and former commander of the Russian army, has confirmed that Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov has been killed in Ukraine.

Source: Meduza, Latvia-based Russian independent news outlet; BBC Russia

Details: On 11 July, occupied Berdiansk was rocked by a series of explosions. These included a strike on the Duna Hotel, where the Russian military command was based.

The Russians are claiming that the strike was carried out using long-range Storm Shadow missiles recently supplied to Ukraine by the West.

The mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, announced that a Russian general had been killed at the Duna, and the Russian media has now confirmed that it was Oleg Tsokov, who commanded missile strikes on Ukraine.

BBC Russia reported that the shelling of Berdiansk was mentioned by propagandist Olga Skabeyeva in her talk show 60 Minutes. During the show, Gurulyov told her that Tsokov "died heroically" in the attack.

According to anonymous Telegram channels, Tsokov held the post of deputy commander of the Southern Military District. There was no official announcement about this appointment; however, as has been noted, if Tsokov had been appointed to this position, it would explain why he was in Berdiansk and came under fire.

Vazhnye Istorii (Important Stories), a Russian website focused on investigative journalism, has calculated that Tsokov is the seventh general whose death has been confirmed since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.

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Occupied Crimea

Explosions and gunshots were heard in the occupied city of Sevastopol on July 12, according to local Telegram channels.

People took to social media, asking: "What are (those banging noises?)", "Explosions are heard".

Read also: Russian forces in Crimea bracing for defensive battle, Ukrainian military says

Later, the so-called "governor" of the city, Mikhail Razvozhayev, referred to "exercises".

"In the area of Kozacha Bay, a military unit's training ground is hosting combat training for personnel with firing from regular weapons," the puppet official said.

Since August 2022, the sounds of explosions have been heard regularly in the Russian-occupied Crimea and Sevastopol. The Russian authorities usually explain this as "air defense work," accusing Ukraine of attacks, or as exercises by the Russian military.

Read also: Russian invaders move most warships to Russia after blasts in occupied Crimea

In October 2022, an explosion occurred on the illegally constructed bridge between Ukraines Russian-occupied Crimea and mainland Russia. The occupation authorities declared an increased (yellow) level of "terrorist threat" on the peninsula.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called it "logical rhetoric" to say that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will be forced to seek a dialogue when Ukrainian troops approach the administrative border with occupied Crimea.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
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Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha attends a Chinese New Year celebration in Ratchaburi, Thailand, Jan. 19, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced on Tuesday his retirement from politics and resignation as a political party member.

"I am announcing my retirement from politics and resigning as a member of the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party (United Thai Nation Party)," he said in a statement released by his party.

"Throughout the past nine years as Prime Minister, I have dedicated myself to the benefit of the beloved people. These efforts have begun to bear fruit, strengthening our country in all aspects," he said.

Prayut will remain as the country's caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed.

The Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party secured the fifth position in the May 14 general election, winning 36 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives.

The announcement came ahead of the Thai parliament's bicameral National Assembly on Thursday, when the next prime minister will be elected.
California Republicans contend that one portion of Gov. Gavin Newsoms last-minute infrastructure package will result in more eagles getting killed by wind turbines.

On Monday, Newsom signed Senate Bill 147, a measure that will allow the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue permits for clean energy and other large projects that could result in the deaths of animals on the states fully protected species list.

Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, on July 5 ripped her colleagues over SB 147 during a floor debate.

Sometimes I just cant tolerate stupidity, at all, in any level, Grove said. Im calling it stupidity because the bottom line is, I would hate to think that any of my colleagues were doing this on purpose.

Grove claimed SB 147 would remove golden eagles and southern bald eagles from Californias fully protected endangered species list to allow the permitting.

I have a zero voting record with all these environmental groups, Grove said. But it really does disturb me, the fact that were actually going to take all these species listed on this analysis off of the fully protected species list so that a company  to further the green ideology that comes out of this building and the federal government  can install wind farms and allow them to kill the bald or golden eagle, along with all these other species.

Claim: SB 147 removes golden eagles and southern bald eagles from Californias fully endangered species list, which will result in more deaths as developers build more clean energy projects.

Rating: Mostly false

Details: When it comes to species threatened by extinction, California maintains two separate lists and two laws that govern them  the Fully Protected Species Act and California Endangered Species Act.

They have created headaches for developers and state regulatory agencies, slowing down the construction of some major public works projects, they said.

The Endangered Species Act allowed the states Fish and Wildlife Department to permit projects that could harm a protected species. The Fully Protected Species Act prohibited any harm to the 37 species deemed fully protected, including golden eagles and southern bald eagles.

Prior to SB 147, if a project could take, or kill, a fully protected species, the legislature had to amend the California Endangered Species Act to carve out an exemption  a cumbersome task that can delay construction for years.

Chuck Bonham, director of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, said this has happened about eight to 10 times.

The new legislation is expected to alleviate that burden and allow the Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue permits for certain projects that could both affect species considered endangered or fully protected.

The measure applies to certain solar, transportation, water and wind projects. It cannot be used for permitting the Delta Conveyance water tunnel or any ocean desalination projects.

SB 147 will require builders to avoid or minimize any harm or death of species and fully mitigate any environmental damage. The Department of Fish and Wildlife will also report to lawmakers on an annual basis about the measures it requires from developers and the effects of such permits.

This proposal would allow us to do all those things, Bonham said during a recent Senate committee meeting. Which I would argue creates a greater conservation uplift while also creating a permit pathway for critical infrastructure thats narrowly tailored around important categories.

Michael Lynes, policy director for Audubon California, agreed with Bonham.

A statute to protect species that has a permit and is actually enforced and implemented is better than a statute that has a flat prohibition on take but is never enforced, Lynes said.

He said construction frequently violates existing laws protecting endangered wildlife, and a permit system would allow the Department of Fish and Wildlife to better monitor projects.

Lynes cited the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area in Alameda County, a wind farm built in the 1980s where turbines kill 75 to 100 golden eagles every year, according to the Golden Gate Audubon Society.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife never interceded in any meaningful way to protect golden eagles in the Altamont Pass, Lynes said. And when asked, they said its because theres no permit that we can deliver  that the people that are developing land are otherwise in compliance with the law, but that results in the incidental take of these eagles.

Lynes said Audubon does not want to see eagle deaths being used to push against clean energy projects.

Our position is we need renewable energy resources, including wind farms and solar farms, Lynes said. But we also know that they can be sited and adequately mitigated so that were not causing declines in wildlife populations.
Ayesha Curry celebrates her Jamaican heritage while reminding us less is more with the launch of a clean skincare line, Sweet July Skin.

Another celebrity skincare brand has hit the market, and this one is extra-sweet. Ayesha Curry, wife of NBA star Stephen Curry and founder and CEO of the Sweet July lifestyle brand, recently launched her first skincare line, Sweet July Skin. Building on her successful housewares line, the skincare collection merges Currys Jamaican roots and her love for cooking and skincare to create island-inspired recipes for the skin.

Ayesha Curry launches skincare line, Sweet July Skin. (Photo by Peter Ash Lee for Sweet July Skin)

Im approaching it as a sensorial experience; it has to smell good; it has to feel good; it has to carry you somewhere, Curry told Vogue, explaining how her culinary background influenced the skincare line. I would look at that almost like the mouthfeel after a nice sip of wine.

For Curry, the importance of skincare was instilled at a young age by her mother and grandmother, who showed her how to maintain a clean and balanced skincare routine using natural ingredients, like rubbing aloe vera and tomatoes on their skin. As the Sweet July founder grew into adulthood, she returned to her mother and grandmothers skincare secrets.

Throughout my life, Ive learned a lot about skincare and the natural benefits derived from superfoods like papaya and guava from my mother and grandmother, said Ayesha Curry in a press release shared with theGrio. In pairing those ingredients with proven actives, weve developed a skincare experience that is great for your skin but also truly enjoyable. Im excited to share a little bit of my Jamaican culture with everyone through these products.

Described as an island vacation for your skin, the line uses Caribbean superfoods like guava, papaya, and soursop to create clean, effective products that nourish the skin. The brand launched with an Essentials line of three products designed to reveal smoother, brighter, and hydrated skin.

Sweet Julys Pava Exfoliating Cleanser ($39) uses papaya, guava, lychee seed powder, glycolic and lactic acid to not only exfoliate but also remove makeup without stripping the skin. The Pava Toner ($32) is a resurfacing toner created with fruit extracts and glycolic acid. Lastly, inspired by the Jamaican saying Everything Irie, often used to mean everything is alright and fine, the final product in the Essentials trio is the Irie Power Face Oil ($60), which clears blemishes and treats hyperpigmentation and skin texture with the help of neem seed oil, tea tree oil, and rosemary oil.

With the launch of this collection, Curry is sharing her heritage and giving back to the community. The women-led company has teamed up with Girls Inc. of Alameda County, an Oakland, California-based organization committed to empowering young girls and helping them reach their full potential. Customers who purchase Sweet July Skin through its website will have the option to round up their total to donate to Girls Inc.

In addition to the official website, customers can shop Sweet July Skin on Amazon and Thirteen Lune and in-store at Sweet July locations in Oakland and Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. TheGrios Black Podcast Network is free too. Download theGrio mobile apps today! Listen to Writing Black with Maiysha Kai.

The post It is, in fact, a Sweet July with Ayesha Currys new skincare line appeared first on TheGrio.
VILNIUS (Reuters) -NATO leaders at this week's summit in Vilnius said Ukraine should be able to join the military alliance at some point in the future but dashed Kyiv's hopes for an immediate invitation.

The guarded statement on Ukraine's path into NATO irked President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. But after 16 months of war since Russia launched what it calls its special military operation, his country is still set to come away from the summit with some tangible rewards.

Below are some of the main commitments pledged to Ukraine in connection with the summit.

NO INVITE.. BUT HURDLE REMOVED

While NATO stopped short of offering an immediate invitation, it did drop a requirement for Ukraine to fulfil what is called a Membership Action Plan (MAP), effectively removing a hurdle on Kyiv's path into the alliance.

The first sitting of a new NATO-Ukraine Council also took place on Wednesday, a new format designed to tighten cooperation between Kyiv and the 31-nation alliance. In a declaration, NATO countries also pledged its support for Ukraine for "as long as it takes".

SECURITY ASSURANCES

G7 countries are set to announce an international framework that would pave the way for long-term security assurances for Ukraine to boost its defences against Russia and deter Moscow from future aggression, officials said.

FRENCH MISSILES

France will join Britain in supplying Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles, which can travel 250 km (155 miles), a move that allows Ukrainian forces to hit Russian troops and supplies deep behind front lines.

The missiles would come from existing French military stocks, a French military source told reporters, adding that it would be a "significant number".

BRITISH VEHICLES AND AMMO

Britain has said it will provide Ukraine with more than 70 combat and logistic vehicles, thousands of rounds of ammunition for Challenger 2 tanks, and a 50 million pound ($65 million) support package for equipment repair.

Britain will also launch a project through NATO to establish a medical rehabilitation centre for Ukrainian soldiers.

F-16 TRAINING

A coalition of 11 nations will start training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets in August in Denmark, and a training centre will be set up in Romania.

While not decided yet, the training programme should leave Ukrainian pilots and service personnel able to use F-16s in combat by early next year if supplies of the fighter jets are agreed.

GERMAN PATRIOTS

German government finalised a 700-million-euro ($770 million) military aid package for Ukraine, including two Patriot launchers from Bundeswehr stock, 40 additional Marder infantry fighting vehicles, as well as additional battle tanks and ammunition.

NORWEGIAN SUPPORT

Norway will increase its military support to Ukraine by 2.5 billion crowns ($239 million) this year to 10 billion.

MULTI-YEAR PROGRAMME

The alliance agreed to further develop the Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP), under which Ukraine receives non-lethal assistance with 500 million euros committed so far, into a multi-year programme.

(Reporting by Niklas Pollard, John Irish, Sabine Siebold, Andrew Gray and Justyna Pawlak; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Survivors of a mass shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, as well as representatives from families of those who were killed, on Wednesday announced a lawsuit against several online platforms, companies that sold or manufactured the shooter's weapon and body armor, and the shooter's parents.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, along with attorneys Diandra Zimmerman and Terry Connors, announced the 171-page "landmark lawsuit" more than a year after 10 people were killed and three were injured in the attack at Tops Friendly Market. The now-20-year-old gunman, who livestreamed the attack, wrote in documents posted online that he picked the grocery store because it was in a predominantly Black neighborhood.

Earlier this year, Payton Gendron was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after he pleaded guilty to more than a dozen charges, including murder and domestic terrorism motivated by hate. Gendron, who also faces federal hate crime charges, is prepared to enter a guilty plea in federal court in exchange for a life sentence, his attorney said in December.

The suit claims the shooter was isolated by "defective social media products" and then "became radicalized by overexposure to fringe, racist ideologies and was primed for the reckless and wanton conduct of the Weapons and Body Armor Defendants." Crump said Wednesday that although Gendron is the one who fired the weapon, "there were many people that helped him load that gun."

"And it is our objective, as we said previously, to make sure that everybody who loaded that gun is held to account," he said.

Attorney Ben Crump, who led the legal team for the late George Floyd's family, gestures while addressing a crowd gathered in front of City Hall in Pasadena, California on May 17, 2021.

Survivors, victims' families file lawsuit against digital platforms

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of family members of Heyward Patterson, Aaron Salter, Margus Morrison Sr., Pearl Young, Geraldine Talley, Ruth Withfield and Roberta Drury, who were killed in the shooting. Zaire Goodman, his mother, Zeneta Everhart, Christopher Braden, Brooklyn Hough, Kisha Douglas, Jo-Ann Daniels, Robia Gary and her child, who is not named, are also listed as plaintiffs.

Everhart, one of many who spoke at the news conference Wednesday, said her son was shot in the neck.

"The reason why this lawsuit is so important is because that day, while tragic and just disgusting, what was more disgusting was that people were tagging me and Zaires dad in the video on social media," said Everhart, who last month won a Democratic primary to represent the Buffalo neighborhood near the supermarket.

"Social media, gun manufacturers have to be held accountable," she added.

The digital platforms named as defendants include: Meta Platforms Inc., formerly known as Facebook; Instagram LLC; Snap Inc.; Alphabet Inc., Googles parent company; YouTube, LLC; Discord Inc.; Reddit Inc.; 4Chan, LLC; and Amazon.com Inc., which operates the livestreaming service Twitch.

Jose Castaneda, a spokesperson for YouTube, said the company has "the deepest sympathies for the victims and families of the horrific attack at Tops grocery store in Buffalo last year."

"Through the years, YouTube has invested in technology, teams, and policies to identify and remove extremist content," Castaneda said. "We regularly work with law enforcement, other platforms, and civil society to share intelligence and best practices.

Also being sued are RMA Armament, an Iowa-based body armor manufacturer for the body armor worn by Gendron; Vintage Firearms, the retail gun store where Gendron purchased his AR-15; Jimay's Flea Market, where Gendron purchased the high-capacity magazine from a vendor; and MEAN Arms LLC, a firearms accessory manufacturer in Woodstock, Georgia, which is also being sued by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Families of mass shooting victims have sued gunmakers before. But lawsuits against the online platforms could face steep legal hurdles.

"Despite the integral nature of online platforms in this and previous mass shootings, however, it is extremely unlikely that any of them  even the worst offenders who enforce virtually no content moderation  can face any sort of legal liability," James' office wrote in a report in October on the Buffalo massacre, which recommended changes in federal and state laws governing the responsibilities of digital platforms.

The announcement comes after the families of three victims  Andre Mackneil, 53, Katherine Kat Massey, 72, and Patterson, 67  filed a similar lawsuit in May. Connors said Wednesday that initial lawsuit may be joined together with the most recent lawsuit, but the attorney general's lawsuit will probably remain separate because it is more narrow.

What happened during the Buffalo mass shooting?

The gunman shot 13 people with a semiautomatic rifle at Tops Friendly Market on May 14. Three people survived the attack.

The victims ranged in age from 32 to 86 and included a church deacon, the grocery store's guard, a neighborhood activist, a man shopping for a birthday cake, a grandmother of nine and the mother of a former Buffalo fire commissioner.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Families of Buffalo mass shooting victims sue social media companies, gun store
CHICAGO -- A few days ago, Posen, Illinois, 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 used wife as a house slave and forced her to drink engine oil

The victim was threatened with death and made to drink engine oil - Songsak rohprasit/Moment RF

A husband and his four relatives used his wife as a house slave during 18 months of honour-based abuse, a court heard.

The victim was threatened with death and made to drink engine oil by the family.

Mohammed-Shuaib Arshid, 28, came to the UK with his new wife after entering into an arranged marriage in Pakistan.

They moved into a house in Hillingdon, west London, shared with his father Arshid Sadiq, 54, mother Nabila Shaheen, 56, brother Aqeel Arshid, 32, and sister Zaib Arshid, 27.

Coercive behaviour



Arshids relatives all subjected his wife to coercive behaviour including stopping her from calling her family and friends on her mobile phone without permission.

She was stopped from leaving the house on her own and had no access to her personal identity documents.

The woman could not attend college and had no access to cash so she had to beg her husband for money for basic toiletries.

The victim was also forced to cook and clean throughout the day before she could go to bed.

Convictions



She was mentally and physically abused by all five members of the family, causing long-term psychological harm.

While on bail, Mohammed Shuaib-Arshid committed a further offence of false imprisonment against another relative and was jailed for eight years.

The five members of the family were each convicted of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship and holding a person in slavery or servitude.

The abuse went on between October 2017 and April 2019 at the shared family home.

Mohammed-Shuaib Arshid was jailed for 11 years; Arshid Sadiq to seven years; Nabila Shaheen to four years; Aqeel and Zaib to 21 months each.

All five family members were also made subject to an indefinite restraining order, preventing any further contact with the victim.

Honour-based abuse



Paul Jenkins, a senior district crown prosecutor for the CPS, said: The victim believed that they were moving into a safe family home with a loving husband, but the subsequent actions of [the family] proved that this was not the case.

The victim was subject to regular abuse whilst under their care, resulting in serious physical and psychological harm.

A CPS spokesman said: Being the victim of violence or sexual assault is undoubtedly a harrowing experience - but when this abuse is honour-based, the challenges can often feel impossible to overcome.

If someone is seen to have dishonoured or brought shame on a family or community, they can be punished through threatening behaviour, rape, kidnap, false imprisonment, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and even murder - also known as honour killings.

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.
Family watches on FaceTime as falling tree kills 59-year-old, California officials say

A man died in a tree-trimming accident in his backyard while FaceTiming a family member, California officials said.

While on a video call, a family member saw Gary Maurice Zing, 59, cutting branches on the tree at his El Cajon home on July 5, the San Diego County Medical Examiners Office said on its website.

The family member then saw Zing down the hill from the tree when a piece of it fell on him, the office said.

When the family member did not see Zing come out from under the tree, they called 911, the news release said.

First responders arrived and confirmed Zing had died.

Zings death from multiple blunt force injuries was ruled an accident, the release said.

El Cajon is about 15 miles northeast of San Diego

Tree trimmer trapped 50 feet high in palm tree dies, California firefighters say

Tree trimmer on lift electrocuted by power lines, South Carolina officials say

Woman crushed when 60-foot oak tree topples onto SUV at park, California officials say
A Thurston County judge on Monday sentenced a 59-year-old man on charges connected with the April 30 homicide of a man in west Olympia.

Steven William Johnson pleaded guilty to first-degree rendering criminal assistance and tampering with physical evidence in Thurston County Superior Court on May 16. Hes the father of three men also connected to the death of Nathaniel Alex Montoya, 37.

Judge Sharonda Amamilo sentenced Johnson on Monday to a total of one year and 364 days in prison, the maximum of the standard range for both charges. He will serve his sentence consecutively, according to court records.

The homicide reportedly occurred before 2 a.m. April 30 on the 1800 block of East End Street Northwest, west of Division Street. Coroner Gary Warnock previously said Montoya died due to homicidal violence.

Kevin Andrew Johnson, 29, has been charged with second-degree murder while armed with a deadly weapon and tampering with physical evidence. Detectives believe he stabbed Montoya after an altercation.

Montoya died at the scene. Court records indicate he had six stab wounds and four incised wounds from an edged weapon as well as a damaged aorta.

The Johnsons fled the scene in their motor home. Two days later, law enforcement tracked the vehicle to Clark County where it had been sold to a local resident for $300 cash, according to court records.

Deputies reportedly detained the four men near a salvage yard after spotting them walking down the roadway.

In his guilty plea, Steven William Johnson admitted he helped his son leave the scene of the stabbing, get rid of evidence and clean the motor home.

I was driving and assisted my son in driving him to a place where he disposed of the knife used in this incident, Johnson said in court records.

Kevin Andrew Johnsons case is pending in Thurston County Superior Court. A jury trial has been scheduled for Oct. 2.

Cases against his brothers, Matthew Ryan Johnson and Michael Jay Johnson, are both pending. Each has been charged with first-degree rendering criminal assistance.

Matthew Ryan Johnson also has been charged with tampering with physical evidence.
Reuters

A father joined his son this month in being arrested for a massive crypto scam that saw them combine to swindle more than $10 million from investorsusing the money to fund a lavish lifestyle filled with posh hotels, fine dining and luxury cars, federal authorities announced Wednesday.

Brandon Austin, who was arrested in April, and his dad Eugene Hugh Austin Jr., arrested July 5, are accused of soliciting massive cryptocurrency investments they never intended to pay back in full. Now, the two men face up 20 years behind bars on money laundering and wire fraud charges.

Brandon, 27, has already pleaded guilty for his part in the scheme, agreeing to pay $2 million in restitution and to forfeit $3.4 millionplus a 2022 E-Pace P250 Jaguar to authorities.

It remains unclear if Hugh, 60, will follow his sons lead and plead guilty. Brandon is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 6.

An unsealed complaint for Hugh, filed by the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, has shed light on the lavish life he and Brandon indulged in between 2018 and 2021 while their investorsa group of 20 wealthy patrons in Asia and the United Statesseemingly agonized over their missing money.

Feds Move to Freeze All of Crypto Exchange Binances U.S. Assets

The feds claim the duo made nominal payments to their investors to keep them at bay, assuring them their investment was safe and growing. In reality, the feds claim they were using the money to purchase cryptocurrency for themselves, quickly flipping the digital assets into cash they then quietly deposited into their own bank accounts.

With that money, prosecutors say the duo booked plane tickets and stays at luxury hotels. The leftover cash was spent on everyday expenses like gas, Amazon purchases, child support payments, and phone bills, the complaint said.

The feds claim the duo also gifted money to loved ones through wire transfers. Among the money moved was $10,000 each to Hughs daughter and girlfriend, while Brandon sent $32,000 to his girlfriend and $50,000 to the mother of his kids.

The complaint also revealed Austin purchased designer clothing for his family and bought his partner, who was not named, the Jaguar SUV that was later forfeited to authorities. Authorities said it was valued at $62,000.

While Brandon and Austin allegedly trotted around the globe on their investors dime, a series of texts included in the complaint showed the stress felt by investors as their money seemingly vanished.

We can not accept the promise of its coming when since last Wednesday night and each day since I was told I would have coins the next day, an unnamed investor, who paid $529,750 for bitcoin but is said to have received none, wrote to Hugh. Put yourself in my shoes.

Hugh allegedly responded plainly: I w call u (sic) in about 25 minutes. Thanks Hugh.

Winklevoss Twins File Suit Over Their Crypto Lending Disaster

Brandon and Austins scheme to fool investors sometimes included inviting them on lavish trips to Miami, New York and Europe, the feds said.

Despite this, the feds say the duo stole from the very people they were doting on. That included a $100,000 investment from an unnamed man which the pair immediately took $36,000 of and deposited it into Brandons personal accounts. The investor allegedly never saw any of his money againlet alone the 50 percent return he was initially promised.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams wrote in a press release Wednesday that Brandon and Hugh victimized both sophisticated and novice cryptocurrency investors alike out of millions.

They used the money from victims to fund a lavish lifestyle of travel, luxury hotels, and fancy restaurants, Williams said. Thanks to the tenacity of [Homeland Security Investigations] and the career prosecutors of this Office, Hugh Austin is now facing serious criminal charges for his alleged crimes, and Brandon Austin has already pled guilty.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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FBI is 'absolutely not' protecting the Bidens, Wray testifies in heated House Judiciary hearing

FBI is 'absolutely not' protecting the Bidens, Wray testifies in heated House Judiciary hearing

FBI Director Christopher Wray insisted Wednesday that the bureau is "absolutely not" protecting the Biden family, amid allegations that the Hunter Biden probe was influenced by politics.

But Wray also refused to answer questions from House Judiciary Committee lawmakers on whether President Biden is under federal investigation for an alleged criminal bribery scheme.

Wray told the committee about the good work of the FBI, denied any alleged politicization within the bureau, and blasted claims that he is biased against conservatives as "somewhat insane."

Despite those denials, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, maintained his commitment to stopping the "weaponization of the government against the American people," and slammed the "double standard that exists now in our justice system."

FBI DIRECTOR WRAY TO TESTIFY BEFORE HOUSE JUDICIARY PANEL AMID ALLEGATIONS OF POLITICIZATION WITHIN BUREAU

Christopher Wray, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is sworn in during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

The sentiment of a "double standard" of justice was prominent throughout the hearing, as GOP members pointed to the FBIs handling of investigations related to the Bidens compared to the probe into former President Donald Trump.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., pointed to allegations leveled against the Justice Department by IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley, who said steps were taken throughout the years-long Hunter Biden probe to protect him and limit any questioning related to President Biden.

Gaetz referred to a specific WhatsApp message to a Chinese energy executive in which Hunter Biden seems to indicate he is "sitting here with" his father, Joe Biden, threatening the executive that he and his father would "forever hold a grudge" if a deal was not complete, and warning that the executive would "regret not following" his "direction."

"You seem deeply uncurious about it, dont you?" Gaetz said. "Almost suspiciously uncurious. Are you protecting the Bidens?"

"Absolutely not," Wray replied. "The FBI has no interest."

HOUSE GOP DEMAND TRANSCRIBED INTERVIEWS FROM HUNTER BIDEN PROSECUTOR, DOJ, IRS, SECRET SERVICE OFFICIALS

Rep. Jim Jordan, a Republican from Ohio and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, speaks during a hearing in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

IRS whistleblowers have alleged that federal prosecutors blocked lines of questioning related to President Biden, despite having evidence that could point to the president's knowledge or involvement in his son's business dealings.

Whistleblowers said the FBI had the laptop in its possession in December 2019 and knew ahead of the 2020 presidential election that it contained "credible" evidence as part of the Hunter Biden probe. Despite that, the FBI still allegedly worked with social media companies to suppress stories about the laptop.

Lawmakers have also been demanding answers from the FBI on what it did with information contained in a key FD-1023 form, alleging a criminal bribery scheme between then-Vice President Biden and a foreign national.

The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed the FBI to turn over the document for Congress to review, but the FBI did not comply. Instead, the FBI made accommodations to bring a redacted version of the document to a secure setting on Capitol Hill for lawmakers on that committee to review. Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., threatened to hold Wray in contempt of Congress for not complying with the subpoena.

The document in question details allegations made by a top executive of Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings to a "highly-credible" FBI confidential human source. The executive alleged that he paid $5 million to Joe Biden and $5 million to Hunter Biden in exchange for influence over policy decisions.

FBI WHISTLEBLOWERS SAY PRO-LIFE GROUPS, CATHOLICS WERE 'TARGET OF THE GOVERNMENT': JORDAN

Hunter Biden arrives at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C., on July 4, 2023.

Federal prosecutors and agents on the team investigating Hunter Biden were briefed on that FBI form, but lawmakers in both the House and Senate are questioning if the FBI ever investigated the claims.

Wray was pressed on the allegations contained in that form during Wednesday's hearing by Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wisc.  specifically whether the president took any payments from foreign nationals or companies while serving as vice president.

Wray pointed to the "ongoing investigation" led by U.S. attorney for Delaware David Weiss, and referred all questions related to the matter to his office.

"So the president is under investigation?" Tiffany asked.

"I'm not going to confirm or speak to who is or isn't under investigation for what," Wray replied.

"So he's not under investigation?" Tiffany asked.

"I didn't say that either," Wray said.

JORDAN SAYS FBI SHOULD BE KICKED OUT OF PROBES INTO US CITIZENS FLAGGED IN FISA INVESTIGATIONS

Pointing to FBI and Justice Department practice, Wray said he is "not going to be confirming or denying" if President Biden "is or isn't under investigation."

Ahead of Wrays testimony, an FBI official told Fox News Digital that lawmakers on the committee are taking issue with "prosecutorial decisions," but stressed that those decisions are "not made by the FBI, but, rather, the Department of Justice." That official stressed that the FBI is focused on gathering facts, and not involved in charging decisions.

President Biden leaves following services at St. Edmond Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, on April 15, 2023.

The Justice Department last month announced that the presidents son had entered a plea agreement that will likely keep him out of jail. Hunter Biden is set to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax, and to one charge of possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

Whistleblowers and those familiar with the investigation say more charges were warranted. Hunter Biden is set to make his first court appearance on July 26.

HERE ARE THE WHISTLEBLOWERS SCORCHING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ON HUNTER PROBE, IRS, FBI

Meanwhile, Jordan has called on key FBI and DOJ officials involved in the Hunter Biden investigation to appear before the committee for transcribed interviews related to that probe. Those interviews have yet to be scheduled.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
 Flash

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, and Manasseh Sogavare, the prime minister of Solomon Islands, jointly unveil the nameplate of the Solomon Islands embassy while attending the inauguration ceremony of the embassy in Beijing, capital of China, July 11, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attended the inauguration ceremony of Solomon Islands embassy in Beijing on Tuesday, together with Manasseh Sogavare, the prime minister of Solomon Islands.

Wang offered warm congratulations on the opening of the embassy, saying that the country has established diplomatic ties with China, and stands on the side of international justice, historical correctness, and the future development of the country and people of Solomon Islands.

He pointed out that, since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations, bilateral exchanges have moved forward in all aspects, vigorously promoted the development of Solomon Islands and brought tangible benefits to the people of the Pacific island country.

"We are glad to see the historic breakthrough in relations between China and Solomon Islands," Wang said.

On Monday, the two sides jointly announced the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development for a new era, opening a new chapter in the history of bilateral cooperation and charting the course for the development of bilateral relations, said Wang. The official opening of Solomon Islands Embassy in China is another important moment in the development of China-Solomon Islands relations, he noted.

"We believe that the embassy will become a bond between the two peoples and a bridge for China-Solomon Islands relations," he said, adding that China is ready to work with Solomon Islands to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and set a benchmark for high-level mutual trust and high-quality cooperation between China and Pacific island countries.

Sogavare said that, since the establishment of diplomatic ties nearly four years ago, bilateral cooperation has been expanding in breadth and depth. Solomon Islands has actively participated in the Belt and Road Initiative, and China has become the largest trading partner of Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands will unswervingly develop relations with China, firmly adhere to the one-China principle and consider Taiwan an inalienable part of China's territory, said Sogavare.

Sogavare and Wang jointly unveiled the nameplate of the embassy.
(This July 12 story has been refiled to add a dropped letter in paragraph 1)

By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - FBI Director Chris Wray rejected Republicans' wide-ranging criticism at a congressional hearing on Wednesday that targeted everything from the bureau's handling of a probe into Hunter Biden to claims it encouraged social media companies to censor conservative views.

Wray appeared before the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee panel for the first time since former President Donald Trump was indicted for retaining highly classified documents and obstructing justice.

His appearance also marks the first time he has testified since President Joe Biden's son Hunter was criminally charged with two misdemeanor tax counts, while avoiding a felony gun charge through a pretrial diversion agreement with prosecutors.

Republicans have repeatedly accused the FBI and other federal agencies of "weaponizing" their law enforcement and regulatory powers to silence critics on the right, target political enemies and protect political allies.

House Republicans have claimed without evidence that the documents case against Trump is politically motivated.

They have also pointed to testimony by an IRS whistleblower as proof that the department interfered with the Hunter Biden probe - a claim that both Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney in charge of the probe have denied.

"Are you protecting the Bidens?" asked Republican Representative Matt Gaetz.

"Absolutely not," replied Wray, a fellow Republican who has increasingly become the target of Republicans' wrath.

Several Republican lawmakers also grilled Wray about whether the bureau pressures social media companies to silence conservative views, after a Trump-appointed federal judge in Louisiana last week sided with the Republican attorneys general of Louisiana and Missouri and blocked the FBI and other federal agencies from communicating with social media firms about moderating content on their platforms.

The July 4 ruling from U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty found that the Republican states were likely to prevail in their lawsuit to prove that the Biden administration had "used its power to silence" critics online who opposed everything from the 2020 election results to COVID-19 vaccines.

Wray on Wednesday staunchly disagreed with the judge's ruling, saying the Federal Bureau of Investigation is only focused on combating foreign malign influence - and not free speech.

The Justice Department has since asked a federal appeals court to stay the lower court's ruling pending appeal.

"The idea that I am biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me, given my own personal background," Wray said.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Scott Malone and Susan Heavey)
FBI director boasts that applications are 'up over 100%' in Florida after Matt Gaetz says people trusted the FBI 'more when J. Edgar Hoover was running the place'

FBI Director Chris Wray AP/Andrew Harnik

FBI Director Christopher Wray bragged about the agency's recruitment when informed of its low popularity.

Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz claimed the bureau was trusted more under the notorious leadership of J. Edgar Hoover.

Wray retorted that recruitment is "up over 100%" in Florida under his watch.

FBI Director Christopher Wray on Wednesday bragged about the bureau recruitment in response to Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz grilling him about Americans' view of the FBI.

"Respectfully, congressman, in your home state of Florida the number of people applying to come work for us and devote their lives working for us is up over 100% since I started," Wray told Gaetz during a heated back-and-forth at a House Judiciary Committee hearing.

Gaetz grew agitated with Wray after a series of aggressive questions about Hunter Biden and the FBI's January 6 investigation.

"People trusted the FBI more when J. Edgar Hoover was running the place than when you are. And the reason is because you don't give straight answers," Gaetz concluded. "You give answers that later a court deems aren't true. And then at the end of the day, you won't criticize an obvious shakedown when it's directly in front of us, and appears as though you are whitewashing the conduct of corrupt people."

Gaetz's reference to Hoover, whom the FBI's headquarters are named after, harkens back to the controversial figure's nearly half-century running the bureau. Hoover's legacy is tarnished by the FBI's surveillance of political groups and civil rights activists, illegal probes of politicians, and other wrongdoing, as The Atlantic once recounted. In one of the most famous instances, the bureau tried to destroy Martin Luther King Jr. by mailing the civil rights icon an anonymous note urging him to kill himself along with tapes of some of his extramarital affairs.

The Florida Republican snapped back after Wray pointed out the recruitment figures.

"We're deeply proud of them, and they deserve better than you," Gaetz said.

Polling has shown that while close to a majority of Americans approve of the FBI, there is a massive split between Democratic and Republicans. The split coincidences with years of conservative attacks on the bureau.

Wray volleyed repeated questions from Republican lawmakers about the FBI's handling of its January 6 investigation, Hunter Biden's laptop, and other actions it has taken during the Biden administration. The bureau is also at the center of a special select panel on lawmakers probing the "weaponization of the federal government."

At one point, a Democratic lawmaker pointed that it was former President Donald Trump who appointed Wray to the top job after he fired Director James Comey. Wray then correctly recalled that only five senators voted against his confirmation. (They were all Democrats.)

Gaetz began his aggressive line of questioning by pointing to an alleged Hunter Biden "shakedown," a reference to an alleged 2017 text Hunter Biden sent to a Chinese business partner that claimed he was sitting right next to the then-former Vice President. (Biden has since denied that he was present.) When Wray refused to characterize the text, Gaetz pressed if the director was "protecting the Bidens."

He then moved on to questions about a once-secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court that found the FBI had broken its own rules when conducting improper searches about January 6 and Black Lives Matter protestors. Gaetz pointed out that Wray had previously testified before the Senate that to his knowledge the FBI had not relied on a database of foreign intelligence information in regard to its January 6 investigation. The court's order found the FBI had done exactly that.

"I certainly didn't perjure myself," Wray shot back Gaetz, who had accused him of lying to lawmakers. "At the time I was testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee, I didn't have access to that piece of information."

Read the original article on Business Insider
FBI Director Christopher Wray, during what at times was a heated appearance before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, took a solemn moment to remember his "single darkest day I've had in this job."

During a hearing on Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., asked Wray about his workforce, noting that FBI headquarters welcomed employees from across the agency to attend Family Day a few weeks ago.

"You see any little kids at Family Day?" Swalwell asked.

"Many, many, many," Wray answered. "It's an opportunity for us to say thank you to the families. And we talk a lot in law enforcement about sacrifice. But the reality is that law enforcement officers and professionals are sacrificing to do what they love. Our families are sacrificing because of who they love."

GOP REP CHALLENGES WRAY OVER COURT RULING ON FBI SUPPRESSION OF CONSERVATIVE FREE SPEECH: YOU SHOULD READ IT

"And what would you say in your experience is the number one worry of a little kid about a mom or dad who was a special agent out in the field?" Swalwell asked.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Obviously, they're worried that their mom or dad won't come home at night because they've been killed and that has happened, unfortunately, already," Wray said.

The congressman noted that it happened a few years ago in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

"Laura Schwartzenberger and Dan Alfin," Wray affirmed. "Two of our agents killed in connection with a child exploitation case down there. It was the single darkest day I've had in this job."

Schwartzenberger and Alfin were shot and killed on Feb. 2, 2021, in the line of duty while executing a federal court-ordered search warrant in a crimes against children investigation in Sunrise, Florida. Three other agents were shot and wounded, the FBI has said.

Remembering the fallen at the time, Wray described Schwartzenberger and Alfin as "two warriors who took on one of the hardest jobs in the FBI, crimes against children."

"Two best friends who shared the same passion, the same determination, and  in spite of all they had witnessed in their extraordinary careers  the same sense of optimism and hope that comes from work that matters. Two of the very best the FBI had to offer," Wray said at Alfin's memorial service.

Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday. FBI Director Christopher Wray testified amid calls by some conservatives for his ouster.

During the hearing Wednesday, Swalwell went on to describe an organization called Marco Polo, which he said is run by former President Donald Trump's aide Garret Ziegler.

"Over the past couple of weeks, he has doxxed the addresses of a former special agent connected to the Biden case. He has put up the dates of births and pictures of two current special agents who work for you. He has said the name, which I will not say, of an assistant U.S. attorney who worked in the Hunter Biden case," Swalwell said, quoting Ziegler as saying that the attorney will "answer for her crimes."

FBI DIRECTOR WRAY TO TESTIFY BEFORE HOUSE JUDICIARY PANEL AMID ALLEGATIONS OF POLITICIZATION WITHIN BUREAU

"But do these types of threats and doxxing concern you about threats to your workforce and what it could mean?" he asked Wray.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, speaks during the hearing Wednesday.

"Well, obviously, what we're most concerned about are the actual acts of violence which themselves have happened and as we just discussed. But this kind of phenomenon, doxxing, is itself hugely problematic because the more information, personal and information about law enforcement professionals that are out in the internet, the more people who may be unstable or inclined to violence there are out there who can choose act on it," Wray said.

"And we're seeing that all too often. The number of officers across law enforcement killed in the line of duty has been up alarmingly over the last few years. And I know that because one of the things I committed to doing early in my tenure was every time an officer anywhere in the country is shot and killed in the line of duty, I was going to personally call that sheriff or that chief and on behalf of the FBI, express our support and condolences and relay that to the family. And I have done that now close to 400 times since I've been in this job."
FBI director Christopher Wray hits back at Matt Gaetz after Republican presses him on trust in bureau

Rep Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and FBI Director Christopher Wray got into a testy exchange about trust in the FBI on Wednesday.

Mr Wray appeared before the House Judiciary Committee as part of the committees oversight of the bureau. Republicans have repeatedly criticised Mr Wray, whom former president Donald Trump nominated in 2017 after he fired former director James Comey.

Mr Gaetz criticised Mr Wray for his tenure leading the FBI, a law enforcement agency that was once revered by members of the GOP.

People trusted the FBI more when J Edgar Hoover was running the place than when you are, Mr Gaetz, a right-wing Republican on the committee, said in reference to the long-serving head of the FBI who also tracked figures like Martin Luther King Jr. And the reason is because you don't give straight answers.

Mr Wray responded by saying that more people from Mr Gaetzs home state of Florida have applied to the bureau since his tenure.

Respectfully congressman, in your home state of Florida, the number of people applying to come work for us and devote their lives working for us is over, up over 100 per cent, he said.

We're deeply proud of them and they deserve better than you, Mr Gaetz said.

Specifically, many conservatives have called for defunding the FBI after it executed a search warrant at former president Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate for refusing to turn over classified documents from his presidency.

On Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan wants to relocate the FBI headquarters from Washington DC to Huntsville, Alabama.

Similarly, when Republicans took control of the House of Representatives earlier this year, they set up the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, which Mr Jordan also leads. The House Oversight Committee has zealously pursued President Joe Bidens son Hunter, hoping to find misconduct on behalf of the president.
FBI Director Christopher Wray is sworn in before testifying at a House Committee on the Judiciary oversight hearing, Wednesday, July 12, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

WASHINGTON (AP)  FBI Director Chris Wray defended the real FBI during a contentious congressional hearing Wednesday, rejecting a litany of grievances from angry Republicans who are harshly critical of the bureau, threatening to defund some operations and claiming the Justice Department is unfair to political conservatives, including Donald Trump.

Wray refused to engage in specific questions about ongoing federal investigations, including those involving former President Trump and Hunter Biden. The son of President Joe Biden recently reached an agreement to plead guilty to misdemeanor federal tax charges; Republicans have derided that as a sweetheart deal.

In testy exchanges with Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee, Wray rejected the GOP assertion that the bureau was favoring the Biden family and said the notion that the bureau was involved the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol was ludicrous. Referring to his own background, he said the idea that he harbors bias against conservatives is insane.

"The work the men and women of the FBI do to protect the American people goes way beyond one or two investigations that seem to capture all the headlines, said Wray, a registered Republican whom Trump nominated to lead the FBI after firing James Comey in 2017.

The director spelled out the bureau's crime-fighting work breaking up drug cartels, taking some 60 suspected criminals off the streets each day and protecting Americans from "a staggering array of threats.

He said, That is the real FBI.

Its the latest display of the new normal on Capitol Hill, where Republicans who have long billed themselves as the champions of police and law and order are deeply at odds with federal law enforcement and the FBI, accusing the bureau of bias dating to investigations of Trump when he was president.

This new dynamic has forced Democrats into a position of defending law enforcement agencies they have long criticized. Wray testified for nearly six hours.

The committee chairman, Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, said he is trying to stop what Republicans call the weaponization of the federal justice system, which they say is tilted against conservatives, including Trump and his allies.

Jordan opened the hearing reciting a federal judge's recent ruling against the government's efforts to halt misinformation on social media and listed other grievances over the FBI's treatment of conservatives.

But the top Democrat on the committee, Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, said the hearing was little more than performance art by Republicans who are undertaking what he called baseless investigations too far-fetched to be true.

Wray generally steered clear of answering questions about the Justice Department's prosecution of Trump. The former president has pleaded not guilty to 37 felony counts over his mishandling of classified information at his Mar-a-Lago club and residence.

Wray did say that classified documents are required to be stored in whats known as a sensitive compartmented information facility, or SCIF.

In my experience, he said, ballrooms, bathrooms and bedrooms are not SCIFs.

A separate Justice Department investigation is probing efforts by Trump and his allies to undo Bidens election in the run-up to Jan. 6, 2021.

During one tense exchange with Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., Wray noted that in Florida, the number of FBI applicants is up by more than 100%.

Were deeply proud of them, and they deserve better than you, Gaetz said.

Typically measured, Wray became animated by the suggestion from Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., that the FBI would have been involved in suppressing a theory that the coronavirus pandemic originated via a leak from a laboratory in China rather than a transfer from animals to humans.

The idea that the FBI would somehow be involved in suppressing references to a lab leak theory is somewhat absurd when you consider the fact that the FBI was the only  the only  agency in the entire intelligence community to reach the assessment that it was more likely than not that was the explanation of the pandemic, Wray said, pointing for emphasis. He later noted the Energy Department's intelligence arm reached a similar finding.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., said she thought it was "actually sad that the majority is engaging conspiracy theories in an effort to discredit one of the premier law enforcement agencies in the United States.

Jordan has been laying the groundwork for Wrays appearance since House Republicans took the majority in January.

Republicans have held hearings with former FBI agents, Twitter executives and federal officials to make the case that the FBI has been corruptly using its powers against Trump and the right. The GOP has formed a special committee on weaponization of government, also led by Jordan, to investigate abusee. Three panels opened a joint investigation into the Hunter Biden case, and one announced Wednesday that the two IRS whistleblowers who claimed Justice improperly interfered in the case will appear before Congress next week.

Hanging over the proceedings are GOP threats to impeach Attorney General Merrick Garland and withhold money for federal law enforcement as Congress is in the midst of preparing annual spending bills. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has signaled he is open to impeachment and wants to rethink FBI spending on a new headquarters.

At one point, Rep. Thomas Massie showed a short surveillance video of the moments before officials found a pipe bomb outside the Democratic National Committee's Capitol Hill headquarters on the day of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. Massie, R-Ky., demanded answers about the investigation, which is ongoing.

We fund your department so you need to provide that, Massie said.

Republican criticisms of the FBI stretch back years, but became more prominent during the Trump-Russia investigation, when the Justice Department probed interference in the 2016 election.

One focus of Wednesday's hearing was the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, that grants the FBI and other agencies broad powers to surveil the communications of foreigners outside the United States. A provision known as Section 702 is set to expire unless Congress agrees to renew it. Members of both parties are frustrated with the program.

Underscoring the extent to which surveillance errors during the Trump-Russia investigation continue to shadow the FBI, Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., said he will be allowing FISA to "sunset" if there are no reforms.

Wray, meanwhile, acknowledged a difference over Garland's 2021 memo instructing the FBI to coordinate with local law enforcement over threats against school boards. Republicans have complained that went too far in trying to police parents.

I will say to you the same thing that I said to all 56 of our field offices as soon as I read the memo, which is that the FBI is not in the business of investigating or policing speech at school board meetings or anywhere else for that matter, said Wray.

Some of the GOP's most conservative members are pushing to cut off some funding for the FBI. McCarthy, R-Calif., has questioned spending money to build a new FBI headquarters out of downtown and in a Washington suburb. He has said Congress should focus on FBI offices in the states.
FBI Director Christopher Wray on Wednesday repudiated Republican claims that the nations top law enforcement agency is being used in a political manner to discriminate against conservatives, and also criticized mistakes made at the FBI under his predecessor, James Comey.

The FBI has no interest in protecting anyone politically, Wray told the House Judiciary Committee during more than three hours of testimony.

FBI Director Christopher Wray listens to committee chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, at a House Judiciary Committee on oversight of the FBI on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Wray also said that the FBI is absolutely not engaged in weaponizing government resources against Americans. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, has created a special subcommittee to examine what he has labeled as the weaponization of the federal government.

"You have personally worked to weaponize the FBI against conservatives, Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., told Wray.

Wray, a longtime member of the Federalist Society  a conservative legal group  scoffed. The idea that I'm biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me, given my own personal background, he replied.

Republicans blame Wray for mistakes made under his predecessor

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill on April 25. (Julia Nikhinson/Reuters)

Nonetheless, Republicans on the committee lobbed a wide array of charges against Wray and the FBI, often focusing on problems at the FBI that took place under Wrays predecessor, James Comey, who was fired by former President Donald Trump in 2017.

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, recounted the story of a former FBI lawyer who was sentenced to 12 months' probation in 2021, for altering an email as part of a search warrant application during the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

As director of the FBI, those are the facts of the FBI under your watch, Roy said.

No, no, sir, it's important: Not under my watch, Wray told Roy.

Wray criticizes previous FBI Director Comey

Former FBI Director James Comey speaks to the media on Dec. 7, 2018, after giving a private deposition to the House Judiciary and House Government and Oversight committees on Capitol Hill. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters)

At different points throughout the hearing, Wray made some of the most forthright criticisms of the Comey era at the FBI he had made since he was appointed to the job by Trump in 2017.

I'm very mindful of the fact that the whole reason I'm in this job is because my predecessor was fired and, in a fairly scathing Inspector General Report, one of the things he was criticized for was sharing more information  both with the public and, frankly, with Congress  than was consistent with federal rules, Wray said.

Wray was unsparing in his condemnation of mistakes made by the FBI in the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, which was called to investigate links between the Russian government and contacts in the 2016 Trump campaign.

Former special counsel John Durham issued a report in May that found that the FBIs handling of important aspects of the Crossfire Hurricane matter were seriously deficient.

Wray did not mince words: I consider the conduct that was described in the Durham report as totally unacceptable and unrepresentative of what I see from the FBI every day, and must never be allowed to happen again.

Questions about 'radical traditionalist Catholic ideology'

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies at the hearing Wednesday. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Jordan and other Republicans spent little time asking about some of the bigger issues that he and others on the right have talked about on right-wing media outlets, such as allegations from an IRS whistleblower that an investigation into President Bidens son, Hunter Biden, was slow-walked.

Rather, Jordan asked about an internal memo written by a Richmond field office of the FBI that warned against radical traditionalist Catholic ideology.

Wray condemned the memo as appalling and said it as far as what we can tell, did not result in any investigative action, none.

As soon as I found out about it, I was aghast and ordered it removed, Wray said. He said the FBI is working on an internal review of the matter and plans to brief Congress this summer.

Jordan shows partial info on Bank of America requests

Jordan also harped on requests from the FBI to Bank of America for information about customer transactions on Jan. 15, 2021. But he selectively displayed information from an email from the FBI to a Bank of America official.

A doctored image of the e-mail showed only two of the search criteria that were submitted by the FBI to Bank of America. The two criteria were weapons or weapons related-vendor purchases" in the six months prior, and among that group, those who made purchases in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 5 or Jan. 6, 2021.

House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan listens to FBI Director Christopher Wray testify Wednesday. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

Im just nervous about that, Jordan said, casting the FBI data requests as overly broad and intrusive.

Jan. 6, 2021, was the day Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in a violent assault, to try to overturn Trumps loss in the 2020 election.

It wasnt until over an hour later in the hearing, after Democrats asked Jordan to show an undoctored image of the email, that Jordan displayed the full email. Other search criteria included hotel and AirBNB reservations in the Washington, D.C., area on or around Inauguration Day  Jan. 20, 2021  and the purchase of airline tickets to D.C. around Inauguration Day.

"The intention, the full email read, is to identify all potential networks of threats vs individual threats to Inauguration Day and beyond.

By focusing on only half the search terms, Jordans presentation initially made it appear that the search was much broader than it actually was.

Claims of censorship

Many Republicans in the hearing accused the FBI of censoring Americans social media content. But GOP claims often went beyond the facts.

Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., claimed that FBI agents were removing online content they did not like. Your agents pulled it off the internet, Johnson said.

Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., center, with Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., on his left, addresses a House Judiciary Committee hearing on July 12, as FBI Director Wray testifies before the committee amid calls by some hardline conservatives for his ouster. (Al Drago/Bloomberg)

There is no evidence of this claim. Internal communications disclosed in the Twitter files and in a House Judiciary Committee report this week have shown the FBI and other government agencies  including officials from the Trump White House and the Biden White House  communicating with social media companies about potentially inaccurate content.

We don't ask social media companies to censor information or suppress information, Wray said. We're very clear that it's up to the social media companies.
FBI Director Christopher Wray tangles with House GOP in tense hearing. What you missed

WASHINGTON  FBI Director Christopher Wray defended the agency Wednesday against House Republicans who argued it suppressed conservative posts on social media and for running what they called illegal searches about U.S. citizens under a foreign surveillance law.

The hearing became the latest flashpoint for the FBI, which Republicans criticized for investigating participants at school board meetings and censoring social media posts. Democrats accused Republicans of trying to protect former President Donald Trump, who faces federal charges related to possession of national security documents after an FBI search of Mar-a-Lago 18 months after he left the White House. The White House says Republicans are attacking law enforcement.

In his opening salvo, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, cited a federal court decision in Louisiana eight days earlier that found the government suppressed First Amendment rights of people posting on social media posts about the COVID-19 pandemic vaccines and mask requirements under a policy the ruling compared to an Orwellian ministry of truth.

The ruling found the FBI failed to alert social media companies that a story about Hunter Bidens laptop was real rather than Russian disinformation days before the 2020 presidential election. Jordan and Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., said that deprived millions of voters of information before the election.

When the court said the FBI misled, thats a nice way of saying they lied, Jordan said.

Wray said he has reviewed the decision and the FBI would comply with the courts prohibition against influencing social media companies. But he declined to comment further, he said, because the case is subject to further litigation.

Our focus is on malign, foreign disinformation  that is, foreign malign information, that is foreign hostile actors who engage in covert actions to confuse our social media platforms, Wray said. The FBI is not in the business of moderating content or causing any social media company to suppress or censor.

Christopher Wray, Director of the FBI, testifies in front of the House Judiciary Committee in Washington on July 12, 2023.

GOP vows to oppose extension of intelligence surveillance policy

Jordan said Republicans and possibly Democrats would oppose the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which is scheduled to expire at the end of the year, because of 204,000 episodes of illegal scrutiny of U.S. citizens.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., said a court found that the illegitimate queries included several people linked to the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021.

"The FBI has broken so bad that people can go and engage in queries that when you come before the Congress to answer questions, you're blissfully ignorant," Gaetz said. "The court has smacked you down, ruling FBI personnel apparently conducted queries for improper personal reasons."

Wray said staffers had been disciplined for improper queries, but he couldn't go into details.

Wrays prepared statement said he is concerned about profound risks with proposals to require either a search warrant or court order before conducting a U.S. person query under Section 702 of the act. Wray said such a change would become a ban because applications either wouldnt meet court standards or would take too long.

That would be a body blow to the FBI, which relies on this longstanding, lawful capability to rapidly uncover previously hidden threats and connections, and to take swift steps to protect the homeland when needed, Wray said.

Democrats have also questioned extending Section 702 without changes, said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif. The committee will need to look into warrant requirements," Lofgren said.

We have bipartisan support around the concerns we have about FISA reauthorization, and unless we really understand what measures the FBI is taking to ensure that peoples privacy is protected, I think its going to be a very difficult reauthorization process, added Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash.

Wray agrees with Durham report on FBI missteps in Russia investigation

Christopher Wray, Director of the FBI, testifies in front of the House Judiciary Committee in Washington on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

A rare point of agreement arose in a discussion of former special counsel John Durhams report on the origins of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, which was called Crossfire Hurricane.

Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va., questioned why the FBI failed to consider information beneficial to suspects during Crossfire Hurricane. Cline also questioned whether the FBI abused its authority under the Foreign Surveillance Intelligence Act.

The American people are outraged about agents who undermined the FBIs reputation, Cline said.

The FBI adopted dozens of changes after a scathing inspector generals report about Crossfire Hurricane, which occurred before Wray became director in August 2017. Durham didn't recommend additional wholesale changes.

Certainly there were violations that were totally unacceptable and in my view cannot be allowed to happen again, Wray said.

Cline also criticized the FBIs warrantless queries on 3.4 million Americans in 2021 and 200,000 last year.

It looks like a framework that enables the FBI to spy on countless Americans, Cline said.

Wray: Accusation he's against conservatives is 'insane'

Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., called the Durham report and Russia investigation evidence of an unfair justice system and asked Wray how he would reform law enforcement.

The American people fully understand that there is a two-tiered justice system that has been weaponized to persecute people based on their political beliefs and that you have personally worked to weaponize the FBI against conservatives, Hageman said.

Wray disagreed with her description, but said the FBI already adopted changes such as a new leadership team and by removing people from the chain of command.

The idea that I am biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me given my own personal background, Wray said.

Jordan proposes to reduce FBI funding

Christopher Wray, Director of the FBI, testifies in front of the House Judiciary Committee in Washington on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

On Tuesday, Jordan recommended slashing the agencys funding, including money for a proposed new headquarters building in the D.C. region. He also proposed to thwart Biden administration immigration policies, gun regulations and what he called abusive law enforcement. Any spending changes would eventually be negotiated with Senate Democrats.

The Committee and Select Subcommittee have received startling testimony about egregious abuses, misallocation of federal law-enforcement resources, and misconduct within the leadership ranks of the FBI, Jordan said in a letter to Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Kay Granger, R-Texas.

Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., noted that some Republican House members have called for defunding and dismantling the FBI. Lieu asked Wray what that would mean.

We would have hundreds more violent criminals out on the street, dozens more violent gangs terrorizing communities, hundreds more child predators on the loose, hundreds more kids left at those predators mercy instead of being rescued, scores of threats from the Chinese Communist Party being left unaddressed, Wray said.

White House: House GOP attacking law enforcement

White House spokesman Ian Sams said extreme House Republicans" have decided to attack law enforcement rather than support the FBI.

Instead of attacking federal law enforcement for political purposes, House Republicans should join President Biden to stand up for law enforcement and put the rule of law and the safety and security of the American people ahead of themselves.

Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH) prepares to gavel in the committee before Christopher Wray, Director of the FBI, testifies in front of the House Judiciary Committee in Washington on Wednesday, July 12, 2023

The top Democrat on the committee, Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, accused Republicans of trying to protect Trump for his campaign in 2024 and called the hearing "little more than performance art.

House Republicans questioned Wray's priorities in investigating the Biden administration.

Gaetz asked Wray point blank whether he was protecting the Bidens, which Wray denied. "Absolutely not," said Wray, who was appointed by Trump.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Insane': FBI Director Wray tangles with House GOP. What you missed
FBI Director Wray says idea he is targeting conservatives is 'somewhat insane'

FBI Director Christopher Wray said during a contentious House committee hearing on Wednesday that it is "somewhat insane" for anyone to suggest that he harbors a bias against conservatives.

"Well, first off, I would disagree with your characterization of the FBI and certainly your description of my own approach," Wray said in response to a grilling from Wyoming Republican Rep. Harriet Hageman over accusations that the FBI has become "weaponized" against conservatives.

"The idea that I'm biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me, given my own personal background," Wray, a registered Republican, added.

Hageman referenced in her line of questioning the Twitter files, Missouri v. Biden disclosures, the Durham investigation and the "exposure and collapse" of the "Russian collusion hoax" as examples of why the American people distrust the FBI.

GAETZ SAYS FLORIDIANS DESERVE BETTER AFTER WRAY BOASTS ABOUT STATES FBI RECRUITMENT

(L) Rep. Harriet Hageman (R) FBI Director Christopher Wray

"The American people fully understand that there is a two tiered justice system that has been weaponized to persecute people based on their beliefs and that you have personally worked to weaponize the FBI against conservatives," Hageman told Wray.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Neither you nor the FBI have any legal authority to circumvent the First Amendment by using a surrogate to do your dirty work," Hageman said, referring to the Missouri court ruling against the Biden administration, which was accused of strong-arming social media companies to push its desired coronavirus agenda. "Yet that is exactly what you've been doing."

Wray told Hageman that he has not taken part in any weekly meetings with social media companies and was unsure if they took place but if they did they would be on hold due to the injunction.

"Does the FBI intend to continue to have such meetings leading up to the 2024 election to police election-related speech?" The Wyoming Republican asked.

GOP REP CHALLENGES WRAY OVER COURT RULING ON FBI SUPPRESSION OF CONSERVATIVE FREE SPEECH: YOU SHOULD READ IT

"Well we're not going to be policing," Wray began to say before Hageman interjected.

"Thats what you previously did," Hageman said.

"Thats not, I do not agree with that description," Wray responded.

Wray told Hageman that he does not believe that the Biden administration violated the First Amendment rights of Americans by working with social media companies.

FBI IS ABSOLUTELY NOT PROTECTING THE BIDENS, WRAY TESTIFIES IN HEATED HOUSE JUDICIARY HEARING

"Do you really expect the American public to believe that you were not involved in the decisions related to using social media companies to suppress the First Amendment rights of American citizens?" Hageman asked.

"I can't help what people believe or not," Wray answered. "I can only speak to what the facts are."

Hageman asked Wray if any disciplinary action has been taken against any FBI employees as a result of the court ruling, but he declined to speak about "personnel matters" and said, "We have not made any such determination at this stage."

Christopher Wray, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is sworn in during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Wray insisted that he is committed to establishing procedures and safeguards to ensure that the agency is doing the "right thing in the right way."

In a statement to Fox News Digital following the exchange, Hagemen slammed Wray for ignoring bias in the FBI.

"What is insane is the Director denying bias in his organization after repeated factual examples demonstrated by the Missouri v. Biden decision, Twitter Files, and multiple whistleblowers," Hageman said.

"If Christopher Wray wanted to do things the right way, hed start by following the Constitution and stop suppressing the rights of American citizens. It was on Director Wrays watch that the Foreign Influence Task Force, which sounds more like a KGB program than something that should exist in America, was formed. This task force is at the heart of the censorship and suppression of conservative voices today."

The FBI published a press release on Wednesday as Wray was testifying outlining his position on a wide range of issues including social media censorship.

"The FBI is not in the business of being the truth police or telling any social media company to censor an account, and we dont moderate content," the press release explained. "

"The FBI is, as a law enforcement and intelligence agency, responsible for working with companies, in a fully lawful way, to protect our communities from child predators and terrorists, as well as hostile foreign countries like China, Russia, and Iran, looking to exploit social media platforms to commit crimes and threaten national security."
FIRST ON FOX: FBI Director Christopher Wray is expected to defend the work of the FBI during testimony before the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday morning, Fox News Digital has learned, amid allegations of politicization within the bureau.

Wray is set to appear before the committee, which has jurisdiction over the FBI and the Justice Department, Wednesday at 10 a.m. as part of an oversight hearing.

An FBI spokesperson told Fox News Digital that Wray is expected to focus his remarks on "the good work of the FBI to protect the American people and the professionalism, patriotism, and dedication to public service of FBI employees."

He is also expected to discuss the "sheer breadth and impact" of the work the bureau's more than 38,000 employees do each day, because "the work the men and women of the FBI do to protect the American people goes way beyond the one or two investigations that seem to capture all the headlines."

HOUSE GOP DEMAND TRANSCRIBED INTERVIEWS FROM HUNTER BIDEN PROSECUTOR, DOJ, IRS, SECRET SERVICE OFFICIALS

According to prepared testimony obtained by Fox News Digital, Wray will discuss what the FBI has done to take on violent crime  arresting more than 20,000 violent criminals and child predators, which he will say is "an average of almost 60 bad guys taken off the streets per day, every day."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Wray is also expected to highlight "going after the cartels exploiting our southern border to traffic fentanyl and other dangerous drugs into communities nationwide."

He will supposedly say that the FBI is running "well over 300 investigations targeting the leadership of those cartels," and working with partners to stop drugs from reaching "their intended destinations" across the nation.

FBI WHISTLEBLOWERS SAY PRO-LIFE GROUPS, CATHOLICS WERE 'TARGET OF THE GOVERNMENT': JORDAN

The prepared testimony also showed Wray will discuss the "thousands of active investigations" the FBI has into the Chinese governments efforts to "steal our most precious secrets, rob our businesses of their ideas and innovation, and repress freedom of speech right here in the United States."

"And thats just scratching the surface; the men and women of the FBI work tirelessly every day to protect the American people from a staggering array of threats," Wray is expected to testify.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, has led a number of FBI-focused investigations since taking leadership of the committee at the beginning of this year.

The bureau director is expected to face tough questioning from lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee as the FBI faces allegations of operating within a political bias.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, has led a number of FBI-focused investigations since taking leadership of the committee after whistleblowers have come forward to allege politicization within the bureau and a political bias against conservatives.

JORDAN SAYS FBI SHOULD BE KICKED OUT OF PROBES INTO US CITIZENS FLAGGED IN FISA INVESTIGATIONS

Those whistleblowers have accused the FBI of targeting pro-life groups, Catholics, and parents attending school board meetings, alleging an internal effort to "inflate" the domestic terrorism threat.

Jordan and Republican lawmakers are expected to press Wray on the alleged abuses and alleged retaliation against those whistleblowers. The FBI has denied the allegations.

Jordan has also said the FBI colluded with Big Tech social media companies ahead of the 2020 presidential election  specifically to limit and block social media posts related to Hunter Bidens laptop.

The FBI had the laptop in its possession at the time and knew it contained "credible" evidence as part of the Hunter Biden probe.

As for the Hunter Biden probe, lawmakers have been demanding answers from the FBI on what it did with information contained in a key FD-1023 form, alleging a criminal bribery scheme between then-Vice President Joe Biden and a foreign national.

HERE ARE THE WHISTLEBLOWERS SCORCHING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ON HUNTER PROBE, IRS, FBI

The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed the FBI to turn over the document for Congress to review, but the FBI did not comply. Instead, the FBI made accommodations to bring a redacted version of the document to a secure setting on Capitol Hill for lawmakers on that committee to review. Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., threatened to hold Wray in contempt of Congress for not complying with the subpoena.

The document in question details allegations made by a top executive of Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings to a "highly-credible" FBI confidential human source. The executive alleged that he paid $5 million to Joe Biden and $5 million to Hunter Biden in exchange for influence over policy decisions.

The executive also alleges that he has 17 audio recordings of conversations he had with Hunter Biden and Joe Biden, which he kept as somewhat of an "insurance policy."

Federal prosecutors and agents on the team investigating Hunter Biden were briefed on that FBI form, but lawmakers in both the House and Senate are questioning if the FBI ever investigated the claims.

HUNTER BIDEN TAX PROBE BEGAN AS OFFSHOOT IRS INVESTIGATION INTO AMATEUR PORNOGRAPHY SHOP: WHISTLEBLOWER

An FBI official, though, told Fox News Digital that "many of the issues this committee is focused on are centered around prosecutorial decisions, which are not made by the FBI but, rather, the Department of Justice."

Most recently, Jordan has joined forces with the House Oversight and Ways & Means committees to demand testimony from officials involved in the years-long federal investigation into Hunter Biden.

Jordan has called on key FBI and DOJ officials to appear before the House Judiciary Committee for transcribed interviews related to that investigation, which whistleblowers have said was influenced by politics. Those interviews have yet to be scheduled.

Meanwhile, during the hearing, Jordan and Republicans are expected to highlight Special Counsel John Durhams findings following his years-long investigation into the origins of the FBIs original Trump-Russia probe, also known as "Crossfire Hurricane." That report revealed the investigation into the Trump campaign and former President Trump was unwarranted, and detailed many of the FBIs errors when launching that counterintelligence probe.

John Durham testifies before the House Judiciary Committee on June 20, 2023, after the release of his findings following an investigation into the FBI's Trump-Russia probe.

Wray and current top officials at the FBI have stressed that the Trump-Russia investigation was launched under the leadership of then-FBI Director James Comey. The FBI has also said the conduct Durham examined "was the reason" Wray and current leadership have "already implemented dozens of corrective actions, which have now been in place for some time."

"Had those reforms been in place in 2016, the missteps identified in the report could have been prevented," the FBI told Fox News Digital, adding that the Durham report "reinforces the importance of ensuring the FBI continues to do its work with the rigor, objectivity, and professionalism the American people deserve and rightly expect."

FBI IGNORED 'CLEAR WARNING SIGN' OF CLINTON-LED EFFORT TO 'MANIPULATE' BUREAU FOR 'POLITICAL PURPOSES'

But a committee aide said GOP lawmakers havent been satisfied with the FBIs response and are expected to press Wray to make further reforms within the bureau.

Jordan and GOP lawmakers are also expected to press Wray on the FBIs decision to conduct an unprecedented search for classified records at former President Trumps Mar-a-Lago home on Aug. 8, 2022.

FBI agents raided former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago home on Aug. 8, 2022, in search of classified documents he is accused of improperly retaining.

Special Counsel Jack Smith took over the FBI and DOJs investigation into Trumps alleged improper retention of classified records. Trump has pleaded not guilty to 37 federal charges stemming from the probe, including willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and false statements  the first time in U.S. history a former president has faced federal criminal charges.

Because the special counsel runs the Trump-classified records probe, Wray is likely to defer all questions to Smith's office.

Meanwhile, lawmakers are expected to grill Wray on the agency's confidential human source program, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Actspecifically Section 702, which is expected to sunset in December, and other issues.
New York Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh ignored her staff's calls for action against deadly e-bike batteries and refused to publicly support banning them from NYCHA housing out of fear of political winds, FDNY chiefs in an ongoing ageism lawsuit said in a new court filing.

Last summer, shortly after becoming acting fire commissioner, Kavanagh refused Chief Joe Jardins request to publicly support NYCHAs ban on having lithium-ion powered bikes and scooters inside buildings at the citys public housing developments, say court papers made public Tuesday.

Kavanagh declined to act even though Jardin believed a ban would make housing complex residents safer, says the newly-amended complaint in the chiefs lawsuit.

Kavanagh justified her actions based on the concern about the political winds because such a ban would negatively impact, among others, low-income delivery persons, the lawsuit says.

When Jardin and Chief Frank Leeb put together a symposium to educate FDNY members and other fire departments about the dangers of lithium-ion battery fires that September, Kavanagh wouldnt invite City Council members to the event.

She skipped the symposium altogether  despite the presence of fire commissioners from across the country and Canada  because she did not want (the) FDNY out in front of the issue, the lawsuit claims.

Despite Kavanaghs recent media campaign concerning the dangers of lithium-ion batteries, for years she suppressed and did not support action within the FDNY to press for regulations and bans, and even suppressed a campaign to promote greater awareness of the risks, the lawsuit states.

An FDNY spokeswoman said the allegations against Kavanagh are meritless.

She has been relentless in sounding the alarm about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries for both the public and FDNY members, spokeswoman Amanda Farinacci said. She is a national leader on this topic, and any allegation that she has not paid this dangerous issue appropriate attention is preposterous.

But Jim Walden, the chiefs lawyer, said Kavanaghs current stance against e-bike battery fires cant make up for years of inaction.

She cant whitewash what happened in 2020 and 2021, Walden said. She stood idle for the better part of two years while lithium-ion related fires skyrocketed and the deaths from those fires increased significantly from that period.

The allegations come from three witnesses who heard Kavanagh balking at the chiefs concerns, as well as documents and other evidence, Walden said.

Her refusal to back NYCHAs rule change came after the FDNY had already banned e-bikes and scooters from their own building, Walden said.

The department banned them in their own premises, and the chiefs of Fire Prevention and Safety wanted to do more, including support a ban in NYCHA buildings, Walden said.

She still refused to take on the issue because she didnt want backlash from politicians and those who sympathized with delivery people who use these e-bikes.

Kavanagh excluded the chiefs from any City Hall meetings she may have had to hash out what to do about e-bike fires, Walden said.

She was meeting with other agency heads before the FDNY did anything and excluded the chiefs with the expertise on these dangers from the meetings, Walden said.

The e-bike battery bombshell is the latest in a string of allegations against Kavanagh in the ageism suit. Fire chiefs claim they were harassed, maligned and ultimately demoted because they were too old in Kavanaghs eyes.

At 40, Kavanagh is one of the citys youngest commissioners.

Assistant Fire Chiefs Michael Gala, 62, Jardin, 61, and Michael Massucci, 59, Leeb, 54, retired EMS Chief James Booth, 59, and EMS Computer Aided Dispatch Programming Manager and Deputy Director Carla Murphy, 56, say they were targeted by Kavanagh and her team because they were at or near the age of 60 according to the lawsuit filed in Brooklyn Supreme Court.

The lawsuit was filed in March, about a month after Gala, Jardin and Assistant Chief Fred Schaaf were all demoted to deputy chief by Kavanagh.

Their demotions sparked a mass protest by FDNY chiefs who criticized Kavanagh and asked to be demoted in rank and moved out of department headquarters.

Kavanagh hasnt signed off on any of the demotion requests, FDNY officials said.

The lawsuit claims Kavanagh and FDNY Deputy Commissioner JonPaul Augier conspired to force the older chiefs off medical leave as well as threaten to withhold earned or customary benefits. They also cut off their computer access and leaked false information about them to the press.

Schaaf, 60, was added to the lawsuit as a plaintiff in the ammended complaint, and Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Phil Banks was added as a defendant for advising Kavanagh and rubber-stamping the demotions, the lawsuit claims.

Over the years, the FDNY has been vocal about the dangers of lithium-ion battery fires, which have taken 13 lives so far this year, including four residents living above a Chinatown bicycle repair shop that burst into flames when an e-bike battery exploded.

Since officially becoming fire commissioner, Kavanagh has been on the forefront of the fight, promoting a massive crack down on bicycle shops that are improperly storing and charging e-bike and scooter batteries. Shes also written opinion pieces about their dangers and has asked the federal government to join the fight against these volatile batteries.
 Flash

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Masatsugu Asakawa, president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 11, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Masatsugu Asakawa, president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in Beijing on Tuesday.

Li said that the ADB is a vital multilateral development institution in the Asia-Pacific region, playing a positive role in promoting poverty reduction and development in the region and responding to regional and global challenges.

China is ready to work with all parties, including the ADB, to deepen practical cooperation, make a greater contribution to the sustainable recovery, prosperity and stability of the Asia-Pacific region, and inject more impetus into world economic development, Li said.

He pointed out that China is comprehensively promoting Chinese modernization and striving to promote high-quality development, and there is broad space for cooperation with the ADB in the future. He said it is hoped that the ADB will continue to support and participate in China's reform and opening up, and focus on key areas such as environmental protection as well as green and low-carbon development.

Li said China actively supports the ADB in addressing climate change and looks forward to ADB's further mobilization of climate finance to help developing members enhance climate adaptation and financing capacity and promote the transition to green and low-carbon development.

"We hope that multilateral development institutions, including the ADB, will actively call on developed countries to take the lead in fulfilling their emission reduction responsibilities and fulfilling their financial and technical support commitments to create necessary conditions for developing countries to cope with climate change and achieve sustainable development," he added.

Masatsugu Asakawa said the ADB has established a strong and close cooperative partnership with China, and China is the main contributor to Asia-Pacific economic growth.

He said the ADB supports China's high-quality development and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China on knowledge creation, green development, and climate change response.
credit cards

Consumer credit laws are facing a shakeup that experts fear could leave shoppers with watered down protection when it comes to claiming refunds.

The Treasury plans to repeal Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act (CCA) which ensures borrowers can easily claim money back from their credit card company.

Consultation documents published Tuesday claim that the law is to be overhauled to account for more modern credit systems, such as buy now pay later services.

But while the Treasury insists the protections will remain in place, consumer groups fear that new regulations could weaken consumer rights and make it more difficult for consumers to claim refunds.

Lawyer Gary Rycroft, partner at Joseph A Jones & Co Solicitors, said that while there seemed to be no proposition to do away with Section 75, banks would likely push for the legislation to be watered down as consumers had come to treat it as an insurance policy.

He said: When it gets to be a problem is when people over-rely on it. In the pandemic a lot of events were cancelled, so there has been a lot of pressure from banks (to reform the law).

The law offers protection to consumers in the event a service provider goes bust, and consumer champions have long advised using credit cards for purchases between 100 and 30,000.

But Mr Rycroft said grey areas arise when a consumer and a service provider enter into a dispute over a potential refund.

He said: If you bought a concert ticket and the promoter moves the date to one you cant do, you end up in a Mexican standoff, in which case its easier just to go to your bank.

The banks were being used as an insurance policy, which they might argue was beyond the scope of what was intended.

Several respondents to the consultation argued that future legislation should ensure consumers could only pursue a lender after they had been unable to do so with a service provider.

Sarah Coles, of investment service Hargreaves Lansdown, said this could make claiming refunds more complicated and time-consuming.

In a foreword to the consultation, Economic Secretary to the Treasury Andrew Griffith said the CCA had struggled to keep pace with the modern world. The consultations add that buy now pay later services were becoming increasingly difficult to categorise.

James Daley, of consumer group Fairer Finance, said the rise of buy now pay later services had forced the Treasury to act, and hand powers to the Financial Conduct Authority.

But Mr Daley added that legislation could take several years to pass as a general election looms.

He said: Its not the kind of thing thats going to get people to the polling booths, so I wouldnt be surprised if it gets kicked down the road.

The Treasury said more detailed proposals were expected to be published next year.
Former House Speaker Michael Madigans attempt to suppress the dozens of wiretapped calls and secret recordings that form the backbone of the governments bombshell racketeering case is a flimsy effort to create an air of impropriety where none exists, federal prosecutors said in a motion Tuesday.

The 152-page filing also ripped defense claims that the indictment fails to connect any benefits Madigan allegedly received from utility giants Commonwealth Edison and AT&T Illinois to any action the powerful speaker took  or didnt  on particular legislation.

Without batting an eye, time and again Madigan stood prepared to take official action in his capacity as an Illinois representative and Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, at times with the connivance and assistance of his confederate (Michael) McClain, in exchange for legal work being steered to his private law firm, the filing stated.

The governments response to defense pretrial motions is part of a protracted legal battle in a case that rocked Illinois politics and ultimately ended Madigans record run as the states most powerful politician.

Defense attorneys have four weeks to file any reply, and U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey has set a motion hearing for Aug. 29.

The filing Tuesday goes deep into the legal weeds at times but also lays out in the starkest language yet what prosecutors intend to prove at trial: That Madigan, the longest-serving legislative leader in the country, exploited his position as a high-ranking public official to manipulate the levers of state and local government for the purpose of illegally enriching himself and his associates.

Madigan, together with his loyal lieutenant Michael McClain  a self-described soldier and faithful agent for Madigan  arranged for a flood of corrupt payments and perks to be doled out to Madigan and his associates in exchange and as a reward for Madigans abuse of his official powers, the prosecution team, headed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu, wrote in its filing.

Madigan, 81, and McClain, 75, are charged in a 23-count indictment with racketeering conspiracy and individual counts of using interstate facilities in aid of bribery, wire fraud and attempted extortion. They have pleaded not guilty, and a jury trial is set for next April.

Among the allegations in the indictment was a scheme by ComEd to secretly funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments and other perks to Madigan loyalists in exchange for the speakers influence on legislation in Springfield.

Four others charged separately in that scheme, including McClain, were convicted by a jury on bribery conspiracy charges in May. McClain is scheduled to be sentenced for that offense in January.

In November, prosecutors unveiled a superseding indictment adding allegations that Madigan and McClain participated in another scheme to funnel payments from AT&T to a Madigan associate in exchange for the speakers influence over legislation the telephone company wanted passed.

The Madigan indictment also accused the former speaker  along with the assistance of McClain  of illegally soliciting business for his private property tax law firm during discussions about a potential commercial development on a state-owned parcel of land in Chinatown.

Then-Ald. Daniel Solis, who was secretly cooperating with the investigation, recorded numerous conversations with Madigan as part of the Chinatown land probe, including one where the speaker allegedly told Solis he was looking for a colleague to sponsor a House bill approving the land sale. The deal was never consummated.

Attorneys for both Madigan and McClain have argued in previous court filings that federal investigators, in their zeal to land a prized political target, cut corners in the investigation and ultimately filed charges that misuse the bribery statute and attempt to criminalize legal lobbying and politicking.

Madigans legal team also accused federal prosecutors of misleading the chief judge in applications to tap Solis phone and later members of Madigans inner circle, saying they deliberately misconstrued an innocent 2014 meeting with Chinatown developers at the speakers law office as a possible shakedown, then later buried crucial exculpatory information in a footnote.

Madigans attorneys, Sheldon Zenner, Daniel Collins and Gil Soffer, have asked Blakey for an evidentiary hearing to determine whether investigators made any misrepresentations in the wiretap applications.

Though rarely granted, the so-called Franks hearing could provide a fascinating glimpse into how the government built its investigation, first by gathering evidence on Solis own misdeeds, then by pressuring him into cooperating against two of the states most powerful and long-standing politicians, Madigan and then-Chicago Ald. Edward Burke.

The motions have focused largely on an Aug. 18, 2014, meeting at Madigans law office where developer See Wong, who was secretly cooperating with investigators due to his own misdeeds, met with the speaker, Solis and a Chinese real estate magnate who wanted to build a hotel in Chinatown.

The roughly half-hour meeting formed the basis of future wiretap requests for Solis and was also included in later applications to tap a phone belonging to McClain, which led to numerous recordings of Madigan himself.

The defense motion said prosecutors improperly theorized in their original 2014 application that Madigan and his law partner had conspired with Solis, who at the time was the head of citys Zoning Committee, to threaten to withhold Solis approval of a zoning request unless the developer hired Madigans law firm.

The misrepresentations were repeated by prosecutors for years in subsequent wiretap requests, even after Solis, when confronted with a recording of the meeting, tried to explain that he would have very likely approved the zoning change regardless of whether the developer hired Madigans firm, according to the defense motion.

It wasnt until 2018 that the government, in a footnote buried in the McClain wiretap application, acknowledged Solis statements denying any quid pro quo at the meeting. But the footnote also tried to spin Solis comments by adding hed admitted an independent observer would interpret what was said at the meeting as pressure to hire Madigans firm.

According to the motion, that comment was added to an FBI report about a remarkable two-day session where Solis was repeatedly challenged by agents and prosecutors who were trying to parse what was said on the disjointed recording.

Solis, according to the motion, never adopted the governments viewpoint during the questioning, offering only the comment, I see (your) point.

Madigan was not charged with any wrongdoing stemming from that 2014 meeting. The defense motion stated that was due to one simple reason  Madigan had committed no crime.

The response by prosecutors on Tuesday contained numerous pages of blacked-out material regarding the Solis warrant and any interviews he gave to investigators, much of which have never been made public.

In the unredacted portions of the motion, prosecutors called the defense arguments without merit, noting that the Solis wiretap was approved by then-U. S. District Judge Ruben Castillo four years before any of the recordings that will be played at Madigans trial were made. If there were any issues with the application, they had no bearing on the legality of the request, prosecutors said.

Moreover, according to prosecutors, Solis cooperation had led to a trove of other evidence by the time the McClain wiretaps were approved in 2018, including consensual recordings he made of Madigan allegedly directly soliciting business for his law firm in exchange for official acts.

In short, there were no errors in the affidavit, let alone material and intentionally made ones, that would justify an evidentiary hearing, the motion stated.

Solis was charged with unrelated corruption counts last year as part of a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. attorneys office and will likely see charges dropped after his cooperation is completed.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com

rlong@chicagotribune.com
CHICAGO  Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigans attempt to suppress the dozens of wiretapped calls and secret recordings that form the backbone of the governments bombshell racketeering case is a flimsy effort to create an air of impropriety where none exists, federal prosecutors said in a motion Tuesday.

The 152-page filing also ripped defense claims that the indictment fails to connect any benefits Madigan allegedly received from utility giants Commonwealth Edison and AT&T Illinois to any action the powerful speaker took  or didnt  on particular legislation.

Without batting an eye, time and again Madigan stood prepared to take official action in his capacity as an Illinois representative and Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, at times with the connivance and assistance of his confederate (Michael) McClain, in exchange for legal work being steered to his private law firm, the filing stated.

The governments response to defense pretrial motions is part of a protracted legal battle in a case that rocked Illinois politics and ultimately ended Madigans record run as the states most powerful politician.

Defense attorneys have four weeks to file any reply, and U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey has set a motion hearing for Aug. 29.

The filing Tuesday goes deep into the legal weeds at times but also lays out in the starkest language yet what prosecutors intend to prove at trial: That Madigan, the longest-serving legislative leader in the country, exploited his position as a high-ranking public official to manipulate the levers of state and local government for the purpose of illegally enriching himself and his associates.

Madigan, together with his loyal lieutenant Michael McClain  a self-described soldier and faithful agent for Madigan  arranged for a flood of corrupt payments and perks to be doled out to Madigan and his associates in exchange and as a reward for Madigans abuse of his official powers, the prosecution team, headed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu, wrote in its filing.

Madigan, 81, and McClain, 75, are charged in a 23-count indictment with racketeering conspiracy and individual counts of using interstate facilities in aid of bribery, wire fraud and attempted extortion. They have pleaded not guilty, and a jury trial is set for April 2024.

Among the allegations in the indictment was a scheme by ComEd to secretly funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments and other perks to Madigan loyalists in exchange for the speakers influence on legislation in Springfield.

Four others charged separately in that scheme, including McClain, were convicted by a jury on bribery conspiracy charges in May. McClain is scheduled to be sentenced for that offense in January.

In November, prosecutors unveiled a superseding indictment adding allegations that Madigan and McClain participated in another scheme to funnel payments from AT&T to a Madigan associate in exchange for the speakers influence over legislation the telephone company wanted passed.

The Madigan indictment also accused the former speaker  along with the assistance of McClain  of illegally soliciting business for his private property tax law firm during discussions about a potential commercial development on a state-owned parcel of land in Chinatown.

Then-Ald. Daniel Solis, who was secretly cooperating with the investigation, recorded numerous conversations with Madigan as part of the Chinatown land probe, including one where the speaker allegedly told Solis he was looking for a colleague to sponsor a House bill approving the land sale. The deal was never consummated.

Attorneys for both Madigan and McClain have argued in previous court filings that federal investigators, in their zeal to land a prized political target, cut corners in the investigation and ultimately filed charges that misuse the bribery statute and attempt to criminalize legal lobbying and politicking.

Madigans legal team also accused federal prosecutors of misleading the chief judge in applications to tap Solis phone and later members of Madigans inner circle, saying they deliberately misconstrued an innocent 2014 meeting with Chinatown developers at the speakers law office as a possible shakedown, then later buried crucial exculpatory information in a footnote.

Madigans attorneys, Sheldon Zenner, Daniel Collins and Gil Soffer, have asked Blakey for an evidentiary hearing to determine whether investigators made any misrepresentations in the wiretap applications.

Though rarely granted, the so-called Franks hearing could provide a fascinating glimpse into how the government built its investigation, first by gathering evidence on Solis own misdeeds, then by pressuring him into cooperating against two of the states most powerful and long-standing politicians, Madigan and then-Chicago Ald. Edward Burke.

The motions have focused largely on an Aug. 18, 2014, meeting at Madigans law office where developer See Wong, who was secretly cooperating with investigators due to his own misdeeds, met with the speaker, Solis and a Chinese real estate magnate who wanted to build a hotel in Chinatown.

The roughly half-hour meeting formed the basis of future wiretap requests for Solis and was also included in later applications to tap a phone belonging to McClain, which led to numerous recordings of Madigan himself.

The defense motion said prosecutors improperly theorized in their original 2014 application that Madigan and his law partner had conspired with Solis, who at the time was the head of citys Zoning Committee, to threaten to withhold Solis approval of a zoning request unless the developer hired Madigans law firm.

The misrepresentations were repeated by prosecutors for years in subsequent wiretap requests, even after Solis, when confronted with a recording of the meeting, tried to explain that he would have very likely approved the zoning change regardless of whether the developer hired Madigans firm, according to the defense motion.

It wasnt until 2018 that the government, in a footnote buried in the McClain wiretap application, acknowledged Solis statements denying any quid pro quo at the meeting. But the footnote also tried to spin Solis comments by adding hed admitted an independent observer would interpret what was said at the meeting as pressure to hire Madigans firm.

According to the motion, that comment was added to an FBI report about a remarkable two-day session where Solis was repeatedly challenged by agents and prosecutors who were trying to parse what was said on the disjointed recording.

Solis, according to the motion, never adopted the governments viewpoint during the questioning, offering only the comment, I see (your) point.

Madigan was not charged with any wrongdoing stemming from that 2014 meeting. The defense motion stated that was due to one simple reason  Madigan had committed no crime.

The response by prosecutors on Tuesday contained numerous pages of blacked-out material regarding the Solis warrant and any interviews he gave to investigators, much of which have never been made public.

In the unredacted portions of the motion, prosecutors called the defense arguments without merit, noting that the Solis wiretap was approved by then-U.S. District Judge Ruben Castillo four years before any of the recordings that will be played at Madigans trial were made. If there were any issues with the application, they had no bearing on the legality of the request, prosecutors said.

Moreover, according to prosecutors, Solis cooperation had led to a trove of other evidence by the time the McClain wiretaps were approved in 2018, including consensual recordings he made of Madigan allegedly directly soliciting business for his law firm in exchange for official acts.

In short, there were no errors in the affidavit, let alone material and intentionally made ones, that would justify an evidentiary hearing, the motion stated.

Solis was charged with unrelated corruption counts last year as part of a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. attorneys office and will likely see charges dropped after his cooperation is completed.

____
As they infiltrated the operations of the Erie gang 4-Nation, the FBI and other agencies targeted some of the 22 accused members' most valuable tools  their cellphones.

The investigators listened in on conversations on at least 17 of the phones, according to newly filed records in Erie's largest-ever federal criminal case.

The FBI and other agencies got six court orders to intercept communication on the phones, according to the records. They also got a search warrant for access to GPS information and other data for the cellphones.

The search warrants and court orders for the phones remain under seal in U.S. District Court in Erie. But the existence of the warrants and investigators' access to conversations on 17 "target" telephones  as the U.S. Attorney's Office describes them in the court records  have become public as the government starts to turn over evidence to the defense in the sprawling racketeering and conspiracy case against a total of 58 defendants. The U.S. Attorney's Office alleges 22 of the defendants were part of 4-Nation.

The accused members of the Erie gang 4-Nation are being prosecuted at the federal courthouse in Erie.

Following the arraignments of the defendants, the U.S. Attorney's Office has been filing disclosures to show what evidence it has given to the defense lawyers in the early stages of the case, which started with a grand jury returning the indictment against the 58 on May 30. It was unsealed on June 8, the same day most of the defendants were arrested.

The most recent disclosure came on Tuesday in connection with the arraignment of the accused head of 4-Nation and the lead defendant in the case, Davante Q. Jones, 30, also known as Smoov.

Jones pleaded not guilty at a brief hearing before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard A. Lanzillo at the federal courthouse in Erie. He said little as his lawyer for the arraignment, Thomas McKinley, of Pittsburgh, said Jones understood the charges and the potential penalties, which include a life sentence.

At the close of the hearing, the prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Sellers, gave McKinley an envelope containing the initial round of evidence that the government is turning over in the case. Sellers after the hearing filed a document that disclosed, in general, what materials he had turned over.

The evidence, according to the filing, includes information related to the wiretaps of the 17 target telephones.

Davante Jones, arrested in Florida, returns to Erie

Sellers has turned over similar evidence to the other defendants who have been arraigned, according to court records. As of Tuesday, Sellers said, all but four of the defendants had been arrested, though a number of them were released on bond after their arraignments.

Jones is not one of them.

He was ordered detained in prison following his arrest June 8 in Tampa, Florida, where he had been living for about four months, according to court records. The federal magistrate judge in Tampa who ordered Jones detained cited, among other things, Jones' prior criminal history, according to the records. The magistrate also noted the "weight of the evidence against the defendant is strong."

Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard A. Lanzillo is handling arraignments and other initial matters in the 4-Nation case. U.S. District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter is assigned the case.

Jones was later transported to Erie, where he made his first court appearance in federal court in Erie for his arraignment. Only his lawyer appeared in court with him, unlike at the arraignments and other initial court appearances for many of the other defendants in the 4-Nation case. Relatives and other spectators have filled the courtroom gallery during those proceedings.

RICO statute at center of prosecution in 4-Nation case

Jones and the other 21 defendants accused of being members of 4-Nation were indicted on two felony counts.

All 22 were indicted on a count of conspiring to operate a criminal enterprise since around 2012 by dealing drugs and participating in acts of violence and other illegal activity in violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO  the federal law used to dismantle organized crime, including the mob.

The 4-Nation case represents the first time the U.S. Attorney's Office has used the RICO statute to target an Erie gang.

The 22 4-Nation defendants are also all accused of conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, cocaine or other drugs in Erie from August 2021 until the date of the indictment.

That same count also applies to the other 36 defendants, but those 36 are not charged with the RICO count. Several defendants were indicted on other charges, including weapons offenses.

The indictment is what is known as a "speaking indictment." It goes beyond just stating the charges, as is the typical for many federal indictment, and offers details about activities and events that led to the filing of charges.

The 4-Nation gang was formed around a decade ago through a reorganization of other Erie gangs, according to the indictment. It alleges 4-Nation  based in the area of East 24th and Wallace streets  "became the prominent neighborhood gang on the east side of Erie."

The indictment also provides information on how the accused gang members used their phones, according to the FBI and the other investigative agencies.

The indictment alleges: "4-Nation gang members worked in coordination to supply drug customers known as 'licks.' They also shared and/or pooled drug supplies to ensure that gang members had sufficient drug quantity to supply the drug 'licks.'

"4-Nation gang members also took 'shifts' to maintain consistent drug distribution by sharing 'lick phones,' that is, phones containing the contact information of drug customers, with other gang members."

Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNpalattella.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Wiretap evidence disclosed as accused head of Erie gang is arraigned
President Biden celebrated Finland's addition to NATO  and Sweden's impending membership  on Wednesday, but fierce arguments over when and how Ukraine should join the Western alliance overshadowed a moment the administration has hailed as a diplomatic triumph.

Capping a high-stakes summit in the Lithuanian capital city of Vilnius, Biden said he remained "optimistic" about NATO's future, declaring that it was stronger and more united than ever in its history.

"We will not waver," Biden said to a crowd of thousands in a courtyard at Vilnius University. "Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes."

The question of Ukraine's membership has split the North Atlantic Treaty Organization since Russia's February 2022 invasion.

France, Lithuania and Poland have argued that the alliance should detail exactly how and when Kyiv might join. But the U.S. and Germany have warned that a fast-tracked bid would put NATO in a direct  and possibly nuclear  confrontation with Moscow.

Turkey dropped its objection to Sweden's bid for membership just as NATO's annual summit kicked off on Monday, putting the bloc's focus squarely on the Ukraine dispute.

The alliance released a heavily qualified diplomatic statement on Tuesday that declared "Ukraine's future is in NATO," but failed to lay out a real plan for when that might occur. NATO leaders said the bloc would "be in a position to extend an invitation" once all allies agreed and Ukraine met certain unspecified conditions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky bashed the proposed language as "absurd" when it was leaked ahead of its official release Tuesday, but softened his tone Wednesday. He expressed gratitude for the substantial package of aid that was announced at the summit.

During a meeting with Biden, the Ukrainian leader said unity among NATO members and security guarantees amounted to "success."

Biden conceded Zelensky must feel "the frustration, I know," but assured him the U.S. would be a long-term partner for Ukraine.

"I know, youre many times frustrated about what things get to you quickly enough, and whats getting to you and how were getting there," Biden told Zelensky. "But I promise you: The United States is doing everything we can to get you what you need as rapidly as we can get it to you."

The alliance's communique about Ukraine is "a modest step forward but it could have been better," said Daniel Fried, a former U.S. ambassador to Poland and assistant secretary of State for Europe. "The Biden administration could have gone further and been a little more forward leaning, but they ended up on the right side of an important line, which is whether Ukraine ultimately is part of the European and transatlantic family or whether it belongs to the Kremlin."

The alliance established a new NATO-Ukraine Council to include Kyiv on security discussions and simplified Ukraine's process to join by removing the "membership action plan," which would have required a multiyear reform effort to meet NATO standards.

Ukraine is "now closer to NATO than ever before" after NATO leaders lifted the "membership action plan" requirement, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday.

"If you look at other membership processes, there have not been timelines," Stoltenberg said in defense of the alliance's ambiguous language on Kyiv's membership. "They are condition based  has always been."

Read more: Ukraine and expansion top NATO agenda as Biden tries to cement unity

Biden and Group of Seven leaders also unveiled a joint declaration on Wednesday to provide Kyiv with long-term security commitments to modernize its military capabilities and support training for Ukrainian forces to fend off future Russian attacks.

The declaration will launch negotiations between Kyiv and individual countries on future investment and send a message to Russia "that time is not on its side," according to Amanda Sloat, the senior director for Europe at the National Security Council.

Earlier on Wednesday, Zelensky tweeted that although he was grateful for the security guarantees, "the absolute majority of our people expect specifics" about the conditions it must meet in order to receive an invitation.

NATO previously promised Ukraine and Georgia membership at a 2008 summit in Bucharest, but 15 years later has still failed to fulfill its pledge. That history has played a role in the bloc's cautious approach in Vilnius, Mary Elise Sarotte, a historian and author of "Not One Inch," a book detailing the history of NATO in the lead-up to and after the collapse of the Soviet Union, said.

"There's been a lot of damage and consequences of over-promising and under-delivering," Sarotte said, pointing to Russia's invasion of Georgia in 2008 and annexation of Crimea in 2014. "And now we're in wartime, not peacetime, so the cost would be even higher."

Any quick entry would likely bring NATO to war with Russia  a scenario Biden and his foreign counterparts have been trying to avoid.

"As soon as Ukraine has fixed borders, they should be in NATO. But right now, it would fracture alliance unity, it would help divide Ukraine  which is what Russia wants  and it would undermine Article 5," Sarotte said, referring to the NATO clause that requires collective defense of all its members.

The alliance's internal tensions spilled into public view on Wednesday when national security advisor Jake Sullivan defended the decision to delay Ukraine's membership in a tense exchange with Ukrainian activist Daria Kaleniuk, who accused Biden of being "afraid of Russia."

"The American people do deserve a degree of gratitude ... for their willingness to step up," Sullivan said.

Biden, too, has been blunt that he does not think Ukraine is ready for membership. Before leaving Vilnius, he told reporters that Zelensky understood that "whether or not he's in NATO now is not relevant" because of the commitments made by the alliance.

The president said he had been briefed on Ukraine's counteroffensive and would consider sending Ukraine long-range missiles.

"We accomplished every goal we set out to accomplish," Biden said of the gathering.

The White House has touted Biden's ability to hold the alliance together in the face of Russian aggression as a foreign policy accomplishment and a crucial argument in his bid for a second term in 2024. The president will host NATO's 75th anniversary summit next July, four months before the election.

Since Moscow's invasion, Washington has directed more than $75 billion in humanitarian, financial, and military support for Ukraine, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. The president has also rallied other nations to provide security assistance and weaponry in Ukraine's war effort.

As the war drags on, and with Kyiv's month-old counteroffensive off to a slow start, Biden and NATO leaders will have to convince their respective countries that the billions' worth of aid has not been wasted.

A last-minute decision by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to greenlight Sweden's entrance into the alliance, after stalling it for more than a year, gave Biden and Western allies a tailwind before the summit kicked off.

The breakthrough came hours before Biden arrived in Vilnius, and after a pressure campaign that included a White House visit by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson last week and a phone call to Erdogan while Biden traveled aboard Air Force One to Europe.

"I want to thank you for your diplomacy and your courage to take that on, Biden told Erdogan in a face-to-face sitdown Tuesday.

Part of that effort also entailed working to strike an agreement to sell Ankara the F-16 fighter jets that it has long sought. That deal had been held up by Congress over concerns about Turkey's increasingly anti-democratic policies, antagonism toward Greece and other neighbors and Erdogan's delay of Sweden's bid.

U.S. officials insist the F-16 sale is unrelated to the diplomatic push on Sweden's membership, but Biden suggested in the CNN interview that an agreement could be imminent. Sullivan announced Tuesday that Washington would move ahead with the transfer of F-16 fighter jets, in consultation with Congress, but lawmakers have yet to approve the deal.

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Monday he was working with the Biden administration on his concerns about the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, and he expected to have a decision within the next week.

Biden will end his five-day trip to Europe on Thursday with a stop in Helsinki, where he'll take another victory lap to extol alliance unity with Finland's addition as the 31st member of the military bloc in April.

"The defense of freedom is not the work of a day or a year. It's the calling of our lifetime  of all time," Biden said in his Vilnius speech. "Our unity will not falter, I promise you."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The rift between the director of Miami-Dade Countys pet shelter and a top benefactor has gone to court, with allegations of slander and claims of a whisper campaign to muffle criticism of the county agency.

Yolanda Berkowitz, a founder of the Friends of Miami Animals Foundation, is a well-known foe of Bronwyn Stanford, the countys Animal Services director, whose tenure Berkowitz called catastrophic in an email to Mayor Daniella Levine Cava last year.

Now Berkowitz is suing Stanford in Miami-Dade Circuit Court and alleging she told shelter staff explosive lies about Berkowitzs past. Among the alleged lies: Stanford told a shelter employee Berkowitz had been a stripper, and told another Animal Services employee that Berkowitz was an escort.

READ MORE: The COVID-19 pet rush has ended in Miami-Dade, and the shelter is crowded again

The latest version of the complaint, filed June 22, claims the whisper campaign went beyond Animal Services staff, too. Berkowitz alleges that in a 2022 telephone call with a an unnamed animal-welfare advocate, Stanford called her a gold-digger who married for money. Her husband of more than 20 years is Miami developer Jeffrey Berkowitz.

Samantha, a dog that spent over 300 days at the Miami-Dade County animal shelter in Doral, watches as people and pets walk by in late 2022.

Stanfords statements that Berkowitz had been an escort and performed sex for money...maligned Berkowitzs good name and reputation, the suit read.

Stanford denied the allegations in a county response to the suit.

READ MORE: Miami-Dades stray dog problem: full kennels and a plea to keep them in the neighborhood

Stanford and a spokesperson for Levine Cava did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Berkowitz also did not respond to a request for comment.

Stanford, a former prosecutor and administrator in Floridas child-services department, came to Miami-Dade in November 2021 to work as Animal Services director under Levine Cava.

Yolanda and Jeff Berkowitz in an undated file photo.

Shes faced record high dog populations at Miami-Dades Doral shelter amid a surge in strays across the country following a drop in pet sterilization procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In her suit, Berkowitz amplified past complaints that Stanford resisted her help to ease shelter crowding.

She claimed an Animal Services staffer helping Berkowitz with the Operation Pit Stop adoption drive was yanked from the project and that Stanford mockingly misstated the projects initials in an email as POS in an attempt to embarrass Berkowitz. The suit also describes Berkowitzs efforts to convince Levine Cava that Stanford isnt doing a good job as her director.

While Stanford hasnt responded to the specific allegations in the suit, shes described herself as eager for collaboration with community groups. She also said shes streamlined Animal Services paperwork to make it easier for volunteers to help there.

Ill partner with anyone. I go out in the community, she said in an interview last year. Im always up for listening to peoples ideas and solutions.
Finnish finance minister Riikka Purra has apologized after she made racist comments in 2008 that were recently discovered online.

The leader of the far-right Finns Party said her old comments were stupid and that she was sorry for the harm they had caused.

I apologise for the stupid comments I made 15 years ago on social media and the harm and upset they understandably caused, I am not a perfect person, I have made mistakes, Purra said in a series of tweets on Tuesday.

Taken out of context and judged in the present, some of the texts seem even worse. I do not accept violence, racism or discrimination of any kind, she added.

One post captured in the digital archive website Wayback Machine under the username Riikka used racist language and made anti-immigrant slurs to describe multiculturalism in Spain.

Purras Finns Party won second place in Aprils elections, finishing behind Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpos National Coalition Party, before forming a coalition.

In reaction to the discovery of Purras posts, Orpo said his government works for equality and non-discrimination and that there is zero tolerance for racism in government work.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said his government was committed to combating racism. - Ksenia Kuleshova/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Government and each of its ministers denounce racism and all forms of extremism and in their work commit to actively combating racism both in Finland and internationally, Orpo said in a statement co-signed by leaders of the four ruling parties National Coalition Party, Finns Party, Swedish Peoples Party and Christian Democrats about human rights in the Nordic nation.

Purra went on to say the work of her party is not based on extremism, racism or discrimination, but on the interests of Finland and Finns.

Our immigration policy is legitimate and legal and there is nothing wrong or suspicious about it, Purra added on Twitter.

Purra concluded her statement on Twitter by saying that she hopes the government will now finally be able to concentrate on the real issues, adding that this country really needs it.

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Joaquin Phoenixs performance as Napoleon Bonaparte has finally been teased in the trailer for Ridley Scotts biopic  and its accompanied by a rather unexpected needle drop.

The Joker actor, 48, will star in Napoleon as the French military leader, who lived from 1769 to 1821 and led his country to victory during the Revolutionary Wars.

Directed by Gladiator filmmaker Scott from a screenplay by All the Money in the World writer David Scarpa, Napoleon follows the military leaders rise to emperor, while also detailing his passionate and volatile relationship with wife Josephine (Vanessa Kirby).

On Monday (10 July), the first trailer arrived online. It begins with the French revolution, with Napoleon being asked to step in and bring the people under control, before meeting Josephine.

However, rather than adopting French accents, both Phoenix and Kirby appear to speak in their respective American and British accents.

The trailer is underscored by a slowed-down cover of Radioheads 2000 song The National Anthem, with shots of bloody violence, passionate sex and regal coronations shown throughout. The cover is performed by Riaya featuring Kinnship.

Napoleon will be released in the US over Thanksgiving weekend 2023, and arrive on Apple TV+ at a later date.

The trailer has prompted strong reactions on social media. While many praised the appearance of Scotts film, others questioned the decision to have the leads speak in their own accents.

joaquin phoenix looking exactly like himself, doing no accent, a decade plus older than the character he's portraying. pure marlon brando stuff here. incredible https://t.co/M5jAvEH1zG  doom boy (@femmedionysus) July 11, 2023

Questioning the use of the Radiohead cover in the trailer, one viewer commented: The Napoleon movie definitely looks cool but the Radiohead cover is a baffling music choice.

Bro Radiohead playing over Joaquin Phoenix using an American accent to play Napoleon is insane, another commented.

It should be a criminal offence to give Radiohead songs the slowed down indie trailer cover treatment, another wrote. This one is especially awful and is a really puzzling choice for a film about Napoleon.

The Napoleon movie definitely looks cool but the Radiohead cover is a baffling music choice  Luke Savage (@LukewSavage) July 10, 2023

This looks pretty good but man the Radiohead vocal cover thats autotuned beyond recognition but dont worry its sung by a baritone and we changed the melody just for fun thing is so distracting. I do not need my Radiohead and my Napoleon mixing thank you very much, one tweet read.

Joaquin Phoenix looking exactly like himself, doing no accent, a decade plus older than the character hes portraying. Pure Marlon Brando stuff here. Incredible, one Twitter user wrote.

Joaquin not even attempting an accent... good for him. Bare minimum effort king, another joked.

While Napoleon marks Scott and screenwriter Scarpas first time working on a film together, the pair will also collaborate on Gladiator 2.

Filming is currently underway on the follow up to Scotts Best Picture winner Gladiator, which was released in 2000 and starred Phoenix and Russell Crowe. Paul Mescal will lead Gladiator 2 as Lucius, the nephew of Phoenixs Commodus.

Napoleon is released in cinemas on 22 November.
Former President Donald Trump with President Vladimir Putin during a joint news conference in Helsinki, Finland, July 16, 2018. Credit - Doug MillsThe New York Times/Redux

President Joe Biden stood just 120 miles from Russias border when he stopped in Helsinki on Thursday to celebrate Finlands newly-minted membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a club the Nordic country had resisted joining for seven decades.

The trip to Russias doorstep amplifies both Bidens steadfast support of NATO and Finlands very public rebuke of Russias President Vladimir Putin in joining the alliance. But the moment also draws a stark contrast to one five years earlier, when an American President traveled to Finlands capital for a very different meeting, and delivered a very different message.

When Donald Trump arrived at the Finnish Presidential Palace in July 2018, he met privately with Putin alone for two hours. The two leaders translators were the only other people in the room. No notes were taken. Trump then stood next to Putin during a press conference and praised his Russian counterpart as a good competitor and called the U.S. itself foolish for allowing its relationship with Russia to fray.

When asked if he believed the detailed information collected by his own intelligence agencies showing how Russia had hacked Democratic National Committee computers and intentionally released emails to interfere with the 2016 elections, Trump sided with Putin. I have great confidence in my intelligence people, Trump said, but I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today.

Trumps refusal to rebuke Putin and his unwillingness to defend the conclusions of his own intelligence agencies reverberated through the country and Europe. For European allies, it was a public demonstration that Trump wouldnt stand up to Putins actions and sowed doubts that Trump would be willing to back up the U.S. obligations under Article 5 of NATOs treaty to defend Europe in the face of a Russian attack.

U.S. President Joe Biden waves upon arrival in Helsinki, Finland, on July 12. Kevin LamarqueReuters

Bidens visit to Finland five years later, with both Finland and Sweden joining NATO, and the treaty signatories increasing military support for Ukraine, provides a striking contrast to his predecessors 2018 visit, showing how much repair work Biden has presided over since taking over the White House from Trump.

When Putin and his craven lust for land and power unleashed his brutal war on Ukraine, he was betting NATO would break apart, Biden said during his speech Wednesday at Vilnius University before departing Lithuania for Finland. He thought our unity would shatter at the first testing. He thought democratic leaders would be weak. But he thought wrong.

During his four years as President, Trump repeatedly questioned NATOs value and belittled members of the alliance who he said werent contributing enough to their own defense.

Trump was leading us toward a future in which NATO might have broken up and every ally would have to fend for themselves in dealing with the Russians, says Tom Malinowski, a senior fellow at the McCain Institute and a former member of Congress. Bidens trip to Helsinki, he adds, is a symbol not only of his embrace of the NATO alliance but of the revitalization and expansion of the alliance under American leadership. NATO is obviously stronger and bigger than it was just a few years ago when it was in danger of falling apart.

In Helsinki, Biden met with the leaders of Nordic countries and talked with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto about his countrys security concerns along its 800-mile border with Russia. With the addition of Finland and Sweden on track to join NATO, the alliances commanders will need to launch new military assessments and contingency planning for how to respond if theres a Russian border incursion against either of those countries.

Niinisto said that 80% of Finns support the countrys NATO membership and a similarly high percentage support Finland coming to the defense of other NATO countries. Bidens leadership was instrumental in changing how Finland secures itself. The new era in Finnish security policy has begun and you will be one of those who brought it to history, Niinisto told Biden during a joint press conference on Thursday.

Before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington, Biden had a message for Putin about his flailing effort to conquer Ukraine and make it part of Russia. Putins attempt to roll tanks into Kyiv early last year played a major part in convincing Finland and Sweden to join NATO. Putins already lost the war, Biden told reporters. Putin has a real problem. How does he move from here?
Floridas uphill battle with insurance deepened Tuesday with the exit of another large firm  Farmers Insurance.

The national companys decision to leave the state immediately triggered a round of political squabbling. The states chief financial officer accused the company of playing politics and threatened some sort of unspecified retaliation while Florida Democrats called a press conference to blame Republicans for pushing a $3 billion handout to select insurers instead of demanding accountability measures for the industry.

Farmers is far from the first insurer to leave the state, but the blowback appeared more political than any other in recent memory  possibly because opponents of presidential hopeful Gov Ron DeSantis (from both the left and right) see it as a point of weakness.

Michael Caputo, a former official in President Donald Trumps administration, said Tuesday that issues like hurricane insurance are fundamental, kitchen table concerns that impact votes.

Florida is a must-win battleground for the GOP nomination  will hurricane insurance decide it? he tweeted. Wedge issues like this win campaigns.

Its brutal: As premiums continue to soar, another home insurer is leaving Florida

At the center of the argument are the hundreds of thousands of Floridians whove lost coverage in the past few years as seven insurers went belly up, 15 stopped writing new business and four  Farmers being the latest  abandoned the state altogether. Another 18 insurers are on a state watch list over financial concerns.

And anyone that still has insurance is paying more than anyone in the nation, at triple the national average.

People are hurting. They are feeling the financial burden and crunch of this property insurance crisis, said Florida House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell in a press conference on Wednesday. It is the No. 1 issue that people want to talk about right now.

Farmers announced its decision to leave Florida on Tuesday, leaving about 100,000 policyholders scrambling to find someone else to cover them. Thats likely to raise demand for state-run Citizens Insurance, the insurer of last resort. Citizens, Floridas largest insurer, is growing at a record clip, with nearly 1.4 million customers so far, at a pace that could put the company at 2 million policies by years end. The swelling number of policies also put Citizens on the hook for expensive disasters that private companies have decided arent worth the risk.

Floridas biggest insurer wants 14% rate hike, warns of hurricane tax if big storm hits

Florida has dedicated two special sessions and multiple bills in the last few regular sessions toward solving the states insurance crisis, largely by targeting what insurers regularly say is the main issue  a huge number of fraudulent lawsuits.

But after rewriting the rules to make it harder and more expensive to sue insurers, premiums are still on the rise. Although a July report from Floridas Office of Insurance Regulation found that, for the first time in several years, the home insurance industry posted a net income gain.

Republicans blame wokeness

Republicans rushed to blame the insurers decision to leave on anything but the states turbulent market, despite years of reform efforts that have not yet made much of a difference.

In a letter to Farmers on Tuesday, the Office of Insurance Regulation wrote, We understand that this decision was made independently of these reforms going into effect as part of a broader series of actions Farmers is making across the country and not solely focused on Florida.

The Republican speaker of Floridas House of Representatives, Paul Renner, tweeted something similar, linking Farmers decision to leave on the companys financials, not based on the impacts of the bipartisan reforms.

While our reforms will take time to take effect, we put the right systems in place to strengthen our insurance market and provide Floridians with the access to coverage and peace of mind they need for their property, he wrote.

The states chief financial officer, Jimmy Patronis, went further, accusing the company of leaving Florida because its business was too focused on sustainable insurance and aligning investments with its social values, like avoiding investing in polluters or companies that sexually or racially discriminate against employees, a process known as environmental, social and governance investing that has become a recent political target for Republicans.

Florida lawmakers answer to insurance crisis: Make it harder to sue insurers

The more we learn about Farmers Insurance the more its clear its leadership doesnt know what theyre doing. While theyre bad at helping people, theyre good at virtue signaling, Patronis wrote in a statement Tuesday. Its clear that while Farmers was making plans to exit a significant number of policies out of Florida, they were playing politics, and werent focused on running a successful company.

I sincerely believe that with todays actions, Farmers Insurance is well on its way to becoming the Bud Light of insurance, he wrote, a nod to the recent controversy when Bud Light hired a trans woman to run a single TikTok ad for the beverage, triggering a conservative backlash and boycott against the company over its support of the LGBTQ community.

Patronis also announced his plan to look into complaints against the company, which could trigger a market investigation and  potentially  fines and fees.

The Legislature did impactful work to help stabilize the market, and Farmers Insurance actions are less a representation of the Florida market  and more of bad leadership at the insurer, he wrote.

Farmers didnt immediately respond to a request for comment about Patronis statement.

Democrats blame $3 billion handout

Democrats, on the other hand, were quick to point the finger directly at the Republican party, which has been in power for nearly two decades in Florida and shunned most Democrat-suggested policy fixes for the insurance crisis.

We see Republicans trying to mince words... but they need to own this failure, Driskell told the press. This is a crisis they created.

She called the recent Republican-led insurance reforms a giveaway to insurance companies of everything on their wish list, along with a $3 billion handout that helped insurance companies bottom lines but has yet to relieve pressure for policyholders. Driskell, along with other Democrats, voted for some of the reform bills.

Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, said rising insurance costs are the most common issue her constituents bring her way, even Republican voters in her district have expressed frustration at the still skyrocketing costs.

Have you been dropped by your homeowners insurance company? Heres what you can do

We have Floridians whove never filed a claim and always paid their premiums on time, but theyre being dropped, she said. Floridians cannot afford Florida.

At the press conference, Eskamani also called the CFOs tweets and statement about Farmers embarrassing.

I would argue that threatening an insurance company is not a good way to attract more insurance companies to Florida, which is what we need right now, she said.

Patronis comments also drew the ire of Rep. Hillary Cassel, D-Dania Beach, who spent most of her career as an attorney representing policyholders against insurance companies. She questioned Patronis decision to suddenly look into complaints against a company only after they left, and not pre-emptively.

Regulators were warned years ago that insurance companies were altering Florida claims

Why are you waiting for them to leave? Now youre threatening them with levies and fines because you could not solve the problem, she said.

Now were seeing them blame this on ESG, theyre trying to blame this on wokeness. If thats really the truth. Why are you waiting until now to investigate that when you have the ability to look into these companies and determine if theyre solvent in the time of Floridas greatest need?
If you have Farmers Insurance you might want to start looking for a new property insurance provider.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Today, the insurance group announced its ending three policies in Florida: residential, auto and umbrella.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

You can already see those changes online. If you type in a zip code from Jacksonville on the Farmers Insurance website, it will pop up to say: Sorry, we dont offer insurance in your area.

Farmers Insurance will not write new policies or renew existing policies in Florida.

This move could affect an estimated 100,000 policies.

Farmers decision comes 9 months after two major hurricanes cost the state billions of dollars in damages.

Florida State Representative Anna Eskamani (D) from Orlando said Florida is a high-risk place to live and legislators have been dropping the ball.

Its almost like youre treating a cancer patient as if yourre treating the flu, Eskamani said. I mean, the problems in Florida are so severe that you need major government intervention to help and so far, my Republican colleagues have not been willing to do that.

Related Story: Insurance company pulls out of Florida; 100K policyholders affected

State lawmakers held a special session in December to address property insurance issues and Eskamani says she hasnt seen any improvements.

The options have become more narrow, the costs have gone up, Eskamani said. And so you really have to give Floridians a life vest to survive.

Thousands of Floridians are scrambling to find new policies.

Action News Jax reached out to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. In an emailed statement, the office said the notice they received from Farmers Insurance is marked as a trade secret. They added that they are, committed to doing everything possible to ensure consumers have coverage available.

Related Story: Florida Democrats efforts to guarantee immediate home insurance relief fails at special session

State law requires Farmers Insurance to give 90 days notice to the office before it can inform customers that policies wont be renewed.

Former State Senator Jeff Brandes (R) says stabilizing Floridas insurance market is going to take time.

I think this is a portion of worse, I think theres still so theres probably still two or three other carriers that will not complete this year cycle, Brands said.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

When severe storms hit Florida in 2004, several insurance companies left before eventually making their way back several years later.

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories
Screenshot: NBC News

Here it is yall. The Florida woman who fatally shot a Black mother four as the result of a years-long neighbor feud has entered the plea of *drumroll* not guilty. Honestly, we are not surprised. According to CNN, she also waived her arraignment and has been given a trial date.



Susan Lorincz, 58, is facing charges of manslaughter with a firearm and assault related to the fatal shooting of Ajike AJ Owens on June 2. Authorities say Owens children were playing in a field by Lorinczs home when she grew agitated and went outside yelling racial slurs at them and throwing objects. When Owens was notified of the issue, she knocked on Lorinczs front door and Lorincz fired a bullet through it and into Owens chest. She died shortly afterwards.

Read more

Lorinczs plea is unsurprising given the information weve learned about her throughout this investigation. She initially told police officers she was being threatened by Owens and justified her actions under the stand your ground law. Body camera footage of the prior disputes she had with Owens showed her putting on her best face and insisting she was a quiet, friendly neighbor who was being harassed by everyone else.

Read more from WESH 2 Orlando:



There is a defense that Susan wants to establish and Im interested to find out what that exactly is, said Anthony Thomas, who is an attorney for Owens family. Thomas said they expected Lorincz to claim innocence. Its amazing that shes taking this position, given everything that shes admitted to in that arrest affidavit, Thomas said. Were praying for a conviction and a sentencing hearing that gives Susan the maximum penalty, Thomas said. [The familys] biggest fear at this point is Susan being able to decrease her time in prison, whereas [Owens] children would see her walking around in the streets as teenagers.

Lorincz was granted a $154,000 bond set with a requirement of only 10 percent of the payment to be released from jail, the report says. However, she hasnt posted the bond yet. Her neighbors are probably relieved considering they werent big fans of Lorincz. To local reporters, they described her as a Karen, who could always call 911 to complain about their children just being children.

Owens family attorney said Lorincz is lucky shes not facing murder charges anymore. The 30-year prison sentence shes already facing wouldve turned to life in prison real quick. Her pretrial hearing is scheduled for November 2 and her trial for November 13.

We may find out more details about the incident released in the evidence submitted in the meantime.

More from The Root

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Click here to read the full article.
Flying to space may be more regulated than a dive in an OceanGate submersible but both require tourists to acknowledge they might die

OceanGate Expeditions' Titan submersible. OceanGate Expeditions via AP, File

Titan submersible passengers had to sign a waiver that mentioned death several times.

But the concept of "informed consent" is also relevant in commercial space travel.

The FAA requires companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX to warn passengers about the risks.

Since the catastrophic presumed implosion of the Titan submersible, it has been pointed out that OceanGate's passengers were required to sign a waiver acknowledging that they could die  tourists being launched into space have to do the same.

The four-page waiver signed by the Titan passengers, all of whom are presumed dead after the submersible went missing on June 18, called the vessel "experimental" and mentioned death three times on the first page alone.

Leroy Chiao, a retired NASA astronaut and International Space Station commander, told Insider that process of "informed consent"  in which passengers signify they are aware of all potential risks before participating  is key for extreme travel, whether to the depths of the oceans or beyond Earth's atmosphere.

"Passengers have to take the time and effort to inform themselves about any potential risks and then decide whether or not to take part," Chiao wrote in a CNN op-ed.

Unlike the Titan submersible, which skirted the possibility of regulation by operating in international waters, commercial spaceflight in the US is required by federal law to get informed consent from passengers.

"Commercial space operators are required to notify flight crew and spaceflight participants in writing that the US government has not certified the launch or reentry vehicle as safe for carrying humans," according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Companies are also required to ensure passengers are fully aware of the risks involved with spaceflight launch and reentry  including the possibility of an event that would cause "serious injury, death, disability, or total or partial loss of physical and mental function."

The FAA also verifies that the informed consent requirements are met before a commercial spacecraft launches.

It's unclear if the informed consent waivers signed by the Titan passengers would've met the FAA's standards, which require space tourism companies to "present technical information in a manner that can be readily understood."

In both the case of the Titan submersible and commercial spacecraft, the vessel itself is not required to be independently certified.

However, the FAA does regulate the launch and landing operations of commercial spacecraft to ensure the safety of people on the ground and the surrounding environment. And in the case of SpaceX, because the company flies NASA astronauts to space, their spacecraft are built to satisfy the agency's safety standards. Meaning, space tourism in the US is more regulated at least than the Titan submersible was, even if some believe it's still not enough.

Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate who died on the Titan, has come under scrutiny for dismissing safety warnings from experts in his field. Past interviews have since surfaced in which he lamented how regulations could slow innovation and celebrated the way he had "broken some rules."

Chiao noted there were many differences between Rush's submersible and space tourism, but said he hopes the Titan passengers had raised questions and fully understood the risks before the dive, adding: "But here's the bottom line: Life is about balancing risks and rewards and, in most cases, society leaves it to adult individuals to decide for themselves."

Niloofar Kamran, an engineering professor at Cornell College in Iowa, told Insider that although there is still not a ton of regulation in the space tourism field, the major players, such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic, appear very committed to safety.

"Those companies have a lot at stake, money-wise, reputation-wise. I hope they are doing their best," she said, noting that past infamous spaceflight disasters have likely also played a role in encouraging caution.

While Kamran said she wasn't as familiar with the submersible industry, she would not be afraid of going on a space tourism offering.

"If you give me a Blue Origin ticket, I'd take it," she said.

But if you'd given her a Titan sub ticket? "I'd think twice."

Read the original article on Insider
Ford's electric Mustang Mach-E is piling up on dealer lots as the automaker confronts an EV-inventory problem

Ford's ambitions could still be outpacing the demand for its electric vehicles. Ford

Ford is bullish about EVs. It's ramping up production and investing billions of dollars.

But the automaker is having a hard time moving its inventory of Mach-E and Lightning EVs.

Ford dealerships are selling fewer Ford EVs than they were this time last year, per Cloud Theory.

Ford appears to have an electric vehicle-inventory problem.

In a sign that Ford's EV ambitions are still outpacing demand, the company's sales numbers, amount of EV supply, and dealer sentiment all indicate that the Blue Oval is sitting on more Mustang Mach-Es and F-150 Lightning pickup trucks than it can sell.

Ford dealers sold 86.4% of their Mach-E inventory within 30 days in the second quarter of 2022, but that figure  known as a turn rate  dropped to 27.7% in the same period of 2023 even as the automaker had more than twice as much inventory on the market, according to data from the analytics firm Cloud Theory.

Ford's second-quarter sales of the Mach-E fell 21% from last year (10,941 vehicles) to the same period this year (8,633).

Erich Merkle, Ford's head of US sales analysis, said EV sales were up nearly 12% through June. He also said the unsold Mach-E inventory wasn't just sitting on dealer lots because it spent more time in transit. About 52% of undelivered Mach-Es are still in transit, he said.

Deliveries of the Lighting are also up this year compared with last year when production of the vehicle was still ramping up, but the rate of sales appears to be slowing, according to data from Cloud Theory. The firm said that the automaker sold 70% of its Lightning inventory within 30 days in the second quarter of last year but that it had only sold 39.3% of it within that timeframe so far this year.

Ford is targeting EV production of 600,000 vehicles this year. But while it plows $50 billion into the new programs, it's expecting to lose at least $3 billion in the process and likely won't turn a profit on the segment for three years. In fact, it's losing about $58,000 on each EV it sells (not abnormal for the first few years of a launch.) Hefty rebates and steep price cuts to keep up with Tesla's price war aren't helping profitability, either.

At the same time, it required dealers to spend anywhere from $500,000 to more than $1 million to become "EV certified" to sell the expensive, usually unprofitable vehicles.

That's turning some dealers away from EVs

One East Coast Ford dealer told Insider that Ford's current production rate was out of step with customer demand even though the company was bullish about and invested in EVs. (The dealer spoke with Insider on the condition of anonymity out of concern for professional repercussions. Their identity is known to Insider.)

"I think Ford's got a real problem on their hands based on the bets they've made," they said. "I have Lightnings in stock and Mach-Es in stock. We've never had that before."

Ford dealers are given monthly allocations from Ford's assembly plants based on dealer needs and specific market demands. EV allocation has been a point of contention for some Ford dealers, who have accused the company's EV-sales requirements of violating franchise laws.

"I think production is exceeding demand," the East Coast dealer added. "We are able to decline allocation We didn't decline any model except EVs." They said, anecdotally, other Ford dealers they spoke with had declined some of their Mach-E allocation from Ford.

Merkle was not able to immediately confirm whether dealers were turning away Mach-E allocations.

The EV market is having its first growing pains

Ford is not alone in its struggle to match EV production with demand. Even Tesla, the world's top seller of electric vehicles, has had trouble with bloated inventory this year, leading to a series of price reductions and deals on Supercharger miles.

GM, a Ford rival that is investing billions of dollars into electrification, also has very low electric-vehicle sales numbers. Through June, GM sold 2,316 Cadillac Lyriq EVs and 49 Hummer EVs. For Hummer, that's compared with 371 deliveries in the same period last year.

This is a reflection of how difficult the next five or ten years are set to be for EVs now that the industry has surpassed the early-adopter market, industry analysts say. Karl Brauer, an executive analyst for iSeeCars, told Insider that a plateau was appearing as the US car industry nears EV sales totaling 10% of the market.

"There seems to be this natural resistance somewhere between 7% and 10% of market share in a given state," Brauer said, citing a recent iSeeCars study that found the states with the biggest EV sales were also the slowest growing. "That seems to be the cap, and then it gets much harder to grow it further."

Lightning orders are still not getting filled

As for the Lightning, Ford said it received more than 200,000 Lightning reservations at the end of 2021, which is expected to create a three-year backlog. Ford reopened its Lightning order book for people without a reservation this spring.

But one Ford dealer in the Midwest, who also spoke to Insider on the condition of anonymity, says many Lightning orders are still sitting uncompleted in the bank for extended periods of time. That leaves order holders plenty of time to pick up a different EV before their Lightning finally arrives.

This could cause problems as these Lightnings arrive on dealer lots, the Midwest dealer said. Many EV sellers have had trouble converting order-holders into owners as many prospective EV customers have made multiple reservations with the plan of taking whichever vehicle arrived first.

Are you in the Ford EV business? Have you bought or considered buying a Ford electric vehicle or have an opinion to share? Contact these reporters at astjohn@insider.com and nnaughton@insider.com.

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Image: Goami (Shutterstock)

A top cybersecurity pro for Amazon appears to be in deep trouble. Federal prosecutors say Shakeeb Ahmed used his hacking skills to steal $9 million in assets from a cryptocurrency exchange last summer, then attempted to launder the stolen goods through a haze of online trickery.

The 34-year-old techie was taken into custody in Manhattan on Tuesday and charged with wire fraud and money laundering. Described by officials only as a former security engineer for an international technology company, Ahmed is accused of using his security acumen to cheat an unnamed Solana-based crypto exchange out of millions of dollars.

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More specifically, cops say that Ahmed exploited a vulnerability in the unnamed exchanges smart contractthe software used to facilitate crypto transactionswhich allowed him to generate $9 million in illegitimate fees. These fees were supposed to be paid to customers who provided high levels of liquidity to the platform. However, Ahmed allegedly manipulated the software to insert false price data that basically generated money out of thin air. Ahmed is also accused of later using flash loan attacksanother kind of crypto exploitto try to bilk more money out of the exchange.

It was initially unclear what company Ahmed had previously worked for, as officials did not identify his place of employment. However, on Tuesday evening, cybersecurity blogger Jackie Singh wrote that Ahmed had worked for Amazon, citing numerous online profiles that appeared to be tied to the security professional.

Gizmodo reached out to Amazon for details about Ahmeds employment and a spokesperson confirmed that Ahmed was no longer employed with the company but couldnt provide further details about his role at the tech giant.

A LinkedIn profile matching Ahmeds description lists him as a Senior Security Engineer at Amazon and says he has been employed with the company since November of 2020. The profile still lists Amazon as the users place of employment. It couldnt immediately be verified whether the profile reflected the person arrested Tuesday.

Inner City Press, a New York outlet, reports that when Ahmed appeared in court for his arraignment on Tuesday he was wearing flip flops, shorts, and a T-shirt that merely said I code. He was subsequently released on bond and will be allowed to continue live at his apartment in the Manhattan, the outlet says.



As alleged, Mr. Ahmed used his skills as a computer security engineer to steal millions of dollars. He then allegedly tried to hide the stolen funds, but his skills were no match for IRS Criminal Investigations Cyber Crimes Unit, said Tyler Hatcher, special agent in charge of the cyber unit, in a statement on Tuesday. We, along with our partners at HSI and the Department of Justice, are at the forefront of cyber investigations and will track these fraudsters anywhere they try to hide and hold them accountable.

Each of the charges that Ahmed has been slapped with carry a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison. If convicted, he could face decades behind bars.

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A former Georgia teacher has been indicted on 21 counts of producing, distributing, receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Michael Allen Dendy, 32, of Milledgeville, was charged with five counts of production of child pornography, seven counts of distribution, eight counts of receipt and one count of possession of child pornography. If convicted, up to 30 years in prison for each count of production of child porn.

TRENDING STORIES:

Dendy was indicted on July 11. The incitement alleges that Dendy enticed minor children to engage in sexually explicit acts that were filmed or photographed.

Dendy was a teacher at Washington County High School in Sandersville from August 2020 to January 2023. He also taught at Griffin High School in Griffin from 2018 to 2020.

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Before he moved to Georgia, he taught at schools in Maryland and Mississippi.

Parents and guardians of children who may have encountered Dendy are asked to contact the Homeland Security Investigations tip line at 1-866-347-2423.

IN OTHER NEWS:
Photograph: Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/AP

As House Republicans with close ties to Donald Trump widen investigations into alleged bias at the Department of Justice and the FBI  while also mulling impeachments of top Biden administration officials  justice department veterans and ex-GOP members are voicing concern that these efforts weaken the justice system and democracy.

Related: Iowa Republicans pass six-week abortion ban

Led by the judiciary committee chairman, Jim Jordan, far-right House Freedom Caucus members have helped spearhead inquiries into the alleged weaponization of the federal government with significant backing from the House speaker, Kevin McCarthy, and other GOP leaders.

House conservatives were irked by special counsel Jack Smiths 37-count indictment of Trump for hoarding classified and sensitive documents after leaving office and obstructing justice, as well as the justice departments plea deal with Joe Bidens son Hunter involving two minor tax crimes and a gun violation.

This Republican ire at the justice department was underscored when McCarthy in a Fox News interview in late June floated the notion of impeaching the attorney general, Merrick Garland. The suggestion came after an IRS whistleblower made an unverified claim at a House hearing that justice department leaders interfered in the Hunter Biden case.

Someone has lied here, McCarthy told Fox. If we find that Garland has lied to Congress, we will start an impeachment inquiry. Garland has strongly denied any interference in the inquiry.

In May, Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced an impeachment resolution against the FBI director, Chris Wray, charging that Director Wray has turned the FBI into Joe Biden and Merrick Garlands personal police force, using Soviet style tactics.

Some conservatives are also discussing possible budget cuts for the FBI and justice department, or freezing some officials salaries to penalize perceived biases against Trump and for Biden, even though such moves would seem to undercut traditional GOP law and order rhetoric and policies.

House Republicans reflect the base of the party, and the base is fully radicalized and fully with Trump Joe Walsh

Representative Steve Womack, an ally of Republican House leaders, told Politico in July that some members believe the best way to send a message is to use the power of the purse, and plan to take their messages to the House floor, where other party members may balk at such cuts.

Trump, and the 40-odd-member Freedom Caucus that Jordan co-founded, gained considerable leverage with McCarthy as he battled for days to become speaker. McCarthys success in nailing down the speakership was deeply indebted to Trumps help, which a veteran GOP consultant said seems to have drawn them closer.

House colleagues say McCarthy and Trump talk as much as every couple days, the consultant said. If Trump doesnt call him, McCarthy will call Trump.

Similarly, McCarthys backing for Jordans judiciary panel inquiries into the weaponization of the government, which began early this year with a special subcommittee, are linked partly to his tough fight to become speaker. To win his post, McCarthy had to cut deals with the Freedom Caucus and Jordan, who backed McCarthy early on and had a role in convincing caucus holdouts to vote for him.

The spate of conservative attacks on the justice department and the FBI have spurred former members and ex-justice department officials to warn that conservatives are bolstering Trumps conspiratorial charges of deep state biased prosecutors to appeal to Trumps base  while hurting law enforcement and the justice department.

House Republicans reflect the base of the party, and the base is fully radicalized and fully with Trump, said former GOP representative Joe Walsh of Illinois. For House Republicans, Its a two-year revenge tour for how the deep state and Democrats have targeted Trump since he first got elected and for the stolen election in 2020.

Walsh added that Trumps indictments and separate 34-count charge by a Manhattan district attorney for falsifying business records to conceal payments to a porn star are further deep state targeting and that it was open warfare.

For House Republicans, there is zero distinction between politics and outright warfare. Because the base believes the government has been at war with them for years, he said.

Donald Trump and Kevin McCarthy descending the stairs of Air Force One in May 2020. Photograph: Alex Brandon/AP

Walsh stressed: To defend Trump means you have to attack our democratic institutions like our elections, our justice system and the rule of law.

Other House GOP alumni raised red flags about the spate of justice department and FBI investigations and impeachment talk by conservatives.

Jordan is not only accepting Trumps falsehoods but actively promoting them. Its an alternative reality. Members are doing it for re-election purposes, fundraising and power, said the former Michigan Republican representative Dave Trott.

Trott added that he thought what the Trump crazies have promoted is undermining our democracy and confidence in our judicial system and justice department. Now they want to defund justice and the FBI because they know it will further energize the far-right base.

Likewise, former justice department officials say that House members echoing Trumps rhetoric are badly misguided.

Comments by Republican politicians about weaponization of the justice department are completely disconnected from reality, said the former deputy attorney general Donald Ayer, who served in the George HW Bush administration. Overwhelming evidence indicates that Trump has committed multiple serious crimes against the country and is very likely to be held accountable. A political strategy based on opposing that reality is the height of foolishness.

Such criticisms dont seem to fly with House conservatives, although there has been some pushback from moderate GOP members and divisions about how far to go with various impeachment efforts.

Overwhelming evidence indicates that Trump has committed multiple serious crimes against the country ... A political strategy based on opposing that reality is the height of foolishness Donald Ayer

House conservatives have been eager to impeach the homeland security secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, over border security issues, a move McCarthy has endorsed but which has caused friction with GOP moderates.

Further, some conservatives have suggested impeaching President Biden, but McCarthy has cautioned against such a move given the absence of high crimes and misdemeanors, and GOP moderates are divided on the wisdom of trying to oust Biden.

Politico reported this month that some conservatives are mulling again whether to push for a vote that would recommend ousting Wray. Last August, Wray became a top target after the FBI raid on Trumps Mar-a-Lago home, which found caches of classified documents and helped spur Trumps 37-count indictment.

Just how far and how fast the attacks on the justice department and FBI extend will play out this summer and fall at judiciary panel hearings that could prove contentious. Wray is slated to appear at a judiciary hearing on Wednesday and Garland is due to testify in September.

Conservative anger at both the justice department and FBI could expand as Trump faces other scrutiny and potential charges from the special counsel and a Georgia district attorney involving his aggressive efforts to overturn his loss to Biden, respectively, in key swing states and on 6 January 2021, and in Georgia.

Looking ahead, House GOP alumni warn that the Republican investigations may appeal to Trump and his base, but alienate moderate voters.

Im sure Trump is thrilled by it all, the former Republican Pennsylvania representative Charlie Dent said. I bet hes talking to his allies regularly. Trump is looking at this from his sense of personal grievance.

The FBI director, Christopher Wray (front), and US attorney general, Merrick Garland, at a press conference in January 2023. Photograph: Olivier Douliery/AFP/Getty Images

Dent added: Its a total base play and the middle be damned. If you want to be a governing party and appeal to a broader segment of the American public, you wouldnt do a lot of these things.

Walsh predicted that the attacks on the justice department could intensify and fuel extremism.

Trump is going to ratchet up his victimization language and his theyre really coming after you bullshit because these indictments are going to force him to. Its his only argument and he knows it will inflame his base. Trump welcomed violence on January 6, hell welcome violence during the 2023-24 election cycle, he said.

Some former prosecutors say conservative moves to cut justice department funding dont square with the GOPs traditional agenda.

Given that the sentencing commission statistics for federal defendants in 2022 show that 31.5% were drug offenders, 27.5% immigration and 14.5% firearms, Republicans ought to explain why they think cutting justice department funding would advance their political goals, said the former federal prosecutor and Columbia Law School professor Daniel Richman.

Likewise, other former prosecutors see the conservative attacks as dangerous ploys.

The Republicans continued claims of misconduct by law enforcement officials are not only demoralizing to the good men and women who have given their careers to the pursuit of justice, but are particularly destructive to the institutions that support our democracy and the rule of law, said former Georgia US attorney Michael Moore. The problem with these unfounded claims of impropriety is that there is no accountability for making them.
Leslie Van Houten, a former Charles Manson follower and convicted murderer, was released from a California prison on Tuesday, a prison spokesperson told CNN.

Van Houten was released to parole supervision, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokesperson Mary Xjimenez said. Van Houten will have a three-year maximum parole term with a parole discharge review occurring after one year, Xjimenez said.

Van Houten, now in her 70s, was 19 when she met Manson and joined the murderous cult that came to be called the Manson family.

Prior to her release on Tuesday, she was serving concurrent sentences of seven years to life after she was convicted in 1971 for her role in the killings of supermarket executive Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary, at their Los Angeles home.

California Gov. Gavin Newsoms office on Friday announced it would not challenge a state appellate courts panel ruling in May that opened the possibility of parole for Van Houten, clearing the path to her release.

More than 50 years after the Manson cult committed these brutal offenses, the victims families still feel the impact, as do all Californians. Governor Newsom reversed Ms. Van Houtens parole grant three times since taking office and defended against her challenges of those decisions in court, Erin Mellon, a spokesperson for the governor, said Friday.

The Governor is disappointed by the Court of Appeals decision to release Ms. Van Houten but will not pursue further action as efforts to further appeal are unlikely to succeed. The California Supreme Court accepts appeals in very few cases, and generally does not select cases based on this type of fact-specific determination, Melton said.

A family member of celebrity hair stylist Jay Sebring, who was killed by the Manson cult in 1969, said he disagrees with the decision by the governors office to not challenge Van Houtens parole.

I certainly have respect for Governor Newsom and the attorney general, Sebrings nephew, Anthony DiMaria, told CNNs Laura Coates on Tuesday night. But our families strongly, vehemently, disagree with their decision not to file an appeal.

DiMaria called Van Houten a cold-blooded killer in one of the most notorious murder rampages in United States history, and said her release sets a dangerous, pernicious precedent.

Van Houtens attorney, Nancy Tetreault, told CNNs John Berman Tuesday night that her client has gone through courses to confront what she did  to take responsibility for what she did, along with 40 years of psych evaluation to gain parole.

I understand why  the family members of the victims feel emotional about this and want retribution, but thats not the law, Tetreault told Berman. The law says she has the right to achieve parole if she meets the standard, and the standard is that she no longer poses a danger to society.

Tetreault said shes not trying to prove that Van Houten is innocent, but rather emphasizes that Van Houten has to, and has, accepted full responsibility for the crime.

Following 53 years in custody, Van Houten will participate in a transitional housing program to help her with employment training, teach her how to get a job and support herself, Tetreault told CNN last week.

If you think about it, shes never used an ATM, never had a cell phone, Tetreault said last week. The attorney told CNN she and her client have discussed the likelihood of her being overwhelmed as she transitions back to routine daily activities, such as going to the supermarket.

Van Houten will seek employment that builds on the bachelors and masters degrees in humanities that she earned while in prison, the attorney said. But for now, shes just getting acclimated.

She said that shes just trying to get used to the idea that shes no longer in prison after all these decades, and just acclimate to her new life outside of prison, Tetreault said Tuesday.

Following her conviction, Van Houten was sentenced to death, but the death penalty was overturned after California abolished capital punishment, and her sentence was commuted to life in prison. She first became eligible for parole in 1977 and a California parole board panel first recommended her release in 2016 after she made 22 appearances before the board, CNN reported.

That decision, however, was reversed five times by the states governors  twice by former Gov. Jerry Brown, who cited the horrific nature of the murders and Van Houtens eager participation, and three times by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

In 1994, Van Houten described her part in the killings in a prison interview with CNNs Larry King.

I went in and Mrs. LaBianca was laying on the floor and I stabbed her, said Van Houten, who was 19 at the time of the murders. In the lower back, around 16 times.

CNNs Natasha Chen and Virginia Langmaid contributed to this report.

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A former Russian Black Sea submarine commander accused of killing dozens in Ukraine and blackballed by Kyiv as an alleged war criminal was reportedly assassinated in southern Russia while on his morning run Monday.

Stanislav Rzhitsky, 42, was shot seven times while running in an empty city park around 6 a.m. in the southern Russian city of Krasnodar, roughly 145 miles from the Kerch Bridge which connects mainland Russia to the Crimean Peninsula.

Personal details regarding Rzhitskys home address and picture had been previously disclosed on a Ukrainian website known as Myrotvorets, which reportedly means "Peacemaker," and serves as an unofficial database chocked full of people considered to be enemies of Ukraine.

Russian navy's diesel-electric Kilo-class submarine Rostov-on-Don sails through the Bosphorus Strait on the way to the Black Sea past Istanbul on Feb. 13, 2022.

SUNAK DOUBLES DOWN TO BIDEN ON UK OPPOSITION TO US SENDING CLUSTER MUNITIONS TO UKRAINE

On Tuesday, his photo on the site was had been covered over with the word "Liquidated" in red letters, reported Reuters.

However, the former Russian commander could have exacerbated the ease to which people were able to gain access to his whereabouts, as he also reportedly posted about his morning run route and times on an app, though it is unclear which one.

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A Russian Telegram channel known as Baza, which is believed to have links to the Russian security services, said the app could have been used by the killer to track Rzhitsky, who had reportedly resigned from the military at the end of 2021 but was not discharged until the following August.

Russian President Vladimir Putin watches a naval exercise from the Marshal Ustinov missile cruiser in the Black Sea on Jan. 9, 2020.

RUSSIAN AIRSTRIKE HITS SCHOOL, KILLS 4 DURING AID DISTRIBUTION, UKRAINE SAYS

Ukraines defense intelligence agency posted details of the killing on its Telegram channel Tuesday and said a Makarov pistol was used to fire seven shots at the commander.

"As a result of gunshot wounds, Rzytskyi died on the spot," the GUR agency said. "Due to heavy rain, the park was deserted, so there are no witnesses who could provide details or identify the attacker."

Ukraine has not taken responsibility for the shooting, though it also did not detail where it got the information from.

Russia's Investigative Committee announced Tuesday that it had arrested a man in his 60s who was found in possession of a pistol and a silencer.

The state investigative authority published a video showing armed men breaking into a home and detaining a man in his boxers.

Burnt-out cars are pictured at the scene of the Russian missile attack on central Vinnytsia, Ukraine, July 14, 2022. Twenty-three civilians were reported killed after Kalibr cruise missiles launched by the Russian military from a submarine in the Black Sea hit downtown Vinnytsia.

A telegram channel run by pro-Ukrainian individuals that have reportedly claimed to have carried out hundreds of sabotage attacks in Russia alleged that Rzhitsky was believed to have been involved in the July 2022 submarine-launched strike on the Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia that killed at least 23 people, including a 4-year-old girl.

At least two other pro-war Russian individuals detailed in the Myrotvorets database have been killed while in Russia since the war in Ukraine began some 17 months ago, found Reuters.

Reuters contributed to this report.
A new chef is sharpening their knives to host the next season of "Top Chef." And this time, it's someone who has already been through the heat of the popular cooking competition  season 10 winner Kristen Kish.

Kish, who was crowned "Top Chef" champion in 2013, is replacing the show's longtime host, author and activist Padma Lakshmi, who announced in June that she was leaving the competition after 17 years and 19 seasons. Bravo announced the news in a press release Tuesday.

In a video she posted to Instagram, the chef said she is excited to return to the show that launched her career as a public figure, adding that it feels like a "full-circle moment" and a "homecoming."

FILE -- Chef Kristen Kish attends The (RED) Supper on June 2, 2016, in New York City. / Credit: Noam Galai / Getty Images

"Top Chef is where I started my journey  first as a competing chef, then a guest judge. And now as host, I have the honor of helping to continue to build this brand," Kish said in a statement. "I'm thrilled to sit alongside Gail [Simmons] and Tom [Colicchio] as we get to know new incredible chefs and see what they cook up. It feels like coming home."

Kish was born in South Korea and adopted by a family in Michigan, where she showed an early interest in cooking. Her mother suggested she attend culinary school, which she did at Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago.

Prior to her appearance on "Top Chef," Kish worked in multiple high-end restaurants, including a Michelin-star establishment, where she oversaw back of house operations. After winning the "Top Chef" title, Kish became the head chef of another fine dining restaurant before leaving her role in 2014 to travel and write a cookbook.

"Top Chef" will not be Kish's first hosting gig. She was the co-host of "36 Hours" on the Travel Channel, which partnered with the New York Times to feature recipes from the newspaper's cooking column. She also hosted "Fast Foodies" on truTV.

In addition to her adventures in television cooking, Kish started her own restaurant, Arlo Grey, and published her first cookbook, "Kristen Kish Cooking."

"Kristen Kish represents everything that makes 'Top Chef' incredibly special," said Ryan Flynn, the senior vice president of current production at NBCUniversal Television & Streaming, in a statement. "She's an acclaimed chef, and her experience as a cheftestant, winner, and judge, alongside her culinary curiosity, makes Kristen the perfect host for the next chapter of 'Top Chef' as we take on a new region of the country we haven't explored."

The CEOs of Magic Elves, the company that produces the competition, also said Kish, who has participated on the show as a guest judge, is a "beloved part" of the "Top Chef" family.

"We're thrilled to have her join and bring to the competition her unique, fresh, and global culinary perspective, as well as her true passion for food," Jo Sharon and Casey Kriley said in the press release.

Season 21 of "Top Chef" will take place in the Wisconsin cities of Milwaukee and Madison for the first time in the show's history, though the network has not yet announced when the new season will air.

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Former U.S. Attorney Nick Brown announced his bid for Washington State Attorney General on Wednesday in a race that has not yet gained much traction with other candidates.

The announcement was made in a press release Wednesday alongside the launch of a new campaign website and video.

According to campaign filings on the state Public Disclosure Commission website, current state Sen. Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, is the only other candidate that so far has announced her intent to run for the position. Dhingra has been a senior deputy prosecutor in King County for 20 years and helped train police in crisis intervention.

Brown, 46, was appointed U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington by President Joe Biden in 2021 on the recommendation of U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, both longtime Washington Democrats. He stepped down from the role in June.

Prior to that appointment, Brown, who grew up in Steilacoom, served as Gov. Jay Inslees general counsel after working as a prosecutor. Before that he served as an Army Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer.

Brown also was a contestant on the second season of the reality show Survivor, which aired in 2001.

My parents taught me the importance of doing what is right, not what is easy. That meant caring about our neighbors and community, and giving a damn about what really matters in life, Brown said. Back then, that meant serving my country in the Army. Today, that means being an Attorney General who will fight for the right of every person in our state to be safe, no matter your age, race, gender, zip code, or who you love.

Browns press release noted that as a U.S. Attorney he oversaw an office of 140 personnel and successfully prosecuted sex trafficking cases, violent crimes, and went after drug cartels to keep fentanyl off the streets.
Former US Army general says Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin likely isn't dead. If he were, Putin wouldn't be keeping it a secret.

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin in 2017. SERGEI ILNITSKY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

A former US Army general told Insider that Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin likely is not dead or jailed.

If he were, Russian President Vladimir Putin wouldn't be keeping it a secret, the retired general said.

"What's the point of doing that and not saying that you've done that?" said Kevin Ryan.

Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin is probably not dead or jailed after recently staging a short-lived mutiny against Russia's military  and if he were, Russian President Vladimir Putin wouldn't be keeping it a secret, according to a former United States Army general.

"I don't see any evidence that he's been killed," retired US Army Brig. Gen. Kevin Ryan told Insider on Wednesday of Prigozhin, adding that he also does not suspect the financier and founder of the Russian paramilitary group to be currently locked up.

"What's the point of doing that and not saying that you've done that?" said Ryan, who served as the defense attache to Russia for the US.

Ryan explained that in the aftermath of Wagner's brief armed rebellion, Putin "looks weak," and if Prigozhin was tossed in jail or dead, it would actually make Putin appear "stronger" to make that known.

"It would look like [Putin's] got it under control," Ryan said. "If he had him killed, he can do that. He's done it, of course, or he's allowed it to be attempted on other people."

"But the big names, the big faces," Ryan said, "Generally don't get killed because they made some sort of threat."

Still, Prigozhin's whereabouts remain unclear as he has essentially vanished from the public eye amid the Kremlin's attempt to curb the fallout from his revolt last month.

"It is true that we really don't know where Prigozhin is or what his situation is," Ryan said. "We are getting bits and pieces from different people, not from Putin directly and not from Prigozhin directly."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters this week that Putin met face-to-face with Prigozhin and his commanders on June 29, five days after Wagner's rebellion. However, no photographs or videos of the meeting have been released.

Peskov said that during the meeting, Putin "gave his assessment" of Wagner's actions on the battlefield in Ukraine amid Russia's war with the country "and the June 24 events," while also hearing out Wagner's explanations for the mutiny.

"The commanders themselves presented their version of what happened. They underscored that they are staunch supporters and soldiers of the head of state and the commander-in-chief, and also said that they are ready to continue to fight for their homeland," Peskov said.

It's possible Prigozhin could be headed for jail at some point, but what seems more certain for Prigozhin's future is that he won't have the power he previously had, Ryan told Insider.

"Certainly in his future is not having the power that he had before," Ryan said.

The retired US Army surmised that it is most likely the Kremlin is keeping Prigozhin, a billionaire businessman, around while it "dismantles" Prigozhin's vast empire.

"They need him to do it," Ryan said.

"It's easy to kind of fall into the Hollywood version of what might have gone down, but the reality is much more pragmatic here," Ryan said. "You kill somebody when that's what you have to do. Otherwise, there's ways to use them."

Read the original article on Business Insider
'HERE TO STAY': The Air Force is training artificial intelligence to operate drones and other aircraft and act as wingmen to pilots in the future. Experimentation lead Matthew "Rico" Niemiec stated that the Air Force is working fast to determine the competitive edge for the modern warfighter. Continue reading

NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT: Deepfakes are on the rise and the technology is advancing so quickly that it has become an issue of national security. The Pentagon awarded a contract to DeepMedia, a Silicon Valley-based startup, to use its deepfake detection technology "to counter Russian and Chinese information warfare." Continue reading

The Pentagon building in Arlington, Virginia, on Friday, April 21, 2023.

PLAYING FOR KEEPS: The very first classified briefing on artificial intelligence with senators and Pentagon officials took place Tuesday. The briefing went over how the US is using AI in it's national security efforts as well as what threats China poses. Continue reading

AI MAKEOVER: Republican presidential candidate Mayor Francis Suarez is using an audio and video clone of himself by using artificial intelligence to create a video version of himself. The digital double, called AI Francis Suarez, is being rolled out as a surrogate to the Miami Mayor and will answer questions and address audiences on the campaign trail. Continue reading

BIG MONEY: Microsoft and KPMG are working together to expand on areas like cybersecurity, cloud computing and tax services. The move is expected to bring in around $12 billion, possibly more, over the next several years. Continue reading

AI BABIES: An Isreal-based reproductive technology company is using AI to help expectant mothers choose an embryo for in-vitro fertilization. Each session costs $12,000 each and the process is not guaranteed. Continue reading

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

HIGH-TECH FIREFIGHTER: California has suffered many wildfires, and is the state most threatened by them in the nation. Now, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is partnering with University of California San Diegos ALERTCalifornia to test a $24 million AI program that can monitor and detect potential fires 24/7. Continue reading

CHEATBOTS: ChatGPT has exploded in popularity since its initial release; however, many students are using the chatbot as a way to cheat on assignments. Now more AI detection companies, such as Winston AI and Turnitin, are exposing the students work to detect if it is generated by humans or AI. Continue reading

STAR FIGHTS BACK: Meta and OpenAI have allegedly used comedian Sarah Silverman and two novelists' copyrighted content in order to train their large language models. The plaintiffs allege that their content was used without their permission. Continue reading

'THE FINAL TRACK': Paul McCartney stated last month that The Beatles would release a record with John Lennon's voice using AI. However, Ringo Starr clarified that the band would "never" fake Lennon's voice and that, "Its the final track youll ever hear with the four lads. And thats a fact." Continue reading



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Ray Epps, a frequent subject of Fox News segments and a Trump supporter who became the subject of conspiracy claims, is suing Fox News for defamation.

The suit, which was filed in Delaware Superior Court, accuses Fox of "creating and disseminating destructive conspiracy theories" and of recklessly disregarding the truth.

Epps' suit alleges Fox News used Epps as a "scapegoat" after the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol and told "a fantastical story in which Ray Epps  who was a Trump supporter that participated in the protests on January 6th  was an undercover FBI agent and was responsible for the mob that violently broke into the Capitol and interfered with the peaceful transition of power for the first time in this country's history."

Epps voted for Trump in both 2016 and 2020 and acknowledged being amid the mob outside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He said Fox News provided a platform and an audience for claims that Epps was a federal agent "planted as a provocateur to trigger the Capitol violence."

His civil suit makes specific allegations about former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. The suit said, "Fox, and particularly Mr. Carlson, commenced a years-long campaign spreading falsehoods about Epps. Those lies have destroyed Ray's and (his wife's) lives. As Fox recently learned in its litigation against Dominion Voting Systems, its lies have consequences."

After the Capitol riot, Carlson spoke about Epps on his Fox News show over 20 times.

"Ray Epps? He is on video several times encouraging crimes, riots, breaches of the Capitol," Carlson said in one segment.

Epps told Bill Whitaker on CBS' "60 Minutes" earlier this year that he went to the Capitol because he believed the election had been stolen from Trump. On Jan. 5, 2021, the night before the riot, he went to a rally and said, "Tomorrow, we need to go into the Capitol! Into the Capitol!" Trump supporters responded, "What?" And Epps added, "Peacefully!" That was met with cries of "Fed Fed Fed! Fed!" He explained to Whitaker that he meant that there should be peaceful protests at the Capitol, but admits, "I said some stupid things."

On Jan. 6, he was seen in video at the Capitol pulling aside and saying something to one rioter. Conspiracists say he was giving marching orders, because seconds later, the first Capitol police officer went down. Epps told CBS that when he saw the violence, he instead wanted to calm things down. He was never seen committing an act of violence that day or entering the Capitol. He later spoke with the FBI, and in the summer of 2021, the FBI removed his photo from its website.

Carlson took note of the photo's removal. And Trump responded, too: "How about the one guy? Go in, in. Go in! Epps. Get in there! Go! Go! Go! Nothing happens to him."

Epps said the threats and harassment that followed forced him to sell his ranch outside Phoenix. He and his wife now live in hiding in a 300-square foot recreational vehicle, somewhere in the Rocky Mountains.

The FBI said in a statement to "60 Minutes"in April, "Ray Epps has never been an FBI source or an FBI employee."

Epps reveals in his civil suit that he expects to face criminal charges for his role in the mob at the Capitol. The suit said, "In May 2023, the Department of Justice notified Epps that it would seek to charge him criminally for events on January 6, 2021  two-and-a-half years later. The relentless attacks by FOX and Mr. Carlson and the resulting political pressure likely resulted in the criminal charges."

In the suit, Epps states he is not a federal agent but had been a loyal Fox News viewer and Trump supporter. His suit alleges, "Had the Department of Justice charged Epps in 2021, Mr. Carlson would have hailed Epps a hero."

Epps' suit seeks a trial and compensatory and punitive damages from Fox.

Requests for comment from Fox and Epps's civil attorneys were not immediately returned.

Record-breaking 19-foot-long Burmese python captured in Florida

FDA approves first over-the-counter birth control pill

Disney World crowds appear to be getting smaller
A Boulder, Colorado, woman died Sunday while free solo climbing a ridge at Rocky Mountain National Park  and falling approximately 500 feet. The 26-year-old was found on Ypsilon Mountain at the Four Aces of Blitzen Ridge after her partner called for help.

A 27-year-old male climbing partner, also from Boulder, notified park rangers, via cell phone, of her fall, the National Park Service (NPS) said Monday. Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Team members were able to reach him last night.

Because of his location, the park requested assistance from a Colorado Air National Guard helicopter from Buckley Air Force Base to extricate the male climbing partner via a hoist operation, using a winch operated cable, the news release continued. He was uninjured.

The body of the woman, whose name has not been released, was flown to a helicopter landing spot in the Upper Beaver Meadows area of the park by Helitack, an interagency comprising members of the U.S. Forest Service, Fish & Wildlife Service, Boulder County, City of Boulder and the NPS.

The park service added the Larimer County Medical Examiners Office will determine the climbers cause of death, and that her identity will be made public after the womans family has been notified. The agency announced another death at the park mere days earlier.

The woman's death marked the second fatality at Rocky Mountain National Park in one week.

The woman's death marked the second fatality at Rocky Mountain National Park in one week.

Climbing without safety rope was once incredibly niche, but has reportedly grown in popularity due to Free Solo (2018), an Oscar-winning documentary about Alex Honnold  who scaled Yosemites El Capitan in 2017.

Free soloists typically use climbing chalk, which is reportedly made of the same magnesium carbonate weightlifters use for better grip. It was first introduced to climbers in the 1950s by John Gill, a prior gymnast christened by many outlets as the American father of the sport.

Climbing with a rope is a largely physical effort, Honnold told NPRs TED Radio Hour in 2019. You just have to be strong enough to hold on and make the movements upward. But free soloing plays out more in the mind. Your body is still climbing the same wall.

But staying calm and performing at your best when you know that any mistake could mean death requires a certain kind of mindset, he continued.

Related...
Dartmouth Health psychiatrist receives recognition from National Alliance on Mental Illness

From left to right are Jeffrey C. Fetter, MD, and Susan Stearns of NAMI New Hampshire.

LEBANON  The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) recently recognized Dartmouth Health psychiatrist Jeffrey C. Fetter, MD, as a NAMI Exemplary Psychiatrist. Fetter was one of only four Exemplary Psychiatrists named in 2023. The award was presented at NAMI New Hampshires annual meeting on June 15.

Fetter serves as chief medical officer at New Hampshire Hospital, the states largest adult inpatient facility. The state-run facility has long contracted with Dartmouth Health to staff the hospital with Dartmouth Health psychiatrists, general medical physicians, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and psychologists. In his role, Fetter oversees the delivery of evidence-based, trauma-informed services for adults with complex mental health and medical needs, including those who are forensically involved and those who have co-occurring disorders.

New Hampshire Hospital is our states psychiatric intensive care unit so the care has to be excellent. Our departments world-class clinicians are honored to partner with our dedicated state colleagues to offer recovery-promoting care to people requiring hospital admission, care that always includes supporting their families, said William C. Torrey, MD, chair of the department of psychiatry at Dartmouth Health and Dartmouths Geisel School of Medicine. Trained in medicine and psychiatry, Dr. Fetter is a wonderful clinician leader and a caring and creative educator. He could not be more deserving of this recognition from NAMI.

Because our state needs to grow our skilled mental health workforce, Fetter has spearheaded efforts to create a learning environment, including the building of an on-site learning lab for psychiatric residents, nursing students, nurse practitioners and clinical social workers. He is also leading work to expand research, utilizing case studies to teach and recruit new providers. As an assistant professor of psychiatry at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Fetter helps train the future mental health workforce in evidence-based practices and promising models of care. He is a strong believer in family involvement in recovery and family support.

Dr. Fetters quiet, non-confrontational approach is one that helps engage even the most skeptical of audiences, believing that we can all work together to ensure the best outcomes for people with mental illness, said Susan Stearns, executive director of NAMI New Hampshire. New Hampshire is exceedingly fortunate to have a physician with Dr. Fetters expertise and dedication right here in our state.

Alliance names scholarship recipients

MEREDITH  The Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care Alliance of Hew Hampshire announced the recipients of the prestigious Maryellen LaRoche Nursing Scholarships at their Annual Meeting in Meredith in June. The scholarships, named in honor of the late Maryellen LaRoche, former Executive Director of Carroll County Health and Home Care, exemplify her commitment to supporting outstanding nursing professionals in their pursuit of higher education.

We are delighted to announce Morgan Rand, RN, from Rockingham VNA & Hospice, and Sarah Kiernan, RN, from Lake Sunapee VNA, as the 2023 Maryellen LaRoche Nursing Scholarship recipients. These exceptional individuals have shown unwavering dedication to providing compassionate care and outstanding commitment to their professional development.

Morgan Rand, a certified wound and ostomy care specialist at Rockingham VNA, began her healthcare journey as a Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) in high school and advanced her career to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Morgan's passion for personalized care grew during her senior year when she spent eight weeks with a hospice nurse at Rockingham VNA. Morgan also mentors students from area institutions and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Western Governors University.

Sarah Kiernan, the Overnight On-call Nurse for home care and hospice at Lake Sunapee VNA, started as an LNA and became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Registered Nurse (RN). With experience in various healthcare settings, Sarah is now pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at American Public University.

"We congratulate both Morgan Rand and Sarah Kiernan on receiving the prestigious Maryellen LaRoche Nursing Scholarships," says Alliance Board President and Granite VNA CEO Beth Slepian. "We look forward to witnessing the continued success of Morgan Rand and Sarah Kiernan in their careers as they make a lasting impact on the lives of the patients they serve in home care and hospice."

Free tooth extraction day

PORTSMOUTH  To give back to the community, Drs. Amy and David Rosania of Seacoast Periodontics and Dental Implants will be hosting their annual free tooth extraction day for patients with pain and limited finances on Friday, July 14 starting at 8 a.m. at 185 Cottage St., Suite 2 in Portsmouth. We will accommodate as many patients as possible on a first come, first served basis for single tooth extractions only. If you know anyone who has not been able to afford an extraction, please tell them.

A Southern Girl Bakery set to participate in inaugural Bakes for Breast Cancer New Hampshire

NEEDHAM, Mass.  Bakes for Breast Cancer announces the launch of Bakes for Breast Cancer New Hampshire, and A Southern Girl Bakery will do its part to help raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research.

There are two ways to participate in Bakes for Breast Cancer New Hampshire  establishments can offer one designated dessert where 100% of the proceeds go towards Bakes for Breast Cancer, or offer up their entire dessert roster where 50% of the proceeds go back to the organization. Venues from New Hampshire that are participating include Bagel Mill, Blue Loon Bakery, Cremeux French Patisserie, Flannel Tavern, Foley Farm Baking Co., Red Kite Candy, Rig A Tonys, Susie Qs Cakery, Tuscan Market, A Southern Girl Bakery, Watkins Inn & Tavern. For more information, please visit https://www.bakesforbreastcancer.org/events/new-hampshire/.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Bakes for Breast Cancer, recognition and scholarships: Seacoast health news
TRENTON  A mortgage company that left its Mount Laurel headquarters last year is paying $502,000 to settle claims that it violated consumer protection laws, a state agency says.

Freedom Mortgage Corp., now based in Florida, denied the states allegations, according to a consent order between the two parties,

The state Division of Consumer alleged the lender bombarded consumers with harassing sales calls about loan refinancing, engaged in bait-and-switch sales tactics to induce them to refinance their loans, and caused them financial harm by repeatedly failing to meet its responsibilities as a loan servicer.

More: Paulsboro MD licensed since 1991 Consent order brings two-year suspension for South Jersey doctor

The Boca Raton company also was accused of failing to pay consumers mortgage payments in a timely manner, or at all, resulting in negative credit reporting for consumers, as well as late fees," the Attorney General's Office said.

The claims stemmed from a review of more than 1,400 complaints about the company from January 2015 to June 2022, according to the state Attorney Generals Office.

The complaints were filed with the agency or were obtained from the Better Business Bureau.

Under the consent order, Freedom Mortgage agreed to pay $365,200 in civil penalties and $136,800 in reimbursement for the divisions attorneys fees and investigative costs.

The company would not have to pay $50,000 of that amount if it complies with terms of the consent order for one year.

The division alleged Freedom Mortgage violated the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, the Advertising Regulations, and the Telemarketing Do Not Call Law and related regulations.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email him at jwalsh@cpsj.com.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Freedom Mortgage and state consumer affairs agency reach consent order
Funeral for slain MCSO deputy John Durm to be held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Funeral services were announced Wednesday afternoon for Marion County Sheriffs deputy John Durm, who died Monday after being assaulted during an escape attempt at the Community Justice Campus.

Durm served as a deputy for 38 years and was pronounced dead at Eskenazi Hospital after he was strangled to death by a detainee at the Adult Detention Center. Orlando Mitchell, 34, is now facing preliminary charges of murder, felony murder, robbery and escape.

More: Sheriff asks court to move man accused of killing deputy to state facility

A memorial was set up at the CJC, 675 Justice Way, where members of the community are welcome to visit, according to the sheriff's office.

"John was just a good guy, he really was," said Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal in a tearful address to media Monday.

When is the funeral for Deputy John Durm?

A public viewing for Durm will be held Sunday from 2 p.m.-7p.m. at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 650 N Meridian St.

On Monday, Durm will receive a funeral service at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S Pennsylvania St, beginning at 11 a.m.

How to help the family of John Durm

The Marion County Sheriffs office has partnered with the Central Indiana Police Foundation to establish a Memorial Fund for Durm.

Tax deductible donations can be made to support the family of Deputy Durm by donating online at: https://cipf.foundation/the-deputy-john-durm-memorial-fund/

Checks can be mailed to: The Central Indiana Police Foundation, RE: Deputy John Durm Memorial Fund 1525 S Shelby Street Indianapolis, IN 46203.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Funeral for slain MCSO deputy John Durm to be at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
G7 leaders present a declaration of support for Ukraine, Vilnius, July 12, 2023

The leaders of the G7 officially announced that they have reached an agreement on a declaration outlining security guarantees for Ukraine while at the July 12 NATO summit in Vilnius.

Read also: NATO drops MAP requirement for Ukraine, introduces conditions for entry

The declaration, expressing support for Ukraine, has been made available on the website of the UK government.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that other countries would have the opportunity to join the declaration at a later stage.

PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to the G7 leaders for their support and emphasized that the Ukrainian delegation would return home with a significant security victory for Ukraine.

The declaration itself serves as a general framework document, and the next step should involve bilateral security agreements between Ukraine and individual countries providing guarantees, Head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, wrote on Telegram on July 12.

According to him, these guarantees include:



Assistance in self-defense and prevention of new aggression: This includes the supply of weapons, support in developing the defense industry, training, and cooperation in intelligence and cybersecurity, as well as technical and financial support.



Measures in case of new aggression: The G7 countries promise immediate consultations to swiftly provide Ukraine with all necessary support in the event of a new attack.



Holding Russia accountable: The G7 leaders pledge to increase sanctions pressure, freeze assets, establish mechanisms for reparations, and pursue trials for those responsible for crimes against Ukraine and Ukrainians.



Support for democratic development: The G7 will continue to support Ukraines democratic development.

G7 declaration in support of Ukraine: Key points

The G7 declaration emphasizes its commitment to a free, independent, democratic, and sovereign Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. They underscore that Ukraines security is essential for Euro-Atlantic security and vow to support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression for as long as necessary.

Read also:

Each G7 country will work with Ukraine on specific bilateral security commitments, which include:



Strengthening Ukraines armed forces through the provision of modern military equipment, enhancing operational compatibility with partners, training and education of servicemen, intelligence sharing, and assistance in countering hybrid threats.



Strengthening Ukraines economic stability, energy security, reconstruction efforts, and creating conditions for economic prosperity.



Providing technical and financial aid to ensure Ukraines ongoing reforms.

The G7 leaders commit to immediate consultations with Ukraine and swift assistance in the event of a potential future attack by Russia. They also express their determination to hold Russia accountable through the introduction of new sanctions, export control measures, and punishment of individuals responsible for war crimes and other atrocities.

The G7 leaders also supported the need to establish an international mechanism for compensating damage caused by Russian aggression.

Ukraine, in turn, has committed to enhancing transparency and accountability regarding assistance from its partners. The country will continue anti-corruption efforts, law enforcement and judicial reforms, corporate governance reform, economic reforms, security sector reforms, and public administration improvements. Defense reforms will be advanced, democratic civilian control over the armed forces will be strengthened, and transparency in defense institutions and industry will be increased.

The declaration is open to other countries that may choose to join at any time.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
By Steve Holland, Andrew Gray, John Irish and Sabine Siebold

VILNIUS (Reuters) -President Joe Biden accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of having a "craven lust for land and power" at the end of a NATO summit on Wednesday where Ukraine won new security assurances from the U.S. and its allies for its defence against Moscow.

Members of the world's most powerful military bloc offered the prospect of long-term protection a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy decried as "absurd" a refusal to offer an invitation or timetable for Ukraine's entry into NATO.

Ukraine has been pushing for rapid membership while fighting a Russian invasion unleashed in February 2022 that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions.

Instead, a declaration by the G7 group of the world's most industrialised countries launched a framework for bilateral negotiations to provide military and financial support, intelligence sharing and a promise of immediate steps if Russia should attack again.

"Our support will last long into the future. It's a powerful statement of our commitment to Ukraine," Biden said alongside Zelenskiy and leaders of the G7, which is made up of the U.S., Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

Speaking in Vilnius, Lithuania, at the end of the two-day meeting on Russia's doorstep, Biden said Putin had badly underestimated the resolve of the U.S.-led military alliance.

"NATO is stronger, more energized and yes, more united than ever in its history. Indeed, more vital to our shared future. It didn't happen by accident. It wasn't inevitable," Biden said.

"When Putin, and his craven lust for land and power, unleashed his brutal war on Ukraine, he was betting NATO would break apart ... But he thought wrong."

Swallowing his disappointment over the lack of a membership timetable, Zelenskiy hailed NATO's "practical and unprecedented support for Ukraine" and said that at the summit Ukraine had obtained "unambiguous clarity that Ukraine will be in NATO".

He tweeted: "I believe we will be in NATO once the security situation stabilises. Put simply, when the war is over, Ukraine will be invited into NATO and Ukraine will clearly become a member of the Alliance. I felt no thoughts of any other sort."

At a meeting with Zelenskiy, Biden promised him the U.S. was doing everything it could to meet Ukraine's needs and acknowledged Zelenskiy's frustration about the scale and speed of support.

"Your resilience and your resolve has been a model for the whole world to see," Biden said. "I look forward to the day when we're having the meeting celebrating your official, official membership in NATO."

"The bad news for you is, we're not going anywhere. You're stuck with us," Biden joked, prompting laughter from Zelenskiy.

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan had said Biden would discuss the issue of long-range missiles with Zelenskiy when they met.

Speaking to reporters later, Biden said: "One thing Zelenskiy understands now is that whether or not he's in NATO now is not relevant" as long as he has the commitments that have been made at the summit. "He's not concerned about that now."

Zelenskiy told Biden he wanted to thank "all Americans" for the billions of dollars in aid his country had received.

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said he had told Ukraine that its international allies were "not Amazon" and Kyiv needed to show gratitude for weapons donations to persuade Western politicians to give more.

Zelenskiy said: "We were always grateful to the UK, prime ministers and the minister of defence because the people are always supporting us."

Britain, France, Germany and the U.S. have been negotiating with Kyiv for weeks over a broad international framework of support, encompassing modern advanced military equipment such as fighter jets, training, intelligence-sharing and cyberdefence.

In return Ukraine would pledge better governance, including through judicial and economic reforms and enhanced transparency.

The first sitting of a new NATO-Ukraine Council was also held on Wednesday, a format designed to tighten cooperation between Kyiv and the 31-nation alliance.

'POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS'

NATO is built around mutual security guarantees whereby an attack on one is an attack on all, and it has carefully avoided extending any firm military commitments to Ukraine, worried it would risk taking it closer to a full-on war with Russia.

Ukraine has been wary of any less-binding security "assurances", given Russia's invasion already trampled the so-called Budapest Memorandum under which international powers committed to keeping the country safe in exchange for Kyiv giving up its Soviet-era nuclear arms.

Speaking earlier alongside Zelenskiy, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Ukraine was closer to the alliance than ever before, and brushed aside new warnings from Russia about the consequences of supporting Ukraine.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the security arrangements for Ukraine were not designed to be a substitute for full NATO membership and said the commitments at the summit marked a high point for the West's support for Kyiv.

Russia, which says NATO's eastward expansion is an existential threat to its own security, swiftly lashed out.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was "potentially very dangerous" for the West to give Ukraine security guarantees.

The Russian foreign ministry said the summit showed that NATO was reverting to "Cold War schemes" and added that it would respond "in a timely and appropriate manner, using all means and methods at our disposal."

(Reporting by John Irish, Steve Holland, Justyna Pawlak, Sabine Siebold, Andrew Gray, and Max Hunder, Writing by Gabriela Baczynska, Matthias Williams and William Maclean; Editing by Alex Richardson, Howard Goller and Rosalba O'Brien)
The United States and its Group of Seven (G7) partners announced a joint declaration Wednesday outlining plans to negotiate long-term security agreements with Ukraine.

The leaders from the G7, which comprises the U.S., Japan, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and Canada, announced they would launch separate negotiations with Ukrainian leadership to formalize security arrangements with Ukraine.

The announcement came at the end of the NATO Summit in Lithuania, where support for Ukraine as it nears the 18-month mark of fighting invading Russian forces was at the top of the agenda.

The long-term commitments were making are backed up by the notion that in the meantime, were going to provide security to Ukraine for its needs and against any aggression that may occur, President Biden said. Our support will last long into the future.

The bilateral negotiations between Ukraine and each G7 nation are meant to ensure Ukraine has a sustainable military force capable of defending its territory and deterring future Russian aggression.

The security commitments included military equipment across land, air and sea, and support to further develop Ukraines industrial defense base.

The negotiations will also aim to strengthen Ukraines economic stability and aid in reconstruction efforts, as well as provide technical and financial support as the Ukrainian government deals with the immediate fallout of Russias invasion.

Zelensky expressed his appreciation for the commitments from allies Wednesday.

The joint declaration was announced one day after Zelensky openly expressed frustration about the skepticism from Biden and some other world leaders about Ukraine joining NATO, a move Biden has said should wait until after the war with Russia has ended.

The U.S. has already allocated billions of dollars in military and financial support to Ukraine in the year and a half since Russia invaded, and Biden has pledged his administration will support the Ukrainians for as long as it takes to end the war.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Group of Seven (G7) officially announced plans for long-term security commitments to help Ukraine defend itself against current and future Russian aggression in a statement issued on July 12.

"We, the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the strategic goal of creating a free, independent, democratic, and sovereign Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, capable of defending itself and deterring future aggression," the statement said.

"We confirm that the security of Ukraine is an integral part of the security of the Euro-Atlantic region."

Each of the G7 members will focus on long-term bilateral cooperation to help Ukraine build up a military force capable of defending Ukraine and deterring future Russian aggression, according to the statement.

As the specific areas of security and military cooperation, the press release listed providing modern military equipment on land, in the air, and at sea, training, intelligence sharing, developing resistance to cyber and hybrid threats, supporting Ukraine's defense industrial base, and interoperability with NATO forces.

G7 pledged to support Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction efforts and to provide technical and financial support to address urgent needs arising from the war and to help implementation of governance reforms.

UPDATED: Zelensky meets with NATO leaders, discusses new military aid packages President Volodymyr Zelensky met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the second day of NATOs 2023 Vilnius Summit on July 12. Zelensky said the leaders promised Ukraine new military aid. The Kyiv IndependentAlexander Query

In the event of a future Russian attack, the world's leading democracies promised to immediately consult with Ukraine on the aid currently needed to repel the aggression.

G7 also pledged to continue sanctions against Russia and assist with the persecution of Russian war crimes in Ukraine.

In turn, Ukraine will commit to greater transparency and accountability regarding partners' assistance, continue implementing reforms in law enforcement, judicial, anti-corruption, corporate governance, economic, security sector, and public administration, and ensure civilian control over the armed forces.

According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, this declaration ensures security guarantees for Ukraine until it becomes a member of NATO.

"It is very important that this may become the first legal document that symbolizes that we have such an 'umbrella' of security guarantees. And then Ukraine will have documents on real relations with each security guarantor state, and there will be all the things that we have or lack today: air defense, aviation, etc. It will definitely be at the bilateral level," the Ukrainian president said.

The media reported earlier on G7 security commitments to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities, prioritizing air defense, artillery, long-range weapon systems, armored vehicles, and air combat capabilities.

The announcement comes during the NATO summit in Vilnius, where Ukraine hopes to win further support in its defense against Russia's aggression.

While Ukraine has not received the much-desired invitation to join NATO at the summit, scheduled to finish today on July 12, the allies have pledged to scale up their military support. A number of partners, including the U.K., France, Germany, and Norway have presented new military aid.

The "fighter jet coalition," a group of countries willing to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets and the necessary training, has been officially formed during the summit, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov informed.

Zelensky commented that the summit brought good results, "but if there was an invitation (to NATO), it would be ideal."
Gaston County man arrested for alleged sexual abuse involving child in same neighborhood

The Gaston County Police Criminal Investigations Unit has arrested a 53-year-old man accused of sexually abusing a child who lived in his neighborhood.

Police said Steven Ray Stafford was taken into custody on Tuesday with the assistance of the Fugitive Apprehension and Suspect Tracking Team.

Police said they launched an investigation after receiving a report of child sexual abuse involving a child living in the same neighborhood as Stafford.

ALSO READ: CMPD: Skateboarding mentor arrested for alleged sexual assault of several children

Stafford has been charged with ten felony counts of indecent liberties with a minor, one felony count of statutory sex offense with a child under age 13 and one felony count of selling or delivering a controlled substance.

He is being held at the Gaston County jail without bond pending a first appearance in district court.

VIDEO: CMPD: Skateboard coach, mentor arrested for alleged sexual abuse of children
Geordies, it is said, have long wished to be Vikings. So some among us might have looked north with envy last week. Its not often that Orcadian irredentists make international headlines, but the suggestion that the Orkneys might be reunited with Norway has rekindled interest in Britains Scandinavian past. We were part of the Norse kingdom for much longer than we were part of the United Kingdom, noted the islands council leader, James Stockan. The same cannot be said of North East England, but the kinship felt across the choppy North Sea remains powerful, having recurred down the centuries.

It is little-known that in 1642, the Scots-born King Charles I  increasingly desperate for resources to prosecute his war against parliament  asked his uncle, King Christian IV of Denmark-Norway, for military aid. In return, the Danes wanted the Orkneys, the Shetlands, and to gain possession of Newcastle in pawn. It was Northumbrias lucrative coal trade that appealed. A large shipment of weapons and supplies duly arrived at Holy Island in September 1642, but it is unclear whether Charles ever paid his uncle back. The Danish king certainly didnt seize the collateral on his loan.

Had he done so, there would have been a precedent. Holy Island was the site of a rather less peaceable Danish excursion in 793, when the Vikings sacked Lindisfarne, possibly in retribution for Christian missionary activity in Scandinavia. They were undoubtedly also itching to get their hands on the great wealth of the Northumbrian church. The church of St Cuthbert is spattered with the blood of the priests of God, lamented a Bishop of Lindisfarne, stripped of all its furnishings, and exposed to the plundering of pagans. The shock of this event cast a long shadow in the North East, perhaps partly explaining the overemphasis of Scandinavias influence on Northumbrian history, and its people.

True, the Viking raids are depicted in William Bell Scotts great cycle of Northumbrian history murals at Wallington Hall, and Nordic influence can seemingly still be detected in Northumbrian speech. The similarities between the Scandinavian ga hjem and Northumbrian gan yem  both expressions meaning go home  seem obvious. The Dano-Norwegian word for barley, bygg, lives on in the name of Newcastles famous Bigg Market. These linguistic parallels might suggest Scandinavian roots, but such words are not so much a Viking import as an indication that Northumbrias is a very conservative English dialect, which shares a common Germanic root with modern Danish. For the Angles that first settled in Britain, after the Romans left, came from Angeln, in the southern part of the Jutland peninsula, where the borders of Germany and Denmark now meet. These Angles established the kingdoms of Deira, centred in what is now Yorkshire, and then Bernicia, in what is now Northumberland and County Durham.

When the Vikings came along a few centuries later, they became infamous for raiding the North East coast. But the Norsemen only tended to settle further south, around the great city of Jorvik and into the Midlands. To this day, members of the Yorkshire Society recite a Declaration of Integrity, which asserts the traditional boundaries of Yorkshire, established by Halfdan Ragnarsson in 875AD. But to the North, the Anglo-Saxons centred on the old kingdom of Bernicia remained unconquered by the invaders (or at least not settled). It is certainly noticeable how all those Scandinavian -thorpes, -thwaites and -bys scattered across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire peter out at the river Tees. Here, the Anglo-Saxon -worth is more conspicuous: Backworth, Heworth, Killingworth. Indeed, for a time in the ninth and tenth centuries, the rump of Anglo-Saxon Northumbria between the Tweed and Tees may even have become a centre of resistance against the Vikings.

A teleological version of English history would have it that the mission to unify the patchwork of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms was inevitable  first under Alfred and then his grandson thelstan, with the latter the first to call himself King of the English. But this unity did not long survive thelstans death in 939. For Scandinavian loyalty had remained potent across the Danelaw areas of the North, the northern Midlands and East Anglia. In fact, when the Danish King Cnut invaded in 1014, he met so many sympathisers that England was quickly added to his empire. As James Hawes has observed, the first united England was thus created under colonial rule. And given this disunity, it is not surprising perhaps that William of Normandy conquered the entire country after a single major battle in 1066, an outcome that would have been much less likely if Anglo-Scandinavian Englalonde had in fact been the ancient, united realm of some historians fantasies.

After 1066, overt Scandinavian political influence in England declined rapidly, with only traces left. The word hustings, for instance, derives from the Old Norse husthing  in other words, a household assembly held by a leader  from hus (house) plus thing (assembly, parliament). In fact, there remain several Things across the Nordic world  from the Folketing (Peoples Thing) in Denmark, to the Storting (Great Thing) in Norway, to the Tynwald (Thing Meadow) on the Isle of Man  probably the oldest continuous parliamentary body in the world.

The picture was different in Scotland, where Norwegian overlordship of the western isles persisted until the 13th century. A few hundred years later, in the early modern period, Scottish mercenaries distinguished themselves in the service of Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden. Norwegian partisans actually fought off a Scottish invasion of their homeland in 1612. And even after Scotland unified with England in 1707, the Nordic kingdoms remained serious geopolitical rivals  to the extent that, in 1717, the Swedish Foreign Ministry planned to send an invading force to Scotland in support of the Jacobite cause.

Admittedly, this might have been to counter the Hanoverian George Is designs on Swedish territory in Northern Germany. Britain as a whole was not sentimental about Scandinavia. In the Napoleonic Wars, Britain ruthlessly attacked Denmark twice to ensure the Danish fleet did not fall into French hands: first in 1801 (I really do not see the signal, said Nelson, ignoring his commanders orders to withdraw from the bombardment of Copenhagen); and again in 1807, when the Danish capital was occupied by British troops, including Sir Arthur Wellesley, who named his famous horse after the battle.

The 19th century saw the Scandinavian kingdoms gradually withdraw from great power politics. The Second Schleswig War of 1864 is usually seen as the first key staging post in German unification, but it was also the twilight of Scandinavian power in Europe. Palmerstons much-quoted quip about the Schleswig-Holstein Question being so complicated that only three people ever understood it was probably just blether to obscure the fact that Britain had (probably wisely) betrayed a solemn promise to maintain Danish territorial integrity, and instead decided to sit out the war between Denmark and its Prussian and Austrian invaders. For proud Danes such as the British Queen Alexandra, the humiliation of 1864 was hard to forgive or forget. She always railed against the protocols that required her son, George V, to dress as a filthy blue-coat Prussian soldier whenever he visited the new German Empire.

But with the bloody rivalries of the Dark Ages now ancient history, relations between the British and Scandinavian royal houses grew increasingly cordial. Queen Alexandras daughter Maud became the Queen of newly independent Norway after its separation from Sweden in 1905. And harking back to the Viking Kings of East Anglia, Mauds own son Olav was born in Norfolk  at Sandringham in 1903. Olavs birth came after a long period of deepening Anglo-Scandinavian trade: the housebuilding boom in British cities relied on Norwegian and Swedish softwoods, and Scandinavian timber was essential to the coal trade, used for pit props and railway sleepers. Danish butter and bacon became staples of the British breakfast table. Many British port towns and cities had great Scandinavian churches, like the spectacular Gustav Adolfs kyrka in Liverpool, home of the Scousers, and the Nordic diaspora gave us Cardiffs Roald Dahl, Newcastles Sir Ove Arup, and hat-trick hero Stan Mortensen from South Shields, the grandson of a Norwegian sailor.

In 1968, King Olav V himself was invited to open the modernist Civic Centre at Newcastle upon Tyne, home of the Danish merchant navy in the Second World War, when 4,000 Danish sailors relocated from their occupied homeland to live on Tyneside. The building was modelled on the Stockholm Stadhus, as a nod to the Tynes modern Hanseatic ties. Although the King was attended by Lutheran ministers in 16th-century ruffs and gowns, the civic centre was seen as an emblem of progressive Nordic modernity. This was part of a process that was recasting Scandinavians as peaceable and stylish, representatives of the very best social democracy. But even the darker history of the Vikings, whose cruelty and sadism was almost unsurpassed, has now been rehabilitated through popular books and TV series like The Last Kingdom, in which uptight and sexually repressed Christians are contrasted unfavourably with the fun-loving Norsemen such as the smoulderingly handsome Uhtred of Bebbanburg.

From one of pillage and rapine, Scandinavias reputation has completely turned around in the last 1,000 years  but its surely their wealth as much as their cultural achievements that attracts us now. As I have argued, the one thing that will change attitudes to Britishness in Scotland is for the UK to just be a wealthier and more successful country. Returning to the restive streets of Orkney, it is perhaps not surprising that a territory that was Norse for longer than it was British now wishes to re-establish its Scandi ties. Yet, there was no Orcadian agitation when Britain was richer and more powerful, with a vast fleet at Scapa Flow. The difference now is that, unlike modern Britain, Norway is happy, successful, and stinking rich.
Amid former President Donald Trumps desperate bid to subvert the 2020 election, a top adviser, Boris Epshteyn, passed along a colleagues message relaying an urgent POTUS request to a small group of allies.

Need best examples of election fraud that weve alleged thats super easy to explain, read the colleague's forwarded Dec. 7, 2020, text message. Doesnt necessarily have to be proven but does need to be easy to understand.

In response, Rudy Giuliani  Trumps lawyer who was leading the drive to amplify baseless allegations of election fraud  suggested he tell Trump about security camera footage of two Atlanta poll workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, moving thousands of ballots around.

It will live in history as the theft of a state, Giuliani wrote.

Freeman and Moss  now in the midst of a long-running defamation lawsuit against Giuliani  say in new court filings that Giuliani failed to turn over evidence of this exchange despite multiple court orders to preserve and turn over his communications. Theyre asking the judge in the case, U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell, to impose severe sanctions on Giuliani for what they say is a repeated, prolonged and calculated effort to defy their court-backed demands for evidence.

They want Howell to essentially grant them a total victory in their defamation suit  a default judgment in their favor  as a result of Giulianis handling of the evidence, as well as attorneys fees. If she doesnt, they are also asking Howell to instead order Giuliani to provide his devices to them so they can be directly searched.

Freeman and Moss have been the target of relentless attacks since late 2020, when Giuliani  and eventually Trump  cited them, sometimes by name, as examples of election fraud. Though Georgia election officials repeatedly debunked claims that either of them mishandled ballots, Trump and Giuliani promoted video making the false claims, part of efforts to whip up a frenzy about Joe Bidens narrow Georgia victory. Local prosecutors in Fulton County, Ga. have scrutinized Trump and Giulianis handling of the matter as they consider bringing charges against Trump and others for their efforts to subvert the outcome.

Moss and Freemans lawsuit has helped unearth snippets of new evidence that could become part of that effort  but they say little of it came from Giuliani himself. Their attorneys say they received evidence from other witnesses  like Trump ally Christina Bobb  of communications like the exchange with Epshteyn that Giuliani himself never provided. Bobb also shared an exchange indicating that Giuliani sent the same video of Moss and Freeman to Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers, who was similarly under pressure from Trump and Giuliani to help reverse the election results.

He failed to take any steps to preserve relevant electronic evidence, the attorneys say, describing a months-long odyssey that featured shifting explanations from Giuliani for his inability to identify and produce relevant information. He has repeatedly cited the Justice Departments seizure of his devices  which he claims came back wiped  as well as difficulty accessing his iCloud account as primary reasons.

The filings also include a log of documents Giuliani claimed were privileged but hint at tantalizing communications between Giuliani and other figures associated with Trump's bid to remain in power. For example, Kenneth Chesebro, an architect of Trump's effort to use the Jan. 6 session of Congress to subvert the election, sent Giuliani several "draft press releases" for use by state parties to explain their decision to send "alternate" electors to Congress. Another entry on the log references a Dec. 12 document titled "POTUS call with Speaker Ralston," a reference to Georgia's House speaker. A call between Trump and the Ralston was made public in March by members of a Fulton County special grand jury in media interviews.

Giuliani's log also includes several entries referencing "POTUS findings," dated Dec. 16 and 17, 2020  the same period Trump considered issuing presidential findings justifying the seizure of voting machines by the federal government. At least one of the documents, dated Dec. 17, 2021, suggests it included "RG edits."

For Giuliani, its the latest in a string of legal setbacks, including a recommendation by a D.C. bar disciplinary panel to seek his disbarment for what they described as a grave effort to undermine American democracy.



Ted Goodman, a political adviser to Giuliani, cast Moss and Freeman's efforts as part of a broader push to discredit the former New York City mayor.

The requests by these lawyers were deliberately overly burdensome, and sought information well beyond the scope of this case  including divorce records  in an effort to harass, intimidate and embarrass Mayor Rudy Giuliani, he said. It's part of a larger effort to smear and silence Mayor Giuliani for daring to ask questions, and for challenging the accepted narrative. They can't take away the fact that Giuliani is objectively one of the most effective prosecutors in American history who took down the Mafia, cleaned up New York City and comforted the nation following 9/11.

A settlement appeared to be at hand just days earlier, when both Giuliani and the plaintiffs lawyers asked Howell for a week to finalize details. But Freeman and Moss now assert that Giuliani did not agree to terms negotiated by his lawyer, resulting in the collapse of the talks.

In the meantime, Freeman and Moss say other witnesses have produced missing information that Giuliani should have disclosed. Some came from the files of the Jan. 6 select committee, which showed Giuliani taking a role in approving statements and ads that referenced the Georgia video.

Still more evidence remains unavailable, the attorneys say. One witness subpoenaed by Moss and Freeman  Katherine Friess, who assisted Giuliani in efforts following the 2020 election  has simply vanished, they say. Efforts to serve the subpoena on her, even through alternative means approved by Howell, have been unsuccessful. They say theyve still received no meaningful evidence related to Giulianis communications plan, which featured the Moss and Freeman video as key evidence Trumps team should highlight to pressure states to reverse the election

Moss and Freeman say theyve established that Giuliani learned of the video ahead of a Dec. 3, 2020 hearing by Georgia Republicans, raised to his attention by Georgia lawyer Ray Smith. Within days, Trump allies were publicly pushing the video as proof of fraud.

Giuliani was deeply engaged in efforts to promote the video, they say  and Trump, for years since his defeat, has continued to point to the video as evidence despite repeated investigations and widespread evidence debunking the claims.
Georgia election workers suing Rudy Giuliani for defamation are claiming in court filings this week that the former Trump lawyer failed to turn over evidence despite repeated reminders from the court.

Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, who were Fulton County poll workers during the 2020 election, say that Giuliani has not taken any steps, let alone reasonable steps, to preserve electronic evidence in the case. Because of that, theyre asking U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell, who is overseeing the case, to impose severe sanctions on Giuliani.

One such example of evidence not turned over is a Dec. 7, 2020, email thread where then-Trump adviser Boris Epshteyn sent an urgent POTUS request to a group of allies asking for examples of purported election fraud.

Need best examples of election fraud that weve alleged thats super easy to explain, Epshteyn writes. Doesnt necessarily have to be proven, but does need to be easy to understand.

Giuliani in reply claimed that a security camera in Atlanta  which showed Freeman and Moss moving ballots  captured theft of a minimum of 30,000 votes, which alone would change result (sic) in Georgia, the filings say.

Another piece of evidence the Georgia election workers say is missing is a Dec. 13, 2020, email from Giuliani to Epshteyn approving a draft statement from Trumps legal team again claiming that video evidence showed 30,000 illegal ballots cast after the observers were removed. That email was released by the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, the election workers say.

Freeman and Moss have faced backlash in the years since the 2020 election because of their ties to Trumps false election fraud claims. Investigations involving three law enforcement agencies  Georgias Secretary of States office and special agents with the FBI and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation  found that allegations against two Fulton County poll workers were false and unsubstantiated.

The election workers claim that Giulianis behavior severely hampered their ability to present their case and asserted his conduct is disrespectful to the court. They asked Howell to order a default judgement in the case  the most severe sanction available  which would essentially hand them a win.

A spokesperson for Giuliani told The Hill the request is part of a larger effort to smear and silence Mayor Giuliani for daring to ask questions, and for challenging the accepted narrative.

The requests by these lawyers were deliberately overly burdensome, and sought information well beyond the scope of this caseincluding divorce recordsin an effort to harass, intimidate and embarrass Mayor Rudy Giuliani, said Ted Goodman, a political advisor to Giuliani.

Giuliani led the charge on Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election with false claims of election fraud. Claiming Giuliani seriously undermined the administration of justice in those efforts, the D.C. Bar Association on Friday recommended that he be disbarred.

Updated at 12:06 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
German auto supplier Wenker, Inc. picks Greenville County for new US headquarters. Here's why.

Wenker Inc. announced it will be establishing new U.S. headquarters in Greenville County.

The automotive suppliers $3.1 million investment will create 27 jobs, according to a press release.

Operations for the German auto supplier company will move into a 131,400-square-foot facility off Highway 14 in Greer. The facility is expected to be complete by the middle of 2024.

The press release stated "success at its smaller operation in Spartanburg County (launched in 2016) prompted Wenker, Inc. to explore larger possibilities."

Wenker Inc. had been located at 1097 Highway 101 S, Suite D5, near Greer in Spartanburg County.

We are always pleased when a fine international organization like Wenker, Inc. chooses to expand its South Carolina presence by growing in Greenville County, Greenville County Council Chairman Dan Tripp said. The companys six decades of excellence in industrial production and engineering is an ideal addition to Greenvilles booming automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors, and we wish them success here long into the future.

'There was mutual respect': Bradshaw Automotive purchased by Anderson Automotive this year

Wenker Inc., specializing in metal and steel, provides plant engineering and fabricated metal products for the automotive industry.

We are very proud to build our new U.S. headquarters in Greenville County, a community which felt like home from day one," said Stefan Leers, Wenker, Inc. Germany Chief Executive Officer and Owner.

Individuals interested in applying for a job with Wenker, Inc. should visit the companys careers page.

Savannah Moss covers Greenville County politics and growth & development. Reach her via email at smoss@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: German auto supplier Wenker picks Greenville County for headquarters
Boris Pistorius

German defense minister Boris Pistorius has responded to criticism by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding the alliances progress in providing Ukraine with a membership invitation.

Read also: No plans to give Ukraine Taurus long-range missiles  Germany

I understand the dissatisfaction and impatience, Pistorius said, quoted by German news outlet Tagesschau on July 11, adding that Ukraine has obligations to meet regarding NATO membership and that Zelenskyy understands this.

Everyone says that the future of Ukraine is in NATO, once the war ends. All this is the normal standard for all NATO member countries, said Pistorius.

President Zelenskyy stated on July 11 that NATO countries were discussing the wording of an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance, rather than its membership. According to him, this may indicate unpreparedness to take both steps.

Read also: UK to provide Ukraine with new $65 million military aid package

We value our allies. We value our shared security. And we always appreciate an open conversation, President Zelenskyyy wrote on Twitter on July 11.

Ukraine will be represented at the NATO summit in Vilnius. Because it is about respect. But Ukraine also deserves respect. Now, on the way to Vilnius, we received signals that certain wording is being discussed without Ukraine. And I would like to emphasize that this wording is about the invitation to become a NATO member, not about Ukraines membership. Its unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is not set either for the invitation or for Ukraines membership.

This means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraines membership of NATO in negotiations with Russia. And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror. Uncertainty is weakness. And I will openly discuss this at the summit.

NATO Summit in Vilnius: What to expect

The summit in Vilnius has brought together leaders from 31 NATO countries, including U.S. President Joe Biden, along with additional delegations from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Ukraine, and Sweden (Turkey has finally agreed to unblock Swedens membership).

Read also: NATO Summit: three scenarios for Ukraine

President Zelenskyy arrived in Vilnius on July 11, along with the First Lady, Olena Zelenska.

Ukraine is hoping to receive a clear signal regarding the prospects of a future membership of the alliance.

Although NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has confirmed such a signal will be given, no formal invitation for Kyiv to join the alliance is expected.

On the eve of the summit, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that allies had agreed that Ukraine would join NATO in the future without a Membership Action Plan  the traditional process of accession for new members.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that individual security guarantees from NATO member countries cannot be a substitute for full membership of the alliance, but should be viewed as an interim step.

Read also: US and Germany remain opposed to swift Ukraine NATO membership  report

At present, opinion polls say 89% of Ukrainians support Ukraines joining NATO, while only 18% of citizens say they are willing to forgo joining the alliance in order to achieve peace and end the war.

That option is deemed unacceptable by 76% of respondents.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(Bloomberg) -- German Finance Minister Christian Lindner is planning a raft of measures designed to boost climate-friendly investments and competitiveness that the government estimates will ease the tax burden on companies and households by about 6 billion ($6.6 billion) a year.

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The focus of the package of nearly 50 measures is on small and medium-sized businesses, according to a government paper distributed Wednesday. One of the main elements is a new subsidy mechanism for climate-friendly investments  part of the ruling coalitions blueprint for government agreed in 2021  to help companies speed the process of cutting emissions.

The liquidity situation of companies should be improved so that more investments can be made in the long term, according to the paper.

Planned measures include:

Subsidy of 15% for investments in climate protection for the period 2024 to 2027 Up to a maximum of 30 million

Expanding the tax-deduction mechanism for losses to promote risk-taking

Strengthening tax incentives for research and development

Boosting liquidity for small and medium-sized enterprises

Lindner, who heads the business-friendly Free Democrats, has circulated the proposals to his fellow ministers for assessment, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper reported.

Read more: German Cabinet Backs Budget With 16.6 Billion in Net New Debt

After that, they would need to be signed off in Chancellor Olaf Scholzs cabinet before being sent to parliament, where they could be amended before lawmakers give their final approval.

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A new lawsuit alleges Google essentially illegally used the entire internet to train its AI programs.

Google has been hit with yet another major class action lawsuit. This time, attorneys at Clarkson Law Firm representing eight unnamed plaintiffs, including two minors, allege that the company illegally utilized data from millions of internet users to train its artificial intelligence systems. Per the California federal court filing on Tuesday, the lawsuit contends that Google (alongside parent company Alphabet, Inc. and its AI subsidiary DeepMind) scraped virtually the entirety of our footprint including personal and professional data, photos, and copyrighted works while building AI products such as Bard.

"As part of its theft of personal data, Google illegally accessed restricted, subscription based websites to take the content of millions without permission," the lawsuit states. According to the lawsuit, plaintiffs (identified by their initials only) posted to social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok. They also used Google services such as search, streaming services like Spotify and YouTube, and dating services like OkCupid. Without their consent, the suit alleges that Google trained their AI using the plaintiffs' skills and expertise, as reflected in [their] online contributions." Additionally, Google's AI systems allegedly produced verbatim quotations from a book by an author plaintiff.

[Related on PopSci+: 4 privacy concerns in the age of AI.]

Speaking with CNN on Tuesday, an attorney representing the plaintiffs contended that Google needs to understand that publicly available has never meant free to use for any purpose.

In a statement provided to PopSci, managing law firm partner Ryan Clarkson wrote, "Google does not own the internet, it does not own our creative works, it does not own our expressions of our personhood, pictures of our families and children, or anything else simply because we share it online.

Like similar lawsuits filed in recent weeks against OpenAI and Meta, the latest class action complaint accuses Google of violating the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) alongside direct and vicarious copyright infringement. The newest filing, however, also attempts to pin the companies for invasion of privacy and larceny/receipt of stolen property.

According to the filings attorneys, Google stole the contents of the interneteverything individuals posted, information about the individuals, personal data, medical information, and other informationall used to create their Products to generate massive profits. While doing so, the company did not obtain the publics consent to scrape this data for its AI products, the lawsuit states.

[Related: Radio host sues ChatGPT developer over allegedly libelous claims.]

The months following the debut of industry-altering AI programs such as OpenAIs ChatGPT, Metas LLaMA, and Google Bard has reignited debates surrounding digital data ownership and privacy rights, as well as the implications such technologies could have on individuals livelihoods and careers. One unnamed plaintiff in the latest lawsuit, for example, believes companies such as Google scraped their skills and expertise" to train the very products that could soon result in their professional obsolescence.

Although the plaintiffs remain unnamed, they include a New York Times bestselling author, an actor and professor, and a six-year-old minor. In addition to unspecified damages and financial compensation, the lawsuit seeks a temporary halt on commercial development as well as access to Googles suite of AI systems. Earlier this month, Google confirmed it had updated its privacy policy to reflect that it uses publicly available information to train and build AI products including Bard, Cloud AI, and Google Translate.

In a statement to PopSci, Halimah DeLaine Prado, Google General Counsel wrote, "Weve been clear for years that we use data from public sourceslike information published to the open web and public datasetsto train the AI models behind services like Google Translate, responsibly and in line with our AI Principles. American law supports using public information to create new beneficial uses, and we look forward to refuting these baseless claims.

Update July 12, 2023, 1:04 PM: A statement from Google General Counsel has been added.
(Bloomberg) -- A coalition of conservative groups urged Senate Republicans to vote against Federal Trade Commission nominee Melissa Holyoak due to her alleged ties to the countrys largest tech companies.

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The letter, which the groups sent to the Senate on Wednesday, is an early sign that Holyoaks nomination to the consumer protection and antitrust agency could face a bumpy road.

Republicans have battled internally for months over whether the new Republican FTC commissioners should be anti-Big Tech, meaning they are willing to use the power of government to crack down on firms including Meta Platforms Inc., Alphabet Inc.s Google and Amazon.com Inc.

Ms. Holyoaks ties to global Big Tech corporations make her wholly unsuitable for the position, wrote representatives from the conservative groups Bull Moose Project, New York Young Republicans Club and ACT For America.

Holyoak did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

President Joe Biden on July 3 nominated Holyoak, solicitor general with the Utah attorney generals office, and Andrew Ferguson, Virginias solicitor general, to the two Republican FTC commissioner spots. Traditionally, the president nominates the candidates chosen by the Senate Republican leader, in this case Mitch McConnell.

Holyoak spent five years as an attorney for the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a free-market think tank that has received tens of thousands of dollars from the biggest tech companies. Both CEI and a separate group founded by Holyoak, the Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute, have opposed government regulations. Holyoak previously objected to dozens of class action settlements including Google, according to the letter.

Holyoak has served under Attorney General Sean Reyes since 2020.

Holyoak has participated in legal action against Google as well. Utah is leading a bipartisan antitrust lawsuit, set for trial in November, alleging Google has abused its position as a dominant app store for Android devices.

Two Republican commissioners left the FTC over the past year. During her departure, FTC Republican Commissioner Christine Wilson blamed the leadership of Chair Lina Khan, a progressive with an ambitious antitrust agenda.

The FTC should be led by officials who believe in a free and fair market for consumers and a vibrant innovation-based economy for entrepreneurs, not ones who advocate for monopolization and stifling competition, said Aiden Buzzetti, president of the Bull Moose Project.

A Republican commissioner who is aligned with Khan could help speed up the agencys efforts to improve privacy online and curb the power of the tech industry.

Ferguson and Holyoak will appear before the Senate Commerce Committee for their confirmation hearings in the coming months.

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GOP hails him as Hunter Biden whistleblower; Manhattan feds say he was really Chinese agent who brokered Iran arms and oil deals

A think tank director and energy analyst hailed by Republicans as a Hunter Biden whistleblower illegally advanced Chinese interests in the U.S. and violated laws barring him from selling Chinese weapons and arranging Chinese purchases of Iranian oil, Manhattan federal prosecutors say.

Gal Luft, 57, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, has been out of the U.S. since November 2017, according to an indictment filed last November and unsealed Monday.

He was arrested in Cyprus in February, the feds say  but while the terms of his extradition were being negotiated, he skipped bail. His current whereabouts are not known.

Republican lawmakers in recent months have hailed Luft as a key witness in their various probes of President Joe Biden and his family, and claim Luft went missing before he was to provide evidence about the Biden familys alleged business dealings with China.

But the Justice Department says it has been investigating Luft for years and that hes a serial liar. He faces an eight-count indictment that includes charges of making false statements, failing to register as a foreign agent, and violating federal laws related to arms dealing and economic sanctions against Iran.

The most serious charges carry a 20-year prison sentence.

Luft subverted foreign agent registration laws in the United States to seek to promote Chinese policies by acting through a former high-ranking U.S. government official; he acted as a broker in deals for dangerous weapons and Iranian oil, Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said. And he told multiple lies about his crimes to law enforcement.

But House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., described Luft in a tweet Friday as a very credible witness. Comer doubled down Tuesday, saying CEFC, the Chinese energy company with which Luft was associated, wired millions to the Bidens.

And Luft himself said on Twitter at the time of his arrest that the Justice Department was trying to bury him to protect President Biden and members of the Biden family.

Williams office says Luft declined to register as a foreign agent when he agreed to recruit and pay a former high-ranking government official who was an aide to then president-elect Donald Trump in 2016 to support Chinese policies.

Luft began working with an unnamed co-conspirator  identified as Hong Kongs former Secretary for Home Affairs  to advance Chinese interests in the U.S. the year before Trump was elected, the feds charge.

The co-conspirator was then head of the China Energy Fund Committee, connected to state-run Chinese oil and gas conglomerate CEFC, with which Luft has accused Hunter Biden of engaging in dirty deals.

According to The Washington Post, Bidens son was involved in later-scrapped multimillion-dollar deals with CEFC in 2017.

Luft allegedly discussed parts of the schemes he and his co-conspirator hatched with the former high-ranking government official, who was a top aide to Trump in late 2016. The aide is not directly identified in Lufts indictment.

The feds say the co-conspirator offered to pay Lufts think tank $350,000 per year  including one payment in December 2015 and another in January 2017  as part of a plan to help smooth business relations between China and the U.S.

That plan included planning an international meeting in the U.S. for a Cabinet-level extra-governmental committee.

The duo also drew up a dialogue between the unnamed co-conspirator and James Woolsey, who was director of the CIA from 1993 to 1995, during Bill Clintons presidency. Woolsey was an adviser to Trump in 2016.

The dialogue consisted of stories in state-run Chinese media in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election and was blasted to the inboxes of journalists and professors in the U.S.

Luft told his co-conspirator he had learned Woolsey would lead the international security/china/(Iran) policies for the actual (presidential) transition team! in one exchange included in the indictment.

Impressed! (In) these articles, we do not want to spill all the beans yet, just enough to let people know (Woolsey) is in the corridor of power to be, Lufts co-conspirator replied.

Woolseys quotes appeared in China Daily on Dec. 1, 2016. They line up with quotes cited in Lufts indictment that are attributed to the top Trump adviser he is accused of recruiting to the screme.

We want to joyfully participate with China in international trade operations and economic growth. I think we have no reason why China and the U.S. cannot be friendly nations, Woolsey is quoted saying. The feds say those words were written by Luft.

Luft told his unnamed co-conspirator that information favorable to China had been tucked between the lines of the China Daily pieces.

The pair also discussed what role Woolsey might play in the incoming Trump administration, with Luft saying it could present a supremely unique opportunity for China.

Luft is also charged with taking commissions as a middleman in backdoor arms deals, brokering a sale to Libya of anti-tank launchers, grenade launchers, and mortar rounds from a Chinese company  items he described as toys.

Hes also accused of brokering sales of aerial bombs and rockets to the United Arab Emirates and unmanned aerial vehicles to Kenya, and of brokering an Iranian oil deal.

Lufts lawyer could not be reached Tuesday. Woolsey did not respond to a request for comment.


Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty/US House of Representatives

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) is a notable alumnus of Manhattan Collegeat least according to the Bronx liberal arts schools Wikipedia page.

The congressman, a former state lawmaker who upset Democratic campaign chief Sean Patrick Maloney last year, may boast a resume that merits the honor. But it wasnt the Wikipedia hive mind that put Lawler on the notable alumni list; it was apparently Lawler himself.

The edit, made two years ago, was far from a one-off. The longtime GOP operative was a prolific editor of his own Wikipedia content. Lawler made 26 changes in totalwhich earned him a warning from site administrators that he was violating policy by editing his own content, and, later on, an outright ban.

The accounts usernameMichaelVLawleris the same username Lawler uses on his personal Facebook and YouTube accounts. He also previously used @michaelvlawler on Twitter before changing the handle.

Pakistan Bans Wikipedia For Failure to Remove Blasphemous Content

According to open source Wikipedia records, the edits were all made in 2021, while Lawler was serving as a New York assemblyman. Beyond authoring his self-made jump to his alma maters notable alumni, he made several more straightforward changes to his Wikipedia page.

Lawler added electoral statistics from his victory in 2020 over a Democratic assembly incumbent, buffed up his resume to note that he serves as the Ranker of the Government Operations Committee and as a member of the Aging, Banks, Education, and Housing Committees, and changed his name on the page in one instance from Mike Lawler to Michael V. Lawler.

The V, of course, is for Vincent.

He also added some linkslike one to his campaign website, and one of him giving a valedictory address at Manhattan College, per the description from his YouTube. (He graduated from the college in 2009.)

The edits might seem fair game, if a touch self-aggrandizing. But where Lawler ran into trouble with Wikipedia was editing information about himself, which the site dubs as a conflict of interest and a violation of official policy.

In May 2021, Lawlers account was flagged with a warning of the potential conflict of interest.

We welcome your contributions, but if you have an external relationship with the people, places or things you have written about on the page Michael Lawler, you may have a conflict of interest (COI), the notice stated. Editors with a conflict of interest may be unduly influenced by their connection to the topic.

Lawler was told not to make any more edits about himself, but continued to do so that August. His account was ultimately banned that same month from making any more edits to his pageor to any other page on the site. A number of Lawlers edits were also reverted later.

The Daily Beast reached out to Lawler's office three times with questions about the account, but his spokesperson, Nate Soule, did not respond until after publication of the article on Wednesday.

In an email, Soule acknowledged the account belonged to Lawler and that it had been warned by Wikipedia administrators against editing his own content.

Citing a note published on Wednesday from a Wikipedia administrator, Soule said the ban was ultimately over Lawler not verifying his identity, which indicated he was the real Mike Lawlera flag that only occurred after his account had been hit with a conflict-of-interest warning for self-editing.

After publication of this article, Lawler made an attempt to un-ban his account. But the initial request was rejected, and the ban is still listed as having no set expiration date.

On Capitol Hill, Lawler is considered a rising star in the GOP ranks, after winning a difficult race in 2022 against a formidable opponent. His victoryalong with a series of other flips in New Yorkwas essential to Republicans taking the majority in the House. Since being elected, Lawler has positioned himself in the moderate wing of the fractured Republican conference, and has been a staunch ally to Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

GOP Florida Rep. Wants to Kick Adam Schiff Out of Congress

Despite Lawlers ban, legitimate edits to his Wikipedia page have continued as his career and list of actions in Congress builds. The upcoming election cycle will be a pivotal one for him; as one of 18 Republicans representing districts Joe Biden won in 2020, Lawler is one of Democrats top targets.

Democrats are already lining up to challenge him. Former Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-NY) just launched his campaign to win back the district he held in the last Congress, before Maloney leveraged a redistricting shuffle to edge him out and run for a different seat in New York City.

Also in the running for the Democratic nomination is Liz Whitmer Gereghty, sister of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Perhaps fortunately for Lawler, he is not the only member of his freshman class to have a past Wikipedia habitor the only member from New York, even.

In January, it was revealed that Rep. George Santos (R-NY) owned a Wikipedia account under the name Anthony Devolder, one of the congressmans known aliases. The account bio alluded to past instances in which he performed in drag. At the time, Santos was actively denying the credibility of photos and videos that showed him in drag attire.

But in the self-written bio, Santos claimed he started his stage life at age 17 at a gay night club as a drag queen that won several GAY BEAUTY PAGENTS [sic].

Editors Note: This story has been updated to reflect Lawler's office stating he was banned from Wikipedia for not verifying his username, as well as with information about his attempts to revert the ban after publication.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Those brown globs of rotten-egg-smelling sargassum may be taking a fortunate hiatus from sliming South Florida beaches but the seaweed will be back  if not this summer, then the one after, and so on.

Next time, Miami-Dade wants to turn all that excess seaweed into an entrepreneurial windfall. How? Well, thats still an unanswered and potentially valuable question.

Can we eat it? Feed it to critters? Burn it for energy? Use it in beauty products? The county, with backing from donors, is dangling big checks to companies that can bring the best ideas for how to put the abundant resource to use.

The Miami-Dade Innovation Authority (MDIA), a nonprofit that connects local government to private technology companies, will pay $100,000 to three startups that can come up with environmentally friendly ways to get rid of all the seaweed that annually piles up on South Floridas shores. They hope the challenge, open to companies around the globe, will create more jobs and contribute to the local economy.

Were looking for these really great entrepreneurs and innovators that are not only focused on the circular economy but saying, how can we create value out of something that would otherwise be disposed of, said Leigh-Ann Buchanan, president and chief executive officer of MDIA.

Miami wins when startups grow and start their business here, she said.

Thick rafts of Sargassum seaweed washed up on the seashore in Miami Beach in 2020, So far this year, an expected onslaught has not occurred. Pedro Portal/pportal@herald.com

Currently, sargassum is scraped from beaches by heavy equipment and trucked to a Miami-Dade facility to dry and shrink before going to the landfill. The odor and unsightly piles hurt the tourism industry and cleaning it up is also expensive for taxpayers, costing the county $4.2 million in 2022 alone, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said.

The [projects] primary purpose is ecological, Levine Cava told the Miami Herald. Not filling up the landfills with a product that ideally doesnt need to go in the landfill. Its not garbage. Its not waste. Its organic, and we hope there will be other uses for it.

The seaweed challenge is the first in a series of three that MDIA will present this year with aims at helping solve some of Miamis most challenging problems like climate change, affordable housing, health care and transit. The plans will be supported by $3 million from Miami-Dade, $3 million from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and $3 million from Ken Griffin, the CEO of Citadel, a hedge-fund. The goal is to distribute $1 million of equity investment to startups annually to help companies defray the costs of testing and validating their solutions.

READ MORE: Levine Cava reveals new innovation fund while touting her record as county mayor

The Nature Conservancy, a global conservation organization, will advise and evaluate the candidates, which will be announced in December 2023. The products will be tested in the Spring 2024 sargassum season alongside Miami-Dade County and its partnering organizations.

Scientists believe the warming waters from climate change are to blame for giving the sargassum a hospitable place to prosper.

Increasing sargassum blooms are attributable to many factors, including changes in ocean currents, extreme weather, and warming waters associated with climate change, said Morgan Higman, the Florida climate strategy director at The Nature Conservancy.

There are challenges to the seaweed challenge. For one, the are some health concerns complicate handling and re-purposing the stuff, which researchers have found contain heavy metals. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is still in the process of creating safety guidelines to compost sargassum while avoiding it leaking into the groundwater and drinking water. Leaving it on the beaches is unsafe too because the build up releases hydrogen sulfide gas that irritates the eyes, nose and throat.

A thick mat of Sargassum seaweed washed ashore Thursday on Miami Beach, part of a record volume seen so far this summer on South Florida beaches. Pedro Portal/pportal@miamiherald.com

Miami isnt the only place that has tried to turn seaweed trash into treasure. For example, in Jamaica one company used sargassum as fertilizer, but the heavy metals makes it dangerous to feed to plants so they switched to using it as biofuel. Carbonwave, headquartered in Puerto Rico, is developing a biostimulant from sargassum to protect plants from heat and excess water, which could be an asset for climate change.

We think sargassum is an issue that makes sense to focus on because weve seen other innovative startups working in the Caribbean but we do not yet have those start ups in Miami, Buchanan said. It presents a unique opportunity for the Innovation Authority to use its models to attract those types of solutions to our market.

Last week scientists said an expected massive sargassum season was over in South Florida, possibly because early forming tropical storms may have broken up much of the mass in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

READ MORE: The sargassum season for Florida is gone: Mysterious seaweed disappearances continue

The MDIA program was modeled after the Israel Innovation Authority, which was able to leverage between the public and private sector to address issues that impact the quality of life in Israel.

The deadline to submit proposals is Friday, September 29, 2023. To enter, visit https://apply.mdia.miami/.

This climate report is funded by the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Family Foundation in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald retains editorial control of all content.
Gov. Greg Abbott answers questions from reporters during a Capitol bill-signing ceremony on June 6, 2023. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

Gov. Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that he raised more than $15 million in the last 12 days of June.

It was the most money Abbott had collected after a legislative session that followed a statewide election. He raised $12.1 million over a comparable period in 2019 and $8.3 million over a comparable period in 2015.

Statewide officials and lawmakers are not allowed to fundraise around regular legislative sessions. The moratorium, lifted on June 19 this year, gave officials 12 days to raise money before the reporting period closed.

The latest filing is due to the Texas Ethics Commission on Monday.

Abbotts most recent haul brought his cash on hand to more than $23 million, his campaign said. Abbott is rebuilding his reserves after spending big against his 2022 Democratic challenger, Beto ORourke, who lost to the governor by 11 percentage points.

Abbotts campaign also said the $15 million came from more than 5,200 contributors, with more than 94% coming from Texans.

Texans from every corner of the state continue to champion Governor Abbott's conservative agenda to build a brighter, more prosperous future for Texas, Abbott campaign manager Kim Snyder said in a statement.

In a less typical move, Abbotts campaign also distributed a laudatory quote from Tilman Fertitta, the Houston billionaire and Texas GOP megadonor. Fertitta said he will continue to support Governor Abbott to ensure that the Texas of tomorrow continues to be full of the freedom and opportunity that make this state special.

Abbott raked in the $15 million late last month as lawmakers were in a special session and gridlocked over one of his top legislative priorities: property-tax relief. They announced a deal Monday and are expected to send it to the governor before the end of the week.

Abbott has said he will call another special session this fall to consider education issues, including his priority push for a school choice program that lets parents use taxpayer dollars to take their kids out of public schools.

Join us for conversations that matter with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23.
A chemical weapons expert who had his invitation to speak at a Ministry of Defence (MoD) conference withdrawn after his social media was vetted has received a government apology.

Dan Kaszeta was disinvited from the event in April, but said he was not told which posts had led to the move.

The conference hosts have now offered their "sincere apologies" and blamed a "misapplication" of guidance.

But Mr Kaszeta said questions about the guidance remained unanswered.

"The fact that a policy was applied to me in error does not address the issue that such policies do actually exist across government," the nerve agents expert said.

Mr Kaszeta, an American who spent 12 years advising the White House, has been based in the UK since 2010.

He was invited in January to address the 25th annual Chemical Weapons Demilitarisation Conference in London, which aimed to "bring together international experts and promote collaboration to achieve a future free from chemical weapons".

But in April, he received an email - seen by the BBC's Newsnight - which informed him that a check of his social media accounts, carried out under Cabinet Office rules introduced in 2022, had "identified material that criticises government officials and policy".

"It is for this reason and not because we do not value your technical insight, that I'm afraid that we have no choice and must cancel your invitation to the CWD conference," it added.

Mr Kaszeta told Newsnight in May he believed this was because he had spoken out on a range of issues, criticising asylum policy and Brexit.

The Ministry of Defence said checks on people speaking at government-organised events ensured a balanced discussion. The email stressed: "The vetting is impartial and purely evidence-based."

Mr Kaszeta insisted he would have spoken only about his areas of expertise - chemical, biological and radiological weapons and warfare - and would not have tackled policy matters.

He described the withdrawal of his invitation as an "outrage against free speech".

'Blacklisted'

On Wednesday, he published a letter from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), an MoD agency which organised the conference, offering him its "sincere apologies" for an "error".

"The decision was incorrectly taken following informal checks of your social media posts," the letter said, blaming a "misapplication" of Cabinet Office guidance applying only to Cabinet Office staff events.

"DSTL would not rescind an invitation of a speaker on the basis that the speaker had criticised government policy.

"DSTL has always welcomed individuals to the CWD Conference who provide constructive challenge to UK Government policy."

A review was now being carried out of DSTL processes for event management, it added.

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for the Cities of London and Westminster constituency Edward Lucas, where Mr Kaszeta lives, had highlighted his case.

He also said bigger questions remained. "This belated apology just digs an even bigger hole for the government. How many other experts have been blacklisted under these policies? Will they get apologies too?" he said.

"Any guidance on checking and banning outside speakers at government events should be lawful and transparent, and administered fairly and accountably."

Law firm Leigh Day, who acted for Mr Kaszeta, said it continued to have serious concerns about the legality of the policies being applied.

Partner Tessa Gregory said: "Vetting speakers' social media and placing greater scrutiny on those who are critical of the government plainly undermines the impartiality of the civil service, runs contrary to data protection laws and is likely to lead to people being discriminated against because of their political or philosophical beliefs in breach of the Human Rights Act and the Equality Act."
Guests say motel is in disrepair and management ignores complaints

Some guests at the Studios and Suites for Less in west Charlotte say they are dealing with exposed wires, no power and waste that has been left out.

The conditions are not ideal, but the guests said they can still live there.

Others said they have made several complaints that have gone unnoticed.

Alternatives to Violence, an advocacy group, thought the motel would be a great place to help a struggling family find stability.

LINK: AFFORDABLE HOUSING RESOURCES

Outreach worker Juan Hall said his team bought them a one-week stay at Studios and Suites for Less.

We came up with a plan for them to get back up on their feet, Hall said.

Channel 9 spoke with a woman who was looking for something affordable. She did not want to be identified.

We really didnt know what we were coming into, she said.

The woman and her family checked out early from the motel because of the conditions.

There were exposed wires, the woman said. A lot of the electrical stuff in the room did not work. I think we had two lights in the room that worked.

She said there were feces on a window.

We walked by that window every day for days and it had not been cleaned, she told Channel 9.

The mother told Channel 9 those conditions are extra concerning because her son lives with autism.

She says shes also concerned with a sign from the Department of Labor, which shows the elevator hasnt been inspected since 2019.

Getting anything done or trying to have anything done is, its rough, she said.

Channel 9s Erika Jackson brought her concerns to the motel, the city of Charlotte, and the county health department.

A Mecklenburg County car was at the motel Tuesday briefly while Jackson and her photographer were there.

Motel management told Jackson the new owners renovated the building within the year, and their team responds to complaints urgently.

Community activists expressed their concerns to management on behalf of some guests.

My reaction was, Wow. That people have to live like this in these conditions, Hall said.

Hall says he helped the family find a new place to stay but understands others may not have that option.

Under the conditions, some people have no other choice, Hall said.

Jackson pulled the elevator inspection reports from the North Carolina Department of Labor.

Records showed inspectors were at the motel in 2020 and 2022 but didnt do an inspection because of COVID-19 cases in the building.

A spokesperson with Mecklenburg County sent Channel 9 the following statement on Wednesday: Mecklenburg County Environmental Health has not received any recent complaints for the Suites 4 Less hotel, located at 3415 Queen City Drive, Charlotte NC. Environmental Health received a complaint concerning the presence of bedbugs and unsanitary conditions and conducted a sanitation inspection on 3/23/2023. The hotel received a score of 95.5% during that inspection. The Inspector indicated no evidence of bedbugs during that same inspection. Environmental Health has no regulatory authority over elevators in the state of North Carolina. Complaints related to elevators should be addressed to the Department of Labor. Environmental Health will follow up on the reported concerns this week.

A representative with the city of Charlotte sent Channel 9 a statement saying: Supporting partners are providing assistance and referring residents to Suites 4 Less, but this is not a City-owned property. Weve reached out to a few people in real estate and none are aware of the below claims.

Management said its elevator maintenance company is in contact with the Department of Labor.

VIDEO: New plan in works that could save Brookhill Village affordable housing
A gun-rights advocacy group issued a "travel advisory" for Massachusetts after a Democrat lawmaker filed a bill that would put more restrictions on firearms.

The National Association for Gun Rights issued the advisory on Tuesday and said the law would be among the most restrictive in the U.S.

"The National Association for Gun Rights has issued a Travel Advisory for gun owners to and within Massachusetts in response to the State Legislatures 140-page bill, House Docket 4420. HD 4420 is a comprehensive gun control bill that would ostensibly ban more guns than any current law in the United States," the organization said in a press release.

According to the Boston Globe, the bill would do the following:

SECOND AMENDMENT GROUP FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST ATF OVER ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY FOR CLOSING GUN STORES

Guns are displayed in a store in Greeley, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 9, 2022.

Require receivers and barrels of a gun to be registered and have serial numbers.

Further expand Massachusett's "red flag law" and include school administrators, medical professionals and employers to be on the list of individuals who can request an emergency protective order against gun owners who might present a risk of harming themselves or others.

Close loopholes that open the door for people to modify a legal gun into an illegal automatic weapon.

For 18- to 21-year-olds, the bill would remove shotguns or semiautomatic rifles from the new long-gun permit.

Prohibit guns in polling places, government buildings, schools and private property without permission from an owner.

Penalties for failing to report lost or stolen guns would be increased.

Allow people to surrender illegal guns anonymously without facing prosecution under an updated firearm surrender program.

People seeking to obtain a license to own a gun would be required to complete a live firearm training and complete a written exam.

State police, instead of local police, would be tasked with the oversight of gun dealers.

Dudley Brown, president of the National Association for Gun Rights, said in a statement, "This is probably the biggest and worst package of gun control regulation I have ever seen."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

INDIANAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL VOTES IN FAVOR OF BANNING 'ASSAULT' RIFLES, REMOVING CONCEALED CARRY

"A ban on almost all guns, registration of every gun and magazine in the state (old and new) and a de facto ban on firearms carry are in the bill. Massachusetts just secured [the] top position as the most hostile state in the union to gun owners," Brown wrote. "Your gun rights and your freedom are at serious risk in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. If you live there you might want to pack your bags and if you are thinking of traveling there, you need to reconsider."

The bill's author, Democrat Rep. Michael Day, told FOX Affiliate Boston 25, "Were not trying to go after or criminalize proper license [holders], people who can responsibly carry a firearm."

A customer holds a Glock 17 for sale at Redstone Firearms in Burbank, California, on Sept. 16, 2022.

"This is really intending to get at those that are evading our code of laws through the advancement of technology and criminal behavior," Day said.

Fox News Digital reached out to Day for comment.
After half a century, Israel moves to evict squatter from his cave home on the beach

Nissim Kahlon's home, chiseled out of the sandstone cliffs, overlooks the Mediterranean sea in Herzliya, Israel, Wednesday, June 28, 2023. Over half a century, Kahlon has transformed a tiny cave on a Mediterranean beach into an elaborate underground labyrinth filled with chiseled tunnels, detailed mosaic floors and a network of staircases and mysterious chambers. Fifty years after Kahlon moved into the home, Israel's Environmental Protection Agency has served him an eviction notice, claiming the structure threatens Israel's coastline. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

HERZLIYA, Israel (AP)  Over half a century, Nissim Kahlon has transformed a tiny cave on a Mediterranean beach into an elaborate underground labyrinth filled with chiseled tunnels, detailed mosaic floors and a network of staircases and chambers.

He lives in the one-of-a-kind artistic creation, which is a popular destination for local curiosity seekers, and Kahlon, 77, is quick to welcome visitors into his subterranean home.

Now, Israels government wants him out.

Fifty years after Kahlon moved into the home, Israels Environmental Protection Ministry has served him an eviction notice, saying the structure is illegal and threatens Israels coastline.

Instead of encouraging me, theyre denigrating me, Kahlon said, sitting in his mosaic-tiled living room, rolling a cigarette. The sun glimmered on the sea outside his west-facing windows.

Kahlon was living in a tent along the Herzliya beach north of Tel Aviv in 1973 when he says he began scratching into the sandstone cliffs and moved into a cave he carved.

Over time, his simple hole in the wall turned into a real-life sandcastle on steroids, filled with recycled wood, metal, ceramic and stone. Nearly every surface of his main quarters is covered in elaborate mosaics, made from discarded tiles of every color that he collected from dumpsters in Tel Aviv over the years. Recycled glass bottles serve as decoration and insulation on exterior walls.

Every wall in the labyrinthine complex is curved, and stairways bend and branch through the bedrock to chambers of different design and purpose. The complex has plumbing, a phone line and electric lighting in its many rooms, and Kahlon insists his construction is sturdy.

From the stones I quarry I make a cast and build a wall. Theres no waste here, only material, thats the logic, he said. Everything is useful, theres no trash.

Kahlon said he received a demolition order back in 1974 that was never carried out.

Since then, he says has never heard any opposition from the authorities until last year. The eviction is on hold until later this month to give him time to appeal.

He acknowledges he never received a building permit, and city hall shut down a beachfront restaurant he opened years ago. But his main argument is that local authorities connected his cave to the electric grid decades ago.

I am not leaving here. I am ready for them to bury me here, said Kahlon, a gruff but amiable chatterbox with a grey beard and beret. I have nowhere to go, I have no other home.

Kahlon's cave home is on the outskirts of Herzliya, a seafront city 8 miles (13 kilometers) north of Tel Aviv. It stands in contrast to the luxury homes that dot much of the beachside town  one of the most exclusive addresses in a country with a dire housing crunch.

A few hundred meters (yards) north of Kahlons cave is a Crusader castle -- site of a battle between Richard the Lionheart and Saladin over 800 years ago  as well as an abandoned facility that once belonged to Israel Military Industries, a defunct government-owned arms maker.

The facility, where explosives were developed and tested, was abandoned nearly 30 years ago after a massive explosion in 1992 killed two workers, damaged hundreds of buildings and shattered windows as far away as Tel Aviv. Last month, another explosion blew a massive crater in the sandy soil not far from Kahlons cave.

Various Israeli government authorities have accused each other of being responsible for cleaning up the patch of derelict, polluted ground over the decades. The Environmental Protection Ministry said that it has conducted repeated surveys to assess the extent of the pollution.

A full-scale cleanup, however, has not been done since the site was abandoned in the 1990s.

The ministry said the Defense Ministry and IMI, which was taken over by defense contractor Elbit Systems five years ago, are responsible for security at the site  whose main gate remains wide open and is frequently the scene of rogue raves  and that there werent supposed to be any remnants of live ammunition inside.

The Environmental Protection Ministry also said Kahlon had caused significant damage to the cliff, endangered the public and reduced the beach for public passage over the past 50 years. It says the recent explosion only increases the potential risk to the cliff.

The ministry accused the Herzliya municipality and other authorities of failing to address the situation over the years and claimed it has tried since 2016 to resolve the issue. In the end, it said it issued the eviction order to remove the harm to the coastal environment and said the Herzliya municipality has found alternative housing for Kahlon.

In the meantime, Kahlons friends and family have launched a crowdfunding campaign to help raise money for his legal defense while Kahlon continues to pursue his lifes work.

After an interview with The Associated Press, Kahlon picked himself up, grabbed his walker and a masons hammer and commenced chipping away at a nearby tunnel.

Im doing something to feel something, he said. I cant sit around all day.
"Cafe," "restaurant" enactment brings solace to cognitively-impaired seniors

08:58, July 12, 2023 By Song Rui, Mao Zhenhua and Yao Yuan ( Xinhua

Senior citizens with cognitive disorder enjoy coffee at Hetong Cognitive Rehabilitation Center in north China's Tianjin April 17, 2023. (Xinhua)

TIANJIN, July 11 (Xinhua) -- It seems another normal day for 73-year-old Wang. After making coffee at a cafe like a barista, she goes to a grocery store to buy daily necessities and then waits at a bus stop, ready to return home.

Wang has a serious cognitive impairment. She has forgotten the names of her children, constantly loses track of time, and does not know that the people she encounters -- from cafe customers to shop assistants -- are her fellow residents at a Chinese rehabilitation facility.

This Hetong Cognitive Rehabilitation Center in north China's Tianjin has built life-like settings, including a restaurant, a cafe, a cinema, a grocery store and a bus stop, to engage seniors like Wang in social activities, encouraging them to live and work like other citizens. All these elements form an integral part of role-playing rehabilitation therapy provided to senior citizens with cognitive disorders.

Chai Dingfang, a social worker at the center, said the role-playing activities can help the elderly retrieve their identities through social interactions, resist further cognitive decline, and improve their physical and mental condition.

"For example, the center's unfamiliar environment often triggers a desire in newly arrived elderly individuals to return home. In such situations, I would guide them to the 'bus stop.' Seeing a familiar bus route at a bus stop would ease their anxiety, and they would wait quietly for the 'bus' until the nurses pick them up," she said.

In the restaurant, which is open to participation from people outside the facility, four "waiters" walk around elderly-friendly tables and on non-slip mats.

A "waiter" surnamed Chen, 63, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Despite having participated in the exercise before, Chen continued to make mistakes. Her handwriting on orders was illegible, and she couldn't remember the numbers of the tables waiting to be served.

She was also unable to recognize that one of her customers, Hao Shuang, was her own daughter. Nevertheless, Hao displayed exceptional patience as she received her mother's services.

"I'm glad to see her calmness has been restored in this new job. This is so different to how she used to be -- grumpy, stuck at home and unable to take care of herself because of the disease," Hao said.

She said the role-playing experience has also been a salvation for her family. "Seeing my mother bringing the hot dishes to the table, just like she did when I was a child, brings back my most cherished memories of her," she said.

According to a report released by the China National Committee on Ageing, more than 15 million people in China aged 60 and above have cognitive impairments, and the figure is expected to reach 22.2 million in 2030.

But, the good news is that public awareness is also rising. The Tianjin center said it has an increasing number of volunteers, including college students, who offer to dine at the restaurant and chat with the patients serving them.

"Everyone is trying their best to be kind to our 'waiters' and to immerse them in a warm and loving atmosphere," Chai said.

In June, the National Health Commission said a nationwide campaign would be launched from 2023 to 2025 to promote the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's, with efforts to raise public awareness of the disease and guide the country's elderly population to pay attention to their brain health.

Fang Jiake, chairman of the Hetong Public Welfare Pension Group, which runs the rehabilitation facility, said that humanistic care is important at a time when effective medical cures for cognitive disorders remain scarce.

"We hope to use these kinds of activities to help elderly patients rediscover their value of life and live with dignity," Fang said.

According to Chai, an increasing number of patients are willing to open their hearts and talk with the care workers at the center through the role-playing rehabilitation therapy. She also keeps a record of the daily lives of the elderly patients in writing or on video and sends updates to their families.

"I want to document these good memories before they are erased from their brains," Chai said.

A senior citizen with cognitive disorder makes coffee like a barista under the guidance of a social worker at Hetong Cognitive Rehabilitation Center in north China's Tianjin April 17, 2023. (Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Since 2020, the number of applicants to HBCUs has climbed 30 percent, placing pressure on smaller, underfunded institutions. A surge is expected, aided by the Supreme Courts ruling.

Historically Black colleges and universities in America are preparing for an influx of applications, which, as it turns out, is a blessing and a curse.

The surge is expected in response to the U.S. Supreme Courts affirmative action ruling last month, which forbids colleges from considering a students race when making admissions decisions.

According to Bloomberg News, the decision says colleges can take into account an applicants unique life experience, which may be race-related. Still, the shift could mean fewer Black students at the nations most selective universities as those schools alter their admissions procedures.

David Wilson, president of Baltimores Morgan State University, whose Holmes Hall is seen above, supports increased government financing for HBCUs such as his as they develop into the models of diversity in American higher education. (Photo: Adobe Stock)

HBCUs may experience problems with an increase in applicants because their institutions are already disadvantaged and lack resources. The Black Lives Matter movement and George Floyds murder by Minneapolis police in May 2020 generated more interest in Black colleges, which were established to educate Black students but are open to all races.

Tashni-Ann Dubroy, Howard Universitys executive vice president and chief operating officer, described the Supreme Courts ruling as a call to action to invest in HBCUs.

National Center for Education Statistics data shows the total number of applications at 35 HBCUs has more than doubled over the last 20 years, increasing to approximately 233,500 in 2021.

Some schools have expanded their student populations due to the increased number of applicants. In the fall of 2022, Morgan State University attracted a record number of students  over 9,000. The Baltimore, Maryland, institution anticipates that demand will remain high. About 25,000 people applied to Morgan State for the fall semester.

Similarly, Morehouse College in Atlanta, which has roughly 2,200 students enrolled, expects a 50 to 100 percent rise in applications over the following three years.

In the current frame of resources that we have available to us, we could not absorb that kind of increase and continue to provide the quality of education that Morehouse guarantees its applicants, said Morehouse president David Thomas, unless we had a significant infusion of resources from a combination of philanthropist, corporations and the government.

Morgan State president David Wilson supports increasing government financing for HBCUs as they develop into the models of diversity in American higher education.

According to United Negro College Fund, HBCUs produce 35 percent of African American lawyers, 50 percent of African American engineers, and 70 percent of all African American doctors and dentists, despite those campuses making up a small percentage of U.S. institutions of higher learning, Bloomberg News reported.

During the pandemic, the American Rescue Plan Act made an exceptional investment by providing HBCUs with a record $2.7 billion in government funds. The Brookings Institution recently reported that HBCUs receive less than 1 percent of federal research and development grants.

While the nations wealthiest individuals and philanthropic organizations have invested in historically Black institutions in recent years due to cries for racial justice and equality, donations have declined.

According to recent Brookings research, the top 10 endowments for HBCUs were 100 times smaller than those for the 10 largest colleges with a majority of white students.

We have not received another eight-figure gift since MacKenzie Scotts $20 million, said Thomas, Bloomberg News reported. I am optimistic the decision will lead donors to make greater investment in Morehouse College and other HBCUs. That said, the jury is still out.

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The post HBCUs bracing for flood of applicants, both a blessing and a curse appeared first on TheGrio.
Jim Jordan Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Democrats sparred with Republicans leading the House Judiciary Committee's hearing Wednesday, with much of the ire targeted at Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and his claims about Hunter Biden and the alleged "weaponization" of the government.

In his opening remarks, Jordan took aim at FBI Director Christopher Wray over the July 4 ruling on alleged suppression of free speech by the bureau, quoting a Trump-appointed judge's statement that "the United States government seems to have assumed a role similar to an Orwellian Ministry of Truth," and further admonishing the FBI for trying to discredit reports about Hunter Biden's laptop.

"When the court says the FBI misled, that's a nice way of saying they lied. They lied, and as a result, important information was kept from 'we the people,' days before the most important election we have. The election of the President of the United States, election of the commander-in-chief," Jordan said.

"American speech is censored, parents are called terrorists, Catholics are called radicals, and I haven't even talked about the spying that took place on a presidential campaign or the raiding of a former president's home," he added.

Jordan teed up his line of attack during an appearance on Fox News Wednesday morning, according to Mediaite.

"Well, this all happened under his watch. He's the guy who created the foreign influence task force. The foreign influence task force was cited in the federal courts of opinion involved in censoring American speech," Jordan began when host Bill Hemmer asked if he thought Wray was the root of his problems with the bureau and noted that Wray is a Trump appointee.

"So, this is the guy who presided over when they raided President Trump's home 91 days before a mid-term election. This is the guy who was presiding over the FBI when the Richmond field office put together this memorandum saying they were looking to put sources inside parishes, inside the Catholic Church to snitch on parishioners. You've got to be kidding me. So this all happened under his watch," Jordan continued. "So I don't think it matters who appointed him or not. What we want to know is we want to know about all those things that have taken place, and we want them to stop, and we want him to give Congress the answers."

Jordan, a key ally of former President Donald Trump, proposed that Congress stop funding Justice Department investigations into political figures on the grounds that "politically sensitive" cases should fall under the jurisdiction of "non-partisan career staff." The claim is a direct rebuttal to the FBI's probe of Trump's Russia dealings and Hunter Biden's recent plea deal, which staunch conservatives, including Jordan, deemed evidence of a "two-tier justice system."

Wray defended the bureau against Jordan's claims, saying that the work "the men and women of the FBI do to protect the American people goes way beyond the one or two investigations that seem to capture all the headlines."

Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., during the hearing slammed Jordan for what he suggested was his ultra-focus on Hunter Biden's laptop

"Chairman, I've counted in this hearing  and we're only about an hour and a half in  the use of the word laptop about 20 times. That is bananas to me. You all are bringing up FISA, every single question," Swalwell told Jordan during Wednesday's hearing, referring to Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

"You're essentially saying to the American people that you're guardians of personal security and privacy, but the 2020 election was determined because the FBI didn't let more Americans see a private citizen's nonconsensual nudes?" Swalwell continued, referencing conservatives' outcry when Twitter removed naked images of the president's son.

Jordan asked Swalwell to yield for a comment, but he refused.

"Like, you should be a party of ideas, not a party of nonconsensual nudes to help you win an election," the Democratic lawmaker continued. "We should be talking about the mass shootings that occurred over the last ten days. This hearing has turned into absolute chaos."

Rep. Swalwell (D-CA) hits GOP for asking FBI Dir. Wray about Hunter Bidens laptop:



Youre essentially sayingyoure guardians of personal security and privacy, but 2020 election was determined because FBI didnt let more Americans see a private citizen's nonconsensual nudes? pic.twitter.com/tuGRwCEGV5  The Recount (@therecount) July 12, 2023

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

The Trump-appointed FBI director also took the chance to fire back at Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., after the Trump ally assailed the bureau's reputation during the hearing. After failing to get Wray to comment on potentially incriminating messages Hunter Biden sent years ago, Gaetz then launched an attack against the director's leadership abilities at the agency.

"You preside over the FBI, it has the lowest level of trust in the FBI's history," Gaetz argued. "People trusted the FBI more when J. Edgar Hoover was running the place... the reason is because you don't give straight answers."

Wray quickly retorted by informing Gaetz about the volume of Americans  Floridians in particular  who apply for positions with the bureau.

"Respectfully, congressman, in your home state of Florida, the number of people applying to come work for us, to devote their lives working for us, is up over 100 percent," Wray said.

"We're deeply proud of them!" Gaetz replied. "But they deserve better than you!"

Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., on Wednesday also came after Jordan, quickly shooting down Jordan's allegation that the FBI is "weaponized" against conservatives. He accused the Ohio Republican of attacking the agency to cape for Trump, who was indicted last month over his retention of national security documents after leaving office.

"Today, House Republicans will attack the FBI for having had the audacity to treat Donald Trump like any other citizen," Nadler said. "The FBI dared to hold Trump accountable, so Republicans must discredit the FBI at all costs. You will hear claims today that the FBI's decision to investigate Donald Trump was somehow unfair. You will hear Republicans attack the indictment of former President Trump on 37 counts related to his gross mishandling of national security information, including information regarding defense and weapons capabilities of both the United States and foreign countries, United States nuclear programs, potential vulnerabilities of the United States and its allies of military attack, and plans to possible retaliation in response to foreign attack."

Nadler also homed in on and mocked the suggestion that an FBI headed by a Trump-appointed director was a leftist group conspiring to take down conservatives.

"You will hear the case that this was a political investigation from the start, orchestrated by a liberal-loving FBI, that would ensure Trump would be wrongfully vilified at every turn," Nadler said. "These claims, of course, are completely untethered from evidence. Even if you believe, as Chairman Jordan claims, that President Trump has committed no crime, surely we can agree that it is dangerous, and profoundly irresponsible, to have taken these documents from the White House and left them unsecured in Mar-a-Lago."

Read more

about Jim Jordan
Beachgoers take in the ocean mist Tuesday as the sun sets on Huntington Beach. A heat wave hitting Southern California is expected to bring temperatures of up to 113 degrees in the Antelope Valley and foothills this weekend. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A "heat dome" settling over Southern California is expected to intensify through the weekend, bringing temperatures into the triple digits and elevating wildfire danger.

An excessive-heat warning for the Antelope Valley and foothills will be in effect from 10 a.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Monday, with temperatures from 103 to 113 degrees expected, according to the National Weather Service. Overnight lows could provide little relief, dipping only into the mid-70s to mid-80s.

Temperatures are forecast to peak Friday into Monday in the deserts, lower mountains and interior valleys. Overnight lows are expected to range from the low 70s to 80s in the lower mountains.

For the coastal valleys and Santa Monica Mountains, the heat is expected to peak Friday into Sunday, with highs in the 90s to 105.

The warmest areas will be in the valleys, the San Fernando Valley foothills and the Los Angeles County mountains. Woodland Hills could see a high of 107 degrees on Saturday.

Read more: As California bakes, Newsom launches $20-million campaign to warn of the dangers of extreme heat

Decades-old daily temperature records are in striking distance over the weekend, according to NWS meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld. Lancaster is forecast to hit 110 degrees Saturday, which would tie a record set in 1972, and 109 on Sunday, which would equal a mark last reached in 1960. Pomona could also see a daily temperature record tied Friday, when the heat is forecast to reach 103 degrees, matching the record set in 1930.

Its not a crazy, extreme heat wave or anything, Schoenfeld said. Its a run-of-the-mill heat wave."

The hot conditions are caused by an area of high pressure aloft over Southern California that began Wednesday, leading to a warm air mass known as a "heat dome" that traps the heat near the surface. The air mass is not expected to mix with other areas, resulting in the air being still and keeping the region warm.

The high pressure is expected to cause compression of the marine layer, keeping it concentrated mostly to coastal areas and away from more inland regions, which will be much hotter.

Kate Morgan and her husband, Steve, walk past dry brush while making their way along the Summit to Summit Trail in Calabasas. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Those inland conditions will also lead to a drying trend with low humidity, creating critical fire conditions throughout the week. Winds, however, arent expected to be strong over the weekend.

The Interstate 5 corridor will likely see some wind, which will make it more vulnerable to fires starting. Schoenfeld recommended that people avoid using potential ignition sources and throwing flammables such as cigarettes out the car window.

Several wildfires have already ignited across the region during the heat wave. A brush fire broke out around 1 p.m. Wednesday near Castleman and Clifden lanes in Burbank, according to the Burbank Fire Department. The fire was knocked down within 45 minutes and contained to 1 acre, with no injuries or structure damage reported.

A grass fire also burned Wednesday afternoon near the 210 Freeway in Pacoima but was contained within about 30 minutes without any damage to structures or injuries, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Read more: Multiple fires erupt as heat wave descends on Southern California

According to online reports, a fire near Marine Corps. Base Camp Pendleton in northern San Diego County had reached more than 100 acres by Wednesday afternoon.

The Rider fire was first reported Tuesday afternoon on Seaton Avenue in Mead Valley, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection/Riverside County Fire Department. The fire was fully contained at 12 acres by 7:14 p.m. Tuesday.

The Springs fire was first reported Tuesday at 4:46 p.m. in Moreno Valley. The blaze was fully contained at nearly 37 acres the same day at 11 p.m.

The Snake fire, which started Tuesday afternoon in Lake Elsinore, was at 30 acres and 75% contained by Wednesday afternoon. One firefighter battling the blaze was taken to a hospital with an injury that was not life threatening, officials said.

Todd Hall, a meteorologist at the National Wather Service office in Oxnard, said it's typical for vegetation to dry out after the rainy season. As moisture levels go down, vegetation becomes fuel for fires  with critical levels usually reached around July and continuing through November.

The mountains that were green in March, April, are now turning brown, he said. And so those are those grasses that were starting to see that have cured. Theyre ready to be kind of basically fuel for fire.

Cal Fire Capt. Chris Bruno said firefighters are constantly preparing for these changes in temperature throughout the year.

Bruno added that it is important for people to prepare for the heat by staying hydrated and having adequate supplies when they go outside. Should any fires erupt, he said, nearby residents should stay informed about road closures and evacuation warnings or orders.

Santiago Tomas, 11, left; his brother Miguel Tomas, 9; mother Evlalia Nazario, 29; and 1-year-old brother Diego, in a stroller, share an umbrella while walking along Broadway in Los Angeles. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Asked about potential outages in the coming days, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Californias power grid should be all right.

We expect to be in good position this week, but [were] mindful that not everybody will be, in the context of keeping themselves safe, Newsom said.

The governor promoted the states $20-million campaign to warn vulnerable residents about the dangers of extreme heat through community outreach, canvassing and phone banking.

This is becoming all too familiar in the state of California, and thats why we are stepping up our efforts as it relates to a real targeted focus on keeping people safe and educating people on the importance of staying hydrated and staying cool, Newsom said.

Officials from several state agencies have partnered with the Governors Office of Emergency Services on an Extreme Temperature Response Plan.

Read more: How to stay cool and safe during California's first heat wave of the summer

Jeff Killip, chief of the Division of Occupational Safety and Health, said during a Wednesday news briefing that officials were trying to survey the landscape and reach out to outdoor workers susceptible to heat-related illness.

Theres a lot of people, and were doing the best we can to get a handle on the most vulnerable workers and the most at-risk workplace hazards, and address those as proactively as we can, he said. Its definitely on our radar.

During the heat wave, Southern Californians are advised to stay hydrated, avoid the outdoors if possible, find air conditioning indoors or visit a cooling center.

Children, elderly people, pets, unhoused residents, pregnant people and people with chronic health conditions are more vulnerable to heat-related illness. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating; cold, pale and clammy skin; a fast pulse; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; headache; and passing out. Worsening symptoms could be signs of more serious heatstroke.

Times staff writers Taryn Luna, Saumya Gupta and Jeremy Childs contributed to this report.

Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
WELLFLEET  Four young women visiting from Mexico this week will return to their home in the Mexican state of Michoacan and work on "el comienzo de su propia historia"  the beginning of their own story.

Senior interns with Campamento de la Paz, a program that teaches young people to become social activists through the arts, the university students are here on a 10-day visitor exchange to learn how Cape Cod residents, businesses, ecologists and town officials came together after years of disagreement and inaction to rally behind the Herring River salt marsh and tidal restoration project.

Their hope is to share important lessons learned in Wellfleet with citizen groups and elected officials in the four municipalities surrounding Lago de Patzcuaro in Michoacan, which has suffered from heavy pollution. So far, community members and leaders have failed to join forces there, and the young women  Vale Aguilar, Molly Penaloza, Alejandra Garcia and Ireri Servin  want to change that.

Yolanda "Molly" Penaloza and Vale Aguilar, second and third from left respectively, listen on Monday in Wellfleet to Dale Rheault, chair of the Friends of Herring River, center, talk about the Herring River salt marsh restoration project. Penaloza and Aguilar are part of a delegation from Mexico that is in Wellfleet learning about the project.

"It's wonderful. It's so impressive," said Servin about the Herring River project as the group stood Monday on the Herring River dike on Chequessett Neck Road.

The students are here to learn what people did in Wellfleet and why, said Kathrine LeTourneau, a resident of Wellfleet and retired school superintendent who has been collaborating with a colleague, Jane Wholey, who works with the Campamento de la Paz, to bring the students here. Their trip is sponsored by he U.S. National Park Service.

How to get people involved, how to build coalitions is the same

LeTourneau said the science of fixing problems at the lago would be different from the science applied to the Herring River restoration, but "the procedures and the process you would go through  how to get people involved, how to build coalitions  is the same."

On Monday, the four students, along with members of the Friends of Herring River, visited the dike to see the work that's begun there.

Wes Stinson, owner's project representative with Environmental Partners, hired by the town to work on the project, told the delegation that it took 30 years of "building relationships and building trust with the community that this is a good thing."

"So many people have come together," he said, such as the Friends of Herring River, federal and state funding organizations, and the town, among others. "There's a lot of people," Stinson said.

The cooperation among diverse groups with different areas of expertise "has gotten us where we are now," said Dale Rheault, chair of the Friends of Herring River Board of Directors. "It takes patience, it takes time, and it's worth it," she told the young Mexicanas.

Inspiration for the students

The students said they've been inspired so far.

Servin said she looks forward to sharing her experience when she returns home  not only teaching young children to love the environment, but also working on developing collaboration between officials and organizations there to take action to save their lake.

"We plan to do many things, like meetings with the mayor," she said.

The others also said they are impressed with how people came together here to heal a degraded ecosystem.

"I think they have a good way to get organized," said Garcia.

"They are very organized. We need to do that," added Aguilar. "This is a great opportunity to learn from them. We have a problem with the organization of people. So, that's why we are here."

Wes Stinson, owner's project representative with Environmental Partners, talks on Monday in Wellfleet with Vale Aguilar, Yolanda "Molly" Penaloza, Alejandra Garcia and Ireri Servin, left to right, about the Herring River salt marsh restoration project.

"We are so thankful for being here to learn about this," said Penaloza.

Part of a study of social engagement for the Mexican students

Wholey, a former Massachusetts resident who now calls Patzcuaro home, is traveling with the students. She said this trip is part of their study of social engagement.

The students have spent the last several years studying issues of community concern at the Campamento, Wholey said. When they return home, they'll become full-time, salaried staff members of the organization. Each will be paired with an artist with whom they'll work to educate youngsters about the Campamentos annual issue of community concern, then help the kids shape their thoughts, fears and dreams into an annual theater production.

The issue this year is Lago de Patzcuaro.

The lago "les preocupa mucho"  it worries them a lot. Garcia said it is on the verge of losing one of its precious treasures, the critically endangered achoque salamander, decimated by habitat degradation and introduction of predatory fish.

Problems like sewage, waste, soil degradation and introduction of non-native fish

"We have a lot of problems. One of them is sewage and waste. Another is soil degradation," said Aguilar.

The forest has been cut down to grow avocadoes, and the use of chemicals and pesticides have polluted the lago, she said. Another "problema importante", a major problem, has been introduction of non-native fish, like carp, tilapia and African trout.

Combined with habitat degradation, the non-native fish are diminishing the population of charales, a small, white fish that's been a staple for people in the region since pre-Hispanic times. Charales mostly breed in the Lago de Patzcuaro and in Lago de Chapala in the neighboring state of Jalisco, though Michoacan produces about 60% of the fish  in fact, Michoacan comes from the Nahuatl words for "place of the fishermen."

Penaloza said many of the problems began with introduction of the railroad in the 1960s. Things were quite different in the past, as the students have learned from interviewing older residents in their community.

"My father told me when he was a child he could swim in the lake," said Aguilar.

Work on a temporary road continues on Monday in Wellfleet as part of the Herring River salt marsh restoration project. Friends of Herring River members gave a tour of the project Monday to a group of women from Mexico. The women hope to apply what they learn in Wellfleet to help restore a lake in their home country that has been severely compromised by deforestation, sedimentation and loss of native fish.

"Yes, many older people remember swimming there," said Penaloza, adding that what's happened to the lago, and is continuing to happen, "it's very sad."

Swimming in the lake at home is not a good idea

Asked if anyone would consider swimming today, the four students simultaneously crinkled their noses to show revulsion. They said there are no signs warning people not to go swimming, but "people just know" it's not a good idea.

Showing photos of the lake in the past compared to now, Garcia said it "is very impactive" to see how things have declined. "Now it's really different," she said.

"And they have cut down much of the last forest," said Aguilar.

During their stay here, the interns will interview the key players who made the Herring River restoration project possible. They plan to put together a report to share back home in a series of meetings with community groups and elected officials.

"They're excited and committed to this. They can take it home to the mayor and get a spark going with the community," said LeTourneau.

Today "las visitantes Mexicanas" will give a presentation about Lago de Patzcuaro called "Can Lake Patzcuaro be saved?" at the Cape Cod National Seashore Salt Pond Visitor Center, 50 Nauset Road, Eastham. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the program begins at 7 p.m.

Heather McCarron writes about climate change, environment, energy, science and the natural world. Reach her at hmccarron@capecodonline.com, or follow her on Twitter @HMcCarron_CCT

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Mexican students hope Herring River will help them save a dying lago
Liu He, a computer science PhD candidate at Purdue University, has not been fishing long but quickly homed in on a unique technique that netted him 15 Fish of the Year awards in 2022.

Liu mixed his computer science background and love of the outdoors to use spreadsheets and data analysis to help reel in enough Fish of the Year awards to fill a wall in his West Lafayette home.

More: Top Indiana angler's secret weapon takes a byte out of the mystery of catching big 'uns

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources award program, started in 1963, is a way to get Hoosiers excited about fishing in the state. Entries can be submitted through Dec. 31 of each year, and winners are announced sometime in January.

Liu He, here with a common carp he fished out of the Wabash River, won 15 Fish of the Year awards in 2022 through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

LINK MAIN ARTICLE HERE: 70380162007

Lius Wall of Fame

Last year, on trips to rivers, creeks and ponds throughout Indiana, the West Lafayette angler was able to bring home the following awards (catches are listed by family, species, size and location caught):

Black Bass, Spotted Bass , 14.5 inches, Wabash River in Tippecanoe County

Sunfish, Rock Bass , 11 inches, Tippecanoe River in White County

Perch, Sauger , 18.5 inches, Wabash River in Tippecanoe County

Trout/Salmon, Steelhead , 32 inches, Trail Creek in LaPorte County

True Bass, Striped Bass , 15.5 inches, Cecil M. Harden Lake in Parke County

True Bass, White Bass , 16.5 inches, Tippecanoe River in Carroll County

Minnow, Common Carp (tie with Jonah Switzer), 30 inches, Wabash River in Tippecanoe County

Sucker, Bigmouth Buffalo , 24 inches, Tippecanoe River in Carroll County

Sucker, Blue Sucker , 27 inches, Tippecanoe River in Carroll County

Sucker, Quillback , 18 inches, Tippecanoe River in Carroll County

Sucker, Smallmouth Buffalo , 26 inches, Tippecanoe River in Carroll County

Other, Gizzard Shad , 18 inches, Tippecanoe River in Carroll County

Other, Goldeye , 17 inches, Wabash River in Tippecanoe County

Other, Skipjack Herring , 16 inches, Wabash River in Tippecanoe County

Other, Freshwater Drum, 23.5 inches, Wabash River in Tippecanoe County

Tips for beginner anglers

Liu doesnt place a lot of emphasis on the tackle and rods he buys, preferring second-hand equipment.

Rod Edgell, fisheries research supervisor with DNR, said all you really need to get started are a pole with some line and a bobber, hook and worm.

Keep things simple, Edgell said.

Talking to experienced anglers helps. Tell them what species youre after and start a conversation around that. Most will tell a beginner how to approach that species and provide some tips.

IDNR offers a variety of beginner resources online, so head to its website for programs, events and tips.

Public places where you can fish

IDNR's Division of Fish an Wildlife also has a public access program that provides free water access to anglers.

The department even keeps an interactive map of public fishing locations on its website. It lists a variety of shoreline locations along rivers and creeks. Before heading out, make sure where you're going allows public access.

IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Here are angler Liu He's 15 award-winning catches. How do you compare?
A school janitor was arrested and charged in a human trafficking scheme in Michigan, officials said.

Jeremy Jonathan Byl, a 47-year-old custodian at Holland High School, is accused of taking part in a commercial sex operation, according to a July 11 news release from the Kent County Sheriffs Office.

He allegedly posed as a woman online to facilitate commercial sex, the sheriffs office said. He also reportedly transported female victims for commercial sex and reaped profits from the transactions.

Byl, a resident of Walker, was charged with prostitution/transporting, aiding and abetting prostitution and using the internet to communicate with others about committing crimes.

An attorney for Byl could not immediately be reached for comment by McClatchy News.

His arrest is the culmination of a seven month investigation by the Kent County Sheriffs Office Human Trafficking Task Force.

Currently, there is no information to indicate anyone in the schools are involved or students were targeted, the sheriffs office said.

The investigation is ongoing and officials expect more charges to be filed.

A representative for Holland Public Schools did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News, but said in a statement that there was no indication of wrongdoing toward students or staff, according to the Holland Sentinel.

All people who work in our schools, even contracted employees such as this, must pass a background check, the statement read, according to the Holland Sentinel. There was nothing on the background check that prevented him from being hired by Grand Rapids Building Services and being assigned as night time custodian.

McClatchy News has reached out to Grand Rapids Building Services for comment and is awaiting a response.

Prostitution is criminalized in every U.S. state except Nevada, which enforces specific guidelines, according to the University of Minnesota Libraries.

Holland is located about 30 miles southwest of Grand Rapids.

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Noon Friday, July 14, is the deadline to appear in next weeks Around Town listing. We must receive your event in writing with a contact phone number for questions. Submissions will be edited and appear in the week before the event date.

Email: lifestyle@bnd.com. Mail to: Highland Around Town, Belleville News-Democrat, P.O. Box 427, Belleville, IL 62222-0427. Questions, call Jennifer Green at 618-239-2643.

Wednesday, July 12

 National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group  6:30-8 p.m. Online via Zoom. Free peer-to-peer support group for adults with a mental health condition working towards recovery. Every Wednesday. Open the Zoom app and enter 3914844542. For information: kelly.nami.swi@gmail.com or 618-798-9788.

Friday, July 14

 Peanut Butter & Jam Festival  11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Downtown Square, Highland. Spend time with family and friends on Fridays during the summer. There will be free PB&J sandwiches, popcorn, family entertainment, food vendors. This week featuring music by Babaloo. For more info, visit the Highland Parks & Recreation Facebook page.

 Book Signing: Ed Wheatley  4-6 p.m. Field House Museum, 634 S. Broadway, St. Louis. Local sports historian, author, and documentarian Ed Wheatley joins the Field House Museum to sign copies of his books on St. Louis sports history. Free admission. Books available for purchase. fieldhousemuseum.org

 Aviston Legion Fish Fry  4:30-7 p.m. American Legion Post 1239, 601 S. Clinton, Aviston. Cod (baked or fried), catfish, shrimp, hush puppies, chicken strips, fries, baked potato, slaw, applesauce. Dine-in and carryout. 618-228-7311 or avistonlegion.com.

 Beverly Farm Fireworks Display  9:30 p.m. Beverly Farm, 6301 Humbert Road, Godfrey. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. Arrive as early as 8:30 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs. No personal fireworks or alcoholic beverages on the Beverly Farm campus. Open to the public. beverlyfarm.org

Saturday, July 15

 Tri Township Library Book Sale  9 a.m. to noon. Tri Township Library, 209 S. Main St., Troy. Book donations accepted 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and during the book sale. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. 618-667-2133.

Tuesday, July 18

 Highland Farmers Market  4-8 p.m. Highland Square, 914 Main St., Highland. Local farmers, cottage food makers, and crafters will be present to sell a variety of produce, meats, desserts and more. Each Tuesday morning a map will be posted on the Highland Parks and Recreation Facebook page showing what vendors will be present.

 Parents of Addicted Loved Ones  7-8:30 p.m. Online via Zoom. The PAL group provides education, support and hope to family members and loved ones of someone who has an addiction of substance use disorder. Free and open to all. For info or to join the Zoom meeting, contact Craig at 618-567-6095. palgroup.org

Other area happenings

 Jammin at the Zoo  6-10:30 p.m. Fridays, July 21 and Aug. 18. Saint Louis Zoo, One Government Drive, St. Louis. A 21-and-over summer event with live music and wine and beer tastings with more than 50 selections of wines, specialty canned cocktails and beers from St. Louis breweries. Proceeds benefit the Saint Louis Zoo and its conservation efforts. Advanced tickets available at stlzoo.org/jammin.

 Kids Chorus Camp 2023  9 a.m. to noon Monday-Friday, July 31-Aug. 4. First Baptist Church, 2709 Poplar St., Highland. The camp is sponsored and led by Heartland Community Chorus. Registration fee: $45. Additional registrations from the same family are $30 each. Need-based scholarships available. Registration deadline: July 21. To register: heartlandcommunitychorus.org.

 Pitch for Cancer Research Corn Hole Tournament Fundraiser  1-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19. Trenton City Park, Trenton. Proceeds from the event benefit cancer research, through Pedal the Cause. Prizes will be awarded to the top four team finishers (but possibly more). Food, beer, and drinks available for purchase. One-hundred percent of donations fund innovative cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center & Siteman Kids at St. Louis Childrens Hospital. For more info: Mark Skaer, 618-623-2769, skaer.mark@gmail.com or https://fundly.com/pitch-for-cancer-research-corn-hole-tournament-fundraiser.

* * *

Stacy Marriott, APRN

HSHS Medical Group welcomes Stacy Marriott, APRN, Family Medicine

HSHS Medical Group is pleased to welcome Stacy Marriott, APRN, to the medical team. Specializing in family medicine, Marriott is now scheduling patients at HSHS Medical Group Family & Internal Medicine - Highland (12860 Troxler Ave., Suite 320, Highland).

As a primary care provider, Marriott cares for patients of all ages and offers a variety of services, including minor procedures, general wellness care, well-child exams and womens health care. An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), Marriott is a highly trained health care professional capable of diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions, as well as medication management.

Marriott earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Champaign, Illinois, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville. She received her Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner, from Saint Louis University in St. Louis. Marriott is a board-certified family nurse practitioner.

I enjoy helping people feel better after an acute illness and live longer by managing chronic diseases, Marriott said.

To schedule an appointment with Marriott, please call 618-654-6665. If youre a new HSHS Medical Group patient, call Kim Schneider, our patient advocate, at 844-520-8897, to help set up your first appointment.
A hiker stumbled upon an abandoned campsite in a remote campground in Colorado, and then discovered what was likely the decomposed body of one of the long-dead campers, officials said.

The hiker called the Gunnison County Sheriffs Office to report the chilling discovery at the Gold Creek Campground just before 5 p.m. Sunday, July 9, according to a news release. There are only six campsites available on the campgrounds, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

When investigators went to the campsite the next morning, they discovered two more heavily decomposed bodies, officials said in the release.

Authorities believe the campers have been dead for a substantial period of time given the state of decomposition, the release said.

Officials are not releasing details of the campers identities or their manner of death until a coroner performs an autopsy, the release said.

Authorities did not give more information about the appearance of the campsite.

There are no known risks to residents or outdoor enthusiasts recreating in the area associated with this unfortunate event, officials said.

Gold Creek Campground is near Ohio City, Colorado, about 190 miles southwest of Denver.

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The lobby in downtown Miamis InterContinental Hotel on Wednesday was full of people in suits, dresses and other professional attire and many with briefcases and resumes in hand.

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists 2023 International Training Convention & Expo was officially in full swing with plenty of energy. Founded in 1984, NAHJ has about 4,000 members. The organization supports the professional goals of Hispanic journalists, students aspiring to join the field and journalism educators.

NAHJ President Yvette Cabrera said the convention, which Miami last hosted in 2019, is a non-political event and designed to appeal to Floridas six million Latino residents. Seminars, panel discussions and a job fair are staples of the media conference celebrating diversity and running through Saturday at the hotel.

With three Florida residents  including Miamis Mayor Francis Suarez  running for president, theres certainly a political undercurrent around the city and state. Cabrera said in an interview the conference offers a safe space for Latino journalists to gather and network when two of those three candidates, Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump, are viewed by many as xenophobic.

We are living in a time of great challenges, Cabrera said. We are facing a climate crisis, a post-pandemic world, and a political climate that is increasingly hostile to immigrants, people of color, and marginalized communities. But I am confident that we can overcome these challenges if we work together to shine a light in dark places. We can expose injustices and examine solutions.

The spectacle of seeing Latino professionals with thriving careers and gaining greater access to the media industry apparently resonated and encouraged conference attendance. The convention sold out in May with 1,550 people registered.

Latino journalists network during Wednesdays opening day of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists convention on July 12, 2023 at the InterContinental Hotel in Miami.

I dont see many Puerto Ricans in [big] media like NBC News or CNN, said recent graduate Andrea Falche Dominicci, who is attending to help launch her career. I think its really important to see people that look like us to motivate us and our future careers.

Dominicci, 22, is a recent graduate of Puerto Ricos Universidad del Sagrado Corazon. Since receiving her bachelors degree in journalism with a minor in photography, shes focused on landing her first job in journalism. Shes encouraged by her prospects at the convention.

I think the most exciting thing is attending and having interviews with NBC and CNN, the aspiring journalist said. Ive been watching CNN my entire life every morning.
A Honduran citizen who police said had few ties to Springfield pleaded guilty this week for his role in a deadly DWI crash on Glenstone Avenue.

Jarol Leiva-Navarro, 22, also pleaded guilty to operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver's license  his third such citation in the U.S.  after the 2021 high-speed crash that killed 32-year-old Springfield resident Colby Compton.

Leiva-Navarro was driving faster than 100 mph southbound on Glenstone Avenue in a Dodge Charger as he approached the intersection at Portland Street, according to investigators. Leiva-Navarro, who police say was racing another vehicle, then struck Compton's Saturn, which was pulling west onto Portland during a yellow light. He died at the scene.

Police said Leiva-Navarro, who also pleaded guilty to careless driving, had a blood-alcohol content (.092%) above the legal limit. He reportedly admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the day.

More: Two-year-old killed in driveway, Springfield man arrested on suspicion of DWI

Greene County prosecutors asked after Leiva-Navarro's 2021 arrest that he be held in jail without bond as his case moves forward, arguing that he is a flight risk and could potentially return to Honduras.

Leiva-Navarro faces up to 15 years for the DWI fatality charge. His sentencing is slated for October.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Honduran man pleaded guilty to deadly DWI crash in Springfield
HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong's environment and ecology department head said the city will ban seafood imports from 10 Japanese prefectures if Tokyo goes ahead with a plan to discharge treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima plant into the sea.

Tse Chin-wan, Secretary for Environment and Ecology told reporters on Wednesday that a ban would include imports of all live, frozen, refrigerated, dried or otherwise preserved aquatic products, sea salt, and unprocessed or processed seaweed.

The measures come a day after Hong Kong leader John Lee said that the city would ban sea products from a "large number" of Japanese prefectures if Tokyo went ahead with the waste water discharge.

The city is Japan's second largest market, after mainland China, for agricultural and fisheries exports. In 2022, Japan exported 75.5 billion yen ($536 million fishery products to Hong Kong, according to Japanese government statistics.

Japan's plan, approved by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, has faced opposition at home and abroad over concerns of food safety. The country insists the releases will be safe and meet global standards.

Japan has made a strong request to Hong Kong officials not to tighten restrictions on food imports from Japan because of its plan to discharge treated radioactive water from its Fukushima nuclear plant, Tokyo's foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

Tse and chief secretary Eric Chan said they met the Japanese consul general in Hong Kong to discuss the issue and emphasized that the government has a rigorous system to ensure food safety.

The ban would apply to imported aquatic products from Tokyo, Fukushima, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, Tse said.

(Reporting by Twinnie Siu and Farah Master; Editing by Jacqueline Wong & Simon Cameron-Moore)
Hospice patient kept talking about her horse. She got to say goodbye from stretcher

A 79-year-old woman in hospice care got to say goodbye to one of her most cherished companions  Bella, the horse she raised since the equine was 2 years old.

Karina Courtmanche rode in an ambulance to the horse farm in Connecticut where Bella lives on Sunday, July 9, according to local reports.

Courtmanche told her caretakers in Connecticut Hospice that she wanted to see her beloved Bella again, a case manager told WAFB.

We were talking with her, and she kept talking about her horse Bella, that she wanted to see Bella, Michelle Walker told the station.

So Courtmanches hospice team made it happen.

It coordinated with ambulance company American Medical Response to take Courtmanche out to Bittersweet Farm in Bethany and set her up in a stretcher right outside Bellas stall, WTNH reported.

We know that the horse was very important to her, and that this was an important part of her transitioning through these final times of her life, Andrew Rennie told WTNH. Rennie is the account executive of business development for American Medical Response.

Video shows Courtmanche stroking 30-year-old Bellas nose and feeding carrots to her. Walker assures Courtmanche that Bella ate the carrots and even stretched her nose out to give her kisses.

Im very excited that Im able to give her this last wish, Walker told WFSB. Its important to her, so its important to us.

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A man was arrested and a woman described as his hostage was released Tuesday following an hourslong standoff in a room at the Caesars Palace resort in Las Vegas, authorities said.

No injuries were reported and the woman was unharmed, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Video footage posted on social media showed furniture, cushions, and other objects fall from the high-rise tower and startling guests in a swimming pool area below.

"SWAT made entry into the hotel room and has taken the subject into custody. The female who was also in the room is safe and with officers," police updated on Twitter at 2:46 p.m.

Police said the standoff began around 9:15 a.m. with a report from hotel security of a domestic disturbance. Las Vegas police Capt. Stephen Connell said a man and woman were arguing and that the man pulled the woman into a room "by force."

Officers attempted to contact the individuals in the room but the man refused to open the door and told officers he was armed, prompting a SWAT team and crisis negotiators to respond to the scene.

It was not immediately clear if the man was actually armed and if the two individuals were in a relationship, according to Connell. Police said the investigation is ongoing.

Resort guests frightened by incident

Outside, resort guests were alarmed by several loud bangs and falling glass from a room about two-thirds up the 29-story Palace Tower, one of six towers at Caesars Palace. Some guests thought there might have been a shooter or attack.

Beverly Blackwell, 56, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was with her husband by a pool when they heard glass break and saw curtains blowing from a broken window.

"When we saw the window shatter it was kind of a surreal feeling, it got pretty scary," Blackwell told The Associated Press. "We were told to gather our stuff and rush out the back."

Guests in the pool area were evacuated by staff members and police. Another guest, Emma Snyder, 24, said some people hid by a staircase while several objects flew out the window: a coffee maker, a hair dryer, and a desk bureau.

John Marshall, an Associated Press writer who was on vacation with his family at the Palace Tower, said broken glass and furniture fell intermittently for about an hour.

While police and resort security officers were seen in parts of the resort, employees told Marshall and his family that guests on other floors were not evacuated or restricted from movement.

"In the casino, it's business as usual," Marshall said.

Caesars Palace said in a statement that it was aware of the security incident and its team was cooperating with law enforcement.

As one of Las Vegas' largest and most iconic landmarks, the resort is a popular destination spot for Las Vegas tourists. The hotel has nearly 4,000 rooms.

Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Caesars Palace in Las Vegas: Hourslong standoff leads to arrest
These are the hottest zip codes for home buyers in Charlotte. See where yours landed

A new report shows the hottest areas for Charlotte home buyers are in northern Mecklenburg County.

Opendoor compiled a list of the 10 zip codes where homes are selling the fastest by analyzing data from the local Multiple Listing Service to find the total homes in each location that went into contract within 90 days of listing this year.

According to the report, the 28269 zip code in north Charlotte came in at No. 1, followed by 28078 (Huntersville) and 28277 (Ballantyne).

Here are the 10 most popular Charlotte-area zip codes where people are moving, according to Opendoor:

28269 - Charlotte (Highland Creek) 28078 - Huntersville 28277 - Charlotte (Ballantyne) 28205 - Charlotte (Eastland) 28027 - Concord 29715 - Fort Mill 28173 - Waxhaw 29732 - Rock Hill 28227 - Charlotte (Matthews/Mint Hill) 28210 - Charlotte (Beverly Woods)

The spike in home sales matches the population growth of Charlotte during the last few years, according to the report.

Charlotte landed at No. 15 in a census report on population growth between July 2021 and July 2022, and was ranked No. 6 among cities with the most new home construction.

Charlotte also had an unemployment rate of just 3.2% in May, according to the most recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, making it an attractive location for potential home buyers.

One aspect [of the first half of 2023] that did not surprise me was the continued strong demand for real estate in Charlotte, Kristina Delgado, a realtor with Allure Realty in Charlotte, told Opendoor. The city has been experiencing steady population growth, job opportunities, and a favorable business climate, making it an attractive destination for many individuals and families.
This disaster is not over: Post-flooding perils endanger Vermont as more rain could inundate already deluged cities

The catastrophic floodwater that damaged or destroyed countless homes in Vermont is slowly receding, but a spate of new threats loom.

This may not be over. With rain in the forecast  and nowhere for it to go  we could see waters rise again, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said Wednesday.

The National Weather Service issued a new round of flood watches for parts of New England  including devastated swaths of Vermont  starting Thursday.

Additional rainfall is expected Thursday afternoon as a line of strong thunderstorms move through, the National Weather Service in Burlington said.

A tractor clears water from a business Wednesday in Barre, Vermont, after a storm dumped almost two months of rain in two days. - Charles Krupa/AP

Its still not clear exactly how many homes and businesses have already been ravaged by the flooding spawned by epic rainfall earlier this week.

We are still in active response mode and have multiple rescues ongoing, Vermont Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison said Wednesday. More than 200 people have been rescued since Sunday, she said.

While no deaths have been reported from the flooding, the governor estimated thousands of lives have been upended.

I know thousands of Vermonters have lost homes, businesses and more,  Scott said. The devastation is far reaching.

The good news: Generally speaking, rivers have crested, and river flooding should wind down throughout the day, Morrison said Wednesday. But, she added, This disaster is not over in the state of Vermont.

In addition to the risk of more flooding Thursday, residents of submerged homes face a host of new perils.

Many disaster-related deaths occur after the acute phase and during the cleanup and recovery, Morrison said.

Those returning to their flooded homes should take precautions when entering. Do not turn on your circuit breaker or use any power sources until youve had your system checked by a licensed electrician, she said.

For those with damaged property: Please report your damages to 211, as we are collecting data for a possible federal disaster declaration.

The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency visited Vermont to survey the damage and urged residents to be aware of post-flooding dangers.

It takes just 6 inches of water for someone to be wiped off their feet, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said Wednesday. And in that water, we see a lot of debris. We see downed power lines. We see things that can cause additional damage.

Residents paddle past partially submerged cars Tuesday in Montpelier, Vermont. - Brian Snyder/Reuters

My house has been an island in a river

In Barre, Vermont, a torrent of water and mud-deluged neighborhoods.

It just came all pouring through here, Barre resident Laura Camus told CNN affiliate WPTZ. My house has been an island in a river this whole time.

Adding to the misery, Camus said she doesnt live in a flood plain, so she and her neighbors dont have flood insurance.

The worst-hit areas of Vermont include Barre, Ludlow, Londonderry, Andover and the state capital, Montpelier  where the normally bustling downtown district was eerily deserted, except for the occasional canoeist padding down the street.

Equipment clears mud from a neighborhood Wednesday in Barre, Vermont. - Charles Krupa/AP

in Montpelier, the owners of gear and apparel shop Onion River Outdoors quickly realized they wouldnt be able to clean up the flood damage they endured on their own. So they asked for volunteers.

And dozens came out to help owners Jen and Kip Roberts clean up the mess.

Video shared with CNN shows volunteers using shovels to clean flood damage in the street as others pressure wash mud-caked walls inside. Machines are heard sucking up water from the flooded basement level and pumping it outside.

Salvageable merchandise was placed in bins or on tables outside.

It is more of a family than a business in many ways, Onion River Outdoors social media manager Kathryn Lovinsky told CNN. They are incredibly generous with their time and in charitable contributions to the community. Its not a surprise that so many community members have come out to help.

The recovery could take years  if not a decade

President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for the state of Vermont, authorizing FEMA to move in needed equipment and resources, the White House said Tuesday.

New Hampshire sent swift boat rescue crews and Black Hawk helicopters to assist in Vermont, Gov. Chris Sununu said. And teams from Connecticut, Massachusetts and North Carolina are already in the state providing assistance, authorities said.

Even with all the help, this is going to be a years  if not a decade  long recovery for the state of Vermont, said Morrison, the states public safety commissioner.

Andrew Molen, a restaurateur who owns several businesses in Ludlow, told CNN at least one of his restaurants was devastated by Mondays flash flooding and another will need two months of repairs to reopen.

The water almost reached the ceiling. We took a big hit this time, Molen said. The good thing is no one was injured.

The public safety commissioner credited the lack of fatalities to Vermonters common sense and emergency crews for their life-saving work during this disaster.

But those who lost their homes or businesses face an arduous journey ahead. Morrison encouraged any volunteers interested in helping with the recovery to visit vermont.gov/volunteer.

Volunteers clean up a downtown parking area Wednesday in Montpelier, the capital of Vermont. - Charles Krupa/AP

Why these disasters could get worse

Steady warming and atmospheric changes are supercharging regular weather events, making them longer and more intense, said Michael E. Mann, a climate scientist and distinguished professor at the University of Pennsylvania, told CNN.

Climate experts say a perfect storm is leading to deadly flooding in places like the Northeast while other parts of the world  including the Southwestern US  are scorched by record-breaking heat.

Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont said he wanted to know how much climate change may have played a role in the catastrophic flooding in his state.

I talked to the head of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) yesterday and asked him that question, Welch said at a news conference Wednesday.

And as has been reported, the warmer weather  particularly over the ocean  that then comes across the country and is here in Vermont, means that theres much, much more moisture in the air, Welch said. All that moisture in the air turns into rain.

Flashbacks to Hurricane Irene

Scenes of neighborhoods inundated with muddy water, residents paddling through streets and sunken roadways have evoked memories of 2011s Hurricane Irene.

Residents assess flooding damage Tuesday in Montpelier, Vermont. - Brian Snyder/Reuters

Irene hit the United States as a hurricane in August 2011 and left entire communities submerged, killing more than 40 people in several Eastern states.

This weeks intense storms left floodwaters in some areas that surpassed levels seen during Tropical Storm Irene, Vermonts governor said.

Montpelier was hammered by 5.28 inches of rainfall Monday, the National Weather Service in Burlington said. Thats more than any other day on record  including when Irene dropped 5.27 inches of rain on the state capital on August 28, 2011.

Irene had about a 12-hour duration of rain, and then it was over, the governor said. This is different. Weve had like 48 hours of steady rain.

CNN meteorologists Dave Hennen and Taylor Ward and CNNs Sara Smart, Kristina Sgueglia, Caroll Alvarado, Jessica Xing, Jillian Sykes and Artemis Moshtaghian contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
This story has been updated. See below for more information.

A Summit County grand jury indicted Mahmud Kara, 57, on two sex offense charges for sexually assaulting a woman at his Hudson home in April, according to a release from the Summit County Prosecutor's Office.

Kara, a former doctor, was charged with one count of rape, a felony of the first degree, and one count of sexual battery, a felony of the 3rd degree.

If found guilty, he could face between 11 and 16 and a half years in prison, said James Pollack, director of communications for the prosecutor's office.

2018 case: Physician from Hudson faces two dozen felony drug trafficking charges

Mahmud Kara pled guilty in 2018

This is not Kara's first time in court. In a separate 2018 case, he pled guilty to four counts of possession of criminal tools, felonies of the 5th degree, according to the prosecutor's office.

As part of that plea, the court ordered him to forfeit his medical license and he was sentenced to one year of probation plus a $2,500 fine.

In that same case, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Ohio State Medical Board agents worked undercover to investigate Kara, the release reads. They found Kara did not follow the Ohio code when prescribing weight loss medications to patients for roughly five years.

Doctors involved in misconduct: Greater Akron doctors run afoul of medical board over sex, other misconduct with patients

The story originally stated Mahmud Kara could face life in prison. That was corrected to read between 11 and 16 and a half years.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hudson man Mahmud Kara indicted on 2 counts for alleged sexual assault
NEW YORK (AP)  It's hard not to feel grudging respect for Gerald Daniel Blanchard's long resume of crime  no matter what side of the law you're on.

He once stole half a million dollars from a bank before it officially opened by using a concealed pinhole camera inside the branch. He escaped from a police interrogation room by hiding in the ceiling tiles. Then there was the time he swapped a priceless jewel from an alarm-equipped museum display case with a gift shop replica, Indiana Jones-style.

Its like a chess game. You need to know 10 moves ahead of what the police are doing, Blanchard said in a recent Zoom interview. I was more into it for the thrill and the excitement.

Wired magazine called Blanchard the worlds most ingenious thief, and The Globe and Mail newspaper described him as "Canadas most sophisticated bank robber and fraud artist." Audiences can get into his head when Hulu airs the documentary feature The Jewel Thief on Thursday.

Director Landon Van Soest traces Blanchard's evolution into a criminal mastermind, going from shoplifting at an Iowa RadioShack as a teen to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars while disguised in a burqa in Cairo. He often taunted police to try and catch him.

For me, its really a film about obsession and ambition and addiction that kept driving him to something bigger, said Van Soest. He always had to outdo himself. He always had to outsmart someone.

A portrait emerges of a creative, calculating and patient man with a strong engineering bent despite a learning disability and borderline dyslexia. But Blanchard is not always a reliable narrator, with some of his embellishments knocked down in the documentary.

There were a lot of different versions of many of these stories, said Van Soest. We just kind of chose to lean into that. We were going to present many different versions of some of these stories and let the viewers walk away and make up their own minds.

The movie uses interviews with Blanchard and footage from his own extensive archives, as well as speaking with his mother, accomplices and the police who chased him. It's enlivened by a soundtrack that includes songs like Janes Addictions Been Caught Stealing.

Blanchard was a thin, nerdy-looking kid who grew up poor in Omaha, Nebraska, with a single mom who worked two jobs, and he developed a grudge against banks.

I like stealing from the banks and corporations, he tells the AP. "The reason why I dont like stealing from people is because they work hard for the money. I remember my mom crying on the phone when I was younger saying, We dont have the money to turn the lights on. Our food is going to go bad.

Early petty shoplifting emboldened him to disconnect a RadioShack's alarm system and take the entire inventory one Easter Sunday. He sold it all to friends and teachers. His home was soon visited by a SWAT team.

Blanchard later figured out how to scam stores by crafting fake receipts for shoplifted goods and returning them for a refund, a skill he used when he found himself penniless at the Canada border after serving 4 1/2 years behind bars.

A customs agent gave him $10 to take the bus. He instead bought a $9 disposable camera and stole another, photocopied the sales receipt at a Staples for 10 cents, and returned both. With the money, he did the same thing with more expensive items  a rechargeable battery and a computer program. By the end of the day, he had a couple hundred dollars.

The Jewel Thief would likely not have been made  or at least the tone would be vastly different  if Blanchard's crimes had caused bloodshed or death. His honor code, or his criminal calculations, didn't include anyone getting hurt.

I would always scale my crimes, he explained. If you use a gun, whats the consequences? If you dont use a gun, whats the consequence? Could somebody be hurt? And so I put a scale and I basically thought in my mind, whats the least amount of prison time I could get if I got caught?

The crime that would put Blanchard in prison for a long time started when he walked into a Canadian bank under construction wearing a hardhat and safety vest bought at a Home Depot. He installed a $50 Toys R Us baby monitor into a wall and messed with the motion detector so he could shut it off. Blanchard watched remotely as money was put into ATM machines, and struck that night.

As you might guess, Blanchard is not much of a fan of TV crime shows. It frustrates me. And I cant watch it because its so fake. I always analyze it saying, They should have did it this way or that way or You cant do it this way. Im always analyzing and thinking things many steps ahead.

Blanchard's list of crimes  including, as a prisoner, breaking into the commissary of the Anamosa State Penitentiary in Iowa  includes the 1998 theft of one of Sisis stars, a jewel once belonging to a 19th century Austrian empress. He had replaced it with a fake, a ruse which went unnoticed for several days.

The piece was only recovered when Blanchard  looking for a deal from prosecutors  took police to his grandmothers Winnipeg house, where the jewel had been carefully stashed. In fact, Blanchard still had much of the cash he stole. He wasn't a big spender.

I had lots of money and I never just blew it away or threw it away like most people do. I would always save it. If I could steal something, thats what I would do, he says.

It's hard to watch The Jewel Thief without wondering if he could have used his skills for good, such as advising on bank security.

Van Soest calls him clearly a very intelligent, very capable person that could have offered something much more positive to society. But Blanchard says that once he had a criminal record, law enforcement jobs became impossible.

He tells The AP he's happy with where his life is now. I learned deep inside myself is the void that I have, which is money doesnt bring happiness, he said.

Ive lived a poor life being young. I lived a wealthy life. I've lived the middle class life. So Ive had the whole spectrum in my lifetime and Im comfortable with living a normal middle class life.

___

Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits
Human bones possibly found during search for SLO County boy swept away in flood, sheriff says

Around 250 bones  including seven that possibly came from a human adult  were found during a recent search for a missing San Miguel boy, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office confirmed Wednesday.

Kyle Doan, 5, was swept away by floodwaters on Jan. 9.

The Sheriffs Office led a two-day expansive search effort Saturday and Sunday, with a total of 330 professional search-and-rescue crew members scouring a 6-mile-long and half-mile-wide section of the Salinas River that meets up with San Marcos Creek. Large parts of the river were still covered in massive piles of debris from winter floods.

The searchers failed to find any sign of Doan, a kindergarten student at Lillian Larsen Elementary School, during the weekend search.

However, Sheriffs Office personnel located some items, including a small Nike shoe, early in the investigation.

Tony Cipolla, spokesperson for the Sheriffs Office, said Wednesday that almost all the bones found during the most recent search for Doan were from animals.

Approximately seven bones are possible human bone fragments, he said, and appear to be consistent with those of an adult. Those bones have been sent to a lab to be tested.

Over 300 search and rescue personnel searched for missing 5-year-old Kyle Doan in the now dry Salinas River in San Miguel on July 8, 2023. The Marin County Search and Rescue team checked out a bone they found in the sand and bagged it.

For context, Cipolla added, Its not uncommon for Native American remains to be found near waterways since they used those areas as burial grounds.

The Sheriffs Office said it will now determine the best steps moving forward in the search for Kyle.

At this time the Sheriffs Office will be assessing the situation to determine what is reasonable and possible going forward, the Sheriffs Office said via Twitter on Sunday.

We would like to thank everyone who assisted this weekend as well as our community for the ongoing support, the agency added.

UPDATE: the search for missing 5-year-old Kyle Doan.

This weekends large-scale search has concluded. Unfortunately Kyle was not located. We are saddened that these efforts did not result in reuniting Kyle with his family. pic.twitter.com/y9w3UQXZAw  SLO County Sheriff (@SLOSheriff) July 10, 2023
A gold coin treasure trove dating back to the Civil War era was unearthed in Kentucky, and experts say it shines light on life in the 1800s.

Called the Great Kentucky Hoard, the trove of more than 800 coins includes 1863 Double Eagles, silver coins and hundreds of U.S. gold dollars dated 1850 to 1862, according to the Numismatic Guaranty Co. and GovMint.com.

This is the most insane thing ever, a man says in a video, shared by GovMint, showing off his discovery. Those are all $1 gold coins, $20 gold coins, $10 gold coins.

But the 2023 price of these coins, experts say, is significantly higher. Coinworld.com says the hoard is now likely worth millions.

Its unclear where in Kentucky the discovery was made.

Jeff Garrett, the founder of Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries in Lexington, said the discovery was hard for him to comprehend.

The opportunity to handle the Great Kentucky Hoard is one of the highlights of my career, Garrett told NGC, the company that graded the coins. The importance of this discovery cannot be overstated, as the stunning number of over 700 gold dollars represents a virtual time capsule of Civil War-era coinage.

The coins have been certified, cleaned and are now displayed with eye-popping luster, according to GovMint.com. The authentic coin retailer said the hoard is truly a remarkable find.

What the discovery says about the Civil War era

Kentucky was a border state during the Civil War and the site of many intense battles. As many as 40,000 Kentuckians served in the Confederacy and about 100,000 were in the Union Army, according to American Battlefield Trust.

The lost coins, the NGC says, may have been a result of the conflict of families pitted against one another.

Ryan McNutt, a conflict archaeologist at Georgia Southern University, told Live Science its possible the coins were buried before Confederate Gen. John Hunt Morgans raid in the summer of 1863.

Some Kentuckians, the website reported, buried money so it would not be stolen by Confederate troops.

Coins vanished from circulation at the beginning of the year, GovMint.com said.

What will happen to the coins?

Coin collectors will have the opportunity to purchase the individual coins through GovMint.com.

This extraordinary opportunity allows us to share these historic coins with collectors and enthusiasts, ensuring their preservation and appreciation for generations to come, Bill Gale, GovMint founder and president, said in a news release.

According to the NGC, the coins will be available in the coming months. Each coin will include a Great Kentucky Hoard certification label.

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Golden retriever gathering

Hundreds of golden retrievers, and their owners, have gathered at the Highland ancestral home of the breed.

The first golden retriever puppies were born at Guisachan House in Glen Affric 155 years ago.

They were bred by aristocrat Sir Dudley Marjoribanks, who wanted a gun dog suited to Scottish Highland terrain.

Owners from across the UK, continental Europe, North America, Australia and Japan have been meeting at the ruins of Guisachan House.

A series of events, including talks, workshops, demonstrations and a night-time procession, have taken place this week at the site near Tomich, south of Inverness, and nearby Cannich.

Thursday was expected to see one of the world's largest gatherings of the breed in one place, with hundreds meeting up below the ruined mansion house.

A night-time procession to the ruins of Guisachan House was held on Tuesday

two lovely dugs

Nice dugs playing about

Golden retriever at Guisachan

Carol Henry, secretary of the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland, said the aim of the gathering was to keep alive knowledge of the breed.

She said established breeders were mindful of protecting the dogs' qualities and temperament.

But Mrs Henry said this had been put at risk by irresponsible breeding during Covid pandemic lockdowns.

She said: "We want to hold on to the confidence, the biddability, the companionship and loyalty - all the things the golden retriever was built on."

Dogs from more than 12 countries including Canada, the US, New Zealand, Germany, Netherlands, Romania, Czech Republic, Italy, Croatia and Estonia are at Guisachan.

On Tuesday, a procession was held which started at 22:00 and involved a mile-long walk to the ruined house where the dogs and their owners were met by a piper.

Thunderstorms did not materialise as forecast, but biting Highland midges were out in force.

The night ended with a rendition of The Proclaimers' song I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) and more bagpipe tunes.

Over a number of years, the gatherings have taken place every five years and dates have fallen on milestone anniversaries, including the 150th in 2018.

Dog pics

Golden retriever at Guisachan

dugs

dugs and owners outside the ruined house

The first litter of golden retrievers was born in 1868 to a Tweed water spaniel, a breed now extinct, and yellow wavy-coated retriever.

The puppies were called Primrose, Cowslip and Crocus. Some histories of the breed report the litter having four pups.

More than 40 years later, in 1913, the golden retriever was officially recognised as a breed by The Kennel Club, the UK's largest organisation concerned with dog health, welfare and training.

Marjoribanks, a businessman and Liberal MP who was also known by the title Lord Tweedmouth, bred the retrievers at his Guisachan estate.

The house had fallen into ruin by the 1960s.
House Oversight Committee Biden investigation chartChip Somodevilla/Getty Images

What a difference a week makes!

Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., was gloating Thursday about how his star witness against Hunter Biden, the president's son, would prove the doubters wrong. In May, Comer  whose main role in Congress is churning out falsified evidence for arcane right-wing conspiracy theories  had admitted that his supposed "whistleblower" had gone missing. Sure, it was generally understood that Comer's elaborate mythology about President Joe Biden running some secret international crime syndicate was pure make-believe. So the "missing" informant caused much cackling on the left. It was widely assumed that Comer hadn't even bothered to prop up a flesh-and-blood person to pretend to be the "whistleblower," but instead just made this character up whole cloth. Comer was triumphant, however, exalting that he had a real human being with a pulse to stand up as this alleged "whistleblower." Talking to Newsmax, where Republicans go when even Fox News feels a lie is beneath their low standards, Comer crowed that "the people on MSNBC who made fun of me when I said we had an informant" should "feel like fools right now," because "a credible witness that the FBI flew all the way to Brussels to interview" was a-coming.

On Monday, the truth came out. Cormer's supposed "informant," Gal Luft, is not preparing his dramatic expose of the Bidens. No, he's actually on the run from the law, having been charged by the Department of Justice (DOJ) with illegal arms dealing and, oh yeah, being a Chinese spy.

The "missing" Hunter Biden witness the GOP was promising for a while there was just charged by the DOJ with being a Chinese spy. https://t.co/lLiVEmfrU1  Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) July 10, 2023

Comer was right about one thing, though: Luft is, indeed, a biological human being who exists in the world. But so far, the folks at MSNBC don't feel chagrined. "Republicans have to make up their mind," anchor Willie Geist said Tuesday morning. "Is Joe Biden a doddering old man who can't find the door after a press conference, or is he the mastermind of an international criminal scheme?"

Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only.

Of course, this egg on his face will not slow Comer down one tiny bit. As he understands all too well, what makes conspiracy theories such excellent propaganda for the right is that they are, by their very nature, impervious to debunking. Conspiracy theories are closed loop systems. When conflicting facts are presented, the conspiracist immediately declares not only are the facts fake, but the fakery is further "proof" of the conspiracy.

The complexity guards against people being able to point out the contradictions or implausibilities, allowing the devotees of the conspiracy theory to keep at it, without fear of being called out.

One could see this happening in real time the second the federal authorities announced the charges against Luft on Twitter. Underneath the tweet was a sea of MAGA diehards, easily identifiable by the $8-a-month blue checkmarks, declaring with confidence that Luft is an innocent man being framed by the deep state. Some augmented this with racist jokes, but mostly it was a knee-jerk assumption that this is a railroading job. Not one of these people could pick Luft out of a lineup or could say anything about his life prior to this moment. Yet the invention of a new conspiracy theory about Luft's arrest was not just automatic, it seemed as mindless as breathing.

It's not just randos on Twitter, either. Comer immediately folded the indictments up into the existing conspiracy theory, sneering on Fox News Monday night, "The timing is always coincidental, according to the Democrats and the Department of Justice." Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., was even less subtle with the nonsense.

"They are trying to silence our witnesses" -- Without a shred of evidence, Nancy Mace and Maria Bartiromo frame the indictment of one of Comer's "whistleblowers" as part of an ongoing DOJ effort to protect the Bidens pic.twitter.com/tHXe8JXEoP  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 11, 2023

Related

Shutting down the right-wing rabbit hole is possible: First, follow the money

It's critical to understand that it's highly unlikely that either Comer or Mace believes their own B.S. Indeed, Comer joked earlier this year to New York Times reporters about how he is just making it up as he goes along.

"You know, the customer's always right," Mr. Comer said wryly, of his approach to the people who elected him and now brandish conspiracy theories, vulgar photographs featuring the president and his son, Hunter, and other lies they expect him to act upon.

That's the reason it's so easy for not just Comer, but the entire GOP base, to reflexively roll up these charges into the ever-expanding conspiracy theory. Most of them don't believe any of this crap, not in the traditional sense of the word "believe." In my recent investigation into social media conspiracy communities, one family member of a conspiracist explained how the ostensible "belief" is always just a rationalization built around the actual belief, one which is often too shameful to be spoken out loud. As he pointed out at Medium, conspiracy theorists often contradict themselves in frankly comical ways:

At the University of Kent in 2012, social psych researcher, and core member of my crew, Karen Douglas found that "the more participants believed that Princess Diana faked her own death, the more they believed that she was murdered." The more they "believed that Osama bin Laden was already dead when US special forces raided his compound in Pakistan, the more they believed he is still alive." Throughout and since 2020, conspiracy theorists have said that Covid is at the same time a nonexistent hoax, a bug no more dangerous than the flu, and a deadly Chinese bioweapon. It didn't matter to them that these things can't be true at the same time.

For Comer and other MAGA Republicans, the actual belief is straightforward: They wish to destroy the legitimately elected president and replace him with Donald Trump, a wannabe fascist who attempted a coup. Just saying this plainly, however, is socially and politically difficult. It's an admission to having a fascist ideology, as well as a willingness to break the law and back a criminal as president in order to get their way.

Related

Mike Pence's Big Lie campaign trail torture: He's reaping the disinformation he sowed

The conspiracy theory about the "Biden crime family" is not a sincere belief, but a political weapon: A noisy distraction from their own fascism and criminality that allows Republicans to pursue their unspeakable agenda while pretending to have righteous motivations. To serve that purpose, the conspiracy theory does not need to be plausible or believable. It doesn't have to make sense. In fact, it's often more useful if it doesn't make sense. When a conspiracy theory is confusing, most people  whether they support the theory or not  can't be bothered to actually try to make sense of it.

With the Hunter Biden conspiracies, the most obvious aspect is that it's impossible for anyone, even those who made it up, to follow what exactly is being alleged here. Josh Marshall at Talking Points Memo recently gave it the old college try, explaining both one of the conspiracy theories and why it's not true.

According to a purported IRS whistleblower, U.S. Attorney David Weiss had been turned down when he requested special counsel status.... The claims centered on Weiss, who was now put forward as a sort of muzzled, reluctant whistleblower. Weiss, remember, was appointed by President Trump and left in place by the Biden Justice Department to avoid any appearance of an attempt to interfere with the Hunter Biden investigation. But now Weiss has stated unambiguously that none of these claims are true. He never requested to become special counsel (which is itself kind of an absurd suggestion) and he was never blocked from bringing any charges or investigating aspects of the Hunter Biden case.

If you're going cross-eyed trying to keep up, you're not alone. And that's the point. Not of Marshall's debunking, which is about as straightforward as you're going to get when it comes to this ever-more-deranged GOP conspiracy theory, but in even trying to figure out what the hell Republicans are talking about in the first place. This is all by design. If a conspiracy theory is easy to follow, it's also easy to see its flaws. But if it's so complicated that even efforts at straightforward debunking are bewildering, so it's hard to argue against it. The complexity guards against people being able to point out the contradictions or implausibilities, allowing the devotees of the conspiracy theory to keep at it, without fear of being called out.

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Keeping it impenetrable, convoluted and weird is especiallly important in light of the purpose all these lies serve, which is to protect Donald Trump. The vast majority of Trump's crimes are simple enough to explain on their own terms: Stealing classified documents. Tax fraud. Sexual assault. Attempting to steal an election. But the sheer number of Trump crimes is mind-boggling. What the average Trump voter needs in order to justify themselves is a claim that "both sides" are corrupt. With so much Trump criminality to distract from, the lies about the Bidens need to be overwhelming.

Not that it's a hard task to keep making crap up. After all, nothing Republicans say about Biden needs to make sense. It just needs to be noisy.

Read more

about the GOP's Hunter Biden obsession
A husband and wife in Kentucky have been charged with stealing money from a local volunteer fire department, according to Kentucky State Police.

Larry Burden, 58, and Angela Burden, 57, have both been charged with abuse of public trust (more than $100,000), complicity to abuse of public trust (more than $100,000), theft by unlawful taking all others ($10,000 to $100,000) and complicity to theft by unlawful taking ($10,000 to $100,000). Both have been booked into the Bourbon County Detention Center on a $114,000 bond, KSP said.

The husband and wife were in key roles within the Robertson County Volunteer Fire Department and are accused of using fire department funds for personal gain more than $100,000, KSP said in a news release.

It wasnt immediately clear if the Burdens were still part of the volunteer fire department. The case was still being investigated by KSP Post 6, which is based in Dry Ridge and covers several counties from northern to Central Kentucky.

This is a developing story and may be updated.
Idaho opts out of nearly $15 million that would feed children this summer. Why?

Idaho has decided not to participate in a federal program that would have provided $14.8 million to feed low-income students during the summer, a decision that impacts about 123,000 children in need, according to the Food Research and Action Center.

The program, known as summer Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT), provides meals for children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals at school. It started in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to fight hunger in the summer, when the school meal safety net disappears.

Though Idaho participated fully in 2021, and partly last year, state agencies said they will no longer be involved in the program. The state would have had to submit a plan for the program by July 14.

Its unclear who ultimately decided Idaho would reject the funding and why. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, one of two agencies that would have had to implement P-EBT, pinned the decision on the Idaho State Department of Education. The Department of Education blames the administration of former Superintendent Sherri Ybarra, who was voted out last year. Ybarra did not respond to requests for comment.

There are still options if families cant afford to feed their children during the summer, but they may be more cumbersome, because they require parents to take their children to a physical meal site. Those sites reached just 17% of eligible children last year, according to one expert.

(The two agencies) keep bantering back and forth, but they dont come up with any solutions, said Denise Dixon, director of the Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force, an organization that coordinates resources to fight food insecurity in the state. To me, its criminal. To me, its criminal not to feed our children (when) we have federal funds sitting there.

What is Pandemic EBT?

The money for the Pandemic EBT program comes from the federal government through the Department of Agriculture and goes to students who receive free or reduced meals at school during the academic year. Their families get the funds, about $6 a day, but capped at $120 per child, on cards they can use to purchase groceries.

The program started as a monetary replacement to free and reduced-price lunches while schools were closed for COVID-19, said Crystal FitzSimons, a policy expert on child nutrition programs at the Food Research and Action Center, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that fights food insecurity.

Krista Ruffini, a Georgetown University economist who has written about the program, said P-EBT reduced the number of families reporting they sometimes or often did not have enough to eat by 28% during its first two weeks. Nationally, millions of children were lifted out of poverty, she said.

Then, Congress expanded the program under the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 so that it would cover children during the summer. That allowed P-EBT to give additional assistance to schoolchildren as well as children under 6 years old enrolled in SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Why wont Idaho participate?

Idaho is in the minority. Most states  42, plus the District of Columbia  are taking part, FitzSimons said. There is no permanent financial burden because the administrative expenses a state incurs to run the program are reimbursed by the federal government.

Idaho participated fully in the summer of 2021. But last year, the state only issued benefits to children up to 6 years old. The state made that change because the State Department of Education did not have the staff to do their part in running the program, said Kristin Matthews, the Department of Health and Welfares SNAP program manager. Administering the full P-EBT program requires the cooperation of the two agencies, she said.

The State Department of Education told Health and Welfare it just didnt have the capacity and resources to continue at that point, she told the Statesman. We havent been able to continue since then.

The State Department of Educations child nutrition program would have to examine school lunch data to determine eligibility. Then, Health and Welfares SNAP program would use that data to put the federal money on cards with which families could buy food. Health and Welfare continued P-EBT for younger children last year because they could qualify them with SNAP information that the agency already had, Matthews said.

The part of the program geared to younger children ended in May, with the end of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency.

State Department of Education officials acknowledged some of the internal issues Health and Welfare attributed to their agency.

The database that the department used early in the pandemic was temporary, and doing the program again would have required a new system, Lynda Westphal, the Department of Educations child nutrition director, told the Statesman in a phone interview. In addition, she said, staff members who were available during the pandemic when the department was not doing reviews of school lunch programs are no longer free to run the program.

Scott Graf, a spokesperson for the department, said in an email that Ybarras administration made the decision not to participate in early 2022. The department could have changed course this year, he conceded, but it would have been difficult.

I think we just relied on the decision that was previously made because thats the way it was done before, said Greg Wilson, chief of staff for Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield.

Asked whether Health and Welfare discussed participating in the program with the Department of Education, Health and Welfare SNAP Manager Matthews said, I dont recall if there was or not a conversation. Health and Welfare spokesperson Greg Stahl did not respond to a follow-up question requesting more information about the contact between the departments regarding P-EBT this year.

Hunger Relief Task Force Director Dixon said communication between the agencies fell apart during the pandemic. Ybarras administration wouldnt give Health and Welfare the data they needed for P-EBT, she said.

All of a sudden, the Department of Ed was like, We cant do this. We dont have the capacity,  she said. Capacity seems to be a big word in our state offices. They dont have the capacity, they dont have the workers to put forth the effort to get the data to them. Capacity to me is not a reason to not feed children. You figure it out.

The two departments have discussed participating in a new, similar federal program starting next year called Summer EBT, Maggie Reynolds, another State Department of Education spokesperson, said in an email. Unlike P-EBT, it will require the state to cover half of the administrative costs. That means the State Department of Education or Health and Welfare will need to ask the Idaho Legislature for money to participate, she said.

Gov. Brad Littles office didnt respond to requests for comment about the opt-out this summer and whether hed support a funding request for next year.

Idaho has a history of spurning federal funds. Republican lawmakers turned down federal money for child care earlier this year, and the state lost access to tens of millions in rental assistance after failing to meet federal conditions, according to previous Statesman reporting.

Dixon said that so often, Idaho officials are proud of rejecting federal funding, yet people cant afford their rent, they cant afford to feed their kids. So how could you be proud of that?

Meal sites reach a fraction of qualifying kids

Last month, Jennifer Horton didnt pay her power bill so she could buy groceries. But when she was receiving P-EBT for her children, it was easier to manage her expenses, she told the Statesman.

Horton, 50, of Boise, who is a full-time student and works part-time at a bakery, said P-EBT didnt cover everything, but it definitely helped her care for her 12-year-old daughter and 16-year-old nephew, over whom she has guardianship.

Her husband died six years ago, and she lives on death benefits and child support payments for her nephew. She makes too much money to qualify for SNAP, she said, but she still doesnt have enough money to buy food.

In the summer, her household only eats two meals a day because three would be too expensive. With P-EBT, her children could eat three meals every day, she said, but this summer, they can only afford breakfast and dinner.

Idaho has meal sites, often at local schools and parks, that provide breakfast, lunch and dinner. Each meal may be at a separate place. That program is another safety net, Graf said.

But Crystal FitzSimons of the Food Research and Action Center said the meal site initiative  which requires children to go to a physical location instead of putting money on a card  has its limits.

That reaches only a fraction of the kids who participate in free and reduced-price school meals during the school year, she said. There arent a lot of sites and transportation can prove a barrier, she said, especially in a state like Idaho with lots of rural areas.

About 21,000 kids participated in summer lunch programs in Idaho last year, FitzSimons said. Thats just 17% of the children who would have been eligible. And some of the sites dont stay open for the whole summer. Some will close as early as July 20, according to a meal location finder on the federal Department of Agriculture website.

Children shouldnt have to go to a park to get lunch, Horton said. Its inconvenient for parents who work, she said, and dont want their children outside on their own during the day.

She said the state was sending a bad message with its decision to opt out of P-EBT.

Its trauma that theyre causing to these children and parents, to a certain extent, Horton said. Its inadvertent trauma. No, we dont think that its important enough for us to do this, even though theres money on the table. We could feed you, but were gonna choose not to. 
Idaho Power to shift solar compensation to on-peak, off-peak times. What it means to you

Idaho Power wants to change a state-level policy that compensates households with rooftop solar panels for the excess energy they generate and send back to the grid.

The policy, called net metering, allows customers to receive credits on their utility bills equivalent to retail electricity rates when they produce more energy than they need. For every kilowatt hour of solar energy sent to the grid, the customer receives a kilowatt-hour credit.

The compensation helps offset the initial costs of installing a solar system, making it a more viable investment.

But the states largest electric utility is proposing to lower that compensation and bring about other marked changes that solar advocates say could hurt the burgeoning renewable energy business and reduce the resiliency of local electricity grids.

The fight over net metering has played out across the country, from California to Kansas to Florida, as power companies reckon with the growing shift towards solar.

Whats in the proposal?

In May, Idaho Power filed an application to implement a slew of changes to the compensation structure for customers with on-site generation, which most commonly means rooftop solar but can also apply to windmills, geothermal and small hydro projects.

The two biggest items are an adjustment to the export credit rate and a switch from net monthly billing to real-time net billing, which the company says would better measure customers reliance on the grid.

Retail rates for homeowners are now typically between 8 cents to 10 cents per kilowatt hour, depending on how much energy is used. In the filing, Idaho Power looks to shift energy valuation to on-peak and off-peak times, with varying rates for each, but for an average annual rate of nearly 6 cents.

It also proposes updating the rates each year.

On-peak would cover the summer months, from June 15 through September 15, on Monday through Saturday from 3-11 p.m., excluding holidays, at a rate of 20.42 cents. The eight-hour window is when Idaho Power says it experiences its highest demand.

All other hours are defined as off-peak, at a rate of 4.91 cents.

Sun Driven Solar employees Alec Carson, right, and Cesar Acuna, left, install solar panels onto the roof of Bob Kennedys Nampa home in November.

The overall reduction in compensation stems from the rising popularity of solar systems. Idaho Power argues current pricing overcompensates customers with solar at the expense of those without.

About 12,000 customers, or 2% of the companys roughly 600,000 customer base, participate in on-site generation. The utility sees the number only continuing to grow, and wants to eliminate cost-shifting before it gets much larger, according to Jordan Rodriguez, a spokesperson for Idaho Power.

Were trying to achieve a fair and accurate valuation of customers exported energy, Rodriguez told the Idaho Statesman.

If the proposal is approved as-is, the monthly bill for the average residential customer with rooftop solar would go up by about $12, he said. Idaho Power has asked to implement the changes in January.

Better return for panels facing west

The restructuring would benefit west-facing panels a lot more than south-facing panels, according to Lisa Young, director of the Idaho Chapter of the Sierra Club, a nationwide environmental organization.

Thats because the proposed export credit rate is more than 3 times higher during the summer in the later part of the day, as the sun sets in the west.

Its very clear now that the west side is going to be the best side to install, Young told the Statesman by phone. If your system is facing west, youre going to be able to capture more and export more power during that time of day and get more money for it.

Whats unclear is how many customers will be able to take advantage of the on-peak rates. The solar energy generated on hot summer nights may be more useful to those producing it, as people make dinner and run their air conditioning and farmers water their crops.

Still, solar companies could begin encouraging customers to install on the west side of their homes. Though that may not always be possible, based on the way a roof is shaped.

Young said she sympathizes with people whove affixed solar panels to the south side of their house in the last few years, as solar installers often recommend, not knowing the decision could affect their future payback.

Weve always known that the compensation rates are probably going to go down, Young said. But I dont think we knew that not only would the rates maybe go down, there would be this whole new structure where theres more value during different times of the day.

Big period of change for solar

Alex McKinley, co-owner of Empowered Solar in Boise, started his small solar company in 2015. McKinley grew up in Boise and went on to study renewable energy in a masters program in Europe before returning to Idaho to try to make a positive change.

Hes watched the debate over solar regulations ebb and flow over the years.

McKinley told the Statesman by phone that he worries Idaho Powers proposal could limit the affordability of installing solar panels.

Moving forward, people want a more reliable, more dynamic and more flexible electricity grid. Residential solar is a part of that, he said. Were in a big period of change, and I think this can be a positive thing if its done right. If its done poorly, it can really impact all customers, not just those with solar.

Today, less than 4% of Idaho Powers energy mix is solar.

More than 30% of the companys energy comes from hydropower, 10% from wind, 20% from coal and about 12% from natural gas. The utilitys goal is to rely completely on renewable energy sources by 2045.

Idaho Power buys electricity from this 950-acre solar farm in Twin Falls County.

It has relatively new contract with Jackpot Solar, a 950-acre solar farm south of Twin Falls, to purchase the power it generates for the next 20 years. Jackpot Solar came online in January with a capacity of 120 megawatts, enough energy to power about 24,000 homes. Its the largest solar farm in Idaho.

Idaho Power also has a 20-year contract with Idaho Solar 1 to buy the 40 megawatts of energy it produces at a solar farm in south Kuna.

While the company has expanded its solar usage in the state, McKinley said the changes its proposing to net metering could discourage customers from investing in solar, making them more reliant on other forms of energy. If customers generate their own power, they dont need to buy as much from Idaho Power.

I think theres a disconnect between Idaho Powers rhetoric  wanting to have green, clean power by 2045, and how theyve actually approached it, McKinley said.

What happens next?

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has the authority to approve, reject or modify the proposal. The entire process could take several months and will likely involve public hearings.

The commissions job is to regulate privately owned utilities and ensure the companies provide adequate, safe and reliable service to their customers at just and reasonable rates. The governing body is made up of three governor-appointed commissioners.

About five years ago, Idaho Power proposed a change to the credit-based system that resulted in a settlement that was ultimately rejected by the commission for lack of public involvement. Since then, the utility company and its stakeholders have been incrementally working toward a compromise.

The commission requested Idaho Power produce a study on the value of distributed energy resources such as rooftop solar power.

That study, released a year ago, drew sharp criticism from the solar industry  businesses that sell and install equipment, homeowners with rooftop solar and environmental groups. They argued that it undervalued customer-generated solar and sought to protect the companys interests in owning and profiting from the renewable energy source.

At a public hearing in November, dozens of Treasure Valley residents testified that they did not want to see the export credit rate go down.

That credit is applied at the full retail rate, which reflects the full cost of generating, transmitting and delivering reliable electric service to our customers, Idaho Powers study said. However, only a portion of that retail rate represents energy generation. The rest pays for building and maintaining the grid, running a customer care center and other expenses that apply to all customers.

Solar panels seen near the highway between Boise and Mountain Home.

Various environmental organizations and solar companies commissioned their own report, seeking to provide an independent analysis of Idaho Powers study. It was produced by Crossborder Energy, a Berkeley, California, consulting company for the energy industry.

The report concluded that excess power from on-site generation is worth 18.3 cents per kilowatt hour, about five times more than Idaho Powers valuation in its study, which was 2.8 cents to 4 cents per kilowatt hour.

The uncertainty around net metering rates has slowed investments from some of the biggest solar customers, according to Brad Heusinkveld, an energy policy associate with the Idaho Conservation League.

The league filed a petition to intervene in the case, indicating it has a stake in the outcome. Micron, the city of Boise, the Idaho Irrigation Pumpers Association, Vote Solar, IdaHydro and Clean Energy Opportunities for Idaho have also filed to intervene.

 ... Think commercial generators, rooftop for big box stores and big irrigators. What they want is certainty, Heusinkveld told the Statesman by phone. They need to be sure that their investment will pay off. This process has really delayed that, so a lot of people are looking forward to the conclusion of this as much as anything else.

Some customers capacity could increase

One change proposed by Idaho Power in its latest filing could benefit those large customers.

The utility intends to raise an eligibility cap that prevents customers in the commercial, industrial or irrigation category from installing a solar array of more than 100 kilowatts.

Young said the adjustment will allow customers to install solar systems that fit their own needs. She welcomes the change.

The 100-kilowatt cap is something people have been wanting to get rid of for a long time, Young told the Statesman. Theres many farmers out there that would love to put up a 200- or 300-kilowatt system to help run their irrigation pumps.

Schools and warehouses could also benefit from the modification, she said.

Many systems are grandfathered in

During previous rulings, the PUC granted legacy status to eligible residential and small general-service on-site generation systems as of Dec. 20, 2019. The status was also granted to eligible commercial, industrial and irrigation systems as of Dec. 1, 2020.

That means Idaho Power customers who were already generating solar energy by those dates will get to keep the higher rates for about 25 years, which is the standard lifespan of a solar power system, according to Rodriguez.

Systems connected after those dates are subject to the proposed changes.

Electrician Matthew Jones, Electric Now, intalls an inverter next to a power utility meter during a solar panel installation in Nampa in November.

Eric Bluemn, a physician living in Boises East End, worries the new compensation structure would make it harder to pay off the solar panels he installed on his roof in spring 2021. His system wont be grandfathered in.

He said he installed the panels because he wanted to invest in something that was environmentally friendly, and he also liked the idea of producing his own power and having some energy independence, as well as the long-term financial benefits of saving on his power bill once the infrastructure is paid off.

In a place where we get this much sun, if youve got an open rooftop ... I thought it was a worthwhile investment, Bluemn said. I didnt expect the goalposts to be moved like this.

His solar installation  20 panels  cost about $18,000, and based on the rates when he installed, repayment could take 12-15 years. But with the new changes, itll likely be longer. Bluemn said his girlfriend was considering investing in solar panels as well, but decided to pause those plans until theres more certainty.

He hopes the commission will seriously consider Crossborder Energys report.

If I was trying to prescribe a drug or use a device for a patient, and the only study out there was put forth by the company that stands to benefit from it, and there was no independent third-party review, then I wouldnt feel good trying to push that drug or use that device on a patient, because theres obviously a conflict of interest, he said. Thats my biggest takeaway from this whole thing, where Idaho Power publishes a study and its rubber-stamped by the utilities commission.

The commission has not yet scheduled a public hearing on the proposal. Written comments or questions can be submitted through a form on the commissions website. The case number is IPC-E-23-14.

Disclosure: The Idaho Statesman pays Jordan Rodriguez, a spokesperson for Idaho Power, to write a fishing column for the Statesman.

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More than 50 years later, Dr. Frank Boehm still remembers the desperate faces.

The mother in Wichita when Boehm confirmed her teenagers pregnancy. Unmarried teen motherhood shamed the family. A week later, the mother brought her daughter back, bleeding from an incomplete abortion.

The Navy wives in Maryland, pregnant while their husbands were in Vietnam, and not with the husbands' babies.

Newly postpartum teenage girls from Nashvilles Florence Crittenden House for unwed mothers, sobbing. When he came for prenatal visits, they baked him cookies. When they gave birth, unconscious, he handed their babies to adoption coordinators without the young mothers ever holding them.

And a face beyond desperation: a Connecticut college student, comatose. She was dying of sepsis, a wire rod stuck so deep inside her it pierced her lung. Her parents faces were not desperate, but stunned. Even after his shift ended, Boehm sat and held her limp hand.

It was a very traumatic experience for me, Boehm said. This was something that had to change in America. We couldnt let women keep having these unsafe abortions.

He is just one doctor whose experience of illegal abortion before Roe v. Wade shaped his career and ethics. For some, it led them to put their own lives at risk.

Now Roe v. Wade has been overturned. Tennessees abortion law is one of the strictest in the country. The doctors we spoke to saw parallels between January 1973 and July 2023.

To be sure, there are important differences. A woman can have a baby on her own without being shunned, fired or expelled.

Illegal abortion now often means buying a pill off the internet, much safer than the old days. In 2020, 81% percent of abortions happened at 9 weeks or earlier, and 93% at or before 13 weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Medication abortions are appropriate before 12 weeks, according to the World Health Organization.

Some things havent changed.

In the Tennessee General Assembly, a doctor-lawmaker argues to expand abortion access. Then it was state Rep. Dorothy L. Brown, first Black woman to serve in Tennessees legislature or work as a surgeon in the South. Now its state Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville, a heart and lung surgeon.

Women with money or savvy travel to other states to get legal abortions. There are networks in states like Tennessee to help women do that, or procure abortion pills. Low-income women are often stuck.

And these doctors are concerned now, as they were then.

Pre-Roe v. Wade was not easy. And I fear that this new stage, even though its going to be safer maybe, not quite as traumatic, is causing a huge number of problems for patients, for doctors and for law enforcement, Boehm said.

A brief doctors history of abortion

When Boehm started medical school at Vanderbilt in 1961, abortion was never mentioned, he said. We were never trained in any of that.

Still, there was wiggle room. Many hospitals, including some in Tennessee, would perform therapeutic abortions if a committee OKd it. Some doctors stretched the law on their own. You could have an abortion if your life was threatened  at least, nobody prosecuted you, Boehm said. Some doctors would say their client had started miscarrying, and thus needed a dilation and curettage to empty the uterus, when maybe they really hadn't.

In 1967, the American Medical Association OKd abortion if the mental health of the mother was in danger, if the child would be born deformed, if the conception took place through rape or incest, according to The New York Times.

State Rep. Browns 1968 bill echoed that language. The Tennessee Medical Associations legislative chairman spoke in favor before the Tennessee House, saying that as things stood, We, as doctors, are compelled to perform an act (abortion) that is contrary to the laws of this state, according to The Tennessean.

The bill failed in the House by two votes and was scheduled for a revote when Brown announced it was fatally stuck in a Senate committee.

Still, the wheels were turning. In 1970, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists OKd abortion at a patients request, according to an article by Nancy Arles.

You have a right to make a decision on which way you want to go. I have no right to get involved in your morals, Nashville General Hospital director John Zelenik told The Tennessean in 1972.

There were also doctors on the other side. Its murder, thats the only way to look at it, a Dickson doctor told UPI in 1973.

Then Roe v. Wade came down, making first-trimester abortions solely the mothers decision.

State Sen. Richard Briggs, a surgeon, sponsored a bill to allow some exceptions to Tennessee's strict abortion law. He thinks there need to be additional exceptions, such as allowing abortion in the cases of rape or incest.

A personal story: Dr. Susan Dodd

Susan Dodd was 16 in 1972 and knew nothing about pregnancy  when she got her period, she thought she was dying. Her boyfriend, a Gatlinburg police officer, always used a condom. So her older sister had to tell her, when Dodd complained that her period had stopped and she felt unwell, that she was pregnant.

Dodd, her boyfriend and her sister went to Knoxville, to an ob/gyn who performed abortions after hours. It cost $500about $3,700 in todays dollars. Her boyfriend paid.

The abortion changed her life. For the better. The teenager who knew nothing about pregnancy decided to become an ob/gyn.

Decades later, when the Knoxville abortion clinics only doctor died, Dodd took up the job. No one else would do it, she said. Her husband bought her a bulletproof vest.

I really felt like this is a service that women in my community, around here, need to have, she said. I became an ob/gyn who performs abortion because I had one.

Abortion in Tennessee after Roe

For the first 15 or 20 years, abortion was not controversial, doctors said.

Briggs did his ob/gyn rotation in the late 1970s. When someone wanted an abortion, There wasnt a whole lot of judgmental stuff or people counseling for or against, he said. Even though it had been totally banned, there didnt seem to be as much of a stigma.

Dr. Wesley Adams remembers, in 1973, surgery residents joking that theyd chosen the wrong specialty  given the demand they expected for abortions.

Practicing in Bristol, Tenn., we just kind of did them, Adams said. Abortion was part of ordinary care for local patients, along with delivering babies, performing annual gynecological exams and arranging the occasional adoption. He eventually ran abortion clinics in Bristol, Nashville and Charleston, S.C.

But sentiment was changing again. In 1993, Dr. David Gunn was killed by an anti-abortion activist when walking into the abortion clinic he ran in Florida.

He was my resident, Boehm said. He was one of the sweetest guys youll ever meet.

A doctors story: Dr. Mary Jane Brown

Even doctors who only brushed the pre-Roe era are troubled by memories. Dr. Mary Jane Brown, a Murfreesboro emergency physician, did her ob/gyn rotation in the late 1970s. She was pregnant herself, caring for women with complications from pre-Roe abortions.

Women that were infertile. Women that had to have surgery and had complications from that surgery, like small bowel obstruction, Brown said. Horrible abdominal scars. Ugly-looking cervixes that should have been a pearly pink.

All last summer I had flashbacks, Brown said. I can no longer be silent. To be silent is to be complicit.

Abortion ethics through doctors eyes

All the doctors we spoke to said they supported life. Had delivered thousands of babies, if not tens of thousands.

Theres not a doctor or nurse I know who wants to do an abortion, said Boehm, now a Vanderbilt professor emeritus.

I believe in life  how can a physician not believe in a right to life  but I believe in life for everybody, including the mother, Briggs said.

Some were comfortable with elective abortions. Briggs isnt. Dodd challenged the distinction: If youre financially desperate, What makes that less necessary than a fetal anomaly? she said.

All had wrestled with the question of when a fetus becomes a person. For most, that was when it can survive outside the womb. Abortions after that point are extremely rare.

They also considered the ethics of their profession. A physicians job is to provide the best care possible to the patient, they said. The patient should be in the drivers seat.

Im not a woman, said Briggs, who considers himself pro-life. We dont like imposing our values on people.

Abortion in Tennessee: What now?

Briggs regrets voting for Tennessee's 2019 abortion trigger law. I didnt understand it when I voted on it, he said. This spring, he successfully sponsored a bill to make abortion legal for an ectopic or molar pregnancy, or to prevent the death or serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman.

It still leaves too much out, he said, like rape or incest, and when a fetus wont survive.

In the late 1960s, the physician establishment began speaking up for abortion access. Now, national groups such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists are, too.

More: Physicians: Patients suffer from Tennessee abortion law, but we can change that. | Opinion

Not all Southern doctors feel comfortable joining them. There are consequences. Tennessee Right to Life excoriated Briggs when he began criticizing Tennessee's law.

One retired ob/gyn talked about abortion for an hour, but only on the agreement that his name not be used. He wanted the facts out there, he said. But not at the risk of someone harming his family.

For these doctors, a Tennessee without legal abortion isn't new. It's history repeating itself. First there was no Roe v. Wade, then there was, now there isnt.

Thats the big lesson  that nothing is forever, Boehm said.

Except, perhaps, women seeking abortions when they feel desperate.

Theyll find a way to do it, Boehm said. And hopefully it will always be legal.

Danielle Dreilinger is an American South storytelling reporter and the author of the book The Secret History of Home Economics. You can reach her at ddreilinger@gannett.com or 919/236-3141.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Illegal abortions before Roe shaped these Tennessee doctors' careers
Incoming NATO member Sweden has a military built for 'one thing, and one thing only: fighting Russia,' says expert

Incoming NATO member Sweden has a military built for 'one thing, and one thing only: fighting Russia,' says expert

Swedish soldiers take part in a military exercise called "Cold Response 2022" in Norway. REUTERS/Yves Herman

Sweden is set to join NATO, a blow to Putin who considers the military alliance a threat to Russia.

Sweden's military is built for one thing: fighting Russia, expert Robert Clark wrote in The Telegraph.

He pointed to Sweden's advanced submarines and fighter jets, as well as its military growth plans.

Sweden, which is on track to become a member of NATO, has a military built for fighting Russia, an expert wrote in The Telegraph.

Robert Clark, the director of defense and security for UK think tank Civitas and a British veteran, said that Sweden's "military is built for one thing, and one thing only: fighting Russia."

He outlined the ways that Sweden's military being part of NATO is likely bad news for Russia.

Sweden took a major step towards becoming a NATO member on Tuesday when Turkey, which had been blocking its membership, agreed to back its bid after getting a series of concessions from existing members.

Sweden joining would be a major blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has painted NATO as a threat and justified his invasion of Ukraine in part by saying that NATO was expanding eastwards towards his borders.

Both Sweden  and Finland, which joined NATO in April  cited Russia's invasion of Ukraine as reasons for breaking decades of neutrality and seeking to join.

In highlighting likely concerns for Russia, Clark pointed to Sweden's advanced technology, like its submarines, which he said are "universally acknowledged to be amongst the best in the world, and almost entirely undetectable  even by the best the US has to offer."

Its air force, he said, also has world-class jets, including some that can be launched from highways instead of airports, a legacy of the Cold War.

Clark also pointed to Sweden's geography giving NATO a new advantage when it comes to combating Russia.

Sweden, which is in Northern Europe, has a Baltic Sea coastline.

Estonia's defense minister previously told Insider that having Sweden and Finland in NATO would turn the Baltic into a "NATO Sea" that could deter Russia and help countries in the region more easily defend themselves.

A map showing Russia, Sweden, and the Baltic Sea. Google Maps/Insider

Clark wrote that Sweden could help control the waters and "effectively deny their use to the Russian navy."

And with Sweden in NATO, every country in the Arctic would be in the alliance apart from Russia, he added. (The others are Finland, Iceland, Norway, Denmark, the US, and Canada.)

Clark also pointed to Sweden's plans to increase its military over the coming years, with military spending set to rise to 2% of GDP by 2026, meeting the target NATO sets for its members.

Sweden also aims to increase its military by a third by 2030, Clark noted, with plans to go from 55,000 personnel to 90,000, citing Russia's military as its motivation.

He also said that Sweden plans to triple its artillery battalions, describing it as a lesson Sweden learned from watching the war in Ukraine.

Carl Bildt, a former Swedish prime minister, told the Financial Times that Sweden joining NATO will make it easier for countries in the region to defend themselves as they can combine resources and work together.

Turkey's parliament still needs to approve Sweden becoming a NATO member for it to be able to join, as does the parliament in Hungary. But the decision of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to back its bid means that the ratification of Sweden's membership is "only a technical question," Hungary's foreign minister said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
An exam room is seen inside Planned Parenthood Friday, March 10, 2023, in Fairview Heights, Ill. Many women will travel this year away from their homes in nearby states where abortion access has been restricted to be seen at clinics like Planned Parenthood in southern Illinois. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Indianas Planned Parenthood clinics are out of abortion appointments until the states near-total abortion ban goes into effect on or near August 1, the Indianapolis Star reported Tuesday. Last month, the Indiana state Supreme Court vacated an injunction that was keeping the states near-total abortion ban (the first law passed after Roe v. Wade fell) from going into effect.

Regional Planned Parenthood Chief Medical Officer Deborah Nucatola told the Star that the clinics will provide other reproductive healthcare services, but if potential patients dont already have an appointment for their abortion, they wont be able to get one at an Indiana Planned Parenthood. INeedAnA.com, one of the best ways to find out where to get an abortion in America, still lists Clinic For Women, an independent operation, in Indianapolis as able to provide first-trimester abortion care.

Read more

In August 2022, Gov. Eric Holcolmb (R) signed the bill, which activists then successfully sued to put on hold for months. At the time, all 11 Democrats in the Indiana state Senate, as well as eight Republicans, opposed the bill. Indiana state Sen. Vaneta Becker (R) was one of the Republicans who voted against it. I dont think people are taking into consideration how their constituents feel about this bill, Becker told Politico at the time. I think its going to be an ongoing challenge for Republicans.

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In this Sept. 6, 2017, file photo, Leslie Van Houten attends her parole hearing at the California Institution for Women in Corona, Calif.

Leslie Van Houten, a Charles Manson follower who was convicted of the 1969 slayings of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca in California, was paroled Tuesday, after spending almost her entire adult life in prison.

At 19, she and other members of what became known as the Manson family, broke into the couple's home and stabbed them to death. It was a day after five others  including Jay Sebring, a celebrity hairstylist who grew up in Michigan, and actress Sharon Tate  were killed.

Van Houten did not participate in those killings.

But her parole reopens discussion about the death penalty, and, for Michiganders, memories of Sebring, who was born Thomas John Kummer. Killed at the age of 35, he garnered more fame in death than when he was alive, although he was a pioneering hair designer with a star-studded client list that included Steve McQueen and Paul Newman.

Hairdresser to the stars

Sebring, the oldest of four kids, was born in Fairfield, Alabama. His parents moved when he was a baby to a home on Ferris Street in Highland Park, just down the street from St. Benedict School in Highland Park. Sebring went to school there through eighth grade. Later, the family lived in a house in Detroit.

A documentary on Sebring, "Jay Sebring... Cutting to the Truth," was picked up by Shout! Studios in 2020. It tells the story of Sebring's pioneer methods in men's hairstyling and features interviews with Dennis Hopper, Nancy Sinatra and Debra Tate, Sharon Tate's sister.

More: Filmmaker planning true-crime, history documentary on Michigan killer John Norman Collins

More: Aretha Franklin's handwritten document found under couch cushion is valid will, jury rules

Initially, Van Houten was sentenced to death, but that was reduced to life in prison when capital punishment in California was outlawed. The Michigan Constitution bans the death penalty, leaving federal prosecution and sentencing as the only way for execution in the state.

Rashad Trice, 26, who recently was charged in Michigan with federal counts of kidnapping and kidnapping resulting in the death of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith, could be sentenced to death. The girl's body was found last week in Detroit on after a search and a statewide Amber Alert.

A half-century in prison

Van Houten walked out of a California prison Tuesday after serving more than 50 years of a life sentence for her participation in the two infamous murders. She was released to parole supervision, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement.

Leslie Van Houten leaves Criminal Court Building in Los Angeles, Sept. 12, 1977 after a hearing at which a third murder-conspiracy trial date was to have been set to try her in the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. The judge at this morning's hearing announced a new jurist will preside at the third trial and a second hearing set for September 20, would be held to set the third trial date.

Days earlier Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he would not fight a state appeals court ruling that Van Houten should be granted parole. He said it was unlikely the state Supreme Court would consider an appeal. Van Houten, now in her 70s, received a life sentence for helping Mansons followers carry out the Los Angeles slayings.

Van Houten was found suitable for parole after a July 2020 hearing, but her release was blocked by Newsom, who maintained she was still a threat to society. She filed an appeal with a trial court, which rejected it, and then turned to the appellate courts. The 2nd District Court of Appeals in May reversed Newsoms rejection of her parole.

Troubles starting at 14

Van Houten, a former high school cheerleader and homecoming princess, saw her life spiral out of control at 14 following her parents divorce. She turned to drugs and became pregnant but said her mother forced her to abort the fetus and bury it in the familys backyard.

In this Aug. 1970 file photo, Charles Manson followers, from left: Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten walk to court to appear for their roles in the 1969 cult killings of seven people, including pregnant actress Sharon Tate, in Los Angeles.

Van Houten met Manson  who died in prison in 2017 of natural causes at age 83  at an old movie ranch on the outskirts of Los Angeles, where he had established his so-called family of about 100 followers who lived an unconventional lifestyle and took mind-altering drugs.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com. The Associated Press, Free Press reporter Miriam Marini and Free Press archives contributed.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Killer Leslie Van Houten, a Manson family member, leaves prison
An inmate used the chain of his handcuffs to choke an Indiana sheriffs deputy who later died at hospital, affidavit says

An inmate in Indianapolis allegedly used the chain of his handcuffs to choke a sheriffs deputy who died shortly after, court documents obtained by a local station show.

Marion County Sheriffs Deputy John Durm was returning the detainee from a medical appointment Monday morning when he was attacked, the Indianapolis Metro Police Department said in a news release. Durm, 61, was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

He leaves behind his wife and four children, police said.

The attack on the deputy was captured on video, according to a probable cause affidavit from an IMPD detective obtained by CNN affiliate WISH dated Tuesday.

Durm can be seen on video arriving back at the jail in a sheriffs office jail transport van, getting out of the vehicle and walking towards the rear door to open it, according to the affidavit.

Durm is seen opening an inner door to the van while holding a milk crate, and the inmate also steps out, the document says. Authorities have identified the inmate as Orlando Mitchell. CNN has been unable to determine if Mitchell has legal representation.

In the video, Mitchell is seen stepping behind the deputy, placing his hands around Durms neck and allegedly using the chain linking his handcuffs to choke the officer, according to the affidavit.

The two fall to the ground in a struggle and the inmate allegedly continues to choke the deputy until Durm quits moving, the affidavit says.

The inmate then got off of Durm, found the handcuff key, removed his handcuffs and drove off in the jail van before crashing it into a wooden light pole.

Deputies and officers with the metro police department took the suspect into custody there, the Monday police news release said. At least one deputy received minor injuries during the arrest and was treated at the scene, police added.

In a later post, the department said it was mourning Durms loss, saying he dedicated an incredible 38 years of his life to serving and protecting our community.

During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers go out to Deputy Durms family, friends, and colleagues, the police department said. Rest easy Deputy Durm. Well take it from here.

CNNs Jennifer Feldman contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
After growing up in front of the world, Lindsay Lohan is currently preparing to become a mother for the first time. Naturally, that means creating a peaceful space that her child will be able to call their own in the Dubai home she shares with her husband of one year, financier Bader Shammas. Lohan, who shot to fame playing identical twins in the 1998 film The Parent Trap when she was just 12 years old, partnered with Nestig to design not only the nursery, but a small collection of adorable products all inspired by the calming nature of the sea.

Courtesy of Nestig

I feel so peaceful by the oceanI wanted to create a space where my little one and I could share in that feeling, says Lohan, who hails from Long Island, New York, and spent her teens and early twenties navigating Hollywood before eventually moving abroad to escape the relentless pursuit of paparazzi. After stints in London and Mykonos, she settled in Dubai, where, thanks to strict privacy laws, paparazzi dont exist. And though the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of the Middle Eastern city may be glassy skyscrapers, a recent Allure cover story featuring Lohan reveals that shes found her way back to her oceanside roots, living in a villa near the turquoise waters of the Persian Gulf.

Courtesy of Nestig

The main focal point of the room is a wall mural featuring a nautical scene that Lohan conceptualized along with illustrators from Nestig. The planes and the sailboat felt so instantly classic, but the almost-rainbow watercolor effect felt really fresh and unexpected. It warms the space so much and I cant wait to point out all the cute little elements to my babe, she says.

Courtesy of Nestig

Multiple soft rugs and a striped baby blanket add pops of blue to the spaceand although Lohan has not officially confirmed the sex of her child, multiple tabloids have reported that shes expecting a boy. Lohan hopes that the nursery will serve them well into their childhood. What I love about this collection is that the pieces have longevity, she says, noting that the crib can be converted into a toddler bed when the time comes.

Courtesy of Nestig

Courtesy of Nestig

For Nestig cofounder Sara Adam Slywka, who is a new mom to a five-month-old herself, working with Lohan was a dream come true. Lindsay was one of my icons growing up, so working with her was surreal! What surprised me most was how similar we were in what we wanted for our nurseries, Slywka tells AD. While we went in different design directions, we both wanted a beautiful space filled with things we [and] our families love that we hope to share with our little ones and to be the backdrop for special memories.

Aviator mobile

$85.00, Nestig

Aviator rug

$325.00, Nestig

Morning Light wall mural

$499.00, Nestig

Breeze rug

$399.00, Nestig

Set sail sheet set

$39.00, Nestig

Shore wallpaper

$45.00, Nestig

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest

More Great Celebrity Style Stories From AD
Louisville Inspector General Ed Harness, right, made remarks as Mayor Craig Greenberg looked on during a press conference to announce the Louisville Metro Police Department has reached an agreement with the Office of Inspector General on March 14, 2023. The agreement was in response to the findings of the Department of Justice critical of LMPD.

Louisvilles inspector general  charged with investigating complaints of police misconduct under a city ordinance passed in the wake of the 2020 police killing of Breonna Taylor  said his offices investigations have ground to a halt after the union representing Louisville police officers filed a grievance with the city's police chief.

They asked the chief to suspend all further compelled statements to our office, Inspector General Ed Harness said during a recent Civilian Review and Accountability Board meeting.

On Monday, Harness told The Courier Journal his office currently has 18 authorized investigations  including 15 that require officer interviews.

Louisvilles police union, the River City Fraternal Order of Police, believes the notices the inspector generals office gives to officers being investigated for potential misconduct are insufficient, both Harness and the union president, Ryan Nichols, told The Courier Journal.

According to the police officers bill of rights enshrined in Kentucky law: Any charge involving violation of any consolidated local government rule or regulation shall be made in writing with sufficient specificity so as to fully inform the police officer of the nature and circumstances of the alleged violation in order that he may be able to properly defend himself. The charge shall be served on the police officer in writing.

Nichols said complaints given to some LMPD officers lack specificity, which doesn't give the officer the ability to "properly prepare" to be asked about an incident that may have occurred a long time ago.

If the complaint doesnt have that specificity, then the investigating entity needs to provide some clarification as to what a specific officer is coming in to be interviewed about, he said. Thats our position and what we feel state law requires.

He added: "We're not blocking anyone's access because really I don't have the ability to block anyone's access."

Harness, the inspector general, said the FOP is demanding that complaints include specific policy violations (though the FOP denies this).

I think it puts an unreasonable burden on a civilian filing a complaint where the FOPs position would be that they have to cite chapter and verse of what policy might have been violated for this administrative investigation, Harness told the Civilian Review and Accountability Board meeting on July 5. It also puts our agency in a position where we are pre-judging officers who sit before us when we should be, and we are, conducting ourselves as neutral fact finders and going where the evidence leads us, as opposed to a final conclusion of a specific accusation of officers.

Instead of identifying potential policy violations before initiating an investigation  standard practice for LMPDs internal investigations  his office has been attaching the civilian complaint describing the incident alongside the notice requesting to interview officers.

Harness said those civilian complaints can sometimes be convoluted and hard to understand but there are enough specifics there for the officer to understand the incident in question.

Speaking to The Courier Journal, Nichols denied that the FOP was demanding policy violations be identified, saying instead that complaints are acceptable so long as they are specific enough.



Have something to say about today's news? Submit a letter to the editor here

News of the halt of investigations comes less than four months after Mayor Craig Greenberg said his administration had brokered an agreement to end LMPD's prior lack of cooperation with the inspector general's office in March, which he called "unacceptable." That announcement came on the heels of a scathing Department of Justice report that, among other things, highlighted failures of how LMPD handled and investigated misconduct complaints.

At the time, Greenberg called the agreement an "enormous step forward in transparency and accountability for policing in Louisville" and said his administration would "not make excuses for the mistakes of the past."

In a statement Tuesday, LMPD did not directly address questions sent by The Courier Journal, but said: "LMPD's leadership has consistently directed its officers to cooperate with OIG investigations. Having said that, the FOP has a right to file grievances to protect the best interests of its members where it deems such action is appropriate and necessary."

While both Harness and Nichols discussed the grievance with The Courier Journal, neither party nor LMPD provided a copy of the grievance to The Courier Journal.

On Wednesday, the two sides met with LMPD.

Following the meeting, Harness told The Courier Journal he was optimistic the issue was being resolved and that his office could resume interviewing officers by the end of July after a halt that began in early June. He said his office and the FOP now had a mutual understanding of the notices officers are given and said each complaint would be handled on a case-by-case basis in a system that hopefully will prevent future issues.

FOP representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the meeting on Thursday, and LMPD declined to comment further.

Latest stoppage not first impasse for inspector general's office

The current spat with the FOP is not the first time the inspector generals office has complained about a lack of cooperation from police.

Last year, Harness complained that LMPD was denying his agency access to body camera footage and records they needed to conduct their investigations while officers refused to come in for interviews, even when they were not the target of investigations. That, he told the Civilian Review and Accountability Board at the time, showed LMPD was failing to meet the letter of the ordinance and the spirit of the ordinance.

And in December, he said he had concluded that LMPD was "acting like they have something to hide," according to WLKY.

The 11-member Civilian Review and Accountability Board was established by the same ordinance that created the inspector generals office. Members can approve inspector general investigations and can recommend changes to policies, training and procedures to LMPD.

But since beginning operations in June 2022, the inspector generals office has completed just one investigation. In its 2022 annual report, the office placed the blame for that on the denial of access to LMPD personnel and data.

Last week, Harness described a lack of cooperation in other areas, as well.

In May, the inspector generals office announced the creation of Community Policing Councils, which are meant to promote constitutional policing by giving communities the ability to bring policing concerns and ideas directly to the LMPD division responsible for their area.

Harness said he saw such councils work in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he served a similar oversight role before coming to Louisville. There, those councils are part of the police departments consent decree and he said he expects them to be part of an all-but-certain LMPD consent decree following the Department of Justices scathing March report on police misconduct and unconstitutional policing in Louisville.

Despite that, Harness said, LMPD brass was affirmatively refusing to cooperate with our meetings.

He added that refusal was an intentional decision.

In the July 5 Civilian Review and Accountability Board meeting, Harness said LMPD was arguing that the councils were duplicative of their pre-existing citizen advisory councils.

Harness maintains his office's boards are different.

He said while his offices councils will be open to the public, the advisory boards are exclusionary, with civilians invited to participate by LMPD. He said they are not open, general public meetings, they require participants to complete a citizens police academy and do not allow people with certain convictions to participate.

He also charged that beyond refusing to cooperate, LMPD was refusing to tell him who was on their advisory boards or other basic information.

The only information I was provided was the meeting dates. Not the times. Not the locations, he said.

The lack of cooperation was frustrating to Antonio Taylor, one of the Civilian Review and Accountability Boards 11 members.

Thats what [LMPD] said they wanted to do from the protests in 2020: We want community engagement. We want to build a better relationship. We want to build that trust, he said at the boards meeting last week. How do you do that if you dont start the process?

Reach reporter Josh Wood at jwood@courier-journal.com or on Twitter @JWoodJourno

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville inspector general: police misconduct investigations halted
President Joe Bidens nominee to lead the nations largest intelligence-gathering organization pushed hard at his confirmation hearing Wednesday to reauthorize a controversial surveillance authority before its expiration at the end of the year.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh told the Senate Intelligence Committee that the authority, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, remains essential to providing intelligence to the highest levels of government despite a history of misuse against Americans.

In every product that goes to the senior leaders of our government, Section 702 has an impact, Haugh testified, later calling the program extensively used and irreplaceable.

The administration has been arguing that Section 702, which allows intelligence agencies to snoop on emails and other electronic communications of foreigners abroad, needs to be reupped and that theyve already made significant reforms to its use. But after disclosed memoranda revealed that the FBI had used it to spy on Americans, a number of members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have argued it needs a major revamp.

Biden nominated Haugh, currently the second in command at the U.S. Cyber Command, to lead both Cyber Command and the National Security Agency in late May, where he would succeed General Paul Nakasone, who held the same dual-command.

Both Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), top Democrat and Republican on the committee, support an extension, but several members of the panel said the intelligence community would have to answer further questions from lawmakers before theyd sign off.

If confirmed, I think you probably still have a little bit more work to do  probably in a classified setting  with members, not only of the Senate, but with the House as well to get Section 702 reauthorized, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said: I think weve got a very heavy lift on our hands and, frankly, its going to start with the House of Representatives. Were going to have to make some changes with the FBIs authority.

That push to reauthorize Section 702 has been seen on both sides of the Capitol. House lawmakers heard from a panel of former members back in June, who made the case that the surveillance tool could be reformed but remains critical for national security. However, theres significant skepticism from the House GOP, some of whom would prefer to see the program sunset altogether.

Under questioning from Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Haugh also vowed not to weaken encryption communications relied on by U.S. citizens.

If confirmed, we will not weaken encryption for Americans, he said. Wyden, a long-time advocate of consumer privacy and strong encryption protections, hailed Haughs response as an important statement.

Sen. Angus King (I-Vt.) called on Haugh to be aggressive in making clear the consequences to adversaries that opt to conduct cyberattacks against the U.S., arguing those fears may have thwarted more Russian attacks amid its war in Ukraine.

Its not a deterrent if they dont know it, King said. You have to be aggressive in terms of letting our adversaries know that if they attack the United States in cyberspace there will be a proportionate and hurtful response.

Haugh promised to prioritize investment in new technologies and the governments cybersecurity workforce amid challenges at unprecedented scale from countries like China and Russia.
A Colorado city is fighting to save tens of thousands of its trees from a "devastating" death. But it's not deforestation or wildfires they are up against this time  it's a tiny half-inch-long bug.

The city of Littleton, located just south of Denver, has been infiltrated by an Emerald Ash Borer, an exotic beetle that the city describes as a "pint-size insect" that "can cause king-size problems for ash trees." These beetles are known for killing ash trees, which make up about 15% of all the city's trees, about 45,000 trees.

The bad news: the Emerald Ash Borer has been discovered in Littleton. This pint-size insect can cause king-size problems for ash trees, which represent 15% of Littleton's trees.



The good news: You can take steps now to protect your trees.



Learn more: https://t.co/kp26vo4lH5 pic.twitter.com/xRDxKeFbos  Littleton, Colorado (@CityofLittleton) July 5, 2023

Michael Sundberg, district manager for The Davey Tree Expert Company, told CBS Colorado that in Littleton, the pest could destroy "one in five trees" if preventative measures aren't taken.

"They do a lot of tunneling under the bark and damage the tissue that carries the water and nutrients around the tree," he said. "It's kind of like the trees' veins, so to speak, that get attacked."

The Emerald Ash Borer Network says that once the beetles reach their adult stage, the metallic green bugs will eat up foliage on ash trees  their only food source. But it's the larvae that eat up the inner bark of ash trees and prevent nutrients and water from circulating.

Once that happens, Littleton officials said the tree that's been attacked becomes structurally unsound and will die within just a few years.

Charles Burnham, Forest Health Program Supervisor of the Department of Conservation and Recreation points to the hole that an Emerald Ash Borer creates to enter the ash tree. / Credit: Ted Fitzgerald/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images

It's believed that the insects were introduced to the U.S. from Asia after tagging along on solid wood packing material, the network said. They were first discovered in the U.S. near Detroit in 2002, and have since expanded to at least 35 states as well as at least five Canadian provinces. Ash trees will typically lose most of their canopy within two years of an infestation and die within three to four years, the National Invasive Species Information Center says.

Since the species' discovery in the nation, they have "killed hundreds of millions of ash trees in North America," the group added, and "cost municipalities property owners, nursery operators and forest products industries hundreds of millions of dollars."

A major contributor to the bug's pervasiveness is that it doesn't have any natural predators in the U.S., Sundberg said.

"Ash has been heavily planted for the last 40 years so they're everywhere," he said. "So you have a high food source, nothing to really slow it down and it's just a bad combination for a bug to just run wild and go crazy."

The city has recommended the use of one of four insecticides that are taken up by the roots of the ash trees to prevent the bug's spread: imidacloprid, dinotefuran, emamectin benzoate or azadirachtin. They also recommended that homeowners hire tree care professionals to administer the insecticides to all healthy trees that are in desirable locations. Otherwise, officials recommended removing and replacing the trees.

How to spot an Emerald Ash Borer infection

According to the USDA, Emerald Ash Borers have been called "The Green Menace," and the insects have been found in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Littleton officials said that it can be difficult to determine if trees are infested with the beetles, but that symptoms of an attack include "sparse leaves or branches in the upper canopy, vertical splits in bark with S-shaped galleries beneath, smaller leaves at branch tips, D-shaped exit holes on branches, and epicormics shoots growing from the main trunk or near the center of the tree."

Traces of the emerald ash borer on the trunk of a dead ash in Michigan. / Credit: / Getty Images

The USDA says other signs of an infestation include yellow, thin or wilted foliage, an unusual woodpecker presence, and shoots growing from a tree's roots or trunk with "larger-than-normal" leaves.

Sundberg said that if an infection is suspected in an area, people should refrain from moving around firewood or logs.

"Not traveling logs around is where you keep it from spreading fast from city to city. The bug can fly, but not super far," he said. "... When it comes to jumping, I think they found it in Carbondale. The bug didn't fly to Carbondale, it hitched a ride on some logs."

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The Iowa state legislature on Tuesday night passed a bill that would ban most abortions after only six weeks of pregnancy. The fetal heartbeat bill, which would ban the procedure after cardiac activity is detected in an embryo, would be one of the harshest bans in the nation. Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds is expected to sign it into law this week.

The House called a special sessions to pass the bill 56-34, with every Democrat and two Republicans opposing it. The Senate passed it 32-17 a few hours later. The governors signature will drastically restrict reproductive rights in the state, which currently allows abortion up to 20 weeks after conception.

The votes on Tuesday came amid tense protests at the Capitol in Des Moines, with demonstrators for reproductive rights clashing with abortion opponents.

Demonstrations inside capitol rotunda get pushy and tense after man begins chanting that all opponents of abortion ban support murdering babies. #abortion #ialegis pic.twitter.com/f4mAvKbNGI  Nick Weig (@tbweig) July 11, 2023

Iowa passed similar legislation in 2018, but legal challenges prevented it from taking effect. The matter made it to the state Supreme Court. The courts deadlock prompted Reynolds to call Tuesdays special session to pass a new version.

Iowa is one of a handful of conservative states to have passed legislation prohibited abortion after six weeks. The ban is part of a nationwide crackdown on reproductive rights following the U.S. Supreme Courts decision overturning Roe v. Wade last summer. The heightened restrictions are deeply unpopular, and many have blamed the GOPs poor performance in the 2022 midterms on the partys abortion stance. Democrats hope Americans will make their voices heard in 2024, as well.

Theyre going to see why theyre wrong. Were doing this in the summer because they want us to forget, Iowas Democratic House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst Konfrst told demonstrators on Tuesday, according to the Des Moines Register. Were going to fight like hell today. We will show up. We will stand up. And I need you all in this fight.

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Kim ReynoldsMario Tama/Getty Images

Iowa's Republican-led Legislature approved an approximately six-week ban on nearly all abortions in the state late Tuesday during a 14-hour special session, the Associated Press reports. Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds said in a statement she plans to sign the bill into law on Friday, which will then take effect immediately.The bill, passed with exclusively Republican support, was met with tense objections from Democratic lawmakers and abortion advocates protesting in the chamber.

"The Iowa Supreme Court questioned whether this legislature would pass the same law they did in 2018, and today they have a clear answer," Reynolds said in a statement. "The voices of Iowans and their democratically elected representatives cannot be ignored any longer, and justice for the unborn should not be delayed."

Abortion is currently legal up to 20 weeks in Iowa. The bill would prohibit most abortions once signs of cardiac activity can be detected, which is usually around six weeks of pregnancy and before most people know they are pregnant. It excludes abortions sought due to rape, if reported to law enforcement or a health provider within 45 days; incest, if reported within 145 days; the fetus having an abnormality "incompatible with life;" or the pregnancy endangering the life of the pregnant person. The ACLU of Iowa Executive Director Mark Stringer said in a statement that the organization, Planned Parenthood and the Emma Goldman Clinic have already begun preparations to challenge the bill, once signed, in court.
Iowa Democrat Jennifer Konfrst speaks to protesters against a proposed abortion ban rallying at the Iowa Capitol on Tuesday. Hannah Fingerhut/AP

Iowa Republicans strong-armed a near-complete ban on abortions after 6 weeks to passage.

The GOP-led legislature passed the ban after a hastily arranged special session.

Gov. Kim Reynolds, who called for the special session, has pledged to quickly sign the ban into law.

Iowa Republicans on Tuesday night pushed through an almost complete ban on abortions after roughly 6 weeks of pregnancy, sending the legislation to Gov. Kim Reynolds who has pledged to quickly sign it into law.

"This bill protects unborn children in Iowa," Republican state- Rep. Shannon Lundgren said, The Des Moines Register reported. "This bill sets a clear standard where the state has an interest in the life of the child when the baby's heart starts beating. Where there is a heartbeat, there is life."

Reynolds called legislators back to Des Moines for a special session to pass what supporters deem a "fetal heartbeat" bill after the Iowa Supreme Court failed just over a month ago to allow a 2018 abortion ban to go into place. Iowa's highest court deadlocked 3-3, leading to a 2019 district court ruling striking down the 2018 law to stand.

The vote on HF-732 passed late on Tuesday night with 32 yes votes to 17 nays. After the bill was passed a chorus of angry boos erupted from the gallery, along with angry cries of "shame" and "fuck you."

Until the bill is signed into law and goes into effect, abortions remain legal for up to 20 weeks in the state. As soon as Reynolds signs the bill into law, it will go into effect. Opponents are expected to once again take the fight to state court. The US Supreme Court's landmark ruling overturning Roe v. Wade opened the door to proposals such as Iowa's near-complete 6-week ban.

Protestors flooded the halls inside the Capitol to voice their opposition, The Des Moines Register reported. Republicans control a trifecta in the state, meaning that Iowa Democrats had little recourse but to pressure their colleagues and propose amendments that were virtually destined to fail during the at times acrimonious special session.

"None of us have any business being in a doctor's office when these decisions are made," House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst said during the floor debate before House passage. "Women will be less free in a few hours than they are right now,"

The Republican-led bill does not name a specific time when abortions would be prohibited. Instead, it requires doctors to perform an abdominal ultrasound before administering an abortion. If a "fetal heartbeat" is detected, an abortion could only be performed in limited circumstances. Physicians specializing in reproductive health have criticized people who use the terms such as "fetal heartbeat" as they argue it can be misleading, NPR previously reported. Generally, such a sound is detected after 6 weeks of pregnancy. Many do not know if they are pregnant within 6 weeks.

The bill does allow for limited exceptions in the case of rape, incest, or if the mother's health is at risk. The rape and incest provisions require reports to be made within a set number of days to the police or a health agency. There are also limited exceptions for miscarriages and a "medical emergency."

Reynolds has presided over an era in which the state's Republican Party and its majorities in both chambers have grown to their strongest levels in years. Only one statewide election official, Auditor Rob Sand, is a Democrat. It is a massive sea change in a state that President Barack Obama carried twice.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Iowa Republicans passed a bill late Tuesday to ban most abortions after six weeks  a restrictive measure that would quickly remake the reproductive rights legal landscape in a key early voting state.

The measure passed, mostly along party lines, just after 11 p.m. local time, capping a marathon one-day special legislative session that Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds called for the sole purpose of enacting pro-life legislation.

Reynolds, in a statement issued moments after the bill was passed, said she would sign the bill on Friday.

"Justice for the unborn should not be delayed," Reynolds said.

If it is not blocked by a court, the law would go into effect immediately after Reynolds signs it  which could send abortion clinics in the state, as well as women with appointments scheduled at them in coming days and weeks, scrambling. As it currently stands, abortion remains legal in Iowa until the 20th week of pregnancy.

The bill passed by Republicans, who control the Legislature, would ban abortions at the sixth week of pregnancy  or when, in some cases, a fetal pulse can first be heard via ultrasound. The measure includes exceptions for the life of the woman, miscarriages and fetal abnormalities deemed by a physician "incompatible with life."

The bill also includes exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape and from incest. For those exceptions to apply, the rape must have been reported to law enforcement or a public or private health agency  which includes a family doctor  within 45 days, and the incest must have been reported to any of those officials or entities within 140 days.

The Rev. Michael Shover of Christ the Redeemer Church in Pella, left, argues with Ryan Maher, of Des Moines as anti-abortion and abortion rights protesters clash in the Iowa Capitol rotunda on July 11, 2023. (Zach Boyden-Holmes / The Register / USA Today Network)

Passage Tuesday was the product of a rapid, 15-hour special legislative session that featured hours of impassioned pleas from legislators and members of the public  in both support of and opposition to the measure.

Abortion is normal, safe, lifesaving health care, Connie Ryan, the executive director of the nonprofit Iowa Interfaith Alliance, said at a session reserved for members of the public to discuss the measure. Iowa is not a theocracy."

Democratic legislators and reproductive rights groups held large protests in the state Capitol throughout the day, with chants audible during several committee sessions where the bill was discussed.

Its pretty demoralizing for those of us that take care of women to have the potential of losing the ability to practice full-spectrum care, said Dr. Amy Bingaman, a Des Moines obstetrician and gynecologist. Bingaman said many doctors like her will be forced to consider leaving the state if they are no longer able to legally administer reproductive health care.

Protesters rally for reproductive rights in the Iowa State Capitol rotunda on July 11, 2023. (Zach Boyden-Holmes / Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register )

Abortion-rights protesters were seen clashing at times with Iowans who showed up in support of the ban.

Life is precious, said Vicki Miller, who supported the ban. The Bible tells us that  as soon as that child is conceived as a child, its alive.

The new ban is certain to affect the 2024 presidential race.

Because Iowa will be the first state to hold Republican caucuses, GOP candidates already barnstorming the state are certain to be asked for their views on the ban. Republicans have often struggled to talk to voters about abortion rights in the year since the Supreme Courts Dobbs ruling overturned Roe v. Wade. However, support for stronger abortion restrictions remains popular among conservative evangelical Christians  a key voting bloc in the states Republican caucuses.

But polling in the state, as well as nationally, finds that a majority of voters support peoples having the right to abortions  which could make any candidates support of a strict abortion ban a political vulnerability among general election voters.

Keeping the issue in plain view in the state will be a summit a prominent Christian conservative group will hold in Des Moines this week. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy are some of the candidates scheduled to attend.

Ramaswamy, who went to the Capitol building to support the session, faced hecklers during an interview.

I think its an historic occasion, Ramaswamy said, adding that it was a celebration of the pro-life position that I share.

With Republicans in firm control of both chambers of the Legislature, Democrats lacked the numbers and the tools to delay passage of the bill beyond the late-night period legislators reserved for debate and voting.

Reproductive rights groups, including Planned Parenthood, suggested they would challenge the measure in court.

"This is not the end of our fight for safe and legal abortion and reproductive health care," Ruth Richardson, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said in a statement after the bill was passed. "We will exhaust all options to ensure Iowans have control of their bodily autonomy, now and for generations to come.

The latest bill is nearly identical to a six-week ban that remains permanently blocked following an Iowa Supreme Court ruling last month. The split decision effectively allowed a lower courts ruling blocking the law to remain in effect.

If the new law is enacted after Reynolds signs it, it is likely to face some of the same legal roadblocks  but the outcome could be different with a full state Supreme Court issuing a decision.

The state Supreme Courts split ruling was a narrowly tailored decision based largely on procedural grounds, meaning it remains possible  if not likely  that a full seven-member court could find legal consensus on a new ban.

One of the courts seven justices, Dana Oxley  a Reynolds appointee  recused herself because her former law firm represented an abortion clinic that was a plaintiff in the original case.

The split decision last month featured three justices suggesting they could support a legal standard  known as rational basis  that could allow a six-week abortion limit to stand in the future.

If Oxley were part of the next decision, a clear, legally binding majority on a six-week ban would most likely result.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Iowa Republicans pass new bill banning almost all abortions after six weeks

Iowas Republican-led legislature has enacted a new bill prohibiting the vast majority of abortions after approximately six weeks of pregnancy.

This comes just weeks after a deadlock in the Iowa Supreme Court that rendered a six-week abortion ban unenforceable.

On Tuesday, however, legislators reconvened at the Iowa State Capitol and successfully passed a nearly identical set of restrictions on the procedure. Republican governor Kim Reynolds plans to sign the bill into law on Friday, her office said.

I believe the pro-life movement is the most important human rights cause of our time, she said in a statement on Tuesday night.

The Iowa Supreme Court questioned whether this legislature would pass the same law they did in 2018, and today they have a clear answer. The voices of Iowans and their democratically elected representatives cannot be ignored any longer, and justice for the unborn should not be delayed.

Under the new Republican bill, abortions are permitted up until approximately six weeks of pregnancy  a timeframe that critics say could pass before many women are even aware of their pregnancies.

The legislation does incorporate exceptions beyond this point, such as in cases of rape or incest, when the womans life is at significant risk, when she faces the possibility of certain permanent injuries, or when there are foetal abnormalities deemed incompatible with life.

Unborn people, in my opinion, are babies, and the governments job is to protect the rights of every person, including babies, Republican representative Brad Sherman said on the House floor.

More than 1,000 Iowans (96%) have registered against Reynolds abortion ban. The streets and parking lots are full and the people of Iowa are at our Capitol fighting for our abortion rights. #iowa #ialegis #Iowans4ReproductiveFreedom pic.twitter.com/G09CMVubBh  Katy (@siddallkaty) July 11, 2023

The neighbouring Republican-led states of Missouri, South Dakota and Wisconsin have already implemented stringent abortion bans, effectively prohibiting the procedure in almost all cases. Additionally, Nebraska recently passed a new ban at the 12-week mark.

Illinois and Minnesota, which have Democratic leaderships, maintain permissive abortion laws and reports suggested these may emerge as potential destinations for Iowans seeking abortions.

BREAKING: Iowa Republicans just passed a bill that bans most abortions after only SIX weeks. They passed it just after 11pm CT, thinking no one would be watching. But theyre wrong. They will regret this. Iowa Republicans have now pissed off & awakened Gen Z & women. Huge mistake  Victor Shi (@Victorshi2020) July 12, 2023

If this bill becomes law, women will die in Iowa. Common sense has walked out the door, Democrat representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell told her colleagues on Tuesday night.

The ACLU of Iowa, Planned Parenthood, and the Emma Goldman Clinic remain committed to protecting the reproductive rights of Iowans to control their bodies and their lives, their health, and their safety  including filing a lawsuit to block this reckless, cruel law, Mark Stringer, the executive director of ACLUs Iowa chapter, said in a statement.

Protesters gathered ahead of the vote at the capitol in Des Moines on Tuesday, holding signs that read My Body, My Choice and Unborn Lives Matter.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Holds Campaign Kickoff Event

Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa speaks during a campaign kickoff event for Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida, in Clive, Iowa, on May 30, 2023 Credit - Al DragoBloomberg/Getty Images

This article is part of The D.C. Brief, TIMEs politics newsletter. Sign up here to get stories like this sent to your inbox.

For better or for worse, the Republican race for the White House has long seen its starting pistol fire from Iowa. Since 1972, only three winners of competitive Iowa caucuses have gone forward as the general election candidate. And yet, every four years, the Midwestern state shapes the race in ways that reverberate across our political system. We are likely to see a particularly striking example of the Iowa effect this week.

While the Iowa caucuses are seldom predictive, the outsized influence that evangelicals have on the GOP there ends up pushing most candidates to the right on abortion rights, LGBTQ rights, and immigration. Its why Donald Trump raced around the state with Jerry Falwell Jr., then the head of the nations largest Christian university, during the final days of the 2016 caucuses that he would place second. Its how former Gov. Mike Huckabee in 2008 and former Sen. Rick Santorum in 2012 powered to hard-fought (but not durable) wins. And its how then-Sen. Bob Dole enjoyed twice as much support as incumbent Vice President George H.W. Bush in 1988, would claim the nomination eight years later, and would go on to be nicknamed Iowas Third Senator for his unrelenting advocacy for the state.

All of which is to say, these loud and proud conservative activists often prod hopefuls to stake out positions that might later be shown to be out-of-touch with the broader electorate, and sometimes even the Republican Partys truest advocates. And that confrontation and complication will be on full display on Friday, when most of the candidates make the pilgrimage to Des Moines for a Family Leadership Summit at exactly the moment when a question many of them dont want to answer is at the fore.

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Thats thanks to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, who on Friday is slated to sign into law a ban on abortions after six weeks, a moment when many of those who are expecting arent yet aware. The restrictions are similar to a previous law that the state Supreme Court effectively nixed when the justices deadlocked in a case over it. Reynolds last week called a special session of the state legislature, and lawmakers quickly delivered an intensely conservative limit on the procedure that has grown more and more difficult to access since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

It will be all but impossible for the candidates to avoid this issue as they take their turn on stage Friday across the Des Moines River, where former Fox host Tucker Carlson will serve as moderator.

Most candidates have tried to walk the tightrope carefully. That will be harder to do when they inevitably get asked: Do you support Gov. Reynolds six-week abortion ban? And when is the cut-off in your mind?

Former Vice President Mike Pence wont be sweating, as he has called for a 15-week abortion ban at a minimum and a six-week one in the ideal. And Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has already signed into law his states six-week ban. But other candidates have been skeptical of the wisdom of a national ban, and have been fuzzy about their intentions on the subject if they are they next one to occupy the Oval.

There is almost no upside to the dynamic, one created by Reynolds and her conservative pals who dominate the legislature. A Des Moines poll from March found that 61% of Iowa adults believe abortion should be legal in most or all cases, while 35% said it should be illegal in most or all cases. Among women, that support reaches 70%.

That is almost a mirror of exit polls last year, when Democrats ran in support of abortion rights and had better-than-expected outcomes.

Yet the Family Leadership Summit is going to all but demand those facts be treated as annoyances and instead invite the speakers to pledge to do everything they can to roll back abortion rights.

Friday is but one of the buffets of cattle-call summits that attract the 2024 contenders hoping to make inroads with these conservative voters who show up but arent yet settled on any one contender. By now, the blueprint for these set pieces is well understood, even to candidates who dont exactly sing from the same evangelical hymnal. The organizers know it, but they also know there is power in convening most of the field to, at minimum, pander with platitudes and to kiss the ring.

Right now, all but one of the marquee contenders is due to take the stage at a Des Moines convention center. The missing leading man? Trump himself, who is in a spat with Reynolds for staying neutral in the state and privately thinks the end of Roe was a political misfire, despite his not-small role in bringing it about.

(Organizers of the nominally apolitical Family Leadership Summit also note they invited President Joe Biden and activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to attend. Both declined.)

Iowas prominence as the lead-off caucuses has long vexed national GOP strategists who think it a distraction from the broader, desperately needed work of rebranding the party. Sen. John McCain struggled to figure out his approach there during his 2008 primary, and Mitt Romney flirted with a similar strategy of polite indifference. But party leadersgoaded by Trumphave decided to stick with Iowa as Democratsat Bidens prodmoved to promote South Carolina as the state where the Democrats nominal nomination fight begins. The hard-right pivot of Iowa has done little to assuage the worries among many in the GOP that a state with just one statewide elected Democrat might be missing a crossover appeal test for the contenders. After all, the very-white Iowa GOP has scheduled next years lead-off caucuses on the same day that the rest of the country will be honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Iowa was once seen as a purple state in the Midwest. It voted for Barack Obama twice, but has slid further and further red in the years since. The last time Republicans had competitive caucuses, a full two-thirds of Iowan Republicans told exit pollsters they were self-described white evangelical or born-again Christians, and by a two-to-one margin told pollsters that picking a candidate who shared their values mattered more than electability or ability to bring change. (Before you scoff at Iowa as an outlier on this, national exit polls found 83% of Republicans in last years midterms said the same about identifying as a white evangelical or born-again Christian. Among all voters, though, that tally stood at 24%.)

All of which is to say this is, yet again, a problem of the Republicans own making as they push a partisan purity test. Even the slogan for this years Family Leadership Summit nods at the objective: Principle Over Politics. As The D.C. Brief noted just this week, the GOPs fealty to the far-right voices is fun to watch for some, but its making it more difficult for a party to expand an appeal in a country that, for seven of the last eight national popular votes, has sided with the Democratic nominees. The last Republican to win the popular vote was George W. Bush in 2004; before that, you have to go back to his fathers 1988 campaign, which began with a disappointing showing in Iowa. And, once again, as those conservatives in the Heartland make use of their oversized hand in picking the nominee, history suggests their wagers tend to be more problematic than prophetic.

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Pro-choice protesters at the Iowa State Capitol AP Photo / Hannah Fingerhut

The Republican-controlled legislature in Iowa passed a bill on Tuesday night that bans most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy.

Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), who called a special session so lawmakers could vote on curtailing abortion rights, will sign the bill into law on Friday, her office said. It passed the House 56-34 and the Senate 32-17, with both votes primarily along party lines.

The bill would ban abortions after cardiac activity is detected in an embryo, which can be as early as six weeks into a pregnancy; the Des Moines Register noted that the legislation is "nearly identical to a law signed by Reynolds in 2018, which was permanently blocked by the courts." Under current Iowa law, abortions are allowed up to 20 weeks after conception or 22 weeks after the last menstrual period.

Opponents and supporters of the bill gathered at the state capitol on Tuesday, with several having to be removed from the gallery by state troopers, the Register reported. Many chanted against the bill, and yelled "Shame!" after the legislation passed. A Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll conducted in March found that a majority of people in Iowa  61%  think abortion should be legal in all or most cases, with 35% saying they think it should be illegal in all or most cases.

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Republican Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds will sign the bill into law on Friday.

Iowa's Republican-led legislature has passed a bill banning most abortions after six weeks.

Both the state's Senate and House passed the legislation on Tuesday night after Republican Governor Kim Reynolds called for a rare special session to hold a vote on the restrictions.

The bill is expected to face legal challenges.

In a statement after it passed, Gov Reynolds said the Iowa legislature had voted to "protect life".

"Justice for the unborn should not be delayed," she said.

The bill blocks most abortions after early signs of cardiac activity can be detected in a foetus or embryo - around six weeks into pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant.

It includes some exceptions for cases of rape, incest and foetal abnormalities, as well as when the mother's life is in danger.

It would go into effect as soon as Gov Reynolds signs it on Friday unless it is blocked by a court.

Abortions are currently allowed through to 20 weeks of pregnancy in Iowa.

Iowa is set to join a growing group of Midwestern states that have enacted abortion restrictions since the Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v Wade decision, including neighbouring states of Missouri and South Dakota.

Last summer, that US Supreme Court ruling ended the constitutional right to an abortion, paving the way for individual states to ban the procedure or bring in new restrictions.

The Tuesday vote sparked protests at the Iowa Capitol building in Des Moines. Several demonstrators were escorted out of the building by state troopers after they screamed profanities at Republican lawmakers, according to local outlet Des Moines Register.

The legislation is nearly identical to a six-week abortion ban that the Iowa legislature passed in 2018, which was blocked by the state's supreme court in June.

The vote on the abortion bill sparked a heated debate on Tuesday, with Democrats lambasting the bill and Republican lawmakers defending it.

Ruth Richardson, president of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said this week the organisation will challenge the new law in court.
President Ebrahim Raisi's trip, the first African tour by an Iranian leader in 11 years, will take him to Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe (SIMON MAINA)

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi held talks with his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto on Wednesday as he kicked off the first Africa tour by an Iranian leader in 11 years.

The visit, which was delayed by a day, comes as the Islamic republic tries to shore up diplomatic support to ease its international isolation, with Raisi also due to travel to Uganda and Zimbabwe this week.

In addition to meeting Ruto, Raisi will hold talks with his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Africa has emerged as a diplomatic battleground in recent months, with Russia and the West also trying to court support over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, which has had a devastating economic impact on the continent, sending food prices soaring.

Western powers have also sought to deepen trade ties with the continent, along with India and China, which has been on an infrastructure spending spree in Africa.

According to Iran's official IRNA news agency, Raisi is heading a delegation that includes the foreign minister as well as senior businesspeople.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani has described the three-day trip as "a new turning point" which could bolster economic and trade ties with African nations.

He also said on Monday that Tehran and the three African countries share "common political views".

Iran has stepped up its diplomacy in recent months to reduce its isolation and offset the impact of crippling sanctions reimposed since the 2018 withdrawal of the United States from a painstakingly negotiated nuclear deal.

On Saturday, Raisi welcomed Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf in a bid to boost ties with Algiers.

Last week, Iran became a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which includes Russia, China and India.

In March, Tehran agreed to restore ties with regional rival Saudi Arabia under a China-mediated deal. It has since been looking to re-establish relations with other countries in the region including Egypt and Morocco.

In June, Raisi undertook a Latin American tour that included Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba before a trip to Indonesia.

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Irans President Raisi embarks on Africa tour to boost trade in face of crippling US sanctions

Irans President Ebrahim Raisi received a red-carpet welcome from Kenyan counterpart William Ruto on Wednesday as he began a three-country tour of Africa that Tehran has touted as a new beginning in relations with the continent.

Raisis trip to Africa, which will also take him to Uganda and Zimbabwe, is the first by an Iranian president in more than a decade and represents a bid to diversify economic ties in the face of crippling US sanctions.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (C) inspects the guard of honour during his state visit at the State House in Nairobi on July 12, 2023. - Simon Maina/AFP/Getty Images

Kenyas President Ruto said Wednesday he held bilateral talks with President Ebrahim Raisi where Iran agreed to boost Kenyas pursuits in manufacturing, health and the blue economy through research and technology.

Kenya is keen on boosting its trade volumes with Iran and that Ruto said his administration was working closely with Tehran to facilitate the export of more tea, meat and other agricultural products to Iran, which will also act as a key entry point to Central Asian countries.

Raisi was welcomed by an honor guard at Kenyas presidential palace before joining Ruto for a meeting, video posted on social media by Kenyas presidency showed.

Raisi is expected to next fly to Uganda to discuss trade and bilateral relations with President Yoweri Museveni, and then to Zimbabwe.

The last Iranian leader to visit Africa was Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2013.

Shoring up allies support

Iran stepped up its diplomatic outreach to developing world countries after then-US President Donald Trump ditched a nuclear pact in 2018 and reimposed sanctions.

In June, Raisi visited three Latin American countries to shore up support with allies also saddled with US sanctions.

Irans trade with African countries will increase to more than $2 billion this year, its foreign ministry said on Saturday, without providing a comparative figure for 2022.

His trip to Kenya, East Africas economic powerhouse, will provide the two countries an opportunity to review and re-energize their bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries, Kenyas foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

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NAIROBI (Reuters) -Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi received a red carpet welcome from Kenyan counterpart William Ruto on Wednesday as he began a three-country tour of Africa that Tehran has touted as a "new beginning" in relations with the continent.

Raisi's trip to Africa, which will also take him to Uganda and Zimbabwe, is the first by an Iranian president in more than a decade, and represents a bid to diversify economic ties in the face of crippling U.S. sanctions.

Iran stepped up diplomatic outreach to developing world countries after then-U.S. President Donald Trump ditched a nuclear pact in 2018 and reimposed sanctions.

In June, Raisi visited three Latin American countries to shore up support with allies also saddled with U.S. sanctions.

Iranian and Kenyan ministers signed five memorandums of understanding on Wednesday related to information technology, fisheries, livestock products and investment promotion, the two governments announced.

At a press briefing after meeting Ruto, Raisi said he wanted to boost commercial ties with African countries.

"None of us are satisfied with the current volume of trade and the current economic exchange between countries," he said.

Iran's foreign ministry said on Saturday that it expects trade with African countries to increase to more than $2 billion this year, without providing a comparative figure for 2022.

Ruto said he had sought Raisi's commitment to facilitate the export of more Kenyan tea, meat and other agricultural products to Iran and via Iran to Central Asian countries.

Raisi is expected to next fly to Uganda to discuss trade and bilateral relations with President Yoweri Museveni, and then to Zimbabwe.

The last Iranian leader to visit Africa was Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2013.

(Writing by Bhargav Acharya and Hereward Holland; editing by Aaron Ross, Jason Neely and Alex Richardson)
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the "predatory" and "colonial" West (-)

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Western countries Wednesday of endangering the lives of Ukrainians so they can sell arms to Kyiv for use in its war against Russia.

Western nations have pushed "the people of Ukraine to the frontlines in order to fill the pockets of American arms-manufacturing companies", Khamenei said during a meeting with senior clerics and seminary students in Tehran.

He said "the predatory" and "colonial" motives of the West have pushed Ukrainians to fight and be killed to serve "the interests of Western arms production and sales companies".

Ukraine's Western allies have sent weapons worth tens of billions of dollars (euros) to help Kyiv counter the deadly invasion Russia launched in February 2022.

Kyiv and many of its Western allies have accused Iran of sending weapons to Russia for use in the conflict, accusations that Tehran has repeatedly denied.

On Wednesday the G7 nations -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States -- pledged to offer "enduring" military support to Ukraine to fight Russia's invasion.

Both Tehran and Moscow are under international sanctions that restrict trade, and have sought to boost cooperation in key areas to help prop up their economies.

The United States has accused Tehran of supplying Moscow with drones and of helping Russia to build a drone factory.

Iran rejects the allegation, with foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani saying last month that "the Islamic republic does not support any side in the Ukraine war".

"We deny any accusations regarding the export of arms to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine," Kanani said.

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The House Oversight Committee will hear from two IRS whistleblowers next Wednesday, including one whose identity has yet to be revealed, after the duo alleged an investigation into Hunter Biden was slow-walked by prosecutors.

Testimony from IRS investigator Gary Shapley and another individual identified only as Whistleblower X was shared by the House Ways and Means Committee the day after U.S. Attorney for Delaware David Weiss announced he had reached a plea deal with Biden that would require guilty pleas on two tax charges.

Shapley in particular said Biden received preferential treatment, with prosecutors hesitant to pursue search warrants. He also said Weiss was unable to bring charges in D.C., where he believes he would have had the strongest case.

These whistleblowers provided information about how the Justice Department refused to follow evidence that implicated Joe Biden, tipped off Hunter Bidens attorneys, allowed the clock to run out with respect to certain charges, and put Hunter Biden on the path to a sweetheart plea deal. Americans are rightfully angry about this two-tiered system of justice that seemingly allows the Biden family to operate above the law, House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) said in a statement.

We need to hear from whistleblowers and other witnesses about this weaponization of federal law enforcement power. This hearing is an opportunity for the American people to hear directly from these credible and brave whistleblowers.

Whistleblower Xs identity is set to be revealed at the afternoon hearing on July 19.

Weiss and the Justice Department have denied the claims from the whistleblowers, including specific claims that the Delaware prosecutor was denied special counsel status that would have allowed him to pursue charges in D.C.

While that facet of Shapleys testimony is just one detail in his larger claims of mismanagement of the investigation, its become a central focus to Republican leadership, as Attorney General Merrick Garland said in an appearance before lawmakers that Weiss had total control of the investigation.

McCarthy first raised the prospect of a Garland impeachment in June, saying on Twitter that Shapleys testimony could be a significant part of a larger impeachment inquiry into Merrick Garlands weaponization of DOJ.

Whats really concerning to me is who in this process is lying? House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said to reporters Tuesday.

The Attorney General has told Congress one thing, David Weiss has told others different inside these meetings. I think the best thing is bring everybody in the room and find out whos telling the truth and whos not.

McCarthy was referencing testimony from Shapley saying Weiss said he was unable to bring charges in D.C. or secure special counsel status.

I would later be told by United States Attorney Weiss that the D.C. U.S. Attorney would not allow U.S. Attorney Weiss to charge those years in his district. This resulted in United States Attorney Weiss requesting special counsel authority from Main DOJ to charge in the District of Columbia. I dont know if he asked before or after the Attorney Generals April 26th, 2022, statement, but Weiss said his request for that authority was denied and that he was told to follow DOJs process, Shapley told Ways and Means investigators.

Echoing earlier statements that he had total control over the investigation, Weiss in a Monday letter offered his clearest language yet in pushing back on Shapleys claims.

There are two statutes on the books governing such appointments and the powers associated with them, Weiss notes, including a status allowing him to file charges outside his district of Delaware.

To clarify an apparent misperception and to avoid future confusion, I wish to make one point clear: in this case, I have not requested Special Counsel designation pursuant to 28 CFR  600 et seq. Rather, I had discussions with Departmental officials regarding potential appointment under 28 U.S.C.  515, which would have allowed me to file charges in a district outside my own without the partnership of the local U.S. Attorney, Weiss wrote in a letter obtained by The Hill.

I was assured that I would be granted this authority if it proved necessary.

Biden has agreed to plead guilty to two counts of willful failure to pay taxes and amid the five-year investigation has since paid more than $200,000 in taxes.

He also agreed to enter a pretrial diversion program relating to a failure to admit to drug use when purchasing a weapon.

This was a five year, very diligent investigation pursued by incredibly professional prosecutors, some of whom have been career prosecutors, one of whom at least was appointed by President Trump, Biden attorney Chris Clark said during an appearance on MSNBC last month.

What I can tell you is, they were very diligent, very dogged. This was  it took five years and it was five years of work that they put in, and even throughout working out the ultimate resolution, I think that they were always driving for what they thought was fair.

This story was updated at 5:45 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Biden has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pull back on controversial legislation that far-right members of his coalition are looking to push through by the end of the month.

But Israeli protesters are calling on the U.S. to speak out more forcefully.

During a day of disruption Tuesday, protesters singled out the U.S. mission in Tel Aviv for their demonstrations  with mass protests blocking major roadways, the international airport and taking place outside government buildings.

Josh Drill, a spokesperson for the national protest movement in Israel, told The Hill in a statement that demonstrations were meant to send a clear message to President Biden: Continue to stand with the Israeli protesters who are tirelessly fighting for Israeli democracy.

At this critical juncture, Netanyahus proposed judicial overhaul poses a grave threat to Israels democratic principles, which are values shared by both the United States and Israel, Drill said.

Biden has made known his opposition to a package of bills aimed at overhauling Israels Supreme Court. In March, he succeeded in having Netanyahu delay a package of legislation that critics say will erase the independence of the courts and threaten Israels democracy.

But the Israeli government in recent days has taken up at least one piece of the legislation package that protesters say marks a first step in pushing forward the governments plan to neuter Israels Supreme Court.

Biden has sent the message to Netanyahu to tap the brakes, slow down and seek consensus with opposition lawmakers on the judicial overhaul, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides told the Wall Street Journal in an interview published Monday.

I think most Israelis want the United States to be in their business, Nides told the newspaper.

With that sometimes comes a modicum of a price, which is articulating when we think things are going off the rails.

Netanyahu is balancing the demands of far-right members of his coalition that are key to ensuring his position as prime minister, as he holds only a slim majority over the opposition.

These lawmakers, which Biden referred to as extreme in an interview Sunday with CNN, are intent on pushing through judicial changes that critics say will have huge impacts on Israeli society and politics.

These include fears of erasing key protections for minority groups in the country, threatening efforts to reach a two-state solution with the Palestinians and changes that could offer Netanyahu protection from court cases where he faces charges of bribery and corruption.

Netanyahus government has put on pause most of the package of bills amid widespread public backlash and outspoken opposition from Biden and his top officials.

But members of Netanyahus coalition in parliament are now looking to push through a bill that would eliminate Israels reasonableness doctrine, which gives Israels high court the power to review and strike down government decisions if it appears that not all sides of an issue were taken into consideration.

One of the most immediate concerns of eliminating the reasonableness doctrine, critics warn, is the independence of Israels attorney general  at a time when Netanyahu is facing criminal charges in cases ranging from bribery to corruption.

What people want to know is  appointments. The attorney general, is that now going to be someone who is an adjunct of the prime minister? asked David Makovsky, Ziegler distinguished fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Theres all these government entities where a lot of these politicians would love to name their cousins, their cronies, he continued, and the court, by having oversight, is a huge check on that.

Biden and his officials have urged Netanyahu to only proceed with judicial legislation that has the support of the opposition. The prime minister has walked a fine line between empowering radical lawmakers in his coalition and working with the more moderate Israeli President Isaac Herzog on a compromise.

Biden has invited Herzog for a meeting at the White House next week, which is seen as a major snub to Netanyahu. Makovsky said the move has resonated deeply with the prime minister and in Israel.

I think Biden thought his card to play was to withhold the visit, which gets enormous attention in Israel. It doesnt get as much attention from the American media, he said.

I watch the news there every day in Hebrew, theres definitely a feeling that the presidents views are well known because this never happened in Israel before, Makovsky said, referring to the fact that the prime minister has not visited Washington.

Netanyahu holds a short window of time to implement a compromise. Supporters of the legislation want it to pass through two more rounds of votes before the Knesset, Israels parliament, goes on summer recess at the end of the month.

Makovsky said that Netanyahu has sent signals that hes open to softening the language in the bill that could address the criticisms of the opposition, but its unclear what the final product would be.

Thats why the protesters are so ferocious, because they feel its money time now, he said.

The White House has said little over the past few weeks related to the legislation in Israel, marking a stark contrast with the public pressure the president and his top officials deployed against Netanyahu in March.

At that time, Biden held a phone call with the prime minister and dispatched Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Jerusalem to underscore the message that the judicial overhaul legislation would threaten Israels status as a democracy and put at risk U.S. support for the country.

The administration has said on a number of occasions, both U.S. and Israeli democracy are built on strong institutions, checks and balances, and an independent judiciary, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said Monday when asked about the protests in Israel.

The President has said publicly and privately that fundamental reforms like this require a broad basis of support to be durable and sustained.

The administration is balancing a broad security agenda in the Middle East and working in close coordination with Israel on efforts to have Iran roll back dangerous gains on its nuclear program, and working to establish ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

The U.S. is also trying to prevent escalating violence between Israelis and Palestinians from exploding into a larger war.

Bibi [Netanyahu], I think, is trying to work through how he could work through his existing problems, in terms of his coalition, Biden said in his interview with CNN.

Were talking with them regularly, trying to tamp down what is going on and hopefully Bibi will continue to move toward moderation in changing the court.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Issa Rae recalls how Barbies informed her understanding of race and sex

Ahead of the Barbie movie, Issa Rae divulges how playing with Barbie dolls in childhood impacted her as a storyteller.

Long before she was cast as President Barbie in the upcoming Barbie film by Greta Gerwig, Issa Rae was telling stories through the doll.

Ahead of the Barbie movie release on July 21, writer, producer, and actress Issa Rae and her co-stars in the upcoming film sat down with People to discuss Barbies real-life impact. In the interview, Rae spoke candidly about what she gained from the doll during childhood play.

My Barbies were fulfilling scenarios, she told People.

Issa Rae attends the Barbie Celebration Party at the Museum of Contemporary Art on June 30, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Hanna Lassen/Getty Images)

More explicitly, Rae explained her Barbies were, among other things, an early way to experiment with intimacy.

They were also like sex-ed when I didnt know what sex was, she said. As a kid, I just wanted to play and tell stories and make them kiss, Rae remembers. They were my opportunity to play God  Barbies were the Sims for me before I played the Sims.

Though Barbies were an early source of creativity for the future creator and producer, Rae told the publication she was aware of the stigma associated with Barbie. Specifically, what Barbie does, and, for many years, did not represent in terms of womanhood, femininity, sexuality, and race.

I felt like there was a lot of pressure, image-wise, playing with white Barbie dolls and my parents making sure I had Black Barbie dolls so I felt represented, Rae said. Barbies made me aware of race at a young age.

Since its inception in 1959, Barbie has inspired considerable conversation around beauty standards, womanhood, girlhood, sexuality, fashion, race, and more.

There was so much held on Barbies shoulders, Rae noted.

Fans will see Raes childhood storytelling come full circle in the highly anticipated film. She told People she devised her role alongside director Greta Gerwig.

Greta picked my brain, [asking]: If this were the child version of you, how would she dress her President Barbie? How would her President Barbie act? Rae said.

The answer, according to Rae, is who my childhood version of a President would be. I think that she commands a lot of respect.

She added it is ultimately up to the Barbie movies audiences to decide.

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By Andrew Gray and John Irish

VILNIUS (Reuters) -NATO leaders sent mixed signals at their summit on Wednesday on a possible plan to open an office in Japan, which has been blocked by France and criticized by China.

Asked about the plan at a press conference at the end of the summit in Vilnius, French President Emmanuel Macron said NATO should keep its focus firmly on the North Atlantic region.

But NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the idea of a liaison office in Tokyo was still up for discussion.

Alarmed by China's growing military power, the United States has pushed for the transatlantic alliance to share expertise and build ties with Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

NATO officials have said the proposed Japan office would be small, with a staff of only a few people focused on building partnerships, and would not be a military base.

Macron said he agreed that NATO should have partners with other regions "with whom we manage major security issues in the Indo-Pacific, Africa and also the Middle East".

"But - and perhaps I'm a little bit simplistic - but it remains an organization of the North Atlantic Treaty," Macron said, referring to NATO's founding document.

"Whatever one says, geography is stubborn: the Indo-Pacific isn't the North Atlantic," Macron added.

"I think we made the right decision to stick to a close partnership, coordination and strategic intimacy but not wanting to expand the areas of conflict because it's not the right time and it's not why we're here."

China said in May that a NATO office in Japan would not be welcomed in the Asia-Pacific region.

However, Stoltenberg made clear at a separate press conference that the idea was still up for discussion.

"The issue of the liaison office is still on the table, it will be considered in the future," he said.

Stoltenberg and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sealed a new partnership programme at the summit. NATO has also concluded similar arrangements with South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

Kishida said he looked forward to furthering cooperation in new areas including cyber-security, and hoped to deepen cooperation with NATO as it increases its engagement with the Indo-Pacific.

Stoltenberg said NATO was concerned with China's heavy military buildup and its expansion of nuclear forces.

He stressed that NATO's role in the region was not about becoming a global military alliance but said that developments in the Indo-Pacific had an impact in Europe.

"Security is not regional, security is global," he said at his closing press conference.

"We see how China is coming closer to us. This is not about NATO becoming a global military alliance. But this is about recognising that this region faces global challenges and the rise of China is a part of that."

(Reporting by Andrew Gray, John Irish and Sakura Murakami; Editing by Charlotte Van Campenhout and Rosalba O'Brien)
The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) today announced that Istio, the open source service mesh originally developed by Google and IBM and built on top of Lyft's Envoy proxy, has graduated from its status as an incubating project and moved to join the likes of Kubernetes, Prometheus and fellow service mesh Linkerd as a CNCF Graduated Project.

"Service mesh adoption has been steadily rising over the past few years as cloud native adoption has matured across industries," said Chris Aniszczyk, CTO of CNCF. "Istio has helped drive part of this maturation, and the project has progressed quickly since joining CNCF late last year. We look forward to watching and supporting this continued growth as the Istio team adds new features and simplifies the service mesh experience."

The history of Istio and the CNCF is a bit complicated. Google and IBM launched the project back in 2018, but unlike other projects, it took a long time before Google brought it under the auspice of a foundation. It was only a little bit more than a year ago that Google donated the project to the CNCF. Given that Google donated Kubernetes to the CNCF barely a year after the organization was founded, that struck many people as odd and may have hampered Istio's adoption.

"With the rise of microservices architectures as the de facto pattern for authoring modern applications, connecting, observing and securing the complex landscape of containers and services has become a challenge for engineers," said Cameron Etezadi, director of Engineering, Google Cloud. "Google is proud of our role in the creation and development of Istio as a comprehensive solution to this hard problem. Istio's graduation, as well as its leading position as the world's most adopted service mesh technology, reinforces our belief that it should be easy for everyone to benefit from secure, robust service-based applications."

The CNCF now has two service mesh projects under its umbrella and there is a bit of competition between the two, especially given that a number of companies offer commercial services around them, not in the least Buoyant, the company behind Linkerd, which features a detailed breakdown of the difference between the two projects on its site, and Solo.io, which bets on Istio. The CNCF has always been happy to host competing projects, though (and on the other side of that coin, during the CNCF's recent KubeCon/CloudNativeCon in Amsterdam, Aniszczyk told me that he believes the CNCF may have to get a little bit faster at archiving failing projects).

Istio has seen quite a bit of development in that last year under the CNCF. Back in September, Solo.io and Google announced what is essentially the next evolution of Istio, the so-called "ambient mesh," which will make it significantly easier for new users to adopt Istio and harden the project's security posture.

"We are immensely proud of Istio reaching the Graduated level within CNCF. It is a clear testament to the dedication and collaborative spirit of our vibrant community, as well as the value the project provides to our users," said Louis Ryan, CTO of Solo.io and co-creator of Istio. "At Solo, we are proud to have worked alongside the community and contributors since the project's inception to grow Istio from an ambitious idea into a mature and stable service mesh solving large real-world problems. We want to thank everyone who has contributed to this moment, and we look forward to shaping the future of application networking together."
ISW explains why Russia's Defence Minister is trying to portray Ukraine's counteroffensive as failed

Russias Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu is trying to portray the Ukrainian counteroffensive as a failed operation despite the Kremlins instructions not to downplay the gains made in the counteroffensive and not to exaggerate Russias successes, in order to position the Ministry of Defence as an effective leader in Ukraine hostilities following the recent Wagner Group mutiny.

Source: ISW report from 11 July

Quote from ISW: "Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu attempted to portray the Ukrainian counteroffensive as a failed effort against the backdrop of the NATO Summit.

Shoigu implausibly claimed on 11 July that Ukrainian forces have lost 26,000 servicemembers and 1,244 tanks and infantry fighting vehicles since starting counteroffensive operations on 4 June.

Shoigu also tried to present possible Ukrainian interdiction efforts in southern Ukraine as similarly ineffective by claiming that Russian air defences have intercepted 176 HIMARS rockets and 27 Storm Shadow cruise missiles since the start of the counteroffensive."

Details: According to the ISW assessment, Russian Defence Ministry reporting on Ukrainian losses is "likely highly inflated", with even Russian military bloggers pointing out that the Defence Ministry was counting strikes on already damaged and destroyed vehicles as new losses of Ukrainian equipment.

"Shoigus rhetoric about the Ukrainian counteroffensive notably contradicts the Kremlins reported media guidance instructing Russian state media not to downplay the counteroffensive or overstate Russian successes. Shoigu may be increasingly ignoring established Kremlin guidance on covering the counteroffensive in a renewed effort to portray the MoD as an effective manager of the war in Ukraine following the Wagner Groups rebellion," the ISW report reads.

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Charred open-air installation of "Venus of the Rags" is seen following a fire, in Piazza del Municipio, in Naples

Italian artist Pistoletto's 'Venus of the Rags' destroyed in arson attack Charred open-air installation of "Venus of the Rags" is seen following a fire, in Piazza del Municipio, in Naples

By Federica Urso and Alvise Armellini

ROME (Reuters) - An open-air installation of "Venus of the Rags", one of the most famous works by Italian contemporary artist Michelangelo Pistoletto, was destroyed by an arson attack in Naples, Mayor Gaetano Manfredi said on Wednesday.

A new, giant version of the sculpture, of which several examples are on display in museums around the world, was inaugurated two weeks ago in Piazza del Municipio, a monumental square in the heart of the southern Italian city.

Speaking to reporters in front of the burnt down artwork, Manfredi described the incident as an act of vandalism under investigation by police, and said the installation would be recreated through a crowdfunding effort.

The "Venus of the Rags", a symbol of the Arte Povera movement which counts Pistoletto among its leading members, shows the Roman goddess of love, beauty and fertility standing next to a pile of rags.

The installation, first created in 1967, is meant to convey the juxtaposition between eternal beauty, represented by the goddess Venus, and modern society's social degradation and consumerism.

In comments to Italian news agency Adnkronos, Pistoletto said the destruction of his artwork reflected how "we continue to respond to any offer of beauty, peace and harmony with fire and war."

(Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky and Devika Syamnath)
A blistering and deadly heat wave in Italy this week could break records, with temperatures predicted to soar past 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) in some parts of the country.

The Italian Meteorological Society has named the heat wave Cerberus after the three-headed monster that features in Dantes Inferno as a guard to the gates of hell. The earth has a high fever and Italy is feeling it firsthand, Luca Mercalli, head of the Italian Meteorological Society, told CNN.

The heat has already claimed at least one life. A 44-year-old road construction worker died in hospital on Tuesday after he collapsed by the side of the road in the northern Italian city of Lodi, according to politician Nicola Fratoianni, who has petitioned for regulations to protect workers during the ongoing heat wave.

We are facing a wave of abnormal heat at unbearable levels. Perhaps it should be the case that during the hottest hours all useful precautions are taken to avoid tragedies like the one that happened today in Lodi, Fratoianni wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.

In Rome, several tourists collapsed due to heat stroke on Tuesday and early Wednesday, including an unnamed British tourist who passed out in front of the ancient Roman Colosseum on Tuesday, according to Romes civil protection head Giuseppe Napolitano.

A man refreshes his face in a public fountain on July 11, 2023 in Tempio Pausania, Sardinia, Italy. - Emanuele Perrone/Getty Images

The high temperatures, which extend over swaths of Europe, are caused by a heat dome  created when an area of high pressure stays over the same place for an extended period of time, trapping hot air underneath.

Very high temperatures in central and southern Italy are predicted for Friday, when the capital could see record-breaking temperatures between 40 and 45 degrees Celsius (104 to 113 Fahrenheit). Italys Health ministry has issued a red alert (meaning risk of death) in 27 cities this week, including Rome, Florence and Bologna.

Heat waves are one of the deadliest natural hazards. The warning comes on the heels of a report published in Nature on Monday, which found that last years heat wave killed 61,672 people in Europe. Italy had the highest fatality rate with around 18,000 deaths attributed to heat last year, according to the report.

Mercalli warned that vulnerable people with no access to air conditioning were at the highest risk. Fewer than 10% of homes in Europe have air conditioning, compared to around 90% of homes in the United States.

Humidity is expected to climb as well, adding to the misery across Italy. The government has issued warnings to stay indoors, stay hydrated and avoid alcohol.

Businesses have been told to try to avoid sending people to work outside between noon and 5pm during the next two-week period and some summer camps for children have suspended activity.

Tourist-heavy cities like Rome are also providing cooling stations near major attractions including misting tents, free water and health-care officials on hand to deal with heat stroke.

Tourists use umbrellas to shelter from the sun as they line up to enter the Pantheon in Rome, July 8, 2023. - Gregorio Borgia/AP

Excessive heat in the country is also expected to increase starting on Friday when Cerberus is replaced by a new front called Charon, another Greek figure who ferried the dead from the gates of hell, which could see temperatures soar even higher next week.

They could even approach the 48.8 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit) record for the highest temperature in European history, which was set on the island of Sicily, on August 11, 2021, according to the Italian government.

The heat wave is also affecting other European countries including France, Germany and Spain.

Spain is particularly hard hit. The national weather service AEMET warned on Wednesday that temperatures could reach 44 degrees Celsius (111.2 Fahrenheit) in parts of the country.

This heat wave follows another one in Spain in April, which saw temperatures soar to 38.8 degrees Celsius, smashing the previous national monthly record. Scientists found that this heat wave  which also affected Portugal, Morocco and Algeria  was made 100 times more likely by the human-caused climate crisis.

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Los Angeles jails are facing criticism after two people who showed signs of hypothermia died last winter. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)

Weeks after a watchdog report raised concerns about two inmate deaths last winter linked to suspected hypothermia, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a motion Tuesday asking jail officials to give out warmer clothes to people in custody who are cold.

The countys seven jails have long struggled to maintain consistent indoor temperatures during freezes and heat waves. Monitors with the county Office of Inspector General found that last winter some areas of the facilities dropped to as low as 58 degrees. Some detainees took to using plastic garbage bags as blankets, sometimes even sleeping inside them to shield themselves from the cold.

But, as The Times reported last month , Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department officials remained reluctant to hand out thermal undergarments, despite having hundreds of thousands on hand. Giving out extra clothes, they said, would be too costly and could provide opportunities for inmates to hide contraband.

In Tuesdays motion, the Board of Supervisors called the refusal to give out warm clothing a reprehensible practice. Supervisor Hilda Solis spearheaded the effort to rectify it with the motion.

Read more: Hypothermia suspected in the deaths of 2 L.A. County inmates last winter

While people in custody are in the care of LASD, the motion said, it is incumbent that they are treated humanely and that includes ensuring that they have access and are provided clothing appropriate to temperature and that facilities maintain appropriate temperatures.

The motion asks the department to provide warmer clothes to anyone who requests them, to start logging when those clothes are given out and to create a consistent policy about it. The motion also directs the countys chief executive to identify funding to buy more thermal undergarments as part of the supplemental budget this fall.

According to the 38-page Office of Inspector General report , the jails typically issue each inmate a short-sleeved shirt and pants, one short-sleeved undershirt and one blanket. Some detainees  such as those with certain medical needs or inmate worker status  receive warmer clothes in the cold.

When the Office of Inspector General previously inquired about the possibility of distributing thermal undergarments, the Sheriffs Department said it had already given out about 1,000 thermal tops and 900 thermal bottoms across an inmate population of more than 13,000. Jail officials told the office that roughly $3.1 million would be needed to get warmer clothes for everyone.

In early April, the Sheriffs Department told oversight officials that 315,000 thermal tops and bottoms were in inventory, but that state regulations do not require them to be handed out.

At Tuesdays meeting, sheriffs officials said warmer clothes are sometimes issued even when not medically required, but reiterated that the states Title 15 jail standards do not require them to do that.

My understanding is that Title 15 is the floor, meaning thats the minimum standard, Solis responded. We have to do better.

Cmdr. Hugo Macias said that the department is willing to give out more warm clothes in the future, but that it will require more money.

Read more: Sheriff's Department gets $4 billion amid 'unconscionable' conditions in L.A. jails

We do have a surplus of garments, Macias said, and we are also undergoing an exploratory expense just to get an assessment of what it would take.

This year, supervisors allocated $4 billion  or roughly 10% of the countys budget  to the Sheriffs Department.

Several community members spoke in support of the motion, including one man who directed a stream of obscenities at the sheriff. Others spoke about their jail experiences and how low the indoor temperatures were when they spent time in the countys lockups.

Hans Johnson, a member of the Civilian Oversight Commission, which oversees the Sheriffs Department, thanked the supervisors for tackling the issue. He said some people are "only given an aluminum foil sheet upon entry into our jails," and he called the motion long overdue.

This will save lives," he said, "and protect the dignity of people being incarcerated."

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.
large gas and dust structure colored red and orange with bright stars shining around it.

To mark the one-year anniversary of James Webb Space Telescope observations on Wednesday (July 12), NASA has released a stunning image that shows star birth in a way that it has never been seen before.



The new James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) image features the closest star-forming region to Earth, the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex. Though a small and relatively peaceful stellar nursery, the powerful telescope's visualization represents a chaotic close-up of the region located 390 light-years from Earth.

"The JWST's image of Rho Ophiuchi allows us to witness a very brief period in the stellar lifecycle with new clarity," a JWST project scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, Klaus Pontoppidan said in a statement. "Our own Sun experienced a phase like this long ago, and now we have the technology to see the beginning of anothers stars story."

Related: The James Webb Space Telescope wraps 1st year peering across the universe. What has it discovered so far?

large gas and dust structure colored red and orange with bright stars shining around it.

The Rho Ophiuchi stellar nursery is seen in stunning detail by the James Webb Space Telescope in an image released to celebrate a year of observations from the powerful space telescope on July 12. (Image credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Klaus Pontoppidan (STScI))

In the image, it is possible to see jets bursting from some of the 50 or so young stars in the stellar nursery impacting surrounding interstellar gas and causing molecular hydrogen to glow red. These occur as the young stars are ripping free of their natal cocoons comprised of what remains of the gas and dust that formed them. This makes the bright jets almost equivalent to a newborn baby stretching its arms for the very first time.

Related: JWST time travels billions of years in amazing 3D visualization (video)

The makings of a protoplanetary disk of gas and dust from which planets will eventually form can also be seen in the form of shadows around some of the young blue stars. The darkest areas in the JWST image are regions in which protostars are still being born in the Rho Ophiuchi.

Though most of the stars in the region are of sizes similar to or smaller than the sun, one much more massive star than ours lurks in the lower half of the image. This massive blue star, S1, has cleared out a cave of dust in the glowing yellow material that surrounds it.

The image that shows stellar birth in whole new light demonstrates that as incredible as the first year of the JWST has been, the start of the second year of science from the telescope suggests we haven't seen anything yet.

"In just one year, the James Webb Space Telescope has transformed humanity's view of the cosmos, peering into dust clouds and seeing the light from faraway corners of the universe for the very first time," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement. "Every new image is a new discovery, empowering scientists around the globe to ask and answer questions they once could never dream of."

Read more: See amazing images from James Webb Space Telescope's 1st year gazing deep into the cosmos (photos)

A year of James Webb Space Telescope space science

The first image from the JWST was released on July 11, 2022, when U.S. President Joe Biden revealed a deep field picture of thousands of galaxies in the galactic cluster SMACS 0723, during a public event at the White House in Washington.

The following day, in a live broadcast from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, a further three images were released to the public. These included a stunning image of the orange-hued gaseous hills of the NGC 3324 star region in the Carina Nebula, the striking visualization of the five galaxies of Stephan's Quintet, and a picture of the Southern Ring Nebula, a halo of gas surrounding a star located 2,500 light-years away.

Also contained within this first data set released on July 12, 2022, were the JWST's observations of the atmospheric composition of the hot gas giant exoplanet WASP-96 b.

Not only did the images and data impress the public, but even astronomers and scientists who had helped develop the JWST were taken aback by the telescope's precision and power, getting a taste of the kind of contribution it would make to astronomy.

Related: James Webb Space Telescope images: 12 astonishing views of our universe (gallery)

the lower half of the image is dominated by a large gas and dust structure colored yellow/orange with some stars shining through above is a blue/black hue area filled with stars.

The Cosmic Cliffs of the Carina Nebula as seen by the James Webb Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory. (Image credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; IR (Spitzer): NASA/JPL-Caltech; IR (Webb): NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI)

The first year of operation of the JWST has not disappointed on this front. The telescope is designed to view the universe in infrared, and this makes it particularly adept at observing early galaxies.



This is because the light that left these galaxies billions of years ago has lost energy as it travels billions of light-years to reach energy, and this results in light having its wavelength shifted toward the red end of the electromagnetic spectrum.



The process called "redshift" sees visible light shifted down to infrared light, and the longer this light has traveled from the most distant and, thus, earliest galaxies, the more extreme this redshift has been.

a large gas and dust structure taking the form of a large

The Southern Ring Nebula, a halo of gas surrounding a star located 2,500 light-years away as seen by the JWST (Image credit: NASA/JWST)

The infrared view of the JWST has allowed the $10 billion space telescope to visualize the most distant and, thus earliest galaxies ever seen by humanity.

The four earliest galaxies, designated JADES-GS-z100, JADES-GS-z110, JADES-GS-z120, and JADES-GS-z130 (JADES stands for JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey), are seen by the JWST as they were when the 13.8 billion-year-old universe was just 300 to 500 million years old.

Saturn shins with three of it's moons against the blackness of space. The ring structure surrounding saturn is particularly bright.

Saturn, its rings and three moons stand out against the blackness of space in this james webb space telescope photo (Image credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, M. Tiscareno (SETI Institute), M. Hedman (University of Idaho), M. El Moutamid (Cornell University), M. Showalter (SETI Institute), L. Fletcher (University of Leicester), H. Hammel (AURA); image processing by J. DePasquale (STScI))

What has perhaps been even more surprising in the first 12 months of science delivered by the JWST is how useful this powerful instrument designed to see deeper into the universe and thus further back in time than any telescope before it has been when imaging objects within our cosmic backyard.

In the solar system, the JWST has been able to deliver stunning views of the gas giant Jupiter, the ice giant Uranus, and, most recently, the ringed planet Saturn.

"With a year of science under our belts, we know exactly how powerful this telescope is and have delivered a year of spectacular data and discoveries, JWST Senior Project Scientist Jane Rigby said. We've selected an ambitious set of observations for year two  that builds on everything we've learned so far. The JWST's science mission is just getting started  there's so much more to come."
WASHINGTON  Democrats on the House Oversight Committee suggested Tuesday that Republicans made a mistake by promoting a whistleblower whos been charged with serious crimes.

In a letter to committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.), Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) noted that charges revealed on Monday accused the purported whistleblower of acting as an unregistered agent for the Chinese government.

We are concerned that an official committee of the House of Representatives has been manipulated by an apparent con man who, while a fugitive from justice, attempted to fortify his defense by laundering unfounded and potentially false allegations through Congress, Raskin and Goldman wrote.

Federal prosecutors on Monday unsealed an eight-count indictment against Gal Luft, an Israeli-American dual citizen who has claimed to have compromising information about President Joe Biden and his son Hunter.

Lufts allegation, made in a video published by the New York Post last week, centers on Hunter Bidens stint consulting for officials connected to a Chinese energy conglomerate called CEFC China Energy in 2017 and 2018.

Part of the scheme, which has been extensively reported previously, involved an agreement for the younger Biden to provide legal representation for an official who would soon be indicted and sent to prison for paying bribes in Chad and Uganda. The official, Patrick Ho, wound up hiring someone else to represent him in the case.

Luft also worked for CEFC, which prosecutors said used him to recruit and educate former CIA director James Woolsey as a mouthpiece for ghostwritten statements favorable to China. Woolsey briefly served as an advisor to former President Donald Trump before he took office.

Luft was arrested in February, released, and has since been on the run. In the video, he said the charges against him  failing to register as a foreign agent, illegally arranging overseas arms deals, and lying to investigators  are an effort to thwart his testimony to the Oversight Committee.

Comer apparently communicated with Luft earlier this year but lost touch after his arrest. On Tuesday, undaunted by news of the charges, Comer pointed out that Luft and Hunter Biden worked for the same foreign principal.

The ultimate irony is one of the charges they levied against him was not being a registered foreign agent, which is the main thing that weve said the Bidens were  unregistered foreign agents, Comer said on Fox News.

Raskin and Goldman asked Comer to investigate whether hed been duped by Luft and to provide Democrats with any material hed received from the fugitive self-styled whistleblower.

It appears as if Mr. Luft sought whistleblower status from you in an effort to defend himself from criminal prosecution while a fugitive from justice, Raskin and Goldman wrote. Worse yet, this latest episode also raises concerns that Mr. Luft may be manipulating your investigation not only for his own self-interest but perhaps also in furtherance of the CCPs efforts to undermine U.S. security interests and the President of the United States.

In response to the Democrats letter on Wednesday, Comer said that if Luft is untrustworthy for having worked with CEFC, then so are the Bidens.

Democrats have either been duped by the Bidens or they are intentionally misleading the American people, Comer said. Democrats should join us in requesting the FBIs record memorializing its interview with Gal Luft to get to the bottom of his claims about the Bidens.
A federal magistrate judge has ordered the pretrial detention of Taylor Taranto, a Jan. 6 defendant who was arrested last month after approaching former President Barack Obamas neighborhood in a van with two firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui ruled Wednesday that Taranto presents too great a danger to be released while he awaits trial on four misdemeanor charges stemming from his participation in the Jan. 6 mob. Tarantos arrest followed weeks of erratic behavior that alarmed authorities, including a purported livestream on social media in which he threatened to detonate his vehicle outside a government building in Maryland.

But Faruqui paired his ruling with an extended critique of Americas failure to support military veterans like Taranto, who suffered mental health consequences from combat.

You have to pay the price for our failure, Faruqui said. Im sorry.

The magistrate judge also lamented the absence of accountability for elected officials who he says misled supporters to believe the 2020 election had been stolen, along with other conspiracy theories.

Taranto is likely to appeal the decision to Chief U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg. But in the meantime, he will be housed in the Washington jail awaiting trial. Faruqui and Tarantos attorney, Kathryn Guevara, indicated that Taranto was the victim of an assault by other Jan. 6-related inmates Tuesday over an undisclosed conflict.

Guevara argued that prosecutors had twisted facts and significantly exaggerated their case against Taranto, relying on his political views  protected by the First Amendment  to cast him as a threat. She noted that prosecutors initially accused Taranto of trespassing in a Maryland elementary school near the home of Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) before learning that he entered the school as part of a permitted event.

Prosecutors, however, said Tarantos presence at the school remained concerning given his livestreamed suggestion that he intended to get close to Raskins home.

Faruqui said he wasnt assured that the views Taranto espoused in social media livestreams  including for days while law enforcement engaged in a multiagency manhunt to locate him  were as simple as First Amendment-protected speech. Tarantos decision to bring firearms with him into Washington could have led to catastrophic consequences, Faruqui said.

Prosecutors say Taranto briefly sought to evade Secret Service agents before his June 30 arrest near Obamas neighborhood, which they noted was identified in a Truth Social article posted by former President Donald Trump the day before. Taranto, on a livestream, talked about finding tunnel networks to get inside the homes of Obama and longtime Democratic operative John Podesta.

The temperature is too high in our political discussions, Faruqui said. Under the eye of the world,  sometimes they lose their context.
Japans Supreme Court Issues Landmark Trans Rights Ruling

In a unanimous decision, Japans Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled the government cannot restrict a transgender woman employee from using the womens restrooms at her government job, according to the AP.

[The government decision] significantly lacks validity, Yukihiko Imasaki, the presiding judge, said in the ruling. Therefore, it is illegal, since it is beyond their discretion and is an abuse of their power.

Imasaki found the National Personnel Authoritys restrictive bathroom policy provided excessive consideration to her coworkers and unfairly neglected the plaintiffs disadvantage.

All people should have the right to live their lives in society based on their own sexual identities, the unidentified plaintiff said after the decision. The significance of that should not be reduced to the usage of toilets or public baths.

Even if awareness is lacking among the public, the administrative branch must promote understanding and prohibit discrimination, Toshimasa Yamashita, the plaintiffs lawyer, said following the decision. The government now must deal with the workplace environment more appropriately to protect the rights of minorities.

The plaintiff in the case was diagnosed with gender dysphoria in 1999 before their employment with Japans Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). She was transferred to a different post in 2010, one year after she started presenting as a woman at work in 2009. Due to medical reasons, she has not undergone gender-affirming surgery, a prerequisite to officially changing ones gender in the country. In her new posting, the ministry denied her the use of the womens bathrooms on her floor out of concern for her coworkers, claiming they had expressed concern about sharing a bathroom with a trans woman. As a result, the plaintiff was forced to go two floors up or down to use a bathroom.

The employee asked the government to remove the restriction in 2013 but was rejected out of concern for the potential discomfort of fellow employees. She filed suit in 2015, and a Tokyo District Court ruled in her favor in 2019. That decision was overturned by the Tokyo High Court in 2021. Todays ruling from the Supreme Court reverses that decision.

In a news conference following the decision, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the government was considering its options in response to the ruling.
Flag of Japan

Leveraging its expertise in cutting-edge technology, Japan will equip Ukraine with an advanced UAV detection system, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida said at the NATO summit in Vilnius on July 12, as reported by Japanese broadcaster Nippon.

This comes as part of Japan's assistance to Ukraine amid Russia's military aggression. When Kishida visited Kyiv in March, he announced the provision of $30 million for non-lethal defense equipment through the NATO Trust Fund. Some of this money will now go towards the drone detection system.

Read also: Minister Kubrakov presents infrastructure projects at G7 summit in Japan

On June 21, Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yoshimasa Hayashi, stated that Japan will use its expertise in construction to help rebuild post-war Ukraine.

Read also: Japan finds workaround to sell TNT to USA for ammo supply for Ukraine

Earlier, it was reported that Japan was in negotiations to supply artillery shells to the United States in order to replenish Ukraine's stockpile.

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
[Source]

Japan's Supreme Court has declared in a landmark ruling that the restrictions imposed by a government ministry on a transgender female employee's use of restrooms at her workplace are illegal.

Landmark decision: In a unanimous verdict on Tuesday, the judges deemed the Economy and Trade Ministry's limitations on restroom use for the transgender official as "extremely inappropriate."

The unnamed ministry employee, who is reportedly in her 50s, filed a suit in 2015 after she was banned by her government office from using the women's restrooms on their floor. The ministry purportedly forced her to choose between using a men's restroom nearby or a women's restroom located at least two floors away from her workplace.

Prioritizing co-workers: In its defense, the ministry justified the restriction as a means to prevent potential embarrassment among the plaintiff's co-workers.

More from NextShark: Teen Who Pushed Elderly Thai Man to His Death Pleads Not Guilty to Murder

Considering that there had been no prior incidents or complaints, the court ruled that the ministry had prioritized the concerns of other employees while neglecting the inconvenience faced by the plaintiff.

Following the decision, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stated that the government is committed to building a society where diversity is respected and everyone's human rights and dignity are valued.

Rights debate: The Supreme Court's ruling, which reverses a previous ruling by the Tokyo High Court, comes amid continued discussions over LGBTQ+ rights in the country.

More from NextShark: Japanese Swimmer, Cancer Survivor Qualifies for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

In June, the Japanese Parliament passed a bill promoting a better understanding of sexual minorities following a heated debate over subtle changes in how the legislation was phrased. Additionally, in recent months, a few courts have deemed that banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

Transgender individuals in Japan are still required to undergo surgery to remove their reproductive organs to change their gender on official documents.

Win for the community: The plaintiff celebrated the victory as a positive development for the LGBTQ+ community in Japan, where same-sex marriage has yet to be legalized.

More from NextShark: Tokyo Unveils Impressive Public Restrooms Built With 'Smart Glass'

"All people should have the right to live their lives in a society based on their own sexual identities, the employee was quoted as saying. The significance of that should not be reduced to the usage of toilets or public baths."

Emphasizing the need to promote tolerance, Toshimasa Yamashita, the plaintiff's lawyer, said: "The government now must deal with the workplace environment more appropriately to protect the rights of minorities."

More from NextShark: Antioch mayor apologizes to Chinese American Navy veteran for discrimination 82 years ago
Former Nebraska Rep. Jeff Fortenberry gained some traction in court Tuesday as he appealed his conviction on charges that he lied to FBI agents investigating alleged foreign donations to his 2016 re-election campaign.

One of three judges on Fortenberrys case at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, James Donato, signaled clear support for the lawmakers arguments that the Justice Department violated his rights by insisting on trying him in front of a jury in Los Angeles, rather than in Nebraska or Washington, D.C., where the alleged false statements took place.

You have a Nebraska citizen elected to represent the people of Nebraska in the House of Representatives who made a misstatement of fact in Nebraska. How ever did that case get tried in Los Angeles? Donato asked during a 40-minute argument session in Pasadena, Calif.

How is that consistent with Article Three, Section Two and the venue clause in the Sixth Amendment and our long tradition of youre tried in the community where you committed your crime? added Donato, a District Court judge in San Francisco appointed by President Barack Obama. That is your entitlement under the Constitution.

However, it was unclear whether Fortenberry could find a second vote on the panel to overturn his conviction and grant him a new trial in either Nebraska or Washington or both.

Another judge on the appeal, Salvador Mendoza, said he believed that prosecutors had sort of the more winning argument with their contention that a false statement charge can be filed where a statement was expected to have an impact, rather than only where it was uttered.

The third judge, Gabriel Sanchez, was more difficult to read. No final decision or ruling was announced Tuesday. Mendoza and Sanchez are appointees of President Joe Biden.

Fortenberry, a Republican elected to nine terms in Congress, resigned in March 2022 after a federal jury in Los Angeles convicted him on three felony charges: a scheme to deceive the FBI about his knowledge of certain campaign donations, making false statements to the FBI in an interview at his Nebraska home and making false statements to the FBI again in a separate interview in Washington D.C.

Prosecutors said the lawmaker lied to investigators when he denied knowing that Gilbert Chagoury, a wealthy Lebanese-Nigerian businessman who lives in France, donated about $30,000 to his campaign through intermediaries at a 2016 fundraiser in Glendale, Calif.

Fortenberrys defense argued that he might have been distracted or had a poor phone connection when the organizer of that fundraiser, Elias Ayoub, told him about the source of the funds in a 2018 phone call. Ayoubs call was orchestrated and recorded by the FBI.

Fortenberry, who did not testify in his own defense, was active in advocating for Christians facing persecution overseas and allegedly came into contact with Ayoub and Chagoury in connection with their work for that cause.

Although Fortenberry resigned under pressure, he did not receive a jail sentence, only two years probation and a $25,000 fine.

The lawyer handling Fortenberrys appeal, Kannon Shanmugam, stressed Tuesday that prosecutors never charged his client with knowingly accepting so-called conduit contributions or submitting false campaign finance reports, only with the alleged false statements to investigators.

That's pretty unusual. And it certainly is very unusual in the context of a member of Congress, Shanmugam told the judges.

The attorney fighting to preserve Fortenberrys convictions, Alexander Robbins, was flanked at the counsel table by Mack Jenkins, the prosecutor who led the case against the congressman.

Robbins said it was reasonable to expect Fortenberrys statements to affect the investigation at the time, which was being run out of Los Angeles, near where the 2016 fundraiser took place. That was sufficient to allow the case to be brought in L.A. because three federal appeals circuits have adopted a so-called effects test, the Justice Department attorney said.

You have to look at where the statement was material, that is where it had an effect or it was capable of having an effect, Robbins argued.

But Shanmugam repeatedly told the judges that the governments theory allowed for limitless venue in federal criminal cases, empowering prosecutors to shift the location of trials simply by moving or sending the investigators there and declaring that the effects of the alleged lie or deception were now being felt somewhere else.

This resonated with Donato, who seemed alarmed by the governments position.

The effects can be felt anywhere, which I think leads to a potentially terrible result, not the least of which is, you know, Mr. Fortenberry can afford to have you here and have defense teams and so on, the judge said to Shanmugam, a partner at New York-based law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.

There are a lot of criminal defendants who couldn't, and I could see the government exploiting the idea that well, you know, you talk to someone in Miami, I know you live in Milwaukee, we're going to make you come down there unless you, you know, see it our way plead guilty, do something. So, I'm worried about that., Donato said. I'm also worried about an endless chain of causation as it gets passed from office to office.  Why drag this, these people all across the country to foreign venues, and not just pass it off to the district in which the statement was made?

Robbins insisted that approach was not a common sense one because it could have resulted in having to hold more than one trial for Fortenberry and in other complex cases.

It's not reasonable that the Constitution requires two or three different trials for the same conduct. And it doesn't, the lawyer said.
The Joseph P. Kinneary U.S. Courthouse on Marconi Boulevard Downtown houses the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

A Newark man will spend 25 years in prison for sexually exploiting minors and soliciting child pornography from more than 50 boys, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio announced Tuesday.

Federal prosecutors accused Matthew I. Reif, 27, of victimizing at least 52 minor boys, some to whom he had access through his role in a local youth church group. The actions took place in person and online between October 2020 and July 2022.

U.S. District Judge Sarah Morrison sentenced Reif on Tuesday at the federal courthouse in Columbus. Reif pleaded guilty to the charges in December.

"Reif exploited his victims vulnerabilities through their religion, their financial limitations and their youth for his own perverted fantasies," U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker in a statement. "For the well-being of those children whom he has already harmed, and to prevent the mental, psychological or physical damage to any additional children, Reif must be kept away from society for a significant period of time."

Other crime news: Suspect charged with murder in shooting death of Oldham County teacher Maxwell Emerson

Prosecutors also accused Reif of posing as a girl on the social media app Snapchat to get teenage boys to send him photos or videos and offered them gifts and money to engage in sex acts.

A traveling surgical technician, Reif lived during the week in Jeffersonville, Indiana, a suburb of Louisville, Kentucky, where he had a storage unit containing several digital media devices, such as a USB drive and SD cards, according to the Justice Department.

Reif also contacted boys he knew from the community and whose trust he garnered through his position at a Heath church, prosecutors alleged in court documents. He would then screenshot photos and videos sent via Snapchat. In addition, prosecutors claimed Reif recorded some of the victims with a hidden camera during overnight stays.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark man sentenced for sexually exploiting minors through Snapchat
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Jennifer Garner isnt shy about sharing the products she loves. At 51, the actress believes, You should always share your beauty secrets. (We couldnt agree more!) The Last Thing He Told Me star uses products that are available on Amazonand some are on major sale for Amazon Prime Day. Meaning we can all live a life like Garner if we want toyou know, aside from the whole famous actress part of it.

Her days start with coffee (relatable) and a yogurt parfait for breakfast. Committed to a daily workout, Garners fitness plans include a variety of strengthening exercises, including box jumps, time on the trampoline, and workouts from Body by Simone. Even when shes not working out, youll often find Garner sporting a pair of leggings and comfortable sneakers (again, relatable).

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While she may spend her day on a movie set (a little less relatable), she comes home to make a homecooked meal for her kids and wind down with her nighttime skincare routine, filled with skin-nourishing ingredients like retinol and peptides. She may be a spokesperson for Neutrogena, but based on her radiant skin, its clear that the products are working.

If youve been keeping an eye on Garners workout gear or have been considering adopting her anti-aging skincare routine, several of the stars favorite things are on sale for Amazon Prime Day, which began yesterday, July 11, and will run until midnight today, July 12, 2023. To help you incorporate Garners routine into your daily life (movie star status not included), weve rounded up her favorite products that you can snag on sale (and some with that classic Prime two-day shipping!).

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Ever wonder how Garners skin seems to constantly be glowing? The 13 Going on 30 star revealed that she covers her body in this 100% natural fractioned coconut oil. Use after you shower, she told Allure. Its safe to useanywhere! This scent-free and non-greasy oil is designed for the face, hair, skin, and nails, and makes a great base to blend in other essential oils.

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James Beeks, an ex-actor who entered the Capitol with members of the Oath Keepers Jan. 6, 2021, was acquitted Wednesday of all charges against him in connection with the Capitol attack.

Beeks and his co-defendant, Oath Keeper Donovan Crowl, faced charges of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and civil disorder. Crowl was convicted of both charges.

Prosecutors agreed to dismiss three other felony counts and a misdemeanor at the end of the proceedings in a deal to hold a stipulated bench trial before U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta instead of a D.C. jury.

Beeks attorney Greg Hunter told The Hill Tuesday that stipulated trials are extremely rare, but that defense counsel made the decision in part based on Mehtas familiarity with the case material. Mehta has overseen all the high-profile Oath Keeper trials in connection with the riot.

Beeks had been representing himself in the proceedings, but minutes before closing remarks were set to begin, he waived that right and allowed Hunter to take over.

Hunter argued before Mehta that Beeks was a hangers-on and wannabe among the Oath Keepers, not central to their conspiracy to stop the certification of the 2020 election.

If he didnt know what others intended, he couldnt intend to do it, Hunter argued in closing remarks.

A former actor, Beeks played Judas in a national tour of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar before his arrest. Ahead of the verdict, he quipped to reporters Tuesday that if he got an acquittal hed do a song and dance right there.

Crowl came to Washington Jan. 6 with Oath Keeper Jessica Watkins as part of the Ohio State Regular Militia. Watkins was tried and acquitted of seditious conspiracy but convicted of other serious felonies resulting in a prison sentence of eight and a half years.

On Tuesday, prosecutors described Crowl as Watkinss deputy and an ideological equal. Crowls attorney, Carmen Hernandez, countered that Crowl headed to D.C. Jan. 6 with security for longtime Trump ally Roger Stone as the only plan in mind  the key to the case, she argued.

Mr. Crowls conduct on J6 merited an acquittal, Hernandez said in an emailed statement to The Hill. It was nearly identical to that of Mr. Beeks, who was acquitted. And nearly identical to what thousands of other Americans who come to Congress to express their views have done without facing felony prosecutions

Unfortunately, Mr. Crowls political opinions, which should be protected by the First Amendment and his association with others were his downfall, she added.

Crowls sentencing is set for Nov. 17, according to court filings.

Former Oath Keepers general counsel Kellye SoRelle, who was set to be a third co-defendant in the proceedings, was determined to be mentally incompetent to stand trial.

Six Oath Keepers, including group leader Stewart Rhodes, were convicted of seditious conspiracy for their roles in plotting to stop the certification of the 2020 election, and other members were convicted of other serious felonies.

More than 1,000 rioters across the country have been charged in connection with the Capitol attack, according to the Justice Departments most recent count.

 Updated at 4:12 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) laid out targets within the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice and FBI he wants included in any appropriations for the agencies this year, ranging from blocking funds for a new FBI building to defunding President Bidens immigration policies.

Since the start of the 118th Congress, the Committee on the Judiciary and its Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government have been conducting oversight to address the problems created by the Biden Administration and to protect fundamental civil liberties. This work has generated a number of potential reforms that the House of Representatives can advance through its power of the purse, Jordan said in a letter to House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-Texas) Tuesday.

The House is in the process of crafting its annual appropriations bills ahead of a Sept. 30 funding deadline  bills conservatives aim to use to push their priorities.

Jordan told reporters Tuesday that he has received really positive feedback from Grangers staff about his proposals.

For Jordan, one top priority is blocking the FBI from moving its headquarters from Washington, D.C., to the Virginia or Maryland suburbs, as it has been planning for years.

The centralization of FBI operations in the National Capitol Region has led to duplication of activity best left to the respective field offices, contributed to reduced autonomy in local field offices, and allowed improper political influence to taint law enforcement investigations and activity, Jordan said.

Instead, Jordan suggests that the FBI move its headquarters out of the Washington area and explore using an existing FBI campus in Huntsville, Ala., as a new headquarters.

A number of other suggestions take aim at what Republicans argue is a politically biased law enforcement system, including establishing a policy that requires career Justice Department staff rather than political appointees to oversee politically sensitive investigations.

Jordan also aims to block funding to enforce a number of immigration, asylum and border enforcement policies crafted by the Biden administration.

The Committee recommends prohibiting taxpayer dollars from being used to implement the Biden Administrations radical immigration policies, Jordan said.

A recently approved rule under the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to restrict the use of pistol brace attachments would also be reversed if Jordan gets his way. The House passed legislation to repeal the rule earlier this year, but it failed in the Senate.

Turning to foreign policy, Jordan aims to block any federal funds from being used to oppose Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus judicial reform efforts.

And Jordan wants to prohibit agencies from labeling any communications from U.S. individuals as misinformation or malinformation.

A number of Jordans proposed measures would be non-starters for Democrats, and even if approved in the appropriations bill related to his agencies, could be stripped from any final appropriations measure approved by the Senate.

Mychael Schnell contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Donald TrumpRonda Churchill for The Washington Post via Getty Images

The Trumpocene has lasted more than seven years. With Trump's indictments for federal crimes in connection with the Espionage Act and the probability that he will face other serious charges in connection with the Jan. 6 coup attempt, it feels to many observers and professional politics watchers as though the Trumpocene and that long national nightmare may finally be nearing an end.

Unfortunately, fascism disrupts our collective sense of time and reality  and in many ways what is deemed to be possible and impossible in a society. In that way, escaping the Trumpocene and the larger democracy crisis involves a balance between pessimism and optimism, hope and despair, and overcoming learned helplessness to then do the hard work necessary to create a better democracy and more humane society here in America. When understood through that framework  and most importantly that the Age of Trump is about much more than any one person or leader(s)  the American people are not as close to escaping this crisis as they and the mainstream news media and many members of the responsible political class would like to believe.

In an attempt to work through and make sense of these anxieties about Trump's enduring popularity and power as the frontrunner for the Republican Party's presidential nomination, the consensus narrative that he is in great peril and his defeat appears to be inevitable, and more general concerns about what comes next for the Trumpocene and America's democracy crisis, I recently asked a range of experts for their thoughts and insights.

This is the second of a two-part series.

Their responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.

Jill Lawrence is an opinion writer and the author of "The Art of the Political Deal: How Congress Beat the Odds and Broke Through Gridlock."

I am a card-carrying member of both the mainstream media and the pundit class, and I see no rational universe under which Trump could prevail. But we are not living in a rational universe, we're living in one where a Trump-appointed judge just barred the Biden administration from protesting false information on social media, Trump continues to insist that the system is rigged and that he won the 2020 election, and nearly two-thirds of Republicans tell pollsters they believe or suspect that fraud put Biden in the White House. The risks of undermining and attacking the core of democracy, our elections and election workers, can't be overstated. I have often said I don't know how I would have handled the 2016 and 2020 elections as a campaign reporter.

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I understand the need for balance, objectivity and horse race coverage, and wrote by those tenets for decades. But to normalize Trump and his supporters, to write anything that overlooks the obvious threats to the republic and many people who live in it, is dangerous. The pundit class can write that. Mainstream media reporters who see reality, and I'm sure most if not all of them do, have a tougher challenge of how to deal with the conflict between misinformation and facts, between balance and truth.

I hope lessons have been learned from elections past and from CNN's nightmare town hall with Trump. The first GOP primary debate is on Aug. 23, hosted by Fox News and sponsored by the Republican National Committee. How will mainstream print and TV outlets handle it? That will be a test  both of the media and of whether voters will come away with information they need, instead of misinformation they want and believe to be true. Election Night 2016 was a scarring experience for many journalists.

"Now that the fringe dominates the Republican Party, the hope that Trumpism would wither without Trump  that mainstream John Thune-like sensibility would prevail  ignores just how hard it will be to dislodge the fringe from its spot atop the GOP."

A USA Today column I wrote with a conservative Never-Trump colleague that night was headlined, "Congrats America. You Blew It." What readers couldn't know was that it was our second column of the night. We were sure Trump would lose so we wrote a column assuming a Hillary Clinton victory. Late that night, realizing to our shock and devastation that Trump was headed for a win, we wrote a whole new piece. My husband went to sleep early after I had assured him Clinton would win, and woke up to President-elect Trump. I am still gun-shy about making predictions, not least because he reminds me of that one every time I say Trump can't possibly win in 2024. It is a good cautionary tale, given that millions of us have been wondering for years when (not if) the Republican fever would break.

Trump has now been indicted for risking national security and may soon face state and federal indictments for his role in trying to overturn the election and keep power. Trials requiring his presence could be ongoing through the 2024 primary and general campaign season. At 77, he's facing real accountability for the first time in his life, and he's playing the victim instead of the Putinesque strongman. Republican primary voters so far are buying it. My bet is that American voters writ large will not, in numbers large enough to reelect Biden.

Wajahat Ali is the author of "Go Back To Where You Came From." He is also a columnist for The Daily Beast, MSNBC Daily and co-host of the Democracy-Ish Podcast.

I believe Americans should be focused on the risks and consequences of a Trump presidency rather than focus on the political horse race, which, admittedly, is a necessary fixture of the election cycle coverage. What does it say about the modern GOP that their leading candidate remains a twice-indicted, twice-impeached vulgarian whose popularity with his base grows with each new scandal and cruel invective he hurls out against his critics, American institutions, and the marginalized? We are dealing with a radicalized and weaponized conservative movement that has fed and nurtured an extremist MAGA movement that has now overtaken the "adults" in the room, who are in the corner, terrified, sucking their thumbs, and hoping they can avoid being devoured by their own Frankenstein monster. Just look at the House Freedom Caucus - they just removed Marjorie Taylor Greene for being openly critical of Lauren Boebert and vouching for McCarthy. Conspiracy theories, antisemitism, all-around nutiness? All good. But how dare she break ranks! The Trumpification of the GOP is complete, and even if Trump is a losing candidate, which I believe he is, we have to contend with a conservative movement that is waiting to anoint his heir who can achieve political victory without the self-destructive baggage.

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DeSantis was the heir apparent, but as I've said along, he is a limp, wet noodle who will wither in the national spotlight. Trump is the main attraction, and the base belongs to him until he's dead or in prison. That's the reality the GOP establishment and big, conservative money machine doesn't want to admit or acknowledge. Due to a rigged Supreme Court, the electoral college, and voter suppression, it is a possibility that Trump could still return to power even if he, yet again, loses the popular vote. For mainstream media, many are not built for this moment or made for this fight. They, unfortunately, can't adapt or evolve to the changing political reality where the GOP is no longer a normal political party. They continue to distort reality with a skewed, "both sides" lens that mainstreams extremism. Example: ABC News recently referred to extremist group Moms for Liberty as "joyful warriors" who are "fighting back." Lovely.

It's like Groundhog's Day if it were remade as a dystopian horror movie. No one has learned the lessons of the past 8 years.

David Pepper is a lawyer, writer, political activist, and former elected official. His new book is "Saving Democracy: A User's Manual for Every American".

I think he will win the primary, easily, and lose in the general. The indictments and even trial won't impact his base of support in the GOP, especially with a very weak field running against him, and essentially echoing his false narrative that these are all politicized witch hunts. I think he is a weaker general election candidate than he was in either '16 and '20.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

When it comes to Trump, the primary and the various investigations and indictments, I think the media is covering major events and assessing their implications as they always would. And all those things SHOULD be covered. The difference is that the core GOP support for Trump is so intense, none of those events hold him back in the primary.

The media and other observers would be better off dispatching half of their DC bureau staffs (how many reporters really need to chase McCarthy around the hallways of the Capitol to all get the same quote as he sprints by?) out to state capitolswhere more of the damage to democracy is being done and where there is woeful little coverage at any level. That lack of coverage and transparency is fueling the decline

Matthew Dallek teaches at George Washington University and is the author of Birchers: How the John Birch Society Radicalized the American Right.

The "Trump is in trouble" narrative privileges short-term over more durable realities, surfacing unfavorable developments (Trump's felony criminal indictments) over the relative popularity of Trump's brand of politics within the GOP. A majority of GOP voters have become more radical over the past decade.

And Trump is the most effective exponent of this brand of extremism. His blend of conspiracy theories, explicit racism, anti-interventionism, culture wars, and antiestablishment, apocalyptic rhetoric help account for his continued strength within the Republican Party and help explain why none of his opponents have been able to dislodge him from the top slot yet.

Still, Trump won 74 million votes in 2020 even after four years of his nonstop lies and abuses of power, so dismissing his chances of winning the White House in 2024 isn't borne out by political reality. I'd add that media coverage going forward ought to account for this paradox: Trump's internal GOP strengths also make him a comparatively weak general election candidate. A majority of the electorate has rejected most of Trump's views (abortion bans, election denialism) and chafed at his alleged criminality. MAGA is not a majoritarian movement.

Can Trump win? Absolutely. But I wouldn't bet on it. A word in defense of the mainstream media: by and large, over the past seven years, it has done a pretty solid job of exposing who Trump is and what he stands for; anyone who cares to look can find many smart, meticulous reporters unearthing Trump's corruption, disinformation, and the effects of his policies and rhetoric. They have often done it with speed and accuracy.

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But one problem I see in the months ahead is that Trump is still good copy and still good for business, so I fear that the mainstream media still gives him more oxygen than he merits. The most obvious example of undeserved coverage is the CNN town hall infomercial before a Trump-loving studio audience in New Hampshire. While the media describes Trump as the frontrunner, the virtual coronation in much of the press also seems premature and unresponsive to the fact that the primary elections are still many months away. Sometimes privileging silence over Trumpian noisein essence, ignoring himis the most newsworthy, civic-minded approach. In my recently-published book Birchers: How the John Birch Society Radicalized the American Right, I try to chronicle a slow-motion takeover of the conservative movement by the far right, arguing that the capture of the party required six decades and that the process was halting and contingent. But now that the fringe dominates the Republican Party, the hope that Trumpism would wither without Trump  that mainstream John Thune-like sensibility would prevail  ignores just how hard it will be to dislodge the fringe from its spot atop the GOP.

But the Republican Party is hardly consigned to extremism forever. If Trump and other MAGA-backed election denialists were to lose in 2024, the defeats pile higher and potentially empower some institutionalists to take back power from the fringe. Also, let's not overdo the pessimism about the health of American democracy. The institutions guarding democracy are frayed. The institutions that constrained the Birchers in the 1960s are no longer so robust. But guardrails still exist, and they continue to function. Trump's 2020 election loss; the successful prosecution and jailing of roughly 1,000 J-6 insurrectionists; the defeat of MAGA candidates in winnable senate and governors' races (see Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia and Nevada); the Supreme Court's rejection of many of Trump's efforts to shield himself from investigations; and the ongoing probes and Trump's felony indictments are all evidence that democratic institutions continue to exert at least a bit of a check on Trump's efforts to undermine democracy. That should be a cause for hope.

Joe Walsh was a Republican congressman and a leading Tea Party conservative. He is now a prominent conservative voice against Donald Trump and the host of the podcast "White Flag with Joe Walsh."

Trump does not look like a losing candidate. He's looking more and more like a winning candidate to me. He's locked in his base and he's locked in the nomination. You throw another indictment or two out there, and more and more republicans & independents outside his base are going to say "what the hell, this seems like overkill, let him be, quit targeting him" His support could increase, and you combine that with Biden's age, the uncertainty around Biden, and the utter out of touch aspect of the Dems, Trump will have a decent shot to win.

The mainstream media and pundit class are blinded to Trump's realistic shot at getting elected again because once again they're so caught up in "Trump, Trump, Trump" 24/7, and their own personal bias that thinks there's no way Trump can win again. He's so good for ratings the media doesn't see how their over-coverage of him normalizes him.

He tried to end our democracy in 2020. He'll be the nominee in 2024. And my fear is that we the people and the media, soon 3 years removed from Jan 6th and 4-7 years removed from his presidency, have forgotten the threat he truly is and are caught up again in him as just a clown, an entertainer. We'll elect a clown, an entertainer again, we won't elect a true threat to our democracy. If he is perceived just as a clown, he'll win again. That's my fear.

Read more

about the Trumpocene
A Johnson County oncologist is seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids next year.

Prasanth Reddy, an executive at Labcorp in enterprise oncology and political newcomer, announced his campaign Wednesday emphasizing his life experience as an immigrant and officer in the Air Force Reserve.

As an immigrant, Ive lived the American dream, and Ive spent my life trying to give back to the country that gave me everything, Reddy said in a statement.

Reddy immigrated to Kansas from Chennai, India as a child. He attended Kansas State University and the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Right now, our country is at a breaking point, and theres no time to sit on the sidelines.

Reddy called for secure borders, support for police and parental voice in education in his launch statement.

Im not a politician. Ive never wanted to run for office. But the unique experiences Ive had as an immigrant, a military officer, a physician and a businessman put me in a position to help save our country. Extremist views cannot be the norm, he said.

He accused Davids, the three-term incumbent, of having gone along to get along with the most extreme elements of her party.

Davids votes with Democratic leadership on most bills. She is a vice chair of the New Democrat Coalition, a group of roughly 100 Democrats who describe themselves as committed to pro-economic growth, pro-innovation, and fiscally responsible policies.

Whoever wins the primary will have an uphill battle in a district that Davids has won by increasing margins each cycle since she first ousted Republican Rep. Kevin Yoder in 2018.

Davids won the district, which includes Johnson County, southern Wyandotte County, and three more rural counties to the south, by 12 points last year despite newly drawn lines that should have benefited a Republican.

Republicans see Davids district as a target as they hope to maintain their narrow House majority in 2024. The National Republican Congressional Committee has attempted to paint Davids as too liberal for the district and shatter the middle of the road image shes cultivated for the past five years.

Democrats appear poised to lean into the same dynamics that helped Davids along in her last two reelection fights against Johnson County Republican Amanda Adkins  abortion and reminders of Brownback.

Mohona Chowdhury, a spokeswoman for Davids campaign, indicated congresswoman will press Republicans on their abortion positions and how they voted on last years abortion ballot measure.

Any Republican candidate that cant definitively say they voted against the dangerous anti-abortion amendment vote last yearlike Rep. Sharice Davids and nearly 70% of voters in the Third District didwill have to answer for their radical and out of step position, Chowdhury said.

Reddy is the third candidate to file for the Republican primary in the 3rd congressional district. He entered the race against Karen Crnkovich and Jonathon Westbrook.

Crnkovich, a small businesswoman from Johnson County, announced Monday shed received donations from 200 people since launching last month.

Westbrook, a former Kansas City, Kansas, police officer, was a White House fellow under former President Donald Trump and was appointed to two Kansas commissions by former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback. He is currently the treasurer of the Kansas Black Republican Council.

Prior to running for Congress, Davids was a White House fellow under former President Barack Obama.
WASHINGTON  A Jan. 6 rioter who was identified by online sleuths nearly two years ago but wasn't arrested until he showed up outside the home of former President Barack Obama with two guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in his van was ordered detained until trial Wednesday.

Taylor Taranto, of Washington state, faces four misdemeanor charges in connection with the Capitol attack, but federal prosecutors have indicated more charges could be on the way. Taranto has been living in his van, which was often parked outside the Washington jail where many Jan. 6 defendants are being held, for the past couple of months.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui had questioned whether, given that Taranto had faced only misdemeanor charges, he could be detained only on the basis of presenting a risk to the public. Faruqui said that a number of factors weighed in favor of releasing Taranto before trial but that he was ultimately concerned that Taranto does pose a threat to the public.

"We as a country have failed you," Faruqui said, referring to Taranto's service in the military and the post-traumatic stress disorder he has suffered from since then. "Now you have to pay the price for our failure. ... At every turn, it seems, you get let down, and that's not fair."

A firearm recovered from Taylor Tarantos vehicle. (U.S. Attorney's Office)

Faruqui said that the "temperature is way too high in our political discussions" and that it was "truly heartbreaking" that Taranto had to be locked up before trial. Taranto was identified in August 2021 after a facial recognition search of photos at the Capitol turned up photos of him posing with a cardboard cutout of former President Donald Trump. He showed up outside Obama's residence last month after Trump posted a screenshot that included Obama's address on his social media platform. Taranto reposted it and wrote on Telegram: We got these losers surrounded! See you in hell, Podestas and Obamas!

Taranto was recording himself when he was near the Obamas' residence, talking about how he was searching for tunnels that connected their home to Tony Podesta's.

When he was arrested near Obama's home, authorities found two guns and 400 rounds of ammunition.

Taranto had, weeks earlier, shown up at the sentencing of David Walls-Kaufman, who was his co-defendant in a civil lawsuit filed by the widow of an officer who died by suicide after the Capitol attack. Both men deny having played a role in the officer's death.

A firearm recovered from Taylor Tarantos vehicle. (U.S. Attorney's Office)

Faruqui said he was worried that there could be "catastrophic" consequences if Taranto were allowed out and did the things he thought elected officials were telling him to do.

Faruqui, while not explicitly referring to Trump, made it clear that he thought the officials who filled Taranto's head with conspiracy theories and lies about the 2020 election bore moral responsibility for the situation.

"Where are the people telling you do things?" Faruqui asked Taranto, rhetorically. "Where are they? They're not here."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A court order blocking the Kansas Department of Revenue from processing gender marker change requests for drivers licenses will stay in place after a judge ruled against a motion from Kansas Gov. Laura Kellys administration.

In a ruling Wednesday, Shawnee County District Judge Theresa Watson rejected The Kansas Department of Revenues plea for her to rescind the temporary restraining order she issued Monday morning.

Though the ruling is not a direct judgment on the law itself, or KDORs policy, Watsons ruling indicated she was not swayed by the agencys overall argument that sex and gender have different connotations in state law.

This argument is undercut by the fact that gender information gleaned by the Division under these two statutes is displayed on a state-issued drivers license under the heading sex, Watson wrote in the order. In the context of drivers licenses, the terms appear to be interchangeable.

The ruling is the latest in a legal battle between Kellys administration and Republican state Attorney General Kris Kobach over the implementation of SB 180, a bill which defines man and woman in state statute based upon sex assigned at birth. Kobach filed a lawsuit against the Kelly administration last week arguing they were failing to enforce the law.

Ted Smith, the attorney for KDOR, argued the agency was not violating the law in the first place. Kansas drivers license statute, Smith said, requires drivers licenses to list a persons gender, not their sex assigned at birth.

The word gender does not appear anywhere in SB 180. Therefore, Smith said, KDORs policy is not impacted by the law.

Gender and sex are not so easily interchanged as Petitioner claims, Smith wrote in a motion to dissolve the restraining order Monday.

In a statement following the ruling Kellys spokesman, Zach Fletcher, said the administration could not comment on pending litigation but would follow Watsons order.

Kobachs office argued KDOR is violating the new law by continuing to allow gender marker changes on drivers licenses. Watson must retain the restraining order, they said, because any violation of law presents a harm to the state.

We believe that the violation of the statute constitutes irreparable harm to the state, Kobach said during a hearing on the temporary restraining order Wednesday.

He rejected the idea that state law specifying drivers licenses to report an individuals gender were meant to allow for changes based on gender identity. The 2007 bill that made the change, he said, was focused on federal Real ID compliance.

The temporary restraining order is set to expire later this month. Before then, Watson will likely hold hearings on whether KDOR is violating SB 180 and rule on the policies legality.

On Tuesday, the ACLU of Kansas entered a request to intervene in the case on behalf of five transgender Kansans who would be affected by the policy change. The motion argued that SB 180 itself infringes on the fundamental rights of transgender Kansans, and therefore violates the Kansas constitution.

While the courts decision today is disappointing and undoubtedly leaves transgender Kansans in fear, we want to make clear that this decision is not the final decision in the case, the ACLU said in a statement. We will continue to fight for transgender Kansans right to have identification that reflects who they are, and that fight is far from over.
Shihab Wesaga, one of three men charged with a 2021 fatal shooting during a Kearns drug robbery, has been sentenced to at least 36 years and up to life in the Utah State Prison. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

One of three men charged in a 2021 fatal shooting during a drug-related robbery has been ordered to serve at least 36 years and up to life in the Utah State Prison.

A jury in April found Shihab Wesaga, 20, guilty of all charges  murder, a first-degree felony; 11 counts of felony discharge of a firearm, three first-degree felonies, four second-degree felonies and four third-degree felonies; aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony; and obstructing justice, a second-degree felony.

Third District Judge Coral Sanchez sentenced Wesaga Thursday to 15 years to life for the murder charge. In addition, he was sentenced to three terms of five years to life and a term of three to 15 years in prison that were ordered be served consecutive to the murder charge. The other sentences  a term of five years to life, a term of one to 15 years, a term of three to 15 years, and six terms of three to five years  will be served concurrent with each other but consecutive to the murder charge.

Altogether, Wesaga was sentenced to at least 36 years and up to life behind bars.

On March 9, 2021, police say Alonso Gerardo Garcia-Mendoza, 32, and two friends went to a church parking lot at 5305 W. 5400 South in Kearns, to participate in a drug deal.

Instead of a drug deal, however, when they got there, Wesaga, Jonathan Montrail Johnson, Dalmar Mohamed Abdi, and a boy who was 15 at the time, instead shot the three victims during a robbery attempt, according to charging documents.

Letari Washington, then 28, was shot in the chest and both of his lungs collapsed. He was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, charges state. Brence Hadley, then 35, was shot in the hand and also suffered facial injuries when Garcia-Mendoza's car crashed as he tried to drive away after being shot.

Between three and four bullet holes were found in the car windshield, and 12 shell casings were found in the parking lot, charges state.

After the shooting, Wesaga, Johnson, Abdi and the teen went to a nearby Maverik and were recorded on security cameras, according to charges. Their car was later found abandoned in a nearby neighborhood.

Abdi told police the teen boy had made the plan to meet the victims and rob them, and Johnson and Wesaga were intended to be the gunmen, per charging documents. Johnson and Abdi, like Wesaga, are both charged with murder, aggravated robbery, obstructing justice and 11 counts of discharge of a firearm.

A jury trial is scheduled for Johnson Sept. 26. Abdi 's next court appearance is Oct. 6. Information on the status of the teen's charges was not available.
A Turlock man is facing up to 30 years in prison for a deadly drunk driving crash that sheared the victims pickup in half.

Daniel Allen Coats, 41, was convicted by a jury last month of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and enhancements for fleeing the scene of a vehicular manslaughter, according to a press release from the Stanislaus County District Attorneys Office.

The collision occurred in December 2018 when the victim, 55-year-old Jose Manuel Mora of Hilmar, made a U-turn from southbound Lander Avenue, just south of the intersection with West F Street in Turlock.

Coats was driving a Ford Mustang north on Lander at 80 mph in a 40 mph zone and collided with the side of the Nissan pickup Mora was driving.

Video surveillance from a nearby business showed Coats vehicle hit Moras pickup midway through the U-turn, ripping it in half and separating the trucks cab from the bed by nearly 100 feet, according to the press release.

Mora suffered significant internal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead from his injuries after being transported to Emanuel Medical Center, according to the press release.

Deputy Public Defender Komnith Moth, who represented Coats, said there were medical factors that existed before the crash that contributed to Moras death.

The pathologist testified that the cause of death was cardiac arrhythmia (heart attack/irregular heartbeat) brought up by the stress of the accident, Mora said in an email to The Bee.

Our expert (a forensic toxicologist) testified that it was highly probable that the methamphetamine in the decedents system caused him to have a heart attack, he said.

Coats vehicle sustained major front-end damage but he was able to walk away from the scene after looking at the condition of Moras body, according to the DA press release.

Witnesses testified they heard Coats on his phone telling someone to Get me out of here. He was picked up by family members but was followed and quickly arrested by Turlock police officers four blocks away as he attempted to flee the scene.

Police officers testified that Coats showed obvious signs of alcohol intoxication, according to the release, but he refused to provide a blood sample and officers had to get a search warrant for a forced blood draw.

Coats had a blood alcohol content of 0.14% at the time of his blood draw, which was five hours after the crash. The legal limit is .08%.

Moth argued Coats should be acquitted of gross vehicular manslaughter due to the evidence presented by their expert and circumstantial evidence that Mora was suffering from the initial symptoms of the heart attack immediately prior to the crash because he made a sudden illegal U-turn toward the direction of the hospital.

But at the conclusion of the weeklong trial, the jury convicted Coats on all counts.

In a separate court trial, Judge Carrie Stephens found Coats had a prior strike under Californias Three Strikes Law for first-degree residential burglary.

Coats, who has a significant criminal history with more than ten prior felony convictions from multiple California jurisdictions, returns to court on Aug. 30 for sentencing where he faces up to 30 years in state prison, says the DAs press release.

Moth said he will appeal the verdict.
E. Jean Carroll Ed Jones / AFP via Getty Images

The Justice Department informed a federal court on Tuesday that it will no longer certify that former President Donald Trump was acting within his presidential duties in 2019 when he dismissed rape allegations by writer E. Jean Carroll, telling reporters she was "totally lying" and "not my type." The decision means Trump will have to defend himself in court and Carroll's 2019 defamation case can likely head to trial next January.

For years after Carroll sued Trump for defamation in federal court, the Justice Department sought to make the U.S. government, not Trump, the defendant, using a law called the Westfall Act. That would give Trump absolute immunity from the lawsuit. Whether Trump can be held personally liable and other questions have kept the case tied up in appeals for three years.

Justice Department lawyers told the presiding federal judge, Lewis Kaplan, that several things had changed since the DOJ last argued that Trump's comments were shielded by the Westfall Act. The new facts included Trump's 2022 deposition in a separate New York lawsuit Carroll filed against Trump, the New York jury's decision in May that Trump sexually assaulted and defamed Carroll, guidance from a District of Columbia appeals court on the parameters of the Westfall Act, and new allegedly defamatory comments Trump made about Carroll after the New York verdict.

Given these new developments, "there is no longer a sufficient basis to conclude that the former president was motivated by 'more than an insignificant' desire to serve the United States government," the DOJ lawyers said. In fact the "history supports an inference that Mr. Trump was motivated by a 'personal grievance' stemming from events that occurred many years prior to Mr. Trump's presidency."

The Justice Department's new position supports Carroll's belief "that Donald Trump made his defamatory statements about our client in June 2019 out of personal animus, ill will and spite, and not as president of the United States," Carroll lawyer Roberta Kaplan said. "Now that one of the last obstacles has been removed, we look forward to trial." Trump's lawyers did not respond to requests for comments about the pivot.

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The Justice Department has abandoned plans to defend Donald Trump in a lawsuit brought by E. Jean Carroll, saying in a court filing Tuesday that it no longer believes he was acting within the scope of his presidential duties in 2019 when he allegedly defamed her while denying her rape accusation.

The "Department has determined that there is no longer a sufficient basis to conclude that the former President was motivated by 'more than an insignificant' desire to serve the United States Government" when he disparaged Carroll in remarks to reporters four years ago.

Trump's remarks came shortly after Carroll, a writer, alleged that he raped her in the dressing room of a New York City department store in the mid-1990s. Carroll then sued Trump for defamation, and the Justice Department at the time moved to represent him, arguing he should have total immunity for his comments because he "was acting within the scope of his office and employment as President of the United States when he made the statements."

In a letter Tuesday to lawyers involved in the case, the Justice Department said it had changed its position given new evidence, including a jury verdict this year that found Trump liable for sexually assaulting Carroll and defamatory comments he made about her after he left the White House.

The reversal lessens Trumps chances of escaping liability in Carrolls remaining lawsuit against him.

An attorney for Trump did not have an immediate comment. The former president said the DOJ's decision was "all part of the political Witch Hunt" in a string of posts on his social media site in which he continued to maintain his innocence in Carroll's civil case, calling it "a Miscarriage of Justice and a total Scam."

Roberta Kaplan, an attorney for Carroll, welcomed the Justice Department's decision.

We are grateful that the Department of Justice has reconsidered its position," Kaplan said in a statement. "We have always believed that Donald Trump made his defamatory statements about our client in June 2019 out of personal animus, ill will, and spite, and not as President of the United States."

Carroll's other defamation suit against Trump, which was filed last year and included complaints about his calling her claims a "hoax" after he left the White House, resulted in a $5 million jury verdict against Trump in May. He has appealed the verdict and asked for a new trial.

That case wound up going to trial first because Carroll's original lawsuit  the one the Justice Department took a position on Tuesday  was tied up in appeals over whether Trump's 2019 comments were protected under the Westfall Act, which gives federal employees absolute immunity from lawsuits based on conduct in the course of their official duties.

Then-Attorney General William Barr said the statute applied in that case because the media had asked Trump to comment on the allegations.

The judge presiding over the case, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, disagreed and said that he didn't believe the Westfall Act applied to the presidency and that Trump's remarks about something that allegedly happened more than two decades ago weren't within the scope of his official conduct as president.

His ruling led to a lengthy appeals process, in which the Justice Department's defense of Trump extended into the Biden administration. The case was sent back to Kaplan, who isn't related to Carroll's attorney, this year after having gone through two appeals courts.

One of those courts held that the government should consider in Westfall Act cases whether the alleged conduct was motivated by people trying to do their government jobs.

Trump had maintained that he had to speak out forcefully against Carroll because her claims could damage his presidency.

In its letter Tuesday, the Justice Department cited Trump's continued trashing of Carroll even after he left office as proof that his motivations were personal and not governmental.

"And a jury has now found that Mr. Trump sexually assaulted Ms. Carroll long before he became President. That history supports an inference that Mr. Trump was motivated by a 'personal grievance' stemming from events that occurred many years prior to Mr. Trumps presidency," the Justice Department said.

The case is scheduled to go to trial in January.

Carroll is seeking at least $10 million in damages for comments Trump made about her in the White House and in the aftermath of the $5 million jury verdict.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing in the case and maintains that Carroll's claims are made up.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The Justice Department said Tuesday it will no longer argue that Donald Trump was protected by his presidential office when he made derogatory remarks about writer E. Jean Carroll, a major shift in the governments position that could imperil his defense in an ongoing defamation lawsuit.

A jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation after Carroll accused the former president of assaulting her in a department store nearly 30 years ago, awarding the writer $5 million in damages as part of the civil case. She has filed a separate defamation case seeking at least $10 million in further damages. A judge recently allowed her to amend that suit after Trump called her a whack job on CNN earlier this year.

The government, first under Trump and then under President Joe Biden, had argued for years that the former president had acted within his official presidential duties when he called Carroll a liar in 2019 and denied her accusation that hed raped her. That argument centered on the Westfall Act, which shields federal employees from lawsuits stemming from conduct in their official duties.

But the Justice Department said new information from the recent civil case had changed that stance. Although the statements themselves were made in a work context, the allegations that prompted the statements related to a purely personal incident: an alleged sexual assault that occurred decades prior to Mr. Trumps presidency.

The prior history between Ms. Carroll and Mr. Trump supports a determination that the former Presidents statements were not sufficiently motivated by a purpose to serve the Government, the filing says. That history supports an inference that Mr. Trump was motivated by a personal grievance stemming from events that occurred many years prior to Mr. Trumps presidency.

E. Jean Carroll leaves the Southern District of New York Court after her testimony on April 26 that Donald Trump had raped her in the mid-1990s.

E. Jean Carroll leaves the Southern District of New York Court after her testimony on April 26 that Donald Trump had raped her in the mid-1990s.

Carrolls attorney, Roberta Kaplan, said her client was grateful after the Justice Department reconsidered its position.

We have always believed that Donald Trump made his defamatory statements about our client in June 2019 out of personal animus, ill will, and spite, and not as president of the United States, the lawyer said in a statement, according to The New York Times.

Trump on Wednesday stood by his past statements against Carroll and said the DOJs decision is the result of a biased political witch hunt. He called Carrolls allegations against him ridiculous and said they were fabricated for publicity and to boost sales of her book.

The statements that I made about Carroll are all true, he posted on his Truth Social account.

Trump has repeatedly and vehemently defended himself against the accusations, and his attorneys filed a countersuit against Carroll last month. The lawyers allege the writer defamed Trump by claiming once more that he had raped her.

The defamation suit is scheduled to go to trial in January.

Related...
Justice Department takes unusual step to try to protect Trump from testifying in lawsuit over FBI firing

The Justice Department has taken an unusual step in court to try to protect former President Donald Trump from testifying under oath in a lawsuit from former FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page.

Lawyers from the federal agency are asking the federal appeals court in Washington, DC, to block an upcoming deposition of Trump, according to a new court filing on Tuesday.

The DOJ has gone to the appeals court to try to correct what it believes was a mistake from a lower court, when Judge Amy Berman Jackson decided Trump could be deposed by Strzoks and Pages legal teams about Strzok being fired following his work on the Russia investigation.

The Justice Department has had to navigate the complicated law around possible protections for Trump for what he said and did during his presidency in a number of cases. Also on Tuesday, in a separate lawsuit, the DOJ said it no longer believes Trump should be immune in a 2019 defamation accusation from columnist E. Jean Carroll.

In the 2019 lawsuit, Strzok alleges Trumps political vendetta against him prompted the FBI to terminate him unjustly, though former Trump administration officials have said Strzok wasnt fired because of the then-President Trump.

The Justice Department has persistently tried to use his position as president in the effort to shield him.

Only the most extraordinary of circumstances would justify allowing a plaintiff to depose a former high-level official about actions he took in the course of his official duties. This case falls far short of that standard, lawyers for the Justice Department wrote to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday.

That this case involves the deposition of a former President, rather than a sitting President, does not diminish the separation-of-powers concerns, the lawyers added. The district court committed a clear abuse of discretion in authorizing Strzok to depose the former President.

Strzoks lawyer criticized the DOJs efforts Tuesday night.

The lengths to which the government has gone to prevent this deposition is striking and suggests that their true concern is what Mr. Trump will say, attorney Aitan Goelman said in a statement. It is particularly telling that the government insisted that Plaintiffs first depose the current FBI Director, despite all the demands on his time, before the former President.

It is unusual for a party in a lawsuit to try for an appeal in this way at this stage of the case  and an even more unusual step for the Justice Department to take.

The approach the DOJ is taking essentially alleges to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals that Jackson got the law wrong. And no matter what the appeals court decides in the dispute over Trumps deposition, Jackson still will be handling the larger case between Strzok and the administration.

Jackson wrote in her order last week: The fact remains that the former President himself has publicly boasted of his involvement. Her order was the second time she refused to block Trumps deposition, as the DOJ requested, 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.

Before Strzoks firing, then-President Trump tweeted repeatedly about Strzok and Page in a negative way, saying the FBI should fire Strzok.

The Justice Department on Tuesday also argued to the appeals court that Trump shouldnt have to sit for a deposition because Strzok hardly needs to confirm whether the President expressed the same views in meetings in the Oval Office that he expressed publicly.

Strzok and Page have been trying to schedule Trumps deposition for the coming weeks, the DOJ added. Jackson had said he could be asked a narrow set of questions in a two-hour deposition.

DOJ has argued Trumps under oath testimony isnt needed in the case because FBI Director Chris Wray, Trumps former White House chief of staff John Kelly and others had already testified about the decision to fire Strzok.

However, Kelly, in a sworn declaration made public in court last week, said Trump questioned him and others in 2018 about whether Strzok and Page could be disciplined.

It appeared from President Trumps comments, both public and private, that he wanted to see Mr. Strzok fired, Kelly wrote.

Kelly also described Trump asking about other possible retaliatory actions the federal government could take.

President Trump questioned whether investigations by the Internal Revenue Service or other federal agencies should be undertaken into Mr. Strzok and/or Ms. Page. I do not know of President Trump ordering such an investigation. It appeared, however, that he wanted to see Mr. Strzok and Ms. Page investigated, Kelly wrote. President Trump also questioned whether Mr. Strzok and Ms. Page should have their security clearances revoked.

Trump faces several lawsuits at this time.

Hes also being sued by members of Congress and Capitol Police officers who are trying to hold him responsible for the violence of the crowd on January 6. In that lawsuit, the DOJ has refused to say he should be protected because he was president at the time, saying that inciting violence wouldnt have been part of his official duties.

The appeals court in DC is currently weighing Trumps immunity claim in that case.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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Five picks into the 11th round of the 2023 MLB Draft, Royals scouting director Danny Ontiveros was satisfied. He felt like the Royals got the bat that they wanted on Day 3, just moments after the draft had resumed.

That productive bat was 6-foot-1 Tennessee outfielder Jared Dickey. The redshirt-sophomore led the Volunteers in batting average (.328) and hits (80) in 2023, leading to an All-SEC second-team selection. In 2022, he hit .380 over 40 games.

Dickeys bat was on display during Tennessees College World Series run this year. He went 3 for 5 against Stanford in the teams only College World Series win and picked up a clutch two-out single that, after a defensive error, brought in three runs in the Hattiesburg Super Regional against Southern Miss.

Ontiveros also sees positives with Dickey as a versatile defensive player.

Its always a plus: You get a guy who can possibly catch and play outfield and do some different things on the field, Ontiveros said. If its something he really wants to do, were open to exploring that option. But the bat is really attractive, so wherever he fits in the lineup well be good with it.

The Royals, Ontiveros said, had an added comfort selecting Dickey because of a connection that began before his time at Tennessee. Dickey played for the clubs scout team in high school, run by Royals Southeast cross checker Sean Gibbs.

Even after Dickey left for Tennessee, his relationship with the Royals only continued to grow. Ontiveros added that the Royals monitored Dickeys progression over his three-year collegiate career.

MLB.com listed Dickey as the 115th overall prospect ahead of the draft. Ontiveros was particularly pleased with the selections of Dickey in Round 11 and Kentucky right-hander Logan Martin 30 picks later.

We really feel like theres an impactful bat there, Ontiveros said of Dickey. We were just extremely proud to get (Dickey and Wilson) there, and we were just thrilled we got off to a great start.

Dickey was the second-to-last outfielder taken by the Royals, as they selected Barbe High School (Louisiana) outfielder Donovan LaSalle in the 19th round. The team took six pitchers throughout the final day.
It used to be you could get fired from a government job for being too prejudiced.

Now, in Sterling, Kansas, you get fired for not being prejudiced enough.

Last week, the towns library board sacked both the library director, Kari Wheeler, and her top assistant, Brandy Lancaster.

Their offense? They didnt cater enough to the boards anti-LGBT agenda.

According to the former librarians, the friction started with a dispute over whether to shelve one of the books in the William Allen White Reading Program, which happens to include a gender-nonbinary character.

Each year, the program publishes a list of award-winning books for the elementary and middle-school levels. Its a big deal in a lot of school districts and there are often rewards for reading the entire list.

When my sons were in school, the reward was a field trip to Emporia to see Whites former office at the Emporia Gazette and learn about the revered newspaperman, who won the Pulitzer Prize, rubbed elbows with presidents and was one of the leading voices for middle America from the late 1890s into the 1940s.

Wheeler had a donor who offered to buy the library the entire set of William Allen White books for this year. One of the selections is Flight of the Puffin, a novel including a nonbinary teen who lives on the streets after being shunned at home.

A board member told Wheeler to go ahead and order the books, but to hide Flight of the Puffin in her desk drawer and not check it out to anybody.

Its an order no librarian worthy of the title would ever follow.

The rainbow incident seems to be the last straw.

In a small display case at the entry to the library, Wheeler and Lancaster were putting together a diversity display when library board Vice President Michelle Miller showed up and laid down the law: No rainbows, because theyre associated with LGBT rights.

Now, neither of the rainbow images for the display case had anything to do with that.

One was a collage of a girl in a wheelchair sitting in front of a rainbow and the other was the international symbol of autism awareness, a rainbow-colored infinity symbol.

In a June 22 board meeting that Lancaster recorded, Miller explained her rationale, such as it is: I do not want any kind of rainbow display  especially in this month. We are in Pride month. People are on display. We have a conservative town and as a library, do not need to make political statements like Target and Bud Light.

While were at it, maybe we should change the unofficial theme song of this state to Somewhere Over That Thing We Cant Talk About Cuz Its Too Gay.

And speaking of Bud Light, many of my conservative friends were rejoicing online yesterday at the news that the boycott over the brand hiring a transgender influencer is forcing the closure of two glass factories that make Bud Light bottles.

The factories, which arent owned by the beer-maker, are in Louisiana and North Carolina. Modelo, a Mexican beer, has taken over from Bud Light as the No. 1 beer in the United States.

So the Bud Light backlash just destroyed 600 blue-collar jobs in red states and is creating jobs in Mexico. Hard not to see the irony there.

The Sterling Carnegie Library is picturesque, but poorly run. Dion Lefler/The Wichita Eagle

Its discrimination and its bigoted and we need a change.

I spent Monday afternoon in Sterling and found myself dealing with one of the most insular, secretive and generally incompetent government bodies Ive ever encountered.

I had to go there in person because Sterlings mayor, Bob Bolt, who serves on the eight-member library board, hung up on me as soon as I introduced myself. The president, vice president, treasurer and secretary of the board didnt return phone calls.

One board member chewed me out for calling her six weeks after she lost her husband  although I had no way of knowing that and she had participated in the special library board meeting where the librarians were canned.

Of the two board members willing to give me the time of day, neither would tell me how they or anyone else voted on the librarians firings  citing executive privilege  although under state law the vote is required to be public and is a matter of public record.

I asked for the library boards budget, to see where they get their money and what they do with it. It turns out they havent done a budget for years and theres no way to tell what theyve been doing with the $60,000 or so they get from city taxes each year, plus state and nonprofit support.

The city government owns the library building and allocates the bulk of the money to run it. But thats about the extent of its involvement.

The board is largely self-appointed. Members decide who they want on the board with them and the mayor trots the names over to be rubber-stamped by the City Council.

Given the process, its not hard to see how this became the Book Ban of the Month Club.

Board members serve four-year terms. I asked who they answer to for their decisions and the answer I got was the state Constitution.

The state Constitution was unavailable for comment.

So Ill just quote Lancaster instead: Its total abuse of power, its discrimination and its bigoted and we need a change.

Shes not wrong.

Board members say they fired her and Wheeler because theyd lost confidence in them.

Theyve got some nerve. If anybody in this sorry scenario doesnt inspire confidence, its the board members.

The only things they seem to be good at are censorship, clandestine decision-making and stonewalling.

They fail miserably at the open-mindedness, transparency and stewardship of public funds that community members should expect from the people running their library.

A local citizen, Samantha Corwin, has launched a petition to try to reinstate the librarians. Its got about 200 signatures so far.

William Allen Whites most famous editorial was about how Kansas was falling behind the rest of the country in population and wealth, because back in his day it was run by a bunch of ignorant clodhoppers.

The piece was titled, Whats the Matter with Kansas?

Ask me that today and Id give you a one-word answer.

Sterling.

Dion Lefler: 316-268-6527, @DionKansas
KC man was accused of dismembering his client. Then he became Tylenol murder suspect

The victims decomposing corpse was discovered in the attic of his Campbell Street home.

His legs, severed at the thighs, were shoved into a plastic bag.

Police found the bloody rope used to hoist and likely bind the body. They found a fingerprint.

In August 1978, Kansas City prosecutors charged, but, because of shoddy police work, never convicted and were forced to release the man they were sure did it, a seemingly mild 32-year-old Kansas City tax accountant, James W. Lewis.

Lewis, who died Sunday in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at age 76, was long-considered the prime suspect in an even more notorious crime  the 1982 deaths of seven people around Chicago, including a 12-year-old girl, who were killed when they ingested Extra-Strength Tylenol capsules laced with cyanide.

Fear of more poisonings gripped the nation that autumn as Johnson & Johnson recalled 32 million bottles of its product from store shelves, and consumers tossed away their pain relievers. The crime changed the marketplace, ushering in new tamper-proof packaging and new laws.

James W. Lewis, a prime suspect in Tylenol poisonings that took seven lives around Chicago, faced tax and mail fraud charges in Kansas City in 1983. He was ultimately sentenced to 10 years for extortion in the Tylenol case, and five and 10 years for tax and mail fraud. Bo Rader/The Kansas City Star

Lewis, although never charged with the killings, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, released in 1995, for attempting to extort Johnson & Johnson and its parent company, McNeil Consumer Healthcare, for $1 million to stop the killings. He consistently denied involvement in the deaths.

But it was in Kansas City where Lewis  raised in Carl Junction, Missouri, and who attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City  first became tied to murder in the apparent pursuit of money.

On Aug. 15, 1978, The Kansas City Times reported on the discovery of a decomposed and dismembered body found at 4812 Campbell St., the home of 72-year-old Raymond West. The crime would lead to the arrest of James W. Lewis, who was later freed. The Kansas City Times

On Tuesday morning, Aug. 15, 1978, a headline appeared at the bottom of the front page of The Kansas City Times, The Stars then sister paper: Mans Body Discovered in Attic.

Lewis name is not mentioned. The story tells of a mutilated and decomposed body found that Monday in the attic of a home belonging to 72-year-old Raymond West at 4812 Campbell St. The body was so decomposed, it was not immediately identifiable. But West, a retired truck driver for the Duff & Repp furniture company, had been reported missing three weeks earlier.

By Friday morning, Lewis was in custody, surrendering to police at his home, 5723 Troost Ave.

On Friday, Aug. 18, 1978, The Kansas City Star reported that James W. Lewis was arrested and charged with murdering and dismembering a client, Raymond West, 72, at 4812 Campbell St. He wasnt read his Miranda rights, and was later freed. The Kansas City Star

Details gradually emerged. West was Lewis client. Lewis and his wife, LeAnn Miller, had a daughter, Toni, with Down syndrome. West lived alone in his one-story home near Brush Creek, and absorbed himself in his hobby of genealogy. But he also befriended Toni, who would wave to him from her window. Even after Toni died in 1974, at age 5, Lewis continued to work on Wests tax returns.

Then on July 25, 1978, West disappeared. After his remains were identified, evidence in his presumed murder built. Presumed, because the body was so decomposed, the coroner could not determine the exact cause of death. But on the day West went missing, a check for $5,000, believed to be a forgery, had been written to Lewis, which Lewis claimed was a loan.

Police found rope in Lewis car that matched rope used to bind the body. The rope was tied in knots like those on the corpse. They found a note at Wests house saying West had gone on a trip. An expert was ready to testify that it was a forgery and the handwriting matched Lewis.

The case was circumstantial, but seemed strong. Lewis, who had spent two years in a state mental hospital, diagnosed with catatonic schizophrenia, was facing death in Missouris gas chamber.

Then, in October 1979, the case fell apart.

The trial was set to begin that week. But in pretrial hearings, Lewis attorneys, Albert Riederer, who would later become Jackson County prosecutor, and Russell Millen, argued that the bulk of the states evidence was inadmissible. Lewis had not been read his Miranda rights. Thus the evidence that had been gathered came from an illegal arrest.

The judge ruled the same. Lewis was released.

I never doubted that he was involved in it, Jim Bell, who had been an assistant Jackson County prosecutor in the case, told The Star in 1995. From the check, the handwriting on the note, the ropes, the knots  it was all pretty incriminating.

In 2009, three decades after the murder case fell through, Bell in an interview with The Stars Mike Hendricks said of the case, Its the one that got away.

Lewis would next make major headlines in The Kansas City Times in October 1982: Investigators seek former KC man in Tylenol case.

Kansas City police officers flew to Chicago and brought boxes of evidence and other materials relating to the manufacture and composition of poisons that had been confiscated during an earlier search of Mr. Lewis Kansas City home.

Reportedly among the materials were diaries in which Mr. Lewis portrayed himself as a master criminal.

Unable to pay his $5 million bond, Lewis was held in Chicago. In January 1983, he was brought back to Kansas City to face trials on separate charges of both tax fraud and mail fraud. The mail fraud was for a scheme in 1981 to use clients personal information to obtain credit cards. He was found guilty that May and given a 10-year sentence. A five-year sentence for tax fraud would run concurrently.

One of his former Kansas City clients, who was then a Boston artist, had donated $11,700 to Lewis defense fund.

Trouble again followed Lewis in 2004, nine years after his release. He was indicted in Massachusetts, accused of aggravated rape and drugging a co-worker for sexual intercourse, according to The Boston Globe. He was held without bail for three years. The charges were dropped and he was released in 2007 after the woman refused to testify.

In 1983, U.S. marshals escorted James Lewis, front, out the rear door of the federal courthouse in Kansas City after he pleaded not guilty to charges of mail fraud in connection with an alleged credit card scheme and tax evasion. Frank Niemeir/The Kansas City Star

In 2010, Lewis self-published a novel, Poison! The Doctors Dilemma.

Upon Lewis death, a spokeswoman for the Illinois State Police told The New York Times that the Tylenol deaths are still considered an ongoing investigation.

Raymond M. West was buried in Carrollton, Missouri, one week after his body was found. He lies in Oak Hill Cemetery.
VILNIUS, Lithuania  President Joe Biden used his last moments here to rally NATO allies and the worlds democracies to stick together as Russias war on Ukraine extends beyond 500 days.

Standing in the heart of a capital of a former Soviet republic, Biden boasted that democracies who champion freedom against authoritarianisms creep have held strong, even in the face of the largest land war in Europe since World War II. He pushed for the protection and promotion of global democracy not just in Ukraine against Vladimir Putins Russia, but well into the future to keep dictators and other global threats at bay.

The defense of freedom is not the work of a day or a year. It's the calling of our lifetime. Were steeled for the struggle ahead. Our unity will not falter, I promise you, he told a crowd of 10,000 American- and Ukraine-flag toting onlookers who gathered at Vilnius University. Before the president walked on stage, a group could be heard chanting "Slava Ukraini."

The presidents address was a paean to NATO and the transatlantic security architecture he has toiled to strengthen well before the invasion began. But Biden also used the opportunity to call for more cooperation among nations to address challenges like climate change, poverty and economic inequality.

The choices we make now are going to shape the direction of our world for decades to come. With nations working together with common cause, we can answer these questions, he said.

Keep it up, keep going, he rallied the crowd, packed tightly into a square flanked by the universitys yellow walls.

In many ways, Bidens address was a rehash of a speech he gave in February in Warsaw. Fresh off a surprise visit to Kyiv, Biden encouraged NATO allies and partners to further boost Ukraines defenses against Russia. He used the dramatic moment to argue transatlanticism wasnt withering, but rather rebuilding its muscle under his leadership.

NATO is stronger, more energized and yes, more united than ever in its history, he further claimed in Lithuania.

The presidents apparent good mood and optimistic outlook came hours after a NATO summit with undeniable wins. The biggest victory of all happened before the gathering even began, when Turkey on Monday ended its year-long blockade of Swedens entree into the alliance, paving the way for the military bloc to welcome its 32nd member.

But Bidens victory lap was marred by a tense middle portion of the summit.

NATOs communique removed one hurdle to Ukraines hoped-for membership but didnt delineate clear accession conditions or timelines. We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine when allies agree and conditions are met, the joint statement read.

That enraged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who hours before arriving in Vilnius Tuesday blasted the language as unprecedented and absurd  a broadside that threatened the unity Biden and his team hoped to exhibit in Vilnius.

Zelenskyy, however, unexpectedly reversed course on the second and final day. He called the outcomes of the summit a significant security victory for Ukraine while reiterating that an invitation to join NATO was the preferred deliverable. One reason for the newfound gratitude was the commitment by G-7 nations, including the United States, to long-term military and economic assistance for Ukraine including weapons, training and reconstruction funds.



And before a bilateral meeting with Biden, prompted by a question from POLITICO, Zelenskyy stated we have great unity from our leaders and the security guarantees  that is a success for this summit.

Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security adviser, made the television rounds earlier Wednesday to quell the narrative of a mixed-bag gathering.

We didn't want a mechanical formula down because war is dynamic, the situation is dynamic. And NATO needs to be able to retain flexibility, working closely with Ukraine on its pathway to make a determination about what down the road it makes sense to admit them, he told CNN. Admitting Ukraine into the alliance now would directly put NATO at war with Russia.

In the meantime, we're prepared to provide that security assistance long out into the future and, certainly, for the duration of the period while Ukraine is working its way on the pathway towards NATO, he asserted.

How history judges the Vilnius summit depends on some circumstances outside Bidens control.

Sweden doesnt yet have the green light, and Congress reluctance to approve a F-16 fighter jet transfer to Turkey could yet scuttle the handshake agreement. Ukraines counteroffensive hasnt dealt a decisive blow to Russias front lines in the east and south, pushing the conflict well into Americas tumultuous election season where Biden could likely face Donald Trump, a NATO and Ukraine skeptic. And Ukraines anger at the results in Vilnius could lead Kyiv to reassess its relationship with Washington down the line.

Theres also a fear that Russia will find ways to extend the war just to lower the chances of Ukraine imminently joining NATO. Allied leaders, however, repeatedly downplayed that concern.

It is very clear that this question of NATO membership will not be an issue that can be raised by others who are not part of this partnership  in other words, Russia will not be able to mandate this, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on his way home from Lithuania.

For now, Biden is leaving the Lithuanian capital buoyant that transatlantic security was strengthened on his watch and at his urging.

We will not waver, the president boomed before underscoring: Well stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.

As Biden left the podium, chants of U-S-A rang out through the venue.

Hans von der Burchard contributed to this report.
A theater teacher in the Keller school district organized a petition that has garnered more than 16,000 signatures urging the school board to reverse policies on bathroom and pronoun use.

Marc Weaver posted his petition on change.org on June 28. It is unclear how many signatures are from residents in the school district. He teaches at Independence Elementary in far north Fort Worth, according to a district directory.

Weaver declined to comment.

However, he wrote in his petition that the policies, adopted June 28, would encourage the use of mis-identifying pronouns and prevent students from using restrooms that correspond to their gender identity. More than 50 people signed up to speak at the specially called meeting.

It is crucial for KISD to prioritize the well-being and success of all its students by implementing policies that protect transgender individuals from discrimination. By doing so, we can foster an environment where every student feels valued and respected, Weaver wrote in his petition.

A message to board president Charles Randklev was not immediately returned.

Weaver also stated that according to information from the National Transgender Center for Equality, over 80% of transgender students report feeling unsafe at school due to harassment or discrimination based on their gender identity.

Weaver wrote that transgender students have higher academic scores and better mental health outcomes when school districts adopt inclusive policies

The policies require students to use restrooms and locker rooms based on the sex listed on their birth certificates unless they request an accommodation. Also, district employees are not required to use pronouns that do not correspond to the students biological sex at birth.

The ACLU of Texas warned the district that the policies violate state and federal anti-discrimination laws.
A Kentucky man has been charged with felony and misdemeanor crimes after he allegedly participated in the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

William Stover, a 46-year-old Elizabethtown man, has been charged with civil disorder, the FBI said in a release. Stover is also charged with a misdemeanor offense of entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building and impeding passage through the Capitol. He faces the charges in federal court in the District of Columbia.

His actions and the actions of other disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election, the FBI said in a news release.

Stover is one of more than 1,000 people who have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the Capitols breach, according to the FBI. The rioters were attempting to interrupt the certification of 2020 election results after President Joe Biden defeated former President Donald Trump.

Stover was identified on surveillance footage and police body camera at the Capitol pushing against a police line, according to court documents. He also aided other rioters in fighting against police officers near an entrance to the Capitol building.

In the 30 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,069 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol. Federal court documents

Around 3:16 p.m., Stover arrived at a tunnel entrance to the Capitol and joined with others in a push against a line of officers who were attempting to defend the building, court documents said. He allegedly hoisted himself up over the side of a tunnel and reached over the heads of the rioters to grab the helmet of the nearest police officer.

Stover then received a U.S Capitol Police riot shield, which he had handed to another rioter who climbed up behind him, who then took the shield to attack police, the release from the FBI said. Stover is also accused of remaining at the entrance to the tunnel while rioters fought police for nearly 20 more minutes.

Stovers case is being investigated by the FBIs Louisville and Washington, D.C., field offices. Stover made his initial court appearance in the Western District of Kentucky. He is one of more than 20 Kentucky residents who have been charged in relation to the breach. Kentuckian Peter Schwartz was sentenced in May to 14 years in prison for attacking officers with pepper spray.

At the time he was sentenced, Schwartzs prison time was the most of any person convicted in the Capitol riot.
Tensions are high because of the rising cost of living and unease about government tax plans

Fifty-three children were rushed to hospital in Nairobi after tear gas was thrown into their class by police during protests on Wednesday.

Dr Aron Shikuku from Eagle Nursing Home hospital told the BBC the children were released after being treated.

He said they had suffered breathing difficulties and shock.

There were demonstrations around the country called by the opposition over the rising cost of living, but they turned deadly.

Six people were killed, authorities said.

Human rights bodies however put the number of those dead at 12, with many more injured.

Two people died after protesters set fire to a police station, while another died during an attack on a police van along the Nairobi Expressway on the outskirts of the city, reports say.

The protests had been banned, but people took to the streets anyway, such is the anger amongst some Kenyans about the rising cost of living and a new finance bill - which includes tax increases.

The controversial hikes include the doubling of fuel taxes and the imposition of a 1.5% levy on all employees to fund new houses.

The government says the hikes are essential to pay off debts and create job opportunities for young people but the law has been suspended by a court over constitutional concerns.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga, who was defeated by Mr Ruto in last year's election, has been pressing the government to reverse the tax hikes, calling for civil disobedience last month and describing those who want to implement the finance bill as "traitors".

A rally of the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition Party had been scheduled for Wednesday, but its leader, Mr Odinga, called it off, saying he wanted to avert further violence.

Policing boss Japhet Koome said on Tuesday that "all lawful means" would be used to disperse the demonstrations, the AFP news agency reports.

These latest protests come just a few days after several people were killed during anti-government demonstrations last Friday, in which human rights groups accused the Kenyan police of using excessive force.

Kenyans are divided over the protests, with some backing them, saying the high cost of living is unsustainable: "Kenyans are personally defending themselves, arguing against the imposed taxes. The salary you are paid against what you are spending, there is nothing important you can do for yourself as a human being," William Musembi told the Reuters news agency.

While others have complained about looting: "A group of around 400 to 500 people were gathering along the highway and they came all at once and broke the doors that were already bolted," supermarket manager James Kagimi Wanjema told Reuters.

"They were able to access the tills, they looted some cash and merchandise. It's a little chaotic, very chaotic," he said.
A police officer fires tear gas to disperse protesters in Nairobi (Luis Tato)

Six people were killed on Wednesday in clashes between police and demonstrators who joined a banned opposition protest against tax hikes, police officers told AFP.

Police had earlier fired tear gas on protesters in and around Nairobi, with five of the six deaths reported in the towns of Mlolongo and Kitengela on the capital's outskirts.

Tear gas was also used to disperse crowds attacking a highway connecting Nairobi to the port city of Mombasa, with one death recorded in Emali, a town located along that route.

"We have three deaths in Mlolongo, where a group of demonstrators had blocked the road to protest, and we also have two others in Kitengela and one in Emali," a police officer said.

"There was a confrontation with police officers deployed to quell the riots and some (people)... were shot in the process," he said on condition of anonymity.

A second policeman said, "I can confirm the deaths in Mlolongo, Emali and Kitengela," without elaborating further.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga, pursuing a protest campaign against the government, had urged demonstrations against a tax law that has seen fuel prices surge, adding to the difficulties faced by poor Kenyans.

But late Tuesday, police chief Japhet Koome said the authorities had not received any official notification of rallies, as required by law.

"All lawful means will be used to disperse such demonstrations," he warned.

Major roads in several western cities where Odinga commands significant support were deserted as protesters took to the streets.

- 'Bullets and tear gas' -

The clashes followed rallies in several cities last week that also saw six people killed, according to the interior ministry.

Rights campaigners and opposition politicians accused police of being heavy-handed.

"We have always said that these meetings remain peaceful until police decide to break them up with bullets and tear gas," Odinga said on Wednesday.

"Police have shot, injured and killed protesters in various parts of the country including here in Nairobi."

But he said he was calling off plans to address supporters in the capital, citing fears for their safety.

The ban follows protests last Friday, when police fired tear gas in Nairobi, targeting Odinga's convoy, AFP journalists reported.

They took similar steps against demonstrations in the cities of Mombasa and Kisumu.

On Saturday campaigners said police used tear gas on civil society representatives demanding the release of dozens of people arrested during the protests.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has called for an investigation into all reported incidents of police brutality, adding to condemnation from rights groups including Amnesty International over arbitrary arrests.

- Tax hike -

Odinga initiated a string of anti-government rallies this year after losing to William Ruto in presidential elections last August -- a vote he claims was "stolen".

Wednesday's protest call was spurred by a new finance law aimed at generating more than $2.1 billion for the government's depleted coffers.

It provides for new taxes or increases on basic goods such as fuel and food and mobile money transfers, as well as a levy on all taxpayers to fund a housing scheme.

The high court has halted implementation of the legislation after a senator filed a case challenging its constitutional legality. The government has appealed the suspension.

Despite this, Kenya's energy regulator has already announced a hike in pump prices after the doubling of VAT to 16 percent as stipulated in the law.

Kenyans are deeply worried by the soaring cost of living, but many of those who spoke to AFP said they could not afford the disruption caused by the protests.

Shopkeeper Lameck Mwangi, 34, told AFP he had decided to close his electronics store in downtown Nairobi for the day.

"We all know where it ends when we see deserted streets like this and police patrolling town. Let me just go home and watch what will unfold on TV," he said.

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The City of Kettering has announced it will sell 48 acres of city-owned property in Miami Valley Research Park to a business.

The property has been sold to Industrial Commerical Properties who already owned a number of properties in Miami Valley Research Park, according to a media release.

ICP plans to develop the property into 3 lots for future office, industrial, or manufacturing use.

>> Residents ready for cleanup to begin as city awaits EPA results 3 months after toxic Richmond fire

The City recognizes the importance of having options for businesses to site new projects in the Research Park, and we have had tremendous success with our relationship with ICP, said Kettering City Manager Matt Greeson. We believe this land sale will result in new businesses locating in the Park and help the City attract major employers.

ICP is based in northeast Ohio.
An ambitious environmental bill narrowly survived a key vote in the European Unions Parliament on Wednesday, sending it back to committee.

The EU Parliament voted 336-300 in favor of the Nature Restoration Law, which would create binding ecosystem restoration goals to be met by 2030.

Under the measure, member states would be required to develop recovery plans for 20 percent of EU land and sea, with a restoration deadline for the entire continent by 2050. It would not create new protected areas in the continent

In a separate vote, the parliament voted 324-312 against rejecting the measure outright. It includes a provision to postpone the binding targets in the event of exceptional socioeconomic consequences.

The Wednesday vote was considered a make-or-break moment for the legislation, a keystone of a suite of environmental measures known as the European Green Deal. In the weeks leading up to the vote, it was the subject of intense lobbying both for and against. Supporters include environmental organizations and some multinational companies like Nestle, while opponents include the conservative European Peoples Party and trade groups representing agriculture and fisheries.

This is good news for nature. For the climate. For business. For our common future, tweeted Terry Reintke, a member of the EU governing body, representing Germany and co-president of the parliaments Greens-European Free Alliance.

The parliaments environmental committee earlier voted the bill down 44-44, the first such setback for a European Green Deal bill, resulting in it being sent to the floor with a recommendation that it be scrapped.

The legislation will now be sent back to that panel and, should it clear the committee, enter into talks between MEPs and their member states. These negotiations will incorporate the more than 100 amendments that were part of the voting process Wednesday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
He killed Boises Cat Man of Bella Street in 1976. Now, hes on Floridas death row

Those who have lived in Boise long enough might recall what was considered one of the most infamous crimes at the time: the killing of Enrico Flory, the Cat Man of Bella Street, in June 1976.

Flory, 76, who earned the moniker because he cared for a dozen or more stray cats, was found dead in his house in Boises North End, just behind Lowell Municipal Pool.

Enrico Flory

It was a seemingly routine unattended death of a heart attack.

In reality, though, four neighborhood teenagers held Flory down, suffocated him with a pillow and stole Florys Social Security money. The crime became front-page news.

If that happened now  four juveniles killing a helpless old man for what turned out to be $48 left over from Social Security money  you can bet that wed get national attention, Charlie Etlinger, an Idaho Statesman reporter who covered the case extensively at the time, told me in a phone interview Monday. You know that NBC show would do a show on him. All these media entities looking for pieces that might be of interest to the public would write about it, because it was horrendous.

One of those boys, Steven Wolf, who was 15 years old and considered the groups ringleader, was sentenced to death last week in Florida.

Wolf, now 62, was convicted of raping, torturing and murdering a woman in his van in November 2018.

This is a horrific, vicious rape and murder committed by an animal, Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward told the Miami Herald last week. Hes where he belongs. On death row.

It took jurors less than five hours to unanimously find Wolf guilty on charges of first-degree murder, sexual battery and tampering with physical evidence, according to Keys Weekly.

Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay, an officer with decades of experience, called it one of the most heinous crimes weve seen and said Wolf is probably a serial rapist and murderer who got away with it for years.

In fact, it appears Wolf got his start in Boise  nearly 50 years ago.

Charles Etlinger, reporter for the Idaho Statesman, wrote this feature story about Enrico Flory, The Cat Man of Bella Street, on Dec. 23, 1975. Six months later, Flory was killed by four neighborhood boys.

Cat man of Bella Street

In 1975, Etlinger had written a feel-good Christmas feature story about Flory, who lived alone, took in stray cats, befriended children in the neighborhood, and wrote letters to Idaho prisoners and visited them in prison. So beloved among prisoners, Flory had been invited to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, and when prisoners learned that Flory didnt have a refrigerator, they took up a collection and bought him a new one.

And then six months later hes murdered, Etlinger said.

Even though Florys death was initially ruled of natural causes, four neighborhood teenagers were arrested after a couple of them bragged about killing him.

The boys, whom Flory had befriended, were Darin McLenna, 16; Rory Brooks, 17; Demetrio Esquivel, 14; and Wolf.

As McLenna told detectives at the time, three boys held down Flory, while a fourth held the pillow to Florys face. McLenna told detectives that Brooks was the one holding the pillow when Flory died, but Wolf may have been holding the pillow earlier in the attack.

Wolf was considered the ringleader of the quartet, and he and Brooks were the instigators of the murder, according to Etlingers reporting at the time of police and court testimony.

While police were investigating Florys death, Wolf and Brooks were being arrested on suspicion of kidnapping two women on Bogus Basin Road and raping one of the women on a dirt road in the Foothills.

Its unclear from the court record what happened with the rape and kidnapping charges once Wolf and Brooks were charged on Sept. 2, 1976, with first-degree murder in Florys death.

Wolf and Brooks were originally charged in juvenile court, but a magistrate judge later ruled them eligible to be tried as adults, a hot topic at the time. Etlinger said a wave of juvenile violence was sweeping the country, even leading to cover stories in Time magazine and U.S. News & World Report on the topic of whether juveniles should be charged as adults in more serious cases.

It was important at the time because the Idaho Supreme Court had to decide on whether to have the juveniles prosecuted as adults, Etlinger said. And so that set a precedent, and then you have to put it in the context of what was going on nationally as well: Should juvenile murderers be treated as adults.

Wolf appealed the decision to be tried as an adult, which delayed his trial for two years.

Escape from jail

While waiting, Wolf escaped from the Ada County Jail in 1977 by sawing through a bar in his fourth-floor cell and scrambling down the wall using bed sheets and electrical conduit. He was captured six days later and returned to jail.

Once Wolf lost his appeal to be tried as a juvenile, he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in November 1978 and was sentenced to no more than 30 years in prison. Brooks, meanwhile, ended up being convicted of second-degree murder.

Wolf was eligible for parole after five years. It appears he was released on parole at the end of 1989 or beginning of 1990.

But after being out for 13 months, Wolfs parole was revoked in January 1991 because he tested positive for amphetamines, according to an Associated Press article in the Idaho Statesman. Wolf was sent back to prison, and his release was delayed until July 25, 1991, and his parole was extended to December 1997.

The court record is unclear after that, and the trail of newspaper articles about Wolf goes cold.

In 2004, Wolf got in trouble with the law again, this time on a series of drug charges. He was sentenced to seven years in prison, which was suspended, and he was placed on probation.

Idaho Department of Correction records show that Wolf was on supervised probation beginning in December 2004, according to IDOC spokesperson Jeff Ray. While on probation, in 2005, Wolf was arrested on misdemeanor charges of frequenting, referring to frequenting a place where drugs are sold, as well as resisting and obstructing officers. He was sentenced to three days in Ada County Jail.

Court records show Wolf was making regular $52 payments toward his $10,000 court-ordered restitution. Payments stopped, though, in November 2009. Wolfs probation expired in December 2009, according to Ray.

And thats the last we hear of Wolf  until, that is, the 2018 rape and murder in Florida.

In 1980, the Idaho Statesman published a 10-page special section on the case of the killing of The Cat Man of Bella Street, and the issue of juvenile violence, based on the extensive reporting of reporter Charles Etlinger.

Wolfs beginnings in crime

In 1980, Etlingers extensive reporting was published in a 10-page special section in the Idaho Statesman about The Cat Man of Bella Street case and the issue of rising juvenile crime.

In it, Etlinger painted a stark, unflattering portrait of Wolf.

According to Etlingers reporting at the time, Wolf had been in escalating trouble with the law since age 12: petty larceny twice, vandalism, three instances of second-degree burglary, runaway, two more counts of petty larceny and second-degree arson, leading up to the kidnapping and rape charges.

Wolf reportedly abused Florys cats, pouring gasoline on them and lighting them on fire, according to Etlingers reporting.

Wolf had received psychiatric and psychological counseling, and was diagnosed as a sociopath  someone who lacks empathy or remorse for perverse or impulsive acts, according to the 1980 special section by Etlinger.

Wolf impressed you as somewhat of a little runt, a little sneak thief, 4th District Magistrate Judge L. Alan Smith, who as Ada County Juvenile Court judge in 1976 presided over Wolfs numerous juvenile cases, is quoted in Etlingers 1980 report on the case. You could tell hed sneak around your back to do something.  Thats the way I viewed him. Just a little sneak thief  hed grow out of it.

Wolf, apparently, didnt grow out of it.

The black Dodge conversion van belonging to Steven Wolf, who was arrested on a murder charge in the death of a Florida woman on Nov. 21, 2018, sits inside the Monroe County Sheriffs Office hangar in Marathon, Florida. Monroe County Sheriff's Office

According to police and prosecutors in his Florida rape and murder case, Wolf kidnapped 51-year-old Michelle Osborne, tied her up and strangled her with a rope before raping her with two objects. The county medical examiner ruled the cause of death as ligature strangulation in combination with anal and genital trauma, according to the Miami Herald article.

Prosecutors say Wolf dumped Osbornes naked body in the woods. A fisherman found her body that afternoon and called police. Almost a week went by, however, before detectives were able to identify Osborne by matching her fingerprints. She was homeless and lived in Wisconsin before moving to the Keys, investigators said.

Police found Wolf living in a van in a Kmart parking lot. They also found blood inside the van, and detectives later found blood-soaked sheets thrown out in dumpsters throughout town, according to the Miami Herald.

This is clearly not a good guy. And thats just what we know of, Ramsay, the Monroe County sheriff, said in January following Wolfs conviction, according to the Herald. Hes been charged with murder two different times. Is this a serial killer? A serial rapist? How many other victims are there?

During the penalty phase of Wolfs trial, jurors took less than 90 minutes to unanimously find the murder to be especially heinous, atrocious or cruel and decide that Wolf should be sentenced to death. The judge on June 29 ruled in agreement with the jury.

Mr. Wolf, you have not only forfeited your right to live among us, Circuit Court Judge Mark Jones said, according to Keys Weekly, you have forfeited your right to live.
Who killed this young mom in Clovis in 1985? Unsolved killing still haunts daughter

The anniversary of the shooting of 23-year-old Shannon Saville Cagle will reach 38 years later this month, and her only daughter says she remains haunted by the unsolved killing of the mother she cant remember.

Desiree Dezzi Apodaca was just 3 years old on July 23, 1985, when her mother was shot several times in their Clovis home. The crime scene showed no signs of a forced entry and revealed little evidence, according to investigators.

I find myself looking at the pictures constantly, because its the only memories I have, Apodaca said.

No arrest has ever been made in what investigators say was a targeted killing of the young mother. Apodaca spoke Monday on a video-conference call from an undisclosed location, because she still feared for her safety.

Its been a rough road, she said. Theres the anger; theres the guilt. Its always kind of lingering in your head: The unanswered questions.

An undated photo of Shannon Saville Cagle, who was killed in Clovis in 1985 at age 23, according to the Fresno County Sheriffs Office. No arrest has ever been made in her slaying.

Apodaca said by all accounts her mother was bright, bubbly and happy.

Not really a hippie, but free and unique and beautiful, she said.

The killing of Shannon Saville Cagle

Saville Cagle worked at Best Stores, a now defunct department store on Blackstone near Bullard avenues, according to Fresno Bee archives.

She left the store about 6 p.m. on the day of the murder in her blue van, archives say.

Her husband  Apodacas stepfather  discovered her about 7:30 p.m. at their home in a rural subdivision on Mesa Avenue, which is northeast of Bullard and Highland avenues, according to investigators.

He parked behind the home, leaving 3-year-old Desiree in the truck, and went inside, police say.

A photo believed to be from 1985 of Shannon Saville Cagle, 23, and her daughter, Desiree. The young mother who was killed in Clovis in 1985, according to the Fresno County Sheriffs Office. No arrest has ever been made in her slaying.

Police in 1985 said it was possible someone followed her into the home or was waiting for her when she got home, adding that the doors and windows showed no signs of being pried open, and nothing was stolen.

Detectives were never able to find enough evidence to make an arrest, according to Ernie Burk, an 11-year homicide detective who retired in 2004. It still weighs on his mind.

I do think about cases like this. You have the possibility of evidence concealed from us, he said on Monday. Its just the frustration we didnt have anyone come forward.

Ernie Burk, a detective who retired from the Fresno County Sheriffs Office on July 5, 2004. I do think about cases like this. ... Its just the frustration (that) we did not have anyone come forward.

Burk said he believes a key piece of evidence was kept from investigators though he declined to divulge what it was publicly.

He said the case had little evidence, noting Saville Cagle was shot multiple times but only one shell was recovered, suggesting there was an effort to clean up the scene.

DNA evidence wasnt a tool investigators used yet in 1985, and Burk said he couldnt perceive it being much help decades later with the scant evidence collected from the scene.

An undated photo of Shannon Saville Cagle and her daughter, Desiree, on her first Christmas. The young mother was killed at age 23 in Clovis in 1985, according to the Fresno County Sheriffs Office.

The case is close but not quite there, he said. I believe, at this point, it would take an individual to come forward with key information on the weapon and the suspect who owned the weapon.

A weapon has never been recovered.

Who killed Shannon Saville Cagle?

Saville Cagle and her husband were close to ending their relationship, according to Burk. He was also the beneficiary of her life insurance.

Burk said the husband had an alibi and was not suspected of pulling the trigger in her death, but was considered a person of interest in potentially being involved.

Apodaca said she believes he was involved and that the life insurance payout played a role.

The Fresno Bee is not naming Apodacas stepfather because he was never arrested. The case was never submitted to the Fresno County District Attorneys Office, according to office spokesperson Taylor Long.

Attempts to reach the stepfather for comment were unsuccessful.

A Fresno Bee artist rendering from testimony provided by a witness in 1985 after the Fresno County Sheriffs Office sought a man for questioning. The witness saw the man in the neighborhood shortly before the killing, and described him as a white man between 32 and 35, around 160 to 170 pounds and having blond hair.

Months after the killing in September of 1985, sheriffs detectives released a composite sketch drawn by a Fresno Bee artist based on an eyewitness account of a man seen in the neighborhood not long before the time the shooting was suspected of happening.

Along with the drawing, detectives described the man as white, between 32 and 35, around 160 to 170 pounds and having blond hair.

Apodaca said she hopes the passage of time would help witnesses or anybody with information to come forward and help find the killer.

A change of heart. Maybe (theyre) confident enough to come forward, she said.
What to know about Milan Kundera, the author of 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being,' who died at 94

The News

Celebrated author Milan Kundera, who wrote , has died. He was 94.

Weve collected interesting insights on the author, who fled from his home in communist Czechoslovakia in the 1970s for Paris.

Insights

Kundera was known to be protective of his work. Following a 1988 film adaptation of starring Daniel Day Lewis, Kundera barred any additional adaptations of his novels. He served as a consultant on the films set, but said later that the two works had little in common. Kundera was also known for scrutinizing translations of his novels.

A recluse, Kundera often rejected interviews. In 1983, he granted a rare series of interviews to the Paris Review. Writers for the magazine believed that the authors disinterest in speaking about himself was an instinctive reaction against the tendency of most critics to study the writer, and the writers personality, politics, and private life, instead of the writers works. In denying literary critics a way to learn about him, Kundera redirected them to his work itself.

Know More

Born in Brno in 1929, Kunderas novel launched him to fame in the 1960s. With Kundera found a global audience: The novel was translated into more than 20 languages after it ricocheted to critical acclaim in 1984.

A member of the Communist Party, Kundera was twice expelled from the party due to anti-communist activities, and later moved to Paris out of anger over the Czechoslovakian governments repression of the anti-Soviet uprisings and the Prague Spring.

Kundera lost his Czech citizenship and his books were banned in the country. He never returned, and considered himself a French author, writing his later works exclusively in French.
The Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative firm that played a key role in overturning Roe v. Wade, is representing Kansas in an effort to defend abortion laws facing a court challenge from clinics.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, a Republican, hired ADF to help represent Kansas in a case challenging a law dictating what information clinics must provide women receiving abortions.

The case, filed in Johnson County District Court by the Center for Reproductive Rights on behalf of two Kansas providers, marks the first new challenge to Kansas abortion laws since federal protections were overturned last year and Kansas voters opted to retain state-level rights to the procedure.

The move marks a shift in strategy for abortion cases in the Kansas attorney generals office which under Kobachs predecessor, former Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt, traditionally used in-house staff to defend abortion laws passed by the Legislature.

The ADF has played a key role in litigation central to abortion and Americas culture wars in recent years.

The conservative firm helped draft the Mississippi law that led to the overturn of federal abortion protections in Roe v Wade. ADFs attorneys, including Erin Morrow Hawley who is married to Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, are leading an effort to end the Food and Drug Administrations approval of mifepristone, the first of two drugs used in a medication abortion.

Though a federal judge in Texas said mifepristones approval was invalid the U.S. Supreme Court blocked enforcement of the ruling as the case is appealed.

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a web designer represented by ADF who argued the first amendment allowed her to refuse to create websites for same-sex weddings.

When activists sue to overturn our validly passed laws, Kansans deserve the best defense possible from the best attorneys they can get, Dan Burrows, chief deputy attorney general, said in a statement to The Star. On this issue, theres probably not a better set of lawyers in the country.

Kobachs office, Burrows said, would lead the case but will be relying on the expertise and assistance from ADF attorneys.

Julia Payne, one of the three ADF attorneys working on the Kansas case, said the firm takes cases protecting pro-life laws in U.S. states pro bono. The firm decides which cases to take on a case-by-case basis, she said.

The brief ADF and Kobachs office filed last week in the case includes more than 300 pages of expert testimony and credentialing seeking to argue the information in Kansas law is true and necessary.

While the brief briefly suggests the 2019 ruling establishing abortion as a right may no longer be good law after the overturning of Roe, the state focused on arguing that the law did not impede upon a right to an abortion.

This law doesnt say that women cant have abortions, it says that women should be told certain information before they have abortions, Payne told The Star.

ADFs involvement in the case is likely to draw controversy.

Emily Wales, president of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said the hiring of ADF was a signal to plaintiffs that Kobachs office was looking to make a huge public splash.

Kansas was the first state in the country to get to exercise the opportunity to vote on abortion rights issues and abortion access in the state. By an overwhelming majority they voted to protect patients and to ensure that access continued, Wales said. Now we have that same anti-abortion organization here, technically representing the state. There is something deeply concerning and extremely, openly, antidemocratic about whats happening.

But Payne, the ADF attorney, said the organizations interests were consistent with the state Legislature.

ADF believes in defending lives from the moment of conception. Here the Kansas Legislature elected by the people has decided to achieve that goal by fully informing women about the abortion procedure, she said.

Burrows said the attorney generals office believes the Kansas Supreme Courts precedents on abortion were incorrect but that the current case was straightforward.

Theres no need to overturn anything.

For some, the decision to rely on ADFs assistance has raised questions over staffing in Kobachs office.

Stephen McAllister, who served as Kansas solicitor general for more than a decade, said that, from the time Paul Morrison took over as Attorney General in 2007 the office set a goal of keeping a staff capable of handling any case that didnt require specialized expertise or a conflict of interest.

Kobachs decision to hire ADF, McAllister said, was reminiscent of Republican Attorney General Phill Kline, who used his office to aggressively investigate abortion providers from 2003 through 2007. Kline, McAllister said, frequently went to national firms because state level attorneys didnt want to work with or for his office.

Hes very, what shall I say, partisan and strident, McAllister said of Kobach. He wanted somebody who was out there for them.

Theyll be very good and very intense, he added. ADF is quite capable and they have a lot of resources and a lot of good attorneys. They have a definite perspective and I think thats probably what the AG wants.

Kobach told lawmakers in February his office was struggling to recruit staff, with 23 unfilled attorney positions. The office cited pay as the primary reason, pointing to higher starting salaries for state prosecutors in Oklahoma, Colorado and Missouri.

Rep. John Carmichael, a Wichita Democrat and ranking minority member on the House Judiciary Committee, said he believed the decision to include ADF was an indication of continued staffing challenges. The result, Carmichael said, would likely be high amounts of legal fees paid to the plaintiffs, represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights.

If youre hiring lawyers based upon their own personal zealotry for a cause youre probably not hiring the best lawyers to represent you, or in this case, the state, Carmichael said.
The Japanese brought rubber boats to cross the Kumusi River as they advanced. This one was left as they retreated. (AWM013707)

At the start of World War II in Europe in September 1939, Australia, as part of the British Commonwealth of Nations, made its military ready to join the fight, much the same as it had for World War I in 1914. Also, as in World War I, the Australian military combined forces with their neighbor and fellow Commonwealth member, New Zealand, to form the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), with their soldiers called ANZACs. The World War One ANZACs gained a hard-won reputation as some of the best soldiers among all the British forces, with the associated heavy losses.

By 1940, Australia had committed half of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and some Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ships to assist with the war in Europe. In the Pacific, Imperial Japan, part of the Pact of Steel with fascist Germany and Italy, expanded its empire into the French colony of Indochina (now Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia) after France formally surrendered to Germany. More important to Japan were the oil-rich Dutch colonies, still held by the Dutch government in exile, in what is now Indonesia. Even in the face of rising Japanese aggression, Britain could spare no troops for the defense of Singapore or Australia.

All during 1941, ANZACs fought with British forces in desperate battles against the Germans and Italians in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Greece, and Crete. Approximately 8,000 Australian soldiers were sent to Singapore to support British defenses in Malaya, and to the Netherlands East Indies to support Dutch garrisons there.

The Japanese attack on the U.S. Navy fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7th, 1941, set off a far-ranging, staggering Japanese offensive across the Pacific, including the Philippines, New Guinea, the Dutch East Indies, Malaya/Singapore, and Burma. By early 1942, Imperial Japans forces were rolling from victory to victory across Asia and the Pacific.

The surprise and speed of the Japanese conquests found Australia with most of its military fighting in North Africa against Rommels Afrika Corps. When the Japanese landed on the north shore of New Guinea, a large, mountainous island just north of Australia, the island continent nation of Australia was now under direct threat.

On February 19th, 1942, 242 Japanese aircraft attacked the north Australian port town of Darwin, in two separate raids, destroying infrastructure, ships and two military airfields.

It soon fell to hastily assembled and poorly trained and equipped Australian militia forces, many of them teenagers, to prevent the Japanese from taking the south coast of New Guinea. They were sent up to Kokoda, a strategic mountain pass and trail system through the Owen Stanley Range in central New Guinea. The stage was set for what became known as the Kokoda Track Campaign, a series of desperate battles in the high tropical jungle, where constant rain, disease, and lack of supplies were almost a greater threat to both forces than each other.

From July through November 1942, the Australian militia soldiers designated the 30th Brigade, periodically reinforced by regular Australian Army units, fought a larger force of experienced, highly trained, and fanatical Japanese soldiers. Japanese forces captured the Kokoda pass at the end of July, and the Australian forces began a long dreary campaign of slowly delaying the Japanese from capturing Port Moresby, on the southern coast of New Guinea, a strategic location to threaten Australia. Both sides had to contend with tropical diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, scrub typhus, tropical ulcers, dysentery, and fungal infections. Clean water was hard to come by, and constant rain ensured everything stayed wet, day in and day out.

Soldiers of the Australian 39th Battalion in September 1942 during the Kokoda Track Campaign.

The Kokoda Track Campaign was part of a larger phase of the war in the southwest Pacific. Earlier in May, north of New Guinea in the Coral Sea, U.S. Navy task forces consisting of the aircraft carriers Yorktown and Lexington blunted a Japanese invasion fleet attempting to sail around the east end of New Guinea and capture Port Moresby from the sea. It was the first battle in which aircraft carriers were the primary weapons and ships from the two opposing fleets never had visual contact.

Eventually, a build-up of Australian forces began surging up the Kokoda Track from Port Moresby, while the Japanese forces suffered from a lack of supplies and reinforcements due to the American invasion of nearby Guadalcanal. There were reports of the Japanese resorting to cannibalism involving fresh Australian casualties. Australian forces benefited from aerial resupply, retook Kokoda, and continued north towards the coast.

By late 1942, Australian and American forces attacked the north shore Japanese beachheads at Buna and Gona, but stubborn resistance meant that fighting continued until January 1943. Australian forces suffered 625 killed and 1,055 wounded in combat; however, non-combat losses, mainly from illness, were estimated at triple the combat loss figures.
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In a bid to enhance the global brand recognition of Korean agricultural products, the South Korean government has introduced the addition of a "K-Food" logo on its exported goods.

Strengthening global presence: The government-certified logo will be prominently featured on the packaging of export goods starting July 12, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

The Korean government aims to make it easier for consumers worldwide to identify and distinguish Korean products from their international counterparts.

For the initiative, the ministry secured trademark rights for the K-Food logo in 27 countries, including major markets such as the European Union, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates and Australia.

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Symbol of quality: According to the agency, the logo will serve as a symbol of quality and reliability, fostering consumer trust.

The initiative will reportedly not just benefit large, established Korean brands but also small and medium-sized local players that want to expand their customer base overseas by leveraging the K-Food logo. These producers may use the logo on their packaging as well as marketing materials to better promote their products.

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Five-year growth plan: Korea's agricultural and livestock product exports reached a record value of $8.8 billion last year, showing a gradual increase from $6.9 billion in 2018. With the introduction of the K-Food logo, the government projects to achieve a target of $15 billion in agricultural exports by 2027.

The ministry also announced a five-year growth plan that includes establishing 15 "K-cuisine belts" aimed at promoting tourism and exports. In addition to kimchi, traditional foods, beverages and cooking ingredients, including soju, makgeolli and other sauces, will also be promoted for export.

Small market players were also promised "government funding and investment opportunities" to allow them to become more competitive.

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Sharon Osbourne Called Julie Chen Wonton and Slanty Eyes on 'The Talk', Sources Claim
By Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol asked to send South Korean experts to monitor the planned release of water from Japan's tsunami-hit Fukushima nuclear plant during a meeting on Wednesday with the Japanese prime minister, Yoon's office said.

The two leaders held a meeting on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Lithuania, during which they also condemned North Korea's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile as a serious provocation that escalates tension.

Yoon has been pushing to mend strained ties with Tokyo following years of feuds over historical issues which undercut cooperation between the key U.S. Asian allies despite increasing nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.

The talks came as Japan plans to soon start releasing more than a million tons of treated radioactive water, which sparked health concerns among some South Koreans that the water could make its way to their country, potentially contaminating seafood.

While expressing respect for the U.N. nuclear watchdog's recent approval of the planned water release, Yoon requested the dispatch of South Korean experts and real-time sharing of monitoring data to verify if the process was carried out as planned.

"He emphasised that public health and safety should be considered as a top priority," Yoon's office said in a statement.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged to share monitoring information "in a prompt, highly transparent manner," and halt the discharge of water immediately if its radioactive levels exceeded safety standards, Yoon's office said.

Japan's foreign ministry also said Kishida promised Yoon to ensure swift, transparent sharing of monitoring data, adding that the release would be constantly reviewed by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"He said there will be no release that will have a negative impact on the environment, the Japanese or South Korean people," the ministry said in a statement.

Yoon and Kishida also agreed to resume high-level economic dialogue this year, both sides said.

(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Additional reporting by Sakura Murakami in Tokyo Editing by Mark Heinrich and Mark Potter)
Dmitry Peskov, the Russian presidential spokesman, has said that the Kremlin considers providing security guarantees for Ukraine from the G7 as an encroachment on Russia's security.

Source: TASS

Quote: "The topic of Ukraine's accession to NATO  we have a very negative attitude. This topic directly correlates with the statement that the countries of the "Great Seven" today will provide security guarantees and voice this fact in relation to Ukraine. We consider this extremely erroneous and potentially very dangerous.

By providing any security guarantees to Ukraine, these countries ignore the international principle of indivisibility of security...By providing security guarantees to Ukraine, they are encroaching on Russia's security."

Details: Peskov, typically for Russian propaganda, added that he considered NATO an "offensive alliance" that was "dangerous".

Background: On 12 July, the G7 countries prepared long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, which they called "historic" and "a step towards ending the current phase of the war".

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MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin on Wednesday dismissed as misinformation an assertion by Ukrainian military intelligence that members of Russia's Wagner mercenary group had intended to acquire nuclear devices during a failed mutiny last month.

Ukraine's head of military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, said, without providing evidence, that Wagner fighters had reached a nuclear facility on June 24 and had intended to acquire small Soviet-era nuclear devices in order to "raise the stakes" in their mutiny, Reuters reported.

"The Kremlin has no such information," spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, when asked about Budanov's assertion that Wagner mercenaries had made it to the Voronezh-45 nuclear base to try to get nuclear devices.

"It looks like more misinformation," Peskov said.

Reuters reported that a source close to the Kremlin with military ties had corroborated parts of Budanov's account.

A Wagner contingent "managed to get into a zone of special interest, as a result of which the Americans got agitated because nuclear munitions are stored there," this person said, without elaborating further.

In response to a query about whether Wagner forces reached the base and sought to acquire nuclear weapons, White House National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge said: "We are not able to corroborate this report. We had no indication at any point that nuclear weapons or materials were at risk."

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
Ukraine is negotiating with partners about the supply of F-16s

F-16 fighter jets may arrive in Ukraine during the first quarter of 2024, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in an interview the Ukrainian branch of RFE/RL on July 12.

Kuleba also revealed that training for Ukrainian pilots is expected to commence in August or early September.

Read also: Ukraine wont get fighter jets until counter-offensive is over, claims top NATO admiral

Simultaneously, the necessary legal arrangements for the aircrafts transfer will be underway. I believe that if the first F-16s will be flying in Ukrainian skies, piloted by Ukrainian aviators, by the end of the first quarter of next year  it will be in accordance with the schedule, Kuleba said.

The minister also highlighted the need for engineers, technicians, and infrastructure to be prepared.

Read also: Poland pledges its infrastructure to help train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s

There are many nuances, so the schedule may shift. However, the Minister of Defense is currently working actively. Together, we are doing everything possible to expedite this process, Kuleba said.

In May, Western partners discussed the formation of a coalition to provide F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, a request that Kyiv had been making since the beginning of the full-scale war in late February 2022.

The initial step is expected to involve training Ukrainian pilots. On May 19, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that his country, along with the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark, have agreed to participate in training Ukrainian pilots to fly Western fighter jets.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated that Ukraines allies will individually determine the timing for the F-16 training.

The United Kingdom pledged to initiate the training process in the summer. Foreign Policy reported that the country plans to prepare around 20 Ukrainian pilots. Training by the Danish military could start in August, as some media outlets have reported. The Netherlands expressed readiness to begin training in a few months time, back in June.

Read also: Ukrainian pilots have already started training on F-16s in several European countries, says Borrel

As of June 27, the Ukrainian Air Force announced that the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s had not yet begun.

Moreover, the exact timing and quantity of fighter jets to be received by Ukraine have not been announced.

Read also: Sweden will train Ukrainian pilots on JAS 39 Gripen jets

The White House stated that in the coming months, allies will work to determine when, who, and how many aircraft will be transferred to Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on June 21 said that Ukraine could receive its first F-16s in six to seven months. However, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov lager stated that the F-16s would arrive in Ukraine no earlier than the New Year, although the Ministry of Defense had previously expressed hopes for an autumn arrival.

According to U.S. news website Politico, Ukraine may receive its first F-16 fighter jets in early 2024.

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Kuleba says US won't give ATACMS missiles for objective reasons, despite Ukraine's needs

ATACMS missile launch

The United States has not transferred long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine for "objective reasons", although Ukraines Foreign Ministry is working with Washington on this issue, foreign minister Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in an interview with Radio Liberty on July 12.

"I know some reasons why the United States has not yet made this decision," Kuleba said.

Read also: US inclined to supply Ukraine with ATACMS missiles  report

They are quite objective. We are working with them. But the United States is making decisions on providing us with some other types of weapons. These are very difficult decisions.

Kuleba also said he does not have the impression that the United States is deliberately procrastinating on the decision to provide Ukraine with long-range missiles.

Read also: No decision yet on supplying ATACMS to Ukraine  CJCS Milley

There are certain problems, there are certain aspects that need to be resolved in order to provide them. But the United States is really doing a lot for us. We are very grateful to them for that. That's why we have no reason to criticize them for it, Kuleba said.

U.S. President Joe Biden said on May 30 that the issue of providing Ukraine with U.S. ATACMS missiles was "still in play." A month later, however, the Pentagon did not confirm its readiness to hand the missiles over to Kyiv.

Earlier, the U.S. Department of Defense said that the provision of UK Storm Shadow to Ukraine did not affect Washington's position on long-range missiles.

At the same time, U.S. congressmen continue to urge Biden to provide Kyiv with longer-range weapons, and a U.S. House committee has supported a relevant resolution.

Read also: Kyiv working to extend US Lend-Lease Act for another year  ambassador Markarova

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India reintroduced cheetahs last year - nearly 70 years after they went extinct

Another cheetah has died at a national park in India's Madhya Pradesh state, taking the number of big cat deaths to seven within just two months.

The Kuno National Park said the male cheetah, named Tajas, was found injured and died from suspected infighting.

Cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952, but they were reintroduced last year as part of an ambitious plan to repopulate the species.

Some conservationists are questioning the suitability of Kuno's habitat.

Eight cheetahs were relocated from Namibia to India in September last year, while 12 were brought in from South Africa in February 2023.

Of these, three cheetahs have died in the past two months. Another three cubs, who were born to a Namibian cheetah at Kuno in March, also died in May.

The cubs were found to be weak, underweight and extremely dehydrated, park authorities said at the time. The adult cheetahs died due to various factors, including kidney failure and mating injuries.

An action plan for India's reintroduction of the cheetahs, published in January last year, states that Kuno has a "suitable habitat and adequate prey base".

But since their deaths, the park is under scrutiny, with some conservationists questioning whether the park provides enough prey. There is also concern that other predators are too great a risk to the cats.

Scientists working on the project have also previously insisted that fatalities are to be expected. The action plan states that a mortality rate of 50% in the first year of the project will be considered a success.

The reintroduction of cheetahs to India was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid much fanfare, with many wildlife experts welcoming the move.

In May, the Supreme Court expressed concerns over the animal deaths and asked the federal government to consider shifting the cats to an alternate location.

Cheetahs have great symbolic value in India as they are part of many folktales.

But it is also the only large mammal to become extinct since independence in 1947 because of hunting, shrinking habitats and a lack of prey.

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Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper on Wednesday announced the results of a recent homeless outreach effort and called for robust funding to address serious problems that prevent unhoused people from receiving or accepting help.

Over five days in May, sheriffs deputies went to areas throughout the county including homeless encampments to speak to people experiencing homelessness.

The deputies spoke with 198 homeless people. They said only one person accepted their offer of services to help them get off the streets.

My job is public safety, number one, Cooper said during a news conference Wednesday. It doesnt matter if youre housed, unhoused. We want to make sure that youre safe and youre not a victim.

But he said there are rarely discussed issues that prevent homeless people from accepting help: sexual assaults, mental illness and drug addiction. He said these are underlying issues that need to be addressed; a complicated problem that wont be solved by solely focusing on building housing.

Were not anti-homeless. We want to help the homeless, Cooper said. Its not just one answer. Its many answers to help solve this problem and alleviate it.

Bob Erlenbusch of Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness said hes not surprised the deputies found very few homeless accepting help. In fact, hes surprised they had as many as one. He said reaching out to the unhoused needs to be a trauma-informed approach with teams of skilled social workers; ideally, one of them a former homeless person who can offer a way out based on experience.

No matter how well-intentioned, its still going to re-traumatize (homeless) people, Erlenbusch said of armed deputies conducting homeless outreach. We need to move away from law enforcement offering services.

Crystal Sanchez, president of the Sacramento Homeless Union, said sheriffs officials, if they truly wanted to help, should have reached out to her group to help organize such an outreach effort.

It is problematic for law enforcement officers to show up in uniform and try to provide services when in the same tone they also show up and sweep individuals experiencing homelessness, Sanchez said. There is no trust in that system.

Reported crimes and sexual assaults

Deputies, in their uniforms, badges, tactical vests and with their guns, spoke with homeless people during the five-day operation.

Cooper said the deputies were out there equipped because they also need to be ready to investigate any crime they encounter. He said his deputies made 15 felony arrests, along with confiscating guns and drugs.

Out of the nearly 200 homeless people contacted, 69 had violent criminal histories, or 35%. The deputies found that 87 of them reported being a victim of a crime (44%). The homeless people reported 150 sexual assaults; 62 of those (41%) were initially unreported.

What seemed to trouble Cooper more was the reluctance by some victims to speak to the deputies about the sexual assaults. He said the victims had trouble speaking about the attacks with the presumed perpetrator standing nearby.

You do have some predators in there that prey upon other homeless individuals, Cooper said. When we think about sex crimes, about rape, its under-reported in the public. So, in the homeless community, its vastly under-reported.

Mental illness and drug addiction

The sheriff said more funding is needed to establish drug rehabilitation and mental illness programs that can handle the demand. Out of the 198 homeless people contacted in May, the deputies found that 59, or about 30% of them, were suffering from mental illness. The deputies also learned that 132, exactly two-thirds, had a drug addiction.

If I skin my knee, I can go to a med clinic and get it fixed, Cooper said. If Im having having a mental health crisis, where do I go in California? Nowhere to go. Youre screwed.

He said the same goes for people suffering with a drug addiction; and the problem is even worse for homeless people. Cooper, since he was sworn in as sheriff in December, has listed homelessness as among his top priorities. He also has pushed the idea of conservatorships to help those mired in homelessness because of mental illness or drug addiction.

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants Californias Mental Health Services overhaul and funding to build on his Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Court, or CARE Court. The state Legislature last year approved that program, which creates a system of civil mental health courts and requires counties to provide treatment for residents struggling with serious mental illnesses.

But CARE Court critics have pointed out the program did not provide housing for participants, even though it is targeted at homeless residents.

On Wednesday, Cooper said the governors CARE Court is a start, but the sheriff called for conservatorships for those with severe mental illness and drug courts to compel those addicted get into rehab programs.

Cooper said all he hears from homeless advocates is the urgent need for housing. But he said those who are mentally ill or have a drug addiction will often have a difficult time making the decision to accept help.

But the other option is to what? To leave them languishing. Thats inhumane. We cant do that. Weve done it far too long, Cooper said. Whats more important? Them having that freedom to do that, or us being responsible adults and taking them in protective custody and getting them the help they need.

Forced conservatorships simply wont work, some critics say

Erlenbusch said he agrees with the sheriff, as his advocacy group has been asking the county Board of Supervisors for more funding for mental illness treatment and drug rehabilitation programs.

The Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness releases an annual report on homeless deaths based on its review of data compiled by the Sacramento County Coroners Office. Erlenbusch said drug overdose and violence are among the leading causes of death.

But he said forcing homeless people to help isnt the answer. Erlenbusch said building trust and rapport with a homeless person is the way to steer them to helpful services.

Forced treatment or forced conservatorships simply wont work, Erlenbusch said. It has to be voluntary to be effective.

Sanchez, of the Sacramento Homeless Union, also agrees with the urgent need for more services for the homeless, but she doesnt believe the sheriff should be pushing for conservatorship.

This shouldnt be about criminalizing people, because criminalizing people bars them from getting housing in the end, Sanchez said.

The sheriff said more than half of the county jail population is suffering from some type of mental illness. But the jails are de-facto psychiatric wards, he said, and it shouldnt be that way.

They dont belong in jail if theyre mentally ill. They belong somewhere else, Cooper said. And for far too long, the jails have had to deal with that. Most of our calls for service involve the mentally ill.

It draws valuable time from deputies, while his office is trying to focus on responding to violent crimes, Cooper said.

Ive got shootings to deal with. Ive got violent crime to deal with, Cooper said. This is a social issue that has to be fixed, but its impacting public safety.
UAW Local 652 Lansing union member Jake Jacobson stands on the steps of the Capitol before the right-to-work legislation protest in Lansing on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012.

LANSING  One of Lansings United Auto Workers local presidents is preparing for what could be an uncertain summer and fall amid increasingly contentious rhetoric ahead of negotiations for a new GM contract.

UAW Local 652 leadership, which represents General Motors workers at the Lansing Grand River Assembly, has begun discussing issues with employees as the union goes through its first set of contract negotiations since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The UAW is beginning negotiations later this week with Ford and Stellantis, and on July 18 talks with General Motors are slated to begin. Local 652 President Ben Frantz said his workers, like those in many other UAW chapters, are preparing for the possibility of a strike, even as they hope to avoid that situation.

All UAW Local 652 Units could be affected by a potential strike, a notice on Local 652's website said in May. Please take some time to complete this training and make sure that you and your family are financially ready to hold out against the company.

Frantz said the advisory wasnt based on specific predictions, grievances or inside information.

Whenever you go into contract negotiations, there's a deadline  and that deadline is reached with a tentative agreement or the decision to use a work stoppage has to happen, Frantz said. It's something that is a last resort tool.

"Plan for the worst, and hope for the best. We've been telling folks, 'If you don't need it, don't buy it,'" he added. "Just hold your money, let's see what September brings. Hopefully the two parties come together and create an agreement that's agreeable and you just have a whole bunch of money saved in the bank."

In a June video to members, new UAW President Shawn Fain said, "Were in a very strong position to make major gains this round of negotiations, but only if our members get organized and are ready to strike."

As workers look ahead to negotiations, Frantz said the main issue among workers is product security.

We want product commitment for many, many, many generations to come, he said. We've been building cars and for over 100 years in Lansing  we don't expect that to stop.

Frantz said he expects some level of job loss with the end of Camaro production, which comes with the 2024 model. Still, he said, the Lansing areas years of expertise, combined with future investments in a $2.6 billion Delta Township GM/Ultium Cells battery plant will put them in a good position.

I believe, again, that the workmanship and the dedication to General Motors that the Lansing community in the workforce is shown will provide us with new products, he said.

But Frantz acknowledged that future production opportunities would be a significant bargaining chip in the upcoming negotiations.

The unions previous contract was negotiated in September 2019, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic changed the workplace experience for union members.

The entire work landscape is different, he said. So there will be a lot to discuss during this round of negotiations.

In 2019, a six-week strike by UAW members led to alternating 3% wage increases and 4% lump sump payments, retention of health care coverage, signing bonuses for new employees and expanded employee profit sharing.

This year, Local 652, which represents about 2,100 employees  1,500 at the Lansing Grand River GM plant  and 7,500 retirees expects to prioritize long-term benefits, such as retirement benefits and retiree health care. General wage increases have also been a priority nationally.

If you're going to train folks to the level with which we have to be trained, then you need to pay them for that. And the last four years has raised the waterline on manufacturing pay, Frantz said.

Fain has also prioritized ensuring steady pay and employment as the industry continues to shift toward electric vehicles, which are generally less complex to assemble and may require less workers. Fain expressed outrage with the Biden administration last month for awarding a $9.2 billion loan to Ford without guarantees for wages and working conditions.

Negotiations between the UAW and the Big Three auto makers have received increased national attention as Fain has made it clear that the union is willing and ready for tough negotiations. Fain, the first UAW president elected by a direct member vote, has done away with ceremonial handshakes between bargainers other niceties that have historically come with the negotiations.

And while Frantz took a more measured tone when discussing the coming weeks and months, he made it clear he would be prioritizing his workers in the negotiations.

The working class has taken a backseat to corporate profits for plenty long enough. There's not a single person that manages a hedge fund that produces any type of product thats durable, he said. The hands that build and create products are the ones who should be rewarded, and we're not asking anything to be given to us  we have earned it.

Mike Huerta, president of UAW Local 602 that represents workers at General Motors' Delta Assembly plant, declined to comment, but said he would have more to say once negotiations begin. Local 602 has about 2,200 members at the Delta Township Assembly plant and more than 4,000 retirees, Huerta said.

Contact Sheldon Krause at skrause@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @sheldonjkrause.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Lansing UAW president urges workers to be frugal as negotiations loom
Larry Nassar was stabbed at Coleman federal penitentiary. Who else has been at the Florida prison?

A small Florida city once known as the "Cabbage Capital of the World" has now been in the spotlight for holding some of the nation's most infamous criminals.

USP Coleman II, a high-security U.S. penitentiary, sits about 10 minutes southeast of Coleman in Sumter County and houses over 1,214 male inmates, including the former Olympic sports doctor accused by hundreds of sexual abuse, Larry Nassar.

Completed in 2004 as an expansion project, the prison is a part of the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex. Other facilities at the complex include the low-security federal correctional institute FCI Coleman Low and the medium-security FCI Coleman Medium.

The complex made headlines recently as Nassar was stabbed multiple times during an altercation with another prison inmate on Sunday.

A statement by the Florida Board of Prisons obtained by the USA TODAY Network did not identify the individuals involved in the incident but confirmed it occurred, as well as shared that lifesaving measures were immediately initiated and an inmate was transported by emergency medical personnel to a local hospital "for further treatment and evaluation."

Nassar stabbed: Ex-USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar was stabbed in a Florida prison. Here's what we know.

Here are some of Coleman's most notable inmates over the years:

Larry Nassar

Lawrence Gerard Nassar, 59, is a former sports medicine osteopathic physician and, for 18 years, the team doctor of the United States women's national gymnastics team. Nassar had an extensive history of sexual abuse accusations spanning from the early 1990s to the 2010s.

After a testimonial from former gymnast Rachael Denhollander in the Indianapolis Star detailing her sexual abuse from Nassar, a larger, months-long scandal of doctors, trainers, and coaches abusing young, often underage gymnasts. USA Gymnastics cut ties with Nassar and MSU fired him.

FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2018 file photo, Larry Nassar, former sports doctor who admitted molesting some of the nation's top gymnasts, appears in Eaton County Court in Charlotte, Mich. Thirteen sexual assault victims of Nassar are seeking $10 million each from the FBI, claiming a bungled investigation by agents led to more abuse by the sports doctor, lawyers said Thursday, April 21, 2022. (Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal via AP, File) ORG XMIT: MILAN502

More than 265 gymnasts came forward, detailing for reporters, Congress, and the courts the abuse they suffered. At his sentencing 156 survivors gave emotional impact statements, telling Nassar to his face what his abuse had done to their lives.

Nassar pleaded guilty to federal pornography charges  according to the FBI, over 37,000 images of child sexual abuse material and video of Nassar reportedly molesting underage girls  and to multiple child sexual abuse charges in two Michigan counties.

James "Whitey" Bulger

James Joseph Whitey Bulger was the boss of the White Hill Gang, a largely Irish mob in Boston from the 1970s through the 1990s.

According to Mob Museum, Bulger was notorious for his readiness to use violence and especially murder to achieve his criminal goals, attracted to the lifestyle early in life with his first arrest at 14 years old. He was in and out of jail for various assault and theft charges, with his first stint in federal prison in 1956.

After being released, he joined a gang during a time when rival factions were at war. According to certain biographers, Bulger later switched sides and killed the leader of his former gang. By 1972, Bulger was among the top gangsters in Boston.

Unknown to others at the time, Bulger had been an FBI informant since at least 1974. Throughout the years, Bulger was said to be a top criminal who was responsible for some of the most vicious murders in Boston.

When Bulger was informed that the FBI was coming to arrest multiple members of the gang, he fled and spent the next 16 years on the run as a fugitive. He and his girlfriend, Catherine Greig, ultimately were arrested in 2011 outside a townhouse in Santa Monica, California.

After his conviction in 2013, Bulger served time in several federal prisons, with the longest stretch in Coleman. On Oct. 30, 2018, Bulger, then 89 years old, was killed just hours after he arrived at the Hazelton federal prison in West Virginia when fellow inmates beat him to death using a padlock stuffed inside a sock.

Robert Allen Stanford

Texas tycoon Robert Allen Stanford made history for running the second biggest investor fraud in U.S. history, convicted of running a $7 billion Ponzi scheme.

Stanford, 73, was convicted in 2012 of selling $7 billion in fraudulent certificates of deposit (CDs) from his offshore bank, Stanford International Bank, on the island of Antigua in an international Ponzi scheme. Stanford was first charged in 2009 by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

He received a 110-year prison sentence in his ruling and has faced further indictments from the SEC in the United States. While in prison, it has been reported that he has been attacked by various inmates. Despite nearly 18,000 people still not receiving their money back, he has consistently claimed that he is innocent and has been framed.

Stephen Caracappa

A former New York City police detective, later known as one of the two "Mob cops," Stephen Caracappa committed various illegal activities on behalf of the Five Families of the American Mafia.

Caracappa and fellow detective, Louis Eppolito were indicted on charges of racketeering conspiracy for a pattern of murders, kidnappings, witness tampering, obstruction of justice, money laundering, and narcotics dealing with mobsters and mob associates, spanning from the mid-1980s to the mid-2000s.

Both men were convicted in 2006 and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2009. Caracappa died in 2017 at the age of 75 due to cancer.

Leonard Peltier

A Native American activist and a member of the American Indian Movement, Peltier faced a controversial trial in 1975 after shooting two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

Peltier became involved in a variety of causes championing Native American rights in the 1960s, later heading to South Dakota to help reduce violence as factional tensions soured.

Leonard Peltier is shown in a February 1986 file photo.

On June 26, 1975, Special Agents Ronald Arthur Williams and Jack Ross Coler were on the Jumping Bull Ranch to seek out another suspect when a shootout between the agents and the occupants of a vehicle broke out. Peltier and two other AIM members were camping at the site when the shooting happened. They were arrested and charged with the murder of the two FBI agents.

Peltier fled to Canada, convinced that he could not receive a fair trial in the United States, while Butler and Robideau were tried in a federal court and found not guilty of the murders. Peltier eventually was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and later extradited to the United States.

He was sentenced to two consecutive terms of life imprisonment and has been imprisoned since 1977.

Benjamin Arellano Felix

Felix was the lead figure in the powerful and violent Tijuana Cartel, responsible for smuggling large quantities of marijuana, methamphetamine, and cocaine from Mexico into the United States.

In the 1970s, his family relocated to Tijuana, where they established a smuggling operation with the help of Cuban cocaine trafficker Alberto Sicilia Falcon. The brothers began smuggling consumer electronics, Japanese jeans, and marijuana to the United States using a fleet of trucks.

They remained untouchable for several decades. However, he was arrested by Mexican authorities in March 2002 who traced his oldest daughter to him. He had a $2 million bounty for his arrest.

Gabul Abdullah Ali

Somali pirate Gabul Abdullah Ali was sentenced to life in prison back in 2011 after attacking a Navy ship and holding a Danish family hostage on the coast of Somalia.

"I'm being judged on the basis of something I did not commit," Gabul Abdullah Ali said during the sentencing, which was the harshest sentence yet for accused pirates.

According to past CBC reports, the federal prosecution in Norfolk, Va., relied on rarely used 19th-century maritime laws to convict Ali and five other Somali pirates. It was the first piracy case to go to trial since the Civil War.

It was reported that the pirates moved the captive Danish family onto a ship off the Somali coast and threatened to kill them if further attempts were made to free them. Five soldiers were killed in the attempt to rescue the Danish couple, their three children, and two Danish crew members.

The five men also were sentenced to an additional 80 years in prison on other charges related to a 2010 attack on the USS Nicholas.

Amine El Khalifi

Khalifi was an al-Qaida sympathizer arrested by the FBI in 2012 for plotting to carry out a suicide bombing on the United States Capitol.

Amine El-Khalifi today admitted that he attempted to carry out a suicide attack on the U.S. Capitol as part of what he believed would be a terrorist operation, Assistant Attorney General Monaco said back in 2012. I thank all those responsible for ensuring that El Khalifis violent plans never came to fruition.

Khalifi pleaded guilty to one count of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction against U.S. property, namely, the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. As part of the plea agreement, the United States and El Khalifi agreed that a sentence within a range of 25 years to 30 years of incarceration was the appropriate disposition of this case.

C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK Florida, contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Larry Nassar, Whitey Bulger: Here's who's been behind bars at Coleman
Hengshui Lake, a haven for avian life and environmental education

Xinhua) 09:00, July 12, 2023

This aerial photo taken on Dec. 16, 2022 shows a group of grey cranes resting on the frozen surface of Hengshui Lake in Hengshui, north China's Hebei Province. (Photo by Li Ming/Xinhua)

SHIJIAZHUANG, July 11 (Xinhua) -- On a summer day, a group of students accompanied John Howes, a bird expert from Britain, on an enchanting educational expedition to an islet of Hengshui Lake in north China's Hebei Province.

At the islet, Howes captivated his audience with simple yet compelling storytelling techniques. He delved into topics, such as wetlands, their significance, and the intricate web of life that sustains them.

The participants in the study tour were mainly students from Zhizhen Middle School in Hengshui City, Hebei. Through interactive discussions and role-playing activities, students were able to grasp the importance of ecological diversity and the interconnectedness of all living beings.

"This biology class has provided us with a wealth of ecological knowledge, and more importantly, helped us develop an ecological mindset to care for nature, starting from ourselves," said Mou Zhijie, a student who was part of the group.

The lake has become an important ecological research and learning base for environmental agencies, schools, and various organizations throughout the country. It is recognized not only for its educational value but also as a sanctuary for a wide variety of bird species.

Hengshui Lake is a national nature reserve that boasts a complete wetland ecosystem. It is home to 333 bird species, including 21 ones under China's top protection.

Howes has been a frequenter of the lake. The ornithologist's rendezvous with the lake can be traced back to 2015 when the rare Baer's Pochard was discovered, marking the beginning of a journey of collaboration and conservation.

"The ecology of Hengshui Lake is unique and holds great research value. I love this place," Howes said.

Hengshui Lake has become the most important known breeding location for Baer's Pochard, a type of diving duck listed as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In 2017, 308 pochard ducks were recorded in the lake.

According to Howes, he sees better changes every time he comes to Hengshui Lake.

To improve the ecological environment of the entire Hengshui Lake wetland, the municipal government has taken measures such as sealing off sewage outlets into the lake, demolishing illegal constructions along the lake, relocating surrounding villages and main roads, said Liu Zhenjie, deputy director of the administration committee of Lakeside New Area.

The new area, which administers Hengshui Lake, has also restored 350 hectares of waterfowl habitats on the north of the lake, designated seasonal core areas to reduce human interference, and planted crops such as wheat and corn to provide abundant food for birds, according to Zhang Yuguang, an official with the Hengshui Lake national nature reserve.

"I also hope that more people can come to Hengshui Lake and appreciate its ecological beauty," Howes said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
WASHINGTON (AP)  A prisoner suspected of stabbing Larry Nassar at a federal penitentiary in Florida said the disgraced former sports doctor provoked the attack by making a lewd comment while they were watching a Wimbledon tennis match on TV, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.

The inmate, identified as Shane McMillan, was previously convicted of assaulting a correctional officer at a federal penitentiary in Louisiana in 2006 and attempting to stab another inmate to death at the federal Supermax prison in Florence, Colorado in 2011, court records show.

Larry Nassar, who was convicted of sexually abusing female gymnasts, was stabbed multiple times during an altercation with another incarcerated person at a federal prison in Florida, the Associated Press reported.

McMillan attacked Nassar in his cell Sunday with a makeshift weapon, stabbing him multiple times in the neck, chest and back before four other inmates rushed in and pulled him off of Nassar, according to the person familiar with the matter.

Correctional officers assigned to the unit at the United States Penitentiary Coleman responded to Nassar's cell and performed what officials said were life-saving measures. He was taken to a hospital, where he remained in stable condition Wednesday with injuries including a collapsed lung.

Cell doors on most federal prison units are typically open during the day, letting prisoners move around freely within the facility. Because Nassar was attacked in his cell, the incident was not captured on surveillance cameras which only point at common areas and corridors.

What we know: Ex-USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar stabbed in prison

Who is Larry Nassar? A timeline of his decades-long career, sexual assault convictions and prison sentences

McMillan, 49, told prison workers that he attacked Nassar after the sexually abusive ex-U.S. gymnastics team doctor made a comment about wanting to see girls playing in the Wimbledon womens match, the person said.

The person was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the attack or the ongoing investigation and did so on condition anonymity.

Messages seeking comment were left with lawyers whove represented McMillan in his past cases.

Sundays attack was the second time Nassar has been assaulted in federal custody. He is serving decades in prison for sexually abusing athletes, including college and Olympic gymnastics stars, and possessing explicit images of children.

The attack underscored persistent problems at the federal Bureau of Prisons, including violence, short staffing and an inability to keep even its highest profile prisoners safe.

The Bureau of Prisons insists that there was adequate staffing at the prison where Nassar was stabbed, about 46 miles (74 kilometers) northwest of Orlando, though documents obtained by the AP show one-third of correctional officer positions remain unfilled at the prison.

In a statement Wednesday, the agency said it was imperative that we increase our staffing levels and said it was recruiting officers and using financial incentives to try to retain workers. Officials said they are also still working to tackle the problem violence in our facilities and have enhanced their security procedures, but would not provide details.

The BOP takes seriously our duty to protect the individuals entrusted in our custody, as well as maintain the safety of correctional staff and the community, agency spokesperson Scott Taylor said.

We make every effort to ensure the physical safety of individuals confined to our facilities through a controlled environment that is secure and humane, Taylor said. As we continue to pivot out of a years-long pandemic, there are still challenges to confront and opportunities to improve our agency, protect the lives of those who work for us, and ensure the wellbeing of those entrusted to our custody.

McMillan is scheduled to be released from prison in May 2046, according to a Bureau of Prisons inmate database and court records, though that could change if he is charged and convicted of attacking Nassar.

McMillan was originally sentenced to more than 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty in Wyoming to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in 2002. He had been expected to be released next year before his convictions for the Louisiana and Colorado prison attacks more than doubled his sentence.

In October 2006, McMillan punched a correctional officer who approached him in the recreation yard at the United States Penitentiary in Pollock, Louisiana, while investigating him for a prior inmate assault, according to court records. The blow knocked the officer to the ground and caused cuts and bruising to his face and nose. McMillan was sentenced to an additional five years.

In November 2011, McMillan and another inmate attempted to kill a prisoner at the federal Bureau of Prisons Administrative Maximum Facility in Florence, Colorado, according to court records. McMillan and the other inmate stabbed the prisoner 66 times in a recreation area of the prison, known as the Alcatraz of the Rockies. They were each sentenced to an additional 20 years for the attack.

McMillan arrived at the Coleman, Florida, penitentiary last December, according to records obtained by the AP. He'd spent the previous four years at a federal penitentiary in Tucson, Arizona, following stints at federal prisons in Allenwood, Pennsylvania, and adjacent to the Supermax lockup in Colorado, the records show.

Nassar was transferred to Coleman from the Tucson penitentiary in August 2018. His lawyers said he'd been assaulted within hours of being placed in general population at the Arizona prison.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Nassar stabbing suspect Shane McMillan said ex-doctor made lewd remark
Las Vegas police have arrested a man who was barricaded inside a Caesars Palace hotel room with a female hostage, ending a standoff that spanned most of the day.

SWAT made entry into the hotel room and has taken the subject into custody, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said on Tuesday in a statement on Twitter. The female who was also in the room is safe and with officers.

#BREAKING 2:46 p.m.: SWAT made entry into the hotel room and has taken the subject into custody. The female who was also in the room is safe and with officers. There will be a large police presence with vehicles as this investigation continues and units disperse.  LVMPD (@LVMPD) July 11, 2023

Earlier in the day, the man, who claimed he was armed, dragged a woman by force into his room, according to the LVMPD.

The assailant was seen throwing large pieces of furniture out of a broken window in his 21st-floor room.

Police have not announced the identity of those involved in the standoff, or said whether any guns were found at the scene.

Authorities were alerted to what they said was a domestic disturbance around 9.15am on Tuesday, according to police.

North Carolina real estate broker Alyssa Hellman told The Independent she was at the Caesars Palace pool with her wife when she heard a loud bang at about 1.30pm.

She said she looked up to see that a window had been broken and a man inside started throwing furniture out onto the concourse.

We heard a bang and then one of the windows was broken open, and the guy was throwing things out. Lamps, a TV and a minibar. Hes drawn the curtains now, Ms Hellman said at the time.

Ms Hellman said guests were evacuated from the pool area, but staff did not explain what was going on.

The couple had retreated to a safe distance and said everyone around them seemed pretty calm and content.

Were tucked back hidden away, closer to the Bellagio, she said.

Bevan Hurley contributed reporting to this article.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new information.
The last defendant connected to a 2019 fatal home invasion in north Phoenix was sentenced Tuesday to 25 years in prison.

Michael Warner, 50, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for his role in an armed robbery that left Travis Dunham, 50, with fatal injuries. According to court documents, Warner cleaned Dunhams pool and occasionally purchased drugs from him. Police said Warner recruited his co-defendants to help him carry out the robbery.

A police report describes what officers said happened at Dunhams residence, east of Interstate 17 and north of Happy Valley Road. Warner arrived on the night of Jan. 8, 2019, under the pretense of purchasing drugs. After he entered, Warner contacted Matthew Zawacky, now 41, and Oscar Aguirre, now 25. Zawacky and Aguirre entered the residence and restrained the occupants, including Warner.

Dunhams daughter and her boyfriend were home at the time, as was another resident of the house. They were all forced into the master bedroom, according to witness statements.

According to police, Dunham broke free from his restraints and, retrieving a firearm, shot Zawacky once. Zawacky returned fire, striking Dunham twice. Dunham died from his injuries.

Michael Warner

Court documents also stated that Zawacky shot and killed two dogs in the Dunham residence.

Police said Warner fled and, a few hours afterward, contacted law enforcement stating he had been a victim of the robbery.

Zawacky drove home, where he met his twin brother Michael Zawacky and Emily Canfield, 34, according to police. Michael Zawacky poured milk on the drivers seat of his brothers Honda Accord in an attempt to dispose of the blood evidence, according to court documents.

Police said Emily Canfield moved Matthew Zawackys car to conceal the vehicle.

Michael Zawacky, with Salvadore Carrillo, 48, attempted to transport Matthew Zawacky to Mexico, police said. They were unsuccessful in crossing the border. According to court documents, Matthew Zawacky was treated at a hospital in Yuma and was transported to a hospital in Phoenix, where he was apprehended.

Matthew Zawacky

During the investigation, police discovered DNA evidence they said matched a previous sample taken from Matthew Zawacky, who had been convicted on a 2014 charge of aggravated assault.

Phoenix police said they connected Zawacky to Warner and Aguirre, who were both arrested shortly after Zawacky. Aguirre had been paid $50 for his role in the robbery, according to court documents.

Zawacky, Warner and Aguirre were indicted on one count of first-degree murder, four counts of armed robbery, four counts of kidnapping, four counts of aggravated assault, and one count of burglary.

Because his previous felony conviction prohibited him from possessing firearms, Zawacky was indicted on one count of misconduct involving weapons. He also faced two counts of cruelty to animals.

Though Zawacky was the only defendant accused of shooting and killing Travis Dunham, Warner and Aguirre were also indicted for first-degree murder. This is because of the felony murder doctrine, which applies to violent felonies that result, intentionally or not, in a death. Prosecutors are given the power to charge all parties involved in the crime with first-degree murder  regardless of whether they directly caused the death.

Oscar Aguirre

Canfield, Carrillo and Michael Zawacky were charged with hindering prosecution. They all pleaded guilty and were each sentenced to three years of probation.

Matthew Zawacky pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and aggravated assault. He was sentenced to 25 years for second-degree murder and 10 years for aggravated assault, to be served consecutively.

A sentencing memo filed by Zawackys attorney argued that the court should take into account the abuse Zawacky suffered as a child. The filing described a childhood with no continuity, no stability.

Aguirre pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Judge Michael Kemp, who presided over Warners sentencing, stated that he took into account the length of Zawacky and Aguirres prison terms.

At Warners hearing, several members of the Dunham family made statements to the court. All asked for the maximum sentence of 25 years. Some addressed Warner directly, characterizing him as a friend of Dunhams who ultimately betrayed his trust.

Heidi Schwab, who lived with Dunham and was present during the robbery, asked a victim advocate to read her statement aloud to the court. The statement described plans that Schwab and Dunham had made together, to travel the country and attend mineral shows.

Carrie Warner, Michael Warners wife, also spoke at the hearing. She described the debilitating impact of drugs on her husbands life.

She told the court that she hoped the prison sentence would allow Michael Warner to come to terms with the consequences of his actions.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Michael Warner sentenced to 25 years in Travis Dunham's Phoenix murder
tax form on laptop screen Constantine Johnny / Getty Images

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is leading a group of lawmakers calling for an investigation into how some of the largest tax prep companies allegedly illegally shared sensitive customer data with Google and Meta, CNBC reported.

A seven-month congressional investigation found evidence that TaxSlayer, H&R Block, TaxAct, and other tax prep firms sent names, phone numbers, email addresses, and income tax information to Facebook and Google. Due to the tracking technology used by the companies, "every single taxpayer who used their websites to file their taxes could have had at least some of their data shared," the report said. The lawmakers presented their findings in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel, and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russell George. The investigation was opened after a joint story from The Markup and The Verge initially exposed the data sharing in November 2022.

Lawmakers allege that tax prep companies already shared the personal information of tens of millions of Americans without their consent. They also found they were sharing taxpayer data, such as their filing status, gross income, and tax refunds. "On a scale from one to 10, this is a 15," Georgetown University law professor David Vladeck told CNN. The allegations are "as great as any privacy breach" he'd ever seen and would be "a five-alarm fire" if proven true.

During the investigation, Meta admitted to using the taxpayer data it received to target third-party ads and train its algorithms, the report found. One of Warren's aides told CNN that it wasn't clear if the company behind Facebook knew it was inappropriately using data. A Meta spokesperson said the company prohibits using its tools to share sensitive information and that its systems are "designed to filter out potentially sensitive data it is able to detect."

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A lawsuit claims Google has been 'secretly stealing everything ever created and shared on the internet by hundreds of millions of Americans' to train its AI

Google CEO Sundar Pichai. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

A lawsuit claims Google took people's data without their knowledge or consent to train its AI products.

The lawsuit accuses Google of "secretly stealing everything ever created and shared on the internet."

The law firm recently filed a similar proposed class-action suit against ChatGPT creator OpenAI.

A new lawsuit claims that Google has been "secretly stealing everything ever created and shared on the internet by hundreds of millions of Americans" to train its generative AI products like its chatbot Bard.

The proposed class-action lawsuit, filed by Clarkson Law Firm in the US District Court for the Northern District of California on Tuesday, accused Google, AI sister company DeepMind, and parent company Alphabet of taking people's data without their knowledge or consent.

"Google has taken all our personal and professional information, our creative and copywritten works, our photographs, and even our emails  virtually the entirety of our digital footprint" to build its AI products, the lawsuit claims.

"For years, Google harvested this data in secret, without notice or consent from anyone."

This includes data taken from subscription-based websites and from websites known for pirated collections of books and creative works, the lawsuit alleges.

The complaint also refers to an update to Google's privacy policy from July 1, which says that it may collect information that's "publicly available online" to train its AI models and build products like Google Translate, Bard, and Cloud AI capabilities.

"Google must understand, once and for all: it does not own the internet, it does not own our creative works, it does not own our expressions of our personhood, pictures of our families and children, or anything else simply because we share it online," the lawsuit says. "'Publicly available' has never meant free to use for any purpose."

Google did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on the suit, but in a statement given to Reuters, called the claims in the suit "baseless."

Google general counsel Halimah DeLaine Prado told Insider in a statement that the company had been "clear for years" that it used data from public sources, like that published to the open web and public datasets, to train the AI models behind services like Google Translate, "responsibly and in line with our AI Principles."

"American law supports using public information to create new beneficial uses, and we look forward to refuting these baseless claims," DeLaine Prado continued.

The lawsuit was filed around two weeks after Clarkson Law Firm lodged a similar complaint against OpenAI, alleging that the company stole "massive amounts of personal data" and used it to train ChatGPT, including medical records and information about children.

In both lawsuits, the plaintiffs were identified only by their initials, occupations, state, and internet usage, which their lawyers said was to "avoid intrusive scrutiny as well as any potentially dangerous backlash."

One of the plaintiffs in the Google lawsuit, identified with the initials "J.L." and described as a New York Times best-selling author and investigative journalist living in Texas, claimed that Google had used a stolen PDF of her book to train Bard.

The lawsuit claims that her work is now widely available for free on Bard, with the bot giving chapter summaries of the book and even sharing extracts verbatim.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Image: Erin Schaff-Pool (Getty Images)

While the rest of us were Venmo-ing our friends for the dinner check, an aide to conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was apparently receiving payments on the app from lawyers that appeared before the high court.



The Guardian reports that the aide, Rajan Vasisht, served Thomas from July 2019 to July 2021 and received at least seven payments from lawyers via Venmo during November and December 2019. One of the lawyers in question is Patrick Strawbridge, a partner at Consovoy-McCarthy Park PPLC with ties to the ultra-conservative Federalist Society. Strawbridge recently argued against affirmative action in a Supreme Court case brought against the University of North Carolina. Vasishts Venmo account was apparently public prior to The Guardian requesting comment from the former aide. Vashist and the Supreme Court did not immediately return Gizmodos request for comment on the payments.

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Strawbridge is only one of seven lawyers that appeared on Vasishts public Venmo feedthe other six include Kate Todd, Elbert Lin, Brian Schmalzbach, Manuel Valle, Liam Hardy, and the late Will Consovoy. The amount of each payment has not been revealed, but the transactions have Christmas-themed captions such as Thomas Christmas Party or CT Christmas Party, referencing Thomas initials, per the Guardian.

The revelation of the payments comes as Thomas faces repeated scrutiny for accepting gifts and donations from conservative benefactors, as the New York Times described in detail. Specifically, in April, news broke that Thomas had accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in travel from Harlan Crow, a wealthy Dallas real estate developer and Nazi memorabilia collector. Crow gifted Thomas flights on his private jet and trips to his yacht, complete with a private chef, while also paying for private school tuition for Thomas adoptive son.

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Multiple lawyers whove had business before the Supreme Court sent money to Justice Clarence Thomass top aide, according to Venmo transactions uncovered by the Guardian. The payment descriptions refer to a Christmas party held in 2019, but the amounts arent public and its not clear what the money was actually for.

Rajan Vasisht was Thomas aide from July 2019 to July 2021, during which time he was responsible for assisting with administrative tasks for Thomas chambers, including managing his office, personal schedules, and handling personal correspondence. Vasisht received seven payments in November and December 2019 from lawyers who previously clerked for Thomas. The Supreme Courts approval rating is at an all-time low due to conservative rulings and various ethics scandals; it certainly doesnt help that reporters are uncovering a justices social and potentially financial ties to lawyers who argue cases in front of the court. (The ever-growing list of ethical concerns aside, its pretty funny that actual lawyers didnt lock down their Venmo accounts.)

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Kedric Payne, the general counsel and senior director of ethics at the Campaign Legal Center, told the Guardian that its possible the lawyers were simply paying their own way at a party with a sitting Supreme Court justice so that their invites couldnt be misconstrued as gifts. But if they were trying to avoid the appearance of impropriety by reimbursing Thomas for their food and drink, why not just say that? The public is owed an explanation so they dont have to speculate, Payne said. Perhaps they dont want to talk about paying their own way because it makes Thomas many undisclosed free gifts and trips look even worse by comparison.

Whatever is going on, Thomas does appear to love letting other people pay for things even though hes been clearing more than $200,000 a year for nearly two decades. GOP megadonor Harlan Crow paid private school tuition for a child Thomas was raising, and Crow has taken the justice on private flights and luxury yacht trips, ProPublica reported. Recent reporting from the New York Times details how Thomas was accepting lavish gifts even before joining the court, like how a friend paid for the wedding reception for Thomas 1987 marriage to Ginni Thomas, a conservative activist. Ginni now has her own lucrative careerone that is much too closely aligned with legal issues before the court.

Theres an email listserv for Thomas former law clerks (and Ginni is on it, too, which we know because she apologized to the listserv for her pro-Trump messages before and after the January 6 insurrection). I think we know what theyre talking about on that listserv today.

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This is a developing story and will be updated.

The lead Bellingham Police Department detective investigating three school administrators for their alleged failures to report a students sexual assaults is now himself the subject of investigations, according to public records.

The situation involving the detective has also led to questions about whether the anticipated jury trials for the three school district administrators will still begin in late July.

Bellingham Police Detective Adam (Bo) S. McGinty, with the special victims unit, is currently the subject of a departmental internal affairs investigation. He is also the subject of a criminal investigation with the Mount Vernon Police Department, according to the public records obtained by The Bellingham Herald.

As of July 12, neither investigation had concluded and no determinations had been made, according to the records and Bellingham and Mount Vernon police.

The Bellingham Police Department started its internal affairs investigation of McGinty on May 18, according to Bellingham police Deputy Chief Don Almer.

Almer declined to discuss the investigation, saying it is an active and ongoing administrative investigation that has not yet been completed, but did say that the allegations do not involve domestic violence, crimes of violence, acts of a sexual nature, any public safety issues, or drugs/alcohol.

McGinty was placed on paid administrative leave on June 7 in accordance with agency policy, Almer said in an email to The Herald.







Former Bellingham Police Chief David Doll (left) congratulates Detective Adam (Bo) S. McGinty (right) on his promotion in a Jan. 3, 2018 photo. In June 2023, McGinty became the subject of a department internal affairs investigation and an outside agency criminal investigation.

The Mount Vernon Police Department also is conducting a criminal investigation into the allegations at the Bellingham Police Departments request, Almer said.

We made this request in order to have an independent, transparent and credible process, he said.

The Mount Vernon Police Department began its investigation into McGinty on June 15, according to Mount Vernon police Lt. Mike Moore.

Moore confirmed Mount Vernon police began its criminal investigation into McGinty at the request of Bellingham Police after it appeared a policy violation may result in criminal implications.

When asked what type of criminal conduct Mount Vernon police is investigating, Moore said, This is an ongoing investigation and too early to draw conclusions.

If its determined a crime has been committed and probable cause exists, the case will be sent to the prosecutors office for charging, Moore said, adding that Bellingham police has been very accommodating during the investigation.

The Herald has reached out to the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorneys Office for more information.

Efforts to reach McGinty were unsuccessful.

McGinty was previously the lead detective investigating the alleged failure of three Bellingham Public Schools administrators to report a high school students sexual assaults. Public records obtained by The Herald show McGinty spent more than a year working on the cases.

He has since been removed from handling the cases.

McGinty was hired by Bellingham police on March 1, 2015, according to public records and Almer. He was promoted to detective in January 2018 and was previously Bellingham Public Schools district resource officer.

Prior to working for Bellingham police, McGinty worked for the Hattiesburg Police Department in Mississippi from July 2007 to November 2013, according to his LinkedIn profile.

His salary with Bellingham police in 2021 was $113,575, according to the most recent available information.

Our agency handles these situations with professionalism and in accordance with law, policy and ethics. The independent criminal investigation was necessary to ensure the integrity and objectivity of that investigation, and transparency is critical to ensure that a credible process in accordance with best practices and laws occurs, Almer said in his email.

This being said, administrative investigations must follow appropriate due process, and this situation is no different so not all the information is available at this time.

Brady list

At a Whatcom County District Court hearing Tuesday afternoon, July 11, for the three school district administrators, Whatcom County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Levi Uhrig requested that the upcoming trial date of July 31 be continued to a later date. Uhrig said the additional attorney handling the case with him has medical appointments over the next several weeks and notified the pro-tem court commissioner that a new detective had recently taken over the case.

Because of his co-counsels medical appointments and because the new detective will need some time to get caught up to speed with the case, Uhrig requested the commissioner extend the trial date.

Criminal defense attorney Bob Butler then clarified for the commissioner in open court that the reason the prosecution was likely seeking a new trial date was because McGinty, the former lead detective, is likely soon to be placed on the Brady list.

The Brady list, maintained by the county prosecutors office, is a list of law enforcement officers whose credibility has been called into question. The officers on the list have most commonly been found to have been dishonest, lied while in an official capacity, or have been accused or found guilty of past misconduct.

Prosecutors are legally required to turn the list over to defense attorneys if an officer on the Brady list is involved or worked on the case. This information can then be used to impeach the officer as a witness if they are called to testify in court.

On June 29, the county prosecutors office sent a letter to Whatcom County defense attorneys notifying them that McGinty was currently the subject of both a departmental internal affairs investigation and a criminal investigation.

The letter said both of the investigations were pending at the time and that no conclusions had been reached, according to the public records obtained by The Herald.

The letter also said it was intended to be a preliminary notice that the prosecutors office was conducting an investigation to determine whether McGinty should be placed on the Brady list.

During Tuesdays hearing, Butler said it wasnt a surprise that McGinty was the subject of an internal affairs investigation.

My last trial with Mr. McGinty, there was substantial issues raised about his credibility out of Mississippi, so at this point, I think its in our interest to push the case forward rather than allow the state to continue to let this languish, Butler said.

All three of the defense attorneys representing the school administrators said they would be ready to head to trial on July 31. They requested the commissioner not reschedule the trial date.

The commissioner did not issue a ruling on whether to grant the prosecutions request to reschedule the trial date. Because the commissioner at Tuesdays hearing was temporarily filling in for the normal commissioner hearing the school administrators cases, he said he would rather have the regular commissioner make that decision.

A hearing on the issue has been scheduled for Tuesday, July 18.

Background

In February 2022, McGinty began investigating a former Squalicum High School female students disclosures that a male student had repeatedly sexually assaulted her, according to the public records obtained by The Herald and previous reporting.

Roughly a month later, McGinty also began investigating the three Bellingham Public Schools administrators the female student had reported the assaults to, and their alleged failures to notify law enforcement or the state Department of Children and Family Services, the records show.

In early December, the administrators were charged with failing to report the female students sexual assaults, which were brought to their attention nearly a year prior, The Herald previously reported.

The administrators  Meghan V. Dunham, Jeremy Gilbert Louzao and Maude Chimere Hackney  were each criminally cited Dec. 7 in Whatcom County District Court with one count of failure to report, which is a gross misdemeanor.

They have entered not guilty pleas. Gross misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

The school district is providing legal defense for the three administrators, which state law mandates for public employers required to report abuse.

All three administrators are mandatory reporters and required by state law to report any suspected abuse or neglect of a child to law enforcement or the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families.

None of the three reported the female students sexual assaults, The Herald previously reported.

Bellingham Public Schools District Office, Jan.30, 2019.

At the time the criminal citations were issued, Louzao and Dunham were serving as assistant principals at Squalicum High School, while Hackney was an assistant principal at Bellingham High School.

All three were reassigned in early January to the school districts Department of Teaching and Learning. They were also included among the list of 60 administrative staff members the district recommended to the school board for employment for the 2023-24 school year.

The school board approved that list at its May 18 meeting, The Herald previously reported.

The former Squalicum High School student who has accused the district of mishandling her sexual assault reports filed a federal civil rights lawsuit Dec. 7 against Bellingham Public Schools. The student, who has since withdrawn from the high school and is now attending another school, accused the district in her lawsuit of violating her federal Title IX rights, failing its duty to protect and care for her and neglecting its duties to report the sexual assaults to law enforcement.

She previously sought $1 million in damages from the district before filing the federal lawsuit.

In its January response to the lawsuit, Bellingham Public Schools denied it mishandled the students sexual assault reports. The district said it took reasonable steps to stop the reported harassment, that the assault allegations contained in the students lawsuit were not reported to the administrators and that the conduct that was reported to them was not considered abuse or neglect under state law.

The federal lawsuit and all three of the administrators criminal cases are currently pending, county and federal court records show.

Squalicum High School Assistant Principals Jeremy G. Louzao, 41, left, and Meghan V. Dunham, 50, and Bellingham High School Assistant Principal Maude Chimere Hackney, 41, have been accused of failing to report sexual assaults that a student brought to their attention nearly a year ago. Each was issued a criminal citation Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, for failure to report, a gross misdemeanor.

The male student accused of sexually assaulting the female student pleaded guilty to amended charges of two counts of fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation May 17 in Whatcom County District Court. He also resolved two unrelated criminal cases.

He was previously facing a charge of one count of indecent liberties by forcible compulsion, which is a felony, for assaulting the female student.

In the sex crime case, he will undergo an evaluation for a special sex offender disposition alternative, which if granted, would allow him to participate in treatment.

The prosecution and defense attorneys are expected to present an agreed resolution at the boys disposition hearing recommending a special sex offender alternative. The alternative sentence would include two years of community supervision, an anti-harassment no-contact order with the female student and restitution to be determined.

If the sex offender alternative is granted and then later revoked, a manifest injustice sentence of 15-20 weeks at a juvenile detention institution will be recommended.

The boys disposition hearing is tentatively scheduled for July 19, according to court records.
At least 1 taken to hospital after crash on I-75 in Dayton

At least one person was taken to the hospital after a crash on I-75 northbound in Dayton Wednesday afternoon.

Just before 4:10 p.m. Dayton police and medics were called to a crash on I-75 northbound near West Second Street, according to Montgomery County Regional dispatch.

Dispatchers confirmed that one person has been taken to the hospital and another medic is on their way to the scene.

>> UPDATE: 1 person in custody after reportedly firing shots from SUV in Dayton

Ohio Department of Transportation traffic cameras show one car on its side and another off to the side of the road.

Lanes were blocked in the area, but have since reopened according to ODOT.

We are working to learn the condition of the person hurt and if any other injuries have been reported.

We will update this story as new information becomes available.




The front of this postcard shows the Foster Hotel & Motor Lodge in Indianapolis. The hotel is listed in multiple editions of the Traveler's Green Book, a guide Black Americans used to find safe and accommodating lodging, restaurants and businesses while traveling during the late 1930s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. The hotel was owned and operated by by Andrew "Bo" and Pearl Foster.

In a once-segregated Indianapolis, Andrew Bo Fosters many properties welcomed Black patrons.

The Foster Hotel and Motor Lodge housed tourists and hosted celebrities like the legendary Muhammad Ali. It was listed in The Green Book, a travel guide published from 1936 to 1967 with a directory of locations that allowed Black customers.

Fosters Place was named after Andrew "Bo" Foster, an entrepeneur and World War II veteran who provided safe spaces for Black Americans to go in Indianapolis during the segregation era.

Foster Hotel was a safe space for Black Americans during the segregation era. It once stood on the corner of the street now named Fosters Place.

But his family wanted his influence to be commemorated with more than a street sign.

Patricia Warner, Andrew Foster's daughter, gives a speech in front of the historical marker honoring her father's impact on Indianapolis. Her father's businesses welcomed Black patrons during the segregation era.

In 2021, grandson Charles Foster Jolivette applied for a state historical marker to be placed near the Hamilton Center on North Illinois Street, where Foster Hotel once stood. This marker, designated by the Indiana Historical Bureau, was unveiled on July 8, 2023.

I wanted to make sure we took some responsibility for our legacy, Jolivette said. What can we do, as his heirs, to help show honor and respect to his legacy, which is our legacy?

Andrew "Bo" Foster: How the 'Green Book' helped Black motorists travel across Indiana

Andrew Foster's children, grandchildren and great grandchildren pose in front of the newly-unveiled historical marker on the property where Foster Hotel used to stand on July 8, 2023.

After Jolivette submitted the request, historical marker program manager Casey Pfeiffer began researching the World War II veteran and entrepreneur.

She found an Indianapolis Recorder article about Fosters businesses, authored by civil rights activist and pastor Amos Brown.

Charles Foster Jolivette, Andrew Foster's grandson, stands in front of the property where Foster Hotel once stood. He submitted the application for a historical marker to honor his grandfather, which was unveiled on July 8, 2023.

Brown wrote that the hotel and Pearls Lounge, also owned by Foster, served as a focal point for Black people in Indianapolis. The lounge hosted community events, political fundraisers and social and civic groups like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Brown called for a historical marker to be placed at the hotel site. Almost 40 years later, that call was answered.

The back of the state historical marker honoring Andrew "Bo" Foster, unveiled on July 8, 2023.

Fosters children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren gathered at the site to share memories, celebrate their heritage and promise to keep his legacy alive.

Jolivette said organizing the event was important to honor Foster, but also bring together family. He reunited with siblings he hadnt seen in years.

Andrew "Bo" Foster's great grandchildren stand in front of the historical marker commemorating his legacy on July 8, 2023.

While the great-grandchildren might not realize it now, learning about Fosters impact will blow their mind, Jolivette said.

(Your history) is a part of who you are, thats a part of what makes you special, Jolivette said.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis historical marker: How Andrew Foster created a legacy
Leslie Van Houten and Charles Manson

Fifty years ago, on the orders of Charles Manson, Leslie Van Houten took part in a series of murders that shocked the world. Whilst five members of the Manson family are still in prison, Van Houten was released on 11th July. This article detailing her full story was originally published in 2019.

Leslie Van Houten would be the first to admit that she has made many bad decisions in her life, but the worst was probably getting into Bobby Beausoleils truck. It was 1968 and she was 18, a Californian runaway living in Haight-Ashbury, mostly high on drugs, when she agreed to join Beausoleil, a sometime rock musician, and two other girls on an aimless drift down the Californian coast.

But when Beausoleil and the others arrived to collect her in his pickup, there wasnt room for her in the front. Assuming shed climbed on the back, Beausoleil drove off, leaving her at the roadside. Waiting there, Van Houten wondered whether this wasnt a sign that maybe her life was on the wrong path, and she should go back to the childhood home and family she had run away from. But after 15 minutes, the truck returned and she clambered aboard.

A year later, on 10 August 1969, acting on the orders of Charles Manson, Van Houten, along with two other members of the Manson family, Charles Tex Watson and Patricia Krenwinkel, entered the home of a supermarket owner named Leno LaBianca and his wife Rosemary. While Watson stabbed Leno to death with a bayonet, Van Houten held Rosemary down as Krenwinkel attempted to stab her with a knife. It took Watson to finally kill her before Van Houten joined in, stabbing Rosemary in the back over and over again.

In 1971, Leslie Van Houten was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. But a year later the state of California suspended the death penalty. Van Houten was sentenced to life imprisonment  and she has remained in prison ever since. The attractive teenager who fell in with Charles Manson, who appeared at her murder trial giggling and with an X carved into her forehead to mark her devotion to him, is now grey haired, her face deeply lined, but her expression alert and inquiring. Manson always regarded her as the most intelligent of his girls.

Charles Manson in 1969 - GETTY IMAGES

During her years in prison, Van Houten has been, by all accounts, a model prisoner. She has seemingly put her past behind her, repented of her crimes and studied for degrees. In any other circumstances, her lawyer Rich Pfeiffer believes, she would have been released years ago. The only reason shes still in prison is one word, he says. Manson.

For 50 years the Manson killings have inspired a singularly baleful and enduring fascination, and repulsion for their brutality, pointlessness and the window they provide into the darkest recesses of the human mind. How was Manson  a small, apparently insignificant figure who had spent most of his life behind bars  able to persuade his followers to kill at his behest? And what lay behind their apparent willingness to obey him?

Born in 1949, Van Houten came from a middle-class, church- going family. She had an elder brother, and two adopted siblings from Korea. When she was 14, her parents divorced, and she began to rebel. I seemed to want more out of life than what was expected of young girls at that time, she told the American television journalist Diane Sawyer in an interview inside prison in 1993. Drugs, sex. Yknow, breaking away from the norm.

Leslie Van Houten at her parole hearing in 2002 - GETTY IMAGES

She ran away with her boyfriend, but returned home when she became pregnant. Van Houten wanted to keep the child, but her mother insisted she have an abortion. For a while she sobered up and attended a business school, but soon slipped back into drug use, and ran away to live in a commune in San Francisco. Then she met Beausoleil, and one of the girls travelling with him told her she should cut her links with her past and join them.

So I called Mom, she later recalled, and I told her Im going away so dont expect to hear from me again. And I went with them. For a while Van Houten drifted with Beausoleil and the two girls, but they argued constantly. One day, Beausoleil drove to an abandoned movie ranch near Hollywood where a friend of his had established a sort of commune.

Van Houten was not much impressed when she first set eyes on Charles Manson. And when Beausoleil left the ranch, she went with him. It was not until later, when one of the girls told her she was leaving Beausoleil to join Manson, that Van Houten decided to go with her. She didnt have much to lose.

Behind the horrifying killings lay a convoluted, fantastical theory, espoused by Manson, that there would be a race war between blacks and whites, foretold in the lyrics of the Beatles White Album. In this war, blacks would triumph, after which Manson would emerge as the leader of the new world order, with the family as the chosen ones. According to the prosecution in the ensuing trial, Manson ordered his followers to kill to spread fear and panic that would provoke what he called Helter Skelter  the coming Armageddon  after the Beatles song of the same name.

Manson told his followers that he was Jesus Christ and kept them under his control with a mixture of apparently benign hippie platitudes about universal love, sex orgies, and threats of violence if they disobeyed him. He would sometimes re-enact the crucifixion while the group were tripping on LSD.

It was very realistic, Van Houten told Diane Sawyer. Go through the whole thing. And then make the connections  Man, son, son of Man. And then the questions would begin: Would you die for me?

On 9 August 1969, acting on Mansons instructions, members of his family broke into the house on Cielo Drive, high in the Hollywood hills, that was being rented by film director Roman Polanski and his wife Sharon Tate. They killed Tate, who was eight and a half months pregnant, and four other people.

Van Houten was not there and had no knowledge of what had occurred until the following day, when Patricia Krenwinkel talked of her part in murdering Sharon Tate.

In a Los Angeles lock-up in 1971, with an X carved in her forehead - AP

In an interview with her lawyer, Marvin Part, conducted in December 1969 shortly after her arrest, Van Houten described how listening to Krenwinkel, I wanted to be just like her. And it was almost like it would make myself stronger to know that I could kill somebody, because at the moment Im killing them I have to be that willing to die.

Why in the world, Part asked, would you want to kill somebody?

Because it had to be done for the whole worlds karma to be completed we had to do this.

That evening Manson told her to get ready, and she, Manson and five others (Linda Kasabian, Steve Clem Grogan, Susan Atkins, Tex Watson and Patricia Krenwinkel) crammed into a battered old Ford and set off.

Kasabian was driving, following Mansons orders. On a quiet street in the middle-class neighbourhood of Los Feliz, he told Kasabian to stop outside the house belonging to the LaBiancas. Manson had no idea who lived there, but he had attended parties at the house next door. It was that random. Manson and Watson went into the house, and after a few minutes Manson came out and ordered Van Houten and Krenwinkel to go inside and do what Watson said. He then drove off.

The LaBiancas had been separated and tied up. Watson was carrying a bayonet and told the two women to go to the kitchen and find some knives, while he stabbed Leno to death. In the bedroom, they covered Rosemarys head with a pillowcase. Then Van Houten held her down while Krenwinkel stabbed at her. When the knife kept bending they called for Watson, who came into the room and began stabbing her repeatedly with the bayonet.

She was dead within a minute, it seemed, Van Houten told Part. This is the way I can recall it. That I had run out of the room to get Tex, and I had seen the man; and Tex ran by me in the doorway. And then I remember the man lying on the sofa gurgling that deep bloody gurgle. So I went back in the bedroom and I saw the woman lying down; and Tex handed me the knife and said, OK, you know, get to it.

Van Houten stabbed Rosemary more than 14 times in the back. Im positive she was dead, she told Part. She was just lying there. She didnt even make a moan or a groan. And her head was covered, so I didnt see her face. I kind of wished I had of. Why? Part asked. Because I could have seen what I had done more. A face shows so much more; that maybe it would have stirred something more up in me. Was the actual stabbing of the woman  was that unusual to you? Part asked.

It felt so weird that I blew my mind, replied Van Houten. I mean, I lost control. I had to use both hands and all my pressure, all my strength to get it in. And so once I started, the feeling was so weird that I just kept doing it.

Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Van Houten after receiving the death sentence in 1971 - GETTY IMAGES

Manson, she said, had told them to use their witchcraft to make the house look freaky, so the killers daubed the walls with the words Death to Pigs and Rise and wrote Healter Skelter (sic) in their victims blood on the refrigerator door. Afterwards, they took milk and cheese from the fridge and left by the back door.

They hid in some bushes until morning, when they hitch-hiked back to the ranch to tell Manson his will had been done.

Now, when we sat down here, Part went on, I asked you if you know what the word remorse meant; and you said No. I told you it meant feeling sorry. Could you tell us how you feel now about what happened to the LaBiancas and all the other people that were killed?

Well, I cant really feel sorry, because I did it, Van Houten replied, and I did it with every intention of it being right. And I even today still see the way I did then. This paranoia had to be started to get the vibration going even stronger; and its just part of the plan. And I have no control over it. In other words, I think that everything that happens is perfect. I know it sounds probably real far out, but its true.

Manson, she said, was Christ. Hed say, I know that I died on the cross before. You know, I believe that hes Christ. I never would deny it.

In October 1969, Van Houten and nine other family members were arrested when Highway Patrol officers raided an abandoned ranch in Death Valley where they had been hiding out following the murders. (Manson himself was arrested later.)

Van Houten was tried three times. In 1976, her first conviction was overturned by a California court on the grounds that her original attorney had vanished during the trial (his body was later found in a flooded stream in a remote area north of Los Angeles where he had been hiking) and his replacement was not adequately prepared. Van Houten was retried, her defence arguing that her capacity for rational thought had been diminished due to LSD use and Mansons influence. The jury was unable to reach a verdict, divided between murder and manslaughter.

In the third trial, Van Houten was found guilty of first degree murder and conspiracy, and given a sentence of seven years to life, entailing eligibility for parole. At that time she had already served more than eight years, so she was eligible for parole at the time of her sentence, Rich Pfeiffer says. That was 42 years ago.

The LaBiancas home after their murders - AP

Pfeiffer is a very unusual defence lawyer. A former Navy SEAL, champion hang-glider and recovering drug addict (he has been clean since 1989), he served time in prison for armed robbery, and on his release studied for a law degree. He became particularly interested in the cases of women prisoners serving life sentences, and over the years has attempted to help some 80 women who had killed their husbands or lovers as a result of sustained abuse, to get parole. It was a disaster, says Pfeiffer. In the transcripts it was apparent that these ladies didnt have much remorse, if any, because theyd been beaten up so badly.

He first became involved in Van Houtens case 22 years ago, advising on appellate briefs, before taking over as her lawyer six years ago. His first impression on meeting Van Houten, he says, was how bright she was. And I couldnt believe how giving she was to other people.

In her years in prison she has gained a bachelors degree in English literature and a masters in humanities  her thesis was on the subject of sustained rehabilitation. She has set up self-help groups for her fellow prisoners, counselling on suicide prevention, and currently chairs the prisons advisory committee, liaising between prisoners and staff. Thats a thankless job, because youre never going to please everybody, Pfeiffer says. In mens prisons you can get killed doing that job because youve pissed somebody off. For this reason, Van Houten now has a cell to herself.

The family difficulties that had led to Van Houten dropping out as a teenager were healed in the aftermath of her crimes. Her mother was too distressed to attend her murder trial, but in the years of her imprisonment both parents visited her regularly until their deaths, her mother almost weekly. Her brother continues to visit her regularly.

Of the seven people convicted in connection with the Tate/LaBianca killings, five remain in prison: Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel, Tex Watson, Bobby Beausoleil and Bruce Davis. Susan Atkins died of brain cancer in 2009; Charles Manson died in 2017, aged 83.

Leslie is very different from the rest, Pfeiffer says. Firstly, she didnt kill anybody. Rosemary LaBianca was already dead when Leslie stabbed her. But she was an aider and abettor; she knew what was going down, and she helped. Were not complaining that she was wrongly convicted. Were saying, shes served her sentence. Shes no longer a risk to public safety, and the law says at that point she gets to go home.

Van Houten has appeared before a parole board on 22 occasions. The first 19 appeals were denied. But in 2016, and again in 2017, the board recommended that she be granted parole. Both times it was denied by the then governor of California, Jerry Brown. In January this year, Brown retired and was replaced by Gavin Newsom. In the same month, Van Houten appeared before the parole board for the 22nd time.

Sharon Tate with her husband Roman Polanski in January 1969 - Getty Images

A parole hearing is a thorough examination of an inmates life  their capacity for understanding their actions and taking responsibility for them, and for remorse and atonement, and their conduct in prison.

The panel consists of two commissioners. It hears evidence from defence and prosecuting attorneys, and, in this case, members of the LaBianca family and Van Houten herself. The hearing goes on all day, Pfeiffer says. They know when people are bullshitting or not.

Under questioning Van Houten talked of how she had met Manson at a point in her life when she was incredibly needy and desperate to belong to something. Manson, she said, had worked on the family members to dissolve our individuality and become whatever he wanted them to be. She wanted to be part of the revolution that Manson told them was coming, and when she learned of the Tate killings, What I was seeing was that the revolution had started. Not the innocent people who were killed? the presiding commissioner Randolf Grounds asked.

I wasnt humane enough to know that at that time. And Im ashamed to say that. Thats who I was. From the very beginning, as weak of a reason that it is, I wanted to belong. And that need in me became so desperate that I completely surrendered what I considered anything good in the world. With each step, I just went deeper.

It was only two years into her sentence, she went on, through counselling and conversations with her mother, going through her old family photographs, that she had begun to understand the power Manson had exercised over her and to relive the night of the killings with a sober mind. And sober from the justifications of Manson, sober with reintegrating into a conventional society. Sober in really understanding what I had done.

Over time, she said, she had come to understand the impact her crimes had had on so many people; the LaBianca family, their loved ones and society at large. Today, people hear the name Manson and are filled with horrible images. To be connected to the dark side of humanity is a really hard thing, especially as I rehabilitate and find ways to live with what I did. And how how do you make amends for something that will never go away?

And how, Grounds asked, do you make amends? One of the things that I decided early on was that I would try to live my life where I never deliberately harmed a human being, Van Houten replied. She had made a lot of mistakes growing up, and bad decisions in her early years in prison. But today, I live a life of what I consider service work, but its very rewarding for me. As well as her brother, she is regularly visited by friends  former inmates, a clinician and others who have helped in her rehabilitation. If granted parole, she had planned to live with family or a friend, and to work in education.

Rich Pfeiffer at the California Institution for Women, July 2019 - Ye Rin Mok

I dont diminish my responsibilities or regrets and my deep remorse for what happened in 1969 in the LaBianca home, she concluded. I deeply apologise to those whose lives I had such a deep and painful impact on and still do. At the same time, Im very thankful that the prison system gives me opportunities to do a form of recompense and I dont know what else to say other than thank you and that I am deeply, deeply sorry.

Arguing against parole, Louis Smaldino, a nephew of the LaBiancas, talked about how he had attended 15 of Van Houtens parole hearings. I mean, this stuff just goes on. Its like, today we were hearing that its the overpowering influence of Manson on her. I mean, many people walked away. She didnt.

If I had participated and conspired to kill all these innocent young people and even an unborn child, I could never ask for parole because I could never make up for the lives I was responsible for taking and the impact thereafter. I would consider incarceration as just punishment and serve my time.

Personally, Im disgusted with Ms Van Houten, he went on. She feigns remorse, but is really calculating. She wants to beat the system. Her goal is to get released from prison because she thinks she has paid her dues. I am here to let her know, and Ill continue to be here to let her know, she can never pay in this life for what she did to those I love and cherish.

Despite his objections, and those of the assistant district attorney, Van Houten was recommended for parole.

Her reasons for committing her crimes  her selfishness, substance abuse, lack of self-worth and extreme callous disregard for other peoples lives in no way justified her actions, Grounds said. But all the evidence showed that she had accepted responsibility and shown remorse for her crimes, and her conduct in prison is probably one of the most exemplary Ive seen.

Van Houten, he concluded, did not pose an unreasonable risk to public safety and was therefore suitable for parole. However, in June, Californias governor Gavin Newsom reversed the recommendation, stating that despite the evidence put before the parole board he still considered Van Houten posed an unreasonable danger to society if released, adding that given the horrendous nature of the murders and Van Houtens current, related lack of insight, she must take additional steps that demonstrate she will never return to this type of submission or violence again.

Pfeiffer has filed a challenge to Newsoms ruling that is presently working its way through the system. A challenge that he filed against the 2017 ruling is still pending at the court of appeal.

He believes the constant rejections of parole are political. I thought Jerry Brown was my best shot. This was going to be his last political job. Theres no way Newsoms going to do it. Hes young; hes got a political future. He cant have his name on Leslies release.

Pfeiffer is now attempting to have Van Houtens case reconsidered under a ruling introduced last year whereby the prison system can recommend to the courts that an offender be resentenced. It used to be that this recommendation had to be made within 120 days; it can now be made at any time. Because the law has changed, and its obvious shes not getting out through the parole system, Im asking that she be resentenced by the courts.

Shortly after she was first recommended for parole in 2016, Pfeiffer says, he visited Van Houten and every single prison staff member either hugged me or shook my hand and said thank you. Everyones waiting for Leslie to go home, but nobody wants their name on it. There might be a large part of the population that thinks she should never be released, but thats not the law.

Pfeiffer has been representing Van Houten pro bono. Shes earned it, he says. I have some paying forward to do from my past. I didnt deserve the opportunities I got, and I have an obligation to help others like I got helped, and I cant think of a more deserving person than Leslie.

When Newsom reversed she said, Im OK with this because I know youre going to follow through and keep on fighting for me. And that made me feel, OK, Im finally giving her something. She thinks it will all come out well  and it will. I keep telling her, it might take a while, but in the end life all evens out.

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KeyBank on Tuesday announced $21 million in financing for the Letsche School Development in Pittsburgh.

KeyBank Community Development Lending and Investment provided a $9.8 million construction loan and $11.8 million in low-income housing tax credit equity for the construction of the affordable multifamily property.

The project includes the reuse of the historic former Letsche School and new construction of four townhomes on two adjacent vacant parcels. It will create 46 mixed-income units and a community space for families and individuals earning no more than 60% of the area median income, of which 25 units will be subsidized by a Section 8 Housing Assistant Payment Contract and seven units will remain at market rate.

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Scrutiny of visits to colleges made by Supreme Court justices has now drawn attention to the courts liberal wing as calls for stronger ethics rules for those who sit on the bench grow louder.

Investigative reporting by The Associated Press, published Tuesday, detailed how schools courted donors to attend the events, enabled encounters between justices and elected officials and provided opportunities for the justices to luxuriate in places like Hawaii and Europe for agreeing to light teaching responsibilities.

The report found the visits were made by justices across ideological lines, most notably including accusations that Justice Sonia Sotomayors staff pushed colleges to purchase her books when she traveled to their schools.

Justices speaking engagements at universities are nothing new, but their travels have faced increasing scrutiny in recent years as stories emerged about wealthy activists efforts to buy access.

The investigation also comes as Senate Democrats prepare to push a Supreme Court ethics bill, an effort they renewed in the wake of ProPublicas recent reporting into undisclosed trips accepted by Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito from billionaires and major political donors.

Republicans have viewed the push for the justices to adopt a binding code of ethics with scorn, portraying it as an attempt to tear down the conservative majority, given the recent scrutiny has specifically surrounded Thomas and Alito, two of the courts leading conservatives.

This is a global problem across the ideological spectrum, and to me, theres obvious solutions, said Gabe Roth, executive director of nonpartisan watchdog group Fix the Court.

But it keeps the conversation going, he added. The ethics issue is not Clarence Thomas flew on a private plane and vacationed in a yacht, the ethics problems at the Supreme Court are clearly much greater than those events with that one justice.

The AP investigation in part detailed how Sotomayors aide pushed colleges and a library to purchase additional copies of her book when she traveled there for speaking engagements.

250 books is definitely not enough. Families purchase multiples and people will be upset if they are unable to get in line because the book required is sold out, an assistant purportedly wrote in an August 2019 email about the justices upcoming book talk in Portland, Ore.

Steven Lubet, professor of law emeritus at Northwestern University, said theres nothing wrong with a justice accepting book royalties, but leveraging staff would be improper.

I think there is a line between facilitating the appearance and facilitating the sales, said Lubet. And I do think that its wrong for staff to ensure that there are enough books on hand. The explanation that they dont want anybody to be disappointed did not make sense to me.

In 2018, Michigan State University gave copies of one of Sotomayors books to incoming first-year students.

The AP reported that court employees took the books to Sotomayors chambers so she could sign them and send them to the school, which paid more than $100,000 for them.

A school spokesperson told The Hill that Sotomayors book was selected as the 2018 title for the One Book One Community initiative, in which a book is selected annually for school and community members to enjoy.

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This is a joint effort between the city of East Lansing and Michigan State University. While MSU did purchase copies of the book to give to incoming first year students (and does for the selected book most years), the selection of the book is done via a joint committee of university and community members, the spokesperson said while adding she visited the school.

Sotomayor previously has received criticism for not recusing herself from multiple cases involving Penguin Random House, which published her books and provided Sotomayor payments totaling more than $3 million, according to her financial disclosures.

An inadvertent omission failed to bring Penguins participation in several cases to her attention; those cases ultimately were not selected for review by the Court. Chambers conflict check procedures have since been changed, the court said in a statement to the AP.

The court did not return The Hills request for further comment.

The APs investigation also details several instances in which schools looked to invite major donors to gatherings so they could mingle with a justice during their visit.

Before Sotomayors 2017 visit to Clemson University, the AP reported that officials wrote they hoped the visit would drive awareness and ultimately, generate resources. When Thomas visited McLennan Community College, the executive director of the schools foundation reportedly said she had thoughts about who to invite to a dinner with the justice, mainly because they are wealthy conservative Catholics who would align with Clarence Thomas and who have not previously given.

When liberal Justice Elena Kagan visited the University of Colorados law school in 2019, one organizer reportedly suggested a larger donor to staff ratio for a dinner with the justice, and another mulled VIP donors the college would like to cultivate relationships with.

A University of Colorado Boulder spokesperson told The Hill, No solicitations to any of these attendees were made before, during or after the event, and no gifts were made to the law school by these attendees as a result of the event.

In its statement to the AP, the Supreme Court said it routinely asks organizers for confirmation that the justices appearance is not a fundraiser and provides a definition of what it considers fundraisers. The AP reported that Sotomayors aide rejected an offer for her to dine with donors when she visited a school in 2012.

The APs investigation further detailed multiple justices arrangements with universities to teach in places like Hawaii, Iceland and Italy while the court was out of session.

Justices are encouraged to teach as long as they comply with an approximately $30,000 cap on outside income  which does not apply to book earnings  and many of the trips were previously known. But the AP found the itineraries were light on classroom instruction and gave the justices significant time for leisure.

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Safe travels  I see nothing wrong with that, said Lubet. And I would far rather see the justices doing that with educational institutions than with wealthy political donors.

Thomas and Alitos undisclosed trips were both funded by billionaires who had donated significant sums to conservative political causes.

Roth said the revelations all show how the justices need hard and fast ethics rules that align with requirements for lawmakers.

I know it sort of sounds sort of weird to say Congress does it great, but if youre a member of Congress, you cant stay anywhere for a week for free, right, if youre only participating in a days worth of events, said Roth. If youre a member of Congress, you cant use official resources to sell your books.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Some major Mississippi cities that have used the same private ambulance contractor for decades are reconsidering that relationship in light of questions about response times and potentially deadly consequences.

Leaders in Biloxi, Gulfport and Jackson have discussed American Medical Responses ambulance response and the contracts with that service during recent city council meetings. They have said that forming city-specific ambulance districts is a step toward pursuing city-specific ambulance contracts, rather than being part of countywide contracts.

Its a step Jackson resident Donna Echols sees as encouraging.

On April 27, she waited 90 minutes for an AMR ambulance to come to her home to help her ex-husband, Jim Mabus, who was found to have suffered a series of strokes and died less than a week later.

It magnifies the problem that we experienced in that 90-minute wake, she said. It tells me people are dealing with the same issues and problems and they want to get something done.

Councilwoman Angelique Lee, who had read Mississippi Todays story about Mabus, invited Echols to speak at a June 22 Jackson City Council meeting.

Lee read the companys explanation in the story for the 90-minute wait  staffing  and said long response times like the one Mabus faced are unacceptable and inexcusable.

AMR spokesperson Nicole Michel told Mississippi Today that the central Mississippi service area was at a level zero on April 27, with eight ambulances and two sprint medics were already responding to other calls, and during the nine oclock hour, AMR received six service requests, including one for a heart attack.

If AMR cannot handle the call, if they dont have the manpower, then they need to be replaced, Lee said during the meeting. And I just want to know how many people are going to need to die before we do something about it?

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said steps are being taken to reconsider the citys ambulance service. Jackson has already formed its own ambulance district and the city is preparing to put out a request for proposals for ambulance services.

Lumumba said these efforts would give city control of a contract, and it can make sure to incorporate a mutual aid clause, which Echols believes may have helped Mabus get medical attention sooner.

The night she called 911, Echols tried to get Pafford Ambulance, which is contracted with Madison and Rankin counties, to come to her home, but she was told that company needed permission from AMR to cross into Hinds County where AMR operates.

Ryan Wilson, operations manager for AMR Central Mississippi, said the company has been the countys contractor since 1991. Analysis of any ambulance issues and plans must be in line with the Hinds County Board of Supervisors.

Hinds County officials did not respond to a request for comment.

Wilson also cautioned Jackson about taking independent steps that could have potential consequences that impact other cities, towns and unincorporated areas of the county.

It is AMRs hope that all governmental entities will come together to address ambulance-related issues, jointly, he said in a statement. Such a collaborative effort would inspire a countywide examination of the current state of EMS, as well as add understanding to the causes of current challenges, leading to an informed discussion of options to a path forward.

Nationwide shortage

Wilson also said blaming AMR for its staff shortage is misguided due to a nationwide shortage of EMTs and paramedics, and bringing in another provider wont necessarily address staffing.

In Jackson, family and friends are preparing to hold a celebration of life service for Mabus Saturday to reflect on the life he lived and the person he was. Days later, on July 18, is Mabus birthday.

Echols wants the celebration to be a happy occasion, but she knows her sons are grieving and she still feels angry about what happened. While it is difficult to retell, she sees sharing the story of what happened as a way to turn a tragic experience into a way to help others.

Gulf Coast

Similar discussion about ambulance service, city-specific EMS districts and potential contracts are also happening on the Gulf Coast.

At a June 20 meeting, the Gulfport City Council discussed a resolution to establish an EMS district, but members voted to table it.

Mayor Billy Hewes said the city plans to put out a request for proposals for ambulance services, which could result in Gulfport choosing AMR again, but it would mean city leaders can negotiate.

Sometimes we have to take moves like this to ensure we have a voice in something that is very important to our constituents, and quite frankly, the citizens of Gulfport deserve better ambulance services than they are getting, he said during the meeting.

Neighboring Biloxi approved a resolution to set up a city-specific EMS district at its June 13 meeting as part of its consent agenda.

Fire Chief Nicholaus Geiser said a city-specific RFP and contract are the next steps.

He said the city has seen some delayed ambulance responses from AMR, especially between 2020 and 2022, when there would be a large number of calls all at once and not enough staff to handle them, but that is happening less now.

There have been times when a life-threatening call in a different area of the county has been prioritized, which led to an hour wait or longer, Geiser said.

He sees AMR has taken steps to work to improve its response times in the county, such as having a dedicated ambulance in Biloxi, which was determined after analyzing data and the citys busy times. There are also supervisors going out who can relieve fire department crews.

Dwayne Tullos, regional director for AMRs parent company Global Medical Response, said AMR has served the Gulf Coast for nearly 50 years and believes there is no other provider that can deliver higher standards of care and innovation.

If the cities decide to contract for their own ambulance services, we look forward to the opportunity to work with city leaders on a customized proposal for each that includes new innovative solutions that only AMR can provide to the citizens of Biloxi and Gulfport, he said in a statement.

Even if the cities continue to stay within the Harrison County EMS district, AMR is open to working with them to find solutions that ensure the best ambulance service for residents and visitors, Tullos said.

Firefighters, including in Biloxi, Gulfport and Jackson, are often required to train as EMTs and some have gone further and become paramedics. However, that training doesnt give them the ability to transport people to the hospital.

Geiser, the Biloxi fire chief, said 80% of the departments calls are for medical service. He said building codes have helped prevent many large-scales fires from happening, so crews are called to fires less often.

He read the Mississippi Today story about Echols experience waiting for an ambulance and said what happened to Mabus was unfortunate.

Its plain and simple: Its life and death, he said. Thats what were trying to prevent here.
Construction worker Martin Capallera, 50, puts on his neon vest and neck gaiter after taking a break in his car to escape the late-morning heat in Austins West Campus neighborhood on July 6. Capallera specializes in rewiring buildings and currently works on the 24th floor of a new building. We try to keep our people safe, Capallera said. Were all the time under the sun. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

Maynor Estuardo Alvarez used to stand the Texas heat, but not anymore.

Something changed in his body last summer while working as a painter in an apartment in Houston. It was the afternoon, the temperature had surpassed 100 degrees and the unit had no air conditioning. He suddenly felt his heart racing and started sweating profusely. His calves cramped, then his arms, followed by an unbearable pain under his ribs.

He called his wife and told her: I think Im about to faint.

She advised him to drink water, but he said he was already doing so.

Get out of there then, she said.

Alvarez moved to another unit with air conditioning, drank more water and finally recovered. He did not leave work as his wife urged him to do, but the incident did change his views about working on really hot days.

Alvarez has dealt with heat stress on other occasions during his 18 years working in construction since he came to Texas from his native Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. But he feels the heat has taken its toll on his body and, a year after the Houston incident, he still cannot expose himself to such high temperatures.

He isnt willing to do so either.

Alvarez worried about his health again when a heat wave this year pushed Texas temperatures into triple digits. The heat has eased for now, but temperatures are forecast to climb again in the coming days. This puts construction workers like Alvarez at risk, as well as others in sectors like agriculture, mail delivery, manufacturing, food preparation and landscaping.

There are no federal or state standards that specifically protect workers from heat illness, and Texas cities and counties will soon be barred from making local rules with that purpose. Now more than ever, like Alvarezs case shows, heat safety depends on workers being trained in self-care, supervisors learning to identify symptoms of heat stress and employers willingness to provide breaks and other protective measures.

Construction employees work through the late-morning heat on the top floor of a new building in Austins West Campus neighborhood on July 6, 2023. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

Marque Clark, 41, of Austin, a traffic control employee, works through the late morning heat in Austins West Campus neighborhood on July 6, 2023. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

Marque Clark, 41, of Austin, a traffic control employee, adjusts his hard hat while working through the late morning heat in Austins West Campus neighborhood on July 6, 2023. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

Heat kills more people annually in the U.S. than hurricanes, tornadoes or flooding. Texas has recorded 42 heat-related deaths on the job since 2011  more than any other state, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Since the start of the heat wave, at least two workers have died in Texas from causes that officials are investigating as possibly heat-related. Justin Cory Foster, a 35-year-old lineman, died in the East Texas town of Marshall, and Eugene Gates Jr., a 66-year-old letter carrier, died in Dallas.

Work safety experts and unions say that heat-related deaths are probably undercounted because many are registered as related to other causes.

While 2022 was the second-hottest year on record, milder temperatures are forecast for this summer. But that does not preclude heat waves like the one last month. Climate change amplifies heat waves, which become more frequent, last longer and reach higher temperatures, scientists have told The Texas Tribune.

How to prevent exposure to heat hazards

Workers exposed to high temperatures can suffer heat stress or heat stroke. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends paying attention to symptoms such as headaches, nausea, weakness or dizziness, heavy sweating, elevated body temperature, thirst, decreased urination and hot, dry skin. When these happen, OSHA advises drinking water; moving to a fresh area; cooling off with water, ice or a fan; and removing unnecessary clothing.

Heat strokes are more serious. They could manifest as abnormal thinking or behavior, slurred speech, seizures and loss of consciousness. Workers might not realize when theyre displaying heat stroke symptoms and depend on coworkers, supervisors or others for help. In these cases, OSHA recommends immediately calling 911 and cooling the worker with water or ice.

Identifying dehydration can be difficult, said David Delgado, 58, a construction supervisor in Laredo. Last year, while working at a construction site on a day when temperatures reached 108 degrees, he didnt realize the heat was getting to him until his feet cramped up.

You do not get thirsty, Delgado said. The body does not realize it.

According to Delgado, workers in his team usually drink plenty of fluids before starting their day because access to water can be far from building sites and they want to finish the project as quickly as possible. But they need to drink water frequently to stay hydrated, so he established a 10-minute break every three hours. During this years heat wave, his crew repaired the roof of a 30,000-square-foot auto parts store. To avoid heat illness, Delgado moved up the workday: They started at 6 a.m. and finished at 1 p.m.

We do not recommend working from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. under the sun, Delgado said. But we have to work because we have to eat, right?

To prevent heat injuries, OSHA advises drinking at least one glass of water every 20 minutes, resting from the heat in the shade or in cool places, wearing loose-fitting, light-colored clothing and a hat, and being aware of coworkers.

Last year, the agency launched an education campaign highlighting that three out of four heat-related deaths occur during the first week of working on a new project. Thats why the agency proposes gradually increasing exposure to the heat as the work week goes by. OSHA recommends not spending more than 20% of the first days work shift exposed to the heat, and increasing that amount of time by 20% each day until the work week is completed.

Texas is hot and humid, which makes it harder to cool the body by sweating and can lead to dehydration, said Bethany Boggess Alcauter, director of Research and Public Health Programs at the National Center for Farmworker Health.

Postal employees tend to work alone and that makes them especially vulnerable to heat, said William Moody, president of the Letter Carriers of the National Association Branch 181, which includes Austin and its surroundings. In addition to OSHAs recommendations, Moody urges U.S. Postal Service customers to keep an eye on letter carriers' health and assist them if they notice erratic behavior.

It takes the whole community to look out, not only for letter carriers but anybody that works in the heat, Moody said. Sometimes it is just talking to the person and making sure they are coherent.

The U.S. Postal Service said in a statement that only 34% of its current vehicles have air conditioning. The statement said the agency was acquiring more vehicles equipped with air conditioners and providing mandatory heat-related training for all workers.

Heat protection standards

When the June heat wave hit, Juan Pedro Munoz, 45, was siding a house in Austin. He has worked in construction for two decades, since arriving from Queretaro, Mexico. The crew with whom he works schedules 10-minute water breaks about every hour to cope with the high temperatures. That's more than the mandatory rest required by an Austin ordinance.

"We never had a problem with the breaks," Munoz said. "We talked to the supervisor and he told us he would rather have us working than in the hospital."

However, Munoz said he knew this is not always the case. Workers that spoke to the Tribune said some supervisors wont let them take a break  and they wont have to either since the Austin ordinance is likely to be repealed soon.

Juan Pedro Munoz, 45, takes a moment to cool off from the heat and wipe sweat off his head while he works on renovating the floor of a home in Austin on July 7, 2023. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

Johnny Barcenas, 24, sweats while working on renovating the floor of a home with Juan Pedro Munoz and their crew in Austin on July 7, 2023. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

From left: Juan Pedro Munoz, 45, Johnny Barcenas, 24, and Juan Barcenas, 45, take a lunch break from renovating the floor of a home in Austin on July 7, 2023. Weve got breaks all day, Munoz said. Its still very hot and the guys need to drink water and everything. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 2127 at the height of the heat wave. Known as the Death Star law, HB 2127 limits Texas cities and counties from creating rules that go beyond what state law requires on issues such as labor, agriculture, business and natural resources.

No one really knows exactly which local laws will become illegal when the bill goes into effect on Sept. 1. Months after the bill first went before lawmakers and weeks after Abbott signed it into law, cities still are trying to figure out the scope of the law. But it expressly mentions that local governments cannot regulate work breaks. The law is expected to result in the overturning of ordinances in Austin and Dallas that require workers to take 10-minute water breaks every four hours. It will also impede other cities from adopting similar rules.

Unions have argued that the law would increase the risk of heat-related injuries and deaths on job sites. This will particularly affect Latinos, who represent six out of 10 construction workers in Texas, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Supporters of HB 2127 say it will eliminate a patchwork of local ordinances across the state that bog down businesses, and that OSHA guidelines are enough to ensure a safe workplace.

Safe workers are good for business, Geoffrey Tahuahua told the Tribune last month after HB 2127 was signed. Tahuahua is the president of Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas, which represents commercial building companies.

He supports the new law because he considers that local ordinances try to impose one-size-fits-all solutions to businesses. Tahuahua said he prefers OSHA guidelines because they allow employers to set safety plans that fit each job site and type of work. Someone welding steel 50 feet in the air in the middle of a hot day should rest more than other construction workers, he said.

We take it very seriously, Tahuahua said. My members are far above and beyond what the markets are up to, but flexibility is really important.

However, OSHA does not have a national standard specific to heat-related illnesses. The agency relies on the general duty clause, a section of federal labor law that requires employers to protect workers from serious occupational hazards. But that broad standard is not enough to ensure workers are protected from heat exposure, said Douglas Parker, head of OSHA. That is why the agency is working on creating a national heat standard, he said.

Ten years ago, if you raised the idea of a national heat standard, that was still considered a fringe issue. And there were questions about whether OSHA should be involved, Parker said. I think that there is growing recognition of the need to do something about it, combined with a huge amount of information and data about climate change.

Parker also said that OSHA didnt have enough inspectors to regularly keep an eye on all the companies and workers exposed to heat in the country. He believes a national standard would increase compliance without the need for more inspections.

Parker said the general duty clause is so broad that it gives employers the flexibility to make their own heat safety plans  but it also creates confusion. OSHA often receives inquiries from companies that do not know what measures to take to protect their workers, most of which could be resolved with a national standard.

Although discussions on creating a standard are at an early stage, Parker anticipated that it would take into account preventive measures like having access to water, offering breaks under the shade, acclimatizing workplaces and offering instructions on how to deal with emergencies.

But it can take years to enact a federal OSHA standard. Parker noted that, in the past, this process has taken an average of seven years and, in the case of major rules, up to 20 years. He believes this process might be shorter because it is a priority for the Biden administration, which hopes to complete the new standard during this term.

There are still employers who fail to ensure workers' safety in hot environments, despite OSHA recommendations and the general duty clause. And that puts them at risk, as it happened to Alvarez last year.

Alvarez said safety and breaks depend on the arbitrariness of the foreman on duty.

Sometimes the foreman is a kind person and brings you water, but there are others who want to please the boss, want to advance faster and more production, so they dont bring water nor allow us to take a break to relax a little bit.

Over time, Alvarez learned that he must take breaks  even if he is not authorized.

I have been sent home several times because they say I am rebellious, that if they give me breaks the other workers will want the same. And I do not get paid for the day, he said. But I do not care if they send me home. Working until I lose my life is not worth it.

A bottle of water sticks through a hole in the fence of an Austin construction site on July 6, 2023. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

Join us for conversations that matter with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23.
Violence and crime in Peoria has been a frequent discussion point for the Peoria City Council over the past few months, and Tuesday night those discussions grew tense.

Peoria's Community Development Block Grant commission approved giving $1.4 million in violence prevention funding to six different programs in the city aimed at youth intervention following the review of 26 applicants for funding.

The City Council ultimately approved the funding for all six recipients but not after a long debate in which the merits of some recipients  specifically Peoria Public Schools and the Peoria City/County Health Department  were hotly debated.

The recipients were:

When the programs first came to the council, they came as a package deal to be voted on. But after some councilmembers took issue with specific programs, they were voted on separately.

Goodwill Industries, the Regional Office of Education, and the YMCA all received unanimous approval from the council.

The Peoria City/County Health Department received three "no" votes from councilmembers Chuck Grayeb, Zach Oyler and Kiran Velpula.

Peoria Public Schools received two "no" votes from Grayeb and Oyler.

Peoria Friendship House received a "no" vote from Velpula.

Velpula's no votes were mainly centered around not seeing evidence for some programs to receive funding multiple years in a row.

More: Five people shot, including 14-year-old, in Peoria over the weekend

Funding for Peoria Public Schools anti-violence causes friction

Oyler took issue with the health department and public school system receiving money because they are already government bodies that are taxpayer funded.

"It especially concerns me that this much of those dollars is being given to other taxing, governing body entities that could be asking for these dollars as well directly from places like the state of Illinois," Oyler said. "It almost feels like we're punting the money that's been given to us to someone else to decide how to effectively deal with crime in our community."

Grayeb took issue with the public school system receiving funding over non-public bodies such as the Boys and Girls Club of Peoria and others.

"When I look at some of the great organizations that didn't receive one dime in this particular installment of money, it causes me great concern to see such a large taxing body that has so much in terms of resources to be getting, in the terms of (school district) 150, $300,000," Grayeb said.

Part of the Peoria Public Schools' plan was to put money toward increasing literacy rates in the district for second-graders, something it says will prevent violence down the road.

Oyler felt that plan was not among the most ideal for distribution of the funds.

"My concern is that we have people getting shot, getting killed, cars being stolen, burglaries happening in the city of Peoria every single day and this money is to deal with the most critical needs to stop the bleeding," Oyler said. "I do not feel, looking at this list, that we are dealing with the most critical needs to stop the bleeding when we are funding second-grade reading. It doesn't mean we can't get there, but we are not there now."

Councilmember Andre Allen said he completely disagreed with Oyler's stance on funding for the school district's plan.

"When I talk to my constituents, they want us to address the root causes that is causing the carjackings, which is causing the drive-bys  which we just got a report of today involving a juvenile," Allen said. "The way you address that is holistically by making sure the second-grader is reading, making sure the high-schooler learns job readiness skills that can translate into a high-paying career so they can be a law-abiding citizen in our city."

Allen would go on to say, "I cannot sit here not to approve this tonight when we literally just approved $100,000 for a water company study that we know the answer to when a juvenile was just shot today."

Allen said he did not want the council to have a "facade of fiscal conservatism" when "lives are on the line."

More: 'Enough is enough': Peoria police increasing downtown patrols to combat violence, parties

Grayeb, a former educator, said he was on the side of "teachers and principals" in Peoria schools but not necessarily those who work at the Peoria Public Schools administration building and wanted to clarify his vote would not be against educators.

"Let me make that clear, not so much the people at 3202 Wisconsin (Avenue), but my heart is with the teachers and the principals out there in this community delivering every day or trying to," Grayeb said.

Peoria Public Schools innovation officer Susan Grzanich said the grant would fund the reading program, which is backed by data that shows students who struggle to read are more apt to violence in the future.

"The opportunity is to provide even earlier intervention so that kids don't keep moving through at just the minimum level  they're passing, but there's a difference between mastery and getting just enough," she said. "We want the kids who pass just enough, we want them to master."

Mayor Rita Ali, however, reiterated multiple times during the discussion that the council had approved the rules that dictated who could apply for the funding. Those rules approved by the council included public bodies such as the school district and health department.

Ali said a future policy session to review the criteria would be beneficial to avoid future debates.

"We set the criteria, we approved the criteria, everybody who applied, applied using that criteria. They followed the rules and now we're kind of backtracking, unfortunately," Ali said.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria city council spars over violence prevention funding
Editors note: This story has been updated to correctly reflect that Shelly ONeill Stoneman is senior vice president for government relations.

Shelly ONeill Stoneman will join Lockheed Martin as senior vice president of government affairs effective Aug. 28. Stoneman comes from BAE Systems, where she is senior vice president for government relations. She previously was a special assistant for legislative affairs to former President Obama focused on national security and a special assistant to the Secretary of Defense, where she oversaw the selection of every Department of Defense presidential appointee and supported their confirmation process, according to her LinkedIn.

Michael Fish Pawlowski joined Capital Counsel as a partner. Pawlowski served as chief of staff to Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) from 2016 to 2021, playing pivotal roles in efforts to reform the Affordable Care Act, development of the Keystone Pipeline, three nominations to the U.S. Supreme Court and the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Richard Carbo joined the public affairs team at Cornerstone Government Affairs as a principal. Carbo previously worked in the office of former Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) in 2009 and as communications director and campaign manager to former Rep. John Barrow (D-Ga.) from 2011 to 2014. He went on to work as deputy chief of staff and communications director for Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) from 2015 to 2019.

Cornerstone Government Affairs also welcomed Samantha Davidson Guinn, former deputy secretary of state and deputy attorney general of Oklahoma, as a principal in its Oklahoma office. Guinn also served as a senior policy adviser and legal counsel in the Oklahoma State Senate, a legislative assistant in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and a staff assistant to former Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.).

Alston & Bird LLP added Jonathan Jagoda, former senior vice president at the Federation of American Hospitals, as a senior policy adviser. Jagoda joins the international law firms bipartisan health policy practice in its Washington, D.C., office.

Andrew Reidy and Joseph Saka joined the insurance counseling and recovery group in the Washington, D.C., office of the national insurance law firm Nossaman. Both joined Nossaman from Lowenstein Sandler LLP, where Andrew, who will lead the group, was a partner and Joseph was senior counsel.

Matt Mika joined AmericanHort, the national association for the horticulture industry, as vice president of advocacy and government affairs. Matt worked in state and federal government for nine years before moving on to work as the senior director for legislative affairs at the American Meat Institute from 2009 to 2011 and director of government relations at Tyson Foods from 2011 to 2022. He was vice president of the public affairs and strategic communication firm Atlas Crossing before joining AmericanHort.

Lobbying World documents the top lobbying hires in the nations capital every week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Locals near Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant brace for potential disaster: 'It would be the end of us'

Editors note: For this story, the Kyiv Independent talked to residents who live in Russian-occupied settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. For their safety, we have changed their names.

From the rooftop of his home, Anton can easily see the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest nuclear plant in Europe that has been under Russian control since March of last year.

He knows that in the case of a disaster at the plant, the Russian-occupied settlement he lives in would be among the first and the most affected.

Anton has stocked up on food and water, preparing to stay inside if worst comes to pass.

"The only possible way (to survive) is to spend a couple of days in closed premises waiting for evacuation," Anton told the Kyiv Independent.

"But I doubt that Russian occupational authorities would drive around the area to save people," he says.

For the past few weeks, Ukrainian officials have been warning that Russia could stage an attack at the nuclear plant. In late June, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia had rigged the occupied plant with explosives and was had plans in place to set them off, causing radiation to leak into surrounding areas.

Although the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) later reported that it had not found evidence of explosives during the inspections, the agency was not granted full access to the occupied plant's facilities.

A recent report by Ukraine's military intelligence suggests that Russian forces continue to mine the nuclear plant.

Although the reactors at the Zaporizhzhia plant are all shut down, greatly reducing the risk of a quick, dramatic meltdown of a reactor core  which happened during the Chornobyl and later the Fukushima nuclear accidents  the deliberate meltdown of a fully-working reactor is still possible, considering that Russia is in complete control of the plant and its workers.

Mark Zhelezniak, a Ukrainian professor at the Institute of Environmental Radioactivity Fukushima, earlier told the Kyiv Independent that Russia could restart the work of some or all of the reactors of the plant, increasing the contamination caused by a potential meltdown.

According to him, in such a scenario, an initial exclusion zone would be 40-50 kilometers in radius. The contamination in this area would still greatly depend on the weather and would not result in severe doses for civilians if evacuated promptly.

On the edge of disaster: What could really happen if Russia destroys Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant? In late June, 16 months into the full-scale Russian invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky alerted his nation of an unprecedented threat. Russia, the president said, had rigged the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant with explosives, and was ready to set off the charges and cause radiation to The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

In Russias trap

Talks about the threat of a disaster at the plant initially reignited in Ukraine following Russia's June 6 demolition of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant dam that, apart from other devastating environmental impacts, put the plant's cooling pond at risk of drying up.

The Kakhovka dam destruction has also shown how unprotected and vulnerable Ukrainians in the Russian-occupied settlements surrounding the plant might be in the event of a disaster.

In occupied areas affected by the flooding, Russian troops prevented people from rescuing others. They also did not let anyone evacuate if they didn't have a Russian passport.

Anton believes that in case of a disaster at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, residents of occupied settlements nearby can expect the same.

He assumes Russian troops would only evacuate those who had earlier agreed to receive Russian passports and says he does not have one.

"I don't think they will let me go with the Ukrainian passport," Anton says.

"Remember how they (Russian troops) saved people from the flooded areas after the Kakhovka dam explosion? They didnt."

Still, according to Anton, there is no panic among the local population, and people are not leaving the area en masse.

Anna, a resident of occupied Enerhodar, where the plant is located, agrees, saying that locals "are not as worried as the rest of Ukraine."

"We know that no one will evacuate us, so what's the point of worrying? It would be the end of all of us here," she told the Kyiv Independent.

They are destroying us. People plea to escape flooded Russian-occupied areas Editors note: For this story, we spoke to people living or having family in the Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. For their safety, they are identified by first name only. After destroying the Nova Kakhovka dam and stranding thousands of Ukrainians in the catastrophic flood zone, Russians prevent The Kyiv IndependentDaria Shulzhenko

Anna says those who have cars "and will be able to leave" will try to do so. But it's not the case for her family: Since they have refused to obtain Russian passports and her husband is a former nuclear plant employee, she doubts Russian troops would allow them to leave.

"A stock of water and food, that's all the preparation," she says.

"We've been under occupation for 16 months and are already so tired of being afraid."

"The fact that we have lived near the largest nuclear power plant (in Europe) all our lives somehow gives immunity to fear," she adds.

The exiled mayor of Enerhodar, Dmytro Orlov, has recently said that up to 6,000 plant workers are currently in the town but are not allowed to work unless they sign a contract with Russia's state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom.

He also said that Russian occupation authorities do not allow them to leave Enerhodar and that there are no shelters where people can hide in case of a disaster.

Anna says that Russia's "terror against the locals has intensified" recently, with their troops constantly conducting searches of residents' houses, as well as checking their phones.

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant seen from the streets of Nikopol, the city in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, on July 6, 2023. (Photo by Amadeusz Swierk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

"Those who do not have a Russian passport are treated worse," Anna says.

According to her, Russian soldiers tear apart Ukrainian hryvnias, passports, and SIM cards when finding them during the searches.

Anton says that the situation in surrounding settlements differs from that in Enerhodar: The searches are not as frequent and severe, and he spots fewer Russian troops and military equipment, assuming that they might be "hiding somewhere in the fields."

Also, according to Anton, Russian-installed authorities have not made any unusual statements recently but are instead "preparing local schools for the upcoming school year," suggesting they are not planning to leave the area.

Anna also says it does not look like Russian troops plan to retreat: "They are constantly fortifying (their positions). We are not allowed to go there as the beach and the park are closed, but we see concrete mixers, tractors, and other equipment always going there."

Yet Anton believes that Russia is capable of launching an attack on the Zaporizhzhia plant "even with its troops inside."

According to the General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces, some Russian troops "were not prepared for the consequences of the Khakovka dam demolition and suffered losses in manpower, weapons, and military equipment" due to the massive flooding.

Life near Russian-occupied nuclear plant: I dont know if tomorrow will come Editors Note: The Kyiv Independent talked to residents who are still in Russian-occupied Enerhodar and those who recently left but still have family in the city. For their safety, we do not disclose their identities. When Russian soldiers captured Enerhodar, the satellite city of the Zaporizhzhia The Kyiv IndependentAlexander Query

Watching closely

The Ukrainian-controlled city of Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast lies directly across the Dnipro River from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

Due to the proximity, Russia's possible attack on the plant could also put the population of Nikopol in danger.

Everyone is discussing the potential disaster, says local resident Iryna Sova, 58. But despite the conversations, she estimates that only a few residents have left Nikopol so far.

"Everyone is reading the news, stocking up on water, packing their suitcases, but not running," Sova told the Kyiv Independent.

"Children play on the streets, factories are operating, and people are working," she says. "I see almost no panic."

According to the 21-year-old local journalist Mykyta Saienko, the situation in Nikopol has been tense ever since Russian troops occupied the plant and began launching attacks on the city from that area.

While Russia's regular artillery strikes on Nikopol have forced many to flee the city, according to Saienko, the possible attack on the Zaporizhzhia plant did not have the same effect on locals.

"The majority stays here," Saienko told the Kyiv Independent.

In a recent survey Saienko and his colleagues conducted, most people said they did not want to leave Nikopol, hoping there would be no nuclear disaster.

Even if it happens, many people plan to stay inside their homes for a few days to avoid exposure to radiation. Some, however, have packed go-bags with documents, clothes, and food in case they need to leave the city.

"Despite regular shellings, people still go to work, live their lives, and do not want to change it in any way," Saienko says.

"And regarding the threat, I feel like many people are simply not aware of possible risks, or even if they are aware, they are ready to accept them here.

Life on the front line of Russias new nuclear brinkmanship On nights when he hears them, Mykhailo Kling runs to his panoramic ninth-floor balcony in Nikopol to watch Russian rockets being fired at his hometown. See the reactor buildings there, he said, pointing across the wide expanse of the Dnipro River at the eerie shapes of the Zaporizhzhia The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

He says he and his family take a potential attack "quite seriously." They have a car and plan to head toward Kyiv if it happens.

"We have the option to evacuate at any time, Saienko says, adding that he has a lot of work at the moment and he wants to stay for as long as hes needed.

Sova says she has packed a small go-bag with documents and medicine and left it near the entrance door of her home. Having no car and an elderly mother who can barely walk would make it very difficult for her to flee.

Thats why she agreed with her brother that he would pick them up and drive to Dnipro, the regional capital where her daughter lives. Still, they have decided to evacuate only "in the worst-case scenario," Sova says.

Working at a local factory, Sova says she and her colleagues start their day by checking the radiation level in Nikopol.

"We are watching it closely," she says.

Note from the author:

Hi! Daria Shulzhenko here. I wrote this piece for you. Since the first day of Russia's all-out war, I have been working almost non-stop to tell the stories of those affected by Russias brutal aggression. By telling all those painful stories, we are helping to keep the world informed about the reality of Russias war against Ukraine. By supporting the Kyiv Independent, you can help us continue telling the world the truth about this war.
Monzos iconic hot coral  cards (Monzo)

London fintech Monzo is preparing a bid to merge with its Nordic rival Lunar as it turbocharges its European expansion.

The mobile bank is holding discussions with Denmark-based Lunar over the terms of the deal, according to a report by Bloomberg. It is also considering other acquisitions in Europe.

Lunar, a digital bank with over 650,000 users across Denmark, Sweden and Norway, hit a valuation of $2.2 billion after a fresh funding round last year, while Monzos valuation reached $4.5 billion in 2021.

Monzo declined to comment.

The plans make Monzo the latest London fintech to be eyeing European expansion after The Bank of London today said it was hiring 300 staff and had formally applied to the EU for a banking license.

The bank said it would set up a base in Luxembourg as part of a 200 million euro (170 million) investment that would see it build a workforce of 300 in the country over five years.

By choosing Luxembourg as its EU headquarters, there is an exciting opportunity to offer Luxembourg and the broader EU market a new global digital clearing ecosystem for financial institutions and corporate commercial clients, the bank said.

Bank of London founder Anthony Watson said: Luxembourg is the logical choice for us to build out our offering across the EU, and marks the latest step in our international growth strategy and follows the successful rollout of our banking solutions across the UK.

Liverpool Street-based Monzo has come under the spotlight in recent days after it emerged Chancellor Jeremy Hunt was denied an account with the bank last year because he was a politically exposed person.

Hunt said in an interview with the Financial Times: If the price of going into public life is that you find it really hard to set up a bank account, then we need to make sure that we remove barriers where we can.

I think thats why I was declined by Monzo for an account last year.

In May, Monzo became the latest British digital bank to become profitable after seeing a spike in lending and more customers depositing cash.

The bank says it now has more than a 10th of the UK population as customers.

Known for its iconic hot coral red debit cards, Monzo was founded in 2015 by tech entrepreneurs Tom Blomfield and Paul Rippon, who have a net worth of 157 million and 234 million respectively according to the Evening Standard Tech Rich list.

Rippon quit the company in 2020 to start an alpaca farm, while Blomfield stood down from the board in 2021.
Drawing a ton of attention in the neighborhood and on social media, a newly finished Folsom home with vast views of the downtown Sacramento skyline is coming to market for $2.4 million.

The futuristic looking house, which can be seen from Highway 50, has caught peoples attention for years during its multi-year construction. Now that its ready to sell, theyre driving by the house or jumping online to get a better glimpse. One recent five-second Instagram reel simply showing the exterior garnered 25,000 likes and 19,000 shares.

Space luxe is here  the future is now, and this is the coolest house ever built in Sacramento, said listing agent Kim Pacini Hauch of Re/Max Gold. Its very forward-thinking.

On Tuesday, Pacini Hauch gave The Sacramento Bee the exclusive first tour of the home since completion.

The modern home spans 4,000 square feet and has four en-suite bedrooms. Two cantilevered bedrooms  the focal points of the architecture  extend beyond the main structure. The bedrooms have long decks offering views from Folsom to the valley.

Entertainment deck

The centerpiece of the property is an expansive deck in the front of the property that is partially cantilevered 40 feet above the ground. An open-concept kitchen and large great room with walls of glass lead out to the front deck, a dramatic space designed for large-scale entertaining and taking in city views at sunset. A loft, set up as an office space, above the great room has a direct view of the Sacramento Valley.

A newly finished Folsom home, photographed Monday, with vast views of the downtown Sacramento skyline is coming to market for $2.4 million.

The sophisticated steel-frame home was a labor of love for owner and builder Doug Cummings, she said. Cummings was the mastermind-creator of the house, while architect Bruce Whitelam brought his vision to life.

Ive always liked contemporary architecture, Cummings said in an interview at the property. I dont see many examples of contemporary architecture in Sacramento, so I said, I would like to build a house, a contemporary house, my swan song, sort of, because Ive built two houses before.

My wife, unfortunately, of 40 years, went to heaven, he said. I was just destroyed, but I knew I had to do something. This was an opportunity for me to get busy, do something constructive. I just did it. The architecture and the structure took a long time, but its done and I think its gorgeous. I think its a beautiful house. Im satisfied.

The lot sits on nearly one-third of an acre on a hillside at 312 Tobrurry Way. There is a spot to build a swimming pool in the back, but the house is orientated toward the front, where the panoramic views unfold as far as the eye can see. A four-passenger elevator going from the garage to the second story is planned. In addition to the four bathrooms, theres a powder room near the front door.

A long driveway leads to a tandem, five-car garage. From the driveway, a curving red, steel stairway leads to the entry which is actually around the back of house.

Its very unique, Pacini Hauch said about the design. Its all steel-frame construction, it cantilevers. It has commercial-quality glass, minimalistic on finishes, so everything is just white and bright.

Staging matches architecture

The company Iron and Sage staged the homes interior on the modern side so a potential buyer might resonate with the architecture, but in a comfortable way, she said.

The house has eight individual mini-splits for flexibility with heating and air conditioning. Each unit, or zone, has its own remote control. heat pumps heating and cooling trend.

The framing of the house is far from standard, Cummings said.

The structural engineering in this house is amazing, requiring commercial-qualified engineers, he wrote in a description of the property.

Tall, broad, crisp-white walls offer a gallery-like setting for artwork.

An art collector is going to go nuts over this house, Pacini Hauch said. If you have a gallery collection, there are many art walls to display your (work).

The listing is expected to go live this week.

There will be a lot of interest in the property, but its very unique and specific so Im excited to see who the buyer is, Pacini Hauch said.

The back of the 4,000-square-foot modern home in Folsom.

The modern Folsom home has two cantilevered bedrooms.

The Bees Hector Amezcua contributed to this story.

My jaw dropped: See Sacramento-area estate that was featured in Hollywood movie
A visitor looks at works on display at the "Integration and Diversity" Invitational Exhibition of Contemporary Malaysian Figure Paintings of Eminent Artists at the China Cultural Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Promoting cultural exchanges and fostering better people-to-people ties motivated Malaysian artist Teh Chin Boon to create "Happiness", a close-up of a woman holding a Baba-Nyonya porcelain storage jar, or "kamcheng."

The vibrant red dress contrasts with the turquoise-colored jar, both featuring Chinese and other motifs, blending together to create a unique image that showcases the rich cultural heritage that artists like Teh are able to draw on when seeking inspiration.

The painting is one of over 70 pieces of art prepared by local renowned artists for the "Integration and Diversity" Invitational Exhibition of Contemporary Malaysian Figure Paintings of Eminent Artists launched on Tuesday at the China Cultural Center in Kuala Lumpur.

Teh explained that he seeks to bring to life the cultural exchanges that he has observed in Malaysia to a wide audience.

"Because for Chinese culture and Malay culture, (there are) actually a lot of things that we can actually feel and you can see. We are actually living in harmony. So like these paintings (are) actually, I think, a reminder for the diverse culture in Malaysia," Teh told Xinhua.

The Baba-Nyonya are the descendants of early immigrants from China with local people in Malaysia. They openly adopted local beliefs and practices, resulting in a unique culture. The jar holds special significance for its role as part of marriage ceremonies, in which the bride presents her prospective groom with the jar filled with sweets symbolizing happiness and good things in life.

In his remarks at the launch, Zhang Jiexin, director of the China Cultural Center in Kuala Lumpur, said Malaysia and China have a long history of cultural exchanges, with friendly interactions between the people of both countries.

Zhang said that China and Malaysia have a long history of friendly exchanges, dating back over 2,000 years to the Qin and Han dynasties.

"In modern times, as Chinese art spread and developed in Southeast Asia, Malaysian Chinese artists have inherited the artistic legacies of their ancestors. They have skillfully transformed various art forms such as calligraphy, painting, relief sculpture, and temple architecture from Chinese traditions to incorporate Nanyang (Southeast Asian) styles," he added.

For his part, Malaysian National Art Gallery director-general Amerrudin Ahmad said that Malaysia-China relations are important, not only for economic reasons but also for cultural and arts initiatives, mutual creativity and cross-cultural exchange through art.

"Through exhibitions, performances, and cultural exchanges, Malaysia and China have forged an enriching partnership, showcasing the diversity of their artistic expressions," he said.

"This mutual appreciation has fostered understanding, promoted cultural diplomacy, and strengthened the bond between the two countries, creating a platform for continuous exploration and celebration of their artistic legacies," he added.

Among the visitors was Li Kejia, an art graduate from China who came to admire the works, with the various aspects of Malaysia's cultural diversity brought to life in the paintings catching her eyes.

"Today is amazing. Their paintings show different cultural styles. We can see the advantages of cultural diversity from these paintings," she said. 

A musician plays the Chinese guqin during the opening ceremony of the "Integration and Diversity" Invitational Exhibition of Contemporary Malaysian Figure Paintings of Eminent Artists at the China Cultural Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)

A visitor takes photos with her mobile phone at the "Integration and Diversity" Invitational Exhibition of Contemporary Malaysian Figure Paintings of Eminent Artists at the China Cultural Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)

Zhang Jiexin (R), director of the China Cultural Center in Kuala Lumpur, presents a certificate to an artist at the "Integration and Diversity" Invitational Exhibition of Contemporary Malaysian Figure Paintings of Eminent Artists at the center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)

A visitor takes photos with her mobile phone at the "Integration and Diversity" Invitational Exhibition of Contemporary Malaysian Figure Paintings of Eminent Artists at the China Cultural Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)
Macon man sentenced to seven years in prison after waving gun at Walmart customers in 2021

A judge sentenced a Macon man who waved a gun at customers in a Walmart in 2021 to seven years in prison Monday, officials said.

Selma Oliver-Smith, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Tilman E. Self III after he was found guilty of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in the Middle District Court of Georgia in April, according to a press release from the U.S. District Attorneys Office.

Oliver-Smith apparently walked into the Walmart on Harrison Road in Macon in August of 2021 and waved a gun at people that approached him, court evidence showed. Officers received a call and located Oliver-Smith at a nearby motel, where they found two guns hidden inside the toilet bowl tank, according to the press release.

One of the guns inside the toilet bowl tanks was identical to the gun in a photo provided by Walmart.

Selma Oliver-Smiths arrest, conviction and sentencing shows that the justice system will not tolerate dangerous career criminals using a firearm to menace innocent shoppers in a busy Walmart, Bibb County Sheriff David Davis said in the press release.

Oliver-Smith had been convicted of felony charges including burglary, theft by taking and criminal damage prior to toting the gun into the superstore in 2021, making it illegal for him to have a firearm.

We are thankful that no shots were fired, and no one was hurt when Selma Oliver-Smith  a convicted felon  brandished a firearm inside a Macon store, terrifying customers and employees, U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary said in the press release. The penalty is steep for convicted felons who illegally carry guns.

The seven-year sentence for Oliver-Smith will be followed by three years of supervised release, the attorneys office statement said.
I made a big mistake on a long-haul flight that left me jet-lagged for days  here's what I'll do differently next time

Insider's reporter regretted the timing of her long-haul flight to Japan. Monica Humphries/Insider

This spring, I embarked on a 12-hour flight from Denver to Tokyo.

My biggest mistake was booking a flight that didn't suit my sleep schedule.

I was jet-lagged for days, and I wish I'd booked a red-eye to help me acclimate to time in Japan.

I hopped on a train heading to Denver's international airport with confidence.

It was my second long-haul flight within a year, and I was convinced I had finally mastered the skill of traveling long distances.

My travel pillow was packed, my AirPods were charged, and a bag full of snacks was stored safely in my backpack.

I thought I had everything I needed. But I made one major mistake  and it didn't have to do with packing.

For a 12-hour plane ride to Japan, I should've prioritized a flight based on my sleep schedule.

Insider's author grabbed coffee before her morning flight. Monica Humphries/Insider

I booked an afternoon flight to Tokyo

In the weeks leading up to my trip, I eyed flights to Tokyo.

Originally, I thought a noon departure would be ideal. It was late enough that I could sleep in and head to the airport without feeling rushed.

A noon departure meant I'd land in Tokyo at 2:40 p.m. the next day. At the time, this seemed ideal; I'd have an afternoon to explore the city before getting a full night's rest to kick off my Japan trip.

So I booked the ticket.

Looking back, I should've considered flights that departed later in the afternoon.

The interior of the plane's cabin with all the lights off. Monica Humphries/Insider

I didn't sleep on the plane, which kicked off a jet-lag nightmare once I landed

I was wide awake when my flight departed.

I had a full night's rest  and I was even able to sleep in past my typical 6:30 a.m. alarm.

I originally hoped that being fully rested would set me up for success, but that was far from the truth.

After meal service on the flight, the cabin lights dimmed, people grabbed their eye masks and pillows, and travelers all around me went to sleep.

I, on the other hand, was wide awake. I read, listened to music, and watched movies. I attempted  and failed  to fall asleep.

The result was that I was utterly exhausted when I landed. While it was midnight in Denver, it was only 3 p.m. in Tokyo.

I had planned for an entire afternoon of exploring. I wanted to pick up a train pass, check into my capsule hotel, see a nearby shrine, and head to dinner at a cheap Michelin-starred restaurant.

Instead, I hopped on a train and proceeded to doze in and out of sleep. The adventures I had lined up for the day wouldn't be enjoyable if I was grumpy and tired.

So, I checked into my hotel and decided to take a short nap. This was a mistake.

Sabra Abbott, an associate professor of neurology in sleep medicine at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, previously told Insider that travelers should try to follow the new destination's time zone and avoid naps to prevent jet lag.

"Get enough sleep so you can push through the rest of the day and go to bed at the new clock time rather than following your home schedule," Abbott said.

I didn't listen, and my nap made things spiral into a jet-lag nightmare.

For the next few days, my sleep schedule was completely off. I went to bed each night at about 8 p.m. and woke up at about 4 a.m.

It took three full days before I adjusted, but those days of poor sleep could've been avoided.

Looking back, I should have booked a flight that departed later in the day. This would've allowed me to fall asleep on the plane and be ready for adventure when I landed in Tokyo.

Abbott seems to agree. If a flight is long enough for a full night's rest, she previously told Insider, taking a red-eye flight can be a smart way to minimize the effects of jet lag.

So for future long-haul flights, I'll be opting for a red-eye.

Read the original article on Insider
Olexander Sak, commander of the 47th separate mechanized brigade

The commander of the 47th Mahura Separate Mechanized Brigade, Oleksandr Sak, has called for calm after chief sergeant Valeriy Markus publicly submitted a letter of resignation on July 11.

In these difficult days, I, the commander of the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade, call on everyone to put aside conflicts, resentments, contradictions, and increase efforts for joint struggle, Sak said.

Let the problems unite us before fierce battles! As the fingers bend into a single fist for a blow, so we must unite. Lets remember our responsibility to history.

Markus publically submitted a letter of resignation on July 11, in which he asked to be demoted to a lower position  the commander of a combat vehicle.

He attributed his decision to experiencing systematic humiliation by the sergeant corps, as well as the brigade commands non-understanding of the importance of the morale of soldiers and the incompetence of the officer corps.

Read also: Ukrainian officer describes combat in Avdiivka, supply & funding problems

In addition to Sak, the chief sergeant of the brigades attack drone company, Rustam Mustafaev, also commented on Markuss resignation.

He said that Markus was trying to shift the responsibility for his own incompetence and transfer to another position.

Mustafaev commented on Markuss statements, calling them myths, and stating that he and his sergeants had never faced humiliation from the brigades sergeant corps.

The best solution for Valeriy Markus is to publicly admit his mistakes and leave the brigade, so as not to interfere with the fighting of those who know how to do it, Mustafaev said.

Our brigade is successfully fulfilling the assigned tasks, despite a number of problematic issues.

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
Attorneys on both sides of a hotly contested, internationally followed wrongful death suit are speaking out this week ahead of a hearing that may derail a civil trial four years in the making.

The emotionally charged civil suit of Renee Beach versus Alex Murdaugh, Gregory M. Parker, Parker's Corporation and the Murdaugh estates is set to begin jury trial in Hampton County Court of Common Pleas Aug. 14 before Judge Daniel D. Hall, but a motion to change venue filed late last week may interfere with that.

Even as Hampton County officials begin the process of planning for yet another expensive, challenging trial in the Murdaugh crime saga, Judge Hall will hold a hearing at noon on Friday at the Hampton County Courthouse to hear the venue change motion as well as a second motion to sever the defendants and try the now infamous and notorious Murdaugh, a convicted murderer and confessed fraudster, and the Parker's defendants separately.

What are the latest motions in the Beach wrongful death case?

The trial, centered around the 2019 boating death of Mallory Beach in Beaufort County, may have to be rescheduled and further delayed if Judge Hall approves either of the recent motions.

Last Friday afternoon, July 7, attorneys for Parker's filed two motions: a motion requesting a change of venue "in order to ensure Parkers ability to obtain a fair and impartial trial," and a second motion to sever for the same reasons.

This photo of Mallory Beach's gravesite was used as an exhibit in a wrongful death suit.

Parker's motions argue that by being "tethered" to Alex Murdaugh and the Murdaugh family in this wrongful death suit, a jury is more likely to find them liable, considering Murdaugh's extensive criminal and civil allegations.

Citing the "local, regional, national, and international interest and focus of the Murdaugh family," the venue motion states that The entire jury venire in Hampton County, South Carolina likely will be aware of the Murdaugh name, family, and news surrounding them.. In this Courts opinion, the vortex of litigation surrounding the Murdaughs involve[s] potentially the most reactionary and publicized proceedings in the history of the South Carolina judiciary and legal system.

The motion does not request a specific venue, just anywhere "outside the 14th Judicial Circuit," which includes Hampton, Beaufort, Jasper, Colleton and Allendale counties.

Filed with the motions are two affidavits from Hampton County citizens claiming that it would not be possible to find an impartial juror anywhere in Hampton County, adding that "Anyone that is involved with the Murdaughs in any trial is going to be stained by that involvement."

The motion to sever is almost identical to a previous motion to sever filed by Parker's, but denied by Judge Daniel Hall.

The Beach wrongful death suit was first filed in March 2019 in Beaufort County but later refiled in Hampton County, after Mallory Beach, 19, of Hampton County died in a boat crash involving Murdaugh's boat and his allegedly intoxicated son, Paul Murdaugh. Murdaugh is accused of allowing his underaged son to drink and operate his boats, and Parker's is accused of illegally selling alcohol to the underaged boaters.

Mark Tinsley, Allendale-based personal injury attorney takes the stand in Alex Murdaughs trial for murder at the Colleton County Courthouse on Thursday, February 9, 2023. Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post and Courier/Pool

Beach attorney Tinsley responds to "ridiculous," "meritless" motions

Mark Tinsley, lead counsel for the Beach family and Mallory Beach's estate, gave a passionate response to The Hampton County Guardian this week in the wake of the recent filings.

Tinsley called Parker's legal positions "ridiculous" and stated that Parker's motions showed "contempt" for residents of Hampton County and the 14th Circuit by implying that they weren't smart enough or honest enough to follow the law and sit on a jury in this case.

"Parker's assertion that somehow it will be prejudiced or harmed by 'being tethered to The Murdaughs' in this case is equally preposterous. 'The Murdaughs' are not defendants in this case, Alex Murdaugh is. And Alex Murdaugh, like Parker's, is adverse to the Beach family and their quest to hold these people, who have refused to accept responsibility and be held accountable for their wrongful actions. As such, Parker's logic in how it will be prejudiced falls apart. It would seem any unfair advantage for 'The Murdaughs' as Parkers put it or for Alex Murdaugh would be against the Beach family and their fight for justice.

"More importantly, of the people remaining in this lawsuit, only the Beach family was harmed or victimized by any of the misdeeds or corruption related to the criminal investigation into their daughter's death. An investigation in which no resident of Hampton County was involved. The Beach family has every confidence that the people of the Lowcountry, who are held in such contempt by Parker's, and the residents of Hampton County in particular, will follow the law in this case. The motion, like all Parker's other motions, is meritless."

PK Shere, attorney for Gregory Parker and Parker's Corporation (at far right) argues before Judge Daniel D. Hall during a recent hearing in Hampton County.

Parker's attorneys explain legal position, cite boaters' 'bad decisions'

PK Shere, attorney for Parkers Kitchen, provided the following statement to The Guardian, explaining his client's legal position.

At its core, this is very simple. Mark Tinsley wants Parkers and the Murdaugh family tethered together for one reason only: to get a jury angry at the Murdaughs and have Parkers pay for it. The real issue here is joint and several liability law in South Carolina. If Mr. Tinsley has his way  if a jury believes Tajeeha Cohen, a customer service representative, and Parkers was even 1% at fault  Parkers would pay for the entirety of any verdict rendered against the Murdaugh family. Basically, Parkers would pay for the repeated bad decisions of all of these boat riders and the Murdaughs.

"Alex Murdaugh was convicted of murdering his wife, Maggie, and his son, Paul. It is evident that Parkers can only receive a fair trial from an impartial jury if there is a severance and a transfer venue for the upcoming trial. The criminal case against Alex Murdaugh constitutes potentially the most reactionary and publicized proceedings in the history of the South Carolina judiciary and legal system. Being tethered to a convicted murderer, the most notorious criminal defendant in the last 50 years, leaves Parkers potentially bearing the brunt of a punitive verdict through joint and several liability. We are simply asking for fairness  for Parkers to be tried separately from Alex Murdaugh  and leave the Murdaugh circus for another day.

This story will be updated Friday afternoon, after the hearing, and again after Judge Hall issues a ruling. You can continue to follow this story and others in the Murdaugh legal saga by supporting the journalism of Michael DeWitt Jr. You can follow DeWitt on Facebook and on Twitter at @mmdewittjr

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Beach wrongful death hearing nears, attorneys trade barbs over motions
Man, 34, arrested on suspicion of using firearm to kidnap Victorville woman

A High Desert man was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of using a firearm to force a woman to give him a ride in her vehicle while in Old Town Victorville.

Victorville Sheriffs Station officials reported that at 3:43 a.m. on Saturday, July 8, Deputy H. Cuevas was dispatched to find the kidnapping victim at Stoddard Wells and Quarry road.

Cuevas located the woman's vehicle, and the woman was able to leave the car while the suspect, Daniel Hodges, 34, who law enforcement describe as a "transient" in Apple Valley and Victorville, too got out of the car and was detained.

High Desert transient Daniel Hodges, 34, was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of using a firearm to kidnap a woman in Old Town Victorville.

Deputies in a news release said the victim was at Seventh and D streets in downtown Victorville when Hodges brandished a handgun, which was identified as a replica.

Hodges then forced the victim to give him a ride. He also kept the victim inside the vehicle for hours and against her will, sheriffs officials stated.

Sheriffs officials did not reveal if the victim was injured.

Deputies arrested and booked Hodges into custody at the High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto on suspicion of felony kidnapping, and felony false imprisonment. His bail is set at $80,000, sheriffs officials said.

Additionally, the San Bernardino County Probation Department booked Hodges on a no-bail custody hold for alleged violation of Post Release Community Supervision.

Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact the Victorville Sheriffs Station at 760-241-2911 or Sheriffs Dispatch at 760-956-5001.

Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to contact We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or wetip.com.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Man, 34, arrested on suspicion of using gun to kidnap Victorville woman
Phoenix police car

A man was arrested on July 3, in connection with an April fatal shooting that occurred after a robbery attempt near a Phoenix middle school.

The shooting left one man dead in the streets, and three months later 38-year-old Duran Naipo was arrested and charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of armed robbery with a deadly weapon. Police are still searching for two other potential suspects.

Just before 5 a.m. on the morning of April 14, Phoenix police officers responded to a shooting call near 63rd and Minnezona avenues, just east of Desert Sands Middle School. When they arrived, they discovered Reynaldo Medrano, Jr., 36, lying in the roadway dead with a single gunshot wound in his back.

Two shell casings from a 9mm and a .380 caliber were found at the scene near Medrano's body.

In order to secure the scene, they called out the occupants of the nearest home. At least 14 people exited the residence and officers learned the home was being used as a shelter for an unknown number of unhoused people, according to police records obtained by The Arizona Republic.

Police interviewed the residents of the house, and all witnesses reported hearing no gunshots or a single gunshot before the body was found. Police believe an unknown number of occupants fled the area before police arrived or before police could interview them.

An occupant of the home told police that before he heard a gunshot he saw three people running into the backyard of the home and out the back gate leading to the alley. He recognized two of those people as "Solo" and "Hawaii," according to police reports.

The witness said another occupant of the home who saw the incident told him that the man with the long hair shot Medrano. Based on this description, the witness believed this was Naipo, said police documents.

A third witness told investigators he saw three men, one he identified as "Hawaii," pull up to the house in a Buick. They parked on the street and began to ask where Medrano was before the three men rushed the property into the backyard through the back gate and into the alley.

The witness followed and saw "Hawaii" raise his arm like he was drawing and pointing a gun, but the witness could not see the weapon. The witness said he heard "Hawaii" say "run your pockets," which he understood as a robbery demand. He then heard the sound of someone running away followed by a gunshot, according to police reports.

Sometime after the shooting, the third witness saw "Hawaii" at a different location and overheard him talking about how he tried to rob Medrano because he heard he carried a lot of money. He then said that Medrano did not cooperate, so he had to "lay him down," according to court documents.

Record checks based on physical description and the nickname "Hawaii," revealed Naipo as the person they knew as "Hawaii" and who they believed shot Medrano, according to police records.

Further record checks by police showed Naipo had an active arrest warrant for a parole violation.

A few days before the homicide occurred, police received a call from someone reporting their white Buick Verano stolen. They said they lent their vehicle to a friend they knew by the nickname "Hawaii." He did not return the vehicle nor return any message they sent to his phone number, according to police reports.

The vehicle was recovered on April 30 unoccupied, but the appearance was consistent with video footage police watched from the night of the homicide and witness descriptions.

Cellular data obtained by police showed that Naipo's phone was used within the location of the homicide early in the morning on April 14. Naipo was arrested by police on June 29, according to reports.

Naipo said he had been a passenger of the Buick, but never drove it. He denied knowing Medrano and denied ever visiting the location of the shooting. He then refused to answer any other questions and asked for an attorney, according to police.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man arrested in attempted robbery and fatal shooting in Phoenix
MOOSE, Wyo. - A Colorado man has been cited for illegally landing a helicopter inside Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, but the National Park Service said it isnt the first time the pilot violated aviation rules.

According to an NPS news release, Peter Smith landed his helicopter along the shore of Jackson Lake inside the 300,000-acre park in late June.

Law enforcement received reports of the landing and said when they reached the site; they found Smith and a friend having a snack along the lake.

The park said Smith was charged with violations of "Operating or using aircraft on lands or waters other than at locations designated pursuant to special regulations" and "Use of aircraft shall be in accordance with regulations of the FAA."

ELKS DING-DONG DITCH CAPTURED ON CAMERA

A Colorado man was cited for landing helicopter inside Grand Teton National Park

Rangers said the aircraft restrictions are in place to protect wildlife, natural resources and visitor experiences.

The northwest Wyoming park encompasses the Teton mountain range and is known for its bears, bison, moose and elk.

Law enforcement said the pilot was previously cited for flying a plane below a safe altitude over Colorados Curecanti National Recreation.

SEE THE EXTREME WEATHER VISITORS AT NATIONAL PARKS EXPERIENCE

Smith reportedly paid a $530 fine after that was imposed by a federal judge after a review of the Federal Aviation Administration regulation violation.

The NPS said Smiths recent alleged violations are both misdemeanors that carry a $5,000 fine and/or six months in jail.

Staff did not state why they believed Smith landed along the lake or how long he was in the park.

Approximately three million visitors visit Grand Teton National Park annually.
Man discovers hundreds of gold coins buried in his cornfield that could be worth millions

The Great Kentucky Hoard was found buried in a mans cornfield in Kentucky (Numismatic Guaranty Company)

A man in Kentucky found 700 rare golden dollars from the Civil War era in his cornfield that are estimated to be worth millions.

The loot, dubbed the The Great Kentucky Hoard, could be worth a six-figure price, according to GovMint, an authorized coin dealer. Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) certified the coins authenticity and graded them.

The importance of this discovery cannot be overstated, as the stunning number of over 700 gold dollars represents a virtual time capsule of Civil War-era coinage, rare coin dealer Jeff Garrett told NGC.

The coins are dated between 1840 and 1863, and include $1 Gold Indians, $10 Gold Libertys and $20 Gold Libertys, according to GovMint, noting that the lattermost  a $20 Gold Liberty from 1863 c ould be worth millions.

The cache also includes 1863 Gold Liberty Double Eagles, a super-rare date that is scarce in all grades, the authentic dealer noted.

The discovery could also provide new insight into a bygone era.

Ryan McNutt, a conflict archaeologist and associate professor at Georgia Southern University, told Live Science: Given the time period and the location in Kentucky, which was neutral at the time, it is entirely possible this was buried in advance of Confederate John Hunt Morgans June to July 1863 raid.
[Source]

A Chinese man was finally reunited with his son in late June after he was abducted from their neighborhood 22 years ago.

How did it happen: Lei Wuze reportedly left his son, Yuechuan, in the care of a neighbor in Yueyang, a city in China's Hunan province, on Oct. 9, 2001. Lei's neighbor reportedly told police that the young boy, who was playing at the time, was lured, trapped and abducted by a suspicious man while she was not paying attention.

The decades-long search begins: Soon after hearing the news, Lei immediately went out to find his son, an effort that lasted for 22 years.

During his tireless search, Lei reportedly met with over 300 officers, some of whom provided assistance and visited other cities. He even posted leaflets all over the country and appeared on television shows and radio stations hoping to find his long-lost son.

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"As soon as I found someone suspected of being Yuechuan, I would rush over immediately, but I have been disappointed for 22 years," said Lei, according to China News.

A promise made: While Leis father was on his deathbed, he made him promise to bring back Yuechuan.

Even though Lei and his wife had a daughter after the abduction, the man never stopped looking for their lost son. He even made sure to buy him gifts on his birthdays despite not seeing him for over two decades.

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Making friends: Lei reportedly made friends among a community of parents who also lost their children. Seeing some of them being reunited with their loved ones made the father hopeful that he could one day have the same reunion with Yuechuan.

Big development: Lei eventually received good news earlier this year when authorities confirmed to him after conducting two tests that his DNA matched with a 26-year-old man from Shenzhen, around 560 miles away. Lei noted that he had been to Shenzhen on several occasions in the past, even staying a few kilometers away from his sons current home.

Authorities also used a new facial recognition technology that Chinese media dubbed Face Recognition 2.0 Prototype, which is used to create an aged model of a subject after scanning a picture of them as a child.

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"This is the 7,916th day I have been looking for Yuechuan, and after 22 years, I finally found my son," Lei was quoted saying.

Police are investigating alleged human traffickers for the abduction, according to Red Star news.

Planned reunion: Although Lei has not yet been officially reunited with his son, he has already begun planning a reunion banquet, and has even prepared two separate bedrooms for his son to choose from should he decide to return home.

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Lei said he was able to see a picture of his now-adult son, who is reportedly 175 centimeters tall (5 feet, 8.9 inches), majored in marketing and has been living and working in Shenzhen for years.

According to Lei, he will continue to assist other families in locating their abducted children. "We all share the same experience, and I want everyone to believe that with the help of all parts of society, we can find our children," said Lei.
Man kills, dismembers 82-year-old mom because he had spent all of her money, cops say

A mail theft investigation turned into a murder investigation for Minnesota authorities, who say a man killed his 82-year-old mom over financial reasons.

Troy Mitteness, 56, was charged Monday, July 10, with second-degree murder. Burnsville police said he killed his mother in June 2022, then scattered her body in plastic tote bins throughout the state.

Authorities were investigating reports of mail theft involving Mitteness and said proceeds from the thefts were being deposited into an account belonging to his mother, Sandra Viola Mitteness, police said.

He initially told police his mom was in South Dakota but later said she died June 14, 2022. But the funeral home, police said, never provided post-mortem care of funeral related services.

Family members were told the 82-year-old woman had fallen down stairs in June 2022. But when they asked Troy Mitteness if they could visit her in the hospital, he told them she had COVID-19 and could not have visitors, according to the probable cause statement.

Police learned Troy Mitteness sold his moms vehicle to a family member after he said his mother died. When officers found the vehicle, which was sold again to a third party, they observed blood in the trunk, police said.

Detectives interviewed Mitteness after the discovery of blood on the stairs of his home and on a mattress and box spring, the probable cause statement says.

(Mitteness) admitted to killing the victim because he had spent all of her money, and she was becoming suspicious and wanted to see her finances, police said. Before killing her, (Mitteness) advised he researched online how to kill an elderly person without poison and decided to stab her while she was in the bed.

He used a large kitchen knife to kill his mom, and he dismembered her body and put parts in plastic tote bins, police said. Mitteness tossed the tote bins in a ditch and behind a dumpster in various areas of Minnesota, police said.

Mitteness is being held in the Dakota County Jail on a $2 million bond, according to Patch.

In a statement to multiple outlets, including KARE, Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena called the incident one of the most horrific and disturbing cases in her 34-year career.

Burnsville is about 15 miles south of Minneapolis.

Man shoots and kills his mom and aunt while his grandma is home, Pennsylvania cops say

Woman stabbed to death while putting air in tire, Michigan cops say. Just ruthless

Son strangles his mom to death before calling 911, Oklahoma police say
CARACAS, July 11 (Xinhua) -- The Venezuelan government said Tuesday it supports Cuba's condemnation of the "manipulative conduct of the European Union (EU)" in organizing an upcoming EU-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Summit in Brussels, Belgium.

"Venezuela decisively supports the condemnations made by Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla," the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

A "lack of transparency" in the preparation of the summit between the two regional integration blocs, it said, "seriously compromises the success of the said gathering."

It also accused the EU of "imposing its own format on the third summit," though CELAC's pro tempore presidency "has made important contributions regarding a democratic, inclusive and effective summit format."

However, the ministry said that Venezuela is willing to "participate in and contribute to the summit in a constructive spirit and on the basis of respect, mutual commitment and cooperation between our regions."

The third EU-CELAC Summit is scheduled for July 17-18 under the banner "Renewing the bi-regional partnership to strengthen peace and sustainable development." 
Man struck by hit-and-run driver on Cape Cod highway dies from injuries, police say

A man who was struck by a hit-and-run driver on a Cape Cod highway earlier this week has died from his injuries, police announced Wednesday.

Officers responding to a report of a crash on Route 6 around 9:40 p.m. Monday found an unresponsive man with severe head injuries in the roadway, according to the Wellfleet Police Department.

Jeffrey Richardson, 59, of Brookfield, Connecticut, was rushed to Cape Cod Hospital, where he passed away Tuesday.

Our sincerest condolences go out to his family at this difficult time, the department said.

The driver involved in the crash fled the scene.

Police are now asking the public for help in tracking down a vehicle with damage to the passenger side, including the passenger side mirror.

State police detectives assigned to the Barnstable District Attorneys Office are assisting Wellfleet police with an investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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[Source]

A Singaporean man with a fetishistic interest in service uniforms has been sentenced to two weeks in jail for stealing a police officers jacket in 2019 and another officers bag last year.

What he did: Lam Seng Yip, 52, first swiped an unattended traffic jacket at around 9 p.m. on Sept. 20, 2019, while an officer responded to an accident at the intersection of Buangkok Green Road and Yio Chu Kang Road. The officer left the jacket on his motorcycle, which he parked nearby.

Lam had already passed by the bike but returned half an hour later to grab the jacket costing 140 Singapore dollars (approximately $105), which reportedly had a name tag and a sergeant rank epaulet. After being noticed and pursued, he was arrested before midnight.

A history of theft: This is not the first time Lam was arrested for stealing objects from law enforcement. In a separate incident in 2019, he was convicted of stealing operational items from police and traffic marshals.

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In June 2022  three years after stealing the jacket  Lam targeted another busy officers car, which was parked in front of Block 171 at Woodlands Street 11. Realizing that the windows were down, Lam grabbed a bag, ran away with it and booked a private car back to his home.

The operational bag contained items worth over 380 Singapore dollars (approximately $286), including a police cap, a police vest, a police raincoat, reflective gloves, a drivers license, a wallet and some credit cards. Lam was arrested the next day and the items were recovered.

Why he did it all: Lam pleaded guilty to two charges of theft in connection with the latest incidents in December. Prosecutors sought a maximum sentence of eight weeks in jail, but a judge lowered it to two weeks on Tuesday.

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A report from Singapores Institute of Mental Health stated that Lam had been diagnosed with sadomasochistic and fetishistic interests amounting to a paraphilic disorder, primarily seeking clothing from uniformed services, according to CNA. He was given a mandatory treatment order after his conviction in 2019, but details of that order are unknown.

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Cambodia wants the Met to return dozens of Khmer Empire relics looted during the country's wartime

Man Dies of COVID-19 Waiting for Plasma Donation as His 'Last Chance to Survive'
[Source]

PoliMce in St. Petersburg, Florida, are looking for a man who allegedly shot at a woman during a road rage incident last week.

What happened: The man, who was driving a white minivan, was purportedly heading north on Dr. Martin Luther King Street North at around 9:30 p.m. on July 5 when he came across a red Mazda CX3. According to police, the man swerved to avoid the vehicle while it crossed east at the intersection of 116th Ave.

The minivan then allegedly made a U-turn and chased the Mazda. When both vehicles reached 116th Ave. and 4th St. North, the minivan driver allegedly shot at the Mazda driver. The incident resulted in serious but non-life-threatening injuries to the Mazda driver, who was alone in her car, according to police.

About the suspect: Authorities described the suspect as an Asian man with gray hair between 30 and 40 years old.

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The incident is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call St. Petersburg police at 727-893-7780.

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My dignity was stripped away: Woman attacked by 2 separate suspects in California train

Man caught on CCTV snatching womans purse, driving away in a Mercedes in Las Vegas Chinatown
Leslie Van Houten, a follower of Charles Manson who was convicted in two killings, was released on parole Tuesday, officials said.

Van Houten, 73, spent more than five decades in prison.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who had previously blocked parole efforts, said Friday that he would not challenge Houten's release in state Supreme Court.

An appeals court ruled in May that Van Houten was eligible for parole, reversing a decision by Newsom to reject parole.

Van Houten was originally sentenced to death for the Aug. 10, 1969, murders of Leno and Rosemary La Bianca.

"The original conviction and death sentence were reversed on appeal and she was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole," the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement.

In 1969, Manson and fellow cult member Charles Tex Watson went inside the couple's home and tied them up.

Manson went outside and told Van Houten and another person to go inside and follow Watsons directions, according to court records. Watson told them to kill Rosemary LaBianca, and Watson killed Leno LaBianca.

The previous day, Watson and other cult members  not Van Houten  killed actress Sharon Tate and others in her home.

Van Houten is the second of six Manson cult followers convicted of murder and initially sentenced to death to be paroled.

Most of the death sentences were commuted to life in prison under a 1972 court decision that outlawed capital punishment; the death penalty was later reinstated in California.

A judge reduced Steve Clem Grogans death sentence to life in 1971 for different reasons, and he was paroled in 1985.

Leslie Van Houten waits for the start of her parole board hearing at the California Institution for Women in Corona, Calif., on Sept. 6, 2017. (Stan Lim / AP file)

Manson died at a hospital in 2017 while serving a life sentence. Watson is serving life in prison. Susan Atkins died in prison in 2009, and Patricia Krenwinkel is serving a life sentence.

Others have also been convicted but not sentenced to death.

A relative of one of the people killed by the Manson family in the 1960s, who has regularly attended parole hearings for cult members, said Van Houtens release was a failure of the parole system.

Every governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger has rescinded the paroles of the Manson murderers, said Kay Martley, 86, whose cousin Gary Hinman was tortured and killed by Manson followers on July 27, 1969.

Van Houten did not kill Hinman. Bobby Beausoleil was convicted and is serving a life sentence for Hinmans murder.

Gov. Newsom let the judicial system override his parole power, which will impact every victims family, not just those of us fighting against the five Manson killers, Martley said.

In announcing Friday that he would not seek review at the state Supreme Court, Newsom's office said that court would be unlikely to take the case.

Newsoms office said further appeal would be unlikely to succeed.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Many assumed Manson murderers would never be freed. How Leslie Van Houten did it

At 19, Leslie Van Houten is escorted by two deputy sheriffs as she leaves a courtroom in Los Angeles on Dec. 19, 1969. (George Brich / Associated Press)

Denied by two governors and forever linked to Charles Manson and his "family," it seemed unlikely Leslie Van Houten would ever be freed.

But legal experts say an exemplary and impeccable record during her more than 50 years behind bars made the legal challenges to her release an uphill fight.

I dont think most people thought any member of the Manson family would get out alive, said Laurie Levenson, a professor of law at Loyola Law School. The crime was horrific, but I think the governor realized he wasnt likely to overturn the parole commission and the court of appeals.

Van Houten was serving a life sentence in the 1969 murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. The California parole board first recommended her release in 2016, and Govs. Gavin Newsom and Jerry Brown had both previously opposed all attempts to free her.

But last week, after an appellate court overruled Newsom's latest denial of her parole, he said he would not challenge the move.

The governor is disappointed by the Court of Appeals decision to release Ms. Van Houten, but will not pursue further action as efforts to further appeal are unlikely to succeed, Newsoms communications director, Erin Mellon, said in a statement Friday.

On Tuesday, the 73-year-old was released to parole supervision, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said.

Read more: Former Manson follower Leslie Van Houten freed; 'gut-wrenching,' says relative of a victim

Heidi Rummel, director of the Post-Conviction Justice Project at USC, noted that Van Houten has had an impeccable record of rehabilitation for many decades.

Rummel, who has represented candidates for parole for more than 15 years, said clients have cited Van Houten for their focus on rehabilitation during their time behind bars.

But Van Houtens crimes, seared into American infamy, made her efforts to be paroled difficult. It is rare, Rummel said, for someone who has been denied parole as many times as Van Houten to ultimately be released.

In addition, the gruesome crime for which she was convicted and her constant connection to Manson, one of the most infamous criminals of the 20th century, made her release a political challenge.

Leslie Van Houten reacts after hearing she is eligible for parole during a hearing on Sept. 6, 2017. (Stan Lim / Associated Press)

Politically, this is not something the governor wanted to do, Levenson said. But she managed to get out because she managed to become a different person in prison.

Van Houten became involved with the Manson family in the 1960s. Supporters described her as a misguided teen under the influence of LSD on the night of the killings.

She was involved in the second of the Manson family murders  the killings of LaBianca and his wife at their Los Feliz home.

Read more: Full Coverage: The Manson murders  50 years later

Van Houten and another woman held down Rosemary LaBianca as Charles Tex Watson stabbed Leno LaBianca. He handed Van Houten a knife after he was finished. She testified to stabbing the woman at least 14 times.

And I took one of the knives, and Patricia had one  a knife  and we started stabbing and cutting up the lady, Van Houten testified in 1971. (Patricia Krenwinkel was a co-defendant and another Manson family member.)

The day before the LaBianca murders, Manson followers  including Watson and Krenwinkel  had killed Sharon Tate and her friends Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger and Steven Parent in a brutal attack at a home on Cielo Drive in Benedict Canyon.

The two slayings, commonly referred to as the Tate-LaBianca murders, drew international attention and became inexorably linked to Los Angeles and the late 1960s.

Read more: What happened to the Manson 'family'? A look at key figures, decades after horrific murders

After more than five decades in prison, Van Houten was again on the precipice of parole. After the California appeals court overruled Newsoms decision to keep her locked up, he could have filed a petition for review to the state Supreme Court, asking for permission to appeal the decision. The Supreme Court then would decide whether or not to take the case, but Rummel said doing so would have been a shot in the dark.

The court of appeal reviewed her record and said there was no basis for the governor to reverse the decision, Rummel said, adding there was nothing in Van Houten's record to suggest she still posed a danger to society.

They look at the crime, but they look at the program, rehabilitation and statistical risk factors, she said.

Any appeal, Rummel said, would likely not be based on an issue with law, only with the governors disagreement with the decision, meaning the states Supreme Court would have been unlikely to take up the case.

Still, her release is not likely to have an effect on other members of the Manson family who are still in prison.

One parole decision has nothing to do with another parole decision, Rummel said. Its really a focus on whether the person presents an unreasonable risk or danger.

Other former Manson followers will still likely have an extremely tough battle for parole, experts say.

This case was singed into public memory, Levenson said. Helter Skelter is a case on its own.

Read more: Charles Manson's murderous imprint on L.A. endures as other killers have come and gone

Watson, 77, is still in custody at the RJ Donovan Correctional facility in San Diego and was denied parole in 2021.

Krenwinkel, 75, is at the California Institution for Women in Chino. In May 2022, a parole board recommended she be released, but Newsom blocked the effort in October, saying she posed an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety.

For all these years, the focus has been on the crime, not the individual or the inmate, Levenson said. I think thats why people had such little hope that Leslie Van Houten would be released. Recently, theres been more of a focus on if the individual is a danger to society."

Anthony DiMaria, the nephew of victim Jay Sebring, had previously spoken at Van Houtens parole hearings on behalf of the LaBianca family. He told The Times that her release was expected, but it doesnt make it any less painful.

It doesnt lessen the blow, DiMaria said Tuesday. Its just as mind-numbing, nauseating, gut-wrenching and painful to think that this release is real.

But Nancy Tetreault, Van Houtens attorney, was thrilled that her client was going to be given a chance at freedom.

Im really happy for Leslie because the thing about her is, she entered prison as a 19-year-old young woman who was struggling with a lot of problems in her home life, Tetreault said. She got introduced to the Manson cult under the guise that it was a happy, hippie commune, and it turned out so bad for her.

Times staff writers Christian Martinez, Richard Winton, Summer Lin and Jeremy Childs contributed to this report.

Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Even as a kid, Ian Frank Tortorici rejected the limelight.

His father, Jon Frank, liked to express his pride in him by posting photos and videos of him on social media.

But the boy would insist, Dont put me on Facebook.

When Frank uploaded a video of his sons wrestling highlights to YouTube  he had a move, a cradle, he just mastered that move, Frank recalled  Tortorici wrote in the comments, To whom it may concern, I do not condone this video.

So Frank knows that when his son volunteered to fight in Ukraine, it wasnt because he wanted attention. And he knows that his son, who was killed June 27 at age 32 in what Frank said was a missile strike in Kramatorsk, wouldnt have wanted people to make a fuss over his death.

Ukraine lessons take center stage in Marines new information warfare plan

But Frank said he feels he has to get his sons story out.

I just have to, because hes not here and he cant stop me, he said in an interview with Marine Corps Times on Friday. I have to tell the world who he is.

The father said, I didnt know who he was.

One of five children, Tortorici was always a guardian, his younger brother, Taylor Frank, wrote in a Facebook statement July 3. Taylor Frank, who often was in the hospital as a kid, remembered his brother reading to him or distracting him with funny faces so he wouldnt notice the needles.

Tortorici developed an interest in the military at age 14, when he decided to do Devil Pups, a program that gives youth a taste of life in the Marine Corps. He loved it, Jon Frank said.

As a teen, Tortorici considered the Navy Reserve as a way to pay for college but spoke to a Marine recruiter with prompting from his dad, a Marine veteran. That was it: He became a Marine reservist.

The young man grew up with the last name Frank and served in the Marine Corps under that name but adopted Tortorici, his great-grandfathers name, as an adult.

He changed his name the way he did everything else in life, according to his father. He announced once, with little fanfare, that he would do it, and then he did it.

Tortorici served in the Reserve as a data systems technician beginning in 2009 and left as a corporal, according to Marine spokeswoman Yvonne Carlock. His Reserve end of current contract was listed in the Marine Corps databases as 2016, according to Carlock, though Jon Frank said his time in the Reserve ended the year prior.

He was activated for 10 months at Miramar, California, where he was part of Marine Wing Support Squadron 473, though he never got sent on his expected deployment to Bahrain, Jon Frank said.

Tortorici didnt fit in with the bravado of the Corps, and he didnt like to tell people he was a Marine, his father said.

After graduating from Seattle Pacific University, the young man tried out teaching and tech but decided to become a law enforcement officer for the National Park Service and later for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In his time off, Tortorici would strap on a backpack and explore Europe  especially Eastern Europe, according to Frank.

It was there that Tortorici met a young Ukrainian woman, who would become his girlfriend, Frank later learned.

When Russias war in Ukraine began in February 2022, Tortoricis girlfriend urged him to provide humanitarian aid rather than volunteer on the front lines, as she later recounted to Frank.

But Tortorici signed up with the Ukrainian International Legion, a group of foreign citizens fighting for Ukraine.

Characteristically, he kept that decision to himself, until March 2022, when Tortorici told Frank via an out-of-the-blue secure message that he had gone to volunteer in Ukraine.

Ill come home when its over

Throughout the next 15 months, Tortorici would fight in seminal battles across Ukraine, according to Frank.

Sometimes, he shared details; other times, he went silent for weekslong stretches during which his father feared the worst.

Frank noticed from the messages that his son had changed, had become bolder. Prouder.

In photos, his kit always looked spiffy, and it was clear to Frank that Tortorici took immense pride in every part of his uniform. That was unusual for Tortorici, who once had bought the cheapest car he could find in the Sunday newspaper, with vinyl seats and roll-up windows, Frank said.

When his father asked him to come home, Tortorici invariably responded, Ill come home when its over.

In late June, Tortorici had some time off from fighting on the front lines. He told Frank he was heading to Kramtorsk, Ukraine.

When Frank saw news on Telegram of a Russian missile strike hitting a restaurant in that city, he worried. His son rarely splurged, but when he did it was on things that made him laugh and on food.

Frank messaged Tortorici but got no response.

A few days later came the call from the State Department.

With his death, Tortorici became at least the fifth U.S. Marine veteran to be killed volunteering in Ukraine.

The other Marine vets known to have died in the war in Ukraine are former Sgt. Cooper Harris Andrews, 26, killed in April; former Cpl. Pete Reed, 33, killed in February; and retired Capt. Grady Kurpasi, 50, and Willy Joseph Cancel, 22, each killed in April 2022.

The State Department has discouraged Americans from volunteering in Ukraine, although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed foreign volunteers.

After Tortoricis death, his grieving father heard more about his sons last year and a quarter from those who fought alongside him.

His comrades said Tortorici showed no fear and always insisted on being the first to hit the trenches, according to Frank.

They said he thrice had an instinct to move positions, saving himself and others from artillery fire each time. They said he would push back with officers if he believed something wasnt right, and the officers would listen because they respected his battlefield experience.

Im learning so many things about him, Frank said. I just dont understand how thats my son. Its not my son who theyre talking about. Hes not a warrior. And to them, thats all he is. Somebody who was born to do this.

Tortorici will never get to live out what his father said was his plan of marrying his girlfriend and raising a family with her on a farm in Eastern Europe.

But one consolation for Frank is that his son, in fighting for Ukraine with the men on his team, finally found a place he felt like he belonged.

Everybodys sharing pictures with me, Frank said, and Ive never seen his face so happy in his whole life.

Editors note: This story was corrected July 13 to clarify the end date of Tortoricis Marine Corps service and the type of car he bought.
Marjorie Taylor Greene brands Nato not a reliable partner as she calls for US to withdraw

Far-right Rep Majorie Taylor Greene has introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorisation Act that directs the president to withdraw the US from Nato.

They are not a reliable partner whose defense spending should be paid for by American citizens. For the better part of the last decade, Germany has contributed only around one per cent of its GDP to finance Nato obligations while the United States is paying around four per cent of our GDP to defend Nato countries, Ms Greene said in announcing the amendment.

She added that the US has been financing and promising to defend Nato countries for decades and paying more than its fair share.

Western European countries could and should be stepping up their financial contributions to ensure the security of Nato. Instead, they are entirely beholden to Russia and US taxpayers expected to foot the bill, Ms Greene concluded.

The Georgia congresswomans amendment comes the same day that President Joe Biden expressed the US ironclad commitment to NATO in a tweet amid a Nato summit in Lithuania.

Earlier on Tuesday, Nato leaders wrote in a declaration that Ukraines future is in NATO, adding, We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met.
Martial artist spots man setting fire  and chases him down, California police say

A mixed martial artist foiled the escape of a man accused of lighting a 15-acre wildfire, California police reported.

The martial artist spotted the accused arsonist igniting vegetation with a flare in Vallejo on Saturday, July 8, police said in a news release.

The accused arsonist dashed to a black Tesla in an attempt to flee but the good Samaritan chased him down and pulled him from the vehicle, police said.

The arsonist knew he was in trouble and quickly learned he was being detained by a trained mixed martial artist who introduced him to a double armbar, police said.

He held the man until police arrived to arrest him, police said. Officers also discovered the Tesla, which contained more flares, had been stolen in Fremont.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze, which ended up scorching about 15 acres, the release said.

Vallejo is about 60 miles southwest of Sacramento.

Woman tracks down her stolen car with an AirTag and gets shot, Colorado police say

Gunman robs toy store with 3 kids inside, Arizona video shows. We need to find him

Dad charged in 7-year-olds death after shes hit by car on highway, CA officials say
Martin sheriff demotes sergeant after investigators find he said racial slur to deputy

MARTIN COUNTY  A sheriff's sergeant was demoted after an investigation found he used a racial slur while speaking with his colleague at the Martin County Jail April 1, according to records from the Martin County Sheriff's Office.

Sgt. Nicholas Neswick, who is assigned to corrections and uniform road patrol, said a racist term aimed at Latino people while on duty with another deputy at the Martin County Jail, investigators said.

Neswick violated policies on derogatory remarks and harassment and discrimination, records show.

More: An assistant chief at PSL police under criminal, internal investigations has retired

Racial Slur: Before making the remarks, Neswick was with another deputy in the booking office, who was gathering paperwork.

The deputy was preparing paperwork for an incident and asked for help after having computer problems.

In a sworn statement, the deputy said he and Neswick were talking with each other and the sergeant made a remark about the deputy not being able to do the paperwork, according to the records.

Neswick said "I am sure if it was in Spanish or something like that, (racial slur)," according to the records.

Investigators verified with another witness that Neswick said the racial slur. In a sworn statement, Neswick himself told deputies that he used the racial slur.

Medical emergency: After Neswick said the racial slur, the deputy told him to watch his mouth and walked away from him, records show.

Investigators said the deputy did not want to speak with Neswick and avoided contact with him even as the sergeant attempted to talk with him.

Neswick continued attempting to apologize to the deputy, who had made it clear he did not want to talk.

To avoid Neswick, the deputy said he had to lock himself in the bathroom, according to the records.

As he was attempting to speak with the deputy locked in the bathroom, Neswick started to feel ill and suffered a medical issue that required him to be transported to the hospital.

Demotion: After Neswick waived his right to have union representation present with him and confirmed to investigators that he said the racial slur, Sheriff's Office leadership found Neswick violated policies on derogatory remarks, harassment and discrimination.

Sheriff William Snyder signed off on a demotion to deputy for Neswick on May 17.

More: Martin deputy arrested after PSL police say he shoplifted at Walmart

More: Martin County deputy resigns after battery arrest in St. Augustine

Mauricio La Plante is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow him on Twitter @mslaplantenews or email him at Mauricio.LaPlante@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Martin sheriff's sergeant demoted after racist remark, records show
Two men have been arrested in connection with separate attacks on Massachusetts state troopers during traffic stops days apart, authorities said Tuesday.

The most recent attack occurred July 7 in the Boston suburb of Tewksbury on Interstate 495, the state police said.

A trooper stopped Hernan Aybar Romero, 24, and discovered he had four arrest warrants for alleged trafficking in heroin, morphine, opium and fentanyl. When Romero got out of his vehicle, he assaulted the trooper as he was being put in handcuffs, authorities said.

He got back into the vehicle and fled, police said. The trooper was treated at a local hospital and released.

COPS GONE WILD? SERIES OF SEX ROMP CLAIMS DOGS LAW ENFORCEMENT AS 'DEFUND' MOVEMENT MAY ADD FUEL TO FIRE

Colin James Webb, 19, is accused of attacking a Massachusetts state trooper during a July 5 traffic stop.

Authorities caught up with Romero on Tuesday and took him into custody. He faces a slew of charges, including resisting arrest, assault and battery of a police officer, malicious destruction of property over $1,200 and assault with a dangerous weapon.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The attack came two days after a trooper approached a motorcyclist July 5 on an Interstate 95 off-ramp stop light in Wakefield for erratic operation. The motorcyclist was identified as 19-year-old Colin James Webb.

The trooper repeatedly asked Webb to turn off the bike, which he allegedly refused to do. Police dashcam video appears to show Webb attempting to drive toward the trooper, who was standing in front of the handlebars and front wheel of the sport-style motorcycle.

Webb was eventually able to speed away from the trooper, who was pushed into the intersection by the advancing bike before managing to free himself from it, narrowly avoiding being hit by a passing pickup truck.

A Massachusetts state trooper tried to stop a motorcyclist during a traffic stop attack, police said. Two men have been arrested for alleged attacks on troopers days apart, authorities said.

Webb was arrested July 7 and faces charges of assault and battery of a police officer, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and assault with a dangerous weapon, among others.

"These incidents were brazen, and deliberately violent assaults perpetrated by motivated offenders on public servants who were engaged in their duties to protect our roads, our communities, our citizens, and our visitors," said Massachusetts State Police Supt. Col. John Mawn Jr. "We work very hard to ensure that violence directed against any victim  police officer or civilian  is answered with a swift and thorough response, and that was exactly what was done in these two investigations."
BEIRUT, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese Ministry Of Economy and Trade signed on Wednesday an agreement with the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture to cooperate on Lebanon's participation in the International Horticultural Expo 2023 to be held in Qatar's capital Doha.

Minister of Economy and Trade Amin Salam underlined the importance of working closely with the Lebanese private sector to ensure the country's success at the six-month event scheduled to be launched in October, the official National News Agency reported.

Salam also thanked Qatar for sponsoring Lebanon's participation in the expo.

While lauding the "outstanding" relations between Lebanon and Qatar, Qatari Ambassador to Lebanon Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al Sahlawi, who also attended the signing ceremony, said he hoped all relevant sectors in Lebanon could participate in the expo. 
A woman living in rural Florida was killed when a large, moss-draped tree suddenly came crashing through the middle of her home, officials say.

It happened Monday, July 10, in the North Weeki Wachee area, about 55 miles north of Tampa, according to Hernando County Fire Rescue.

The identity of the victim was not released, but the 58-year-old woman was trapped under the web of limbs, officials said.

Arriving crews found a large tree that had landed onto the center of the mobile home, rescue officials said.

Access to the victim was limited due to the unstable nature of the tree and structure. Upon gaining access, the victim was pronounced deceased on the scene.

The cause of death is being investigated by the medical examiners office. However, no foul play is suspected, officials said.

A photo released by Hernando County Fire Rescue shows the tree appeared to split in half, with a large portion falling directly atop the home on Tooke Lake Boulevard. The structure, including an extension, sustained heavy damage, officials said.

Kevin Gibbs, a relative of the victim, told WFLA she spent most of her time on the porch. She likes to sit there and look over the lake and stuff, and thats where she was when the tree came down, Gibbs told the station.

Investigators have not determined what caused the sudden fall, but the tree showed signs of severe rotting and winds were high at the time, officials said.

The tree was clearly old, and had a base estimated at 6 feet in diameter, fire rescue officials said.

Lightning strikes man seconds before he plunges off roof and dies, Florida cops say

Felon vanished along densely forested Florida river. Then deputies looked under boat

Watch out for flying fish! Massive waterspout recorded looming off Destin, Florida
The News

NATO said Ukraine would eventually be admitted into the 31-nation military alliance but failed to lay out a timeline, falling short of Kyivs hopes for a clear membership pathway.

Weve collected top analysis on what NATOs position, outlined during its annual summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, indicates for Ukraine going forward.

Insights

Ukraine has long understood that it has no path to membership while Russias war rages. But there had been growing hope in the country for an accelerated pathway into NATO after the conflict ends, the historian Phillips OBrien noted in his newsletter. Without it, Ukraine will be the only country bordering Russia that isnt protected by the bloc. Ukrainians want, indeed crave, some confidence in their future free of Russia, OBrien notes. NATO membership would offer that confidence, and it would have been a powerful signal to them as a protected part of the European order.

NATOs ambiguous communique lacks any clear path to membership in the alliance. Christopher Skaluba, director of the Atlantic Councils Transatlantic Security Initiative, said that the documents language is a head-scratching and disappointing formulation. While the upgrade of the NATO-Ukraine Commission to Council status and the removal of formal membership action plan requirements for Ukraine are major developments, neither packs a political punch, nor will either move be viewed as real progress on the membership question, Skaluba said.

Illia Ponomarenko, a defense reporter with the Kyiv Independent, wrote on Twitter that NATOs argument that Ukraine must upgrade its military offering before joining the alliance is a very weak excuse. Ukraine has successfully fended off Russias full-scale invasion and liberated large swaths of occupied territories, Ponomarenko notes, and launched a major counteroffensive. Lets at least be honest and admit that its NATO being not ready now. Which is still understandable, he said.

Know More

In a statement released on Tuesday the alliance said that Ukraine would be given an eventual path to membership, saying that NATO will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the Alliance when Allies agree and conditions are met.

But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the communiques vague wording shortly before the documents release, writing on Twitter that it seems there is no readiness neither to invite Ukraine to NATO nor to make it a member of the Alliance.

Zelenskyy will engage in bilateral talks with the United States, Canada, Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, and Japan on Wednesday in hopes of securing additional arms as Ukraines counteroffensive continues.
Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero / The Daily Beast / Getty

Since the release of ChatGPT, there have been a lot of concerns about the dangers it poses. Some are justified, but most of them are so ridiculous that you wonder how we got this far as a species in the first place.

One very legitimate concern, however, was how these large language models (LLMs) would be used in places like hospitals and doctors offices. The stakes can be a matter of life and death, which means you might not want chatbots that are known to get things wronga lot of the timeto be making big decisions about your health. The risks havent stopped people from trying to build one, launching a race involving everyone from pharma bros to the Tech Giants.

That includes Google. Meet Med-PaLM 2, an LLM the company previously announced in May as a chatbot dedicated to answering medical questions. AI researchers at the company published a paper Wednesday in Nature detailing more about how Med-PaLM 2 works, and they also introduced a set of benchmarks that the researchers say can help evaluate AI chatbots for their efficacy and accuracy in the medical setting. The authors say that these metrics can help prevent or at least cut down on instances of bias and harm caused by LLMs.

Martin Shkrelis Bizarre AI Chatbot Is a Medical and Legal Nightmare

Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported that the chatbot is already being tested in the Mayo Clinic in Minneapolis, Minnesota. So, while you might feel uncomfortable with a bot helping your doctor answer questions, the reality is that its already happeningand its being used at one of the worlds most prestigious and largest medical group practices in the world.

Medicine is a humane endeavor in which language enables key interactions for and between clinicians, researchers and patients, the studys authors write. Yet, todays artificial intelligence (AI) models for applications in medicine and healthcare have largely failed to fully utilize language.

To solve what the authors describe as a discordance between what todays models can do and what may be expected of them in medical settings, the team introduced a clinical benchmark for AI called MultiMedQA. This model allows clinicians, hospitals, and researchers to essentially test different LLMs for their accuracy before they use them. This can cut down on instances of chatbots hallucinating harmful misinformation or reinforcing biases in medical settings.

Googles AI Chatbot Bard Spews Misinformation and Hate, Researchers Find

MultiMedQA utilizes six different datasets of questions and answers related to professional medicine. This includes a new dataset developed by Google called HealthSearchQA that contains 3,173 of the most commonly searched medical questions online.

The researchers then ran PaLMthe underlying LLM that Google incorporated into its Bard chatbotand a variant dubbed FLAN-PaLM through the benchmark. It discovered that the latter performed fairly well, and even exceeded previous chatbots in the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam-style questions.

However, a panel of human clinicians evaluated the models long-form answers and found that just 62 percent of the responses aligned with scientific consensusan obvious problem in places like hospitals where the wrong answer could mean someone dies.

60 Minutes Made a Shockingly Wrong Claim About a Google AI

So the researchers used a technique called prompt tuning, or the process of giving a more precise description of a task that you want the chatbot to achieve, to refine the model. The result was Med-PaLM, which greatly improved results. In fact, the panel found that 92.6 percent of the models answers were in scientific consensus and was even on par with human clinician given answers (92.9 percent).

Additionally, while the panel said that 29.7 percent of FLAN-PaLMs answers could have led to harmful outcomes, they found that just 5.8 percent of Med-PaLMs answers could do sowhich is better than human clinician given answers at 6.5 percent.

Of course, as with anything AI, there are a few caveats to keep in mind. For one, the study authors note several limitations to this study including the use of a relatively limited database of medical knowledge, the constantly changing state of scientific consensus, and the fact that none of the human clinicians evaluating it thought that Med-PaLM was at clinical expert level in several metrics.

Googles New AI Bot Apparently Loves Conspiracy Theories

The modellike so many other LLMsmay also run the risk of reinforcing biases in medicine. The perennial issue in AI poses a threat of causing real world harm if its usage goes unchecked, especially in an industry prone to scientific and medical racism and sexism.

The use of LLMs to answer medical questions can cause harms that contribute to health disparities, the authors wrote. They added, This could lead to systems that produce differences in behavior or performance across populations that result in downstream harms in medical decision-making or reproduce racist misconceptions regarding the cause of health disparities.

Perhaps the biggest issue here, though, is the idea that Google seems to be setting up the goal posts for a game theyre playing in themselves. Theyre the ones who created Med-PaLM. Theyre also the ones that created this new benchmark that they say could be used for other medical LLMs. This poses an inherent conflict of interests that calls into question whether or not they should be the ones doing so.

For now, the bots are already starting to roll out in our hospitals. Time will tell the full story of whether or not theyll truly help doctors and other clinicians save livesor cause a whole lot of harm in the process.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Medical board fines former UC Health doctor accused of giving genital exams in his home

The Ohio State Medical Board permanently revoked the training certificate of Rudel Saunders Wednesday.

The training certificate of a former UC Health doctor accused of performing unnecessary ultrasounds of patients' genitals was permanently revoked by the State Medical Board of Ohio on Wednesday, a spokeswoman confirmed.

The board additionally voted to fine Dr. Rudel Saunders $6,000 "based on violations of the board's sexual misconduct rules and on acts constituting a felony," spokeswoman Jerica Stewart said. Saunders' medical license was suspended in February after the board deemed he "presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public."

A training certificate is required for a doctor to participate in a training program unless that individual holds a medical license to practice medicine, surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery.

Allegations against Saunders, who was a resident in training at UC Health, involve five unnamed patients who the medical board said were "solicited" to participate in ultrasound examinations at the former doctor's Northside apartment. The examinations took place from February 2022 to January 2023 and the examinations were secretly recorded. According to documents, Saunders claimed he was required to complete a certain number of ultrasounds for his training program, but that claim was false.

Documents: UC Health doctor performed genital exams in his apartment bedroom

Investigation: Cincinnati doctors among hundreds to sexually abuse patients in Ohio

The first patient listed in medical board documents was invited to Saunders' apartment on Feb. 14, 2022, "under the guise of performing a medical examination."

The examination consisted of ultrasounds on various areas of the man's body, including his testicles, documents say. It was done "for no legitimate health care purpose," the documents further said.

Saunders, according to the documents, didn't wear gloves and didn't take steps to "ensure the patient's privacy." Similar incidents involving four other patients were described in the documents.

Saunders could not be reached Wednesday. Amanda Nageleisen, a spokeswoman for UC Health, referred to a February statement in which she said the doctor was "no longer affiliated with our institution."

No criminal charges have been filed against Saunders.

In February, a Columbus Dispatch investigation revealed that more than 250 doctors have sexually abused or harassed patients in Ohio since 1980.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Medical board revokes certificate, fines former UC Health doctor
Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has said that "World War III is getting closer" summarising results of the NATO summit in Vilnius.

Source: Medvedev on Telegram

Quote: "NATO summit preliminary results. Everything as we thought...

...To increase military aid to the Kyiv regime. Using everything possible: missiles, cluster munition, aircrafts.

The West, which has finally gone mad, could not come up with anything else. Predictability of the highest level, to the point of idiocy. Actually, it is a dead end. World War III is getting closer."

Details: According to Medvedev, the war "will be continued with the same goals", including stopping Ukraine from joining NATO, which, however, in his opinion, is impossible.

The Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman also stated that the occupied city of Tokmak in Zaporizhzhia Oblast was allegedly attacked with cluster munitions, which means that it is time for the Russian Federation to unpack its arsenal of "these inhumane weapons".

Background:

The NATO Summit in Vilnius that kicked off on 11 July has adopted a package of decisions consisting of three elements concerning Ukraine, mainly its path to NATO membership.

In September 2022, Dmitry Medvedev stated that Ukraine's accession to NATO would accelerate the outbreak of World War III.

At the beginning of July, Dmitry Medvedev once again resorted to intimidating the world with a nuclear apocalypse, although he also said that a nuclear winter could be avoided if the West fulfilled all of Russia's demands.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The decision by former President Trumps legal team to seek a long delay of his trial in the Mar-a-Lago documents case is injecting fresh volatility into the 2024 presidential race.

The filing from Trumps lawyers, which came less than an hour before a Monday night deadline, seeks an indefinite postponement of the trial, which had been scheduled for December.

If their demand were acceded to by the judge in the case, it would open the door to several explosive scenarios.

One is the trial taking place in the heat of GOP primary season. Another is the proceedings occurring after Trump plausibly becomes the Republican nominee for president. A third is the trial being pushed past the date  Jan. 20, 2025  on which Trump could become president again.

There is most assuredly no reason for any expedited trial, and the ends of justice are best served by a continuance, Trump lawyers Christopher Kise and Todd Blanche wrote in the filing, in which they were joined by lawyers for the former presidents co-defendant, Walt Nauta.

Former President Donald Trump speaks during a rally, Friday, July 7, 2023, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

A situation in which no trial at all takes place before the 2024 general election is the one that most worries independent legal experts, as well as Trump critics.

Even legal minds who have no fondness for the former president acknowledge a sitting president could order the Department of Justice to discontinue a case  even if its a case where that president is himself indicted.

Harry Litman, a former U.S. attorney and deputy assistant attorney general, said the debate about whether a president can pardon himself could end up being moot.

Its controversial whether a president can pardon himself. But it is uncontroversial that a president can order the Department of Justice to stand down or cease to pursue a pending prosecution that hasnt become final, Litman told this column.

Litman noted this kind of situation could unfold even if the trial takes place before the 2024 election.

More coverage of the classified document case from The Hill:

Even if Trump were convicted, he noted, the former president would be almost certain to appeal. Trump, if he went on to become president, could then order the prosecutors in his own Justice Department not to contest the appeal.

If events actually played out in that way, it would cause a colossal political explosion. But Trump has detonated norms and incited controversy throughout his career, in the process defying numerous predictions of political doom.

He has shown the ability to move through these moments, and they dont seem to affect him with the Republican Party, said Julian Zelizer, a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University.

Zelizer added that, despite his innumerable past controversies including the Capitol riot of Jan. 6, 2021, Trump remains the main voice in the party.

When it comes to new legal developments, including a trial or even a conviction, Zelizer contended, At this point, he has created a narrative about himself that is capable of absorbing each new piece of legal news, They are just coming after me, and coming after you, my supporters. He has set it up.

The Hills 2024 Elections coverage

Trumps legal team contends there are very real issues at stake in the timing of the trial.

Their filing refers to the volume of material assembled by investigators, the legal debates still to come about classification procedures, the challenges for Trump in defending a case while a candidate for the presidency, and how careful consideration will need to be given to the ability to seat an impartial jury under the current circumstances.

Specifically, they are clearly laying the groundwork to postpone the trial beyond the date of the next presidential election.

There is simply no question any trial of this action during the pendency of a Presidential election will impact both the outcome of that election and, importantly, the ability of the Defendants to obtain a fair trial, they write.

The bottom line is, its a very transparent effort to delay, delay, delay, said Michael Zeldin, a former federal prosecutor and well-known legal analyst.

For now, much hinges on whether the judge, Aileen Cannon, will accede to the Trump teams demands. Cannon is a Trump appointee whose decisions at an earlier point of the Mar-a-Lago investigation stoked controversy because they were seen by some as overly sympathetic to the former president.

He asked for an indefinite continuance which is stunning in its temerity, and hopefully Cannon wont abide it, Zeldin said.

Scenarios in which a Trump trial takes place amid the GOP primaries or after he potentially becomes the nominee open up their own cans of worms.

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The political impact of a trial during the primaries is tough to predict. A conviction would surely unnerve some voters but, on the other hand, Republicans have rallied around Trump when he has suffered previous legal setbacks.

The former presidents lead over second-place Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in national polling averages is wider now than it was just before the first criminal indictment against him was unveiled in early April by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, for example.

A trial and possible conviction in the wake of Trump becoming the GOP nominee would perhaps be even more explosive, throwing the fall election campaign into unparalleled levels of chaos.

One way or another, Team Trumps hopes for delay have a reasonable chance of being fulfilled. And, if that happens, all bets are off.

The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ninety-three-year-old Josephine Wrights home has been in her family since the end of the Civil War.

Now more than 150 years later, developers who tried to buy her out have filed a lawsuit against her, built a road about 20 feet from her front porch and show no signs of letting up.

But Wright is putting up a fight. She has countersued the developers, enlisted the help of a civil rights attorney and so successfully argued her case in national media, shes got celebrities like Tyler Perry and Kyrie Irving lining up to help. An online fundraising effort for Wright had brought in more than $167,000 by Tuesday.

"They're messing with the wrong lady," Wright's granddaughter, Charise Graves, told USA TODAY.

"She is not going anywhere."

Josephine Wright, 93, of Hilton Head, South Carolina, is fighting developers that she said sued her after unsuccessfully trying to buy her property.

Sanctuary no more

Josephine Wright has been living at the home on Hilton Head for the past 30 years after she and her husband retired from their jobs in New York City. He was an attorney, she worked at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

It was just Wright after her husband died in 1998, though the home is a favorite gathering spot among her 16 children, 40 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren.

This has always been a sanctuary, Wright told USA TODAY.

Josephine Wright (left) is pictured with soem of her children and grandchildren.

That is until last year. That's when she said developer Bailey Point Investment LLC began doing work around and even on her property, like cutting down trees and kicking up dust that covered her car and house. Around the same time, she said other strange things started happening, including flattened tires and a snake hanging in a window.

Bailey Point Investment owns land on every side of Wright's 1.8-acre property after acquiring it in 2014, and is developing a 147-home subdivision in the area. The company tried to buy Wright's property a few years back, offering just $39,000, she said.

The situation escalated in February, when Bailey Point Investment sued Wright in local court. The lawsuit said that Wright's screened-in porch, a shed and a satellite dish were encroaching on the company's property, causing a nuisance, lowering property values and delaying their development plans.

The shed, porch and satellite dish "continue to annoy and disturb" the company, which is entitled to "just and adequate compensation for its losses, inconveniences, aggravation, unnecessary expenditures of time and efforts and disruptions," the lawsuit said.

Bailey point Investment LLC's lawsuit against Josephine Wright.

Neither Bailey Point Investment's attorney, Helen Bacon Hester, nor company representatives have returned requests by USA TODAY for comment.

Wright and her family believe the lawsuit was an intimidation tactic. If it was, it didn't work.

Fighting back

Wright obtained an attorney and filed a countersuit against Bailey Point, denying all the company's claims and asserting that Bailey Point Investment had been engaging in "a consistent and constant barrage of tactics of intimidation, harassment, trespass, to include this litigation in an effort to force her to sell her property."

"Wright ... has been deprived of the peaceful enjoyment of her property, her property has been damaged and she has been threatened," the countersuit says.

A hearing has been set for Sept. 14 for both lawsuits.

Josephine Wright stands in front of her property, which has been in the family since the end of the Civil War.

An article in Hilton Head's Island Packet newspaper began drawing attention to the battle in mid-May, with civil rights attorney and former South Carolina Rep. Bakari Sellers tweeted it to his 400,000 followers.

The story took off in local and national media and on June 28, Hollywood heavyweight Tyler Perry posted a TV station's story that quoted Wright as saying, "Ive pretty much been a fighter all my life.

"Well, that makes two of us. Ms. Wright," Perry wrote. "Please tell where to show up and what you need to help you fight."

Soon after that, celebrities including recording artists Fantasia and Meek Mill posted their support, and Dallas Mavericks star guard Kyrie Irving donated $40,000 to a GoFundMe that Graves started to help her grandmother pay for attorneys' fees and a new fence to create a barrier between Wright's property and the new development.

Wright's story has also made the rounds on TikTok, racking up hundreds of thousands of views on various creators' pages.

"How dare they bother her," one user wrote. And another: "Leave that sweet lady alone."

A lot of comments encouraged Wright not to give up the fight.

They need not worry, Sellers said.

"She's a short lady, but a very powerful lady," he said of Wright, who stands at about 5 feet tall. "It's the true epitome of David versus Goliath, but it's a little different because she's a very powerful woman and the community's rallied around her. Black, white, Democrat and Republican."

Civil rights attorney Bakari Sellers is pictured on Oct. 28, 2021.

'A tragedy'

Among those supporting Wright is the Jonesville Preservation Society, a neighborhood group that formed last year directly in response to what they say was a blindside approval of Bailey Point Investment by town planners.

Assistant town manager Shawn Colin said the town followed all the required rules, but has since added another layer to its process for more transparency.

Kelley LeBlanc of the Jonesville Preservation Society told USA TODAY that it's not a case of not-in-my-backyard-ism.

"These houses are estimated to sell at $400,000 to $800,000," she said. "We want to protect our beautiful island and do not need more unaffordable houses."

Josephine Wright is pictured in clothes she made in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

She called Bailey Point Investment's action against Wright "a harassment lawsuit" and said that what's happening to Wright has been a longstanding problem on the island for the Gullah-Geechee community.

The Gullah-Geechee, descendants of West and Central Africans, made up just about all of Hilton Head's population until the 1950s. Where they were once in the tens of thousands, the population is now in the hundreds because of land grabs and increased development, LeBlanc said.

Sellers said he's seen developers "use whatever tactics they can to take property" from the Gullah community.

"It's really been a tragedy for the Gullah community," LeBlanc said. "Josephine is kind of the poster child."

Wright said it has been an "extremely stressful" time.

All she is wants is for "these people will leave us alone and let me keep my property for the sanctuary of my family," she said. "That's what I'm hoping, to have peace of mine and peace of my property."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 93-year-old Josephine Wright defends Hilton Head home from developers
Metro-east man faces DUI charges in crash that killed 2 people on I-55 in Madison County

A 23-year-old Edwardsville man faces aggravated DUI charges in connection with a double fatality crash on Interstate 55 in Madison County on Saturday.

Cole M. Wendler was charged Monday with two counts of aggravated driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or more, causing a death and two counts of aggravated driving while under the influence causing death, according to court records.

The charging documents filed by the Madison County States Attorneys Office allege Wendler caused a crash that resulted in the deaths of Glenn Morgan and Breona Logan.

Illinois State Police said Morgan was 29 and from Detroit and Logan was 24 and was from Columbus, Ohio.

Wendler was driving a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu that struck the rear of a Jeep Compass, which overturned, according to court records and an Illinois State Police news release on Tuesday night.

The driver of the Compass and the front seat passenger were ejected from the vehicle, and both victims were pronounced deceased on the scene at milepost 15 on southbound I-55, state police said.

State troopers called for investigators at 1:41 a.m. Saturday.

Wendler was arrested Monday and his bail was set at $500,000. He was not being held in the Madison County Jail Tuesday night.

Madison County court records do not list an attorney for Wendler.

The charging documents were amended Wednesday to note that prosecutors will seek a determination to show that Wendler should receive a prison sentence between six and 28 years if he is convicted of the charges filed on Monday.
President Joe Biden and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Hector Vivas/Getty Images

Trade between the US and Mexico reached $263 billion during the first four months of this year.

That pushed Mexico past China and Canada as its top trade partner since the start of the pandemic.

China was America's top partner for much of the 2010s and again at the start of the pandemic.

Meet America's new, old best friend in the world economy.

According to a new post from Luis Torres, a senior business economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Mexico has once again cemented its place as America's top trading partner, with $263 billion worth of goods passing between the two countries in the first four months of this year. Trade with Mexico accounted for 15.4% of goods exported and imported by the US, just ahead of America's trade totals with Canada and China, which were 15.2% and 12% respectively.

Even as the world moves on from the height of the pandemic, Mexico's ability to take the top spot away from China  which had spent the last two decades integrating itself further into the US economy  is a clear sign of how the economic chaos of 2020 is set to continue to define the world economy for years to come.

Torres said the seeds for this shift were sown before the pandemic  with former President Donald Trump's tariffs on some Chinese goods and the signing of the US-Canada-Mexico trade deal, a slight update of the nearly three-decades-old NAFTA deal. But Torres said the changes also suggested an accelerated shift toward "nearshoring," a practice in which countries bring supply chains for crucial goods to countries that are close physically and politically.

"While data on recent nearshoring is thin and evidence of it is largely anecdotal, increased protectionism and related industrial policy are consistent with less global trade, more regional trade, and nearshoring and reshoring (returning production to the home country)," Torres wrote.

Nearshoring increased during the pandemic because of the increased cost of shipping products across the Pacific and the consumer demand for faster delivery times  we'll call the latter "The Amazon Prime Effect." The New York Times' Peter S. Goodman also wrote earlier this year that companies like Walmart were increasingly looking closer to home for ways to fill their needs as political tensions between the US and China heated up.

"It's not about deglobalization," Michael Burns, a managing partner at Murray Hill Group, an investment firm focused on the supply chain, told Goodman. "It's the next stage of globalization that is focused on regional networks."

Trucks at the Port of Manzanillo, Mexico. Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images

In Shannon O'Neil's new book, "The Globalization Myth: Why Regions Matter," she made the case for regionalization over globalization and said that keeping production closer to home would help American workers. In his review of O'Neil's book, Greg Rosalsky of NPR summed up the argument:

"O'Neil writes that the average import from Mexico is '40% US made,' meaning that 40% of the parts that go into the end product are still produced in the US. The average Canadian import, meanwhile, is 25% made in the US. 'As for a product coming in from China? Just 4% of it was made in the USA,' she writes."

Still, in recent months, President Joe Biden has sought to improve the relationship between the US and China after seeing the fracturing grow in recent years, including the shooting down of a Chinese spy balloon in February. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with China's leader, Xi Jinping, in June, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen recently made a four-day trip to China.

Blinken and Xi pledged to stabilize the relationship between China and the US. Meanwhile, Yellen voiced concerns about "unfair economic practices" but said she hoped the two sides could work closer because "the world is big enough for both of our countries to thrive."

With pieces in constant motion, especially with China, one thing is clear for now: trade between Mexico and the US appears to be as strong as ever and should continue to grow.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Miami Mayor Francis Suarezs net worth skyrocketed as he racked up side jobs throughout his time in office, including at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, an international litigation firm that hired the mayor as an attorney in 2021 as it sought to establish itself in Miami.

Now, Suarez is on unpaid leave, effective July 1. The move comes as Suarez recently announced a bid for the Republican nomination for president.

Quinn Emanuel and Francis agreed that he should focus on his presidential campaign. His unpaid leave was motivated by no other consideration, the spokesperson said.

Among Quinn Emanuals most prominent clients is Citadel CEO Ken Griffin, who recently donated $1 million to a political committee supporting Suarez. Suarez has vocally supported the billionaire hedge funders efforts to move his company headquarters to Miami. Earlier this year, a spokesperson in the mayors office wrote a glowing article about Griffin, who Suarez calls a friend.

The Herald first contacted Quinn Emanuel about Suarezs relationship to Griffin on June 22, a week before he went on leave. His presidential announcement came amid a series of bad press  including the news that the mayor is under state and federal investigation for a $10,000-a-month consulting job for a developer seeking permits in the city.

According to the law firms spokesperson, Suarez does not work on any cases involving Griffin and the terms of the mayors employment include an agreement to follow all state and local laws, including those covering conflicts of interest. Following guidance issued by the county ethics commission at the time, the law firm said Suarez also agreed to avoid participating in any government discussions regarding a client of the firm who has business in front of the city.

To the best of our knowledge, Mayor Suarez has at all times been in full compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations, the spokesperson wrote.

Citadel spokesperson Zia Ahmed said Griffin has never asked the mayor for any favors and follows all proper protocols in dealings with the city. He added that Citadel has been a client of Quinn Emanuel since before Suarez joined the firm and that Griffins company works with multiple law firms.

Suarez did not immediately respond to the Heralds request for comment. But in a June 15 Bloomberg article about his work for Quinn Emanuel following the presidential announcement, he said he did not think his political aspirations presented a conflict for his work with the firm.

I dont see anything that presents a conflict other than my time and energy, Suarez told Bloomberg. Still, he mentioned a leave was possible.

As of the end of 2022, Suarez listed his personal net worth at $3.4 million, more than double what it had been the previous year. A part-time mayor, compensated $130,000 annually, Suarez listed two other primary sources of income other than the law firm: DaGrosa Capital Partners, a Coral Gables-based private equity firm, and eMerge Americas, a local technology conference where Suarez has a paid position on the board.

Neither DaGrosa nor eMerge responded to the Heralds questions about Suarezs current employment status.

Miami Herald staff writers Joey Flechas and Tess Riski contributed.

This article has been updated to add information on Citadels history with Quinn Emanuel.
TAIYUAN, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Four people were killed and six injured in a car overturn accident in Hunyuan County of Datong City, north China's Shanxi Province, on Wednesday morning, local authorities said.

A minibus carrying 18 people overturned near Erling Village in Hunyuan County at around 8 a.m.

Despite rescue efforts, four people died from the accident. The six injured people have been sent to the people's hospital in the county for treatment and are no longer in critical condition.

The driver of the minibus has been taken into police custody and the cause of the accident is under further investigation. 
Three TSA officers at Miami International Airport were arrested last week for allegedly stealing from airline passengers, including swiping hundreds of dollars in cash from a man's wallet.

Josue Gonzalez, 20; Elizabeth Fuster, 22; and Labarrius Williams, 33, were charged with organized scheme to defraud, according to Miami-Dade county jail records. They were booked into Turner Guilford Knight Detention Center.

The arrest affidavits state that Miami International Airport authorities began investigating several reports of theft at Security Checkpoint E, where the officers were stationed.

Gonzalez, Fuster and Williams were captured on surveillance footage working together to steal from passengers as they went through routine TSA screening checks, arrest reports show, according to NBC Miami.

FLORIDA ONLYFANS MODEL COURTNEY CLENNEY TO ATTEND COURT HEARING FOR NEGLIGENCE IN FATAL STABBING CASE

From left, Josue Gonzalez, Labarrius Williams and Elizabeth Fuster were arrested after allegedly stealing from airline passengers.

Security footage at the checkpoint reportedly showed that while some of the officers attempted to distract passengers as they went through screenings, the others would rifle through passengers belongings in search of money.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

In one instance, the three culprits managed to steal $600 from a single passenger's wallet. Cameras reportedly caught them engaging in multiple other instances of theft.

TEEN AIRLINE PASSENGER CHANGES SEAT AFTER PLUS-SIZED TRAVELERS CROWD HER, GETS GRIEF FOR FATPHOBIA

The three TSA officers were stationed at Security Checkpoint E at the Miami International Airport.

"The Transportation Security Administration holds its Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) to the highest professional and ethical standards and has no tolerance for misconduct in the workplace," TSA said in a statement relayed to Fox News Digital.

"We actively and aggressively investigated these allegations of misconduct and presented our findings to MDPD, and are working closely with them. Any employee who fails to meet our fundamental ethical standards is held accountable."

CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP

Security footage revealed that the TSA officers aimed to steal money from passengers, according to reports.

After a formal interview process at the TSA Command Center, according to the reports, Gonzalez and Fuster waived their rights and provided written confessions. Williams, however, did not waive his rights and provided no communication.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Miami International Airport for comment, but did not receive a response before publication.

Fox News Digital's Emily Robertson and Peter Petroff contributed to this report.
More than 150 officers from state, local and federal law enforcement bodies scoured the woods of Pennsylvania and New York this week for signs of Michael Burham, an escaped murder suspect wanted for a slew of crimes from the Empire State down to South Carolina.

Among the charges, Burham, an Army Reserve veteran and skilled survivalist, is the prime suspect in the shooting death of 34-year-old Kala Hodgkin in Jamestown, New York.

While in custody in Pennsylvania on kidnapping and burglary charges, police say the 35-year-old climbed to freedom from the jailhouse gym with a rope made from bedsheets and took off into the woods.

Over the following days, police said they found campsites they believed he used and other indications that he may be receiving assistance as the manhunt continues. Here's a timeline of events:

MICHAEL BURHAM MANHUNT: PENNSYLVANIA COPS SAY SOMEONE'S HELPING ARMED AND DANGEROUS ESCAPED FUGITIVE

Jamestown police found Kala Hodgkin, 34, shot dead in her home early on May 11, according to federal court filings. She was the mother of three children, ages 8, 11 and 14.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

At the time of her death, Burham was already wanted on accusations that he raped Hodgkin, according to the federal criminal complaint.

On the day of the murder, prosecutors allege that Burham also appeared on another woman's Ring doorbell camera attempting to break into her house and then lighting her car on fire.

MANHUNT LAUNCHED AFTER MURDER SUSPECT WHO WROTE HE'S 'NOT SORRY' ESCAPES PENNSYLVANIA JAIL

Michael Burham is accused of a sexual assault in Jamestown, New York, and the kidnapping of an elderly couple in Pennsylvania, whom he allegedly drove to South Carolina before releasing them unharmed, the FBI said.

Burham is believed to have traveled south into Pennsylvania, where a couple was reported missing along with their car on May 20.

Pennsylvania police sent out a missing persons alert to their counterparts in multiple states, which authorities in South Carolina responded to on May 22  when they found the kidnapping victims alive.

South Carolina police recovered the Pennsylvania couple and their car, along with a note from Burham to his father.

"I'm not sorry for what I did, however I do feel terrible about the children," the note read, according to court filings.

He wrote that he had "quit drinking" on May 10 and apologized "for all the problems" he caused his family.

The kidnapping victims told police they had been taken at gunpoint from their home and identified Burham as their alleged abductor, according to authorities.

South Carolina resident Anthony Phillips, his Jack Russell terrier Sadie and his girlfriend were patrolling their property when they spotted a suspicious pair of shoes and a shirt near their shed.

"Our sheriff made sure that the community knewcheck your property," Phillips told Fox News Digital. "We went around to the back. I had my pistol on me just in case anything happened."

The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office in South Carolina shared this image after Michael Burham's capture on May 23, following a manhunt that began with violent crimes in New York and Pennsylvania.

FUGITIVE WANTED FOR SEX ASSAULT, KIDNAPPING IN ALLEGED MULTISTATE CRIME SPREE NABBED AFTER DAYS-LONG MANHUNT

As they rounded the corner, Sadie started growling, he said, then he saw Burham wrapped in a Tyvek sheet  the kind used for building insulation and waterproofing.

"He said he wasn't gonna hurt anybody and just wanted to leave," Phillips recalled. "I was too busy hollering at himI didn't want him to get to my old lady."

Burham took off running into the woods, he said, and he went inside with his girlfriend to call 911.

Deputies arrived in about five minutes, he said, and less than two hours later, they captured Burham in the woods.

The search took officers through portions of the Francis Marion National Forest.

Burham escaped the Warren County jail in Pennsylvania around 11:20 p.m., after authorities say he used gym equipment to climb to the roof and then a rope made from bedsheets to climb down the exterior.

He was being held there on kidnapping, burglary and other charges as the investigation into Hodgkin's murder continued in New York.

MANHUNT FOR ESCAPED PENNSYLVANIA JAIL INMATE, MURDER SUSPECT CONTINUES

Burham spent more than 11 years in the Army Reserve as a water treatment specialist and utilities equipment repairer, from February 2008 to December 2020, Fox News learned. He was never deployed and was a sergeant at the end of his service, according to the Army.

The escapee has tattoos on his left forearm and right bicep and was last seen wearing a denim jacket above an orange-striped jail jumpsuit and orange "Crocs-style" shoes.

U.S. Marshals joined the manhunt, announcing a reward of up to $9,500 for information leading to his capture.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office at 716-938-2217 or 911.

Michael Burham, left, is accused of shooting Kala Hodgkin to death in New York before lighting another woman's care on fire and then kidnapping a Pennsylvania couple, according to police. He escaped custody Thursday night, prompting a new manhunt.

Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt told Fox News that Burham will face a second-degree murder charge in New York if he is recaptured.

The DA added that some of Hodgkin's family members, witnesses in the case, have been relocated for their safety as the hunt for Burham continues and investigators believe he has not left the immediate area including Warren County in Pennsylvania and Jamestown in western New York.

He says the public is at risk and this is desperate situation for a man who could be facing life in prison.

Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens announces the reward has been increased to $19,500 and tips should be called into a new command post going forward at 717-265-9650. Police continue to monitor the other hotline and anyone who encounters Burham can also call 911.

While police still believe Burham is in the surrounding area, Bivens also asked people around the country to "familiarize" themselves with Burham's photograph and to report possible sightings.

Police were also using rapid DNA testing in an effort to try and confirm or rule out Burham's presence at several locations of possible sightings and reported burglaries.

Bivens reveals police have received 500 tips to date in the investigation but asks residents to keep an eye on their home surveillance systems and report anything suspicious.

He also reveals that police were looking into the sighting of a drone near the jail around the time of the escape and whether it may have been connected to the incident.

Canadian authorities also tell Fox News Digital that they are ready to assist investigators in the U.S.

"Our Border Integrity detachments have been advised of the fugitive and are on the lookout for a potential crossing," the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said.

Fox News' CB Cotton contributed to this report.
AG Dana Nessel

Michigan's attorney general office has taken notice of comments made by the owner of a hair salon and beauty store in Traverse City. Christine Geiger stated publicly that from now on, she would refuse some would-be customers because she said it was her First Amendment right to fight woke liberal ideology by refusing service to transgender and other LGBTQ+ people, who she believes are pedophiles.

In the wake of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in 303 Creative vs. Elenis, when the conservative majority ruled that a Colorado web designer could refuse to make a website for a same-sex couples wedding because forcing her to make such a website would violate her rights against compelled speech, the owner of Studio 8 Hair Lab, Christine Geiger, posted on Facebook this week that some in the LGBTQ+ community were unwelcome in her business.

If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman, please seek services at a local pet groomer, Geiger urged in a now-deleted Facebook post. You are not welcome at this salon. Period.

However, while Gieger may believe that the recent Supreme Court decision gives her the right to discriminate in this way, legal experts say that she is not only wrong about that but also violating a state law that protects LGBTQ+ peoples civil rights.

In March, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an amendment to the states Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, extending protections to people based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Office of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is a lesbian, has received several complaints about Geigers explicit statements, a spokesperson for the department said.

The Department and the Attorney General herself are aware of the Traverse City salon proprietors professed intent to discriminate against Michigan residents, the AGs press secretary Danny Wimmer told The Advocate.

At the Department, we have received several complaints pertaining to the bigotry exhibited by the salon proprietor in Traverse City, and the Attorney General finds the comments to be hateful, reprehensible remarks that seek only to marginalize a community already suffering from discriminatory animus in Michigan and elsewhere, he added.

After the Supreme Courts ruling in June, Nessel reiterated that the 303 Creative case did not affect LGBTQ+ MIchiganders access to most services in the state.

This holding has no impact on Michigans Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) when it is applied to protect against discrimination in the provision of public accommodations that do not constitute speech, Nessel said in a press release. My office will continue to fight to enforce Michigans ELCRA consistent with the First Amendment to protect the equal rights of all Michiganders.

Wimmer explained that regarding the legality of Geigers position and any subsequent actions taken under the ELCRA, the matter will likely be litigated since the Supreme Court opened the door to discrimination by business entities where expressive speech is at issue.

He noted that the 303 Creative decision is not a blanket invitation to discriminate.

But its this exact kind of discrimination that Lambda Legal Deputy Legal Director for Litigation Camilla Taylor told The Advocate that the courts narrow ruling in 303 Creative opened the door to those who are opposed to the LGBTQ+ community seek ways to redefine how their work could be considered expressive.

Its predictable and frustrating that the salon owner would take the decision in 303 Creative as an invitation to discriminate, Taylor said.

The case is part of a pattern of the Supreme Court taking cases that concern discrimination against LGBT people and deciding them in a way unfavorable to the LGBT litigant, but doing so in a narrow way that is confined to the facts in a particular case such that its unlikely to have much of a doctrinal impact going forward, she noted.

Obviously, the salon owner is violating the law in Michigan, and there are any number of reasonable responses to that that wont violate the Constitution and that can hold the owner to account.

Despite the ruling, she said, it was very narrow and limited to situations of paid speech.

The court was clear in its decision that this is not going to be true of the vast majority of commercial businesses, Taylor added. The court equated the wedding website designers work to speech writers and fine arts commissions, and the court framed it and as part and parcel of past precedent, not as changing the law.

Equality Michigan's executive director Erin Knott echoed that sentiment.

I guess Im grateful when business owners out themselves as bigots, she said of her initial reaction to Geigers bigotry. Then we know where we should not invest our hard-earned dollars and resources.

She also said that the 303 Creative decision does not give businesses carte blanche to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people. Knott emphasized that the Supreme Courts customized expressive services test decision does not undermine Michigans Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act protections.

Taylor advises LGBTQ+ individuals who experience discrimination to seek legal remedies and work with organizations like Lambda Legal and other civil rights organizations working to protect peoples rights.

Michigans ELCRA remains available to defend the civil rights of all Michigan residents, Wimmer noted. The Department of Attorney General will continue to fight to protect the equal rights of all Michiganders.
A Michigan hair salon owner announced on Facebook that she would not be providing services to transgender or queer people, reportedly writing that they should seek a grooming service for animals.

Christine Geiger, the owner of Studio 8 Hair Lab in Traverse City, told local outlet 9&10 News that she is OK with lesbian, gay and bisexual people but refuses to use preferred pronouns and has a right to deny service.

This comes just weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court made it easier for some business owners to discriminate against members of the LGBTQ+ community.

If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman, please seek services at a local pet groomer, Geiger wrote on Studio 8 Hair Labs Facebook page, according to screenshots published by 9&10 News.

You are not welcome at this salon. Period, she added.

This is America; free speech. This small business has the right to refuse services. We are not bound to any oaths as realtors are regarding discrimination. My recent airport experience validates this, Geiger wrote without further explanation.

HuffPost was not able to independently verify the Facebook post since Geiger made her business social media accounts private in the wake of reporting on her new discrimination policy. Phone calls to the business went straight to a voicemail box that was not accepting new messages.

A spokesperson for Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel told HuffPost the office has received several complaints about the salon and noted that any Michigan resident who experiences discrimination could file a report with the states civil rights department.

Nessel finds Geigers comments to be hateful, reprehensible remarks that seek only to marginalize a community already suffering from discriminatory animus in Michigan and elsewhere, the spokesperson said.

In another Facebook comment under her own name, Geiger spouted misinformation: I have no issues with LGB. Its the TQ+ that Im not going to support. For those that dont know what the + is for, its for MAP (Minor Attracted Person aka: pedophile).

The plus sign in the LGBTQ+ acronym is actually a placeholder for the following identities: intersex, asexual, pansexual, two-spirit and omnisexual.

Geiger added that her stance was taken to insure that clients have the best experience and I am admitting that since I am not willing to play the pronoun game or cater to requests outside of what I perceive as normal this probably isnt the best option for that type of client.

She described her salon on Instagram as a private CONSERVATIVE business that does not cater to woke ideologies.

Nathan Triplett, president of the American Civil Liberties Unions Michigan chapter, said on social media that contrary to claims made by this salon owner, refusing to serve someone because of their gender identity violates Michigans Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. The 1977 law made it illegal to discriminate on the basis of religion, race, age, weight, sex and other characteristics; it was expanded earlier this year to include gender identity and expression.

The recent Supreme Court decision siding with a website designer who refused to serve a hypothetical gay couple, 303 Creative v. Elenis, doesnt permit this type of discrimination, Triplett said.

Geiger told 9&10 News that she made her announcement because she opposed legislation supposedly passed by the Michigan state House that would criminalize misgendering someone. But no such legislation exists.

Conservative outlets, including Fox News, reported misleadingly on a measure that would expand hate crime law to include protections for LGBTQ+ people, where the word pronoun does not even appear in the drafted language, as The Detroit News pointed out.

Had this salon owner read the bills she references, she would have seen they in no way criminalize the use of wrong pronouns, state Rep. Betsy Coffia (D) said in a statement. The bill protects every Michigander from hate-based violence and ensures accountability and justice for all while specifically exempting constitutionally protected speech.

Coffia represents a district that includes Traverse City, a popular summer vacation spot in the uppermost part of the Lower Peninsula.

Nessels spokesperson confirmed that the attorney general planned to enforce the new hate crimes law once enacted.

Michigans Democratic-led state government has been trying to cement LGBTQ+ civil rights at a time when Republican-led state governments are rapidly trying to take them away.

Our LGBTQ+ friends, family, and neighbors deserve equal protection under the law so they can live their authentic lives, and I want everyone to know that Michigan is a place that will fight for your freedom to be yourself, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement in March upon signing a bill to expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.

Guaranteeing equal legal protections to LGBTQ+ Michiganders is the right thing to do, Whitmer said at the time. Its also just good economics, which is why business groups from across our state stand with us.

Related...
Michigans attorney general has condemned reprehensible statements from a salon owner who has pledged to deny service to LGBT+ customers  comments that have drawn widespread outrage from civil rights groups, lawmakers and LGBT+ advocates days after the US Supreme Court sided with a Colorado business owner who refused to work with same-sex couples.

If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman, please seek services at a local pet groomer, Christine Geiger wrote on Studio 8 Hair Labs Facebook page, which has since been made private.

You are not welcome at this salon. Period, the Traverse City salon owner added. Her salons Instagram account also is private, describing the salon as a private CONSERVATIVE business that does not cater to woke ideologies.

Last month, the US Supreme Court sided with a Colorado-based website designer who refused to make wedding websites for same-sex couples, with an influential right-wing legal firm arguing on her behalf that the states anti-discrimination law violates her First Amendment rights.

LGBT+ advocates and civil rights groups have warned that the decision could endanger already vulnerable rights of LGBT+ Americans and state governments abilities to protect them.

In a separate Facebook comment using her own name, Ms Geiger said she has no issues with LGB. Its the TQ+ that Im not going to support. She then falsely stated that the + in LGBT+ stands for pedophiles.

The + represents queer, intersex, two-spirit and other indigenous gender identities, among a wide spectrum of other gender identities and sexualities not represented by LGBT.

The salon owners comments also referenced Michigan civil rights legislation that would expand protections against discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, age and physical or mental disability.

She falsely stated that it would criminalise misgendering someone, a claim that Republican lawmakers have also raised during debate. No such legislation exists.

The office of Michigans attorney general Dana Nessel has received several complaints regarding the business, and the Attorney General finds the comments to be hateful, reprehensible remarks that seek only to marginalise a community already suffering from discriminatory animus in Michigan and elsewhere, press secretary Danny Wimmer told The Independent.

Last year, Michigans Supreme Court ruled in favor of expanding the states Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to protect LGBT+ people from discrimination in employment, public accommodations, public services, housing and educational facilities.

New hate crimes legislation is a a badly needed update to Michigans Ethnic Intimidation Act with unanimous and bipartisan support of prosecuting attorneys in every county of the state, he added.

The legality of her denying service to LGBT+ people and any other actions under the states civil rights act and the state Supreme Court ruling is likely to be litigated in the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling in 303 Creative that opened the door to discrimination by business entities where expressive speech is at issue, Mr Wimmer said.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (Getty Images)

The president of the ACLU of Michigan also stressed that contrary claims made by this salon owner, refusing to serve individuals based on their gender identity violates [Michigans] Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, and that the Supreme Court decision in 303 Creative doesnt permit this type of discrimination.

Mr Wimmer with the office of Michigans attorney general underscored that the 303 Creative decision is not a blanket invitation to discriminate and does not threaten legislative protections against LGBT+ discrimination in the state.

The department of attorney general will continue to fight to protect the equal rights of all Michiganders, Mr Wimmer added, and when passed into law the Department will enforce the new hate crimes legislation as well.

Another emerging test of the 303 Creative decision is brewing in a federal appeals court, where a right-wing legal firm is challenging a ruling that sided with a man who sued a Catholic high school that fired him after finding out he was engaged to his longtime male partner.

If the First Amendment protects a businesss decision about which services to offer the public, it  protects a churchs decision about who is religiously qualified to fulfill the mission of a religious school, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty wrote in a letter to a federal appeals court last month  on the same day that the Supreme Court issued its ruling in 303 Creative.

State Rep Betsy Coffia, whose district includes Traverse City, has also condemned the salon owners remarks, which she said perpetuate hate and have no place in Traverse City or anywhere else in Michigan.

To compare our LGBTQ+ neighbors to animals & pedophiles is breathtaking hate & bigotry from a studio in my community, she said in a statement. It is also dangerous because it dehumanizes fellow Michiganders at a time when violence against LGBTQ+ residents simply for who they are.

Chasten Buttigieg, the husband of US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and a native of Traverse City, said that this the kind of full-throated bigotry and ignorance many advocates and leaders have been warning would become more mainstream due to the rapid increase in homophobia and transphobia in the GOP.

America should be moving forward, not backward. There are real problems to solve, he added.

A statement from Michigans Polestar LGBT+ Community Center said hate has shown time and time again to be a losing business strategy and we must not allow this blight to take root in our town.

Statements like the one from Studio 8 undermine the hard work that has been put in to make Traverse City the absolute best that it can be, the organisation added.

The Independent has requested comment from Ms Geiger.
Microsoft discovered US state department emails were being hacked by China  and the investigation began the same day Blinken visited Beijing

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Monday, June 19, 2023. Leah Millis/pool / AP Photo

Microsoft announced Tuesday it'd found evidence of Chinese-based hacking into US government emails.

It started investigating on June 16, the same day Secretary of State Blinken traveled to China.

In a Wednesday press briefing, the US State Department would not confirm who was behind the attacks.

Microsoft said it discovered a "adversary based in China" hacked into email accounts affecting US government agencies, and that an investigation into the hack started the same day Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Beijing.

On Tuesday, Microsoft Security Executive Vice President Charlie Bell wrote in a blog that the company "began an investigation into anomalous mail activity" after receiving customer reports on June 16. Microsoft identified the threat actor as an adversary called Storm-0558.

That same day, Blinken left for a long-anticipated trip to China.

The visit was critical for rocky US-Chinese relations after Blinken canceled a trip in February during the ongoing Chinese spy balloon incident and accused Beijing of preparing to send lethal aid to Russia for its war in Ukraine.

Blinken's June visit  the first for a US secretary of state in five years  was seen as vital to mending these issues, as his trip announcement made clear he'd "discuss the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to responsibly manage the US-PRC [People's Republic of China] relationship."

Bell said in his blog that Microsoft's investigation found that the hacks traced back approximately a month before June 16.

"Over the next few weeks, our investigation revealed that beginning on May 15, 2023, Storm-0558 gained access to email data from approximately 25 organizations" by targeting individual accounts and forging "authentication tokens to access user email," Bell said.

The New York Times reported that the hackers are likely linked to China's military or spy services.

In a statement to Insider, the State Department said it immediately took steps to secure its systems after detecting anomalous activity.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a briefing Wednesday that while the department first discovered the intrusion and reported the attack to Microsoft, the department had not made an attribution of who was behind the attack or confirmed whether or not the hack was successful at breaching the emails.

"We have not yet made a public attribution," Miller said. "We've certainly noted the attribution that Microsoft has made for the incident."

The State Department's investigation into the hack is ongoing, Miller added.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Microsoft and Activision Blizzard logos on a smartphone and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) logo on a pc screen. SOPA Images / Contributor / Getty Images

A federal judge on Tuesday gave Microsoft the green light to move forward with its acquisition of video game developer Activision Blizzard. The company still faces an antitrust lawsuit by the Federal Trade Commission, but U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley ruled against the regulator's request for a temporary injunction.

Throughout the intense five-day hearing, the FTC argued that the proposed merger would allow Microsoft to make Activision games like "Candy Crush," "World of Warcraft" and "Call of Duty" exclusive to Xbox, effectively blocking out its competitors at Sony, the creators of the PlayStation, and Nintendo. The hearing ended up revealing behind-the-scenes information about the typically tight-lipped industry. The judge ultimately disagreed with the FTC's assertion that the merger would harm consumers or limit competition in the video game industry. "To the contrary, the record evidence points to more consumer access to Call of Duty and other Activision content," she wrote in her opinion.

The companies are still trying to secure merger approval in the U.K. after the Competition and Markets Authority blocked the deal in April over concerns Microsoft would monopolize the cloud gaming market. After the FTC decision, the CMA and Microsoft agreed to pause the legal battle to determine ways to modify the deal to address the regulator's concerns. The pause needs to be approved, "but it increasingly looks like all parties are willing to secure a remedy in the U.K.," per The Verge.

Microsoft has until July 18 to finish the $69-billion deal, or it risks paying fees or renegotiating terms with Activision. If the company can pass all the barriers, it will boost the industry and "mark a victory for its efforts to charm agencies that have become more stringent about how they review big tech deals," The Wall Street Journal reported.

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The number of migrants who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border without authorization in June plummeted to the lowest level since the start of the Biden administration following the enactment of stricter asylum rules, according to unpublished government data obtained by CBS News.

Border Patrol agents recorded just over 100,000 apprehensions last month of migrants who entered the U.S. illegally along the southern border, a sharp drop from the 169,000 apprehensions reported in May, the preliminary statistics show.

Border Patrol apprehensions denote the number of times the agency processed migrants who crossed into the U.S. in between legal ports of entry, which is illegal. They do not include migrants processed at ports of entry, where the Biden administration has been admitting tens of thousands of asylum-seekers each month.

The last time Border Patrol apprehensions along the U.S.-Mexico border were lower was in February 2021, President Biden's first full month in the White House. The number of unlawful border entries remains high compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Still, the marked reduction in illegal crossings has, at least temporarily, eased the major operational, humanitarian and political challenges faced by the Biden administration over the past year as a result of an unprecedented migration crisis that saw record numbers of migrants arrive to the U.S.-Mexico border.

In May, daily illegal border crossings peaked at 10,000, a record, before officials terminated the Title 42 pandemic measure that allowed them to expel many migrants on public health grounds, without allowing them to claim asylum. In June, average daily migrant apprehensions dropped below 4,000.

While a single catalyst is unlikely, U.S. officials and immigration experts said, the drop in illegal crossings could stem from stricter asylum rules enacted by the Biden administration in May, programs that allow some would-be migrants to enter the country legally, expanded efforts by Mexico and other Latin American countries to slow U.S.-bound migration and tougher rhetoric by American authorities. Moreover, temperatures in the southern U.S. have soared to dangerous levels this summer, contributing to several deaths of migrants in recent weeks.

The U.S. has also increased regular deportations, which impose stiffer penalties, such as five-year banishments and the threat of criminal prosecution, since halting the Title 42 expulsions. While Title 42 allowed officials to summarily expel hundreds of thousands of migrants, it did not impose these penalties, and fueled a massive jump in repeat crossings among those expelled to Mexico.

"Some of that drop can be attributed to the strengthened consequences that we are implementing at the border," Blas Nunez Neto, the assistant secretary for immigration and border policy at the Department of Homeland Security, told CBS News in an interview Wednesday.

Nunez Neto said the administration is staging the "most significant expansion of the use of expedited removal in DHS history," describing a process dating back to the 1990s that allows U.S. border officials to deport migrants without court hearings if they don't ask for refuge or if they fail their initial asylum screenings.

That expansion of expedited deportations has been facilitated by a Biden administration rule that disqualifies migrants from asylum if they enter the U.S. illegally without first seeking protection in another country. Nunez Neto said the measure has deterred migration by reducing the percentage of migrants who pass their initial asylum interviews from the pre-pandemic average of over 80% to below 50%.

"What we've seen in the past is that, because of the congressional inaction and inability to address the underlying factors in our immigration system that are contributing to these now-regular surges in migration under presidents of both parties, migrants are coming to the border to claim asylum because they know that the system is broken and it will take years for them to go through the process," Nunez Neto added.

Migrants walk along the U.S.-Mexico border fence on June 6, 2023 in Yuma, Arizona. Fewer migrants arrived at the border after Title 42 expired. / Credit: Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images

Nunez Neto also credited the Biden administration's efforts to increase opportunities for migrants to enter the country legally for the decrease in illegal entries. A phone app known as CBP One is allowing up to 44,950 asylum-seekers in Mexico to enter the U.S. each month at ports of entry, while another program is giving 30,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans the chance to fly to the U.S. monthly.

Other countries south of the U.S. have simultaneously staged operations to crack down on migration.

"You're seeing Mexico taking actions on its southern border to disincentivize migrants from entering Mexico. You're seeing Guatemala do the same. Colombia and Panama are currently doing an operation, a coordinated operation, in the Darien (jungle) that is unprecedented in its scope," Nunez Neto said.

The recent reduction in illegal immigration numbers, however, has not extinguished the intense Republican criticism of the Biden administration's border strategy. Republicans have accused the administration of engaging in a "shell game," saying apprehensions are not an accurate measure of progress at the southern border since they do not include those who evade capture and migrants who enter the U.S. via the Biden administration's legal migration programs.

"This is another way of hiding the ball or cooking the books to make it look like the situation at the border has vastly improved when it has not," Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn recently said in Congress.

Angela Kelley, a top Biden administration immigration official until her departure in May 2022, said the CBP One system "is bringing order to the border," noting that those entering the U.S. under that process are doing so without the help of smugglers and after being screened by law enforcement officers.

"A 'shell game' implies you're moving things around in order to hide them. Whereas what we're seeing now at the border is we know where people are and they're not hiding. They're coming forward," she added.

The new strategy has also not pleased advocates for migrants and human rights groups, who have argued the Biden administration is relying on restrictive Trump-era policies to deter migrants from coming to the U.S.

Robyn Barnard, an attorney at Human Rights First, a group that advocates for migrants and refugees, said it is "perverse" for the Biden administration to cite a restriction on asylum as a reason for lower border crossings.

"For an administration who says they are pro-immigrant and wanting to welcome asylum-seekers, for them to be touting this ban as a success is very disappointing, because it clearly contravenes our obligations to refugees," Barnard said, referring to the restriction on asylum eligibility.

While migration to the U.S. border remains significantly lower than the record levels recorded over the past year, the Biden administration's new border strategy could be upended by lawsuits, seasonal changes to migration patterns and the continued movement among people fleeing poverty and political upheaval across Latin America, including millions of migrants displaced from crisis-stricken Venezuela.

The regulation that restricts asylum eligibility has been challenged by immigration advocates who say it is a draconian policy that flies in the face of U.S. refugee law and by Republican-led states who argue it contains too many exemptions. Republican state officials have also asked a judge to shut down the program that allows certain migrants to fly to the U.S. legally if they have American sponsors.

Nunez Neto, the DHS border official, said the administration still expects to see "a lot of migration in coming weeks and months."

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Milan Kundera death: Czech-born author of The Unbearable Lightness of Being dies at 94

Milan Kundera made the journey from communist to outcast (Getty)

The Czech-born French author Milan Kundera has died, aged 94.

The writers death was reported on Wednesday (12 July) by public broadcaster Czech Television.

A spokesperson for Gallimard, Kunderas publisher in France, confirmed to The New York Times that Kundera had died in Paris after a prolonged illness.

Kundera is the award-winning author of the 1984 novel The Unbearable Lightness of Being, which followed the lives of two couples in the 1968 Prague Spring period of Czechoslovak history.

His other books include The Joke (1967), Immortality (1988), Laughable Loves (1969) and The Farewell Waltz (1972).

A celebrated novelist, playwright, poet and essayist, Kundera was born in the Czech city of Brno.

In 1950, he was expelled from the Czechoslovakian party for anti-communist activities before he eventually emigrated to France in 1975. He had been a vocal voice for the Prague Spring.

In 1979, his Czech citizenship was revoked. Two years later, he became a French citizen.

Milan Kundera (AP)

In 2008, Kundera was accused of betraying a Czech airman working for US intelligence more than 50 years earlier. He issued a strong denial to the Czech press, saying he was totally astonished and calling the allegations the assassination of an author.

An open letter signed by authors including Salman Rushdie and JM Coetzee argued that despite the claims of the magazine that published the accusation, a witness statement by an eminent Prague scientist clears [Kundera] of any guilt.

In 2019, after more than 40 years in exile, the author, then 90, had his citizenship of his homeland restored.

The Czech Republics ambassador to France Petre Drulak told reporters that he had visited Kunderas apartment in Paris to hand deliver the citizenship certificate, noting that the author had been in a good mood when he just took the document and said thank you.

Published in 1988, Immortality was Kunderas last novel to be written in Czech. His subsequent four novels were written in French. Most recently, he released 2015s The Festival of Insignificance, which he wrote in his mid-eighties.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being remains Kunders most enduringly popular novel. The book was an instant success when it was published in 1984 and was reprinted in at least 24 languages.

It was adapted into a 1988 film, which starred Daniel Day Lewis, Juliette Binoche and Lena Olin.
Mike Segar/Reuters

In April, millennial CEO Charlie Javice was charged with duping JPMorgan into acquiring her startup, Frank Financial Aid, for a whopping $175 million.

Now Manhattan federal prosecutors are charging another executive in the alleged fraud case: Franks chief growth officer, Olivier Amar.

A superseding indictment filed on Wednesday charges Amar with wire fraud, bank fraud, securities fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. A grand jury indicted Javice, 31, on the same charges in May. She has pleaded not guilty.

Amar, 49, also became a defendant in a separate case against Javice filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which in an amended complaint filed Wednesday charged Amar with aiding and abetting Javices violations of the Securities Act and violating antifraud provisions himself.

The Daily Beast left messages for Amar and one of his attorneys but did not receive an immediate response. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Southern District of New York did not respond to requests for comment. JPMorgan Chase declined to comment.

Millennial CEO Sued by JPMorgan Now Charged in $175 Million Fraud

In a criminal complaint, the Manhattan U.S. Attorneys Office stated that Javice engaged in a calculated scheme in 2021 to falsely and dramatically inflate the number of customers at her company in order to persuade JPMorgan to buy her company. Once pitched as an Amazon for higher education, Franks investors included Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan.

Prosecutors say that Javice falsely told two major banks that Frank had 4.25 million users when the startup really only had 300,000 customers. To cover her tracks, the complaint alleges, Javice hired a data scientist to artificially generate user data.

According to the SECs amended complaint, Amar arranged for Frank to pay $105,000 to a third party data compiler for a one-time use of its college student data, in case the data scientist, who is a university professor, couldnt deliver on the list of allegedly fabricated users.

Amar received $5 million in the JPMorgan merger, the complaint says, and was entitled to a $3 million retention bonus.

Javice received more than $21 million for selling her stake in Frank and under the terms of the deal was supposed to also be paid a $20 million retention bonus. The accusations in the criminal filings mirror those in a civil suit JPMorgan filed against Javice and Amar in December 2022.

As The Daily Beast reported, Javice and Amars startup began to get some press attentionand scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission for allegedly misleading consumersin the years before the JPMorgan deal.

Amar and Javice are also facing a lawsuit filed by JPMorgan Chase in connection with the Frank merger. The suitand subsequent criminal chargessent shock waves throughout the financial technology community, still reeling from the epic falls of wunderkinds Elizabeth Holmes and Sam Bankman-Fried.

Charlie Javice, Millennial CEO Sued by JPMorgan, Was a Namedropping Cool Boss

Javice had countersued JPMorgan, arguing that the financial giant neglected to take advantage of her and Franks acumen for attracting a young, diverse new audience to Chases services. Instead, she argued, JPMorgan grossly mismanaged its investment from the start by trying to monetize data from her usersan alleged plan she claims she pushed back on.

Javice, a Wharton grad once featured in a Forbes 30 Under 30 list, opened Franks offices in New York and Tel Aviv in 2017.

Earlier this year, former employees told The Daily Beast that Amar was Javices right hand at Frank. One staffer said Javice was the cookie cutter version of a cool millennial CEO and maybe too chill, while Amar was a cheerleader for her.

Another worker said that from their perspective, a lot of people around Charlie were afraid to tell her shes wrong, and those that disagreed with her would eventually be fired or quit over not being able to change things.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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UNITED NATIONS, July 11 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for an early release of the results of a country-specific investigation into the Nord Stream gas pipeline explosion that happened nearly 10 months ago.

According to Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, the nations involved have been looking into the Nord Stream pipeline blasts for a while, but no definitive statement has been released.

"The longer the delay, the more difficult it will be to collect evidence and find the truth, the more doubts and speculations will occur, and the less credible the results of the investigations will be," he told a Security Council briefing on the Nord Stream issue.

China believes that the best way to respond to the concerns of the international community is to announce the results of the investigation as soon as possible, he added.

The Nord Stream pipeline explosions occurred against the backdrop of the Ukraine crisis, Geng said, noting that the parties concerned have made very different analyses and interpretations in the wake of the incident. "We call on all parties not to politicize investigations and not use it as an opportunity for political manipulation," he said.

Geng stressed that Russia is one of the main parties involved in the incident. Any objective and impartial investigation requires communication and cooperation with Russia.

The envoy reiterated China's call for an early clarification of the facts surrounding the explosion and for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. Geng said China favors the UN Secretariat providing more helpful information and the Security Council staying updated on the issue. 
The search for Hans-Peter Mack ended in tragedy in the southern Thai city of Nong Prue

Thai authorities have found the dismembered body of a missing German businessman in a freezer.

The search for Hans-Peter Mack, 62, reached a tragic end on Monday night as police located his remains in a garbage bag at a rented house in Nong Prue, a city in southern Thailand.

Two German suspects have been arrested.

Mack, a property broker who lived with his Thai wife in the eastern city of Pattaya, had been missing since 4 July.

Police say the two suspects conspired to murder Mack, then transported and concealed his body.

Mack was last seen in his Mercedes sedan in Pattaya, according to a missing-person notice put up by his family, who offered 3m baht (66,000; $86,000) for information on his whereabouts.

The car was found on Sunday in the parking lot of a condominium in Nong Prue, reports say.

Along with the body, investigators discovered a cordless chainsaw, a pair of hedge clippers, and rolls of plastic, according to footage aired on Thai television channels.

Police also found traces of what is believed to be a cleaning solvent on the seats, dashboard, steering wheel and other areas of the car.

Police Major General Theerachai Chamnanmor told The Bangkok Post the discoveries suggested"intention to destroy evidence".

Nong Prue police chief Tawee Kudthalaeng said authorities also discovered that a large amount of money was missing from Mack's bank account.

He added that Mack's remains were later found by using CCTV footage from the area, but did not elaborate.

The local broadcaster reported that Mack's wife had called him after he did not show up for their lunch appointment on 4 July.

She received a text message claiming he would call back. At about 10pm that night, she received another text saying that he was still with a client.

But Mack's wife told Thai media that Mack had never texted her in their five-year relationship.
Missing money in Kansas? Sedgwick County residents now have a new way to search for it

A new kiosk will soon provide another way for Kansans to collect unclaimed property.

Unclaimed property usually takes the form of money  like missing checking and savings accounts, wages, refunds, over payments, court deposits and more  that never makes it to its owners, often due to address changes. The properties are held by the state treasurer, which is charged with returning them to their rightful owners.

Sedgwick County residents and others in the area will be able to use a self-service kiosk to search for unclaimed property beginning Thursday. The kiosk will have the statewide search available, while new computer monitors will scroll through the names of Sedgwick County residents with unclaimed property.

The kiosk will be located at the 2525 W. Douglas tag office, and the county will hold an event Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the office to commemorate the new kiosk and computer monitors.

Since most Sedgwick County residents stop by a tag office at least once a year, were hoping theyll take a moment during their next visit to check their name at the kiosk, Sedgwick County Treasurer Brandi Bailey said in a Wednesday press release. Even if they dont have any unclaimed property, they might find a lucky friend or family member on the list.

Bailey and Kansas Treasurer Steven Johnson will be at Thursdays event.

Sedgwick County residents and business are owed more than $50 million in unclaimed property, according to the press release.

How to search for unclaimed property in Kansas

All current and former Kansas residents (and others who do business in the state) can search for unclaimed property anytime online through the Kansas State Treasurers website.

To search, you can enter your first and last name and answer all prompted questions. Once submitted, a list will pop up with all properties matching your search. You can then click add to your cart.

The state treasurers office is holding more than $537 million worth of unclaimed properties statewide, a spokesperson told the Eagle in an email. A spokesperson in February said the office returned more than $2 million in 2022 to Sedgwick County residents, a fraction of the funds it held.

The average claim in Kansas is about $260.

Since its 1979 inception, the Kansas program has returned an excess of $399 million, Wednesdays press release said.

If you submitted a claim in the past and havent received a payment, you can enter your claim ID under check claim status to see an update. There is no deadline to file a claim.

If youve lived in states besides Kansas, you can check those states, as well. The site Missing Money offers a multi-state search, and ways to search for other types of lost money is available through a federal portal at usa.gov/unclaimed-money.

This story may be updated.
ABC 13

A Texas man who was reported missing eight years agoonly for investigators this month to discover he returned home the next day and had been living at homespoke out for the first time on Tuesday to insist he was brainwashed by his mother the whole time.

She never locked me in or handcuffed me or anything like that, Rudy Farias told ABC13 about his mother, Janie Santana. I had free will to leave, it just felt like brainwashing, honestly.

Farias was reported missing on March 6, 2015, when the 17-year-old reportedly disappeared on a dog walk. But earlier this month, the Houston Police Department announced that he was located safe at a local church, miles from where he lived. In a statement issued through the Texas Center for the Missing, Santana said her son was found unresponsive.

But cracks in the narrative began to appear immediately after neighbors told media outlets that Farias had been living with Santana for years.

Last week, police confirmed that their probe revealed that Farias had returned home the day after he was reported missing, despite his mothers ongoing claims that he had vanished. Police added that while Farias was listed as a missing person, he and Santana interacted with officers several times and used fake names and birthdays each time to hide his identity.

Missing Rudy Farias Has Been Living With Mom Janis Santana All Along: Cops

In the tearful interview, Farias explained that he had been stuck at home for years and felt like he lived in a prison. Sometimes, he added, Santana would even lock him in a room when family members visited their home to keep him hidden.

I just wanted to be free. I wanted to have my own job. I just wanted to live my life. I just wanted to love somebody, have someone else who would actually love me. I struggled to understand my emotions, he said.

He explained that to ensure he stayed quiet, his mother would manipulate him into believing that he had to stay silent for his own well-being and would bombard him with negative thoughts that would keep him complicit.

Still, Farias said, he was able to go to work with his mom and roam around the neighborhood.

As the years went by, he said, his relationship with his mother felt like Stockholm syndrome, honestly, in reference to the psychological coping mechanism of a victim developing positive feelings toward their captor.

She locked me in there pretty much, mentally, Farias said. She was my only parent, the only person I really ever had besides my brother. When I lost my brother, I didnt have anyone to teach me how to live or to have confidence or trust in myself. So I depended on my mom all my life.

Farias half-brother died in a motorcycle accident in 2011, ABC 13 reported.

Farias also denied an allegation made by controversial community leader Quanell X that Farias had been sexually abused while he was missing. He said that while his mother made him sleep in her bed sometimes, it was never sexual.

I wouldnt lie about that because theres plenty of people that need honest truths when it comes to those things, that just muddies the water to lie about those types of things, he said, adding that he never said anything bad about his mother in that regard.

Police have since insisted that Farias did not mention any abuse during his hospital interview with police, despite Quanell Xs claim that he was in the room when the claims were lodged.

For now, Farias said, he is just trying to figure out how to move on after his harrowing ordeal.

I just want to understand who I am, he said.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Russian Military Hit by Uncertainty as One General Is Killed and Another Remains Absent

One top commander has disappeared since a mutiny. Another was killed in an airstrike in Ukraine. Another accused his leadership of treachery after being fired. And a fourth former commander was gunned down while out on a jog in what may have been an organized hit.

The ranks of the Russian military have continued to be roiled by instability in the days since a short-lived insurrection by Wagner mercenaries three weeks ago, as pressures from Moscows nearly 17-month war reverberate across the armed forces.

On Wednesday, mystery deepened over the fate of Gen. Sergei Surovikin, the countrys former top commander in Ukraine, who has been dubbed General Armageddon for his ruthless tactics, and who has not been seen since the Wagner rebellion.

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One of the countrys top lawmakers said, when pressed by a reporter, that the general was taking a rest.

He is unavailable right now, the lawmaker, Andrei Kartapolov, the head of the Russian Dumas defense committee, added in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app before hurrying away from the reporter.

Surovikin was considered to be an ally of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary company, whose forces mounted the brief insurrection in late June aimed at toppling Russias military leadership before standing down in a deal with the Kremlin.

The New York Times reported that U.S. officials believe Surovikin had advance knowledge of the mutiny but do not know whether he participated. In the hours after the rebellion began, Russian authorities quickly released a video of the general calling on the Wagner fighters to stand down.

The lawmakers enigmatic comment about Surovikin came two days after Russian authorities released the first footage of the countrys top military officer, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, since the insurrection.

In the video, Gerasimov was receiving a report from the Russian Aerospace Forces, which are run by Surovikin. But the person giving the update in the footage was Surovikins deputy, Col. Gen. Viktor Afzalov.

Surovikins location is just one of the many mysteries that have arisen since the mutiny. Despite a deal announced by the Kremlin, under which Prigozhin would depart Russia for Belarus and avoid prosecution, the mercenary tycoon appears to have remained in Russia.

The Kremlin disclosed this week that Prigozhin and his top commanders met with President Vladimir Putin five days after the mutiny, raising many questions about what sort of deal had been struck with the former insurrectionists. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Defense said that Russian armed forces had been collecting Wagners weapons, ammunition, and military equipment.

The materiel is expected to be restored for further use. So far, the mercenary group has handed over thousands of small arms and heavy weapons, the ministry said, including rocket launch and mortar systems, anti-tank guns and multipurpose armored tractors.

Russia, meanwhile, received another blow to its top military ranks. Lt. Gen. Oleg Tsokov, the deputy commander of Russias Southern Military District, was killed in Ukraine during a Monday night missile strike on the occupied city of Berdiansk, one of the highest-level losses for Russia during the course of the war, Ukrainian authorities announced.

A Russian lawmaker and retired general, Andrei Gurulyov, confirmed Tsokovs death in an appearance on state television Wednesday, saying he died heroically. The death recalled the early days of the war, when Ukrainian officials said they had killed about 12 generals on the front lines.

Gurulyov also released a recording late Wednesday of the commander of Russias 58th Combined Arms Army, Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov, explaining to his troops why he was relieved from commanding the unit, which is fighting on the front in Ukraine near Zaporizhzhia.

Popov described a difficult situation with the senior leadership, which led to him being relieved after he brought up problems on the battlefield, including the lack of counter battery fire and artillery reconnaissance stations, as well as deaths and injuries the force is suffering from enemy artillery fire.

Popov appeared to take aim at Gerasimov without naming him, saying that while Ukrainian forces couldnt break through his army unit from the front, our senior commander hit us from the rear, treacherously and vilely decapitating the army unit at the most difficult and tense moment.

Russian authorities also arrested a Ukrainian man Wednesday on suspicion of gunning down a former Russian submarine commander, Capt. 2nd Rank Stanislav Rzhitsky, this week in the southern city of Krasnodar, where he had been serving as the deputy director of the citys mobilization office.

Russian news outlets reported that Rzhitsky, who posted his running routes publicly on the exercise service Strava, was shot to death while jogging in a Krasnodar park.

On Tuesday, the day after the body was found, Ukrainian military intelligence said on its official Telegram account that Rzhitsky had commanded a submarine that was involved in missile attacks on Ukraine. Friends and relatives, however, told Russian news outlets that he had left active-duty military service before the February 2022 invasion.

The state news agency RIA Novosti, citing an anonymous source in Russian law enforcement, reported that the man arrested Wednesday had admitted under questioning to being recruited by Ukrainian intelligence to carry out the killing.

Rzhitskys name had been entered in the online database Myrotvorets, which posts photographs, social media accounts and telephone numbers of people considered to have committed crimes against Ukraine.

A red stamp was added over his photograph on the database reading, Liquidated.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
FILE - U.S. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division speaks, June 1, 2023, in Jackson, Miss. On Wednesday, July 12, the Justice Department filed court papers challenging a Mississippi law that authorizes the appointment of some judges in Jackson and Hinds County, which are majority-Black. Most judges in Mississippi are elected, and Clarke said the appointment of judges discriminates against Black residents. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  A new Mississippi law discriminates against residents of the majority-Black capital city of Jackson by requiring the appointment of some judges in a state where most judges are elected, the U.S. Justice Department said in court papers filed Wednesday.

The department is seeking to join a federal lawsuit the NAACP filed against the state shortly after Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed the law in April.

Kristen Clarke, the departments assistant attorney general for civil rights, said in a statement that Mississippi lawmakers created a crude scheme that singles out and discriminates against Black residents in Jackson and Hinds County, where the city is located. Clarke said the law creates a "two-tiered system of justice" with judges and prosecutors chosen by state officials.

This thinly-veiled state takeover is intended to strip power, voice and resources away from Hinds Countys predominantly-Black electorate, singling out the majority-Black Hinds County for adverse treatment imposed on no other voters in the State of Mississippi, Clarke said.

U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate has temporarily blocked the law from taking effect. Wingate would have to approve the Justice Department's request to intervene in the lawsuit.

The department said in its court filing Wednesday that the Mississippi law discriminates against people based on race, violating the U.S. Constitution's equal protection guarantee.

The law creates a new court in part of Jackson with prosecutors appointed by the Mississippi attorney general and a judge appointed by the Mississippi Supreme Court chief justice. The law also authorizes the chief justice to appoint four other judges to work alongside the four elected circuit court judges in Hinds County.

Critics say the law takes away self-governance in Jackson and Hinds County, which are both majority-Black and governed by Democrats. Members of the majority-white and Republican-controlled Legislature said they passed the law to improve safety in Jackson, which has had more than 100 homicides for each of the past three years.

The law also expands the patrol territory of the state-run Capitol Police department within Jackson. The NAACP says in its lawsuit that the police expansion also violates the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection by treating Jackson differently from other parts of the state.

While the Justice Department challenges the appointment of prosecutors and judges, it does not challenge the police expansion.

Derrick Johnson, national president and CEO of the NAACP, praised the Justice Department's action as exemplary of what good government looks like.

When our state leaders fail those they are supposed to serve, it is only right that the federal government steps in to ensure that justice is delivered, said Johnson, who lives in Jackson.

The Mississippi Supreme Court  minus the chief justice  heard arguments last week about a state lawsuit that also challenges the new law.
Stanislaus County Sheriffs Office detectives arrested a Modesto man on suspicion of a murder at a Ninth Street motel and have issued a warrant for a second suspect.

Natasha Irizarry, 34, of Ceres was shot to death outside the room she was staying in at the Driftwood Inn on South Ninth Street just after midnight Saturday.

On Tuesday, detectives arrested Juan Carlos Martinez, 31, of Modesto on suspicion of murder, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy.

Sgt. Erich Layton said the latter three charges stem from the robbery of a witness at the hotel. Martinez and an accomplice allegedly pointed a gun at the victims chest and robbed him of his cell phone after the homicide. Layton said he did not know if the witness had been recording or taking photos of the suspects.

The alleged accomplice has been identified as Luis Vega, 36, of Modesto. A warrant has been issued for Vegas arrest on the same charges as Martinez.

Anyone who sees Vega should not approach him but call 911 immediately, Layton said.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts or tips about the homicide is asked to call Detective Juan Rodriguez at 209-558-1282 or crime stoppers Stanislaus County Area Crime Stoppers at 1-866-60-CRIME.
The Monroe County Coroner on Wednesday released the identification of the men killed in a two-vehicle crash south of Waterloo last week.

Jeremy V. Hicks, 44, and Bud G. Rhodes Jr., 44, both of Red Bud, were identified by Coroner Bob Hill, who used dental records to ID both men.

On Wednesday, positive comparisons to both antemortem and postmortem x-rays were made, Hill stated in a press release.

Hicks was driving the car and Rhodes Jr. was the passenger.

According to Illinois State Police, one vehicle  which Hicks and Rhodes Jr. were in  left the road on Illinois 3 south of Sportsman Road on Thursday, July 6, after it struck a second vehicle in the rear bumper. The first car struck a tree and caught fire.

Police responded to the scene at approximately 6:29 p.m. The two occupants of the first car  Hicks and Rhodes, Jr.  were pronounced dead at the scene.

The occupants were in a 2017 Ford passenger car that was traveling southbound on Illinois 3 and struck the back of a van traveling in the same direction, the impact caused the vehicle to leave the roadway and strike a tree which resulted in the 2017 Ford to catch fire, the press release noted.

On Friday, July 7, two family members went to the Red Bud Police Department and reported the two males missing, according to the press release.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police.

Jeremy V. Hicks

Funeral arrangements for Hicks

Visitation for Jeremy V. Hicks will be from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, July 15, at Concord Presbyterian Church, 338 Covington Drive, Waterloo. Services will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 15, at Concord Presbyterian Church with Pastor Brian Sandifer officiating.

According to his obituary from Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt, Hicks was born Aug. 30, 1978, in Belleville.

He enjoyed watching and playing softball and baseball and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish fan. He also enjoyed throwing washers, playing golf and barbecuing. Most of all he loved spending time with his daughter and coaching her in softball.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Roberts-Hicks; his daughter, Peyten Hicks; his stepchildren, Aaron Roberts, Kaileah Sweet, and Keegan Sweet; his parents, Jeff (Judy) Hicks; his sister, Jody (Brian) Lurk; his nephew, Dexter Lurk; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parent-in-laws, Harry (Sharry) King.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to an education fund that will be set up for Peyten Hicks.

Leesman Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Bud Rhodes, Jr.

Funeral services for Rhodes, Jr.

Visitation for Bud Rhodes, Jr. will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, and 9-10:45 a.m. Thursday, July 20, at Pechacek Funeral Homes, 1340 W. Market St., Red Bud.

A memorial mass will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 20, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 519 Hazel St., Red Bud, with Msgr. Dennis Schaefer officiating.

According to his obituary from Pechacek Funeral Homes, Rhodes, Jr. was born Aug. 26, 1978, in Red Bud to Bud G. and Grace (nee Kipping) Rhodes, Sr.

Rhodes, Jr. had worked as carpenter and was of the Catholic faith.

The obituary stated Rhodes, Jr. was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching St. Louis Cardinals games, St. Louis Blues games and Detroit Loins games. He was a talented musician and played the guitar and also sang. He enjoyed swimming, diving and jumping off cliffs.

Rhodes, Jr. is survived by his mother, Grace (Jerry) Garris of Red Bud; three children, Graden Presler of Prairie du Rocher, Austin Hill of Sarasota, Florida, and Jayden LaChance of Smithton; his brother, Charlie Helmholt of Belleville; his grandmother, Jacqueline Rhodes of Dupo; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father; two grandfathers, Bud G. Rhodes and Stanford (Patricia) Kipping; and his grandmother, Anna Mae Kipping.

BND reporter Ahmad Lathan contributed to this story.
The Montana State Library Commission voted Tuesday to withdraw from the American Library Association (ALA) because of its self-described "Marxist lesbian" president.

"Our oath of office and resulting duty to the Constitution forbids association with an organization led by a Marxist," reads part of the letter the Montana commission voted to send to the ALA.

In a 5-1 vote, with one member abstaining, the commission voted to immediately separate from the national library group, which in April elected a self-described socialist to lead the organization.

Emily Drabinski was elected to lead the ALA in April 2022. In comments to far-left magazine Jacobin ahead of her election, Drabinski described the socialist role she believed libraries should play in American class struggles against the "maldistribution of wealth."

MONTANA BECOMES 1ST STATE TO BAN DRAG READING EVENTS IN SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES

ALA President Emily Drabinski, a socialist, prompted the Montana State Library Commission to leave the national group.

Drabinski said that "the way to get people to understand why libraries are important is by engaging people in a struggle for the fair share of the social wage. It isnt a matter of better advertising. Its a matter of sort of stronger connections between libraries and our communities and the communities we serve and the shared struggles that we all have because we are all suffering from the maldistribution of wealth."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

After her election in April, Drabinski celebrated in a since-deleted tweet that she "just cannot believe that a Marxist lesbian who believes that collective power is possible to build and can be wielded for a better world is president elect of ALA. I am so excited for what we will do together. Solidarity. And my mom is so proud. I love you mom."

"Marxist ideologies directly oppose our Montana values, which is why I strongly support the Montana State Library Commission removing itself from the ALA," said Elsie Arntzen, commission superintendent of public instruction in Montana, in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital.

KIRK CAMERON VOWS TO HOLD AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION ACCOUNTABLE FOR 'RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION'

"Ms. Drabinski is a supporter of Critical Race Theory, which Montana rejected as discriminatory, and other far-left-leaning ideologies that have no place in our schools and libraries," Arntzen added. "Montanans embrace honest and accurate views of history while understanding that our country, at times, has fallen short of its goals. However, common citizens have rallied together to overcome those shortfalls. Our parents are our first teachers, they have an absolute right to determine what is best for their children. By electing a declared Marxist as their President, the ALA has not only turned its back on families, parental rights, and American values  it has turned its back on America itself."

Following the Montana commission's vote, Drabinski tweeted: "That is not the Montana  or Montanans  I know."

Fox News production assistant Aubrie Spady contributed reporting.
Two groups have fundraised more than $13 million for Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.) as he looks to take on Gov. Jim Justice (R) in the West Virginia Senate race.

Club for Growth Action and Protect Freedom PAC said Wednesday they brought in $13.55 million together for Mooney, with Club for Growth Action noting it is already planning to spend at least $10 million in the Senate race for him.

Meanwhile, Justices campaign announced Wednesday it had brought in close to $1 million in the second quarter of fundraising for this year. Its not clear what Mooney has raised for the second quarter yet.

The more West Virginia voters learn about Jim Justice, Mitch McConnells chosen candidate, the clearer it becomes that he is a big government RINO, said David McIntosh, president of Club for Growth Action, in a statement, referring to the Republican in name only acronym.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

Alex Mooney has a strong track record of pushing back on Joe Bidens radical policy agenda in Washington and is the only candidate in the race that is serious about promoting fiscal responsibility, he added.

Mooney and Justice are looking to take on Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) next fall, though Manchin has not yet said whether hell run for another term. Manchin said hell make that decision later this year.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
More than 100 rescued in Vermont after severe flooding  photos of the devastation

The Quirky Pet store owner Cindra Conison, right, and her husband Richard Sheir leave their shop on Monday night, July 10, 2023, in downtown Montpelier, Vt. | Jeb Wallace-Brodeur, The Times Argus via Associated Press

Even after the rains subsided on Tuesday, flooding continues to cause damage and officials say that Vermont is not out of the woods yet.

The devastation and flooding were experiencing across Vermont is historic and catastrophic, said Gov. Phil Scott in a press release Tuesday. Flood waters continue to rise in some places like our capital city and have surpassed levels seen during Tropical Storm Irene.

All 14 counties in the state were under a disaster declaration as of Tuesday, Scott said. Rescue efforts are still active, with every citizen encouraged by the governor to help their neighbor.

It will take all of us, he said. So, Im asking all Vermonters to think about how you can help locally. Even just checking in on a neighbor can make a big difference.

Volunteers help clear Main Street of debris after floodwaters subsided, Monday, July 10, 2023, in Highland Falls, N.Y. Heavy rain has washed out roads and forced evacuations in the Northeast as more downpours were forecast throughout the day. One person in New Yorks Hudson Valley has drowned as she was trying to leave her home. | John Minchillo, Associated Press

Vermonts 13 swift water rescue teams have performed more than 100 rescues in the state so far, Commissioner Jennifer Morrison of the Department of Public Safety announced Tuesday.

It was an apocalyptic feeling, resident Dylan Woodrow, 29, told The New York Times. He used his kayak to get around the flooded streets to help people stuck in second-floor apartments.

Melissa Morgan, of Northfield, Mass., looks at the water flow of the Whetstone Brook in Brattleboro, Vt., Monday, July 10, 2023. | Kristopher Radder, The Brattleboro Reformer via Associated Press

Jodi Kelly, left, practice manager at Stonecliff Veterinary Surgical Center, behind, and her husband, veterinarian Dan Kelly, use a canoe to remove surgical supplies from the flood-damaged center, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Montpelier, Vt. The supplies included orthopedic implants for an upcoming surgery on a dog. A storm that dumped two months of rain in two days brought more flooding across Vermont Tuesday. | Steven Senne, Associated Press

Right now, structural collapses are a cause of worry to officials, as well as the impending threat of the nearby Wrightsville Dam overflowing as it inches toward being full, as The New York Times reported. Officials said that by late Tuesday the dam was one foot below capacity and it was uncertain what damage overflowing would cause.

More rains are on the forecast later in the week, with a possibility for excessive rainfall on Thursday and Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

I want to be clear, we are not out of the woods, Scott said. This is nowhere near over.

A damaged car lays on a collapsed roadway along Route 32 in the Hudson Valley near Cornwall, N.Y., Monday, July 10, 2023. Heavy rain has washed out roads and forced evacuations in the Northeast as more downpours were forecast throughout the day. | Paul Kazdan, Associated Press

Kathy Eason, a worker at the Center for Highland Falls, stands outside the organizations storefront after being trapped inside by floodwaters the previous day, Monday, July 10, 2023, in Highland Falls, N.Y. Heavy rain has washed out roads and forced evacuations in the Northeast as more downpours were forecast throughout the day. One person in New Yorks Hudson Valley has drowned as she was trying to leave her home. | John Minchillo, Associated Press

Flooding in Montpelier, Vt., is pictured Tuesday, July 11, 2023. | Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets via Associated Press

A passerby walks near a street damaged by flood waters, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Ludlow, Vt. A storm that dumped two months of rain in two days caused erosion along many roadways in the state. | Steven Senne, Associated Press

Downtown Montpelier, Vt., is flooded with several feet of water on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. One resident said several feet of water filled the lower levels of most buildings and reached to near the top of parking meters. | Bryan Pfeiffer via Associated Press

In this image provided by Sarah Rogers, two kayakers paddle through floodwaters as they approach the School Street Bridge in Montpelier, Vt., Tuesday, July 11, 2023. | Sarah Rogers via Associated Press

Boats that got swept away from the marina on the West River in Brattleboro from the heavy rains get caught up in the new bridge project over the Connecticut River between Hinsdale N.H., and Brattleboro, Vt., Monday, July 10, 2023. | Kristopher Radder, The Brattleboro Reformer via Associated Press

A truck drives through deep floodwaters from the Dog River on Route 12 in Berlin, Vt., on Monday, July 10, 2023. | Jeb Wallace-Brodeur, The Times Argus via Associated Press

Related
TEHRAN, July 12 (Xinhua) -- A total of 11 Iranians imprisoned in Kuwait were repatriated under a prisoner extradition agreement between the two countries, the official news agency IRNA reported late Tuesday.

Thanks to the joint efforts of Iran and the Interpol, the extradition took place on Tuesday night, the report said.

Iran and Kuwait signed the agreement on the extradition of prisoners in 2006. The implementation of the agreement became obligatory in 2007, but was delayed for unspecified reasons. It was not until April 2015 that the two countries started to implement the agreement, according to the IRNA. 
Lyudmila Marchenko, the heroine of the NABU video with throwing a stack of dollars over the fence, was expelled from the presidential party

Ukrainian MP Liudmyla Marchenko has been expelled from the ruling Servant of the People party due to fraud charges against her, the partys head, Olena Shuliak, told NV on July 12.

In addition, Ternopil-based partys regional organization has prematurely terminated her powers.

Read also: Several categories of men banned from leaving Ukraine in 2023

On July 5, when the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) arrested Marchenkos assistant for soliciting a bribe, Shuliak initiated of a meeting of the Ternopil regional organization to exclude Marchenko from its leadership, i.e. the political council.

The organization prematurely terminated Marchenkos powers on July 6. On the same day, Shuliak signed the relevant order to expel Marchenko from the party.

Read also: NABU candidate Komarova shares details of hiring scandal at anti-corruption body

The Servant of the People party uncompromisingly and quickly reacted, and will react to any manifestation of corruption, Shuliak told NV.

NABU charged Marchenko and her assistant with abusing their influence for illicit monetary gains on July 11.

The pre-trial investigation revealed that Marchenko and her assistant had allegedly promised a man that they would facilitate a permit for him to leave Ukraine in exchange for a bribe.

Additionally, they pledged to enter the mans details into the Shlyakh system. Shlyakh is a register of Ukrainian volunteers who are allowed to leave the country during martial law, despite being eligible for military draft.

Read also: Nearly 19,000 men fled Ukraine by misusing "Shlyakh" information system

Both NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO) have released a recording of the suspects discussions, correspondence between the MP and her assistant, and the moment when the MP attempted to discard the bribe over a fence.

Marchenko and her assistant have been charged with abuse of influence. If convicted, they face up to five years in prison.

Marchenko serves as a member of the Ukrainian parliament and chairs the parliamentary Ethics Subcommittee.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Washington  Before a former FBI intelligence analyst was sentenced to prison last month, she asked a judge for leniency after pleading guilty to the same Espionage Act charge former President Donald Trump is accused of violating.

"Her situation has been publicized locally and nationally  garnering mention alongside prominent political figures whose conduct appears uncannily analogous to Ms. Kingsbury's," her lawyer wrote in a sentencing memo that asked for probation.

Analyst Kendra Kingsbury was sentenced to 46 months in prison for willful retention of national security secrets, accused of illegally keeping 386 classified documents at her personal residence in Kansas. She pleaded guilty to two counts of violating the Espionage Act that involved 20 of the documents.

Kingsbury's case and others involving Espionage Act violations offer a guidepost for the potential consequences Trump faces if he's convicted, but also highlight the uniqueness of his case.

A federal grand jury indicted the former president in June on 37 counts related to his alleged mishandling of classified documents and obstruction of the government's efforts to retrieve them from his Mar-a-Lago club. Of those charges, 31 are for alleged violations of the Espionage Act.

"Charging a former president of the United States under the Espionage Act of 1917  is one of the most outrageous and vicious legal theories ever put forward in an American court of law," Trump told his supporters on June 24. "The Espionage Act has been used to go after traitors and spies."

Though the nation's most notorious spies were prosecuted under the Espionage Act, Trump is not charged with being a spy. He is charged with violating 18 U.S.C. 793(e), a provision of the law that makes "unauthorized possession" of documents "relating to the national defense" a crime. He has pleaded not guilty.

"It is rare that these cases ever go to trial," Mark Zaid, a national security lawyer, told CBS News.

Since 2017, at least seven cases involving the same provision of the Espionage Act ended in guilty pleas, including Kingsbury's. Another went to trial, resulting in a guilty verdict. None were sentenced to the maximum 10 years in prison  sentences ranged from 18 months to nine years  and more than half received lesser sentences than the government had asked for.

"Usually the sentences are around three to six years," Zaid said.

Prosecutors accused Kingsbury of taking home documents from the FBI that were classified at the secret level and included information on "sensitive human source operations in national security investigations, intelligence gaps regarding hostile foreign intelligence services and terrorist organizations, and the technical capabilities of the FBI against counterintelligence and counterterrorism targets." She kept the documents in an "unsecure space, readily available to whoever may have had access to her residence," according to court documents.

"[Trump] had much higher level information than she did and that too would be taken into account in any punishment," Zaid said.

The Trump indictment alleges the former president kept documents that were classified from top secret to secret in boxes stored at Mar-a-Lago, including in a bathroom and shower, a ballroom and his bedroom. The documents allegedly contained information on U.S. nuclear programs, potential vulnerabilities of the U.S. and its allies to a military attack and plans for potential retaliation in response to an attack.

Robert Birchum, a former Air Force officer, was sentenced to three years in prison in June after pleading guilty to one count of violating the Espionage Act. Prosecutors said he removed more than 300 classified documents and files, including top-secret information, from secure locations and stored them at his Florida home, in a storage pod parked in his driveway and at his overseas officer's quarters. He possessed files containing information on the National Security Agency's capabilities that, if released, could "cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security of the United States," prosecutors alleged.

Birchum also cited Trump's handling of classified documents, as well as the actions of other prominent officials, in arguing that he should not have to serve any prison time.

"One must not look very hard to find the numerous news articles, internet opinions, and television coverage of the spate of recent cases involving allegations of mishandling classified information," Birchum's legal team wrote in a sentencing memo that asked for probation.

Harold Martin, a former NSA contractor, received the nine-year sentence in 2019 after pleading guilty to one count of violating the willful retention provision in what was said to be the largest theft of its kind from the U.S. government. The government described the sentence as "one of the longest ever imposed in this type of case." Documents that were classified at the top-secret level and could reveal sensitive sources, methods and capabilities were among the 50 terabytes of data he was accused of stealing and keeping at his Maryland home and in his car.

A guilty plea increases the likelihood of a lighter sentence and reduced charges, while going to trial could end in an acquittal but if convicted, a defendant is likely to receive a lengthier sentence.

"Because of the nature of how the Classified Information Procedures Act works, there's very little by way of legal argument that exists by the time the trial would come around," Zaid said. "So it becomes a factual debate. Did the person do it or not? And given in these cases, as with Trump, it is uncontested the individual was in possession of the national defense information. So they plead."

The statute, known as CIPA, was designed to address the use of classified information in criminal trials. The pre-trial process limits defendants from threatening to disclose classified information at trial in an attempt to force the government to drop the charges. But a judge could also determine during the process that classified information is relevant and helpful to a defendant, meaning the government would have to make a choice between disclosure or dismissing the charges.

For Trump, who is running for president, the case has political ramifications.

"[There's] the spectacle of it, and fundraising opportunities and all of the ways in which he's sort of a unique animal when it comes to the criminal justice system," Emily Berman, an associate professor at the University of Houston's Law Center, told CBS News.

Zaid said Trump's best legal strategy is to delay the case as long as possible and hope he wins the presidential election.

"This federal case will go away because he will have the authority to make it go away," he said.

On Monday, Trump's legal team asked the judge overseeing the case to delay his trial, potentially until after the 2024 election.

Zaid said Trump's case will have an impact on similar cases in the future, noting that he cited former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server and Gen. David Petraeus' mishandling of classified information to minimize punishment for a client who then received probation.

"When you are dealing with high-level public officials and a high-profile prosecution, it will impact all the little people down below," he said.

Yet, not every outcome that applies to Trump would apply to other civilians who may be convicted of the same crime. For instance, Berman said she doesn't expect that other defendants would succeed in avoiding prison, even if Trump is convicted and does not face any time behind bars.

"There's all sorts of other factors to take into account," she said, giving the hypothetical that the former president could be sentenced to house arrest. "The next defendant comes along and says, 'Well, I want to be subject to house arrest instead of going to prison.' But you don't have Secret Service protections. You're not running for office or holding public office or any of the crazy scenarios we might find ourselves in."

U.S. soldier detained in North Korea had recently served time in brig, may have been escaping

Trump says he was told to report to grand jury in 4 days on Jan. 6 probe

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Multiple passengers were injured on Wednesday afternoon when an Allegiant Air flight encountered severe turbulence.

The flight, which took off from Asheville, North Carolina, landed at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport in Florida around 3:45 p.m., according to FOX 13.

One of the passengers said "it looked like The Matrix. The flight attendant floated up to the ceiling then slammed to the ground."

A spokesperson for Allegiant Air told Fox News Digital that two passengers and two flight attendants were taken to a local hospital for injuries.

WATCH: PLANE SKIDS OFF RUNWAY UPON ARRIVAL, SMASHES TO PIECES ON PROTECTIVE BARRIER

Multiple passengers were injured Wednesday afternoon when an Allegiant Air flight encountered severe turbulence.

"Today, Allegiant flight 227 en route from Asheville, NC to St. Petersburg Clearwater, FL experienced severe turbulence before landing. The plane, carrying 179 passengers and six crew members, landed normally and taxied to the gate under its own power. Airport paramedics met the plane to assess two passengers and two flight attendants for injuries. They were transported to the hospital for further evaluation," the spokesperson said in a statement.

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MAN TELLS 'SCREAMING' WOMAN ON PLANE TO QUIET DOWN, EARNS PRAISE ON REDDIT: 'I WOULD BE APPLAUDING'

The flight, which took off from Asheville, North Carolina, landed at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport in Florida at around 3:45 p.m., according to FOX 13.

"We will continue to investigate the incident in coordination with the FAA and NTSB and will provide more information as soon as it becomes available. No additional details can be confirmed at this time," the spokesperson added.

Airport officials said that at least two people were transported to a local hospital.

A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration told Fox News Digital that it will investigate the incident.

This is a developing story.
Murder victim's mother sues Hopewell councilor for money she says he took from GoFundMe account

HOPEWELL  A city councilor is being sued by the mother of a murder victim who claims he used money from a GoFundMe account set up for her to pay his child support.

Brionna Taylor, whose 8-year-old daughter PAris Moore was gunned down Dec. 30, 2022, is seeking $5,600 from Ward 7 Councilor Dominic Holloway, according to a warrant-in-debt filed last month in Hopewell General District Court. Holloway, who was elected to council six weeks before the child was killed, took an active advocacy role for PAris family, including the creation of a GoFundMe account that eventually raised more than $15,000 for final expenses.

While going through this, he mentioned child support, Taylor wrote on the warrant, a copy of which was obtained by The Progress-Index. [Holloway] took money out his account for his personal matters.

At a council meeting Tuesday night, Holloway said he plans to make public comments on the suit but not now.

It will be very soon, Holloway said. I have to get clarification.

He did not elaborate on what that clarification is.

The lawsuit, which was filed last month, is scheduled to be heard at 10 a.m. Aug. 2 in Hopewell General District Court.

P'Aris Moore, 8, was shot to death Dec. 30, 2022 as she played in the front yard of a family member's Hopewell residence. Police believe she was the victim of a drive-by shooting.

PAris was shot Dec. 30, 2022 as she played outside a relatives house on Freeman Street in Hopewells Arlington area. Police reports indicate a possible drive-by shooting took the little girls life. The investigation into the case continues but so far, no suspects have been named or arrested.

She was Hopewells ninth homicide victim and one of several juveniles killed in 2022.

The case garnered widespread media attention because of the victims age. A community walk and a vigil near where she was killed were among memorials the community held for her.

More: 'P'aris radiated a light so bright:' Hundreds commemorate life of Hopewell girl killed in crossfire

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: Hopewell councilor sued over money taken from child's GoFundMe account
Less than two months into Ron DeSantis declared run for president, his most important backers in conservative media are already starting to lose faith.

Since the beginning of the Biden presidency, the powerful Murdoch family has favored the Florida governor in the 2024 presidential primary, largely due to a conviction that DeSantis would be a more electable, and less chaotic, evolution from Donald Trump. But in recent weeks, the Murdochs have grown increasingly displeased with the DeSantis campaigns perceived stumbles, lackluster polling, and inability to swiftly dethrone Trump, multiple sources tell Rolling Stone. They have also seriously questioned whether the governor is capable of defeating Trump in the 2024 GOP presidential primary.

Billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch in particular has been voicing his doubts and frustrations in private discussions and calls, at times wondering if a DeSantis comeback is possible at this point. Murdoch is the longtime patriarch of the family that controls Fox News, the New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, and other media properties that are highly influential among conservatives.

[Ruperts] understandable worry is that we may end up being stuck with Trump anyway, a senior Fox source tells Rolling Stone. And DeSantis is underperforming. Anybody can see that  [and the Murdochs], theyre seeing it, too.

This reporting is based on conversations with two people who speak to the Murdochs, three well-placed sources at Fox, and three others briefed on the situation. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to divulge the contents of private discussions. Rupert Murdoch did not respond to messages seeking comment on this story. A spokesperson for the DeSantis campaign did not immediately respond to a comment request. A Fox representative declined to comment on Tuesday.

According to two of the sources, Murdoch has privately winced at DeSantis nonstop cultural-grievance strategy, arguing that it is being executed sloppily. In his repeated attempts to outflank the already hard-right Trump on the right, DeSantis and his team have waged an aggressive messaging operation to paint the Florida governor as a much more extreme culture warrior as compared with the former president  most recently via a bizarre, bigoted video lauding the governor for his anti-LGBTQ attacks. This strategy has for months attracted criticism from fellow Republicans for being unsavvy and too online to connect with the median voter.

They are transactional and can smell a loser a mile away, one Fox insider bluntly assesses, referring to Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, and top Fox News executives.

Rupert Murdochs complaints lately have, three of the sources recount, centered on how he feels DeSantis often seems too awkward in his public presentation and in his attempts to connect with the American voter. Murdoch has also noted DeSantis 2024s recent failures to chip away at Trumps stubborn dominance in the polls, despite the pre-campaign-launch hype about how things would significantly change right after DeSantis declaration. After months of high-quality polling, the twice-indicted former president continues to consistently hold gaping leads on DeSantis, his top 2024 Republican rival.

Hints of the Murdoch clans displeasure with DeSantis have surfaced in News Corp.s media properties over the past few weeks. Two sources familiar with the matter stress that this is not by accident and not a coincidence.

Its also a marked shift for the Murdoch clan. Until recently, Fox News had been extremely friendly and safe territory for the Florida governor, with softball questions about his culture-war crusades and other matters. Since 2021, the network has been vital in building DeSantis national name ID among conservatives, heralding him as a fast-rising political star and touting him as the future of the Trumpified right.

In an interview last week, Fox News host Will Cain praised DeSantis record as Florida governor, but wondered when that job, if ever, begins to resonate in the numbers for you for president. DeSantis campaign, Cain said, is not yet connecting with voters as Trump continues to enjoy a commanding lead in polls.

On Sunday, host and Trump ally Maria Bartiromo bluntly asked DeSantis on-air, Whats going on with your campaign? as the optimism about it has faded with his polling numbers, as a chyron advised viewers: DeSantis Trails Trump by 34% for GOP Nomination.

The editorial pages of News Corp.s newspapers  often important tea leaves for divining the Murdoch familys political wishes and priorities  also appear to have taken recent jabs at DeSantis. The right-wing Wall Street Journal editorial board took aim at Floridas new restrictionist anti-immigration bill, a key pillar in DeSantis attempts to get to the right of the former president. The bill, the board concluded, will exacerbate the states labor shortage while doing nothing to fix Bidens border failures.

The New York Post editorial board, which once hailed DeSantis as the candidate who gives America the chance to move on from its punch-drunk stupor, has begun to look askance at DeSantis. In its recent roundups of noteworthy commentary from other publications, the board has curated pieces expressing skepticism at DeSantis Odd Choices to criticize Trumps Supreme Court picks and to be too online in his constant culture-war crusading.

In recent years, much has been made  including by Trump  of the Murdochs perceived desire to move on from the former president, if not Trumpism per se. When DeSantis dominated the race in Florida during an otherwise historically bleak outcome for the GOP in the 2022 midterms, Murdoch-controlled properties immediately began trying to bury Trump, who many Republicans blamed for the partys disastrous electoral showing. The contrast was enough for the New York Post to put the Florida governor on its cover and labeling him DeFuture.

However, even at the lowest points in the Trump-Fox relationship, the ex-president continued to enjoy a glut of support from an array of high-profile on-air talent and hosts at Fox News and its sister channel Fox Business. This includes prime-time stars like Sean Hannity, who has been moonlighting for years as one of Trumps key political advisers.

Another source with ties to Fox execs, Trump, and the DeSantis camp adds that Fox and the Murdochs are in a corner. Theyve clearly gone all-in for DeSantis, and now hes not resonating. And now they have a new [prime-time] lineup launching, so they will be under a microscope.

But at this point in the Republican primary, the Murdochs arent ready to throw DeSantis overboard just yet, the sources say  in part because they likely would have nowhere else to turn except to crawl back to Trump. In the meantime, the media mogul and his lieutenants can keep pressuring Team DeSantis for a course correction that Murdoch is starting to suspect may never materialize.

Ron DeSantis was built up as the Trump slayer. So, if hes not immediately leading Trump in the polls, its easy to see how that can easily be spun as a letdown, says Doug Heye, a former communications director at the Republican National Committee. There are a lot of people who are trying to write the obituary of a well-funded and popular figure in the party before the debates have even started. Ron was the designated dragon slayer  and because he hasnt slayed the dragon before the debates have begun, hes being portrayed as a failure. And I think its too early for that.

However, Heye adds, whether youre the Murdochs or anybody else, if youre worried about Trump being the nominee, theres ample reason to be so because of his dominance in the polls now. I dont think that Trump is inevitable, but I am certainly worried hes going to be the nominee [again].

Diana Falzone, one of the authors of this article, worked at Fox News from 2012 to 2018.

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The Murdochs are starting to lose faith in Ron DeSantis' chances of crushing Trump: 'They are transactional and can smell a loser a mile away'

Rupert Murdoch (left) and Gov. Ron DeSantis (right). Drew Angerer via Getty Images; Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images

The Murdochs are starting to lose faith in DeSantis' chances of beating Trump, per Rolling Stone.

"They are transactional and can smell a loser a mile away," a source from Fox told Rolling Stone.

Another source said Rupert Murdoch is worried that they "may end up stuck with Trump anyway."

Rupert Murdoch and his family are starting to lose faith in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' chances of beating former President Donald Trump, Rolling Stone reported on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the situation.

A source from Fox told Rolling Stone that both the Murdochs and Fox News' top executives don't think DeSantis' prospects of clinching the Republican nomination are great.

"They are transactional and can smell a loser a mile away," said the source.

Rolling Stone said it spoke to eight individuals who were familiar with the Murdochs and Fox News, but did not disclose their identities.

A senior Fox source told Rolling Stone that Rupert Murdoch's "understandable worry is that we may end up stuck with Trump anyway."

"And DeSantis is underperforming. Anybody can see that," added the source. "They're seeing it, too."

But it looks like the Murdochs aren't giving up on DeSantis just yet. Rolling Stone's sources told the outlet that the Murdochs understand that they would have no choice but to go back to Trump if DeSantis is out.

"Ron DeSantis was built up as the Trump-slayer. So if he's not immediately leading Trump in the polls, it's easy to see how that can easily be spun as a let-down," former Republican National Committee communications director Doug Heye told Rolling Stone.

DeSantis's troubles began at the start of his presidential bid. An attempt to launch his campaign on Twitter in May was dogged by technical issues and delays.

Trump, for his part, has long viewed DeSantis as a threat. The former president nicknamed Gov. DeSantis "Ron DeSanctimonious," and has moved quickly to clinch endorsements from Republican lawmakers. Meanwhile, DeSantis has consistently lagged behind Trump, according to multiple GOP primary polls.

Representatives for Fox News and the DeSantis campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
N.Korea says carried out new test of solid-fuel ICBM

Map showing the North Korea missile launch on Wednesday, July 12, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. (STAFF)

North Korea said Thursday it had successfully tested its new intercontinental ballistic missile, state media reported, as Pyongyang vented its fury after threatening to down US spy planes it said had violated its airspace.

The report from state-run KCNA news agency said the Hwasong-18 -- a new type of purportedly solid-fuel ballistic missile that has reportedly only been fired by the North once before, in April -- flew 1,001 kilometres at a maximum altitude of 6,648 km before splashing into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.

The flight time of around 70 minutes is also similar to some of North Korea's previous ICBM launches, experts said.

The launch, which KCNA said was guided by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was a "grand explosion" that shook "the whole planet", according to the report.

Kim also vowed that "a series of stronger military offensive" would be launched until the United States and South Korea change their policies towards the North, KCNA said.

The confirmation of the launch -- which the South Korean military had reported on Wednesday -- came as relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points ever, with diplomacy stalled and Kim calling for increased weapons development, including tactical nukes.

In response, Seoul and Washington have ramped up security cooperation, vowing that Pyongyang would face a nuclear response and the "end" of its current government were it to ever use its nuclear weapons against the allies.

The launch "is a grave provocation that damages the peace and security of the Korean peninsula" and violates United Nations sanctions on Pyongyang, South Korea's military said, calling on North Korea to stop such actions.

The United Nations, United States and its allies, including France, also strongly condemned it.

"This launch is a brazen violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions and needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilising the security situation in the region," US National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said in a statement.

Pyongyang in February also launched a Hwasong-15, which flew a similar 989 kilometers.

- 'Provocative' US actions -

Wednesday's launch came after North Korea on Monday accused a US spy plane of violating its airspace and condemned Washington's plans to deploy a nuclear missile submarine near the Korean peninsula.

A spokesperson for the North Korean Ministry of National Defence said the United States had "intensified espionage activities beyond the wartime level", citing "provocative" spy plane flights over eight straight days this month.

"There is no guarantee that such shocking accident as downing of the US Air Force strategic reconnaissance plane will not happen in the East Sea of Korea," the spokesperson added.

Kim's powerful sister Kim Yo Jong said that a US spy aircraft had violated the country's eastern airspace twice on Monday, according to a separate statement.

Kim Yo Jong said North Korea would not respond directly to US reconnaissance activities outside of the country's exclusive economic zone, but warned it would take "decisive action" if its maritime military demarcation line was crossed.

The United States said in April that one of its nuclear-armed ballistic submarines would visit a South Korean port for the first time in decades, without specifying an exact date.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has ramped up defence cooperation with Washington in response, staging joint military exercises with advanced stealth jets and long-range heavy bombers.

Yoon is set to attend a NATO summit in Lithuania this week, seeking stronger cooperation over North Korea's growing threats.

bur-st/dw
Several towns around the Northeast, including beach and vacation hotspots like Nantucket, Massachusetts, and Long Island, New York, have seen a spike in shark activity over the past few weeks  at times issuing temporary swimming restrictions out of fear of incident.

Video captured by resident Nick Gault on a boat near the shore of Nantucket around Great Point shows the water dyed blood-red as a shark feasted on a seal, its carcass washing up on shore where seabirds started pecking at it.

Great Point, which hosts the Costaka-Coatue Wildlife Refuge owned by the Trustees of Reservations and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has prohibited swimming in the area after numerous shark sightings, the Nantucket Current reported.

Several residents posted videos over the past week showing sightings, and officials felt they had to take action due to the many visitors who are "naive to their surroundings."

AMERICAN TOURIST VICIOUSLY ATTACKED BY SHARK SAW WATER TURN RED

The entrance to Nantucket Harbor showing Brant Point Light, America's second-oldest lighthouse, Nantucket Island, Massachusetts.

"Those videos are pretty troubling and no human could survive that, we know that," Diane Lang, Trustees of Reservations stewardship manager on Nantucket, told the Nantucket Current in an interview. "The policy is in place now. We're telling our visitors no swimming at Great Point."

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"I was in touch with U.S. Fish & Wildlife and they're in full agreement," Lang stressed, adding that the policy is new but "needed."

Lang also noted that the seal population around the preserve seems to have completely vanished following a few shark attacks like the one in Gaults video, saying "Theyre gone. They saw."

SHARK EXPERT DR. GAVIN NAYLOR HAS ADVICE FOR SAFELY AVOIDING ATTACKS

Climate change in recent years has forced some shark populations, like the tiger shark, to migrate farther north earlier in the year due to rising ocean temperatures close to the equator, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

"Our tagging and tournament sampling data show that tiger sharks have always spent time in northern latitudes at least going back to the 1960s and 1970s," Cami McCandless, study co-author and lead for the NOAA Fisheries Apex Predators Program, wrote on the issue.

"Now they are not only arriving earlier but spending more time in northern latitudes due to ocean warming," she said.

RIPTIDES, DROWNING RISKS A LOT MORE DANGEROUS THAN SHARKS: DR. MIKE HEITHAUS

New York's Long Island has reported a number of shark incidents this month alone, with five people bitten in a two-day period as a school of some 50 tiger sharks passed the shoreline around July 4, The New York Post reported.

State officials approved the deployment of shark-monitoring drones along the New York coastline to try and preempt any further incidents, along with lifeguards on WaveRunners to monitor the waters.

"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," New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a press release.
Naperville garage hit by lightning Tuesday as Naperville braces for more rounds of storms Wednesday

Lightning from storms that blew through Naperville Tuesday afternoon set a garage on the citys north side ablaze as the city braces for more rounds of thunderstorms Wednesday.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch in effect throughout Northern Illinois through 7 p.m. Wednesday with showers and thunderstorms are forecast throughout the day.

As of 4 p.m. Naperville received about 2 inches of rain from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday at 2 p.m., according to a rain gauge at the Fawell Dam on the West Branch of the DuPage River south of McDowell Grove Forest Preserve.

Addition thunderstorms after 5 p.m. are possible

The weather service warns that though individual storm movement may be quick, some rounds of storms could contain heavy rainfall with precipitation rates of up to 1 to 2 inches per hour.

This could result in creeks and streams overflowing their banks and flooding in areas with poor drainage and road underpasses.

The watch extends throughout northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana, including DuPage and Will counties.

Naperville officials said the lightning strike fire occurred about 3:15 p.m. at a home in the 1400 block of Larsen Lane. Firefighters arrived to find flames burning through the garage roof and extending into the homes living space above, a report said.

The homeowner, who evacuated before firefighters arrived, told department personnel the attached garage was struck by lightning.

The fire was under control within 10 minutes and cause an estimated $40,000 in damage, officials said.

No injuries were reported.

subaker@tribpub.com
NASA is celebrating 1 year of James Webb Space Telescope science on July 12. Here's how to participate

view of a reddish-brown nebula against the blackness of space, with dozens of bright stars lighting up the darkness

This week marks one year since NASA's powerful James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) shared its first science images.

On July 12, 2022, JWST beamed back its first full-color images and spectroscopic data, representing the official start of its general science operations . The observatory's first images captured new views of stunning cosmic objects and peered into the depths of the distant universe.

NASA is hosting a Science Live episode on Wednesday (July 12) at 4:00 p.m. EDT (2000 GMT) to honor the telescope's first year of science, and you can watch it here at Space.com, courtesy of the agency.

Related: New James Webb Space Telescope image released to celebrate 1st year of observations is absolutely stunning (photo)

The Cosmic Cliffs in the Carina Nebula captured by the James Webb Space Telescope.

The Science Live episode will feature two JWST experts, who will discuss the impact the space telescope has made in its first year studying the distant universe, characterizing exoplanet atmospheres and understanding the planets in our own solar system, according to a statement from the space agency.

You can watch the episode live on the NASA Science Live website , the agency's YouTube channel, or its Facebook and Twitter pages. (Space.com will carry the YouTube stream.) Viewers are encouraged to submit questions on social media using the hashtag #UnfoldtheUniverse or by leaving a comment in the chat section of the Facebook or YouTube stream.

Webb's first images included the deepest and sharpest infrared view of the distant universe, along with stunning photos of the Carina and Southern Ring Nebulas, a group of galaxies called Stephan's Quintet, and a spectrum of a gas giant exoplanet called WASP-96 b. Since then, the space telescope has revealed incredible new insights about the universe, including the discovery of the oldest galaxy ever imaged.

RELATED STORIES:

 James Webb Space Telescope will help Euclid spacecraft investigate dark energy and dark matter

 James Webb Space Telescope discovers 717 ancient galaxies that flooded the universe with 1st light

 James Webb Space Telescope sees 1st starlight from ancient quasars in groundbreaking discovery

In honor of the telescope's first year of science, NASA will also release a brand-new image of JWST's latest discovery at 6:00 a.m. EDT (1000 GMT) on Wednesday (July 12). NASA will share the image online , but you can also check back on Space.com for a look at the new image and the science behind it.
Henyo Nestor, a Ghanaian pastry chef at the restaurant affiliated with China's Gansu International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co., Ltd., prepares Chinese pastry at a Chinese restaurant in Accra, Ghana, July 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Zheng)

by Xu Zheng

ACCRA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- "Tang You Gao," or "fried brown sugar cake," a traditional pastry that originated in northwestern China's Gansu Province, is now a popular delicacy in Ghana, a West African country tens of thousands of kilometers away.

Locals are so tempted by the Chinese pastry, which is crusty outside, soft and airy inside, that they sometimes have to spend more than an hour driving through congested traffic to a Chinese restaurant in downtown Accra, the capital of Ghana, just to have a taste of the freshly-fried bun.

Henyo Nestor, a Ghanaian pastry chef at the restaurant affiliated with China's Gansu International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co., Ltd., is given much of the credit for the big customer flow.

Starting as a rookie nearly six years ago, the 25-year-old has now grown into one of the pillars of the Chinese restaurant.

"Six years ago, when I entered the restaurant, I didn't know anything about Chinese food and pastries. When I thought of Chinese, it was all about their movies and dresses, but here I gradually realized that Chinese cuisine is also going international," said Nestor, who described his years at the Chinese eatery as an eye-opening learning experience.

Nestor has been attentively following his Chinese master Chen Guanghong, a veteran chef, on how to prepare a variety of Chinese pastries, from steamed buns to Chinese dumplings.

Chen, who has worked in the restaurant for 13 years, not only imparted the knowledge of pasty-making to Nestor but also taught him how to write Chinese characters and decorate dishes, which he believes would be a boost to the young pastry chef's career.

"By the guidance of the Chinese master, I was able to learn a lot. We have very good recipes to make the Chinese pastries really good. I got a lot of feedback from both Chinese and Ghanaian diners in a positive way," Nestor said. "I wish everyone in town to come and try them."

Nestor told Xinhua that the learning experience under Chen has kindled his passion for Chinese pastries and bolstered his determination to pursue a culinary career.

"I wish to take my pastry-making to the next level, probably by going to China or anywhere (that) can help improve my skills," Nestor added.

According to Chen, Chinese cuisine, including different kinds of pastries, has enjoyed rising popularity among Africans as China-Africa cooperation flourishes, prompting many African youngsters to pursue a career as a chef of Chinese cuisine.

"Over (the) years, we have cultivated many African cooks in the restaurant, some are Ghanaians, some are from other African countries, and we are happy to see that many of them have landed lucrative jobs in big restaurants or five-star hotels," Chen added.

"For me, they are not only chefs but also the ambassadors of Chinese cuisine culture," Chen said.

For Nestor, his ambition is even bigger. "I wish to open my own restaurant here specializing in Chinese pastries and hope more people will come to enjoy the Chinese food." 
Nassar stabbed in prison cell, attack not seen by surveillance cameras, AP source says

Investigators probing disgraced former sports doctor Larry Nassars stabbing Sunday at a federal penitentiary in Florida are lacking a key piece of evidence: video of the assault.

Nassar was attacked inside his cell, a blind spot for prison surveillance cameras that only record common areas and corridors, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. In federal prison parlance, because of the lack of video, it is known as an unwitnessed event.

Teal prayer flags with messages of support for sexual assault survivors line Grand River Avenue. Once all the flags are up, there will be one for each of the 505 known survivors of former MSU sports doctor Larry Nassar's sexual abuse.

Its the second time Nassar, the former U.S. womens gymnastics team and Michigan State University doctor, has been assaulted in federal custody while hes serving decades in prison for sexually abusing athletes and possessing explicit images of children.

The attack, which left Nassar hospitalized in stable condition with injuries including a collapsed lung, underscored persistent problems at the federal Bureau of Prisons.

Despite the Biden administrations vow to fix the broken prison system  with new leadership and an emphasis on turning prisoners into good neighbors  the agency has continued to struggle with violence, understaffing, abuse and misconduct.

Nassars stabbing, just weeks after Unabomber Ted Kaczynskis suicide at a North Carolina federal medical center and amid lingering fallout from Jeffrey Epsteins 2019 jail suicide, also highlighted the agencys inability to keep even its highest profile prisoners safe.

This kind of violence in our federal prisons is inexcusable, said Daniel Landsman, the deputy director of policy at the criminal justice advocacy group FAMM, or Families Against Mandatory Minimums. The failures that led to this assault are not isolated  too often we see similar incidents impact incarcerated people across the country.

The assault of Larry Nassar raises a number of questions regarding safety in in federal prisons, Landsman said.

The Bureau of Prisons did not respond Tuesday to APs questions about Nassars stabbing, and violence, low staffing levels and other problems plaguing its facilities. In a statement Monday, the agency confirmed an altercation involving an inmate at the United States Penitentiary Coleman, but declined to identify the person for privacy, safety and security reasons.

Nassar, 59, was attacked inside his cell Sunday by a prisoner armed with a makeshift weapon, according to the person familiar with the matter. Nassar was stabbed multiple times in the neck, chest and back. Two officers guarding the unit where Nassar was held were working mandated overtime shifts because of staffing shortages, the person said.

The person was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the attack or the ongoing investigation and did so on condition anonymity.

Nassar was previously assaulted in May 2018 at a federal prison in Tucson, Arizona, within hours of being placed in general population  an attack his lawyers blamed on the notoriety of his case and a seven-day televised sentencing where scores of victims made impassioned statements. Nassars lawyers did not specify the nature or severity of that attack.

Cell doors on most federal prison units are typically open during the day, letting prisoners move around freely within the facility. Surveillance cameras arent positioned to see inside cells, though other cameras may have captured Nassars assailant walking in and out of the cell.

At some federal prison facilities, including the Manhattan jail where Epstein died, surveillance cameras been found to malfunction or not record at all  an issue Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., sought to address last December with a law requiring the Bureau of Prisons to overhaul failing and outdated security systems. The agency, however, has been slow to make progress.

Facing increased scrutiny in the wake of Epsteins suicide and an ongoing AP investigation that has uncovered myriad scandals, Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters has pledged to overhaul recruiting and hiring practices and end systemic abuse and corruption.

But changing the culture of the massive agency  the Justice Departments largest with more than 30,000 employees, 158,000 inmates and an annual budget of about $8 billion  has proved exceedingly difficult. Correctional workers say theyve seen no meaningful reforms to fix longtime staffing problems that put inmates and their own lives at risk.

Just two weeks before Nassars stabbing, workers at the Florida prison complex where he was attacked organized a protest outside a nearby supermarket to highlight what they said were dangerous staffing levels.

Theyre going to have somebody killed, either staff or an inmate, if they dont fix the problem, said Jose Rojas, the union president at the Coleman prison complex. We sounded the alarm, we warned the public, and I hate to be prophetic, but we were right.

At Nassars prison, known as USP Coleman II, nearly one-quarter of correctional officer positions are vacant, according to records obtained by AP. Staffing guidelines show the facility, with more than 1,200 prisoners, should have 222 correctional officers. Only 169 positions are filled.

The day Nassar was stabbed, 44 posts were left vacant and unassigned at the prison, records show. One of the officers assigned to Nassars unit was working a third straight 16-hour day, while the other officer was on a second straight day of mandated overtime.

The AP has revealed widespread criminal conduct by employees, sexual abuse by workers, inmate escapes, and staffing shortages that have hampered responses to emergencies.

Last August, the Justice Department appointed Peters  a reformer who previously ran Oregons state prison system  to replace former Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal, a Trump administration holdover who clashed with Congress, claimed staffing wasnt problematic and had to be subpoenaed before attending one of his last oversight hearings.

Peters, in turn, has focused on shifting the Bureau of Prisons away from its strictly carceral roots, emphasizing that our job is to make good neighbors, not good inmates. Peters has rewritten the agencys mission statement to emphasize employees job to foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing people behind bars for successful reentry into their communities.

Associated Press reporter Alanna Durkin Richer contributed to this report.

The Associated Press receives support from the Public Welfare Foundation for reporting focused on criminal justice. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Nassar stabbed in prison cell, attack not seen by surveillance cameras, AP source says
The stabbing attack on disgraced former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar in federal prison was not captured on camera, The Associated Press reported Wednesday.

A person familiar with the matter said Nassar was attacked inside his prison cell, a blind spot for cameras, which only cover the common areas and corridors. He was stabbed multiple times in the neck, back and chest by another inmate at United States Penitentiary Coleman in Florida.

He was declared to be in stable condition as of Monday.

Nassar pleaded guilty in 2017 to sexual assault charges after being accused by dozens of gymnasts of sexual abuse throughout his career. He was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison in 2018.

He has also been sentenced to 60 years in prison for possession of child pornography and 40 to 125 years in prison for three additional counts of sexual assault.

More than 150 individuals who shared their own experiences of abuse by Nassar spoke at his sentencing hearing or submitted statements to be included in the record, including Olympic gymnasts Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney.

Nassar has admitted to sexually abusing gymnasts while working at Michigan State University and for USA Gymnastics.

A person familiar with the stabbing incident told AP that a prisoner armed with a makeshift weapon attacked Nassar, and the two officers guarding the cell where the he stayed were working overtime shifts because of staffing shortages.

The attack on Nassar in prison is the second time that he has been targeted since he began his sentence. He was previously assaulted at a federal prison in Arizona in 2018 within hours of being placed in the general prison population.

His attorneys blamed the attack on the attention given to his case and the weeklong televised sentencing hearing in which his victims made their statements.

Cameras from outside Nassars cell might have been able to capture the assailant walking in and out of Nassars cell, even if the attack itself was not recorded; cell doors in most federal prison units are usually open during the day to allow prisoners to move around.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
military personnel in uniform raise their right hands to take the oath of office officially transferring from the United State Air Force to the United States Space Force

The office of United States President Joe Biden has voiced opposition to the creation of a Space National Guard.

The U.S. National Guard is a military reserve force made up of part-time members who hold civilian jobs but can be called up to full-time service when needed. The National Guard is also used within the United States to respond to domestic emergencies such as natural disasters. Currently, the Army and the Air Force have National Guard reserve components, but the U.S. Space Force does not. Several lawmakers in Congress have previously proposed the idea of creating a Space National Guard to provide part-time forces to bolster Space Force personnel numbers. But the push has yet to receive enough support to make it into law.

Now the White House has voiced its opposition. On Monday (July 10), the Executive Office of the President of the United States issued a statement that argues against the creation of a Space Force element of the National Guard. "The Administration continues to strongly oppose the creation of a Space National Guard," the White House's statement reads, urging Congress "not to create a new bureaucracy with far-reaching and enduring implications and expense."

Related: What is the U.S. Space Force and what does it do?

Several lawmakers and former servicemembers have voiced their support for a Space National Guard in recent months, arguing that control of the U.S. military's space assets should be controlled by a single service, namely, the Space Force.

"Air National Guard personnel provide fundamental capability to the Space Force today," Air & Space Forces Association President and CEO Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright, USAF (Ret.) said in June.

"Logically, moving those Guardsmen into the Space Force is the right thing to do, ensuring space remains under the control of a single service," Wright added. "A New Space National Guard does not need to be large and unwieldly. It can comprise just those units we have today. And it can do so without a lot of complicated infrastructure."

President Joe Biden's office disagrees. Instead of creating a Space National Guard, the White House's statement calls for a new management structure within the existing Space Force that could achieve some of the same goals that a Space National Guard would, namely creating flexibility for Space Force Guardians to more easily move between full- and part-time service.

The White House's statement argues that the proposed Space Force Personnel Management Act (SFPMA) would offer the same part-time flexibility that a National Guard space component would, but without the red tape and costs that come with creating an entirely new branch of the National Guard.

Furthermore, the statement makes it clear that, since the Space Force's mission is "federal in nature and global in impact," it does not make sense to offload some of that mission to the National Guard, which is overseen at the state level.

"The existing National Guard space equipment was procured and is sustained with Federal funding. Further, Air National Guard space missions are overwhelmingly housed on Federal land, and are largely maintained by the regular Air and Space Forces," the White House's statement reads.

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The creation of the U.S. Space Force in December 2019 was no less controversial, and some of the same arguments were made against it that the White House is now making against the proposed Space National Guard, namely questions of funding and excess bureaucracy .

The U.S. Space Force is the smallest branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, with just under 8,600 total members. The U.S. Navy, by comparison, has over 300,000 active duty members and the U.S. Army close to 500,000 active personnel.
The world has caught a glimpse of the inner workings of Ukraines dealings with its Western backers, and like many a marriage, its complicated.

During a high-profile, two-day NATO summit in Lithuania, intense wrangling that diplomats generally prefer to keep behind closed doors instead spilled into public view, revealing a relationship between Kyiv and Western capitals that can be high-strung, emotionally fraught and occasionally messy.

Heading into the summits final day, the United States and its allies were mired in disagreement that highlighted fundamental divisions between the war-torn country and its Western partners. Russia, meanwhile, gloated from the sidelines.

By the end of the summit, Ukraine and its backers had done their best to paper over any discord, with President Joe Biden praising Ukraines astounding courage and Ukraines leader effusively thanking the U.S. for its support. Ukraine walked away from the summit with tangible wins in hand, including unprecedented long-term security commitments from the worlds leading democracies and a simplified path to future NATO admission.

Still, the brief eruption of frustration among allies that have sought to publicly portray themselves in lockstep was a window into the difficult task of holding the alliance together as the war in Ukraine surpasses the 500-day mark.

To hear NATOs version of events, the summit in Lithuania displayed the alliances unwavering solidarity with Ukraine in the heroic defence of its people and Western values, according to its communique published Tuesday. It said NATO would extend an invite for Ukraine to join the 31-member defense organization, but only when all allies agreed and certain conditions were met.

Ukraine has shown a more pessimistic take on what has gone down  initially at least. It believes that by holding Europes eastern flank against Russia it has already done more than enough to be offered a concrete entry plan.

When will the conditions be met? What are those conditions? Who has to formulate them? Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in an interview with Radio Free Europe on Wednesday. He was echoing his president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who arrived in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, on Tuesday while fuming about NATOs strange wording about conditions.

The main conclusions of #Vilnius are: there will be weapons, there will be support, there will be a sovereign and independent Ukraine. One day, #Ukraine will definitely join @NATO. Until then, let us remember: our lives and security are only in our hands. We thank our partners,    (@Podolyak_M) July 12, 2023

Zelenskyy went on to deliver a barnstorming speech in downtown Vilnius on Tuesday, giving a clear warning that he wanted to see a NATO that does not hesitate, that does not waste time and does not look over their backs at any aggressor  referring to Western fears about escalating a war with nuclear-armed Russia.

Zelenskyys tone had changed Wednesday afternoon when he thanked Biden, saying that you spend this money for our lives. He also praised the U.S. for sending shipments of controversial cluster munitions.

During a warm public meeting with Zelenskyy, Biden acknowledged frustration I can only imagine, more than 15 years after NATO promised Kyiv a path to future membership.

But feelings ran deep among Ukrainians. Daria Kaleniuk, the executive director of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, a Kyiv-based nongovernmental organization that monitors graft in Ukraine, said the presidents strident tone merely reflected opinion back home. Our allies should not be frustrated with his words because this is what Ukrainians on the ground feel, Kaleniuk told NBC News.

The NATO summit comes at a crucial time for Ukraine, whose counteroffensive is going slower than expected, even while Russian President Vladimir Putin grapples with the fallout of a brief rebellion by Russias own mercenary forces.

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was formed after World War II and is based on the principle that its members would all defend an ally under attack. NATO opened the door to Ukraine membership in 2008, but it never happened. Four years later, Russia annexed Crimea before launching a full-scale invasion last year.

Although his country has been given tens of billions of dollars in Western military aid, Zelenskyy says NATO membership is crucial not just to the defense of his land but to the protection of its European neighbors. But the U.S. and Germany, wary of risking a wider war with the Kremlin, have made it clear that a concrete timeline for membership is premature.

Zelenskyy Ukraine NATO Summit (Petras Malukas / AFP - Getty Images)

There was more promising news for Ukraine as the G7, an informal group of rich democracies, said as part of the summit Wednesday it would shore up and solidify its previously ad hoc military support for Kyiv into bilateral long-term security commitments. Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyys chief of staff, called this agreement an important victory for Ukraine on the way to NATO.

But membership of the alliance is the ultimate prize. And Zelenskyy knows Ukrainians are expecting him to return from Vilnius with something solid. Nearly 90% want to see their country join NATO, according to a recent poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. The presidents popularity has skyrocketed partly because of his image as someone who gets things done.

Taras Tarasiuk, a security analyst in Kyiv, told NBC News that he had high expectations of the summit but that in the end it gave Ukrainians the feeling that we are alone, that we have to fight by ourselves.

These tensions boiled over after Kaleniuk, the executive director of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, got into a heated exchange with U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan during a discussion at the Vilnius summit. What should I tell my son? That President Biden and NATO didnt invite Ukraine to NATO because hes afraid of Russia? she asked Sullivan on Wednesday.

He replied by praising her work but also saying that the American people deserve a degree of gratitude for supporting Ukraine.

Kaleniuk expressed this frustration in an interview with NBC News just hours earlier.

Its an insufficient and disappointing communique, which presents NATOs weakness, not NATOs strength, she said about Tuesday's statement, describing it as a green light for the Kremlin to keep nuclear blackmail going, in reference to Putins threats against the West.

At the 2008 summit in Bucharest, Romania, there was not much detail on what NATOs open-door policy meant for Ukraine. We expected that yesterday there would be a clarification on where these doors are and how to get there, Kaleniuk said  but this never came.

From left; Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, President Biden, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. (Kay Nietfeld / DPA via Getty Images)

Russia, meanwhile, gloated from the sidelines.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev mocked NATOs lack of clarity on when Ukraine might join. Most likely  it will never happen, Medvedev, who is now deputy chairman of Russias Security Council, wrote on the messaging app Telegram. Thats what realists in the alliance are afraid to say out loud.

Using the taunting style typical of many Russian politicians and propagandists, Medvedev wrote that the communique was so vague because the completely crazy West could not come up with anything else.

The summit was predictability of the highest level, to the point of idiocy, he added.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Joe Biden in Vilnius, July 12, 2023

Ukraine receiving an invitation to join NATO is a matter of next few months, U.S. President Joe Biden suggested during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Vilnius summit on July 12.

Read also: Ukraine cannot join NATO amid ongoing war, Zelenskyy admits

Biden made the remark at the beginning of his sit-down with the Ukrainian president, as seen in a video of the meeting posted by Zelenskyys office on YouTube.

(Id like to) put to bed the notion of whether or not Ukraine is welcome in NATO, said Biden.

Its going to happen. Were moving in a right direction. I think its just a matter of getting by the next few months here.

The U.S. president also expressed admiration for the resilience of the Ukrainian people and emphasized that Ukraine sets an example for the whole world, and the United States is doing everything possible to provide Ukraine with all the necessary support in the face of Russian aggression.

Read also: Updates from NATO Summit, French long-range missiles, sales of seized Russian assets

He assured Zelenskyy that he is eagerly awaiting the time when they will celebrate Ukraine's accession to NATO together.

Read also: White House confirms Biden-Zelenskyy meeting in Vilnius

"Bad news for you is  we're not going anywhere, you're stuck with us," Biden joked at the end of his opening statement.

In the joint communique of the NATO leaders, published on 11, the Allies stated that Ukraine will receive an invitation to the Alliance when the members agree to it and when "conditions are met."

Read also: NATO Summit shows Russia-Ukraine war will continue into 2024, says military expert

At the same time, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Ukraine will be able to join NATO without a having to through the Membership Action Plan, suggesting that Kyivs accession, when it happens, will be fast-tracked.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(Bloomberg) -- President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the NATO summit was successful in providing Ukraine with security commitments after softening his earlier criticism of the alliances steps toward offering his country a path toward membership.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The G-7 said it would provide commitments to Kyiv on the sidelines of the second day of the NATO leaders summit in Vilnius, where the defense alliance agreed on package of measures aimed at deepening ties with Kyiv and underlining the alliances long-term support. The allies pledged multi-year assistance to Ukraine; created a new NATO-Ukraine Council, which will meet later Wednesday; and sped up the process that will allow Ukraine to join NATO.

US President Joe Biden met with Zelenskiy, who had criticized the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on Tuesday for not having set a clear timeline for Ukrainian accession.

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All times local in Vilnius, CET + 1 hour:

Macron Urges Israel to Provide More Support to Ukraine (5:30 p.m.)

French President Emmanuel Macron urged Israel to make more effort to help Ukraine repel Russias invasion. We fervently want Israel to commit to more support for Ukraine, Macron told reporters following the NATO summit in Vilnius. He added that many more countries will be required to send more equipment to Ukraine in the coming months, without elaborating.

Biden Seeks to Reassure Zelenskiy (5:20 p.m.)

Biden said he hoped security guarantees offered by the G-7 and language in the NATO communique signaling an intention to eventually accept Ukraine would put to bed concerns raised by Zelenzkiy over entering the alliance.

Were going to make sure that you get what you need, Biden assured his Ukrainian counterpart after a bilateral meeting. And I look forward to the day were having the meeting to celebrate your official, official membership in NATO.

Despite his previous concerns, Zelenskiy told reporters as he sat next to Biden that there was great unity from our leaders and security guarantees, adding, That is a success for this summit.

Sunak Plays Down Wallace Remarks on Ukraines Ingratitude (5:15 p.m.)

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sought to play down earlier comments from his defense secretary, Ben Wallace, who had suggested Zelenskiy needs to put more emphasis on thanking allies for their help.

President Zelenskiy has expressed his gratitude for what we have done on a number of occasions, not least in his incredibly moving address that he made to Parliament earlier this year and he has done so again to me, as he has done countless times when I have met him, Sunak told reporters at a news conference. But across Ukraine people are also fighting for their lives and freedom every single day.

Earlier Wallace had raised eyebrows by telling reporters that people want to see some gratitude. You know, were not Amazon, he said. I told them that last year, when I drove 11 hours to be given a list.

Nordic Countries to Support G-7 Security Commitments (5 p.m.)

The Nordic countries will line up behind the initiative led by the Group of Seven nations to provide Ukraine with security assurances, in conjunction with a leaders summit that will be held in Helsinki on Thursday, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said.

The G-7 commitments are very much in line with what we are doing, the premier said about the commitments, which was announced at the NATO summit in Vilnius Wednesday. We will give Norwegian support to this declaration, and we will do it in a joint statement with the other Nordic countries, Gahr Store told reporters in the Lithuanian capital.

Estonia Praises NATOs Moves on Ukraine (2:20 p.m.)

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said his country was satisfied with the outcome of the NATO agreement on Ukraines perspective to join because Estonias goal was to set a path for Ukrainian membership and the alliance took several practical decisions.

Always, you can find some words and ask why they are there. But as a picture, the whole picture, there is a path which has been described with next steps moving forward, Tsahkna said in an interview on the sidelines of the summit. Yesterday, it was the moment when the process of Ukrainian membership started in real life.

Ukraine Can Deliver Key Reforms for Next Summit, Lithuania Says (1:45 p.m.)

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said hes convinced that Ukraine can deliver on the conditions set by NATO through reforms in the run-up to the alliances Washington summit next year, which could be historic for Kyiv.

The Vilnius summit was not the last stop, we have to see it as a bridge and the next stop is Washington, Landsbergis said during the NATO Public Forum. We still have a full year, lots to do and I count on every single one of you to do your part so that Washington can actually be even more historic than Vilnius.

NATO and Ukraine Hold First Joint Council in Vilnius (1:31 p.m.)

Kyiv and NATO allies are meeting for the first time in the newly established NATO-Ukraine Council, which will allow them to hold crisis consultations and take joint decisions in an effort to move the country closer to the military alliance.

This is a forum where Ukraine and NATO allies will meet as equals, Stoltenberg told reporters ahead of the meeting, part of a package of measures of long-term support for Kyiv agreed on Tuesday. Today we meet as equals  I look forward to the day we meet as allies.

The move, which Stoltenberg says marks the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between NATO and Ukraine, bumps Ukraine up to the same level of partnership NATO held with Russia before the war started. At the NATO summit in 2008, where allies agreed Ukraine would eventually join, the alliance on the sidelines held a NATO-Russia Council with Vladimir Putin, who warned of Russias response to the blocs expansion.

Zelenskiy Expresses Confidence in NATO Membership (1:21 p.m.)

Zelenskiy expressed words of gratitude for the steps taken by allies to support Ukraines defense, backing down from comments he made on Tuesday criticizing NATO for not giving Kyiv a clear accession timeline.

We understand some are afraid to talk about our membership in NATO now because they are afraid of the global war, Zelenskiy told reporters. Its for the first time today when it sounded confidently that we will be a member of NATO.

He added that he understands the conditions for membership to be when it will be safe on our land.

Karins Says NATO Conversations Very Positive (1:10 p.m.)

Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins pushed back on the idea that Zelenskiy was isolated at the NATO summit, saying he was never alone.

The conversations that we were having, they were very positive  there was no animosity, everybody was speaking a similar language, Karins said in an interview with Bloomberg Television.

The softened language on Ukraines accession must be viewed on balance, Karins said, adding that the alliance will not take in any country during a war, because that would put NATO immediately in a war.

UK Tells Ukraine to Show More Gratitude to Allies for Weapons (1:10 p.m.)

UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace suggested Ukraine should show more gratitude to the countries supplying weapons after Zelenskiy said Tuesday it was unprecedented and absurd that he didnt have more detail on when Ukraine could become a NATO member

There is a slight word of caution here  which whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude, Wallace told reporters in Vilnius, particularly when youre persuading a country to give up their stock, he added.

Nevertheless, a meeting between Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Zelenskiy without aides appeared to be friendly, and afterwards the Ukrainian president tweeted a message of thanks for Britain organizing a pledging conference to rebuild the country.

Zelenskiy Says He Will Fight for Security Guarantees (10:15 a.m.)

Zelenskiy said he will discuss with NATOs allies security guarantees for Ukraine while it seeks membership in the bloc.

We want to be on the same page with everybody with all the understanding regarding invitation to join NATO, Zelenskiy told journalists Wednesday in Vilnius, Lithuania, when he arrived for talks. We will speak and fight for this  security guarantees for Ukraine on the way to NATO. He also said he plans to discuss new weapon packages with partners.

UK Says Security Declaration Sends Signal to Putin (10:10 a.m.)

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is due to meet Zelenskiy on Wednesday, said this declaration reaffirms our commitment to ensure it is never left vulnerable to the kind of brutality Russia has inflicted on it again.

The agreement will send a strong signal to President Putin and return peace to Europe, he added.

US Defends NATO Promises to Ukraine (10 a.m.)

The White House defended language in the NATO communique that said Ukraine would be invited to join the alliance but stopped short of providing a specific timeline or conditions, calling the declaration a very strong forward-leaning message.

Zelenskiy tweeted before arriving at the summit that it was unprecedented and absurd for leaders to use vague language and fail to provide a concrete time frame. But Amanda Sloat, the National Security Council senior director for Europe, told reporters on Wednesday that the alliances decision to remove some bureaucratic requirements for Ukraine to join  and explicitly declare an intention to accept the country  represented genuine progress.

I would agree that the communique is unprecedented, but I see that in a positive way, Sloat said. We joined with allies yesterday in agreeing to a very strong positive message. We reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of the NATO alliance.

Lithuania Downplays Zelenskiys Criticisms (9:55 a.m.)

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said the ongoing war in Ukraine prompted Zelenskiys critical reaction to some of the decisions at the NATO summit.

We should refrain from reaction to the statements made by a president whose country is fighting a war, Nauseda told reporters in Vilnius. Sometimes we dont read the same text the same. Nauseda said Ukraine still needs to implement reforms, which are also needed for its EU membership

Hungary to Discuss Sweden Bid This Week, ATV Says (9:50 a.m.)

Hungarys government plans to discuss Swedens bid to join NATO during a three-day meeting this week, local television station ATV said Tuesday, citing unidentified officials. Prime Minister Viktor Orbans cabinet may settle on a date for parliament to vote on ratifying Swedens effort to join the alliance.

Turkey, the only other NATO member along with Hungary yet to approve Swedens bid, this week agreed to back the Nordic countrys membership after months of negotiations. Hungarys foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, said earlier that Orban had been coordinating with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erodgan, and the vote in parliament was only a technical issue.

Finnish President Underscores Unity in NATO Ukraine Response (9:50 a.m.)

Sauli Niinisto urged Zelenskiy to contain his disappointment in NATO as allies forge a united stance to help his country.

I have said very clearly that the goal should be to do all we can to further and assist Ukraine meet the criteria NATO has set, the Finnish president said, underscoring the importance of unity among allies. A discussion NATO leaders are set to hold with Zelenskiy on Wednesday will be very interesting and profound, he added.

Still, Zelenskiys first reaction is understandable, coming against a background of great expectations for NATO membership, said Niinisto, after a meeting with the Ukrainian leader on Tuesday night.

NATO Needs to Do More on Ukraines Membership, Duda Says (9:42 a.m.)

NATOs decision to invite Ukraine to join the alliance when its members agree and conditions are met is absolutely not enough for Kyiv, according to Polish President Andrzej Duda.

It was hard for NATO to give a timeframe for membership considering there is a war and accession during the war is impossible, Duda told reporters on Wednesday. But the path provided to Kyiv is clear and the decision has effectively been made, he said.

I hope in a few years Ukraine will be a full member in our alliance, Duda said.

Kallas Says Allies Should Be Ready to Let Ukraine in NATO Soon (9:42 a.m.)

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said there was frustration from the Ukrainian side over the words used in the final NATO statement, which fell short of offering a clear timetable for the countrys accession to the alliance.

We were not saying Ukraine should join NATO while the war is ongoing, everyone understands thats not possible, Kallas told reporters on the doorstep. But there are words we can use.

Allies should be ready to allow Ukraine in the alliance as soon as an opportunity window oppens, according to Kallas.

--With assistance from Daryna Krasnolutska, Andra Timu, Kitty Donaldson, Piotr Skolimowski, Milda Seputyte, Justin Sink, Patrick Donahue, Maria Tadeo, Max Ramsay, Samy Adghirni, Daniel Flatley, Arne Delfs, Selcan Hacaoglu, Niclas Rolander, Mark Sweetman and Kati Pohjanpalo.

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Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy didn't get all he wanted out of the NATO summit, namely more definitive assurances of membership, but he hardly left Lithuania empty-handed.

Zelenskyy received fresh pledges of weapons and ammunition to fight Russias invasion along with longer-term security commitments from the West on Wednesday, when he met with President Joe Biden and other world leaders as the military alliance concluded its two-day gathering in Vilnius.

The Ukrainian delegation is bringing home a significant security victory for our country, for our people, for our children, Zelenskyy said while flanked by Biden and the heads of other Group of Seven nations.

The alliance also unveiled the new NATO-Ukraine Council, a forum designed to facilitate consultations and meetings involving Ukraine and the 31 member nations.

A frustrated Zelenskyy had said Tuesday that NATO's unwillingness to provide a timeline for membership  or even for a formal invitation to join  was "unprecedented and absurd." The NATO communique issued Tuesday did reflect strong support for Ukraine joining the alliance after the war is over.

On Wednesday, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude while adding that a membership invitation would be "optimum." He also thanked Biden for the billions of dollars in U.S. aid Ukraine has received, saying, you spend this money for our lives.

At a news conference alongside Zelenskyy, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said, Today we meet as equals. I look forward to the day we meet as allies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R), U.S. President Joe Biden (L), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (2ndL) and Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrive for a working session on Ukraine at the NATO summit, in Vilnius on July 12, 2023. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: AFP_33NU73V.jpg (Credit: LUDOVIC MARIN, AFP via Getty Images)

Zelenskyy's anger over 'absurd' lack of Zelenskyy's anger over 'absurd' lack of timeline jars NATO summit: Live Ukraine updates

Developments:

Russia is "bullying" Ukraine and believes it can still achieve some of its goals by military means, leaving little room for negotiations, Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told Radio Svoboda. Hence, "so far, the path to victory is purely military," Kuleba said.

Zelenskyy defended his country's use of cluster munitions, saying "we are defending ourselves."

UN proposal to extend grain deal may reconnect Russia to SWIFT

The United Nations, which helped broker a deal that lifted a Russian Black Sea blockade and allowed Ukraine to export its grain, has proposed connecting a subsidiary of Russia's agricultural bank to the SWIFT international payment system in exchange for extending the agreement, Reuters reported.

The Kremlin has threatened to pull out of the Black Sea grain initiative, which is due for renewal Monday, arguing it doesn't benefit from the deal because sanctions imposed over its invasion of Ukraine have presented obstacles to selling its agricultural products.

Russia is demanding that its agricultural bank, Rosselkhozbank, be reconnected to SWIFT, from which it was cut off in June 2022 as part of the sanctions. Reuters reported the European Union is considering a reconnection specifically for grain and fertilizer transactions.

Inviting Ukraine now not in NATO's interests, experts say

Mary Kate Schneider, director of global studies at Loyola University Maryland, says it's not surprising Zelenskyy was frustrated by the communique. But she said a NATO offer of admission now would limit Ukraine's incentive to strengthen its democratic institutions, an area in which "the country has much work to do." Institutional reforms would stall, she said.

She added that Russia would have no reason to negotiate an end to the war and might intensify its offensives, causing "as much pain and destruction as possible."

As long as NATO membership remains attractive to Ukraine, NATO maintains the upper hand in both its relationship with Ukraine and its dealings with Russia," Schneider told USA TODAY.

Zev Faintuch, senior intelligence analyst at the international security firm Global Guardian, said that while timelines might work well in other areas of policy, NATOs larger powers needed to ensure "their hands dont get tied behind their backs." The U.S., Germany and others need the ability to adjust course as the global landscape changes, he said.

"At least for now, this is an attritional war," Faintuch told USA TODAY. "Ukraine needs continued NATO support to continue fighting. And NATO is cementing its support without drastically escalating the conflict."

The White House said Wednesday that Ukraine still needs to make reforms to meet NATO standards. But National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told ABC's Good Morning America that all 31 alliance members agree Ukraines future is in NATO.

A different perspective: Zelenskyy's in trouble

Sean McFate, a professor at Syracuse University and senior fellow at the nonpartisan Atlantic Council think tank, thinks Zelenskyy is in trouble.

McFate, author of "The New Rules of War: How America Can Win  Against Russia, China, and Other Threats," said Zelenskyy kept pushing NATO countries for increasingly sophisticated weapons on the promise that Ukraine would have a decisive spring offensive.

"When the offensive happened, it was summer and failing,'' McFate said. "NATO is not impressed, and hes lost a lot of political capital." He described Zelenskyy's demands as "poor strategic judgment."

Russia counters NATO summit with drone assault

A series of Russian drone strikes conducted across Ukraine on Tuesday likely came as a response to the NATO summit, a Washington-based think tank says.

Ukrainian forces, claiming to shoot down 26 of the 28 drones, said Russia appeared to be targeting a crucial grain terminal in Odesa. The terminal has been the outlet for Ukraine grain shipments under terms of a deal brokered by Turkey and the U.N.

The Institute for the Study of War says Russia may be threatening the Black Sea grain deal to send a message to the deal's original broker, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that his recent statement of support for Ukraines NATO membership "is not appreciated" by the Kremlin.

Zelenskyy defends use of cluster bombs Zelenskyy defends use of cluster bombs, pushes for NATO membership, ahead of Biden meeting

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine-Russia live updates: NATO grants Zelenskyy 'security victory'
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council during a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. NATO leaders gathered Wednesday to launch a highly symbolic new forum for ties with Ukraine, after committing to provide the country with more military assistance for fighting Russia but only vague assurances of future membership. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

ATHENS, Greece (AP)  Greece is ready to reset relations with neighbor Turkey in an effort to bypass decades-old disputes between the two NATO members, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Wednesday.

Mitsotakis held an hourlong meeting Wednesday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, and told reporters they had agreed to continue high-level contacts.

Our problems have not been magically resolved, Mitsotakis said. But todays meeting confirmed my intention and that of President Erdogan to reset Greek-Turkish relations.

Cabinet ministers from the two sides are due to meet after the summer in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, Mitsotakis said.

Wednesday's talks were held a day after Turkey dropped its objections to Swedens membership in NATO and signaled further willingness to lower tension with Western nations, including Greece.

Turkey and Greece remain at odds over maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean, a dispute that affects illegal migration into the European Union, mineral rights, and the projection of military power.

Both NATO members are seeking to upgrade their air forces with assistance from the United States: Ankara wants new and upgraded F-16 fighter jets, while Athens is keen to join the F-35 program.

The defense ministers of Greece and Turkey, Nikos Dendias and Yasar Guler, held a separate meeting in Vilnius on Wednesday.
Kurt Volker

Former U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine, Ambassador Kurt Volker, has asserted that NATO's indecisiveness regarding Ukraine's accession to the Alliance is encouraging Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to prolong the war against Ukraine.

Read also: No decision on transfer of ATACMS missiles to Ukraine yet  Zelenskyy

During an online discussion at the Kyiv Security Forum (KSF) on July 12, Volker stated that NATO's failure to provide clear prospects for Ukraine's membership at the summit in Vilnius was effectively a green light to Putin. KSF is a platform established by the Open Ukraine foundation, ran by former Ukrainian PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

Volker underscored that nobody should have expected a formal invitation for Ukraine to join NATO at this summit. The key issue was whether NATO could send an unambiguous message to Putin about its intentions for Ukraine's membership.

"Sadly, such a signal was not sent," he noted.

Volker observed that the Vilnius summit essentially mirrored the sentiment expressed at the Bucharest summit in 2008.

"(They said) Ukraines future place is in NATO, but the absence of a process, timelines, confidence, and sincerity belies these words," he emphasized.

Volker added that illusions about potential peaceful coexistence with Russia have dissipated over recent years.

Read also: Ukraine to receive NATO invitation next year regardless of Vilnius summit, says Podolyak

He expressed his concern that maintaining the 2008 formula at the 2023 NATO summit does considerable damage, as it gives Putin a chance to prolong the war indefinitely.

"We should have done the opposite  demonstrated that Putin's ambition to revive the Russian Empire will not succeed; instead, we're inadvertently encouraging him," Volker concluded.

NATO members gathered for the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12. Delegations from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Ukraine, and Sweden were also present, with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in attendance.

Read also: NATO Summit shows Russia-Ukraine war will continue into 2024, says military expert

On July 11, NATO countries in a joint communique expressed that Ukraine would be invited to join the Alliance once all member countries agree and requisite conditions are met.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg indicated that Ukraine no longer needs to fulfill the Membership Action Plan, effectively saying that Kyiv will be able to ultimately join the defensive alliance on an expedited procedure.

Read also: Ukraine would make NATO stronger  Zelenskyy in Vilnius

On July 12, Zelenskyy expressed his belief that Ukraine would receive an invitation to join NATO post-war.

G7 leaders announced a new set of security guarantees for Ukraine, focusing on equipping the Ukrainian military to be able to deter any future Russian aggression.

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Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty

The transformation undergone by NATO in the past year and a half has been nothing short of astonishing. This weeks NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania demonstrated that both intentionally and unintentionally, both positively and through a bit of unnecessary blundering.

Over the course of the two-day summit, NATO took steps to continue the rapid strengthening that began with its unified and potent response to Russias invasion of Ukraine in Feb. 2022.

Each would have been considered hard to imagine just a couple of years ago. The path for Sweden to join NATO was cleared. With the recent accession of Finland to the alliance, two major sophisticated militaries have been added to its ranks.

Heres Why Americans Should Care About the NATO Summit

NATO also adopted what its Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called the most comprehensive defense plans since the end of the Cold War. Further, crucial commitments were made to work together to address challenges elsewhere, including that posed by a coercive China in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

In addition, NATO made it clear that Ukraine was on a path to membership. It announced new commitments to support Ukraine. U.S. President Joe Biden, who has been the leader of alliance efforts to support Kyiv, said the U.S. would support that besieged and courageous country for as long as that takes.

NATO removed the requirement that Ukraine complete a Membership Action Plan (MAP) prior to its joining the alliance. It also created new programs to support Ukraine, as did the G7 member countries that met in parallel in Vilnius.

In short, the summit was a substantive success and should have been widely celebrated within NATO member countries and key partners, like Ukraine.

Unfortunately, NATOs transformationwhile stunning and a credit to its leadershas not been complete. The alliance of 31 countries has often, through its history, been bogged down by its complexity and the convoluted bureaucracy required to get anything done.

This time, those old school NATO problems manifested themselves in a statement from the summit participants that Ukraine would be able to join the alliance when members agree and when conditions were met.

Ukraine was hoping for a stronger statement and frankly, with the removal of the MAP requirement, there was real progress to celebrate. But the statement was so conditional it was seen initially as a disappointment by Ukraines president. And you can hardly blame him.

If a couple had been dating and then one member proposed marriage when our families agree and when conditions are met it is highly unlikely an engagement party would follow. Zelensky responded as a man leading a nation at war naturally would, frustrated at the lack of a concrete road map toward accession. He called the absence of one absurd.

It did not have to turn out as it did. Zelensky knew that membership was impossible prior to the end of the war. NATO knew Zelenskyviewing membership as an existential issue for his countrywould like more clarity. The statement could easily have simply said Ukraine was on the path to membership and that the members would work with Ukraine to bring it to fruition. But they didnt, and so much of the last 24 hours of the eventincluding Zelenskys meetings with both Stoltenberg and Biden, were devoted to saying. its not a question of if but when.

How Did We Get Putin So Wrong?

Even that process was complicated by NATO member states representativeslike U.K. Defence Secretary Ben Wallacecaviling that Ukraine should be more grateful. Later, Wallaces own prime minister stepped back from the statement, but honestly, he shouldnt have had to. It should never have been made. Because the reality is that while NATO has done much for Ukraine, what Ukraine has sacrificed on behalf of Europe has been unspeakably greater.

Further, Ukraine has done much heavy lifting on NATOs behalf with the weapons systems and support provided by the allianceas evidenced by recent estimates that Russia has lost as much as half of its overall combat capability in the course of this war with its neighbor (thus far).

The kerfuffle regarding the language was an own goal. It should not have happened. It did not advance the interests of NATO or Ukraine. It was easily avoided.

But it also could not overshadow the fact that the worlds most powerful alliance is more powerful than ever, that it is more united than ever, that it has a clearer vision of its role going forward than everand that, right now, its principal objective is to provide the support Ukraine needs to successful defeat Russia.

In the future, it is also crystal clear that thanks to the strategic ineptitude and boundless brutality of Vladimir Putin, there can be no lasting peace in Ukrainenor any real stability in Europewithout Ukraine a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (which is now promised).

NATO Is Preparing for Cold War II, While Trying to Avoid World War III

But Putin should not get all the credit for NATOs renaissance. That required strong leadership from Biden, Stoltenberg, and leaders across Europe (notably those who share a border with Russia or are geographically close to that menacing, wounded giant).

It also required Ukraine to outperform expectations and to demonstrate equal parts of extraordinary courage and military mastery in its own defense. It is a pity to see those stories were diminished even a trifle by something as minor as communique language. One hopes that, as NATO continues to develop and reinvent itself, it might do a little better on that front moving forward.

After all, the future of democracy and peace in the West (and beyond) depends on this alliance as much now as at any time since its founding in 1949. Thats a fact that should make all Americans and our allies rest easier at the conclusion of this important and productive week for this three quarters of a century-old collaboration.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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An Afghan security personnel burns down drug processing facilities in Jawzjan province, Afghanistan, July 10, 2023. Police have discovered and destroyed a drug processing lab and arrested its owner in north Afghanistan's Jawzjan province, Mohammad Younus Akhundzada, the provincial director for counter-narcotics police, said Wednesday. (Photo by Zekrullah Yazdani/Xinhua)

SHEBERGHAN, Afghanistan, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Police have discovered and destroyed a drug processing lab and arrested its owner in north Afghanistan's Jawzjan province, Mohammad Younus Akhundzada, the provincial director for counter-narcotics police, said Wednesday.

"After spotting the place by security personnel of Qushtepa district we launched operations today and destroyed the drug lab with all its facilities," Akhundzada said, adding that they also arrested the owner of the lab.

Similarly, in Dara-e-Suf district of Samanagan province, police discovered and destroyed a drug lab and objects used in manufacturing heroin on Tuesday. 

Afghan security personnel burn down drug processing facilities in Jawzjan province, Afghanistan, July 10, 2023. Police have discovered and destroyed a drug processing lab and arrested its owner in north Afghanistan's Jawzjan province, Mohammad Younus Akhundzada, the provincial director for counter-narcotics police, said Wednesday. (Photo by Zekrullah Yazdani/Xinhua)

Afghan security personnel prepare to burn down drug processing facilities in Jawzjan province, Afghanistan, July 10, 2023. Police have discovered and destroyed a drug processing lab and arrested its owner in north Afghanistan's Jawzjan province, Mohammad Younus Akhundzada, the provincial director for counter-narcotics police, said Wednesday. (Photo by Zekrullah Yazdani/Xinhua)

Drug processing facilities are burnt down in Jawzjan province, Afghanistan, July 10, 2023. Police have discovered and destroyed a drug processing lab and arrested its owner in north Afghanistan's Jawzjan province, Mohammad Younus Akhundzada, the provincial director for counter-narcotics police, said Wednesday. (Photo by Zekrullah Yazdani/Xinhua)
Ukrainian military near Bakhmut

The results of the ongoing NATO Summit show that Russias war against Ukraine will continue into 2024, Retired Colonel Roman Svitan, a former pilot and instructor in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, told Radio NV on July 12.

The fact that the war would continue to next year became clear from the results of the NATO summit, even before the summit itself, Svitan said.

If the doors were opened to us at this summit, if we were invited to join NATO, we would have joined it within a whole year, as Finland did. It would be necessary to conclude 32 contracts  thats about a years worth of work. Then we would be accepted into NATO in Washington next year.

However, this step would have to have been taken after ending the war with Russia and reaching the borders of 1991, the expert said.

Read also: Ukraine cannot join NATO amid ongoing war, Zelenskyy admits

Since we were not allowed into NATO, these doors were not opened, it means that ... none of our partners sees the end of the war (ending) until the summer of next year, Svitan said.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will use this time to his advantage, the expert said.

The (NATO member states) have given Putin at least one more year to make life a nightmare for the Ukrainian population and force them to abandon NATO, Svitan said.

The fact is that half of the NATO countries would heave a sigh of relief if Putin had such an operation.

Svitan expects that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will conduct military operations before the autumn rains. In addition, Ukraine will receive aviation, including F-16s, for the summer campaign of 2024.

This, as it turns out, is beneficial for everyone, including the Russians, Americans, and Europeans (at least part of the European political community, which is closer to Germany), the expert said.

This is beneficial for some of our political structures inside the country too.

Therefore, it is necessary to prepare for the next stage of the war, Svitan added.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
service to school

Service to School is led by a veteran and graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. Not only is Service to School making college education obtainable, it is helping veterans to go all the way and have access to the best schools while they do it.

Military service and attending the Naval Academy was always the plan. Emmert spent the majority of his early childhood in Brazil, where his father was assigned for the State Department.

The country was going through an economic downturn in the early 1990s and the big thing I saw there was a lot of poverty and I got a deep sense of privilege. I saw many kids my own age who were basically starving on the streets begging for food, Emmert shared. I was very lucky to have been born in a middle class family in the United States and it kind of made me feel a debt of gratitude to America for the opportunities it had given my family. The easiest way I saw paying that back was to join the military after high school.

He spent his high school years living outside of Washington D.C. and visited the Naval Academy a few times when he went to Annapolis. It left an impression.

From pretty much the first time I saw the Naval Academy, that was the only place I wanted to go to college. I just remember just being absolutely obsessed with getting into the Naval Academy, he laughed.

Photo courtesy of Emmert

He began his Plebe year in the late summer of 2001. When terrorists attacked America on 9/11, Emmert knew his vision of service was going to radically change. After graduating the academy, he became a nuclear submarine officer and deployed multiple times to the Middle East. It was a rough time for many of his friends and fellow service members who were injured, killed and whose lives were forever changed.

Photo courtesy of Emmert

After getting out of the Navy he interned at The Daily Show and consulted on Defense Security and Energy projects while he earned his MBA. During this time, he discovered Service to School.

I've always had that desire to work with my fellow veterans and help them achieve their fullest potential so I started mentoring enlisted veterans who are interested in going to college, he explained.

A year ago he found out the CEO position was opening up within the organization. Emmert saw the opportunity and jumped on it. Hes proud of the work Service to School has done over the last decade and cant wait to take it even further, he added. Notable advisory board members include former Secretary of Defense and retired Marine Corps four-star General Jim Mattis.

Photo courtesy of Emmert

I owe an immense sense of gratitude to the U.S. Navy and the United States. The mentorship I got from my senior enlisted and my fellow officers just really made me just grow up and learn to take accountability for any actions I had, he said. That background and experience put me where I am today. The GI Bill has been a huge game changer in my life. I've used it to pay for two master's degrees, I would have never had the financial resources to do that without going heavily in debt, which I probably wouldn't have done. But had I not been in the military, I wouldn't have had that higher education opportunity opened up for me.

Around 2,500 veterans sign up to receive the free support offered for undergraduate studies. Service to School is not only doubling down on their programming but theyve created a powerful in-person annual VetLink summit for veterans, too. This past June, attendees heard keynote Adrian Perkins and a host of speakers from elite and Ivy League schools. Some of the more notable partner schools include Harvard, Dartmouth, Vanderbilt and Brown.

The closing keynote was none other than James Hatch, the veteran Navy Seal was part of a member of the Naval Special Warfare Development group before a combat injury ended his military career. He has been very vocal about how devastating the loss was, leading to thoughts of suicide.

In my experience, the transition from the U.S. military to the civilian world is wrought with potholes that can frustrate and hobble veterans if they arent keeping their mental health fitness. College can be an extremely beneficial mental health modality in the sense that a student is working on themselves," Hatch shared. "Some veterans can feel guilty or selfish doing this and that is why it is important to have access to mental health assets during this transition and learning experience."

Service to School is more than showing veterans the possibilities with higher education. Its about saving lives, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeTLx4qf_J4

There's a lot of problems in the veteran community like unemployment, homelessness, and suicide. But a college degree is a variable that will reduce the likelihood of all those negative outcomes, he explained. It doesn't fix the problem, but it helps. If you have a college degree, you're less likely to be unemployed, you're less likely to be homeless and you're less likely to take on your own life.

When Emmert reflects on the past twenty years, he traces it all back to the Navy and his fellow veterans. As someone who came of age in the 9/11 era, I lost more than a few friends. I've had friends lost overseas, some who were very badly injured, and I've had friends who've taken their lives when they came home, he shared. So for me, it's something that's always in front of my mind. I always ask myself what can I do to just be a better person and keep their memory alive and the way I see doing it is helping the next generation of veterans.

You can learn more about Service to School here.
A 21-year-old has been charged with death by distribution after a juvenile died earlier this month of an overdose in Cornelius, according to police.

On July 1, police received a call around 3:15 p.m. about a possible overdose, the Cornelius Police Department said in a news release. When officers arrived they learned a juvenile was dead.

Detectives identified 21-year-old Ehsanullah Sean Ayaar as the source of the drugs, police said.

On Monday, Ayaar was arrested and charged with felony death by distribution. He was issued a $100,000 secured bond at the Mecklenburg County jail and was released on Wednesday morning.

Death by distribution is a felony charge in North Carolina in cases where someone sells an illegal drug to someone who dies in an overdose. It was signed into law by the North Carolina legislature in 2019 and carries a maximum sentence of nearly 20 years in prison.

Police and court leaders say death by distribution cases are difficult to prosecute, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.

The threshold for proof in these cases is often hard to reach. To prove someone is responsible for death by distribution, police and prosecutors must show they sold the victim the illegal drug that killed them; the drug was responsible for the victims death; and, the victim didnt have an underlying medical condition triggered by the drug, according to the law.
Nope.

Nope.

Choosing to go hair-free on areas like your legs, arms and pubic area is your prerogative, but when it comes to the hairs living inside your nose, theyre better left untouched.

The nose is a delicate area with numerous blood vessels and mucous membranes, said Dr. Don J. Beasley, an Idaho-based board-certified otolaryngologist (also known as an ear, nose and throat specialist). Whether youre DIYing it or getting serviced at a salon, yanking out your nose hairs  especially if its done improperly or without proper hygiene practices in place  may increase the risk of infection, leading to complications such as folliculitis or nasal cellulitis.

Below, we spoke with experts to learn the risks of nose hair waxing and tweezing, as well as the safer alternatives.

The Importance Of Nose Hairs

You may not have given your nose hairs a second thought (aside from how unpleasant they may be), but the fact is, theyre there for a reason.

The primary role of nose hairs is to trap dust, pollen and other airborne particles in the air so that the air you breathe is partially filtered, said Dr. Michael Jacobs, a New York-based board-certified dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. He explained that the hairs act as a physical barrier, preventing these allergens from entering the nasal passages and potentially causing irritation or harm to the respiratory system.

Nose hairs also play a protective role by alerting us to potential dangers, Beasley said. When something touches the nostril hairs, such as a small insect or other irritants, it triggers a reflexive sneeze, which is the bodys way of expelling the intruder or irritant, he explained.

Beyond this, nose hairs help to maintain optimal moisture levels in the nasal passages. Nose hairs trap moisture from exhaled air, preventing the nasal passages from becoming too dry, Beasley said. This moisture helps to humidify the air we breathe, making it more comfortable for our respiratory system.

What Are The Risks Of Nose Hair Waxing?

Nose hair waxing can be tempting because it provides longer-lasting results compared to alternative methods like trimming. But completely removing your nose hairs means removing the filtration system thats essential to keeping you healthy and warding off infections like nasal vestibulitis and nasal abscess, said Dr. Nicole Aaronson, a Delaware-based board-certified otolaryngologist. While waxing doesnt necessarily weaken the immune system, it does breach the skin barrier by creating openings for bacteria to get into the deeper tissues, thus creating the opportunity for infection, she said.

Nose hair waxing can also come with some side effects, especially if performed in the hands of an untrained person  or if you do it yourself, for that matter. For one, Aaronson said that wax thats too hot can burn the nasal mucosa, or the tissue lining the nasal cavity. This removal of the top layer of skin can also create small lesions in the nose and put you at greater risk of infection. Plus, waxing can be an irritating process in general. Nose waxing can be an uncomfortable experience, as the delicate nasal passages can be sensitive to the pulling sensation, potentially causing temporary pain, redness and irritation, Beasley said.

Ingrown hairs may also be an issue with nose hair waxing. An ingrown hair occurs after a hair is removed when the new hair that regenerates from the follicle cant break through the skin, Aaronson explained. Because waxing pulls out the hair by the roots, the hair must find its way out through the outer layer of the skin again (unlike other hair removal methods where the hair is left at the skins surface).

So, what about partial nose hair waxing (that is, removing only the hair located at the front part of the nose)? Aaronson said to avoid this practice, as it carries all of the same risks of nasal vestibulitis, ingrown hairs and burning. Ultimately, Jacobs warned against nose hair waxing altogether to avoid the risk of inhaling more toxins and particles, irritating the nasal membranes and creating ingrown hairs.

Alternatives To Nose Hair Waxing

Waxing and partial waxing are already off the table, and you can also add tweezing to the list. Aaronson said to avoid plucking out your nose hairs, noting that she has had to perform incision and drainage of nasal abscesses related to plucking of nasal hairs. I would not recommend this method of hair removal for the nose, she said.

If you find that your nose hairs are reaching lengthy, unsightly heights, you can try carefully trimming them with a clean pair of eyebrow scissors, which are effective for removing straggling hairs that are visibly sitting underneath the nostril. If youre concerned with hurting yourself during this process, opt for angled scissors with rounded tips, as they reduce the risk of accidental nicks and cuts and are strategically shaped to get to those hard-to-reach areas. For trimming hairs deeper inside the nose, opt for an electric trimmer  these are both safe and easy to use, and require minimal effort on your part.

These two methods of nose hair trimming  rounded scissors and electric trimmers  are much safer alternatives to waxing and help prevent the risk of ingrown hairs and irritation.

Related...
A city of Newburgh man has been accused of committing a criminal sexual act against a child.

State police said the arrest was a result of a joint investigation by their Bureau of Criminal Investigation, city of Newburgh police detectives and the Orange County District Attorney's office.

That investigation was launched after police received allegations of an adult male engaging in sexual conduct with a 14-year-old child.

According to state police, Christopher Johnson, 32, of the city of Newburgh, was arrested outside his residence on July 6.

Johnson was charged with one count each of second-degree criminal sexual act, a felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

He was arraigned before Middletown City Court Judge Steven W. Brockett and sent to Orange County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash bail or $75,000 secured bond, pending a hearing in Town of New Windsor Court.

The name of his attorney was not immediately available.

State police asked anyone who feels they might have been a victim of Johnson, or knows someone who might have been a victim, to call their BCI in Montgomery at 845-457-1388.

Mike Randall covers breaking news for the Times Herald-Record, Poughkeepsie Journal and The Journal News/lohud. Reach him at mrandall@th-record.com or on Twitter @mikerandall845.

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: City of Newburgh man accused of sexual contacty with a child
How the next major hub in the biotechnology industry found a home in Salt Lake City

Researchers work in labs at the Recursion offices in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. | Ryan Sun, Deseret News

Within Utahs booming tech sector, the states rapidly evolving biotechnology industry is being turbocharged by projects like Tech Lake City and BioHive. These initiatives are helping companies that are already advancing cutting edge science make even more progress.

Tech Lake City is a concept designed by Salt Lake Citys Department of Economic Development to deliberately and intentionally create more tech jobs centered in Salt Lake, according to Clark Cahoon, technology and innovation adviser in the Department of Economic Development.

One of the ways that weve approached (Tech Lake City) is by really focusing on something that Salt Lake City has already, but maybe isnt really well known in the community, and thats health care innovation, he said.

Health care innovation is the culmination of life sciences and digital health. Traditionally, life sciences include medical device manufacturing, diagnostics, genomics and precision medicines. Digital health software is advancing life sciences through software overlays.

It was very clear that the future was not only life sciences as we traditionally do it  but the digital health overlay with that in the software, it was becoming more and more apparent, he said.

Cahoon said there hasnt been a citywide effort to focus on the tech industry and give it the resources it needs to grow.

In short, the major goal is to create a sense of place, Cahoon said. So helping these companies find the right part of the city to be able to grow, clustering up innovators, innovative companies, and having a sense of place that you can point to and say, Oh, that neighborhood over there, thats where different life science or digital health or health care innovation companies are.

Senior product manager Samantha Lee works at her desk at the Recursion offices in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. | Ryan Sun, Deseret News

Recursion is a biotech company that specializes in drug discovery. According to the companys president and chief operating officer, Tina Larson, Recursions mission is to decode biology to radically improve lives by being a pioneering tech bio company.

(Recursion is) full of robots, and the robots are doing science every day, and theyre doing the science of decoding human biology, understanding how our human disease works, and then finding the potential treatments to address that disease, she said.

Larson said Recursion works with Tech Lake City and has helped found BioHive, a hub for life science and health care innovation within Utah.

Aimee Edwards, executive director of BioHive, said the groups mission is to brand, build and bring together Utahs life science and health care innovation ecosystem.

(BioHive) came to be because there are members of the community that wanted to unite to make a larger impact together and they saw opportunities to do so, she said.

BioHive is made up of several companies and government partnerships, and through these collaborations it has contributed 8% of Utahs GDP and 538 bioscience related patents, and is sixth in the nation per capita in venture capitalist investments.

Overall, the biotechnology industry has seen increased growth in recent years. Edwards said Utah is the fastest-growing life science and health care innovation industry in the nation. According to a Kem C. Gardner study, Utah has seen 5.7% annual growth compared to the national average of 3.2%.

Life science accounts for 150,000 direct and indirect jobs in the state of Utah, and accounts for about $16 billion in GDP, Edwards said.

Larson said in order to have a successful company like Recursion, there needs to be community and effort from universities, cities and government partners.

You just need people that are going to be engaged and the employees that are going to start companies, so BioHive is really bringing together all of these different members of the community that are required to truly grow an innovative health care tech ecosystem, Larson said.

A researcher works in a lab at the Recursion offices in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. | Ryan Sun, Deseret News

Recursion was founded in 2013 by two graduate students and a professor from the University of Utah. Larson said coming out of the university environment was a big reason for choosing to headquarter in Salt Lake.

One thing about Salt Lake is, I think people probably underappreciate it, as it is actually the fastest-growing life science ecosystem in the country, she said. I spent most of my career in the San Francisco Bay area, Cambridge, Boston  those are the big biotech hubs  but Salt Lake City and Utah is actually a rapidly growing hub.

Juan Rodriguez is an applied mathematician at Recursion. He started working for the company in 2018 after considering jobs at several other companies in Seattle, New York and the Bay Area.

In 2018, I wasnt expecting to be finding a company that was doing such innovative things in Utah, or that was really trying to push barriers in the bio tech sector, he said.

Rodriguez said the environment that has emerged in recent years has made it clear that Utah has the capabilities and the companies who want to push the boundaries on how biotechnology is advancing.

I feel like Utah can be a central place for that type of innovation of focusing on others and focusing on helping people and harnessing the power of technology to really ... improve the life of millions of people that suffer from diseases that arent curable right now, but that we might have a cure for in the next few years, thanks to our initiatives, he said.

Larson said Recursion has attracted more than $1 billion of capital for the state.

This is a real economic opportunity for Utah, Larson said. Utah has all of the right ingredients to continue to grow that opportunity, so it is economically very exciting.

Larson has been working in the biotech industry for 30 years, including researching a drug early on in her career that fundamentally changed how breast cancer is treated.

You can see over the years, taking something that was almost a death sentence diagnosis and turning it into something where women are living and even thriving after this diagnosis  thats what got me hooked on this industry  and thats why its so exciting for Salt Lake City, for Utah to be one of the hubs and ecosystems that actually finds that next generation of therapeutics and opportunities for the world, she said.
YORK, Maine  A New Hampshire man will serve 12 years in federal prison for his part in a violent home invasion in which he and three others targeted the residence for marijuana and cash.

Derek DaPrato, 35, of Hooksett, New Hampshire, received the sentence Tuesday after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and interference with commerce by violence. Authorities say DePrato and three others drove from Hooksett to a home on Rowe Falls Lane in York on Aug. 2, 2019.

Court documents state the homeowner was operating a marijuana manufacturing and distribution business at the home.

Derek Daprato, 34, of Hooksett, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy and robbery charges in connection with a violent York home invasion.

Police said DaPrato and three others  Jason Calendario, Luis Carpio and Andrew Soboleski  plotted the robbery, traveling as a group in two cars. They said the group brought a backpack containing duct tape, zip ties and empty garbage bags.

Previous story: Four plead guilty to heist that ended in gunfire

When they arrived, prosecutors said Candelario and Carpio got out of the car and hid in the woods near the homes garage. When the homeowner backed into the garage, prosecutors say Candelario and Carpio rushed into the garage armed with handguns and wearing masks.

The homeowner was accompanied by two others, and a violent altercation ensued, according to prosecutors. They said the homeowner ended up on the ground with one of the robbers, while another robber came around the vehicle to help subdue the victim. They said a firearm was then discharged, and the bullet struck the homeowner in the lower abdomen.

The robbers then fled the scene, police say, and the homeowners girlfriend, who was in the car at the time of the incident, called 911. The homeowner was rushed to the hospital where he underwent surgery to remove the .45 caliber bullet from his abdomen.

DaPrato pleaded guilty to his charges Dec. 28, 2022. His sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release. He is the last of the four co-conspirators to receive their sentence, the others having pleaded guilty as well. They are collectively serving more than 44 years in prison.

The FBI, in conjunction with the York Police Department and the York County Sheriffs Office, investigated the case.

The Row Falls Lane home was also the target of another home invasion and robbery just three months prior to the August 2019 incident, and also resulted in the homeowner being shot. All three suspects in that attempted robbery are now serving prison sentences  Nathaniel Rivera, Eric Mercado and Steven Hardy.

Police said Rivera traveled to a York home with two women on May 3, 2019, where they met the homeowner and drank alcohol and went into a hot tub. While the four were in the hot tub, Mercado and Hardy entered the home and ordered the victim to go into a bathroom, but he refused and fled, which is when the robbers shot at him and hit him in the leg, according to court records.

Although police did not confirm the two incidents took place at the same residence or involved the same victim, neighbors said both took place at the same address and involved the victim.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH man gets 12 years for violent York, Maine home invasion
NH woman charged with disorderly conduct after kicking out window of cruiser following DUI arrest

A woman was apprehended in Concord Tuesday night after allegedly speeding while intoxicated and then kicking out the window of a police cruiser during her subsequent arrest.

Lisa Marie Kroeger-Kangas, 46, of Claremont, New Hampshire, is charged with aggravated driving under the influence, resisting arrest, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and reckless operation.

A trooper monitoring the area of I-93 in Concord around 11:38 p.m. saw Kroeger-Kangas driving her car northbound at nearly 100mph in a 55mph zone while having trouble staying in her lane, according to New Hampshire State Police.

A traffic stop was initiated and the trooper determined Kroeger-Kangas had allegedly been driving while intoxicated. He attempted to place her under arrest but she actively resisted, according to officials.

Troopers eventually placed Kroeger-Kangas in the back of the cruiser where she allegedly kicked out the right rear passenger side window, sending shattered glass at the responding officers.

She was transported to the Merrimack County House of Corrections in Boscawen, New Hampshire where she refused bail and was held pending a court arraignment on Wednesday morning.

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Nicole Kidman just showed off a bolder side to her red-carpet style in a black dress with a daring cutout

Nicole Kidman attended the launch event for her Paramount+ series in a bold dress. Dave Benett/Getty Images for Paramount+

Nicole Kidman attended a launch event for her series "Special Ops: Lioness" on Tuesday in London.

She wore a black Saint Laurent dress that had a large cutout in the center of the bodice.

Kidman paired the daring look with trendy, sheer gloves.

Nicole Kidman showed off a bolder side of her style at a red-carpet event in London.

Kidman, 56, attended the launch event for "Special Ops: Lioness," the new Paramount+ show she stars in alongside Zoe Saldana, on Tuesday.

Saldana stars in the series as a CIA operative in the organization's Lioness program, which Kidman's character heads.

Kidman opted to wear a daring look for her red-carpet appearance, arriving in a black dress designed by Saint Laurent.

Nicole Kidman attends the launch event for "Special Ops: Lioness" in July 2023. Dave Benett/Getty Images for Paramount+

The chiffon gown had a halter neckline, which was accented by an oversized, black rosette that sat below her neck.

A large cutout created a diamond on the bodice, exposing most of Kidman's abdomen. Only two swaths of fabric on her chest provided coverage.

The gown's skirt sat high on her waist, hugging her figure before flowing out slightly around her ankles.

A ribbon of semi-sheer fabric also cascaded from the back of one of her shoulders, creating a train.

Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldana attend the launch of the Paramount+ series "Special Ops: Lioness" in July 2023. John Phillips/Getty Images

Kidman paired the look with elbow-length gloves made of sheer, black fabric, leaning into a trend that's been dominating red carpets in recent months.

Sparkly earrings, a casual ponytail, and open-toe heels completed the look.

She posed with Saldana on the red carpet, who wore a leather and checker-print dress styled by Petra Flannery.

Kidman's evening attire was a stark departure from the look she wore to a photocall for "Special Ops: Lioness" during the day on Tuesday.

Nicole Kidman at a photo call for "Special Ops: Lioness." John Phillips/Getty Images

Her gray ensemble from Ferragamo consisted of a blazer, tapered pants, and black heels.

Kidman wore her hair down, lending a relaxed vibe to her professional look.

She again posed with Saldana during the photo call.

Zoe Saldana and Nicole Kidman lean their heads together. Mike Marsland/WireImage/Getty Images

The pair held hands and leaned their heads together in one shot, grinning as their hair blew in the wind.

Kidman and Saldana shared a joint Instagram post of the photo, captioning the shot, "on tour."

"Special Ops: Lioness" premieres on July 23 on Paramount+.

Read the original article on Insider
Nigerian governor appointed sister-in-law to cabinet, not daughter with the same name

A post has been shared multiple times on social media in Nigeria with claims that the governor of Osun state, Ademola Adeleke, had appointed his daughter Adenike Adeleke to the state cabinet. Another post also claimed that the governor had appointed a second family member, Morufu Adeleke, into the state cabinet. But these claims are misleading: Adeleke did not appoint his daughter but rather the wife of his deceased brother; the two women share the same name. Meanwhile, there is no evidence that Morufu Adeleke is related to the governor, a claim both he and the state government denied.

BREAKING: 'governor Ademola Adeleke has just appointed his biological daughter as a commissioner in Osun State (sic), reads a tweet published on July 7, 2023.

A screenshot showing the misleading post, taken on July 11, 2023

The tweet, which has been liked more than 1,500 times, was posted by an account that regularly shares content in support of Nigeria's All Progressives Congress.

Adeleke is a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The post sparked controversy online with commenters debating whether or not he had actually appointed his daughter.

Screenshot showing comments with the post, taken on July 12, 2023

A similar claim also appeared on Facebook and Twitter with further accusations that the governor appointed another purported family member, Morufu Adeleke, to the cabinet.

On July 4, 2023, the governor sent 25 names (archived here) to the State House of Assembly for confirmation as state cabinet members.

But the claims that Adeleke's list included his daughter and another relative are misleading.

Sister-in-law, not daughter

The governor does have a daughter named Adenike Adeleke who has a verified Instagram account (archived here) where she has referred to the governor as her father here and here (archived here and here).

However, she has not been appointed to the cabinet by him.

The state government issued a statement (archived here) clarifying that one of the governors cabinet nominees, also named Adenike Adeleke, is actually the widow of his dead brother -- not his daughter.

Mrs Adeleke is the daughter of Chief Omidiran of Osogbo Land and wife of the late Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, the statement reads.

Isiaka Adeleke, the elder brother of the current governor, died in 2017. He was also a governor.

The Adenike Adekele who was married to the governors late brother has been featured in newspaper reports such as here and here (archived here and here), where she was referred to as Nike, a shortened form of her first name.

A screenshot of an article showing Adenike Adeleke with her late husband Senator Isiaka Adeleke

Second appointment

Meanwhile, Morufu Ademola Adeleke also denied the online claim that he is a relative of the governor, saying it is only a coincidence that they share the same last name.

I say loud and clear that I am not in any way related to His Excellency, Gov Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke, the executive governor of Osun state, he said in a message sent to AFP Fact Check.

The state government has also denied the claim, saying he was born at Ilesa and hails from Osogbo, the state capital.

Morufu Adeleke is a professor of mathematics education at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun.

His Facebook page also notes that he is from Osogbo, while the governor hails from Ede, in another part of Osun.

A screenshot showing Morufu Adelekes Facebook bio, taken on July 10, 2023

The governor's spokesperson Olawale Rasheed told AFP the claims are fake news.

Tiamiyu Olamide, a media aide to the speaker of the Osun assembly, described the claims as a blatant lie.

AFP has previously debunked claims about Adeleke, the governor, here.
Interview: NATO uses Ukraine as sacrificial pawn in defeating Russia, says German lawmaker

Xinhua) 09:02, July 12, 2023

People take part in a protest against Sweden hosting a large international military exercise and the country striving to become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Stockholm, Sweden, on April 22, 2023. (Photo by Patrick Ekstrand/Xinhua)

A German lawmaker has accused NATO of fighting a proxy war against Russia by supplying military aid to Ukraine.

BERLIN, July 10 (Xinhua) -- A German lawmaker has accused the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) of fighting a proxy war against Russia by supplying military aid to Ukraine.

"If we picture this conflict as a game of chess, then NATO is looking for pawns that can be sacrificed if need be, to secure a better position," Sevim Dagdelen, a member of Germany's lower house of Parliament, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

By delivering weapons and deploying NATO military advisors in Ukraine, NATO is now waging a proxy war against Russia to defeat the nuclear power through a combination of military force and an all-out economic war, said Dagdelen, chairwoman of the Die Linke (Left Party) parliamentary group of the German Bundestag's Committee on Foreign Affairs.

People take part in a protest against Sweden hosting a large international military exercise and the country striving to become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Stockholm, Sweden, on April 22, 2023. (Photo by Patrick Ekstrand/Xinhua)

She said that NATO is not a defense alliance, even though that is the constant refrain of Western leaders.

At the same time, the military pact is engaged in an aggressive arms drive and is thwarting all negotiation efforts regarding the Ukraine crisis, she said.

The NATO summit, slated for July 11-12 in Vilnius, Lithuania, would bring Ukraine closer to the alliance, said Secretary-General of the organization Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the summit.

"The discussions in the run-up to the NATO summit are extremely worrying," she said, adding that a debate is taking place within NATO about giving Ukraine NATO membership or NATO-style security guarantees, which would bring about a war between NATO and Russia.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with the U.S. representatives attending the 14th round of dialogue between Chinese and U.S. business leaders and former senior officials in Beijing, capital of China, July 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said on Tuesday that China welcomes companies from all over the world, including the United States, to deepen their presence in the Chinese market.

Han made the comments when meeting with the U.S. representatives attending the 14th round of dialogue between Chinese and U.S. business leaders and former senior officials in Beijing.

China-U.S. relations are the most important bilateral relations in the world. To promote the sound and steady development of the relations, the key is to follow through on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation put forward by President Xi Jinping, Han said.

Competition is everywhere in today's world, but it should be healthy competition that promotes win-win results, rather than a zero-sum game, Han said.

"China will unswervingly advance reform and opening up, and welcomes companies from all over the world, including the United States, to deepen their presence in the Chinese market to contribute to the stability and smoothness of global industrial and supply chains and world economic growth," Han said.

The U.S. representatives said that the United States and China have close economic and trade ties, and the current difficulties and uncertainties are worrying.

They said that the United States business community is willing to continue to expand cooperation with China and play an active role to promote the sound and steady development of bilateral relations. 
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Tuesday commented on her marriage in response to a question about her criticism of Donald Trump.

Fox News Neil Cavuto asked Haley if she was worried about receiving the wrath of Trump supporters who are pretty much in lockstep with him and make up a large part of the Republican base right now.

His voters and supporters and the American people want the truth. I just speak hard truths, responded the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and ex-governor of South Carolina.

Then came the comment: Youve got some people who are mad that I dont love Trump 90%, you know, 100% of the time. I dont love my husband 100% of the time.

Watch the video here:

Nikki Haley: "I just speak hard truths. You have some people that are mad that I dont love Trump 100% of the time. I dont love my husband 100% of the time... I call it like I see it. I think he was the right president at the right time." pic.twitter.com/ZjGU0czpg3  Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) July 11, 2023

Haley married Maj. Michael Haley in 1996. They have two adult children.

Youve got some people who are upset that I dont disagree with him a hundred percent of the time, Haley continued to Cavuto about Trump. I think he was the right president at the right time. I call it like I see it. And so, look ... I just think we need to move forward. Our country cant keep dealing with this chaos and this negativity.

Cavuto sought to clarify Haleys stance on Trump, should he become the Republican nominee. Trump is currently the GOP front-runner, garnering more than 50% in an average of polls. Haley is fourth with 3.6%, behind Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (20.9%) and former Vice President Mike Pence (6.1%).

Does that mean hes the wrong president this time? If the Republicans nominate him as your leader and as your presidential candidate, you would not support him? Cavuto asked.

Haley admitted shed back the GOP nominee, whoever it is.

So, even Trump.

I have said and I say it to every Republican candidate whos gonna get on that debate stage. I will support the Republican that comes out of that, she said. Certainly, I want it to be me but I want to support the Republican.

Trump has every right to run, just like everyone else, Haley added.

Related...
No decision on transfer of ATACMS missiles to Ukraine yet  Zelenskyy

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The White House is yet to arrive to a decision on whether to supply Ukraine with ATACMS long-range missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after a meeting with his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden.

When speaking with the press after the conclusion of the NATO summit in Vilnius on July 12, Zelenskyy said he didnt know when Ukraine might receive the missiles its ben long asking for.

Read also: Ukraine cannot join NATO amid ongoing war, Zelenskyy admits

The discussions are ongoing, but no final decision has been reached yet, he said.

It's best not to elevate this issue, given the expectations from the public, the military, and everyone else. I think it's more prudent to take action first and then share details about how it transpired, later.

Read also: Ukraine would make NATO stronger  Zelenskyy in Vilnius

Zelenskyy further disclosed that he began negotiations with Biden over the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine "quite some time ago," and that a decision on this matter has only been finalized days ago. He expressed gratitude to the United States for the making these armaments available to Kyiv.

"So, patience; not everything can happen all at once," he concluded.

Read also: No decision yet on supplying ATACMS to Ukraine  CJCS Milley

Zelenskyy had earlier met with Biden on the sidelines of the NATO summit.

Recent reports suggested that the White House is seriously deliberating if it should send ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, with some fearing it might be seen as an escalation by Moscow.

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
No one knows why there are still four working fireplaces in the Johnston YMCA. At one point, of course, they must have heated the 73-year-old building in the heart of NoDa. Now, theyre merely decorative wall ornaments, curious features in the spinning room and yoga studio.

Other oddities are scattered throughout the stately building on North Davidson Street: The lip of a stage sticks out into the gymnasium, but the performance area has long since been sealed off from allowing plays. When the swimming pool area was renovated around 2008, a corridor finally was built to connect it to the main structure  until then, anyone entering the pool had to take a separate side entrance or climb the stairs up from the locker room.

On the whole, the building doesnt have the glossy, airy look of state-of-the-art workout facilities. Around 2017, the YMCA of Greater Charlotte began to tally a list of many of the quirky features that needed to be updated and modernized.

In May, the YMCA determined the cost to renovate the building combined with the mounting financial losses the system has endured since the pandemic were too much. Instead, the YMCA of Greater Charlotte announced it will sell the Johnston Y property and already has reached an agreement with a developer.

The Johnston branch will close at the end of 2023. County records show that a developer last week filed permits to build phase one of a development called NoDa Village that includes apartments. Clayton Sealey at CLT Development first reported the news.

The property and buildings have an appraised value of $19.4 million, according to county records.

The money from the sale will help the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, but not rescue the nonprofit entirely. According to the YMCAs tax records, total revenue was down more than 28% from 2019 to 2021, the most recent year for which records are available. Membership today is down about 25% since 2019, YMCA officials said. While its slowly rebuilding, no one is sure if it will ever return to pre-pandemic numbers.

Whats more, the YMCA of Greater Charlottes president and CEO retired last month, 18 months after assuming the position, citing stress-related health issues. The COO, who had spent 20 years with the organization, also announced his departure in June. The turmoil in leadership and finances pose the biggest challenge in decades for an organization that for generations has been one of Charlottes most influential and successful nonprofits.

The sale of the Johnston Y building is just one part of a system-wide rebuilding for the YMCA  but one of the most visible elements for a community that has emotional ties to a historic building.

Its really unfortunate that the Johnston was a part of that conversation and thats where we landed with this property, said Joe Angelon, Charlotte YMCAs senior vice president of southern operations & special projects. Without the sale, the YMCA of Greater Charlotte would have to identify some other significant areas that we could change and adjust.

But it is absolutely necessary  and I wish it wasnt.

Joe Angelon, Senior Vice President Southern Operations and Special Projects, started working at the Johnston YMCA branch in 2005. He said hes personally sad to see the sale of the building. But its absolutely necessary -- and I wish it wasnt, he said.

A really stressful time

When Stan Law was hired to lead the YMCA of Greater Charlotte in January 2022, he touted his family roots in Charlotte that go back more than 100 years, and estimated it would take 12-24 months to rebuild the organization from pandemic losses.

A little more than a year later, Law, 61, told QCity Metro that his June 2 retirement was 100% stress-related. He said hed had just three full nights of sleep in the past four months.

Law declined to speak to the Observer for this story.

I will say I think its been a really stressful time for the last several years, said Charles Bowman, the chair of the YMCA of Greater Charlottes Board of Directors.

Some of the causes of stress are easy to identify:

In 2020, thanks to prolonged pandemic closures, program service revenue declined by more than half to $32.7 million from $80 million in 2019.

Total revenue further declined from 2020 to 2021  going from $78 million to $71.8 million.

Program services (including membership and camps) revenue dropped from accounting for 80% of total revenue in 2019 to 62.9% in 2021.

Its simple, but its complex, Bowman said. Its simple in terms of the pandemic was a huge shock and unanticipated.

The pandemic exposed that the YMCAs heavy reliance on membership for funds was a liability. Before COVID, the YMCA of Greater Charlotte had about 60,000 memberships (membership units can include a family, not just an individual). Post-pandemic, that number fell to 27,000. Its back up to about 45,000.

We fell off the cliff, Bowman said. But to use that analogy, were clawing our way back up.

The YMCA was kept afloat by a Paycheck Protection Plan loan of $9.6 million used to assist with paying employee wages and benefits, as well as several other COVID-related grants. The organization also received a one-time $18 million donation from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott in 2020, which accounted for 42% of the YMCAs $43 million in contributions and grants that year. That money was earmarked for use in programs in Charlottes Corridors of Opportunity.

It may look as though we had cash, but the board asked that not be used for operating expenses, Bowman said of Scotts grant.

Bowman is the former Charlotte president at Bank of America who stepped down from his bank position in April 2022. He became board chair at the start of 2022.

At the start of 2023, the board began to meet weekly to discuss ways to rethink its business model. What they settled on was improving four areas: Philanthropy, camping, programs and services, and footprint.

All four are avenues where additional revenue might be generated. For instance: A one-time loyal camper as a child might be willing to donate money now if more outreach is done to locate that person. The YMCAs two camping facilities can be used as retreat centers year-round with a bit more marketing and upkeep. Programs and services offered at each of the 17 branches can be examined and adjusted so that the most popular ones are duplicated and least-popular ones are discarded.

And the footprint of the organization can be looked at closely to determine which branches are necessary, and whether it might make more sense to sell an asset  such as the Johnston Y.

The YMCA of Greater Charlotte announced that the Johnston branch in NoDa will close at the end of the year. They have talked for years of trying to renovate the building, but COVID hit the YMCA hard financially.

A need for cash

The decision to sell the Johnston Y property came after the YMCA of Greater Charlotte already had been in exploratory discussions on how best to redevelop the property, Bowman said. The YMCA originally planned to create a neighborhood hub that built on its historic legacy, creates opportunity for community impact and ensures accessibility for residents of NoDa and the broader north Charlotte community for generations to come.

The original plan called for the YMCA to maintain a presence on the site, the YMCA said.

But that changed after a closer look at the YMCAs need to balance its ledger.

Why Johnston? Why not one of the other ones? Bowman said. We had an appreciated asset. We had a ready buyer. We were already in negotiations that were almost close to being finalized. And it gave us the biggest opportunity at the time when the need was there.

Put simply, Bowman said: The challenge is, you need cash.

A community hub and a willow oak

Krysten Reilly and her family moved to Charlotte in 2020 and they were immediately drawn to NoDa, where they fell in love with the neighborhoods walkability, amenities and historic mill houses. Reilly loves the neighborhood so much that she became the NoDa Neighborhood Associations president this year.

She said one of her first acts as president was to reach out to the YMCA of Greater Charlotte to ask for an update on plans to redevelop the site at 3025 N. Davidson St.

Shes still waiting to hear back.

The neighborhood association had been a part of early redevelopment discussions, the YMCA said, but Reilly contends that no input has been sought in recent years despite her repeated efforts to contact leadership.

Thats why she was so disheartened to learn of the Johnston Ys sale through a press release.

Whats frustrating is that theyve been talking about this for years and they havent come to the community to ask, What are the things that we can do at this specific site to make this one successful? Reilly said. That could have been the opportunity to brainstorm some ideas to increase their membership back up post-pandemic and start building back a little bit of a profit.

The Johnston Y has about 1,500 members, according to YMCA spokesperson Heather Briganti. Thats down from 2,400 in 2019, when the facility was at capacity and had waiting lists. That shift is entirely attributed to behavior changes post-COVID.

So many people have a Peloton in their house, Angelon said. So many people are going to small, boutique fitness centers. Theyre not looking for the one-stop-shop membership.

Angelon said every facet of the programs offered at the Johnston Y suffered post-pandemic: summer camp enrollment is about 235 this year, down from more than 300 pre-pandemic; after-school programming this year had about 30 kids when a full class would be 75-100; a senior program that had 100 members in 2019 had just four return post-pandemic.

A massive willow oak tree shades the front lawn of the Johnston YMCA branch. NoDa residents fear for the fate of the tree with the sale of the property.

But Reilly says losing the Johnston Y will remove a community hub for the NoDa neighborhood. Not only does the building offer fitness facilities  including Charlottes oldest indoor pool  and child care, but the expansive front lawn has become an unofficial neighborhood gathering place. The fenced-in grassy area often contains families picnicking and dogs frolicking. It also houses a massive willow oak tree that Reilly is worried about.

The oak reportedly was planted by Horace Johnston around the time the building was constructed in 1950, and its leafy branches stretch the width of the property. Reilly has started an organization called NoDa Tree Save, and has collected about 1,500 signatures on an online petition requesting the YMCA protect the tree.

Bowman says that the fate of the tree is in the hands of the developer.

We have a contract, and well honor the contract, he said. Thats the nature of a private land sale.

The NoDa Neighborhood and Business Association also contends that because the property and building were a gift to the YMCA from the North Charlotte Foundation, it is not morally nor logically defensible for the YMCA to sell their gift from the community for maximum profit with zero consideration for the local community.

The property was given to the Y to run and manage, Bowman countered, and I think weve been doing that with fidelity for a long, long, long time. I think weve lived up to any of the intents that we honor that community and that property.

Donald Clark works on leg raises in one of the fitness areas of the Johnston Family YMCA in NoDa in early June.

Changes to what makes NoDa special

According to NoDa Neighborhood Association estimates, about 3,500 people currently live in NoDa. Chad Maupin, the boards vice president, has added up housing developments under construction or planned, and estimates that the neighborhoods population could increase by 9,000 in the next several years.

Its exciting, but I think it also just gives a lot of the people that have lived here pause, said Reilly, especially those who have been living here for a lot longer because we want to still hold on to some of those things that make NoDa special.

The neighborhood once was known for its art galleries and creative flair, and long before that, its textile mill industry. The Johnston branch originally was conceived of as a community center for the mill community. The developer who has agreed to purchase the property has not yet announced detailed plans for it, though permits show another apartment building is coming to an area where such structures are rapidly multiplying.

Angelon, himself, started working at the Johnston branch in 2005, and remembers a time when he could turn right out of the Ys driveway, run down North Davidson Street, circle back on The Plaza and I was the only human I would see for 3 miles, he said. Not anymore.

The neighborhood demographics are shifting as younger residents move into the newly constructed apartments and condos. The YMCA of Greater Charlotte says it still wants to find a way to serve the community, but hasnt yet figured out what that will look like.

We will come out of this, but were at a spot right now, were in a transitional phase here, Angelon said.

The YMCA of Greater Charlotte has begun searching for its next CEO, and Bowman said theyre hopeful to have someone in place by early fall. Next year, the organization celebrates its 150th anniversary. Bowman said the Y intends to exist in Charlotte for another 150 years.

It will just look different at different times, he said, but I think it will definitely continue to serve the people.
Norfolk Vice Mayor Martin Thomas thinks it is past time to discuss closing or consolidating schools.

I dont think we should continue to talk about it  we need action, Thomas said Tuesday during a joint meeting of the City Council and School Board.

The meeting was set to be a general discussion in which city councilors and school board members could talk about priorities and how the two entities could work together. Much of the discussion turned to school facilities planning.

Thomas said he has been advocating for the division to take a look at how it utilizes its facilities since 2016, given that the city has increased its spending on schools even as enrollment declines. He referred to a study presented to the school board by Cooperative Strategies in March.

The study outlined Norfolks declining enrollment numbers and under-utilization of elementary, middle and high school buildings. It showed that since 2013, the division has operated three to 17 surplus schools, which refers to the number of surplus seats divided by the enrollment of a school by grade level. It also estimated that these surplus schools cost the division $81 million.

Superintendent Sharon Byrdsong said the projected enrollment for the upcoming school year is about 27,000. However, she said actual enrollment could go up or down. Likely its the latter.

School board members largely agreed to having these discussions moving forward and working with the city. Board member Noelle Gabriel said it is in our best effort and benefit to work collaboratively and plan for the fact that our enrollment is decreasing, but at the same time, we want to offer a high quality, highly effective K-12 education.

Also mentioned throughout the discussion was teacher pay, school safety and security, school resources, school funding and more. Mayor Kenneth Alexander said another joint meeting will be set in the fall to further discuss ways to address these topics.

Kelsey Kendall, kelsey.kendall@virginiamedia.com
By Josh Smith, Kantaro Komiya and Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL/TOKYO (Reuters) -North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) off its east coast on Wednesday, prompting condemnation from the U.S. as well as the leaders of South Korea and Japan who met on the sidelines of a NATO summit.

The missile flew for 74 minutes to an altitude of 6,000 km (3,728 miles) and a range of 1,000 km, Japan Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said, in what would be the longest ever flight time for a North Korean missile.

The launch came after heated complaints from North Korea in recent days, accusing American spy planes of flying over its exclusive economic zone, condemning a recent visit to South Korea by an American nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine, and vowing to take steps in reaction.

The White House condemned the launch and said it would take all necessary measures to ensure its security and that of South Korea and Japan.

"The door has not closed on diplomacy, but Pyongyang must immediately cease its destabilising actions and instead choose diplomatic engagement," White House National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said in a statement.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the launch and called on Pyongyang to comply with resolutions banning its development of ballistic missiles and resume dialogue aimed at denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, in Lithuania for the NATO summit, convened an emergency national security council meeting and promised to use the summit to call for strong international solidarity to confront such threats.

Yoon and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held separate talks and strongly condemned the launch as a grave violation of multiple U.N. resolutions and a serious provocation that escalates tension.

Kishida said the launch threatened peace and stability in the region and beyond, and required closer cooperation between the two neighbours and with the United States.

Yoon, at an earlier meeting with Japan, Australia and New Zealand, said: "We cannot condone these provocations, and we must respond to North Korea's reckless actions through strong responses and solidarity of the international community."

The top military generals of the United States, Japan and South Korea gathered for a rare trilateral meeting in Hawaii just before the missile launch.

Japan said the missile landed in the sea east of the Korean peninsula and about 250 km (155 miles) west of northern Japan's Okushiri island.

In April, North Korea test fired its first ever solid-fuel ICBM, one of around a dozen missile tests this year and Kim Dong-yup, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said the latest launch could have been a second test of the solid-fuel Hwasong-18 ICBM.

Analysts believe the North's ICBMs can fly far enough to strike targets anywhere in the United States, and that the nuclear-armed country likely has developed nuclear warheads that can fit on its missiles.

Yang Uk, a fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said the latest test could be part of the North's efforts to save face and retake the initiative after a failed launch of its first-ever spy satellite in May.

Pyongyang's accusations of U.S. airspace breaches this week, which Washington and Seoul dismissed as groundless, were likely to build justification for the launch, Yang said.

Leif-Eric Easley, an international studies professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said North Korea was following a pattern of staging weapons tests in time for diplomatic events such as the Yoon-Kishida summit.

With a wary eye on North Korea's military moves and other rising challenges in the region, Yoon has moved to repair frayed ties with Japan and reduce historical disputes that have limited cooperation between the two U.S. allies.

(Reporting by Josh Smith, Soo-hyang Choi, Hyunsu Yim and Hyonhee Shin in Seoul and Tokyo bureau; Additional reporting by Rami Ayyub and David Brunnstrom in Washington and Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; writing by Elaine Lies and Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Tom Hogue, Lincoln Feast, Raju Gopalakrishnan and Sandra Maler)
(Bloomberg) -- North Korea test-fired a long-range ballistic missile designed to deliver a nuclear strike on the US after warning Washington of shocking consequences for flying spy planes Pyongyang claimed violated its airspace.

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The missile was launched Wednesday from an area near Pyongyang and flew for about 74 minutes before splashing down in waters west of Japan and outside of the countrys exclusive economic zone, according to authorities in Tokyo and Seoul. Japans Defense Ministry said the missile was an ICBM that reached an altitude of about 6,000 kilometers (3,730 miles).

North Koreas ICBMs are the most powerful missiles in its arsenal and the test comes a day after Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of the leader, was cited by Pyongyangs state media as threatening retribution for the US flights.

Because its an ICBM that is designed to target the US homeland, it appears North Korea is protesting the recent flights of US spy planes, said Duyeon Kim, an adjunct senior fellow in Seoul at the Center for a New American Security.

South Korea Salvages Norths Satellite in Intelligence Win

She added North Korea may be looking to step up tensions ahead of the 70th anniversary later this month of the armistice that ended fighting in the Korean War. This could build domestic support after a rocket meant to put a satellite into orbit failed in flight in late May, and was salvaged by South Korea in international waters.

South Korea has denied that reconnaissance planes violated North Korean airspace. The US has flown the aircraft near North Korea for decades without incident, but in April 1969 North Korean jets downed a US Navy spy plane the Americans said was in international airspace between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, killing all 31 people aboard. It was one of the deadliest strikes by Pyongyangs military after the end of the 1950-1953 Korean War.

North Koreas last ICBM launch was in April when it tested a new solid-fuel rocket that would be easier to deploy and quicker to fire than its arsenal of liquid-fuel rockets  whose tanks take time to fill and make it vulnerable to being shot on the pad before taking off.

The ICBM fired Wednesday appeared to be a solid-fuel missile based on its flight trajectory and stage separation, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing a source it did not name.

The time it spent in the air could be the longest tracked for a North Korean ICBM and its apogee far exceeded the missile launched in April. This could indicate North Korea has increased the size of its solid-fuel ICBMs, which means they could carry a heavier nuclear payload to more parts of the world.

The latest launch draws attention to the threat posed by Kim Jong Uns regime and coincides with a summit of NATO leaders in Lithuania, where the bloc is looking to step up its support for Ukraine.

NATO Summit

The leaders of Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand are attending the North Atlantic Treaty Organization meeting to bolster awareness of security threats in the Asia-Pacific. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are expected to meet on the sidelines of the summit, with both leaders pledging to work with their US ally to prepare for contingencies from Pyongyang and pressure it to end its atomic ambitions.

The last time Kim Jong Uns regime launched ballistic missiles was about three weeks ago when it fired two short-range rockets just minutes after threatening to punish the US for holding joint military drills with South Korea.

Prior to the latest launch, Pyongyang had fired 19 ballistic missiles and the space rocket so far this year, including three ICBMs. The country launched more than 70 ballistic missiles last year, a record for the state.

Kim Jong Un has ignored US calls to return to long-stalled nuclear disarmament talks. He has been busy modernizing his arsenal of missiles and conducting tests of systems to attack South Korea and Japan, which host the bulk of US military personnel in the region.

The US in June sent a nuclear-powered, guided-missile submarine to South Korea for the first time in six years in a show of force meant to deter North Korea from military strikes. South Koreas president won assurances during a summit with President Joe Biden in April to strengthen extended deterrence measures, including more deployments of nuclear-armed submarines.

Displays of the USs atomic assets are meant to serve as a reminder of a warning Biden issued to leader Kim during a meeting with the South Korean president that a nuclear strike by North Korea would be suicidal.

--With assistance from Ryotaro Nakamaru and Shinhye Kang.

(Updates with report on missile flight and its implications.)

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A TV screen shows a file image of North Koreas missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. North Korea launched a long-range ballistic missile toward its eastern waters Wednesday, its neighbors said, two days after the North threatened shocking consequences to protest what it called a provocative U.S. reconnaissance activity near its territory. | Ahn Young-joon, Associated Press

Following a Tuesday NATO meeting between U.S., South Korean and Japanese officials in Hawaii, North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile toward the South Sea.

Col. Dave Butler, a spokesperson for U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, told Reuters that the launch happened at the conclusion of the trilateral meeting, which had been planned for a long time.

The ICBM seemed to be another Hwasong-18 ICBM test flight, which the country tested earlier this year, CNN reported. It was launched from North Korea and landed in waters near Japan after a 74-minute flight. This type of missile is what North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had previously called his most powerful nuclear weapon.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is in Lithuania for a NATO summit, called an emergency meeting Wednesday morning to address the missile launch, per CNN. His office said he would call for strong international solidarity at the summit.

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Relations between the U.S. and North Korea have been rocky as North Korea accused the U.S. of repeated illegal intrusions into the countrys airspace on Monday, as reported by The Associated Press.

In case of repeated illegal intrusion, the U.S. forces will experience a very critical flight, Kim warned in a statement Tuesday from North Koreas state news agency, per CNN.

U.S. officials called the claims just accusations and urged North Korea to refrain from escalatory actions, per AP. South Korea said on Monday that the incident involved normal flight by the Korea-U.S. alliance over open waters.

According to AP, North Korea has conducted nearly 100 missile launches since the start of 2022.

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People in Seoul watch a news report of North Korea's missile launch on Wednesday

North Korea has fired a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Japanese and South Korean officials report.

The long-range missile flew for more than an hour before landing short of Japanese waters on Wednesday morning.

Pyongyang's launch comes after it threatened retaliation against what it said were recent US spy plane incursions over its territory.

Earlier this week it threatened to shoot down such planes.

Washington has dismissed the accusations, saying its military patrols are in line with international law.

Security concerns have ramped up on the peninsula this year after North Korea tested new weapons. The country also conducted a record number of missile launches in 2022 including ones capable of reaching US territory.

In response, the US and South Korea have increased their joint military drills around the peninsula.

Pyongyang so far has continued with its missile launches - testing a new ICBM in April which it described as its "most powerful" missile to date. It also tried to launch a spy satellite in May which failed.

North Korea's missile on Wednesday flew eastwards from Pyongyang for more than an hour before landing in the sea west of Japan around 11:15 local time (02:15 GMT), the Japanese Coast Guard reported. The high-angled flight covered a 1,000km (621 miles) distance said South Korea's military.

South Korean and US officials met immediately after Wednesday's launch, issuing a statement reiterating their "strengthened" joint defence.

"We strongly condemn North Korea's launch of a long-range ballistic missile as a grave provocative act that harms the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and the international community and is a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions," the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

On Wednesday, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that violation "needlessly raises tensions" in the region.

He added that the launch shows that North Korea's government "prioritises weapons" over the "well-being of its people".

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol also convened an emergency meeting of his national security council from Lithuania. where he is attending the Nato summit.

North Korea's last launch was in mid-June when it fired two short-range ballistic miles in response to US and South Korean drills. It last test-fired an ICBM in February.

ICBMs are particularly worrying because of their long range, including mainland United States.

When Pyongyang tested one in November 2022, it fired it at a high-angle, short-range trajectory. But this could have reached the US mainland if it were fired at a lower trajectory, the Japanese government said at the time.

Wednesday's launch comes days after heated rhetoric from Pyongyang warning the US to stop its air patrols and proposal for a nuclear submarine to visit Korean waters.

On Monday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's powerful sister, Kim Yo-jong, accused a US surveillance plane of violating North Korea's air space. She said if such flights continued, there would be "shocking" consequences.

Such rhetoric falls into Pyongyang's pattern of "inflating external threats to rally domestic support and justify weapons tests", said Prof Leif-Eric Easley, a North Korea expert at Ewha University in Seoul.

He added Pyongyang often timed launches to "disrupt what it perceives as diplomatic coordination against it", referring to the Nato summit where South Korea and Japan leaders were due to meet on the sidelines.

Despite UN sanctions, Kim Jong-Un has repeatedly vowed to increase his country's production of nuclear warheads and development of more powerful weapons.

Analysts are expecting the latest North Korean hardware to be on display in late July when the country celebrates the anniversary of the Korean War armistice, known in the country as Victory Day.
North Korea said that the intercontinental ballistic missile it launched on Wednesday, which flew for more than 70 minutes, was a Hwasong-18, marking a potential new round of confrontation with Washington and its allies.

The 74-minute flight time represents a marginal advancement on the missiles tested by North Korea in March and April of this year, both of which were also ICBMs  weapons with the required range to potentially hit the continental United States.

Wednesdays launch, which landed in waters near to Japan, comes after Pyongyang earlier this week threatened to shoot down US military reconnaissance aircraft engaging in what it called hostile espionage activities near its territory.

The Hwasong-18, a type of solid-fuel weapon that is harder to detect and intercept than the Norths other liquid-fuel ICBMs, was first test launched in April. Analysts say the Hwasong-18 could allow North Korea to launch long-range nuclear strikes more quickly and easily as it ramps up its missile program.

State-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Wednesdays missile launch was conducted at a grave period when the military security situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the region has reached the phase of nuclear crisis beyond the Cold War era as the US and its vassal forces unprecedented military provocations against the DPRK have been intensified.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally guided the test-fire of the Hwasong-18, KCNA said Thursday, local time.

The missile launch and fiery rhetoric, while not unusual for Pyongyang, arrives during a period of heightened tensions on the peninsula, as Washington and Seoul ramp up their defense cooperation. It also appears timed to coincide with the NATO summit in Lithuania, where leaders from South Korea, Japan and the US are meeting to discuss security issues  including the threat posed by North Korea.

The latest ICBM launch, the countrys first in three months, flew a distance of about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) and at an altitude of over 6,000 kilometers (3,700 miles) for over 74 minutes, according to KCNA.

Flight times give an indication of a missiles range. North Korea tests most of its missiles on a highly lofted trajectory so they splash down in nearby waters, rather than a flatter trajectory as would be used in an actual attack.

Japans Coast Guard said earlier the missile was launched at 9:59 a.m. local time and fell into the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, at 11:15 a.m., citing the Ministry of Defense.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reacts as Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile is launched from an undisclosed location in North Korea in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on July 13, 2023. - KCNA/Reuters

Kim Jong Un previously called the Hwasong-18 his most powerful nuclear weapon  though there is no indication the missile can successfully deliver a nuclear payload.

North Korea seems to be continuously advancing the missile technology based on the first test launch result, said Kim Dong-yub, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told CNN on Wednesday.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held an emergency National Security Council meeting in Lithuania on Wednesday morning in response to the missile launch, Yoons press office said in a statement. Yoon is in Vilnius to attend the NATO summit.

The South Korean leader said that he would call for strong international solidarity at the NATO summit in response to North Koreas launch, according to his office.

The Hwasong-18, a type of solid-fuel weapon that is harder to detect and intercept than the North's other liquid-fuel ICBMs, was first test launched in April. - KCNA/Reuters

US condemns brazen test

Washington condemned North Koreas missile test, with US National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge calling it a brazen violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions and needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region.

Hodge called on all countries to condemn the violation and call on North Korea to come to the table for serious negotiations.

The door has not closed on diplomacy, but Pyongyang must immediately cease its destabilizing actions and instead choose diplomatic engagement. The United States will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland and Republic of Korea and Japanese allies.

A communique from the NATO meeting on Tuesday urged North Korea to abandoned its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.

We call on (North Korea) to accept the repeated offers of dialogue put forward by all parties concerned, including Japan, the United States, and the Republic of Korea, the communique said.

But North Korea has shown no signs that it is willing to engage in negotiations with Washington or Seoul.

Wednesdays ICBM test follows threats from Kim Yo Jong, a senior North Korean official and sister of Kim Jong Un, who accused a US spy plane of entering the Norths exclusive economic zone at least eight times on Monday.

In case of repeated illegal intrusion, the US forces will experience a very critical flight, Kim Yo Jong warned in a statement Tuesday from North Koreas state news agency.

The US and South Korea dismissed the accusations and urged North Korea to stop creating tension with false claims.

Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said that Kims accusations are part of a North Korean pattern of inflating external threats to rally domestic support and justify weapons tests.

Pyongyang also times its shows of force to disrupt what it perceives as diplomatic coordination against it, in this case, South Korea and Japans leaders meeting during the NATO summit, said Easley.

North Korea holds an rally denouncing the US in photo from state media dated June 26, 2023. - Rodong Sinmun

Last month, tens of thousands of North Koreans marched in anti-US rallies in Pyongyang, marking the 73rd anniversary of the start of the Korean War. The participants denounced the US as Destroyer of peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and warned of nuclear war, according to state nedia.

Meanwhile, South Korea, the US and Japan have been holding joint and trilateral military exercises aimed at deterring any North Korean military threat.

Wednesdays launch comes two weeks before North Korea is due to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement, that brought about a cessation of hostilities of the Korean War, and weeks after its failed launch of the first spy satellite in May.

CNNs Junko Ogura, Emiko Jozuka and Allie Malloy contributed to this report.

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North Korea launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in months on Wednesday, just days after it accused the United States of violating its airspace.

The missile was fired about 10 a.m. local time and flew 620 miles and a maximum altitude of 3,730 miles before it landed in water between Japan and the Korean peninsula, officials from South Korea and Japan said. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the missile flew for 74 minutes, which is the longest time recorded by any weapon launched by North Korea.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida were attending the NATO summit as North Korea launched its missile, and Yoon called for an emergency meeting over the launch Wednesday morning.

The U.S. condemned North Korea for the launch, saying it was in violation of numerous United Nations resolutions. National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said in a statement the U.S. will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland and Republic of Korea and Japanese allies.

This launch is a brazen violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions and needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region, Hodge said. This action demonstrates that the DPRK continues to prioritize its unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs over the well-being of its people.

The door has not closed on diplomacy, but Pyongyang must immediately cease its destabilizing actions and instead choose diplomatic engagement, Hodge added.

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said Monday that Pyongyangs warplanes forced a U.S. spy plane to retreat over its waters.

She said that while North Korea will not take a direct counteraction against the U.S. forces acts of espionage outside the economic water zone of the DPRK side, there would be clear and resolute actions if the U.S. sent another plane.

North Korea has ramped up its warnings against the U.S. and South Korea about joint military drills conducted by them that recently restarted.

This launch comes after North Korea tested another ICBM in April, one that was harder to detect than other previous missiles. The Associated Press reported the latest launch was likely another test of the Hwasong-18 ICBM Pyongyang tested in April.

The Associated Press contributed.

Updated at 9:12 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BEIRUT, July 12 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli drone on Wednesday attacked Hezbollah members as they were setting up a watch tower on the outskirts of Lebanon's southern border town of Yarine, injuring three of them, Elnashra news website reported.

Hezbollah shot down the Israeli drone as the Lebanese army and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon mobilized at the borders to control the situation.

The Lebanese-Israeli border witnessed increasing tensions recently over two Hezbollah-erected tents that Israel claimed were built on its territory.

Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon, fought a month-long war in 2006 that ended in a UN-sponsored cease-fire. 
SEOUL, South Korea  North Korea launched a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile Wednesday, its neighbors said, two days after it threatened the U.S. over what it said were spy plane incursions into its airspace.

The South Korean military confirmed that North Korea had launched a suspected long-range ballistic missile toward the east from the outskirts of Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, around 10 a.m. Wednesday (9 p.m. Tuesday ET). It said that surveillance had been strengthened and that it was maintaining military preparedness in close cooperation with the U.S.

Japanese government spokesperson Hirokazu Matsuno said that while details were still being analyzed, the missile was estimated to have flown for 74 minutes before it fell into the Sea of Japan about 155 miles west of Okushiri Island in Hokkaido around 11:13 a.m.

A news broadcast at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday shows file footage of a North Korean missile test. (Ahn Young-joon / AP)

The missile, which was launched at a lofted trajectory, was estimated to have traveled 620 miles and reached a maximum altitude of about 3,725 miles. Matsuno said that it landed outside Japans exclusive economic zone and that there were no reports of damage in the area.

Nuclear-armed North Korea launched its first ICBMs in 2017 as part of its effort to develop long-range weapons able to reach the continental U.S. It then observed a self-imposed moratorium on such launches until last year, when it resumed testing ICBMs amid stalled talks on denuclearization. North Korea is also thought to be preparing for its seventh nuclear test, which would be its first since 2017.

The launch Wednesday was North Koreas first missile test since June 15 and the first time it has launched an ICBM since April. Both South Korea and Japan condemned it as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions, which bar North Korea from using ballistic missile technology.

These acts by North Korea threaten the peace and security not only of our country but also the region, as well as the international community, and it is absolutely unacceptable, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in Lithuania, where he is attending a summit of NATO, the U.S.-led military alliance.

Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is also at the summit, are expected to meet Wednesday as part of efforts to improve relations between their countries, both U.S. allies with close ties to NATO but not formal membership.

Yoon convened an emergency meeting of his National Security Council from Lithuania in response to the launch, his office said.

The launch also came as Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the United States top general, was in Hawaii for a rare trilateral meeting with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts.

Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said this week that a U.S. military spy plane illegally entered North Koreas eastern exclusive economic zone eight times Monday and was chased away by North Korean warplanes. Countries have the right to control marine resources within their exclusive economic zones, which extend 200 nautical miles from their territory, but they do not have sovereignty over the surface of the water or the airspace above it.

Kim warned that a shocking incident could occur if the U.S. intrusions continued. The North Korean Defense Ministry also said such flights could be shot down.

The South Korean military said the flight activity by the U.S.-South Korea alliance was normal and rejected North Koreas claims as utterly ridiculous.

The U.S. government also dismissed Kims accusations, with State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller urging North Korea to refrain from escalatory actions and engage in serious and sustained diplomacy.

Defense Department spokesperson Sabrina Singh said the U.S. military always operated responsibly, safely and in accordance with international law.

Those accusations are just accusations, she told reporters Monday.

Despite international sanctions, North Korea has continued to develop its nuclear weapons and missile programs. In April, it tested its first solid-fuel ICBM, which experts say is harder to detect and counter than missiles that use liquid fuel. It is not clear how close the North is to having functioning nuclear-armed ICBMs able to strike the U.S. mainland.

In May, North Korea also tried and failed to launch what it said was a military spy satellite. The South Korean military, which retrieved wreckage of the crashed satellite, said last week that it appeared to have no military use.

North Korea and South Korea have remained frozen in conflict since the Korean War, which ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty 70 years ago this month.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
North Korea Koreas Tensions (KCNA via KNS)

North Korea has launched a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) off its east coast, Japanese officials said.

The missile was launched at 9.59am local time from the capital Pyongyang and fell into the Sea of Japan at 11.15am local time after almost an hour-long flight, Japans Coast Guard said citing the defence ministry.

That would make it the longest-ever flight of a North Korean ballistic missile test, at 74 minutes, TV Asahi said citing a Japanese defence ministry official.

The launch took place as US top military general Mark Milley was holding a rare trilateral meeting with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts in Hawaii.

Colonel Dave Butler, a spokesman for Mr Milley, said the launch occurred at a time they were concluding the Hawaii meeting.

North Korea test-fired a missile after Pyongyang threatened to shoot down US military reconnaissance planes and warned of shocking consequences if they continued to fly near its territory.

Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and herself a senior North Korean official, accused the US spy planes of violating its air space at least eight times on Monday, according to a statement on Tuesday from state news agency KCNA.

In case of repeated illegal intrusion, the US forces will experience a very critical flight, Ms Kim warned in the statement.

The launch prompted the South Korean and Japanese militaries to maintain readiness and bolstered surveillance posture.

Japans chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said that the missile flew at an altitude of 6,000kms and landed about 250kms west off Okushiri Island in the north of Japan.

He condemned the launch as absolutely unacceptable and called out North Korea for destabilising the peace and security of the region.

The latest launch also comes as world leaders are meeting for major diplomatic and security gatherings this week, including the ongoing North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) summit in Lithuania and the ASEAN Regional Forum in Indonesia.

Japnese prime minister Funio Kishida who is in Lithuania for the Nato summit ordered the military to gather information and stay alert for preparation of any untoward events, according to the prime ministers office.

South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol who is also in Baltic region country of Europe for the summit is expected to discuss North Koreas growing military threats with the leaders to seek security cooperation.

Mr Kishida and Mr Yeol are also expected to meet on the sidelines of the Nato gathering while a summit was also planned with South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

North Koreas long-range ballistic missile programmes target the mainland US as the missiles are capable of travelling with a range greater than 5,500 and delivering nuclear warheads. Since 2017, the country has conducted a slew of ICBM tests as part of its efforts to flex its military muscles with weapons capable of striking major US.

The 12th missile test this year came after Pyongyangs last long-range missile test on 13 April, when it fired the most advance Hwasong-18 solid-fuel ICBM. The missile launch briefly prompted Japan to issue evacuation in Hokkaido.

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said the timing of test by the North Korean leadership could be an attempt to disrupt coordination against it in high-level meetings.

Kim Yo-jongs bellicose statement against US surveillance aircraft is part of a North Korean pattern of inflating external threats to rally domestic support and justify weapons tests, Mr Easley said.

Pyongyang also times its shows of force to disrupt what it perceives as diplomatic coordination against it, in this case, South Korea and Japans leaders meeting during the Nato summit.
White House officials condemned North Korea for launching an intercontinental ballistic missile on Wednesday, saying it needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilizing the region.

Pyongyang test-fired its first ICBM in three months days after it threatened shocking consequences because of Washingtons military presence along the peninsula. The missile flew about 620 miles before landing in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, South Korean and Japanese officials said.

The United States strongly condemns the DPRK for its test of a long-range ballistic missile, National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said in a statement, using an abbreviated name for North Korea. This action demonstrates that the DPRK continues to prioritize its unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs over the well-being of its people.

North Korea has long lambasted the U.S. for its military ties with South Korea, deploying dozens of rockets over the past year in a show of protest.

The latest launch is a brazen violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions, Hodge added. Despite the rising tensions, he said, Washington remains open to diplomacy with North Korean officials.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Norway to provide 1,000 more Black Hornet microdrones to Ukraine, more NASAMS air defenses

Black Hornet

Norway will provide Ukraine with another 1,000 Black Hornet reconnaissance drones, as well astwo NASAMS air defense systems and spare parts, Norwegian Defense Minister Bjrn Arild Gram announced on July 12.

"Norway is handing Ukraine a package to support NASAMS, containing two additional fire control centers, two launchers and spare parts," the Norwegian Ministry of Defense said on Twitter, quoting Gram.

Read also: Norway and Denmark will donate 9,000 additional artillery rounds to Ukraine

Ukraine is very satisfied with the work of the Black Hornet drone, which Oslo has already provided before, and asked for new ones, Gram also noted.

The Black Hornet is used for reconnaissance and target identification. It is suitable for urban combat, easy to operate and difficult to detect.

Read also: Norway ratifies aid for Ukraine worth $8 billion

It weighs a mere 18 grams and can operate for 25 minutes without recharging. The Black Hornet can reach speeds of over 20 km/h and has a range of about 2 kilometers.

On July 11, Norway announced that it is quadrupling its military aid to Ukraine to 10 billion Norwegian kroner (over $964 million).

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
Clarence ThomasOLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images

Several lawyers who have handled cases before the Supreme Court, including one who successfully argued for the elimination of race-based affirmative action at colleges, sent money to a top aide of Justice Clarence Thomas, according to the aide's now-private Venmo transaction history.

The lawyers sent what appeared to be payments for Thomas' 2019 Christmas party to Rajan Vasisht, an aide in Thomas' chamber from July 2019 to July 2021. The transactions "seem to underscore the close ties between Thomas, who is embroiled in ethics scandals following a series of revelations about his relationship with a wealthy billionaire donor, and certain senior Washington lawyers who argue cases and have other business in front of the justice," according to The Guardian,

Vasisht's Venmo account shows that he received seven payments from November to December 2019 from lawyers who had previously served as Thomas' legal clerks: Patrick Strawbridge, a partner at Consovoy McCarthy who recently argued that race-conscious university admissions violated the Constitution; Kate Todd, who served as Donald Trump's White House deputy counsel at the time of the transaction; Elbert Lin, the former West Virginia solicitor general who participated in a Supreme Court case that curbed the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to regulate greenhouse gas; and Brian Schmalzbach, a McGuire Woods partner who has argued cases before the court multiple times.

Related

Two anti-equality decisions show billionaires' return on Supreme Court investment

Manuel Valle, a University of Chicago law school graduate who clerked for Thomas last year and is currently working as a managing associate for Sidley; Liam Hardy, an appeals court judge for the armed forces who was working at the Justice Department's office of legal counsel at the time of payment; and the late Will Consovoy, who clerked for Thomas during the 2008-09 term and was considered a rising star of conservative legal circles, also made payments.

Though the value of the payments was not visible, the purpose of each transaction was listed as either "Christmas party," "Thomas Christmas Party, "CT Christmas Party" or "CT Xmas party," apparently referencing Thomas' initials. It remains unclear, however, exactly what the funds were for.

None of the lawyers who made transactions responded to the Guardian's emailed questions. Vasisht did not respond to an emailed list of questions from the outlet either. When reached via WhatsApp and asked if he would make a statement, Vasisht responded, "No thank you, I do not want to be contacted."

According to his resume, Vasisht's duties while working for Thomas included assisting the justice with the administrative work of his chambers such as personal correspondence and his personal and office schedule.

Legal experts told the Guardian that the transactions raised ethical concerns. Richard Painter, who served as George W. Bush's chief White House ethics lawyer, said it was "not appropriate" for Thomas' former clerks who were now established private lawyers to effectively send money to the Supreme Court.

"There is no excuse for it. Thomas could invite them to his Christmas party and he could attend Christmas parties, as long as they are not discussing any cases. His Christmas party should not be paid for by lawyers," said Painter, who has also been a longtime critic of dark money in politics. "A federal government employee collecting money from lawyers for any reason  I don't see how that works."

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Painter added that he may make an exception for a recent law clerk who was paying their own way for a party, but a majority of the lawyers who sent the money are senior litigators at big firms.

Kendric Payne, the general counsel and senior director of ethics at the Campaign Legal Center, told the outlet that, based on the information available, it was possible the former clerks were paying their own expenses, which he believed was different from them paying admission to an event to potentially influence the justice.

"But the point remains that the public is owed an explanation so they don't have to speculate," he added.

Thomas has been at the center of several Supreme Court ethics controversies this year following shocking exposes from ProPublica, which revealed that the conservative billionaire and megadonor Harlan Crow funded extravagant vacations for Thomas, purchased Thomas' mother's home, footed the bill for the Thomas' grand-nephew's tuition in the 2000s. In response, Democrats have since called for the passage and imposition of new ethics rules on the justices.

The conservative justice has also built a reputation around having close relationships with his former clerks. A 2019 article in The Atlantic noted the justice has a "vast network" of mentees and former aides who now serve as federal judges and or assumed senior roles in the Trump administration. His clerks' widespread presence, the Atlantic added, meant the "notoriously silent justice may end up with an outsize voice in the legal system for years to come."

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You do not respect our Black lives: New Rochelle residents enraged over police shooting of Jarrell Garris

Residents gave emotional and, at times, tense comments at New Rochelle City Councils meeting Tuesday following the death of a 37-year-old New Rochelle native, who was shot by police on July 3.

Jarrell Garris died Monday after being in the hospital for a week following a police encounter in which he was accused of stealing fruit at New Rochelle Farms on Lincoln Avenue. His family said the shooting stemmed from him eating grapes and a banana in the grocery store.

At Tuesdays meeting in City Hall, members of Garris family stood in the front row, just below steps where all six council members and city staff sat. The family wore black shirts with a picture of Garris on the front. On the back, the shirts read Justice for Jarrel #wemustcee2it, a reference to Garris nickname, CeeTwo. Dozens of friends and community members sat behind them.

The family of Jarrell Garris console each other as they listen to New Rochelle residents speak out against the police shooting of Garris during a New Rochelle City Council meeting July 11, 2023. Garris died one week after being shot by police who tried to arrest him after he was accused of stealing food from a local market.

Weve gotten what appears to be a veneer of transparency, William O. Wagstaff III, the Garris family attorney, said outside City Hall after the meeting. What true transparency means is releasing all video, all information, and they havent done it.

New York Attorney General Letitia James office announced it was launching an investigation into the shooting, as mandated by state law whenever a police or peace officer may have cause a person's death. Through Wagstaff, Garris family confirmed his death. Wagstaff said theyve been in touch with James office.

Garris family demands full bodycam video New Rochelle police shot man over fruit, family alleges. They want full video, witnesses

Family, supporters keep pushing for release of full video

The New Rochelle Police Department has released some bodycam footage of the events leading to police Det. Steven Conn shooting Garris, though the video cuts short before the shooting happens. A police spokesperson said the video omits the moment of the shooting out of respect for the family.

In the video, Conn says Garris has a gun during the scuffle, but its unclear what Garris was reaching for as he appears to topple over.

In addition to his family, civil rights organizations have called for the full release of the video.

New Rochelle resident Lord Markim speaks during a New Rochelle City Council meeting July 11, 2023. City residents spoke out at the meeting against the police shooting of Jarrell Garris on July 3rd. Garris died one week after being shot by police as they tried to arrest him after he was accused of stealing food from a local market.

(The police) are not the judge and jury and executioner," Aisha Cook, the acting president of the NAACP New Rochelle Branch, said in the Citizens to be Heard portion  or public comment segment  of the City Council's meeting. Jarrell deserved to have his rights upheld.

Charlene Nixon said she was driving on Lincoln Avenue on the afternoon of July 3 when police shot Garris in front of her car. Her own son has experienced mental health issues, too, she recalled. Garris' family said he had struggled with mental health issues, including schizophrenia.

I had to figure out how to get away, Nixon told the council. I did not know what was going to happen, and if it was going to happen to me.

'Just another example of systemic racism'

The incident began on July 3 at New Rochelle Farms, where police responded to reports of someone stealing food. The shooting occurred around 4:30 p.m., just down the street, outside of St. Catherine A.M.E. Zion Church, in a historically Black neighborhood known as the Lincoln Avenue corridor.

At Tuesday's meeting, Black residents complained of treatment at the grocery store, as well as high food prices there. They complained of displacement in New Rochelle, a city that appears to have new skyscrapers being built throughout downtown, often in historically Black neighborhoods upended by decades of urban renewal projects.

This is just another example of systemic racism thats not only in New Rochelle, not only in New York City  but its throughout this country, said the Rev. James E. Booker Jr., the pastor of Mount Carmel A.M.E. Church in New Rochelle. Let us not forget our history.

New Rochelle resident Sharon Footes speaks during a New Rochelle City Council meeting July 11, 2023. City residents spoke out at the meeting against the police shooting of Jarrell Garris on July 3rd. Garris died one week after being shot by police as they tried to arrest him after he was accused of stealing food from a local market.

You do not respect our Black lives, Sharon Footes, 44, who lives near where the shooting happened, told the City Council.

Im telling you organize, she later said to attendees. Do not continue to be in this reactionary space of yelling and screaming. Shut it down. New Rochelle is and always will be for us. And if you do not want to share the space, the space that all of you continue to live in will be (expletive) uncomfortable.

Citizens to be Heard, where residents aired their grievances, is city council's segment where officials sit and only listen to residents. It occurs after the council's regular meeting earlier in the day.

New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson and City Council member Yadira Ramos Herbert listen to New Rochelle residents speak out against the police shooting of Garris during a New Rochelle City Council meeting July 11, 2023. Garris died one week after being shot by police who tried to arrest him after he was accused of stealing food from a local market.

Just before the meeting adjourned after about two hours, Mayor Noam Bramson gave a brief address. Later, a city spokesperson said officials welcomed the attorney generals oversight.

I think it is important for me to acknowledge the pain that is in this room, Bramson said, through boos and jeers, to acknowledge that this has been a trauma for our entire community. And especially to acknowledge that the greatest trauma, the most personal trauma, that the heaviest burden is borne by the family of Jarrell Garris.

New Rochelle residents listen as fellow residents speak during a New Rochelle City Council meeting July 11, 2023. City residents spoke out at the meeting against the police shooting of Jarrell Garris on July 3rd. Garris died one week after being shot by police as they tried to arrest him after he was accused of stealing food from a local market.

In the meantime, the Rev. Jamel Hollis planned to continue sitting on his chair with an ice cooler outside of the New Rochelle Farms. He has frequently posted his videos on Facebook Live, in the summer heat and rainfall.

The grocery store has been shuttered since Friday, when Garris family held a press conference and residents demonstrated in the intersection outside of the storefront.

It is obvious that that day he was having an episode, Hollis said of Garris. I think its important to know that when you own a store in a community, and you have the community patronize your business, there should be some know-how and empathy in how you treat everybody in the community.

This article originally appeared on New York State Team: New Rochelle residents enraged over Jarrell Garris killing by police
'We will not waver': Biden draws parallel between USSR, war on Ukraine in Vilnius

VILNIUS, Lithuania  President Joe Biden said the people of Ukraine remain unbroken a year and a half after Russia's invasion, proclaiming that the defense of freedom is "the calling of our lifetime" in a sweeping speech to close out a NATO summit that exposed tensions about Ukraine's hopes to join the alliance.

Tapping into his surroundings, Biden drew a parallel between Ukraine's battle against Russia and eastern European nations' fight more than three decades ago to break free from the Soviet Union's Communist hold.

Biden's evening speech at Vilnius University, located in the city's Old Town, concluded two days of talks with U.S. allies about Russia's war of aggression and the future of the military alliance. Just prior to the remarks, Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for more than an hour at the site of the NATO summit.

We will not waver, Biden told a cheering audience. I mean that. Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.

About 10,000 people attended Biden's speech, according to the White House, citing an estimate from the Vilnius mayor's office.

The U.S. president began his remarks by recognizing Lithuanias struggle for independence in the face of Soviet control before the end of the Cold War, saying it is a region that knows better than anyone the transformational power of freedom.

You showed the world that the strength of people united cannot be denied, Biden said to a packed courtyard. And together with your brothers and sisters in Estonia and Latvia, you helped end the era of division through the power of connection.

The battle largely took place in Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania and the location of this year's NATO Summit.

Lithuania was the first country to declare its independence from the federation in 1990. But it took a violent multi-day battle the following year, in 1991, for the eastern European nation to officially break free of Soviet rule.

Fourteen heroes tragically lost their lives. Hundreds were wounded, Biden said of the unarmed defenders of Lithuanias freedom who were killed by Soviet troops in the skirmish that would become known as Bloody Sunday. "But the whole world saw decades of oppression had done nothing to dim the flame of liberty in this country, he added.

US President Joe Biden reacts during his speech on NATO and people cheer with flags in the background at the Vilnius University in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12, 2023, after the end of the NATO Summit.

The light of Lithuania. You kept it strong. You kept it bright. And you kept the light shining," Biden said.

Ukraine's secession from the USSR in December of 1991 brought about the communist country's downfall. By the end of the year, the Soviet Union had dissolved.

Biden said that Baltic nations' entry into NATO a little more than a decade later strengthened the alliance, which now has 31 nations. And in the face of Russian aggression, he said, it is "stronger, more energized and yes, more united than ever in its history" and continues to grow.

"The defense of freedom is not the work of a day or a year. It's the calling of our lifetime of all time. We are steeled for the struggle ahead,' Biden said. "Our unity will not falter. I promise you.

Historical parallels

President George W. Bush made a historic visit to Lithuania in 2002, arriving the day after NATO extended an invitation to the Baltic nation and six other countries to join the alliance. Addressing a crowd of thousands on Vilnius Old Town Square, Bush proclaimed that the countrys long night of fear, uncertainty and loneliness is over.

You're joining the strong and growing family of NATO, he said.

VILNIUS, LITHUANIA - JULY 12: U.S. President Joe Biden waves to the crowd after he spoke at Vilnius University on July 12, 2023 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Biden, who was in Vilnius to participate in the 2023 NATO Summit, lauded Lithuania and the Baltic countries for attaining freedom following the collapse of the Soviet empire.

As vice president, Biden traveled to Lithuania in 2014, just one week ahead of the countrys 10th anniversary as a member of NATO. In remarks at the presidential palace, he denounced Russian aggression against Crimea and its armed attacks against Ukrainian military personnel.

In an eerie preview of a message he would deliver again as president nearly a decade later, he warned: We stand resolutely with our Baltic allies in support of the Ukrainian people and against Russian aggression. As long as Russia continues on this dark path, they will face increasing political and economic isolation.  There are costs, and growing costs, that come with naked aggression.

In Lithuania on Wednesday, Biden sought to rally NATO allies to apply "same spirit of unity, common purpose and determination" they have brought to countering Russia to addressing other issues facing the alliance, including economic competition with China, climate change and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Biden will make a stop in Finland, the newest member of the NATO alliance, before he returns to the U.S.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden forcefully defends Ukraine in NATO speech after meeting Zelenskyy
Nurse was stunned after checking Powerball ticket. Then came race against the clock

An Iowa woman has big plans after winning millions in the Powerball, starting with supporting her sons at their county fair.

Thanks to the $2 million Powerball win, Megan Balmer has plans to erase her debt. She told Iowa Lottery officials she intends to pay off her mortgage, student loans and credit card debt  then look to the future.

Her initial reaction, Balmer told Iowa Lottery officials, was pure shock.

I had a ticket with multiple plays on it and I saw the numbers, and I double-checked on the website a couple times, she said. And then I checked on the app and didnt quite believe what I was seeing. Then we called my stepmom and we went and checked it at another Caseys gas station.

Getting back to the convenience store was the challenge. Caseys was about to close, so it was a race against the clock to verify the win, according to the Iowa Lottery.

When Balmer and her boyfriend, Mike Ellis, confirmed they won $2 million, they were overcome with emotion.

I was jumping up and down, teary-eyed, Ellis said. I was just super excited.

Balmer, of Garwin, matched the numbers 2-24-34-53-58 from the Monday, July 10, drawing. She did not match the Powerball No. 13, but because she added the Power Play option to her ticket, her prize multiplied to $2 million.

Now the 36-year-old nurse is eyeing what she may be able to do with the rest of her money after wiping out her debt.

Ill save some for retirement and my kids for their college, Balmer told lottery officials. Thats right around the corner, Ill blink and it will be there.

Balmer is also hoping for more wins  her sons entries at the Tama County Fair. Her sons are showing a heifer and a chicken at the fair, and her stepmom was helping them prepare for the fair as she claimed her prize July 11.

Garwin is about 70 miles northeast of Des Moines.

Man proposes to girlfriend  then good news continues with lottery ticket the next day

Woman who lost home in tornado wins millions in Iowa lottery. I fell into my chair

She thought she won $50 lottery prize in Missouri  then the zeroes just kept coming
OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush planned to use his Titan submersible to cash in on deep-sea mining  the 'biggest gold rush in history' that could cause environmental destruction

OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

Stockton Rush said in a 2017 interview that his Titan submersible could be used in deep-sea mining.

But Marine scientists say deep-sea mining could negatively affect marine life on the ocean floor.

United Nations regulators are in talks to develop rules for mining the deep sea.

Stockton Rush, the OceanGate CEO who died in his Titan submersible last month, planned to use the vessel for deep-sea mining  a practice that has come under increased scrutiny as companies can now apply to harvest resources from the bottom of the ocean.

In a 2017 interview with Fast Company, Rush said his early customers would pay extra to be among the first paying tourists to visit the ocean's depths. This would mean the amount he could charge for a seat on the experimental sub  $250,000 for the Titan's last voyage  would decrease as he took more people on dives to the Titanic.

But the Titanic tourism dives weren't the only use Rush envisioned for the submersible.

"The biggest resource is oil and gas," Rush told Fast Company, adding that energy companies "spend about $16 billion a year on robots to service oil and gas platforms." Rush said he thought the success of OceanGate's tourism dives could prove to the companies that his submersible could be utilized in deep-sea-mining operations.

What is deep-sea mining?

Deep-sea mining involves extracting resources from the seabed, including mineral deposits and metals such as nickel, copper, and lithium. Proponents of deep-sea mining say it can help address the demand for materials needed for electric vehicles, the clean-energy transition, and everyday items such as smartphones and laptops.

But critics worry deep-sea mining could have devastating effects on the oceans and marine life, including ecosystems about which much is still unknown. Marine scientists say not enough research has been conducted in the deep sea to fully assess the potential implications of mining operations.

According to a study published in May, scientists discovered more than 5,000 previously unknown species in an area of the deep ocean that has been identified as a target for deep-sea mining.

Now some scientists are warning the "biggest gold rush in history"  as the British economist Guy Standings recently put it  could soon play out as companies vie for the chance to mine the seabed.

The sea floor of international waters is governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas, which was signed in 1982 and lays out a legal framework for managing the Earth's oceans and marine resources. The treaty said that the seabed was the "common heritage of mankind" and that it should be managed in a way that protects it and benefits humanity.

In June 2021, the Pacific Island nation of Nauru submitted an application to the UN's International Seabed Authority to start commercial deep-sea mining. This triggered a clause in the treaty that gave the UN two years to review and establish rules for mining operations.

As that deadline came and went, countries are still in talks, with delegates of the International Seabed Authority meeting in Jamaica for two weeks of talks, the BBC reported. The outlet said countries might have the chance to vote on a deep-sea-mining ban later this month.

In the meantime, companies can apply for provisional licenses to start mining the deep sea.

More countries have come out against initiating deep-sea mining. Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, and Spain are among the nations calling for a moratorium or a pause on deep-sea mining because of environmental concerns.

Rush told Fast Company that he saw the potential for his subs to be used in operations to harvest oil and gas, diamonds, and rare earth minerals.

A report released in March by Fauna & Flora, an international conservation charity, said deep-sea mining for rare metals would cause "extensive and irreversible" damage and a loss in biodiversity that would be " impossible to restore."

Read the original article on Insider
OceanGate CEO Used Legal Threats to Silence His Critics Before Dying in Sub

SLAPP House

It's been two weeks since OceanGate's Titan submersible catastrophically imploded on the way to visit the wreck of the Titanic, killing all five passengers on board.

Since then, new details surrounding CEO Stockton Rush, who was on board during the tragedy, and his controversial disregard for safety have continued to emerge.

And as it turns out, Rush took extreme measures to silence his many critics, resorting to strategic and mostly meritless lawsuits to threaten them with expensive and burdensome litigation, a practice that is often referred to as Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), as First Amendment and defamation lawyer Ari Cohn explained in a new piece for The Daily Beast.

In other words, Rush used a common tactic for influential individuals looking to stifle free expression  a strain of overconfidence and hubris that eventually may have even played a significant role in his death.

Moment of Silence

Rush's tendency to undermine the importance of safety is well-documented.

"We have heard the baseless cries of 'you are going to kill someone' way too often," Rush wrote in a poorly-aged email to Rob McCallum, expedition leader and former adviser to OceanGate, as quoted by Insider. "I take this as a serious personal insult."

According to Cohn, Rush threatened McCallum with litigation, but "to his great credit" McCallum refused to back down.

Rush also had a lawyer threaten David Lochridge, former OceanGate director of marine operations and chief submersible pilot, after he filed concerns with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The company eventually sued him, tried to destroy his reputation, and even accused him of immigration fraud, as the New Yorker reported earlier this month.

All told, Rush's formerly brash litigious nature is a shining example of how wealthy individuals use the law to systematically silence their critics. And despite every Congress since 2009 proposing anti-SLAPP laws, per Cohn, there are still no federal laws forbidding the practice.

"SLAPPs have terrible  but not usually deadly  consequences," Cohn wrote in his piece. "This tragedy should serve as a wakeup call to state legislatures and Congress alike that they must do more, and soon, to prevent powerful interests from silencing speech they find inconvenient, uncomfortable, or embarrassing through abuse of the legal system."

More on OceanGate: OceanGate Ceases Ocean Exploration Following Submersible Disaster
COLOMBO, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe strongly condemned the burning of the Muslim holy book Quran in Sweden, urging Western nations to uphold the value system of the Global South and refrain from inciting unrest in the guise of freedom of expression, said the President's Media Division (PMD) on Wednesday.

The burning of the Quran triggered significant uproar in the area, impacting Sweden as well as numerous other nations, and the act was universally condemned, said Wickremesinghe in a statement released by the PMD.

Freedom of religion cannot be stripped away by cloaking it under the guise of freedom of expression through alternative interpretations, said the president.

"Should this be deemed a matter of expression under external pressure, it will create a distinct division between the powers of the Global South and the Western nations," said Wickremesinghe. 
Two more officers of an Eastern Kentucky prison have pleaded guilty in connection with an assault on an inmate.

Randall T. Dennis, who worked at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex in West Liberty, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge that he violated an inmates rights by assaulting him and by failing to stop other officers from hitting and kicking him.

That deprived the inmate of the right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment under the U.S. Constitution, according to the charge against Dennis.

Nathan M. Cantrell, who also worked at the prison, pleaded guilty to charges that he filed a false report to cover up the assault on the inmate, and that he gave false information to prison authorities, Kentucky State Police and the FBI during the investigation of the assault.

The assault happened in July 2018 in a shower stall at the prison, according to court records.

The inmate was restrained in handcuffs and leg shackles, and lying face down on the floor, when several guards punched and kicked him in the face, head and body, according to guilty pleas in the case.

The inmate was not resisting the officers, but some prison employees who took part in or saw the attack lied to try to cover it up, according to court records.

For example, Cantrell wrote a report that made no mention of seeing other officers assault the inmate, according to the charges against him.

He also falsely told investigators that the inmate kicked at officers and that he didnt see the officers use excessive force, the charges said.

Four other employees of the prison pleaded guilty in connection with the incident. They are Derek Mays, Randy Nickell, James Benish and Jeffery Havens.

They have not been sentenced.

Another employee, Eric Nantell, was indicted last week in federal court on a charge that he failed to intervene when he saw other officers assaulting the inmate.
a man in a suit in front of a mural of astronauts and rockets

The U.S. state that has produced the fourth largest number of astronauts is set to honor four of its most accomplished space explorers with the addition of a new mural in its capitol.



The Ohio Statehouse in Columbus will soon permanently exhibit an oil painting honoring the achievements of Ohioans in space travel and exploration. The 9-foot-tall by 12-foot-wide (2.7-by-3.7-meter) mural is set to be installed inside the east stairway of the Rotunda next year.



"Ohioans in Space," created by Bill Hinch, depicts four of Ohio's 26 astronauts, as a well as a NASA flight director who also came from the state. Selected for their "achieving real firsts," the artwork pictures John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth; Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon; James "Jim" Lovell, the first astronaut to fly into space four times and first to fly to the moon twice; and Judith "Judy" Resnik, who was among the first woman to be selected by NASA to fly into space.

Related: The Apollo Program: How NASA sent astronauts to the moon

Bill Hinsch's rendering for his mural

Glenn was born in Cambridge, Ohio, and after becoming a Mercury astronaut, represented his home state as a U.S. Senator for 24 years. Armstrong was born in Wapakoneta and, after commanding the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission in 1969, became an engineering professor in Cincinnati.



Born in Cleveland, Lovell flew on Apollo 8, the first crewed mission to orbit the moon, and then survived the "successful failure" that was Apollo 13, after an explosion midway to the moon turned the mission from one of landing on the lunar surface to surviving the trip back to Earth. Resnik was born in Akron and became the first Jewish American to fly into space before being tragically lost aboard the ill-fated flight of space shuttle Challenger in 1986.



Hinch's preliminary rendering for the artwork also includes Toledo-born Eugene Kranz, who as a NASA flight director led Mission Control when Armstrong landed and Lovell "lost the moon."



The concept for the painting, which Hirsch unveiled at the statehouse in a smaller, 30-by-40-inch (76.2-by-01.6-centimeter) format on June 28, also includes renderings of the Atlas rocket and Friendship 7 capsule flown by Glenn; Saturn V and Apollo spacecraft that transported Armstrong and Lovell to the moon; and the space shuttle, which was Resnik's ride into Earth orbit.



"It's been an absolute honor doing this painting. Although the 'big one' hasn't yet commenced, I've already painted it night after night in my head to the point it should paint itself," said Hinsch. "I've attempted to capture the poetry of these great Ohio astronauts, their successes, their failures, their striving upward to the heavens."



When installed, "Ohioans in Space" will be displayed opposite "Wilbur and Orville Wright and Their Accomplishments," a mural of the same size by Dwight Mutchler that was unveiled in 1959 to pay tribute to the inventors of the first powered, controlled, heavier-than-air flying machine. Hinch's mural will now continue the Wrights' legacy to those Ohioans who reached beyond the sky.



"This painting will be a stellar addition to the public art at the Ohio Statehouse," said Laura Battocletti, executive director of Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB). "Bill Hinsch is showing the human faces of our space explorers. We are looking forward to installing the large version of this historic painting next year."

NASA

Hinsch was commissioned to create the mural by the CSRAB after being selected by an art committee aided by the Ohio Arts Council. The painting is being funded by private donations, overseen by the Capitol Square Foundation.



"Bill captured Ohio's profound history in space flight," said Charles Moses, chair of the Capitol Square Foundation, "The painting tells the story of Ohio's influence from the beginning of human space flight through the shuttle program, and looking on to Mars."

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Hinsch, who lives in Perrysburg, Ohio, has previously created artwork that hangs in the Pentagon and the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton. He was the staff artist at the Toledo Blade Newspaper and art director of Toledo Magazine.



Only New York, California and Texas has produced more astronauts than Ohio, though when broken out by city, Cleveland tops the countrywide list. Other astronauts from the "Birthplace of Aviation" include Apollo 7 pilot Donn Eisele (Columbus), record-setting space station commander Suni Williams (Euclid) and commercial astronaut Larry Connor (who was born in New York but was living in Dayton when he paid to fly to the International Space Station).

Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2023 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved.
Now it seems to me like I always knew Vika Amelina. This past week has been hellish  a mix of anticipation, knowing, and the impossibility of reconciling with this knowledge. How can I imagine life without her now? Where do I even begin?

We met in 2014 in New York at a poetry reading organized by the Shevchenko Scientific Society. It is notable that later Vika would organize a literary festival at the town with the same name, but located in Ukraine, in Donetsk Oblast, not on the shore of the Hudson River. Ukraine has its own New York, a town once founded by the Mennonite community, a town that was dear to Victorias heart.

At that time, we didn't have a chance to have a real conversation because the company was large and, despite the tragic historical circumstances and the outbreak of the war in eastern Ukraine, everyone in the group was happily noisy. Victoria gave me a signed copy of her novel "The Fall Syndrome."

By that time, I had already heard about her from colleagues and friends, especially from Marianna Kijanowska, who was the first to say that Amelina's prose was a unique phenomenon in our literature and that it was a must-read.

Vika always had a lot of questions, and they were about everything in the world: specific books, literature, the quality of what is written and unwritten, motivations for actions; about things small and big.

How a celebrated Ukrainian writer turned into a war crimes researcher Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine has galvanized Ukrainians into action, compelling them to figure out how they can contribute to their countrys victory. Oftentimes, it has called for a radical departure from the known comforts of their daily lives. Thats exactly what happened to Ukrainian The Kyiv IndependentKate Tsurkan

In 2016, when I arrived in Lviv, Vika was already a completely different person, no longer the delicate girl who cautiously, as though entering cold water, stepped into the still unfamiliar world of literary gatherings. By then, she was already finishing her second novel, "Doms Dream Kingdom."

Perhaps it was a bit of a sad year for her, because writing, no matter how much she loved the process (and the result), seemed not to have brought her what she hoped for. It didnt ease her pain for Ukraine, for the East, for the children in the East. Ultimately, she was always interested in something beyond literature.

In a photo that I, unfortunately, can no longer find, we are leaving the legendary cultural hub Dzyga in Lviv  the Polish novelist Zanna Sloniowska, the poet and publisher Marjana Savka, Victoria, and me  but Victorias face is sad. Its as if shes looking into space at something visible only to her.

By then, it was already a close friendship and, like all close friendships, unlike anything else but itself. Its impossible to describe or retell these things, all of those midnight conversations, musings, and funny nicknames we gave each other.

There were times when we laughed uncontrollably, and there were times when we cried  sometimes in person, and more often to each other through the phone. We wrote to each other, "Talk to me, I feel really bad," without shame or hiding the pain.

If you were to read this drawn-out, years-long correspondence, you might get the impression that we mostly talked about pain. But then, maybe a friend is the least reliable narrator in the world, to use literary terms. Vika, however, didn't speak in literary terms. She often poked fun at herself, reminding you that she didn't study literature at university.

Oksana Lutsyshyna and Victoria Amelina. (Courtesy of Oksana Lutsyshyna)

I told her every time that there's no point in imagining literature as some kind of examination session in an ivory tower or, if we go by Fowles, an ebony tower. On the contrary, it's much more interesting and valuable when people with different backgrounds, and not just "philological" ones, come to literature. After all, I am now writing a story of friendship, not of literature... I think Victoria would have liked it better.

In 2019-2020, Victoria's family  she, her son, and her husband  lived in Boston, in the Brookline area, relatively close to Harvard. I visited several times, once for the publication of my poetry collection in English translation by Boston-based publisher Arrowsmith Press, whose editor-in-chief is the writer Askold Melnyczuk.

It seemed like Victoria was even more excited about the publication than I was, dragging me out in the snowy Cambridge evening to someplace with oysters and wine, and insisting that I, who finds it difficult to be in the spotlight even with my own iPhone camera, take a photo with the book. "Come on, it's your book. It needs to be celebrated and documented for history. It's very important," she said.

During that time, Victoria was studying at Harvard for a while, taking creative writing courses. She wrote in English. Her fellow students, teachers, and new friends, like Askold, loved her. Everyone predicted a great literary future for her, even in this foreign  or rather almost her own (since Victoria had lived in Canada for some time with her father)  language.

But she didn't feel good in that big, cold city, the definitive cradle of poets, one of the main cities on the cultural map of the United States. She was always driven and tormented by something  she suffered without Ukraine, without the East. In fact, her attempts to write prose in English were about Ukraine, the East, and the war.

This Week in Ukraine Ep. 15  Why culture matters during war Episode #15 of our weekly video podcast This Week in Ukraine is dedicated to Ukrainian culture, the important role it plays in war, and why it has been a target of Russian dictators for decades. Host Anastasiia Lapatina is joined by the Kyiv Independents culture reporter Kate Tsurkan. Listen to The Kyiv IndependentAnastasiia Lapatina

When the pandemic started in 2020, our planned joint reading at the Shevchenko Scientific Society had to be canceled. We had been looking forward to spending time together, at least for a few days in New York (although not the one she loved so much).

After Feb. 24, 2022, the internal calendars of Ukrainians changed forever, and the pandemic simply disappeared, drowned like Atlantis in a sea of new pain. But back then, in the spring of that year, the pandemic was terrifying.

It seemed like we had all become characters in some fantasy, and an army of darkness was closing in on us. The news published daily numbers of how many people died and how many got sick in the States. Victoria would go for walks every evening along the Charles River and call me, and we would talk endlessly.

In the summer, I had to urgently find another place to live after going through a breakup, and I was surrounded by a desert in every sense: The pandemic had disrupted the delicate mechanisms of friendly relationships, Ukraine was far away, and I don't know what would have happened to me then if it weren't for Vika. When I went to look at apartments, she would also look at them with me through video chat, listen to my hesitations, and give advice.

And then she returned to Ukraine. We continued to talk, though less frequently. She had the New York Festival in Donetsk Oblast to attend to, and she immediately invited me (virtually, as I couldn't travel), there were articles and essays, and she threw herself into work; she was in her element.

As our fellow poet Julia Musakovska once pointed out, Vika herself was an elemental force. She always wanted her friends to be as fully involved in her life as possible and, I confess, due to my own work, I couldn't keep up with her, lagging behind, not finishing reading something, or not recording a video she asked for. And she would apologize for overwhelming me and said only that she wanted me to be a part of her life, to know what she was currently living through.

Victoria Amelina, Ukrainian novelist, essayist, and human rights activist, speaking at a public discussion during the 29th Lviv Book Forum on October 9, 2022 in Lviv, Ukraine. (Photo by Les Kasyanov/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Since February 2022, she did everything she could for her country: she hosted refugees, wrote, made calls, promoted important information, and gathered evidence of war crimes.

She searched for the buried diary of the tortured Volodymyr Vakulenko, the poet and childrens writer. She told me about the families she had taken in from the occupied territories, writing about them as though they were her own kin: "They are now my family, and they live with me."

We finally reunited in December 2022, in Krakow, where Vika had come to see her son. I was heading to Ukraine  just for a week and a half, to see my loved ones.

We met in the old city center and embraced as Krakow shone with Christmas lights. I was struck by how much Vika had changed: her hugs, always gentle, had become stronger, and her own strength radiated around her like an ocean around an island.

We spent several hours together, talking: She told me about the human rights organization Truth Hounds with which she was now involved, and I shared my dreams with her, where I found myself in an occupied city, with fires burning, and at the last moment, I was saved by some unknown train. I walked with it, not knowing whose it was, ours or theirs. I heard the Ukrainian language, exhaled, and woke up.

"Oh, poor you," Vika said. "That's quite a secondary trauma you have there." And she asked, "May I hug you? I ask everyone now since I started working with people who have experienced violence."

Writer Victoria Amelina dies following Kramatorsk strike The writers association PEN Ukraine said in a statement that Ukrainian writer and war crimes researcher Victoria Amelina died on July 1 after she was critically injured in a Russian missile strike on Kramatorsk. The Kyiv IndependentOlena Goncharova

... What did she write about? I read many of her texts, both published and unpublished, and they were so different. She started writing poems and was shy about them, occasionally sending me one or two with an ironic comment as if it were a moment of indulgence in writing.

As for her prose, I once said that it was a prose of nuance  not just details that, contrary to popular belief, could still be invented, but actual nuances, emotional, historical, and those pertaining to the plot.

"Doms Dream Kingdom," in particular, captivated me with the discovery of the storytelling dog. Without this, the story would have been tragic, but thanks to this endearing narrator, it became balanced. It was a story that made room for love, not just sorrow. For me, this setting of the novel, this special tone, placed it not only in the context of Ukrainian but also in world literature.

It was a narrative that was not confined to suffering without an exit. Vika wrote not only about how people suffered but also about how they loved (not unlike Imre Kertesz, who once said that in his writings he meant to show love in Auschwitz, not just the horror). And furthermore, she loved all her characters equally, making it impossible to guess whom she felt closer to or with whom she associated herself. She maintained balance even in this aspect, her love encompassing everyone, even in these realms.

The coffin of Victoria Amelina, a renowned Ukrainian writer, draped in the Ukrainian flag, at her funeral ceremony in Lviv, Ukraine, on July 5, 2023. She died on July 1, 2023, after she was critically injured in a Russian missile strike on Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast. (Photo by Olena Znak/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

I am finishing this text, this pain for Vika, while outside my window, fireworks are bursting like the cannonade of a new day: Tomorrow is a holiday in the United States, Independence Day. It feels like the sound of war, like the worst of all triggers, the most painful of all reminders.

I pull up my old notes, and social media posts, searching for something, something that I may have forgotten that needs to be said about Vika. I come across some photos that we sent to each other, and I see her gentle face, her beloved black dresses of which she had a whole collection, and I almost scream from the pain.

Loss is when youre afraid to wake up in the morning, to fall out of the safety of a dream.

In the fall, Vika was supposed to go to Paris on a prestigious scholarship from Columbia University, where she was selected out of thousands of candidates to write a non-fiction book about the war, in particular, about women who write about war.

A person of her caliber often doubts themselves and, more than once, Vika wrote to me in a difficult moment, saying that nothing was working out for her in her writing, that everything was somehow not right... But she never doubted this book of hers.

...And in May, a dear person took me, perpetually overwhelmed, to the sea, to a beautiful corner of the world, to an island with cozy coves. The waves were crashing in the bay, and I couldn't resist recording a short video for Vika. She always loved one of my poems, which I call the poem about cats, although there's actually only one line about cats. Its a poem about how all the good forces in the world are on your side.

do you hear  the sea roars?

it says to you: I

am on your side

on your side

(Translated by Olena Jennings)

I spoke these words while recording the waves for Vika, the waves that are for her, forever for her, in this world, and in all possible worlds.

Ukrainian soldiers hold a portrait of the Victoria Amelina in her honor during her funeral service on July 5, 2023, in Lviv, Ukraine. (Photo by Les Kasyanov/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Editors Note: This article was published by Suspilne Culture on July 4, 2023, and has been translated and republished by the Kyiv Independent with permission. The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.
Old stories cast new light on S.C. Civil Rights story. Traveling exhibit coming to St. Helena

In many ways, it all started here.

A prominent traveling exhibition that tells the story of South Carolinas essential role in the American Civil Rights Movement is coming to St. Helena Islands Penn Center. The exhibit, says Dr. Bobby Donaldson, professor of history and executive director of the universitys Center for Civil Rights History and Research, highlights overlooked chapters in the history of the movement.

South Carolinas Lowcountry region played a critical role in the nations civil rights movement, Donaldson said in a news release.

Martin Luther King Jr. visited St. Helena Island five times between 1964-67, using Penn Center  which began in 1862 as a school for freed slaves  as a retreat and place to plan.

The new exhibit tells the story of the states fundamental role in the national Civil Rights Movement using oral history recordings, news film footage, photographs, postcards, newspapers and letters. Those items are among hundreds archived in special collections at the University of South Carolina.

Its called Justice for All: South Carolina and the American Civil Rights Movement. It was organized by the University of South Carolinas Center for Civil Rights History and Research.

The center is working with Reconstruction Era National Historical Park and Penn Center to shed light on the individuals, organizations and key events that shaped one of the most transformative movements in our nations history, Donaldson said.

The exhibit opens with guided tours from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Darrah Hall of the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, within the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District, 24 Penn Center Circle West.

The exhibition will be on display from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, through September.

Visitors will see interpretive panels that tell the story of the Civil Rights Movement, beginning in Reconstruction following the Civil War and continuing through the 1960s.

Students and visitors will learn about activists and institutions who demanded racial justice in South Carolina and across the country, Donaldson said.

Justice for All has already visited Columbia, Sumter, Orangeburg, Hartsville and Spartanburg. After Beaufort, the traveling exhibition will visit Georgetown through December 2023.

The traveling exhibition was designed with groups and students in mind. Traveling trunks with materials and lesson plans for students are available by request. For information about traveling trunks or our other initiatives such as oral history interviews, please email the Center at sccivilrights@sc.edu.
One dead, one in custody after early morning Northeast Side shooting

Columbus police use yellow tape to cordon off a crime scene.

A 32-year-old man was killed after an early Wednesday-morning shooting on the city's Northeast Side.

Columbus police got a call about a shooting around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 5700 block of Beechcroft Road. Officers found the victim, Madan Thapa, with a gunshot wound.

Thapa was rushed to OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital but died at 2:58 a.m. from his injuries.

Detectives determined that a 25-year-old man, Lok Acharya, was the person who fired the shot and arrested him. Acharya is charged with reckless homicide, police said.

According to Franklin County Municipal Court records, detectives allege Acharya learned from a friend about a handgun that was inside the Beechcroft Newstand, 1935 E. Dublin Granville Road. They allege Acharya went into the business, took the handgun without telling the employees and had it with him in a truck that Thapa drove.

While Thapa was driving, authorities allege Acharya began handling the firearm. The firearm discharged, hitting Thapa in the torso while he was driving, which led to the truck crashing at Beechcroft Road and Forest Village Lane.

Acharya is being held in the Franklin County jail and will have his first court appearance Thursday morning.

Authorities ask anyone with more information to call detectives at 614-645-4730.

bbruner@dispatch.com

@bethany_bruner

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: One dead, one in custody after early morning Northeast Side shooting
Editors Note: Nia-Malika Henderson is a senior political analyst for CNN. The views expressed here are her own. View more opinion on CNN.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, an Alabama Republican, is not someone known for being well-versed in history or facts.

In an interview with the Alabama Daily News shortly after winning his Senate seat, he said that the US House of Representatives and the US Senate represented two distinct branches of government. (Both are part of the legislative branch).

Nia-Malika Henderson - CNN

He misidentified the reason for World War II, stating his father fought to liberate Europe from socialism. (It was fascism  not socialism  that drove the US to intervene).

And he thought that former Vice President Al Gore served as president-elect for 30 days during the Florida recount. (This never happened).

But maybe his most troubling, ahistorical musing is on White nationalists. He has suggested that they may be misunderstood White people, wrongly disparaged by Democrats who want to enrage Americans and engage in identity politics.

To Tuberville, born and raised in the South at the height of some of the most notorious and deadly acts by White nationalists, they may or may not always be racists.

They probably have a few different beliefs, he said to CNNs Kaitlan Collins on Monday night, as he argued about whether they should in fact be allowed to serve in the military.

My opinion of a White nationalist, if someone wants to call them a White nationalist, to me is an American, he said. If that White nationalist is a racist, Im totally against anything that they want to do because I am 110% against racism.

Confused? Well, that might be the point.

First, to clarify. White nationalists are indeed racists. They believe that White people are superior, intellectually and culturally, to every other race of people. They also pose the greatest domestic terrorism threat, according to law enforcement officials. Those are the facts.

Instead, Tuberville seemed to have a very specific goal  mainstreaming the term White nationalism by erasing the actual meaning and replacing it with something much more benign.

Its just a name that has been given, he said. White nationalists may simply be White Americans who love their nation, but who Democrats see as an opportunity to score political points against, Tuberville suggested.

On Tuesday, following condemnation from members on Congress on both sides of the aisle, Tuberville finally conceded that White nationalists were racists. He noted, though, that he didnt reverse course because of GOP leadership pressure  and that he was tired of so many people looking at conservatives, Republicans and Trump supporters as racist.

His waffling on the issue is a kind of feigned ignorance that amounts to whitewashing. And weve seen this before. In many ways, Tuberville has learned from the best.

As he was running for president in 2016, Donald Trump pulled a similar move in pretending not to know who David Duke was. After the former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard endorsed his candidacy, Trump told CNNs Jake Tapper, I dont know anything about David Duke, okay? I dont know anything about what youre even talking about with White supremacy or White supremacists.

When Tapper pressed Trump to condemn Duke and fellow White supremacists, he, like Tuberville, talked in circles, saying he would have to do research on those groups before passing judgment, but added he would definitely disavow [them] if I thought there was something wrong.

As president in 2017, Trump said there were good people on both sides of a violent conflict between White supremacists and people protesting White supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, the scene of a horrific rally that left one innocent woman protesting bigotry dead.

When asked in a 2020 presidential debate to tell the Proud Boys, a right-wing extremist group, to stand down, Trump instead told the Proud Boys to stand back and stand by. He later denied knowing the group at all.

But on January 6, 2021, they, as well as other extremist groups, heeded his call  as did current and former members of the US military. Some 10% of those charged in the attack on the US Capitol had ties to the military.

The specter of American citizens trained by the military storming the Capitol led Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to mandate anti-extremism training in the ranks. Tuberville, in an op-ed with Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, denounced the move as yet another example of President Joe Bidens woke social agenda.

Its no surprise then that Tuberville is currently single-handedly blocking hundreds of promotions over the military policy of allowing service members to have time off and receive travel reimbursements for out-of-state abortions.

But the reality is the military does have a problem with extremism and has for decades. In her book, Bring the War Home, historian Kathleen Belew outlines how disgruntled Vietnam veterans helped militarize White power groups in the 1970s. And a new documentary by Charlie Sadoff, Against All Enemies, makes a similar point, relying on footage from January 6 to tell the story of military radicalization.

Tubervilles attempt to downplay and erase the racism of actual racists echoes attempts to downplay the violence of the largely White mob on January 6. More broadly, its part of the attempt to erase and downplay the role of race, racism and racists in American history and culture.

In this version of events  not explicitly espoused by Tuberville  the Civil War was just a failure to compromise.

The 1921 Tulsa massacre was an attempt by White Oklahomans to protect their city.

And the January 6 insurrectionists  Proud Boys among them  were just unruly tourists.

Its how Nick Fuentes, a White nationalist and Holocaust denier, ends up as a featured speaker at a national convention of college Republicans, months after dining with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. (Post-dinner, Trump denied knowing who Fuentes was.)

While Tuberville might not be a student of history, he certainly has learned well the lesson of rewriting history, downplaying racism and absolving White nationalists.

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Oppenheimer may be Nolans masterpiece: Rapturous first reviews land following Paris premiere

The Oppenheimer cast walked the red carpet on Tuesday (11 July) for the films world premiere in Paris, France.

A select number of journalists attended the screening and the first reactions have been effusive in their praise.

Irish actor Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders), 47, stars as the father of the atomic bomb, Robert J Oppenheimer, in Christopher Nolans highly anticipated biopic.

The all-star cast comprises Emily Blunt, 40, who plays Oppenheimers wife, biologist Kitty Oppenheimer; Matt Damon, 52, portrays Manhattan Project director Lt Leslie Groves Jr, Florence Pugh, 27, plays Oppenheimers ex-fiancee, psychiatrist and physician Jean Tatlock, and Robert Downey Jr, 58, stars as Lewis Strauss, the former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.

The performances from these actors... I think youre going to be as impressed with them as I have been, Nolan told attendees at the premiere.

Its an intense experience. Its a very serious subject. But its something weve poured our hearts and souls into, he added.

The first viewers were indeed impressed with the film.

#OPPENHEIMER may be Nolan's masterpiece. A chilling, galvanizing spectacle anchored by astounding performances. Cillian Murphy transforms into the destroyer of worlds while Matt Damon's Dick Shitless brings charming levity. This is a *movie* movie and a definite Oscar contender, writer and producer Ben Mekler tweeted.

#OPPENHEIMER may be Nolan's masterpiece. A chilling, galvanizing spectacle anchored by astounding performances. Cillian Murphy transforms into the destroyer of worlds while Matt Damon's Dick Shitless brings charming levity. This is a *movie* movie and a definite Oscar contender  Ben Mekler (@benmekler) July 11, 2023

The Associated Press Lindsey Bahr called the movie a spectacular achievement in its truthful, concise adaptation, inventive storytelling and nuanced performances from Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon and the many, many others involved.

Christopher Nolans #Oppenheimer is truly a spectacular achievement, in its truthful, concise adaptation, inventive storytelling and nuanced performances from Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon and the many, many others involved - some just for a scene.  Lindsey Bahr (@ldbahr) July 11, 2023

#Oppenheimer left me stunned: a character study on the grandest scale, with a sublime central performance by Cillian Murphy, Matt Maytum, deputy editor of Total Film wrote. An epic historical drama but with a distinctly Nolan sensibility: the tension, structure, sense of scale, startling sound design, remarkable visuals. Wow, he added.

#Oppenheimer left me stunned: a character study on the grandest scale, with a sublime central performance by Cillian Murphy. An epic historical drama but with a distinctly Nolan sensibility: the tension, structure, sense of scale, startling sound design, remarkable visuals. Wow  Matt Maytum (@mattmaytum) July 11, 2023

Totally absorbed in Oppenheimer, a dense, talkie, tense film partly about the bomb, mostly about how doomed we are, Jonathan Dean of The Sunday Times tweeted. Happy summer! Murphy is good, but the support essential: Damon, Downey Jr & Ehrenreich even bring gags. An audacious, inventive, complex film to rattle its audience.

Totally absorbed in OPPENHEIMER, a dense, talkie, tense film partly about the bomb, mostly about how doomed we are. Happy summer! Murphy is good, but the support essential: Damon, Downey Jr & Ehrenreich even bring gags. An audacious, inventive, complex film to rattle its audience  Jonathan Dean (@JonathanDean_) July 11, 2023

Oppenheimer is inspired by the 2005 biography American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer, written by Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin.

Speaking at an academic discussion last month, Bird said: I am, at the moment, stunned and emotionally recovering from having seen [Oppenheimer].

Nolan previously teased that the film had left early viewers devastated.

They cant speak. I mean, theres an element of fear thats there in the history and there in the underpinnings, the director said.

As well as Murphy, Pugh, Blunt, Damon and Downey Jr, Oppenheimer also stars Rami Malek, Gary Oldman, Dane DeHaan, Josh Hartnett, Kenneth Branagh, Matthew Modine, Casey Affleck, Alden Ehrenreich and Jason Clarke.

Find more reactions below:

Christopher Nolans #Oppenheimer is fantastic - big & bold w/ electrifying performances & an incredibly visceral pacing to it. Its both quietly intimate & also a ferocious moviegoing experience at the same time. See it in IMAX 70mm & itll be among your favorite watches of 2023 pic.twitter.com/GAZWiPEgFW  Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) July 11, 2023

#ChristopherNolan's #Oppenheimer is incredible. Every aspect of the film is worth talking about from the brilliant performances, to #HoytevanHoytema's amazing work behind the camera, to the way Nolan tells the story. The 3 hour run time flies by. See it in @IMAX 70mm if you can. pic.twitter.com/8mPVJGALKu  Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) July 11, 2023

I think #Oppenheimer is Nolans JFK. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE JFK. Cillian Murphy mesmerizes in a star-studded moral quandary about Scientific Theory becoming deadly fact. The entire cast is outstanding, and while the history is DENSE, its Nolans most streamlined and accessible. pic.twitter.com/S8B2wAgzEb  Sean O'Connell (@Sean_OConnell) July 11, 2023

#Oppenheimer is powerful stuff. Cillian Murphys flawless awards worthy performance is next level. Every player in this rich ensemble cast is at the top of their game. Christopher Nolans haunting opus is remarkable and Hoyte van Hoytemas execution of his vision is breathtaking. pic.twitter.com/oRFAVM64Kg  Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) July 11, 2023

Oppenheimer debuts in cinemas on 21 July, the same day as Greta Gerwigs Barbie. Eager fans are already planning on buying tickets to see both films back-to-back. The viral trend, dubbed Barbenheimer, has become so popular that even Murphy, Margot Robbie and Tom Cruise have publicly supported it.
Osceola County chicken restaurant offering a plate on the house to celebrate National Cowboy Day

Grab your cowboy hat and rustle up a pair of cowboy boots and you will be eligible for a free chicken meal on July 22nd in Kissimmee.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

In honor of the annual National Day of the Cowboy, the restaurant Kissimmee Chicken Cowboy is offering all guests that wear their cowboy gear a complimentary plate of a quarter white or dark chicken with one side.

Read: Bodycam videos show police fatally shoot man in downtown Orlando

Back in 2005, the organization National Day of the Cowboy (NDOC) sponsored a bill in the Wyoming House and Senate to preserve and celebrate cowboy culture and history in that state.

The bill passed.

Read: Florida leaders respond to insurance providers decision to drop tens of thousands of policies.

Since then, 15 other states had passed a similar bill.

For more information click here:

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.
Getty Images (Credit: lappes)

As everyone focuses on the cluster munitions headed to Ukraine, another controversial but effective weapon quietly arrived. The U.K. has sent and the U.S. has approved depleted uranium, or DU, rounds for main battle tanks. These highly dense munitions improve the effectiveness of the main battle tanks Ukraine received.

Depleted uranium rounds

Depleted uranium rounds garnered some attention in March and June that later fell off. The material comes from nuclear enrichment programs. Technicians enriching uranium take as much U-235 as they can out of a batch. But U-235 only makes up less than 1% of natural uranium. Uranium typically starts with 99.27% U-238, and U-238 would be waste after enrichment.

But instead of trashing it, weapon makers realized the material makes a great armor or armor-piercing material. In both armor-piercing rounds and armor, density increases effectiveness. And U-238 wins at density, boasting 1.7 times the density of lead. When it pierces enemy armor, the depleted uranium often ignites, flash-frying crew and electronics inside the target. And depleted uranium tank rounds can pierce most Russian armored vehicles from any angle.

As America developed the Abrams tank, it used depleted uranium in the armor. Then, it developed an aluminum sabot round with a depleted uranium penetrator for the Abrams that demolishes enemy tanks. Depleted uranium is also the secret to the Bradley's Bushmaster and A-10's GAU-8 Avenger cannons punching through enemy tanks.

All three platforms use depleted uranium rounds for their armor-piercing weapons. And now, Ukrainian tanks donated by the U.S. and U.K. for fighting Russians will have it, as well.

Soldier in Izyum, Ukraine. (Photo by Scott Peterson/Getty Images)

The controversy

The problem for the international community is that depleted uranium rounds, like cluster munitions, can leave lingering dangers for the civilian population.

U-238 is a toxic metal. Humans aren't in danger unless the are hit by depleted uranium shards, breathe it in, or ingest it. But plants can be affected faster and there is worry that humans who drink water or eat food tainted by DU will become sick. Researchers continue to watch civilian and military populations from Desert Storm and later conflicts for signs that depleted uranium is causing health issues.

So far, most populations show little effects or radiation levels above the background level.

So why did cluster munitions get so much news coverage? And uranium got so much less? Well, while people are nervous about nuclear materials, depleted uranium is not very radioactive. And cluster munitions have a much worse history of causing harm than DU's mostly theoretical risk.

But for Ukraine, the controversy is essentially beside the point. Russia and the war is poisoning their land as fuels, shards of metal, and other dangerous debris from war piles up. And Russia uses cluster munitions against Ukraine as it also fires drones and missiles at cities.

So for Ukraine, any dangers from ammo and any international controversy has to be balanced against the daily ravages of Russia and the war. It appears that Ukraine decided that a little uranium and a lot of dud cluster bombs are worth it if they shorten the war.

If Ukraine is holding heavy combat brigades back to exploit a breakthrough, as is suspected, having main battle tanks firing depleted uranium would definitely help it push west and end the war early. So don't expect them to give up the tactical advantage of either weapon.
US-NEWS-CHICAGO-MENTALHEALTH-TEAMS-2-TB

Mental health clinician Jennifer Garross, left, checks radios while Gabrielle Mitchell, also a mental health clinician, and community paramedic Tiana Hampton, talk on July 14, 2022, while the Chicago Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) team starts the workday. Credit - Brian CassellaChicago Tribune/Tribune News Service/ Getty Image

The Department of Justices findings from its investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), released June 16, 2023, just over three years after the murder of George Floyd, were a stunning indictment of the longstanding culture and practices of the department. DOJs investigation found that MPD routinely uses excessive force, discriminates against Black and Indigenous people, violates the First Amendment rights of protesters and the press, and provides an unlawful response to people with behavioral health disabilities. The report is also a stark reminder of the general failure of policymakers to respond to the summer of 2020s widespread protests calling for the end of persistent cycles of police harassment and violence, especially against Black people.

A closer look at the post-2020 reform landscape, however, reveals that the calls for change after the murder of George Floyd helped accelerate the emergence of alternative first response: a field of practice with the potential to profoundly shift the scope of policing nationwide.

Alternative first response programs send non-law enforcement personnel to respond to and deescalate a wide variety of calls for help: mental health crises, welfare checks, noise complaints, traffic accidents, and other low-level disputes that can take up over half of a police officers job. Since 2020, a growing number of cities across the country have begun to pilot these programs. Though these pilots can trace their roots back to longstanding isolated programs like Eugene, Oregons CAHOOTS, a mental health crisis intervention program that started in 1989, the demands for reform after the murder of George Floyd were the catalyst that sparked countless municipalities to invest in these alternative first response programs.

Many of these pilot programs have now grown into full-fledged operations. Albuquerques Community Safety department (ACS) takes nearly 3,000 calls for service a month, around half of which are diverted from the Albuquerque Police Department. ACS is a cabinet-level public safety department, now deeply embedded into Albuquerques first responder system alongside police, fire, and EMS. Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina has consistently praised ACS, welcoming the reduction in call volume. Hes not alone: Police leaders and rank-and-file officers across the nation are all in agreement that they respond to far too many types of calls. Rather than focus on law enforcement, ACS responders focus on connecting people to resources that can resolve their problems, like housing, mental health care, a ride across town, or just someone to talk to. ACSs monthly reports consistently include accounts of individuals connected to these resourcesoutcomes not likely with a police response.

Albuquerque is only one of dozens of programs that have taken root since 2020, the precise scope of which is different from city to city. Dayton, Ohios Mediation Response Unit is dispatched to resolve disputes between neighbors, family, or friends. Denvers STAR program is expanding to cover mental health calls 24/7. Despite programs responding to hundreds of thousands of calls nationwide, no alternative response program has yet reported the death of a responder on the job, and no responder has killed the person calling for help.

DOJs report should help further cement the trend. Its findings in Minneapolis mirror what communities across the country have been telling their policymakers all along: The decision to send law enforcement to many behavioral health-related calls for service is often harmful and ineffective, and thus is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. DOJ also pointed out that crisis intervention training of MPD officers wasnt sufficient to fix the problem.

Read More: What the Police Academy Gets Wrong About Training Future Officers

The shift towards non-police responses to mental health and other calls for service is a consequential one. One in five police killings involve a person in mental health crisis. But just as important, a system of alternative first response represents a framework in which cities begin to respond to people with the care they neednot just the gun, badge, and handcuffs we have available.

A 2020 study by the Vera Institute found that of the 240 million calls made to 911 each year, the majority do not require a response from police, fire, or EMS; the potential number of nationwide calls taken by alternative first response programs runs in the hundreds of millions, not the hundreds of thousands. But despite the incredible growth of alternative first response programs, they are still too small to make a serious dent in this number. City and county policymakers need to start thinking about and investing in alternative first response on a commensurate scale.

Congress may have been unable to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act or any other police reform measures in the aftermath of 2020s protests, but Congress plays a limited role in crafting public safety strategies. The most critical developments in policing were always likely to start in cities and counties, which is where policymakers decide how the bulk of public safety resources are allocated.

If the most enduring legacy of the George Floyd protests ends up being the development of an alternative first response system that fundamentally reshapes the way jurisdictions provide assistance to their residents, it will be a legacy to be proud of.
JAKARTA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia signed on Wednesday ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), making it the 51st country partner for the regional bloc.

The TAC was signed by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Post Ministerial Conference (AMM-PMC) in Jakarta.

Indonesia hosts the regional-level event as the ASEAN Chair this year.

"We welcome Saudi Arabia into the ASEAN Family. Together we must become a positive force for peace, stability and prosperity in the region," Marsudi said in her speech representing ASEAN.

Marsudi also praised Saudi Arabia's commitment to be willing to uphold the ASEAN principles mentioned in TAC, which include cooperation, collaboration, respect for international law, and contribution to peace and stability in the Southeast Asia region and beyond.

The TAC is a legally-binding non-aggression pact signed in 1976 among ASEAN members to establish a set of guidelines to govern inter-state relations in the region, promote perpetual peace, everlasting amity and cooperation based on mutual respect, non-interference principle and peaceful settlement of disputes.

China is the first major country to join the TAC treaty in 2003. This year marks the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the TAC.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. 
Prominent voices in the Florida Democratic Party issued a scathing rebuke of their Republican counterparts a day after Farmers Insurance announced it was pulling a third of its business out of Florida.

Leaders say the departure of the California-based insurance provider is evidence that the wide-ranging measures passed during two special sessions and the most recent regular session didnt do enough to address the states property insurance crisis.

They need to own this failure, said Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell of Tampa during a virtual press conference Wednesday morning. They have been in charge of the Florida House, the Florida Senate and the governors mansion all this time and they have kicked the can too far down the road.

More: Citizens wants its rates to go up by double digits. Will insurance regulators agree?

Democratic House Leader Fentrice Driskell

Joined by Orlando State Rep. Anna Eskamani, Dania Beach State Rep. Hillary Cassel and party chair Nikki Fried, Driskell reamed the opposing party for playing whack-a-mole with solutions to keep property insurers in the state, suggesting that their actions wont have an impact.

Trickle-down economics doesnt work, and neither does trickle-down property insurance relief, Driskell said.

Among the measures passed included eliminating one-way attorneys fees, preventing third parties such as contractors and roofers from being paid directly by the insurance company, limiting consumers' access to the courts and a $3 billion infusion for reinsurance relief that Driskell called a "bailout."

Democrats said they attempted to pass their own measures to address the crisis  such as requiring the insurance commissioner be elected rather than appointed and budget items to help fortify coastal communities  but none of them passed.

More: Florida lawmakers eye expanding property insurance reforms to all types of insurance

Cassell: Clearly, Republicans were wrong

Why are the reforms that have passed not enough for Farmers to be willing to stay? Cassel said. We have heard time and time and time again from the Republicans that these were the reforms that were necessary to bring back a vibrant, competitive insurance marketplace. But clearly, theyre wrong.

For months, industry experts have pointed to frivolous lawsuits as a leading cause of insurance companies leaving Florida or being declared insolvent. But, after taking Republicans word for each measure to solve issues in the market, Democrats arent so sure.

If lawsuits are the reason (for the crisis), why didnt Farmers cite that as one of the reasons for leaving this market? said Driskell, who voted for some of the property insurance measures along with other Democrat colleagues.

Farmers Insurance said Tuesday that it would discontinue Farmers-branded home, auto and umbrella policies, including new and existing business, saying the move was necessary to effectively manage risk exposure. The decision affects 30% of the business the company conducts in the state, or roughly 100,000 policies.

The measures that lawmakers passed would "take time to take effect," said State House Speaker Paul Renner of Palm Coast, who rejected the insinuation that Farmers' decision had anything to do with them.

"We understand the unfortunate decision to withdraw from the state was not based on the impacts of bipartisan reforms in recent years taken by the Legislature or the future of the state's insurance market, but the company's financials," Renner wrote in a tweet.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said in a statement issued late Tuesday that lawmakers actions since May 2022 had resulted in $600 million in savings to state-backed Citizens Insurance and that the type of litigation that raises rates is already down 43% since last year.

Ive always said that when big decisions are made on insurance the policyholder is rarely in the room; unfortunately @WeAreFarmers proved me right. Ive asked my team to put their heads together in holding Farmers Insurance accountable. I want additional scrutiny on this company. pic.twitter.com/fDgadXndfx  Jimmy Patronis (@JimmyPatronis) July 12, 2023

The Legislature did impactful work to help stabilize the market, and (Farmers Insurance's) actions are less a representation of the Florida market and more of bad leadership at the insurer, he wrote.

Wanting additional scrutiny on the company," Patronis told the Division of Consumer Services to look into complaints against the company that could lead to an investigation and fines, and predicted the company might be brought in front of lawmakers during the next session. But, he added, "there is still time for Farmers to change course."

Jimmy Patronis: Farmers 'on its way to becoming the Bud Light of insurance'

Patronis claimed the company was "bad at helping people" and "good at virtue signaling" because it had said it would consider environmental, social and governance in its business practices. ESG (environmental, social and governance)  which can include consideration of climate or social justice issues  has become such a political flashpoint that Gov. Ron DeSantis in May signed a bill that prevented state officials from investing money that promotes ESG goals.

Farmers Insurance is well on its way to becoming the Bud Light of insurance, Patronis said, referring to the conservative backlash the beer company received for a marketing campaign video that featured a transgender influencer.

Eskamani chided Patronis and her GOP colleagues for focusing on culture wars during the legislative session rather than issues she hears about from her constituents, namely property insurance, rising rents and the high cost of living. Some of her constituents have never filed a claim and always paid the property insurance premium on time, but are still being dropped by their providers, she said.

Threatening an insurance company is not a good way to attract more insurance companies to Florida, which is what we need right now, Eskamani said.

Hannah Morse covers consumer issues for The Palm Beach Post. Drop a line at hmorse@pbpost.com, call 561-820-4833 or follow her on Twitter @mannahhorse.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida Democrats blame GOP colleagues over Farmers Insurance departure
Owner of Chalfont Collision to pay over $420k in restitution for insurance fraud

Over eight years, the owner of a Chalfont auto body repair business filed nearly 300 false insurance claims and collected more than $400,000.

On Monday, it is was his turn to pay.

Bucks County Common Pleas Judge Charissa Liller sentenced John Reis, 56, of Newtown Township, to seven years of restrictive probation, and ordered he repay the five insurance companies he defrauded.

A Newtown Township garage owner has been sentenced to restrictive probation after pleading guilty to ripping off insurance companies for more than $400,000.

Garage owner accused of insurance fraud Chalfont Collision center owner faked car damage, accused of $400K insurance fraud, police say

Reis, the owner of the Chalfont Collision Center, entered an open guilty plea in March to felony charges of insurance fraud, deceptive business practices, forgery and theft by deception. An open plea means there was no negotiation for sentencing.

Bucks County Deputy District Attorney Marc Furber told the court that Reis actions were part of a crime spree that had the effect of increasing insurance premiums and costs across the board.

Insurance Fraud is not a victimless crime, Furber added. The defendants actions had a cost that greatly exceeded the high dollar figure with which he was charged. This cost trickled down to all consumers.

How did Chalfont Collision Center defraud insurers?

Chalfont Collision Center was a direct repair center for Erie Insurance and numerous other insurance companies.

The collision centers credentials meant they were verified by the insurance companies and were authorized to write estimates, complete the repairs, and submit the estimate/billing documents for payment, speeding up repair time for customers.

In 2018, Erie Insurance received an anonymous tip that Reis was seen numerous times wiping a compound mixture onto the body of vehicles and used a sledgehammer to create damages and inflate his estimates and bills, authorities said.

The insurance company contacted the Bucks County District Attorneys Office Insurance Fraud Unit which opened an investigation, which lasted four years. Reis was arrested and charged last year.

What the investigation found was Reis would wipe a compound mixture onto the body of several vehicles and sometimes strike them with a hammer, making it appear as if the vehicles were involved in an accident, so he could bill insurance companies for more money, according to court documents.

The Bucks County District Attorneys Office alleged that Reis collected $426,000 in fraudulent payouts between 2014 and last year.

More Bucks County crime news Central Bucks investigation found evidence that led to arrest of former math teacher

What is restrictive probation

It is a sentencing alternative for defendants convicted of certain non-violent offenses and focuses on protecting the community, promoting individual accountability and positive behavioral change. Defendants must apply and be approved to participate in the program. The term of the sentence may not exceed the maximum term for which the defendant could be confined.

The court may order the defendant to serve a portion of the sentence under institutional confinement for up to 90 days without parole, home confinement with electronic monitoring and/or inpatient treatment.

As part of her sentence, Liller ordered Reis to serve the first four months of restrictive probation on home confinement with electronic monitoring.

He must also repay $435,246.69 to Erie Insurance, Nationwide Insurance, CSAA Insurance Group and Liberty Mutual Insurance and NJM Insurance.

Does Chalfont Collision still handle direct repairs for insurance repair work?

No. As a result of this investigation, the business's credentials have been suspended, according to the district attorneys office.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Chalfont Collision Center owner to pay restitution for insurance fraud
The owner of one of AppHarvests farms wants to terminate the companys lease, new filing shows

The company which owns AppHarvests Berea farm told the Kentucky-based indoor vegetable grower that it planned to terminate AppHarvests lease on the property, a public filing Tuesday disclosed.

AppHarvest originally built the greenhouse, which grows salad greens, but sold the property to its distribution partner, Mastronardi Produce, in a cash-generating move back in December. Mastronardi leased the property back to AppHarvest.

Mastronardi helped to sell AppHarvests produce into grocery store chains.

Mastronardi, acting as landlord, told AppHarvest in a July 5 letter that the lease would be terminated and that AppHarvest should vacate the property, the filing said. A section of the lease related to minimum production volumes had been violated, Mastronardi alleged.

The mega greenhouse company denied violating the lease and plans to defend its position with counterclaims should any damages result from Mastronardis attempted termination of the lease, said Travis Parman, AppHarvests chief communications officer, in a statement.

AppHarvest believes it has met the terms of its lease agreement for the Berea farm and recognizes that such notices from creditors are not uncommon as a strategy for firms attempting to push their way to the front of the line in case of an actual default, Parman said.

Operations continue as usual and the lease dispute does not impact AppHarvests distribution agreement with Mastronardi, Parman said.

Back in April, AppHarvests Berea farm identified an outbreak of the disease-causing bacteria listeria, forcing the company to remove plants and disinfect the farm. The companys latest quarterly filing said the bacteria outbreak could affect the companys produce sales in the second quarter.

Tuesdays filing also provided a brief update on a lawsuit threatening the foreclosure of a different AppHarvest farm in nearby Richmond.

Last month, a company affiliated with Equilibrium Sustainable Foods demanded the immediate repayment of what remained of a $90 million loan to help AppHarvest build the 60-acre, tomato-growing facility in Richmond. Should AppHarvest not repay what remained on the loan  about $66.7 million  then the Richmond farm would be taken as collateral, the lawsuit argued.

At the end of June, AppHarvest decided to defer an interest payment of $455,720 on that loan, the public filing said and added that the non-payment could constitute an event of default on the loan agreement. AppHarvest is trying to work with Equilibrium to find a solution to the loan issue.

Based on ongoing dialogue with Equilibrium, the AppHarvest board has elected to defer an interest payment while seeking resolution to a lease issue, Parman said.

Aside from the facilities in Richmond and Berea, AppHarvest has farms in Morehead and Somerset.

The disputes over the farms in Madison County come less than a year after AppHarvest  which grows large quantities of fruits and vegetables in massive, climate-controlled greenhouses and employs hundreds of people  said in public filings that it was running low on cash and disclosed substantial doubt about its future.
Padma Lakshmi reacts to the announcement of the new 'Top Chef' host

Padma Lakshmi is celebrating her recently-announced replacement for host of Top Chef.

On July 11, Bravo announced that Kristen Kish would replace the longtime culinary competition show host, who announced her departure from the show after 17 years last month on June 2.

Lakshmi celebrated the news on Twitter with an enthusiastic post shared on Twitter.

Im so proud of you @KristenLKish and am over the moon that youll be taking over for me on @BravoTopChef!!! Ill be rooting for you and our whole crew next season. Congratulations!!!  pic.twitter.com/PgGMBzqeLi  Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) July 11, 2023

Im so proud of you @KristenLKish and am over the moon that youll be taking over for me on @BravoTopChef, she captioned the post. !!! Ill be rooting for you and our whole crew next season. Congratulations!!!

Kish  who prevailed as the culinary shows Season 10 winner and later returned as a guest judge responded to the post with gratitude for the former hosts guidance in previous years.

Thank you for your friendship and mentorship over the years, she replied to the tweet. Love you I hope to do you proud!

In its July 11 announcement, Bravo shared that Kish would join the ranks of judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons for Season 21. The upcoming season will be shot in Wisconsin.

Lakshmi became the second host of the show when she joined the competition series in 2006 and replaced host Katie Lee. She announced her difficult decision to leave the decision with a post on Instagram explaining her desire to focus more on her pursuits outside of the show.

After much soul searching, I have made the difficult decision to leave Top Chef, she wrote in part at the time. Having completed a glorious 20th season as host and executive producer, I am extremely proud to have been part of building such a successful show and of the impact it has had in the worlds of television and food.

While Lakshmi became the first woman of color to host the show, Kish became the shows first woman of color to win the series.

According to her biography on the Bravo website, Kish was born in South Korea and raised in Michigan by her adoptive parents. Her work as a chef has brought her to kitchens of high-profile restaurants like Michelin-star Chef Guy Martins Sensing and Barbara Lynchs Stir. She is the author of the 2017 book Kristen Kish Cooking: Recipes and Techniques: A Cookbook.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
IMF approves $3 billion bailout for cash-starved Pakistan FILE PHOTO: A trader shows U.S. dollar notes at a currency exchange booth in Karachi

By Asif Shahzad

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -The International Monetary Fund's board approved a $3 billion bailout programme for Pakistan which will immediately disburse about $1.2 billion to help stabilise the South Asian ailing economy, the lender said on Wednesday.

Pakistan and the Fund reached a staff level agreement last month, securing a short-term pact, which got more than expected funding for the country of 230 million, which faced an acute balance of payments crisis with only enough central bank reserves to cover barely a month of controlled imports.

The board's approval was mandatory before disbursing the first tranche, with the rest to arrive later in instalments.

The IMF executive board "approved a 9-month Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) for Pakistan for an amount of SDR2,250 million (about $3 billion, or 111 percent of quota) to support the authorities' economic stabilization program," the lender said in a statement.

It said Pakistan faced "a difficult external environment, devastating floods and policy missteps have led to large fiscal and external deficits, rising inflation and eroded reserve buffers in FY23."

The deal, a lifeline for Pakistan, which has been on the cusp of default, came after eight months of tough negotiations over fiscal discipline.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the bailout was a major step forward in the government's efforts to stabilise the economy and achieve macroeconomic stability. "It bolsters Pakistan's economic position to overcome immediate- to medium-term economic challenges, giving next government the fiscal space to chart the way forward," he said.

Terming it a milestone, Sharif said it was achieved against "the heaviest of odds & against seemingly impossible deadline."

Sharif's coalition government is due to face a national election this year and must undertake more painful fiscal discipline measures to satisfy the IMF. It included the central bank raising its policy interest rate to a record high of 22% while ordinary Pakistanis struggle with inflation running at about 29% and the government raising 385 billion rupee ($1.39 billion) in new taxes.

POLICY ANCHOR

The IMF said the fresh funding will provide a policy anchor for addressing domestic and external imbalances and a framework for financial support from multilateral and bilateral partners.

"The program will focus on implementation of the FY24 budget to facilitate Pakistan's needed fiscal adjustment and ensure debt sustainability, while protecting critical social spending; a return to a market-determined exchange rate and proper FX market functioning to absorb external shocks and eliminate FX shortages," it said.

The IMF said it wanted Islamabad to ensure a tight monetary policy aimed at disinflation and further progress on structural reforms, particularly in the energy sector, state-owned enterprises governance and climate resilience.

The deal, which has already brought some relief to investors in the country's stocks, exchange rate and bonds, will unlock more external financing.

Longtime allies Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates have deposited $3 billion in Pakistan's central bank in the last two days. Sharif said China had rolled over $5 billion in loans in the last three months to save his country from default.

Fitch credit rating agency on Monday upgraded Pakistan's sovereign rating to CCC from CCC-.

($1 = 277.0000 Pakistani rupees)

(Reporting by Asif Shahzad, additional reporting by Ariba Shahid and Gibran Peshimam; editing by Ed Osmond and David Gregorio)
Paraguay's president-elect vows to be 'on the side' of Taiwan

Santiago Pena (right) praised President Tsai Ing-wen (left) for 'knowing that principles and values are not negotiable' (Handout)

Paraguay's incoming president Santiago Pena said Wednesday the country would stand by Taiwan's side for the duration of his five-year term, reaffirming it as Taipei's lone diplomatic ally in South America.

Asuncion is one of the few remaining capitals in the wider Latin American region to still recognise Taiwan after Beijing, which claims the island as its territory, spent decades convincing Taipei's allies to switch sides.

Pena's trip to Taipei comes about five weeks before he will be inaugurated, and he said the timing was "not a coincidence".

"I come to... reaffirm my commitment, our commitment as Paraguayans to be on the side of the people of Taiwan for the next five years," he said in a speech at Taiwan's Presidential Office.

Pena also praised President Tsai Ing-wen for "knowing that principles and values are not negotiable" and said his administration would work with Taiwan on future investments to ensure "a mutual economic benefit for both nations".

The former finance minister had vowed on the campaign trail to continue recognising Taiwan.

His win in May soothed Taipei's fear that Paraguay would ditch ties with it in favour of Beijing, an increasingly common phenomenon as China raises the pressure on Taiwan.

Panama, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras have all switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in recent years.

Beijing does not permit its own diplomatic allies to also recognise Taipei, which only has formal alliances with 13 countries around the world.

Pena said he studied in Taiwan in 1999 and that he was bringing "the love and affection of all the Paraguayan people". He also extended an invitation to Tsai to visit Paraguay after she leaves office next year.

Tsai, having served two terms, is constitutionally barred from running for office again.

Vice President William Lai, who also met Pena on Wednesday, is the candidate for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party in January's election.

- Chinese air, naval exercises -

Tsai has been in office since 2016 and her two terms have been marked by a sharp deterioration in relations with an increasingly assertive China.

Beijing has refused to engage with her because she does not accept that the island is a part of China.

China has also ramped up its military presence around Taiwan, with its warplanes making near-daily incursions into Taipei's air defence zone and sending its vessels into waters around the island.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence announced Wednesday that the Chinese military had conducted "long-range joint air and naval exercises" around in waters to the southeast.

"This morning, July 12, from 7 am to noon (2300 GMT Tuesday to 0400 GMT), 30 military aircraft were detected, including fighter jets, bombers, early-warning aircraft, ship-based helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles," the ministry said.

It said 23 warplanes had crossed into Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ) and four Chinese navy vessels also conducted a "joint combat patrol".

Taiwan's armed forces are "closely monitoring the situation", the ministry said.

The ADIZ is not the same as Taiwan's territorial airspace and includes a far greater area that overlaps with part of China's own ADIZ and even some of the mainland itself.

China has staged massive wargames around the island in the past year, usually when Taiwanese officials were meeting with allies, particularly the United States.

In April, when Tsai was in California meeting US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, China launched three days of military exercises that included simulated targeted strikes and practising a blockade around the island.

sc-dhc/pbt
A Tennessee orthopedic surgeon was shot and killed in a clinic exam room by a patient in a targeted attack, police said.

Around 2:00 p.m. on July 11, a patient at the Campbell Clinic in Collierville went into an exam room with Benjamin Mauck, an elbow, hand and wrist surgeon, NBC reported.

Sometime later, the patient fatally shot Mauck, Police Chief Dale Lane said in a news conference recorded by WREG.

Lane said the patient had been inside the clinic for several hours prior to the shooting, and the shooting occurred during a one-on-one interaction.

The patient ran out of the clinic with a handgun in his possession but was quickly taken into custody by police, Lane said.

Police identified him as 29-year-old Larry Pickens, according to a July 12 news release. He was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault.

Investigators said they did not have any prior reports against Pickens, but they are reaching out to other agencies. His bond was set at $1.2 million, the release said.

An employee told WREG Pickens had been threatening someone at the clinic for at least a week leading up to the shooting, but when asked about the threats, Lane said the police department had not received any reports.

Mauck joined the clinic in August 2012, NBC reported, but he also served as the director of the Congenital Hand Deformities Clinic at Le Bonheur Childrens Hospital in Memphis.

Former and current patients and colleagues described Mauck as a gentle giant and called the shooting an unthinkable tragedy.

Less than a week ago, Mauck was honored as one of Memphis 2023 Top Doctors by Memphis Magazine.

I broke my fingertip in October and Dr. Benjamin Mauck performed my surgery on my hand. Ive been visiting him every six weeks, patient Pamela Griffin said on Facebook. He was a gentle giant with a very humble spirit.

Another patient said in the comments that Mauck had a happy smile and calming bedside manner that helped her through a surgery she was terrified of having.

He was the kindest, gentle soul to ever become a (doctor), another person commented on the post. He was the best in his field. I will sure miss him.

Trey Eubanks, surgeon-in-chief at Le Bonheur Childrens Hospital, told WREG Mauck was a beloved colleague and was dedicated to his patients.

His death is an unthinkable tragedy, and I am at a loss at what to say, Eubanks told the outlet. I am so sorry to those who loved and knew him, for those who worked alongside him every day.

All Campbell Clinic locations were closed on July 12, and the clinics director of marketing told NBC Mauck was a highly respected and beloved surgeon.

Collierville is about 30 miles southeast of Memphis.

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A patient at a suburban Memphis clinic shot and killed an orthopedic surgeon in an exam room Tuesday afternoon, police said.

Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane said the suspect was taken into custody within five minutes of the shooting at Campbell Clinic in Collierville, Tennessee, a town of just over 50,000 residents. The suspected shooter was identified by police as Larry Pickens, 29, of Memphis. Pickens has been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault, and bond was set at $1.2 million, police said.

The surgeon killed was Dr. Benjamin Mauck, the clinic said.

"It's horrific, it's terrible," Lane said at a news conference Tuesday. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family."

What happened at the clinic?

Officers responded to the scene just after 2 p.m. The suspect had spent several hours at the clinic that day as a patient before the shooting, which appeared to be targeted, according to Lane. He used a handgun, which he had in his possession when he was arrested.

"This appears to be a one-on-one interaction; it occurred in an exam room," Lane said.

After the shooting, the gunman ran out of the clinic and officers found him "very near to the entrance," he said.

"We're talking about a guy that ran from a shooting scene and he's in custody within five minutes, without additional loss of life," Lane said.

Who was Dr. Benjamin Mauck?

Dr. Benjamin Mauck

According to Mauck's bio on the Campbell Clinic website, he specialized in elbow, hand and wrist surgeries. He joined the staff in August 2012.

"We are shocked and heartbroken to confirm the incident resulted in the tragic loss of one of our highly respected and beloved physicians, Dr. Ben Mauck. We ask that you please lift his family in prayer," the clinic said in a statement.

He was a graduate of Lambuth University and the University of Tennessee-Memphis and did his residency at UT-Campbell Clinic, according to his bio.

A Collierville Police Department vehicle is parked in front of the Campbell Clinic after a healthcare worker was killed in the clinic in Collierville, Tenn., on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.

Was anyone else injured?

Collierville police said no one else was injured during the incident.

Lane said many patients and employees were in the clinic when the shooting happened. He praised Campbell Clinic workers for their efforts to protect others following the shooting. "They were practicing what they had been trained to do" in the case of an active shooter, he said.

Campbell Clinic said it would be closed Wednesday.

Violence against health workers persists across US

Violence against health care workers has been a concerning trend across the country in recent years. In 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that health care practitioners and health-related technical occupations made up about 23% of cases of intentional, nonfatal injuries by another person that required time away from work.

Research has shown shootings of health care workers are usually targeted, unlike other types of mass shootings. Last year, a gunman in Tulsa, Oklahoma, killed four people when police said he targeted an orthopedic surgeon who operated on his back, blaming the doctor for his pain.

'FRIGHTENING TREND': Deadly assaults on US medical workers on the rise

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Dr. Benjamin Mauck shooting: Surgeon killed by patient in Tennessee
Former Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday defended not conceding the 2020 election immediately when it became clear Joe Biden had won, pointing to the Trump campaign's lawsuits challenging the election results.

CNN host Kaitlan Collins asked Pence in an interview Tuesday why he did not publicly concede the election until after Congress certified the Electoral College results in January 2021. By that time, members of the Electoral College had already cast their votes, electing Biden as the 46th president of the United States in mid-December.

Pence said he wanted to be "respectful" of former President Trump's attempt to challenge the election results, observing there were "about 60 lawsuits" that were winding their way through court.

PENCE DEFENDS ACTIONS WHEN CONFRONTED BY TRUMP SUPPORTER OVER JAN. 5: WITH ALL DUE RESPECT

Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks with guests during a campaign stop he made with wife Karen July 6, 2023, in Holstein, Iowa.

"The reality is I wanted to respect the process. I wanted to make it clear that I was going to do my job, as the presiding officer, over the Congress, as my 47 predecessors had done, and as Vice President, serving as president of the Senate. I think we did our duty. By God's grace, we did our duty that day," he said.

NO HOLIDAY FOR DESANTIS, PENCE, SCOTT AND OTHER REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES THIS JULY 4TH

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Biden defeated Trump 306 to 232 in the Electoral College, flipping key battleground states for the Democrats in 2020, including Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Former President Donald Trump (left) and former Vice President Mike Pence.

The Trump campaign had filed lawsuits in these states and Nevada challenging the results as Trump repeatedly claimed the election was stolen. However, the lawsuits were dismissed, and subsequent election audits verified Biden's win in every state Trump contested.

PENCE CALLS ON BIDEN TO CEASE AND DESIST NUCLEAR NEGOTIATIONS WITH IRAN

Pence, now running for president, had remained loyal to his former boss until Trump began demanding that he overturn the election by rejecting certain state's electoral votes as he presided over Congress' certification of the results. Pence has said the Constitution does not empower the vice president to reject votes and return them to the states.

Trump supporters occupy the Capitol Jan. 6, 2021.

Congress ultimately certified the results in the early hours of Jan. 7, 2021, after supporters of the former president stormed the U.S. Capitol building, disrupted the proceedings and forced Pence to be evacuated. Some of the rioters said they wanted to "hang" Pence for his supposed betrayal of Trump.

Trump has since blamed Pence for handing the White House to Biden and even defended the threats against Pence's life, telling ABC News' Jonathan Karl in March 2021 people were "very angry" at Pence for passing a "fraudulent vote" to Congress.

Pence has said Trump's demands were "wrong" and that "history will hold" him "accountable."

According to a recent Fox News poll , Trump maintains a solid lead with 56%, well ahead of Pence's 4%.

Fox News' Brandon Gillespie contributed to this report.
Mike Pence, former US Vice President and presidential candidate for the Republican Party, has said that Ukraine will be able to become a NATO member only after the end of the war with the Russian Federation and victory in it.

Source: CNN citing Pences statement

Quote: "I honestly believe that it's important as the leader of the free world and the arsenal of democracy that America continue to provide the Ukrainians what they need to fight and win and repel that unprovoked Russian invasion.

But the question of NATO membership  and I spoke about this with President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy  I think should all wait on after the war is won."

Details: Pence also expressed his doubts that if Donald Trump is elected US President, he will be able to end the war within 24 hours.

"The only way you could end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours would be by giving Vladimir Putin what he wants. And that's the last thing the United States should ever call upon Ukraine to do," former US Vice President said.

Background:

The NATO Summit in Vilnius that kicked off on 11 July has adopted a package of decisions consisting of three elements concerning Ukraine, mainly its path to NATO membership.

NATO continues to adhere to the "Open Door" policy and Ukraine will be invited to NATO when all conditions are met, but this is impossible for now, as it would mean involving the US in the war with Russia.

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BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Wednesday said the so-called award on the South China Sea arbitration seriously violates international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and is illegal, null and void. China neither accepts nor recognizes it.

According to media reports, on July 12, Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo issued a statement on the seventh anniversary of the so-called award on the South China Sea arbitration, saying that the award is now part of international law, and the Philippines welcomes the growing number of partners that have expressed support for the award.

On the same day, the spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State said that the so-called award on the South China Sea arbitration rejected China's expansive South China Sea maritime claims. He added that this ruling is final and legally binding on the Philippines and China and asked China to halt illegal maritime activities.

"China's position on the so-called South China Sea arbitration and the award is consistent, clear and firm," spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a daily news briefing when answering relevant queries, adding that China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on this on July 12, 2016.

The Arbitral Tribunal violated the principle of state consent, exercised its jurisdiction ultra vires and rendered an award in disregard of the law. This is a grave violation of UNCLOS and general international law, Wang said.

"The award is illegal, null and void. China does not accept or recognize it, and will never accept any claim or action based on the award," said Wang.

He added that China's sovereignty and rights and interests in the South China Sea were established in the long course of history, and are solidly grounded in history and the law. This shall under no circumstances be affected by illegal awards.

"The illegal award of the so-called South China Sea arbitration has been questioned widely by the international community," Wang said, adding that many internationally authoritative law experts and scholars, including former president of the International Court of Justice and former judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, have written articles to point out the serious flaws in the award. Visionary people in the Philippines have publicly noted that the award is illegal and wrong.

China's position of not accepting or recognizing the award has won the support and understanding of more than 100 countries, Wang said.

Wang added that China and ASEAN countries are fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in an effective way, and actively advancing consultations on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).

All parties have agreed to handle the South China Sea issue by following the dual-track approach, namely, maritime disputes should be handled properly by countries directly concerned through dialogue and consultation and peace and stability in the South China Sea should be jointly safeguarded by China and ASEAN countries, he said.

"We urge relevant parties to continue working with China to properly handle and manage maritime differences through dialogue and consultation, and work with regional countries to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea," said Wang.

As for the United States, Wang said it is the mastermind behind the South China Sea arbitration and plays up the issue each year on the anniversary of the illegal award to exert pressure and force China into accepting the illegal award. China is firmly against this.

Wang said the U.S. side disregards the history and facts on the South China Sea issue, acts against the UN Charter, and misinterprets the international law of the sea, including UNCLOS. The United States has gone back on its public commitment of not taking a position on the sovereignty issues of the South China Sea.

"It has been stoking trouble and using the South China Sea issue to sow discord among regional countries. This is extremely irresponsible and ill-intentioned," he said.

"We urge the United States to respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, stop all words and actions that are not conducive to regional peace and stability, and refrain from being a troublemaker to peace and stability in the South China Sea," said Wang. 
Former Vice President Mike Pence (R) said Tuesday that consideration of Ukraine joining NATO should wait until after the countrys war with Russia is over.

Well, not during the war, Pence said in an interview on CNN with Kaitlan Collins, when asked if he thought Ukraine was ready to join the alliance.

I honestly believe that its important, as the leader of the free world and the arsenal of democracy, that America continue to provide the Ukrainian military what they need to fight and win and repel that unprovoked Russian invasion, Pence added.

But the question of NATO membership, he continued, I think it should all wait on after the war is won.

Pence, who recently became the first 2024 GOP presidential candidate to visit Ukraine, has been clear on his support for Ukraine and has even criticized the Biden administration for not doing enough for the country. His position on NATO membership, however, reflects what Biden has said on the matter.

I dont 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 told CNNs Fareed Zakaria in an interview that aired Sunday. For example, if you did that, then, you know  and I mean what I say  were determined to commit every inch of territory that is NATO territory.

Its a commitment that weve all made no matter what. If the war is going on, then were all in war. Were at war with Russia, if that were the case, Biden added, referring to the NATO alliances commitment of mutual defense.

The issue of NATO membership has come into sharp focus in recent weeks as international leaders prepared to come together for a NATO summit taking place this week in Vilnius, Lithuania. Biden and other NATO allies have made clear their intentions to eventually admit Ukraine to the alliance but have stressed that there are other obstacles to overcome first. Many have also made clear the issue would not be resolved during the ongoing war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, nonetheless, has continued to push for the alliance to admit his country and has criticized NATO for failing to provide a timeline for membership.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
With Pennsylvanias state budget at an impasse, Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi reiterated Tuesday that the university is still planning to have its own two-year budget introduced next week to the board of trustees.

Penn States budget will first be presented July 20 to the trustees Committee on Finance, Business, and Capital Planning. If passed there, it will go before the full board for a July 21 vote at the Behrend campus.

During a scheduled faculty senate meeting Tuesday, Bendapudi acknowledged it wasnt exactly unprecedented for the Pennsylvania General Assembly to miss its budget deadline. And she said there would be contingencies and scenarios if the state funds the university is expecting wouldnt become available.

Well have to wait and see, she added during a brief Q&A with faculty. It definitely does put us at a disadvantage because we dont know how we(ll) act.

No funding has yet been passed by the state House for state-related universities such as Penn State, Pitt and Temple. Pennsylvanias General Assembly did agree to an overall $45.5 billion spending plan, but the main budget bill still needs to be signed  and Senate Republicans arent eager to reconvene after they say Gov. Josh Shapiro backtracked on a deal involving a private-school voucher program. (Pennsylvanias General Assembly is now on a summer recess, and the state Senates next session isnt scheduled until Sept. 18. There are no plans  yet  to meet before then.)

Penn State operated at more than a $140 million deficit this past fiscal year, and Bendapudi promised to balance the budget by 2025. As a result, the university has made a number of changes to increase revenue and reduce expenses  from implementing a hiring freeze to adding corporate sponsorships  and will present a two-year budget to the board next week, followed by the usual single-year budget in the proceeding years.

And Im pleased to report that, thanks to all of you working as hard as you are, we are optimistic that we will be able to show the board we are making very good progress toward a balanced budget by FY 26, which will be critical to us, Bendapudi told the faculty senate. So were taking all the steps we can to show were being very good stewards to protect the access and affordability mission.

Diversity remains a priority

Penn State issued a same-day response June 29 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against affirmative action in college admissions, with PSU stating that it remains committed to diversity.

On Tuesday, Bendapudi opened her comments by reiterating that commitment.

Id like to begin by reiterating to everybody that Penn State firmly believes  and I absolutely firmly believe  that the education experience for everybody is deeply enriched when we are in communities that reflect the broad diversity of identities and perspectives and life experiences, that we are better off when we are not just in echo chambers, she said. So our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging is absolutely rock solid, and we will continue to pursue everything that we can, given the narrow ruling on admissions.

No updates on PSU Law

Bendapudi announced in November that she was recommending a reuniting between Penn State Dickinson Law in Carlisle and Penn State Law at University Park. Others simply stated, whatever it was called, the university would essentially just shutter its UPark location.

Bendapudi had said that a panel would come up with a reunification plan by springs end. But, when asked Tuesday if she had any updates, she acknowledged she didnt so much as have a timetable.

I did receive a report. We are reviewing it, she said. Some of you already know how this is but, absolutely, will keep you updated as I have a chance to gather more information and share with you how it will move forward. ... I just ask for a little more time as we process this and say what the next steps are.

Touting commonwealth campuses

Its been difficult to ignore the news and numbers when it comes to Penn States commonwealth campuses and other institutions branch/satellite campuses. To sum it up: Enrollment doesnt look good.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that enrollment at PSUs commonwealth campuses  outside of Harrisburg  declined an average of about 30% since 2010. But Penn State isnt an exception. The University of Wisconsin System chancellor said in April that, due to shrinking enrollment, they would consider everything, including consolidating campuses. Ohio University also planned to sell a satellite campus due to a drop in enrollment.

On Tuesday, Bendapudi said Penn State remained committed to its commonwealth campuses.

I wanted to bring that up because the tone of the coverage might give some anxiety to people about, Are they truly committed to the commonwealth campuses? Bendapudi said. And I just want to reiterate again that we go back to our values. I believe firmly that our commonwealth campus system is is a distinctive characteristic and a unique strength of Penn State University.

When you think of the access and affordability mission; when you think about students success and interdisciplinary research; the land-grant commitment; diversity, equity inclusion; operational excellence  all of those are reflected every day in our commonwealth campuses.

Moving up in QS rankings

The QS World University Rankings are designed to annually rank about 1,500 institutions internationally and, with a change in methodology for this years edition, Penn State found itself jumping up 10 spots to a No. 83 worldwide ranking.

Its a big deal because that means we are in the top 6% of universities in the world for our impact, Bendapudi said. It puts us No. 8 among public universities; that is in the United States.

That is something that we would not be able to do without each of you as faculty. So I just wanted to say that Im so grateful to you and so thankful and, one year in, I feel very optimistic about how we project.

The QS World University Rankings  compiled by global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)  grades schools on at least nine different criteria, such as academic reputation, faculty student ratio, citations per faculty, etc. Penn State fared especially well in two new ranking criteria, international research network (96.6/100) and sustainability (95.1/100).

Penn State ranked No. 24 among all U.S. universities and No. 4 among Big Ten schools.
The 15 or so Dayton residents who have had to drive on a road through the Valleycrest landfill Superfund site to get to work and home are one step closer to not having to do that anymore.

>> Dayton Gets Real: Missing Minorities story coming Thursday

The city is using $250,000 won in a negotiated legal settlement involving the city, the Ohio EPA and federal EPA to build a permanent road (right-of-way) for those residents living near the landfill, whose boundaries are Valleycrest Drive and Brandt Pike (state Route 201), City Manager Shelley Dickstein told News Center 7s Mike Campbell on Wednesday.

The settlement money means the days are numbered for the temporary road that was built while the federal government was cleaning the site. The Dayton City Commission, on Wednesday morning, voted to accept the settlement.

As we got to the close on this site, residents really didnt want to have to drive through the Superfund site every day to get to their homes, the city manager said.

The settlement money allows the city to acquire the necessary property to construct the permanent right-of-way that does not go through the site. Now comes the design and build stage of the project, she said.

Now that the city has the funding, the city can go forward with preparing the bid and contracting out the work, Dickstein said, noting that the federal government has addressed the critical contamination, she said.

A permanent road that doesnt include a dead end at the landfill site is what residents living near the landfill have been fighting for, Kristie McCloud said.

Im happy. Im very pleased to hear that, said McCloud, who has lived in the area 10 years. Im overjoyed about it.

More than half the 102-acre North Sanitary Valleycrest Landfill was used for landfilling industrial and municipal wastes into unlined former gravel pits, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The site sits atop and wihtin a federal desginated, sole-source aquifer. Landfill operations contaminated soil and groundwater with hazardous chemicals.

The EPA added the Valleycrest Landfill to the National Priorities List in 1994. The EPA was the lead agency for a Superfund Removal Program cleanup between 1998 and 2003 to address immediate threats to human health and the environment.

In October 2018, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio approved a consent degree, which requires responsible parties to carry out a $35 million cleanup of the site, according to the EPA.

Currently, the EPA says, the landfill is in the remedial design/remedial action stage of the Superfund process.




The Philippines Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) says it will allow the new Barbie movie to be released in theaters in the country after reviewing a controversial scene that features a map that critics say depicts Chinas claimed territory in the South China Sea.

The MTRCB said it conducted two reviews of a scene from the Margot Robbie-starring flick in which a cartoon map labeled parts of the sea that Vietnam claims as its own as Chinese territory. China uses a U-shaped line, referred to as a nine-dash, to mark its claims over vast areas of the South China Sea.

Last week, Vietnam banned Barbie  which was poised to debut in theaters July 21  from domestic distribution as a result. The MTRCB had said earlier this month that it was considering the same move as Vietnam.

But in a Wednesday statement, the MTRCB said, Considering the context by which the cartoonish map of the character Weird Barbie was portrayed in the film, the Review Committee is convinced that the contentious scene does not depict the nine-dash line.

Instead, the map portrayed the route of the make-believe journey of Barbie from Barbie Land to the real world, as an integral part of the story, the statement said. But the MTRCB warned, Rest assured that the Board has exhausted all possible resources in arriving at this decision as we have not hesitated in the past to sanction filmmakers/producers/distributors for exhibiting the fictitious nine-dash line in their materials.

In a statement to Variety last week, Warner Bros. Film Group dismissed the map as a child-like crayon drawing that appears in Barbie Land, saying it was not intended to make any type of statement.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Barbie film about the famous doll, starring Margot Robbie (left) and Ryan Gosling (right), is set to open in the Philippines on July 19 (Michael Tran)

Philippine censors said Wednesday they have allowed the Barbie film to be shown in cinemas, after asking its Hollywood distributor to blur lines on a brightly-coloured world map drawing allegedly showing China's claims to the disputed South China Sea.

The fantasy comedy film about the famous doll, directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, is set to open in the Southeast Asian nation on July 19.

After reviewing the film twice and consulting foreign affairs officials and legal experts, the government's Movie and Television Review and Classification Board said it would allow it to be screened.

The censors began examining "Barbie" last week after Vietnam reportedly banned the film over scenes featuring a map showing the so-called nine-dash line, which China uses to justify its maritime claims.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, despite rival claims from other Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam.

But after "meticulous" scrutiny of the film, Philippine censors were convinced that the "cartoonish map" did not depict the nine-dash line.

"Instead, the map portrayed the route of the make-believe journey of Barbie from Barbie Land to the 'real world,' as an integral part of the story," the censorship board said in a statement.

"Rest assured that the Board has exhausted all possible resources in arriving at this decision as we have not hesitated in the past to sanction filmmakers/ producers/ distributors for exhibiting the fictitious 'nine-dash line' in their materials."

In a separate letter to Philippine Senator Francis Tolentino, who had criticised the film for "violating Filipino fisherfolks' rights", the censors said they had asked Hollywood studio Warner Bros to "blur" the controversial lines on the map.

Dashed lines drawn in a "child-like manner" appeared in several locations on the map around land masses identified as Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Asia, the censors said.

But it found only eight dashes around the landmass labelled "Asia".

"Moreover, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia are not visible on the map," the board said in the letter dated July 11 and shared with reporters.

"This is in stark contrast to the maps found in the banned films 'Abominable (2019)' and 'Uncharted (2022)'," it said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it appreciated the opportunity to watch "Barbie" to "ascertain if the depiction of the imaginary world map is inimical to the national interest".

Warner Bros did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment.

But a Warner Bros spokesperson was quoted by Variety as saying the map was a "child-like crayon drawing" and "not intended to make any type of statement".

The Philippines' approval of "Barbie" coincided with the seventh anniversary of an international ruling that China's historical claims to the South China Sea have no legal basis.

mff/amj/sco
Censors in the Philippines have allowed Barbie to be shown in the countrys cinemas, but have requested for certain lines on a map in the movie to be blurred out.

The news comes after Vietnam banned the film, made by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, earlier this month.

The national ban was prompted by a scene officials believed to include the nine-dash line, 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.

After two meticulous reviews of the film, as well as consultations with foreign affairs officials and legal experts, censors in the Philippines took the decision to allow screenings.

Censors came to the conclusion that the map, which Warner Bros defended as a doodle that was not intended to make any type of statement, does not depict the nine-dash line.

Instead, the map portrayed the route of the make-believe journey of Barbie from Barbie Land to the real world, as an integral part of the story, the censorship board said.

Rest assured that the board has exhausted all possible resources in arriving at this decision as we have not hesitated in the past to sanction filmmakers/ producers/distributors for exhibiting the fictitious nine-dash line in their materials.

The map features dashed lines in numerous places. The one next to Asia features eight dashes, rather than nine.

According to The Guardian, in a separate letter to the Philippines senator Francis Tolentino, who had spoken out against the film for violating Filipino fisherfolks rights, the censors said they had asked Warner Bros to blur out any controversial lines on the map.

Ryan Gosling at the LA Barbie premiere (Getty Images)

First reactions to the film, following its Los Angeles premiere earlier this month, have singled out Gosling as a scene-stealer deserving of an Oscar.

This Week Media editor Eze Baum said: Barbie is a triumph. A pitch-perfect script backed by great performances  particularly from Ryan Gosling  turns what could be a simple studio comedy into a sharp commentary on our society that makes its nuance palatable for those that may not take it at face value. GG is 3/3.

Robbie has been delivering some memorable fashion moments throughout the press tour for the film, including a pink leather Balmain minidress inspired by the Earring Magic Barbie doll from the Nineties. Check out some of the outfits here.

Barbie is due for release in the UK on 21 July, and in the Philippines on 19 July.
[Source]

Amid the ongoing "Barbie" South China Sea map controversy, local censors have declared that the Warner Bros. film will still be released in the Philippines.

Background information: Earlier this month, Vietnam banned Barbie from playing in cinemas across the country because of a scene with a map that resembles 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.

Last week, Warner Bros. commented on the map, calling it a child-like drawing with no meaning behind it.

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Reaching a final decision: The Philippines Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTPCB) stated in a letter released on Wednesday that it conducted meticulous screenings and exhausted all possible resources" in deciding to release "Barbie" in the Philippines, where China's territorial claims in the South China Sea are also disputed.

The MTPCB declared that the films cartoonish map of the character Weird Barbie does not depict the nine-dash line.

Instead, the map portrayed the route of the make-believe journey of Barbie from Barbie Land to the real world, as an integral part of the story, the MTRCB continued.

More from NextShark: Child actor singing Happy Birthday in Filipino on 'Barney' 3 decades ago has left an indelible impression

Special request: The MTRCB also reportedly sent a letter to Francis Tolentino, vice chairperson of the Philippines Senate committee on foreign relations, explaining that it has asked Warner Bros. to blur the maps lines to prevent further confusion among audience members.

The letter states, in part, that the lines are not U-shaped and has [sic] eight dots/dashes instead of nine. Additionally, countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia are not included in the map.

It has yet to be confirmed whether Warner Bros. has accepted the MTRCBs request.

More from NextShark: Jenna Marbles Quits YouTube After Apologizing For Old Videos Offending Asian and Black People

Other details: Barbie will hit cinemas on July 19 in the Philippines and on July 21 in the U.S.

The film, which follows a doll named Barbie who leaves Barbie Land to explore the human world, features a star-studded cast that includes Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, Ana Cruz Kayne, America Ferrera, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Emma Mackey, Ritu Arya, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Will Ferrell and Michael Cera, among many others.

More from NextShark: Netflix drops trailer for murder mystery K-drama 'Celebrity' starring Park Gyu-young
MONTPELIER, Vt. - The state of Vermont was inundated by torrential rain Monday that led to widespread and devastating flooding in cities like Montpelier, Ludlow and Richmond. Satellite images taken before and after the disaster are providing a look at how truly destructive the event was.

While rivers and streams have receded Wednesday, and a local dam is no longer at risk of sending torrents of water downstream, concerns are growing that more flooding can occur later this week as the region braces for more rain.

Vermont's capital, Montpelier, was submerged under feet of water when the Winooski River rapidly rose and crested at 21.35 feet Tuesday. An apocalyptic drone video shot above Montpelier showed the water flowing through city streets and creeping into homes and businesses.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Before-and-after photos show the effects of flooding in Richmond, Vermont.

The first dramatic before-and-after image shows abundant green spaces filled with trees and grass along the Winooski River in June 2019. After several inches of rain caused the river to spill over its banks, those green spaces disappeared and turned into a brown, muddy mess as torrents of water rushed downstream. Several roads that were seen in the 2019 image were washed away during the flood, which is seen in the image taken on July 11, 2023.

DRONE VIDEO SHOWS DISASTROUS FLOODING IN LUDLOW AFTER TORRENTIAL RAIN HITS VERMONT

Before-and-after photos show the effects of flooding in Richmond, Vermont.

Another satellite image taken high above the city of Richmond showed the downtown area filled with homes and businesses and bridges crossing the river to connect both sides of the town. After the flood, many streets were seen covered in dirty water, and some were washed away.

AERIAL FOOTAGE SHOWS RAILROAD TRACKS SUSPENDED IN AIR AFTER VERMONT FLOODING WIPES OUT TRESTLE

Before-and-after photos show the effects of flooding in West Point, New York.

It wasn't only Vermont that experienced catastrophic flooding this week. Several lower Hudson Valley communities in New York State also saw flooding.

At least one person was killed when she was washed away by the floodwaters, and several towns, like West Point, were covered in water.

Images taken above West Point show mudflows leading to the river after water rushed down hillsides to reach the Hudson River.
Fox News host Piers Morgan is urging former President Trump to participate in the first Republican presidential primary debate next month, which is slated to air on the network.

Donald Trump is many things, Morgan said Tuesday evening during a discussion with former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway. But in all the time Ive known him, Ive never known him to duck a challenge or be a coward. So, if youre watching, Donald, come on.

Trump has not committed to participating in the Aug. 23 debate, which will be held in Milwaukee and moderated by Fox anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.

The former president has cited his hostile relationship with Fox  which he has repeatedly attacked in recent months over its coverage of top GOP rival Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis  and his large lead in most polls as his reason for considering skipping the first debate.

So, you have a hostile network. And you have people that are their candidates they are obviously against you  and if youre leading by 30, 40, 50 points, whats the purpose of really doing it? Trump said during a recent appearance on Newsmax.

Morgan called Trumps noncommittal posture cowardly and said the former president should get up on the stage and show us what youre made of.

Trump has sat for town hall events and interviews with other top Fox personalities such as Sean Hannity and has an interview scheduled with host Maria Bartiromo, who is vocally supportive of him, slated for Sunday.

Morgan has been sharply critical of Trump since joining Rupert Murdochs media empire, penning a New York Post op-ed in April encouraging Republicans to support DeSantis over Trump.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- Thailands parliament will meet on Thursday to select a new prime minister, with the path looking increasingly difficult for the lone candidate for the top job  Pita Limjaroenrat.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Recent developments show that the progressive politicians path to become the next prime minister is fraught with challenges that go beyond winning over the 250-member military appointed senators in parliament.

Pitas latest hurdle is the Election Commissions request to the Constitutional Court Wednesday to decide whether he violated rules by holding stake in a media company when he sought to contest the election. Its unclear whether the court will accept the case and if so, when it will deliver its ruling.

If found guilty by the court, Pita could be disqualified as a lawmaker, and risk his chance at premiership. A senator said the parliaments plan to hold an election for prime minister on July 13 wont be affected by the poll bodys decision.

This reaffirms that the establishment is opposed to Pita, said Peter Mumford, consultancy Eurasia Groups Southeast Asia practice head. He is unlikely to win the premiership vote, if he is allowed to contest.

Pita cobbled together an alliance of eight parties that hold more than 60% of the 500 seats in the House of Representatives after the May 14 general election. He still needs the support of senators to reach the minimum 376 combined parliament votes to become prime minister.

Its clear that Thailand is in a state of political abnormality, Pita said in a video published Tuesday, pleading with lawmakers to support the popular mandate. The vote for prime minister isnt about choosing Pita or Move Forward Party. Its about reaffirming that Thailand must move forward in line with the democratic system.

Protests are already brewing across the nation, with Pitas supporters in provinces announcing plans to gather later on Wednesday. More than a dozen groups are also planning to hold a demonstration at the parliament house on Thursday to pressure senators to back Pita.

Here are some scenarios that could unfold this week:

Pita Becomes PM

If the pro-democracy alliance manages to win the support of at least 65 lawmakers from either the conservative parties or the establishment-aligned Senate, Pita will have the magic number  376 votes  to become Thailands 30th prime minister and the youngest in nearly eight decades.

His main obstacle in parliament is the old guards opposition to Move Forwards agenda to amend the lese majeste law, or Article 112 of the Thai criminal code, which penalizes criticism of the king and other royals.

If this scenario plays out, Pita will proceed to form his cabinet likely to be dominated by members of his Move Forward party and Pheu Thai, the party that placed second in the election and is linked to exiled former leader Thaksin Shinawatra. Then the new government should be in place by next month.

Pita Stumbles

This is the most likely scenario for many analysts.

The majority of the Senate is expected to either reject Pitas candidacy outright or abstain from voting on July 13. The 188 members of the lower chamber outside of Pitas coalition arent expected to side with him either.

Bhumjaithai, the party that placed third in the May election, has said it wont endorse a candidate from a party that seeks to amend the lese majeste law.

The upside for the Move Forward leader is that under current rules, theres no limit to the number of times the parliament can reconvene to elect a premier. There is also no deadline for when the choice has to be made.

If Pita fails to get at least 376 votes on Thursday, hes expected to try again at the next session which is likely on July 19.

It remains to be seen how many times the alliance, particularly Pheu Thai, would let Pita submit himself to a parliament vote before demanding that it be given a chance to form the government.

Or Pheu Thai may explore breaking away from the coalition altogether and form a government with the conservative parties. Most analysts expect Pheu Thai to be the main variable in any potential coalition government.

In a report earlier this month, analysts at Nomura Holdings Inc. said the odds of Pheu Thai heading the government has increased to 60% from 55% while the chances of Move Forward has dropped to 30% from 35%.

Extended Impasse

An emerging scenario is that lawmakers may vote to postpone the prime minister selection to await more clarity on the legal challenges to Pitas candidacy.

The risk that Pita may be disqualified gives his opponents the scope to delay voting on his nomination.

The adverse developments could rally his supporters and spark a wave of large demonstrations similar to what happened in 2020 when Future Forward  the forerunner of Move Forward  was disbanded and its leaders disqualified from public office.

Prospects of protests and further delays in government formation will further weigh on Thailands troubled stocks, bonds and currency markets.

(Updates with details of the election commission decision in second paragraph.)

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This photo taken on July 12, 2023 shows a school renovated by the CRCC Harbor & Channel Engineering Bureau Group Co., Ltd after a flood in Accra, capital of Ghana. A Chinese company on Wednesday handed over a school it renovated after a flood in Accra, winning praise from the local people. (Photo by Seth /Xinhua)

ACCRA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese company on Wednesday handed over a school it renovated after a flood in the Ghanaian capital of Accra, winning praise from the local people.

In late May, heavy rains caused flooding that damaged the St. Thomas School and Dynamic Divine Academy in a coastal fishing community in Accra.

After learning about their predicament, the CRCC Harbor & Channel Engineering Bureau Group Co., Ltd, a Chinese company undertaking the China-aided Jamestown Fishing Port Complex project, suspended the construction of the port and came to the rescue of the school instead.

Over the past month, the company has built new drains, concreted the school compound and erected new walls, enabling the school to become more resistant to floods and safe for the children to return.

During the handover ceremony, Mavis Dede Allotey, a deputy project engineer with the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority, commended the Chinese company's prompt response.

"If you were to come here a few weeks ago, you would not have been able to enter the compound due to the mess created by the flooding. But now, the place has become usable again for the children, thanks to the response by CRCC," she said, adding the Chinese company's kind gesture made it possible for the children to enjoy quality school life in a safe environment.

Samuel Nii Akwei Addo, the founder of the school, expressed gratitude to the Chinese company. "I did not attend a proper school, but I have realized that education is the key to success in life. I thank the Chinese company for doing this valuable work to care for the children in this school," he said.

Jin Xiaodong, general manager of the fishing harbor project, said "as an old Chinese saying goes, distant relatives are not as good as neighbors, and we have been good neighbors since the project started in 2019. We are always committed to attending to your needs within our capabilities." 
(Bloomberg) -- Thailands prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat and his Move Forward party, which won the most seats in the May general election, found themselves running into multiple legal challenges to their aspiration of leading the next government.

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The Election Commission Wednesday approached the Constitutional Court seeking Pitas disqualification as a lawmaker, on the grounds that he breached election rules by holding shares in a media company when he applied to run for public office. Hours later, the same court admitted a case filed by a lawyer seeking dissolution of Move Forward over its vow to amend the countrys royal defamation law.

The developments raised questions about the fate of Pita, ahead of a parliament vote Thursday to elect a new prime minister. Pitas Move Forward party called the poll panels move unfair, with a business lobby group separately warning that any delay in government formation as a result of these actions could dent investor confidence in Southeast Asias second-biggest economy.

The baht erased earlier gains to fall as much as 0.3% to 34.92 per dollar, while most major Asian currencies were up versus the dollar. The currency is the second-biggest decliner in Southeast Asia since the May 14 vote, while the nations benchmark stock index is the worst performer in Asia this year.

After a weekly meeting on Wednesday, the Constitutional Court judges noted that they had received the election bodys request but did not immediately accept or dismiss it.

The Election Commission found that Pita Limjaroenrats membership in the House of Representatives has grounds to be terminated according to the Thai constitution, the agency said.

In the event the court does act later, suspension of Pitas status as member of parliament is an option pending a final verdict on his disqualification. That may scupper the Move Forward Party leaders chances of contesting the prime ministerial election in parliament, which may well drag into next week.

Pita is the lone candidate for the top job after his party won the most seats in the May 14 general election. He had cobbled an alliance of eight parties that together control more than 60% of the 500 seats in the House of Representatives. Pita still needs the support of at least 65 other lawmakers, either from the conservative outfits or from the 250-member Senate to become prime minister.

Even as Pitas candidacy itself was in doubt, Move Forwards secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon said the parliaments schedule to hold an election for premier on Thursday wont likely be affected by the poll bodys decision.

Move Forward issued an urgent call for action to its supporters, asking them to wear orange clothing Thursday as a show of support for Pita.

Tomorrow will bring a crossroad for Thailand that will determine whether well turn back to the kind of politics that doesnt care about the people or well take the chance to take Thailand forward, Chaithawat told reporters. I believe Thai people wont stand for it this time.

Some others didnt share that optimism. The legal challenge hanging over Pita makes it increasingly likely that Thursdays vote may be postponed, said Punchada Sirivunnabood, an associate professor at Mahidol University.

The case will have a huge impact, Punchada said. The timing of this gives away what its meant to achieve. It can also be used an excuse by senators to make a case to delay voting until there is clarity.

The Election Commission started a probe last month following claims by a political activist that Pita had violated election rules by holding 42,000 shares in now-defunct broadcaster ITV Pcl.

Thailands constitution bars lawmakers from owning shares in media firms. Pita has said he didnt own the shares but managed them as part of an estate left behind by his father. It has since been transferred to a family member, he said.

The latest newsflow suggests that Pita is highly unlikely to win the PM vote in parliament tomorrow, and casts a heavy cloud over his candidacy, said Alvin T. Tan, head of emerging-market currency strategy at RBC Capital Markets in Singapore. As such, the market is anticipating an extension of Thailands post-election political uncertainty.

--With assistance from Suttinee Yuvejwattana, Napat Kongsawad, Cecilia Yap and Karl Lester M. Yap.

(Updates with details of court admitting case against Pitas party)

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The Harvard graduate has shaken up the country's political landscape with his promises of reform (Manan VATSYAYANA)

Fresh-faced Pita Limjaroenrat looked set to be Thailand's next prime minister, but the pro-democracy challenger's rise to power has been threatened by last-minute legal challenges and an entrenched conservative opposition.

The Harvard graduate has shaken up the country's political landscape with his promises of reform after nearly a decade of junta rule, winning the popular vote in a May election that catapulted his Move Forward Party (MFP) into being the largest in parliament.

Since election night he has projected an image of confidence, telling voters: "I am Pita Limjaroenrat, the next prime minister of Thailand."

But he must overcome numerous obstacles, including last-minute hurdles from the kingdom's Election Commission (EC), a separate legal case over his determination to reform the country's strict royal defamation laws, and the junta-appointed Senate.

Just a day before the vote, the EC said it had recommended the Constitutional Court suspend Pita as an MP following an investigation centred on his ownership of shares in a now-defunct media company.

MPs are prohibited from owning such shares under the Thai Constitution.

While he denies all wrongdoing, the case will serve to provide more fuel for senators who may have been poised to vote against him.

His eight-party coalition, which includes opposition runners-up Pheu Thai, has 312 seats but is short of the 376-seat majority needed across both houses of parliament to claim the premiership.

- Political headwinds -

The 42-year-old first appeared on Thailand's political scene as one of a number of fresh faces in the newly formed progressive Future Forward Party in 2018.

The party, having garnered a huge swell of support in the 2019 elections, was battered by legal challenges and dissolved, with its leaders banned from politics.

It was reborn as the Move Forward Party led by Pita, who capitalised on his charismatic dynamism and youthful energy to reach disillusioned voters ready for change.

Among his pitches was a call for a change to the strict lese-majeste laws that protect Thailand's royal family, by carrying a prison term of up to 15 years for criticism of the monarchy.

"No matter what, we will push for lese-majeste law reform in the parliament," Pita said on election night, promising not to sell out young voters who backed the party for its courage in tackling the issue.

But his position spooked many in the kingdom's military-appointed Senate, who he must convince to back him to succeed as Thailand's next premier.

And ahead of the vote, the Constitutional Court accepted a case accusing him and his party of attempting to overthrow the monarchy through their campaigning and gave them two weeks to present their defence.

- 'Do not step back' -

In a Thai political landscape populated with ageing power brokers, Pita -- who was named one of CLEO Thailand's "50 Most Eligible Bachelors" in 2008 -- is something of an anomaly.

After completing high school in New Zealand, Pita landed an international scholarship to study a Master's of Public Policy at Harvard.

His father died when he was 25 and Pita returned to Thailand to run his family's heavily indebted business Agrifood, turning its fortunes around.

Later, he became executive director of the transport and delivery app Grab Thailand, before entering politics.

Thailand's anti-corruption commission revealed last week Pita has assets worth $2.4 million -- including a watch collection valued at $162,000.

In 2012, he married Thai TV actress Chutima Teepanat, and they have a seven-year-old daughter. The marriage broke down in 2019.

His Instagram shows a hands-on dad bouncing on trampolines with his daughter, goofing around and sometimes wearing matching T-shirts.

And Pita's fun side sent social media into overdrive this week when he invited US pop star Taylor Swift to add Bangkok to an Asian concert tour.

"Hey Taylor! Big fan of yours. Btw, Thailand is back on track to be fully democratic after you had to cancel last time due to the coup," he tweeted, referencing the 2014 military take-over by General Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Rallying supporters in Bangkok ahead of Thursday's parliamentary vote, Pita promised he would not stop fighting for Thai democracy.

"If you do not step back, I won't."

bur-lpm/rbu/aha
Pittsburgh City Council approves plan to demolish bridge near Bon Air, Mount Washington

A problematic bridge near Bon Air and Mount Washington has been approved to be demolished.

Tuesday, Pittsburgh City Council approved a plan to demolish a bridge that crosses over Route 51, near Woodruff Street.

The bridge is not publicly owned, but it has serious structural issues.

Demolition is expected in two to three years.

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A teenage couple in Plano, Texas handed their hour-old infant over to store employees Wednesday afternoon, saying they weren't even aware they were expecting, CBS7 has reported.

Angela Owens, an employee at Hieline Mobility Solutions, shared with media that it was just another workday when a young boy walked in asking for medical help for his girlfriend and new baby.

Assuming it was a case of choking, Owens ran outside where the young girl was holding an infant wrapped in a towel. The baby was still attached by umbilical cord. Owens told CBS 7 she managed to remove the cord with the help of 911 over the phone.

Owens' colleague Tabatha Peri stepped in to help the young couple, who doubled down on the fact that they were unaware of the pregnancy.

There was no thought. It was like right place, right time. It was being a mother. We had to do what we had to do. Theres no other option at that point, the two employees shared with media, both women having three of their own children at home. Owens and Peri added that they could tell the new parents, who appeared to be teenagers, were frightened and in shock.

Owens said that she told the couple to take the child to a Safe Haven spot so that it could be cared for properly. However, she felt that they might be unable to make it to a Safe Haven spot so she kept the child.

Under Texas Safe Haven Law, also known as the Baby Moses Law, any baby under 60 days old can be taken to any hospital, emergency medical services station or fire station in the state. The child must be handed to someone and not left outside. The law also states that anyone who leaves an unharmed infant at a Safe Haven location will not be prosecuted for abandonment or neglect.

Watch: Police officer's quick thinking saves a Golden Corral diner's life

Police shared with media that the newborn was taken to a hospital and is in good condition. All those involved are grateful for the good Samaritans who stopped to help support the young couple.

Police say the mother is receiving the medical care she needs as well. Officer Jennifer Chapman, a spokesperson for Plano Police, clarified in an email to USA Today that the baby was "surrendered to store employees, not adopted," before being handed to the Child Protection Service (CPS).

"CPS is still working with the parents to find the best possible solution," wrote Officer Chapman.

No further updates on the parents have been provided.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas couple hands newborn to store employees moments after delivery
James Toliver Craig with his wife Angela (Facebook )

A Colorado dentist and father of six  who was allegedly having an affair with a Texas orthodontist  is gearing up to face trial for the poisoning murder of his wife in suburban Denver.

James Toliver Craig, 45, was arrested following the death of his wife, Angela Pray Craig, who presented with severe headaches and dizziness at UC Health University of Colorado Hospital on the morning of Wednesday 15 March. Within three hours, she suffered a seizure and began to rapidly decline medically, according to court documents, before being placed on life support in the intensive care unit.

She was pronounced dead on 18 March; Mr Craig was arrested the following day and charged with first-degree murder.

As Mr Craig appears in court for a preliminary hearing, heres what we know about the case:

Who are James Toliver and Angela Pray Craig?

Craig ran a Summerbrook Dental Practice in Aurora, Colorado  not far from the home he shared with Angela and their children  along with Ryan Redfearn, who went to dental school together in Kansas City, Mr Redfearn told 9News. Theyd known each other for years when Mr Redfearn and his brother approached Mr Craig to join their dental support organization, and they became business partners.

He married Angela Pray in December 1999; at the time of her death, he was still saved as The Boy on her phone. Angela was heavily involved in their childrens lives and school activities, and the family was also active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with Angela filling various positions including choir director, teacher, and youth organization leader, according to her obituary.

However, she most loved working as a family history consultant. She worked on her own familys history with a powerful dedication, but she also helped friends complete theirs. No doubt she has many friends and family members on the other side of the veil because of the work she has done in this life for them.

James Craig appears in Colorado court charged with killing his wife (CBS Colorado)

Angela, 43, was also known for her wit, love of animals, sense of humour and dedication to family and large capacity to forgive.

A troubled family life

A relative of Angela told police that the victim had admitted her husband had drugged her at least once before.

Angela and James marriage had always been tumultuous, she said, according to court documents. James had multiple affairs with several women, told Angela he had been addicted to pornography since he was a teenager, and drugged Angela approximately five to six years ago. Angela told [redacted] that James drugged her (an unknown drug) because he planned to go into their bathroom and give himself a lethal injection of something and commit suicide. James told Angela he drugged her so she wouldnt find him nor be able to save him, which would give the lethal drugs time to kill him.

The mother of six remained with her husband, however, who police believe went on to lace his wifes protein shakes with potassium cyanide he ordered from Amazon for just $13. At the Craigs residence, they found workout-style shakers and two Ziploc-style bags with white powdery substances in them.

In Mr Craigs internet history, they also found chilling searches for how many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human, how to make poison and is arsenic detectable in an autopsy.

Through all of this, Mr Craig was making travel plans with and sending sexually explicit emails to an orthodontist in Austin, Texas, with whom he was having an affair, the affidavit shows.

James Toliver Craig is accused of murdering his wife Angela with poison (Facebook)

Angelas declining health

The mother of six had been getting increasingly ill throughout the month of March. She went to the hospital on 6 March; 9 March, when she was admitted until 14 March; and again on 15 March, her final fateful stay. She had been suffering from extreme vomiting, headaches, low blood pressure and dizziness; her eyes couldnt focus, and she knew something was seriously wrong.

In text message exchanges with her husband that are pictured in court documents, Angela complained to her husband that she felt as she did when she took heavy drugs, as if she were moving through gel.

Texts obtained by detectives between the couple also indicate that Mr Craig referred to previous poisoning suspicions himself in the days leading up to his wifes death, telling her: Given our history, | know that must be triggering. Just for the record, I didnt drug you.

Doctors could not figure out what was wrong with Angela, but her husbands colleagues had their suspicions. Some knew that the couple had been having marital problems, and an office manager had also noticed strange behaviour, detailing in the affidavit how shed seen Mr Craig working on a computer in an exam room, though he rarely used the space and had his own devices.

Hed also told her to be on alert for a personal package hed ordered to the office, adding that she shouldnt open it. But when another employee did, according to documents, the manager glanced inside  and saw potassium cyanide. She Googled it and realised the symptoms matched up with Angelas recent illnesses.

One of Mr Craigs colleagues informed a nurse at the hospital about the dentists potassium cyanide purchase, and police were called. He tried to explain his way out of the situation by claiming that his wife had been suicidal  and had made past attempts  which Angelas friends and children denied ever witnessing.

Mr Craig went as far as claiming that he had to revive Angela on not one, but several occasions. He also alleged that Angelas supposed suicidal ideation had worsened after he brought up the possibility of divorce in December 2022.

But text messages between the couple paint a very different image. Exchanges shown in the affidavit for Mr Craigs arrest show that he had his wife under the impression that he wanted to patch things up.

And while his wife fought for her life in a hospital bed, the disgraced dentist continued to thank church friends for their prayers, noting that it was pretty scary not having answers.

The dentists affair with an out-of-state orthodontist

While Mr Craig was expressing worries to friends and family, he was also discussing his wifes deteriorating condition with the Texas orthodontist with whom he was having an affair.

It appears James was flying this woman into Denver while his wife and the mother of his children was dying in the hospital, the affidavit states.

When he tells the woman that something happened to his wife, she sent James an email explaining how sorry she was for him and that she wished she was helping him, not pulling him away. She stated she knew it had to be so hard what he was going through and that she wanted to be there for him but did not want to mix in with his family and friends and pretend to be only a friend when there was something more, the affidavit says.

James Toliver Craig is pictured in his mugshot

That email was sent on 16 March; Angela was pronounced dead two days later  and her husband refused requests to conduct an autopsy, including from relatives pleading for answers in case the cause of her illness had been genetic. Mr Craig argued that if doctors couldnt find the source of his wifes sudden illness while she was alive, he did not want them poking holes when she was dead.

The arrest and fallout

Mr Craig was arrested on 19 March to the shock of many friends, family and community members.

Its been a rollercoaster of emotions, Michelle Redfearn, the wife of Mr Craigs business partner whod known the couple for two decades, told 9News last month. Theres a lot to deal with as you go through that. It was coming to terms with deception and thinking that you knew somebody but you didnt.

The dentist was granted $10m cash-only bond by a Colorado judge on 27 June after the states Supreme Court ruled the previous week that judges must set bond in murder cases.

Mr Craig was scheduled to appear in the 18th Judicial District Court on Wednesday at 9am. His lawyer has not responded to The Independent.

In the meantime, Angelas family has set up a GoFundMe for the couples children, writing: The Craig children lost their mother and their father in a recent tragic event that has shocked and saddened us all. As a result, many of our friends and family have asked us, Angelas brothers and sisters, to create a fund so they can show their love and support for Angela and her six incredible children; were making that possible for you here. The funds will be used for the childrens immediate and future financial support.

The GoFundMe  which had raised more than $68,700 as of Wednesday morning  notes that Angelas death has been ruled suspicious and her husband is charged with first-degree murder with intent after deliberation before directing people to authorities websites for more information.

If convicted, Mr Craig faces life imprisonment.
Poland pledges its infrastructure to help train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s

F-16

Warsaw has committed to making its training infrastructure available to Ukrainian pilots as they begin training on modern Western fighter jets, such as the F-16, Polish Defense Ministry said in a Twitter post on July 11.

This is further evidence of our resolve to support Ukraine against Russia's brutal aggression, the message quotes Defense Minister Mariusz Baszczak.

Read also: Ukrainian pilots to begin training on F-16s in August  report

I promise our support by opening access to our training infrastructure and courses.

In May, Western began discussing steps to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets, a request that Kyiv has been making for some time.

Read also: Ukraine would make NATO stronger  Zelenskyy in Vilnius

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg subsequently said that each of Ukraine's allies will decide individually when to initiate the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 jets. The details regarding when and how many aircraft Ukraine will receive remain unclear.

Read also: Ukrainian battlefield awareness software compatible with F-16 jets  minister

Recent reports indicate that the training will begin in August, initially in Denmark, with a later expansion into Romania.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said he expect Ukraine to receive first F-16s in early 2024.

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
Police accused him of stealing food. Then an officer shot him dead, saying he went for a gun.

A 37-year-old man shot by police in New Rochelle, New York, on July 3 has died, and New York Attorney General Letitia James' office said Tuesday it will begin a formal investigation into the shooting.

Jarrell Garris had been on life support and died Monday evening. His family issued a statement expressing "great sorrow" and pushing authorities for answers.

"We are committed to getting Justice for Jarrell and submit that if the City of New Rochelle is sincere about its commitment to transparency and its not just a veneer, all videos of Jarrells execution should be released immediately," said the statement provided by attorney William Wagstaff.

"We ask for prayer and peace as we prepare to memorialize him."

After days of the New York State Police and Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah's office investigating the incident, the case has been turned over to James' office. State law requires the AG's Office of Special Investigation to take over whenever a police or peace officer may have caused a person's death.

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, a New Rochelle native, was back in the area to pick up his son and take him back for the summer to Greensboro, North Carolina, where he moved several month ago, when police accused him of stealing food from a grocery store and shot him after a scuffle on July 3. Police said he had gone for one of the officer's guns.

Garris family said he had been eating a banana and grapes inside the New Rochelle Farms market. U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman said in a statement that he "should be alive today and back home in North Carolina with his son.

"Instead, even though the police knew he experienced schizophrenia, he was shot and killed after police accused him of stealing food from a nearby grocery store. Police brutality has been sickening our country and taking the lives of our loved ones for decades."

What led to the shooting?

Bodycam footage released by the New Rochelle Police Department shows police officers Kari Bird and Gabrielle Chavarry, along with Det. Steven Conn, confronting Garris. In the video, the officers ask him about stolen food.

Garris doesnt appear to respond. 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 struggle, Garris reaches in the direction of one of the officers holstered firearms, the video shows. He then topples over an officer. Hes got a gun, hes got a gun," one officer can be heard shouting in the video.

In a press release the night of the shooting, the police department said Garris reached at the officers gun in an attempt to remove it from the holster.

Raymond Fowler, the father of Jarrell Garris, comforts his daughter Tiana Fowler as Fowler and others spoke to the media July 7, 2023 about the shooting of Garris by New Rochelle police this past Monday. Garris was shot by police during a scuffle on Lincoln Ave. in which police were attempting to arrest him after a nearby market called the police about Garris possibly stealing food.

The video provided by the police department ends before Conn shoots his weapon. A police spokesperson said the video ends where it does out of respect for Garris family.

The family has called for the release of the full bodycam footage, as well as for any witnesses who saw the shooting to come forward.

"You want to be transparent, release the whole video to show the pictures of the truth," the Rev. Kevin McCall, who has acted as a family spokesperson, told reporters on Friday. "The video does not lie. This young man should be here today. Him eating fruit, grapes and a banana, should not be his death sentence."

New York State Police said Conn shot Garris while trying to arrest him, firing one round from his department-issued firearm. Bodycam video shows a handcuff on Garris' right hand during the struggle in the middle of Lincoln Avenue, a busy two-way street that runs through New Rochelle.

The officers fired no additional rounds, State Police said, and performed lifesaving techniques. He was transported to the hospital and was in a coma.

All three officers have been placed on administrative leave pending results of investigations, the city Police Department confirmed.

Mental health struggles, life in North Carolina detailed by family

Garris father, Raymond Fowler, 58, a longtime New Rochelle resident now living in North Carolina, said Garris struggled with mental health issues, including schizophrenia, and had been contacted by New Rochelle police when he was a city resident for wellness checks.

Garris grew up just minutes walking from the scene of the shooting. He had extended family still living in New Rochelle. In the days and hours leading up to the shooting, several residents said they had seen Garris in the neighborhood.

Garris, who graduated from New Rochelle High School in 2004, went by Jarrel on his Facebook page. Some family members used the spelling Jarrell, whereas law enforcement have used Jerrel.

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.

On Friday, dozens of friends and family gathered to show support for Garris at a family press conference outside of St. Catherine A.M.E. Zion Church, just feet from where police shot Garris.

The fatal encounter happened in an area referred to as the Lincoln Avenue corridor, a historic African American community. The police department and City Hall are located just around the corner.

Garris sister said her brother had a job and was doing well in North Carolina. In a text message, his girlfriend said he was working as a caregiver in a private resident home.

After the press conference, many people went to protest outside New Rochelle Farms. A few people entered the grocery store and knocked over produce, though a police spokesperson said no arrests were made.

New Rochelle Farms appears to have been closed since then. On Monday, the store's phone went unanswered.

On Monday evening, demonstrators again closed off the intersection outside of New Rochelle Farms, protesting the police shooting of Garris and the grocery store calling police.

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 USA TODAY NETWORK: Jarrell Garris fatally shot by New Rochelle police after stealing food
A man has died following a rollover crash in Plympton Tuesday afternoon.

Officers responding to the area of Palmer Road around 2:07 p.m. for a motor vehicle collision found a truck flipped on its roof and a sedan that sustained serious damage, according to Plympton Police.

The driver of the truck, identified as a Plympton resident, was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity is not being released.

The driver of the sedan, a man who is not from the town, was transported to BID-Plymouth Hospital with injuries not considered to be life-threatening.

Both men were the sole occupants in their respective vehicles, according to officials.

We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the resident who succumbed to their injuries, Chief Matthew Ahl said in a statement. The family has been notified and we ask the public to please respect that we will not be releasing further information on the deceased at this time. This is a time where our community must come together and our department is committed to offering support to all impacted by todays tragedy.

Palmer Road was closed for multiple hours but reopened around 6 p.m.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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The Hamilton County Coroner's Office has identified a man fatally shot in the West End Tuesday as 41-year-old Brandon Miller.

Miller, a resident of the West End, died July 11 at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, the coroner's office said today.

Cincinnati police said earlier that officers responded to the 400 block of Findlay Street at 12:50 p.m. for a report of a person shot and found a man with gunshot wounds.

No suspect information has been provided.

Anyone with information is asked to call homicide investigators at 513-352-3542.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Coroner identifies victim of West End shooting
Shelby Crump holds a photo of her grandmother, Dot Hyde, who was killed in a hit and run in January. Police are still seeking the driver.

Seven months after a fatal hit and run in Boiling Springs, law enforcement have made a breakthrough in the case.

Boiling Springs Police Chief Nathan Phillips said a car has been seized and warrants were issued Monday for James Wesley Harris, 32, of Blacksburg, South Carolina, for felony duty to stop in the event of a crash.

On the evening of Jan. 20, Dorothy Dot Hyde, 74, was walking back from the Bulldog Quik-Snak to retrieve her car parked at a nearby pharmacy after dining out with friends and family. She was struck and killed near the intersection of North Main Street and Woodland Avenue and police said the driver didnt stop.

Police are still seeking information on the whereabouts of Harris.

Phillips said law enforcement has had the vehicle in their possession for around a month but wanted to be very thorough in their investigation before issuing the warrants.

He admitted it to a third party and that information came to us through the Shelby Police Department, Phillips said.

Video surveillance shows the silver Acura that police say hit and killed Dot Hyde on January 20. Police are still seeking the driver who did not stop.

The car, which was described previously from video surveillance as a four door silver Acura TL, either a 2002 or 2003, was discovered in a tow lot in Gaffney, according to police.

The tow company purchased the vehicle from somebody, Phillips said.

He said law enforcement utilized cell phone data, search warrants and partnered with other agencies to track down information that has led to the warrants.

It was a joint working effort with DMV License and Theft division, Shelby Police and the Cleveland County Sheriffs Office, Phillips said. He said Boiling Springs Sgt. Jonathan Gantt was the lead investigator in the case, and he did an excellent job.

Police have notified Hydes family, who have been closely involved in the investigation since the beginning. A description of Harris has not yet been released by police.

Reporter Rebecca Sitzes can be reached at rsitzes@gannett.com.

Hyde

This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Police issue warrants in fatal Boiling Springs hit and run
HARARE, July 12 (Xinhua) -- When Zimbabwe, a southern African country rich in natural resources, seeks to capitalize on the global drive toward renewable energy to grow its economy, Chinese investments in the country's lithium industry are expected to help it fulfill its ambition.

Earlier this month, Chinese companies put two lithium plants into operation in Zimbabwe, injecting impetus to Zimbabwe's strive for becoming a major player in value addition in the supply chain for lithium batteries.

On July 5, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, through its local unit Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ), commissioned a 300-million-U.S.-dollar processing plant at its Arcadia Lithium Mine in Goromonzi near the Zimbabwean capital of Harare, as it seeks to consolidate its position as one of the world's top battery materials producers.

In 2022, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt completed a 422-million-dollar acquisition of the Arcadia Lithium Mine from Australia-listed Prospect Resources and other investors.

According to the first-quarter report released by the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency, China is the major source of foreign investment in Zimbabwe, with significant investments having been registered in the mining sector, particularly the lithium sub-sector.

"The global boom in renewable energy has seen an increase in the number of investor inquiries into the sector, with the processing of applications underway," the report said.

Following the completion of the processing plant at its Arcadia Mine, PLZ currently has a capacity of processing 4.5 million tonnes of lithium ore, and producing 450,000 tonnes of concentrate annually, according to Trevor Barnard, deputy general manager of the company.

"We have plans to further beneficiate this concentrate and manufacture further beneficiated products in the country. Feasibility studies are currently underway as we speak, and as soon as we finish those feasibility-economical studies, we will be able to plan the next phase of the project," Barnard told Xinhua after the commissioning ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa acknowledged the role that business entities from China are playing in Zimbabwe's lithium sector.

"Lithium is the mineral of the present and future, hence its beneficiation and value addition by Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe will position our country as an emerging and competitive player in the global lithium value chain. This is indeed a vote of confidence in Zimbabwe's investment climate," Mnangagwa said.

On Sunday, the Sinomine Resource Group's local unit, Bikita Minerals, announced that it had commenced trial production at a new spodumene and petalite plant in Masvingo Province in southeastern Zimbabwe.

"Once the Bikita Minerals Lithium Mine expansion project reaches its production capacity, it is expected to produce 300,000 tonnes of high-quality chemical grade spodumene concentrate annually," the company said. "Commencement of the beneficiation production lines will further enhance the company's lithium concentration supply capability and future business performance."

The Sinomine Resource Group acquired Bikita Minerals in 2022 and invested 200 million dollars to expand existing operations at the mine.

In 2019, the Zimbabwean government set a target to achieve a 12-billion-dollar mining economy by the end of 2023, and lithium is expected to contribute at least half a billion dollars to the set target. To cash in on value addition, the government banned the export of raw lithium last year.

In May, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said lithium miners must go beyond the production of concentrates and develop production capacity for battery-grade lithium. 
Editors note: An earlier version of this story quoted early police reports that indicated a suspect was in custody. Police have since issued new information saying that the person in custody was not the shooter. The story has been updated to reflect this development.

The Plymouth District Attorney Timothy Cruz says the shooting victim, in Myles Standish State Forest on Wednesday afternoon, has died.

Officials say, Robert Aponte-Flores, 25, of New Bedford was allegedly shot several times after an altercation took place in a picnic area of the park around 2:30 p.m.

Aponte-Flores was transported from the scene and was later pronounced deceased at Beth Israel Hospital, Cruz said.

The shooting victim was transported to Beth Israel Deaconess in Plymouth to be treated for their gunshot wounds.

This was not a random act of violence and there is no threat to the public, Cruz said.

There have been no arrests made at this time in the shooting.

The investigation is active at ongoing at this time.

Myles Standish State Forest is the largest publicly-owned recreation area in the state.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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A 72-year-old man from the Philippines was last seen outside the Bellingham Lowes after a neighbor dropped him off on July 4, police and family members said.

Edgar B. Aberilla and his wife traveled from their home in the Philippines to visit their daughter, Abby Tullius, in Burlington, Washington, where they have been staying. Aberillas native language is Tagalog and he does not speak English.

Tullius said she and her parents attended a Fourth of July parade in Anacortes and then returned home. Without his familys knowledge, Aberilla left his daughters home with a neighbor and was driven to the Bellingham Lowes at about 4 p.m.

Aberilla has dementia and sometimes needs help, said Tullius, who is a medical provider at the Skagit County Jail. He is not familiar with Burlington or Bellingham.

Thats when I contacted the police and then the police also helped search. I think they sent like a drone to look at the slew behind our property and he was not there. And so the responding officer, Sgt. Campo, went door-to-door around the neighborhood, she said.

Campo approached a neighbor who was pulling into his driveway who told him that he had just dropped Aberilla off at the Lowes in Bellingham, Tullius said.

Burlington detectives said the reason the neighbor dropped Aberilla off at Lowes was due to a misunderstanding because of the language barrier.

Burlington detectives who are investigating the case said they recently obtained footage of Aberilla being dropped off at Lowes. They received a couple of sightings in Bellingham but no positive leads. Detectives have been going to Bellingham to hand out fliers and look for video of Aberilla. They said they are relying on Bellingham Police for information.

Border Customs are also aware of Aberilla in case he is dropped off at the Canadian-United States border.

Tullius said her mother is still with her at her home and her parents were supposed to go back home to the Philippines on July 18 but Tuillius had to cancel their flights.

If [Bellingham residents] are sure that they see my dad, I would love for them to just stay with him as they call 911. If they could do me a favor to just do that, she said.

Aberilla is 5-foot-1, 140 pounds with short black hair. He wears glasses and was last seen with a blue T-shirt, khaki shorts, brown shoes and was carrying a brown bag.

Burlington Police is the primary investigating agency and if anyone sees Aberilla, they are asked to stay with him and call 911 immediately.
Boston Medical Center is no longer allowing unhoused migrant families to seek shelter in the hospital lobby.

A spokesperson told Boston 25 News it comes as the migrant crisis is becoming unmanageable at the hospital.

Boston Medical Center appreciates the work done by the Healey Administration to provide additional resources for displaced, unhoused, migrant families seeking shelter in the Commonwealth, a BMC spokesperson told Boston 25 News in a statement. Our teams have worked together for months on different approaches to help these families. Despite this, the collective actions do not yet meet the size of the crisis.

Last Wednesday alone, workers told the Boston Globe more than 100 migrants showed up seeking shelter.A viewer sent Boston 25 News video two months ago showing families, women, and children with suitcases sitting in the lobby at BMC.

At the time, the executive director of the local group Immigrant Family Services Institute said they didnt have the resources to place these migrants in housing.

BMC has recently experienced its highest numbers of unhoused migrant families seeking shelter at our hospital since this crisis began, the BMC spokesperson said. To ensure we can continue to fulfill our obligation as a healthcare provider for the communities we serve and ensure the safety of unhoused families, BMC has notified the City and State that we will actively manage the number of unhoused individuals that can wait in the hospital.According to the spokesperson, if the migrants show up after state resources have closed for the day, BMC staff are now being instructed to send them to the home of a family member, a church, or to the address of the last place they slept.

Massachusetts is a right-to-shelter state, meaning the government is obligated to provide shelter to many eligible homeless individuals, including migrants.

Boston 25 News has reached out to the governors office for their reaction to the situation at BMC and to learn how they are supporting migrant families. We are still waiting to hear back.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Polish doctors examining former president of Georgia Saakashvili, says Polish PM

Georgia's jailed ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili appears on a screen during a court hearing in Tbilisi

WARSAW (Reuters) - A team of Polish doctors has started examining former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Wednesday.

Saakashvili, 55, was sent to prison in 2021 for six years on charges of abusing his power while president of the ex-Soviet state, a charge he says was politically motivated. His health deteriorated in prison, where he has staged repeated hunger strikes and alleges he was poisoned.

"We do not leave friends in need," Morawiecki wrote on Twitter. "At my request, a team of Polish doctors... started a comprehensive medical examination of President Mikheil Saakashvili in Georgia.

Warsaw had previously proposed to the Georgian government that Saakashvili be treated in Poland.

Saakashvili himself has asked to be transferred abroad for treatment.

In a video shot during a court hearing last week, an emaciated Saakashvili lifted his shirt to show protruding ribs.

(Reporting by Alan Charlish; Editing by Toby Chopra)
Gov. Spencer Cox speaks at the Braver Angels National Convention at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pa., on Saturday, July 8, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox continues to enjoy consistent support from Utah voters across the board.

In the latest Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll, 63% of voters surveyed approve of Cox as governor, which shows almost no change over the last six months. In December, his approval rating was at 63%; in May, it was 64%.

Roughly 28% say they disapprove and 10% dont know, which also tracks with the last six months of polling.

Its great to have the confidence of the majority of Utahns. Gov. Cox remains committed to working hard for Utah families, keeping our economy strong and securing our future. Were pleased that Utahns recognize and approve of his tireless efforts to keep Utah the best state in the nation, said Jennifer Napier-Pearce, a spokesperson for the governor.

Dan Jones & Associates surveyed 801 registered Utah voters from June 26 to July 4. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.46 percentage points and a confidence level of 95%.

Related

The governors approval rating among Republicans has stayed consistent in the last six months  the June poll puts him at 66% among GOP voters, just a 2% decrease since May. Meanwhile 43% of Democrats support the governor, down from 54%.

One of the more interesting things, and its what Governor Cox will be most interested in as well, is how hes doing among the Republicans he needs to show up and vote, said Jason Perry, director of the University of Utahs Hinckley Institute of Politics. ... You may see fluctuations inside the category of whether people think theyre moderate or conservative, but really its that overall number that is most critical for him.

When broken down along political ideology, the data tells a similar story.

Between December and May, Cox signed the countrys first and most restrictive social media laws into place aimed at curbing teen use, a bevy of water-related bills, at least 10 laws intended to wrangle Utahs rapid growth, a law that further limits access to abortion in the state and three bills directed at LGBTQ children  one which places a moratorium on puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for minors.

During that time frame, the governor lost support among liberals, and gained popularity with his moderate and conservative constituents, according to polling. Support among somewhat liberal voters went from nearly 75%, the highest of any group, to 55%. And his approval rating with moderates shot up from 60% to 78%.

Since May there has been less legislative action, and less movement in his approval rating  according to the most recent poll, support among very conservative voters is at 64%, 73% for somewhat conservative, 57% for somewhat liberal and 23% for very liberal.

Its a very quiet time where you get to see where people are. And this will change, and these polling numbers will change as they always do, when there are major stories or when the legislative session starts, said Perry, noting that the upcoming presidential race could have some impact on Coxs approval rating.

The person that becomes the Republican nominee is going to have an impact, not just on the numbers for Governor Cox when he runs, but also for the people who are running for any office in the state of Utah, Perry said.

While support among voters who identify as moderates appears to be slipping  61% said they approve of the job Cox is doing, a 17% decrease from May  experts caution drawing conclusions from that single data point.

Overall, the story is that Governor Cox continues to enjoy strong approval ratings. A solid majority of Utahns seem to like the work he is doing. So then the question is what to make of the moderates, said Chris Karpowitz, co-director of the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy at Brigham Young University.

The decline among moderates could be concerning for Cox, who is often characterized as a moderate himself. But Karpowitz says its too soon to tell if thats part of a larger pattern.

Its not clear that its a trend, we would need to see evidence of sustained decline over multiple surveys to really be confident that it is, Karpowitz said, noting that its possible the 17% decline is an outlier. Plus, a voters definition of a moderate is subjective and can change based on current events.

Though it could cause his approval rating to slip, Cox losing support among moderates doesnt necessarily impact his electability given the Republican Partys grip on Utah politics, Karpowitz says.

Im not sure its critical. He can win reelection with just conservatives...but his brand, at least stylistically, is more moderate. Its a different kind of Republicanism than we have seen from the current front runners in national Republican politics. Its a style of politics that explicitly values an attempt to empathize with and understand people who are on the other side of the political spectrum, he said.
More than six months after a road rage shooting that injured one man in Port Royal, police have charged Jasper County resident Jeffrey Keyontay Gadson as the second and final suspect.

Gadson, 28, was charged Tuesday with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, jail records show. He was arrested by a SC Law Enforcement Division team in Hampton County before being extradited to the Beaufort County jail, said Capt. John Griffith of the Port Royal Police Department.

The shooting took place Dec. 29, when a Ridgeland driver became involved in an altercation with a BMW on Ribaut Road near the McTeer Bridge. The other driver pulled out a gun and shot at least once into the mans moving car, hitting him on his side, police previously told The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette.

Port Royal police identified Gadson as the driver of the BMW after Jasper County deputies found and seized the car a few days later. Neyauna Fields, 26, of Ridgeland, who was a passenger in Gadsons car during the incident, turned herself in and was charged as an accessory to the shooting Jan. 5. The charge was dismissed in March, according to county judicial records.

Police believe that both Gadson and Fields knew the man who was shot, according to a Jan. 3 press release from the Port Royal Police Department. Following the shooting, the injured man drove himself to Beaufort Memorial Hospital and was later released.

Gadson was in custody on a $600,000 cash bond at the Beaufort County Detention Center as of Wednesday morning. His first appearance in court is scheduled for mid-September, judicial records show.

When we publish mugshots

The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette publishes police booking photos, or mugshots, in the following instances:

In situations where a public figure or someone in a position of public trust is arrested

In cases where there is an immediate and widespread threat to public safety

In cases where the arrested person is accused of a crime reporters have evidence to believe involved numerous, unknown victims

Reporters will avoid using mugshots as lead images for online articles in order to limit their circulation on social media, except in cases where the public is served by the immediate identification of the accused. Reporters and editors may use discretion in situations that dont meet the criteria outlined in this policy but still present a compelling reason to publish a mugshot.
Darcelle XV

Portland, Ore., is naming a public square for Darcelle XV, the legendary drag queen who died in March at age 92.

OBryant Square in downtown Portland will be renamed Darcelle XV Plaza this week, city officials announced Friday. A proclamation to that effect will be released at 2 p.m. Thursday in City Council chambers, local media outlets report.

Darcelle  offstage, Walter W. Cole Sr.  ran a Portland nightclub called Darcelle XV Showplace for more than 50 years, featuring performances by Darcelle and other drag artists. Its the longest-running drag club west of the Mississippi. Coles son, Walter W. Cole Jr., is keeping it in business. Its listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as is the home Cole Sr. shared with his life partner, fellow entertainer Roxy Le Roy Neuhardt. Neuhardt died in 2017.

Darcelle was embraced warmly by Portlanders, appearing at many events around the city and receiving numerous awards. The queen received a place in Guinness World Records in 2016 as the worlds oldest drag performer and was the first Oregonian to be named to the National LGBTQ+ Wall of Honor at New York Citys Stonewall Inn.

As Darcelle, Cole raised money for a variety of charities, including many LGBTQ+ and AIDS organizations. The Darcelle XV AIDS Memorial stands at a cemetery in Portland, and in recognition of his work, Cole received the Spirit of Portland Award in 2003. The club also hosted Christmas Eve dinners for people who had nowhere else to go.

The square is undergoing renovation. A park and garage there have been closed since 2018 due to structural damage, and they will be demolished and a new park laid out. The square is located on a street named for Harvey Milk.

Some city officials have endorsed renaming Northwest Davis Street, near Darcelle XV Showplace, for Darcelle, but that has yet to receive final approval, TV station KOIN reports.

City leaders said naming the square for Darcelle demonstrates Portlands commitment to inclusion. By renaming OBryant Square to Darcelle XV Plaza, we are embracing and celebrating the indelible contributions of Darcelle XV to our citys LGBTQ+ community, City Commissioner Dan Ryan said in a statement.

Renaming OBryant Square to Darcelle XV Plaza signifies the progress we have made as a city in embracing diversity and embracing LGBTQ+ history. May this plaza serve as a reminder of our shared journey towards inclusivity and acceptance, Mayor Ted Wheeler added.
Swimmers warned after Portuguese man o wars wash up on New England beaches

Swimmers are being warned after the most recent reports of Portuguese man o wars washing up on New England beaches this week.

According to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the predators were spotted at Scarborough, Roger Wheelerm and East Matunuck State Beaches.

Officials are flying purple flags to warn patrons.

 ATTN beachgoers, please be advised: multiple Portuguese Man-of-War (Physalia physalis) were spotted at Scarborough, Roger Wheelerm + East Matunuck State Beaches this week. DEM is flying purple flags to warn of dangerous marine life. pic.twitter.com/5nTzX5HHbq  Rhode Island Dept of Environmental Management (@RhodeIslandDEM) July 11, 2023

The animal is a species of siphonophore that often look like balloons and may be blue, violet, or pink.

Their tentacles contain stinging nematocysts, which arent typically deadly to humans but cause extremely painful welts on exposed skin.

They come up in New England waters on the Gulf Stream from southern waters.

Earlier this month, Portuguese man o wars washed up on the shore of Edgartown on Marthas Vineyard.

Swimmers warned after Portuguese man o wars wash up on south shore of Edgartown

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Possible drone flew near Warren County Prison prior to Michael Burham escape. Are they linked?

WARREN, Pa.  As the search for escaped inmate Michael C. Burham stretches into its seventh day Thursday, police are investigating reports that a drone may have been flying near the Warren County Prison just prior to Burham's escape on July 6.

At a news conference Wednesday in Warren, Lt. Col. George Bivens, deputy commissioner of operations for the Pennsylvania State Police, said reports of the drone came from multiple interviews of people who say they heard a drone immediately adjacent to the county prison just prior to Burham's escape. Bivens said he did not personally conduct the interviews and could not confirm whether any of the individuals saw the drone. He added that no surveillance footage captured the drone.

Michael C. Burham, 34, escaped from the Warren County Prison, in Warren, Pa., on July 6, 2023, according to Warren police. The police released this photo on July 7, 2023.

"We just need to know more about it," Bivens said. "I'm not a big believer in coincidences but what I would tell you is just prior to the escape there was a drone flying in that area. It could be that there is a perfectly innocent and reasonable explanation. It could also be that it was somehow connected to his escape, and we intend to find out more about that."

Bivens said anyone with information about the drone operator or the nature or duration of the flight should immediately contact the state police command post at 717-265-9650.

GoErie archive: Search for escapee Michael Burham echoes 2006 'Bucky' Phillips manhunt

'Additional concerns' that Burham is armed

Bivens said state, federal and local police agencies continue to comb Warren County and areas of the nearby Allegheny National Forest for Burham, the 34-year-old homicide suspect and kidnapping defendant whom authorities described as a "self-taught survivalist with military training."

Bivens said authorities continue to receive calls and tips from northwestern Pennsylvania, western New York and adjacent states, and that possible sightings and stockpiles of items are being investigated with DNA testing.

"DNA can be extracted from nearly anything that a person touches or comes into contact with," he said.

Bivens declined to provide a description of the items found or the location of the possible sightings but added that authorities believe the stockpiles were "likely put there" by Burham and that investigators are "convinced that Burham remains in this general area."

Bivens added that recent findings and investigative leads have caused him to have "additional concerns" that Burham may be armed. He declined to elaborate on those concerns.

Bivens also said authorities are actively interviewing possible accomplices of Burham.

Reward offered in search for Burham

State police urge those with information on Burham to call the state police command post at 717-265-9650. The public can also call the state police barracks in Warren at 814-728-3600.

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $7,500 for information that helps lead to Burham's capture. Warren County Crime Stoppers is offering another $2,000. Bivens said Tuesday Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers has added an additional $10,000 for a total reward of $19,500.

Federal, state and local law enforcement gathered at the Pennsylvania State Police barracks west of Warren, Pa., on Saturday, July 8, 2023, amid the massive manhunt for Michael C. Burham, a homicide suspect who escaped from the Warren County Prison on Thursday, July 6, 2023.

Burham is accused of escaping by climbing on a pullup exercise machine in the prison recreation yard, getting on to a roof and then sliding off the prison roof with a rope made of bedsheets tied together, as the Erie Times-News has reported.

Burham is from Russell, near Warren, and is still believed to be in the area of Warren County, east of Erie County. State police said searchers are using police dogs, drones and helicopters.

Among other accusations, Burham is wanted in connection with the May 11 fatal shooting of Kala Hodgkin, 34, of Jamestown, in Chautauqua County, New York, north of Warren. Though he has yet to be charged in that case, Burham is a "prime suspect" in the killing, the U.S. Marshals Service said. At the time of Hodgkin's death, Burham was wanted a charge that he had raped her, according to court records.

More on search for Burham: Search for escapee Michael Burham continues as police investigate possible sightings

Warren County Prison reflects on escape Michael Burham's escape spurs repairs at Warren County Prison, review of staff, policies

A.J. Rao can be reached at arao@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNRao.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Possible drone flew near Warren jail prior to Michael Burham escape
Prayuth Chan-ocha's military rule was intolerant of dissent and criticism of the royals

Prayuth Chan-ocha, the army chief who overthrew an elected government nine years ago, and has run Thailand ever since, has announced he is retiring from politics.

General Prayuth contested the May general election as prime ministerial candidate for a new conservative political party, but it performed poorly, winning just 36 out of 500 seats in parliament.

He was known as a straight-talking, ultra-royalist army commander when he seized power on 22 May 2014 in a skilfully-choreographed coup-d'etat which ensured there was little organised opposition.

Unlike what happened after a previous coup eight years earlier Gen Prayuth stayed in power, giving himself the job of prime minister.

Despite promises that his tenure was only temporary, he has remained in the job ever since, and profoundly reshaped Thailand's power structures.

His military government pushed through a new constitution in 2017 which ensured that the coup leaders would extend their influence, largely through a 250-seat senate which he appointed, even after returning to democratic rule.

Today that senate, made up largely of conservative royalist men like Gen Prayuth, still has the power to block the reformist coalition which won a clear majority in the recent election.

Gen Prayuth was a gruff, sometimes irascible leader, unaccustomed at first to having his decisions questioned by journalists, who he once jokingly threatened to have executed.

He deployed his fondness for singing after his coup by penning ballads promising to return happiness to the people, and was visibly frustrated when that failed to happen.

His was a relatively light-handed form of dictatorship, but his government was intolerant of dissent, and hundreds were prosecuted and jailed under a range of military decrees and national security laws, most notably the harsh lese majeste law, which was used extensively against those who questioned the role of the monarchy.

Gen Prayuth remained personally popular with many older Thais, but became the focus of younger protesters who opposed military rule.

His inability to revive Thailand's slow-moving economy and the persistence of corruption in his administrations persuaded many Thais that he and his authoritarian style of leadership had to end, helping the youthful new Move Forward party, with its promise to end military interference in politics, to a stunning first place in the last election.

He may consider his greatest achievement as helping manage a difficult royal transition from the revered King Bhumibol, who had been on the throne for 70 years, to his much less popular son King Vajiralongkorn. This may well have been a primary reason for his coup.
Natalia Alekseeva, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) coordinator for the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 11, 2023. The implementation of flagship projects aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems has been accelerated worldwide, injecting vitality into global green agendas, the senior United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) official has said. (Xinhua/Dai He)

NAIROBI, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The implementation of flagship projects aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems has been accelerated worldwide, injecting vitality into global green agendas, a senior United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) official has said.

Natalia Alekseeva, the UNEP coordinator for the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, said there are concerted efforts to reclaim natural habitats that sustain human livelihoods through targeted funding and policy support.

During an interview with Xinhua on Tuesday, Alekseeva said the broader aim of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration covering 2021 to 2030 is to secure a green, resilient and sustainable future for humanity through revitalizing planetary health.

"The UN Decade addresses several challenges, and of course, we are also targeting sustainable development goals. These are spanning the climate change agenda, biodiversity agenda and nature restoration agenda," Alekseeva said.

Coordinated by the UNEP and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration seeks to prevent and reverse the degradation of habitats globally, and boost action on poverty and the climate crisis.

The initiative, according to Alekseeva, has already identified several flagship ecosystem restoration projects, including mangrove conservation, reversing desertification and expanding acreage under forests to hasten the green transition.

She said through partnerships with governments, industry, civil society and local communities, the initiative has mobilized funding and technical capacity to support the implementation of projects with the aim of reversing habitat loss.

Alekseeva said by aligning its programs with the Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed in December 2022 during the UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal, Canada, the Decade has injected vitality into national and regional efforts in restoring ecosystems from climate and human-induced depletion.

She disclosed that a number of the Decade's partners are implementing specific projects like restoring coastal mangroves and coral reefs, greening deserts, and expanding important biodiversity areas.

Alekseeva said some of the 10 flagship projects identified in the Global Biodiversity Framework have attracted funding from industry and philanthropic groups.

She said the Decade has drawn inspiration from China's commitment to restoring degraded habitats by leveraging government support and home-grown innovations.

"We would be happy to see how China's experience in restoring ecosystems can be shared with other countries, because they have very nice examples from their own national flagships," Alekseeva said.

According to Alekseeva, the initiative is encouraging national governments to leverage science, data, targeted funding and policy incentives, and to share best practices in a bid to boost ecosystem restoration.

In addition, the initiative has prioritized enhanced monitoring and robust multi-stakeholder engagement to boost response to habitat degradation and enable countries to achieve net-zero targets outlined in the Paris Agreement, Alekseeva said. 
President Biden says he'll be in office 'the next 5 years' during meeting with Turkish president

President Biden said during a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey on Tuesday that he looks forward to meeting with him again over "the next five years."

"I look forward to meeting with you the next five years," Biden said at NATO's Vilnius summit during their brief public remarks, following a bilateral meeting where the two leaders welcomed NATOs newest member, Sweden.

Sweden will become the 32nd official country of the international alliance after Turkey agreed to withdraw its objections to allow its membership. Sweden met all the requirements to join NATO but lacked the unanimous consent needed from all member nations.

"Mr. President, it's good to see you again," Biden told Erdogan. "Its a delight to be with you, and, you know, we're in this historic meeting, resolving a lot of things, I hope. And we made it all the more historic by the agreement you reached yesterday in the admission of Sweden and how you're going to proceed."

BIDEN MAKES COY COMMENT ABOUT TURKEY ALLOWING SWEDEN'S NATO BID AS COUNTRY DEMANDS AMERICAN F-16 FIGHTER JETS

President Biden, right, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hold bilateral talks at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Tuesday.

Turkey withdrew its objections after Biden and Erdogan negotiated Turkeys membership into the European Union and the sale of American F-16 fighter jets to Turkey. Hungary also blocked the membership but has since withdrawn its objections.

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The U.S. president added, "Thank you for your diplomacy and courage, and how you took that on. And I want to thank you for your leadership. Mr. President. This summit is reaffirming our commitment to NATO, and the NATO defense and allies in NATO, and I hope we can make it even stronger."

TURKEY TO ADVANCE SWEDEN NATO BID SAYS STOLTENBERG

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, speaks with President Biden at the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Tuesday.

Erdogan welcomed his "dear friend [from] the United States" and thanked him for congratulating his successful re-election.

"I'm grateful for the congratulatory messages that you have extended to me, strategic management and within the framework of our strategic mechanism. I think it's my time for the heads of states to get together for further consultations," the Turkish president said. "That's why I believe today's meeting with you at the NATO Summit is the first step forward."

BIDEN REPORTEDLY FUMES AND SPEWS CURSES AT STAFF IN PRIVATE: NO ONE IS SAFE

Erdogan continued, "Our meetings prior to this were mere warm-ups, but now we are initiating a new process. This new process is a process of five years. And now you are getting prepared for the forthcoming elections. And with the forthcoming elections, I would like to take this opportunity to also wish you the best of luck.

"Thank you very much," Biden said. He added: "I look forward to meeting with you the next five years."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, meets President Biden within the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit at the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Tuesday.

The comment comes as Biden is seeking re-election in 2024, where he could potentially have a rematch with his 2020 opponent, former President Donald Trump.

Biden currently faces a pair of unlikely Democratic primary challengers and a growing list of Republican candidates. Trump leads the GOP field that also includes former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and others.
President Biden elected skipping Tuesdays NATO dinner with world leaders as the White House said it was because the president had four full workdays and needed to prepare for a speech tomorrow.

Biden RSVP'd "no" to the NATO summit dinner with other world leaders as the 2023 summit kicked off.

This is the third time the president has skipped a dinner with world leaders while on an international trip.

ZELENSKYY OUTRAGED AFTER BIDEN REJECTS UKRAINES NATO MEMBERSHIP: UNPRECEDENTED AND ABSURD

President Biden is skipping the NATO summit dinner with other world leaders as the 2023 summit kicks off.

Fox News Digital asked the White House for comment regarding Biden skipping the NATO dinner, and if the president was skipping because he has had four full days of official business, why was he on the beach on Saturday.

After publication, a White House official told Fox News Digital that event was a social dinner, and said that the president was in the midst of "four full days of official business abroad, including back to back summit meetings and a major speech."

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Biden also spent some of his time speaking to state and federal officials about the U.S. response to flooding in Vermont, and on Tuesday, issued an emergency declaration to mobilize response to the disaster.

The president was also preparing for his speech scheduled for Wednesday at the NATO summit held in Vilnius, Lithuania, the White House official indicated.

Biden, 80, hit the beach on Saturday, July 8, near his Delaware home ahead of the NATO summit after spending the last two weekends with his son, Hunter Biden, at Camp David.

The White House pool reporter later clarified that the president skipped the NATO dinner because he has four full days of work ahead of him, not behind him, and will be delivering a speech.

Ukraine will be present at the NATO summit taking place Tuesday and Wednesday, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lamented that the alliance continues to keep his country from joining.

Biden made it clear in a CNN interview that aired Sunday that he does not support Ukraine joining the alliance during its present war with Russia. Biden also noted certain issues with Ukraine's eligibility, such as a lack of democratization. While he said there should be "a rational path for Ukraine to be able to qualify to be able to get into NATO," he did not go into specifics.

Zelenskyy said the international alliance was "about respect" and that Ukraine "deserves respect" as it seeks membership. He also said that by not taking steps to include Ukraine "a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraine's membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia." This, he argued, provides Russia with "motivation to continue its terror."

Bidens overseas trip comes after cocaine was found at the White House on July 2.

Fox News Digitals Lawrence Richard contributed reporting.
Manson follower who conspired to kill former WA actress Sharon Tate goes free

A woman who conspired to kill former Richland, Wash., beauty queen Sharon Tate was released from prison this week after more than 50 years.

Leslie Van Houten, now 73, was serving a life sentence for her role in helping followers of Charles Manson stab to death two people a day after Tate, who became a movie actress, and four others were killed in her Los Angeles, Calif., mansion, in 1969.

Van Houten was not at Tates home when she was killed but was convicted of conspiracy for the death of Tate and four others at the home she shared with her husband, film director Roman Polanski.

Tate, 26, was 8 1/2 months pregnant with her first child. Her husband film director Roman Polanski was working in Europe.

Sharon Tate

Tate was the last to be killed that night, begging for the life of her unborn child. She was stabbed to death and her blood was used to write the word Pig on the front door of the Polanski and Tate home.

The next night Van Houten was one of the Manson cult members who killed Leno LaBianca, a Los Angeles grocer, and his wife, Rosemary.

Tates sister, Debra Tate, has opposed the parole of any of the Manson followers convicted of murder, including Van Houten.

Sharon Tates sister, Debra Tate, posted a Change.org petition opposing parole for Leslie Van Houten, a Charles Manson follower, who conspired to kill Sharon Tate.

My fight to keep the remaining Manson cult murderers in prison continues, she posted on Saturday in an update to a Change.org petition opposing Van Houtens release. Tex Watson, Patricia Krenwinkel, Bobby Beausoleil and Bruce Davis continue to ask to be paroled.

Manson died a prisoner in 2017.

Van Houten is likely to be on parole for about three years, according to The Associated Press.

Van Houten parole

Since 2016 Van Houten has been recommended for parole five times, with California governors rejecting parole each time.

But after Newsoms latest decision to reject her parole, saying she offered inconsistent and inadequate explanations for her involvement with Manson, the Second District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles ruled 2-1 to reverse Newsoms decision, writing there is no evidence to support the Governors conclusions about Van Houtens fitness for parole.

Leslie Van Houten

Van Houten has shown extraordinary rehabilitative efforts, insight, remorse, realistic parole plans, support from family and friends, favorable institutional reports, and, at the time of the Governors decision, had received four successive grants of parole, the judges wrote.

The dissenting judge argued that there was some evidence Van Houten lacked insight into the heinous killings.

Debra Tates petition said that Van Houten placed a pillowcase over Rosemary LaBiancas head and tied it with a lamp cord and also held her down when she was stabbed. She also says that Van Houten stabbed her in the lower back several times.

For years she showed no remorse at all for her actions, according to the Change.org petition. When asked during her trial if she ever cried about the murder of Rosemary LaBianca she replied: Cry for her death? Why? ... Shes not the only person who has died.

Sharon Tate in Richland

Sharon Tate lived in Richland from 1955 to 1959, after the Tate family moved to Richland when the dad, Paul Tate, was assigned to Camp Hanford to work in Army intelligence.

Sharon Tate, 16, was a student at Columbia High School in Richland when she was chosen Miss Richland during the 1959 Atomic Frontier Days.

She attended Chief Joseph Junior High, and then Columbia High School (now Richland High) from September 1958 to October 1959.

She won the title Miss Autorama Tri-Cities in 1958, and a year later Miss Richland for Atomic Frontier Days. But the 16-year-old had to give up her title just two weeks later when her father received orders to be stationed overseas.

The family later returned to the United States, and Tates first acting role was as a secretary on TVs The Beverly Hillbillies.

Her first starring role was as Jane in the film Tarzan. Her film credits also include Valley of the Dolls, Eye of the Devil, The Wrecking Crew and The Fearless Vampire Killers. The latter was directed by Polanski.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
In Australia, trillions of insects were wiped out as a result of the Black Summer fires that took place in late 2019 and into 2020. It is also possible that the fires caused multiple extinctions during that time, Yahoo News reported.

Not long after the fires finally went out, experts discovered that about three billion animals were killed or impacted by the inferno. Now, scientists from LaTrobe University believe 60 billion invertebrates perished on just the rainforest floors, as compared to insect deaths in areas that were not burned, Yahoo News reported.

However, when the entire bushfire zone was analyzed, the amount of insect casualties skyrocketed. According to Heloise Gibb, professor at La Trobe University, the number is in the trillions.

If we scaled up across the whole of the burnt landscape and assumed it was a similar number affected, we think it could have been six trillion invertebrates lost, she told Yahoo News Australia.

Professor Gibbs modeling focuses solely on macro-invertebrates, disregarding smaller insects such as mites and springtails, even though these tiny creatures constitute 95% of all invertebrates found in leaf litter.

If you include all of those really small ones, it scales up to 120 trillion (across the burn zone), said Professor Gibb.

Although they may not be very popular, insects play a vital role in our food chain. Insects are eaten by small animals like birds, amphibians, and fish, who are then eaten by larger predators, including humans.

A reduction in insect populations can affect all animals up the food chain and is suspected to be a cause of a recent drop in bird populations around the globe.

Predatory insects also fulfill the role of chemical-free pesticides by preying on pests that pose a threat to our crops. This approach reduces pest-control expenses, boosts agricultural yields, and can save billions of dollars each year for the agricultural sector, according to at least one study.

Professor Gibbs told Yahoo Australia that when she went into the forest after the fires were finally quelled at the end of 2020, there was plenty of regrowth but no sounds from wildlife or insects.

A lot of birds feed on insects, so if theyre missing, the forests are quiet, she said. Those species wont come back unless there are invertebrates to eat.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch

The prosecutor's office in Mississippi's largest county says the state's attorney general made a politically motivated decision to ask an appeals court to overturn the conviction of a former police officer in the 2019 beating death of a man who was pulled from a vehicle and subdued by three officers.

The Hinds County District Attorney's office issued a statement Wednesday criticizing Attorney General Lynn Fitch for taking an unprecedented step of opposing a jury verdict, WJTV reported. Fitch's office did not immediately respond to emailed questions.

It is the Attorney Generals job to defend this verdict, the statement said. If the Court of Appeals wishes to overturn the verdict, that is their job, not hers.

Last August, a Hinds County jury convicted former Jackson detective Anthony Fox of culpable negligence manslaughter in the 2019 beating death of 62-year-old George Robinson. News outlets reported Fox was accused of pulling Robinson from a car and striking him in the head and chest as police were searching for a murder suspect. Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham-Stewart ruled the death a homicide by blunt-force trauma.

Anthony Fox

Circuit Judge Adrienne Wooten sentenced Fox, 38, to five years in prison  a 20-year sentence with 15 years suspended. He is in the Madison County Jail, according to Mississippi Department of Corrections records.

In papers filed Monday with the appeals court, Fitch argued that prosecutors failed to prove the core element of culpable negligence manslaughter, which is wanton disregard of, or utter indifference to, the safety of human life.

Robinson received a small, superficial abrasion on his forehead but had no other visible injuries from the struggle, Fitch wrote. Robinson, who had health problems and was on medication, had a seizure hours later and died two days after that from bleeding in his brain.

The Hinds County District Attorney's Office said it could find no other case in which the attorney general, who represents the state in criminal appeals, took such a position. The statement also says several law enforcement agencies issued prepared statements within minutes of Fitch filing the brief on Monday, indicating the statements could only have been coordinated at the request of the Attorney General.

"The Attorney Generals job is to make the best possible argument for the State of Mississippi," the district attorney's office wrote. It is a critical part of the adversarial process. It is not her job to assist or represent the interests of a criminal defendant convicted by a jury of his peers.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Hinds County prosecutors call Lynn Fitch's request to overturn conviction unprecedented
Sergeant Major of Ukrainian Army brigade accused of self-promotion based on others' blood, brigade commander urges parties to come to terms

The 47th "Magura" Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has reacted to comments made by Sergeant Major Valerii Markus, who asked to be demoted because of an ongoing disagreement with the brigades commanders.

Source: Oleksandr Sak, commander of the 47th Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on Telegram; Rustam Mustafaiev, Sergeant Major of the 47th Brigades UAV strike company, on Facebook

Quote from Sak: "Privates, sergeants and officers of the brigade continue to carry out their combat tasks today  seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

In these difficult days, as Commander of the 47th Brigade, I call on everyone to put aside conflicts, resentment and disputes  and increase our efforts in the joint struggle. Let problems unite us ahead of fierce battles! As fingers bend into a single fist to strike, so we must unite."

Details: Rustam Mustafaiev, Sergeant Major of the 47th Separate Mechanised Brigades UAV strike company, criticised Markus for "trying to promote himself on the back of other people's blood and other people's work", and also refuted a number of his criticisms about the command of the brigade.

In particular, Mustafaiev insisted that he and his sergeants had not encountered "systematic humiliation from the sergeant corps of the brigade" as Markus has claimed. Mustafaiev said that on the contrary, the command often summons him to the headquarters to interact and coordinate the actions of the unit, and all officers of the higher command are in direct contact with him to "create the most favourable conditions for the work of the unit".

He also called Markus's claim that "the brigade command fails to understand the importance of soldiers morale if they are to do their jobs well" complete nonsense.

Quote: "Why are we talking about morale when Markus takes part in one assault, films the result of other people's work, and then posts a bunch of videos to promote himself based on the blood of his brothers-in-arms? He was the one who was supposed to be training the brigade for combat and raising morale, but he has completely failed at that."

More details: Mustafaiev also refuted Markus's accusations about the "incompetence of the brigades senior officer corps", noting that he personally has taken part in more operations with these officers "than there are posts in Markus's blogs".

Mustafaiev also considers the claim that "the brigade command lacks the will to protect the interests of the military unit before the higher command" to be untrue.

He concluded that the 47th Separate Mechanised Brigade fulfils its tasks successfully, despite a number of problematic issues.

Background:

On 11 July, Valerii Markus, Sergeant Major of the 47th "Magura" Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, said he had asked to be demoted because he disagreed with the actions of the brigades command.

On 28 June, Valerii Markus described a day of assaults and a night spent with the bodies of Russian invaders, only for Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi to leave a comment reprimanding him for taking off his body armour.

On the same day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Markus to discuss the reform of the sergeant corps.

The 47th Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is involved in operations in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
FILE PHOTO: The United Nations headquarters building is pictured though a window with the UN logo in the foreground in the Manhattan borough of New York

By Nancy Lapid

(Reuters) - High rates of pregnancy-related deaths among women of African descent in North and South America are likely due largely to racism in the form of verbal and physical abuse from health care providers, denial of quality care, and refusal of pain relief, a U.N. report found.

The new analysis by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) refutes misconceptions that Black women's lifestyle choices or genetics underlie their poorer childbirth experiences, the authors said.

Drawing on government data and published studies, they found Black and mixed race women of African descent face disadvantages rooted in racist assumptions in medical education, policymaking, and health service delivery.

Medical textbooks, for example, teach childbirth based on a pelvic shape common to European women yet highly variable among women of other ethnicities, increasing their risk of obstetric intervention, the report said.

Many doctors also learn, incorrectly, that Black people feel less pain because of thicker skin and are less likely to experience postpartum hemorrhage because their blood clots more quickly, the report added.

Furthermore, Black women more often face structural barriers related to transportation, medical insurance, and a lack of acceptable, culturally appropriate health services, the researchers found.

They were able to compare pregnancy outcomes in only nine of the 35 countries in North and South America: Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Panama, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States and Uruguay. These were the only countries with comparable recent national survey data stratified by ethnicity, race or skin color.

The largest discrepancy in maternal death rates was in the United States, where Black women are three times more likely to die within six weeks of giving birth compared to non-Black and non-Hispanic women, according to the report.

However, Black women in the United States fare better than non-Black women in other countries, the researchers said.

Higher income and education were not protective. Maternal deaths among U.S. African-American college graduates were 5.2 times higher than among white college graduates and 1.6 times higher than among white women with less than a high school diploma, the researchers found.

Maternal health policies rarely measure racial differences in outcomes, said Patricia Da Silva, program adviser for UNFPA's Initiative for People of African Descent.

Governments must ensure data is collected and analyzed in ways that allow for targeted policies that can shrink the gaps in quality of care, she said.

(Reporting by Nancy Lapid; Editing by Caroline Humer and Jamie Freed)
Sudanese refugees who fled the conflict in Sudan gather July 1, 2023 at the Zabout refugee Camp in Goz Beida, Chad. The U.N. says the conflict in Sudan has driven more than 3.1 million people from their homes, including over 700,000 who fled to neighboring countries. The U.N. said Wednesday more than 72% of those displaced were from the capital, Khartoum, and around 9% from West Darfur province, where the clashes between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have largely centered. (Marie-Helena Laurent/WFP via AP)

CAIRO (AP)  A raging conflict in Sudan has driven more than 3 million people from their homes, including over 700,000 who fled to neighboring countries, the U.N. said Wednesday. The United Kingdom announced sanctions on the warring factions, amid growing concerns the country is sliding into a full-scale civil war.

Sudan has plunged into chaos since mid-April when monthslong tensions between the military and its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere across the northeastern African nation.

The conflict derailed Sudanese hopes of restoring the countrys fragile transition to democracy, which had begun after a popular uprising forced the militarys removal of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. A coup, led by the military and RSF, disrupted the democratic transition in October 2021.

More than 2.4 million people have fled their homes to safer areas inside the country, according to the International Organization for Migration. Around 738,000 others crossed into neighboring countries, the agency said.

Egypt is hosting the largest number of those who fled  more than 255,500 people  followed by Chad with more than 238,000 and South Sudan with around 160,800, the IOM said. More than 62,000 people fled to Ethiopia, more than 16,700 to the Central African Republic and around 3,000 to Libya, it added.

More than 72% of those displaced were from Khartoum and around 9% from West Darfur province, both places where the clashes have been largely centered, the IOM said.

The IOM said that 65% of those who fled into neighboring countries were Sudanese nationals and the rest were foreigners and refugees who were forced to return to their home countries.

The fighting continued Wednesday in parts of Khartoum. Plumes of smoke could be seen rising over the city center, where residents said the military attacked a building allegedly used by RSF members.

The conflict has turned Khartoum and other urban areas into battlefields. Members of the paramilitary force have occupied peoples houses and other civilian properties since the conflict broke out, according to residents and activists. There have also been reports of widespread destruction and looting across Khartoum and the nearby city of Omdurman.

The sprawling region of Darfur saw some of the worst bouts of violence in the conflict with the fighting turning into ethnic clashes, according to the U.N.

The RSF and allied Arab militias rampaged through the region, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes, according to rights groups. Entire towns and villages were burned to the ground and looted, especially in West Darfur province.

The clashes have killed more than 3,000 people and wounded more than 6,000 others, Health Minister Haitham Mohammed Ibrahim said in televised comments last month. The casualty tally is likely much higher, according to doctors and activists.

International and regional efforts have so far failed to establish a cease-fire that could allow humanitarian agencies to provide support to civilians still trapped in the conflict. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned over the weekend that the country was on the brink of a  full-scale civil war."

Earlier this week, a regional meeting floated the idea of deploying troops to Sudan to protect civilians. The Quartet Group, which met Monday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, called for a summit of the Eastern Africa Standby Force, a 10-member regional bloc, to consider the proposal.

The Quartet Group is a subcommittee of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, or IGAD, an eight-member East African bloc. It is headed by Kenyan President William Ruto, who called for an unconditional cease-fire in Sudan and the establishment of a humanitarian zone to help deliver humanitarian aid.

Sudans military delegate, who was in Addis Ababa, didnt attend Mondays meeting and accused Ruto, the chair of the Quartet, of siding with the paramilitary force because of his alleged business ties with the family of the RSF commander. Sudan's government, which is controlled by the military, reiterated its calls to replace the Kenyan leader as the chair of the Quartet.

There was no immediate comment from Kenya. Its government, however, denied the accusations last month and said Ruto, who was appointed by the IGAD over the Sudanese military's objection, was neutral.

Sudans government also denounced the proposal to deploy foreign troops, and said any foreign forces on Sudanese territory would be considered aggressors.

It also criticized comments by Ethiopias prime minister who called for imposing a no-fly zone over Sudan.

The leaders of South Sudan, Chad, Eritrea, Libya and Ethiopia arrived Wednesday afternoon in Cairo to attend a meeting for Sudan's neighboring countries, Egypt's state-run Al-Ahram reported. The meeting, which Egypt is hosting Thursday, aims at establishing effective mechanisms to help find a peaceful settlement to the conflict, according to the Egyptian presidency.

The regional diplomacy comes as talks between warring factions in the Saudi Arabian coastal city of Jeddah repeatedly failed to stop the fighting. The Jeddah talks were brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The U.K. government meanwhile imposed sanctions on six firms with links with the military and the RSF, as part of international pressure on the warring factions to stop fighting. The sanctions announced Wednesday are nearly identical to that imposed by the U.S. on both sides last month.

The British Foreign Office said that the sanctioned firms include Al Junaid, a lucrative gold mining company, owned by the family of the paramilitary force commander Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo. Also sanctioned are GSK Advance Ltd and Tradive General Trading L.L.C., which is based in the United Arab Emirates. Both firms are allegedly front companies controlled by the Dagalo family.

___

Jack Jeffery contributed to this report.
Raining cats, and a dog: Bedford shelter closed as it takes in 60 cats recovered in eviction

The Bedford Animal Shelter has shut down to take in 60 cats and a dog that were recovered during a recent eviction.

The animals were found when Bedford police were called to a home to assist with an eviction conducted by the Tarrant County Constables Office.

Police have not released the homes address, nor the name of the person who owned the cats.

All the animals were removed from the house and police are working to investigate their health and living situation.

Each animal recovered from the home is being held at the Bedford Animal Shelter.

At the shelter off Reliance Parkway Wednesday morning there were stacks of cat-sized travel carriers sitting on the ground at the back entrance and a pile of cat supplies that was steadily growing near the front door.

A sign on the door read that the shelter would be closed to the public until further notice.

What happens with the cats next is unclear.

Jose Morales, the shelters supervisor, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram he couldnt release any information about the cats and dog and directed the paper to the police department.

Representatives for the police did not immediately return a request for comment.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) pressed House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) to push the FBI for information about the origin of COVID-19 ahead of the committees Wednesday hearing with FBI Director Christopher Wray.

Paul, who had previously requested meetings with the FBIs Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate to discuss its investigation into the origins of COVID-19, said he was writing to notify Jordan that FBI leadership was refusing to meet with Congress on the topic.

The FBIs refusal to meet with elected representatives to discuss their work on SARS-CoV-2 is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated, he said in the letter Tuesday.

FBI leadership appears to want to prevent Congress and the American people from learning additional information underlying its conclusion that the origins of the pandemic are most likely a lab incident in Wuhan, Paul added.

This is not all coincidental. The Biden Administration clearly has a policy against cooperation and has no interest in investigating and resolving the SARS-CoV-2 origins. That policy has clearly infected the FBI and, as a result, contributed to its politicization.

Paul and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) initially asked the assistant director of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate for a meeting in April and followed up with Wray last month, after not receiving any response. The FBI director has not responded to their June letter, Paul said.

Wray said in late February that the FBI has for quite some time now assessed that the origins of the pandemic are most likely a potential lab incident in Wuhan.

I will just make the observation that the Chinese government, it seems to me, has been doing its best to try to thwart and obfuscate the work here, Wray also said at the time, adding, Thats unfortunate for everybody.

His comments came in the wake of reports that a classified Energy Department report concluded with low confidence that the COVID-19 pandemic most likely originated from a laboratory leak in China.

However, other U.S. agencies have been more skeptical of that theory and still believe that natural transmission from animals to humans is a more likely origin of the virus, which has killed millions around the world.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
HARARE, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's High Court on Wednesday nullified the nomination of self-exiled former government minister Saviour Kasukuwere as a presidential candidate in the forthcoming general elections set for Aug. 23.

Kasukuwere, also a former senior ruling ZANU-PF official, had been nominated together with 10 other presidential candidates last month.

A ZANU-PF member, however, made a court application seeking his disqualification because he has not been residing in Zimbabwe for 18 months, as required by the law.

High Court Judge David Mangota concurred that Kasukuwere has been out of the country for more than 18 months, and therefore ceased to be a registered voter. He ordered the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to exclude Kasukuwere from the ballot paper.

Kasukuwere has been exiled to South Africa since November 2017. 
A Tunisian Red Crescent worker snaps a selfie with young migrants who fled violence in Sfax (FATHI NASRI)

More than 600 migrants forced out of Tunisia's port of Sfax to the desert borderlands with Libya are being sheltered and given humanitarian aid, the Red Crescent said on Wednesday.

However, smaller groups of people remain stranded near the frontiers with Algeria and Libya.

Hundreds of migrants from sub-Saharan countries fled or were forced out of Sfax after racial tensions flared following the July 3 killing of a Tunisian man in an altercation between locals and migrants.

Sfax is a North African departure point for many migrants from impoverished and violence-torn countries hoping to find a better life in Europe.

Many of those expelled from Sfax were left to fend for themselves in harsh desert conditions near Tunisia's borders.

Abdellatif Chabou, president of the Tunisian Red Crescent, told AFP the charity had been authorised to pick up hundreds of migrants left without water or food in the militarised zone of Ras Jedir, on the Libyan border.

He said the organisation had provided shelter to "630 in total" between Sunday and Monday -- a figure which could increase in the coming days.

An AFP correspondent on Wednesday saw migrants, including a large number of children, in a makeshift shelter at a high school in Ben Guerdane, 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of Ras Jedir.

Two other groups have been taken to Medenine and Tataouine, further south.

Chabou said the migrants now in Ras Jedir "came from several places, a group from Tunisia and another from Libya".

He said the Red Crescent was feeding them and had brought 400 mattresses from Tunis to equip the schools where they are now being sheltered.

The situation is different just south of Ras Jedir, however.

Other migrants sent a video distress call to Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Wednesday, which it transmitted to AFP.

- Bodies found in desert -

"We are suffering. There are children, pregnant women. We're suffering here. We have not eaten anything since yesterday. We're going to die if we don't get help. Help us!" pleads one.

HRW said there are at least 100 migrants without food, water or shelter, and that some have been stuck there for several days.

NGOs are also concerned about the fate of dozens of other migrants, estimated by HRW to number between 150 and 200, scattered along Tunisia's western border with Algeria.

On Tuesday, a judiciary spokesman told AFP that the bodies of two sub-Saharans had been found in the Hazoua desert near Algeria.

Youssouf Bilayer, 25, from Ivory Coast, told AFP he had been arrested on July 4 in Sfax where he had worked for four years as a welder and was taken to the Gafsa area near the boundary with Algeria.

"We are suffering a lot. We were able to find a little water in the forest, but we've got nothing to eat. The police won't let people give us food, all we can do is charge our phones a little," Bilayer said.

The Red Crescent said the migrants who had been picked up were being sheltered in Medenine, Tataouine and Ben Guerdane to "allow time to prepare other smaller centres so our volunteers can provide better support" along with other international groups.

Chabou said the idea was to carry out "profiling" with the International Organization of Migration help to find out if "some are asylum seekers or if they want to return to their home country within the framework of the United Nations voluntary return programme".

He said that just 200 migrants from those picked up near the border with Libya said they wanted to go home. Most of the others asked to be taken to Europe.

str-bur-fka/kl/srm/it
Regulators are investigating claims of suicidal thoughts and self-harm in Ozempic and Wegovy patients

Getty Images

EU regulators are investigating about 150 reports of suicidal thoughts and self-harm in patients taking GLP-1 drugs.

It's unclear whether the issues are actually tied to the drugs Wegovy, Ozempic, and Saxenda.

In the US, Wegovy comes with a warning about potential for suicidal behaviors and thoughts.

The number of reports of suicidal thoughts and self-harm in patients taking the new weight-loss drug Wegovy and other similar medications has quickly skyrocketed  from just three, to about 150.

The European Medicines Agency said in a statement on Tuesday that a review triggered by Icelandic reports of three cases earlier this week has brought up "about 150 reports of possible cases of self-injury and suicidal thoughts" in patients across the European Union taking three different injectable GLP-1 medications, all from drugmaker Novo Nordisk.

The EU investigation centers on semaglutide, the hormone-mimicking drug branded as Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss, as well as one similar, older diabetes drug from Novo Nordisk, called liraglutide or Saxenda.

Regulators aren't sure yet whether these reports are actually linked to the medications themselves, "or to the patients' underlying conditions or other factors," the EMA said in the statement.

Already, tens of millions of prescriptions have been written for these drugs across Europe, with regulators saying more than 20 million "patient-years" have been logged across the EU. That's the equivalent of 20 million people taking these drugs for one year.

It's still unclear whether or not this potential issue is being scrutinized in the US. Regulators at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) haven't reported similar cases yet  though they are monitoring patient complaints.

"The FDA does not comment on third-party research or individual reports, but may evaluate these as part of the body of evidence to further our understanding about a particular issue," a US Food and Drug Administration official told Insider in an emailed statement. "If newly identified safety signals are identified, the FDA will determine what actions are appropriate after a thorough review of the body of evidence."

Dr. Amy Rothberg, director of The University of Michigan's weight management clinic, told Insider in an email Wednesday that there has been an "explosion" of people taking drugs like Wegovy recently.

In her practice, she's dealt with one young man who experienced heightened anxiety on the drug, and one middle-aged woman who had suicidal thoughts while taking it.

"I do counsel patients now about the rare risk" for more anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts with Wegovy, she said.

GLP-1 drugs influence hormones in our brains

MR.Cole_Photographer/Getty Images

Ozempic, Wegovy, and Saxenda all work by changing the chemistry of the brain, artificially bumping up levels of a hunger-regulating hormone that humans produce naturally.

The way these hunger hormones function in the brain isn't fully understood by scientists. But the potency of the older diabetes drugs, Saxenda and Ozempic, is lower than Wegovy, which is prescribed for weight loss and has a higher dose of semaglutide in each injection.

The FDA said in their emailed statement that while clinical trials of Wegovy "did not support an increased risk of suicidal behavior, suicidal ideation, or other psychiatric adverse events," the agency still recommends that doctors in the US monitor patients who are on Wegovy and who have a history of depression or suicidal behaviors or thoughts.

Suicidal behavior and ideation is listed among the other FDA warnings and precautions for Wegovy, alongside issues including acute pancreatitis and heart rate increase.

Suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and depression have been linked to other weight loss drugs in the past, like phentermine. A weight loss drug called rimonabant, approved in the EU in 2006 as Acomplia but never sold in the US, was taken off the market worldwide in 2008 due to concerns about serious psychiatric effects of the drug, including depression and suicidal thoughts.

Have you dealt with unexpected side effects while taking a GLP-1 weight-loss medication? Reach out to reporter Hilary Brueck at hbrueck@insider.com

Read the original article on Insider
Removing dams from the Klamath River is a step toward justice for Native Americans in Northern California

Water spills over the Copco 1 Dam on the Klamath River near Hornbrook, Calif. AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus

The Klamath River runs over 250 miles (400 kilometers) from southern Oregon to the Pacific Ocean in Northern California. It flows through the steep, rugged Klamath Mountains, past slopes of redwood, fir, tanoak and madrone, and along pebbled beaches where willows shade the rivers edge. Closer to its mouth at Requa, the trees rising above the river are often blanketed in fog.

The Klamath is central to the worldviews, history and identity of several Native nations. From headwaters in Klamath, Modoc and Yahooskin-Paiute lands, it flows through Shasta, Karuk, Hupa and Yurok homelands. The Yurok Tribe has legally recognized the personhood of the river.

Historically, the Klamath was the third-largest Pacific salmon-producing river on the West Coast. The river supported abundant and diverse runs of native fish, including Chinook and coho salmon, steelhead trout, Pacific lamprey, green sturgeon, eulachon smelt and coastal cutthroat trout. Most of the Klamath in California has been designated since 1981 as wild and scenic  the strongest level of protection for free-flowing rivers.

People and fish of the Klamath River have been interconnected for millennia. But dams and irrigation systems built before the 1960s  along with other pressures, such as logging, mining and overharvesting  have separated fish from their spawning habitats and Indigenous cultures from sacred fish.

Four hydropower dams on the Klamath River are being removed to restore habitat for endangered salmon. USGS

Recognizing this harm, state, federal and tribal agencies now are removing four of the Klamaths six dams to let fish migrate farther upstream to historical habitats. The target completion date is 2024. This US$450 million project is the largest dam removal in the world.

Dam removals have catalyzed ecological rebound in other rivers, including the Elwha in Washington state and the Kennebec and Penobscot in Maine. As scholars working in Native American studies and freshwater ecology, we see the Klamath dam removal as an opportunity to right historical wrongs, improve depleted native fish populations and strengthen an understanding of the relationships between fish and Indigenous peoples.

People, fish and infrastructure

Resident fishes of the upper Klamath are highly endemic, meaning that they do not occur anywhere else in the world. They represent a unique collection of species from an ancient river that historically flowed into the Great Basin  a swath of arid lands across present-day Nevada and western Utah  before connecting to the lower Klamath River about 1.8 million years ago. Many fishes, particularly Chinook salmon, steelhead and coho salmon, annually migrated to or near the headwaters of the Klamath River to spawn.

As early as 1895, hydroelectric operations began to change the Klamaths hydrology. In the early 1900s, multiple small regional hydroelectric companies consolidated to form California Oregon Power Co., or Copco, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation began developing water storage and diversion projects.

White settlers in California had already been violently attempting to eradicate Native Americans since the mid-1800s. Dam building ushered in a new phase of attempted removal for tribes whose lives and cultures were centered along the rivers. Farming communities and lumber companies invaded the ancestral homelands of the Yurok and Karuk peoples.

The Klamath River runs from Oregons high desert interior through the Cascades and the Klamath Mountains, entering the Pacific Ocean in Northern California. Bob Wick, BLM/Flickr, CC BY

Declining fisheries

Permitting processes in the heyday of Western dam construction did not consider impacts on Indigenous nations or fisheries. Construction of Copco 1 blocked all fish migration to the Klamaths upper reaches starting in 1912. Subsequently, Copco 2, J.C. Boyle and Iron Gate dams further shortened fish migrations, cutting off access to approximately 400 miles (650 kilometers) of productive spawning and rearing habitat. None of these dams included passage systems to help fish access upstream habitats.

Today, wild spring-run Chinook are largely absent from the basin, except for a small population associated with the Salmon River and another population released from a hatchery on the Trinity River. Wild spring-run Chinook have declined by 98% from historical baselines.

Fall-run Chinook still return to the basin in moderate to small numbers, partly because two hatcheries on the Klamath produce and release up to 12 million juveniles annually. According to a 2002 estimate, between 20,000 and 40,000 wild fall-run Chinook salmon now return from the ocean annually, down from approximately 500,000 historically.

Other native fishes in the Klamath Basin are also in severe decline. The Coho salmon, shortnose sucker, Lost River sucker, bull trout and euchalon all are federally listed as threatened or endangered. Conservationists have petitioned regulators to list other species, including spring-run Chinook, steelhead and lamprey.

Dave Severns, a member of the Yurok Tribe, uses traditional methods to craft canoes from hollowed redwood trunks. Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Impacts on tribal nations

Development in the Klamath Basin has pitted agricultural interests against tribal nations and fish, particularly during dry years. Lack of fish passage systems and lower river flow have contributed to fish declines and disease.

Losing salmon along the Klamath is traumatic for Native nations, which see the fish as a cultural and spiritual keystone. For them, working to remove the dams and protect the salmon is a commitment and a responsibility.

As Yurok tribal member Brook Thompson, a restoration engineer, stated in a recent article:

My people have lived on the Klamath for thousands of years, and I know that the salmon today are the descendants of those my ancestors managed. These salmon are a direct tie to my ancestors  the physical representation of their love for me. The salmon are my relatives.

Tribes have legal rights to protect their fisheries and, ultimately, their cultural survival. In Western water law, rights often follow a first-in-time logic, meaning that the first party to claim or appropriate water holds the right to it. According to the Winters doctrine, established in a 1908 Supreme Court ruling, tribal water rights extend back to the dates when reservations were created.

The Klamath River Reservation was established primarily for Yurok on the lower Klamath in 1855, long before water development upstream. Upriver, lands were recognized for the Klamath tribes in 1864.

In 1954 Congress terminated federal recognition for the Klamath Tribe. Three decades later, however, in the 1983 case U.S. v. Adair, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit recognized that the tribe retained enough water rights to protect its treaty-guaranteed hunting and fishing rights on former reservation land.

A state quantification process affirmed in 2012 and reaffirmed in 2021 that tribes had the most senior water rights in the upper Klamath Basin. The federal government is responsible for ensuring in-stream flows that will sustain the Klamath tribes fishing rights, as well as agricultural deliveries to upstream farmers  whose rights generally date to the establishment of the federal Klamath Project in 1906.

Downstream, a series of court cases and a 1993 legal opinion from the Department of the Interior affirmed Yurok and Hoopa fishing rights. Tribes have legal priority, both upriver and downriver.

Welcoming salmon home

Removing the dams will begin to address the terms of the Yurok Tribes 2019 Resolution 19-40, which recognizes the rights of the Klamath River itself to exist, flourish, and naturally evolve; to have a clean and healthy environment free from pollutants; to have a stable climate free from human-caused climate change impacts  and the tribes right to protect the Klamath River, its ecosystem, and species for the continuation of the Yurok people and the Tribe for future generations.

Dam removal will encourage native and endemic fishes to return to the upper basin and access important spawning and rearing habitats. Fish population responses will probably vary, particularly during the first several years after removal.

However, salmon and trout have evolved to migrate upstream and access important headwater spawning and rearing habitats. Making this possible will support long-term recovery of these ecologically and culturally important species.

It also will promote the recovery of Indigenous peoples homelands and lifeways. In Yurok restoration engineer Brook Thompsons words, Were all focused on finding solutions to bringing our salmon back home and creating a healthy life for them. Creating a healthy life for salmon means creating a healthy life for us as people.

The authors thank Barry McCovey Jr., Director of the Yurok Tribal Fisheries Department, for reviewing this article and providing comments.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. If you found it interesting, you could subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

It was written by: Beth Rose Middleton Manning, University of California, Davis and Robert Lusardi, University of California, Davis.

Read more:



Beth Rose Middleton Manning receives funding from the Resources Legacy Fund (Open Rivers Fund) to study tribal participation in and leadership in dam removal projects.

Robert Lusardi receives funding from Resource Legacy Fund (Open Rivers Fund) to study the effects of dam removal on river ecology.
Rep Gaetz says Biden is 'sleepwalking' the US into another world war over Ukraine aid: 'Are we safer today?'

Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz claimed Tuesday night that President Bidens foreign policy was "paint by numbers" and that his support of Ukraine was "sleepwalking" the United States into "World War III."

"I dont quite know yet what the Biden doctrine is, but I get the sense that it probably has a half-life at this point because hes sleepwalking us into World War III," Gaetz said in an interview with Newsmax. "Lets talk about whats actually going on at NATO right now. The $115 billion we sent Ukraine was not enough, so now they are talking about giving Ukraine Israel-like security status, so we have to pay to be the block captain of Ukraine forever."

The Florida Republican also pointed to comments made by a pair of his Democratic colleagues, Reps. Seth Moulton, D-Wash., and Steny Hoyer, D-Mary., who said the U.S. is already "at war with Russia."

"I think one can reasonably ask the question, Has NATO expansion made us safer? Has it really? Are we safer today than we were before NATO expanded into the Baltics and put us now on the brink of war?" Gaetz asked.

ZELENSKYY OUTRAGED AFTER BIDEN REJECTS UKRAINE'S NATO MEMBERSHIP: 'UNPRECEDENTED AND ABSURD'

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., criticized President Biden's foreign policy during an interview Tuesday, as the U.S. president is in Lithuania for a two-day NATO summit.

Gaetzs comments come as world leaders are meeting Wednesday for the second day of a two-day summit held in Vilnius, Lithuania.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

At the center of the discussion is the prospect of adding Ukraine to the international alliance, a move some critics say could provoke further aggression from Russia.

MULTIPLE CAREFULLY CRAFTED BIDEN NARRATIVES FALL APART AS 2024 RACE HEATS UP

President Biden is among those critics, who said Tuesday that Ukraine was not ready to join NATO. He cited issues within Ukraines government as well as its ongoing war with Russia. During a separate event at NATO, the U.S. president emphasized Article 5 of NATOs founding policy, which necessitates NATO allies to rally to defend a member-country that suffers a military invasion.

Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, right, said Presidnet Biden was leading the United States into another world war.

Supporters say Russias invasion of Ukraine is evidence the Eastern European country needs international assistance, including military supplies and a seat at the table in NATO.

NATO leaders announced Tuesday a plan to add Ukraine into a new NATO-Ukraine Council that would allow consultation and coordination but would not formally accept Ukraine into NATO.

US TO PROVIDE CLUSTER MUNITIONS TO UKRAINE, $800 MILLION MILITARY AID PACKAGE, OFFICIALS SAY

The international body did, however, offer "conditions" that Ukraine could meet to eventually warrant a pathway to membership.

The conditions drew criticism from both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Kremlin.

"Its unprecedented and absurd when [a] time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine's membership. While at the same time vague wording about conditions is added even for inviting Ukraine," Zelenskyy said in a lengthy tweet Tuesday morning. He also said NATO was disrespecting his country and was subsequently "motivating" Russia in the process.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, addressed NATO members, including President Biden, right, ahead a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council during the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12, 2023.

Moscow, in response, said Wednesday that security guarantees for Ukraine "encroach on the security of the Russian Federation."

"By providing any kind of security guarantees to Ukraine, these countries are actually ignoring the international principle of the indivisibility of security. That is, by providing security guarantees to Ukraine, they encroach on the security of the Russian Federation," Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to the state-sponsored news agency RIA Novosti.

The action could prompt "very, very negative consequences," he said.

U.S. officials previously approved about $113 billion, divided into four rounds of funding, to aid Ukraine in fending off Russia.

The Biden administration recently announced it would also be providing cluster munitions to Ukraine and an additional $800 million in military aid, two U.S. officials confirm to Fox News.
Repair work begins on cracked Carowinds coaster + Sledgehammers used in local jewelry store heist

Hey, everyone! Drew here. Happy Hump Day!

Lets get right to the news.

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A person works on the Fury 325 roller coaster at Carowinds. A crack formed in one of the support pillars and the ride has been closed since Friday.

Work has begun at Carowinds to install a new support beam on Fury 325.

Last month, the amusement park situated on the border of North and South Carolina was alerted by a guest about a fracture in one of the support pillars. The park then shut down the ride down indefinitely.

Catherine Muccigrosso details the repair process.

Police are searching for three masked robbers who held handguns and used sledgehammers in a noontime heist at Finks Jewelers in the Birkdale Village mixed-use community of Interstate 77 exit 25 in Huntersville on Lake Norman Tuesday, July 11, 2023.

Police are searching for three masked individuals who robbed a jewelry store at Birkdale Village yesterday.

The three suspects used sledgehammers during the lunchtime heist and fled the scene before police arrived.

Joe Marusak has more on the robbery.

The YMCA of Greater Charlotte announced that the Johnston branch in NoDa will close at the end of the year. They have talked for years of trying to renovate the building, but COVID hit the YMCA hard financially.

At the end of this year, the Johnston YMCA in NoDa will close.

The YMCA of Greater Charlotte plans on selling the property after deeming renovation costs were too much amidst mounting financial losses. Money from the sale will help the YMCA, but not rescue the nonprofit entirely.

Jodie Valade reports on the financial issues the YMCA of Greater Charlotte faces.

Home buying

Ever wondered if your zip code is an attractive one for home buyers in Charlotte?

A new report shows which areas are the hottest on the housing market in the Queen City.

Evan Moore runs down everything you need to know.

5. Some more stories to read

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Report: Melanoma more deadly in Black men, who may get it in unexpected places

Although white men are much more likely to develop melanoma, a Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology analysis found Black men have a 26 percent higher mortality rate.

Black males are more likely to get skin cancer in unexpected areas, such as their toes and fingernails, making melanoma a much more dangerous disease for them.

The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology released the analysis of over 205,000 cases on Tuesday. According to The Washington Post, researchers evaluated diagnosis data from the National Cancer Database for men of white, Black, Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic ancestry from 2004 to 2018.

Although white men are much more likely to develop melanoma, the study found that Black men suffer a 26 percent higher mortality rate. Despite making up only 2.5 percent of the studys more than 200,000 male participants, Black mens survival rates were much lower than those of white males.

Black men who have melanoma have a higher mortality rate than white men with skin cancer, according to a recent study. (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Co-author Ashley Wysong, a medical doctor and chair of dermatology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, explained that the study aimed to go deeper into the reasons behind the variations in survival rates and the factors that might be causing them.

She noted that people frequently disregard melanomas on their fingers, toes, palms and soles of their feet because they think they are benign illnesses, like warts or fungus. They may resemble flat, pink, gray, brown or black lesions.

Most people dont think of skin cancers in their nails or on their hands and feet, Wysong said, The Post reported. So we see delays in diagnosis because of the location. Its hard to see. Most people dont know what a nail melanoma looks like.

The higher mortality rate of melanoma in Black men can partially be explained by late diagnosis. Although the study considered an array of variables  including income, insurance, access to healthcare and education level  Wysong said these factors dont fully explain why Black men would have a 26 percent higher death rate than Whites.

It does, however, imply that biological factors are in play.

Compared to 21.1 percent of white men, 48.6 percent of Black men with melanoma are diagnosed when the disease is already advanced and more challenging to treat.

Melanoma distribution on the body differed significantly by race. According to the study, lower extremities account for 50.7 percent of melanoma cases in Black men. Less than 10 percent of affected white men have the condition on their lower bodies.

Most instances affected the head and neck  25.7 percent  or the trunk  35.5 percent  in white men. Comparatively, 12.6 percent and 9.8 percent of Black mens cases involved the chest and head, respectively.

After receiving a melanoma diagnosis, more than 75 percent of white males live for five years or longer; 51.7 percent of Black men do.

Long-standing research has shown men are more likely than women to develop and die from the disease. However, the new study is the broadest examination of how racial differences in the site, stage and prognosis of male melanoma are explored.

In the last 10 years, there has been a 27 percent increase in the annual number of new invasive melanoma cases diagnosed. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 58,120 men and 39,490 women will be diagnosed with invasive melanoma in the United States in 2023, totaling 97,610 cases. A total of 7,990 deaths from melanoma are anticipated this year, and 5,420 will be men.

Dermatologists continue to emphasize sun protection because most melanomas are caused by UV damage to skin cells. Wysong noted that men frequently oppose wearing hats, sunscreen, protective clothes, avoiding the sun and visiting a dermatologist regularly  precisely the things that could save their lives.

Jeremy Brauer, a physician and clinical associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Health who was not involved in the study, said its critical to increase public awareness of the need for doctors and patients to be alert for melanoma, even in Black patients, where it is uncommon.

Brauer pointed out that doctors are frequently taught to recognize skin cancers on white skin and may not be aware of how the disease manifests differently in different races, adding that the disproportionate and unfortunate rate of death means we have to try to be much more preventative.

David J. Leffell, a professor of dermatology and surgery at Yale Universitys medical school and a specialist in skin cancer and melanoma, suggested that hormonal variances across all males could account for the gender discrepancy in melanoma. He asserted that the new findings should raise much-needed melanoma awareness in Black men.

There hasnt been a focus on this, and when there isnt that focus, there isnt the research funding, said Leffell, The Post reported. So I think that the article is going to shine some attention on the need to fund research in that area. And who knows? By paying more attention to the less common categories within melanoma, we may come to understand melanoma better in general.

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LANSING  The man accused of kidnapping and killing a Lansing toddler fled police in Macomb County at speeds exceeding 100 mph, rammed a police vehicle head-on and at one point had his hand on an officer's firearm before he was subdued with a stun gun and arrested, records show.

Records also show two officers were injured during the arrest. St. Clair Shores Police Chief Jason Allen originally said just one officer received medical treatment for injuries after the arrest, and did not initially disclose the use of a stun gun or the high-speed chase.

Rashad Trice, 26, faces more than a dozen charges in state courts in Ingham and Macomb counties in connection with the death of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith and the rape and assault of her mother, his ex-girlfriend. Trice also faces federal charges of kidnapping a minor and kidnapping resulting in death in connection with the disappearance of Wynter. The State Journal is not naming the mother because she is the reported victim of a crime.

Lansing Police Chief Ellery Sosebee, center, is flanked by local and federal officials on July 4, 2023, as they provide an update on missing 2-year-old Wynter Cole Smith.

Lansing police sent out an Amber Alert for Wynter at 2:41 a.m. on July 3, stating they believed her to be missing and endangered with Trice who hours earlier is accused of stabbing and raping her mother at her BeauJardin Drive apartment.

More: Rashad Trice to face grand jury hearing in Wynter Cole-Smith kidnapping case

Two St. Clair Shores police officers saw a car matching the description given by Lansing police  a white Chevrolet Impala  and followed it northbound as Trice accelerated and used the center left-turn lane to pass a vehicle. The officers turned on their emergency lights after Trice sped up and began fleeing officers, according to the reports.

"The pursuit continued n/b on Harper at speeds well over 100mph in a posted 40mph zone," one officer who was only identified as D. Jacquemain wrote. "The vehicle drove through a red light at n/b Harper and 11 Mile Road without stopping."

Police confirmed the vehicle's license plate matched the plate Lansing police were looking for.

One St. Clair Shores officer who arrived to the area wrote that he narrowly avoided a collision with Trice, who a short time later drove head-on into that officer's patrol vehicle that was traveling 35-40 mph, according to the reports.

"...I observed the Impala veer toward Officer Ealy's patrol vehicle again, causing a head-on collision with Officer Ealy who was traveling n/b," officer D. Jacquemain wrote. "The Impala and patrol vehicle 602 both became disabled with heavy damage (airbags deployed on both vehicles) at that time. Eastpoint PD Officers arrived on scene at that time to assist."

This image from the criminal complaint shows the information law enforcement used to review cell site information showed that Trice's cellular phone traveled from Lansing to Detroit.

Trice, the only occupant in the car, refused to exit the car, despite police's demands, D. Jacquemain wrote. An officer with the Eastpointe Police broke the driver's side window.

"I then observed the driver reach out of the window and grab ahold of Officer Ballard's pistol," D. Jacquemain wrote. "Officer Ballard was able to pull his pistol free from the driver's grip. I observed the driver attempt to grab Officer Ballard's pistol two more times before Officer Ealy deployed his (Taser), successfully striking the driver."

Ealy stunned Trice again as he refused to leave the car, D. Jacquemain wrote.

"Upon painting the suspect with the (Taser), he proceeded to reach out and attempt to grab it from my hand," Ealy wrote. "As a result of the suspects actions, I deployed the (Taser), effectively making contact with his person. Following the first deployment, the suspect was ordered to exit the vehicle. Instead, the suspect continue to fight back against officer attempting to remove him from the driver side of the vehicle, resulting in a second deployment."

St. Clair Shores and Eastpointe police officers removed Trice from the car. Trice had a laceration on his forehead, a chest injury and an injury in his hip area, D. Jacquemain wrote.

"SCSFD was requested to the scene to examine both Trice and Officer Ealy," D. Jacquemain wrote. 'SCSFD determined that both Trice and Officer Ealy should be examined at the hospital for their injuries."

An Eastpointe police officer referred to only as officer Ballard was also injured, reports show.

Trice appeared with his court-appointed attorneys in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids Tuesday for a preliminary hearing on federal charges relating to the kidnapping and kidnapping death of the toddler.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Ray Kent expressed some skepticism on whether there was enough evidence for the federal government to prosecute Trice, but ultimately moved to bind him over. The grand jury, which could convene in the next three weeks, according to prosecutors, will determine if there is sufficient evidence to send Trice to a full jury trial.

"The facts provide plenty of evidence to establish probable cause," Kent said, before binding Trice over.

More: Feds charge Rashad Trice with kidnapping in abduction, death of Wynter Cole-Smith

Trice faces 16 felonies in Ingham and Macomb counties.

Trice is accused of stabbing and sexually assaulting Wynter's mother the night of July 2 at their Lansing residence. He then allegedly kidnapped Wynter, leaving her 1-year-old brother behind, and fled in the mother's Impala to the Detroit area. Wynter's body was located days later near Coleman A. Young International Airport. Police believe Trice killed Wynter, possibly strangling her with a pink cellphone cable.

In Macomb County, Prosecutor Peter Lucido authorized eight felony charges Thursday against Trice. Those charges include 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.

In Ingham County, charges include 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.

Trice, who has a lengthy criminal record, is being held at the Ingham County Jail without bond.

Detroit Free Press Reporters Arpan Lobo and Matthew Dolan contributed to this story.

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: Police reports detail arrest of man accused in death of Wynter Cole-Smith
Gone in 60 seconds: At FBI director hearing, Republican conspiracies about Biden go 'POOF!'

House Republicans are convinced the FBI and the Department of Justice and basically any law enforcement agency that hasnt found President Joe Biden guilty of being a global criminal mastermind is corrupt  CORRUPT, I TELL YOU!  and in cahoots with Democrats.

But the steaming hot conspiracy bubbles belching up from the right-wing fever swamps are occasionally pierced by facts, and a rather thunderous bubble-popping took place Wednesday during a House Judiciary Committee hearing featuring FBI Director Christopher Wray.

The overall tenor of questioning from Republican lawmakers during the hearing was: YOU GUYS TOTALLY FOMENTED THE JAN. 6 ATTACK ON THE U.S. CAPITOL, DIDNYA? AND YOU ALL HATE DONALD TRUMP TOO, DONTCHA?? AND YOU ALL LOVE JOE BIDEN TOO, RIGHT?!?

'Are you protecting the Bidens?' and other really dumb questions

Rep. Matt Gaetz railed at Wray and the FBI for not finding greater criminality in the actions of the presidents son, Hunter Biden, and for not linking Joe Biden in with the hysterical, evidence-free allegations Republicans have cooked up.

You seem deeply uncurious about it dont you? Almost suspiciously uncurious? asked Gaetz, R-Fla., sounding like a cartoon villain, only dumber. Are you protecting the Bidens?

FBI Director Christopher Wray listens to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, during a hearing on July 12, 2023.

It was all just a giant load of nonsense, which makes sense, as the House Republicans' current motto is: A giant load of nonsense.

OK, who let a Republican ask a smart and relevant question? THAT'S NOT HOW THIS WORKS!!

But then, in less than a minute, one line of questioning made the GOPs entire line of hooey about the FBI having it in for Republicans and being in the bag for Biden go poof.

Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo.  yes, a Republican  began asking Wray about his career.

Buck said: You were nominated by Republican President (George. W.) Bush for the position of assistant attorney general in the criminal division at the Department of Justice and you were confirmed by a Republican Senate?

Wray replied: Yes, by unanimous voice vote.

Buck continued: And you were then nominated by Republican President Donald Trump to be the FBI director and again confirmed by a Republican Senate for that position?

Yes, Wray said. I think there were only five votes against me and they were all from Democrats.

Buck concluded: According to Wikipedia, youre still a registered Republican, and I hope you dont change your party affiliation after this hearing is over.

Republican Rep. Ken Buck to Wray: "According to Wikipedia, you are still a registered Republican, and I hope you don't change your party affiliation after this hearing is over." pic.twitter.com/IuSPMg0ioG  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 12, 2023

So the Republicans who want to defund and discredit the FBI, the ones who eagerly dragged the FBI director through the mud Wednesday with absurd allegations grounded in zero facts, want you, the American people, to believe this: The nations premier law enforcement agency has been weaponized against Republicans under a director who is a lifelong Republican and who reached his current post by being selected and confirmed to positions by two Republican presidents and two Republican-led Senate bodies.

DeSantis losing to Trump in Florida? Time to label the former president 'woke'!

Even as a conspiracy theory the GOP's anti-FBI theory doesn't make sense

Forget that all this is in defense of former President Donald Trump, a one-term, twice-impeached lifelong con artist who now faces more than 70 felony charges in two cases, with more indictments on the horizon.

Forget that Hunter Biden was actually charged with two misdemeanor tax offenses and a felony firearm offense.

Just a quick heads up: AI-powered robots will kill us. K, bye.

Forget that, despite relentless investigation, Republicans have produced nothing linking President Biden to his sons activity, or the fact that the person they touted as a key whistleblower was just charged with arms trafficking and acting as an unregistered agent for China.

Before you even get into details of the conspiracies, you have to believe the FBI director at the center of it all is corrupt. And he was appointed first by President Bush and then again by President Trump! This conspiracy is now an unusually large footprint shy of Bigfoot.

Poof!

USA TODAY Opinion columnist Rex Huppke.

Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on Twitter @RexHuppke and Facebook facebook.com/RexIsAJerk

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: FBI Director Wray's House hearing exposes folly of GOP conspiracies
When Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., declared his intentions in June to eradicate what he called wokeness in the U.S. military, he set his sights on abolishing a federal watchdog that investigates the Pentagons programs for diversity, anti-extremism and sexual harassment prevention.

The first-term congressman wants to cease the flow of federal dollars to the deputy inspector general for diversity and inclusion and extremism in the military, a job created by Congress only two years ago within the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General. Alford introduced an amendment to the 2024 defense policy bill to eliminate the position. It failed its first vote  and even if passed, its not likely to survive negotiations with the Democratically controlled Senate  but hes not done pursuing it.

Since the position was established at the start of 2021, Theresa Hull, who holds the job, has built a 22-person team that oversees the Pentagons diversity, equity and inclusion policies and tracks how the Defense Department handles cases of sexual harassment and assault. Her office also analyzes the departments actions to prevent and respond to extremist and criminal gang activity in the ranks.

I absolutely believe in the value of our work and that it should continue, Hull said in an interview with Military Times.

Alfords measure is part of a push by conservatives to target the militarys anti-extremism and diversity, equity and inclusion policies, which they argue are driving out some service members and hampering recruitment. Anti-extremism experts and advocates for diversity initiatives met the effort with ire, and Alfords measure in particular startled some who saw it as a political attack and an attempt to undo recent progress to improve military culture.

Its thinly veiled bigotry, said Wendy Via, a co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. I cant think of a place more than our armed services where we need to do all we can to create a safe and trusting environment. These people are putting their lives on the line to defend our country, and they have to trust the person next to them.

A step too far

Alford, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, tried to attach the measure to this years National Defense Authorization Act, a legislative package that sets the departments annual budget and includes a multitude of Pentagon policies.

The amendment failed to garner enough support June 22 when the committee approved its version of the defense policy bill after 14 hours of debate. Two Republicans joined Democrats to block the measure. One of those Republicans, Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said the amendment went too far in stamping out military training regarding diversity, equal opportunity, racism and sexual harassment.

Bacon, an Air Force veteran, supported another amendment offered by Alford to prohibit federal funds from going toward the Pentagons Countering Extremism Work Group, which was stood up in 2021 to root out extremism in the ranks. That amendment remains part of the committees defense bill, as do measures prohibiting defense officials from sponsoring drag shows on military bases and banning critical race theory at service academies, among other conservative priorities.

I supported multiple amendments that reduced [diversity, equity and inclusion] and [critical race theory] training in the military. But I thought two measures, to include this one, went too far, Bacon said of Alfords measure to eliminate the deputy inspector general position. We cant throw the baby out with the bath water. Lets get rid of the extreme training, but we must preserve the basic standards of the military.

Both the House and Senate armed services committees advanced their versions of the defense policy bill at the end of June, and work on the measures is expected to continue this week. Once the House and Senate have each approved their bills, a conference committee will convene to reconcile the differences.

Though Alfords amendment failed to make it into the House bill, his office is still working on next steps for the idea. The congressman is not done working to weed out these types of programs and ideologies, said Austin Higginbotham, Alfords deputy chief of staff.

In order to properly defend our country, we must eliminate all woke ideologies from our military, Alford said. The Associated Press defines woke as a slang term that originally described enlightenment or awakening about issues of racial and other forms of social justice. Some people and groups, especially conservatives, now use it in a derogatory sense implying what they see as overreactions.

We should not be wasting man hours and taxpayer dollars on programs that do nothing to benefit our military but rather hamper recruitment and retention efforts, Alford added. It is absolutely essential that we prioritize readiness, innovation, and the welfare of our service members over any divisive, non-military focused ideologies.

DWayne Thorpe (center), a U.S. Army Kansas City Recruiting Battalion recruit, recites the U.S. Army Oath of Enlistment, Aug. 18, 2022, in St. Joseph, Missouri. (Spc. Alvin Conley/Army)

Tackling a recruiting crisis

The military is experiencing a recruiting crisis, with the Army missing its fiscal 2022 goal by 15,000 soldiers, a shortfall expected to worsen this year. Elected officials and military leaders are blaming myriad factors, from public health, a booming civilian jobs market and negative perceptions of military service. Recruiters told Military Times they fault the militarys new medical records platform, which ended a longstanding practice of applicants glossing over their medical issues when applying to join.

Alford is among a group of Republican lawmakers who have repeatedly blamed the recruiting problems on President Joe Bidens administration and the Pentagons work under his leadership to ramp up diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. They also point to a military-wide stand down against extremism in 2021 as having tarnished the militarys reputation.

Republican frustrations with the militarys diversity, equity and inclusion policies were on display Tuesday during a Senate confirmation hearing for Gen. Charles CQ Brown Jr., Bidens choice to lead the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., took issue with diversity goals for recruitment that were described in a 2022 memorandum signed by Brown and other Air Force leaders, accusing them of cultural Marxism.

This administration has infused... [diversity, equity and inclusion] politics into our military, Schmitt said. It is a cancer on the best military in the history of the world.

In response, Brown underscored that merit would still determine entry into the Air Force and explained that the recruitment goals were aimed at better reflecting the demographics of the nation. The memo noted that, these goals are aspirational  and will not be used in any manner that undermines our merit-based processes.

Despite assertions that focusing on diversity and extremism prevention harms recruitment, advocates argue those policies actually help. Cutting the deputy inspector general for diversity and inclusion and extremism in the military  the watchdog for those programs  would only worsen recruitment, argued Allison Jaslow, CEO for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

The idea that we should eliminate a position thats important to ensuring that our military has the best culture possible for our troops would be ridiculous on any day. But in the midst of a recruiting crisis, its senseless, Jaslow said.

The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General highlights every year the major challenges facing the Pentagon. For fiscal 2023, the IG reported that recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce was one of those obstacles, citing the increased competition with the private sector and a shrinking pool of eligible recruits. Given that problem, one of Hulls plans for her office is to shed light on how the Pentagon could better recruit and retain a diverse force.

When potential recruits cant identify with their military, theyre less likely to join. They need to be able to see that diversity to know that they would feel included and belong, Hull said. Without focused oversight, were missing opportunities there.

Uncovering and reporting extremism

Congress created Hulls office through the fiscal 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, which was approved in 2020. At the time, the issue of ideological extremism in the ranks was becoming more visible. The FBI notified the Pentagon that it had opened criminal investigations into 143 current or former service members in 2020, 68 of those cases involving domestic extremism.

The issue of veterans and service members engaging in extremist violence has been studied more closely in the few years since. Researchers at the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism analyzed three decades of extremist attacks and reported in June that a military background is the most commonly shared characteristic among extremists who committed or plotted mass casualty attacks from 1990 through 2022, more so than criminal histories or mental health problems.

And since the law creating Hulls position went into effect in early 2021, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General stood up an entire component around diversity, equity and extremism that she now leads. Her office has so far launched investigations into the medical waiver process for military recruiting and how the military supports dual-military spouses, among other issues. One continual task for the office is oversight of the Pentagons anti-extremism efforts.

When creating Hulls position, Congress mandated that the office submit an annual report to lawmakers about the effectiveness of the militarys programs to prevent and respond to extremism. The office has so far issued two of those reports, and in both urged the Pentagon to establish standard policies across the services to track and report instances of extremist activities in real time.

Hull said that military leaders are working to implement those policies, but it remains uncertain whether theyll be in place before its time to issue the offices 2023 update this December. It will be difficult to compare the number of extremist activities by year or discern whether the Pentagons prevention efforts are working until a standardized reporting system is created, Hull said.

Because there are different services and different offices that retain this information, there wasnt a central database that was being maintained, she said. Not having a centralized system has been an issue.

Amy Cooter, a research fellow with the Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism, is an expert on domestic militia groups and has initiated a study into how those groups recruit veterans and service members. Based on her study so far, Cooter believes the military should increase diversity efforts, rather than do away with them. A more diverse force means more opportunity to challenge the stereotypes some troops may have learned in homogeneous communities and stop them from being radicalized against other races, she said.

Cooter described Alfords attempt to abolish Hulls position as politically motivated, adding, unfortunately its the opposite of what we should be doing, both for unit cohesion and long term risks of radicalization.

This story was produced in partnership with Military Veterans in Journalism. Please send tips to MVJ-Tips@militarytimes.com.
Republicans again dominate fundraising for statewide races in MS. See how much each got

Voters sign in to and cast their ballots at First United Methodist Church in Ridgeland.

With less than a month to go until the decisive primaries for Mississippi's 2023 statewide elections, candidates reported bringing in millions of dollars during the month of June in their campaign finance reports that were due Monday.

After the previous month showed a candidate in the contested Republican primary for lieutenant governor leading the way in fundraising, the June report showed that donors were more focused on the governor's race last month.

Primary election day will be Aug. 8, with a potential runoff coming on Aug. 29. General election day will be Nov. 7, with a potential runoff on Nov. 28.

Here's how each of the state's biggest races stand when it comes to June donations, spending and cash on hand:

Governor

Incumbent Republican Gov. Tate Reeves added to his already impressive campaign war chest in June to the tune of more than $1 million. Those total stands out as the largest single-month report of any candidate this election cycle, and it is nearly double the amount raised in the same period by the person he's likely to face in the general election, Democrat Brandon Presley.

Reeves reported raising $1,016,623 in June, while spending more than $826,000. His campaign committee was sitting on more than $7.66 million as of the end of June. Reeves also has access to his legacy J. Tate Reeves account, which reported holding about $1.97 million. That leaves Reeves with access to a total war chest of about $9.63 million. Despite an increase in spending compared to the May report, Reeves gained more than $200,000 in total cash on hand, between the two accounts.

"Im honored by the support Ive received this cycle, most importantly from the voters of Mississippi," Reeves said in a statement. "Were delivering education results that lead the nation, growing our economy by bringing in more, high-paying jobs, and developing the best workforce around  Mississippians are eager to keep this momentum going."

While less than Reeves, Presley also showed a strong showing  particularly for a Democrat running in traditionally-Republican Mississippi. Presley reported raising more than $514,000 in June, while spending more than $346,000. At the end of June, Presley reported sitting on more than $1.88 million. Those figures far outpace the previous Democratic nominee for governor, Jim Hood. In 2019, Hood came within about 5% of Reeves. Hood raised about $200,000 less than Presley in the month of June and sat on about $400,000 less in cash on hand, at this point in that race. Nearly half of Presley's June donors were new, according to a news release from the Presley campaign.

Our campaign continues to reach people from all over Mississippi who know that Brandon Presley is the right choice to clean up Tate Reeves corruption, cut taxes for working families, and strengthen our healthcare system, Presley Campaign Manager Ron Owens said in a statement. Tate Reeves continues to prioritize his highest donors over working Mississippians  even during devastating tornadoes  but these record-breaking numbers show that people know Brandon will be the type of leader who will put Mississippians first.

Republican challenger John Witcher reported raising about $5,600 in June, while spending about $28,000. Wilcher's cash on hand total stands at about $18,000.

Independent candidate Gwendolyn Gray reported raising about $32,000 in June, while spending about $4,000. Gray's cash on hand stands at about $29,000.

Lieutenant Governor

Incumbent Republican Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann continues to increase his fundraising advantage over his primary challenger, state Sen. Chirs McDaniel. As of the end of June, Hosemann's cash on hand total remained at a level more than 10 times the size of McDaniel's reported total.

The race between Hosemann and McDaniel has entered its home stretch, with less than a month until the Aug. 8 primary.

Hosemann reported raising about $548,000 in June, while spending about $835,000. Hosemann's cash on hand sits at more than $3.4 million, down from about $3.7 million at the end of May.

"We are in a strong position to continue to share our platform which focuses on making Mississippi an even better place for our children and grandchildren," Hosemann said in a statement.

Hosemann's filing still did not include any donations from Friends of Mississippi Hospitals, a Political Action Committee Associated with the Mississippi Hospital Association. MHA President Tim Moore told Mississippi Today in May that the PAC would be donating $100,000 to Hosemann, as it faced criticism for a $250,000 donation to Presley, but it seems that donation had not occurred by the end of June.

McDaniel reported raising about $98,000 in June, while spending more than $146,000. McDaniel's cash on hand sits at about $338,000, down from about $386,000 at the end of May.

McDaniel's June report was the first he has filed since announcing his run for lieutenant governor that did not include donations made outside of the reporting window. For example, his May report included three donations that were made in June. Those three June donations appear to be included in the most recent report as well. Since May, the McDaniel campaign has chosen to file its report through the Committee to Elect Chris McDaniel, but two months later the required statement of organization form for that committee still does not appear on the Secretary of State's website. That form is required to be filed with the secretary of state within 48 hours of receiving or spending more than $200.

A spokesperson for the McDaniel campaign did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

The lone Democrat to file for the race, Ryan Grover, did not have a June financial filing posted as of Tuesday afternoon. In the May report, Grover raised and spent $0 and had no cash on hand.

Attorney General

Incumbent Lynn Fitch, who in 2019 became the state's first Republican attorney general since Reconstruction, continues to hold a lead in fundraising and cash on hand over her Democratic opponent, attorney Greta Kemp Martin.

Fitch reported raising about $63,000 in June, while spending about $30,000. Fitch's cash on hand stands at about $1.23 million.

Kemp Martin reported raising about $24,000 in June, while spending about $29,000. Kemp Martin's cash on hand stands at about $18,000.

Secretary of State

Incumbent Republican Secretary of State Michael Watson far outpaced Democratic challenger Shuwaski Young in June fundraising.

Watson reported raising about $104,000 in June, while spending about $13,000. Watson's cash on hand stands at about $884,000.

Young, whose complaints of lack of fundraising support from the state party date back to his previous run for Congress, reported raising about $3,200 in June, while spending about $4,800. Young's cash on hand stands at $853.58.

Young's report was filed on time on Monday, after his report detailing May contributions and disbursements was nearly two weeks late.

Auditor

Incumbent Republican Auditor Shad White, who has made national headlines in his first term for his part in uncovering and investigating the state's welfare fraud scheme, continues his huge fundraising lead over Democratic challenger Larry Bradford.

White reported raising more than $71,000 in June, while spending less than $3,000. White's cash on hand stands at about $1.69 million.

Bradford's handwritten report is hard to make out, but it appears to list him raising more than $37,000 in June, after raising $0 previously this year. It appears to list his spending at about $9,200 and his total cash on hand at about $28,000.

Treasurer

Incumbent Republican state Treasurer David McRae maintains a strong lead over Democratic challenger Addie Green, despite McRae reportedly raising no money in June.

McRae's $0 raised and $500 spent last month leaves him with a cash on hand total of more than $205,000.

For the second month in a row, Green filed a handwritten report claiming to have raised $1,080 and holding that same total in cash on hand. Green seems to have initially written $1,080 for amount raised, spent and cash on hand in a section of the form reserved for pre-2018 funds, as she did last month, before crossing that section out and writing out "amendment." In the post-2018 section, Green reported spending $0, leaving the two $1,080 figures. It is unclear whether that $1,080 is the same as the amount claimed in last month's report, but that is also the total claimed for the whole calendar year-to-date.

Commissioner of Agriculture

Republican Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson faces three Democratic challengers, though he still holds a fundraising advantage over them all.

Gipson reported raising about $6,800 in June, while spending slightly less than he raised. Gipson's cash on hand stands at about $192,000.

Robert Bradford, one of the Democrats challenging Gipson, reported raising about $1,100 in June, while spending about $1,400. Bradford's cash on hand stands at about $2,200.

Bethany Hill, another Democratic challenger, reported raising $370 in June, while spending about $430. Hill's cash on hand stands at about $5,600.

Terry Rogers, a third Democrat who is seeking to be the youngest statewide elected figure, reporting raising and spending $0 in June. Rogers also reported having $0 in cash on hand and having raised and spent $0 this calendar year-to-date. That is despite having reported raising and spending funds in his previous filings, including the filing for May which was submitted late.

Commissioner of Insurance

Incumbent Republican Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney, the state's longest serving statewide official, faces one Republican and one Democratic challenger.

Chaney reported about $39,000 in June, while spending about $47,000. Chaney's cash on hand stands at about $289,000.

Republican challenger Mitch Young reported raising and spending $0 in May, after having both raised and then spent $500 earlier in the year. Young's cash on hand stands at $0.

Democratic challenger Bruce Burton also reported raising and spending $0 in May, and also has $0 in cash on hand.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Millions pour into statewide elections in June as primaries approach
TOKYO, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Credit research company Teikoku Databank released a survey on Wednesday that over 30,000 food and beverage items are subject to price increases in Japan this year as businesses continue to pass on their higher raw material costs to consumers.

The survey showed that 195 food and beverage makers have announced plans to raise prices for 30,009 items this year as of Wednesday, up from 29,106 items as of the end of June.

Prices for about 20,000 items had already been raised in the first six months of this year, with price hikes for some 10,000 items being planned in the second half, including 3,716 items in October, when the number may swell to around 8,000 to hit a peak of this year, according to the survey.

The company said that consumers are facing "an unprecedented rush of price hikes" in 2023, noting that prices for around 35,000 food and beverage items may rise, up by more than 10,000 from the previous year. 
FIRST ON FOX: Republican lawmakers erupted Tuesday after learning about a 2015 email chain that predated President Bidens infamous 2015 trip to Ukraine, when a Burisma Holdings executive revealed the "ultimate purpose" of Hunter Bidens involvement with the Ukrainian energy company.

One month before then-Vice President Joe Biden traveled to Ukraine, where he threatened to withhold $1 billion in U.S. aid if Ukrainian leaders did not fire their top prosecutor, Hunter Biden and Burisma executives were discussing executing a contract for counter-messaging against any federal investigations into Burismas founder and then-president, Mykola Zlochevsky.

"The sequence of events that led to the firing of Viktor Shokin, and the subsequent comments by then-Vice President Biden, raise serious concerns as to what machinations were really at play  and were purposefully concealed from the American people," Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., who sits on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, told Fox News Digital. "No matter how you slice Hunter Bidens involvement, it screams public corruption at the highest levels and must be fully investigated."

"The calm, judicious, steady reveal of incredibly condemning evidence that clearly incriminates the Biden crime family will eventually alarm even the most ardent supporters of this WH occupier," said Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., also a committee member. "Our President is compromised, he should resign and be forever condemned, and the Democrat Party should begin rebuilding itself."

From left, Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D.; President Biden and his son Hunter Biden; and Rep. James Comer, R-Ky.

On Nov. 2, 2015, Burisma executive Vadym Pozharskyi emailed Hunter Biden, who was serving as a Burisma board member, his associates Devon Archer, a fellow board member, and Rosemont Seneca Partners president Eric Schwerin about a "revised proposal, contract and initial invoice for Burisma Holdings," from lobbying firm Blue Star Strategies, according to emails from Hunter Biden's abandoned laptop, which have been verified by Fox News Digital.

Pozharskyi emphasized in his email that the "ultimate purpose" of the agreement with Blue Star Strategies was to shut down "any cases/pursuits against Nikolay in Ukraine," referring to Zlochevsky, who also went by Nikolay.

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OBAMA-ERA EMAILS REVEAL HUNTERS EXTENSIVE TIES TO NEARLY A DOZEN SENIOR-LEVEL BIDEN ADMIN AIDES

On Nov. 2, 2015, Burisma executive Vadym Pozharskyi emailed Hunter Biden, Devon Archer and Eric Schwerin about a "revised proposal, contract and initial invoice for Burisma Holdings."

"My only concern is for us to be on the same page re our final goals," Pozharskyi wrote. "With this in mind, I would like us to formulate a list of deliverables, including, but not limited to: a concrete course of actions, incl. meetings/communications resulting in high-ranking US officials in Ukraine (US Ambassador) and in US publicly or in private communication/comment expressing their positive opinion and support of Nikolay/Burisma to the highest level of decision makers here in Ukraine :President of Ukraine, president Chief of staff, Prosecutor General, etc."

"The scope of work should also include organization of a visit of a number of widely recognized and influential current and/or former US policy-makers to Ukraine in November aiming to conduct meetings with and bring positive signal/message and support on Nikolay's issue to the Ukrainian top officials above with the ultimate purpose to close down for any cases/pursuits against Nikolay in Ukraine," Pozharskyi continued.

HUNTER BIDEN GUSHED OVER EXTRAVAGANT GIFTS FROM BURISMA EXEC WHO WAS FOCUS OF CORRUPTION PROBE

Upon joining Burisma, Hunter Biden reportedly connected the company with Blue Star Strategies to help the firm fight corruption charges levied against Zlochevsky. The firm reportedly came under federal investigation from the U.S. Attorneys Office in Delaware in 2021 for its lobbying practices. The same office, led by U.S. Attorney David Weiss, is leading the federal investigation into Hunter Biden's business dealings.

"I would tell Vadym that this is definitely done deliberately to the be on the safe and cautious side and that Sally and company understand the scope and deliverables," Schwerin wrote to Hunter Biden and Archer the same day, forwarding Pozharskyi's message. "And that we will be having regular (daily, weekly, monthly) opportunities be in through conference calls or memos to be continually refining and updating the scope."

Eric Schwerin said the contract was deliberately vague to "be on the safe and cautious side."

Hunter Biden responded to Pozharskyi, saying he wanted to "have one last conversation" with Blue Star, but later said he was "comfortable" with Blue Star. "You should go ahead and sign," he wrote on Nov. 5, 2015.

"Looking forward to getting started on this," Hunter Biden added.

Hunter Biden emailed Vadym Pozharskyi in November 2015.

The email exchange came one month before then Vice President Biden traveled to Ukraine's capital of Kiev, where he gave a speech about rooting out corruption in politics.

Ahead of the trip, an associate at Blue Star Strategies emailed Blue Star executives, Hunter Biden, Archer and Pozharskyi about a White House conference call that "outlined the trips agenda and addressed several questions regarding U.S. policy toward Ukraine."

Vice President Joe Biden gestures next to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, right, after addressing the Ukrainian Parliament in Kiev on Dec. 8, 2015.

During the trip, Biden pressured Ukrainian officials to fire Shokin, the prosecutor investigating Zlochevsky at the time. Shokin was fired less than four months later in March 2016.

In February 2016, roughly two months after Biden's trip and two months before Shokins firing, Hunter Biden thanked Zlochevsky in an email for "the beautiful birthday gifts," which he described as "far too extravagant." It is unclear what he received from the Ukrainian tycoon.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, right, and Vice President Joe Biden arrive to deliver a statement on the results of talks in Kiev on Dec. 7, 2015.

Biden would later boast on camera in 2018 that when he was vice president, he successfully pressured Ukraine to fire Shokin.

The White House has repeatedly said Biden put pressure on Ukraine to fire Shokin because he was too lax on prosecuting corruption. However, Oversight Committee Republicans told Fox News Digital the timing of events is more than just a coincidence.

"I don't think Biden had Shokin fired because he was too lax on corruption," said Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn. "I think Biden had him fired to cover his own tail when it comes to the Biden family's shady business dealings in Ukraine and because Shokin was looking into Zlochevsky very seriously. It's not a coincidence that this email came a month before his visit to Kyiv. Our work on the Oversight Committee isn't finished."

Hunter Biden arrives at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C., on July 4, 2023.

"Evidence makes it clear that Hunter Biden was only appointed to Burismas board of directors because of his last name and familys network," said Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., the committee's chairman. "Additionally, the FBIs Biden bribery record detailing an alleged extortion and bribery scheme between then-Vice President Biden and a Burisma executive in exchange for certain actions mirrors the purpose of Hunter Bidens appointment. The Department of Justice has been sitting on a mountain of evidence pointing to the Bidens corruption for years but has been engaged in a coverup. We need to root out this politicization and misconduct at the Department of Justice and deliver answers, transparency, and accountability to the American people."

"The timeline in these emails further supports the conclusion that Burisma hired Hunter Biden to gain access to his father," said Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D. "They wanted a U.S. policymaker to take their side, and they got Vice President Joe Biden, who was in charge of Ukraine policy for the Obama administration. These emails raise even more questions that need answers."

"Additional emails heighten concerns about the question of whether then-Vice President Biden was aware of his son Hunters engagements," added Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wisc. "Whether in Ukraine or China, its difficult for Congress to rely on information from the Executive Branch with so many questions about whether our President and his family are compromised by foreign entities. The House Oversight Committee will continue conducting thorough investigations into the Biden family to determine the degree to which the Biden administration may be making decisions for reasons other than to best serve the American public."

President Biden departs Dublin Airport on Air Force One with his sister Valerie and son Hunter on April 14, 2023.

"It seems like every day there is a new headline on another revelation of the corruption within the Biden Crime Syndicate," said Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz. "The emails further establish bribery and corruption between Ukraine officials and the Bidens. In short, they are evidence of potential criminal activity by Joe, the Big Man, Biden and his son, Hunter."

"Putting personal interests ahead of American interests is not just a dishonor of the office, but treasonous," he continued. "It is a major scandal unprecedented in the annals of our history and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee will investigate and expose as much of the ugly truth as possible."

"Yet again, it seems all roads lead to Hunter Biden's business deals being directly tied to his father's position of power and influence," said Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C. "This adds to the long list of red flags surrounding Hunter and the Biden family that the Oversight Committee has been working to uncover for the past six months."

"Everything we are uncovering points to Hunter Biden using his name and his fathers position to get rich," said Rep. William Timmons, R-S.C. "Its bribery  and it is both wrong and illegal. House Democrats, the legacy media, and even top brass at the FBI and DOJ failed to do their job and investigate all the literal and figurative smoke that clouds Hunter Biden. House Republicans will do our job and uncover the truth."

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, told Fox News Digital that "there can be no doubt about Burismas motives for paying Hunter Biden millions despite his lack of industry expertise."

Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who both sit on the Senate Judiciary Committee, told Fox News Digital that the uncovered emails further point to the Bidens being tied to a foreign bribery scheme.

"There can be no doubt about Burismas motives for paying Hunter Biden millions despite his lack of industry expertise, its right there in black and white," Grassley said. "This was always about enlisting the Biden name to influence U.S. policy and public perception of a Ukrainian company mired in corruption investigations. The Justice Department forced Burismas lobbying firm to register as foreign agents. Why wasnt Hunter Biden?"

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., slammed President Biden in a quote to Fox News Digital, saying he "should cooperate fully with investigators and stop stonewalling."

"Practically every day brings new revelations that appear to tie Joe Biden to foreign bribery schemes," said Hawley. "If Biden has nothing to hide, he should cooperate fully with investigators and stop stonewalling."

The White House did not respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment.
FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before the House Judiciary Committee (SAUL LOEB)

FBI Director Chris Wray came under heavy fire from Republicans in Congress Wednesday, who accused his agency of a litany of offences from social media censorship to spying on Catholics.

In a nearly six-hour House Judiciary Committee hearing, the FBI chief was forced to defend the 38,000-strong law enforcement agency, which since Donald Trump's presidency has been a target of Republican ire -- especially for its probes of Trump.

Republicans alleged the FBI used spy agency data to build files on innocent Americans and sent undercover agents to manipulate Trump supporters into attacking the US Capital on January 6, 2021.

They also alleged the agency took part in a supposed effort by President Joe Biden's administration to "censor" conservative views on social media.

The attacks on Wray -- punctuated by regular expressions of support from committee Democrats -- were part of what many see as a Republican effort to undermine Biden and his party ahead of November 2024 elections.

Republican Congressman Mike Johnson of Louisiana attacked the Biden administration's now-banned campaign against social media disinformation on topics such as politics, Covid-19, the economy and election integrity.

Republicans said it suppressed important alternative information.

"The FBI made the social media platforms pull that information off the internet if it came from conservative sources," Johnson said.

Committee Chair Jim Jordan, a Republican, accused the FBI director of overseeing an attack on conservative Catholics -- citing a Virginia agent's now disavowed memo warning that racial extremists could seek to infiltrate the church.

And Wyoming Republican Harriet Hageman said Wray had "personally worked to weaponize the FBI against conservatives."

The grilling in Congress wasn't new for the mild-mannered, soft-spoken Wray, 56, who was appointed to lead the agency in August 2017 by Trump.

But he reserved some choice retorts for some of the Republican claims.

- 'Somewhat insane' -

A registered Republican himself, he told Hageman her claim of bias sounded "somewhat insane to me, given my own personal background."

He called the suggestion that the FBI engineered the January 6 Capitol assault "ludicrous."

And he flatly rejected being involved in repressing social media, saying the FBI raises issues only when it spots manipulation by accounts associated with foreign intelligence bodies.

"We don't ask social media companies to censor information or suppress information," he said.

FBI work "starts with me having emphasized to all of our folks over and over and over again and (in) everything we do that we need to do the right thing in the right way," he told the committee.

The agency last year arrested more than 20,000 violent criminals and child predators, he said.

"The men and women of the FBI work tirelessly every day to protect the American people from a staggering array of threats," from Chinese espionage to deadly fentanyl, he said.

pmh/bfm
Republicans push to make Washingtons new long-term care tax optional for everyone

The pushback is growing over Washingtons new long-term insurance program. A group of Republican state senators wants to make it optional.

The tax is meant to help people in Washington pay for care as they age. Premiums will be paid entirely by employees through a 0.58% payroll tax.

Senate GOP Leader John Braun, of Centralia, and three other senators said they want to allow anyone to opt-out.

This isnt without precedent. Washington has already allowed some people, like those with private long-term care insurance plans, to not pay the tax.

The bottom line is, its your money, Sen. Chris Gildon, (R-Puyallup) said to the Seattle Times. This should be your choice on how you spend it.

The Association of Washington Cities explained the tax as: Premiums will be paid entirely by employees through a 0.58% payroll tax remitted to the Employment Security Department (ESD). ESD will use the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Program as a model to establish the Long-Term Services and Support Trust Programs collection and reporting process.

Judge declines to block Microsofts record $69 billion deal to buy Activision Blizzard

Supporters of the tax say the more people who drop out, the more unstable the program will be. Benefits will begin for eligible employees on January 1, 2025.

The money from the tax goes into the WA Cares program, which will allow people to access up to $36,500 to pay for help with basic needs like food, mobility, and hygiene as they age or otherwise need that level of care either at home or a facility.

The Legislature created the program in 2019 through House Bill 1087.

The Democratic leader in the Senate, Andy Billig (D-Spokane), said in a statement that making the program optional is tantamount to killing it.

If any legislators have legitimate ideas on how to solve the long-term care affordability issue or any other problem, they should absolutely introduce a bill so we can have a discussion on how to best serve all Washingtonians, Billig said.

This story was originally published on MyNorthwest




Suspect arrested after stabbing at Planet Fitness in Gardner leaves man seriously injured

A Revere man was arrested in connection with a stabbing at a Planet Fitness in Gardner on Wednesday morning that left another man seriously injured, authorities said.

Officers responding to a reported assault and battery at Planet Fitness on Victoria Lane just after 10:20 a.m. found a 43-year-old man from Gardner suffering from an apparent stab wound to the chest, according to the Gardner Police Department.

The stabbing victim was flown to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester for his injuries. Gardner police said he has sense been released.

A short time later, a trooper patrolling Route 2 east in Fitchburg in search of a wanted silver Honda Civic spotted the vehicle in question and stopped the driver, according to Massachusetts State Police.

The driver, who state police identified as 28-year-old Lennox Nunez, possibly of Revere, was then taken into custody in connection with the stabbing. Boston 25 News has learned that Nunez is homeless and used the gym to work out and shower.

Nunez was arraigned Wednesday in Gardner District Court on a charge of assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

He stated heard a disagreement walked out of the shower area and struck, with a box cutter, the individual in the chest, said Marc Dupuis, Assistant D.A., Northern Worcester Co.

Nunezs attorney said theres another story.

If someone is attacked by somebody defending themselves in self-defense, it would change the scenario as to who is the victim, said Michael Sheridan, defense attorney.

Gardner police noted that there was no apparent motivation for the attack.

Nunez has two cases with similar charges against him. His bail was set at $50,000 cash or $500,000 surety.

Planet Fitness provided the following statement to Boston 25 News:

At Planet Fitness, the safety and security of our members and staff is always our top priority. We take these types of incidents extremely seriously, and the local Planet Fitness franchise owner is actively working with authorities in their investigation. We refer you to the local police for additional questions.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Students have been monitoring the estate

A significant increase in biodiversity after the rewilding of an estate has been described as "magic".

Anselm Guise, the custodian of Elmore Court, wanted to restore the land in Gloucestershire to how it was before intensive farming.

"It is just amazing what happens if you leave it alone, nature knows what it's doing," he said.

University of Gloucestershire students are studying the habitat to see which species have started to flourish again.

Rob Smythson, operations manager, described the the increase in biodiversity as "magic".

The aim of rewilding is to restore the habitat to how it once was before intensive farming

"It is really exciting to see rare plants such as the fine-leaved water-dropwort flourish - it has not been seen in the area in more than 70 years," said Mr Smythson.

"We're not doing anything to try and create this, we're just letting nature do it by herself," he added.

Elmore Court was given to the Guise family in the 13th Century by the court of Henry III.

The rewilding began in 2020 with 250 acres, or a quarter of the estate, left to its own devices.

The process helps attract species back that disappeared when the land was intensively farmed.

Anselm Guise has turned 250 acres of his family estate to rewilding

"We've just stopped interfering," said Mr Anselm.

"You take the chemicals out completely and the insects appear and as soon as you've got insects the birdlife goes up because there's more food," he added.

To track the progress of the rewilding, students have been logging which species are established at present so that any new ones can be monitored over the coming years.

Already, amongst more common British birds such as robins and chiffchaffs, a few rarer birds have been spotted.

"It's really nice to see such a wide assemblage of birds on the estate such as spotted redshanks, redstarts and lapwings," said Connor McGoldrick, a student of applied ecology.

English Longhorns have been introduced onto the estate to graze the land

Cattle, such as English Longhorns, have been introduced to graze the rewilded land and are free to roam.

Mr Guise also plans to introduce rare breeds of grazing animals, including Tamworth pigs, red deer and Exmoor ponies.

Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk
RICHMOND, Ind.  A Richmond man faces battery, drug and gun charges after a struggle with city police.

Kyle Gene Burwick, 30, was arrested July 6 after officers were sent to a report of an "unwanted person" at a convenience store in the 2300 block of Chester Boulevard.

According to an affidavit, Burwick  a passenger in a car parked at the gas pumps outside the store  ignored repeated demands from officers that he "take his hands out of his pockets and exit the vehicle."

As he struggled with officers trying to remove him from the car, Burwick allegedly kept reaching under a seat, an area where a handgun was later found.

The Richmond man also grabbed an officer's vest and pulled him to the ground. The officer was later treated at Reid Hospital for an ankle injury.

Another officer reported finding syringes and "multiple green retangular tablets"  later determined to be Xanax  in Burwick's pockets.

"I also noticed that Burwick had a green powder all over his face that was consistent with him eating green tablets," the office wrote.

Later asked about the handgun, found with Burwick's wallet under a car seat, the Richmond man reportedly said, "It's my gun. I'm not allowed to have it because I'm a felon, and my wife made me get it out of the house."

Burwick also told police he had not intended to hurt anyone, and was sorry the officer was injured while apprehending him.

The Richmond man was examined at the hospital before being delivered to the Wayne County jail, where he continued to be held Wednesday under a $10,000 bond.

Burwick is charged in Wayne Superior Court with battery resulting in bodily injury to a public safety officer, a Level 5 felony carrying up to six years in prison.

He is also charged with resisting law enforcement, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a syringe and unlawful carrying of a handgun.

Court records reflect he has been convicted of two felonies, theft and possession of cocaine.

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: Richmond man faces battery, drug, gun charges after struggle with police
WASHINGTON  A Jan. 6 defendant who stormed the Capitol and assaulted police with a flagpole while he was out on bail on a charge of first-degree attempted murder was sentenced to more than three years in federal prison Tuesday.

Matthew Beddingfield, 22, of North Carolina, had pleaded guilty this year to a felony count of assaulting, resisting or impeding officers using a deadly or dangerous weapon during the Capitol attack.

Beddingfield was first identified back in early 2021 by online "Sedition Hunters" who have identified Jan. 6 participants, including hundreds who have not been arrested. A facial recognition search of photos of Beddingfield at the Capitol turned up stories about his arrest in connection with the shooting of a Hispanic teenager in a Walmart parking lot in December 2019. The sleuths confirmed the identification with the help of posts from his father's Facebook page.

After online sleuths identified Beddingfield, but before he was arrested, he took an Alford plea on one count of assault with a deadly or dangerous weapon in the attempted murder case and was sentenced to probation. Beddingfields team said he was robbed before he shot the teenager. In an Alford plea, a defendant acknowledges prosecutors have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction without formally admitting guilt.

Beddingfield was arrested for participating in the Capitol riot in February 2022 and was later released on strict conditions: He had to live with his grandfather, he couldn't have access to social media, and he couldn't have a door on his bedroom.

At his sentencing hearing Tuesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Murphy called Beddingfield's actions "atrocious" and said he "continued seeking out violence" on Jan. 6, 2021. "He was there for the violence, and he found it again and again," Murphy said.

While the government said Beddingfield praised Adolf Hitler, gave a Nazi salute during the Capitol attack and appeared "to harbor deep resentment towards the Black, Hispanic, Native American, and LGBTQ+ communities while glorifying white supremacist figures, beliefs, language, and ideologies," U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols said Tuesday that the 38-month prison sentence he imposed was a reflection of Beddingfield's conduct on Jan. 6 and that he did not factor in Beddingfield's beliefs.

Beddingfield's attorney, Leza Lee Driscoll, presented a photo of Beddingfield with a Black person she identified as a longtime friend, as well as photos of Beddingfield with co-workers, and wrote in a slide that Beddingfield "lives a life of diversity and inclusion." She said Beddingfield would be a "very vulnerable inmate" because of his stature and age. She also argued that Beddingfield had an "adolescent brain" and was not an adult from a psychiatric perspective.

"He seems to have gotten caught up in the crowd," Driscoll said, noting that many of the other rioters were much older and that Beddingfield did not come prepared for battle on Jan. 6, as others had.

Beddingfield told the judge that he came to Washington in support of President Donald Trump because he "felt our election had been stolen." He apologized for his behavior on Jan. 6 and said that he had allowed his emotions to override his decision-making and that he would learn from his mistakes.

"I was caught up," Beddingfield said. He said he hoped it would be the last time he appeared before a judge.

Nichols said there was somewhat of a risk that Beddingfield could re-offend and that it was important that he be punished in a way that was consistent with other rioters. Beddingfield had been banned from communicating with his father  who, as Nichols noted, was also on the grounds of the Capitol but has not been charged  but Nichols said he could now meet with his father once a week for up to four hours until he reports to the Bureau of Prisons to begin his sentence.

More than 1,000 people have been arrested in connection with the attack on the Capitol, and more than 300 have been sentenced to periods of incarceration.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
One week after Rhode Island's new shoreline access law went into effect, Scott Keeley decided to put it to the test.

The Charlestown-based activist was arrested while gathering seaweed in 2019, in an incident that spurred public outcry and ultimately inspired the new legislation. So on July 3, with his striped beach chair in tow, he returned to the same spot where he'd been accused of trespassing.

He weaved through the crowds at Charlestown Town Beach and kept walking east, past a large sign stating, "Town Beach Property Ends Here  Private Property Beyond This Point." Then, he was stopped by a polo shirt-clad security guard.

"If youre planning on setting up, you cant set up past the private property sign," the guard told him.

Keeley, who captured the exchange on video, set his beach chair near the seaweed line and called the police. An officer from Charlestown arrived, and, citing the new law, told the security guard that Keeley had the right to be there. Gradually, other beachgoers took note and began walking past the fence to set up chairs and towels of their own.

His quest? Walk RI's entire coast: But private property and blocked access are a challenge

Private property owners on Charlestown Beach Road, who say that their title extends out to the ocean, are among those joining a lawsuit challenging Rhode Island's new shore-access law as unconstitutional.

"I guess the security guard didnt know what to do," Keeley told The Providence Journal. "She stopped telling people that they couldnt be there."

After a multiyear fight to make shoreline access law, the last few weeks have given Rhode Islanders a taste of what it actually looks like in practice.

For beach-access advocates  as well as police departments that had struggled to adjudicate disputes  the law offers some much-needed clarity around what is and isn't considered public. But according to the waterfront property owners who are suing to overturn it, it's effectively turned private backyards into public beaches, lowering their home values.

Meanwhile, plenty of people don't realize that the law has changed at all. And Keeley is now focused on ensuring that there are penalties for those who seek to block the public from exercising their rights.

"People should know what the law is, and that its there for their enjoyment, finally," he said.

Shifting sands: Who has access to Lloyd's Beach in Little Compton?

Activist Scott Keeley has been testing Rhode Island's new law that expands the public's access to the shoreline. "People should know what the law is, and that its there for their enjoyment, finally," he said.

New law leads to immediate action in Westerly

The new shoreline-access law states that the public can exercise the "rights and privileges of the shore" on any beach as long as they're no more than 10 feet above  aka inland  of the recognizable high tide line, also commonly recognized as the seaweed line.

After passing the General Assembly in the final days of the legislative session, it was signed by Gov. Dan McKee on June 26 and went into effect immediately.

Within about a week, police in some coastal communities began getting calls.

'It's crazy': CRMC faces scrutiny over handling of Matunuck Oyster Bar shellfish farm

Ropes running parallel to the ocean previously blocked off part of the shore at the Atlantic Beach Casino at Misquamicut Beach. Police took them down on July 4 because they were inside the 10-foot zone above the seaweed line where the public is legally allowed.

On July 4, for instance, Westerly police received a complaint about ropes set up in front of the Atlantic Beach Casino Resort in Misquamicut that were blocking the 10-foot zone.

The property manager at the timeshare "gave us the runaround for about two hours," so officers finally took the ropes down themselves, Westerly police chief Paul Gingerella said. He added that he eventually was able to speak with the property's owner, who indicated a willingness to comply with the law. (The Journal's attempts to reach the resort for comment were unsuccessful.)

In some other parts of the state, though, things have been fairly quiet.

"We havent had any calls for it yet," said Narragansett Police Chief Sean Corrigan. He said that the department was aware of the new law and prepared to enforce it, but "historically speaking, we dont get a lot of these complaints."

Political Scene: How did a Warwick councilwoman acquire land next to her house? The neighbors have questions

In years past, the mean high water mark  which is based on scientific calculations and is not visible to the eye  was typically considered the boundary between public and private beach.

Without a clear line to point to, police had a tough time determining if someone was trespassing on private property or if public access was being obstructed, Gingerella said. Now, with the new law in effect, responding to complaints has become more straightforward.

"We just didnt have a clear-cut line," he said. "This makes it easier for us."

Homeowners who live near Charlestown Town Beach are trying to overturn the state's new shoreline-access law in court, arguing that it turns private property into public beaches, lowering their home values.

Can you set up a beach chair? Police in Charlestown say yes

One thing that the law doesn't address is what you can do when you get to the 10-foot buffer zone. Fishing, gathering seaweed and passage along the shore are explicitly protected in Rhode Island's Constitution. But can you plop down a towel or a beach umbrella and stay for a while?

Keeley argues that you can, in fact, do anything that isn't already considered illegal. (In other words, no public nudity or drunkenness.) And when he put that to the test on July 3, Charlestown police officers backed him up.

In one video that Keeley captured, the security guard can be heard telling police officers that she didn't stop anyone from walking along the beach. "I just said that they couldn't set up," she says.

"He can set up, too," one of the officers tells the guard, gesturing to the beach chair that Keeley placed directly above the seaweed line. "He's fine right where he's at right now. ... Have you guys checked on the law that just passed?"

More: One RI man's quest to find old-growth forests and his mission to protect century-old trees

The guard passes over her phone so that the officer can speak with the man who hired the security company. "I think you're mistaken in your interpretation," the man, identified only as Michael, tells the police. He argues that the law allows people to walk, swim or gather seaweed, but "it does not say that they have the right to use the property or occupy the property."

"They cant stop them from passing through, or even setting up," the police officer counters. Later, he adds that guards "have to be careful with their language, because if their language is not on point, theyre going to be held responsible."

It's unclear whether the security guard was hired by one specific homeowner or by a neighborhood association. Keeley said he wasn't sure. The security company, N.E.S. Solutions, did not return a call seeking comment.

Property owners' lawsuit seeks to overturn new law

For years, Keeley has been asserting his constitutional right to use the shoreline directly east of Charlestown Town Beach, where he encountered the security guard. (Though it's accessed from Charlestown, that portion of the barrier beach is technically in South Kingstown.)

So it's perhaps unsurprising that two out of the three officers of a new group called the Rhode Island Association of Coastal Taxpayers  which is attempting to overturn the shoreline-access law  own property along that same stretch of beach.

More on the lawsuit: 'Get off my sand?': Coastal homeowners sue over shoreline law, but state is prepared to fight

Just a few days after Keeley's run-in with the security guard, RIACT filed suit in federal court. Over the long July Fourth holiday weekend, the lawsuit alleges, members of the public "trespassed" on private properties in Charlestown and South Kingstown that belong to the group's president, David Welch, and other RIACT members  and did so under the color of law.

"RIACT beachfront property owners purchased their residentially developed coastal property with the understanding, right, and expectation of using their property for private, exclusive use, including for private family beach gatherings," the complaint states.

The lawsuit contends that the new law amounts to an unconstitutional "taking" under the Fifth Amendment. It makes the case that some waterfront properties have deeds that use the mean high water mark as a boundary, but the state has now established a new boundary that's higher up on the beach  without compensating homeowners.

In other words, land that was once considered private property "is now subject to public beach use," argues RIACT, which is being represented pro-bono by the libertarian Pacific Legal Foundation.

And when naturally occurring forces move the seaweed line further inland, "the public beach area created by the Act will also move farther inland onto previously unburdened parcels of private, coastal property," the suit says, alleging that the new law "operates as a mechanism for a perpetual, unpredictable conversion of private coastal land into public beach areas."

Attorney General Peter Neronha has indicated that he is ready to defend the law, which remained in effect as of press time. However, RIACT is seeking an injunction that would prevent it from being enforced while the lawsuit is pending.

The Atlantic Beach Casino Resort at Westerly's Misquamicut Beach. Police were called there earlier this month when the public was initially blocked by ropes and a security guard from using the now-public part of the beach 10 feet above the seaweed line.

Can people who block public access be penalized?

While some property owners have been attempting to reverse the law, activists like Keeley have been trying to ensure that the beachgoing public actually gets to use it.

That means pushing officials to crack down on misleading signs, unauthorized barriers and anything else that might act as a deterrent. After his run-in with the security guard, Keeley filed a complaint with the South Kingstown police  he was just over the town line when the confrontation happened  and is hoping they will press charges.

South Kingstown police chief Matthew C. Moynihan said in an email that the incident was "under investigation," and that police had "no details to share at this time." He said that the police report would not be released while the incident was still being investigated.

"I think we need to make it clear that blocking people from their constitutional right to the shore is not right," Keeley said. "And its against the law."

Who rules RI's forgotten old roads? Advocates push to preserve public access

The new law doesn't impose any penalties for preventing the public from using the shoreline, but Keeley believes that another state statute  11-44-24 of the Rhode Island General Laws  serves that purpose.

Under that law, anyone who obstructs or blocks "any public rights-of-way to water areas of the state" can be fined up to $500 or jailed for up to one year. The implication, Keeley says, is that "no one is allowed to block people from accessing the shore."

Until he challenged the security guard, Keeley noted, no one had questioned the idea that they weren't allowed to sit down on the opposite side of the fence.

"I think that one of the saddest things was that not one person had said, 'Hold on, we have a new law,'" he said. "One hundred percent of the population obeyed that security guard."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI activists and property owners test law defining beach access
Roberts Bowers shot and killed 11 members of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's Jewish community in 2018

A jury has begun deliberating over whether a gunman who murdered 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue is eligible for the death penalty.

The jurors last month found Robert Bowers guilty for the October 2018 attack. They must now decide if he could face execution or life in prison.

Prosecutors are seeking to prove Bowers had intent to kill.

The defence argues he was incapable, citing a history of mental illness.

Bowers was convicted last month of 69 charges in the shooting, which was the deadliest antisemitic attack in US history.

The pursuit of the death penalty by federal prosecutors is a relatively rare occurrence. Between 1988 and 2021, 79 defendants in federal cases have been sentenced to death, of whom 16 have been executed, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

To be eligible for the death penalty, prosecutors must not only convince the jury of Bowers' intent but also at least one of four aggravating factors:

Bowers created a grave risk to additional people

the crime involved substantial planning and premeditation

those he targeted were considered vulnerable victims

there were multiple killings or attempted killings

If the jury decides Bowers is ineligible for the death penalty, he would be sentenced to life for the capital counts.

If the panel finds he is eligible, they would move to a final phase of the trial, sentencing selection.

The jurors would then consider whether to recommend the death penalty for Bowers.

Throughout the current phase of the trial, the defence and prosecution have presented differing evidence on Bowers' mental health.

The defence outlined a history of multiple suicide attempts and, in one incident as a teenager, Bowers throwing flammable liquid at his mother.

Defence medical experts said Bowers was "blatantly psychotic".

But medical experts called by prosecutors dismissed the idea that mental illness played a role in the attack and mentioned to the jury Bowers' belief in a racist conspiracy theory known as the "great replacement".

The 11 worshippers who died in the attack ranged in age from 54 to 97. Seven others were injured, including five police officers who rushed to the scene.

Three congregations - Dor Hadash, New Light and the Tree of Life - shared the synagogue.

Most families of those killed have voiced support for the death penalty, although some other family members and the Dor Hadash congregation have stated that they are opposed to it.
A roller coaster in Georgia halted in the middle of a ride, sending one passenger into a panic attack when it stopped moving: report

Wild Adventures amusement park's Boomerang roller coaster (not pictured) got stuck midway through a ride. Johner Images via Getty Images

One person had a panic attack after a roller coaster ride in Georgia stopped midway, per WALB.

Wild Adventures theme park said the stoppage was "triggered by a safety feature activation."

"My heart was hurting. I was crying," passenger Rishon Phillips told Georgia TV station WALB.

One person had a panic attack after a roller coaster in Georgia stopped moving midway through the ride, according to a July 5 report from Georgia television station WALB.

WALB reported that Wild Adventures theme park's Boomerang roller coaster stopped moving during a ride on July 3. The sudden stoppage frightened the passengers, including Rishon Phillips, a boy who said he was on the ride when it stopped abruptly.

"I was hearing noises, and I thought it was gonna go down, but when my cousin told me it was stuck, I had a panic attack," passenger Rishon Phillips told WALB.

"My heart was hurting. I was crying. They put me in a wheelchair to send me to the medic part of the theme park," Phillips continued.

Wild Adventures said in a statement to Insider that the Boomerang roller coaster "encountered a brief ride stoppage triggered by a safety feature activation." Wild Adventures also said they were able to return "all riders to the loading station" within 10 minutes.

"Following a comprehensive inspection, the ride was cleared and operation resumed that night," Wild Adventures said in their statement.

The incident in Georgia is but one of several involving roller coasters in the US. On July 2, eight passengers were trapped and suspended upside-down when a roller coaster malfunctioned in Wisconsin. And on June 30, a roller coaster in North Carolina was shut down temporarily after guests spotted a crack in its support beam.

Editor's note: July 13, 2023  This story has been updated with responses from Wild Adventures theme park.

Read the original article on Insider
Israeli protesters rally across country against judicial overhaul

Xinhua) 09:05, July 12, 2023

People confront police during a protest against the government's plan to overhaul the judiciary in Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 11, 2023. Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters staged rallies across the country on Tuesday, in the largest weekday protest in months against the hard-right government's plan to overhaul the judiciary. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

JERUSALEM, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters staged rallies across the country on Tuesday, in the largest weekday protest in months against the hard-right government's plan to overhaul the judiciary.

Despite the scorching summer heat, scores of Israelis took to streets, highways and junctions in major cities to hold protests in what they called a day of "disruption."

They were protesting against a key bill in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to overhaul the legal system. The bill, which passed the first out of three rounds of voting in the parliament overnight Monday, aims to prevent the Supreme Court from overturning government decisions on the grounds of "reasonability."

In January, the Supreme Court used this standard to cancel the appointment of Aryeh Deri, the leader of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party and a key member in Netanyahu's coalition, as a minister because of his conviction for tax fraud in 2022.

The bill was widely criticized by legal experts. Avichai Mandelblit, Israel's former attorney-general, said in an interview with Channel 12 TV news that Israel "has come to the threshold of becoming a dictatorial state."

The protests began in the morning, with rallies held in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Herzliya, Beersheba, Eilat, and other cities.

Protesters temporarily blocked the Azrieli Junction, a major crossroads in Tel Aviv, as well as the adjacent Ayalon Highways, Israel's main freeway, and Route 1, which connects Tel Aviv and other parts of Israel.

On the central Mediterranean beaches of Israel, women lined up to participate in a human chain, calling for democracy and equal gender rights.

The police used water cannons on the protesters in several locations. Videos on social networks showed policemen pushing protesters to the ground and punching them.

Two photographers with Ha'aretz newspaper and Yediot Aharonot, two of the country's leading daily newspapers, were briefly arrested. One of them was handcuffed and the other beaten, as shown in a video of their arrests.

In the afternoon, about 20,000 demonstrators, as estimated by the organizers, gathered at the main entrance of Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's main international airport, waving the blue-and-white flags of Israel. The police deployed around 1,000 officers, who in some cases clashed with the demonstrators.

The protests continued into the night, with tens of thousands rallying in Tel Aviv and on major roads across the country.

According to Channel 13 TV reports, at least 19 demonstrators were injured and required hospital care. By the evening, the police said in a statement that at least 76 protesters had been arrested.

Over 400 Air Force reserve soldiers, including pilots, held a meeting to discuss the possibility of joining the other reserve soldiers who already announced their intention to refuse service if the government proceeded with the judicial overhaul.

In a public speech on Tuesday night, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called for "an end to the calls for refusal," citing that they "hurt the military, the security system, and Israel's security."

Netanyahu maintains that reform is needed in order to curb what he calls the "overly activist" Supreme Court.

The grassroots movement, which includes prominent legal experts, economists, hi-tech entrepreneurs, and former senior security officials, has been holding protests against the judicial overhaul for 27 consecutive weeks.

Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, returned to office last December, leading a rightist government coalition consisting of ultranationalist and ultra-religious parties.

People take part in a protest against the government's plan to overhaul the judiciary in Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 11, 2023. Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters staged rallies across the country on Tuesday, in the largest weekday protest in months against the hard-right government's plan to overhaul the judiciary. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

People take part in a protest against the government's plan to overhaul the judiciary in Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 11, 2023. Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters staged rallies across the country on Tuesday, in the largest weekday protest in months against the hard-right government's plan to overhaul the judiciary. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

A woman confronts mounted police during a protest against the government's plan to overhaul the judiciary in Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 11, 2023. Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters staged rallies across the country on Tuesday, in the largest weekday protest in months against the hard-right government's plan to overhaul the judiciary. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

Police detain a woman during a protest against the government's plan to overhaul the judiciary at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 11, 2023. Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters staged rallies across the country on Tuesday, in the largest weekday protest in months against the hard-right government's plan to overhaul the judiciary. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

A woman confronts police during a protest against the government's plan to overhaul the judiciary at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 11, 2023. Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters staged rallies across the country on Tuesday, in the largest weekday protest in months against the hard-right government's plan to overhaul the judiciary. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

People take part in a protest against the government's plan to overhaul the judiciary at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 11, 2023. Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters staged rallies across the country on Tuesday, in the largest weekday protest in months against the hard-right government's plan to overhaul the judiciary. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
STOCKHOLM, July 12 (Xinhua) -- "I consider it of paramount importance that NATO's policies are one gross violation of its own charter and of international law," said Jan Oberg, director of the Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research, in a recent interview with Xinhua.

The NATO Summit is held in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Tuesday and Wednesday. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said ahead of the summit that the bloc would strengthen its deterrence and defence, and set an even more ambitious defence spending target.

Oberg said that NATO's 1949 Treaty, with Article 5 about mutual defence among its European members, was "distinctly defensive in nature." But the bloc is violating its own treaty "daily" and is expanding globally.

The provocative -- anything but "defensive" -- alliance has broken its Treaty since 1999 when it first violated international law in an "out-of-area operation in Yugoslavia," Oberg noted.

Additionally, he said that NATO's Treaty was about its members and all members had to be European. And when NATO ran out of new members, it expanded -- "the only raison d'etre of today's NATO."

Then NATO "invented a new category that's nowhere in the NATO Treaty -- partners," said Oberg, noting that the organization has 39 partner states and plans to open an office in Tokyo. "I do denounce the plan of setting up a NATO office in Tokyo in that light."

The Vilnius Summit "offers no indications that NATO has learned any lessons or re-thinks anything in the light of the Russia statements of concern over roughly 30 years," said the scholar, recalling that the Soviet Union, in its former leader Mikhail Gorbachev's time, was indeed given promises that NATO would not expand "one inch" if it was accepted that unified Germany would be a full NATO member.

"It's urgently necessary that an international commission be established to investigate how far NATO can deviate legally from its 1949 Treaty," he added.

Oberg viewed as a blunder NATO's plan to bring Ukraine in as a member in future.

"There are lots of ways to make Ukraine genuinely secure outside NATO. But NATO wants to weaken Russia by cynically using Ukraine," he said.

Oberg said that NATO's pledge to ask its members to invest a minimum of 2 percent of GDP annually on defence is "absurd," because a military budget should be decided according to a comprehensive threat analysis, followed by a priority discussion and never be tied to a country's economic ups and downs.

Oberg regarded militarism as the main factor about which NATO and EU countries try to remain united, "I do not think it will succeed."

"Making oneself strong on one dimension while losing out on all other power dimensions -- diplomacy, economy, legality, creativity, vision and culture -- is a recipe for disaster. NATO no longer argues or analyses, it postulates and judges -- judges everybody else," he said.

"If NATO 'wins' this game after having been the leading creator of 'the most dangerous and unpredictable security environment since the Cold War,' the rest of the world will likely approach an eschatological moment," he concluded. 
Homeowner Weber "Wei" Yen stands next to caution tape near his home, which was caught in a landslide, on Tuesday in Rolling Hills Estates. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

From his unfamiliar hotel room Tuesday morning, Weber "Wei" Yen instinctively looked for his favorite coffee mug  the one he's used almost every day for the last 25 years.

"I can't get it anymore," said Yen, who had returned to his Rolling Hills Estates neighborhood to check on his collapsed home. He got the mug on a trip to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. "It's that kind of stuff," he said. "You try to reach for something that's no longer there."

Yen, 73, can't even begin to list everything he and his family have probably lost since their home began slipping into the canyon it overlooked on Peartree Lane. Officials still don't know what caused the clear-day landslide that forced the evacuation late Saturday of 12 homes, many now completely lost. At least 16 people have been displaced, and the land continues to shift, officials have said.

"I had to jam a lifetime of memories into two suitcases," Yen said. "It's sad, all these children pictures, memorabilia; they can never be recovered."

Read more: Rolling Hills Estates residents lose their homes and the ground they sat on

The home Yen shared with his wife for the last 10 years now sits at least 15 feet below its original spot. The roof is visibly damaged; the garage has slid so far into the canyon that it is no longer visible from the road.

"It's lower by at least one floor," Yen said. He went to take a photo for his insurance records, joking darkly that he needed to do so quickly, "before it's gone."

On Saturday, after Los Angeles County Fire Department officials warned residents they might have to flee, Yen said, he tried to pack up those priceless memories  family scrapbooks, awards won by his children when they were young.

A hillside continues to collapse, and homes along Peartree Lane in Rolling Hills Estates fall along with it. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

But when fire officials returned and gave him just 10 minutes to get out, he said, everything became a blur. With his wife traveling, it was just him trying to pack up their 2,000-square-foot duplex.

"I have many pictures I could have  should have  taken out, but you know I was under so much pressure," Yen said. "I already put them in boxes, [but] I left them in the living room.

"In those days, you don't have digital memories; you have film," Yen said, shaking his head. "That's gone."

Read more: What you need to know about the Rolling Hills Estates landslide

He said he was able to grab some important documents, including passports, necessary medicine and some clothes.

"I didn't have time to think about a lot else," he said.

Those family photos and memories hold the greatest sentimental value for him, but he knows much else was probably lost: antiques, oil paintings, handmade china, his wife's favorite clothes and bags. But he remains hopeful that, when the ground settles, he might be able to salvage some of those items.

"Maybe what's left on the ground we can go rummage through," Yen said. "I hope that's the case, because there might be some valuables  valuables to us, anyways."

Right now, it's a waiting game for Yen: waiting to hear what his insurance might cover, what any geologists sent in to examine the catastrophe say about the future of the land, and any other answers he can get about what went wrong.

"I'm feeling sad and confused and angry  angry that no one had told us earlier about this," Yen said. "This is pretty significant [ground] movement; someone should have known about it."

Yen said he had noticed a few cracks in his home two days before the evacuation  as did other neighbors  but he had no idea the issue was widespread. He said he called his neighborhood homeowners association, requesting someone come check out his property, but was told that although the HOA was aware of the issue, it was each owner's problem to handle.

"I think there's negligence on someone's part," Yen said. "The officials were notified. ... It pisses me off that someone dropped the ball on that."

The management company for the Rolling Hills Park Villas homeowners association, Scott Management, as well as a member of the board, declined to comment or take questions from a Los Angeles Times reporter Tuesday.

Weber "Wei" Yen takes a photo of his sinking property Tuesday morning, three days after he was forced to evacuate his home of 10 years. (Grace Toohey / Los Angeles Times)

Yen said that, by Saturday, a gap between his front patio and stoop had grown to 4 inches wide, and that he was no longer able to open his front door. He said he left inquiries with some local geologists but didn't immediately hear back  but he didn't realize the extent of the issue.

"I had no idea," Yen said. "It's one of those things that's so new, I was so confused. ... We didn't think it was going to be that serious."

He's hoping he and his wife may be able to stay in the area they've come to love, depending on how their insurance coverage shakes out. The couple had planned to spend the rest of their days in their Rolling Hills Estates home.

"I love this area," Yen said, "but then again the sliding hillsides [are] scary."

The city of Rolling Hills Estates plans to declare an emergency at its Tuesday council meeting, Mayor Britt Huff said, hoping to free up additional aid for residents.

Although this landslide came as a shock to residents, the Palos Verdes Peninsula is known to be prone to such movement.

Not far from Peartree Lane, a slow-moving slide continues to shift land in the Portuguese Bend area, first catalyzed in 1956. In the late 1990s, another landslide collapsed a hilltop office park in Rolling Hills Estates.

The California Geological Survey warned that after this winter's heavy rains, the risk for "deep-seated" landslides would increase, triggered by changes in underground water. Landslides can also be triggered by earthquakes, rain or human modifications to the land.

Each day since his evacuation, Yen has returned to what remains of his shrinking land, noticing Tuesday that the lemon tree in the frontyard remained upright  with the huge drop-off just behind it.

"It's kind of strange, like no one else is affected," Yen said of the larger canyon. "What did we do wrong?"

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Following Saturday's landslide in Rolling Hills Estates, several of the hillside homes continue to slump along Peartree Lane on Wednesday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Greg Brooks missed the knock at his Rolling Hills Estates home, which sits just a few yards from where multiple neighbors' homes collapsed in a landslide this week.

Officials had warned Brooks that his family should be ready to evacuate, depending on how the landslide continued to move. So when he found the yellow tag at his front door Tuesday afternoon, warning of a sewer main break caused by the shifting land, he said he wasn't too surprised.

Were hotel camping, which is OK, Brooks, 64, said Wednesday morning. Ill just work around the situation as it goes.

Brooks' family is one of five new evacuations ordered on Peartree Lane, coming days after officials evacuated 12 nearby hilltop homes and deemed them unsafe for entry Saturday  one of which is the unit next door to Brooks' duplex. At least eight of those homes have slid multiple feet down the side of the canyon they previously overlooked  their roofs caved in, walls split open and driveways left with an ominous drop-off.

The five newly evacuated homes have not been structurally damaged, officials said.

Read more: Rolling Hills Estates residents watch their world sink, hope to salvage memories after landslide

The cause of the landslide is still unknown. No one was injured in the collapse.

After days of ongoing shifting, Rolling Hills Estates officials said Wednesday afternoon that there's been no additional land movement reported at the site since late Tuesday, when the shifting ground was described as slowing.

But the future of the site's stability continues to nag residents and officials, and it's unclear when answers might come. There has still been no geologist or soil expert out to the analyze the site, which Rolling Hills Estates Mayor Britt Huff said was becoming a worry.

Everybody wants to know what happened, Huff told The Times after the city's council meeting Tuesday night.

Read more: Rolling Hills Estates residents lose their homes and the ground they sat on

At that meeting, councilmembers voted unanimously to declare a state of emergency, which they hope will free up state and federal resources for the displaced residents, but it doesn't appear to affect the process for getting landslide experts to the scene. The Rolling Hills Park Villas Homeowners Assn., which oversees Peartree Lane homes, is tasked with hiring the geologist, officials have said.

Huff said an association management team was in the process of recruiting and hiring such a specialist. But she said she knew little about the process and hoped to throw city influence to speed up the hire.

Its made everybody on the peninsula a little anxious, Huff said of the landslide. Palos Verdes Peninsula has been long prone to landslides, which experts say can sometimes strike unexpectedly, especially in the case of a "deep-seated" slide, which is brought on by pressure from accumulating groundwater.

A resident of the neighborhood takes a picture of a house on Peartree Lane in Rolling Hills Estate, which suffered extensive damage following Saturday's landslide. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

On Wednesday, L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn and Huff announced the creation of a $125,000 fund to "provide an option for temporary housing, food and other essentials for residents who have been ordered to evacuate their homes."

Even though many homeowners are eager for answers, a thorough geologic evaluation takes time, said Ventura County geologist Jim O'Tousa.

"The first thing is public safety," he said, "then evaluating the causes" of a slide.

Before visiting a site for assessment, geologists will typically try to find old aerial photographs of the area, ideally prior to development, to see if the neighborhood was built on a preexisting landslide. Google Earth may cover the past 20 years, but finding photos from before that can be more difficult. The homes on Peartree Lane were built in 1978.

Experts will also attempt to obtain records from the original land development as well as geologic maps, to extract information about the bedrock.

"Trying to find those old development records can take a couple of days to a week," O'Tousa said. The goal is to model the terrain and decide "is this a piece of an old slide that was much bigger?"

After the research, a geologist looks for cracks upslope from where the homes have moved, and hikes down the hillside to look for seeping water, which can be an indicator of stability as the ground dries out, O'Tousa said.

Geologists will drill holes  called borings, usually 24 inches in diameter  to collect samples and look at the "subsurface geology," including bedrock. The samples will undergo laboratory testing for "various strength parameters to model the conditions" and to help describe the geologic structure of the bedrock.

After the geotechnical evaluation, geologists will likely place measuring devices called slope inclinometers in the borings and in cracks "to help determine the rate of the movement," O'Tousa said.

If the cracks are getting larger over time, that points to a "likelihood that the landslide will enlarge." Conversely, if no movement is detected, it could be a sign that the hillside has stabilized.

In deep-seated landslides, future rainfall can continue to destabilize the hillside. O'Tousa worries that the Rolling Hills slide could be impacted by future weather, as well.

Collapsed homes lie along Peartree Lane in Rolling Hills Estates after a landslide that began last week. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

With everything facing his neighborhood and concern that it could keep getting worse, Brooks and his family  who are renters  decided to expedite their move from Peartree Lane. They had planned to leave their home of eight years at the end of the summer, but he's now hoping to be out in a few days.

"Evacuate? I'm ready to move," Brooks said. "All of these coincidences are telling us, 'Go, get packed, run.'"

Brooks said he was told he can still access his home, even with it yellow-tagged, but no one can stay overnight without water access. He said he called the city early Wednesday hoping for an update on the sewer line fix but got no answers.

"She had no idea when it would be back up," Brooks said. So for now, Brooks, his wife and his stepson are staying at a hotel in Torrance, thankful they aren't dealing with the worst of the landslide.

Many of his neighbors had recently bought their homes and want to stay but worry about the future of the street.

"This is really bad for these people," Brooks said.

Read more: Does your home insurance cover a landslide? Here's what you need to know

Typically, homeowners insurance does not extend to landslides, save for a few subsets under other clauses in California.

Hahn said the landslide could have been caused by excessive rainfall in Southern California, raising an important question for an insurance claim: Does the Peartree Lane landslide fall under the force majeure clause, as an act of God, or was it foreseeable and could it have been prevented?

Weve seen homeowners in different areas of California that go after their homeowners association, because there might have been prior notice to damages, attorney Jason Stone with the law firm Stone and Sallus said.

There could be an argument that the HOA should have known of these risks, Stone said.

Some residents have told The Times that they had previously alerted the HOA of cracking and other signs of potential land movement, but they said they don't think anything was done.

The management company for the Rolling Hills Park Villas Homeowners Assn., Scott Management, as well as a member of the board, declined to comment or take questions from The Times.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Ron DeSantis says he won't deign to be Trump's running mate because the 'No. 2 guy' doesn't 'really have any authority'

Ron DeSantis (left) and Donald Trump. Mario Tama/Getty Images; Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

Ron DeSantis said on Tuesday that he won't consider being Donald Trump's VP pick for 2024.

The role "doesn't really have any authority," and he'd rather be governor than a VP, he said.

Speaking on conservative podcast "Wisconsin Right Now," he said he isn't a "number two guy."

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Tuesday that he doesn't plan to run as former President Donald Trump's vice president in 2024, even if he's offered the spot.

He added that he'd prefer to be a governor over becoming vice president, and described the position as one that "doesn't really have any authority."

"I'm not a number two guy," DeSantis told the conservative podcast "Wisconsin Right Now."

"I think I'm a leader, governor of Florida, I've accomplished a lot. I think I could do more staying there than being VP, which doesn't really have any authority," he added.

When asked to name two people he might pick as a running mate, he declined, saying it would be "a little bit presumptuous" at this stage in his campaign to name his pick.

Podcast host Jim Piwowarczyk also asked if DeSantis would consider Robert F Kennedy Jr. as his running mate, which the governor also ruled out, saying he'd prefer a conservative candidate. Kennedy is running for the Democratic presidential nomination.

DeSantis has, in recent months, begun criticizing Trump, his former mentor and ally, on issues like the latter's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

"It seems like he's running to the left, and I have always been somebody that's just been moored in conservative principles," the governor said in May, describing the former president as a "different guy" from when he ran in 2015 and 2016.

Trump, meanwhile, has repeatedly slammed DeSantis since rumors surfaced in late 2022 that the Florida governor was aiming to claim the GOP nomination. He's called DeSantis insulting nicknames like "Ron DeSanctimonious" and "Ron DeSaster."

Neither Trump nor DeSantis have publicly said who they'll pick as their running mate if they clinch the GOP nomination. However, DeSantis told "Wisconsin Right Now" that he would back the Republican nominee, regardless of who wins.

A spokesperson for Trump's campaign dismissed DeSantis' comments in a statement to Insider on Tuesday.

"Ron DeSantis isn't anybody's guy. He's not 'the guy.' He's just 'a guy.' Ron is just there, sullen and sad, because his numbers are as tiny as him," said spokesperson Steven Cheung.

Representatives for DeSantis did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider sent outside regular business hours.

July 12, 2023: This story was updated to reflect comment from a Trump spokesperson.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Rudy Farias turns on mom he says kept him 'mentally captive' for 8 years: 'I just wanted to be free'

Sylvia Sanchez Lopez holding a picture of her nephew Rudy Farias on her cellphone. Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP

Rudy Farias has spoken out about what cops said was his bogus, eight-year 'missing persons' case.

Houston police said he was at home with his mom all along. But Farias said his home was a "prison."

"I just wanted to be free," he said, adding that he developed "Stockholm syndrome" during that time.

Rudy Farias, the "missing" Houston man who cops said was home all along after running away for a single day eight years ago, told reporters in his first TV interview since the bizarre case broke last week that his home was a "prison."

"It's as if I lived in a prison," the 26-year-old told a local Fox affiliate in Houston. "I just wanted to be free. I just wanted to live my life."

Farias made several tearful swipes at his mother, Janie Santana, in the half-hour interview and accused her of keeping him as a hidden captive in her house.

He said Santana kept hold of him for years through the sheer strength of her threats and "negativity" rather than physical force or locked doors.

"I don't want any contact with her at all," he said, sobbing. "I just want to live my life away from her."

Farias' face was obscured in the video at his request.

Santana was at the family home in northeast Texas as recently as this week, the New York Post reported. Farias, meanwhile, said he was living apart from her with family members from his mother's side.

Farias said he was held against his will "mentally, not physically."

"Just constantly, like, she was bombarding me with negative thoughts," he said.

Farias said he was paid only $60 to work "12-hour shifts, seven days a week" when he left the house.

Farias also wanted to be clear: he did not have sex with his mother.

Last week, the Houston-based activist Quanell X told reporters after speaking with Farias that the mom had kept him as a virtual "slave" and that she had forced him to kiss her on the lips and sleep with her while she was naked.

Farias said his mother tried to blur boundaries.

"You know, just boundaries, she would push or making me uncomfortable," he said, adding that she would repeatedly question him when he asked her to stop.

"'What did I do? I didn't do anything wrong!'" he said Santana would protest.

"And I would just be like a people pleaser. But I didn't have people to please, just my mom," he added. "It was just her, her, her, all the time. My mom."

Farias said that he developed "Stockholm syndrome" and that Santana warned him that police would throw him in jail if he resurfaced.

Farias was found alive after being listed as "missing" for eight years. Texas Center for the Missing

"She would manipulate me into saying I would get arrested for a speeding ticket," he said in the interview. "It just felt like brainwashing, honestly."

He said he once got pulled over while driving his mother in her car.

"She told me, 'Say something else. Say a different name because they're going to arrest you,'" he said.

Houston Police Lt. Christopher Zamora told reporters last week that Farias and Santana had "previous HPD interactions" where false names and dates of birth were given to patrol officers.

Farias told the network that he hid when family and friends came over.

"I was stuck at home," he said. "Somebody would come up, my mom would just tell me to stay in the room, keep the doors locked, don't let them in. Don't make any sounds."

Two Texas-based missing-persons organizations announced Farias' reappearance over the July 4 weekend.

"It's him!" a Facebook post that family members said was written by his mother read. "It's our Rudy," the post read, adding that he was found slumped outside a church across town from his home in northeastern Houston.

He was covered in bruises and was too traumatized to speak, the post said.

The astounding reappearance story, which was widely reported by the press, soon unraveled. Houston police held a press conference to announce that the then 18-year-old had returned home the day after his mother reported him missing in 2015.

"Mother Janie continued to deceive police," Lt. Christopher Zamora of the Houston Police Department said.

Four private investigators who worked the original missing-persons case told Insider that there were red flags all along. The investigators couldn't independently verify the leads concerning his whereabouts, which they said were all wild goose chases provided by Santana, his mother.

Santana has not responded to repeated efforts to reach her by phone and email. She has not been charged in the disappearance.

Read the original article on Insider
Russia deploys drone and artillery in 6 attacks on Nikopol district, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast

Russian occupation forces deployed a drone and heavy artillery to launch six attacks on the Nikopol district in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast over the past 12 hours.

Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "Since [19:00 on 11 July], enemy forces have attacked the Nikopol district six times.

Aggressor forces deployed a drone and heavy artillery in these attacks, striking the Marhanets hromada and [the city of] Nikopol." [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories - ed.]

Details: Lysak reported that there were no civilian casualties, and rescue workers are finding out whether the attacks resulted in property damage or destruction.

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Russia is handing out leaflets trying to recruit more women to join its army: report

A sample of a leaflet trying to attract women to join Russia's army, distributed in Omsk, Siberia, in July 2023. Omsk Civil Association/Telegram

Leaflets in Russia's Siberia are calling on women to join the army, per independent media.

Women would potentially serve in occupied Ukraine "in the same ranks as men," The Moscow Times reported.

39,000 women currently serve in Russia's army, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has said.

Some areas of Russia are being leafleted with an appeal for women to join the army and serve as doctors, paramedics, nurses, and cooks, potentially in occupied Ukraine, according to independent media.

"Sign a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry in the same ranks as men," one leaflet distributed in Omsk, western Siberia, read, according to The Moscow Times' translation.

On calling the hotline listed, independent news outlet 7x7 reported it was told that women under 50 were invited to sign one-year contracts, for which they would get no vacation, and for which nurses and cooks needed no special qualifications.

While the hotline didn't specify the exact location recruits would be sent, the outlet was told they would serve in the Russian regions, which would include occupied parts of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson are now claimed by Russia, a claim not recognized by the vast majority of other countries.

The Omsk Civil Association, a group that says it opposes the invasion of Ukraine, also shared the leaflet with a warning to locals not to sign up.

They noted that there were casualties even among those not on the front line, and linked to a tally of 415 Omsk residents it said had died in Ukraine.

The scale of the army recruitment push for female signups is unclear.

In March, Ukraine's defense ministry suggested that Russia was transporting female convicts to the occupied territories in Ukraine in order to serve in the army  an effort that independent observers in Russia said had been going on for some months.

That same month, Russia's defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, said that 39,000 women were currently serving in Russia's armed forces, including 5,000 officers. Of those, 1,100 were serving in Ukraine, he said.

Russia has around 1 million active soldiers.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Russia says it'll be a 'game-changer' if Ukraine uses cluster bombs and it will have to do the same. It's been using them since the start of the war.

Exploded cluster bombs found in civilian areas after the 2006 Lebanon War pushed dozens of countries to ban the controversial munition. Scott Peterson/Getty Images

The Kremlin said it would be a "game-changer" if Ukraine starts using cluster bombs.

Russia's defense minister warned that Moscow would be compelled to use similar weapons.

Moscow has been accused of using cluster munitions since the beginning of the war.

The Kremlin said Wednesday that it would be a "game-changer" in Russia's war with Ukraine if Kyiv used the highly lethal cluster bombs that the United States has promised to supply.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu warned that Moscow would be compelled to use similar weapons against Ukrainian forces even though Russia has been accused of using cluster munitions since the beginning of the war more than 500 days ago.

"Naturally, the potential use of this type of weapons is a game-changer and it will certainly force Russia to take specific steps in response," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday, according to the Russian state-owned TASS news agency.

Additionally, Shoigu claimed that Russia has so far resisted using cluster bombs against Ukrainian troops in the war because of their threat to civilians, TASS reported.

The Human Rights Watch said last year that Russia was actively using cluster bombs in Ukraine, resulting in the killing and maiming of hundreds of civilians.

The advocacy group has also accused Ukraine of using cluster munitions since the beginning of the war but to a much lesser extent.

More than 100 countries have banned the artillery-laid bombs, including dozens of NATO allies to the US.

Last week, the US announced that it has finally agreed to send Ukraine's military cluster munitions to use in its counteroffensive against Russia  a move that has been marred with controversy.

Read the original article on Business Insider
This is explained, in particular, by the effect of the seasonal factor - the announcement of dividends by Russian companies

The current account of Russias balance of payments has turned negative, hitting $1.4 billion in June 2023, Russian news agency Interfax reported on July 11 with reference to the central banks estimates.

This is due, in particular, to a seasonal factor  the declaration of dividends by Russian companies.

Read also: Russia temporarily restricts access to the global network to test its 'sovereign Internet'

"Such a situation has already been observed in similar periods of previous years (when there were) unfavorable price conditions for Russian exports," the Bank of Russia said.

A negative current account balance for the month in Russia was last observed three years ago. In August 2020, the deficit was $1.4 billion, and in June 2020  $4.4 billion.

Read also: Russia confronting unprecedented labor shortage, first time since 1996

Forbes, citing data from the central bank, reports that the decrease in the balance of trade surplus resulted from a reduction in exports as well as worsening price conditions for Russia's primary export goods.

Energy products made the largest contribution to the decline in the total value of exports, according to the explanation.

The Bank of Russia explained that the deficit in the balance of foreign trade in services increased due to the resumption of imports of services, in particular as a result of the revival of foreign travel by Russian citizens at the beginning of the vacation season.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russia threatening to use cluster weapons. Here are 12 times they already have

MYKOLAIV, UKRAINE - A Ukrainian soldier shows a captured Russian flak vest and casing of a cluster bomb rocket as Ukraine Army troops dig in at frontline trench positions to continue repelling Russian attacks, east of the strategic port city of Mykolaiv, Ukraine, on March 10, 2022. (Photo by Scott Peterson/Getty Images)

Russia is big mad over the West supplying cluster munitions to Ukraine. It threatened to use its own cluster munitions if Ukraine deploys them in the war. Russia has a large stockpile of terrible cluster munitions, so Ukraine has to tread carefully. Otherwise, Russia might... Hold on. Let me check my notes, actually.

Oh, Russia first fired cluster munitions into Ukraine in 2014? And it has been doing so with much greater frequency since February 2022, the start of its wider invasion of Ukraine?

Look: Cluster munitions are, in general, terrible. They cause widespread devastation. Russian-made ones have high failure rates that turn them into indiscriminate landmines. When stolen or sold illegally, they are broken down into grenades for criminal use. There is actually a good argument for banning them from war.

And, Ukraine thinks that over 67,000 square miles of territory is contaminated with cluster munitions that have already killed hundreds or thousands. It's reported 226 Ukrainians died from the contamination in March 2023.

But Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. all refused to sign the ban treaty. And Ukraine has already fired the weapons at Russian troops and Russian-backed separatists. And, Russia is firing them regularly at Ukrainian troops. So any Russian pearl-grasping here is both insincere and hypocritical. As Human Rights Watch put it in a May 23, 2023 report:

Since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Russian armed forces have used cluster munitions in attacks that have caused hundreds of civilian casualties and damaged civilian objects, including homes, hospitals, and schools. The Ukrainian military has not denied credible evidence of its own use of cluster munitions in the conflict and has publicly asked to be supplied with the weapon. Human Rights Watch, "Cluster Munition Use in Russia-Ukraine War"

Let's take a quick tour of Russia's recent history of firing cluster munitions in Ukraine. (These are a summarized version of a Human Rights Watch list. You can find the more complete list, along with a few more attacks with cluster munitions conducted by Ukraine, here. A 2014 investigation of probable Ukrainian uses of the weapons is also available here.)

Here are 12 times Russia has already used cluster munitions

February to March 2022

Russia is accused of using cluster munitions "at least 24 times" at the start of its wider invasion of Ukraine.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 7: White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan speaks during the daily press briefing at the White House July 7, 2023 in Washington, DC. Sullivan discussed the U.S. decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

April 8, 2022

Russia fires a ballistic missile with submunitions at a train station as families evacuated, killing 58 and injuring over 100.

May 12, 2022

Russia fires rockets with cluster munitions into a suburb of Kyiv.

May 23, 2022

Russia fires a rocket with submunitions at Karkiv, wounding a man outside a maternity clinic.

June 27, 2022

Russian rocket attack kills one, wounds three civilians with cluster munitions.

July 9, 2022

Russia kills two, wounds another with a rocket attack with submunitions.

August 3, 2022

Russia kills an elderly man and wounds two women when it hits an apartment building with cluster munitions.

September 29, 2022

Two civilians die and Russia wounds another 12 when its first cluster munition rockets at a public transportation station in Myolaiv.

November 2022

Russia fires a series of cluster munitions attacks against Kherson, wounding at least three people.

December 12, 2022

Russia kills two civilians and wounds 10 more with cluster munitions in Hirnyk, Donetska.

March 18, 2023

Two cluster munition rocket attacks hit Konstyantynivka and Kramatorsk, killing two and wounding at least 14.

May 10, 2023

Three emergency room workers and five other people are injured by a Russian cluster munition attack.

The point of this list is not to say that any Ukrainian use of the weapon is justified. Ukraine is taking a dangerous route, and it should wrestle hard with the decision of whether to increase the long-term risk to its civilians by using cluster munitions or to abstain and accept the sharper, more immediate risk to its service members.

Frankly, none of us in the West are in the position to decide for them. Remember, Russia is credibly accused of stealing almost 20,000 Ukrainian children and deliberately erasing the tracks so they can never be reunited with their families. Ukraine has to decide whether to take the poison pill further contaminating its own country with submunitions.

But for Russia to cry foul is at least as ridiculous as when Germany protested the use of shotguns in World War I while spraying chemical gas attacks across the front. Russia has no leg to stand on. And if it doesn't want to face Ukrainians firing cluster munitions, it can always get out of Ukraine.
Russia wants to tempt back the talented youth who ditched it for invading Ukraine, but hasn't figured out how, report says

A Russian man waits in a queue to have his passport checked at the Vaalimaa border check point in Virolahti, Finland, on September 25, 2022. Jussi Nukari/Lehtikuva/via REUTERS

Thousands, if not millions, of Russians have fled the country since it invaded Ukraine last year.

Russian officials are now trying to get them to return, The Moscow Times reported.

But they haven't put any real plans in place, the report said.

Russia is trying to get young, skilled workers who fled the country over its invasion of Ukraine to come back, but so far hasn't been able to do anything effective, according to a new report by The Moscow Times.

There is no official figure for how many Russians have left the country since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022, but estimates range between the hundreds of thousands to several million. Experts described it as a huge brain drain that is harming its economy.

Some industries were particularly affected: More than 70,000 IT workers had fled the country by April 2022, just two months after the war started.

Now Russian officials are trying to lure them back, The Moscow Times reported. But the outlet said their intentions and public pleas have not been matched by any actual incentives.

And at the same time, some in Russia want to punish people who left, considering them traitors. One politician suggested that Russians who come back should be investigated for treason, the report highlighted as an example.

The Kremlin's focus is on getting back young, educated workers, as it considers the effect of them leaving the country to be a national security issue, The Moscow Times reported.

Russia says lots of citizens have come back already. President Vladimir Putin said in June that half of the Russians who left had returned, though there are no hard statistics to substantiate the claim.

The Moscow Times reported that this prompted more Russian officials to make new open calls for citizens to come back.

And Russia's digital-development minister said that a program to bring back IT specialists that was floated last year wasn't needed in the end as citizens were returning themselves.

Russians who fled have cited their moral opposition to the war, the impact of sanctions on their industries and jobs, or their fear of being called up to the fight.

The number of Russians fleeing soared in September, when the government began conscripting some parts of the population.

The UK Ministry of Defence said in September that the number of Russians who fled that month was bigger than the army it first sent to invade Ukraine.

Some Russians who left said they've faced hostility in other countries after people realized where they were from.

This, as well as the difficulties in living and earning enough money abroad, were cited as reasons why some Russians said they've gone back home.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(CNN)  Willy Wonkas back. The chocolatier and torturer of naughty children is getting the prequel treatment in a new film starring Timothee Chalamet, coming to cinemas in December.

First footage of Chalamet as the mercurial Roald Dahl character was revealed Tuesday, showing a young Wonka setting out on a quest to shake up the chocolate industry and break up a confectionary cabal.

Chalamet steps into shoes previously filled by Gene Wilder in 1971 and Johnny Depp in 2005. Rather than retell Dahls 1964 book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, writer-director Paul King has imagined a plucky, striving take on the character in what he calls a companion piece to the 1971 film.

Speaking in London ahead of the teaser trailer release, King promised an all-singing, all-dancing Chalamet and a film that answers all the questions you never had about Wonka.

The director shared that hed accessed Dahls personal archives and read early drafts of the novel, gleaning ideas from there.

As a writer, obviously I dont remotely think of myself in the same breath as Roald Dahl, he said, but it was very nice to be so inspired by that.

King, director of the beloved Paddington and Paddington 2, has cast familiar faces including Sally Hawkins, Tom Davis and Simon Farnaby, alongside Olivia Colman, Rowan Atkinson, Keegan-Michael Key and newcomer Calah Lane. And in a casting coup for the ages, the film sees King team up once more with Hugh Grant, this time playing a grumpy, flute-playing Oompa-Loompa.

The director said he was looking for a star to play one of Wonkas incredibly sarcastic and judgemental and cruel workers and landed on Grant, the funniest, most sarcastic s that Ive met.

Much of the movie was filmed on studio soundstages, said King, although some scenes were shot on location in the UK, offering a glimpse of the hysteria that follows his star.

I got an insight into Timothee Chalamets life, which is people leaning out of windows and screaming, Marry me! he recalled, chuckling. It was quite strange  I dont know what they thought was going to happen.

Kings gratitude towards Chalamet was palpable: It was a huge commitment for him because it was a very long shoot and there was a lot (of) singing and dancing.

Whats so fabulous about him is you feel a lot of people his age would have been tempted to put on a superhero outfit and then sort of go and save the world, he added. And I managed to get him to put on a pair of heeled leather boots and do some tap dancing.

Wonka is released in North American on December 15. CNN and Warner Bros. Pictures are units of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Russian billionaire and owner of Chelsea football club Abramovich gives a thumbs-up before the Group D Euro 2012 soccer match between Ukraine and England at Donbass Arena in Donetsk

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich on Wednesday will challenge European Union sanctions imposed on him after the Ukraine war, arguing that the restrictions were imposed simply because he is a well-known Russian, a source familiar with the matter said.

After President Vladimir Putin ordered tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, the EU slapped sanctions on Russian officials and a host of Russian businessmen while freezing hundreds of billions of dollars of Russian assets.

The EU in March 2022 described Abramovich, now 56, as an "oligarch who has close ties to Vladimir Putin" including "privileged access" to the Kremlin chief, connections the EU said had helped him maintain his assets.

Abramovich filed a challenge to the EU sanctions on May 25, 2022, and on Thursday the General Court of the Court of Justice of the European Union will hear the challenge, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

His lawyers will argue that the EU sanctions are baseless and were imposed purely because he is a famous Russian businessman, the source said.

"He was not sanctioned because of evidence relating to the criteria: he was sanctioned simply because politically, the most famous Russian businessman had to be even if this is a manifest error," the source said.

Abramovich, who also holds Israeli citizenship, was one of the most powerful businessmen who earned fabulous fortunes after the 1991 break-up of the Soviet Union. Forbes has put his net worth at $9.2 billion.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
The Russian Ministry of Defence has stated that the Wagner Group is now finishing up the handover of its weapons and military equipment - over 2,000 pieces - to the Russian Armed Forces.

Source: RIA Novosti, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet

Details: Hundreds of tanks, Grad and Uragan multiple-launch rocket systems, Pantsir anti-aircraft missile systems, self-propelled artillery systems, armoured vehicles and more are reported to have been transferred.

In addition, more than 2,500 tonnes of various types of ammunition and about 20,000 small arms have apparently been received.

RIA Novosti says all the equipment and weapons are being delivered to the rear areas, where repair and restoration units of the Russian Armed Forces will overhaul them and make them ready for further use.

They even posted footage of the weapons being handed over.

  ,  ""         pic.twitter.com/mY0gRFC6WH     (@ukrpravda_news) July 12, 2023

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By Mark Trevelyan

(Reuters) -The Wagner mercenary group is completing its handover of weapons to Russia's regular armed forces, the Defence Ministry said on Wednesday, more than two weeks after the group staged a brief armed mutiny.

In a statement accompanied by video showing tanks, rockets and other heavy weapons, the ministry said Wagner had transferred more than 2,000 pieces of equipment and over 2,500 tonnes of ammunition.

If genuine, the handover is the most concrete sign to date that Wagner - whose fighters have waged some of the fiercest and bloodiest battles of Russia's war in Ukraine - is pulling out of combat operations there.

It follows a deal with President Vladimir Putin under which Wagner and its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who had savagely criticised Russia's defence chiefs over their conduct of the war, called off their short-lived mutiny last month.

During the June 23-24 revolt, the mercenaries took control of the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and shot down an unspecified number of military helicopters, killing their pilots, as they advanced towards Moscow.

'STAB IN THE BACK'

The mutiny is widely perceived as having posed the most serious challenge to Putin since he assumed Russia's presidency on the last day of 1999.

While the rebellion was in progress, Putin described it as a "stab in the back" and an act of treason that risked plunging the country into civil war.

But under the agreement that ended it, the Kremlin said that in order to avoid bloodshed, Prigozhin would leave for Belarus and a criminal case against him would be dropped. His fighters were given the option of joining him in exile, joining Russia's regular forces or going home.

The defence ministry said the weapons transfer was taking place "in accordance with the plan".

Much remains unclear about the implementation of the agreement, including Prigozhin's whereabouts. The Kremlin said this week that Putin had met Prigozhin for about three hours on June 29, five days after the mutiny.

Flight-tracking data showed a plane linked to Prigozhin left Moscow and headed towards Belarus on Tuesday evening, but it was not clear if he was on board.

Uncertainty also surrounds the future of Prigozhin's wider business empire in Russia and Wagner's extensive operations in parts of the Middle East and Africa, including Syria, Mali and the Central African Republic.

Prigozhin has said the rebellion was not aimed at overthrowing the government but at "bringing to justice" the defence minister and chief of the general staff for what he called their blunders and unprofessional actions in Ukraine.

Both men have since been shown on state TV, apparently still in their posts.

(Reporting by Reuters, writing by Mark TrevelyanEditing by Gareth Jones and Angus MacSwan)
The Russian-affiliated hacker group From Russia with Love has published confidential information about preparations for the North Atlantic Alliance summit in Vilnius on the evening of 12 July.

Source: European Pravda, referring to the Lithuanian portal 15min

Details: On the evening of 12 July, hackers reportedly claimed to have gained access to classified data on the organisation of the NATO summit in Vilnius.

In particular, 29 files were leaked. They contain various pieces of information about the security of NATO leaders, including various slides, presentations, protocols, software, and the names of military personnel.

In particular, the leaked documents state that:

30 institutions and 346 "assets" located in Lithuania were checked during the preparation of the summit. Of these, 23% were found to be in the "risk zone" with an unacceptable level of threat,

the security was monitored by a sniper group of the Lithuanian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the personal data of 17 employees of which were allegedly contained in the documents,

the names of those responsible for intelligence sharing with NATO intelligence services in Lithuania and for modelling possible threats to the security of the summit participants were merged.

The alleged routes of NATO delegations in Vilnius were published, including specific routes and streets that the convoys allegedly used.

Pro-Russian Telegram channels claim that the data leak occurred in Ukraine.

Lithuanian State Security Department spokesperson Aurelija Vernickaite confirmed the hacker attack in a comment to 15min. According to her, the situation is known, and the incident is being investigated in cooperation with the relevant authorities.

Background:

On the eve of the NATO summit in Lithuania on 11-12 July, two cyberattacks were also recorded, due to which disinformation was broadcast on a regional radio station and in a shopping centre after a music streaming service was hacked.

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Russian intelligence chief says he discussed "what to do with Ukraine" with CIA chief

Sergey Naryshkin, the head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, has said that in late June 2023, he spoke with CIA chief William Burns about "what to do with Ukraine".

Source: TASS, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet; Meduza, a Latvia-based Russian independent news outlet

Quote: "Yes, indeed, the conversation took place at the end of last month. The reason for the phone call, as I see it, was the events of 24 June. It is clear how I answered this question about what happened.

It seems to me that it was more of a pretext, because the main part of the conversation was focused on discussing the topic and events around Ukraine. We were thinking, discussing what to do with Ukraine."

Details: According to Naryshkin, the conversation with the CIA director lasted about an hour.

Naryshkin also added that the possibility of a personal meeting with the CIA chief remained.

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Oleg Tsokov

Russian State Duma deputy and a former commander in the Russian army, Andriy Gurulov, has confirmed that Lt. Gen. Oleg Tsokov was killed in Ukraine, Russian independent news outlet Meduza reported on July 12.

On July 11, several explosions rocked the occupied city of Berdyansk. Among the targeted locations was the Duna hotel, a temporary residence for Russian officers.

Read also: Multiple explosions rock occupied Berdyansk, Ukrainian military says it struck airport

The Russian military alleged the attack was carried using UK-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

Ivan Fedorov, the mayor of nearby Melitopol, reported that a general had been killed in the hotel, and Russian media subsequently confirmed this individual to be Oleg Tsokov.

Read also: Ukrainian troops advance up to 2 km into Russian defenses around Berdyansk

Tsokov oversaw Russias campaign of missile strikes on Ukraine. Since August 2022, Tsokov had been the commander of the 144th Motorized Rifle Division of the 20th Combined Arms Army of the Russian Federation.

He was promoted to lieutenant general in 2023. In addition to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he participated in Russias two wars against Chechnya and the war in Syria.

Read also: Explosions rock Russian-occupied Berdyansk  photos

Anonymous Telegram channels reported that Tsokov held the position of deputy commander of Russias Southern Military District. Though there was no official announcement of his appointment, it has been speculated that his presence in Berdyansk and subsequent exposure to the attack could be explained by this assumed role.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
By Andrius Sytas

VILNIUS (Reuters) - Russian neighbour Estonia has no "demands" for NATO allies to increase their troop presence there, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday, after Germany and Canada outlined plans to deploy thousands more troops in Latvia and Lithuania next door.

Germany, Canada and Britain have since 2017 led international battlegroups of about 1,000 troops in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, respectively, to act as a tripwire in case of a Russian attack and hold the ground before reinforcements arrive.

"No, we don't have demands (for) our allies. We are very grateful for everything they do for us," Kallas told Reuters on sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius, when asked about whether she would expect Britain to increase its military presence.

Kallas said Estonian security was served by having British troops deployed outside its borders but exercising in Estonia often and ready to come in at short notice if needed.

"We have an agreement, a functioning agreement with Britain so that we have the allocated forces and they are able to come very fast to Estonia," she said.

The three Baltic countries are in the top 10 in NATO in terms of how much they spend compared to the size of their economies. But their economies are small and so are their militaries.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, NATO agreed last July to scale up the battalions in Latvia and Lithuania. In the run-up to the Vilnius summit, Germany pledged to station 4,000 troops in Lithuania and Canada said it could double its deployment by sending up to 1,200 more troops.

The German and Canadian pledges were also contributing to Estonian security, said Kallas.

Asked whether she shares Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's disappointment after NATO allies on Tuesday declared that Ukraine should be able to join the alliance at a future date, Kallas said: "I understand the frustration."

"Ukraine wants to live in peace like we are living in peace. We are under NATO's umbrella, and that's why we are living in peace, and Russia is not attacking us. And Ukraine wants the same. So I totally, totally understand," she said.

"What is important is that the overall understanding of the NATO allies is that Ukraine will join NATO... All the big allies are behind those words. And that's why the debate was so heated, because nobody wants to give empty words and promises that we can't keep."

(Reporting by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Russians flock to sea in Mariupol district despite ongoing war, destruction of city

A destroyed house in Mariupol

Despite ongoing explosions and widespread destruction caused by Russian shelling, Russians are flocking to the sea in Russian-occupied Mariupol District, Petro Andryushchenko, an advisor to the Mayor of Mariupol, said in an interview with the Ukrainian branch of RFE/RL on July 12.

From Mariupol to the border with Berdyansk District in Zaporizhzhya Oblast, Russians have filled the area today. However, they are surprised by the operation of air defense systems, as it is loud and unpleasant, Andryushchenko said.

Read also: Explosions rock Russian-occupied Berdyansk  photos

Andryushchenko said that the Russians had been misled, believing that the city was being restored, and were unaware of the ruins left behind by the shelling.

However, he said that despite the discrepancy between their expectations and the reality on the ground, Russians continue to visit the coast. The visitors primarily hail from regions bordering Ukraine, like Rostov and Belgorod oblasts.

Read also: Azovstal heroes homeward bound: Freed commanders returning to Ukraine

They have truly flocked to the sea, and its quite cheap for them, added Andryushchenko.

The National Resistance Center reported on July 7 that the occupation administration in temporarily seized Mariupol had devised a plan for evacuating the city.

As a result of Russian actions, which involved bombing residential areas and civilian infrastructure in Mariupol, at least 25,000 residents are believed to have lost their lives.

To conceal evidence of their crimes, the Russians brought mobile crematoriums to Mariupol and coerced local residents into burying the deceased in mass graves on the citys outskirts.

Read also: Russia escalates tensions around Zaporizhzhya NPP, risk of terror attack remains  Malyar

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
On 12 July, Russian forces once again deployed artillery to attack Kherson. A house came under Russian fire, and a man was killed.

Source: Kherson Oblast Prosecutors Office

Quote: "According to the investigation, on 12 July 2023, at around 15:20, Russian servicemen launched another attack on the city of Kherson. As a result of a targeted strike on a house, a man was killed."

Details: Reportedly, the mans wife was injured; she was provided with medical assistance.

Residential buildings and farm buildings were also damaged in the shelling. The information on the number of victims is being clarified.

A pre-trial investigation has been launched into violating the laws and customs of war, combined with intentional murder.

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Sergey Surovikin, Deputy Commander of the Russian United Grouping of Forces in Ukraine, has been detained by the Russian counterintelligence in connection with the mutiny led by Evgeny Prigozhin.

Source: Russian media outlet Verstka with reference to a source close to law enforcement, and another anonymous source

Details: The source close to law enforcement states that Surovikin was detained by the FSB on suspicion of involvement in organising the mutiny, but so far, he has not been accused of anything.

One more source reported that Surovikin is isolated and has not contacted his family for over two weeks.

Both sources report that General Surovikin is being interrogated.

A lawyer told Verstka that there are a lot of ways to isolate someone from society without accusation. It can be done via an administrative arrest or another case.

Background:

Earlier, the FSB claimed it had closed the criminal case on the mutiny.l in Russia.

Yet Surovikin, who was linked to Prigozhin by the Western media many times, has not appeared in public since his address to Wagnerites on 24 June at night, in which he called upon them to lay down their arms.

Financial Times reported about the detention of Surovikin. The outlet stated that he was in custody but so far, it is not clear if he was accused of conspiracy or detained for interrogation.

The Bloomberg agency also reported that Surovikin was being interrogated by military prosecutors concerning his ties to Prigozhin for several days. The source of the agency reported that Surovikin was being held "at a certain location" but not in prison.

Russia denied the information about the detention of Surovikin.

On 12 July Andrii Kartapolov, head of the Defence Committee of the State Duma of Russia, claimed in response to a journalists questions that Surovikin was "on vacation" and "so far not available".

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 11)  The presence of US military aircraft in the country is due to bilateral exercises between Manila and Washington, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) clarified on Tuesday.

"We have an increased number of aircraft which are participating in our Cope Thunder 23-2 exercises, which is ongoing," said PAF spokesperson Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo.

She added that all US air assets involved in the drills are covered by diplomatic clearances.

Several lawmakers earlier questioned the recent arrival of US military planes in the country.

READ: Makabayan bloc seeks House probe into US military planes landing in PH

Sen. Imee Marcos had called for a Senate probe into the "unadvised" landing of a US military aircraft at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on June 26.

The senator said while Manila often calls out Beijing over the presence of Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, there is little information on the ongoing US military activity within Philippine territory.

READ: Sen. Marcos calls for increased monitoring of US military planes at PH airports to track violations

Castillo said the Department of Foreign Affairs will have to shed light on any issues being raised by lawmakers.

The second iteration of "Cope Thunder" started on July 2nd and will run until the 21st.

The PAF said at least 10 different types of US aircraft are taking part in the exercises.
Andrey Kartapolov, head of the Defence Committee of the State Duma of Russia, has claimed that Sergey Surovikin, Deputy Commander of the Russian United Grouping of Forces in Ukraine, is currently on a vacation. However, Kartapolov did not specify Surovikin's exact location.

Source: Russian independent media outlet Meduza; Shot Telegram.channel

Quote by Kartapolov: "He [Surovikin  ed.] is having a break at the moment. He is not available."

Details: Herewith, Kartapolov stated that he himself does not keep in touch with General Surovikin, who disappeared from the public space.

Background:

Before that, the UK Intelligence reported that Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation, who appeared in the media space for the first time after the coup by the Wagner Group, was briefed by Colonel General Viktor Afzalov, the chief of staff of the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation  instead of Surovikin.

The New York Times reported that Russian General Sergei Surovikin, who was appointed in the Russian Federation as a mediator between the Ministry of Defence and the Wagner private military company, knew about the plans of mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to commit a mutiny in Russia.

The Russian media reported that on 25 June, Surovikin was arrested and sent to the Lefortovo detention centre, controlled by the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB). According to another account, he was interrogated and released.

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Sacramento has 7 dual-language grade schools. What happens when students go to junior high?

Growing up, Melissa Quon traveled an hour on Saturdays to attend a Chinese class in San Francisco. The teaching style was stern and old school, she said: you say it, you repeat it, you write it.

I didnt go very long, she said. Despite being of Chinese descent, Quon said she now doesnt speak Chinese very well at all.

Wanting her two sons and daughter to retain a connection to their culture, she enrolled them in the K-6 Chinese immersion program at William Land Elementary School. The difference in methodology and results compared with the weekend school were night and day, she said.

The pioneering program starts kindergarteners with classes almost entirely in Mandarin, incrementally progressing to a 50/50 split with English over time. The classes are interactive, age-appropriate, like a regular kindergarten class, Quon said, ultimately helping her kids grow up feeling like its okay to learn about their culture, feeling like its a normal thing(when) in regular class, its considered different even though we live in a pretty diverse community.

The Mandarin immersion program is one of seven dual language immersion programs in the Sacramento City Unified School District, with 238 of the districts 922 K-6 immersion students. One other program is taught in Cantonese, one in Hmong, and four in Spanish.

While the elementary school programs are a great experience, kids are left unsupported once they graduate, parents said. With no higher level Chinese or Hmong classes in middle school, parents are left to figure out themselves how to continue supporting their kids language learning, bridging the gap to high school classes or an AP test.

Now, after years of advocacy by parents, a $5 million proposal to expand Chinese, Spanish and Hmong language immersion programs to middle and high school appeared in a Sacramento City Board of Education meeting for the first time on May 18.

The proposed funding didnt make it into the district budget approved June 22, but board President Chinua Rhodes said the board will continue to consider it in the 45-day revision period after the state finalizes its budget.

Sacramento immersion programs play unique cultural preservation, economic mobility roles

The Mandarin immersion program at William Land Elementary School, which has between 20 and 25 students per K-6 grade, has students of various ethnic backgrounds. Parents say they value the unique language-learning and normalization benefits of an immersion program.

The immersion program eliminates embarrassment from speaking another language, said Virginia Tsai, a parent with one graduate and one current fifth grader in William Lands immersion program.

Going to Chinese school on weekends, youre kind of reluctant to speak it in your regular school because no one else speaks it. But I find in the setup of an immersion program, everyones speaking Chinese, your teachers are, your classmates arethats the special part of being in an immersion program, she said.

Bella Yu, 9, pronounces the Mandarin words for body parts on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, during a dual-language summer school program at William Land Elementary school in Southside Park. The school has is one of seven dual-language immersion programs in the Sacramento City Unified School District.

Bao Moua, the principal at Susan B. Anthony Elementary School, which houses the districts Hmong language immersion program, said that cultural preservation is also a big goal for parents with kids in the program.

I wanna say about 90% of our students, even though theyre of Hmong background, they come to us without speaking any Hmong, she said. Of 310 students at the school, around 140 are in the Hmong language immersion program, Moua said.

Rhodes said that boosting economic mobility is also a goal of the programs. Many students in the districts Spanish programs have parents who are English learners. The language program makes instruction more accessible to them.

Rhodes represents Meadowview and Parkway neighborhoods in South Sacramento, which include Susan B. Anthony as well as Cesar Chavez and Edward Kemble Elementary Schools, which both have Spanish immersion programs. His son is enrolled in a Spanish immersion program.

For his son and other non-English learner students, in the global economy, especially here in California, him understanding and knowing Spanish is going to be a great help to his overall opportunities, Rhodes said.

Tsai said that Mandarin is similarly a useful language to know given the international context.

I think Chinas going to have a big role in the future internationally, so I think it will be a really useful language for (kids) to have, for the next generation, she said.

Lack of middle school language classes creates a gap in language pathway, advocates say

Given the lack of language classes or programs at the middle school level, its hard for parents to support their children after graduating from elementary school immersion programs, Tsai said.

We now attend an online Chinese class. Its once a week for an hour and a half. The teachers are from mainland China, and they follow a textbook, Tsai said.

While Moua said there are high school Hmong classes coordinated with the immersion program at Susan B. Anthony, no appropriate high school Chinese classes exist for Mandarin immersion program graduates, Tsai said. The only goal parents can aim for is to have their kids take the AP test (in ninth grade) and at least have something to show for all the years that youve put in, she said.

Since the first cohort of immersion students at William Land in 2011, Mandarin immersion program parents have advocated for an expansion of the program to middle and high school, said Enoch Yeung, a parent of two program graduates.

Kingston Lui, 10, a student at the summer school program at William Land Elementary in Southside Park, practices writing a Chinese character during the Mandarin immersion program on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. The schools Mandarin immersion program is one of seven dual language immersion programs in the Sacramento City Unified School District.

Mostly, the advocacy has involved meeting with board members and district staff, as well as mobilizing parents and students to speak at board meetings. Tsai asked teachers at William Land to send messages about board meeting delegations out to parents of kids in the program several times per year, she said.

The hard part is, a lot of parents of the students, English might be their secondary language, so they might not be comfortable speaking to the school board, or they dont understand how the school system works in the U.S., Tsai said.

In the 2021-22 school year, parents were also able to directly raise money for a combined seventh and eighth grade advanced Chinese class at Sutter Middle School, where many Mandarin immersion program students go.

The district expressed potential support for continuing to fund the class, Yeung said, but the support fell away due to a lot of different maneuvers surrounding the end of COVID restrictions and the districts negotiations with its teachers union. The class did not continue in the 2022-23 school year.

Though William Land parents have most consistently advocated at board meetings, advocates for expansion have also come from Hmong and Spanish immersion programs.

We have had parents from our Spanish immersion program  come in and advocate for their program being expanded, Rhodes said.

Moua said that she has spoken in favor of Hmong immersion program expansion to district staff.

I have not been in contact with parents from the Mandarin program, but (expansion) is something that our parents would also like  they dont have the resources to push that piece, but they are interested in having that bridge in middle school, Moua said.

Carly Phu, 6, raises her hand on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, during the summer school Mandarin immersion program at William Land Elementary School in Southside Park. The schools program is one of seven dual language immersion programs in the Sacramento City Unified School District.

Conversations ongoing about expansion funding

Progress on expansion picked up once Rhodes was elected to the board, Yeung said.

Chinua, because he was kind of strategically located in the south area and had two immersion programs under his jurisdiction, we were able to talk together and make more of a push, Yeung said.

Tsai credits Rhodes with finally bringing an expansion proposal to the board discussion on May 18.

The main thing we wanted was to get it on the agenda for discussion, because we could never move beyond the public comments, Tsai said. This is as far as weve gotten ever before.

No funding has been allocated yet for the expansion, or specific plans made for class sizes or what schools expanded programs will be housed at, Rhodes said, though the middle school gap is specifically being targeted.

If an expansion is pursued, the board will work with its facilities department to identify where the programs would be housed to be most useful andaccessible to our broader community, Rhodes said.

Though the 2023-24 budget that the board approved on June 22 did not allocate any funding for language program expansion, there is a 45 day revision period for the board to come back and allocate new things to the budget, Rhodes said, and conversations are ongoing.

Its something that were definitely looking at still and having the conversations. Ive been having conversations around this since Ive been elected, Rhodes said.

Instructor Fei Fei Xie teaches students on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, how to hold their brush as they write Chinese characters during a summer program at William Land Elementary in Southside Park. The schools Mandarin immersion program is one of seven dual language immersion programs in the Sacramento City Unified School District.

The rocky history of language immersion programs in California

Dual-language programs in California have oscillated between having robust support and fierce opposition.

In 1998, California voters passed Proposition 227, which declared that all children in California public schools shall be taught English by being taught in English.

The full text of the proposition attacked bilingual programs  developed with support from the 1968 federal Bilingual Education Act and after advocacy from Latino, Chinese and other activists  for wasting financial resources on costly experimental language programs.

The proposition reflected anti-immigrant backlash beginning in the 80s that eroded bipartisan support for bilingual programs as a means of cultural preservation and shifted focus to teaching students English fluency as quickly as possible, according to research by Erin Kinney at Hamline University.

At the time, California had 410,000 students enrolled in bilingual education and more than a million English learner students, according to 2003 research by Boston University professor Christine Rossell funded by the Public Policy Institute of California. Proposition 227 cut bilingual enrollment by as much as two-thirds, according to Rossells research.

In 2016, the tide turned when voters repealed Proposition 227 by passing Proposition 58. In 2018, the California Department of Education threw its support behind bilingual education by undertaking an initiative to have half of all K12 students  participate in programs leading to proficiency in two or more languages by 2030 and three out of four students to be proficient in two or more languages by 2040.

The number of California schools with dual-language programs increased quickly afterwards, from 407 in 2016-17 to 747 in 2018-19. The Los Angeles Unified School District had 137 dual-language programs in 2018-19, and school districts in San Francisco, San Diego and elsewhere also offer dual-language pathways in a variety of languages at elementary, middle and high school levels.
Salman Rushdie at The South Bank Sky Arts Awards 2023 at The Savoy Hotel in London earlier this month - David M. Benett/Getty Images Europe

Sir Salman Rushdie is considering facing his suspected attacker in court, the author has said.

The author of The Satanic Verses was stabbed roughly 10 times in an attack in New York state in 2022 which left him blind in his left eye, with US citizen Hadi Matar arrested and charged with attempted murder.

Sir Salman has revealed that he is tempted to face down his suspected attacker in court, should the case go to trial.

Speaking to the BBC, the 76 year-old said: Theres one bit of me that actually wants to go and stand on the court and look at him and theres another bit of me that just cant be bothered.

He added: I dont have a very high opinion of him. And I think what is important to me now is that youre able to find life continuing. Im more engaged with the business of, you know, getting on with it.

Matar, 24 at the time of the attack, pleaded not guilty to the charge against him, meaning that a trial will be necessary if this plea remains unchanged.

Sir Salman has said that he is recovering well from the stabbing, but suffers from crazy dreams, saying that his therapist has a lot of work to do.

The writer was attacked while on stage at an event in Chautauqua, New York, during which he was scheduled to give a talk in the US giving sanctuary to exiled writers.

If Hadi Matar, seen here at an arraignment hearing in Chautauqua County Courthouse last year, continues with his plea of not guilty then there will be a trial - AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

He was stabbed 10 times and his intended interviewer Henry Reese was also injured. Sir Salman was rushed to hospital by helicopter with wounds to the abdomen, neck, thigh, and his right eye, in which he lost vision.

The novelists 1988 work The Satanic Verses, in which dream sequences describe a prophet formulating a new religion in the Arabian desert, had been condemned by some Muslims as blasphemous and sparked riots in the Islamic world.

Irans revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for Sir Salmans assassination, with a bounty of 2 million placed on his head, prompting the writer to be placed under police protection.

Speaking to the BBC almost a year on from the attempt on his life, Sir Salman warned of the threat of religious radicalism, saying: Youve got to distinguish between peoples private faith, which is kind of none of our business, really, and the politicisation of any religion.

In America right now, youve got a highly weaponised version of Christianity, which was responsible, in very large part, for the reversal of Roe versus Wade, for the whole abortion debate.

He added: When it becomes politicised, it becomes everybodys business, as all political things do. I think we just have to be clear about that distinction.

So, the kind of person who goes off and chooses violence, in my view, is not a representative of that religion but a representative of violence and has to be treated in that way.

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Sarah Silverman signs copies of her book

US comedian Sarah Silverman is suing ChatGPT maker OpenAI and technology giant Meta, alleging that her copyright has been infringed in the training of the firms' AI systems.

Systems like ChatGPT learn to imitate human language by analysing large datasets of human text.

Meta declined to comment. OpenAI has not yet replied to BBC questions.

Two other authors in addition to Ms Silverman are bringing the class-action case.

The case against OpenAI alleges that without the authors' consent "their copyrighted materials were ingested and used to train ChatGPT".

The case against Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, concerns its LLaMa AI system. Initially released to a small group of users primarily working on research, the system was subsequently leaked online.

LLaMa is a "foundational large language model" designed to help AI research. In other words it's a very big AI system that can be put to use in a range of tasks.

The authors claim their books appear in a dataset, compiled by another organisation, which was used to train the LLaMa system.

Patrick Goold a reader in law at City University in London told the BBC it was likely both cases would come down to whether training a large language model is a form of fair-use or not.

The lawyers assisting the group, Matthew Butterick and Joseph Saveri, are already involved in an earlier case against OpenAI brought by two authors.

They write that "since the release of OpenAI's ChatGPT system in March 2023, we've been hearing from writers, authors, and publishers who are concerned about its uncanny ability to generate text similar to that found in copyrighted textual materials, including thousands of books".

But other legal experts have questioned whether OpenAI can be said to have copied books.

Last year the law firm launched two cases, one on behalf of programmers and another on behalf of artists, who believe their rights have been infringed by AI systems.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and his family took part in a Fourth of July parade in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, as supporters held up campaign signs.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and his family took part in a Fourth of July parade in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, as supporters held up campaign signs.

As American acceptance of sexual difference pushes forward in fits and starts, a self-appointed savior of the nations youth emerges from the swamps of Florida to stand athwart the progress of tolerance and human decency, yelling Stop!

No, not Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Sunshine State Savonarola running for the Republican president nomination, but his equally obnoxious fellow Floridian Anita Bryant, the former Miss Oklahoma and kitsch song stylist who became an international synonym for homophobia in 1977 and was subsequently relieved of her ambassadorial duties by the Florida Citrus Commission for her Save Our Children campaign to repeal anti-discrimination ordinances nationwide. As if on cue, 1978 saw the birth of DeSantis, Bryants true heir in the states tradition of exporting gay-bashing crusaders to the rest of the country.

If DeSantis didnt study his predecessors anti-gay playbook, he might as well have. Bryant accused gay people of recruiting the young, a calumny that managed something of a time-traveling hat trick: It simultaneously anticipated the DeSantis administrations legislative campaign against gay and trans grooming of children, traded on the myth of gays as child molesters and echoed the ancient libel that the blood of gentile children was used in Jewish ritual. (Whether its a coincidence or a correlation that the minority groups accused of coming after the children also found themselves in Hitlers showers is a question unlikely to be contemplated by Florida public school students under DeSantis Dont Say Gay education reforms.)

From hairspray to homophobia, DeSantis amounts to little more than Anita Bryant in drag  just add a designer education and presidential ambitions and subtract the ability to hold an audience.

Heres another thing these two sun-kissed bigots have in common: Children and the family have proved useful props in their anti-gay campaigns, but when it comes to the well-being of actual children, they display breathtaking indifference.

When her own grandchild came out to Bryant a few years ago, the crusader refused to accept her, instead praying for her to convert. With prayer like that, who needs damnation? She wants a relationship with a person who doesnt exist because Im not the person she wants me to be, Sarah Green said on Slates podcast One Year about the famous homophobe in the family.

And not a week after three 9-year-olds were shot and killed in a Nashville mass shooting that would have shocked the conscience of a nation less inured to massacre, DeSantis toured a Georgia gun store to help drive sales of his new book. First thing the following Monday, he signed into law Floridas unconscionable HB 543, which now lets residents carry a concealed firearm without a permit.

A meme making the rounds defines gun worship as a religion that requires the sacrifice of other peoples children. No less could be said of the governors ambition.

Is any of this hypocrisy and regress surprising? Only if you didnt watch the late pope preside over the rampant sexual abuse of children by his clergy while he was on record attacking the sexuality of law-abiding gay people as a tendency ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil against whom irrational and violent reactions should come as no surprise.

Sexual minorities are well accustomed to being attacked on moral grounds by people who have no moral ground to stand on.

Gay people, trans people, drag queens  its political open season on us all in 2023, with  by the ACLUs count  491 bills advancing across the nation to criminalize everything from transition care to drag shows to the discussion by high school seniors of, say, Virginia Woolfs Orlando.

Perhaps bullying sexual minorities at home is sound strategy for a foreign policy featherweight who struggles to distinguish a vicious war of Russian revanchism from a territorial dispute in which the United States has no vital national interest. Geopolitics is tough  better to pick a fight with Floridas drag queens.

Or is it, Rhonda? Because that is a fight I would gladly watch: not the chief executive of the nations third-most populous state abusing his office to attack the politically vulnerable, but the eminently dislikable apostle of politicized sexual sanctimony going head to head with any number of brilliant and beloved entertainers whose medium is drag. And the first area in which Id like to see the governor schooled is the one where he has exhibited the most shocking ignorance and the world of drag is especially well equipped to educate him: the family.

Want a focus on the family? Visit a drag club. Want a good dose of family values  a place where family is made and bedazzled out of whole cloth and valued for that reason? Drag club.

The structure and language of the drag world is all about family: We speak of drag houses and drag mothers and of their children. One of the most brilliantly organized and influential drag groups is the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an international network of service-oriented activists now under attack by the DeSantis-inflamed right and a group in which the familial sense of sisters is as sincere as the religious sense is satirical.

Family is more than metaphor in the drag world, reflecting a genuine support structure that has helped countless people sharpen their wits, redirect their energies toward work that mattered to them, get sober, learn to become themselves and take care of each other.

One reason these drag families need to form is the destructive effect anti-gay crusaders like Bryant and DeSantis have on blood families.

When someone has rejection from their mother and father, their family, says the late drag-house mother Pepper LaBeija in Jennie Livingstons 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, they search for someone to fill that void. I know this from experience because Ive had kids come to me and latch hold of me like Im their mother or like Im their father.

Elsewhere in the film, the late drag personality Dorian Corey defines the drag house: Theyre families for a lot of children who dont have families. Its a question of a group of human beings in a mutual bond.

A group of human beings in a mutual bond  there are worse definitions of nationhood afoot. But its a tough sell in a country where a demagogic bully is reelected governor by 19 percentage points and is more or less tied in opinion polls with an incumbent president who by word and deed has stood for the progress of tolerance and human decency. Prospects for Americas mutual bond lie, as ever, with its electorate, which should follow the lead of the Florida Citrus Commission and repudiate its apostle of national division.
SBU detained an FSB agent in Zakarpattya Oblast

Officers of Ukraines SBU security service have detained a Russian intelligence operative who leaked Ukrainian army units locations during the battle for the city of Sievierodonetsk, Luhansk Oblast in 2022, the press service of the SBU said on Telegram on July 12.

Read also: Russian agent detained in Mykolaiv while preparing missile attack

The suspect passed information to the Russian forces about the fortifications, firing positions, and checkpoints of the city's defenders.

The intelligence was used by the enemy to carry out accurate strikes on Ukrainian targets, as well as to prepare combat operations to capture Sievierodonetsk.

The detainee was a resident of Luhansk and a former student of one of the higher educational institutions of Ukrainian Interior Ministry.

Before the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, he moved to Sievierodonetsk, where he was remotely recruited by the FSB.

During the fighting for the city, the defendant moved to Dnipro. However, he hoped to later return to Luhansk Oblast as he was promised "employment" in the "Ministry of State Security of the puppet Luhansk Peoples Republic.

Read also: Ukraines SBU exposes two Russian spies trying to recruit agent at Kyiv defense plant

After unsuccessful attempts to get back in contact with the FSB, the agent left for Zakarpattya Oblast in western Ukraine. There, he hoped to lay low and thus avoid justice for his crimes against Ukraine.

Read also: SBU detains Russian FSB agents in eastern Ukraine, including assistant to MP

He was unsuccessful. On his arrest, he was charged with treason and faces 12 to 15 years in prison if convicted.

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Consequences of the Russian missile attack on Vinnytsia almost a year ago

Ukraines SBU security service has pressed charges against former Russian Black Sea Fleet Commander Igor Osipov for organizing a deadly missile attack on Vinnytsia on July 14, 2022, the agencys press service reported.

The SBU stated that on Osipovs orders, the Russian military launched a Kalibr missile from a Russian warship stationed near Cape Fiolent in occupied Crimea.

Osipov has been charged with violating the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder committed by a group of persons.

The SBU stated that he had also been charged with organizing systematic missile attacks from the Black Sea on Ukrainian densely populated areas early this year.

Read also: Russian Submarine commander shot dead

On July 14, 2022, Russia launched a missile strike on the city of Vinnytsia in central Ukraine. The targets were civilian objects in the city center. Three Kalibr cruise missiles were used in the attack.

Twenty-nine people were killed in the attack, including three children, and 154 people were injured. Also, 35 residential buildings and about 70 vehicles were damaged.

In August 2022, amid a series of military failures by Russian troops in Ukraine, the Kremlin regime decided to replace Osipov as the commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

This reportedly occurred due to the destruction of a Russian military airfield in Novofedorivka, along with aircraft and personnel.

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A tip from South Carolina led lawn enforcement to the New York City apartment where convicted murderer Jeriod Price was hiding out after 77 days on the run.

Jeriod Price is no longer a wanted man, said South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson at a press conference Wednesday, just hours after he received the news that Price had been apprehended.

Wilson confirmed that a South Carolina tipster provided crucial information to South Carolina law enforcement that allowed the fugitive task force, along with the FBI and New York Police Department, to locate Price at an apartment in the Bronx.

Once they got eyes on him they were able to intercept and apprehend him without incident, Wilson said, describing the arrest as non-use of force.

The attorney general thanked multiple law enforcement agencies, including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Richland County Sheriffs Office, the FBI, NYPD and the US Marshals, who participated in the search for Price.

(From) the day the court vacated that order that released him from prison prematurely, to the day that he started running, until today, the day that he was apprehended, I want to underscore the partnerships that we had across the state of SC, from here all the way to New York, Wilson said.

The $30,000 reward that was offered by the FBI for Prices capture could be dispersed to the the unnamed individual who provided the tip, said 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe, who originally prosecuted Price in 2003 as an assistant solicitor in Columbia.

Prices peaceful arrest was the resolution to what Wilson described as an unfortunate series of events that saw the convicted murderer released 16 years before the end of his sentence.

Price, who was convicted for the murder of Carl Smalls, was sprung from prison in mid-March following a closed-door deal between his attorney, state representative Todd Rutherford, D-Richland, and 5th Circuit Solicitor Byron Gipson. The deal was signed off by Circuit Court Judge Casey Manning, who has since retired.

In April, the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned the order releasing Price and ordered that he be returned to prison. Price then went on the run, Wilson said.

The law was not followed by the people involved in the process, Wilson said. whether it was negligence, oversight or a disregard, I dont know, Im not going to opine on that, but what I will say is, had the law been followed to the letter, Mr. Price would have had an open court hearing where would have been able to articulate why he should not been released and I truly dont believe he would have been released.

Rutherford expressed concern for Price now that he is back in custody, saying his life has been endangered by people seeking political gain.

It is good to know Jeroid Price is safe from those outside who seek to do him harm. Now he has to worry about those in government who continue to heap harm on him, Rutherford said in a news release.
Scientists have discovered a creepy yet fascinating side effect of bird flu  but it could help us fight the virus

Scientists have discovered a peculiar side effect in some seabirds affected by the avian flu.

If they survive the devastating and often deadly virus, northern gannets can experience eye color changes, where irises go from pale blue to jet black, The Guardian reported. The discovery has the potential to help scientists deal with the virus.

For decades, avian flu has been responsible for the deaths of both wild and domestic birds, per The Guardian.

The first description of avian influenza, also known as bird flu, can be traced back to 1878 in northern Italy. During that time, it was characterized as a contagious ailment affecting poultry, leading to significant mortality rates. This disease was commonly referred to as fowl plague.

Now, it affects wild water birds as well as domestic birds like poultry and other animals.

Though uncommon, bird flu can also infect humans, causing symptoms ranging from mild, such as pink eye, to severe flu-like illness that can lead to breathing difficulties and, in some cases, even death.

The recent strain had a particularly devastating impact on seabird populations in the North Atlantic region last year, with especially high mortality rates among gannets.

Scientists conducted a major study on Bass Rock in Scotland, home to the worlds largest gannet colony, to understand the viruss effects.

During the study, a peculiar observation was made among the gannets breeding on Bass Rock. Instead of their usual pale blue irises, many exhibited black irises, varying in coloration from completely black to mottled patterns, The Guardian reported.

Researchers tested the birds for avian flu and found that out of eight that tested positive, seven had black irises instead of their natural color.

Dr. Jude Lane, a conservation scientist and the lead author of the study, described the recent finding as fascinating and said it has the potential to serve as a valuable diagnostic tool, offering a non-invasive method for detecting and identifying avian flu cases.

The next steps are to understand its efficacy, if it applies to any other species and whether there are any detrimental impacts to the birds vision. Ophthalmology exams will also be needed to determine what is causing the black coloration, she said, as reported by The Guardian.

This spring, the Farne Islands, a well-liked group of islands where seabirds breed off the Northumberland coast, have been closed to visitors due to new cases of avian flu in the area.

The 2022 bird flu outbreak has provided another significant stressor to those already faced by our rapidly declining seabird populations, reported RSPB, a nature conservation charity from the UK. Quantifying and perhaps even mitigating its impact is therefore crucial if we hope to restore our seabird populations.

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California sea otter, Enhydra lutris, Monterey, CA. USA.



Monterey Bay is home to several sea otters populations, both those in the wild and others in captivity. Researchers have tried to incentivize both humans and sea otters to stay away from each other.

A large sea otter has been making rounds as the most notorious surfboard stealing sea creature this side of the Pacific Ocean. As of Wednesday, the aggro otterherself a member of an endangered species found in central Californiastill remains at large, stalking the waters off the coast of Santa Cruz for her next barney victim.

The 5-year-old female otter has been designated otter 841 by California wildlife officials. Her usual MO is to jump onto surfers boards before biting down on the board. Depending on the material, the otter can end up taking chunks out of the board, and, depending on the day, 841 can be more or less aggressive as she tries to nab a board from unsuspecting Santa Cruz surfers. Locals have noticed her activity has become far more pugnacious since this past weekend.

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In a video shared Monday by local photographer Mark Woodward, who goes by Native Santa Cruz online, 841 latched onto a surfers board before scaring the owner off. She then munched down for several seconds even as the surfer tried to shoo her away. In another instance, a surfer abandoned the board to a romp of multiple otters, but the largest one decided to hang 10 for a bit before a local sailing catamaran managed to save the board. 841 has reportedly tried to steal a surfboard on three occasions this past weekend.

An amazing video!

This video of the sea otter attacking a surfboard yesterday was shared me and is being posted with the photographers permission. The video must remain in this tweet to be shared. This is a dangerous sea otter, avoid it if at all possible! pic.twitter.com/N7qPMFVRrt  Native Santa Cruz (@NativeSantaCruz) July 10, 2023

Other video captured by Santa Cruz locals shows 841 stalking surfers like a tiny, furry rendition of Jaws. The otter has forced surfers off their boards and patently refused to jump off, no matter how many times they flip the board or splash her.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are now getting involved. The state agency told The New York Times it was working with the Monterey Bay Aquarium to safely capture and rehome Otter 841. So far, despite attempts to recapture her, 841 remains at large. According to officials, the otter will be transferred back to the aquarium before being transferred to another long-term home where she can live out the rest of her days.

The federal agency stationed in central California told Gizmodo that officers first tried hazing techniques to help capture 841, though those were only temporarily effective.

This sea otter was observed with a pup after returning to the Santa Cruz area in May 2022. She exhibited similar unusual behavior in the Santa Cruz area in September 2022, at which time CDFW and Monterey Bay Aquarium staff successfully hazed the otter preventing further incident throughout the winter, the Fish and Wildlife Department said in a statement to Gizmodo.

Federal officials are warning kayakers and surfers from engaging with any otters in the area. According to a tweet from Woodward, local officials have posted signs near the popular surf spot warning people away from the aggressive sea otter in this area.

The creatures were just one of many mammal species caught up in the 18th and 19th century fur trades that decimated other species of beaver and otter along North American waterways and bays. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, there are as few as 3,000 California sea otters left alive in recent years, even though their population has been slowly growing since the 1970s. The federal agency advises that folks try and keep a safe distance from the creatures and to not feed them, as this could make them aggressive.

Thats what reportedly happened to 841s mother. The Times mentioned that 841s mom was raised in captivity after being orphaned at a young age. After she was released into the wild, locals fed her squid which caused her to become too close to humans, incentivizing her to hop aboard kayaks in search of more food. She was recaptured, and gave birth to 841.

Even though Monterey Bay Aquarium researchers said they tried measures to prevent 841 from becoming accustomed to humans while in captivity, she started interacting with folks hanging out in the surf within a year of being released. Her board hopping spree wasnt a major problem back in 2021, but as of late shes become far more bold, a situation which is both dangerous to 841 and to humans.

Theres been quite a fair bit of dustups between sea life and humanity as of late. In recent months, Orca attacks against small sea-faring ships are on the rise. Even with new acoustic devices meant to dissuade these killer whales from bumping vessels, the sea does seem to be in revolt after decade after decade of ocean devastation and increased ship traffic harming maritime life.

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 12)  Former presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada joined then president Benigno Aquino III and his Cabinet in a meeting about filing a case against China over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute, an envoy revealed on Wednesday.

"Everybody was tense in the morning. Before we made a formal filing, in the morning, there was a meeting in Malacanang. It was almost a National Security Council meeting, with all the previous presidents present and the meeting was about deciding whether to file a case against China," Ambassador to Turkey Henry Bensurto Jr. told CNN Philippines' The Source.

Bensurto was the lead counsel of the Department of Foreign Affairs legal team when Manila notified Beijing of its intent to challenge Chinas nine-dash line claim over the resource-rich South China Sea, which includes the WPS, on Jan. 22, 2013.

The Philippines wanted the international arbitral tribunal in The Hague, The Netherlands to rule on its territorial claims in the South China Sea under the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea. Manila also wanted the court to determine if Beijing violated Philippine territorial rights.

"Everything was kept secret because we knew if there was leakage it was very possible for China to preempt the filing, Bensurto said. Therefore, the decision to file immediately after it was adopted in the morning, we were already ready with the notice of complaint."

"I think it was a meeting where we explained exactly what the situation in the South China Sea was and the possible options, and why we should go into this direction. I didn't see anyone opposing the filing of the arbitration," Bensurto said, adding that Ramos and Estrada were supportive of the plan.

The delegation that filed the case before the tribunal was composed of international and local teams.

"We allowed everybody to put in their two cents worth of opinion, legal and political," said Bensurto. "Because from our perspective, this is not just a legal aspect, this is not just a legal issue, we have to look at it from a holistic perspective, taking into account as well those that have implications economically and politically."

Looking back, Bensurdo said he was confident that the international tribunals decision will be in favor of the Philippines.

"What was the level of confidence? In all sincerity and honesty, the moment that we figured out how to do this, there was no doubt in my mind as to the rightness of what we are about to embark," he said.

On July 12, 2016, the international arbitral tribunal released its ruling recognizing the Philippines sovereign rights in areas within its exclusive economic zone and invalidated China's sweeping claims over the South China Sea.

China, however, has rejected the ruling.
Seattle police had a mock tombstone in their break room with the name of a Black man killed by the force. The department says it has 'no reason to believe' it was meant to be offensive.

The Seattle police precinct had a mock tombstone and a "Trump 2020" flag inside its break room, video shows. San Francisco Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers/Getty Images

A police precinct had a mock tombstone of a man killed by police in its break room, the Seattle Times reported.

Video also shows a "Trump 2020" campaign flag was hanging in the break room.

The department told The Seattle Times it doesn't believe the tombstone was meant to be offensive.

Seattle police officers kept a mock tombstone of a Black man killed by their own force in their precinct's break room, according to the Seattle Times.

Newly released body-cam footage  obtained as part of an unrelated lawsuit and released by a law firm  shows the mock tombstone propped up on a shelf.

Beneath a clenched fist, it reads "Damarius Butts, 19 years" followed by the date Seattle Police shot and killed him: April 20, 2017.

Butts was killed following a police chase and shootout after he fled a convenience store robbery, local channel King 5 reported. Three officers were injured in the incident and Butts, who was shot 11 times, bled to death before receiving medical attention, according to The Seattle Times.

An inquest jury later found that the officers had followed the department's de-escalation procedures and didn't bring charges.

The Seattle Police Department told The Seattle Times that, although it does "not know how that item ended up on storage shelving, we have no reason to believe it was placed as a 'trophy' or with any pejorative intent."

The department noted in its statement to The Seattle Times that protesters took over the area during demonstrations in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd.

"Protesters often placed items such as these commemorating subjects of the use of force locally and nationwide around the precinct," the department continued, according to the Times. "It would not be unexpected that items left at the precinct might land on a storage shelf until disposition."

The video from inside the precinct  which was recorded in January 2021, months after the protests  also showed a "Trump 2020" campaign flag hanging on the wall, according to the Times.

SPD told The Seattle Times in a statement that the flag and tombstone had both been removed.

The Seattle Police Department did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

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Gareth Gatrell/Marvel

Every new episode of Secret Invasion feels like the worst. Okay, this one wasnt the best, I tell myself, and then: Maybe next week will increase the thrills with more action and higher stakes. But no, once again, this week is the samethe worst episode, again. Perhaps thats because every single episode of Marvels new show has used the exact same plot structureand, so far, it has never worked.

Last weeks deathin which Skrull revolution leader Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir) shot Giah (Emilia Clarke)was all a fake out. The first shot of this episode shows Giah rising from the dead, having secretly taken some of that super Skrull medicine that leads to invincibility. If the Skrulls can shapeshift and are invincible, why are we not phoning in any of the Avengers at this point? Usually, Marvel projects at least jest about the Avengers not being around, but theres no mention of the spandex-suited team here. Are the Hulks She and He too busy to lend a furious fist?

But before we can see any more of Giahs resurrection, Secret Invasion is back to the same old shtick: interrupting the narrative with another flashback.

Right after the events of The Avengers (the original one, featuring Loki, from 2012), Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) meets his wife, Varra (Charlayne Woodard), at a bar. Suspecting her husband is up to something Avengers-related, she forces him to read a Raymond Carver poem about power and feeling beloved on Earth. Now, knowing shes a Skrull, I suppose this has something to do with Furys inability to find the Skrulls a new home after promising them somewhere to live besides Earth.

Gareth Gatrell/Marvel

Or, who knows! Theres been little-to-no point of having Mrs. Fury around. Back in the present day (Secret Invasion does so much bobbing and weaving through time, Samuel L. Jacksons changing face isnt enough to keep me in the loop), Varra receives a call from the Skrull version of Rhodey (Don Cheadle). Has he been a Skrull this entire time? Theres no point in caring, as this show has seemingly become an excuse to rewrite everyone in the MCU as having been a Skrull for ages. The man sitting next to you is a Skrull. Your mailman is a Skrull. When everyone is a Skrull, the shock factor is eliminated.

Rhodey tells Varra to kill Fury. Shes hesitant. Fury, having overheard the instructions sent down from the Skrull resistance, confronts his wife about his impending death. Varra tells him not to worry, because the human she inhabitedDr. Priscilla Davismade her promise to always love Fury, to never kill him. Nevertheless, near the end of their conversation, both draw their weapons and shoot at their spouse. Both avoid the bullet. Im not sure if we should file for divorce, Fury jokes, or renew our vows.

Secret Invasion wastes the dramatic potential of its two leads (Fury and Ben Mendelsohns Talos) and their rebellious relatives. The dynamic between Varra and Fury, while full of chemistry, has led to no actual intrigue. Even worse is the one shared by Talos and daughter Giah, who switched sides rather vaguely near the beginning of the show and is now fully a part of the anti-Skrull revolution. Giah is a nothing character. She has no motivation, no power, and yet, here she is, making plans with her father to take down Gravik. Why? How?

Secret Invasion Episode 3 Recap: Marvel Keeps Killing People Off

This show is at its best when it allows Fury to just be Fury: brash, unapologetic, and sassy. We get a brief moment of that in this episode when Fury meets with fake Rhodes to unpack the ongoing Skrull crisis. Understanding that Rhodey is a Skrull, Fury feeds his foe whiskey laced with a tracking agent. The joke hereand its a rare good one from Secret Invasionis that Fury and Rhodey have spent the first few minutes together joking that the former has poisoned his liquor. Oh yeah, I definitely did put a tracker in this whiskey! Something along those lines. The good humor makes for an even better disguise.

But then Secret Invasion is back to being meh as Rhodes meets with the U.S. president (Dermot Mulroney)is he a Skrull, too?about the recent bombing in Russia. Knowing that the Skrulls have planned an attack on the president, Fury and Talos chase down the parade of black SUVs. When the fighting breaks out, Talos is shot in the shoulder and becomes half Skrull, losing some of his human powers.

Gareth/Gatrell/Marvel

This causes a flurry of American troops to try and shoot Talos, giving Fury little opportunity to protect his ally. Gravik steps in and shoots Talos, this time in the heart, presumably killing the Skrull. Fury retaliates, sending a few bullets into Graviks head. Gravik, infused with the super Skrull serum, regrows his face immediately.

So, Talos is dead. But this episode feels like a shot-for-shot recreation of the last episode, only with somewhat different plot points. Maybe Talos is alive. If thats the case, the show will have used two fake-out deaths and a million Skrull-as-human twists when, in actuality, we just want to see Nick Fury get in some trouble and find his way out. Secret Invasion is officially over-convoluted and beyond repair. Now, was Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) alive this entire time, too?

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Secretive and highly paid submariners are behind some of Russia's most worrying undersea operations

Secretive and highly paid submariners are behind some of Russia's most worrying undersea operations

A Russian ballistic-missile sub sails into the Baltic Sea, where NATO is increasingly worried about malign Russian activity, in 2017. Scanpix Denmark/Sarah Christine Noergaard via Reuters

NATO is increasingly worried about Russian activity around vital undersea cables and pipelines.

Russia's military has developed an array of capabilities to carry out underwater operations.

A key part of that is a secretive unit known as GUGI, which is responsible for deep-sea missions.

In a potential conflict between Russia and the West, one of Russia's most secretive outfits, the Main Directorate for Deep Sea Research, could play a critical role.

Known as GUGI, the directorate is responsible for conducting sabotage and surveillance against critical maritime infrastructure, including undersea cables and energy pipelines.

Founded in 1965, GUGI is within the Russian Ministry of Defense but is separate from Russia's navy, even though it draws personnel from the 29th Separate Submarine Division, according to a recent report by Sidharth Kaushal, a research fellow on sea power at the Royal United Services Institute, a British think tank.

Little is known about the GUGI assessment and selection process, but it appears to be an elite and difficult-to-join outfit. Soviet-era candidates needed to be officers and have at least five years of experience in the submarine service. They had to pass "a gruelling course based on the training of Soviet cosmonauts," Kaushal writes.

The specialized and technical nature of GUGI's work suggests many members are still officers. A July 2019 fire aboard the Losharik, a submarine operated by GUGI, killed 14 of the 18 sailors on board  of those 14, all were officers, including seven captains first rank.

That specialization is also reflected in their pay. GUGI members receive "considerable salaries" because the organization treats their "effective salaries as a deployment bonus related to the time they spend at extreme depths," Kaushal writes. "As a result, in 2012, GUGI personnel were earning 600,000 roubles," or about $20,000, a month.

A secretive fleet

A navy officer after a funeral ceremony for officers killed aboard the submarine Losharik, in St. Petersburg in July 2019. OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images

GUGI operates a number of deep-sea and other specialized submarines and surface ships.

The directorate is believed to have six specialized nuclear-powered deep-sea submarines  three of them mini-subs  that can dive to nearly 3,300 feet thanks to their titanium hulls. Losharik could reportedly dive to nearly 10,000 feet and possibly deeper.

To allow them to sabotage underwater infrastructure, these submarines carry a complement of tools, including manipulator arms and lock-out compartments that allow divers to exit into the ocean.

However, the small size of these specialized undersea vessels limits their range, so GUGI's fleet also includes two nuclear-powered submarines that previously carried ballistic missiles but have been converted to carry other GUGI subs under their hull and covertly deploy them close to their target. GUGI also operates the nuclear-powered special-mission vessel Belgorod, the world's longest submarine, which can carry the smaller Losharik.

GUGI has a number of surface vessels, notable among them the special-purpose survey ship Yantar. The ship is believed to be able to carry a manned deep-sea submersible that can dive up to 6,000 meters. Yantar also appears to host a number of other manned and unmanned submersibles and to be able to map underwater pipelines and cables.

H I Sutton, a naval analyst who has researched Russia's submarines, told The Barents Observer in 2018 that Moscow had "invested heavily in this secretive fleet, even in times of economic hardship."

The GUGI fleet is based at Olenya Bay on the Barents Sea, although at least one GUGI unit appears to be based at St. Petersburg on the Baltic Sea.

The Olenya Bay naval base is closed off and its defenses were recently bolstered with a floating barrier to block underwater vehicles from entering the bay. The base appears to have two floating docks to obscure the activities of its smaller subs from surveillance.

Murky activities

Russian oceanographic research vessel Yantar in Severomorsk in June 2018 Andrey Luzik/Russia Ministry of Defense/Mil.ru

As tensions with Russia have risen, NATO has focused more on Russian activity around critical maritime infrastructure  the data and energy cables, pipelines, and wind farms that power Europe and connect it to the rest of the world.

In 2017, the US Navy admiral in charge of NATO submarine forces said the alliance was "seeing Russian underwater activity in the vicinity of underwater cables that I don't believe we have ever seen." NATO's intelligence chief warned this year that Russia could attempt to sabotage undersea cables in retaliation for Western support of Ukraine.

GUGI is responsible for mapping and sabotaging that infrastructure. It is also responsible for tapping underwater cables, recovering sensitive equipment from the sea, "maintaining Russia's undersea sensor networks and conducting surveillance near its maritime bastions," according to the RUSI report.

Yantar, the special-purpose survey ship, was spotted lingering near undersea cables west of Ireland in 2021. Personnel from GUGI's St. Petersburg unit were also reportedly spotted near the Nord Stream 2 pipeline as construction on it wrapped up in the middle of that year  though Russian involvement in the Nord Stream sabotage or in other cases of damage to other undersea cables has not been proven.

A Norwegian Coast Guard ship patrols around an offshore gas platform in October. OLE BERG-RUSTEN/NTB/AFP via Getty Images

Attributing specific acts of spying or sabotage to GUGI is difficult because of the covert nature of its operations and because Russia's navy has similar responsibilities. The navy also operates oceanographic research vessels that Western experts and officials have said function as spy ships and which could share data with GUGI.

"We know that Russia has the capacity to map but also potentially to conduct actions against critical infrastructure," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters on June 16. "That's also the reason why we have, for many years, addressed the vulnerability of critical undersea infrastructure."

Stoltenberg spoke after NATO defense ministers had agreed to establish the NATO Maritime Centre for the Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure, which is meant to facilitate coordination between governments and private firms.

"There's no way that we can have NATO presence alone all these thousands of kilometers of undersea, offshore infrastructure, but we can be better at collecting information, intelligence, sharing information, connecting the dots," Stoltenberg said.

Constantine Atlamazoglou works on transatlantic and European security. He holds a master's degree in security studies and European affairs from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. You can contact him on LinkedIn and follow him on Twitter.

Read the original article on Business Insider
See inside a new pilotless cargo plane, which has a nose-loading door like the Boeing 747 and can fly up to 200 miles

Pyka

Autonomous electric planemaker Pyka has developed the world's largest zero-emission freighter.

The aircraft, known as Pelican Cargo, is pilotless and can carry up to 400 pounds across 200 miles.

Company founder and CEO Michael Norcia says the plane will start with inter-island transport.

Another pilotless cargo plane is planning to enter the market.

Pyka

Source: Pyka

On Monday, autonomous electric planemaker Pyka announced Pelican Cargo, which the company says is the world's largest zero-emission freighter.

Pyka

Source: Pyka

The aircraft is based off the company's successful agricultural plane, called Pelican Spray, which was built for low-impact crop dusting.

Pyka

Source: Pyka

Company founder and CEO Michael Norcia told Insider about 90% of Pelican Cargo, including the wings, tail, and battery, was taking from Pelican Spray.

Pyka

Source: Pyka

The resulting product is the "first autonomous vehicle of its class," meaning, like its predecessor, it is controlled remotely.

A Pyka Pelican Cargo operator controlling the aircraft. Pyka

Source: Pyka

Norcia said computers will operate the aircraft, and the human involved could be anywhere in the world thanks to SATCOM internet connectivity installed onboard.

Pyka

Source: Pyka

He further explained there are several redundancies, like a backup computer. However, if anything goes wrong, the operator can intervene: "We're working on parachute systems so the operator has a fairly simple way to terminate the flight."

Pyka Pelican Cargo. Pyka

Source: Pyka

Because the plane is electric, it does not need fuel but instead runs on a rechargeable battery located in the belly of the aircraft. It can also be swapped if there is not a recharge station available.

Pyka

Source: Pyka

The charge can power the plane up to 200 miles. Norcia says inter-island operations is the best place for Pelican Cargo to start but hopes to branch out into remote places like Canada later.

Pyka Pelican Cargo. Pyka

Source: Pyka

"We want to deliver cargo between two areas that have relatively poor infrastructure," Norcia said. "And, we're looking for a way to do that affordably so they can run daily deliveries between places that historically only get service maybe once a week."

Pyka

Source: Pyka

Pyka's aircraft will be leased, and they cost around $15 per hour to operate, which is much lower than the $500-$1,000 per hour figures other small cargo aircraft can cost, according to Norcia.

Pyka

Source: Pyka

In total, customers will have a 400-pound payload and 66 cubic feet of cargo space to work with, and the packages will be loaded through a nose-door, similar to the Boeing 747.

Pyka

Source: Pyka

In fact, Pelican Cargo will be one of the few aircraft in existence with a nose-loading door, joining the ranks of the Antonov An-124 Ruslan

Russian Defense Ministry/TASS/Getty

the Airbus Beluga and Beluga XL jets

Airbus' Beluga delivering a satellite. Airbus

and the military's C-5 Galaxy. On these planes, operators like the nose door for loading oversized items without having to first disassemble them, like helicopters.

People in line to enter the 445th Airlift Wing's first C-5A Galaxy in 2005 US Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Charlie Miller

Granted, these aircraft are much larger than Pyka's, but the nose loader offers unique benefits to big and small aircraft alike.

Atlas Air Boeing 747-8 cargo loading. Thomas Frey/picture alliance via Getty Images

Source: Pyka

Norcia told Insider that when speaking with potential customers, many said they didn't want a plane that required a lot of ground equipment that could bump into the aircraft and damage it.

Pyka

Source: Pyka

"The nose door allows you to fully load this cargo sled prior to the aircraft arriving and then just simply wheel the sled over to the aircraft and slide it in through the nose door," he said.

Pyka

Source: Pyka

With a full load, Pelican Cargo only needs a 600-foot runway to take off and can land on pavement, grass, dirt, and gravel. This makes last-mile delivery accessible to more places.

Pyka

Source: Pyka

Currently, the cargo plane is going through "rigorous" testing at Pyka's facility in Northern California, like filling it with sand to demonstrate its limits, Norcia told Insider.

A Pyka Pelican Cargo experiential plane taking off. Pyka

Source: Pyka

So far, the company has secured over 80 orders from three customers in North America and Europe, and it expects the first commercial flight to take place in the second half of 2023.

Pyka Pelican Cargo. Pyka

Source: Pyka

But, it's not the only pilotless cargo plane hoping to hit the market this year. Bulgarian manufacturer Dronamics has built its own freighter called Black Swan.

Dronamics

A European planemaker built a pilotless aircraft to power the world's first 'cargo drone airline'  meet Black Swan

The aircraft is already certified in the European Union and plans to start operations as the world's first "cargo drone airline."

Dronamics

Meanwhile, California startup Natilus is building a fleet of autonomous cargo planes to address the pilot shortage and the environmental impact of freight transport.

Natilus

Source: Natilus

Read the original article on Business Insider
A woman stole over $130,000 from two school districts in New Hampshire while she was employed by them, federal officials said. Now, shes heading to prison.

While working as a bookkeeper for the districts, the woman, a 48-year-old from Barnstead, used school funds to shop online and pay off personal loans, according to a July 11 news release from the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Hampshire.

An attorney for the woman could not immediately be reached for comment by McClatchy News.

Instead of working honestly on behalf of two financially struggling school districts, (the woman) took advantage of them, betraying the trust they placed in her, by stealing tens of thousands of dollars to line her own pockets, Christopher DiMenna, acting special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division, stated in the release.

While employed at the Barnstead School District, she altered payroll information in order to steal $110,295.26, officials said.

Upon being fired, the woman was hired by the Hampton School District  located about 40 miles away  where she stole $20,966.52 from district coffers, officials said.

Following an investigation from the FBI, the U.S. Attorneys Office prosecuted the woman.

She pleaded guilty to stealing school funds from both districts in February, according to WMUR.

On July 11, she was ordered to pay $131,261.8 in restitution and was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

Im proud that we were able to bring restitution to the taxpayers while sending a deterrent message that this type of thievery will result in incarceration, U.S. Attorney Jane Young stated in the release.

Barnstead is located about 20 miles northeast of Concord.

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A day after an Orlando Sentinel investigation revealed that a toxic chemical has contaminated drinking water in northwest Seminole County for years, county officials on Wednesday posted a brief explanation of 1,4-dioxane on Seminoles website and assured the public that its water is safe.

The countys potable water systems are sampled and tested for contaminants based on monitoring requirements established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, according to the county website. Safeguarding Seminole Countys drinking water is of the highest importance to the Board of County Commissioners and County staff.

It also states that through August, county staff will begin collecting samples from all 25 potable wells within the countys water service area and the points of entry for all five potable water systems on a monthly basis.

According to the website statement, the county has engaged a consultant to assist with developing short-and-long-term plans to address internal protocols and processes related to sampling, monitoring, and reporting.

The response comes after the Sentinel published online the first of a four-story series called Toxic Secret, about 1,4-dioxane contamination in Seminole. The second story will be published online Thursday and the first two will appear in Sundays print edition.

Concentrations of 1,4-dioxane in the countys Northwest Service Area west of Interstate 4 have been about half that of the federal and state advisory level of 0.35 parts per billion. However, the chemical has been poorly studied for health effects and the first major study involving people began last year.

Industrial chemical infiltrated Lake Mary, Sanford, Seminole water wells; few knew and there was no coordinated response

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1,4-dioxane is likely to cause liver and kidney cancers and other illnesses, and it is currently labeled as a contaminant of emerging concern.

This is the first time in eight years that Seminole County has publicly disclosed that its drinking water has been contaminated with 1,4-dioxane. In 2015, the county provided a brief and obscure reference to the chemical in its annual water report to customers.

Because 1,4-dioxane is currently not regulated for drinking water, Seminole County is under no obligation to keep its water customers informed about the chemical in annual water reports.

The synthetic chemical was used at a former Siemens telecommunications factory in Lake Mary that closed in 2003 amid an investigation into hazardous pollution there that included 1,4-dioxane. The factory is less than a half-mile from three county drinking water wells, which have been documented since 2016 as tainted with the chemical.

Lake Marys drinking water also was tainted with the chemical until 2021, when the city started up an advanced water treatment plant paid for by the factory owners. Sanford also is struggling to get rid of 1,4-dioxane in its drinking water, which the city says is likely from the factorys pollution.

Seminole Countys statement on 1,4-dioxane includes details from the countys own testing two months ago of drinking water that suggests a sudden and dramatic drop in concentrations of 1,4-dioxane.

According to the statement, internal sampling of county drinking water in May found minimal-to-no detection of the contaminant. Seminole County government leaders first learned of the contamination in February from the Orlando Sentinel.

But tests several times a year since 2016 by the factorys environment consultant have never detected such a dramatic fluctuation in concentration before, according to the consultants March report.

The countys website statement did not address whether the county will seek to remove 1,4-dioxane from its drinking water.

1,4-dioxane is often in the form of a colorless, flammable liquid. It is also an ingredient in some plastics manufacturing, dyes, greases, deodorants, shampoos, cosmetics, toothpaste and pesticides.

Toxic Secret: Our series about 1,4-dioxane in Seminole water

Part 1  A toxic chemical, 1,4-dioxane, has infiltrated waters of three utilities.

Thursday: Part 2  Local water utilities have struggled with how to address 1,4-dioxane, a likely carcinogen

Tuesday, July 18: Part 3  I,4-dioxane has a seemingly sinister ability to invade the Floridan Aquifer.

Thursday, July 22: Part 4  1,4-dioxane in Seminole water has been a virtual secret. How one family found out.

Know more about this issue?

Do you have pertinent information about the 1,4-dioxane contamination in Seminole County water you would like to share with us for our reporting? If so, please email us at toxicsecret@orlandosentinel.com.

About the journalists who reported this series

Kevin Spear is the Orlando Sentinels environmental reporter. He has been with the newspaper for 34 years and for most of that time has covered key issues relating to water, wildlife and land use. He can be reached at kspear@orlandosentinel.com

Caroline Catherman is the Orlando Sentinels health reporter. She joined the newspaper in 2021 after previously working in public health research. She can be reached at ccatherman@orlandosentinel.com

Martin E. Comas is the Orlando Sentinels Seminole County reporter. He started at the newspaper in 1988 and has covered key Seminole stories including the death of Trayvon Martin and its aftermath, and the controversies surrounding disgraced Tax Collector Joel Greenberg. He can be reached at mcomas@orlandosentinel.com

Joe Burbank is the Orlando Sentinels senior photographer. He joined the newspaper in 1988 after working for Agence France-Presse news. He has spent more than three decades covering Central Florida with his visual reporting. He can be reached at jburbank@orlandosentinel.com

Rich Pope is the Orlando Sentinels videographer. He joined the newspaper in 2003. He has received Emmy nominations, along with recognitions from the Online News Association and Florida Society of Newspaper Editors. He can be reached at rpope@orlandosentinel.com

Help support our investigative reporting

Contributions to the Orlando Sentinels Community News Fund helped us produce this series. Please consider supporting our reporting by donating to the fund at OrlandoSentinel.com/donate
The Senate voted Wednesday to confirm Tiffany Cartwright to a U.S. district court, making the 38-year-old civil rights attorney one of the youngest federal judges in the country.

Cartwright was confirmed, 50-47, to a lifetime seat on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. Every Democrat present voted for her, along with two Republicans: Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Lindsey Graham (S.C.).

Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) did not vote.

Cartwright was President Joe Bidens youngest judicial nominee when he first appointed her in January 2022. But two of his other judicial picks who have since been nominated and confirmed are younger: U.S. appeals court judge Bradley Garcia, who is 37, and U.S. district judge Jamar Walker, who is 36.

Of the hundreds of other federal judges across the country, only one is younger than Bidens judges: Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, a Florida district judge appointed by former President Donald Trump. She is 35 or 36. (She was born in 1987, but her specific birthdate is nowhere to be found.)

Age matters a lot considering these are lifetime appointments. Cartwright will now be handing down decisions in federal court cases for decades and is almost certainly a candidate for future elevation to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

As a trial lawyer in Seattle, Ms. Cartwright has established herself as a pre-eminent civil rights attorney, dedicated to ensuring our laws are faithfully executed on behalf of the people they are meant to defend, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who recommended Cartwright to the White House for a judgeship, said on the Senate floor ahead of the vote.

Importantly, she is someone who will apply the law fairly and impartially, said Murray. She will make an excellent addition to the bench in Washington state.

Tiffany Cartwright, a 38-year-old civil rights litigator, is now one of the youngest federal judges in the country.

Tiffany Cartwright, a 38-year-old civil rights litigator, is now one of the youngest federal judges in the country.

Cartwrights confirmation is part of a broader effort by Biden to bring badly needed diversity onto the federal courts, both in terms of demographics like race and gender but also in terms of professional backgrounds. Cartwright fits the mold: Shes been a civil rights litigator for the Seattle-based MacDonald Hoague & Bayless since 2014, focused primarily on cases involving police misconduct, gender discrimination and sexual harassment.

Her confirmation is another win for progressive judicial advocacy groups, who have been celebrating the Senates recent confirmation of half a dozen relatively young civil rights attorneys to lifetime federal judgeships.

The Senate is continuing to confirm many of President Bidens best judicial nominees, said Chris Kang, chief counsel for Demand Justice. As a civil rights lawyer, Tiffany Cartwright brings a perspective that is badly needed on the bench, and her combination of youth and experience will allow her to bring it for decades to come.
A group of Democratic senators wants the Justice Department to investigate several tax prep companies after an investigation the lawmakers launched concluded the companies shared reams of taxpayers personal and financial information with Meta.

Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and others accuse H&R Block, TaxSlayer and TaxAct of having embedded code in their Web sites known as pixels that allowed their users sensitive tax data to be shared with Meta  the parent company of Facebook and Google.

The lawmakers call it a shocking breach of taxpayer privacy by tax prep companies and by Big Tech firms that appeared to violate taxpayers rights and have violated taxpayer privacy law.

The sensitive data included information like federal taxes owed, filing status and names of dependents. Meta told the lawmakers it used the data from tax preparation services for targeted ads, as well as to train its own AI algorithm.

The lawmakers investigation piggybacks on a report published in November 2022 by the tech news outlet The Markup that first put a spotlight on the issue. The companies have said theyve since stopped the tracking software.

The charges come as Democrats battle the tax prep industry over an IRS plan to set up a pilot program next year that would allow some people to bypass the companies and file their returns online for free directly with the agency.

H&R Block takes protecting our clients privacy very seriously, and we have taken steps to prevent the sharing of information via pixels, a spokeswoman said.

In addition to the Justice Department, Warren and her colleagues called on the IRS, the agency's inspector general, and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the matter "and prosecute any company or individuals who violated the law."

"Under the law, 'a tax return preparer may not disclose or use a taxpayer's tax return information prior to obtaining a written consent from the taxpayer,'  and they failed to do so when it came to the information that was turned over to Meta and Google," the report said.

Alfred Ng contributed to this report. This reporting first appeared in POLITICO Pro's Morning Tax newsletter.
By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic and Republican senators renewed an effort to block any U.S. president from leaving NATO on Wednesday, as leaders of the alliance attended an eventful summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The joint resolution, seen by Reuters, is a fresh effort by Congress to prevent the president from withdrawing from the alliance without the Senate's approval.

"The President shall not suspend, terminate, denounce, or withdraw the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty, done at Washington, DC, April 4, 1949, except by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, provided that two-thirds of the Senators present concur or pursuant to an Act of Congress," the measure says.

Lead sponsors include Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Foreign Relations and Armed Services committees, and Republican Senator Marco Rubio, vice chairman of the intelligence committee, who is also a senior member of the foreign relations panel.

The bill has been introduced repeatedly in recent years, including during the term of former Republican President Donald Trump, who voiced a desire for the United States to leave the military alliance.

It has yet to pass the full Senate, but an aide to Kaine noted that it was backed by the foreign relations committee last year with strong bipartisan support and that, given the war in Ukraine and the expansion of NATO, backers expect stronger support than ever.

The current president, Democrat Joe Biden, has been a strong supporter of NATO, backing its expansion and working with other members, especially on the response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He is expected to celebrate its unity over Ukraine in a speech at the Vilnius summit on Wednesday.

The summit included an inaugural session of the NATO-Ukraine Council, a body established to upgrade relations between Kyiv and the 31-member transatlantic military alliance. (This story has been refiled to correct the spelling of 'Republican' in paragraph 1)

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
A bipartisan pair of senators reintroduced a bill Wednesday that would prohibit any U.S. president from withdrawing from NATO without Senate approval or an act of Congress.

NATO serves as an essential military alliance that protects shared national interests and enhances Americas international presence, said Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) in a statement released as NATO leaders, including President Biden, meet in Europe. Any decision to leave the alliance should be rigorously debated and considered by the U.S. Congress with the input of the American people.

Rubio reintroduced the bill alongside Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.); the two serve together on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and are longtime advocates of the alliance.

The bill has been reintroduced in multiple sessions of Congress, including when concerns rose over former President Trumps reported threats to withdraw from the alliance.

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The bills reintroduction comes on the last day of a NATO summit in Lithuania, where conversations regarding Ukraine joining the group have been a hot topic.

[Russian President Vladimir] Putins brutal war in Ukraine and Finlands accession and Swedens pending accession into NATO all underscore the same thing: NATO is stronger than ever, Kaine said. Im proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to reaffirm the United States commitment to NATO and ensure any U.S. president cant unilaterally decide to leave the alliance without congressional approval.

Zelensky thanks Biden for difficult decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine

If the president tries to leave NATO without Senate approval or an act of Congress, the bill would prohibit funding to do so and allow congressional legal counsel to challenge any administrations attempt in court.

The bill has eight Democratic co-sponsors.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 11)  The condoned debt of farmers worth 57 billion is "not a burden to the government" as the accounts have long been dormant, the Agrarian Reform chief said Tuesday.

"It is not going to affect the economy simply because these are dormant accounts already We will address this on a multi-year approach, so it's not so much of a burden to the coffers of the government," Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Conrado Estrella III told CNN Philippines' The Final Word.

Estrella added that the government has already paid in advance other landowners and allotted funds to those who still have yet to be paid.

The newly signed Agrarian Emancipation Act  dubbed the "Happy Law"  writes off the amortization of principal payments, interests, and penalties of farmers on the lands they are presently tilling.

The act will benefit 610,054 farmers, covering 1,173,101.575 hectares of agrarian reform lands.

"It is always a part of efficient fiscal management to also consider social justice. That is what we're doing now. Hopefully, this will help us take off," the DAR chief added.

Estrella in a briefing last week said the government would save more in expenses by offering the land to the farmers rather than working to collect the loans.

He said the law is set to be implemented on July 24.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and concerned officials will meet on July 12 to establish the Implementing Rules and Regulations, Estrella added.
The Biden administrations recent decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine is dividing Democrats on Capitol Hill, splitting even some of the presidents closest allies over the strategic wisdom  and potential repercussions  of arming Kyiv with weapons banned by most of the world.

In the eyes of those supporting the policy, cluster munitions are a necessary, if imperfect, tool to help Kyivs military repel Russias invading forces amid the long-drawn conflict over Ukraines autonomy.

Let me just say, Im not a big fan of cluster bombs. However, I have been a relentless advocate for more firepower for Ukraine. And if thats what it takes to win, then we have to do it, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said. I support the presidents judgment.

Opposing the weapons transfer is another group of Democrats, featuring other liberal allies of President Biden who fear that the imprecise nature of cluster bomb strikes will heighten the threat to civilian populations, including children.

Im very vocal on this: I dont support the cluster munitions, said Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who is vying for a Senate seat in next years elections. The opportunity for civilian harm is just too great.

The issue could reach the floor in the coming days.

An amendment offered to this years defense authorization bill would prevent the administration from sending cluster munitions, or the technology to build them, to Kyiv, where leaders have long requested the weapons from Washington.

Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), the lead sponsor of the amendment, cited several reasons for pushing the ban. Not only do cluster bombs raise the physical risks for civilians, she said, but delivering them to Ukraine would erode Americas moral authority to criticize Russias frequently brutal battlefield tactics.

Obviously, no one wants to buck our president. And I know, for the administration, it was a very difficult decision, Jacobs said. But these are also very horrible weapons that leave civilians  and especially children  very vulnerable to killing and maiming for decades after a conflict ends. And I think its important that we in Congress have a long-overdue discussion about whether or not they should be a part of the United States arsenal.

Joining Jacobs on the proposal are other liberals, including Reps. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). A pair of conservative Republicans  Reps. Matt Gaetz (Fla.) and Anna Paulina Luna (Fla.), who are wary of any U.S. involvement in Ukraine  have also signed on. And other conservatives say they would support the amendment if it comes to the floor.

I would vote to block that, Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), a member of the hard-right Freedom Caucus, said of the weapons transfer. It is another indication of a policy or action in search of a policy. And I think its reprehensible.

The debate over cluster munitions is hardly new. The weapons can take any number of forms  a bomb, a rocket, an artillery shell  but their primary feature is to spill open before hitting the ground, spraying dozens of smaller munitions over a much broader area. The bomblets are an effective way to confront an enemy on the battlefield, and supporters say they would be particularly suited to root-out the entrenched Russian soldiers in Ukraine.

But cluster munitions also have relatively high rates of failure. And like land mines, unexploded bomblets can rest undetected long after the conflict ends, creating a lethal threat to anything  or anyone  that disturbs them. In response to that threat, more than 100 nations have ratified a 2008 treaty to ban their use altogether.

Theyre kind of indiscriminate, and some of the shells have a lot of duds in them, said Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), who has signed a letter urging the administration not to transfer the weapons.

Yet other Democrats supporting Bidens policy noted that the weapons would be used by Ukrainian forces, who would have every incentive to minimize the threat to their own civilians and sweep up any duds later.

Weapons are terrible  all of them. But in this case, the cluster weapons will be used on Ukrainian soil, by Ukrainians. And the clean up would be done by Ukrainians, said Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), a senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. So Im with the president.

It remains to be seen if lawmakers will be asked to vote on Jacobss proposal.

Lawmakers from both parties have offered more than 1,500 amendments to the defense authorization bill, and GOP leaders are racing this week to winnow the list down to a manageable size, with hopes to pass the final package by the end of this week or early in the next. Amid the scramble, its unclear which proposals will reach the floor, which will be scrapped and which will be cobbled together with other amendments as a package.

As lawmakers await the answers, Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), another member of Foreign Affairs who has long urged the administration to send more powerful weapons to Ukraine, is approaching the question of cluster munitions with caution.

A former Army Ranger, Crow is concerned that the administrations dud-rate figures are rosier than those reported by other outside researchers. Last month, he sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asking the Pentagon to release those figures publicly in order to allow members of Congress and Ukrainian officials to get a better idea of the risks before launching U.S. cluster munitions into battle.

It is a very challenging issue that pits both our humanitarian concerns and international norms, which weve worked very hard to set, against existential need by Ukrainians, he said.

Crow is also requesting the details of any Ukrainian agreements to limit the use of the cluster munitions, as well as some assurance that the United States will help fund the process of cleaning up unexploded ordinance when the conflict ends. Until then, his support for the weapons transfer remains in limbo.

The administration should give all of Congress the information that we need to assess our vote, Crow said.

Mychael Schnell contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Stars recent editorial on the reaction of Sens. Josh Hawley, Eric Schmitt and Roger Marshall to the indictment of Donald Trump on serious charges of mishandling classified national defense documents was on target. It is especially appalling that Schmitt and Hawley, both lawyers, would condemn an indictment before seeing it. The indictment is specific and detailed in enunciating alleged violations of law by Trump. These same violations have led to the recent imprisonment of an FBI agent and an Air Force officer. A dual system of justice would mean Trump goes unprosecuted while others are imprisoned.

Some MAGA Republicans in office now seek to defund the FBI and destroy the Department of Justice. The legal system of the United States is a key foundational institution of our republic. Without our legal system, we cannot have a democratic society in which the rights of all are protected. In Trumps case, he will potentially be tried in West Palm Beach, an area that has supported him. The judge is a Trump appointee. He enjoys the presumption of innocence and requires a unanimous decision by a jury to convict. To compare this case to one in a banana republic, as Schmitt did, is not only absurd but dangerous. It continues the assault on our institutions by elected officials who swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution.

On Jan. 6, 2021, Hawley and Marshall joined many other congressional Republicans in voting against the certification of President Joe Bidens election, ignoring his popular vote majority of more than 7 million. Then Missouris attorney general, Schmitt joined other state Republican AGs attempt to overturn the election. Despite Trump officials within the Justice Department, including then-Attorney General William Barr, and the courts affirming that the election was fair and valid, these three chose the politically expedient path of assaulting our system of elections.

The number of Republican U.S. senators and representatives who voted against Bidens certification gave credence to Trumps claims. Had they done the right thing and supported the true outcome in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, the millions of Americans who believe Trumps false declarations about a supposedly stolen election would not continue to be deceived. A significant percentage of the population now questions the legitimacy of our entire election system, following untruths they hear from officials such as Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden and failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake.

Until Trump, no president in modern history had tried to steal an election. In the 20th century, five incumbent presidents were defeated and they conceded to their opponents. All attended the inauguration of their successor, unlike Trump. The peaceful transition of power began with George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, and has been a hallmark of our political system. It is critical to the preservation of our democratic society.

Had these three senators from Kansas and Missouri fulfilled their constitutional duties and supported the legitimacy of our political system, they would have worked to preserve it and not given credence to the illegitimate actions of Trump. Officials like them have helped to alter the American conservative movement, repudiating stalwart Republican figures such as Bill Kristol, George F. Will, Dick Cheney and his daughter Liz Cheney, while embracing autocrats such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Our international allies are worried about the United States. Will we continue to be the leader for democracy and human rights, or will our own system be destroyed? Russian President Vladimir Putin hopes for Trump to win reelection to support his countrys annexation of Ukraine. China points to the divisions within our society as an example of how the American political system is a failure and not one to be emulated by other nations.

Some have said that people like these senators should put nation above party. I say they should put nation above Donald Trump. Their action supporting him, contrary to all objective evidence, does nothing but destroy the legitimacy of our political system. It seriously divides this nation.

Only our adversaries can be happy with what Trump and his followers have done to divide us. In 2024, we must elect patriots to ensure the continuation of the American experiment, not those who work to destroy it.

Bond R. Faulwell of Overland Park is a retired deputy administrator for the General Services Administration Heartland Region and director of organization and personnel at the GSA in Washington, D.C. He has taught political science at Park University and Johnson County Community College.
Former Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld outside the Potter Stewart U.S. Courthouse in downtown Cincinnati. Sittenfeld was covcted last summer on federal corruption charges.

This story has been updated to correct Sittenfeld's age.

Sentencing for former Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld has been scheduled for Oct. 10, more than a year after he was found guilty of federal corruption charges.

Sittenfeld, 38, was convicted July 8, 2022 on felony charges of bribery and attempted extortion. But he was acquitted on four other counts, including honest services fraud.

Sittenfeld was arrested in November of 2020, accused of casting votes for development projects in exchange for campaign donations. He was widely considered to be Cincinnati's next mayor at that point, his arrest sending shockwaves through the city. After the arrest, Sittenfeld dropped out of the mayoral race.

He took the case to trial, where he and his attorneys argued his actions were just how the American political process works.

Based on federal sentencing guidelines, Sittenfeld could face between 15 months and 3 years in prison, according to Chase College of Law professor Kenneth Katkin, who attended nearly every day of the trial.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: PG Sittenfeld: What happened to convicted Cincinnati councilman
Serbia to Look Into US Allegations Against Sanctioned Spy Chief

(Bloomberg) -- Serbia must investigate US accusations against the head of its intelligence agency but its policies wont be swayed by any foreign power, President Aleksdandar Vucic said, after the US Treasury slapped sanctions on the Balkan countrys spy chief.

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Aleksandar Vulin, an ally of the president and the director of the Security Information Agency, is under sanctions for alleged involvement in drug and weapons trafficking and for helping Russia undermine stability in the region.

Its very important, terribly important to conduct an investigation, Vucic told reporters on Wednesday.

He downplayed the allegations concerning drugs and the arms trade, saying Vulins support for the Kremlin is what triggered the US measures.

Sanctions against him were not imposed over crime or corruption, Vucic said. Sanctions against him were introduced due to his attitude toward the Russian Federation.

Serbia aspires to join the European Union but, unlike other EU aspirants in the western Balkans, doesnt want to join NATO, insisting on its military neutrality. Its also an outlier in Europe by refusing to join sanctions against Russia over the attack on Ukraine, though it has condemned Russias invasion against its neighbor.

My policy wont be guided by either Americans or Russians or anyone else, Vucic said.

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Seven murders by cyanide-laced Tylenol will never be solved. But the prime suspects death brings justice

James Lewis, who died aged 76 this week, was the sole suspect in the Tylenole murders that terrorised the US in 1982 (Getty/AP)

Roy Lane put away mobsters, judges and even a former Illinois governor during a storied 26-year career in the FBI.

For the retired special agent, the death of Tylenol murders suspect James Lewis at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this week at the age of 76, marked an unsatisfying end to the pursuit for justice he had dedicated half his life to.

James Lewis death ends a lifetime of cruelty to others, and the compulsive need for revenge, Mr Lane, 75, told The Independent.

In 1982, Mr Lane was assigned to a joint FBI task force of more than 100 law enforcement personnel investigating the poisoning deaths of seven Chicago-area residents.

On 28 September that year, the first victim Mary Kellerman, 12, was hospitalised after taking a capsule of Extra-Strength Tylenol, an acetaminophen manufactured by Johnson & Johnson.

The seventh grader died the next day.

Six adults would take the contaminated pills on 29 September, including three members of the same family, Polish immigrant Adam Janus, 27; his brother Stanley Janus, 25; and Stanleys wife Theresa Janus, 20.

Mary McFarland, Mary Lynn Reiner, Paula Prince would all die within a day of consuming the toxic capsules.

The deaths of young mothers, fathers and children just starting out their lives were heartbreaking, Mr Lane said. Each one was just awful.

The mysterious deaths sparked a wave of terror across the United States, and doctors and law enforcement were initially baffled.

Helen Jensen, a public health nurse in Arlington Heights, was the first to suggest it could have been poisoning due to tampering with medicine bottles.

James Lewis death ends a lifetime of cruelty to others, and the compulsive need for revenge, retired FBI special agent Roy Lane says (Associated Press)

She visited the Jamus household and found a Tylenol bottle and a receipt, and testing on the remaining capsules revealed that they contained nearly three times a fatal dose of cyanide.

Ms Jensen told the Associated Press in an interview this week she was initially laughed at by investigators for suggesting the capsules had been deliberately tampered with.

I was a woman and I was a nurse, she said. I understood the attitudes of that time. But I was proven right by the next day.

On 5 October, Johnson & Johnson ordered a nationwide recall of more than 31 million bottles of Tylenol in circulation. Investigators rushed to remove the capsules from homes and off shelves.

The panic led to widespread changes to the way prescription drugs were packaged, and led the Food and Drug Administration to introduce anti-tampering features such as foil seals to packaging that remain standard.

In 1983, Congress passed the Tylenol bill making it a federal offence to tamper with packaging.

Halloween was cancelled

Mr Lane remembers the sense of panic that spread through the nation that October.

People were so afraid, Halloween was cancelled that year in most communities, he told The Independent.

From then on, people were warned to check their kids candies after coming back from trick or treating.

The early investigation was hamstrung by distrust and rivalries between the Chicago Police Department and FBI, according tothe 2022 Chicago Tribune podcast Unsealed: The Tylenol Murders.

Law enforcement called on the FBIs then-nascent Behavioral Science Unit, established in 1972, to try to build a picture of a suspect seemingly hellbent on committing mass murder.

James Lewis provided detailed drawings showing how the Tylenol murders poisoner could have carried out the 1982 terror campaign (ABC7)

Mr Lane told The Independent that the expert profilers suggested the person they were looking for would be experiencing a sense of euphoria at the global attention.

A few days after the murders, Johnson & Johnson received a one page, handwritten letter written in all caps demanding $1m to stop the killing.

As you can see, it is easy to place cyanide (both potassium & sodium) into capsules sitting on store shelves, the letter read.

If you dont mind the publicity of these little capsules, then do nothing. So far I have spent less than $50, and it takes me less than 10 minutes per bottle.

Lewis was convicted of writing to Johnson & Johnson to extort $1m over the Tylenol poisonings, but was never held accountable for carrying out the murders (ABC7)

After a nationwide manhunt, the letter was traced to James William Lewis, a conman who had multiple aliases and had been implicated in the 1978 murder of a Kansas City businessman.

Mr Lane told The Independent officials obtained a warrant for Lewis arrest on 11 October. He was arrested two months later after a lengthy cat and mouse game in December.

Lewis was described as a chameleon who had moved from state to state by police, using at least 20 aliases to work as a computer specialist, tax accountant, importer of Indian tapestries and pharmaceutical salesman, the Associated Press noted in an obituary.

Lewis had lived in Illinois before moving to New York with his wife LeAnn in the fall of 1982. He stood trial in 1983 on the extortion charges, and was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Officers believed Lewis wanted to avenge the death of his daughter Toni, who died in 1974 aged five after sutures made by a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary that were used to fix her congenital heart defect had torn.

Lewis gave investigators a detailed account of how the killer could have carried out the poisoning, and while he remained the prime suspect in the murders, he was never charged, and the case remains officially unsolved.

The euphoria diminishes

With the prime suspect in the Tylenol murders behind bars for extortion, the FBI continued to pursue leads in the case.

Then, out of the blue, Lewis contacted Mr Lane saying he wanted to be involved in the investigation.

We had already been apprised by the FBI behavioural science unit that at that time the person was having euphoria about all the attention that was going on, Mr Lane said.

As time goes on, the euphoria diminishes, and the way they can recapture that euphoria is to contact one of the investigators, and want to be involved in the case itself.

In an interview this week, Mr Lane said Lewis had waived his rights to self-incrimination while providing information that seemingly only the killer would have known.

He recalled being struck by Lewis odd behaviour.

I was told that he would laugh at the wrong times, cry at the wrong times, and thats exactly what he did. He wanted information about the case, and he wanted to become involved in solving the case, Mr Lane said.

Mr Lane wouldnt go into detail about what Lewis told him. But in a 1992 jailhouse interview with ABC 7 Chicago, Lewis described in detail how the killer would have used a pegboard to drill holes into the Tylenol capsules and inject them with deadly cyanide.

There were certain statements that were made, and drawings that were made, that were quite incriminating, Mr Lane told The Independent.

He loved the attention. He didnt care if its good or bad.

Lewis stopped talking to the FBI after they refused to grant him immunity.

Lewis was released from federal prison in 1985, and moved to Massachusetts with his wife.

Stoking a battered ego

Mr Lane retired from the FBI in 1996 and moved into a job in private security.

A decade later, he received a call from the head of the FBIs Chicago office.

The bureau had set up a second task force to examine fresh evidence in the case, and Lewis remained their prime suspect.

At the time, Lewis was in jail in Massachusetts on charges of kidnap and rape of a neighbour who he had been in a business dispute with.

He spent three years in custody, and was released in 2007 when prosecutors dismissed the charges on the day his trial was due to begin after the victim refused to testify.

Mr Lane told The Independent he was contracted to work on the sting operation by the FBI, but was unable to discuss details, citing the need to preserve operational security.

But some elements of the elaborate plot were revealed by the Chicago Tribune in their 2022 investigation, and by Lewis on his personal website.

According to both accounts, Mr Lane introduced Lewis and his wife LeAnn to a woman named Sherry Nichols, telling them she was an investigative reporter who was working on a book about the Tylenol murders.

Lewis, pictured in 1992, maintained his innocence up until his death at his Massachusetts home on Sunday 9 July (ABC7 / Screengrab)

In reality, Nichols was an FBI agent working under an assumed identity.

The FBI agents told Lewis they had identified a new suspect, and needed his help with the investigation that would clear his name.

Lewis was writing a novel at the time titled Poison! The Doctors Dilemma, and the agents reportedly offered to help.

The book, which Lewis self-published in 2010, was about a rogue Government employee named Agua Naranja who found himself at the centre of a mass posioning event in the Chicago area.

Lewis claimed in a lengthy spiel that on his website that the FBI tried to lead and prod him getting his protagonist to confess to the Tylenol killings.

For 18 months, Roy Lane and Sherry Nichols, acting in cahoots, stroked my battered ego, wined and dined my wife and me at expensive restaurants, and tried to get both of us tee-toddlers drunk, Lewis wrote.

They gave me money to buy a laptop computer, flew me at govenment expense to Chicago, New York and Joplin, Missouri, then back to Boston, put me up in expensive hotels and paid me thousands of dollars, all while trying to manipulate me into implicating myself in mass murder in my own novel.

Lewis claimed he had endured nearly 40 years of being publically vilified in the press worldwide as the prime Tylenol mass murder suspect.

Mr Lane would later tell the Tribune Lewis account was about 50 per cent accurate.

Police records obtained by the news site stated that the agents had worked closely with FBI criminal profilers on the sting.

Agents from the second FBI task force closely monitored the operation as Mr Lane and Ms Nichols took the Lewises on trips to New York and Chicago.

They returned to a Walgreens in Chicago where one of the victims, Paula Prince, had purchased the deadly Tylenol capsules.

According to police records obtained by the Tribune, Lewis walked straight up to where the poisoned bottle had been kept years earlier.

At a Chicago hotel, Mr Lane reportedly confronted Lewis with a major discrepancy in the timeline of his story. He had maintained at his extortion trial that he had taken three days to write the threatening letter to Johnson & Johnson.

However, the first media reports emerged about the Tylenol poisonings on 30 September. And the FBI later determined that the letter was sent on 1 October.

Lewis blamed a faulty memory on the problematic timeline.

Yes, I am a killer

On 4 February 2009, the FBI executed a search warrant on Lewis home seizing computers and boxes of material.

Among the items taken was a handwritten note stating: Yes, I am a killer but I got 10 good reasons, the Tribune reported.

In the document, Lewis reportedly wrote that the reasons listed included to protect my family and to teach a lesson.

Authorities had long suspected revenge as a potential motive for the killings.

Lewis five-year-old daughter Toni had died after sutures used to fix her congenital heart defect had torn. He apparently blamed Johnson & Johnson for the death.

The investigation remained active for years, and Lewis was questioned as recently as September 2022 over the poisonings.

Lewis had also been in serious trouble with the law on previous occasions.

In 1978, he was charged in Kansas City, Missouri, with the dismemberment murder of Raymond West, 72, who had hired him as an accountant, the Associated Press noted in its obituary.

The charges were dismissed because Wests cause of death was not determined and some evidence had been illegally obtained.

Lewis was convicted of six counts of mail fraud in a 1981 credit card scheme in Kansas City, accused of using the name and background of a former tax client to obtain 13 credit cards.

He continued to deny any involvement in the Tylenol murders right up until his death.

In one of his final interviews last year, he told Chicago Tribune reporters: Have you been harassed over something for 40 years that you didnt have anything to do with?

Lewis, 76, was found unresponsive at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Sunday, and pronounced dead soon after, authorities said.

Cambridge police superintendent Fred Cabral said officers had found Lewis body after being asked to perform wellness check by his wife, who was out of town.

A cause of death was not immediately available, but police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

For Mr Lane, Lewis death brought disappointment, but also the knowledge that he had done all he could.

His death puts the pursuit of justice to an end, Mr Lane told The Independent this week.

Law enforcement doesnt forget. We kept working at it for justice for the families.
The volume of people experiencing complications from pregnancy or delivery in Massachusetts nearly doubled from 2011 to 2020, according to new data released Wednesday by the Department of Public Health.

Episodes of several maternal morbidity (SMM) can lead to short- or long-term health problems -- including eclampsia, acute kidney failure and heart attacks -- and they might trigger live-saving procedures like hysterectomies, according to the data brief.

The report examined 678,382 deliveries, including both live births and fetal deaths, among 483,699 Massachusetts residents from 2011 to 2020. The SMM rate rose from 52 per 10,000 deliveries to 100 per 10,000 deliveries in that time frame, said Dana Bernson, director of special analytic projects at DPHs Office of Population Health.

Black non-Hispanic birthing people consistently have the highest SMM rates over the 10-year period, and the inequities are increasing, Bernson said during a virtual Public Health Council meeting Wednesday.

While the words mother, women and maternity are widely used, birthing people is the preferred inclusive term for an individual who gives birth to a newborn, according to a style guide published by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission this month. The term includes but is not limited to cis-women, transgender men, and non-binary people, the style guide states.

Gender-specific language can still be used in relevant cases, such as discussing pregnancy and birth outcomes disparities that are specifically related to misogyny and sexism, the style guide states.

Bernson said the new data underscore disparities that are statistically significant among people of color, with SMM rates among Black non-Hispanic birthing people 2.3 times higher than their white counterparts. The SMM rates among Asian/Pacific Islander non-Hispanic and Hispanic birthing people were 1.2 times higher than their white counterparts, Bernson said.

Bernson said SMM rates were also higher for vulnerable individuals, including those experiencing opioid use disorder or certain mental health conditions, or who have a history of homelessness.

The data analysis captured disparities for people with disabilities, as well, especially higher rates of SMM among people with intellectual, vision or mobility disabilities, Bernson said.

Its critical to acknowledge the role of social factoring in driving rates of SMM among birthing people with disabilities, Bernson said. These factors include active and passive denial of medical care; inequitable access to social determinants of health, such as housing and proper nutrition; and higher rates of other risk factors, such as smoking, stress and clinically unwarranted obstetric intervention.

Dr. Robbie Goldstein, the DPH commissioner, called the data sobering.

The department is slated to release more data this week from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, which Goldstein said captures attitudes and experiences from parents before, during and after pregnancies. Black non-Hispanic respondents were 16 times more likely to report feeling stressed and 14 times more likely to report feeling upset due to treatment based on their race or ethnic background compared to white respondents, Goldstein said of pending survey data from 2021.

It is really racism, not race, that is driving most of these inequities, Goldstein said at the Public Health Council meeting. And our work needs to be focused on addressing the racism within the institutions and within our public health infrastructure.

The new report shines a painful light on what weve known to be true for a while  women of color are not receiving the high-quality maternal health care that they need and deserve, said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll.

Massachusetts has the best health care system in the country, but this report shows that there is much more work that we need to do to address racial and gender inequities in health care. It is essential that everyone has access to comprehensive, high-quality and inclusive maternal health care, said Gov. Maura Healey. We can and must do better for mothers, for kids and for families  and our administration is committed to doing just that.

Ensuring MassHealth coverage for doula care could tackle racial disparities, particularly as trained professionals offer culturally competent care and advocate for their clients during labor and delivery, according to a recommendation from the Special Commission on Racial Inequities in Maternal Health.

In a May 2022 report, the commission said doula services could empower pregnant people to advocate for their needs, lower the rates of preterm births and reduce the risk of postpartum depression, among other benefits.

But for now, most pregnant people cannot afford doulas -- whose services can range from $800 to $2,000 -- due to limited insurance coverage, the report states.

DPH has created an advisory group to help prepare for the potential passage of legislation that would create a pathway for certifying doulas, said Dr. Hafsatou Diop, director of DPHs Division of Maternal and Child Health Research and Analysis.

We are really working hard to bring doulas as part of a care team, but we are sort of hindered right now by the lack of legislation, Diop said at the council meeting. As soon as we have legislation, we will begin having those conversations with the providers; we are already talking to the doulas and theyre onboard, theyre willing to be part of the care. We are working diligently to bring them on board.

In response to the new data, the advocacy group Reproductive Equity Now called on Beacon Hill lawmakers to pass Sen. Liz Mirandas omnibus bill (S 1415) that would expand access to midwifery, doulas services and out-of-hospital birthing options, among measures to overhaul the maternal health care system.

As extremists continue to wage attacks on maternal health nationwide, Massachusetts has a responsibility to step up, improve birthing outcomes, and eliminate racial disparities for birthing people, Reproductive Equity Now President Rebecca Hart Holder said. These statistics are horrifying, and we must remember that these data points are more than numbers. Were dealing with peoples lives and livelihoods and we cannot wait to act any longer.

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A California man was paddleboarding near the beach when a chilling figure suddenly appeared in the emerald water below, video shows.

It was the unmistakable shadow of a great white shark, the paddleboarder, @paddlegoat, said in a July 2 Instagram post, sharing video of the thrilling and unexpected encounter near San Diego.

A large shape cruising silently and effortlessly, the shark is initially difficult to see. But as the man paddles closer, theres little doubt what sea creature hes floating above  with nothing but a board and few feet of water between them.

God, there he is, @paddlegoat says, pointing at the shark.

Ill admit it was a bit spooky, he wrote in the post.

As the shadow swims from view, the camera turns, revealing the encounter didnt happen out at sea.

It was just stones throw from the beach.

So awesome AND Im never swimming in the ocean again! one person commented on the post.

I know right?? Can you believe how close to shore it was?! @paddlegoat replied.

Great white sharks are becoming more common in the waters off California and theyre much closer to land than many might realize, researchers with California State University, Long Beachs Shark Lab told KABC in January.

When I was a grad student here back in the late 80s, it was rare to see a great white near the beach, Chris Lowe, head of the Shark Lab, told the TV station.

Its not rare anymore, Lowe said, as new shark nurseries  areas where younger sharks congregate for relative safety  have been popping up in the area, the station reported. The growing shark population is caused in part by conservation efforts but also climate change, with warming waters turning southern Californias coastline into an ideal habitat for great whites, Lowe said.

Most of the sharks that we see are 6 to 8 feet long, Lowe told the outlet. Theyre toddlers, theyre three, four years old. The biggest ones we see in the nursery might be bucking 10 feet, but we just seem to pass through.

Lowe added that, despite an increased number of great whites, there has not been an increase in attacks.

So that tells us were clearly not on the menu, Lowe told the outlet. As long as we leave them alone, theyre generally leaving us alone.

Shark attacks

Indeed, shark attacks are extremely rare, according to John Carlson of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

You have a better chance of getting in a car accident and being injured on your way to the beach than you do actually when you get to go swimming, he said in a video posted to NOAAs website.

There were 108 shark attacks worldwide in 2022, according to the University of Floridas International Shark Attack File. Of those, 57 were unprovoked  meaning the victim did not try to interact or agitate the shark in any way  and resulted in five deaths.

If you see a shark in the water, however, dont panic, Richard Peirce, former chair of the Shark Trust and Shark Conservation Society, told CNN.

Dont start splashing around  youre just going to excite, incite and encourage the sharks interest, he told the news outlet.

Instead, maintain eye contact with the shark and read its body language. If the shark appears to be in attack mode, you should make yourself as large as possible, CNN reported. If it seems to just be swimming by, try to stay small.

If the shark attacks, experts told CNN you shouldnt play dead.

You must try and keep the animal in sight and very slowly and gently try and swim backwards and get into shallow water, Peirce told CNN. Again, youve got to be careful  large sharks can attack in very shallow depths.

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Soon after Morgan Bellock turned 34, she decided to freeze her eggs. She wasnt sure if she would be having children soon, and she thought it would be important to save them. As she went through the process, doctors discovered something surprising  Bellock had ovarian cancer.

It was a big shock to me, Bellock, now 40, from the Chicago area, tells TODAY.com. I didnt know there was a giant ovarian cyst just sitting on one of my ovaries.

Egg freezing leads to a surprise

At the time Bellock pursued freezing her eggs in 2017, she was in a relationship with someone who took a job across the country, and she knew if they were to start a family, it wouldnt be any time soon.

Morgan Bellock knows her story with ovarian cancer varies greatly from the traditional experience because it was found in stage 1. Ovarian cancer rarely has symptoms, so most people are diagnosed in later stages. (Courtesy Morgan Bellock)

I thought to myself, if this is my person, our timeline is going to be significantly pushed back. And for me, it just felt better looking into freezing my eggs, she says. I was worried that two or three years would pass. Some of her friends and family felt wary about Bellock pursuing fertility preservation, though.

I remember being met with a lot of skepticism, she says. I had a feeling in my gut, and ultimately Im glad I did, and I feel like everyone questioning my position felt really bad about it.

As part of the egg-freezing process, Bellock needed to undergo an ultrasound. During the scan, the doctor noticed she had a mass on her ovary. At first, doctors thought she had a simple ovarian cyst, which are fairly common, often associated with the menstrual cycle and normally harmless. An article in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine estimates as many as 20% of women will get one.

Testing, however, revealed that Bellocks cyst was complex, meaning it was filled with blood or some solid material. Her doctors worried that if she began taking the medication to stimulate her ovaries in order to freeze her eggs, it could cause the cyst to grow or rupture, so he recommended surgery.

The story became crazy and weird, she says. When they did the surgery, they removed the cyst. But then they also tested something that was hiding behind it, which was the cancerous tumor that none of the scans had shown.

While the doctors had been worried about the cyst, they had no idea it covered a very aggressive form of cancer," Bellock recalls. Luckily, doctors found it early. It was a stage 1 teratoma, a type of tumor "often made up of several different types of tissue, such as hair, muscle and bone, according to the National Cancer Institute.

It was good news in some ways that we had caught it so soon, and we could treat it, Bellock says.

Doctors told her that if the cancer had not been found accidentally, she might not have experienced any symptoms for years. By that time, her cancer would have been advanced.

Theres a very real way that I could have not been here today, which is wild to think about, she says. I didnt have any symptoms.

Doctors agreed that her ovary needed to be removed to treat the cancer. After surgery, she needed to recover before returning to egg freezing. It wasnt until 2018, that doctors said she could begin again. By that point, she had broken up with her boyfriend, so she was pursuing it alone.

I only had one ovary, so as you can imagine, my desire to do it increased even more, Bellock says. It also felt even more disheartening, in terms of what the results were going to be.

She underwent several cycles to harvest eggs, ending up with 10.

I stopped after a couple of cycles because I have had so many surgeries, so many drugs, and my body was done, she says. The mental state I was in was very different than when I thought I was going to be doing it.

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecological cancer, Dr. Zaid Al-Wahab, a gynecological oncologist at Corewell Hospital, in Royal Oak, Michigan, who did not treat Bellock, previously told TODAY.com. It is the most common cause of death from gynecological cancers.

Freezing her eggs when she was 34 helped Morgan Bellock be diagnosed with ovarian cancer at stage 1. Now married, she is grateful she has eggs frozen to try to start a family with her husband. (Courtesy Morgan Bellock)

Thats because, in about 80% of the cases, most ovarian cancers are not found until stage 3 or 4, he noted. Bellock, like most people with early-stage ovarian cancer, had no symptoms.

Even when its stage 3 or 4, symptoms are very vague, Al-Wahab said.

Ovarian cancer symptoms include:

Bloating

Change in bowel habits

Back pain

Many people think of ovarian cancer as occurring in older women, but thats not always the case.

It can happen in much younger women so more awareness of ovarian cancer (is needed), Al-Wahab said.

Life as a survivor

For the first year following her cancer diagnosis, Bellock needed to undergo an ultrasound every three months because that period has the highest chance of the cancer recurring. Gradually, the number of ultrasounds she needed reduced. Its been five years, so shes considered in remission and doesnt need additional surveillance.

You feel like youre never going to get (into remission), she says. I struggle a lot with survivorship.  There are many other women that I feel like are on the other side that have gone through way worse and way more.

Shes became involved in The Breasties, a group for young people who had breast and gynecological cancers. Thats helped her grapple with her diagnosis and surviving cancer.

Its a nationwide organization of young women that are just very open and honest with the struggles and triumphs involved in this whole, crazy world  she says. Thats been such a blessing in terms of finding community and people who can really understand all the feelings that go on with cancer.

She met someone new, and in 2021 they got married. They have pursued IVF to start a family, but its been challenging. Bellock says she has no regrets about freezing her eggs.

I knew I had to go in and pursue freezing my eggs, and ultimately it led me down this path, which Im super grateful for, she says. Its just a really wild way of getting that diagnosis.

Morgan Bellock hopes others advocate for themselves if they notice something off with their health. (Courtesy Morgan Bellock)

She encourages others to speak up if they notice anything wrong with their body.

Trust your gut and advocate for yourself, she says.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
California sea otters, also known as southern sea otters, are an endangered species found only along Californias central coast. (Getty Images)

SANTA CRUZ, Calif.  For the past few summers, numerous surfers in Santa Cruz have been victims of a crime at sea: boardjacking. The culprit is a female sea otter, who accosts the wave riders, seizing and even damaging their surfboards in the process.

After a weekend during which the otters behavior seemed to grow more aggressive, wildlife officials in the area said Monday that they have decided to put a stop to these acts of otter larceny.

Due to the increasing public safety risk, a team from CDFW and the Monterey Bay Aquarium trained in the capture and handling of sea otters has been deployed to attempt to capture and rehome her, a representative for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a statement.

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Local officials call the animal Otter 841. The 5-year-old female is well known, for her bold behavior and her ability to hang 10. And she has a tragic back story, with officials now forced to take steps that illustrate the ways human desire to get close to wild animals can cost the animals their freedom, or worse, their lives.

California sea otters, also known as southern sea otters, are an endangered species found only along Californias central coast. Hundreds of thousands of these otters once roamed the states coastal waters, helping to keep the kelp forests healthy as they consumed sea urchins. But when colonists moved in on the West Coast, the species was hunted to near-extinction until a ban was put in place in 1911.

Today, around 3,000 remain, many in areas frequented by kayakers, surfers and paddleboarders.

Despite these close quarters, interactions between sea otters and humans remain rare. The animals have an innate fear of humans and usually go to great lengths to avoid them, said Tim Tinker, an ecologist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who has spent decades studying the marine mammals. A sea otter approaching a human isnt normal, he said, adding but just because its not normal doesnt mean it never happens.

Otters have been known to approach humans during hormonal surges that coincide with a pregnancy, or as a result of being fed or repeatedly approached by people. That is likely what occurred with Otter 841s mother.

She was orphaned and raised in captivity. But after she was released into the wild, humans started offering her squid and she quickly became habituated. She was removed again when she started climbing aboard kayaks in search of handouts, ending up at the Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center in Santa Cruz, where researchers quickly realized she was pregnant. It was while back in captivity that she gave birth to 841.

The pup was raised by her mother until she was weaned, then moved to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. To bolster her chances for success upon release, 841s caretakers took measures to prevent the otter from forming positive associations with humans, including wearing masks and ponchos that obscured their appearance when they were around her.

Yet 841 quickly lost her fear of humans, although local experts cannot explain precisely why.

After one year of being in the wild without issue, we started receiving reports of her interactions with surfers, kayakers and paddle boarders, said Jessica Fujii, sea otter program manager at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We do not know why this started. We have no evidence that she was fed. But it has persisted in the summers for the last couple of years.

Otter 841 was first observed climbing aboard watercraft in Santa Cruz in 2021. At first, the behavior was a rarity, but over time the otter grew more bold. Last weekend, the otter was observed stealing surfboards on three separate occasions.

On Monday, Joon Lee, 40, a software engineer, was surfing at Steamer Lane, a popular surf spot in Santa Cruz, when 841 approached his board.

I tried to paddle away, but I wasnt able to get far before it bit off my leash, he said.

Lee abandoned his board and watched in horror as the otter climbed atop it and proceeded to rip chunks out of it with her powerful jaws.

I tried to get it off by flipping the board over and pushing it away, but it was so fixated on my surfboard for whatever reason, it just kept attacking, he said.

While Lee immediately recognized the danger he was in, not everyone in the water is so aware. Last month, Noah Wormhoudt, 16, was catching some waves with a friend off Cowells Beach in Santa Cruz when 841 swam up.

I started paddling away trying to avoid it, but it kept getting closer and closer. I jumped off my board and then it jumped onto my board, he recalled. It seemed friendly, so we got comfortable with it. It was a pretty cool experience.

Caught up in the excitement of the moment, Wormhoudt said he wasnt really like thinking about how it could bite my finger off.

The young surfer watched from the water while the otter stayed atop his board as the swell rolled in. The otter was shredding, caught a couple of nice waves, Wormhoudt said.

Such situations are extremely dangerous, said Gena Bentall, director and senior scientist with Sea Otter Savvy, an organization that works to reduce human-caused disturbances to sea otters and promote responsible wildlife viewing. Otters have sharp teeth and jaws strong enough to crush clams, she said.

Contact with humans is also dangerous for the otters. If a human should be bitten, the state has no choice but to euthanize the otter. And with so few sea otters left, the loss of even one individual is a hindrance to the species recovery.

If authorities succeed in capturing 841, she will return to the Monterey Bay Aquarium before being transferred to a different one, where she will live out her days. The capture team has its work cut out for it. Multiple attempts to catch her have been made, none successful.

Shes been quite talented at evading us, Fujii said.

Until the otter can be captured, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking surfers to avoid her at all costs.

Experts also had a message for people who share their close encounters with a sea otter on social media.

Reporting these interactions to the appropriate personnel, and not sharing them on social media  where it can be misinterpreted as a fun, positive interaction where that may not be the case  is really important, Fujii said. I know thats hard to do. It gets lots of likes and attention, but in the long run, it can be detrimental to the animal.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Shell-hungry artillery battles with Russia are fast eating through Ukraine's ammo, and that's why cluster bombs are key, experts and officials say

Ukrainian soldiers fire a self-propelled howitzer towards Russian positions near Bakhmut, the site of the heaviest battles, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on March 7, 2023. AP Photo/Libkos, File

The US decided last week to send deadly but controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine's military.

Experts and officials say these explosives will help ease Ukraine's ammunition shortages.

Ukrainian forces are expending ammunition at a high rate during their ongoing counteroffensive.

Ukrainian forces, at times outgunned by their Russian foes, are fast burning through ammunition during intense artillery duels. But the deadly, albeit controversial, cluster munitions inbound to Kyiv will help alleviate the strain on its dwindling stockpiles, as well as those of its supporters, US officials and experts say.

The Biden administration announced last week that it will send cluster munitions  specifically 155 millimeter artillery shells also called dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICMs)  to Ukraine as part of a new $800 million security assistance package.

By providing DPICMs, "we will ensure that the Ukrainian military has sufficient artillery ammunition for many months to come," a senior Pentagon official said in revealing the new lethal aid.

These ground-launched munitions break apart in mid-air and scatter dozens of smaller explosives over a large area, threatening to deal damage, significantly more than a regular artillery shell, across the many layers of defenses and fortifications Russian troops built behind the front lines in anticipation of Ukraine's ongoing counteroffensive in the occupied eastern and southern regions.

Kyiv has long pressured the US to provide it with cluster munitions, the usage of which has historically triggered widespread international concern due to what observers note is an unacceptably high dud rate  meaning the dispersed bomblets sometimes fail to detonate and can pose a risk to civilians long after fighting comes to an end.

Cluster bomb carriers in a village in Ukraine. Photo by Wojciech Grzedzinski for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Though Moscow denies doing so, Russian forces have used cluster munitions in combat since the early days of the war, harming civilians in the process. US officials meanwhile, have said that American DPICMs have a dud rate far lower than that of Moscow's munitions  2.35% compared to 30-40%  and added that Kyiv assured it will minimize using the explosives near civilian areas.

But US officials have also defended the decision to outfit Ukraine with cluster munitions by arguing that they will help soothe what White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan called "dramatically high expenditure rates" of ammunition by Kyiv.

"We base our security assistance decision on Ukraine's needs on the ground, and Ukraine needs artillery to sustain its offensive and defensive operations," Sullivan told reporters at a briefing on Friday. "Artillery is at the core of this conflict. Ukraine is 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."

Colin Kahl, the under secretary of defense for policy, said that because Ukraine's counteroffensive is moving at a slower pace than many people had anticipated, thanks to Russia's hardened defensive lines, it forces a higher rate of artillery fire. In turn, Washington needed to ensure that Kyiv had a sufficient ammunition stockpile.

Ukrainian troops fire a 155 mm FH70 howitzer in the Zaporizhzhia Region of southeastern Ukraine. Dmytro Smolienko / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images

"We're confident that with this inflow of DPICM, in combination with the unitary 155 rounds, we continue to provide that the Ukrainians will be able to sustain the artillery fight for the foreseeable future," Kahl said on Friday, adding it's an important signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he "can't just outlast the Ukrainians."

The provision of cluster munitions is also aimed at preserving US stockpiles. "This is a war relating to munitions. And they're running out of that ammunition, and we're low on it," President Joe Biden said of Ukrainian and US stockpiles in a recent interview with CNN in which he justified his decision.

"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," he said.

There are several specific ways that cluster munitions can help conserve Ukraine's artillery ammunition, maximize efficiency to sustain offensive operations, and ease demand on NATO countries as they struggle with their respective domestic shell production.

Conventional 155 milimeter rounds when fired at Russian defenses, like trenches, are unlikely to pose a major threat to Moscow's troops unless they achieve a direct hit, and even then, they still don't spread shrapnel very far, wrote Jack Watling and Justin Bronk, two military research fellows at the UK-based Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank, in commentary published this week.

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan speaks during the daily press briefing at the White House July 7, 2023 in Washington, DC. Sullivan discussed the U.S. decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine. Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Cluster munitions, by contrast, disperse bomblets over a large area which increases the risk to Russian troops on the ground, Watling and Bronk said. Ukraine will end up needing to fire fewer cluster munition rounds to achieve a desired battlefield result, they added, meaning Kyiv can ease the burden on its howitzers, elongate their barrel lives, and fight the Russians for longer.

DPICMs will also shore up the availability of other unused munitions in Ukraine's inventory, therefore slowing ammunition depletion as NATO attempts to meet production demand, Watling and Bronk noted. With the Russians dug into their defensive fortifications and no end in sight to the 16-month-long war, this may be critical to preventing fatigue in Kyiv's military and its Western backers.

Washington's difficult decision to outfit Kyiv with cluster munitions appears to have come at a calculated and pivotal moment. Ukrainian forces have made small territorial gains during their ongoing counteroffensive, but they are painstakingly working to penetrate elaborate and deadly defensive networks along Russian lines.

"The hard but necessary choice to give them the cluster munitions amounted to this," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told MSNBC at the NATO summit in Lithuania this week. "If we didn't do it, we don't do it, then they will run out of ammunition. If they run out of ammunition, then they will be defenseless."

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 12)  The Department of Agriculture (DA) is planning to conduct cloud-seeding operations (CSO) for Magat Dam and other Bohol dams in preparation for the looming dry spell in the country, an official confirmed Wednesday.

Kailangan na talagang mag-conduct ng cloud-seeding. Yun ang naging findings, ang kasama po rito sa joint area assessment ay ang National Irrigation Administration Regional Office and local government units, DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management Ernesto Brampio said in a press briefing.

[Translation: We really need to conduct cloud-seeding operations. Thats the findings of a joint area assessment we conducted together with the National Irrigation Administration Regional Office and local government units.]

May tubig pa naman yung Magat kaya lang bumababa, sa Bohol actually kailangan na rin mag conduct ng cloud-seeding operations, he added.

[Translation: There is still water in Magat but it's declining, it is also necessary to conduct cloud-seeding operations in Bohol.]

The DA official said the Magat River Integrated Irrigation System submitted their request for CSO even before the state weather bureau warned about the impending El Nino. He added that the DA-Region 2 has allocated 9 million for the CSO in the dam.

READ: Marcos: El Nino mitigation plan out this week

Magat Dam is one of the countrys largest dams that provides water supply to 85,000 hectares of agricultural lands in Cagayan region.

Aside from Region 2, Brampio said the provincial office of Central Visayas has also requested for CSO worth 2.5 million in various dams in Bohol.

For a dam to qualify for a CSO, Brampio said its water level must be at critical stage. The cost of CSO is around 50,000 per hour, which is equivalent to at least 5 million in 45 hours  the agencys average period of time in every operation.

The DA has not yet received any request for a CSO in Angat Dam at the moment.

WATCH: Magat Dam releases water to maintain water level
Update: On Wednesday, July 12, 2023, Marion County Judge Charles Miller approved the Sheriff Forestal's request to move Orlando Mitchell to an Indiana Department of Correction facility.

The Marion County sheriff has asked for an inmate accused of strangling one of his deputies to death this week to be moved to another facility, according to court records.

In a motion filed Wednesday, Sheriff Kerry Forestal asked the courts to move Orlando Mitchell to the Indiana Department of Correction, saying Mitchell poses risk of serious bodily injury or death at the county jail.

Mitchell was taken into custody Monday afternoon after law enforcement officials say he was seen on video using his handcuffs to strangle Marion County Sheriffs deputy John Durm to death. Durm was returning Mitchell to the Criminal Justice Campus following a medical appointment.

Court records: Suspect used handcuffs to strangle Marion County deputy in deadly attack

A struggle ensued, and both men fell to the ground. Court records said Mitchell stayed on top of Durm until the deputy stopped moving. The Marion County Coroner's Office determined Durm's cause of death as "ligature strangulation." He had been with the department for 38 years.

The video then showed Mitchell picking up handcuff keys from the ground and removing his cuffs, a preliminary probable cause affidavit said. The 34-year-old is then accused of taking the van he had been transported in and driving the vehicle through the gates of the campus and crashing into a utility pole just outside the parking lot  in the 3000 block of Prospect Street.

More: How to help the family of slain MCSO deputy John Durm

Mitchell was apprehended by a sheriffs deputy and taken to a hospital for minor injuries. Durm died later in a hospital.

Mitchell already is facing a murder charge in the death of a woman who was shot and killed last year while dropping her kids off at daycare on the west side of Indianapolis.

The Marion County Prosecutor's Office is determining final charges in Durm's killing.

Contact the reporter at 317-503-7514.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis deputy killed: Sheriff seeks suspect's move to state DOC
Nicholas Rossi has been fighting extradition to the US over rape allegations

A sheriff will rule next week whether fugitive Nicholas Rossi should be extradited to the United States.

Final submissions in the long-running case have been heard at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

US officials want to extradite Mr Rossi - who claims to be a man called Arthur Knight - to face charges in Utah.

His lawyer urged the court to refuse extradition or adjourn proceedings to allow fuller investigation of his mental health.

But the advocate depute said there was no evidence Mr Rossi suffered from any significant physical or mental illness and suggested the sheriff could not rely on anything he said.

Mr Rossi was arrested and detained, while he was being treated for Covid at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, in December 2021, in connection with an alleged rape in Utah.

It was alleged that he faked his own death in 2020 and fled from the US to the UK to evade prosecution.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday Mr Rossi's lawyer argued that extradition would be a "flagrant violation" of his client's human rights.

Mungo Bovey KC summed up his arguments shortly after an adjournment had to be called during proceedings when Mr Rossi announced he wanted to dismiss him.

His interruption came as Mr Bovey argued that Mr Rossi had never been proven to be a US national citizen.

Nicholas Rossi's lawyers are opposing his extradition to the US

Mr Bovey raised several issues he argued would breach Mr Rossi's rights if he were to be extradited, including making it more difficult for him to engage with lawyers and the condition of prisons.

He said prisons in the state of Utah were short-staffed, offered "poor" medical care and had twice the average rate of deaths by suicide.

The lawyer also pointed out an executive board and not a judicial one would decide Mr Rossi's sentence, should he be convicted of rape in the US, and this could be considered another breach.

Earlier Mr Rossi twice said that he wanted to "dismiss counsel" which drew a warning from the sheriff.

He told Mr Rossi: "If you are disruptive I will have you removed from court."

The hearing continued following the brief adjournment with no further mention of Mr Rossi's demands.

Sheriff McFadyen told the court he would announce his ruling on Wednesday.
ALIQUIPPA  State police are searching for the suspected shooter responsible for the weekend killing of a local teen.

Police have filed criminal homicide charges against 17-year-old Lamar Seymour, of Aliquippa, after community members helped identify him as the alleged shooter involved in the July 8 murder of 15-year-old Dahvea Sparrow. According to Beaver County District Attorney David Lozier, it is believed both teenagers were students of the Aliquippa School District.

"There's been a huge impact on the student body and the community and the families here," Lozier said. "We've been working with the school board to make sure that they have the resources they need to help the students get through this degree and potentially stop the violence."

Investigators said Sparrow was killed Saturday evening after leaving a local house party. The teenager had just returned to the area after spending several weeks in Ohio with family members. Lozier said on Wednesday morning that the trip had helped "get him out of a bad circumstance" in the local area.

"He came back for a community event, I believe there was a high school graduation party that day," Lozier said. "It ended badly."

Arrest in Ambridge shooting Arrest made in fatal shooting of Ambridge teenager, reward increased for Aliquippa murder

Police responded to reports of a shooting around Main and Knoll streets at 11:20 p.m., where they found Sparrow's body in the road. After putting out a reward for more information, Lozier said several witnesses stepped forward with details about the incident and officers were able to link Seymour to the scene of the crime.

In the police report, troopers say that video footage shows a dark colored minivan drive down the roadway and approach Sparrow's vehicle on Knoll Street. At this time, witnesses say that three people exit the minivan, pull Sparrow from the drivers side of the vehicle and begin an altercation with Sparrow on the sidewalk. The driver of the minivan remained in the vehicle at this time and police report that an unidentified passenger was in Sparrow's vehicle during the altercation.

As the altercation continued, the person who exited from the passenger side of the minivan began to physically assault Sparrow before firing a gun twice at the victim. After Sparrow fell to the ground, the passengers from the minivan and the passenger from Sparrow's vehicle fled the scene on foot. As police investigated the shooting, a witness described Seymour as the shooter and their description of events matched video footage obtained from a nearby residence.

"I bleed black and red, I love my city, and honestly I thought my city didn't love me back from what happened," said Nicole Sparrow, Dahvea's mother. "But I'm thankful for everybody, they are keeping me uplifted, just to be able to smile, just be able to get up and be OK."

After gathering this witness account and video, state police pressed charges against Seymour and are continuing to search for the teenager. Police have shared their intent to try Seymour as an adult once he is arrested.

"I believe he's 17 years old and four months," Lozier said. "It is an extremely violent crime. He's going to be charged as an adult and he's going to adult jail."

Sparrow's family also gathered for the announcement on Wednesday morning, sharing their thanks for community members who stepped forward to identify the killer. As police continue to hunt for Seymour, they hope local communities will continue to help bring justice for Sparrow and help their neighbors.

"I'm thankful I'm happy that they know this and my baby's gonna get justice," Nicole Sparrow said. "My heart is broken, and I'm hurt, and I don't know if I'm ever going to be OK, but in this moment right now I'm just thankful for the love and support from everybody. Y'all are keeping me, and with God, I'm able to just keep going and do what I got to do. Thanks, everybody for loving my baby."

Police encourage anyone with information on Seymour's location to immediately notify state police at 724-773-7400 or the Beaver County Crime Solvers at 724-774-2000.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Suspect identified in fatal Aliquippa shooting
Two firefighters have been shot Wednesday morning inside their fire station in Birmingham, Alabama in what police suspect may be a "targeted attack."

The incident happened around 8:30 a.m. in the citys Norwood neighborhood.

"We feel like it may be a targeted attack. We dont know why it would be a targeted attack, but thats one of the things were trying to determine at this point in time," Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond told reporters. "Its extremely unusual for someone to come target one of our fire stations and so were trying to see why would someone want to target one of these fire stations in Birmingham."

"Our firefighters are there to protect and aid and rescue our citizens and to see them be critically injured is just very troubling, disheartening that that would happen in our community," he added.

FAMILY OF ALABAMA MAN KILLED BY POLICE ASKS CITY TO RELEASE BODYCAM FOOTAGE

Thurmond said police are trying to determine how many suspects are involved and are "on scene trying to work to see who are the individuals who are responsible for this particular shooting."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The motive for the attack is unclear.

TWO WOMEN CHARGED WITH CAPITAL MURDER FOR ALLEGEDLY TOSSING ANOTHER OFF A CLIFF TO HER DEATH IN ALABAMA

Three people were inside the facility early Wednesday conducting routine checks of the fire engine and equipment when two males were struck, Thurmond said.

The Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department said on Facebook that it is "on the scene at Fire Station 9" and "We have 2 firefighters confirmed shot."

"They are in serious condition and have been transported," it added.

The firefighters reportedly were shot in the chest and legs and police are now looking for a suspect in a silver car, according to AL.com.

"Maybe there are some individuals that could have some information on this, so we would encourage them to call us and our homicide unit," Thurmond said. "We just need that information please share it with us so we can hold these individuals responsible."

Birmingham Fire Captain Orlando Reynolds told WBRC that "In my 25 years on the job, this is my worst day. This is awful."
The Short Grass Arts Council announced the 2023 Gallery Art Show to be held this weekend at the Waterfront Gallery for the Arts in Pierre, and it will include some major changes to how the show operates.

Short Grass Arts Council Board Member Cathi Lester said that they have been doing the gallery art show for more than 20 years, now getting closer to 25. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, they used to receive about 500 guests. This year's show is Friday through Sunday.

Because it was harder for the arts council to raise money through COVID-19 to pay for their long-time venue, Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce Community Room expenses, the organization opted last year for the old St. Charles Hotel in Pierre, which was free.

We were getting things going again, Lester said.

More: South Dakota art organizations discuss making art accessible

However, because of the change of location, the event ended up welcoming fewer visitors, instead hosting about 300-350. This year, the organizers said they are not sure how many people to expect because not only has the venue changed once more, but also the time of the festival, which is happening in the middle of summer instead of April.

Lester explained they decided to change the location again because although St. Charles Hotel in Pierre is a great gathering place, it is not the absolute best when it comes to exhibiting art pieces because of some lightning issues.

Gallery owner Jennifer Kanz said this year they expect about 20 participants in various categories, including watercolor and acrylics. She said most of the artists are from Pierre and Fort Pierre area, but there are also some that are from surrounding communities, such as Murdo.

Kanz said she opened her gallery about a year ago with the hope of bringing together new artists, art groups, and organizations from all fields of art, from visual arts to literature and poetry.

I wanted a place where artists in all disciplines, whether it will be dance or theater, poetry, literature, visual arts, where we can all have one common place to exhibit, to socialize, to connect with the community, and to make the artworks more of a foundation in the community, said Kanz.

More: How Augustana University is highlighting art majors June to September

An artist herself, she started to notice that despite being involved in various art groups in the area, other people from those art groups might not have connections to each other.

Ive been in the arts community for many years. I have connections with those various arts groups, but I noticed that other than myself, a lot of the different groups didnt connect with each other," Kanz said. "The theater people dont connect with the dance people, and they dont connect with the musicians, and they dont connect with visual artists, and everybody is off doing their thing."

Kanz said she would take donations, but she generally runs the gallery with her out of pocket money.

Pierre's annual art show by the Short Grass Arts Council will be held July 14-16 at the Waterfront Gallery for the Arts.

She said she volunteered to hold the art show because the Pierre arts council does not have its own building. Kanz does not charge the artists for using the facility or for advertising and promoting the event, and the artists also get to keep what they collect from the sale of their artwork.

It just seemed a very logical solution to invite them to do their annual art show at the gallery that I opened," Kanz said.

Lester said the show is traditionally free for the visitors. She said the show is important for the community because it is a chance for the local artists to exhibit their works, and for the community to appreciate local art.

Historically, said Lester, their art show usually included the students art show as well, but this year the organizers hope to have the student show later in fall as it has gotten so large that it is difficult for the organizers to fit both events together.

More: SculptureWalk in downtown Sioux Falls celebrates 20th anniversary with 67 pieces

And because of the students art show being held as a separate event, the organizers hope to include the works of the elementary school students as well. Lester said after the events are over, they would re-evaluate if the changes helped make the event successful.

We are constantly evaluating the changes we are making, said Lester.

While it is unclear what level of success the Pierre Art Show will achieve this year, the Waterfront Gallery for the Arts already seems to be making visible progress over its first year having held events in support of Indigenous groups and women to disabled individuals.

Lets get together and be one big force instead of different groups," Kanz said. "Thats what I was trying to do, and its been great working with this community with the people who have supported it."

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: New venue for Gallery Art Show meant to unite artists, organizers say
The 360 shows you diverse perspectives on the days top stories and debates.

Illustration by Ibrahim Rayintakath for Yahoo News

Whats happening

Late last month the White House released a report cautiously calling for more research into one of the most hotly debated theories for combating climate change: partially blocking the sun to cool the planet.

While it sounds like something straight out of science fiction, interest in whats known as solar geoengineering has increased in recent years as scientists have become more pessimistic that humans will not reduce carbon emissions in time to avoid the catastrophic potential impacts of climate change.

Solar geoengineering involves a variety of techniques for reflecting certain amounts of sunlight so that less heat reaches the planets surface. The most promising potential approach, according to scientists, would involve using planes to release reflective particles into the upper atmosphere to bounce a small amount of sunlight back into space before it reaches Earth.

Researchers are reasonably confident that solar geoengineering could work. Massive volcano eruptions over the past century or so have served as natural experiments proving that reflective aerosols can meaningfully reduce global temperatures. But concerns about the potential risks of tinkering with the Earths natural processes have meant that no known real-world experiments in man-made solar geoengineering have ever been conducted  other than weather balloons released by a startup in Mexico earlier this year, a stunt that inspired the country to ban all research on the topic within its borders.

Why theres debate

Because solar geoengineering wouldnt remove any carbon from the atmosphere, no one argues that it could be an alternative to the green energy transition. At best, its viewed as a means of temporarily staving off the direst weather effects of climate change while the world carries out the lengthy and expensive effort of decarbonizing the global economy.

A group of leading climate scientists has called for a worldwide ban on solar geoengineering research, arguing that it poses an unacceptable risk to the climate. They worry about potentially catastrophic side effects that could occur if humans start tinkering with the climate, the risks of conflict that could arise if nations begin competing to improve their own weather at the expense of their neighbors and the danger that geoengineering could be used as an excuse to slow or abandon the green energy transition.

But supporters say these hypothetical risks pale in comparison to the catastrophe that experts say will come if we dont intervene to stop the Earth from continuing to get hotter. They argue that simply cutting emissions wont be enough to stave off the worst, and scientists cant understand the full risks of geoengineering unless theyre allowed to run experiments on it in the real world.

Perspectives

SUPPORTERS

Going green wont be enough

Pretending that climate change can be solved with emissions cuts alone is a dangerous fantasy.  David Keith, professor of applied physics and of public policy at Harvard, to the Guardian

Scientists cant understand the dangers of geoengineering unless theyre allowed to research it

It is so late in the climate fight that some solar geoengineering may well be a good idea. We wont know, unless scientists are able to do the hard work to find out.  Gernot Wagner, Washington Post

We need to buy ourselves time to make decarbonizing work

In the case that man-made warming turns out to be much faster than currently projected, putting up a stratospheric sunscreen would provide humanity extra time in which to develop and deploy low-carbon energy technologies and devise ways to reduce the extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.  Ronald Bailey, Reason

SKEPTICS

Geoengineering wont save us and could distract us from what actually can

Even if solar geoengineering can help deflect heat and improve weather conditions on the ground  its not a long-term solution to climate change. It sends a message to the world that we can carry on over-consuming and polluting because we will be able to engineer our way out of the problem.  Chukwumerije Okereke, New York Times

The potential side effects could be worse than anything climate change will do

Theres no shortage of potential unintentional consequences. For one, some areas of the planet, like the tropics, might overcompensate and cool down too much while other areas, like the polar regions, would cling on to warmth. Messing with the atmosphere could also mess with natural climate systems.  Mirjam Guesgen, Vice

Any science that gives nations such immense power would inevitably lead to conflict

Who would be in charge? What country gets to decide when the sun is going to be blocked, to what degree the suns rays will be dimmed and for how long? Who gets the God-like power to decide where on Earth the sun would continue to shine and which regions would see their sunlight taken away at any given time?  Tom Wrobleski, SI Live

The dangers of climate change arent an excuse to take dangerous risks

Just because were desperate doesnt suddenly make solar geoengineering a good idea, because the risks are so immense.  Lili Fuhr, environmental law expert, to CNN
Photo: Sean Gallup (Getty Images)

A 61-year-old Canadian man who acted as a mentor to Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Ulbrichts confidant, known publicly by his online pseudonyms Variety Jones and Mongoose advocated in favor of a hired hitman and reportedly helped Ulbricht see a larger vision for the now defunct Darknet drug marketplace, according to a press release by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York.

Jones, whose real name is Roger Thomas Clark, received the two-decade sentence in a Manhattan courtroom Tuesday for conspiring to distribute massive quantities of narcotics. Clark had previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute narcotics in 2020 following his arrest in Thailand three years prior. US District Judge Sidney H. Stein on Tuesday rejected Clarks plea to serve no more than seven and a half years in prison. Now, Clark will likely spend the remainder of his life in prison.

Read more

Roger Thomas Clark was a central figure in helping to lead Silk Road and in advocating violence, even murder, to protect this digital drug empire US District Attorney Damian Williams, said in a statement. Todays sentence is another reminder that criminal marketplaces, like Silk Road, are a road to prison.

Clark, during a previous 2016 interview from a Thai prison, told Ars Technica, Guilt is a technical term.

Who was Variety Jones?

In its press release, the US Attorneys Office cited Ulbrichts personal journal, which described Clark as a real mentor, who advised him on security vulnerabilities on the site and the promotion of narcotics sales. Prosecutors say Clark played a critical role in helping to shield Ulbricht and the Silk Road from law enforcement investigations. In an extreme example, Clark urged Ulbricht to commission a murder for hire against a former Silk Road staffer accused of stealing more than a quarter of a million dollars worth of bitcoin from the site. The planned assassination never manifested, but prosecutors claim Ulbricht paid $80,000 towards its completion.

Clark was extradited to the US in 2018 after spending 2.5 years in a Thailand prison where he claimed he was subject to brutal treatment by authorities. Judge Stein, in a sentencing statement seen by Wired, described Clark as a radical opponent of drug laws who misguidedly turned his belief that drugs should be legal into material assistance for a criminal enterprise.

These beliefs crossed over into patently illegal behavior, Stein added.

Clarks sentence comes nearly eight years after Ulbrich, who went by the name Dread Pirate Roberts, was sentenced to life in prison. The Silk Road, which prosecutors called the most sophisticated and extensive criminal marketplace on the Internet at the time, was shut down by the FBI in 2013.

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By Chen Lin

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore's anti-graft agency has launched an investigation into a case involving the city-state's transport minister, a rare high-level probe in a country that prides itself on a government free from corruption.

The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau said it was interviewing the minister, S Iswaran, who was "assisting" in a case, but did not provide further details.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Wednesday said he had "instructed Minister Iswaran to take leave of absence until these investigations are completed".

The corruption bureau began investigations on July 11, he added in a statement released by his office.

Iswaran did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. The 61-year-old joined Lee's cabinet as a junior minister in 2006 and held the trade and communications portfolios before becoming transport minister in May 2021.

Graft investigations involving ministers are rare in Singapore, where civil servants are paid handsomely to discourage corruption. Many cabinet ministers' annual salaries exceed S$1 million (nearly $750,000).

In May, Lee ordered an investigation into the circumstances around two heavyweight ministers' rental of state-owned homes. They were cleared of wrongdoing in June.

($1 = 1.3384 Singapore dollars)

(Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor)
Six dead in explosives attack on Mexican police

Mexican prosecutors and forensic experts collect evidence after an explosives attack on police in the western state of Jalisco (Ulises RUIZ)

An explosives attack on a police patrol left six people dead and 14 wounded in one of the regions of Mexico worst hit by drug cartel-related violence, authorities said Wednesday.

"It's an act of brutal terror," said Enrique Alfaro, governor of the western state of Jalisco.

The attack Tuesday night using seven improvised explosive devices targeted police and staff from the state prosecutor's office in Tlajomulco de Zuniga, a suburb of the city of Guadalajara, he said.

The region is home to the Jalisco New Generation cartel, one of Mexico's most powerful and violent drug trafficking groups.

"This is an unprecedented event that shows what these organized crime groups are capable of," Alfaro said, without accusing a specific organization.

"This attack also represents a challenge against the Mexican state as a whole," he added.

- Intimidation tactics -

While firearms are the weapon of choice for cartel members, a car bomb killed a National Guardsman and wounded others in June in Guanajuato, another state hit hard by gang-related violence.

Drug cartels appear to be employing increasingly radical tactics to terrorize security forces, according to experts.

"These are strategies of extreme violence to intimidate the authorities... and the population," Gerardo Rodriguez, a researcher at the Universidad de las Americas Puebla, a private university, told AFP.

Earlier this month, an explosives-laden drone struck a house in Michoacan, another violence-plagued state, wounding one person.

Similar drone attacks have been reported in other cartel flashpoints.

The objective is to "reduce the firepower of rivals from other cartels as well as the security forces, and provoke terror among the civilian population," security consultant David Saucedo told AFP, describing such acts as "narcoterrorism."

The Jalisco New Generation cartel in particular is known for launching brazen attacks against authorities.

In 2015, its gunmen shot down an army helicopter with rocket-propelled grenades, killing members of the security forces.

- 'A trap' -

The police patrol was responding to a report from a member of a group searching for missing relatives who said she had received an anonymous phone call and tipoff about clandestine graves, the governor said.

"It was a trap," he added.

That version of events, however, was called into question by one such civil society organization in the region.

"This call was never made to us," Indira Navarro, a member of a collective of mothers of missing persons in Jalisco, told the press, adding that such groups were in close contact.

More than 110,000 people are listed as having disappeared in Mexico, and even looking for them can carry significant risks.

Jalisco has the most missing among the country's 32 states -- around 15,000 since 1962.

Mexico has recorded more than 340,000 murders since the launch of a controversial military anti-drug offensive in 2006, most attributed to criminal organizations.

Also on Tuesday, 13 security personnel who had been taken captive the day before by protesters in the southern state of Guerrero were released after negotiations with authorities.

Officials said the protesters were infiltrated by a criminal group in Guerrero, which has endured years of violence linked to turf wars between drug cartels.

Since taking office in 2018, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has championed a "hugs not bullets" strategy to tackle violent crime at its roots by fighting poverty and inequality with social programs, rather than with the army.

str-axm/dr/sst/dw
The opposition has accused the Kenyan police of being heavy-handed in response to the protests (Luis Tato)

Six people were killed on Wednesday in clashes in Kenya between police and demonstrators who joined banned opposition protests against tax hikes, police officers told AFP.

After the violence, Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki issued a warning that the authorities would no longer tolerate the unrest.

"Lives have been lost, scores of law enforcement officers and civilians have been grievously injured and unimaginable loss to the countrys economy has been occasioned," he said in a statement condemning "widespread violence, looting and destruction of private and public property".

"This culture of impunity will stop," he vowed.

Police had earlier fired tear gas on protesters in and around Nairobi, with five of the six deaths reported in the towns of Mlolongo and Kitengela on the capital's outskirts.

Tear gas was also used to disperse crowds attacking a highway connecting Nairobi to the port city of Mombasa, with one death recorded in Emali, a town located along that route.

"We have three deaths in Mlolongo, where a group of demonstrators had blocked the road to protest, and we also have two others in Kitengela and one in Emali," a police officer said.

"There was a confrontation with police officers deployed to quell the riots and some (people)... were shot in the process," he said on condition of anonymity.

A second policeman said: "I can confirm the deaths in Mlolongo, Emali and Kitengela," without elaborating further.

In Nairobi's Kangemi slum, dozens of children were hospitalised, some unconscious, after teargas was fired near their classrooms, the head of the clinic told AFP.

"We took 53 of them to the hospital and they are all now in a stable condition awaiting discharge," he said.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga, pursuing a protest campaign against the government, had urged demonstrations against a tax law that has seen fuel prices surge, adding to the difficulties faced by poor Kenyans.

But late Tuesday, police chief Japhet Koome said the authorities had not received any official notification of rallies, as required by law.

"All lawful means will be used to disperse such demonstrations," he warned.

Major roads in several western cities where Odinga commands significant support were deserted as protesters took to the streets.

- 'Bullets and tear gas' -

The clashes followed rallies in several cities last week that also saw six people killed, according to the interior ministry.

Rights campaigners and opposition politicians accused police of being heavy-handed.

"We have always said that these meetings remain peaceful until police decide to break them up with bullets and tear gas," Odinga said on Wednesday.

"Police have shot, injured and killed protesters in various parts of the country including here in Nairobi."

But he said he was calling off plans to address supporters in the capital, citing fears for their safety.

The ban follows protests last Friday, when police fired tear gas in Nairobi, targeting Odinga's convoy, AFP journalists reported.

They took similar steps against demonstrations in the cities of Mombasa and Kisumu.

On Saturday, campaigners said police used tear gas on civil society representatives demanding the release of dozens of people arrested during the protests.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has called for an investigation into all reported incidents of police brutality, adding to condemnation from rights groups including Amnesty International over arbitrary arrests.

- Tax hike -

Odinga initiated a string of anti-government rallies this year after losing to William Ruto in presidential elections last August -- a vote he claims was "stolen".

Wednesday's protest call was spurred by a new finance law aimed at generating more than $2.1 billion for the government's depleted coffers.

It provides for new taxes or increases on basic goods such as fuel and food and mobile money transfers, as well as a levy on all taxpayers to fund a housing scheme.

The high court has halted implementation of the legislation after a senator filed a case challenging its constitutional legality. The government has appealed the suspension.

Despite this, Kenya's energy regulator has already announced a hike in pump prices after the doubling of VAT to 16 percent as stipulated in the law.

Kenyans are deeply worried by the soaring cost of living, but many of those who spoke to AFP said they could not afford the disruption caused by the protests.

According to an estimate by the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, each day of demonstrations costs the country's economy an average of 3 billion shillings ($21.8 million).

Shopkeeper Lameck Mwangi, 34, told AFP he had decided to close his electronics store in downtown Nairobi for the day.

"We all know where it ends when we see deserted streets like this and police patrolling town," he said.

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 12)  The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc on Wednesday affirmed earlier decision of the poll body's Second Division to dismiss the disqualification case against Erwin Tulfo as nominee for the ACT-CIS Party-list.

In its resolution, the en banc said it found "no compelling reason to reverse or to modify the assailed resolution" which was promulgated in May.

It also noted that at the outset, petitioner Atty. Moises Tolentino Jr.'s motion for reconsideration was filed beyond the prescribed period.

"While it is true that application of technical rules of procedure may be relaxed to better serve the ends of substantial justice, there is nothing in this case that would justify the non-compliance of the Petitioner with the rules," the decision read.

The Second Division junked the disqualification case against Tulfo, saying it lacks jurisdiction to act on the petition.

The en banc reiterated this  explaining that since Tulfo automatically filled the vacancy created by another nominee's resignation, all questions on his qualification should be addressed before the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal.

READ: Tulfo takes oath as ACT-CIS nominee
Six-year-old girl tells how she fought off kidnapper: I bit him

A six-year-old girl named Ahlyric bit a would-be kidnapper who was allegedly attempting to bundle her into an SUV in Miami (NBC Miami)

A six-year-old Miami girl has told how she fought off a would-be kidnapper by biting him.

The girl, identified by her first name Ahlyric, was playing with her siblings in the courtyard of their Little Haiti apartment complex last Wednesday when she noticed a white Range Rover SUV, according to a police report obtained by NBC Miami.

After the other children went inside, a man approached her and grabbed her arm and tried to pull her away, according to police.

When she fought back, the suspect, later identified by police as 32-year-old Leonardo Venegas, allegedly attempted to pick her up.

Ahlyric then bit the suspects arm, causing him to drop her. The police report states that the suspect slapped her and ran off.

The girl told NBC Miami that she managed to escape and ran inside where her mothers spouse called 911.

She said had been taught how to defend herself by her mother.

I bit him, she told the station.

Her mother Teshia McGill said she was relieved that the girl knew how to fight back.

Leonardo Venegas, 32, has been arrested over an alleged abduction of a six-year-old girl in Miami (Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation)

Surveillance footage from the apartment complex captured the Range Rover pull up to the apartment building and showed a man approach a stairwell where Ahlyric had been sitting.

Cameras also picked up the Range Rovers license plates.

Mr Venegas was arrested in Miami-Dade County on Saturday and has been charged with kidnapping and child abuse causing no bodily harm. He is being held without bond on Monday, booking records showed.

He allegedly told investigators he had been looking to buy property in the area when he heard someone screaming.

When questioned about whether he had made contact with the girl, he asked for an attorney, according to the police report.

Miami Police Captain Freddie Cruz told NBC Miami the alleged kidnapping was highly unusual, and they were investigating any other similar incidents in the area.

This is a case that has us extremely worried, concerned, something thats not very common, Mr Cruz said.

Luckily we were able to apprehend this individual.
Police are searching for three masked robbers who used sledgehammers in a brazen lunchtime heist at a Birkdale Village jewelry store Tuesday.

Officers arrived in minutes after employees at Finks Jewelers on Birkdale Commons Parkway called them, but the robbers fled, possibly in two vehicles, Huntersville Police Major Brian Vaughan said in a news release.

The men entered the store at about noon wearing hooded sweatshirts and full-face masks, and at least two of them held what appeared to be handguns, police said.

One of three masked robbers displays what appears to be a handgun during a noontime heist at a Finks Jewelers in the Birkdale Village mixed-use community, off Interstate 77 exit 25 in Huntersville at Lake Norman Tuesday, July 11, 2023.

The intruders ordered employees to one part of the store before two of the assailants smashed glass display cases with sledgehammers and removed jewelry, according to the release. The other assailant stayed at the front entrance until all three left with an undisclosed amount of jewelry, Vaughn said.

Authorities did not say how much the jewelry was worth.

No employees were hurt.

Police released video surveillance images of the men.

Police are searching for masked robbers who used sledgehammers to smash display cases and steal jewelry at Finks Jewelers in the Birkdale Village mixed-use community, off Interstate 77 exit 25 in Huntersville at Lake Norman Tuesday, July 11, 2023.

Authorities urged anyone with information about the heist to contact Huntersville Police Detective Tim Lesser at 704-464-5349 or tlesser@huntersville.org; or North Meck Crimestoppers at 704-896-7867.

Birkdale Village is a longtime mixed-used community off Interstate 77 exit 25 in Huntersville at Lake Norman.






They slept in my home: Mom of teen with autism who was killed by friends now trying to bury him

A metro Atlanta mother whose 16-year-old son with autism was shot to death in a Clayton County park is now trying to raise money for his funeral.

Jamarious Deante Smith was shot to death in LoveJoy Park on June 29. His mother, Navratilova Allen, said her son was asleep in bed when a group of boys he considered friends came to his home and invited him to another friends home.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

At some point, Smith was shot to death and left in the park.

Smith told Channel 2s Audrey Washington that at 12:30 a.m. the next morning, police knocked at her door.

They asked me if I had a picture. I showed them a picture and thats when they told me theyre sorry, they found my son in LoveJoy Park dead. He was shot five times, Allen said.

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Allen said her son was diagnosed with autism at age four but got better with time and therapy.

So of course, he thought the guys were his friends as they went to school with him, Allen said. They have slept in my home. They have eaten in my home.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Police said one person has been arrested and charged with murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. That person has not been identified. Police said more people could be arrested.

Allen said that Jamarious was one of her seven children and that she lost her job two days before he was killed. She said the family has not been able to go back to their home because of the trauma of being there.

Allen told us she had no idea why anyone would kill her son and had a message for the people she believes are involved with the murder.

Yall woke my son up and lured him to the park with yall and yall murdered my son, said Allen.

Allen is now working to raise $7,000 to bury her son and move out of Clayton County.

You can donate to the GoFundMe HERE.
How do you stop a 21-year-old national guardsman like Jack Teixeira from allegedly leaking classified information? Wrong answers to this question have quickly become very popular. One theory is there are too many [people] with access. Another is that Teixeira was too young to have access. Or that the government needed to continuously monitor his social media accounts.

Yet Teixeira had the right level of access for someone doing his job. And monitoring his social media would have only turned up the leaks well after the documents were stolen.

The real priority for fighting leaks should be to monitor the behavior of cleared personnel on classified networks. Teixeiras unusual use of printers should have been a red flag. Real-time monitoring of file transfer systems could also have exposed him. Real-time observation of such anomalies is the most effective way to catch the horse on its way out of the barn, not when it is already grazing in the neighbors pasture.

Pentagon to tighten controls over classified info after major leak

Teixeira was an IT specialist in the Massachusetts Air National Guard, who obtained a Top Secret security clearance in 2021. To gain clout with other users of the messaging platform Discord, Teixeira claimed that he could exfiltrate and publish classified information from the secure military networks he could access. As early as February 2022, according to press reporting, he began publishing classified information in chat groups, and later, on a Discord server that he led.

To exfiltrate classified information, Teixeira reportedly began by simply transcribing intelligence documents verbatim, stuffing them in his clothing, and returning home where he took pictures of the information. Over time he began printing some of these documents, photographing them at home, and posting them on his Discord channel.

A New York Times investigation shows it took more than a year for the government to detect that classified documents were accessible on social media. However, even continuous social media monitoring would only have caught Teixeira after he had successfully exposed secret information. Though he posted small amounts of information at a time over the course of a year, a more malicious insider might have stolen far more data before leaving any trace of it on social media.

While classified networks have been a target of espionage since they first came online, it was only in 2011 that the United States began establishing government-wide insider threat policies with the issuance of Executive Order (EO) 13587. The order created a task force under the attorney general and director of national intelligence which then issued an insider threat maturity model and a security systems directive.

The former briefly discussed how organizations can employ behavioral science methodologies to help identify indicators of potential insider threat while the latter describes the minimum technical means to protect federal systems from insider threats. It requires keystroke monitoring, screen capture, tracking documents, and collecting user data, including import and export.

The Department of Defense, meanwhile, expands on the EO with its own insider threat program which requires, among other things, the monitoring of user activity on DoD information networks, and other sources as necessary and appropriate to identify, mitigate, and counter insider threats.

Along the same lines, guidance from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommends tracking and documenting incidents as well as monitoring and logging user activity. While such initiatives are well positioned to log abnormal network activity, what qualifies as an incident is still something ill-defined by all the above policies.

Critical gap

The critical gap in the governments insider threat policies is a lack of guidance on how to analyze and respond to the data agencies collect about user activity. First and foremost, agencies need a baseline of normal user behavior since they cannot detect anomalous activity without a benchmark against which to compare it.

In the case of Teixeira (and previous insider threats such as Edward Snowden, Chelsea Manning, and Reality Winner) it appears security personnel were not effectively monitoring the Massachusetts Air National Guards file transfer/management system in real-time for anomalous activity, or the indications of insider threat activity dig not trigger a response.

While Air National Guard security personnel likely have a record of Teixeiras suspicious user activity, no one applied adequate behavior analytics to detect irregular use. The issue is not that too many users have access, but that effective indications of abnormal activity are not being flagged.

One specific activity that should have raised a red flag was Teixeiras printer activity. While cleared personnel often have the ability to print the kinds of documents he did, he should not have been able to remove these printed documents so easily from secure facilities. It appears that network security personnel did not institute (or properly execute) guidelines around the access and use of printers in accordance with Defense Department policies.

An effective system would have required supervisor authorization for printing classified material and notification to the facilities security officer that classified documents were printed, requiring storage in a safe or the need to be shredded. The Pentagon should therefore review the implementation of existing policies on printing or devise new ones. Outside of the Pentagon, the U.S. government should ensure the implementation of best practices which require a chain of custody throughout the lifecycle of classified material.

In todays world, where sensitive data and valuable assets are increasingly vulnerable to insider threats, it is imperative that organizations take proactive measures to detect and prevent such attacks. While traditional security measures such as zero trust architectures and access controls are still necessary, they are not sufficient to protect against the threat posed by insiders. The use of user behavior analytics is a promising solution that can help organizations combine characteristics of people, processes, and technology to better identify suspicious activities and patterns indicating an insider threat.

Dr. Georgianna Shea is the chief technologist of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI) at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). Logan Weber is a CCTI research analyst. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.
Social media posts claim a video shows a sniper on the roof of a building during protests in France in summer 2023. This is false; the clip predates the unrest, which stems from the fatal police shooting of a French teenager of Algerian and Moroccan descent.

"Snipers spotted on French rooftops. This is literally a civil war now in France," says a June 30, 2023 tweet.

The post includes a clip of a man on the roof of a multi-story building, aiming what appears to be a rifle at people below.

Screenshot of a tweet taken July 11, 2023

The claim spread elsewhere on Twitter and Facebook, including in Austria.

The posts come amid protests in France over the fatal shooting of teenager Nahel M by a police officer during a June 27 traffic stop in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. Rioters have set cars ablaze, looted businesses and clashed with police across Europe.

Out-of-context photos and videos have spread widely in social media posts falsely claiming they show the unrest. The sniper footage is the latest example of that trend.

A reverse image search indicates the clip has been circulating online for more than a year.

"Sniper de la cite," says the caption of a French-language tweet published March 13, 2022 with the same footage, using the term referring to the troubled suburban neighborhoods known as cites.

Screenshots of a tweet taken July 12, 2023

The video, which appears to stem from Snapchat, includes an additional clip geotagged to the neighborhood of Hautes Noues in Villiers-sur-Marne. Using geolocation techniques, AFP determined the exact location where the footage was shot in the eastern Paris suburb.

Screenshots of a tweet taken July 12, 2023, with elements outlined by AFP

The French-language caption in the video shared in 2022 mentions a carnival, suggesting the firearm shown in the footage is not a real rifle. HoaxEye, a Twitter account that debunks misinformation on social media, said in a July 1 post that the weapon appears to be an air gun.

AFP was unable to independently verify the source of the video.
Snorkeler from California didnt realize shark bit her. Then she saw blood in the water

A nurse was bitten by a shark during a snorkeling trip in the Galapagos Islands  but didnt realize it until she noticed her own blood in the water, reports say.

When she got to a local hospital on July 4, doctors told her it looked like a shark bite, SFGATE reported.





I was swimming, and then I felt a little bit of a push. It wasnt anything concerning; it was not strong, Delia Yriarte told the outlet. I kept pedaling, and then I felt my leg was a little numb. I started pedaling again, and then I felt like my leg wasnt responding.

When a pelican landed in the water, Yriarte turned to look at it and only then saw her blood behind her, she told the outlet.

When I turned I noticed the blood, and I said I have an injury but I have no idea what kind, she told NBC Bay Area.





Other snorkelers in her tour group helped Yriarte out of the water, the station reported.

Ecuadorian authorities took her to the nearest port in a small rescue boat, according to a video Mexico Ahora posted to Facebook on July 7.

At the hospital, a doctor told the 42-year-old woman she would need several surgeries  five tendon repairs, over 100 sutures in her leg, and likely skin grafts to replace some lost tissue, she told NBC Bay Area.

Doctors told her recovery could take several months and could include more surgeries and physical therapy treatments, according to an online fundraiser set up to support the loving single mother and her teenage daughter while she recovers.

As a single mother, this loss of income adds an additional layer of stress and uncertainty to her already difficult situation, the fundraiser says. Yriarte may also need assistive devices or modifications installed in her San Jose home when she returns in the next few days, according to the fundraiser.





Its common around the Galapagos Islands to see several species of sharks, from hammerheads to tiger sharks, according to Mexico Ahora.

About shark attacks

Shark attacks are extremely rare, according to John Carlson of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

You have a better chance of getting in a car accident and being injured on your way to the beach than you do actually when you get to go swimming, he said in a video posted to NOAAs website.

In 2022, the Florida Museum of Natural Historys International Shark Attack File investigated 108 shark-human interactions worldwide. Of those interactions, 57 were unprovoked shark bites, and there were nine shark-related fatalities.

The Galapagos Islands, off the coast of Ecuador, have seen about 10 such attacks in the past 20 years, according to the organization.

Shark bites 15-year-old girl surfing at the Jersey Shore, officials say

Hammerhead sharks suddenly surround boaters in Alabama. Watch the scene unfold

Watch terrifying moment as fisherman kicks tiger shark attacking his kayak in Hawaii
Snow Hill to raise taxes, fees for first time in 20 years, and here's why

For the first time in 20 years, Snow Hill residents will be paying more in property taxes and water and sewer fees this coming fiscal year after the Town Council approved the FY24 budget.

The previous rate of $0.86 per every $100 of assessed value prior to July 1 will now be $0.93 per every $100 of assessed value. That represents an increase of less than 9%, making the tax bill for a property assessed at $100,000 an estimated $77.50 more than in previous years.

"Snow Hill was locked into a status quo budget from one year to the next just trying to maintain what the town had," said Rick Pollitt, Snow Hill town manager. "But our police department had a challenge in recruitment and retention of quality officers because we didn't offer the LEOPS pension system. It's a high-quality plan that's a rarity if you don't have it, but it's expensive. Our budget couldn't support it prior to July 1."

More on recruitment woes 'Recruitments the most difficult thing': How police undertake it in new environment

According to Pollitt, Mayor Mike Pruitt chose to increase the rate in the name of public safety.

After a meticulous look into what it would take to offer such a plan to current and prospective officers, the move also provided additional funds to the Snow Hill Fire Department and ambulance service. The budget fully provides for all budget requests made by the town's first responders.

"This budget was the subject of numerous work sessions and public meetings in May, and we didn't have the outcry on raising taxes. I believe it's because the mayor tied it closely to public safety. The mayor made such a strong case this wasn't to boost salaries or add positions. This was about keeping our hometown safe," Pollitt said.

Water and sewer rates also went up following a comprehensive study to see the extent to which the town could continue to provide that service at the current rate.

Under the new water rates, a gallon allowance of 6,000 will be charged $7.70 per 1,000 gallons after the 6,000. The customer rate has also risen from its previous rate of $39.89 to $50. Wastewater rates have also been adjusted to a gallon allowance of 6,000, charged $12.35 per 1,000 gallons after the 6,000. The customer rate has also risen from its previous rate of $73.47 to $135.00.

More on Salisbury raising rates Tax, fee increases on way as Salisbury City Council passes new budget: What to know

"If a customer were to stay within the gallon allowance, under the new rate, they would be expected to pay$185.00 per quarter for just their water and wastewater services, an increase of$71.64 per quarter from the previous rate. Staying under the gallon allowance, a customer would be paying$740.00 annually under the new rate, an increase of$286.56 per year from the previous rate," the report stated.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Snow Hill residents see FY24 tax hikes
Can South Carolina drivers be stopped for eating while driving? Heres what the law says

Drivers in South Carolina can be ticketed for driving while distracted, but whether distracted includes eating a burger or simply taking ones eyes from the road remains unclear.

Palmetto State motorists are generally prohibited from driving while interacting with anything that may take their attention from the road. But the list of specifically restricted distractions only includes cellphones, which can still be legally used hands-free, while using a navigation app or in cases of a call to emergency services.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol says traffic stops involving distracted driving typically stem from be-on-the-look-out calls or BOLOs after a driver commits a traffic violation, such as swerving into another lane, and they rarely involve a trooper observing someone looking down at a potential phone or food item.

Corporal Tyler Tidwell, a spokesperson for the South Carolina Highway Patrol, said traffic stops must involve some type of traffic violation.

You know, if I say, Hey, I pulled you over because you were looking down, well how does that sound? Tidwell said.

If you think of it in that sense, we want to try to at least find a (traffic) violation also. So, if we can observe them looking down for a period of time ... hopefully theyll straighten up or either see us and then discontinue what theyre doing.

Under current South Carolina law, drivers are not allowed to use cellphones outside of a hands-free mode unless the driver is in the process of using the device to navigate between destinations or contacting law enforcement.

That means, if a police officer in South Carolina sees a driver eating while driving down the highway, that officer lacks the probable cause to stop that driver in most cases unless the motorist is committing a traffic violation, such as speeding or infringing on multiple lanes.

But because even legal distractions, such as eating or looking down at a map on a phone, may increase a drivers risk of driving erratically or causing an accident, these actions can also spur a traffic stop and citation.

Georgia and California are the only two states that subject drivers to a traffic citation for eating while driving.
SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday on the sidelines of a NATO summit, with the release of radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant and North Korea expected on the agenda.

Japan plans to soon start releasing more than a million tons of treated radioactive water from its tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant, a move which has stirred anger and concern among South Koreans.

After a two-year review, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said last week Japan's plans were consistent with global safety standards and that they would have a "negligible radiological impact to people and the environment".

A South Korean presidential official has said the Fukushima water discharge plan could be discussed at the meeting.

South Korea's government said on Friday it respected the IAEA's report and that its own analysis had found the release will not have "any meaningful impact" on its waters.

But Seoul has said it will decide whether it will agree or not to Japan's release when Tokyo comes up with the final plan.

North Korea is also likely to be a focus during the meeting, which will take place in Lithuania, after Pyongyang launched a long-range ballistic missile off its east coast just hours before the planned talks.

Seoul and Tokyo have in recent years been taking steps to improve ties between the old northeast Asian rivals, especially due to the threat from North Korea.

Pyongyang has been making heated complaints in recent days over U.S. military activities in the region, accusing an American spy plane of entering its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and warning of a "very critical flight" if they continued what it called "illegal intrusion."

Separately, Yoon also plans hold a meeting with leaders of Japan, Australia and New Zealand while in Lithuania.

(Reporting by Soo-hyang Choi; Editing by Michael Perry)
SpaceX set to launch this week's second Starlink mission from the Cape early Friday

Update: (Saturday, July 15) Liftoff! SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 with 54 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 11:50 p.m. EDT Saturday, July 15, followed by a drone ship booster landing in the Atlantic Ocean.

Update: (Friday, July 14) SpaceX teams are now targeting no earlier than 11:50 p.m. EDT on Saturday, July 15, for the launch of this Falcon 9 Starlink mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The company posted to social media Friday afternoon that a static fire of the rocket's main engines would need to be performed, suggesting unspecified hardware issues.

Update: (Friday, July 14) Forty seconds before liftoff on Friday, July 14, SpaceX scrubbed the Starlink 5-15 mission at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. No reason for the scrub was immediately provided by SpaceX. The next opportunity for launch is Saturday, July 15, at 12:15 a.m. EDT.

SpaceX teams at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station are set to launch another Falcon 9 Starlink mission early Friday, July 14.

Weather conditions should be mostly favorable for the company's second mission of the last seven days from Launch Complex 40. Liftoff is set to occur between 12:10 a.m. and 1:40 a.m. EDT.

The 230-foot rocket will fly on a southeasterly trajectory threading between Florida and the Bahamas, marking the 35th launch from the Space Coast this year. A few minutes later, the first-stage booster will target a landing on a drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. No local sonic booms are expected to wake anyone up with this one.

What's the weather look like?

Space Force forecasters project an 85% chance of "go" conditions for the early Friday liftoff.

A summer pattern of afternoon stormy weather is expected for the Space Coast through the remainder of the week, with the sea breeze helping to clear some of that activity into the evening and overnight hours.

"Associated storms (should) push further inland during the afternoon," forecasters said in a report on Wednesday. "Some of this convection may try to push eastwards back towards the coast in the evening, but the activity will dissipate as we head towards the launch window shortly after midnight."

Forecasters listed the main concern for a launch attempt early Friday as a "small risk of lingering cloud cover or blowoff from a storm off the coast."

Recovery conditions for the drone ship landing are also expected to be low risk.

If the mission should slip to the backup opportunity 24 hours later, the weather outlook remains mostly the same.

First of two launches this week: SpaceX launched a Starlink mission from Cape Canaveral late Sunday

What's the payload?

Packed inside the rocket's protective nosecone fairing, Friday's Starlink 5-15 mission features another batch of Starlink satellites that deliver high-speed internet to more than 1.5 million subscribers around the globe.

To deliver reliable connectivity to every continent, the company anticipates needing tens of thousands of the flat-pack satellites that operate about 340 miles above Earth. Starlink service is available to a wide range of customers from residential to the military, cruise ships, and airlines.

By the end of this year, some mobile customers with cellular service provider T-Mobile could access Starlink services to send text messages with a plan called "Coverage Above & Beyond."

All told, SpaceX has sent nearly 5,000 of the satellites to orbit since first the first operational launches began in 2019.

When's the next launch?

Astronaut summer school: NASA's Artemis II astronauts spend summer in the classroom training for moon mission

At least two more launches are expected before the month's end. While both are set to be SpaceX missions, neither has a firm targeted launch date with Eastern Range yet.

A three-core Falcon Heavy rocket will boost a classified Space Force payload from Kennedy Space Center, while teams are preparing at least one more Starlink batch to be launched atop a Falcon 9 from the Cape.

For the latest, visit floridatoday.com/launchschedule.

Look for FLORIDA TODAY's live launch coverage to begin 90 minutes before the liftoff at https://www.floridatoday.com/space/.

Contact Jamie Groh at JGroh@floridatoday.com and follow her on Twitter at @AlteredJamie.

Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here.

Launch Saturday, July 15:

Company / Agency: Internal SpaceX mission

Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9

Location: Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Launch Window: 12:15 a.m. EDT

Trajectory: Southeast

Weather: 85% "go"

Landing: A Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship

Live coverage: Starts 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space

About: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the company's latest batch of Starlink internet satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Weather decent for second SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink launch this week
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 11)  The European Union (EU) and the Canadian government reaffirmed their support for the Philippines in upholding the 2016 Arbitral Ruling that debunked China's sweeping claims over the South China Sea.

On the eve of the seventh anniversary of the landmark decision, the EU maintained that the arbitral award is legally binding.

"The Award of the Arbitral Tribunal is a significant milestone, which is legally binding upon the parties to those proceedings, and a useful basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties," the EU said in a statement.

"The EU reiterates the fundamental importance of upholding the freedoms, rights and duties established in UNCLOS [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea], in particular the freedoms of navigation and overflight," it added.

The EU also stressed its commitment to secure, free, and open maritime supply routes in the Indo-Pacific and urged all parties to comply with international law.

RELATED: MTRCB allows Barbie screening in PH despite 9-dash line controversy

Canada: 2016 arbitral ruling needs to be enforced

Canadian Ambassador David Hartman said Canada has been very vocal when it comes to its support for the arbitral ruling.

"The 2016 arbitral ruling needs to be enforced and it is legally binding that it be included in the international law, we have always been strong in our position and we have been an active vocal proponent on the enforcement of it, encouraging all parties involved to respect the ruling," Hartman told CNN Philippines.

"Canada, like many members of the international community, is crystal clear on that. We very much support the government of the Philippines in its all efforts to enforce your territorial integrity," it added.
Special Operations Forces show work of Ukrainian snipers at distances of up to 2 kilometres

Snipers from the Special Operations Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to kill Russians near Bakhmut, particularly at long distances.

Source: Oleksandr Kindratenko, the spokesperson for the Special Operations Forces, in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda

Quote from the Special Operations Forces: "Accurate work by Special Operations Forces snipers at long distances. In the video, [you can see] the enemy being hit at distances ranging from 715 to 2062 metres.

We work both day and night, bringing Victory closer!"

Details: Kindratenko said that the video shows the work of Special Operations Forces snipers on the Bakhmut front over a period of two weeks.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
When you can spot the space station above Charlotte

Several times a month, Mission Control at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston determines sighting opportunities for the international space station for over 6,700 locations worldwide, including the Carolinas.

ALSO READ: Prepare to be awestruck: Webb Space Telescope shows birth of stars

There are several opportunities to see the space station fly over Charlotte and the Carolina skies coming up.

How to spot it

The station looks like an airplane or a very bright star moving across the sky, except it doesn't have flashing lights or change direction. It also moves considerably faster than a typical airplane  airplanes generally fly at about 600 mph, and the space station flies at 17,500 mph.

ALSO READ: Not an alien? NASA spacecraft captures green light from Jupiter

Here are upcoming dates and times for possible sightings in the Charlotte area:

July 12 at 10:33 p.m., visible for 6 minutes, traveling W to NNE

July 13 at 3:28 a.m., visible for 4 minutes, traveling N to ENE

July 13 at 5:04 a.m., visible for 7 minutes, traveling NW to SE

July 13 at 9:44 p.m., visible for 6 minutes, traveling WSW to NNE

July 14 at 2:41 a.m., visible 1 minute, traveling NNE to NNE

July 14 at 4:16 a.m., visible for 7 minutes, traveling NW to ESE

July 14 at 10:35 p.m., visible for 2 minutes, traveling NW to N

July 15 at 9:46 p.m., visible for 4 minutes, traveling WNW to NNE

July 23 at 11:28 p.m., visible for 2 minutes, traveling NNW to N

July 24 at 10:40 p.m., visible for 2 minutes, traveling N to NE

For more information click here.

If youre not in Charlotte, you can search for dates and times for your city here.

(WATCH: The most iconic moments in NASA history)
The special unit of the Special Operations Centre A of the Security Service of Ukraine has already destroyed 400 Russian targets during the full-scale war with Russia.

Source: Security Service of Ukraine

Quote: "The Bilyi Vovk ("White Wolf") special unit of the Special Operations Centre "A" of the Security Service of Ukraine celebrated their 400th target being destroyed. Soldiers of this particular unit have destroyed so much enemy equipment since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

And during the celebration itself, they additionally burned two tanks; four armoured personnel carriers; one Akatsia self-propelled gun; two armoured cars, two trucks, and a Pole-21 anti-aircraft missile system.

Details: The location and time frame of effective work are not disclosed, as usual.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The California Board of Registered Nursing is taking disciplinary action against a nurse practitioner in Stanislaus County, who is accused of furnishing a controlled substance to medical spa clients without a prescription from a physician.

The board accusation alleges that registered nurse Gifty Aidoo used ketamine hydrochloride in performing platelet-rich plasma hair restoration treatments on clients.

Ketamine is a Schedule III controlled substance under state law, requiring an order or prescription from a physician for medical use. The nursing board investigation concluded that Aidoo furnished ketamine to clients without a prescription from a supervising doctor. In addition, the health spa did not have standardized procedures for use of ketamine.

Aidoo has worked as a nurse practitioner and certified injector at the Aesthetic Lab, a medical spa offering Botox, fillers, skin rejuvenation and other services at offices in Modesto and Turlock. Aidoo is scheduled for an Oct. 16 hearing on the state allegations.

According to the nursing board, Aidoo also furnished a 30-day supply of a compound containing ketamine to two clients in July and April 2021 and to a third patient in March 2022.

Tracy Green, a Los Angeles attorney representing Aidoo, said the state accusation is misleading. Her client has been a nurse practitioner since 2011 and has the ability to write prescriptions.

She denies doing anything improper, Green said. She was a minority owner under the supervision of a practitioner who was the majority owner. Her understanding was that she was within the parameters set up for the practice.

Green said no medical harm was done to clients.

Ketamine is an anesthetic for putting patients to sleep for surgery. Its also used to control pain during tests or medical procedures.

According to the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy, ketamine has become a popular and controversial analgesic for acute and chronic pain, such as for people with cancer or burn injuries. Misuse of ketamine may cause hallucinations, disorientation, high blood pressure, increased heart rate and worse effects.

The American Med Spa Association reported last year that ketamine, a medication dating to the 1950s, has seen a resurgence in reducing a patients agitation after a nose job or other cosmetic surgeries.

A Johns Hopkins primer for people considering platelet-rich plasma to promote hair growth says the scalp is first numbed before the plasma is injected. Johns Hopkins Medicine gives the patient a lidocaine injection to numb the scalp.

Anonymous complaint to board

The nursing board investigation stemmed from an anonymous complaint in October 2021 that Aidoo prescribed ketamine to clients without proper supervision.

The board accusation says Aidoo admitted during the investigation she used ketamine for clients getting the hair restoration treatment.

The supervising physician for the Aesthetic Lab clinics told a state investigator he wasnt aware ketamine was used at the clinics. The physician said it was not documented in patient charts he had reviewed.

According to the licensing board, Aidoo is subjected to disciplinary action on grounds of unprofessional conduct, violation of regulations and unauthorized practice of medicine.

Loretta Melby, the nursing boards executive director, is asking for revocation or suspension of Aidoos registered nursing license and nurse practitioner certificates. The board also could order her to pay for costs of the investigation and enforcement action.

Green said an oral form of ketamine was given to Aesthetic Lab patients because of the pain associated with the hair restoration process and also was given to clients in a 30-day supply for use at home.

The attorney said the nursing board often asks for surrender of the license in disciplinary cases. Green said Aidoo is more likely to receive a reprimand or probation because of no prior violations. She has been cooperative with the board and the issue is whether there was adequate supervision, Green said.

Aidoo has parted ways with the previous majority owner and continues to work at the Aesthetic Lab clinics under the supervision of another doctor, Green said.
Heavy traffic is expected along the Parkway West as the Pavilion at Star Lake hosts four shows in four days.

The first one is Wednesday night with Post Malone.

 HIGH TRAFFIC ALERT: We are expecting a large crowd with heavy concert traffic. To make sure you get in to see the show on time, please arrive early



 Due to expected crowd, entry to parking lots is subject to concert ticket verification. pic.twitter.com/2SzDNZtbzP  The Pavilion at Star Lake (@Pav_StarLake) July 10, 2023

The outdoor venue in Washington County posted a traffic alert, advising concert-goers to arrive early. This alert comes after a traffic mess back in June for Dead and Company. Several people were so delayed, they didnt even make it to the show.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Traffic delays cause problems for concert-goers at The Pavilion at Star Lake

If youre going to a show, in addition to arriving early, the venue has a few suggestions for making entry a little easier. Remember that blankets are allowed and so are water bottles in 20-ounce sealed or empty bottles. No other drinks are allowed. One bag is permitted per person and it must be a clear, small bag, like a Ziploc, or a small clutch.

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Starbucks causes outrage after closing down a New York City location: This is shocking

A TikToker is raising eyebrows with a video of the incredible waste she uncovered when a local Starbucks location closed.

Starbucks has been trying for a greener image with recent programs that allow buyers to bring a reusable cup or take home used coffee grounds for compost. However, the company has also been called out for wasteful policies and practices.

In this video from June, TikToker Anna Sacks (@thetrashwalker) demonstrates how the store can keep wasting food and single-use items even when its gone.

So this used to be a Starbucks on the Upper West Side, Sacks says in the video, showing a closed storefront with covered windows. My Spidey trash senses were tingling.

Sacks then shows the huge pile of garbage bags stacked outside the location containing unused supplies from the store: piles of paper and plastic cups, wooden stirrers, tea bags, and of course, a huge bag of coffee beans.

Sacks laughs while running her fingers through the beans. It is deep, wow, she says, while burying her hand to the wrist.

Sacks fills bags with coffee and loads up on individually-wrapped food items like Kind bars, croissants, and servings of eggs, which she says are still cold and wont expire for months.

Leaving all the meat, says the vegetarian TikToker, but adds that shell let her friends know its there.

At home, Sacks loads her prizes into glass jars.

Theres a church across from the Starbucks, and they probably would have taken everything, she says. Starbucks needs to recognize that when they close stores, this wastefulness is not acceptable.

Commenters were just as upset as Sacks.

This is shocking, said one user. Couldnt another Starbucks store thats like probably three blocks away use those cups and stuff?

Several other users tagged Starbuckss TikTok account for an answer.

Another user said, Used to work at a Starbucks. We would toss SO MUCH food in the trash at the end of the day. I would take as much as I could home because it was insane.

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Have Labours strategists achieved the impossible? Not only is the party 20 points ahead and in with a shot of winning four by-elections, but, perhaps even more impressively, its leader finally appears to be shrugging off his custardy sheen of squareness. According to a recent Politico profile, Keir Starmer has a dark secret: he once tried to raise some cash by illegally selling ice creams on a lads holiday in France. And yet, as Labour starts to behave like a party on the brink of power  optimistically hoping to finalise its policy platform later this month  all might not be as it seems.

Though Starmer appears to be doing well, his lead is soft, with less than a quarter of voters rating him as good. This is partly because his success is born of Tory failure rather than any great love for Labour and its policies: there is not much difference between his popularity ratings and Rishi Sunaks, and only around 40% of voters think the Labour Party has the nations best interests at heart.

This may not matter if Starmer only has to fight the Conservatives, but as he shores up the centre, he is at risk of leaving the partys Left flank vulnerable to the sort of populist insurgency the Tories have been dealing with for a decade. Labour is headed to power, like the Tories 10 or so years ago, with a centrist vision that leaves their more demanding supporters wanting more.

And so, a populist insurgency today is far more likely to take place on the Left than the Right. This isnt too surprising: in the current political climate, a party made up of largely disgruntled Tories would struggle to establish a new brand, would still be tainted by an association with the current administrations failings, and would struggle to pick votes from the Left, where about half the electorate now sits. Equally, it would not enjoy the policy influence that Ukip had in its heyday, when along with the Brexit Party it could knock off five or so points from the Tories polling.

Through the 2010s, this meant the difference between being in Downing Street or in opposition. As a result, the Tories were forced to keep them sweet by offering concessions, most obviously the EU referendum. But this kind of strategy would not work today. Given their dire performance in the polls, the Tories are likely to be defeated in the next election regardless of whether they lose votes to the Right. So, even if they do make concessions to an insurgent party, they will be in no position to enact them. Moreover, the Tories will be wary of any Right-wing coalition that might scare off moderate voters in the Lib Dem marginal seats in the south and east of England. In other words, now is evidently not the time for another Right-wing insurgency.

The situation on the Left, however, is very different. To form a government, Labour needs to win big and win across the country: an almost unprecedented electoral task. A Leftist party  perhaps drawn from a few disgruntled MPs, outrider commentators and a celebrity or two  picking up between 5-10% of the vote could cause a huge amount of damage without even winning any seats, especially if it gave the Tories the upper hand in some of the tightest marginals. In this instance, Starmer would be forced onto a civil war footing.

Moreover, there is a clear ideological gap for the Leftist insurgency to occupy. Starmers weakness is that on crime, on culture, on social issues and even on economics he is cautious about leaning into populist ideas. Not wanting to scare potential supporters, he talks little of nationalisation, seems sometimes beholden to identity politics and is squeamish about things such as reducing immigration to protect workers. But when it comes to economics, a large proportion of voters sit to the Left of Labour, especially Starmers version of it.

If one dares to look beyond Rachel Reevess sensible economic credentials, there is real scope for more radical economic policies to capture the public imagination, from ramping up tax rates to imposing rent controls. There is currently mass support for the nationalisation of energy  something that Labour has been careful to step back from  as well as for nationalising trains and water supply. A clear majority of British voters dont think the rich pay enough tax, and so a cost-of-living response that embraces some form of Universal Basic Income or increases taxes on the very richest would also go down well. Starmer, who knows he must appeal to the middle ground, wont dare to go down this path  but a firebrand might.

All of which might start to sound a little like Corbynism rehashed, but the difference is that any successful Left-wing populist movement would have to be rooted in a patriotic vision that reflects the views of the British people. It could not be on the side of Stop the War or identity politics but would fly the flag and sing the national anthem. The new party would also embrace the Leftish vision of leaving the EU that appealed to many Brexiteers in left-behind regions: strengthening worker protections, for example, would be a popular policy with even Tory voters opposed to things such as zero-hours contracts and fire and rehire. It could also take a tough, Left-wing stance on crime and immigration, wresting these from the Right by portraying them as issues which protect the poorest.

Could the British Left learn from their European counterparts? Across the Continent, insurgent Leftists have recently achieved success by capitalising on the failure of both Right and Left and focusing instead on populist demands. Support for the centre-Left party Syriza surged in Greece after the financial crisis thanks to their anti-neoliberal, anti-globalist rhetoric; in Spain, while Podemos emerged as an anti-establishment option with Left-wing economics. Though these parties have now started to wane  Syriza trailed nearly 23 points behind the conservative New Democracy party in the countrys elections  this is no reason to discount their initial success (if anything, its a lesson in what happens once they start to stray from their initial pledges). A British Left-populist party could follow their example, first by developing a popular alternative to the old-Left establishment, and then by broadening their appeal towards big-tent populism.

Of course, electoral success would be harder to replicate here because of our first-past-the-post system  but its far from impossible. At the very least, a new party could introduce itself to voters in next years general elections, and seek to capitalise on their results in 2025s locals. There are lots on the Left who seem alienated from Starmers centrism, especially those who espoused a sort of soft Corbynism. None yet seem committed to forming a new party, but it might serve them better in the short term than trying to wrestle the levers of Labour from him.

Forming a Left-wing populist party would not be easy. It would face the same hurdles as any other new party  finding the funds, the supporters and the platform to get off the ground. Equally, it would have to find a way to delicately navigate policy traps that the Left has long struggled with, particularly surrounding the issues of immigration and social liberalism. But that doesnt make it impossible.

Farage and the various parties he led achieved their goal on Brexit because they parasitically latched onto the power of the Tories. Now that host is exhausted, but there is space for a Leftist visionary to take advantage of the rising Labour party. After all, the Conservatives won in 2019 by targeting Leftish voters who had grown tired of Labour, galvanising them both around Brexit and a more interventionist economy. This fell flat in government, but showed how populism could reach new electoral coalitions  especially in disenchanted regions. Arguably, the SNP and Plaid Cymru have already succeeded in advancing some form of Left-wing populism, albeit framed around civic nationalism.

In a time of great political flux, where the main parties have been untethered from popular opinion, the opportunity for radical Left-wing thought has always existed. So far, it is unclear who will seize it, but that doesnt mean the conditions arent ripe for an insurgency. Politics can often act as a pendulum, and while Labour delights in the decline of Britains Right, they would do well to keep an eye on the rebirth of the Left.
State police looking for man involved in alleged carjacking in Blairsville

State police are looking for a man wanted for an alleged carjacking Wednesday morning in Blairsville Borough, Indiana County.

JUST IN: We now know the name of the man @PAStatePolice are looking for after yesterdays carjacking



Michael Aaron Whitfield, 35.



Last known address Greensburg area.



Whereabouts unknown at this time.



Last seen driving a stolen brown 2003 Ford F250. PA PLATES: XLE-1209 @WPXI pic.twitter.com/uoAA4fKNLT  Andrew Havranek  (@Andrew_Havranek) July 13, 2023

Pennsylvania State Police say Michael Whitfield, 35, of Greensburg, is the man wanted in connection to a violent carjacking in Blairsville, Indiana County early Wednesday morning.

Troopers said they were able to identify the man quickly thanks to tips from the community, and good surveillance video from local businesses.

Within minutes, we received several tips of people stating his name and that they either were acquainted with him, knew who he was, saw him around town, and knew his face, said Trooper Tristan Tappe.

According to court documents, a woman and her nine-year-old granddaughter arrived at Keeper of the Flame care facility early Wednesday morning.

Michael Whitfield

The woman told police a man was walking toward them. She said he waived at them politely -- something troopers said Whitfield likely did to make the two feel at ease.

But then -- moments later -- Whitfield allegedly approached her from behind and cut her throat with a box cutter.

Troopers said Whitfield told the woman to get in the car -- pointed at her granddaughter -- and said, She is going to die.

Police said he pushed the woman into the car, and the granddaughter tried to hide and run away. Whitfield chased after her and threw the child into the car.

But, the young girl told investigators she left the door cracked, and was able to jump out of the car as Whitfield drove away.

Troopers say her quick thinking was life-saving.

Obviously, I dont know this young girl personally, but I think anybody would go to say that young lady is wise beyond her years and very mature for her age, Tappe said. By her thinking one step ahead and doing what she did, she quite literally saved her own life.

This isnt the first time this week Whitfield has been accused of stealing a car.

Police in Greensburg have a warrant out for his arrest for allegedly stealing a friends car Monday night before disappearing.

Troopers say Whitfield is still on the run, considered to be armed and dangerous.

He was last seen in a brownish-gold 2003 Ford f250 with PA plates XLE-1209.

Troopers said theyre hopeful someone in the community will see him and report it -- the same way they called with his name.

We just stress that this is a crucial moment for the community to come together and help us, Tappe said.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,000 reward for information that leads to Whitfields arrest.

Channel 11s Andrew Havranek spoke with the family who did not want to be interviewed, but said the woman is out of the hospital recovering. The granddaughter is very shaken up.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

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This article was originally published in South Dakota Searchlight.

There are 12,260 licensed child care slots in Sioux Falls, but 64% of child care centers cant enroll their licensed capacity because they dont have enough workers, according to the Sioux Falls Childcare Collaborative. That cuts actual available slots by hundreds  and its a familiar situation across the state.

The collaborative presented the results of a six-month study in June, detailing affordability challenges  for parents and caregivers  and potential solutions to address the need.

One of those recommendations was increase career pathways to the profession, such as creating a high school dual-credit program or developing internships and job training programs.

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Beginning this fall, one of those solutions will kick off in schools across the state: a high school-level Child Development Associate (CDA) course. The course will allow high school students to earn the credential to work toward becoming an early childhood education professional at day cares and preschools while earning high school credits toward graduation.

We cant keep talking about how theres a teacher and early childhood shortage and not do anything about it, said Summer Schultz, incoming superintendent of the Brookings School District and former Dell Rapids superintendent. Our preschools and day cares need to keep staffed with quality people. This opens the door for more trained individuals at an earlier date.

The program allows any student in South Dakota interested in early childhood education to earn a CDA credential through a virtual course. Larger school districts, like Aberdeen and Harrisburg, will have their own in-person courses, said Travis Lape, innovative programs director at Harrisburg and Educators Rising SD state director.

The program was created through a partnership between Educators Rising SD, the state Department of Social Services, Sanford CHILD Services and the federal Department of Education Head Start Collaboration Office.

Educators Rising SD state officers pose for a photo with Gov. Kristi Noem. (Educators Rising SD)

The course combines required class time with required on-site training at day cares. Students will work 480 hours at a day care before earning their credential. While those students will have to be supervised at all times and wont be left alone with children, it will be another set of hands to care for children, Lape said.

Lets say that the Sioux Falls School District alone had 100 kids in this course. Wed need 100 placements for those kids to earn their 480 hours. Thats 100 new employees, Lape said. If Harrisburg has 60, thats 160 between the two school districts in the Sioux Falls metro. This attacks the early childhood education workforce in that well have 16- to 18-year-olds who are passionate about early childhood education wanting to get their feet wet and work.

Lape said the online virtual class will allow 30 students to attend in the first year and train at day cares in their community. About 10 spots are already filled, with student locations ranging from Madison to Yankton to Deuel County and Faulkton County. Lape expects more students will sign up throughout the summer.

Harrisburg and Aberdeen school districts will have about 100 students between the two school systems taking in-person classes this school year, Lape estimated.

Currently, day care workers seeking their CDA credential in South Dakota attend an online course run by a third-party agency funded by the state DSS. Sanford CHILD Services operates training in the Sioux Falls metro and Aberdeen areas, and it already had an online course and curriculum in place. It was relatively simple to turn the existing training into high school coursework with the partnership, Lape said.

The program puts South Dakota well ahead of the curve in addressing worker shortages in the field, said Deborah Bergeron, deputy director of collaboration and innovation for National Head Start Association. While there are CDA programs in high schools in other states, those are in individual schools rather than being available statewide.

Bergeron hopes to see students fill needed positions at Head Start locations across the state. Head Start is a federally funded program that delivers early learning, health, nutrition and family support services to impoverished children up to age 5. South Dakota has 154 Head Start centers.

Nationally, 20% of Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms were closed between May and September 2022, primarily due to staff vacancies. That meant sending children home, where some parents couldnt work or had to attempt to enroll them in programs that were too expensive.

We serve the most vulnerable kids in the country, Bergeron said. The impact is more than the kid not attending preschool. Head Start is where they generally get the best nutrition, where theyre connected with well child visits at the doctor, where we catch early learning disabilities that might not get noticed otherwise.

The program will only address the increased pathways recommendation by the Sioux Falls Childcare Collaborative. Other factors, such as low employee salaries, are major factors in the workforce shortage.

The mean hourly wage for child care workers in Sioux Falls in May 2022 was $12.34, about $26,000 a year. The report recommends subsidizing child care by local businesses, the city or state government to help address that issue.

Students in the new CDA course will attend two classes a week for 90 minutes each. Outside of class, students will work in local child care centers to earn their 480 hours of on-the-job supervised experience.

If a school has to fund a math teacher or an education training teacher, you know where theyll fund it. Its the math teacher, even though we know we need an education training teacher for teaching the next generation of teachers, Lape said. We wanted to take that barrier away.

Typically, it would cost $800 for a child care provider to earn the credential, but the program doesnt charge students. DSS awarded Sanford a contract to provide the instructor and coursework, Lape added.

If students decide not to enter into the workforce directly after high school, the program could count toward credit hours to earn an associate or bachelors degree in the field. Lape said its a launching point for students who might be interested in other teaching paths outside of early childhood education.

This training is not going to make you a bad teacher, Lape said. If anything, itll help you understand the bigger picture  development, safety, health and wellness. Its a stepping stone.

South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. South Dakota Searchlight maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Seth Tupper for questions: info@southdakotasearchlight.com. Follow South Dakota Searchlight on Facebook and Twitter.
The Supreme Court dealt a blow to many federal student loan borrowers by striking down the Biden administrations plan to forgive much of their debt. The rejected plan would have forgiven up to $20,000 for eligible borrowers, although many would have only seen $10,000 remitted.

Unfortunately, many borrowers received an email confirming forgiveness approval from the Department of Education before the program was paused. These borrowers planned on forgiveness but must now revise their budgets to pay based on the entire balance.

Various media outlets have written dozens of articles on whether this opinion from the Court was right or wrong (largely influenced by political alignment). But the stark fact is the opinion is now published, and the decision has been finalized. Bidens student loan forgiveness plan is no more, even if he does (and will likely) try to grant student loan relief through other measures. The obvious question for many federal student loan borrowers is: What is the path forward?

As a college and student loan planner who works with many advisors and their clients, I offer three suggestions to federal student loan borrowers:

The first suggestion is to revisit your monthly budget. For more than three years (since March 2020), qualified federal student loan borrowers have not been required to make any payments on their loans, which were set temporarily at 0% interest.

With the Supreme Courts opinion now disseminated, student loan payments are set to restart in October, with interest accruing starting Sept. 1. Although service agents will undoubtedly send notices to borrowers before payments resume, adding a new line in the budget can be a financial shock after so many years.

Plan to chart Octobers budget now and ensure it can handle the transition. You might need to shift financial obligations to be ready for the restart later this year.

The second suggestion is to take a hard look at your repayment options. Most federal student loan borrowers are in the default, standard repayment plan. This plan sets payments based on paying off the loan in 10 years. However, this is typically only the best financial decision if the eventual goal is to pay off the loans, assuming you can even afford the payments. If you cannot afford payments, or the goal is to obtain forgiveness through a program like the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, an Income-Driven Repayment Plan is likely the better option.

Although the current Income-Driven Repayment Plans are quite robust, the Biden Administration recently released details on a new plan called Saving on a Valuable Education. The new plan is a sweetheart deal. Although the details of any Income-Driven Repayment Plan are complex (one of the many reasons clients search for a student loan planner), the core components are more beneficial than the plans on the books.

Perks include higher income protections, lower levels of discretionary income allocated to loan payments, no monthly interest charge beyond the calculated payment, and shorter forgiveness timelines. You might have to take action to enroll in this plan. If youre in a pay-as-you-earn plan, you will be moved to Saving on a Valuable Education automatically.

The final suggestion is to learn more about current federal initiatives to help student loan borrowers. Although most of the spotlight was on the larger federal student loan forgiveness program, many other initiatives exist to help borrowers gain a reprieve. Several of these programs have deadlines and require action on the borrowers part to enroll.

These include Public Service Loan Forgiveness for nonprofit, government and military borrowers; profession-specific and geographically contained loan forgiveness programs (i.e., for teachers or those living in rural counties); borrowers defense to loan repayment (focused on discharging the debt of students who enrolled in predatory schools or engaged in fraudulent practices); and the Income-Driven Repayment Plan payment recount adjustment. Although Biden lost this round of the battle, he has generally been winning the fight against student loans with some of these other initiatives.

Jason Anderson is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional and member of Financial Planning Association of Greater Kansas City. He is the owner of Gradmetrics, a college and student loan planning firm, and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the State of Kansas.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 12)  A shopping mall dismissed one of its security guards for allegedly throwing a puppy from a pedestrian bridge in Quezon City, with one animal rights group eyeing to sue the individual.

SM City North EDSA issued a statement on Wednesday, saying the security guard reportedly involved in the puppy's death is no longer allowed to service any of our malls nationwide.

The company said it strongly condemn[s] any actions that could harm or endanger animals.

It maintained that its establishment remains pet-friendly.

With extreme sadness, we sympathize with the group of youngsters regarding the incident that happened outside our mall, the firm said, referring to the dog's owners.

SM City North EDSA also said it asked the security agency to launch an investigation into the incident.

This came after a post about the incident, which happened Tuesday, went viral on Facebook.

According to Janine Santos, the incident resulted in the puppys death.

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) said Wednesday it would file a case against the security guard.

PAWS condemns in the strongest possible terms this act of cruelty," it said. "We are demanding an immediate investigation of this incident and we have gotten in touch with witnesses so that we can file a case."

RJC Corporate Security Services Inc., the agency of the fired security guard, said it has started its thorough investigation and is cooperating with authorities and the parties involved.

There was no immediate statement from the security guard.
Succession and its deeply dysfunctional dynasty of one-percenters led all Emmy nominees in its fourth and final season with 27, including best drama, which it has won two of the past three years. It got three nominations for best actor in a drama, with Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong and Kieran Culkin all getting nods for playing men of the Roy clan, and Sarah Snook getting a best actress nomination. It also got four nominations for best supporting actor in a drama.
'Succession' -- starring (L-R) Brian Cox, Sarah Snook, Jeremy Strong, Matthew Macfayden, J. Smith-Cameron and Nicholas Braun -- has topped the Emmy nominations with 27 (Frederic J. Brown)

"Succession," the HBO drama about an ultra-wealthy family fighting for control of a sinister media empire, led the nominations Wednesday for the Emmys -- television's version of the Oscars.

The show's critically adored final season earned a whopping 27 nods, including best drama, in an announcement overshadowed by the threat of a Hollywood actors' strike that could derail the industry's entire awards calendar.

Topping the Emmys nominations for a second year in a row, "Succession" dominated the acting categories, becoming the first ever show to earn three of the six available slots for best lead actor in a drama.

Echoing their characters in the series, Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong and Kieran Culkin will now battle each other for the award, while their co-star Sarah Snook is the favorite for best lead actress.

"Succession," which has twice won best drama series at the Emmys, was followed in this year's nominations count by two more shows from HBO, which claimed 127 nods overall.

"The Last of Us" became the first live-action video game adaptation to earn major nominations, with 24, including best drama and acting nods for Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey.

"The White Lotus," a stylish satire on wealth and hypocrisy which switched from the limited series categories to drama after returning for a second season set in Sicily, earned 23 nods.

Apple TV+'s feel-good "Ted Lasso" topped the comedy section with its third and possibly final season, taking 21 nominations.

Netflix's "Beef" and "Dahmer -- Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" led the limited series category with 13 nods apiece.

- 'Swift resolution' -

Nominations were announced by "Community" star Yvette Nicole Brown, in a live-streamed ceremony hosted by Frank Scherma, chairman of the Television Academy, which organizes the awards.

After a final round of voting by the Television Academy's 20,000-odd members, the 75th Emmy Awards are scheduled to take place on September 18.

But that ceremony is highly likely to be delayed if the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) calls a strike, with a negotiations deadline looming at midnight (0700 GMT Thursday.)

An actors' strike would mean a boycott of the ceremony by stars.

"We hope the ongoing guild negotiations can come to an equitable and swift resolution," said Scherma.

Studios including Netflix and Disney have called in federal mediators to help resolve the deadlock over pay and other conditions.

But the actors' union said late Tuesday it is "not confident that the employers have any intention of bargaining toward an agreement."

- Record votes -

Other shows that proved popular with voters included Amazon Prime's period comedy "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," which earned 14 nods, and "The Bear," a cult hit that takes viewers inside the astonishingly stressful kitchen of a run-down Chicago sandwich shop, with 13.

Disney+'s "Star Wars" series had a successful morning -- "The Mandalorian," "Andor" and "Obi-Wan Kenobi" earned 22 nods between them.

In the battle of the mega-budget fantasy series, HBO's "Game of Thrones" prequel "House of the Dragon" (eight nominations) bested Amazon Prime's "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" (six).

Perennial Emmy winners "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" and "Saturday Night Live" will go head-to-head in the new scripted variety series category, while "RuPaul's Drag Race" returns as favorite for best reality competition program.

"In these dark political times, the Television Academy's gracious recognition of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' is a bright light. Thank you for the love," said host RuPaul Charles.

amz/sst
A medical patient shot and killed his physician while they were inside an exam room in Tennessee on Tuesday, authorities said.

Dr. Benjamin Mauck was with Larry Pickens, 29, inside of a clinic in Collierville, outside of Memphis, when he was shot by Pickens with a handgun around 2:30 p.m., police said.

Pickens fled the Campbell Clinic but was taken into custody within five minutes by police. He was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder and aggravated assault, police said.

Its horrible. Please pray for the victim and his family, said Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane at a press conference.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Benjamin Mauck was killed in a shooting at the Campbell Clinic in Collierville, Tennessee, on Tuesday, police said.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Benjamin Mauck was killed in a shooting at the Campbell Clinic in Collierville, Tennessee, on Tuesday, police said.

Lane called the incident an isolated, targeted attack and said that police believe there was an opportunity for the gunman to harm others at the facility but he didnt, and we dont know why. A suspected motive has not been released.

A witness at the scene of the shooting told local station WREG that a patient had been threatening Mauck for the past week prior to the attack, though Lane said at Tuesdays presser that authorities werent aware of any threats made prior to the shooting.

The Collierville Police Department said they have no known prior incidents with Pickens but that investigators are looking into whether any outside agencies had prior run-ins with him.

His bond was set at $1.2 million by a judge Wednesday.

Mauck was an orthopedic surgeon who specialized in elbow, hand and wrist surgery and had a glowing 4.9 rating among his patients, according to his clinics online biography. The clinic requested prayers and privacy for Maucks family in a public statement that memorialized him as a highly respected and beloved physician.

The shooting is just the latest targeting health care workers.

Back in May, a man opened fire inside an Atlanta medical facilitys waiting room, killing one woman and injuring four others. The 24-year-old suspect was said by his attorney to have been suffering from mental health issues at the time of the attack.

Then in 2022, a man armed with an AR-15-style rifle and a handgun killed four people inside a Tulsa, Oklahoma, medical building. Authorities said the gunman was targeting his surgeon, who was among those killed, due to ongoing back pain he was experiencing following surgery. Police said the firearms were purchased shortly before the attack.

Tennessee state Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) called for tighter gun restrictions in the wake of recent shootings in her state.

For a decade, Republicans have been loosening Tennessees gun laws and making our community more dangerous. Tragedies like this underscore the urgent need for common sense  like reinstating background checks and gun licenses, and establishing new reforms like an order of protection so police can remove firearms from a person who is threatening others, she said in a statement obtained by The Tennessee Holler.

Akbari and fellow Democrats made similar pleas back in 2021 when Collierville police responded to a mass shooting at a Kroger grocery store that left one person dead and 12 others injured.

Earlier this year, a shooting at a Christian school in Nashville left three children and three adults dead.

Related...
Wreaths adorned with the symbols of the Wagner PMC were removed from the mercenaries graves

Black pyramids resembling the Dragons teeth used by Russia to create the so-called Surovikin defensive line are now used to mark the graves of Wagner mercenaries at a cemetery the company owns, Russian media have reported.

The corresponding photos, showing graves marked with pyramids instead of the customary crosses or monuments, were published by Kremlin propaganda outlets.

Read also: Cemeteries of Russian troops killed in Ukraine found near Irkutsk

According to reports, the images were captured at one of the most well-known cemeteries for Wagner mercenaries in Stanitsa Bakinskaya, Krasnodar Krai, Russia.

vot-tak.tv

Meanwhile, wreaths adorned with the symbols of the Wagner PMC, led by Wagner mercenary company owner Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has apparently fallen out of favor with Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin following a failed military coup, were removed from the mercenaries graves and gathered in a large heap.

vot-tak.tv

Read also: Uncontrolled Wagner fighters execute Russian blogger, expert says

Simultaneously, in other burial sites of the deceased Wagner mercenaries in Ukraine, unidentified individuals have started removing the flags that were previously erected there.

Wagner itself, under the leadership of Prigozhin, has temporarily suspended the operations of its recruitment headquarters following the failure of Prigozhins coup attempt.

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
Police on Tuesday arrested a 22-year-old man in the shooting death of a Kentucky teacher who was in Washington, D.C., for professional development training.

Metropolitan Police Department officials said in a news release that 25-year-old Maxwell Emerson was shot by 22-year-old Jaime Maceo, also known as Jaime Macedo, of Northwest D.C. He was charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Emerson, a social studies teacher and wrestling coach at Oldham County High School, was in Washington, D.C., for professional development training. The fatal shooting occurred July 5 as he walked on the Catholic University campus.

Washington, D.C., police initially said they thought Emerson and the suspect knew each other because they were walking together. But Emersons family told the Washington Post and WAVE in Louisville that he knew no one in the area and that he had texted his mother, who was traveling with him, that he was robbed at gunpoint and needed help.

Police had released photos of the suspect and thanked the public for tips that led to the arrest.

Detectives from the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department are seeking the publics assistance in finding a suspect in the homicide of a Kentucky teacher that occurred on Wednesday, July 5. The suspect was captured by surveillance cameras.

The Washington Post reported that D.C. police arrested Maceo during a 2019 traffic stop and charged him with having an illegal firearm after finding a .40-caliber Glock loaded with 15 hollow-point bullets tucked under a sweater. Maceo pleaded guilty to carrying an unlicensed gun and was sentenced to probation, with a one-year prison term suspended. Records show he violated the terms of his release and in 2020 was re-sentenced to six months in jail, the Washington Post said.

After his release, he continued to violate his release conditions, the newspaper reported, and a hearing on those violations is scheduled for July 18.
A 25-year-old man has been taken into custody in connection with a shooting over the weekend in downtown Cleveland that left nine people wounded, authorities confirmed.

The suspect was identified as Jaylon Jennings, a city of Cleveland spokesperson confirmed to CBS News on Tuesday. Jennings was detained by U.S. Marshals in the Ohio city of Lorain thanks to tips provided to investigators, police later tweeted. Lorain is located about 30 miles west of Cleveland.

Just before 2:30 a.m. on Sunday in Cleveland's Warehouse District, a gunman opened fire at a crowd of people exiting several nightclubs, according to police.

Seven men and two women, ages 23 to 38, were wounded, police said, but all survived.

According to an arrest warrant obtained by CBS affiliate WOIO-TV, a witness observed the gunman retrieving a "Glock firearm with an extended magazine" from the trunk of a car that was in a nearby parking lot. The suspect then did "deliberately approach his victims firing shots in their direction."

Police have not provided any information on a possible motive.

In a news conference Sunday, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said the shooting "truly shows the massive gun problem we have, not just in Cleveland, not just in Ohio, but across this nation."

Bibb referenced an Ohio law passed last year that allows any "qualifying adult" to legally carry, possess or conceal a handgun without a license, background check or training requirements. Bibb said gun violence has increased statewide since the law took effect.

 Emily Mae Czachor contributed to this report.

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WASHINGTON  A prisoner suspected of stabbing Larry Nassar at a federal penitentiary in Florida said the disgraced former sports doctor provoked the attack by making a lewd comment while they were watching a Wimbledon tennis match on TV, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.

The inmate, identified as Shane McMillan, was previously convicted of assaulting a correctional officer at a federal penitentiary in Louisiana in 2006 and attempting to stab another inmate to death at the federal Supermax prison in Florence, Colorado in 2011, court records show.

McMillan attacked Nassar in his cell Sunday with a makeshift weapon, stabbing him multiple times in the neck, chest and back before four other inmates rushed in and pulled him off of Nassar, according to the person familiar with the matter.

Correctional officers assigned to the unit at the United States Penitentiary Coleman responded to Nassars cell and performed what officials said were life-saving measures. He was taken to a hospital, where he remained in stable condition Wednesday with injuries including a collapsed lung.

Cell doors on most federal prison units are typically open during the day, letting prisoners move around freely within the facility. Because Nassar was attacked in his cell, the incident was not captured on surveillance cameras which only point at common areas and corridors.

McMillan, 49, told prison workers that he attacked Nassar after the sexually abusive ex-U.S. gymnastics team doctor made a comment about wanting to see girls playing in the Wimbledon womens match, the person said.

The person was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the attack or the ongoing investigation and did so on the condition of anonymity.

A prisoner suspected of stabbing Larry Nassar at a federal penitentiary in Florida said the disgraced former sports doctor provoked the attack by making a lewd comment while they were watching a Wimbledon tennis match on TV, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.

Messages seeking comment were left with lawyers whove represented McMillan in his past cases.

Sundays attack was the second time Nassar has been assaulted in federal custody. He is serving decades in prison for sexually abusing athletes, including college and Olympic gymnastics stars, and possessing explicit images of children.

The attack underscored persistent problems at the federal Bureau of Prisons, including violence, short staffing and an inability to keep even its highest profile prisoners safe.

The Bureau of Prisons insists that there was adequate staffing at the prison where Nassar was stabbed, though documents obtained by the AP show one-third of correctional officer positions remain unfilled at the prison.

In a statement Wednesday, the agency said it was imperative that we increase our staffing levels and said it was recruiting officers and using financial incentives to try to retain workers. Officials said they are also still working to tackle the problem violence in our facilities and have enhanced their security procedures, but would not provide details.

The BOP takes seriously our duty to protect the individuals entrusted in our custody, as well as maintain the safety of correctional staff and the community, agency spokesperson Scott Taylor said.

We make every effort to ensure the physical safety of individuals confined to our facilities through a controlled environment that is secure and humane, Taylor said. As we continue to pivot out of a years-long pandemic, there are still challenges to confront and opportunities to improve our agency, protect the lives of those who work for us, and ensure the wellbeing of those entrusted to our custody.

McMillan is scheduled to be released from prison in May 2046, according to a Bureau of Prisons inmate database and court records, though that could change if he is charged and convicted of attacking Nassar.

McMillan was originally sentenced to more than 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty in Wyoming to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in 2002. He had been expected to be released next year before his convictions for the Louisiana and Colorado prison attacks more than doubled his sentence.

In October 2006, McMillan punched a correctional officer who approached him in the recreation yard at the United States Penitentiary in Pollock, Louisiana, while investigating him for a prior inmate assault, according to court records. The blow knocked the officer to the ground and caused cuts and bruising to his face and nose. McMillan was sentenced to an additional five years.

In November 2011, McMillan and another inmate attempted to kill a prisoner at the federal Bureau of Prisons Administrative Maximum Facility in Florence, Colorado, according to court records. McMillan and the other inmate stabbed the prisoner 66 times in a recreation area of the prison, known as the Alcatraz of the Rockies. They were each sentenced to an additional 20 years for the attack.

Associated Press reporter Alanna Durkin Richer contributed to this report.

The Associated Press receives support from the Public Welfare Foundation for reporting focused on criminal justice. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Lewd remark by Larry Nassar while watching Wimbledon led to stabbing, AP source says
Suspected drug dealer arrested in Seattle after he passes out in car

A man was arrested Sunday after a 911 call about an unresponsive person in a car, according to the Seattle Police Department.

At about 9 a.m. July 9, officers responded to the report in the 400 block of Harvard Avenue East.

When officers arrived to check on the man, they found drug paraphernalia strewn about the inside of the car.

Upon further investigation, officers found:

About 276.3 grams of methamphetamine.

624 grams of fentanyl.

145 grams of powdered fentanyl.

27.4 grams of cocaine.

24.3 grams of heroin.

$13,083 in cash.

Replica firearm.

Drug paraphernalia instruments including pipes, scales, whole rolls of foil, and baggies of different sizes.

The 47-year-old man was arrested for possession of narcotics with intent to distribute. He was booked in the King County Jail. Additional charges are pending.
A man is accused of driving drunk and hitting a family of four crossing the street, sending one victim into the air, police in Tennessee say.

The 55-year-old driver was seen walking from the scene as officers responded to the crash at about 4 p.m. Sunday, July 9, according to the Memphis Police Department.

Besides smelling of alcohol, police said he had glassy eyes and slurred speech.

The driver told officers he was pulling out of a driveway and onto the main road when the four pedestrians came out of nowhere, according to an incident report. He said they were in the turning lane when he hit them.

The man also acknowledged having approximately seven beers before the crash and said he fled because one of the pedestrians threatened him.

He was arrested on multiple charges including DUI, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident, online records show.

Police also spoke with the injured family, who said they were trying to get to a store across the street.

The father had his son in his arms while his wife held their daughters hand as they waited for traffic to clear, police said. Thats when they were struck by a blue SUV, knocking them to the ground.

The mans wife said she flew into the air when she was hit, according to the report. Her husband recalled looking over to see his wife and daughter on the ground in pain and crying.

The injured man confronted the driver, who he said refused put his car in park, according to the report. A scuffle ensued, police said, and the driver sped off after the pedestrian punched him.

The accused drunken driver was booked into jail but released July 11 after posting a $2,500 bond, online records show.

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 12)  The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday denied the request of Persida Acosta, the head of the Public Attorney's Office, to remove part of the updated Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA).

According to the SC, Acosta, in an April letter addressed to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, wanted Section 22, Canon III of the CPRA deleted.

The section discusses conflict of interest concerning lawyers from the PAO.

RELATED: SC launches updated code of conduct for lawyers

The CPRA said the PAO, being the government's primary legal aid service "shall ensure ready access to its services by the marginalized sectors of society in a manner that takes into consideration the avoidance of potential conflict of interest situations which will leave these marginalized parties unassisted by counsel."

The court added that any conflict of interest of PAO lawyers in services for the office "shall be imputed only to the said lawyer and the lawyer's direct supervisor," and will not disqualify other PAO lawyers from representing the affected client.

In their statement, the SC reminded PAO that its primary mandate is to provide free legal services to indigent persons, and that to turn them away due to alleged conflict of interest would be against PAO's duty.

"Contrary to the claims of Atty. Acosta, the Court promulgated the CPRA in the exercise of its exclusive rule-making power under the Constitution," the High Court said.

It was likewise in furtherance of the Court's authority to supervise the practice of law and to provide free legal assistance to the underprivileged," the SC said.

The SC likewise took note of Acosta's "unabated public tirades" against the CPRA which they said branded the adoption of CPRA as "unconstitutional, and an undue interference and intrusion by the Supreme Court into PAO's operations."

The court has directed Acosta to show cause why she should not be cited in direct contempt because of her actions, adding they see such actions "as a threat to the independence of the judiciary."

In a separate briefing on Wednesday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla said the PAO was not a law office and its mandate is to provide service.

"Ang conflict of interest frame of mind na pinamamalas ng PAO sa atin ay isang pagtingin sa kanilang opisina bilang isang law office. Hindi po, sila ay legal service ng Republika ng Pilipinas," Remulla said.

[Translation: The conflict of interest frame of mind exhibited by the PAO, to me, is them seeing their agency as a law office. It's not. It's a legal service of the Republic of the Philippines.]

Remulla added that he has spoken to Acosta about the issue before.

"Kinausap ko na siya tungkol diyan dati," he said. "Sabi niya, yun daw ang manual of operations nila. Eh yung manual, ikaw din naman yung gumawa nun eh. Kaya mabuti na ang Korte Suprema na ang kumausap pero alam ko na yang probelma na yan, matagal na. Napakatagal na ng problema na yan."

[Translation: I've talked to her about it before. She said that was their manual operations. But they make their manual. It's better that the Supreme Court talk to them, but I know that problem has been around for a long time.]

Acosta has yet to give a comment on the issue.
Stacking bags of UN aid at a warehouse near the Bab al-Hawa crossing before Tuesday's Russian veto (OMAR HAJ KADOUR)

Syrians in the country's last rebel enclave expressed alarm Wednesday after the United Nations Security Council failed to renew an aid delivery mechanism to the area, imperilling critical humanitarian assistance.

The UN largely delivers relief to northwest Syria via neighbouring Turkey through the Bab al-Hawa crossing, but the deal to do so expired on Monday.

Russia on Tuesday vetoed a nine-month extension of the agreement, and then failed to muster enough votes to adopt just a six-month extension, during a vote at UN headquarters in New York.

From a bleak displacement camp near the town of Batabo in the Idlib bastion, Ghaith al-Shaar, 43, expressed dismay at the political bickering and the crushing impact any interruption to aid supplies could have on his family.

Without the UN assistance, "it's impossible for anybody to cope, particularly if they have children", said the father of five, who was displaced from Damascus's Eastern Ghouta area five years ago.

"Even though it was just simple assistance, it helps support us," Shaar said.

Syria's conflict has killed more than 500,000 people, displaced millions and battered the country's infrastructure and industry.

The 15 Security Council members had been trying for days to find a compromise to extend the cross-border aid deal, which since 2014 has allowed for food, water and medicine to be trucked to northwestern Syria without the authorisation of Damascus.

Negotiations were continuing at the UN on Wednesday to try to find a solution to the impasse.

- 'Political issue' -

Damascus regularly denounces the aid deliveries as a violation of its sovereignty, and Russia has been chipping away at the deal for years.

Moscow is a major ally of Damascus, and its intervention in Syria since 2015 helped to turn the tide in the regime's favour.

Shaar, who receives food, medical and other assistance from international organisations, expressed anger at the Russian veto.

"Russia forced us from our homes and today it is... turning humanitarian assistance into a political issue," he charged.

The cross-border aid accord originally allowed for four entry points into rebel-held Syria before being reduced to one -- Bab al-Hawa -- after years of pressure from China and Russia at the Security Council.

Bab al-Hawa crossing is controlled on the Syrian side by jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

After a deadly earthquake in February, Syria agreed to open two additional crossings, which are in areas under the control of Turkish-backed rebel forces.

Authorisation for those two crossings is set to expire in mid-August.

But Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general, warned Tuesday that those two crossings "cannot match" Bab al-Hawa, which handles 85 percent of the aid.

"That door is shut right now," said Dujarric, noting that "UN agencies did preposition supplies... to ensure that humanitarian needs will continue to be met in the immediate future".

On Wednesday, he said that "the secretary-general is not giving up on the possibility of keeping" Baba al-Hawa open.

- 'War on food?' -

The UN says more than four million people are in need in northwest Syria, while it and its partners have been reaching 2.7 million people a month with aid there.

Since the quake, more than 3,700 UN trucks carrying aid have crossed through the three checkpoints.

Most have passed through Bab al-Hawa, including 79 on Monday.

Save the Children's Kathryn Achilles warned that "the lives of millions of children are entirely dependent on aid through the Bab al-Hawa crossing".

"The UN Security Council must urgently reconvene and reverse this fatal decision," she said in a statement.

Russian representative Vassily Nebenzia on Tuesday accused Western countries of "artificially" provoking Moscow into vetoing.

He also threatened to "close down" the aid delivery mechanism if support for his country's proposed six-month renewal was not forthcoming.

At the displacement camp near Batabo, Jaziyah al-Hamid, 55, expressed distress at the Russian position.

"Do they want to fight us for our food?" asked Hamid, who lost her husband and daughter in the earthquake and now lives with her five children in tough conditions.

She said that even the little assistance she has been receiving helped her family cover the bare minimum.

"We want more aid," not less, she said.

"Russia must not close the crossing."

ohk-lar/lg/srm
A Nebraska woman has pleaded guilty to helping her daughter have a medication abortion last year. The legal proceeding against her hinged on Facebook's decision to provide authorities with private messages between that mother and her 17-year-old daughter discussing the latter's plans to terminate her pregnancy.

The case is a telling example of how Big Tech can be tapped to help prosecute abortion in the United States, where the Supreme Court in 2022 overturned Roe v. Wade, a 1973 decision that legalized abortion. Experts have warned that location data, search histories, emails, text messages and even period- and ovulation-tracking apps can now be used in the prosecution of people who seek an abortion and those who assist them, and this case shows they are right to worry.

Meta, which owns Facebook, could have challenged the legal order to hand over private messages to police, as it and other tech companies sometimes do on various grounds, but it didn't. The private messages on Facebook Messenger show how the two discussed plans to terminate the pregnancy and destroy the evidence, including instructions from the mother on how to use the pills to end the pregnancy. Those messages directly led law enforcement to acquire a search warrant.

Police raided the family's home and seized six smartphones and seven laptops, with data like internet history and emails totaling 24 gigabytes.

Meta did not respond in time to TechCrunch, but last year, the company issued a statement which reads in part:

Nothing in the valid warrants we received from local law enforcement in early June, prior to the Supreme Court decision, mentioned abortion. The warrants concerned charges related to a criminal investigation and court documents indicate that police at the time were investigating the case of a stillborn baby who was burned and buried, not a decision to have an abortion.

TechCrunch has repeatedly asked for more information on what police specifically shared with Meta, and what their suspicions were. Police had initially begun investigating "concerns that a juvenile female...had given birth prematurely supposedly to a stillborn child."

As we wrote in 2022: "A 17-year-old girl and a hastily hidden stillborn seem like something that might deserve closer inspection than a blanket grant to all that kid's data." Particularly given the contentious conversation in the U.S. at the time around the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Meta has been loath to take a stance on abortion, but as Irish philosopher Edmund Burke apparently didn't say, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." The passive stance from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is reminiscent of his position against turning Facebook into an "arbiter of truth" in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election. Zuckerberg at the time acknowledged the importance of not censoring political speech, even when it bordered on misinformation that could impact the democratic process.

Under her plea agreement, the mother, Jessica Burgess, admitted to providing an illegal abortion pill to her daughter after 20 weeks' gestation, which was at the time illegal. In May, Republican Nebraska governor Jim Pillen signed a bill that bans abortion at 12 weeks of pregnancy, which went into effect immediately.

Burgess also pleaded guilty to false reporting and tampering with human skeletal remains. According to court documents, the mother helped her daughter burn and bury the aborted fetus, which authorities later exhumed from a field north of Norfolk. The court dismissed charges of concealing the death of another person and abortion by someone other than a licensed doctor.

Madison County attorney Joe Smith said this case was the first time he charged anyone with illegally performing an abortion after 20 weeks.

Jessica Burgess is scheduled for sentencing September 22, and she's looking at two Class IV felony charges and one Class I misdemeanor. In Nebraska, Class IV felonies typically involve a sentencing of up to two years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. Class I misdemeanors are sentenced with up to one year in prison, a $10,000, or both.

Celeste Burgess, now 18, was charged last year as an adult and pleaded guilty in May to removing, concealing or abandoning a dead body. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 20, and she faces up to two years in prison.

Last summer a man was sentenced to probation after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor for helping the women bury the fetus on his parents' land.
Tenant calls out landlord over allegedly illegal move to block their car charger: Are they straight-up breaking the law?

One Redditor claimed theyve been waiting two-and-a-half years for their landlord to comply with Californias right to charge law for electric vehicles (EVs).

EVs have become more popular in recent years as theyve gotten cheaper and battery technology has improved. This has led to a need for more charging stations, especially at home.

Homeowners can simply install a charging station, but renters sometimes face an uphill battle when trying to convince their landlords to add this amenity.

Luckily, Californias Civil Code gives renters the right to install their own charging stations even at apartment complexes and rented houses. However, it seems this Redditors landlord may be trying to get out of complying.

When I moved into my apartment complex 2.5 years ago, I did so under the condition that my landlord install an EV charger for my 2020 Subaru Crosstrek plug-in hybrid, the original poster said. However, even after this time, no charger has appeared.

Theres been excuse after excuse, the user said, claiming their landlord even blamed EV chargers for an epidemic of downed power lines.

When the original poster used an ordinary outlet to slowly charge their vehicle, they said they returned from a vacation to find a metal plate covering the outlet.

That was the last straw for this user. They went online to research their rights and found California Civil Code section 1947.6. This law requires landlords to allow renters to install EV chargers at their own expense as long as the renter makes a written request.

[I] am absolutely incensed! the original poster said. Is there some formality that I have been missing or are they straight-up breaking the law?

The original poster went on to say they would be submitting one more formal written request and asked for advice to make sure their letter meets all the conditions required by law.

Some commenters cautioned against upsetting the landlord.

One user said, Its clear they dont want to do it, and if you fight each other on this youll just make each other miserable and probably still wont get charging even if the law is on your side.

The original poster replied, Well thats the thing  they dont need to do anything. The whole point of the civil code is that renters take the responsibility, work, and cost upon themselves.

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Cecilia Castillo maneuvers Juniors wheelchair over two small ramps at their apartment in Salt Lake City on Friday, June 30, 2023. Tenants of the Housing Assistance Management Enterprise (HAME) apartments delivered a collective letter to the President of HAME demanding an end to the rent increase and the opportunity to negotiate collectively for a fair lease. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Five-year-old Carlos Castillo missed school every time it snowed this past winter.

Carlos has microcephaly  a birth defect whose symptoms include poor growth, difficulty with movement, speech delays and learning disabilities  and requires a wheelchair to get around. However, his mother says the affordable housing complex where he lives has not provided reasonable accommodations required by state and federal law, specifically in the form of a wheelchair ramp.

Its already been over six months since the the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City, which owns the property, approved the familys request for the ramp at the end of November. Carloss mom, Cecilia Castillos, said her property manger installed two moveable ramps  neither of which line up with the steps leading up to their town house, and which she says often slid out of place before she bought rugs to go under them.

The property manager, Castillo said, claimed there wasnt enough money to address the third remaining step leading up to the home.

With snow plowed high on each side of the cement path leading to her front door and without a way to navigate Carloss heavy wheelchair on the last step, Castillo said she had no choice but to keep her son home from school. Its been difficult for both Castillo, who is her sons 24/7 caretaker, as well as Carlos himself, who Castillo said is missing out on the therapies he receives at school and connecting with other kids.

He has a lot of problems, like speaking. He needs school, Castillo said in Spanish. He cant talk, he cant say things. But as a mother, I have to say what he needs  that this isnt fair. ... Its difficult. It makes me angry and sad because how can they tell me they dont have the money and now theyre charging so much (in rent).

Tenants of Housing Assistance Management Enterprise (HAME) apartments confer after delivering a collective letter to the president of HAME demanding an end to the rent increase and the opportunity to negotiate collectively for a fair lease at the office of the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City on Friday, June 30, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Castillo is one of dozens of tenants across two Housing Authority properties at 330 N. 800 West and 257 N. Redwood Road that are organizing under the name Vecinos Unidos (or united neighbors in English) against what they say is unfair treatment and high rent hikes.

Tenants reported being given little to no notice of rent increases of up to $600, maintenance workers entering their homes without notice, living in poorly maintained properties, paying out of pocket for repairs that they say maintenance ignores and having their vehicles frequently towed. Tenants claim they are threatened and intimidated by their property manager when they attempt to raise these concerns.

A handful of the tenants, along with organizers from the Tenants Union of Salt Lake, delivered a demand letter June 30 to the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City and the Housing Assistance Management Enterprise, the nonprofit subsidiary of the authority that manages low- and moderate-income housing units.

The letter outlines the tenants concerns and claims that Spanish-speaking tenants are being charged hundreds of dollars a month more than their English-speaking counterparts in similar units. The letter also demands that the Housing Authority end the high rent increases, establish standard rents to each type of unit and meet with tenants collectively to negotiate.

If these demands are ignored, we will continue to take legal or other actions to defend our homes, the letter reads.

Housing Authority property management officials told tenants June 30 that they would investigate the claims and reach out to tenants by the next week. Property management director Vicci Jenkins said the authority has not yet determined rent increases for the upcoming year and that any quotes tenants have already gotten are invalid.

For current tenants, we care about retentions, she said. Were not doing large rent increases.

Sara Price delivers a collective letter to the president of HAME demanding an end to the rent increase and the opportunity to negotiate collectively for a fair lease at the office of the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City on Friday, June 30, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Its just not worth what theyre asking for

Castillo has renewed her rental contract each February for about a decade. But this February, a new rental agreement never came. Then March and April passed as well. Castillo said when she followed up with the property manager, she was told they didnt have a new contract because the landlord was increasing rent but they werent yet sure by how much.

Until May I had no contract, Castillo said. What was I supposed to do? Do you think I could find somewhere else to live in 15 days? And to move you need a deposit of a thousand something dollars. If you dont have that money, youre not going to move.

Castillos rent went from $1,100 to $1,380, according to rental agreements she shared with KSL.com. She said her property manager claims the rent next year will rise to $2,100.

The money that theyre charging us is unjust because theyre old apartments and need a (lot) of things fixed, she said. The money my spouse earns is not enough for us. We need to buy food and food is very expensive. Gas is very expensive, car insurance is very expensive. Everything is very expensive  and now theyre raising rent for apartments that have been paid off for years.

Sara Price has lived in her current unit since December 2014. Price, a single mom, works hard as a psychiatric technician at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute to support herself and her 11-year-old son.

Over the years, shes seen rent increases of $25 to $50, or sometimes nothing at all. It came as a shock, then, when Price heard from a neighbor that rents were being increased by hundreds of dollars. Worry set in as Price realized anything beyond the $916 she pays for a two-bedroom apartment would be a challenge.

In emails shared with KSL.com, the manager confirmed rents were increasing across the board, adding that the propertys two-bedroom units are going for $1,380-$1,480 and three-bedrooms for $1,480-$1,580. Those prices would translate to a $464 minimum increase if Price renews in December.

At the moment I do not know what the increases will be for the end of the year, but you can expect to have the above numbers as the minimum, the manager said in an email to Price. Its because of the market and the standards above that we have to even things up a bit. We will still be considered low rents and under market value. But compared at the rates you have right now, it is an extreme increase. The increases will allow us to update the community and unit needs, as it is obvious that some items have been ignored. We desire something better for your community.

The manager recommended Price apply for a Housing Choice Voucher and offered a commiseration: As a single mother the struggles are beyond our control at times, but we have to keep moving forward and finding the proper resources is key.

Cecilia Castillo speaks to Brandi Tillman, Director of Property Management for the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City, in Salt Lake City on Friday, June 30, 2023. Tenants of the Housing Assistance Management Enterprise (HAME) apartments delivered a collective letter to the President of HAME demanding an end to the rent increase and the opportunity to negotiate collectively for a fair lease. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Price, who said her annual income is about $45,000, makes too much to qualify for the Housing Choice Voucher (a federal housing assistance program for very low-income families, seniors and disabled individuals). She worries about whats next for her and her son, who is diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, especially as rising housing prices across the county make moving to another apartment seem increasingly unfeasible. She expressed frustration that she first heard about rent increases from a neighbor rather than the property manager.

I think my limit is like maybe $1,100, and its going to be tight. Were gonna have to make a lot of changes, she said. Im trying not to talk too much about it with (my son), but he also knows that were looking around and needing to move. Hes been kind of stressed about it because hes going to have to get rid of some things. Were gonna have to downsize. Its been comfortable for him and change is hard. Im trying to figure out how we can keep us in a space where he can still go to the same junior high as his peers that hes been with the last six years.

Even if she could afford the increase, Price says she wouldnt stay.

Theres no amenities. Its poorly maintained. The area is getting better, but its still not great, she said. Its just not worth what theyre asking for. I found places that are not that much that have like all the amenities that you can think of. It just seems unfair and not right to increase it that much.

Lorenzo Rodriguez, whos lived in his unit over two years, knows the difficulties of navigating maintenance all too well. Hes repaired multiple issues with his own hands and money  a broken front door, cracks in the wall after the 2020 earthquake, old carpet that triggered his sons asthma, peeling kitchen countertops.

Maria Baez pays $1,255 for a three-bedroom that she shares with her husband and mother. She said she frequently has issues with maintenance, such as the time it took three months to fix her stove. She said her mother, who speaks primarily Spanish, was told by a maintenance worker who speaks both languages that she needed to speak English.

It doesnt seem fair to me that they said this to her, Baez said. (My mother) told me she felt invalidated and ignored in that moment for not being able to speak English.

Irma Tafoye has lived in her unit on Redwood Road for 11 years with her spouse and three kids. The couple previously paid $1,220. Their rent was increased to $2,480  a 103% increase. Although they can afford the increase, they were upset because its been clear the increase isnt translating to better maintenance of the property, which she said has been an ongoing issue.

We have to defend ourselves because if we stay quiet, theyre going to keep taking advantage, she said in Spanish.
Wichita teachers have reached a tentative two-year contract agreement with USD 259 that would allow for new teachers to be hired at $50,123 a year starting in 2024.

The contract proposal, which 4,000 Wichita teachers will vote to ratify or reject in early August, aims to attract and retain educators in Kansas largest school district as the states worst teacher shortage stretches on.

Were really excited that well have that $50,000 for next year for new teachers to help recruit them to Wichita, said Katie Warren, United Teachers of Wichita president.

Starting pay for new teachers in the 2023-2024 school year would be $47,736, higher than the state average of $40,130, according to the National Education Association.

The federally mediated contract proposal also includes raises for existing teachers  4.85% in year one and 5% in year two  outpacing the state average of 3.9% for educators, according to the Kansas National Education Association.

Teachers at Wichitas special education centers and alternative schools  Sowers, Bryant, Greiffenstein-Wells and Levy  would receive an additional bonus of slightly more than $4,000 a year.

I am pleased that we are able to honor our teachers with this tentative two-year contract, Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld said in a district news release.

We appreciate the hard work that they do every day to prepare our students to be future ready. Not only does the contract support our current teachers, but the starting salary of more than $50,000 in the second year will help us to recruit new teachers to join the WPS family.

The proposal increases sub pay for teachers covering another teachers classroom to $30 an hour with a daily maximum of $60. It includes no changes to the existing employee health program or premium rates.

The tentative agreement also does not change contract language giving teachers a say in when disruptive students should be allowed to return to the classroom after being removed. The district pushed to remove that language during negotiation, arguing that it should ultimately be up to principals to decide when a student returns to class.

The UTW negotiating team will present the contract offer to the unions executive board, which will decide whether to recommend it for approval. The vote to ratify or reject the contract will take place online.
Texas sex offender arrested in Clay County after being on the run since 2021

One of Texass top 10 most wanted sex offenders was captured in Orange Park on Monday after being on the run since 2021 for a probation violation.

Vegas Brown was arrested at a home on bell haven drive.

Its a little unnerving, said one neighbor who didnt want to be identified on camera.

We spoke with one neighbor, he says from time to time he would see Brown and says he was living at the home for quite some time, but never knew he was on the run.

He would be on the front porch and he just is kind of sitting there all day, Im just like hmm thats kind of weird, said the neighbor.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety website, Brown was convicted in 2018 on two counts of indecency with a child following an incident involving a 14-year-old girl.

With the help of the Clay County Sheriffs Office and also the U.S Marshalls Brown was taken into custody. We spoke with another neighbor who says, he saw this all happen. He also didnt want to be identified for safety concerns.

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Ive seen them all pull up, they hollered at him, and he came out with his hands up, said the neighbor.

That same man tells me he is glad Brown is off the streets because so many kids live in the area.

Knowing him being a sex offender and everything and you have a bunch of kids out here like this, yes sir it is, said the neighbor.

The Clay County Sheriffs Office sent me this statement on Browns arrest saying.

The apprehension of Vegas Jarrod Brown, one of Texas top 10 most wanted fugitives, was a team effort involving CCSO and the U.S. Marshalls. This arrest demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting our children and ensuring their safety,.

Right now, brown is being held in the Clay County Jail waiting to be extradited.

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Thai FM says met Myanmar's Suu Kyi in first foreign envoy talks since coup

The ousted democracy leader has been detained since February 2021 (Sai Aung Main)

Thailand's foreign minister said Wednesday he met with ousted Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi last week and she was in good health in her first known meeting with a foreign envoy since she was detained following a 2021 coup.

Suu Kyi has been seen only once since she was held after the February 1, 2021, putsch -- in grainy state media photos from a bare courtroom in the military-built capital Naypyidaw.

"There was a meeting, she was in good health and it was a good meeting," Don Pramudwinai told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.

The coup that overthrew Suu Kyi ended Myanmar's brief democratic experiment and plunged the Southeast Asian nation into bloody turmoil.

The Nobel laureate, 78, was later hit with a raft of charges and jailed by a junta court for a total of 33 years in trials that rights groups slammed as a sham.

Don confirmed that he met with Suu Kyi on Sunday and that she had called for renewed talks to end the crisis.

"She encouraged dialogue," Don said.

The meeting was private and lasted "over one hour", a spokesperson from Thailand's foreign ministry told AFP.

Suu Kyi also "expressed her concern about the toll that the past two years have taken on the people of Myanmar and the economy", the spokesperson said.

The Philippines' foreign minister said Don briefed ASEAN ministers on his meeting with Suu Kyi but reiterated any independent effort to restart the peace process should be in line with a five-point Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plan agreed two years ago with Myanmar's junta.

"We feel any initiative should be consistent with the five-point consensus. He (Don) just reported on that," Enrique Manalo told reporters.

- Divided ASEAN -

The junta has rebuffed repeated requests by foreign diplomats to meet Suu Kyi and her lawyers were barred from speaking to the media for much of her trial.

Manalo said it was "good to hear" that Suu Kyi was in good health because "she used to attend our meetings".

Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan called for ASEAN's special envoy on Myanmar to "have access to all Myanmar stakeholders" including Suu Kyi, according to a foreign ministry statement.

The two-day ASEAN meeting has been dominated by the crisis, which has left the bloc divided about how and whether it should re-engage with Myanmar's junta rulers.

They have been barred from ASEAN's high-level meetings but Thailand hosted the junta's foreign minister last month for controversial "informal talks" that further split the bloc.

ASEAN chair Indonesia and Malaysia did not attend those talks, but Cambodia sent a foreign ministry official.

Don said he was advocating for "engagement with the authority in Naypyidaw" to bring an end to the crisis.

"Obviously, we are trying to find a way to settle Myanmar. After two years, there's a development and that should be... positive," he said.

But experts said the Suu Kyi meeting was a sign of Bangkok taking the lead in attempts to solve the crisis and undercutting ASEAN's attempts.

"This meeting undermines ASEAN centrality and ASEAN efforts to resolve the crisis, and shifts the centre of gravity for international diplomacy about the conflict in Myanmar to a Thai-led process," said Aaron Connelly of the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told her counterparts on Wednesday "only a political solution will lead to a durable peace" in Myanmar.

- One-day visit -

Don "visited here just for a day trip and met with the commander in chief" Min Aung Hlaing, a senior Myanmar military official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"I didn't know about any meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," he said, using a Burmese honorific and without detailing when Don had visited Myanmar.

The military has cited alleged widespread voter fraud during elections in November 2020 as a reason for its coup, which sparked huge protests and a bloody crackdown.

Those polls were won resoundingly by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy.

International observers said at the time the polls were largely free and fair.

The NLD was devastated by the coup, with many senior members jailed or sent into hiding.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since, with the junta razing villages and conducting mass extrajudicial killings and air strikes on civilians, according to rights groups.

More than one million people have been displaced by fighting between the junta and opponents of the coup, according to the United Nations.

dsa/jfx/aha
Thai foreign minister says met with Myanmar's Suu Kyi FILE PHOTO: Thailand hosts Myanmar junta official for talks; key ASEAN members stay away

By Kate Lamb

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Thailand's Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai on Wednesday said he had met with Myanmar's jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the first foreign official to be granted access to the Nobel laureate since her detention by the military two years ago.

The popular pro-democracy figure faces 33 years in prison under a multitude of convictions. She is being held in an annex of a prison in the capital Naypyitaw and has been denied visits, including from her legal team.

Don said that Suu Kyi was in good health and that she supported dialogue to help resolve the crisis in Myanmar, which has been gripped by political and social chaos since a military coup in 2021.

"(The meeting) is an approach of the friends of Myanmar, who would like to see a peaceful settlement," Don told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers in Jakarta.

He added the objective of seeing Suu Kyi was in line the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) plan to achieve peace in the conflict-ridden country.

Kanchana Patarachoke, a spokesperson for Thailand's foreign ministry, told reporters the private meeting was held on Sunday and lasted over an hour.

"She was in good health both physically and mentally. (Don) briefed ASEAN on the retreat this morning," she said.

Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government, made up of loyalists to the ousted administration, is against engaging the junta for talks unless it releases all political prisoners including Suu Kyi.

ASEAN's so-called five-point consensus is the only official diplomatic process in play for achieving peace in Myanmar, but frustration is mounting in the bloc over the lack of progress in the peace plan.

Don caused a stir last month when he invited ASEAN counterparts to a meeting aimed at re-engaging with Myanmar's military rulers who have been barred from the bloc's high-level meetings over its failure to honour the five-point consensus. Most ASEAN members shunned that meeting.

The 78-year-old Suu Kyi has been convicted of more than a dozen offences, ranging from incitement and election fraud to corruption and breaches of a state secrets law, in trials dismissed around the world as a sham.

She has called the charges absurd and is appealing the convictions at the Supreme Court.

The junta has drawn global condemnation for its heavy-handed crackdown on opponents such as Suu Kyi.

At the ASEAN meeting on Wednesday, foreign ministers called for regional unity in addressing the intensifying conflict in Myanmar.

(Reporting by Kate Lamb in Jakarta and Panu Wongcha-um in Bangkok; writing by A. Ananthalakshmi; Editing by Martin Petty, Kanupriya Kapoor)
Pita failed to secure the 375 parliamentary votes needed to become Thailand's 30th premier (Lillian SUWANRUMPHA)

Thailand's parliament on Thursday rejected a bid by reformist Pita Limjaroenrat, who heads a coalition that won a May election, to become prime minister.

After hours of discussions but a surprisingly swift voting process, Pita failed to secure the 375 parliamentary votes needed to become Thailand's 30th premier, despite his party winning the popular vote in the general election.

The political challenger rode a wave of support that saw voters emphatically reject almost a decade of army-backed rule under Prayut Chan-o-cha, who took power in a 2014 coup.

But the outcome had become increasingly inevitable, with signs conservative MPs of the lower house and junta-appointed senators would not give him their support.

"I am not giving up," he told reporters immediately after the vote, adding that he accepted the first-round loss but would strategise to win a second round.

Under Thai rules, the parliament will continue voting until a PM is elected. Local media reported that the next vote would be held on July 19.

Pita's path to power has been complicated by the threat of parliamentary suspension, and two cases filed against him and his party.

Ahead of the parliamentary vote, nearby highway overpasses had razor-wire placed on them, while the parliament compound was ringed by containers designed to deter demonstrators, a sign of the tensions around the event.

Only three years ago, massive pro-democracy protests erupted in Bangkok after a court dissolved Pita's Move Forward Party's (MFP) predecessor, the Future Forward Party.

Small crowds gathered outside parliament, with supporters expressing anger and disappointment at the vote's outcome.

"There is no justice in this country for a long time," MFP supporter Anchan Wanawej told AFP.

"We think that after this we have to fight, the people have to come out and fight."

- Unclear path -

The path forward remains unclear, with the house speaker yet to indicate if Pita can try again to secure the necessary votes.

Following May's election, he cobbled together an eight-party coalition totalling 312 votes -- short of the needed 375.

Official results showed he took 324 votes overall, with 182 votes against his candidacy, while 199 abstained.

Pita's bid was sunk by the senators, with only 13 out of 249 voting for him, which raises questions about whether another round would end in a different result.

MFP's reformist agenda -- including suggestions to amend the country's strict royal defamation laws -- has drawn objections from conservatives and the country's powerful establishment.

The party's plans to shake up business monopolies are similarly unpopular with the old guard.

Pita's loss may also spell trouble for his coalition, which includes opposition runner-up the Pheu Thai party.

There has been speculation about whether the more established party might now back someone else for the top job.

Potential candidates include Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of exiled ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra, and Srettha Thavisin, a business leader.

"Huge demonstrations" were likely if Pita lost, said Napisa Waitoolkiat, a political analyst with Naresuan University, speaking ahead of the vote.

"Not only young voters but also progressive voters" would come out on the streets, she said.

Napisa said the result would also invite further criticism of Thailand's top institutions, including the Constitutional Court or the Election Commission (EC).

- Dark clouds -

A day before the vote, the EC recommended Pita's suspension from parliament over allegations he broke campaign rules -- a move the MFP branded as an "abuse of power".

The recommendation followed a probe into Pita's ownership of shares in a media company, prohibited under Thai law.

The station has not broadcast since 2007, and Pita has said the shares were inherited from his father.

Pita's MFP was the only party that campaigned on tackling the thorny issue of the royal defamation laws, but that too landed it in trouble.

The Constitutional Court accepted a case alleging that the promise amounts to attempting to "overthrow" the constitutional monarchy. The party has two weeks to present their defence.

Speaking after the vote, Pita supporter Suprawadee Thientham told AFP she was devastated and furious following the senators' decision.

"They don't listen to the people's voices, it's not right", she said.

"I want to send a message to senators, you remember that your salary comes from the people's tax," she said.

"But you betrayed us."

bur-tp-rbu/aha
FILE - Leader of Move Forward Party Pita Limjaroenrat arrives before the signing of a memorandum of understanding on attempt to form a coalition government between Move Forward Party and other parties during a news conference in Bangkok, Thailand on May 22, 2023. Thailand's state Election Commission announced Wednesday, July 12, it has concluded there is evidence that the top candidate to become the country's next prime minister, Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, has violated election law, and has referred his case to the Constitutional Court for a ruling. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)

BANGKOK (AP)  Thailands Election Commission said Wednesday there is evidence that the top candidate to become the next prime minister  a reformist with strong backing among progressive young voters  violated election law and referred his case to the Constitutional Court.

The commissions decision included a request that the court order Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat to be suspended as a member of Parliament until the panel issues a ruling.

The alleged violation involves undeclared ownership of media company shares, which are banned for lawmakers. Separately, the court also said it would review a complaint that Pita and his party may have violated the law by proposing to amend Thailand's strict legal provision against defaming the monarchy. Thai media said the court would not make any ruling on Wednesday and that it might need some to consider the issues.

Pita can still be nominated on Thursday when Parliament meets to vote for a new prime minister. But the commission's move raises new doubts about whether he can muster enough votes to get the post, already a struggle because of Thailand's deep political divisions.

The Move Forward Party, with a progressive reformist platform, swept to a surprise first-place finish in Mays general election, capturing 151 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives and the most popular votes. Move Forward has assembled an eight-party, 311-seat coalition with which it had planned to take power.

But Pita's path to power is difficult because he must win 376 votes in a joint session of the House and the conservative, 250-seat, non-elected Senate. The Senate largely represents Thailand's traditional ruling establishment, which suspects Move Forward's proposals for minor reforms of the monarchy endanger the royal institution, which they consider to be the center of Thais' national identity.

Pita's party responded to the Election Commission's decision by questioning its fairness and even its legality. It said its decision was unnecessarily hurried and violated its own procedures by failing to call Pita to give a statement.

The commission had earlier said it acted correctly but Move Forward alleges its members may have engaged in malfeasance, or carrying out duties in a wrongful manner, a crime punishable by 10 years imprisonment and a fine.

The election law complaint against Pita, lodged by a member of a rival party, alleges he ran for office in 2019 while failing to declare his shares in a media company.

The case the commission referred to the court accuses Pita of running for office with awareness that he was ineligible, a criminal violation punishable by maximum imprisonment of three years and/or a fine of up to 60,000 baht ($1,720). The party faces a fine of up to 100,000 baht ($2,865).

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, the governments top legal advisor, has been quoted as saying that a ruling against Pita could be grounds for nullifying the May election results and holding a new election.

There have been fears since the election that Thailands conservative ruling establishment would use what its political opponents consider to be dirty tricks to hold on to power. For a decade-and-a-half, it has repeatedly used the courts and supposedly independent state agencies such as the Election Commission to issue controversial rulings to cripple or sink political opponents.

The dissolution in 2019 of the Future Forward party, a forerunner of Move Forward, triggered vigorous street protests by pro-democracy activists that trailed off only when the coronavirus pandemic took hold.

Hours after the Election Commission announced its referral of the shareholding case, the Constitutional Court said it had has accepted a separate petition against Move Forward and Pita concerning their campaign promise to amend Thailand's harsh lese majeste law,.

The law, also known as Article 112, mandates a three to 15 year prison term for defaming the king, his immediate family, or the regent. Critics of the law say it is abused for political purposes, and Move Forward wants changes to rein in such abuses, which it claims actually do damage to the monarchy's reputation.

Royalists soundly reject all efforts to amend the law, and courts have sometimes treated such proposals themselves as tantamount to violating the law. The military and the courts consider themselves stalwart defenders of the monarchy, and the Senate members overwhelmingly share their viewpoint.

If the court agrees that the accused's actions constitute trying to overthrow the constitutional monarchy  a separate provision from Article 112  they will not be subject to punishment but can be ordered to cease all activities related to their proposed amendment, subject to prosecution if they continue.
U.S. decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine "irresponsible, dangerous": Croatian analyst

Xinhua) 09:07, July 12, 2023

This photo taken on Feb. 3, 2023 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

This decision could potentially be a war crime, Plese said, noting that the United States "does not respect international conventions and agreements and behaves only according to its own interests."

ZAGREB, July 11 (Xinhua) -- The decision by the United States to send cluster munitions to Ukraine is "irresponsible and dangerous" and will certainly escalate the Ukraine crisis, Mladen Plese, a leading Croatian political analyst, told Xinhua on Tuesday.

This decision could potentially be a war crime, Plese said, noting that the United States "does not respect international conventions and agreements and behaves only according to its own interests."

Volunteers deliver life supplies to people trapped by floods in the Kherson region, June 9, 2023. The Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant was destroyed on Tuesday, causing a decrease in the dam water level and massive flooding in nearby areas. (Photo by Peter Druk/Xinhua)

In addition to escalating the crisis, the U.S. move could trigger the ultimate danger of nuclear weapons being put into use, "which would be a disaster for the whole world," Plese added, stressing that the only possible solution for the crisis is that all concerned parties have to sit down and negotiate.

The United States announced on Friday that the cluster bombs will be a part of a new military assistance package worth 800 million U.S. dollars to Ukraine. The move has elicited sharp criticism worldwide.

People inspect the aftermath of shelling of the city market in Donetsk, Dec. 12, 2022. (Photo by Victor/Xinhua)

Though the highly contentious weapon is widely banned by many countries, including key U.S. allies, Washington has continued to hold these munitions in its arsenal and vowed to help Ukraine destroy what it called "heavily dug-in" Russian forces.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
(CNN)  Six people have died in a helicopter crash in Nepal, a spokesperson for Kathmandus Tribhuvan International Airport said Tuesday.

The Manang Air helicopter was carrying five Mexican passengers and a Nepali pilot, Teknath Sitoula told CNN.

Reuters reported that Manang Air caters to tourists wanting a view of Nepals peaks, including Mount Everest, the worlds tallest mountain.

It set off from Solukhumbu district, where Everest is situated, at 10:05 a.m. local time (12:20 a.m. ET) on Tuesday, heading for the capital, Kathmandu, according to a statement issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.

The helicopter lost contact less than 10 minutes later, at 10:13 a.m., and was later found crashed in Solukhumbus rural municipality of Likhupike, according to the authority.

It added that locals and police who reached the crash site found the bodies of all on board.

All six bodies have been located. We are now starting the process to take them to Kathmandu. It will take some time because it means traveling by road from the crash site and then flying to Kathmandu, Sitoula told CNN.

He added that the cause of the crash has not yet been determined.

Nepals inclement weather, low visibility and mountainous topography all contribute to its reputation as notoriously dangerous for aviation.

In January, at least 68 people were killed when an aircraft went down near the city of Pokhara in central Nepal. This was the Himalayan nations deadliest plane crash in more than 30 years.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Six killed in Nepal helicopter crash near Mount Everest"
Thames Water: nationalisation is not the way forward says new chairman

A worker from Thames Water delivering a temporary water supply from a tanker to the village of Northend in Oxfordshire on 10 August 2022

Thames Water's new chair has said nationalisation is not the right way forward despite the regulator warning the company has "deep-rooted" problems.

Sir Adrian Montague said he understood customer "frustration" over the UK's largest water firm's poor performance.

But he said the best way to resolve it was keeping the company under private ownership.

Thames Water has faced criticism over sewage discharges and leaks and is struggling under 14bn debts.

In June, there had been fears that the company could collapse and the government said it was ready to take it over. But since then, Thames Water has secured a 750m cash injection from its shareholders.

Appearing before MPs on Wednesday, Sir Adrian said "public ownership seems to be the answer to many questions, I think when you conduct a real evaluation, I think private ownership is still the way forward".

"I can understand frustration of customers who want to see improvements, we would love to be able to deliver all those improvements overnight but it will take time," Sir Adrian added, who is the former chairman of Aviva and outgoing boss of Manchester Airports Group.

There has been speculation that if Thames Water failed to secure fresh funds it could be temporarily taken over by the government until a new buyer is found, in what is called a special administration regime (SAR).

This route was most recently taken with energy supplier Bulb after it ran into financial difficulties.

Iain Coucher, chairman of water industry regulator Ofwat, told the committee of MPs that "at this point" he was "confident the shareholders will inject some cash".

But he warned that problems at Thames Water were "deep-rooted" and its current situation was a consequence of its underperformance.

"They need to fix that as quickly as possible otherwise they will have the same problems in the future," he said.

Mr Coucher also said he "would worry" about the level of investment required for the industry if it was nationalised, adding that up to 6bn a year had been invested into the water sector since it had been privatised in 1989.

Thames map

Thames Water serves a quarter of the UK population across London and parts of southern England.

It leaks more water than any other water company in UK, losing the equivalent of up to 250 Olympic size swimming pools every day from its pipes.

The company's future came under the spotlight last month when it emerged it was in talks to secure extra funding, and the firm's chief executive Sarah Bentley stepped down after just two years.

Sir Adrian told MPs Ms Bentley's departure was a "surprise", adding he believed she had "got to the point perhaps of feeling that the burdens of office were considerable and it was an entirely personal decision, with which I think we had no involvement".

Thames Water's new joint chief executives Alastair Cochran and Cathryn Ross both faced questions from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Ms Ross, who was previously chief executive of Ofwat, was asked by Labour MP Darren Jones if she would like to apologise to taxpayers for "potentially putting them in this position where yet again another regulated market could potentially collapse and expose taxpayers to billions of pounds".

Ms Ross said: "I won't apologise for my role as chief executive of Ofwat, no."

Last week, Thames Water was fined 3.3m after it discharged millions of litres of untreated sewage into two rivers near Gatwick in 2017, killing more than 1,400 fish.

A judge said she believed there had been a "deliberate attempt" by the firm to mislead the Environment Agency, but Ms Ross said the company was changing its culture.

"I think historically, we were a company in which bad news travelled upwards to slowly, I think people were afraid to say how things really were on the ground," she told MPs.

The current leadership of Ofwat is also under pressure over its performance in regulating water firms, but denied its chair, Mr Coucher, had been "asleep at the wheel".

David Black, the chief executive of Ofwat, told MPs that customers would not foot the bill for Thames Water's troubles through higher bills, saying "shareholders are up for the additional costs associated with their poor performance".

But Mr Black has already admitted water companies generally are likely to seek higher bills from 2025 to cover the cost of improving services.
There's A Promising New Alzheimer's Drug. Here's Who Can Take It.

The new drug is a

The new drug is a "major milestone" for Alzheimer's treatment, according to experts.

Alzheimers is a heartbreaking medical condition that affects millions of people and families. It can cause debilitating issues like memory loss, confusion and personality changes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 5.8 million Americans are living with the disease as of 2020, making it the most prevalent form of dementia.

Its a horrible disorder that is, unfortunately, extremely common [and] very burdensome to patients families and devastating for the folks involved, said Dr. Thomas Wisniewski, director of the Alzheimers disease research center at NYU Langone Health.

However, a piece of recent news may offer some measure of hope: Last week, the Food and Drug Administration fully approved Leqembi, a medication intended to slow the progression of Alzheimers.

This is the first fully FDA-approved disease-modifying therapeutic approach for Alzheimers disease, Wisniewski said. This is a major milestone for the field, as well as for patients.

Below, experts explain who may be eligible for Leqembi, when it will be available and what it means for people with Alzheimers disease.

Leqembi is intended for early-stage Alzheimers disease.

The drug is for people with mild cognitive impairment or very early stages of Alzheimers disease dementia, said Dr. Anjali Patel, a cognitive neurologist at the Atlantic Neuroscience Institute at Overlook Medical Center in New Jersey. This medication is not for moderate or advanced dementia.

Wisniewski noted that Leqembi isnt intended for people who have any other significant cause of cognitive symptoms. People also need to meet specific medical requirements before being authorized to take this treatment. Your doctor, or your loved ones doctor, will determine eligibility for this treatment by running tests.

Additionally, Wisniewski said specific medical conditions  like being on blood thinners, or having epilepsy or a bleeding disorder  could exclude you from the treatment. Patients do have to be carefully assessed, he said.



Its distributed through an infusion.

According to Patel, Leqembi is an intravenous infusion given every two weeks. Because of this, she said, some of the most common side effects are infusion-related reactions (think bruising and pain).

Leqembi is not for everyone  it is intended for people with early-stage Alzheimer's.

Leqembi is not for everyone  it is intended for people with early-stage Alzheimer's.

It slows down the progression of Alzheimers, but it doesnt eliminate the disease.

Wisniewski said this medication has been shown to slow down the memory-loss aspect of Alzheimers disease. The medication works by helping to clear proteins and plaque that create lesions in the brain responsible for the development of the disorder.

In the clinical trial over the 18 months of treatments, there was a 27% reduction in cognitive decline. So, thats a highly statistically significant difference in the treated versus the placebo patients, Wisniewski said. Its estimated that over that 18-month period, it delayed disease progression over a period of around five months.

If the treatment is extended beyond 18 months, its possible there will be more striking clinical benefits, he said. But that remains to be determined.



And the opposite could be true, too. Its not known whether that benefit is durable beyond 18 months  the data just isnt there, said Dr. David Knopman, a clinical neurologist at the Mayo Clinic. Its not a criticism, its just not there.

While all of this is a huge step for Alzheimers treatment, it isnt a miracle yet.

Whats important for patients to keep in mind, and for doctors to emphasize, is while this medication may decrease the rate of clinical decline that occurs with Alzheimers disease, it is not a cure or reversal of the disease, Patel said. And, as noted above, people with more advanced stages of Alzheimers are not eligible for the medication.

There are risks associated with Leqembi.

The drug does have adverse events, Knopman said. But, compared to other Alzheimers drugs, it has the best safety profile, he added.

About 1 in 5 patients in the first year experience symptoms known as amyloid-related imaging abnormalities, or ARIA, Knopman said. Its the principal and worrisome adverse events that occurs with these drugs, he noted. This can include serious concerns like hemorrhage and brain swelling.

In the clinical trial, symptoms of brain swelling and bleeding were typically mild, but can be fatal, Patel said.

In some folks, these were asymptomatic reactions, Wisniewski noted.

While this is a scary risk, Patel pointed out that people on this medication will have regular MRIs with their doctor to monitor for any signs of ARIA. Wisniewski also noted that patients who had adverse reactions in the clinical trial stopped treatment for a period of time as determined by a doctor.

As with all medications, there are risks associated with the treatment  but that doesnt make it any less important a step in Alzheimers research. Knopman said this drug does have benefits when balanced against the risks.

I think its up to patients and their families, hearing the whole story honestly, with no sugarcoating, [to] let them decide, he said.

The exact availability timeline will likely vary.

A few factors may determine when this medication is available in your community: where you live, your access to comprehensive hospitals and your insurance.

We are awaiting more information and guidance from neurology societies, FDA, Eisai Co. [the pharmaceutical company that makes the drug] and insurance carriers such as Medicare regarding eligibility requirements, side effect management and cost coverage, Patel said. This process may take up to several months.

Wisniewski said that NYU plans to begin administration to at least a limited number of patients as soon as this month.

Additionally, some people started taking the medication when it received FDA accelerated approval in January, Wisniewski said  though it was largely limited to those who could afford the medication out of pocket. (Out of pocket, the drug costs $26,500 a year, according to Knopman.)

To find out when this drug will be available for you or a loved one, its best to talk to your doctor.

Hopefully, this means more Alzheimers treatments are on the horizon.

Wisniewski said this is a positive development, and that there may be more Alzheimers medications on the way.

Were hoping that there are a number of other agents that are in development that are similar or perhaps better than Leqembi in the works, he said. The hope is that in years to come, there would be a wider set of choices for patients for disease-modifying therapeutic interventions, that one will be able to tailor therapeutic approaches to a given patient more accurately.

Related...
Lenin Nolly/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Your 21st birthday is supposed to be a happy occasion. But right now, hundreds of thousands of people who grew up in the United States are dreading it. Unless Congress acts, the lives they've built here will remain in jeopardy.

The U.S. is home to over 200,000 "Documented Dreamers," dependent visa holders who were brought to the country legally as children by parents on nonimmigrant visas. Though they're here lawfully, those dependents need to secure a work visa or sponsorship for a green card before turning 21. If they can't, they're forced to self-deport.

"Dreamers," undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children by their undocumented parents, are shielded from deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivalsor DACAprogram. But Documented Dreamers don't enjoy the same protections.

"The reason a lot of people are in that situation is because legal pathways don't actually exist," says Dip Patel, founder of Improve the Dream, a group that advocates for Documented Dreamers. "Most people have this misconception where an immigrant can come here, apply, and get in line. That doesn't exist for the vast majority of people."

These dependents' parents are in the U.S. on various nonimmigrant visas, including the H-1B visa for skilled workers in "specialty occupations." When parents apply for green cards, their applications may get backlogged. Documented Dreamers are predominantly from India and China. As a result of per-country caps that limit how many green cards a given country's nationals can receive in a year, their parents often face waits of years or even decades. Kids age out of their dependent status if their parents don't secure permanent residency before they turn 21. From there, the kids can try their luck at a student visa or other temporary status, self-deport, or become undocumented.

Last year, Reason spoke with Fedora Castelino and Laurens Van Beek, two Documented Dreamers. Castelino, then 18, described how difficult it was "to realize that I've lived here basically my entire life," yet "this is actually not my home." Her immigration status has limited her opportunities. Without work authorization, she said, she couldn't take on a job to earn extra cash for her family. She didn't qualify for in-state tuition since she was technically an out-of-state international student. Van Beek had to self-deport to Belgium after college and postgraduate extensions, leaving his family and American life behind. It was his first international flight since arriving in the U.S. at age 7.

A proposal currently under consideration in the House and Senate would address many issues faced by Documented Dreamers, and it has rare supportPatel notes that it's the most bipartisan immigration bill in Congress right now, boasting 14 Republican and 14 Democratic House co-sponsors. In the Senate, its sponsors include Sens. Rand Paul (RKy.), Alex Padilla (DCalif.), and Kyrsten Sinema (IAriz.).

The America's CHILDREN Act would allow individuals brought to the U.S. as dependents of employment visa holders to receive permanent residency if they've been present here for 10 years (eight of which were under the age of 21) and graduated from an American university. "I think it creates something that most Americans assume is already a reality," says Patel. "That would give true certainty for everyone that's impacted by this issue of growing up here as a child of a long-term visa holder."

Another provision in the bill would establish age-out protections for dependents. Instead of those individuals aging out of their dependent status at 21, their age for adjustment purposes would be locked in as of the day their parents filed for green cards. "That ensures that since they came here as a family unit, they're allowed to stay and their application is still valid and they don't lose their place in line," explains Patel.

Reps. Deborah Ross (DN.C.) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (RIowa) introduced a related amendment to the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). It's narrower than the America's CHILDREN Act, containing no permanent residency provision. A modified version of the America's CHILDREN Act passed the House NDAA last year, but it didn't make it into the version adopted by both chambers.

Protecting Documented Dreamers from deportation is economically important. In a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas last June, officials from Amazon, Google, and Uber pushed for "more robust aging out policies," noting that current policies make it harder to attract foreign talent. That's true of the parents, but it's critical to retain the kids, too: An Improve the Dream survey found that over 99 percent of Documented Dreamer respondents pursue higher education, with 87 percent in STEM and health care fields.

But the significance of the issue goes far beyond economics. This immigration oversight affects individuals who have come here and lived here legally, identify as American, and don't remember any other country. "I wouldn't be fighting so much to push this information out and push this news out if I didn't truly love living in America," Castelino told Reason last year. "America is where I want to live. I love this country."

The post They're Here Legally, but Face Self-Deportation When They Turn 21. When Will Congress Act? appeared first on Reason.com.
Think you know grammar, punctuation & spelling? If you're from MD  probably not

I recently had the pleasure of helping judge an essay contest, in an age when anyone capable of maintaining a written thought for more than 14 words is worthy of at least an honorable mention.

The first I initially disqualified under general grammatical standards on the theory that if youre going to write about a basketball scholarship, a family picnic and a failed suicide attempt, these events need to be separated by at least a comma.

But by the time I reached the fourth, the first wasnt looking so bad after all, given the others propensity to ignore grammar altogether. Fortunately though, I know grammar still exists, at least in a theoretical sense, because I was recently sent the results of a national survey ranking each states fluency in grammar, punctuation and spelling.

Tim Rowland

The No. 1 state for good grammar was California, where the leftist government probably pays people not to use double modals. And oddly enough, Louisiana came in at No. 9.

Really? How do you know whether sentences like House ya mama n dem, day scarin up a fais do-do? are correct or not? James Carville may be the greatest grammarian since Henry Watson Fowler, but well never know, because we cant understand a word that he says.

The news release accompanying the survey says, Grammar skills are something we are all taught early in school, but does everyone retain that knowledge as they age? (We) surveyed more than 1,800 Americans to learn about their grammar skills and what they still remember from high school. Maryland didn't rank so high.

Indeed, Maryland was fourth lowest among the responding states, below even West Virginia, which just seems wrong.

Actually, based on my experience as a certified essay-contest judge, I cant even agree with their basic premise that grammar is something thats universally taught in school to begin with, much less retained.

If they are indeed teaching grammar, they should feel free to try a different pedological model. Like all problems with modern education, I believe this can be traced to the prohibition of smoking in the teachers lounge. I firmly believe it is impossible to endure more than 90 minutes of howling 12-year-olds without escaping to a smoke-filled room to re-establish equilibrium, preferably with the assistance of organic relaxants.

But Maryland cant be worse than West Virginia. Can it? I grew up in, and remain fiercely proud of, the Mountain State. Hank Williams sang about us in his song Country Boys Can Survive, and he knew what he was talking about. You notice he says we can skin a buck and we can run a trotline, not we can skin a buck and we can conjugate ditransitive verbs into the past-continuous and present-perfect tenses.

So how does Maryland get sucker punched by a state where the past tense of know is knowed, and anything that is impressive is more likely to be described as right good?

Hard to say. But I believe Marylands distinct and insular communities tend to bring down the average in multiple ways.

Consider a general statement of affirmation in the three most prominent Maryland regions:

Western Maryland: You got that right (var. I heard that).

Eastern Shore: O S M R 2.

Baltimore: Knock yoself a pro, hon, that gray matter backlot wont perform us down.

You see the problem. Maryland lacks that one cleanup hitter in the lineup that can boost the overall team average.

I think you could also make the argument that the people who are sitting around with nothing better to do than respond to surveys are not going to be, how to say this politely, the sharpest pick in the dental kit. Bill Gates is not taking time out from his quest to eliminate malaria to take grammar surveys.

Nor is it really news that were bad at grammar, and most people no longer seem to care. Or as we said in West Virginia, It dont make no neverminds.

Tim Rowland is a Herald-Mail columnist.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Maryland falls behind West Virginia among word nerds, apparently
Thousands in grant money awarded across region to provide students with healthier, safe environment

Dozens of Miami Valley school districts have been awarded thousands in state funding.

>>Latest round of school safety grants announced; How the money breaks down across the Miami Valley

Governor Mike DeWine announced more than $33 million in state funds were awarded to nearly 750 districts and schools, the governors spokesperson said.

The purpose is to provide students with safer and healthier learning environments through the Ohio Department of Educations Stronger Connections Grant.

The Stronger Connections grant strengthens our commitment to ensuring students are safe and have the resources they need while addressing the mental and physical health needs that are critical to ensuring students are ready to learn and be successful in the classroom and in life, said DeWine.

Some of the big local recipients are:

City of Dayton- $615,660.11

Fairborn- $118,722.37

Eaton- $19,035.14

Districts and schools can use Stronger Connections Grant funds to support their local health and safety needs, including student wellness and mental health.

It is critical for students to enter a positive, safe, and supportive learning environment each day as they explore, discover, and achieve, said Dr. Chris Woolard, Interim Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Stronger Connections grant helps schools to continue addressing challenges that impact a childs learning so students can focus on reaching success.

All school districts and community schools that applied for the Stronger Connections Grant received a Tier 1 or Tier 2 award based on health and safety factors collected from data, including rates of poverty, chronic absenteeism, and exclusionary discipline.

A full list of recipients and their award amounts can be found here.
Three dead, at least 14 injured following crash on Greyhound bus headed to St. Louis

Three people died and at least 14 were injured in a collision between a Greyhound bus traveling from Indianapolis to St. Louis and multiple commercial vehicles early Wednesday in Illinois.

Officers responded around 1:54 a.m. to the crash on westbound Interstate 70 near the Silver Lake Rest Area in Madison County, Illinois, according to Josh Robinson, a spokesman for the Illinois State Police.

The bus was traveling westbound on I-70 when it hit three commercial motor vehicles parked on the exit ramp to the rest area, police said.

Three people died, four were taken to a hospital by helicopter and at least 10 others were transported by ambulance. All the injured people, which includes the bus driver and passengers, have serious injuries.

Our primary concern is ensuring we care for our passengers and driver at this time, Greyhound said in a statement. We are working closely with local authorities and a relief bus is on the way for passengers.

No one in the commercial motor vehicles was injured.

One westbound lane of I-70 is now open between mile markers 28 and 24.
A thrift-store manager found a first-edition copy of 'The Hobbit' in the backroom. It just sold for $13,000.

An auction house examines another first-edition copy of "The Hobbit" by JRR Tolkien. Sang Tan/AP Photo

A thrift-store manager found a first-edition copy of JRR Tolkien's "The Hobbit" while organizing stock.

He initially thought it was too old to be able to sell, according to The Independent.

But the rare first-edition, one of just 1500 printed, sold on eBay for $13,000.

A manager at a charity thrift store in the UK found a rare, first-edition copy of JRR Tolkien's "The Hobbit," which just sold on eBay for 10,099.50 ($13,055.98), according to the Independent.

The book, which was first published in 1937, brought in a small windfall for the Cancer Research store in Dundee, Scotland, which normally sells items for 5 ($6.46) or less.

"The Hobbit" went on to become one of the best-selling books of all time, with over 100 million copies sold. It was also adapted into a big-budget trilogy of movies, which along with "The Lord of the Rings" became one of the highest-grossing movie series ever made.

"The Hobbit" has never been out of print, but few first-edition copies remain. Only 1,500 copies were printed in the book's first-ever run.

Adam Carsley, the manager of the Cancer Research store in Dundee, said he wasn't expecting to come across one when he was organizing stock in the backroom.

At first, he thought the "well looked after" book was going to be hard to sell in the store due to its age, according to the Independent. But then he examined it a little further.

"I opened the first page to see it was a first edition and thought it may be worthy of sending to the eBay team," Carsley said, per the Independent.

Even then he wasn't expecting such a high price. "At first, I thought we'd get a maximum of 500 if we were lucky so I couldn't believe it when I heard a few months later it had sold for over 10,000," he said.

Carsley told the Independent that it was one of the most valuable items donated to the store.

"Most definitely the highest price achieved on our eBay site for a single item," he said, per the newspaper, adding: "Donations like these help to fund lifesaving research across the whole of the UK."

Cancer Research did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Another first-edition copy of "The Hobbit" previously sold at auction in 2021 for 59,800 ($77,305), the Bournemouth Daily Echo reported.

Read the original article on Insider
Thurston County man shot by deputy on 4th of July has been released from jail

The domestic violence suspect who a Thurston County Sheriffs Office deputy shot multiple times on July 4 has been released from custody.

Although the man faces two counts of second-degree assault, he was released from Thurston County Jail without bail on July 6.

Before his release, he also was evaluated by the Washington State Designated Crisis Responders, who determined the suspect was not at risk to himself or others, said Paul Logan, chief of special services for the Grays Harbor County Sheriffs Office. Logan said he has not talked to the crisis responders about how they made their determination.

Investigators are still working to determine whether the deputy who shot the man should be charged, Logan said.

About 3:50 p.m. July 4, two Thurston deputies were dispatched to the 7500 block of 14th Avenue Northeast near Lacey after a man called, saying police needed to respond before he killed someone. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man and a woman at the home.

When the man produced a weapon, one of the responding deputies shot him multiple times. The mans minor injuries were treated at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia.

Logan told The Olympian that a number of the rounds fired at the suspect did not hit him directly, so his injuries were not severe.

The Region 3 Critical Incident Investigations Team, led by the Grays Harbor County Sheriffs Office, is investigating the incident because of the Thurston deputys involvement.
What started as an Arizona couples side business selling street tacos from a food cart to support their family of six has blossomed into three brick-and-mortar storefront restaurants in Arizona  with a little help from TikTok.

After a customers video showing off their cuisine went viral on the social media platform during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the demand skyrocketed, the owner of AZ Taco King, who goes by Jazmin or Jazz, told McClatchy News in an interview.

People were calling us day and night  all our phone numbers and asking where the tacos were, Jazmin, 34, of Phoenix, said.

I was telling my husband, like, this could be it,Jazmin said, while explaining she and Samuel Sears both lost their full-time jobs when COVID-19 hit and were struggling financially as a low-income family.

So the couple combined their savings and opened their first AZ Taco King in Phoenix in September 2020. Now the family-owned business, which involves two of their sons, has nearly 28 employees, locations in Avondale and Glendale and a food truck.

AZ Taco Kings restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona.

About a year ago, Jazmin created a TikTok page for AZ Taco King. The account, which showcases an array of Mexican dishes the business serves  including birria tacos, tortas, quesadillas and more  has amassed over 85,000 followers.

Sometimes after posting a TikTok video, customers come surging in, she said.

Jazmin is one of more than 150 million TikTok users in the U.S., where calls to ban the app, owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance and headquartered in Beijing, have emerged from lawmakers in recent months  particularly over national security concerns in relation to China.

When President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan omnibus spending bill on Dec. 29, it banned TikTok on federal government devices, McClatchy News previously reported. Meanwhile, several states have restricted accessing the app on state-owned devices.

U.S. universities and colleges have made similar moves, with Clemson University in South Carolina being one of the most recent universities to ban access to the social media app on campus servers and WiFi networks, according to The Tiger, its student newspaper.

Montana TikTok creator joins historic legal battle over TikTok

TikTok creator Heather DiRocco with her husband and three children.

When Heather DiRocco joined TikTok in 2018, she wanted to see whether the app was safe for her three children, she told McClatchy News in an interview. Then, she started making and sharing her own videos for fun.

DiRocco, 36, of Bozeman, Montana, is part of a group of TikTok creators suing the state over its TikTok ban, which she first learned about from one of her followers on the site.

That ban on TikTok became a reality for residents in Montana, the first state to outlaw the app, on May 17. The ban, which is meant to go into effect on Jan. 1, is being challenged in court.

In signing the law, Gov. Greg Gianforte said the move was a measure to protect Montantans private data and personal information from the Chinese Communist Party.

Those five Montana-based TikTok creators and TikTok Inc. filed separate federal lawsuits against Attorney General Austin Knudsen in response, arguing the ban is unconstitutional and violates the First Amendment. The cases were consolidated on June 28, and both parties have asked the court to prevent the ban until the cases are settled, court records show. A hearing on the matter is scheduled to take place on Oct. 12.

We expected legal challenges and are fully prepared to defend the law that helps protect Montanans privacy and security, Emily Flower, a spokeswoman for Knudsen, told McClatchy News in a statement.

The Chinese Communist Party is using TikTok as a tool to spy on Americans by collecting personal information, keystrokes, and even the locations of its users  and by extension, people without TikTok who affiliate with users may have information about themselves shared without even knowing it.

DiRocco, a Marine Corps veteran, has gained 200,000 followers and millions of views on the platform, where she posts comedic skits and content about makeup, cosplay and mental health.

TikTok creator Heather DiRocco, of Bozeman, Montana.

The bulk of her following has come from her short comedy skits based on her military experience, she said. DiRocco also uses the app to connect with others, including veterans.

In regards to the states TikTok ban, she said its actually really terrifying to me that this could be a reality. Last time I checked, thats not what this country stood for in restricting and silencing things.

I dont see it passing, she added. However, Im also expecting the worst. And if it does pass, Im gonna be incredibly shocked.

DiRocco said she joined the lawsuit after being approached by attorneys representing the case. The lawsuit is being funded by TikTok, the company confirmed to McClatchy News.

In addition to owning two businesses in Montana  a manufacturing company and seasonal witch shop  DiRocco earns supplemental income on TikTok from both user engagement and brand deals she occasionally participates in.

TikTok users, including those in Montana, with a large following may earn income as part of the companys Creator Fund, the Montana lawsuit points out.

Many creators have expressed major concerns both privately and publicly about the potential impact of the Montana law on their livelihoods, TikTok spokesperson Jodi Seth told McClatchy News of the state ban. We will support our creators in fighting for their constitutional rights.

Other efforts underway to ban TikTok and national security concerns

The prospect of a TikTok ban has left many experts divided.

Any ban on TikTok is going to fail as a constitutional matter, Ashley Gorski, an attorney of the American Civil Liberties Union, told McClatchy News. And thats because under the First Amendment, we have the right to speak, to express ourselves, to access news and to receive information from others.

Joel Thayer, a technology and telecommunications attorney based in Washington, D.C. and president of the Digital Progress Institute, who supports Montanas TikTok ban, disagrees.

Banning TikTok is not only Constitutional, but an absolute necessity if we want to prohibit China from spying on us, he told McClatchy News in an email interview.

The Justice Departments criminal division is investigating ByteDance over whether it has spied on U.S. citizens, including journalists, Forbes reported on March 16, days before TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testified before U.S. lawmakers at a congressional hearing on March 23.

At the hearing, Chew denied ByteDance had engaged in such conduct and that the Chinese Communist Party has influence over the company, Reuters reported.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testifies during a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, on the platforms consumer privacy and data security practices and impact on children, Thursday, March 23, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

On the federal level, one bill known as the Restrict Act, introduced by Democratic Senator Mark Warner of Virginia on March 7, is designed to facilitate a government ban on TikTok without doing so directly, Gorski explained.

According to the bills summary, if signed into law, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce would have the authority to identify, deter, disrupt, prevent, prohibit, investigate, and mitigate transactions involving technology products and services, including social media apps, in which any foreign adversary (such as China) has any interest, and (2) that pose an undue or unacceptable risk to U.S. national security or the safety of U.S. persons.

The day of its introduction, the bipartisan bill received public support from the Biden Administration, which has been clear about its security concerns over TikTok.

The administration is focused on the challenge of certain countries, including China, seeking to leverage digital technologies and Americans data in ways that present unacceptable national security risks, a White House national security spokesperson previously told McClatchy News.

To address national security concerns, TikTok has been working on a plan called Project Texas with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States for the past two years.

The company has spent about $1.5 billion to implement the plan and its goal of safeguarding TikTok U.S. user data and ensuring the platform is free from outside influence.

In connection with Project Texas, a subsidiary called TikTok U.S. Data Security was established to manage all business functions that require access to U.S. user data and ensures content shown on the platform in the U.S. isnt being manipulated by outside influences.

TikTok gives journalism student a platform to anchor the news

As conversations continue on the best way to handle security concerns surrounding TikTok, creators are left with uncertainty.

Jackson Gosnell, 19, is a broadcast journalism student at the University of South Carolina who shares news stories with more than 132,000 TikTok followers.

He started posting news videos on the platform during the COVID-19 pandemic, sharing information about virus cases and trending stories.

From that point on, his following grew, he told McClatchy News in an interview.

TikTok creator Jackson Gosnell, who is a broadcast journalism student at the University of South Carolina.

Most people no longer watch a television newscast, he said. And so this is a way for me to continue to reach people and give them just a small portion of news.

In addition to trending stories, Gosnell focuses on politics, covers different presidential campaigns and interviews politicians, including Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

When asked how hed feel about a TikTok ban, he said such a measure would be devastating.

I feel like we would be shutting down our freedom of speech if we begin picking and choosing which avenues we decide to block off for information to be shared, Gosnell said.

Gosnell said he believes politicians have legitimate concerns when it comes to China but feels talks of a U.S. TikTok ban are largely political.

I understand theres real concerns, he said. I talk to some of these people who go on television and act crazy about the app and I understand why they do it. Most of the time its for political points.

In a new Pew Research Center survey involving 5,101 U.S. adults, 59% said they see TikTok as a major or minor threat to national security. Based on the findings, released on July 10, older adults and adults who dont use TikTok were more likely to view it as a threat.

More on the Montana ban

When it comes to Montanas TikTok ban  which not only bans the app but seeks to punish app stores that allow people to download it  Thayer said states have a right to protect their citizens when the federal government will not act.

In regards to the First Amendment, Thayer said Montanas law doesnt violate it, as argued in both lawsuits, and expects the ban to survive the legal challenges.

He pointed to the U.S. Supreme Court case Arcara v. Cloud Books, Inc., when justices ruled in 1986 that New York state didnt violate the First Amendment when it shuttered an adult bookstore accused of engaging in prostitution for health violations.

Even though we think of a bookstore as a quintessential venue for First Amendment activity, the Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment did not prevent the government from shutting down the bookstore because the government was acting based on the owners decision to engage in prohibited, non-speech conduct, in this case the solicitation of prostitution, he said. For Montanas law specifically, it wisely targets the conduct of app stores and the app itself as opposed to the content occurring on the app.

Given that ByteDance has shown that it uses TikTok to spy on Americans and the ban is not attempting to ban certain users or speech on other platforms (e.g., Instagram, Snapchat, etc.), it will likely pass constitutional muster under the First Amendment or avoid the issue entirely as New York did in Arcara.

Gorski, however, fully expects the courts to strike down Montanas ban as unconstitutional as she said it clearly violates the First Amendment.

The federal government or state government cannot impose a total ban on a communications platform like TikTok, unless it is the only way to prevent extremely serious, significant, immediate harm to national security.

She said to date there is no public evidence of that type of harm.

If a total ban on TikTok in the U.S. became a reality, Jazmin said itd be pretty scary and could harm her business, which she hopes her sons will take over one day.

For her, other platforms, such as Facebook or Instagram, dont compare to TikTok in terms of bringing exposure to her business and leading to sales in return.

If it wasnt for TikTok, we wouldnt be able to open the locations that we have right now  so it definitely would be very, very hurtful to us, Jazmin said.

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Sen. Tommy Tuberville talks to reporters at the Capitol in May after facing backlash for remarks he made about white nationalists. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Sen. Tommy Tubervilles positions on white nationalism and the militarys policy on traveling for abortions have put Republicans in a difficult spot.

After weeks of insisting that white nationalism doesnt equal racism, and tripling down on that opinion over the previous 24 hours, the Alabama Republican eventually told reporters Tuesday at the Capitol that white nationalists are racists. Republicans in Washington, D.C., had spent the day fielding questions about Tubervilles position.

White supremacy is simply unacceptable in the military and in our whole country, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said at his weekly press conference.

White supremacy and racism have absolutely no place in our country. Period. The end, said Sen. Katie Britt, Tubervilles Republican colleague from Alabama.

In addition to muddying the waters on white nationalism, Tuberville has drawn condemnation for his blocking of military promotions of all senior military officers over a Pentagon policy on reproductive health. In doing so, hes turned into a favorite target of President Biden, who has called the tactic bizarre and specifically targeted the Alabama senator in fundraising pitches and official speeches.

Repeated defenses of white nationalism

Tuberville at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., on June 13. (Andrew Harnik, File/AP)

In a May interview with Birmingham radio station WBHM, Tuberville said that military recruiting was hurting because the Democrats are attacking our military, saying we need to get out the white extremists, the white nationalists, people that dont believe in [Bidens] agenda.

When asked if he believed white nationalists should be able to serve in the military, he said, They call them that. I call them Americans.

For years, Pentagon officials have expressed concern about extremists serving in the military. After his confirmation in early 2021, one of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins first acts was to order the individual military branches to address the issue.

Tubervilles office attempted to clean up the comments in a statement, saying the senator was being skeptical of the notion that there are white nationalists in the military, not that he believes they should be in the military. However, in an interview with CNN on Monday, Tuberville reiterated his belief that being a white nationalist didnt necessarily make someone a racist.

Now, if that white nationalist is a racist, Im totally against anything that they want to do, because I am 110% against racism, he said.

The Alabama senator was elusive on the definition again Tuesday before his about-face, telling ABC News, Listen, Im totally against racism. And if Democrats want to say that white nationalists are racist, Im totally against that too.

But thats not a Democratic definition, replied reporter Rachel Scott.

Well, thats your definition, Tuberville said. My definition is racism is bad.

In a speech on the Senate floor Tuesday morning, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called on Tuberville to apologize, saying, The definition of white nationalism is not a matter of opinion.

A freeze on the Pentagon

Tubervilles protest of the Defense Departments reproductive health care policies has blocked the military promotions of more than 250 officers. (Kevin Wurm/Reuters)

For months, Tuberville has also been blocking military promotions over the Pentagons decision to pay for the travel of service members if they need to leave the state in which theyre stationed to receive reproductive care, including abortions. He opposes the policy, although the military pays only for the travel, not for the procedure itself.

Thus far Tubervilles hold has stopped the promotions of 260 officers, a number that could climb to 650 by years end if it isnt lifted. Most recently, the senator blocked a vote on a new leader for the Marines, leaving the Corps without a Senate-confirmed commandant for the first time in over a century. The national security adviser who devised the strategy for Tuberville resigned in May after a Washington Post profile highlighted his role in the blockade and his eccentric past as a food writer.

In May, seven former defense secretaries, including two who served under former President Donald Trump, wrote to Senate leadership urging them to act on the blockaded nominees because Tubervilles action was harming military readiness and risks damaging U.S. national security. In a statement Monday, Austin said that smooth and timely transitions of confirmed leadership are central to the defense of the United States.

McConnell has told reporters he does not support the hold. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, said Tuesday that he believed there was a path forward.

I think that the longer this drags on, the more problematic it becomes for the military to function and operate in the way that I think the American people expect them to operate. So Im hoping something can be worked out here, he said.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said he agreed with Tubervilles position but wanted to find a way to help him make his point without blocking a lot of these nominations, which has nothing to do with the controversy, adding a warning that it may be setting a precedent that were not going to like in the future.

Tuberville's action of holding up scores of military promotions over abortion underlines his partys position on the issue, which has hurt Republicans in numerous swing races since the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022.
Seoul, South Korea (CNN)  North Korea on Wednesday fired an intercontinental ballistic missile that flew for more than 70 minutes, Japans Defense Ministry said, marking a potential new round of confrontation with Washington and its allies.

The 74-minute flight time represents a marginal advancement on the missiles tested by North Korea in March and April of this year, both of which were also ICBMs  weapons with the required range to potentially hit the continental United States.

Wednesdays launch, which landed in waters near to Japan, comes after Pyongyang earlier this week threatened to shoot down US military reconnaissance aircraft engaging in what it called hostile espionage activities near its territory.

The missile launch and fiery rhetoric, while not unusual for Pyongyang, arrives during a period of heightened tensions on the peninsula, as Washington and Seoul ramp up their defense cooperation. It also appears timed to coincide with the NATO summit in Lithuania, where leaders from South Korea, Japan and the US are meeting to discuss security issues  including the threat posed by North Korea.

The latest missile launch, the countrys first in three months, flew a distance of 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) and at an altitude of over 6,000 kilometers (3,700 miles), Japans Defense Ministry said.

Flight times give an indication of a missiles range. North Korea tests most of its missiles on a highly lofted trajectory so they splash down in nearby waters, rather than a flatter trajectory as would be used in an actual attack.

Japans Coast Guard said earlier the missile was launched at 9:59 a.m. local time and fell into the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, at 11:15 a.m., citing the Ministry of Defense.

Some experts say North Korea likely tested its developmental, road-mobile Hwasong-18 ICBM, a type of solid-fuel weapon that is harder to detect and intercept than the Norths other liquid-fuel ICBMs. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un previously called the Hwasong-18 his most powerful nuclear weapon  though there is no indication the missile can successfully deliver a nuclear payload.

North Koreas launch seems to be its second test of the Hwasong-18 ICBM which was first fired on April 13. North Korea seems to be continuously advancing the missile technology based on the first test launch result, said Kim Dong-yub, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held an emergency National Security Council meeting in Lithuania on Wednesday morning in response to the missile launch, Yoons press office said in a statement. Yoon is in Vilnius to attend the NATO summit.

The South Korean leader said that he would call for strong international solidarity at the NATO summit in response to North Koreas launch, according to his office.

A communique from the NATO meeting on Tuesday urged North Korea to abandoned its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs, which are in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions banning them.

We call on (North Korea) to accept the repeated offers of dialogue put forward by all parties concerned, including Japan, the United States, and the Republic of Korea, the communique said.

But North Korea has shown no signs that it is willing to engage in negotiations with Washington or Seoul.

Wednesdays ICBM test follows threats from Kim Yo Jong, a senior North Korean official and sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who accused a US spy plane of entering the Norths exclusive economic zone at least eight times on Monday.

In case of repeated illegal intrusion, the US forces will experience a very critical flight, Kim warned in a statement Tuesday from North Koreas state news agency.

The US and South Korea dismissed the accusations and urged North Korea to stop creating tension with false claims.

Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said that Kims accusations are part of a North Korean pattern of inflating external threats to rally domestic support and justify weapons tests.

Pyongyang also times its shows of force to disrupt what it perceives as diplomatic coordination against it, in this case, South Korea and Japans leaders meeting during the NATO summit, said Easley.

Last month, tens of thousands of North Koreans marched in anti-US rallies in Pyongyang, marking the 73rd anniversary of the start of the Korean War. The participants denounced the US as Destroyer of peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and warned of nuclear war, according to state nedia.

Meanwhile, South Korea, the US and Japan have been holding joint and trilateral military exercises aimed at deterring any North Korean military threat.

Wednesdays launch comes two weeks before North Korea is due to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement, that brought about a cessation of hostilities of the Korean War, and weeks after its failed launch of the first spy satellite in May.




Bravo has revealed that Kristen Kish, the winner of season 10 of Top Chef, will become the shows next host and replace Padma Lakshmi, who announced her shocking departure last month.

Kish will join Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons at the judges table for season 21 in Wisconsin, the network said Tuesday.

Top Chef is where I started my journey  first as a competing chef, then a guest judge and now as host I have the honor of helping to continue to build this brand, Kish wrote in a statement. Im thrilled to sit alongside Gail and Tom as we get to know new incredible chefs and see what they cook up. It feels like coming home.

Kishs contribution to the show was highlighted by Ryan Flynn, who serves as senior vice president of current production for NBCUniversal Television and Streaming.

Kish represents everything that makes Top Chef incredibly special, Flynn said in a statement. Shes an acclaimed chef and her experience as a cheftestant, winner and judge, alongside her culinary curiosity, makes Kristen the perfect host for the next chapter of Top Chef as we take on a new region of the country we havent explored.

The announcement comes less than six weeks after longtime host Padma Lakshmi revealed she was leaving the show after hosting for 19 seasons.

Im so proud of you @KristenLKish and am over the moon that youll be taking over for me on @BravoTopChef!!! Lakshmi wrote on Twitter Tuesday, alongside a picture of her and Kish. Ill be rooting for you and our whole crew next season. Congratulations!!!

While announcing her departure last month, Lakshmi explained she wanted to focus more of her time on her Hulu culinary show, Taste the Nation, along with her books and other creative pursuits.
Several lawmakers excoriated a federal appeals court ruling Monday granting a coalition of environmental groups' request to block construction of a major natural gas pipeline green-lit under the bipartisan debt ceiling package passed last month.

The deb ceiling bill  the so-called Fiscal Responsibility Act which suspended the limit on federal debt through early 2025  included a provision automatically approving any outstanding federal environmental permits for the 303-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) running from West Virginia to Virginia. However, on Monday evening, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay blocking MVP construction from proceeding.

"This was a piece of legislation that was passed in a bipartisan, bicameral fashion and signed into law by the president of the United States," Rep. John Joyce, R-Pa., told Fox News Digital in an interview Tuesday. "When, on June 3, the Fiscal Responsibility Act became law, it stated the Fourth Circuit was no longer able to rule on these issues."

"This is an activist court," Joyce added. "It's a court that stood in the way of this construction too many times. So, the Mountain Valley pipeline obtained all the necessary state, all the necessary federal permits before starting construction way back in 2018, where the cost was estimated to be at $3 billion."

JOE MANCHIN CALLS 'BULLS---' ON GOP TAKING CREDIT FOR GAS PIPELINE IN DEBT CEILING DEAL

Sections of steel pipe for the Mountain Valley Pipeline are pictured Aug. 31, 2022, in Bent Mountain, Virginia.

In addition to guaranteeing permits for the MVP project, the Fiscal Responsibility Act included language from legislation Joyce previously authored which transfers the jurisdiction for judicial review from the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The legislation states the D.C. Circuit Court "shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction over any claim alleging the invalidity of" the provision approving MVP.

DEM SENATOR UNLOADS ON WHITE HOUSE FOR AGREEING TO FAST-TRACK GAS PIPELINE IN BUDGET DEAL

"It was legislation that I wrote that stripped the 4th Circuit's jurisdiction in this project," Joyce continued. "Yesterday, even though specifically spelled out, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled to halt the Mountain Valley Pipeline."

"It's going to slow the whole process down again," he said. "That seems to be really one of the agendas that the 4th Circuit has so adamantly pursued: 'Let's just slow this process down.' But again, they're not allowing individuals who need these energy supplies, the energy supplies that are under the feet of my constituents, they're not allowing the energy independence that America so desperately needs."

Rep. John Joyce, R-Pa., is seen on the House steps of the Capitol in March 2020.

In addition, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who played a key role ensuring MVP approval was included in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, also criticized the ruling as "unlawful."

"The law passed by Congress and signed by the President is clear  the 4th Circuit no longer has jurisdiction over Mountain Valley Pipelines construction permits," Manchin said. "This new order halting construction is unlawful, and regardless of your position on the Mountain Valley Pipeline, it should alarm every American when a court ignores the law."

And West Virginia Republicans Sen. Shelley Moore Capito and Rep. Carol Miller also blasted the ruling.

"Language we included in Sec. 324 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act was crystal clear: fed agencies were to issue remaining permits, the construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline can proceed w/out further delay, & this critical energy project can finally get up & running," Capito tweeted. "This latest effort by the activist Fourth Circuit Court flies in the face of the law that was passed by a bipartisan Congress and signed by President Biden."

"Because the Fiscal Responsibility Act was signed into law, the radical 4th circuit court no longer has jurisdiction over the Mountain Valley Pipeline. These activist judges are blatantly disregarding the law and stopping American energy production," Miller added in a tweet. "I urge all parties involved with the construction of #MVP to ignore the 4th circuit and continue as scheduled. This ruling will not stand."

According to Equitrans Midstream, the pipeline's developer, MVP will transport about 2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas from West Virginia to consumers in the Mid- and South Atlantic. The pipeline is projected to generate $40 million in new tax revenue for West Virginia, $10 million in new tax revenue for Virginia and up to $250 million in royalties for West Virginia landowners.
Mike Blake/Reuters

A confidante of Russian President Vladimir Putin sanctioned by Ukraine for supporting the war is living in a luxurious complex in Tenerife, according to a report.

Yelena Isinbayeva, a two-time Olympic gold medalist pole vaulter, has apparently been leading a secret life in the Spanish territory in the Canary Islands, according to El Digital Sur. The outlet cited a source saying that Isinbayevawho is also a major in the Russian armywas granted permission by her superiors to take an indefinite leave for her merits in the bloody aggression against Ukraine.

Kremlin News Stars Unravel in Post-Mutiny Television Fiasco

The report, published last week, further claimed that the 41-year-old had taken up residence in a luxurious complex on the island, a popular vacation hotspot with European tourists. Its not clear why Isinbayeva would be living in Tenerife even as the Spanish government is continuing to support Ukraine with lethal aid in its struggle against her own military comrades.

Last year, Isinbayeva was one of the Russian athletes hit by Ukrainian sanctions as the invasion began. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the measure was targeting Russians who are trying to put sport at the service of aggression.

As well as being considered one of the greatest pole vaulters in history, Isinbayeva supported Putin in the 2012 Russian presidential election and was part of a working group that recommended changing the countrys constitution to allow him to potentially remain in power until 2036, instead of stepping down at the end of his term in 2024 as previously required.

Shes also known for making controversial comments in 2013 apparently supporting a law in Russia making it illegal to give under-18s information about homosexuality. She later blamed her poor English for the ensuing international backlash and said she did not support discriminating against gay people, had actually intended to say that people should respect the laws of other countries particularly when they are guests.

Two years later, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu awarded her the rank of major after Isinbayeva signed a five-year contract to serve in the army. She also signed up with a social movement called PutinTeam of athletes and other public figures to support the president.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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CHICAGO -- He towered over the packed bus, standing well over 6 feet, with a head full of locks and a purple shirt proudly boasting Chicagoan on his chest.

Youre getting an official Mahogany tour because the bus pulled up late, Shermann Dilla Thomas joked with the crowd of onlookers.

The Mahogany Bus Tour is an initiative created by TikTok star, community historian and cultural worker Thomas to encourage natives, transplants and tourists to move beyond their screens, off their blocks and into Chicagos diverse communities. Thomas, a South Side native, shines a light on the rich history of Chicagos neighborhoods that is often skipped over by the tourism industry.

On a Saturday in May, the North Lawndale tour bus rolled to a stop behind the Douglass Park field house and an eclectic crowd eagerly climbed aboard. One ticket-holder wore a tweed jacket with collegiate elbow patches. Another had bright pink hair and a rainbow belt. According to Thomas, the tours attract some tourists and community members, but their most consistent customers are white suburbanites.

He greeted the crowd with the same charisma and enthusiasm he displays on his widely popular social media channels. With over 100,000 followers on TikTok and over 8 million views, Thomas has amassed a community of supporters invested in his telling of Chicago history. This support has led him to appearances on the Today show and The Kelly Clarkson Show, along with guest lectures at the University of Chicago, Northwestern University and a number of partners at the City Colleges of Chicago network.

In addition to his Mahogany tours, Thomas also helps conduct Disrupting Segregation Tours with Tonika Johnson, another influential Chicagoan working to interrupt the legacy of segregation that still affects local communities. Johnson is a photographer, a social justice artist and an Englewood native. She is also co-founder of the Englewood Arts Collective and Resident Association of Greater Englewood, which seek to reframe the narrative of South Side communities, and mobilize people and resources for positive change.

One of Johnsons most widely regarded initiatives is The Folded Map Project, designed to encourage individuals who live at the same address on opposite sides of Chicagos grid system to meet and share experiences. Following the success of that project, Johnson created the Folded Map Project Action Kit to lead people to perform everyday tasks, such as buying soap or getting cash from an ATM, in different Chicago neighborhoods as an act of racial healing.

Johnson and Thomas partner with Chicagos Office of Equity and Racial Justice to offer the Disrupting Segregation Tours in Englewood and Lincoln Park. On those tours, Thomas focuses on the history of Englewood while Johnson points out houses that were dilapidated or totally gone due to contract buying.

Once you learn about the history of a place, it increases the value that you feel about that place, and it can make you question the things that you hear about it, Johnson said. Thats the aligned value system that Dilla and I have that made it such an easy partnership.

As the Mahogany tour bus wound its way through the narrow North Lawndale streets, Thomas pointed out the surrounding beauty. He detailed the unique brickwork of the Sears Roebuck YMCA. He described the amazing, short-lived pre-Depression era greystones that lined city blocks.

However, amid the beauty, he didnt hesitate to discuss what had been left behind. The reason the space like the one were riding through now has all these vacant lots is because of restrictive racial covenants, redlining, disinvestment, contract buying, the city saying F you, white flight and also gang violence. I tell that story, Thomas said. And if, in hearing that complete story, that makes you want to advocate for restorative justice because of redlining, if it makes you want to get shorties out of the street because of the current gangbanging, if it makes you proud that your heritage comes to this space so you want to spend money here, all that works for me. Im just trying to tell the story.

While the two-hour outing is heavily grounded in the history of Chicagos communities, Thomas also incorporates his personal experiences. When discussing the lack of access to banks and financial education in Black communities, he recounts losing his first job at McDonalds after his car broke down and he couldnt get a loan to repair it. When describing community efforts to rename a high school named for Justice John Marshall, known for rendering the Supreme Courts decision in Plessy v. Ferguson and instituting separate but equal policies, not only did he reference textbook knowledge of the communitys relationship with the name, he also recalled being shot down by 75-year-old Black dudes in his efforts to change it.

Ive never enjoyed being cursed out more in my life, he said, noting that change should come when the community wants to change, not from others.

Mahogany Tours isnt limited to North Lawndale. Other neighborhoods include Bronzeville, Englewood, Chatham, Pullman/Roseland and Bridgeport/Stockyard. Dates and reservations are at chicagomahogany.com.

For the North Lawndale tour, South Shore native Latoya Howery brought her grade-school-age daughter, coincidentally named Mahogany. When I was growing up, I literally just knew about the South Side of Chicago, and only knew about the blocks or neighborhoods that I lived in, Howery said. So because Im South Side, her dads West Side, (were) bringing her so she can learn about both sides of town. ... Theres so much history that we didnt know anything about.

As far as pushback on the efforts, Thomas says he sees less opposition to the tours themselves than to the content he chooses to highlight. Attendees often want to direct the tour discussion toward the prevalence of gangs and drugs in Chicagos communities.

Im totally OK with talking about (the fact that) we need to resolve contemporary gang issues, he said. But the conversation has to start with: You cant create Chicago gangs in integrated neighborhoods. All of those street gangs got created in segregated neighborhoods. How do I know? Look at the names: Latin Kings  that got started in a Latin neighborhood. Black Disciples  what does that mean? Black neighborhood. That tells me that Chicago segregation helped play a part in the formation of the gangs. So, if were not starting the conversation there, then how can we talk about fixing the problem?

Johnson noted two sources of hesitancy when launching the Folded Map Action Kit: one common among white suburbanites, and the other among Black residents of the South and West sides.

When I introduced the action kit, people thought, Oh, you just want white people to visit Black neighborhoods. And so when people say that, I use them saying that as a perfect demonstration of, Thats exactly what segregation does. It makes you not even think about the learning that Black people can get, she said. There are Black people who are advocating for resources in their neighborhood and they dont know that it literally exists in another neighborhood. If it can be done in a neighborhood not far, you can use that as a way to advocate for what youre entitled to. And it can inspire you to make you want to understand how and why. Why are you all able to have this? What is your alderman doing? Or, why are these businesses not looking into our neighborhoods? Its learning both ways.

Johnson said that another barrier that interferes with individuals visiting the South and West sides is the fact that the historically Black and brown neighborhoods are for the most part, residential. So, if folks dont know anyone in those communities, they wont visit unless theyre volunteering.

How you enter a neighborhood ultimately influences how you visit, Johnson said. So I tell people these neighborhoods are not a monolith. Englewood is not a monolith. You might feel: I dont want to be extractive so Im going to go and volunteer and do something. Who you meet when you go and volunteer might not be the full representation of that neighborhood. Its not to minimize who you encounter, but its still not the full representation. Theres nothing extractive about going to a grocery store that has people who are different from you because youre equal  youre both shopping. You can learn while youre meeting people who are doing the same things that youre doing.

People who take the tour might wonder whats next.

Johnson says sometimes the tour is enough. It sounds crazy to say but thats it. Thats all I want you to do, she said. As a society, we create these expectations and action steps. But we dont give space or grace to just learning because the urgency is so real. We want to ask: What can we do? What can we do? What can we do? What we can do is just focus on taking your time learning. Thats enough and thats transformative alone.

However, if someone would like action items, Thomas and the Folded Map Action Kit offer some next steps.

At least once per month, spend $25 in a neighborhood that you dont live or work in. Complete the Folded Map Action Kit. Continue engaging with Chicagos history via Thomas accounts on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

With a few of these lessons in hand, the passengers packed up their belongings and began to head off the bus, with some stopping to buy an Everything Dope Comes From Chicago T-shirt. Meanwhile, Thomas still proudly displayed Chicagoan on his chest. And as he turned to wave goodbye to the exiting passengers, the back of his shirt was revealed: Till Chicago Ends.
Trans advocates in Russia brace for proposed gender surgery ban Russian transgender woman, Elle Solomina, attends an interview in Tbilisi

(Reuters) - Elle Solomina is 36, but she says her life truly began in 2021, when she changed her gender to female in her official Russian identification documents.

The IT worker is now watching the path she took to self-acceptance crumble, as Russia is poised to outlaw gender changes in IDs and gender-affirming medical care, including surgery.

"This is in its purest form a fascist law," Solomina told Reuters from the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, where she fled after Russia invaded Ukraine last year. "I have not found any explanation for it, except that in a totalitarian system, the population must live in fear."

The draft legislation, which received initial backing last month from the lower house of parliament, is the latest phase in a widespread crackdown on LGBTQ rights, which President Vladimir Putin seeks to portray as evidence of moral decay in Western countries.

News of the ban has raised alarm among transgender advocates, who warn of dangers to psychological and physical health and long-term problems posed by a potential illicit hormone drug market.

Russian state news agencies have reported that the bill will go into a second reading on Thursday. Bills require three readings, approval by the upper house of parliament, and signing by the president before becoming law.

Nef Cellarius, programme coordinator of LGBT rights group Vykhod ("Coming Out"), told Reuters that requests for support sessions soared from a dozen in a normal month to 45 in June as news of the law broke.

"I've received many letters with phrases like, 'I don't want to live anymore,' 'I don't know what to do,'" Cellarius said, speaking from an undisclosed location. "Trans people in Russia are scared and they are desperate."

Advocates say the ban has been over a decade in the making.

Last December, Putin signed a law expanding restrictions on the promotion of "LGBT propaganda," effectively banning any public expression of their lifestyle by lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people in Russia.

Earlier legislation has been used for years to stop gay pride marches, detain activists, and, many LGBTQ Russians say, instil a culture of fear among those who live what the Kremlin calls "non-traditional lifestyles".

"We are preserving Russia for posterity, with its cultural and family values, traditional foundations, and putting up a barrier to the penetration of Western anti-family ideology," Pyotr Tolstoy, deputy chairman of the State Duma, said during the bill's first reading in June.

Observers believe the draft law's broad language could also outlaw hormone therapies.

Richard Volkov, a 26-year-old musician from Moscow, says fellow transgender men he knows are scrambling to change their IDs and start hormone regimes.

"This is the worst thing my country could do, he told Reuters in Sagarejo in Georgia, where he moved after the war began. "It seems that if I simply tell myself that I exist, I am already violating the law."

Russia has allowed gender changes on IDs since 1997, four years after it decriminalised homosexuality. The number of transgender people in Russia is unknown, but in other countries it hovers around 0.5% of the adult population.

Last year 996 people applied to change their gender on their passports in Russia, according to the health ministry. The number of those who underwent surgery was even smaller.

Doctors who perform such procedures say the ban could stimulate a black market for substitute hormones, further endangering patient health.

Transgender people "will self-medicate, prescribe and take these drugs for themselves", Dr. Andrei Istranov, a plastic surgeon who treats transgender patients, told Reuters in an interview in his private clinic in Moscow. "Psychologically, patients will definitely suffer."

Cellarius says the law may fuel an exodus of transgender people from Russia, but Vykhod will focus on supporting those who remain.

"The whole point is about changing the situation in Russia, not evacuating everybody," he said. "We are ready to fight back."

(This story has been corrected to change the name of the place to Sagarejo, not Sarajevo, in paragraph 15)

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Nick Macfie)
This image from the Kansas Department of Revenue shows a sample driver's license issued by the state's Division of Vehicles, first produced in June 2021. A new Kansas law will prevent transgender people from changing the listing for their sex on the license to match their gender identities. (Kansas Department of Revenue via AP)

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  The nearly 200 transgender people who rushed in recent weeks to change the sex listings on their driver's licenses created an immediate public safety concern, a state-court judge declared Wednesday in keeping in place a ban on those changes.

The state agency that issues Kansas driver's licenses failed Wednesday to persuade District Judge Teresa Watson that she'd made a mistake in imposing the ban two days earlier. Watson's latest order means that Kansas remains for now one of only a few U.S. states that won't change transgender people's licenses to reflect their gender identities.

The ban is a legal victory for the state's Republican attorney general, Kris Kobach. He argues that driver's license changes by the Kansas Department of Revenue's motor vehicles division violated a new law rolling back transgender rights, which took effect July 1. He sued two top department officials when the agency continued making changes despite the new law, in line with an announcement last month from Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. The department stopped the changes when Watson imposed the ban.

The ban is set to expire July 24, but Watson's order indicated that she plans to have another hearing on whether she should extend it. In defending the ban, Watson said a key piece of evidence came from the department itself, data showing that the department changed 172 licenses in June alone or a third of all the changes made in the past four years.

Licenses are used by law enforcement to identify criminal suspects, crime victims, wanted persons, missing persons and others, Watson wrote. Compliance with legal requirements for identifying license holders is a public safety concern.

After lawmakers enacted the law, drivers license changes accelerated in May and June as LGBTQ+ rights advocates encouraged people to do it ahead of the new law.

Watson added that allowing license changes to continue would represent an immediate injury to the state and the immediacy is supported by information from the department.

The judge had a Zoom hearing Wednesday from Shawnee County, the home of the state capital of Topeka, to consider a request from the Department of Revenue to lift her ban.

With the Kobach's lawsuit in its early stages, Watson has yet to hear directly from transgender people affected the dispute. However, five transgender Kansas residents, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, have asked to intervene in the lawsuit. Watson has yet to rule on that request.

One of them, Adam Kellogg, a 20-year-old University of Kansas student, briefly discussed a traffic stop that occurred when his driver's license didn't match his male identity.

The officer examined my license for a prolonged period and seemed suspicious of my identity, his statement said. I would not have chosen to disclose my transgender status during that traffic stop. That experience made me uncomfortable and anxious about further interactions with state officials, including police officers.

The Department of Revenue contends that the new law conflicts with an older one dealing specifically with driver's licenses, in which license applicants are to provide their gender, not sex assigned at birth. And department attorney Ted Smith told Watson that the agency is bound by the older law on driver's licenses and not the attorney general's legal theories.

Montana and Tennessee also bar changes for transgender people, but their laws deal specifically with drivers licenses.

The new Kansas law prevents the legal recognition of transgender people's gender identities by defining male and female based on a persons sex assigned at birth. Although it does not specifically mention driver's licenses, Watson noted in her decision Wednesday that it applies to any state law or regulation.

Many critics of the new law view it as sloppily written, and the Department of Revenue argued that GOP lawmakers botched the job.

Its clear that theyre trying really hard to sort of go on the attack or at least show that theyre going on the attack against trans people," said Jenna Bellemere, another 20-year-old transgender University of Kansas student. But at the same time, they clearly lack the capability or the inclination to write any kind of actual functional legislation that makes sense."

___

Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna
Trial starts for Korean chip exec accused of stealing Samsung secrets for China factory

By Heekyong Yang and Ju-min Park

SUWON, South Korea (Reuters) - The trial of a South Korean chip executive accused of stealing sensitive information developed by Samsung Electronics began on Wednesday in a case that underscores South Korea's crackdown on industrial espionage.

Prosecutors have alleged that Choi Jinseog, a former Samsung Elec executive and a South Korean chip expert, stole sensitive information developed by the world's top memory chipmaker to help his client set up a chip factory in China.

The high-profile criminal case against Choi, an award-winning engineer once seen as a star in South Korea's chip industry, highlights Seoul's efforts to crack down on industrial espionage and slow China's progress in chip manufacturing.

Choi, now in custody in Suwon, a city south of Seoul where Samsung has its headquarters, attended the hearing in his beige prison uniform and denied all the charges.

"The defendant (Choi) never used or gave orders to use Samsung Electronics' data," Kim Pilsung, Choi's lawyer, said, adding that what prosecutors claimed Choi had stolen were neither business secrets nor national core technology.

Choi briefly said "yes" when asked by a judge whether he agreed with his lawyer.

Prosecutors have also charged five former employees at Choi's chip consultancy firm, Jin Semiconductor, and a former employee at a Samsung contractor.

The courtroom at the Suwon district court was packed with dozens of people including Choi's families and friends.

In a letter to Reuters from prison last month, Choi rejected allegations he had sought to build a copycat chip factory in China with information illegally obtained via Samsung's supplier network.

Samsung representatives were not immediately available for comment.

(Reporting by Ju-min Park; Editing by Stephen Coates)
'Tried to have my life taken.' Man who plotted gender reveal party shooting pleads guilty

Roshawn Bishop, 33, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and attempted murder for his role in the July 2017 mass shooting a Colerain Township home that left a woman dead and eight others injured.

A man who prosecutors say orchestrated a murder-for-hire plot that resulted in a mass shooting at a gender reveal party in Colerain Township, leaving a woman dead and eight others injured, pleaded guilty Wednesday to involuntary manslaughter and attempted murder.

Roshawn Bishop, 33, is the fourth person convicted in the July 2017 mass shooting, which happened at a house on Capstan Drive. James Echols, Michael Sanon and Vandell Slade were convicted and sentenced.

Slade, Echols and Sanon were from Columbus and affiliated with the Crips gang, testimony revealed. Slade is Bishop's cousin.

Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Robert Goering sentenced Bishop to 10 years in prison. He received credit for the more than four years he's been incarcerated on charges related to the shooting.

Bishop played the role of star witness during the January 2022 trial of Echols and Sanon, the two gunmen who opened fire inside the home, which was filled with a group of adults and at least six children, as the party was winding down.

"The case probably would not have been solved without his cooperation," Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor Seth Tieger said of Bishop.

Bishop, a self-confessed drug dealer, testified at the trial of Echols and Sanon that he paid the two men $1,500 to kill a woman in order to avoid repaying a $10,000 loan.

Bishop said he was in an extramarital relationship with the woman, Cheyanne Willis.

Willis, then 21, held a gender reveal party at the home that day, although she later admitted she wasn't pregnant, when Echols and Sanon opened the screen door to the living room at about 11:20 p.m. and fired a total of 13 shots, according to testimony at their trial.

It was Willis' 22-year-old cousin, Autum Garrett, who was killed. Willis was shot in the left thigh.

Garrett's husband, 3-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter were also shot. The Garretts had traveled from Indiana to Cincinnati to attend a wedding and spend time with family, prosecutors said.

"How could you look me in my eyes and still act as if you didn't know anything for years?" Willis said in a tearful statement made in court on Wednesday. "The one person I felt would always stay true to his word tried to have my life taken."

"What was done is unforgivable," she said.

Bishop, handcuffed and wearing a black and white striped jumpsuit, closed his eyes as Willis concluded her statement. He apologized to the victims.

During the trial early last year, Bishop said he tried to call off the shooting after he received a call from Slade, who said the front door of the house was open and there were people inside.

Slade, 34, pleaded guilty last month to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with credit for the more than three years he'd already been incarcerated.

Slade's role, according to testimony, involved connecting Bishop to Echols and Sanon. Prosecutors say he also drove the gunmen to the Capstan Drive home on July 8, 2017.

Echols was convicted by a Hamilton County jury on nearly two dozen counts, including aggravated murder, and was sentenced to 41 years to life in prison.

Sanon was found guilty of a single attempted murder charge and sentenced to 11 years. That sentence is running consecutively to a sentence from a previous conviction out of Franklin County.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Roshawn Bishop pleads guilty in 2017 gender reveal party shooting
Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on July 12, 2023, in the Rayburn Building in Washington, DC Credit - Tom WilliamsCQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

FBI Director Christopher Wray carried a heavy burden when he appeared before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. As Republicans pounded him with withering criticisms over his role in the Trump documents case and his efforts to combat right-wing extremism, he was tasked with sticking up not only for himself but the entire federal law enforcement community.

One by one, GOP lawmakers put Wray on the defensive, alleging that the FBI has systematically targeted conservative Americans under his watch, including former President Donald Trump. The idea that Im biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me, given my own personal background, said Wray, a registered Republican who was appointed by Trump.

Wrays testimony comes as Republicans seek to tarnish the Biden administrations reputation ahead of the 2024 election and delegitimize the U.S. justice system after Trumps federal criminal prosecution. At the center of their effort is an attempt to portray a weaponized Justice Department that acts on President Joe Bidens behalf.

The hearing was Wrays first congressional testimony since Trumps indictment last month for allegedly mishandling national secrets and obstructing the governments efforts to reclaim them. The American people have lost faith in the FBI, said Republican Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana. This is about whether the very system of justice in our country can be trusted anymore.

More from TIME

Wray strenuously rejected GOP allegations that he has shielded Hunter Biden, the presidents son who recently struck a plea deal for misdemeanor tax charges. House Republicans plan to ramp up their investigation into the younger Biden after an Internal Revenue Service whistleblower said he received special treatment from federal prosecutors.

At one point, Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida asked Wray point blank: Are you protecting the Bidens? Wray answered: Absolutely not.

Wray also responded to a far-right conspiracy theory that the Jan. 6 insurrection was really an FBI sting operation. This notion that somehow the violence at the Capitol on Jan. 6 was part of some operation orchestrated by FBI sources and agents is ludicrous and is a disservice to our brave, hard-working, dedicated men and women.

Democrats on the panel mostly came to his defense. While some questioned Wray over the FBIs online surveillance practices, many sought to vindicate the agencys search of Trumps Mar-a-Lago club last year following the former Presidents refusal to return classified documents to the National Archives.

They seem incapable of assigning any agency or responsibility to Donald Trump for problems that are Trumps and Trumps alone, Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York, the committees ranking member, said of Republicans. When they do not like the outcome, they investigate the investigators and work to discredit the outcome.

For his part, Wray pushed back on the claim made by some Trump allies that the Biden Administration raided the former Presidents home. I would not call it a raid, he told legislators. I would call it the execution of a lawful search warrant.

Ultimately, the findings of the search of Trumps South Florida estate led to his indictment last month. In a 49-page filing, prosecutors included photographic evidence that Trump stored boxes of classified information in various locations at Mar-a-Lago. There are specific rules about where to store classified information and that those need to be stored in a SCIF, Wray said, referring to a sensitive compartmented information facility. In my experience, ballrooms, bathrooms, and bedrooms are not SCIFs.

During the hearing, Wray made his first public comments since a Louisiana federal judge banned U.S. agencies from collaborating with communications platforms to combat misinformation. He said the agency would comply with the order. We dont ask social media companies to censor information or suppress information, Wray told lawmakers. At the end of the day, were very clear that its up to the social media companies to decide whether to do something about that.

Thats unlikely to satisfy Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the chair of the House Judiciary Committee and one of Wrays most vociferous critics.

In his opening statement Wednesday, Jordan labeled the FBIs work Orwellian and encouraged Democrats to join with him in pushing to move the agencys headquarters out of the D.C. area. (He has recently called for the FBI to be relocated to Alabama.) Otherwise, he said, it should lose funding altogether. I hope they will work with us in the appropriations process to stop the weaponization of the government against the American people, he said.

When Wray responded to those charges later in the hearing, he tried to avoid coming across as outwardly political. Rather, he remained placid as he depicted the bureau he leads as a staid institution of crime-fighters. Our folks take great pains to be rigorous, professional, objective, he said. Sometimes thats frustrating to others.
Then-President Donald Trump was a few sentences away from deploying the military against migrants in February 2019, forcing top officials to rush to the White House to talk the president out of the move, according to a new book.

In the run-up to the State of the Union address that year, White House aides informed Miles Taylor, who was then chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security, that Trump wanted to use American troops to forcibly expel migrants from a caravan heading toward the southern border.

Taylor writes in the book, Blowback: A Warning to Save Democracy from the Next Trump, that the president was treating migrants as if they were a foreign army invading the United States. POLITICO obtained a copy of the book ahead of its publication next week.

In an interview, Taylor said his understanding was that Trump wanted to make the announcement during the State of the Union speech.

Thats what White House staff warned us, which is why we rushed to the White House, said Taylor, who is best known for writing an anonymous op-ed in The New York Times in 2018 describing a quiet resistance in the Trump administration.

In order to use the military on American soil, Trump wanted to invoke the Insurrection Act, which allows the president to deploy the armed forces in a law enforcement role, Taylor writes in the book  something troops are normally prohibited from doing. Trump and other presidents, including Barack Obama and Joe Biden, have sent the military to the border, but they were mostly relegated to supporting federal agents handling the influx.

The issue of using troops for law enforcement made headlines in the summer of 2020, when Trump threatened to invoke the act to send the military to quell protests against racial injustice and police violence in American cities. But in February 2019, when Trump considered using troops against migrants, such a move was almost unheard of. Taylor writes that deploying the act is the closest thing to martial law in our system.

Until the Trump administration, the proposition had sounded like the plot of a bad fiction novel, Taylor writes. But Donald Trump was a few sentences away from making it happen. I was there.

Taylor got the call about Trumps plan on Feb. 4, 2019, he writes, one day before the speech. He and his boss Kirstjen Nielsen, then the secretary of Homeland Security, rushed to the White House to stop him.

This is fucking insane, Trump told them of the migrants during a conversation in the White Houses Map Room. We cant let them in.

The president gave Nielsen and Taylor permission to close U.S. ports and send them back. Then, he told us to use the military, which I interpreted as a nod to the Insurrection Act that aides had warned me about, Taylor writes.

That day, Nielsen and Taylor spent hours trying to convince the White House staff and the counsels office to weigh in.

If he invoked the Insurrection Act, it would set a dangerous precedent, Taylor writes. There was no telling where Trump might use it next.

Taylor and Nielsen eventually went back to the president with an alternative: they were working with Mexican authorities to contain the situation, so there was no need for extraordinary measures. Their work bought just enough time to throw him off the idea, Taylor writes.

The State of the Union was finalized without any reference to the Insurrection Act, he says in the book.

Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, said Taylor is a sack of shit. His book either belongs in the discount bin of the fiction section or should be repurposed as toilet paper.

Nielsen did not respond to a request for comment. Another former senior DHS official, who was granted anonymity to speak about a sensitive discussion, said they did not recollect any planning for invoking the Insurrection Act at the time. The person said Trump often threw out suggestions in order to get his staff to explain their views, but the idea that the president was close to invoking that Act is fantastical.

During the later uproar over using the Insurrection Act against protesters in 2020, Jim Mattis, who resigned as Trumps defense secretary in 2018, made rare public comments condemning the idea, which was never carried out.

I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution. Never did I dream that troops taking that same oath would be ordered under any circumstance to violate the Constitutional rights of their fellow citizens, Mattis wrote in The Atlantic. We must reject any thinking of our cities as a battle space.
Seoul, South Korea (CNN)  North Korea on Wednesday fired an intercontinental ballistic missile that flew for more than 70 minutes, Japans Defense Ministry said, marking a potential new round of confrontation with Washington and its allies.

The 74-minute flight time represents a marginal advancement on the missiles tested by North Korea in March and April of this year, both of which were also ICBMs  weapons with the required range to potentially hit the continental United States.

Wednesdays launch, which landed in waters near to Japan, comes after Pyongyang earlier this week threatened to shoot down US military reconnaissance aircraft engaging in what it called hostile espionage activities near its territory.

The missile launch and fiery rhetoric, while not unusual for Pyongyang, arrives during a period of heightened tensions on the peninsula, as Washington and Seoul ramp up their defense cooperation. It also appears timed to coincide with the NATO summit in Lithuania, where leaders from South Korea, Japan and the US are meeting to discuss security issues  including the threat posed by North Korea.

The latest missile launch, the countrys first in three months, flew a distance of 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) and at an altitude of over 6,000 kilometers (3,700 miles), Japans Defense Ministry said.

Flight times give an indication of a missiles range. North Korea tests most of its missiles on a highly lofted trajectory so they splash down in nearby waters, rather than a flatter trajectory as would be used in an actual attack.

Japans Coast Guard said earlier the missile was launched at 9:59 a.m. local time and fell into the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, at 11:15 a.m., citing the Ministry of Defense.

Some experts say North Korea likely tested its developmental, road-mobile Hwasong-18 ICBM, a type of solid-fuel weapon that is harder to detect and intercept than the Norths other liquid-fuel ICBMs. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un previously called the Hwasong-18 his most powerful nuclear weapon  though there is no indication the missile can successfully deliver a nuclear payload.

North Koreas launch seems to be its second test of the Hwasong-18 ICBM which was first fired on April 13. North Korea seems to be continuously advancing the missile technology based on the first test launch result, said Kim Dong-yub, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held an emergency National Security Council meeting in Lithuania on Wednesday morning in response to the missile launch, Yoons press office said in a statement. Yoon is in Vilnius to attend the NATO summit.

The South Korean leader said that he would call for strong international solidarity at the NATO summit in response to North Koreas launch, according to his office.

A communique from the NATO meeting on Tuesday urged North Korea to abandoned its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs, which are in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions banning them.

We call on (North Korea) to accept the repeated offers of dialogue put forward by all parties concerned, including Japan, the United States, and the Republic of Korea, the communique said.

But North Korea has shown no signs that it is willing to engage in negotiations with Washington or Seoul.

Wednesdays ICBM test follows threats from Kim Yo Jong, a senior North Korean official and sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who accused a US spy plane of entering the Norths exclusive economic zone at least eight times on Monday.

In case of repeated illegal intrusion, the US forces will experience a very critical flight, Kim warned in a statement Tuesday from North Koreas state news agency.

The US and South Korea dismissed the accusations and urged North Korea to stop creating tension with false claims.

Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said that Kims accusations are part of a North Korean pattern of inflating external threats to rally domestic support and justify weapons tests.

Pyongyang also times its shows of force to disrupt what it perceives as diplomatic coordination against it, in this case, South Korea and Japans leaders meeting during the NATO summit, said Easley.

Last month, tens of thousands of North Koreans marched in anti-US rallies in Pyongyang, marking the 73rd anniversary of the start of the Korean War. The participants denounced the US as Destroyer of peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and warned of nuclear war, according to state nedia.

Meanwhile, South Korea, the US and Japan have been holding joint and trilateral military exercises aimed at deterring any North Korean military threat.

Wednesdays launch comes two weeks before North Korea is due to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement, that brought about a cessation of hostilities of the Korean War, and weeks after its failed launch of the first spy satellite in May.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "North Korea fires intercontinental ballistic missile into waters near Japan after threatening US."
E Jean Carroll

Ex-President Donald Trump can be held liable for disparaging comments he made about a woman who accused him of rape, the US Department of Justice has said.

Its lawyers previously argued Mr Trump was legally immune as he was president when he made the remarks in 2019.

But on Tuesday government attorneys said they no longer had "sufficient basis" to conclude Mr Trump had acted within the scope of his duties.

The decision boosts E Jean Carroll's defamation lawsuit against Mr Trump.

In May, Mr Trump was ordered to pay the former magazine columnist $5m (3.9m) after being found liable for sexual abuse of her in 1996 at a New York department store.

Ms Carroll, 79, is currently seeking $10m from Mr Trump in a defamation lawsuit, which is due to go to trial in January.

The legal action cites his remarks as president about her in 2019 while responding to reporters' questions.

The lawsuit has been updated to reflect further comments he made about her during a CNN town hall the day after the court's verdict two months ago.

The justice department had previously taken the position that Mr Trump could be defended by government attorneys because he was serving in his capacity as president when he made the remarks.

But on Tuesday its lawyers said "there is no longer a sufficient basis to conclude that the former president was motivated by 'more than an insignificant' desire to serve the United States Government".

In a letter filed with the judge presiding over the case, the justice department wrote that "Mr Trump was motivated by a 'personal grievance' stemming from events that occurred many years prior to Mr Trump's presidency".

The letter said new evidence had emerged since Mr Trump, 77, left office, referring to the Manhattan civil trial earlier this year.

The justice department said that though Mr Trump's comments were made via official channels, the accusation that prompted the statements were in regards "to a purely personal incident: an alleged sexual assault that occurred decades prior to Mr Trump's presidency".

Ms Carroll's lawyer welcomed the justice department's reconsideration.

"We have always believed that Donald Trump made his defamatory statements about our client in June 2019 out of personal animus, ill will, and spite, and not as president of the United States," said Roberta A Kaplan.

The former president responded on Wednesday on his Truth Social platform that the case was "all part of the political Witch Hunt" against him, reiterating false claims that Ms Carroll was a woman he had "never known" and calling the case a "travesty of justice".
Former President Trump is taking a risk in targeting Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), picking a fight with an influential and well-liked figure in the first state on next years GOP presidential primary calendar.

Trump narrowly finished second in the Iowa caucuses in 2016 but went on to win the GOP nomination, something he could easily repeat this cycle. However, an underwhelming performance in the Hawkeye State in 2024 could open the door to a viable challenger building momentum early in the primary calendar.

Trump, apparently irked by Reynoldss recent appearances with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and his wife, Casey, and triggered by a New York Times story highlighting the tensions between the former president and the governor, chastised Reynolds in a social media post Monday over whether she is being neutral in the primary process.

The Truth Social post was typical of Trump, who is quick to call out those he deems as insufficiently loyal. But the move left some in the state scratching their heads and may further alienate voters who were already considering an alternative heading into next years caucus.

Forest Gump says, stupid is as stupid does. My Mom says dont call anyone, stupid. So, I wont. However, this isnt smart. Iowa is wide open, tweeted Bob Vander Plaats, head of The Family Leader, a major conservative group in Iowa.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

Reynolds had previously said she would remain neutral in the 2024 primary so that all candidates would feel welcome to campaign there. She has appeared with DeSantis and with former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) around the state.

In his post, Trump took credit for clearing the way for Reynolds to become governor when he appointed her predecessor, Terry Branstad, to an ambassadorship.

Reynolds has since established herself on her own terms. She coasted to reelection last year by roughly 20 percentage points as the GOP made gains in the state Legislature, and she signed into law bills restricting abortion access and transgender rights.

Some in the state found the criticism of Reynolds to be uncalled for and the type of undisciplined move that has hurt Trump in the past.

Ok so we shouldnt remain neutral? tweeted Cody Hoefert, a former chairman of the Iowa GOP. Well then after this Im out on the former President. Its time for fresh leadership or shall I say actual leadership. I am open to support a new fresh leader who inspires others.

Trumps broadside against Reynolds marked the latest instance of the former president rolling the dice with an unusual strategy in Iowa, which will host its caucus Jan. 15 to kick off the Republican presidential primary calendar.

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Trump has held multiple rallies this year in Iowa but has not attended major gatherings for presidential candidates, including Sen. Joni Ernsts (R-Iowa) Roast and Ride. He addressed a major gathering of evangelicals in the state earlier in the year virtually rather than in-person.

Vander Plaats confirmed Tuesday that Trump would not attend his groups summit Friday in Des Moines, where former Fox News host Tucker Carlson is set to interview several 2024 candidates.

By comparison, candidates including former Vice President Pence and DeSantis have already invested significant time and resources in Iowa, viewing a strong finish in the Hawkeye State as critical to building momentum early in the primary calendar and rallying support from voters who want an alternative to Trump.

It is not the first time Trump has upended traditional campaigning styles in Iowa, where the caucus-style voting typically requires candidates and their campaigns to have well-organized staff on the ground, going door-to-door to connect with voters.

Trump in 2016 opted to hold larger events, using his name recognition and the energy among his supporters to finish in second place, roughly 3 percentage points behind Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).

This time around, Trump is still holding large rallies in the state to gin up enthusiasm, but his campaign includes more staffing on the ground working to solidify his standing among voters who typically turn out to caucus.

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National polls have consistently shown Trump with a double-digit lead over DeSantis and other candidates in the primary field, and those numbers have remained stable for months.

Iowa-specific polls have been more scarce, but the Iowa Poll conducted last March showed Trumps favorability numbers in the state were similar to DeSantis and higher than Haley or Pence.

The poll did highlight some potential cracks in Trumps support among Iowa Republicans, however, with the number of voters who said they would definitely support him if he were the nominee dropping roughly 20 percentage points since June 2021.

Republicans generally liked his policies as president as opposed to his style, but he certainly has a fair amount of support, Tim Hagle, an associate professor of political science at the University of Iowa, said in an interview.

I dont put a whole lot of stock in polls, especially for the caucus because its notoriously hard to poll for, Hagle added. Still, you cant ignore polls entirely, and Trump is fairly far ahead. But I think its still a matter of waiting to see whats going to happen when we get closer to the caucus.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Chris ChristieSarah Silbiger for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Former President Donald Trump went after Republican primary opponent Chris Christie online early Wednesday over comments the former New Jersey governor made during an appearance on Fox News Tuesday, the Daily Beast reports. Christie told Piers Morgan that he stopped supporting the former president in 2020 over election lies and that he was disappointed by Trump's track record as president, citing Trump's failure to repeal Obamacare and build the border wall. "He didn't build the wall in Mexico," Christie said. "He built 47 miles of wall and guess whatwe paid for every nickel of it, we don't have the first peso from Mexico."

Trump attacked Christie on Truth Social, dubbing the Republican candidate "Sloppy Chris Christie" and asserting he actually built 463 miles of border wall. "This does not include many Miles that we fixed or renovated, or areas that I got Mexico to secure. BEST BORDER EVER!" Trump wrote in a post to Truth Social. "He also lied about Russia & many other subjects!"

"Sloppy Chris Christie is thrashing about, doing and saying anything to stay relevant. He desperately wanted to join the Trump Administration, but I said "NO!" In 2016, he spent most of his time away from New Jersey in order to campaign for President, much like Ron DeSanctimonious is doing now to Florida. Chris ended up getting run out of New Hampshire, where he had almost no vote or popularity. They knew him well - CHRIS CHRISTIE IS A TOTAL LOSER!" he added in another post.
Trump to sit with Hannity for town hall in Iowa after criticizing governor

Donald Trump will join Fox News anchor Sean Hannity for a town hall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on July 18, amid tensions between the former president and some Republicans in the state.

The town hall, which will air on Fox News from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET, will be pre-taped earlier in the day at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse Arena, the network announced Tuesday.

Hannity will take questions from the audience while discussing the 2024 presidential race, immigration, the economy and the overall state of the country with the former president, according to a press release.

The news comes as Trump risks a growing rift with Republicans in the Hawkeye State. The former president declined to take part in a forum being hosted by Tucker Carlson  himself a former Fox News personality  in Iowa this Friday, even though some of his top Republican rivals, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, will be participating.

The Friday forum, which is being run by the conservative group The Family Leader alongside Blaze Media, comes days after Trump drew headlines for attacking Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) over her approach to the 2024 race.

I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, & when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, & she won, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Monday. Now, she wants to remain NEUTRAL. I dont invite her to events! DeSanctus down 45 points!

Reynolds had appeared alongside DeSantiss wife, Casey DeSantis, at an event days earlier. There have also been reports that Trumps team has been frustrated by her relationship with the DeSantis campaign.

DeSantis and other 2024 Republicans were quick to rally around Reynolds following Trumps comments. And some Iowa Republicans, including veteran strategist David Kochel, openly expressed their frustration with the former president.

Still, most polls show Trump with a commanding lead over the GOP primary field, including one survey of Iowa voters taken in May that showed him with an overwhelming 42-point lead.

Meanwhile, Trump has joined several interviews with Fox News hosts, including Hannity and Bret Baier. Fox News announced Sunday that the former president will join anchor Maria Bartiromo for a pre-taped interview on her show Sunday Morning Futures on July 16 at 10 a.m.

His media engagements come as his relationship with Fox News has grown increasingly unpredictable and, often, contentious. Trump has railed on the network for focusing too much on DeSantis and has labeled Fox the DeSanctimonious Network, a nod to Trumps nickname for the governor.

Trump also called Baiers line of questioning hostile during Baiers recent one-on-one interview with the former president.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former President Donald Trump, Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene hanging out at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Ray Epps sued Fox News, saying host-turned-Twitter vlogger Tucker Carlson defamed him.

Epps went to the Capitol on January 6, 2021, because he thought the election was rigged and Trump won.

Carlson accused him of being an FBI informant who incited the Capitol riot.

Ray Epps  the longtime supporter of Donald Trump and self-described fan of Fox News  filed a defamation lawsuit Wednesday against the right-wing media network over a baseless conspiracy theory that he was actually an FBI informant who incited the January 6 Capitol riot.

In the lawsuit, lawyers for Epps argue that Fox News sought a scapegoat for the January 6, 2021 insurrection after the network pushed the lie that Trump, not now-President Joe Biden, was the true victor of the 2020 election.

The network settled on Epps, the lawsuit says.

"Having promoted the lie that Joe Biden stole the election, having urged people to come to Washington, DC, and having helped light and then pour gasoline on a fire that resulted in an insurrection that interfered with the peaceful transition of power, Fox needed to mask its culpability," the lawsuit says. "It also needed a narrative that did not alienate its viewers, who had grown distrustful of Fox because of its perceived lack of fealty to Trump."

Epps has been the subject of a conspiracy theory among right-wing media pundits and politicians claiming he was actually working with the FBI to incite the riot.

In reality, he voted for Trump in the 2016 and 2020 elections. According to the lawsuit, Epps and his wife, Robyn Epps, both listened to Fox News push falsehoods about the results of the 2020 election. As a result, the suit says, they traveled to Washington, DC, for Trump's "Stop the Steal" rally on January 6, 2021, which turned into the deadly riot at the Capitol.

"The lies that Fox told were heard by Ray and Robyn Epps, loyal Fox viewers and fans of Tucker Carlson and other Fox personalities," the lawsuit says.

The conspiracy theory about Epps has been frequently advanced by Tucker Carlson, a Twitter vlogger who was fired by Fox News in April. Chadwick Moore, a right-wing columnist who says he's writing an authorized biography of Carlson, said earlier this year that Carlson had prepared a monologue about Epps on the day Fox took him off the air.

Epps had gone up to the Capitol, but resisted going into the building after seeing that other people at the event were attacking police officers, his attorney said in the lawsuit. His photo was posted on an FBI website, prompting him to contact the FBI and explain his presence at the Capitol, the suit says. Epps met with the FBI in March of that year, according to the lawsuit.

At about the same time, Fox News  along with other right-wing media companies and conspiracy theorists  were hit with lawsuits by Smartmatic and Dominion Voting Systems, two election technology companies caught up in false allegations that they rigged the 2020 election.

Fox News pushed the Epps conspiracy theory to distract from Dominion, the lawsuit says

Fox and Carlson "decided that Epps was the villain they needed to distract from the Dominion lawsuit and their culpability for stoking the fire that led to the events of January 6th," the lawsuit says.

"To make the factual assertion that Epps was working for the FBI, Mr. Carlson relied on distorted and selectively edited videos, combined with an untruthful voiceover and a false or misleading chyron," the lawsuit says.

In February of 2023, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy gave producers on Carlson's show security footage from the Capitol from the day of the riot. Although that should have dispelled the myth that Epps spurred the insurrection, Carlson didn't change his position, the lawsuit says.

"Contrary to Fox's lies, Ray was not a federal agent of any kind, was not law enforcement of any kind, and was not any type of government agent or informant, or acting on behalf of the government in any capacity when he participated in the protests on January 6th," the suit says.

Fox paid Dominion a record-breaking $787.5 million to settle its claims in April. Smartmatic's lawsuit remains pending.

Epps and his wife have been constantly harassed as a result of the conspiracy theories, have sold their homes and other possessions, and have remained in hiding, the lawsuit says.

In an interview with CBS News earlier this year, Epps said Carlson was "obsessed" with him and "going to any means possible to destroy my life."

"Some people have said: 'Well just let it go and let it die down,'" his wife, Robin, told "60 Minutes" in an interview. "What they don't understand is that it doesn't."

A representative for Fox News didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By James Oliphant, Gram Slattery and Alexandra Ulmer

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' campaign is making a high-risk bet that it can halt Donald Trump's march to the Republican presidential nomination by winning the key state of Iowa next January, despite the former president's commanding lead in polls and growing questions about DeSantis' viability.

Even as he trails Trump by close to 30 percentage points in national polls, DeSantis and his advisers are sticking to a long-haul, Iowa-first strategy. They hope that an upset win in the state would stall Trump's momentum, according to two sources close to the campaign, who asked not to be identified so that they could discuss campaign strategy.

They acknowledged they might never fully close the national polling gap before Iowa's caucuses on Jan. 15, the first in a series of nominating contests to decide the Republican nominee for the November 2024 presidential election.

The focus on Iowa appears to be a recognition by the campaign that DeSantis' other paths to victory are shrinking, turning the Midwestern state into a do-or-die for him, according to more than a dozen interviews with the DeSantis campaign, Trump advisers, grassroots Republican operatives in Iowa and donors.

After a much-anticipated presidential launch on May 24, DeSantis is languishing a distant second in the Republican field and has yet to catch fire in any real way.

"A win in Iowa, a second in New Hampshire, we lose a couple candidates before Nevada and South Carolina, and then we are in a bloody, two-person race," one of the two sources told Reuters, referring to other nominating contests that will follow.

But even winning Iowa, should DeSantis pull it off, carries risk. His play for the state's religious voters by staking out hardline positions on abortion and transgender issues could alienate voters in states further down the nominating calendar.

"He's gotta have a win in the first three primaries, and Iowa is his best bet," said Chris Stirewalt, an elections analyst with the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank.

Stirewalt said the biggest fear of the donors he has spoken to is that DeSantis wins Iowa but becomes a candidate "with the resources to stick around but not the reach to win the nomination."

None of the last three winners of a competitive contest in Iowa - U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee - went on to claim their party's nomination, in part because of their conservative stances.

Embarrassingly for DeSantis, Steve Cortes, a spokesperson for Never Back Down, a fundraising super PAC supporting him, acknowledged earlier this month in a Twitter forum that "clearly Donald Trump is the runaway front-runner."

Amid a flurry of stories questioning his viability over the past week, DeSantis has accused the media of prematurely writing his obituary.

"They've tried to create a narrative that somehow the race is over," he said on the Fox Business channel on Monday.

DeSantis' campaign has argued that his ability to raise $20 million in the first six weeks of his campaign shows that donors view him as the top alterative to Trump. In the second quarter, Trump raised $35 million, according to a campaign official.

KNOCKING ON DOORS

Of the 640,000 doors that Never Back Down has knocked on so far nationally, a full quarter have been in Iowa, according to a person connected with the group with knowledge of internal metrics.

The group expects to have opened five offices across the state by the end of July, a separate person said, an unusually large number at this point in the campaign, according to people with knowledge the operations of outside spending groups.

"I think the DeSantis people have done themselves a huge favor by getting a door-to-door operation going early," said Ryan Frederick, chair of the Republican Party in Adair County in rural western Iowa. "It is extremely rare in my part of the world."

Former Vice President Mike Pence, U.S. Senator Tim Scott and others are also trying to make a play for Iowa, and it remains possible that a splintered field could help Trump to win.

DeSantis is scheduled to visit Iowa on Friday, his third trip to the state since declaring his presidential bid. His wife, Casey DeSantis, last week traveled to Iowa to launch a national "Mamas for DeSantis" campaign focused on parental rights, hoping to win over the swing vote of suburban Republican women.

The DeSantis campaign is hoping that the governor, who has made hot-button, conservative social issues the centerpiece of his campaign, will find favor with the state's typical Republican voting mix of evangelical Christians, Lutherans and Catholics.

New Hampshire and Nevada, whose primaries are due to take place after Iowa, are less religious and are seen as less likely to reward his hardline stances.

DeSantis' supporters are also emphasizing what they see as the similarities between DeSantis and Kim Reynolds, Iowa's popular Republican governor, said one person close to the campaign. Reynolds has been a frequent guest at DeSantis' events, causing Trump to lash out at her.

TRUMP LOOMS

Along with the intense focus on Iowa, the DeSantis campaign is also simply crossing its fingers and hoping that Trump may yet be weakened by one of the existing indictments against him for making hush money payments to a porn star and mishandling classified documents or by new ones relating to his actions to overturn the 2020 election.

Trump, however, owns a deep reservoir of support in Iowa, where he was widely popular as president.

His team has knocked on some 30,000 doors in the state and has over a dozen staffers there, two campaign strategists told Reuters. And Trump himself has traveled to Iowa at least three times since declaring his presidential run.

"The campaign has the most sophisticated and experienced team ever in Iowa, and is poised to crush DeSantis," Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said.

A dearth of reliable polling in Iowa makes it difficult to assess the real strength of both DeSantis and Trump in the state.

J. Ann Selzer, a veteran pollster in the state, said the race remains wide open with six months to go.

"Recent caucuses have been political mayhem. It used to be the front-runner stayed the front-runner," Selzer said. "What I say about the caucuses is that anything could happen and probably will."

(Reporting by James Oliphant, Gram Slattery and Alexandra Ulmer, editing by Ross Colvin and Alistair Bell)
Pirate Weaponry

For their time, pirates were among the most fearsome threats that any sailor could encounter on the high seas. They were known for their brutality, cruelty, and the fear they instilled in all their victims. While The War Zone has previously explored the unique cultural cachet and mythmaking that has accompanied the history of piracy ever since its heyday, it now turns its attention to pirates use of weaponry  often the key to their success.

It is the early 18th century, the height of the Golden Age of Piracy. Pirates roam throughout the Caribbean and up and down the coast of North America seeking loot and riches. They have become known as terrors of the seas due to their harsh battle tactics. Once they arrive in popular shipping lanes  perhaps near the Carolinas or a plantation island like Jamaica  they select their victim: a merchant ship full of valuable goods such as textiles, sugar, and rum. The pirates pursue the ship until it cannot escape their grasp.

Every crewmember aboard a pirate ship is tense with anticipation. They all have their roles. The gunners are below deck readying the cannons with various types of shot. Cabin boys are prepared to grab more gunpowder, weapons, or anything else that might be needed in battle. Those aboard deck face their foe, cutlasses shoved through their belts and pistols strapped around their midsection for easy access. They wait for their captains orders before unleashing their fury.

A copper engraving, circa 1724, showing the female pirates Ann Bonny and Mary Read. While the depiction of axes is likely fanciful, pirates were genuinely heavily armed, and cutlasses (a type of slashing sword) were a popular weapon. Public Domain

As well as the ship itself, items such as muskets, pistols, cutlasses, cannons, and even flags were vital to pirates success and survival. They needed to keep all their equipment in top shape and therefore pirates were much more diligent, careful, and organized than most other sailors of their time  a reality about pirates that might be difficult to imagine. But without careful weapon care and usage, the pirate endeavor would undoubtedly fail.

The first thing pirates had to do to maintain safety on their ships was to protect their gunpowder. The tiniest bit of spilled powder could be the cause of a massive explosion during battle, so it had to be closely monitored at all times. This was no easy feat at sea because gunpowder cannot get wet, or it becomes useless. Even if wet powder managed to dry, it would never work the same again. One of the ways to alleviate this risk was by spreading out the powder among various pirates. They wore cartouche boxes on their belts or shoulder straps, which contained tightly wrapped cartridges of powder.

An 1818 print showing various weapons said to have been taken from Arab pirates; spears, swords, hand shields, a musket, a cartridge belt, and a dagger. Photo by Henry Guttmann Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Powder kegs are prominent in this engraving of the French pirate captain Jean Bart (16501702), shown onboard a British ship. Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images

With gunpowder properly stored away, pirates had to make sure to care for their muskets. The musket was so important to them that Alexander Exquemelin, author of The History of the Buccaneers of America, first published in 1678, claimed that [pirates] name the musket their arm as if it was actually part of their body. This weapon was a long-barreled, large-bored, and club-butted flintlock that had roots in pirates days of buccaneering. If they sailed a ship that did not have any cannons, which was extremely rare but possible, muskets became their most important lifeline because they often gave pirates the upper hand in battles (if they managed to fire them accurately). Their firing range to ensure true fatal effectiveness was 250 yards, although they could fire up to 500 yards. Muskets required dexterity and skill to work properly and avoid unnecessary death to the operator.

An engraving from a book by Alexandre Olivier Exquemelin depicts an unidentified Fench pirate standing with a long club-butted rifle, while three small pictures underneath depict various other piracy scenes, from the 1600s. Photo by Roger-Viollet/Getty Images

The pirate operated their musket by half-cocking the hammer and safety position while taking the cartridge out of their cartouche box. Using their teeth, they would rip the cartridge open, pour in a small amount of powder, and close the frizzen (the L-shaped piece of steel hinged at the front of the weapon). The rest of the powder was poured down the barrel followed by a small metal ball that was pushed down with a narrow ramrod at least three times to secure it. Once the pirate was certain that their musket was fully and accurately loaded, they would lower it to waist height, draw the hammer back to full-cock, raise the musket to their shoulder, aim, and fire.

A hypothetical reenactment of an English pirate in the Caribbean Islands sometime between 1680 and 1720. They are armed with a muzzle-loading rifle. Photo by Camillo Balossini/Associazione Culturale Crapa de Mort/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

All of this had to be done during the heat of battle and often took an expert shooter up to 20 seconds  an eternity in such a life-or-death situation. Mistakes easily happened. The pirates mouth might water and get the powder wet, preventing its firing. If their hands shook, they might drop the cartridge altogether or they might bungle the ramrod and miss the mouth of the pistol. Ideally, a pirate needed to have at least two loaded muskets on their person when they entered the battle.

Despite the pirates devotion to their muskets, the most commonly used weapons were pistols and cutlasses. Pistols were close-range weapons, meant to only be fired at no more than three yards. The barrels were a foot long, making them excellent clubs after discharging a bullet. Some pirates carried several pistols on their body. According to Captain Charles Johnson, author of the 1724 book A General History of Pyrates, the pirate Edward Teach (commonly known as Blackbeard) wore a sling over his shoulder, with three braces of pistols, hanging in holsters, like bandoliers.

A portrait of the 18th-century French privateer captain Pierre le Turcq, by Pieter Willem van Megen, dated 1783, complete with pistols on his belt and a short sword in the foreground. Photo by Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

If a pirate chose not to use a firing weapon, they likely grabbed their cutlass. Cutlasses, unlike swords, had short, sturdy blades with a strong protective hilt often made of iron or brass. The shorter blades allowed for small, fast thrusts rather than engaging in intricate swordfights. Their small size was ideal for a pirate to keep one on themselves during times of extreme physical duress in compact spaces. Like the pistol, they were meant for close combat.

Francois lOllonois, a 17th-century French buccaneer, depicted brandishing a cutlass in an illustration from around 1880. Photo by The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images

Cutlasses and pistols were so important they became an emblem on some pirates flags, such as Jack Rackham who designed the iconic version of the Jolly Roger with a skull and crossed cutlasses during his pirate career in the 1710s and 1720. Several years later in 1726, the American Weekly Mercury reported that a group of pirates off the coast of Curacao flew with their Black Silk Flag before them, with a representation of a Man in full Proportion, with a Cutlass in one Hand and a Pistol in the other Extended

A pirate flag that once belonged to Admiral Richard Curry, and which was captured from pirates off the North African coast in 1790. It is seen here going on display at the National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, England. Photo by Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images

A woodcut print of Jack Rackham published in 1725 in A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pyrates. Public Domain

There is little known about pirates fighting techniques with their cutlasses. We can only get an idea from modern practices, which are nothing like the crowded heat of battle on a rocking ship. As stated above, this weapon was specifically made for basic cuts, thrusts, and parries like broadsword or fencing techniques rather than swords, which were much longer and required more distance between opponents. The goal was to hit the opponent without receiving an injury by controlling the victims blade or using deliberate thrusting, which left that person vulnerable.

Cutlasses had a blade usually only between 28 and 34 inches, which is why pirates were partial to them. Broadswords, on the other hand, were much longer and took up too much room on the body. According to Benerson Little, the author of The Sea Rovers Practice, training for combat with broadswords was a difficult endeavor because pirate ships were already too crowded with items such as cannons, bitts [upright posts on the ships deck for fastening mooring lines and cables], masts, rigging, coamings, hatches, and scuttles, not to mention the many implements and accessories of war strewn about. There just was not enough room to practice proper sword-fighting techniques with larger weapons.

Another hypothetical reenactment of an English pirate in the Caribbean, sometime between 1680 and 1720. This pirate is armed with both a muzzle-loading gun and a short sword. Photo by Camillo Balossini/Associazione Culturale Crapa de Mort/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

Ships were armed with cannons, known as guns, of various sizes for battle, which defined the pirates vessels. By the 18th century, English guns were named by their weight, and they ranged anywhere from four to as large as 16 pounds. Other European ships could have guns up to 24 pounds. These weapons were usually made of iron or bronze, but the latter was rare because it was extremely expensive.

The French pirate captain Jean Bart (16501702) onboard a British ship, in a 17th-century engraving on fabric by Bouquet. Note the powder kegs and the tackle for the cannon behind him. Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images

Round shot was the most common form of cannonball and was used against hulls and masts at further distances. If a ship was at close range, the cannons were fitted with two round shots, which were large cannon balls used to damage hulls and rigging on ships. Grapeshots were also used, which were small canvas bags packed with multiple small iron or lead balls that exploded on impact, sending wood shards and shrapnel everywhere. These were used when pirates intended to face their foes in armed combat or if they wanted to damage their victims defenses enough so they could get aboard. Case shot was similar to grapeshot except they were small packets of iron shards and other various pieces of scrap metal that also exploded on impact. However, unlike grapeshot, case shot was intended specifically to maim or kill the pirates victims.

The death of Welsh pirate Bartholomew Roberts (16821722) off the coast of Gabon in west Africa, having been struck in the throat by grapeshot during a sea battle, in February 1722. Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Cannons were mounted on bed carriages with wheels to allow for movement and to reduce recoil. Eighteenth-century cannons had some limitations in that they were only managed with two tackles, which were hooked from the carriage to the eyebolts. While cannons were extremely effective in damaging other ships, they also posed a great risk to their own crew because gunners were always right in the line of enemy fire.

An English three-pound cannon recovered from the deck of the pirate ship Whydah, displayed at the Portland Science Center. The wreck of the pirate ship was discovered off Cape Cod, where it had sunk in a storm in 1717. Photo by John Ewing/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images

Swivel guns were a type of cannon used on smaller ships and were muzzle-loaded, like muskets. These were smaller and intended to specifically target people on the enemy ship.

Once the pirates had their weapons assembled, they were ready for battle.

Each person had a specific role to guarantee success. Hammocks were stowed into the hold or mounted against the walls of the ship to provide extra protection against cannon hits and flying splinters. Canvas and other types of cloth were run along the rails around the ships perimeter to give the pirates some concealment to lead a better surprise attack if necessary.

Pirates Attacking a British Navy Ship, a painting by the Dutchman William van de Velde the Younger, who lived between 1633 and 1707. Photo by Art Media/Print Collector/Getty Images

The gunners had the most important role: overseeing the readying and loading of the cannons. Two or three men, on average, worked on each gun while an officer stood ready to command anywhere between five and 10 guns at a time.

Amid all this harried preparation, the gunners had to make sure the powder stayed dry so the cannons could fire shot. Like musket preparations, gunners prepared gunpowder, shot, cartridges, rammers, and handspikes to load each cannon.

A highly stylized depiction of the death of the Scottish pirate Sir Andrew Barton, in an engraving made around 1880. Barton had been killed in 1511. While cruising the English coast looking for Portuguese ships he and his ships were captured and, after a fierce battle, he died of his wounds. Photo by Print Collector/Getty Images

Not only that, but they also had to cast protections against fires from their own guns or any that might hit their ship. One solution was to spill water onto the deck hoping it would stay wet enough to prevent anything from catching fire. In the meantime, the carpenter made sure to check the pumps and prepared shot plugs and lead sheets to deal with any holes. The surgeon waited in the cockpit of the ship, ready to treat the wounded as they would undoubtedly start pouring in minutes after the commencement of battle.

Finally, the captain would ready the crew with a hearty speech, and everyone would take a dram of liquor to fortify their courage. Once battle began, a ship could be completely decimated. If the pirates firepower was powerful enough, they could literally smash their foes vessels into pieces.

An Action off the Barbary Coast with Galleys and English Ships, another painting by William van de Velde the Younger. Public Domain

Some of the pirates most important weapons might be less obvious, one being fear tactics in battle. The purpose was to get their victims to surrender as fast as possible to avoid a long-drawn-out bloody battle.

Displaying the pirate flag was the most effective way to avoid intense conflict because it immediately informed their victims of the terror the pirates were about to unleash upon them.

Pirates boarding a ship and overpowering the crew, in a highly dramatized depiction from the 18th century. Photo by Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Finally, the most important weapon above all else was the ship itself. The design of a pirates ship could be the difference between survival and failure. Pirate ships were extremely varied, and pirates often had to improvise to make them as efficient as possible. Ships had to be exceptionally seaworthy since pirates sailed around the Atlantic for extended amounts of time fighting and braving extreme storms. The ideal ship had to be fast enough to attack and sail off quickly enough that its victims would not catch up with it. Not only did a ship have to be fast, but it also had to be large enough to accommodate numerous guns to be as threatening as possible. The size and prowess of a ship encouraged pirates foes to surrender quickly and move up the maritime hierarchy.

A French pirate ship or corsair encounters bad weather off the Barbary Coast of North Africa, circa 1650. An engraving by A. Maisonneuve after A. Humblot. Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Large, heavily armed ships gave pirates a certain prestige and amount of pride. However, size could be a problem. They could not always find a port that could support them. A large ship also limited the number of safe shores to hide and repair the ship, often by turning it on its side and caulking the bottom. If pirates sailed in large ships, they had to remain in active posture, constantly deployed. The only way they could hide in smaller inlets or rivers was if they switched out their large ships for shallow-draft vessels like sloops.

No matter what, though, any ship of any size required maintenance and care. In many ways, a small ship, of between 30 and 60 tons, was ideal because it was suited for navigating areas crowded with craggy coasts and narrow inlets while being faster than any larger ships that might pursue it. Smaller vessels were also easier to maintain and would represent less of a financial risk.

Another depiction of the Welsh pirate Bartholomew Roberts. Behind him are two of the ships under his command, the Royal Fortune and the Ranger. This engraving appeared in A History of the Pyrates by Capt. Charles Johnson, circa 1724. Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Without carefully maintained items such as muskets, pistols, cutlasses, flags, and ships, pirates would not have been able to be successful in their battles. Very often, the difference between life and death was their discipline in taking care of their materiel. These weapons were so important that they were even part of the pirates identities. They brandished their deadly instruments and intimidated their victims into surrender. If that did not work, then they were more than prepared to fight to the death with their pride in their hands.

Rebecca Simons latest book, The Pirates Code: Laws and Life Aboard Ship is out now from Reaktion Books.

Contact the editor: thomas@thedrive.com
Turkey F-16 fighter

Turkey looks set to receive the F-16 fighters that its long sought from the United States, as part of an apparent deal in which Ankara has finally conceded to Swedens entry into NATO. Turkey had requested a $20-billion deal for 40 new F-16s, as well as around 80 modernization kits for existing jets, since October 2021, but the deal had been held up by Congress amid worsening relations between Ankara and Washington.

Speaking today ahead of a summit of NATO leaders in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed today that the United States will seek to approve the Turkish F-16 deal, after consultation with Congress.

U.S. President Joe Biden attends the opening high-level session of the 2023 NATO Summit on July 11, 2023 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Sullivan added that U.S. President Joe Biden had been clear that he supports the transfer. According to Sullivan, the U.S. president has placed no caveats on this [and] he intends to move forward with that transfer, although its not clear when deliveries might take place, especially with a long backlog of F-16 orders at Lockheeds Greenville, South Carolina, production facility.

Yesterday, the Pentagon confirmed that U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had discussed broader support for Turkish military modernization during a phone call with his Turkish counterpart Yasar Guler.

Formal approval of the deal would still require support from across Congress, but there are signs that this is now imminent.

Reuters reported yesterday that U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez, a Democrat who had blocked the transfer, is now in talks with the Biden administration and that he could decide in the next week, suggesting he reversed his opposition to it.

https://twitter.com/JM_Szuba/status/1678618234671583232?s=20

At the same time, Menendez says he still has reservations about an F-16 deal with Turkey.

If they (Biden administration) can find a way to ensure that Turkey's aggression against its neighbors ceases, which there has been a lull the last several months, that's great but there has to be a permanent reality, Menendez said. He also called for efforts to beef up Greece's security and obtain assurances about future actions.

As well as the issue of Turkish opposition to Swedish NATO membership and its relations with Greece and Russia, Ankara has faced criticism from U.S. lawmakers over human rights concerns, among others.

Whats less clear, at least at an official level, is the degree to which the latest U.S. decision has hinged upon Turkey switching its stance on Swedish accession to NATO. Before a new member can join the alliance, this has to be ratified by existing NATO states, of which Turkey is one.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson shake hands next to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg prior to their meeting, on the eve of a NATO summit, in Vilnius on July 10, 2023. Erdogan (Photo by Henrik MONTGOMERY / various sources / AFP) / Sweden OUT (Photo by HENRIK MONTGOMERY/TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Images)

However, there are signs that its no coincidence that todays announcement comes just a day after Ankara signaled that it would approve Sweden joining the alliance. Ever since Sweden announced that it wanted to join NATO, in the wake of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Turkish opposition had been the main barrier to this happening.

In particular, Ankara was unhappy with what it alleged was Swedens sympathetic stance on Kurdish militants, including members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union (EU), and the United States.

A Turkish Air Force F-16 operates from Incirlik Air Base in the southern province of Adana in July 2015. At the time, Turkish jets were conducting airstrikes on the ISIS terrorist group in Syria as well as the PKK in Iraq, according to Ankara. Photo by Ibrahim Erikan/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

A joint statement from Turkey and Sweden yesterday confirmed that Sweden had said it would not provide support to Kurdish groups in the future and that it would also support Turkish entry to the EU.

However, the idea that the U.S. F-16 deal was dependent on Turkish approval of Swedens entry to NATO has been rejected by the Biden administration and Turkish officials alike.

When asked yesterday about why Turkey had lifted its opposition to Swedish membership of NATO, Biden himself provided a somewhat cryptic answer. What do you think? he smiled.

Other diplomats and analysts certainly see that the two issues are linked.

https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1678657476814852097?s=20

In particular, there have been suggestions from some quarters that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan used the issue of Sweden joining the alliance as a means of ensuring that the United States would sign off on the F-16 deal.

Writing in The Washington Post, Asli Aydintasbas, a foreign-policy analyst and fellow at the Brookings Institution, observed that behind all the public bluster, Erdogan's most important ask has long been clear: He needs the United States to sell him F-16s.

https://twitter.com/asliaydintasbas/status/1678587295715282944?s=20

Meanwhile, Gerard Araud, a former French ambassador to the United States, took to Twitter to state that The Swedish blackmail paid.

https://twitter.com/GerardAraud/status/1678674447392178176?s=20

At this point, however, it seems that both Turkey and Sweden should end up getting what they want: more, and modernized F-16s, and NATO membership, respectively.

Whats much less clear is when new F-16s for Turkey might arrive, and when Sweden will formally enter NATO.

https://twitter.com/Helofresh/status/1678663833106145280?s=20

Theres no doubt, however, that the acquisition of new fighters has become an increasingly urgent issue for the Turkish Air Force.

Today, the combat fleet of the Turkish Air Force is dominated by the F-16, as we have discussed in the past.

The worlds third-largest F-16 operator, Turkey received a total of 270 aircraft delivered in successively more capable Block 30, Block 50, and Block 50+ configurations. Local industry has also played a major role in the Turkish F-16 program, with involvement from the outset, including local assembly of aircraft and production of center/aft fuselage sections and wings.

A Turkish Air Force F-16 pair heads out for a training mission, led by an F-16C Block 50. TURKISH MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE

Turkey had once planned to replace a significant portion of its F-16 fleet with F-35A stealth fighters, again with heavy involvement in the program from local industry. However, Turkeys decision to buy Russian-made S-400 air defense systems led to it being ejected from the Joint Strike Fighter program in 2019. This development led to Turkey seeking to buy additional F-16s, with discussions over another batch of F-16s reportedly taking place, but with no deal in sight  until now.

The situation has also contributed to Turkey launching more concerted efforts to upgrade its existing F-16 fleet locally. As we have discussed in the past, a structural improvement program was enacted to extend the service lives of some of the oldest F-16s in the Turkish inventory and there have also been expanding efforts to introduce locally produced weapons, too. Fearing the adverse effect of U.S. sanctions on its F-16s  another result of the S-400 purchase  Turkey also reportedly began stockpiling spare parts for these jets in 2019.

https://twitter.com/MihirkJha/status/1314217001062027271?s=20

Local industry is meanwhile busy developing a range of crewed and uncrewed combat aircraft, including the TF-X next-generation fighter, the Anka-3 low-observable flying wing unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV), and the fighter-like Bayraktar Kizilelma drone that is already in flight testing. While impressive, there remains a shorter-term need for a crewed fighter, at least until the TF-X becomes widely operational. While there are hopes the TF-X will begin to enter service in 2030, bearing in mind previous next-generation fighter programs, that could well end up being delayed significantly.

Clearly, then, Turkey still wants more F-16s, and the latest indications from Washington suggest that a related deal could be closer than at any any time since Turkey was sensationally kicked out of the Joint Strike Fighter program.

Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com
Two Indiana troopers were killed by fleeing vehicles. Could their deaths prompt change?

A police procedure two Indiana State troopers were using when they were fatally struck by fleeing vehicles months apart has had similarly deadly consequences across the country.

Both troopers were deploying stop sticks, which are thrown into the roadway to puncture tires and slow down a vehicle. But using the tool comes with risk and can leave law enforcement exposed to a vehicle barreling in their direction.

The conversation around the practice has been ongoing for years and some departments are looking into alternatives.

In addition to the two Indiana State Police troopers, at least 17 other officers across the country have been struck and killed by vehicles while using stop sticks in the past 10 years, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

White carnations with a red spot are worn during the day of the funeral of Trooper Aaron Smith Friday, July 7, 2023. The white carnation symbolizes a good life and career and the red dot symbolizes the blood shed by a law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty. The 33-year-old Indiana State Police Trooper was killed June 28, 2023 when he tried to stop a fleeing driver by placing stop sticks on Ronald Reagan Parkway. The driver swerved and hit him.

The officers killed had worked for their departments for anywhere from 4 months to 22 years in both rural and urban parts of the country.

Indiana State Police Trooper Aaron N. Smith, 33, was trying to use stop sticks to slow down a stolen vehicle from Missouri when he was struck and killed in Hendricks County, close to Indianapolis, on June 28.

Master Trooper James Bailey, 50, was killed in a similar crash north of Fort Wayne in March. That chase began when an off-duty officer saw a driver speeding and driving erratically on the interstate. Bailey was trying to put stop sticks in the roadway before he was struck by the fleeing driver.

The drivers in both crashes were arrested and are facing murder charges, court records show.

Some departments no longer use stop sticks

Officials in Boone County, Kentucky, decided it was time for a change after a 20-year veteran of the department was hit by a vehicle while trying to deploy stop sticks in October 2021.

The lieutenant survived the crash but was left with a fractured leg and stitches in one of his arms.

After we assessed it and spoke about it, the sheriff decided that the risk to use them outweighs the necessity to have them, said Major Philip Ridgell of the Boone County Sheriff's Office.

Ridgell admitted that stop sticks can be a useful tool. Slowing down a fleeing vehicle can protect the public, but real-world conditions often put officers at too much risk, he argued.

Quite honestly what we have seen across the country and experienced here is oftentimes you are not surrounded by the right conditions for it to be safe, Ridgell said. We can never guarantee that there's going to be a barrier to jump behind for our deputies and thats where the risk comes in.

To deploy the stop sticks safely, officers need a traffic median, telephone pole or some other barrier to put between themselves and a fleeing vehicle. Often, these protections are not available, Ridgell said.

The sheriffs office, which serves a county outside of Cincinnati, terminates pursuits if they become too dangerous.

There are going to be people who will suggest that suspects will flee more often if they hear about (our policies), Ridgell said. A thing to consider is the deployment of stop sticks doesn't always work. We weren't batting a thousand with that. There are other ways to catch a suspect than in a pursuit.

Instead of trying to end pursuits with stop sticks, Boone County deputies often look for identifying features of the suspect or vehicle to use in a follow-up investigation.

Boone County is not the only department to no longer use stop sticks. The Dallas Police Department stopped using the tools in 2012.

Its an officer-safety issue, said then-Dallas police Assistant Chief Mike Genovesi in a story from The Dallas Morning News. In a perfect world, they can be effective, but I have seen too many instances where the reality that we live in is far from that. Theres a lot of danger, a lot of safety issues with them.

The Dallas Police Department declined a request for an interview for this article.

The same year Dallas police banned the use of the tool by its officers, an alert was published in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin warning of dangers with deploying stop sticks, a practice that began in 1996. The bulletin encouraged law enforcement agencies to weigh other options, including the use of aerial surveillance or the PIT maneuver, during which an officer uses their car to bump and spin out the fleeing vehicle.

Are there other alternatives to stop sticks?

There are not many practical alternatives to stop sticks, but one sheriffs office outside of Chicago is putting a new tool into practice.

The Kane County Sheriffs Office has opted to try MobileSpike. The technology allows deputies to remain in their vehicles and push a button that activates an arm with a tire-deflating device attached.

The deputy lines their vehicle up so that the suspect will run over the deflating device. The department has four MobileSpikes already and ordered six more, said Lt. Paul Warren of the Kane County Sheriff's Office.

They have been using the new tech in Kane County for just over a year and it's successfully helped end two pursuits, officials said.

The sheriffs office began looking into alternatives for stop sticks after a deputy trying to deploy the tool was almost struck by a fleeing suspect, Warren said.

With this, you are still inside your vehicle, Warren said. Even if there is a crash, you are still protected by your vehicle."

The largest hurdle for other departments to try MobileSpike or a different alternative to stop sticks is cost. It costs about $7,000 to get one vehicle equipped with MobileSpike up and running versus a couple hundred dollars for a stop stick, Warren said.

Going the new route has definitely been safer for our officers than the traditional spikes, said Commander David Wolf of the Kane County Sheriffs Office. It's more costly but if it saves a life, it's worth it.

Experts from national police organizations weigh in

Jim Burch, president of the National Policing Institute, said stop sticks and the risks associated with using them have been discussed in the law enforcement community for many years.

For us, its more of a question about training and under what circumstances we use them, Burch said.

Bill Alexander, of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, agreed that the conversation for most people in law enforcement has not been about putting an end to the use of stop sticks entirely, but ensuring training is adequate.

It really is very dangerous, Alexander said. You are talking about a multiple thousand-pound hunk of metal flying through streets.

What are the next steps for Indiana State Police?

After the deaths of Bailey and Smith, officials at the Indiana State Police will be taking a look at their policies related to deploying stop sticks.

As with any critical incident, an evaluation will take place, said ISP Sgt. John Perrine via email.

Contact the reporter at 463-214-7590.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Police and stop sticks: Could Indiana trooper deaths create change?
Adrian Matthias Stevens (left) and Sean Snyder are a Two-Spirit couple.

Adrian Matthias Stevens (left) and Sean Snyder are a Two-Spirit couple.

Whentheylived in Utah, Sean Snyder and Adrian Matthias Stevens often ran into each other at pow wows. For both Snyder and Stevens, these events served as spaces to share the dance and songs of their culture, while also competing with other tribes. But above all, the gatherings were a means for building community.

After a few casual yet pleasant run-ins, Snyder and Stevens, who both identify as Two-Spirit, began dating. Ten years later, theyre still dancing at pow wows all over the country  but now, as a same-sex couple.

Long-lasting, healthy queer love is something Ive always loved to witness, but it feels particularly special when theres a connective thread in the relationship, rooted in an identity at odds with so much of the world. Two-Spiritness, for those unfamiliar, is not quite gayness or transness as we would define it in binary terms. Instead, its an identity that actively embraces the duality of femininity and masculinity within a single person. Its an identity that can, and should, teach all of us about how expansive queerness can be.

Synder (left) and Stevens dance at pow wows all over the country.

Synder (left) and Stevens dance at pow wows all over the country.

Snyder, who is Navajo and Ute, is a beadwork artist who was born in Iowa and grew up in several states, including Alaska and Arizona. Stevens, who is Northern Ute and Apache, was born and raised in Utah, where his fondest memories were of celebrating the Bear Dance, a 10-day springtime festival of feasting. Although both Snyder and Stevens were intimately connected to their Native heritage growing up, it wasnt until later in life that they learned the term Two-Spirit.

Still, they both describe intuitive reactions to their Two-Spirit identities from their families, even if they werent verbally articulated. For example, Stevens parents allowed him to take part in activities that were traditionally reserved for women in ceremonies, such as carrying water, which was their way of acknowledging that they understood something about Stevens that he might not have fully understood about himself yet.

Stevens (left) is Northern Ute and Apache, while Snyder is Navajo and Ute.

Stevens (left) is Northern Ute and Apache, while Snyder is Navajo and Ute.

To him, this is evidence of the link between queerness and the universe. Two-Spirit is not physical. Its spiritual, being able to embody both masculine and feminine energy within you, he says. Ive been able to move through both masculine and feminine spaces with a natural fluidity.

When I spoke to Snyder and Stephens, they had recently returned from Los Angeles Pride. I went to LA Pride this year, too, and noticed a lot of hypermasculine energy in the form of shirtless men at an outdoor Mariah Carey concert. I asked them how they navigated what can seem like rigid notions of gayness in places like West Hollywood  where clubs lure in patrons with flyers of cis men flaunting rock-hard abs  while holding an identity as nuanced as Two-Spirit.

Showing up to those spaces in full regalia from their culture is a big part of the battle itself. Visibility is key here; dressing to reflect their authentic selves is a reminder that there are other ways of existing. Often, they tell me, just attending an event as visibly Indigenous is enough to spark interest and conversations about their identity. Another, more fundamental part of being in gay spaces as Native American people is simply to remind others that tribal communities are still here, thriving  and they have something to teach everyone.

Stevens (left) and Snyder say just attending an event as visibly Indigenous is enough to spark interest and conversations about their identity.

Stevens (left) and Snyder say just attending an event as visibly Indigenous is enough to spark interest and conversations about their identity.

In a world where a Western way of expressing queerness has triumphed on our TV screens and in media, its important to be reminded that there are alternatives. We dont all have to have the same coming-out stories and identify with labels like gay or lesbian  there are limitless possibilities out there for how we navigate our queerness.

But Snyders and Stevens mission exists outside of gayborhoods, too. Not all Indigenous communities embrace people who are Two-Spirit, and many are not immune to the queerphobia that exists everywhere else in the country. Snyder tells me that one of his dreams is to help create a pan-tribal sense of Two-Spirit identity, so that more Native American people who identify with the label can come together and shape its future.

Synder (left) and Stevens reflect the powerful ways Indigenous culture and gender fluidity intersect.

Synder (left) and Stevens reflect the powerful ways Indigenous culture and gender fluidity intersect.

When youre in LA or New York, its easy to feel like youre at the center of the queer world. In reality, the axis of that center shifts depending on what your values are. For Snyder and Stevens, I get the sense that that queer center lies not in gay clubs, bars and parades, but at pow wows and within each other. When they are dancing in sync its hard not to see them as two spirits that, once they connect to centuries-old ancestral beats, become one.
(CNN)  A perfect storm is unfolding this summer, one climate scientist told CNN, as atmospheric ingredients combine to create deadly flooding in the Northeast US and record-breaking heat in the Southwest US and around the world.

Deadly flooding inundated parts of the Northeast, trapping people in their homes and killing at least one woman who was swept away by the fast-moving water. Rivers in Vermont rose quickly in the torrential rain on Monday to levels not seen since Hurricane Irene in 2011.

On Sunday, more than 7.5 inches of rain fell at West Point, New York, in just six hours  a 1,000-year rainfall event for the area, according to a CNN analysis of data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A 1,000-year rainfall event is one that is so intense, it only happens on average once every 1,000 years.

The climate crisis is stacking the deck in favor of more intense weather events like the heavy rain and flooding in the Northeast, said Michael E. Mann, a climate scientist and distinguished professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

Sure, weather is weather. Its going to happen  rainfall, flooding events are going to happen, Mann told CNN. What climate change is doing is its supercharging them, so when you get one of those weather systems thats producing large amounts of rainfall, you get more rainfall.

Theres another, more surprising way that the climate crisis could be driving these extreme rainfall events, Mann said, and its something on the forefront of climate research: The jet stream could be getting stuck in positions that prolong these kinds of extreme events.

The jet stream is the fast-moving river of air high in the atmosphere that ushers weather systems across the globe. Importantly, its fueled by the extreme difference in temperature between the equator and the poles.

But the planet is not warming equally in all locations, Mann explained. The Arctic is warming much faster than the Lower 48, for example, which reduces the temperature difference from the equator to the pole.

Scientists suspect that this decrease in temperature difference is changing how the jet stream behaves.

The jet stream basically stalls and those weather patterns remain in place  those high and low pressure centers remain in place, Mann said. And were seeing more of these sort of stuck, wavy jet stream patterns that are associated with these very persistent weather extremes, whether its the heat, drought, wildfire or the flooding events.

As the Northeast is inundated with flooding rain, dangerous heat is threatening other parts of the world. Temperatures are soaring in the Southwest this week, where Phoenix could break its record for consecutive number of days above 110 degrees.

Last week, the planets average daily temperature climbed to record levels in data tracked by two climate agencies in the US and Europe. Climate scientists told CNN that the global temperatures were likely the highest in at least 100,000 years.

Meanwhile, the EUs Copernicus Climate Change Service found that last month was the hottest June by a substantial margin above the previous record, which was set in 2019.

Given the exceptional heat, scientists are concerned that 2023 could be the hottest year on record.

Mann said that El Nino is adding extra heat, extra fuel to the fire. El Nino, which is a warm phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean, is combining with the climate crisis and what you get is new record levels of heat at the planetary scale.

But Mann said without the climate crisis, which is caused by burning fossil fuels, we simply wouldnt be seeing these extreme events.

Those are conspiring. Theyre combining, Mann said. The steady warming combined with an El Nino; extreme weather events related to those changing jet stream conditions  it all comes together, if you will, in a perfect storm of consequences, which translates to truly devastating and deadly weather extremes that were dealing with here right now.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "A perfect storm is unfolding this summer and its supercharging the weather, scientist says"
The News

Ugandas parliament passed a tax on the incomes of foreign digital services providers operating in the country, joining a growing list of African countries seeking a share of revenue generated locally by technology companies.

The 5% levy on non-resident providers was passed on Tuesday (July 11) as part of a revision of the countrys income tax law that includes a new provision taxing some local loss-making companies. A post on the governments Twitter account indicated the digital services tax was requested by Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni.

Henry Musasizi, Ugandas minister of state for finance, said the tax is for the government to get a cut of what it helps to generate. For Uber, the money goes to California; the man derives income, but pays no taxes. Now we are saying, can we have a mechanism of having the taxes? he said.

Know More

The tax, should Museveni sign it into law, will capture notable U.S. companies like Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and Netflix whose services are used by Ugandas 12 million internet users in its net.

African government taxes on U.S. tech companies are not unique to Uganda. Nigeria intends to tax digital non-resident companies at 6% of turnover. Kenya has a 1.5% digital service tax on gross transaction value payable on income derived or accrued in Kenya from services offered through a digital marketplace.

In Uganda, social media has been a platform for citizens and opposition groups to organize campaigns and express dissent against the long-standing Museveni regime. In response, the government has often partially or totally shut down the internet, usually during elections like in January 2021. The committee behind the 5% tax said it is not a social media tax.

Room for Disagreement

Opposition lawmakers in Uganda said the tax was not informed by evidence and could harm locals. The Ministry of Finance did not provide us with anything We are just on a fishing expedition trying to hunt out for taxes wherever they are with no adequate knowledge, said Muhammad Nsereko, an independent lawmaker who represents a district in the capital Kampala.

Notable




UK tells Ukraine were not Amazon in response to weapons wish list

U.K. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said he told Ukraine officials were not Amazon after receiving a list of weapons the embattled nation wanted to continue fighting the ongoing Russian invasion that began in February 2022.

Wallace shared the story at Wednesdays NATO summit in Lithuania, where he also said showing gratitude might be helpful. According to the BBC, Wallace was trying to make the point that Ukraine enjoys the support of NATO but needs to be more thoughtful in its diplomacy.

President Biden reportedly expressed similar frustrations last summer when, after announcing a $1 billion U.S. aid package for Ukraine, that countrys president, Volodymyr Zelensky, immediately started to complain that all of his defense needs that werent being met. According to NBC News, Biden firmly told Zelensky the matter would be dealt with through proper military channels.

On Tuesday, Zelensky, also in Lithuania, expressed frustration that NATO showed no readiness to make Ukraine part of its 31-member alliance. Thats improbable while Ukraine and Russia are at war, but the 45-year-old leader is pushing for a timeline.

Uncertainty is weakness, Zelensky said.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said at Wednesdays summit the American people do deserve a degree of gratitude for their support of Ukraine, as does the U.S. government and all allied nations supporting the battle against Russian aggression in eastern Europe.

NATO introduced a series of new military packages for Ukraine Tuesday, according to the BBC. Next month, a multinational coalition reportedly begins training Ukrainian pilots to fly US-made F-16 fighter jets in Romania.

Zelensky had repeatedly asked for help to close the skies to Russian bombardment.

The Ukrainian President said Wednesday hed completed a very good, powerful meeting with Biden, whom he thanked for the discussion.

We clearly see how to end this war with our common victory, Zelensky tweeted. Thank you, Mr. President!

NATO countries have committed at least $80 billion in aide to Ukraine since Russias invasion, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. The U.S. accounts for $42 billion in security assistance.
Rishi Sunak

The UK government will provide Ukraine with more than 70 combat and logistic vehicles, thousands of rounds of ammunition for Challenger 2 tanks, and a GBP 50 million ($64.7 million) support package for equipment repair, news agency Reuters reported on July 11.

Along with the support package, the UK will also launch a project through NATO to establish a medical rehabilitation center for Ukrainian soldiers, with funding coming through NATOs Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine.

Read also: Germany to announce new military aid package for Ukraine at NATO summit  Pistorius

The UK also said that it and all the other G7 members  Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and United States  were expected to sign a new framework on July 12 that would provide long-term, bilateral security commitments for Ukraine.

Supporting Ukraines progress on the pathway to NATO membership, coupled with formal, multilateral, and bilateral agreements and the overwhelming support of NATO members will send a strong signal to (Russian) President Putin and return peace to Europe, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The UK will give Ukraine a new US$65 million aid package, which includes provisions for repairing military equipment and setting up a military rehabilitation centre.

Source: Reuters, citing a UK government press release

Details: The new tranche of support will be discussed during this week's NATO summit. The UK and G7 member states will provide thousands of additional rounds of Challenger 2 ammunition and over 70 combat and logistics vehicles.

These programmes will be funded through NATO's Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine and supported by rehabilitation specialists from across the Alliance, the UK government said in a statement.

All members of the G7 are expected to sign the joint declaration, which will set out how allies will support Ukraine over the coming years to end the war.

"Supporting Ukraine's progress on the pathway to NATO membership, coupled with formal, multilateral, and bilateral agreements and the overwhelming support of NATO members will send a strong signal to President Putin and return peace to Europe," UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.

Previously: The New York Times reported that the Biden administration was "quietly discussing" the possibility of sending Ukraine long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS).

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ukraine will not be able to join NATO as long as the war continues, but understands that accession will take place when it has secured its territory, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on July 12.

Ukraine understands that it cannot be a NATO member as long as the war continues, Zelenskyy said at a joint press briefing with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Vilnius, Lithuania.

We met with many people today, Ukraine will be a NATO member when the conditions are really appropriate. By this, I understand that when its safe on our land.

The results of the NATO Summit in Vilnius are good, but if there was an invitation to NATO, they would be ideal, the Ukrainian leader emphasized.

Ukraines entry into the military alliance is primarily about the security of the European continent and NATOs eastern flank, and NATO needs Ukraine no less than Ukraine needs NATO, Zelenskyy stressed.

He added that security guarantees the G7 countries could approve on July 12 would be a concrete success for Ukraine.

NATO Summit in Vilnius: What is known

The summit in Vilnius has brought together leaders from 31 NATO countries, including U.S. President Joe Biden, along with additional delegations from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Ukraine, and Sweden (Turkey has finally agreed to unblock Swedens membership).

President Zelenskyy arrived in Vilnius on July 11, along with the First Lady, Olena Zelenska.

Ukraine hoped to receive a clear signal regarding the prospects of a future membership of the alliance.

Read also: Conditions for Ukraines accession to NATO unknown, says FM Kuleba

On the eve of the summit, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that allies had agreed that Ukraine would join NATO in the future without a Membership Action Plan  the traditional process of accession for new members.

Although NATO member states on July 11 agreed on a unified communique concerning Ukraines membership in the alliance, making no timeframe commitments as to when Kyiv might receive an invitation to join.

The communique noted that Ukraine would be invited to join the alliance once member states agree and all prerequisites have been satisfied  without specifying what those prerequisites are, exactly.

The document also remarked that the alliance would aid Ukraine in implementing reforms on its pathway to prospective membership.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Valery Zaluzhny, the commander-in-chief of Ukraines armed forces, recently made another impassioned plea for F-16s, arguing that Western countries would not themselves launch a counteroffensive without air superiority. Yet, Kyiv is trying to do just that while awaiting the delivery of F-16 fighter jets, he complained.

A very limited number would be enough, Zaluzhny said , linking their arrival to the success of Ukraines ongoing counteroffensive.

That claim is as bold as it is doubtful.

Though an advanced multirole fighter, small numbers of F-16s can neither deliver air superiority to Ukraine nor can they provide a means of breaking through Russias heavily fortified defensive lines. And making Ukraines operations more complex is a bad strategy. Simplicity is a principle of war , and pivoting to a Western way of air war would be an inherently complex endeavor and raise the odds of failure. Instead of trying to overcome the multi-layered dilemmas posed by Russias air- and ground-to-air threats and gain air superiority, Kyiv ought to stay the course with its simple but effective air-denial strategy .

Russias air force on offense has failed to impress in this war, but nobody should kid themselves about Russias air defenses. To succeed, Ukraine would need to suppress or destroy Russian surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), especially the S-400 threat. Relying on F-16s, equipped with High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM), Ukrainian pilots would have to fly well into the S-400s envelope to bait Russian operators into emitting. The S-400 has an engagement range of nearly 250 miles, that is, four times the range of an AGM-88 HARM . This makes it an inherently dangerous mission . Even if the F-16s survived to fire their missiles, Russian SAM crews could stop emitting and move  making it difficult for Ukrainian pilots to effectively close the kill chain. Ukraines losses would be high, and such a strategy would quickly become unsustainable.

But none of this should come as a surprise. Moscow would be taking a page from Kyivs own air-denial playbook, leveraging the inherent advantage of mobile, ground-based air defenses over expensive, fixed-wing aircraft to make the achievement of air superiority prohibitively costly. Put simply, a symmetric contest between a limited number of Ukrainian F-16s and Moscows large inventory of SAMs is a losing proposition for Kyiv.

Some airpower enthusiasts will nevertheless be quick to suggest that even if Ukraines air-denial strategy was successful against Russian troops on the offensive, air superiority is required now that the tables have turned, and Ukraines armed forces have taken the counteroffensive. But Ukraines battlefield success rests on it continuing to deny air superiority to Russia, not achieving air superiority outright. Considering the Ukrainian counteroffensive, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General Charles Q. Brown stressed the important role of air denial. It keeps Russian airpower off the back of the Ukrainians and allows them to execute a bit better, being able to use their air defense to their advantage, Brown explained .

The biggest aerial threat to the counteroffensive comes from Russias exploitation of a critical deficit in Ukraines air-denial capabilities  insufficient numbers of mobile short-range air defense systems (SHORAD).These systems are particularly important for protecting Ukrainian forces as they advance in the open across mostly flat fields, particularly from Russian attack helicopters. Moscow is increasingly using the KA-52 Alligator armed with laser-guided 9K121 Vikhr missiles capable of striking moving targets at about five or six miles. By operating their helicopters at the edge of this weapons range, and just beyond the reach of Ukraines Western-provided shoulder-fired, man-portable air defense systems, Russian helicopters can remain at relatively safe distance while striking the leading elements of Ukraines advancing armor units .

These challenges should not cause Ukraine to abandon its successful air-denial strategy. On the contrary, they point to an urgent need for Ukraine to close a critical gap in its air-denial capabilities. Specifically, Ukraine needs mobile and self-contained SHORAD systems like the U.S.-made AN/TWQ-1 Avenger and German-made Gepard capable of advancing alongside and protecting Ukraines attacking forces. The United States has sent only 20 Avengers to Ukraine, but given that the U.S. Army is in the process of replacing them with a new and more modern system, it may be possible for Washington to send more Avengers to Ukraine now and backfill stocks with the new system.

The West may be tempted to speed up delivery of F-16s to Ukraine  complex enough, given the logistical challenges  and hope Ukraine can achieve the complicated and ephemeral state of air superiority, but it should ask itself first some hard questions about strategy. Too often, these debates have become fixated on individual weapon platforms and capabilities, and not the soundness of the strategy for employing these assets. The Ukrainian David ought to stay with his simple-but-effective air-defense sling to keep slaying the Russian Goliath in the skies.

U.S. Air Force Col. Maximilian Bremer leads the Special Programs Division at Air Mobility Command.

Kelly Grieco is a senior fellow with the Reimagining U.S. Grand Strategy Program at the Stimson Center, an adjunct associate professor of security studies at Georgetown University, and a nonresident fellow at the Brute Krulak Center of the Marine Corps University.

This commentary does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Defense Department, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Marine Corps, or Marine Corps University.
Joe Biden says 'we will not waver' in speech at Nato summit - latest updates

Joe Biden accused Vladimir Putin of having a craven lust for land and power on Wednesday and pledged that the US-led Nato alliance would not waver in supporting Ukraine.

Speaking in Lithuania at the end of a two-day meeting of the trans-Atlantic alliance on Russias doorstep, the US president praised the people of the formerly Soviet-occupied country and heralded the addition of Finland to the alliance and the admission soon of its neighbour Sweden.

Mr Biden said the Russian President had badly underestimated the resolve of the military alliance.

When Putin, and his craven lust for land and power, unleashed his brutal war on Ukraine, he was betting Nato would break apart... But he thought wrong, he said to thousands of people at Vilnius University, many of them cheering him on with Lithuanian and American flags.

Despite the positive message, US officials privately struggled with their counterparts in Vilnius to forge a consensus on where the war was headed and what assurances to give Ukraine about its future in the Atlantic military alliance.

Earlier in the day, Mr Biden said he looks forward to Ukraine joining Nato after the war.

Mr Biden told the countrys presidnet, Volodymyr Zelensky, that he understood Kyivs frustration at not being granted swifter entry into the military alliance.

However, he said the US was doing everything it could to get you what you need and I look forward to the day when were having the meeting celebrating your official, official membership in Nato.

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07:39 PM BST

Summary

Thats all for today, thanks for joining us. Heres a brief overview of the days developments:

Joe Biden accused Vladimir Putin of having a craven lust for land and power in an impassioned speech at the end of the two-day Nato summit in Lithuania

The US president pledged that the US-led Nato alliance would not waver in supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression

Mr Biden said the Russian President had badly underestimated the resolve of the military alliance and stressed that international unity was the key to deterring unchecked aggression

As he arrived at Vilnius airport on Wednesday night, Mr Biden said he accomplished the goals we set out to accomplish

Mr Biden also said Volodymyr Zelensky understood that whether or not he is in Nato now is not relevant because of the commitments made by the military alliance

06:42 PM BST

Biden's speech ends

Mr Biden concluded by thanking the audience. He said: God bless you all. God protect the freedom of Ukraine.

The crowd of thousands of Lithuanians gathered at the University erupted into cheers as the US president concluded.

06:40 PM BST

Biden: 'Never give up hope'

In closing, Mr Biden stressed that international unity was the key to deterring unchecked aggression.

If we work together folks, Mr Biden said, That my friends is a lesson we learned from history.

With Churchillian flare, Mr Biden went on to say: Never give up. Never lose hope.

He added: Never, ever in my entire career, have I been more optimistic about the future.

06:24 PM BST

World needs to stand together to tackle climate change

In a similar vein, Mr Biden said the world needs to stand together to prevent the worst consequences of climate change.

Climate change was a focus of this Nato summit in Lithuania, alongside addressing the war in Ukraine, and the threats posed by China and North Korea.

06:22 PM BST

Biden stresses importance of international alliances

The US president said we know we share challenges, but said the alliance had to work together, to step up together to build the broadest and deepest coalition.

Mr Biden added that international allies had to come together to protect the rights and freedoms which have enabled decades of global growth. These included territorial integrity and sovereignty, but also principles like freedom of navigation, he said.

Mr Biden also said the idea that the US could prosper without a secure Europe is not reasonable.

06:14 PM BST

Ukraine war must end 'on just terms'

In an impassioned defence of Ukraine, Mr Biden said the international community all want this war to end on just terms, appearing angry as he said Russia could not be allowed to seize its neighbours territory by force.

He said: The defence of freedom is not the work of a day or a year. Its the calling of our lifetime - of all time.

06:11 PM BST

'We will not waver'

The US and Nato stepped up together, Mr Biden says, highlighting how world leaders in the trans-Atlantic alliance and the European Union worked in lockstep.

From that point on, allies in the West have continued to support Ukraine as they defend their integrity and sovereignty.

If I sound optimistic, its because I am, Mr Biden said of Natos military alliance. Nato is stronger, more energised, more united than at any time in our history.

We will not waver, he added.

06:07 PM BST

Biden: We warned the world what Putin was planning

Joe Biden has said that Nato is stronger, more energised and more united than ever in its history.

He said Putin was betting that Nato would break apart and that he thought democratic leaders would be weak... he thought wrong.

Mr Biden said: we warned the world what Putin was planning, adding, even some in Ukraine didnt believe what our intelligence community had found.

05:59 PM BST

Lithuania a 'friend, partner and ally' of the US

Joe Biden has begun speaking at the Nato summit, delivering an address to a packed room.

He comments: no seats, holy mackerel.

He says it is good to be back in Vilnius, a nation and a region that knows better than anyone the transformational power of freedom.

He calls Lithuania a friend, partner and ally of the US.

05:56 PM BST

Joe Biden has started speaking

Joe Biden is delivering his final speech in Vilnius.

Follow along with our livestream to watch the speech.

05:44 PM BST

'Meaningful' and 'powerful' meeting with Biden, says Zelensky

A meaningful, powerful meeting with President of the United States Joseph Biden in Vilnius.



We discussed in detail the situation on the frontline, our capabilities, further long-term defense cooperation, and internal Russian processes given the recent events.



The United States pic.twitter.com/eowPKL5F8e    (@ZelenskyyUa) July 12, 2023

05:43 PM BST

UN chief sends Putin proposal to keep Black Sea grain deal alive

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent Russian President Vladimir Putin a letter on Tuesday proposing a way forward to further facilitate Russian food and fertilizer exports and ensure the continued Black Sea shipments of Ukrainian grain.

The objective is to remove hurdles affecting financial transactions through the Russian Agricultural Bank, a major concern expressed by the Russian Federation, and simultaneously allow for the continued flow of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters on Wednesday.

A deal allowing the safe Black Sea exports of grain and fertilizers from Ukraine is due to expire on Monday.

05:39 PM BST

Zelensky brushes off demands for more 'gratitude'

Volodymr Zelensky has brushed aside a demand for more gratitude from Ben Wallace.

The Defence Secretary advised Kyiv that people want to see gratitude...if youre persuading countries to give up their stocks, adding that were not Amazon and that he had drove 11 hours to be given a list of requests last year.

When asked by Sky News about the comments, President Zelensky said: I dont clearly understand the questions. We were always grateful to the UK, to the prime ministers and to the minister of defence.

He said he was grateful for the UKs support, but added: I didnt know what he [Ben Wallace] meant and how else I should express my words of gratitude.

Joking, he added: We could get up in the morning and express our words of gratitude personally to the minister.

We are grateful to the UK.

05:32 PM BST

Kyiv knows Western military aid depends on battlefield situation, says Zelenksy

Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Kyiv is aware that future Western military aid depends on the situation at the front.

Speaking to reporters, he said Western leaders assured him that they will help and support Ukraine as much as necessary.

You and I must understand that all this depends on what is happening on the battlefield, he added.

05:28 PM BST

Biden says he 'looks forward' to Ukraine joining Nato after war

Joe Biden has said he looks forward to Ukraine joining Nato after the war.

The US president told Volodymyr Zelensky that he understood Kyivs frustration at not being granted swifter entry into the military alliance.

However, he said the US was doing everything it could to get you what you need and I look forward to the day when were having the meeting celebrating your official, official membership in Nato.

Asked by a reporter how soon after the war he wanted Ukraine to join, Mr Biden said an hour and twenty minutes.

The US president has been reluctant to promise Ukraine Nato membership, fearing being drawn into direct conflict with Russia.

US officials were reportedly furious with Mr Zelensky after he hit out at what he called the absurd delay to Ukraines Nato entry in a tweet on Tuesday

05:03 PM BST

Zelensky holding news conference

Volodymr Zelensky is speaking at a news conference at the Nato summit in Vilnius.

He said his view on Ukraines pathway to Nato hasnt changed, but says he understands there are security conditions that have to be met.

He added that he has faith and believes in Nato partners.

04:58 PM BST

Erdogan: Russia changed stance on Azovstal commanders' release

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Russia had changed its stance on the release of former commanders of Ukraines garrison in Mariupol after an initial negative statement on the issue.

First, there were some statements from Russia but afterwards when they learned about some circumstances, the situation entered a positive track, Mr Erdogan said at a press conference in Vilnius.

04:46 PM BST

Zelensky thanks Biden for talks

A very good, powerful meeting with Mr. President Biden @POTUS.



The meeting was at least twice as long as planned, and it was as meaningful as it needed to be. If the protocol had not stopped the meeting, we would have talked even longer. All the topics. Long-term support.    (@ZelenskyyUa) July 12, 2023

04:45 PM BST

Rutte says Zelensky must take coffee

Mark Rutte, the Dutch Prime Minister, and Volodymr Zelensky have a strange back and forth over a cup of coffee.

Mr Rutte asks the Ukrainian president where he got the coffee from, with President Zelensky then offering it, saying: take mine.

No no, you are fighting a war. This is your coffee #NATOSummit



pic.twitter.com/kiTDzHrkrV  Santiago de la Presilla  (@delapresilla) July 12, 2023

No no, you are fighting a war. This is your coffee...you have to stay healthy, Mr Rutte insists.

President Zelensky then offers to share it with him.

04:40 PM BST

'Zelensky thanks Nato after demands for 'gratitude'

Volodymr Zelensky has thanked Nato for its support for Ukraine after demands for gratitude for Western military support.

The Ukrainian president said he was grateful to their partners and appreciated their willingness to take new steps.

Speaking at the Nato summit in Vilnius, President Zelensky said he was pleased with Western support but would press US President Joe Biden for long-range missiles.

Rishi Sunak defended President Zelensky from accusations of ingratitude, saying the Ukrainian president is doing everything he can to end the war.

His comments come as Ben Wallace, the British Defence Secretary, warned of bubbling frustration over President Zelenskys demands, adding that people want to see gratitude for Western military support.

Mr Wallace also said hes heard grumbles from some US lawmakers that were not Amazon.

04:23 PM BST

Ben Wallace likens Russian military chiefs to Laurel and Hardy

Ben Wallace has compared two of Russias top military leaders to the slapstick comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.

Speaking to reporters at a Nato summit in Vilnius, Wallace made the comparison to the bumbling, bowler-hatted comedians of the 1920s to 1950s when describing Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff of Russias armed forces.

Wallace noted that the pair remained in charge of Russias faltering war in Ukraine while Sergei Surovikin, one of Russias most prominent generals, had vanished from public view since a mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group last month.

Anyone seen Surovikin recently? One of their best generals has disappeared for now, Mr Wallace said.

And theyve kept Laurel and Hardy in charge of the campaign. You know, youve got Gerasimov and Shoigu there.

04:06 PM BST

Macron: 'Legitimate' for Zelensky to be demanding

Emmanuel Macron has said it was legitimate for Volodymr Zelensky to be demanding with Nato because he is fighting on the ground.

The French president said the summit had delivered had made it very clear that the path to Nato was there.

He added: In my eyes, we did what we needed to do, and we did it by keeping the allies united.

03:48 PM BST

Pictured: Zelensky during a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky reacts during a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden - KEVIN LAMARQUE/REUTERS

03:35 PM BST

Russia to display destroyed Nato equipment near Western embassies

Russia plans to display Nato equipment it has destroyed in Ukraine outside the embassies of Western countries that supplied it, parliamentary speaker Vyacheslav Volodin has said.

The proposal to install burned equipment next to the embassies of those countries that send it to Ukraine is especially interesting, said Mr Volodin, who issued orders for such a display to be organised.

Russian officials have repeatedly criticised Western countries for supplying weapons to Ukraine, arguing they risk prolonging the conflict and causing further escalation.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky has been meeting with leaders from the 31-member Nato alliance this week in a bid to secure long-term security commitments.

03:33 PM BST

Zelensky sets example to the whole world, says Biden

Joe Biden hailed Ukraines astounding courage in talks with Volodymyr Zelensky, who set aside earlier frustrations with Nato to profusely thank the United States for its help.

You set an example to the whole world when it comes to genuine courage, Mr Biden told President Zelensky in Vilnius, where they attended the Nato summit.

Not only all of you but your people - your sons, your daughters, your husbands, your wives, your friends: youre incredible.

03:28 PM BST

Ukraine 'will and should' be Nato member, says PM

Rishi Sunak has hailed the Nato summit as a very significant milestone for Ukraine as it seeks to become a member of Nato.

He told reporters: What this summit represents is a very significant moment on the journey towards membership and when conditions allow membership will happen.

I think that is very clear from todays summit that peoples view is Ukraine will and should be a member of Nato. Thats what youve heard loud and clear.

03:21 PM BST

Pictured: Sunak addresses Nato Vilnius summit

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak addresses a press conference at the end of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania - Paul Ellis/PA

03:19 PM BST

Sunak: Security arrangements with Ukraine mark 'new high point'

Rishi Sunak says that security guarantees made by the G7 for Ukraine mark a new high point in international support for Ukraine.

Western allies have pledged to train troops, continue sending military equipment and bolster Ukraines economy and cybersecurity.

However, the Prime Minister said that the arrangements were not a substitute for Nato membership, adding: Ukraines future is in Nato.

03:08 PM BST

Zelensky is 'incredibly grateful' for support, says PM

Rishi Sunak has defended Volodymyr Zelensky from accusations of ingratitude, saying the Ukrainian president is doing everything he can to end the war.

It comes after Ben Wallace advised Kyiv that people want to see gratitude...if youre persuading countries to give up their stocks.

He said: President Zelensky has expressed his gratitude for what weve done on a number of occasions and not least in his incredible moving address that he made to Parliament earlier this year.

Hes done so again to me as he has done countless times when Ive met him. So I know he and his people are incredibly grateful for the support the UK has shown.

But people across Ukraine are also fighting for their lives and freedom every single day and theyre paying a terrible price for it. So I completely understand Volodymyrs desire to do everything he can to protect his people and to stop this war.

02:51 PM BST

Pictured: Ukrainian soldier clears mines in Donetsk

Ukrainian army's 35th Marine Brigade members conduct mine clearance work at a field in Donetsk, Ukraine - Anadolu Agency/Anadolu

02:36 PM BST

81-year-old dead after house bombed in Kherson

An 81-year-old man was killed when Russian forces shelled a home in Kherson, south Ukraine, the regions governor has said.

Oleksandr Prokudin added that the mans wife, also in her 80s, had been wounded during the attack.

He wrote on Telegram: A fire broke out in the house due to enemy shelling, after the elimination of which the body of a deceased citizen was found in the house.

It turned out to be an 81-year-old man. Also due to the shelling, the 82-year-old wife of the deceased was injured.

02:21 PM BST

Suspected Russian hackers target diplomats across Ukraine

The fake used car advert created by suspected Russian hackers - UNIT 42/via REUTERS

Hackers suspected of working for Russias foreign intelligence agency tried to gain access to diplomats computers with a fake second-hand car advert, according to a report.

Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 research division said diplomats working in at least 22 of the roughly 80 foreign missions in Kyiv were targeted.

The cybersecurity firm said the hack was staggering in scope as state-backed cyber espionage operations are usually aimed at specific targets.

Read the full story here.

02:02 PM BST

Watch: Sunak to give news conference at Vilnius summit

01:54 PM BST

General Armageddon is resting

Colonel General Sergei Surovikin, Commander of the Russian forces in Syria, speaks, with a map of Syria projected on the screen in the back, at a briefing in the Russian Defense Ministry - AP

A Russian general missing since a mutiny by Wagner mercenaries last month is resting, it has been claimed.

Sergei Surovikin, a deputy commander of Russias military operations in Ukraine, is thought to have had good relations with the paramilitary group and its head, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Nicknamed General Armageddon for his aggressive tactics in the Syrian war, he was last seen making issuing a video appeal for the Wagner coup to halt.

Andrei Kartapolov, head of the State Duma Defence Committee, said in a video posted to social media: Surovikin is currently resting. [He is] not available for now.

01:36 PM BST

Biden will be 'candid' after Ukraine blocked from Nato

US President Joe Biden will be candid with Volodymyr Zelensky on why Ukraine was unable to join Nato, a White House official has said.

The two men are due to meet today at the military alliances summit in Vilnius, a day after Mr Zelensky lashed out at the absurd refusal to admit Ukraine.

Jake Sullivan, the White Houses national security adviser, told MSNBC: [Biden] knows... President Zelensky has strong views and isnt afraid to express those views.

And he, President Biden, also is very straightforward and honest and candid with president Zelensky. That will be the character of the meeting they have.

01:10 PM BST

Pictures: Ukrainian women trial new combat fatigues

Ukrainian women attend the testing of a new women's military uniform during military training at a shooting range near Kyiv, Ukraine - SERGEY DOLZHENKO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Ukrainian women attend the testing of a new women's military uniform during military training at a shooting range near Kyiv, Ukraine - SERGEY DOLZHENKO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

01:03 PM BST

Netherlands will train Ukrainians to use F-16 fighter jets

The Netherlands will begin training Ukrainian pilots to use F-16 fighter jets, after a discussion between Volodymyr Zelensky and the Netherlands Mark Rutte.

Mr Zelensky said: I am grateful for the leadership of the Netherlands in making key decisions of the Allies in support of Ukraine, in particular on the creation of an aviation coalition.

We agreed to start a training mission for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft in August this year.

We discussed the prospects for attracting new partners to the fighter jet coalition and strengthening Ukraines air defense.

Met with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte @MinPres. I am grateful for the leadership of the Netherlands in making key decisions of the Allies in support of Ukraine, in particular on the creation of an aviation coalition.



We agreed to start a training mission for pic.twitter.com/5IvC16jmdC    (@ZelenskyyUa) July 12, 2023

12:42 PM BST

Nato head: Ukraine closer to joining 'than ever before'

An honour to welcome President @ZelenskyyUa to our #NATOSummit for the inaugural meeting of the NATOUkraine Council. Our 3-part support package means #Ukraine is closer to #NATO membership than ever before. Today we meet as equals; I look forward to the day we meet as Allies. pic.twitter.com/4w7zruztCb  Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) July 12, 2023

12:34 PM BST

PM: Ukraine's security guarantees are 'no substitute' for Nato membership

Rishi Sunak has said that G7 security guarantees for Ukraine will not be a substitute for joining Nato.

Ukraine is set to be offered Nato-lite guarantees by Western allies to continue to existing military support, but a timetable for full membership has been blocked by the US and Germany.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: The Prime Minister and the president [Volodymyr Zelensky] agreed on the importance of the security arrangements to be announced by the G7 this afternoon.

They marked a new high point in support from the international community and would give Ukraine an even greater level of endurance against Russian aggression, the Prime Minister said.

Both agreed the arrangements will not be a substitute for Nato membership and looked forward to building on the new security framework as soon as possible.

12:12 PM BST

Sunak insists on private meeting with Zelensky

Prime minister Rishi Sunak asked Volodymyr Zelensky for a private meeting without their aides as they began talks at the Nato summit in Vilnius.

The Ukrainian president agreed with the suggestion and said there should be only two of them in the room.

Mr Sunak told his counterpart: It is good to see you here at Nato where you belong.

Mr Zelensky thanked Mr Sunak for helping secure additional security guarantees for Kyiv, with a G7 deal due to be signed today in the Lithuanian capital.

It comes after Britain announced it would increase military aid to Ukraine, sending dozens of combat and logistic vehicles along with thousands of rounds of tank ammunition.

11:57 AM BST

Russia vows 'countermeasures' if Ukraine uses cluster bombs

The Kremlin said it would respond with countermeasures if Ukraine used cluster bombs against its troops after Washington pledged the weapons to Kyiv.

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: The potential use of this type of munitions changes the situation, and of course it would force Russia to take countermeasures.

Speaking at the Nato summit, Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine needed the munitions to defend itself because they were already being used by Russian forces.

11:50 AM BST

Zelensky to ask Biden for long-range missiles

Volodymyr Zelensky has said he will ask US president Joe Biden for long-range missiles when they meet at the Nato summit later today.

Yesterday, France announced that it would supply Ukraine with Scalp missiles, which have a range of around 160 miles. One source said the first batch of the weapons had already been shipped over.

11:47 AM BST

Cluster bombs mean we can defend ourselves, says Zelensky

Volodymyr Zelensky has defended the US controversial decision to supply Ukraine with cluster bombs as an act of self-defence.

He told the Nato summit in Vilnius: There are moments when we have a slight disagreements in small details with our US partners but I would like to extend words of gratitude to the president. I know it was a challenge.

I want us to take a look at this from a different perspective, a perspective of fairness, Russia constantly using cluster munitions on our territory and they are fighting only on our land, theyre killing our people.

Were talking about the use of those munitions only against military targets only against the occupied territory on Ukraine... there has to be a fairness.

Its not fair that the aggressor has occupied us, has been occupying parts of our territory for nine years killing our people... we are defending ourselves.

11:46 AM BST

Hug vs handshake: Zelensky meets Netherlands PM Mark Rutte

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy meets with Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte at a NATO leaders summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 12, 2023 - REUTERS/Kacper Pempel

11:36 AM BST

Zelensky: Ukraine will join Nato when the war is over

Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted that Ukraine will join Nato after the war is over and argued that membership allows the bloc to protect its eastern flank.

He said: Its all about the security in the east, the European continent, the eastern flank of Nato, and I believe that Nato needs us just as we need Nato.

I believe that this is absolutely fair, I am confident that after the war Ukraine will be in Nato.

Well be doing everything possible to make it happen so that we, with the United States... have a same understanding and same vision.

11:17 AM BST

Norway donates Black Hornet drones to Ukraine

Norway is to send ultra-light drones and parts for air defence missile systems to Ukraine after increasing its military aid package by 2.5 billion kroner.

Defence Minister Bjorn Arild Gram said the aid would consist of 1,000 Black Hornet nanodrones - tiny drones designed to help soldiers scout out their surroundings.

There are also plans to ship over components for NASAMS surface-to-air missile systems, along with tens of thousands of food rations.

11:03 AM BST

Zelensky 'grateful' for UK support on Nato membership

Meeting with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak @RishiSunak. Third meeting and third success for Ukraine at the summit today.



We discussed Ukraine's defense needs, further cooperation to expand the capabilities of the Ukrainian army on the battlefield, in pic.twitter.com/74ryG5TMYb    (@ZelenskyyUa) July 12, 2023

10:47 AM BST

Kremlin: 'Very dangerous' for West to guarantee Ukraine's security

It is misguided and potentially very dangerous for the West to give Ukraine security guarantees, the Kremlin has said.

G7 countries are expected to pave the way for long-term assurances for Ukraine to boost its defences against Russia and deter Moscow from future aggression.

10:32 AM BST

Australia to supply Ukraine with Bushmaster infantry vehicles

Ukraine has secured 30 mine-proof Bushmaster infantry vehicles through its negotiations with Australia, Volodymyr Zelensky said.

He praised Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, writing on Telegram: As always, we... have a complete political understanding. Successful meeting.

10:26 AM BST

Sunak provides 'strong support' for Ukraine, says Zelensky

Volodymyr Zelensky hailed a success for Ukraine after his meeting with Rishi Sunak at the Nato summit.

He said the prime minister had given strong support for Ukraine on the way to Nato, adding: We are preparing security guarantees for Ukraine... a very good meeting.

10:00 AM BST

Germany to send more Patriot missiles to Ukraine

Germany will send additional launchers and missiles for Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky has said after talks with Olaf Scholz.

The Ukrainian President said: This is extremely important for defending lives in Ukraine against Russian terror.

I am grateful for Germanys readiness for long-term support for Ukraine and our defence of freedom.

Long-term support programmes are the best signal to everyone in the world that our Europe will remain a space of security and peace.

Plans were announced yesterday for Germany to provide two Patriot launchers from Bundeswehr stock as part of a 700m support package.

09:50 AM BST

Pictured: Sunak and Zelensky meet at Vilnius summit

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (L) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pose during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania - PAUL ELLIS/AFP

09:39 AM BST

Ukraine has 'some success' as it looks for Bakhmut breakthrough

Ukraine has reported success in some places as it attempts to retake the Russian-occupied city of Bakhmut.

Andriy Kovaliov, a spokesman for the armed forces general staff, claimed troops had made breakthroughs despite Russian forces putting up strong resistance and deploying reserves.

He said: The [Ukrainian] Defense Forces continue to conduct offensive operations north and south of the city of Bakhmut.

In the directions of Bila Hora-Andriivka and Bila Hora-Kurdyumivka, they have had success in some places.

The reports are yet to be independently verified.

09:27 AM BST

Sunak and Zelensky start negotiations at Nato summit

Volodymyr Zelensky has warm words for Rishi Sunak as they begin talks at the Nato summit in Lithuania.

The Ukrainian president wrote on Twitter: Our negotiations always enhance global security.

It comes after the Government pledged to send dozens of combat and logistic vehicles to Ukraine along with thousands of rounds of tank ammunition.

The meeting with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom @RishiSunak  has begun. Our negotiations always enhance global security! More news to come.    (@ZelenskyyUa) July 12, 2023

09:15 AM BST

Zelensky expecting 'good news' from Germany Chancellor

We started a meeting with Germany . Dialogue with Olaf Scholz @Bundeskanzler will be meaningful as always. We expect good news regarding the protection of the lives of Ukrainians and our defense.    (@ZelenskyyUa) July 12, 2023

09:12 AM BST

Ukraine seeks US help on 'deterring Russian aggression'

Ukraine will soon begin negotiations with the US as part of plans to secure the country against Russian aggression in the future.

A White House official added that the talks at the Nato summit would strengthen Ukraines economy and promote good governance.

They said: The US will begin its negotiations with Ukraine soon.

09:03 AM BST

Zelensky still hoping for Nato membership

Volodymyr Zelensky is still seeking an invitation to Nato as he issued a list of priorities for the Vilnius summit.

Yesterday, he hit out at member states for their absurd refusal to allow Ukraine into the military alliance once the war with Russia had concluded.

The Ukrainian president wrote on Telegram: We have three priorities on todays agenda. The first is new support packages for our army on the battlefield.

Second, I think its an invitation to NATO. We need to understand that we have this invitation at a time when the security situation allows it. We want to discuss all these things with our partners.

And third, we will discuss security guarantees for Ukraine.

08:53 AM BST

Two people hospitalised after Cherkasy drone strikes

Two people from Cherkasy were sent to hospital with burns after drone strikes took place overnight.

Igor Taburets, the governor for the central Ukraine region, said the alert lasted three and a half hours as Russian forces launched attacks with Iranian-built Shaheds.

He continued: We have a hit in one of the objects of non-residential infrastructure in the Cherkasy region. As a result, a fire broke out there - it has already been liquidated.

Two victims with burns were taken to the hospital. The survey of the territory continues.

08:41 AM BST

Russian artillery causes fires across Mykolaiv region

Bombing by Russian forces caused multiple fires across Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine, its regional defence command has said.

In an update on the Telegram app, the group wrote: Yesterday, July 11, at 13: 02, the enemy launched artillery fire on the town of Ochakov in the Ochakov community.

As a result, residential buildings were damaged. There was a fire in an outbuilding. The fire was quickly tamed. There were no injuries.

Also yesterday, at 14:15 and 19:15, the enemy shelled the Kutsurub community. As a result of the hits, dry grass caught fire in private plots. The fire was extinguished. No injuries.

08:32 AM BST

Pictured: Zelensky arrives for second day of Nato summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives for a second day of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, 12 July 2023. - TOMS KALNINS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

08:23 AM BST

'We want weapons for our warriors', Zelensky tells Trudeau

Meeting with Canada  has begun. @JustinTrudeau, thank you for your continued support of Ukraine ! The first issue today is weapons for our warriors.    (@ZelenskyyUa) July 12, 2023

08:01 AM BST

Russian military chief makes first appearance since Wagner coup

A military chief that Wagner fighters attempted to arrest last month has reportedly made his first TV appearance since the mercenary groups abortive coup.

According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Valery Gerasimov, chief of Russias general staff was seen being briefed by video link. He had been repeatedly denounced by Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The MoD added that the whereabouts of another member of Russias military top brass, General Sergei Surovikin, remains unclear.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 12 July 2023.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/W0elAo8I8N



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/CDZMHAFc1S  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) July 12, 2023

07:53 AM BST

'Time is not on Russia's side,' says US

A long-term plan by G7 countries for sending military aid to Ukraine will show Russia that time is not on its side, a senior US official has said.

White House European affairs adviser Amanda Sloat told reporters: It signals a joint long-term commitment to building a powerful defensive insurance force for Ukraine.

This multilateral declaration will send a significant signal to Russia that time is not on its side.

07:47 AM BST

Britain to send combat vehicles and tanks to Ukraine

The Government has said it will send more than 70 combat and logistic vehicles to Ukraine along with thousands of rounds of ammunition for Challenger 2 tanks.

It has also pledged a 50m support package to repair equipment, and through Nato will establish a medical rehabilitation centre for wounded soldiers.

07:36 AM BST

Good morning

Good morning and welcome to todays Ukraine liveblog.

We will be guiding you through all the latest updates from Ukraine.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
United Kingdom defense chief Ben Wallace said Ukraine should not treat its Western allies like Amazon and should be more grateful for the support they have provided.

He told reporters at the annual NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, that he has heard grumbles from lawmakers in Washington, D.C., that, were not Amazon, referring to the popular online retailer, according to multiple British news outlets.

I mean, thats true, Wallace said. I told them that last June. I said to the Ukrainians, when I drove 11 hours to be given a list: Im not Amazon.

The war between Russia and Ukraine has continued for more than 16 months after the start of Russias full-scale invasion of the country last February. One of the main subjects of the NATO summit has been Ukraines application to become a member of the alliance.

On Tuesday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg laid out new steps for Ukraine to join the alliance. They include strengthening relations with the country, setting up a council to work with Kyiv and removing a procedural step in the application process. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky initially criticized the plan for not giving a clear timeline on his country joining NATO but was later more conciliatory and praised the results of the summit.

Wallace noted that Ukraine has been persuading countries to give up their own weapons for Ukraine to be able to use to defend itself.

Whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude, he said.

Max Blain, the spokesperson for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, downplayed Wallaces remarks, stating that the U.K. government and people will remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine.

I think you have heard from President Zelensky repeatedly, and indeed today, about his gratitude to the people of the United Kingdom for their support and their generosity, Blain said.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SCALP-EG Rafale

French President Emmanuel Macron officially announced that his nation is sending Ukraine SCALP-EGs air-launched, conventionally armed cruise missiles. He made the declaration Tuesday during the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. It confirms what we reported in May, that France was planning on sending Ukraine the long-range missiles, which have a stated range of around 350 miles in their domestic configuration. They can be equipped for significantly less range, around 155 miles, in an export configuration.

"I have decided to increase deliveries of weapons and equipment to enable the Ukrainians to have the capacity to strike deeply," Macron said. He declined to offer specifics on how many SCALPs Kyiv will receive.

https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1678699208721723394?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

But a French diplomatic source said the country was talking about sending Ukraine 50 SCALP missiles produced by European manufacturer MBDA, Reuters reported. The missiles would come from existing French military stocks, a French military source told reporters, adding that it would be a "significant number."

Along with the very closely related Storm Shadow missiles provided previously by the U.K., the SCALP-EGs give Ukraine additional munitions that exceed the range and punch of anything previously provided by the United States or the country's other international partners. SCALP-EGs have warheads capable of penetrating hardened targets, stealthy features and use low-altitude flight profiles to reduce the possibility of interception. Like Storm Shadow, Ukraine will launch these missiles form Su-24 Fencers. You can read more about what these missiles bring to the table for the Ukrainian Air Force in our previous deep dive on Storm Shadow here.

The other munitions provided or promised Ukraine have much shorter ranges.

The vaunted Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) artillery rockets provided by the U.S. and allies have a range of some 50 miles and a much smaller warhead. They are fired by the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, and variants and derivatives of the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) also provided to Ukraine.

The still-promised Ground Launched Small Diameter Bombs (GLSDB) the United States has said it will be providing have a range of about 94 miles and also has a much smaller warhead than the one found inside SCALP-EG and Storm Shadow. These weapons are supposed to arrive this fall.

The U.S.-donated Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extend Range, or JDAM-ER, air-launched precision-guided bomb has a range of about 45 miles with considerable destructive power, the implications of which The War Zone has previously explored in detail.

Storm Shadow missiles have been used to great effect by Ukraine over the last few months, including an attack on the Chongar Bridge in Crimea last month, a key logistics node.

https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1671955067958689797?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1671955067958689797%7Ctwgr%5Ec8fd01e64ede49a0606ad7ca52d70126a3c0d1c8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_\u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fthe-war-zone%2Fukraine-strikes-key-bridge-to-crimea-hints-at-more-long-range-attacks

However, one Storm Shadow recently fell into Russian hands in a partially intact state.

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1676170491684438016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1676170491684438016%7Ctwgr%5Ef19ae2adc5b88efcae298497afc964fbce7299c4%7Ctwcon%5Es1_\u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fthe-war-zone%2Fcrashed-storm-shadow-missile-falls-into-russian-hands

Russia, meanwhile, expressed its displeasure with Macron's move.

"France's decision to transfer long-range missiles to Ukraine is erroneous, but does not affect the course of the special operation to protect Donbas," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Tuesday.

Of course, it remains to be clarified and figured out what kind of radius we are talking about. This, from our point of view, is an erroneous decision, fraught with consequences for the Ukrainian side, he said.

Peskov did not say what those consequences were.

The decision by Macron is the latest boost to Ukraine's weapons inventory as its counteroffensive in the south and east - now in its second month - is facing stiff opposition from well-dug-in Russian forces.

On Friday, the Pentagon announced it was sending Ukraine "hundreds of thousands" of rounds of controversial Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICMs) cluster munitions, which you can read more about here, to help Ukraine deal with that battlefield reality.

We'll keep watching for developments on that front.

Before we head into the latest updates from Ukraine, The War Zone readers can catch up on our previous rolling coverage here.

The Latest

The chief sergeant major of the 47th Mechanized Infantry Brigade has resigned from his position, saying he lacks faith in his commanding officer.

I categorically disagree with the decisions regarding the use and development of the 47th Brigade, Valerii Markus said on his Telegram channel Tuesday. We were not allowed to build a military unit according to the values that we declared at the beginning of its creation. I no longer have the opportunity to influence or correct the situation. I no longer consider my position as the chief sergeant of the brigade appropriate.

The 47th Mechanized Infantry Brigade was specially trained in Germany on combined arms manuever, including the use of Bradley Fighting Vehicles and other armor. It was the unit that led the attack into Mala Tokmachka last month in which several Bradleys, a Leopard-2 tank and other equipment was lost.

https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1667170442015121408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1667170442015121408%7Ctwgr%5E4f2cce0e76f97a7d3f7e991169949fad3f03163b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_\u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fthe-war-zone%2Frussia-has-destroyed-its-first-ukrainian-bradley-fighting-vehicles

However, the unit has also been making progress. As we noted yesterday, it advanced near the town of Robotyne, about six miles south of Mala Tomchatka. And it appears that the area where those vehicles were lost is now under Ukrainian control and that many may have been recovered.

https://twitter.com/WarUpdater/status/1678755524068745218

Markus, who has his own website and has helped raise money for the effort, says he is not leaving the unit however.

I can't leave my people, so I go to the lowest position on my OWN desire to be closer to them on the battlefield, he said. The report is already on the commander's desk.

https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1678831557061013509

As expected, NATOs joint statement out of the Vilnius Summit said that Ukraine would one day join the alliance, but offered no specific timeline for when that will happen.

Ukraine has increased its level of interoperability and political interaction with the Alliance and made great progress on the path to reform, the statement said, adding that NATO will continue working with Ukraine on implementing reforms.

But much to the consternation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the invitation is open-ended.

We will be able to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the Alliance when the Allies decide to do so and the conditions are met, according to the statement. NATO Foreign Ministers will regularly assess progress against the adapted annual National Program. The Alliance will help Ukraine implement these reforms and move forward on its path to future membership. We will be able to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the Alliance when the Allies decide to do so and the conditions are met.

https://twitter.com/shashj/status/1678789817100804096?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

In a Tweet, Zelensky called NATO's approach "absurd" and a sign of "weakness."

https://twitter.com/zelenskyyua/status/1678707674811187200?s=46

Germany announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth about 686 million ($887 million), which will serve Ukraines priorities: air defense, tanks, artillery, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told reporters upon arrival at the NATO summit, Politico reported.

The German package will include 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 25 Leopard 1 A5 main battle tanks, five Bergepanzer 2 tank recovery vehicles, as well as two launch units for the Patriot air defense system. Berlin will also deliver more ammunition, including 20,000 rounds of artillery shells, and anti-drone and anti-mine systems.

https://twitter.com/ukikaski/status/1678715298667528195?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

Ukraines Delta battle management system has passed NATO tests and is ready to integrate with Western equipment, especially F-16 fighters, a top Ukrainian official said Tuesday on his Telegram channel.

Delta allows troops to see the battlefield online with the location of enemy forces, said Mikhail Federov, Ukraines Minister of Digital Transformation. This is the only platform in Ukraine that pulls data from aerial reconnaissance, satellites, drones, the latest equipment, stationary cameras, radars, chatbots, etc. All these data make it possible to efficiently plan military operations and effectively destroy invaders.

The Delta system "has been successfully tested with 15 systems from 10 countries, including three systems developed directly by NATO, Federov said. All interoperability tests were successful and Delta once again confirmed its unique capabilities.

Successful testing was also completed on four data exchange protocols, through which the majority of modern weapons that Ukraine receives from Western partners work, said Federov. All these samples of the latest technology can be integrated with Delta and applied even more efficiently.

Most importantly, Delta was able to work with the Link 16 datalink system, which in the case of aircraft gives it the ability to exchange its tactical picture with other aircraft in near-real-time. It also facilitates communications with ground stations.

Link 16 makes it possible to receive data in Delta from F-16 fighters, which is so necessary for Ukraine, said Federov. His comments come on a day when Ukraine signed an agreement with 11 nations to begin training pilots, maintainers and support staff on operating those fighters.

A system like Delta is just as important as having fighter pilots capable of quickly mastering the next generation of fighters, he said. These are real achievements that Ukraine should be frankly proud of and can boldly demonstrate to NATO partners.

https://twitter.com/pravda_eng/status/1678831949580759048?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

Another Russian general was apparently killed in Ukraine, according to a Russian Telegram channel.

As a result of the strike by the British Storm Shadow cruise missiles on the [headquarters] of the 58th Army in the Berdyansk region, the deputy commander of the Southern Military District, Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov, was killed, according to the Military Informant Telegram channel. The servicemen spoke of Tsokov as a competent officer and a good commander.

On Sept. 23, 2022, Tsokov, then commander of the 144th Guards Motorized Rifle Elninskaya Red Banner Divisoin (Smolensk) was wounded, according to the Radio Svaboda Telegram channel on that date, citing the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

https://twitter.com/revishvilig/status/1678764073851437057?s=20

Yesterday, we told you that Stanislav Rzhitsky was shot in Krasnodar, Russia while on his morning run. He was a captain of the 2nd rank and accused by Ukraine of being commander of the Improved Kilo-class submarine Krasnodar (B-265) suspected of launching a Kalibr cruise missile that killed 27 people in the Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia last July.

Rzhitskys family, however, said he was not even on the sub at the time of the attack.

"His father told Baza that his son had filed his resignation from the Russian army back in 2021 and did not take part in the Ukraine war," Novayagazeta reported. "Rzhitsky was only officially fired in August 2022, but his father claims he was in Sevastopol until then and did not go to sea. Several months later, the 42-year-old took up a job in the Krasnodar administration. Rzhitskys friend Sergey Gainulin also told the media that the captain had left the army before the invasion of Ukraine."

Today, Maj. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) denied involvement in that incident.

"Statements by some media and politicians that the GUR has something to do with the death of Stanislav Rzytskyi, who was the commander of the submarine "Krasnodar" and killed the civilian Ukrainian population, have no basis," he said Tuesday on his Telegram channel. "We know that the roots of what happened yesterday in the Russian Federation must be sought within Russia itself, where internal protest against the war in Ukraine is growing."

https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1678732324756676609

Our colleagues at Task & Purpose noted that an account claiming to be from Budanov appeared on the page of Rzhitski's Stavra running app after the killing.

"Though the Russians account has been inundated with comments and attention since his death became public, the Budanov account was the first non-Russian account to find Rzhitskys account, tagging his final run within hours of his death with a kudo, Task & Purpose reported.

Today, Russian authorities, Task & Purpose noted, arrested what they said was suspect in the killing. They released video of what they say is the man trailing Rzhitsky on a bicycle during his Monday run, just prior to the killing. Russian media is reporting that the man, 64, is the former head of a Ukrainian martial arts association.

We asked Budanov earlier in the day about that ap and any involvement he or the GUR might have had in this murder. We will update this story with any response we receive.

https://twitter.com/mexic0la_/status/1678524860186648582?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1678524860186648582%7Ctwgr%5Ed31c2bc64eed22ec8d4856c7ec7a6194fd2a86f4%7Ctwcon%5Es1_\u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftaskandpurpose.com%2Fnews%2Fdid-ukraine-just-assassinate-a-russian-submarine-captain-with-his-own-strava%2F

Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner Private Military Corporation troops will begin training in Belarus at some point, that nation's Defense Ministry said Tuesday on its Telegram channel.

Though no timeline was announced, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he is looking forward to how they can help his troops. It was Lukashenko who brokered the deal that saw Prigozhin stand down from his mutinous march to Moscow last month in exchange for exile to Belarus.

They will tell about weapons: which worked well, which did not," Lukashenko said, according to the Belarusian MoD Telegram channel. "And tactics, and weapons, and how to attack, how to defend. It's priceless"

https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1678832359267790857?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

The Watervliet Arsenal, the nation's oldest working arsenal, just happens to be the only U.S. Army facility able to produce the large caliber cannon tubes critical to tanks, artillery systems and mortars.

Defense News took a deep dive into efforts to modernize the facility to meet the demands of providing Ukraine with needed weapons as well as U.S. needs. The Army is spending $1 billion over the next decade to modernize a plant that first came on line during the War of 1812.

https://twitter.com/defense_news/status/1678757729417023488

The U.K. is also trying to beef up its stockpiles as the war in Ukraine drags on.

BAE Systems - the country's biggest defense company - was given a 280 million pound ($361 million) order for munitions in an effort to boost production, replenish its stockpiles and ensure supply for Ukraine, Reuters reported.

Britain and its NATO allies have sent millions of rounds of ammunition to Ukraine - with the U.S. alone sending more than two million rounds - sparking concern about domestic stock levels. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the new contract would address this risk.

BAE will increase the U.K.s production capacity for 155mm artillery ammunition eightfold as a result of the new order, according to Reuters, allowing a jump in output of what is NATO standard munitions.

https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1678804667436761089

The first woman soldier - identified only by her code number "68" has passed the qualifications course (Q-Course) of the Ukrainian special operations forces (SSO).

Today, during the graduation of the Special Operations Forces Qualification Course, 'number 68' received a special operations patch, the SSO said Tuesday on its Telegram channel.

Number 68 is the first female military serviceman who overcame the distance in several months of the SSO Q-course. Ahead is division into one of the military units and hard work for the approaching Victory of Ukraine.

https://twitter.com/sof_ukr/status/1678698577541976064?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

The laughter heard from the soldier in this video below after he sets off an explosion by firing at a target in devastated Bakhmut speaks volumes for the horror and insanity of war.

https://twitter.com/region776/status/1678667053149073413?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

More video has emerged of battles in and around tree lines, which are ubiquitous across Ukraine's flat areas once used for farming, not fighting. In the video below, Marines of the 35 Separate Brigade are seen destroying Russian targets in a tree line somewhere in Donetsk Oblast.

https://twitter.com/region776/status/1678742612940050433?s=20

Ukrainian troops say the captured another 10 Russian soldiers near Bakhmut. Ukraine has taken to calling such prisoners "the exchange fund" used to trade for its troops captured by Russia.

https://twitter.com/region776/status/1678722012011962368?s=20

The Ukrainian General Staff said that Russia launched another wave of Iranian-made drones Tuesday, with air defense units shooting down 26 of 28 launched.

Lt. Gen. Serhii Naiev, Commander of the United Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, posted wild video of air defense forces downing the drones.

https://twitter.com/flash_news_ua/status/1678666971913519105?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

The video below purports to show a Ukrainian soldier down one of those drones with a man-portable air defense system (MANPADS).

https://twitter.com/region776/status/1678755138301722624?s=20

Damaged Russian equipment, including a BMPT Terminator Tanks Support Fighting Vehicle, a T-90M tank and a KamAZ six-wheeled truck were recently seen at an evacuation point.

https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1678429803945373697?s=20

After losing three limbs in combat, this Ukrainian soldier is persevering and adapting to prosthetic limbs.

https://twitter.com/s_hnizdovskyi/status/1678738595031416834?s=20

And finally, Ukrainian soldiers apparently don't just keep unusual pets on the front lines. This soldier has a pet raccoon and took it on public transportation.

https://twitter.com/gerashchenko_en/status/1678711586314133506?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

That's it for now. We'll update this story when there's more news to report about Ukraine.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Ukraine took out a senior Russian general with a Storm Shadow missile nearly 100 miles behind the front line: reports

A Storm Shadow/SCALP missile on the wing of a Rafale fighter. Thierry Wurtz/MBDA

Multiple Ukrainian and Russian sources say a top Russian general was killed by a Storm Shadow missile.

If confirmed, the strike deep in Russian-held territory demonstrates the missile's precision and range.

Lt. Gen. Oleg Tsokov would be the highest-ranking Russian officer killed so far in the conflict.

A senior Russian general has been killed in occupied Ukraine by a UK-supplied Storm Shadow missile, according to multiple Ukrainian and Russian reports.

Lt. Gen. Oleg Tsokov was reportedly killed in the port city of Berdyansk overnight on Tuesday.

Ukrainian officials Anton Geraschenko and Petr Andryushchenko posted reports of the general's death, later echoed by several Russian pro-war social media accounts.

A Ukrainian member of parliament, Yurii Mysyagin, attributed his death to the Storm Shadow missile, according to CNN.

"The British 'Storm Shadow' came to visit accurately," the outlet reported Mysyagin as saying.

Insider could not independently verify the reports.

The Ukrainian and Russian defense ministries have not yet confirmed the reported strike, and did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Tsokov, the deputy commander of Russia's Southern Military District, would be the highest-ranking Russian officer to be killed in the conflict.

According to Andryushchenko, he had already sustained injuries in the war, in September 2022.

Local Telegram channel Berdyansk Today suggested the general died as a result of a Storm Shadow strike on the Duna Hotel, which it said may have been hosting Russian military leadership.

A Storm Shadow strike on Berdyansk would demonstrate the range of Ukrainian missile power, as the site is about 95 miles behind the front line  previously unreachable by heavy air strikes from within Ukraine-held territory.

Ukraine's US-supplied HIMARS, supplied in June 2022, have a range of around 50 miles. But the Storm Shadow, also known as a SCALP missile, is fired from an aircraft and has a post-launch range of about 155 miles.

This represents "an absolute step change in the range of a very capable missile," defense analyst Michael Clarke told Insider.

An undisclosed quantity of Storm Shadow missiles was sent to Ukraine by the UK earlier this year, with France announcing on Tuesday that it would supply Ukraine with additional missiles.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(CNN)  Scientists have identified the geological site that they say best reflects a proposed new epoch called the Anthropocene  a major step toward changing the official timeline of Earths history.

The term Anthropocene, first proposed in 2000 to reflect how profoundly human activity has altered the world, has become a commonly used academic buzzword uniting different fields of study.

When its 8 billion people all having an impact on the planet, theres bound to be a repercussion, said Colin Waters, an honorary professor at the Geography, Geology and the Environment School at the University of Leicester and chair of the Anthropocene Working Group.

Weve moved into this new Earth state and that should be defined by a new geological epoch, Waters added.

The AWG, a group currently comprised of 35 geologists, has been working since 2009 to make the Anthropocene part of Earths official timeline. The group determined in 2016 that the Anthropocene epoch began around 1950  the start of the era of nuclear weapons tests, the geochemical traces of which can be found around the world. Since then, the researchers have considered 12 sites that could provide the key piece of evidence needed to support their proposal, nine of which were put to a vote.

On Tuesday, the scientists announced the geological site  Crawford Lake in Ontario, Canada  that best captures the geological impact of the Anthropocene, according to their research.

However, not everyone agrees the Anthropocene is a geological reality  or that researchers have enough evidence to formally declare it a new epoch.

Dividing up deep time

The geologic time scale provides the official framework for our understanding of Earths 4.5 billion-year history. Geologists break down our planets history into eons, eras, periods, epochs and ages  with an eon being the largest chunk of time and an age the shortest.

For example, we currently live in the Meghalayan Age. Its part of the Holocene Epoch, which began at the end of the last ice age 11,700 years ago, when ice caps and glaciers began retreating. The Holocene is part of the Quaternary Period, the most recent division of the Cenozoic Era, which in turn is part of Phanerozoic Eon  which spans from 539 million years ago to the present.

These geological chapters are often named after the place where they were first studied. The Jurassic Period is named after fossil-rich rocks in Frances Jura Mountains, while the Cambrian Period got its moniker from the Roman name for Wales.

Andrew Knoll, the Fisher Professor of Natural History at Harvard University, said the scale is deeply helpful, for his work as a paleontologist.

When I say Cambrian, this conveys not only the time between 539 and 485 million years ago, but an abundance of information on the biota, environments, tectonics, paleogeography and more, Knoll said. (Its) a bit like saying the Middle Ages, or the Renaissance.

If approved, the Anthropocene would be the third epoch of Quaternary Period. It would also mean that the Holocene Epoch was particularly short  other epochs have lasted several million years.

Every division in the official timeline is also represented by a single geological site  known as the Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP)  that best captures whats novel or unique about a particular chapter in Earths history.

Each point is typically marked with a golden spike, often hammered in the pivotal layer of rock  although the site could be a stalagmite or core of ice.

Birthplace of the Anthropocene

For the Anthropocene, the proposed golden spike location is sediment cored from the bed of Crawford Lake that reveals the geochemical traces of nuclear bomb tests, specifically plutonium  a radioactive element widely detected across the world in coral reefs, ice cores and peat bogs.

Crawford Lake emerged as the winner after AWG voted on the nine candidate sites in three rounds. The other potential locations included a peat bog in Polands Sudeten Mountains, Searsville Lake in California, a stretch of seafloor in the Baltic Sea, a bay in Japan, a water-filled volcanic crater in China, an ice core drilled from the Antarctic Peninsula, and two coral reefs, one in Australia and the other in the Gulf of Mexico.

Waters said it was very difficult to choose between the different sites and the votes were close, but he believes Crawford Lake won out because the proposed geochemical starting point of the Anthropocene associated with the sediment is particularly precise.

The lake isnt large, covering 2.4 hectares (5.9 acres), but it is exceptionally deep, nearly 24 meters (78.7 feet), and the sediment found at the bottom can be divided into annual layers to be sampled for geochemical markers of human activity. This analysis allows scientists to see changes at an annual resolution, explained Francine McCarthy, a professor of Earth sciences at Brock University in Canada who has studied the lake.

The shape (of the lake) restricts the mixing of the water column so the bottom waters do not mix with the surface waters. The bottom of the lake is completely isolated from the rest of the planet except for what gently sinks to the bottom, she explained.

Andrew Cundy, a professor and chair in environmental radiochemistry at the UKs University of Southampton and member of the AWG, said the presence of plutonium gives us a stark indicator of when humanity became such a dominant force that it could leave a unique global fingerprint on our planet.

However, the selection of Crawford Lake is not the final decision on whether the Anthropocene is recognized as an official geological time unit.

The AWG will present a proposal to make the Anthropocene official to the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy later this summer. If the subcommissions members agree with a 60% majority, the proposal will then pass on to the International Commission on Stratigraphy, which will also have to vote and agree with a 60% majority for the proposal to move onward for ratification. Both bodies are part of the International Union of Geological Sciences, which represents more than 1 million geoscientists around the world.

A final decision is expected at the 37th International Geological Congress in Busan, South Korea, in August 2024.

The great Anthropocene debate

Some experts dont think the Anthropocene rises to the level of epoch-defining.

Stan Finney, secretary general of the International Union of Geological Sciences and a professor in the department of geological sciences at the California State University at Long Beach, said the stratigraphic record of the Anthropocene is relatively minimal  barely a human life span  given a proposed starting point of around 1950.

The beginning of the Anthropocene could be defined in any number of ways  including the Industrial Revolution  that would result in a much longer interval than currently proposed, he noted.

Theres no doubt that humans have impacted the Earth system dramatically and were facing incredible consequences today. But its been a long-running (phenomenon), he said.

He also feels that the push to officially recognize the Anthropocene may, in fact, be more political than driven by on-the-ground geology. The term was coined in 2000 not by a geologist but by the late atmospheric chemist and Nobel laureate Paul Crutzen  apparently in off the cuff remarks at a conference.

Finney said its more accurate to describe humanitys profound impact on Earth as an ongoing geological event rather than a formal epoch with a precise global start date. Its also possible, he said, that stratigraphers may decide that the Anthropocene doesnt rise to the level of epoch, but it could be the fourth age of the Holocene  the much less catchy Crawfordian Age.

Others object to the term Anthropocene because it implicates all of humanity in the activity that has irrevocably altered the planet. Some researchers say the changes are the doing of a powerful and elite minority and that the epoch would be better named the Capitalocene.

Waters believes AWG has a strong case for formalizing the Anthropocene, but he said naming a new geological epoch is a very conservative process, so there is no guarantee that the proposal will be successful.

In addition to Crawford Lake, AWG also needs to pick two secondary sites before it submits a proposal.

Weve been very careful in our search for which (sites) are suitable, but they could just say at the end of day We are not impressed with the evidence you have provided to demonstrate that the Anthropocene is justifiably a new epoch of geological time, Waters said.

They may also support the idea that theres a stage here and the Crawford site represents a new stage of the Holocene, but theyre not prepared to accept that the Anthropocene is a significant change beyond the envelope of change that we see within the Holocene, he added.

Andrew Mathews, a professor of anthropology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, said the term Anthropocene has already shown its importance, opening up conversations across the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. As such, the exact geological birthplace of the proposed epoch may not ultimately matter that much.

Its cemented in place that human societies are having a geological impact on the world and on Earth systems. And that part is helpful, he said. It basically says, Look, were in it. Weve transformed the world and we have to keep thinking about that, he said.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Scientists say theyve found a site that marks a new chapter in Earths history"
Ukraine war latest: Stoltenberg says Ukraine receives 'clear path' to NATO, provides no time frame

Key developments on July 11:

Ukraine receives 'clear path' toward NATO membership, says Stoltenberg

Dozen of countries formally join F-16 training coalition for Ukraine

France to deliver SCALP long-range missile to Ukraine

Russian top general reportedly killed in Ukraine

NATO adopted a three-part support package for Ukraine, dropping the Membership Action Plan (MAP), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on the first day of the two-day Vilnius summit on July 11.

It's a change "from a two-step process to a one-step process," he said.

"This is a strong package for Ukraine. And a clear path towards its membership in NATO," Stoltenberg said, adding that Ukraine "will become a member of NATO."

Nevertheless, Stoltenberg said that Ukraine would be invited to join NATO only when the "allies agree, and conditions are met," giving no time frame and leaving Kyiv's plea unanswered.

While en route to Vilnius, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that "it's unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine's membership. While at the same time vague wording about 'conditions' is added even for inviting Ukraine."

"This means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraine's membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia. And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror," Zelensky added.

"Uncertainty is weakness," the president said. Zelensky's statement was left unaddressed.

Editorial: A smart NATO would seek Ukraines accession Editors note: Editorials are articles that present the opinion of the editorial team of the Kyiv Independent. When one looks at the history of the West supporting Ukraine in the fight against Russia, one pattern shines through: missed opportunities. The whole war is ripe with opportunity for NATO The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent

Ukraine applied for a fast-track accession to NATO in September 2022, half a year into the Russian full-scale invasion.

The adopted NATO package for Ukraine will include a multi-year assistance program transitioning from Soviet-era to NATO equipment and standards, developing its security and defense sectors, and covering Ukraine's critical needs, such as fuel, demining equipment, and medical supplies.

Allies are also establishing the NATO-Ukraine Council, "a forum for crisis consultations and decision-making, where we will meet as equals," as described by Stoltenberg.

However, Ukraine's NATO membership is out of the question for now.

"NATO membership in the immediate future isn't likely because that would put NATO at war with Russia," White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby.

Military aid commitment

France will join the U.K. in supplying Ukraine with Franco-British long-range cruise missiles, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on July 11.

Macron said he decided to boost military aid to Ukraine to help its counteroffensive.

The French military operates SCALP-EG cruise missiles, an equivalent to the British Storm Shadow, an aircraft-launched missile with a range of about 250 kilometers.

Reuters cited French military and diplomatic sources that reported that Ukraine would receive about 50 SCALP missiles from French stocks.

Kyiv also seeks to acquire the U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) long-range missiles, but Washington is yet to decide on supplying Ukraine with them.

Meanwhile, other NATO leaders indicated that individual members will present their aid packages for Ukraine during the summit.

Vilnius summit brings Ukraine closer to NATO, but direct invitation withheld NATO allies adopted a three-part support package for Ukraine, which includes removing the requirement to undergo the Membership Action Plan, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said during the Vilnius summit on July 11. Ukraine will receive an invitation to join NATO when the allies agree, and The Kyiv IndependentDinara Khalilova

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said that Oslo would increase its aid to Ukraine by over $238.6 million, putting its total value for 2023 at $960 million.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius will present a new support package worth $770 million, including two Patriot air defense systems, 24 Leopard 1A5 tanks, 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, and 20,000 artillery rounds, Suddeutsche Zeitung reported on July 11.

Ukrainian pilots to start F-16 training in late summer

An international coalition to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets has been officially formed two months after the informal agreement kicked off, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said on July 11.

A group of 11 NATO countries joined the coalition supporting the training of Ukrainian pilots, as well as technical and support personnel, to operate F-16s, the Danish Defense Ministry reported on July 11.

The training is expected to start in late summer, according to the report.

Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, and the U.K. joined the coalition.

The ministry said that Denmark and the Netherlands are at the forefront of developing a model for training efforts.

"The first step is to train the Ukrainians to fly, service, and maintain F-16s on a basic tactical and technical level. This is a major and long-term effort," Acting Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.

"In the long term, it will make a big and important difference to Ukraine's freedom struggle," the minister said.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said in late May it requires at least 48 F-16 fighter jets to reclaim Russian-occupied territories behind the over 1,000-kilometer-long front line.

Russian top general reportedly killed in Ukraine

An alleged Storm Shadow strike hit a hotel-turned-military barrack in Russian-occupied Berdiansk in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, exiled city administration reported on July 11.

Russian pro-war Telegram channels reported that a top Russian general, Oleg Tsokov, was killed in the attack.

The Dune Hotel, which hosted some Russian high-ranking military, was entirely destroyed in the attack, according to exiled authorities.

"The building was actually razed to the ground. Now they (the Russian troops) are dismantling the debris there. Many ambulances went in that direction," the Berdiansk administration reported, citing local sources.

Neither the Ukrainian nor Russian military commented on the strike.

On the same day, explosions were reported in the Russian-occupied Tokmak, a key Russian logistical hub in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and Skadovsk, a port city in Kherson Oblast.
NATO's pledges fall short of President Zelensky's hopes of putting Kyiv under the alliance's collective defence umbrella (PETRAS MALUKAS)

The leaders of the G7 powers promised Wednesday to support Ukraine for as long as it takes to defeat Russia's invasion, after dashing Kyiv's hopes for a quick invitation to NATO.

President Volodymyr Zelensky put a brave face on the setback, insisting that the Western leaders' promises amounted to a "signficant security victory" that he could take home to Kyiv after the NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius.

He did not disguise the fact, however, that he would have preferred the 31-member Atlantic alliance to have agreed a firm timetable for Ukraine to join its ranks once the 16-month old Russian invasion has been defeated and peace restored.

"The best guarantee for Ukraine is to be in NATO," Zelensky said, expressing confidence that once the war is over Ukraine would be welcomed, but warning that the G7 commitments should be seen "not instead of NATO, but as security guarantees on our way to integration."

On Tuesday, the NATO leaders agreed that Ukraine could join the alliance once certain conditions are met, and US and German officials in Vilnius made it clear that these would include Kyiv carrying out reforms to protect democracy and the rule of law.

"No country is exempt from them," Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz told reporters of the reforms.

This will further frustrate Zelensky, who insisted Ukraine's understanding was that the tests that Kyiv must still pass were simply "security conditions", that peace must be restored and the Russian aggression ended.

"We understand that Ukraine cannot become a member of NATO while the war is ongoing. But then it will be for our common strength when Ukraine joins the alliance," he tweeted.

- Russia 'fragile'? -

The G7 plan provides a framework under which individual nations will agree bilateral deals with Kyiv detailing the weapons they will give and response they will make if Russia ups the ante, a message to Putin that he cannot keep the war grinding on hoping that international support falters.

US President Joe Biden, who opposed granting Kyiv an immediate invitation timetable, insisted the G7 commitments showed that world powers would be by Ukraine's side while it fights off Russia and establishes the conditions of membership.

"We're going to help them build a strong capable defence across land, air and sea," Biden said, at a ceremony with Zelensky and the leaders of the other G7 powers -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan -- to unveil the framework document on their security promises.

Biden saluted Zelensky's courage as an example to the whole world, "not only you but your people - your sons, your daughters, your husbands, your wives, your friends: you're incredible."

In their statement, the G7 powers embraced the "strategic objective of a free, independent, democratic, and sovereign Ukraine, within its internationally recognised borders, capable of defending itself and deterring future aggression.

"We will stand with Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression, for as long as it takes," they said.

To prevent Russia starting another war when peace comes, the G7 vowed swift military assistance for Kyiv and to punish Moscow if there were to be another invasion.

Zelensky thanked them, but stressed that the document should be an "instrument of integration" leading one day to full NATO membership.

Several more countries have already signed up to the principles of the G7 document, including Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Poland and the Czech Republic, according to Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sanchez.

France's President Emmanuel Macron said this international solidarity showed that Ukraine enjoys long-term backing while Russia, recently beset by a brief revolt by the Wagner mercenary group, was "militarily and politically fragile" and showing "its first signs of division".

Despite NATO's failure to offer Ukraine a clear timetable for membership, the Kremlin was sufficiently angered by the G7 guarantees to issue a bleak warning that the step "will make Europe much more dangerous for years and years".

NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed the importance of the progress he said Ukraine had made at the two-day summit, held under tight security on NATO's eastern flank, 16 months after Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine.

He noted that Zelensky joined NATO leaders at an inaugural meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council, and said several allies were boosting bilateral assistance, such as France with a pledge of long-range missiles and the Netherlands leading a coalition to train fighter pilots.

- 'Equals' -

"Today, we meet as equals, I look forward to the day we meet as allies," Stoltenberg said.

NATO allies from eastern and northern Europe, themselves wary of Russian attack, have been most supportive of Kyiv's membership bid, but alliance leader the United States and European economic powerhouse Germany have been more cautious.

Zelensky also had head-to-head meetings with several more leaders including British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who expressed sympathy for his disappointment.

"Both agreed the arrangements will not be a substitute for NATO membership and looked forward to building on the new security framework as soon as possible," Sunak's Downing Street office said as the leaders began the formal meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council.

del/dc/fb
Ukraines air defence downed all Russian attack drones detected in airspace around the city of Kyiv on the night of 11-12 July.

Source: Serhii Popko, Head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "Enemy forces carried out another airstrike on Ukraines capital. This time early reports indicate that they have once again deployed Shahed loitering munitions. After more than a weeks break, this is the second day in a row when enemy forces launched Iranian-made drones on Kyiv. An air-raid warning was in place for over two hours.

Personnel and assets of our air defence detected and destroyed all enemy targets in Kyivs airspace."

Details: The Kyiv City Military Administration reported that they had no information about casualties or destruction, but this was still being confirmed.

Previously: On the night of 11-12 July, Kyiv Oblast Military Administration reported that Ukraines air defence was operating in efforts to down Russian drones.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have partial success on the Berdiansk front, gaining a foothold on the reclaimed territories.

Source: Valerii Shershen, spokesperson for the Joint Press Centre for the Tavriia front Defence Forces, on the air of joint 24/7 newscast; Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, Commander of the Tavriia operational and strategic group of troops, on Telegram

Quote: "On the Berdiansk front, we have partial success. Having advanced along the front line, our assault units and military units are gaining foothold on achieved borders, conduct aerial reconnaissance of the terrain, strike enemy targets, carry out counter-battery combat, and conduct mine clearance."

Details: He stressed that the Russians offer fierce resistance, but the defence forces "systematically put pressure on certain sections of the front" and destroy the combat potential of the Russian forces.

He added that on the Tavriia front, the defence forces retained the initiative.

Updated: Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, Commander of the Tavriia operational and strategic group of troops, said that during the past day, the Russians attacked Ukrainian positions 19 times and carried out 585 strikes. Artillery units of the Tavriia Defence Forces performed 1397 fire missions during the day.

The losses of the Russian manpower amounted to more than two companies, both killed and wounded.

22 units of Russian military equipment were destroyed. That includes 6 UAVs, 2 howitzers 2A65 Msta-B, 2 BM-21 Grad multiple-launch missile systems, 2A36 Giatsint-B, Orlan-10 UAV, Supercam UAV, Buk anti-aircraft missile system, Kredo-M portable radar, a Borisoglebsk electronic warfare system and automotive equipment were destroyed.

In addition, three ammunition depots were destroyed.

Earlier:

On the morning of 12 July, the General Staff of the Armed Forces reported that the defence forces of Ukraine continue to conduct offensive operations on the Melitopol and Berdiansk fronts, gaining foothold on the achieved borders, and carrying out counterbattery measures.

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The Defence Forces of Ukraine continue to advance on the Bakhmut, Melitopol and Berdiansk fronts; there is an advance near Bakhmut, and fighters are consolidating their positions at new frontiers.

Source: Hanna Maliar, Deputy Defence Minister, on Telegram

Quote from Maliar: "East. The Ukrainian Defence Forces held back the offensive of Russian troops on the Kupiansk, Lyman, Avdiivka and Marinka fronts today. Successfully. The enemy did not advance. Heavy fighting continues.



We advanced today on the Bakhmut front, on the southern flank around Bakhmut. There is an advance. Now our defenders are consolidating their positions on the taken frontiers."

Details: In the south, according to Maliar, Ukrainian troops were advancing on the Melitopol and Berdiansk fronts.

"In recent weeks, our defenders in the south have significantly undermined the enemy's offensive and defensive capabilities. So, due to the destruction of a large number of ammunition depots, the number of enemy attacks has now decreased," the Deputy Defence Minister summed up.

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Ukraine's Foreign Minister explains why the only way to victory for now is military

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba believes that negotiations with the Kremlin will become possible when Russia withdraws its troops from Ukraine, but for now, it is stubbornly and defiantly attempting to achieve its goals with weapons.

Source: Dmytro Kuleba in an interview with Radio Liberty

Quote: "If there is a diplomatic solution and a way to save peoples lives and health, soldiers and civilians, then of course diplomacy is preferable.

But as of now, Russia is being stubborn and believes that it can still achieve some of its goals through military means, and we are showing them, together with our partners, that it will not achieve them through military means. So, for now, the path to victory is purely military.

If Russia voluntarily withdraws from the territory of Ukraine to save the lives of its soldiers, then the way will be opened for some kind of negotiations. But right now? Well, how?

I don't think anyone can allow themselves to come out and say - or not even come out, but say somewhere in a closed office - that I don't fully support the liberation of Ukrainian territories."

Details: Kuleba is convinced that the allies support Ukraine's desire to regain control of its lands within the internationally recognised 1991 borders, including militarily.

When asked if there are any louder voices saying that the time for diplomacy has come, the foreign minister replied: "No. It is still too soon. I think these voices will try to sound louder towards the end of the year."

"But both our guys on the front line, and we on the diplomatic front, are working to ensure that these people do not prevent Ukraine from bringing its victory closer," Kuleba said.

Background:

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine would be ready for a diplomatic settlement of the war only when its 1991 borders are restored, while "peace" without Crimea under Ukraine's control would not be considered a victory.

Zelenskyy believes Russian President Vladimir Putin will be forced to seek dialogue when Ukrainian troops are at the administrative border with occupied Crimea.

Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to the head of the Presidents Office, said last year that Ukraine has never completely abandoned negotiations with Russia, but it has a clear condition  the withdrawal of Russian forces from the territory of Ukraine.

Czech President Petr Pavel believes that all of Ukraine's achievements on the battlefield by the end of 2023 will become the basis for negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.

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Ukraine's future in NATO is in a precarious position, and right now, neither Putin nor Zelenskyy is happy

NATO's timeline and conditions for Ukraine's membership leave both Russia and Ukraine without clear wins. Laurent Van der Stockt for Le Monde/Getty Images/Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images

Ukraine's future in NATO is up in the air, leaving neither Putin nor Zelenskyy happy.

Russia has long opposed Ukraine joining NATO, citing it as a reason for its February 2022 invasion.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy has expressed frustration and disappointment over NATO's timeline for Ukraine's membership.

After this week's NATO summit in Lithuania, it appears that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin may have something in common: They're both unhappy with Ukraine's relationship with NATO, albeit for very different reasons.

This year's summit was a hefty one, with member nations mostly focused on continued support and aid for Ukraine  but with the roadmap to membership for the wartorn country looking longer and more complicated, it's unclear if Zelenskyy will walk away satisfied.

He certainly didn't seem thrilled on arrival day, either.

On Tuesday, Zelenskyy blasted the West for a lack of "readiness neither to invite Ukraine to NATO nor to make it a member of the Alliance."

"It's unprecedented and absurd when time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine's membership. While at the same time vague wording about 'conditions' is added even for inviting Ukraine," he tweeted, adding the West's hesitancy and lack of a clear timeline left a "window of opportunity" for bargaining "Ukraine's membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia."

"And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror," Zelenskyy said.

The statement is likely in response to vague wording in the alliance's annual communique, which recommits NATO's support to Ukraine but also foregoes a roadmap or timetable for Kyiv to gain membership.

Instead, Ukraine is at the mercy of "when Allies agree and conditions are met."

That "when" marks the end of war with Russia. Admitting Ukraine into NATO while the war continues would trigger the entire alliance joining the fight  and while the West continues to funnel billions of dollars of aid to Kyiv and send advanced Abrams and Leopard tanks and Storm Shadow missiles for their long-awaited counteroffensive, an actual declaration of war against Russia is apparently a step too far.

Russian opposition to Ukraine joining NATO traces back to the alliance's creation

Ukrainian military conducts training on German-made Leopard 2 tanks at the test site on May 14, 2023, in Ukraine. Serhii Mykhalchuk/Getty Images

Russia has long opposed Ukraine  or any former Soviet Union nations  joining NATO out of a fear the Western alliance will suffocate Russia.

Although multiple efforts like the NATO-Russia Founding Act and the NATO-Russia Council were made to bridge the gap, Russia has repeatedly accused the US and NATO of violating a mutual trust and flooding the former Soviet bloc with their influence.

At NATO's 2008 Bucharest summit, tension reached a watermark when NATO announced its intentions to admit Georgia and Ukraine  while there was no roadmap for membership, the very thought pushed Putin to draw a line in the sand.

"No Russian leader could stand idly by in the face of steps toward NATO membership for Ukraine. That would be a hostile act toward Russia," he told William J. Burns, former US undersecretary for political affairs.

Flashing forward past Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and to its February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Putin's ramped up his rhetoric against Ukraine's membership in NATO.

"Why was it necessary to make an enemy out of us?" he bemoaned, according to The New York Times' translation of his pre-invasion speech. "They didn't want such a large, independent country as Russia. In this lies the answer to all questions."

"We clearly understand that in such a scenario, the degree of military threat to Russia will rise cardinally, by multiple times," Putin said, adding that Ukraine remains "not just a neighboring country" but instead "an integral part of our own history, culture, spiritual space."

Putin certainly didn't anticipate his plans to swiftly invade Ukraine and decapitate Kyiv would fail, and after 500 days of war, his military appears weaker than ever and NATO's alliance stronger.

But Ukraine is still at the whim of the West. And although Zelenskyy softened his criticism of the alliance's membership plans by the end of the summit, the war is dragging on  and Ukraine's NATO future is murky.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukrainian Air Forces destroy 11 out of 15 Shahed drones that attacked Ukraine overnight

Air defence forces shot down 11 out of 15 Russian attack drones that were launched to attack Ukraine on the night of 11-12 July.

Source: Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram

Quote: "The Russian occupiers attacked Ukraine from the north-eastern front (Kursk) with Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 attack drones on the night of 11-12 July.

A total of 15 kamikaze drones were involved in the strike. Eleven of them were destroyed in the areas of responsibility of Air Commands Tsentr [Centre] and Skhid [East]."

Details: Anti-aircraft missile units, fighter aircraft, mobile fire groups of the Air Force and air defence of other components of Ukraines Defence Forces were involved in repelling the drone attack.

The Air Force also reports that during the current and past days, Ukrainian aircraft have carried out almost 30 group strikes on the Russian rear and Russian military equipment, positions and manpower.

Background: Ukraines air defence downed all Russian attack drones detected in airspace around the city of Kyiv on the night of 11-12 July.

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The Ukrainian Startup Fund is four years old

The Ukrainian Startup Fund has supported 352 teams with a total of $8.2 million in grants over the four years of its existence, Deputy Head of the Ministry of Digital Transformation Alex Bornyakov said in a post on Facebook on July 11.

Since the beginning of the full-scale war alone in 2022, 33 projects have already received grants.

Read also: European Innovation Council allocates EUR 20 million for Ukrainian tech start-ups

The key achievements and figures to date include:

$8.2 million funded in grants;

352 startup teams have received funding;

330+ events held (hackathons, bootcamps, educational lectures, mentoring sessions);

119 startups attended 23 global tech events;

199 pro bono experts joined the fund's work.

Read also: Burned by U.S. bank meltdowns, Ukrainian tech startups turn to the EU

"Since Feb. 24, we have organized the first defense tech hackathons together with the Army of Drones, and launched the world's fastest fast track for the commissioning of drones, which has already been used by 25 manufacturers," Bornyakov said.

The Ukrainian Startup Fund was registered in December 2018, and the fund's concept was presented on July 11, 2019.

Read also: Ukraines IT exports grew by 9.5% in May, still lower than last year

Earlier, NV reported that a Ukrainian delegation was present at the major tech conference TechCrunch Disrupt for the first time, with a separate pavilion of 10 startups selected in September.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Near Bakhmut, Ukraine  Explosions rang out as Ukrainian soldiers escorted us through the woods. From the moment we arrived at their position on the outskirts of the embattled, Russian-occupied city of Bakhmut, the guns of Ukraine's 17th Tank Brigade never fell silent.

They've been pummelling Russia's defensive positions around the city for weeks as Ukraine pushes its grinding counteroffensive. Retaking the industrial town, despite its minimal strategic value, is a key objective for Ukraine, given the thousands of lives lost on both sides as they've battled over it.

The general of Ukraine's ground forces suggested this week that the Russian occupiers in Bakhmut were running out of options after claiming control of the shattered city, saying: "The enemy is caught in a trap."

The 17th Tank Brigade is part of the trap, but the Ukrainian troops aren't taking aim at their Russian foes with tanks, but U.S.-supplied, self-propelled Howitzer M109s. Ukraine has dozens of the American-made artillery pieces, and they've become a vital front-line weapon in the counteroffensive.

A Howitzer self-propelled M109 artillery piece is fired by members of Ukraine's 17th Tank Brigade at Russian positions near the occupied eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, amid Ukraine's counteroffensive in early July, 2023. / Credit: CBS News/Abdi Cadani

But using the big guns carries risk for the troops operating them so close to Russian positions. Every shell they fire also sends a big plume of smoke into the air, which could give away their position to Russian drones hovering in the area, and draw return fire.

Further back in the dense forest we found 24-year-old commander "Roman." He was so laid back he looked like he was on a fishing trip. But he told us the fighting goes on day and night, and the Howitzers are a vital tool as "they're reliable and work well."

"The more weapons, the more ammunition, the better," he said. "The more precise they are, the more enemies we kill."

Commander

Drones or forward spotters on the ground identify Russian targets and determine the coordinates for the strikes, which are then called in to Roman. He radios one of the gun positions, and then a gunner takes aim and sends another 155mm shell flying at Russian troops.

A drone surveys the battlefield from overhead to see if the shell hit its target.

At the rate they're burning through artillery, it's easy to see why they're always asking for more  and why they're eager to see the U.S. promise of controversial cluster munitions fulfilled as soon as possible.

"They are very useful munitions," Roman told us as a massive blast shook the ground with the departure of another Howitzer round. "They've shown to be effective. The more of them we get, the better, of course."

A pile of spent Howitzer shells is seen near a position manned by members of Ukraine's 17th Tank Brigade near the occupied eastern city of Bakhmut, amid Ukraine's counteroffensive in early July, 2023. / Credit: CBS News/Abdi Cadani

One of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's key roles as a wartime leader has been to keep up the pressure on the U.S. and Ukraine's other international partners to ensure the flow of weapons into his country. Without them, Ukraine could never have withstood Russia's assault, let alone begun to push Vladimir Putin's forces back in the other direction.

Zelenskyy brought his plea for more support directly to the leaders of the NATO alliance this week. Joining the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania on Tuesday, he called it "absurd" that the U.S. and other members of the alliance were showing "weakness" by failing to lay out a clear timetable for his country to join the bloc.

While that level of solidarity appeared far off on the horizon, NATO leaders have bent over backwards to demonstrate their enduring commitment to help Ukraine repel the Russian invasion. That means more military support, and not just from NATO members.

The G7, a group of highly industrialized economies that includes the U.S., Germany, Japan, France, Canada, Italy, and the U.K., along with the European Union, were to announce a joint agreement Wednesday pledging the ongoing supply of advanced military hardware, training, intelligence-sharing and cyber-defense capabilities with Ukraine.

"The joint declaration, expected to be signed by all members of the G7, will set out how allies will support Ukraine over the coming years to end the war and deter and respond to any future attack," the U.K. government said in a statement.

Zelenskyy was to meet with President Biden Wednesday at the NATO summit in Vilnius, as the U.S. continues to be the single largest supplier of military aid to Ukraine. But Germany, which like the U.S. believes Ukraine's accession to NATO must wait until after the war with Russia, has agreed to provide additional Patriot air defense systems.

"This is extremely important for defending lives in Ukraine against Russian terror," Zelenskyy wrote on his social media channels Wednesday.

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UN rights body passes disputed motion on religious hatred after Koran burning Protesters burn Koran at Stockholm mosque on Eid holiday

By Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber

GENEVA (Reuters) -The United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday approved a disputed resolution on religious hatred in the wake of the burning of a Koran in Sweden, prompting concern by Western states who say it challenges long-held practices in rights protection.

The resolution, introduced by Pakistan on behalf of the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), calls for the U.N. rights chief to publish a report on religious hatred and for states to review their laws and plug gaps that may "impede the prevention and prosecution of acts and advocacy of religious hatred."

It was strongly opposed by the United States and the European Union, who say it conflicts with their view on human rights and freedom of expression. While condemning the burning of the Koran, they argued the OIC initiative was designed to safeguard religious symbols rather than human rights.

An Iraqi immigrant to Sweden burned the Koran outside a Stockholm mosque last month, sparking outrage across the Muslim world and demands by Muslim states for action.

The vote's outcome marks a major defeat for Western countries at a time when the OIC has unprecedented clout in the council, the only body made up of governments to protect human rights worldwide.

Twenty-eight countries voted in favour, 12 voted against, and seven countries abstained. Representatives of some countries clapped after the resolution passed.

Marc Limon, director of the Geneva-based Universal Rights Group, said the outcome showed "the West is in full retreat at the Human Rights Council."

"They're increasingly losing support and losing the argument," he said.

Michele Taylor, the U.S. Permanent Representative to the U.N. Human Rights Council, said the United States' concerns about the initiative "were not taken seriously."

"I believe with a little more time and more open discussion, we could have also found a way forward together on this resolution," she said.

After the vote, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the U.N. in Geneva, Khalil Hasmi, accused the West of "lip service" to their commitment to prevent religious hatred.

"The opposition of a few in the room has emanated from their unwillingness to condemn the public desecration of the Holy Koran or any other religious book," he said.

"They lack political, legal and moral courage to condemn this act, and it was the minimum that the Council could have expected from them."

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber and Emma Farge; Editing by Toby Chopra and Conor Humphries)
Buildings in Chicago. NeoPhoto / Getty Images

Climate change isn't just limited to above the planet's surface. The temperature is rising underground as well, putting densely built cities at risk, according to a study published in the journal Communications Engineering. The study found that urban areas struggle with subsurface heat islands, which are "an underground climate change responsible for environmental, public health, and transportation issues." The phenomenon leads to "ground deformations and displacements" that can impact the "operational performance of structures and infrastructures with time."

"All around you, you have heat sources," the study's author, Alessandro F. Rotta Loria, told The New York Times. "These are things that people don't see, so it's like they don't exist." The study analyzed Chicago, specifically finding that much of the heat came from underground infrastructure like basements, as well as pipes, train tunnels, parking garages, and electrical wires. The phenomenon was deemed "underground climate change."

The underground changes can be attributed to natural and human changes to the environment, but it's tough to say what's coming from the "climate itself changing and what is coming from the actual activities of the city," climate scientist Hugo Beltrami told The Washington Post. Over time, the heat can cause strain and structural shifts that can gradually worsen. "Today, you're not seeing that problem," said Asal Bidarmaghz, a senior lecturer in geotechnical engineering at the University of New South Wales, to the Times. "But in the next 100 years, there is a problem."

The other concern is the warming's impact on the underground ecosystem. Below the surface is "home to animals that ... such as worms, snails, insects, crustaceans and salamanders," that are used to "very static conditions," Grant Ferguson, an engineering geologist at the University of Saskatchewan, told Scientific American.

Per the study, underground climate change poses a "silent hazard" to cities, "but also an opportunity to reutilize or minimize waste heat in the ground."

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The University of Idaho on Wednesday announced it will hold off on plans to demolish the home where four students were killed in November.

The announcement comes on the heels of some of the victims families protesting the demolition. In a news release, the university said it will continue lead paint and asbestos abatement on the property, which it intends to demolish in October. Initially, university officials said they hoped to raze the building before Aug. 21, when students would return to campus for the fall semester.

The new date coincides with the scheduled Oct. 2 start date for the trial of suspect Bryan Kohberger, who is charged with the killings of Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, both 21; and junior Xana Kernodle and freshman Ethan Chapin, both 20.

If convicted, Kohberger faces the death penalty.

Earlier this month, Shanon Gray, an attorney for the Goncalves family, told the Idaho Statesman the university was disregarding the familys request that the house remain standing until after the trial concludes. Gray said the Mogen and Kernodle families shared the same view.

University officials did not immediately say whether the families protests led to the decision to delay the demolition.

After the personal items were removed and with remediation nearing completion, this felt like the best next step, university spokesperson Jodi Walker told the Statesman in an email.

We know that every action and decision around this horrific incident is painful and invokes emotions. That is why every decision we have made this far is with the families of the victims and our students in mind, said Scott Green, U of I president, in the news release. While we look forward to removing this grim reminder of this tragedy, we feel holding until October is the right thing to do.

According to the news release, crews have been removing personal items from the home with the intent of returning them to the victims families. The university noted that the Latah County Prosecutors Office and Kohbergers defense have not protested the demolition.

The home was donated to the university in February by its previous owner.
Sea surface temperatures around Florida have been higher than 95 degrees early this summer, and biologists said that without some relief, the rising temperatures could lead to a mass coral bleaching event.

Known for its year-round heat, warm water in Florida may not seem unusual to most, but NOAA and coral biologists warn its how early the sea surface temperatures hit peak-summer levels that is cause for concern.

NOAAs Coral Reef Watch coordinator Derek Manzello said the agency has been closely watching sea surface temperatures since March and April because of an El Nino that was developing. Warm water during El Nino years is historically tied to large coral bleaching events.

Manzello said Monday that NOAA recorded the highest sea surface temperature value for the Florida Keys since satellite records began in 1985.

NOAA buoy measurements show water temperatures are near or above 90 degrees around the southern Florida Peninsula.

Sea surface temperatures around South Florida on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.

During previous large-scale bleaching events in the Florida Keys in 2014 and 2015, bleaching-level sea surface temperatures did not happen until mid-August.

NOAA FORECAST CALLS FOR HALF OF WORLDS OCEANS TO EXPERIENCE HEAT WAVE CONDITIONS THIS YEAR

"We are a full month ahead of what is the normal 'bleaching season," Manzello said.

The NOAA graph below shows 2023 sea surface temperatures in black, with the recent unprecedented spike in June.

NOAAs Coral Reef Watch predicted early coral bleaching in the Pacific, and those forecasts have come true. Bleaching has been confirmed off the Pacific coasts of Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Columbia. More recent reports of coral bleaching have been coming in from the Caribbean, off both Mexican coasts and Belize.

Unless a cooling event happens, such as a hurricane or tropical storm that stirs up cold water, the corals of the Florida Keys will have up to three months of temperature-stress conditions.

Manzello said this sustained heat would be unprecedented because most large-scale bleaching events lasted between 4 and 6 weeks.

2019 File photo: A view of major bleaching on the coral reefs of the Society Islands on May 9, 2019 in Moorea, French Polynesia. (Photo by Alexis Rosenfeld/Getty Images).

Coral biologist Andrew Baker with the University of Miamis Coral Reef Futures Lab said normally, in July, Florida sea surface temperatures could be about 88-89 degrees. Buoys near the Florida Keys have recently taken measurements of 95 degrees and warmer.

Depending on the type of coral, 2-3 degrees is all it takes for heat stress to begin to take its toll on corals. Coral are living animals that rely on single-celled algae, which produce food for coral through photosynthesis. The algae is also how coral gets color.

"Theyre tremendously powerful little buddies, but unfortunately, these algae are also kind of the Achilles heel of corals," Baker said.

When temperatures get too hot, instead of producing photosynthesis, the algae start to produce toxins that produce free radicals. Coral biologists call this oxidative stress, which turns algae "helpers" into killers.

In Florida, thermal stress on coral begins when sea surface temperatures reach 88-89 degrees, according to Baker.

"The process of coral bleaching is itself quite destructive, and corals have to sort of split open these cells, get rid of the algae symbiotic, release them through their mouths and long streams of mucus, and it's a pretty stressful process, but it's really the coral trying to get rid of the algae so much as quickly as possible because they're producing toxins instead of food," Baker said.

Simply put, coral bleaching occurs because the corals are starving to death after losing their main source of nutrition.

Baker said there are early indicator coral species that begin bleaching before others, and those are starting the bleach in Florida.

"There's a lot of scope for this warming event to build up and continue, and that's really the recipe for doom for corals," Baker said. "It's not just how warm it is, but it's how long it's sustained for, and so the longer that this goes on for, the worse it gets."

The next month will be critical for corals as biologists warn a mass bleaching event is eminent if sea surface temperatures around Florida continue to stay above 90 degrees. Floridas warmest temperatures usually dont happen until late July or August.

"If temperatures in Florida were to remain as extreme as they are at right now, we expect that significant mortality of corals in Florida may start occurring over the next several weeks," Manzello said. "However, no one can predict the future, so I very much hope that things cool off and do so rapidly."

File photo: Andrew Baker (L), Associate Professor, Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, and Rivah Winter, Ph.D. candidate, work on studying staghorn coral in a lab as they take part in researching how multiple climate stressors will impact coral reef in the future at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science on April 22, 2016 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

As the oceans warm, coral biologists warn that bleaching events will get worse. According to NOAA, every coral reef region in the world has been affected by warming waters.

There is a variety of diverse ocean life that live in the coral reefs, including fish and lobster, which boost Florida's fishing economy.

"I think there's a lot that remains to be done in terms of building the climate resilience of Florida's corals, and perhaps this event will just help galvanize those efforts," Baker said.

While the 1982 El Nino event "put coral bleaching on the map," over the last five years, the Earth has warmed enough that an El Nino no longer needs to be happening for a mass coral bleaching event, according to Baker.

There are efforts to restore reefs and also make them more adaptable to warmer waters.

The Mission Iconic Reef program is growing corals to outplant them to seven reefs in the Florida Keys.

Biologists are attempting to preserve coral species by taking polyps to inland facilities. Because coral grows in colonies, it only takes a few small pieces to start a new reef.

At the Coral Futures Lab in Miami, Baker's research focuses on finding ways to intervene in the bleaching process by improving the heat tolerance of corals using different algae partners that are more heat-resistant.

Baker said to save coral, it needs to be a collaborative effort internationally.

"We have to start sourcing corals from really around the Caribbean and thinking about how can we restore reefs to be sort of climate-smart and to anticipate climate change versus sort of bury our heads in the sand," he said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the second day of NATO's 2023 Vilnius Summit on July 12. Zelensky said the leaders promised Ukraine new military aid.

Ukraine will receive new Patriot systems and missiles from Germany, as well as armored vehicles from Canada, Zelensky wrote on Twitter and Telegram on July 12.

Zelensky met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the NATO summit, as well as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

"I am grateful to Justin and Canada for reinforcing our warriors with armored vehicles. We have reached powerful agreements," Zelensky wrote about his meeting with Trudeau.

"There is an agreement on additional Patriot launchers and missiles for them from Germany. This is very important for protecting life in Ukraine from Russian terror!" he wrote after meeting with Scholz.

Ukraine also signed two agreements with Sweden over defense procurements and the intel exchange, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov announced on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Australia pledged to deliver another 30 Bushmaster armored vehicles to Ukraine, Zelensky announced on Telegram.

"A powerful new defense pack, including 30 Bushmasters. As always, we also have a complete political understanding," Zelensky wrote.

President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the second day of NATO's 2023 Vilnius Summit on July 12, 2023, in Vilnius, Lithuania. (ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Ukraine will be invited to join NATO when "the allies agree, and conditions are met," Stoltenberg said at the summit's press conference without providing further details.

"This is a strong package for Ukraine. And a clear path towards its membership in NATO," he added, reaffirming that Ukraine "will become a member of NATO."

However, Zelensky, who arrived in Vilnius on July 11, expressed his discontent over the lack of a real timeframe and invitation to join NATO after NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Ukraine would receive an invitation to join NATO when "the allies agree, and conditions are met" without providing any details.

President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the second day of NATO's 2023 Vilnius Summit on July 12, 2023, in Vilnius, Lithuania. (Photo by Paul Ellis - Pool/Getty Images)

The alliance adopted a three-part support package for Ukraine, which includes removing the requirement to undergo the Membership Action Plan.

While en route to Vilnius, Zelensky said that he had "received signals that certain wording is being discussed without Ukraine," noting that the "wording is about the invitation to become NATO member, not about Ukraine's membership."

"It's unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine's membership. While at the same time vague wording about 'conditions' is added even for inviting Ukraine," the president tweeted.
Your slice of the headlines in Ukraine. Daily. Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

 NATO drops MAP requirement for Ukraine, introduces conditions for entry

NATO member states have settled on a unified communique concerning Ukraines membership in the Alliance, making no timeframe commitments as to when Kyiv might receive the invitation. The document was published on July 11, as the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, opens.





 Ukraine would make NATO stronger  Zelenskyy in Vilnius

Having arrived in Vilnius to participate in the NATO summit on July 11, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Lithuanians at a concert in the city, highlighting the mutual benefits of Ukraine joining the Alliance.





 White House confirms Biden-Zelenskyy meeting in Vilnius

U.S. President Joe Biden will meet with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12, Jake Sullivan, President Bidens national security advisor, said at a briefing on July 11.





 France to transfer long-range SCALP-EG missiles to Ukraine - Le Monde

France is to transfer SCALP-EG long-range missiles to Ukraine, the French version of the UKs Storm Shadow cruise missile, Le Monde reported on July 11.





 Putin-Prigozhin meeting after coup attempt a new development, Washington says

A reported meeting between Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Wagner mercenary company chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is a new development, U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a press briefing on July 10.





 Kyiv working to extend US Lend-Lease Act for another year  ambassador Markarova

Ukrainian diplomats are working hard to persuade Washington to extend the U.S. Ukraine Lend-Lease Act for another year, Oksana Markarova, Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States, told Ukrainian TV broadcasters on July 10.





 Russian sub enters Black Sea armed with Kalibr missiles, escalating striking power  Ukrainian military

Russia has deployed a submarine armed with four Kalibr missiles to the Black Sea, the press service of Ukraines South Operational Command reported on Facebook on July 11.

 Ukraine begins to sell off seized Russian assets

Ukraine's State Property Fund (SPF) has initiated the privatization of assets seized from Russian oligarchs, according to a July 11 statement by the Fund's press service.





 Ukrainian battlefield awareness software compatible with F-16 jets  minister

Ukrainian battlefield control and information processing system, Delta, has successfully passed NATO equipment compatibility tests, including the ability to interface with F-16 fighter jets, Ukraines Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said in a Telegram post on July 11.





 NABU charges ruling party MP over accepting a bribe

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has charged Lyudmila Marchenko, an MP of the ruling Servant of the People party, and her assistant with abusing their influence for illicit monetary gains, NABU said in a Telegram post on July 11.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
UPS Driver Who Asked Customer To Spray Her With Water Hose Sparks Debate About Their Working Conditions

Screenshots from @rakeshasanders TikTok

A UPS employee delivering packages on a hot day has recently gone viral for a video showing not only how hot it's been outside in the US, but also the tough working conditioners UPS drivers face.

Its no secret that delivery drivers dont have the best working conditions. Weve all heard horror stories such as Amazon drivers being forced to pee in bottles to save time and UPS drivers collapsing from heat stroke.

One UPS employee got so hot on the job that she decided to ask a stranger to help her out.

A UPS employee posted a TikTok of herself asking a stranger to spray her with his hose so she could cool down on the job.

Rakesha Sanders (@rakeshasanders) has multiple videos on her account where she talks about how much she loves her job as a UPS driver, even despite the challenges  bad weather, uncomfortable interactions with customers, vehicle issues, and so on. One recent TikTok showed her asking a nearby man to spray her with his water hose so she could cool down on a hot day.

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The man in the video, Tony, was happy to help Sanders out. He also offered her water and gave her a Gatorade according to a reply she posted on the video.

Commenters on the video loved the sweet interaction between Sanders and Tony. Mr. Tony proves not all heroes wear capes, some just have a water hose, one comment said.

Other comments expressed sympathy towards Sanders for having to work in such brutal heat with no A/C. For context, most UPS trucks dont currently have air conditioning, despite the climate crisis causing continually rising temperatures. According to NBC, temperatures up to 152 degrees have been recorded inside the trucks, and over a hundred employees have been hospitalized for heat-related injuries.

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Experts believe that the actual number of employees who suffered heat-related injuries is actually much higher, since heat illness symptoms may not always be recognized as such, and companies aren't required to report illnesses "unless a worker is admitted to a hospital or dies."

I sure hope y'all get A/C in those trucks soon. Appreciate your hard work, one comment said. Another said, They need to put air conditioning in the trucks. It is unbearable in the summer.

The UPS workers' union has been in contract negotiations since May 2023.

The Teamsters Union was finally able to reach a tentative agreement with UPS just last month to add air conditioning to the company trucks.

The Teamsters and UPS agreed to tentative language to equip the delivery and logistics companys fleet of vehicles with air conditioning systems, new heat shields, and additional fans, a union statement read. The Teamsters Union represents 340,000 UPS workers across the country.

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BREAKING: TEAMSTERS SECURE AIR CONDITIONING FOR UPS FLEET IN MAJOR TENTATIVE DEAL



The #Teamsters and UPS agreed to tentative language to equip the delivery and logistics companys fleet of vehicles with air conditioning systems, new heat shields, and additional fans. pic.twitter.com/GJ3iw8evRO  Teamsters (@Teamsters) June 13, 2023

The union is currently negotiating with UPS for a fair contract and has voted to authorize a strike if a deal is not reached by the end of this month. If the Teamsters do go on strike, it would be the largest in US history.

As stated in NBC's article, UPS employees have felt pressured by their management to finish their work even when feeling ill and were discouraged from taking breaks or seeking medical help.

With unsafe working conditions and wages that don't keep up with the workload, dedicated workers like Sanders suffer. UPS employees need to be compensated fairly for their hard work  they can't all rely on Tony to keep them cool on hot days.

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Jessica Bracken is a writer living in Davis, California. She covers entertainment and news for YourTango.

This article originally appeared on YourTango
Billionaire casino mogul Phil Ruffin wants to build a massive nightclub that will be familiar to fans of the 1980 hit movie Urban Cowboy, a film that brought cowboy hats, line dancing, mechanical bulls and pearl-snap shirts to the mainstream.

Gilleys Dance Hall and Saloon, a replica of the popular Texas honky-tonk featured in Urban Cowboy, would open as early as fall 2024 as part of a $128 million Golden Circle casino redevelopment at the defunct Wichita Greyhound Park, which has been closed since 2007 after voters rejected a plan to allow slot machines at the track.

Ruffin also would build a 110-room hotel near the casino and dance hall after renovations were completed.

The plan hinges on a decision expected Thursday from the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission. Ruffin is seeking approval for a license to operate 1,000 historical horse racing machines to make the rest of the project economically viable. Ruffin is the last remaining applicant after one dropped out and another was disqualified.

The Golden Circle, a proposed gaming facility at the Wichita Greyhound Park, would be modeled after Ruffins Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, which includes a 14,000-square-foot dance floor, live music, mechanical bulls and multiple bars at Gilleys Las Vegas.

Wichitas Gilleys would be a slightly smaller version, at 12,000 square feet, at a cost of $7 million.

Ruffins lawyer, R. Scott Beeler, unveiled the plans to the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission on Tuesday afternoon. He said Ruffin is self-financing the renovations and new buildings.

Treasure Island in Las Vegas has a Gilleys in place in the hotel now, Beeler said. It is enormously successful, and it is an independent draw in and of itself, which is then combined with the opportunity for the hotel and the opportunity for gaming, all of which are resounding successes.

He said the dance hall, which would be built adjacent to the Golden Circle, would open at the same time as the casino.

We are building Gilleys as part of phase one, Beeler said. And we plan to open it along with the underlying gaming facility. Obviously, that means when the entire facility is constructed. That means all the parking has been redone, the bones, the bones of an older structure are still good at the Wichita Greyhound Park, so its not a complete tear-down, but it is a complete overhaul of what is already there.

Under state law, Golden Circle must partner with a nonprofit organization to distribute a small portion of its profits to benefit the community. Ruffin organized GC Charities, a 501(c)3 organization, for that purpose and named former Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell as the chairman.

When Mr. Ruffin called me and asked me to be a part of this group, I was very humbled and honored and happy to continue doing something I love, making a difference in this community, Longwell told the commission.

Phil Ruffin is seeking a license to operate 1,000 historical horse racing machines at the defunct dog track.

Longwells involvement drew questions from commissioners on whether his position is paid or volunteer and whether the board would make decisions regarding who to give money to based on politics.

At this point, Im volunteering my time, Longwell said. But there hasnt been any mention of pay to this point, so thats another part of it. I willfully agreed to do this job, knowing that it may not pay a penny, but we get to give away money to our local community that will directly impact our community and make a difference. To me, thats worth all the pay in the world.

Longwell said the charity will not have a political litmus test before giving to other organizations. Its unclear what percentage of the casinos revenues will go to the charity. That will be decided later on with the involvement of the gaming commission.

The Wichita Greyhound Park is currently located in unincorporated Sedgwick County. If the gaming commission approves the license, Park City officials have indicated they will annex Golden Circle.
US, Japan, S.Korea hold rare military meeting as N.Korea launches missile NATO Defence Ministers' meet in Brussels

By Idrees Ali

CAMP SMITH, Hawaii (Reuters) - The United States' top general met his South Korean and Japanese counterparts for a rare trilateral meeting in Hawaii on Tuesday, as North Korea conducted its latest ballistic missile test launch.

Washington has been pressing the uneasy neighbors to work more closely to better counter rising threats from China and North Korea.

Seoul and Tokyo have strained relations over disputes dating to Japan's 1910-1945 occupation of Korea.

Colonel Dave Butler, a spokesman for U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, told Reuters that the North Korean launch occurred at the conclusion of the meeting, which had been long planned.

He said the North Korean ballistic missile had been launched towards the Sea of Japan.

This year, North Korea has test fired its first ever solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile and conducted a failed attempt to launch its first-ever spy satellite on a new launch vehicle. U.N. Security Council resolutions ban North Korea's use of ballistic missile technology, including for satellite launches.

The trilateral meeting was at Camp Smith in Hawaii and it last took place between the three uniformed military chiefs in March 2022.

North Korea's Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un, said on Tuesday a U.S. military spy plane had entered North Korea's Exclusive Economic Zone eight times.

She warned that U.S. forces would face a "very critical flight" if they continued "illegal intrusion", repeating an accusation North Korea made on Monday that the U.S. had violated its airspace by conducting surveillance flights.

North Korea warned that such flights may be shot down.

A senior U.S. defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said it appeared that North Korea's threats were largely bluster.

The official said North Korea's ground based missiles did not have the range to shoot down U.S. planes, which were not flying in Pyongyang's Exclusive Economic Zone as defined by international law.

"It's unlikely to manifest as a significant threat," the official said.

Milley is set to travel to Japan and South Korea this week.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali; Editing by Jacqueline Wong, Robert Birsel)
Excessive heat is baking US Southwest and expected to get worse

Excessive heat is baking US Southwest and expected to get worse Construction workers work in high temperatures in Palm Springs

By Liliana Salgado and Brad Brooks

PHOENIX (Reuters) -A prolonged heat wave blanketed a swath of the U.S. stretching from California to South Florida on Wednesday, with forecasters expecting temperatures that could shatter records in parts of the Southwest in the coming days.

The National Weather Service issued excessive heat advisories, watches and warnings for areas where about 100 million Americans live. The sweltering conditions are expected to worsen over the weekend and continue into next week.

While stifling temperatures gripped many parts of the country, Vermont and other Northeastern states barely had time to recover from historic flooding in recent days when the National Weather Service forecast more heavy rainfall across parts of New England, where rivers and streams are already running high.

Floodwaters turned the Vermont state capital of Montpelier into a swirling, brown waterway, damaged roads and may have compromised the city's water supply. Officials told the city's 8,000 residents to boil their water before using it until further notice.

Extreme weather also threatened the Chicago area, where at least eight tornadoes touched down in four counties in northeastern Illinois. The twisters and thunderstorms forced O'Hare and Midway airports to temporarily halt all air traffic, as tornado sirens echoed through the third biggest U.S. city.

The growing frequency and intensity of severe weather across the U.S. is symptomatic of global, human-driven climate change, experts in the field say.

The Southwest was bracing for potentially deadly heat with much of the area under an excessive heat warning.

Phoenix posted its 13th straight day with a temperature of at least 110 Fahrenheit (43 Celsius), with forecasts predicting the city next week will break its record of 18 straight days over 110, set in June 1974.

Moreover, the overnight lows are holding above 90F (32C), offering little relief.

"The heat is going to be expanding across California, Nevada, Arizona and all the way into West Texas into this weekend and the core of the strongest heat seems to be setting up for Friday through Monday. So we'll be looking at records," said Tom Frieders, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix.

At the family-owned Six Points Hardware store in Phoenix, fans and air conditioner units have been flying off the shelves, said store manager Drew Materniak.

The heat means "business is good," he said, noting the biggest seller has been large cooling fans, sold mostly to businesses like auto shops that cannot cool the air.

"Just stay inside man, just stay inside," was Materniak's advice for dealing with the heat. Las Vegas peaked at 108F (42C) on Wednesday and was forecast to match its all-time high mark of 117F (47C) on Sunday, the weather service said.

A ridge of stagnant air parked in the atmosphere was causing the excessive temperatures, said Ashton Robinson Cook, a forecaster with the weather service's Weather Prediction Center. The mass blocks cooler air and storm systems from rolling through the area, so it is "just full sun and heat," he said.

In Texas, where temperatures reached the upper 90s and topped 100F (37C) on Wednesday, the heat index will make it feel like 114F (46C) in some places through the weekend. Warm ocean water is causing the moist, humid air over much of the state that drives the heat index higher, Cook said.

In a cooling center in the West Texas city of Lubbock, where the temperature rose to 96F (36C) by midday, Courtney Martin, 41 and homeless for the past two weeks, sat quietly inside a public library doing needlepoint, keeping cool and staying hydrated with free bottles of water.

"I'm in here to beat the heat," said Martin, who recently moved to Lubbock from Michigan and is not accustomed to the high temperatures. "I don't know what I'd do without the libraries as cooling centers."

(Reporting by Liliana Salgado in Phoenix, Brad Brooks in Lubbock, Texas, Brendan O'Brien in Chicago, Rich McKay in Atlanta, and Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California; Editing by Jonathan Oatis, Bill Berkrot and Jamie Freed)
(CNN)  The United Nations has warned that Sudan could be on the verge of all-out-war after a weekend airstrike killed dozens in a residential area in the Sudanese city of Omdurman.

At least 22 people were killed and many injured in a shelling attack early Saturday, the countrys health ministry said, as months of infighting between Sudans rival military forces continue to rage on across the country.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the weekend bombing was an indication that Sudan was now on the brink of a full-scale civil war.

The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned that the ongoing war between the armed forces has pushed Sudan to the brink of a full-scale civil war, potentially destabilizing the entire region, a statement from Guterres office said condemning the airstrike.

He is appalled by reports of large-scale violence and casualties across Darfur, the statement further said while expressing concerns about renewed clashes in some of Sudans worst hit states that have seen large displacement of civilians.

There is an utter disregard for humanitarian and human rights law that is dangerous and disturbing, the statement added.

Guterres urged the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF)  the two warring factions fighting for control in Sudan to end hostilities.

The RSF blamed the SAF for Saturdays airstrike, describing it as the most severe aircraft bombing  on innocent citizens. It also placed the death toll at 31.

Fierce fighting erupted between the rival groups in April, leaving hundreds dead and thousands injured.

Data from the United Nations International Organization for Migration, (IOM) said nearly 2.8 million people have fled Sudan, many without passports, for neighboring countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia and Libya.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "UN warns of full-scale civil war in Sudan after weekend airstrike kills dozens."
Utah closes off 56 abandoned mines near Eureka, including where 2 bodies were found

One of dozens of abandoned mines that were recently closed off in Utah County. | Utah Department of Natural Resources

Utah mining crews recently completed a project that closed off dozens of abandoned mines across southwestern Utah County, including a mine shaft where the bodies of a Utah couple were recovered five years ago.

The project focused on closing off abandoned mines on private land near Eureka, located just outside of Utah County. In all, crews capped 56 abandoned mine openings within the once-bustling Tintic Mining District, according to the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining.

All of the mines were "easily accessible" and close enough to popular off-highway vehicle trails, which caused possible safety concerns, said Steve Fluke, manager of the division's Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program.

"Safeguarding these mines ensures that future risks are minimized or eliminated, improving public safety," he said in a statement Tuesday.

The most notable of the newly closed mines is Tintic Standard Mine No. 2, where the bodies of Brelynne "Breezy" Otteson and Riley Powell were recovered in 2018 after they had gone missing months prior. Jerrod Baum was convicted of murder in the case last year and sentenced to four consecutive terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

A permanent memorial was erected to honor Otteson and Powell just outside of the mine, where people have left photos, stuffed animals, flowers and other objects over the years.

Amanda Hunt, right, visits a permanent memorial for her niece, Brelynne Breezy Otteson, and Ottesons boyfriend, Riley Powell, near the Tintic Standard Mine No. 2 near Eureka, Juab County, on Feb. 4, 2021. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News

The district was a popular mining hub during the late 1800s and early 1900s. It produced a "substantial" amount of lead, silver, gold, copper and zinc, the mining database Mindat.org wrote.

Safety issues arose after the mine became abandoned.

The Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining announced a day before Baum was convicted that it would close off Tintic Standard Mine No. 2 as part of a larger project. Fluke said crews used backfills, rebar grates, walls and polyurethane foam to close off the openings while also protecting "features of historical significance" and animal habitats.

The Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program has closed about 7,000 openings since it was created 40 years ago. However, state mining officials said Tuesday that there are still an estimated 17,000 abandoned mine openings located across Utah.

Almost all of these were abandoned before the 1970s. Utah legislators passed a law in 1975 that makes it illegal for companies to abandon mines without reclamation work first.
North Carolinas lieutenant governor, Mark Robinson, does not want to talk about abortion  in fact, the leading Republican candidate for governor cannot even bring himself to say the word.

Speaking at an ice cream social in Concord, North Carolina on July 6  five days after the states new abortion ban went into effect  he told the crowd, North Carolina needs to become a destination state for life. Now notice what I said: I said life. I did not say the A-word. The A-word. Everybody wants us to say the A-word No sir.

Before North Carolinas deeply unpopular 12-week abortion ban became a reality  before a single state house representative switched parties and gifted the GOP a veto-proof majority to pass it  Robinson had no problem talking about his frothing opposition to abortion.

In February, he told a conservative talk show host that if he were elected governor, he would favor banning all abortions in the state  no exceptions for rape, incest, the health or life of the pregnant person. If I had all the power right now  lets say I was the governor and had a willing legislature  we could pass a bill saying you cant have an abortion in North Carolina for any reason, Robinson said. Before that, he called abortion murder, a moral evil, like slavery, and asserted that once a woman is pregnant its not [her] body anymore.

But that seems to have changed in May, when the General Assembly muscled through a bill that bans medication abortions at 10 weeks gestation, and surgical abortions at 12. The bill requires patients to attend three in-person doctors appointments, and offers only limited exceptions past 12 weeks. The legislation, details of which were hashed out behind closed doors and only made public 24 hours before it was first put to a vote, went into effect July 1.

Voters arent happy about it. According to a poll from Elon University, 45 percent of North Carolina voters either oppose or strongly oppose the new ban; only a scant 23 percent of voters support or strongly support it.

It was around the time of that bills passage that Robinson first developed an aversion to talking about abortion. Asked by a reporter about the legislation, which practically cut in half the amount of time women in the state have to seek abortion care, Robinson replied, Im tired of talking about abortion. I dont want to talk about it anymore.

And as a candidate for statewide office in deep purple North Carolina, its easy to see why he feels that way. A separate poll from February showed 60 percent of the states Republican voters support further restricting abortion  but Republicans are not the largest voting bloc in the state. Unaffiliated voters are, and an overwhelming majority of those voters support abortion access. According to Meredith Universitys survey, 59.3 percent of unaffiliated voters wanted to keep North Carolinas previous law, which banned abortion at 20 weeks, or expand access. A full 75 percent of Democrats  North Carolinas second-largest voting bloc  also supported keeping the law the way it was or expanding access.

Instead of talking about abortion, Robinson stuck to the classics on the campaign trail last week: denying climate change (There are four seasons, four times a year the climate changes  get used to it!), railing against drag shows at public libraries, and defending Donald Trump against the charges he hung on to so-called classified documents after leaving office. (Robinsons office did not respond to press inquiries from Rolling Stone.)

Robinson, of course, is not alone in his newfound reluctance to use the A-word. At least a half dozen Republican strategists working on 2024 races told Rolling Stone in April they are advising their candidates to talk as little about abortion as possible. Donald Trump, de facto leader of the party, has told confidants the GOP is getting killed on abortion, and warned his fellow Republicans that they risk losing big if they push too aggressively for further restrictions.

More from Rolling Stone

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Click here to read the full article.
NASHUA, N.H.  Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has a list of 10 different truths that form the backbone of his campaign stump speech. The first one: God is real.

Now, some voters are asking to hear more about that.

Ramaswamy is only the second prominent Hindu to run for president, after then-Rep. Tulsi Gabbard sought the Democratic nomination in 2020. As Ramaswamy, a first-time candidate, earns notice from a slice of Republican voters in early-voting states, they are quizzing him about the role his faith is going to play in his campaign  and what it means that his religion is different from that of the evangelical Christians who play an outsize role deciding Republican primaries.

A core part of Ramaswamys message is talking about God and religion. At a town hall in Nashua on Tuesday night, a voter asked him, How does your belief in your God inform policies that were originally informed by the belief in, fear of and obedience to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?

Ramaswamy responded, Our country was founded on Judeo-Christian values, theres no doubt about it. It is a historical fact.

Ramaswamy told the audience that while he is not a Christian, he can lead the country because we share the same values, the same Judeo-Christian values in power. He added: Im not running to be a pastor-in-chief. Im running to be our commander-in-chief.

The base of the Republican Party is heavily Christian and heavily evangelical: Among self-identified Republicans nationally, 56% describe themselves as evangelical Christians, according to the most recent NBC News poll.

It is an especially key voting bloc in the first-in-the-nation caucus state of Iowa, where past GOP candidates like Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum and Ted Cruz carried evangelicals by double digits on their way to victory  even though other candidates bested them among the non-evangelical minority of Iowa Republican caucusgoers, according to NBC News exit polls.

Ramaswamy is averaging about 5% support in national polls of the Republican primary campaign, according to the FiveThirtyEight average. He is introducing himself to voters with a heavy travel schedule, but he is also running advertising already, having spent about $1.5 million so far, according to AdImpact.

Faith is a theme Ramaswamy often brings up at campaign stops. He believes the country is in middle of a national identity crisis, he frequently says, lamenting that faith, patriotism, hard work and family have disappeared, only to be replaced by new secular religions in this country  woke-ism and Covid-ism, among others.

In New Hampshire on Tuesday, Ramaswamy told voters they have a choice to make when they go vote.

Do you want somebody who lives by those values and shares those values and will govern according to those values even if I dont check the box of being a Christian in name? Or do you want somebody whos a Christian in name but may not, in any sense, live according to those values? he asked.

Earlier in the day, Ramaswamy made another pitch for evangelical Christian backing when he went to the Iowa State Capitol to show his support for the six-week abortion ban Republican legislators passed in a special session. NBC News asked Ramaswamy whether he sees his Hindu faith as a potential hindrance while campaigning in a deeply Christian state.

Im a person of faith. Evangelical Christians across the state are also people of faith, he said. We found commonality in our need to defend religious liberty, to stand for faith and patriotism and stand unapologetically for the fact that we are one nation under God.

David Henry, a radio host who attended a Ramaswamy campaign event in Ottumwa, Iowa, on Monday, is still deciding whom to caucus for. The fact that Ramaswamy is religious is important to him, but Henry said he does not care as much about which religion Ramaswamy practices.

Personal faith is personal faith, Henry said. The fact that you can have faith in something more powerful than you speaks volumes.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Lava emerges from a fissure of the Fagradalsfjall volcano near the Litli-Hrutur mountain, some 19 miles southwest of Reykjavik, Iceland, on Monday, July 10, 2023. Authorities in Iceland on Tuesday warned spectators to stay away from a newly erupting volcano that is spewing lava and noxious gases from a fissure in the countrys southwest. | Marco Di Marco, Associated Press

While Iceland is known for its iconic volcanic landscapes, one volcano in particular is starting to worry authorities in the Scandinavian country. They warned tourists to stay away from a volcano that started erupting again recently in the southwest of the country.

The police, after counsel from scientists, have decided to restrict access to the eruption site due to enormous and life-threatening toxic gas pollution, the department of civil protection and emergency management told NBC News.

Thousands of earthquakes in the region in recent weeks warned of geological activity, and the Fagradalsfjall volcano started erupting Monday afternoon, spewing lava and toxic gas. The area is uninhabited, but is only about 19 miles from Reykjavik, the countrys capital. It also erupted in 2021 and 2022, according to The Associated Press.

There was no immediate danger, but people are advised against entering the areas closer to the volcano. All hikes on the Reykjanes Peninsula were closed because of the massive gas pollution that is life-threatening, the peninsulas police chief told CNN.

Residents in the area have been told to close the windows and switch off ventilation when they can. Footage captured from the eruption demonstrates that the fissure has shortened a lot and that the lava flow has ceased, according to Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson, professor of geophsyics at the University of Iceland, per NBC News.

There are around 130 volcanoes in Iceland. This isnt the first time Mounta Fagradalsfjall has been a topic in the news. In 2021, tourists were spotted roasting marshmallows and hot dogs over the cooling slow-moving lava flows, EuroNews reported in 2021.
General Sergei Surovikin, Deputy Commander of the Russian occupation army in Ukraine, has not yet appeared in public after the Wagner PMC mutiny

General Sergei Surovikin, the deputy commander of Russian forces in Ukraine, is under arrest on suspicion of involvement with the June 24 Wagner mutiny, Russian newspaper Verstka reported on July 12, citing sources in Russian law enforcement.

One source told the publication that Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained Surovikin on suspicion of supporting the mutineers, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, but no formal charges have yet been leveled against him.

Read also: Russian General Surovikin reportedly released after interrogation

Another informant told Verstka that Surovikin has been held in isolation for over two weeks, without any contact with his family.

Human rights lawyer Yevgeny Smirnov explained that Russian security forces can use numerous strategies to keep a suspect in detention without formally charging them.

Read also: Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin suffering from abdominal cancer, says Russian media

Days following the short-lived Prigozhin mutiny, The New York Times reported that Surovikin may have been aware of Wagners plans and could have even supported the mutineers. The Moscow Times confirmed Surovikin's arrest on June 28.

On June 29, the Financial Times corroborated the report, saying that Surovikin has been detained and questioned by the FSB.

Read also: Russian general Surovikin detained and interrogated  report

On July 12, UK Defense Intelligence highlighted additional evidence suggesting Surovikin's isolation, specifically his absence from a meeting with Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, and his deputy, Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces, General Viktor Afzalov.

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
Walmart has ended a promotion for discounted Walmart+ memberships after some customers bought them by mistake. Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Walmart has pulled a promotion for Walmart+ memberships from its self-checkout screens.

The company has been pushing discounted memberships during its Walmart Plus Week event.

The retailer said "some customer confusion with this process" led to accidental purchases.

Walmart has abruptly pulled a promotion for its Walmart+ membership program after some shoppers accidentally purchased memberships at self-checkout.

"We are aware of some customer confusion with this process which is leading us to remove the prompt," Walmart told Insider in response to questions about the matter. "Any customers who inadvertently took advantage of this offer at a self-checkout and have not activated it can get a full refund with proof of purchase."

Earlier reports on social media indicated that some shoppers were surprised to see the $49 discounted membership on their receipts and were seeking refunds.

The membership offer was part of Walmart Plus Week, the retailer's answer to Amazon's Prime Day. Walmart Plus Week is about not just sales but driving new members to sign up for the service, which normally costs $98 a year.

Walmart+ offers members perks, including free shipping with no order minimums and a Paramount+ subscription.

Amazon recently came under FTC scrutiny after it was accused of making it overly easy to join Prime and excessively difficult to cancel. Its Prime Day event, which ran on July 11 and 12, brings in billions of dollars of sales to the e-commerce juggernaut and drives new signups for the membership service.

A self-checkout kiosk at a Wisconsin Walmart displays a screen prompting customers to add a membership to their cart. Dominick Reuter/Insider

Walmart stores had originally pushed the membership promotion to customers at self-checkout kiosks  offering an easy way to access the program at the click of a button, with no requirement to fill in any additional information at checkout.

According to an internal Walmart memo obtained by Insider, customers would receive an activation code on their receipt that they could then use to activate their membership online. The memo encouraged stores to garner signups through a competition that would give a prize to the locations with the most new members.

A push to grow Walmart+

Walmart has pushed to grow its Walmart+ membership base for some time now. In August 2022, the company began offering free Walmart+ memberships to store associates that, while voluntary, made some employees feel pressured into signing up for the service.

A Walmart employee in Texas told Insider that an older customer who didn't speak much English came to them earlier this week because they received less change than expected through the self-checkout. After reviewing their receipt, the employee realized that the customer had accidentally signed up for a Walmart+ membership for $49 when prompted by the self-checkout machine without realizing what they were signing up and paying for.

The employee requested anonymity because they were concerned about repercussions from Walmart and because they weren't authorized to speak with the media. Insider has verified their identity.

The employee posted their experience on Reddit. It has received 1,600 upvotes since it was uploaded, with other users recounting similar experiences at their stores.

"It seemed to me that this was designed that way to make it super easy to accidentally or unknowingly add a subscription to your cart," the employee said. "There must be people out there somewhere who are accidentally paying for this Walmart Plus subscription, going home and not even realizing that they're out of $50, and they don't even know that they have a subscription."

Two other Walmart employees, whose identities have been verified by Insider, said that they had concerns over the prompt being available only in English  which could prompt confusion among customers who don't read English fluently.

Walmart is providing refunds for accidental purchases

The promotions on self-checkout registers were originally scheduled to end when stores closed on July 13.

Customers who wish to receive a refund can do so at a Walmart store or online.

Insider visited a Walmart in Wisconsin and bought a $2.28 Snickers bar at self-checkout. Upon pressing the Pay button, a prompt appeared on the screen offering a $49 Walmart+ membership with the options "Not interested" and "Add membership to cart."

Selecting the latter option brought the subtotal to $51.28, plus tax, and activated the credit-card terminal where the transaction was completed. Another prompt appeared, indicating that a code on the receipt would be needed to activate the account online.

Insider then took the receipt directly to the customer service desk, where a full refund for the $49 charge was processed in about two minutes.

Are you a Walmart employee or a shopper with a story to share? Contact Yeji Lee via email.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By James Pomfret and Jessie Pang

(Reuters) -For Anna Kwok, a Washington-based Hong Kong activist, the imposition of a Hong Kong police bounty for her arrest has underscored the urgency of her bid for political asylum at a time of growing tensions between the United States and China.

The Hong Kong native, who left the territory in early 2020, is part of a small band of overseas activists speaking out on human rights violations in the global financial hub in the aftermath of a China-imposed national security law.

Last week, Hong Kong police sought to ramp up pressure on Kwok and seven other overseas-based activists - including those now residing in Australia, Britain and the U.S. - issuing arrest warrants for alleged national security violations and offering bounties of HK$1 million ($127,656) for each arrest.

"It's something that I'm still digesting mentally within me," the 26-year-old Kwok said in a telephone call from her apartment in Washington. "They are, you know, giving me more reason to fight on ... "

She said she would continue lobbying Congress members and other U.S. officials on Hong Kong issues despite fears for her personal safety given the sizeable bounty on her head. She recently raised those concerns in meetings with U.S. authorities.

"We are looking for ways to ensure that I can be safe in the U.S. and I'm also continuing to speak to other civil society partners who do have resources and experience in dealing and protecting dissidents from dictatorship regimes," she said.

ASYLUM UNCERTAINTY

Kwok said the warrants confirmed what she has long suspected - that returning home would be impossible since it would lead to almost certain arrest. The last time she saw her family was over three years ago.

Kwok's bid for political asylum in the United States remains in limbo, however, one year after applying.

"There's a piece of anxiety that you don't know what may happen and the slim chance that they reject my application," added Kwok, who is currently covered by Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) status that provides her with a temporary safe haven in the U.S.

Over the past few years, Kwok acknowledges that she has sometimes battled depression as friends back home were jailed, and as Hong Kong fell out of the global spotlight. To ease the pressure of working long hours and most weekends, she occasionally does yoga or plays video games.

"With on-the-ground movements in Hong Kong disappearing or silenced, it's really up to us to narrate the story of Hong Kong," said Kwok. "Hong Kong is not just about human rights abuses, Hong Kong is also about authoritarian expansion waged by the Chinese government."

Hong Kong was once considered a bastion of freedoms on China's doorstep, enjoying a separate and independent judicial system from China under a "one country, two systems" arrangement when it returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

Since the 2020 imposition of the national security law, most of the democratic opposition has been jailed or exiled. An electoral overhaul has also effectively barred democracy proponents from legislative and district elections.

Hong Kong authorities say the security law has brought stability, and that the eight "absconders" including Kwok, by asking foreign powers to impose sanctions on Hong Kong amongst other activities, continue to endanger national security.

Besides lobbying work, and building alliances with activists, NGOs and the overseas Hong Kong diaspora in the U.S. capital, Kwok's group, The Hong Kong Democracy Council, also conducts research including a database on over 1,500 "political prisoners" in Hong Kong.

A recent report also detailed the political and lobbying activities of the Hong Kong government, including through its U.S.-based trade offices, to advance China's interests at a time of growing geopolitical tensions between the two superpowers.

"I do see myself staying here for the foreseeable future," Kwok said from her Washington apartment.

"It's going to be a contest between D.C. and Beijing. And I do hope that we can help to make D.C. really the trendsetter, or the one dominating the dance with China."

(Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Jonathan Oatis)
The waters bordering Florida are running abnormally hot, alarming climate scientists about the potential for damaging ripple effects on the marine environment  from coral reef bleaching to coastal fish kills and algae blooms.

Now-viral maps from the University of Miami show record highs for this time of year just about everywhere off the coast  including the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, Biscayne Bay and Florida Bay.

Welcome to our new reality, said Todd Crowl, director of Florida International Universitys Institute of Environment. Temperature is one thing we cant control in the short term.

Waters off the states southeastern coast are running about three and a half degrees higher than normal in Fahrenheit, with waters in the Florida Keys up a stunning seven degrees above average. Thats significant historically and hot enough that even people not in the business of monitoring marine temperatures are beginning to notice, with some visitors commenting about unpleasantly warm swims on social media.

Projections from the University of Miami show how much higher current sea temperature numbers are when compared to previous years. The Atlantic Ocean near Floridas southeastern tip is running three and a half degrees higher than normal in Fahrenheit, with waters in the Florida Keys up to seven degrees above average.

But the potential impacts are far more wide-reaching  soaring numbers can have dire consequences for state waterways battling algae blooms, coral bleaching and fish kills. It also may add powerful fuel to tropical systems that pass through coastal waters during hurricane season.

Climate change is already driving up air temperatures in Florida, triggering a string of extreme heat advisories in South Florida over the last month, raising public health concerns and driving up cooling costs for residents and businesses. Scientists are wary the rising water temperatures also may have wide impacts. Temperatures are now pointing attention to fish that may soon be starved for oxygen in steaming water and what could become sheets of pale white coral in the Keys.

READ MORE: Ocean and pool in Florida in bathtub conditions. Is it safe to swim? What experts say

Fish kills could become more possible

In 2020, Crowl and his colleagues watched as Biscayne Bay, a shallow, once-rich lagoon that borders much of Miami-Dade, turned into a marine graveyard. It became the worst fish kill the bay has seen on record.

Hotter water raises the threat of a repeat disaster sometime in later in what is already a record hot summer. Combined with nutrient pollution and stormwater that pours into canal systems like the Little River, the super-hot waters can frequently trigger algae blooms that suck up oxygen needed to sustain seagrass, crabs and fish.

FIU is sending out scientists to see if the bays fish are making use of thermal refuges, which are small pockets of cooler water found in deeper areas, Crowl said.

While the heat isnt past a point where it would spur a mass fish kill by itself, he said theres an increased likelihood of die-offs when heat is mixed with runoff from storms.

A fish kill on Biscayne Bay in August 2020 helped propel new fertilizer restrictions that Miami-Dade County commissioners passed on April 20, 2021. The rules will ban most applications of fertilizer during the rainy season in Miami-Dade, between mid-May and October. Farms, nurseries and golf courses are exempt from the rules.

If we were to get a big thunderstorm or rainfall event, which would then wash all those nutrients into the canal system and into the bay, thats a recipe for disaster, Crowl said. Were just keeping our fingers crossed.

Pamela Sweeney, senior water scientist at Miami-Dade Countys Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources, said the latest sea surface temperature charts are concerning, and that leaders are looking at them, too.

Heat can bring about conditions that would cause a fish kill. But the countys findings since the Biscayne Bays Task Force released 61 recommendations in 2020 have shown theres no one combination of factors that will automatically trigger one.

Its not really any one thing, Sweeney said. That makes it tricky as scientists to try to pinpoint it, and to therefore try to predict and prevent it. But we are getting better at it.

Floridas algae-prone future

Over the past few years, much of the central part of the state has been plagued with toxic blue-green algae and red tide. Extreme heat encourages its growth, according to the Environment Protection Agency.

Near-shore waters in Miami-Dade and Broward have largely escaped impacts from both. Red tide has crept into the coastal waters of Everglades National Park on the Southwest coast and popped up in the Florida Keys  but has not produced the devastating fish kills that have hit the state from Naples north to the Tampa Bay area.

The rising temperatures also threaten another important water body  Lake Okeechobee, Floridas largest lake.

Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades, said nearly 440 square miles of the lake has been hit by an algae bloom as of Tuesday. That accounts for about 60% of it.

Algae on Lake Okeechobees east shore surrounds boats in a harbor, July 11, 2018. Toxic algae blossoms on Lake Okeechobee helped convince Republican leaders to plan billions in state and federal projects tied to water storage and management in and around the Everglades.

As the temperature rises, organisms will be out-competed by organisms that love warm temperatures, she said. And blue green algae in particular love warm soup.

It wasnt immediately clear if Lake Os water were also at record highs. But the groups scientists agree its reasonable to assume the lake is heating up just as much as the ocean. And because water levels currently sit at 15 feet, Samples said the Army Corps of Engineers has warned it could open dams and have it spill out into the ocean if it gets much higher  pushing more of that blue-green algae down rivers to both coasts.

High water and more blooms on Lake Okeechobee spark worries about future algae woes

Were on pins and needles at this moment, she said. And these incredibly alarming sea surface temperatures and heat in general across Florida are making this matter much more dire.

Possible hurricane impacts

The boiling waters could create some impacts on land as well  helping fire up tropical storms and hurricanes.

Despite El Nino  the global weather pattern emerging this summer that is normally linked to fewer Atlantic hurricanes  some forecasters are still calling for an active storm season. Thats a prediction largely due to the hot Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

The main development region of the Atlantic Ocean, so named because its the birthplace of most tropical storms and hurricanes, has seen record-breaking high temperatures this summer.

Satellite data show the tropical Atlantic ocean is almost three degrees Celsius hotter than normal, which could spark an active and early hurricane season.

Hot water acts like fuel for a storm, allowing it to strengthen and organize. And although a strong El Nino could whip up enough storm-shredding wind shear to block those future storms from coming near the Caribbean and east coast, its not foolproof protection.

We know that patterns often have breaks, and when theres a break in the pattern theres inevitably going to be a storm that breaks through, said Jeff Berardelli, chief meteorologist for WFLA in Tampa Bay. If you get a storm that breaks through, youre really going to be worried about rapid intensification.

The Atlantic is definitely on fire: Unusually hot ocean sparks up early hurricane season

The increasingly hot Atlantic so worried meteorologists that Colorado State University recently upgraded its mid-season forecast to call for more storms and an above-average season.

Vulnerable coral reefs are victims of heat stress

And, if theres a canary in the coal mines for Floridas hot oceans, its the coral reefs that fringe the southeast coast and the Florida Keys.

When the ocean gets too warm, corals do something called bleaching, where they expel the algae living inside them, leaving bone-white skeletons that are weaker, sicker and close to death.

Last week, Joe Unsworth, a research associate at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, spotted an unusual  and depressing  sight. One of the elkhorn corals in the offshore nursery he helps tend was looking paler than usual, the warm orange-brown color more muted than its compatriots.

Its not something we usually see in a normal year, if there is a normal year happening anymore, Unsworth said. In a normal year, we see that start to happen around August.

Elkhorn corals on the second branch of the tree in the University of Miamis coral nursery off the coast of Key Biscayne show signs of paling, a precursor to coral bleaching, likely due to the record-high temperatures of Floridas coastal water.

The paling coral is likely a sign that bleaching is imminent, a consensus the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations official coral reef watch echoes. The satellite-based mapping and prediction service calls for a 90% chance of coral bleaching occurring in the Caribbean in the next four months, with the biggest damage near Florida likely in August and September.

For corals, one or two hot days arent enough to cause damage. But high heat that holds steady for weeks on end? Thats a problem.

Scientists want to rescue reefs and protect Miami with tougher breeds of staghorn coral

Hot water for a month straight puts corals on NOAAs alert level one, which indicates significant bleaching is likely. At eight weeks, it hits level two, which means severe bleaching and significant mortality is likely.

NOAAs predictions for next week have the Florida Keys and Florida Bay at alert level one, a sign that coral bleaching could start damaging the reef tract. That has Unsworth nervous about the fate of his nursery, one of multiple academic and privately operated coral-growing nurseries across Florida.

Its tough, he said. Youre not going to be able to put a bunch of ice packs around the nursery and see if it cools off.

NOAA projections show how much higher sea surface temperatures off Florida currently are, with some reaching 3 degrees Celsius, or about 5.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, Unsworth said his team is considering employing a strategy others across Florida use  lowering the metal trees that hold the growing coral fragments into a deeper, and cooler, level of the ocean.

There are other groups in Florida that do this every year, but weve never had the need to do it, he said. Were most likely going to do that in the next few weeks.

Is there any hope of relief?

In the longer term, the only other natural fix would be if a tropical storm or hurricane came through and churned up the water, cooling it down. Strong storms can hit the reset button for corals, giving them a few more weeks of reprieve before temperatures climb again.

But Berardelli, the meteorologist, said the global models dont seem to be in the corals favor.

Were already in unprecedented territory in the Florida Keys, and if we dont get a change in the pattern in the next two weeks, were in trouble, he said. I dont see anything at least for the next week and a half, two weeks to make me believe the pattern across Florida is going to change.

July 4th broke world heat record. So far, its Miamis hottest year and a sign of the future

Rachel Silverstein, Miami Waterkeepers executive director, said its important to make all of Floridas ecosystems  coral reefs included  more resilient in the face of global warming.

And that responsibility is a shared one, she said, as the county and Miami Waterkeeper offer ways to report pollution and fish kills, namely through its website or the Bay Watch initiative.

When ecosystems are pushed to the brink, additional stress like high temperatures push them over the edge, Silverstein said. We have to eliminate pollution, or at least reduce it significantly.
The Waukesha teacher who criticized the school districts Rainbowland ban has been fired

The Waukesha School Board has fired a Waukesha teacher who has publicly criticized the Waukesha School District's decision to ban the song "Rainbowland" from an elementary school concert.

Board members voted 9-0 to fire Melissa Tempel after a hearing at the district's Blair Administration Building on Wednesday. The hearing lasted almost four hours and was held mostly in open session at Tempel's request. After the hearing in open session, board members deliberated for over an hour and a half in closed session before returning to open session to vote.

Waukesha School Board member Diane Voit, right, gets a hug from former Heyer Elementary School teacher Melissa Tempel, after the board voted to terminate Tempel's contract on July 12. Tempel was put on administrative leave earlier in the year, after criticizing the Waukesha School District for banning the song "Rainbowland" from a spring concert at Heyer Elementary.

The hearing came almost two months after Waukesha School District superintendent James Sebert recommended Tempel be fired for a tweet criticizing the district's decision to ban the Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton song, saying it violated district policy. At the time, Tempel was working as a first-grade dual-language teacher at Heyer Elementary School.

After the hearing, Tempel's attorney, Summer Murshid, told media she and Tempel were disappointed in the decision.

"This is not a case about culture wars or rainbows. It's a case about constitutional rights, and Miss Tempel has them like every other person in this country. I think we are moving forward with next steps and Miss Tempel looks forward to vindicating her rights in federal court," Murshid said.

Murshid did not give a timeline for when a lawsuit would be filed, saying a press release would be issued at that time.

Tempel thanked those who supported her.

"I also wanted to just say hi to my students since I wasn't able to talk with them since March, and I really miss you guys and love you and wanted to be there with you this year. I hope that we get to see each other really soon," Tempel said.

Mark Kapocius, the attorney who oversaw the hearing, told a reporter the board would likely have a statement Thursday morning about its decision.

A group of parents hold a silent rally at the Waukesha School District building before the school board's July 12 meeting. The rally was a show of support for Heyer Elementary School teacher Melissa Tempel, who was put on administrative leave after criticizing the Waukesha School District for banning the song "Rainbowland" from a spring concert.

Residents rally ... and counter rally

Before the hearing, the parent group Alliance for Education in Waukesha held a silent rally outside the district's Blair Administration Building in support of Tempel. A smaller counter rally at the same time and place supported the school district.

One of the attendees, David Dringenberg, a member of the alliance, said the conversation is about First Amendment rights.

"We feel like Superintendent Sebert's recommendation for her to be fired, for her to be terminated. goes against her First Amendment rights as an employee of a public school district. We're wearing black reminding folks that there's an attempt to silence teachers and we've seen it in other avenues. Whether it's what they can wear in the classroom, pins that they can put on their lanyards, things like that. We've seen those First Amendment rights under assault before, but this is where the rubber meets the road," Drigenberg said.

Sarah Schindler, whose child was a student in Tempel's class, also showed up at the silent rally in support of Tempel.

"She has a right to her free speech. She's a citizen of this country just like everybody else, and it shows that people support that," Schindler said.

One of those at the counter rally, Marcus Schroeder of Waukesha, was there to support the school board and district.

"The fact that they're willing to take a stand and be like 'OK, if one of our teachers is not going to be in line with the way that we are running our school district and she's going to be promoting the LGBTQ agenda in her classroom and things like that, them taking a stand against that is encouraging because most school districts won't take a stand against that," he said. "I want to show that if there's a school board willing to take a stand on these issues, that I'm here to support them as well, because there's not very many of them left."

Lydia Hudson, who lives in Waukesha County and said she has friends in the Waukesha School District, was also part of the counter rally.

"Ultimately, I think teachers should stick to curriculum and not try to add on extra agenda that is in their own personal adult world," Hudson said.

Dr. James Sebert, Superintendent of Schools in the Waukesha School District, testifies during a Waukesha School Board hearing Wednesday, July 12 to determine the fate of teacher Melissa Tempel. Sebert recommended Tempel be fired for a tweet criticizing the district's decision to ban the Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton song, Rainbowland.

Tempel's actions caused 'substantial disruption and safety concerns,' district officials said

The hearing resembled a court trial, with opening statements, an opportunity to present evidence and testimony, cross examination, redirects and closing statements.

The district's attorney, Christina Katt, said the case was "about an employee's decision to substitute her own opinion over the judgment of the district administration and the resulting consequences." Katt said Tempel disagreed with a decision her supervisor, Heyer Elementary School principal Mark Schneider, made about what song should be sung at a first-grade spring concert.

"Rather than speak with Mark Schneider directly, Ms. Tempel took to a widespread media campaign challenging the district's motives, misrepresenting the facts of her lying motivations to further her own interests rather than those of her students," Katt said in her opening statement.

Tempel's actions caused "substantial disruption and safety concerns," Katt said, which necessitated an increased security presence at Heyer Elementary and diverting district resources to respond to media inquiries. She said the school received "hundreds of emails, calls, voicemails, many of which contained vulgar, obscene and threatening language."

"This continued to build during the week of the school's spring break. Mr. Schneider will tell you he was concerned for the safety of the students and staff at the school, and he worked with Sebert and then Waukesha School District deputy superintendent Joe Koch to have an increased police presence at the school," Katt said.

Katt said Tempel's conduct required her to be fired.

"She has demonstrated a propensity to substitute her opinion over the judgment of the administration and is not willing to work within the policies adopted by the board, which resulted in substantial disruption to the district," Katt said.

The district called three witnesses: Schneider, Waukesha School District Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Sharon Thiede and Sebert.

Schneider said at Wednesday's hearing that after the music teacher asked whether it was OK to include 'Rainbowland' in the concert, he consulted with district director of elementary learning Melissa Yow. After a discussion, they agreed there were better song options. He also said he did not ban or veto "Rainbowland," but told the music teacher to make a different choice.

He told the music teacher that his concern with the song by Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton stemmed from Cyrus, who he said has previously promoted content inappropriate for young children. Schneider approved the song "Rainbow Connection," a sing-along from Kermit the Frog. He noted that rainbows were "not at all" a concern.

"If the students are Googling or researching one of the artists, some inappropriate images or videos could appear. I just felt there were better options for a first-grade concert," Schneider said, referring to Cyrus.

Schneider said staff members shared Tempel's post with him the day after she posted, and he also saw it in a Facebook group. He said he was "taken aback" by Tempel's tweet and said Tempel never reached out to him about her concerns.

Thiede agreed with Schneider that Tempel's actions undermined district interests because of the subsequent safety issues.

Sebert said during his testimony that Tempel failed to follow district policy of consulting with her supervisor and then going up the chain of command by instead posting her concerns to social media.

"Our job as a school district, as a board and an administration is to educate children. In order to do that, we have policies and procedures ... When employees choose to go around those policies or deliberately violate those policies, it places an incredible undue burden on the School District of Waukesha," Sebert said.

"In this particular instance, Ms. Tempel deliberately brought negative attention to the school district because she disagreed with a decision as opposed to following protocol and procedure, and I believe that behavior is intolerable," Sebert said. "As I've stated earlier, I believe the only recommendation that I could make to you today is to terminate her employment."

Attorney argues Melissa Tempel has First Amendment rights

Murshid argued in her opening statement that Tempel's use of social media was done on her personal time on her personal account outside of work, saying that the district does not pay Tempel to tweet or use social media. Murshid also said social media use is not within a first grade teacher's duties, saying that first grade students don't have social media.

"Specifically, the evidence is going to support our position that the tweets, the interviews and public commentary on the issues in this case represent Ms. Tempel's protected, off-duty speech as a public citizen on a matter of public concern," Murshid said.

Murshid also asked the board to not fire Tempel.

"If you follow that recommendation, you will be violating Ms. Tempel's First Amendment rights, and that would be a violation of the policy that this district has in place," Murshid said.

Tempel said at the hearing that her social media posts were never made while she was working.

"I thought that the fact that the tweet that I made, that 'Rainbowland' wasn't going to be allowed was something that the public would be really concerned about and that they were interested in knowing about it," Tempel said.

Tempel denied intending to express anything other than her personal viewpoint. When asked why she tagged the Waukesha School District in her tweet, Tempel said she wanted to let people know where it was happening.

"There was a lot of things happening in the district and a lot of policy changes that had been in the news, and I knew that the Alliance (for Education in Waukesha), parents and other media and stuff that they had been trying to ask questions about why those things were happening," Tempel said.

More: Waukesha Schools' 'Rainbowland' controversy started over this 2017 policy. Here's what it says.

More: What led up to the Waukesha School Board's decision to fire teacher Melissa Tempel

Drake Bentley contributed to this report.

Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Waukesha teacher who criticized 'Rainbowland' ban has been fired
LITHUANIA-NATO-DEFENCE-DIPLOMACY

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is applauded by Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and U.S. President Joe Biden as he is introduced at a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council during the NATO Summit in Vilnius on July 12, 2023. Credit - Odd AndersenAFP/Getty Images

Over the course of NATOs annual summit, Volodmyr Zelenskys disappointment has been palpable. The Ukrainian leader arrived at the two-day gathering in Vilnius, Lithuania, this week in the hopes (far-fetched though they might have been) that the military alliance might finally put forward a timelineif not a formal invitationfor Ukrainian membership.

Instead, Zelensky was met with warm words from allies, who expressed their view that while Ukraines future is in NATO, it is not yet ready for accessionat least not as long as the war is underway. As a consolation, Kyiv has been offered an eventual invitation (when Allies agree and conditions are met, that is), a beefed-up political partnership in the form of a new NATO-Ukraine Council, and the easing of certain reform requirements aimed at simplifying Ukraines path toward membership.

We understand that some are afraid of talking about our membership now because nobody is willing to have a world war, which is logical, Zelensky told the press on Wednesday alongside NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. He added that while a direct invitation to join the alliance would have been optimum, the signals of support for Kyivs eventual place in NATO are nonetheless important. The Ukrainian leader had struck a much less conciliatory tone only the day before, when in a tweet he said that he had faith in NATO but not confidence in the defense alliance.

But Ukraine will hardly be leaving the summit empty-handed. Over the course of the summit, Kyivs NATO allies have announced a series of new commitments to Kyiv, from new military packages to other long-term security commitments.

Below, everything you need to know about what Ukraine has secured from its allies.

Longer range missiles

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Tuesday that Paris will begin supplying Ukraine with an unspecified number of long-range cruise missiles. These SCALP, or Storm Shadow, missiles have an approximate range of 155 miles, making them the longest of any Western weapon supplied to Kyiv so far, according to Le Monde. The Storm Shadow missiles would make Kyiv capable of reaching targets well behind the front lines of the war, including deeper into parts of the countrys Russian-occupied eastern regions.

Macron confirmed in his remarks that these missiles would only be used by Kyiv in a defensive capacity within its own sovereign territory. The Kremlin issued an unsurprising rebuke on Macrons announcement, calling the move an erroneous decision that would be met with countermeasures.

The French decision comes two months after Britain announced that it would begin supplying Kyiv with Storm Shadow missiles.

Tanks, combat vehicles, and drones, plus anti-drone and anti-mine systems

On Tuesday, the British government pledged that it would also be providing its own package of weapons, including more than 70 combat and logistic vehicles, thousands of rounds of Challenger 2 tank ammunition, and a new 50 million ($64.5 million) support package for equipment repair. In addition to the weapons package, Britain will also launch a new medical rehabilitation center to support the recovery of Ukrainian soldiers injured in combat, which will be funded through NATOs Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine and supported by specialists from across the alliance.

Germany announced its own 700 million ($770 million) package for Ukraine, including dozens of battle tanks, anti-drone and anti-mine systems, as well as 20,000 rounds of artillery ammunition. Norway, meanwhile, announced an additional 2.5 billion kroner ($240 million) aid package to Ukraine, including ultra-light drones and components for air defense missile systems.

Fighter jet training for Ukrainian soldiers

Eleven NATO countriesled by Denmark and the Netherlands, and including Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and Britainhave now committed to training Ukrainian pilots to fly American F-16 fighter jets, which Stoltenberg said could begin as early as this summer. This comes months after Zelensky began appealing to the U.S. and others to supply Ukraine with modern fighter jetscalls that were largely rebuffed until May, when the Biden Administration announced that it would allow its allies to send the jets to Kyiv and backed an international plan to train Ukrainian pilots on how to operate them. The Economist reports that the first batch of F-16s could arrive in Ukraine as early as late September.

Whether Kyiv ultimately gets F-16s will ultimately depend on the U.S., since Washington must approve all re-exports of the American-made jet. The news of this training was previewed in May, when the Biden administration announced that it would back an international plan to train Ukrainian pilots on how to operate the jets.

A new, long-term security framework

The U.K. and its fellow G7 members are expected to ratify a wide-ranging security pact on Wednesday, which will include defense equipment, increased and accelerated intelligence sharing, and further training programs and military exercises.

As Ukraine makes strategic progress in their counteroffensive, and the degradation of Russian forces begins to infect Putins front line, we are stepping up our formal arrangements to protect Ukraine for the long term, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said of the new framework, details of which are expected to be announced later today.

Ivo Daalder, the former U.S. ambassador to NATO, tells TIME that these kinds of long-term commitments provides Ukraine with a guaranteed pipeline of critical military support: weapons, ammunition, training, intelligence.

 ARMANI SYED CONTRIBUTED REPORTING
The Rho Opiuchi cloud complex, a star-forming region located 390 light years from Earth Credit - NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Klaus Pontoppidan (STScI)

It was one year ago yesterday that the $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope25 years in developmentproved it was worth all the time and treasure, when NASA released the observatorys first clutch of eye-popping images. The picturesof a distant galactic cluster, a relatively nearby star-forming nebula, a quintet of dusty galaxies, and morewere unveiled with much fanfare at a White House event attended by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Yesterday, to mark the anniversary of that big reveal, Webb scientists scored again, releasing another bit of eye candy imagerythis time of a star-forming region known as the Rho Opiuchi cloud complex. The formation, located just 390 light years from Earth, makes an especially good subject for study, since its relative arms-length distance means there are no foreground stars to obscure the image.

On its first anniversary, the James Webb Telescope has already delivered upon its promise to unfold the universe, gifting humanity with a breathtaking treasure trove of images and science that will last for decades, said Nicola Fox, associate administrator of NASAs Mission Science Directorate, in a statement that accompanied the release of this weeks image.

The new picture, while stunning, does take some scientific unpacking. As NASA explains, Rho Opiuchi contains about 50 young stars, nearly all of them roughly the size of our sun. The colors in the image vary from a milky white to a dark brown to a deep red. The brown regions are where the dust is the thickestand the greatest number of young protostars are forming. The red region, which forms a curtain-like structure on the right hand side of the picture, represents huge jets of molecular hydrogen, which occur when a newly birthed star emerges from its dust womb and reveals itself to the universe. One star, known as S1, situated at the center of the image, has gravitationally cleared the dust clouds around it and is the only star in Rho Opiuchi that is more massive than the sun.

Our own sun experienced a phase like this not long ago, said Webb project scientist Klaus Pontoppidan, in the statement. Now we have the opportunity to see another stars story.

The Rho Opiuchi image was released one day after another Webb triumph: the discovery of the most distant black hole ever confirmed. Located at the center of a remote galaxy known as CEERS 1019, the black hole dates back to just 570 million years after the Big Bang, which occurred 13.8 billion years ago. Webb scientists believe they may have already detected other, even older black holes, but those observations still await further analysis before they can be confirmed. The newly confirmed black hole is a relatively small onejust nine million times the mass of our sun, compared to supermassive black holes, which can weigh in at 60 billion times the suns mass.

Webb is not resting after its two-win week. Over the past twelve months, more than 1,000 research proposals have been submitted by astronomers from around the world, requesting access to the telescope to conduct investigations of promising regions of space. The Webb team can grant only about a fifth of these requests and the time the lucky 200 get on the telescope is limited. Thats the way its been for Webbs first year of life, and thats the way its likely to be for the twenty or so more its thought to have ahead of it. Rho Opiuchi, though a dazzler, will be one of only an untold number of Webb discoveries yet to come.
Cleanup efforts are underway in the Northeast after flash floods hit New Yorks Hudson Valley, causing one death, and ravaged Vermont, causing catastrophic damage.

To learn what to do in the event of a flash flood watch or a warning, Yahoo News spoke with Gerry Dworkin, a consultant for aquatic safety and water rescue for Lifesaving Resources, a school that provides emergency training, and Stephanie Fox, national spokesperson for the American Red Cross, about what people should know and do in such an emergency situation. Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

What do the different flood advisories mean?

Fox: Its really important for folks to know the differences between a watch, an advisory and a warning, because each is going to trigger different types of actions.

A watch traditionally means that the weather is incoming but not immediately. Its important to just be prepared and be aware of what kind of weather hazard is forthcoming.

An advisory means its probably going to occur but maybe not to the severity of a flood warning, but theres probably going to be some sort of nuisance flooding.

A warning means that the weather is imminent or its already happening, and you need to make sure that you are taking action in that moment and knowing what your action is long before that warning is actually issued.

What are some ways people can plan ahead of a flood?

Fox: You want to know what your risk area is. Do you live in an area that would typically see a high amount of water coming in, or is there maybe poor drainage in your area?

You want to stay in touch with local officials and your office of emergency management to see if any kind of evacuation order is going to be issued before this weather comes in. Certain areas that are predisposed to flooding will issue evacuation orders before that hazard arrives, knowing that once it does get there, its more of a rescue operation.

Youll want to make a plan and identify multiple ways out of your community as well as have an emergency kit, which should be able to sustain you if you are stuck in your home and not be able to go anywhere for at least two weeks.

Then youll want to have a kit that can sustain you for three days if you evacuate to a shelter, with things like food, water and creature comforts.

What are some things people should know once flooding has started?

Fox: Refer back to the plan of multiple ways out of your community, so if you do have one route that is blocked, you have other options and ways to get out.

Stay in lockstep with your office of emergency management and your local meteorologist as they talk through the current hazards and what to expect in the next several hours or days, as we kind of see flooding come and go.

And then ensure that youre leaving when you feel most comfortable doing so. You dont necessarily have to wait until an evacuation order is issued if you know you may be at risk in your community and you would feel more comfortable going to higher ground.

What should people know about flooded roadways?

Dworkin: First and foremost, we advocate to turn around, dont drown and dont attempt to drive around barriers.

If you see flooded roads, you have no idea what the integrity of the road is below the surface of the water, nor do you have any idea how fast the water is moving. It only takes 6 inches of water to take a person off their feet if theyre standing in the water, and it only takes a foot of water to float a vehicle off its wheels, and then the person has no control.

What should you do if you get swept away by floodwaters in your car?

Dworkin: If you end up in water and you need to get out of your vehicle, dont grab your phone. Dont waste any time trying to call 911, but rather what we advocate is to disengage your seat belt; open your window, because you may not be able to open your door due to the water pressure; disengage your seat belt; open your window; get children out; and get out of the vehicle as quickly as you can. The vehicle is only going to float for 30 seconds to several minutes, depending on the integrity of the vehicle seals [before the vehicle becomes submerged in water].

Cover thumbnail photo: John Tully/Washington Post via Getty Images
Austun Wilde rests with her two dogs, Bird Is The Wurd and Fenrir at a cooling center in the Oregon Convention Center on June 27, 2021 in Portland; Multnomah County is suing fossil fuel companies for damages caused by climate change (Nathan Howard)

Attorney Jeffrey B. Simon helped families affected by the opioid crisis obtain settlements worth more than $2.7 billion against leading pharmaceutical companies.

Now, he's part of a legal team taking on Big Oil over the 2021 Pacific Northwest Heat Dome disaster -- and says the era of fossil fuel companies evading responsibility for their role in the climate crisis is ending.

"We contend that they put out an enormous amount of disinformation so that their business activities and their wealth creation would not be interrupted," the Texan told AFP in an interview, after filing a $52 billion case on behalf of Oregon's Multnomah County.

"The defendants' old saw -- that this science is uncertain and unproven -- will fail," added the trial lawyer at Simon Greenstone Panatier PC.

These defendants include the world's biggest energy interests: ExxonMobil, Shell and Chevron to name a few, but also the American Petroleum Institute, and the consultancy firm McKinsey & Company.

Multnomah County, which encompasses the state's biggest city Portland, is seeking the sum for past and future damages, as well as for a fund to "climatize" its infrastructure in preparation for a future of frequent and intense heat waves, drought and wildfires.

Its suit, filed in late June, alleges it suffered 69 deaths, extensive property damage, and significant expenditure of taxpayer money as a result of the 2021 heat wave, which saw it sizzle in temperatures up to 116F (46.7C).

A peer-reviewed analysis by the World Weather Attribution group said the phenomenon would have been "virtually impossible" without human-caused climate change.

- Explosion of cases -

The case is the latest in a wave of litigation that began around 2017 in the United States, the world's biggest economy, responsible for the greatest share of accumulated global carbon emissions.

More than 40 cities, counties, and states across the US are suing fossil fuel interests over climate change impacts as well as campaigns of disinformation spanning decades, according to the Center for Climate Integrity, which tracks such cases.

"We're at a really important moment," Delta Merner, lead for the Science Hub for Climate Litigation at the Union of Concerned Scientists, told AFP.

The oil and gas industry has been fighting for years to keep these cases out of state courts, where she argues they belong because the harms of global warming differ from place to place.

Florida experiences more intense hurricanes, for example, while California has worsening wildfires.

Industry, on the other hand, has sought to characterize the cases as attempts to regulate emissions and policy, making them a federal matter.

These efforts at federalization received blows in April and May when the Supreme Court declined to hear appeals by oil companies against appearing in state courts, meaning the cases can now start to be heard on their merits.

These cases are distinct from a trial that concluded in Montana, where a group of young people say the western state violated their state constitutional rights to a clean and healthy environment.

They are not seeking damages, but rather a judgment declaring as unconstitutional regulations that allow state agencies to ignore climate impacts when making permitting decisions for fossil fuel development. That trial is now awaiting a verdict.

- Parallels with opioid settlements -

Beyond the jurisdictional debate, the fossil fuel industry and its advocates contend that their products are lawful and have helped grow the economy and raise standards of living.

Chevron's legal counsel Theodore J. Boutrous told AFP: "The federal Constitution bars these novel, baseless claims that target one industry and group of companies engaged in lawful activity that provides tremendous benefits to society."

Simon argued there's nothing novel about their legal arguments.

"In opioid litigation, we never contended that there was no appropriate medical use for prescription opioids -- it's oversupply," which he says is the same case for fossil fuel use.

Multnomah County's suit alleges the defendant companies' own internal documents showed they knew of the environmental harms of their products more than 50 years ago, but engaged in deception campaigns that prevented communities from making the best choices.

"This is much closer to an arson case than it is a climate change case," said the lawyer, who has spent his career doing public health work through the civil justice system and has an upcoming book, "Last Rights," on how the right to trial by jury is being erased.

On the plaintiffs' side are advances in attribution science, or modeling that helps disentangle the role of climate change from natural weather patterns and climate variability.

Michael Burger, executive director of Columbia Law School's Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, told AFP that he accepted that policymaking legislation is the best way to ultimately deal with the climate crisis.

But "clearly policymakers have failed to date to adequately address the problem," leaving communities to "take to the courts to seek justice, where others have failed them."

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Why Democrats will have to play defense to keep control of the Senate in 2024

The U.S. flag flies at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 6, 2023. | Mariam Zuhaib, Associated Press

Control of the U.S. Senate is up for grabs next year. The current split in the upper chamber is 48 Democrats to 49 Republicans, with three independent senators who typically vote with the Democrats and helped elevate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to his leadership role.

If Democrats want to maintain their narrow control of the Senate in 2024, they dont have much room for error.

But, while Republicans were playing defense in 2022, Democrats are on the defense in most of the competitive races next year. Theyll have to try to protect incumbent senators, or open seats, in several purple states.

Here are the eight Senate races expected to be the most competitive next year, according to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report:

Arizona

Since leaving the Democratic Party to become independent late last year, incumbent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema hasnt officially announced shes running for reelection, but if she does, it could trigger a potentially competitive three-way race. Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego has announced hes running, as has Republican Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb. The state is closely split between registered Democrats, independents and Republicans.

Michigan

Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow announced earlier this year that she wont seek reelection, giving the swing state an open contest. Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst whos won reelection in a district that voted for former President Donald Trump, is running for the seat and faces a potential primary challenge from actor Hill Harper, according to Politico. On the Republican side, potential candidates include former Reps. Mike Rogers and Peter Meijer, and New York Stock Exchange vice chair John Tuttle, according to Politico.

Montana

Democratic Sen. Jon Tester is one of his partys most vulnerable incumbents running next year in a deep red state. Republican Tim Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL and business owner, announced last week hell challenge Tester, and two other Republicans could also enter the race, the states two U.S. Reps., Matt Rosendale and Ryan Zinke.

Nevada

Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen is up for reelection for the first time since beating former Sen. Dean Heller in 2018. Former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt, who narrowly lost to Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto in last years U.S. Senate race in Nevada, said he wont run again next year, but Republican Sam Brown, a retired Army captain, is expected to announce his campaign as soon as next week, according to NBC News.

Ohio

Republicans held their U.S. Senate seat in Ohio last year after Sen. J.D. Vance defeated Democrat and former Rep. Tim Ryan, but if they want both of Ohios seats, theyll have to unseat incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown next year. First elected in 2006, Brown could face Matt Dolan, a Republican state senator who announced his campaign in June, businessman Bernie Moreno or potential candidate and secretary of state Frank La Rose, according to NBC News.

Pennsylvania

Republicans hoping to challenge Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., will need to raise a lot of money. Casey raised more than $4 million in the last quarter and has $6 million on hand, according to The Associated Press. Republican David McCormick, a former hedge fund CEO who lost last years Republican primary to Dr. Mehmet Oz, is reportedly considering another run.

West Virginia

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., is up for reelection next year and Republicans are lining up behind a few favored candidates to take him on. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is hoping for West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, a former Democrat who left the party to become a Republican in 2017, while the group Club for Growth is pushing for Rep. Alex Mooney, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, according to NBC News. Mooney announced hed run for the seat immediately following the 2022 midterms, while earlier this year, Justice said hed run as well. Manchin hasnt said whether hell seek another term, but he said hell make his decision by the end of the year.

Wisconsin

No Republican candidate has yet announced theyll challenge Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin next year. Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wisc., who was considered a potential candidate, said last month he wont run. Wisconsin is one of five states Trump won in 2016 then lost in 2020.
NATO Summit in Vilnius - Day 2

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, President of Ukraine, salutes during the NATO Summit hosted in Vilnius, Lithuania. Credit - Celestino Arce-NurPhoto

President Volodymyr Zelensky had high hopes for the NATO summit in Vilnius and a clear message on Ukraines membership. The results fell short, but Ukraine today is closer to membership, which Alliance members seem to view as all but inevitable.

Ukrainians make a strong case for joining NATO. They have met most Alliance criteria for aspiring members and have demonstrated with their blood that Ukraine can contribute to Euro-Atlantic security. Ukrainians regard their struggle against Russia not just as a fight for national survival, but also as a fight on behalf of Europe.

They are not wrong. Ukraine has destroyed or captured a substantial part of Russias conventional military power that could threaten NATO, including 60 percent of Russias modern main battle tanks. Vladimir Putin has portrayed the war as a bid to recover historical [Russian] lands. Well, check a map of the Russian Empire in the late 19th century; it included not just most of modern-day Ukraine but Finland, the Baltic states and a good part of Poland.

Do Putins ambitions go beyond Ukraine to, say, eastern Estonia? The chances are small but not zerojust what analysts would have said in 2020 about a massive Russian assault on Ukraine.

Still, it was unrealistic for Kyiv to expect an invitation to join or a date certain for receiving one. It is challenging to see how Ukraine can enter NATO while it remains at war with Russia. President Joe Biden has made that point, and other allied leaders agree.

Zelensky nevertheless will return home with tangible gains. NATO will make its comprehensive assistance package for the Ukrainian military a multi-year program. The French and Germans announced decisions to provide Scalp cruise missiles, more armored vehicles and Patriot air defense systems. Ukrainian pilots will begin F-16 flight training next month.

Moreover, G7 leaders committed to bilateral arrangements with Ukraine to sustain its fight against Russia and, when the war is over, to help Ukraine build a modern and robust military to deter Russian attack in the future. Biden underscored that in his speech at the University of Vilnius. These G7 commitments cannot be the end point for Ukraines security questif a future Kremlin forgets the lessons of the past 16 months, it might be tempted to try againbut they can provide a way station on the path to the best guarantee of Ukraines security: membership in NATO.

Zelensky did not get a date for membership, but Vilnius reflected a mood shift underway across the Alliance. The 2008 NATO Bucharest summit declaration that Ukraine would be a member was not convincing. It came about as a last-minute sop to then-President George Bush, who failed in his effort to secure NATO consensus to give Kyiv a membership action plan (MAP).

Many who opposed a MAP for Ukraine 15 years ago did so in deference to Russias concern about Ukraine joining NATO. Yet that deference did not prevent Russia from seizing and illegally annexing Crimea, did not prevent Russia from instigating a nasty conflict in Donbas, and did not prevent Russia from launching an all-out invasion that turned the Russia-Ukraine fight into Europes largest and bloodiest war since World War II.

By its brutal and aggressive actions, the Kremlin has forfeited any legitimate claim to deference for its concern about Ukraine in NATO.

NATO leaders will gather again next year in a summit that will mark 75 years since the Alliances establishment and 25 years since the first former Warsaw Pact states took their seats at the summit table. NATO and Ukraine should begin talking in the newly formed NATO-Ukraine Council about how that summit will advance Ukraines membership, perhaps with a specific roadmap, even if it may not fill in all the dates. They should also consider practical steps to deepen NATO-Ukraine integration now, such as placing additional Ukrainian liaison officers at NATO headquarters in Brussels as well as at specific subordinate commands.

A stable and secure Europe requires a secure Ukraine. NATO membership offers the best way to achieve that. Vilnius provides a foundation on which to build toward that goal.
To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada. In hindsight, this tweet by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2017 was ill-advised. It was written in response to Trumps executive order banning refugees and visitors from seven Muslim-majority countries. Critics point to it as the trigger for a surge of asylum-seekers at the Canadian border.

If it were true that people were escaping to Canada from the US because they feared being deported under Trumps harsh immigration policies, then the flow of immigrants heading north would have slowed when President Biden took office. According to government data, in the period between the tweet going out and the pandemic, which slowed crossings to a trickle, almost 60,000 people made irregular border crossings into Canada. But afterwards, the influx returned, reaching over 20,000 in 2022, Bidens first year in office. By February of this year, more than 10,000 people had already crossed over into Canada.

Nor were refugees put off America by President Trump. Since 2020, the number of migrants going the other way  crossing into the US from Canada  has also shot up. Last year, Homeland Security apprehended more than 100,000 migrants crossing from Canada. (For context, in 2018 US authorities arrested only 558 people on the northern border.) There is no end in sight to these irregular crossings, and the public has been expressing its dissatisfaction with lax immigration controls on both sides of the border.

According to the two nations Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA), which has been in effect since 2004, refugees have to apply for status in the first safe country they reach. So, they cannot apply for asylum in Canada at official border crossings with the US. However, a loophole in the agreement enables migrants crossing at unofficial border points to claim asylum after they cross. And along the 9,000km-long border, there are many places to do so, the most infamous being Roxham Road, where New York state meets Quebec.

That is, until March 25, when Roxham Road was shut down by the Canadian government. Trudeau made the announcement on the afternoon of March 24, and the policy took effect at 12:01am the next day: To address irregular migration, we are expanding the Safe Third Country Agreement to apply not only at designated ports of entry, but across the entire land border, including internal waterways, ensuring fairness and more orderly migration between our two countries. Biden was in Canada at the time, on his first official visit since winning the presidency. It later transpired that the neighbouring countries had signed an amendment to the STCA a year earlier, but hadnt made the news public because officials feared untold numbers of migrants might rush to cross the border before the changes could be enacted. Now, both countries can turn away asylum seekers, no matter where they cross.

This was a shock to Canadas reputation as an immigrant-friendly country. Here, eligible refugees receiving generous welfare benefits including government-assisted housing, healthcare, work permits, and financial support. A path to citizenship is available to anyone who can secure permanent residency in the country. But there is a feeling, among some Canadians, that migrants have started exploiting vulnerabilities in the system. Almost 70% of Quebec residents  the province that Roxham Road leads into  said they wanted this irregular entry point closed. With social services in the province overwhelmed by asylum-seekers, the federal government started transferring migrants to Niagara Falls in Ontario, which saw welfare services pushed to the brink as well. Since 2021, the Immigration Department has paid $94 million to book out entire hotels for months, in order to accommodate asylum-seekers.

The ease with which people could illegally enter through Roxham Road, according to analysts, was almost an invitation for undocumented migrants to try their chances at obtaining asylum in Canada. Specifically, migrants from Nigeria, who make up a big chunk of all those who cross over from Roxham Road. The majority actually possess a valid US tourist visa, flying into New York before making their way to Canada. I went to search Google and I figured out this is what everybody is doing, one Nigerian migrant said while crossing the border. A disproportionate number of Nigerians claiming asylum are doing so on the grounds of LGBT persecution, which is met with more sympathy in Canada than in the US. But concerns have been raised about the similarities in such applications, and one investigation by a Nigeria-based publication revealed how some Nigerians make up stories in an attempt to secure asylum. This has left some aid organisations worrying that legitimate claims are now more likely to be doubted.

Some migrants still have their hearts set on America, however. Those from Mexico and India make up the bulk of illegal crossings from Canada to the States, with many flying into Canada for the sole purpose of getting across the worlds longest international border without detection. Mexicans, who since 2016 can fly visa-free to Canada, often spend thousands of dollars flying into Toronto and paying smugglers to get to the US  hence Bidens motivation to renegotiate the STCA.

And this phenomenon burst into the public consciousness when, in January 2022, the bodies of four Indian nationals (two of them minors) were found frozen to death in Manitoba, near the American border. The Patel family had come to Canada on a tourist visa, but hoped to reach family in Chicago. A documentary last year suggested that, in Gujarat, the Patels had been a comfortable, upper-middle class family with no financial troubles or experiences of racial or religious persecution. Why, then, would they risk crossing illegally into the US in the middle of winter with two young children?

Migrant rights groups almost always lay the blame for tragedies at the feet of unscrupulous smugglers and harsh government policy. Few acknowledge that the people who decide to illegally cross an international border almost always have agency. And for middle-class migrants, its usually not about security; its about status. In developing countries, attaining the American Dream  or another Western nations equivalent  is still highly aspirational. And while everyone has the right to build a good life for themselves, migrants who can pay their way into one North American nation in order to cross over into the other, depending on their preference, undermine faith in the immigration system.

Which is a problem for Trudeau. His Liberal government plans to welcome half a million new immigrants into Canada every year till 2025. (Like most developed nations, Canada has an aging population, a low birth rate, and is facing a labour shortage.) Almost 50% of Canadians already think this target is too high. If Trudeau doesnt want public opinion turning against his plans, he needs to reassure the electorate that his government has a strong handle on who is being welcomed across our borders.

Amending the STCA is meant to signal that the government is aware of the growing unpopularity of irregular border crossers, who are seen as jumping the queue, leaving those without financial means further down the list  not to mention those waiting in refugee camps around the world. John Manley, one of the architects of the original STCA, supports the new changes, claiming that most migrants around the world are in much greater danger than those who have already found their way to the US. But there has been backlash from refugee rights advocates, with the Canadian Council for Refugees, among others, arguing that the STCA is unconstitutional. But last month, the Supreme Court of Canada unanimously ruled otherwise.

The closure of Roxham Road sent a message to all those who want to migrate to Canada that the way to do so is through official channels. Two days later, the Government of Canada launched a survey to poll Canadians opinions. Trudeau was, apparently, ready to listen to how Canadians feel about this issue. While some advocates have been arguing that closing the loophole will have pushed people into the hands of smugglers, its still too early to tell what the effects of the new changes will be, though data on the past three months of irregular border crossings should be imminent. But whatever the outcome: the Prime Minister wont be promoting Canadas immigration policies on Twitter any time soon.
Donald Trump Delivers Remarks At Nevada Recruitment Event

Former President Donald Trump delivers remarks at a Nevada Republican volunteer recruiting event at Fervent: A Calvary Chapel on July 8, 2023 in Las Vegas Credit - Mario TamaGetty Images

Its a tactic that has worked for Donald Trump in the past. Facing federal charges that he allegedly hoarded classified documents and obstructed the governments efforts to retrieve them, the former president resorted to a familiar strategy: try to delay his legal woes into oblivion.

On Monday night, Trumps attorneys requested an indefinite delay in the Mar-a-Lago boxes case after Special Counsel Jack Smith requested the trial start in December. The matter will now be decided by the Trump-appointed U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon. Her ruling will have implications far beyond this one case. With another trial in New York looming, and other potential indictments against him in the works, the outcome of Trumps bid to postpone the trial until after the 2024 election could impact the campaign and possibly the fate of multiple prosecutions against the former President.

If Trump can push the trial until after the election and win back the presidency, he could attempt to pardon himself or have the Department of Justice squash the case against hima move that would galvanize a fierce backlash and legal challenges from across the political spectrum.

Delay is what he does. Thats one of his main legal strategies, Noah Bookbinder, a former Justice Department attorney, tells TIME. The fact that theyre pushing for an extensive delay is not surprising. This particular way of doing it seems unusual.

In a 12-page filing, Trumps lawyers cited several reasons behind the request. One was that they had to respond to a voluminous batch of documents brought forth in discovery, including more than 833,450 pages of material. The other was that Trump had a conflicting scheduling priority. President Trump is running for president of the United States and is currently the likely Republican Party nominee, they wrote. This undertaking requires a tremendous amount of time and energy, and that effort will continue until the election on Nov. 5, 2024.

Legal experts expect the trial to be delayed to some extent. White-collar criminal cases rarely go to trial quickly, and this one is unprecedented. Trump is not only the first former President to be prosecuted by the government he once led. Hes under indictment while also a leading candidate for the highest office in the land.

Defense attorneys often try to delay criminal trials, Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor, tells TIME. In my experience, federal criminal trials can often be delayed for multiple years. For that reason, Mariotti suspects the case wont be resolved before voters head to the polls next year. I think theres no way that this case is going to be tried before the election, unless Trump and his people want that to happen.

But the Monday filing suggests Trump and his lawyers dont want it to happen. Theyre going about it in a very ham-handed way, Mariotti adds. Some of the reasons that theyre offering are not valid, but some of them are. Its valid to say that having over 800,000 documents to review is significant. Saying that hes busy running for president may be less valid.

Thats not the only reason Trump will be busy in the coming months. Hes also facing charges in Manhattan over allegations that he falsified business records to conceal hush-money payments to a porn star. Both cases may be a prelude to even more indictments. A separate special counsel investigation by Smith into Trumps role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol may lead to additional charges. So, too, may Fulton County District Attorney Fani Williss probe into Trumps attempts to overturn the 2020 election result there.

Trumps allies will argue that the confluence of all these mounting investigations and prosecutions are designed to hamstring the former Presidents attempts to reclaim the White House. Where it hurts in the general is if Trump is distracted, Mike Davis, founder of the conservative Article III Project and a close Trump ally, tells TIME. He has to spend his time defending himself in court instead of campaigning. Thats the issue. Defending yourself in court as a full-time job. Defending yourself in two or three courts is a full-time job times two or three. Running for president is a full-time job. The Democrats know this. Thats why theyre bringing this lawfare now.

The situation puts Judge Cannon in a delicate position. She originally sought to start the trial in August, adhering to standards set forth under the Speedy Trial Act. But judges have discretion to push trial dates back, and they often allow the accused more time if requested to prepare their defense. Usually, defendants do get delays, but they dont get indefinite delays, adds Bookbinder, who now leads the left-leaning nonprofit Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. I think shes going to be under a lot of pressure to not treat Donald Trump unfairly, but also not to give him preferential treatment.

Judge Cannon has already been accused by Trumps critics of playing into his strategy of running out the clock by agreeing last year to his request to appoint a special master in the Mar-a-Lago documents probe. The special master was later struck down by a federal appellate court.

But delaying such a high-profile and high-stakes case for well over a year is another matter. Its made especially more complicated given the wide-ranging suspicion that Trump ultimately hopes to win back the presidency to clear himself from criminal vulnerability.

While Trump wouldnt be able to pardon himself in cases brought forth by New York or Georgia, he has floated the idea of exonerating himself from federal charges. Yet one of the nations foremost experts on presidential pardons says its far from clear thats even possible.

The notion that the President can exempt himself by fiat, as a unilateral executive decision, from the federal criminal process was put to rest by the Supreme Court, Margaret Love, the former U.S. Pardon Attorney under Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, tells TIME. She was referring to the 1974 ruling in United States v. Nixon, in which the court unanimously said the president doesnt have executive privilege shielding them from subpoenas or prosecution.

The concept, she says, dates back to the nations founding. The framers of our Constitution were certainly aware of this important embedded principle of English law that a king must be subject to the laws of his country, Love adds. He was not above the laws, particularly the criminal laws.
These Census representatives were recruiting during a Workforce Solutions North Texas job fair as shown in this April 9, 2020, file photo.

The City of Wichita Falls is partnering with Workforce Solutions North Texas to bring a community job fair to the MPEC at 1000 5th St. The fair will run from 1-4 p.m. July 13. Several employers from around the area typically participate in the fair.

Organizations recruiting in the past have included the U.S. Census office, the military, local police and many more.

Workforce Solutions North Texas also offers tips and assistance with resumes, interviews and more.

The City of Wichita Falls has encouraged participation in the fair for a variety of reasons, including meeting potential employers face-to-face, finding a workplace thats a good fit and getting expert career advice. For more information, contact Workforce Solutions North Texas at (940) 322-1801.

Workforce Solutions North Texas is co-hosting another job fair with the City of Wichita Falls.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Wichita Falls, Workforce Solutions partner up for job fair
KENNEBUNK, Maine  Fifteen years after it was first presented to the town's Planning Board, a new housing development named Wildwood at Terrace Green is finally taking shape, with construction officially underway on land off Alfred Road.

Once complete, the new neighborhood will add 43 single-family homes to the community. Chinburg Properties, of New Hampshire, bought the 100-acre property from Hissong Properties, of Kennebunk, and closed on it in June.

This image presents the layout of Wildwood at Village Green, a new housing development in Kennebunk, Maine.

Chinburg Properties is developing the land in partnership with The Gove Group Real Estate, also of New Hampshire.

Vice President of Marketing Jen Chinburg said the company and The Gove Group are excited to be offering these upcoming new homes to the community.

We think buyers will really love the plans and the amenities, which are specifically chosen for this new location in Maine, Chinburg said.

Construction of the homes is expected to begin this fall, according to Elizabeth Markey, the designated broker in Maine for The Gove Group.

Were hoping to be able to start our first home in September, Markey said. On average, a house is an eight- or nine-month build, from foundation to completion.

The first home likely will be finished in the spring of 2024, she added.

Once all of the homes are finished, they will occupy 26 acres and will be next to 74 acres of preserved open space.

More development: Kennebunk Savings proposing 70 affordable housing units on Alewive Park Road

Construction starts on new homes off Alfred Road

Crews are currently building roads and related infrastructure on site.

According to Melanie Fonville, the marketing specialist for The Gove Group, the homes at Wildwood at Terrace Green will have a modern farmhouse style and will be certified for their energy efficiency by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Seven of the homes will be set aside as affordable housing.

Markey said the homes designated as affordable could cost between $400,000 and $500,000, though a third-party commission will work with The Gove Group to set the appropriate price.

The other 36 homes likely could sell for $750,000 or more, according to Markey.

Amenities in the new neighborhood will include a community building, fashioned from an existing structure on the property, as well as access to the Mousam River and several recreation areas.

The amenities are going to make this a unique community, Markey said.

Chinburg Properties has developed new communities in the southern regions of both Maine and New Hampshire.

The company is no stranger to Kennebunk: it recently completed two other subdivisions in town, Brooks Landing and The Home at West Meadow.

Wedding Cake House: Maines most photographed home seeks new life as seasonal attraction

Kennebunk housing project is a long time coming

Wildwood at Terrace Green has a long history in Kennebunk. The proposal first appeared before the Kennebunk Planning Board back in 2008. Voters approved a contract zone for the project in 2010.

In the years that followed, Hissong Properties made many infrastructure improvements to the area but primarily focused on projects in other communities, town engineer Chris Osterrieder said during an interview this past winter.

During that interview, Osterrieder stood, map in hand, in the vast clearing several hundred feet off Alfred Road, and pointed out where homes one day would be built. Osterrieder named Wildwood at Terrace Green as one of the key construction projects to watch in 2023.

On Jan. 10, 2022, Community Development Director Chris Osterrieder stands at the site where construction is slated to begin this year for Terrace Green, a new neighborhood, off Alfred Road in Kennebunk, that will have 43 homes.

Some of the homes will be compact and on lots that are not especially large, Osterrieder noted at the time.

Thats good because that need in the community hasnt always been filled, he said. Theres been a lot of growth in the town in the last year, and certainly some of the newer homes that have been built are of the higher end of the market.

Markey said she and her colleagues are glad the project is finally underway.

Were really excited to bring this to Kennebunk, she said.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Wildwood at Terrace Green in Kennebunk ME: 43 homes break ground
Woman who dated the dentist who was accused of killing his wife speaks out

The woman who was dating a Colorado dentist at the time he was allegedly poisoning his wife to death spoke exclusively to ABC News about the case and maintains she had no idea James Craig had lied to her about his marital status during their dates.

Karin Cain told ABC News Chief National Correspondent Matt Gutman that she doesn't believe she was the motive behind Angela Craig's alleged poisoning because there was "no planning a future together" with James Craig. In fact, they had only been dating for three weeks and she said James Craig told her that he and his wife were not together.

PHOTO: Karin Cain, who dated murder suspect James Craig, speaks with ABC News' Matt Gutman in July 2023. (ABC News)

"If I had known what was true, I would not have been with this person," Cain told ABC News.

MORE: Colorado dentist arrested in wife's 'complex and calculated' poisoning death, police say

Cain, who lives in Texas, said she is still trying to get her head around the entire case.

James Toliver Craig, 45, who is charged with first-degree murder, was arrested in March after his wife and the mother of his children died of apparent arsenic poisoning.

He's set to appear at a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.

Angela Craig, 43, was hospitalized three times over the span of 10 days. On March 15, when she was admitted to the hospital for the last time, she was put on a ventilator. Soon after, she was declared medically brain dead and taken off life support, officials said.

Angela Craig's sister told police that James Craig had multiple affairs with other women, according to the affidavit.

PHOTO: James Toliver Craig, 45, a dentist in Aurora, Colorado, is seen in an undated booking photo released by the Aurora Police Department. (Aurora Police Department)

Cain said she met James Craig at a dentist conference in February. Cain was in the process of divorcing her husband and said that she and Craig spent time talking and texting and connecting.

Cain claimed Craig told her he was also deep in a divorce process with his wife, along with other things that weren't true.

"He told me...they hadn't been living together. He had an apartment," she said.

MORE: Colorado dentist formally charged with murder in wife's fatal poisoning

The two kept in contact after the conference ended.

Authorities allege that the dentist poisoned his wife's protein shakes.

In the weeks before Angela Craig died, James Craig allegedly used a computer at his dental practice to create a new email address and make online searches including: "How many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human" and "Is arsenic detectable in autopsy," according to the affidavit. He allegedly bought arsenic online on Feb. 23 and the shipment was delivered to his home on March 4, according to the affidavit.

Two days later, Angela Craig texted her husband saying she was dizzy and felt "drugged," the affidavit said. James Craig responded: "Given our history I know that must be triggering. Just for the record, I didn't drug you. I am super worried though."

Angela Craig's sister told investigators that her sister had disclosed to her several years earlier that she'd been drugged, allegedly by her husband.

When James Craig asked his wife if she'd eaten anything, she replied that she had her protein shake, according to the affidavit. Angela Craig was hospitalized for the first time and then treated and released.

While Angela Craig was hospitalized again from March 9 to March 14, James Craig allegedly ordered the highly lethal chemical compound potassium cyanide, which was delivered to his dental practice on March 13, according to the affidavit.

On March 15, when Angela Craig was hospitalized for the final time, one of James Craig's business partners told a nurse about the potassium cyanide delivery and how there was no need for it at their dental practice, prompting the nurse to contact police, according to the affidavit.

Cain claimed that she visited James Craig in Colorado around the time Angela Craig was hospitalized. During one of two dinners they had together, Cain said he looked stressed and anxious.

PHOTO: Karin Cain, who dated murder suspect James Craig, speaks with ABC News' Matt Gutman in July 2023. (ABC News)

"It wasn't until the media started reporting on it that I realized the timeline was so tight, that it was two days after we had left that meeting," she said.

Cain said she never consummated the relationship and said she feels remorse for the victims and the family.

"I can't even imagine the loss of a family member and then to consider that it could be at the hands of someone that had been in the family for 25 years," she said.

ABC News' Mola Lenghi, Jenn Leong and Morgan Winsor contributed to this report.

Woman who dated the dentist who was accused of killing his wife speaks out originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A woman was fatally shot in the head on a Fort Worth, Texas, area road in a reported road-rage incident this week, police said Tuesday.

Paola Nunez Linares, 37, and her husband were driving in Hurst, a city between Fort Worth and Dallas, shortly after 9 p.m. when she was shot, Hurst police said in a statement.

She was struck in the head, and paramedics rushed her to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead, police said.

Paola Nunez Linares. (NBC Dallas-Fort Worth)

Zane Jones, her husband, told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth he was behind the wheel when he flipped off a car that was driving aggressively. The gunman fired at the couple's minivan, and his wife was shot in the back of the head, Jones said.

I need him caught, I need him prosecuted, I need him in prison. I need him to know he didnt just fire a gun into a car, the end, Jones told the station. He killed someone whos not like anyone.

The advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety, which calls for stricter laws around firearms, said in May that road-rage injuries and deaths from guns have increased every year since 2018.

There were at least 141 road-rage shooting deaths last year, it said, citing numbers from the Gun Violence Archive database.

In Louisville, Kentucky, a 6-year-old girl was shot in the back after an altercation on an interstate Monday night, police said.

The girl was in critical condition but stable Tuesday, Louisville Police Lt. Steve Lacefield told reporters.

We dont yet know the impact that this will have on the rest of her life, he said.

At least 15 shots were fired, and three weapons have been recovered, Lacefield said.

Police have said investigators believe the incident started after an altercation between people in a car and three on motorcycles, NBC affiliate WAVE of Louisville has reported.

Lacefield said police have identified everyone involved and anticipate bringing closure to this case in the very near future.

Investigators don't believe the people in the car or on the motorcycles knew one another.

"If you find yourself in an incident like this or any road-rage incident, just break contact," he said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The husband of a Texas woman who was fatally shot in a road rage incident is asking for the publics help in tracking down the driver who killed her.

This person took my wife from me, Zane Jones wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday. They took a friend from her friends. They took a daughter from her mother and they took a step-mom from my children. I need them in custody.

In Hurst, Texas, on Monday, Jones was driving his van with his wife, Paola Nunez Linares, in the passenger seat. Just after 9 p.m., Jones said, he was involved in a road rage incident and gave another driver the finger. Thats when the driver fired shots at the vehicle.

She was an innocent victim, Jones wrote in his post. She was a passenger in the car when I flipped off a driver who put us in danger. She always hated when I did that, and I did it anyways. Then the driver shot into our car and struck my beautiful wife, who had nothing to do with anything.

Paola Nunez Linares, 37, was fatally shot in the head Monday night during a road rage incident in Texas.

Paola Nunez Linares, 37, was fatally shot in the head Monday night during a road rage incident in Texas.

When Hurst police officers arrived on the scene, they found Nunez Linares with a gunshot wound to her head. She was later pronounced dead. Nunez Linares was 37.

Authorities have not made any arrests in the case, but they said the suspects vehicle is a small, dark-colored, older-model car.

Earlier this year, the advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety reported that road rage shootings have been rising steadily since 2018. Last year, someone in the U.S. was killed or injured in a road rage shooting an average of once every 16 hours.

On Monday, a 6-year-old girl was hospitalized in Kentucky after a group of motorcyclists fired on the vehicle she was in during a road rage incident.

If anyone has ANY information, Im begging you to come forward, Jones wrote in his Facebook post after his wife died. Its the worst night of my life and it was the last night of hers.

Related...
(Bloomberg) -- The FBI will comply with a federal judges order banning federal agencies from communicating with social media companies even though its efforts are intended to counter online misinformation from foreign adversaries, according to Director Christopher Wray.

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During a congressional hearing Wednesday, Wray made his first public comments on the Louisiana court order issued last week, saying the Federal Bureau of Investigation is not in the business of moderating content.

We dont ask social media companies to censor information or suppress information, Wray said. At the end of the day, were very clear that its up to the social media companies to decide whether to do something about that.

Wray said the FBI is going to comply with the courts order and has already sent out guidance to its employees and field offices, but noted the ruling is currently the subject of ongoing litigation.

Wray testified Wednesday for the first time before the House Judiciary Committee since Republicans took control of it this year. He defended the work of his department, citing its efforts to get violent criminals off the streets and investigating cartels that traffic fentanyl.

He still faced withering criticism from Republicans.

The American people have lost faith in the FBI, said Republican Representative Mike Johnson of Louisiana. This is about whether the very system of justice in our country can be trusted anymore.

Wrays testimony comes at a critical time, as House Republicans and their conservative allies are seeking to damage and embarrass the Biden administration heading into next years presidential election while former President Donald Trump is under federal criminal indictment for allegedly mishandling government secrets and obstructing justice.

The Justice Department, which the FBI is part of, has ongoing investigations into Trump and his associates.

Meanwhile, President Joe Bidens son, Hunter, agreed last month to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax crimes and enter into an agreement with prosecutors to potentially avoid a charge of possessing a gun while addicted to an illegal drug. The agreement was reached with the US attorney for Delaware, David Weiss, who was appointed by Trump and held over by Biden to conduct the investigation.

Weiss said in a letter Monday to Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina that there is an ongoing investigation into allegations that the Biden family was involved in corrupt business dealings.

Republicans are expected to press Wray on many accusations that have been made in recent months based on information theyve uncovered and testimony from individuals who claim to be whistleblowers.

For example, IRS supervisory agent Gary Shapley claimed to lawmakers the Justice Department mishandled the Hunter Biden investigation and that Weiss was prevented from bringing charges wherever he wanted.

Weiss and Attorney General Merrick Garland have denied that there was any interference in the investigation.

House Republicans also have seized on an allegation that an executive from the Ukrainian energy company, Burisma, paid $5 million in bribes to Joe Biden when he was vice president, as well as Hunter Biden. The claim is included in a document known as an FD-1023, which is essentially used by FBI agents to catalog raw, unverified intelligence. Some Republicans have claimed there may be audio tapes to back up the allegation, but they dont know for sure.

However, another individual that Republicans claimed was a key whistleblower against the Bidens has been charged by the Justice Department for allegedly spying for the Chinese government and arms trafficking. The department released an indictment July 10 charging Gal Luft, a dual US-Israeli citizen.

Luft was arrested in February in Cyprus based on the charges in the indictment but subsequently fled after being released on bail and remains a fugitive.

Judiciary Republicans also released a report July 10 alleging that the FBI worked with the Security Service of Ukraine to send social media companies lists of accounts to take down that included legitimate accounts of Americans in violation of their First Amendment rights.

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FBI Director Chrisopher Wray offered a forceful defense of the bureau in opening remarks before the House Judiciary Committee as GOP members pledged to highlight what they see as politicization of the investigative agency.

The timing of Wrays appearance before the panel comes as the GOP has fixated on the prosecution of Donald Trump as well as Hunter Biden  cases they say show a bias towards the Republican former president while giving preferential treatment to the presidents son.

The work the men and women of the FBI do to protect the American people goes way beyond the one or two investigations that seem to capture all the headlines, Wray said in prepared opening remarks.

Wray rattled off the breadth of the FBIs work, from targeting cartel leaders smuggling fentanyl to managing thousands of investigations into Chinese government-led efforts to steal U.S. trade secrets.

Thats just scratching the surface; the men and women of the FBI work tirelessly every day to protect the American people from a staggering array of threats, Wray said.

In a subtle nod to the district occupied by committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Wray highlighted a recent drug bust that led to 31 arrests of those accused of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine throughout the area around Marion, Ohio.

In that one investigation, run out of the FBIs two-man office in Mansfield, we worked with partners from multiple local police departments and sheriffs offices to take kilograms of fentanyl off of Marion streets  enough lethal doses to kill the entire population of Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati combined, Wray said.

And thats just one investigation led by one small office in Ohio.

Jordan on Tuesday previewed his own plans for the FBI, sending a letter to House Appropriations Committee Chair Kay Granger (R-Texas) calling for reining in abusive federal law enforcement agencies.

The Committee and Select Subcommittee have received startling testimony about egregious abuses, misallocation of federal law-enforcement resources, and misconduct within the leadership ranks of the FBI. We recommend that the appropriations bills eliminate any funding for the FBI that is not absolutely essential for the agency to execute its mission, Jordan wrote.

Jordan also called for eliminating taxpayer funding for any new FBI headquarter facility and instead examining options for relocating the FBIs headquarters outside of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

GOP lawmakers are expected to ask for details about a number of Justice Department and FBI investigations, including the recent indictment of Gal Luft, a former think tank leader who raised claims that President Biden took a bribe.

Luft is now accused of numerous crimes, including failing to register as a foreign agent while recruiting a high-ranking former U.S. official and brokering illicit arms deals.

He is also accused of violating Iran sanctions by setting up meetings between Iranian officials and a Chinese energy company to discuss oil deals.

The FBI has countered that any of its investigations have been tainted by politics, with Wray pointing to the backgrounds of the bureaus leadership.

Just taking our top eight leaders as an example, they all came up through the bureau as line Agents, he said.

Not a single one is a political appointee  not one.

Updated at 10:14 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FBI Director Christopher Wray on Wednesday navigated hours of questions about the credibility of the bureau, as House Judiciary Committee Republicans increasingly seek to pin the agency as politically biased.

Wray, a Trump appointee, was at times aided by Democrats who sought to defend the bureaus actions by highlighting wrongdoing by Trump or his associates.

Still, the blurry fault lines facing the agency were on display as some Democrats attacked the FBIs handling of the Trump investigation and its spy tools, while Wray got a rare thank you from a Republican for his work helming the agency.

Republicans remained largely focused on a series of short-lived memos or prosecutions of conservatives they argue shows the agency unfairly targets the right.

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before a House Committee on the Judiciary oversight hearing, Wednesday, July 12, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Wrays responses were some of the most pointed for the mild-mannered director, who has faced a brewing grudge match with the GOP all but guaranteed to take center stage following the Republican takeover of Congress.

In his opening remarks, he nodded to the work in a small bureau in Ohio  one that happens to rest in the district of Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), one of the bureaus fiercest critics.

The work the men and women of the FBI do to protect the American people goes way beyond the one or two investigations that seem to capture all the headlines, Wray said.

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And in a heated exchange with Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), Wray pointed to his longstanding registration as a Republican.

The idea that Im biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me, given my own personal background, he said.

GOP lawmakers argued that Americans no longer trust the nations premier law enforcement agency.

Were seeing the polling numbers that the FBI is tanking, and its under your watch, Rep. Barry Moore (R-Ala.) said.

The American people have lost faith in the FBI. All of our constituents are demanding that we get this situation under control, and we have to do that. Thats our responsibility. This is not a political party issue, sir. This is about whether the very system of justice in our country can be trusted anymore. Without that no republic can survive, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) said.

Theyve seen evidence that its being used as a political tool by the Biden administration.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chair of the House Committee on the Judiciary, speaks during an oversight hearing with FBI Director Christopher Wray, Wednesday, July 12, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Democrats largely defended the FBI. New York Rep. Jerold Nadler, the top Democrat on the committee, countered GOP arguments of political bias by offering a timeline of the Mar-a-Lago case he said showed all the opportunities Trump had to produce these documents.

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) ran through a list of Trump associates  six in total  who have since pleaded guilty or been convicted in court of various crimes, all while the Department of Justice was under Republican leadership.

What these facts show is we dont have a two tiered system of justice. We have one Department of Justice that goes after criminals regardless of party ideology, Lieu said.

It is not the fault of the FBI that Donald Trump surrounded himself with criminals. Donald Trump brought that upon himself. Thank you to the FBI for exposing the cesspool of corruption of these Trump associates.

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.)

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) addresses reporters during a press conference on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 following a Democratic Caucus meeting. (Greg Nash)

Not all the critiques or accolades were split along party lines.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) criticized the FBI for not being more aggressive, arguing the FBI delayed and showed unprecedented caution before investigating the ex-president even when there was a potential threat to national security.

And Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) thanked Wray for his work in protecting law-abiding Americans from the evil that exists all around us.

Youre still a registered Republican, and I hope you dont change your party affiliation after this hearing is over, Buck said.

A pushback on GOP pet issues

FBI Director Christopher Wray departs during a break in a House Committee on the Judiciary oversight hearing, Wednesday, July 12, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

FBI Director Christopher Wray departs during a break in a House Committee on the Judiciary oversight hearing, Wednesday, July 12, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Republicans remained focused on two memos .

One directed the FBI to coordinate with local law enforcement as school boards and educators faced a rising number of violent threats.

Wray denied that the FBI took any improper actions against parents as a result of the memo, countering GOP claims the agency sought to label parents as domestic terrorists. He said a threat tag was created to track reports of threats, harassment and violence against school officials, but school board meetings werent linked to the reports received.

We opened 25 assessments into reports that were tagged, but none of those involved incidents at school board meetings and, to my knowledge, FBI has not opened investigations on any parent for exercising speech at school, Wray said.

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Several lawmakers focused on a memo written by an agent in the Richmond, Va., field office that detailed growing overlap between white nationalist groups and Radical-Traditionalist Catholics, which it identifies as a small minority within the church. Wray swiftly ordered the memo removed, saying it violated the agencys policies on conducting investigations based on religious affiliation.

That product is not something that I will defend or excuse. Its something that I thought was appalling and removed it, he said, calling it a single product by a single field office.

Wray was also asked to respond to calls from some within the GOP to defund his agency; Jordan has asked appropriators to withhold from the FBI any funding not absolutely essential for the agency to execute its mission.

It would be disastrous for 38,000 hardworking career law enforcement personnel in their families, but more importantly, in many ways, it would hurt our great state, local law enforcement partners who depend on us every day to work with them on a whole slew of challenging threats, Wray said.

It would hurt the American people, neighborhoods and communities all across this country, the people were protecting from cartels, violent criminals, gang members, predators, foreign and domestic terrorists, cyberattacks, I could go on and on. And the people that would help would be those same violent gangs and cartels, foreign terrorists, Chinese spies, hackers and so forth.

The FBI director also made efforts to debunk claims the FBI played a role in instigating the Capitol attack as he faced numerous questions about Jan. 6, saying that the agency did not know of plans to breach the Capitol, though they were aware of potential violence.

This notion that somehow the violence at the Capitol on Jan. 6 was part of some operation orchestrated by FBI sources and agents is ludicrous and is a disservice to our brave, hardworking, dedicated men and women, Wray said.

Rep. Mary Jay Scanlon (D-Pa.) blamed the GOP for contributing to distrust of the FBI by embrac[ing] dangerous conspiracy theories that undermine our federal law enforcement.

I find it disingenuous for members of Congress to harangue the head of the FBI about people losing faith in the FBI when those same members have been trumpeting lies and conspiracy theories about the agency for months, she said.

Social media and FISA

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.)

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) leaves a closed-door House Republican Conference meeting on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Greg Nash)

Republicans  and at times Democrats  also zeroed in on civil rights issues, focusing both on a court order limiting the Biden administrations communication with social media companies over free speech concerns, as well as FBI spy tools.

After a GOP-led challenge to the administrations efforts to curb disinformation, a federal judge ruled that several agencies and officials  including the FBI  cannot contact social media companies relating to the removal, deletion, suppression, or reduction of content containing protected free speech posted on social-media platforms. DOJ has since appealed the order.

It explains in detail that the FBI has been directly involved in what the court says is arguably the most massive attack against free speech in United States history, Rep. Johnson, of Louisiana, said during the hearing.

Wray pushed back against lawmakers assertions, claiming the agency does not ask social media companies to remove content. Instead, he said it alerts the platforms when other intelligence agencies provide them with information about a foreign intelligence service operating accounts on the platform.

We will call social media companies attention to that, but at the end of the day, were very clear that its up to the social media companies to decide whether to do something, Wray said.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle also asked about Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) authorities.

The skepticism is a significant issue for the FBI. It, along with other national security agencies, is pushing for renewal of Section 702 of the law, which expires in December and allows for warrantless surveillance of foreign nationals located abroad.

But Americans communications with those individuals can be swept up in those searches.

Rep. Ben Cline (R-Va.) said the tool gives the FBI too broad of access to Americans data.

It looks like a framework that enables the FBI to spy on countless Americans, he said.

And Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) cited bipartisan concerns about reauthorization.

Unless we really understand what measures the FBI is taking to ensure that peoples privacy is protected, I think its going to be a very difficult reauthorization process. she said.

Wray said the bureau has had issues with 702 but has deployed new guardrails.

Lets be clear, we have had problems, he said, noting they have rolled out numerous reforms since problems have been identified.

And so were going to keep working at this. That is not a one and done from my perspective.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
artemis 2 astronaut jeremy hansen on board a horse in a flight suit. a ring is behind him

Thinking riding rockets is a challenge? Try a horse.

Canadian Artemis 2 moon astronaut Jeremy Hansen, partnering with his borrowed horse Cisco, pretended to be a cowboy at Canada's Calgary Stampede fair last week in the western province of Alberta. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, who flew on the space shuttle Columbia in 1986 while a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, also visited the event.

"Thrilled to be at the Calgary Stampede, celebrating the spirit of exploration and adventure," Nelson wrote in a tweet on Saturday (July 8) showing him and Jeremy Hansen standing together in flight suits and adorned with cowboy hats. The two came together to "embrace the pioneering nature of space travel," he added.

Hansen was named to the Artemis 2 moon mission in April to honor Canada's commitment to contribute the robotic Canadarm3 to NASA's future Gateway space station. Artemis 2 will launch on its round-the-moon mission no earlier than November 2024. Hansen will be joined by three NASA astronauts on the flight, which will make the him the first non-American ever to leave Earth orbit.

Related: Artemis 2's Canadian astronaut got their moon mission seat with 'potato salad'

Hansen, who has limited experience with horses, practiced with Cisco before riding through the streets of Calgary as parade marshal for the Calgary Stampede. Versions of the stampede have run since 1886, celebrating cowboy culture and community. Today it attracts more than a million attendees annually during a week of events in July.

I opened the @calgarystampede parade this morning. Thank you to everyone involved in this event and for your trust as I took on this meaningful role. pic.twitter.com/FcKINQF6guJuly 7, 2023

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This may be my first @calgarystampede, but not for my trusty ride Cisco!Cisco has been in numerous Stampede parades, and he was an absolute pleasure to ride yesterday. Looking forward to today! pic.twitter.com/gsTblQcJoMJuly 7, 2023

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Im grateful for the way that Stampede-goers and the #USConsulate welcomed our important @nasa partners on the #Artemis mission. I was also proud to see how much respect @SenBillNelson had for the #CalgaryStampede, and this wasnt his first rodeo. Oh Canada!  pic.twitter.com/h12e1yws9gJuly 11, 2023

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Thrilled to be at the Calgary Stampede, celebrating the spirit of exploration and adventure! Joined my friend @Astro_Jeremy from @NASAArtemis to embrace the pioneering nature of space travel. Onward and upward! pic.twitter.com/vQQnSpf5l7July 8, 2023

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Colonial expansion into the American and Canadian west uprooted, killed and marginalized Native Americans and Indigenous peoples, however, which the Stampede now seeks to recognize. Hansen, for example, also took time to visit Elbow River Camp, an Indigenous presentation of 26 tipis on the Stampede site (which are on unceded Indigenous territory).

Hansen has also worked regularly with Indigenous, Metis, Inuit and First Nations people of Canada for several years, most recently taking part in a vision quest this spring at Turtle Lodge in Manitoba on the lands of the Sagkeeng First Nation (also known as Fort Alexander).

Related: Watch these One Sky Project films to explore Indigenous astronomy from home for free (videos)

RELATED STORIES:

 NASA's Artemis 2 mission: Everything you need to know

 Meet Jeremy Hansen, the Canadian astronaut on board Artemis 2 moon mission

 Canada's Artemis 2 astronaut was named after a 14-year-wait for space

NASA and Canada have been working as partners since the dawn of the space age. For example, a NASA rocket launched Alouette, the first Canadian satellite, in 1962. The Canadarm robotic arm for NASA's space shuttle allowed Canadians to begin flying in space in 1984, while Canadarm2 opened the door for International Space Station (ISS) assignments.

Canadians have also played key roles as NASA contractors and employees for decades. Engineers from a canceled Canadian jet program, the Avro Arrow, contributed to early spaceflight programs at NASA starting in 1959 (including the Apollo moon landings).

Canadian "legs" from the company Devtek (today's Heroux-Devtek) flew aboard the Apollo moon landers between 1968 and 1972, and dual U.S.-Canadian NASA astronaut Andrew Feustel commanded the ISS in 2018, among other milestones.
Concord press service/Handout via Reuters

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the longtime Vladimir Putin ally-turned-mercenary boss who staged a violent uprising last month, offered his subordinates a blunt explanation for his decision to turn on the Russian military: I went crazy.

Thats according to a new report by the investigative outlet The Project, which on Wednesday released what it called a criminal and psychological portrait of the Kremlins longtime enforcer.

Nearly three weeks after Prigozhins armed mutiny sent members of the Russian elite scrambling for their private jets, questions remain about whether it was an act staged by a lone madman with too much poweror a carefully planned revolt that had the backing of some within Putins inner circle. While U.S. intelligence has pointed to the latter, the Kremlins mouthpieces have settled on a version more convenient to Putin, whereby the presidents personal attack dog simply spiraled out of control. That version has allowed the Kremlin to sideline Prigozhin just as he was beginning to gain more popular support, even appearing in political posters in some regions that called for the Wagner boss to replace Putin.

Former employees of Prigozhin told The Project he was indeed known for violent outbursts and seemed to delight in dishing out cruelty to subordinates.

If he was dissatisfied with something, he could easily lead you out into the corridor, push you, and you would go flying down the stairs, one source was quoted as saying.

Why Did Putin Let Prigozhin Walk Away?

Another insider told the publication the ex-con-turned-Putin-confidant had a habit of driving employees away with his unprovoked violence: One time Prigozhin was in a hurry and, disgruntled, he kicked his chauffeur in the head from the back seat, and said something like Lets go faster!

The driver subsequently quit.

Prigozhin is also said to have outsourced violent beatings to a man dubbed The Teacher, a personal henchman of sorts who savagely attacked employees whod fallen out of favor with the boss.

This is the executioner who fucks you up in the basement, and sends [Prigozhin] a photo [so he can] decide whether to add more blows or if the beating was enough, Vyacheslav Tarasov, a former employee, said in a video message on the day of the mutiny.

A separate source told The Project that a colleague had once vanished after slipping up at a work meeting. He returned a few weeks later, telling colleagues hed spent several days in the basement enduring beatings. As proof, he showed off bruises all over his body.

Cocky Idiot: Wagners Men Spill Messy Secrets of Russian Mutiny

Among the other revelations in the report is Prigozhins apparent terror of contracting COVID, likely because hed undergone treatment for stomach cancer, though it was not clear when.

He had cancer. Now the formation of tumors seems to have stopped, one unnamed source said.

A framed photo of decapitated heads found in Prigozhins home during a raid after his mutiny was also published uncensored for the first time, showing the bloody remains of seven African men laid out on concrete, one of them still wearing a hat and sunglasses.

Lest anyone think Putin didnt know who he was dealing with all this time, the report also includes anecdotes of the Russian leaders interactions with Prigozhin dating back to the late 1990s.

By late 2011, when then-Prime Minister Putin had announced plans to return to the presidency, the two already enjoyed a cozy relationship, with Putin lighting up as he passed Prigozhin in the halls of St. Petersburgs Konstantinovsky Palace and joking great haircut before shaking the bald would-be Wagner boss hand.

Putin is said to have spent his time chatting with Prigozhin, calling him Zhen, while other heads of state sat at the table waiting for their dinner.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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VILNIUS (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday his country needs long-range weapons to fight Russian forces in Ukraine, and that he would raise the issue at talks with U.S. President Joe Biden.

In comments while in Lithuania for meetings with NATO leaders, Zelenskiy thanked Biden for a decision to provide Kyiv with cluster munitions, saying they were needed for Ukraine's defence and to help take back Russian-occupied territory.

Zelenskiy reiterated assurances that the weapons would be used only on military targets in Ukraine.

"Russia is constantly using cluster munitions on our territory. They fight exclusively on our soil. They kill our people," he said. "The aid that we can get from the U.S. regarding the cluster munitions is purely for military targets, especially in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine."

"This is absolutely controllable and will not be used anywhere else. There must be justice," he said.

(Reporting by Olena Harmash and Anna Pruchnicka, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
Zelensky defends use of cluster munitions in war against Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky defended his countrys push for cluster munitions in its war against Russia on Wednesday, in the wake of the Biden administrations decision to provide Kyiv with the controversial weapons.

Russia constantly uses cluster munitions on our territory, Zelensky said at the NATO summit in Lithuania, according to The Associated Press. It wages war exclusively on our land. It kills our people.

This is about justice, he added. We defend ourselves, without using [these] weapons on the territory of other states.

Zelensky also vowed the cluster munitions would be used purely for military purposes in Russian-occupied parts of southern and eastern Ukraine, the AP reported.

However, Human Rights Watch has reported that Ukraine and Russia both have used cluster munitions during the war that have caused deaths and serious injuries to civilians.

Cluster munitions, which are designed to spread dozen to hundreds of submunitions over a given area, are banned by more than 100 countries due to the risk that unexploded submunitions can pose to civilians.

The Biden administration announced its decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions on Friday, fulfilling a long-standing request from Kyiv.

President Biden, who has faced pushback from some lawmakers and human rights groups, said last week that it was a difficult decision but argued that cluster munitions were necessary because Ukraine is running out of ammunition amid its latest counteroffensive.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken similarly said Wednesday that it was a hard but necessary choice to provide Kyiv with cluster munitions.

If we didnt do it, we dont do it, then they will run out of ammunition, Blinken told MSNBCs Andrea Mitchell Reports. If they run out of ammunition, then they will be defenseless.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday struck a more conciliatory tone on the subject of Ukraine joining NATO after he raised criticism this week over his country not being formally invited to join the alliance.

Zelensky said at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday that Ukraine has already come a long way in interoperability with the organization and praised NATOs decision to remove the need for procedural step  for Ukraine to have a Membership Action Plan  to join the alliance.

A Membership Action Plan lays out a process for NATO applicants to submit annual updates on political, economic, defense, security and legal measures they are taking in preparation to join the alliance.

But Zelensky said a direct invitation for Ukraine to have joined NATO would have been ideal.

We can state that the results of the summit are good, but if there had been an invitation, they would have been perfect, he said.

The press conference came after Stoltenberg and Zelensky met at NATOs annual summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Zelensky previously issued sharper criticism of the plan that Stoltenberg laid out on Tuesday to make the process for Ukraine to join easier but not set a clear timeline on when Ukraine would join the alliance.

The NATO chief called for increased support and relations between Ukraine and the organization, a council to work with Kyiv and the removal of the Membership Action Plan from the process. But Zelensky said after his announcement that the lack of a timeline for Ukraine to be invited or become a member is unprecedented and absurd.

The Ukrainian president took a calmer approach during Wednesdays press conference, thanking Stoltenberg for the attention he has provided to Ukraine.

Zelensky said NATO views Ukraine as a future member of the alliance and as a winner in this war for freedom and human rights. He added that he views the upcoming council as an instrument for Ukraine to eventually join, not just one for it to participate.

I am confident that Ukraine will join NATO after the war, he said. We will do everything for this.

President Biden and White House national security spokesperson John Kirby both in recent days indicated that Ukraine would not join NATO in the near future, at least while the war in the region was still going on because the countrys membership would likely put the alliance at war with Russia.

They noted that while Ukraine still needs to make additional political reforms, they expect Ukrainian membership in NATO is in the future.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked President Biden Wednesday on the sidelines of the NATO summit for providing his country with cluster bombs, highly controversial munitions that are outlawed by more than 100 nations.

Zelensky acknowledged it was a difficult political decision for Biden to move forward on providing the weapons, which make an explosive more dangerous by indiscriminately dispersing hundreds of projectiles over a larger area.

Its very simple, you know, to criticize, for example, cluster munitions, and you made a difficult political decision, Zelensky told Biden as the pair appeared together in Vilnius, Lithuania, amid the NATO summit.

But you have to know that Russia used such weapons from the first day [of its aggression against Ukraine]  I didnt hear from all parts of the world when Russia began to use it; I didnt a hear the same kind of criticism, Zelensky added.

Biden had earlier defended his decision to send the weapons to Kyiv amid concerns that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are running out of ammunition as they carry out a large-scale counteroffensive against Russian forces more than 16 months into Moscows invasion.

Lawmakers in Washington have expressed concerns about providing the cluster munitions to Ukraine.

Biden told Zelensky on Wednesday the U.S. is doing everything we can to get you everything we can.

Bad news for you is were not going anywhere. Youre stuck with us, the president joked.

The meeting between Biden and Zelensky came on the second and final day of the NATO summit, a critical meeting for allied-members and Ukraine that reaffirmed Western commitment to Ukraines defense as it works to push Russian soldiers out of its territory.

While Zelensky initially criticized NATO allies for failing to provide a concrete timetable for Ukraine to join the alliance, he said the outcome of the summit provided for very much needed and meaningful success for Ukraine.

Our delegation is bringing home a significant security victory for Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our children, he said in earlier remarks.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hopes that Ukraine will win the war with Russia by the next NATO summit, set to take place in mid-2024.

Source: European Pravda, citing President Zelenskyy during a press conference following the NATO summit in Vilnius on 12 July

Details: When asked what Ukraine expects from the next NATO summit, Zelenskyy said: "we believe in [Ukraines] victory".

Quote from Zelenskyy: "We believe that the next, very important, step for Ukraine will happen during the next NATO summit in Washington, DC  a symbolic occasion marking the Alliances 75th anniversary. I think we have to work a lot in preparation for this summit."

Details: Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraines victory is his one and only wish, and added that Ukraines "victory will lead to NATO membership".

Quote from Zelenskyy: "And everyone knows there is unanimous support, and Ukraine will be a member of the European Union. This is only fair: Ukraine has fought for this future, which is now not so distant, to be an equal member of the EU and the security alliance, and an independent state."

Previously: In May, Zelenskyy reflected on the possibility of losing US military support after the 2024 US presidential election, saying that Ukraine could win the war by then.

Earlier, commenting on the decision of the Vilnius NATO summit, he emphasised that, contrary to the text of the declaration, the Alliance will not make political demands for inviting Ukraine to join NATO.

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VILNIUS, Lithuania  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy defended his country's use of cluster munitions on Wednesday amid criticism from U.S. lawmakers, pledging at a NATO summit to use the weapons system responsibly.

Zelenskyy acknowledged that it posed a "challenge" in the U.S. and Congress for the Biden administration to send his country bombs that are banned by many other countries in the military alliance.

Russia is already deploying the bombs in Ukraine, he said, and he promised Kyiv would use the artillery only on military targets.

"It's not going to be used anywhere else," Zelenskyy said through a translator at a news conference. "It's all about fairness. We are defending ourselves."

The Ukrainian leader and President Joe Biden later held a high-stakes bilateral meeting as the Ukrainian leader sought additional firepower and looked to accelerate a NATO invitation.

I hope we finally have put to bed the notion about whether or not Ukraine is welcome in NATO, Biden told Zelenskyy as their meeting began. It's going to happen. Were all moving in the right direction. I think it's just a matter of getting by the next few months here.

Biden capped the two-day NATO summit declaring that the U.S. and other allies "will not waver" in a speech that reaffirmed support for Ukraine despite disagreements on how quickly Ukraine should be allowed to join NATO.

"The defense of freedom is not the work of a day or a year. It's the calling of our lifetime  of all time. We are steeled for the struggle ahead," Biden said. "Our unity will not falter. I promise you.

From left, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, United States President Joe Biden, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana during a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council during a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

In addition to the cluster munitions, which are controversial because of the risk they pose to civilians, Zelenskyy said Ukraine needs long-range weapons.

Biden agreed last week to provide Ukraine with the bombs that are banned by more than 100 countries. His administration has justified the decision that has come under criticism by human rights groups and lawmakers in Biden's political party with declarations that Ukraine is running low on ammunition.

Zelenskyy takes softer tone after blasting NATO's 'absurd' timeline

Zelenskyy was upbeat after his meeting with Biden, saying it went twice as long as planned and they "would have talked even longer" if they could have. "We clearly see how to end this war with our common victory," Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian leader adopted a softer tone at the NATO summit Wednesday after previously calling it "unprecedented and absurd" for NATO not to agree to a concrete timeframe to invite Ukraine to join NATO.

He applauded NATO's decision to simplify Ukraine's path to membership and welcomed a Group of Seven announcement of new security guarantees and military aid, saying they sent a "very specific signal" of support for Ukraine's eventual membership in Ukraine.

The results of the summit are good, but should we receive an invitation, they would be the optimum, Zelenskyy said, later embracing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with a hug.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, right, hugs Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a NATO summit in Vilnius on July 12, 2023.

On the eve of the summit, Zelenskyy slammed the "vague" conditions for membership in the latest NATO statement.

"This means that there is still an opportunity to negotiate Ukraine's membership in NATO  in negotiations with Russia," Zelenskyy said Tuesday in a tweet. "And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror. Uncertainty is weakness. And I will openly discuss this at the summit."

Zelenskyy spent Wednesday morning meeting with key allies in Vilnius, including the leaders of Germany, Canada and the U.K., and delivered remarks at a news conference alongside Stoltenberg.

Stoltenberg said Ukraine was "closer to NATO than ever before" as a result of the summit and hailed allies' consensus on membership as a "strong, united message from allies."

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, arrives for an event on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Tuesday, July 11, 2023.

Among Zelenskyy's goals with joining NATO: eliminate membership as a bargaining chip at the negotiating table in any future peace talks with Russia.

Biden has expressed reluctance with inviting Ukraine to join NATO before the war is over, calling the discussion "premature" in an interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria ahead of the NATO summit. He pointed to "qualifications" Ukraine must first meet.

Sitting next to Zelenskyy on Wednesday, Biden scoffed at a question from a reporter who asked how long it should take Ukraine to be admitted into NATO.

An hour and 20 minutes, Biden joked.

The White House said Wednesday that Ukraine "still needs to make a number of reforms" in order to become a member.

"We recognize that Ukraine has already made significant progress in terms of reforms," Amanda Sloat, senior director for Europe at the National Security Council, said. "There is still the need for Ukraine to take further democratic and security sector reforms. The president has been clear that we think Ukraine can get there. But that is still going to be a requirement for Ukraine to join as it has been, frankly, for all members who have joined the alliance."

Caution over NATO membership for Ukraine

G-7 nations offered new long-term security guarantees to Ukraine on Wednesday.

"Were going to help Ukraine build a strong, capable defense across land, air, and sea," Biden said at an event with Zelenskyy and G-7 leaders. "It will be a force of stability in the region and deter against any and all threats."

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, right, greets United States President Joe Biden during arrivals for a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Tuesday, July 11, 2023.

Some NATO allies are cautious about the implications of making Ukraine the alliance's 32nd member in the middle of Russia's war in Ukraine, recognizing that its addition could draw them closer to the conflict.

Stoltenberg stressed on Wednesday that NATO leaders would offer an membership invitation to Ukraine "when the allies agree that conditions are met."

"Today we meet as equals. I look forward to the day we meet as allies," Stoltenberg said.

The alliance announced a new multiyear assistance program to help Ukraine modernize its security and defense bases and bring them in line with NATO standards. The funding will also help Ukraine pay for critical needs such as fuel, demining equipment and medical supplies.

Allies also launched a NATO-Ukraine Council amid the summit and agreed to simplify the process for Ukraine to join NATO by removing a requirement for it to submit a so-called Membership Action Plan.

"This is a strong package for Ukraine and a clear path towards its membership in NATO," Stoltenberg said.

The White House said Wednesday that NATO had put forward a "very strong, forward leaning message that moves significantly beyond what has been said in the past" about Ukraine's membership path.

"I would agree that the communique is unprecedented, but I see that in a positive way," Sloat assessed.

Addressing Zelenskyy's criticisms at a Tuesday news conference, Stoltenberg similarly argued, "There has never been a stronger message from NATO at any time. Both when it comes to a political message on the path forward for membership, and the concrete support from NATO Allies; military support but also the practical support on how to ensure full interoperability.

"And if you look at all other membership processes," he continued, "there have not been timelines for those processes, they are conditions based, have always been."

Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts, one of several lawmakers participating in the summit in Vilnius, said that the first order of business is providing Kyiv with the weapons and support it needs to defeat Russia.

"Then there's certainly going to be a process for them to apply to become a NATO member. I think that there's consensus about having that initiation go to Ukraine at the appropriate time," the Nebraska senator said. "But frankly, first things first, which is: You've got to win the war."

Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison. Follow Francesca Chambers @fran_chambers.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Zelenskyy defends use of cluster bombs at NATO summit, meets with Biden
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy celebrated security agreements and commitments reached at this years NATO Summit Wednesday, one day after publicly voicing his frustration with the alliances approach to engagement with Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia.

At a bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden in Vilnius, Lithuania, Zelenskyy, who attended the summit along with a delegation of Ukrainian officials, said the results of the summit were a win for Ukraine.

I think by the end of summit, we have great unity from our leaders and the security guarantees  that is a success for this summit, I think so. Its my opinion, Zelenskyy said in response to a POLITICO reporters question Wednesday.

The comments come on the heels of frustrations Zelenskyy voiced on social media Tuesday with NATO over its refusal to allow Ukraine to immediately enter the alliance. NATO allies had reduced the steps needed for Ukraine to enter the alliance, waiving the requirement for a membership action plan, but acknowledged that concerns about corruption and the ongoing conflict in the country were barriers to Ukraines entry now. In response, Zelenskyy tweeted that the delay was absurd.

NATO leaders were unconcerned in public about his comments. When asked about Zelenskyys comments on Tuesday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg maintained that the package, and the expedited process for Ukraines entry, represented a positive and unified message to Kyiv and that it moves Ukraine closer to membership.

Yet Zelenskyys tweet rankled some lawmakers in the United States who saw the comments as ungrateful given the breadth of NATO, and in particular American, support for Ukraine amid its war with Russia. We have given him $100 billion and he has the audacity to say we better speed it up. It's audacious, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said on Fox News Tuesday, quoting a figure that includes humanitarian assistance and weaponry in addition to direct military aid. The U.S. has given over $40 billion in direct military aid to Ukraine since February 2022.

A State Department spokesperson also defended NATOs hesitation to invite Ukraine into the alliance in a press conference Tuesday, adding, There is an important reason why they are not becoming a member of NATO right now  because it would instantly put the United States in a shooting war with Russia.

By Wednesday, after meeting with Stoltenberg and other leaders in Vilnius, Zelenskyy walked back his initial comments, saying in a tweet that Ukrainians understand that Ukraine cannot become a member of NATO while the war is ongoing.

Zelenskyy also expressed gratitude to the U.S. for its support in his meeting with Biden and other U.S. officials, saying Ukrainians "understand that it's more than 43 billions as of today. It's big support, and I understand that it's all your money, but you have to know that you spend this money for not, not just fighting. We spend this money for our lives." Zelenskyy also defended the U.S. decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, pointing to Russia's usage of the weapons in the conflict.
Zelenskyy says Ukrainian troops can defend NATO states, but on one condition

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has admitted that the Ukrainian military will be able to participate in the defence of other NATO member states, but only after Ukraine's membership in the Alliance.

Source: European Pravda, citing the president's statement at a press conference following the NATO Summit in Vilnius on 12 July

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Our partners understand that we have a powerful army, and when we are in NATO, our military, which, of course, has military experience, can be invited to provide security on the territories of other NATO states within the framework of the current legislation."

Details: Asked about the possible deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine, which was speculated before the Vilnius summit, Zelenskyy said that neither the Alliance nor Ukraine was interested in this as long as it did not have membership.

"I believe that in this case, our armed forces are sufficient. The question is about specific NATO-type weapons," the Ukrainian president concluded.

Background:

In June, former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen admitted that, as part of the discussion on future security guarantees for Ukraine, some NATO members might agree to send troops to Ukrainian territory.

However, Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that NATO countries would not send troops to Ukraine until the Russian-Ukrainian war is over.

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Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced that the USs supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine is a restoration of justice in response to Russias shelling of Ukraine using similar projectiles.

Source: the president's speech at the joint press conference held by Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Jens Stoltenberg

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Russia constantly uses cluster munitions on our territory. It is fighting solely on our land. It is killing our people.

And the help that we can get from the United States of America regarding the decision on cluster missiles is to be used purely for military purposes, purely on the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine."

Details: Zelenskyy gave assurances that the use of cluster munitions will be controlled. "This is about justice; we are defending ourselves without using the corresponding weapons on the territory of other states," the president said.

Background:

The US previously announced a new military aid package to Ukraine which includes dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICMs), or cluster munitions.

Washington does not believe that the decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions will cause a split among NATO member states.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rather firmly countered comments made by UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace, who said London shouldnt be treated like Amazon, adding that Ukraine should be grateful for Western military assistance.

Read also: No decision on transfer of ATACMS missiles to Ukraine yet  Zelenskyy

During a press briefing in Vilnius on July 12, Zelenskyy stressed that backing Ukraine is well within the national interests of its partners.

He can write to me about how he wants to be thanked, so we can fully express our gratitude..., said the Ukrainian president.

We can make a point to wake up (every) morning and thank him."

The president then turned to Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov to communicate with Wallace directly.

"Do you have a poor relationship with the (UK) defense minister? Excellent, is it? Well, make sure to thank him...; and kindly call him today," Zelenskyy instructed Reznikov.

Read also: Reznikov showcases Ukrainian reconnaissance station RPS-7 Inhul, capable of long-range aircraft detection

Earlier on July 12, Wallace suggested that Ukraine should show more appreciation to the West for the weapons already supplied, while responding to criticism from Zelenskyy about the absence of a definitive invitation and clear terms for Ukrainian NATO membership.

NATO members gathered for the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12. Delegations from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Ukraine, and Sweden were also present, with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in attendance.

Read also: UK to provide Ukraine with new $65 million military aid package

On July 11, NATO countries in a joint communique expressed that Ukraine would be invited to join the Alliance once all member countries agree and requisite conditions are met.

Read also: Ukraine cannot join NATO amid ongoing war, Zelenskyy admits

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg indicated that Ukraine no longer needs to fulfill the Membership Action Plan, effectively saying that Kyiv will be able to ultimately join the defensive alliance on an expedited procedure.

On July 12, Zelenskyy expressed his belief that Ukraine would receive an invitation to join NATO post-war.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Zelenskyy: I talked to Biden about ATACMS, but there is no solution

During his talks with US President Joe Biden, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked about the prospects of providing Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles, but they did not agree on anything.

Source: Zelenskyy at a press conference on Wednesday following the NATO summit in Vilnius, reported by a European Pravda correspondent

Details: The president confirmed that "there are such conversations regarding ATACMS, but there is no decision yet".

Quote: "It is better not to raise this issue. Because there are expectations of people, the military, everyone. And I think it's important to do it first, and then share information about how it happened."

Details: Zelenskyy has pointed out once again that similar negotiations also concerned the provision of cluster munitions to Ukraine, and they began "months ago".

Quote: "I am grateful to President Biden and his team that we managed to get this result. So wait, not all at once."

Details: The army's ATACMS tactical missile systems are surface-to-surface missiles with a range of about 300 kilometres, about four times the range of the missiles used by the HIMARS mobile systems that the US began sending to Ukraine last year.

Background: Earlier, The New York Times reported that the administration of US President Joe Biden is having a "quiet" debate about whether to send ATACMS long-range tactical missile systems to Ukraine.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ruled out compromising over Ukrainian territory in negotiations with Russia in exchange for NATO membership.

Source: President Zelenskyy during a press conference following the NATO summit in Vilnius on 12 July

Details: Zelenskyy offered his comments in light of the rumours that the US and Germany are deliberately avoiding giving Ukraine a clear timeline for joining NATO in case Ukraines membership becomes a subject of negotiations with the Russian Federation.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Im certain that Biden and Scholz wont betray [Ukraine], but still, I have to make it clear that we will never trade a [NATO member status] for our territories  even for a single village that stands deserted but for one old man.

We wont relinquish our territories and will never trade them for a frozen conflict. This will never happen. Our partners know my position well."

Background: According to information from European Pravda, the White House opposes Ukraine's rapid accession, partly because Biden's team believes it is necessary to leave Ukraine room to trade with Russia in case "there is an idea to exchange peace for Ukraine's non-accession to NATO".

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that the conditions for Ukraine's accession to NATO, as set out by the Allies in the summit decision, are security-related. Commenting on NATO's decision that an invitation to join will come only after "the conditions are met", Zelenskyy explained that he has his own understanding of when this will happen.

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Several of the Zodiac Killers alleged victims are pictured (Getty)

They were an Eagle Scout and a pretty 16-year-old high school junior on their first official date, dolled up and excited as they headed out on the evening of 20 December 1968 in California. David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen represented everything wholesome about their Bay Area community, but their names would soon take on a new and more sinister significance both in their hometown and beyond. The teenagers were shockingly and tragically shot dead just hours into their date; they became the first known victims of the notorious Zodiac Killer, who went on to claim responsibility for more murders and whose identity remains a mystery to this day.

But what if the high schoolers were killed by someone else  and were never victims of the Zodiac in the first place? And what if the serial killers years-long reign of terror was actually ... a myth?

Those are the questions at the heart of Peacocks new docuseries Myth of the Zodiac Killer, which explores a fringe theory of author and professor Thomas Henry Horan, who in 2020 published The Myth of the Zodiac Killer: A Literary Investigation.

There is no evidence that connects any two of these murders, let alone connects all of the murders and let alone connects them to the letters, Mr Horan says in the series, explaining that he became interested in the case because nobody has come close to cracking this for over 50 years.

A former insurance investigator who worked in educational publishing before pursuing a career in academia and literature, Mr Horan says that he was curious: Did these letters really line up with the actual evidence?

So I spent hundreds of hours reviewing that material, he continues in the Peacock series. And the more I studied these letters and compared them to the actual facts in each case, I made a very surprising discovery. It wasn't just that the story that we're all familiar with about the Zodiac Killer was wrong, it's the truth about the Zodiac Killer case is more bizarre and more interesting than anybody ever suspected.

There was no serial killer, he says. There was no single killer involved in these murders. And the person writing the letters didn't commit any of the murders. The Zodiac Killer, is a fictional character. Hes a literary invention.

Five murders have been connected to the person claiming to be the Zodiac, and communication from the purported murderer boasts of dozens more. David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen, as mentioned, were the first, killed on 20 December 1968. Darlene Ferrin and Michael Renault Mageau were attacked on 4 July 1969 in Vallejo; 22-year-old Ferrin was killed, but her companion survived the shooting.

The first letters claiming responsibility for the murders arrived at San Francisco newsrooms just a few short weeks after the Vallejo attack, including the cross-circle logo that would come to be associated with the serial killer, though the writer did not yet use the term Zodiac. The author included details of the crimes and a cipher which contained his identity (and was solved a week later by a schoolteacher and his wife.)

When authorities appealed for more information, the writer followed up with his first use of the infamous phrase: Dear Editor, This is the Zodiac speaking.

Then, on 27 September 1969, college students Cecelia Shepard, 22, and Bryan Hartnell, 20, were tied up and stabbed repeatedly in Napa County. Both were able to give descriptions of the assailant, though Cecelia later tragically succumbed to her injuries. There was no letter following the attack, though a message was left on the door of the victims car detailing the dates of the two previous murders. The following month, 29-year-old taxi driver Paul Stine was shot and killed after picking up a passenger in San Francisco.

The purported Zodiac Killer sent letters to the San Francisco Chronicle (AP)

After his death, a letter writer claiming to be the Zodiac sent bloody scraps of the taxi drivers shirt to newspapers as proof of his identity. Various communications purporting to be from the serial killer would continue to arrive intermittently until 1974, though the authenticity of many of the letters has been fiercely debated over the years.

As an English professor, these Zodiac letters were what got me interested in the case in the first place, Mr Horan says in the Peacock series. They were fascinating. Theyre short, but theyre very well written. And this series of letters, very artfully crafted, created this compelling character. He was cold, calculating, ruthless; he was perfectly conscious of his actions. He chose to be evil.

But the initial response was skepticism from police, he says, who expressed a lot of healthy skepticism  but the public now are getting information from a person claiming to be the killer. I think the fear was that the public would believe these letters, and I think thats what happened. The more time that goes on, they believe more and more in the Zodiac, and it really does start to skew their investigations towards certain suspects, away from certain suspects.

Filmmaker Andrew Nock set about investigating Mr Horans theories that the five victims could have been killed by other criminals with other motivations, tracking down friends and family and even possible suspects for on-camera interviews. The author points to the different weapons, the different victimology, the different circumstances. Some witnesses provided descriptions that are vastly different from an instantly recognisable police sketch. Mr Horan theorises the first couple could have been killed by drug dealers; the taximan could have fallen victim to a robber preying on cab drivers at the time; Darlene Ferrin could have been murdered by an ex-con ex-husband.

Police sketches show the purported Zodiac Killer

Maybe hes not guilty, but you do have a prime suspect who is worthy of further investigation, Mr Horan says of Ferrins ex, Jim Phillips. But by the time the police catch up with him, theres now this runaway narrative that the murders are committed by one person whos been writing these letters. And the police couldnt prove that Jim was the so-called Zodiac Killer, so they lost interest ... the letters are probably the number one reason none of these victims ever got any justice, and heres a perfect example: If the letter writer isnt the killer, then we need to rethink everything we know about this case. And unlocking the mystery of those letters and ciphers is the key to blowing this whole case wide open and proving if there really was a Zodiac Killer.

Mr Nock actually tracked down Mr Phillips, who now goes by another surname, conducting a deeply weird interview during which the victims former husband claims to have been a military cryptologist and to have threatened Ferrin the last time he spoke to her. The filmmaker also had the letters analysed by experts in computational linguistics to see if, like Mr Horan, they believed they could have been written by multiple authors. The docuseries also includes interviews with other Zodiac experts, one of whom says he turned down a debate with Mr Horan because you might as well debate a ham sandwich.

There have been definite opinions for decades about the truth and fiction within the Zodiac mythology; new technology and investigators have pointed to multiple suspects as the possible serial killer. Many a name has been associated with the murderer, and detectives both professional and amateur continue to chip away at Zodiacs codes; one cipher was only solved in 2020, by a trio of amateur codebreakers in three countries.

The deeper you dive into the Zodiac story, and the more of the onion you peel, you dont really get to the core of what happened, Mr Nock says in the series. You just get to a muddier place, because with every Zodiac expert that you speak to, its clear that their theory on what happened in the so-called Zodiac crimes is the strongest theory.

Even when theres solid evidence in front of them that challenge their position, theyre unmovable. The problem with that is, when youre so entrenched in an idea, like the notion that a single person committed all four of these horrible crimes, and the same person wrote all of the letters, and the evidence proves otherwise, what you get is a cold case that stretches on for 50-plus years, and then theres no justice for any of the victims.

Professor Horan may be eccentric, but hes studied every document publicly available on this case, the filmmaker says. And its impossible not to walk away wondering: Was there ever a Zodiac Killer?
Shanghai to foster new growth drivers with AI technology

09:22, July 12, 2023 By Liu Shi'an, Xie Weiqun, Shen Wenmin ( People's Daily

A woman takes photos of the cartoon image generated in real-time in front of an AI mirror at the 2023 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, July 6. (People's Daily Online/Wang Chu)

Shanghai-based tech firm Deemos, a startup offering digital identity in the metaverse, attended the 2022 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) with its technology that builds digital avatars upon the scanning by panoramic cameras.

This year, it went further and brought to the 2023 WAIC a text-to-3D avatar technology, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) and text guidance to generate animatable 3D faces that can be customized based on user preferences.

Themed "Intelligent Connectivity Generating Future," the 2023 WAIC was held in Shanghai from July 6 to 8. Both the number of exhibitors and its exhibition area hit record highs. A batch of AI technologies and products developed by Shanghai companies were exhibited, showcasing the latest AI achievements.

Shanghai is one of the earliest cities in China to develop the AI industry. Over recent years, the city has made continuous efforts to build relevant application scenarios, improving AI ecology and fostering talents.

As a result, the AI industry is developing vibrantly in Shanghai. The number of AI enterprises above the designated size, or companies with annual revenue from principal business of 20 million yuan ($2.77 million), jumped from 183 in 2018 to 348 last year, with the total output value from 134 billion yuan to 382.1 billion yuan during the same period.

A man wearing a virtual reality headset assembles a puzzle at the 2023 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, July 6. (People's Daily Online/Wang Chu)

"AI technologies are evolving globally, leading to a new trend in the AI industry and catalyzing industrial reforms," said Wu Jincheng, director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization. He said Shanghai is working actively to foster new growth drivers with AI technologies.

On a river surrounding the Zhangjiang Artificial Intelligence Island in Shanghai's Pudong New Area, unmanned boats are always seen carrying tourists. After such boats are put into use in more scenic areas in the future, people could board the boat by simply placing an order on their mobile phones.

The AI+ Marine Technology Innovation Center, an innovation platform jointly launched by Shanghai Ocean University and electronics manufacturing giant INESA, built an AI application scenario in the waters of the Zhangjiang Artificial Intelligence Island. A Beijing-based company has successfully developed an unmanned surface boat in the pilot area, which is able to automatically navigate, avoid barriers and dock.

At the previous five sessions of the WAIC, 58 major AI application scenarios were unveiled by Shanghai enterprises in three batches, which effectively promoted the development of the AI industry.

Over recent years, a series of innovation organizations have been built in Shanghai, including the Shanghai AI Laboratory, the Shanghai Data Exchange and the Baiyulan Open AI. The city has established four clusters of AI enterprises, launching a batch of open AI systems and producing a number of intelligent chips.

Visitors watch a robotic arm do traditional Chinese calligraphy on a fan at the 2023 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, July 6. (People's Daily Online/Wang Chu)

Besides, Shanghai has put into trial operation a new-gen AI computing platform and unveiled China's first AI public computing platform.

To create a sound industrial environment for AI developers, Shanghai issued regulations aiming at promoting AI development. The city also implemented an action plan for AI intelligent computing innovation and a local standard for AI technology.

As a pilot zone for AI innovation and application, Pudong New Area is home to over 600 key AI companies that boast a total output value of more than 120 billion yuan.

The Global AI Developer Conference has been hosted in the Lingang Special Area of Shanghai's Pilot Free Trade Zone for four consecutive years. An international algorithm innovation center and an innovation center for smart robot manufacturing were inaugurated in the area.

Shanghai will consolidate its foundation of the AI industry, strengthen the development of multimodal and large models, enhance its competitiveness in new fields such as intelligent content creation and scientific intelligence, build the ecology for independent intelligent computing and improve international cooperation on the AI industry.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty

Jessie never injected xylazine. She only snorted it mixed with fentanyl in a combination known commonly in the drug world as tranq. It also goes by another name: the zombie drug, due to the waking blackout state it induces and the grotesque wounds users develop with repeated use. So despite not injecting the drug, her legs developed sores all the same.

My whole body swelled up but my legs got the worst of it, Jessie said. It was so itchy. When she scratched, her skin would fall off with the scab and her legs looked necrotic.

Xylazine is a common animal tranquilizer typically used on horses and other large livestock. However, in recent years, its been used to cut other drugs like fentanyl and heroin. This has created yet another hurdle that further complicates the fight against the opioid crisis and exposes a glaring gap in U.S. drug policywith deadly consequences for some.

In April, the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) designated fentanyl mixed with xylazine an emerging threat that is worsening the already devastating opioid crisis. In addition to increasing the risk of overdose, repeated xylazine use has been associated with abnormally large and persistent skin lesions and abscesses that occasionally result in limb amputation.

Unlike normal wounds that can be treated with antibiotics, tranq wounds sometimes cover half of an arm or leg, and stay open for up to six months at a time, said Brendan Hart, an emergency room doctor at Temple University Hospital in Kensington, Philadelphiawidely considered ground zero for the xylazine crisis. Some days, Hart estimates he sees more than a dozen patients with tranq-related wounds per shift.

Its incredibly distressing, Hart told The Daily Beast. People are worried they are going to lose their hand or arm.

But because of the nature of addiction, it can be nearly impossible to stop.

Xylazine has been used for decades by veterinarians to put animals to sleep and sedate them for surgery. It is not approved for use in humans, however. When it was first synthesized in the 1970s, the FDA quickly shut down human trials after it was found to lower heart rate and breathing to a dangerous extent. How wounds develop on humans after exposure is still something of a mystery-animals treated with xylazine like horses dont appear to get them.

Since xylazine is not approved for human use, the government currently does not track or monitor it in any way. This leaves officials relatively clueless about where it is coming fromand thus how to stop the influx.

Congress is currently considering a bill that would add xylazine to the Controlled Substances Act. This would result in the drugs scheduling, which would criminalize possession in certain cases and better enable the government to track its supply.

Mexican President: U.S. Fentanyl Crisis Caused by Lack of Love

However, the bill has encountered some resistance from veterinarians and others who rely on xylazine to treat animals. They claim that increased regulations would make it harder to get for legitimate purposes.

Experts believe that some xylazine is being diverted from the veterinary supply to dealers and users via clinic robberies or, more commonly, by employees clandestinely taking it and selling it on the black market. In 2022, the DEA reported that it had found vials of xylazine labeled for veterinary use in stash houses during multiple raids. But there are no hard numbers since no federal agency is tracking supply.

Veterinary medicine uses the same scheduling system as all other drugs. At the federal level, controlled veterinary medications must be stored in a secure place in a way that limits who has access, Lauren Forsythe, an assistant professor of pharmacy at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital, told The Daily Beast. They also have to keep records and report any discrepancies to the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Kentuckys Risky Million-Dollar Bet to Fight the Opioid Crisis With Psychedelics

How strictly those regulations are enforced depends on the state. Some states get really specific about the exact requirements and some do not, Forsythe said.

Since xylazine isnt scheduled, there are no requirements on how they have to be secured or not, she explained. There are no requirements for record keeping. It's good fiscal practice but it's not a legal requirement. You can keep on hand as much or as little as you want.

So, at present, we have no idea how much xylazine is being diverted from the veterinary supplybut we know diversion is likely a huge culprit. After all, it's a significant issue in human healthcare in general, with some studies estimating that as much as 10 percent of human hospital employees have stolen drugs for personal use or sale.

Forsythe speculates that drug diversion is at least as much of a problem in veterinary medicine as in human healthcare, if not more.

But veterinary diversion is just one part of the equation. Drug policy experts are also pointing to the influx of the drug from overseas as a cause of the rising xylazine problems. Beau Kilmer, co-director of the RAND Drug Policy Research Center, told The Daily Beast that it is possible to buy xylazine online from websites that are not necessarily checking if you're a vet.

Its also possible that some of the xylazine is being mixed in with fentanyl at the source in countries such as Mexico and China, where most fentanyl is produced. Sheila Vakharia, deputy director of research and academic engagement at the Drug Policy Alliance, told The Daily Beast that she believes the current wave of xylazine is mostly getting shipped from factories in China and other parts of central Asia.

How the government deals with the xylazine crisis will depend a lot on where the mixing is happening, Kilmer said, adding that this was the main argument for scheduling: so that the government can learn where and how that is happening.

However, representatives from the agricultural and veterinary industries have argued that the more onerous tracking requirements related to scheduling xylazine would make it impossible for them to afford it and get it to treat their animals, Vakharia said. In its current iteration, though, the xylazine bill before Congress would exempt veterinarians from the reporting requirements.

Although the current bill does not formally schedule xylazine, it does link non-veterinary possession to penalties typically associated with schedule III drugs, such as ketamine and anabolic steroids. However, Vakharia thinks the focus on penalties is a mistake.

The problem with our laws is that they are written so that only certain molecular compounds are criminalized, she said. This motivates suppliers to develop new drug compounds and look for other loopholes to stay ahead of the law. Its a tragic situation where we keep repeating the same mistakes that we made over the past few decades and expecting different results."

We turned it into this game of whack-a-mole, Vakharia added.

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Instead, Vakharia and Hart argue that drug policy should focus on better treatments and harm reduction programs. Decades of research suggests this would make the biggest impact when it comes to saving lives and preventing injuries related to illegal drug use. Additional research is also needed to better understand xylazines malignant effects on humans and how to treat it, Hart said.

Currently, though, Congressin classic fashionis just playing catch up when it comes to regulating the drug. Scheduling xylazine is a step forward that could save lives, but critics say its still not enough to fully address the full-blown crisis that continues to hurt and kill drug users across the country every day.

For Jessie, those days are mercifully over for her. She got clean when she found out she was pregnant in 2022. I couldnt bring a baby into that, she said. Her daughter was born healthy, and she has been sober for more than a year at the time of reporting.

But, if you ask any former drug user like Jessie, theyll all tell you the same thing: There are some wounds from their past that will just never heal. The scars are still there, she said. I still hide my legs.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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BEDFORD  A charge of accessory after the fact to homicide against a Goodview man accused as part of an ongoing murder investigation in Bedford County will head to a grand jury later this month.

Jonathan Dewayne Bell, 34, was arrested April 25, a week after human remains later identified as Ethan Ryan Bert, 20, of York, Pennsylvania, were found in a burning vehicle in Bedford County, Virginia State Police have said. Bell, who is released on bond, appeared in Bedford General District Court on Wednesday on the accessory charge and waived his preliminary hearing.

The charge was certified to a grand jury, which according to Bedford County Commonwealths Attorney Wes Nance is set to meet the last week in July.

Joseph Richard Walker, 29, of Roanoke, was arrested in Brevard County, Florida, and is facing a charge of aggravated murder in connection with Berts death.

An investigation began after Bedford County Fire & Rescue crews were called to a vehicle fire on Sandy Level Road off Virginia 24 in the Goodview area on April 18, a news release has said. Firefighters arrived at about 12:45 a.m. to find the vehicle fully engulfed in flames, authorities have said.

Bert died by violent circumstances prior to his remains being placed in the vehicle, the release said.

Walker also recently was indicted on one count each of robbery, transporting a dead body, arson of personal property and possession of a firearm as a felon, and two counts of use of a firearm in connection with the killing. A jury trial is set for 9 a.m. Dec. 11 in Bedford Circuit Court.
Japan's Bunshin Tattoo Museum in Yokohama is dedicated to the work of Yoshihito Nakano, who is better known in the body art world as Horiyoshi III, a master of traditional Japanese tattooing.

The museum is presided over by Horiyoshi's wife, Mayumi Nakano. Wearing a sleeveless shirt that reveals entwined flower tattoos in vivid reds, greens and yellows from her wrists to her shoulders, she confides that she received her first tattoo when she was 20. It was at the hands of her husband.

"Tattoos are misunderstood in Japan," she tells DW, surrounded by stencils of intricate tattoo designs and pictures of his satisfied clients.

"Tattoos have always been associated with the underworld gangs, but I had hoped that would change over time. Even though there is no stigma attached to tattoos in other countries, Japanese society is not ready to change," says Nakano.

In ancient times, the indigenous people of Hokkaido, the Ainu, practiced tattooing with ink made from the indigo plant. The people in the islands to the far south of mainland Japan, then the Ryukyu Kingdom but now incorporated into Japan as Okinawa Prefecture, also applied skin art inspired by their environment and culture.

During the Edo period, between 1603 and 1867, rule over the nation became more centralized and the punishment for certain types of crimes was tattooing. ...continue reading
Japan's defense ministry says North Korea launched a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile Wednesday morning. It's believed to have fallen outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio took time out of his trip to Lithuania to condemn the launch.

He said: "North Korea's actions, including repeated ballistic missile launches, threaten the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community. They are unacceptable."

Tokyo says the missile was launched at around 10 a.m., and was in the air for about 74 minutes. That's the longest flight time for a North Korean ballistic missile on record.

It also appeared to have a "lofted" trajectory, reaching an altitude of around 6,000 kilometers.

Officials say it likely splashed into the Sea of Japan off Hokkaido's Okushiri Island.

It's the 12th launch conducted by Pyongyang so far this year. Japanese officials say this one does not appear to be linked to North Korea's attempts to put a satellite into orbit.

... continue reading
TS Bank has partnered with Advance Southwest Iowa Corporation and several other local companies to host REV, a small business pitch competition, where $15,000 will be distributed to one or more entrepreneurs.

From the pool of applicants, a third-party committee will select up to five businesses to pitch on all aspects of their business in front of a judges panel and live audience on Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Hoff Family Arts and Culture Center.

We invite local businesses to pitch their current or future business idea for a chance to earn more capital. We want to help elevate startups and for more small business dreams to become a reality in the southwest Iowa region, TS Banking Group President of Community Banking Dave Wise said in a news release.

To apply, visit tsbank.com/rev and download the application. The application deadline is Sept. 10.

TS Bank originally started REV in 2015 in an effort to spur economic growth and encourage business owners to continue pursuing their dreams. As of today, over $114,000 has been awarded through this program, according to the release.

At last year's event, Nesting Grounds, a coffee shop and gathering place in Underwood, received $10,000 for a new drive-thru and walk-up light up menu boards, microphone system, headsets, patio lighting, shades and an outdoor speaker system.

Fermented Felon  a business making handcrafted kombucha using natural ingredients with a cause helping felons through fellowship, fortitude and friendship  was also awarded $4,000 last year for two new 1,000-liter variable volume fermenters to help defray production costs.

We enjoy partnering with TS Bank to host REV in southwest Iowa, Advance Southwest Iowa Corporation Entrepreneurial Development Manager Niki Ferguson said in the release. "The prizes awarded through REV can act as a catalyst for growth and realize the impact of the pitch competition goes far beyond the funds, as connections made are just as significant."
A total of eight facades in downtown Glenwood will be rehabilitated under a federal rehabilitation program.

The City of Glenwood was awarded $521,526 through a grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority under the Community Development Block Grant Downtown Revitalization program, according to a news release.

The citys application was written by Southwest Iowa Planning Council, which will also administer the project once underway.

The City of Glenwood is excited to partner with IEDA, SWIPCO, Curtis Architecture and the property owners involved in the downtown revitalization project, Glenwood City Administrator Amber Farnan said in the release. We know that this project will only enhance the charm and beauty already found in our historic downtown square.

The CDBG-DTR program started in 2012 in Iowa to help preserve and restore downtown buildings for economic development. Since 2012, SWIPCO has assisted with a total of seven downtown revitalization projects in the southwest Iowa region.

CDBG grants cover half the project costs, while the city and building owners split the remainder. This is Glenwoods first downtown revitalization project.

Glenwood has a downtown full of beautiful historic buildings that, like other downtowns, has seen some disinvestment, SWIPCO Community Development Lead Planner Dani Briggs said in the release. This project will work to reduce the blighted areas, highlight the historic architecture, and promote future investment in the downtown area.

Construction is estimated to be started by April 2024 and should be completed by April 2025. The scope of work on this project includes tuckpointing, window and door replacement or rehab, painting and removing slip coverings.

SWIPCO routinely provides grant writing and administration services to its member communities in Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby Counties and has brought over $129 million in grants to the region in the last year alone.
DES MOINES  Iowa Republican lawmakers passed a near-total abortion ban during a one-day special session, making another attempt to enact a law that was blocked by courts in 2018 and remained so after an Iowa Supreme Court decision last month.

Lawmakers voted mostly along party lines after seven hours of debate to ban abortions after cardiac activity is detected in an embryo or fetus, with some exceptions.

"This bill protects unborn children in Iowa," said Rep. Shannon Lundgren, R-Peosta, who managed the bill in the House. This bill sets a clear standard where the state has an interest in the life of a child  when the babys heart starts beating. Where there is a heartbeat  there is life."

The bill passed in the House 56-34, with 10 representatives absent. Republican Reps. Mark Cisneros of Muscatine and Zach Dieken of Granville joined Democrats in voting no. Dieken and Cisneros previously sponsored a bill that would ban abortions from the moment of conception. Neither spoke during floor debate.

In the Senate, the bill passed mostly along party lines, 32-17. Republican Sen. Mike Klimesh of Spillville joined Democrats in voting no, and Republican Sen. Kevin Alons of Salix was absent.

This was a radical, extreme abortion ban, Senate Democratic Leader Pam Jochum of Dubuque told reporters. ... I think all of us have pretty heavy hearts rights now.

Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds plans to sign the bill into law Friday, the same day as at the Christian conservative Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines.

The voices of Iowans and their democratically elected representatives cannot be ignored any longer, and justice for the unborn should not be delayed, Reynolds said in a press release. As a pro-life Governor, I am also committed to continuing policies to support women in planning for motherhood, promote the importance of fatherhood, and encourage strong families. Our state and country will be stronger because of it.

House Speaker Pat Grassley, a Republican from New Hartford, said in a statement: "While Democrats across the country continue to devalue the life of an unborn child, Iowa House Republicans are following through on our promise to protect life."

A Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll from March found 61 percent of Iowa adults believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while 35 percent said the procedure should be illegal in most or all cases.

Its time to elect more Democratic candidates who will continue to put people over politics, work to create balance, and protect our fundamental rights, Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said in a statement.

The bill prohibits abortions once a fetal heartbeat  defined as cardiac activity, the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the fetal heart within the gestational sac  is detected.

The bill would ban abortions after cardiac activity is detected in an embryo or fetus, with some exceptions. With passage, Iowa would join 10 other states with similar abortion limits.

Abortion rights advocates say such a prohibition would end 98 percent of the now-legal abortions in Iowa. They argued during lengthy public hearings the bill went against the will of Iowans and would strip women of their bodily autonomy.

Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, a Democrat from Windsor Heights who leads the minority party House Democrats, said if the bill is signed into law before the state medicine board writes rules, it will lead to chaos and inconsistent medical care throughout Iowa.

Doctors wont know what to do. Patients wont know what to do, Konfrst said. There will be questions. And most importantly, there will be inconsistent care across the state because different doctors will interpret it differently. Different patients will receive different kinds of care.

How early does the bill ban abortions?

The bill prohibits abortions once a fetal heartbeat  defined as cardiac activity, the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the fetal heart within the gestational sac  is detected. Iowa OB-GYNs said a doctor's ability to detect embryonic cardiac activity varies between pregnancies, but can occur as early as six to eight weeks of pregnancy  before many women know they are pregnant.

Current state law prohibits abortions at 20 weeks of pregnancy and later, with some exceptions.

The bill includes exceptions for pregnancies that are the result of rape in cases reported within 45 days, and incest in cases 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.

Physicians and opponents called the use of the term fetal heartbeat misleading. Some major medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, note that what is detected at six weeks is electrical impulses. An actual heartbeat does not occur until roughly 17 to 20 weeks of pregnancy, they say.

Supporters say the presence of a heartbeat indicates life that merits equal protection.

(T)he truth is abortion harms women, kills unborn children and it creates a society that devalues human life, Maggie DeWitte, executive director of the anti-abortion rights group Pulse Life Advocates (formerly Iowans for LIFE), said during a 90-minute public hearing on the bill Tuesday morning.

DeWitte called the bill the next step in providing more protection for the most vulnerable in our society.

House and Senate Democrats offered amendments voted down by majority Republicans that would have removed the time-limited reporting requirements for instances of rape and incest to be eligible for exceptions.

Democrats said most rapes and instances of incest are not reported, and so the short timeframe will require many people who were victims of rape or incest to give birth.

"Anyone who votes for this bill as is uses the state to commit a second act of violation upon victims of rape and child victims of incest and sexual abuse by forcing pregnancy," said Sen. Liz Bennett, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids.

Republicans also voted down amendments that would create exceptions for any pregnant children 12 years old or younger, and another that would create an exception for people under 16. Republicans voted those down, saying children would be protected under exceptions for rape, incest and medical emergency.

Iowas statutory rape statute, though, does not apply to somebody who is less than four years older than someone who is 14-15.

Republicans also voted down amendments that would create exceptions for people with mental illnesses or with developmental disabilities.

Bill enforced by Board of Medicine

Physicians who perform an abortion in violation of the proposed law would face disciplinary action from the Iowa Board of Medicine, including the possibility of losing their license. The bill does not carry a criminal penalty for physicians.

A woman who receives an abortion would not face civil or criminal liability.

The bill states the law takes effect upon enactment, and directs the Board of Medicine to adopt rules to administer the bill.

Democrats argued the immediate nature of the law would create confusion for doctors who are unsure what services are allowed once it is in law.

Iowa Code allows the Board of Medicine to discipline a physician for "violating a law of this state, another state, or the United States." Sinclair said this catch-all allows the board to discipline doctors for violating the law as soon as it is in code.

That existing code allows the board to suspend or revoke a physician's license.

"My recommendation (for physicians), I suppose, would be that they follow the plain text of the law, Sinclair said.

Still, Democratic Sen. Janet Petersen, from Des Moines, said those circumstances will create confusion for providers who will have to change their services and offerings quickly.

"I cannot even imagine what providers are going through right now," she said. "Not knowing how they're going to handle certain situations that are unclear in this legislation."

Physicians warn of compromised care

Iowa physicians warned the bills restrictions do not account for complications that occur during pregnancy, and will hinder their ability to provide medically necessary care, prevent disease, avert emergencies and respond to time-sensitive issues.

Dr. Francesca Turner, an OB-GYN in Des Moines, said the language in the bill is ambiguous about when doctors can intervene in cases of pregnancy complications.

At what point when your wife or your daughter or your sister is having a medical emergency during a pregnancy do I get to save her life? she asked. At what moment do I get to intervene? Its unclear in this bill.

Dr. Amy Bingman told lawmakers abortion is health care.

Reproductive freedom is necessary for a healthy and functional community, she said.

The proposed bill forces women into a lifelong obligation which impacts her education, career, family and community. Yet, the man does not have the same consequences, she said.

Katie Buck, a West Des Moines resident, brought her son, Alex, with her to Tuesdays public hearing. Alex was born with a genetic disorder caused by an extra chromosome. The condition can be fatal. Buck said it qualifies as one of the fetal abnormality exceptions allowed in the bill.

She urged lawmakers to remove the provision.

Alex is 7 years old. How can he be incompatible with life? she said. You have no idea how hard we had to fight against this fatal fetal anomaly label to get him the medical care he needed to survive.

Rep. Lundgren pushed back on assertions the bill would restrict pregnancy care.

I want to assure Iowans this bill does not in any way stop health care for pregnant women, she said. The medical emergency definition has been in place since 2017, and Iowa health care providers will continue to provide medical care in their reasonable medical judgment.

Court battles expected

Planned Parenthood, a reproductive health care system that provides abortions, has said it will challenge any abortion restrictions that come from the special session  teeing up whats sure to be another legal battle that could take a year or more to resolve. That expected legal challenge could center on the level of legal scrutiny that should be applied by the courts to abortion restrictions.

This is not the end of our fight for safe and legal abortion and reproductive health care, Ruth Richardson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said in a news release. We will exhaust all options to ensure Iowans have control of their bodily autonomy, now and for generations to come."

In the wake of Iowa and U.S. Supreme Court rulings last year that reversed a fundamental right to abortion at both the state and federal levels, abortion rights 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.

"This law is deeply cruel and callously puts the lives and health of Iowans at risk," Rita Bettis Austen, legal director for the ACLU of Iowa, said in a statement. "Every day this law is in effect, Iowans will face life-threatening barriers to get desperately needed medical care  just as we have seen in other states with similar bans.  But we will not stop fighting to protect Iowans right to abortion."

The catalyst for the special session was a tied Iowa Supreme Court decision that declined a request from Reynolds to reinstate the 2018 law. That case centered on procedural questions, so Republicans hope the court will allow the bill to go through when deciding on the merits of the bill itself.

Fate of OB-GYNs in balance

Multiple OB-GYN residents and medical students who spoke at the public hearings said restrictive abortion laws will discourage them from practicing in Iowa and drive prospective OB-GYNs away from the state.

Iowa has among the fewest OB-GYN specialists per capita of any state in the country, according to data from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Maren Betterman, an OB-GYN resident at the University of Iowa on the universitys rural resident track, said the bill would further drive prospective OB-GYNs out of Iowan. She said the law would force her to leave the state because she could not get the full scope of medical training necessary to practice as an OB-GYN.

Iowa is dead last in terms of providers per capita in providing care to people across the state, specifically rural health care, Betterman said. This is a crisis, and this is why the University of Iowa designed this rural residency, and it's completely going to negate that if this bill passes. Because I wont stay in the state of Iowa.

OB-GYN residency applicants dropped by 10.5 percent in states with near-total abortion bans after the fall of Roe v. Wade last year, according to data from the American Association of Medical Colleges.

Iowa lawmakers earlier this year funded family medicine obstetrics fellowships in rural areas in an effort to address the shortage of OB-GYN and reproductive health care in Iowa.

House Democrats offered amendments to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage, reinstate the Iowa Family Planning network under Medicaid to draw down federal funds for family planning and expand tax credits and incentives for providing child care.

All were defeated by majority Republicans.

Iowa abortion providers have said they will continue to provide abortions in Iowa as long as it is legal to do so, and are prepared to advise people who are beyond six weeks of pregnancy to refer them to abortion providers in other states where they could still have the procedure.

We will remain committed to and will not stop our fight to restore Iowans' fundamental right to reproductive freedom, Francine Thompson, executive director of the Emma Goldman Clinic, said in a statement. We deserve better as a state and our future generations deserve better."

Erin Murphy of The Gazette contributed to this report.

Images from the final round of the John Deere Classic
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Chariot, a London-listed, Africa-focused energy company, announced on Tuesday it has raised $15 million (11.7 million) for its onshore drilling operation in Morocco.

The company said the funds were raised through the placement and subscription of 89.6 million shares at an issue price of 14 pence per share, according to a statement from Chariot posted on the London stock exchange.

Chariot said it plans to use the proceeds from the fundraise for near-term onshore drilling and development planning on a new onshore Moroccan license, which it said it expects to be awarded imminently, as well as new ventures and working capital.

Commenting on the news, Adonis Pouroulis, CEO of Chariot, said: We are pleased to announce the successful completion of our oversubscribed Placing and Subscription, subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming General Meeting.

Chariot plans to hold a general meeting on August 2.

We look forward to reporting on our drilling program on the new onshore Moroccan license, to be awarded, as well as our partnering process, other offshore activities, and further value generative corporate developments over the rest of 2023 and beyond, he added.

Chariot is also seeking to raise a further 2.3mln through a separate share sale to qualifying existing shareholders via an open offer share sale.

Chariot currently holds a drilling license under the Lixus offshore license near Lareche, Morocco. The company holds a 75% stake in the drilling operations, while Moroccos National Hydrocarbons and Mines Office ONHYM holds 25%.
Moroccan flag carrier RAM plans to increase its fleet fourfold from 50 aircrafts to 200 by 2037 as the country prepares to host 67 million tourists, the Prime ministers office said.

A contract, signed Tuesday, covers the 2023-2037 period providing for an increase in the states contribution in RAMs capital, the prime ministers office said.

The deal was signed by Prime minister Aziz Akhannouch and RAMs CEO Hamid Addou as the country is poised to outperform pre-pandemic tourism and air traffic activity.

Most of RAM fleet is composed of Boeing aircraft notably Boeing 737-800.

This capital increase would allow RAM to launch new air routes internationally and domestically and bolster the competitiveness of Casablanca among Africas best three hubs.

Moroccos tourism promotion plan aims to attract 17.5 million tourists by 2026 generating revenue of $12 billion and 80,000 direct jobs and 120,000 indirect.

Morocco is poised to break a new record in tourist arrival and revenue this year. At the end of June 2023, the number of arrivals stood at 6.5 million tourists, an increase of 21% compared to the pre-pandemic reference year of 2019.

In June, the volume of arrivals at border posts reached nearly 1.4 million tourists, i.e. +25% compared to 2019, according to the tourism ministry. Several markets contributed to this performance, notably Spain (+79% Vs. 2019), the United Kingdom (+23% Vs. 2019), Portugal (+16% Vs. 2019) and the Israeli market (+96 % vs. 2019).

In terms of sector productivity, tourism, a major foreign exchange provider, generated MAD 41 billion in foreign currency travel receipts at the end of May 2023, an exceptional increase of +42% compared to the same period of 2019.
The U.S. have granted Togo $3 million to attend to around 60.000 people displaced in the north of the African country struggling to contain terrorism activities.

USAID, Washingtons agency, provided the aid facility. The World Food Program (WFP) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) will be the agencys operational partners on the ground.

Per a press release from the US embassy in Togo, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) will use the funds disbursed to provide multi-purpose financial assistance to around 27.000 people to cover their basic needs. This will be done in collaboration with the diocese of the city of Dapaong.

WFP on the other hand will provide emergency nutritional assistance to a further 37.000 people.

The assistance, the mission added, will be of particular benefit to these people, especially during the lean season when families generally need support the most.

Togo since November 2021 has been facing sporadic attacks from terrorists spilling from Burkina Faso grappling terrorist activities since 2015.

The attacks happening in the Savannah region close to Burkina Faso, have forced thousands of people to flee the region.

The countrys President Faure Gnassingbe, in an address to the nation on April 27, indicated that the attacks have claimed live of dozens of soldiers and hundreds of civilians.
Germany returned Monday to Egypt 40 ancient Egyptian statuettes after they had been stolen and illegally smuggled out of the country, Ahram Online reports citing an official.

Shaaban Abdel-Gawad, the supervisor-general of antiquities repatriation indicated to the media artefacts consists of 40 ushabti statuettes seized by German customs at Frankfurt Airport in 2020.

According to Abdel-Gawad, the statuettes were used in Ancient Egyptian burials, where they were expected to serve as magical servants for the deceased when gods requested him to undertake menial tasks in the afterlife.

Also per the state official, the ancient statuettes were examined by Egyptologists from Heidelberg University and the German Archaeological Institute in Cairo, who affirmed Egypts rightful possession of these objects and ruled that they will be returned.

The Egyptian embassy in Berlin received the artefacts from Carsten Wilms, the Cultural Officer for the Middle East and Africa at the German Foreign Ministry.

Germany in 2017, the Egyptian media notes, changed an act in its cultural property law to facilitate the return of cultural goods to their countries of origin.
Morocco will assess its fisheries deal with the EU and act accordingly, in line with the vision and foreign policy outlined by King Mohammed VI which favors partnerships with a clearer added value, foreign minister Nasser Bourita said.

A fisheries protocol between Morocco and the EU expires in July 17 and a Moroccan-EU committee will meet this week in Brussels to assess the deal, Foreign minister Nasser Bourita said at a press conference in Rabat.

The Moroccan government is examining this protocol, he said, noting that Morocco wants a partnership that takes into consideration its fisheries plan, Haliutis and scientific and biological factors.

Morocco would like to see more advanced partnerships, where Moroccan added value is stronger, said Bourita.

Morocco will therefore interact with the European side on the basis of this reflection, which is underway, stressed Bourita, noting that dialogue and cooperation with European partners are ongoing.

Under the deal, Morocco received 208 million euros from the EU over 4 years allowing some 128 vessels, mostly Spanish, to fish in its waters.

The deal, however, was declared null by a European court in 2021 because it included Sahara waters, in a ruling that was appealed by the European commission.

Spains agriculture minister Luis Planas called on the EU to continue to work with Morocco for a renewal of the deal as soon as possible before the current agreement expires.

Yet, for observers the deal would not be renewed before a verdict of the court following an appeal by the European commission.

The deal has been renewed since 1988. But in 2015, Algerian proxies defending the Polisario have been challenging the commercial and fisheries agreements with Morocco.

Moroccos King Mohammed VI had said that the country will not engage in any economic step that does not cover all its territories including the Sahara, expressing a firm stand that Rabat will not compromise on its territorial integrity and economic sovereignty.

Moroccan fisheries operators are not supportive of such a deal either. Morocco receives in return for letting 128 EU vessels fish in its waters 208 million euros only, most of it is directed to developing the fisheries sector.

In contrast, it exports 2.5 billion dollars of fisheries products to the EU market.

I have never supported the idea of a fisheries deal between Morocco and the EU, said Hassan Sentissi EL Idrissi, head of fisheries industry federation.

He urged Morocco to raise the bar by asking for a higher EU contribution and reducing the number of EU vessels.

Russia, Japan and the UK are also interested parties in fisheries deals with Morocco.

The UKs justice system has dealt a blow to Algerian proxies, when a British court rejected irrevocably a challenge by pro-polisario Western Sahara Campaign (WSC) to the association agreement with Morocco.

The verdict, which reduced the Polisario to its size as an Algerian puppet that has no right to claim representativeness of the Sahara people, should serve as an example to the European Court of Justice.
A man has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after assaulting his girlfriend and driving drunk.

Richard S. Padilla, 58, was sentenced to 15 months in the Nebraska Department of Corrections Monday after pleading guilty to felony attempted third-degree attempted domestic assault with a prior offense and a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest.

District Judge Michael Piccolo gave him 153 days credit for time served. As part of the plea deal, charges of felony operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol, refusal to submit to a breath test and driving under a suspended license were dropped.

A charge of felony third-degree domestic assault was amended down.

According to court records, on Feb. 8 Padillas partner reported to police that he had assaulted her three days before. She said she was afraid to report it because of what he might do if she went to police.

On that same night, police made contact with Padilla on Rodeo Road. He was standing outside his pickup truck and they had received reports he was intoxicated and had a suspended license.

Upon seeing police approach him, Padilla entered his vehicle and sped away. Officers gave chase. Padilla stopped at a residence on the corner of 14th Street and Sherman Avenue where he resisted arrest, refused a chemical breath test and was ultimately arrested, court documents say.

In other court actions Monday (all are from North Platte unless otherwise specified):

David Coopers case was continued to Nov. 6. Cooper, 48, is charged with two counts of felony first degree sexual assault by a school employee and one count of third degree sexual assault by a school employee.During the hearing, Lincoln County Attorney Angela Franz filed a motion to quash a defense filing asking for medical information from the alleged victim.

According to court documents, the defense and the prosecution will work together to draft a protective order limiting the scope of the subpoena.

Omar Mora, 37, and Barbara Collins, 32, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor attempted possession of methamphetamine. As part of the plea deal, charges of felony possession of methamphetamine and two counts of child abuse were dropped. Mora and Collins were charged and sentenced together as they are a couple involved in the same incident. District Judge Cindy Volkmer sentenced both of them to 24 months probation.

Christopher D. Bornschein, 34, pleaded not guilty to felony possession of an exceptionally hazardous drug, possession of methamphetamine and possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 11.

Timothy L. Caudillo, 39, pleaded not guilty to felony theft over $5,000 and theft of $0 to $5,000, third offense.

Cristy A. Dike, 46, pleaded not guilty to felony possession of methamphetamine. She is free on her own personal recognizance. Her next court appearance is scheduled on Oct. 16.

Samantha Gardner, 27, pleaded not guilty to felony possession of methamphetamine. She is out on bail on her own personal recognizance.

Jamie Hopkins, 25, pleaded not guilty to felony possession of methamphetamine and tampering with evidence.

Dustin B. Ray, 39, pleaded not guilty to felony resisting arrest, second offense, misdemeanor second degree trespassing and disturbing the peace.

Omar E. Rayan, 33, of Rochester, New York, pleaded not guilty to felony manufacture of a controlled substance. He is out on $2,250 bail.

John A. Hernandez, 35, pleaded not guilty to felony possession of methamphetamine and intentional child abuse, no injury.

Amanda B. Beall, 25, pleaded guilty to felony theft by taking, $5,000 or more. She also admitted to violation of probation related to a previous case. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 18.

Shawn D. Reese, 32, of Lincoln, pleaded not guilty to felony possession of methamphetamine between 28-139 grams and possession of an exceptionally hazardous substance.

Dustin B. Ray, 39, pleaded guilty to felony second-offense resisting arrest. Volkmer sentenced him to 90 days in Lincoln County Detention Center with credit for 47 days served. He will have nine months post-release supervision.

Mason M. Shavlik, 29, pleaded not guilty to felony second-offense third-degree domestic assault and tampering with a witness. He is out on bail set at $1,350.

Britton S. Renfrow, 31, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor attempted possession of methamphetamine. As part of the plea deal, felony possession of methamphetamine was amended down. Volkmer sentenced him to 90 days in the Lincoln County Detention Center with credit for 61 days served.

James L. Turner, 46, pleaded not guilty to felony possession of methamphetamine between 28 to 139 grams, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, two counts of distribution of a scheduled substance and possession of cocaine.

Elisha A. Resler, 42, pleaded guilty to felony possession of fentanyl. As part of the plea deal, a charge of felony possession of methamphetamine was dropped. Piccolo sentenced her to the Mid Nebraska Problem Solving Court.

Martin P. Ramos Sr., 49, of Grand Island pleaded not guilty to felony violation of a protection order.

Floyd M. Helvie Jr., 42, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor obstructing a peace officer. As part of the plea deal, a charge of misdemeanor refusal to submit to a pre-test was dropped. A charge of felony second prior conviction of DUI was amended down to the first charge.

Chance E. Ragle, 33, pleaded not guilty to felony tampering with a witness, strangulation and domestic assault.

Jocelyn D. Gemkow, 20, pleaded not guilty to felony possession of methamphetamine between 28 and 139 grams and possession of an exceptionally hazardous substance. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 21.

Wesley H. Hawkins, 55, was convicted of felony possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and an amended charge of possession of methamphetamine down from possession of a stolen firearm. Charges of two counts of felony attempt of a class 1 felony and three counts of using a firearm to commit a felony were dropped. He is due to be sentenced on Aug. 21.
Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images

Its a typical story: You meet a new guy and start to think this could be the one. Hes confident and well educated, and he has a good job. He has a decent head of hair and isnt an absolute maniac, unlike the last guy you were with. But a few months in, you start to notice some problems. He shares some disturbingly right-wing political views. You notice all your friends and family members seem to hate him. Hes weird and kind of rude in public. Then everyone starts gossiping about this one time he ate pudding with his fingers, and you have to admit your dream guy is actually a dud.

Okay, maybe this isnt a universal experience, but its basically what happened between Rupert Murdoch and Ron DeSantis, the presidential candidate who once appeared to be the media moguls top pick to beat Donald Trump in 2024.

After the Capitol riot, Murdoch decided Fox News needed to pivot away from the 45th president; as we learned in Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit against the network, he wrote in a email, We want to make Trump a non-person. The impact of this strategy was clear in the aftermath of the 2022 midterms; various Murdoch-owned outlets blamed Trump for GOP losses, while the New York Post declared the just-reelected governor DeFUTURE on its cover.

But despite the Murdoch media empire spending months hyping DeSantis, his presidential campaign looks like a failure so far. His campaign launch with Elon Musk was plagued with hilarious technical glitches. People came out of the woodwork to complain about DeSantiss lack of people skills. His effort to run to Trumps right is flopping, with the former president maintaining a polling lead of more than 30 points.

The last thing DeSantis needs right now is more bad news. But he got it anyway, in the form of two stories about how Murdoch has soured on him. Rolling Stone reported on Wednesday that the mogul has been voicing his doubts and frustrations, in private discussions and calls, at times wondering if a DeSantis comeback is possible at this point.

[Ruperts] understandable worry is that we may end up being stuck with Trump anyway, a senior Fox source told Rolling Stone. And DeSantis is underperforming. Anybody can see that  [and the Murdochs,] theyre seeing it, too.

Murdoch has not publicly disparaged DeSantis, but sources told Rolling Stone that the patriarch, as well as his sons Rupert and Lachlan, are displeased with the governors campaign tactics and general loser-y stench:

According to two of the sources, Murdoch has privately winced at DeSantis nonstop cultural-grievance strategy, arguing that it is being executed sloppily. In his repeated attempts to outflank the already hard-right Trump on the right, DeSantis and his team have waged an aggressive messaging operation to paint the Florida governor as a much more extreme culture-warrior as compared to the former president  most recently via a bizarre, bigoted video lauding the governor for his anti-LGBTQ attacks. This strategy has for months attracted criticism from fellow Republicans for being unsavvy and too online to connect with the median voter.

They are transactional and can smell a loser a mile away, one Fox insider bluntly assesses, referring to Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, and top Fox News executives.

Meanwhile, the New York Times noted that in recent Fox News interviews, DeSantis has confronted noticeably tougher questions, and other Murdoch outlets have also been slightly less friendly of late. For example, the New York Post has highlighted topics like DeSantiss lagging poll numbers and The Wall Street Journals opinion page criticized an immigration law the governor recently signed. And many took note last week when Fox News anchors failed to challenge panelist Jonathan Kotts assessment of DeSantis as a weird guy incapable of connecting with GOP voters.

Fox News panelists rips Ron DeSantis, calls him a weird guy. (Video: Fox News) pic.twitter.com/vIf4NQs1pc  Mike Sington (@MikeSington) July 9, 2023

You might think Murdoch would be discouraged by the apparent failure of the man he once considered his last hope for stopping Trump 2024. But like a Bizarro World Yoda, Murdoch is insisting there is another. The Times reported:

Mr. Murdoch has privately told people that he would still like to see Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia enter the race, according to a person with knowledge of the remarks.

Theres little evidence that Youngkin would fare better than DeSantis; he barely registers in GOP primary polls, as the Washington Post recently noted. But it seems hope springs eternal for both fictional Jedi masters and our closest real-world equivalent to a Sith lord.
Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP

Cornel West recently decided that the best way for him to advance economic and social justice in the United States would be to mount a quixotic third-party presidential campaign that, if history is any guide, will disproportionately siphon votes from the Democratic nominee, thereby marginally increasing the odds of a second Trump presidency.

Most people to the left of Mitch McConnell disagree with Wests assessment. Various liberals have rehearsed the (banal yet airtight) case for supporting Americas only politically viable coalition against right-wing rule. Many socialists, meanwhile, have insisted that the best way for the left to exert influence over presidential politics is to contest for power within the Democratic Party.

But agreement on these points is not unanimous on the left. One recent poll of a hypothetical 2024 race found West drawing 4 percent support nationally, erasing Joe Bidens advantage over Donald Trump in the process. Meanwhile, Lily Sanchez published a case for Wests candidacy in the socialist journal Current Affairs this week. Given that the past two presidential elections were decided by tens of thousands of votes between a handful of key states, it seems worth engaging with the pro-West perspective, fringe though it may be. And Sanchezs article is about as thorough of a brief for West 2024 as youre likely to find.

Her argument rests on the following claims:

 There is little point in leftists mounting an insurgent primary challenge to Biden since the DNC cheated Bernie  out of the nomination twice and would do it again since the DNC is in no way accountable to the electorate.

 Relatedly, Democratic political leaders hostile to the far left will do whatever they must to defeat an insurgent candidate, going so far as to call in Obama or whoever else to endorse that insurgents opponent.

 Although Wests candidacy might increase the odds of a Republican presidency, this is not so grave a risk since the Democrats in power are worse than the right on climate change and the party has betrayed left and progressive voters who propelled them to victory in 2020 by refusing to pass the $15 minimum wage that Biden said he supported (blame it on the parliamentarian), implementing a student debt cancellation plan that is in legal limbo, and having dropped the ball completely on a public option for healthcare.

 Even if one posits that West has no actual chance of winning the presidency, his campaign could catalyze a movement that strengthens the left going forward.

These claims range from delusional to dubious.

In the first column: It is true that members of the Democratic National Committee were biased in favor of Hillary Clintons campaign in 2016. It does not follow that the reason Bernie Sanders won 1,000 fewer delegates, and nearly 4 million fewer votes, than Clinton was because Donna Brazile gave her campaign advance notice of some questions at a CNN town hall that very few voters watched. Sanders did not lose the 2016 campaign because Democratic primary candidates arent accountable to the electorate but because they are. A majority of Democratic primary voters preferred Clinton, whether out of a belief that she was more electable, or more aligned with their ideological views, or more well known, or personally appealing.

The basis for asserting that Sanders was cheated out of the nomination in 2020 is even harder to comprehend. Vote-tallying at the Iowa caucuses that year was dysfunctional and served to delay a declaration of their winner. On the night of the vote, some Sanders supporters voiced the conspiratorial belief that the delay was intended to diminish media coverage of their candidates triumph and sap his momentum heading into New Hampshire. In reality, however, it was Pete Buttigieg who won Iowa and whose campaign was therefore marginally undermined by the delayed results.

It is true that Democratic leaders, including Barack Obama, encouraged the races relative moderates to unite behind Biden after his victory in South Carolina so as to avoid splitting the anti-Bernie vote and delivering him the nomination. But there is nothing undemocratic about political figures endorsing their preferred candidates in an election. Nor is it illegitimate for a candidate to drop out of a race and endorse an ideologically aligned competitor so as to prevent a less appealing rival from winning. Indeed, throughout the 2020 campaign, Sanderss supporters implored Elizabeth Warren to do precisely this.

All this might be interpreted as a case for fatalism about the lefts capacity to win a Democratic presidential primary. And certainly, I do not think West would have a prayer of denying renomination to an incumbent president in 2024, a nearly impossible feat in U.S. politics. But in an open primary, I think many leading players in the Democratic Party would be comfortable supporting a progressive, provided that their poll results and electoral track record indicated that they would make a strong general-election candidate.

That point is immaterial, though. Sanchez is not arguing for leftists to give up on electoral politics but rather to mobilize behind a third-party presidential campaign. And yet if we stipulate that the left is too weak to win over a majority of Democratic primary voters  which is to say an electorate far more left-wing than the general public  then how on earth would it be capable of defeating the Democratic nominee in a general election? Is Obama not going to endorse against the Green Party nominee next year? How exactly is the left going to win the presidency without the Democratic Partys core constituencies, from African Americans to college-educated liberals to the AFL-CIO? In order for the left to have a prayer of winning an Electoral College majority, it needs the support of most Democrats. If it is capable of winning such support, then it is capable of winning a Democratic primary. And a leftist with the nomination of a major party would obviously be better positioned to win the presidency than one with only the Green Partys infinitesimal resources at their disposal.

This isnt to say that Democratic primary voters preference for Biden in 2020 emerged ex nihilo from blue Americas popular will. Certainly, much of the mainstream media was hostile to the radical left in general and Sanderss campaign in particular. But the institutional obstacles to leftists winning power in the U.S. dont disappear when they cease to engage with the two-party system.

Sanchezs arguments for why the left should have no great investment in seeing Democrats defeat Republicans are similarly weak. Here, her argument for why concerns about climate change do not compel the left to avoid aiding the GOP nominee in 2024:

Presumably, we must always vote to keep the GOP out of power because our existence depends on it. But what happens when the Democrat in power actually performs worse than the GOP on this issue? Biden, for instance, drilled more fossil fuel than Trump in his first year of office. More drilling means more fossil fuel use, which means more warming, which means a worsening threat to human existence. So can we still say that the GOP is the most dangerous organization, and therefore we must Vote Blue No Matter Who?

There are a few problems with this argument. One is that the number of drilling permits approved depends in part on the number of applications. The notion that Trumps administration would have treated drilling permits with more skepticism than Bidens, under the specific economic conditions of 2021, is difficult to square with the former White Houses broader energy policies. A second issue is that the administrations approvals of drilling permits slowed considerably after 2021. As of this past March, Biden had approved only 67 more drilling permits than Trump had at that point in his presidency (Trump had approved 7,051 to Bidens 7,118).

It is unclear whether Sanchez actually believes that Trump did more to reduce carbon emissions than Biden since the latter approved 0.95 percent more drilling permits than the former. To believe this, one would need to think that this marginal difference in permit approvals has a bigger impact on carbon emissions than whether the EPA requires fossil-fuel plants to cut emissions, whether Congress allocates hundreds of billions of dollars for green-technology subsidies, whether the government rolls back fuel-efficiency standards, or the myriad other policy questions on which Biden has abetted decarbonization after Trump undermined it. If Sanchez is actually of this opinion, I believe that she stands in opposition to the assessments of every major climate-change advocacy group and scientist in the country.

Sanchezs complaints with Bidens legislative record are understandable but do not support her argument that the Democratic Party is incapable of advancing progressive legislative goals. For example, it seems clear that the Democrats failure to pass a federal $15 minimum wage has less to do with the partys implacable hostility to that policy than with its slim congressional majorities. Where the party boasts large legislative majorities, it has typically passed a $15 minimum wage. Thus, it seems like a far shorter route to enacting that policy at the federal level would be Elect more (and better) Democrats to Congress, not Defy more than a century of historical precedent by launching an electorally dominant leftist third party.

Sanchezs reference to Bidens handling of student debt does even less to support her case. For one thing, the president did, of course, try to unilaterally cancel at least $10,000 of student debt for virtually every borrower, and every Supreme Court justice appointed by a Democratic president upheld the policy. It was nevertheless blocked by the majority of justices who were appointed by Republican presidents. How precisely this constitutes an argument for supporters of student-debt relief to not care whether the president is a Republican or a Democrat is difficult to see.

In any event, the administration is still seeking an alternative means of enacting mass student-loan forgiveness. And even if those efforts were to somehow fall through, Biden has already successfully canceled a record $66 billion of student-loan debt for nearly 2.2 million borrowers through smaller programs. Bidens revisions to the governments income-driven repayment program, meanwhile, will arguably do more to reduce student-loan burdens in the long run than the onetime cancellation that the Supreme Court blocked.

It is true that Biden did not make much of an effort to enact a public option for health insurance, in part because such a program had little chance of passing the Senate. Nevertheless, it is difficult to see how anyone could believe that the Republican and Democratic Parties are equally hostile to public health insurance given that Obama expanded Medicaid coverage while Trump tried to drastically reduce it.

Notably, Sanchez declines to mention the myriad ways that Democrats have advanced progressive economic goals at the federal level in recent years. Congresss robust response to the COVID recession was in no small part a product of the Democratic Partys control of the House. It was congressional Democrats who insisted on increasing unemployment benefits to a level that left many laid-off workers with more income than theyd previously earned at their jobs. Under Biden, meanwhile, Democrats enacted a $1.9 trillion stimulus bill on a party-line vote. These measures collectively reduced poverty in the U.S. and triggered one of the fastest labor-market recoveries in history. Bidens prioritization of full employment has yielded tight labor markets that increase the bargaining power of low-wage workers and abet union organizing. As a result, lower-income workers have recovered roughly 25 percent of the increase in wage inequality that accrued between Ronald Reagans election and Bidens. The employment rate among disabled Americans, meanwhile, is at a record high. This year, the Democratic Party has proven even more amenable to progressive goals at the state level.

Finally, precisely because the Democratic Party does, in fact, deliver legislative gains to its core constituencies, the left cannot hope to build a mass movement for change through campaigns that aid Republicans.

Conscious of the vulnerabilities in her arguments for indifference to the Democratic Partys success, or the plausibility of West actually winning the presidency, Sanchez suggests that the real point of his candidacy is movement-building: Even if one believes that leftists in swing states should support the Democratic nominee, Wests campaign offers the left an enormous opportunity to build up the progressive movement through organizing. After all, we know that the Bernie campaigns, even though they failed to result in his election to the presidency, were hugely energizing. They trained organizers. They spread a message. They grew the movement. (Of course, this cuts directly against Sanchezs initial argument that the left has little to gain by competing in Democratic primaries.)

The problem here is that growing the radical lefts base of support to a level commensurate with national influence requires, at a minimum, winning over the core constituencies for progressive reform in the United States, among them African American voters and the labor movement. Associating the radical left with a presidential campaign that benefits the Republican Party is antithetical to that aim. It effectively expresses contempt for such voters and groups political interests and goals, as the radical left understands them. Critically, that understanding is more aligned with the realities of electoral politics in the U.S. than a worldview that entertains the possibilities that Cornel West could win the presidency or that Donald Trump did more to aid decarbonization than Joe Biden.

None of this is to say that the left has no justifiable complaints about the Biden administration or Democratic Party. Left internationalists are rational to worry about the presidents ratcheting up of tensions with China. The White Houses immigration policies leave much to be desired. The Democratic leaderships decision to recruit Kyrsten Sinema as its candidate for Arizona Senate in 2018 was a costly blunder. The list goes on.

The question, though, is whether the partys left-wing critics have a better chance of advancing their political ideals by fighting for power within blue America or defecting to a third party. The fact that proponents of the latter strategy cannot seem to articulate a case for their perspective without spouting blatant falsehoods should tell the West-curious what they need to know.
Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia is arguably the most polarizing member of the 118th Congress. Its hard to be ambivalent toward this flamboyant and attention-seeking politician, who managed to become a national symbol of right-wing extremism when she was running her very first race for public office in 2020 and who was stripped of her committee assignments almost immediately after being sworn in as a U.S. representative.

So its getting mighty weird that the internal congressional organization with which she has been most closely associated, the arch-conservative House Freedom Caucus, cannot definitively determine whether they have in fact booted her out. We do know they discussed and then held a vote on the proposition just before the Independence Day recess. But despite scattered reports from individual HFC members that she has indeed been given the heave-ho, Greene insists she hasnt been notified of any change in her membership. And now various leaders of the Caucus are beginning to regularly stonewall the media on the subject, as NBC News reports:

I dont discuss that, said Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry, R-Pa.

I dont talk about membership at the Freedom Caucus, added a Greene rival, Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo.

Im just not gonna comment on that with all the world problems were having, chimed in Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C. 

Its none of your business. Its our business, said Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., another Freedom Caucus member who just last week had told reporters that the group had taken a vote to remove Greene.

Those are private matters and concerns, added Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas.

The House Freedom Caucus has always been sketchy about its own membership, as Vox explained back in 2015:

[T]he group treats its membership rolls as a closely guarded secret. We know approximately how many members the HFC has, and most of the groups members have acknowledged being part of it. But some suspected members of the group have been weirdly cagey about whether theyre part of it. Its nobodys business but our own, Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) told a CQ Roll Call reporter about the groups membership list in July.

One possible reason for the groups secrecy is concerns about reprisals from leadership.

That hasnt changed. The Freedom Caucuss basic reason to exist is to mess with the heads of Republican House leaders, and specifically with Speaker Kevin McCarthy. To maximize its leverage over McCarthy on spending disputes and other issues, the Freedom Caucus is hyper-tactical, depending on a combination of real and phantom threats of defection to intimidate Republicans whose control of the chamber is extremely fragile. So if anything, the HFCs secrecy and paranoia is more intense than ever, as CNN reports:

When a band of House Freedom Caucus members met last month to strategize over how to hold GOP leadership accountable for the bipartisan debt ceiling deal, not everyone from the far-right group was invited. 

Normally, this type of plotting would have played out in one of the weekly Freedom Caucus meetings. But side sessions and private discussions among a small bloc of rebellious lawmakers have become more common and even necessary, some members say, after months of internal disagreements over tactics, policies and allegiances to their partys leadership have fomented distrust within the groups ranks.

And a lot of this distrust was focused on Marjorie Taylor Greene:

People dont feel comfortable talking in Freedom Caucus meetings because of Marjorie and others, so the group has sort of broken up, one GOP lawmaker told CNN, who worried Greene would reveal their floor tactics to McCarthy ahead of time.

Understandably, a lot of the chatter about right-wing unhappiness with MTG has revolved around her feud with former ally Lauren Boebert, whom she audibly called a little bitch on the House floor recently during a dispute over authorship of a Joe Biden impeachment resolution. But from the Freedom Caucuss point of view, Greenes cardinal sin was telling its secrets to McCarthy. Now the decision about how to deal with the untrustworthy Georgian appears to be destabilizing the Caucus, making the issue of its membership a greater secret than ever. So of course the vote, and perhaps even its outcome, is to remain a secret as well. These people are becoming a nest of conspirators obsessed with identifying spies. Its not a good look for would-be political power brokers.
Imagine you are the sort of conservative who cant stand Donald Trump but hates the Democrats more. As an anti-anti-Trump conservative, your dreams of moving gently past the ugliness of recent years by turning to Ron DeSantis are turning to dust. You are staring at the likelihood of a Trump-Biden rematch, which will put you in the uncomfortable position for the next 16 months (or longer) of once again sort of defending a professional swindler and confessed sexual predator with a narcissistic personality disorder.

Well, now you can breathe a sigh of relief. Evidence has emerged that Joe Biden is not the kindly grandfather he has been made out to be. The character issue is now a tie.

The new line is beginning to emerge in the wake of stories reporting that Joe Biden does not acknowledge one of Hunter Bidens out-of-wedlock children as his grandchild and sometimes scolds his staff. Mr. Trump, who comes across so bold, and Joe Biden, who wishes to seem so sly, strike me as roughly equal in their depravity, proposes Joseph Epstein in the Wall Street Journal, Low and seedy are the corruptions of which Messrs. Trump and Biden have been accused: molesting women, entering into dubious financial dealings with foreign corporations and governments, cavalierly mishandling important documents, and more.

Bidens character is just as lacking as his predecessors, writes Kaylee McGhee White in the Washington Examiner. At least Trump didnt try to pretend otherwise. In a column titled Joe Biden is an Asshole, National Reviews Charles C.W. Cooke concedes only, I will freely stipulate that Donald Trump is an asshole, too  and that, in some ways, hes an even worse one. In some ways  not all ways, though, and not necessarily overall. Whos to say which asshole is worse?

Before registering the astonishing level of partisanship that is required to equate the two candidates, I will concede a couple points. First, Bidens character is a perfectly suitable subject for criticism.The president has generally benefited from the perception that he is a nice, caring person, and perhaps the recent stories ought to prompt some course correction from the general image of empathetic grandfather that has prevailed.

And second, character is perhaps the most subjective aspect of politics. Every human being contains a mix of positive and negative traits, and nobody even tries to hold some objective system for gauging which ones matter more than others. I think of John McCain as having a good character, but having an affair with a lobbyist and instructing your staff to lie about it is certainly not admirable behavior. These are matters of personal taste. It is generally difficult to say somebodys assessment of a persons character is wrong.

That said, it is impossible to imagine any kind of moral construct that would equate Joe Biden and Donald Trump as human beings. Even if we accept the harshest interpretation of his flaws, Biden has attracted a loyal coterie of aides who stayed by his side for decades. He enjoys giving personal counseling sessions to kids with speech impediments. He has maintained friendships with people ranging from Amtrak staffers to Republicans in Congress, many of whom speak of him in glowing terms.

If you cant admire Joe Biden as a person, you got a problem, said Lindsey Graham in 2016, reflecting a general bipartisan consensus. Hes the nicest person I think Ive ever met in politics. He is as good a man as God ever created.

I feel extremely confident that no Democrat in politics has ever said anything like this about Trump. Indeed, Trump is routinely depicted as amoral, comically vain and sociopathic by his own staffers.

Trumps character flaws are so vast, and encompass so many realms of human behavior, that it poses an impossible task even to adequately summarize them. He has devoted his career in business to systematically swindling people through a long array of scams ranging from simple (refusing to pay tradesmen for services rendered) to the complex (creating a fake university designed to drain the bank accounts of his targets). He assaults women and calls them ugly when they complain about it, lies pathologically, and by universal consensus lacks even the slightest care about any person other than himself. His relatively small offenses  faking an injury to evade the draft, cheating his way into college, committing criminal tax fraud  would have alone disqualified a normal candidate but are simply drowned out by his other flaws.

Trump is the worst person ever to inhabit the presidency, and arguably one of the worst human beings in the United States of America. Even if you take the least charitable interpretation of Joe Bidens character, he is orders of magnitude better of a person by any metric you wish to use: honesty, empathy, generosity, treatment of underlings, etc.

This absurd equation of the two is a revealing case, in extremis, of the general strategy used by anti-anti-Trumpers. On the whole, even the Trumpiest conservatives do not expend much energy making positive defenses of Trump. Instead they rest their argument on the most hyperbolic possible denunciation of his critics and rivals. Is Trump a crook? Its no worse than the allegations against Biden claimed by various missing and/or fugitive Republican witnesses. Did Trump attempt a putsch? Lets talk about liberals who oppose Bush versus Gore. Does Trump threaten the Constitution? Sure, just like Bidens student-loan relief plan.

This enables them to justify support for Trump without defending him directly. The anti-anti-Trumpers can pose as honest critics, calling out with equal passion the flaws of Trump and everybody who stands in Trumps way. (Except, of course, for Ron DeSantis, who obviously would never say anything rude to a staffer.)

To make this worldview hold up, every awful thing about Trump must have an equal and opposite flaw in his opponent. And so in the end, with everything else being a tie, they will vote for the candidate who signs the tax cuts and appoints conservative judges.

This column has been updated to include Epsteins Wall Street Journal op-ed.
Trump lost Iowa in 2016. He probably cant accept that happening again. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images

I really love Iowa, its people, and its weirdly charming political traditions. I once was given an opportunity to go anywhere in the world for a major birthday, and I chose the Iowa State Fair. But even Id admit Iowans (or at least its Republicans, after the Iowa Democratic Partys fall from grace in 2020) are plain spoiled when it comes to politics. They expect presidential candidates to visit them in their towns and even their homes. And quite frankly, Iowans expect some serious pandering, as presidential candidates who have had to bend to the Great Corn Idol of ethanol subsidies can tell you.

As a longtime ethanol backer, Donald Trump doesnt have to prove his fealty to Iowas favorite alternative fuel. But he is violating another unwritten rule by showing some disrespect for key Iowa Republican power brokers, as Shane Goldmacher and Maggie Haberman of the New York Times report:

Iowa may be the most important state on Donald J. Trumps early 2024 political calendar, but he hasnt been making many friends there lately.

He lashed out at Iowas popular Republican governor, Kim Reynolds, and then his campaign informed one of the states politically influential evangelical leaders, Bob Vander Plaats, that the former president would skip a gathering of presidential candidates this week in Des Moines.

The lashing out at Reynolds was really more of a whine on Truth Social about her ingratitude:

I love Iowa, protected & expanded Ethanol, got 28 Billion Dollars from China for our great Farmers, ended the Estate (Death!) Tax on farms, made the best TRADE deals in history. & kept Iowas First in the Nation status. I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, & when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, & she won. Now, she wants to remain NEUTRAL. I dont invite her to events!

Trump appointed Governor Reynoldss predecessor, Terry Branstad, ambassador to China at the beginning of his administration, which lifted thenLieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds to the big job. And she was perceived as being in trouble for a while in 2018 against well-heeled Democratic opponent Fred Hubbell. Its not surprising that Trump thinks Reynolds owes him an endorsement right now. But worse yet, she is widely thought to be in the tank for Ron DeSantis, despite her protestations of neutrality; she is certainly favoring him with her presence at campaign events whenever hes in the state. The DeSantis campaign also has been happy to draw comparisons between the six-week abortion ban he signed in Florida (which Trump has called too harsh) and the similar legislation Reynolds is battling the Iowa Supreme Court to enact (the legislature is in a Reynolds-called special session right now to pass a new version of the ban).

That bill, as it happens, is strongly backed by the other Iowa GOP pooh-bah Trump is dissing this week: Bob Vander Plaats. Often called a kingmaker because of his knack for endorsing Iowa Republican presidential caucus winners (Mike Huckabee in 2008, Rick Santorum in 2012, and Ted Cruz in 2016), Vander Plaats is really more of a guy who knows how to get in front of the right parade than someone who delivers of a lot of votes. But the Family Leader organization he runs really is the strongest conservative Evangelical group in Iowa, and its candidate cattle calls are thought of as obligatory events. Thats the event Trump is skipping this weekend.

While it may be political sacrilege to stand up the Family Leader, its in line with Trumps general reluctance to attend cattle calls (the first event Trump and DeSantis are expected to both attend is a Lincoln Day Iowa State GOP fundraiser later this month). It may also represent some payback for a steady drumbeat of disrespectful digs at the former president by Vander Plaats (usually in the veiled language of the need for new leadership, but sometimes in more direct disparagements of Trump as a winner and as a rigorous culture warrior).

So in the dual slights hes given Reynolds and Vander Plaats, Trump may be asserting that he no longer needs to grovel to powerful Iowans given his own powerful grip on the GOP base (he does lead DeSantis by 24 points in the RealClearPolitics polling averages for Iowa, though there havent been that many polls). Or, as the Messengers Marc Caputo suggested after talking with a rival campaign, Trump may be lowering expectations in the state:

An adviser for one of the other Republican campaigns speculated that Trump might intentionally be picking a fight with Reynolds and anyone he sees as DeSantis-adjacent to blunt the impact of their future endorsements or create an excuse in case he loses the state.

The former president did, after all, lose Iowa in 2016 to Ted Cruz, the candidate for whom a lot of the current DeSantis operatives worked. And a few days after conceding the state in 2016, Trump decided to accuse Cruz of stealing Iowa by spreading false rumors about another candidate who was taking votes away from the Texan. Maybe Trump is trying to preemptively blame a second Iowa loss on GOP power brokers, but it seems likelier that hes trying to break their power, then let them pander to him.
Over 20 years ago John Cranston launched Bird Inc. The launch coincided with the passing of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act, which was signed into law by President Bill Clinton.

In the ensuing eight years, Cranston spoke to over 20,000 students, looking to excite them about the career opportunities that lie ahead and giving them insight into his own field. The program was implemented by other schools, and it was named the innovator of the year award for the Technology Transfer Program and earned national recognition.

In the following years after Cranston left the University of Alabama in Huntsville, he entered the world of materials and process engineering. He remained in Huntsville, collaborating with NASA on several contracts and working with the James Webb Space Telescope.

After years of experience in that world, Cranston relaunched the Bird Inc. program this past spring in collaboration with Auburn University Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems (ICAMS) as a 50-minute factory outreach activity with young students. ICAMS is a program that trains students and industry professionals alike in advanced manufacturing technology and introducing the world of manufacturing to the younger generation.

Greg Harris is the director of ICAMS and actually met Cranston at the University of Alabama in Huntsville during the 1990s. When looking for ways to expand ICAMS programs with new generations, Harris thought of Cranston and his work with Bird Inc.

John is so great at interacting with students and getting them excited about future opportunities, Harris said. I wish we could clone him and send him to every middle school in the country.

For the relaunch, Cranston brought Bird Inc. to J.F. Drake Middle School in Auburn for 30 presentations over the course of three weeks in April and May. Principal Sarah Armstrong thought the program would be a perfect fit for her students, and saw immediate results during Cranstons presentations.

For our kids to have an experience that might help steer them toward STEM careers or workforce development opportunities that they didnt know about, that was something I thought was important, Armstrong said. The students have loved it. Even the ones that are harder to keep motivated in the classroom have loved it.

The success of the relaunch at J.F. Drake has Harris and Cranston looking toward implementing the program at other middle schools in the surrounding area with Bird Inc. already being highlighted on the ICAMS website.

During this team-building exercise, students play roles in a fictional company that produces decoy owls in a simulated factory environment. Educational components include problem-solving, budgeting, and critical thinking, according to the ICASM website. Bird Inc. is available through a partnership between ICAMS and the City of Auburn. The outreach initiative is an exciting way to bring a STEM experience into the classroom.

The site asks for any administrators interested in bringing the program to their students to contact John Cranston via email, with Cranston being cited as the program developer. Harris has high hopes for the program, and looks forward to the long term impact it could have on the group of J.F. Drake students.

Long-term, what we would like to see is if this has had an effect on this group and what they choose to do in the future, Harris said. Obviously from an ICAMS perspective, were interested in manufacturing. Whether theyre engineers or go into business, manufacturing needs all of those skills. We hope to scale Bird Inc. and train others to implement the program to have at least one person at each of the seven workforce regions in the state to be able to go to all of the middle schools in Alabama and do this every year.
LMFAO I did not see this one coming

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warner bros should take a fucking hint

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Zaslav felt a chill go up his spine as soon as he heard the news tbh

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would a cold-blooded leech like him actually feel that though

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I laughed at the effective immediately lol they really hated chapek huh

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From what I gather as a non- corporate worker, I assume that's corp press release speak for "fuck that guy"

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Lmao I love this.

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Shocking bc Chapek just renewed his contract and Iger said he wasn't interested in returning, but these two have hated each other for a long while and Iger has been trashing Chapek behind his back.



The Disney girls are fighting!

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Iger has been trashing Chapek behind his back.



oh?







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Use printfriendly.com and paste the link to get around the paywall.



Matt Belloni has mentioned it on his podcast a couple times but wrote a bit more about it a couple days ago: https://puck.news/disneys-bob-vs-bob-blame-game/ Use printfriendly.com and paste the link to get around the paywall.

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Iger was the one who picked Chapek for the job but has been regretting his decision

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Iger was all No babes Im never going back as he slid the shiv up his sleeve. RESPECT.

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[channing tatum hahahaha email]

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And dropped on a Sunday night during an awards show occupying the media with slow news Thanksgiving week ahead



Bob picked Bob to replace Bob

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And while Disney+ is live streaming Elton Johns farewell concert!

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Holy shit!





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I want a sequel to DisneyWar, damn it!

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okay so 1. this ousting comes just a few months after the board renewed Chapek's contract through 2025. they literally had him doing the shareholders call at the beginning of this month! 2. Iger is staying on for two years 3. Chapek just announced layoffs and a hiring freeze at Disney Parks at the beginning of this week too



anyways, where is the DisneyWar sequel, i desperately want to read about how this all went down

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I wonder if Chapek has an HR scandal of some flavor that just came to light. Thats the most obvious explanation for why the board changed their minds. That or as soon as they heard Iger would come back they were like bye bye.

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i mean they re-upped his contract following the ScarJo situation, like Disney was trying to trash one of their most bankable stars in the past ten years in the press and everything. the long and short of it from everything i'm reading online basically boils down to the fact that the company's immediate financial returns are way down under Chapek and the studio has floundered under him.

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What's Disneywar? I keep seeing it mentioned. Is it tea

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Thank fucking god, I hated Chapek SO much.

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Not this happening in the middle of Sunday night. Must have been an emergency shareholder vote.





You can fault Chapek for a lot of things but apparently he wanted Dismey+ to have mature content while Iger wanted it to stay PG-13. Wonder what will happen with that.

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the Sunday before Thanksgiving, they didn't want to ruin their holiday lol

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I can think of one person's holiday being ruined right now lol

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I hope hell change his tune. Id love for us to get Star like other countries. Itd be so much easier for me to watch WWDITS and OMITB if its on Disney.

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Bob Iger running through the streets like Kendall Roy to hold a vote of no confidence for Bob before he finds out his job is on the line lmao

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Hulu is dying a slow death. they need to put it out of its misery and just combine the content on disney+

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Ill take LGBTQ+ PG-13 content over what that fucker was doing.

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Oh wow. Didnt the board just renew his contract and talk about how happy they are with his leadership?



Love to see it

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It seems like everyones happy about the news:

I don't think I've ever been so happy. Welcome home @RobertIger - the GOAT is back!!!!  Josh Gad (@joshgad) November 21, 2022



Just chatted briefly with a Disneyland Cast Member about Bob Chapeks ouster. She said word is already circulating among staff. She was pleased. You dont fix what isnt broken, she said, re: Chapeks handling of Disneyland.  Sammy Roth (@Sammy_Roth) November 21, 2022 Good riddance!It seems like everyones happy about the news:

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Ik it wasnt his idea but please god get rid of the lightning lane

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My BIL works for the mouse and he and my sister are hoping this will be good.



They were, incidentally, also at Disneyland today.

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Chapek scrapped Josh Gad's BATB Disney+, lol

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So he did us one favor I see!

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it's creepy that people care so much.

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i feel like creatives hated chapek. especially after the scarjo stuff and how viciously he attacked her

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if josh gad's happy, i'm not

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The current heatwave in most of Europe, expected to be a prolonged period of higher-than-normal temperatures, is set to limit nuclear power generation at two French nuclear plants this week, operator EDF warned on Wednesday.

The Bugey and Saint Alban nuclear plants on the Rhone River in eastern France could see their output halved between July 13 and 16, according to an EDF notice cited by Reuters. The output restrictions are coming into place as high temperatures are raising the temperatures of rivers and forcing EDF to reduce nuclear output because of environmental regulations for using river water for cooling nuclear reactors.

Frances nuclear power generation accounts for around 70 percent of its electricity mix, and when its reactors are fully operational, it is a net exporter of electricity to other European countries.

The Bugey power plant has a capacity of 3.6 gigawatts (GW), and the Saint Alban nuclear plant has 2.6 GW capacity.

For the rest of this week, production will be at least 1.8 GW at Bugey and 1.3 GW at the Saint Alban plant to meet grid requirements, EDF has said. Output could change depending on the needs of the grid, it added.

The power generation limits are unlikely to affect power prices too much as the cuts would likely be made over the coming weekend and around midday with peak solar power output, Emeric de Vigan, an analyst at Kpler, told Reuters.

Europe is sizzling in a heatwave due to a weather pattern coming from North Africa, with temperatures in Spain, Italy, France, Poland, and Germany expected to hold very high for a prolonged period.

The hot weather is not only raising river temperatures, but it also reduces river water levels, posing challenges to Frances vast nuclear fleet.

Last summer, EDF was forced to reduce nuclear power generation, too, amid the energy and gas crisis. This year, the situation with energy supply has improved, also because of lower consumption from industries.

On Wednesday, Europes benchmark natural gas prices dropped to their lowest in a month amid tepid demand and the return of the massive Norwegian gas field Troll from maintenance.

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The governments of Iran and Iraq have agreed on a gas supply deal that will see Iraq receive more gas from its neighbor for power generation.

The deal also settles a dispute over payments for earlier shipments of natural gas from Iran to Iraq, Bloomberg reported.

Because of this dispute, Iran has cut gas flows to neighboring Iraq, prompting power shortages. Now that the payments due have been settled, the shortages may be over.

Gas payment settlement cannot be done the usual way, with the payment being transferred from one bank to another because of U.S. sanctions on Iran. Iraq tried to convince the U.S. to make an exception for those particular payments, but the U.S. refused, which led to 50% lower Iranian gas volumes for Iraq starting at the beginning of this month.

After the usual way failed to work, Iraq and Iran agreed to exchange the gas for Iraqi crude oil as the only way to skirt U.S. sanctions, which only allow Iran to use payments due for food and medicine. Tehran has some $12 billion in outstanding payments due from Iraq for gas deliveries.

The United States will probably not be happy about the deal: Washington has been urging Iraq to stop relying on its neighbor for its gas supply. The alternative would be developing its own gas resources, of which there are plenty, but this has been challenging due to a lack of funds.

Yet Iraq made a step towards solving this problem earlier this week when it finalized an investment deal worth $27 billion with French energy supermajor TotalEnergies. Part of the money to be invested under the deal would go towards reducing gas flaring at Iraqi oil fields and using the gas for power generation.

Iranian electricity and gas exports account for as much as 40% of Iraqs electricity consumption, and secure supply is especially important during the summer months when demand for cooling soars.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

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Iraqs parliamentary oil and gas committee plans to increase the countrys oil production to more than five million barrels per day, according to the release of committee minutes last week. As analysed in full in my new book on the new global oil market order, not only could this be done with relative ease by Iraq but it could also easily be the precursor to further oil production increases to 13 million barrels per day (bpd) if handled correctly. This would make Iraq the biggest oil producer in the world.

In broad terms, Iraq remains the greatest relatively underdeveloped oil frontier in the world. Officially, according to the EIA, it holds a very conservatively-estimated 145 billion barrels of proved crude oil reserves (nearly 18 percent of the Middle Easts total, and the fifth biggest on the planet). Unofficially, it is extremely likely that it holds much more oil than this. In October 2010, Iraqs Oil Ministry increased its own figure for the countrys proven reserves to 143 billion barrels. However, at the same time as producing the official reserves figures, the Oil Ministry stated that Iraqs undiscovered resources amounted to around 215 billion barrels. This was also a figure that had been arrived at in a 1997 detailed study by respected oil and gas firm, Petrolog. Even this figure, though, did not include the parts of northern Iraq in the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan. This meant, as highlighted by the IEA, that most of them had been drilled during a period before the 1970s began when technical limits and low oil prices gave a narrower definition of what constituted a commercially successful well than would be the case now. Overall, the IEA underlined that the level of ultimately recoverable resources across all of Iraq (including the Kurdistan region) at around 246 billion barrels (crude and natural gas liquids).

Related: Venezuela Looks To Pay Down $20 Billion In U.S. Debt With Oil Exports

Given the true scale of Iraqs oil reserves  and the fact that the average lifting cost per barrel of oil in the country is US$1-2 pb (the lowest in the world, along with Iran and Saudi Arabia)  what sort of oil output could reasonably be expected? Back in 2013, the Integrated National Energy Strategy (INES) was produced, and this analysed in detail three realistic forward oil production profiles for Iraq and what each would involve. As also analysed in my new book, the INES best-case scenario was for crude oil production capacity to increase to 13 million bpd (at that point, by 2017), peaking at around that level until 2023, and finally gradually declining to around 10 million bpd for a long-sustained period thereafter. The mid-range production scenario was for Iraq to reach 9 million bpd (at that point, by 2020), and the worst-case INES scenario was for production to reach 6 million bpd (at that point, by 2020). Consequently, the 5 million bpd figure announced last week can be regarded as the first easily achievable stepping stone toward those figures. Indeed, according to Iraqs Oil Minister, Hayan Abdel-Ghani, last week, the countrys oil production capacity already stands above this level - at 5.4 million bpd  although it is still only producing around 4.3-4.5 million bpd overall.

The question at this point is, with these enormous reserves in place, and specific plans on how to turn these into up to 13 million bpd in the Oil Ministrys files, why is Iraq not already producing a lot more oil than it is? The reason is the ongoing endemic corruption that lies at the heart of Iraqs oil and gas industry. This not only removes enormous amounts of money from Iraqs coffers that could fund much-needed infrastructure investments but also deters Western companies with the required technology, logistical expertise, and personnel from becoming too involved in the country. Although commissions are standard practice in the Middle East  and indeed across many business around the world  the practice has become something else entirely in Iraq. This has been highlighted repeatedly by OilPrice.com and independently over many years by Transparency International (TI) in various of its Corruption Perceptions Index publications, in which Iraq normally features in the worst 10 out of 180 countries for its scale and scope of corruption. Massive embezzlement, procurement scams, money laundering, oil smuggling and widespread bureaucratic bribery that have led the country to the bottom of international corruption rankings, fuelled political violence and hampered effective state building and service delivery, TI states. Political interference in anti-corruption bodies and politicisation of corruption issues, weak civil society, insecurity, lack of resources and incomplete legal provisions severely limit the governments capacity to efficiently curb soaring corruption, it concludes.

The sums of money that Iraq has lost could have funded all the major projects needed to boost oil production up to at least 7 or 8 million bpd to begin with, notably the crucial Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP), as also analysed in my new book. According to a statement made in 2015 by then-Oil Minister  and later Prime Minister of Iraq  Adil Abdul Mahdi, Iraq lost US$14,448,146,000 from the beginning of 2011 up to the end of 2014 as cash compensation payments to international oil companies and to other entities. In basic terms, the way in which such a staggering sum was lost relates to the way in which gross remuneration fees, income tax and the share of the State partner was deducted and accounted for in the compensation paid out over reduced oil production levels.

The sheer scale and scope of this corruption created the unwillingness of major Western firms to become too heavily involved in the country. In June 2021, U.K. oil super-major, BP, said it was working on a plan to spin off its operations in Iraqs supergiant Rumaila oil field into a standalone company. The statement was highly reminiscent of the withdrawal of the U.K.-Dutch oil super-major, Shell, from Iraqs supergiant Majnoon oil field in 2017 and of its withdrawal from Iraqs supergiant West Qurna 1 oil field in 2018. Each of these announcements also bore a startling similarity to U.S. super-major ExxonMobils earlier announcement that it also wanted to get out of West Qurna 1 and to its withdrawal from the Iraqs crucial CSSP before that. Indeed, ExxonMobils withdrawal from the CSSP is a template on why major Western firms believe operating in Iraq poses too many risks to their business. According to sources who work closely with the Oil Ministry spoken to exclusively by OilPrice.com at the time, the central problem for ExxonMobil was that the risk/reward elements of the CSSP contract as laid out by Iraqs Oil Ministry were profoundly unbalanced. In terms of the general risk/reward matrix that formed the basis of these negotiations, there were three key elements: cohesion, security and streamlining. Cohesion related to ensuring that building the facilities connected to the CSSP were completed in full and in order. Security related not just to the on-the-ground security of personnel but also to the soundness of the basic business and legal practices involved in the agreement. Streamlining meant that any deal should continue as had been laid out in the agreement, regardless of any change in government in Iraq.

On the first point, hurdles had already arisen on several projects before in southern Iraq relating to the approval of contracts for service work, such as building new pipelines and drilling wells, as well as for obtaining visas for workers and customs clearance for vital technical equipment. Concerns surrounding such issues were shared by ExxonMobil. The second part of the risk/reward matrix was the lack of a meaningful legal structure relating to the origination, monitoring and administration of business agreements would have opened the company up to a plethora of problems in the future, especially when the third part of the risk/reward matrix was factored in. This third major risk in the risk/reward matrix was that many leading politicians on the opposite side of whoever is prime minister at any given time in Iraq are frequently not inclined to stand by the decisions relating to the oil and gas industry made by the previous administration. Even more dangerous for ExxonMobil  and any other major Western company attempting to operate in Iraq  was that any realignment of Iraq with the U.S. that had been seen from time to time could have been reversed at any point in the future. At such a point, any questionable practices that ExxonMobil might have been forced into to move the CSSP forward could well have been publicised across the world if Iraqs key sponsor, Iran, decided it wanted to embarrass the U.S. government, with ExxonMobil portrayed as a corporate proxy of Washington.

By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com

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Via the Jamestown Foundation

Russia is searching for new long-term partnerships in outer space instead of relying on cooperation with the United States, Europe, Canada and Japan. Recently, Yuri Borisov, head of state-owned Roscosmos, tried to develop space cooperation ties with Algeria and Egypt during his visits there and extended a public invitation to join Russias space program during the G20 meeting of the heads of national space agencies on July 6. Moscow hopes to advance cooperation with new partners on constructing and deploying satellites as well as planning and launching manned spaceflights, which includes the project on the new Russian Orbital Space Station planned to be operational sometime in the 2030s. In this, the Kremlin seeks to convince its new partners to agree to dock their respective national modules at the new space station (Kremlin.ru, June 30; Roscosmos.ru, July 6).

Two primary reasons underline this recent diplomatic activity. The first is Russias intention to maintain access to global markets for space-grade electronics and bypass sanctions. And the second is finding new financial resources for Roscosmos considering its net loss of $1.15 billion in 20212022.

Overall, the Russian space program is highly dependent on imported space-grade electronics. The only field that still avoids the embargo on these technologies is the production of small satellites for educational purposes, as they do not need space-grade electronics for their operation. Due to a short lifespan and relative technical simplicity, such satellites rely on commercial electronics and components produced in the US, Europe and other countries. The main manufacturers of these satellites are small private companies such as Sputnix (a subsidiary of AFK Sistema, which is under Western sanctions), Geoscan and others, as well as some major technical universities (Habr.com, October 25, 2022; RIA Novosti, June 27; Sputnix.ru; Spacepi.space, accessed July 6).

In a wider sense, Russias commercial, military and research satellites still rely on components imported from the US and Europe before 2022and even before that, when severe sanctions were implemented under the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act of 2017. For example, the Meteor-M No. 2-3 meteorological satellite that was launched into orbit on June 27 would have been impossible to complete without the import of critical Western components, likely sometime between 2014 and 2017 (Vniiem.ru, accessed July 6).

Moreover, Russian plans regarding the serial manufacture of small and medium satellites inevitably presume further dependence on Western electronicswhether it be completing Gazproms satellite assembly factory, which is behind schedule, or Roscomos plans for a factory that would have the capacity to manufacture 200250 satellites annually. On the latter, however, the Russian space industry is not remotely close to being ready for such an undertaking, even according to official statements (Gazprom-spacesystems.ru, June 1; Sibisrskiy Sputnik, June 29).

Therefore, Russia may try to use deepened space cooperation with various Asian, African and Latin American countries as an offshore opportunity for its space industry to source space-grade electronics and components and thus avoid the Western embargo.

The future prospects of Russias manned space program are also unclear. Despite all the fanfare regarding the new Russian Orbital Space Station, the draft proposal for the station will not be completed until the end of 2023. Additionally, the only orbital module that has been produced in the past few years and that was originally planned as the last module of the Russian segment of the International Space Station needs a significant redesign (Roscosmos.ru, July 26, 2022; Interfax, December 26, 2022). In this way, attempts to engage countries like Egypt and Algeria on this project look similar to the attempts to engage India on projects for fifth-generation fighter jets and military transport aircraft during the 2000s and 2010s, which has had limited success. Briefly speaking, Russia faces severe deficits in human, financial and industrial resources to realize its own orbital space station alone.

Consequently, the idea of foreign modules onboard the future Russian orbital station means Moscow intends to use the new partnerships it is cultivating to gain offshore access to Western space-grade technology and industrial equipment. However, these efforts may bring about inconsistent results at best. It is hard to imagine that Egypt or Algeria possess the capabilities to produce their own orbital modules compatible with the Russian space station and spacecraft any time soon. Even so, the successful construction of joint manufacturing facilities in these countries, where the Russian-made modules could be completed with the sanctioned European- and American-made parts and then deployed into orbit as foreign modules, provides a possible option for Moscow in an effort to save its manned spaceflights and circumvent Western sanctions.

As a result, Roscosmos is increasing its foreign activity, as Russias storage of advanced electronics and components imported before 2022 is set to run out in the next two to three years. Finding and maintaining permanent access to advanced industrial equipment and the necessary financial resources to support Roscosmos work are also essential matters that still need to be resolved for Russias space program. In the 1990s, the United States saved the Russian space industry through contracts and direct investments. Now, the Kremlin hopes that Egypt, Algeria and other ambitious developing countries can save Russias space industry once again.

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Ecuador's fuel import costs have surpassed crude and fuel oil export income for the first time in more than 50 years, energy minister Fernando Santos has revealed. Exports by the South American country of crude and fuel oil--the only refined product Ecuador exports--were $2.9bn, $100m lower than imports of high-octane naphtha for blending into gasoline, LPG, and diesel which cost $3bn during the first half of the year, thanks to oil prices falling 30% from the same period a year ago.

This marks the first time Ecuador's energy imports have exceeded exports since Ecuador started exporting oil in 1972, and highlights the vulnerability of oil-reliant economies whenever oil prices fall sharply. The World Bank has named Iraq, Libya, Venezuela, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Iran, Guyana, Algeria, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan as the most vulnerable oil-producing nations due to their high exposure to the oil and gas sector and relative lack of diversification. Latin American economies are, however, not much better off due to their high reliance on oil coupled with a lack of a clear roadmap in the global energy transition. Venezuela, Ecuador, and Colombia are particularly dependent on oil exports and revenues, while Bolivia and Trinidad depend heavily on natural gas. Meanwhile, the small nation of Guyana is poised to become the largest per-capita oil producer in the world, thanks to the swathe of oil discoveries made by ExxonMobil and its partners. Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico are not as fossil fuel dependent, but oil and gas still rank among the largest industries in each country in terms of fiscal revenues, exports, and investments.

A report by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) shows that in scenarios consistent with the 1.5-degree goal, Latin American oil production needs to fall to less than 4 million barrels per day by 2035--60% below pre-pandemic levels. This would mean that up to 81% of their proven, probable, and possible oil reserves will not be used before 2035. The fiscal impact would be enormous: the region's oil exporters could lose up to around US$ 3 trillion in royalties by 2035 if strong global climate action materializes.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Nord Stream investigators have uncovered traces of subsea explosives from a yacht, according to European diplomats who spoke to the United Nations Security Council. Sweden, Denmark, and Germany have been jointly investigating the Nord Stream incident.

Just who is responsible for the explosives being there or for the Nord Stream sabotage is still unknown.

The findings most closely back German medias March reports that six individuals hired by a Ukrainian company in Poland were responsible for the attacks. Other theories of who was behind the pipeline explosion remain, including that the United States or Russia was behind the sabotage.

German federal prosecutors did confirm earlier this year that a January search of a boat raised suspicions that it had been used to transport explosives that were later used in the pipeline sabotage.

The investigation will continue in hopes of narrowing down the perpetrators and the motives behind the attack.

The Nord Stream pipelines were sabotaged in late September 2022, with Swedish authorities concluding that leaks had been the result of detonations that were likely the result of serious sabotage.

Nord Stream 1 was carrying gas from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea, while Nord Stream 2 was never put into operation after Germany axed the certification process following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia, for its part, shut down Nord Stream 1 indefinitely in early September, claiming an inability to repair gas turbines because of the Western sanctions.

Russia is expected to seal up and mothball the ruptured Nord Stream natural gas pipelines damaged in the sabotage, with relations with the West not expected to improve anytime soon, with no plans to either put them to use or repair them in the near future.

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A full 40% of all the new LNG that will come to the market by 2029 will be from Qatar, the countrys Minister of State for Energy Affairs, President and CEO of Qatars national oil company, QatarEnergy, has declared.

Gas will always be needed as the cleanest fossil fuel for the base-load required for electricity production and for powering industrial and manufacturing factories. We have to have a balance between what we need for humanity and how we can manage it properly. And if you look at what we are doing in Qatar, we are increasing production to 126 million tons per annum (MTPA) and we have another 16-18 MTPA out of the U.S. coming online next year. We are doing it in the most responsible way as far as emissions are concerned with CO2 sequestration, Al-Kaabi said during a Leadership Dialogue held as part of the 20th International Conference & Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas.

Last year, Australia emerged as the worlds leading exporter of LNG, shipping 82.0 million tonnes (Mt) of LNG2 valued at $63 billion, a new world record. That figure eclipsed 81.2 Mt exported by Qatar and 79.1 Mt exported by the United States. However, increasing regulatory scrutiny by the Australian government, including the possibility of gas intended for LNG projects being diverted into the domestic market, might limit Australias ability to maintain the lead. Lately, the Australian government has been intervening more aggressively in local gas markets. Last year, following the east coast energy crisis, the federal government toughened the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism (ADGSM), which gives it more power to limit LNG exports.

Meanwhile, Europes purchases of U.S. LNG have lately dwindled, with Junes volumes clocking in at 4.15 million metric tons, down from 5.63 million tons in May. Europes gas inventories, including in the United Kingdom, have been rapidly increasing and have now hit 889 terawatt-hours (TWh), according to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe. Stocks are now +246 TWh +38% above the 10-year seasonal average, although the surplus has narrowed from +280 TWh +81% in March.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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A heat alert issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration suggests the U.S. grid is in for another strain this month.

The administration said the heat will settle in for a longer period in some parts of the country and expand in others, spanning the South-Central and Southeast United States.

Temperatures in some parts of the country could reach and exceed 110 F, the NOAA also said, adding that unusually warm Gulf of Mexico waters would also increase humidity in coastal states and reduce the extent of nighttime cooling.

The forecast suggests a significant increase in electricity demand for cooling across much of the United States, which will strain grids the way the Texas grid got strained earlier this summer when high temperatures came.

According to NOAAs Weather Prediction Center, daily temperature records might get broken in California, Nevada, and Arizona this weekend, and the heat will extend to Texas and further along the Gulf Coast. It will also remain there for most of the current month and maybe even extend into August.

The heat will be extremely dangerous and potentially deadly, due to the intensity, longevity and a relatively cool start to summer which may have limited the ability for people to acclimate to more typical hot summer weather in this region, the Weather Prediction Center warned earlier this week, as cited by Axios.

Bloomberg notes that the Electric Reliability Council of Texas had reported peak demand of 80.8 GW for June 27, which was a record high. ERCOT expects a repeat of this peak this month as well.

Earlier in the year, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation warned that summer temperatures may again strain the Texas grid leading to possible outages. Separately, the NERC said that many parts of the U.S. risked blackouts due to the fact that hydrocarbon-fueled power generation capacity was being retired faster than alternative capacity was being added.

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In a recent letter addressed to the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Toyota Motor North America, Inc. criticized the agency's proposed new tailpipe emission standards, deeming them "unrealistic" and warning that they could spark a shortage of critical minerals.

Toyota sent a letter to EPA administrator Michael Regan with comments on the agency's tailpipe emission limits for vehicles produced in 2027 and beyond. The proposed rule calls for more electric vehicles to be sold, accounting for 67% of new light-duty vehicle sales and 46% of new medium-duty vehicle sales in model year 2032. Currently, EVs and plug-in hybrids are approximately 10% of the market.

Toyota said explosive growth in EV vehicle production to meet new government standards would spark many "challenges, including the scarcity of minerals to make batteries, the fact that these minerals are not mined or refined in the US, the inadequate infrastructure and the high cost of battery-electric vehicles."

The carmaker stressed that it shares the Biden administration's goal to decarbonize transportation and is committed to vehicle electrification in America. "Our environmental track record speaks for itself. We have sold over 20 million electrified vehicles globally since the introduction of the Prius in 1997," it said.

Toyota said it will produce a new EV SUV at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky in 2025, with batteries sourced from the Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina plant. And it added it was "committed" to achieving carbon neutrality in 2050 over the entire life cycle of our vehicles.

Toyota provides further concerns about the EPA's proposed tailpipe emission rule:

The proposed standards are expected to result in a new vehicle sales mix of 67% BEV by 32MY. Achieving such a high penetration is almost entirely dependent on factors outside our control. As discussed in more detail in our attached comments, hundreds of new mines are needed globally to produce enough critical minerals to support so many BEVs. The sources for those minerals are almost exclusively outside the US, as is most of the mineral processing to turn the ore into usable battery-grade material. And the charging infrastructure (both in-home and public) needed to support that level of electrification is far from where it needs to be. Recent legislation and incentives are directionally supportive but appear far short of what is needed. EPA should adjust the standards in the proposed rule to account for these major uncertainties over which automakers have little control, but for which we face significant compliance and brand/reputation ramifications should they not come to bear. Compliance cannot be based on factors over which we have no control.

By Zerohedge.com

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Amid continuous warnings about looming shortages of supply of critical minerals, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has grown more optimistic about the ability of the industry to meet the expected surge in demand.

Global investments in key energy transition minerals have soared in recent years, and the market has doubled, driven by the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) adoption and a surge in renewable energy capacity installations, the IEA said in its first-ever annual Critical Minerals Market Review this week.

Record levels of spending on mineral deposit development and resource exploration could ease the expected shortages in key battery minerals if projects go as planned by 2030, the IEA says.

At a pivotal moment for clean energy transitions worldwide, we are encouraged by the rapid growth in the market for critical minerals, which are crucial for the world to achieve its energy and climate goals, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said in a statement.

Global investment in critical minerals surged by 30% last year, following a 20% jump in 2021, the agencys report found. The market size of key energy transition minerals doubled over the past five years, reaching $320 billion in 2022, pushed up by rising demand and high prices. The market is set to further grow rapidly and move to the center stage of the mining industry, the IEA said.

Last year, investment in lithium development soared by 50%, followed by copper and nickel. Exploration spending jumped by 20%, led by record growth in lithium exploration, especially in hard-rock lithium plays in Canada and Australia.

A host of newly announced projects indicate that supply is catching up with countries clean energy ambitions, but the adequacy of future supply is far from assured, the IEA said in the report.

This has reduced the potential mismatch between demand and anticipated supply in 2030, although meeting the requirements in the NZE Scenario still requires further projects to come through.

However, the IEA acknowledges two key challenges in the critical minerals marketlimited sustainability in production and processing and limited diversification of supply.

The share of the top three producers in 2022 either remained unchanged or has increased further, especially for nickel and cobalt, compared with three years ago. China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Indonesia continue to dominate a large part of the critical raw material supply, while China is a dominant player in refining operations. For example, Congo has maintained its strong position as the leading cobalt producer, accounting for over 70% of global production in 2022, while China continues to maintain a stronghold in refined product supplies, accounting for more than 75% of refined cobalt output in 2022, the IEA noted.

Most of the planned projects are also in several countries, with China holding half of planned lithium chemical plants and Indonesia representing nearly 90% of planned nickel refining facilities.

Many resource-holding nations are seeking positions further up the value chain while many consuming countries want to diversify their source of refined metal supplies, the agency said.

However, the world has not yet successfully connected the dots to build diversified midstream supply chains.

The recent Chinese export restrictions on gallium and germanium show how relatively niche minerals such as magnesium, high-purity manganese, high-purity phosphorus and silicon may disrupt supply chains due to high reliance on a small group of suppliers, the IEA noted.

Sustainable supply is also a problem in the energy transition. While the energy generated from renewable power sources is zero-emission, the mining and refining activities in the supply chain for boosting EV, wind, and solar uptake are certainly not.

Environmental indicators are not improving at the same rate as community investments and gender equality, the IEA found in its analysis.

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Greenhouse gas emissions remain high, with roughly the same amount being emitted per tonne of mineral output every year. Water withdrawals almost doubled from 2018 to 2021, the report says.

Consumers havent shown great consideration for sustainability, either.

Despite the availability of cleaner production pathways, there are few signs that end users are prioritising them in their sourcing and investment decisions, although some downstream companies have started to give preference to minerals with a lower climate impact, the IEA notes.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Bellevue West graduate and former Nebraska pitcher Jaxon Jelkin was the lone local player to go on the final day of the MLB draft Tuesday.

The sophomore right-hander went in the 14th round (No. 430 overall) to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The starter at South Mountain C.C. in Arizona last spring posted a 3.81 earned-run average across 14 starts and 75 2/3 innings. Jelkin struck out 98 batters and walked 43 while allowing 66 hits. He spent his freshman year at Nebraska in 2022 with a 2.31 ERA in 11 2/3 frames.

Instead of going to Los Angeles or remaining at South Mountain, Jelkin announced on Twitter he would be taking his talents to Houston.

A quiet closing day followed two busy ones in the draft that spanned 20 rounds and 614 picks in all.

Nebraska had four total players drafted between infielders Brice Matthews (first round, No. 28 overall to Houston) and Max Anderson (second, No. 45 to Detroit) and pitchers Emmett Olson (fourth, No. 110 to Miami) and Jace Kaminska (10th, No. 292 to Colorado). Omahas Mike Boeve (second, No. 54 to Milwaukee) also went on the first day.

Other in-state products to be selected were Lincoln Southeast grad and Lipscomb left-hander Logan Van Treeck (ninth, No. 258 to Cincinnati) and Kearney product and outfielder Jared Wegner (ninth, No. 282 to New York Yankees).

Not taken was Millard South shortstop Camden Kozeal, the two-time Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year. Though a regarded prospect, his predetermined dollar figure was enough to keep teams from spending draft capital on him. The Vanderbilt commit told The World-Herald last week he would happily go to college if circumstances play out that way.
VILNIUS, Lithuania  NATO leaders said Tuesday they would allow Ukraine to join the alliance "when allies agree and conditions are met," hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blasted the organization's failure to set a timetable for his country as "absurd."

"We reaffirmed Ukraine will become a member of NATO and agreed to remove the requirement for a membership action plan," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters, referring to a key step in joining the alliance.

"This will change Ukraine's membership path from a two-step path to a one-step path," he said.

Though many NATO members have funneled arms and ammunition to Zelenskyy's forces in the wake of Russia's invasion, there is no consensus among the 31 allies for admitting Ukraine into NATO's ranks. Instead, alliance leaders decided to remove obstacles on Ukraine's membership path so that it can join more quickly once the war is over.

Zelenskyy pushed back against the decision.

"It's unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine's membership," Zelenskyy tweeted as he headed to the annual NATO summit in Vilnius. "While at the same time, vague wording about 'conditions' is added even for inviting Ukraine. It seems there is no readiness to invite Ukraine to NATO or to make it a member of the Alliance."

NATO membership would afford Ukraine protection against a giant neighbor that annexed its Crimean Peninsula almost a decade ago and more recently seized vast swaths of land in the east and south.

Joining NATO would also oblige Kyiv to reform its security institutions, improve governance and curb corruption  work that would also ease the country's path into the European Union.

Asked about Zelenskyy's concerns, Stoltenberg said the most important thing now is to ensure that his country wins the war, because "unless Ukraine prevails there is no membership to be discussed at all."

The broadside from Zelenskyy could renew tensions at the summit shortly after it saw a burst of goodwill following an agreement by Turkey to advance Sweden's bid to join NATO. Allies hope to resolve the seesawing negotiations and create a clear plan for the alliance and its support for Ukraine.

"We value our allies," Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter, adding that "Ukraine also deserves respect." He also said: "Uncertainty is weakness. And I will openly discuss this at the summit."

Zelenskyy is expected to meet Wednesday with U.S. President Joe Biden and other NATO leaders.

There have been sharp divisions within the alliance over Ukraine's desire to join NATO, which was promised back in 2008 even though few steps were taken toward that goal.

In addition, the Baltic states  including Lithuania, which is hosting the summit  have pushed for a strong show of support and a clear pathway toward membership for Ukraine.

However, the United States and Germany urged caution. Biden said last week that Ukraine was not ready to join. Members of NATO, he told CNN, need to "meet all the qualifications, from democratization to a whole range of other issues," a nod toward longstanding concerns about governance and corruption in Kyiv.

In addition, some fear that bringing Ukraine into NATO would serve more as a provocation to Russia than as a deterrence against aggression.

NATO leaders decided to launch a series of multiyear programs to bring Ukraine's Soviet-era military equipment and doctrines up to modern standards so the country can operate fully with the alliance.

On Wednesday, the leaders and Zelenskyy are slated to launch a new, upgraded forum for their cooperation: a NATO-Ukraine Council, where all parties can convene crisis talks if their security is threatened.

To fast-track its future membership, the leaders agreed to do away with a membership action plan for Ukraine, a program often seen as mandatory for aspiring nations to undertake.

Known in NATO parlance as a MAP, the action plan involves a tailor-made package of advice, assistance and practical support for countries preparing to join NATO. Bosnia, for example, is currently taking part in one.

Pressed by reporters to say what kind of conditions are being placed on Ukraine joining, Stoltenberg said: "We want modern defense and security institutions."

He also said Kyiv's hopes might hinge on strengthening its governance standards and fighting corruption.

The dispute over Ukraine stands in contrast to a hard fought agreement to advance Sweden's membership. The deal was reached after days of intensive meetings, and it's poised to expand the alliance's strength in Northern Europe.

According to a joint statement issued when the deal was announced, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will ask Turkey's parliament to approve Sweden joining NATO.

Biden is on a five-day trip to Europe, with the NATO summit as its centerpiece.

The president spent Monday in the United Kingdom, meeting at Windsor Castle with King Charles III and in London with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The Council Bluffs and Omaha police officers involved in a fatal shooting on Saturday have been identified.

The officers who fired shots at 41-year-old Matthew Briggs were Lt. Chad Geer, a 27-year veteran of the Council Bluffs Police Department, and Lt. Martin Stiles, a 23-year veteran of the Omaha Police Department, according to a press release from the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

Briggs was wanted as a person of interest in the killing of 52-year-old Steven Greg Donsbach on Saturday morning and in a related domestic assault report from a separate location, The World-Herald previously reported.

Donsbach was found shot dead inside a home at 9927 Essex Drive in the Regency neighborhood.

A car reportedly belonging to Briggs, a red 2005 Buick Century sedan, was seen on a security camera in Regency and was discovered Saturday afternoon at Mandan Park in southeast Omaha.

About 3:30 p.m., a blue Toyota Camry was carjacked just south of Mandan Park and police said they believe Briggs used a firearm in taking the vehicle.

Law enforcement responded to the incident and chased the Camry across the Missouri River into Iowa. Briggs was known to be armed with multiple weapons and the Camry was traveling at over 100 mph at times during the chase, according to the release.

The pursuit ended when a Council Bluffs officer performed a PIT maneuver on the Camry near College Road and Valley View Drive, the release said. A PIT is a pursuit intervention technique where an officer bumps a car to try to send it into a spinout.

Briggs then pointed a weapon at the responding officers, and Stiles and Geer both fired at him, according to the release.

Briggs was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. A forensic autopsy found that he died of a fatal gunshot wound, according to the release.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating the shooting and interviewed Stiles and Geer on Monday, the release said.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the case will be reviewed by the Pottawattamie County Attorney and the Iowa Attorney Generals Office.
SACRAMENTO, Calif.  A Northern California man who was left paralyzed after he was slammed to the ground during a traffic stop won a $20 million settlement, one of the largest in the state's history, officials announced Tuesday.

Gregory Gross, an Army veteran who lives in Yuba City, sued the police department in 2022 after police officers used pain compliance techniques and expressed disbelief when he repeatedly cried out, I cant feel my legs." Police officers also dismissed Gross when he said, I can't breathe," while being held facedown on the lawn outside a hospital, video released by Gross's lawyers shows.

Gross was accused of driving drunk and causing a slow-speed collision in April 2020.

Gross was left with a broken neck, and he underwent two surgeries to fuse his spine. He said the officers' use of force left him unable to walk or care for himself, and he now needs round-the-clock nursing care for the rest of his life.

We are not against the police, said Attorney Moseley Collins, who represents Gross. We are for the police, but we are against police brutality when it occurs.

The settlement is among one of the largest police misconduct settlements in California history. In May, the state agreed to pay $24 million to the family of a man who died in police custody after screaming, I cant breathe, as multiple officers restrained him while trying to take a blood sample.

As part of the settlement, Yuba City will also start randomly auditing officers' bodycam footage and reviewing use-of-force incidents, police Chief Brian Baker said. He apologized to Gross at a news conference Tuesday.

Youve been in my thoughts since this tragedy was brought to my attention, Baker said to Gross. "On April 12th, 2020, we missed the mark. And for that, Mr. Gross, I'm sorry.

Gross said the police reforms are important to make sure what happened to him isn't repeated. He's donating $20,000 to California Peace Officers Memorial Foundation.

Im glad that they did something and took it serious, Gross said Tuesday. I couldnt understand how someone could be in a position of authority and was acting like that and treating another human being like that.

Deronda Harris, Gross' partner of 13 years, said she's grateful to see the settlement finalized.

It's nice to finally have closure, Harris told The Associated Press.

Gross also filed separate lawsuits in 2021 against Rideout Memorial Hospital in Marysville, along with the University of California, Davis Medical Center, alleging their actions contributed to his condition. Collins declined to comment on the status of the lawsuits, citing confidentiality.

In the police body camera video supplied by Gross lawyers, an officer is seen twisting Gross already handcuffed arms and forcibly seating him on a lawn. At one point, officers slammed him on the ground and held him facedown as Gross repeatedly cried out that he couldn't feel his legs and he couldn't breathe.

Mr. Gross, we are done with your silly little games, an officer tells him.

In September 2021, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law barring police from using certain facedown holds that have led to multiple unintended deaths. The bill was aimed at expanding on the states ban on chokeholds in the wake of George Floyds murder.

A history of police violence in America Intro 1704: Start of slave patrols in South Carolina 1838: First police department 1865: Southern states establish first 'black codes' Dec. 24, 1865: Ku Klux Klan formed 1877: Protesters and law enforcement clash in the Great Railroad Strike May 4, 1886: Labor leaders, strikers protest police brutality in the Haymarket riots Sept. 10, 1897: Immigrant miners are attacked in the Lattimer massacre 1904: Parchman Farm in Mississippi shifts from plantation to prison 1916: Start of Great Migration causes racial tensions May 22, 1917: Ell Persons lynching 1919: The 'Red Summer' of 1919 1929: President Herbert Hoover establishes the National Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement May 30, 1937: Chicago police shoot 10 protesters at Republic Steel Plant protests 1943: LAPD officers complicit in attacks against Mexican Americans during Zoot Suit Riots 18821968: Lack of law enforcement and government intervention during lynchings and murders 1956: COINTELPRO is founded to monitor radicals and activists 1960s: Rising militarization of police forces around the US 1963: Over 250,000 attend March on Washington 1965: Watts Riots highlight tensions between police and Black Americans 1965: Special Weapons and SWAT team established in LA 1967: Racial profiling and police brutality culminate in Detroit riots 1967: Federal Kerner Commission admits that police action is the cause of urban rebellions of 1960s 1969: New York City riots after a police raid on Stonewall Inn 1971: Death of George Jackson in prison sparks controversy June 18, 1971: War on Drugs campaign kicks off 1970s1980s: Spike in urban crime perpetuates stereotypes and creates 'broken windows' policies 1991: Video of police officers beating Rodney King sparks outrage 1992: Riots begin in Los Angeles due to Rodney King beating and Latasha Harlins killing 1994: Congress passes the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 1994: Violent Crime bill's "three strikes" provisions pave way for mass incarceration 1997: 1033 program helping to militarize police is created Feb. 4, 1999: Police shooting of Amadou Diallo 2000: Prison population almost doubles in a single decade 2000s: School-to-prison pipeline emerges with increased police presence and zero-tolerance policies in schools April 7, 2001: Cincinnati police officer shoots Timothy Thomas 20012013: NYC police target people of color due to 9/11 and expansion of 'stop and frisk' 2002: NYPD's Street Crimes Unit disbanded 2006: Police shootings of Sean Bell and Kathryn Harris Johnston further escalate tensions 2007: Under pressure, NYPD releases data showing racial disparities in its policing Dec. 20, 2011: Police shooting of Anthony Lamar Smith May 16, 2010: SWAT shooting of 7-year-old Aiyana Jones 2014: Tamir Rice, Eric Garner, and Michael Brown all die at the hands of police Nov. 28, 2014: UN Committee against Torture condemns police brutality and excessive use of force by law enforcement in the US 2015: Deaths of Freddie Gray and shooting of Keith Childress Jr. raise questions July 13, 2015: Sandra Bland is found dead after being arrested during a traffic stop July 2016: Police shootings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling happen just a day apart September 2016: UN's Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent issues scathing report on police killings 20172020: Trump administration peels back Justice Department programs that investigate local police departments for racism and excessive force May 2020: Deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd reignite worldwide protests against police brutality and racism
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates  The baby sea turtle flapped its flippers as it was lowered into the ocean, only to be pushed back ashore by the strong tide. It tried again, and this time it made it, swimming fast and deep into Persian Gulf waters lapping at a string of beachfront tourist resorts.

Scientists hope the turtle will thrive back in its natural habitat, joining about 500 sea turtles that have been rescued, rehabilitated and released since Abu Dhabi's Environment Agency launched a program three years ago to aid turtles distressed by climate change and other issues.

In the latest release in early June, about 80 turtles were carried to the water's edge by members of the agency's Wildlife Rescue Program, joined by members of the community. Many were outfitted with satellite tracking gear to help scientists better understand migration patterns and the success of rehabilitation methods.

Turtles have historically been hunted for their meat and eggs, with their shells used in jewelry. But plenty of manmade factors figure into a decline in all seven sea turtle species.

"We see issues such as plastic pollution causing harm, vessel strikes, nets causing them to be entangled in them, and coastal development, which reduces the amount of nesting habitat they have available, says Hind al-Ameri, assistant scientist at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.

Climate change is a big contributor, researchers say.

Warming oceans harm coral reefs, which turtles need to survive, and shift currents to expose turtles to new predators. Rising sea levels diminish the beaches where the turtles nest and lay their eggs.

Abu Dhabi's isn't the only agency in the Emirates focused on aiding sea turtles. Emirates Nature-WWF launched a pair of marine conservation initiatives more than a decade ago, studying the behavior of the hawksbill and green turtles in the region.

And the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project has been helping sick and injured sea turtles for nearly two decades, rehabilitating and returning more than 2,000 turtles to the Persian Gulf in that time.

Scientists say they see evidence that the sea turtles are adapting to climate change.

Turtle gender is influenced by the temperature in which eggs develop, with warmer temperatures producing a higher ratio of female turtles. Al-Ameri said conditions in the United Arab Emirates have become so warm that the male population should be devastated  but it is healthy and reproducing.

So its driving us to understand why our species are adapting the way they are and what it would mean in terms of climate change and would turtles be able to adapt to climate change in the future or not, she said.

How the planet can limit global warming, and its damaging effects on sea turtles and the rest of the world, will be discussed at length in November when Dubai hosts the next United Nations summit on climate change.

Photos: How one country is working to protect vulnerable sea turtles
VILNIUS, Lithuania  NATO leaders said Tuesday they would allow Ukraine to join the alliance "when allies agree and conditions are met," hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blasted the organization's failure to set a timetable for his country as "absurd."

"We reaffirmed Ukraine will become a member of NATO and agreed to remove the requirement for a membership action plan," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters, referring to a key step in joining the alliance.

"This will change Ukraine's membership path from a two-step path to a one-step path," he said.

Though many NATO members have funneled arms and ammunition to Zelenskyy's forces in the wake of Russia's invasion, there is no consensus among the 31 allies for admitting Ukraine into NATO's ranks. Instead, alliance leaders decided to remove obstacles on Ukraine's membership path so that it can join more quickly once the war is over.

Zelenskyy pushed back against the decision.

"It's unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine's membership," Zelenskyy tweeted as he headed to the annual NATO summit in Vilnius. "While at the same time, vague wording about 'conditions' is added even for inviting Ukraine. It seems there is no readiness to invite Ukraine to NATO or to make it a member of the Alliance."

NATO membership would afford Ukraine protection against a giant neighbor that annexed its Crimean Peninsula almost a decade ago and more recently seized vast swaths of land in the east and south.

Joining NATO would also oblige Kyiv to reform its security institutions, improve governance and curb corruption  work that would also ease the country's path into the European Union.

Asked about Zelenskyy's concerns, Stoltenberg said the most important thing now is to ensure that his country wins the war, because "unless Ukraine prevails there is no membership to be discussed at all."

The broadside from Zelenskyy could renew tensions at the summit shortly after it saw a burst of goodwill following an agreement by Turkey to advance Sweden's bid to join NATO. Allies hope to resolve the seesawing negotiations and create a clear plan for the alliance and its support for Ukraine.

"We value our allies," Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter, adding that "Ukraine also deserves respect." He also said: "Uncertainty is weakness. And I will openly discuss this at the summit."

Zelenskyy is expected to meet Wednesday with U.S. President Joe Biden and other NATO leaders.

There have been sharp divisions within the alliance over Ukraine's desire to join NATO, which was promised back in 2008 even though few steps were taken toward that goal.

In addition, the Baltic states  including Lithuania, which is hosting the summit  have pushed for a strong show of support and a clear pathway toward membership for Ukraine.

However, the United States and Germany urged caution. Biden said last week that Ukraine was not ready to join. Members of NATO, he told CNN, need to "meet all the qualifications, from democratization to a whole range of other issues," a nod toward longstanding concerns about governance and corruption in Kyiv.

In addition, some fear that bringing Ukraine into NATO would serve more as a provocation to Russia than as a deterrence against aggression.

NATO leaders decided to launch a series of multiyear programs to bring Ukraine's Soviet-era military equipment and doctrines up to modern standards so the country can operate fully with the alliance.

On Wednesday, the leaders and Zelenskyy are slated to launch a new, upgraded forum for their cooperation: a NATO-Ukraine Council, where all parties can convene crisis talks if their security is threatened.

To fast-track its future membership, the leaders agreed to do away with a membership action plan for Ukraine, a program often seen as mandatory for aspiring nations to undertake.

Known in NATO parlance as a MAP, the action plan involves a tailor-made package of advice, assistance and practical support for countries preparing to join NATO. Bosnia, for example, is currently taking part in one.

Pressed by reporters to say what kind of conditions are being placed on Ukraine joining, Stoltenberg said: "We want modern defense and security institutions."

He also said Kyiv's hopes might hinge on strengthening its governance standards and fighting corruption.

The dispute over Ukraine stands in contrast to a hard-fought agreement to advance Sweden's membership. The deal was reached after days of intensive meetings, and it's poised to expand the alliance's strength in Northern Europe.

According to a joint statement issued when the deal was announced, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will ask Turkey's parliament to approve Sweden joining NATO.

Biden is on a five-day trip to Europe, with the NATO summit as its centerpiece.

The president spent Monday in the United Kingdom, meeting at Windsor Castle with King Charles III and in London with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

He met Tuesday with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, emphasizing his commitment to transatlantic cooperation, before he joined the NATO gathering.

"Nothing happens here that doesn't affect us," Biden told Nauseda. The White House said Nauseda presented Biden with the Order of Vytautas the Great, the highest award a Lithuanian president can bestow. Biden is the first U.S. president to receive it.

After the summit ends Wednesday, Biden will travel to Helsinki. On Thursday, he will celebrate Finland's recent entry into NATO and meet with Nordic leaders.

How NATO has grown since 1997 and its changing relationship with Russia 2004 new members: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia 2009 new members: Albania and Croatia 2017 new members: Montenegro 2022 aspiring members: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Finland, Georgia, Sweden, and Ukraine
A year after former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry got probation, community service and a $25,000 fine for lying to FBI agents investigating foreign campaign contributions, his case was back in court, this time before a panel of appellate judges homing in on the heart of his appeal: why the case was tried in California.

Fortenberrys attorney, Kannon Shanmugam, said the convictions could not stand.

First, venue did not lie in California because the statements at issue were made in in-person interviews in Nebraska and Washington, D.C., Shanmugam said.

In March 2022, a federal jury in Los Angeles found the nine-term Nebraska congressman guilty of one count of concealing conduit campaign contributions and two counts of lying to federal agents in an interview at his home in Lincoln and in a follow-up interview he requested in Washington in 2019.

The FBI investigation related to a controversial Nigerian billionaire, Gilbert Chagoury, funneling $30,000 to Fortenberry at a fundraiser in Los Angeles in February 2016 as a reward for his support of a group formed to protect Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East.

Fortenberry didnt initially know it, but he later learned about the money and ultimately donated it to charity because it is illegal for U.S. elected officials to accept foreign money.

But it was the false statements that got him charged.

You had a Nebraska citizen elected to represent the people of Nebraska in the House of Representatives who made a misstatement of fact in Nebraska. However did that case get tried in Los Angeles? an incredulous Judge James Donato asked Alexander Robbins of the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Donato asked how that squared with the venue clause in the Sixth Amendment and the countys long tradition that says youre tried in the community where you were accused of committing your crime.

Robbins said Fortenberry was charged and tried in California because his false statements were material to the investigation there.

And the reason that that investigation was in the central district of California was the defendant chose to have a fundraiser in Los Angeles, he said.

Donato, who appeared unconvinced, said an investigation could be done anywhere. But when it comes to charging and trying a case, why not refer it to the local office where the statement was made?

Why drag these people all across the country to foreign venues and not just pass it off to the district where the statement was made? he asked.

Robbins said it wasnt constitutionally required to try Fortenberry in two jurisdictions. The defense asked to transfer venue to Nebraska, and the judge denied it. But they didnt appeal that ruling, he said.

The defense is here making a constitutional argument that constitutionally he cant be prosecuted in the district where the statement was material, Robbins said.

In an exchange on the other side, Donato asked Shanmugam where he thinks the case should have been tried.

Shanmugam said Nebraska or the District of Columbia, where Fortenberry made the statements at issue.

This is really an unprecedented prosecution where a member of Congress is being hauled across the country simply because the AUSAs (assistant U.S. attorneys) and the agents happen to be here, the defense attorney argued.

At the same time, he conceded if the conversation had been over the phone, they would have jurisdiction to try him on either end of the call.

But I think what makes this case different is that by its own concession the government recognizes that their theory of venue ultimately depends on the fact that the investigation itself was taking place in California, Shanmugam said.

Donato said the government was coat-tailing on decisions in the 2nd, 4th and 7th Circuits, which looked at an effects test to determine whether the false statement was capable of affecting a decision-maker in another state.

He said he was concerned about that, because the effects can be felt anywhere, which I think leads to a potentially terrible result.

Shanmugam said that under that theory, the government could make a calculated decision that the most government-friendly juries in the country are in North Dakota and put that jurisdiction in charge of investigations in other states.

He said the fundamental problem is the government is trying to turn venue from something about the conduct itself into something about potential effects.

A mans life lies in ruins as a result of the governments decision to prosecute this case and prosecute him in the Central District of California, he said. And we would submit at a minimum that the congressman is entitled to a new trial.

The court will make its ruling later.
MADISON, Neb.  A Nebraska mother has pleaded guilty to giving her 17-year-old daughter pills for an illegal abortion last year and helping to burn and bury the fetus.

Under a plea agreement, Jessica Burgess, 42, of Norfolk, admitted to providing an abortion after 20 weeks of gestation, false reporting and tampering with human skeletal remains. Charges of concealing the death of another person and abortion by someone other than a licensed physician were dismissed Friday.

Burgess was accused of helping her then-17-year-old daughter, Celeste Burgess, end her pregnancy. Madison County District Court documents show she ordered abortion pills on the internet.

After the teen aborted the 29-week-old fetus, the two burned the remains and buried them in a field north of Norfolk. Authorities later found the burned fetus.

Madison County Attorney Joe Smith has said its the first time he has charged anyone with illegally performing an abortion after 20 weeks, a restriction that was passed in 2010. In May, Republican Gov. Jim Pillen signed a 12-week abortion ban.

Jessica Burgess is set for sentencing Sept. 22. Two of the counts against her are felonies; one is a misdemeanor.

Celeste Burgess, now 18, was charged as an adult and pleaded guilty in May to removing, concealing or abandoning a dead body. She is scheduled to be sentenced July 20. She faces up to two years in prison.

Via Facebook messages, the two discussed terminating the pregnancy and plans to destroy the evidence. The messages, which law enforcement acquired using a search warrant, were detailed in court documents.

According to the documents, the daughter talked in the messages about how she cant wait to get the thing out of her body. She also said, I will finally be able to wear jeans. In one message, Jessica Burgess told her daughter she had obtained the pills and gave her instructions on how to end her pregnancy.

Last summer, a man pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor for helping the women bury the fetus on his parents land. He got probation.
Just five days after staging a short-lived rebellion, mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin 's commanders met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and pledged loyalty to the government, a senior government spokesman said Monday, the latest twist in a baffling episode that has raised questions about the power and influence both men wield.

The three-hour meeting took place June 29 and involved not only Prigozhin but commanders from his Wagner Group military contractor, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Putin gave an assessment of Wagners actions on the battlefield in Ukraine  where the mercenaries have fought alongside Russian troops  and of the revolt itself.

The commanders themselves presented their version of what happened. They underscored that they are staunch supporters and soldiers of the head of state and the commander-in-chief, and also said that they are ready to continue to fight for their homeland, Peskov said.

The confirmation that Putin met face-to-face with Prigozhin, who led troops on a march to Moscow last month to demand a military leadership change, was extraordinary. Though the Russian leader branded Prigozhin a traitor as the revolt unfolded and vowed harsh punishment, the criminal case against the mercenary chief on rebellion charges was later dropped.

Prigozhin has not commented on the Kremlin meeting, and his ultimate fate remains unclear, particularly since Monday's announcement shows much is negotiated behind closed doors. He could still face prosecution for financial wrongdoing or other charges.

Monday's announcement came as Russias Defense Ministry published a video featuring military chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov  who was one of the targets of Prigozhin's rebellion. It was the first time Gerasimov has been seen since the revolt.

In the video, Gerasimov is seated at a table with his team, watching a video report from the chief of staff of Russias aerospace forces about a missile attack on Russian territory on Sunday. Gerasimov responds by calling for preemptive strikes against missile bases and for improvements in missile defenses.

The twin updates appeared to be another attempt by the Kremlin to show its in control after a turbulent period, and to reflect Putin's delicate balance between condemning the biggest threat to his 23-year rule and the man behind it while not alienating a popular figure whose troops scored the biggest battlefield victory for Russia in the past year of the war.

Former Putin speechwriter Abbas Gallyamov told The Associated Press that Putin acknowledges Prigozhins patriotism and needs his forces on the front line, while Prigozhin needs Putin to ensure his freedom from prosecution. The two are negotiating as allies, with Prigozhin escaping punishment, Gallyamov said.

Prigozhin emerged victorious from this rebellion, Gallyamov said in a Zoom interview from Tel Aviv. He has shown himself to be the master of the situation.

Adding to the unusual nature of the meeting was that until very recently, Putin had denied any link between the state and Prigozhins forces. Mercenaries are illegal in Russia, but Wagner troops have fought for Russian interests around the globe and played a vital role in the capture of Bakhmut in the wars longest and bloodiest battle. Putin has confirmed that Prigozhin's companies operated under government contracts.

Throughout the war, Prigozhin has criticized decisions made by Russias top military brass, leading to tensions with the Kremlin that culminated in the June 24 mutiny.

The rebellion severely weakened Putins authority, even though Prigozhin claimed the uprising was not aimed at the president but at removing Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Gerasimov. Prigozhin called off his mutiny after a deal was brokered for him to go to Belarus.

Mark Galeotti, an author who heads the consulting firm Mayak Intelligence, said the delicate dance with Prigozhin is a further compromise on Putins part and reflects his unwillingness to take tough and ruthless personnel decisions.

He is willing to see Ukrainians bombed by the dozen, but not confront any of the figures in his own circle, Galeotti wrote in The Spectator.

Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, predicted that some Russian observers would be stunned by the turn of events.

When you look from the point of view of Russian elite, its ridiculous, she told the AP. Its just so unbelievable and just so shocking.

Days after the revolt, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Prigozhin was in Belarus. But last week the president said the mercenary chief was in Russia while his troops remained in their camps.

Peskov said that during the June 29 meeting, Putin offered an assessment of Wagners actions on the battlefield in Ukraine and "of the events of June 24. The president also listened to the explanations of the commanders and offered them options for further employment and further use in combat, the Kremlin spokesman said.

A total of 35 people took part in the meeting, Peskov said. Putin has given options to Prigozhins fighters: fight as part of the regular Russian army, retire from service or join Prigozhin in Belarus.

A NATO summit later this week in Lithuania is looking at how to crank up the pressure on Moscow after 16 months of war.

In other developments, a Russian airstrike on a school in southern Ukraine killed seven people as residents gathered to receive humanitarian aid, authorities said, with the governor of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region branding the attack "a war crime.

Gov. Yuriy Malashko said a guided aerial bomb caused an explosion Sunday at a school in Orikhiv, without providing evidence.

Overall, Russia fired on 10 settlements in the province over the course of a day, he said.

Moscow denies it targets civilian locations. Russia has been accused numerous times of doing so and committing other war crimes since the start of its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

In March, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin for war crimes, accusing him of personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine.

Investigations are also underway in Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. The International Center for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, located in The Hague, is helping with those probes.

Ukraine has launched a counteroffensive to regain occupied land, and on Monday, the deputy defense minister, Hanna Maliar, reported progress.

She said the countrys fighters had reclaimed 10.2 square kilometers (3.9 square miles) of territory in the south and four square kilometers (1.5 square miles) in the east in the past week. The gains, she said on Telegram, included the commanding heights of Bakhmut, where Prigozhins forces declared control of the city in May. None of the claims could be independently verified.
The All Ports Unified Freight Forwarding Practitioners Association is worried about cargo facilitation, import and export, at Lagos Ports. It blamed shipping companies and terminal operators for what it called frustration of export trade, alleging that additional levies are imposed on importers aside requisite fees. To the body, this leads to delay in exportation of goods from the terminals.

Its President, Mike Okorie, told reporters at Apapa that the port concession agreement between the Federal Government and the concessionaires had not achieved much in addressing the bottlenecks in cargo clearance at the port.

According to Okorie, exports are rejected overseas because of the delay caused by shipping lines and terminal operators.

He added that due to lack of adequate infrastructure at the terminals, some goods got spoilt while on transit due to delayed take-off by shipping lines.

We have members who engage in exportation of food stuff and if these commodities stay long before shipping commences, then it is a problem. Take for instance, beans; this is one commodity that is supposed to be given easy access at the port for onward shipping overseas; but the port conces-sionaires and shipping lines with their frivolous charges make things difficult for us, Okorie said.

He added that beans was very peculiar because most of the cargoes laden with beans were returned to the country for being in unacceptable state, a situation caused by the delay such cargo must have experienced at Nigerian ports.

He alleged that shipping companies rip-off indigenous exporters and freight forwarders with arbitrary charges. He added that export could equate import only if the government would encourage shippers through policies that boost international trade.

We are not here to indict anybody but the truth is that government should encourage exportation, he said.

Okorie, who also frowned at the gridlock along the port corridors, said his association has concluded plans to engage the government on how to address some of the anomalies.

One of the areas to focus on, he explained, is for the government to inject life into the operational activities in the eastern ports. When this is done, he explained, it will help in striking a balance across ports in the country, create competitiveness and enabling business environment.

It is the responsibility of the Federal Government to make all ports in Nigeria viable and competitive, he submitted.
Dr. Bertin Koovi

Dr. Bertin Koovi, an opposition leader in Benin Republic has, in an audio message, cried out to President Nuhammadu Buhari to use the intrumentality of his position in the West African subregion and Africa as a whole to safe him and other opposition leaders who are targets of crackdown by the government of President Patrice Talon. Koovi, candidate of the Alliance Iroko (political party) contested to be president of Benin in 2016.

Koovi lives in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea but is being held in detention by the authorities of that country. That followed complaints from the President of Benin to the President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea about him. Koovi may eventually be deported to Benin to face persecution. This medium learnt that another former President, Boni Yayi, had been arrested too.

In the video message in possession of TheNEWS, recorded by Koovi on 11 May 2019 and sent from his Malabo jail, he revealed that he contested election in 2016. At the time, he said he was the only candidate that called to vote against Talon.

The opposition leader, a speaker of French and English, continued in his audio message:

Since then, I am the man to be killed for Patrice Talon. Your Excellency, President Buhari, I am calling upon you to intervene in the political case of Benin Republic. This is because I know your life story as far as politics is concerned. I know your righteousness.

Your Excellency, if you want to understand Benin case, just take the Abacha case and multiply it by three. How could one imagine a president banning political parties before being elected and only allowed the two parties he created before the parliamentary election? Why should a president say the opposition parties should not contest election?

Your Excellency, President Buhari, after experiencing freedom, how could Benin Republic people accept dictatorship?

In my position as a former presidential candidate and commander -in -chief of the Free Benin from Dictaorship, I call upon you to be a mediator on [on this matter] to ECOWAS, African Union and United Nations. We only want to be allowed to choose those who will represent us in Benin Parliament. Our [opposition] people are shot at by the soldiers that Talon brought from Rwanda.

Your Excellency, President Buhari, this is the time for Nigeria to show its leadership in ECOWAS.

May God bless Nigeria. May God bless Benin Republic. May God bless Africa.

From my jail in Malabo for political accusation made by Talon. But Equatorial Guinea is respecting my rights.

God bless you all. Thank you.

By Dr. Bertin Koovi Commander -in -Chief of Free Benin from the Dictatorship of Talon.

***
According to a report by Sun News, a mother of three who reportedly slumped and died during the maiden edition of Delta Elders Walk tournament, Mrs. Lovette Ighoroje, will be buried on June 22 this year.

The deceased reportedly slumped around Mami market area of Asaba, Delta State capital during a 10-km walk held on Monday ahead of Governor Ifeanyi Okowas second term inauguration.

Her corpse, as at the time of filing this report, was deposited at the morgue at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba.

Investigation revealed that the late Mrs. Ighoroje who was in her 50s, participated in the tournament for elders between the ages of 55 and 70.

She was a staff of Guidance and Counselling department of Asagba Secondary School, Asaba where her colleagues told our correspondent that she was full of live on Friday before the competition.

One of her colleagues, who pleaded not to be named in prints, said the deceased was hale and hearty when she left for the walk, adding that she is a native of Aboh in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the State.

Wondering how her children would fair without their mother, the source said the news of her death came to us as a rude shock. If anybody had told us that she would die even in two years time, we would have doubted it.

But investigations further revealed that she slumped less than two kilometres into the walk which commenced at Abraka Junction in Asaba through Dennis Osadebay Way, Nnebisi Road, Anwai road to Government House, Asaba.

Recall that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who received the participants at Government House, expressed joy that elders came out to participate actively in the walk.

The governor had said without making reference to the tragic incident that: I am glad that this tournament is taking place as it will help us to keep fit and be healthy.

Nigerians need to be encouraged to take a walk as it is good for our health and brain and I want to assure everybody that this tournament will be an annual event.

I want to urge you to always take a walk at least twice a week so as to remain in good health, and commended the organisers and participants in the walk for the colourful tournament.

Dr. Toju Eresanara who came first in the walk, got the sum of N3 million as prize while his runners up, Mr. Hycinth Osuhor and Mr. Ojubana Peter got the sums of N2 million and N1 million respectively.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as well as security agencies to be neutral in the November 10 Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states gubernatorial elections.

The Forum, in a communique issued, after its meeting, in Abuja, on Tuesday, and read by its chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, also charged the federal government to be non-partisan in the forth coming gubernatorial polls in the three states.

The opposition governors, according to the communique, noted the deteriorating security situation in the country especially the wanton destruction of lives and properties in Plateau and Zamfara States amongst other States

Consequently, they admonished the Federal Government and security agencies to rise to the situation and bring the situation under control.

The inaugural meeting of the PDP Governors Forum was held at the Akwa Ibom Governors Lodge in Abuja with 13 elected state executives under the party in attendance.
Gunmen on Monday abducted Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Joseph Azubuike, in Ebonyi State.

Azubuike, who is the Parish Priest of St. Charles Parish, Mgbalaeze Isu in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was abducted alongside three other people near his residence in the area.

READ ALSO: Lagos police arrest man for stealing mini-bus

The Chancellor of the Abakaliki Catholic Diocese, Fr. Matthew Uzoma Opoke, said in a statement on Tuesday that the priest was whisked away by the hoodlums while returning from pastoral duties.

He also confirmed the abduction of three other persons by the criminals.

The chancellor said: Fr. Joseph is the Parish Priest of St. Charles Parish, Mgbalaeze Isu in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

He was abducted alongside three other people. The abductors are making financial demands but with your prayers, we are going to have them back unconditionally. May Mother Mary of priests intercede for us. Amen. St. Joseph-Pray for us.
Democratic consolidation requires holding periodic elections that allow for peaceful transfer of power. Yet some elections held outside of consolidated democracies have been identified as sources of conflict. So far, Nigeria has managed to skirt around its various electoral crises, thus avoiding ensuing conflicts. But all is still not well. As long as the outcome of Nigerias 2023 presidential elections remain under contestation, a conjunction of circumstances will determine Nigerias political trajectory, more so as her national resignation and seemingly unfettered elasticity in tethering on the precipice, may have reached the breakpoint.

The foundational and sustaining basis of any democracy is the holding of periodic and genuine elections that allow a nations citizen to exercise their universal suffrage. The one-man-one-vote practice is one of the affirming principles of equality of persons, regardless of social and economic stratification. However, when a nation is leadership challenged as Nigeria is presently, it becomes incumbent for certain individuals and national institutions to rise to the occasion and toe a remedial path.

It is no longer in question that the quest for good governance and purposeful leadership are contingent on holding credible elections. Relatedly, the path to national greatness requires courage and selfless sacrifice. Both traits seem to have eluded Nigerians. There is, indeed, a dearth of both in our nation-building matters. This reality has placed Nigeria in its present conundrum. As much as some may indulge in escapism and declare the 2023 presidential elections concluded, that is not the case. The matter and the fate of Nigeria now rest with the Nigerian judiciary.

The present state of play affirms the truism espoused by Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, that It is essential for good governance to have a formidable judiciary. It ultimately contributes to nation-building, because it stands as the watchdog of the society and does not allow the hope of common men to be lost. The moment of truth is here!

For now, Nigerias 2023 presidential elections results remain in dispute. Those who urge the acceptance and grandfathering of INECs egregious declaration neither have an eye on history, nor interested in Nigerias long term wellbeing. Expediency in such national interest issues will always be fraught with miasma. No nation should legislate or legally sanction criminality. What Nigerians ought to be doing to escape the present quagmire is delve into its history and look elsewhere for guidance, if need be. There are for Nigeria, some close to home examples.

In 2017, the Kenyan Supreme Court declared the presidential elections held on August 8 as null and avoid, citing grave irregularities. As the Court ruled, The presidential election held on August 8 was not conducted in accordance with the constitution. The court then ordered a new poll to be conducted within 60 days. It was a landmark decision.

Similarly, in 2020, the Malawi Supreme Court upheld a Constitutional Court ruling that President Peter Mutharikas 2019 election was invalid because of widespread irregularities. In annulling the elections seven months later, the court cited widespread, systematic and grave irregularities including significant use of correction fluid to alter the outcome. Consequently, it declared, We consider that Peter Mutharika was not duly elected on 21 May 2019. We therefore annul the results of the presidential election. The Court went on to order a new presidential election to be held within 150 days. For Malawi, democracy and history, it was a landmark decision.

ALSO READ: Hullabaloo over UTME results: Matters arising

The rulings by the Kenya and Malawi apex courts present seminal case studies in politics, history and jurisprudence. Contextually, two unique strands should always guide public policy decision making: lessons learned and missed opportunities. These are tantamount to use of history, precedent or experience for decision making. Put differently, precedents in law, convention or practice are valuable instruments of leadership decision making processes. In Nigeria, the landmark case, Awolowo vs. Shagari has been characterized by some as a case of compromise; the truth remains that the Supreme Court if it had any bias, was in favour of upholding tenets the Constitution.

Before Malawis election, the international community, including the United Nations, European Union and African Union, issued several statements ahead of the vote, by which they urged Malawians to uphold the rule of law and remain calm. In the aftermath of the elections, when there was clear consternation and discomfiture over the announced results, the same international bodies sued for calm, reminding the nation that Malawi can draw on an impressive history of institutions and leaders stepping forward to safeguard your democracy and ensure peaceful resolution for internal tensions. These exhortations have been and can be easily replicated in the circumstances presently confronting Nigeria.

What is left is for the Nigerian judiciary to find the courage and need for self-sacrifice against all odds, to affirm the supremacy of the Constitution and the eminence of the rule of law. Both acts are synonymous with Patriotism. Given Nigerias peculiarities, such hard-headed decisions are not for the faint-hearted. But nations have been rescued from perdition via such conducts.

Like equity, jurisprudence has universal value. Transformative legal rulings are transboundary. Precedents arise and are employed from every legitimate authority. This is more so in our globalized world and with the benefit of seamless information technology. Whereas some have argued that its folly to mistake precedent of court cases for knowledge, and that any such endeavour is not by itself law; it goes without saying that precedent is the GPS of law and indisputable guide on extant principles.

There are unambiguous parallels in the Malawi and Nigeria presidential election cases. In Malawi, one of the grounds for annulling the elections was irregularities, especially massive use of correction fluid on results sheets. In Nigeria, evidence abounds of result sheets that were blurred, mutilated, and carelessly altered, with the use of correction fluid on result sheets. Such evidence exists and is incontrovertible.

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Everything that could possibly go wrong with an election went wrong with the 25 February presidential elections, thanks to INEC. Of the lot, the worst misdeed, which borders on criminality, is the egregious debasement of the Nigerian Constitution, thus creating a constitutional crisis. INEC also flunked the doctrine of substantial compliance. It put provisions of the Constitution in auto reverse, more so in neglecting dictates on winning requirement for Abuja FCT. Consequently, the judiciary negating this INEC legerdemain will not in spirit and letter amount to judicial legislation as some may presume.

Nigeria is like Kenya; like Malawi, no questions asked. Yet this needs to be asked: Can the Nigerian judiciary find the courage to uphold the constitution? Like the song says, The answer is blowing in the winds. Whether it will be good winds or ill winds remains to be seen.

Obaze, a politician, diplomat and governance and public policy expert, is a card carrying member of the Labour Party
A family in Las Vegas is grieving after a child accidentally shot himself in the head over the weekend at the house of a carer.

Local media, KLAS reported on Tuesday that around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, 2-year-old Jaiangelis Stevenson shot himself in the bedroom of a house close to Nellis Air Force Base.

According to the news source, the boy was rushed to University Medical Centre, where doctors declared him dead.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the incident for possible abuse and neglect.

His aunt Paris Box disclosed that Jaiangelis was being watched by a family member while his mother was working when the shooting occurred.

We would actually call him Blue because of his eyes, she recalled of the youngster.

He would be like Hi, Ti Ti and he would be walking around with his little popsicle.

The family is working on accepting what happened, Box added.

A child was shot with someone elses gun and that is negligence, but I dont know what happened, she said.

Because I know everyones heart involved, I dont have hate in my heart, Im disappointed a little bit, but I know that was not meant to happen.
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The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of a 24-year-old tiler, Yusuf Olalekan Ibrahim from Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State for offences bordering on cybercrime.

Yusuf was convicted alongside Abdulazeez Taofeek Ademola from Oyan in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State and Nurudeen Abdulmajeed from Ile-odo compound, Lasoju in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State by Justice Mahmoud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin.

The trio of Yusuf, Abdulazeez and Nurudeen had upon arraignment, pleaded guilty to the separate charges preferred against them.

READ ALSO: EFCC arraigns deputy accountant General, 2 others for N261m fraud

The charge against Yusuf reads: That you, Yusuf Olalekan Ibrahim, sometime between May 2022 and November 2022 in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did cheat by personation when you pretended to be one Krissy Rivera, a female resident of the United States of America with call mobile +16059499190 and Gmail account krissyrivera0,@gmail.com and in that guise induced one Keith, a male resident of the United States of America to send you Apple gifts cards worth the sum of $375 (Three Hundred and Seventy Five Dollars) and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 321 of the Penal Code Law and Punishable under section 324 of the Penal Code 

Count 2 of the charge against Abdulazeez reads: That you, Abdulazeez Taofeek Ademola, sometime between February and December, 2020 at Ilorin, within the judicial division of the High Court, did knowingly had under your control, the gross sum of N9,254,752 (Nine Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Two Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty Four Naira Only) deposited in your Guaranty Trust Bank account No. 0247893985, which is reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 319 (a) of the Penal Code.

The charge against Nurudeen reads:

READ ALSO: EFCC arrests 49 internet fraud suspects in Ekiti, Oyo

That you, Nurudeen Abdulmajeed sometime in April 2023, in Ilorin, Kwara State within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did cheat by personation when you pretended to be one Kelly Lochlan via your Instagram App and fraudulently deceived Colby Myers to send 240 Australian Dollars to you, thereby committed an offence contrary to section 321 of the Penal Code Law and Punishable under section 324 of the same law.

In the course of the trial, counsel to the EFCC, Mustapha Kaigama urged the court to take judicial notice of the admittance of guilt by the defendants and the uncontroverted evidence adduced by the prosecution to convict them as charged.

Justice Abdulgafar in his judgment on Monday, July 10, 2023, agreed that the prosecution had proved the case against the defendants to warrant their conviction.

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READ ALSO: EFCC nabs fake senator who defrauded foreigner of 5.7m

Consequently, the Judge handed six months suspended prison term to all three defendants.

In addition, Yusuf was ordered to forfeit his iPhone 12 Pro Max and the sum of $200 (Two Hundred United States Dollars) to the Federal Government, while

Abdulazeez also forfeits one iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone x, HP laptop, one MacBook, one Toyota Camry and the sum of $100 (One Thousand United States Dollars) which he benefited from the crime to the Federal Government.

The court similarly ordered Nurudeen to forfeit one iPhone 6 and the sum of $100 (One Hundred United States Dollars), all proceeds of his unlawful activities to the Federal Government.
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The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday held its first plenary since its inauguration with a call on the National Assembly to commence actions that would lead to the establishment of state police.

These actions, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, said, would stem the increasing spate of insecurity in the country.

Dr. Obasa noted with concern, recent attacks on communities in some states of the federation with many citizens losing their lives and belongings.

Recalling some of the latest attacks, the Speaker said he read about the killing of some residents in Plateau State.

He also noted the abduction of the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Mr. Paul Omotoso.

READ ALSO: Obasa congratulates Sanwo-Olu at 58, celebrates Gbajabiamila on 61st birthday

Obasa said though the Lagos Assembly had consistently clamoured for the establishment of state police, it is an appropriate time for the Senate and the House of Representatives to begin an amendment of the Constitution to contain the creation of the alternative policing system.

While I commend the ninth National Assembly for doing a lot to amend the constitution, there is a need for us to call on the 10th National Assembly to see it as a matter of urgency to make the issue of state policing a major factor of development, Obasa said.

The House also called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently equip the Neighbourhood Safety Corps of the State so that its personnel could effectively perform the task of community policing.

Supporting the Speaker, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, commended the Speaker for bringing up the issue of state policing again.

READ ALSO: Melodrama, as Obasas third term bid unsettles Lagos Assembly, stakeholders

We remember very well that it was you that sponsored the bill on Neighbourhood Safety Corps and we see what it has done for our State and how other states are copying it, Yishawu said.

While noting that President Bola Tinubu started well with moves to rejig the economy, Hon. Yishawu said security remains at the heart of a countrys progress urging for more focus this area.

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The motion was supported by other lawmakers who complained about the inadequate number of police personnel in Lagos and also suggested police reforms at the national level.
Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Media spokesman to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Femi Adesina, has knocked, Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Matthew Kukah over recent critical comments of Buhari government which he described as the worst in corruption.

Kukah spoke on Monday at the 60th anniversary of the call to the bar of legal luminary Afe Babalola, SAN, in Ado Ekiti, where he said corruption became its ugliest under Buhari government. But in his reaction via his verified Twitter handle, Adesina dismissed Kukah as a man who sought patronage from Buhari but got none.

Adesina said: Who listens to that Bishop again. Hes still pained that he got no under-the-cassock patronage from Buhari, unlike in the past. As e dey pain them, e dey sweet us. Kukah had in his speech said: We have seen the worst phase of corruption in Nigeria. Femi Falana, my friend here, will speak about that because he has published a series of articles talking about what happened under the Buhari administration.

They were not the ones who caused corruption but I think in the last administration, we saw the ugliest phase of corruption whether in moral terms, financial terms, and other terms, he said.

Citing Daura, Buharis hometown in Katsina State as an example, Kukah said while in power, many leaders developed their communities at the expense of others.

Most leaders have only limited development to their home town which according to him, does not project democracy. I must say that Daura, in Kastina has enjoyed development over time owing to the fact that it is the hometown of the former President Muhammadu Buhari. It is disheartening to even know that Kastina, the state as a whole, is not even close to development despite Daura being parts of its domain. This does not speak well of our democracy.




By Adenike Ayodele

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presented its first witness in defence against an election petition filed by the Governorship Candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.





Rhodes-Vivour is challenging the state Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olus victory in the March 18 governorship poll.

APC is joined in the petition as a respondent.

The other respondents in the petition are Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.

A chieftain of APC in Lagos State, Mr Fouad Oki, testified for the party on Tuesday.

He was led in evidence by the partys counsel, Mr Babatunde Ogala (SAN).

The witness tendered a downloaded document issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service, formatting the process for renunciation of Nigerian citizenship, which can only be approved by the president of the country.

Oki also tendered a newspaper publication, a series of tweets and a YouTube video downloaded in a flash drive allegedly showing LP supporters threatening to use dogs to chase out APC supporters from polling units on the election day.





Counsel to Rhodes-Vivour, Mr ldowu Benson, however, objected to the admissibility of the electronic documents as exhibits.





Benson said that he would state his reasons for objection in his final address.

The three-member tribunal headed by Justice Arum Ashom provisionally admitted the documents in evidence.

During cross-examination, the witness who said he was the Director-General of APC campaigns for the 2023 General Elections in Lagos State, said that he had never been a member of People Democratic Party or LP.

While being cross-examined by Mr Bode Olanipekun (SAN), counsel to Sanwo-Olu and Hazmat, the witness said that candidates filled the INEC Form EC9 online under the Electoral Act, 2022 and that deposition of oaths by candidates, which formed part of Form EC9, was done before a commissioner for oaths.

On Exhibit PE 717 is the oath for the deputy governor, and the oath contains handwritten endorsement of the commissioner for oaths.





The oaths section sworn before the commissioner for oaths is separately uploaded, whereas other parts of Form EC9 are filled online.

It is only after candidates submit their nomination forms that their names are published by INEC.

On that list, INEC published Sanwo-Olu and Hamzats names the same time Rhodes-Vivours name was published, he said.

According to the witness, a person who is not a Nigerian or has renounced his citizenship could not have a Nigerian passport.

The tribunal then discharged the witness and adjourned until July 13 for further hearing. (NAN)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) presented its first witness in defence against an election petition filed by the Governorship Candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.

Rhodes-Vivour is challenging the state Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olus victory in the March 18 governorship poll.

APC is joined in the petition as a respondent.

The other respondents in the petition are Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.

A chieftain of APC in Lagos State, Mr Fouad Oki, testified for the party on Tuesday.

He was led in evidence by the partys counsel, Mr Babatunde Ogala (SAN).

The witness tendered a downloaded document issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service, formatting the process for renunciation of Nigerian citizenship, which can only be approved by the president of the country.

Oki also tendered a newspaper publication, a series of tweets and a YouTube video downloaded in a flash drive allegedly showing LP supporters threatening to use dogs to chase out APC supporters from polling units on the election day.

Counsel to Rhodes-Vivour, Mr ldowu Benson, however, objected to the admissibility of the electronic documents as exhibits.

Benson said that he would state his reasons for objection in his final address.

The three-member tribunal headed by Justice Arum Ashom provisionally admitted the documents in evidence.

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During cross-examination, the witness who said he was the Director-General of APC campaigns for the 2023 General Elections in Lagos State, said that he had never been a member of People Democratic Party or LP.

While being cross-examined by Mr Bode Olanipekun (SAN), counsel to Sanwo-Olu and Hazmat, the witness said that candidates filled the INEC Form EC9 online under the Electoral Act, 2022 and that deposition of oaths by candidates, which formed part of Form EC9, was done before a commissioner for oaths.

On Exhibit PE 717 is the oath for the deputy governor, and the oath contains handwritten endorsement of the commissioner for oaths.

The oaths section sworn before the commissioner for oaths is separately uploaded, whereas other parts of Form EC9 are filled online.

It is only after candidates submit their nomination forms that their names are published by INEC.

On that list, INEC published Sanwo-Olu and Hamzats names the same time Rhodes-Vivours name was published, he said.

According to the witness, a person who is not a Nigerian or has renounced his citizenship could not have a Nigerian passport.

The tribunal then discharged the witness and adjourned until July 13 for further hearing. (NAN)
The Senate, yesterday, commenced the probe of oil subsidy and under-recovery regime operated by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

It specifically frowned at the N9.3 trillion spent on the subsidy regime by Buhari from January 2021 to June 2023.

The Senate is also asking for a living wage for workers as a way of cushioning the effects of subsidy removal and as well, seeks for the establishment of three functional refineries for local production and distribution of refined oil with a view to bringing down the pump price from N540 per litre to between N300 to N350 per litre.

The resolutions were sequel to a motion sponsored by Chiwuba Ndubueze.

In the motion: Need to Investigate the controversial Huge Expenditure on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) under the subsidy/under-recovery regime by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Ndubueze said the step taken by President Bola Tinubu on subsidy withdrawal in May was commendable but the regime needed to be investigated.

He specifically submitted that while within 10 years (2006  2015), the Federal Government through NNPCL claimed N170 billion as under-recovery, it expended N843.121 billion on under-recovery between January 2018 and January 2019.

He said: Very worrisome of the expenses made on subsidy/under-recovery by NNPCL during the period under review, particularly from January 2021 to June 2023 was N9.3 trillion claimed to have been spent.

The money as shown by available records, shows that in 2021, N1.42 trillion was expended in 2022, N4.3 trillion and in the first six months of 2023, N3.6 trillion, totalling N9.3 trillion.

Many of the senators, who contributed to the debate on the motion, frowned at bogus expenses made on the subsidy regime by NNPCL and supported all the prayers sought for, in the motion.

The Senate, accordingly, resolved that its standing committees on Petroleum (Downstream), Petroleum (Upstream) and Finance, should when constituted, carry out a holistic investigation on all controversies surrounding subsidy and under-recovery regime.

It also urged the NNPCL, in conjunction with some major international oil companies ( IOCs) in Nigeria, to form three different consortiums and build three refineries for stabilisation of the oil market and the nations economy generally.

The Senate has also mandated its Committee on Works, when constituted, to investigate the award of contracts for the rehabilitation of Aba-Ossisioma, Port Harcourt, and Umuahia-Ikot-Ekpene roads.

It specifically mandated the committee to investigate the level of funds released, utilisation and the level of work done so far.
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From Ahmad saka, Bauchi

The Vice Chairman of North East Senators Forum Senator Salisu Ibrahim.Matori has expressed optimism that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration will re-open the economic potentials of northern part of the country , by continuing with oil exploration as part of fulfilling his campaign Promises.

Senator Matori who is the Vice Chairman Arewa Consultative Forum stated this today in Bauchi when he interacted with reporters, He said during electioneering campaign Tinubu pledged in many places that he will continue with the oil exploration efforts in the country and look into oil discovery possibilities in states like Sokoto, Borno and all parts of the country as part of effort to elevate energy security for the country, promote economic growth and prosperity for all our people, .

Matori said he has confidence that Tinubu will not forget he will intensify oil search on Borno Basin, Sokoto Basin, Bida Basin, Anambra Basin and other basins in the country.

He advised President Tinubu to continue with dredging of river Niger , Baro , Ajaokuta, and Mambila Hydro power projects.

Senator Matori said completion of these projects and harnessing mineral resources in the north and other parts of the country will no doubt open the northern region and bring socio economic development of the country.

Matori said the one month spent by Tinubu as President of Nigeria makes a difference , because he proved to all that he has all it takes to address the challenges bedeviled the country and advised Nigerians to support him with prayers and wait for palliative meaures that will cushion the effect of the removal of petroleum, subsidy.

He expressed hope that Tinubu will do his best to be fair to all Nigerians, in terms of appointments, distribution of wealth and advised him to be careful with self centered people that use to surround any leader and try to hijack the steering of leadership for their selfish needs.

Senator Matori warned corrupt leaders that are looting the resources of their states or the country to have a rethink and instill fear of God because most of them.hide the wealth that will.not benefit them ,because the foreign country that keep the money for them will not allow them to take it.

He commended the Economic Community of West African State for appointing Tinubu as their leader and assured that he will justify the confidence reposed in him for the economic development of the countries in West Africa.

Senator Matori advised Nigerians to support him and to assist him.with prayers to succeed.

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From Ahmad Saka, Bauchi

Newly posted Bauchi State Commissioner of Police Bauchi State Command, CP Auwal Musa Mohammad has explained that Police has arrested some suspects in connection with the recent kidnapped of two traditional rulers, and activities of hoodlums in Ningi local Government Area of the state.

The commissioner stated this in Bauchi while answering question from reporters at the end of his first interaction with newsmen in Bauchi, He said we have taken so many steps to address the problem of insecurity in the State, we have arrested some suspects in connection with the activities of hoodlooms in the area, the area is calm.now.

CP Auwal said that the Command will focused on intelligence-led and community-oriented policing towards fighting crime and criminality in the State.

Commissioner appreciated the media industry in playing a vital roles as bridge-builders between the police and the general public and as an agents of societal peace, stability and development.

He said that its a distinct call to duty signifies a great responsibility to protect lives and properties in Bauchi state and Nigeria at large.

CP Auwal said that this requires collective and individual responsibilities to achieve our general objectives of securing lives and properties.

The Commissioner of police said that its with the great pleasure he appreciates the acting inspector general of police IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetekun, for finding him worthy for the tasking national assignment and calls on the citizens of the country to assist the police with useful information to tackle all forms of social vices across the country.

The CP wishes to used this medium to call on the parents to ensure that they impacted more proper parenting on their children in the overall interest of peace, unity and progress of Nigeria, the the commissioner urged the religious leaders, community leaders and other critical stakeholders to play good roles in bringing peaceful coexistence and prosperity across the society of Nigeria.

Our strategy in fighting crime and criminality would generally be focused on intelligence-led and community-oriented policing.This would no doubt foster our proactive measures in tackling menace of diverse crime and criminality trending in the state,.

We shall maintain and strengthen collaborative partnership with all sister security agencies and community stakeholders in a bid to ensuring community security and proactively deals with emerging security threat to the state,.

It imperative to collaborate with judiciary, as well as ministry of Justice with the view to facilitate proper prosecution of all criminal cases in the state, the CP, Auwal concluded.

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Nollywood actress, Damilola Adegbite has revealed the reasons behind the dissolution of her two-year old marriage to Ghanaian colleague, Chris Attoh.

Chris Attoh and Damilola Adegbite got married in a private ceremony in Ghana in 2015 after welcoming a son together in 2014, and the couple officially parted ways in September 2017.

During a recent interview with media personality, Chude Jideonwo, Damilola revealed that their marriage faltered because love alone was not sufficient.

She said, Love is not enough. When you meet somebody and you want to spend your life with them, love is just one of the qualities that you need. But it is not everything.

Damilola expressed no regrets about her decision to divorce her ex-husband, emphasizing that the only bond they share now is as co-parents to their son.

KanyiDaily recalls that Damilola Adegbite had recently taken to social media to recount how her iphone was found in China after she was robbed in London, United Kingdom.

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Veteran Nollywood actress Cynthia Okereke has reportedly died.

Joseph Okechukwu, also a Nollywood actor announced the sad news on his social media page today Wednesday, July 12th.

According to Joseph, he was about to pay for Cynthia Okerekes flight ticket to visit America but sadly, she died last night.

Cynthia Okerekes death is coming 12 months after she was abducted and suffered terribly in the kidnappers den.

Recall that Nollywood stars Cynthia Okereke and Clemson Cornel were abducted in Enugu State and the kidnappers demanded $100,000 as ransom.

The Actors Guild of Nigeria reportedly offered N.1.2m for their release but were mocked by the kidnappers.

The Nollywood veterans spend seven days in captivity before the abductors released them.

Sharing the news of her death online, Joseph wrote:

REST IN PEACE, Nwanyi oma. Im shattered beyond words. The fact that I was about to pay for your flight ticket to come finish what we started only to here you went to be with Lord just last night is one of the toughest things Ive ever had to deal with in recent times. I pray Im able to recover from this shock. Life is really just a mist. One minute you have it, the next you dont. For the more than 20 years that Ive known you, youve been such an amazing, decent and lovely soul to be around. I never imagined youd exit so unceremoniously. Words fail me. Sleep on, Cynthia. May your gentle soul rest on till we meet again in glory.

Recall that after they were released by the kidnappers, Cynthia Okereke recounted her ordeal in the kidnappers den. She disclosed that they were not given any food or water during the seven days they spent in captivity. She also thanked family members, friends, and well-wishers who facilitated her release from her abductors.

God is a faithful God. I have every cause to say hallelujah in the land of the living. I didnt know that I have people and friends. To God be the glory for all of you, your efforts your prayers, your encouragement, mama Cynthia Okereke alive.

WATCH: Abducted Actress, Cynthia Okereke Recounts Her Ordeal In Kidnappers Den [Video]

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(Photo : Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Former United States President Donald Trump is no longer considered immune in E. Jean Carroll's defamation lawsuit after the Department of Justice found new evidence regarding the matter.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has determined that former United States President Donald Trump is no longer immune in a defamation lawsuit filed by writer E. Jean Carroll.

Previously, the DOJ certified that the former president was acting in the scope of his employment as the nation's leader when he made defamatory statements where he denied Carroll's allegations that he sexually assaulted her in the mid-1990s.

Jean Carroll Defamation Lawsuit

But the department has now reversed its decision, which leaves the Republican businessman at risk of any potential damages brought by the lawsuit. DOJ officials cited the legal battle that ensued regarding whether their original certification was proper.

The DOJ, citing the recent rulings, wrote that it had determined that there was not enough evidence to conclude that Trump had an actual purpose to serve the US government to support the determination that he was still acting within reach of the scope of his employment when he made statements denying Carroll's sexual assault accusations, as per The Hill.

The writer's second lawsuit against Trump went to trial in May, where a jury found the former president liable for sexually abusing Carroll and later defaming her by denying her side of the story. Those claims did not include the Republican's time as president of the United States, meaning they were not affected by immunity issues.

However, the longtime advice columnist's first lawsuit, which only includes defamation claims, has yet to go to trial. Under the Westfall Act, the DOJ attempted to intervene and declare the former president immune in that lawsuit by acknowledging that he made defamatory remarks within the scope of his presidency.

The suit then focused on Trump's initial denials about the situation when the writer went public in June 2019. However, because the jury sided with Carroll, her first lawsuit became bigger in scope.

Lawyers of the DOJ said in the filing that new evidence suggests that the former president was motivated by a "personal grievance" when he made the defamatory remarks about Carroll, according to the New York Times.

Read Also: Disciplinary Panel Seeks Rudy Giuliani's Disbarment Over False Election Fraud Claims

Donald Trump's Immunity

They noted that the former president's 2019 statements about the writer were made through official channels that presidents commonly use to communicate with the news media. However, the lawyers noted that while the remarks were made in a work context, they were related to a purely personal incident.

Roberta A. Kaplan, Carroll's lawyer, said they were grateful that the DOJ reconsidered its position regarding the issue. She claims that Trump made the statements against her client out of "personal animus, ill will, and spite."

Trump has repeatedly claimed that his remarks were made within the scope of his presidency because he needed to speak out against Carroll to maintain the American people's trust.

The remarks in question had the former president calling the writer a liar and accusing her of making up the alleged assault just to sell a book she had written, said Yahoo News.

Related Article: Joe Biden Meets King Charles III: What You Should Know

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Nigerian big boy, Jacob Olalekan Ponle, popularly known as Woodberry, has been slammed with an eight-year and three-month jail sentence by a federal judge in the United States for orchestrating a multimillion-dollar fraud.

Court documents, according to reports say Woodberry was sentenced on July 11 by Judge Robert Gettleman of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago.

Gettleman said, The defendant is hereby committed to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to be imprisoned for a total term of 100 months as to count.

The judge asked him to present himself to the U.S. Marshal Service for transfer to the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, where he would be allowed visits from his family members and his American fiancee.

The judge also stated that Woodberry will be surrendered to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for deportation immediately following his incarceration.

The court determined that the Nigerian-born fraudster had the financial ability to repay the full payment but waived all interest on the restitution value. He will now pay seven victims a total of nearly $8 million in restitution.

American prosecutors had on June 29, requested that Woodberry get a 14-year prison term for the fraud he perpetrated between January and September of 2019.

The prosecutors also asked the court for permission to sell the fraudsters 152 bitcoins, but only after giving the public 30 days notice so that anyone with a claim might file one. When Woodberry was sentenced, it appeared that no one with a legitimate stake had come forward.

The prosecutors also suggested that Woodberry, who is well known for flaunting his lavish lifestyle on social media, will forfeit properties held by the Dubai police, such as a Rolls-Royce, a Lamborghini Urus, a Mercedes-Benz G-Class AMG G55, four Rolex watches, a Patek Philippe watch, and three Audemars Piguet watches.

In addition, he must surrender two bank cards, roughly $1,835 in Emirati dirhams, and around $15.45 in South African rands, along with five gold bracelets, two gold bracelet keys, six gold neck chains, one gold and diamond-studded necklace, and one small gold nugget.

Woodberry was taken into custody on June 10, 2020, along with Ramon Hushpuppi Abbas, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison for computer fraud in the US late last year.

Kanyi Daily reported that on July 24, 2020, a US Court dismissed the multi-million dollar fraud case against Woodberry.

The U.S. government applied for a motion of dismissal without prejudice and it was granted by the presiding Judge, Robert W. Gettleman.

When a case is dismissed with prejudice, it is over and done with, once and for all, and cannot be brought back to court.

On the other hand, when it is dismissed without prejudice, as in the case of Woodberry, the dismissal is temporary as the prosecutor can refile such within a certain period of time.

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A 30-year-old man identified simply as David, who is said to be under the influence of hard drugs, has allegedly stabbed a cleric, Akeem Ojiwusi, to death around Odekeye close, in the Abule Egba area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that David was fond of committing different crimes whenever he got intoxicated and his actions usually put him at loggerheads with his neighbours.

On the fateful day the crime was committed, Ojiwusis relative, who identified himself simply as Sefiu, said he was at home when the cleric sent him to buy some drugs for his treatment.

While on his way to get the drugs, Sefiu told our correspondent that he suddenly started hearing Ojiwusi screaming for help, adding that he ran back and saw David, who appeared to be acting under the influence of hard drugs, stabbing the cleric repeatedly.

He said, He (Ojiwusi) sent me to buy some drugs for him and when I was going towards the gate, I heard a scream from our compound and ran back and saw David stabbing my uncle.

Speaking with our correspondent, Ojiwusis friend, Adeleke Sulaimon, said neighbours who witnessed the attack told him Ojiwusi was pleading for help while being rushed to hospital.

He said, I was told by some of the people who helped Davids mother to rush him to the hospital that Ojiwusi was screaming in pain and saying David stabbed him. He was saying I dont want to die, he was also shouting Allah, Allah.

In fact, as we speak now, Ojiwusis phone is with Davids mother and we have been trying to reach her too because, after the whole incident, she also ran away. We have not been able to see any member of their family since Sunday.

Ojiwusis relative, Kayode Abdulrasheed, said David was one of his late cousins neighbours, adding that he was at home when he received the sad news that claimed his cousins life.

He said, I was at home on Sunday night when I received a call that my cousin had been stabbed to death by one of the children of his neighbours where he lived in Abule Egba. I made further enquiries and I was told that what happened was that the person who stabbed him, David, is always smoking one drug called Colorado which always makes him act like a madman.

It was still his mother that reported the case to the police at the New Oko Oba Police Station before we even got there on Monday and the police arrested David because she does not want people to take laws into their hands and deal with her son. The Oko Oba Police Station has transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigations Department.

I even learnt that he once tried to rape his sister but for the intervention of my cousin and other neighbours who heard her screaming and they had to rescue her from him. My cousin, like I was told, was also carried to the hospital by Davids mother and some good Samaritans but along the way, we were told that he died due to the amount of blood he lost after the attack.

The deceaseds wife, Fatima, while demanding justice, said she was not at home when the suspect perpetrated the crime.

She said, It was one of our relatives, Sefiu, who called me after he (Ojiwusi) had died and narrated the whole matter to me. I am now a widow.

Our correspondent gathered that Ojiwusis corpse had been deposited at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in the Ikeja area of the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident.

He said, On Sunday, there was a reported case of a stabbing that led to the death of a man, Akeem Ojiwusi, by one David, and the police have arrested the suspect and the investigation is ongoing.

Talking about being under the influence of drugs, we cannot ascertain that but what we know is that a person stabbed another person to death and the suspect has been arrested by our men. The suspect would have his day in court.
Popular Nollywood actress Cynthia Okereke has reportedly died.

The news of her death was revealed by the late actresss colleague, Joseph Okechukwu, on his verified social media page on Wednesday, July 12th.

According to the filmmaker, he was about to pay for Cynthia Okerekes flight ticket to come to America but sadly, she died on Tuesday night.

Sharing her photo on his verified social media page, Joseph wrote: REST IN PEACE, Nwanyi oma. Im shattered beyond words. The fact that I was about to pay for your flight ticket to come finish what we started only to here you went to be with Lord just last night is one of the toughest things Ive ever had to deal with in recent times. I pray Im able to recover from this shock. Life is really just a mist. One minute you have it, the next you dont.

For the more than 20 years that Ive known you, youve been such an amazing, decent and lovely soul to be around. I never imagined youd exit so unceremoniously. Words fail me

Sleep on, Cynthia. May your gentle soul rest on till we meet again in glory, he wrote.

Recall that on Friday, July 29, 2022, the late actress and Clemson Cornel were abducted while traveling to and from a filming location in Ozalla, Enugu State.

The announcement was made by actor Monalisa Chinda, who also serves as the Director of Communications for the Actors Guild of Nigeria.

She said that after the actors families verified that they hadnt returned from the shoot, the actors were listed as missing.

They were eventually freed, though, after a few days with the underworlds men.
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani has mourned the sad death of popular Nollywood actress, Cynthia Okereke.

Recall that Mrs Okereke died in her sleep last night at the age of 63, twelve months after she was kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

Her death was announced by her colleague, Joseph Okechukwu on Wednesday, July 12.

Reacting to the sad incident in a Twitter post on Wednesday, Sani described the death of the thespian as a great loss.

The chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), therefore, prayed that her soul rest in peace.

He wrote: The death of the Nollywood Star Cynthia Okereke is a great loss. May her soul rest in Peace. Ameen.
Nigerian hip-hop artist Erhiga Agarivbie aka Erigga has opened up on why he boycotts the Headies Award every year.

According to him, he started boycotting Headies after his 2020 album The Erigma II lost out in the Best Rap Album category at the 14th edition of the award show.

He accused Headies organisers of disrespecting artists from the South-South region.

Erigga made the allegations via his Twitter handle on Wednesday, hours after the nominees for the 16th Headies were announced.

Despite releasing an album, The Lost Boy, in the year under review, the Warri-born rapper did not secure any nominations.

Venting his anger on Twitter, Erigga shared the art cover of his 2020 album The Erigma II, with the caption: Na from here I don take boycott all these f*ckers (Headies) the disrespect was too much for the south south to take If you dont like us and not going to respect our craft then its f*ck you and everything you represent; thats it.
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By Joshua Chibuzo Andrew, Owerri

The Imo state police command has paraded 56 suspects involved in armed robbery, kidnapping, child-trafficking, cultism, murder among other crimes.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Barde, on Wednesday, during the parade at the commands headquarters Owerri, the Imo state capital, said it was a pumper harvest of criminals and other syndicates, reiterating the commands readiness to harvest more.

Barde who spoke through the commands Spokesman, Henry Okoye, said two out of the 56 suspects, were females who had been involved in child-trafficking business.

The female child-traffickers whose names were given as Eke Chinyere and Glory Okon, were said to be into baby factory business in Umuguma in Owerri-west LGA of Imo, running a fake motherless babies home where they commit all sort of atrocities including selling, killing and burying the babies.

Chinyere Eke, 48, and a native of Umuhie in Ngor-Okpala LGA of Imo state, according to the Commissioner, was first arrested and tipped the operatives of the command the whereabouts of her accomplice, Glory Okon.

But on interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members criminal syndicate that specialized in stealing of children from unsuspecting parents from Akwa-Ibom and other parts of the country and selling them to potential buyers who used the children for either child labour or ritual purposes.

Similarly, a 29-year-old Emeka Egbuaba who brutally murdered and harvested the vital parts of one Sixtus Ezebudo from Ihite-Owerri in Orlu LGA of Imo, was arrested and paraded.

The suspect confessed to be an organ harvester and trafficker.

According to the police Spokesman, the suspect was arrested by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command from his hideout on Lagos state.

On interrogation, he confessed that he lured his victim to an uncompleted building in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo state, killed him and thereafter harvested his vital body organs like his lungs, heart, and private part, abandoned his corpse at the scene and escaped to Lagos state to sell to his ritual buyers.

We intend to carry out a DNA test on the recovered corpse as the suspect will soon be charged to court upon completion of a diligent investigation.

Nnanna Ugorji, aged 20, and Chiaka Anah, aged 53, both of Umuelem in Ihiagwa Owerri-west LGA of Imo, were also paraded for defiling a minor, Chizaram Anoma, aged 10.

The Spokesman said the two suspects were transfered to Gender Based Violence Unit of the state Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (SCIID), where they made a confessional statement, revealing that on different occasions, they had tricked the teenager to a hidden location and unlawfully had carnal knowledge of her.

The suspects, he said, would be arraigned in court this week.

Other paraded suspects were over 25 enforcers of sit-at-home said to be members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), who shot terrified and shot some civilians during the weeklong sit-at-home, several armed robbery suspect terrorizing Owerri-West, Owerri-North, Ngor-Okpala, Mbaitoli, Njaba and some other LGAs in Imo state, kidnapping cases where one Daniel Ndubuisi Ohaeri of Emeke Agbali in Owerri-North LGA was reportedly kidnapped by a 20-year-old Chidera Nwachukwu and 25-year-old Godwin Felix.

The victim was said to have been robbed of his Lexus 300 SUV Jeep and sold it to one Ali who lives at Ama-Hausa at the rate of one million, five hundred thousand naira (#1,500,000).

The suspects, the Spokesman said, had earlier kidnapped another female victim and collected a ransom of four million, five hundred thousand naira (#4, 500, 000).

Meanwhile, fifteen kiknapped victims, according to the police, were retrieved from the suspects including five children between the ages of 4 to 7 years while a lifeless body, identified as Remigius Njoku, was discovered in the process.

Other recovered items included five vehicles, six motorcycles and armoured cable wires.

Ammunition recovered were 32 Assault riffles made up of Two (2) AK47 rifles, Fifteen (15) Pump Action Guns, Two (2) cut-to-size locally made guns, Eleven (11) locally made pistols and Two (2) Double Barrel Guns were recovered from these suspects. Also recovered from the suspects include One Hundred (100) rounds of live cartridges, Seventy (70) rounds of AK47 ammunition.

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By Izunna Okafor, Awka

The new Police Commissioner in Anambra State, CP Aderemi Adeoye has vowed to make the State and the entire South-eastern Nigeria hot and unhabitable for criminal elements through the collaborative efforts of his Command and other sister security agencies in the state and other neighbouring states in the region.

CP Adeoye who assumed duty on Monday made the assertion in his maiden press conference at the Commands Headquarters in Amawbia, where he assured that the Command, under his watch, would do everything possible to reduce crime to the barest minimum in the state.

He highlighted some of the crimes and activities of the criminal elements that are prevalent in the State, including kidnapping, robbery, enforcement of sit-at-home, activities of unidentified gunmen, among others.

While noting that his Command would not advise the criminal elements perpetrating the crimes to relocate from Anambra State, in other not to create problems for the neighbouring state; the CP however, said he would collaborate with the security agencies in the neighbouring states to deal with the criminal elements through intelligence sharing and other professional means.

He further commended Anambra State Government for creating social avenues, such as vocational trainings and the likes, to take the youths out of the streets and to discourage crime in the state, while also assuring of sustained partnership with the government in the fight against crime.

He said: We have no delight in anyone losing their lives. But if that is what it will take to protect the people of Anambra State, we will not stop at any obstacle to achieve this mandate given to us by the Inspector-General of Police. We will secure and protect the people of Anambra State.

We will serve them to the best of our ability. We will ensure that lives have value, and that nobody will take away their fundamental human rights to life. That is the reason for our existence here. And we are determined to fulfill this constitutional role. We call on the support and collaboration of the people of Anambra State to achieve this mandate.

While fielding questions from newsmen on some alleged unprofessional conducts of seen among some officers of the Command; CP Adeoye revealed that the DPO of the B Division, Awka, who was recently accused of illegal arrest and extortion of the residents had been transferred and replaced, while investigations are still ongoing on the allegations against him and his men in the Division, after which the appropriate punishment would be meted out to them if found wanting.

He further warned that the Command, under his watch, would not tolerate any form of malfeasance from officers in the State, as anyone found wanting would be seriously dealt with.

The Police Chief also said he had initiated awards known as the Commissioner of Police Commendation Award in Anambra State, among other exceptional reward packages for officers who perform exceptionally and gallantly in the discharge of their duties, as a means to boost their morales and encourage others to do better.

We are here to serve the people, and that, we will do the best of our ability, he said.

Commissioner Adeoye, who assumed office on Monday also made known some of the successes so far recorded in the fight against crime in the State, including neutralizing two kidnappers, rescuing a kidnap victim, and recovery of different riffles and other exhibits from the criminal elements in different parts of the State.

He said: On 11/7/2023 by 8:30 pm, the joint security Operatives attached to Forward Operating Base FOB, while on patrol around UgaEzinifite Expressway in an attempt to stop two vehicles that drove suspiciously to beat security screening, gave a hot chase to the vehicles  a highlander jeep and a white Lexus 350 without plate number. The Operatives engaged the deadly gang in a gun battle, and they abandoned the two vehicles and took to their heels.

During a search conducted inside the vehicle, two automatic pump action guns, eleven (11) live cartridges, and a bag containing one walkie-talkie, one cell phone, and other incriminating items were recovered. Further information shows evidence of blood stains on all the vehicles, as they escaped with bullet wounds. The Command also wants to use this opportunity to call on operators of public and private hospitals to admit but report anyone with a bullet wound or related injuries to the nearest Police Station.

In a related development in the late hours of yesterday 11/7/2023 by 8:13 pm, Police, collaborating with Anambra State Vigilantes at Ichida Bus Stop along the IchidaIgboukwu expressway, rescued a kidnap victim, neutralized two members of the notorious gang, recovered One Ak47 rifle, two pump action guns, two Ak47 magazine, thirty-two live ammunition, one Highlander Jeep belonging to the victim.

Preliminary information revealed that the deadly gang of eight operating with two vehicles a Grey Highlander Jeep and a white Lexus 350 abducted the victim in her Ash Highlander Jeep. The victim was rescued unhurt and she has been debriefed.

The Commissioner further warned the criminals in the state to change their ways and queue into the various opportunities provided by the state government to engage in legitimate means of survival, or be prepared to face discomfort in their criminal and illegal activities.

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Appointment: Buharis critic Festus Adedayo appointed, sacked immediately in APC govt

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has withdrawn the appointment of editor and columnist Festus Adedayo appointed as Lawansspecial adviser on media less than 48 hours ago.

Lawan backed off the decision as some supporters of the APC) protested against the appointment.

On Thursday morning, a group known as APC stakeholders, accused Lawan of rewarding Buharis enemies.

The spokesman of the group, Abu Andrew, said the appointments were glaring reward to people who have insulted Buhari as a person and as a president.

Buharis wife, too, objected to the appointment.

Aisha, tweeted the video of the groups protest on her verified account.

You cannot drive an agenda with people who dont believe in that agendahow will you achieve your purpose If you bring in people who fought against your agenda, Aisha added.

Hours later, the Senate president did a second-guess, announced Adedayos name had been deleted

The office of the President of the Senate has reviewed the appointment of Mr. Festus Adedayo as Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President of the Senate and decided to rescind its decision on the appointment, and wishes Mr. Adebayo the best in his future endeavours, Mohammed Isa, his media aide, said in a statement.

Adedayo writes a column on online platforms where he mostly whitewashes President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC government.

Many senior editors and columnists in Nigeria sometimes land jobs in the government after using their galled ink to paint the government black.

Reuben Abati became a media aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan whose goverment the former chairman of the Guardian had satirised in a long running serio-comic column on Friadays.

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The Police Command in Kano State has confirmed the arrest of a housewife, Aisha Ali, who allegedly poured hot water on the private parts of her husband.

The commands Public Relations Officer, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the arrest of the suspect in a statement in Kano on Tuesday and said that the incident occurred at Feyen-Fayen village in Danbatta Local Government Area.

Haruna said the Command received a report on Sunday from the Village Head of the community that 35-year-old Aisha poured hot water on the lap and private part of her husband in their home on Friday.

The husband suffered severe burns in his private parts and surroundings. He is presently admitted at Danbatta General Hospital, receiving medical care and is responding to treatment, he said.

He said that after the incident, the suspect fled the village into neighbouring Jigawa State.

Haruna said that on receipt of the report, the Police responded promptly by raising a team of Operation Puff Adder, which tracked and arrested the suspect at her hideout at Babura in Jigawa.

He said that preliminary investigation revealed that she committed the act because her husband was planning to marry a second wife.

According to him, the commissioner of police in the state has ordered that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department for discreet investigation.

The spokesman said that the suspect would be arraigned as soon as the investigation is completed.

The Command is using this medium to call on law-abiding citizens of the state to always report any incident to the nearest Police station without delay.

This will assist in immediate arrest, investigation and diligent prosecution of the culprit, he said.

(NAN)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), after much drama released the obstructed and delayed result of the Saturday National Assembly election in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Akwa Ibom State, keenly contested by former Governor Godswill Akpabio of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Deputy Governor Chris Ekpeyong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The official result from INEC as announced by Professor Peter IKor Ogban, the Returning Officer for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Akwa Ibom State, showed that Chris Ekpeyong polled 118, 215 votes to defeat Akpabio who polled 83,158 votes and send the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State into unexpected retirement from the state politics.

Akpabio had defected from the PDP to the APC in the build up to the elections and went into political machinations of imposing Nsima Ekere as APC governorship candidate for the rescheduled March 2 governorship poll in the state. Besides the Nsima Ekere imposing which many stakeholders construed would hinder the power rotation agreement in the state, and perhaps, keeps the Uyo Senatorial District waiting for a longer time, Akpabio has taken up the Senatorial opportunity immediately after completing his eight years of two tenures as governor. The Uyo zone is only waiting for Governor Udom Emmanuel to complete his second tenure, then, power comes back to them in the next dispensation. They are more reliant on the Udom Emmanuel project than the Nsima Ekere project imposed by Akpabio. In all, the Eket felt it was payback time for Akpabio and then gave their support to Ekpeyong.
(Photo : YE AUNG THU/AFP via Getty Images)

The remains of a missing German real estate tycoon was discovered dismembered and stuffed inside a freezer in a rental home in Thailand.

A German businessman was discovered dismembered and stuffed in a freezer in the southern Thai town of Nong Prue on Monday night, a week after he was reported missing.

Hans Peter Walter Mack, a 62-year-old real estate agent, was discovered after police used surveillance footage to locate the home he was found in, approximately a quarter mile from where his gray Mercedes-Benz was parked.

German Businessman's Dismembered Body Found in Thailand Freezer

Along with the dismembered corpse, a garbage bag containing a Makita cordless chainsaw, a charging unit, a pair of yellow-handled hedge clippers, and two large rolls of plastic were reportedly discovered in the freezer.

Mack was reported missing by his wife Piraya Boonmak, 24, who resided with him in Pattaya in the Chonburi province, just west of where the 62-year-old was discovered in Nong Prue is a reportedly affluent foreigner-friendly community. The reward reportedly offered by Mack's family was three million Thai Baht, or over $86,000, Fox News reported.

Thai police detected residues of a cleaning agent on the seats, dashboard, and steering column of Mack's vehicle. Police suspect that the disappearance of much money from Mack's bank account is related to his brutal death. The manner of Mack's death has not been disclosed.

Authorities have not identified any suspects in the case but have indicated that German and Thai nationals are under investigation. Local news sources also indicated that Mack, aged 56, was detained in February 2018 on suspicion of juvenile sex trafficking.

According to reports, Hans Peter Walter Mack, a German expat, was detained after he was discovered to have followed Amornrat Kateuy, who transported a 17-year-old female on a motorcycle to a residence in Nong Prue.

Amornrat and a girl were spotted in the residence by police monitoring it in response to allegations of child prostitution. According to an allegation by a Thai news outlet, a shirtless German later emerged from a bedroom.

The police superintendent of Nong Prue, Tawee Kudthalaeng, stated that the body of 62-year-old Hans-Peter Mack was discovered around 11 p.m. on Monday. Mack had been AWOL since July 4.

Per CBS News, Tawee stated that investigators located his body using security camera footage from the vicinity. He did not elucidate, but photos and video published by Thai media showed a man squatting next to a freezer in the bed of a black vehicle.

Outside the gates of the residence where his body was discovered, crowds gathered to watch forensic teams in white garments, hair netting, and blue gloves examine the crime scene.

Experts were seen on Thai PBS television examining a refuse sack removed from a large white freezer inside the residence. They extracted a Makita cordless chainsaw and charging unit, two large plastic coils, and a pair of hedge clippers with yellow handles.

The bag was removed from the residence, followed by a plastic-wrapped body on a stretcher and the freezer. According to local media reports, Mack resided with his Thai wife in Pattaya and worked as a real estate broker. He had lived in Thailand for at least several years.

Read Also: Myanmar Violence, South China Sea Disputes Top Agenda at Divided ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Mack Said He Was Still With Client Before Disappearance

Mack was supposed to have lunch with his wife on the day he went missing, but he did not show up, according to Thai PBS. She attempted to contact him, the station reported, and she later received a text message claiming he would call her back.

According to the station, she reported receiving another text from Mack's phone around 10 p.m. stating that he was still with a client. Thai PBS reported that she stated he had never texted her before in their five-year relationship.

There were traces of what appeared to be a cleaning solvent on the car's upholstery, dashboard, steering wheel, and other areas, according to the police. Police Major General Theerachai Chamnanmor stated that ack's disappearance was suspicious and that there was intent on destroying evidence.

The German Embassy in Bangkok referred all inquiries to the German Foreign Ministry in Berlin, which acknowledged the case of a missing German national and stated that officials were in contact with the man's family and Thai authorities. It stated it could not provide additional information for privacy reasons.

Related Article: VIDEO: HandCuffed Colorado Suspect Steals Cop Vehicle Before Fatal Crash With Semi-Truck

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As the deadline set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the commencement of the new directive on Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR) is fast approaching, Fidelity Bank Plc has disclosed that its LDR is presently at 80%.

Speaking at an entrepreneurship incubation seminar in Abuja, the lenders Regional Bank Head, Abuja, Vanessa Mordi, stated that Fidelity Bank has since been committed to its mandate of growing its customer base with special focus on the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sub-sector.

We believe that banking is about taking from the haves to the have-nots. Most of the loans weve given are to MSMEs. We identified this niche area long before other banks did. Others are coming into the market now, maybe with the CBN directive.

Recall that the Central Bank, in a circular, directed all Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to lend out a minimum of 60% of their deposits. This directive, the CBN said would take effect from September 30, 2019.

While Fidelity Banks present LDR is laudable, it should be noted that with an average LDR around 40%, it would not be erroneous to assert that Nigerian banks are some of the most reluctant lenders in major emerging markets.

According to the data compiled by Bloomberg, the average ratio across Africa is 78%. South Africa tops the chart with 90% while Kenya Kenya is at 76%.

There have been reactions from stakeholders in the finance and banking sector following the disclosure of the new policy. One of the many stakeholders who aired their views on the subject matter is Zenith Banks CEO, Ebenezer Onyeagwu.

Speaking during his introductory visit to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Onyeagwu said the 60% Loan to Deposit Ratio policy wouldnt impact negatively on the banking sector, rather, it would favour banks who are effective credit risk managers.

He also stated that the increment in loan-level would help build Nigerias economy as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the retail sector would have more access to credit facilities that would enable their growth and expansion.

Meanwhile, PriceWaterhouseCoopers had asserted that SMEs contribute 48% to the national GDP, accounts for 96% of businesses and 84% of employment in Nigeria.
The African Development Bank will present its latest report: Creating decent jobs: strategies, policies and instruments on Thursday, 12 September 2019 at 11.30 am.

This report brings together some of the worlds leading labour and development economists to provide specific policy recommendations for creating decent jobs. The report highlights that manufacturing provides more long-term economic benefits than other activities.

It generates economies of scale, encourages industrial and technological upgrading, fosters innovation, and has big multiplier effects. The report also sheds light on the role of prudent macroeconomic policies and shows how best to use special economic zones, industrial parks, agro-processing zones, skill enhancement zones, and apprenticeship and incubation programmes.

The event will feature a presentation of the report, a panel discussion on key themes of the report, and a Q&A session.

The African Development Bank Group is Africas premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 31 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org
The Centre for Infrastructural and Technological Advancement for the Blind (CITAB) has commended the Lagos Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) over its recent employment of 20 disabled persons for street cleaning across the state.

CITAB in a statement by the Executive Chairman, Jolomi Fenemigho, made encomiums on LAWMA for taking a step in the right direction by adding 20 physically challenged persons in the state to their pay-roll, thereby, giving hope to the beneficiaries, taking them out of begging practice and reducing the number of disabled unemployed persons in Lagos.

Fenemigho noted that, Inclusivity is key to the development of any growing nation and what LAWMA has portrayed, indicates the agencys readiness to aid and support the welfare of disabled persons in the society.

The CITAB boss lamented the high number of abandoned disabled persons in Lagos State adding that many of them had resorted to begging along the streets while little or nothing was done to alleviate their plight until LAWMA intervened.

He further stated that before this set of physically challenged persons were gainfully employed; most of them were already sweeping and cleaning their surroundings, adding that this showed how dedicated they were to a task. The CITAB boss urged other Lagos state parastatals to follow in the foot-steps of LAWMA.

The CITAB boss further recommended the need for each of the newly employed physically challenged persons to under-go psychological evaluation and motivational enlightenment programmes in order to expose them to part-time academic opportunities.

The act of begging is an addiction; the deeper you are into it, the harder it is to let go. Without motivational, enlightenment and academic programmes to make them believe in themselves many disabled persons will revert to their old ways, he said.

Fenemigho also lauded the Kwara State Governments recent donation of audio books to the visually impaired students of the states Special Needs School, describing the move as commendable.

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Birthdays only come once a year, which is why many seize the opportunity to praise and celebrate life. Nollywood actress, Tawa Ajisefini who is known for her versatility is celebrating her special day with very beautiful and captivating pictures she shared on her Instagram page.

It has been an excellent year for the fast-rising actress. She got married to her abroad-based lover last year and relocated with him to the United States of America.

Tawa, also known as Monkele, was born into the family of four and hails from Osun State of Nigeria. She attended Police children school, Eleyele and Our lady of Apostles for her primary and secondary school education.

Her passion for acting while in secondary school made her join the movie industry in the year 2003. Prior to her fame, Tawa was a personal assistant to popular Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele.

The talented actress has been acknowledged and recognized with numerous nominations for her efforts in the industry. We wish her more years in life.

See pictures below:

Photo credit : Instagram
The Ministry of Health permanent secretary in Uganda has revealed that people living in institutional quarantine in Uganda have started having sex with each other.

According to WatchDog Uganda, Permanent Secretary Diana Atwine made the claims during a recent interview on Radio One talk show, saying most of the people quarantined at hotels now move to rooms of others to go sleep with themselves.

She said the Ministry of Health (MOH) is greatly concerned because the practice is jeopardizing the governments efforts to curb the spreading of Coronavirus in Uganda.

Ugandans are not serious. Some who are in quarantine have even begun having (sexual) affairs. They move to rooms of others in the hotels where we have placed them. Others like in Mulago move from their rooms to visit their colleagues who are in other rooms, this is too dangerous and it will distract our efforts, said Atwiine.

According to her, this was the reason some people have not been released ever since they learnt about this practice.

The discovery comes weeks after the countrys Ministry of Health announced 17 places to be used as isolation centres. The places include Hotels, Hospitals, lodges, and Universities, where over 232 people are placed under quarantine

Uganda has over 50 cases of Coronavirus with 7 recoveries.
A third suspect has been arrested in connection with a series of killings at hotels in the southern Nigerian city of Port Harcourt, police say.

At least eight women have been found strangled in various hotel rooms in Nigerias oil capital in Rivers state since August.

On Wednesday, more than 70 womens groups and NGOs embarked on a peace walk to protest over the killings.

They demanded that the government and security agencies apprehend those who are responsible and make the city safe.

Police Commissioner Mustapha Dandaura told the protesters of the third arrest when they went to the departments headquarters.

He said police apprehended a man in a hotel who was about to strangle a woman with a towel.

Earlier on Wednesday, police told the BBC that one man had been arrested after he offered around $80 (70) to spend the night with a woman in the city.

The other suspect was arrested in Kaduna in central Nigeria.
BLOOMINGTON  A Rantoul man faces multiple drug charges following a traffic stop in LeRoy.

According to court records, police pulled over 35-year-old James D. Hutson on July 10 and discovered less than 5 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle he was driving.

It also was discovered that the vehicle was the property of the Enterprise rental agency.

Hutson is charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, a Class 2 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony; driving while license revoked, a Class 4 felony; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor. He also faces traffic citations from the incident.

According to records, Hutson has been convicted of driving while license revoked in Illinois five times and convicted of driving while license suspended once.

An arraignment hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. July 28.

Updated mug shots from The Pantagraph Bryant Lewis Derek Roesch Justin M. Mata Marcus D. Wesley Phillip Tinch Trisha L. Hanke William B. Givens David L. Oliver Kenneth E. Funk Jordan R. King Holly M. Isaacson Kenneth L. Minton Tony L. Jackson Britley L. Hilger Jasmine L. Smith Jackie S. Claypool Noah R. Demuth Brandon L. Parsano Alexander N. Williams Carlos Sanchez-Solozarzano Jaylin S. Bones Jordan R. King Dominique M. Banks Austin T. Daugherty Sandra M. Lewis Samantha E. Morris Nolan C. Love Nikkita L. Sandefur Katlin M.B. Wilson Eli C. Garozzo Tysean T. Townsend Curtis J. Byrd Noral K. Nelson Charles J. Tankson Davis, Micah S Livingston, Joshua D. Kevin L. Ewen Emmanuel K. Mpay Ahmad S. Manns Dylan R Mann Tony L. Jackson William R. Linden Zadek U. Moen Zachary T. Willis Cecily M. Sexton Tonisha A. Jackson James A. McConnaughay Jessica M. Longberry Barry D. Guyton Keon E. Spiller Melina Aguilar Carlos D. Cregan Wayne M. Damron Terrance L. Ford Stanley M. Miller Darryl R. Vinson Jarvis K. Heads Wesley M. Noonan Brad Carter Brian K. Burnett Kenneth D. Downey Kenyon J. Bones
NORMAL  Heartland Community College will soon offer more support for students in need of child care while attending class.

Starting this fall, Heartland's Night Hawks program will offer after-hours child care for parents or guardians who attend evening classes on campus.

The program will be available from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and will be located at the Child Development Lab.

Families can choose to use the service for a short period of time to use other campus services, including the computer lab, library and tutoring, or they can use it to attend a course offered within the timeframe. Parents or guardians must remain on campus while their child is at the CDL.

The service comes after Heartland was awarded $374,424 the Child Care Access Means Parents in School grant earlier this year.

Visit heartland.edu/cdl for more information.

Who was honored? Photos from Heartland's Presidents Medallion Awards ceremony Presidents Medallion Honorees Mary and John Penn Presidents Medallion Honorees Larry and Marlene Dietz Presidents Medallion Honorees Jerry and Carole Ringer Presidents Medallion Honoree Bob Brucker Bob and Julie Dobski, Karen DeAngelis, Cindy Segobiano, visiting Rotarians from India Sukhi and Kirandeep Julie Dobski, Al Bedell, Dee Frautschi Mark and Dianna Johnson, Charlotte and Joe Talkington Merriann and Dave McGee Camille and Ron Springer Sandra and Gordon Bidner Mary Campbell, Julie Dobski Presidents Medallion Roosmarijn and Interim ISU President Andover Tarhule, Julie Dobski Patty McManus, Chris Downing, Steve MacManus Peg Doran, Joan Bullard, Janet Hood Jim and Phyllis White John Penn, Mike Matejka, Hank Campbell Mary and Dennis Feicke Jerry Ringer, Pat Grogg, Carole Ringer Jean-Marie Taylor, Jennifer and Stan OConnor Penn family table Alauna McGee, Kym Ammons Scott Lidia Halder, Wendy West, Raegan Rinchiuso, Larissa McIlvain, Gena Glover Heartland Community College Vice President, External Relations, Kelli Hill Crowd enjoys the beautiful night Heartland Foundation Board Chair Kirk McCullick Heartland Community College President Keith Cornille Heartland Board of Trustees vice-chair Janet Hood Jim White Presidents Medallion Honoree Jerry Ringer President's Medallion honoree Carole Ringer Janet Hood, Presidents Medallion honorees Carole and Jerry Ringer, Jim White, HCC President Keith Cornille Julie Dobski Presidents Medallion Honoree Marlene Dietz Presidents Medallion Honoree Larry Dietz Presidents Medallion Honoree Larry Dietz Janet Hood, Julie Dobski, Presidents Medallion honorees Larry and Marlene Dietz, HCC President Keith Cornille Nancy Evans Janet Hood, Nancy Evans, Bob Brucker, HCC President Keith Cornille Mary Campbell Presidents Medallion Honoree John Penn HCC President Keith Cornille congratulating John Penn
SPRINGFIELD  The Illinois Community College Board announced it will pick up the cost for state residents to earn a State of Illinois High School Diploma.

Over 1.2 million Illinoisans don't have a high school diploma, according to a news release from ICCB. The state grant funding can be used in the form of a discount code, ILSAVE, to take the tests free of charge.

Those who are interested can go to freegedil.org to access the testing site.

The GED test is administered by a third-party company. The cost of the test without the code is $144.

Illinois residents have until Sept. 30 to use to use the code to take the exam for free.
Apologists for the nations teacher unions have been busy rewriting history on school closures. Now, in some places, theyre opposing efforts to bring struggling students up to speed.

The disaster of remote schooling during the pandemic has been well-documented. The Nations Report Card recently revealed that eighth-grade reading and math test results hit their lowest levels in decades. Kids from disadvantaged backgrounds suffered the most.

It is against this backdrop that national teacher union leaders have embarked on a shameful effort to sanitize the indefensible. Despite their aggressive crusade to keep schools closed far longer than necessary, despite outrageous rhetoric warning of mass deaths and body bags, they now claim no responsibility for shuttered classrooms and the calamity that followed.

Its a crock. But it gets worse.

In its June 26 edition, The New Yorker features an essay revealing the hurdles that the education establishment in Richmond, Virginia, erected to plans for extra instruction time. The proposal would have implemented year-round schooling  cutting summer break to six weeks  in an effort to erase the learning deficit created by the disaster of remote classwork.

One member of the Richmond teachers union executive board summed up the mind-numbing indifference to the plight of those in their charge: The whole thing about learning loss I find funny is that, if everyone was out of school, and everyone had equal learning loss, then arent we all equal? Melvin Hostman told the magazine. We all have a deficit.

This is progressive equity at work. Never mind that Hostman doesnt know what hes talking about. The remote learning tragedy was hardly spread equally among students and will weigh down underprivileged kids the most.

But that didnt bother one school board member, who was more concerned about minority kids falling behind in leisure time. Its not right that Black and Brown students in our district are chained to their desks essentially further into the school year, she said in opposition to adding instructional time, while their counterparts in the counties get to play and have a summer.

In the end, the district, after two years, approved the extended learning plan for one  one!  of its 54 schools. But the exercise served a vital purpose by revealing that, for too many adults in the system, children and their academic well-being are deep down on the priority list.

Las Vegas Review-Journal
(Photo : Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee via Getty Images)

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds called a special session for Republican lawmakers in the state to vote on new restrictive abortion limits.

Iowa Republicans are now seeking a new restrictive set of abortion limits after the state Supreme Court made a previous proposal unenforceable.

On Tuesday, state GOP lawmakers returned to the State Capitol to consider a nearly identical set of restrictions on abortion. Republicans hold large majorities in both legislative chambers, and they are supported by a right-wing governor who has called out the supposed inhumanity of the procedure.

Iowa's Special Session for New Abortion Restrictions

These factors suggest that the new proposal would pass. The legislation had already cleared the House and Senate committees on Tuesday afternoon, and the final votes were possible later that night.

In a statement last week, Gov. Kim Reynolds said that he believes that the pro-life movement is this generation's most important human rights cause. Her remarks came at the time that she called the special session on abortion.

Reynolds also lamented the court's deadlock, noting that the lack of action completely disregards the will of voters in the state and lawmakers who will not rest until the law protects the unborn, as per the New York Times.

Many expected the special session to cement further the state's sharp political shift to the Republican Party and end its rare status as a GOP-led state where abortions are allowed up until 20 weeks of pregnancy.

The new restrictions would also add Iowa to a list of conservative states that have passed abortion limits since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year. The list includes Indiana, North Dakota, and South Carolina.

On Tuesday, Iowa residents on both sides of the abortion issue gathered at the Capitol in Des Moines while holding signs with messages such as "My Body, My Choice." Others wore T-shirts that had slogans such as "Unborn Lives Matter."

Amy Sinclair, the state Senate's Republican president, said that the debate over the new bill had gone on for too long. According to Reuters, she added that it does not violate either the state or federal Constitutions.

Read Also: Joe Biden Meets King Charles III: What You Should Know

Quickly Passing the New Law

On the other hand, Democratic state Sen. Janice Weiner commented that making the bill law immediately would only show "incredible disrespect" to doctors in Iowa because it would not give them sufficient time to understand the new rules imposed by Republican lawmakers.

The three judges who opposed reinstating the 2018 law in June said they decided to avoid legislating from the bench. This gave Republican lawmakers hope to beat future challenges by passing a new law.

Several GOP presidential candidates, including former Vice President Mike Pence, could view the special session as an opening to draw a contrast with rivals. Last month, Pence said that the sanctity of life must be restored to be the center of American law in every state.

However, some have all been less committed when asked about a federal role in restricting abortion rights. In April, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a six-week abortion ban into law in his state, but he has been unclear about his stance on a national abortion restriction, said CNN.

Related Article: E. Jean Carroll Case: DOJ No Longer Finds Donald Trump Immune From Lawsuit

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has indicated the governments confidence in securing the second tranche of the $600 million International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan when the Staff visits Ghana in September 2023.



Speaking at the Ghana Trade Fair Redevelopment Project Investor Conference in Accra, Mr. Ofori-Atta hinted that the country is getting back some confidence in the economy after many efforts in meeting the IMF conditionalities.



This, he believes will make the way for the next disbursement of $600 million dollars.



We had an IMF Staff visit about three weeks ago which went very well and were expecting that review in September [2023], he indicated.



Between cabinet and parliament, so far weve gone through the qualitative performance criteria. So we expect that the review will go well in September [2023] to get a Staff-Level Agreement. We will go to the Board in November [2023] and were sure we can get it, he explained.



He also expressed optimism that the country will recover swiftly, adding God always put the country through and with the help of all, speaking the same language, managing our investors and bondholders well, we will get there.



Meanwhile, the Finance Minister has described as a difficult period, getting individual bondholders to suspend their intended picketing at the Finance Ministry.



He, therefore, called for some sacrifice from the private sector since the country is now getting out of its challenges.



I think the technical people are meeting and the Lord has been faithful so far. But I also think we as Ghanaians must appreciate that these are not normal times and with where we were last year and now, clearly, we should have some excitement for the future.











Source: Daily Guide









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The Ghana Hajj Board and its Nigerian counterpart, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NACOHN), have held bilateral discussions in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday July 11, 2022 with the aim to sharing ideas and improving their respective Hajj operations.



Both countries are winding up their 2023 Hajj operations with the airlifting of pilgrims back home after a successful Hajj.



Ghana's Hajj Board Chairman, Ben Abdallah Banda who led the Ghanaian delegation, said with the enormous experience of the Nigeria High Commission; the Ghana Hajj Board deemed it appropriate to interact with their Nigerian counterpart to share ideas and learn from each other.



"I deem it appropriate and prudent to come to you on a familiarisation visit so we can share experiences and improve Hajj operations and services in our respective countries," Ben Abdallah Banda, who is also the Presidential Coordinator for Zongo Development, said.



"Our purpose is to learn a lot from Nigeria considering your experience and the number of Pilgrims you manage. This is also a reciprocal visit since you called on my predecessor, Sheikh I. C. Quaye in Ghana in 2021."



"Hajj Operations is not an event but a process. So as Chairman of the Ghana Hajj Board, there is so much to learn from you on the intricacies of Hajj and so much ideas to also share, so for us in particular, we can also improve a lot on our Hajj operations."



"There were many challenges we faced during the Hajj process and I believe this type of meeting sets the tone for us to correct some of these mistakes", he added.



He shared the history of Ghana's Hajj Board and the roles it plays in the organisation of Hajj operations in Ghana.



The Chairman of the Nigeria Hajj Commission, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan gave a background to the establishment of the NACOHN and how it coordinates Africa's biggest Hajj operations and the 5th biggest in the world.



With a contingent of nearly 100000 Nigerian pilgrims who participated in this year's Hajj, Nigeria was the country with the 5th largest contingent to the Hajj behind Indonesia, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.



The head of the Nigeria Hajj Commission shared some strategies and policies of his outfit with the Ghanaian delegation, assuring them of NACOHN's willingness to collaborate with the Ghana Hajj Board for improved operations.



He also spoke about Nigeria's Hajj Institute which, he said, offers training on Hajj Management and invited the Ghana Hajj Board to the institute.

A senior executive of NACOHN, Alhaji Abdulahi Hardawa expressed delight at the meeting, saying Nigeria and Ghana collaborate in many areas and it is "exciting to see the two big giants of Africa sharing ideas on Hajj operations for better services".



He suggested that moving forward, Ghana, Nigeria and other countries in the sub-region can come together to form a Pan African Hajj Union which will have a stronger voice to bargain for better services.



Members of Ghana's delegation included board members, Masaudu Osman, Abdul Aziz Haruna Futa and Ahmed Abdulai Abu.



Senior members of Nigeria's Hajj Commission including some State Hajj Commissioners represented NACOHN.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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24-year-old Caleb Boateng appeared before a Central District Court in Worcester, Massachusetts in the United States, on Tuesday, July 11.



It was his first appearance in court following a 13-hour standoff with police last Friday (July 7) in an incident that left his mother and brother with gunshot wounds.



Spotting a black designer T-shirt and spotting dishevelled hair, Caleb was slapped with six charges read out to him for the first time.



They included: two counts of assault to murder (armed), two counts of assault and battery with a firearm, illegal possession of a firearm, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, among other charges.



The local news portal Telegram reported that on his first appearance, the following major incidents happened.



a. He accepted a court-appointed Attorney



b. He pleaded not guilty



c. Court ordered that he be held without bail



d. He was slapped with a total of six counts.



Read the full story by the Telegram & Gazette portal



Title: Caleb Boateng held without bail in shooting of mother and brother on Colby Ave. in Worcester



Caleb Boateng, accused of shooting his mother and brother at their Colby Avenue home on Friday, was arraigned Tuesday in Central District Court.



Boateng, 24, shot at police officers who responded to the report of a shooting. A 13-hour standoff followed, with Boateng barricaded in the house at 51 Colby Ave.



After being hospitalized in the days after his arrest, Boateng made his initial court appearance about 3 p.m. Tuesday.



He is charged with two counts of assault to murder (armed), two counts of assault and battery with a firearm, illegal possession of a firearm, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, among other charges.



Not-guilty pleas were entered on his behalf, and Judge Janet J. McGuiggan ordered him held without bail.



Boateng is accused of shooting his mother, Philomena Boateng, and his brother, Obed O. Boateng, during a confrontation about 8:30 a.m. Friday. Court records show the mother was shot in the right arm and right thigh, and that the brother was shot in the abdomen and left hand. Both were hospitalized.



Pilomena Boateng was still in the hospital Tuesday afternoon, Assistant District Attorney Karen Bell said. When asked by McGuiggan if Obed Boateng was still in the hospital, Bell said she did not know.



Meantime, Philomena and Obed have been granted restraining orders against Caleb, according to court records.



When asked by the judge if he wanted a court-appointed attorney, Caleb Boateng, who was wearing a black designer T-shirt and was sporting stitches and a bruise on his upper-right forehead, politely answered, "Yes, Ma'am,"



Caleb Boateng is not licensed to possess a firearm and/or ammunition, according to court records.



Sean M. McGinty is the defendant's court-appointed lawyer.



Caleb Boateng is being held without the right to bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Monday in Courtroom 23.



No motive for the shooting was revealed in court.

Source: Ghanaweb









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In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly established June 13 as the International Albinism Awareness Day to create awareness and inclusion of Persons with Albinism (PWAs) to prevent the attacks and discrimination against PWAs. Albinism is a genetic condition characterised by a lack of pigment in the hair, skin and eyes. If affects people of all ethnic backgrounds around the world.



The day provides an opportunity to educate the public about albinism, challenge stereotypes and advocate for the rights and wellbeing of individuals with albinism. It is also a day to celebrate the achievements and contribution of people with albinism in various fields



Standard Chartered with the support of the Diversity and Inclusion Disability, Wellness and Mental Health Employee Network joined Engage Now Africa and the Ghana Association of Persons with Albinism in celebrating the day in Accra.



This years celebration was under the theme Inclusion is strength and it also marked the 20th anniversary of the Ghana Association of Persons with Albinism (GAPA). The speakers at event underscored the need to increase awareness about albinism and highlight the effects of discrimination persons with Albinism go through daily. Representatives from the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection, The Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, United Nations, the Ghana Federation for Disabled Organizations (GFD) as well as traditional authorities were all in attendance.



The event also focused on the risk factors of albinism which includes poor vision and skin cancers. Standard Chartered with the support of Operation Eyesight Universal held an eye screening session for all participants. 50 individuals including women and children were screened, with recommendations given for further tests to those who require it. The attendees were each provided with special eye- glasses to help reduce the effect of the suns rays on their eyes.

Source: Peacefmonline com









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Jacob Olalekan Ponle popularly known as Mr Woodberry has been to eight years and three months in prison for coordinating a multimillion-dollar fraud.



Mr Woodberry who is a known associate of imprisoned Nigerian fraudster, Hushpuppi, was sentenced on July 11 by Judge Robert Gettleman of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago, after being convicted on one count of fraud.



It was also learnt that seven other counts were dismissed following a plea bargain in April. The convict is now expected to surrender to U.S. Marshal Service for onward transfer to the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, where his family members, especially his American fiancee, would be allowed to visit him.



Mr Woodberry who will be deported after serving out his prison sentence, will pay seven victims about $8 million in restitution. The court discovered that he has the capacity to make the full payment but waived all interests on the restitution value.



Prosecutors who discovered that he had 152 bitcoins, had sought for the court's permission to sell it off. A 30-day notice was issued to the public for anyone with interest in the assets to file claims, but no one with legitimate interest turned up at the time of Mr Woodberrys sentencing.



He is expected to forfeit items in the Dubai police custody, such as one Rolls Royce, Lamborghini Urus, Mercedes-Benz G-Class AMG G55, four Rolex watches, one Patek Philippe watch, and three Audemars Piguet watches.



Mr Woodberry will also forfeit three gold and diamond-studded rings, five gold bracelets and two gold bracelet keys, six gold neck chains, one gold and diamond-studded necklace, one small gold nugget, two bank cards, about $1,835 in Emirati dirhams, and approximately $15.45 in South African rands.









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Media personality and political activist, Kwame A Plus, has warned the New Patriotic Party over an alleged plan to dismiss George Akuffo Dampare as Inspector-General of Police (IGP).



A Plus' caution was contained in a July 2, 2023 Facebook tweet in which he alleged that the police chief is being targetted by unnamed element in the NPP because of his principled stance in maintaining law and order.



The post at the time said there were rumours that Dampare's sack was being hatched days after the July 27 Assin North by-election which was won by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).



That NPP elements were concerned that Dampare-led police had been so strict that there had been no room for manipulation.



The post read: "Who has also heard the rumour that the NPP is planning to sack Dr Dampare because the police didn't allow them to misbehave at Assin North like they did at Ayawaso?



"You want to sack Dampare at this time? That very day, you'll lose another one million votes. Dr Dampare is every right thinking Ghanaian's sweetheart.

Anyway, I won't pretend I'm not happy. I want them to go to opposition so it's good news," it added.



A little over a week after his post, a leaked audio went viral, in which a supposed police commissioner and an NPP regional chairman are heard discussing why Dampare must be removed as IGP ahead of the 2024 polls.

Source: Ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Bernard Allotey Jacobs has rubbished a leaked tape making rounds which allegedly contains the voices of a supposed Police Commissioner and an NPP Regional Chairman calling for the removal of the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, from office ahead of the 2024 elections.



Commenting on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Allotey Jacobs noted that this leaked audio recording is a communist inferior tactic to smear the IGP.



He urged the IGP not to waste his breath on this audio recording and, to him, an attack on Dr. Akuffo Dampare is an attack on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.



"He is part of President Nana Akufo-Addo's vision. He is part of President Nana Akufo-Addo's investment, because for the first time, we are seeing a change in the Police Service," he said.



He strongly believed the IGP has earned the President's trust, hence it is not this tape that will push the President to sack him.



President Akufo-Addo, he stated, "had that trust in Dr. Akuffo Dampare, that's why he appointed him to be IGP".



He appealed to the President to "allow him to be IGP till Bawumia will take over and he should continue till the time he reaches his retirement age".



Allotey Jacobs issued a stern warning to the detractors of the IGP saying they should "do away with this communist inferior tactics...People should be deep thinkers and not always having that inferior communist tactics".





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Professor Smart Sarpong, a Senior Research Fellow of the Kumasi Technical University, has urged the Inspector General of Police on to continue his good works and not get distracted in executing his duties.



Professor Smart Sarpong assured the IGP, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, of absolute support and commitment of the masses to him, believing he is on the right track and nothing should cause him to veer off course.



He gave this assurance to the Police Chief as he discussed a leaked audio recording where a former Regional Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party and a Police Commissioner are allegedly heard discussing why Dr. Dampare must be dismissed ahead of the 2024 polls.



The tape has since gone viral but to Prof. Smart Sarpong, it has no potency on the IGP.



He charged Dr. George Akuffo Dampare to remain focused, stressing "these things should not sway you from the good work you are doing. Continue to be who you are, in fact, accept good counsel...Stand firm! We are all with you".



"The President, who appointed you, hasn't display any character that suggests he is not happy with the work you are doing," he added.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery, has refuted reports that some stalwarts of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) are plotting to depose Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo-Dampare in order to tamper with the 2024 elections.



Let me make this clear that this government is not going to tamper with the 2024 elections. Our President does not want to stay one more hour beyond his tenure.



We are making sure that we have free and fair elections. You are in this country and we have had several by-elections. By-elections under this system are the most peaceful of all that we have had, he stated.



He was responding to an audio tape purporting to be a leaked conversation of a police and some NPP members plotting to remove the IGP from office.



Alhaji, my only issue This current IGP will not help us if we make a mistake and send him to the elections.



It wont help us at all, and I dont mind if the position isnt given to me as long as that man is changed; because he wont help us. Hes not going to help us at all, sections of the recording indicated.



But the minister stated categorically that President Akufo-Addo did not intend to stay in power beyond his tenure, while dismissing theories of a scheme to subvert the will of Ghanaian voters.



I can assure you that I serve a president who has respect for human rights. Under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, we will make sure 2024 is peaceful.



As for those theories about  we have rich imaginations, but one thing is certain: 2024 will not be a violent election by anybody and no one will want to thwart the will of the people, he asserted.



Mr. Dery continued, If you vote us in you have voted us in, and if you vote us out you have voted us out. We have shown it before. The difference with which we handed over power in 2009 was so impressive.



According to him, all by-elections held under President Akufo-Addo were peaceful, indicating the Presidents dedication to democratic values as compared to previous instances.



Go to Chereponi where people were shot in the head. We went to Atiwa, Talensi where they were throwing stones. And then you have a by-election where people were allowed to vote peacefully.



I am saying those who did not believe in the system now believe that they can count on the police intelligence force.



As far as I am concerned. And I am also happy that at last they have said that the EC did a good job because I can assure you that this country will not allow anybody to be killed or shot because of votes, he posited.

Source: Daily Guide









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Former Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan has replied former President John Dramani Mahama on his recent comments on the Electoral Commission.



The former President, speaking at a Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) event at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, warned that the National Democratic Congress will resist an attempt by the Electoral Commission (EC) to rig the 2024 elections.



It is in this light that we in the NDC wish to make clear that we will resist and prevent any sinister plot by the EC to manipulate the outcome of the 2024 elections even before the first ballot is cast through the needless and unapproved insistence of the Ghana Card as the only means of registration. The EC remains intransigent and appears determined to make it difficult for sections of our population to have their names on the voter register, he accentuated.



But Kwamena Duncan has questioned the logic in Mr. Mahama's statements, wondering why they think the EC will rig the elections.



To him, he sees nothing wrong with the EC's decision to adopt the Ghana Card as a means of registration for the next general elections.



Speaking directly to Mr. Mahama and the National Democratic Congress, Kwamena warned them to desist from their use of threats and fear to manipulate minds of Ghanaians.



"Nobody must make that attempt to terrorize the nation. This country has gone beyond the stage where someone stands on podium to terrorize us and again the work has also been done. If they say they will not allow only national ID card, what else will they allow?...At this point, where we are, what else will they allow?...We have gone beyond fear and violence," he blasted Mr. Mahama.



Kwamena Duncan made these comments on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" discussion programme Wednesday morning.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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(Photo : Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

NATO leaders who attended a summit in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius expressed their support for Ukraine joining the military alliance but did not detail a timeline on the matter.

NATO leaders who attended a summit in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius expressed their support for Ukraine joining the military but stopped short of inviting Kyiv.

Global leaders have agreed that Ukraine's future lies within the military alliance but did not provide or detail a timeline for Kyiv's accession, something the latter has been seeking since the beginning of its war with Russia.

Ukraine's Potential NATO Membership

On top of the remarks, the military alliance also dropped the requirement for Ukraine that mandates Kyiv to fulfill a so-called Membership Action Plan (MAP). This effectively removed an obstacle on Kyiv's way to joining the alliance.

On Tuesday, NATO leaders declared that they had agreed that Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration had already moved beyond needing a MAP. It added that the military alliance could invite Kyiv to join the group when allies agree on the issue and after certain conditions are fulfilled, as per Reuters.

Despite the declaration, NATO leaders did not specify the conditions that Ukraine needs to meet to become a member. However, they noted that the military alliance would move to help Kyiv make progress on military interoperability and additional democratic and security sector reforms.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the "absurd" delay to his country's accession into the military alliance. He previously said there seemed to be "no readiness" to invite Kyiv into the group or make it a member.

Zelensky also said that while Kyiv accepts that it cannot join NATO while it is still at war with Russia, he argued that it wishes to join as soon as possible after the end of the conflict. In a Twitter post, the Ukrainian president argued that the lack of an agreed timeframe means that his country's eventual NATO membership could be taken advantage of as a bargaining chip in negotiations.

According to BBC, he argued that the situation was leaving a window of opportunity to bargain Ukraine's membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia, adding that uncertainty is akin to weakness.

Read Also: Turkey Supports Sweden's NATO Membership, Paving Way to Stockholm's Accession

New NATO-Ukraine Council

NATO leaders also highlighted the creation of a new NATO-Ukraine Council, which met for the first time on Wednesday. It would give Kyiv the right to summon meetings of the entire alliance if there was a need to bring them together.

The situation comes as some NATO member countries have expressed concern about potentially giving Ukraine a near-automatic accession into the military alliance. They argue that it could incentivize Russia to escalate and prolong its invasion.

Now, world leaders would focus on what long-term security guarantees the military alliance's members would commit for Ukraine as an alternative to early membership. This comes as Western security pledges in the past have failed to deter two Russian invasions.

Zelensky's criticism of the situation comes as Ukraine has come under Russian attack for the second time this month. Kyiv's military said that Moscow's forces have already carried out 334 airstrikes on the wider country in just the last week, said CNBC.

Related Article: Putin Reportedly Met With Prigozhin Days After Wagner Group's Failed Rebellion

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Kwamena Duncan has predicted a landslide victory for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the upcoming presidential primary of the New Patriotic Party(NPP).



The New Patriotic Party will hold a Special Delegates Congress in August to trim the number of aspirants from ten to five and head to their main congress on November 4 this year to elect their flagbearer.



The aspirants, which include Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Trade Minister; Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Assin Central MP; Kennedy Agyapong, former Agriculture Minister; Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, former Energy Minister; Boakye Agyarko, former Attorney General; Joe Ghartey, former NPP General Secretary; Kwabena Agyepong and others, all hope to emerge victor in the primary.



Speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Kwamena Duncan stated emphatically that the election is sealed in favor of Dr. Bawumia.



To him, the delegates have already made their pick and nothing will change their minds.



"Nothing will change the hearts and the minds of the delegates, the thousands of them, no matter what. Indeed, on the 26th of August, it will be very very massive . . . On the 4th of November, it is sealed. It is done; nothing can be done about it," he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi.



Watch video below





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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In a recent press release, former Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), Charles Cromwell Onuawonto Bissue, has demanded an immediate correction from the Office of Special Prosecutor (OSP) regarding statements made by the Director of Strategy, Research and Communication, Sammy Darko.



According to Mr. Bissue, Mr. Darko made misleading statements during an interview on Okay FM on Monday, July 10.



Mr. Bissue claims that Mr. Darko stated that he had withdrawn all applications filed against the OSP with respect to his case.



In response, Mr. Bissue believes that this was a calculated agenda to mislead the public.



Mr. Bissue clarified that not all applications have been withdrawn, stating that two applications are currently pending in court. These applications include a judicial review filed on June 2 and an application for the enforcement of fundamental human rights filed on June 14.



Furthermore, Mr. Bissue corrected Mr. Darkos assertion that he filed an application just after the OSP issued notices of having concluded the investigation into the Galamsey Fraud Part 1 documentary. Mr. Bissue claims that his first application was made in December 2022.



I deem this to be a calculated agenda by Sammy Darko and the OSP, to mislead Ghanaians and other interested persons or actors in this matter, the former Presidential Staffer stated in a press release dated 10 July, 2023.



It is clearly a case of distortion of facts, unless Sammy Darko is not seized with the facts of processes filed by my lawyers at the court, and I may pardon him for that.



I wish to put on record that not all the applications have been withdrawn. Two applications are currently pending, Mr Bissue pointed out, citing his judicial review on Friday, June 2 and his application for the enforcement of fundamental human rights filed on Wednesday, June 14.



I also wish to correct Sammy Darkos assertion that I filed an application just when the OSP had issued notices of having concluded the investigation into the Galamsey Fraud Part 1 documentary, he added, insisting his first application was sometime in December 2022.



I, therefore, entreat Sammy Darko to correct this misinformation as soon as possible.



I take cognizance of processes being pursued at the court in respect of these matters, and as such will exercise restraint in the face of provocation to react.







Source: Daily Guide









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Fresh poll results from Global InfoAnalytics for July 2023 reveal that Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has surged ahead of Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen (AKK) in the race for the New Patriotic Partys (NPP) flagbearership for the 2024 election.



Following the formal launch of his campaign, Dr Bawumia has garnered the support of 36% of voters, while AKK lags behind with 33%. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong (KOA) trails at 25%.



In April 2023, Mr Kyerematen held a narrow lead over Dr Bawumia, with 30% of voters favoring him compared to 29% supporting the vice president. Among NPP voters, however, Dr Bawumia maintains a strong lead with approximately 50% of the vote, followed by Mr Kyerematen at 33% and Ken Agyepong at 16%. In a potential runoff scenario, the poll shows that Dr Bawumia would secure 55% of the NPP voters support, while Mr Kyerematen would garner 45%.



However, among all voters, Mr Kyerematen holds the edge over Dr Bawumia with 54% to 46%. The poll also indicates that in the event of a runoff among NPP voters, 21% of KOA supporters would back Dr Bawumia, while 57% would support Mr Kyerematen, and 23% would abstain from voting.



Turning to the race for the Jubilee House, the poll reveals that both Dr Bawumia and Mr Kyerematen have lost ground to John Dramani Mahama since April 2023.



The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer now leads Dr Bawumia by 55% to 37%, with 8% of voters indicating their intention to vote for another candidate. In April, JDM held a 55% to 38% lead over Dr Bawumia.



Similarly, the former President currently holds a 54% to 39% advantage over Mr Kyerematen, with 7% stating their preference for another candidate.



In April, JDM led AKK by 54% to 40%.



The poll also sheds light on voters preferences for the parliamentary elections in 2024. 48% of voters intend to vote for NDC candidates, while 36% plan to support NPP candidates. 3% would vote for candidates from other parties, and 13% remain undecided.



An overwhelming 63% of voters believe Ghana is heading in the wrong direction, as opposed to 26% who perceive it as heading in the right direction. 11% of respondents refrained from expressing an opinion.



Regarding the performance of the president, the poll reflects that only 34% of voters approve of his job performance, compared to 60% who disapprove. 6% declined to share their opinion.



Assessing the standard of living in the past twelve months, 20% of voters stated that it had improved, while 45% believed it had worsened. 29% reported no change, and 6% had no opinion.



When asked if the 1992 constitution adequately addresses the countrys needs and challenges, only 28% agreed, while 50% disagreed. 22% did not express an opinion. Among those who disagreed, 63% believed that the constitution should be amended, 19% disagreed, and 18% had no opinion.









Source: Daily Guide









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In the last two days, the name, Dampare, has been trending in both mainstream and social media. This follows public conversations about the content of a leaked audio recording that reveals a plot against the current Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.



The recording features a voice that is said to be that of a Commissioner of police in a conversation with a senior member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). The leaked tape mainly features discussion on why the current IGP must be sacked. In the conversation, the senior police officer accuses the IGP of many things and says the NPP cannot win the 2024 elections with Dampare as IGP.



It is not surprising to hear that a top police officer is against an IGP for one reason or the another. The current expose, however, reveals a rather bizarre and dirty plot against the IGP and also provides credence to ongoing speculations about some clandestine attempts to seek the removal of Dr. Dampare as IGP.



All the machinations and plots are meant to achieve one thing  convince the President to sack the IGP. Even though it is difficult to read the mind and intension of the President, for once, I am convinced that President Akufo-Addo, will not fall for the dirty plots.



My convictions are based on the following firm predictions and reasons:



First of all, I can predict that President Nana Akufo-Addo will not want to go down in history as the President who presided over the annihilation of Ghanas most priced asset, which is our peace and stability.



Secondly, I believe that that President Nana Akufo-Addo will not want to go down in history as the President under whose tenure Ghanas long march to democratic consolidation was curtailed.



Thirdly, I have some conviction that that President Akufo-Addo will not want to go down in history as the President under whose reign civil war erupted in Ghana as a result of some desperate attempts to impose his political party on the people of Ghana even if the people choose to reject his party in the 2024 elections.



Finally, I can confidently predict that President Akufo-Addo knows very well that if the NDC, under the very charismatic and brave Jerry John Rawlings, lost the 2000 elections and handed over power peacefully to the NPPs John Agyekum Kufuor, then the will of the Ghanaian people will always reign supreme.



It is on the basis of these convictions that I have no doubts that President Akufo-Addo will not heed to any orchestrations and sinister plots to remove the man who has proven to be exactly the one he needs to protect and preserve Ghanas most valued asset  peace and stability. Certainly, the President should want to hand over Ghana to whoever emerges winner of the 2024 elections in peace and not in pieces.

It is unwise for anyone to assume that President Akufo-Addo does not know that what he needs the most to govern the country is not political sycophancy but internal security of the state, which Dr. Dampare is admirably helping him to have.



Also, anyone who assumes the President will be naive to remove Dr. Dampare must be someone who doesnt follow the Presidents pronouncement about his appreciation of the performance of the IGP or someone who simply disregards what the President says as useless commentary. This is because, IGP Dampare has received praises and commendations from the President more than any other appointee.



The President appointed Dr. Dampare as acting IGP in July 2021. In September, 2021, the President publicly praised him and stated that he (the IGP) had vindicated his decision to appoint him as IGP.



In early October, 2021, the President confirmed Dr. Dampare as the substantive IGP and commended him for his great works during the few months he acted as IGP. Later that same month, during the swearing-in of the Police Council, the President again praised the IGP saying: the IGPs actions thus far, have received the strong backing of Ghanaians and many are now realizing that if you fall foul of the laws of the land you will not be spared.



In March 2022, during the presentation of the statement on the State of the Nation (SONA) in Parliament, President Akufo-Addo singled out the IGP for praise. Here is what the President said on that auspicious occasion: Mr. Speaker, I believe we can all testify that our Police Service is undergoing a great improvement and a change of image before our very eyes. During times of anxiety, we need a responsive police service to boost the confidence of the population and it is good to see the police rise up to the challenge. The police service is gradually regaining the trust and confidence of the public, under the leadership of its new IGP.



In February 2023, President Akufo-Addo continued with his praises for the IGP. Here is what the he said about the leadership and performance of the IGP: We see the discipline that has been restored to our roads, the enhanced police visibility and general discipline in society under the leadership of the IGP Dr. Akuffo Dampare. I want to assure him that he has my full support and the support of my government to continue his transformation of the police service.



And just a few months later, in April 2023 the President said: I want to commend the outstanding Inspector General of Police and his team for the deployment of officers across the country for the Easter festivities. Your officers could be seen everywhere in our streets smartly dressed on their motto bikes and on our roads all in the bid to protect the people.



So why would anyone think that the President can be praising the IGP all the time and suddenly turn around to remove him just to satisfy some sycophants under the false pretext that an IGP can help a party rig or win elections.



In fact, the conspirators against the IGP ought to have also known that having contested for President for four consecutive times, President Akufo-Addo, knows very well that what is needed to win an election is super performance and quality of message, and not a malleable, unprofessional, sycophantic and an overtly partisan IGP. Such an IGP can only bring about lawlessness, chaos, insecurity and instability.



The President knows very well that President John Kufuor won the 2000 elections not because the then IGP, Mr. Peter Tenganabang Nanfuri, was an NPP member or appointed by candidate Kufuor. Peter Nanfuri was appointed by former President Jerry Rawlings of the NDC. Yet the NPP won the 2000 elections.



President Akufo-Addo knows very well that he lost the 2008 election not because IGP Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong, was an NDC member or appointee. He was appointed by President Kufuor, yet the NPP lost the 2008 elections.



The President is also fully aware that he won the 2016 elections by a landslide against the then incumbent, John Dramani Mahama, not because the then IGP, Mr. John Kudalor, was and NPP member or appointee. Mr. Kudalor was appointed as IGP by his competitor, President John Mahama on February 19 2016 (the year of the elections), yet he, Nana Akufo-Addo, won that election with over one million votes.



So certainly, the President knows that an IGP neither conducts elections nor collate results. The President knows that an IGP does not assign police officers as party agents or polling station officers. In the context of elections, the IGPs job is to professionally lead the police to ensure peace, law and order as was exemplified by IGP Dampare in the recent Kumawu and Assin North by-elections.



From the foregoing, I also find the reaction of the opposition NDC to the ongoing brouhaha about IGP and elections, quite strange. This is because, I believe NDC officials will also know, or at least should know, that President Mills did not lose the 2000 elections to John Kufuor because of an NPP-affiliated IGP.



It must also be clear to the NDC that President Mills did not win the 2008 elections because of there was an NDC-affiliated IGP at the time. Of course, the NDC also knows that it did not lose the 2016 elections and the 2020 Presidential elections because of the conduct of an IGP.



So, it is, therefore, baseless for senior members of the NDC to be saying that they will resist any attempt to remove IGP Dampare in order for the NPP to rig the 2024 elections.



It may be worth reminding the NDC that, an IGP does not collate results. An IGP does not gather pink sheets for a party. An IGP does not appoint who represents the party at the strong room of the Electoral Commission (EC) during collation of results at the national level. An IGP cannot also prevent a party agent at the ECs strong room from focusing on having tea with the EC chairperson, instead of remaining vigilant in the results collation process.



I can understand the NDCs defence of Dr. Dampare for his exceptional professionalism and leadership as IGP, but that should be done devoid of the needless partisanship and the false elections-rigging conspiracy theories.



It is not for nothing that for the first time, we are witnessing an overwhelming public support for an IGP. The Ghanaian people know true leadership, when they see and experience one. For once, lets leave the partisanship and hatred and support Dr. George Akuffo Dampare to continue with his exceptional effort and leadership to build the Ghana Police Service we want and deserve as a nation.

Source: Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director, MFWA









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Kimberly Coleman, a Plattsburgh assistant professor in the SUNY Plattsburgh environmental science program, is one of only 15 faculty members selected system-wide to serve in the inaugural SUNY Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice Fellows program, a press release says.

SUNY DEISJ fellows will spearhead implementation of the new SUNY general education mandate to include diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice curricula in all undergraduate degrees.

As a DEISJ fellow, Coleman is charged by SUNY to create a repository of resources for faculty who are interested in teaching the newly created DEISJ requirement that is part of the new SUNY general education mandate, the press materials say.

The State University of New York decided that all of its students need to have a common understanding about the history of discrimination in the United States, about the benefits of a diverse society and about the important concepts of justice and equity, Coleman in a statement. Coleman is a successful DEISJ applicant who teaches environmental planning and justice in the Center for Earth and Environmental Science.

Coleman said shes been interested in social justice for years, but I was always treating it as an add-on to my primary discipline."
Hong Kong: FS meets Xia Baolong in Beijing

Financial Secretary Paul Chan continued his visit in Beijing today by meeting Director of the State Council's Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Xia Baolong.



While meeting Mr Xia this morning, Mr Chan provided him with details about the latest situation in Hong Kong concerning the economy, people's livelihood and the strategy and work involved in consolidating and enhancing the city's status as an international financial centre.



The finance chief explained that the strategy includes the further deepening of mutual market access, promoting the development of the asset management business as well as financial inclusion, and the progress of preparing for large-scale international conferences to be held in the second half of this year.



Mr Xia said at the meeting that the central authorities would support Hong Kong to continue to give full play to its unique status and edges under the one country, two systems principle, maintain its well-established international business environment, create strong impetus for economic growth, and contribute to the high-quality development of the country.



In the afternoon, Mr Chan visited a leading retail cloud solution service provider to learn about how it assists retailers in undergoing digitalisation by applying technologies such as big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence, thereby enhancing retailers' operation efficiency and consumer experiences.



The Financial Secretary also visited an enterprise which manufactures satellites and offers satellite Internet solutions. He toured its research and development centre and viewed new generation satellite products to learn about the enterprise's cutting-edge technology and the development of the civil aerospace technology.

This story has been published on: 2023-07-12. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Millennium-old terraces in SW China's Yunnan glow with new vitality

People's Daily Online) 09:30, July 12, 2023

The Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, created by people of various ethnic groups, mainly including the Hani people, more than 1,300 years ago in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province are embracing new vitality thanks to protection and development over the past 10 years.

File photo shows farmers transplanting rice seedlings in terraced fields in Daxing township, Lyuchun county, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/Zhang Hongke)

The terraces, which cascade down the slopes of the Ailao Mountains to the banks of the Honghe River, and achieve harmony between nature and humans, are a miracle of farming civilization featuring a symbiotic agricultural ecosystem of forests, villages, terraces, and rivers.

In 2013, the Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, located in several counties including Yuanyang, Lyuchun and Jinping of Honghe, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Honghe Hani Rice Terraces are also a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System and a nationally important agricultural heritage site in China.

To protect the terraces, people have been designated to ensure the unimpeded flow of water in channels and ditches there.

Ma Youming in Niujiaozhai township, Yuanyang county is one of them.

"Water is essential to the terraced rice fields. It is our task to well protect the water distribution system of the terraces," Ma said.

People of various ethnic groups in the prefecture reached consensus on protecting forests that ensure water for the terraces over 1,000 years ago. Local villagers have been selected to serve as forest rangers for this purpose.

Chen Zhengkang, a forest ranger in Lyuchun county, receives a subsidy of 8,000 yuan ($1,105) a year from the work. "Forests sustain the water needed for the terraces. Protecting the forests is to protect the terraces," the ranger said.

A view of terraced fields in Duoyishu village, Yuanyang county, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/Lu Zhong)

The prefecture has guaranteed the symbiotic agricultural ecosystem of forests, villages, terraces, and rivers in the heritage region through 10 years of efforts, like turning marginal farmland into forests, establishing a nature reserve, protecting basic farmland, and formulating regulations for the protection of the terraces. In Yuanyang, the vegetation coverage and forest coverage in the heritage region reached 67 percent and 49.6 percent, respectively.

Traditional villages have also been preserved. In Azheke village in Yuanyang, traditional houses, known locally as "mushroom houses" because of their structure, serve as part of the picturesque local landscape.

However, the village once faced challenges, as traditional dwellings were in disrepair and many villagers planned to turn them into reinforced concrete houses.

To tackle the challenges, in 2018, the county and Sun Yat-sen University developed a plan that included villagers as shareholders in a local tourism development firm. The plan aimed to encourage villagers' participation in the development of rural tourism by leveraging unique local natural and cultural resources and to attract villagers to protect the traditional village through the development of tourism. As a result, traditional dwellings have been renovated with modern facilities and retained their original characteristics, and Azheke has become a dynamic village.

Traditional houses, known locally as "mushroom houses," in Azheke village, Yuanyang county, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/Long Jun)

Thanks to the implementation of the plan, traditional dwellings have attracted more and more tourists while boosting villagers' incomes.

Hani polyphonic folk music has been passed down for generations by the Hani people, who usually sing traditional folk songs while working in the terraced rice fields. The ancient Hani songs, a national intangible cultural heritage, do not have any written lyrics, and people must pass down the songs by teaching them to each other.

Chen Xiniang, a national-level inheritor of the art form, started to learn Hani songs when he was eight years old. Many young people learn the songs from him. So far, two of his students have become provincial-level inheritors of Hani polyphonic folk music.

Chen Xiniang (center), a national-level inheritor of Hani polyphonic folk music, which is a national intangible cultural heritage, and local villagers in 2021. (Photo/Hu Yanhui)

Hani polyphonic folk music is also spreading internationally. The traditional music was performed at the Expo 2015 in Milan, Italy.

As Hani songs gain popularity, Yuanyang county has integrated Hani's traditional farming culture with tourism. In April this year, the county held an activity to mark the 10th anniversary of the Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces being inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the event, a live performance of Hani songs was hosted, and tourists experienced transplanting rice seedlings and Hani's farming culture in the terraced rice fields.

File photo shows a long street banquet in Lyuchun county, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/Liang Rongsheng)

The local governments have used the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces to broaden the channels for farmers to increase their incomes over the past decade by developing tourism, promoting Hani's traditional ecological farming model combining rice cultivation, fish farming, and duck raising, and advertising farm produce and specialties through the internet.

Thanks to these efforts, the average disposable income of farmers in the heritage region has increased from 3,928 yuan in 2013 to 12,502 yuan in 2023.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
President Joe Biden met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkiye at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

President Biden congratulated President Erdogan on the agreement he reached with Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson and NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg to send Sweden's NATO accession protocol to parliament for ratification.

READ NEXT: Readout of President Joe Biden's Meeting with King Charles III

The Presidents discussed efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation, welcoming the latest round of discussions in the strategic mechanism and exchanging views on defense and economic priorities.

They also discussed regional issues of shared interest, including their enduring support for Ukraine and the importance of preserving stability in the Aegean.

READ MORE: Readout of President Joe Biden's Meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom

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The Washington County 250th Committee is seeking the help of volunteers and interested citizens to help plan and implement programs to celebrate the semiquincentennial of the nation on July 4, 2026. The programs will include county-specific events as well.

Some of the aim is to have historical infrastructure in place after the semiquincentennial is over.

Pat Niles, vice president of the Washington County Historical Society, and co-chair of the Washington County 250th Committee said that he hopes community members will take interest in commemorating the historical areas of the county in a variety of ways such as visiting historical landmarks and participating in educational programs.

Were reaching out to the citizens of Washington County for anyone to volunteer. Hopefully, the more that we have, the more we can do in the planning of celebrations, educational programs for the schools and adults. Thats our hope for this, he said.

One objective of the committee is to increase tourism within Washington County by improving its historic infrastructure. Another is to create lessons pertaining to Washington County history using primary source materials.

There will be a 250th History Fair as well as celebrations of events such as the Knox Trail, Ethan Allens taking of Fort Ticonderoga, the Battle of Fort Anne and the killing of Jane McCrea.

The 250th committee is already involved in planning the Knox Trail celebration and has been approached to help plan the Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold taking of Fort Ticonderoga in 1775.

The committee is making a request to teachers living or working in Washington County to help develop educational programs that could be used in classrooms throughout the county. The committee would like to setup an education subcommittee to develop lesson plans using primary source materials from local archives.

We have teachers that are teaching about local history now, but its really difficult to incorporate it into curriculum and thats something we hope to do, he said. Not only will we use the markers, but its also historic documents. The 250th, we will really start the celebration next year because of the continental associations that were set up.

The group further plans in-service training in the use Washington County primary sources for our county teachers.

Along with programs for teachers, the committee is looking for photos from the 200th or 225th celebrations that could be used on a Facebook account as well as a semiquincentennial website. The committee will make digital copies of the photos.

Currently, the Whitehall Historical Society, Washington County Historical Society and the Old Fort House Museum have contributed photos, but the committee would like to ask the Washington County community to share any photos or memories of past celebrations.

Paul McCarty, executive director of the Old Fort House Museum, and Nat Huntington were said to be a big help to Neil in organizing celebrations in an attempt to boost tourism.

Photos and stories of experiences at the 200th or 225th celebrations can be shared with Neil and the rest of the committee by emailing pdniles@gmail.com or by attending the meeting the committee holds at 5:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month at the Rogers Island Visitor Center in Fort Edward.
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NORTH WILDWOOD  As the fight between the city and the state Department of Environmental Protection over beach protection continues, Mayor Pat Rosenello appeared to try to lower the heat.

In a lengthy letter to DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, Rosenello did not back down but outlined the citys position, and avoided some of the rhetoric of previous exchanges. The letter was sent in response to letters from LaTourette scolding the city over work on the beach, in what has become a high-profile argument between layers of government.

The state has imposed more than $12 million in fines against the city, while North Wildwood has filed a suit alleging more than $20 million in damages related to beach erosion.

I share your perplexity and frustration that we continue to find ourselves at loggerheads over issues that both organizations should be working cooperatively to address, Rosenello wrote.

Larry Hajna, a spokesperson for the DEP, declined to respond to Rosenellos letter Tuesday. He said LaTourettes July 6 letter speaks for itself.

Over the past several winters, North Wildwood has trucked sand onto its beaches, staving off erosion while awaiting a large-scale beach replenishment project. Last winter, the beaches had eroded to the point that the sand could not be added, leaving little beach this summer and new worries for storms next winter.

Rosenello said the beach between 13th and 16th avenues is an ongoing safety hazard.

It has only gotten much worse, he wrote.

DEP says North Wildwood beach work could threaten future state funding Shawn LaTourette, the commissioner of New Jerseys Department of Environmental Protection, scolded North Wildwood Mayor Pat Rosenello in a letter Thursday over the citys work on the beach.

Rosenello said the state has repeatedly faulted North Wildwood for its attempts to address the safety issues. The state has described the citys actions as reckless and counterproductive, while the city says the state has acted too slowly considering the stakes. Without some of the actions the city has taken, the mayor argues, North Wildwood would have seen the destruction of streets, storm drains and infrastructure and millions of dollars worth of private property from coastal storms.

Last week, in a letter released to media, LaTourette accused North Wildwood of repeatedly breaking coastal zone management laws when dealing with severe beach erosion, including work on dunes and the previous installation of a bulkhead.

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, LaTourettes letter states. This is wrongheaded and it must stop.

On Tuesday, Rosenello blamed the DEP for some issues, including stating that in some instances, the city communicated with the department, but those communications apparently failed to reach the correct office, mentioning the specific example of a mitigation plan sent in June. Latourettes letter demands its submission by July 14.

What happened to that communication once it was transmitted is an internal matter that needs to be addressed by your department, Rosenello wrote. This is but the latest example of communications to one office or representative of the NJDEP not being shared with another and then the NJDEP blaming the city for failure to communicate.

Over the four-page letter, Rosenello expresses disappointment that the formerly strong working relationship between the city and the DEP has deteriorated, and said both want to see the beaches restored and properties protected from future coastal storms.

But Rosenello said the state should not evaluate North Wildwoods actions the way it would a private developer seeking to increase profits. The citys actions aim to keep people protected and safe, he said.

I recognize and appreciate the land-use and regulatory responsibility that your department holds regarding shore protection, Rosenello wrote. I do not believe, however, that you or your department recognize the public safety responsibility of North Wildwood.

What will it take to stop Jersey Shore town from bulldozing its beach? $12M in fines hasn't done it Not even $12 million worth of fines is enough to stop a Jersey Shore town from bulldozing sand on its beach to bolster eroded spots in defiance of state environmental officials. The Department of Environmental Protection says North Wildwood once again carried out unauthorized repairs to its dunes in June. DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette warns that the citys conduct jeopardizes funding for future beach protection projects. But Mayor Patrick Rosenello says the DEP should spend as much time on getting a beach replenishment project approved as it does issuing threats.

He cites an accidental death in North Carolina in which a man was buried in a dune collapse, in conditions he said were similar to those in North Wildwood. Waiting for the DEP to act could be a threat to public safety, Rosenello states.

During my time as mayor, I have had personal experiences with people dying because of the natural hazards that are always present on our beaches and oceans, Rosenello wrote. Those included ocean rescues, and in some cases, the city has been sued for failing to address hazardous conditions.

He cited instances in which emergency personnel have sought to revive people while their families watched.

Commissioner, unless or until you or members of your regulatory staff have lived these experiences, you cannot possibly have the same perspective or sense of urgency on public safety as I do, Rosenello wrote.

He also discussed attempts to get the beaches rebuilt, including promises to put $1 million into a local replenishment project. He said the states position saw a major shift.

Any talk of an interim beach nourishment project became off limits and instead the NJDEP took the position that the federal project was the only project the state would participate in, he wrote.

A federal beach replenishment project has long been in the works but has not yet started. Officials plan for the project to encompass the entire barrier island, which also includes Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and a portion of Lower Township.

In his previous letter, LaTourette said progress has been made toward that project. He said the state committed close to $10 million toward that work, part of $16 million in shore protection planned to benefit North Wildwood.

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

The $16 million in promised future state funding for the seawall extension and federal beach nourishment project are greatly appreciated and eagerly anticipated, Rosenello wrote. However, when compared to the over $30 million and counting in actual expenses incurred by the city of North Wildwood while we tried to protect our town, coupled with the many years of delays we have experienced, the future commitment must be viewed in perspective.

Rosenello holds out hope for resolution. He praised LaTourette for getting personally involved with issues relating to the city, saying it provided real progress. He said the city and the state want the same things, and asked for understanding that what the city has done, it has done in the name of public safety.

I can think of no reason why any sane person would willingly or intentionally engage in this fight if not for deeply held beliefs that ones actions are necessary and justified, Rosenello wrote.
The company building a controversial wind farm off New Jerseys coast is suing Cape May County officials for not fulfilling permitting requests and following regulator orders it argues has delayed the project.

Ocean Wind 1, owned by Danish-based energy company rsted, contends the county, its clerk and its engineer are prolonging the paperwork needed for easements required by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

The officials also are not yet granting road opening permits for work in Ocean City, the suit alleges.

The lawsuit was filed July 3, in the same week the Biden administration approved the wind farms construction about 13 nautical miles southeast of Atlantic City.

The wind farms builder names the countys clerk and engineer, Rita Rothberg and Robert Church, respectively. It also names Kevin Lare, the clerk for the Cape May County Board of Commissioners.

The lawsuit was filed in Cape May County Superior Court by attorney Christine A. Roy, who did not return a request for comment Tuesday.

Ocean Wind 1s legal teams contend county officials are not following BPU orders.

The county, however, insists the orders being placed in the countys record would have to be a decision by a court, not state regulators, the lawsuit states.

New Jersey governor signs tax break for Orsted's offshore wind farm New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has signed a bill giving a tax break to Danish offshore wind developer Orsted for the first of two energy projects it plans to place in the waters off the Jersey Shore. And he faces pressure from another offshore wind company looking for similar assistance. The governors office said he would sign the bill, allowing Orsted to keep federal tax credits that it otherwise would have been required to pass along to New Jersey utility ratepayers. Another offshore wind project, Atlantic Shores, also wants government aid for its own project off the southern New Jersey coast.

Michael Donohue, an attorney representing Cape May County on wind-related matters, denounced the lawsuit Tuesday, saying the company chooses to sue instead of meeting for negotiations.

Demand letters and lawsuits seem to be the only language rsted knows, Donohue said. The county is reviewing the latest lawsuit from rsted and will respond shortly.

In November, the BPU authorized the easements across Ocean City, where the company intends to run cable lines underground at Roosevelt Boulevard and Bay Avenue. The line would connect to a new energy hub at the site of the former B.L. England Generating Station, which is in the process of being demolished.

The company filed a similar lawsuit in May over Ocean City not awarding city permits for 12 test pits and two soil borings, part of the wind power projects plans to bring electricity ashore.

The developers lawsuit also cites the countys failure to award road-opening permits to perform utility and environmental investigations within portions of 35th Street, leading to a delay in starting construction.

The scope of that work consists of 23 soil borings, two long-term monitoring wells and 40 test pits from 35th Street and West Avenue in Ocean City to Roosevelt Boulevard and Route 9 in Upper Township, the lawsuit states, adding it would take about three weeks to complete the work.

To limit interference with the summer tourism season, Ocean Wind 1 requested April 13 that the road application be issued within 30 days, allowing the work to be finished no later than Mays end, the lawsuit states.

The countys neglect to grant the permits has slowed construction, which is planned to begin as early as 2023s third quarter, the lawsuit states. Its also having cascading and adverse effects on other needed permitting and approvals.

Ocean City calls wind power plans a crazy gamble With a wind power project proposed off the beach taking a big step forward this week, Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian on Thursday criticized the approval process and called offshore energy production a crazy gamble.

Plans call for up to 98 wind turbines along the Jersey Shore through the project. Plans are for the first power to be delivered onshore in late 2024.

The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management endorsed the project formally last week as aligning with President Joe Bidens broader clean-energy initiatives for the U.S.

Gov. Phil Murphy also signed into law Thursday a bill giving rsted a tax break, saying the financial aid ensures offshore wind projects and the jobs they create happen in New Jersey rather than in competing states.

The wind farms have been the subject of heated political debate.

Republicans and officials in several Cape May County communities, most notably Ocean City, have shown opposition to the project. They argue their construction would negatively affect tourism and the local fishing industry.

Other arguments have tied their development to a string of offseason marine mammal deaths in New Jersey and New York, but those theories lack evidence, according to federal officials.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

GALLERY: Ocean City offshore wind protest
Offshore wind power opponents scheduled a waterfront protest starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, with plans for participants to gather on beaches throughout South Jersey.

Hundreds of people have expressed interest in the event on social media. Online details of the plans call for participants to line up on the beaches for about 10 minutes. Beach tags will be needed on beaches where they are required, and the organizers hope for participants on beaches the length of the state.

Some have posted plans to gather in Ocean City, Wildwood Crest, on Long Beach Island and on Atlantic County beaches.

This is not just an Ocean City event. This is all New Jersey beaches and beyond, said Adrienne Possenti, a Vineland resident who is helping organize the Ocean City gathering. But she said the Ocean City gathering is particularly urgent as the plans call for cables to pass under the city to bring offshore wind power to the grid.

If we can stop that, we stop the rest of the project, Possenti said Wednesday.

Ocean City and Cape May County have resisted allowing those cables. Ocean Wind 1 has taken the local governments to court in hopes of forcing them to issue permits for the project to begin preparation work for the cables.

The organization Protect Our Coast has shared details of the protest plans. In Ocean City, plans are for participants to gather at the 14th Street beach before the start of the event. Possenti said that organization is supporting the Saturday event but is not sponsoring it.

Advance information includes a warning that access to beaches from 14th Street to 19th Street is restricted because of the endangered piping plover, which nests on the beach.

Wind power company sues Cape May County over permitting delay Ocean Wind 1, the entity owned by Danish energy company rsted that's building offshore wind farms along the Jersey Shore, is suing Cape May County officials for not following permitting requests and procedures ordered by state regulators.

Save our ocean from industrialization, reads a flyer about the event.

Plans for energy generating wind turbines off the coast have proven deeply controversial in New Jerseys coastal communities, with several local governments stating opposition to them, and others raising concerns about the potential impact on tourism, wildlife and the regions fishing industry.

Possenti indicated she is passionate about standing in the way of the plans.

The public is generally uninformed of what is being done to us, and our ocean, and to the life within it, she said. This is a travesty being shoved down the throats of the New Jersey citizens.

The Ocean Wind 1 project recently received federal approvals to begin work. The furthest along of the planned projects, it is expected to begin generating power in 2025, with 98 large turbines built on monopiles off the beach.

As proposed, the wind farm will generate enough electricity to power a half-million homes, part of a commitment from Gov. Phil Murphy to move the states power supply to renewable sources.

Murphy, and other supporters of the offshore projects, argue a move away from fossil fuels is vital, as carbon emissions continue to contribute to a warming planet. Some climate scientists say the past week was the hottest on Earth for as long as there are records, possibly in eons, although there is not a consensus on that claim.

But there is a global consensus that temperatures continue to rise, and that warming oceans will mean more flooding and more powerful storms hitting coastal communities.

Ocean City calls wind power plans a crazy gamble With a wind power project proposed off the beach taking a big step forward this week, Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian on Thursday criticized the approval process and called offshore energy production a crazy gamble.

Opponents of the plans, including Protect Our Coast and others, argue wind power is unreliable and more expensive for consumers than other sources of electricity.

The turbines are expected to be visible from the beach.
Pakistans top election body on Tuesday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against former prime minister Imran Khan in a case of contempt. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) also issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against former Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry for the same offence. The ECP had initiated contempt proceedings last year against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Khan and former party leaders Chaudhry and Asad Umar for allegedly using intemperate language against the electoral watchdog and its head, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

Pak-Russia oil deal hits roadblock

The all-important oil deal between Pakistan and Russia has hit a roadblock, as the two nations are unlikely to finalise a long-term supply deal. Pakistan and Russia had agreed to form a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to specifically manage the import of oil from Moscow to Islamabad. However, due to the delay in initiating the process by Islamabad, Moscow is now reluctant to enter into a long-term agreement, especially with concessions on oil supply.

Israelis hold nationwide protests

Thousands of Israeli protesters took to the streets on Tuesday and blocked highways leading to Jerusalem, Haifa and Tel Aviv as part of countrywide demonstrations against the governments planned judicial overhaul that has divided the nation. The demonstrations came the morning after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus parliamentary coalition gave initial approval to a bill to limit the Supreme Courts oversight powers, pressing forward with contentious proposed changes to the judiciary despite widespread opposition.

Bizmans body found in freezer

The dismembered body of a missing German businessman was found in a freezer inside a house in southern Thailand. Tawee Kudthalaeng, the police chief in the town of Nong Prue, said the body of 62-year-old Hans-Peter Mack was discovered on Monday. He had been missing for a week. The police did not elaborate, but photos and video published by Thai media showed the freezer in the bed of a black truck with a man squatting next to it.
A shocking incident occurred when three warehouse workers robbed injectors from Bosch Warehouse at Infosys Industrial Park, Pune. The incident happened between April 2023 to July 2023. The injectors are worth rupees 31 lakhs 73 thousand 633.

According to the information, the three accused jointly decided to loot the Bosch Warehouse for their financial benefit. When the accused learned that a police complaint would be made against this theft, they kept the looted injectors at their place. Those were worth rupees 31 lakhs 57 thousand 844. Other injectors are nowhere to be found at the moment.

The accused are booked under Sections 381 and 34 of the IPC. The accused are identified as Santosh Gargote (31), Raju Baikar (35), and Sandeep Salve. The police arrested two of the three accused.
Purdue University researcher V. Jo Davisson and CEO Diana Caldwell are the founders of Amplified Sciences, a clinical-stage life sciences diagnostic company that focuses on accurately detecting and categorically assessing the risks of debilitating diseases. The National Cancer Institute has awarded Amplified Sciences a grant of approximately $400,000 to develop a test to determine if pancreatic cysts are benign or potentially malignant. (Purdue Research Foundation photo/Vincent Walter)

The company will develop and validate testing for an assay to improve detection of pancreatic cancer in patients diagnosed with pancreatic cystic lesions

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Health care providers and their patients could know with greater confidence whether pancreatic cysts are benign or potentially malignant, and if surgery is required to remove them, by using a new diagnostic test currently in development.

Amplified Sciences, a clinical-stage life sciences diagnostic company that licenses Purdue University innovations, has received a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research, or SBIR, grant of approximately $400,000 from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to develop the test. The company focuses on accurately detecting and categorically assessing the risks of debilitating diseases.

CEO Diana Caldwell said the incidental detection rate of cystic pancreatic lesions has increased significantly due to the aging population and advances in clinical imaging technologies. However, there is a lack of definitive diagnostics to accurately assess if a cyst is benign or potentially malignant.

Health care professionals need better tools to help them manage these patients and identify individuals most at risk for pancreatic cancer, Caldwell said. Pancreatic cysts are a window to early detection and represent an important risk factor in identifying pancreatic cancer early.

Caldwell said clinicians must balance the risk of missing a potentially malignant cyst with taking unnecessary surgical action to remove a benign cyst. She said retrospective studies have found almost one-fourth of surgeries to remove pancreatic cysts are unwarranted.

However, previous studies have also revealed that when clinicians use a wait-and-see approach to monitor the development of pancreatic cancer, up to a quarter of patients receive surgery too late, Caldwell said. The dual-edged nature of this process highlights the need for better early-stage diagnostic tools.

Caldwell said the NCI grant will help fund important technical and clinical validation milestones, including the procurement of banked patient samples and clinical trials.

The companys pancreatic cancer diagnostic products are based on technology invented by V. Jo Davisson, professor of medicinal chemistry and molecular pharmacology in Purdue Universitys College of Pharmacy and a faculty member of the Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery. Davisson serves as the chief scientific officer of Amplified Sciences.

This award recognizes the strength of our scientific team, the potential of our chemistry platform and the National Institutes of Healths interest in supporting early-stage diagnostics in this disease state, Davisson said.

The state of Indiana is also supportive of startups earning SBIR grants. Through a program managed by Elevate Ventures, the company is eligible for a Phase I grant match of up to $50,000.

Amplified Sciences licenses Davissons intellectual property through the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization.

About Amplified Sciences

Amplified Sciences is a clinical-stage life science diagnostics startup focused on detecting and preempting the risks of debilitating diseases, thus providing health providers the ability to treat patients earlier with better outcomes. The companys ultrasensitive chemistry platform leverages technology licensed from Purdue University, and its headquarters is in West Lafayette, Indiana. Their lead assay has published clinical evidence in pancreatic cancer. To learn more about Amplified Sciences, visit amplifiedsciences.com.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research institution with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities (Times Higher Education/Wall Street Journal and QS), with two colleges in the top 4 in the United States (U.S. News & World Report), Purdue discovers and disseminates knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 105,000 students study at Purdue across modalities and locations, with 50,000 in person on the West Lafayette campus. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdues main campus has frozen tuition 12 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap, including its first comprehensive urban campus in Indianapolis, the new Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, and Purdue Innovates, at https://stories.purdue.edu.

About Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization

The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the U.S. Services provided by this office support the economic development initiatives of Purdue University and benefit the universitys academic activities through commercializing, licensing and protecting Purdue intellectual property. In fiscal year 2022, the office reported 157 deals finalized with 237 technologies signed, 379 disclosures received and 169 issued U.S. patents. The office is managed by the Purdue Research Foundation, which received the 2019 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Award for Place from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. In 2020, IPWatchdog Institute ranked Purdue third nationally in startup creation and in the top 20 for patents. The Purdue Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created to advance the mission of Purdue University. Contact otcip@prf.org for more information.

Writer/Media contact: Steve Martin, sgmartin@prf.org

Sources: Diana Caldwell, diana.caldwell@amplifiedsci.com

Jo Davisson,
Take a look at some of the top trending topics for today, July 11:

Powerball

There were no jackpot winners after Mondays Powerball drawing and the grand prize jumped to an estimated $725 million  the seventh largest Powerball jackpot, according to lottery officials.

The next drawing will be on Wednesday for the massive prize, which has an estimated $366.2 million lump-sum cash value before tax, according to Powerball.

Mondays winning numbers were 2, 24, 34, 53, 58 and red Powerball 13.

But there were still winners after the drawing. Two tickets sold in California and Iowa matched all five white balls, with the California ticket winning a $1 million prize and the Iowa ticket winning $2 million by including the Power Play feature.

Get more info about it here:

Leslie Van Houten

Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten walked out of a California prison Tuesday after serving more than 50 years of a life sentence for her participation in two infamous murders.

Van Houten was released to parole supervision, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement.

She left the California Institution for Women in Corona, east of Los Angeles, in the early morning hours and was driven to transitional housing, her attorney Nancy Tetreault said.

Shes still trying to get used to the idea that this real, Tetreault told The Associated Press.

Read more here:

Theranos Elizabeth Holmes

Disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes has apparently behaved well enough during the first six weeks of her more than 11-year prison sentence for duping investors in her blood-testing hoax to be eligible for release nearly two years ahead of schedule, federal officials confirmed Tuesday.

The U.S. Bureau of Prisons currently projects that Holmes, 39, will be released from a Bryan, Texas prison on December 29, 2032. That would be 115 months, or slightly more than 9 1/2 years, after she began her prison sentence of 11 years and three months imposed by U.S. District Judge Edward Davila last November after her conviction on four counts of fraud and conspiracy following a high-profile trial in San Jose, California, that riveted Silicon Valley for months.

Holmes' prison sentence hasn't changed, but like all prisoners who follow the rules can qualify for an early release under the federal government's good time guidelines.

Find out more here:

***

Get more on today's trending topics here:

Daniel Ricciardo

Vermont flooding

Mikala Jones
Van Houten, a Charles Manson follower convicted in two killings, was released from a California prison on Tuesday, July 11, after a staggering 53 years behind bars.

The appeals court freed the 73-year-old on parole.

Charles Manson Follower Van Houten Freed on Parole

Decades ago, the Manson Family cult plunged the nation into terror with their nightmarish spree of murders. Van Houten, a once-devoted member of this cult, was involved in a brutal slaying. As per a report by BBC, Houten, 73, faced a life in prison sentence in 1971 for her role in the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca in Los Angeles. At the time of the gruesome crime, she was only 19.

But in May, an appeals court ruled that the infamous Manson follower was eligible for parole. And as such, the latest ruling reverses the previous decisions, which rejected parole.

According to NBC News, California Gov. Gavin Newsom previously blocked the parole efforts of Houten. But with the new ruling by the appeals court, he has yet to make plans to bring the battle to the state Supreme Court. He notes that further appeal is less likely to be successful. It is worth noting that previous California governors have rejected Houten's release.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation disclosed that Houten has been "released to parole supervision." In its latest statement, it further explained that an appeals court has reversed "the original conviction and death sentence" of Houten, noting that "she was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole."

Read Also: John Caldwell: 11 Arrested Over Attempted Murder of Northern Ireland Detective

Victims' Relatives Denounces Van Houten's Release

Fox News Online reports that the daughter of Leno LaBianca, Cory LaBianca, finds the latest ruling re-traumatizing.

Cory shares, "My family and I are heartbroken because [we are ] once again reminded of all the years that we have not had my father and my stepmother with us." She further adds that her children and grandchildren never had to chance to meet the late Leno, leaving "a huge void" for their family.

Meanwhile, another relative of one of the Manson Family victims back in the 60s slams Houten's release as a failure of the parole system.

Kate Martley, the cousin of Gary Hinman, which the Manson followers tortured and killed in 1969, expressed her disappointment. She stresses, "Every governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger has rescinded the paroles of the Manson murderers."

However, Martley adds, "Gov. Newsom let the judicial system override his parole power." She pointed out that this would impact not only them but the victims' families. It would also affect those who are fighting against the Manson killers.

Related Article: Charles Manson's Fiancee Calls Him 'The Cutest Thing,' Says Wedding is Still On (VIDEO)

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Central Bancshares Inc. of Muscatine recently announced an agreement to acquire McLaughlin Holding Company and merge CBI Bank and Trust with Southeast National Bank (SENB).

Central Bancshares of Muscatine Iowa, parent company of CBI Bank, and McLaughlin Holding Company, parent company of SENB, based in Moline, jointly announced the signing of an agreement and Plan of Merger for Central Bancshares to acquire the holding company. The transaction is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2023. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Its a great opportunity and an excellent fit for both organizations, Terry Esch, president of McLaughlin Holding Co. and SENB, said in a news release. Our customers can rest assured that there is a strong commitment to continue providing the same safe, stable banking environment that theyve grown to know and trust and that they will continue to receive the same high level of customer service.

The statement was reinforced by Greg Kistler, president and CEO of Central Bancshares and CBI Bank and Trust.

We are excited to partner with SENB Bank, he said. They share our core community banking philosophy: empowered local management and employees dedicated to serving our customers and communities.

Kistler added that after the acquisition was complete, customers would not see any immediate changes and that the bank would continue to operate in the same locations. Systems conversions will take place in 2024. He said it would be business as usual but supported by the financial strength and resources of a larger parent organizations.

The boards of directors and executives of both companies believe that the transaction will create a strong partnership, bringing together two compatible, community-oriented banking enterprises.

Cummings and Company LLC served as financial adviser and Barack Ferrazzano Kirchbaum and Nagelberg LLC served as legal counsel to Central Bancshares in connection with the transaction. Olsen Palmer LLC served as financial adviser and Dickinson Wright PLLC served as legal counsel for McLaughlin.

SENB was organized in 1961 and has total assets of about $337 million. It serves the Quad-Cities market in both Iowa and Illinois and has six locations: Moline and Roscoe, Illinois; Davenport, Bettendorf and Buffalo, Iowa; and Beloit, Wisconsin.

Central Bancshare serves about 40,000 customers in businesses throughout 17 banking centers with locations in Coralville, Davenport, Kalona, Muscatine, Walcott, Washington and Wilton in Iowa; and Brimfield, Buffalo Prairie, Galesburg, Monmouth and Peoria in Illinois. The banks Trust and Investment Divisions manage assets of about $1.4 billion. After completion of the transaction, Central Bancshares will have total assets in excess of $1.45 billion.
A former Moline employee is returning to the city as community and economic development director.

The city announced that Chris Mathias is rejoining the city staff, after working for Scott County, Iowa.

He worked for Moline from 2004-2021 before becoming Scott County's planning director. He served as a planning and zoning technician for the city starting in 2004 and was promoted to property management coordinator in 2009. Come 2018, he was serving as temporary land development manager before departing the city to be planning director in Scott County.

Mathias said when he started working for Moline 19 years ago, he never though he would see the day of being named a director.

"I'm extremely proud to be named the next CED Director and I know there's so much work to be done and it's going to require an enormous amount of hard work," he said. "I'm looking forward to working with the City Staff, Mayor, and City Council to make some great projects happen that will benefit the residents of Moline."

As head of planning for Scott County, he was responsible for enforcement of the county's zoning, building code, subdivision and floodplain development ordinances and oversaw the comprehensive development plan.

Mathias replaces former CED Director Ryan Hvitlk, who moved to the Houston area in June for professional and family reasons. Hvitlk was hired in 2022 and served as the director for a year.

City Administrator Bob Vitas said the city is happy to welcome Mathias back and is looking forward to the knowledge he applies to projects and opportunities underway.

"His institutional knowledge of the city and vast experience in urban and regional planning will be invaluable to the organization and CED department at a time when great opportunities and challenges are underway," Vitas said.

Some major projects Mathias will oversee include the city's riverfront master plan, the Illinois Route 92 tax increment finance (TIF) district, Interstate 74 redevelopment and the SouthPark Mall master plan.

Photos: Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati gives her first State of the City address Monday at Spotlight Theater Moline
A concert by Remnant Fire and Heart of David will raise funds to help local victims of human trafficking.

Remnant Fire and Heart of David, both local bands, will perform from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Main Street Square. A freewill offering will be taken; the funds will benefit Treasured Lives, South Dakota's first survivor-led anti-trafficking organization.

Treasured Lives was launched by Kelly Patterson of Rapid City, who is a survivor of human trafficking. Treasured Lives provides advocacy, support groups, crisis care and peer mentoring to survivors of sex trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation and sexual trauma.

Additionally, the nonprofit organization is raising funds to build the Treasured House, South Dakotas first crisis house for survivors of sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.

Treasured Lives also celebrated the grand re-opening of its nonprofit shop, 2nd Time Treasures, on July 8. The shop, at 309 E. St. Patrick St. in Rapid City, accepts donations and consignments. All profits go towards helping Black Hills area survivors of human trafficking.

Go to treasuredlives.org for more information about the organization and its 2nd Time Treasures shop.
A former airman stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base was sentenced on July 7 to 10 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for explicit conversations he had with an undercover agent posing as a teenage girl.

After a three-day trial at the federal courthouse in Rapid City, a jury found James Dean Hanapel, 22, of Jacksonville, Florida guilty on April 13 of attempted enticement of a minor using the internet.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Viken sentenced Hanapel to the mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release. He also ordered Hanapel pay a routine $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. The amount is required for each federal felony conviction.

The maximum possible sentence for attempted enticement of a minor using the internet is life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Hanapel is one of nine men arrested as a result of an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2021 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Multiple local, state and federal agencies work together on the annual operation.

At the time of Hanapel's arrest, he was a 20-year-old Airman First Class. He began a conversation with an undercover agent posing as a 14-year-old girl named Journey. After sexually explicit conversations, he agreed to meet with Journey in person for sex and drove to Rapid City.

When he arrived at West Middle School, law enforcement arrested him. He was discharged from the Air Force in December 2021.

Of the nine arrested in the 2021 operation, Hanapel is one of two to maintain his innocence and exercise his right to a jury trial  not just once, but twice.

His first trial  held in October 2022  ended in a mistrial when the jury could not reach a unanimous decision regarding whether law enforcement entrapped Hanapel, according to a jury note.

Hanapel's attorney, Ellery Grey, argued during opening statements the agent used "flattery and persuasion" in the conversations, and Hanapel was "resistant."

However, that characterization was unsuccessful when the second jury found Hanapel guilty of the crime.

Stephen Fontenot Jr., 40, of Black Hawk, was the only other to take his case to trial. He was found guilty in November 2022 of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, attempted enticement of a minor using the internet, and attempted receipt of child pornography.

Viken sentenced Fontenot to 17.5 years, 10 years, and five years  respectively. The sentences are concurrent, and Fontenot will be placed on supervised release for five years following prison.

The other seven men accepted plea deals. Six have been sentenced and one is awaiting sentencing.

Alec Walker Daniel, 23, of Rapid City was sentenced in July 2022 to two years in prison and five years of supervised release for attempted possession of child pornography after pleading guilty in December 2021.

Alexander Wayne Basaldu, 36, of Rapid City was sentenced in July 2022 to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release for attempted enticement of a minor using the internet. He pleaded guilty in February 2022.

Joshua Robert Lehmann, 36, of Rapid City was sentenced in July 2022 to five years and five months in prison and five years of supervised release for attempted receipt of child pornography. He pleaded guilty in March 2021.

Jesse James Young, 37, of Box Elder was sentenced in December 2022 to 11 years and three months in prison and five years of supervised release for attempted enticement of a minor using the internet. He pleaded guilty in August 2022.

Christopher Thomas Dahl, 29, of New York was sentenced on Jan. 31 to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release for attempted enticement of a minor using the internet. He pleaded guilty in October 2022.

Anthony Kemp, 54, of Spearfish was sentenced on April 3 to five years in prison and five years of supervised release for attempted receipt of child pornography after prison. He pleaded guilty in December 2022.

Clayton John Paulson, 36, of Spearfish was charged with attempted enticement of a minor using the internet. He pleaded guilty on May 26 to attempted receipt of child pornography. His sentencing is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Aug. 11.
OneHeart: A Place for Hope and Healing in Rapid City recently received a $25,000 gift from First Interstate Bank and the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation.

The donation is part of First Interstate Banks second annual Believe in Local grant campaign. These funds will support OneHearts comprehensive workforce development program, which includes transitional housing, counseling services and job training for individuals who want to get out of poverty and thrive.

We are incredibly appreciative of First Interstates generosity and support, said Charity Doyle, OneHeart executive director. This donation helps us to further our mission of stabilizing lives while boosting the local workforce. Were thankful to have dedicated partners like First Interstate working with us to support and strengthen our community.

First Interstate Bank launched the Believe in Local campaign in 2022 to celebrate the banks longstanding commitment to the communities it serves. Each year, 40 nonprofit organizations in the 14 states First Interstate Bank serves receive a $25,000 gift in support of their mission. OneHeart was nominated by local First Interstate employees and selected from a pool of more than 500 submissions because of its alignment with the First Interstate Banks philanthropic goals.

Giving back to the places we call home is central to who we are as a community bank, said Cyrissa Thompson, First Interstate treasury solutions officer in Rapid City. Our Believe in Local grant campaign captures our core values in action and is the ideal way to celebrate the nonprofit organizations that deliver the greatest positive impact. Were thrilled to have the opportunity to further support OneHeart in its work to make our community a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
The South Dakota Department of Transportation, along with the City of Spearfish, the City of Deadwood, Lawrence County, and the Federal Highway Administration, will hold a public meeting open house to discuss plans for a corridor study along U.S. Highway 85 from Spearfish to Deadwood.

The open house will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at the Homestake Adams Research & Cultural Center (150 Sherman St.) in Deadwood.

"The purpose of this open house public meeting is to discuss and gather input to help shape the planning-level corridor study being performed for the portion of U.S. Highway 85 from Interstate 90 (exit 17) at Spearfish to U.S. Highway 14A at Deadwood," SDDOT said in a press release Wednesday. "The purpose of the study is to evaluate existing and future conditions of the corridor and potential improvements related to roadway conditions, traffic operations and safety."

A presentation will be available for viewing during open house hours, and attendees will have the opportunity to have one-on-one discussions with the study team. The public will also have the opportunity to submit written comment. Written comments will be accepted until Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, and can be submitted either in-person during the meeting or sent to: Mark Lutjeharms, Consultant Project Manager, 2000 Q St., Suite 500, Lincoln, NE 68503 or mlutjeharms@jeo.com. A comment section is also provided on the study website at https://www.us85spearfishtodeadwood.com/.

For those who cannot attend the open house or desire additional information on the overall study, information is available on the study website at https://www.us85spearfishtodeadwood.com/. Meeting materials will be posted to the website on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, for public review prior to the meeting.

"The study team would appreciate hearing from area commuters, concerned citizens, and adjacent landowners and business owners throughout the study period," SDDOT said.

"Notice is further given to individuals with disabilities that this open house is being held in a physically accessible place. Any individuals with disabilities who will require a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the open house should submit a request to the Departments ADA Coordinator at 605-773-3540 or 1-800-877-1113 (Telecommunication Relay Services for the Deaf). Please request the accommodations no later than two business days prior to the meeting in order to ensure accommodations are available," the release stated.
The South Dakota Board of Regents and the South Dakota Department of Education announced this week the launch of a new college readiness website.

OurDakotaDreams.com offers resources to help students planning to pursue a higher education with the goal to provide information and opportunities for students, parents and educators.

People can access checklists geared to their age groups, learn more about the public colleges and universities in South Dakota, and view scholarship information and upcoming events. Student resources on the site include free online tutoring during the school year, information about career camps for seventh- and eighth-graders and access to college readiness coursework. Educators can find information on a leadership program for experienced teachers, apprenticeship offers and access to resources to help students prepare for post-secondary success.

"This site will be an asset to those who want to take their education further than our K-12 system," said Secretary of Education Joseph Graves. "It provides valuable information for students about how to make the most of their middle and high school courses to succeed in higher education."

Other contributors to this website also included the South Dakota Board of Technical Education system, the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, and the nonprofit organization, Mapping Your Future.

This collaboration allows the website to be a better user experience while also reaching past the resources that only one department or school might have, according to the DOE.

"We are so excited to launch this site and showcase the hard work of our education coalition with the students and educators of South Dakota," said System Vice President of Academic Affairs Janice Minder. "The relationships built throughout this process are evident on the pages within the Our Dakota Dreams website."

The website is only one of the initiatives created by the Our Dakota Dreams coalition and is partially funded with federal dollars available to DOE through the American Rescue Plan.
Montana needs more investigators to address drug trafficking, according to U.S. Attorney for Montana Jesse Laslovich.

Our main issue, at least for me, is that we need more boots on the ground for investigating cases, Laslovich told the audience at City Club Missoula Monday. He and Missoula Police Chief Michael Colyer discussed the impact of drug crimes on Montana with a special emphasis on fentanyl.

Laslovich said the Bureau of Indian Affairs is currently grossly underfunded without enough agents to serve Montanas tribal reservations.

Do you think these sophisticated drug traffickers know that there arent a lot of law enforcement resources on reservations? They do, Laslovich said. So its not a coincidence that a lot of those DTOs (drug trafficking organizations) are in Indian Country, because we dont have a law enforcement presence there, or at least not a significant presence.

Colyer said his department has funding shortfalls around keeping its technology up-to-date. Colyer said it is very time-intensive and labor-demanding to just access and collect data.

Technology is just huge, Colyer said. We are constantly working phones and that type of stuff so staying up on the ability to investigate that technology, store that data and analyze that data is forever changing.

Colyer mentioned the department will continue chasing for modernization of technology. New tools like spectrometers now help officers analyze for fentanyl without even opening a package, he said.

Laslovich mentioned Missoula as one of three cities alongside Great Falls and Billings in Montana that have started a pilot program for a federal drug court. Similar to drug courts at state and local levels in Montana, it focuses on rehabilitation for people who plead guilty for drug-related crimes and connects them with available resources and a provider for treatment.

If they successfully complete it, then we rip up the indictment at the end, Laslovich said. So, its a carrot and stick approach. If they dont successfully complete it, then they will continue the sentence and go to prison.

The federal treatment program gets applied more to drug traffickers than people with drug possession charges, but Laslovich noted that many people wind up in that trafficking position because of addiction. The program is expected to continue until midway next year, when they can determine if it is successful.

Colyer noted that concerns around the risk to bystanders of fentanyl powder floating in the air have been largely exaggerated. Nonetheless, he cautioned against hanging around drug users due to the unknown amounts of fentanyl getting mixed into other drugs. Because it's often 100 times more powerful than morphine, the chances of an unexpected overdose with fentanyl are high.

Drug trafficking organizations have been located and broken up recently in Butte and Billings and the Northern Cheyenne and Crow reservations, according to Laslovich.
(Photo : HAZEM BADER / AFP) (HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images)

Israeli protesters conducted a "day of disruption" in opposition to Prime Minister Benhamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plans.

Israeli protesters clashed with police after demonstrators took to the streets for a "day of disruption" as they opposed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul.

Tuesday's latest series of protests marks the biggest weekday demonstrations in the past few months that sought to go against the government's plans. The gatherings impeded traffic in Tel Aviv and caused chaos at Ben Gurion Airport. Others also marched at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem and lined up on Mediterranean beaches.

Israeli Protests Against Judicial Overhaul

Photographs and video footage released by protest organizers and Israel Police showed demonstrators gathered on the streets in various cities across Israel. They went to Haifa, Petach Tikva, Beer Sheva, Hod Hasharon, and several others.

Authorities revealed that they had arrested at least 71 people by 6:30 p.m. local time but later released at least 45 of them. On Monday, Israeli lawmakers voted to strip the country's Supreme Court of its power to declare government actions "unreasonable," in the first of three required votes for the controversial bill to be passed into law, as per CNN.

The bill is part of a sweeping package of judicial overhaul measures that would reduce the judiciary's power. Netanyahu and his allies have called the measures "reforms" and argued that they are needed to re-balance the power structure between the courts, lawmakers, and the government.

However, those who oppose the new measures criticize the plan and argue that it threatens to turn Israel into a dictatorial nation by removing the most significant check on government actions.

Since the start of this year, large protests have taken place in opposition to the plan, which prompted Netanyahu to pause the legislative process in March. This was followed by an unprecedented general strike that shut down most of the country's economy.

Law enforcement personnel used water cannons to clear a major highway that protesters blocked. On the other hand, according to BBC, some protesters tried to glue themselves to the floor by the entrance to the parliament building.

Read Also: Turkey Supports Sweden's NATO Membership, Paving Way to Stockholm's Accession

Demonstrators Clash With Police

Demonstrators were also seen waving Israeli flags, banging drums, carrying flares, and chanting slogans. Video footage also showed a police horse in Tel Aviv knocking a protester to the ground. And in Herzliya, demonstrators burnt tires in the middle of a junction before police pushed them away.

On Tuesday, thousands of protesters gathered at Ben Gurion International Airport at a designated protest area at Terminal 3, the airport's main hub. Some people who attended the demonstration complained of overcrowding and being hemmed in by law enforcement personnel.

In response to the scene at Ben Gurion Airport, officials deployed roughly 1,000 police officers to control the situation. Despite the large crowds, a spokesperson for the airport said that flights were not affected by the protests.

The situation comes as the United States, which has called for the independence of the judiciary to be protected, said that the Israeli government should respect the right of peaceful protest. One of the protesters in Tel Aviv, Ariel Dubinsky, said that Netanyahu and his allies were trying to ruin the judicial system, said Reuters.

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BROWNING  Some people call it a spaceship. Others suggest that it looks like a giant hat or one of the great pyramids.

Visible from any high point in Browning, the new multi-purpose arbor was the talk of the town at this years North American Indian Days celebration.

Have you seen the new arbor? Family members asked each other while waiting for the parade to begin Saturday morning.

I love it! visitors replied to their friends during powwow events.

At 42,000 square feet and made with 368,000 pounds of steel, the new arbor seats 2,400 people in its bleachers and has a capacity of about 4,500 people total. The $9.8 million building, which was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, is shaded with openings for breeze and has turf in the center to provide cushion for dancers.

And its not done yet.

Soon, the building will have additional wings  the northwest side will have concessions, storage, a custodial closet, electric room and potentially an office, and the southeast addition will have restrooms, a mechanical room, storage and another closet.

Inside, the arbor eventually will feature the tribes flag emblem and a stand-up eagle feather bonnet. With heating and cooling, when its complete, the arbor will be available for year-round use and will boast sound and lighting systems that can be operated remotely from a phone.

Ed Kennedy, hired by the tribe as the lead contractor for the project, said he hopes the building will be near completion by next years Indian Days celebration. When its finished, he said the arbor will cover about 58,658 square feet.

Michael Gervais, the arbors architect, called the structure an engineering marvel and said the fact that its a circle is unique, as most arbors have faceted sides.

The original arbor was a circle, and in Native American culture, circles are an important symbol, he explained. But the concept of a circle this big required constant innovation. We had to overcome obstacles to do that, and its since become a guiding project for other entities who want to build something similar.

Located near Willow Creek, the powwow grounds near the old arbor would often flood when it rained hard. But Gervais said in building this arbor, crews raised the floor by 3 feet to prevent standing puddles and flooding.

The old arbor would also sometimes fall down, buckling under the intense winds in Browning. Because it wasnt enclosed, that arbor was typically was used just four days out of the year for North American Indian Days. By contrast, the new building will be used year-round for things like powwows, job fairs, craft shows, concerts and more. Kennedy said it can withstand 120-mph winds.

This thing isnt going anywhere for the next 80 to 100 years, he said.

Even before the Indian Days celebrations kicked off last weekend, people were eager to gather in the new building. Children laughed and screamed as they bounced a beach ball on the turf. Teens sat in the bleachers talking quietly and eating shaved ice, and parents enjoyed the shade as they watched their children play.

Kennedy said he took pride in hiring locals to get the job done. He said he hired at least 72 Blackfeet workers, and each week, he distributed $49,000 in payroll.

That (money) all went into the local economy to local Indian guys, he said. When I was young, I wished someone would just hire us. Construction crews would have a few Blackfeet guys but mostly white guys, and the money they were paid would leave our local economy.

On the Blackfeet Reservation, where the median household income is $36,447, Kennedy said the money made a big difference for families. Because the money was spent locally, he hopes the investment will benefit the community as a whole.

Ive seen this money change lives, he said. People bought cars with it. They got things for their kids. Its huge.

For Kennedy, the arbor also symbolizes progress and sovereignty. By partnering with local businesses, he said the tribe not only created jobs and pumped money into the economy, but also avoided red tape that often accompanies government bureaucracy.

The point is self-sufficiency, he explained. Were showing that to outsiders, but also, were showing ourselves that we can do this. Ive always had a belief that as Piegans (a band of the Blackfeet), we can do whatever we want to do, and this is the first step on our road to freedom. The tribe has something to be proud of.  Something we can show to the world.

While the arbor brought jobs to the community, it also drew criticism from some community members. Some argued the tribe shouldve spent the nearly $10 million in other areas. And others worried that because the tribe isnt required to follow building codes, the arbor wouldnt be structurally sound. Despite this complaint, Kennedy said his crew followed the International Building Code and is compliant with the 2023 electric code. He also said private contractors worked on the building and would not put their licenses at risk by ignoring codes.

Gervais said he suspects the criticism came, in part, because the project was new and hadnt been done before. He said he expected some of that criticism to turn positive last weekend when the arbor was finally put to use at Indian Days. And for many people, thats exactly what happened.

Maliya Eagle Speaker admitted she was among the people who were skeptical of the building.

We couldve spent the money on other things, she said. But its nice. Its a lot nicer than the old one.

Ramona Croff, another community member, shared similar feelings. Seeing it made her change her mind.

We get harsh winters and unpredictable weather here, and now people can be protected from the elements. she said. I like that its year-round, and everyone can enjoy it.

Pamela Bare Shin Bone, who visited Browning from Canada for North American Indian Days, said she was stunned by the buildings beauty.

I love it, she said. Its getting better and better every day.
A temporary restraining order against Republican Senate President Jason Ellsworth has been vacated after his former fiancee withdrew her request for the protective measure on Tuesday, according to court filings.

Respondent has had no contact with the petitioner, an agreement between Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, and his former partner, Lindsey Murolo, reads. Petitioner does not require judicial intervention or entry of a permanent order for her protection.

The order of protection for Lewis and Clark County resident Murolo had been issued by a justice of the peace in early May. That temporary measure, pending a July court hearing, came after an attestation from Murolo alleging that Ellsworth physically assaulted her and threatened her with a loaded gun last October. Her request, first reported by Montana Free Press Monday, also said Ellsworth had continued to send her unwanted communication after she asked him to leave her residence in the wake of that alleged incident. No charges related to the claims have been filed.

In a Tuesday statement released by his attorney, Joan K. Mell of Ravalli County, Ellsworth denied that he had been abusive toward Murolo and that he posed a threat to his former fiancee or her daughter, a minor plaintiff in the petition.

My ex-fiance (sic) unwisely and without representation filed claims against me that are not true, Ellsworths statement said. She prepared her petition in May on her own when she was angry that I still wanted her to return my property after I ended our relationship in March. She has voluntarily dismissed her claims and has conceded that she does not require any orders for her protection, which is correct. I have not been abusive and do not wish her or her daughter any harm. We were there for each other for six years. Sadly that came to an end earlier this year. We are both moving on respectfully.

A copy of the agreement between the two parties, provided by Ellsworths attorney and verified with the justice court, is dated July 11, one day after the publication of MTFPs story reporting the temporary protective order and Murolos allegations. Court records show that Murolo did not retain her attorney, William Hooks with the Montana Legal Services Association, until July 9.

Hooks did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication of this story Tuesday afternoon.

A hearing about whether the temporary protective order should be made permanent was originally scheduled for May 22, roughly three weeks after Justice of the Peace Mark Piskolich issued the original decision. That court date was rescheduled at the request of Mell, the attorney Ellsworth retained three business days before the scheduled hearing.

Murolo filed a handwritten note with the court expressing frustration about the rescheduled hearing date. The note is dated May 22, the same day the hearing was originally scheduled to take place.

I would like to continue my court date hearing to July 17, 2023 at 9:30 am. I am a provider at a doctors office and have a full patient schedule to maintain. When I filed this order three weeks ago I had to reschedule several patients and [lose] my hourly and commission pay, Murolo wrote, adding that she had not been notified of the changed court date.

I was not served and did not receive any notice in the mail. I feel this is beyond unfair due to Jason Ellsworths status being a state senator, she wrote.

The Tuesday agreement, signed by Hooks on Murolos behalf, says the petition is dismissed without prejudice, meaning the complainant can bring a later action on the same grounds.

Earlier Tuesday, the Montana Democratic Party called for Ellsworths resignation. Neither of Ellsworths fellow Republican leaders in the Senate, Majority Leader Steve Fitzpatrick and President Pro Tempore Kenneth Bogner, returned requests for comment.

Ellsworth has served in the state Senate since 2019, and was elected Senate president ahead of the 2023 legislative session. In 2021, he pleaded guilty to a charge of obstructing a peace officer resulting from a traffic stop on a highway east of Helena. Also on Tuesday, Lee newspapers State News Bureau published a dashcam video of the traffic stop, which it obtained following a yearlong lawsuit. The video, which confirms previous reporting based on court records, shows Ellsworth ignoring a state troopers direction to remain in his vehicle and invoking the state attorney general in an effort to be released.
Montana will soon crack down on synthetic marijuana and intoxicating hemp products that have proliferated through regulatory loopholes despite concerns they pose a health risk to children.

The Cannabis Control Division, the marijuana regulatory arm of the Montana Department of Revenue, said Tuesday eradicating synthetic products will be the "biggest lift" for the agency between now and the 2025 Legislature.

"Most of these businesses that we will be inspecting will be glass shops, gas stations, vape shops," division administrator Kristan Barbour told the committee. "Were just going in and making sure they know that any synthetic cannabinoid or hemp intoxicating product is no longer carried."

The substances were identified by the agency in January as the likely culprit in a rash of youth hospitalizations raised by local health officials after the first year of marijuana legalization in Montana.

House Bill 948, carried by Republican Rep. Steve Galloway of Great Falls, established a statewide prohibition on the manufacturing and sale of synthetic marijuana and intoxicating hemp products. Such substances previously fell outside of purview of the Cannabis Control Division, or state and federal agriculture departments that regulate hemp. The result was anyone could sell the products, and anyone of any age could purchase them.

"There's a lot of products out there that aren't being regulated that folks who are being regulated in the marijuana business are really upset about," Galloway told a legislative committee in April. "Not to mention that a lot of this stuff's being sold to underage kids and there's really no control and really no statutes to regulate this."

Galloway's bill passed the House on a, 81-15 vote, and it cleared the Senate 38-12.

"Spice" is a common synthetic product sold in retail stores that fit through that regulatory loophole. Clamping down on such products has previously proven challenging, because manufacturers can change a compound and wiggle out from under new regulations.

The bill defined synthetic cannabinoids as "any cannabindoids produced artificially, whether from chemical synthesis or biosynthesis using recombinant biological agents, including but not limited to yeast and algae."

Further, the bill defines a synthetic marijuana product as "marijuana or marijuana products that contain synthetic cannabindoids."

In an update to the Economic Affairs Interim Committee on Tuesday, Barbour told lawmakers the state's work will be a mix of education and enforcement.

"What were finding out is sometimes people don't even know what theyre carrying, they don't realize their breaking the law," he said. "And so our job is really to educate them and enforce that these products are no longer available in Montana."

The Cannabis Control Division is still in the process of interviewing and hiring for the inspector position that will lead the effort on synthetics, Barbour said.

One of the committee's tasks between now and the 2025 Legislature will be monitoring the prohibition's rollout.




Kathmandu, Nepal, July 12, 2023: Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of the Nepali Congress is going to begin from today at the party's central office Sanepa.





In the meeting discussion on current political issues as well as various issues of party organization will be discussed. The Nepali Congress has organized the Central Committee meeting after about one year.





According to the constitution of the Congress, the Central Committee meeting should be held every two months, but the meeting is going to be held after almost a year, thanks to the internal differences within the party.





Though the constitution of the party has a provision to hold a policy session within 6 months after the conclusion of the convention of the party, no policy session is held yet.





It is said that the meeting is expected to decide the date and place of the policy convention.




Kathmandu, Nepal, July 12, 2023: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's wife Sita Dahal passed away in Kathmandu on Wednesday morning.





69-year-old Sita Dahal, who was being treated at Narvik Hospital in Thapathali of the capital city Kathmandu, passed away today at 8:33 am in the same hospital.





The hospital said the cause of Sita Dahal's death was 'cardiac arrest'. The hospital issued a statement in the morning saying that Dahal suffered a cardiac arrest at 8 am.





Deceased Sita Dahal was suffering from a rare disease called PSP for a long time. She was unable to walk due to this disease affecting the nervous system.





The Prime Minister's Secretariat has informed that the last rites of the deceased Dahal will be performed at Pashupati Aryaghat today.




In the wake of another spate of mass shootings, including in Philadelphia on July 3, in which the alleged shooter fi red randomly at human targets on a city street, perhaps it's time to consider new ideas.

Here's one: California Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to enshrine several popular restrictions on gun purchases. The proposal is practically futile and politically unworkable. It's also a good idea.

Interestingly, given the fantastical odds of gaining support for his amendment from the 38 states necessary to adopt it, Newsom's goals are exceedingly modest. The proposed amendment would raise the federal minimum age to purchase a fi rearm to 21 from 18; require universal background checks; institute a "reasonable" waiting period for all gun purchases; and ban the purchase of semi-automatic rifles, such as the AR-15, commonly called assault weapons.

Gun violence, which is the leading cause of death of American children and teens, is widely recognized as a crisis in the U.S., which has levels of gun violence, including mass shootings, unknown in peer nations. But gun law is also in crisis.

As the Republican coalition has grown more aggressively counter-majoritarian, the party has abandoned consensus positions on controversial issues and increasingly adopted the agendas of its most extreme factions on abortion, LGBTQ rights, environmental protection, conservative Christian primacy, public schooling and other issues. Nowhere is this more evident than on gun policy.

In the 21st century, Republican state legislators have routinely eliminated the most rudimentary restrictions on gun purchases and possession. Meanwhile, the Republican bloc on the U.S. Supreme Court has reengineered constitutional law to reflect the vision of the GOP's extremist gun wing.

In 2008  more than two centuries after the constitution was ratified  the court created for the first time an individual right to bear arms. In his ruling, Justice Antonin Scalia waded through the contradictory flotsam of American history, collecting random stuff that sounded good while ignoring the rest. Conservative Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III (no relation) lamented that the majority's shaky 5-4 ruling was an example of legislating from the bench and would encourage others to "seek to press their political agenda in the courts."

Yet many gun-safety advocates, devoted to incremental progress on a highly polarized issue, tried to accommodate themselves to the ruling, proclaiming that Scalia's muddled decision in District of Columbia v. Heller would nevertheless allow for "common-sense gun laws." If nothing else, states run by Democrats, such as California, would still be able to adopt more stringent regulations and reap the benefits of relatively lower gun-violence rates.

The Supreme Court's newly Trumpified majority has dashed such hopes. In theory, three judges appointed by a twice-impeached and subsequently twice-indicted  so far  executive who was elected with a minority of the popular vote might have cause to temper their ambitions. Modesty, however, is not a Trumpist value. The GOP bloc might as well be a board meeting of the National Rifle Association.

In his 2022 ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen, Justice Clarence Thomas marshaled his GOP peers to extend Scalia's Heller decision outside the home, rescinding restrictions on gun carrying in even the most densely populated areas of New York City.

As Stanford University Law School professor and gun violence researcher John Donohue said, "In turning these states into 'right-to-carry' states that essentially give anyone (other than a narrow class of prohibited possessors) the right to carry handguns outside the home, the Court determined that its judgment about gun policy trumped the legislative determinations based on strong empirical evidence that promiscuous gun carrying will elevate violent crime."

In its next term, the GOP bloc will decide whether to eliminate a "narrow class of prohibited possessors" by permitting domestic abusers  arguably the most dangerous people in the nation when armed  to possess fi rearms no matter how violent their personal history. If the Republican bloc hews to the history standard that it established in Heller and Bruen, it's hard to see how we won't soon have a constitutional right for wife beaters and girlfriend stalkers to wield semi-automatic tools of intimidation and violence. (There were no laws against domestic abusers possessing fi rearms in the 1780s or the 1860s, the two eras that the court has decided should dominate the U.S. in perpetuity.)

With a handful of right-wing judges making gun laws for California's 39 million residents, essentially enshrining Mississippi and Arkansas as the national gold standard, Newsom is both highlighting the policy insanity and beginning the long process of building support to overthrow minority rule.

His proposed amendment is so modest that it would hardly revolutionize gun policy even if it were adopted. The modesty, of course, is the point. If the Supreme Court prohibits even minimal, logical and mostly popular gun-safety provisions, then the preservation of both national sanity and human life requires a more aggressive approach to an institution that has gone dangerously awry. Newsom's constitutional amendment is surely a dead end. But it's also a welcome bid to reclaim government of, by and for the people.
Before Richmond baker Danya Smith appeared on the new season of Netflixs Is It Cake Too?, she was a sculpture student at Virginia Commonwealth University.

I was a visual artist, the 30-year-old Richmonder said.

But when she made a birthday cake for her grandmother six years ago, she was introduced to a new medium.

It was the first cake I ever baked from scratch. I watched 50 YouTube videos about it. I totally went down the rabbit hole, Smith said. Everybody liked it and said I should keep doing it.

Smith kept making more and more hyper-realistic cakes, often inspired by 1990s-theme pop culture, like the krabby patty from SpongeBob SquarePants or a remote control.

Now, Smith is a baker and content creator who makes her living baking crazy-real-looking cakes and shooting short videos for TikTok and Instagram.

She interviewed for Is It Cake Too?, a reality baking competition show on Netflix, and before she knew it, she was flying out to Los Angeles to tape the show, which debuted on June 30. This years season features eight episodes, all available for streaming now, with the winner taking home a grand prize of $75,000.

I had never done anything like that before. It was so exciting and very stressful. It was go-go-go nonstop. Ive never worked that hard in my life, Smith said. The adrenaline was so much. But as soon as it was over, I was like, I want to do it again.

At the beginning of the show, host Mikey Day of Saturday Night Live said, Youre here because youre the Michael Jordans of baking cakes that look like everyday objects.

[Day] was so nice. He made sure to greet everyone at the beginning of the show, Smith said. I would tease him because he was so clumsy. And they kept giving him these giant tools, like a saw or a sledgehammer, to cut the cakes with.

On the show, 10 bakers compete to create hyper-realistic cakes that look exactly like everyday objects. Celebrity judges have to guess: is it real, or is it cake? The host cuts into the objects to reveal whether or not they are cake.

Smith created a giant sneaker, a flashlight, the Mona Lisa and more objects out of cake as a part of challenges for the show.

Smiths storyline on the show is that she is living with her mother while getting her content creation business off the ground. While we do not want to reveal any spoilers, Smith has since been able to get her own place in Richmond.

It was such a great experience. I learned so many new techniques, and I instantly became a part of this community of people who are interested in the same things I am, Smith said.

"Danya was one of those students that...as a teacher I thought to myself, 'Gosh I hope I can keep up with this one, I hope I will have something I can offer her.' She was fearless in a way that you don't often see in a first year student," Valerie Molnar, one of her professors at VCU, said. "Nothing could stop her, it didn't matter what the assignment prompt was - she always had something that was distinctly and singularly hers that she was able to weave around the assignment."

"Danya would absorb process demos, ideas and pop culture with a fluidity and intelligence that would leave me awe struck," Matt Spahr, another professor, said.

Molnar and Spahr now run People via Plants where they create innovative, artistic planters in unusual shapes.

"It was an absolute joy to get to watch (Danya) in 'Is It Cake Too?' The biggest thing that comes to my mind is that this is just the start of seeing her out in the world, it's just the beginning," Molnar added.

These days, Smith is focused solely on content creation. Ill work for days on a seven-second video. But the cake lives on in the video, which is nice, Smith said.

She creates content for Nickelodeon and other brands on social media, with videos of cakes and items inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants or Rugrats. I joke with my niece and tell her I know SpongeBob, she said.

My background in sculpture helped me have that curiosity about materials. I like to make my own silicone molds, Smith said. I use a lot of chocolate and modeling chocolate; its almost like polymer clay. I make a lot of things out of white chocolate, because you can color it differently. I forget that these things are actually delicious.

Smith also creates how-to videos of her hyper-realistic creations for aspiring bakers to re-create.

Im going to keep doing what Ive been doing. I hope my audience will keep growing, Smith said. I love to teach people all these things Ive learned from an art and sculpture background. At VCU, you learn about how objects fit in space. That was really helpful on the show, where the premise is to trick the eyes of the judges.

8 hidden gem restaurants in Richmond Oceano Casa Italiana Liberty Public House Balkan Restaurant The Caboose Market & Cafe Greek Cuisine Hobnob Afghan Cuisine
If youre like me, there comes a moment of truth in raunchy film comedies when you decide whether to fully join in the fun  or or ride it out on the fence.

It often comes in a key early comic scene. Can they pull it off? If so, youll be putty in their hands for two hours, ready to chuckle along no matter how gross it gets (think of that bridal dress fitting in Bridesmaids). If not, youll shuffle uncomfortably on the sidelines, feeling rather like a prude.

In first-time director Adele Lims ebullient, chaotic, nothings-too-gross-if-its funny road comedy, Joy Ride, that moment came for me when watching Ashley Park swallow a disgusting concoction in a drinking contest, pretending all is fine as her insides erupt. Expert comic chops cannot be faked. Park had me from that guzzle (and cemented it later with her Gollum impression.)

Yet the impressive thing about Joy Ride, a comedy that more than earns its R rating  folks, it features a vaginal tattoo in full-frontal glory  is that there are similar moments for each of the four superb actors who make this film buzz along.

Park, playing an ambitious and uptight lawyer, has the trickiest job, being funny while remaining the narrative center, and tasked with making us not only laugh but also cry. But all of her costars  comic Sherry Cola as a cheerfully profane, struggling artist; Sabrina Wu as her awkward, K-pop obsessed cousin; and a fabulous Stephanie Hsu as a soap opera diva  pull their weight in comedy gold. A viewers gross-out tolerance may vary; what unites is the laughter.

We first meet Audrey as a child in suburban Washington state, the adopted daughter of white parents who delightedly welcome Lolo, from a Chinese family, as a playmate for their daughter. When the bolder Lolo makes mincemeat of a white racist bully in the park, the girls launch a lifelong friendship.

Back to the present. Audrey, a lawyer so competitive she demolishes her boss at squash (he keeps claiming hes an ally while tossing off racially insensitive asides), is living in the same hometown  not for nothing is it called White Hills  and Lolo is nearby. Audreys boss promises a big promotion and a move to Los Angeles if she can seal an important deal in Beijing.

Problem is, Audrey doesnt speak Mandarin, so she enlists Lolo as a translator. As far as Lolos concerned, Audreys problems run deeper than her lack of language; she lacks any connection to her Asian roots. What a perfect time, Lolo thinks, for Audrey to make inroads. Maybe she can even find her birth mother.

The plot  outlandish and sometimes contrived as it is  offers plenty of room for comic possibility. And more. Screenwriters Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao explore themes of identity, assimilation and anti-Asian racism both overt and casual  and within the Asian community itself.

Although, the humor is usually what wins out, Audreys trip to see her birth mom has an unexpected result. And suddenly, the laughter turns to tears. How did THAT happen, we wonder.

Well, its easy: Park earned it. They all did.
Dont let Phoenixs steely gaze fool you; hes a big softy on a mission to bring happiness to others.

The seven-year-old alpaca is one of the stars of a special therapy program operating out of Meadowgate Alpacas in Beaverdam. A half dozen times a year the animal therapists are driven to various destinations  primarily assisted living facilities  to help with depression, anxiety and feelings of loneliness.

Numerous studies have shown that animal therapy can boost human emotional and physical health. Simply petting and interacting with animals increases endorphins leading to a calmer sense of being.

Nicole and Stephen Phillips founded Meadowgate in 2018, the same year their daughter, Grace, came to them with the idea for using the animals in therapy. The young woman needed a service plan for her high school baccalaureate program.

We started in Ashland at a local assisted living center, Nicole Phillips says. Once we saw resident reactions and the alpaca interactions with staff, we felt it was a natural fit.

Originally from Massachusetts, the family moved to Ashland in 2005 for Stephen Phillips work. They raised horses for 11 years in town before taking a break.

After a couple of years we realized we missed seeing the faces in the field, Stephen Phillips says. We started researching different animals to raise and decided to check out alpacas.

After visiting a few farms they fell in love with the animals. They moved to their current 10-acre property in Beaverdam because it was more suitable for them. Nestled near the Newfound River, the farm is now a haven for 26 huacaya alpacas, most of whom are confident models who pose for selfies and photoshoots. But only nine of them are officially part of the therapy program.

Copper, Pippa, Rory, Cinnamon and Zendaya are just a few of the farms distinguished therapy celebrities. Some, like Phoenix, have an urge for wanderlust and are happy to travel. Others, like Rory, are more content to stay on the farm to greet therapy guests.

Brownie, the farms first therapy alpaca, passed away a year ago from health issues. The noted diva was instrumental in the program and had a personality well suited for it.

Phoenix is now one of the remaining original therapy alpacas. Hes very into the job, Nicole Phillips says. Hell stand forever, loves hugs and will let pictures be taken. Nothing phases him. Phoenix also serves as a mentor to potential therapy participants.

Knowing which alpaca is right for the program takes time and keen observation. Not every animal is suited for the unknown, Nicole says. There are some who are well-qualified emotionally and others that can get stressed.

One of the best ways the family can tell is by watching the alpacas reaction to visitors. Whether they are wearing flashy party clothes or using a medical device, like a walker, the animals get a taste of something unusual.

A potential trainee will then gradually be introduced to new scenes. We might have them stand off at a distance or next to their buddy at first, Nicole says. It can be a bit of a process to see who is uniquely qualified.

At least two alpacas will travel together for company. And when they get home from a long work day, theyre paid in delicious grain and hugs.

While its hard work, the family strives to expand the free program. Theyre currently talking with numerous places, including The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind. Theyre also hoping to branch out to veteran homes.
Lauren, 35, and Matt Urey, 39, returned to New Zealand to testify in the Auckland District Court on Wednesday in the trial of three tourism companies and three directors charged with safety breaches over the Dec. 9 White Island disaster.

The honeymooning couple was among 47 people on White Island  the tip of an undersea volcano also known by its Indigenous Maori name, Whakaari  when superheated gases erupted. Most of the 25 people who survived were severely burned, including the Ureys.

The court was shown video statements the couple provided police as they were convalescing.

In 2019, the couple traveled to New Zealand from Australia aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Ovation of the Seas. Matt Urey had booked the volcano tour through the Florida-based cruise company.

Lauren Urey said she was concerned by the prospect of visiting a live volcano.

I was paranoid, to be honest. I was really iffy about the volcano months before we even went on it, she said.

She said a guide had assured her that an early warning system on the island would alert them 10 minutes before any eruption. She said she was told wearing a hard hat on the volcano was compulsory but wearing a respirator was optional. She rarely wore the respirator because it was uncomfortable.

She was feeling safe by the time she got to the volcano crater and was enjoying herself until a tourist pointed to the rising plume of the eruption.

I remember my heart just sank and so many people were taking pictures. I just freaked out, she said.

Matt Urey described seeing a huge plume coming up and a large black cloud. He heard a guide say: Not today. Run.

Lauren Urey said she and her husband ran for their lives, then hid behind rocks and held each others hands.

He was just screaming in agony. Ive never heard him scream like that before. I remember he said he was sorry, she said.

I remember me screaming in agony. My body was sizzling, she added. I said: I love you so much. Im going to die today.

She struggled to put her respirator on because of the force of the volcano. She was determined to keep holding her husbands hand.

I was positive we were going to die, and if were we going to die, I wanted to be next to him, she said tearfully.

Matt Urey wept as he recalled checking on his wifes condition as they crouched behind rocks. Both were covered in ash.

He said he helped her back to the boat, lifting her back to her feet after she stumbled and badly burnt her right hand. We couldnt run anymore because the ash was so thick. We were walking as fast as we could back towards the boat, he said.

The badly burned couple managed to make their way from the island. Both spent weeks in hospitals, including at VCU Medical Center.

Lauren Urey said she was given no warning of the dangers of an eruption or advice to wear protective clothing. My husband would never put my life or his life at risk, and I trusted my husband. I would have no reason not to trust him, she said.

Matt Urey said he was not told until they almost had reached the island that there was a stage two volcanic alert level, which meant that parts of the island were off limits. They didnt really explain what that meant, he said.

I thought there must be more steam venting than usual or something like that. I certainly didnt interpret it as theres a risk of an eruption, he added.

Lauren Urey told The Richmond Times-Dispatch in a May interview that she did not think they would make it home safely.

I felt like I was going to get buried alive, she recalled. I thought there was no way we were going to survive this.

Under New Zealands six-tier Volcanic Alert Level system, Level 2 denotes moderate to heightened volcanic unrest. Hazards include a potential eruption. Level 3 is a minor volcanic eruption with eruption hazards near the vent.

Matt Urey said he never would have risked the tour if he had understood the alert level.

I never in my wildest dreams would have gone on that island had I known an eruption was Level 3. We were on our honeymoon, we were just looking to relax. We werent looking for thrills, he said.

Matt Urey said he suffered burns to 53% of his body. His wife said she has undergone around one surgery a month, including skin grafts, for three years.

The islands owners, brothers Andrew, James and Peter Buttle; their company, Whakaari Management Ltd.; and tour operators ID Tours NZ Ltd. and Tauranga Tourism Services Ltd. have pleaded not guilty to all charges. Other tour operators have pleaded guilty and will be fined at a later date.

Each of the companies faces a maximum fine of 1.5 million New Zealand dollars ($927,000). Each of the brothers charged faces a maximum fine of $185,000.

The trial, scheduled to run for 16 weeks, is being heard by Judge Evangelos Thomas without a jury. It began Tuesday and was adjourned until Thursday after the couple testified.
Historic flooding has submerged Vermont's capital city of Montpelier, forcing the evacuation of downtown and the rescue of more than 100 people.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott says the catastrophic flooding has already claimed thousands of homes and businesses in the state.

Vermont Capital Submerged in Floods

According to CNN, the historic capital Montpelier has become the epicenter of this natural disaster, as the surging river threatens to breach its dams and wreak havoc on the city.

A record-breaking rainfall caused the widespread flooding, which began on Sunday. The Winooski River, which runs through Montpelier, overflowed after the downpour dumped two months' worth of rainfall in merely two days. The National Weather Service in Burlington says the city faced a record-breaking 5.28 inches of rainfall on July 10, Monday.

The Los Angles Times reports that the Montpelier officials are closely observing the dam upstream on the Winooski River as the flooding threatens it to overflow. The flooding has caused widespread damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The waterfloods washed out several roads, closing them to the public.

According to CBS News, the White House says the United States (US) President Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency in Vermont. Biden made the declaration while in Lithuania for a NATO summit.

In a press conference, Gov. Scott stresses, "The devastation and flooding [we are] experiencing across Vermont is historic and catastrophic." The governor further put the disaster in perspective. He says the flooding in some locations has already" surpassed levels seen during Tropical Storm Irene."

It is worth noting that Hurricane Irene devastated the US in August 2011, killing over 40 people in various Eastern states.

Read Also: Vermont Passes Bill Allowing Non-Residents To Use Assisted Suicide Program

Over 100 Stranded People Rescued

As the picturesque city grapples with the looming threat of dam overflow, the spirit of Vermonters shines through. Rescue teams have been working around the clock to evacuate residents and stranded individuals, saving more than 100 people.

As of this writing, local authorities say there have been no reports of any injuries or deaths related to the extreme flooding and rainfall in Vermont.

Rescuers in Vermont are trying to save as many stranded residents as possible. The National Guard helicopter crews are working hand in hand with swift-water rescue teams. And so far, Urban Search and Rescue manager Mike Cannon discloses that they have rescued over 100 people.

On top of that, the Red Cross is also gearing up to bring supplies. The American Red Cross of Northern New England's regional disaster officer, John Montes, says they are "trying to find paths to get supplies into them."

Related Article: US Northeast Experiences Powerful Storm Causing Deadly Flooding

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Petersburg police arrested a suspect in connection with a shooting that left one man dead.

Imarion Jones, 19, was charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm during a felony in the death of Kirk Nims, 48.

Around 9:58 p.m. Tuesday, police received a 911 call regarding a motor vehicle crash at the 500 block of Halifax Street. A driver at the scene was found unresponsive inside the vehicle.

The driver, identified as Nims, was found with a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.

While investigating the crash, police responded to a 911 call for the 100 block of S. Sycamore Street. Officers came in contact with the Halifax Street suspect, identified as Jones, and took him into custody without incident.

15 photos of the Richmond City Jail from The Times-Dispatch archives Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail
Richmond Public Schools administration has proposed a new 15-part safety plan following the June 6 shooting death of an 18-year-old graduating student and his father outside of the Altria Theater after the Huguenot High School graduation.

The proposal includes a pilot program at four schools to change the student cellphone policy. Students would be required to lock up their cellphones in pouches during the school day. The pouches would cost $45,000 ($15 per student for 3,000 students), and the funding would come from a U.S. Department of Education grant that provides short-term funding for local educational agencies that have experienced violent or traumatic incidents.

The administration also indicated it will recommend changes to its contract with the Richmond Police Department and changes to the job description for its care and safety associates, who act as unarmed security guards in schools, in order to boost partnership and coordination.

Monday nights proposal and debate is a sharp juxtaposition from the conversation three years ago, at the height of the nations racial reckoning after the murder of George Floyd and after Richmond police tear gassed peaceful protesters at the Robert E. Lee monument. At the time, RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras and several board members recommended removing police from schools entirely.

The shift comes after increased violence in Richmond schools and youth gun violence throughout the community.

The school division is in the process of refining its contract with the Richmond Police Department. RPS Chief Wellness Officer Renesha Parks said the contract is great in its current state, but that there is a greater need for partnerships and to make sure that school resource officers are aligned with the care and safety associates and the administration.

The school division now has 11 school resource officers, who are RPD officers, throughout its middle and high schools, and 68 care and safety associates among all schools.

The current (care and safety associate) job description was written in a time where there was a lot of unrest in Richmond city and across the nation, Parks said.

We really wanted to reimagine what that looked like at the time, Parks said. It has since been three years, and we know its time to revisit it. Times have changed and theyve improved somewhat.

We know race relations are still something thats very prominent across the nation and in Richmond city. But as we seek to do better by our students and by our families, we know theres some tweaking thats needed to the job description.

School Board members, who would ultimately have to approve the 15-part plan, greeted it with mixed reviews Monday night.

Several School Board members met the plan with hostility and called the recommendations Band-Aids.

The policy recommendations include additional mental health personnel and additional safety equipment, like metal detector wands, X-ray scanners and radio equipment.

It seems like this presentation is a Band-Aid right after one incident (in which) we made national headlines and we lost two lives. One student and one parent, Mariah White said. You (were) not prepared for this event. You were not ready.

And yes, our students are not safe, she said. And we all know it. We all know it.

Much of the 15-part plan, including the pilot project to change the cellphone policy, is borrowed from a plan introduced by board member Jonathan Young, who represents the Fourth District. He introduced his plan in May, the day that two George Wythe High School students were shot near the schools parking lot during the school day. His plan was not implemented at the time.

I really commend (Kamras) for having the courage and wisdom to introduce a plan that is so at odds with where the district was at only three years ago, even at the risk of incorporating elements of that crazy guy Jonathans plan, Young said Tuesday. That is leadership to acknowledge what we are doing isnt working and instead propose something thats different. Thats more than I can say for my colleagues.

Other recommendations from the RPS proposal are updated safety protocols, expanded therapeutic options for elementary students and more training for the unarmed care and safety associates.

I see things like metal detectors, policing and other punitive measures as Band-Aids, said School Board Chair Stephanie Rizzi, who represents the Fifth District. It looks like were headed to a dystopian future. I dont want to believe that that is where were headed.

I would like to know or believe that we can address what is harming our students, why theyre acting out this way, so that we dont have to have these kinds of things as permanent measures.
ANDOVER, Vt.  Floodwaters receded in Vermont cities and towns pummeled by a storm that delivered two months of rain in two days, enabling people to focus Wednesday on recovering from a disaster that trapped residents in homes, closed roadways and choked streets and businesses with mud and debris.

The water drained off in the capital city of Montpelier, where the swollen Winooski River flooded streets and basements, destroying merchandise and furniture across the picturesque downtown. Other communities were starting to clean up, too.

With people still being rescued and more rain on the way, the crisis is far from over, state Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison said. Vermonters, keep your guard up, and do not take chances, she said.

Morrison said urban search and swift water rescue teams came to the aid of least 32 people and numerous animals Tuesday night in northern Vermonts Lamoille County, bringing the total to more than 200 rescues since Sunday, and more than 100 evacuations.

Bill Fraser, town manager in Montpelier, said the city of 8,000 shifted into recovery mode, with public works employees removing mud and debris downtown and building inspections to come as businesses clean up their properties.

Similar scenes played out in neighboring Barre and in Bridgewater, where the Ottauquechee River spilled its banks.

Gov. Phil Scott toured flooded areas with Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, on Wednesday, a day after President Joe Biden declared an emergency for Vermont and authorized federal disaster relief assistance. Teams began aerial and on-the-ground damage assessments.

It was too early to estimate the total cost of the flooding damage, but its likely to be substantial. According to to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, even before these floods, this year saw 12 confirmed weather or climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion in the United States.

I think we all understand we are now living through the worst natural disaster to impact the state of Vermont since (the flood of) 1927, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders said.

What we are looking at now are thousands of homes and businesses which have been damaged, some severely, were looking at roads and bridges, some of which have wiped out, and will need basic and fundamental repairs, he said.

Atmospheric scientists say destructive flooding events happen more frequently as storms form in a warmer atmosphere, and the planets rising temperatures will only make it worse.

This slow-moving storm dumped between 7 and 9 inches of rain on the region. New York s Hudson River Valley was hit hard, and towns in southwest New Hampshire and western Massachusetts also had heavy flooding and road washouts.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey got a birds eye view of the damage in a helicopter ride to the small town of Williamsburg on Wednesday, where roads were washed out and some people had to be rescued from their homes.

Much of the water flowed south through Connecticut, carrying debris including entire trees to Long Island Sound. Major waterways including the Connecticut River overflowed their banks and were expected to crest Wednesday at up to 6 feet above flood stage, closing roads and riverside parks in multiple cities.

By mid-day Wednesday, all the rivers in Vermont crested and water levels were receding, although at least one was 20 feet above normal, said Peter Banacos, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Thunderstorms, gusty winds and hail were forecast for Thursday and Friday in Vermont, but Banacos said theyll blow through quickly enough that more flooding isnt likely.

There were no reports of injuries or deaths related to the Vermont flooding. A womans body was found after she was swept away in Fort Montgomery, New York.

About 12 Vermont communities, including the state capital, were under a boil water alert due to the floods. The American Red Cross of Northern New England supported shelters in Rutland, White River Junction and Barre, where the city auditorium had 58 evacuees Wednesday morning, compared to more than 200 on Tuesday.

Many people were passing through to recharge their phones and get something to eat, said John Montes, regional disaster officer.

This flooding was catastrophic for Bear Pond Books, a 50-year-old store in Montpelier, said co-owner Claire Benedict. Water about 3 feet deep ruined many books and fixtures. Staffers and volunteers piled waterlogged books outside the back and front doors on Wednesday.

In Ludlow, a central Vermont town of 1,500, residents focused on reopening roadways, checking on isolated homeowners and cleaning out mud and debris.

The towns water treatment plant was out of commission, the main supermarket and roadway through town remained closed, and Ludlow Municipal Manager Brendan McNamara couldnt begin to estimate how many houses and businesses were damaged. The towns Little League field and a new skate park were destroyed.

Thankfully we got through it with no loss of life, he said. Ludlow will be fine. People are coming together and taking care of each other.
ROCKY MOUNT  Bernice Cobbs always wanted to be a teacher.

After growing up in Franklin County and graduating from high school, that goal seemed out of reach. But in her mid-30s she took a leap of faith, stepped away from her previous career and decided to pursue her dream.

Now, 25 years after taking those initial steps, Cobbs is marking the successful end of her second career. She recently stepped down as a superintendent of Franklin County Public Schools. She was not only the first woman, but also the first Black educator to hold the position in Franklin County.

In her career, she earned awards as a teacher and took on leadership roles as a program director and principal. She also continued her own education after earning a bachelors degree to teach, eventually obtaining two masters degrees as well as a doctorate in education from Virginia Tech.

Late last, year Cobbs announced she would be stepping down as school superintendent after three years in the position. She said it was time for her to retire after guiding students, teachers and parents through some of the most difficult times in recent memory during the COVID-19 pandemic.

My husband has been retired from Norfolk Southern for five years, and we both felt it was the right time for me to join him, Cobbs said of her decision.

In May the county school board hired Kevin Siers as Cobbs replacement. He was formerly the superintendent of Pulaski County Public Schools. He officially started his four-year contract with the school system July 1, as Cobbs retirement took effect June 30.

Cobbs took a long and winding path to leading the rural, 6,200-student school division. She first joined the workforce as a bank employee after high school before eventually becoming a legal secretary for a law firm in Roanoke now known as Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black. She later spent time working in the Franklin County Circuit and General District courts.

Well into her 30s with two young children, Cobbs said she decided to take a risk and try something new. She began taking classes at Virginia Western Community College with the goal of one day being a teacher.

It is something I always had a burning desire to do, Cobbs said.

She earned an associate degree from Virginia Western in only a year and a half and quickly moved to Ferrum College to obtain her bachelors degree in elementary education and teaching. She would later earn a masters degree each from Radford University and the University of Virginia, as well as the doctorate from Virginia Tech.

For Cobbs, college was never something she considered in her youth, but it was a necessary step to become a teacher. While scary at the time, she said her husband helped her to find the courage, and even enrolled himself.

Cobbs said she was not unhappy with her previous jobs before deciding to become a teacher. It was just something she had felt a calling to do.

I believe we all have a calling through Gods grace, Cobbs said.

Her first teaching job was at Boones Mill Elementary School in 1998. She spent nearly six years in the position and was named Regional Teacher of the Year during her time there.

Cobbs said it was because of the people pushing her along the way that she was able to move up throughout her career. She admits she was happy just as a teacher at Boones Mill Elementary School.

My dream was simple. I just wanted to teach, Cobbs said. I didnt have any bigger ambitions.

Despite her goal to stay in the classroom, in 2003, she was asked to be the co-director for an American history grant awarded to Franklin County Public Schools for $465,000. She spent the next two years implementing the grant into the school system.

I think they saw how well Boones Mill had done with Virginia history, whereas other schools were struggling, Cobbs said of the reason she believes she was asked to implement the grant. We had high pass rates.

In 2005, Cobbs was named as the new principal of Snow Creek Elementary, moving into a more administrative role. It was a position she would hold in several other schools including Boones Mill Elementary and Benjamin Franklin Middle School. She was named as assistant principal of Franklin County High School in 2019, which she held until being hired as the new superintendent of schools just a year later.

Cobbs said the move from teacher to principal allowed her to have a positive impact on even more students. Instead of impacting the lives of just the students in her classroom, she was providing the support to teachers to allow them to better help and educate their students.

While she oversaw the entire school in each of her positions as principal, Cobbs credits her staff for each of the schools successes along the way.

A leader is no more than the people around you. I believe that, Cobbs said.

When Cobbs obtained her doctorate from Virginia Tech in 2015, professors there encouraged her to enroll in a superintendents academy. She enrolled to see if that was something she really wanted to do, she said.

When Mark Church announced he would be stepping down as superintendent of Franklin County Public Schools in 2020, Cobbs said she decided to apply. She admitted at the time she thought there was little chance she would be hired to the position.

I was surprised, Cobbs said of getting the phone call informing her she was chosen for the position. Cobbs officially started as superintendent on Dec. 1, 2020.

Cobbs joined in one of the most difficult times in the history of public education, as COVID-19 had forced schools to close in early 2020. She pushed to get students back in the classroom in early 2021.

It was tough, but our focus had to remain on educating our students, Cobbs said.

In addition to school closures due to COVID-19, Cobbs also faced teacher shortages as well as a rise in controversies, such as concern from some parents and members of the community that critical race theory was being taught to students. Through it all, Cobbs said her goal was to address each of those concerns while maintaining a quality education for each student enrolled in the school system.

When schools finally opened back to their full schedules once again, Cobbs worked with the countys school board and board of supervisors to implement a compensation study for teachers.

We will continue to try to be the best that we can be because I believe that an education is the backbone of everything we do in this free nation that we live in, Cobbs said.

County School Board Chairman Jeff Worley praised Cobbs dedication to the role of superintendent. He said no one worked harder than Cobbs on some of the major issues during her time, such as getting students back in the classroom.

She faced all challenges with a lot of strength and wisdom, Worley said.

Worley said the school system was lucky to have Cobbs as its leader the brief time it did. He admitted he was disappointed, but not surprised by her announcement she would be stepping down from the position.

Im going to miss Bernice, Worley said. She was not only a great superintendent, but a good friend of mine.

As for Cobbs, while she is retired, she does not have any plans of slowing down. She is considering teaching part time at the college level as well as spending some time volunteering at a local food bank or maybe even doing some tutoring locally.

Ive been highly blessed, Cobbs said. I just want to give back.
The University of Virginia has made changes to its honor system, introducing new options for sanctions against students who betray the 181-year-old rules governing student behavior.

The change, introduced by the student-run Honor Committee, will move the school from a single-sanction to multi-sanction system, drastically revising the code written in 1842 that prohibits lying, cheating or stealing and punishes such acts with expulsion.

The change is intended to recognize the evolution of honor, according to a statement released by the Honor Committee.

The new system now allows consequences for committing an honor offense to be proportional to the offense and consider the circumstances of the student, the committee said.

We, I think, have taken a phenomenal and huge leap forward in terms of having a more restorative system that students have been asking for, Hamza Aziz, chair of the Honor Committee, told The Daily Progress. I hope students will continue engaging with it, continue buying into it and just see that it is capable of changing. Despite us using the word tradition, traditions can evolve and the honor system is now very, very majorly evolving in our philosophy of what it looks like to be honorable and to be able to commit, but then also if need be recommit.

The previous system only gave students who were found guilty of committing an honor offense one option, according to Aziz.

The system has always operated under a single-sanction system, which by the name, implies any time the student was found guilty, there was a single sanction of expulsion, Aziz said.

The honor system exists to foster UVas community of trust and to hold UVa to the highest standards of integrity, according to school itself. Responsible for the maintenance and administration of the system is the Honor Committee composed of a group of representatives from each of the universitys schools.

The Honor Committee distributes information about the honor system to new students and faculty, creates programs and policies and conducts investigations and trials regarding honor offenses.

Students are formally bound to the honor system in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, as well as anywhere else the student identifies themselves as a UVa student.

The goal of the Honor Committee is to uphold this honor code and more deeply and positively promote this community of trust and this belief that, by signing this honor code ... were committing ourselves to this pluralistic community, Aziz said.

The multi-sanction system now offers four main categories of sanctioning that include, but are not limited to, amends, education, temporary removal and permanent removal, according to the Honor Committee bylaws.

The new multi-sanction system went into effect July 1.

We didnt box ourselves in, Aziz said. A lot of the language includes examples of sanctions, but it says, including but not limited to, just to allow the sanctioning panelists to sanction whatever they think is most appropriate for each specific case, and if it looks like something different that we havent previously thought of, it could still be one of the sanctions, but really, really just trying to be as contextual and circumstantial as possible for each student to see what works best for them and what is safest or best protects the community of trust.

Education allows guilty students to understand the impact of their offense and provides students with the tools to rediscover their evolving role in the community of trust, according to the bylaws. Examples of education sanctioning include, but are not limited to, mentorship, restorative courses and community engagement.

Amends allows a student to repair their relationships and regain trust with affected parties. Actions for amends sanctioning include, but are not limited to, written reflection and remediation.

About 89% of students voted in the affirmative to the system change in spring 2023, according to Aziz.

Its been a conversation thats been ongoing for decades and decades, the single-sanction and the pros and cons to it, and I think, based on the pretty decisive vote by students, its pretty clear that as a community and student body we evolved past the period of single-sanction and rather we want the system for our buy-in to be more restorative, so the committee is very much trying to enact some of the changes and demands and wishes for students that weve been hearing and we are ourselves have, Aziz said.

The Honor Committee operated under the old system, while creating policies for the new system, in the time frame between the multi-sanction system being voted on and when it went into effect at the beginning of the month, according to Aziz. Students reported within that time period were given the option to choose the system under which to be sanctioned.

Any student that was reported after the multi-sanction system had been voted on in March, but before it went into effect in July, every student who was reported was given the chance to put their case on hold until the multi-sanction system went into effect, Aziz said.
In the wake of another spate of mass shootings, including in Philadelphia on July 3, in which the alleged shooter fired randomly at human targets on a city street, perhaps its time to consider new ideas.

Heres one: California Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to enshrine several popular restrictions on gun purchases. The proposal is practically futile and politically unworkable. Its also a good idea.

Interestingly, given the fantastical odds of gaining support for his amendment from the 38 states necessary to adopt it, Newsoms goals are exceedingly modest. The proposed amendment would raise the federal minimum age to purchase a firearm to 21 from 18; require universal background checks; institute a reasonable waiting period for all gun purchases; and ban the purchase of semi-automatic rifles, such as the AR-15, commonly called assault weapons.

Gun violence, which is the leading cause of death of American children and teens, is widely recognized as a crisis in the U.S., which has levels of gun violence, including mass shootings, unknown in peer nations. But gun law is also in crisis.

As the Republican coalition has grown more aggressively counter-majoritarian, the party has abandoned consensus positions on controversial issues and increasingly adopted the agendas of its most extreme factions on abortion, LGBTQ rights, environmental protection, conservative Christian primacy, public schooling and other issues. Nowhere is this more evident than on gun policy.

In the 21st century, Republican state legislators have routinely eliminated the most rudimentary restrictions on gun purchases and possession. Meanwhile, the Republican bloc on the U.S. Supreme Court has reengineered constitutional law to reflect the vision of the GOPs extremist gun wing.

In 2008  more than two centuries after the constitution was ratified  the court created for the first time an individual right to bear arms. In his ruling, Justice Antonin Scalia waded through the contradictory flotsam of American history, collecting random stuff that sounded good while ignoring the rest. Conservative Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III (no relation) lamented that the majoritys shaky 5-4 ruling was an example of legislating from the bench and would encourage others to seek to press their political agenda in the courts.

Yet many gun-safety advocates, devoted to incremental progress on a highly polarized issue, tried to accommodate themselves to the ruling, proclaiming that Scalias muddled decision in District of Columbia v. Heller would nevertheless allow for common-sense gun laws. If nothing else, states run by Democrats, such as California, would still be able to adopt more stringent regulations and reap the benefits of relatively lower gun-violence rates.

The Supreme Courts newly Trumpified majority has dashed such hopes. In theory, three judges appointed by a twice-impeached and subsequently twice-indicted  so far  executive who was elected with a minority of the popular vote might have cause to temper their ambitions. Modesty, however, is not a Trumpist value. The GOP bloc might as well be a board meeting of the National Rifle Association.

In his 2022 ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen, Justice Clarence Thomas marshaled his GOP peers to extend Scalias Heller decision outside the home, rescinding restrictions on gun carrying in even the most densely populated areas of New York City.

As Stanford University Law School professor and gun violence researcher John Donohue said, In turning these states into right-to-carry states that essentially give anyone (other than a narrow class of prohibited possessors) the right to carry handguns outside the home, the Court determined that its judgment about gun policy trumped the legislative determinations based on strong empirical evidence that promiscuous gun carrying will elevate violent crime.

In its next term, the GOP bloc will decide whether to eliminate a narrow class of prohibited possessors by permitting domestic abusers  arguably the most dangerous people in the nation when armed  to possess firearms no matter how violent their personal history. If the Republican bloc hews to the history standard that it established in Heller and Bruen, its hard to see how we wont soon have a constitutional right for wife beaters and girlfriend stalkers to wield semi-automatic tools of intimidation and violence. (There were no laws against domestic abusers possessing firearms in the 1780s or the 1860s, the two eras that the court has decided should dominate the U.S. in perpetuity.)

With a handful of right-wing judges making gun laws for Californias 39 million residents, essentially enshrining Mississippi and Arkansas as the national gold standard, Newsom is both highlighting the policy insanity and beginning the long process of building support to overthrow minority rule.

His proposed amendment is so modest that it would hardly revolutionize gun policy even if it were adopted. The modesty, of course, is the point. If the Supreme Court prohibits even minimal, logical and mostly popular gun-safety provisions, then the preservation of both national sanity and human life requires a more aggressive approach to an institution that has gone dangerously awry. Newsoms constitutional amendment is surely a dead end. But its also a welcome bid to reclaim government of, by and for the people.

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Maybe this was the plan all along: to wait us out.

The strategy is simple: early on, refuse to acknowledge the horrors of Black enslavement. When that no longer works, tsk-tsk that it is too late for a workable reparations process because the enslaved and enslavers are long deceased.

When people point out that institutions, descendants and the nation itself benefitted from slave labor  and that the descendants of the enslaved remain shortchanged  change the subject. Conduct a war on public memory. Appoint a commission.

And if all else fails, wait for people to die.

That is apparently what is happening in Tulsa, where a judge on Friday dismissed a reparations lawsuit by three centenarians who are the last known survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

Lessie Benningfield Randle, 108; Viola Fletcher, 109 and her brother, Hughes Van Ellis, 102, were among the plaintiffs in the 2020 lawsuit thrown out Friday by Tulsa County District Court Judge Caroline Wall, who dismissed the case with prejudice. Prejudice, in legal terms, means permanently, although the word no doubt is hitting differently to the Black ear.

The survivors did not have immediate access to a full order explaining the dismissal  an insult heaped atop a century-plus of injury.

The massacre began when a group of Black men attempted to stop the lynching of a young Black man accused of assaulting a white woman. During the next two days, groups of white people riddled the Black community with gunfire, torched buildings and used to airplanes to firebomb the prosperous Greenwood district neighborhood, once known as Black Wall Street.

More than 1,200 homes were burned or otherwise left in ruins, along with virtually every other structure  including churches, schools, businesses, even a hospital and library  in the Greenwood district, according to the final report of the commission charged with studying the massacre. As many as 300 were killed.

Can you imagine bearing witness to these horrors as children?

The surviving victims were never compensated for their losses. And now, barring a different outcome stemming from an appeal, none of them ever will be.

The outcome in Tulsa pretty much reflects the dismissiveness, or outright resistance, to reparations nationwide, with a few exceptions.

California, perhaps the most liberal state in America, is considering the implementation of reparations for Black residents affected by the legacy of slavery, amid a backlash from its conservative residents. New York lawmakers approved a measure last month to create a commission to consider reparations. These actions have been accompanied by sniping from conservative pundits, according to The Guardian.

House Resolution 40, which would establish a commission to study and develop reparation proposals for African Americans, continues to languish in Congress. And an October 2021 survey by the Pew Research Center showed 77% of Black respondents, but only 18% of white respondents, favor reparations for descendants of enslaved people.

Reparations for the descendants of the enslaved is one thing; what happened in Tulsa, 56 years after emancipation, is something else. Once the historical coverup was lifted, little was left in dispute about what happened. The usual excuses and obfuscations do not apply. There are living, breathing witnesses and victims.

They saw, they felt, they heard, and theyve witnessed and experienced the race massacre, the survivors attorney, Damario Solomon-Simmons, told MSNBCs Joy Reid on Monday. Theyre still here ... We have living people who are saying this happened to me, and no one is disputing that this happened to them. Yet the city of Tulsa, the county, the chamber and the state are saying We dont care that this happened to you. We are not going to do anything for you, your family or the community.

A statement by the survivors read: Despite Tulsa and Americas attempt to silence, change and gaslight the facts and truth about collective racial history and trauma, we as survivors  and all of those that believe in racial justice  we will not sit quietly or passively to allow mistruths or injustice to persist.

That gaslighting was in full effect in what, in hindsight, was a sickening foreshadowing of the judges decision: Oklahomas Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters suggestion Thursday evening that the Tulsa Race Massacre was, well, not motivated by racism.

Asked at a meeting how the Tulsa Race Massacre did not fall under his definition of critical race theory, Walters replied:

Oh, you can, absolutely, historically, you should judge the action of individuals. 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 a race defines a person. I reject that. So I would say you be judgmental of the issue, of the action, of the content of the character of the individual. Absolutely. But lets not tie it to the skin color and say that the skin color determined it.

Let me be crystal clear that history should be accurately taught, he said in a written statement provided to the Tulsa World. The Tulsa Race Massacre is a terrible mark on our history. The events on that day were racist, evil, and it is inexcusable.

Louder, for people in the back! Walters and his educators need to speak clearly and coherently, and reject the muzzling of honest lessons on racism plaguing public education today in states, including Virginia. Otherwise, I will conclude that they prioritize white student comfort over historical accuracy, accountability and justice.

In a nation where the avoidance of debt repayment has become political theater, Tulsa typifies a legacy of indifference to an American atrocity that still traumatizes African Americans today.

In that regard, we are all Tulsa survivors.

From the Archives: Jackson Ward in the 1970s and 80s
(Image: The Star/Faihan Ghani)

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has clarified that the recently proposed mandatory monthly withdrawal will only apply to new members born 2010 onwards, who register with the provident fund after its implementation. Existing members, meanwhile, will continue to be able to make lump-sum withdrawals when they reach their retirement age of 55 and 60.

The first payout under the mandatory [monthly withdrawal] option is only expected to be made when these new members retire, some decades in the future. This proposal is still being refined, and the EPF assures that any decision regarding the mandatory monthly withdrawal option will only be made with careful consideration and alignment with the EPFs commitment to the best future interests of its members, the EPF further said in a statement.

(Image: Free Malaysia Today/Miera Zulyana)

The provident fund also noted that the proposed option will bring Malaysia in line with widespread global practice as many other countries have already switched to a regular payout arrangement. Meanwhile, Malaysia remains one of the very small minority that continues to allow lump sum withdrawals.

For context, current EPF members are also allowed to voluntarily opt in for a monthly withdrawal option if they wish to do so. It was previously highlighted that more than 7,000 members have done so as of 2022.

Meanwhile, the chief executive officer of EPF, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan had emphasised before that the adoption of the monthly withdrawal option will help members to manage their retirement funds more effectively, thereby preventing old-age poverty. The option involves converting a portion of members EPF savings into monthly income, which will then be disbursed to them on a monthly basis. The remaining portion, meanwhile, can be withdrawn as a lump sum.

(Source: EPF)

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Hospital worker remains in custody for manslaughter in patient elevator death

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  A man has been arrested for manslaughter after a six-year-old girl was crushed to death in a hospital elevator. On Tuesday, the State Attorney General released a statement regarding the arrest.

The state agency (FGE) reported that Victor F was arrested for manslaughter in the death of the girl which occurred on the night of July 10.

The FGE said that according to their initial investigation, the now-detainee was transferring the girl to the second floor of the hospital. As she entered the elevator, it began to go up when the stretcher was not yet fully inside.

The parents of the girl filed a complaint with the Public Prosecutors Office against whoever is responsible, they reported. In the meantime, Victor F will remain in custody.

The little girl, Aitana N, was brought to the IMSS hospital by her parents on July 9. She was admitted with symtoms of dengue. On the night of July 10, she was being transferred to another floor when the accidnet happened.

Enrique Urena Bogarin from the IMSS provided a brief statement regarding the accident. He said that on July 10, the hospital reported the failure of the elevator at 1:30 p.m. The outside company responsible for elevator maintenance arrived at 5:30 p.m.

According to IMSS hospital security cameras, a maintenance crew attended to the elevator but did not leave signage to prevent its use, nor, according to Urena Bogarin, did the company notify hospital staff not to use the elevator.

Heavy machinery was needed to remove part of the wall surrounding the elevator so authorities could retrieve the body of the little girl.
Mexican Caribbean records tourism increase with rebound in Canadian market

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  Quintana Roo maintains its tourism leadership as a world-class destination. The state is ready to welcome the thousands of local, national and international visitors who enjoy its natural beauties, historical and cultural richness, reported Governor Mara Lezama.

Governor Lezama says since the start of the year, tourism figures have increased. Currently the Mexican Caribbean is connected to 124 cities around the world, 40 of which are in the U.S., 21 in Latam, 20 in Europe, 20 in Canada and 23 in Mexico.

The recovery of the Canadian market had a considerable rebound between January to April 2023 compared to 2022. Canadian passengers during the first four months totaled 629,822, an increase of 68.4 percent during that same period in 2022.

International air passengers into Quintana Roo registered an increase of 14.5 percent. Figures increased from over 3.3 million from January to April 2022 to more than 3.8 million in the same period of 2023.

Quintana Roo reported a 14.5 percent increase in tourism during the first half of the year. Photo: CGC

Domestic passengers also recorded an increase of 19.6 percent compared to 2022, from 1.5 million from January to April 2022 to 1.8 million in the same period of 2023.

Other figures around the state show an increase in archaeological zone visits. From January to April 2023, visits increased by 32.2 percent compared to the same period in 2022. The amount of visitors rose from 607,579 visitors to 803,034.

Cruise ship activity has also seen an increase. From January 1 to June 25 of this year, 618 cruise ships arrived, which represents 10.4 percent more than in the same period of 2022 with a 73.3 percent increase in passengers already this year. During 2023, estimates show an arrival of 1,150 ships with 3,808,445 passengers.

Ferry passengers along federal routes have shown an increase. The Cozumel  Playa del Carmen route increased by 16.4 percent from January to June. On the Puerto Juarez  Isla Mujeres route during the same period, more than 1.5 million people traveled representing an 11.5 percent increase in passengers.

Although there was significant growth in air tourism to Cancun, in the United States, Colombia, Brazil and the United Kingdom markets, more than half a million fewer tourists were reported between March and May of this year compared to the same months from 2022, reported the Anahuac Tourism Research and Competitiveness Center (Cicotur).

At a press conference, Francisco Madrid, who heads Cicotur, said that according to studies of tourist activity in the Mexican Caribbean, there is a clear slowdown in the aforementioned markets. However, in contrast, the Canadian segment has increased.

The Canadian market has increased in the Mexican Caribbean. Photo: CGC

At the end of May, a 4.5 percent growth in international tourism to Mexico was reported with close to 392,000 additional tourists largely thanks to the Canadian market, he specified.

However, there are reasons for the strong slowdown, particularly from the U.S.

He explained that at the beginning of 2023, there was a significant growth in air tourism partly because in the same months of 2022, people were still dealing with Covid-19.

After Covid-19, people started opting for other Caribbean destinations. Francisco Madrid said some of those reasons for the change include the exchange rate, the return of normalized tourism competition as well as secondary causes such as economic uncertainty and visa policies toward countries such as Brazil.
(Photo : Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Russia vetoes a nine-month extension proposal for Syria's cross-border aid lifeline and instead wanted only a six-month extension.

Russia vetoes a nine-month extension proposal for Syria's cross-border aid lifeline that delivers to rebel-held areas of the latter after the Security Council failed to pass two rival resolutions re-authorizing them.

Moscow's decision comes despite it being an ally of the Syrian government and as 13 of 15 other council members supporting the extension. Following the veto, the United States has accused Russia of an "act of utter cruelty."

Russia Vetoes Extension of Syria Cross-Border Aid

Hundreds of lorries pass through the Bab al-Hawa crossing from Turkey every month, carrying aid for 2.7 million civilians who depend on it for food, shelter, and healthcare. The lifeline has become even more crucial following a powerful earthquake that struck the region earlier this year, killing over 4,500 and displacing 50,000 families.

While the decision of the Security Council means that the United Nations is required to cease aid deliveries through Bab al-Hawa immediately, it is allowed to continue to use two additional border crossings that the Syrian government permitted until Aug. 13, as per BBC.

Additionally, the UN said that its agencies already had pre-positioned supplies on the ground in north-western Syria so that it could address humanitarian needs continuously for the moment despite the veto.

Millions of people in north-western Syria are trapped in the area, the last stronghold of the jihadist groups and Turkish-backed rebel factions. They have fought President Basha al-Assad's government for the past 12 years.

The Security Council first authorized the UN to conduct cross-border aid deliveries into areas of Syria that are outside the government's control in 2014. However, in 2020, China and Russia used their veto powers as permanent council members to stop deliveries via Jordan and Iraq.

On top of Russia vetoing the nine-month extension, it suggested a six-month extension, which was rejected, with only China supporting Moscow's proposal. For a long time, the Security Council has been divided over the situation in Syria, according to Aljazeera.

Read Also: Australia Expands Medical Abortion Pill Access by Making Major Rule Change

Proposing a Six-Month Extension Instead

Most members of the council support cross-border operations, including the United States and the United Kingdom. They have called for a full-year extension of the aid deliveries despite Russia's insistence on only half a year.

In a statement, Russia's Ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, signaled that the aid operation would no longer continue if other nations supported more than a six-month extension.

Following the veto, Nebenzia said that the council should close down the cross-border mechanism if Moscow's draft were not supported. He added that Russia would not accept the technical rollover for any period.

The original nine-month extension proposal was tabled by Brazil and Switzerland and included increasing funding, enhanced early recovery activities, and humanitarian mine action. Brazilian Ambassador Sergio Franca Danese said they went all out to achieve a text that would be as consensual as possible.

On the other hand, Swiss Ambassador Pascale Baeriswyl said that the resolution co-sponsored by her country would have assured the continuation of humanitarian aid by all cross-border and crossline modalities, said the United Nations News.

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ROCKY MOUNT  Bernice Cobbs always wanted to be a teacher.

After growing up in Franklin County and graduating from high school, that goal seemed out of reach. But in her mid-30s she took a leap of faith, stepped away from her previous career and decided to pursue her dream.

Now, 25 years after taking that those initial steps, Cobbs is marking the successful end of her second career. She recently stepped down as a superintendent of Franklin County Public Schools. She was not only the first woman, but also the first Black educator to hold the position in Franklin County.

In her career she earned awards as a teacher, and took on leadership roles as a program director and principal. She also continued her own education after earning a bachelors degree to teach, eventually obtaining two masters degrees as well as a doctorate in education from Virginia Tech.

Late last year Cobbs announced she would be stepping down as school superintendent after three years in the position. She said it was time for her to retire after guiding students, teachers and parents through some of the most difficult times in recent memory during the COVID-19 pandemic.

My husband has been retired from Norfolk Southern for five years and we both felt it was the right time for me to join him, Cobbs said of her decision.

In May the county school board hired Kevin Siers as Cobbs replacement. He was formerly the superintendent of Pulaski County Public Schools. He officially started his four-year contract with the school system July 1, as Cobbs retirement took effect June 30.

Cobbs took a long and winding path to leading the rural, 6,200-student school division. She first joined the workforce as a bank employee after high school before eventually becoming a legal secretary for the law firm in Roanoke now known as Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black. She later spent time working in the Franklin County Circuit and General District courts.

Well into her 30s with two young children, Cobbs said she decided to take a risk and try something new. She began taking classes at Virginia Western Community College with the goal of one day being a teacher.

It is something I always had a burning desire to do, Cobbs said.

She earned an associate degree from Virginia Western in only a year and a half and quickly moved to Ferrum College to obtain her bachelors degree in elementary education and teaching. She would later earn a masters degree each from Radford University and the University of Virginia, as well as the doctorate from Virginia Tech.

For Cobbs, college was never something she considered in her youth, but it was a necessary step to become a teacher. While scary at the time, she said her husband helped her to find the courage, and even enrolled himself.

Cobbs said she wasnt unhappy with her previous jobs before deciding to become a teacher. It was just something she had felt a calling to do.

I believe we all have a calling through Gods grace, Cobbs said.

Her first teaching job was at Boones Mill Elementary School in 1998. She spent nearly six years in the position and was named Regional Teacher of the Year during her time there.

Cobbs said it was due to people pushing her along the way that she was able to move up throughout her career. She admits she was happy just as a teacher at Boones Mill Elementary School.

My dream was simple. I just wanted to teach, Cobbs said. I didnt have any bigger ambitions.

Despite her goal to stay in the classroom, in 2003 she was asked to be the co-director for an American history grant awarded to Franklin County Public Schools for $465,000. She spent the next two years implementing the grant into the school system.

I think they saw how well Boones Mill had done with Virginia history, whereas other schools were struggling, Cobbs said of the reason she believes she was asked to implement the grant. We had high pass rates.

In 2005 Cobbs was named as the new principal of Snow Creek Elementary, moving into a more administrative role. It was a position she would hold in several other schools including Boones Mill Elementary and Benjamin Franklin Middle School. She was named as assistant principal of Franklin County High School in 2019, which she held until being hired as the new superintendent of schools just a year later.

Cobbs said the move from teacher to principal allowed her to have a positive impact on even more students. Instead of impacting the lives of just the students in her classroom, she was providing the support to teachers to allow them to better help and educate their students.

While she oversaw the entire school in each of her positions as principal, Cobbs credits her staff for each of the schools' successes along the way.

A leader is no more than the people around you. I believe that, Cobbs said.

When Cobbs obtained her doctorate from Virginia Tech in 2015, professors there encouraged her to enroll in a superintendents academy. She said her reason for enrolling was to see if that was something she really wanted to do.

When Mark Church announced he would be stepping down as superintendent of Franklin County Public Schools in 2020, Cobbs said she decided to apply. She admitted at the time she thought there was little chance she would be hired to the position.

I was surprised, Cobbs said of getting the phone call informing her she was chosen for the position. Cobbs officially started as superintendent on Dec. 1, 2020.

Cobbs joined in one of the most difficult times in the history of public education as COVID-19 had forced schools to close in early 2020. She pushed to get students back in the classroom in early 2021.

It was tough, but our focus had to remain on educating our students, Cobbs said.

In addition to school closures due to COVID-19, Cobbs also faced teacher shortages as well as a rise in controversies such as concern from some parents and members of the community that critical race theory was being taught to students. Through it all, Cobbs said her goal was to address each of those concerns while maintaining a quality education for each student enrolled in the school system.

When schools finally opened back to their full schedules once again, Cobbs worked with the countys school board and board of supervisors to implement a compensation study for teachers.

We will continue to try to be the best that we can be because I believe that an education is the backbone of everything we do in this free nation that we live in, Cobbs said.

County School Board Chairman Jeff Worley praised Cobbs dedication to the role of superintendent. He said no one worked harder than Cobbs on some of the major issues during her time, such as getting students back in the classroom.

She faced all challenges with a lot of strength and wisdom, Worley said.

Worley said the school system was lucky to have Cobbs as its leader the brief time it did. He admitted he was disappointed, but not surprised by her announcement she would be stepping down from the position.

Im going to miss Bernice, Worley said. She was not only a great superintendent, but a good friend of mine.

As for Cobbs, while she is retired, she doesnt have any plans of slowing down. She is considering teaching part time at the college level as well as spending some time volunteering at a local food bank or maybe even doing some tutoring locally.

Ive been highly blessed, Cobbs said. I just want to give back.
FLOYD  More than a dozen Floyd County residents spoke at this weeks board of supervisors meeting about the true value of the countys budgeted donation to the June Bug Center.

Some had asked the county to rescind the $2,250 because the center was the venue for a Downtown Divas Pride Month drag show June 24 and participated in an earlier Juneteenth event.

The board, after hearing comment on the matter, voted to approve a budget resolution that keeps the June Bug Centers funding intact.

The board started discussing the possibility of re-allocating the funds away from the June Bug Center at a June 27 meeting, when Locust Grove Supervisor Levi Cox made the motion to rescind the funds.

The countys donation to the nonprofit is a part of a matching grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which is being split between JBC and the Floyd Center for the Arts, which also gets $2,250 from the county.

Indian Valley Supervisor Kalinda Bechtold seconded Coxs motion and said her opinion has nothing to do with the drag show and instead revolved around the nonprofits participation in the annual Juneteenth event in Floyd.

I dont like the coloring outside the lines, with getting into the racial equity  thats not the arts  Thats what put it on my radar ..., she said.

The Floyd Center for the Arts also manned a booth at the Juneteenth celebration.

Cox said he would let the motion speak for itself and not discuss his reasons openly.

After further conversations, Bechtold withdrew her second until more information could be discovered about the impact of removing the funding, and without the second, Coxs motion died.

The public comment period of the July 11 meeting was filled with speeches from supporters and opponents of the center receiving taxpayer dollars, particularly because minors were allowed to attend the drag show.

Residents also addressed statements made at the June 27 meeting about the June Bug Centers participating in Juneteenth, which is organized by Floyd Community Action for Racial Equity.

Indian Valleys Deborah Johnson said the drag show was a strip tease show where theyre teaching children how to hand money to these strip tease people 

Im not a bigot, Im not some kind of Bible thumper coming up here  but what Im saying is its not only morally wrong, but it is legally wrong, Johnson said. It is the first step into child trafficking 

Paul Kitchen said if parents took their children, it was their choice.

I believe we all have the freedom and the right to express ourselves as we wish, he said. I do not believe any empowered individual or a governing body has the right or authority to infringe on my or anyones right of expression.

He asked the board if it was willing to bring this cultural icon of our community down, and to vote against the motion if its re-presented.

Michelle Cockram said if anyone was to perform like the drag troupe as men, they would be shut down and be considered sex offenders, as would the adults accompanying minors.

I cant stop what happens here, but Im going to ask for changes to start happening, she said. If youre going to have this kind of event, put an age limit on it, check IDs.

Dave Werner is one member of Floyd CARE that addressed the criticism the June Bug Center faced for participating in the Juneteenth Celebration.

He said the organization hosts the Juneteenth Celebration and the National Hispanic Heritage Month event to educate the public while honoring the full history of how we all arrived here.

Racial segregation, discrimination and slavery are all a part of Floyd County history, while at the same time so is determination, survival and celebration, Werner said. Floyd CARE events hold both of these truths.

The June Bug Center was invited to attend the Juneteenth Celebration to outreach to the greater Floyd community about their plethora of resources available, he said.

L.A. Armistead said she wants to believe Pastor Josh Blankenship and Kalinda Bechtold and Levi Cox had good intentions when they expressed their points of view at last months meeting.

She said she was shocked that anyone would think its radical or political to celebrate a (state) holiday in our local park.

Armistead suspected the June Bug Center was singled out for renting space to Downtown Divas of Roanoke during Pride Month.

You should strive to follow JBCs example and serve all of Floyd County, not just the small segment of very conservative Christians, Armistead said.

Im always astonished when people who loudly profess their faith refuse to extend grace and kindness to people who arent exactly like themselves, Ann Fisher said. I hope youll think hard about making those kind of comments in public because I think it damages Floyd.

Mara Robbins said she has been involved with the June Bug Center since 2001 and oversaw a student-led project that addressed difficult subjects. The students chose bullying, fracking and teenage suicide, she said.

The Trevor Project reports LGBTQ+ youth that live in a community that is accepting of LGBTQ+ people reported significantly lower rates of attempting suicide that those who do not, Robbins said.

We need our leaders to be assertive in their protection of creative expression, she said.

Ciera Saunders, another member of Floyd CARE and the emcee of the Juneteenth event, said she was very disappointed to hear the comments that were made at the last meeting.

I think choices of words should be on our minds as we address the community, Saunders said.

She said the June Bug Centers outreach at Juneteenth is valuable because art is important to how our society works, and the center serves the entirety of Floyd  including the African American community.

Juneteenth is a beautiful celebration within our county, and Im so proud to be a part of this outreach, Saunders said.

Susan Lackey said the world is in the biggest slave trade of the world right now, and that is our little children.

My love for people is due to my faith and the Lord Jesus Christ, she said. We are all sinners; we all fail in the face of our almighty God. But him being our creator requires us to live by his standard and to raise our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

Kamala Bauers said she sees the importance of art bringing in visitors as an owner of Hotel Floyd and thanked the board for always utilizing matching grants when possible. She said she heard a lot of fear being expressed at the meeting and is first and foremost a social worker.

It breaks my heart to hear that everyones so afraid I think everyone in this room wants to protect children, she said.

Stephen Lackey said one photo from the drag show prompted him to speak to the board about what might be done to prevent the situation again.

Here we are in the little town of Floyd, and were coming to a crossroads, he said. We have to ask Are these little ones worth the fight? My hearts broken for whats happened here. Ive heard no remorse at all

Tracy Lovo Quesenberry said her grandmother was a nanny for the McBroom family, and the June Bug Center has played an important part in not only her life and the life of her daughter, but also the whole community.

The whole idea of taking funding from the JBC not only breaks my heart, but it also makes me madder than a hornet, she said.

Quesenberry said she is appalled that the phrase coloring outside their lines would be used for any group, organization, nonprofit, etc. that wants to participate in a community event.

She said the statement is the biggest thing in her life that she never wants to see again.

Stop living in 1923, this is 2023  Theres only one race, thats the human race Quesenberry said.

Five written comments were also read as part of the public comment period on July 11, all against the county funding the June Bug Center.

The motion to rescind the funding for the June Bug Center was not re-presented at the July 11 meeting, and the board voted 4-1 to approve the fiscal year 2023-24 budget resolution, with Cox voting against.
A law enforcement officer will remain in place at each of the Christiansburg town schools.

The Town Council approved the measure Tuesday after a debate had ensued between the council and the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors over the funding for the school resource officers.

The council, on a 6-0 vote, authorized Christiansburg Police Chief Mark Sisson to put officers back in town schools. The council also unanimously approved a cooperative agreement between top town and Montgomery County officials, including Sisson and county Sheriff Hank Partin.

Sisson and Partin have a plan to assign three town officers and three deputies to the six public schools located within Christiansburg. The agreement generally covers the operation of the SROs and specifies the responsibilities of the two law enforcement agencies.

Christiansburg has for years assigned just three officers to town schools.

Sisson said he and Partin will work out details such as exactly which schools their SROs will be assigned.

The council votes brought somewhat of a resolution to an issue that began last year, when the county declined a request from Christiansburg asking that the county provide reimbursements for three town SROs.

The request made to the county has been for $203,000, town officials have said. The town calculated that amount based on nine months, or the typical length of a school year.

The issue became more contentious in January when the town council narrowly approved a measure to eventually end its funding of the three SRO positions, a move that effectively called for those officers to be pulled out of the town schools.

Christiansburg officials called the decision an issue of financial fairness due to local tax revenue the town has contributed to the county over the years. Town council members have pushed back against suggestions that theyre not concerned about the safety of students and staff, and Mayor Mike Barber voiced promises that there will be a police presence in the schools this upcoming school year.

The previous move from the town council drew scrutiny from a number of county supervisors, some of whom criticized the timing of the move due to the occurrence around that time of a school shooting in Virginia that drew national attention.

The majority of supervisors have not budged from their position of refusing to provide funding for SROs employed by the town, with some raising concerns about such a move setting a problematic precedent with both Christiansburg and Blacksburg, the other town located within the county. Other supervisors argue that SROs they pay for ought to be sheriffs deputies and not town police officers employed by another locality.

The county, following Christiansburgs decision this winter, began considering different plans to address concerns and eventually settled on an approximately $405,000 measure to hire three county sheriffs deputies to work as SROs in the town schools.

Some town council members Tuesday said they remain disappointed that they werent able to directly meet with supervisors to go over the issue.

Although the agreement doesnt require signatures from council members or supervisors, Councilwoman Tanya Hockett voiced concerns about whether her colleagues will be able to meet with their county peers on other matters.

While he criticized the countys stance on the reimbursement request, Barber said there are no hard feelings from the council.

Councilwoman Johana Hicks voiced praise for Montgomery County Supervisor Todd King, who has voiced support for the reimbursement measure.

Councilman Henry Showalter voiced praise toward Sisson and Partin for the agreement.

There is value in this, Showalter said.

The agreement states that neither party shall be obligated to reimburse the other for costs incurred pursuant to this agreement.

The agreement is also effective from this month to June 30, 2026. After that period, the agreement will automatically renew from year to year, unless [180] days prior written notice of non-renewal is given by one party to the other prior to the expiration of the then current term of this agreement.

The schools in town limits are Christiansburg High School, Christiansburg Middle School, Christiansburg Primary School, Christiansburg Elementary School, Falling Branch Elementary and Montgomery Central, an alternative school geared toward at-risk students.
The legal roller coaster that is the Mountain Valley Pipeline took another sharp turn this week.

In decisions late Monday and early Tuesday, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued two stays that essentially stop all construction of the highly disputed project, which has proceeded piecemeal over the past five years through repeated court battles.

A three-judge panel of the court gave no explanation in a two-sentence order that idles work crews just as they were returning to Southwest Virginia for what was expected to be the final phase of construction.

Long delayed by legal battles with environmental groups, Mountain Valley was seemingly bailed out last month by a federal law that fast-tracks completion of the 303-mile pipeline.

A key question, yet to be decided by Fourth Circuit, is whether Congress violated the separation of powers outlined in the Constitution by overstepping its authority. The stays will remain in effect until that decision is reached.

To pipeline opponents, a court-ordered delay was seen as necessary to prevent future harm from building a massive pipeline across steep mountainsides and through pristine streams and wetlands.

Congresss unprecedented end run around the courts attempted to forgo proper checks and balances and declare the sinking ship that is the MVP a winner, Ben Jealous, executive director of the Sierra Club, said in a statement.

Mountain Valley took the opposite view, saying it was the Fourth Circuit that exceeded its authority.

The Courts decision defies the will and clear intent of a bipartisan Congress and this Administration in passing legislation to expedite completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline project, which was deemed to be in the national interest, read a statement from Equitrans Midstream Corp., the lead partner in joint venture building the pipeline.

A provision in the Fiscal Responsibility Act  enacted primarily to avert a catastrophic government default by raising the debt ceiling  ordered federal agencies to grant all remaining permits to Mountain Valley and removed the Fourth Circuits jurisdiction to hear any challenges of those approvals.

Last month, attorneys for Mountain Valley cited the law in asking the Fourth Circuit to dismiss two lawsuits that threatened to once again delay construction of pipeline.

A coalition of environmental groups that had challenged the permits countered that because the law was unconstitutional, the Fourth Circuit should not relinquish its jurisdiction.

Although the court has yet to rule on that issue  and did not address the separation of powers issue in delaying construction this week  lawyers said the stays suggest what the future ruling might be.

Under federal law, one of the standards for review in granting a stay requires that the moving party show that it is likely to prevail on the merits of its lawsuit. Other factors are whether the party will be irreparably harmed absent a stay, whether a stay would substantially harm other parties, and whether one is in the public interest.

The Fourth Circuit would have been unlikely to grant a stay, the reasoning goes, unless it had already decided to retain jurisdiction  in spite of what the Fiscal Responsibility Act requires.

In its statement Tuesday, Equitrans said the latest delay threatens its ability to complete construction by the end of this year. We are evaluating all legal options, which include filing an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, the company said.

Any challenge of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, such as the one raised by environmental groups, should be made to a federal appeals court in Washington D.C. as required by the law, Mountain Valley had argued.

However, the Fourth Circuits decision to grant the first stay on Monday came before Mountain Valley had filed a legal brief outlining its arguments.

The stays were issued by Judges Roger Gregory, Stephanie Thacker and James Wynn  the same trio that has set aside nearly a dozen permits issued for the pipeline over the past five years.

Currently before the court are two claims filed by a coalition of organizations that include the Wilderness Society and Appalachian Voices.

The Wilderness Society is contesting a U.S. Forest Service permit allowing the pipeline to pass through 3.5 miles of the Jefferson National Forest in Giles and Montgomery counties. At issue is whether the permit adequately regulates erosion from construction sites that will damage soil and water quality. A stay in that case, which only covers work in the national forest, was issued Monday.

A second case, filed by Appalachian Voices and about a dozen other organizations, disputes a finding by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Earlier this year, the service said in a biological opinion that clearing trees and digging trenches for the pipeline was not likely to jeopardize protected species of fish and bats with habitats along its route.

The stay in that case, which came Tuesday morning, is far more sweeping.

Twice before, biological opinions from the Fish and Wildlife Service have been found lacking by the Fourth Circuit and remanded for additional study. Both times, work was stopped along the entire pipeline until a new biological opinion was issued.

In a letter sent Tuesday to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Mountain Valley said it will refrain from new forward-construction activities while resolving the legal challenges.

Several projects that were in progress at the time the stays were issued, including crossings of four streams and wetlands and the installation of pipe, will be completed by Thursday, the letter stated.

Work began in the winter of 2018 on a buried pipeline that starts in northern West Virginia and passes through the New River and Roanoke valleys to connect with an existing pipeline near the North Carolina line. Since then, Mountain Valley has been cited more than 400 times with violating state erosion and sedimentation control regulations.

Mountain Valley has argued that the $6.6 billion project needs to be completed so needed natural gas can be distributed to markets along the East Coast.

In an analysis published Tuesday  entitled Another Day, Another Stay  Height Capital Markets, an investment banking firm that has closely followed Mountain Valley, said that the companys legal options may take time.

A motion to reconsider, or an appeal to the Supreme Court, are typically slow ranging from weeks to more than a year, Height wrote.

The company has indicated that 4-5 months of construction work remain, it said, and operations would need to resume around mid-July for a chance at completion before the end of the 2023 construction season.
Virginia Tech is amassing professors to start up its new Alexandria campus under construction.

Virginia Tech Innovation Campus is scheduled to open its 11-story Academic Building One in fall 2024, after three years of construction, to replace the schools Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church.

Lance Collins, Innovation Campus vice president and executive director, reported progress to the university Board of Visitors during a recent meeting.

If youre building a campus, the heart and soul of it is to have an outstanding faculty, Collins said. Were a startup and at this early stage, we want to be building off of strength.

He said Virginia Tech is hiring professors whose research focuses on artificial intelligence and data analytics, next generation wireless networking, quantum algorithms and software, intelligent interfaces for virtual and augmented reality, and more.

And more, because this is a work in progress, Collins said, adding that as time goes along there likely will be other areas that emerge.

Search committees are seeking out tenured, senior faculty to hire in a few key research areas including artificial intelligence and quantum architecture, he said.

Weve identified a really strong group, Collins said. Ive started that process of approaching those individuals.

Companies such as Boeing and Northrop Grumman are collaborating with Virginia Tech not only on curriculum development, but also with the Innovation Campus search for teaching talent, he said.

Driven by very rapid growth in our enrollments, Collins said the campus hired four additional computer science faculty, bringing the total in that department up to 16 hires from the initial dozen announced in April.

Once fully developed with two other buildings, the Innovation Campus could host close to 1,000 students pursuing year-long masters and doctoral degrees, supported by 50 faculty in 2029, according to university information.

Altogether, the campus is a more than $1 billion project, according to a figure from the Associated Press.

Curriculum will largely be project-based, Collins said. Rather than a more typical 30-credit degree program requiring students to complete a series of three-hour courses, students at the Innovation Campus will devote half their time to a long-term project.

Theyd be working on the project across that entire year, Collins said. The other remaining 15 credits would come from coursework.

And evaluations of student progress will be based more on competency, rather than on traditional hours of study success measures, he said.

Do you have the particular skills? Collins said. What we want is to teach students technically in the same ways that other degree programs do, but were also wanting to build leaders.

Through projects, students will learn management and communication skills, working with an entrepreneurial mindset on a diverse team across differences, he said.

As we open in 2024, were closing Falls Church, theres a lot of movement thats going on, and there are new programs that will be coming into the Innovation Campus, Collins said. We want to think about ways in which those new programs might want to plug into this project-based education Ive been describing.

Virginia Tech Board of Visitors member Dave Calhoun said hes watched the Innovation Campus gain momentum ever since its inception.

Every step of this path is worth it, Calhoun said. Its not as close as Roanoke. Its maybe a little further away, but we have to work that, and work it as hard as we can.

The board of visitors initially feared that we wouldnt think big enough, on the Innovation Campus project, member Tish Long said.

And so far, youre thinking big enough, Long said. We just encourage you to continue to think big.
CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers.
This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Twenty years ago you called geoengineering "deeply controversial." How has the controversy changed since then?

Back then it was something that a pretty small group of people who thought about climate knew about  and mostly agreed they wouldn't talk about. And that was it. Now it's much more widely discussed. I think the taboo is reduced, for sure. It's certainly still controversial, but my sense is that there has been a real shift. An increasing number of people who are in climate science or in public policy around climate or in environmental groups now agree that this is something we should talk about, even if many think it should never be implemented. There's even growing agreement that research should happen. It feels really different.

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Why was there a taboo against talking about geoengineering, and do you think was it valid?

I think it's well-intentioned; people are right to worry that talking about geoengineering might reduce the effort to cut emissions. I don't think this concern about moral hazard is a valid reason not to do research. There were people who argued that we shouldn't allow the AIDS triple-drug cocktail to be distributed in Africa because it would be misused, creating resistance. Others argued against implementation of airbags, because people would drive faster. There is a long history of arguing against all sorts of potentially risk-reducing technologies because of the potential for risk compensation  the possibility that people will change behavior by taking on more risks. I think it's an ethically confused argument.

For me, the most serious concern is some entities  like big fossil-fuel companies that have a political interest in blocking emissions cuts  will attempt to exploit the potential of geoengineering as an argument against emissions cuts. This concern has likely been the primary reason that some big civil-society groups want to block or contain discussion of this stuff so it doesn't enter more widely into the climate debate. For me the concern is entirely justified, but I think the right answer is to confront it head-on rather than avoiding debate. I don't want a world where decisions are made by elites talking behind closed doors.

" " Solar geoengineering would involve injecting reflective aerosols from high-altitude planes into the layer of the upper atmosphere known as the stratosphere, which stretches between 10 to 50 kilometers (6 to 31 miles) above Earths surface. The idea is that the aerosol particles would reflect a small amount of sunlight away from the planet, reducing the amount of heat trapped by greenhouse gases and mitigating some of the effects of climate change. SCoPEx/Knowable Magazine

Has the amount of geoengineering research increased in the past two decades?

Dramatically, even in the last couple of years. When I wrote that Annual Reviews paper in 2000, there was virtually zero organized research. There were a few researchers occasionally getting interested and putting in like 1 percent of their time.

Now there are little research programs almost everywhere you care to mention. There's a Chinese program that's pretty serious; there's an Australian one that's better funded than anything in the United States; there are several in Europe.

What has been the biggest surprise over the past 20 years in how solar geoengineering might work?

The big surprise has been recent results, including two studies I was involved in, showing that the effects of a global solar geoengineering program wouldn't be as geographically unequal as was feared. What matters for real public policy is who is made worse off.

For one paper published last year in Nature Climate Change, we used a very high-resolution computer model, and we compared, over all the land surface, two worlds: one world where we have two times preindustrial levels of carbon dioxide and the other world where we have enough solar geoengineering to reduce the temperature change by half. For each of the 33 geographical study regions designated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we tried to look at whether solar geoengineering would move a particular climate variable back toward preindustrial levels, which we call "moderated," or move it further away from preindustrial, which we call "exacerbated."

We focused on some of the most important climate variables: change in extreme temperature, change in average temperature, change in water availability and change in extreme precipitation. And what we found seems almost too good to be true: There wasnt a single variable in a single region that was exacerbated. That was a surprise.

In a paper published in March in Environmental Research Letters, we did the same analysis with another model, and we found that with solar geoengineering, everything is moderated in all regions except four. But all four of those are dry regions that get wetter. So my guess is many residents of those regions would actually prefer that outcome because in general people are more worried about getting drier than wetter.

Now, what the model shows may or may not be true in the real world. But if there is a single reason to really look at these technologies and evaluate them in experiments, its results like this that show you can reduce almost all or many of the major perturbations of climate without making any region significantly worse. Thats quite a thing.

How would your planned real-world experiment, known as the Stratospheric Controlled Perturbation Experiment (SCoPEx), work?

SCoPEx is a stratospheric balloon experiment to put aerosols in the stratosphere and measure their interaction over the first hours and the first kilometer or so after release in a plume. It involves a high-altitude balloon that will lift a gondola carrying a package of scientific instruments to an altitude of 20 kilometers. It will release a very small amount of materials such as ice, calcium carbonate (essentially powdered limestone) or sulfuric acid droplets known as sulfates. The gondola will be fitted with propellers that were originally made for airboats so that it can fly through the plume of released materials to take measurements.

The amount of released material will be on the order of 1 kilogram, which is far too small to have any direct health or environmental impact once released. The goal is not to change climate or even to see if you can reflect any sunlight. The goal is simply to improve our models of the way aerosols form in the stratosphere, especially in plumes, which is very relevant for understanding how solar geoengineering would work. We hope to launch the experiment soon. But when and where that will happen depends on balloon availability and recommendations from an advisory committee.

" " The planned Stratospheric Controlled Perturbation Experiment will send a balloon carrying scientific instruments in a gondola into the stratosphere. The instruments will release a small amount of material  likely ice or mineral dust  to form a kilometer-long plume of aerosol particles (left). Modified airboat propellers will allow the gondola to maneuver above the plume (middle) and lower instruments into the plume to take repeated measurements of how the particles spread through the stratosphere (right). ADAPTED FROM J.A. DYKEMA ET AL/PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY A 2014

We know there are health risks related to sulfuric acid pollution in the lower atmosphere. Are there potential health risks from injecting sulfate aerosols into the stratosphere?

Anything we put in the stratosphere will end up coming down to the surface, and that's one of the risks we must consider. A full-scale solar geoengineering program might involve injecting around 1.5 million tons of sulfur and sulfuric acid into the stratosphere per year. This could be done using a fleet of aircraft; roughly 100 aircraft would need to continuously fly payloads up to about 20 kilometers (12 miles) altitude. You would not be wrong to think this sounds crazy. We know that sulfuric acid pollution in the lower atmosphere kills many people every year, so putting sulfuric acid into the stratosphere is obviously a risk. But it's important to understand how much 1.5 million tons a year really is.

The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, in the Philippines, poured about 8 million tons of sulfur in one year into the stratosphere. It cooled the climate and had implications for all sorts of systems. Current global emissions of sulfur are about 50 million tons a year into the lower atmosphere, and that kills several million people every year from fine particulate air pollution. So the relative risk from solar geoengineering is fairly small, and it has to be weighed against the risk of not doing solar geoengineering.

How quickly could a full-scale solar geoengineering program get off the ground?

It could happen very fast, but all the ways it happens very fast are bad cases, basically where one country just jumps on it very quickly. It's obvious that what would be best is for countries not to just start doing it but to articulate clear plans and build in checks and balances and so on.

If there were much wider research over the next half-decade to decade  which is possible because attitudes really are changing  then it's plausible that some coalition of countries could begin to inch toward real implementation with serious, visible plans that can be critiqued by the scientific community starting by the end of this decade. I don't expect it will happen that fast, but I think it's possible.

How does geoengineering fit in with other efforts to combat climate change such as reducing fossil-fuel emissions and removing carbon from the air?

The first, and by far the most important, thing we do about climate change is decarbonizing the economy, which breaks the link between economic activity and carbon emissions. There's nothing I can say about solar geoengineering that changes the fact that we have to reduce emissions. If we do not do that, we're done.

Then carbon removal, which involves capturing and storing carbon that has already been emitted, could break the link between emissions and the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Large-scale carbon removal really makes sense when emissions are clearly heading toward zero, and we're getting toward the harder chunk of the economy to mitigate. And then solar geoengineering is a thing that might partially and imperfectly weaken, but not break, the link between the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and climate changes  changes in sea level, changes in extreme events, changes in temperature, etc.

So if you look at the curve of overall greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, you can think of emissions cuts as flattening the curve. Carbon removal takes you down the other side of the curve. And then solar geoengineering can cut off the top of the curve, which would reduce the risk of the carbon dioxide that is in the air already.

Some people think we should use it only as a get-out-of-jail card in an emergency. Some people think we should use it to quickly try to get back to a preindustrial climate. I'm arguing we use solar geoengineering to cut the top off the curve by gradually starting it and gradually ending it.

" " David Keith envisions using multiple approaches to combat climate change. The red line shows how the impacts of climate change would worsen with a business-as-usual scenario of unabated burning of fossil fuels and other greenhouse gas emissions. Aggressively cutting emissions bends that curve, and removing carbon from the atmosphere offers further cuts, but there are still consequences from the already high levels of carbon dioxide. In this scenario, solar geoengineering would lessen the impact from existing atmospheric carbon dioxide, effectively carving the top off the curve. David Keith/Knowable Magazine

Do you feel optimistic about the chances that solar geoengineering will happen and can make a difference in the climate crisis?

I'm not all that optimistic right now because we seem to be so much further away from an international environment that's going to allow sensible policy. And that's not just in the U.S. It's a whole bunch of European countries with more populist regimes. It's Brazil. It's the more authoritarian India and China. It's a more nationalistic world, right? It's a little hard to see a global, coordinated effort in the near term. But I hope those things will change.

This story originally appeared in Knowable Magazine and is republished here as part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalistic collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story.
COLUMBIA, S.C.  South Carolina revenue agents have arrested a Florence businessman and charged him with one count of operating a business without a valid retail license and one count of obtaining a retail license under false pretenses.

John Carl Curl, 60, of 720 Flint Lock Cove, Florence, operated Florence Carpet & Tile when the business retail license was revoked in September 2022 because of unpaid business taxes, according to arrest warrants. He was advised he should close the business and cease making retail sales until the taxes were paid.

However, six days later, Curl obtained a retail license for the business using the federal employer identification number of another business he owns, and he continued making retail sales, the warrants allege.

If convicted, Curl faces a maximum sentence on the false pretense charge of not more than 30 days in jail and a fine of not more than $1,000, and not more than 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $200 on the charge of operating without a retail license. He has been released from the Florence County Detention Center on a $2,596 bond.
Dalondo Moultrie is the assistant managing editor of the Seguin Gazette. You can e-mail him at dalondo.moultrie@seguingazette.com .
 After serving 53 years, Manson follower Leslie Van Houten released from in California prison | Main | Some more commentary on SCOTUS Second Amendment review of federal gun prohibition in Rahimi 

July 12, 2023

Highlighting new research with encouraging news about incarceration trends

Writing in the Washington Post, Charles Lane has this great new opinion piece headlined "New data show a dire forecast about incarceration rates didnt come true." I recommend the whole piece, and here are a few highlights:

Few data points have more dramatically illustrated the disparate racial impact of incarceration in the United States than this statistic, first calculated in a 2003 Justice Department-sponsored study: If imprisonment rates remained the same as they were in 2001, then 1 out of every 3 Black men born that year could expect to be put behind bars during his lifetime. The figure for White men, by contrast, was 1 of every 17. Hammered home in political speeches, media coverage and activist websites, that projection did much to galvanize public opinion in favor of criminal justice reform. And yet it did not actually materialize. The overall U.S. incarceration rate peaked in the three-year period of 2006 to 2008, according to Pew Research, and it has been declining since then. Whats more, the rate for Black men fell faster during the past two decades than that for White men (and other groups), contrary to expectations in 2003  and to much conventional wisdom today. Therefore, since the 2003 Justice Department study appeared, chances that Black men would not go to prison improved so much that the actual lifetime incarceration risk for those born in 2001 turned out to be fewer than 1 in 5  about 40 percent lower than the oft-cited 1 in 3 figure. This outcome connotes a modest, but real, reduction in racial inequality generally. Amid a national criminal justice debate that often understandably focuses on the problems and injustices that still need to be solved, encouraging data deserve attention, too. The hopeful findings about racially disparate incarceration rates emerge from a study to be published this week in the peer-reviewed journal Demography. It includes such remarkable data as the fact that, whereas 5,159 out of every 100,000 Black men were imprisoned in 1999, the rate had fallen to 2,881 per 100,000 by 2019  a 44 percent decrease. In that period, almost every state saw a decline in its incarceration rate for Black men.... The news gets better. Partly as a result of these positive trends, Black men are now more likely to have earned a bachelors degree by age 25 than to have been in prison: The respective population shares, as of 2019, are 17.7 percent and 12 percent. As recently as 2009, the opposite was the case, with 17.4 percent of 25-year-old Black men having gone to prison but only 12.8 percent having finished college. ... Optimistically, but plausibly, the study argues that the generation of Black men  and, indeed, of all U.S. residents  born after 2001 is facing a distinctly reduced risk of imprisonment. This is because rates of criminal behavior and arrest fell over the past two decades, relative to the 1980s and 1990s; the effects of this trend will likely compound into even lower rates of incarceration as they age. The study acknowledges that U.S. crime and incarceration rates are still well above those of peer nations. Although the Black-White ratio in male incarceration rates fell from 9.3 to 1 in 1999 to 6.1 to 1 in 2019, that unacceptable disparity remains quite large, the study notes. There is plenty more progress to be made, the studys lead author, sociologist Jason P. Robey of the University at Albanys School of Criminal Justice, told me. It might help to achieve that progress if the new Demography study, co-authored by sociologists Michael Massoglia and Michael T. Light, both of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, had provided an account of exactly why incarceration generally, and Black male incarceration in particular, has declined, but such explanations lie beyond the scope of their research. Less punitive enforcement policies on nonviolent drug offenses, as well as other recent reforms intended to limit racially disparate incarceration, are undoubtedly part of the story. And of course continued downward trends in imprisonment depend on preventing crime itself from spiraling upward. The Demography study warns, appropriately, that positive trends are reversible.... Alarming data on what the study labels the incarceration boom supplied one necessary ingredient to the criminal justice reform movement: urgency. Statistical evidence of progress can provide another: hope.

The research article referenced in this opinion piece is authored by Jason P. Robey, Michael Massoglia & Michael T. Light and is titled "A Generational Shift: Race and the Declining Lifetime Risk of Imprisonment."

July 12, 2023 at 12:49 PM | Permalink

Comments

"Few data points have more dramatically illustrated the disparate racial impact of incarceration in the United States than this statistic, first calculated in a 2003 Justice Department-sponsored study: If imprisonment rates remained the same as they were in 2001, then 1 out of every 3 Black men born that year could expect to be put behind bars during his lifetime. The figure for White men, by contrast, was 1 of every 17. Hammered home in political speeches, media coverage and activist websites, that projection did much to galvanize public opinion in favor of criminal justice reform...And yet it did not actually materialize."

How's that? Criminal justice reform rode on a bunch of fantasyland scaremongering?? Goodness gracious!

Q: Who woulda thunk it? A: Anyone who's been following these debates.

P.S. Just to be clear, I personally don't care about the color of those incarcerated, black, brown or white. I care about their behavior. But if a point be made of it, the huge majority of blacks never see the inside of a jail because, just like huge majority of whites, they are responsible, law-abiding citizens.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 12, 2023 3:50:35 PM

Great post. We've witnessed major progress regarding the declining incarceration rate for black men. Conservatives and liberals bear responsibility for harking on the disparity of incarceration between black men and white men. Conservatives push a narrative of black criminality due to cultural ineptitude, whereas liberals push this pessimistic view that systemic racism will forever insure a high imprisonment rate for black men. Both narratives are flawed in problematic in that the former is clearly racist and the latter is fatalist, which can deter people from actually finding solutions to this issue.

Black men born post 1981 face lower incarceration rates than black men born pre-1981. I'll paraphrase the article in that incarceration is no longer a looming shadow for black men, or not a large one. We've come far, but we still have a way to go.

Posted by: Anon | Jul 13, 2023 11:54:52 PM

Great post. We've witnessed major progress regarding the declining incarceration rate for black men. Conservatives and liberals bear responsibility for harking on the disparity of incarceration between black men and white men. Conservatives push a narrative of black criminality due to cultural ineptitude, whereas liberals push this pessimistic view that systemic racism will forever insure a high imprisonment rate for black men. Both narratives are flawed in problematic in that the former is clearly racist and the latter is fatalist, which can deter people from actually finding solutions to this issue.

Black men born post 1981 face lower incarceration rates than black men born pre-1981. I'll paraphrase the article in that incarceration is no longer a looming shadow for black men, or not a large one. We've come far, but we still have a way to go.

Posted by: Anon | Jul 13, 2023 11:54:53 PM

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United States (US) President Joe Biden skipped the opening dinner with NATO leaders in Vilnius, Lithuania on Tuesday, July 11.

A White House official cited the busy schedule of the President of the United States (POTUS).

Joe Biden Skips NATO Opening Dinner in Lithuania

Biden raised eyebrows when he skipped the opening dinner with fellow leaders in Lithuania.

According to The Independent, President Biden was nowhere to be found during the opening dinner with NATO leaders. Instead, the POTUS went back to his Lithuania hotel on Tuesday night.

As per a report by The New York Post, Secretary of State Anthony Bilken attended the NATO dinner.

Before he head back to his accommodation, Biden still cracked jokes with other NATO leaders at the key summit in Vilnius earlier in the day. He spoke with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, joking that Defense Secretary Llyod Austin "alone" could protect the entire NATO.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, together with his wife Olena, attended the fight night of the summit. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and French President Emmanual Macron were also present.

Read Also: Al Sharpton Defends Joe Biden's Abrupt Exit at Live MSNBC Interview

White House Explains Biden's Absence

Biden's decision to skip the dinner has drawn criticism, with some observers suggesting that the 80-year-old leader showed a lack of commitment to NATO. However, the White House has defended Biden's decision.

When asked why Biden skipped the opening dinner with other world leaders, a US official cited the busy schedule of the 80-year-old President in the next four days. Besides his packed agenda, he is preparing himself for a "big speech."

A White House official revealed that Biden had to return to his accommodation since he still "has four full days of official business and is preparing for a big speech tomorrow." On top of that, the President is also gearing up for "another day at the summit."

Biden will deliver a speech on Wednesday, in which he is expected to reaffirm the United States' commitment to NATO and Ukraine. He could likely discuss the security situation in Europe and the need to strengthen NATO's defenses as well.

Later on, as the Daily Mail UK reports, the White House revealed that Biden was still busy doing his work when he got back to his accommodation.

The President reportedly made a string of phone calls, speaking with Vermont Governor Phil Scott amid the widespread flooding in the state. He also talked with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and Senator Bernie Sanders regarding "his commitment to deliver federal assistance needed to help respond to severe flooding."

Related Article: Biden Expresses 'Full Support' for Sweden's NATO Bid, Hosts Prime Minister at White House

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SIOUX CITY  An Anthon, Iowa, man has been sentenced to 10.5 years in federal prison for selling methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl.

Brett Sauser, 38, pleaded guilty in February in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to single counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine within a protected location.

court stock art A judge's gavel rests on a book of law. (Dreamstime/TNS)

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Sauser, who lived within 1,000 feet of Memorial Park and Anthon Elementary School, used the dark web to buy the drugs and had them delivered to his home by the U.S. Postal Service from January 2019 through August 2022.

In August, authorities executed a search warrant at Sauser's residence and seized three baggies of meth, plus small amounts of heroin, ketamine, LSD, marijuana, ecstasy and other drugs and drug paraphernalia.
SOUTH SIOUX CITY  The Siouxland Federal Credit Union and the Midwest Community Credit Union are merging, the two financial institutions announced Monday.

The combined organization will bear the Siouxland Federal Credit Union name and will be headquartered in South Sioux City, according to a press release. The merger has been approved by regulators; members of Midwest Community Credit Union approved the deal at a special meeting July 6, according to a notice on Midwest Community's website. Of 201 ballots cast, 174 members favored the merger, while 27 were against it.

The merger will be final July 31. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Midwest Community account-holders will see no immediate changes to their accounts, according to the credit union's website.

327 Dakota Dunes Blvd Siouxland Federal Credit Union's Dakota Dunes branch is shown. Midwest Community Credit Union is merging with Siouxland Federal, the financial

In terms of the number of branches and the number of members, Siouxland Federal Credit Union is by far the larger of the two institutions, with six branches in the tri-state metro area and more than 20,000 members before the merger. Midwest Community Credit Union has one branch, on Old S. Palmetto Street in Morningside.

The combined credit union will have six branches, according to the press release, and nearly 25,000 members. It will have assets of approximately $300 million.

The sole Midwest Community Credit Union branch may face closure, but it will remain open at least until the early fall.

"We anticipate that Midwests branch would remain open through system integration, which is anticipated to be the end of September, 2023. We will provide additional communication to guide you through this process, as we get closer to this future date. Once legally combined, you will have access to Siouxlands 6 existing branches, 4 of which are local to us in Sioux City," Midwest Community Credit Union's website said.

Joel Steenhoven, the head of Siouxland Federal Credit Union, will be president and CEO of the new Siouxland Federal. Paddy Friedrichsen, president and CEO of Midwest Community Credit Union, will continue her service until she retires later this year, according to the press release.

Midwest Community Credit Union is the older of the two credit unions: It was founded in 1956 as I.P.S. Credit Union. Its initial headquarters was the residence of its founder. It was later moved to a basement, then to a violin shop. The credit union eventually got its own building.

Siouxland Federal Credit Union was founded in 1967 as a Nebraska state-chartered credit union. The credit union was federally chartered in 1988.
Welcome to this magnificent custom built home in beautiful Dakota Dunes. This prime property sits right on the 11th hole of the Dakota Dunes golf course over looking the creek. As you walk into the grand entry way you'll find 19 foot ceilings and floor to ceiling stone gas fireplace in the living room. The west wall is covered with windows showing the beautiful back yard. Entering into the open kitchen, you see custom cherry cabinets and granite counter tops, along with a large granite island and raised bar for unlimited seating. Just steps away is the dining~room surrounded by windows. There are stainless steel appliances and a 6~burner gas stove, built in oven and microwave. Just off the kitchen is an office and the entrance to the back multi~leveled deck. Next to the office you'll find the main floor laundry with ample cabinet space, sink and counter area. You will see the entry with tons of space and storage for coats and shoes which leads right into one of the 2 large garages. Traveling through the other side of the kitchen you will find a coffee nook and a formal dining room. The master bedroom has a coffered ceiling with plenty of room for a reading area. You also find a double walk in closet, large bathroom with separate sinks, a large soaking tub and walk in tile shower. As you enter the basement you will find another full kitchen with granite counters and bar seating, unique wood inserted coffered ceilings, ceiling fan, and recessed lighting. Off of the kitchen is a dining room to one side and a family room to the other with large windows for that extra natural light. There is also a work out\dance area with fully mirrored wall and lighting. You will find an exquisite bathroom with stone wall, glass sink and walk in shower. There are 2 additional bedrooms as well. As you travel up to the top level you will walk up the majestic stairway that has a balcony overlooking the spacious living room. There are 2 additional bedrooms and a full bathroom...

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DETROIT  Whenever the United Auto Workers union begins negotiating a new contract with Detroit's three automakers, strike threats are typically heard on the floor of the old Chrysler transmission plant in Kokomo, Indiana.

This year, the talk is a little louder.

Besides the usual haggling over wages, pensions and health care, the union set its sights on a more consequential goal: to secure a foothold in the joint-venture plants that will manufacture electric vehicle batteries.

As the industry undergoes a historic transition from internal combustion engines to EVs, automakers likely will need many thousands of workers to staff electric-battery plants. The UAW, representing 146,000 employees of the automakers, sees this year's contract as a crucial opportunity to ensure representation in the industry's jobs of the future.

"I've got almost 30 years in, and this contract seems a little different," said Michael Hunter, a tool inspector who fixes gauges on the Kokomo plant's equipment. "I think it's a very strong possibility of a strike."

Contract talks will begin this week between the union and two of the automakers, Ford and Stellantis, a company formed from the 2021 merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA Peugeot. Negotiations with the largest U.S. automaker, General Motors, start next week.

Four-year contracts between the union and the companies will expire at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 14.

There are signs the talks will be more contentious than usual.

The negotiations will be the first big test for Shawn Fain, who took office this year as the first UAW president to be chosen by members' direct vote. Fain, who himself began his career in Kokomo  as an electrician at a Chrysler metal casting plant  laid the groundwork for the union's position: He said the UAW will seek general pay raises, the elimination of wage tiers and the restoration of cost-of-living pay and pensions for new hires that were eliminated years ago when the automakers were struggling financially.

He also wants to halt any plant closings in the wake of Stellantis' plan to shutter a factory in Belvidere, Illinois, to cut costs. Paramount to Fain is getting a foot in the door at battery plants and then securing wages that exceed the top assembly-line wage of $32 an hour now paid at UAW-represented plants.

"A new industry is being born," Fain said in a video message to UAW members. "This is our defining moment. Our communities and our country deserve good, safe, living-wage union jobs."

All three automakers announced plans to build joint-venture factories with battery companies in Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee. Once gas-powered vehicles are phased out, the union sees these plants as places where the automakers will move thousands of workers who now make engines and transmissions. Industry analysts expect EV sales to surge from 7% of U.S. new-vehicle sales to about 40% by 2030.

Because EVs are simpler to build, it takes as many as 40% fewer workers to produce them.

Harley Shaiken, a professor emeritus specializing in labor at the University of California Berkeley, suggested the industry is undergoing a seismic shift akin to the introduction of the moving assembly line, with new competitors and huge capital outlays for EVs.

The companies, he noted, are investing billions while initially losing money on EVs as continuing work on combustion engines pays the bills. Though the automakers don't want a strike, Shaiken said, they're determined to contain battery costs, including wages, to remain competitive with nonunion companies.

"They are likely to take a hard line on key issues like the battery plants and the other issues like getting rid of second-tier wages," he said.

Already, workers voted to join the union at GM's Ultium Cells plant near Warren, Ohio, a joint venture with LG Energy Solution. The union says the plant is paying just $16.50 per hour to start, with a top wage of about $20 after seven years. That's far lower than UAW production workers make. Contract negotiations at the plant are underway.

"That is a race to the bottom," Fain said of the pay. "These should be higher wages than our production standards, not lower."

Ahead of the talks, Fain's messaging has been much more combative than in years past, when union leaders generally avoided speculating about strikes. Seeking to place the burden on the automakers, Fain argued any strike would ultimately be caused by the companies themselves, which collectively generated net income of more than $164 billion over the past decade. Last month, Fain suggested workers were in a position to score major gains "but only if our members get organized and are ready to strike."

The companies generally contend their wages, profit sharing, health care and other benefits are the best in the industry. In addition, executives argued that they're under huge financial pressure to develop electric vehicles and pay billions for EV and battery factories.

"What the companies are not going to want to do is to, in the electrification facilities that they're developing, have to pay labor costs that are uncompetitive," said Marick Masters, a business professor at Wayne State University in Detroit.

Masters suggested Fain will have to navigate a lot of "cross-currents" in the union after his March election in the aftermath of a federal bribery and embezzlement scandal that ensnared multiple union leaders. Workers in some other industries won big contracts, at times rejecting agreements negotiated by their leaders.

Americans can get $7,500 off these EVs this yearis it enough to sway consumers? Americans can get $7,500 off these EVs this yearis it enough to sway consumers? Slim selection
Sarah and Jereme Jones, with son Noah in the back, at the start of their two-year adventure. Noah went on their early trips but then became busy with school at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Lets get this out of the way up front: Napoleon Bonaparte was not short. Most contemporary sources put him at about 5-foot-6, typical of the average 19th-century Frenchman. He earned that apocryphal diminutive reputation from an English newspaper cartoonist named James Gillray at the dawn of the Napoleonic Wars. Gillray portrayed the emperor as a stormy, teensy-tiny toddlerflipping tables, stomping his feeta likeness that swiftly became canonized across the world.

All of this is to say that the dimensions of Joaquin Phoenix (5-foot-8) fit neatly into a historically authentic Bonapartian silhouette, which is surely why Ridley Scott tapped him to play the leading man in the forthcoming epic Napoleon. What is less clear is whether or not Napoleon possessed the striking movie-star good looksand almost uncanny facial symmetryof someone like Phoenix. Scott certainly seems intent on making us think so. The first trailer for the film was released on Monday, giving us an initial taste of Joaquin in full Grande Armee regalia. I watched it over and over again, stuck on the same burning question. Wait a minute, am I supposed to think that Napoleon was hot?

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Much of the dramatic tension in Scotts film centers around Napoleons careening, volatile enchantment with his first wife, Josephine de Beauharnaisplayed here by another stunning movie star, Vanessa Kirby. Interstitial text flashes across the trailer, announcing that we will come in close contact with three flavors of Napoleon: the Tyrant, the Emperor, and, yes, the Lover. That last bit is accompanied by quick cuts of the generals candlelit bedchamber, where he tosses his bicorn to the ground and hungrily necks his beloved in what seems to be the beginning of a sex scene. Its clear that Ridley Scott is trying to make a romance here, blending tactical counter-flanking maneuvers and sensuous ballroom flirtations into a chimerical box-office smash. (I think it is fair to call it Barbie for boys.) Phoenix is more than capable of playing the romantic lead, but is there any truth to this depiction of Napoleon as a Hot Slut? Did the man from Corsica really have that much sex appeal beyond wanton, vainglorious power? The answer is more complicated than you think.

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From his adolescence until about age 27, in 1796, most people considered him fairly unattractive, said David A. Bell, a historian at Princeton who has written a biography about Napoleon, and who agreed to respond to my facile questions. Many described him as scrawny, sallow-skinned, greasy-haired, messy.

Bells characterization lines up with many of the firsthand accounts of Napoleons presentation. The man was not exactly an Adonis, which often confused the conquered Europeans in his wake who expected some sort of sumptuous, Alexander the Greatesque runway-model-cum-warrior when he finally showed his face. A Russian major named Baron von Lowerstern who met Napoleon personally in 1809 noted that he did not make the impression on me that I anticipated, and said that he found the emperor to be more corpulent than he is usually portrayed, with a gait that was hardly gracious, his manner lacking honor. (Again, its always difficult to know how much anyone can read into these foreign depictions of Napoleon, given how many enemies he made during his brief dominion over Europe.)

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That aside, Bell asserts that Napoleon experienced something of a glow-up after meeting and marrying Josephine (and accruing an ungodly amount of wealth and influence). He cleaned up pretty good, said Bell. This is when you get some of the great paintings, and even allowing for artistic license, its clear he was at least conventionally attractive. You see where Bell is coming from when you pore through the gallery. The classic Bonaparte at the Pont dArcole, rendered by Antoine-Jean Gros in 1796 when Napoleon was 27 years old, captures the emperor with full lips, shaggy hair, and a ridiculously sharp jawline. Theres still a scent of that limp sallowness in the air, butwith Gros brushstrokesits filtered through a locus of imperial confidence; an incarnation of Bonaparte who would have absolutely no trouble on the prowl in Bushwick. Alexander Mikaberidze, another Bonapartian expert at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, fully agrees with Bell, and uses language for Napoleons looks that is typically reserved for most leather-bound post-punk frontmen.

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Many contemporaries remarked about his piercing blue-grayish eyes and stern look, he said. Those who knew Napoleon often remarked, however, that his portraits never fully captured him. Betsy Balcombe, who saw Napoleon on St. Helena Island, commented that The portraits of him give a good general idea of his features; but his smile, and the expression of his eye, could not be transmitted to canvas, and these constituted Napoleons chief charm. 

It should also be mentioned that, according to Mikaberidze, Napoleon was not exactly a convivial mensch, or an awesome hang. Sure, he had a sharp wit in the drawing roomhe was an expert diplomat on top of a genius strategic mindbut moments of levity were reportedly brief, and undermined by a roiling intensity at the pit of his soul. In other words, Napoleon wasnt blessed with the furtive je ne sais quoi that elevates human beings into progressively more celestial tiers of hotness, a la Adam Driver, Jeff Goldblum, or Jay-Z. I would not call him a charming conversationalist, added Mikaberidze. But he had tremendous energy and self-discipline, was action-oriented, and possessed an innate drive to achieve and make things done.

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This was compounded by the fact that when Napoleon washed up on the shores of Elbaand began to plot his blunder-ridden, past-prime Waterloo campaignhis own body began to fall into disrepair. Simply put, Napoleon did not age gracefully. When it ended, it ended badly. After age 40, he went downhill as the strain of war took its toll, said Bell. He started losing his hair, grew a paunch, and had pouches develop under his eyes. Bonaparte didnt live much longer after his own esteemed visage fractured. In 1821, at only 51 years of age, he died in exile of stomach cancer.

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For what its worth, Joaquin Phoenix is 48, and hes been asked to portray the whole scope of Napoleons biographywunderkind, emperor, and ousted despotwhich is sure to upset some of the more historically minded audiences. It will be pretty unconvincing, said Bell, who did not mince words about his hopes for the film. It doesnt look like theyre trying to CGI reverse-age him like Harrison Ford in the new Indiana Jones.

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Given all this, Im frankly baffled that Scott has decided to center a Napoleon biopic around his love life, presenting him as an autocrat of Caligulan properties. Its true that the man had copious mistresses, but surely no more than the average regency playboy. Every book Ive ever read about the man is far more interested in his wartime prowess than his relationship with Josephine, which I imagine will make this Napoleon something of a textual outlier. I guess its cool that Ridley Scott found some way to make his biopic stand out.

Regardless, after consulting the experts, I do think that Phoenix is, at the very least, a loose approximation of Napoleonic handsomenessfor a certain segment of his life, at least. Stern looks? Steely eyes? A fiery, almost perturbing intensity that seems to allure and repel at the exact same time? Phoenix has been making hay with that archetype throughout his entire career. If Napoleon must be a romantic lead, then nobody in Hollywood is better equipped to nail his distinct brand of sexual intrigue. Who knows? Maybe 200 years ago, Phoenix would have been marching on Austerlitz right alongside him.
This week, were helping you round out your summer reading lists by asking some of our favorite authors to step in as Prudie for the day and give you advice. This is part of our Guest Prudie series.

Todays columnist is Chicago-based author Rebecca Makkai, known for her novels The Great Believers, The Hundred-Year House, and The Borrower, as well as the short story collection Music for Wartime. The Great Believers was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, and received the ALA Carnegie Medal and the LA Times Book Prize, among other honors. Her latest novel, I Have Some Questions for You, hit shelves this year.

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We asked Makkai to weigh in on meddling adult kids, escape artists, and marrying out of your league:

Dear Prudence,

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I recently began dating a widower with adult children in their 30s, and they all live within a couple of miles of each other. We live a few hours apart and he owns a successful business, so hes very busy. I appreciate the fact that he is willing to drive hours so we can spend time together. During our dates, his kids have been tracking him via his iPhone and texting/calling to find out why he is so far away. He has apologized to me, saying he is pretty enmeshed, and knows he needs to set boundaries.

He canceled one date because his daughter needed a babysitter. We rescheduled and he almost canceled again, because another daughter had an all-night fight with her husband they went to his house, woke him, and demanded he sort it out for them. He said in the past month he has been asked to subsidize large purchases for his kids when their incomes dont support their lifestyles. He knows I am a parent of a hard-working, goal-oriented college student, who has a very large trust fund waiting for her, yet works two jobs and saves up her money when she wants to buy something.

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He confessed he has ended one relationship because it was upsetting for his kids. After our last date, I suggested that since he has so many demands for his time and attention, perhaps long-distance dating was not a good idea. He asked me to give him time. Should I wait to see if he sets and enforces healthy boundaries with them, or should I move on?

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Dear Should I Stay,

I can see why youre torn. On the one hand, he sounds like a tremendously invested and beloved father; on the other, he sounds like a pushover. And the kids sound like a lot. Im curious if youve met them, and if you have a read on whether theyre simply overly attached or if theyre actively bent on sabotaging any romantic relationship he might have. If its the latter, then since hes already shown that he will ultimately acquiesce to their wishes, theres really no point in holding on. If you havent met them yet, though, get yourself to town and invite them all out to dinner, your treat. Youll see, then, whether theyre going to be absolute nightmares, or if theyre just dealing with a lot, including their mothers passing (however long ago that was). Maybe youll win them over, and theyll be thrilled to see him spend more time with you.

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If you do stay with him, though, youre going to need to let go of the urge to compare his children to your own. It sounds like you won the genetic lottery with your daughter, and also like youve raised her well. But if you cant accept his kids for who they are, flaws and all, the relationship is fairly doomed. Before I published my first novel, I taught elementary school, and often taught multiple siblings from the same family. I can say with authority that the kind of kid you gettheir ambition, their intelligence, how much theyll need youis entirely a crap shoot. People who only get stellar kids think they must be parenting geniuses, but Id see amazing parents with incredibly difficult children all the time. And Id see parents with one wildly independent kid and one mess of a nervous, dependent kid. Whatever you do, try to dismiss your judgment. He might not be forcing their self-reliance right now, and I understand your frustration, but putting yourself above him, and putting your kid above histhats going to be a nonstarter.

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Pick Up a Copy of Makkais Latest

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Dear Prudence,

My wife has recently gotten upset about the same thing a couple of times and I dont understand why/was wondering if this happens to other people. On multiple instances when we have discussed what to do for dinner/food at a gathering, she has told me she has no preference and I should just pick since what she wants most is to not have to make a decision. Last week, I offered up picking up takeout on my way home from work (shes a stay-at-home mom) and asked what she wanted from the local Italian place. She said she was fine with anything. I got busy at work and texted her around the time we should order and asked her to. She said yes and asked what we were getting and I said whatever she wants. When I got home with the pizza, wings, and salad she had ordered, she was annoyed and told me she hadnt wanted to have to make another decision for the day and asked me to please just pick next time.

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This came up again when she asked what I wanted to eat at the Fathers Day picnic we were hosting at our house. I told her she knows what kind of things I like and to make whatever she felt like making. She listed off a few different options I like (ribs, steaks, different salads, etc.) and I said they all sounded great, so whatever she had the time and energy for was perfect. I could tell she wasnt happy with that answer and said that I had taken care of all the food for Mothers Day and just thought shed do the same for Fathers Day and also that I didnt want to be an extra bother with specific requests. She said that I had MADE all the food on Mothers Day after having her pick out the specific menu. This is true, but I just wanted to make sure her favorite foods were all there so she could enjoy the day. I dont really understand why this is such a big deal that keeps coming up. Yes, I could pick, but I just want to make sure she gets what she wants and is happy. Shes such a great mother and wife and I just want to do what I can to support and appreciate her. Why does she keep getting so upset at having to pick the food she eats?

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Want Her to Have What She Wants

Dear What She Wants,

Okay: Imagine that its your wifes birthday. She wants to feel special, appreciated, spoiled. And instead of a gift, or even a gift card, you tell her that you want her to have what she likes and so she should just decide on a store and pick something out and youll pay for it. Can you see why in that situation shed feel kind of unloved?

Obviously, every day isnt your wifes birthday, and she isnt asking to be treated like it isbut to some people, a caring gesture feels more caring when its presented as a done deal: I thought you would like this, so I got it for you.

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There are other factors as well: For some people (Im one of them) decision-making becomes overwhelming in times of fatigue or stress. My husband is amazing at dealing with clutter, but Ive nearly snapped his head off when Im thinking about my work, or about to head to the airport, and he says, Hey, I was sorting through the utensil drawer; can you make a few decisions on what to keep? No, I absolutely cannot. That is the last thing I can do right now.

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Theres also the possibility thatlike so many womenshe has issues with judging herself for her food choices, or with obsessive calorie counting. She could have a history of disordered eating, whether you know about it or not. In stressful moments, abdicating her decisions around food might, consciously or subconsciously, be a way of protecting herself from negative thought patterns around food.

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But ultimately, the reason doesnt matter. Shes telling you exactly how she wants to be treated, and how she feels loved and supported. Your job isnt to require proof of justification, its to listen and act accordingly. What she wants is not a certain specific meal, but to feel taken care of. The reason it keeps coming up is that you keep not doing this fairly simple thing she asks of you. When a partner tells you exactly what you can do to make them feel loved, its a gift. Take it.

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Give Prudie a Hand in Were Prudence

Sometimes even Prudence needs a little help. This weeks tricky situation is below. Submit your comments about how to approach the situation here to Jenee, and then look back for the final answer here on Friday.

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Dear Prudence, My wifes family love arguing and become incredibly excited and voluble on every topic., happily yelling over each other at 140 decibels while waving their arms in the air. This is obviously cultural but I come from a very different background, where raised voices were always quickly followed by flying fists. Ive tried explaining but asking these people to tone it down is like King Canute trying to hold back the waves. As a result, I have been keeping my distance from these otherwise quite lovely people but it is becoming increasingly obvious to everybody that I am avoiding them and they are understandably hurt. I just cannot find a way to arrive at a middle groundI dont want to be screamed at and fear that I may do or say something because I feel threatened and they cannot change the habits and social dynamics of a lifetime simply to cater to me. Are we just doomed to be forever incompatible? Am I justified in simply avoiding them and sending my wife with my love? Dont Shout

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Dear Prudence,

My sister and I live in the same subdivision, about a 10-minute walk apart. One year ago, she and her fiance adopted a dog who turned out to be an escape artisthe has gotten out five times so far. The first time, I was all-in helping her in the searchsharing her lost dog posts on social media, physically searching our neighborhood for him, and printing up lost dog flyers to distribute. The second time I was also happy to help, but I said after he was found that they really needed to do more to prevent thisget a better fence, dont let him out in the yard off-leash, anything.

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Well, they havent done more. Ive gotten increasingly resentful each time she asks me to drop everything to help find him, which I havent hidden from her. The two most recent escapes have prompted posts on Nextdoor where neighbors complained that he was chasing their pets. He got into someone elses yard and chased their dog in through the doggie door, and he was found trying to break into a neighbors catio where her two cats were. While Im not terribly fond of this specific dog, I dont want him getting hurt. Its not his fault that my sister and soon-to-be brother-in-law treat the escapes like an annoying quirk instead of a serious problem. If he keeps getting out, eventually hes going to get hit by a car, or the owner of a pet he chases is going to get violent.

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Im considering telling her that the next time he gets out, Im not helping at all. Is this a bad idea? I know its harsh, but I feel like withdrawing my help is the only card I have to play here. I just want them to do right by our community and their dog. Still, if he gets out, I dont help, and something does happen to him or a neighbors pet, Ill feel awful. Do you have any ideas for how to handle this?

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I Feel Like an Enabler

Dear I Feel Like an Enabler,

Im not always a big fan of the tech solution, but an easy one presents itself here: If its within your budget (or if you can justify the cost based on all the work time you wont lose), you can give your sister a GPS collar for the dog, one she can track from her phone the next time hes on the loose. The devices range from $30 to $700, some with a monthly fee and some without, and of course, you get what you pay for. The highest-end ones run for months on a single charge, are waterproof, track a dog precisely, flash lights for nighttime rescues, or even send your voice via radio signal so you can bribe your pup with the promise of treats. Low-end devices need frequent charging and might lag, or track less accurately, but theyre still a lot better than nothing. There are also collars that hold Apple AirTags, but these arent meant for a moving target; the risk there is the limited range and the slowness of location updates.

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My own sisters dog is a Very Good Girl whose only vice is hiding human food (one time, a stick of butter!) in human beds, but if I were in your position heres what I would do: Buy a collar near the top of your budget, present it to your sister and her dog in a beautifully wrapped box (tie a biscuit into the ribbon), and tell her that while you cant spare more time on the hunt, you care enough about her and her companion to invest in his safety in a more permanent way.

Get Even More Advice From the Dear Prudence Podcast

Dear Prudence,

My husband (39M) and I (34F) have been together for 11 years, married for four. We have two beautiful children, a wonderful home, and great friends. All in all, were pretty darn lucky. My issue stems from people who like to nudge my husband and congratulate him for marrying up. I come from a successful middle-class family and fit the overachiever oldest daughter trope like a glove. Im driven, ambitious and secured my dream job as a mid-level director in a nationally recognized company earlier this year.

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My husband, on the other hand, comes from a very large, flirting with the poverty line family with emotionally neglectful parents, and he barely made it out of high school. Over the years, hes found his niche as a commercial fisherman (usually in Alaska, but other places as well) and then bartending in the off-season. Hes handsome, hardworking, so damn funny I can barely take it, and he loves me and his children unconditionally. But because I have a normal job and come from a well-off family (we live in the same semi-rural area where we were both born) compared to his, people seem to simultaneously look down on me for marrying him (as if I give a fig about his upbringing), and then give him a grin and a nudge when they learn what I do and the fact that he only works part-time six months out of the year. Im out of snappy comebacks because frankly hearing, Isnt she too good for you? one more time is going to make me strangle someone. Hubby usually just smiles and replies, Yes, she is. Im sick of people thinking that I settled, when in fact, Im one of the luckiest girls out there.

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I Did Not Settle!

Dear Did Not Settle,

In responding to anything rude, you basically have three choices: confront it head-on, roll with it, or take the opportunity to make the person who said it as uncomfortable as possible.

Confronting it might sound like What an incredibly hurtful thing to say, or Youve got a pretty regressive attitude toward gender roles there, Chad.

Rolling with it (which your husband already does) could be you saying, Makes you wonder whats in his pants, right?

The uncomfortable route involves putting it back on the person in question. You might, in a fully inquisitive and concerned tone, ask, So does it make you uncomfortable when a woman is the primary breadwinner? Why is that? Or you might stare at the person in silence. Or you might go with I dont understand, and then ask them to keep explaining until they turn into a tiny river of shame and flow into the storm drain. (e.g., Well, it just seems like hes got a really good deal. What do you mean? I mean, like, hes living the good life. I dont follow. I mean) Smarter people than me have pointed out that this is also the best way to confront the teller of a sexist or racist joke.

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Actually, a fourth possibility presents itself: Its so funny you say that. People make that joke so often that I actually wrote into an advice column recently to ask how I should respond. What do you think I should say?

When Stephen King Was Guest Prudie

My husband and I divided labor unfairly and super stressfully after our baby daughter was born, and I couldnt get through to him. In February, when she was 4 months old, I reached a breaking point. Overwhelmed, I made myself a list of all the things I do to keep the family running and highlighted the things I could live without. As politely as possible, I told my husband if he was interested in them they could be his responsibility.
When the Supreme Court gutted affirmative action, it may have inadvertently created an opening to spotlight another controversial college admissions program thats been in use for about a century now: legacy admissions, aka affirmative action for the wealthy.

Its been a common practice since the 1920s, with higher education institutions initially using it as a way to limit Jewish applicants and eventually Black students too. Legacy students made up 36 percent of the class of 2022, according to a Harvard Crimson survey. And documents from the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard College case revealed that nearly 70 percent of Harvards donor-related and legacy applicants are white.

Oren Sellstrom, litigation director at Lawyers for Civil Rights, has been eyeing legacy admissions for some time and believes that now is the moment to challenge it. He filed a complaint with the Department of Education over Harvards practice of legacy admissions, citing widespread violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on behalf of the Chica Project, the African Community Economic Development of New England, and the Greater Boston Latino Network.

He spoke with me about the timing of his complaint, why he thinks it will be successful, and the impact legacy admissions have on minority students. Heres our conversation, which has been edited and condensed for clarity:

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Shirin Ali: The Supreme Court recently ended affirmative action. How hopeful are you that the court will apply the same theory of fair admissions to your complaint on legacy admissions?

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Oren Sellstrom: Our complaint stands on very firm legal footing. The issues that weve presented are clear both from a fairness perspective and from a legal perspective. Obviously, in light of the Supreme Courts recent decision on affirmative action, it is even more critical to remove unfair and undeserved barriers that stand in the way of equal opportunity for students of color. Our complaint is based on long-standing federal anti-discrimination law that makes clear that if there are barriers that have a disproportionate impact on students of color, they need to be dismantled, unless the institution can provide an adequate justification for them.

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In the case of Harvard, its clear that donor and legacy preferences have a significantly disproportionately harmful impact on applicants of color, and there is no educational necessity for them.

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Harvard is not the only institution practicing legacy admissionsone report estimates that 787 colleges and universities reported using legacy preference in 2020so why target the complaint against only one school?

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Through the case that was just litigated up to the Supreme Court, we learned quite a bit about Harvards admissions system that had previously been hidden from view. So we, along with other groups, represented students and alumni of color that were supportive of the affirmative action program at Harvard, and in that litigation, a lot of evidence was uncovered that shed light on all of the ways in which Harvards admissions process works. We have been able to look statistically at how preferences for donors and legacy applicants have such a disproportionately advantageous effect for white applicants overwhelmingly. We have a lot of the data from the court case, and that is one of the reasons why we have started with asking the Department of Education to investigate Harvard.

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Our hope is that once the Department of Education has investigated Harvard, that it will also turn its eye and turn the power of the federal government on to all other institutions of higher learning that receive federal funding, and that also have these unfair and undeserved preferences.

Legacy admissions have been criticized for a long time nowMIT, the University of California, Berkeley, Oxford, and Cambridge have even banned the practice. Why do you think it hasnt been challenged or outlawed completely yet?

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Youre exactly right that many colleges and institutions at this point have done away with legacy preferences and donor preferences or have never used them in the first place. Particularly over the past eight to 10 years, we have seen significant movement away from those unfair and undeserved preferences. The trend line is clear, and Harvard is on the wrong side of history. Unfortunately, sometimes what it takes in order to ensure that institutions move away from unfair practices is to turn to the legal system and to the power of the federal government to investigate and to insist that if institutions are receiving federal funds, as Harvard does, that they do not engage in discriminatory practices.

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One of the purposes of bringing this complaint was to elevate the many ways in which white applicants receive preferences that are sometimes hidden from view. Affirmative action gets a lot of attention, but it is and was always just a very modest tool to consider race as one of many factors in admissions. Our point in bringing this complaint is to highlight the many preferences that go overwhelmingly to white students and to demand that they be dismantled in the name of equity.

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Related From Slate Mark Joseph Stern The Supreme Court Just Bulldozed Affirmative ActionWith Two Bizarre Loopholes Read More

To what extent are students of color harmed by legacy admissions?

Its clear that students of color are significantly harmed by both preferences for children of wealthy donors and of alumni. Seventy percent of those admitted through those preferences are white, and the overwhelming majority who receive those preferences are white applicants. And because of the data that we have gleaned through the court case that went up to the Supreme Court, we can also run the counterfactualin other words, run the data to see what would happen to the entering class if these unfair preferences were removed [with race-based admissions still in place]. And what researchers find is that the student body would become more diverse, that Black students, Latino students, Asian American students percentages in the entering class would all rise if those unfair preferences were dismantled. The evidence is clear that these preferences are not only unfair and undeserved, but they have a significant negative effect on applicants of color.

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How confident are you that this complaint will successfully take down legacy admissions?

We are very confident in our complaint. This is an issue that cuts across the political spectrum. Its been recognized as unfair by people who would identify as conservative and liberal alike. Everyone can see that your familys last name and the size of your bank account have nothing to do with merit and should have no bearing on college admissions. This is an issue that is easy to understand, the unfairness of it, and again, it cuts across the political spectrum. Certainly from a legal point of view, the illegality of these preferences is also clear.

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What would be ideal would be for Harvard to stand up, lead the way, and say, Weve examined our admissions process in light of the Supreme Courts ruling, and we are today announcing that we will no longer give preferential treatment to children of wealthy donors and to children of alumni because those preferences are unfair and go overwhelmingly to white students. If that does not happen, if Harvard does not do that voluntarily, then our hope is that the federal agencies will investigate expeditiously. President Biden, in the days after the Supreme Courts ruling, urged his federal agencies to investigate unfair practices that stand in the way of opportunity for applicants of color. Certainly, donor preferences and legacy preferences have got to be at the top of that list. We are optimistic that if Harvard does not move voluntarily to dismantle these preferences, that federal agencies will investigate and order that that be accomplished, as the institutions are to continue receiving federal funds.
Among the many things revealed during the Dominion voting machine companys lawsuit against Fox News was that Rupert Murdoch, for all his wealth and influence, does not appear to be any more savvy or knowledgeable about politics than the average person reading the news. Emails uncovered during discovery showed that Murdoch thought Trump would concede to Biden after losing the 2020 election, and then that Trump was done for as a political entity after Jan. 6. Wrong and wrong.

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Having underestimated the ex-president twice, Murdoch did so again, albeit indirectly, by directing Fox and his other media properties to hype the 2024 candidacy of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. His logic, as reported by various outlets, was that DeSantis was a sanitized version of Trump who would appeal to MAGA Republicans because of his right-wing views and to a general-election audience because of his relatively dignified and competent stewardship of the Sunshine State.

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But DeSantis campaign, launched officially in May, has failed to build any momentum, and he still trails Trump by 30-plus points in most polls. In a Wednesday Financial Times column, Edward Luce succinctly sums up one reason why this might be happening: The case against Trump in 2016 was that he was not electable, he writes. His base nevertheless recklessly voted for his nomination, then he went on to win. If part of the thrill of backing Trump is precisely because he is not electablethat he is unsafe and not respectableit takes some brass to announce yourself as the electable version of Trump.

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The deployment of influence on DeSantis behalf by Murdoch has, in this view, been self-defeating. (The same could be said for the substantial amount of money given to the Florida governor and his super PAC by Wall Street donors. In May, the super PACs leaders told reporters they planned to spend $200 million to support DeSantis in the primary alone.) It recasts Trump as an anti-establishment insurgentan underdog, somehow, in a race he was already winning. Whoops.

Related From Slate Ben Mathis-Lilley The Most Shocking Part of the Fox Election Lawsuit Is That It Depicts Rupert Murdoch as an Ineffectual Chump Read More

DeSantis has also been widely panned as a low-charisma campaigner who is doing too much pandering to the far right. According to a new report in Rolling Stone citing sources close to Murdoch, the media executive has now come to the conclusion that, hmm, yes, in fact DeSantis is awkward on the trail and has erred by making his campaign a nonstop cultural-grievance factory. One of Rolling Stones sources tries to spin this as evidence of shrewdness: Murdoch can smell a loser a mile away, the source says, even though his critique of DeSantis is obviously derivative of takes that have been appearing in the mainstream press for at least the past nine months. (It raises the question of how many miles away Murdoch was from the Florida governor when he spent two and a half years promoting his candidacy.)

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What next, then? According to Rolling Stone, Murdoch realizes that he, and the United States, may be stuck with Trump as the Republican nominee. But according to the New York Times, he has another idea, too  and maybe its just crazy enough to work:

Mr. Murdoch has privately told people that he would still like to see Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia enter the race, according to a person with knowledge of the remarks.

Glenn Youngkin is the governor of a large Southern state who is known to appeal to wealthy donors, has been strategically cautious about tying himself too closely to Trump, and won election after campaigning against critical race theory and the other purported threats to public schools presented by woke Democrats. Does that remind you of anyone? In six months, you might be reading that it reminds Rupert Mudoch of Ron DeSantis.
Kamila Dulova talks about how she travelled solo across Alaska.

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Her circle of family and friends told her Alaska is dangerous, wild and cold. She did not listen and spent a month there on a budget and alone. She slept in the woods and hitch-hiked around 1,300 kilometres through this US state. She had never travelled solo before, and certainly not in such wilderness.

"In the winter, the locals often remain stuck in one place for a month, they don't even go shopping. If you don't live in big cities, of which there are relatively few in Alaska, you live a very isolated life. There is no radio or television, and the service is unavailable in some places, people receive mail in mailboxes even five kilometres from where they live. However, they live a slow, beautiful life," describes traveller KAMILA DULOVA.

She knows that travelling alone may not always be safe for women. She herself has experienced unpleasant situations, but she does not want to be discouraged. "I also hear opinions about a woman travelling alone, but why should men have the right to do so and women be afraid? I also want to go on an adventure," she says.

What made you want to go to Alaska, when people close to you were telling you of all the dangerous things that could happen to you?

It's true that when I bought the flight ticket, I felt an adrenaline rush. I thought to myself that it was a wonderful opportunity to see something different, since I had not been to mountains outside of Slovakia until then. I had never even seen such a wilderness and I had never hiked alone. After a year of working as an au pair in the US I took a month to travel. Alaska is quite inaccessible from Europe and flights are expensive, so I thought why not take advantage of that when I was closer. I wanted a unique experience and maybe even subconsciously I wanted to prove something.

You went to Alaska without any experience?

Yes. I had never been anywhere alone like this before. So I tried to convince some friends to go with me, but the plane tickets were very expensive for them.

What did you find there?

I didn't experience anything like what I warned about. I guess I was lucky, because hitch-hiking can be risky and it's not unusual to meet bears in Alaska. Once the locals I was consulting with sent me on a trail that was marked only with wooden arrows. One lady wrote where to turn left, where to turn right, when to go straight on a piece of paper. I was also lucky to meet good people.

You spent nights in the wilderness, among animals. How did you prepare for that?

When I look at it now, it sounds terrible, because I didn't prepare. I didn't think so much about the risk, as I did mainly about the fact that it would be a great experience. I once ended up on a peninsula that could only be reached by water taxi. I got out, the boat left and I was alone. There were maybe a few towns along the coast, but deeper in the forest there was no service.

I spent the night at a glacial lake. The trail was about eight kilometres long, not difficult, but there were warnings everywhere two days before that bears in the area were being scared away by helicopter. I didn't sleep the whole night or maybe only in short intervals, because I every rustle woke me up. I didn't even have bear spray. The thought didn't occur to me.

Did you see any bears?

I saw a grizzly, but I wasn't in danger. It was during an organised hike in Denali National Park with a ranger. On the way back from the hike, we saw the bear, but from quite a distance.

What about other animals? After all, Alaska is not just populated with bears.

Fortunately, I only encountered mountain goats or other smaller animals. In fact, the locals say that bears are really not the worst thing you can encounter. Moose are said to be even more dangerous and may attack humans. For example, I was advised to hide behind a tree if necessary, because moose perceive the landscape around them differently and they will not attack me if I hide like that.

Does a person need to be physically fit to survive in the wilderness and the cold?
(Photo : LAKPA SHERPA/AFP via Getty Images)

Tuesday's crash of a helicopter transporting a Mexican family in the Everest region resulted in the deaths of six people and the discovery of their mutilated corpses.

According to Nepalese officials, six people were slain Tuesday morning when a helicopter crashed during a sightseeing tour over Mount Everest.

The authorities reported that the bodies of five Mexican visitors, two men and three women, and a male Nepalese pilot were recovered from the collision site. The crash's cause was not readily apparent.

Six Killed After Helicopter Near Mount Everest Crashes

According to multiple statements from the country's Civil Aviation Authority, the Manang Air-operated helicopter took off after 10 a.m. local time and lost contact with air traffic control within minutes.

The aircraft was en route to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, from Surke, a nearby small village located in a remote region close to Mount Everest, according to NY Times.

Pratap Tiwari, Nepal's aviation authority spokesperson, stated that two helicopters from Altitude Air, another charter company, had been dispatched for rescue operations but could not land directly at the accident site due to "severe weather" conditions.

According to the company's website, Manang Air offers private clients both standard and customized aerial excursions of the area. In an online statement, the company identified the helicopter's pilot as Chet B. Gurung, who was 55 years old and had "more than 7,000 flight hours of experience working for Manang Air since 2014," according to the statement.

The company expressed condolences to the passengers' families and stated that it would continue to collaborate with and provide information to the local authorities.

Read Also: Myanmar Violence, South China Sea Disputes Top Agenda at Divided ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Mount Everest Helicopter Crash Victims

Per Daily Mail, Tiwari stated that ground teams transported bodies to helicopters that could land nearby. Lhakpa Sherpa, a local resident who participated in search and rescue efforts, described the scenario as "extremely frightening."

The pilot was identified as Captain Chet B. Gurung by the Himalayan Times. Sifuentes G. Fernando, 95; Sifuentes Rincon Ismail, 98; Sifuentes Gonzalez Abril, 72; Gongalez Olacio Luz, 65; and Sifuentes G. Maria Jese, 52; were all members of the same family.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "expressed sorrow" over the incident. Sagar Kadel, an official at the airport, stated that the earlier weather conditions also necessitated alterations to the intended flight path of the Manang Air helicopter.

During the monsoon season, it is common for flights to be delayed and routes to be altered due to intense rainfall. Before officials found the wreckage near the Lamjura Pass in the Solukhumbu district, the helicopter was initially assumed to be lost.

The police believe the tragedy occurred approximately 3,500 meters (nearly 2.2 miles) above sea level. Using the known GPS coordinates of the aircraft, a specialized altitude helicopter hauling security personnel was dispatched towards a potential impact site as officials located the body.

Nepal's private helicopter industry is thriving, transporting travelers and products to remote Himalayan regions where road access is limited or nonexistent. However, the country is notorious for its poor air safety, and Tuesday's disaster is the latest in a long line of aviation mishaps.

In May, one individual was slain, and four others were injured when a helicopter carrying supplies for a hydroelectricity project crashed in eastern Nepal. The Himalayan Republic has some of the world's most inaccessible and difficult runways, with approaches that present a challenge even for experienced pilots.

The weather in the mountains can also change rapidly, producing hazardous flying conditions. Additionally, Nepal's aviation industry needs to be improved by adequate training and maintenance. In January, a plane accident in the country's western region claimed the lives of all 72 aboard. As the Yeti Airlines flight approached the city of Pokhara, it crashed into a steep gorge, shattered into fragments, and erupted into flames.

In 2018, a US-Bangla Airlines plane crashed near the notoriously difficult international airport in Kathmandu, murdering 51 people and injuring 20 others severely. In the deadliest air disaster in Nepal's history, a Pakistan International Airlines aircraft carrying 167 passengers crashed on approach to Kathmandu airport in 1992.

Two months earlier, 113 people were killed when a Thai Airways plane plummeted near the same airport. Due to safety concerns, the European Union has banned all Nepalese airlines from its airspace.

Read Also: Missing German Businessman Found Dismembered in Thailand With Chainsaw, Hedge Clippers

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Pride march returns next week, iconic Bratislava restaurant up for sale, and more storm warnings.

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Good evening. Here is the Wednesday, July 12 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

Pride march organisers: Proud and indestructible

Bratislava Pride 2022. (Source: SME - Marko Erd)

A pride parade will take place on Saturday, July 22 on the renovated Namestie Slobody square. The event promotes the visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people in Slovakia, and will include a march through the city.

With campaigns for September's elections about to begin, political parties will not be given space at the event, organisers said during a press conference on Wednesday. The only exception may be Culture and Justice Ministers, Silvia Hroncova and Jana Dubovcova, who are patrons of the event.

The organisers said they are cooperating with both state and city police to ensure security.

During the press conference, a symbol of the 13th edition - an indestructible flag was unveiled, as well as the slogan - Proud and indestructible.

"We want to say that the LGBTI community in Slovakia was, is, and will be. It will always be a part of Slovak society, regardless of threats, obstacles, violence, and efforts to erase it," Martin Macko, one of the event's organisers, said.

Read more about the LGBT+ community in Slovakia:

More stories from The Slovak Spectator website

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you.

FEATURE STORY FOR WEDNESDAY

Slovak fencers face a difficult dilemma

(Source: Olympic.sk/Andrej Galica)

Unarguably, Slovakia has a fencing tradition - its fencers have achieved great things in the Olympics and the current generation of juniors has potential too.

But the number of fencers is small and once they hit a certain age they face a difficult dilemma: continue a sport from which it is impossible to make a living, or study and work?

EVENT FOR FRIDAY

French National Day

The Main Square will once again don the French colours. (Source: SME - Jozef Jakubco)

French National Day returns to the heart of Bratislava on the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress. Starting from 14:00 PM in the Main Square, visitors will be able to stroll through the French market with dozens of stalls with refreshments such as desserts and drinks, while there will also be concerts and performances.

Admission is free. For more information in Slovak and French visit the website of the Institut Francais Slovaquie.

In other news

The EU Council's advisory committee did not recommend Slovak candidate Andrej Stec be appointed a judge of the General Court of the EU. Despite many years of experience, the Committee deemed Stec unsuitable for the post.

Despite many years of experience, the Committee deemed Stec unsuitable for the post. Carmaker Kia Slovakia's sales reached 6.76 billion in 2022, growing 22 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, the company's profit last year fell 21 percent year-on-year to 175.5 million, mainly due to increased input and energy prices. The Teplicka nad Vahom plant in the Zilina Region produced a total of 311,000 cars last year.

Meanwhile, the company's profit last year fell 21 percent year-on-year to 175.5 million, mainly due to increased input and energy prices. The Teplicka nad Vahom plant in the Zilina Region produced a total of 311,000 cars last year. Slovak President Zuzana Caputova held bilateral talks with Canadian Premier Justin Trudeau during the NATO summit in Lithuania, with both praising the constructive relations between the two states. According to Trudeau, Canada is preparing to open an embassy in Bratislava to further deepen its relations and friendship with Slovakia. The plan was announced already in June 2022.

The plan was announced already in June 2022. The Defence Ministry will procure 160 light tactical multi-purpose 4x4 vehicles in a contract worth 173 million. The vehicles, constructed by US company Oshkosh, will be delivered during 2025. According to Defence Minister Martin Sklenar, the procurement of 4x4 vehicles through the US fund means in practice that the Slovak Armed Forces will acquire a new capability without Slovakia paying for it.

The vehicles, constructed by US company Oshkosh, will be delivered during 2025. According to Defence Minister Martin Sklenar, the procurement of 4x4 vehicles through the US fund means in practice that the Slovak Armed Forces will acquire a new capability without Slovakia paying for it. The Environment Ministry is starting to buy private land in national parks using 68 million from the recovery plan. The goal is to buy 12,000 hectares of land this year. According to minister Milan Chrenko, state ownership is one of the permanent solutions to ensure effective protection of rare sites. A new website has been launched to allow owners to make a non-binding and voluntary offers.

The State Commission for Elections completed the registration of 25 slates of political parties for the upcoming September election. The picture shows random ballot numbers for individual parties being drawn. (Source: TASR)

WEATHER FOR THURSDAY:

Cloudy and showers and rain expected in many places, occasional storms with a level 1 storm warning issued for the entire country. Daily temperatures between 24 C and 29 C. (SHMU)

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P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.

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Move comes amid debate over drug sentences that are harsher than for murder.

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President Zuzana Caputova has pardoned two men serving long term jail sentences after they grew marijuana to help relieve pain caused by serious illnesses.

A 63-year-old man who suffers from several serious incurable diseases and grew marijuana to relieve his chronic pain but did not resell the substance had been sentenced to 11 years in prison and had his property was confiscated.

The president said it would be inhumane for him to remain in prison, due to his ill-health. He had already spent more than half of his sentence behind bars.

Related article

Related article Making a hash of the drug laws in Slovakia Read more

She also pardoned a 40-year-old man who was jailed for 10 years after he grew marijuana for seriously ill members of his family, noting that he did not sell any of it, had never committed any previous crimes, and was the sole breadwinner for a family with a one-year-old child. He had already served almost five years of his sentence.

The pardons come amid a wider debate on legislation and sentencing for drug-related offences. Sentences for possession of small quantities of marijuana can be harsher than for murder or corruption.

Some politicians have attacked the severity of some sentences. In May, the Trnava District Court jailed Josef Sipos for 15 years and ordered the confiscation of his property for growing cannabis. He claimed it was for the production of ointments. The verdict is not final, and Sipos has appealed, but the SaS and Progressive Slovakia parties have slammed it as an example of overly severe punishment for drug offences.

Some judges are of the same opinion, as evidenced by an unusual appeal to the Constitutional Court by Bratislava judge Jana Grendarova in late June questioning whether it is fair to jail people for up to 15 years even if they are not drug dealers.
Santa Monica, CA, June 26, 2023  Goodboybob Coffee Roasters is pleased to announce that specialty coffee veteran, Marcus Young, has joined its team as Executive Vice President, Coffee. With more than two decades of experience in specialty coffee,Marcus brings enormous talent and depth to our brand and is a testament to our continued investment in the specialty coffee space. This is a great win for us, says Nancy Rohman, CEO.

Mr. Young will lead goodboybobs coffee buying, retail, and distribution initiatives, specifically for its targeted growth in ecommerce and expansion of goodboybobs At-Home delivery and subscription program.

Mr. Young is a well-known and prolific voice for the specialty coffee industry, having presented at national and international events like TEDx and Specialty Coffee Association events. He has also been a presenter or panelist for numerous conferences and festivals, including CoffeeFest, the Mid Atlantic Northeast Coffee Conference (MANE), World of Coffee, and the San Francisco Coffee Festival. He has written for many trade publications such as Roast Magazine, Digital Coffee Future, and Fresh Cup Magazine.

His range and depth include roasting, supply chain management, barista skills, education, sales, marketing, and project management with companies ranging from coffee software leader Cropster to consultation on B2B education platforms at Boot Coffee for industry professionals. He has also been deeply involved with the Specialty Coffee Association for more than a decade and is committed to building community and developing innovative practices within the industry.

I am thrilled to join this exceptional team, says Young. Ive long admired goodboybobs commitment to excellent coffee and community and look forward to building on the work already done. Its a unique opportunity to bring exceptional coffees to a wide range of customers from unique and interesting producers the world over, such as Yemens Port of Mokha, Ethiopias Gesha Village Estate, and Colombias Finca Negrita. Goodboybob has developed an amazing reputation for consistently sourcing the worlds most exclusive and delicious coffees, delivering great coffee to everyone.

Goodboybob Coffee Roasters is a roaster-retailer-wholesaler enjoying exponential growth, both at its Southern California brick-and-mortar cafes in Santa Monica, Culver City, and Manhattan Beach, as well as with its initiatives to bring a delicious coffee experience to coffee lovers at home.

Goodboybob celebrates artistry, creativity, and excellence in everything we touch. We are serious about our commitment to bring interesting and nuanced coffee experiences to our growing customer base, and Marcus is an amazing addition to our journey, says goodboybob Founder Erich Joiner.

Goodboybob has garnered customers all over the world with a variety of subscription and coffee gift packages, boasting a popular house blend, a revolving portfolio of single-origin coffees, and one of the only Rare Coffee subscription programs available. In addition to great coffee, its cafes feature a compelling chef-driven menu of sweet and savory items, custom catering, and a wine program supported by an in-house sommelier.

For more information about Goodboybob Coffee Roasters, please visit www.goodboybob.com

This press release was provided to Sprudge for Sprudge Press Releases. Interested in submitting a press release? Get in touch!
Grounds for Health, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing cervical cancer in coffee communities, is in the middle of a summer-long fundraising campaign to raise $100K to bring healthcare #wheresheis. This July, Royal New York, BNT Industry & Trading and Royal Coffee each committed $10K to help bring GfH almost halfway to their goal.

Thanks to the ease and portability of HPV test kits, Grounds for Health (GfH) can now offer cervical cancer screening anywhere. Within minutes, women collect their own samples. Samples are sent to a lab to determine whether a woman has HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer, and whether she will need treatment.

Each month this summer, GfH is showcasing a different location where they will expand access to test kits and reach women #wheresheis. In July they are highlighting open air markets where she shops. The GfH team had the opportunity to test out markets in Nyeri, Kenya in January this year, and vendors and shoppers alike were lining up to be tested because they didnt have to get on an exam table. Said Susan Hollinger, GfH Clinical Consultant, Quick, on-site HPV self-sampling was so simple and non-intrusive for women, they were easily recruited to visit the pop-up screening site. At one point there were a dozen women crowding into the small space wanting to do an HPV test. Between our team and the local women, we quickly devised and held up a cloth screen to provide another privacy area. I have never seen anything like it!

Royal New York will be contributing to the campaign through sales of an exclusive women-produced lot from the Royal New York Line Up. All sale proceeds will go to Grounds for Health and the company will make its own contribution to ensure the donation reaches $10K. Says Jaime Schoenhut, President & CEO of Royal New York, As a longtime supporter and anchor donor of Grounds for Health, we are so proud to participate in the #wheresheis campaign this summer. The work that Grounds for Health is doing to make healthcare accessible to women in these coffee communities is truly remarkable. At Royal New York were excited to announce that we will be donating all proceeds from the sale of our Grounds for Health x Royal NY Line Up box to Grounds for Health so that together we can bring healthcare #wheresheshops!

Meanwhile, BNT and Royal Coffee have teamed up in an exciting, first-time partnership between a local exporter and an international importer to support womens healthcare at origin. As an exporting company, BNT Industry & Trading knows firsthand the value that women provide to their families, communities, and the global coffee market. Royal Coffee, a longtime partner and purchaser of BNT coffee, is inspired by BNTs commitment. The tandem exporter-importer donations show the power of partnering across the supply chain to support women and farmers.

After Julys fundraising push, the #wheresheis campaign will continue into August, when GfH will focus on getting test kits to rural health posts and villages where she lives. For more information, follow along via e-news or social media (@groundsforhealth) or reach out to Kyle Engelman, Director of Philanthropy, kyle@groundsforhealth.org

About Grounds for Health

Grounds for Health (GfH) is an international non-profit based in Williston, VT with the mission to prevent cervical cancer in coffee communities. They have over 25 years experience partnering with the coffee industry and global and local health partners to implement high quality, locally-based screen and treat programs for women. To date, over 185,000 women have been screened and 15,000 treated to prevent cervical cancer. In 2022, they introduced the innovative screening technique of HPV self-sampling, allowing women from remote settings to experience high quality healthcare without requiring a clinic visit. Their vision is to build a bridge to globally inclusive care.

About Royal New York

Royal New York is a family owned and operated importer of specialty green coffees and wholesale tea based in South Plainfield, NJ. Founded in 1995, Royal New York started out as a specialty coffee importer, with just three people working out of a small trailer in Staten Island, New York. Under the initial guidance of Royal Coffee Inc. in California, Royal New York was able to grow their coffee importing business. Since then, Royal New York has evolved into a business consisting of three brands: Coffee, Tea & The Lab.

Royal Coffee New York imports high quality specialty green coffee from around the world to their three warehouses, all offering next business day shipping. The Lab by Royal New York, founded in 2015, is a SCA Premier Campus that provides an education and training space for the specialty coffee industry. Royal Tea New York, founded in 2016, provides the specialty coffee and tea industry with high-quality specialty wholesale tea. Youll find that one word unites these three Royal New York brands: quality. They are proud to provide their customers, both large and small, with the highest quality specialty green coffee, wholesale tea, and education, and have built their business on that promise.

About BNT Trading & Industry

For the last 12 years, BNT has been primarily engaged in coffee export and maintaining reliable relationships with coffee growers and traders. Currently, BNT has expanded its business and engaged in other sectors resulting from successful performance in the coffee export sector. As the largest producer and exporter of coffee in Ethiopia, BNT Industry and Trading Plc. has a proud history of delivering quality coffees to the markets. Our company was founded to help our clients and business partners excel by delivering outstanding value through service excellence.

About Royal Coffee, Inc:

Royal Coffee is a family-owned and operated importer of specialty green coffees, serving the international roasting community. Founded in 1978 by Bob Fulmer and Pete McLaughlin in a tiny office on Hollis St., the company began with the purchase of a single bag of coffee that Bob and Pete used as a desk until they found a buyer for it. They turned the proceeds of the first sale into two more bags, and the rest is history.

Royal Coffee imports the finest coffees in the world, from over 30 countries of origin and a vast network of producing partners. Royal supplies some of the top roasting houses around the globe, from warehouses in Oakland, Seattle, Madison, Houston, Shanghai, and Vancouver. Our humble roots continue to inform our day to day operations though, as many of our clients get their start with us buying a single bag of coffee.

This press release was provided to Sprudge for Sprudge Press Releases. Interested in submitting a press release? Get in touch!
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230711/first-day-of-nato-summit-shows-alliance-more-assertive-than-ever-1111822805.html

First Day of NATO Summit Shows Alliance More Assertive Than Ever

First Day of NATO Summit Shows Alliance More Assertive Than Ever

The first day of the NATO summit confirmed the bloc wants to expand its geography to the Asia-Pacific region and challenge China in order to please its leader, Washington, military expert Pierre Henrot told Sputnik on Tuesday.

2023-07-11T23:36+0000

2023-07-11T23:36+0000

2023-07-11T23:34+0000

analysis

jens stoltenberg

pierre henrot

china

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nato

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NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told a news conference in Vilnius, Lithuania, that China was increasingly challenging the present world order. "After Jens Stoltenbergs speech in Vilnius at the end of the first day of the NATO Council meeting, one realizes that NATO is more offensive and aggressive than ever," Henrot said.Stoltenberg denied NATO saw China as its adversary but accused Beijing of a military build-up that he said was developing at an unprecedented speed and scale, and without transparency. "These are very strong political words, squarely confronting China," the former high-ranking officer in NATO and UN observer in the Balkans said to Sputnik. Henrot suggested Stoltenberg's announcement that NATO was coordinating a meeting between Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea confirmed the alliance was about to start aggressively meddling in the Pacific region. Other key takeaways from the first day of the summit include the leaders commitment to continuing supplying the Ukrainian government with weapons and ammunition, and the fact that military spending by member states rose 8.3% this year  the biggest increase in decades. Stoltenberg said member states had all reached or exceeded the 2% mark set by NATO.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230711/kiev-will-come-up-short-in-natos-membership-metrics-even-after-bloc-scraps-action-plan-1111820270.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230711/not-out-of-the-woods-vermont-governor-issues-grave-warning-amid-dam-concerns-1111821460.html

'Not Out of the Woods: Vermont Governor Issues Grave Warning Amid Dam Concerns

'Not Out of the Woods: Vermont Governor Issues Grave Warning Amid Dam Concerns

Flooding hits Vermont, as continued, unseasonable rain in New England drowns the region. The state's governor warns that more rain will follow.

2023-07-11T22:38+0000

2023-07-11T22:38+0000

2023-07-11T22:36+0000

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us flooding

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new england

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Vermont Gov. Phil Scott issued a dire warning to local residents on Tuesday as severe weather consuming much of the US northeast has prompted fears of collapsed infrastructure in the region.The states governor also detailed that US President Joe Biden had approved the state's emergency declaration request, which will move federal resources into the state to assist with the flooding."Even though the sun may shine today and tomorrow, we expect more rain later this week, which will have nowhere to go in the oversaturated ground," Scott said. Rainstorms in the region have caused catastrophic flooding as streets have turned into rivers. Flash flood alerts were put into place for parts of New York on Sunday, issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) with at least one person in Orange County being killed. Then on Monday, nearly the entire state of Vermont was under a flash flood warning.Early Tuesday, emergency managers said the Wrightsville Dam, located on the border of Middlesex and the states capital of Montpelier, had risen 3 feet above record levels and had just 6 feet of storage capacity remaining. "Unfortunately, there are very few evacuation options remaining," Fraser added. "People in at-risk areas may wish to go to upper floors in their houses. The city has asked for swift water rescue assets to be moved into the area to assist when possible."Thus far, more than 100 rescues have been made across the state. Montpelier Police Chief Eric Nordenson announced that while fire trucks and ambulances are no longer functional, multiple water rescue teams were positioned in Montpelier to assist with the catastrophic flooding."Multiple water rescue teams are positioned in Montpelier, and we urge the public to please stay out of the downtown and off city roads. Our rescue crews, [Department of Public Works] staff, dispatchers and first responders are spread very thin and will need time to assess the damages, he announced via social media.Even with 100 rescue efforts already made, the states police force announced continued rescue work across Vermont with additional rescue teams arriving on scene from Connecticut, Massachusetts and North Carolina. The National Guard also deployed helicopters to assist with evacuations in areas hit the hardest by flooding.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/beijing-accuses-nato-of-discrediting-china-misrepresenting-its-policies-1111824942.html

Beijing Accuses NATO of Discrediting China, Misrepresenting Its Policies

Beijing Accuses NATO of Discrediting China, Misrepresenting Its Policies

NATO member countries misrepresented China's policies in their joint statement and deliberately discredited the country, announced China's diplomatic mission to the European Union.

2023-07-12T05:25+0000

2023-07-12T05:25+0000

2023-07-12T05:28+0000

world

jens stoltenberg

china

beijing

nato

nato summit in vilnius

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On Tuesday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO member countries agreed to jointly counter China's growing influence and military power. At the same time, NATO members said in a joint statement following the first day of the summit in Vilnius that China's policy is a challenge to the interests, security and values of the alliance, but NATO remains open to interaction with China. China is determined to protect its sovereignty and security and will resolutely rebuff any NATO action that harms China's legitimate rights and interests, the statement read. The statement added that China also opposed NATO's expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. "The repeated statement in the communique that NATO is a 'nuclear alliance' will only further exacerbate regional tensions, and China is deeply concerned in this regard," the mission noted. The NATO summit is taking place from July 11-12 in Vilnius, with Stoltenberg chairing the meeting. The summit agenda includes Ukraine's prospects for NATO membership and the issue of defense spending.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230711/china-comes-first-why-natos-office-in-japan-faces-uncertainty-1111811070.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/france-plans-to-train-about-7000-ukrainian-soldiers-by-end-of-2023-1111835493.html

France Plans to Train About 7,000 Ukrainian Soldiers by End of 2023

France Plans to Train About 7,000 Ukrainian Soldiers by End of 2023

France has already trained 5,200 Ukrainian soldiers, and it plans to train a total of 7,000 military by the end of 2023, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Wednesday.

2023-07-12T15:08+0000

2023-07-12T15:08+0000

2023-07-12T15:08+0000

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"France's support for Ukraine is not weakening. [...] Nearly 5,200 Ukrainian soldiers have already been trained by France, including 1,600 in Poland. There will be nearly 7,000 by the end of the year," Lecornu tweeted. He also noted that training is conducted taking into account the needs of Ukrainian armed forces. In particular, the troops learn how to operate French military equipment transferred to them and practice modern combat tactics, the minister added. The United Kingdoms government meanwhile announced on Wednesday that over 19,000 Ukrainian soldiers were trained in the country over the past six past months. The UK also plans to create a medical center for the rehabilitation of Ukrainian soldiers within NATO framework, as well as allocate Kiev 50 million pounds ($65 million) to repair military equipment and, together with other G7 countries, will provide "thousands of additional rounds" for Challenger 2 tanks and over 70 combat and logistics vehicles. Earlier in the day, the G7 members presented the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine agreed at the NATO summit in Vilnius. The declaration provides for the allocation of additional military equipment, expanded intelligence sharing, new training programs for the Ukrainian military, as well as the development of industrial capacities.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230127/four-reasons-leopard-2s--m1-abrams-will-bite-the-dust-in-ukraine-1106772754.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230527/ukrainians-may-fly-f-16s-with-wing--prayer-but-wont-be-effective-in-combat-1110641779.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/germany-to-withdraw-from-project-on-leopard-tank-maintenance-hub-in-poland--1111835675.html

Germany to Withdraw From Project on Leopard Tank Maintenance Hub in Poland

Germany to Withdraw From Project on Leopard Tank Maintenance Hub in Poland

Germany will withdraw from the project for the construction of a maintenance hub for Leopard 2 tanks in Poland due to Warsaw's inflated expectations regarding maintenance payment, German newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing sources

2023-07-12T15:27+0000

2023-07-12T15:27+0000

2023-07-12T15:27+0000

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Berlin wants the tanks to be repaired as close to the Ukrainian border as possible, but Poland has set what Germany described as unreasonable prices for maintenance of the military equipment, the newspaper reported. The German Defense Ministry will officially announce its withdrawal from the project in the coming days, the report said. In mid-June, Polish envoy to NATO Tomasz Szatkowski said that Warsaw and Berlin were planning to set up a repair center for German-made Leopard battle tanks in Poland's southern city of Gliwice in the near future. Szatkowski said Poland was also interested in servicing US-made Abrams tanks. However, in July, German magazine reported, citing sources, that Berlin and Warsaw had failed to reach a consensus on a final draft of the hub agreement, as Poland demanded over 100,000 euros ($110,000) for maintenance of one tank as part of the primary assessment. For comparison, in Germany, the cost of such work does not usually exceed 12,000 euros per tank, the report said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230709/kiev-reportedly-pulls-leopard-2s-from-front-low-on-armor-ammo-as-offensive-stalls-1111770462.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/medvedev-nato-may-never-accept-ukraine-bloc-too-afraid-to-voice-aloud-1111820499.html

Medvedev: NATO May Never Accept Ukraine, Bloc Too Afraid to Voice Aloud

Medvedev: NATO May Never Accept Ukraine, Bloc Too Afraid to Voice Aloud

Ukraine might never join NATO, and the alliance is afraid to say it out loud, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday.

2023-07-12T02:28+0000

2023-07-12T02:28+0000

2023-07-12T02:26+0000

world

dmitry medvedev

jens stoltenberg

ukraine

vilnius

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"Everything is as we thought: the Action Plan for Ukraine's membership in the Alliance (MAP) is to be canceled. [The goal] is to make it [accession] kind of faster [the accession] might never happen. And this is something that the realists in the alliance are afraid to say out loud," Medvedev wrote on his Telegram channel. The official also called NATOs intention to increase military assistance to Ukraine "a dead end in fact." "The World War Three is getting closer," Medvedev said.The remarks come as Ukraine's potential NATO membership has remained a hot topic amid Russia's special military operation, even more so with the military bloc's recently kicked off Vilnius summit.In fact, talk of the anticipated membership hit a new level after NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg commented during the start of the summit that there was no point in discussing the move if the Kiev regime failed to come out on top from hostilities. The commentary largely falls in line with NATO's official stance that there is no official timeline for Ukraine's admittance to the military alliance, and that it would only be issued an invitation once all members agree on the terms and Ukraine makes a concerted effort to meet them.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230711/stoltenberg-all-nato-members-agree-ukraine-cant-join-alliance-until-end-of-hostilities-1111815094.html

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(Photo : ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images)

During their rebellion, the Wagner Group was close to gaining access to Vladimir Putin's nuclear arsenal, according to Ukraine's intelligence director.

During their brief mutiny last month, Wagner Group mercenaries came perilously close to entering a Russian nuclear base to seize nuclear weapons that could fit in a knapsack to use as leverage, according to Ukraine's chief spymaster.

On June 24, while the insurgents' main force, commanded by Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin and ostensibly en route to capture Russia's top military officials, advanced toward Moscow, a smaller group headed east toward a fortified army base.

Wagner Rebels Came Close to Russia's Nuclear Base

Kyrylo Budanov, the 37-year-old director of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate, stated that the mercenaries' objective was Voronezh-45. This heavily guarded facility allegedly houses tiny, backpack-sized nuclear weapons from the Soviet era, according to NY Post.

According to Budanov, the mutineers' plan to obtain nuclear weapons failed because "the doors to the storage area were locked, and they were unable to enter the technical section."

The Ukrainian official did not explain why Prigozhin's fighters abandoned the nuclear base without attempting to enter. A Kremlin-affiliated source with ties to the Russian military affirmed portions of Budanov's account, stating that Wagner fighters "managed to enter a zone of special interest, causing American concern because nuclear weapons are stored there."

According to a source in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine, the Kremlin was so alarmed by the rebels' attempt to take nuclear explosives that President Vladimir Putin quickly agreed to a peace agreement with Prigozhin, brokered by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.

The agreement exempted the Wagner rebels from prosecution for treason and permitted them to join Russia's conventional army or follow their leader Prigozhin into exile in Belarus. It is uncertain what will happen to Prigozhin. Prigozhin returned to Russia on June 29 to meet with Putin to discuss the insurrection, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Lukashenko stated last week that he was not in Belarus.

The Wagner chief was also recently spotted in St. Petersburg, arriving at the local FSB office to retrieve his June-confiscated arsenal of weapons.

US officials questioned Budanov's unverified claims regarding Wagner fighters' detour to the Voronezh-45 base, insisting that Russia's nuclear arsenal was never jeopardized during the brief uprising.

During the coup attempt by Wagner's forces, a convoy of military vehicles was diverted east toward the Voronezh-45 nuclear base. Before the surveillance trace died, the mercenaries were approximately 60 miles from the nuclear storage site.

Per The Sun, Budanov claims Wagner arrived at the nuclear base intending to seize small Soviet-era nuclear devices. Small nuclear devices that can be transported in a backpack are stored at the site, which he described as "one of the most important storage facilities for these backpacks."

Budanov asserted that the mercenaries infiltrated the facility but were unable to access the Russian nuclear weapons because the storage entrances were locked.

Read Also: Helicopter Crashes Near Mount Everest in Nepal, Kills 6 People

Wagner Chief Allegedly Met Putin

US and Soviet troops were taught to deploy them behind enemy lines, but both countries resolved to cease using them in the 1990s; however, it is unclear whether Russia destroyed all the devices.

Budanov's allegation follows Moscow's assertion that Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin met with the Russian leader days after the failed coup. The Russian dictator commanded the Wagner commander to assassinate the Ukrainian president and "bring back his skull."

Five days after Wagner's mercenaries brought Russia to the verge of civil war, Prigozhin's clandestine meeting occurred while he was supposed to be exiled. Putin is rumored to have praised the group's efforts in Ukraine less than a week after congratulating his troops on ending a "civil conflict."

Five days earlier, the mercenaries had captured Russia's war headquarters in Rostov-on-Don and fired down several aircraft as they approached Moscow from a distance of 120 miles.

Prigozhin himself stated that the insurrection was not intended to overthrow Putin, but rather to target his defense minister Sergei Shoigu and army commander Valery Gerasimov, whom he holds responsible for Ukraine's failures.

Following the enigma surrounding Prigozhin's whereabouts, news of the private meeting is revealed. Under an agreement mediated by Vlad's puppet Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, the billionaire warlord intended to go into exile in Belarus.

At least one army camp was established for 8,000 of Wagner's soldiers to follow him and establish a new base on NATO's frontier, but it was left unoccupied. And Lukashenko recanted his earlier claim that Prigozhin was in Minsk, stating that he believed Wagner's head was in St. Petersburg.

Air tracker sites indicate that his private jet has been crisscrossing Russia recently, amid rumors that a private agreement has been reached to enable him to remain.

Related Article: VIDEO: Russian Fighter Jets Harrass US Drones Over Syria

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/nato-allies-sign-pact-on-f-16-jet-training-for-ukraine-1111831558.html

NATO Allies Sign Pact on F-16 Jet Training for Ukraine

NATO Allies Sign Pact on F-16 Jet Training for Ukraine

NATO allies and Sweden signed a declaration that formalized a coalition for teaching Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets, the Romanian Defense Ministry Said on Wednesday.

2023-07-12T11:46+0000

2023-07-12T11:46+0000

2023-07-12T11:46+0000

military

ukrainian crisis

russia-nato showdown

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"Minister of National Defence, Angel Tilvar, signed on Tuesday, July 11, as part of the NATO Summit from Vilnius, the Joint Declaration on the formalization of the Training Coalition for the Ukrainian Air Force, in order to operate the F-16 aircraft," the statement read. The coalition groups Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Romania has recently retired its fleet of Soviet-made MiG-21s to replace them with F-16s. Defense Minister Tilvar said Romania planned to have three squadrons equipped with F-16 Fighting Falcons and was interested in training pilots trained to fly them "as soon as possible." Romania will set up a training facility for Romanian air force personnel where they will be taught to operate F-16s. The Defense Ministry said it would accept pilots from NATO allied and partner states, including Ukraine.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230525/scott-ritter-sending-f-16-to-ukraine-will-backfire-1110582931.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230527/ukrainians-may-fly-f-16s-with-wing--prayer-but-wont-be-effective-in-combat-1110641779.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/nato-spent-years-preparing-for-proxy-war-with-russia-in-ukraine-1111838638.html

NATO Spent Years Preparing For Proxy War With Russia in Ukraine

NATO Spent Years Preparing For Proxy War With Russia in Ukraine

Even before the Ukraine conflict escalated in February 2022, Britain, Sweden, Canada, and the United States were investing in Ukraine and building up their capabilities, the UK defense minister has stated at the NATO summit in Vilnius. Does it mean NATO has long prepared for a proxy war with Russia?

2023-07-12T19:18+0000

2023-07-12T19:18+0000

2023-07-12T19:18+0000

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The US neocons and their likeminded NATO allies have long been apparently seeking to knock Russia out of the political arena before trying to crack down on China in a bid to preserve the US dominance, retired US Air Force Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski believes.It seems that Ukraine appeared a convenient candidate for the role of a "hammer" against Russia.Since When Has Ukraine Received Western Military Assistance?Ukraine has been a leading recipient of Western military supplies since the early 1990s when the country gained independence, with the US spearheading the initiative. In the first ten years after independence, Ukraine received almost $2.6 billion in assistance from the US. Until 2014, Ukraine had been receiving an estimated $105 million per annum, including foreign military financing.NATOs North Atlantic Cooperation Council embraced Ukraine as a "partner country" in 1991 and included it in the Partnership for Peace program in 1994. Washington's NATO ally, the UK, played an important role in the effort, holding joint military exercises with the Ukrainians, as well as providing training and funding to the nation's armed forces.Thus, the first joint Ukrainian-British military exercises "Cossack steppe" were held in the second half of the 1990s as part of NATO's Partnership for Peace program. The NATO-Ukraine Commission was established in 1997 with the aim of developing the relationship between the nation and the bloc and directing cooperative activities.UK Military Assistance to Ukraine: 2009-2014As per UK government documents, the Ministry of Defense spent approximately 3.9 million supporting Ukraine through the Defense Assistance Fund and the Conflict Pool between 2009 and 2014.Many of the activities funded through these mechanisms supported "command, control and communications capabilities (C3)." In particular, the UK held joint exercises with the Ukrainian military, provided military education to the nation's specialists, and "contributions to NATO coordinated activities." Both UK civilian and military personnel had been deployed to Ukraine during that period of time while Ukrainian personnel were sent to the UK.NATO's Enhanced Military Assistance to Ukraine: 2014-2021Following the illegitimate coup d'etat in Kiev in February 2014, the West stepped up military assistance to the new Ukrainian authorities.Between 2014 and 2021, the United States provided over $2.5 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, which included the provision of trainers, selected weaponry systems (such as counter-mortar radars), and Javelin anti-tank missiles.The boost in military assistance was justified by NATO member states by the alleged "Russian invasion" in Donbass. However, it is well documented that Donbass declared independence in response to the illegitimate coup d'etat in Kiev fomented with the assistance of nationalist and neo-Nazi paramilitary groups and subsequent Russophobic policies of the new government. The Donbass breakaway Donetsk and Lugansk Republics started largely forming militias after the interim Kiev government kicked off what it called "anti-terrorist" operations (ATO) against the region.Moscow came up with the idea of the Minsk Agreements to stop hostilities in Eastern Ukraine. Russia, France and Germany played the role of guarantors of the accords. Nonetheless, as ex-German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former French President Francois Hollande admitted last year, the Minsk agreements were signed by Western powers to buy time in order to bolster the Ukrainian military capacity.Ukraine Extensive Training and Naval ProvocationsUS allies jumped on the bandwagon, forwarding their military assistance to Ukraine through the NATO-Ukraine Commission, and through initiatives such as the US/Canada/UK/Ukraine Joint Commission for Defense Reform and Security Cooperation which was established in July 2014.In particular, Britain kicked off and then expanded Operation Orbital, envisaging extensive training of the Ukrainian military including combat actions in urban environments. These activities included: medical, infantry and survival skills training; countering improvised explosive devices; training for defensive operations in an urban environment; operational planning; engineering; countering attacks from snipers, armored vehicles and mortars.It meant that those Ukrainian soldiers that had undergone training under the program would pass on their knowledge and techniques to their military peers. Britons also expanded the scope of the training package to embrace all branches of Ukraines Armed Forces.In June 2020, Ukraine was offered Enhanced Opportunity Partner status with NATO which provided Ukraine with preferential access to NATOs exercises, training and exchange of information and situational awareness. The status envisaged increasing interoperability between Ukraine and NATO member states. In September 2020, Ukraine hosted the Exercise Joint Endeavour with British, US and Canadian troops, held within the framework of Ukraine's new enhanced NATO status.In June 2021, the UK, Ukraine and industry signed a Memorandum of Implementation to a new Naval Capabilities Enhancement Program (NCEP). The program in particular included: Ukraine's acquisition of two refurbished Royal Navy Sandown-class minehunters; the sale and integration of missiles on new and in-service Ukrainian Navy patrol and airborne platforms, including a training and engineering support package; The UK's assistance in building new naval bases in the Black and Azov Seas; the development and joint production of eight fast missile warships; The participation in the Ukrainian project to deliver a modern frigate capability.The same month, the UK Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Defender was deployed in the Black Sea "in a show of solidarity with Ukraine" and illegally entered Russian waters off Crimea and proceeded to sail through, prompting Russian warships and aircraft to surround the ship and fire warning shots in its vicinity to force it to leave. Even though the UK initially denied that it resorted to deliberate provocations, leaked British government documents proved otherwise.Russia's Draft Security AgreementsRussia has repeatedly raised the red flag over the NATO-Ukraine rapprochement and the transatlantic bloc's enlargement. In accordance with its Declaration of State Sovereignty (July 16, 1990) Ukraine pledged to permanently remain a neutral country. In addition, in the early 1990s, Western powers asserted to Moscow that NATO wouldn't expand towards Russia. At the same time, the US and its allies refused to consider Russia's bid to join NATO while encouraging former Soviet Republics and Warsaw Pact member states to join.Russia outlined its longstanding concerns with regard to Ukraine's military buildup on its doorstep and NATO's expansion in draft security agreements which were handed over to the US and NATO in December 2021.The agreement particularly sought guarantees of NATO's non-enlargement and non-admission of Ukraine to the bloc. The US and NATO rejected the major provisions of the agreement leading to Russia's special military operation aimed at de-militarizing and de-Nazifying Ukraine in February 2022.Ukraine Conflict is US/NATO Proxy War Against RussiaEven though in March 2022, Ukraine and Russia struck a preliminary deal in Istanbul to stop hostilities, the US and the UK openly opposed the agreement, pledging more weapons to Kiev and declaring the goal of bleeding Russia white. According to the US military expert, three problems have emerged in the result of Washington's misreading of the Russia and Ukraine conflict: First, that intent of weakening and isolating Russia did not play out "as it must have done in Jake Sullivan's brainstorming sessions." Second, the supplies have illustrated a variety of strategic weaknesses in US and NATO defense industrial production, where we see Joe Biden actually stating the obvious that the "US is out of ammunition." Third, taking the Ukraine-Russia destruction project on at a time when the US is experiencing financial weakness, with very limited reserves of gold, guns and "war spirit" demonstrates that the "war planning" of the White House and Pentagon has been done in a vacuum, and under false assumptions.As per Kwiatkowski, peace is possible but it may require a difficult re-evaluation of the US role in the world while neocons and war profiteers do not accept this re-evaluation.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220819/which-western-countries-armed-ukraine-1099754223.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/74-years-of-nato-expansion-in-a-minute-1111832901.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230512/kiev-terrorizes-donbass-civilians-since-it-cannot-win-on-battlefield-1110294477.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20210630/putin-says-hms-defender-was-clearly-pursuing-military-goals-1083273684.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20211227/nato-preparing-for-large-scale-armed-conflict-with-russia-russian-defence-ministry-says-1091840807.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20210530/how-story-of-broken-nato-non-enlargement-pledge-upends-wests-effort-to-depict-russia-as-aggressor-1083035472.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230523/nato-gunning-to-destroy-russia-through-proxy-war-in-ukraine---medvedev-1110539806.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/wallace-admits-uk-allies-were-building-ukraines-military-capability-before-conflict-1111830909.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/north-korea-fires-unidentified-ballistic-missile-toward-sea-of-japan-1111823571.html

North Korea Fires Long-Range Ballistic Missile Toward Sea of Japan

North Korea Fires Long-Range Ballistic Missile Toward Sea of Japan

North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile early Wednesday toward the Sea of Japan, defense ministries with both South Korea and Japan have detailed.

2023-07-12T01:28+0000

2023-07-12T01:28+0000

2023-07-12T03:42+0000

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North Korea fired a ballistic missile early Wednesday toward the Sea of Japan, defense ministries with both South Korea and Japan have detailed."A possible ballistic missile was launched from North Korea," read an initial message issued by Japanese officials. A follow-up release stated Pyongyang had "launched at least one ballistic missile."South Korean military reported that the launch involved one long-range ballistic missile.Details of the launch have yet to be released by military as an official analysis remains ongoing; however, preliminary reports citing defense insiders suggested the missile flew for approximately 74 minutes at an altitude of 6,000 kilometers and a range of 1,000 kilometers.Japanese officials earlier indicated the missile fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone at about 11:13 a.m. local time.A statement by issued by Japanese officials notes that aircraft and ships were instructed to avoid any potential debris they may come in contact with, as well as alert the Japan Coast Guard of any findings.Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno has since condemned the "unacceptable" launch, underscoring that such behavior "threaten the peace and security of our country, the region and the international community."In response to the development, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is participating in NATO's Vilnius summit, called an emergency national security meeting. The launch was deployed as Yoon is due to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday.The launch comes as North Korea blasted recent US reconnaissance flights that saw American planes enter the airspace above the nation's economic zone. Kim Yo Jong, the sister of the North Korean leader and who serves as the deputy department director of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, detailed that two flights were documented. The flights, however, are in addition to 'multiple' airspace violations that occurred earlier in the month.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230710/north-korea-calls-uss-plan-to-send-nuclear-submarine-to-peninsula-blackmail-1111782565.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/russias-foreign-minister-arrives-in-indonesia-to-participate-in-asean-meetings-1111826279.html

Russia's Lavrov Arrives in Indonesia to Participate in ASEAN Meetings

Russia's Lavrov Arrives in Indonesia to Participate in ASEAN Meetings

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived in Indonesia's capital Jakarta for a 3-day official visit to meet with his counterparts and participate in meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a Sputnik correspondent reported Wednesday.

2023-07-12T06:00+0000

2023-07-12T06:00+0000

2023-07-12T06:17+0000

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On Wednesday, Lavrov will hold a bilateral meeting with ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn, which will focus on strengthening Russia's partnership with the association. Lavrov will also participate in the meetings of ASEAN foreign ministers in the formats of Russia-ASEAN, the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum on Security in Jakarta on July 13-14. The Russia-ASEAN meeting will be held on Thursday and is expected to focus on deepening cooperation in political, economic, social and cultural spheres, with special attention to be paid to ways of ensuring food and energy security. Preparations for the summit of the ASEAN leaders, scheduled for September in Indonesia, will be the key topic of Friday's meeting in the format of the East Asia Summit, during which the ministers are expected to adopt a road map for 2024-2028. The ministers plan to discuss countering new challenges, the fight against terrorism, and disarmament in the format of the ASEAN Regional Forum on Security. A number of practical initiatives are expected to be adopted during the forum. Lavrov intends to draw the attention of Asia-Pacific partners to the militarization of the region and the promotion of Russia's approaches to creating an inclusive architecture of regional security, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said last week. ASEAN is the association of 10 Southeast Asian states, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, aimed at fostering both political and economic cooperation among its members. Indonesia is chairing the association in 2023.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230607/power-has-shifted-dramatically-nato-expansion-plans-in-asia-bump-against-reality-1110988084.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230602/worlds-largest-trade-pact-rcep-enters-full-force-with-philippines-ratification-1110866052.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/s-korea-offers-japan-australia-new-zealand-collective-security-after-norths-launch-1111830580.html

S. Korea Offers Japan, Australia, New Zealand Collective Security After North's Launch

S. Korea Offers Japan, Australia, New Zealand Collective Security After North's Launch

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol urged the country's three NATO allies in the Asia-Pacific (AP4) to set a collective security arrangement following a new missile launch by North Korea.

2023-07-12T10:45+0000

2023-07-12T10:45+0000

2023-07-12T10:45+0000

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Earlier in the day, North Korea launched a ballistic missile, which fell 155 miles off Japan's Okushiri Island, outside the country's exclusive economic zone. "I believe we, the AP4, should band together with NATO to establish a strong collective security posture. We will have to use this as an opportunity to enhance our cooperation framework with NATO and take a leading role in regional security in the Indo-Pacific region," Yoon said at a meeting with the leaders of Australia, Japan and New Zealand on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius, as quoted by the South Korean news agency. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reportedly concurred with Yoon's initiative and described the North Korean launch as a threat to international peace and stability, while Australia's Anthony Albanese condemned the launch as violating UN resolutions and affirmed Canberra's solidarity with Seoul. NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg met with the four Asia-Pacific allies in Vilnius also on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, Yoon vowed to hold North Korea accountable for its missile launch and convened an emergency session of the National Security Council. The Wednesday launch was North Korea's first since June 15 and the 12th so far this year. Last year, Pyongyang launched 37 ballistic missiles. The missile reportedly flew a record 74 minutes, with the flight altitude estimated at 6,000 kilometers and the range reaching 1,000 kilometers. The missile was launched at 00:59 GMT and fell outside the exclusive economic zone of Japan at 02:13 GMT, according to reports, citing Japanese and South Korean military.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230414/north-korea-tests-first-ever-solid-fuel-hwasong-18-icbm-1109503831.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230628/the-73-year-long-war-how-cold-war-rivalries-set-off-the-korean-conflict-1111503385.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/venezuela-supports-cubas-criticism-of-eus-lack-of-transparency-on-eu-celac-summit-1111826952.html

Venezuela Supports Cuba's Criticism of EU's Lack of Transparency on EU-CELAC Summit

Venezuela Supports Cuba's Criticism of EU's Lack of Transparency on EU-CELAC Summit

Venezuela shares Cuba's criticism of the European Union over manipulative behavior and lack of transparency ahead of the summit between the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil has said.

2023-07-12T06:16+0000

2023-07-12T06:16+0000

2023-07-12T06:16+0000

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Earlier in the week, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla said that the EU was jeopardizing the summit, scheduled to take place from July 17-18, by imposing "restrictive and divisive formats" and deciding on its own who will represent the Latin American organization in some of the meetings on the sidelines of the summit. "The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela resolutely supports complaints by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla about the lack of transparency and manipulative behavior of the European Union during the organization of the third EU-CELAC summit in Brussels from July 17-18 that seriously undermines success of the meeting," Gil tweeted on Tuesday. In particular, Venezuela believes the EU displayed a lack of transparency as regards a number of parallel events expected to be held on the sidelines of the summit without the agreement with Latin American governments, a statement published by Gil on Twitter read. At the same time, CELAC has significantly contributed to a democratic and inclusive format of the upcoming event that would allow the two sides to improve mutually beneficial cooperation, it added. CELAC is a regional intergovernmental organization founded in 2010 aimed at improving integration among Latin American and Caribbean countries. The organization includes 33 member states.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230706/latin-american-nations-reject-pro-kiev-position-ahead-of-eu-celac-summit-1111706206.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/wallace-admits-uk-allies-were-building-ukraines-military-capability-before-conflict-1111830909.html

Wallace Admits UK, Allies Were Building Ukraine's Military Capability Before Conflict

Wallace Admits UK, Allies Were Building Ukraine's Military Capability Before Conflict

UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said on Wednesday that the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Sweden had been investing in Ukraine and building up the country's military capabilities before the start of the conflict in February 2022.

2023-07-12T11:03+0000

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"Ultimately culturally it is accepted that Ukraine will join NATO. When that happens is either condition-based. Also, before ...[the conflict started in February, 2022], Britain with Sweden, Canada, the United States were investing in Ukraine and building their capabilities," Wallace said at a news conference during the NATO summit in Vilnius. In 2014-2015, Ukraine negotiated a series of measures with Russia, France and Germany known as the Minsk Agreements aimed at a political resolution of conflict in Donbass. In February of this year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted that he told former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron that Kiev never intended to fulfill the Minsk Agreements. Merkel said that the deal had been merely an attempt to give Ukraine time to gain strength ahead of a full-scale military confrontation.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230220/minsk-agreements-helped-ukraine-beef-up-its-military-merkel-tells-russian-pranksters-1107634431.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/watch-russia-perekop-training-ship-entering-havana-bay-1111833718.html

Watch Russia 'Perekop' Training Ship Entering Havana Bay

Watch Russia 'Perekop' Training Ship Entering Havana Bay

"Perekop" is a Smolny-class training ship of the Russian Baltic Fleet. 12.07.2023, Sputnik International

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This footage shows Russian training ship "Perekop" with cadets on board arriving in Havana Bay, Cuba. Cubans greeted the Russian vessel with 21 round of artillery salute. "Perekop" started its long naval hike in Kronstadt on June 20 and crossed the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea in two weeks. In order to provide cadets with field experience, the ship will visit several Caribbean, Latin American and African countries. The vessel will return to its base in September.Despite its purely educational purpose, "Perekop" is armed with turrets and capable of electronic warfare.

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The Russian Navys "Perekop" training ship with cadets on board has arrived in Havana Bay The Russian Navys "Perekop" training ship with cadets on board has arrived in Havana Bay 2023-07-12T17:26+0000 true PT0M11S

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What are SCALP Missiles and How May They Affect Ukraine's Counteroffensive?

What are SCALP Missiles and How May They Affect Ukraine's Counteroffensive?

French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to provide Ukraine with SCALP long-range cruise missiles won't affect the existing status quo given the experience the Russian military gained while thwarting the weapon's analog called "Storm Shadow", a Russian military expert told Sputnik.

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During the NATO summit in Vilnius, President Emmanuel Macron committed to providing dozens of SCALP long-range missiles to Ukraine. However, the French president did not specify when the weapons would be delivered to Kiev. France has become the second country, after the UK, to equip Ukraine with long-range rockets."In light of the situation and the counteroffensive being conducted by Ukraine, I have decided to increase deliveries of weapons and equipment and to provide the Ukrainians with deep strike capabilities," Macron told journalists upon arrival at the summit.What is the Difference Between SCALP and Storm Shadow?The SCALP-EG (Emploi General, meaning General Purpose) is a French name for "Storm Shadow," the stealthy air-launched long range, conventionally armed, deep strike weapon, produced by European multinational missile-maker MBDA. The missile was based on the Apache, a French-developed, air-launched, anti-runway cruise missile.What is the Range of a SCALP/Storm Shadow Missile?The SCALP is powered by a turbojet at Mach 0.8 (987.8 km/h). It weighs 1300 kg which includes a conventional warhead of 450 kilograms. The weapon's length and diameter are 5.10 meters and 0.63 m, respectively, with a wingspan of 3 m. The missile costs approximately $3.19 million per unit.How Do SCALP and Storm Shadow Operate?The SCALP is a "fire-and-forget" missile, meaning that it is programmed before launch. Having been launched the missile cannot be controlled: it follows its path semi-autonomously. Close to its target, the weapon climbs to a higher altitude to maximize the odds of penetrating the target. Finally, it hits the target before a delayed fuse explodes the main warhead.How Are SCALPs and Storm Shadows Carried?The weapon can be carried by the Tornado GR4, Italian Tornado IDS, Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Mirage 2000 and Dassault Rafale aircraft. It was used by the UK, France and Italy in the Gulf, Iraq and Libya attacks.When it comes to Ukraine, it was earlier reported that the nation's air force would use the Su-24  a supersonic, all-weather tactical bomber developed in the Soviet Union  for launching the Franco-British weapon. Initially, pictures released by the Ukrainian media showed a Su-24 with a Storm Shadow placed under the fixed-wing "glove" pylon. Ukraines Su-24 combat and Su-24MR reconnaissance warplanes have been modified to fire the stealthy long-range missile.Can Russia Intercept SCALP and Storm Shadow Missiles?The missile is very difficult to detect due to its extremely small radar cross-section (RCS), according to Knutov. "That is, the Storm Shadow [SCALP EG] has a radar cross-section of 0.01 to 0.03 square meters, which is very small," he said.Nonetheless, Russia's air defenses are capable of detecting and destroying the Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles, Knutov underscored. The Ministry of Defense has repeatedly reported about intercepting the Franco-British stealthy long-range missiles.What's more, Russian forces' recent capture of a Storm Shadow missile may prove invaluable for studying ways to defeat the weapon. The rocket was shot down in the Zaporozhye region and remained mostly intact. Dissecting the missile could uncover its potential weaknesses and determine the optimal direction from which to strike the cruise missile with an interceptor.According to the military expert, that will allow Russia to improve its radars and missile guidance stations to better detect the stealthy missiles. He explained that studying the body of the rockets is important, because the Russian engineers will be able to see which range of radio waves transmitted by the missile is radio-transparent and which is partly reflected. "It will be possible to create electronic warfare systems that will more effectively affect the homing heads of both Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles," Knutov said.How Many SCALPs is France Sending to Ukraine?In his statement, Macron did not specify the number of missiles, but Western media cite sources saying that France may deliver 50 units to Ukraine."If we are talking about 50 missiles (...) one should bear in mind that it could be more than 50," Knutov said. "This may be a leak that is organized for the media. Of course, they play a certain role, because now the NATO bloc is trying to help the Kiev regime to somehow break through our defense line."Will SCALP Make a Difference on the Ukrainian Battlefield?NATO is sending longer-range missiles to strike Russia's personnel, ammo, equipment, and command posts which are currently kept at a distance of over 100 km from the frontline, according to the expert.The US-made HIMARS are launching rockets with a strike range of 80 km which is not enough in the eyes of NATO war planners to exert pressure on the Russian Armed Forces. NATO member states sending missiles with a range of 300 kilometers, like Storm Shadow/SCALP (or, potentially, the US-made ATACMS), pose a certain challenge to the Russian military, the expert noted.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/fact-check-have-british-storm-shadows-proved-effective-on-ukraine-battlefield-1111509648.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230512/what-are-storm-shadow-missiles-and-how-can-russia-defeat-them-1110288372.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/how-trophy-storm-shadow-can-greatly-simplify-russian-militarys-work-in-ukraine-1111730778.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/where-do-western-weapons-sent-to-kiev-actually-end-up-1111728757.html

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It's a rare and noteworthy feat for a Standardbred horse to reach 100 wins, and it's equally noteworthy when a fan of harness racing and longtime participant reaches the century mark.

Jean Feagan (pictured above at the head of Jay Bee Blaze) was born on July 11, 1923 and she celebrated her 100th birthday today with a gathering of family and friends in Goderich, Ont. That Feagan name is certainly familiar to those that have followed the harness racing industry in Ontario, as Jean and her late husband Ben were the aunt and uncle of Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Famer Ron Feagan and his brother, Gary.

From early pony races in Huron County, Jean has developed a lifelong love affair with horse racing. Over the years, Jean & Ben managed a stable of Standardbreds with as many as 14 in their care. Jean herself has 20 training wins according to Standardbred Canada records (ie. dating back to 1992 for training statistics) with her last win coming nearly 20 years ago at the age of 80 with pacer E Mail Address in August 2003 at Clinton Raceway. Jean still has E Mail Address, now 25 years old, on her farm along with Whats Your Wish -- a 19-year-old son of Grinfromeartoear, pictured below, who she purchased as a yearling in 2005.

According to her niece Lynn Davies, Jean's favourite horse over the years would be a homebred by the name of Change To Rayne. The son of Springer - Keep The Change was bred by Jean and Ben, and developed and trained by Ben nearly throughout his career. He made 129 starts, 122 for the Feagans until being claimed at the age of 10. A winner of 22 races in his career, Change To Rayne's best season came at the age of four when he was named 1994 Pacer of the Year at Elmira Raceway.

The Feagans were also honoured by Western Fair Raceway with a special lifetime achievement award, presented by Dave & Cheryl Wall.

"Jean's been a horse lover her entire life," said Davies. "She still lives in the farmhouse with the help of her friends and family."

Davies agreed that the environment on the farm, surrounded by horses, is a positive factor and influence in the life of Jean Feagan.

"It's something she has definitely expressed over the years that she wants to stay here. She's been fortunate that she's been able to stay here, and she's done very well, as you know, with the advancing years she has that help...her daughter as a daily visitor or grandchildren that come at different times of the week.

"I'm not able to visit quite as often regularly, but we still stay in touch. We can have a telephone conversation, 45 minutes to an hour. And she's right there with me."

That longevity is also fostered by rich connections with the people in her life, both inside and outside of the Standardbred world.

"It's the people contact and it's a wide variety of people, not just the horse industry. Certainly she loves to stay in touch about the horses every time I see or talk to her. It's 'How are your horses doing? Where are you racing next?' That kind of thing."

Her compassion and interest in the activities of others resonates with Davies.

"She is one of the most well respected and regarded individuals. She's got a heart as big as this whole world, and the people in her life have kept her young at heart. Her great grandchildren call her 'Grandma Horsey' and her grandchildren have also adopted that phrase over the years."

Please join Standardbred Canada in wishing Jean Feagan a happy 100th birthday.
(Photo : PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

A customer uses an ATM outside of a Bank of America branch in Rolling Hills Estates, California, on March 13, 2023. - US President Biden sought to reassure Americans over the country's banking system on Monday, while insisting emergency measures would not be paid for by taxpayers, as additional banks came under stress following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank last week, the second largest bank failure in history, and New York regulators took control of Signature Bank on Sunday.

Federal regulators announced on Tuesday that they have determined that Bank of America harmed its customers by double-dipping on fees, withholding credit card rewards, and opening phony accounts, violating various customer financial protection laws.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau consequently ordered Bank of America (BAC) to pay more than $100 million to customers and $90 million in penalties. In addition, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency fined Bank of America (BAC) $60 million.

Bank of America Fined Over Junk Fees, Fake Accounts

Serving 68 million individuals and small enterprises, this bank is the second largest in the United States. Some of the allegations resemble the Wells Fargo scandal of the previous decade, in which millions of bank accounts were opened without customer permission, as per CNN.

Bank of America, according to the CFPB, "harmed hundreds of thousands of customers over several years and across a variety of product lines and services."

The CFPB and OCC discovered, among other things, that the bank, which normally charged customers $35 if their transaction was declined due to insufficient funds, allowed those fees to be "repeatedly charged" for the same transaction, resulting in "tens of millions of dollars in fees on resubmitted transactions," according to the OCC.

This would occur if a third-party merchant resubmitted the charge to the customer's account, which may need more funds to cover the expense after the initial transaction was declined. The customer would then be charged either a $35 overdraft fee or a $35 insufficient funds fee.

The bank's disclosures could have made it obvious that a single transaction could incur multiple fees. In addition, customers needed help knowing when or if a merchant would resubmit a transaction to the bank for payment, making it impossible for them to avoid being charged multiple times for the same transaction, according to the OCC's statement.

Per USA Today, the second-largest bank in the United States was ordered to pay a $10 million civil penalty for unlawful garnishments and $225 million in fines for "mishandled" state unemployment benefit disbursements in 2022.

The most recent penalty comprises $90 million to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and $60 million to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The bank must pay an additional $80.4 million in customer restitution on top of the $23 million already paid to customers denied rewards incentive eligibility.

The order comes less than a year after the CFPB issued its largest sanction against any bank to date in late 2022 when it ordered Wells Fargo to pay $2 billion to customers and a $1.7 billion penalty to resolve charges stemming from a series of scandals involving the bank's sales practices.

In 2014, the CFPB ordered Bank of America to pay $727 million for unlawful credit card practices.

Read Also: Helicopter Crashes Near Mount Everest in Nepal, Kills 6 People

Who is Eligible for Bank of America's Refund?

According to the spokesperson, the bank no longer charges the fees in issue. Additionally, the CFPB ordered Bank of America to reimburse consumers who incurred costs from new credit card accounts opened without their consent and to compensate customers who were denied promised reward incentives.

The bank has already compensated consumers injured by withholding credit card bonuses of approximately $23 million. According to the CFPB, eligible customers do not need to take any action to receive their compensation.

Depending on the circumstances, Bank of America will deposit funds into client accounts or mail them a cheque. The bureau added that all customers affected by the missing credit card rewards will be compensated.

Bank of America verified to Newsweek that it will identify and contact eligible customers directly. Later this month, the bank will designate a point of contact for consumer inquiries.

Related Article: Missing German Businessman Found Dismembered in Thailand With Chainsaw, Hedge Clippers

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The Meadowlands Racetrack is ready to host its signature pacing event for glamour boys on Saturday night (July 15) with the $668,000 Meadowlands Pace  the marquee event on an evening with nearly $2.5 million in stakes purses on offer.

In the Meadowlands Pace, six finalists from the 2023 Pepsi North America Cup return for a rematch including the runner-up in Canadas richest classic, Confederate. Brett Pelling trains the son of Sweet Lou who paced a career-best 1:47.3 to win his elimination and secure a protected post draw for the final, where he will start from post five. Tim Tetrick sticks with the colt closing in on a million dollars in earnings.

Nancy Takter trains the other elimination winner, the developing Sweet Lou colt Cannibal, as part of a three-pronged charge going into the final. Cannibal, starting from post four, acquires Andy McCarthy in the sulky since regular driver Scott Zeron sticks with Governors Cup winner and elimination runner-up El Rey from post seven. Also in Takters firing line are third-place finisher Christchurch with Yannick Gingras from post three and Save America with Matt Kakaley from post 10.

Other Cup finalists in play in the Meadowlands Pace include Fulton from post one after finishing fifth in his elimination, Voukefalas from post two after finishing second in his elimination and Ammo from post nine after finishing fourth in his elimination. Cup consolation runner-up Hungry Angel Boy will compete from post six, then the team of Shane & Lauren Tritton pair with Its A Me Mario from post eight after the colt finished third in his elimination.

A pair of divisions for the $210,500 Del Miller Memorial begins the stakes action on Saturday. Division one, carded as Race 3, has last years Jim Doherty Memorial winner Instagram Model starting alongside New York New York Mile champ Secret Volo from the outermost spots in the field of seven. Andy McCarthy will steer Instagram Model for trainer Annie Stoebe from post seven and Brian Sears will pilot Secret Volo from post six for conditioner Marcus Melander.

Bond aims to extend her nine-race win streak in the second Del Miller Memorial split, where she will start from post four in rein to trainer Ake Svanstedt. Her competition includes Kayleigh S, the full-sister to last years Hambletonian runner-up Joviality S starting from post three; Kentucky Sire Stakes champ Mambacita from post two; and Ohio Sires Stakes star Rose Run Yolanda from post six in the compact field of seven.

The $410,250 Hambletonian Maturity pins nine four-year-olds at a distance of 1-1/8 miles including a trio of mares tackling the males. The top ranked horse in North America harness racing, Jiggy Jog S lands post three off her 1:50.3 annihilation in the $230,000 Graduate Series and maintains Dexter Dunn against a pair of mares in Domenico Cecere trainee Raised By Lindy from post six and Burke pupil M Ms Dream from post nine. Last years Hambletonian winner Cool Papa Bell will compete from the pylon post off a third-place finish in the Graduate Series final.

Canadian sensation and dual divisional winner Sylvia Hanover will make her U.S. debut in the $169,000 Mistletoe Shalee. Bob McClure is slated to drive the Always B Miki filly for Team Steacy from post five in an 11-horse contest. Chris Ryder pupil Twin B Joe Fresh will try for revenge from her third-place finish in the Fan Hanover from post two after scoring in a 1:50.3 tune-up at Vernon Downs in a division of New York Sires Stakes.

Nick Gallucci trainee Silver Label will try to build off her 14-1 upset in the $142,260 Perfect Sting Stakes when she starts from post one in the $159,000 Dorothy Haughton Memorial. Scott Zeron sticks with the four-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight entering from a 1:49 victory, beating Roses Are Red champ Grace Hill, who will start from post two in rein to Doug McNair. The field also includes five other millionaire mares in Racine Bell from post four, Boudoir Hanover from post six, Amazing Dream N from post eight, Treacherous Dragon from post nine and Test Of Faith from the outside post 10.

Hambletonian hopefuls will compete in two divisions for the $279,000 Stanley Dancer Memorial. Division one aligns 10 horses including 2022 Mohawk Million winner Oh Well from post seven, last seasons award-winning freshmen in Volume Eight from post nine and O'Brien Award winner Gaines Hanover from post five in his stateside debut, and Marcus Melanders developing Muscle Hill colt Air Power from post two.

Division two of the Stanley Dancer will go as the last stakes event on the card. Pennsylvania phenom Once In A Lifetime exits the Keystone state and will compete from post five for driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Jim Campbell against a group that includes Winners Bet from the rail, Celebrity Bambino from post six and Peter Haughton Memorial winner Kilmister from post eight.

A total of 11 free-for-all pacers will battle in the $444,000 William Haughton Memorial, the race where Bulldog Hanover set the all-time fastest mile in harness racing last year. That dash is carded following the 2023 Meadowlands Pace and pins harness racings fastest against one another; eight of the 11 have lifetime marks faster than 1:48 and four own world records. Among the speedsters are 1:47.4 winner Mad Max Hanover from post one, 1:46.3f winner Ruthless Hanover from post two, 1:47.2 winner Abuckabett Hanover from post three, 1:46 winner Allywag Hanover from post four, 1:47.1 winner Tattoo Artist from post five, 1:47.3 winner I Did It Myway from post six, 1:47.3h winner This Is The Plan from post eight and 1:47.1 winner Charlie May from post nine.

Saturdays card will have 14 races go postward. Racing gets underway at The Meadowlands at 6:20 p.m. (EDT).
Italy has played a prominent role in the $1 million MGM Yonkers International Trot since the race was revived from a 19-year hiatus in 2015. First, Twister Bi arrived in 2017 and smashed the world record at the 1-1/4-mile distance and, two years later, Zacon Gio was equally impressive in victory. In 2023, a new player will attempt to follow in their hoofprints as top European competitor Vivid Wise As will cross the Atlantic Ocean for his chance in the New York spotlight.

'Vivid' has reached the right psychophysical maturity to face a long journey and I am convinced that he has a great chance. We are always talking about the richest Italian horse after Varenne, said co-owner/breeder Antonio Somma, who plans to attend the race at Yonkers Raceway on Sept. 9 if his work schedule permits.

Known to the entire trotting world, Vivid Wise As has earned over $2.7 million USD while accumulating 34 wins in 84 career starts, including 18 victories at the Group 1 level. Some of his major triumphs include the Prix de France and Prix Rene Balliere at Vincennes in Paris, and three triumphs in the Grand Criterium de la Vitesse de la Cote dAzur in Cagnes Sur Mer. For perspective, the Grand Criterium has been won by the likes of Etonnant, Readly Express, Bold Eagle and Timoko over the last nine years.

A recent winner at 2,100 meters on June 29 (less than 100 meters under the International Trot distance of 2011), the nine-year-old has posted a very credible three wins in nine starts this year while adding $335,076 USD to the coffers under the Scuderia Bivans banner.

Originally purchased for 110,000 Euros at the ITS Yearling Sale by Somma, Vivid Wise As is 100 per cent American in terms of bloodlines. He is by Yankee Glide from the Cantab Hall mare Temple Blue Chip. Interestingly, Somma has already won the MGM Yonkers International Trot as the breeder of Zacon Gio but hopes Vivid Wise As can add a new honour to his mantle.

I'd like to win it as an owner. It's a race that's missing from my bulletin board, said Somma.

Vivid Wise As now joins Get A Wish (Denmark), Aldebaran Zeus (Australia) and Jiggy Jog S (Sweden) in the field for the $1 million MGM Yonkers International Trot. The race for older trotters will be the marquee event on a blockbuster program that includes a pair of six-figure Invitationals and the $1.8 million New York Sire Stakes Day of Champions to honour the best two- and three-year-olds in the state. Post time for the special card is noon.

(Yonkers Raceway; Photo of Vivid Wise As racing to the outside of Etonnant)
As people lined the streets of Broadway in front of the Midwest Theater Monday, they were greeted by a countdown clock. The clock ticked away the hours, then minutes and finally seconds until the big reveal: the lighting of the historic theaters refurbished marquee.

For the board of directors of the Friends of the Midwest Theater, theyve been counting the months, then the weeks and the days for the completion of the marquee.

The Midwest Theater is a landmark in Scottsbluff. Its brightly colored marquee and its spire topped with lighted stars are among the most photographed focal points of downtown Scottsbluff. Its even appeared in numerous films and the theater has its place on the National Register of Historic Places.

For the last year, Jeff Tracy, the president of the board of directors, said the front of the theater looked bare without its trademark marquee and its presence has been missed. After all, it has been a part of the theater and downtown since the theaters construction in the 1940s.

When a crew from Wagner Electric Sign Co. of Elyria, Ohio, installed the refurbished marquee again a few weeks ago, he said, the board and staff felt their anticipation coming to an end, a sense of relief that the treasured theater would once again shine.

It began to feel like, OK, this is really going to happen, he said. But, there was so much work in between, just trying to make sure that all the details are taken care of, and so many people involved.

Its a project that was decades in the making. Work has included replicating the original glass tube neon lighting with LED lighting, electrical upgrades and inclusion of structural and weather-resistant materials. Care was taken to maintain the script style of the original design and ensure that the aesthetics of the original marquee remained in play.

It was a huge undertaking, Tracy said. Weve known for quite a while that the marquee needed to have some restoration done. The problem was figuring out how to fund it.

When previous director Billy Estes learned capital improvement funding would be made available through the Shovel-Ready Capital Recovery and Investment Act passed by the Nebraska Legislature in 2021, Tracy said he approached the board about it and advocated for pursuing the funds.

We started looking at it, wondering, Could this really be doable? Yeah. The catch was that it was a matching grant.

With that, Tracy said, the Midwest Theater board and staff knew that they had to raise at least $400,000 to make such a project possible.

Tracy said he and other board members wondered if they would be able to raise the funds. However, the community stepped up.

Estes doggedly pursued funds, which officials noted came from a variety of sources, including foundations, local banks and businesses and even individuals. During ceremonies, Tracy mentioned that one donation even came in the name of the Midwest Theaters touted ghost, Miss Bish. Donations ranged from $10.50 to $100,000 to match the $387,8000 awarded to the Midwest Theater. The Midwest Theater was one of 76 nonprofit organizations awarded grants.

As funds were raised, the board started laying the plans for the project, bringing it from idea to fruition. It was an exciting week as crews installed the marquee in the first part of June. Midwest Theater board members and staff breathed a sigh of relief after a hail storm came through the area that same week and the newly-installed marquee only had some minor damage, quickly repaired by the crew.

Refurbishing of the marquee wasnt the only improvement tackled as part of the $775,000 project. Stucco repairs and painting were done on the exterior of the building and a new decorative sidewalk placed. Painted scrollwork has come alive due to work by an artist who hand-painted the designs last summer. Work to refurbish terrazzo and LED lighting inside the Midwest Theater lobbies have also been completed. Tracy said the board of directors looked at the work that needed to be accomplished, and outlined a sequence that would allow it to be completed by the time the refurbished marquee would be ready for unveiling.

Like the rest of the nation, the Midwest Theater saw impacts due to the pandemic. Initially, the project had been slated for completion first in October 2022, then December 2022. However, Tracy said, that everything from worker shortages to shipping delays impacted the marquee project.

We felt like we were kind of a microcosm of what the country has experienced, from the delays to the hurdles on a project like this, he said.

However, all of the delays and other impacts were but distant memories as the Midwest Theater board, its staff and the community celebrated the lighting of the marquee Monday.

After the crowd counted down from 10  Tracy told them he wanted their countdown to resemble cheers of the ball dropping on New Years Eve in New York Citys Time Square  board members and staff threw their hands up and cheered, joined by the community.

The marquee has been this kind of iconic piece of the downtown for decades, Tracy told the Star-Herald. We hope this restoration gives it another few decades lighting up Broadway.

PHOTOS: Midwest Theater 'Light Up Broadway'
The Box Butte Development Corporation hosted a Marketing Lunch & Learn at the Hemingford Telephone Company in Hemingford on Thursday, July 6 from 12 to 1 p.m. This informative session was for Box Butte County businesses. Rural Fellow interns from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Marissa Lindemann and Ritu Jadwani, facilitated this session.

Lindemann highlighted the importance of a business knowing its target audience through an interactive tutorial. The participants received a worksheet during the session to create an audience profile using demographics, psychographics and the appropriate marketing channels. She shared statistics about how to find your audience across various channels like social media, online news sites, radio, podcasts, and local newspapers. After gathering this information, a business created a marketing message specific to the channel and platform based on their knowledge of the customer. Lindemann is a broadcast journalism major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and encouraged businesses to design their marketing message while keeping in mind colors, fonts, affordability, sustainability and adaptability.

Ritu Jadwani is a doctoral student in merchandising at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and she has a small social initiative, Namaste NYC. Namaste NYC helps generate employment opportunities for physically disabled women through the local crafts and textiles of India. During the Lunch & Learn, Jadwani explained how to create a digital campaign using global time zones and audience presence. She shared about specific channels like WhatsApp and WeChat, which are used when marketing a business globally. She also explained how to generate paid and organic traffic through online advertisements, including Pay per Click advertisements. The participants learned about free resources to automate a digital campaign and analyze its reach. She described omnichannel marketing strategies and shared industry resources, so businesses know where to spend their advertising dollars.

Dr. Travis Miller, Superintendent of Hemingford Public Schools, attended the event to learn about resources for his school and said the Rural Fellows program has had a positive impact on the community.

They [Jadwani and Lindemann] provided clear and actionable guidance to the audience regarding marketing in an era of shifting media preferences and significant generational differences. Their work as Rural Fellows is positively impacting our community, and implementation of their recommendations has the potential to positively impact the bottom line of the industries that implement what we learned. From the school district perspective, I came away with some new ideas about how we might be able to more effectively and more deeply engage our community through various forms of media, Dr. Miller said.

Colleen Busch, the owner of a local bakery called Colleens Confections, said that she learned new marketing strategies that would help with her own business.

These classes gave me the opportunity to learn how to market my home-based business in order to thrive. I created a Google Dots for Colleens Confections thanks to the information provided. And it already has led to a new customer and interactions. I cant wait to use other marketing strategies that were shared to continue to reach new customers, Busch said.

The Lunch & Learns are an opportunity for local businesses to learn marketing tips and an effort to support the local eateries. The event was well attended by small business owners in both Alliance and Hemingford while they enjoyed lunch from the Village Pizza in Hemingford. Lindemann and Jadwani will be available to help local businesses until July 14th and entrepreneurs are encouraged to reach out to them for questions or resources.

You may contact them through email at boxbuttedevelopment@gmail.com or by phone 308-762-1800.
A Lincoln woman has been sentenced to three years in prison and fined $2,500 for her part in a scheme involving false applications for rental assistance fraud.

Laura L. Graham, 34, pleaded no contest to attempted theft by deception.

Judge Darla Ideus sentenced her last week to the prison time, plus 18 months of post-release supervision.

In an affidavit for Graham's arrest, police said she was working as a case manager with Family Services processing applications for the U.S. Department of Treasury's Emergency Rental Assistance Program, for those who couldn't pay rent or utilities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In October 2021, an employee with Lincoln's Urban Development Department, which screened the applications, came forward about Graham after asking her to get a utility bill for proof of residency on an application and discovering the LES bill she provided had been altered.

It led to additional emergency rental assistance applications of concern that already had been processed. Investigators found instances where a tenant on an application never lived in Lincoln, and tenants' names had been fabricated. In another, Graham altered an application to say two additional people were renting from the applicant in an attempt to get more money.

Prosecutors said Graham received a cut of the money.

20 photos that show Nebraska's beauty Courthouse and Jailhouse Rocks Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area Chimney Rock Stone Creek Falls Dirt road in Nebraska Grasshopper and a bee Toadstool Geologic Park Corn and grain elevator Smith Falls Sandhill crane migration Omaha Skyline Pioneers Park Nature Center Sky and fields Indian Cave State Park Sunset at Lake McConaughy Nebraska State Capitol Building Elk in Pioneers Park Middle Loup River Chadron State Park Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari
In this polarized age, the news often floods our minds with problems and criticisms. We rarely hear truly good news  news of cooperation and achievement. Today, Im excited to recap some incredible news for our great state.

Recently, Nebraska was awarded a full $405,281,070 in broadband funding through the BEAD program  thats almost half a billion dollars. This revolutionary grant will reboot our internet access in the state, especially in rural areas with limited broadband access.

The BEAD program is run by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and was established through the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. I worked hard on that bill two years ago and voted for its passage in part because of its promise to bolster our broadband infrastructure.

As part of that law, I also championed the Broadband Funding Map amendment, which created a mapping tool of areas that have received or will soon receive federal funding for broadband deployment. The map will ensure that federal agencies track where funds have already been granted, so that they can cooperate to prioritize the areas that need broadband buildout the most without overlapping spending.

Anyone who has spent time in the rural areas of our state knows the importance of broadband access  especially to those living along stretches of farmland with few residents, far from the nearest town. Across Nebraska, broadband availability continues to be severely limited. In areas that do have connectivity, its still common to run into unacceptably slow or glitchy service. The benefits of broadband deployment have been achieved more quickly in urban and suburban areas, where network construction is easier and more households can be reached per project. It is essential that our harder-to-reach rural communities are not left behind in a digital age.

In our rapidly evolving world, internet access is no longer a luxury  its essential for daily life. This connectivity enables us to modernize health care services, help our children do their homework, enhance emergency communications, and keep in touch with our communities. Thats not to mention the massive economic benefits of reliable broadband service. Small businesses across the state need high-speed internet to grow their operations and job seekers need it to find new employment opportunities.

There also is no stronger example of the influence of broadband than the agriculture industry. Rural areas are experiencing increased productivity because of advanced technologies that fuel agricultural growth. Critically, these precision agriculture technologies  which save producers time, water, and other resources by applying the right amount of input for farm activities  also rely on internet connections.

None of this connectivity is possible without broadband infrastructure. According to the Federal Communication Commissions National Broadband Map, nearly 70,000 locations in Nebraska dont have high-speed internet service available. For far too long, our state has lacked the broadband infrastructure necessary for communities to unlock new economic opportunities, like precision agriculture, and access critical services, like health care.

This once-in-a-generation investment through the NTIAs BEAD program will contribute to closing the digital divide and providing Nebraskans with the connectivity they deserve. I look forward to tracking Nebraskas progress in implementing this historic broadband investment. Nebraskas new Broadband Office will develop and submit a statewide plan for approval to the NTIA. This plan will serve as a critical blueprint for this effort.

As Ive often said, its vital that every last mile and acre of our state  and our country  has access to reliable internet. As long as I serve in the U.S. Senate, Ill be working toward that goal.

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.
If Charlie Brown, Lucy and Linus went to school today, their test scores would likely be much lower than when Charles Schulz first started writing about these cartoon characters back in 1952. I say this because the National Assessment of Educational Progress recently released their 2022 test scores and the results are not good. Our students are failing.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress is considered by many to be the gold standard for testing student academic achievement. The scores for Americas 13-year-old students fell to their lowest levels in decades. Math scores were the worst, falling nine points between 2020 and 2023, while reading scores fell four points for the same period.

The pandemic is not to blame. Some blame the pandemic for the sharp decline in these academic test scores, but we know from data released by the National Assessment of Education Progress that these scores were already slipping prior to the pandemic.

Socio-economic factors are also not to blame. Some insist on blaming the slippage in scores on socio-economic factors; however, the data shows that students from all socio-economic backgrounds and performance levels saw their test scores decrease significantly this year.

The elephant in the room that no one seems to want to talk about is the National Education Association and the teachers unions. During the pandemic, it was the National Education Association and the teachers unions which fought vigorously about reopening schools and letting teachers return to the classroom. Teachers are not to blame. Instead of focusing on the basics, teachers are now being told to teach on non-essential topics.

Refocusing on the fundamentals is why I believe Nebraskans needs school choice. Although the State Legislature passed LB 753 this year for school choice, the bill did not go far enough. My bill, LB 177, would have allowed the money to follow the student so that parents could make better decisions about where to send their children to school.

Over the interim period, I will be conducting an interim study on school choice. Specifically, I want to explore the best ways to fund school choice. Many of the states around us, such as Iowa, have now passed more complete school choice bills than LB 753. If Iowa can do it, then I believe Nebraska can do it as well. Therefore, one of my goals next year will be to introduce a bill that will give Nebraskas parents a much better option for school choice.
Abby Winthrop SMART Girls, a community-based education and service organization for middle and high school girls, will sponsor the second annual Abby Winthrop SMART Girls Leadership Camp from July 17-21 on the main campus of Mitchell Community College. The camp will operate daily, Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Each day begins with an opening session in Rotary Auditorium in Huskins Library.

The camp is designed to allow young women to meet and interact with adult female leaders from the community. Last summer, 47 students had the opportunity to meet and hear the inspiring stories of community leaders including Sen. Vickie Sawyer; Iredell County Board of Commissioners Chair Melissa Neader; Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Shannon Viera; G.L. Wilson Building Co. Vice President Julia Wilson; Durham Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Dr. Alvera Lesane and many more. The camp included breakout sessions on a variety of topics including career planning, physical and mental wellness, character education and decision-making skills.

This summers camp was designed by a volunteer planning committee which set a goal of having more hands-on experiences for this years attendees. Dr. Beverly Rufty, media coordinator at Mitchell College and a member of the planning committee, has arranged a tour of Mitchells Workforce Development campus and presentations from the instructors in the colleges nursing program, public safety, information technology and other career-oriented programs taught at the college which lead to licensing or credentials.

The camp will also include an etiquette class presented by Leslie Morrison and Saira Estrada from Speak Life & Live, a community service project hosted by the Statesville Womans Club and a local nonprofit, Bellas Backpacks, as well a tour and presentation about the local court system in Iredell County led by N.C. magistrate Reba Imes. The camp will also include a walking tour and scavenger hunt of downtown Statesville led by local historian, Dr. Steve Hill, and a walking tour of Mitchells main campus led by the Student Government Association. Invited to return for a second year were several presenters from the 2022 camp selected by the students themselves, including Jennifer Christian from Crosby Scholars, Christiana Lovelace from Truth Girlz and Nicki Mott from Statesville YMCA.

Our camp is designed to give young women access to local leaders from our community who will inspire them as they share their personal journeys from grade school to college; from entry level jobs to positions of leadership in their professions, said Aletha Hyde, director of Abby Winthrop SMART Girls. Our goal is for each attendee to complete the week with a greater sense of hope and vision for their future.

Abby Winthrop SMART Girls was founded by Vicki and Russ Winthrop in 2020 to honor the life and memory of their daughter Abby, who died in July 2019 from complications from a congenital heart defect, shortly before her college graduation. Abbys college major was human development and family studies, and she planned to pursue a career working with youth. The Winthrop family based Abby Winthrop SMART Girls at the Boys & Girls Club of Piedmont. In addition to monthly activities, community service projects and ongoing daily sessions with girls enrolled through the club, the Winthrop family has awarded scholarships to deserving girls who wish to pursue post-secondary education. Vicki Winthrop will be among the presenters at this summers camp.

Local students and their parents are welcome to enroll in the 2023 camp. Attendees do not have to be members of the Boys & Girls Club to attend, they may attend the camp as guests. There is no cost to attend the camp. Daily snacks and meals will be provided at no cost to attendees. All supplies and materials for the camp will be provided free. Parents should plan on providing transportation to and from the camp. Students may be dropped off and picked up at the Huskins Library on the main campus of Mitchell Community College.

Limited seats are still available for this summer camp. Interested students and parents should contact Aletha Hyde, director of Abby Winthrop SMART Girls, to enroll. Hyde may be reached at the Boys & Girls Club from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. by phone at 704-397-2427 or by email at ahyde@piedmontbgc.org. The deadline to enroll is July 14.
Dozens of Ukrainian diplomats' laptops were compromised using a fake used vehicle ad by hackers believed to be working for Russia's foreign intelligence service, as reported by a cybersecurity firm on Wednesday, July 12.

At least 22 of the approximately 80 foreign embassies in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, were the targets of the extensive espionage effort, according to experts from Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42 research branch.

Kyiv Embassies Targeted by Cyberattack

The campaign was predicated on something completely lawful and harmless. "In mid-April 2023, a diplomat within the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs emailed a legitimate flyer to various embassies advertising the sale of a used BMW 5-series sedan located in Kyiv," said the report.

The diplomat from Poland, who did not want to be named for security reasons, revealed that his advertising had a part in the cyber attack.

Unit 42 said hackers belonging to the APT29 or "Cozy Bear" group intercepted and duplicated the advertisement, inserted harmful software into it, and then forwarded it to hundreds of additional foreign diplomats based in Kyiv.

In 2021, APT29 was traced back to Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR, by the US and UK intelligence agencies.

Authorities in Poland warned in April that the same organization had launched a "widespread intelligence campaign" targeting countries in NATO, the European Union, and Africa.

Because the hackers reused several tools and methods associated with the SVR, researchers at Unit 42 were able to trace the bogus car ad back to the espionage organization.

"Diplomatic missions will always be a high-value espionage target ... Sixteen months into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, intelligence surrounding Ukraine and allied diplomatic efforts are almost certainly a high priority for the Russian government," Unit 42 stated.

See Also: NATO Leaders Express Support for Ukraine's Membership During Summit But Stop Short of Handing Out Invitation

Fake Car Ad

In a report by Reuters, the Polish ambassador said he had sent the first advertisement to other Kyiv embassies and received a call in response because the cost was attractive. The ambassador told Reuters, "When I checked, I realized they were talking about a slightly lower price."

Reuters discovered that SVR hackers had placed the diplomat's BMW at a discounted price of 7,500 euros in their bogus version of the ad. This move got more individuals to download malicious software, allowing remote access to their devices.

According to Unit 42, the software in question was disguised as a picture album of the pre-owned BMW. Opening such photos would have infected the target's computer, the study stated.

Speaking on behalf of the US government, a spokeswoman said that they were "aware of the activity and based on the Directorate of Cyber and Technology Security's analysis found it did not affect Department systems or accounts."

The Polish official said that the vehicle was still for sale.

See Also: Ukraine's Zelensky Mocks Donald Trump's Claim to End Russia War in 1 Day

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More than a dozen Floyd County residents spoke at this weeks Board of Supervisors meeting about the true value of the countys budgeted donation to the June Bug Center.

Many asked the county to rescind the $2,250 because the center was the venue for a Downtown Divas Pride Month drag show on June 24.

The Board of Supervisors started discussing the possibility of re-allocating the funds away from the June Bug Center at the June 27 meeting, when Locust Grove Supervisor Levi Cox made the motion to rescind the funds.

The countys donation to the nonprofit is a part of a matching grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which is being split between JBC and the Floyd Center for the Arts.

Indian Valley Supervisor Kalinda Bechtold seconded the motion and said her opinion has nothing to do with the drag show and instead revolved around the nonprofits participation in the annual Juneteenth Celebration in Floyd.

Im not about removing the money for what happened Saturday, she said. I dont like the coloring outside the lines, with getting into the racial equity  thats not the arts Thats what put it on my radar, not Saturday.

The Floyd Center for the Arts also manned a booth at the Juneteenth celebration.

Cox said he would let the motion speak for itself and not discuss his reasons openly with the board.

After further conversations, Bechtold withdrew her second until more information could be discovered about the impact of removing the funding, and without the second, Coxs motion died.

The public comment period of the July 11 meeting was filled with speeches from both supporters and opponents of the center receiving taxpayer dollars, particularly because minors were allowed to attend the drag show.

Residents also addressed statements made at the June 27 meeting about the June Bug Centers participating in Juneteenth, which is organized by Floyd Community Action for Racial Equity.

Indian Valleys Deborah Johnson said the drag show was a strip tease show where theyre teaching children how to hand money to these strip tease people

Im not a bigot, Im not some kind of Bible thumper coming up here  but what Im saying is its not only morally wrong, but it is legally wrong, Johnson said. It is the first step into child trafficking

Paul Kitchen said if parents took their children, it was their choice.

I believe we all have the freedom and the right to express ourselves as we wish, he said. I do not believe any empowered individual or a governing body has the right or authority to infringe on my or anyones right of expression.

He asked the board if it was willing to bring this cultural icon of our community down, and to vote against the motion if its re-presented.

Michelle Cockram said if anyone was to perform like the drag troupe as men, they would be shut down and be considered sex offenders, as would the adults accompanying minors.

I cant stop what happens here, but Im going to ask for changes to start happening, she said. If youre going to have this kind of event, put an age limit on it, check IDs.

Dave Werner is one member of Floyd CARE that addressed the criticism the June Bug Center faced for participating in the Juneteenth Celebration.

He said the organization hosts the Juneteenth Celebration and the National Hispanic Heritage Month event to educate the public while honoring the full history of how we all arrived here.

Racial segregation, discrimination and slavery are all a part of Floyd County history, while at the same time so is determination, survival and celebration, Werner said. Floyd CARE events hold both of these truths.

The June Bug Center was invited to attend the Juneteenth Celebration to outreach to the greater Floyd community about their plethora of resources available, he said.

L.A. Armistead said she wants to believe Pastor Josh Blankenship and Kalinda Bechtold and Levi Cox had good intentions when they expressed their points of view at last months meeting.

She said she was shocked that anyone would think its radical or political to celebrate a (state) holiday in our local park.

Armistead suspected the June Bug Center was singled out for renting space to Downtown Divas of Roanoke during Pride Month.

You should strive to follow JBCs example and serve all of Floyd County, not just the small segment of very conservative Christians, Armistead said.

Im always astonished when people who loudly profess their faith refuse to extend grace and kindness to people who arent exactly like themselves, Ann Fisher said. I hope youll think hard about making those kind of comments in public because I think it damages Floyd.

Mara Robbins said she has been involved with the June Bug Center since 2001 and oversaw a student-led project that addressed difficult subjects. The students chose bullying, fracking and teenage suicide, she said.

The Trevor Project reports LGBTQ+ youth that live in a community that is accepting of LGBTQ+ people reported significantly lower rates of attempting suicide that those who do not, Robbins said.

We need our leaders to be assertive in their protection of creative expression, she said.

Ciera Saunders, another member of Floyd CARE and the emcee of the Juneteenth event, said she was very disappointed to hear the comments that were made at the last meeting.

I think choices of words should be on our minds as we address the community, Saunders said.

She said the June Bug Centers outreach at Juneteenth is valuable because art is important to how our society works, and the center serves the entirety of Floyd  including the African American community.

Juneteenth is a beautiful celebration within our county, and Im so proud to be a part of this outreach, Saunders said.

Susan Lackey said the world is in the biggest slave trade of the world right now, and that is our little children.

My love for people is due to my faith and the Lord Jesus Christ, she said. We are all sinners; we all fail in the face of our almighty God. But him being our creator requires us to live by his standard and to raise our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

Kamala Bauers said she sees the importance of art bringing in visitors as an owner of Hotel Floyd and thanked the board for always utilizing matching grants when possible. She said she heard a lot of fear being expressed at the meeting and is first and foremost a social worker.

It breaks my heart to hear that everyones so afraid I think everyone in this room wants to protect children, she said.

Stephen Lackey said one photo from the drag show prompted him to speak to the board about what might be done to prevent the situation again.

Here we are in the little town of Floyd, and were coming to a crossroads, he said. We have to ask Are these little ones worth the fight? My hearts broken for whats happened here. Ive heard no remorse at all

Tracy Lovo Quesenberry said her grandmother was a nanny for the McBroom family, and the June Bug Center has played an important part in not only her life and the life of her daughter, but also the whole community.

The whole idea of taking funding from the JBC not only breaks my heart, but it also makes me madder than a hornet, she said.

Quesenberry said she is appalled that the phrase coloring outside their lines would be used for any group, organization, nonprofit, etc. that wants to participate in a community event.

She said the statement is the biggest thing in her life that she never wants to see again.

Stop living in 1923, this in 2023 Theres only one race, thats the human race Quesenberry said.

Five written comments were also read as part of the public comment period on July 11, all against the county funding the June Bug Center.

The motion to rescind the funding for the June Bug Center was not re-presented at the July 11 meeting, and the board voted 4-1 to approve the fiscal year 2023-2024 budget resolution, with Cox voting against.
The political environment and the rhetoric directed toward Syrians have reached a harsh level, according to Syria TV.

Murat Erdogan, the head of the IGAM Academy of the Asylum and Migration Research Center  IGAM in Turkey, emphasizes that societal concerns regarding irregular migration are often based on incorrect or incomplete information. Failing to address these concerns seriously can give rise to populist and racist discourses, transforming fear into hatred. This situation has contributed to a low sense of security among Syrians and has driven 60% of them to aspire to migrate to Europe. Erdogan warns that the emergence of Syrian nationalism as a response to racism and hatred further perpetuates a closed circle of fear, anxiety, and threats to civil peace within Syrian and Turkish societies.

The Turkish expert believes that, globally, migrants are often viewed as contributors to development, but irregular migration is seen as a threat. Wealthy countries tend to differentiate between migrants and refugees. Migrants are selectively chosen based on specific criteria, such as language proficiency, professional skills, age, health, and criminal records. In contrast, refugees can unexpectedly arrive at your doorstep, making their management much more challenging.

The expert on asylum and migration issues cautions that if societal anxieties are not taken seriously if convincing information is not provided, and if appropriate measures are not implemented, the prevalent panic in society will provide fertile ground for the emergence of populist and racist politicians.

Turkey has been hosting millions of refugees for over 12 years, and the real challenge lies in managing this process and facilitating the successful integration of Syrians and other refugees into Turkish society.

Research indicates that 90% of Turkish society believes that Syrians will continue to reside in Turkey, but 88.5% express a desire for Syrians to leave. Officials responsible for addressing these concerns should take them seriously. Emotional appeals such as claiming brotherhood alone cannot effectively manage the process.

Following Eid al-Adha, the Turkish Ministry of Interior initiated an extensive security campaign to apprehend Syrians who are considered violators. Turkish laws prohibit individuals under temporary protection from leaving the state in which they obtained their temporary protection card (Kimlik). However, the availability of job opportunities in other states, particularly Istanbul, tempts many Syrians to violate this law and relocate to places where they can find work to cope with the countrys longstanding economic crisis, as the majority of them earn minimum wages.

The political environment and the rhetoric directed toward Syrians have reached such a harsh level that we fail to recognize the risks associated with it. Syrians are gradually losing their gratitude towards Turkish society, and anger is growing, potentially giving rise to a new wave of Syrian nationalism, which, in turn, may fuel further racism within Turkish society.

We cannot overlook the possibility that this situation poses a potential threat to Turkeys future peace. Therefore, it is imperative to address and resolve this potential problem seriously. We need to understand the social and historical factors contributing to maladaptation and work on implementing effective integration policies.

The Turkish Governments Mistake

Two years ago, the head of the Asylum and Migration Research Center (IGAM), Mr. Metin Corbater, who previously served as the spokesperson for the UNHCR in Turkey and is one of the leading advocates for Syrian rights in Turkey, was interviewed by Syria TV.

Corbater believes that the Turkish governments policies towards Syrian displacement to Turkey were a mistake, providing an opportunity for the opposition to exploit the issue for political gain. According to him, the government primarily handled the matter locally, neglecting the role of the UNHCR. The governments belief that it was best suited to handle the situation led to minimal coordination with the UNHCR.

The absence of what Corbater described as a neutral international arbiter overseeing the Syrian refugee issuee in Turkey allowed the opposition to exploit the presence of Syrians as a new focal point for societal polarization. Syrians were labeled as Erdogans refugees at times and Islamic extremists at others.

Turkey has been providing generous education and healthcare services to Syrians falling under the temporary protection category, according to Corabater. However, the Turkish government should have the courage to recognize Syrians as refugees since this status would guarantee their rights to these services as entitlements rather than mere acts of goodwill. It would also grant them rights such as freedom of movement within the country, the ability to travel abroad, and property ownership. Recognizing their refugee status would further facilitate effective integration policies with the host community.

Instead of exacerbating the situation, the Turkish opposition, which claims to champion social democracy, should have recommended that the government grant Syrian refugees their international status, said Corbater, criticizing the oppositions tendency to add fuel to the fire.

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 was disappointed that its collaboration with the Technical Committee was met with denial, according to al-Watan.

Syrias permanent representative to the United Nations, Bassam Sabbagh, strongly denounced the use of chemical weapons under any circumstances, at any location, and by anyone. He categorically rejected the false accusations made by certain countries against Syria. Sabbagh emphasized Syrias commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and its continued cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, despite some reservations about the organizations Technical Secretariats working methods.

During the UN Security Council session addressing the chemical weapons issue, Ambassador Sabbagh criticized the flawed approach of the Fact-Finding Mission, which has deviated from the essence and core principles of the agreement. He highlighted the unprofessional conclusions drawn by the mission, exposing its adoption of a policy of double standards.

Sabbagh expressed his disappointment that the Syrian National Committees collaboration with the Technical Committee was met with denial, with a focus on highlighting the negatives rather than acknowledging the positives outlined in the monthly reports.

The ambassador called for a comprehensive review of the Technical Committees erroneous work methods and its teams. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons does not become a tool manipulated to serve the agendas of certain states against others.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The Longview School District is preparing for higher expenses in next years budget, as officials brace themselves for the expiration of key pandemic-era funding that helped schools pay for various major projects.

The proposed $112 million budget is now open for public review, with a public hearing scheduled for Aug. 14. The full breakdown of the draft budget can be picked up at the district office at 2715 Lilac St.

Patti Bowen, the districts director of financial services, told the school board Monday staff expects expenses to outpace new revenue sources, even as they also predict $2.1 million more revenue than last year.

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Rising expenses will come from the expiration of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, a one-time COVID-19 federal funding package for basic education programs that has helped pay for multiple instructional tools in Longviews schools.

The district, like many school districts, has leaned on ESSER funding to pay for school building upgrades, curricula and other educational materials that worked to address how the pandemic affected kids ability to learn.

So far, the district has claimed about $15.3 million of its total $27.7 million allocation, according to the most recent available data from the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. The package will expire by the end of next school year.

According to the school board documents, the district is preparing to spend $1.4 million fewer of those funds over the next year. Revenue is predicted to rise by $3 million overall, as will expenses.

When it comes to basic education programs, expenses are predicted to rise by $3.68 million; revenue for these programs will increase by about $4 million.

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Funding is expected to decline for several key programs: career and technical education, some non-ESSER federal funds, special grants, as well as transitional bilingual and highly capable programs.

When it comes to the money the district gets from grants and non-basic education programs, revenue is projected to decrease by $2.1 million.

To balance the budget, the district is expected to spend less on non-basic education programs by about $1.4 million. It will also not spend the entirety of the $4 million the district will get for basic education programs, instead budgeting for $3.68 million for those expenses.

We feel really good about where we are, just being able to comb through and take a look at those revenues and expenditures on a deeper level, Bowen said.

More funding will come in this year for high-poverty learning assistance program, nutrition services and transportation. Expenses for nutrition and transportation are likely to rise by $734,624, just below the $756,304 in expected revenues, according to the preliminary budget.

Overall, the $112.8 million draft budget marks a $3 million increase from the $109.8 million budget passed last year.

The board must adopt a budget by Aug. 31; it is scheduled to approve the budget Aug. 28.
Ahead of the Aug. 1 primary election, most Cowlitz County voters should receive ballots in the mail this weekend or early next week.

The county Elections Office will send ballots this week, and voters should receive them by July 18, Auditor Carolyn Fundingsland said. Rural areas are more likely to receive ballots slightly later, she said.

Registered voters who dont receive a ballot by Tuesday can call or visit the county elections office for a replacement. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Voters can register online or by mail until 5 p.m. on July 24, and can register or update their address in person at the Cowlitz County Elections Office until 8 p.m. Election Day, Aug. 1.

Ballots can be returned by mail, no stamp needed, and must be postmarked by Primary Election Day. Voters can submit ballots at one of eight drop boxes or at the Elections Office, 207 Fourth Ave. N., Kelso.

Washington residents can check their voter registration status, register to vote and view the online voters guide at www.votewa.gov.

Voters pamphlets were sent earlier this month. On Monday, the Elections Office issued a news release addressing concerns about the local pamphlet. Between pages 14 and 15, there is a thin strip of paper near the spine, which occurred during the binding process, according to the office.

No primary candidates or measures were omitted, Fundingsland said.

Under state law, only nonpartisan races with three or more candidates appear on the primary ballot.

Eight Cowlitz County races and two local measures will come before voters, though ballots will vary depending on voters addresses.

Turnout is difficult to predict, but the average of the last four odd-year primary elections was 22.15%, Fundingsland said.

My hope is that it would be greater, she said.

The Elections Office is holding an open house Tuesday, July 25, for the public to see staff in action during an election.

Guided tours of the office begin 10 a.m. and run hourly during office hours. Appointments are required for tours. People can call the office at 360-577-3005 or email elections@cowlitzwa.gov to reserve a time slot.
The coronal mass ejection (CME) that is racing to strike Earth tomorrow, July 13, is still on its way and it is likely to cause a terrifying solar storm. However, before that could hit, another solar menace has already struck the planet. On July 11, the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) detected a huge explosion on the northeastern limb of the Sun, which is believed to be a region where a new sunspot had emerged. The explosion produced a powerful M6-class solar flare eruption. The eruption was so strong that the ultraviolet radiation made its way to the Earth and sparked a radio blackout over North America. The majorly affected countries were the US and Canada.

According to a report by SpaceWeather.com, A big new sunspot is emerging over the sun's northeastern limb, and it is crackling with solar flares. The strongest so far, an M6-class explosion on July 11th (1808 UT), saturated pixels in the telescope system onboard NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.

It further added that the extreme ultraviolet flash resulted in ionizing the upper atmosphere of the atmosphere creating a radio blackout over North America and doppler-shifting the frequency of America's WWV time-standard radio transmissions.

Blackouts plague the Earth as another solar storm approaches

This week has been rather lively in terms of solar activity. The week began with a threat of an internet apocalypse which was quickly debunked. Soon after, a CME release was noted by NASA satellites and it is expected to hit on Thursday. Meanwhile, a new and rather unstable sunspot has entered the Earth's view and has already exploded once sparking a blackout.

Shortwave radio blackouts block low-frequency radio waves. This majorly affects GPS connectivity and radio transmission for aviators, drone controllers, mariners, and emergency workers. If the intensity of the solar flare is high, and consequently a strong ionization of the Earth's atmosphere occurs, it can even block mobile networks and interfere with satellite internet connectivity.

While the threat of blackouts is gone, now the Earth must brace itself for the incoming solar storm.

How NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory monitors solar activity

The NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) carries a full suite of instruments to observe the Sun and has been doing so since 2010. It uses three very crucial instruments to collect data from various solar activities. They include Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) which takes high-resolution measurements of the longitudinal and vector magnetic field over the entire visible solar disk, Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE) which measures the Sun's extreme ultraviolet irradiance and Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) which provides continuous full-disk observations of the solar chromosphere and corona in seven extreme ultraviolet (EUV) channels.
The seventh edition of Asias premier digital technology exhibition, India Mobile Congress (IMC), co-hosted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) will be held from 27th  29th October at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi this year.

With the theme of Global Digital Innovation, IMC is an ideal meeting point and showcase for industry, government, academics and other key stakeholders in the technology ecosystem.

The prestigious IMC 2023 event will witness around 1,00,000 Plus participants, 5,000 Plus CXO-level delegates, 350 Plus speakers, and 400 Plus exhibitors.

Since its inception in 2017, IMC has promoted Indias positioning and serves as a key forum for global thought leaders to design the next wave of digital innovation, with India leading the charge. Last year, IMC received an overwhelming response from the industry with Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launching 5G in India.

This year, the key programs will put spotlight on 6G, advancements in 5G networks, the increasing use of AI in telecommunications and other domains, Edge Computing, Industry 4.0, and the emergence of India Stack. IMC 2023 would also widen to related technology domains such as Broadcast, Sat-Com, Manufacturing, Semiconductors through partnerships with various associations such as Elcina, IESA, ISpA, DFI and others. IMC 2023 also planned to introduce several B2G & B2B Forums and Industry Round Tables, Big university and student engagement, and Global buyer forums.

COAI Chairman Shri P.K. Mittal welcomed the gathering on this occasion and assured that this year Asias largest telecom event would be a significant milestone for Indias rapidly advancing tech industry.

Shri V. L. Kantha Rao, Additional Secretary, Department of Telecommunication (DoT) said, IMC is a prestigious event for the industry and government. A lot of work has happened between the last IMC and till now in the last one year. This year we are expecting lot of international footfalls and trying to involve other related industries as well. This year, we are trying to give a lot of importance to what our country is doing on the 5G front including the use cases and also will ensure larger involvement of different states and ministries. Last year at IMC, PM launched the 5G revolution, Im sure this time in October, country is set for another revolution at IMC 2023.

Shri Devusinh Chauhan, Honble Union Minister of State for Communications said, Telecom industry in India has transformed a lot over the last few years and IMC also has made its mark in the World and Asia as a premier technology event. The nation has grown in various aspects on telecom front including Atmanirbhar Bharat, 5G rollout, and roadmap for 6G. This year at IMC we expect the use cases should come that will be useful in agriculture, education, logistics, transportation, etc. to showcase how 5G is transforming the country.

Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Honble Minister for Communications, Electronics & Information Technology and Railways, Government of India said, The India Mobile Congress has emerged as the major technology event in the country. Last year Honble PM launched 5G and India has emerged as the country with the fastest 5G rollout. There are almost 2.75 lac BTS radiating 5G in a short period of time. We want to position India as a technology developer, telecom manufacturer and exporter. The theme for IMC2023 is Global Digital Innovation and many more industries will be associated with IMC including drone, satcom, mobile manufacturing, cybersecurity startups etc. IMC will explore having 5 international partner countries and will have consultation with ministry of external affairs. We all should work towards positioning India as a technology powerhouse and IMC can play a major role in this vision.

The India Mobile Congress 2023, will signify the vision of our Honble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, to promote Indias pivotal role in the digital revolution impacting every sector globally. This includes pioneering breakthroughs in 5G, 6G, broadcasting, satellite, semiconductor, drone, devices, and green technologies.

Moreover, this year IMC is introducing Aspire, the grand Start-Up event that will place significant emphasis on igniting the future of entrepreneurship growth among young innovators and industry delegates in the telecom and other digital domains. The primary objective of Aspire will revolve around delivering an unparalleled experience, incorporating various sections such as an Investor zone, pitching zone, workshop zone, and networking zone.
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JUL 14, 2023  Just the good ol boy Dixie mafias working together and buying politicians. Isn't that right Mayor Undertaker Brown? I hear that you like good ol boy clubs, that they're not bad. Saw and heard you say it on YouTube. I guess you're an expert. My point folks is that corruption, ineptitude, and plain stupidity start at the municipal level and carry over to the county level. Ex. The City of Bradenton attorney Scott Rudacille is writing comp plan revisions for the Building Industry Association who will then advise Manatee County on comp plan amendments. This will benefit the COB council, Manatee commission via contributions and benefit developers as well. It will not benefit citizens. Just like HB 540, citizens will be barred from justice in a courtroom. The best way to clean house is to first grab the clutter and the trash. Put the clutter where it belongs and throw out the trash. Then get a ladder and start cleaning from the top down. The ceiling fan to the floor. Clean house is what we need to do. The good ol boy Dixie Mafias has a grand, coordinated plan to take your money and kill you.JUL 14, 2023  Just the Dixie mafias working together using and buying politicians.JUL 12, 2023  I want to know who the 14% are! Please show your faces for all of those that think that this is a good idea for Florida! You may want to watch our documentary first that was filmed here in Manatee County. See my story and others how this industry impacts Floridians. Available for free on Amazon Prime or Tubi! Phosfatemovie.com LOL and now the 14% want to utilize this as Road Base? Please tell us why!JUL 12, 2023  This waste material is as radioactive as or more radioactive than Fukushima. And yet certain partisan hacks think that this is okay. How do you pre-treat roads to stop radiation? If it was that easy, why wouldn't they use it on the gypstacks? You can go down to Hardee County where they have this stuff in playgrounds, and put a Geiger counter on the ground to see the radiation yourself. Educate yourselves, sheesh. https://phosfatemovie.com/JUL 12, 2023  When the phosphogypsum roads reach the end of their useful lifespans, the inevitable recycling will happen. Then the material will be disposed of to recycling centers or landfills and will then be untraceable. And as to remarks below about Republicans/Democrats are evil and stupid (paraphrasing) This does NOT help anyone but those who seek to distract us from their nefarious doings by making us angry at each other. Money over human lives has been the go-to for too high a percentage of the donor class. It is understandable that people would be suspicious. Weve all seem enough to know they make dirty deals all the time. And Jon, with regard to pretreatment, it looks like there are varying degrees of success with the different techniques, and some can vaporize toxic metals. Thats not confidence inspiring.JUL 12, 2023  @Sammy Pozier "Newly Created Cancer Cluster"? Didn't you know that According to the Manatee County Department of Health, and the state of Florida Department of Health- Florida DOESN'T have Cancer Clusters? Despite professionals from many areas of expertise trying to bring these Cancer Clusters to light. The local and state Department of Health IGNORE and deny there's any such thing. Keep in mind these gypstacks have been freestanding, some leaking, for decades all because there's no "proper acceptable way" to get rid of the waste. Until Now. The Piney Point fiasco brought to light that something needed to be done with all that waste. So Hey... why not pave roads with it. I've been an advocate for people that attended the old BHS in Bradenton where we have self reported data that shows we have statistically significant numbers of cancer cases and illnesses. The Manatee County Department of Health and State of Florida Department of Health went through the motions of a "health study" to their conclusion that all the experts are wrong, and they found no cluster, yet they REFUSE to allow our experts to present a report to show the discrepancies. In a Public Records request dated 18 months ago, both Departments of Health have also failed to produce the original copy of their so called "findings letter". What our investigation found is that across the state of Florida there is no one single protocol for collecting data or looking into suspected " Cancer Clusters". Meanwhile, there are citizen advocates like myself all over the state, that know there are clusters in their neighborhoods/ cities. And we wonder why Cancer Treatment Centers are popping up all over Florida? One thing is for certain...Allowing this toxic material to be used as materials for roads in Florida is surely a Cluster alright.JUL 12, 2023  Just pointing out the party running this state is the same party that has not won the popular vote in the national elections in almost 20 years. GW Bush in 04 with 50.7 %. And in the primary race the leading candidate is twice impeached, twice indicted once convicted candidate. Doesn't leave much doubt in my mind where the thought process of some voters is who vote for the R. Disney should run Mickey Mouse as a Republican then they can win statewide and dismiss Ron's strong arm takeover attempt. Maybe not pave roads with radioactive material either.JUL 12, 2023  Actually, DeSantis should have consulted with his new best buddy Elon, I'm pretty sure that the radiation emitted from this material could potentially have a negative effect on battery life of an EV who's battery will only be sitting inches off the surface of it. Maybe even void a warranty. LolJUL 12, 2023  I can see this going sideways real fast and costing tax payers millions in the end, just like using asbestos as a building material has. So, in the not to distant future, people will have to be dressed up like astronauts to repave the roads in Florida. They will have to be completely shut down to keep people from inhaling the dust that will be created be the milling machines. And in the end, some dumbass politicians will throw their hands up and say "who knew"!JUL 12, 2023  Welcome to Florida, make yourself at home and enjoy our newly developed cancer cluster. Com'on down we'll save a seat at Moffitt for ya! All the local politicians here never have the people in mind when decisions are made, simply for their own monetary gain. Pure evil and deceit! STOP VOTING PARTY LINES - look at their voting records and who funded their campaign, it's all public record! And for the smart guy that stated "all republicians" yeah?! look at your feeble-minded POTUS!JUL 12, 2023  Hey Jon what treatment nullifies radioactivity I think those who have to dispose of radioactive waste from nuclear plants would like to know this secret process>JUL 12, 2023  Once again I fail to see how democratic libs, enters into this conversation? As I recall the US government buries radioactive waste way below the countrys surface to avoid contamination. Florida is gonna put it on top? There isnt a process to refine the phosphate waste as this is an experiment. Only in Florida!JUL 12, 2023  Brilliant idea, Brett: "Maybe McClure and DeSantis should be the first to have their driveways paved with the radioactive material"JUL 12, 2023  Nothing but a hit piece. The world is awash in this toxic byproduct and this is a way to properly reuse it - what the article doesnt say is that the roads using this can be pre-treated to nullify the negative effects. But of course the demorat libs wont mention this lolJUL 12, 2023  McClure, DeSantis, Boyd, Robinson etc. Remind me to never vote for these clowns again! Weve been duped too many times nowJUL 12, 2023  Look at TBTs latest poll. Less than 20% votes that they support this yet it was passed pretty overwhelmingly with Republican support. Wake up people and realize that these politicians you elect like Robinson, Boyd, and Gregory to name a few are all just bought and paid for. They are a bunch of con artists to the people they swore to serve.JUL 12, 2023  Lol Robinson is a complete idiot. Got fooled twice by the most common made up names. We straight up have complete IDIOTS representing this county. Bunch of corrupt fools we have with Robinson and Boyd thats for sure. Cant speak on Gregory but hes probably no better.JUL 12, 2023  WOW that is very disheartening to know that the people elected to represent us would rather represent Mosaic and other big companies. I shouldnt be surprised because those goofballs Robinson and Boyd basically took over the island.JUL 12, 2023  Jon, see for yourself. Click on the part on the right that says vote history. All the people you named unanimously voted Yes for it https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1191/ByCategory/?Tab=VoteHistoryJUL 12, 2023  Where do our state elected officials weigh in on this Id like to know. Reps. Robinson, Gregory, Beltran, and Grant? Senators Boyd and Gruters? Surely they did not support this after the Piney Point fiasco we had in our own backyards.JUL 12, 2023  Didnt Piney Point serve as a warning to avoid anything to do with phosphogypsum? Now were going to have radioactive roads in our state. Unbelievable that DeSantis and the Republican peanut gallery got this through. But hey you know what they say money talks and Republicans are all about the money. Didnt use to be like that but ever since Trump took office, Republicans no longer have shame and feel that they can get away with anything. Just look at their Messiah Trumphe said it himself. He could shoot and kill someone on 5th Ave in NY and no one would stop supporting him. If anything hed probably get more supporters especially if the person he shot was a minority! Hey Im just speaking the truth here. Radioactive roads gimme a break. Whens the last time we had a Democratic Governor because I think we need to give one a shot ASAP. I hope DeSantis loses his presidential bid and reelection for governor. I really think Nikki Fried could bring back some decency and respect to our state. We have some promising democratic stars to choose ftoJUL 12, 2023  All republicans are criminalsJUL 12, 2023  I guarantee you DeSantis and his cronies were bought and paid for by Mosaic. Criminals!!JUL 12, 2023  Don't blame the politicians they are just acting in their own special interest and know that you won't hold them accountable. The real problem is the electorate who vote party line instead of looking at issues that impact them and voting their best interest. Lets dumb down our education system some more to ensure a pliable gullible electorate.JUL 12, 2023  The phosphate industry has been a disaster in Florida. Did we not learn anything from piney point All you need to know is here https://youtu.be/nC6bLMEan7M Lets talk about fines MULBERRY  Mosaic and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice announced a $2 billion settlement Thursday over the fertilizer company's handling of hazardous waste produced during the manufacturing process at plants in Florida and Louisiana and its failure to provide adequate financial assurance the facilities would be closed properly. EPA officials consider it the agency's most significant enforcement action involving mining and mineral processing. The settlement includes an $8 million fine  $5 million to the EPA, $1.45 million to Florida and $1.55 million to Louisiana  which is also the largest environmental fine levied in any environmental case in Polk County. The case, which was filed in 2005, involves how the Plymouth, Minn.-based company, which operates facilities in Polk and Hillsborough counties, handled 60 billion pounds of hazardous waste known as phosphogypsum. https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2015/10/01/mosaic-agrees-to-2b-settlement/8236529007/JUL 12, 2023  The road to hell is paved with good intentions. It doesn't take a genius to figure out good intensions is another way of saying stupidity. McClure is a high school grad without a modicum of science required to make such a proposal (https://floridahousegop.com/officials/lawrence-mcclure/). The fact that the EPA, a govt agency that is paid to protect our country from such reckless proposals, says this is not a wise move should be rationale enough. Maybe McClure and DeSantis should be the first to have their driveways paved with the radioactive material. This is a whole new level of stupidityJUL 12, 2023  The road to hell is paved with good intentionsWell, in this case its paved with stupidity. I mean who is going to trust a politician with an high school education, (https://floridahousegop.com/officials/lawrence-mcclure/), nor the wisdom of the EPA. The #1 rule to environmental protection is dilution is not the solution to pollution. Maybe McClure and DeSantis should be the first to have their driveways paved with this radioactive material. This is stupidity beyond its definition
China's AI industry achieves fruitful outcomes

09:56, July 12, 2023 By Xie Weiqun, Shen Wenmin, Huang Xiaohui ( People's Daily

A woman experiences the AI job interview at the 2023 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, July 6. (People's Daily Online/Wang Chu)

The World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2023 was held in Shanghai from July 6 to 8.

The event, joined by more than 1,400 guests and 400 exhibitors, covered an exhibition area of over 50,000 square meters. It hosted 133 themed forums, attracting over 177,000 in-person visits. All of the above hit record highs.

The event was a magnet attracting investment and businesses. During the 2023 WAIC, 210 firms reached a total intended purchase amount of 11 billion yuan ($1.52 billion), and 32 major projects were signed with a total investment of 28.8 billion yuan.

The scale of China's core artificial intelligence (AI) industry has exceeded 500 billion yuan so far, with the number of AI enterprises exceeding 4,300. Intelligent chips, AI development frameworks and other innovations keep emerging.

The application scenarios of AI are seen everywhere, from people's daily life to enterprises' production, sales, services, and administration.

"Our equipment is designed for those with lower limb disorders in their early functional training," said a staff member of an exhibitor who brought a lower limb rehabilitation robot to the 2023 WAIC.

The staff member said that the robot provides users with correct sensory input and helps prevent the development of abnormal gaits through rhythmic stimulation, vertical DOF (degree of freedom) and ground-walking assistance. The robot has been applied at many rehabilitation centers across China.

A staff member of an exhibitor drives a virtual figure with a motion-capturing device at the 2023 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, July 6. (People's Daily Online/Wang Chu)

Autonomous driving vehicles were a highlight of the event. On July 8, 15 unmanned vehicles manufactured by three enterprises obtained the first batch of road test licenses for unmanned intelligent connected vehicles issued by Shanghai's Pudong New Area.

As relevant regulations are put into effect, autonomous driving in Pudong New Area is about to embrace an "unmanned era."

According to a report issued by the 2023 WAIC, China has witnessed prospering development of its AI industry, accelerating relevant infrastructure construction and in-depth integration with other industries over recent years.

Statistics released at the conference showed that China's computing power ranks second globally. Thanks to the profound integration of AI and the manufacturing sector, more than 2,500 digital workshops and smart factories have been built across the country, which forcefully drives the digital, intelligent and green transition of the real economy.

The application of AI-assisted scenarios is leading to rapid data growth. Computing power, as a key productive force in the era of the digital economy, will empower all industries.

The State Information Center of China said that 80 percent of scenarios will rely on AI in the future. How to build a solid foundation of computing power and make it a basic resource of AI development is a key factor driving the development of industrial ecology and promoting sci-tech innovation.

According to preliminary estimation, the revenue of China's AI computing core industry will hit 4.4 trillion yuan by 2025, with related industries up to 24 trillion yuan.

A boy plays with a robotic dog at the 2023 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, July 6. (People's Daily Online/Chen Yuyu)

Future development of computing power will feature inclusiveness and intelligence, said a report released at the 2023 WAIC. It noted that computing power will be able to forcefully drive the integration, sharing, development and application of data collected from different levels, regions and departments, and thus vitalize data assets.

AI insiders and more than 80 renowned scholars held in-depth discussions on the topics of technology, industry and humanities, focusing on intelligent chips, scientific intelligence, robotics, brain-like intelligence, autonomous driving, rule of law and security as well as other frontier research areas.

Insiders believe that as the AI industry keeps developing, enterprises can boost industrial development and lead high-quality AI development with strong computing power through systematic innovation and open source.

As of the end of last year, the number of data center racks in use topped 6.5 million in China. Besides, the country was twice faster than the global average in terms of computing power improvement.

A participant in the 2023 WAIC told People's Daily that the paradigm shift in AI technology leads to strong demands for intelligent computing, and the diverse reforms of computing systems are bringing new development opportunities.

Given the structural gap in the supply of computing power, the AI industry is currently in a window period for deploying computing power, the participant said, adding that it is important to make computing power inclusive during the transition from extensive deployment to detailed planning, realizing synergy and integration.

China's independent computing enterprises will achieve faster and better development with the help of intelligent computing centers, the participant added.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Following an assessment by the Philippines' film censors, Greta Gerwig's Barbie has been approved for wide commercial distribution in this country. However, it is possible that the film has to obscure the scene in which a controversial map is shown, according to Variety.

The Disputed Map Scene

After a sequence in which a map purportedly showing China's nine-dash line was included in the film, it was banned in Vietnam last week. Nine-dash line is used by Beijing, which practically claims the whole South China Sea as its own territory.

In 2016, a tribunal established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) issued a unanimous ruling invalidating the nine-dash line. China has publicly stated its rejection of the tribunal's ruling.

Vietnam argues China's claims are an infringement on its sovereignty and demands that the map not be shown in public.

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) of the Philippines said last week that it would investigate Barbie due to similar concerns.

Warner Bros., the film's distributor, said the map in question did not have the contentious nine-dash line. "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," a representative told Variety last week.

The MTRCB statement is in agreement with Warner Bros.'s position.

See Also: China Responds to Illustration of Contentious World Map in 'Barbie' Film

Opinions From the Film Review Board

"Considering the context by which the cartoonish map of the character 'Weird Barbie' was portrayed in the film, the Review Committee is convinced that the contentious scene does not depict the 'nine-dash line.' Instead, the map portrayed the route of the make-believe journey of Barbie from Barbie Land to the 'real world,' as an integral part of the story," MTRCB said in a letter sent to Philippine Senator Francis Tolentino, obtained by local media.

The statement added, "The Board believes that all things considered, it has no basis to ban the film 'Barbie' as there is no clear nor outright depiction of the nine-dash line in the subject film."

Since launching the review on July 4, the MTRCB's own website has not been updated with a new statement. The "PG" rating for Barbie in a list of recent classifications indicates that children under the age of 13 should only watch the film with an adult present.

According to the MTRCB, the film was subjected to two thorough reviews. One of them involves the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Solicitor General.

Although it is not explicitly stated in the MTRCB statement, local media in the Philippines says that censors have requested Warner Bros. blur the questionable lines on the map.

See Also: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling's 'Barbie' Movie Banned From Distribution in Vietnam Over China's Nine-Dash Line Shown in World Map

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Brazil is making significant strides in the development of its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), with plans to launch the digital Real by 2024. The CBDC aims to support retail payments and provide users with a convenient and secure means of conducting transactions backed by funds in their bank accounts. However, concerns have emerged regarding potential government interference in users wallets, raising questions about individual privacy and control. This article explores the development of Brazils CBDC, the implications of its source code, and the ongoing debate surrounding the balance between technological advancements and user privacy.

The Digital Real: Enhancing Retail Payments:

The digital Real is designed to complement existing payment methods in Brazil, such as Pix, which has gained widespread popularity. Rather than disrupting these systems, the CBDC serves as an additional option for retail payments, offering users greater flexibility and convenience. The governments decision to proceed with the CBDC project aligns with its goal of exploring new technological avenues and improving financial accessibility for a broader customer base.

The Concerns Surrounding CBDCs:

Critics argue that CBDCs, while having their advocates, challenge the decentralized and anonymous nature of cryptocurrencies. Instead, they resemble traditional bank balances, susceptible to potential government interference and fractional lending practices. This raises concerns about user privacy and control over their digital assets. It is crucial to strike a balance between advancing financial technology and ensuring that CBDCs respect individual privacy rights.

Analyzing the Source Code:

Full-stack developer Pedro Magalhaes scrutinized the Brazilian CBDCs source code and shared his findings on LinkedIn, drawing attention to certain functions that raise concerns. These functions allow the government to freeze and unfreeze accounts, manipulate CBDC tokens within someone elses account, and initiate asset transfers on behalf of users. While these functions may have intended use cases such as combating financial crimes or facilitating banking services, they also pose risks of potential misuse of power.

Implications for User Privacy and Control:

The revelations regarding the CBDCs source code raise important questions about user privacy and control over their digital assets. The ability for the government to exercise direct control over accounts and initiate transfers on behalf of users may compromise the principles of decentralization and individual autonomy that cryptocurrencies seek to uphold. It is essential for the Brazilian government to address these concerns and engage in transparent discussions regarding the implications for user privacy and control.

Balancing Technological Advancements and Individual Privacy:

The debate surrounding CBDCs highlights the need to strike a delicate balance between technological advancements and individual privacy. While CBDCs offer potential benefits in terms of financial inclusion and accessibility, it is crucial to ensure that user privacy rights are respected and safeguarded. Transparent discussions, robust privacy measures, and checks and balances in the CBDCs implementation are necessary to address the concerns raised by the source code analysis and to promote a trusted and user-centric digital currency ecosystem.

Conclusion:

As Brazil progresses towards the launch of its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), concerns regarding user privacy and control have emerged. The scrutiny of the CBDCs source code has shed light on potential government interference and manipulation of accounts, raising questions about individual autonomy and the balance between technological advancements and privacy rights. It is crucial for the Brazilian government to address these concerns and engage in transparent discussions to ensure that the CBDC promotes financial inclusion while respecting user privacy and control. By striking this balance, Brazil can pave the way for a successful implementation of its CBDC and contribute to the ongoing global dialogue surrounding the future of digital currencies.
Soufiane Oulahyane, an individual from Morocco, has been indicted by the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York on charges related to a significant cryptocurrency and non-fungible token (NFT) heist. The indictment alleges that Oulahyane devised a sophisticated scheme involving the creation of a deceptive replica of the well-known OpenSea digital marketplace, ultimately resulting in the theft of digital assets valued at approximately $450,000. This article explores the details of the indictment, Oulahyanes alleged fraudulent activities, and the potential legal consequences he may face.

The Scheme:

According to the indictment, Oulahyane meticulously designed a fraudulent website that closely resembled the legitimate OpenSea platform. The purpose of the counterfeit site was to deceive unsuspecting users and trick them into revealing their sensitive login credentials. To attract victims, Oulahyane used paid advertisements, ensuring that his fake website appeared prominently in search results for the term OpenSea.

Victims who unknowingly landed on the fraudulent platform would enter their login credentials, believing they were accessing their legitimate OpenSea accounts. Unbeknownst to them, their sensitive information was being transmitted to Oulahyanes controlled email account, providing him with unauthorized access to their digital assets.

The Heist:

The alleged scheme took place in September 2021 and resulted in significant theft. One of the primary victims, based in Manhattan and an owner of NFTs, inadvertently disclosed their seed phrasethe sequence of words granting access to a cryptocurrency walletto the fraudulent website. Exploiting this sensitive information, Oulahyane reportedly gained control of the victims wallet and transferred the contents, including 39 NFTs.

Among the stolen assets was a highly sought-after Bored Ape NFT, which the victim had purchased for an estimated value of 49 ETH. In addition, Oulahyane allegedly sold two other stolen NFTsa Meebit and a Bored Ape Kennel Club NFTon the legitimate OpenSea marketplace. The victim had initially acquired these digital assets for approximately 9.88 ETH and 6 ETH, respectively. The proceeds from the sales were transferred to a wallet controlled by Oulahyane, beyond the reach of the victim.

Legal Consequences and Charges:

As a result of these alleged actions, Oulahyane now faces charges of wire fraud, unauthorized access device usage, and aggravated identity theft. If found guilty, these charges could lead to a significant prison sentence. However, it is important to note that Oulahyane is currently in custody in Morocco, and extradition to the United States may be necessary for him to stand trial.

The Charges Explained:

Wire Fraud: Oulahyane is charged with wire fraud, which involves the use of electronic communication or wire transmissions to defraud others. In this case, the alleged creation of a deceptive website, the transmission of sensitive information, and the subsequent theft of digital assets through unauthorized access are the key elements of the wire fraud charge.

Unauthorized Access Device Usage: This charge relates to the unauthorized use of access devices, such as login credentials, with the intent to defraud. Oulahyanes alleged use of victims login credentials to gain unauthorized access to their digital wallets constitutes the basis for this charge.

Aggravated Identity Theft: Aggravated identity theft involves the unauthorized use of another persons identity in connection with the commission of another federal offense. In this case, Oulahyanes alleged use of the victims identity and digital assets to perpetrate the theft and subsequent sale of NFTs forms the basis of this charge.

Legal Ramifications and Extradition:

If found guilty, Oulahyane could face severe legal consequences, including significant fines and imprisonment. However, the process of extradition from Morocco to the United States may be necessary for Oulahyane to stand trial. Extradition involves complex legal procedures and typically requires cooperation between the two countries authorities.

Conclusion:

The indictment of Soufiane Oulahyane in connection with a multi-million dollar crypto heist involving NFTs highlights the importance of cybersecurity and user vigilance in the digital asset space. Oulahyanes alleged creation of a fraudulent website and subsequent theft of digital assets through deceptive practices serve as a reminder of the risks associated with online transactions and the need for heightened security measures. As the case unfolds, the legal consequences for Oulahyane will depend on the outcome of the legal proceedings and potential extradition to the United States.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday (July 11) NATO's decision to simplify Ukraine's path to eventual membership, as well as commending new security guarantees and military aid for his country emerging from the alliance summit. Part of the simplification includes the alliance's move to drop the requirement for Kyiv to submit a formal membership action plan prior to joining as "an important step."

Member states also took individual steps to expedite Ukraine's membership once the war was over.

In a press conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Vilnius, Lithuania, the president said the results of the summit were "good" but an outright invitation to the alliance "would be ideal."

Read Also: Russia Feels Threatened by NATO Summit 2023; Kremlin Spokesman Says They're Closely Monitoring It

We value our allies. We value our shared security. And we always appreciate an open conversation.

Ukraine will be represented at the NATO summit in Vilnius. Because it is about respect.



But Ukraine also deserves respect. Now, on the way to Vilnius, we received signals that    (@ZelenskyyUa) July 11, 2023

From 'Absurd' to 'An Important Step'

The remarks came after Zelensky tweeted a day earlier that it was "absurd" for NATO to not set a timetable for Ukrainian membership, as well as the condition that current members would agree and conditions were met.

On the other hand, Zelensky also commended new military aid packages from NATO member states as "very positive news." He also met with leaders of the alliance Wednesday without immediately providing details.

Other Ukrainian leaders also thanked Western backers for their ongoing support but suggested they do not fully understand the realities of war that Ukraine has been facing since Russia invaded their country in February last year.

NATO Member States Still Divided Over Ukraine's Application

Meanwhile, concerns about getting pulled into direct conflict with Russia have left some NATO countries reluctant in letting Ukraine too soon.

The alliance would need to make a consensus from all of its 31 countries, according to Atlantic Council Europe Center senior fellow Rachel Rizzo. "There's some question about the willingness of certain members to really grant Ukraine a clear pathway to NATO membership," she added.

On the other hand, Ukraine has other conditions to meet, such as the preparation of its military and defense operations.

This year's summit also highlights Sweden's accession into NATO, with the final hurdle being Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has since dropped its opposition against Stockholm.

Related Article: NATO Leaders Support Ukraine Membership But Stop Short of Handing Out Invitation

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Bryan city councilors and residents weighed in again Tuesday night on a potential sewer trunk line created by the city of College Station that could run through the historic Beverley Estates neighborhood in Bryan.

Beverley Estates/Rosemary Homeowners Association president Scott Hickle, who lives on Park Lane, addressed the council during Tuesday nights meeting and was grateful for his citys continued efforts in hearing citizen concerns.

Thank you for putting up with this situation just as we have for the last several months, he said. I am telling you we have 100% unqualified support from our residents in Bryan. And we really hope that the situation can be worked out. Something that just occurred, apparently there is a bid out for a lift station in College Station that we just became aware of. Which is kind of funny on the timing standpoint and it is also kind of a little bit strange I guess you could say in regards to some of the folks over there that are totally against lift stations; and now here they are going to put in a lift station, which we all knew was going to happen. Other than that, those are just facts and you can make of them what you will.

Following the discussion, The Eagle reached out to the city of College Station asking if there are current bids on a lift station. College Stations department for water services confirmed they are replacing an old system.

Were bidding on a very small lift station that will take the Carter Lake Lagoon system  one of three wastewater treatment plants we operate  offline, the department stated. The older lagoon system currently treats the supernatant [a clear liquid overlying material deposited by settling, precipitation or centrifugation] from about 30 homes in the Carter Lake subdivision. The new lift stations force main will outfall into the gravity line that was recently constructed through/near the proposed ballpark on Rock Prairie.

College Station City Council members will ultimately decide between two routes being considered: a lift station along Chimney Hill and Cooner Street or a right-of-way route along North Rosemary Drive in the Beverley Estates neighborhood. A vast majority of the lift station route lies within College Station's city limits, while the Rosemary Drive route is within Bryan's city limits.

A lift station is a hole in the ground with a concrete or fiberglass basin, where generally two or more pumps are installed which push the sewer flow through a force main to a downstream point, either to another lift station or a treatment plant, according to Virginia-based Dewberry Construction.

Bryan city councilman James Edge said he appreciates Bryan residents' patience with the council as it waits on which decision will be made.

I know this has not been easy for all of you that are affected by this proposed project and I also want you to know that we have not forgotten," Edge said. "I know it seems like at times these months go by and it seems like we are neglecting you guys, but I promise it is on the forefront of most of us up here on the dais, think about this every day. I just want you to know we are still as committed to assisting you guys to preserving your neighborhood as we ever have been. Moving forward we will respond as we need to and if we need to proactively take action, as far as I am concerned, as one councilmember I am prepared to do so.

Councilmembers Marca Ewers-Shurtleff and Kevin Boriskie shared similar comments to Edge and said they were thankful for the citizen input and are invested in finding a solution.

Mayor Bobby Gutierrez concluded the discussion by also thanking the residents for their comments and said they are constantly in conversations about this topic.

We havent forgotten," Gutierrez said. "And we do know that it takes two and it is going to take the people in College Station and the citizens of College Station to speak not only to their council people and their mayor but their city staff, and let them know that they also dont agree with what is going on over there. It is kind of ironic that they would be setting out for bid a lift station right now, when we have been told all of the stuff that we have been told.

College Station city staff has stated from the beginning that a large cost factor and the reliability and sustainability of a lift station are weighed heavily in consideration of a lift station for the Cooner Street route.

Guttierrez added that lift stations are an integral part of any planning development or any development going forward.

Unless, youre city is built at the top of a hill and your treatment center is at the very bottom of the hill, there is going to be a pump and a lift somewhere, he said. Going forward we are trying to work with anything that we can that will help them make an easy decision as well. And believe me it is just as hard for them sitting on that deal as it is us sitting over here. They are having to make those decisions to pay for something that is going to be a little bit more expensive.

College Station city staff stated the reason a sewer trunk line is necessary is in order to prepare for growth the Northgate District will bring to the city. Texas A&M University has been mentioned from both Bryan and College Station councilors and residents, to either have a say in the matter or even offset the cost of the lift station route.

Gutierrez said he had a great meeting Tuesday morning with Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp.

[Sharp] could care less about the pump station or the lift station over there, it is not part of his deal, Gutierrez said at the meeting. This is part of Northgate and only Northgate and has nothing to do with Century Square and the park area around Hensel Park. He made me 100% clear on that. I feel comfortable that whatever we are doing, we are going to be doing a good job with it as well.

"You do have our support whatever their decision is; we are still going to have our support. And I just hope it doesnt go to that. I am not trying to talk down to anybody, not to you guys, not to them and not to our council. I do think it is a hard decision they have to come through, not only for the elected officials but for their city staff.
AUSTIN  Attorney General Ken Paxtons ties to a police technology company that landed a lucrative state contract are being scrutinized by House impeachment investigators for signs of self-dealing, The Dallas Morning News has learned.

Paxton was an investor in WatchGuard Video when the Collin County company secured a contract in 2006 with the state to provide dash cameras to police vehicles. The company has reported more than $33 million in sales to state and local agencies since 2014, according to data from the state Department of Information Resources.

Investigators want to know whether Paxton helped steer the state contract to the company, if he personally benefited from the winning bid and if he properly disclosed his stake in the business in mandated ethics filings, according to three people with firsthand knowledge of the probe.

The WatchGuard Video contract joins a growing list of matters that investigators are digging into after the Texas House impeached Paxton in May for alleged corruption.

The News revealed last month that investigators are delving deep into Paxton and his wifes personal and political finances. On June 29, The Wall Street Journal reported the couples recent real estate buying spree is under the microscope.

Its unclear, however, whether the House will adopt additional articles of impeachment before its early August deadline. The News sources, who want to remain unnamed because the investigation is ongoing, said its still important to look into tips regarding Paxton. Additional findings may strengthen the case or reveal new alleged wrongdoing, they said.

Paxtons impeachment trial in the Texas Senate kicks off Sept 5. The third-term Republican, who has the support of former President Donald Trump, faces the possibility of permanent removal from office.

Paxtons lawyers and public relations team did not reply to a request seeking comment about WatchGuard Video. In an interview with The News, the companys longtime former CEO said Paxton had zero involvement with the companys contracts and said the investment being dredged up now was purely political.

There is no issue here, Robert Vanman said. To suggest theres some sort of double-dealing is so ludicrous and so wrong and so vile, I cannot understate it.

The 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton revolve largely around allegations that he abused his power to help a campaign donor. He is suspended without pay, and if two-thirds of senators vote in the affirmative, he will be removed from office. His wife, Angela Paxton, represents Collin County in the Senate but will not be allowed to vote on his removal.

The impeachment articles do not appear to have any direct connection, as of yet, to the WatchGuard Video contract.

Enforcement Video, doing business as WatchGuard Video, was registered to do business in Texas in 2004, according to business filings with the secretary of state. The Texas Department of Public Safety contracted with the company in 2006 and began using its technology in 2008, agency spokesman Travis Considine confirmed.

The company counted Paxton, then a member of the Texas House, as well as GOP state representatives Byron Cook of Corsicana and Bob Griggs of North Richland Hills, among its earliest investors, according to a 2008 Associated Press story.

The story noted the DPS investment in WatchGuards product was its biggest financial boost. Months later, Cook and Paxton sold a piece of the company for an undisclosed profit, the AP wrote, citing officials.

At the time, its CEO denied any wrongdoing, and Cook and Paxton said they did not pull strings to steer the contract on behalf of WatchGuard Video.

I didnt even know we had contracts with the state of Texas, Paxton told the AP.

Despite disclosing the WatchGuard Video investment for years beforehand, Paxton did not initially do so in his personal financial statement filed with the Texas Ethics Commission covering 2007. He filed an amended report after the AP story published in October 2008 that added the WatchGuard investment.

Political opponents raised concerns about Paxtons WatchGuard Video investment again when he planned to mount a bid for House speaker in 2010 and four years later, when he first ran for attorney general.

State ethics filings show Vanman, then-CEO of WatchGuard Video, gave $5,000 to Paxtons campaign in 2009 and 2013. In 2017, he contributed $500 to Sen. Angela Paxton.

In 2016, D Magazine reported that WatchGuard Video was building a $46 million, 200,000-square-foot campus in Allen. Ken Paxton represented Collin County in the state Legislature from 2003-2015; his wife, Angela Paxton, now represents the area.

According to Vanman, the stories raising concerns about his companys links to Paxton are politically motivated attacks. He said he met Paxton through church and still counts the attorney general among his friends, although the two rarely see each other.

Paxton never had more than a 5% stake in the company and played no role in winning the various contracts WatchGuard Video secured with the state, Vanman told The News.

Ken Paxton was a passive shareholder, along with many other people, he said.

Vanman secured the contracts himself, he added, through his connections in state highway patrol and the strength of the companys product. To date, he said WatchGuard Video has provided cameras to about one-third of all law enforcement agencies in North America.

Thats why Motorola wanted us, he said.

Motorola Solutions bought the company in 2019; the terms of the deal were not disclosed. Motorola did not comment for this story.

After becoming attorney general in 2015, Paxton created a blind trust to house his business interests, including WatchGuard Video, according to personal financial disclosures. Vanman, who served as WatchGuards CEO until 2020, told The News neither he nor Paxton remains an investor.

All WatchGuard shareholders were bought out by Motorola in July of 2019, he said.

The companys technology has been used by law enforcement agencies from California to Canada, according to U.S. Securities and Exchange filings.

WatchGuard Video dashcams are now found in nearly 3,000 highway patrol vehicles in Texas and DPS has spent $31.3 million on equipment purchases since 2008, Considine said.

DPS has been the top spender since 2014, according to the Department of Information Resources. The city of Plano was the companys second best customer, spending more than $1.7 million on WatchGuard Video technology in that period.

WatchGuard Video secured at least three contracts with the state between 2014 and 2018, according to the Department of Information Resources.

This isnt the only fraught investment Paxton shared with Cook, who retired from the Legislature in 2019. In 2015, a grand jury in Collin County indicted Paxton for securities fraud based on allegations Cook raised that Paxton had defrauded investors in another Collin County-based technology company called Servergy.

Several of the articles of impeachment also touch on these indictments, which turn 8 years old this summer. In June, the states top criminal appeals court settled a long-running question about where Paxton will be tried, siding with prosecutors and setting the proceedings in Harris County.

No trial dates have been set in that case.

Through his lawyer, Cook declined to comment for this story.
CTT  Correios De Portugal, S.A. (OTCMKTS:CTTPY  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $7.28 and last traded at $7.28, with a volume of 0 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $7.28.

CTT  Correios De Portugal Stock Performance

The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $7.43 and a 200-day simple moving average of $6.90.

About CTT  Correios De Portugal

(Get Free Report)

CTT  Correios De Portugal, SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides postal and financial services worldwide. It operates through Mail, Express & Parcels, Financial Services & Retail, and Bank segments. The company offers courier and urgent mail transport services; postal financial services; and banking services.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City (TSE:CP  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CP) had its price objective lifted by equities research analysts at National Bank Financial from C$107.00 to C$110.00 in a research note issued on Tuesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. National Bank Financials price objective indicates a potential upside of 6.09% from the stocks current price.

A number of other research firms have also recently issued reports on CP. CIBC cut their price objective on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$125.00 to C$123.00 in a research report on Friday, June 16th. Scotiabank cut their price objective on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$124.00 to C$123.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 29th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$122.00 to C$125.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, June 30th. TD Securities raised their price objective on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$120.00 to C$125.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$90.00 to C$89.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$111.80.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of TSE:CP traded up C$0.13 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching C$103.69. 860,405 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,264,653. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.11. The company has a market cap of C$96.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.18, a P/E/G ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.83. Canadian Pacific Kansas City has a one year low of C$90.06 and a one year high of C$112.27. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is C$106.03 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$105.05.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Company Profile

Canadian Pacific Kansas City ( TSE:CP Get Free Report ) (NYSE:CP) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported C$0.85 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$0.90 by C($0.05). The company had revenue of C$2.27 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$2.39 billion. Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a net margin of 40.33% and a return on equity of 10.14%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Canadian Pacific Kansas City will post 4.1999202 EPS for the current year.

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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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Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC raised its stake in shares of McDonalds Co. (NYSE:MCD  Free Report) by 2.4% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 12,810 shares of the fast-food giants stock after acquiring an additional 298 shares during the period. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLCs holdings in McDonalds were worth $3,756,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in McDonalds during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Piershale Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in McDonalds during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. JDM Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of McDonalds during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Ridgewood Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of McDonalds during the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Global Wealth Strategies & Associates purchased a new stake in shares of McDonalds during the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. 67.08% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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McDonalds Stock Performance

MCD opened at $294.65 on Wednesday. McDonalds Co. has a 52-week low of $230.58 and a 52-week high of $299.10. The stock has a market capitalization of $215.12 billion, a PE ratio of 31.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.64. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $291.59 and its 200-day moving average price is $279.44.

McDonalds Dividend Announcement

McDonalds ( NYSE:MCD Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The fast-food giant reported $2.63 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.31 by $0.32. The company had revenue of $5.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.58 billion. McDonalds had a negative return on equity of 124.87% and a net margin of 29.36%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 4.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.28 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that McDonalds Co. will post 11.06 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 20th. Investors of record on Monday, June 5th were paid a $1.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 2nd. This represents a $6.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.06%. McDonaldss payout ratio is 65.24%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on MCD. TD Cowen raised their target price on McDonalds from $293.00 to $299.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, March 24th. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on McDonalds from $300.00 to $325.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Loop Capital raised their target price on McDonalds from $328.00 to $346.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Gordon Haskett raised their target price on McDonalds from $320.00 to $325.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on McDonalds from $300.00 to $316.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $308.79.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 4,487 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, June 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $291.35, for a total transaction of $1,307,287.45. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 12,038 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,507,271.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other McDonalds news, CMO Edith Morgan Flatley sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $285.07, for a total value of $570,140.00. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer now owns 1,929 shares of the companys stock, valued at $549,900.03. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 4,487 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $291.35, for a total value of $1,307,287.45. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 12,038 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,507,271.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 17,154 shares of company stock valued at $5,032,594. 0.18% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

McDonalds Company Profile

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McDonald's Corporation operates and franchises McDonald's restaurants in the United States and internationally. The company's restaurants offer hamburgers and cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches and nuggets, fries, salads, shakes, frozen desserts, sundaes, soft serve cones, bakery items, soft drinks, coffee, and beverages and other beverages, as well as breakfast menu, including muffins, Sausages, biscuit and bagel sandwiches, oatmeal, hash browns, breakfast burritos and hotcakes.

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of International Tower Hill Mines (NYSEAMERICAN:THM  Free Report) (TSE:ITH) in a research report released on Sunday. The firm issued a sell rating on the mining companys stock.

International Tower Hill Mines Trading Down 8.4 %

Shares of NYSEAMERICAN:THM opened at $0.42 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $80.89 million, a PE ratio of -20.75 and a beta of 0.70. International Tower Hill Mines has a 1 year low of $0.37 and a 1 year high of $0.75. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $0.47 and a 200 day moving average price of $0.52.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On International Tower Hill Mines

An institutional investor recently raised its position in International Tower Hill Mines stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its position in shares of International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:THM  Free Report) (TSE:ITH) by 187.3% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 215,462 shares of the mining companys stock after acquiring an additional 140,462 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC owned approximately 0.11% of International Tower Hill Mines worth $211,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. 55.34% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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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Parex Resources Inc. (TSE:PXT  Free Report)  Stifel Firstegy lifted their FY2023 EPS estimates for Parex Resources in a research report issued on Thursday, July 6th. Stifel Firstegy analyst C. Kwong now anticipates that the company will earn $5.64 per share for the year, up from their previous forecast of $5.51. The consensus estimate for Parex Resources current full-year earnings is $5.32 per share. Stifel Firstegy also issued estimates for Parex Resources FY2024 earnings at $5.91 EPS.

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Parex Resources (TSE:PXT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The company reported C$1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$0.84 by C$0.46. Parex Resources had a net margin of 45.00% and a return on equity of 35.19%. The company had revenue of C$444.55 million for the quarter.

Parex Resources Price Performance

Separately, Barclays upped their price objective on Parex Resources from C$29.00 to C$34.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 20th.

Shares of TSE:PXT opened at C$28.77 on Monday. Parex Resources has a twelve month low of C$17.81 and a twelve month high of C$28.99. The companys 50 day moving average is C$27.32 and its 200 day moving average is C$25.03. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 1.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The company has a market cap of C$3.08 billion, a PE ratio of 4.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.21 and a beta of 1.73.

Parex Resources Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 30th were issued a $0.375 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $1.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.21%. Parex Resourcess payout ratio is currently 22.42%.

About Parex Resources

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Parex Resources Inc engages in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of oil and natural gas in Colombia. The company's principal land holdings and exploration blocks are in Colombia Llanos and Magdalena Basin. It has 55% working interest in Block LLA-34; 100% working interest in Cabrestero Block; and 50% working interest in Capachos Block and Block VIM-1.

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Rocket Companies, Inc. (NYSE:RKT  Free Report)  Wedbush decreased their Q2 2023 earnings per share estimates for shares of Rocket Companies in a report released on Thursday, July 6th. Wedbush analyst H. Coffey now expects that the company will post earnings per share of ($0.07) for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of ($0.06). The consensus estimate for Rocket Companies current full-year earnings is ($0.18) per share. Wedbush also issued estimates for Rocket Companies Q3 2023 earnings at ($0.03) EPS, Q4 2023 earnings at ($0.02) EPS and FY2023 earnings at ($0.19) EPS.

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Several other analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Argus raised Rocket Companies from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, May 22nd. Citigroup lifted their target price on Rocket Companies from $8.00 to $9.00 in a research note on Friday, May 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Rocket Companies from $8.00 to $9.50 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Finally, Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on Rocket Companies from $7.50 to $8.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $7.85.

Rocket Companies Stock Up 7.7 %

Shares of RKT opened at $10.05 on Monday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $8.61 and its 200 day moving average is $8.61. The company has a market capitalization of $19.85 billion, a PE ratio of -41.85 and a beta of 2.10. Rocket Companies has a 12-month low of $5.97 and a 12-month high of $11.38. The company has a current ratio of 12.65, a quick ratio of 12.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19.

Rocket Companies (NYSE:RKT  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported ($0.18) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.12) by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $666.07 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $754.56 million. Rocket Companies had a negative net margin of 0.67% and a negative return on equity of 8.63%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Rocket Companies

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Rocket Companies by 8.3% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 92,184 shares of the companys stock worth $1,025,000 after buying an additional 7,048 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Rocket Companies by 32.1% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 16,693 shares of the companys stock worth $186,000 after buying an additional 4,056 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Rocket Companies by 9.2% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 737,843 shares of the companys stock worth $8,205,000 after buying an additional 61,950 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE lifted its holdings in shares of Rocket Companies by 341.4% in the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 4,414 shares of the companys stock worth $49,000 after buying an additional 3,414 shares during the period. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Rocket Companies in the 1st quarter worth $52,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 4.41% of the companys stock.

About Rocket Companies

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Rocket Companies, Inc, a fintech holding company, provides mortgage lending, title and settlement services, and other financial technology services in the United States and Canada. It operates through two segments, Direct to Consumer and Partner Network. The company's solutions include Rocket Mortgage, a mortgage lender; Amrock that provides title insurance, property valuation, and settlement services; Rocket Homes, a home search platform and real estate agent referral network, which offers technology-enabled services to support the home buying and selling experience; Rocket Auto, a virtual marketplace where consumers can shop and compare vehicles of many makes and models from a wide network of dealers; and Rocket Loans, an online-based personal loans business.

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Shares of Stellar AfricaGold Inc. (CVE:SPX  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as C$0.03 and last traded at C$0.03, with a volume of 64000 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.03.

Stellar AfricaGold Stock Up 20.0 %

The firm has a fifty day moving average price of C$0.04 and a 200 day moving average price of C$0.04. The company has a quick ratio of 2.95, a current ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.03. The company has a market cap of C$3.34 million, a P/E ratio of -1.50, a PEG ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 1.33.

Stellar AfricaGold Company Profile

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Stellar AfricaGold Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation of mineral properties in West Africa and Canada. The company primarily explores for gold deposits. It holds interest in the Lullwitz-Kaepelli gold property located in Lacoste and De Sales township in the Charlevoix Area of Quebec; the Birimian Geology, Priko, and Zenoula permits situated in Cote d'Ivoire; the Tichka Est gold project located in the Atlas region of Morocco; and the Namarana gold project situated in region of Koulikoro.

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Scott Matthew Simmons of Grand Island was sentenced Thursday to 60 years in prison for one count of conspiracy to produce child pornography and one count of production of child pornography.

Simmons, 43, was sentenced in Lincoln by Senior U.S. District Judge John Gerrard.

After 720 months in prison, Simmons will serve the remainder of his life on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Simmons was additionally ordered to pay $11,250 in restitution as well as a $9,000 special assessment which will contribute to funds established for victims of these types of crimes.

This case initiated in July of 2022 with an investigation by the FBI in an attempt to identify children in a series of child pornography images that had been shared online since 2018. Through the investigation it was determined that the files were associated with Scott Simmons and Scott Meyer. Meyer is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 2 in the same case.

On Aug. 25, 2022, a search warrant was received to search Simmonss and Meyers residence. During the search warrant, it was determined that the residence was where many of the child exploitation files were produced. Numerous electronic devices were seized from the residence. Meyer was at the residence during the execution of the search warrant. He agreed to be interviewed and admitted that he and Simmons had engaged in photographing and recording prepubescent boys in a sexually explicit manner. He admitted that these images and videos were produced at their residence and other locations to include various hotels. Four child victims were identified and interviewed by child advocate interviewers.

A forensic examination and review were completed of Simmonss and Meyers personal cellphones. Both the phones contained more than 400 files of child pornography. A large majority of these files found on the phones were original productions of the minor victims in this case.

Simmons was previously convicted in 2007 for one count of sexual assault of a child in the third degree in Saline County District Court, Nebraska. Simmons and Meyer met while both were serving sentences for child-sex offenses in Nebraska. Simmons and Meyer distributed the images and videos they produced of the four victims in this case on the Tor network using encrypted forms of email to further hide their identities. They additionally directly shared the files they created with at least one acquaintance they made while serving their prior sentences.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Canada has joined a growing group of countries calling for a moratorium on deep-sea mining in international waters due to concerns that the unproven, newly-emerging industry could destroy the environment without further research and explicit safeguards.

Three ministers from the nation's departments of foreign affairs, natural resources, and fisheries and oceans said in a statement on Monday that they supported a moratorium on commercial deep-sea mining "in the absence of both a comprehensive understanding of seabed mining's environmental impacts and a robust regulatory regime," according to The Guardian.

The Halt to Deep-Sea Mining

The declaration aligns Canada with a number of European countries, scientists, environmental groups, and even automakers like BMW and Volvo, as well as battery giant Samsung, which have all vowed not to utilize deep-sea minerals in their vehicles.

This week, a third of the world's tuna trade's seafood organizations also demanded a halt to deep-sea mining.

As a result of worries that it lacks the legal foundation necessary to grant permits, the Canadian government declared in February that it would not legalize deep-sea mining in its territorial seas.

After a deadline of 9 July to create rules and regulations governing mining in international waters passed without a clear framework, the International Seabed Authority, the quasi-UN agency in charge of potential legislation, is convening this week in Kingston, Jamaica.

(Photo: by WIKUS DE WET/AFP via Getty Images) A general view of a signboard prohibiting access to the Moonstone mine in Doringbaai on September 22, 2022. - With pink flamingos, white beaches, and blue ocean waters, a stretch of South Africa's west coast has become a battleground between mining firms and environmentalists worried that diggers will raze nature.

Despite the ISA having already granted 30 exploration-only licenses, companies can now apply for provisional mining licenses, which have not yet been approved. On Friday, the 36-member council will discuss the subject.

The European Academies Science Advisory Council expressed concern in June about the "dire consequences" for marine ecosystems if deep-sea mining plans were to proceed. As well as potential spills of fuel and other chemicals used in the mining process, experts are concerned about silt plumes, noise, vibration, and light pollution.

Video from a deep-sea mining test that showed silt dumping into the ocean in February aroused concerns about the industry's safety measures and the potential consequences mining could have on ecosystems, which experts are still trying to better understand. In the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, where deep-sea mining firms are specifically interested in, 5,000 new species have just been found in recent months.

Fuller contends that more can be done on land before venturing into uncharted territory, despite the fact that firms have portrayed the drive for mining the ocean floor as a way of relieving pressures on the metals needed to shift away from fossil fuels.

Read also: Researchers Explore Deep Sea Vents To Protect Unique Marine Life

The Dangers of Deep-Sea Mining

Deep-sea mining could destroy delicate marine ecosystems, such as hydrothermal vents and cold seeps. These ecosystems are home to a wide variety of unique and specialized species, and their destruction could have a significant impact on the global marine food web.

It could also release harmful pollutants into the ocean, such as heavy metals and sediments. These pollutants could harm marine life and could also make their way into the human food chain.

The benefits of deep-sea mining are likely to be concentrated in the hands of a few multinational corporations, while the environmental costs will be borne by everyone. This could lead to social and political unrest.

Related article: French Pres. Emmanuel Macron Seeks To Stop Deep-Sea Mining Amid Rising Global Interest

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Four Omaha men accused of brazenly shoplifting electronics items from the Grand Island Best Buy store Tuesday afternoon were arrested following a multi-agency pursuit in west Omaha.

Four agencies, including an Omaha police helicopter, tracked down the suspected shoplifters.

The theft occurred shortly before 5 p.m.

The group was observed leaving the Grand Island Best Buy in a Ford Expedition. Several law enforcement agencies began searching for the vehicle as it was believed to be traveling east from Grand Island.

Officers located the vehicle, which was determined to be stolen, as it was eastbound on Highway 92 in Saunders County. A Wahoo police officer attempted a traffic stop, but the suspects vehicle struck the officers cruiser and fled. Omaha police helicopter Able-1 began tracking the vehicle from the air until it came to a stop in a neighborhood near 168th and Maple in Omaha.

Pilots directed units on the ground to the area as the four suspects fled on foot. Officers from several law enforcement agencies, including the Omaha Police Department, Douglas County Sheriffs Office, Wahoo police and Nebraska State Patrol, began a search of the area. Three of the suspects were located and taken into custody within 10 minutes. The fourth suspect was located and taken into custody approximately two hours later. Officers located nearly $10,000 worth of stolen electronics inside the Expedition.

The suspects are Shakur Houston, 22, Johnathon Thorne, 21, Huthaifa Mesfin, 20, and Johnathan Semans, 28, all of Omaha. They were arrested for flight to avoid arrest and theft by receiving stolen property totaling $5,000 or more. Mesfin and Semans were also cited for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. As of Wednesday, all four were lodged in Douglas County Jail.

Additional charges are pending in Hall and Saunders counties.

Best Buy staff members told Grand Island police the men grabbed 31 various electronic devices. The items were valued at $9,849.69.

Grand Island Police Capt. Jim Duering described the crime as a very overt theft. They werent attempting to conceal their intent. They walked in, started forcing their way past security measures and stealing the property, basically in plain view.

The shoplifting was very similar to what youre seeing on the news on both coasts where theyve decriminalized some of the property crimes, Duering said. But we still throw people in jail for that around here.

Duering expressed appreciation to the other agencies for their great work in catching these guys.
Major institutions, firms team up to promote clean energy in SE Asia

By Nguyen Thuy Wed, July 12, 2023 | 11:19 am GTM+7

Southeast Asias development of renewable energy generation and transmission, of which Vietnam will be both a buyer and seller, is gathering more forces to advance.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Singapores Energy Market Authority (EMA) have signed a memorandum of understanding that paves the way for this regional development process while supporting the establishment of the ASEAN Power Grid.

The partnership will also boost Singapores efforts to decarbonize its power sector and import clean electricity from the region, ADB announced on Tuesday.

The collaboration will involve the sharing of expertise and best practices in areas like regional cooperation, public-private partnerships, structuring, and project financing.

The MoU also empowers ADB to use its full suite of products and services to support ASEAN countries and project sponsors in implementing and managing the risks of clean energy projects in the region.

The clean energy transition demands high-impact collaboration across ASEAN and a diverse range of financing sources, Ahmed M. Saeed, ADBs vice president for East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said in the announcement.

Investing in clean energy not only puts us on a path to net zero, but it increases prospects for strong and sustainable growth, he said.

EMA chief executive Ngiam Shih Chun added: This collaboration will combine the expertise and resources of EMA and ADB to further unlock the potential for low-carbon electricity to power the region, and boost efforts to decarbonize our power sector through imports of low-carbon electricity.

A wind farm in Southeast Asia. Photo courtesy of the Asian Development Bank.

Regional energy trade

In October 2021, EMA announced Singapores plan to import up to 4 gigawatts of low-carbon electricity, equivalent to 30% of its total supply, by 2035 as part of its plan to decarbonize the energy sector. Under this plan, the ongoing request has garnered over 20 proposals from six countries, offering a combined import capacity of more than 10 gigawatts. Singapore has also entered multiple energy collaboration agreements with source countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, and Australia, to explore the potential export of electricity to Singapore.

State-run Petrovietnam and Singapore conglomerate Sembcorp Industries are planning to build offshore wind power projects to sell electricity to Singapore. As part of the plans, Petrovietnam Technical Services Corp. (PTSC) and Sembcorp Utilities announced the joint development agreement in Singapore in February.

Per the agreement, PTSC and Sembcorp Utilities will invest in a 2.3-gigawatt offshore wind farm in Vietnam and export electricity to Singapore via an undersea high voltage cable, CEO Le Manh Cuong of PTSC said.

An offshore wind power project normally takes at least five to seven years to reach commercial operation, he noted.

Sembcorp Industries and Malaysias Gentari Sdn Bhd, a provider of clean energy solutions, signed a collaborative agreement on June 26 to forge a partnership to speed up clean energy solutions in Southeast Asia.

Through this strategic partnership with Sembcorp, Gentari aims to further accelerate the expansion of renewable energy and hydrogen-related initiatives, Low Kian Min, chief renewables officer of Gentari, said in a release on July 5.

This MoU signifies the shared vision and commitment of our two organizations to drive the energy transition in Southeast Asia, he said.

In renewable energy, the two companies will explore the trade of renewable energy originating from Southeast Asia or other agreed-upon locations.

The collaboration will also encompass the supply of low-carbon hydrogen, Sembcorp Industries said.

ADB and Monsoon Wind Power Company Ltd. (Monsoon) signed a $692.55 million nonrecourse project financing package this March to build a 600-megawatt wind power plant in southern Laos to export power to neighboring Vietnam.

Comprising 133 wind turbines, the project will be the largest wind power plant in Southeast Asia and the first in Laos, ADB said.

ADB will serve as the sole mandated lead arranger and book-runner.

The package comprises a $100 million loan from ADBs ordinary capital resources, a $150 million syndicated loan, $50 million in concessional financing, $382.55 million in parallel loans, and a $10 million grant.

The syndicated loan comprises $100 million from Thailands Siam Commercial Bank and $50 million from Japans Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.

The concessional financing administered by ADB comprises $20 million from the Leading Asias Private Infrastructure Fund and $30 million from the Canadian Climate Fund for the Private Sector in Asia.

The parallel loans include $120 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), $100 million from Thailands Kasikorn Bank, $72.55 million from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), $60 million from the Export-Import Bank of Thailand, and $30 million from Hong Kong Mortgage Corp.

The $10 million grant, from ADBs Asian Development Fund  Private Sector Window, will help mitigate key project risks, including potential curtailment, which is a key bankability issue for lenders.

A wind farm in Quang Binh province, central Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Quang Binh newspaper.

Japanese banks' $300 million for Vietnam

One month after ADB and Monsoon signed this major financing package, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) signed a deal with Vietnams Vietcombank to fund a total of $300 million to renewable energy firms in Vietnam.

Of the total, $165 million will come from JBIC. The balance will be made up by three other Japanese lenders, namely Mizuho Bank, Joyo Bank, and Shiga Bank

JBIC said it would also provide a guarantee for the portion co-financed by private financial institutions.

By indirectly utilizing Vietcombanks credit information, the four Japanese banks expect that high-risk loans will be provided swiftly. Vietcombank will in turn provide subleasing loans, mainly to local businesses.
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Warren Peay sings from his soul and doesnt need awards to validate what music really means to him. Hes determined to continue building a platform from which to make music that he enjoys and finds purpose in after having moved into the top eight American Idol performers.

The 24-year-old Bamberg native said he has no regrets about having participated in the series historic 21st season because it was an experience he learned and grew from. While he didnt make the top five, or become the ultimate winner, he still feels blessed.

Authenticity is

the way to go

I really felt blessed to be able to make it as far as I did. Just to have that experience, that kind of told me that a music career would be possible for me, Peay said.

The Bamberg residents voice and eclectic blend of Southern rock, country and soul music had catapulted him to Hollywood following an impressive American Idol audition on March 19.

He said getting out of his comfort zone was among the most challenging parts of the competition.

"I think definitely some of that was kind of getting out of my comfort zone a little bit with the songs. I mean I had to really perform. Honestly, some of the travel and the adjustments to where we were at was a bit of a challenge for me because I kind of felt like I just wanted to hide out in the hotel room the whole time, Peay said.

"Then after a while, it got to where I was like, 'You know, I want to go see some stuff. I'll probably never come back here. Let me go take a look around.' The culture shock was the big thing for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed the competition, every single part of it," he said.

Peay continued, "It was a new challenge, but it was a fun challenge every single week and everything in between that doesn't make it to television. There's just so many different things that you learn and go through that teaches you about the industry. Not just music, but about film, as well, and how they shoot television shows. I mean, that's a whole new world for me."

His continual rise through the competition landed him among the top 12 performers during the April 30 episode, when he moved on following his performance of The Animals House of the Rising Sun.

Peay 24-year-old Bamberg native Warren Peay says he has no regrets about having participated in the 21st season of "American Idol," finishing in th

He was then bumped into the top eight performers following a performance of the Zac Brown Band's Colder Weather on May 1.

The top eight performers performed and the top 5 contestants were revealed during a May 7 episode.

During that episode, Peay performed before American Idol judge Luke Bryan, who was joined by guest judges Alanis Morisette and Ed Sheeran. American Idol judges Lionel Richie and Katy Perry were in London performing at a concert for newly crowned King Charles III.

Peay performed All I Really Want from Alanis Morisette on May 7. He also joined artist We Ani for a duet of Ed Sheerans Perfect, but was ultimately unsuccessful in garnering enough votes to make the top five.

He said all of his experiences in working with musical superstars such as Morisette were memorable.

"Every one of those experiences will be something I'll never forget. They are all such great people, and they bring them on to the show for a reason. They are encouraging, they know how to tell you to perform. If they feel like you're lacking in an area, they'll tell you that," Peay said.

He continued, "I've said this about the show from the very beginning. This is one of the only places within the industry that you'll ever have people of that caliber there to hear you and only you. You have their complete attention.

It's good to value what they say. Sometimes things may not be for you, but other times they may give you that crucial bit of information that may let you proceed in the competition."

Peay said he learned the importance of authenticity in working with top musical stars.

Authenticity is the way to go. I went into it with that mindset and just to see everybody, that that's how they made their career, being themselves. I know that that's going to be something I'll always keep in mind. Never try to be something that you're not. I would tell that to any artist, he said.

Peay Warren Peay is the son of Lisa Peay and Tony Peay of Bamberg. He is a 2017 graduate of Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School and was employed as an app

He has no regrets about having participated in the competition because the lessons he learned were more important than any award he could have received.

I feel that everything that I did, I was proud of. I was 100 percent happy with every performance. In particular, some of the duets. I don't think we could have done them any better. They were perfect in my eyes, as well as other performances," Peay said.

"I mean, there were times where I'd catch myself slip up at a certain point. I'm like, 'You know, nobody knows. Nobody will know unless I tell them.' There's no such thing as a perfect performance. There never is. I don't think I have any regrets about any of it. It was so much fun, he said.

Ive got one

heck of a platform

Peay is the son of Lisa Peay and Tony Peay of Bamberg. He is a 2017 graduate of Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School and was employed as an appliance technician at Neeley Appliance in Denmark.

Peay, who attends Colston Branch Baptist Church, is now focused on his music as part of the Warren Peay Band, formerly the Colston Branch Band.

"As far as everything goes right now, we've got the band back together a little bit. We've been practicing, we've been writing some new material, things like that, trying to see about getting into a studio to do some recording and booking shows wherever we can," he said.

Of the Idol competition, Peay said, "I didn't expect to come out with a record deal. I expected to come out with a platform I could use and build off of, and that's what these shows are. I'd say I've got one heck of a platform."

Peay, who grew up singing in church and started singing on his own once he got a guitar, said the band is taking advantage of every opportunity it gets to perform.

"We're taking everything we can get. We take it in stride, and we're growing. This is a fresh start for everybody that was in the band, and now we're doing things a little differently. We're still keeping our morals where they always were and making sure that we're doing things right, he said.

Peay said he didnt have any favorites among the musicians he performed with during his Idol run.

All of them were special to me, whether it be with the other contestants, or other big artists. They were all just highlights. Everything was great. I looked at everything with positivity and optimism, and anytime I got to do something like that, I was thrilled," he said.

Peay continued, "I was there to have fun. You know, I'm here for some exposure. Of course after you get to go on the ticket, you're coming to win. I'm going to do my best to win, but, of course, we were all rooting for Iam. We love him, as well as the top three and everybody in the competition. We all created such a family there that we kind of forgot it was a competition most days until it was like time for people to go home."

Hawaii native Iam Tongi, 18, eventually claimed the title of American Idol.

Peay said it was all about showing love and encouraging each other more than creating a bitter cutthroat competition-like atmosphere.

Every experience I had was a good one. I didnt have any bad experiences there, said Peay, who said his church his helped him cultivate his love of music. It is where he continues to lead praise and worship when he gets the time.

Thats definitely that's where I got my start playing on a regular basis and actually playing every week and practicing and getting better, as well as being around like-minded people that had the same heart and mindset as my own. So we were writing a lot of Christian music.

They kind of helped usher that period of time in for me, and then we all started doing it together. Then we started playing together. It just kind of went from there. That's the point where I knew this is a career I want, he said.

Peay said its not about having to be rock star, but rather enjoying every moment along his musical journey.

"Of course, everybody wants to be a rock star, a country star, a pop star or anything like that. Everybody wants to do that, but once you see how you have to do it and what it all entails, you got to have a love for it. It's just like any profession. I feel you have to have a love for it, and if you don't, don't get into it.

I want to keep this thing going for as long as God allows. Im not back with Neeleys as of right now. I knew that if I got back into working all the time, I was going to have less time to really focus on music. So I said, You know what? If it doesnt work, I can always go back. But for right now, Im just focusing solely on music, he said.

That music will continue to have a blend of different styles.

Southern Rock is definitely one that I keep around. Country, Christian music, more Christian contemporary stuff. Im starting to dive into more blues and soul-type music. That just seem to be what fits me. So if I can jump between those few and make music thats good, Im happy, Peay said.

I dont have to make millions a year. Ill take a million, but I dont have to make millions a year. As long as I get to do this for the rest of my life and have people that are dedicated to come to the shows and we get to enjoy this, Im happy, he said.

Everything is

in Gods timing

His journey on Idol began when one of the shows producers saw one a TikTok video of him singing a Chris Stapleton song titled Either Way.

She could have even seen that one and said, That kids pretty good, and went right on by and none of this would have ever happened. It all worked out just how God wanted it to. I went as far as he allowed, Peay said.

Everything is in Gods timing. Whenever I went into it, I had already tried to start up a music career on my own and reach out to as many people and try to send them songs. It just wasnt working. I prayed and said, God, if youve got a music career in your plan for me at all, youre going to have to drop it in my lap because I cant do it, and I don want to take credit for it, he said.

He said the show has given him a fresh start from which to continue his music endeavors.

This is probably one of the best pieces of advice Ive ever gotten from a musician himself: anytime you play, you win. ... Every time you play, you win, and you have to do it for the love of it. If youre doing it for money, fame, notoriety, any of that stuff, chances are its not going to work, Peay said.

If you do it because you love it and you make good music, the rest of that stuff will come. If its good, the fans will find you. The money will find you eventually. Everything comes in time. You cant do it overnight. If youre steady chasing dollars through music, youre going to struggle for a long, long time, he said.

Peay thanks his community for their continued support throughout the Idol competition and beyond.

It means so much to me that the community has kind of rallied behind me on this. Ive got all this hometown support, and its just incredible. I have so few words to describe that and how special it is, he said.
Norfolk Southern has cleaned up along the train tracks near Boulevard Street. Orangeburg City Council is asking the company to keep the area clean.

City Administrator Sidney Evering told council recently that, They have taken steps to remove the majority of that material since we last met.

The company is in the process of replacing more than 22,000 miles of rail line. Orangeburg is being used as a staging area for the materials due to its central location.

Evering said there will be another phase of the rail company's track improvement project in the fall, which means additional materials will be placed in Orangeburg until the project is complete.

Council passed a resolution during its most recent meeting complaining about the unsafe and untidy conditions along the tracks.

The resolution will be addressed to Norfolk Southern Corp. President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Shaw.

Council is asking him to pursue whatever reasonable steps are necessary to expedite the immediate removal of materials near Boulevard Street between Russell Street and Zan Street and to maintain the area.

The resolution gives the train company 30 days to begin removal of the debris.

If a cleanup does not begin in this 30-day period, council will authorize the city administrator and city attorney to take all necessary steps to petition the Federal Railroad Administration and the South Carolina Department of Transportation for an investigation regarding the conditions of the rail line in the city.

I do believe in keeping the city tidy and doing everything we can to make us have a good appearance, but I want to go on record to tell the citizens that that area is owned by the railroad, Orangeburg Mayor Michael Butler said. The city does not own it.

Orangeburg resident Geoffrey Fine said that while Norfolk Southern Railway has cleaned up some of its debris, a broken fence remains along the track.

Fine was informed the fence is owned by the South Carolina Department of Transportation and the city plans to reach out to the department about the fence.

Fine also suggested a new fence be placed up from Ellis Avenue to near Cook Out.

We are a community here. We have to be concerned about all of our citizens, Fine said. In order for them to partner and be a good neighbor they have to have respect for us also."

Councilman Jerry Hannah said fencing or a guardrail near the tracks is a good idea and should be considered by the city.

Councilman Dr. Kalu Kalu said when the city redeveloping Railroad Corner, it will be crucial that the railroad keep its property tidy.

If they leave it the way it is, and then we do the Railroad Corner, that would be an eyesore on what we are trying to do for the city, Kalu said.

Councilwoman Liz Zimmerman Keitt said while work needs to be done, residents need to take pride in their own property as well.

There are several places in this city that are so deplorable, she said. How can we talk about somebody else when we are not doing what we need to do?

I am asking citizens everywhere in Orangeburg to clean up their lots and make us feel good about our place. Then we can really complain about someone else.
NEW YORK -- FOX Nation, FOX News Media's subscription-based streaming service, will present a new docuseries The Fall of the House of Murdaugh on Tuesday, Sept. 12, FOX Nation President Jason Klarman announced.

The three-part limited series features exclusive access to the family, friends and defense team of Alex Murdaugh, the once-prominent South Carolina attorney who was convicted earlier this year of murdering his wife and son. FOX News Channel anchor and executive editor of The Story Martha MacCallum fronts the series and sat down with Murdaugh's only living son, Richard Alexander "Buster" Murdaugh, for his first television interview since being thrust into the spotlight.

In making the announcement, Klarman said, "The Fall of the House of Murdaugh features a comprehensive look inside the case that many have tried to tackle since the day the difficult story unfolded. Through a firsthand account from Buster Murdaugh and access to key players, including friends and family, this series puts forward several missing elements that have not been brought to light."

Over the course of three hours, the series will offer a one-of-a-kind look into the trial, crimes and complicated life of Alex Murdaugh, who was found guilty earlier of murdering his wife, Margaret "Maggie," and son, Paul, at their sprawling estate known as Moselle in Islandton. Viewers will gain exclusive access to Alex Murdaugh's defense team Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin, behind-the-scenes footage before and during the trial, never-before-seen home movies, as well as intimate prison revelations from Alex himself.

These assets will take viewers behind the veil of the Murdaugh's legal strategy as it happened in real time and will be interwoven with sit-down interviews with the same legal team, as well as the lead prosecutor on the case, Creighton Waters, and Attorney General Alan Wilson, who discuss their current strategy.

Orangburg's Kenny Kinsey probes Hampton mans death The unresolved death of a Hampton County man is getting a second look, thanks to the S.C. La

In addition to the legal component, the series aims to dive into the fraught life of Alex, Maggie, Paul and Buster and their own scandals as a family, including a string of crimes, deaths and mysteries that continued to weave the Murdaugh's tangled web. Additional interviews throughout the series include court clerk Rebecca Hill, local attorney Joe McCulloch, Moselle dog kennel manager Roger Dale Davis Jr., Walterboro Mayor William T. Young Jr., the prosecution's forensic expert Dr. Kenneth Kinsey and more.

The Fall of the House of Murdaugh is produced by Texas Crew Productions alongside Executive Producers David Karabinas, Jamie Lustberg and Brad Bernstein.
The United Nations' human rights council has endorsed a contentious resolution in the wake of the Quran-burning incident in Sweden. The motion calls on governments to "address, prevent and prosecute acts and advocacy of religious hatred."

The United States, the European Union, and other Western nations voiced strong opposition to the resolution on the grounds that it violated free speech regulations. On Wednesday, July 12, The Guardian reported that 28 nations voted in favor of the resolution, 12 countries voted against it, and seven nations abstained.

Quran-Burning Protests

An Iraqi-born demonstrator in Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden, last month sparked uproar by ripping pages from the Quran, wiping his shoes with some of them, and burning others.

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) denounced Sweden's authorities and invited the Geneva-based UN human rights council to address the matter after an attack on the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, Iraq.

Sweden's bid to join NATO has been stalled due to Turkey's frustration with what it calls "vile protests against the holy book." The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoan, decided to drop his objections to the application earlier this week.

There has been a rise in requests for permits to burn religious books in Sweden, including the Bible, the Torah, and the Quran.

Also Read: Iran Puts off Deploying Ambassador to Sweden in Light of Quran-Burning Incident

Religious Hate vs. Free Speech

Meanwhile, western nations upheld free expression even though they intensely condemned the Quran burnings.

The German ambassador referred to them as a "dreadful provocation," but he also noted that, as part of the free speech process, it was necessary to "hear opinions that may seem almost unbearable." The French diplomat argued that preserving individuals, not faiths or symbols, was at the heart of human rights.

After the proposal was voted down, US envoy Michele Taylor claimed that a consensus might have been formed with additional time and open debate.

"Unfortunately, our concerns were not taken seriously," Taylor said. "I'm truly heartbroken that this council was unable to speak with a unanimous voice today in condemning what we all agree are deplorable acts of anti-Muslim hatred, while also respecting freedom of expression."

Khalil Hashmi, Pakistan's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, said that the resolution was not intended to stifle free expression but rather to find a middle ground.

Some liberal Swedish critics have suggested that the demonstrations qualify as ethnically motivated hate speech, which is illegal in the country. But many others argue that Sweden should not cave to pressure to reinstate blasphemy laws and instead protect free speech by allowing criticism of religion, even if believers find it offensive.

Attempts by Swedish authorities to outlaw Quran-burning demonstrations have previously been deemed unconstitutional on free speech grounds. The one from last month was approved on the basis that the potential security dangers did not warrant a denial of the request in light of the applicable legislation.

Also Read: Iraq Criticizes Sweden After Man Burns a Copy of the Quran During a Police-Authorized Protest

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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Late Tuesday night the Natrona County Sheriff's Office responded to a disturbance near the fairgrounds. One person was sent to Banner Wyoming Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries, the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post near midnight.

The incident occurred south of the Fairgrounds Road and Fairside Road intersection.

"Additional information received by dispatch stated that witnesses heard what they believed was the discharge of a firearm," the statement said.

The incident is under active investigation and the sheriff's office is asking anyone who may have information about the incident to reach out to 307-235-9282 or make an anonymous report at crime-stoppers.com or 307-577-8477.

Fairgrounds Road was reopened as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, the sheriff's office said. Additional information will be released when it becomes available.
A Colorado man, who was cited four months ago for flying his aircraft too low, is now facing two federal misdemeanor charges for allegedly landing his helicopter in Grand Teton National Park. Pilot Peter Smith, of Gunnison, Colorado, and his passenger were found eating next to the parked helicopter when rangers arrived, Grand Teton National Park announced in a statement this week. Smith is facing two federal misdemeanor charges  operating or using aircraft on lands or waters other than at locations designated pursuant to special regulations and use of aircraft shall be in accordance with regulations of the FAA, the statement said. He is facing up to a $10,000 fine and one year in jail, if found guilty. On the afternoon of June 24, Grand Teton National Park rangers received a report that a helicopter had illegally landed at Moran Bay on the west shore of Jackson Lake, the statement said. When rangers arrived by boat, they allegedly found the two people having a snack along the lake, the statement said. In February, Smith was cited for flying a fixed-wing aircraft below the minimum safe altitude in the Curecanti National Recreation Area in Colorado, the statement said. He paid a $530 fine set by a federal judge in that case. He is scheduled to appear before a federal judge in Jackson in August. Helicopters are prohibited from landing within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park in order to protect wildlife and other natural resources and to preserve the visitor experience, the statement said.
The State Loan and Investment Board will likely vote next month on proposed environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment policy changes meant to guide investment decisions in the State Treasurer's Office.

The suggested changes come amid heightened statewide and national attention on ESG investments, which some Republican critics have taken to describing as "woke capitalism." The new policy, if adopted, wouldnt substantially change how the State Treasurers Office already manages Wyomings investments, but solidifies the state's stance and guidance on navigating ESG principles.

The draft essentially does three things.

First, it reemphasizes that the goal of the State Treasurer's Office is to get the highest possible returns on investments, taking into account the level of risk for each investment.

Second, it states that the "furtherance of environmental, social, governance, political, or ideological interests" aren't factors that are expected to have an impact on an investment's risk or rate of return ("non-pecuniary" factors, in investment speak), and that these factors instead "may be cause for alarm and concern."

And third, it says that the treasurer's office "may" respond to investment partners that are "acting in a non-pecuniary manner" that could result in a loss of revenue by "communicating these concerns" to whoever is responsible. That communication could include "requests to change policies," "voting of proxies to force change" and divesting or replacing investments with "competitive alternatives."

ESG investments follow a philosophy that says businesses shouldnt just value profits but should also be concerned with how they impact the environment and society. This philosophy has gained traction in financial circles since it first came onto the scene about two decades ago. But recently, Republicans have pulled ESG investing into the political fray, calling the practice woke capitalism.

Wyomings politicians are no exception. Early this year, Wyoming joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging a new labor rule that allows asset managers to put clients' retirement money into ESG investments. In March, Gov. Mark Gordon and 17 other Republican governors joined Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis anti-ESG alliance, which calls for states to undermine ESG efforts in the U.S.

The state Legislature also considered two bills this year to limit ESG investments, though neither made it into law.

During the legislative session, representatives of the State Treasurer's Office said the proposed bills could put Wyoming at risk of having to divest millions of dollars and losing opportunities with large investment managers. (At a Joint Appropriations meeting on Tuesday, Cheyenne Republican Sen. Tara Nethercott, co-chair of the committee, emphasized that the bills could have barred Wyoming from investing in companies like Devon Energy, ExxonMobil, EOG Resources and Occidental Petroleum, which are big partners of the state.)

The House Appropriations Committee changed the bills during the legislative session and ultimately voted to give both a "do not pass" recommendation, after which support for the measures faltered. The Legislature's Management Council, however, chose ESG investment regulation as an interim topic.

The State Treasurer's Office is trying to take the route of changing its own policies around ESG investments rather than having the Legislature dictate how the office manages its investment decisions. State Treasurer Curt Meier explained at the Tuesday Joint Appropriations meeting that adopting a new policy statement would provide more flexibility for the office to adjust its investment decisions as ESG principles evolve. The best way to have investments managed, he later said in a call with the Star-Tribune, is to keep those decisions as close to the investment team as possible.

"They're the professionals," he said. "When you start getting it downstream in the political process, you get more of a political aspect to it. If you want timely investment decisions made, you make it closer to the place where the investments are occurring."

Meier previously announced in May an update to his office's ESG policy, which was posted to the office's website. But the new proposed policy is more detailed would update the state's Investment Policy Statement and must be approved by a vote in the State Loan and Investment Board.

The language in the proposed policy statement referring to "pecuniary" and "non-pecuniary" factors, some lawmakers said, sounded more like opinion than policy; Casper Republican Rep. Tom Walters said these statements were weak and don't "carry much strength." If this is going to be the investment policy for the state of Wyoming, it should be void of personal opinion," Walters said.

Meier addressed Walters concern candidly: I certainly understand where you're coming from, but what I'm trying to do is to get this out of a five member political board, he said.

The State Loan and Investment Board will have final say over whether or not to adopt the updated ESG policy in question. All five members of the board, which includes the governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state auditor and state superintendent of public instruction, are elected by the people of Wyoming.

At its last meeting, the board decided to postpone voting on the proposed ESG policy. After receiving feedback from the board, Meier added "environmental" and governance" to the current policy draft to speak more specifically to ESG concerns.

He also added a sentence to the draft that says Wyoming "shall prefer vendors that do not adhere to the implementation of foreign treaties or policies which are not ratified by the U.S. Congress."

Meier explained that he had added the sentence to "raise the issue" that the Paris Climate Accords "wasn't created equally" and that other countries aren't held to the environmental standards that states in the U.S. are held to, Meier told the Star-Tribune. But he said he'll likely take that sentence out for now after lawmakers on the Joint Appropriations Committee questioned the potential consequences of the language. (Laramie Democrat Rep. Trey Sherwood, for instance, pointed out that Congress hasn't ratified the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.)

"I'm faced with trying to deal with people who want ESG at any cost, and people who want to stop ESG at any cost, so I'll accept a no-win scenario," Meier told the Star-Tribune. He added that the policy statement gives the treasurer's office "an opportunity to think how we can fix the symptoms of ESG."

The State Loan and Investment Board will vote on the proposed policy at its next meeting on Aug. 3.
Last week, I co-hosted a town hall in Buffalo with the Chairman of the Johnson County Commission to discuss property taxes and possible solutions to the large tax increases faced by the residents of our great state. The event was well attended by Johnson and Sheridan county folks. As one might expect, many people were very upset about their property tax amounts. I do not blame them. This continued upward trajectory is going to put a lot of Wyoming people at risk of losing their homes.

At one point during the town hall, a local Johnson County resident who is a strong supporter of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus (the self-proclaimed conservatives of the Wyoming Legislature) told the crowd that the tax problem would only be fixed if Wyoming elected more Freedom Caucus members. She asked me why the legislature did not do more to solve the property tax problem facing our states homeowners. I responded to this question with the inconvenient truth  the Wyoming Freedom Caucus and the legislators that collaborate with the group are the reason we did not do more to solve the property tax dilemma. The very people she wants to support in the next election are the same people responsible for her lack of property tax relief.

I explained that the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, and those legislators aligned with the group, killed several bills that would have created immediate tax relief. For example, House Bill 98, which established a $50,000 homeowners exemption was killed by allies of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus in the Senate Revenue Committee. Similarly, the Freedom Caucus voted against House Bill 121, which set up a property tax deferral program. This bill also died in the Senate Revenue Committee.

The Wyoming Freedom Caucus voted against an effort to achieve long-term residential property tax reform (House Joint Resolution 2) and killed the bill on final reading. I also told the crowd how the Wyoming Freedom Caucus joined forces with the Democrats to prevent debate on Senate File 136, a bill which would have lowered the assessment rate on residential properties and created tax reductions for all homeowners. Unfortunately, the House didnt even get to the vote on passage of the bill because of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus.

I told the crowd that I, and many other legislators that were trying to address the property tax problem, voted for the very bills that the Wyoming Freedom Caucus and its allies killed. Many of us were trying to help in any way we could knowing any dollar of relief is better than none. But we were unsuccessful.

I closed my answer to the question posed by asking all those in attendance to discover the truth themselves and not simply take my word as fact. I implored the audience to visit the Wyoming Legislatures website (wyoleg.gov) and see how their elected officials voted on the tax bills which were the subject of the town hall.

Ironically, since the legislative session adjourned the Freedom Caucus has been blaming other legislators for failing to fix the property tax issue. At one point, the group said anyone who voted against the property tax relief is unethical. Last week, the group insinuated on social media that certain legislators outside their group dont care about the property tax increases. Obviously, if you examine the voting records, you can see that the group is simply trying to hide the truth.

So, today I write this letter and tell the story of my town hall because I believe it is important to unmask the inconvenient truth being hidden by the Wyoming Freedom Caucus. I think all of Wyoming should know why tax relief failed, not just the people that attended my town hall.

And while some voted against property relief last legislative session, it is incumbent on all Wyoming legislators to find a path forward to solve the property tax problem. We must work together, regardless of our political differences, to protect our residents from skyrocketing property taxes. Any relief we can bring to Wyomingites is better than holding out for a perfect solution. I pledge to do this myself and challenge all other Wyoming legislators to do the same.
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.
Microsoft confirmed Tuesday evening (July 11) Chinese hackers exploited a flaw in their cloud email service to gain access to the email accounts of US government employees.

According to the tech giant, the hacking group tracked as Storm-0558, compromised approximately 25 million email accounts, including government agencies. The hackers also targeted related consumer accounts linked to individuals associated with these organizations.

"Storm" is a nickname used by Microsoft to track hacking groups that are new, emerging, or "in development."

The company's investigation determined Storm-0558 is a China-based hacking group. It has been described as a "well-resourced" adversary "focused on espionage" for gaining access to email accounts using Outlook Web Access (OWA) in Exchange Online and Outlook.com by forging authentication tokens to access user accounts. However, Microsoft has not identified the government agencies targeted by Storm-0558

In its technical analysis of the attack, Microsoft explained the hackers used and acquired Microsoft consumer signing keys to forge tokens to access OWA and Outlook.com. After that, the hackers exploited a token validation issue to impersonate Azure AD users and gain access to enterprise email accounts. The tech company added Storm-0885's malicious activity went undetected for about a month until customers alerted them to anomalous mail activity.

"We assess this adversary is focused on espionage, such as gaining access to email systems for intelligence collection," said Microsoft cybersecurity chief Charlie Bell. "This type of espionage-motivated adversary seeks to abuse credentials and gain access to data residing in sensitive systems."

Microsoft also stated the attack was successfully mitigated and that Storm-0558 no longer has access to the compromised accounts. However, the company has not said whether any sensitive data was exfiltrated over the month-long period that the attackers had access to.

Read Also: Activision Blizzard's Stock Market Value Soars After Court Ruling Favors Purchase of Game Firm

US Government Officials Confirm Chinese Cyber-attack

Meanwhile, the White House's National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge confirmed to TechCrunch that US government agencies were affected.

"Officials immediately contacted Microsoft to find the source and vulnerability in their cloud service," he added. "We continue to hold the procurement providers of the U.S. Government to a high-security threshold."

The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) was one of the federal government agencies that first detected the unusual activity on its Microsoft 365 email cloud environment last month, according to an NPR report.

The CISA also did not divulge which government agency was affected by the hack, but has urged organizations to implement the logging recommendations in their advisory to "enhance their cybersecurity posture and position themselves to detect similar malicious activity."

While this is not the first time Microsoft or other tech companies have been targeted with this kind of breach, the US government is putting pressure on them to hold high-security standards.

Additionally, US Senate Intelligence Committee chief Mark Warner (D-VA) said he and congressional colleagues would be "closely monitoring what appears to be a significant cybersecurity breach by Chinese intelligence.

"It's clear that the [People's Republic of China] is steadily improving its cyber collection capabilities directed against the US and our allies," Warner added.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington DC did not immediately respond to requests from reporters for comment, but a Chinese Foreign Ministry told the Associated Press any accusation of government involvement was "disinformation."

A similar incident was recently reported when Russian hackers used a BMW ad to compromise at least 22 of around 80 embassies in Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, as part of an alleged extensive espionage effort.

Related Article: Russian Hackers Use BMW Ad to Sway Ukrainian Embassy Staff

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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.
We can divide the discussions into two. The internal, whats happening inside the body of West Indies cricket, its circuitry; and the external, the factors contributing to its current state.

Its really an analogy for the state of our region. Everything applies to whats happening in our societies. We have to stop referring to our athletes and delinquents, not just our cricketers, as a group existing in some kind of exclusive planetary bubble, impervious to the conditions of our time.
On the Fourth of July, North Carolina authorities conducted a routine traffic check and found a girl passenger, age 16, who had been reported missing by Florida police just a few hours earlier.

Alarming Advice for Parents

According to a news statement from the Nash County sheriff's office, as reported by Fox News, a white Audi with Florida license plates was stopped on Interstate 95 just after midnight for a traffic violation.

After asking the 40-year-old driver, Alejandro Hernandez Vazquez, some standard inquiries, deputies derived probable cause to suspect criminal behavior, as stated in the news release.

When deputies searched Vazquez's car with his permission, they found a missing teenage girl who had been reported to the Coral Springs Police Department only five hours before the traffic encounter.

Authorities intervened and took the kid to the Wake County Juvenile Detention Center, where she waited until her family came to pick her up. The girl had apparently met Vazquez online.

The sheriff's office said the victim's family did not know the suspect and did not grant him permission to take the victim over state boundaries.

"Monitor your kids' social media because a lot of this stuff starts with people preying on children," Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone stated via WRAL's report.

"If you're not monitoring what your child is doing on the internet, then there's the possibility that people are taking advantage of them. This older guy here was taking advantage of the 16-year-old. He was carrying her up North, and I'm sure it was not in the best interest of that girl or for society."

See Also: 'We Can't Handle It': US Congressman Makes Strong Admission After Seeing Classified UAP Videos

Significance of Traffic Inspections

Tom Weitzel, a former police chief in the Illinois town of Riverside, told Fox News that traffic stops often lead to the arrest of criminals.

Nevertheless, there is an effort in places like Chicago to reduce the number of times police pull drivers over. The idea's proponents contend that police officers' unconscious prejudice might influence the way they handle traffic stops, leading to excessive force.

Police make arrests at traffic stops most of the time. If either the driver or the passenger has an outstanding warrant, they will likely be arrested. Some people have arrest warrants for very serious crimes.

Weitzel argues that if police were not allowed to do random traffic stops, they would not have been able to catch those fugitives until much later. During traffic stops, he added that the recovery of handguns has increased exponentially in the last two or three years.

Vazquez has been arrested and lodged in the Nash County Detention Center on a $505,000 bail.

When police searched the suspect's car, they discovered THC pens, which led to accusations of criminal possession of synthetic cannabinoids, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

Weitzel said the incident would not have taken place if the police officer had not made a traffic stop.

See Also: Delaware's Assault Weapons Ban Challenged by Gun Rights Advocates

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Q: I booked two flights through GoToGate from San Jose to Mexico City and then to Oaxaca, Mexico.

I ran into a problem on my flight from San Jose to Mexico City, which was on Avianca. I knew these were small planes, so I prepaid $33 for each checked bag. But when I checked in at San Jose, the agent had no record of my prepaid bags. I discussed it with them and showed my receipt. I even spoke to a supervisor. But I ended up having to pay $90 per bag.

I have copies of my boarding pass showing no checked bags and the receipt for the $180 fee. When we arrived in Oaxaca, I called the phone number on my receipt, but after speaking to a representative, we were disconnected. A representative emailed me and said there should have been no issue with the baggage. She invited me to file a claim. Ive heard nothing since. Can you help?  Peter Holt, Woodinville, Washington

A: GoToGate is an online travel agency, which means it is supposed to represent your interests (and it also takes a commission from the airline). Even if there wasnt time to sort out the luggage problem at the airport, the agency should have quickly refunded the extra fee.

Lets take a step back. Why are airlines charging so much for checked baggage? Because they can. Airlines know that we need to travel with luggage, so they charge for it when we buy our tickets  and if we dont immediately say yes, they more than double the price and charge us extra at the airport.

One day, when enough passengers refuse to play along, airlines will stop this nonsense.

Evidently, your reservation was handled by multiple online agencies, which made your resolution a little more complicated and may have led to the crossed wires.

At some point, you also dealt with a third agency called Mytrip, which is owned by the European online agency Etraveli Group.

How do you avoid something like this? Book directly with the airline, because going through intermediaries just leads to confusion and potential problems.

I contacted Etraveli Group on your behalf. A representative contacted you and refunded the $180.
A 72-year-old Green Valley man was booked into jail in connection with the fatal shooting of his roommate, officials say.

Stephen Murray called 911 about 9:45 p.m. July 10 he had just shot his roommate and was going to commit suicide, the Pima County Sheriff's Department said in a news release.

Murray was eventually located in a vehicle and was taken into custody without incident, the release said.

Deputies who went to Murrays house in the 1500 block of North Paseo de la Tinaja found the body of 44-year-old Seth Satterwhite. He has been shot and killed, the release said.
Tucson Unified School Districts property tax rate will drop in fiscal year 2024 because property valuations have risen.

In other words, if you own a home in TUSD, your tax rate per $100,000 of assessed valuation will decrease, but your assessed value very well may have gone up.

Property owners within TUSD will pay $20.74 less to the district for every $100,000 of their propertys assessed value than they did in fiscal year 2023.

The owner of a home valued at $100,000 will pay a total of $397.53 in TUSD property taxes, down from $418.27 the year before.

Because overall property valuations in Pima County have gone up, TUSDs tax rate can drop and still cover the districts budget, TUSD chief financial officer Ricky Hernandez explained at a governing board meeting Tuesday night.

It will be the second year in a row that TUSD has slightly lowered its tax rate.

TUSDs total budget for fiscal year 2024 will be $846.8 million (up from $808 million this year), including $394.9 million for maintenance and operations.

The district, Pima Countys largest, serves more than 40,000 students at 87 schools.

TUSD will ask its voters on Nov. 7 to approve a $480 million bond package to update and renovate schools, add security systems, provide access for every student to computers/iPads, and buy buses.

If voters approve, the bond packages tax rate will be 69 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, meaning it would cost the average homeowner in TUSD, with a home value of $183,000, about $126 a year.
Pima County supervisors want Arizonas water agency to expedite a study of the Tucson areas groundwater supply to see if its large enough to support all subdivision development expected over the next 100 years.

The Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 Tuesday to send a letter making that request of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, as requested by Democratic Supervisor Matt Heinz. Republican Supervisor Steve Christy was opposed; Democratic Supervisor Sharon Bronson wasnt present for the vote.

Although the supervisors and County Administrator Jan Lesher said they didnt know it, the state water agency has begun such an evaluation, but its not clear if the work can be expedited. The computer model analysis by the state wont be finished until 2024 and may need 18 months, ADWR spokesman Doug MacEachern told the Star.

We know the Colorado River is in a crisis at this point. We are living in a desert, Heinz told the board.

Heinz noted that in early June, ADWR released results of a computer model-based study that projected a 4.86 million acre-foot gap between groundwater supply and demand will occur in the Phoenix area over the next century. Because of those findings, ADWR announced it will stop issuing new certificates of assured, 100-year water supplies for subdivision developments that rely solely on groundwater in the state-run Phoenix Active Management Area and arent served by water providers with their own designations of assured supply.

I think its important we figure out what the situation is here in the Tucson Basin and we do so as soon as possible, Heinz said.

Tucson areas water resources under control

This appears to be a solution looking for a problem, Christy countered.

Everything Ive been led to believe is that water resources are under control as far as Tucson AMA is concerned, said Christy, referring to the state-run water management area that covers most of the Tucson metro area. I dont want the Arizona DWR expediting any plans regarding a groundwater model. We have the capacity to figure that out on our own.

Board Vice-chairman Rex Scott said, Ill go ahead and vote for it, just because I think its good to have that information.

I would certainly hope that if they come to any kind of conclusions similar to one in Maricopa County, that they share the information with the public in the same prudent and nuanced way that they shared that information with that (earlier) report, said Scott, a Democrat.

He noted that Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs pointed out when the Phoenix-area report was released that the states order banning new subdivisions in certain areas wouldnt cause development to come to a grinding halt.

That was in part because most Phoenix-area cities have ongoing designations of assured, 100-year water supplies that cover all new development within the boundaries of their utilities water service areas until the designations expire.

The ban on new subdivisions affects two cities that lack such designations, Queen Creek and Buckeye, along with other areas, including some lying within some city boundaries, that are served by private water companies that dont have such designations.

The Tucson areas water picture has generally been considered by most experts to be brighter than Phoenixs. Because the city of Tucson now relies almost exclusively on renewable Colorado River water instead of groundwater for drinking supplies, water tables have been rising in parts of the city.

The Tucson Active Management Area has been on the edge of reaching the states goal of balancing groundwater pumping and recharge by 2025. That condition is known as safe yield.

Phoenix isnt expected to make that goal. Plus, the recent ADWR study indicates the Phoenix areas ongoing overdraft of groundwater, while it has decreased markedly since 2000, is likely to increase dramatically between now and 2121 as development continues.

Actions needed not just in Phoenix, state says

But in a slide presentation at a public meeting late last month, ADWR warned that the Tucson area may not always be in such good shape. The slide noted that updated groundwater modeling for the Phoenix and Pinal County water management areas demonstrate that, over the next 100 years, these two AMAs have reached the anticipated limits of growth on groundwater supplies.

Without action, this limitation will eventually be reached in the other AMAs, as well, said the slide, referring to three other state-run Active Management Areas covering the Tucson and Prescott areas and Santa Cruz County south of Tucson.

One unknown factor for the Tucson area is whether major cuts in Central Arizona Project deliveries will occur here due to ongoing drying of the Colorado River  a condition that could force more pumping of groundwater. A separate problem is that many unincorporated areas of Pima County north, south and southeast of Tucson remain reliant on groundwater to serve rapid growth occurring there.

Thats raised concerns among some water experts that those aquifers could ultimately be prone to ground-sinking known as subsidence, along with diminished water quality.

But the bar will be high for the state to determine that such areas wont have an assured, 100-year water supply. ADWRs groundwater modeling will have to show that pumping would cause their water tables to fall by at least 1,000 feet over 100 years.

In a June 28 memo, Heinz noted that Tucson this year is voluntarily leaving 50,000 acre-feet of its total annual supply of water from the Central Arizona Project in Lake Mead in an effort to maintain reservoir levels. Democratic Mayor Regina Romero has said the city has agreed to leave a total of 110,000 acre-feet of CAP water in the lake over the next three years, in return for compensation of about $44 million from the federal government.

In the near future, our region will rely increasingly on groundwater, putting stress on our AMAs ability to balance groundwater levels and use, Heinz wrote. Given this inevitability, we urgently need a clear understanding of the demands of our groundwater system and how much growth our aquifers can safely support in the coming 100 years.

Future battery plants water use criticized

In a July 9 letter to the Board of Supervisors, resident Kathy Madsen put a different spin on Tucsons actions to leave some of its river water in Lake Mead. She noted that Tucson Water Director John Kmiec has said in announcing such actions that the city can afford to leave some water in the lake because its not using all the CAP water it receives and has been banking the surplus underground.

If Tucsons mayor and our water director feel confident, why is the BoS (Board of Supervisors) suspicious? What exactly is going on? Madsen wrote. As long as the pumps and parts for maintaining our existing underground water wells are stocked and the wells monitored  the job of our local water departments, not the board  why this sudden concern from the board?

Two other letter writers essentially accused the board of being inconsistent, by expressing concern about water now after voting in December to approve a lease-purchase agreement that will enable an out-of-state company to build a battery manufacturing plant that will use large amounts of water.

A Utah-based lithium battery startup, American Battery Factory, plans to invest more than $1 billion to build a gigafactory complex south of Tucson International Airport, projected to eventually employ 1,000 workers, under the lease-purchase agreement with Pima County. County supervisors approved the agreement on Dec. 6.

The company, a spinoff of energy-storage systems maker Lion Energy, plans to produce lithium-iron-phosphate battery cells for home and commercial energy-storage systems. The factory will use about 150,000 gallons of water daily, Lesher, the county administrator, told the board in a memo before its vote.

American Battery Factory will lease up to 267 acres of land at the countys Aerospace Research Campus, south of Raytheon and the airport, at fair market value as determined by an appraisal.

The company will have the option of buying the land as soon as 30 months after the lease is finalized, at a price of about $21 million for all 267 acres, provided it makes lease payments on time and meets initial construction and employment milestones, Lesher told the board.

One of the residents who wrote to the board, Terra Radliff, asked, Are you planning on implementing water restrictions and fees on your constituents in the near future? Will you implement it due to our current climate emergency? You created this situation by not responsibly managing the use of county water supplies. How will you responsibly correct it?

Heinz says we can balance jobs, water use

Asked about those comments, Heinz responded: We need to know for our own information how things are going. We live in the desert Southwest. Water is a huge issue, a limited resource. Judicious use of that resource is important. It doesnt mean we cant have economic development and new jobs, although we cant be another chipmaking center like Silicon Valley.

That doesnt mean we cant have balance. We can definitely have some industries. In the state of Arizona, pretty close to two-thirds of our water all goes to agriculture. What sense does that make?"
NASA unveiled a stunning closeup of a stellar nursery on Wednesday to mark the first full year of scientific observations by the James Webb Space Telescope.

The $10 billion infrared observatory with deep roots in Tucson has already revealed the atmospheric composition of faraway planets and captured the most distant galaxies and supermassive black holes ever discovered.

Several dozen University of Arizona astronomers, engineers and students helped develop the telescopes two main instruments: the Near Infrared Camera, or NIRCam, and the Mid-Infrared Instrument, or MIRI.

Webb results so far have exceeded our expectations, said UA Regents Professor Marcia Rieke, who led the NIRCam development team and now serves as its principal investigator. We hope to find more surprises that get revealed due to Webbs extraordinary image quality.

The picture revealed Wednesday features the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex, the nearest star-forming region to Earth at roughly 390 light-years away.

The zoomed-in view shows approximately 50 young stars, most of them similar in mass to the Sun or smaller. Some of the stars already display the shadowy disks that mark the beginnings of future planetary systems.

As the new suns first burst through their natal envelopes of cosmic dust, they cast off bipolar jets of molecular hydrogen that glow red like embers.

Webbs image of Rho Ophiuchi allows us to witness a very brief period in the stellar life cycle with new clarity, said Klaus Pontoppidan, a Webb project scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. Our own sun experienced a phase like this, long ago, and now we have the technology to see the beginning of anothers stars story.

Orbiting around the sun about 1 million miles from Earth, Webb is the largest and most powerful astronomical observatory ever sent into space.

The bonanza of discovery during its first year in operation has produced hundreds of scientific papers, including some by University of Arizona researchers.

Late last month, for example, a team led by astronomers from the university announced they had teased out one of the oldest threads of the cosmic web that binds the universe together  a 3-million-light-year-long filament hung with galaxies and anchored by a quasar powered by an active, supermassive black hole.

This is one of the earliest filamentary structures that people have ever found associated with a distant quasar, said Feige Wang, an assistant research professor at the UAs Steward Observatory and principal investigator for the team that made the discovery.

Their findings are documented in two papers published on June 29 in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

This marks the first time such a cosmic filament has been observed at such an early time in the universe and in 3D detail  all thanks to Webb, said Wang, who served as lead author on one of the papers.

NASA released the new image of Rho Ophiuchi one year to the day after President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson gathered at the White House to unveil one of Webbs first triumphs: a deep-field image of impossibly far-off galaxies lighting up the early universe.

Rieke said the telescope she helped design has already spotted the most distant galaxy ever observed as it looked roughly 320 million years after the Big Bang, and she expects Webb to probe even closer to the beginnings of the universe.

We hope to push another 100 million years back in time, said Rieke, whose husband, fellow UA Regents Professor George Rieke, helped design MIRI and now leads that instruments science team.

NASA has allotted 13% of the space telescopes total observing time to the UA, more than any other astronomy center in the world.
A new immigration policy that makes it easier for people from four Central and South American countries to join family in the U.S. will help, but is still far from the migration solution needed, advocates said.

The Department of Homeland Security on Monday started the new family reunification policy for residents of Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Under the program, residents from those countries can seek to join relatives in the U.S. and remain here for three years while their visa application is processed.

The program is based on similar programs for Cubans and Haitians and is intended to relieve stress at the border by giving migrants an alternative to showing up at a border crossing or trying to cross the border illegally.

In a statement Friday, Homeland Security Secretary said that new programs provide safe, orderly, and lawful pathways, combined with strong enforcement, is effective in reducing dangerous, irregular migration to the United States.

Advocates said it is a step in the right direction  but a small step.

Its going to benefit certainly thousands of people, but in terms of it being some easy solution for people from these countries in order to come to the United States, its far from that, said David Bier, associate director of immigration of the Cato Institute.

Homeland Security estimates that as many as 73,500 people hold an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative form, the first step to becoming eligible for parole under the family reunification policy: 32,600 Salvadorans, 17,400 Colombians; 12,800 Guatemalans and 10,700 Hondurans.

But the agency also said it does not expect to extend invitations to all such nationals, and stressed that applications will be approved on a case-by-case, discretionary basis.

The process begins with the State Department issuing an invitation to I-130 holders in the U.S., who must be citizens or lawful permanent residents. They can then petition to have family members in one of those four countries approved for travel to the U.S., where they will be evaluated to see if they qualify for parole.

Beneficiaries must be outside the U.S., must meet medical and other requirements and cannot already have an immigration visa. Anyone who tries to enter the U.S. illegally after July 10 will be ineligible. Once in the U.S., beneficiaries can apply for authorization to work here while they wait for their visa application to be processed.

While it concedes that the policy will not reach all of those holding I-130s, and that successful applicants will still face years of waiting for a visa, DHS insists the program will ease the load at ports of entry and reduce incentives for illegal border crossing, making it harder for cartels to exploit migrants.

Opponents say the program is designed to avoid the bad optics of surging immigration, and merely shifts migrants from the border to other routes into the country.

Clearly their objective, as I said, is to bring in as many people as possible, while avoiding the bad optics of people crashing the border or waiting across the Rio Grande, said Ira Mehlman, media director for the Federation for American Immigration Reform.

Ariel G. Ruiz Soto, an analyst for the Migrant Policy Institute, called it a good program to help families be able to reunite and to create better processing in a way that makes sense. But he said it does not go far enough.

Weve seen a lot more Colombians and Salvadorans, for example, coming to the border than we did several years back, he said. Thats why this program really is not on its own enough to try to provide a significant alternative.

Bier said the government could help families by expediting their applications, but thats not likely under a program that is throttling the number of parole approvals through this invitation process. He also said that the discretionary nature of approvals under the program are a way for the government to restrict the number of people who get approved,

Anyone whos trying to get into this process right now is basically, you know, its a hopeless situation for them, he said. I mean theyre waiting many, many years before they will have a chance to get approved under this.

Still, Ruiz Soto said, this program is a better alternative than what migrants currently face.
SPARKS, Nev. (AP)  Retired Army Capt. Sam Brown made his long-awaited U.S. Senate candidacy official on Monday, jumping into the race to take on Democratic incumbent Jacky Rosen a year after losing the Republican nomination to challenge Nevada's other U.S. senator.

In a nearly 30-minute speech Monday afternoon in the city of Sparks, which neighbors Reno, Brown spoke of his military background and family devotion while repeatedly casting himself as an outsider fighting against "Rosen and her D.C. friends.

She is a foot soldier for Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and Chuck Schumer," Brown said in a warehouse where fans and shade helped shield more than 100 supporters from the summer heat. Theyre all about those D.C. priorities. And she is carrying out their mission instead of ours.

Brown, a Purple Heart recipient, was a heavily recruited candidate for Republicans in Washington looking to avoid a repeat of their lackluster showing in last year's midterms, when flawed GOP candidates helped Democrats win battleground races and hold on to the Senate majority.

He will face a challenge in the Republican primary from Jim Marchant, a former state Assembly member who lost last year's race for Nevada secretary of state after promoting Donald Trumps lies of a stolen 2020 election.

Rosen, a first-term moderate in a presidential battleground state, is one of Republicans' top targets in 2024. Democrats are facing a challenging 2024 Senate map, where they must defend incumbents not only in red states  Montana, Ohio and West Virginia  but also in multiple swing states.

Brown, who was nearly killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan that scarred his face, made military service central to his unsuccessful 2022 Senate campaign. He finished second in the Republican primary to former state Attorney General Adam Laxalt, who went on to lose the general election to Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto. Browns first campaign came in 2014, when he unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the Texas state Legislature.

Brown campaigned on the slogan of Duty First in 2022 and founded the Duty First PAC after his loss to support conservative candidates. At campaign stops, he often told the story of the bomb that hit him, the dozens of surgeries that followed, the leadership he learned while in the Army and his Christian faith and sacrifice  suffering that builds our endurance."

Brown struck a similar message on Monday, running on broad conservative tenets such as support for increased border security, law enforcement and more parental control of K-12 education curriculum. He railed against teachers unions and pinned Nevada's low national rankings in education on Rosen and federal policies.

Then Brown shifted to local concerns, criticizing Rosen's support for solar projects in Nevada, a state that is leading the charge in manufacturing the form of renewable energy. Some residents of rural communities have pushed back against solar projects, saying the added infrastructure could harm the surrounding communities and local environments.

Theyre being built on our land, and not for our benefit, Brown said. But for the benefit of Jacky Rosen and her friend Gavin Newsom in California.

Brown and Laxalt agreed on almost all policy stances during their sometimes-heated primary battle last year, though Brown said that Laxalt did not push hard enough in his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results when Laxalt chaired Trumps 2020 Nevada campaign. Brown helped Laxalt campaign after losing to him.

Brown dodged two questions from reporters after his speech regarding whether he stood by those comments. Instead, he criticized Rosen's vote on spending bills while speaking of leadership experience he gained while in the Army.

Rosen has posted strong fundraising numbers in her first reelection run, announcing on Monday a $2.7 million fundraising haul in the second quarter of 2023, leaving her with $7.5 million cash on hand.

An ally handpicked by legendary Nevada Democrat Harry Reid to run for the Senate, Rosen has steered a moderate path during her first term in the chamber. She was a first-term congresswoman from a Las Vegas-area district when she defeated GOP Sen. Dean Heller in 2018. Before that, she was president of a prominent Jewish synagogue in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson.

National Republicans had long recruited Brown, seeing his ability to raise money from the partys grassroots and his profile as a war hero as positives in a solidly purple state known for often unpredictable, razor-thin outcomes.

In 2022, Nevada featured the closest Senate race in the nation when Cortez Masto defeated Laxalt by just 8,000 votes. The race was decided by mail ballots that arrived at county offices days after Election Day and resulted in a nearly weeklong vote count that ended up securing Democrats' control of the Senate.

Marchant, the other major Republican candidate, has pushed to eliminate voting machines and has falsely said that all Nevada elected officials since 2006 have been installed by the deep-state cabal. Asked about Marchant's campaign in the press gaggle, Brown again shifted his focus to Rosen and did not mention his primary opponent.

Any time you see a crowded field, that means you have a lot of people who are disappointed by whoever's currently leading there, he said. So this is an indictment on Jacky Rosen that so many people are interested in running.

Stern is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Stern on Twitter: @gabestern326.

This story was first published on July 10, 2023. It was updated on July 11, 2023, to delete an erroneous reference to Harry Reids Senate seat.
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP)  Shortly after beginning an affair, a Colorado dentist accused of killing his wife searched online for answers to questions such as is arsenic detectable in an autopsy? and how to make murder look like a heart attack," police said. Days later, James Craig's wife, Angela Craig, turned to Google to try to figure out why she was experiencing symptoms like vertigo, shaking and cold lips, and she searched for doctors who could help her, District Attorney John Kellner said Wednesday in a court hearing on the evidence in the case.

This is a person who is tragically being slowly poisoned by her husband, he said.

While Craig's lawyers argued there was no direct evidence that he put poison in his wife's protein shakes, as police allege, and accused the lead detective of being biased against him, Judge Shay Whitaker ruled at the end of the hearing that there was enough evidence for the case to proceed toward a trial. She noted that Craig is alleged to have bought poisons online just before Angela Craig experienced her mysterious symptoms.

Toxicology tests showed that Angela Craig died because she had been poisoned with cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a substance found in over-the-counter eye drops, Arapahoe County coroner Kelly Lear testified during the hearing.

Craig, dressed in an orange jail uniform, sat at the table with his three lawyers, listening to testimony in a courtroom filled with Angela Craigs relatives as well as his parents, who declined to talk.

Angela Craig died March 18 after being taken off life support during her third trip to the hospital. She was married to her husband for 23 years and was the mother of six children, according to her obituary.

As she languished in the hospital, with doctors unable to figure out what was wrong, police alleged her husband was meeting another woman, fellow dentist Karin Cain, who flew from Texas to visit him. Police began investigating James Craig after his dental practice partner and friend, Ryan Redfearn, told a nurse that Craig had ordered potassium cyanide even though they did not need it for their work, according to an arrest warrant laying out evidence gathered by investigators.

Cain, an orthodontist, told ABCs Good Morning America that she had been in the process of divorcing her husband of almost 30 years when she met James Craig at a dental conference in February. She said they were together for three weeks. Cain said she didnt willingly have a relationship with someone who was married and she doesnt like being called Craigs mistress.

I dont like that label, Cain said. If I had known what was true, I would not have been with this person.

Asked whether she thought Craig killed his wife to be with her, Cain said they hadnt been planning a future together.

Theres no way Im motive, she said.

Investigators believe James Craig put arsenic in one of the protein shakes he routinely made for his wife for their workouts on March 6 and then, after she survived, he ordered a rush shipment of potassium cyanide that he told the supplier was needed for a surgery, according to court documents. James Craig had asked an office manager not to open that package, but another employee did, leading to its discovery and eventual disclosure to authorities, Craig's arrest affidavit says.

Neither the affidavit nor testimony during the hearing addressed how investigators believe Angela Craig was poisoned with tetrahydrozoline. The lead detective in the case, Bobbi Olson, testified that testing was still being conducted on an eye dropper sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Under questioning from defense attorney Andrew Ho, Olson acknowledged that FBI testing of two bottles used for shakes did not reveal any sign of cyanide or arsenic. Ho also suggested that Craig, who he said had previously tried to kill himself, had been searching online for ways to kill himself.

Outside the courtroom, Angela Craig's brother, Mark Pray, said that he had never heard anyone want to conceal the method of a suicide.

The delivery of a third substance Craig is accused of ordering, Oleandrin, was intercepted by authorities after they began investigating him, the document says. Oleandrin is a poisonous substance found in the leaves of the oleander plant.

James Craig told Redfearn that he ordered the potassium cyanide for his wife and told a social worker that she had been suicidal and depressed since he asked for a divorce in December, although neither of their children said anything about suicide attempts, according to the arrest affidavit.

Redfearn also told investigators that James Craig was on the verge of bankruptcy and had been having problems in his marriage, according to the document. Angela Craigs sister, Toni Kofoed, told police that James Craig had drugged his wife about five years ago with an unknown drug because he said he planned to kill himself and did not want her to be able to save him.

Kofoed believes that incident is what James Craig referenced in a series of texts between Angela and James Craig about her symptoms after she first fell ill on March 6. According to the arrest affidavit, James Craig wrote: Given our history I know that must be triggering. Just for the record, I didnt drug you. I am super worried though.
Greenwood Commonwealth. July 7, 2023.

Editorial: An Effort To Stifle Free Speech

The Mississippi Legislature made national news this year by expanding the states police and judicial presence in Jackson. Republican lawmakers say its an effort to get the citys crime under control; Democrats say its an effort to bypass the citys primarily African American voters.

A relatively small element of this legislation has gotten little attention but deserves more. It requires written approval from the chief of the Capitol Police or the states public safety commissioner before a protest or any other gathering can be held outside any state-owned building or property in the Capitol Complex Improvement District.

This kind of law and order may sound like a desirable thing  except that its in direct conflict with the U.S. Constitution and has been blocked, at least temporarily, by a federal judge.

The First Amendment is best-known for its protections of speech, of a free press and of religion. But it provides two other protections as well: the right to petition the government for redress of grievances, which today means lobbying; and of the right to peaceably assemble, which often means to protest.

For centuries, Americans have taken to public streets, sidewalks, and parks to make their voices heard, wrote Aaron Terr in a column for Magnolia Tribune. Thats no less true when a public sidewalk happens to be next to a government building.

If anything, the First Amendments core protection of the right to petition and criticize government should be even stronger near the halls of power. Officials may not banish their constituents to more distant locations simply because their protests are too close for comfort.

Terr is not a neutral observer. He is the director of public advocacy for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.

But he is correct. As written, the law lumps all gatherings together, whether they involve 10 people or 10,000. It is reasonable for officials to require permits or other paperwork if a large group plans a march that will block streets. Its also reasonable to forbid these groups to do things like block traffic.

But its unconstitutional to limit the rights of a few people who want to raise protest signs in front of a government office. The First Amendment guarantees the right of peaceable assembly, with no restrictions on whether such assemblies are held in front of a state building.

Columbus Dispatch. July 6, 2023.

Editorial: Mississippis third grade reading miracle may need work to be sustained

In 2013, Mississippi passed the Literacy Based Promotion Act, which required all third graders read at grade-level to advance to the fourth grade. At the time, Mississippis reading scores were historically among the lowest in the nation. The state spent two years and $20 million preparing for the roll-out of the program.

The program included intensive literacy instruction for third graders reading behind grade level.

As of 2022, fourth grade reading scores in the state went from 49th in 2013, to 21st.

In 2013, Mississippi students were nine points below the national average. By 2022, it had exceeded the national average.

In 2022, at the fourth grade level, Mississippis lower-income children and lower-income Black children both outscored their peers nationwide by roughly one academic year.

The results have been referred to as the Mississippi Miracle by the New York Times and the Associated Press, among others.

On Monday, Los Angeles Times business columnist Michael Hitzik, citing the work of education bloggers Bob Somerby and Kevin Drum, suggested the success of Mississippis third grade reading gate program may not be the Mississippi Miracle it has been reported to be based on a closer look at the data.

While we question some conclusions reached by Somerby, Drum and Hitzik, their data analysis revealed a bit of information worth following.

While Mississippi fourth grade literacy scores now outpace the national average for both white and Black students, eighth grade literacy scores are far below the national average.

This suggests students who received intensive literacy instruction in third grade made only temporary gains, briefly besting their national peers in fourth grade but falling back behind in subsequent years.

Thats easy to understand: Its reasonable to assume the conditions (socio-economic status, family status, etc.) that caused the students to fall behind by the third grade persist beyond the third grade, despite the instruction.

The decision to implement this program at the third grade level was not random. Studies showed that a child who cannot read at grade-level by third grade is unlikely to ever catch up.

We suspect the same can be said for those not reading at grade level in fourth through twelfth grades too.

Yet there is no program  and certainly no additional funding  to reenforce what they learned through the intensive instruction they received in the third grade.

The data suggest students may benefit from additional intensive instruction beyond the third grade year.

Mississippis commitment to improving reading shouldnt begin and end in the third grade.

We believe establishing some program along the lines of third grade gate for subsequent grades might truly change the landscape of public education in our state.

By definition, a miracle is something that is inexplicable. We much prefer success built on commitment and resources.

END
Tokyo, OK

The 15th Tokyo, OK event is under the umbrella of the Oklahoma Society for Culture Appreciation (OS4CA), a non-profit organization with a mission to:

1. Promote culture and the arts within the state through managed events, logistic support and financial grants.

2. Promote Oklahoma art and culture to communities outside the state.

3. Bring together divergent cultures and build community utilizing the arts and realization of

our own commonality as humans.

OS4CA is run by fans and volunteers like the ones who attend OS4CA events. More information about OS4CA is available at oklahomaculture.org.
After threatening the U.S., North Korea allegedly fired one of its ICBMs. This detail was shared by Japanese and South Korean officials, claiming that the missile incident happened on Wednesday, July 12.

North Korea's ICMBs Allegedly Fired After Threatening US

According to BBC News' latest report, the North Korean government fired an ICBM. Japanese and South Korean officials claimed that the missile was fired from Pyongyang. It flew for more than an hour before landing in the sea of West Japan.

South Korea's military added that the high-angled flight covered 1,000 km. Because of this, officials of the U.S. and SoKor decided to meet on July 12.

They issued a statement reiterating their strengthened joint defense.

"We strongly condemn North Korea's launch of a long-range ballistic missile as a grave provocative act that harms the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and the international community," said the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The group added that the activity of North Korea is a clear violation of the UN Security Council's resolutions.

For the past few years, launches of North Korea's ICBMs concern numerous countries because of the missile's capability to reach long distances.

The latest ICBM launch that North Korea is being accused of comes after NoKor threatened the U.S. Air Force.

Read Also: Wagner Group Tries To Enter Russia's Nuclear Base, Steal Putin's Nukes

North Korea Threatening US Air Force

Previously, the North Korean government said that it is prepared to shoot down spy planes of the U.S. Air Force.

The American military agency received this threat after North Korea accused one of its aircraft of illegally intruding into NoKor's airspace numerous times.

North Korea's Ministry of National Defense spokesman accused the U.S. Air Force after USFK (U.S. Forces Korea) conducted joint aerial drills in late June.

The official said that reconnaissance drones and planes belonging to the U.S. Air Force flew over the East and West seas of Korea for eight-day straight days; from July 2 to 9.

"In particular, a strategic reconnaissance plane of the U.S. Air Force illegally intruded into the inviolable airspace of the DPRK over its East Sea tens of kilometers several times," added the spokesman via Fox News.

Related Article: North Korea Threatens To Shoot Down US Spy Plane, Accuses Washington of Repeatedly Entering Its Economic Zone

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Tulsas Bill Hader hit the quadruple crown when nominations were announced Wednesday for the 75th annual Primetime Emmy Awards.

Haders Barry, which recently concluded, was nominated for outstanding comedy series and Hader earned nominations for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series, outstanding director in a comedy series and outstanding writer for a comedy series.

Barry co-star Henry Winkler was nominated in the category of outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series. Oklahoma actor James Marsden was nominated in the same category for his work in Jury Duty. It was Marsdens first Emmy nomination.

The shot-in-Oklahoma series Reservation Dogs earned one nomination and that was for outstanding sound editing for a comedy or drama series (half hour) and animation. The nomination came for the episode This is Where the Plot Thickens.

Deadline included Reservation Dogs in a snubs-and-surprises story that followed the Wednesday announcement of Emmy nominations. Said Deadline: One of the most innovative and acclaimed shows on TV garnered only a sound editing nomination today. Heading into the FXs series final season, one has to wonder whats the TV Academys problem with this Indigenous series from Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi?

The 75th Emmy Awards will be presented Sept. 18 during a live Fox broadcast.

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Magic City Pint Night

NEFF Brewing, 321 S. Frankfort Ave., will host Magic City Books Pint Night, beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 13.

A special limited edition pint glass, with a bamboo lid and glass straw, will be available for purchase to enjoy stout and sour beer floats, as well as ones choice of NEFFs beers and ciders on tap.

A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Tulsa Literary Coalition, the organization that oversees Magic City Books and its work to use literature to help bring people together.

Tulsa Area Marble Show

Its a marble-ous Tulsa tradition: The 29th annual Tulsa Area Marble Show will take place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 15 at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 3332 S. 79th E. Ave.

The show features antique, vintage and contemporary marbles. Jay Slack, a local glass artist, will demonstrate the making of marbles. A kids corner will feature games, marble racing and free marbles for children. Show guests can bring marbles to be evaluated.

The show is free and is sponsored by the Tulsa Area Marble Club. For more information, go to the Tulsa Area Marble Club Facebook page.

Birthday cake at Circle Cinema

Popcorn is always on the menu when you go to a movie theater, but how about birthday cake?

Circle Cinemas 95th birthday bash will include a noon Saturday, July 15 event that will include free birthday cake and announcements about the cinemas future. Inductees from Circle Cinemas 2023 Oklahoma Walk of Fame class will be in attendance.

Stick around for the Circle Cinema Film Festival, which begins Thursday and continues through Sunday.

Rock, Gem and Mineral Show

The Tulsa Rock and Mineral Societys Rock, Gem and Mineral Show will take place 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 15 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 16 at the Exchange Center on Expo Square.

The show includes nearly 30 vendors with rocks, minerals, jewelry, fossils, beads and crystals. Enjoy working exhibits, displays, a fluorescent room and a free kids zone.

Tickets are $7 and are available at the door. Age 12-under free with paid adult admission.

Whitty Books 5th anniversary

Owner Victoria Moore opened Whitty Books in the Kendall Whittier neighborhood for the simple reason that she believed the area needed its own independent bookstore.

The store, 2306 E. Admiral Place, will celebrate its fifth anniversary Saturday and Sunday, July 15-16, with a variety of activities, including live screen printing of new merchandise designs, in-store sales specials and giveaways, workshops, beers supplied by nearby Heirloom Rustic Ales, live music from Rushmore Beekeepers and Bucky & the Bookworms, and more.
Investors of ONEOK and Magellan Midstream Partners will vote in separate meetings on the same day on ONEOKs proposed $18.8 billion buyout of Magellan.

The virtual meetings of ONEOKs shareholders and Magellans unitholders will be held an hour apart on the morning of Sept. 21.

The results of the Magellan vote will be disclosed after its meeting, the company said. It was not immediately clear when the results of the ONEOK vote would be available.

A simple majority of ONEOK shareholders who vote is needed to approve the buyout. But a simple majority of all Magellan unitholders is required for approval, meaning any Magellan unitholder who does not vote essentially will be considered an against vote.

The buyout, one of the largest private transactions in state history, has been approved unanimously by the boards of directors of both Tulsa-based companies.

As of February, Magellan had 203,293,822 common units outstanding that were owned by about 170,000 record and beneficial owners, the company said.

ONEOK has more than 1,700 institutional owners and shareholders that have filed forms with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with at least 335,691,600 shares.

Leaders of both companies are asking investors to vote for the buyout.

Magellans board is unanimous in its belief that the pending transaction maximizes value for Magellan unitholders, Aaron Milford, Magellans president and chief executive officer, said in statement Tuesday.

Our number one job is maximizing value for our investors  and we believe this transaction does just that, he said.

Magellans board and management team are confident the combined company will be stronger and more diversified, and the value created by this transaction for MMP unitholders is superior to the value of our standalone alternative, including on an after-tax basis.

Milford continued, We couldnt be more proud of Magellans success delivering industry leading returns for investors, exceptional services for customers and rewarding careers for employees and believe this transaction further builds on our accomplishments. We urge all unitholders to vote FOR the ONEOK merger in advance of the upcoming special meeting.

Magellan, first established as Williams Energy Partners in 2001, is a publicly traded company that primarily transports, stores and distributes refined petroleum products and crude oil.

It owns the longest refined petroleum products pipeline system in the country, with access to nearly 50% of the nations refining capacity, and can store more than 100 million barrels of petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel and crude oil.

ONEOKs Energy Services operation focuses primarily on marketing natural gas and related services throughout the U.S.

The combined company will own more than 25,000 miles of liquids-oriented pipelines, with significant assets and operational expertise at the Gulf Coast and Mid-Continent market hubs, ONEOK said in announcing the acquisition on Mothers Day.

Those who are investors as of July 24 will be able to vote in their respective virtual meetings, both companies said.

In order to virtually attend the ONEOK meeting, shareholders must register online at proxydocs.com/oke.

As part of the registration process, investors will need to enter the control number found on their proxy card, voting information form or notice previously received. Those holding their shares through an intermediary, such as a bank, broker, or nominee, who want to participate should request a control number from their intermediary in advance of the meeting, ONEOK said.

Magellan unitholders may attend, vote and submit questions virtually at the Magellan meeting by logging in at meetnow.global/M2FMHKF.

To log in, Magellan unitholders (or their authorized representatives) will need the control number provided on their proxy card, voting instruction form or notice. Those who are not Magellan unitholders or who do not have a control number may still access the meeting as a guest but will not be able to participate.

Magellan said its unitholders who need assistance in completing a proxy card, need additional copies of proxy materials or have questions regarding the upcoming special meeting may contact Magellans proxy solicitor, Morrow Sodali LLC, by phone at 800-662-5200 or 203-658-9400 or by email at mmp@info.morrowsodali.com.

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After two decades, the John 3:16 Mission will have a new CEO  but with a familiar name.

The longtime Tulsa nonprofit announced Tuesday that longtime leader the Rev. Steve Whitaker will be handing the reins to his son, Steven M. Whitaker, who has been serving as deputy CEO.

Steve Whitaker announced to the John 3:16 Mission Board of Directors his intent to retire about 18 months ago, and the board has made a final decision to appoint Steven Whitaker to the role.

While Steve Whitaker was a teenager, his grandfather was a minister with John 3:16 Mission. That prompted him later in life to begin working at the mission 34 years ago. He has been CEO since 2001.

Retirement and succession has been a prayerful decision that I had to work on for a long time, Steve Whitaker said. God put it on my heart to know that it was time for me to move along. A person should know when their time is done, and my time at John 3:16 Mission is.

Steve Whitaker oversaw the missions expansion from helping homeless men to helping families, especially women and children, experiencing homelessness.

While he led the mission through expansions and renovations of facilities, the organization began offering programs such as Thanksgiving outreach, clothing, and after-school and fine arts programs. Whitaker himself taught self-defense classes to women, as well, using his knowledge as a black belt student.

Steven Whitaker, similarly to his father, said he grew up at the John 3:16 Mission. He began working with the mission 25 years ago, starting with family and youth ministries in 1997 and becoming chief operating officer in 2010.

Sandy Minardi, chair of the missions board, said Tuesday that while Steven Whitaker was the only candidate considered to replace his father, the board of directors did research on best practice for the best way to appoint a new director.

Minardi said the board interviewed Steven Whitaker on several occasions over the past 18 months and worked closely with both father and son to create a succession plan. She said the board wanted the mission to continue succeeding and thriving under new leadership without a rocky transition.

Steve Whitaker described the process of appointing a new CEO as deliberate and careful. Steven Whitaker said he didnt want to be treated as the obvious or the only choice but as somebody who earned the role and will succeed in it.

He said he doesnt plan to make drastic changes on his first day as CEO, which will be Aug. 1. He said the John 3:16 Mission needs to support and serve homeless people in Tulsa as it has always done.

Truth of the matter is we have so many plates spinning, with our children, with our youth, with our leadership and initiatives, Steven Whitaker told the Tulsa World. We have a lot of opportunity to grow, but were already doing what we know works.

He said he wants to enlarge the missions social enterprise program, Beeloved Trading, as well as support and foster its yearlong recovery program.

Participants admitted into the program live in spaces in the John 3:16 Mission, which aims to help participants create a stable environment for themselves through classes and job and housing support.

Participants in the program can work with Beeloved Trading, which sells locally produced honey and bee products. Its income goes back to John 3:16 Mission and the recovery program.

Steve Whitaker said the homelessness crisis in Tulsa is astounding and that, while the John 3:16 Mission has continued to help meet the needs of the community, those needs are growing.

He told the Tulsa World that with the growing homelessness problem in Tulsa and Oklahoma at large, he believes that new and fresh leadership is needed to run the mission.

That decision is based on whats right for the organization at this point in time, he said. Somebody 20 years younger than me  which he is 20 years younger than me  has younger legs. Running John 3:16 is a sprint every single day. I dont really feel like sprinting anymore, but I do have a lot left to give.

Steve Whitaker described his decision to retire as something more attached to the church-side of the John 3:16 Mission. He said people look at jobs in ministry differently. He said he was fulfilling his entire call with the Gospel at John 3:16 Mission but that he hopes to continue affecting communities in the future.

He said churches across the world are conflicted with the problem of homelessness and helping those who are homeless. He explained that in those conflicts and situations, he thinks he can help.

When they encounter persons that are living in deep poverty, we know that most churches dont know what to do. And Id like to be useful there, he said. Theyre wanting to know what to do, how to respond with true compassion, how to do something thats restorative.

Im interested in being that guy that can help churches along the way. And who better than the guy who ran a rescue mission for years?



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Photos: John 3:16 Mission CEO Steve Whitaker through the years November 2003 March 2007 January 2009 March 2010 December 2012 October 2014 October 2014 October 2014 October 2014 October 2014 April 2018 Check out our latest digital-only offer and subscribe now
OKLAHOMA CITY  Attorney General Gentner Drummond wants to put an end to a 3-year-old legal battle over new tribal gaming compacts Gov. Kevin Stitt inked with four of the states small tribal nations.

Drummond is asking legislative leaders to grant him permission to take over the states handling of the case, which would significantly curb the governors involvement in the litigation.

In a June 16 letter to GOP legislative leaders, Drummond said he wants to bring the lawsuit to an expeditious end. Noting that the Governors Office has hired outside legal counsel to defend Stitt and the compacts he signed, Drummond said he aims to end the continued waste of State resources on this matter.

The State of Oklahoma has been embroiled in legal controversy for over three years following Governor J. Kevin Stitts unilateral action of negotiating illegal tribal compacts with four tribal communities in Oklahoma, Drummond wrote. As determined by our Supreme Court, Governor Stitts actions are in violation of Oklahoma law, and his attempts to seek federal bureaucratic authorization of those compacts resulted in a federal lawsuit  which Governor Stitt is currently defending in his official capacity (using the services of several Washington, D.C. and New York City law firms).

Online news outlet NonDoc was the first to report on Drummonds letter.

Stitt spokeswoman Abegail Cave said Drummond was mistaken when he said the Governors Office hired several law firms to help in this case. Stitt has retained one Washington, D.C., law firm, since the case is pending before the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia, she said. Cave did not respond to a question about how much Stitts office is paying his outside legal counsel.

At issue is a federal lawsuit the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw and Citizen Potawatomi tribal nations filed against Stitt and the U.S. Department of the Interior alleging that Stitt violated the law when he signed four new gaming compacts with other tribes and that the federal government failed when it let the new compacts take effect through inaction.

When Stitt was trying to pressure the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee and Seminole tribes into renegotiating their tribal gaming compacts, he signed new compacts with the Otoe-Missouria Tribe, the Comanche Nation, the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians and the Kialegee Tribal Town.

Legislative leaders sued Stitt over the new compacts. The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled in favor of the lawmakers, saying the four compacts were invalid because Stitt exceeded his authority when he approved new compacts without involvement from the Oklahoma Legislature. A previous attorney generals opinion also concluded that Stitt lacked the authority to enter into new compacts with the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and the Comanche Nation.

In a statement, Stitts spokeswoman said state law backs up the governors authority to negotiate the new compacts. She also questioned Drummonds motives in seeking to intervene in the ongoing litigation.

The attorney general has no legal right to represent the Governor in this matter, Cave said. Gentner Drummond is not Kevin Stitts lawyer. Attorney General Drummonds job is to protect the people of Oklahoma, but if history is any indication, he will likely put the states interests aside and allow the people of Oklahoma and the smaller tribes (to) be steamrolled by the larger ones who have a stranglehold on the gaming market.

Drummond has vowed to mend the states relationship with Oklahomas tribes. Stitt has had a frosty relationship with many tribes since he unsuccessfully sought to renegotiate the states tribal gaming compacts.

House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said Drummond already has the power to intervene in the tribal gaming lawsuit.

The attorney general has the unilateral authority to take over the litigation regarding the compacts found to be invalid by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, McCall wrote in a June 26 letter to Drummond.

If you, as the Attorney General, deem it in the best interest of the State of Oklahoma for you to intercede in this litigation then I and the citizens would expect you to do so, and the House will not interfere with that decision, McCall wrote.

A spokesman for Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said the Senate GOP caucus is reviewing Drummonds letter and discussing all options.

Drummonds letter comes as the Legislature is in the midst of a special legislative session in which tribal affairs have been a hot-button issue. The Legislature is set to reconvene sometime this month to address Stitts vetoes of two bills that would extend the states current tribal tobacco and motor vehicle registration compacts.



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OKLAHOMA CITY  Oklahoma on Tuesday became the 41st state to offer online voter registration, making it easier for people to take their first step toward casting a ballot.

The Oklahoma State Election Board launched an online voter registration system tied to its OK Voter Portal.

This development comes eight years after the Oklahoma Legislature in 2015 authorized online voter registration. At the time, roughly 24 states and Washington, D.C., had online voter registration systems.

Previously, Oklahomans could register at a county election board office or tag agency or at a voter registration drive, or they could download a voter registration application and mail the completed form to their county election board, but they couldnt register online.

Oklahomas new Online Voter Registration System allows citizens to securely complete and submit a Voter Registration Application electronically from a desktop or mobile device, State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax said in a news release. Best of all, the system has undergone rigorous testing to ensure it is safe and secure.

The League of Women Voters has long advocated for Oklahoma to implement online voter registration, said Lynn Staggs, president of the groups Tulsa chapter.

She expects the state to see an increase in voter registrations and higher turnout at the polls as a result of this new system.

Its more efficient, more accessible, more secure for all of those eligible citizens that want to register to vote, Staggs said.

To register online, state law requires that an applicant must:

Be a U.S. citizen and Oklahoma resident who is at least 18 years old or who will be 18 by the next election day;

Have a valid Oklahoma drivers license or state-issued identification card; and

Allow access to the digital signature included in the Oklahoma driver license or state ID card record.

Oklahoma residents who dont have a state-issued drivers license or identification card or who dont have a signature on file cannot register to vote online. Those Oklahomans can fill out a voter registration application through the OK Voter Portal and mail or drop off the printed form at their county election board.

All voter registration applications are reviewed by the county election board. Once an application is approved, the voter will receive a voter ID card in the mail. The county election board will notify Oklahomans whose applications are rejected.

Proponents of online voter registration have long expressed optimism that this new system could increase voter turnout. Oklahoma had the nations lowest overall voter participation rate in the 2020 general election. Voter turnout has remained low ever since.

Oklahoma does have low voter turnout traditionally, Staggs said. Anything the state can do to decrease the number of hurdles in the voting process is certainly a step in the right direction.

When Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt served in the state Senate, he cited the states low voter registration and turnout as a key reason he introduced the legislation authorizing online voter registration.

Technical issues at the Department of Public Safety delayed the implementation of an online voter registration system, according to Oklahoma Watch. The State Election Boards voter registration portal is linked to the Department of Public Safety and Service Oklahomas drivers license database so application information can easily be cross-checked and verified.



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Oklahomas Secretary of Human Services is stepping down after taking on the Cabinet role at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic following his three years as the states DHS director.

His successor will be current Oklahoma Department of Human Services Director Deborah Shropshire, the state announced in a news release Wednesday. She will serve in an interim capacity until the next legislative session allows for her confirmation, the release states.

Justin Browns career also includes years as vice president of health care banking for the Bank of Oklahoma before becoming CEO of Choice Capital Partners, which owned and operated seven assisted-living and memory-care centers in three states.

After my family, this incredible work has been one of the greatest joys and honors of my life. ... I am proud of the legacy I am leaving behind at the agency and within the Cabinet and the positive impacts we have made together for Oklahomans, Brown said in a statement.

Before being confirmed as DHS director in May, Shropshire served as director of Child Welfare Services since 2019. From 2001 to 2015, she was medical director at the former Pauline E. Mayer Childrens Shelter and helped develop the Fostering Hope Clinic for children in foster care. She also worked as associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.

In his Cabinet role, Brown assumed responsibility for agencies including Oklahoma Human Services, the Office of Juvenile Affairs, Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, the Office of Disability Concerns, Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services and the J.D. McCarty Center.

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The Plant Protection Department under the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and CropLife Asia, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting plant science, cut a deal to implement the sustainable pesticide management framework (SPMF) in Vietnam for the 2023-28 period in Hanoi on Tuesday.

The partnership is aimed at helping Vietnamese farmers efficiently use agrochemicals and seeds produced by CropLife to promote productivity and cement a safe, transparent, and sustainable food system in Vietnam, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Trung.

Tan Siang Hee, executive director at CropLife Asia, promised to help Vietnamese farmers enter the global market and ensure sustainable production in line with international standards.

The cooperation will make farmers more capable of competing with international rivals, back Vietnams economic growth, solidify trust in Vietnamese farm produce among local and international consumers, and boost a sustainable and green agricultural transition, said Tan.

Our mission is to equip farmers with essential tools, scientific solutions and modern technology to ensure food security and sustainability, said Alexander Berkovskiy, chairman of CropLife Asia.

Delisa Jiang, director of the SPMF program, told reporters on Monday that the program would be carried out over several years to minimize the impact of pesticides.

SPMF is meant to protect peoples health and the environment, as well as optimize plant protection measures.

The framework will reduce dependence on pesticides, while ramping up farmers access to modern pesticide using solutions and technology, such as unmanned planes.

Besides, the framework will increase pesticide management among farmers and shore up the efficiency in applying the life cycle of pesticides.

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Numerous businesses have been compelled to vacate retail premises in Hanoi due to reduced consumer spending and high rental costs.

A commercial center situated on Truong Chinh Street in Thanh Xuan District is the latest example, where extensive commercial spaces spanning tens of thousands of square meters have remained unoccupied.

As per Tien, a 61-year-old commercial space owner there, despite reducing the monthly rent for a 200-square-meter area from VND150 million (US$6,335) per month last year to VND100 million ($4,220) for over two months now, he has been unable to find a tenant.

As a result of economic challenges, many tenants have relocated from central areas to the suburbs in order to minimize costs, Tien said.

Several companies have downsized their workforce and scaled back their operations.

Previously, our commercial center was home to numerous banks and dozens of real estate businesses, but now only four bank branches remain.

Retail spaces are left vacant in Hanoi. Photo: Q.The / Tuoi Tre

A similar predicament can be observed in another commercial center located on Tay Son Street in Dong Da District.

Vast commercial areas covering tens of thousands of square meters are now deserted, dimly lit, and securely locked.

According to shop owners who still operate within this center, a few months ago, there was a consistent wave of tenants vacating their premises due to declining business.

The tenants in this center represent various industries, but since the beginning of this year, business has suffered a downturn while the rental rates remain high, said Lien Huong, the 41-year-old owner of a Japanese restaurant.

Consequently, the majority of them are unable to sustain their operations and are forced to return their premises to the landlords.

An unoccupied retail space is locked on Cau Giay Street in Cau Giay District, Hanoi. Photo: Q.The / Tuoi Tre

Many commercial centers situated in Cau Giay District are also experiencing a scarcity of tenants.

The proprietor of a beauty spa called G.S. located on Cau Giay Street in Cau Giay District voiced their concerns, stating, The rent is excessively high, considering it is less than 60 square meters, yet priced at VND30 million [$1,267] per month, excluding additional costs for electricity, water, building services, and taxes.

As the number of customers has dwindled, I am making arrangements to vacate the premises and move to Le Quang Dao Street in Nam Tu Liem District.

Adjacent to the G.S. beauty spa, the M.L. furniture showroom has also ceased operations.

The owner of the showroom stated that the high rental compelled them to relocate their operation to Phung Khoang Street in Nam Tu Liem District, alleviating the burden of the costly lease.

A retail space is left vacant on Tay Son Street in Dong Da District, Hanoi. Photo: Q.The / Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Quoc Khanh, vice-president of the Vietnam Association of Realtors, agreed that the primary cause behind the vacancy of numerous retail spaces in Hanoi is the lack of tenants resulting from low consumer demand.

Currently, numerous businesses are forced to prioritize their survival, leading them to downsize their operations and relocate from central districts in order to reduce leasing expenses, Khanh said.

According to Khanh, the present circumstances are exceptionally challenging, thus both retail space investors and businesses and individuals involved in property dealings should offer substantial discounts to accommodate tenants.

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Vo Van Minh, chairman of the Peoples Committee of Binh Duong Province, a neighbor of Ho Chi Minh City, and Jim Pillen, governor of Nebraska State in the United States, signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to bolster investment cooperation and bilateral trade between the two localities.

The signing ceremony was attended by top officials of the two localities, the consul general of the United States in Ho Chi Minh City, and many Vietnamese and American enterprises.

The partnership between Binh Duong and Nebraska is expected to open a wider door for cooperation between Vietnamese firms and American investors, chairman Minh said.

The working delegations of the two localities had several talks and meetings before making the decision to sign a deal to strengthen their collaboration in the future.

Many major American firms have invested in Binh Duong, making the United States one of the provinces 10 biggest investors.

American officials and firms visit the smart production and research center at the Eastern International University in Binh Duong Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: Ba Son / Tuoi Tre

Potential for economic cooperation between the province and America remains high, heard the event.

At the event, the Eastern International University and the University of Nebraska  Ohama inked a deal to develop education and technical science.

Binh Duong Province has been cooperating with the United States, South Korea, the Netherlands, and Japan to seek solutions to smart city development and production model transformation.

The southern province attracted US$974 million in foreign investment, including 44 new projects and 22 operation ones with additional capital.

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With the current state of Twitter, it's a good idea for Elon Musk to be putting in more effort in his other companies like Tesla. Lately, Tesla's robot project "Optimus" has been seen in a Tesla store, although they're not exactly for purchase.

Tesla Robots on Display

Tesla has been developing a humanoid robot for some time now, showing off its capabilities in events and its improvements for each one. The Optimus robots are on display at the New York Tesla store in order to drive up sales through customer engagement.

The robot has demonstrated its abilities in expos but it is not yet ready for distribution. Regardless, it has already impressed its audience, especially when it was presented at the artificial intelligence expo in China, as mentioned in Interesting Engineering.

The reason for Tesla's aim to increase sales has been due to its poor performance in North America. The Tesla bot's appearance might be enough to intrigue potential customers, and some of them may even purchase a vehicle before they leave.

It might still be a while before the robots would be available for purchase. Tesla plans to have thousands of Tesla bots within its factories. Musk himself said that "it's not doing parkour, but it is walking around," which in itself is already an achievement considering its balance.

The tech billionaire believes that the Tesla bots would greatly benefit the manufacturing industry, even saying that in the future, physical work would be optional. "You can if you want to, but you won't need to," implying that Optimus will do physical work for you.

Read Also: Elon Musk Reveals Tesla Bot on AI Day: Humanoid Robot Will Do 'Boring,' 'Dangerous' Work!

What Can the Tesla Bot Do?

The one in the Tesla store won't be able to do anything. The actual ones, on the other hand, have a lot of potential in them. Tesla released a video in late May showing what the developments with the project were so far.

Although they're still slow, the robots can walk upright. The motor torque control has been demonstrated to show how it could jump up by itself, as well as have control over its landing by not breaking an egg that was placed under it.

It can discover elements in the surroundings using its camera and memorizing them as well. It will include factors like trees, paths, buildings, and other elements. With the data collected, it can create a 3D render of what it has seen after walking around.

Through human movements, the robot is trained to do the same. So far, the video shows how the robot can sort items out and place them in individual boxes. Tesla's goal is to make it able to perform more complex tasks than just sorting items out.

The development of these robots could be the start of a solution where humans would no longer have to take on dangerous jobs. For example, robots can be programmed to do construction jobs. Perhaps they can also perform mundane tasks like cleaning the house or dusting off shelves.

Related: Tesla Shows Off Improvements on Its Humanoid Robots
The governor of the state of Nebraska in the U.S. Jim Pillen and his agricultural business delegation visited a supermarket in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday afternoon during his trip to Vietnam to learn about consumer preferences and promote American goods in the Southeast Asian country.

Pillen wanted to learn about Vietnamese consumers demands, especially for U.S. agricultural products.

Visiting MM Mega Market supermarket in Ho Chi Minh City, Pillen and his agricultural business delegation dropped by shelves of imported fresh and frozen food and agricultural products to learn about the ways they are displayed there.

Bruno Jousselin, managing director of MM Mega Market Vietnam, accompanied the visit.

The delegation also enjoyed some Vietnamese agricultural products, including durians and other kinds of fruits.

Governor Nebraska Jim Pillen (in blue jacket) tries Vietnamese durians at MM Mega Market supermarket in Ho Chi Minh City, July 11, 2023. Photo: N.Binh / Tuoi Tre

Governor Pillen said Nebraska has strengths in agriculture, adding that his visit to Vietnam was aimed at helping enterprises from the state connect with the Vietnamese market with a population of nearly 100 million people.

Nebraska has developed good relations with Vietnamese enterprises and always wants to expand markets based on this foundation.

Governor Nebraska Jim Pillen (L) makes a dish from beef imported from the U.S. at MM Mega Market supermarket in Ho Chi Minh City, July 11, 2023. Photo: N.Binh / Tuoi Tre

Visiting the supermarket is a really interesting experience," he told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

"Learning about what Vietnamese consumers are seeking at supermarkets and stores will help U.S. enterprises assess how their products should be displayed or adjusted.

An understanding of [Vietnamese consumers] demands will allow us to better meet their needs."

Nebraska is the 16th-largest state in the U.S. and has strengths in producing agricultural products, especially beef.

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A long-delayed eco-cultural urban area project of Vietnamese coffee giant Trung Nguyen Group Corporation has caused over 30 households in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak to live temporarily in their own houses and face multiple difficulties for 20 years.

The Dak Lak Peoples Committee has required the Peoples Committee of Buon Ma Thuot City and relevant units to report the case, a leader of the committee office said on Monday.

In particular, more than 30 households in Tan Loi Ward, Buon Ma Thuot City, which is the capital of Dak Lak, who are living next to the World Coffee Museum, said that they have had to suffer from a shortage of roads, electricity, and clean water for many years.

Their houses and roads in the neighborhood have deteriorated and wells have been polluted, but they cannot repair or transfer their houses or use them as collateral for loans.

Local residents have repeatedly complained about the situation but their efforts have so far been in vain.

Hermetic and dank houses of residents next to the World Coffee Museum in Dak Lak Province, located in Vietnam's Central Highlands. Photo: Trung Tan / Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Thi Noi Ha, a 62-year-old resident in Tan Loi Ward, said that her family members and neighbors were mainly workers of Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Co. Ltd., so the company allocated land lots around Suoi Xanh Lake to them for house construction and vegetable and fruit farming.

Those who were not workers of the company bought land from these workers.

In 2003, the area was planned to accommodate the Suoi Xanh eco-cultural urban area project initially carrying a price tag of more than VND2.1 trillion (US$88 million) and developed by Trung Nguyen Group Corporation.

We were informed that the area was inside the projects boundaries, so we could not apply for the land use right certificates for our land lots, mortgage them, or transfer them, Ha moaned.

Residents in the area have not been supplied with clean water.

They have to use water from wells, while the area is adjacent to a hospital, a landfill of Trung Nguyen Group Corporation, and pig farms, she added.

Local residents proposed the government should take action if Trung Nguyen continues putting the project on hold.

We had to live in the dark for dozens of years although we are dwelling in the city center. Power has just been supplied in the last three years," Truong Nguyen, a 52-year-old resident, complained.

Dozens of households have to suffer hardships due to the long-delayed eco-cultural urban area project of Trung Nguyen Group Corporation in Dak Lak Province, located in Vietnam's Central Highlands. Photo: Trung Tan / Tuoi Tre

The Peoples Committee of Dak Lak Province gave the green light to the Suoi Xanh eco-cultural urban area project which would cover an area of 45.45 hectares in September 2009.

The provincial Peoples Council approved the project on December 13, 2014.

In a report submitted to the Dak Lak Peoples Committee in August 2015, the provincial Department of Planning and Investment reported that it had completed a site clearance plan for the project in March 2011.

The projects total investment has increased to nearly VND2.8 trillion ($117.3 million), according to a report by the Dak Lak Department of Construction.

In the first phase, which needs over VND1.2 trillion ($50.4 million), Trung Nguyen has completed the development of technical infrastructure, a museum, a green park, and 200 out of 611 commercial apartments.

The firm started the second phase of the project with an investment of over VND1.5 trillion ($62.8 million) in the first quarter of 2018 and is expected to complete it on December 31, 2023.

However, Trung Nguyen has put work on the phase on hold as the compensation and site clearance work remains incomplete.

Residents in Tan Loi Ward, the center of Buon Ma Thuot City under Dak Lak Province, face difficulties in travel and clean water supply. Photo: Trung Tan / Tuoi Tre

Le Dai Thang, vice-chairman of the Peoples Committee of Buon Ma Thuot City, said that the long delay in the project has significantly affected the lives of residents in the neighborhood.

The city has reported these residents difficulties to the provincial authorities.

City officials expected the second phase of the project to be completed by the end of this year.

However, Trung Nguyen has not arranged capital for the provincial land fund development center, so work cannot begin on the phase, Thang added.

Regarding reasons for the delay, Thang assumed the local authorities responsibility for ineffectively speeding up the progress of the project.

Moreover, Trung Nguyen repeatedly complained about the land use fees, saying that they were high.

In reality, the fees for the land in the first phase reached VND11-13 million ($460-544) per square meter, while those for adjacent land lots were VND29 million ($1,214) per square meter, Thang said.

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The Hoa Lu consortium led by Vietnamese construction firm Coteccons is competing with two foreign consortiums to bid for a tender package worth over VND35.2 trillion (US$1.5 billion) to construct the passenger terminal at Long Thanh International Airport in southern Dong Nai Province.

The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) has closed the bid for package 5.10 to construct and install equipment at the passenger terminal, the largest package of the big-ticket airport project, with three consortiums of contractors submitting bidding dossiers.

They include a consortium of mainly Vietnamese contractors, one led by a Chinese contractor, and one by a Turkish firm.

The Hoa Lu consortium, headed by Coteccons, consists of six other Vietnamese firmsHoa Binh, Central, An Phong, Delta, Unicons, and Thanh An, and Thailands Power Line Engineering.

Bolat Duisenov, chairman of Coteccons, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the passenger terminal of the Long Thanh International Airport project is a complicated but valuable package amid the economic downturn and difficulties of the construction sector.

The Coteccons chairman was committed to completing the package in 36 months with financial support from large Vietnamese banks.

Besides the seven Vietnamese enterprises, the consortium includes Power Line Engineering from Thailand, which specializes in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and has experience in constructing Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is currently Thailands largest airport.

The Hoa Lu consortium found that Power Line Engineering is a capable contractor which has executed many projects in Thailand and other countries, Duisenov said.

A single contractor cannot conduct such a mammoth project, said Swake Srisuchart, chairman of the executive committee of Power Line Engineering, adding that enterprises have to divide the project into many subprojects and take charge of aspects in which they excel.

The consortium has prepared finance and other resources for the project for a year, according to Tran Quang Tuan, chairman and general director of Central Construction JSC.

If it wins the passenger terminal package bidding, the package will create jobs for some 600 engineers and over 8,500 workers of the consortium, Tuan added.

The package will create a turning-point for domestic contractors, help take advantage of local resources, and change the insight about Vietnamese contractors.

Hoa Binh Construction Group chairman Le Viet Hai shared the view that participation in large projects such as the passenger terminal for Long Thanh International Airport will help Vietnams construction sector become more competitive, master construction technology, and turn construction into a key sector in the future.

In addition to the Hoa Lu consortium, the package attracted the Vietur consortium led by Turkeys Ic Istas and comprising nine other firms, including Vietnamese onesRicons, Newtecons, and Sol E&C.

Meanwhile, the consortium of CHEC-BCEG-Vietnam Contractors led by China Harbour Engineering consists of 10 Vietnamese contractors, such as Thuan Viet, Xuan Mai, CDC, and Samcons Vietnam.

The ACV last year invited tenders for bidding package 5.10 for the first time.

Only one consortium submitted its bidding documents.

As a result, the ACV canceled bidding package 5.10 and issued a second tender invitation for the package in June this year, attracting three contractor consortiums.

The ACV will complete the selection of contractors for the package this month to begin the construction of the passenger terminal in August, said ACV deputy general director Nguyen Tien Viet.

The Long Thanh International Airport project, located some 40 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, will have an annual capacity of 100 million passengers and five million tonnes of cargo.

Work on the project will be carried out in three phases.

In the first phase, the airport is designed to accommodate 25 million passengers and handle 1.2 million metric tons of cargo per year.

The project, which needs an estimated investment of some VND336.63 trillion ($14.1 billion), will be the largest airport in the nation once it is complete.

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The Peoples Committee of Dong Nai Province, a neighbor of Ho Chi Minh City, and the provincial industrial zone authority presented investment certificates to two foreign-invested projects, to be executed at a total cost of US$30 million, on Tuesday.

Among them is the Ziehl-Abegg Vietnam plant project, which is set to cover nearly 14,000 square meters of land in the Nhon Trach 2  Nhon Phu industrial park.

The project carries a price tag of $20 million and specializes in producing items backing ventilation systems.

The facility will be funded by Ziehl-Abegg SE, a German manufacturer of fans for ventilation and air conditioning applications, and control technology.

The project marks a key milestone for the firm to do business in Vietnam, Joachim Ley, representative of Ziehl-Abegg Vietnam, said, adding that it is expected to suit the soaring demand of customers.

The second project is an HKC Vietnam technology factory. The plant, whose investor is Chinas HKC Overseas Limited, is meant to focus on display component manufacturing and smart display solutions.

The plant is projected to cost $10 million and be built in the Nhon Trach 2  Loc Khang industrial park.

Speaking at the certificate handover event, Nguyen Thi Hoang, vice-chairwoman of the Dong Nai Peoples Committee, said that such massive foreign-invested projects would contribute to the provinces economic growth.

Hoang also told the two investors to heed environmental protection during their business operations to move toward green and sustainable industrial development.

She affirmed that the provincial administration always creates favorable conditions for investors, and improves the business and investment climate in the province.

As of July 5, the Dong Nai-based industrial parks had attracted over $682.7 million in foreign investment, reaching 97.5 percent of the provinces full-year target, according to the Dong Nai Industrial Zone Authority.

Of the total projects, 37 were newly invested with a total registered capital of $144.6 million, while 52 others had their capital added.

During the period, the province lured VND2.2 trillion ($92.8 million) in domestic investment, meeting 110 percent of the whole-year target.

Investors sign a cooperation agreement at a ceremony to grant investment certificates to foreign investors in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam, July 11, 2023. Photo: A Loc / Tuoi Tre

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LONDON -- A member of a people smuggling gang was jailed for nearly 13 years in a London court on Tuesday for the manslaughter of 39 Vietnamese men, women and children who suffocated to death as they were being smuggled into Britain.

Marius Draghici was sentenced to 12 years and seven months at London's Old Bailey, having last month pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of the 39 people in October 2019.

Judge Neil Garnham told Draghici: "Twenty-eight men, eight women and three children died agonising deaths ... as a result of the conspiracy of which you were part."

Draghici is the eighth person to be sentenced in Britain over the 39 deaths, after seven others involved in the gang were jailed for a total of 92 years in 2021.

Essex Police, which led the investigation into the deaths, said in a statement that the force had made a promise to the 39 victims' families to deliver justice for their relatives.

Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Hooper said: "We have never lost sight of that promise and the investigation team members have ensured that we have kept that promise."

The discovery of so many dead people - two as young as 15 - in the back of the truck on an industrial estate to the east of London nearly four years ago shocked Britain and Vietnam.

It also shone a spotlight on the illicit global trade that sends people from Asia, Africa and the Middle East on perilous journeys to the West.

Most of the 39 victims were from Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces in north-central Vietnam, where poor job prospects and other factors spur migration.
Her distant ancestors paddled canoes across the Pacific Ocean to settle what became the island nation of Tuvalu, but now climate change means Grace Malie and her generation may live to see those islands swallowed by the sea.

Pacific island nations are ground zero for climate change impacts and their plight embodies the sweeping environmental damage that is the hallmark of the era of humans, the Anthropocene.

Confronted with a warming world that could engulf her home forever, Malie said it would be easy to think she and her people have "no future".

But the 24-year-old climate campaigner said young people are determined to chart their own destiny -- even if they cannot stop planet-heating emissions on their own.

"I remain hopeful," she told AFP in an interview. "My generation is really taking matters into their own hands."

Malie has worked to share the story of her community as part of her role with the Rising Nations Initiative, a global partnership launched by Pacific atoll nations to preserve their sovereignty and heritage.

"There may be solutions out there, things that we've never thought of, innovative ideas," she said.

The fossil fuels that powered the industrial revolution and prosperity have already warmed the planet 1.2 degrees Celsius, unleashing extreme weather and human upheaval.

Last week saw records for the hottest day on Earth, on three successive days.

Oceans, soils and forests have been dangerously degraded, and key life-support systems across the planet are at risk.

Humans have pushed their only home well into the danger zone. Can we change our ways and build a sustainable life on Earth?

Many experts say that is still -- if only just -- within our grasp, and that we should dare to imagine thriving, rather than simply surviving in a blighted world.

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Last year's UN Human Development Report warned that people across the world were facing a perfect storm of uncertainties, linked to the "destabilising planetary pressures and inequalities of the Anthropocene", societal transformations and political polarisation.

Pedro Conceicao, who led the report, said he worries that fears of "collapse" are clouding humanity's ability to envisage a way to flourish.

That echoes concerns from climate scientists that people's sense of "doom" is blocking progress.

Erle Ellis, a professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, concedes that the "best time for it to be a hundred percent carbon neutral is yesterday".

Yet humanity is not trapped in a cycle of destruction, he said.

"We're capable of harnessing unbelievable amounts of energy to do things at scale, we can fly, we can leave the planet," he said.

"Things are changing really fast now, so there are a lot of possible futures that would never have existed in the past, that are realistic now."

But are people imagining these futures? Or how to avoid catastrophe?

"As a writer, as a creator, it is terrifyingly easy to build dystopias," novelist Manda Scott told AFP.

She thinks the answer is "thrutopias" that tell the stories of change, and has run workshops to share these ideas with other writers.

"Our imaginings of the future are very locked within the current system," said Scott, who has also written a new thrutopian novel.

"It's easier to imagine the total extinction of life on Earth than an end to predatory capitalism, because we think this is the way it is."

She describes imagining the transformation human societies and nature might go through in order to thrive as akin to guessing what form a caterpillar might take in adulthood.

"If you didn't know that process, I pretty much guarantee that there is no way you would predict butterfly from caterpillar," she said.

Charting a path

Few places have to confront the possibility of radical change more directly than Pacific island nations, with some facing becoming uninhabitable even if the world meets the Paris accord goal of eventually limiting warming to 1.5C.

Tuvalu, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands are calling for a global settlement guaranteeing their states a "permanent existence" even as the seas rise.

It is real stories that inspire Grace Malie, who is working with others to record oral histories for an online cultural archive, part of a push for UNESCO protection for Tuvalu's heritage.

Her grandfather, descended from chiefs, was among those interviewed.

As custodian of the family tree, the 75-year-old can trace heritage going back generations.

"Pacific people come from a long line of voyagers, of warriors and they carry that passion, that resilience," said Malie, who said she was "humbled" to think of the great ocean voyages of her ancestors.

"Kudos to their resilience and hard work and their bravery. That's passed on to us now, and we hope to make them proud."
Japanese Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko are slated to visit Vietnam in September as part of the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Japanese media reported last week.

The visit, to be made at the invitation of Vietnams Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, has been scheduled to last for a week.

The Japanese guests will visit Hanoi and participate in several significant events which mark the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations.

Crown Prince Akishino, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito, and his wife once visited Vietnam in 1999.

The coming visit will be Akishinos third official overseas visit since his rise to first in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, after his trips to Finland and Poland four years ago and to the UK for King Charles IIIs coronation in May this year.

General Secretary Trong made the invitation during a virtual talk with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, who is also the President of Japans Liberal Democratic Party, on February 9.

During the talk, the two leaders agreed that their nations will coordinate commemorative activities to create cohesion, promote comprehensive cooperation, and spur bilateral ties to a new height, bringing practical benefits to the two peoples.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese Party leader cordially invited the Japanese Emperor and Empress, and members of the Japanese government and imperial family to visit Vietnam soon.

Japan is Vietnams fourth-largest trade partner, with two-way trade reaching nearly U$50 billion in 2022, according to official sources.

Japanese investors are operating more than 5,000 investment projects in Vietnam with a total capital of over $70 billion, making it the third-largest among 143 countries and territories investing in the Southeast Asian country.

The Northeast Asian country is also the largest provider of official development assistance to Vietnam.

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The Peoples Council of Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday morning approved the allocation of VND120 billion (US$5 million) from the municipal budget to the purchase of ladder trucks, firefighting robots, smoke exhaust fire trucks, thermal cameras and sensors to detect victims, and other essential equipment.

The citys goal is to increase the coverage of fire tanks in residential areas and enhance fire trucks access to those places by 2030.

As per the local firefighting forces assessment, fire and explosion incidents in the city have been on the rise in number and severity.

In 2022, the city reported 195 fires and two explosions, killing four people, injuring 15 others, and resulting in property damage worth over VND39 billion ($1.6 million), along with 71 cases of undetermined property damage.

In the first three months of this year, 37 fires broke out in the city, causing no deaths but one injury.

Currently, the city has 17 active fire fighting and prevention teams comprising 150 members, mostly assigned to industrial parks, export processing zones, large apartment buildings, and petroleum warehouses.

The citys coming plan involves separating its rescue force from the fire fighting and prevention teams and carrying out fire protection for underground construction works.

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There was significant overcrowding at Da Nang International Airport in central Vietnam due to an upsurge in the number of incoming and outgoing flights as well as adjustments to the flight schedules on Tuesday.

The situation resulted in a lengthy wait for many passengers in the check-in area.

Passengers reported that the busiest period was the morning, and the overload persisted throughout the afternoon.

L.T.T., a passenger on flight VN184 from Da Nang City to Hanoi, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that it took more than an hour to check in luggage and enter the waiting lounge.

Prior to the departure flight from Hanoi to Da Nang, I also encountered a crowded scene [at the airport in Hanoi], T. said.

To my surprise, despite the fireworks [festival] having ended a few days ago, the number of visitors remained high.

Passengers crowd the check-in area at Da Nang International Airport in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, July 11, 2023. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre

The fireworks T. mentioned took place during the final round of the 2023 Da Nang International Fireworks Festival on Saturday night.

Local tourism enterprises and management agencies in Da Nang agreed that the high number of visitors last weekend resulted from the event.

During a recent event announcing the Enjoy Da Nang Summer 2023 festival, a city official disclosed that each night of the 2023 Da Nang International Fireworks Festival drew approximately 60,000 visitors, with higher attendance observed on the opening night and during the final round of the fest.

The fireworks festival, themed The World without Distance, spanned from June 2 to July 9, culminating in the victory of the French pyrotechnic team.

As a result, the number of incoming and outgoing flights to and from the central beach city has increased in recent days, a representative of Da Nang International Airport said.

At times, the daily volume of flights has exceeded the pre-pandemic peak of 150 flights per day.

A flight information display is seen at Da Nang International Airport in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, July 11, 2023. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre

Thankfully, I arrived at the airport early, or else, there would not be enough time to complete the necessary procedures, passenger T. added.

Additionally, numerous flights on Tuesday experienced delays as a result of rescheduling mandated by authorities for security drills, leading to prolonged congestion, according to a Vietnam Airlines ground assistant at Da Nang International Airport.

Vietnam Airlines had previously made an announcement regarding the alteration of flight schedules for certain departures from Da Nang on Tuesday and Wednesday, in response to requests from local authorities.

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The 3.4km-long Can Gio bridge project, which will span over Soai Rap River and link Nha Be with Can Gio in the Ho Chi Minh City suburbs, is expected to get off the ground on April 30, 2025, a municipal transport official told a Peoples Council meeting on Monday.

Tran Quang Lam, director of the municipal Department of Transport, said at the meeting that the department conducted the projects feasibility study, organized the selection of contractors, and consulted the Ministry of Transport.

This is a big-ticket project whose total estimated investment is VND10 trillion (US$421 million), Lam said, adding that the transport department is working to choose between two investment methods, including a public-private partnership and public investment.

The projects technical design is done," the transport official said.

The [transport] department and relevant agencies are reviewing land compensation and will seek the municipal Peoples Councils nod for the estimated investment by the end of this year."

The Can Gio bridge, once completed, will have four to six lanes and the clearance of 55 meters, replacing the currently overwhelmed Binh Khanh ferry service, connecting Can Gio with neighboring areas, and promoting waterway tourism and urban projects in the area, according to the transport director.

In related news, in response to inquiries about the citys first metro line project, Lam said that obstacles in terms of procedures for the metro line No. 1 project were already removed.

The Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR) pledged to complete the metro line project in 2023, he elaborated.

A train of Ho Chi Minh Citys first metro line runs on an elevated section. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

Following its prior experience in operating the Saigon River Tunnel, the city mapped out an overall plan to ensure fire safety and efficient transport connectivity for the metro line in preparation for its operation early next year.

The citys first metro line is designed to be 19.7 kilometers long, including 2.6 kilometers of underground railways and 17.1 kilometers of elevated tracks, with an estimated price tag of VND43.7 trillion ($1.9 billion) funded by Japan's ODA loans.

It runs from Ben Thanh Market in District 1 to Suoi Tien Theme Park in Thu Duc City through three underground stations and 11 above-ground stops.

Regarding the Saigon River Tunnel, it runs 27 meters under the Saigon River at the deepest point and is the longest underwater tunnel in Southeast Asia as well as the first in Vietnam.

Officially opened to traffic on November 21, 2011 after seven years of construction, the tunnel is nearly 1.5km long, 33 meters wide, and nine meters high.

The tunnel was built by a consortium of Japanese contractors at a total cost of $189 million, funded by Japans official development assistance.

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NASA released a new 3D visualization video from the James Webb Space Telescope (Webb).

The Webb is an international program by NASA, European Space Agency, and Canadian Space Agency, that aims to provide information on the structures and origins of the universe.

More than 5,000 galaxies was shown in the video in full color and three dimensions.

The new scientific visualization is part of the Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science Survey (CEERS).

NASA's Journey to the Galaxies

The data for the visualization was gathered from the region of Extended Groth Strip, which is found between the Ursa Major and Boots constellations.

Within the visualization, the video showcased galaxies from the nearest to farthest galaxies from the Earth. Additionally, the different stages of the universe's evolution was also highlighted.

"This observation exceeded our expectations. The sheer number of galaxies that we're finding in the early universe is at the upper end of all predictions," principal investigator of CEERS program Steven Finkelstein shared.

Read Also: James Webb Space Telescope Takes Its First Images of Saturn

What's Next for NASA and Webb?

The latest visualization was able to reach the Maisie's Galaxy, which formed about 390 million years after the big bang.

"We couldn't study galaxies like Maisie's before because we couldn't see them. Now, not only are we able to find them in our images, we're able to find out what they're made of and if they differ from the galaxies that we see close by," survey investigator Rebecca Larson explained.

Combining the data from Hubble and Webb, the researchers are aiming to learn about the information of stars in these early galaxies.

"Are these galaxies forming more stars than expected? Are the stars they're making more massive than we expect? These data have given us the information to ask these questions. Now, we need more data to get those answers," Finkelstein added.

Related Article: Webb Snaps Photos of a Solar System With Three Asteroid Belts
On 7News Spotlight this Sunday, Michael Usher speaks with high profile neurosurgeon Dr. Charlie Teo.

Teo, who previously presented SBS series Myth or Medicine?, was today found guilty of professional misconduct.

Embattled neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo has returned to the operating theatre on the far side of the globe as desperate Aussie patients travel 17,000 kilometres from home to be treated by the only doctor they trust.

For these medical pilgrims, the controversial brain surgeon remains their only hope in their fight to stay alive.

In the most contentious investigation to air this year, 7NEWS Spotlight gains unprecedented access as Dr Teo travels through India and Spain to continue his work on Australian and international patients.

The explosive revelations, to air this Sunday at 8.50pm on Channel 7 and 7plus, come as the surgeon was today found guilty of professional misconduct over two surgeries and restrictions placed on his practising certificate.

Award-winning journalist Michael Usher is with Dr Teo as he learns his fate and addresses his critics head on. No question is off limits as he is forced to confront the controversy surrounding his work.

When it comes to life-or-death surgery, there was one name in Australia that stood above the rest.

Dr Charlie Teo built his career on taking the risks other surgeons wouldnt, and that earned him a deeply divided reputation. Today that reputation is in tatters.

Still, for many Dr Teo remains their final chance. Now those patients are instead being forced overseas because the surgeon they want is banished from Australian hospitals. Aussies like 34-year-old mum and brain cancer sufferer Elise, who embarked on a high-risk race around the world in her fight to live for her four-year-old son.

Beyond the operating room, we hear from other Australians whose lives have been changed forever by Dr Teos surgical interventions  their insights offering a glimpse into the gratitude and hope felt by those who credit him with their second chance at life.

And Dr Teos partner and his children speak for the very first time about why the man they love has become the enemy and not the brain cancer he treats.

8:50pm Sunday on Seven.
Earlier:

ABC has dropped its public interest defence in a defamation case brought by former commando Heston Russell, following two online news articles, a television news item and a radio broadcast that relate to the alleged actions in Afghanistan in 2012.

Guardian Australia reports at a hearing on Wednesday night, ABCs said the corporation was prepared to accept the consequences of dropping its defence and paying damages because the issue of protecting sources was paramount.

In a later statement the broadcaster said, A recent court ruling would have forced the ABC and our journalists to reveal the confidential name of a key source in the defamation matter being brought by former serviceman Heston Russell.

The ruling in the Federal Court resulted in the ABC having to choose between protecting the identity of its source by upholding a pre-publication commitment made to the source to not reveal their real name  versus continuing its defence of the defamation proceedings.

The ABC had no choice but to uphold its commitment and abandon its defence of proceedings.

The protection of sources is crucial for public interest journalism, especially when sources fear adverse effects from their real names being revealed. The ABC and other news organisations must take the strongest line possible in supporting and defending journalists and sources who have entered into such an agreement.

ABC Director News Justin Stevens said: Commitments made and kept by journalists to sources are central to ensuring journalists retain the ongoing trust of people speaking truth to power, they are a key tenet of journalistic ethics and press freedom in this country.

We wanted the opportunity to defend our journalism in court, however a greater principle is now at stake  our ethical responsibility to honour the promise protecting the name of our source.

Mark Willacy and the ABCs award-winning investigations team are experienced journalists with a strong track record of reporting on matters of public interest and the ABC supports them upholding their obligations to their sources.

The case is adjourned until Friday.

Updated 15/7/23:

The ABC has reversed a decision to drop its defence of a defamation suit brought by former commando Heston Russell, during a day of legal argument labelled farcical by a federal court judge.

The question of whether the source, known as Josh, was confidential was debatable because the ABC used a photograph of him in a report.

Justice Michael Lee said: This is a highly unusual case given the amount of information that has already been disclosed by the ABC concerning the identity of the source.

I am no longer satisfied it is necessary for the ABC to be compelled to provide information as to the source in order to allow the trial to be conducted fairly from the perspective of Mr Russell, Lee said.

Nicholas Owens SC, for the ABC, said investigative journalist Mark Willacy would under no circumstances reveal the name of his source and would rather go to jail.

The question of whether the source, known as Josh, was confidential was debatable because the ABC used a photograph of him in a report, Lee said.

If those responsible for publication of Joshs photograph within the ABC thought there was substance in Joshs fears of retribution, they must have assumed his potential assailants were a somewhat incurious and lazy lot, Lee said at an earlier hearing.

The ABC maintains Josh is not identifiable by his photograph because he has no digital footprint.

The trial is scheduled to begin on 28 July.

Source: Guardian Australia
ABC iview has officially launched its audio description service today, with auditory narrations of visual elements for audiences who are blind or have low vision.

More than 100 titles (over 1000 hours of audio described content) are available across iOS (iPhone/iPad), Chromecast and Android devices making programs such as Bluey, Fisk, Muster Dogs, Four Corners, Australian Story, The Newsreader and Mystery Road more accessible to more Australians.

In 2020 ABC launched an audio description service across the broadcast television network at 14 hours per week. In the 2021-22 financial year, the ABC broadcast 1260 hours of unique audio-description content, with recent government funding to maintain its AD program. In the last budget, ongoing money to maintain audio description services was incorporated in the ABC base funding.

The expansion of audio described content to ABC iview reflects our commitment to delivering world-class content thats accessible to all Australians, ABC Managing Director David Anderson said. Television provides access to a very important aspect of cultural and social life. We are committed to providing inclusive content and services that cater to the diverse needs of our audience, on-demand  ensuring that everyone have access to high-quality ABC content whenever and however they choose.

The road to AD for Australian TV has been a long one with the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2022 recommending Australia take the necessary legislative and policy measures  to ensure the provision of audio description services. That followed Vision Australia lodging complaints with the Australian Human Rights Commission in 2015 against Seven, Nine, 10, SBS and Foxtel over a lack of audio descriptors. ABC and SBS trials dated back to 2012.

ABC now partners with a number of community organisations, who are helping raise awareness about AD content within their networks  including Vision Australia, Vision 2020, Guide Dogs Australia, Blind Citizens Australia, Attitude Foundation, Access2Arts, Accessible Arts, Can:Do 4 Kids and Visability.

ABC audio descriptions campaign ambassador Nas Campanella, said, Previously I had to rely on someone to tell me what is happening on screen and hope that someone was free and willing to watch a particular show with me.

The level of detail I received about facial expressions, actions or costumes on screen was dependent on what that person felt I needed to know. It was frustrating. If I watched a show alone and there were sections with no dialogue, I simply missed out on those often important details. It certainly impacted my enjoyment of a show.

Audio description allows me to have equal access to the same information and finer details as everyone else. And it means I can contribute to those water cooler conversations with family, friends, and colleagues like everyone else.

According to the latest ABC and SBS Audio Description survey, 95% of people who are blind or have low vision are engaging with video every day or most days. One in three people who are blind or have low vision are engaging with content with audio descriptions.
Action comedy series Twisted Metal starring Anthony Mackie premieres on Stan later this month, same day as the US.

From the twisted minds behind Deadpool and Zombieland, Twisted Metal is described as a high-octane action comedy that follows a motor-mouthed outsider (Mackie) offered a chance at a better life, but only if he can successfully deliver a mysterious package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

With the help of a badass axe-wielding car thief (Beatriz), hell face savage marauders driving vehicles of destruction and other dangers of the open road, including a deranged clown who drives an all too familiar ice cream truck.

Anthony Mackie (Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier) as John Doe

Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Encanto) as Quiet

Thomas Haden Church (Spider Man 3, George of the Jungle)- Agent Stone

Will Arnett (The Lego Movie, Murderville) as Sweet Tooth (the voice)

Neve Campbell (Scream, House of Cards) as Agent Stone

Series Guest Stars: Richard Cabral, Mike Mitchell, Tahj Vaughans, Lou Beatty Jr.

Director: Kitao Sakurai (multiple episodes)

Showrunner / Executive Producer / Writer: Michael Jonathan Smith (Cobra Kai)

Executive Producer / Star: Anthony Mackie (Make It With Gravy Productions)

Executive Producers: Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (Deadpool, Zombieland), Will Arnett and Marc Forman (Electric Avenue), Jason Spire (Inspire Entertainment), Peter Principato (Artists First), Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan from PlayStation Productions and Hermen Hulst, Head of PlayStation Studios

Produced by: Sony Pictures Television, PlayStation Productions and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Thursday July 27 on Stan.
Asad is a 23-year-old resident of Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, who has been innovative since childhood. Recently, he built a seven-seater solar bike. Impressed by his creation, IIT Kanpur has invited him for a discussion. If IIT Kanpur likes Asads idea, he may receive financial assistance to improve his product. Asads dream is to build a solar plane as well.

Md Zamir Hasan | twocircles.net

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Asad Abdullah, hailing from Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, has always displayed a flair for innovation. From a young age, he engaged in creating small-scale inventions and sharing his progress through YouTube videos. It was in 2017 that Asads work gained recognition and appreciation, motivating him to explore the world of electronics further. Fuelled by his innate curiosity and a desire to make a positive impact, Asad embarked on a remarkable journey of innovation.

When the price of petrol increased, the idea of building a solar-powered bike came to mind

Asad has been innovating since the age of 8. When he was 13, he built a motor using a battery from a remote-controlled car. His dream now is to build a solar energy and battery-powered plane. It will take about a year and a half to build it. How did the idea of building a seven-seater bike come about? In response to this question, Asad says that he got the idea after watching the film Golmaal starring Ajay Devgn.

With the skyrocketing prices of diesel and petrol, it has become difficult for the common man. Seeing peoples difficulties, I thought why not create something that allows people to travel from one place to another at a lower cost? After a lot of thinking, the idea of building this bike came to my mind. I started working on it. It took about a month to build this bike, and it cost around RS 12,000. Once it is built, it can be fully charged at RS 8-10 rupees, and then it can travel up to 150 kilometers. Asad told TwoCircles.net.

I recently received a call from IIT Kanpur, inviting me to discuss my project in detail. I am thrilled to visit IIT Kanpur and engage in comprehensive discussions about my creation, Asad said.

He expressed his desire to construct a solar bike that is robust and cost-effective, ensuring accessibility even for individuals from impoverished and rural regions.

IIT Kanpur invites Asad for assistance in innovation and incubation

The Innovation and Incubation Center at IIT Kanpur helps talented children in the country who think of creating something new and unique. There are 14 programs at IIT Kanpur under which assistance is provided to these talented students. Funding ranging from 3 lakh rupees to 3 crore rupees is provided.

We have invited Asad to come here to understand the process and present his ideas. We will help him pitch his idea. If the idea is liked, we can provide financial assistance ranging from 300,000 to 700,000 rupees. Asads work falls under the prototype category, for which we provide up to 700,000 rupees and a place to work within the campus. Rishabh Pandey, Assistant Manager (The Innovation and Incubation Center at IIT Kanpur) told TwoCircles.net.

Solar Bikes to Surya-Shakti Empire, Asad Abdullahs Entrepreneurial Saga

In addition to his achievements thus far, Asad Abdullah has set his sights on even greater goals for the future. Inspired by his success with the seven-seater solar bike, Asad plans to establish his electric vehicle (EV) bike manufacturing company. With his passion for innovation and commitment to sustainable transportation, he aims to contribute to the growing field of electric mobility in India.

Furthermore, Asad dreams of building a solar-powered plane, showcasing his ambition to push the boundaries of renewable energy and aviation technology. He envisions a future where solar energy can power not only ground transportation but also air travel, reducing carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.

Asads father hopes that his son will bring honor to the state and the country

Son has always had a technical mind since childhood. He has been creating new things since childhood. Now he has built a bike that is receiving praise from everywhere. The family and people around are very happy. Everyone says that Asad is progressing. Undoubtedly, in the coming times, my son will bring honor to the state and the country. Mohammad Abdullah ( Asads father) told twocircles.net

Further, He expressed his happiness, saying that Asad receiving a call from institutions like IIT Kanpur is a proud moment for all of us. But we will not pressurize him to go to IIT Kanpur. It will be his decision. Whether he will start up his own unit or accept the invitation of IIT Kanpur. The decision will be purely his.

Asad is a resident of a small town called Mubarakpur Lohara in Uttar Pradesh. He has studied up to ITI and BCA.
The number of working hours includes time spent working over lunch breaks and staying late after work.

According to a new survey, Singapore workers feel they work up to 10 working hours a week unpaid. (PHOTO: Getty)

SINGAPORE  As much as 40 per cent of Singapore workers believe that they work up to 10 hours unpaid time per week, the results of the ADP Research Institute's People at Work 2023: A Global Workforce View survey  released on Tuesday (11 July)  reveal.

The number of hours includes time spent working over lunch breaks and staying late after work.

The study conducted by ADP  a global provider of cloud-based human capital management solutions  surveyed 32,612 workers in 17 countries around the world between 28 October and 18 November 2022, including over 8,613 working exclusively in the gig economy. In Asia Pacific (APAC), which comprised Australia, China, India and Singapore, there were 7,721 respondents.

In APAC, when the number of overtime hours are averaged out, it is estimated that Singapore workers spend 8.19 hours unpaid per week. This is the second highest number of unpaid hours worked in the APAC region, after India (10.65 hours), but ahead of China (7.50 hours) and Australia (7.17 hours).

Interestingly, the percentage of Singapore workers who feel they work up to 10 unpaid hours increases to over 50 per cent when it comes to parents with newborns.

"This could point to shifting priorities  parents may be more exacting about hours spent unpaid for their jobs if they have a newborn to care for," Yvonne Teo, Vice President of HR, APAC, ADP, said in a statement. "Research has consistently shown that unhealthy work life balances can lead to a drop in productivity, which is contrary to the assumption that working more hours means that an employee is more productive."

Underpaid for jobs

The survey also revealed that almost half of Singapore workers (45 per cent) feel that they are underpaid for their jobs.

Teo said the twin factors  "not being compensated fairly on top of working unpaid hours"  can lead to substantial employee dissatisfaction over time.

To alleviate overtime hours, she said, employers should ensure that all workers have access to tools that maximise efficiency and quality of the work they produce. It is also important to set clear, reasonable expectations to help employees plan their workload properly and ensure tasks are equally distributed across team members.

"Lastly, companies should consider using automation or outsourcing aspects of their work to external providers. For example, ADP has payroll and HCM software that helps companies to minimise time spent on admin tasks," Teo said.

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It is finally that time of the year! It is finally the Amazon Prime Day!

Amazon's Prime Day event is a two-day event this year that will end on July 12 at 11:59 p.m. PST. As with any Prime Day event in the last how many years, it is a time where great discounts can be enjoyed! However, there is a catch.

It should be noted that in order to enjoy the great deals and discounts made available for Amazon Prime Day 2023, customers have to be Amazon Prime members. It should likewise be noted that some perks that come with Amazon Prime Day 2023 might not be available to Prime members residing outside of the United States.

So if you happen to be a Prime member living in a country that is not the United States, you might want to check first if the perks you are hoping for are actually available for you.

Now that we have got all of those squared away, let's get on to the amazing deals you should know about for this year's Prime Day. For this article, we will talk about the Lenovo laptops that are on discount during the two-day event.

Lenovo laptops have always been a popular choice for anyone hunting for a laptop. Here are the models that are currently on sale thanks to Amazon Prime Day 2023!

Amazon Prime Day 2023: Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (2023)

List Price: $299.99

Sale Price: $239.99

You Save: $60

Specs:

Screen Size: 14 inches

14 inches Hard Disk Size: 128GB

128GB RAM Memory Installed Size: 8GB

8GB Operating System: Windows 11 S

Windows 11 S Graphics Co-Processor: Inted UHD Graphics 620

Inted UHD Graphics 620 CPU Seed: 3 GHz

3 GHz Display Technology: LCD

LCD Color: Platinum Grey

You can check out the rest of the listing and even purchase this Lenovo IdeaPad 3 over on Amazon.

Related Article: Amazon Prime Day 2023: These Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S23 Phones are on Sale

Amazon Prime Day 2023: Lenovo IdeaPad 3i (2022)

Lenovo IdeaPad 3i 256GB

List Price: $453.60

Sale Price: $419.99

You Save: $33.61

Specs:

Screen Size: 14 inches

14 inches CPU Model: Intel Core i5

Intel Core i5 RAM Memory Installed Size: 8GB

8GB Operating System: Windows 11

Windows 11 Display Resolution Maximum: 1920 x 1080

1920 x 1080 Color: Abyss Blue

You can check out the rest of the listing and even purchase this Lenovo IdeaPad 3i over on Amazon.

Lenovo IdeaPad 3i 512GB

List Price: $649.99

Sale Price: $459.99

You Save: $190

Specs:

Screen Size: 15.6 inches

15.6 inches CPU Model: Intel Core i5

Core i5 RAM Memory Installed Size: 8GB

8GB Operating System: Windows 11 Pro

Windows 11 Pro Display Resolution Maximum: 1920 x 1080

1920 x 1080 Color: Arctic Grey

You can check out the rest of the listing and even purchase this Lenovo IdeaPad 3i over on Amazon.

Amazon Prime Day 2023: Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 (2023)

List Price: $593.07

Sale Price: $544.99

You Save: $48.08

Specs:

Screen Size: 14 inches

14 inches Hard Disk Size: 512GB

512GB CPU Model: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U

AMD Ryzen 5 5500U RAM Memory Installed Size: 16GB

16GB Operating System: Windows 11 Home

Windows 11 Home Graphics Co-Processor: AMD Radeon R5

AMD Radeon R5 Color: Abyss Blue

You can check out the rest of the listing and even purchase this Lenovo IdeaPad 3i over on Amazon.

Read Also: 10 Things to Know About Lenovo

There many more discounts being offered for Amazon Prime Day 2023 so be sure to check out our Prime Day 2023 coverage here at iTech Post!
The two females were the first panda twins to be born in South Korea (Handout)

A South Korean zoo has announced the birth of two giant panda twins -- the first to be born in the country -- triggering an outpouring of excitement online.

The female twins were born at the Everland theme park near the capital Seoul on Friday, the zoo revealed in a video posted on its YouTube channel.

The video, uploaded Tuesday, shows the mother, Ai Bao, in labour, rolling around her cage before giving birth to two tiny panda cubs.

The first twin weighed 180 grams and the second 140 grams, the zoo said.

"Both the mother and the twin pandas are in good health," a representative from the zoo said in a statement.

"Ai Bao is taking good care of her cubs, putting her experience with Fu Bao to use."

Fu Bao, born in July 2020, is the twins' older sister and the first giant panda born in South Korea through natural breeding.

The YouTube video of the twins' birth has garnered 640,000 views since it was uploaded, with viewers gushing about the arrival of the cubs.

"Welcome to the world, sweet babies! Congrats to the Bao family and thanks to the grandpas and all the staff taking care of them," wrote one viewer.

Another commented: "Tears keep on running from my eyes because I'm so proud of Ai Bao! Well done, Ai Bao!"

Ai Bao and Le Bao, the father, arrived in South Korea in 2016 as a state gift from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China has long deployed "panda diplomacy", gifting the animals to various countries, often to further its foreign policy aims.

Beijing only loans pandas to foreign zoos, which must usually return any offspring within a few years of their birth to join the country's breeding programme.

sh/ceb/cwl
Singapore's President was granted custodial powers to protect the nation's past reserves in 1991. (PHOTO: Getty)

SINGAPORE  How does the President of Singapore protect the nation's past reserves (reserves which were not accumulated during the present term of government), and what is the scope of power that he or she can exercise in order to carry out this crucial responsibility?

When Singapore amended its constitution in 1991, the role of the President  which had until then been largely symbolic and ceremonial  was expanded to include some discretionary powers, particularly in matters concerning the use of the nation's past reserves.

This meant that the President now has a custodial role with some executive powers over the government.

As guardian of the nation's past reserves, the President will also have oversight of the reserves of key statutory boards and government companies listed in the fifth schedule under the constitution. The fifth schedule entities include GIC, Temasek Holdings, the Housing and Development Board (HDB), the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), Central Provident Fund Board (CPFB) and Jurong Town Corporation (JTC).

Here are the key functions of the President in helping to safeguard the nation's past reserves and that of the fifth schedule entities:

1. Approval of budgets and expenditure

The President has the authority to veto any budget or specific transaction  such as the giving of guarantees or raising of loans  if he or she is of the opinion that the budgets or transactions are likely to draw from the country's or entities' reserves. The government can only draw on past reserves with the approval of the President.

2. Approval of appointment and removal of key positions

The President has veto power over the appointment and removal of board members or directors in the fifth schedule entities and key public officers, such as the Chief Justice, Accountant-General and Auditor-General.

Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA)

When exercising custodial powers related to all fiscal and appointment-related matters, the President must consult the Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA). Under the constitution, the CPA is mandated to provide independent advice on matters related to the reserves.

The CPA consists of 10 members  four appointed at the discretion of the President, and the others appointed by the President under the advice of the prime minister, chief justice, and the chairman of the Public Service Commission. The CPA, whose proceedings are private, help to ensure that the President's decisions are well-informed and based on a thorough understanding of the economic and financial implications.

If the President exercises a veto contrary to the recommendation of the CPA, Parliament can vote to overrule the President. A motion to overrule the President must be supported by no less than two-thirds of the total number of Members of Parliament (MPs) (excluding nominated MPs).

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FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Germany is set to hold on to its hydrogen economy goals up to 2030 and beyond while pressing for speed and allowing greater leeway in transitioning from fossil fuels-based variants to renewables, a draft paper showed on Wednesday.

Europe's biggest economy wants to produce, import and market clean hydrogen, derived from carbon-free wind and solar power, as a future energy source to meet climate targets and lessen dependency on imported raw materials.

The draft was seen by Reuters while being presented to the national hydrogen council prior to assessment and adoption by the Berlin cabinet.

It will become a 2023 strategy update guiding stakeholders in production, transport and wholesale markets as well as infrastructure investors.

The paper spoke of "further speeding the necessary market ramp-up of hydrogen through concrete and tightened measures".

The coalition government in 2021 installed a target of 10 gigawatts (GW) of green hydrogen production by 2030, which can receive direct financial support, doubling previous ambitions.

The paper said hydrogen needs integrating into gas transport grids, for which there will have to be 1,800 kilometres of converted and new pipelines to be developed from 2024/25 and in place by 2027/2028.

These lines would receive partial support under Europe's important projects of common interest (IPCEI) schemes and embedded within trans-European hydrogen grids amounting to 4,500 km.

Germany's hydrogen demand in 2030 is pegged at 95-130 terawatt hours (TWh), of which 50%-70% will have to be imported, with separate provisions due to be made.

European energy bourse EEX in May started publishing a green hydrogen index, scaling up price discovery, among many budding, complementary initiatives.

There would be greater tolerance of fossil- and nuclear-derived hydrogen, partly with carbon sequestration until such time as renewables could fully meet hydrogen demand, Germany's draft paper said.

Environmentalist hardliners reject all forms of non-green varieties, describing them as a lifeline for fossil fuel incumbents.

(Reporting by Vera Eckert, Christian Kraemer, Markus Wacket; editing by Devika Syamnath)
Prominent Senegalese opponent is charged with 'offences against the president'

Senegal's opposition politician Birame Souleye Diop, member of the Pastef party, was charged on Tuesday "offencses against President Macky Sall."

Birame Souleye Diop's lawyer said that Diop was arrested over his recent comments about President Macky Sall.

Diop is a Senegalese MP, a senior member of the Pastef political party, led by Ousmane Sonko, and one of his closest collaborators.

He's also the leader of the Yewwi Askan Wi opposition coalition in Senegal's Parliament.

He was charged with committing acts "likely to jeopardise public peace" and an "offence against the President of the Republic", his lawyer, Moussa Sarr, told French news service AFP.

Yewwi Askan Wi has denounced what it descibes as an arbitrary and abusive decision in a statement.

The charges has casued outrage in Senegal's opposition.

Pastef's spokesperson and deputy secretary general Ayib Daffe told RFI English that the charges amount to "persecution against the party", as other party members have also been arbitrarily detained.

The opposition has requested Diop's immediate release.

President Sall's intentions

On 4 July, a day after President Sall announced that he would not run for a controversial third term in next year's election, Diop suggested that the president could make a U-turn at any point.

At a press conference, Diop issued a "warning" to all the future candidates of Sall's party.

Diop later apologised for the comments.

(with newswires)



Read more on RFI English



Read also:

Senegal's Macky Sall rules out run for third term as president

Senegal waits for President Macky Sall to reveal if he plans to run again

Senegalese opponent Sonko says he must be allowed to run in first interview in over a month
Wang Yi to attend ASEAN meetings in Jakarta, 'broader cooperation overrides limited disputes'

10:07, July 12, 2023 By Zhang Han ( Global Times

China's top diplomat Wang Yi will attend a series of ASEAN meetings in Jakarta from Thursday to Friday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday, as China reiterates its support for ASEAN unity and emphasizes its commitment to properly handling sensitive issues with regional countries.

Although the meetings are held annually, 2023 marks a juncture as China and ASEAN are working toward an enhanced partnership to jointly cope with the slowing global economy and geopolitical challenges, analysts said.

Wang, Director of the Office of the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, will attend the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will also attend some of the meetings.

China expects to build more consensuses through the meetings, make political and fruitful preparations for the East Asia Cooperation Leaders' Meeting in September, and promote regional peace, stability and prosperity, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at Tuesday's routine press briefing.

Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said on Tuesday that the ASEAN meetings are held every year, but 2023 is special.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the bilateral strategic partnership and China's accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia as the first influential extraterritorial power in Indonesia. It is also the 10th anniversary of Chinese President Xi Jinping proposing joint efforts with ASEAN to build a Maritime Silk Road of the 21st century and proposing, for the first time, the concept of building a more close-knit China-ASEAN community of a shared future, also in Indonesia.

It is hoped that yet again in Indonesia, more fruitful achievements can be made, as both China and Southeast Asia are in urgent need of stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific amid attempts by some external forces to destabilize the region.

Xu predicts that Wang Yi may discuss with ASEAN diplomats China's signing of the Treaty of Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, for which China has voiced support. This would be a responsible move by China, a major power in the region, to safeguard peace and stability.

Progress will be made on negotiating the China-ASEAN Free Trade Zone Version 3.0 and further building of a China-ASEAN community of a shared future, Xu said.

China witnessed a year-on-year trade increase of 15 percent with ASEAN in 2022, the first year the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade deal went into effect, per official data. The region continues to hold the position of China's top trade partner in the first five months of 2023.

According to Wang Wenbin on Tuesday, China will work with regional countries to make full use of the RCEP, promote the stability of the regional industrial chain and supply chain, practice true multilateralism to promote open regionalism, properly handle hot and sensitive issues, promote regional peace and stability, and maintain the correct direction of East Asian cooperation.

Indonesia is seeking during this week's forum to accelerate talks on a long-stalled Code of Conduct (COC) on the South China Sea, Reuters reported.

Gu Xiaosong, dean of the ASEAN Research Institute of Hainan Tropical Ocean University, told the Global Times on Tuesday, as a regional country with a large population and a robust economy, Indonesia is in an ideal position to coordinate regional affairs, including mediating disputes on the South China Sea and pushing forward the COC talks.

Before the ASEAN meetings, calls emerged in Vietnamand the Philippinesto ban the Hollywood movie Barbie over a scene featuring a world map showing China's Nine-Dash Line in the South China Sea.

Xu interpreted those noises as a common phenomenon before the meetings.

The parties involved should adhere to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), which emphasizes "consultations and negotiations by sovereign states directly concerned" and not make the issue international or more complicated, Xu said.

Gu noted that against the backdrop of China and the US resuming engagement on various fronts, the ASEAN meetings might be less overshadowed by major power competition and more focused on constructive topics.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
An apartment complex constructed by GS Engineering & Construction suffers flood damage in Seoul, Tuesday. Screenshot from online community



By Lee Min-hyung



GS Engineering & Construction (GS E&C) is forecast to suffer an additional fall in its stock price and credit ratings, hit hard by its involvement in a series of construction fraud scandals.



According to data from the Korea Exchange, GS E&C shares extended a sharp decline of around 26 percent this month alone. Its stock price closed at 14,220 won per share, Wednesday, down 1.66 percent from a day earlier. This marks a 10 year low.



Coupled with the bleak stock outlook, the company may also undergo a possible ratings drop in the face of worsening investor sentiment. Multiple ratings agencies here leave open the scenario, as GS is widely expected to have a tough time repaying real estate project financing loans following the upcoming administrative discipline that will be meted out by the government.




HA NOI  Viet Nams gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow 5.34 per cent this year under the first scenario set out by the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM).

The institute announced a report on the domestic economy in the first half of this year, and prospects for the second at a workshop in Ha Noi on July 10, where its three scenarios on the national economy were made public.

The first assumes global economic development matches assessments of international organisations and Viet Nam, under which the countrys export is projected to slide 5.64 per cent, and its consumer price index (CPI) will rise 3.43 per cent, with a trade surplus of US$9.1 billion.

Under the second, given monetary and fiscal easing in Viet Nam the GDP growth is set at 5.72 per cent, export is expected to decrease by 3.66 per cent, and the CPI is forecast to expand 3.87 per cent, with a trade surplus of $10.3 billion.

In the last scenario where the global economy sees positive changes, and Viet Nam will take drastic actions in reform and management, GDP is hoped to grow 6.46 per cent, exports will drop only 2.17 per cent, the CPI will go up 4.39 per cent and the trade surplus will stand at $6.8 billion.

According to the institutes report, the first six months have given Viet Nam an idea of socio-economic requirements for the second half as well as the coming years.

Head of the CIEM's General Research Department Nguyen Anh Duong called difficulties in the first two quarters positive pressure for the Government, ministries, agencies and localities to take more drastic actions in management and reform in the time ahead.

CIEM Director Tran Thi Hong Minh said since the beginning of this year, the Government has paid attention to perfecting institutions and policies, tapping investment resources for the national economy, and improving the business environment.

Despite the gap with the set target, economic growth has seen improvements between quarters, with 3.28 per cent in the first and 4.14 per cent in the second, she said, adding that the growth in the first half of this year reached 3.72 per cent.

In the six months, the total social investment exceeded VN1.35 quadrillion ($57.05 billion), up 4.7 per cent year-on-year.

As of June 30, the disbursement rate of public investment reached 30.5 per cent of the target assigned by the Prime Minister, higher than the 27.7 per cent recorded in the same period last year.

The country also attracted $13.43 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), down 4.35 per cent, while FDI disbursement went up 0.5 per cent.

The total export value in the reviewed period was estimated at $164.5 billion, down 12.1 per cent, and import was $152.2 billion, down 18.2 per cent, resulting in a trade surplus of over $12.2 billion.

Standard Chartered Bank in its recent report predicted that Viet Nams economy would continue recovery and expand at 7 per cent in the latter part of the year on sustained improvements in trade data.

Tim Leelahaphan, an economist at Standard Chartered Bank covering Thailand and Viet Nam, noted that Viet Nam's economic openness and stability were key factors supporting the country's promising medium-term outlook, adding that a continued recovery of tourist arrivals will help strengthen the services balance.

The bank also emphasised that sustained investment inflows may require an improved global backdrop and government efforts.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam is contributing to ensuring food security not only for its own people but also for the wider region and the world, according to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung uc Tien.

The agriculture deputy minister made this statement at a press conference this week in Ha Noi, acknowledging the agricultural sector as the "firm foundation" of the national economy.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) held the press conference to release official information about the country's agricultural production and exports in the first six months of the year.

Tien said the agricultural sector implemented a plan for the first six months of 2023 to address challenges, of which, the export market for agro-forestry-fishery products, mainly for wood and aquatic products, was a particular difficulty.

He said the country still has much potential in agricultural exports and MARD will undertake flexible solutions to boost management, adapting to the new context and meeting the demands of the world market.

While ASEAN countries and the agriculture industry around the world is currently concerned about food security, Viet Nam has achieved impressive results in ensuring food security for its 100 million population while maintaining its standing in the global rice export market.

"People often believe that over time, rice yield will decrease, but this year the situation did not happen because the MARD has learned from previous experience and promptly provided technical support for farmers," said the agriculture deputy minister.

Nguyen Nhu Cuong, Director of the MARD's Department of Crop Production identified current development trends, especially the migration of the workforce to urban environments, industrialisation and exploration in different crops, as causing negative impacts on rice production.

However, with the application of scientific and technological advances in seed and seedling cultivation, along with a timely respond to climate change, the country's agricultural sector is fully operational over the next six months of the year and in the next two years, ensuring both exports and domestic consumption.

A report from MARD shows rice and other crop production in the first six months of the year achieved good results.

The whole country planted about 4.98 million ha of rice with an average yield of 67 quintals/ha, an increase of 1.8 quintals/ha, with output reaching 22.8 million tonnes.

Rice exports in the first six months reached 4.2 million tonnes, earning $2.32 billion, including $300 million in June. The average export price of rice in the first five months of 2023 was estimated at $517 per tonne, up 5.8 per cent over the same period in 2022.

Meanwhile, VNDirect expects the export price of rice to continue to increase in 2023 thanks to the increased demand for food reserves in many countries, and Viet Nam is also focusing on exporting high-quality, good-priced rice.

According to data from the General Department of Customs, in 2022, Viet Nam's rice exports were recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, totalling 7.1 million tonnes, equivalent to $3.5 billion.

In the agricultural sector report, VNDirect said that rice demand will remain high in 2023 as political and economic uncertainties push up the demand for rice reserves. Besides this, climate change is still affecting rice supply in many countries, especially the Philippines, due to floods, and China, due to drought.

Analysts also expect rice export prices to continue to increase in 2023 thanks to increased demand for food reserves in many countries.

Viet Nam is focusing on producing high-quality rice to match global consumption trends since many rice-growing areas have switched to other more profitable crops.

MARD reported the area of agricultural land used for the 2022-2023 crop year in the country has decreased by 3 per cent compared to the previous crop.

Cuong said although Viet Nam's cultivation area is not large but agricultural export value is not inferior to that of many other countries, with its agricultural products present in all countries and territories in the world.

In the first half of 2023, fruit and vegetable export turnover was estimated at $2.8 billion, including $950 million in June, up 2.6 times compared to June 2022.

The fruit growing area was about 1.22 million ha, up 2.7 per cent with an increase in output of many items such as mango, oranges, rambutan and lychee while the area used for industrial crops expanded to 2.2 million ha, up 0.3 per cent with output raising in pepper, rubber, cashew, and tea cultivation.

"The target to reach US$10 billion from exports of vegetables and fruits can be fulfilled in the future despite a downtrend in the area due to industrialisation, urbanisation and other factors," he said.

Tien emphasised that fruit and vegetable exports have never been as high as they are now. "According to this growth momentum, it is certain that in 2023, the country's fruit and vegetable exports will reach over US$5 billion and if investment is more focussed on deep processing and market expansion, the figure of US$10 billion from will likely be achieved," he said.  VNS
HA NOI  Google will continue its partnership with the Vietnam National Innovation Center (NIC) and the US Mission in Viet Nam.

The announcement came on Tuesday in Ha Noi as part of the programme "Google for Startups Accelerator".

The programme was conducted following the success of the Google for Startups, Startup Academy-Vietnam programme last year.

It aims to extend support for the national digital transformation effort by providing intensive training, resources and mentoring networks for local startups to hasten their business development.

Viet Nam is becoming one of South East Asia's rising startup hubs as its online economy is forecasted to grow to US$50 billion by 2025, according to the "eConomy SEA report 2022".

Viet Nam is home to four unicorns to date and a total of 3,400 tech-savvy startups that are well-poised to develop sophisticated digital products and solutions.

The programme this year is built on the success of the Startup Academy that was first launched and implemented across the country in 2022 for 50 selected local companies from 16 key industries.

This year, the programme will zoom in on six key industries: education, retail, agriculture, fintech, healthcare and smart cities.

The Google for Startups Accelerator, Southeast Asia is a three-month programme that starts with a five-day BootCamp followed by five follow-up online workshops leading to Graduation and Demo Day.

The cohort will receive mentoring from Google and leading industry figures throughout the period. Given the intensity, only 20 startups will be selected across the country to participate in the in-person boot camp to ensure Google and NIC will be able to provide in-depth support throughout.

The selected startups will also be inducted into Googles global alumni network consisting of more than 1,000 startups from various regions.

To ensure more will be able to benefit from the content of the programme, Google and NIC will co-design open-access online workshops and will be accepting up to 200 additional startups.

Speaking at the event, Tran Duy ong, Vice Minister of Investment and Planning said "The accelerator is solid proof of Viet Nams commitment to supporting the innovation and startup ecosystem which is shared by Googles mission to raise up the startup community in emerging markets.

"By providing startups with essential resources to grow and succeed, we are nurturing the next entrepreneurial generation who would join hands to accelerate economic growth and make the country a global success.

"On top of that, the selected startups will be a part of the inventive startup community working towards a common goal to connect, collaborate and learn from each other.

Thye Yeow, Bok, Head of Startup Ecosystem SEA said: The launch of Google for Startups Accelerator today continues our long-term commitment to support this country's economic growth by fast-tracking local startups development through intensive training, mentorship, and networking opportunities for Viet Nams entrepreneurs.

"We are extremely excited to continue our partnership with NIC and the US Mission in Viet Nam to pool our resources together to help accelerate them to the next level, and eventually expand globally.

"While the accelerator is only accepting 20 startups, we will co-design and make available some of the group training sessions to the startup community. Up to 200 startups can apply to attend the online workshops. Collectively, Google, NIC and the US Mission in Viet Nam hope this will benefit the wider ecosystem.

Last year's Google Startups Academy successfully wrapped up after 15 workshops and 283 hours of mentoring with experts and renowned mentors. One of the startups that joined the programme last year, Momby has scaled up its app with 35,000 users, while another, BenKon, successfully closed a seed round with their energy-saving solution.

Truong Minh at, CEO and Co-founder of BenKon said after participating in the programme, they successfully secured their seed round with the participation of a venture capitalist.

Nguyen Hong Ngoc, CEO of Momby said Google for Startups was not just a leadership programme, it also provided startups with new knowledge and the latest technologies. They have the opportunity to become a part of a dynamic startup community where everyone is willing to collaborate for collective growth and success.  VNS
HA NOI  PVI Insurance Corporation and Seoul-based NongHyup Property and Casualty Insurance (NongHyup P&C) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to fortify their comprehensive business cooperation at PVI Insurances headquarters in Ha Noi.

The five-year agreement is designed to reinforce collaboration in several key areas, such as expanding reinsurance capabilities, leveraging the extensive customer networks of both companies, and fostering innovation in the development of new products and services.

"NongHyup Insurance is a professional and exclusive insurance company to provide insurance products for farmers in Korea. This is also the business area PVI wishes to develop in the future," said Duong Thanh Danh Francois, chairman of PVI Insurance, at the signing ceremony.

"The cooperative agreement is expected to unlock business opportunities across the non-life insurance and reinsurance domains, capitalising on the strengths of each company's customer base, networks, and services for mutual benefit," he said.

With NongHyup Financial Group, NongHyup Bank, Nonghyup Securities and other Korean companies already operating in Viet Nam, CEO of HongHyup P&Cs Choi Mun Seob said the company also looks forward to entering the Vietnamese market.

"Leveraging Viet Nam's burgeoning insurance market, along with NongHyup Insurance's expertise and capacity, we are committed to creating favourable conditions for mutual growth," he said.

According to Nguyen Xuan Hoa, general director of PVI Holdings, agriculture remains a vital sector in Asian countries, including Viet Nam, where approximately 65 per cent of the population are farmers or reside in rural areas, this cooperation agreement holds great significance. He hoped following the signing ceremony, PVI and NongHyup will initiate specific projects to bring the agreement to life and serve the production and business plans of both parties.

It is worth noting that the comprehensive business cooperation agreement was previously signed at NongHyup's headquarters in Seoul last month.

PVI is Viet Nams largest non-life insurance company both in terms of revenue and network. The company is also the first and only enterprise in Viet Nam to receive a financial credit rating of A- (excellent) by AM Best. Meanwhile, NongHyup P&C was a member of NongHyup Financial Group, the financial arm of the Koreas National Agricultural Cooperative Federation. It is an exclusive provider of government policy insurance products for Korea's cooperative members.  VNS
ONG NAI  The People's Committee of the southern ong Nai Province granted investment certificates to two foreign-invested projects worth US$30 million on Tuesday.

German Ziehl-Abegg SE will develop a $20 million plant to manufacture products related to ventilation systems. The plant is slated to be completed in late 2024.

Meanwhile, HKC Overseas Limited from China will implement a TV screen-producing factory valued at $10 million.

The committee's vice chairwoman Nguyen Thi Hoang praised the two large-scale projects, saying that they would play an important role in speeding up local economic development.

She suggested investors focus on environmental protection to work with local authorities towards green and sustainable industrial development in the process of implementing their projects.

Hoang added that local authorities would constantly make efforts to create an open, safe, transparent investment environment, offering businesses maximum support and considering their development as the province's success.

The province-based Industrial zones (IZs) have thus far this year attracted 37 new foreign-invested projects with a total registered capital $144.6 million, statistics from the ong Nai IZs Authority showed.

During the period, 52 operating projects were allowed to increase capital by $545.7 million.

ong Nai now has 1,585 valid foreign-invested projects, with a total capital of $33.8 billion, being one of the leading localities in the country, in terms of foreign investment attraction.

By the year-end, the province said it would continue to attract large-scale projects using advanced technology, skilled workers, and those in supporting industries.

At the same time, it would restrict projects that use a lot of unskilled labour, are small in scale, and have outdated technology, which affects the environment.  VNS
HCM CITY  A visiting delegation from the USs Nebraska state led by Governor Jim Pillen visited MM Mega Market in HCM Citys Thu uc City on July 11 to learn about what Vietnamese customers look for at the grocery store and distribution networks in Viet Nam.

Other members of the team include Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton, Chancellor Joanne Li of the University of Nebraska  Omaha and agribusiness executives, academics, and government representatives.

Bruno Jousselin, managing director of MM Mega Market Vietnam, and his staff shed light on the requirements of Vietnamese people and the prices they are willing to pay.

The delegation also had the opportunity to try some agricultural products, including durian, and was quite interested in the taste of Vietnamese fruits.

They also attended a food demonstration by MM chef brand ambassador Steven Long mainly with ingredients from Nebraska.

Pillen said: We are in the centre of the United States and agriculture drives our entire economy.

Our objective is to help Nebraska businesses and companies make connections in the Vietnamese market. Nebraska has been able to cultivate some great relationships with quality Vietnamese businesses in the last several years, and we are hoping to expand upon that.

Getting to visit MM Mega Market is a real treat. It is very informative to learn about what the Vietnamese customers are looking for at the grocery store and for us to see how our products are displayed. Understanding the two will allow us to cater more specifically to the desires of the Vietnamese consumers.

The delegation has a goal of growing trade with a country that already buys goods worth almost US$1 billion from Nebraska.

"We hope to highlight beef from Nebraska, corn gluten, soybean meal and other quality agricultural products. Additionally, we will be promoting efforts to bring high-quality grain storage infrastructure from expert companies located in Nebraska to Viet Nam's fertile agricultural areas.

"Further, we have representatives from our University of Nebraska system that are looking to make connections at the Vietnam National University of Agriculture'" he said.

Nebraska is one of the biggest producers of catte, pork, dairy, corn and soybeans in the US.  VNS
HA NOI  The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam Pham Thu Hang on Thursday has "completely refuted" erroneous claims that ethnic discrimination was the cause for the fatal attacks on official buildings in the Central Highlands Province of ak Lak that killed nine people.

The armed violence perpetrated by two groups of persons with guns and self-made weapons, which took place on the early morning of June 11 in Cu Kuin District and claimed the lives of four police officers, two commune officials, and three civilians, was characterised by the Ministry of Public Security as a terrorist attack.

A member of a US-based organisation was also among the nearly 70 suspects detained, who had received orders from this organisation to intrude into Viet Nam and stage the attacks, a public security official has revealed, calling on the international organisations and countries to cooperate closely with Viet Nam in the investigation.

"This is a serious organised radical act violating social order and security and will be handled in accordance with the law," spokesperson Hang stated.

In recent talks with Minister of Public Security To Lam, US Ambassador to Viet Nam Marc Knapper stressed that the US opposes, condemns, and does not condone any organisation or individual involved in the complex security and order incident that occurred in ak Lak.

Ambassador Knapper expressed his hope that Viet Nam will provide information on the incident and commit to cooperating with the US through all means to reveal the truth about the connection between any individuals or organisations currently in the US and terrorism or anti-Government activities in Viet Nam.

The US diplomat pledged that the US will support Vietnamese law enforcement agencies in sharing information to clarify the incident and prevent similar incidents from occurring, which could affect the relationship between the two countries.

Six persons from ak Lak are being "specially wanted" by the police for the crime of terrorism - Y Hual E Ban, 53-year-old, E e ethnicity; Nay Duong, 55, Gia Rai ethnicity; Nay Yen, 53, Gia Rai and Nay Tam, 49, Gia Rai (both are Nay Duong's brothers); Y Khing Lieng, 31, M'Nong ethnicity; and Y Ju Nie, 55, E e ethnicity.

According to the wanted notice, anyone has the right to arrest the suspects and bring them to the nearest police station, prosecutor's office, or People's Committee.

After arresting or receiving the wanted person, they must immediately report to the provincial security investigation agency of ak Lak police at 58 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Tu An Ward, Buon Ma Thuot City, with the listed phone number 0694389133.

Nuclear wastewater

The foreign ministry's representative was also asked for a reaction from Viet Nam as a coastal country, regarding the recent announcement from Japan on its decision to discharge treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima plant. The plant suffered serious damage in the 2011 tsunami incident. The water treatment was given approval from the United Nations' nuclear supervisory body International Atomic Energy (IAEA) after a field inspection.

Several nations in northeastern Asia and Pacific islands have voiced their objections.

"Viet Nam believes that the responsibility to ensure the safety and security belongs to each country using nuclear energy. At the same time we call on closer international cooperation, transparency, and information sharing and responsible action in the case of incidents," spokesperson Hang said.

"Viet Nam attaches great importance to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region, and the protection of maritime environment and resources in accordance with international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and related regulations from the International Atomic Energy Agency," she remarked.

Riots in France

Regarding riots in France, the Vietnamese embassy in France is closely following the situation and readied hotlines as well as timely support for any Vietnamese citizens who are in need of help.

"So far we have not received any information about Vietnamese citizens being affected by these riots," Hang said.

"Acting on the guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnamese embassy in France has a number of recommendations towards helping the citizens currently residing in France," she added.

In cases of emergencies, the Vietnamese citizens may call the hotline of the Vietnamese embassy in France or its citizen protection hotline, with the numbers published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Consular Department, as well as the website of the Vietnamese Embassy in France.  VNS
Jakarta  Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son met with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn on July 11 on the sidelines of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM-56) and related meetings in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Kao appreciated Viet Nams contributions to the ASEAN Community and the ASEAN Secretariat.

He expressed his hope to continue receiving the countrys support for his performance of the Secretary-Generals duties, especially in contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, and prosperity of the ASEAN Community and to the blocs relations with partners.

Emphasising that Vietnam attaches importance to the role of ASEAN and the Secretary-General, Minister Son voiced his belief that under Kaos leadership, the role of the ASEAN Secretariat will be promoted continually.

Viet Nam will coordinate closely with other ASEAN members and the Secretariat in strengthening the blocs cooperation mechanisms and ASEAN-led ones so that ASEAN will operate in an increasingly efficient manner and adapt to the new situation, he noted.

The official also suggested the Secretariat pay more attention to boosting substantive and effective ties with partners, thus practically helping with the solidarity, unanimity, connectivity, and centrality of ASEAN.

At the meeting, the two sides shared the view that amid the fast changing international and regional situation, to continue bringing into play the role and stature of ASEAN, the Secretariat should assist in stepping up dialogue and cooperation with partners.

Son held that to maintain the blocs role as a growth driver of the region in the coming decades, ASEAN should build a strong economic pillar, mobilise resources from members, and capitalise on partners attention to and resources for the region to foster economic, investment, and tourism partnerships, thus substantively contributing to regional development and prosperity. VNS
Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho speaks during a meeting with economy-related ministers held in Seoul in this July 12 photo released by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Yonhap



Korea will continue efforts to address the "imbalance" in the labor market behind robust job indicators by allowing more foreign workers and improving the working environment of small firms, the finance minister said Wednesday.



The remark came after Asia's No. 4 economy saw its unemployment rate hit a record low of 2.7 percent in June, and maintained on-year job additions for 28 consecutive months.



"Recently, job additions have been maintaining growth on the back of face-to-face services, information communication, and science sectors, along with more participation by women and seniors," Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho said.



Choo, however, noted that there is still an imbalance in the labor market among different sectors, with some areas finding it difficult to find workers.






GENEVA  Viet Nam will continue to work with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to develop an inclusive, balanced, and efficient global intellectual property ecosystem that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Hoang Giang made the statement as he led a Vietnamese delegation at the Sixty-Fourth Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO that takes place at the WIPO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland between July 6 and 14.

He said he highly appreciated WIPO's initiatives to support member countries, especially those aimed at priority subjects such as small and medium enterprises, women and young people in using and exploiting intellectual property rights as a tool to promote economic growth, attract investment, create jobs and improve the lives of communities.

Giang spoke of the challenges that the world is facing such as epidemics, climate change and food insecurity that have been affecting the economies of countries and the lives of millions of people in all regions of the world.

Giang also said to address these issues, it is necessary to continue to promote multilateral cooperation, promote the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and encourage the development of science, technology and innovation in which intellectual property is a key tool.

Also on Tuesday, the Vietnamese delegation held a bilateral meeting with WIPO's Director General Daren Tang.

Giang expressed his delight at the increased cooperation between Viet Nam and WIPO over the years, including many visits of high-level delegations, demonstrating the close cooperation between Viet Nam and WIPO and affirming the attention of the leaders of the Party, State and Government of Viet Nam in science, technology and innovation activities, in which intellectual property is an important factor.

In addition, he also welcomed and highly appreciated the close and effective cooperation between Viet Nam and WIPO in implementing technical cooperation activities such as the implementation of the National Intellectual Property Strategy, the Global Innovation Index (GII) and the development of Viet Nam's Provincial Innovation Index (PII).

On this occasion, he reiterated the invitation to WIPO Director General Daren Tang to pay an official visit to Viet Nam in 2024.

At the end of the meeting, he witnessed the signing ceremony of a cooperation agreement between WIPO and the Intellectual Property Office of Viet Nam in support of the Centre for Research, Training, Support and Consulting in order to improve skills and knowledge for Vietnamese experts, businesses and civil servants.

Within the scope of the delegations activities, in addition to attending a number of plenary sessions of the WIPO General Assembly, the delegation had a working session with the Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and other international organisations in Geneva and visited some models of protection and management of geographical indications in Switzerland.  VNS
HAI PHONG  The 11th Ocean Dialogue, themed Hybrid Activities: Helping or Hindering Order at Sea, took place in the northern port city of Hai Phong on Tuesday.

The event, held by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), the UK Embassy in Viet Nam, and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) foundations Viet Nam Office, attracted more than 100 delegates attending in person and over 50 others via videoconference, including 20 experts from 14 countries.

Participants discussed the trend of using hybrid activities by many countries in the region and the world, including grey zone activities in the East Sea. They shared viewpoints on hybrid activities and countries experience in responding to grey zone activities, and looked to debate and make policy and legal proposals for managing activities to ensure order at sea.

In his opening remarks, DAV Deputy Director Dr Nguyen Hung Son said that hybrid activities are not a new phenomenon. Many grey zone activities havent been fully identified or assessed on the basis of international law. The dialogue aimed to scrutinise the nature of those activities, the lack of goodwill in applying and interpreting international law, or taking advantage of the unclear regulations of international law to weaken international law, thereby devising more effective response to this strategy.

Speakers at the event discussed hybrid and grey zone activities in the region, including the East Sea. They pointed out that hybrid activities combine traditional and non-traditional, military and non-military measures; are often conducted by non-state entities but supported by states; keep the situation below the red line of war; and often take place in transition zones between different spaces, entities, or rules.

They said grey zone and hybrid activities are posing legal challenges and affecting the international order. In particular, the development of technology has been making challenges from those activities clearer. Besides, grey zone activities occur not only in the field but also other aspects such as economy (sanctions, embargoes, trade restrictions) and information (intentional misinformation).

Suggesting some initiatives for countries in and outside the region to better manage hybrid activities and effectively respond to grey zone activities, the dialogue said countries should enhance the coordination of actions among relevant agencies; and improve the capacity of identifying grey zone challenges, and differentiating hybrid activities with legal purposes from grey zone activities with illegal intentions.

Countries and international organisations should perfect the legal frameworks on hybrid activities. Besides, international cooperation is also the key for countries to coordinate actions to better manage hybrid activities, delegates noted.

The Ocean Dialogue, initiated by the DAV, aims to connect scientists to discuss marine science, policies, and legal frameworks towards sustainable ocean governance. VNS
HA NOI  The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Wednesday morning started its 24th session.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, NA Chairman Vuong inh Hue said that during the session, the NA Standing Committee would give opinions on the draft Law on Road Traffic and draft Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety.

It is planned that the two draft laws will be submitted to the NA for debate for the first time in October.

The NA Standing Committee also approved a draft resolution on the arrangement of administrative units at district and commune levels in the 2023-30 period.

Chairman Hue emphasised that in 2019-21, the country arranged the administrative units at district and commune levels. On this basis, the Government received many opinions and directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to coordinate with concerned ministries to prepare the draft resolution.

Regarding supervision work, the NA Standing Committee gave opinions on the initial supervision on implementing Resolution No 88/2014/QH13 and Resolution No 51/2017/QH14 related to the renovation of schools curriculum and textbooks.

NA Chairman Hue said this was an important issue which received great interest from voters and people.

The supervision team worked and prepared the report. The NA Chairman and the NA Deputy Chairmen listened to the report and gave opinions twice. And this is the first official opinion of the NA Standing Committee on this content.

The supervision team will work officially with the Government and the Ministry of Education and Training before submitting to the NA Standing Committee for official supervision at its regular meeting next month.

Also in the session, the NA Standing Committee gave opinions on the resolutions about NA deputies meeting with voters. In the past ten years, the actual situation and the laws have changed a lot, so the resolutions need to be adjusted accordingly.

After consideration, the committee will issue conclusions, allow amending or not amending the resolutions. If they need changing, the committee will decide how it will be corrected, and assign an agency in charge of drafting and checking them.

At the 24th session, the NA Standing Committee gave opinions on the summary of the 15th NAs fifth session, including achievements, innovations and effectiveness, as well as lessons to be learned.

The committee also gave initial opinions on the preparation of the sixth session. Chairman Hue asked representatives to give opinions on major issues that the NA Standing Committee needed to coordinate with the Government, the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee, the Peoples Supreme Court, and the Peoples Supreme Procuracy.

The 24th session is scheduled to last two and a half days.  VNS
JAKARTA Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son had separate meetings with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong on the occasion of their attendance at the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM-56) in Jakarta, Indonesia on July 12.

Meeting Minister Jaishankar, Son hailed India for supporting ASEAN in maintaining its solidarity and central role

The two ministers spoke highly of the strong developments in the bilateral traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership, especially in economy-trade. They agreed to thoroughly prepare for the exchange of delegations at high level and effectively deploy existing cooperation mechanisms such as the 18th Joint Committee Meeting.

In order to further reinforce economic and trade collaboration, they pledged to work with ASEAN member states to review the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).

On the occasion, Son suggested that both countries consider advancing bilateral economic and trade agreement negotiations. He also proposed India encourage big corporations to increase investments and expand operations in Viet Nam, particularly in high-quality infrastructure development, petroleum and renewable energy.

At their meeting, Minister Son and Australian Minister Wong promised to make thorough preparations for mutual high-level visits.

The Vietnamese minister thanked the Australian Government for increasing official development assistance (ODA) to Viet Nam to 95.1 million AUD for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

Wong agreed to step up joint projects, including improving the capacity of Viet Nam's foreign affairs officials.

On global and regional issues, Wong reiterated Australia's support for ASEAN's solidarity and central role in regional stability, as well as ASEAN's common stance on the East Sea issue.

Son took the occasion to invite Wong to visit Viet Nam again soon and co-chair the fifth Viet Nam-Australia Foreign Ministers' Meeting. VNS
HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for raising public awareness of digital transformation, with priority given to developing databases, promoting online public services, developing infrastructure and digital platforms, and ensuring cyber security and information safety.

Chairing the 6th meeting of the National Committee on Digital Transformation and a teleconference on digital transformation tasks and a scheme on population database, e-identification and e-authentication for national digital transformation for the 2022-2025 period (Scheme 06) with a vision towards 2030 in Ha Noi on July 12, PM Chinh, who is head of the national committee, hailed positive progress in digital transformation and Scheme 06 since early this year.

To push forward the above priorities, he underlined the need to involve the entire political system, people and businesses in a systematic, flexible and drastic manner.

Ministers, heads of sectors, secretaries of Party Committees and chairpersons of Peoples Committees at all levels must give drastic directions and reach consensus on awareness and action to pool the collective power of the political system in the effort, the PM noted.

Apart from fine-tuning policies and mechanisms for national digital transformation and Scheme 06, ministries, agencies and localities must simplify regulations and administrative procedures related to investment, business activities, and people's lives, ensuring a reduction of at least 20% in the number of regulations and a decrease of at least 20% in compliance costs, as directed by the Government, he stressed.

The Government leader also directed continuing to improve the efficiency of online public services to offer the utmost convenience for citizens and businesses. Urgent requirements were given to expedite the completion of providing 28 key online public services on the National Public Service Portal, he said.

PM Chinh urged efforts to have at least 20 million citizens use the e-identification platform VNeID with a minimum of 10 applications by the end of this year.

In conclusion, he requested ensuring the security and safety of information systems, databases, and personal data protection; strengthening international cooperation via gradually connecting with the citizen information systems of ASEAN countries and some other nations, and fostering social consensus on the digital transformation process. VNS
HA NOI  A man who went on the run after being accused of conspiracy in relation to the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants has been jailed for more than 12 years.

Marius Mihai Draghici was arrested in Romania in August last year as a result of joint work with the National Crime Agency.

Draghici was extradited to the UK to face charges of 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

The 50-year-old pleaded guilty to all charges during a hearing at the Central Criminal Court in London, UK, on Friday 23 June.

On Tuesday, 11 July, he was sentenced to 12 years and seven months for the manslaughter offences and a further four years and two months for the immigration offence, which will be served concurrently.

The Honourable Mr Justice Garnham told Draghici that the effects of conduct on the lorry occupants were obvious and had enormous consequences for their friends and family.

He also said the operation was part of an organised criminal enterprise which was run for profit and put migrants at risk of death.

Justice Garnham added Draghici played a small but essential cog in the conspiracy which led to the 39 victims agonising deaths.

The tragic discovery was made in the early hours of Wednesday, 23 October 2019, when the Vietnamese men, women and children were found unresponsive in the trailer of a lorry by its driver, in Eastern Avenue, Grays, Essex.

The lorry had travelled from Zeebrugge in Belgium to the Port of Purfleet, in Essex.

Each of the victims, and their families, had paid significant sums of money to an organised criminal group whose members promised them safe passage to the UK and a life there.

However, that promise turned to tragedy and the victims suffocated in the back of the lorry, which was being driven by Northern Irishman Maurice Robinson.

Draghicis role was to be involved in the onward transportation of the migrants once they arrived in the UK.

Migrants were loaded onto the trailers in mainland Europe before travelling unaccompanied on ferries to the UK.

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, who led the investigation for Essex Police, said: For more than three years, we have never lost sight of the far-reaching impact the events of October 2019 has had, both here in Essex and, most acutely, in Viet Nam.

Each of the people inside the lorry container were mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters. They have family who feel their loss acutely each and every day.

Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Hooper, who oversaw the investigation, added: In October 2019, we made a promise to the families of our 39 victims that we would deliver justice. We have never lost sight of that promise and the investigation team members have ensured that we have kept that promise.

One final defendant is still to be tried. Caolan Gormley, 25, of Armagh, Northern Ireland, is charged with one count of conspiracy to assist illegal immigration and awaits trial for unlawful immigration offences.

Draghici is the tenth person so far to be sentenced for their role in the deaths of the 39 people.

Other gang members jailed include Ronan Hughes (27 years), Gheorghe Nica (18 years) and Maurice Robinson (13 years, four months). VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam considers human resource development key to improving competitiveness in the agricultural sector, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said at a conference held on Tuesday in Ha Noi.

The conference on Cooperation in Training and Human Resource Development in Agriculture and Rural Areas organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) drew more than 300 attendees from key ministries, agencies, and enterprises.

It is expected to help foster collaboration agreements between corporations, organisations, and training institutes both inside and outside the ministry.

Speaking at the event, the minister said the role of training and human resources in rural development is an important premise for improving output and labour productivity, as well as competitiveness.

According to the ministry, there are around 50 universities and training schools that provide specialist instruction in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and irrigation.

Human resource training for the agriculture industry currently faces limitations and obstacles as the number of students pursuing this major has declined.

Agriculture, forestry, irrigation, and fisheries students accounted for less than 2 per cent of the total number of around 520,000 students enrolled nationwide in 2022. This has a direct impact on the quality of human resources for agricultural research, and the transfer of science and technology, as well as agricultural production, processing, and business.

The cause is largely due to the low wages of employees in agriculture, forestry, and fishing, which are only about half of those in manufacturing, construction, and services.

Furthermore, some colleges continue to have a sponsored attitude and have lacked in enrolment, while others have aggressively reinvented their administration, content, and teaching techniques to satisfy the needs of students and the job market.

Investment in this area is, however, limited and teaching equipment is substandard and outdated.

There should be policies to encourage students to study in social fields that are in high demand but difficult to enrol in, such as soil science, agronomy, post-harvest technology, and so on.

"We must assign tasks to institutions that show strength in training people in industries that are difficult to recruit for but are in demand by society, said Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan, Director of the Vietnam Academy of Agriculture.

MARD must prioritise investing in training institutions to provide quality programmes that are closely connected to market demands.

According to MARD, by 2030, the country aims to accomplish yearly vocational training for about 1.5 million rural employees, of which trained agricultural labourers must exceed 70 per cent.

It also aims to have the proportion of agricultural, forestry, and fishing employees with degrees and certifications from the elementary level or higher rise from 4.6 per cent in 2020 to 10 per cent in 2030.

To achieve these goals, the ministry will mobilise resources from the State and society to improve training for high-quality human resources and to research and expand training at college levels according to the Japanese model.  VNS
The transaction was finalised on July 12 in Singapore, marking a significant milestone in Vietnamese healthcare.

With a valuation of close to $400 million, this acquisition has set a new record as Vietnam's largest healthcare deal to date and represents the most substantial healthcare purchase in Southeast Asia since 2020.

Under the agreement, Thomson Medical Group will acquire 100 per cent ownership of Far East Medical Vietnam Limited, which operates a range of healthcare facilities in Vietnam, including the renowned FV Hospital and a network of primary and specialist clinics.

Thomson Medical Group plans to finance the acquisition through a combination of internal resources, external borrowings from financial institutions, and debt capital markets.

At the heart of this deal is FV Hospital, a major private multidisciplinary tertiary hospital, along with its network of primary and specialist clinics in Vietnam.

FV Hospital has earned a reputation not only among Vietnamese and foreign residents, but also as the preferred choice for affluent Cambodians seeking medical treatment abroad.

Throughout the negotiations, Dentons LuatViet's accomplished team, led by managing partner Tran Duy Canh, provided invaluable guidance and expertise. Special counsel Chan Hong and the Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Department played key roles in navigating the complexities of Vietnam's healthcare regulations.

Dentons LuatViet collaborated with Dentons Rodyk, Singapore, exemplifying the unified spirit of Dentons, the world's largest law firm. This seamless partnership between the two offices was made possible by the exceptional teamwork displayed by Dentons LuatViet's young yet highly talented M&A team. The experience gained from this collaboration has further enhanced the team's proficiency, efficiency, and sector-focused approach, reinforcing Dentons LuatViet's position as a top legal force in Vietnam.

"We extend our heartfelt appreciation and congratulations to all parties involved in making this landmark deal a reality. We also acknowledge the contributions of the other advisors who closely collaborated with us throughout this transformative journey," emphasised Canh.

Dentons LuatViet remains steadfast in its commitment to providing exceptional legal services, driving progress, and facilitating game-changing transactions within Vietnam's thriving healthcare sector.

Dentons LuatViet is a distinguished law firm, renowned for offering comprehensive legal services to both Vietnamese and international clients. Combining global expertise with in-depth knowledge of the local market, Dentons LuatViet is uniquely positioned to deliver pragmatic solutions and drive success for its clients. The firm's commitment to excellence, innovation, and collaboration distinguishes it within Vietnam's legal landscape.

With 23 years of experience, Tran Duy Canh, one of the founding members and the current managing partner of Dentons LuatViet, is highly regarded by international and local corporations for his expertise in corporate law, construction, capital markets, real estate, and in M&A. His capabilities and wealth of experience have enabled clients to navigate complex scenarios and achieve their commercial objectives. Notable clients include international and domestic corporations such as P&G, Lego, Suntory Pepsico, Sony, Novaland, and Duy Tan Plastic, among others.

$15.5 billion in financing for green energy from Just Energy Transition Partnership 2023 could be an interesting year for Vietnams energy sector, as $15.5 billion of financing is set to be mobilised for Vietnams green energy transition through a recent energy partnership.
Nguyen Thi Hoang, Vice Chairman of Dong Nai People's Committee, hands over the investment licence to the representative of Ziehl-Abegg Vietnam Co. - Photo baodautu.vn

Dong Nai - The People's Committee of the southern Dong Nai Province granted investment certificates to two foreign-invested projects worth US$30 million on Tuesday.

German Ziehl-Abegg SE will develop a $20 million plant to manufacture products related to ventilation systems. The plant is slated to be completed in late 2024.

Meanwhile, HKC Overseas Limited from China will implement a TV screen-producing factory valued at $10 million.

The committee's vice chairwoman Nguyen Thi Hoang praised the two large-scale projects, saying that they would play an important role in speeding up local economic development.

She suggested investors focus on environmental protection to work with local authorities towards green and sustainable industrial development in the process of implementing their projects.

Hoang added that local authorities would constantly make efforts to create an open, safe, transparent investment environment, offering businesses maximum support and considering their development as the province's success.

The province-based Industrial zones (IZs) have thus far this year attracted 37 new foreign-invested projects with a total registered capital $144.6 million, statistics from the Dong Nai IZs Authority showed.

During the period, 52 operating projects were allowed to increase capital by $545.7 million.

Dong Nai now has 1,585 valid foreign-invested projects, with a total capital of $33.8 billion, being one of the leading localities in the country, in terms of foreign investment attraction.

By the year-end, the province said it would continue to attract large-scale projects using advanced technology, skilled workers, and those in supporting industries.

At the same time, it would restrict projects that use a lot of unskilled labour, are small in scale, and have outdated technology, which affects the environment.

More than $370 million of FDI poured into Dong Nai province Dong Nai Peoples Province granted five foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) licences to increase their investment capital by a total of more than $370 million on March 31.

Widescale renovations needed for FIEs to thrive in Dong Nai Unfinished roads for industrial parks, dust pollution from airport construction, and lack of housing for on-site workers are just some of the difficulties facing foreign-invested enterprises in southern province of Dong Nai.

Southern region scales up logistics investment Localities in the southeast are expediting a raft of major infrastructure projects to realise the goal of shaping a logistics hub in the Southern Key Economic Zone.
The plan estimates a total investment capital of approximately $134.7 billion for the development of power projects towards 2030. Of this, $119.8 billion is allocated for power generations and $14.9 billion for the transmission grid.

Thanh Hai Nguyen - Partner, Energy and Infrastructure Baker McKenzie Vietnam

Considering such a high demand for investment capital, Vietnam needs to formulate and secure appropriate regulatory solutions to draw sufficient investment capital in the power industry and strengthen its sources for the development of the energy market.

There are certain challenges to be addressed in terms of grid capacity and financing arrangements. Given the large investment capital needs for implementing the PDP8, especially those from private sector capital, the plans approval has suggested 11 groups of key measures for implementation. Among other measures, the enhancement of the legal and policy framework is an important part.

While Vietnam has done reasonably well in recent years in terms of attracting foreign direct investments in the energy sector, a key issue in the coming years to ensure effective and long-term PDP8 implementation is how to enhance the current regulatory framework to address the current gap for a comprehensive legal framework that can draw private investment and financing in power infrastructure development.

To achieve the targets set out under the PDP8, the key legal instruments to be formulated and promulgated in the upcoming period include: amending the electricity law, a new law on renewable energy, a comprehensive legal framework for the direct power purchase agreement mechanism, and a competitive and transparent mechanism for investor selection of power projects.

The new regulations will need to implement the policy set out in the PDP8 regarding investment capital, including in: finalising financial and capital mobilisation mechanisms; diversifying capital sources; effective use of international support commitments; effective credit policies; diversifying investment forms to enhance competition and improve efficiency; and effectively using funding sources and capital arrangement support towards net-zero emissions.

They will also need to cover increasing the financial mobilisation capacity of enterprises in accordance with domestic and international financial institutions; luring domestic and international private investment; and creating a favourable, transparent, and attractive environment for the private sector.

For the next step, the detailed implementation plan for PDP8 and relevant mechanisms need to elaborate on these general policies, especially those concerning the promotion of financial and capital mobilisation for attracting domestic and foreign investment in the power industry.

It is critical for the power market in Vietnam to ensure that the grid will be able to sustain a material increase in power generation, and this is where Vietnam will have to be creative to draw private investment.

Although the amended Law on Electricity in 2022 opened investments in power transmission projects to the private sector, the government has yet to issue sufficient implementing regulations which would allow it to become reality, noting further that power transmission is still included in the list of commercial goods and services, which fall under state monopoly.

The next step in promoting private investment in power transmission projects is for the relevant government agencies to develop a clear regulatory framework for the private sector to invest in the grid by supplementing existing regulations and/or issuing new ones. A key question will be the investment model in the grid and whether it will still be supported or sponsored by Electricity of Vietnam or if the market is ready for purely private investments in certain transmission projects.

An attractive investment environment must ensure legal, technical and financial feasibilities; competition and transparency in selection of investors to ensure investors have enough experience and financial capacity to develop their projects; commercial certainty and predictability to ensure the viability and sustainability of power projects; and a clear scope for private investment in the grid with reasonable revenue models.

An area of enhancement can be on the contractual and risk management frameworks, enhancing the predictability of commercial projections and funding in Vietnam.

Localities pinning hopes on PDP8 to help beat the heat With clear evidence that Vietnams electricity structure is creaking under the current heat and grid overload, the Power Development Plan VIII contains the acute task of successfully implementing an equitable energy transition in association with smart grid construction and advanced power system management in line with a greener outlook.

HCMC proposes 6,000MW Can Gio offshore wind power plant in PDP8 Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade has put forth a proposal to incorporate the Can Gio offshore wind power plant, boasting a capacity of 6,000MW, into the forthcoming Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8).
Containers are stacked to be shipped off at Busan Port, July 2. Yonhap



By Lee Yeon-woo



Korea ranked 13th in the world in terms of nominal gross domestic product (GDP) last year, failing to retain a spot among the top 10 global economies.



Korea's nominal GDP was estimated at $1.67 trillion in 2022, according to Bank of Korea (BOK) data released on Wednesday.



Nominal GDP is the total value of all goods and services produced in a given period. This indicates the size of a country's economy.



Korea first reached the 10th spot in the global GDP ranking in 2005, but it fell outside the top 10 for several years before reentering it in 2018. Despite falling to 12th in 2019, the country bounced back to the 10th spot in 2020 and held onto that position in 2021.



By country, the United States ranked at the top with a GDP totaling $25.46 trillion. China came in second with a GDP of $17.88 trillion, followed by Japan at $4.23 trillion, Germany at $4.08 trillion, and the United Kingdom at $3.08 trillion. Following them were India, France, Canada, Russia, and Italy.




Ee-Hui Tan, managing director for FedEx Express Vietnam and Cambodia

In Vietnam, the backbone of the economy rests upon SMEs, accounting for 97 per cent of businesses and driving nearly half of the country's GDP, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

With Vietnam's ascent as a global manufacturing hub, SMEs hold immense potential for success, particularly in terms of cross-border trade.

To facilitate this journey, FedEx, one of the world's largest express transportation companies, stands as a trusted partner for Vietnamese SMEs, empowering them to expand their horizons and compete in the global marketplace.

Empowering Vietnamese SMEs engaged in cross-border trade

FedEx offers a variety of international shipping options that are customised to meet the specific needs of these SMEs, covering over 220 countries and territories.

Businesses can choose the FedEx International Priority service for time-sensitive deliveries, or opt for the FedEx International Economy service to save on the cost of non-urgent shipments.

Moreover, FedEx's establishment of its direct presence in Cambodia in October 2022, along with the inauguration of its new facility in Batam, Indonesia in February, significantly boost trade opportunities across Southeast Asia  further benefiting Vietnamese businesses.

FedEx is constantly going above and beyond to enhance their services and facilities. The company takes part in various seminars and webinars to provide information on how Vietnamese SMEs can expand their businesses to overseas markets.

For example, in collaboration with the US-ASEAN Business Council, the General Department of Vietnam Customs, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, FedEx supported a conference in December 2022 on how businesses in Vietnam can tap into the resources provided by the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and gain potential growth opportunities, as well as how FedEx can help them globalise their operations by taking advantage of this economic agreement.

FedEx offers a variety of international shipping options that are customised to meet the specific needs of these SMEs, covering over 220 countries and territories.

Ee-Hui Tan, managing director for FedEx Express Vietnam and Cambodia said, FedEx understands the increasing need for Vietnamese SMEs to enhance their operational efficiency, particularly as they venture into international markets. With our expanding and robust logistics network, coupled with our unmatched expertise, we remain committed to empowering these SMEs, enabling their business growth while engaging in cross-border trade.

Recognising the rising significance of e-commerce, FedEx has introduced the FedEx Delivery Manager, which enables recipients to personalise how they want to receive their deliveries. By offering greater control and flexibility, this convenient solution enhances the overall e-commerce experience for customers.

Caring for the environment and the communities we serve

FedEx believes that a connected world is a better world, and works to deliver for its stakeholders in responsible and resourceful ways. This guiding principle drives the company to constantly improve its operations and support initiatives that uplift the communities it serves.

FedEx has embarked on a journey to deliver a more sustainable future. The companys sustainability strategy for reducing the companys environmental impact focuses on the three key concepts of reduce, replace, and revolutionise.

To advance environmental stewardship, FedEx is working to drive operational innovations and efficiencies, facilitate action through the research and development of sustainable technologies, and inspire others to embrace sustainability.

With a goal of achieving carbon-neutral operations by 2040, FedEx is focused on reducing emissions and inefficiencies, replacing older technologies and vehicles, and revolutionising its fleets and facilities.

For example, the company invests in alternative fuels to reduce emissions from its fleet, embraces zero-emission electric vehicles for its parcel pickup and delivery fleets, and directs resources towards efficient facilities, renewable energy, and energy management programmes.

FedEx is also empowering local communities through several strategic alliances and programmes in Vietnam.

The company's longstanding collaboration with the Junior Achievement Asia-Pacific for the International Trade Challenge programme nurtures the entrepreneurial spirit and business skills of students, with over 38,000 young entrepreneurs from the Asia-Pacific region participating since 2007. This includes nearly 3,500 students in Vietnam since 2012.

Through its alliance with the VinaCapital Foundation, FedEx has introduced the FedEx Delivers Heartbeats initiative. Over the past 12 years, it has provided free heart check-ups to 263,000 children across 804 clinics in 48 provinces and cities in Vietnam.

Among the diagnosed cases, 5,037 children required surgery for congenital heart diseases. The offering has garnered recognition and support from local government leaders, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Health.

For over 30 years, FedEx has also maintained a global alliance with Orbis, supporting the Flying Eye Hospital.

This unique mobile teaching hospital has empowered healthcare professionals to treat those with visual impairments in their communities.

FedEx's contributions extend beyond financial support, as the company has donated MD-10 aircraft for the programme, flown by FedEx volunteer pilots. Maintenance, necessary aircraft parts, and pilot training are also provided by the company at no cost to Orbis.

Tan stated, "At FedEx, our unwavering commitment lies in creating a positive impact within the communities we serve. In addition to fostering the growth of local businesses, we strive to make meaningful contributions through our expertise and available resources."

We take great pride in surpassing our ambitious FedEx Cares 50 by 50 goal, successfully reaching and benefiting over 50 million individuals by our 50th birthday in April this year. Looking ahead, we are eager to continue making a substantial difference in the lives of even more people in the years to come, she added.

To learn more about FedExs suite of services and commitment to doing good, please visit FedEx.com.vn.

Vietnam seeks ways to boost logistics industry Vietnams geography gives it a logistical advantage in boosting production, export and logistics services. This year, the Government has set targets of tapping its full potential.

IPP Air Cargo to bolster Vietnamese logistics growth Forming a specialised freight carrier at this point in time is deemed attuned to the national transport services development strategy to 2020, with a vision towards 2030.

Zebra Technologies eyes potential of logistics, healthcare, and public sectors in Vietnam Zebra Technologies, an innovator at the front line of business with solutions and partners that deliver a performance edge, is seeing good potential for future growth in transportation logistics and healthcare in Vietnam.
Representatives of Google, NIC and the US Mission in Vietnam press buttons to launch the programme in Hanoi on July 11. - VNS Photo

Hanoi - Google will continue its partnership with the Vietnam National Innovation Center (NIC) and the US Mission in Vietnam.

The announcement came on Tuesday in Hanoi as part of the programme "Google for Startups Accelerator".

The programme was conducted following the success of the Google for Startups, Startup Academy-Vietnam programme last year.

It aims to extend support for the national digital transformation effort by providing intensive training, resources and mentoring networks for local startups to hasten their business development.

Vietnam is becoming one of South East Asia's rising startup hubs as its online economy is forecasted to grow to US$50 billion by 2025, according to the "eConomy SEA report 2022".

Vietnam is home to four unicorns to date and a total of 3,400 tech-savvy startups that are well-poised to develop sophisticated digital products and solutions.

The programme this year is built on the success of the Startup Academy that was first launched and implemented across the country in 2022 for 50 selected local companies from 16 key industries.

This year, the programme will zoom in on six key industries: education, retail, agriculture, fintech, healthcare and smart cities.

The Google for Startups Accelerator, Southeast Asia is a three-month programme that starts with a five-day BootCamp followed by five follow-up online workshops leading to Graduation and Demo Day.

The cohort will receive mentoring from Google and leading industry figures throughout the period. Given the intensity, only 20 startups will be selected across the country to participate in the in-person boot camp to ensure Google and NIC will be able to provide in-depth support throughout.

The selected startups will also be inducted into Googles global alumni network consisting of more than 1,000 startups from various regions.

To ensure more will be able to benefit from the content of the programme, Google and NIC will co-design open-access online workshops and will be accepting up to 200 additional startups.

Speaking at the event, Tran Duy Dong, Vice Minister of Investment and Planning said "The accelerator is solid proof of Vietnams commitment to supporting the innovation and startup ecosystem which is shared by Googles mission to raise up the startup community in emerging markets.

"By providing startups with essential resources to grow and succeed, we are nurturing the next entrepreneurial generation who would join hands to accelerate economic growth and make the country a global success.

"On top of that, the selected startups will be a part of the inventive startup community working towards a common goal to connect, collaborate and learn from each other.

Thye Yeow, Bok, Head of Startup Ecosystem SEA said: The launch of Google for Startups Accelerator today continues our long-term commitment to support this country's economic growth by fast-tracking local startups development through intensive training, mentorship, and networking opportunities for Vietnams entrepreneurs.

"We are extremely excited to continue our partnership with NIC and the US Mission in Vietnam to pool our resources together to help accelerate them to the next level, and eventually expand globally.

"While the accelerator is only accepting 20 startups, we will co-design and make available some of the group training sessions to the startup community. Up to 200 startups can apply to attend the online workshops. Collectively, Google, NIC and the US Mission in Vietnam hope this will benefit the wider ecosystem.

Last year's Google Startups Academy successfully wrapped up after 15 workshops and 283 hours of mentoring with experts and renowned mentors. One of the startups that joined the programme last year, Momby has scaled up its app with 35,000 users, while another, BenKon, successfully closed a seed round with their energy-saving solution.

Truong Minh Dat, CEO and Co-founder of BenKon said after participating in the programme, they successfully secured their seed round with the participation of a venture capitalist.

Nguyen Hong Ngoc, CEO of Momby said Google for Startups was not just a leadership programme, it also provided startups with new knowledge and the latest technologies. They have the opportunity to become a part of a dynamic startup community where everyone is willing to collaborate for collective growth and success.

Google, Apple disappoint as tech earnings hit by gloom Google and Apple on Thursday reported downbeat results for the last quarter of 2022 as Amazon beat expectations, but warned that the coming months would be uncertain in a difficult moment for Big Tech.
On the afternoon of July 11, Governor Pillen and his delegation from the agricultural sector went to MM Mega Market in Ho Chi Minh City to learn about Vietnamese goods and consumption patterns, especially in terms of America's agricultural products.

Governor Pillen leads a delegation to Vietnam

The members of the delegation include high-ranking officials from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Department of Economic Development, along with agricultural experts, business representatives, academics, and other stakeholders.

Nebraska has been able to cultivate some great relationships with quality Vietnamese businesses over the past several years, and we are hoping to expand on that. It is very informative to learn about what Vietnamese customers are looking for at the grocery store, and for us to see how our products are displayed. Understanding the two will allow us to cater more specifically to the desires of local consumers, Pillen said.

At MM Mega Market, governor Pillen toured the shelves of fresh food, imported frozen food, and agricultural products to learn how these products are presented.

Speaking with VIR, Pillen said that the objective of the delegations trip this time is to help Nebraska's businesses to make connections in the Vietnamese market.

He added that future activities to enhance the distribution network of Nebraska's products in Vietnam will continue to grow. Last year, the total export value of all products to Vietnam stood at nearly $1 billion.

This trade mission is intended to help enhance the distribution of products from Nebraska in Vietnam by getting to know our customers, meeting with them face-to-face, telling them our story, and seeing how we can work together, stated Pillen.

We hope to highlight beef from Nebraska, corn gluten, soybean meal, and other quality agricultural products. Additionally, we will be promoting efforts to bring high-quality grain storage infrastructure from expert companies located in Nebraska to Vietnam's fertile agricultural areas. We have representatives from our University of Nebraska system that are looking to make connections at the Vietnam National University of Agriculture, he concluded.

Nebraska is the 16th largest state in the United States, with strengths in the production of agricultural products, especially beef.
In the dispatch, the ministry (MPI), who oversees Vietravel's appraisal activities, asked the firm to clarify certain aspects of its investment dossier, including feedback from relevant state management agencies, before submitting to the prime minister for a final decision.

Vietravel delivered a proposal to the MPI to expand its airline business in April 2022. The following October, the newcomer to the aviation sector sent its proposals to relevant state management agencies.

Vietravel was originally approved in April 2020. At the time, the number of aircraft requested for the first year of operation was three units, gradually rising to eight in the fifth year of operation, using Airbus/Boeing or equivalents. The projects investment value was also set at $30.4 million, all as investor equity.

In the revised dossiers, Vietravel asked to change its name from Vietnam Travel Aviation Co., Ltd. to Vietnam Travel Aviation JSC, and expand the scale of the aircraft fleet.

In the period after 2030, the company wants to be able to develop a fleet suitable to market demands, using Airbus/Boeing or equivalents.

Thus, the number of aircraft has now surged to 25 by 2025, and 50 by 2030. After 2030, the company intends to develop a fleet suitable to market demands, using Airbus/Boeing or equivalents.

In the projects revised dossier, Vietravel asked to raise the investment value by more than 10-fold of the approved value to $358.6 million, of which investors equity amounted $86.9 million, the remainder to be offset by commercial loans and investors returned earnings for reinvestment.

In the MPIs dispatch, the ministry requested Vietravel to explain the difference in the projects investment value between the document asking for revision of the projects investment policy and the official proposal asking for investment policy revision, which differs by around $20 million.

Since the difference is fairly big, the investor needs to carefully review figures about total investment value as well as capital raising sources to fit the practice, said the dispatch.

Vietravel Airlines is run by Vietravel Corporation (ticker: VTR). Its first commercial fight connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi took off in January 2021.

This air carrier currently operates four aircraft and is expected to add two more to its fleet this year.

Discussing the sharp hike in capital scope, Vietravel Airlines chairman Nguyen Quoc Ky said the proposal is to meet the companys investment development requirements, particularly the demand to upscale the aircraft fleet.

For a fledging airline, developing the fleet is an imperative demand for subsistence and development. Only when possessing a fleet that is strong enough, would the carrier start gaining profit, said Ky.

Reforming the aviation sector The proximity of connecting airports is not a decisive determinant of the performance of an operation, and private-public partnership (PPP) in the reshaping of national aviation infrastructure should be encouraging, a workshop has heard.

Vietravel Airlines opens Hanoi-Bangkok route The VU137 flight from Hanoi to Bangkok took off on midday December 16 from Noi Bai International Airport, officially opening the first international regular commercial route of Vietravel Airlines connecting Vietnam and Thailand.

Vietravel on back foot to meet charter capital goals Despite grandiose announcements and plans, the proposal to level up the fleet scale and raise charter capital at Vietravel Airlines is being questioned over its financial capacity.
Philippines, WB sign 600 million USD deal for farming modernisation, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com

Manila - The Philippine Department of Finance (DOF) has signed a 600-million USD loan agreement with the World Bank (WB) for the countrys modernisation and industrialisation of the agricultural sector.

According to DOF, the pact, signed on July 7, serves the the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Scale-Up, which is geared towards transforming agriculture into a modernised and industrialised sector through public infrastructure interventions and strengthening the commodity value chain.

PRDP Scale-Up, a major initiative of the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA), is an expanded response to the persistent challenges confronting the agro-fishery sector and rural communities in the country. In particular, the project will boost farmer and fisherfolk access to markets, increase income from selected agri-fishery value chains, and improve efficiency in the food supply chain.

It will entail direct investments in rural infrastructure and enterprise sub-projects, which will directly benefit about 450,000 farmers and fisherfolk and generate about 42,000 new jobs.

World Bank forecasts Philippines' GDP to grow 6 per cent in 2023 The World Bank's Philippines Economic Update (PEU) said on June 7 that it expects the Philippines' gross domestic product (GDP) to grow 6 per cent this year and 5.9 per cent in 2024 due to solid domestic demand.
On June 30, Vingroup member VinES Energy Solutions JSC and Solar BKs Bach Khoa Investment and Development announced a pilot of 300 battery storage systems, which includes a special offer for the first 100 offices and families registering to install the systems this year.

Solar solutions bring best-in-class quality, illustration photo/ Source: Shutterstock

Under the agreement, SolarBK will be the authorised distributor for VinES battery energy storage systems, applying integrated solar rooftop solutions for residential and office segments in Vietnam. SolarBK and VinES said the solutions they bring will offer the market a product with high-quality, reasonable price, and best-in-class after-sales services.

Elsewhere, Brandon Chia, managing director of Sustainable Energy Solutions for Southeast Asia and Australia at SP Group, told VIR that it has long-term ambitions to contribute and empower Vietnams sustainable energy future. SP aims to achieve this through a suite of smart, digital energy management tools such as district cooling and microgrids, and deep-seated engineering capabilities.

SP Group is building towards becoming the largest rooftop solar operator in Vietnam, targeting 1.5GW of utility scale renewables and rooftop solar projects by 2025. Since 2021, the company has been developing solar projects across Vietnam through several partnerships and joint ventures, accumulating a total of more than 200MW of solar assets to date. This includes two solar farms in the south-central province of Phu Yen that can provide 130GWh of clean electricity annually.

This acquisition was carried out with the long-term view to help commercial and industrial customers achieve 100 per cent of clean energy consumption when the direct power purchase framework is in place in the future, Chia explained.

Vietnams Power Development Plan VIII emphasises prioritising and encouraging wind power development, self-generating, and self-consuming solar power  including solar power on peoples roofs and construction roofs, as well as at production, business, and consumption establishments on site, without connecting or selling electricity to the national grid.

In particular, the plan aims to have half of office buildings and residential homes by 2030 using self-generating and self-consuming rooftop solar power for on-site consumption.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha last month held a working session on policies to increase the installation of rooftop solar power systems in the community with representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), Electricity of Vietnam, and a number of relevant ministries and agencies.

Following that, the MoIT submitted its draft for self-consuming solar power to the government, noting that investors who fund and use rooftop solar power could be excused from the requirement of acquiring power operating licences and energy company registration certificates. They will also be prioritised for budgetary allocation, tax exemptions or reductions, and access to low-interest loans.

This mechanism has no installed capacity limitations. However, the systems must adhere to current electrical safety, construction safety, environmental protection, and fire prevention and control standards.

Relevant ministries and local governments must publish recommendations to ease construction, fire prevention and control, and environmental, and electrical safety processes for buildings with rooftop solar power systems.

However, last week the Ministry of Planning and Investment commented on the MoITs proposal, saying that the tentative mechanism does not encourage the development of green power as expected as it does not specify detailed regulations that would help persuade investors to install rooftop solar power systems.

The Future Energy Show Vietnam and The Solar Show Vietnam  the largest energy events in the nation  return to Ho Chi Minh City once again on 12-13 July. The Future Energy Show Vietnam brings together renewable energy leaders, major developers, innovative technology providers, and key policymakers all under one roof. Over two days, the Future Energy Show Vietnam will feature 160 sponsors and exhibitors, showcasing hundreds of products transforming Vietnams energy ecosystem. Over 50 expert speakers will also share their insights across a series of live presentations and panel discussions in free-to-attend conference theatres.

Seeking safe technology and solutions for rooftop solar system To provide updates on the latest fire prevention technology and solutions for rooftop solar, SP Group, SolarEdge, and Unitek Trading Co., Ltd. (Unitek) will collaborate to organise the seminar Safe Investment Plan for Rooftop Solar Systems  Fire Prevention for Businesses in Ha Nam province on April 12.

GreenYellow investing in New Wing's rooftop solar power system GreenYellow, a French energy management company, has signed a deal to invest in a rooftop solar power project for New Wing Interconnect Technology Co., Ltd., a fully owned subsidiary of Foxconn Group.

CME Solar and Sumitomo Forestry sign agreement to promote rooftop solar CME Solar JSC, the leading renewable energy company in Vietnam, on June 13, signed a joint venture agreement with Sumitomo Forestry Corporation (Japan) to expand and develop the rooftop solar market to promote the application of clean energy solutions across Vietnam.
Next month will see the opening for a brand new Lotte shopping centre in the capital, photo Le Toan

Leading the charge is Lotte Group, one of South Koreas top retail giants, which has emerged as the most active player in the market. Presently, the conglomerate boasts 20 affiliates operating in Vietnam, including prominent names like Lotte GRS, Lotte Shopping, and Lotte Culture Works.

Lotte Shopping, in particular, is set to inaugurate Lotte Mall West Lake Hanoi in August, after investing a substantial sum of $250 million. This ambitious project, Vietnams largest shopping mall complex, will also feature a hotel and office spaces.

Additionally, Lotte Group plans to inject around $900 million into the establishment of Thu Thiem Eco Smart City, a multipurpose complex encompassing a shopping mall, hotel, offices, residential buildings, and a cinema. Hanoi will welcome the opening of the Lotte World Aquarium in August as well.

According to Vietnams Ministry of Industry and Trade report in April, the domestic retail sector presently boasts a market size of $142 billion. Moreover, the retail sector is poised to expand significantly, reaching $350 billion by 2025, thereby making a substantial contribution of 59 per cent to the countrys GDP.

Over the past two decades, the Vietnamese retail market has grown about a hundredfold. With its youthful demographic and ardent interest in South Korean cuisine, K-pop, and K-drama, Vietnam stands as an appealing business destination, said a Lotte Shopping official. At our soon-to-be-unveiled Lotte Mall West Lake, we are committed to offering young consumers an immersive cultural experience through diverse offerings such as a yoga space, handicraft workshops, and a bookstore.

Another major player, Shinsegae, is poised to expand its footprint in Vietnam by opening a third Emart store in partnership with Vietnamese conglomerate THACO Group through subsidiary Thiso during the latter half of this year, under a master franchise agreement.

In late 2021, Thiso concluded the agreement to transfer ownership and exclusive business rights with Emart from South Korea.

Looking ahead to 2026, Thiso aims to expand its network to 14 locations across the country, spanning from the northern to the southern regions. The company aspires to become a top retail and service conglomerate, with Thiso Retail-Emart Vietnam aiming to secure the number one market share in Vietnams retail sector.

The total revenue for the Emart Vietnam chain in 2023 is projected to reach $133.3 million, up 60 per cent on-year.

GS Retail has already introduced over 200 GS25 convenience stores across the Southeast Asian nation. The companys local joint venture anticipates further business expansion in Vietnam through an investment contract with the International Finance Corporation inked last month.

In March, Y-Mart, another South Korean retail corporation, held discussions with the authorities of the central province of Nghe An.

Seongjin Kim, CEO of Y-Mart, said that the retailer was currently exploring investment opportunities in Nghe An, particularly in the kitchenware products manufactured by Hong Son Trading and Manufacturing, as well as in clean agricultural products such as fruit, vegetables, and dried squid, among others.

The company is also considering exporting South Korean products, such as grapes, to the Nghe An market. Hence, Y-Mart hopes to establish a legal entity there to enhance import-export activities, draw investment, sign contracts, and secure the first orders with its local partner.

In addition to retailers expanding their presence in Vietnam, some renowned South Korean brands are also forging partnerships with international retailers to enter the Vietnamese market.

Amore Pacific Group, the renowned cosmetics giant, on June 27 entered into an initial agreement with international health and beauty retailer A.S. Watson Group to bolster its global business endeavours. This strategic alliance is set to enhance Amore Pacifics global business ventures, and experts forecast that Vietnam could emerge as a pivotal market for this partnership.

The MoU is expected to solidify a mutually beneficial cooperation between the two entities, with a primary focus on nurturing the growth of Amore Pacifics esteemed brands already present within A.S. Watsons platforms, including highly sought-after labels such as Innisfree and Etude, or new brands like Illiyoon and Aesotura.

With Watsons already establishing a presence in key Vietnamese cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, this offers an advantageous opportunity for South Korean brands to extend their reach and effectively engage with a wider customer base in Vietnam.

South Korean DB Insurance acquires 75 per cent stake in Saigon - Hanoi Insurance Corporation DB Insurance continues its expansion in the Vietnamese insurance market with the acquisition of a 75 per cent ownership stake in Saigon - Hanoi Insurance Corporation (BSH), following its recent deal to acquire Aviation Insurance, positioning itself as a major player in the industry.

South Korean giants to pour billions of dollars into Vietnam More than 100 MoUs were signed by South Korean and Vietnamese businesses at the Vietnam-South Korea Business Forum on June 23.

Trends and opportunities for brands and retailers Vietnam is one of the five key markets in Asia-Pacific that hold growth potential for brands and retailers, with a strong preference for domestically produced goods. Helen Sac, consultant director for Asia-Pacific at consumer insights firm WGSN, talks to VIRs Linh Le about emerging trends.
The current oversupply of construction steel is high. Vietnams steel production reached 29.3 billion tonnes in 2022, far exceeding the figures anticipated in the countrys steel planning to 2025.

Steelmakers encouraged to look to premium segment, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com

In its report on modernising the steel industry last year, one of the Ministry of Industry and Trades (MoIT) initiatives to industrialise the industry is to contemplate a dedicated strategy to steer the development of the steel industry and redress the gap between upstream and downstream industries.

The government should play a development-focused role in luring and constructing large-scale metallurgical complexes, industrial specialists said.

To initially conquer the production technology of these steels, firms must concentrate on the production of processed and fabricated steels with a high technological level and large market capacity. The MoIT estimated that the total market demand for Vietnams manufacturing industries will reach $310 billion by 2030.

However, production capacity puts a limit on the supply of industrial steel. The MoIT reported that, with the exception of a few new factories with significant capacities, such as Hoa Phat Dung Quat and Hung Nghiep Formosa, there are not many local businesses being included in this trend. The reason is that domestic factories generally have limited capacity and obsolete equipment.

Huge and complex constructions, such as oil platforms, utilise industrial steel, which must be highly resistant to heat, pressure, chemicals, corrosion, and erosion. This steel is used in the construction of vessels, aircraft, construction sites, wind turbines, and pipelines. In contrast, construction steel is used for smaller to medium-sized undertakings and is typically less demanding than industrial steel.

Nevertheless, currently, only Hoa Phat Group seems to be in any position to adhere to the MoITs recommendations.

At the Hoa Phat 2023 AGM, Tran Dinh Long, chairman of the Board of Directors, said that the company would focus on creating and introducing high-quality steel products in place of construction steel.

The Hoa Phat product inventory includes steel coils for car tyres, fasteners, and rebar steel coils, which are collectively referred to as industrial steel.

According to Long, the demand for coil steel used in the production of tyres is rising. However, unprocessed steel coils are currently imported at a premium price.

The product line will contribute to the replacement of imported commodities by meeting the requirements of domestic and international markets, thereby assisting in enhancing the competitive edge of businesses, Long said.

No company on the domestic market is currently capable of producing this form of steel due to complicated technical prerequisites and high demand, according to Long.

The chairman of one domestic industrial steel firm told VIR last month that the industrial steel market has much future potential.

Considered stronger than construction steel, the industrial steel industry still burdens itself on account of the economic recession, which affects consumption demand, he said.

According to him, production in the first five months of this year for his company totalled 12,000 tonnes, a decrease of approximately 35 per cent compared to the same period in 2022.

Furthermore, China, a major producer of steel, is increasing exports to Vietnam at competitive pricing, which will also limits the export ability of domestic companies, he noted.

Our companys strategy from now until the end of the year is to be conservative. The firm intends to meet business requirements when the economy recovers and flourishes again by researching solutions and enhancing employee skills to boost efficiency, reduce expenses, and be well-prepared, the chairman said.

At present, steel production and commerce are experiencing a distinct deterioration.

Dao Minh Chau, deputy director of equity analysis at SSI Research, said that peak steel consumption typically began in March, but in the last three months it had fallen by around 20-30 per cent over the same period by the beginning of June.

In addition, the demand for steel exports has yet to show an upbeat trend, despite evidence of a slight rebound in the second quarter, Chau said.

Steel industry awaits indication of progress The steel sector across Vietnam continues to face a variety of challenges to its growth prospects from multiple angles.

Vietnam examines hot-rolled coil imports from Malaysia, Thailand, and China The domestic industry claims that Malaysian, Thai, and Chinese hot-rolled coil (HRC) products have been distributed in the Vietnamese market.
People at a shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Bangkok - Each Thai family should aim to have at least two children to help halt the country's falling birthrate, a senior health official said on July 11  the UN's World Population Day.

As reported by the Bangkok Post, Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, director-general of the Thai Department of Health, said there had been at least one million births in Thailand each year from 1963 to 1983, but the birthrate fell to 502,107 last year and is likely to be below 500,000 this year.



At the same time, the number of elderly citizens is rising. In 2021 Thailand became an aged society with people 60 years or more constituting 20% of its population. By 2036 the country will be a hyper-aged society, with senior citizens making up 30% of its population, if the trend continues.



Since 2016, the Thai government has tried to encourage people to have more children but these measures have not worked. Recent measures included the opening of more nurseries, improved rights to maternity and paternity leave, work-from-home policies and flexible working hours. The government also postponed compulsory retirement and promoted retirement savings and vocational programmes to help cope with an aged society.

Thai authorities encourage businesses to expand presence in Vietnam's retail market The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), a division of the Thai Ministry of Commerce, has urged Thai entrepreneurs to carefully examine the potential of harnessing Vietnam's thriving retail market.
The deal highlights the growing significance of Vietnams burgeoning healthcare market and TMGs continued commitment to expanding its footprint in the region.

Under the terms of the sales and purchase agreement, TMG has agreed to acquire all of Far East Medical Vietnam Ltd. (FEMV). FEMV operates a range of healthcare facilities in Vietnam, including the multidisciplinary tertiary FV Hospital and a network of primary and specialist clinics.

Based on the initial consideration of approximately $359.6 million and after price adjustments, this translates into an enterprise value (EV) of $328.5 million. Based on the FY2022 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) of $19.5 million, this translates into an EV to EBITDA of 16.8x.

The purchase will be funded via the groups internal resources and external borrowings from financial institutions and debt capital markets.

Kiat Lim, TMGs executive vice-chairman, first initiated discussions with FV Hospital some six months ago.

Lim stated, "The acquisition of FV Hospital deepens our commitment to the Southeast Asian healthcare sector, expanding our groups presence across three of the regions most important geographies. FV Hospital provides a strategic foothold for us in Vietnam and a gateway to grow and focus on future investments in this fast-growing market."

FV was founded by Dr. Jean-Marcel Guillon in 2003 with a group of French physicians who shared the vision of bringing world-class healthcare to Vietnam. Located in District 7 of Ho Chi Minh City, FV Hospital has evolved into a full-service, one-stop provider of quality healthcare for patients locally, and is also popular with those from Cambodia.

FV Hospital was the first Joint Commission International accredited hospital in southern Vietnam. It has now been accredited twice, which is a testament to its commitment to clinical quality and patient-centric service across its decades-long history.

Guillon, founder and CEO at FV Hospital said, "We would like to express our appreciation for the support and collaborative partnership we have had with Quadria. Together, we have embarked on a journey that has helped propel FV to its current position as a leading healthcare provider in Vietnam. With the support of TMG moving forward, I am incredibly excited about the next phase of FVs growth journey. Together, we will continue to chart a path of continued success and shape the future of healthcare in Vietnam."

Thomson Medical Group in negotiations to bolster stake in FV Hospital Singapore's Thomson Medical Group is in talks to strengthen its controlling stake in FV Hospital, potentially acquiring a substantial $400 million equity sale.

FV Hospital a private health leader With professionalism and high standards of care expected at all international hospitals, FV Hospital is becoming an increasingly reliable and prestigious destination for Vietnamese citizens and expatriates in need of high-quality treatment.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, shakes hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during their summit in Beijing, March 28, 2018. Yonhap



North Korea and China have vowed to strengthen their relationship on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the two nations signing a friendship treaty, Pyongyang's state media said Wednesday.



China's embassy in the North held a feast to mark the anniversary Tuesday, attended by ranking officials from both sides, including China's top envoy in Pyongyang, Wang Yajun, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).



The two countries signed the treaty on July 11, 1961, under which they are obliged to provide military and other assistance to each other, a deal seen as the bedrock of their strong alliance for decades.



Kang Yun-sok, vice chairman of the North's standing committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, highlighted the "invincibility" of their bilateral relations, citing five summits between the North's leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping.



"It is our steadfast stance to further develop the friendly ties between the two countries to a higher level in line with people's aspirations," Kang said in a speech.



Wang said the two nations will maintain their strategic communication and strengthen cooperation, the KCNA said.



North Korea has been strengthening its close ties with China, the North's traditional ally and economic benefactor, amid the intensifying rivalry between Washington and Beijing and the long-stalled denuclearization talks with the United States. (Yonhap)




The UK was one of the earliest jurisdictions to issue draft legislation for application of the tax. In fact, a draft bill was issued by the British government in March, almost mirroring the OECDs global anti-base erosion regulations, including rules on multinational and domestic top-up tax.

Hoang Phan - Member, British Chamber of Commerce Vietnam

Upon GMT legislation in the UK, overseas subsidiaries of UK-head quartered multinational corporations will be subject to top-up tax in the UK if their blended effective tax rate in any operating country is below the minimum rate of 15 per cent. That would mean those investors who are enjoying tax incentives in Vietnam, and an effective tax rate in the country lower than 15 per cent will have to pay the top-up tax in the UK.

If Vietnam also applies the GMT via a regime of qualified domestic minimum top-up tax (QDMTT), it will be collected in Vietnam and directly offset with top-up tax in the companys home country.

In Vietnam, even though the number is just a few because not all investors fall within the revenue threshold, it is expected that some UK subsidiaries of multinationals, which are currently enjoying corporate income tax (CIT) incentives in Vietnam, will be impacted by the GMT.

The top-up tax collection as well as the adoption of new tax rules will definitely impact the business not just in matters of cash flow, but also concerning additional costs, capabilities and resources for reporting compliance, investment planning, restructuring plans, incentive strategies, and application.

Moreover, if Vietnam applies a domestic top-up tax regime, the policy effectiveness of tax holidays and incentives may be eroded, and there might result in certain impacts, at least in the short-term, on foreign investment considerations.

Given the current situation that the GMT will be certainly implemented in the UK from 2024, it is highly recommended for the UK-based multinationals to consider carrying out some preliminary impact assessment of the GMT, including a review of investment status in Vietnam, and calculating the estimated top-up tax if GMT is applied (either in Vietnam or the UK).

Based on the result of impact assessment, it is more visible and practical for multinationals to design the appropriate solutions to minimise the negative impact, by considering a range of necessary actions, such as global/local restructuring, incentive seizing, and advocating for better policy incentives.

CIT incentive policies such as tax exemption and reduction will no longer be of benefit in the context of the GMTs introduction. If these policies continue to be applied, the advantage of attractive tax costs for Vietnam to retain and draw in the investors who are enjoying tax incentives, including those from the UK, will no longer exist.

Therefore, it is necessary to reform the incentive system in a way that copes with international practice and suitable for the business post-GMT application.

An OECD report recommends cost-based incentives such as cash grants or qualified refundable tax credits. These incentives, as granted based on enterprise expenditures, such as fixed asset costs, production costs, research and development costs, will bring real benefit to enterprise as well as encourage them to carry out long-term and substantive investment.

In our observation of other markets around the Asia-Pacific region where British corporations also have investments, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Hong Kong, several had some initial movements on the application of the GMT, particularly QDMTT, through budget announcements or government agency statements.

For example, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong have all announced that they will apply the GMT from 2024-2025 in the first budget plan of the year. Thailand also confirmed the application of the minimum tax from 2025.

Moreover, some of these countries have also confirmed that they will have new preferential and supportive policies to continue to maintain and increase foreign investment attraction. For example, Thailand announced that it will allocate 50-70 per cent of the additional tax revenue from the QDMTT to a fund to support businesses for investment.

We believe that although these countries have not yet issued specific policies, the early announcement will help investors better understand the intention of the receiving country, as well as secure them the opportunity for impact assessment and the appropriate investment plan.

The Vietnamese government has a strong commitment to driving economic growth, with foreign investors being important contributors. Accordingly, mechanisms, including incentive policies, to build a fair and attractive playground for foreign investors will play a key role.

Vietnam had a good base for creating strong post-GMT costs-based incentives, such as a recently issued circular on amended tax treatments regarding research and development expenses.

We have a strong expectation, hope, and confidence that Vietnam will respond quickly to the GMT, perhaps with a new QDMTT as well as new and appropriate incentive policies, that can both minimise the negative impact of the new tax, while continuing to maintain a fair and competitive investment environment.

Vietnam seeks Belgian advice on global minimum tax policy Vietnam is engaging with Belgian support to navigate the complexities of implementing the global minimum tax (GMT) amid strengthening economic ties.
Vietnam ranks 28th worldwide in terms of green buildings

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the most widely used green rating system in the world, and is administered by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

The set criteria include the site selection, energy and water use efficiency, waste management, carbon footprint, and the health and wellbeing of the occupants.

In Vietnam, the journey to create a chain of green buildings started with the LEED Silver certification in 2010 being awarded to the Colgate factory and the logistics centre of YCH Protrade Distripark in Binh Duong.

Over the past 10 years, Vietnam has seen many projects spanning various industry segments. A series of new projects have applied for LEED certification, and to date, more than 400 projects are involved with LEED.

The data shows that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) is now not only a trend in business operations but also in building design, where it also plays an important role in enterprises' sustainable development journey.

At an event on July 5 between the USGBC and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), experts commented on the importance of environment certification for buildings.

The event brought together a number of business leaders from various companies involved in the green construction sector, along with this year's LEED-certified nominees.

The importance of LEED certification is now being seen in not only new projects, but also existing assets. The Existing Building LEED certification for operations and maintenance makes it easier for organisations and businesses to practice ESG.

In the panel discussion, Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan, managing director of GBCI India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, and other leaders, spoke about the importance of LEED certification in terms of business planning, design and operations, net-zero, and the ESG pathway. The LEED certificate granted to green buildings is a key factor that makes it easier for organisations to practice ESG.

According to Padmanabhan, Vietnam is currently one of the fastest-growing countries in the region. Many domestic and international enterprises operating in Vietnam in the fields of commerce, residential planning, warehouse and industrial facilities, manufacturing industries, services, and healthcare are choosing LEED to green their assets and set their net-zero goals through LEED Zero.

"By adopting LEED, enterprises are creating a strong wave of green buildings by inspiring and motivating other domestic and foreign businesses to follow suit," he said.

Vietnam currently holds 28th position in terms of the number of LEED-certified green buildings. Padmanabhan believes that this is a huge step forward that will catapult Vietnam into the top 10 countries within the next decade.

Garment and textile factories in Vietnam have started following LEED, and a further push for more adoption could ensure that international fashion brands make Vietnam a preferred manufacturing destination  as seen in Bangladesh, which has close to 500 factories involved with LEED.

"The strong increase in demand for LEED certification is a positive sign that Vietnam is developing rapidly and becoming more aware of ESG and green buildings," said Padmanabhan.

Agreeing with the leader of GBCI, Do Huu Nhat Quang, co-founder of GreenViet, said that Vietnam still has a lot of room to develop and increase the number of green buildings throughout the territory.

Quang, a green building certification specialist with many years of experience, stated that Vietnamese organisations and enterprises face some challenges, such as the sourcing of green materials. However, the country's net-zero 2050 commitment should hopefully see the industry working closely with key stakeholders to come up with a holistic approach, including incentivising green investments into renewable energy and focusing on capacity building through education.

GBCI independently recognises excellence in green business performance and practice globally. Established in 2008, it exclusively administers project certifications, professional credentials, and certificates within the framework of the US Green Building Councils LEED rating system.

It also administers the PEER standard for power systems, the WELL Building Standard, the Sustainable Sites Initiative, Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies, TRUE certification for zero waste, and Investor Confidence Project for energy efficiency retrofits.

Trends influencing the premium office market in Hanoi According to Savills latest market report, the office market will perform well this year with ICT and financial, insurance, real estate, and legal (FIRE) tenants leading demands. According to Hoang Nguyet Minh, senior director of Commercial Leasing at Savills Hanoi, the rent of grade-A offices will also depend on the future supply. Increasingly, tenants are selecting offices in buildings with green certificates that also cater to hybrid or agile working.

Competition to promote green buildings in Binh Dinh province On October 18, the launch ceremony of the competition "Selecting potential green buildings in Binh Dinh province" took place in Quy Nhon city.

Vietnamese CEO earns Women in Green Building Leadership accolade Vietnamese businesswoman Luu Thi Thanh Mau won a 'Women in Green Building Leadership' award in Bali on November 23.
Vietnams neighbours have all been planning to ease business concerns over the incoming regime, photo Le Toan

Director general of the Ministry of Planning and Investments (MPI) Foreign Investment Agency, Do Nhat Hoang, at the Vietnam-South Korea Business Forum held in late June announced that Vietnam is currently working on new mechanisms and policies to attract giant foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) in the context that global minimum tax (GMT) will be applied from early 2024.

As many as 100 major FIEs will be subject to it.

It is expected to submit to the National Assembly (NA) in October the measures to harmonise the interests of businesses and the state, and align them with international commitments, Hoang said.

Along with that, we still enforce special investment incentive mechanisms for projects in innovation, research and development (R&D), semiconductors, clean energy, and high-tech agriculture, he added.

Hoang Viet Tien, deputy secretary general of Vietnam Digital Communication Association, added, This announcement is necessary and important, showing the strong determination of Vietnam to facilitate investors and to keep its attraction amid announcements about GMT actions from regional markets.

Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Hong Kong all have their own declarations on the application of GMT, namely the qualified domestic minimum top-up tax (QDMTT), through budget plans or statements of government agencies.

They also announced that there will be new preferential and supportive policies to continue to maintain and increase foreign investment attraction. For instance, Thailand announced that it will regulate 50-70 per cent of the additional tax revenue from the QDMTT to transfer it to a fund to support businesses that the country encourages investment from.

At a meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who paid an official visit to Hanoi in late June, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said it has asked the government to review and check issues related to GMT. As planned, the NA will consider the issue at its session at the end of the year.

At present, the Ministry of Finance is working with the MPI and other ministries on building supporting policies. They are expected to include increasing investment in infrastructure directly in industrial zones where these businesses are located; supporting human resource training; and supporting them in R&D, as well as having other policies in line with Vietnams commitments.

While waiting for details of solutions and measures, investors and businesses from many nations are looking forward to better understanding the orientation of GMT in Vietnam, in order to assess possible impacts as well as devise appropriate plans.

Many South Korean giants are making expansion plans in Vietnam. At the business forum, Samsung Vietnam announced that it is planning to expand the supply source from Vietnamese enterprises to ensure a stable supply chain for its manufacturing complexes.

Meanwhile, Doosan Group is interested in large-scale gas and wind power development projects, a company representative said at the forum.

Lower expenses in logistics as an outcome of GMT In order to boost ability to draw in foreign investment, Vietnam must reduce business costs, particularly in logistics. Dang Dinh Dao, former director of the Institute for Economic Research and Development at the National Economics University, discussed the reasons why with VIRs Manh Bon.

Tech groups coy over GMT consensus It is likely that some of the worlds most well-known tech groups will seek government guarantees or other forms of support in order to deal with the upcoming implementation of a global minimum tax on corporates.
The government is now focused on addressing the underlying factors contributing to this decline and revitalising the sector.

On July 11, a seminar titled Promoting PPP investments for the development of socioeconomic sectors in Vietnam took place, signalling the government's commitment to enhancing collaboration between the public and private sectors.

During the seminar, Duong Ba Duc, head of the Investment Department at Vietnam's Ministry of Finance (MoF), shared valuable insights into the performance of PPP investments in the country.

The data reveals that the period from 2010 to 2014 witnessed a surge in signed PPP projects. They were predominantly within the transportation sector, with a focus on the build-operate-transfer (BOT) and build-transfer models.

However, from 2015 to 2020, the landscape shifted as efforts concentrated on addressing stalled electricity-related BOT projects and resolving issues within existing PPP contracts.

Since the implementation of the PPP Law in 2021, the number of new contracts has dwindled, although three transportation-related BOT projects were carried over from the previous period.

Additionally, eight new projects, consisting of seven transportation initiatives and one build-transfer-lease project in the water sector, are currently in the preparatory investment stage.

The relatively low number of new projects has raised questions about the underlying factors contributing to the decline in these investments since 2015.

Are these challenges attributable to legal frameworks, implementation processes, or other unforeseen circumstances?, Duc questioned.

Tasked with identifying these obstacles and proposing necessary amendments and revisions, the MoF is set to submit a comprehensive report on Decree No.28/2021/ND-CP to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in the third quarter of 2023.

Following an extensive review, which encompassed feedback from various stakeholders such as ministries, local authorities, investors, and relevant organisations, the MoF has identified the key issues that demand attention and resolution.

One significant obstacle lies within the PPP Law, falling under the jurisdiction of the National Assembly, which necessitates amendment and supplementation. Some argue that the provision limiting state capital participation in PPP projects to a maximum of 50 per cent of the total investment (Article 69 of the PPP Law) is unsuitable.

Suggestions have been put forward to remove or increase this limit, potentially allowing for up to 70 per cent of the total investment.

While ongoing discussions on law and regulation revisions are underway, strict criteria governing the allowance of state capital exceeding half of the total investment is crucial for the efficient utilisation of public funds, as emphasised by Duc.

Another challenge lies within revenue sharing reduction. The MoF asserts that the provision enabling the use of reserve budget funds to address revenue-sharing reduction, as stipulated in Article 83(3) of the PPP Law, is incongruent with state budget laws and does not fully align with the intended purpose of reserve budget usage.

To address this concern, the Investment Department proposes exploring amendments to allocate a specific budget line item within medium-term public investment plans.

Furthermore, additional suggestions advocate for sharing reduced revenue with PPP investors or enterprises when actual revenue falls below 75 per cent of the figure stated in the contract without resorting to price adjustments or contract term modifications, as currently outlined in the PPP Law.

Supplementary regulations outlining the state's responsibilities when it fails to allocate sufficient funds for payments to investors are also being called for. Moreover, there is a proposal to consider independent auditing to assess the proposed revenue-sharing value, rather than solely relying on state audits as mandated by the current law.

Duc highlighted that these concerns primarily fall within the remit of the National Assembly, as they involve provisions within the PPP Law. Acknowledging these issues, the MoF plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, relevant ministries, and agencies to compile a comprehensive report for further consideration and decision-making.

As Vietnam strives to draw more private investment through the PPP model, addressing these obstacles and implementing effective reforms are essential for creating an attractive investment environment.

The government's commitment to reviewing and refining the PPP framework underscores its dedication to fostering sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships with both domestic and international investors.

By creating an enabling environment that ensures the efficient utilisation of public funds and promotes transparency and fairness, Vietnam aims to enhance its appeal as a sought-after investment destination.

Vow made to bridge PPP investment gaps The government has ordered an overall review on policies involving public-private partnership in a bid to woo more private investment.
A 34-year-old man and former manager at a local restaurant was arrested Saturday, more than two years after police said he supplied two co-workers under the age of 21 with alcohol and cocaine and sexually assaulted one of them.

Manuel Arturo Uribe-Oviedo was arrested Saturday on a second-degree felony charge of sexual assault and a Class A misdemeanor charge of supplying alcohol to minors. A McLennan County grand jury indicted him on the charges in December, and the indictment was unsealed after his arrest.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Uribe-Oviedo snuck two female co-workers, one age 19 and the other 18, into Putters Arcade on March 10, 2021, where he purchased eight to 10 shots of liquor for the teens. Later, he drove them back to the restaurant where they worked and gave them alcohol from the bar, and a video investigators obtained shows him pouring tequila from a bottle directly into the teens mouths, the affidavit says.

Uribe-Oviedo also gave them cocaine, Waco police spokesperson Cierra Shipley said.

One of the teens later reported to police that she believed Uribe-Oviedo, who she described as her boss, sexually assaulted her, the affidavit says. One of the teens told police she walked in on Uribe-Oviedo on top of the other teen in a bathroom, both with their pants down and in sexual contact, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit says the victim has no memory of the event. Investigators were able to access a cellphone video taken at the time that corroborates the witness account, the affidavit says.

The teen who witnessed the incident tried to remove the other from the bathroom, but another male employee prevented her from doing so and took her to another location, according to the affidavit. Later, in the early morning of March 11, 2021, Uribe-Oviedo arrived at the other location to take the teens home, and when the victim entered his truck, she stated He made me do stuff before passing out, the warrant says.

Shipley said the assault was reported to police on March 13, 2021.

Uribe-Oviedo remained in McLennan County Jail on Wednesday with bond listed at $25,000. He is also being held on a federal immigration detainer.
EVANSDALE  An Evansdale man has been sentenced to prison for his role in an operation that moved methamphetamine from Mexico to the Waterloo area.

Judge C.J. Williams sentenced Drew Douglas Scarborough, 25, to up to 12 and a half years in federal prison during a Monday hearing in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids. His prison time will be followed by five years of supervised release.

Authorities allege Scarborough communicated directly with Daniel Manjarrez  the leader of a drug trafficking organization based in Culiacan, Mexico, that investigators suspect is affiliated with the Sinaloa Cartel  about meth using Facebook and the phone in the fall of 2020.

In November 2020, Manjarrez arranged to have at least 22 pounds of meth sent to Luis Carlos Corral Lopez in Waterloo. Scarborough was fronted about 2 pounds of ice meth from Corral, which then was sold to others, according to court records. But Scarborough never paid for the meth and was kicked out of the conspiracy, records states.

Prosecutors also allege Scarborough had threatened to kill another member of the drug trafficking group on behalf of leaders in Mexico.

Lopez was convicted of conspiracy to distribute meth during a February 2023 trial and is currently awaiting sentencing.

The case was prosecuted by assistant U.S. attorneys Dillan Edwards and Emily Nydle and investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program of the of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Black Hawk County Sheriffs Office, the Green County Sheriffs Office, and the Elbert County, Colorado Sheriffs Office.

Scarborough was also charged in connection with an investigation into the theft of catalytic converters, pollution control devices stolen from vehicles and sold for scrap metal.

He had been charged in state court with felony ongoing criminal conduct, but he pleaded to a reduced charge of misdemeanor third-degree theft in November 2022 and was sentenced to 50 days in jail.
WATERLOO  A Waterloo teen awaiting trial for a 2021 shooting has been arrested for allegedly leading police on a high-speed chase Monday afternoon.

Officers arrested JMarion James Boyd, 18, on Tuesday for felony eluding. Bond was set at $120,000.

According to court records, patrol officers attempted to stop a Hyundai Sonata in the area of Franklin Street and Linden Avenue around 12:15 p.m. Monday. The vehicle pulled a U turn and drove past police and continued on, hitting 50 mph in a 25 mph zone before disappearing.

At the time of the chase, Boyd was out on bond for a June 2021 shooting that injured a woman who was driving on Johnson Street. He is also awaiting trial in connection with marijuana found at a home on Delta Drive in Cedar Falls in August 2022.
PARKERSBURG  A Reinbeck teen has died after he was pinned underneath a UTV that flipped Monday.

According to the Grundy County Sheriffs Office, 17-year-old Connor Allen was a passenger on the vehicle when another young driver lost control in a farm pasture on 120th Street about three miles south of Parkersburg.

The driver was attempting to avoid hitting a fence post at the time of the crash, according to the sheriffs office. Allen was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was taken to MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.

The accident remains under investigation. The Grundy County Sheriffs Office was assisted by Parkersburg Ambulance, Parkersburg Police, Butler County Sheriffs Office, Grundy Center Ambulance and the Iowa State Patrol.

Grundy deputies also responded to a bicycle accident Monday.

Dennis Koch, 89, of Dike, was driving west on old Highway 20/D-19 in his 2018 Jeep when he struck the westbound bicycle that was riding in the roadway.

The bicyclist, John Keiser of Cedar Falls, was transported to MercyOne Cedar Falls Medical Center by Dike Ambulance with unknown injuries. Koch was cited for operating too close to a bicyclist.

These are the highways in Iowa with the most fatalities. These are the highways in Iowa with the most fatalities.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller is seen speaking during a daily press briefing at the department in Washington, July 11, in this captured image. Yonhap



North Korea's claim that U.S. aircraft violated its airspace is unfounded, a state department spokesperson said Tuesday, calling on Pyongyang to stop its escalatory actions.



Matthew Miller made the remark after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's powerful sister, Kim Yo-jong, accused U.S. spy aircraft of intruding into North Korea's exclusive economic zone on multiple occasions, while threatening to shoot down U.S. aircraft in the future.



"As a matter of international law, the DPRK's recent statements that U.S. flights above its claimed exclusive economic zone are unlawful are unfounded as high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in such areas," he said when asked about North Korea's accusation, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.



Kim's statement, issued early Tuesday (Korea time), was a repeat of her accusation made the previous day.






DES MOINES  It was a jam-packed and emotionally charged scene Tuesday inside the Iowa Capitol rotunda, where thousands of people filled the indoor space as state lawmakers debated legislation to significantly restrict abortions in Iowa.

Chants and other demonstrations produced a consistent wave of cheers, screams and shouts that reverberated throughout the Capitol for the better part of six hours. Throughout the day, abortion rights advocates dramatically outnumbered advocates for restrictive abortion policies, and the loudest moments came during a rally with advocates for access to abortion services.

Waverly Zhao, a recent graduate of Johnston High School and co-founder of the young Iowans advocacy group Iowa WTF, had the rotunda rolling with a call to action against the Republican lawmakers who voted for the abortion-restricting legislation.

We know we cant change their minds, but we can do what voters and citizens of this country do best -- and that is vote them out, Zhao said, prompting a period of applause and a Vote them out! chant that lasted for 30 seconds.

The chant continued throughout the day, as abortion access advocates moved around the Capitol, yelling it outside any room in which Republican legislators were meeting.

Republicans called the special session of the Iowa Legislature to pass a new version of their a bill that would ban most abortions, prohibiting abortions once cardiac activity is detected. The bills supporters say that is typically around the sixth week of pregnancy. The bill passed both houses Tuesday night.

Dr. Francesca Turner, an obstetrics and gynecology physician who said she was representing the Iowa section of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, spoke at the abortion rights rally, which was hosted by Planned Parenthood.

Turner said the new legislation is fraught with medical inaccuracies and vague language, and described ways it could make it difficult for physicians to safely treat pregnancies. Pregnancy is too complicated to legislate, Turner said.

While they were in the minority in the Capitol crowd, advocates for abortion restrictions also made their case.

Michael Shover, a pastor at Christ the Redeemer Church in Pella, during a rare quiet moment in the rotunda, yelled, Stop murdering babies. That declaration set off a tense exchange with abortion rights advocates. Within minutes, Iowa State Patrol officers separated Shover from the others and remained stationed in the area.

Later, Shover explained his reason for wanting to be at the Capitol.

Because Jesus said all the light of God belongs to the little children, and people want to murder little children in the womb. They want to dehumanize the babies, the smallest and innocent and defenseless among us, Shover said. If people do not stand up to protect them, then evil people will seek to murder and destroy.

Derry Butler, from Indianola, said she wanted to be at the Capitol to stand up for human rights.

Because, after all, it is a human that is developing in the uterus, Butler said. All life is precious. I see no reason why there should be a right for a mother to kill her baby.

Butler said her preference would be for a law that bans abortion at conception. But well take a win where we can get it, she said.

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy also came to the Iowa Capitol, saying he wanted to see what he said was an historic moment. While he made his way through the crowded rotunda, abortion rights demonstrators greeted Ramaswamy with chants of fascist.

There was an increased law enforcement presence in the Capitol rotunda for the days events. At one point in the early afternoon, two dozen uniformed officers could be seen monitoring the crowd, at least 21 of which were wearing Iowa State Patrol uniforms.

A spokesman said the Iowa State Patrol increased its presence for safety purposes, as it does for many other events around the state.

This was done today with adequate staffing to ensure safety and security for all, Iowa State Patrol public information officer Sgt. Alex Dinkla said.

More than three out of every five Iowans say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, according to a Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll published earlier this year.

Debbie Griffin, a pastor with Downtown Disciples Progressive Faith Community in Des Moines, said her faith leads her to protect access to abortion, support access to health care, and to love her neighbors of all faiths.

A very slim, extreme percentage of Christians do not have the right to impose their beliefs on your beliefs, Griffin said. Protecting religious freedom means protecting religious diversity.

Many of the people who attended the rally and demonstrated throughout the day remained in the Capitol and sat in the public galleries while lawmakers debated the legislation on the floors of the Iowa House and Senate.

The Iowa House galleries were mostly full at the start of floor debate, around 4 p.m. Tuesday. The Senate galleries were roughly half-full at the start of debate there.

16 political cartoons that judge the Supreme Court
DES MOINES  New restrictions on abortion in Iowa will not be signed into law until Friday, but challengers are not waiting.

The Republican-led Iowa Legislature during a special session passed a new version of a bill late Tuesday that bans abortions once cardiac activity can be detected, usually around six weeks of pregnancy.

House File 732 passed in the House 56-34, with 10 representatives absent. Republican Reps. Mark Cisneros of Muscatine and Zach Dieken of Granville joined Democrats in voting no. Dieken and Cisneros previously sponsored a bill that would ban abortions from the moment of conception. Neither spoke during floor debate.

In the Senate, the bill passed mostly along party lines, 32-17. Republican Sen. Mike Klimesh of Spillville joined Democrats in voting no, and Republican Sen. Kevin Alons of Salix was absent.

Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said she will sign the bill into law at a political event hosted Friday by the Christian conservative group The Family Leader. She is scheduled to deliver remarks and sign the bill at 2:15 p.m. Friday.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, the Emma Goldman Clinic and the ACLU of Iowa announced Wednesday they already challenged the pending new law in district court. A hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday in Polk County District Court on their petition to temporarily block the law from taking effect.

The legislation would go into effect upon Reynolds signature unless the court grants a temporary injunction that would prevent enforcement of the law.

Rita Bettis Austen, legal director of the ACLU of Iowa, said there is precedent. She noted the organization did the same in 2017 when it successfully challenged a law overturned by the Iowa Supreme Court that required women to wait 72 hours before getting an abortion, which also had an immediate effective date.

The three organizations that filed the challenge are the same ones that also challenged a similar law passed in 2018 and stopped by the courts, including a deadlocked Iowa Supreme Court last month. The new, similar bill was passed with the hopes by supporters it will be approved by the courts after 2022 rulings by the Iowa Supreme Court and U.S. Supreme Court effectively removed constitutional protections for abortion access at both the state and federal levels.

Currently, abortion is legal in Iowa until the 20th week of pregnancy. That would change if the new bill is signed into law and implemented.

Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, a Republican from Grimes, said the legislation was passed with the expectation that it will again run through the Iowa courts, and this time the Iowa Supreme Court will be asked to judge the constitutionality of the law  not rule on a procedure like it did in June.

I would expect they will go back through the (Iowa) Supreme Court and well get a final answer for Iowans on where the Supreme Court stands, Whitver told reporters Tuesday after the bill passed the Senate. You dont know whats going to happen with the Supreme Court until they rule on that. So that will be a process that obviously well follow close and adjust from there.

Advocates for abortion rights say the pending new law would end 98% of abortions that are currently legal in Iowa.

If this abortion ban goes into effect, it will place an unacceptable burden on patients ability to access essential abortion care, especially those who already face systemic inequities, Ruth Richardson, president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said in a statement. Hundreds of Iowans will be impacted in mere weeks. We refuse to stand idly by and will fight every step of the way to block this abortion ban and restore Iowans rights.

Planned Parenthood representatives did not say if abortion providers are canceling appointments in the event the law takes effect. A total of 200 Iowa patients had abortions scheduled with Planned Parenthood and the Emma Goldman Clinic this week and next, said Peter Im, a staff attorney at Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

We are fully hoping for relief from the court, and were hoping that we wont have any interruption in providing care, Im said. But, certainly, we acknowledge that its a possibility.

What does the bill do?

HF 732 prohibits abortions once a fetal heartbeat  defined as cardiac activity, the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the fetal heart within the gestational sac  is detected. Doctors would be required to perform an abdominal ultrasound to detect embryonic or fetal cardiac activity. Iowa OB-GYNs said a doctor's ability to detect embryonic cardiac activity varies between pregnancies, but can occur as early as six to eight weeks of pregnancy  before many women know they are pregnant.

The bill includes exceptions for pregnancies that are the result of rape in cases reported within 45 days, and incest in cases 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.

Supporters say the presence of a heartbeat indicates life that merits equal protection under the law.

The voices of Iowans and their democratically elected representatives cannot be ignored any longer, and justice for the unborn should not be delayed, Reynolds said in a statement. As a pro-life Gov., I am also committed to continuing policies to support women in planning for motherhood, promote the importance of fatherhood, and encourage strong families. Our state and country will be stronger because of it.

Physicians and opponents argue the use of the term fetal heartbeat is misleading. Some major medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, note that what is detected at about six weeks is electrical impulses. An actual heartbeat does not occur until roughly 17 to 20 weeks of pregnancy, they say.

"The act bans abortions at a stage at which many people do not yet know they are pregnant, and even those who do know may not have had time to make a decisions about whether to have an abortion, research their options, and schedule appointments at a health center, not to mention overcoming the logistical and financial obstacles required to travel to a health center for an abortion, the lawsuit states. By banning the vast majority of abortions in Iowa, the act unlawfully violates the right of petitioners, their medical providers and other staff, and their patients under the Iowa Constitution and would severely jeopardize their health, safety, and welfare.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland provided more than 3,500 abortions in Iowa in 2021 and more than 3,300 abortions in the state in 2022. The provider performed about 1,200 abortions in the first half of this year, according to the lawsuit.

Emma Goldman Clinic, based in Iowa City, provided 686 abortions from October 2020 through September 2021, and 703 abortions from October 2021 to September 2022.

While the ban contains some exceptions, opponents argue they are too narrow and unworkable. Iowa physicians warned the restrictions do not account for complications that occur during pregnancy, and will hinder their ability to provide medically necessary care and respond to time-sensitive issues.

Rep. Shannon Lundgren, R-Peosta, who managed the bill in the House, pushed back on assertions the bill would restrict pregnancy care.

I want to assure Iowans this bill does not in any way stop health care for pregnant women, she said. The medical emergency definition has been in place since 2017, and Iowa health care providers will continue to provide medical care in their reasonable medical judgment.

House and Senate Democrats offered amendments voted down by Republicans that would have removed the time-limited reporting requirements for instances of rape and incest to be eligible for exceptions. Democrats said most rapes and instances of incest are not reported, and the short time frame will require many victims to give birth.

Republicans also voted down amendments to create exceptions for any pregnant children 12 years old or younger, and another that would create an exception for people under 16. Republicans said children would be protected under exceptions for rape, incest and medical emergency.

What options will Iowans have for getting an abortion?

Im, the Planned Parenthood staff attorney, said options for Iowans seeking an abortion depends on what the court does now.

The bill focuses on regulating physicians who provide abortions in Iowa. It does not provide penalties directly, but leaves enforcement up to the Iowa Board of Medicine, and directs the board to adopt rules to administer the bill.

Woman who receive an abortion would not face civil or criminal liability. They could still travel out of state for the procedure, and could self-manage their abortion via medication. Access to the medication, however, would be limited if the law takes effect.

A vast majority of abortions performed in Iowa are medically induced.

Individuals in Iowa who are more than six to eight weeks pregnant would need to consult with a physician in a state without abortion restrictions and schedule a telehealth appointment to have medications prescribed and shipped by mail.

Richardson said Planned Parenthood will continue providing abortion care in Iowa within the legal guidelines, and are prepared to advise people who are beyond six weeks of pregnancy to refer them to abortion providers in other states that allow the procedure.

She said the organization has expanded its abortion patient navigator program that helps make appointments for patients to receive care across the region and country, and cover the cost of transportation, hotel stays and child care for patients traveling more than 100 miles to a health center.

The Minnesota Department of Health reported a 211% increase last year in Iowans traveling to the state to receive an abortion. In 2022, 174 Iowans traveled to Minnesota for the medical procedure, compared to 56 in 2021.

Richardson said 160 Iowans traveled to Nebraska in 2021 to receive an abortion, and 146 traveled in 2022 to that state for the medical procedure.

16 political cartoons that judge the Supreme Court
President Woodrow Wilson once said, There is no higher religion than human sacrifice. To work for the common good is the greatest creed.

Baraboo High School student William Reichhoff must have been listening to Wilson recently. Or, perhaps, he very much took the Boy Scout of Americas Scout Oath to heart: On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

Reichhoff, a member of Baraboo Boy Scout Troop 77, with the help of others, including the nonprofit Heroes for Heroes and the Masonic Lodge #34 of Baraboo, recently installed a flagpole for a local veteran.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Debra McCollum was the beneficiary, now able to raise the flag she proudly defended.

Helping other people is important to me, Reichhoff stated, and helping a veteran who helped protect our freedoms is important to me.

Reichhoff was wanting to find an appropriate Eagle Project that hed be proud of. Heroes for Heroes of Wisconsin was looking for some help installing a flagpole for McCollum.

Karen Lanser is the founder and president of Heroes for Heroes. She said, It is heartwarming to not only see young people serving others, but organizations working together to support our veteran community.

Reichhoff said, A flagpole holding up the flag she defended was important to me. She served and I respect her sacrifices for us.

New VA clinic breaks ground in Baraboo Madison VA representatives as well as Baraboo residents and officials celebrated the groundbreaking of an upcoming VA outpatient clinic on the city's west side on June 14.

Based in Watertown and founded in 2019, Heroes for Heroes of Wisconsins mission is to change lives by honoring and empowering our nations heroes to live their best life. We ensure our partners are empowered by creating opportunities for individuals and communities. The nonprofit organization does that through advocacy, service dog support, and providing resources for people who wore the uniform.

Our mission, Lanser said, is to raise money for veterans and first responders to get fully trained service dogs at no cost. We also work to build a community of support for our vets and responders. On average, a fully-trained service dog costs approximately $15,000. The small nonprofit runs solely on donations.

Ryan Ramnarace, senior warden of Baraboo Masonic Lodge #34, who helped with the project, said, "I was honored to be invited and had the opportunity to help this fine young man complete his project for such a heartwarming cause." He continued, "It was an honor for me to help out and want to thank Deb, personally, on behalf of the Baraboo Lodge, for her sacrifice and service to our country."

Its hard to explain how I felt seeing the American flag and the Marine Corps flag flying in my yard, said McCollum. It has been a dream of mine for years. My heart was filled with joy, love, and thankfulness.

McCollum served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the 1980s in California, Hawaii and in Okinawa, Japan. She is legally blind and deaf on the right side of her body. She has PTSD and has her service dog, Keno, to assist her.

Reichhoff has learned much in his time with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

Scouting has shown me that performing service projects for others is important to our community, Reichhoff said.

Even though he will age out of the Baraboo Boy Scout Troop in September, he knows that service to others will remain a part of who he is.

Beaver Dam remembers fallen heroes on Memorial Day Beaver Dams Memorial Day Celebration was held in Veterans Memorial Park in Oakwood Cemetery on Monday with hundreds of people coming to pay respect to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice

Since its inception in 1910, the BSA has had more than 130 million young men and women participate in their programs. Currently, the organization is composed of more than 1 million youth members, ages 5 to 21, and has more than 628,000 volunteers.

They did above and beyond what I was expecting, McCollum said of Reichhoff and the local Boy Scout Troop. I really cant explain how grateful I am.

It was something small he could do, Reichhoff noted.

They gave their times and lives for us, he said. Fighting for our country, sacrificing for others, and defending our freedoms.

McCollum will now be able to know that the community honors and supports her every time she looks out her living room window  the flags proudly waving.

GALLERY: Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast Sauk County Veterans Breakfast
The beginning of the Great Sauk State Trail is set to receive an aesthetic upgrade from a local artist.

Chris Sweet, a Ho-Chunk painter who operates Blue Bear Studio in Baraboo with his wife Chrissy Shegonee, is set to create a 96-foot long mural that will start at Mile Marker 0 on the state trail near Sauk City. It will be painted on 12 individual 8-foot-by-4-foot aluminum composite material panels. A title for the mural has not been released.

"It will be inspired by connection," said Sweet in a statement. "In preparing for the call for art, I found myself thinking of all of the elements that connect us. I felt specifically connected to this project because of its location. The Driftless Region that I call home, the ancestral homelands of the mound builders and the connection to my Ho-Chunk ancestors."

Sweet added that current renderings reflect that connection and the water and beauty of the area. The mural will be located at the site of a former railroad bridge that crossed the Wisconsin River.

"My hope is that the mural will connect and capture the feeling of why people choose to visit the Great Sauk State Trail," said Sweet in the statement. "To connect with nature, with friends, family and to connect with their spiritual, physical and mental well-being."

Lindsey Giese, the executive director of River Arts Inc. in Prairie du Sac and board member of the Friends of the Great Sauk State Trail, said that the organization received a $65,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.

"That entryway into Sauk County, we think will be one of the most visited areas when people are crossing from Dane County into our community," said Giese. "It was a very industrial, not attractive area to welcome visitors. This mural will definitely help and have the kind of welcoming message that we wanted."

Giese added that the Friends are also adding benches and other seating areas, as well as lighting and landscaping upgrades, around the location of the mural, with the grant funds. The Great Sauk State Trail has a litany of artwork from various artists, according to Giese, who said that people who visit the trail often identify their location by which piece of art they are near.

"We want to have these beautiful art pieces to enhance the trail," said Giese. "They do encourage placemaking. It becomes part of the identity of the trail."

Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez visited the site on May 10 to discuss updates to the trail and the upcoming mural. Giese said that while the Friends welcome art on the trail, they also want to be mindful of visitors' experience of the area as a natural place first.
Rotary Clubs throughout southern Wisconsin networked with their counterparts in Poland in 2022, and the Polish Rotary members came to Wisconsin Dells from July 5-7 as part of their tour of the state for the Rotary Friendship Exchange.

The Dells area was the fourth of five stops for the touring European Rotarians. In the tourist community, they, along with numerous Rotary Club members from different areas in Wisconsin, stopped at restaurants and bars and did various activities. While doing so, the Polish members told stories of operations in their home countries as well as humanitarian work with Ukrainian refugees from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Rotary District 6250 of Wisconsin and Minnesota developed relationships with the District 2231 in Poland and representatives took a 10-day trip to the country in September of last year. Members of Rotary Clubs in the Polish cities of Szczecin, Bydgoszcz, Olsztyn, and Poznan joined the Wisconsin tour. Providing additional help for the war humanitarian efforts was a key factor in the Rotary Friendship Exchange partnership.

Despite the fact that we are from different edges of the globe, basically we share common values and thats something that we can feel from the first minute when we meet, said Wojciech Lempicki, a member of Rotary Club Olsztyn Varmia. We can use these friendships that we are making to understand the diversity and the differences between us. Its very enriching.

We were on the Friendship Exchange in 2022 and the proximity of Poland to Ukraine just lent itself naturally to Poland wanting to help the Ukrainians, said Wally Czuprynko, a Wisconsin Dells Rotary Club membership chair and president-elect for 2024. Not only for humanitarian needs, but theres also the very real threat of Russia being one country away from Poland.

Lempicki described Russia as never a friendly neighbor to us and that the animosity goes back decades.

Its very, very sad that we have 21st century now and the history is repeating itself, said Lempicki, who described the Polish assistance to Ukrainians as natural movement.

Rotary International, according to its website, is a network of 1.4 million members worldwide in over 46,000 Clubs. The organization raises funds and conducts activities that promote peace, fight disease and increase hygiene, supports mothers and children and education, helps grow economies, and protects local environments.

Our slogan is Service Above Self, said Lynn Perez-Hewitt, the Public Image Chair for District 6250. All Rotarians operate on a four-way test in the things we think, say, and do. Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? And will it be beneficial to all concerned?

District 6250 covers nearly all of southern Wisconsin and, in the western part of the state, goes north to roughly Eau Claire, according to Perez-Hewitt. Rotary Clubs also extend to high school and college students.

During a dinner and presentation at Del-Bar in Lake Delton on July 5, Erin Luken, the District 6250 Foundation Chair, presented a $25,000 donation from the district to RC Szczecin for disaster relief. In return, Luken was presented with a

Kasia Bednarek-Rajewska, one of three tourers from RC Poznan, explained how her club is helping Ukrainian refugees. She said that roughly $93,000 was raised during a three-week period from Rotary Clubs in Poland and other countries to purchase medical equipment, including items that help treat gunshot wounds.

Bednarek-Rajewska, a doctor and medical science instructor at Poznan University and RC Poznans Youth Exchange Officer, said that RC Poznan has earned awards for its work with disabled children in Poland and is helping the construction of a new rehabilitation facility in Poznan that will provide disability bicycles for them. She was a Rotary Exchange student in Oregon during her teenage years.

Those bikes give sense to their life, said Emilia Mielewczyk, who just finished her one-year term as president of RC Bydgoszcz Stare Miasto. Without those bikes, they just lay down and people have to take care of them. But here, when they can race, you can actually see their life has got sense again.

Mielewczyk said that RC Bydgoszcz Stare Miasto is a smaller Club, with only 16 members who are eager to work. She discussed how the club is heavily involved with music and dance in Bydgoszcz, which carries additional meaning for her as a symphony orchestra director.

The club also raises money for scholarships to help disabled athletes, including a few who participated in the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.

Our club is pretty young, said Mielewczyk. In the first few years, we helped athletes with disabilities.

Members of RC Bydgoszcz Stare Miasto traveled to the Poland-Ukraine border at the beginning of the war to help the migrating Ukrainians get into Poland and find housing for them in Bydgoszcz as well as medicine. The club later organized day camps for Ukrainian children so that their parents could find work in Poland. Mielewczyk said this was also a way for children from each country to network.

Ania Lakomiak-Melka, a member of RC Szczecin, mentioned how one of her clubs members wife was from Kyiv, Ukraine, and that he was active in helping Ukrainian refugee women and children, as well as orphans, get to safety in Szczecin at the start of the war early in 2022.

We had 150 people come into Szczecin, said Lakomiak-Melka. We managed to help most of them. Some of them left for west Europe. Some of them returned to Ukraine. We still have 40 that are under our protection and, to be honest, we have no idea how long it will take.

She added that RC Szczecin helped transport 100 refugees to Denmark and The Netherlands.

Czuprynko spearheaded the event with recently sworn in president Paul Walter, who will serve in the role until July 1, 2024. Former president Dave Clemens also toured with the Polish Rotarians.

This is a great oasis for them on their travels to the U.S., said Walter. They have endured a lot over in Poland with the assimilation of all the immigrants coming from Ukraine. Every one of these people from the four different clubs of northern Poland have been very integral in helping Ukrainians in their immigration to Poland for their safety.

Walter went on to say that establishing friendships instead of mere connections helps the Wisconsin Rotary Clubs have a more hands-on approach with assistance regarding humanitarian efforts by the Polish clubs.

The Rotary Clubs from Poland began their Wisconsin tour in Fort Atkinson and traveled to Janesville, Madison, the Dells, and finished in La Crosse. In the Dells, the Rotary Friendship Exchange tour stopped at Del-Bar, Asgard Axe and Tap, Bigfoot Ziplining, Summer House, the Delton Sportsmens Club shooting range, Elm Street Plaza, and other stores and restaurants in the area.

Czuprynko and his wife, Kim, also hosted the Rotarians for a Polish Potluck Party the night before they left for La Crosse on July 7.

Every day is a surprise and all the activities are awesome, said Lempicki of the Wisconsin tour. We feel like family and really appreciate it from the bottom of our heart.
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. &&
North Korea conducts an "important final-stage test" at Sohae Satellite Launching Ground in Cholsan, North Pyongan Province, for the development of a reconnaissance satellite, in this Dec. 19, 2022, file photo carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap





North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the East Sea on Wednesday, the South Korean military said, after the recalcitrant regime warned of military action over U.S. spy aircraft operations earlier this week.







The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch from an area in or around Pyongyang at about 10 a.m., and the missile, fired at a lofted angle, flew around 1,000 kilometers before splashing into the water.







The North's first ICBM launch in about three months came amid tensions heightened by Pyongyang's tough rhetoric against the United States, a move seen as aimed at firming up internal unity and building a rationale for provocations.







"The intelligence authorities of South Korea and the U.S. are conducting a comprehensive assessment regarding (the missile's) specifics," the JCS said in a text message sent to reporters.







President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is in Lithuania to attend a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit, presided over an emergency meeting of the National Security Council and vowed to strengthen deterrence in cooperation with the U.S., according to his office.







Yoon is expected to use his attendance at the summit to elicit international support to counter evolving North Korean nuclear and missile threats.







The South Korean and U.S. militaries held a coordination meeting right after the launch, and affirmed they will further solidify their combined defense posture against "any North Korean threats and provocations," the JCS said.







The JCS strongly condemned the launch and urged the North to immediately stop such launches, calling the latest launch an "act of significant provocation" that not only harms peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula but also in the international community.







This photo shows a U.S. U-2S reconnaissance aircraft landing at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Monday. Yonhap





It said the military will maintain a "firm" readiness posture based on "overwhelming" capabilities to respond to any provocations by North Korea.






Pat Cutillo suffers from chronic hypertension. The 85-year-old retired teacher no longer automatically has to make the 10-mile trip to the nearest emergency room when her blood pressure gets dangerously high because she can call her primary doctors office 24/7 to get immediate help.

Christine Meyer is Cutillos internist. About seven years ago Meyer, whose practice is based in Exton, Pennsylvania, a Philadelphia suburb, joined a Medicare accountable care organization, also called an ACO. These groups were created to coordinate the care of patients, including those enrolled in original Medicare. Providers who join an ACO commit to improving their patients health while also keeping costs down. If they do, they earn financial incentives.

The extra money Meyer gets by meeting her ACO savings and quality goals has enabled her to afford to expand her practices services. She has added hours, including at night and on weekends. Shes hired more clinicians and support staff. And she created what she calls the BAT phone. BAT stands for before all that. Meyer gives the BAT phone number to her sickest patients, those who might have to resort to going to an emergency room if they feel ill when her office isnt open or who are worried that their symptoms could be life-threatening. But before all that, Meyer suggests they call the BAT phone. Meyers office manager, Claree Nanacasse, keeps the phone with her at all times. Meyer estimates that Nanacasse gets three or four BAT phone calls a day.

Dr. Christine Meyer, beside a poster advertising her practices BAT phone service Rachel Wisniewski

Cutillo was given the BAT phone number after her blood pressure spiked and she ended up in the emergency room. Its made a tremendous difference for me, she says. You know when things arent working right, I think you have a tendency to overreact. So when Im not able to control whats happening to me, I feel myself reacting to that, and then that brings up my blood pressure even more.

Having the BAT phone number eases anxiety and provides a tremendous sense of security. I know that someone is there that can help me immediately, Cutillo says. She recalled one incident when she called the BAT phone, explained what was wrong, and within minutes Nanacasse called back after consulting one of the clinicians in Meyers office. Cutillo was instructed to take an additional dose of her blood pressure medicine and call back in an hour to let them know how she was doing. She avoided an emergency room visit  and Medicare avoided a pricey ER bill.

Another time, Cutillos blood pressure dipped after a change in her medication. She felt light-headed and fatigued. Cutillo again used the BAT phone and was told to drink some water, eat something salty and elevate her feet above her heart. A half hour later, her pressure stabilized. Nanacasse followed up with Cutillo to see how she was doing and to advise her on what dose of her medicine to take that evening. This makes you feel that theyre really on top of this condition, Cutillo says. Its kept me out of the emergency room.

Cutillo demonstrates how she checks her blood pressure twice a day. Rachel Wisniewski

How ACOs work

Nationwide, more than 13 million of the 65 million Medicare beneficiaries get their care from providers affiliated with ACOs. ACOs dont provide the care. Their job is to give physicians the tools they need to better coordinate a patients health care and reduce costs.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has set a goal of having all Medicare enrollees be part of a coordinated care arrangement by 2030. More coordination between an individuals health care providers can prevent medical errors and drug interactions while also saving time, money and frustration for the patient, says Meena Seshamani, M.D., CMSs deputy administrator and director of the Center for Medicare. In 2021, according to CMS, ACOs in Medicares Shared Savings Program, which includes 11 million beneficiaries, saved $2 billion.

ACOs have agreements with Medicare to get data on the claims of the patients of providers who belong to the ACO. The reports that doctors receive include everything from which patients got the preventive screenings they need  such as mammograms and colonoscopies  to which patients went to the hospital.

We have so much information at our fingertips that we didnt have before, Meyer says. Were able to see who our sickest patients are. Were able to see who the patients are that arent getting the routine care they need for their diabetes.

Meyer (right) speaks to Melissa Bradley (center), the nurse practitioner who originally had the idea for the BAT phone, at their practice in Exton, Pennsylvania. Rachel Wisniewski

Armed with this information, doctors can follow up with patients who may have missed a screening or whose data shows they need help managing a particular illness.


Drilling Commences Near Cannon

Perth, July 12, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Horizon Minerals Limited's ( ASX:HRZ ) program aims to expand the Cannon mining footprint from one planned underground mine to a small mining hub with potential open cut mines from the nearby Monument and Pinner prospects.



DRILLING COMMENCES NEAR CANNON



- Fully funded 8,400m exploration program underway with aircore drilling commenced at the key Cannon project 25km southeast of Kalgoorlie.



- Drilling will be campaigned through to September 2023. Primary objectives of the 2023 winter program are to:



o Infill resource drilling (AC/RC) at Monument and Pinner (~2,230m);



o Test a discovery target north of the Cannon mine with one RC drill hole (~180m);



o Follow-up recent diamond drilling at Penny's Find with two deep RC holes (~730m);



o Undertake new discovery drilling (AC/RC) at Kanowna South and Lakewood following up exciting results from the FY22 program (~2,660m); and



o Exploration drilling (AC/RC) at the Kestrel and Honeyeater prospects at Binduli (~2,600m)



An initial resource at Monument is being finalised and will be released ahead of the results from the upcoming program. Plans are to also test a new region immediately north of the Cannon open cut mine where historic drilling intersected anomalous grades at depth but were never followed up.



Underground mining at Penny's Find is currently scheduled to follow on from Cannon. To expand upon this opportunity, two deep RC holes have been allocated around the new northern domain mineralisation highlighted by PFRCD23003 (1.45m @ 2.61g/t Au from 314.75m and 3.2m @ 4.19g/t Au from 318.3m) to build on the existing resource at Penny's Find. This will aim to bring this area of the resource to an Indicated status to feed into study work and allow the Mining Reserve to be calculated.



Several prospects around Kalgoorlie that range from conceptual to advanced will also be tested to advance key (potentially high grade) prospects such as Kestrel and Honeyeater (Figure 1*).



Commenting on the 2023 drilling program, Horizon Chief Executive Officer Mr Grant Haywood said:



"With the development and mining of our Cannon underground gold project commencing in the December 2023 half, there is a great opportunity to leverage off the infrastructure being installed at Cannon to mine other assets in close proximity, such as Pinner and Monument. Our goal is to be in sustainable, profitable production moving from one small project to the next. Therefore our attention needs to focus on both building our pipeline of production ready deposits and also testing new discovery targets which we can progress through the project pipeline."



*To view tables and figures, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/V5K3711C





About Horizon Minerals Limited





Horizon Minerals Limited (ASX:HRZ) is a gold exploration and mining company focussed on the Kalgoorlie and Menzies areas of Western Australia which are host to some of Australia's richest gold deposits. The Company is developing a mining pipeline of projects to generate cash and self-fund aggressive exploration, mine developments and further acquisitions. The Teal gold mine has been recently completed.

Horizon is aiming to significantly grow its JORC-Compliant Mineral Resources, complete definitive feasibility studies on core high grade open cut and underground projects and build a sustainable development pipeline.

Horizon has a number of joint ventures in place across multiple commodities and regions of Australia providing exposure to Vanadium, Copper, PGE's, Gold and Nickel/Cobalt. Our quality joint venture partners are earning in to our project areas by spending over $20 million over 5 years enabling focus on the gold business while maintaining upside leverage.


$24M Placement and $5 Entitlement Issue

Perth, July 12, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Cyprium Metals Ltd ( ASX:CYM ) is pleased to announce a capital raising via a placement and a proposed pro rata non-renounceable entitlement offer to raise up to approximately $29 million before costs (Equity Raising).



HIGHLIGHTS



- Firm commitments received for a conditional placement to raise $24M



- Additional pro rata non-renounceable entitlement offer to raise up to $5M



o 1 new share for every 10.64 shares held on the record date



o Offer will be open to all eligible Cyprium shareholders



- Placement bookbuild received significant demand from numerous new and existing high quality domestic and offshore institutions



- Investor support for the Placement provides a strong endorsement of Cyprium's strategy to restart the Nifty operation as a long life integrated large scale open pit mine



- Mr Clive Donner, an experienced mining industry executive, to be appointed as Managing Director upon the issue of Placement Shares



- Leading private equity firm Pacific Road Capital Management (PRCM) has subscribed for $4.05 million in the Placement to hold a 9.9% interest in the Company post Placement



- Upon completion of the Placement, PRCM will have the right to appoint a nominee to the Company's board of directors



Clive Donner, proposed Managing Director commented:



"The Board is very appreciative of the strong support shown from current shareholders and is looking forward to welcoming a number of new institutional investors onto the register.

Once this Equity Raising has been completed, Cyprium will be able to continue to advance the Nifty technical studies and funding package enabling the delivery and execution of our strategy as an integrated copper oxide Heap Leach SX-EW starter operation and the larger scale sulphide open pit operation."



Placement and Proposed Entitlement Offer



The Company has received firm commitments in respect of a conditional placement to issue approximately 600 million new shares (Placement Shares) at an offer price of $0.04 per share (Offer Price) to raise $24 million (Placement) from sophisticated and institutional investors, which is subject to shareholder approval to be sought at a General Meeting currently expected to take place before the end of August 2023 (General Meeting).



The Placement was strongly supported by sophisticated and professional investors, including numerous new and existing high quality domestic and offshore natural resources focused institutions.



Leading private equity firm and existing shareholder, Pacific Road Capital Management (PRCM), has agreed to subscribe for approximately A$4.05 million in the Placement, representing a pro forma 9.9% interest in the Company post-Placement.



Mr John Featherby (current Non-Executive Director) has agreed to subscribe for 5,000,000 Shares under the Placement and Mr Clive Donner (incoming Managing Director) has agreed to subscribe for 12,500,000 Shares. Mr Milan Jerkovic (incoming Chief Operating Officer) and associates have agreed to subscribe for 12,500,000 Shares.



Subscribers for the Placement Shares will be entitled to participate in the proposed Entitlement Offer, which will proceed following the issue of the Placement Shares and reinstatement of the Company's Shares to trading on the ASX.



The Offer Price represents a 63.6% discount to the last traded price of $0.11 on 20 February 2023.



The Company is also pleased to announce a proposed non-renounceable pro rata entitlement offer to issue approximately 125 million new shares (Entitlement Shares) at the Offer Price, representing 1 new share for every 10.64 shares held by eligible shareholders on the record date to raise up to $5 million (Entitlement Offer).



Cyprium will release a prospectus detailing the terms of the Entitlement Offer following the General Meeting and issue of the Placement Shares, including details as to whether shareholders are eligible to participate in the Entitlement Offer and key risks (Prospectus). The Prospectus will include a personalised entitlement and acceptance form which will provide further details of how to participate in the Entitlement Offer.



Entitlements are non-renounceable and will not be tradeable on ASX or otherwise transferable.



Shareholders who do not take up their entitlements will not receive any value in respect of those entitlements that they do not take up.



The Entitlement Offer will include a top up facility under which eligible shareholders who take up their full entitlement will have the opportunity to apply for additional shares from a pool of those not taken up by other eligible shareholders (Top Up Facility). In addition to the Top Up Facility, there will also be a general shortfall offer pursuant to which the Company may place any shares to non-eligible shareholders within three (3) months from the closing date of the Entitlement Offer.



Each participant in the Placement and Entitlement Offer will receive 1 free attaching option for every 2 Shares to be issued under the Placement and Entitlement Offer (Options). The Options will be exercisable at $0.06 each, on or before 31 December 2024.



Canaccord Genuity (Australia) Limited is acting as the Lead Manager to the Placement. Steinepreis Paganin is acting as legal adviser to Cyprium.



Use of Funds and Lifting of Voluntary Suspension



The Company has requested that the ASX lifts the voluntary suspension of trading in its Shares following the General Meeting and the issue of the Shares under the Placement (which is expected to occur in late August). Reinstatement to trading on the ASX will be subject to ASX conditions which are not yet confirmed.



Following successful reinstatement to trading, the Company will undertake the Entitlement Offer to enable eligible shareholders to subscribe for Shares at the same Offer Price as Shares offered under the Placement and to raise additional funds for working capital purposes.



Proceeds from the Equity Raising will primarily be used for the completion of the Nifty project technical studies, Nifty site costs and for working capital purposes. Cyprium will have sufficient funding to complete the Nifty life of mine study on the integrated copper oxide Heap Leach SX-EW starter operation and the larger scale sulphide open pit (refer to CYM ASX announcement dated 23 May 2023 "Cyprium Metals Corporate Update").



Funds from the Equity Raising will provide the Company with significant runway to pursue its updated Nifty strategy, as detailed below.



Nifty Strategy



The immediate task is to restart the Nifty operation with lower capital intensity and risk by developing a large-scale open pit mine utilising its significant sunk capital infrastructure.



The Nifty development strategy includes the integration of a Copper Oxide Heap Leach SX-EW starter open pit operation that will be complemented by the larger scale sulphide open pit, which together will provide a significant +15-year mine life based on +900,000 tonne contained copper resource.



Cyprium has finalised a detailed Restart Study for the Oxide Heap Leach starter operation. The Company is completing a scoping study which will lead into a detailed open pit life of mine study, which includes the large sulphide resource inventory. This will reflect the large scale and longer life of the Nifty project and demonstrate the economic metrics of the larger scale open pit mine.



Cyprium has substantial infrastructure already in place to treat both oxide and sulphide mineral inventory.



The integrated business plan for Nifty is expected to produce a long-life production profile with two product streams which will provide a lower risk operating approach with maximum processing flexibility. This plan is expected to produce annualised production between 48,000 to 65,000 tpa of copper production.2 It is anticipated that the Oxide Heap Leach SX-EW will produce approximately 20,000 - 25,000 tpa of copper cathode for over +6 years with expected additional oxide feed from the larger open pit.2 The Oxide leach SX-EW project is expected to provide the required funding to restart the Sulphide Concentrator. The Concentrator is expected to produce between 28,000 tpa (2.8Mtpa) and 40,000 tpa (4.0 Mtpa) of copper in concentrate.



These assets would support a long mine life project in excess of 15 years.



Nifty's prospectivity is excellent and the mineral inventory is shallow, is open along strike in multiple directions and at depth, giving good potential to increase the current resource endowment.



There also continues to be strong interest from investors in Cyprium's medium- and long-term strategy for the development of its Maroochydore and Murchison exploration copper projects. Cyprium has an attractive portfolio of West Australian Copper projects which have more 1.6 million tonnes of contained copper.



Board and Management Changes



The Company is pleased to announce that upon the issuance of shares under the Placement, Mr Clive Donner will be appointed to the Cyprium Board as the Managing Director.



Mr Donner is an experienced mining private equity and financing expert who has financed over 50 mines globally. He founded 2 private equity funds which focussed on emerging and mid-tier mining companies. Previously a Director of Rothschild Australia responsible for mine development financing.



Mr Donner has been engaged to lead the raising the required capital, developing the assets of the Company and building the Company into a mid-tier copper producer.



The material terms of Mr Donner's employment agreement are provided in Appendix A.



Mr Barry Cahill will resign from the Board upon Mr Donner's appointment to the Board as the Managing Director. Mr Cahill will continue as an executive of the Company as the Chief Development Officer to focus on the technical studies to implement the Nifty Strategy.



Upon completion of the Placement, PRCM will have the right to appoint a nominee to the Company's board of directors.



Mr Jerkovic is an experienced mining executive who will build a technical team and deliver the execution of Nifty and other projects. He will be appointed Chief Operating Officer.





About Cyprium Metals Ltd





Cyprium Metals Limited (ASX:CYM) is poised to grow to a mid-tier mining business and manage a portfolio of Australian copper projects to deliver vital natural resources, strong shareholder returns and sustainable value for our stakeholders. We pursue this aim, in genuine partnerships with employees, customers, shareholders, local communities and other stakeholders, which is based on integrity, co-operation, transparency and mutual value creation.
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The 'Uncut Gems' actress and mom of one has revealed she had a 'full circle moment' when she did a festive campaign with the department store in Bloomingdale.

Jul 12, 2023

AceShowbiz - Julia Fox got "permanently banned" from a Bloomingdale's store after being caught stealing as a teenager. The "Uncut Gems" actress, who had a brief fling with rapper Kanye West in 2022 following his split from 42-year-old SKIMS founder Kim Kardashian, has revealed she had a "full circle moment" when she did a festive campaign with the department store, eight years after she was caught shoplifting when she was 15 in 2005.

She told ET Canada, "I've had so many full circle moments like that. I actually got caught shoplifting at Bloomingdale's and I was 15 and I was permanently banned from the store. And then like eight years later, I did like a little holiday campaign for them."

The 33-year-old model was a nervous wreck when she walked into that very store all those years later. She recalled, "And I remember when I came up, when I walked in in the morning, they asked for my I.D. and I was like, 'Oh my God, are they going to like, look in the system and see that I'm like, bad?' And whatever they didn't, they let me in.

"But it's like, you know, I still kind of live with that, like trauma. Like, like I still like when I walk by police officers, like, hold my breath and like, look straight ahead."

Julia, who has obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and autism, says she still suffers "trauma" and carries "scars" from her "past." The fashion designer added, "Like I have so much trauma from being arrested and stuff. But, you know, it's like you still carry those, like, scars from your past. Like, you know, I am, I guess, a different girl now, but I still feel like the same little 13 raggedy, 13 year old."

Before launching her career, Julia worked in a shoe store, an ice cream shop, a pastry shop, and had a brief side hustle as a dominatrix for six months while studying at City-As-School High School in Manhattan.

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In a new interview, the former fiance of Rob Kardashian claims that she never has hard feelings toward the famous clan despite her $100 million lawsuit against them.

Jul 12, 2023

AceShowbiz - Blac Chyna insists it's all good between her and the Kardashian-Jenner family. In a new interview, the video vixen claimed that she never has hard feelings toward the famous clan despite her $100 million lawsuit against them.

"It's going good. It's going good. I think that everything will get better, like, with time," the mom of two told The U.S. Sun on Tuesday, July 11 when asked about her relationship with her ex-fiance Rob Kardashian's family. "Things just have to, like, kind of move on."

The former "Rob & Chyna" star went on to stress, "As far as negativity goes, no. On my side, there's never been anything negative. I don't talk about them. I've never talked about them for, what, the past six years now. So it's all love."

Chyna appeared to dismiss the existence of her 2017 lawsuit against the famed family with her new comments. In the lawsuit, the model accused momager Kris Jenner and three of her daughters, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, of sabotaging her reputation as well as her reality show, which was canceled in 2016 after just one season.

Chyna's legal team claimed that Kris falsely accused the former stripper of assaulting Rob. She also alleged that they used the alleged incident to make E! not renew "Rob & Chyna" for a second season.

The former couple, however, did confirm that they got physical during an argument in December 2016. Chyna, who shares daughter Dream with Rob, admitted that she wrapped a cellphone charger around Rob's neck and pointed an unloaded gun at him during the fight in question, though she claimed she was "just joking."

Executive producers from E! also testified that they canceled the show because "there was no more Rob and Chyna." In May 2022, Chyna, who is also a mom to 10-year-old son King Cairo with rapper Tyga, lost the legal battle as the jury didn't find any of the Kardashians' attempts to cancel the second season of "Rob & Chyna" with their influence.

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The 3rd National President of the SAG-AFTRA is dragged online after posing with the 'American Horror Story' star at a promotional event for Dolce and Gabbana amid the union's negotiation with major studios.

Jul 12, 2023

AceShowbiz - Fran Drescher's recent trip to Italy doesn't sit well some Hollywood actors. The actress, who currently serves as the National President of the SAG-AFTRA, has landed in hot water for attending a promotional event for Dolce & Gabbana in Puglia amid the union's negotiation with major studios.

On Sunday, July 9, the former "The Nanny" star attended a fashion show for the Italian brand where she posed for pictures with Kim Kardashian. In one of the snaps, the reality TV star puckered up as she took a photo with her so-called "fashion icon."

"My fashion icon! Always on my mood board! I seriously love this woman! The oh so gorgeous @officialfrandrescher," so Kim captioned their photo. The two ladies also posed for a group shot with other celebrities at the event, including Kim's mom Kris Jenner, actresses Helen Mirren, Angela Bassett and Kerry Washington as well as model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

Fran was soon blasted by actors for her Italian trip and photos with Kim, which many deemed "tone deaf" amid the union's looming strike. "Narcos: Mexico" actor Lenny Jacobson tweeted, "Negotiating our possible strike from Italy seems like a strange strategy @frandrescher @sagaftra."

"Look - I'm not saying one can't have a personal life," actress Briana Cap wrote on Twitter on Monday. "And I'm not saying one can't take a vacation. But we are in the middle of the most crucial negotiation in decades and our WGA siblings are on day 70 of fighting for their lives. The optics here are *truly* awful. Do better."

A senior executive at an AMPTP member studio also weighed in on the matter, remarking, "How tone deaf can one be."

In response to the criticism, SAG-AFTRA has since defended Fran's decision to take the quick trip as part of her work as a longstanding "brand ambassador" for the high-end Italian fashion line. "President Drescher is working as a brand ambassador for Dolce and Gabbana on location in Italy. This was a commitment fully known to the negotiating committee," they said in a statement.

The statement continued to read, "She has been in negotiations every day either in person or via videoconference. President Drescher is managing a physically demanding schedule across three time zones, overseeing negotiations and working on location daily as well as managing her parents' needs in [Florida]. She is returning to the States and will be on the ground in L.A. tomorrow [July 11], and will continue to chair our negotiations."

The union is currently negotiating for a new film and TV contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers after its previous deal expired at the end of June. In a letter sent to SAG-AFTRA ahead of the end of the contract, more than 400 actors, including Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, warned that they're "prepared to strike" in order to achieve a "transformative deal."

On Tuesday, it's reported that Endeavor boss Ari Emanuel and CAA chief Bryan Lourd offered to step in to help find a pathway to a deal between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP. Ari reportedly contacted SAG-AFTRA leadership last week to prevent a total shutdown if the actors join the writers on strike, and Bryan made similar calls.

Meanwhile, the WGA has been on a strike since May 2.

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The 86-year-old actor doesn't make it over for the scheduled trip to the U.K. to promote his new Paramount+ series, in which he stars alongside Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldana among others.

Jul 12, 2023

AceShowbiz - Morgan Freeman missed a press trip this week after catching a "contagious infection." The 86-year-old actor didn't make it over for the scheduled trip to the U.K. to promote his new Paramount+ series "Special Ops: Lioness", in which he stars alongside Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldana, after contracting an unspecified illness.

A representative told MailOnline, "Morgan has a fever and his doctor felt he had a contagious infection, so he cancelled his trip. He is fine now."

He didn't appear alongside his co-stars on BBC programme "The One Show", while Nicole and Zoe have also attended a photocall at Savoy Place and a screening at the Tate Britain. The spy thriller series, which is inspired by a real CIA programme, follows marine Joe (Zoe) who tries to balance her personal and work life as she leads the way on the organisation's war on terror.

Morgan has been cast as U.S. secretary of state Edwin Mullins, and Nicole plays the CIA's senior supervisor Kaitlyn Meade. The show is set to premiere on July 23 with the first two episodes available at launch, with one episode due to be released each week until the finale on September 3.

Meanwhile, "The Shawshank Redemption" star Morgan previously claimed his fame has left him "screwed" when it comes to being a character actor. He told the Sunday Times newspaper, "When my career started in film I wanted to be a chameleon. I remember De Niro early on, doing very different parts. Almost unrecognizable as the same actor."

"I had opportunities like that. But as you mature in this business, eventually you become a star. Then you're pretty screwed in terms of referring to yourself as a character actor. You play a lot of the same type of role - people hire you and say, 'It's you that I want.' And you live with it," he added.

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The 'In My Feelings' hitmaker leaves a supportive comment on the 'Desperado' actress' sexy video, which she uploads to celebrate her reaching 25 million followers on Instagram.

Jul 12, 2023

AceShowbiz - Salma Hayek's social media page has been gaining interest lately with her cheeky posts and Drake apparently couldn't miss it. The Canadian superstar has been caught leaving a comment on her latest thirst trap, prompting a cute interaction between the two stars.

Earlier this month, the "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" star posted a sexy video to celebrate her reaching a milestone on Instagram. In the clip, the Mexican-born actress flaunted her famous curves in tiny bikini before jumping into the pool.

The 56-year-old appeared to be in a bliss, splashing the water and twirling in the pool. She was also seen leaning on the edge of the pool and showing off her flexibility by lifting one of her legs, while still in the water.

In the caption, she expressed her gratitude after reaching 25 million followers. "I can't believe it, 25 million followers!" she began writing. "Thank you soo soo much to every single one of you. Seeing as you all like my bikini pictures the most, here's a bikini work out for you all. I hate exercising- but I love to celebrate good moments dancing in the water. I am genuinely moved and grateful for all your love & support."

Drake caught wind of Salma's post and left a supportive comment underneath. "Let's get her to 50M asap," he wrote. Salma was excited to read the comment from Drizzy as she replied, "What he said," adding two grinning face with star eyes emojis and a kiss mark emoji.

Salma Hayek responded to Drake's comment on her racy Instagram post.

Many were amused by the interaction between Salma and Drake, with one calling the "Hotline Bling" rapper's move "savage." Another jokingly suggested the "Grown Ups" star, "@salmahayek now take Drake on an date."

Others hope to see a collaboration between the two stars in the future. "@champagnepapi put her in a video! She's smoking hot. Always been one of my biggest crushes," a fan proposed. Another predicted, "@champagnepapi I can already see it. He's going to drop her in a song."

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By Jun Ji-hye



Health authorities have issued an alert, urging citizens to heighten their safety measures against malaria as the number of mosquitoes that can transmit the disease has increased rapidly this summer due mainly to heat waves and heavy torrential rain.



According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on Wednesday, the daily mosquito index for the 25th week of the year (from June 18 to 24) stood at 7.1, and rose to 9.2 the following week.



The figures released by the KDCA measured the density of mosquitos at 50 places in Incheon, northern Gyeonggi Province and Gangwon Province, which were designated as malaria danger zones.



The mosquito index for the 25th week has more than doubled from the same week a year earlier, and increased nearly five times from the average of the last five years.



The index for the 26th week has also increased 1.3 times from a year earlier and 2.5 times from the average of the last five years.



The ratio of mosquitoes carrying malaria among the total collected by the KDCA has increased as well, standing at 54 percent in the 25th week and 61.7 percent in the 26th week.



The ratio for the 25th week nearly doubled from a year earlier, while that of the 26th week increased 1.2 times during the same period.



The KDCA said the number of malaria patients until the 26th week of the year was tallied at 302, up 169.6 percent from 112 tallied a year earlier.



The KDCA attributed the increasing figures to successive rainfalls in recent weeks creating many puddles where mosquito larvae can grow. It added that the recent heat wave may have also contributed to speeding up their growth.



KDCA officials said they are working together with local governments to remove puddles in malaria danger zones and enhance mosquito control efforts.



Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease resulting in high fever, shaking chills and flu-like symptoms.



Health authorities advise people to refrain from outdoor activities at night when mosquitos are more active, and wear long sleeves and pants when they are outdoors. People are also advised to install mosquito nets in their homes.



"People living in or visiting malaria danger zones should comply with malaria prevention rules," KDCA Commissioner Jee Young-mee said. "Those who show any symptoms associated with malaria are advised to visit nearby a public health center or hospital."


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The Veronica Lodge depicter on 'Riverdale' subtly confirmed her romance with the Internet personality back in November 2022 when giving a 'life update' to fans.

Jul 12, 2023

AceShowbiz - Camila Mendes has a special treat for fans as she celebrated her first dating anniversary with Rudy Mancuso. To mark the milestone in their relationship, the Veronica Lodge depicter on "Riverdale" unleashed a PDA-filled photo of the two on Instagram.

In the snap, which was shared on Monday, July 10, the 29-year-old beauty could be seen hugging and kissing her beau on the cheek. "always in our own little world. te amo so much. one year down, and many more to go," she simply caption the image.

The post did not go unnoticed by Rudy. In the comment section, the Internet personality replied, "Amoooooooooor."

Camila subtly confirmed her romance with Rudy in November 2022. At that time, she gave fans a "life update" by sharing a seven-photo carousel. In the first picture, there was a shaggy-haired hunk sitting on the floor by the front door while playing with her dog, a Maltipoo named Truffle.

The other snap, meanwhile, was a selfie of the couple taken in the reflection of a sliding glass door. In the shot, the twosome was seen embracing each other with him planting a kiss on her forehead. The pair wore what appeared to be swimming outfits.

Camila and Rudy may have fallen for each other while filming Prime Video's "Musica". According to IMDb, the film "follows a young man, plagued by the music in his head, who has to come to terms with an uncertain future while balancing love, family and Brazilian culture in Newark, New Jersey."

Mendes previously opened up about her love life in a January episode of the Going Mental podcast, though she declined to mention her partner by name at the time.

In January, Camila opened up about her dating life. "I think I'm gonna keep it that way, for now. I don't know, I'm constantly changing my perspective on it," she said when asked about keeping her relationship under wraps. "Because the thing is, I love so hard when I love that I always want to show off my lover ... I get so mushy gushy with that [stuff]."

"I am still in the honeymoon [phase], but it's one of those situations where I feel like I'm really trying to temper myself," the actress further elaborated. "I don't wanna speak above and beyond, but I feel like I've known him my whole life, and that's something I actually have never felt before."

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A freight train carrying industrial chemicals derailed near East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023, and to avoid explosions, authorities conducted a controlled release and burned the cars contents. Residents were worried about their health and the environment, so researchers have been assessing the local air quality with stationary and mobile sampling methods. Now, in ACS Environmental Science & Technology Letters, they report that some gases, including acrolein, reached levels that could be hazardous.

After the derailment, disaster response teams emptied and burned the cargo. Because the tanker cars carried many volatile compounds, such as vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate, localized air-quality-related evacuation orders were issued. However, after returning to their homes, some residents reported symptoms similar to those that typically result from exposure to hazardous levels of airborne compounds. So, Albert Presto and colleagues wanted to monitor air quality and identify the potential health risks in and around East Palestine.

The researchers downloaded air-quality monitoring data from two U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stations at fixed locations. And to map patterns of airborne compounds, they drove a cargo van around the area for two days in late February. Inside the van was a mass spectrometer, which was used to identify a wide array of gases, upwind and downwind of the accident site. Then the team calculated the health risks for the gases that were above average or background levels.

From the EPA data, the team determined that the levels of nine of the 50 gases initially rose above their normal baselines, especially acrolein, a respiratory irritant. If these nine compounds remained at those levels, the ambient air could pose health risks, say the researchers. Yet, through February, the amounts of many pollutants decreased significantly. In fact, vinyl chloride declined to concentrations below long-term limits of health concern. Mobile monitoring detected changes over time and space that the stations could not. For instance, during the day, acrolein and butyl acrylate were up to six times higher near the accident site than background levels, but at night they dropped to the background amount. These results indicate the importance of complementary stationary and mobile air-quality assessment techniques, the researchers say, and both should continue as cleanup activities proceed.

The authors acknowledge funding from a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Grant, a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Training Grant and the Heinz Endowments.
MBD Group, an embodiment of excellence, reliability, and expertise across various sectors including Education, EdTech, Skill Development, Capacity Building, Exports, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, Malls, Realty, Design & Construction, Residences and Commercial spaces operating in India and abroad , recently commemorated its 78th Founder's Day with indomitable spirit and zeal. This momentous occasion honoured the outstanding legacy of their visionary founder, Shri Ashok Kumar Malhotra. This event served as a heartfelt tribute to his remarkable contributions, untiring commitment and transformative ideas towards empowering people. Employees from diverse verticals were honoured for their invaluable contributions, and their unwavering dedication was acknowledged as the backbone of MBD's success. Furthermore, as a testament to their commitment to employee growth, MBD Group extends support to selected individuals by providing scholarships to fund their education. This longstanding tradition is upheld every year, reflecting MBD Group's steadfast dedication to the professional and personal development of its employees.

The Ashok Kumar Malhotra Charitable Trust, the CSR division of MBD Group, also unveiled its Love to Learn initiative. Through this initiative, the Group aims to revolutionise traditional classrooms by incorporating technology which will open up a world of endless possibilities for learners. This initiative has been implemented in numerous schools located in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Approximately 25,000 students will benefit from this initiative.

Expressing joy on celebrating the 78th Founders Day, Mrs. Satish Bala Malhotra  Chairperson, MBD Group  said, We MBDians gather each year on Founders Day to honour the enduring values and belief system established by Shri Ashok Kumar Malhotra; a profound sense of pride fills my heart with joy that we are upholding the philosophy and values instilled by our Founder. I strongly believe we should give back to society and endeavour constantly to disseminate education.

Monica Malhotra Kandhari  Managing Director, MBD Group  said, On Founders Day, I would like to congratulate each one of you for having successfully launched the Love to Learn initiative. We aim to narrow the educational gap and provide equal opportunities for all the students, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds. Along with upgrading infrastructure we are committed to empowering teachers through capacity-building programmes thus ensuring the sustainability of the project.

Sonica Malhotra Kandhari  Joint Managing Director, MBD Group  said, Our Founder was always committed to transform education and make a positive impact in society. By upgrading traditional classrooms into digital classrooms, we create engaging and interactive spaces for students to learn and explore. This initiative will be an ongoing effort, running year after year, with the intention of benefitting an increasing number of students pan India.

MBD takes immense pride in its tie-up with the National Independent Schools Alliance (NISA) in a heartfelt mission to transform traditional classrooms into digital classrooms in budget private schools. With this tie-up, MBD is fully committed to strengthening schools nationwide because we believe that giving students the resources they need to thrive in the digital age is essential.

Dr Kulbhushan Sharma  President NISA  said, MBD's decision to transform classrooms into smart spaces is quite admirable. During a panel discussion where Mrs. Monica Malhotra Kandhari was also present, I asked if there will ever be a CSR initiative for budget private schools. To my surprise, MBD not only took my question to heart but also took action. Classrooms are now becoming digital and students are being connected to new technologies. It's incredible to witness their genuine care and commitment.

Guided by the core principles of making resources accessible to those who require them, the Group spearheads its CSR initiatives through 'MBD  MY BEST DEEDS'. Furthermore, MBD Group extends its philanthropic efforts through the AKM Charitable Trust. The Trust actively supports projects aimed at empowering girls through education, establishing MBD libraries in various schools, donating books and stationery, and many more.

On the 78th Founders Day, MBD Group commemorated Shri Ashok Kumar Malhotras enduring legacy and pioneering spirit, which have become a source of inspiration for generations to come.
Media.Monks India is proud to announce its collaboration with Harrdy Sandhu in the creation of India's first virtual production Punjabi music video. This groundbreaking collaboration has resulted in a visual masterpiece for Harrdy Sandhu's latest song, "PSYCHO," which is the first song of his highly anticipated EP, "Pleasures."



"It has been an incredible experience working with the exceptionally talented team at Media.Monks," expressed Harrdy Sandhu, the sensational Punjabi pop artist. "Working with virtual production technology has been an absolute game-changer. The ability to shoot in one studio while seamlessly transporting ourselves to diverse locations was an exhilarating experience. It truly pushed the boundaries of creativity and opened up a whole new world of possibilities for us as artists.



Harrdy Sandhu, who is known for his hit song "Bijlee Bijlee," amongst many other chartbusters, released his EP, "Pleasures," on July 7th, 2023. This EP marks a significant milestone in his career, showcasing his artistic evolution and growth. Comprising five captivating songs  "PSYCHO," "If You Want," "Gal Meri," "What is Love," and "Love Hate"  the EP offers a fresh perspective on life, love, and emotions, accompanied by infectious melodies and meaningful lyrics.



The music video for the single "PSYCHO" showcases the innovative use of virtual production technology. By combining real-time computer graphics with live-action filming, the creative team behind the video has created stunning visuals and immersive environments. This cutting-edge approach allows for enhanced creative flexibility and control, resulting in a captivating audio-visual experience for the audience.



Media.Monks India played a pivotal role in the collaboration, utilizing their expertise in virtual production and bringing together talented artists from across the industry. The renowned VFX team at Media.Monks India worked closely with Harrdy Sandhu and Arvindr Khaira to ensure the seamless execution of their creative vision. The result is a music video that perfectly complements the emotive lyrics of the song, immersing viewers in a visually striking narrative.



Adding to the charm and charisma of the "PSYCHO" music video is the presence of Aakanksha Sharma, a talented female lead. Her performance enhances the overall experience, further accentuating the mood and narrative of the song.



Arvindr Khaira, the acclaimed director behind the "PSYCHO" music video, added, "Together with Media.Monks India, we stretched the limits of creativity of conventional VFX in music videos. The use of virtual production technology allowed us to create breathtaking visuals that perfectly complemented the emotions and energy of the song. It was an exhilarating experience to create something absolutely new and to explore uncharted territory, trying out innovative techniques that have never been seen before in the music video industry."



Media.Monks India, in particular, has been at the forefront of pioneering virtual production in the country. With a talented pool of experts in Unreal, VFX, and CGI, the India team played a crucial role in bringing the creative vision of "PSYCHO" to life. The three-day shoot at their Noida Studio in film city exemplified their commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and creativity.



"We are thrilled to have collaborated with Harrdy Sandhu on this groundbreaking project," said Robert Godinho, Managing Director at Media.Monks India. "The 'PSYCHO' music video represents a new era in Indian music videos and showcases the power of virtual production technology. We are proud to have been part of this milestone and look forward to continuing our mission of driving innovation in the industry."



Be prepared to be captivated by the seamless fusion of music and technology, as Media.Monks India and Harrdy Sandhu present India's first virtual production Punjabi music video.
Swiss Beauty, a leading beauty brand in India, proudly marks a decade of success as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. With its consistent progress, the company has firmly established itself among the top 5 players in the makeup industry.

Over the past decade, Swiss Beauty has experienced exceptional growth, capturing strong markets in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Jaipur, and Bangalore, establishing itself as a prominent player in the Indian beauty market. In the fiscal year 2022-2023, the brand achieved an outstanding growth rate of 70%, a testament to the brand's commitment to delivering high-quality products and meeting customer demands. Looking ahead, the company is quietly confident to maintain this growth rate in the year 2023-2024 as well maintaining an ARR of 500 cr.

As part of its expansion plans, Swiss Beauty is focused on enhancing its product portfolio by developing more Indian shades for lips and face that are both vibrant and skin-friendly. The brand remains dedicated to celebrating the diversity of beauty and ensuring that every individual finds products that resonate with their unique style and preferences.

Swiss Beauty has established a strong presence in over 550 cities across India. With over 25,000 retail touchpoints, the brand has reached a vast customer base. In the coming year, Swiss Beauty aims to further expand with a particular focus on Tier 2 and 3 cities whilst the company looks forward to scaling up its presence in Tier 1 cities, including Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Chandigarh.

Additionally, the brand has made a successful foray into Brand owned kiosk in the EBO channel, starting with its first one at Elante, Chandigarh. Swiss Beauty has ambitious plans to capture the top 5 smart cities with its EBO business, providing customers with an immersive brand experience.

It is also worthwhile to make a point that Swiss Beauty has names like Spencers and H&G in their pipeline as well.

Delhi, the brand's hometown, has emerged as a significant contributor to Swiss Beauty's sales, reflecting the deep connection and trust the brand has fostered with its local customer base.

Saahil Nayar, CEO of Swiss Beauty, said, "We are thrilled to mark a decade of incredible success and expansion as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Swiss Beauty. Our unwavering dedication to providing top-quality products and meeting the diverse beauty needs of our customers has propelled us to the forefront of the makeup industry. With a strong presence in the market, exceptional growth, and a solid position among the top 5 players, Swiss Beauty is well-positioned to lead the way in the years to come. We express our heartfelt appreciation to our loyal customers and committed team for their invaluable support as we continue our journey to become the foremost colour cosmetic brand in the country."

As Swiss Beauty looks ahead, its vision for the next five years is to become the largest colour cosmetic player in the country. Notably, it is the one of the only colour cosmetic company of this stature that has been 100% bootstrapped to date, showcasing the brand's self-sufficiency and commitment to its vision.

Swiss Beauty has achieved significant milestones throughout its journey. One notable achievement is its unbeatable concealer sales, with one concealer sold every 30 seconds. This showcases the brand's popularity and customer preference. The brand takes pride in being an early adopter of an omnichannel business model, which includes loyalty programs, rewards, promotions, and a cohesive brand experience. It has successfully integrated its retail and digital presence, providing customers with a seamless and unified shopping experience. Additionally, Swiss Beauty has established an efficient supply chain to ensure smooth last-mile deliveries for its customers.
There has been rapid adoption of digital technologies across the globe. This trend is driven by multiple factors like technological advancements, transition in consumer behaviours, and the increasing need for greater efficiency. To further ensure digital readiness on emerging technologies and revitalize Indias digital economy, Zee Media is all set to host its first edition of Digital India Dialogue 2023 conclave in New Delhi on Thursday, 13th July 2023.

The Government of India has positioned its Digital India program to generate an economic value of US$ 1 trillion from the digital economy by 2025. This can be possible only by utilizing the full potential of Web 3.0, AI, 5G, Metaverse, and Cyber Security to build India's strongest Digital ecosystem. The upcoming Digital India Dialogue by Zee Media will bring together policymakers, C-Level Executives, directors, ministers, and tech heads for in-depth discussions on the development of advanced and intelligent solutions for securing cyberspace.

Zee Media Digital India Dialogue will be graced by Chief Guest and Keynote speaker  Shri Rajeev Chandrashekhar (Union Minister of State for Electronics & IT and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship), renowned policymakers and Industry stalwarts across the technology and innovation sector. This public forum will comprise of panel discussions on topics like Artificial Intelligence: How human life will speed up in the next five years, 5G-powered digital transformation, The steps taken up by India for manufacturing high-tech electronic devices and Media Metamorphosis- Exploring changing consumerism in the digital era

Highlighting the sole purpose of the need for such a dialogue on the latest technological developments and cyberspace, Abhay Ojha, CEO, Zee Media Corporation Limited, said, Be it big data, cyber security, virtual digital assistants, voice search or Artificial Intelligence, its impact will redefine the future of human intelligence in the near future. The Digital Economy will lead India as it is anticipated to generate 6065 million job opportunities by 2025 and the digital component is expected to be 20% of the GDP. Zee Media Digital India Dialogue is a step forward towards creating a forum allowing policymakers and industry experts to discuss on the potential of India becoming a technology and innovation manufacturing hub and rethink on the solutions that come along.

Mona Jain, Chief Revenue Officer, ZMCL, further added, The inaugural edition of Digital India Dialogue is a step ahead toward a strategic investment in meeting the technological transitions. It will work as a catalyst for the tech industry and government officials to present sector-specific areas with domestic use cases highlighting the potential usage of AI and other emerging technologies.

The State Partner for Digital India Dialogue is Punjab Government and co-presented by Paytm, Policy Bazaar and Watcho, TiE Delhi NCR (Ecosystem Partner), Sirca (Special Partner) and Simco Swift and Agarwal Packers & Movers Limited (Associate Sponsors).

Zee Media Corporation Ltd, one of India's leading media companies, has a strong presence in the news and regional genres, with 16 news channels in seven different languages, reaching more than 528+ million viewers through its linear and digital properties.
ZEE5, Indias largest home-grown video streaming platform and a multilingual storyteller started 2023 by treating their subscribers with intriguing, fascinating and exciting titles every week. Post announcing its foray into Punjabi cinema with Beautiful Billo, Babe Bhangra Paunde Ne and Mitran Da Naa Chalda, the platform is all set to entertain the audience with the world digital premiere of Maurh. The film stars Ammy Virk, Dev Kharoud, Vikramjeet Virk, Amiek Virk, Naiqra Kaur and Kuljinder Sidhu in pivotal roles. Helmed by Jatinder Mauhar and produced by Rhythm Boyz and Naad Sstudios, the historical drama premieres on July 21 exclusively on ZEE5!

Set in pre-partition era of Punjab, the story chronicles the life of Jeona Maurh, a colonial Punjabi villager, who took up the pistol to avenge his bandit brother Kishna's death. Jeona is determined to demolish the exploitative land tax mafia, which works with the Indian monarchs and Britishers to impoverish the people, as well as Dogar, another thief who betrayed Kishna. Along with sharp writing and impeccable performances, Maurh explores the socio-political landscape of Punjab during British colonial rule capturing their dreams, struggles and emotions and keeps history enthusiasts glued to the screen.

Maurh is a one-of-a-kind historical drama that celebrates two unsung heroes, who are hailed as messiahs of the poor. This blockbuster Punjabi movie will also be available in Hindi.

Manish Kalra, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 India said, "At ZEE5, we have seen the evolution of Punjabi audience over the last few years, and they are demanding compelling narratives! Maurh is a cinematic masterpiece which weaves a powerful narrative inspired by real life incidents. 'Maurh' serves as a reminder of resilience, courage, and bravery of individuals who fought against oppressive systems. Furthermore, with Maurh, we are also tapping into a new genre of period dramas which is a distinguished addition to our Punjabi content library. The films theatrical release has had a successful run, and we are confident that the film will enthrall the subscribers on our platform as well.

Producer Jatin Sethi - Naad Sstudios and Karaj Gill - Rythm Boyz said, Maurh highlights the untold stories of Punjab's struggle against colonialism. We are looking forward to the second innings of the movie post its release in the theatres. ZEE5 has its presence in 190+ countries; I am sure the audience will enjoy watching it on the platform.

Director Jatinder Mauhar said, After producing films like Maurh, I wish to take the Punjabi film domain across geographies and cultures. Maurh is an interesting narrative which delves deep into the lives of Jeona and Kishna who confront the injustices propagated by British rulers and native kings to protect their land. The actors add emotional depth to the film making it worth a watch. I am glad that with ZEE5, a larger set of audience will be able to watch it.

Actor - Ammy Virk said, "Maurh is a thought-provoking narrative which portrays the journey of two brothers who become Bandits in Punjab. It is a film that embodies the strength and power of Punjabi cinema. Shot in the picturesque locations of Punjab with soul-stirring background music. Portraying Jeona was not easy. The character and movie stokes flames of nationalism portraying the disturbing political climate during the pre-partition era.

Actor  Dev Kharoud adds, Maurh represents the colonial period when poor people fell prey to discrimination and ill treatment by corrupt British landlords. From ruthlessness to untouchability and inequality, the movie showcases grey shades of humanity. It is disheartening to see how the ruling elite established supremacy demeaning the poor. Steeped in the nightmarish colonial period of fear and oppression, Maurh is an authentic depiction of history. I urge everyone to watch our meaningful film on ZEE5.

Maurh will stream on ZEE5 from July 21!
Beijing lashed back at NATOs accusation that China challenges the blocs interests and security, and opposed any attempt by the military alliance to expand its footprint into the Asia-Pacific region.

In a strongly worded communique issued midway into a two-day summit in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius on Tuesday, NATO said the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) challenged its interests, security and values with its ambitions and coercive policies. The PRC employs a broad range of political, economic, and military tools to increase its global footprint and project power, while remaining opaque about its strategy, intentions and military build-up, NATO heads of state said in their communique.

The PRCs malicious hybrid and cyber operations and its confrontational rhetoric and disinformation target Allies and harm Alliance security. The Chinese mission to the European said in a statement on Tuesday the China-related content of the communique disregarded basic facts, distorted Chinas position and policies, and deliberately discredited China.

We firmly oppose and reject this, it said. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters at the summit that while China was not a NATO adversary, it was increasingly challenging the rules-based international order with its coercive behaviour.

China is increasingly challenging the rules-based international order, refusing to condemn Russias war against Ukraine, threatening Taiwan, and carrying out a substantial military build-up, he said. However, NATO made no mention of Taiwan in its communique.

Taiwans foreign ministry said it was very meaningful for Stoltenberg to once again clearly express his concern for security in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is a responsible, democratic member of the Indo-Pacific region, and is willing to work with like-minded partners such as Europe and the United States to jointly combat coercion by and challenges from authoritarian regimes, it added.

SPREADING ITS TENTACLES

Attendance at the two-day summit also includes some Asia-Pacific leaders.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, joining for a second time, aimed to remind the military alliance to pay heed to East Asia risks, while South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol sought deeper international security cooperation amid rising North Korean threats and tension over China. In May, Kishida said Japan had no plans to become a NATO member, even though NATO was planning a Tokyo office, its first in Asia, to facilitate consultations in the region.

The Chinese mission said China resolutely opposed NATOs eastward movement into the Asia-Pacific region and warned any action threatening Beijings rights would be met with a resolute response. Any act that jeopardises Chinas legitimate rights and interests will be met with a resolute response, it said.

In the communique, NATO said China sought to control key technological and industrial sectors, critical infrastructure, and strategic materials and supply chains, and that Beijing also used its economic leverage to create strategic dependencies and enhance its influence. Chinas state-run Xinhua news agency hit back, saying in a report that the wars and conflicts involving NATO states suggest the bloc is a grave challenge to global peace and stability.

Despite all the chaos and conflict already inflicted, NATO is spreading its tentacles to the Asia-Pacific region with an express aim of containing China.
Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during their meeting at the presidential office in Seoul Sunday, May 7. AP-Yonhap



Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will meet Wednesday on the sidelines of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Vilnius, a presidential official said, following controversy over Japan's plan to release treated radioactive water into the sea.



The Yoon-Kishida meeting will come days after the International Atomic Energy Agency approved the water discharge from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, triggering angry protests from many in Korea and other neighboring countries fearful of the water's potential harmful effect on people and the environment.



"The issue of the Fukushima contaminated water could come up," the presidential official told reporters here Tuesday, noting the summit agenda has not been coordinated in advance.



Earlier, a presidential official told reporters that if the issue is raised, Yoon will deliver the government's position that it will place top priority on the health and well-being of Korean people.




Irans president has begun a rare visit to Africa as the country, which is under heavy US economic sanctions, seeks to deepen partnerships around the world.

President Ebrahim Raisis visit to Kenya on Wednesday is the first to the African continent by an Iranian leader in more than a decade. He is also expected to visit Uganda and Zimbabwe and meet with the presidents of all three countries.

Raisis visit is meant to promote economic diplomacy, strengthen political relations with friendly and aligned countries, and diversify the export destinations, Irans foreign ministry said in a statement upon his arrival.

Last month, Irans leader made his first visit to Latin America, stopping in Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua.

In March, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to re-establish diplomatic ties in a major diplomatic breakthrough.

Iran is in a growing standoff with Western nations over its nuclear programme, which has made major advances in the five years since then-US President Donald Trump withdrew his country from an international agreement that restricted it. Trump also restored sanctions on Iran that have contributed to a severe economic crisis.

The US last month accused Iran of providing Russia with materials to build a drone manufacturing plant as Moscow seeks weaponry for its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Iran has said it provided drones to Russia before the start of the war but not since.

Kenya is East Africas economic hub and an ally of the US, with President Joe Bidens wife, Jill, visiting the country early this year.

Under new President William Ruto, Kenya is struggling with debt and rising cost of living, with more protests expected on Wednesday in the capital, Nairobi, and elsewhere.

Few details have been released about the Iranian leaders visit to Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Last month, the US imposed visa restrictions on some officials in Uganda after the passage of a widely criticised anti-LGBTQ+ law.

Zimbabwe, like Iran, is under US sanctions.
Heavily-armed militants attacked an army garrison in Pakistans restive Balochistan province in the early hours of Wednesday, killing at least four soldiers and wounding five others, the army said.

A group of terrorists launched a dastardly attack on Zhob Garrison in the north of the province, leading to clashes in which three militants were also killed, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)  the media wing of the army- said in a statement.

The intense shootout also resulted in the death of a female passerby and left five other civilians injured, it added.

A little known militant group  Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan  claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, without providing any details.

An initial attempt of terrorists to sneak into the facility was countered by soldiers on duty and in the ensuing heavy exchange of fire, terrorists were contained into a small area at the boundary.

A clearance operation by Security Forces is underway to apprehend remaining two terrorists as well, the statement said, adding that the security forces were determined to thwart all such ghastly attempts at destroying peace in Balochistan.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo condemned the attack on the Zhob garrison and paid tribute to the Pakistan Army for thwarting it by taking swift action.

He offered his condolences to the families of the dead and said that Pakistan Army is the guarantor of peace and security in the region. Pakistan has been facing an uptick in attacks by the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch separatists in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

Balochistan province has experienced a surge in violent incidents in recent months, including bombings and targeted attacks, leading to heightened security measures and public safety concerns. Earlier this month, four security personnel lost their lives while a terrorist was killed after attacks by the rebels in the Dhana Sar area of Balochistan.

A think-tank, Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, in its report this month said the first half of 2023 has witnessed a steady rise in terror attacks, which killed 389 people across the country.
A 30-year-old Pakistani women Seema Haider who is mother of four kids fell in love with Indian man Sachin Meena, 25, while playing the online game PlayerUnknowns Battlegrounds (PUBG) during the Covid-19 pandemic. Soon after they exchanged each others contact numbers the phono-love reached its peak. They both used to talk for hours on video call and finally decided to meet and marry. She being Pakistani and he being India they chose Nepal to meet for the first time, they lived and dated together for a few days and this year in March and got married. This journey was not easy for both of them. Love knows no boundaries or barriers, their love was inseparable. To enter India Seema first went from Karachi to Dubai, where she waited for 11 hours and couldnt sleep. She then flew to Nepal, before finally taking the road to Pokhara, where she met Sachin.

While she then went back to Pakistan, Sachin returned to India from Nepal. Upon reaching Pakistan, Seema, who claimed discord with her husband, sold a plot for Pakistani Rupees 12 lakh and arranged flight tickets and a Nepal visa for herself and her four children. In May this year, she reached Nepal via Dubai and spent some time in the tourist city of Pokhara in the Himalayan nation. Then she took a bus to Delhi from Kathmandu and reached Greater Noida on May 13 with her children where Sachin had made arrangements for her to stay in a rented accommodation without disclosing her Pakistani identity. Somehow their identity was revealed and they both got arrested on 4th July. The landlord of the apartment where they were staying reportedly told the police that it did not seem like the woman was from Pakistan. They both were in Jail for some time and after getting bail from the court, Seema decided to focus on the paperwork to make her move to India official. In several media interviews she expressed that she would not return to Pakistan and cited the stringent rules for women back in her country and a possible threat to her life. Seema also revealed that she was forced to marry her Pakistani husband Gulam, who works in Dubai, at a very young age.

Indian Romeo Sachin, works at a grocery store and wants to live with Seema and her children in Greater Noida only. They both are trying to seek legal help to find out a way to legalise her stay in India. Seema is willing to accept Hinduism. Sachin told reporters that they would soon take a dip in the holy Ganga together for her to embark on their new journey. Seemas husband, Gulam Haider, who stays in Saudi Arabia, has made an appeal to the Government of India via a video message to help him reunite with his wife. In the video, he says that he got to know that his wife and children were in Noida, through the Indian media.

Although both Seema and Sachin seem very happy, Sachins family has quite a mixed reaction to her being here. Seema is a mother of four children who are also here with her. Seema is living with her husbands family. Ever since she came from Pakistan, Seema Haider has been in awe of Indian culture and lifestyle. Not only has she converted to Hinduism, Seema has also given up her favourite food  chicken biryani, meat and fish. The Pakistani Bhabhi is trying hard to wholeheartedly embrace Indian culture and doing everything to assimilate herself into Indian society. This Pakistani woman grabbed a lot of eyeballs after she and Sachin Meena, 25, were arrested by the authorities on July 4. While Seema was charged with illegally entering India, Sachin was booked for sheltering the illegal immigrant. Seema was accused of illegally entering India without a valid visa via Nepal with her four children, all aged below seven years, to live with her lover Sachin.

Seema Haider has converted to Hinduism and wears a Radhe-Radhe strap around her neck. She can be seen greeting guests with folded hands, seeking blessings by touching the feet of elders, and engaging in prayer. Haider, who hails from Sindh province in Pakistan and lived in Karachi after her first marriage, claimed that her husband divorced her over the phone and they have not been in touch. The court has however put a condition on Haider  she has been asked to not change her residence till the case was ongoing. It was reported that the couple has been asked to mark their presence before the court regularly. The couple has become famous on the internet and are being referred to in both countries as the real-life Veer Zara  a reference to a popular Bollywood movie by the same name which tells the story of two star-crossed lovers from India and Pakistan.
A Baldwin County homeowner shot and killed a Foley man who had broken into his home, according to the Baldwin County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies responded to a residence in the Vernant Park community about 11:10 a.m. Tuesday after a report of a burglary in progress. In route to the location, they received word the homeowner had shot the intruder.

When the deputies arrived at the residence, they found the would-be burglar, identified as Noah Hastings of Foley, dead at the scene from an apparent gunshot wound. The homeowner was unarmed when the deputies arrived and complied with police, according to the BCSO.

The homeowner and other witnesses told deputies Hastings had unlawfully entered the home, which was occupied by the homeowner, two other adults and five small children at the time.

The homeowner reportedly armed himself and warned Hastings to leave. Hastings left the house, but went into the front yard, began destroying property and made threats he would kill the homeowner, who told deputies he feared for his safety and that of his family members, prompting him to shoot the intruder.

No charges have been filed. The sheriffs office said once the investigation is complete, they will turn it over to a Baldwin County Grand Jury to determine whether charges are warranted.
The sheriff of Walton County, Fla., wants county commissioners there to adopt an ordinance banning non-residence from county beaches during peak times, according to WJHG.

Sheriff Mike Adkinson told commissioners Tuesday his deputies responded to nearly 700 calls on the Fourth of July, with large crowds gathered on local beaches at the crux of the issue. The sheriffs department is also investigating a fight reported at Seagrove beach which involved more than 100 teenagers, according to the report.

Adkinsons proposed ordinance would allow for access to public beaches to be closed during peak times to anyone not a Walton County resident.

For the purpose of high intensity, high traffic areas or times, that we go ahead and make a decision to allow the sheriffs office to close accesses to people who do not live in Walton County, Adkinson said, adding that the measure would reduce large crowds on the beach, particularly at night.

Adkinson, sheriff of Walton County for the past 14 years, also said the majority of teenagers who have been causing problems on the beach are from outside Walton County, according to the report.

While commissioners consider Adkinsons request for an ordinance, he suggested his office may in the interim use their police powers to restrict access to the beaches.

I think long-term ordinance is the way to handle this, but between now and then just so we dont have this problem, Adkinson said, according to the report. The truth is, there could be 10,000 people on the beach tonight. So, if theres too much traffic or if the crowd is unmanageable, then were going to go ahead and do it and say look, theres too much traffic going onto the beach, but well let you come off and do it that way.

It was unclear how the proposed restrictions would affect visitors staying in Walton County.

According to Walton County, there are 26 miles of beaches incorporating 16 unique beach neighborhoods in Walton County, including Alys Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, Grayton Beach, Inlet Beach, Rosemary Beach, Santa Rosa Beach and Seagrove Beach.
Amidst the tension at the recent meeting of the Alabama-West Florida Conference, which dealt with touchy issues surrounding the disaffiliation of congregations from the United Methodist Church, Bishop David Graves issued a challenge.

He urged those attending the conference June 11-14 to donate enough money to pay off the remaining debt on the Blue Lake Camp in Andalusia, a traditional summer destination for United Methodist youth.

Blue Lake Camp opened in 1952 in the Conecuh National Forest. More than 2,000 campers visit every summer.

After a 2010 renovation that upgraded, expanded and updated facilities, Blue Lake Camp still carried $89,000 in debt, according to an annual report given at the conference.

After the report, Graves challenged the conference to pay off the debt. Over the three days of the meeting, pledges from members were matched with a grant from the conference to pay it off.

To be freed from this burden weve carried for so long is an incredible celebration, said Patric Newton, director of Blue Lake Camp.

The debt was like a burden that wouldnt go away, said the Rev. Hunter Pugh, chair of the Blue Lake Camp board of trustees. Without debt, we can do things with more freedom and creativity.

Summer camps remain a vital way of passing faith to the next generation, Pugh said.

In the church world we hide behind our robes and structure, but camping ministry doesnt let you hide behind those things, he said. I love it because it gives me a different avenue to be in ministry. It allows for people to ask questions and grow in their faith.

See also: United Methodists ask for loyalty from leaders, tighten rules on disaffiliation and downsize

After the split, United Methodists assign clergy, familiar face for new church

United Methodists urge repeal of ban on same-sex marriage, openly gay clergy

Bishop totaled her Prius, compares it to United Methodist church split

Birmingham-Southern College president tells United Methodists: Its been a tough year

Mountain Brooks Canterbury United Methodist Church votes to stay in denomination

Another 132 North Alabama United Methodist churches disaffiliate: Trussville, Helena, Gardendale

Division is of the devil, United Methodist bishop says as 193 churches disaffiliate

United Methodists crushed after being left behind by disaffiliating churches

United Methodists plan new churches in Prattville, Orange Beach, elsewhere to replace churches that disaffiliate in split

United Methodists start new congregations where churches disaffiliated in North Alabama
Two Birmingham firefighters were shot Wednesday morning at a fire station in the citys Norwood community.

Birmingham Fire Chief Cory Moon said both were taken to a hospital.

The fire department on Wednesday evening identified the firefighters as Jamal Jones and Jordan Melton.

Melton, who just recently became a firefighter remains in critical condition after undergoing surgery Wednesday. Jones is in serious condition.

Both are at UAB Hospital.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service sends our thoughts and prayers to these injured firefighters, their families and the entire BFRS family,' fire officials said in a statement.

Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama on Wednesday evening announced a $10,000 reward for information that leads police to the suspect or suspects in the shooting.

Police have identified the suspect vehicle, which was captured on surveillance footage in the area, and have been actively searching for that car all day. They have not released a possible description for publication except to say that it was a silver car.

The shooting happened just before 8:30 a.m. at Station 9.

Birmingham police and Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service were called to the station, at 1228 27th St. North, where the firefighters had reportedly been shot in the chest and legs.

At least one caller reported hearing shots and ran to take cover in the bathroom.

Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond said the shooter entered the fire station through the open bay door, which typically remains open to be accessible to residents who need their blood pressure checked or other help or information.

The shooting happened shortly after they started their shift.

Please see our official statement on two Birmingham firefighters who were shot at Fire Station 9.



The names of the two firefighters injured are Firefighters Jamel Jones and Jordan Melton. pic.twitter.com/W1rSkyMTFg  Birmingham Fire & Rescue Service (BFRS) (@bhamfirerescue) July 12, 2023

The early indication is that this was a targeted attack, Thurmond said.

We dont know why it would be a targeted attack, thats one of the things were trying to determine, Thurmond said. Its extremely unusual for someone to come target one of our fire stations and so were trying to see why would someone want to target one of these fire stations in Birmingham.

I find it extremely troubling that they would be targeted, the chief said. I hate to say it but unfortunately, I think police would be the bigger targets. Our firefighters are there to protect and aid and rescue our citizens and to seem them critically injured is troubling, disheartening.

There is a large scene outside the station, including all the of the fire departments top commanders, as well as Birmingham detectives and SWAT officers.

Thurmond said that the two male firefighters, both of whom were taken to UAB Hospital, are in serious condition. At least one was shot multiple times and undergoing surgery.

The chief said at least one other firefighter was inside the station when the shooting happened. That firefighter was not injured.

Asked if it could be personal in nature versus a random attack on the profession itself, Thurmond said, Thats one of the issues were looking at when we say, Is there a connection? What is that connection if there is one? We just dont know at this point in time.

Is it professional? Is it personal? Is it none of the above? Thurmond said. We just dont know.

Thurmond said he doesnt think the general community is in danger.

I think there could be some individuals that could have some information on this, he said, so we would encourage them to call us.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin released this statement about the shooting:

Our hearts are extremely heavy in the wake of the shooting of two Birmingham firefighters this morning.

These are two dedicated servants of our community. Now, we must return the favor of service by providing them and their families the comfort, care and support they need. I also ask that you join me in lifting up the entire Birmingham Fire and Rescue team as they rally around their comrades during this very difficult time.

We ask for your patience as Birmingham Police continue their investigation. Know that we are using every resource at hand to find answers and justice for those harmed.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Mobile City Councilman Joel Daves signaled Tuesday that the city could look at curtailing its three-mile police jurisdiction after a special election next week that will determine if approximately 26,000 people should be annexed into the city limits.

Daves, speaking at the end of the weekly council meeting, said it would be appropriate for the City Council to consider whether it makes sense for city government to continue providing police and fire protection to people living outside the city limits.

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I think after the annexation election, we need to look at it, Daves said. It would be good for the City Council to study this issue again.

At issue could be whether approximately 71,000 residents  a population about the size of Dothan  who reside outside the city limits, should continue to receive police and fire protection services from the City of Mobile after the annexation election next Tuesday.

After the folks have had the opportunity to join the City of Mobile, well have to look at the provision of (providing) police and fire in the police jurisdiction and make a determination if the continuation of these services is good for the citizens of Mobile, said Daves.

James Barber, chief of staff to Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, said the city is prepared to analyze a phased approach toward withdrawing police and fire protection services outside of Mobiles municipal boundaries.

We have tried to communicate that, Barber said. There is a feeling (police and fire services) will always be there. Weve been mindful to communicate those efforts.

Daves has weighed the potential of having Mobile terminate city services within its police jurisdiction before. In 2019, Daves pitched an ordinance that would have repealed the police jurisdictions services after calculating that the city spent more than $24.5 million each year in providing public services within the jurisdiction west of Mobiles city limits.

Daves said any effort to withdraw services within the jurisdiction would be orderly. He said that the proposal in 2019, called for a two-year phase-out of the jurisdiction.

The 2019 proposal did not advance because the citys annexation plan did not move forward and was killed by the council before a special election could take place.

What if we rolled back the three miles to 1-1/2 miles? Daves said, pondering possible outcomes. How do we help the people in the police jurisdiction transition to a fire district if we pull back?

He added, The primary issue that residents have had the opportunity now to join the City of Mobile and pay their fair share. After the referendum next week, I would hope we can look into this matter more.

Voters in four areas west of Mobiles city limits will get a chance to vote during next weeks special election on whether they want to be annexed into the city. If all voters approve in each area vote in support of annexation, the citys overall population could jump well above 200,000 residents and make Mobile the second-largest city in Alabama trailing only fast-growing Huntsville. Mobile, with a shrinking population of 184,900 residents, is currently the fourth-largest city in the state trailing Huntsville, Birmingham, and Montgomery.

Councilman William Carroll said the city, if it decides to alter its police jurisdiction, will not press forward with something that results in unintended consequences.

I think its important for everyone to know what the possibilities area, said Carroll. I wouldnt want to put anyone in harm or take away any service that creates an unintended consequence. We need to be very careful on how we go about any action in the withdrawal of the police jurisdiction.

Alabama cities have the option of withdrawing their police jurisdictions. The state is the only one with extraterritorial areas for police services outside of city limits. But legislation in 2021, sponsored by Republican Senator Chris Elliott of Josephine in Baldwin County, provided cities more flexibility to determine if they wanted to roll back those jurisdictions in small, half-mile increments. The jurisdictions, at a maximum, extend out three miles beyond a citys corporate boundaries.

Municipalities have always had the authority to role back the police jurisdictions at their discretion, Elliott said. They can do that.

Elliott said Daves was correct to alert residents about the potential of rolling back those city services after the annexation vote. He recognized that some cities have already begun doing so, including Saraland which voted in April to eliminate its police jurisdiction effective on January 1, 2024.

From a municipal leaders standpoint, if I was wearing that hat, I dont know why I would be spending limited municipal resources outside (city) limits, Elliott said. Its counterintuitive. And those people looking at (Mobiles) annexation ought to ask themselves, Do we want to continue to receive City of Mobile services?
The Alabama Attorney Generals Office will spend nearly $1 million on a legal defense of a 2022 law banning puberty blockers and hormones for transgender minors.

The Legislatures Contract Review Committee Thursday approved contracts worth $975,000 for five attorneys with Cooper & Kirk PLLC out of Washington DC.

Multiple messages were left with the firm seeking comment.

More from Alabama Reflector

Brian W. Barnes, David H. Thompson, Howard N. Slugh, John D. Ramer, and Peter A. Patterson, have been awarded $195,000 each to provide expert legal assistance in the defense of the State of Alabamas Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act.

The attorney generals office said in a packet prepared for the Contract Review Committee meeting Thursday that additional counsel with subject matter expertise is needed to represent the State of Alabama and state officials in complex litigation.

The contracts are not new, but extensions that were brought back to the committee.

Messages seeking comment were left with the Attorney General on Tuesday.

SB 184, sponsored by Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville and signed by Gov. Kay Ivey in April 2022, subjects physicians who prescribe puberty blockers or hormones to transgender youth under the age of 19 to a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The law also bans physicians from performing genital and reconstructive surgeries, but those are not performed in Alabama.

U.S. District Judge Liles C. Burke last year issued an injunction against the provisions that barred doctors from providing puberty blockers or hormones.

Shelnutt and other supporters argued the medicines were experimental, but families of transgender youth and supporters said access to the medications was critical to their childrens well-being, and that withdrawing them could have serious consequences.

These treatments are safe, they are effective, said Shannon Minter, legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, in an interview on Tuesday They allow these young people to lead healthy, happy lives, to go and have normal childhoods. Being deprived of that necessary care is devastating, devastating for young people, devastating for their parents.

The federal case is currently in the discovery phase. A trial is anticipated next March.

We want a final judgment permanently invalidating the law so that these kinds can receive medical care that they need just like other kids who receive medical care for other conditions, Minter said. It is really shocking to think that a state would ban medically necessary care for a group of children.
Cable TV news personality Anderson Cooper returned to Mobile last weekend to visit Africatown, nearly three years after a 60 Minutes production highlighted the plight of a community founded by the survivors of a slave ship.

Coopers trip included filming during the opening weekend of the $1.3 million Africatown Heritage House, a first-of-its-kind museum that chronicles the slave ship Clotilda and the creation of the community. It also includes artifacts from the vessel that were discovered in 2019.

Its uncertain when exactly the segment is expected to be released. Those who participated in interviews anticipate it could be broadcast later in the fall.

Cable TV news personality Anderson Cooper interviews Africatown Redevelopment Corp. executive director Karlos Finley while visiting the Africatown community of Mobile, Ala. (photo courtesy of Kelly Finley).

Karlos Finley, executive director with the Africatown Redevelopment Corp., said he met with Cooper and the CBS production crew for about one and a half hours during filming outside two houses on Newman Street and at the former site of a credit union building being demolished.

They were interested to see how things have evolved since they last visited here, said Finley, executive director of the organization since last October. The organization was created through state legislation in 2021.

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Finley said he highlighted his organizations three-prong mission: Redevelop houses, preserve the history, and attract commercial businesses.

The Africatown Redevelopment Corp. has a $3 million budget, financed largely through the American Rescue Plan Act through money obtained by the Mobile County Commission. Finley said the money has to be spent by 2026.

The groups work includes redeveloping property at 1028 Newman Lane, a piece of residential property with five structures on it.

Finley said his organization is creating a site plan for what can be done with those houses. He said the plan includes subdividing the property, and joining two of the structures together. He said those two structures are shotgun houses built around 1910.

Its a very unique situation with five properties on one property, Finley said. This property is giving us an opportunity to be creative.

He said research is ongoing to discover if the homes have a connection to the survivors of the Clotilda, who arrived to Mobile about 50 years before they were built in 1860. The ships 110 survivors, following the Civil War, developed Africatown.

The demolition is ongoing of the former Scott Credit Union building on Paper Mill Road in the Africatown community of Mobile, Ala. This picture was taken on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

In addition to the houses, the Africatown Redevelopment Corp. is overseeing the construction of an office building and food bank on Paper Mill Road. The project - called Africatown Hall - includes the current demolition of an old credit union building, and the eventual construction of a new facility.

A Mobile County spokeswoman said the construction timeline is expected to be completed by spring 2024.

He said that Cooper toured the project site with a camera crew in tow.

We were visiting the site, and they were tearing it down, Finley said. It was perfect timing.

The 60 Minutes crew also met with representatives with the Clotilda Descendants Association. The 2020 segment in Africatown also included interviews with Clotilda descendants.

30 1 / 30 Heritage House dedication

Jeremy Ellis, president of the Clotilda Descendants Association said, that 60 Minutes  like other national news outlets in Mobile this past weekend  covered the opening of the Heritage House. He said they also covered The Landing ceremony that took place during Africatowns Community Day under the Africatown Bridge.

The ceremony commemorated the 163 years since the Clotilda officially landed in Mobile following a harrowing two-month journey from Benin, Africa.

CBS 60 Minutes, covering The Landing was an outstanding experience, Ellis wrote in an email to AL.com. Millions of viewers will have an opportunity to see descendants of the 110 survivors, dressed in all white honoring our ancestors on the 163rd anniversary of the arrival of our ancestors. Hopefully, viewers will witness the wreath-laying ceremony and the ceremonial parade, led by Ms. Lorna Woods, my daughter Zora and me. The wreath ceremony honored our ancestors arrival, while the ceremonial parade represented the past, the present, and the future. It was an excellent event with over 150 descendants and guests present to witness it.

What is uncertain is whether the 60 Minutes crew will have camera footage of the Clotilda descendants meeting with the descendants of Timothy Meaher, the wealthy owner of the Clotilda who illegally smuggled the slaves from Africa in what is believed to be the last transatlantic slave voyage into the United States.

The two sides met for the first time late last year, and conversations are ongoing. But no images or footage of the meetings have been released.

The family, in a statement to AL.com, said, the current generation of the Meaher family is focused right now on continuing conversations with leaders of the community in and around Africatown, including officers of the Clotilda Descendants Association. Our goal is to listen and learn, and our hope is that these conversations can help guide the actions of our family takes as we work to be better partners in the community.

In 2020, the Meaher family opted not to be filmed or provide comment to the 60 Minutes crew. The crew instead filmed dramatic footage of a meeting involving Montana resident Mike Foster -- first cousin of the ships captain William Foster, four generations removed  and a group of Clotilda descendants. It was the first time the two sides had met.

This story was updated at 1:30 p.m. on July 13, 2023, to state that the Credit Union is located on Paper Mill Road, and that the Clotildas journey across the Atlantic into Mobile lasted for two months.
Kim Keon Hee, center in the first row, wife of Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, poses with Lithuanian students learning the Korean language and culture, as she visits the King Sejong Institute at Mykolas Romeris University in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 11. Yonhap



First lady Kim Keon Hee on Tuesday visited a Korean language institute in Lithuania and promised to help increase student exchanges between the two countries, the presidential office said.



Kim visited the King Sejong Institute in Vilnius while accompanying President Yoon Suk Yeol to a summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization here, and met with a group of Lithuanian students who shared their stories about learning Korean, living in Korea as an exchange student and winning awards at K-pop contests.



"It's especially meaningful to meet the future generation of Lithuania using Korean as an instrument," Kim was quoted as saying by presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon.



The students all spoke in Korean.






A patient waited hours inside a Tennessee clinic Tuesday before fatally shooting hand surgeon Dr. Benjamin Mauck inside an exam room, according to authorities.

The suspected shooter, who has not yet been identified, had allegedly been threatening Dr. Mauck for nearly a week before carrying out the targeted attack inside Colliervilles Campbell Clinic Orthopedics, WREG reported.

This appears to be a one-on-one interaction, Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane said at a press conference, adding that the gunman spared many patients and employees inside the packed clinic.

This was not a mass shooting situation that we experienced at Kroger several years ago, nothing like that, Lane noted, referencing a 2021 attack that left two dead and more than a dozen injured.

Officers with the Collierville police department responded to the medical facility, a town roughly 30 miles west of Memphis, on Tuesday just after 2 p.m. When they arrived on the scene, authorities spotted the suspect, still armed at the time, attempting to flee. He was arrested outside the clinic without incident on Poplar Avenue.

While police did not release the name of the victim, the Campbell Clinic later identified Mauck in a statement.

Earlier today, we experienced a single shooter event inside our Collierville clinic,: the statement, obtained by the Commercial Appeal, reads.

We are shocked and heartbroken to confirm the incident resulted in the tragic loss of one of our highly respected and beloved physicians, Dr. Ben Mauck. We ask that you please lift his family in prayer, the statement continued. We appreciate our local law enforcement officers who responded within minutes. We will continue to work closely with authorities as this remains an active investigation.

The clinic will be closed on Wednesday amid the investigation.

Mauck leaves behind his wife, Rhiannon Mauck, and their two young children.

His death comes just days after he landed on Memphis Magazines annual Top Doctors List. He said he was inspired to enter the medical field after he observed doctors helping his sister through a serious injury.

She had surgery for a torn ACL, and they changed her life for the better, he said in the article. I thought to myself, What better way to help people than to become a physician?

2023 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Georgia state Rep. Mesha Mainor switched political parties Tuesday, joining Republicans after saying she faced harassment and intimidation from Democrats since she broke with the party on votes for private school vouchers and prosecutor oversight.

Mainor, who represents a Westside Atlanta district where over 89% of voters backed Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, said she changed parties because Democrats dont reflect her core values.

She is believed to be the first Black woman to serve as a Republican in the Georgia General Assembly, according to state House officials. Her move gives Republicans a 102-78 majority in the House.

Members of the Democrat Party have publicly slandered me in every way imaginable, Mainor said during a press conference at the Georgia Capitol. If its not your values to support kids in schools where only 3% can read, I dont have the same values.

Democrats were unsparing in their criticism of Mainor, who was already likely to face a stiff primary opponent.

State Rep. David Wilkerson, a Democrat from Powder Springs, said hes baffled by the decision, knowing that Mainor represents a heavily Democratic district. Shell be a top target for Democrats in next years election.

Ive watched politics for a long time, and I dont think Ive ever seen anybody switch when theyre in such a heavily Democratic area  and theyre running for reelection, Wilkerson said.

State Sen. Josh McLaurin, a Sandy Springs Democrat who had previously posted a picture of a $1,000 check to anyone who challenged Mainor in next years Democratic primary, offered a blunter reaction.

This was an inevitable result of her narcissism, and many of us saw it coming, McLaurin said. Good riddance.

Republicans, meanwhile, were exultant. House Speaker Jon Burns said Mainor is joining the party of opportunity, the one that has brought prosperity across our state by creating the No. 1 business climate in the nation.

And Georgia GOP Chair Josh McKoon, who stood beside Mainor at her Capitol press conference, said the switch crystallizes a Republican stance for empowering parents to be advocates for giving their children the best education possible.

Her decision to join the Republican Party doesnt reflect a change in her approach to being a state legislator, but rather reflects the reality that the Georgia Republican Party is a place where diversity of opinion is welcomed, where different ideas that lead to innovative public policy solutions are celebrated and not condemned, McKoon said.

Mainor broke with her party on several major votes, including when she was the only Democrat to support a failed bill that would have allowed $6,500 private school vouchers.

She also backed bills to create a state board to investigate district attorneys, ban COVID-19 vaccination requirements, prevent local governments from passing budgets that defund the police and remove bipartisan appointments to a local elections board in South Georgia.

Mainor had previously said she wouldnt switch parties, saying instead that she wanted to pull skeptical Democrats to join her stance on education and public safety issues.

Top Democrats, meanwhile, worried she would stoke deeper divisions within the caucus if she remained in the party  and that she would become a GOP media darling by soaking up attention from conservative outlets each time she joined Republicans on a key vote.

State Rep. Ruwa Romman, D-Duluth, said shes glad Mainor chose the path of truth rather than masquerade as a Democrat.

I hope shell give voters an opportunity to decide if a Republican is who they want to represent them and resign to allow for a special election, Romman said.

Mainors switch to the GOP evoked memories of the last significant defection in the Georgia House.

That took place in April 2020 when then-state Rep. Vernon Jones, a former chief executive of DeKalb County, endorsed Donald Trumps reelection bid and was quickly disowned by fellow Democrats.

To some Republicans, though, he became an instant sensation, even crowd-surfing at Trump rallies. Jones soon reached the limits of the newfound fandom, as longtime Republicans never forgot his lengthy liberal voting record and history of misconduct.

Jones formally switched parties on Jan. 6, 2021  the same day as the pro-Trump attack on the U.S. Capitol  and later ran a failed campaign for an open U.S. House seat after abandoning a primary challenge against Gov. Brian Kemp.

2023 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A Republican dark money political group opposed to Donald Trump winning a second presidential term is establishing a presence in Alabama.

Americans for Prosperity announced last week plans to open a chapter in Alabama and will be led by a former aide to Gov. Kay Ivey, seeking to expand its broad-based grassroots advocacy efforts in Alabama, according to the press release.

While those efforts were vaguely outlined in the press release, one objective thats clear for the group is its efforts to see that Trump does not return to the White House.

Americans for Prosperity Action, a super PAC affiliated with Americans for Prosperity and associated with conservative billionaire Charles Koch, announced in June that it had raised more than $70 million for political races. The super PAC last month endorsed congressional candidates in five states. CNN reported that AFP plans to endorse a presidential candidate in the Republican primary, but that candidate has not been identified.

Americans for Prosperity is a 501(c)(4), which means it is not required to publicly disclose the names of those who contribute to it. Such groups are typically described as dark money groups. AFP has filed two lawsuits in Arizona to challenge the states recent prohibition on dark money groups to not reveal their donors.

According to a memo from Emily Seidel, CEO of Americans for Prosperity and a senior adviser for the super PAC, the groups engaged in 457 political races in 2022 and contacted more than nine million voters. The groups have plans to increase that engagement in the 2024 election cycle, according to the memo obtained by CNN and written on letterhead featuring both the Americans for Prosperity and Americans for Prosperity Action logos.

That memo, addressed to Americans for Prosperity staff and activists, also appeared to target Trump, though the former president was not mentioned by name.

To write a new chapter for our country, we need to turn the page on the past, Seidel wrote in the memo. So, the best thing for the country would be to have a president in 2025 who represents a new chapter. The American people have shown that theyre ready to move on and so AFP will help them do that.

The AFP press release announcing its arrival in Alabama last week made no reference to the 2024 presidential election. It said Adam Thompson  a former senior adviser to Ivey among other roles in state government -- will lead the state chapter. Most recently, Thompson has been leading a national AFP policy team focusing on foundational education, post-secondary education, criminal justice, and free speech, according to the press release.

I am thrilled to lead AFPs Alabama chapter as we work to cut regulations, expand access to economic opportunity across our state, and fight for educational freedom for every child, Thompson said in the press release.

Thompson declined to speak further on the record about AFP coming to Alabama, referring a reporter to his quotes in the press release.

As a lifelong Alabamian, Im proud to lead AFPs expansion into Alabama, Thompson said in the press release. AFP is driven by a core belief: every person has unique gifts that enable them to realize their American Dream. Our vision is to remove the barriers preventing people from using those gifts and achieving that dream by elevating the voices of everyday Alabamians to advocate for the principles and policies of a free and open society.
A 21-year-old suspect charged in last years shooting death of another man in Montgomery remains at large and authorities have increased the reward for information leading to his capture.

Diego Barrera is charged with capital murder in the March 12, 2022, slaying of 39-year-old Carlos Jones.

Central Alabama Crime Stoppers last year announced a $1,000 reward for information leading to Barreras capture and, on Tuesday, increased that reward to $2,500.

The deadly shooting happened about 6:40 p.m. that Saturday in the 1700 block of Upper Wetumpka Road. Jones was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Alabello Barrera, 23, is also charged with capital murder in Jones slaying. He was arrested the day after the fatal shooting and remains held without bond in the Montgomery County Detention Center.

Charging documents against Alabello Barrera state he and an accomplice opened fire from a vehicle on Jones while Jones was walking to his car.

Montgomery police on Monday night announced capital murder charges against Baltazar Barrera and Luis Barrera, both 20, in the weekend shooting death of a 15-year-old boy. Six other people were injured in the gunfire.

It wasnt immediately clear if the suspects in the two different cases are related to each other.

Crime Stoppers officials on Tuesday said the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Task Force is actively searching for Diego Barrera. Investigators are acting swiftly to locate Barrera, which led to the reward increase, authorities said.

Diego Barrera is 5-feet, 5-inches tall and weighs about 170 pounds.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867) or 1-833-AL1-STOP. Tips can also be submitted through the agencys P3 tips app.
A stagehand for country star Randy Travis was allegedly shot dead over the weekend by his wife, who believed he was having an affair, according to authorities.

Thomas Roberts, who worked as a lighting tech for the 64-year-old country crooner, died Sunday on the front porch of the Nashville residence he shared with his wife Christine Ann Roberts, Nashville Police said in a press release on Tuesday. She was arrested and charged with criminal homicide for killing her husband, who police said died from a single gunshot wound to the chest.

When questioned by investigators, the 72-year-old suspect said she shot her husband because he had cheated on her, according to the press release.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by NBC, a neighbor heard the gunfire and discovered Roberts lying unresponsive on his patio. First responders arrived at the home around 9 p.m., and Roberts was pronounced dead a short time later.

The neighbor similarly reported to detectives that the defendant had also told them that she admitted to shooting her husband because she discovered that he had cheated on her, the arrest affidavit said.

A pistol was also recovered from the scene.

In wake of the deadly violence, Travis posted an emotional tribute, mourning the loss of his talented stagehand, who he described as a gentle giant with a song in his heart.

The stage has gone dim with the passing of Thom Roberts, he wrote in a July 10 Facebook post. For many years, the Randy Travis band and crew had the opportunity to share the winding roads and the beautiful venues with one of the very best stage lighting technicians in the business.

The 64-year-old Grammy winner added that Roberts not only had a magical sense about lighting a stage, but had a quiet, charismatic presence that ignited your soul.

A representative for Travis confirmed to NBC News that Roberts worked with the musician for about 20 years as a stagehand, until Travis suffered a stroke in 2013.

Christine Roberts is due back in court Wednesday, according to court records. Her bond has been set at $100,000

2023 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A health care worker was fatally shot inside a clinic Tuesday in a suburb of Memphis, and a man was arrested in connection with the killing, police said.

The shooting took place in an exam room at the Campbell Clinic, Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane said in local reports.

The suspect had reportedly been at the clinic for several hours before the shooting, Lane said, adding that the attack involved only two people and there was no active shooter situation. A man with a gun was found five minutes after the shooting, the police chief said.

The scene is secure and there is no threat to the public, the department said in a social media post.

Identities of the health care worker and the suspect were not immediately released.

The shooting was under investigation.

Collierville is located east of Memphis.
A 37-year-old woman was killed in a suspected road rage incident after shots were fired into her vehicle as her husband was driving, police say.

Paola Nunez Linares died at about 2 a.m. Tuesday at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth following the shooting, which occurred at about 9:18 p.m. Monday, according to a news release from police. No arrests have been made.

Linares husband, Zane Jones, tells police he was driving to work with his wife in their 2017 Kia minivan north on East Loop 820 when he attempted to pass a slow-moving vehicle, NBC 5 reports. When he moved to the left lane to pass, another vehicle came up behind him at high speed, Jones said.

As I was passing that car, another car behind me sped up, going like 90 mph, and was like on my bumper, Jones tells NBC 5. So I completed the pass, moved over to the right lane and the other car sped up to me and almost like crashed into my car, got very close and then backed away. And I flipped them off.

She [his wife] always told me not to flip people off because you never know.

Police say several shots were fired into the minivan and that Linares was wounded in the head. Jones said he initially thought his wife was ducking from the bullets but when he pulled over he realized she had been wounded.

Linares recently had moved to Texas from Guatemala, Fox 4 reports.

Shes been mugged five times at gunpoint in Guatemala and I sat here and assured her this is a much safer place to be, and that may be, but it wasnt for her, Jones tells Fox 4. Thirty-five years she survived in Guatemala. Took her two years to get killed here, at no fault of her own.
Out of 169 dams in Jefferson County and Shelby County, a total of 86 rank as either high or significant risk according to the National Inventory of Dams.

Currently, it is not clear if any those dams have Emergency Action Plans in place in the event of failure according to the inventory, because not all Alabama dams have inspection requirements under state law. Many of the dams in question are privately owned or belong to local governments or utilities.

But the numbers of high or significant risk dams with emergency plans could be impacted by the new dam safety law recently signed by Gov. Kay Ivey.

A dam is classified as high risk if its failure would likely result in loss of human life and it is considered significant risk if its failure would likely result in disruption of access to critical facilities, damage to public and private facilities, and require difficult mitigation efforts according to the National Inventory of Dams.

Under the new state law, dam owners who choose to opt into the program will be required to have their dams inspected every two years by a licensed civil engineer. The engineer will then be required to certify that the inspection has been completed to the local Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and deliver a record of the inspection to the dams owner.
Hundreds of northeast Alabama residents showed up hopping mad and demanding answers at two public meetings Monday to discuss Alabama Powers controversial proposal to build a pumped storage energy project on Chandler Mountain that will likely involve pushing local residents off of their land.

I do not want my family farm destroyed, an emotional John Jones said during Mondays evening session in Rainbow City.

The meetings, an afternoon and evening session hosted at the Rainbow City Community Center, each drew about 200 people.

Representatives of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission spoke about the agencys timeline for potentially approving the project, and Alabama Power presented an aerial mapped view of the areas that might be impacted by the project, including drone footage of the forested slopes of Chandler Mountain, with farmland atop the mountain and creeks and homes around the bottom.

But beyond these presentations, most questions went unanswered.

It was a frustrating meeting because they didnt come here to answer questions, said Lana Boatwright after the afternoon session. They wanted to see how many cages they rattled, in my opinion.

Many of those who spoke at the meeting are owners of homes or farms in the area that might be submerged if the project moves forward, but the property owners dont yet know for sure.

Officials said answers to many of their questions were not available because the finer details of the project havent been finalized yet.

It is important to remember that no decisions have been made; we are in the preliminary stages of exploring the opportunity at Chandler Mountain, Alabama Power said in an emailed statement.

We regularly evaluate opportunities to improve our technology and operations so we can continue to power our state with the reliable and affordable energy our customers depend on. A pumped storage hydro facility could be a viable technology to reliably provide power to customers.

The project would involve building one large dam to create an upper reservoir on top of the mountain, and four smaller dams to create a crescent-shaped lake down below.

A map included in the pre-application paperwork for the project shows the general locations for the two reservoirs included in the project.FERC

An underground pump station and turbine would push water up to the upper reservoir when power is plentiful, and capture the energy as the water falls down to the lower reservoir.

Its just like charging a battery, said Alan Peeples, Alabama Powers manager for hydro licensing and compliance.

Karen Bowen, 68, said she planned to sell her house in the next two years, but probably cant now that shes received a letter from Alabama Power informing her that her property might be part of the project.

Once you open that letter, you have no property value, Bowen said. Whos going to buy my house now? Nobody.

The project would create two reservoirs at different elevations on or around Chandler Mountain, about 10 miles southeast of Gadsden. Alabama Power could store energy by pumping water to the upper reservoir during off-peak hours and letting it flow downhill over a turbine to provide power during peak usage hours.

But the project is still in the pre-application phase. Its boundaries arent set in stone and even if Alabama Power gets the project approved, it will be years before Alabama Power gets the go-ahead. An estimated timeline for the project has construction beginning in 2031.

Property owners in the area may not know for years whether or how much their land will be affected.

Today was no answer for nobody, said Jim Clay, a Steele policeman who attended the afternoon session.

Now youve got 200 people anticipating that their lands gonna be took and theyre gonna be doing it for five years, Clay said. So now the stress level on these 200 people are off the chain.

There were some concrete details that were unveiled or confirmed about the project.

First, FERC project manager Sarah Salazar confirmed that some people could lose their land by eminent domain.

If Alabama Power had a commission-issued license, it could acquire land through an eminent domain proceeding in a state court, Salazar said.

Second, Alabama Power confirmed that the new lakes would not be available for recreational use.

The water level of the upper reservoir could change by 61 feet, and the lower reservoir by up to 25 feet, as water is pumped from one reservoir to the other.

The fluctuations in the reservoirs will not allow for recreational use, Alabama Power spokesperson Alyson Tucker said by email. Tucker said that there could potentially be recreational areas such as hiking or biking trails in the area, which would be explored during the application process.

But if and when the project would move forward, and exactly who would be impacted, are still maddeningly uncertain for residents here.

Bowen said that uncertainty puts her in limbo with regard to her plans for retirement.

Im supposed to put my life on hold, my plans on hold and just wait for Alabama Power to say hmm, well maybe in a few years... Bowen said. I dont want to live like that. I hate limbo.

If youre going to do it, tell me, let me make a decision, do it now. Dont string me out for four or five or 10 years, saying we dont know what were going to do to you, but in the meantime your property is worthless.
One person is in police custody after a woman died inside a north Alabama business Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

The incident occurred just before 1 p.m. at McVantage Packaging in Tuscumbia, Police Chief Tony Logan told WAFF.

Police did not give any details on what occurred at the business that led to the womans death. Logan only called it an isolated incident, the station reported.

Police did not release the names of the victim or the person in custody.

Further information was unavailable.
President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, meets with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on the sidelines of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit, July 11. Yonhap



Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on the sidelines of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit on Tuesday and discussed expanding cooperation to new areas such as nuclear power and supply chains, according to Yoon's office.



Kristersson said he is pleased with the growing cooperation in the bio, battery and other cutting-edge industries and hopes to continue to expand the scope of bilateral cooperation, the office said.



Yoon replied that it is encouraging to see closer bilateral cooperation in advanced industries, including in recent decisions on a Korean equipment company's participation in the construction of a battery plant in Sweden and on joint research to develop new medicine.



"Given the large potential for bilateral cooperation also in the nuclear energy and supply chain sectors, he called for close communication on ways to strengthen cooperation in relevant areas," the presidential office said.






Sign up for Roy S. Johnsons newsletter: Enter your email to subscribe to Roys weekly newsletter, The Barbershop:

This is an opinion column.

If theres something in America more powerful than the vote, the Founding Fathersimperfect, though they werekept it (and that powerful vote) to themselves. Just as they kept it from women and the Black people most of them enslaved.

Thats why the Constitution needed the 15th and 19th Amendments.

Why Blacks in the South were forced to count jellybeans in a jar, take unpassable quizzes, or risk losing their lives simply to register to vote.

Why hundreds of people tread 51 miles along Alabamas Highway 80 from Selma to Montgomery. Or were beaten by state troopers while trying to do so.

Why Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Why soon thereafter the Black folks of Lowndes Countya majority-Black county just about midway along that historic walktested the new federal law by doing something insanely radical: Forming their own political party, a Black political party.

Why a young, skinny activist from New York came south to Lowndes and learned at the feet of those radical Black people, gaining the organizing savvy and inspiration to launch a movement. A movement that still resonates with many today.

Had Stokely Carmichael not ventured to Lowndes, he might never have seen the Black panther, the menacing mascot of that Black peoples partythe Lowndes County Freedom Organization. A mascot meant to intimidate the bejesus out of the Republicans donkey and the Democrats chicken. Yeah, chicken.

Its a story we think we know well. Its 1965, and the Civil Rights Movement is in full swing. Thousands are marching on Montgomery, protesting the treatment of Black Americans. But what about the people who lived alongside that road? The people who remind after the national cameras and big names left town were the lifeblood of the movement for Black Power.

A mascot that birthed a national movement. Two movements reallyone in Lowndes County more than half a decade ago, another on its heels that reverberated from the west coast to across the nation.

Today, were releasing the first two episodes of a new six-part podcast series: Panther: Blueprint for Black Power. It chronicles how the Black citizens of that county, nestled in the states famed Black Belt, overcame decades of being denied the right to vote with a strategy of organization and empowerment so effective it ultimately led to the election of Black public officials in the county for the first time.

It unleashed power.

It also lit a fire under Carmichael, who unleashed it during a speech in Mississippi: We want  Black Power!

That flame touched a group of young men who founded the Black Panther Party, who expanded the strategies and passions of the South to create a self-sufficient movement to educate, elevate, and empower Black communitiesand scare the bejesus out of America.

Panther reconnects that bridge with tales of historyhistory in my lifetimethat you dont likely know. Because you werent supposed to know, as my co-host Eunice Elliott and I share in the podcast.

Stokely Carmichael, a SNCC activist. holding a Lowndes County Freedom Organization pamphlet. The logo used by the organization would later be adopted by the Black Panther Party for Self Defense.

Because you werent supposed to be educated, elevated, and empowered by their truthjust as some still believe our children should not be taught.

Panther features voices that cannot be ignored. Voices from that struggle. Voices of people who faced bullets from angry whites, had their homes stripped from them by angry whites and were told by the white sheriff that hed nothing to protect them if they tried to meet on the lawn outside the county courthouse, which they were legally allowedno, requiredto do as part of forming their own party.

People like Regina Moorer, Pastor Aaron McCall, Pattie Mae McDonald, Charles Mays Hillard, Viola Bradford, Joanne Mants, Catherine Coleman Flowers, Mary Mays Jackson, Ed Moore King, and Lillian McGill. (King and McGill have passed on since we captured their memories two years ago.)

People who didnt much worry about none of that (or children whose parents didnt much worry)because they could protect themselves. And would.

Because that power, the voting power that had too long eluded them was rightfully theirs, and they were going to snatch it one meeting, one ballot, one vote at a timewith their own party (because back then both the Democrats and the Republicans were racist).

And their own mascot.

The origin of the panther mascot is muddied by historys haze, but it was clearly and emphatically stamped on the LCFOs flyers touting its candidates and outlining the specifics about each office.

How did a county known as Bloody Lowndes become the birthplace of the Black Panther? Because the people of Lowndes met vicious, racist violence with a powerful response.

The LCFO fielded seven candidates for that 1966 election. None of them won (whites paid, and/or threatened some Black residents to vote for their candidates or risk losing their homes, or worse). Five years later, though, one LFCO candidate, John Hulett, was elected as the countys first Black sheriff.

Today our national leaders are sitting on their hands, stalling even consideration of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The late Congressman and ardent activist committed his life to equality, freedom, and access to the ballotthat powerful ballot.

The bill named for him would restrengthen that 65 VRA, which was gutted in 2013 by our friends on the U.S. Supreme Court. In Shelby County v Holder, it invalidated a key provision of the law that forbade states with a history of voter discrimination (you dont need to be a CRT scholar to guess which ones) from changing voting laws without clearance by federal officials.

By a grownup in the room.

Without adult supervision state legislatures throughout the South (and even beyondlegislatures dominated by Republicansare doing everything but reviving jellybeans jars to deter, dissuade, or detour voters who may not look or think like them.

Which is why we still need the Lowndes County blueprint. Still learn from it. Still wield it.

Powerfully.

Subscribe to Panther: Blueprint for Black Power on Reckon Radio on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, and anywhere else podcasts are found.
Panther: Blueprint for Black Power is the story of the unexpected birthplace of the Black Panther, a site that changed the course of the nation. But its not where you might expect. Far from Oakland, the Black Panther and its principles came from just outside Selma, Alabama. Lowndes County, Alabama: a county where every single thing Black folks did was an act of rebellion. A county where an all-Black party made it to the ballot in the year 1966. A county that paved the way for revolution. The fourth season of the Murrow Award-winning Reckon Radio examines the first year the Voting Rights Act was put to the test, deep in the heart of the Jim Crow South. Pulitzer Prize finalist Roy S. Johnson and journalist Eunice Elliot tell the story of Lowndes County and the election that shaped politics - and activism - as we know it. Available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Its a story we think we know well. Its 1965, and the Civil Rights Movement is in full swing. Thousands are marching on Montgomery, protesting the treatment of Black Americans. But what about the people who lived alongside that road? The people who remained after the national cameras and big names left town were the lifeblood of the movement for Black Power.

In this episode youll be introduced to organizers like Joann Mants, Lillian McGill, Viola Bradford, Terry Cannon and, of course, Stokely Carmichael.

Below youll find a full transcript of the episode.

(THEME MUSIC STINGER)

EUNICE ELLIOTT, HOST:

Its early morning in rural Alabama. Morning fog is burning off on either side of a two-lane highway that stretches out as far as the eye can see.

ROY S. JOHNSON, HOST:

Theres someone, maybe a few someones walking along that highway. A few of the walkers wave bits of white fabric at cars coming towards them in the distance. All walk with purpose.

REGINA MOORER, GUEST:

So we told people to take a white towel or a white sheet of paper, go to the nearest intersection in their community, at least walk till you see some cars passing. And if its Black passengers or Black drivers in the car, wave your white flag to let them know that you needed a ride.

ELLIOTT:

A passing flatbed stops next to one of the folks waving a bit of white and tells them to hop in the back. They drive off scooping up others all along the way.

Now, the folks who arent as lucky, they see the cars full to the brim pass them by. They wont catch a ride, but theyll all end up at the same place: the polls.

LILLIAN MCGILL, GUEST:

Well be saying goodbye to shacks and bad schools. Well be telling everybody, whites in particular, if you stand in our way and dont move over, were going to move on over you.

ELLIOTT:

The date was November 8, 1966. The place, Lowndes County, Alabama.

JOHNSON:

But it was not your normal Election Day in Lowndes, Eunice. This was the first Election Day since the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law. Finally, some of the madness like impossible quizzes, counting jelly beans, or simply risking your life to register to vote, all of that is finally illegal. Many argue America wasnt really a democracy until the passage of the VRA.

This day, November 8, 1966, its the first real test to see if a multiracial democracy in America is possible, if we could still feel the pulse of freedom deep in the Jim Crow South. There was just one problem for Black voters in the South: both political parties, Republicans and Democrats, were virtually all white, like lily-white. So the ballots offered no trusted options for Black folks, folks like you and me, Eunice.

CHARLES MAYS GILLARD, GUEST:

Both of them, they talk against each other, but aint nobody doing nothing.

ELLIOTT:

To seize political power, Lowndes Countys Black population, 80% of the total population, would have to build their own party, and thats who was on the ballot this Election Day, a new political party, one formed by the Black majority of Lowndes County, and thats why so many folks are flocking to the polls up and down that stretch of Highway 80.

VIOLA BRADFORD, GUEST:

This went on from sunrise to sunset. These people wanted to vote. They wanted to pull a lever for the Black Panther and then go on home. And this is what they did.

MARCHERS:

Power to the people! Power to the people!

JOHNSON:

Im Roy S. Johnson.

ELLIOTT:

And Im Eunice Elliott and youre listening to Panther: Blueprint for Black Power, a podcast from Reckon Radio.

Now, you may think you already know the story of the Civil Rights movement, but this is the story of what happened in the wake of all the fanfare. You know, after the usual movies fade to black and roll the credits. This is the story of the birth of the Black Power movement and the moment the Black Panther became its symbol.

JOHNSON:

And this is before the Black Panther Party that youre probably thinking about, the one founded during my youth in 1966 over in Oakland, California, the one Im sure youre familiar with, Eunice.

ELLIOTT:

Yes, I am familiar, Roy, but keep in mind, 1966 was not my youth.

JOHNSON:

Hey now, come on. Come on.

ELLIOTT:

Im just saying.

JOHNSON:

So this Black Panther Party came before the Panthers emerged in the late 1960s and early 70s. This Black Panther Party and its iconic symbol inspired that movement in Oakland. It was just as much about Black Power as were those dynamic California revolutionaries.

So just how did this small, rural Alabama county become the cradle of Black Power and inspiration for the Black Panther Party we all know? Well, Eunice, thats why were here. These two movements are more connected than you think.

ELLIOTT:

Now, you may not know a lot of the history well get into, honestly, I didnt know it before we got into this story and that lack of knowledge, that is by design because these are examples that we can still borrow from to build movements even today. The unsung story of the movement for Black power, the birth of the Black Panther, its one thats flown under the radar for just too long. And instead, its been replaced with a false narrative of militancy and antagonism in Oakland.

MCGILL:

The one in Oakland started out wanting... They heard about us when it got all out, how fearful whites were about it because of the characteristics of a Black Panther and they thought we were out to kill and do white folk. That was not it. You just had to have a strong... Huey Newtons group decided that they wanted to be a part of it.

ELLIOTT:

Thats Lillian McGill, her story and ours happens along that two-lane highway we mentioned in the beginning in 1960s Alabama. Lowndes County, Alabama to be exact.

JOHNSON:

Okay, Eunice, lets say weve got a map of Alabama. Lets put a pen on Montgomery, the state capitol. Lets put another on Selma, about 50 miles west. Now bridge the gap between the pens with string. That lazy way the string hangs would just about look like Highway 80, which connects the two cities. It takes a dip southeast from Selma before arching back up to meet Montgomery. At its lowest point, that string hovers right above Lowndes County.

MOORER:

There were some people from Alabama. They would always be like, Lowndes, where is that? And I would always say its between Selma and Montgomery. And I would always reference the Selma to Montgomery March. I would say, You dont walk out of Selma and end up in Montgomery. Theres an entire county in between.

ELLIOTT:

Thats Regina Moore. Shes a political science professor at Alabama State University, but shes also from Lowndes County. Her grandmother was an activist there back in the 60s.

Highway 80 today is speckled east and west with historical markers commemorating moments from this time, but somehow they make it feel like its a different era separate from us today, this place where the Black Panther emerged.

ARCHIVAL NEWS ANCHOR:

A long-anticipated freedom march from Selma to Alabamas capital of Montgomery finally gets underway.

MARY MAYS JACKSON:

If I died, I didnt care because I was dying for a purpose. We were afraid, but I guess the purpose was greater than the fear.

JOHNSON:

This is Panther: Blueprint for Black Power from Reckon Radio.

ELLIOTT:

This is the seldom-told story of one of the most famous and notorious organizations in the Black Power Movement and its origins in Lowndes County, Alabama.

FANNIE LOU HAMER:

Is this America, the land of the free and the home of the brave?

MCGILL:

The one in Oakland started out, they heard about us.

These people wanted to vote. They wanted to pull the lever for the Black Panther and then go on home. And this is what they did.

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.:

We come a long ways, but we got a long ways to go.

REV. AL SHARPTON:

Politicians have been trying to roll back the franchise all across the country. Voter ID, early voting, even the number of polling sites have all come under assault.

FANNIE LOU HAMER:

Because we want to live as decent human beings in America.

JOHNSON:

To know how we got here, how we got to this place to today when political conversations are as divisive as ever, and Black voters still dont know who on the ballot to trust, youve got to know where we came from, Eunice.

Now, this Election Day were talking about took place in 1966. Eunice, I was a 10-year-old in Tulsa, a city with its own historic past. Now, you know Im a bit of a history buff, but true confession: until I moved to Birmingham almost 10 years ago, I really hadnt heard much about Lowndes County and certainly not this story.

MOORER:

And Im always surprised at how many people dont know the legacy of the panther and the use of it as a political symbol starting here in Lowndes County. They have no idea of the genesis of that symbol in the connection to Lowndes County.

ELLIOTT:

Well, Roy, thats because these are stories were not supposed to know. Black history, which is American history, its under attack today. But truth be told, much of it has always been omitted, simply left out. Weve been taught the broad strokes, the victory moments, the major names in the movement, yet all the work, the struggle and sacrifices made by so many others, its just not there. Those major names had help, help that stuck around and did the work long after the nightly news cameras had gone and theyve been left out too, but not here.

Lets rewind a bit.

ARCHIVAL NEWS ANCHOR:

Toward the capitol, from the break of dawn, they filter into the city.

JOHNSON:

Rewind to March 1965. Were still in Lowndes County now with a population thats, remember, 80% Black with not a single Black registered voter, a county nicknamed Bloody Lowndes for all the racist violence that was carried out within county lines where white public officials stoked the culture of fear to dissuade Black residents from exercising their electoral rights.

ELLIOTT:

But you know, on this day, there was just a different energy in the air. Highway 80, now a bit more than a year earlier, it is jammed with people. And you might know where were heading.

ARCHIVAL NEWS ANCHOR:

Camp at eight oclock after getting up about six, carrying nap sacks, bed rolls, and air mattresses, they streamed onto Highway 80 walking briskly. Their days journey, 17.5 miles, putting them halfway from Selma to Montgomery. Setting the pace, Dr. Martin Luther King, who will leave tomorrow for an appearance in Cleveland.

ELLIOTT:

You may have heard of Bloody Sunday, and maybe youve even seen that horrible footage of the Alabama State Troopers beating marchers at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge just outside of Selma.

JOHNSON:

It was March 7, 1965. Marchers set out from Selma headed east on Highway 80. Just days before, Black activist Jimmie Lee Jackson had been murdered. Marchers were simply planning to protest the denial of full voting rights to Black Americans, but after Jacksons murder, the march became about so much more. Now, the marchers were hell-bent on getting to Montgomery, 54 miles away.

ELLIOTT:

About 600 of them came together that day. And among those attacked was a 25-year-old activist in training, Alabama native John Lewis. Lewis was the president of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and one of the main organizers of the march.

JOHNSON:

Eunice, just a few years ago, I was fortunate enough to march across that same bridge not too far from John Lewis as part of the commemoration that takes place in Selma every year. As the line of marchers reached that point on the bridge when Lewis and others in the front saw the state troopers awaiting them, we all stopped, and Lewis shared memories of what he saw that day.

REP. JOHN LEWIS:

And I want to thank each and every one of you who marched across the bridge on Bloody Sunday.

People often ask me, why do you come back? What purpose does it serve? We come to Selma to be renewed. We come to be inspired. We come to be reminded that we must do the work that justice and equality calls us to do.

JOHNSON:

I marched with Lewis on three occasions, Eunice, before he was unable to make the walk before he died in 2020. Hearing him speak from that place on that bridge never got old.

ELLIOTT:

Im sure it didnt, Roy. Thats a pretty amazing memory.

JOHNSON:

Now, back to that day in 1965. He and hundreds of others made it to the bridge and saw those state troopers waiting on the far side of the Alabama River.

ELLIOTT:

Governor George Wallace had told the highway patrol chief to use whatever measures were necessary to prevent a march. And believe me, they did much, much more.

ALABAMA STATE TROOPER:

You are good. But first, you are ordered to disperse, go home or go to your church.

ELLIOTT:

After a cursory warning to the marchers to turn back, the cops, many of them on horseback, they just barreled over the first protestors, pummeling them with night sticks, tear gas, and just other cruel and simply unnecessary weapons, and news footage of this attack, it just ricocheted all around the country.

Two days later, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led 2,500 folks back to that bridge intending to march, but seeing again what Lewis and hundreds of others had already seen, the marchers stopped and they turned back to avoid bloodshed. Nearly two weeks later, after protesters were guaranteed that they would be allowed to safely pass the state troopers, the marchers finally reached Montgomery 54 miles away. That day was March 21, 1965.

Among them was a girl named Mary Mays Jackson.

MARY MAYS JACKSON, GUEST:

We heard about the march from Selma to Montgomery, and I was 14, but I was interested in joining the march.

GILLARD:

I knew my mama wasnt going to let... She really didnt want my sister and my brother, but they said, We going. So they left. And the only thing I could do was just come out because we lived on a house on a hill, like on the side of the road. And I could look down, but I could hardly see to Highway 80.

JOHNSON:

And thats Charles Mays Gillard, Marys brother. They grew up just off Highway 80 and watched those marchers move on by. Now, he was too little to join them, but mama couldnt stop her two older children. Listen.

JACKSON:

My mother did not want us to go because she was fearful for our lives and she was pregnant with my baby sister, but I guess we were selfish because we didnt care. We told her that we was going to walk. We didnt care if we died. We was going to walk because we wanted to be a part of that movement and we wanted to have the right to vote.

So we told our parents that we wanted to join. We joined that night. We camped out that night. We had sandwiches, believe it or not. We had peanut butter sandwiches, we had bologna sandwiches. We had sandwiches to eat, but it filled us up because it wasnt about food. It was just about the fact that we were walking for freedom. We were walking so we had the right to vote. I was just excitement, and my cousin, about just being in the group.

They had an activity to make us laugh. They would do things to entertain us and put up a nightlight on the pole so we could see before we would go to sleep at night.

ARCHIVAL NEWS ANCHOR:

The first day, the marches tramp a little over seven miles. Those who have been assigned to complete the 54-mile walk hope to present a petition to Governor George Wallace. The first night is spent in a field near New Sister Springs Baptist Church. Their host, a negro farmer.

JACKSON:

We got up early that next morning so we could proceed down to the Capitol.

ARCHIVAL NEWS ANCHOR:

Just inside Lowndes County, the marchers entered the two-lane stretch of Highway 80. The traffic waited its turn with cars and trucks backed up for some distance. The leader, Dr. King, still kept up a good pace.

Any blisters yet?

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.:

Well, no blisters yet, but my legs are a little tired, but I can follow that up by saying that my soul is rested.

JACKSON:

Yes, my feet was tired. Yeah, we were tired. And I have to be honest, sometimes I cheated. We got on there, me and my cousin, sometime we got on the truck because they had an open bed truck that sometimes if you got tired, they would pick you up and you could cheat a little bit, ride a little bit, and then get out. So by the time we got to the Capitol, I was very, very tired.

I got a chance to meet with Dr. Martin Luther King. I got a chance to shake his hand. He had very soft hands. I remember that distinctively about him. His hand was soft. But I was just thrilled to be able to walk with him and to hear his voice. And he had the most melodious voice that Ive ever heard in my life. I never heard anybody talk like him before.

ELLIOTT:

But there was a real danger in what Mary, her cousins, and everybody in the march had chosen to do. Her mothers warning, it wasnt just paranoia. It was truth. Other Lowndes residents, they felt it too, and a lot of folks watched the marchers pass from their porches, but even that was risky.

Mary knew this, but she marched anyway.

JACKSON:

If I died, I didnt care because I was dying for a purpose. We were afraid but I guess the purpose was greater than the fear. Sometimes we had scary moments, youd get a report where they said some of the white people, some of the cars would drive by and slow down, and we were afraid that maybe they would shoot us any minute, but we just kept pushing forward.

ELLIOTT:

Mary Mays never saw a gun, but sometimes they did point weapons at marchers and sometimes they pulled the trigger. This will become all too clear to her as she returned home later that night.

JACKSON:

After we went down to the Capitol, we all had to get a way to come back home on our own. So the only way we could come home was to come back home on one of the trucks that had the portable toilets on. And so the man that drove the truck was supposed to stop off 80 at 23 so we can get off because our home was not far from 23.

JOHNSON:

What should have been a smooth ride home though, a chance to rest in the glow of a powerful day, was sullied, sullied by violence.

JACKSON:

On our way home, a man flagged us down. And when he got on the truck, he said that somebody had just shot Ms. Viola Liuzzo and he believed she was dead. And he said, They shot her and the bullet grazed my head. So when he got on the back of the truck with us, he fell out and we was afraid thinking that he was dead, but he wasnt.

So what had happened, she had taken a load of people to Selma and she was coming back to get some more people. And somebody from Selma followed her and shot her. You know where the monument is on 80? Somebody followed her and shot up her car right there and killed her.

JOHNSON:

You can just imagine, Eunice, how relieved Marys mother was when her children returned home safe.

JACKSON:

She was so glad, yeah. When we got home that morning, oh my goodness. You could see the relief on her face, especially after the incident happened with Ms. Liuzzo. That could have been us. We could have got shot up too. But thank God for Jesus, nobody messed with us.

ELLIOTT:

Panther will be back right after the break.

JOHNSON:

The march from Selma to Montgomery was truly a moment that elevated the tide rising against racism that too long permeated and dominated the South. There was a clear before and after. Those marchers mattered.

ELLIOTT:

Bloody Sunday is what allowed President Lyndon Johnson to rally enough support to even bring a voting rights bill into Congress.

PRESIDENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON:

At times, history and fate meet at a single time in a single place to shape a turning point in mans unending search for freedom. So it was at Lexington and Concord, so it was a century ago at Appomattox, so it was last week in Selma, Alabama.

JOHNSON:

That pivotal piece of legislation, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, was a direct result of those 54 miles walked by the thousands who made the journey.

ARCHIVAL NEWS ANCHOR:

The Freedom March has been an historical venture, a nonviolent protest.

JOHNSON:

On August 6, 1965, Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law, ensuring the right to vote was accessible to all Americans finally. It outlawed literacy tests, poll taxes, jelly bean counting, and all the other BS attempts to keep us out of the voting booth.

ELLIOTT:

For disenfranchised Black Lowndes County residents like Mary Mays and Regina Moores grandmother, there couldnt possibly be better news, right?

JOHNSON:

I wish, Eunice, but to entrenched racists in Lowndes, the new law was just words on paper. Good words, necessary words, but still, to them, just words. They were words though that launched, that ignited the fight for full unencumbered voting rights in Lowndes.

ELLIOTT:

Exactly. The Voting Rights Act was not a final victory. It might have knocked a dent in the institutionalized racism in some places, but in Lowndes, it just put a chip on its racists shoulder.

Though the VRA enshrined protections for the voting booth, it also motivated vindictive white landlords to kick out Black tenants who dared to even register to vote. White public officials sat back as their neighbors threatened Black lives over the vote.

Now, part of the reason why white officials in Lowndes, I mean they felt safe to just let Black voter intimidation run wild, well, its because the VRA didnt cover the entire voting process.

JOHNSON:

Really?

ELLIOTT:

Primary elections were just outside of its scope. So even though Black voters could, in theory, get a ballot on election day, they still couldnt have a say on whose name was on that ballot.

JOHNSON:

And so many public officials and law enforcement officers at that time were card-carrying Klan members. History books might say that the Voting Rights Act handed power to Blacks in Lowndes County. But please, we know better. They would have to claim that power, claim it for themselves by any means necessary. And they had a plan. They had a plan to do just that.

ELLIOTT:

Oh, there was a plan, and it was born as those marchers passed through Lowndes County on Highway 80 on their way to Montgomery. Something else was happening there. Something just on the fringes. Beneath all the fanfare, the bravado, the speeches, there was a quiet plan, a plan to create a new political party, a Black political party.

JOHNSON:

Thats what Im talking about, Eunice.

Now, this might be hard to believe or maybe not. I know you said it already, but Im going to say it again. In Lowndes County in 1965, in a county where eight out of 10 folks are Black, not one of them is a registered voter, not a single one. Sit with that for a second.

Heres Regina Moore again.

MOORER:

So as we had the Selma to Montgomery March and organizers are traveling through Lowndes County, they see some of the residents gather near Highway 80 to kind of cheer them on, but there werent many of them who were willing to join in. So they recognized that theres this level of fear in this county, but theres also this potential for political power.

JOHNSON:

So one of those willing to join is this skinny kid from New York. His name? You ready for this, Eunice? Stokely Carmichael.

ELLIOTT:

Hm, I may have heard of him.

JOHNSON:

Amen, amen. Now, Stokely was born in Trinidad, but he spent much of his childhood in New York. He joined movements early on, protesting at Woolworth stores in New York for its segregationist policies in the South. Stokely was a firsthand witness to racist violence all over the country, yet it didnt stop him one bit, didnt deter him, didnt scare him.

ELLIOTT:

He was heavily involved in the national organizing scene and was fast on the ascent with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

Now, youre going to start hearing more acronyms as we keep going, and these are real important to our story. So lets just pause for a bit. Now, when we think of this era of the Civil Rights movement, we tend to think of it as a bunch of local movements and actions that then snowballed into change but it really was so much more than that. These were massive coordinated campaigns that helped to strategize throughout the entire south, and really, the entire country. But like any collaboration, groups within the movement had disagreements, basically different ideas of what change would actually look like. But for our story, were going to focus on two of these groups.

The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the SNCC, but well call it Snick, this is the committee that we mentioned earlier, the one that John Lewis led back in 1965. Just remember, when we say SNCC, we mean the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee or Student Organizers. Got it?

JOHNSON:

When we say SNCC, you say... Okay. Okay, Im sorry. Im sorry. Got it, got it.

ELLIOTT:

Got it, got it, got it, got it.

JOHNSON:

The other acronyms you need to tuck in your back pocket is SCLC. Thats the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Thats Dr. Kings organization created to help protest movements throughout the South coordinate and collaborate. Heres a little bit more about how those two go together.

JOANN MANTS, GUEST:

SNCC came out of a need for the youth in this country to become a part of the changes that are now occurring. Ella Baker saw that the youth had a part to play, and in that she wanted to help bring their ideas into this whole movement setting.

ELLIOTT:

That was Joann Mants, she was married to Bob Mants, another SNCC organizer who worked with Stokely in Lowndes County. He played a key role in the election of 1966 and in the years after that.

JOHNSON:

She mentioned Ella Baker. Now, Ella ran the SCLC. She saw the incredible power of student activists and wanted to nurture that power to bring it into the fold. Thats how SNCC was born.

MANTS:

These youth that came through this whole process started to see there was a need for commitment to a community in order for things to actually change. And as I think about it, we were just wide-eyed, not understanding the dangers coming with this whole changing process.

ELLIOTT:

Now, SNCC might have come out of the SCLC, but the two did have some organizational differences. Well, first of all, theres age. They were different generations, but there were also different tactics.

MANTS:

One organization would do one thing and the other organization would do the other. And SCLC would come and bring the media coverage, but it was not an organization that stayed within the community, whereas to where SNCC would come and stay within communities and those communities would determine what changes they wanted to happen.

ELLIOTT:

But the common thread, a commitment to crush barriers to voting.

MANTS:

And some of the things that we decided to work on included registering people to vote. And in doing so, all these other things started to happen.

JOHNSON:

So many of the issues confronting Blacks in Lowndes were caused by those whites in power, whites in elected positions of power, but positions they could be voted out of in time. Thats why Stokely came to Lowndes County.

ELLIOTT:

And as he moved through Lowndes County in those days, following the march, he and other SNCC organizers, they noted the bravery of those who supported the marchers. So they made their way back to those creaky front steps and wood-plank porches, where those who lived in Lowndes had watched the marchers.

SNCC organizers knocked on doors, chatted, but most importantly, they listened. They listened to see if folks were ready to push back, ready to take a stand. Stokely, Mants and SNCC started to assemble a roster of residents, not only ready for change, but ready to work for it, ready to risk their lives for it.

JOHNSON:

Ready to die for it, Eunice. Thats next time on Panther.

(THEME MUSIC IN)

MANTS:

Somebodys telling them, If you register to vote, you can change something. But in doing so, a lot of those folks are losing home, livelihood, and life.

JOHNSON:

Panther is produced by Reckon Radio in partnership with Pod People. Its hosted by me, Roy S. Johnson.

ELLIOTT:

And me, Eunice Elliot. Our executive producer is John Hammontree with additional writing, reporting, and production for Reckon by Isaiah Murtaugh, Sarah Whites-Koditshek, and R.L. Nave. Special thanks to Kelly Scott, Katie Johnson, Minda Honey, Abby Crain and Tom Bates.

JOHNSON:

And at Pod People, Anne Feuss, Alex Vikmanis, Matt Sav, Aimee Machado, Ashton Carter, Rebecca Chaisson, John Asante, and Carter Wogahn. Our theme music is composed by Jelani Akil Bauman.

ELLIOTT:

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As with many semantic corruptions, the left started it. They trivialized the term "denialism" by applying it not to the denial of a real tragedy, but to skepticism about an imagined climate doomsday. I would like to rehabilitate the phrase a little bit, if I could, by applying it to the denial of an historic phenomenon as real as the Holocaust and potentially as tragic.

I refer here to the havoc wrought by the 1960s. Havoc came in many forms: the zeitgeist shift that undermined personal responsibility, the programs that undermined the family, and the social upheaval that glorified casual sex and single parenthood.

Only by denying the fallout from the 1960s did Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson make even the illusion of sense in their recent dissents on the affirmative action cases before the Supreme Court. After a year of research for my new book, Untenable: The True Story of White Ethnic Flight from America's Cities, I know all too well the audacity of that denial.

To be fair to the '60s, the effects of this progressive mind virus had begun to surface in the previous decade. As early as 1957, for instance, Stephen Sondheim was satirizing it in his lyrics to West Side Story's "Gee, Officer Krupke." The psychiatrists, social workers, and judges who believe that "society" has played the young gang-bangers "a terrible trick" all come in for a deserved ribbing.

But there was nothing funny about what was to come. Almost unnoticed, a labyrinth of soul-crushing social programs was taking root and would soon be institutionalized by the Lyndon Johnson administration under the rubric of "The Great Society."

At the time, the only person brave enough  or crazy enough  to call attention to the damage done by these programs was Johnson's undersecretary of labor (and later U.S. senator), Daniel Patrick Moynihan. In his remarkably prescient report, "The Negro Family: The Case for National Action," Moynihan sounded the alarm in 1965, the same year the Great Society was launched.

"The evidence  not final, but powerfully persuasive  is that the Negro family in the urban ghettos is crumbling," Moynihan warned. Causing the dissolution were the sundry social programs that promised women financial security on the real but rarely spoken condition that there be no married father in the household.

Until about 1960, the income gap between backs and whites was narrowing. After 1960, with the surge in single-parent households, it began to reverse itself. The passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Moynihan believed, would only increase frustration.

As a result of the "full recognition of their civil rights," blacks were expecting that equal opportunities would "produce roughly equal results, as compared with other groups," but, added Moynihan, "This is not going to happen."

The civil rights movement was designed to combat institutional white racism. With that battle won, movement leaders had to pretend the battle was still raging. To preserve that illusion, they pressured Johnson to silence Moynihan. Not wanting to alienate a voting bloc whose loyalties he had hoped to purchase, Johnson exiled Moynihan and deep-sixed his report.

With Moynihan publicly spanked, other would-be critics fell silent. Those who chose to tell the truth about the fatherhood crisis in the black community did so at their own risk. Among the most notable dissidents was comedian Bill Cosby.

In the early years of this century, before his fall from grace, Cosby spoke out forcefully to men and boys at forums across the country. "Men, if you want to win, we can win," Cosby said at one typical spot. "We are not a pitiful race of people. We are a bright race, who can move with the best. But we are in a new time, where people are behaving in abnormal ways and calling it normal."

The progressive establishment had no use for talk that questioned systemic racism. With the establishment's backing, rising "antiracist" rock star Ta-Nehisi Coates made his bones putting Cosby in his place. In an overpraised 2008 Atlantic article, Coates dared to scold Cosby for his presumed ignorance of black history.

"His historical amnesia  his assertion that many of the problems that pervade black America are of a recent vintage  is simply wrong," huffed Coates, "as is his contention that today's young African Americans are somehow weaker, that they've dropped the ball." The fact that Cosby was nearly 40 years his senior counted for nothing. Coates knew he had the progressive wind at his back. History was his to dictate.

A month later, perhaps unaware of Coates's ascendancy, presidential candidate Barack Obama echoed Cosby's message in a Father's Day speech at a Chicago church. "What too many fathers also are is missing, missing from too many lives and too many homes," he lectured his audience. "They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men. And the foundations of our families are weaker because of it."

Jesse Jackson might have let these general comments pass. He had once said similar things himself. When, however, Obama spelled out the statistical consequences of fatherlessness in regards to education, employment, and incarceration, he jeopardized the "systemic racism" paradigm that made Jackson wealthy. He had to shut Obama up.

Three weeks later, a hot mic at a Fox News studio picked Jackson up saying, "See, Barack been, um, talking down to Black people on this faith-based  I wanna cut his nuts out." If the words weren't enough to silence Obama, the cutting motion he made with his hand did the trick.

Ketanji Brown Jackson had no more use for Obama's truth-telling than Jesse did. "Gulf-sized race-based gaps exist with respect to the health, wealth, and well-being of American citizens," writes Jackson. "They were created in the distant past, but have indisputably been passed down to the present day through the generations."

The 53-year-old Jackson and the 69-year old Sotomayor seem to have both sleep-walked through their charmed, affirmative actiongreased lives. The income and educational gaps were not "created in the distant past." They were created on their watch and largely by their own political party.

Neither Jackson nor Sotomayor acknowledges that those gaps were narrowing up and through the 1950s. Neither says a word about fatherlessness or family breakdown and the accompanying reversal in economic momentum. Sotomayor, for instance, mentions President Andrew Johnson three times but never once mentions President Lyndon Johnson. No one mentions Moynihan.

One argument for affirmative action that Jackson thinks particularly convincing is that the median wealth for white families  $188,000  is reportedly close to eight times higher than that for black families  $24,000.

The critical word here is "median." This means that half of black families have accrued more than $24,000 in net worth, half less. Jackson cites every reason why this might be so  slavery, Jim Crow, redlining, sharecropping  except for the reason that it is so: family breakdown.

As of 2021, some 64 percent of black children lived in a single-parent household, a figure nearly three times that of whites, four times that of Asians, and more than twice the number that alarmed Moynihan. On average, single mothers earn about 20 percent of what married couples do. Entitlement programs may sustain those dependent on them, but they don't build equity.

Through the Community Reinvestment Act, the Clinton administration made a misbegotten effort to create equity for low-income people by forcing lenders to provide them home loans. To remind yourself how that experiment turned out, google "subprime crisis of 2008."

That crisis was really just another aftershock from the upheaval of the '60s. Neither Jackson nor Sotomayor makes any mention of it or its effect on black net worth. Not content with rewriting the Constitution, they're equally pleased to rewrite history.

Jack Cashill's new book Untenable: The True Story of White Ethnic Flight from America's Cities is now available in all formats.

Image: Lyndon Johnson. Credit: Picryl.
Over the past two decades the classroom has been hijacked by an army of ideologues trumpeting empty slogans like mindfulness, caring, and celebrating diversity. Combined with recent diversity, equity and inclusion policies forced on teachers and students, American education has devolved into an unhealthy totalitarianism of compassion that oftentimes is anything but compassionate and inclusive. Though these trends might appear benign on the surface, they have led to a perversion of the learning process, thwarted the acquisition of basic knowledge and contributed to an epidemic of anxiety and depression among the nations young.

Consequently, its time to abandon educational policies that sow confusion and discord in developing minds.

Instead, educators should return to teaching the basic reading, writing and arithmetic skills young people need to navigate the world around them. Current woke attempts to substitute fake subjects like gender identity, critical race theory, and kindness and caring for meaningful history, literature, and math lessons designed to inspire rather than indoctrinate, often leave students with the sense that they are crushed by historical giants rather than standing on their shoulders. On the other hand, if students possessed stronger reading, writing and math skills, they would be better equipped to undertake the arduous work of self-reflection needed to understand themselves and their society and, maybe, discover a positive and unifying meaning in their lives.

But as the great education critic Neil Postman noted decades ago, modern education leaves students with schooling that has no meaning. And, as Postman reasoned, without meaning, learning has no purpose. Without purpose, schools become houses of detention, not attention. With 20% of high school students recently reporting serious thoughts of suicide, it is time to return to merit based skills development that promotes meaning and purpose.

This, of course, is a difficult task given the current infatuation with making schools safe spaces that promote well-being over intellectual development. However, as Jonathan Haidt notes, Education is not intended to make people comfortable; it is meant to make them think. Would that schools adopted Haidts philosophy and again produced resilient citizens with the requisite skills to propel America forward.

Unfortunately, the current safe space and well-being craze demands students narcissistically obsess about their identities, devoid of any of the basic historical, religious or literary understanding essential for self-reflection. Haidt, Jean Twenge, John McWhorter and many others have meticulously documented the devastating results of this coddling of student egos, not only on their mental health, but also on the vitriolic and intolerant attitudes those very same students take toward professors, teachers and classmates who dare disagree with them.

The current focus on identity and feelings has left students without the analytical skills needed to understand their place in a multiracial but monocultural society like the United States. This has produced conceited and self-righteous citizens with a misunderstanding and disrespect for the values and traditions that helped previous generations of Americans embrace e pluribus unum and establish a unified nation.

Analytical skill development is more likely to lead to a balanced and reasonable reckoning with the past that acknowledges both the failures and successes of society. On the other hand, feelings-based education could leave students vulnerable to educators pushing woke activism in the classroom. John Dewey outlined the dangers of this a century ago:

For in spite of itself any movement that thinks and acts in terms of an ism becomes so involved in reaction against other isms that it is unwittingly controlled by them. For it then forms its principles by reaction against them instead of by a comprehensive, constructive survey of actual needs, problems, and possibilities.

Perhaps this is why we are currently inundated with young people who engage in hostility to opinions that differ from theirs and the insidious labeling of those from previous generations as racist, sexist or homophobic. In this sense, the renowned 19th century education reformer Horace Manns sound advice rings true today:

Do not think of knocking out another persons brains because he differs in opinion from you. It would be as rational to knock yourself on the head because you differ from yourself ten years ago.

Sadly, it is likely that our education system is producing students that might resort to the lazy and racist tactic of dismissing Mann for being a dead white man rather than engaging with his ideas.

But it is exactly engagement with ideas that is needed to help students abandon woke radicalism and develop the critical skills necessary to comprehend the revolutionary ideals that made America great. As presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy says, we should promote the extremism, the radicalism of the ideals that set this nation into motion 250 years ago: merit, free speech, open debate, self-governance so that we can again realize that diversity is not our strength. Our strength is what unifies us across our diversity. For Ramaswamys vision to materialize, however, the US will need an overhaul of its corrupted educational system. A good place to start would be refocusing on reading, writing and arithmetic.

Thus, it is imperative that schools help students build the skills that were the hallmarks of strong education for centuries. This, of course, would require teachers to reject half-baked woke ideas and humbly accept that we stand on the shoulders of giants.

It's time to focus on building and improving upon what those giants bequeathed to us, or we will lose it.

Dana E. Abizaid is a freelance contributor to the Daily Caller and a teacher with over 20 years of experience in high school and university classrooms.

Graphic credit: HandiHow Pixcabay license
John and Nisha Whitehead over at The Rutherford Institute always write compelling essays documenting America's descent toward tyranny. "A State of Martial Law: America Is a Military Dictatorship Disguised as a Democracy" is no exception and deserves reading.

In that essay, the legal duo reminded me of something John Lennon once warned: "When it gets down to having to use violence, then you are playing the system's game. The establishment will irritate you  pull your beard, flick your face  to make you fight. Because once they've got you violent, then they know how to handle you."

There is no question that the D.C. Establishment has been picking a fight with ordinary Americans for quite some time. The Department of (in)Justice and federal law enforcement routinely look the other way whenever Antifa and Black Lives Matter domestic terrorists rough up citizens and destroy small businesses. Then a bunch of patriotic Americans without criminal records show up at the U.S. Capitol to protest the fraudulent 2020 election, and the Stasi FBI immediately labels every grandparent and veteran within miles an "insurrectionist."

While Soros-aligned prosecutors award the left's paramilitary brigades with accolades instead of incarcerations, the Feds have dragged J6 protesters through unfair criminal proceedings, inflicted unnecessary suffering, and forced political prisoners to languish without bail. When political prisoners finally do face trial, the government hides potentially exonerating video evidence and records under fabricated claims of "national security," prosecutors flippantly throw around terms like "treason" and "rebellion" in front of juries, and partisan judges are all too willing to hand down excessive sentences as an unconscionable form of political revenge.

Murderers and rapists are given greater presumption of innocence and protection of their due process rights than the law-abiding Americans who exercised their constitutional right to petition the government for redress of grievances on January 6, 2021. Along with its authoritarian campaign to censor Americans' speech through the use of corporate proxies, D.C.'s criminal targeting of citizens for their political beliefs constitutes an indisputable pattern and practice of government hostility toward the First Amendment.

More and more evidence continues to corroborate the assertion that provocateurs from federal agencies were actively stoking mayhem outside the Capitol and steering J6 protesters to commit petty crimes that could later be used against them. Once labeled a "conspiracy theory" by the State-fed corporate press, the idea that government agents were instigating chaos and crime is now rather prosaically accepted as no big deal.

It is a big deal. If federal agents were provoking criminal behavior and surreptitiously exciting a large crowd, then they are directly responsible for any repercussions. If Nancy Pelosi and Mike Pence truly believe that their lives were in danger on January 6, then their beef lies with the undercover operatives who worked to turn a protest into a riot.

Any federal agents present in the crowd ostensibly worked for the president of the United States  Donald Trump. The timing of his speech  delivered miles from the Capitol  was known well in advance precisely so that security precautions could be made to protect both government officials and the million or so Trump-supporters who showed up in D.C. to voice their displeasure with an election riddled by unorthodox voting procedures and mail-in-ballot chicanery. Federal agencies tasked with providing security and keeping the peace should have been protecting protesters' right to assemble while ensuring that everyone in D.C. remained safe.

To do the opposite  to actively incite a riot in order to entrap Trump-supporters under specious charges  not only put everyone around the Capitol in danger, but also betrayed both ordinary American protesters exercising constitutional rights and the man vested with inherent executive authority. The federal government's disregard for the Constitution is clear.

As we have witnessed these last two and a half years in congressional show trials and politicized courtrooms, the government's risible J6 prosecutions have taken one lowly citizen's scalp after the next for the previously unenforced crimes of "trespass" or "obstructing an official proceeding" until finally and ludicrously bagging a few Americans for "seditious conspiracy." If this steady drumbeat of political prosecutions is now leading to the indictment of Donald Trump as the so-called "ringleader" of an imaginary "conspiracy" to overthrow the government of the United States, then that means all of the federal agents working under the authority of President Trump on January 6 were actually conspiring to set him up for criminal liability.

There is a name given to the secret commission of a plan meant to remove from power a legitimate head of state: coup d'etat. Of course, since the Stasi FBI and Obama's Intelligence heads had already unsuccessfully conspired with Hillary Clinton's campaign to remove President Trump from power through the Russia hoax, undermining an elected president was hardly new. In fact, given that Adam Schiff and Mitt Romney had desperately worked with fake Pentagon "whistleblowers" to turn Joe Biden's Ukraine bribery scandal into a Trump impeachment, transforming the events of January 6, 2021 into some kind of inexplicable attempt to overthrow the sitting president's own government merely looks par for the course. When Trump is in power, the permanent Deep State is coup-coup for regime change.

Didn't Antifa and Black Lives Matter always provide the backup plan for Trump's removal from office in case the permanent political class couldn't steal the 2020 election? Their rampage during the summer of 2020 far exceeded anything that happened on January 6, 2021. When the left's paramilitary shock troops terrorized the White House nonstop, they frequently placed President Trump's life at risk. Those "insurrections," of course, were ignored or even lauded as justifiable crimes redressing "injustice." In truth, they were a warm-up act for what would have occurred in cities across the country had President Trump's historic re-election margins  in which he claimed over ten million new voters since his first victory  proved insurmountable even after days of secretive counting in battleground states flooded with unsecured and anonymous mail-in balloting.

Had President Trump declared victory on November 3, 2020, Antifa and Black Lives Matter would have likely taken their 2020 trial run to the next level and turned D.C. into a war zone. However, I suspect that neither the Cheka FBI nor the Department of (in)Justice would have declared any violent mayhem as part of an organized "rebellion" or "insurrection." I doubt Congress would have felt compelled to spend the next two years running partisan show trials or instigating a reign of prosecutorial terror against Biden supporters, as they have with Trump voters. Nancy Pelosi, General Milley, and the corporate press would have surely lionized Antifa's brownshirt behavior. The United Nations and World Economic Forum would have most likely issued the arsonists, looters, and murderers prestigious awards.

The rank injustice intentionally imposed upon J6 defendants is the point. The unethical federal agents, prosecutors, and judges all seem to be saying between haughty bouts of laughter: What are you gonna do about it? They would like nothing more than for an armed militia of Americans to rise up and provide the Department of (in)Justice and the regime-protecting FBI with the justification they need for decades of funding to combat "domestic extremism." If Joe Biden is given an excuse to formally declare martial law, he will gladly use the opportunity to expand the national security surveillance State, seize gun and ammunition stockpiles, and implement even more of the World Economic Forum's "Great Reset" blueprint for technocratic tyranny. The totalitarians in control of the U.S. government want us to resist; they need us to resist.

We must do so wisely and prudently, knowing that the "military dictatorship disguised as a democracy" is setting traps and eagerly waiting.

Image: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center via Flickr, CC BY 2.0 (cropped).
NATO summit kicks off amid rising divergences, potential risks, long-standing challenges

Global Times) 10:13, July 12, 2023

The two-day NATO summit kicked off in Vilnius, Lithuania on Tuesday with the gathering of Western leaders, but behind the outward scene of solidarity, experts said there are rising divergences among the members and potential risks for the organization that might cause serious splits and disunity, meaning that long-standing challenges like the Ukraine crisis are unlikely to be resolved in the short term, which will continue to worsen the security and economic situation of Europe.

The US-led military alliance members will seek to reaffirm their support for Ukraine on Tuesday and Wednesday, overcome differences over Sweden's prospective NATO membership and display a "united stance" against Russia, according to media reports.

Although some differences seem to have been overcome for now, more potential risks and crisis in the future might cause more splits that will further undermine the unity of the organization, as some members of the alliance are trying to prioritize their own interests and push the whole alliance toward a bumpier future, said analysts.

Fragile 'solidarity'

US President Joe Biden and other alliance leaders entered the first day of the high-stakes summit with "a reinvigorated sense of unity after a major win on Monday evening when Turkey agreed to Sweden's bid to join the alliance," CNN reported on Tuesday. Biden said during a bilateral meeting with summit host Lithuanian President Gitanas Naus da that he is looking forward and being confident to see the addition of Sweden.

Turkey agreed on Monday to clear the way for Sweden to join NATO, a sudden reversal just hours after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the EU should first advance his country's bid to join the union. This is the first time that Erdogan linked Sweden's NATO membership to Turkey's EU accession, media reported.

Turkey's bid to join the EU has been frozen for years after membership talks were launched in 2005 under Erdogan's first term as prime minister, Reuters reported.

Erdogan urged the "countries that are making Turkey wait at the door of the European Union for more than 50 years" ahead of his departure for the NATO summit in Vilnius to "come and open the way for Turkey at the European Union and then we will open the way for Sweden, just as we did for Finland," Reuters reported.

A European Commission spokesperson said NATO and EU enlargement were "separate processes," as "The accession process for each candidate country is based on the merits of each country," the spokesperson said, adding that the two processes cannot be linked, according to Reuters.

Ma Xiaolin, dean of the Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean Rim at Zhejiang International Studies University, said that for the EU members or NATO members in Europe, the cost or the risk of letting Turkey joining the EU is far greater than the benefits of including Sweden in NATO, and that it would be very shortsighted to trade EU membership for Turkey's agreement for Sweden to join NATO.

The plan will receive opposition from right-wing conservative forces within European countries and some EU members that have tensions and disputes with Turkey will also strongly disagree, but if the EU refuses to provide what Erdogan asked for in order to maintain internal unity, then it means Turkey would be seriously offended by the West as it agreed to open the way for Sweden to join NATO, but will get nothing in return. This will badly damage ties between Turkey and the West, experts said.

In this case, no matter what happens, it has already caused a potential crisis, and it is certain that the solidarity and unity with the EU and NATO will be challenged further, analysts said.

Ukraine's demand

Biden will have a one-on-one meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Europe, the White House confirmed Monday. However, there is still no clear path for Ukraine to obtain NATO membership, media reported.

The Guardian reported on Monday that NATO members "are not expected to set clear pre-conditions" for Ukraine's eventual membership to the military alliance in the face of caution from the US and Germany while "the war with Russia continues."

Experts said that before the end of Ukraine crisis, there is no hope that NATO will grant membership to Ukraine, and all commitments made by major Western powers are serving to prolong the ongoing conflict, rather than putting an end to the bloodshed as soon as possible.

A separate package of security guarantees for Ukraine from the US, UK, Germany and France is not now expected to be announced until the end of the summit at the earliest, amid last-minute wrangling. These are intended to commit the countries to providing military aid and economic support to Kiev in the long term, according to the Guardian.

According to ABC News, NATO leaders are set to make a new defense spending pledge at their summit this week as support for Ukraine eats into their military budgets. Under a pledge made in 2014, NATO allies agreed to halt the spending cuts they made in calmer times after the Cold War ended, boost their national military budgets and move toward spending 2 percent of GDP on defense by 2024.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, said that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine at the moment is, in nature, a "hybrid war between the US and Russia," so unless Washington and Moscow reach agreement, there is no hope to see a solution for the crisis. Now the point is that the US is letting NATO members share the heavy burden and cost of prolonging the conflict while they also have no confidence and capability to completely defeat Russia.

Expansion to Asia-Pacific?

Against the background of the US' strategy to contain China, the plan of NATO expansion to the Asia-Pacific region has emerged in recent years, and it is expected to be a hot topic at the summit. However, NATO members, especially those who are suffering enough trouble in Europe already, are unlikely to approve this plan that only reflects the US' selfish demand of forcing its allies to contain China together, experts said.

Japanese media Nikkei reported on Monday that NATO is poised to "defer its decision on establishing a liaison office in Tokyo until autumn or later."

The US-led military alliance initially planned to enshrine the establishment of the Tokyo office in documents to be adopted at the summit, but "France has opposed the idea, caring for relations with China," and the unanimous agreement of all 31 members needed for the decision appears unlikely. The bloc will work to finalize the decision by year-end, Nikkei reported.

Cui Hongjian, director of the Department of European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Tuesday that deferring the decision means that building a new connection with or expansion to the Asia-Pacific is not an urgent or anticipated issue for NATO.

The issue that actually matters is the future strategic direction for this organization, Cui noted, saying that members need to decide whether NATO should keep focusing on Europe and Transatlantic regions, or following the US to pivot to Asia.

One day ahead of the summit, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an article published by Foreign Affairs on Monday that "NATO does not see China as an adversary. We must continue to engage with Beijing to tackle today's global challenges, including nuclear proliferation and climate change." But Stoltenberg also urged NATO members not to "trade security interests for economic gains" when dealing with China as he said China challenges "NATO's security, values, and interests."

Observers said the tone has softened compared to the past, and the summit is unlikely to spend much energy hyping the China threat theory. Yet sooner or later, NATO members will conclude an agreement on a cooperation mechanism with their Asian partners like Japan and South Korea, and they just need time to coordinate.

Lu Xiang, an expert on US studies and a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday that "the US found that when it is trying to form a united front to contain China, its allies become less and less united, so now Washington might be more realistic in handling the issue of NATO expansion to the Asia-Pacific region, as this idea is not welcomed by its European allies while the mess in Europe has brought a big enough headache."

The state leaders of major European powers including Germany, Spain and France, as well as some senior EU officials, have visited China late last year or earlier this year, and recently, China-US communication has resumed with recent visits of Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. This reflects that major Western powers want to stabilize ties with China, so NATO will unlikely be too provocative against China right now, experts noted.

Lu said European leaders like Macron who oppose NATO's Asia-Pacific expansion and refuse to get involved in the sensitive affairs elsewhere are actually making real efforts of "de-risking," as they are trying to let Europe stay away from uncertainties and crisis that might be caused by US unilateralism and hegemony.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson during a summit between North Atlantic Treaty Organization members and their Indo-Pacific partner countries in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday (local time). Joint Press Corps



S. Korea to join NATO's intelligence-sharing framework



By Nam Hyun-woo



VILNIUS  President Yoon Suk Yeol called for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) united response to North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, Wednesday (local time), stressing that Pyongyang's belligerent behavior also poses an "actual threat" to European countries.



Yoon stressed that point in his speech at a summit between NATO members and their so-called AP4 Indo-Pacific partner countries  South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand  in Vilnius, Lithuania, hours after the North launched what is believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the East Sea, resuming armed provocations after a month-long break.



"North Korea's nuclear missiles are an actual threat that can strike not only here, Vilnius, but also Paris, Berlin and London," Yoon said. "We should strongly unite to respond to and condemn this threat in a single voice."



Yoon noted that NATO adopted the Vilnius Communique a day earlier condemning the North's nuclear and missile programs for the first time in five years, which serves as a "grave warning" that the international community will no longer tolerate the North's "illegal behavior."



In the communique, the military alliance "condemned in the strongest terms the DPRK's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs," referring to the regime's official name of Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The last time that NATO condemned the North's nuclear programs was 2018 and the alliance did not mention North Korea's nuclear programs in last year's communique.



"In this time of super-connectivity, the security of Europe and Asia cannot be separated," Yoon said, noting that both South Korea and NATO define each other as an important security partner.





President Yoon Suk Yeol enters the 2023 North Atlantic Treaty Organization Summit at Lithuanian Exhibition and Convention Center in Vilnius, Wednesday (local time). Joint Press Corps







Yoon has used his participation in the 2023 NATO Summit to stress the inseparability of Indo-Pacific security issues from those of the Atlantic region, in what appears to be a move to strengthen international pressure against Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs by convincing NATO members that the regime's ambitions also threaten European countries.



As part of this effort, Yoon said South Korea will expand intelligence-sharing with NATO and the presidential office announced that Seoul will seek to join its intelligence-sharing framework, known as Battlefield Information Collection Exploitation Systems (BICES).



BICES refers to a system providing the U.S., NATO forces and other allied military organizations with near real-time correlated, situational and order of battle information. Military intelligence, as well as information related to allies' nuclear assets, is shared through this network to enable further assessment or planning.



According to a senior official at the presidential office, NATO proposed South Korea's participation in the system during NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's visit to Seoul in January this year, and South Korea has been preparing for approvals of BICES members and NATO members for months, viewing that it will be helpful for the country's security.



This means, theoretically, South Korea will be able to share its intelligence on North Korea's nuclear and missile programs with NATO members, effectively strengthening international pressure against the regime's ambitions.



"Once we join BICES and share intelligence, it could be a reference for what kind of nuclear information we will share with the U.S. in the South Korea-U.S. Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG)," the official said. The NCG will involve information sharing and joint planning of U.S. extended nuclear deterrence against North Korea. Its inaugural meeting will take place on July 18.



The official added, however, it will depend on members' autonomy to decide what level of intelligence they will share through the system, and it will be mostly related to cybersecurity.





President Yoon Suk Yeol poses with the leaders of NATO's other Indo-Pacific partner countries during their meeting at a hotel in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday (local time). From left are Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Yoon, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. Yonhap
Over the weekend, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky responded to President Trump's proposal for ending the war in Ukraine within 24 hours when re-elected.

Zelensky told Martha Raddatz on ABC's This Week that "the sole desire to bring the war to an end is beautiful."

But he added that "if we are talking about ending the war at the cost of Ukraine, in other words, to make us give up our territories, Biden could have brought it to an end even in five minutes."

With his slamming of Trump without knowing the details of his peace plan and his slobbering over Biden, Zelensky sounded like a Democrat politician.

Zelensky has good reason to fawn.

The war in Ukraine is one of the rare occasions where there was consensus between both parties. So far, the U.S. has dispatched over 75 billion taxpayer dollars to Ukraine.

For every bill that funded the war, Congress gave their unanimous approval in a matter of days and without any debate. Such promptness is seldom witnessed in D.C.



Zelensky received a standing ovation addressing Congress via video 3/12/22, introduced by Nancy Pelosi.

YouTube screen grab.

Everyone from Joe Biden to Lindsey Graham proclaimed that he would support the war in Ukraine unconditionally.

Supporting the war is the new groupthink in D.C., and those who asked questions were slammed as stooges of the Kremlin.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.)'s request to add tracking measures to the funds being dispatched was rejected. Paul was dismissed as an isolationist.

The lack of accountability has led to allegations of corruption surrounding illicit payments to deputy ministers and overinflated military contracts.

Recently, the Pentagon admitted that an accounting error provided an extra $6B in arms to Ukraine.

Veteran journalist Seymour Hersh reported that Zelensky and his generals may have embezzled $400M from U.S. aid.

Last December, the Ukrainian Embassy in D.C. hosted a reception to commemorate the 31st anniversary of Ukraine's armed services. The invitation to the event had logos of arms dealers such as Lockheed Martin. Biden's Joint Chiefs chairman, Gen. Mark Milley, attended the event.

Following the war in Ukraine, Lockheed Martin's stock rose by about 38 percent.

The Biden administration dispatched Lockheed's missile defense systems to Ukraine, which cost the American taxpayers around $1.1 billion. The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed a $521-million contract to refill its own supplies.

Lockheed has had deep ties with the CIA since the 1950s.

Lockheed is also adept at media management.

During the early phase of the war, Politico, The Washington Post, and The New York Times carried pro-war articles sponsored by Lockheed.

Lockheed donates to both parties, which helps explain the unanimous support for the Ukraine war. Lockheed also has a record of bribing officials to peddle influence.

Ukraine is far from a democratic haven.

Zelensky banned adversarial Ukrainian media outlets, claiming they were carrying Russian propaganda.

Zelensky banned 11 of his political opponents, including "The Opposition Platform for Life," which has 44 seats in Ukraine's national parliament, accusing them of being pro-Kremlin.

In the U.S., Tucker Carlson, who was the only major voice in the U.S. mainstream media who asked questions about the war in Ukraine, was unceremoniously sacked.

It is perfectly obvious that this is a joint operation between D.C. and Ukraine, and they blocked all questions and accountability measures.

There are security concerns as well.

Earlier this March, Pentagon inspector general Robert Storch refused to say if the Department of Defense had complied with existing rules regarding the monitoring of weapons sent to Ukraine.

Recently, the Biden administration sent controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine. The move was criticized by human rights groups, as these weapons are banned by more than 100 countries.

The war in Ukraine has attracted thousands of foreign fighters. These unvetted fighters could easily pilfer advanced weaponry. Perhaps corrupt Ukrainian officials could sell the weapons on the black market. The buyers could be terrorists.

The Nigerian president said weapons from Ukraine are ending up in Nigeria. The Finnish media reported that criminal organizations could be trafficking weapons from Ukraine to the U.S. or various E.U. nations.

Biden's open borders could facilitate the entry of arms and terrorists onto U.S. soil.

Biden recently said he doesn't think Ukraine is ready for NATO membership. If Biden had said this before, perhaps the war could have been averted. Russia cited Ukraine's potential NATO membership as a reason for the war.

Back to President Trump's peace plan.

When Zelensky and others in D.C. scoff at Trump for pledging to end the war, it's not because they care about the Ukrainian territory or its people. It is because the end of the war derails their gravy train.

This is among the many reasons that the D.C. establishment not only wants to defeat Trump in 2024, but wants to send him to prison for the rest of his life.

Prior to Trump, D.C. managed to put on a show to deceive voters about the two-party system. The parties and the media focused on social issues to keep the public occupied. The voting public thought they were voting for change. Hence, power switched from Republican Bush to Democrat Clinton to Republican Bush to Democrat Obama.

But their policies made it amply clear that there is little difference between both parties. They were all for endless foreign wars, open borders, a bad economy that created a permanent underclass, surveillance of citizens, retraining the media, and misusing crises to expand their powers.

Trump is the only modern president who didn't start a new war. He built a strong U.S. economy that empowered citizens, stood for the strong U.S. border, rebuilt the military, promoted the U.S. on a global stage, and did so much more to empower the citizen. This was despite the obstacles placed in his way in the form of baseless probes.

Let's remember the frequent videos of beheadings in ISIS-controlled Iraq during Obama's presidency. The Obama administration had wasted billions of taxpayers' dollars, and the situation in Iraq was much worse.

Trump, on the other hand, defeated ISIS in the Middle East by having the right strategy and hiring the right personnel for the job.

It has to be remembered that when Trump said he could defeat ISIS, everyone scoffed at him, just as everyone is scoffing at the idea of the peace plan in Ukraine.

Trump was a drastic departure from the D.C. culture. D.C. doesn't like resolutions to issues. The people there prefer to keep the fire burning, which gives them reason to keep the funds flowing.

If you have to vote for change and for the resolution of issues, it must begin by voting for Trump in November 2024.
Meisha Mainor represents District 56 in the Georgia state House of Representatives. On July 11, Ms. Mainor announced that she was leaving the Democrat party to become a Republican member in the Georgia House. Here is part of her statement, quoted at Breitbart:

My name is Rep. Meisha Mainor and today I made the decision to leave the Democrat Party. I represent a blue district in the city of Atlanta so this wasnt a political decision for me. It was a a MORAL one. I will NEVER apologize for being a black woman with a mind of my own. pic.twitter.com/q3snDGejCN

The Breitbart report said that Ms. Mainor felt "crucified" by her Democrat colleagues when she backed school choice and opposed defunding police. Here is another part of her announcement, quoted by Fox Digital:

"When I decided to stand up on behalf of disadvantaged children in support of school choice, my Democrat colleagues didnt stand by me," Mainor explained of her decision in a statement to Fox News Digital. "They crucified me. When I decided to stand up in support of safe communities and refused to support efforts to defund the police, they didnt back me. They abandoned me." "For far too long, the Democrat Party has gotten away with using and abusing the black community," she added. "For decades, the Democrat Party has received the support of more than 90% of the black community. And what do we have to show for it? I represent a solidly blue district in the city of Atlanta. This isnt a political decision for me. Its a moral one."

For present purposes, I focus on the key sentence, exalting individual liberty, in Ms. Mainor's declaration of separation from Georgia Democrats: "I will NEVER apologize for being a black woman with a mind of my own."

In fifteen words, Rep. Mainor sums up what the Democrat party  local, state, and federal levels  is all about. The Democrat party has become a despotic clique, intolerant of free, independent thought. To be a Democrat, as Ms. Mainor makes clear, one must endorse the party line  with intent to crush alternative viewpoints. To be a Democrat, one must regard every institution in American life, public or private, as subservient to the will of the empowered despots.

Ms. Mainor raised a personal banner of freedom, joining the party of freedom, exactly one week after U.S. district judge Terry A. Doughty (whose name, literally, means "brave and persistent") stood tall against the White House and its federal minions in defense of the First Amendment, the hallmark of the spirit of American liberty.

And what is the First Amendment all about if not protecting the right of every single citizen to have "a mind of my own"?

Those five words are abhorrent to the totalitarians of the left, for whom the population should have all the diversity, in terms of ideas, of mindless robots.

To be candid, this writer thought, reading of Ms. Mainor's decision to leave the despotic party for the freedom party, that this was a significant switch in the U.S. House of Representatives. That the switch is at the state level in Georgia is not to be downplayed, however. Bear in mind that Georgia has a state prosecutor ready to be of assistance to the Despotic Clique in Washington with yet another political prosecution of Donald J. Trump. Ms. Mainor's protest against the monolithic mindset among Georgia Democrats cannot be other than an embarrassment to the groupthinkers who hold sway in the Peach State.

To borrow from Winston S. Churchill, the decision of Mesha Mainor to switch to the Republican Party is clearly not the end of rule by the Despotic Clique in Washington, but it may augur the beginning of the end of Bidenism.

Image: Mesha Mainor. Credit: Mesha Mainor via YouTube, CC BY 3.0.
In Massachusetts, the legislature will consider an anti-gun bill that shouldnt survive under Heller and Bruen standards. Politicians across the Democrat party, from Joe Biden to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., want to gut the Second Amendment, claiming that doing so will save lives. However, another brutal knife attack in China reminds us that its not weapons that kill; its the people who make the choice to wield the weapons who do the killing.

Gun Owners of America has a warning:

The anti-gun Democrats in the Massachusetts Legislature have just introduced and begun fast tracking THE WORST anti-Second Amendment omnibus bill in the whole nation! Their bill, HD 4420, would ban more firearms than any other state in the entire country. This bill is 140 pages of the worst gun control proposals ever introduced  making legally owning a firearm nearly impossible in Massachusetts. [snip] The omnibus gun control bill: Redefines Assault-style firearm to be more extensive and bans ALMOST ALL semi-automatic firearms from civilian ownership.

Redefines firearm into a broader term that includes even stun guns.

Mandates safe storage procedures, locking up guns against your will.

Mandates REGISTRATION of all guns and feeding devices.

Confusing language for new MA residents and on the serialization of guns.

Mandates reporting any parts modifications to firearms.

Mandates reporting an itemized list of parts when modifying or building a gun.

Mandates serializing of feeding devices (magazines).

Mandates that privately made guns need to be registered within 7 days.

Bans anyone under 21 from acquiring or carrying semi-automatic rifles or shotguns.

Forces new requirements for firearms retailers.

Forces new training mandates for law-abiding gun owners.

Adds additional prohibited areas where even licensed individuals cannot defend themselves with a firearm.

AND DOES SO MUCH MORE.

To justify this, Democrats always insist that getting rid of civilian guns will save childrens lives. But will it really? I doubt it.

First, while everyone wants to live in a safe community, its not our fellow citizens who should worry us most, even if we live in a violent community. When push comes to shove, no one deals out death like a government that turns on its own people.

Second, up until the mid-20th century or so, arms were freely available in America, yet the shootings that characterize modern America were less frequent. This 1941 photo came with the notation that the Gun counter was the busiest place in the Sears Roebuck Store in Syracuse, New York.

Public domain image.

Third, a knife in the hands of a person determined to use it is almost impossible to defend against because it is a close-quarters crime. A gun might miss, but a knife seldom does, especially when children are involved. This is becoming a problem in gun-controlled China:

Six people, including children, died in a stabbing attack Monday at a kindergarten in southern China, police said, as knife attacks continue at schools in the gun-free country. [snip] China, which has strict gun laws, has experienced multiple recent kindergarten stabbings. Three people died and six others were wounded in an August 2022 kindergarten stabbing in Jiangxi. Two children died and 16 more were wounded in a stabbing attack at a Guangxi kindergarten in 2021. A school guard allegedly stabbed 39 people in 2020.

If you go through the Wikipedia list of worst school massacres, a very depressing read, youll see that its the armiesgovernment-sanctioned gun wieldersthat are the worst killers. After that, you start getting to religious fanaticism (usually Islamic). Thats followed by bombings, and only then do you get to civilian attacks with gunsand even those arent primarily in America. Instead, many are in heavily gun-controlled countries such as Russia, India, Scotland (which had gun control even before Dunblane), Germany, Canada

Theres a lot of evil that lurks in the heart of men, and banning this or that weapon does not ban the evil. What leftists never want anyone to know is that, while tragic numbers of people in America die from guns, over half of those deaths are suicides. Gun control does not stop suicides. For example, South Korea has some of the worlds strictest gun control laws and one of the highest suicide rates. And in Canada, suicide through helpful government euthanasia is becoming normative.

Moreover, many of the teen shootings we hear about are either legal adults, although that fact is buried in medical studies that define adolescents to include 18- and 19-year-olds, or much older teens (16 or 17). Also, many school shootings are just gang crimes on school property.

Lastly, the left never wants you to know that guns in civilian hands are not only the great equalizer, but they are also the great defender. Compared to the roughly 40,000 annual gun deaths in America, guns are used defensively between 500,000 and 3 million times annually. And that doesnt mean they simply prevent gun deaths. They also protect people from being stabbed, beaten, run over by cars, or otherwise put at mortal risk.

Massachusetts is on the wrong track. If it wants to stop gun violence, it needs to create a culture that values life. But thats the one thing the pro-abortion, pro-child sterilization, pro-humans-are-parasites-because-of-climate-change lobby will never do. Instead, it wants only to concentrate ever more power in the governments hands.
The Biden administration's blatant treatment of individuals who entered the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 as if they were murderous terrorists or insurrectionists is unprecedented in our history.

To be sure, a small handful committed acts of vandalism, trespassing, and intimidation. But most of the people whom Biden is holding did not merit harsh treatment. In many instances, some were held for months in solitary confinement and were denied their fundamental liberties as American citizens.

America, founded on the Constitution and its amendments, guarantees rights to the individual. We are a republic, where laws are to prevail, to be administered impartially. Unlawful search and seizure is not permitted. Due process matters.

Allegedly, we're the land of the free and the home of the brave, the beacon of democracy, the country immigrants from around the globe strive to reach, and the best example on Earth of a free people in a free land.

Many of the people who entered the Capitol that day were ushered in by the Capitol guards. They simply walked through doors that were held open for them. The claims of insurrection are entirely ridiculous. How do you mount an insurrection with virtually no armaments?

We have since learned that Capitol police, the FBI, and numerous "law" enforcement personnel baited, prompted, encouraged, and ushered peaceful protesters into the Capitol. Nearly all occupiers either had a plane reservation or car ride scheduled for that evening or for the next day.

These protesters did not seek to stay beyond their short sojourn. No organized attempt to "overthrow" the U.S. government was in play, and every single Biden official and rational member of Congress is well aware of that.

The libstream press, as is customary, has buried the truth: the ranks of actual Trump-supporters were heavily infiltrated by law enforcement officers, Antifa, and actual insurrectionists. These groups sought to establish a false flag, making it appear as if President Trump and his supporters sought to overthrow the government.

In reality, Trump-supporters did not seek to overthrow the United States government. This is total fabrication, well known by anybody who is familiar with the facts.

A U.S. Air Force veteran, Ashli Babbitt, was slain by a Capitol guard. Babbitt did not pose a threat, carried no weapon, and did nothing to earn her fate.

Meanwhile, numerous Americans still incarcerated by the Biden administration have been mistreated. Film footage from inside of the Capitol, finally released to the public with no cuts on footage, reveals legions of misdeeds by those who sought to blame Trump-supporters.

The Biden administration and its incalculably unlawful, undemocratic, and horrendous approach to administering justice are actively thwarting these incarcerated individuals from receiving lawful and constitutional protections. Justice needs to be served both before and during the legal proceedings.

Biden, political dupe that he is, and his many handlers are unconcerned. They have the sycophantic, propagandist press on their side. They have conned multimillions of gullible Democrats, progressives, and liberals. Many feel that Biden is a righteous man, that his administration is fair and just, and that the Capitol protesters are in partnership with evil. As usual in this decade, just the opposite is true.

For more than two decades, the Department of Justice has displayed inexcusable acts of prosecutorial misconduct. Today's prosecuting attorneys at the DoJ seek convictions by any means available, lawful or not. At will, they withhold evidence, delay court cases, and bleed the persecuted financially dry. Their 97% conviction rate signals that the U.S. has become a banana republic.

The social gatekeepers of information and communication, including the wannabe autocrats at Google, Amazon, and Facebook, do not fool us with their rigged algorithms and "community standards," which is code for censorship. Their manipulation of information, the veiled viewpoint that they push, and the gaslighting in which they've been engaged, for decades, will not defeat us. We're aware of their aims: to control the masses, forever to be led by a fraudulently elected ruling class, backed by uber-liberal billionaires who believe they are anointed for greatness.

Going forward, expect to encounter more "news" coverage that misrepresents the actual events of January 6. Don't fall for any of it.

Image: TapTheForwardAssist
What's the deadliest animal in the world? A tiger? A great white shark? A poisonous snake? Nope. The most dangerous animal on Earth weighs about 2/1000 of a gram, is smaller than an M&M, and could be knocked silly by a raindrop. It's the mosquito.

Mosquitoes, obviously, can't eat you the way a shark or tiger could. They act as "vectors" for a number of diseases, one of which is malaria. When a mosquito of the species Anopheles bites you, it extracts blood as a meal and leaves some of its saliva. The saliva harbors any of a number of disease-causing organisms. In the case of malaria, it's a single-celled parasite in the genus Plasmodium. There were over 240 million cases of the disease (with 627,000 deaths) in 2020, almost all from mosquito bites.

The United States has, in the past, had its own problems with malaria. In fact, a 1933 survey found that up to thirty percent of local populations in the Tennessee River Valley were affected. The disease was also common in WWII war zones. Malaria became such a concern that the CDC was established primarily to combat it.

(Note: Back then, "CDC" stood for "Communicable Disease Center." Now it stands for "Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.")

The CDC and health agencies of thirteen Southeastern states instituted the National Malaria Eradication Program in 1947. By the end of 1949, over 4,650,000 homes were sprayed with insecticide.

This had an immediate effect. In 1947, 15,000 new cases were reported. The next year, it was down to 2,000. By the end of the year after that, malaria was considered eradicated in the United States. This public health miracle happened through the widespread implementation of insecticides, drainage programs, and the installation of door and window screens.

In the age of air-conditioning, you might consider malaria to be an issue for the Amazon rainforest or sub-Saharan Africa. In recent weeks, however, five cases have been reported as originating locally in Florida and Texas. Local transmission hasn't occurred in the U.S. for twenty years. Almost all American malaria victims contracted the infection when they were traveling abroad.

There are several hypotheses as to why we are seeing new cases of local malaria in the United States. The conventional wisdom put forth by many experts points to warmer temperatures caused by climate change. Hotter weather and increased rainfall, indeed, could lead to wider spread of malaria and other tropical diseases. Mosquitoes breed best in the heat (as long as there's a water source to lay eggs) and are rendered inactive by cold.

Others suggest that the recent cases, caused by a type of Plasmodium (P. vivax) that causes less severe symptoms, may not have been recognized as being signs of malaria by the victims or their medical providers until they really got ill.

(Note: Despite having less severe symptoms, the CDC considers any case of malaria a medical emergency which must be treated immediately.)

Perhaps the malaria cases in Texas and Florida may have been discovered because COVID raised people's awareness regarding flu-like illnesses. Those who are feeling sick may be more likely to present to a medical professional, only to find they have malaria instead of COVID.

An alternative hypothesis you won't hear about is the possibility that aliens crossing the border, many of whom come from countries where malaria is common, may be carrying the parasite.

This makes a lot of sense if you think about it. Look at a CDC map of where malaria is endemic (always there), and you'll see many nations that are sending mass numbers of people across our southern border. Millions from Central America, Haiti, Venezuela, and other endemic regions have entered our country, and you can bet they haven't been tested for malaria. As a matter of fact, illegal aliens don't undergo a medical screening at all prior to entry into the United States (unless, I would think, they're visibly sick).

How would an alien bring malaria into the U.S.? Well, many malaria-sufferers are carriers. The Plasmodium organism can live dormant in the liver for a period of time. It's only when the parasite enters red blood cells that the patient becomes obviously ill.

If carriers get bitten by mosquitoes after they arrive in the United States, the now infected mosquitoes can transmit the disease locally. The more carriers in the population, the more likely a mosquito will eventually bite one and carry the organism to other people.

Luckily, malaria isn't passed directly from human to human through the air or casual contact. There are effective treatments available (including, surprise, hydroxychloroquine). The length of treatment depends on the type of malaria, the region where infection occurred, the patient's age, pregnancy, and the degree of sickness. If treated early, full recovery can be expected.

There's no reason to believe that a major outbreak of malaria will hit the U.S., but let's not hide what might be a contributing factor to its reappearance. It's just one of the risks of having an open border.

Image via Pixnio.
The Hindu new year or Baisakhi is celebrated throughout India in mid-April. The celebrations vary across states and from culture to culture, but the roots are the same. Baisakhi is a celebration of spring harvest, signifying the completion of the harvest season and the abundance of crops ready for sale. During this time, people visit local temples and gurdwaras, participate in community fairs, and hold special thanksgiving pujas. It is an occasion to reunite with friends and family, savor special foods, and don new attire.

In the village of Kairuppala, located in the Kurnool district Andhra Pradesh, the Hindu new year is also observed with respect and reverence. Known as Ugadi in this part of the country, festivities begin with a thorough cleaning of the house, followed by the artful creation of vibrant rangoli patterns on the floor and adorning entrances with strings of mango leaves. Family members indulge in oil massages and take special baths. Women prepare delectable delicacies that are enjoyed together as a family. Visits to temples, acts of charity, and exchanging new clothes with friends are customary.

The celebrations spill over to the next day where it takes a turn for the weird. The villagers divide themselves into two groups and start hurling cow dung cakes at each other. This is called Pidakala Samaram, or Pidakala War.

This peculiar tradition stems from Hindu folklore, which recounts a dispute before the proposed marriage of the goddess Bhadrakali and the god Virabhadra. It is said that Bhadrakali, displeased by Virabhadra's unexpected advances, threatened to throw cow dung at him if he followed her to the village. Upon Virabhadra's arrival in Kairuppala the next day for their wedding, Bhadrakali instructed the villagers to pelt him with cow dung. Soon Bhadrakalis and Virabhadras supporters began throwing cow dung at each other. Eventually, village leaders intervened, settling the dispute and allowing the marriage between the two deities to take place.

The villagers of Kairuppala partake in this unique tradition, engaging in an annual cow dung fight following Ugadi. Alongside this playful event, the village joyously celebrates the sacred union of Virabhadra and Bhadrakali. Local beliefs hold that the cow dung fight promotes good health for all, while the annual ritual brings prosperity and abundant rainfall to the village.
(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 12 - Only 50% of middle-school pupils in some regions of southern Italy understand what they read in Italian and around two-thirds can't understand a text in English, the report on the annual Invalsi tests said on Wednesday.

The Invalsi tests are given each year to measure schoolchildren's literary, numeracy and command of English and do not count towards the pupils' end-of-year assessments.

This year they were given to one million elementary pupils, in year II and V, 570,000 middle-school students, in year VIII, and over a million high-school students.

The nationwide figures were more comforting than those for the south.

The results showed that the drop in performance registered between 2019 and 2021 during the COVID pandemic had stopped, although the trend has not yet been reversed.

In Italian 62% of middle-school pupils achieved an adequate result, up one percentage point on 2022, but stable on 2021, while 56% performed sufficiently in maths, the same as in 2021 and 2022.

The report said 80% were able to understand a text in English, up two points on 2022, and 62% were up to scratch in the listening test, up three points. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 12 - Close friends and family gathered at the home of the late former premier and centre-right Forza Italia leader Silvio Berlusconi on Wednesday for a private Mass one month after his death.

Berlusconi's eldest daughter Marina, his close friend Marcello Dell'Utri, Monza CEO Antonio Galliani and Mediaset chairman Fedele Confalonieri were among those to attend the service at the chapel at Villa San Martino in Arcore.

Four-times ex premier and media mogul Berlusconi died in a Milan hospital on June 12 aged 86.

He had been readmitted to San Raffaele allegedly for scheduled tests less than a month after spending 45 days there for treatment for a lung infection related to his previously undisclosed chronic leukemia, including 16 days in intensive care.

Photo: crowds wait outside Berlusconi's Villa San Martino in Arcore on June 14, the day of his state funeral. (ANSA).


President Yoon Suk Yeol shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during their summit at a hotel in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday (local time). The leaders met on the sidelines of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit. Yonhap



By Nam Hyun-woo



VILNIUS  President Yoon Suk Yeol requested Japan to let South Korean experts participate in the process of Tokyo's planned release of treated wastewater from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, during his summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of the 2023 NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday (local time).



Yoon stressed that the safety and health of South Koreans are the top priority, adding that Seoul respects the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) assessment of Japan's release plan. The U.N. nuclear agency said the plan meets safety standards as the water being released would have a negligible radiological impact, according to the presidential office.



The president also asked for Japan's "real-time sharing of monitoring information" on whether the release of treated wastewater is taking place as planned and to make immediate notifications to South Korea in case the concentration of radioactive materials in the treated water surpasses tolerable standards.



It remains uncertain if Japan will accept Yoon's requests.



Following the IAEA report, Japan is poised to announce its final plan for releasing more than 1.2 million tons of treated wastewater from the damaged nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean and Japanese media anticipate the process to begin in September.



In response to Yoon's requests, Kishida highlighted the IAEA report, affirming his dedication to the safe execution of the release plan and refuting any adverse impact on the health of the Japanese and Korean people, according to Seoul's presidential office.



Also, Kishida noted that Tokyo will receive the IAEA's review after the release and "promptly announce the monitoring information." In case the concentration of radioactive materials in the wastewater exceeds tolerable levels, Japan said it will implement "appropriate responses including the immediate halt of the release."











President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during their summit at a hotel in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday (local time). The leaders met on the sidelines of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit. Yonhap



Although he asked for South Korea's participation in the monitoring process, Yoon is perceived by many South Koreans as virtually condoning Japan's release plan, which is anticipated to incite angry responses at home. As a result, the president will likely face a dilemma of explaining his rationale to the public, because polls show that many South Koreans still have concerns over the release plan.



A Gallup Korea poll from June 27 to 29 also showed that 78 percent of 1,007 respondents said they are worried about the safety of the release plan. Further details of the poll are available on the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission's website.





President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida head to a photo spot during their summit at a hotel in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday (local time). The leaders met on the sidelines of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Summit. Yonhap
(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 11 - Premier Giorgia Meloni and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly had a long and fruitful bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Italian sources said on Tuesday.

In a 50-minute conversation "confirming the intense relations between the two countries", Meloni reportedly emphasised the strategy for the Mediterranean and the fight against illegal migration and confirmed the government's interest in cooperating with Turkey in various sectors.

The sources also said Erdogan expressed his appreciation for Italy's role in the Mediterranean and invited Meloni to Ankara.

(ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 12 - A high-voltage clash between Premier Giorgia Meloni's government and magistrates over the case of an undersecretary on Wednesday reached the judiciary's self-governing body, the CSM, ANSA sources said.

Magistrates belonging to the 'AREA' group called on the CSM to criticise the government's attack on the judge who threw out a request from prosecutors for a case against Justice Undersecretary Andrea Delmastro to be shelved and instead ordered his indictment.

The case regards an alleged leak of classified information.

In reaction to the judge's decision, government sources said that some parts of the judiciary had joined the opposition, suggesting there was a strategy to damage the ruling coalition ahead of next year's European elections.

The AREA group said this was a "serious and unjustified accusation" that "calls into question the impartiality of the decisions and the independence of the judiciary".

Delmastro, a member of Meloni's right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, is under investigation in Rome for allegedly breaking official secrecy rules in relation to revelations made in parliament about the jailed anarchist leader Alfredo Cospito.

The tension between the government and the judiciary has also been fed by a Milan investigation into the business activities of Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche, another leading FdI figure.

On Tuesday Justice Minister Carlo Nordio said the Italian political world must stop "bowing" to the judiciary after Italian magistrates union ANM criticised his reforms. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 12 - Left-wing Italian parties expressed delight on Wednesday after an attempt by the centre-right European People's Party (EPP) and other right-wing groups to sink the Nature Restoration Law in the European Parliament failed.

The proposal to rehabilitate at least 20% of Europe's degraded ecosystems by 2030, an important part of the the Green Deal, survived the vote in Strasbourg with 336 votes in favour, 300 against and 13 abstentions.

"It's a great joy to be able to celebrate the vote in Strasbourg on the Nature Restoration Law," said Annalisa Corrado, the head of the Ecological Conversion for the opposition, centre-left Democratic Party (PD).

"The right-wing parties have identified the European Green Deal as an enemy. Nothing could be more mistaken.

"The ecosystem is our home.

"Continuing to say that preserving it is too costly from an economic point of view, as our Premier (Giorgia Meloni) does, is dishonest and reveals a short-sighted form of conservatism".

The 5-Star Movement's lawmakers in parliament's EU policies and environment committees accused the parties of Meloni's coalition of being united only when it comes to rowing against moves to combat the environmental crisis.

"Today the government coalition, which is divided over everything in Italy, regained unity in the worst possible way, trying to sink the nature restoration law that obliged member States to protect biodiversity and the environment with concrete, measurable measures," the M5S lawmakers said.

"Today everyone knows that the Italian right-wing parties of Meloni, (Matteo) Salvini and (Antonio) Tajani are on the side of the industrial agriculture lobby in the name of profit".

French MEP Manon Aubry, the co-chair of The Left in the European Parliament, said that Wednesday's vote marked the defeat of an attempt to transfer the right/centre-right alliance backing Meloni's government to the EU level.

"We are relieved," Aubry told ANSA.

"It a great defeat for the coalition between the People's Party and the Right, a coalition that you know well in Italy with the Meloni government.

"They tried it in Italy and now they wanted to try in the European Parliament, but we defeated them.

"It is proof that, together, the parties of the Left can save the environmental agenda and defeat the right".

Right-wing groups have said the law would threaten the livelihoods of European farmers and fishers, disrupt food supply chains and lead to price hikes.

Italian MEP Carlo Fidanza, the head of Meloni's right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party in the European Parliament, said the failure to sink the Nature Restoration Law did not spell the end for the prospect of a "new alliance" at the EU level.

"On the contrary, what has emerged is the awareness that some of the decisions made by the current executive were wrong," he continued.

"It's a good signal for the future and for the next parliamentary term".

Another FdI MEP, Nicola Procaccini, said the Nature Restoration Law was "negative for everyone who works in the world of agriculture, fishing and the related sectors". (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 12 - Italy has affirmed its role within NATO and supports the changes currently underway within the alliance, said Premier Giorgia Meloni at the end of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Wednesday.

However, she told reporters it has also called for more attention to be given to its southern flank.

"Italy supports NATO's ongoing adjustments as confirmed by the important contributions made on its eastern flank and in the Mediterranean," said Meloni.

"We have asserted our role in the Alliance and the attention that must be given to the eastern flank, but we have also asked for more attention to be given to the southern flank," she added.

Meloni also insisted that no one is safe without the unity of the Atlantic Alliance.

"In this increasingly uncertain world, this summit has succeeded in reaffirming one of our certainties during this period: that none of us are safe without the unity of the Atlantic Alliance and the determination to defend the values and rules of international law," said the premier.

"Defending the rules of international law is the best way to defend our citizens," she added.

Meloni also congratulated NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on his "firm and balanced leadership".

"I want to congratulate Secretary Stoltenberg on the extension of his mandate, which speaks to the exceptional nature of the moment but also to a firm and balanced leadership," Meloni told reporters.

On July 4 the the 31-nation military alliance decided to extend the former Norwegian prime minister's tenure by a further year until October 1, 2024 as Russia's war of aggression continues to rage in Ukraine.

On Ukraine, Meloni said "important steps" had been taken for its future entry into NATO.

"The path to accession has been streamlined," she said, adding however that it had also been reiterated that Ukraine will join NATO only "when conditions allow".

The Italian premier told reporters she had had bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit.

Meloni said she had met "with (Turkish President Recep Tayyip) Erdogan, with whom I talked about the Mediterranean, energy, migration and peace. I talked with (British Prime Minister Rishi) Sunak, with (US President Joe) Biden, who invited me to the White House next July 27". (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 12 - League Treasurer Alberto Di Rubba was found guilty of misappropriation by a judge in Milan on Wednesday and handed a jail term of two years, 10 months at the end of a fast-track trial.

The judge also ordered that 38,000 euros be confiscated from Di Rubba, who became treasurer in April and was previously the League's administrative director in the Senate and president of the Lombardia Film Commission (LFC).

The case stems from an investigation into the LFC which had led to separate convictions for Di Rubba and Andrea Manzoni, the former auditor for the League in the Lower House.

On Wednesday the Milan judge also indicted Manzoni who, unlike, Di Rubba, did not opt for a fast-track trial in this case.

In the previous case, Manzoni and Di Rubba were given jail terms of four years, four months, and five years respectively over the sale of a property bought by the LFC in an operation in which 800,000 euros of public money were allegedly siphoned off.

An appeal trial in the case opens in October.

In Italy convictions are not considered definitive until the appeals process has been exhausted. (ANSA).


(see related) (ANSA) - ROME, JUL 12 - Centre-left opposition Democratic Party (Pd) leader Elly Schlein on Wednesday described Meloni's comments on justice during a press conference at a Nato summit in Vilnius as an "ugly spectacle" for the country.

"She defends the indefensible," said Schlein.

"She can say everything and its opposite. This is what we heard in Premier Giorgia Meloni's contradictory statements on justice.

It is evident from today's press conference that there are two Melonis. One who proudly claims the notes from Palazzo Chigi accusing the judiciary of being in opposition. And the other who denies any confrontation with the judiciary," she added. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 12 - Premier Giorgia Meloni said Wednesday there is no conflict between politics and the judiciary, on the day ANSA sources reported that tensions between the government and magistrates over the case of an undersecretary had reached the judiciary's self-governing body, the CSM.

"Let me take this opportunity to clarify," Meloni told reporters in Vilnius, Lithuania.

"There has been a lot of controversy, I have read curious things," she continued.

"From my point of view there is no conflict with the judiciary.

I think those who are counting on the return of conflict between politics and the judiciary will be disappointed," she said.

Last week the government criticised a judge's decision to forcibly indict Justice Undersecretary Andrea Delmastro for allegedly revealing classified information, suggesting that some magistrates had joined the opposition.

The criticism prompted the Italian union of magistrates ANM to accuse the government of delegitimising the judiciary, and on Wednesday magistrates belonging to the 'AREA' group called on the CSM to criticise its attack, calling it a "serious and unjustified accusation" that "calls into question the impartiality of the decisions and the independence of the judiciary".

In recent weeks there have also been tense exchanges between Justice Minister Carlo Nordio and magistrates over proposed justice reforms.

"We have a clear agenda, a mandate that has been given to us by citizens, and we will carry it out because we are people who keep our promises," Meloni told reporters in the Lithuanian capital in relation to the reforms.

"We agree that in Italy the justice system needs to be corrected, it needs to be made faster, more efficient, it needs to be and appear impartial," she said. Meloni said she had been "surprised" by the statement from ANM claiming the proposed separation of the career paths of prosecutors and judges so they can no longer switch from one side to the other is intended to punish magistrates for decisions the government doesn't like.

"There is a risk of slipping into an debate that is not helpful," said Meloni, adding that the government's "historical goal" of career separation "and the choices that magistrates make on specific cases should (not) be lumped together".

"They are two different issues, we need to make a distinction," she continued.

"There is no desire on the part of the government to open a conflict" or to enact reform "against magistrates", insisted Meloni.

"In fact, we hope to be able to do it with the contribution of magistrates," she said. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 12 - Premier Giorgia Meloni said on Wednesday she would not have intervened on the merits of a case involving Senate Speaker Ignazio La Russa's son Leonardo, who has been accused by a young woman of sexual violence at his home after an evening at a Milan disco.

"As a mother I can understand the suffering of the Senate speaker, although I would not have intervened on the merits of the issue," Meloni told reporters after the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

On Friday Ignazio La Russa a top exponent of Meloni's right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, issued a statement defending his son and calling into question the alleged victim's version of events on grounds she had taken cocaine.

He also said the fact that she filed the complaint 40 days after the alleged assault on May 18 "objectively raises many doubts".

His comments sparked a storm of protest from the opposition.

"By nature I tend to sympathize with a girl who speaks out, and I don't consider the timing to be a problem," Meloni said.

The premier also recalled that in early June the government approved a bill clamping down on gender-based violence after a string of headline-grabbing femicides in Italy.

"This has always been the work that speaks for us," said Meloni.

"I hope I have clarified my point of view on this matter," she added.

The bill includes new restraining orders and heightened surveillance on men found guilty of domestic violence and it also boosts the emergency gender violence hotline.

The measures aim to interrupt the cycle of violence" and to "act promptly and effectively", according to Family and Equal Opportunities Minister Eugenia Roccella. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 12 - There is more alarmism in relation to the EU-funded post-Covid National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) in Italy than there is in Europe, Premier Giorgia Meloni said on Wednesday.

"I have spoken with (European Commission President Ursula) Von der Leyen," Meloni told reporters after the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

"The Commission has said that the work with the government is ongoing and that it is bearing fruit. I see much more alarmism on the Italian side than in the EU," she said.

On Tuesday opposition parties reiterated concerns about the government's ability to land the funding after the NRRP task force approved changes to 10 out of 27 targets related to the fourth installment of payment, worth 16 billion euros.

Italy is still waiting for the European Commission to sign off on the 19-billion-euro third tranche, which is months overdue.

Payments are only made on condition that all the agreed targets have been met.

"I don't know how much this controversy from the opposition actually helps," said Meloni. "We have to remember that we are working on a plan that we did not draw up. We are doing our best and we would like to see someone lend a hand instead of scaremongering," she added.

To date Italy has received nearly 67 billion euros in funding, but in recent months the plan has been at the centre of political tension linked to fears it will not be possible to complete all the projects and meet all the targets by the final deadline of 2026.

On Tuesday Democratic Party (PD) leader Elly Schlein called on Premier Giorgia Meloni to report to parliament on the situation.

"Premier Meloni should take on her responsibilities and come to parliament to explain why not even one euro of the third installment of the NRRP has yet materialized and why the fourth installment risks being delayed too," said Schlein.

"She should remember that we are talking about resources regarding strategic investments for business, jobs and people's lives, and obtaining them is essential to get the country moving".

The NRRP envisages in total 191.5 billion euros of funding for Italy, of which 69 billion euros in grants and 122.5 billion euros in loans.

In exchange Italy must meet 525 objectives (milestones and targets) and introduce a series of reforms and make investments focusing on the ecological and digital transitions in particular. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 12 - Premier Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday described the issue involving Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche as "extrapolitical" and said it is for the courts, not TV broadcasts, to work out.

"The Santanche issue is extrapolitical, it does not concern her activity as minister, which she is doing very well," Meloni told reporters after the NATO summit in Vilnius.

"It is a very complex issue, it has to be seen on the merits when the merits are fully known, but I think that is up to the courtrooms and not the TV broadcasts," said the premier on a probe against the minister in relation to allegations of fraudulent bankruptcy and false accounting regarding the Visibilia publishing group that she founded.

Last Wednesday Santanche briefed parliament in relation to claims made by Rai investigative journalism show Report that businesses linked to her allegedly failed to pay suppliers and allegedly dismissed workers without giving them redundancy payments that were due to them, as well as allegedly improperly receiving COVID aid.

The claims sparked calls for her to quit.

She told lawmakers she was not under criminal investigation and had been the victim of "dirty, disgusting practices" by the media.

She specified that she had not received notification of a probe, adding that she had also had her lawyers check with prosecutors to make sure that she was not under investigation.

Meadia subsequently reported that she has been under investigation since October along with five other people who had roles in the company, including her sister Fiorella Garnero and her partner Dimitri Kuntz D'Asburgo, the former president of Visibilia Editore.

"The anomaly is that the minister is not notified of the investigation, but the investigation is notified to a newspaper on the same day she goes to parliament for a briefing. I pointed out a procedural problem," said Meloni.

She was referring to a statement issued last Thursday and attributed to "Palazzo Chigi sources" in which it was suggested that part of the judiciary had joined the opposition. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 12 - Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stressed on Wednesday that Ukraine's accession to NATO is effectively settled, even though Kyiv's hopes of having a specific timeline for admission to the alliance at his week's Vilnius summit were dashed.

"The decision to admit Ukraine to NATO has effectively been made. The question is when," Tajani told Rtl radio from Vilnius.

"Certainly not during the war (with Russia) because of the risks of escalation.

"We are helping Kyiv to defend its independence, its territory.

"Peace cannot happen unless the Russian soldiers leave Ukraine.

"It's difficult to understand what Russia intends to do.

"We want the Ukrainians to be able to reconquer an important part of their territory". (ANSA).


Ambulance bosses have apologised to families after staff were accused of covering up errors and withholding evidence from coroners when patients died.

An independent review has been completed into how the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) did not give some relatives a full explanation of the death of a loved one, if mistakes were made.

The review, led by retired hospital boss Dame Marianne Griffiths, also looked at how NEAS dealt with whistle-blowing.

The review was ordered after The Sunday Times alleged last year that NEAS covered up fatal paramedic errors in 2018 and 2019, and deliberately altered or omitted important facts that families and coroners should have known.

The article also stated that the whistle-blower alleged they were bullied and victimised for raising these concerns.

The independent review highlighted the tragic case of a 17-year-old who was found hanging, and an NEAS paramedic who declared her dead rather than trying to perform CPR.

The review stated that the paramedic, who has since been struck off, ignored national and local guidelines by not attempting advanced life support techniques.

It said: However small the probability of recovery was, (she) deserved that chance and so did her family.

Another case involved the death of a 62-year-old man, who urgently needed oxygen, with one crew hampered by a power cut which locked the gates at the ambulance station and another unable initially to find his key safe to get into his home.

The review fell short of agreeing with the families belief that changes to reports and not sending original documentation to coroners was done deliberately to avoid negative attention and accountability.

It concluded: We cannot say what the intent was of those individuals who authorised those changes or did not share information as we were not there.

We have not agreed with some of those decisions taken or some of those judgments made and believe that there are significant learning opportunities to be gained in the organisation in using these cases as a vehicle for improvement.

Dame Marianne said: I would like to pay tribute to the families who generously shared their testimonies with me.

It is clear that they are not only devastated by the loss of their loved ones but also by the ambulance services response to the legitimate questions about their care.

In response to the report, NEAS chief executive Helen Ray said: Firstly, I would like to say how sorry I am for any distress caused to the families for mistakes made in the past.

Each family has received an unreserved apology from me on behalf of the trust.

There were flaws in our processes and these have now either been addressed or are being resolved at pace.

The report agreed that measures have now been taken and a new leadership team is in place.

Ms Ray added: We have strengthened the governance, systems and processes relating to investigations and coronial reports; and continue to monitor these to ensure the lessons have been learned.

The review also stated that NEAS  the second smallest ambulance trust in the country  needed more funding.

Ms Ray added: The action we have taken is also recognised by the Care Quality Commission, who last week said we have begun to make the improvements that address their concerns.

However, there is more to do so the public can receive the best possible care.
Rising bills, soaring mortgages and plummeting real wages are pushing more and more families to the brink, Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner has warned, as she challenged the Deputy Prime Minister over the Governments response to the cost-of-living crisis.

Oliver Dowden countered that Labour seem very keen on hugging that magic money tree as the pair clashed in the Commons over the Conservatives economic record, adding that balancing the books means more than working out how many millions to take from her union paymasters.

Ms Rayner compared the UKs current mortgage woes with those faced by the Conservative government in the 1990s as she opened Prime Ministers Questions in the Commons.

Standing in for Sir Keir Starmer while Rishi Sunak is at the Nato summit in Lithuania, she noted the last time a prime minister missed two sessions in a row with other engagements, which was March 1996.

Oliver Dowden defended his Governments record on lifting people out of poverty (House of Commons/PA)

She said: I am very proud to be filling the boots of Lord John Prescott, but I think it is safe to say he (Mr Dowden) is no (Lord Michael) Heseltine.

Why is it, John Prescott asked, that in Tory Britain, tens of thousands of families are facing repossession, negative equity and homelessness? Can he tell us, 27 years later, why I am having to ask the same question?

Mr Dowden replied: Her old boss (Jeremy Corbyn) wanted to abandon Ukraine, abolish the Army and withdraw from Nato, and he certainly wouldnt be going to any summit.

He added: My parents would not have been able to buy their own home if it were not for Margaret Thatcher and the reforms introduced by her government, and this Government is building on those with record housebuilding.

Raising child poverty, Ms Rayner asked: I am proud of our record on tackling child poverty, does he feel ashamed of his?

The deputy leaders faced off during Prime Ministers Questions (UK Parliament/PA)

Mr Dowden replied: I will tell you what this Government has done, we have lifted 400,000 children out of child poverty.

We have introduced the national living wage, something the party opposite totally failed to do, and increased the national living wage by the largest amount ever, meaning 1,800 for working people and cutting their taxes by doubling the personal allowance.

That is the surest way to ensure we lift people out of poverty and would never have happened with the party opposite.

Ms Rayner said: The truth is, rising bills, soaring mortgages and plummeting real wages are pushing more and more families to the brink. Those already struggling are being hit hardest by the Tory mortgage bombshell and rising food costs.

Asked by Ms Rayner how many primary school children have been pushed into poverty since the Government took power, Mr Dowden replied: It is this party, not the party opposite, which extended free school meals to all five, six and seven-year-olds, something the party opposite failed to do, and it sits alongside many measures were taking to help people with the cost of living.

Ms Rayner said the Conservatives had crashed the economy, adding: He seems to be completely oblivious to what its like for working people in this country at the moment.

She added: What matters is what people feel every single day at the moment who are going to work and cant afford their mortgage, cant afford their rent and cant afford their bills because of this Conservative Government.

Ms Rayner referred to a time when John Prescott had faced off against Michael Heseltine in 1996 (PA)

There are 55,000 more children without a permanent address today compared to when they took office 13 years ago. Weve gone from a Labour cabinet focused on tackling child poverty to Tory ministers who wont even admit the problem.

Just like the Question Time in March 1996, they can only offer excuses, and not answers. Lord John Prescott said to Lord Michael Heseltine that day: How can (he) be so complacent in the face of sheer misery created by his Governments policies? Twenty-seven years on, why are we asking the exact same thing?

Mr Dowden replied: It is this Government that has lifted 400,000 children out of poverty I hear (her) claiming to be the party of working people, but under their policies, people cant even get to work. They support Just Stop Oil protesters blocking our roads.

They support their union paymasters stopping our trains and of course they support the the hated Ulez (Ultra Low Emission Zone) stopping cars across our capital.

While Conservatives get Britain moving, Labour are standing in everyones way.
The new director-general of RTE briefly met some members of staff as approximately 100 employees staged a rally outside the national broadcaster to call on the Government to support public service broadcasting.

Kevin Bakurst, who officially took over the role on Monday, said he needed to work with staff to rebuild the organisation.

Non-union staff and employees represented by unions including SIPTU, the National Union of Journalists, Equity and Connect, held the demonstration on Wednesday amid fears for the future of RTE due to a crisis currently engulfing the station.

Union members called for reform of the TV licence fee (Niall Carson/PA)

Employees are concerned that fallout from a controversy over understated payments to star presenter Ryan Tubridy will lead to a drop in commercial revenues from advertising and fewer people paying the obligatory TV licence fee.

Government has also paused a decision on the future funding of the broadcaster due to the scandal.

In addition, the Minister for Media appointed a forensic accounting firm to examine RTEs accounts.

Mr Bakhurst said he was listening to staff.

Ive said in all the staff meetings we have to take some tough decisions in the end but I fully want to reflect the staff and the value of what they bring to the organisation.

RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst briefly spoke to some members of staff and union representatives (Niall Carson/PA)

I totally want to listen to them, I want to work with them and we need to rebuild.

He said there was a need to stabilise the organisation and keep it running.

There will be more change to follow in due course.

During the rally, employees and union representatives were critical of the management and governance at RTE.

Irish secretary of the National Union of Journalists in Ireland Seamus Dooley (Niall Carson/PA)

RTE worker Marguerite Sheridan highlighted the issue of long working hours during the pandemic: Were going to make sure thats never ever going to happen again.

Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU) organiser Teresa Hannick said the future of the workers needed to be maintained.

Ms Hannick said: These are jobs, these are real people and they need to be supported.

NUJ Dublin Broadcasting chairwoman Emma O Kelly (Niall Carson/PA)

Union representatives said the current TV licence fee system is not fit for purpose.

Speaking to the PA news agency, chair of the NUJ Dublin Broadcasting branch Emma O Kelly said: We urgently need a sustainable model for the funding of public service broadcasting to be put in place.

Ms O Kelly, who is also RTE Newss education correspondent, said people at the top of the organisation had almost lost complete sight of our public service remit.

We need Government to fund this service properly. They can no longer expect to rely on getting public service broadcasting on the cheap.

She welcomed the fact Mr Bakhurst had engaged with staff at the rally.

RTE presenter Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh joined the rally (Niall Carson/PA)

NUJ Irish secretary Seamus Dooley said there was a lack of political courage over the issue.

Addressing the demonstration, Mr Dooley said there were people on politics and in commercial media who would dance on the grave of RTE.

Our message  and I never taught I would hear myself quoting Charles Haughey on this platform  is Go dance on someone elses grave.

Speaking to PA after the rally, Mr Dooley said the new interim leadership team would be judged by their actions.

We need a new culture of openness and transparency.

RTEs highest-paid presenter Ryan Tubridy (right) with his agent Noel Kelly following their committee appearances on Tuesday (Niall Carson/PA)

The demonstration comes one day after Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly faced hours of questioning from two key parliamentary committees.

Among the revelations from those blockbuster appearances was an email which Mr Kelly suggested directly contradicted the claim that ex-director general Dee Forbes had done a solo run by agreeing to underwrite a 75,000-euro-a-year deal involving RTE, Tubridy and Renault.

Tubridy, who normally hosts a radio programme every weekday, has not appeared on air since the scandal emerged.

He has expressed a desire to get back on the radio as soon as possible, but conceded it is touch and go whether he keeps his job.

However, some members of staff at the rally were questioning whether his explanations at the Oireachtas committee were enough to secure a return to the airwaves.

One speaker criticsed what he called rockstar fees to the highest earners at the organisation.

The demonstration was followed by a meeting of union representatives and chair of the RTE board Siun Ni Raghallaigh.

Media minister Catherine Martin announced Mazars as the forensic accountancy service that has been appointed under Section 109 of the Broadcasting Act to examine the accounts of RTE.

The forensic accountant will initially focus on the use of barter accounts by RTE and any other off-balance sheet accounts, however this scope may be expanded by the minister.

Ms Martin also announced the appointment of Stephen Smith to the expert advisory committee on governance and aulture and Liam Kelly to the expert advisory committee on contractor fees, human resources and other matters.

The committee memberships are now complete and the minister hopes to meet with the committees early next week.

Mazars will also collaborate and share findings with the two expert advisory committees.
Rishi Sunak told Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky he belonged in Nato as he assured him real progress had been made on providing security guarantees for Kyiv in its fightback against Russia.

The Prime Minister met the Ukrainian president on the fringes of the Nato summit in Vilnius.

Mr Zelensky has been left frustrated by the reluctance of the 31 member states to agree a timetable for wartorn Ukraine to be admitted into the international defensive alliance.

He had said it was absurd for Nato to insist there are still military and democratic conditions for the eastern European country to meet before it can join following the end of the conflict with Moscow.

Greeting Mr Zelensky in the Lithuanian capital on Wednesday, Mr Sunak said: It is good to see you here at Nato where you belong.

Mr Zelensky said it was good news that they could advance talks on security guarantees for his people, with Mr Sunak assuring him that real progress had been made in that regard.

The British premier has consistently stated that he sees Ukraines place as being in Nato but its pathway to entry has proved a sticking point among allies in Vilnius.

Mr Sunak has been working behind the scenes to deliver a non-Nato multilateral defence and economic agreement for Ukraine to give it long-term support against current and future Russian aggression.

Rishi Sunak and Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to meet in private without aides (Paul Ellis/PA)

All members of the G7  made up of the UK, the US, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada  are set to sign the pact with Ukraine while in Vilnius.

The Prime Minister has said the fresh terms have the potential to return peace to Europe.

Little detail has been published about what the G7 pact entails but No 10 said it would lead to increased intelligence sharing, further training of Ukraines forces and plans to boost Kyivs own defence industry.

Downing Street, in a readout of their meeting, said Mr Sunak told his counterpart the G7 security accord marked the new high point in support for Ukraine.

Both leaders, however, agreed the deal will not be a substitute for Nato membership.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace appeared to suggest Mr Zelensky needed to be mindful about keeping doubting politicians in the US on-side, particularly with a presidential election coming up next year, following his critical remarks about Nato.

NATO is where Ukraine belongs. pic.twitter.com/oH5mOWVcfu  Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) July 12, 2023

Mr Wallace said some allies providing defensive aid to Kyiv want to see gratitude.

He said the US and the UK have told Ukraine that were not Amazon  a reference to the online retail giant  after being handed requests for new weapons.

In a press conference with Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, Mr Zelensky appeared to have calmed some of his language following Tuesdays criticism of the alliance.

Mr Zelensky said it was logical and understandable that Ukraine could not be admitted immediately as the struggle against Russia meant the conflict would develop into a world war.

Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden were among those to pose for pictures with Ukraines president ahead of the first Nato-Ukraine Commission (Paul Ellis/PA)

But he said Nato had sent signals that were important when it came to Ukraine becoming a member state.

Already we can hear some confident statements (about) when the conditions will be met, said Mr Zelensky, who was speaking through a translator.

As well as holding talks with Mr Sunak, the Ukrainian leader also met other G7 heads of state, including German chancellor Olaf Scholz and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.

He is expected to meet US president Joe Biden later on Wednesday.

During the opening exchanges of their meeting, Mr Sunak praised the efforts of Ukraines armed forces in the pushback against Moscows invading forces.

The Prime Minister said: What your soldiers are doing on the front line, it is inspiring to everyone.

Were proud to have played a part in training some of them.

Mr Sunak speaks with Italys Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Nato meeting (Paul Ellis/PA)

They have served with enormous bravery and courage.

Mr Zelensky said his armed forces had undergone good training missions in the UK, with Mr Sunak adding it was clear the exercises had been put to good use.

During their bilateral, Conservative Party leader Mr Sunak suggested the pair meet alone without aides present, with the Ukrainian president agreeing that we will be two for the talks.

Today, we meet as equals. I look forward to the day we meet as Allies Secretary General @jensstoltenberg welcomes President @ZelenskyyUa to the #NATOSummit ahead of inaugural NATO-Ukraine Council#StandWithUkraine   NATO (@NATO) July 12, 2023

Such a move had previously been seen as unusual, but it has become a regular tactic of Mr Sunak in recent months to meet with his closest allies on a one-to-one basis.

The Prime Minister and Mr Zelensky spoke privately in Japan at the G7 in May, while Mr Sunak and French president Emmanuel Macron dismissed their advisers during discussions at the UK-France Summit in Paris in March.

Later on Wednesday, Mr Sunak and Mr Zelensky met again ahead of the first Nato-Ukraine Commission.

Natos secretary general said the joint commission was a truly historic moment.

Mr Stoltenberg told Mr Zelensky: Today we meet as equals. And I look forward to the day we meet as allies.
The Chancellor should target vaping products with tax hikes to discourage the habit, a Conservative former health minister has said.

Maggie Throup, the former vaccines minister, also urged the Government to look at outlawing the sale of vapes within a certain distance of schools.

Her calls for the Government to get tougher on children using vapes came during a Labour-led Commons debate, in which the party warned growing numbers of under-18s were being inappropriately exposed to electronic cigarettes.

E-cigarettes are commonly known as vapes because they simulate tobacco smoking through a heated, flavoured vapour.

While they are often used as an aid to quit smoking, there is growing concern about their health impact as people take up vaping having never previously smoked.

In the Commons, Ms Throup said: We cant allow vaping to become the new cigarettes. Far too many of us have seen the consequence of smoking and we must not allow history to repeat itself.

That is why today I have five requests of the minister on the front bench.

Ms Throup urged ministers to update tobacco advertising regulations to cover vaping products, and to prohibit the sale of flavoured vaping liquid.

The Erewash MP added: My third request for her is to look carefully at the case for outlawing the sale of tobacco and vaping products within a defined radius of schools.

She also said the ban on selling vaping products to under 18s should be properly and rigorously enforced by trading standards.

Ms Throup concluded: Finally, my request number five is to urge the Chancellor to specifically target vaping products in his next budget statement, to disincentivise the recreational habit through the tax system.

Only then can we truly claim to be a world leader in protecting the health of our nation.

Maggie Throup, Conservative MP for Erewash (UK Parliament)

Conservative former health minister Dr Caroline Johnson also urged ministers to consider banning certain flavours of vapes modelled after sweets, because of the influence this could have on children to take up the habit.

Dr Johnson said: Therefore making it cherry cola flavoured or bubble-gum flavoured or whatever flavour this person likes to inhale means that they continue to be addicted to that product and continue to use that product.

The Sleaford and North Hykeham MP also suggested that even MPs had been drawn into a culture of vaping on and off throughout the day.

She told the Commons: That continual top up is something that we see in Parliament too. Yesterday while eating in the tearoom, a Member of the House was vaping at the table.

Referring to Mondays long night of voting on the Illegal Migration Bill, Dr Johnson added: Yesterday  we had had quite a long session of votes yesterday it must be said  but during voting in the ladies cloakroom a member of the opposition frontbench was sat vaping.

So we are seeing this happen and exposing people to topping up anywhere and everywhere it would seem. That is something I would like to see stop.

Labours motion to the Commons condemned the Government for a lack of action, as it warned that children are being inappropriately exposed to e-cigarette promotions, and claimed underage vaping had increased by 50% in the last three years.

Shadow health minister Andrew Gwynne told the Commons: We were promised a tobacco control plan. That was binned. We were promised a health disparities white paper. That was binned. We were promised a ban on junk food adverts to children. Binned.

Why? Because the Prime Minister is too weak to take on the fringes of his own party who view public health with suspicion.

The next Labour government will not allow this trend continue, he added.

Health minister Neil OBrien said: We are committed, absolutely, to doing all we can to prevent children from starting vaping and we are already taking robust actions in a range of areas, and we are actively working on ways that we can go further.

But it is essential that that is evidenced-based and that we have measures that will actually be effective.
Nadine Dorries was referred to the Tory chief whip by the UKs most senior civil servant over claims she sent forceful messages to senior civil servants after failing to receive a peerage in Boris Johnsons resignation honours list.

Appearing at the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Cabinet Secretary Simon Case said he had flagged communications from the Johnson loyalist to senior officials to both the Commons Speaker and the chief whip.

Tory MP and committee chairman William Wragg asked Mr Case if he was aware of any rather forceful communications sent by Ms Dorries to senior civil servants about potentially using the platform of the Commons and indeed her own television programme to get to the bottom of why she hadnt been given a peerage?

Mr Case said: Yes, was aware of those communications and have flagged them to both the chief whip and Speaker of the House.

Simon Case, Cabinet Secretary and head of the Civil Service, Cabinet Office, answering questions in front of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee at the House of Commons (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA)

Asked if he had taken legal advice on whether the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 could come into play, the top civil servant said he was seeking further advice on that question. So taken initial advice, but asked for more.

The Liberal Democrats called on the Prime Minister to withdraw the Tory whip and called for an investigation.

Deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: These allegations are staggering and its crucial a swift investigation takes place into whether Nadine Dorries may have broken the law.

Not only is Dorries failing to represent the people of Mid Bedfordshire, but now it emerges she has allegedly sent threatening messages to civil servants.

The least Rishi Sunak can do is suspend her by withdrawing the Conservative whip while any investigation takes place.

PA news agency understands that while initial advice was sought on whether there had been a breach of the legislation, it was advised that there had not been.

Mr Case, it is understood, then sought further advice on the construction and application of the law rather than into the conduct of Ms Dorries.

It comes as it was confirmed that the MP, who had announced her intention to stand down but remains in the Commons, has written a book titled The Plot: The Political Assassination Of Boris Johnson.

Then-prime minister Boris Johnson and then-culture secretary Nadine Dorries during a visit to a stadium in Birmingham in 2022 (Oli Scarff/PA)

It will be published days before the Tory Party conference in September.

The former prime ministers staunch ally claims to have uncovered a fault line within the Conservative Party through conversations with Cabinet ministers, civil servants and party officials which form the basis of her account.

The book, for which Ms Dorries received 20,500 as a partial advance from HarperCollins, is billed as the story of treachery and deceit at the heart of the Westminster machine.

It is set to hit the stands on September 28  just three days before Conservatives convene for the annual party conference on October 1.

The former culture secretary said: I had wanted to discover the forces behind the downfall of the prime minister. Instead, I found a fault line within the Conservative Party stretching back decades, and a history of deception fuelled by the darkest political arts.

If you thought that power flowed from the people into Parliament, be prepared to think again.

Ms Dorries was among eight Conservative parliamentarians recently rebuked for her conduct in relation to the Privileges Committee investigation of Mr Johnson.

The cross-party panel, which ultimately found Mr Johnson lied to MPs with his repeated denials of pandemic-era parties in Downing Street, accused his loyalists of a co-ordinated attempt to undermine its work.

HarperCollins said The Plot aims to trace Boris Johnsons rise to power and prime ministerial downfall (Andrew Boyers/PA)

The Privileges Committee ultimately triggered Mr Johnsons resignation from Parliament in protest at its recommendation that he should face a lengthy suspension for misleading the Commons.

His supporters attacked the Labour-led but Tory-majority panel as a witch hunt and kangaroo court  with the former prime minister found to be complicit in the campaign.

Ms Dorries, perhaps Mr Johnsons staunchest ally, has announced her intention to quit as an MP but is yet to do so formally as she seeks answers over the peerage she never received in his resignation honours list.

HarperCollins said The Plot aims to trace Mr Johnsons rise to power with a landslide victory in the 2019 election and his prime ministerial downfall three years later.

The former prime minister was ultimately forced out of No 10 after losing the confidence of his party following a series of political crises.

Adam Humphrey, HarperNonFiction publisher, said: Nadines unique vantage point, unparalleled access to sources, and innate storytelling ability will provide readers of The Plot with a rare opportunity to walk the corridors of power and understand the behind-the-scenes machinations of Westminster.

The Plot is an urgent look at how our government really operates, and I look forward to it adding to the current political discourse.
An MP has called upon the Deputy Prime Minister to delve into the depths of his soul and condemn the Home Offices decision to paint over an asylum centre childrens mural.

The SNPs Pete Wishart criticised the lack of compassion and concern demonstrated by ministers in response to what he described as a grotesque ask.

The decision to paint over murals of cartoon characters, including Mickey Mouse and Baloo from The Jungle Book, at an asylum seeker reception centre in Kent was made by immigration minister Robert Jenrick, who reportedly felt they were too welcoming.

Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, though, Mr Jenrick said the murals were painted over because they were not age appropriate for the majority of the young people staying there.

When challenged by Mr Wishart at Prime Ministers Questions, Oliver Dowden emphasised the Governments determination to combat the vile people smuggling trade and condemned those involved in exploiting vulnerable women and children.

Perth and North Perthshire MP Mr Wishart told the Commons: I dont think Ive ever seen anything quite so grotesque as the painting-over of Mickey Mouse on a childrens mural, as was done by the Home Office in a detention centre in Kent.

No minister so far has raised the necessary compassion or concern to speak out about this.

So can I ask the Deputy Prime Minister to look into the deeper recesses of his soul and just simply condemn it?

Mr Dowden replied: Ill tell him what real compassion looks like and that means stopping the vile people smuggling trade across the Channel condemning women and children to death.

This Government is taking action to deal with it, with our stop the boats bill, and that party shamefully 18 times last night voted against it.
In this photo provided by the presidential office, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol presides over an emergency National Security Council meeting via video in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday. Yonhap





South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol warned Wednesday that North Korea will be made to pay a price for carrying out an illicit ballistic missile launch as he presided over an emergency meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) during a trip to Lithuania.







The South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea fired a long-range ballistic missile into the East Sea at around 10 a.m., the latest provocation amid tensions caused by the reclusive regime's accusations against U.S. spy aircraft operations earlier this week.







During the virtual NSC meeting, Yoon told aides to make the point clear that illegal acts by North Korea will come with a price. He also ordered the strengthening of the U.S. "extended deterrence" commitment through the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) that Yoon and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed to create to discuss nuclear and strategic planning, according to his office.







Yoon is visiting Vilnius this week to attend a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit.







"President Yoon Suk Yeol stressed that our military is maintaining a firm South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture that can deter and respond to any North Korean threat, and ordered the further strengthening of the extended deterrence implementation in line with the Washington Declaration through the South Korea-U.S. NCG meeting planned for July 18," the presidential office said in a press release, referring to the inaugural NCG session scheduled to be held in Seoul.






An environment campaign organisation is staging the latest round of a fight with directors of oil giant Shell.

ClientEarth, which is a shareholder in Shell, is unhappy about the companys climate change strategy and wants to make a breach of duties claim against directors.

A High Court judge in May refused to give ClientEarth permission to continue its claim after considering written arguments.

ClientEarth then asked to be allowed to make oral arguments.

Lawyers representing the charity on Wednesday asked Mr Justice Trower to reconsider his decision, at a High Court hearing, in the Rolls Building in central London.

Shell says the judge should dismiss ClientEarths reconsideration application.

Lawyers represented ClientEarth at the Royal Courts of Justice, Rolls Building, central London (Nick Ansell/PA)

Mr Justice Trower had said, in a ruling published on May 12, that in order to pursue its claim, ClientEarth had to show there had been an actual or proposed act or omission involving negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust by a director or directors.

He dismissed the charitys application after concluding that it had not produced sufficient evidence to support its claim.

Barristers representing ClientEarth on Wednesday asked the judge to reconsider and outlined the premise of the charitys case.

Shell directors had already identified climate change risk as a material factor that impacts on their duties to promote the companys long-term commercial success, they said, in a written case outline.

ClientEarth argued that strategies adopted by the directors constituted a breach of their duties.

Plans adopted by Shell were irrational, barristers added.

They said ClientEarths claim should be allowed to proceed.

Lawyers representing Shell argued that Mr Justice Trowers May ruling was unimpeachable.

They said ClientEarth had received minimal support from shareholders and argued that the judge should stand by his decision.
Jeremy Vine and Piers Morgan are among the high profile figures who have called for the unnamed presenter at the heart of the BBC scandal to come forward publicly for the good of his colleagues at the corporation.

Fresh claims about the anonymous man emerged on Tuesday, following previous allegations over payments he had made for sexually explicit photos.

The Sun newspapers front page on Wednesday also reported that a 23-year-old person has claimed the presenter broke lockdown rules to meet them during the pandemic in February 2021.

Posting online on Tuesday, Vine said the latest allegations would result in yet more vitriol being thrown at perfectly innocent colleagues at the BBC.

Vine is one of several celebrities, including Nicky Campbell, Gary Lineker and Rylan Clark, who have publicly stated that they are not the presenter in question, since the allegations were first made public.

Im starting to think the BBC Presenter involved in the scandal should now come forward publicly. These new allegations will result in yet more vitriol being thrown at perfectly innocent colleagues of his. And the BBC, which Im sure he loves, is on its knees with this. But it  Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) July 11, 2023

Im starting to think the BBC Presenter involved in the scandal should now come forward publicly, Vine wrote on Twitter.

These new allegations will result in yet more vitriol being thrown at perfectly innocent colleagues of his.

And the BBC, which Im sure he loves, is on its knees with this. But it is his decision and his alone.

Talk TV host Piers Morgan said the unnamed presenter should come forward for the good of his colleagues, the BBC and himself.

"For the good of his colleagues, the BBC, and his own reputation, its time for this presenter to reveal his identity." Piers Morgan calls for the man at the centre of BBC sex scandal to come forward.@piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #PMU pic.twitter.com/o1ufPLooac  Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) July 11, 2023

Its only a matter of time before he loses agency in the situation (and) somebody blurts out in parliament, or on a less responsible network, he said.

For the good of his colleagues, the BBC, and himself and his reputation, it is surely time for that presenter to reveal his own identity, and to vow to clear his name and defend himself if thats what he can do.

David Keighley, former BBC news producer and director of News-watch, said the presenters continuing anonymity was causing reputational damage to the mans colleagues.

What needs to be done here is a very thorough investigation, and conclusions cant be jumped to until we know the full facts, he said, speaking to Times Radio.

But at the same time, youve got a developing situation, which is because it has been contained in the way it has. And we stress again, we dont know precisely why that is.

It is causing reputational damage, not just to the BBC itself, but to other presenters. Its spreading like a cancer, is the problem.

Publicist and strategist Mark Borkowski also told Times Radio the presenter could not go unnamed much longer.

Weve got a situation where its an ongoing car crash and the BBC is so glacial about how theyre dealing with this, because this is a 21st century problem, he said.

Theyre dealing with 20th century, sort of communication processes. Were above it all.

Theres a heavy legal duty on this and a duty of care, which makes it a nightmare for anybody managing this and to say that, okay, but I dont believe that it can carry on for much longer that this person is not named.

BBC director-general Tim Davie has ordered a review to assess how some complaints are red flagged up the organisation.

He has said the BBC is dealing with a complex and difficult situation after the serious allegations.
The first 46 asylum seekers have arrived at a former RAF airbase in Essex as it is brought into use.

The arrivals on Wednesday to Wethersfield Airfield, around eight miles from Braintree, are people who were brought to a processing facility in Kent over the weekend from small boat crossings.

Cheryl Avery, director for asylum accommodation for the Home Office, said the site at Wethersfield will be fully functional by autumn with up to 1,700 single adult men there.

Speaking at the site on Wednesday, she said: Weve got about 50 people arriving today from various locations, but they arrived at our facility in Kent at the weekend on small boats.

She said that when asylum seekers arrive at the processing facility in Kent they are screened, with biometric and health testing, and assessed for suitability for the Wethersfield site.

She said the cohort at Wethersfield will be single adult men, and after Wednesdays arrival of the first people the Home Office will ramp up.

The plan is we will go to a maximum of 1,700 by the autumn, the site will be fully functional by that point, said Ms Avery.

There is an on-site GP surgery, accommodation blocks, a dining hall with meals three times a day, a multi-faith centre and recreation facilities including an indoor basketball court and a gym.

We do have a shuttle bus facility that will take the asylum seekers on site out to the local area but its all managed really carefully and thats done on a regular basis as well, said Ms Avery.

She said people would not stay at the site for more than nine months.

Were really conscious of the fact we dont want people to be on the site for a long time, she said.

We have a process whereby going through the asylum-seeking process they will be between six to nine months maximum and then they will be dispersed into another location if their claim goes beyond that.

We dont want people to feel they are stuck on one site or communities to feel that they are unnecessarily burdened.

RAF Wethersfield in Essex which will house up to 1,700 asylum seekers by the autumn (Joe Giddens/PA)

She said the site is run by a contractor and manned 24/7 with CCTV cameras in place.

We make sure that everybody is safe, both asylum seekers on site and the community as well, said Ms Avery.

Were also working really closely with Essex Police to make sure we run the site effectively.

Theyve worked really closely with other police forces in a facility we have in Kent and theyve shared lessons learned around how to keep the community safe and how to keep asylum seekers safe.

She said there are a lot of facilities on site to ensure that people are fully occupied.

In our site in Kent weve got people who have a running club, there are art lessons, there are lots of activities that keep people occupied, but also to engage with the community as well and learn how to be a good citizen, said Ms Avery.

Everybody who arrives here goes through an orientation process to understand what acceptable behaviour is.

We know theyve been through quite a lengthy journey and theyre in a new environment and its important they understand how to fit in and be part of the community and minimise any impact.

She said everyone who arrives at the Wethersfield site is presented with a welcome pack at the briefing centre.

This contains toiletries and details, in a persons own language, on what it is to be a good neighbour, Ms Avery said, adding that there are ongoing sessions about integrating into the community.

Refugee charity Care4Calais said it will be seeking to provide direct aid to those at the Wethersfield site, which it described as inappropriate.

The charitys chief executive officer Steve Smith said: Refugees should be treated with dignity and housed in communities, not warehoused in disused barracks and barges.

The Wethersfield base is remote, the buildings are in a state of disrepair, and as a former military base the environment is likely to retraumatise refugees who have been imprisoned in brutal military facilities in their home countries.
A study has found 80% of young men in a young offenders institution in Scotland had at least one significant head injury in their lifetimes.

The study, led by researchers at the University of Glasgow, examined a third of juvenile males in HM Young Offenders Institution Polmont in 2019.

The report concluded that, of the 103 individuals examined, who were all aged 16-21, 82 (80%) had suffered at least one significant head injury in their lifetime.

Of the sample examined, 69 young male offenders had experienced repeated head injuries over long periods of time.

The Scottish Prison Service said that the under-21 population at Polmont was lower than in 2019, with 179 people (male and female) under the age of 21 currently there.

The causes of injuries were generally due to fighting or assault.

Mental health problems and substance abuse were also common among the young offenders.

The researchers found a link between head injuries and mental health problems, such as anxiety and distress.

The research added that there was further evidence to suggest those who had suffered a head injury had poor behaviour control and were more often reported for incidents while incarcerated than those without.

Researchers say they believe those with poorer behaviour control, alongside other psychological problems, may go on to become lifelong offenders.

Professor Tom McMillan, lead author of the study from the University of Glasgow, said: Our study reveals important new information on both the prevalence and the impacts of significant head injury in young male offenders in Scotland.

Until now a limited understanding of this area has made it difficult for prisons to develop effective management and intervention strategies to help improve these young peoples health and reduce the chances of reoffending.

The study findings suggest that there is a need for juvenile prisoner programmes to take into account the impacts of significant head injuries, and also a need for more work to be done to reduce future head injury risks in this group.

This is likely to require training and education of staff and education of prisoners about head injury.

The study also found that disability associated with a serious head injury was less common in young male offenders than in adult male or female offenders, arising in 13% of juveniles.

However, the prevalence of significant head injury was equally as high in each of these groups.

Previous research has shown the risk of future head injuries is high in those with a history of similar injuries.

The risk remains at its highest in older males but researchers have warned their findings could indicate that young male offenders are at greater risk of future disabilities associated with head injuries than previously thought.

The paper, Associations between Significant Head Injury in Male Juveniles in Prison in Scotland UK and Cognitive Function, Disability and Crime: A Cross sectional study, is published in PLOS ONE.

The work was funded by the Scottish Government.

A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said: The health, wellbeing, and personal development of children and young adults in custody is a key focus for the Scottish Prison Service.

This includes being mindful of the impact of adverse childhood experiences, injuries and trauma, and the lasting impact that many have had.

We work closely with our partners in the NHS and third sector to provide a range of trauma-informed support and opportunities for development, to meet the needs of all people in our care, including those aged under 21.
G7 countries have agreed to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes as they set out the details of what a package of new security measures will entail.

The leaders of the wealthiest economies, which includes the UK, US, Japan, Canada, France, Germany and Italy, jointly penned a security accord at the Nato summit in Vilnius on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said it marks a new high point in international support for Ukraine.

He thinks it will send a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin and has the potential to bring an end to the conflict in eastern Europe.

Rishi Sunak, right, described the deal as a new high point in international support for Ukraine (Paul Ellis/PA)

The pact contains promises to act multilaterally and on a country-to-country basis to offer Ukraine long-term security guarantees.

The UKs side of the bargain will see more Ukrainian pilots trained in Britain.

No 10 said the precise offer for each country will be set out in their bilateral agreements.

In a joint declaration signed by G7 leaders, they said: We will stand with Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression, for as long as it takes.

We stand united in our enduring support for Ukraine, rooted in our shared democratic values and interests, above all, respect for the UN Charter and the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty.

An honour to welcome President @ZelenskyyUa to our #NATOSummit for the inaugural meeting of the NATOUkraine Council. Our 3-part support package means #Ukraine is closer to #NATO membership than ever before. Today we meet as equals; I look forward to the day we meet as Allies. pic.twitter.com/4w7zruztCb  Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) July 12, 2023

The group said the mission was to ensure a sustainable force capable of defending Ukraine now and deterring Russian aggression in the future.

The pact promises security assistance and modern military equipment, prioritising air defence, artillery and long-range fires, armoured vehicles and other key capabilities, such as air combat.

Ukraines military equipment will increasingly be brought into interoperability with Euro-Atlantic partners.

Plans are also in place to boost Kyivs defence industry, commit to more training exercises and provide support for cyber defence and resilience initiatives.

G7 countries are also pledging to help Ukraine meet the reforms asked of it to become a Nato member.

They added that the West remains committed to supporting Ukraine by holding Russia accountable through sanctions and by punishing war crimes and other atrocities.
Mining giant BHP has been accused of putting profit over peoples lives as indigenous protesters have called for justice over a dam collapse that caused a historic environmental and humanitarian disaster in Brazil.

The Anglo-Australian company, which denies liability, is arguing for Brazilian mining firm Vale to be a co-defendant in a UK lawsuit, which has been brought by 700,000 claimants affected by the collapse of the Fundao dam in 2015 in eastern Brazil.

Some of the claimants travelled from Brazil to protest outside the hearing at the High Court in London, where BHP is listed, on Wednesday.

It comes as the firm faces paying 36 billion in damages for its role in the mining disaster that killed 19 people and caused an enormous area of land to be flooded with toxic mud.

Indigenous communities protest outside the High Court in London (Matt Pover)

Among the protesters were members of the Krenak, Guarani, Tupiniquim and Pataxos indigenous communities, who wore headdresses, sang songs and played the maracas.

They carried signs which read: BHP/Vale = Climate criminals and Justice for BHP Billiton and Vales crime in the Doce River.

Dirlene Krenak, 52, grew tearful as she told the PA news agency that they were singing a song for the river, which they consider sacred and was integral to their everyday lives before it was polluted with toxic mud.

Ms Krenak said: We used to sing this song for the river, because it was very rich. There were plenty of fish and its very hard to sing this song nowadays because theres nothing there anymore.

Dirlene Krenak and Rondon Krenak protest outside the High Court in London (PA/Rebecca Speare-Cole)

It was where we got our food from, its where we baptised our children, its our place of recreation and were never going to get that back.

She added that the court case in London is a cry for help for this country to look at us, to look at us there, at what happened and how the company should be held accountable.

We dont feel well to have to come this far, leaving our families and children behind to ask for help, she said.

Monica dos Santos, from the resistance group Loucos Pelo Bem, told PA that the victims are living with the consequences of the disaster everyday.

Indigenous communities protest outside the High Court in London (Matt Pover)

It affected us enormously. It completely affected the animals, the forests, the indigenous people. It destroyed our lives, our materials, everything.

It is eight years since the crime, she added.

In Brazil we havent been compensated. We havent received anything. We havent even received the land to be resettled.

We came here to ask for justice because we trust the justice system here.

Tom Goodhead, global managing partner of Pogust Goodhead, representing the claimants, accused BHP of putting profit over peoples lives time and time again.

He said: This is yet another desperate attempt by BHP to delay facing the consequences of the pain and devastation they have caused.

The victims of Brazils worst ever environmental disaster will be horrified to see the worlds two biggest mining companies fighting each other in court instead of providing full and fair redress.

Monica dos Santos from the Loucos Pelo Bem resistance group (PA/Rebecca Speare-Cole)

Alongside their total failure to provide full and fair compensation to the victims, BHP have also exposed their investors to extraordinary levels of risk in relation to the unprecedented compensation bill they now face.

Felipe Hotta, a partner at Pogust Goodhead working on the case, said very little compensation has been granted to victims in Brazil.

He said: Our clients are tired, they just want to move on with their lives. Its not even about the money itself for most of them. They just want to put an end to this and move on.

During the hearings this week, Vale will challenge BHPs claim that the two companies should split any damages.

Vale is also being sued in Brazil for its role in the disaster.

Both companies set up the Renova Foundation to pay reparations to victims following the disaster with BHP ring-fencing nearly 3 billion.

But the claimants lawyers say this sum is not nearly enough to cover the extent of the damage and loss the victims have suffered.

A spokesperson for BHP said: BHP will continue to defend the UK group action and denies the claims in their entirety.

BHP Brasil continues to work closely with Samarco and Vale to support the reparation and compensation programs implemented by Renova Foundation under the supervision of the Brazilian courts.

To date, Renova has provided financial assistance and made indemnification payments to over 417,000 people and spent more than 30 billion Brazilian Real (4.8 billion) on reparation and compensatory actions.
Technology entrepreneur Nick Hungerford, who set up a charity in his daughters name to support bereaved children, has died at the age of 43.

The co-founder of digital wealth management firm Nutmeg, who was diagnosed with a rare form of terminal bone cancer in 2019, launched Elizabeths Smile earlier this year to provide help and resources to children bereaved as a result of incurable disease.

The charity said in a statement posted on its website on Tuesday: We are deeply saddened to share the news of Nicks death.

Nick Hungerford, pictured with his wife Nancy and daughter Elizabeth, has died at the age of 43 (Nutmeg/PA)

In loving memory of our founder, our work to make sure grieving children reach their full potential continues.

Nicks smile will inspire us, always.

Mr Hungerford  a former stockbroker who set up Nutmeg with William Todd in 2011  revealed in an interview with the Daily Telegraph last month that he was dying from Ewing sarcoma, which left him in severe pain.

He told the newspaper that treatment including chemotherapy and radiotherapy had given him more time to spend with his wife Nancy and their two-year-old daughter Elizabeth.

He set up Elizabeths Smile in her name to provide support to other children who have lost a parent due to terminal illness.

He got the idea for the charity in January last year when he and his wife were offered alternative therapies and family counselling to help, but was told there was nothing available for children, despite research showing that children suffer terribly after losing a parent.

He told the Telegraph last month: My daughter is not going to be condemned to a lifetime of grief, worry or disadvantage because of my illness.

She is always smiling  which cheers everyone up  and I am determined that smile wont stop after I have gone.

"To think my illness could cause her grief and trauma for a lifetime was just unacceptable." Tech boss Nick Hungerford has two months to live from terminal cancer. He tells @BBCNickRobinson how his daughter inspired a charity for bereaved children. Hear the full interview   BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) June 30, 2023

Mr Hungerford, who grew up in the West Country, first noticed something was wrong in December 2019 when he felt a pain in his right thigh.

An X-ray showed a 5in tumour in his femur and he was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma.

He had an operation to remove his femur and replace it with titanium, as well as chemotherapy, but the cancer returned at the end of 2021.

Nutmeg paid tribute to one of Britains most successful fintech entrepreneurs.

It said: Nick was passionate about helping empower people to achieve their full potential.

On behalf of all Nutmeg colleagues, past and present, we are incredibly proud of the journey Nick started.

Nutmeg was sold to US investment bank JP Morgan for almost 700 million in June 2021.

Mr Hungerford stepped down as chief executive of the fintech in 2016, then resigned as a non-executive director of the group amid a board restructure in 2019.
The UK has imposed sanctions on businesses linked to the leaders on both sides in the conflict in Sudan.

The measures apply to three businesses associated with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and three to its rival in the power struggle, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The action comes with the conflict between the regular army and the paramilitary RSF threatening to spiral into a full-blown civil war.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: These sanctions are directly targeting those whose actions have destroyed the lives of millions.

Both sides have committed multiple ceasefire violations in a war, which is completely unjustified.

Innocent civilians continue to face the devastating effects of the hostilities, and we simply cannot afford to sit-by and watch as money from these companies, all funding the RSF or SAF, is spent on a senseless conflict.

The Foreign Office said around 25 million people had been left in need of humanitarian assistance as a result of almost three months of violence, with more than 2.2 million internally displaced and 682,000 people estimated to have fled to neighbouring countries.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly (Henry Nicholls/PA)

The companies associated with the RSF identified by the Foreign Office are: Al-Junaid, GSK Advance Company Ltd and Tradive General Trading Co.

The three SAF-linked firms are: Defense Industries Systems, Sudan Master Technology and Zadna International Company for Investment.

The sanctions will ensure that any assets held by the firms in the UK will be frozen.

Africa Minister Andrew Mitchell said: The SAF and RSF have dragged Sudan into a wholly unjustified war, with utter disregard for the Sudanese people, and must be held accountable.

These sanctions are designed to pressure the parties to engage in a meaningful and lasting peace process.
Angus MacNeil has announced he will not re-join the SNP group after he has completed a suspension this week as he criticised the partys policy on achieving Scottish independence.

The Western Isles MP was kicked out of the partys Westminster group for a week after a reported clash with chief whip Brendan OHara.

But in a letter published on his Twitter account, Mr MacNeil  a frequent critic of the SNPs independence approach in recent times  said the urgency for independence is absent.

I will only seek the SNP whip again if it is clear that the SNP are pursuing independence, he wrote.

I shall not now be seeking to rejoin the Westrminster SNP group until at least October. Meanwhile I will sit as an independent MP. pic.twitter.com/XcU5LGQJeF  Angus B MacNeil MP (@AngusMacNeilSNP) July 12, 2023

At the moment, the SNP has become a brand name missing the key ingredient. The urgency for independence is absent.

He added: The Scottish Government went to the Supreme Court a year ago utterly clueless about how to pursue independence, left the Supreme Court utterly clueless about how to pursue independence.

The SNP still have no clear understanding that it has to use elections to negotiate Scottish independence from Westminster by getting the backing of the majority of the electorate.

The SNP members must have a say at conference on the policy direction, which it hasnt until now.

The trick of the last six years of kicking the can down the road has not served Scotland well, he said.

But the MP, who has sat in the House of Commons since 2005, said he would stand again in the next election, and I hope for clarity on independence after the October conference that I will be standing for the SNP.

Alba Party Westminster leader Neale Hanvey  himself a defector from the SNP  described Mr MacNeil as an outstanding independence MP, honest, forthright and brave.

He added: The total confusion over independence strategy is causing fundamental problems for the SNP.

Mr Hanvey went on to urge the SNP to re-dedicate itself to its historic mission of independence.
A family of four beavers has been released on a National Trust estate to boost wildlife and help the landscape deal with climate change.

Once a mainstay of British rivers, beavers became extinct here in the 16th century due to hunting, but in recent years they have been introduced at a growing number of sites in the UK.

The latest location is Northumberlands Wallington Estate, site of the National Trusts third beaver release, following successful introductions on Exmoor in 2020 and the South Downs in 2021.

The beavers will create pools of slow-moving water on the Northumberland stream (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Watched from the other side of the bank by rangers, wildlife experts and the media, the four beavers walked straight into the stream and began to eat willow branches that had been left for them, although the father seemed initially spooked and at first retreated back to his crate.

This release of two adults and two young which were relocated under licence from Tayside in Scotland will become one of the few beaver populations in northern England.

They will make their home in a 24-hectare fenced enclosure on an upland tributary of the River Wansbeck, transforming the landscape with their dams.

Paul Hewitt, countryside manager at the National Trust, said: Much as they did centuries ago, these instinctive animals will engineer the landscape, creating a dynamic system of dams and ponds that, over time, will become a lush wetland, brimming with life.

The BBCs Wild Isles was a powerful reminder of the beauty  and critically, the scarcity  of British wildlife.

One beaver appeared to be spooked at first but the other three went straight into the water (Owen Humphreys/PA)

If we are to make sure those amazing natural spectacles dont become a thing of the past, we have to create space for wildlife to thrive.

Beavers are a fantastic tool to help us do that; where they go, fish, insects, birds and amphibians follow.

By creating pools on the stream, they mitigate the effect of climate change by slowing the speed of water coursing through during heavy rains, and holding water in the location during drought.

Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, who led the release for the Beaver Trust, said: Whats really interesting in relocating these animals to the enclosure at Wallington today is the upland stream setting, a recovering, formerly heavily grazed landscape.

Wallington is a great example of exactly where we want these animals to be reintroduced, to demonstrate their ability to restore natural processes and where they are very likely to produce a textbook example of landscape scale beaver benefits: slowing and storing water, boosting biodiversity, and promoting woodland regeneration.

Public visits to see the beavers may be possible later but at the moment rangers are asking people to give the animals time to settle into their new home.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley holds a press briefing with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon on May 25, in Washington. AP-Yonhap



The United States' top general met with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts for a rare trilateral meeting in Hawaii on Tuesday, which came as North Korea launched its twelfth missile this year.



Washington has been pressing the uneasy neighbors to work more closely to better counter rising threats from China and North Korea.



Seoul and Tokyo have strained relations over disputes dating to Japan's 1910-1945 occupation of Korea.






The NHS Workforce Plan is achingly vague when it comes to how the health service will retain staff and should mention the crucial matter of pay, according to former doctor and author Adam Kay.

Mr Kay was speaking at a one-off session of the Health and Social Care Committee, which was looking at whether the 15-year strategy actually goes far enough to tackle the challenges faced by the NHS.

He described it as achingly vague in detailing how the NHS plans to keep doctors practising in England.

I see no ambition and I see no detail whatsoever, he added. Its just its achingly vague. I dont know whats realistically being proposed to retain all these doctors.

Its all very well running the tap but the plug is very much out at the moment.

Mr Kay also said the NHS Emeritus Doctor Scheme  an initiative to allow retired doctors to keep working  is not retention, but resuscitation.

He added: Wellbeing is a huge part of it but so is pay. I think its borderline laughable that pay gets not a single sentence. It needs to be acknowledged as a crucial thing.

Referencing doctors moving overseas for better wages, Mr Kay said: If no-ones looking after you, whether its in terms of wellbeing or your pay, why wouldnt your head be turned by that?

The comments come amid waves of industrial action in the NHS, with junior doctors set to walk out for five days at 7am on Thursday in an ongoing row with the Government over pay.

They will be followed by consultants, who are striking for two days from July 20, and radiographers, who will walk out for two days on July 25.

Prof Kamila Hawthorne, chairwoman of the Royal College of General Practitioners Council, was also a witness and said there is more to retention than money.

What we need to do is to make life for doctors so good that they dont want to leave. Thats what we should be doing, rather than punishing the ones who leave.

It really is not about money, its about valuing people, and its about not giving them a workload that is so unbearable. Certainly general practice is very difficult to work more than three full days a week, because youre putting in way more than you should.

Junior doctors will strike for five days from 7am on Thursday (Lucy North/PA)

The long-awaited NHS Workforce Plan was unveiled by the Government last month, promising to hire 300,000 additional workers over the next 15 years.

As well as recruitment and retention, training also forms a large chunk of the blueprint.

There are aims to double medical school training places to 15,000 by 2031, increase the number of GP training places to 6,000 and double the number of adult nurse training places.

Apprenticeships will also be ramped up. It is estimated that 16% of all training for clinical staff, including doctors, nurses and other health professionals, will be offered through degree apprenticeships by 2028, including 850 doctor apprenticeships.

However, Patricia Marquis, England director at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), told the committee that a significant hike of apprentices in the nursing pipeline is a real, real worry.

She said the way she trained was in a way an apprenticeship, adding: I can speak from personal experience about being put in positions where I was doing things way outside of the scope of what I should have been doing with the amount of education and supervision that I had.

So it varies because this is different. It is an apprenticeship, its delivered in a different way. But the risk of people going beyond the scope of what they are supposed to be doing at a particular point of training, especially given the pressures theyve got, really increase. And when were talking about such a significant increase in the number of apprenticeships within the nursing pipeline, that becomes a real, real worry for us.

General Medical Council (GMC) chief executive Charley Massey said he welcomes the ambition of the plan but said the training capacity should be in place to deliver that ambition.

Prof Hawthorne also pointed out it will be a good 10 to 15 years before the sector sees new GPs coming through from medical school.

There is nothing at the moment that would stop a GP from wanting to leave other than hope on the horizon, she added.
Michelle ONeill has said she was not fully briefed on the detail of risks and potential responses to a pandemic when she was health minister.

The Sinn Fein vice president served in Stormonts health portfolio from May 2016 to the then collapse of the Assembly in 2017 following the resignation of then deputy first minister Martin McGuinness.

She was called to give evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, which is in an early stage examining the countrys preparedness for a pandemic.

During the pandemic, Ms ONeill had been deputy first minister.

Michelle ONeill giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry at Dorland House in London (UK Covid-19 Inquiry/PA)

She told the inquiry there had not been an easy flow of information from London to Belfast, describing meetings between Stormont and Westminster ministers as often being called at short notice.

Ms ONeill characterised on many occasions feeling it had been an ad hoc and tick-box meeting.

The inquiry is hearing from Northern Ireland witnesses this week, including former first minister Baroness Arlene Foster and chief medical officer Sir Michael McBride.

There were just over 5,300 Covid-19 related deaths in Northern Ireland.

Ms ONeill started her evidence by expressing her condolences to those who lost loved ones during the pandemic, as well as thanking health staff for their work.

She described her focus as health minister as bringing forward a plan to transform the health service.

The Bengoa Report was published in 2016. However it was unable to be fully implemented due to the collapse of the Assembly in 2017.

Lead counsel to the inquiry Hugo Keith questioned Ms ONeill on her knowledge as health minister of potential risks and of emergency civil contingency plans in the event of a pandemic.

Exercise Cygnus, a UK-wide simulation of a flu outbreak in 2016, was also discussed.

Asked whether the essential parts of the civil contingencies structure were brought to her attention when she became health minister, Ms ONeill said not that I recall.

An influenza pandemic had been deemed as the highest tier one risk for the UK.

Ms ONeill said the first time that was brought to her attention was in terms of Exercise Cygnus in October 2016, several months after she came into post.

In terms of the first day brief that I would have received, it was clear to me that in the event of a health emergency that we were the lead department but it didnt go into any more in depth detail than that, she said.

Michelle ONeill was the Stormont health minister from 2016 to 2017 (Lucy North/PA)

Operation Cygnus would have been the first time I would have had more detail provided to me in terms of the significance of the risk and the fact there was need for resilience planning, preparation and Exercise Cygnus itself.

The inquiry heard while Welsh ministers attended a role play in the exercise, Ms ONeill did not, instead delegating Sir Michael to attend.

She said he played a full role in the exercise.

Ms ONeill said her focus had been transforming how healthcare was delivered and securing political support for the plan.

The Bengoa Report was launched just a few days after the Exercise Cygnus role play.

I thought I had one chance at getting buy-in for this plan and eventually starting to turn things around and fix our health service, she said.

Ms ONeill also said the Department of Health risk register was never brought to her attention as health minister.

Inquiry chair Baroness Heather Hallett intervened to ask Ms ONeill whether as an incoming minister it would have been better if she had received a high-level briefing about the risks in the department.

Inquiry chair Baroness Heather Hallett (Lucy North/PA)

Ms ONeill responded: I think thats a fair reflection.

She said she had no doubt preparedness arrangements were discussed and made in the department but not brought to her attention as minister.

I would expect those things to come to me to which I cant recall any issue ever coming to me in that regard, she said, agreeing with Mr Keith that was regrettable.

It was put to Ms ONeill that by the time she left office as health minister on March 2 2017, it appears Exercise Cygnus had not fully tested the healthcare systems in Northern Ireland for a prospective pandemic.

She responded: I think thats a reasonable assessment, yes.

Mr Keith also questioned Ms ONeill on the collapse of the Stormont administration in 2017-2020, putting to her there was a duty owed to the people of Northern Ireland to put them in the best possible place in the event of a pandemic.

Ms ONeill responded: I think all of us in political leadership have a responsibility to try to make the political system work, to find the compromises where we can, to find ways to work together and thats all of us in terms of the political parties in the north.

But given our special and unique circumstances its also the role and responsibility of both the British and the Irish government.
People are being urged to get moving for their mental health in 2023.

Thousands of runners will pass landmarks including Trafalgar Square, St Pauls Cathedral and Big Ben before finishing near Buckingham Palace during a fast and flat course designed for the Vitality London 10,000 on September 24.

This years event campaign, #DoItForYou, aims to encourage people to get active to support their mental health and wellbeing which can include improved self-esteem and sleep along with better stress and anxiety management.

Those who are not able to travel to central London for the event can opt to do the virtual Vitality London 10,000 challenge, which can be completed anywhere, anytime between September 16-24.

Hugh Brasher, the Vitality London 10,000 event director, said: Getting active is so important for our mental health and wellbeing in addition to all the physical health benefits that it brings.

We hope that thousands will get behind our #DoItForYou campaign and take on the Vitality London 10,000 either on the spectacular central London course or join us virtually, wherever they may be.

The run takes place two weeks before World Mental Health Day on October 10.
The Government has been urged to keep an independent appeals process for removing harmful online content from platforms such as TikTok and OnlyFans.

Conservative peer Baroness Newlove has written to Rishi Sunak and the Government to express concern about the lack of inclusion of such a provision for victims in the Online Safety Bill, which is now at report stage in the House of Lords.

Currently, the video-sharing platform regulation requires UK-established platforms  such as Snapchat, OnlyFans, TikTok and Twitch  to provide individuals with an impartial appeals process for decisions relating to the removal of content that has remained online after being reported directly to the platform.

But Baroness Newlove says this will be removed by the incoming Online Safety Bill as it presently stands, risking serious harm to thousands of victims.

The Government has recently included an amendment to the Bill that requires regulator Ofcom to carry out a review over whether an independent appeals process or designated body is needed in two years time.

But campaigners say this is not enough and will leave victims waiting for a resolution over content that platforms chose not to remove in the interim.

The letter, written on behalf of fellow peers, victims of harmful content and the UK Safer Internet Centre, says: We believe an individuals right to independently appeal decisions about harmful online content should be included as the bill in its current form  does not meet the UKs aim of making the UK the safest place to be online.

Baroness Newlove also wrote that peers are incredibly frustrated and disappointed by the Governments blatant inaction on this matter.

She criticised Viscount Camroses response to questions on what individuals will be able to do if they want to appeal against a decision not to remove content.

We believe thousands of individuals will be left at risk without this provision and we encourage you to listen to the advice, expertise, and data of those who deal with these types of reports daily, she added.

An independent appeals process should not only be an inclusion in the Online Safety Bill  but a priority.

This cannot be kicked down the line for a future government to deal with  this must happen now.

It comes as the UK Safer Internet Centre and the 5Rights Foundation, both non-governmental organisations that campaign for online safety, have been working with peers on a costed model for an independent appeals ecosystem in the UK.

The groups estimate that the UK will receive 170,000 actionable appeals per year across some of the most popular online platforms, costing 116 each to resolve.

Last year, digital minister Chris Philp argued that the reason no independent ombudsman had been included is a matter of scale.

The volume of individual complaints generated about social media platforms is just vast, he told MPs.

David Wright, chief executive of the UK Safer Internet Centre, said: The Governments recent proposed amendment to the Online Safety Bill does not go far enough in protecting people from online harm.

It is positive that the Government has recognised the issue by proposing this amendment but it is unacceptable that victims will have to wait for a two-year period for Ofcom to review whether an independent appeals process is required.

We know that this process is required now.

We have thousands of victims contacting our helplines every year asking us to support them in removing content that is causing them significant harm.

We do not need to wait to see if this is required, we need to see this now.

A Government spokesperson said: The Online Safety Bill includes strong duties relating to content reporting and complaints, already benefiting users directly, providing them with effective methods of redress.

However, we have listened to concerns and tabled new amendments that will require Ofcom to comprehensively review these provisions.

If Ofcom finds the existing provisions are not sufficient, then the Government will be empowered to introduce regulations that impose a duty on the largest companies to provide alternative impartial dispute resolution procedures, similar to those in the current video-sharing platform regime.
Prosecutors have concluded their case against Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey over alleged sex offences.

The Hollywood star, standing trial under his full name Kevin Spacey Fowler, was labelled a sexual bully when proceedings began last month.

The 63-year-old denies charges including sexual assault and indecent assault, which are alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013.

The prosecution concluded its case against Spacey on Wednesday (Lucy North/PA)

Over the course of the trial at Southwark Crown Court, each of Spaceys four accusers have given evidence  variously describing him as a vile sexual predator, slippery and atrocious, despicable, disgusting.

One complainant, who alleges the actor aggressively grabbed his crotch while he drove him to a lavish showbiz party in the early 2000s, described Spaceys behaviour as like he thought he could he could groom me.

Jurors also heard Spacey allegedly grabbed another mans crotch like a cobra after meeting him at a West End theatre in the mid-2000s following an alleged barrage of vile comments.

The House Of Cards and American Beauty star is also accused of having had a panicked look on his face after a third man rejected an alleged sexual grab at an expensive property he was staying at in the Cotswolds in the early 2010s.

On Monday, an aspiring actor told the court of an incident in the late 2000s where things went further  claiming Spacey had drugged him before waking up to find the defendant performing a sex act on him.

The mans police interview was played to jurors, where he told an officer he had written to the two-time Oscar winner asking for mentorship, but ended up breaking down as he described the alleged assault.

Throughout the trial, Spaceys alleged victims have spoken of how it was well known in the theatre world that he was up to no good, with one allegedly warned that the actor liked young straight men.

Spacey was described as a sexual bully by prosecutor Christine Agnew KC when the trial began last month (Elizabeth Cook/PA)

One complainant accused the Hollywood star of being insensitive  claiming the defendants decision to come out as gay was used to disguise his alleged sexual misconduct.

Under questioning from Spaceys lawyer, Patrick Gibbs KC, the men all denied either seeking financial gain, attempting to further their career or giving false accounts to the jury.

On Wednesday, prosecutor Shauna Ritchie said the defendant had told police he was baffled and deeply hurt by the claims made by the man who accuses him of assaulting him in a car.

He told officers he did not recognise the alleged victim he met in a West End theatre, or the aspiring actor who said he woke up to Spacey performing a sex act on him.

Addressing the claims made by the latter, he told police he would never have performed a sex act on anyone without their consent.

He added: I have had a number of consensual one-night stands with many members of the theatre world in my property.

The actor said he may have made a clumsy pass at his final alleged victim but denied deliberately attacking him.

Spacey 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.
The Prime Minister has shut down comments by the Defence Secretary after Ben Wallace suggested Ukraine should show gratitude for the military support it has been given.

Rishi Sunak said Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky had repeatedly expressed gratitude for what the UK had done for Kyiv since Russias invasion broke out more than 500 days ago.

Mr Wallace, in comments to reporters at the Nato summit in Vilnius, suggested Mr Zelensky needed to be mindful about keeping doubting politicians in the US on-side, particularly with a presidential election coming up next year.

The former Scots Guard said some allies providing defensive aid to Kyiv want to see gratitude.

But Mr Sunak, in a push back against his Cabinet minister, said the Ukrainian people were incredibly grateful for the support we have shown.

Mr Zelensky said he did not know what Mr Wallace meant, as he said his country was always grateful to Britain.

Many Western allies, including president Joe Bidens Washington administration and the UK Government, have been vocal backers of Ukraine.

The UK in particular has been at the forefront of Western states in sending weapons and defensive equipment to the war-torn country.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said Ukraine should show gratitude (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Speaking at a press briefing after the two day summit in the Lithuanian capital, Mr Sunak said: President Zelensky has expressed his gratitude for what we have done on a number of occasions, not least in his incredibly moving address that he made to Parliament earlier this year and he has done so again to me, as he has done countless times when I have met him.

So I know that he and his people are incredibly grateful for the support we have shown, the welcome that we have provided to many Ukrainian families, but also the leadership we have shown throughout this conflict.

Mr Sunak stressed that the Ukrainian people were paying a terrible price during the invasion and that he understood Mr Zelenskys desire to do everything he can to protect his people.

Speaking at a later press conference, Mr Zelensky said through a translator: I believe that we were always grateful to United Kingdom.

I dont know what he (Mr Wallace) meant and how else we should be grateful.

Maybe the minister wants something special, but I think that we have a wonderful relations.

Sources close to the Defence Secretary later said: Mr Wallace was reflecting on the need for Ukraine to address the parts of public opinion and parliaments in the international community who need to be encouraged.

The public disagreement comes after Mr Zelensky voiced his frustration at Nato failing to produce a timeframe for Kyiv to become a member of the defensive alliance.

The war leader said on Tuesday that it was absurd for Nato to insist there are still military and democratic conditions for the eastern European country to meet before it can join once the conflict with Moscow is over.

He looked to have calmed his language following a bilateral blitz on Wednesday, which included meetings with Mr Sunak and Mr Biden.

US President Joe Biden speaks at an event with G7 leaders next to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Canadas prime minister Justin Trudeau (Paul Ellis/PA)

During a press conference with Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, Mr Zelensky said Nato had sent signals that were important when it came to Ukraine becoming a member state.

He was also buoyed by the signing of a joint declaration by G7 leaders, promising long-term multilateral and bilateral security guarantees for Kyiv to help it fend off current and future aggression by Russia.

Following the signing of the pact, Mr Zelensky said he was leaving the summit with a significant security victory for Ukraine.

Mr Sunak said the deal marked a new high point in international support for Ukraine, with Britain signing up to train Ukrainian pilots.

The Defence Secretary suggested the UK, as part of the agreement, could base troops in the country after the war has concluded to conduct battlefield training with Ukrainian forces.

The Prime Minister said he was highly confident that other countries would very quickly sign up to the pledge made by G7 allies, which as well as the UK includes the US, Japan, Canada, Italy, France and Germany.

On the question of Nato membership for Ukraine, the Conservative Party leader said meaningful progress had been made at Vilnius to smooth its pathway, taking it from a two-step process to just one.

The Prime Minister said: I think this summit has been a very important moment because you had the alliance affirming unequivocally that Ukraines rightful place is in Nato and Ukraine will become a member of Nato.

And we saw at this summit meaningful progress on that path towards eventual membership.

He told Mr Zelensky during a one-on-one meeting that he belonged in Nato, with the British premier hailing his fighters as inspirational.

Labours John Healey gave his partys backing to new commitments to Ukraine.

The shadow defence secretary said: G7 countries and Nato nations stand united in support of Ukraine and against Russian aggression.

Putins illegal invasion must not only be defeated, but we have to ensure Ukraine receives the support needed to defend itself today and into the future.
Sir Salman Rushdie has revealed that he has crazy dreams and is unsure if he will ever speak at an open public event again after being attacked in New York last year.

The 76-year-old Indian-born British author said he felt very lucky and had received a huge outpouring of support and affection following the incident in August 2022.

Sir Salman was stabbed repeatedly while on stage at a literary festival at the Chautauqua Institute in New York state, which left him blind in one eye.

His alleged attacker, 25-year-old Hadi Matar, has made multiple appearances at Chautauqua County Court, having pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and assault charges following the incident.

Speaking to the BBC for the first time since the incident, the Booker Prize-winner said he was a little beaten up but well on the way to recovery.

Asked how he felt, Sir Salman said: First of all I feel very lucky, I discovered what a lucky person I am.

Then there was this huge outpouring of support and affection and that was incredibly moving to feel  to be on the receiving end of that.

And its a little strange as the moment when these threats began in 1989, frankly there wasnt so much of an outpouring of affection  there was quite a lot of the other thing.

Sir Salmans novel The Satanic Verses previously led to death threats from Iran, though he went for many years living a full life without protection.

The author told the BBC he was in two minds about Matar.

Theres one bit of me that actually wants to go and stand on the court and look at him and theres another bit of me that just cant be bothered, he said.

Sir Salman Rushdie after being made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (Andrew Matthews/PA)

As you can well understand I dont have a very high opinion of him.

And I think what is important to me now is that youre able to find life continuing, and Im more engaged with the business of that, you know, getting on with it.

Sir Salman said he was currently in the process of writing about the incident, telling the BBC the book will not be more than a couple of hundred of pages long.

Theres this colossal elephant in the room and, until I deal with that, it is difficult to take seriously anything else, he said.

Speaking about his recovery since the attack, Sir Salman said: The physical stuff is more or less OK, with the exception of having lost an eye  but otherwise the physical stuff is reasonably alright.

The emotional stuff, it takes dealing with. I have a very good therapist who has a lot of work to do. I have crazy dreams.

But I think really the main difference is I dont know when I will again do a public event that is open to the public that anyone can show up.

I dont know when Im going to put myself in that position again.

Sir Salman said he hoped a time would arrive that people could read The Satanic Verses as a novel, rather than a political hot potato.

Youve got to distinguish between peoples private faith, which is kind of none of our business, really, and the politicisation of any religion and the weaponisation of religion  its not just Islam, he said.

In America right now, youve got a highly weaponised version of Christianity, which was responsible in very large part for the reversal of Roe versus Wade  for the whole abortion debate.

Im not a religious person. I never have been, and came from a family that wasnt particularly religious and we did alright

Its not a thing I need for myself but if there are people who need it, thats their business, not mine, until it becomes politicised.

When it becomes politicised, it becomes everybodys business, as all political things do. I think we just have to be clear about that distinction.

So the kind of person who goes off and chooses violence, in my view, is not a representative of that religion but a representative of violence and has to be treated in that way.
Both the US and the UK have told Ukraine that were not Amazon, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said, as he suggested that allies providing support to Kyiv also want gratitude.

Volodymyr Zelensky has made clear his frustrations at the reluctance of Nato members to agree a timetable for Ukraine to be admitted into the alliance.

Many Western allies, including the Biden administration and the UK Government, have been vocal backers of Ukraine.

The UK in particular has been at the forefront of Western states in sending weapons and defensive equipment to the war-torn country.

But Mr Wallace, who is attending the Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, appeared to suggest Mr Zelensky needed to be mindful about keeping doubting politicians in the US on-side, particularly with a presidential election coming up next year.

Mr Wallace said some allies providing defensive aid to Kyiv want to see gratitude.

He said the US and the UK have told Ukraine that were not Amazon, a reference to the online retail giant, after being handed requests for new weapons.

(PA Graphics)

He told reporters: There is a slight word of caution here which is that, whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude.

My counsel to the Ukrainians youre persuading countries to give up their own stocks.

And yes the war is a noble war and yes we see it as you doing a war for not just yourself but our freedoms.

But sometimes youve got to persuade lawmakers on the Hill in America.

Youve got to persuade doubting politicians in other countries that its worth it and its worthwhile and theyre getting something for it.

Whether you like that or not, that is just the reality of it.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shakes hands with US President Joe Biden (Paul Ellis/PA)

Downing Street insisted Mr Zelensky had shown his gratitude for the UKs support.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: I think you heard from President Zelensky repeatedly, and indeed just today, about his gratitude to the people of the United Kingdom for their support, for their generosity.

He added: We fully understand that the people of Ukraine, President Zelensky, are obviously fighting a war and face extremely difficult circumstances.

The UK Government and UK people will be steadfast in supporting them.

Following his meeting with Rishi Sunak on Wednesday, Mr Zelensky said he was grateful to the Prime Minister and the United Kingdom for supporting Ukraines accession to Nato and for participating in providing Ukraine with effective security guarantees for the period prior to membership in the alliance.

He added he was particularly grateful to the UK for hosting the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London.
A veteran has visited 45 county towns and places of military importance in under 150 hours in a bid to raise enough funds for plaques to honour those who served but never returned home.

Michael Homer  who served in what was known as the Royal Army Service Corps between 1958 and 1960  completed the challenge, which he dubbed the plaque-a-thon, on July 10.

The 84-year-old started the whistle-stop tour on June 27 and would visit several locations daily, including Guildford, Andover, Bristol, Oxford and Reading, before travelling back to his home in Fareham, Hampshire, at the end of each day.

Roy Hunt and Michael Homer outside Guildford station (Michael Homer/PA)

Mr Homer is the chairman of the National Service Veterans Alliance and said that getting plaques in county towns and towns of military importance has been a goal of the organisations, with only seven in the UK at the moment.

When youre fundraising, youve got to think of ways of catching peoples imagination, he told the PA news agency.

I thought, I like trains, so why dont I create this challenge?

I thoroughly enjoyed it and hopefully I can also get plaques for the towns and those I did not manage to visit.

He originally planned to visit 50 county towns and other locations, but this plan was derailed due to train cancellations and strikes.

Money for the plaques will be raised through donations, with Mr Homer then approaching the councils of the visited places to petition for them to be erected.

He said that people have been more than generous through making donations to his fundraising page.

Over 6,000 has been raised and there is still more money to come in and Im more than pleased with that.

The money isnt for me  its for your father, your grandfather, who possibly did national service.

And he added that 2.2 million men did national service, but unfortunately over 2,000 never came back home and probably 4,000 or 5,000 have problems like myself.

Michael Homer said he enjoyed the plaque-a-thon (Michael Homer/PA)

Mr Homer said that on May 16, he was invited to go to the National Memorial Arboretum to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of National Service, and was given the seal of approval from the Princess Royal over the challenge.

Princess Anne was there and afterwards, I was chosen with 25 others to meet her and she actually came and talked to each individual person, he said.

And when she turned to me and I explained that I was doing the plaque-a-thon, she said: Thats a very good idea and I hope the trains are not on strike, and she thanked us all for our service.

During his time in National Service, Mr Homer served as an ambulance driver in Germany, which he said did me the world of good, despite losing his hearing and balance due to gunfire.

Roy Hunt and Michael Homer outside Maidstone East station (Michael Homer/PA)

I have to use a wheelchair wherever I go, but my National Service did me the world of good, he said.

It taught me an awful lot  it taught me respect, it taught me discipline and it gave me a trade.

The comradeship in the army is second to none and the National Service Veterans Alliance tries to look after our members in the best way we can.

On each day, Mr Homer would have a companion, with a fellow veteran from the Royal Army Service Corps called Roy Hunt travelling to the sites with him on day one, with a navy officer, RAF officer and army officer accompanying him on other days.

Michael Homer and Roy Hunt at Andover station (Michael Homer/PA)

He said that the railway companies played a big role in helping to make sure the challenge was a success, with the veteran spending six months planning all the journeys.

Southwest Trains bent over backwards to assist me, he said.

I had to book disabled assistance and they really helped me.

All the rail companies have been absolutely brilliant.

Donning army uniform while on the plaque-a-thon, the 84-year-old said many would approach him to ask about what he was doing.

A good majority said: My dad did National Service, my grandfather did National Service, and we would explain what we were doing and that was brilliant.

Mr Homers fundraising page can be found here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/wrhzy-plaqueathon
A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, Wednesday. AP-Yonhap



Yoon calls for international solidarity against threats from Pyongyang



By Jung Min-ho



North Korea launched a long-range ballistic missile toward its eastern waters on Wednesday, two days after warning of the consequences of what it claimed was a "provocative" flight by a U.S. reconnaissance plane.



During an emergency National Security Council (NSC) meeting in Lithuania, where he is visiting to attend a NATO summit, President Yoon Suk Yeol called for international solidarity against increasing threats from the regime, saying the North will pay the price of all of its "illegal activities."



According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), fired on a lofted trajectory from the North Korean capital area around 10 a.m., flew about 1,000 kilometers before falling into the East Sea.



It was North Korea's first weapon test since June 15, when it fired two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast. If confirmed, it was the North's first ICBM launch in three months, after the test of its first-ever solid-fuel ICBM on April 13. The specifics of the latest missile is now under analysis, the JCS told reporters.









Members of the NSC condemned Pyongyang for what they called a "grave violation" of U.N. resolutions and a "serious provocation" that threatens the peace and security of the world, the presidential office said in a statement.





President Yoon Suk Yeol listens to Cho Tae-yong, his national security adviser, during an emergency National Security Council meeting during his trip to Lithuania, Wednesday. Courtesy of presidential office
The new Gerber Baby was revealed on TODAY, and winner Madison Mendoza is a smiley baby who comes from a proud military family.

"Oh my gosh!" exclaimed mom Crystal Mendoza when she learned that her daughter, who goes by Maddie, won the contest.

"Wow, that's amazing!" said dad Jun Mendoza, an Air Force doctor and lieutenant colonel.

New Gerber Baby Maddie with her dad Jun, an Air Force lieutenant colonel and doctor, and her mom Crystal, a dentist. (Courtesy Gerber)

The happy family joined TODAY on July 12 to share the news with the world.

"She's very adventurous," mom Crystal told TODAY, as Maddie cooed happily in her lap and gazed at the cameras.

"The most well-behaved baby perhaps we've ever had on the show," TODAY's Craig Melvin remarked.

Maddie, 10 months, smiled in her mother's arms. While her sweet smile won over the Gerber judges, her parents also want people to know she has a strong spirit and a mind of her own. When she was born, she had trouble breathing and needed supplemental oxygen. After a few nights, she apparently decided she'd had enough oxygen, tore off her tubes and breathed just fine.

"She was able to tell us when she was ready to go home," Jun tells TODAY in an interview before the broadcast from his office in Colorado Springs. "That kind of aligned with her adventurous, independent spirit."

Maddie Mendoza, the new 2023 Gerber Baby, loves being the center of attention, her parents say. (Courtesy Gerber)

Befitting her new role as an official taste-tester, Maddie has an adventurous palate, her parents say: She's tried everything from sea urchin to kimchi (not a big fan).

Jun and Crystal, who both have dads who are Navy veterans, say it means a lot to them to have Maddie representing military children, whose sacrifices often go unseen.

"We are supporting them and there for them, and acknowledge what they go through," Jun says.

Gerber Baby Maddie Mendoza with her big sister, a French bulldog. (Courtesy Gerber)

Gerber President and CEO Tarun Malkani apologized for getting a little choked up when he got to break the happy news to the Mendoza family.

This is truly the best part of my job, Malkani said. All babies are perfect, we know that, but I think Maddie really captured our hearts. Were super proud to have her represent us.

Jun and Crystal Mendoza have travelled the world, and say they can't wait to include Maddie on their adventures. (Courtesy Gerber)

In addition to being the Gerber Baby for 2023, Maddie wins the title of "Chief Growing Officer," a new wardrobe from Gerber's clothing line, a year's supply of Gerber products and a $25,000 prize. Gerber is also donating $25,000 to the March of Dimes' maternal and infant health programs, as well as $5,000 to Operation Homefront, which supports military families.

This year's contest included a twist: Parents were invited to send in their own baby pictures as well.

Gerber baby reveal (Courtesy Gerber)

Maddie looks so much like her mom Crystal as a baby that even Crystal's own mother was fooled when she saw their photos side by side.

"She was like, 'Oh, you used to have a dress like that!'" Crystal recalled her mother's reaction to seeing a 1987 photo of her, and thinking it was a new photo of Maddie.

"I was like, 'Mom, that's me," Crystal says with a laugh.

Maddie's parents are both first-generation Americans, and she comes from a proud military family. (Courtesy Gerber)

Both Crystal and Jun are first generation Americans, whose parents grew up in the Philippines. Crystal is a dentist who is preparing to return to work after her maternity leave with Maddie, and Jun, an allergist and immunologist, has served in the U.S. military for 16 years. The two were high school sweethearts.

Maddie is a "rainbow baby," meaning she was born after a pregnancy loss.

Watching their daughter win the Gerber Baby contest feels like "winning the lottery for babies," Crystal says.

Maddie is an adventurous eater who has tried everything from sea urchin to kimchi (not a big fan). (Courtesy Gerber)

The original "Gerber Baby" was Ann Turner Cook in 1928: A charcoal sketch of her face at 5 months old became the company's iconic image. Cook went on to become a teacher and a novelist, and died last year at the age of 95.

Her legacy lives on in the annual Gerber Baby Photo contest, which has crowned a new winner every year since 2010. Lucas Warren was the first Gerber baby with Down syndrome when he was selected in 2018. Last year, Isa Slish, the first Gerber spokesbaby with a limb difference, was chosen for the honor.

Ann Turner Cook, whose baby face launched the iconic Gerber logo (AP; Gerber)

Turner Cook embraced her role and enjoyed meeting the new Gerber babies over the years.

Its been wonderful to me to be the symbol for babies, she told TODAY in 2012. I can always be very proud of the product.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
A Greyhound bus hit three commercial vehicles parked on an Interstate 70 exit ramp overnight in southern Illinois, killing three of the people on board and seriously injuring at least 14, state police said.

It happened at about 1:55 a.m. on the exit ramp to the Silver Lake westbound rest area in Madison County, state police added. That's about 25 miles east of St. Louis.

Four of the injured were flown to hospitals by helicopter and at least ten were taken by ambulance. No one in the commercial vehicles was hurt, police said.

Greyhound told CBS News the bus was heading from Indianapolis to St. Louis and that the driver was among the people hospitalized.

"Our primary concern is ensuring we care for our passengers and driver at this time. We are working closely with local authorities and a relief bus is on the way for passengers," Greyhound spokesperson Lourdes Brown said.

State Police spokesperson Melaney Arnold told the Assoicated Press the commercial vehicles involved were semi tractor-trailers.

The crash closed westbound traffic on I-70 but one lane was later opened between mileposts 28 and 24, state police said.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it is sending team to investigate the crash.

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A 4-year-old girl has died after choking on food at a Costco in Washington state July 9.

In a statement to NBC News, Benton County Coroner William Leach said the girl was believed to be eating a hot dog when the incident occurred at Costco in Kennewick, Washington.

EMS removed the food from the girl's throat and she was subsequently transported to an area hospital, where she later died of asphyxia due to choking, Leach said.

The choking was "witnessed by several people" and bystanders at Costco attempted to provide CPR and use an AED, according to Leach.

Since the incident was witnessed and EMS was involved, no autopsy will be performed, the coroner added.

Leach said the girl was a few days away from her fifth birthday when the incident occurred, according to NBC affiliate KHQ.

According to KHQ, the Costco store was closed July 9, but has since reopened with normal operating hours.

TODAY.com has reached out to Kennewick Police Department and Costco for comment.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
By Josephine Walker

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's public approval rating held steady at 40% in early July, close to the lowest levels of his presidency, as economic worries continued to trouble Americans, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll this week.

The three-day online poll, which asked Americans, "Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Biden is handling his job as president?" and ended on Monday, showed a marginal decrease from his 41% approval rating a month earlier, within the survey's three percentage point margin of error.

The largest number of respondents -- 21% -- cited the economy as their top concern, following by 15% who cited crime or corruption. The White House in recent weeks has kicked off a series of events aimed to lift Americans' dour mood about the economy, touting what it calls the Democratic president's "Bidenomics" agenda.

Biden's rating is identical to his Republican predecessor Donald Trump's 41% approval at this point in his presidency, a relatively low number compared to their immediate predecessors, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican George W. Bush.

Respondents were evenly split in their views of the Supreme Court's decision last month to strike down Biden's student loan forgiveness program, with 49% supporting the decision and 48% opposed. A majority -- 60% -- said they supported the court's move to end the use of affirmative action in college admissions.

Some 70% of respondents said they would support term limits for Supreme Court justices, including 85% of Democrats and 56% of Republicans. The poll was conducted following the high courts term, which saw the court strike down college affirmative action programs as well as Biden's student debt plan.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online, in English, and collected responses from 1,028 adults, using a nationally representative sample.

(Reporting by Josephine Walker; Editing by Scott Malone and Alistair Bell)
DOGTOWN, ETHIOPIA

All it took was one skateboard. Musician Israel Dejene was working in Sweden when he fell in love with skateboarding and brought a board back to his neighborhood of Shiro Meda, on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, at the foot of Mount Entoto.

It was only one board, he says via video call, pointing a finger in the air. Soon everyone in the community was coming over to try it.

Young people from around the area came to his home where they would take turns skateboarding and talking about their lives. A small community soon formed, evolving into Megabi in 2007, a non-profit organization that improves the lives of Ethiopian youth through skateboarding, music and art.

(Credit: Photo courtesy of Megabi Skate)

I want the kids in my neighborhood to know that they are loved, their dreams are important, and through leading by example they can bring about real change, is his opening, inspiring statement on the Megabi website.

My goal is to inspire the neighborhood kids because thats who I am. Thats where I was born and raised, and I still live in the area, he says. We dont have any place for young people where they can express themselves. There are so many places where these kids can run into trouble and head down bad roads. The neighborhood is very poor and there is nothing to inspire them to dream big, to be positive throughout lifes struggles. I want to fix that.

Dejene and his team of mentors and leaders engage kids through creative pursuits and other activities. One leader, his younger sister, Muluken Dejene, has been skating for more than 15 years.

We always say that if we fall when we skate, we always get up to skate again  thats been a big lesson for me in my ups and downs, she says. Through skate, I know that I can overcome the challenges and troubles in life.

And its also a good workout so its very good for you too, she adds, smiling.

Israel vividly remembers one girl, Samuel, who started at Megabi at four years old. She wanted to drop into the ramp and do it by herself and I was so nervous. But when she dropped in, it was like the happiest, most satisfying thing. Its so exhilarating seeing them grow and improve.

The good work of Megabi has attracted the attention and support of pro skaters like Tony Hawk and Nyjah Huston, who helped build their bustling Megabi skatepark, which now has more than 30 skateboards and has seen hundreds of young people roll down its ramps over the years. Megabi translates to someone that gives life to others and was a nickname given to Israel by his father, because as a four year-old Israel would wake up early and walk to get bread for his family.

Israel says of the Megabi kids: When theyre on the board, theyre in their own world and it empowers them. He says that stems from the confidence built on the board, and, for the girls, conversations about problems they may be facing.

Its more than skateboarding. We have a meeting  a coffee ceremony  with the girls once a week and they talk about their problems and we all try to fix that problem. Thats whats really important to me.

Megabi has plans to build a community resource center and creative space where young people can access computers and other tools. (That has been slowed by the organization still recovering from a fire in 2021.)

Israel says girls and women in the area dont have a lot of free, personal time due to their cultural responsibilities at home.

We want to break that barrier so that girls can also find their own power and believe in themselves to do moreso they can see that their potential is greater than their circumstances, he says.

Because of her time at Megabi and having gained hope for more in life, one such girl, Idilawit, says she now has dreams of becoming a ground-breaking research scientist  and a skateboarder.

Yes, a scientist-skateboarder, she confirms. Thats what I want to be.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.

The post DOGTOWN, ETHIOPIA appeared first on SPIN.
Donald Trump will join Fox News anchor Sean Hannity for a town hall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on July 18, amid tensions between the former president and some Republicans in the state.

The town hall, which will air on Fox News from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET, will be pre-taped earlier in the day at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse Arena, the network announced Tuesday.

Hannity will take questions from the audience while discussing the 2024 presidential race, immigration, the economy and the overall state of the country with the former president, according to a press release.

The news comes as Trump risks a growing rift with Republicans in the Hawkeye State. The former president declined to take part in a forum being hosted by Tucker Carlson  himself a former Fox News personality  in Iowa this Friday, even though some of his top Republican rivals, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, will be participating.

The Friday forum, which is being run by the conservative group The Family Leader alongside Blaze Media, comes days after Trump drew headlines for attacking Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) over her approach to the 2024 race.

I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, & when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, & she won, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Monday. Now, she wants to remain NEUTRAL. I dont invite her to events! DeSanctus down 45 points!

Reynolds had appeared alongside DeSantiss wife, Casey DeSantis, at an event days earlier. There have also been reports that Trumps team has been frustrated by her relationship with the DeSantis campaign.

DeSantis and other 2024 Republicans were quick to rally around Reynolds following Trumps comments. And some Iowa Republicans, including veteran strategist David Kochel, openly expressed their frustration with the former president.

Still, most polls show Trump with a commanding lead over the GOP primary field, including one survey of Iowa voters taken in May that showed him with an overwhelming 42-point lead.

Meanwhile, Trump has joined several interviews with Fox News hosts, including Hannity and Bret Baier. Fox News announced Sunday that the former president will join anchor Maria Bartiromo for a pre-taped interview on her show Sunday Morning Futures on July 16 at 10 a.m.

His media engagements come as his relationship with Fox News has grown increasingly unpredictable and, often, contentious. Trump has railed on the network for focusing too much on DeSantis and has labeled Fox the DeSanctimonious Network, a nod to Trumps nickname for the governor.

Trump also called Baiers line of questioning hostile during Baiers recent one-on-one interview with the former president.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Another property insurer is dropping coverage in Florida.

Farmers Insurance will stop writing new business and not renew its existing Farmers-branded automobile, home and umbrella policies in the Sunshine State, the company said Tuesday.

On Monday, Farmers sent notice of its plans to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, which is reviewing it. Insurers must give the office 90 days' notice if they want to discontinue writing business in Florida.

This business decision was necessary to effectively manage risk exposure, the company said in a statement.

Floridians on average are paying about $6,000 for their yearly home insurance premium, an increase of 42% compared with last year, said Mark Friedlander, spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute. By comparison, the average annual premium in the U.S. costs $1,700.

The move will impact 30% of the company's business in Florida, or roughly 100,000 policies. Policyholders affected by the decision are required to be given 120 days' notice that their coverage will not be renewed.

Farmers joined Bankers Insurance, Centauri Insurance and Lexington Insurance, a subsidiary of AIG, in withdrawing from the market since last year, he added.

A Citizens Property Insurance Corporation billing document that Vinnette Williams received for her home in Boynton Beach. Citizens rolls continue to grow as other property insurers not to do business in Florida.

Farmers pulling out of Florida leaves residents few options, high costs

Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate Tasha Carter called the decision from Farmers Insurance "devastating for all Floridians."

"It creates a ripple effect  it directly impacts Farmers current policyholders who will be thrust into a position of having to find new insurance potentially during hurricane season and into a homeowners insurance market that is significantly limited in availability and affordability," Carter said.

Mel Montagne, president of Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe, a grassroots activist group in the Florida Keyes, who spoke out against the most recent rate increase proposed by Citizens Property Insurance, said he anticipates that this will result in increased insurance rates and more homeowners relying on the state-run insurer.

Citizens continues to grow, with 1.3 million policies as of the end of May.

"It's becoming the only insurer in the state of Florida, it seems," he said.

More: I almost had a heart attack: Florida homeowners rattled by property insurance costs

Policies under other Farmers brand names won't be affected

Policies under its other brands such as Bristol West, Foremost Signature, Farmers GroupSelect, Foremost Choice and Foremost-branded policies will not be affected.

This marks the latest stumble into instability for Floridas property insurance market. Seven Florida property insurers were declared insolvent in the past 18 months, and another 15 have stopped writing new business in the same time period, Friedlander said.

Farmers makes Florida second state it leaves, joining California

Florida is not the only state the insurance agency has exited the market. In May the company stopped accepting applications for business and personal lines and casualty insurance in California.

At the time, the company cited wildfire risks and construction costs as reasons for exiting the state and said in a news release it was, "necessary to take these actions now to improve the companys financial strength."

State lawmakers react

In a letter a Farmers executive Tuesday, Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky expressed that he would have preferred to speak with the company prior to being given notice, and that his office was "disappointed by the hastiness in this decision and troubled by how this decision may have cascading impacts to policyholders."

The decision to pull business from Florida was "made independently" of a number of legislative changes made to address the insurance market, Yaworsky wrote, and was "part of a broader series of actions Farmers is making across the country and not solely focused on Florida."

The letter also notes that Farmers committed to transferring affected policyholders to other insurance companies. Anyone who receives a nonrenewal notice from Farmers should contact their agent as soon as possible to seek other coverage.

State lawmakers attempted to address the property insurance crisis with two special sessions last year and the most recent regular session. This included stopping one-way attorney fees and prohibiting third parties such as roofers or contractors from being paid directly by insurance companies.

More: Citizens wants its rates to go up by double digits. Will insurance regulators agree?

State CFO Patronis calls out Farmers on Twitter

A day before the Farmers announcement was made public, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis tweeted that he heard rumors about Farmers leaving Florida and that the Department of Financial Services "is going to explore every avenue possible for holding them accountable."

"Don't get to leave after taking policyholder money. Can't write auto if you're not doing homeowners either. Zero communication!" Patronis wrote.

The Palm Beach Post reached out to the department on Tuesday for further comment and whether the policies under other Farmers brands would be looked into. A spokesperson did not respond and instead directed a reporter to the Office of Insurance Regulation.

Contributed: James Powel

Hannah Morse covers consumer issues for The Palm Beach Post. Drop a line at hmorse@pbpost.com, call 561-820-4833 or follow her on Twitter @mannahhorse.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Farmers Insurance pulling out of certain home policies in Florida
By Leah Douglas

(Reuters) - About 735 million people worldwide faced chronic hunger in 2022, a figure much higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic and which threatens progress towards a global goal to end hunger by 2030, said the United Nations on Wednesday.

A multi-year upward trend in hunger rates leveled off last year as many countries recovered economically from the pandemic, but the war in Ukraine and its pressure on food and energy prices offset some of those gains, the U.N. said in its annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report.

The result is that an estimated 122 million more people were hungry in 2022 than in 2019 and the world is "far off track" to meet the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goal of ending hunger by 2030, said the report. Instead, the report projects that 600 million people will be undernourished in 2030.

"We are seeing that hunger is stabilizing at a high level, which is bad news," said Maximo Torero Cullen, chief economist of the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in an interview with Reuters.

The main drivers of global hunger in recent years were conflict-driven disruption to livelihoods, climate extremes that threatened agricultural production, and economic hardship exacerbated by the pandemic, the report said.

Some parts of the world have seen hunger decline, including South America and most regions in Asia. But in the Caribbean, Western Asia, and Africa, hunger is rising.

To change the trend, nations must pair humanitarian aid with strengthening local food supply chains, said Kevin Mugenya, the food systems director for Mercy Corps, an international aid group, in an interview with Reuters.

"Countries need to have localized solutions," he said.

The report was compiled by the U.N.'s International Fund for Agricultural Development, Children's Fund, World Health Organization, World Food Programme, and FAO.

(Reporting by Leah Douglas, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
This photo, provided by Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency, shows police officers searching a mountain for the body of a buried baby in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, Tuesday. Yonhap



Police sought an arrest warrant for a woman Wednesday on charges of burying her newborn alive on a hill two days after giving birth in 2017.



The Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency applied for the warrant against the woman in her 30s on charges of murdering her 2-day-old son, officials said.



The woman is accused of burying the newborn on a hill near her mother's house in Gwangyang, 287 kilometers south of Seoul, two days after giving birth at a hospital in the nearby city of Mokpo in October 2017 as an unmarried mother.



She had initially told the police that the burial took place after the baby suddenly died while they were at her mother's home alone but later changed her stance to say the baby was buried alive.



She reportedly worked as a day care teacher for preschool children.



Police plan to look into whether the suspect had any accomplices although the man she named as the baby's biological father and his family insist they did not know the baby was born.



It marks the latest in a series of shocking baby abuse cases revealed as part of the government's ongoing campaign to check the well-being of more than 2,000 undocumented babies who have medical records of birth but no official birth registration. (Yonhap)


Actor Hill Harper announced on Monday his plans to run for US Senate in Michigan to fill retiring Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenows seat

We can all feel it: D.C just isnt getting things done for people. We need representatives wholl take on special interests, get money out of politics, and make our government work for all of us. Thats why today, Im announcing my campaign for U.S. Senate in Michigan, he tweeted on Monday.

Harper, who is known for his role on The Good Doctor and hosted HLNs original primetime series How It Really Happened, is running as a Democrat and will join a primary field that includes Michigan Rep. Elissa Slotkin, who announced her candidacy in February and is seen as a top contender.

The actor told CNNs Laura Coates on CNN Tonight Tuesday that a lot of Michiganders dont feel adequately represented in a strong, bold way.

They want representation of the people, as opposed to lobbyists, as opposed to big dollar donors and backroom deals, he said.

When asked by Coates what the contrast was between him and Slotkin, Harper described the primary as a massive challenge and noted that we dont even know who all the candidates will be in the race at this point.

He also said Tuesday that some Democrats told him not to run for the seat, which he shrugged off as part of the process.

Harpers campaign website touts him as a lawyer, actor, and single father. His announcement video is dedicated to his son, whom he adopted.

You see the world youre growing up in doesnt feel like its getting any better, its getting more divisive and more dangerous. When you told me you were afraid to go to school because of shootings, thats not freedom. Our economy works for the richest while the most vulnerable have to work even harder than ever to keep up, thats not freedom, Harper said in his campaign announcement video.

At the core of so much of this are too many politicians in office who dont really care about people, he added.

Michigans Senate seat is crucial for Democrats, as the state flipped from Donald Trump in 2016 to Joe Biden four years later. Democrats are defending 23 of the 34 Senate seats up for reelection next year, including three seats in states that backed Trump by at least 8 points in 2020: West Virginia, Montana and Ohio. Besides Michigan, the party is also defending seats in other battleground states such as Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Piper Hudspeth Blackburn contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
By Helen Coster, Tom Hals and Jack Queen

NEW YORK (Reuters) - An Arizona man filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News on Wednesday, alleging the network spread a conspiracy theory that he played a key role in the violent storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Ray Epps, who voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020, claimed in his lawsuit that Fox knowingly and recklessly spread claims that he was an undercover FBI agent who instigated the Jan. 6, 2021 attack as part of a government plot to discredit Trump.

This years-long campaign of disinformation, Epps claims in his suit, "destroyed" the lives of Epps and his wife.

Epps was interviewed by the Congressional select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack and the committee put out a statement saying he was not an FBI agent, according to the lawsuit.

Fox did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The lawsuit in Delaware state court comes as voting technology company Smartmatic is suing Fox for defamation, and several months after the company settled defamation claims brought by Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million.

The company acknowledged the court found some Fox claims about Dominion were false.

In June, Fox News' parent company Fox Corp settled for $12 million a lawsuit by former Fox News producer Abby Grossberg, who had claimed gender discrimination and accused the network's lawyers of pressuring her to make misleading statements in the Dominion case.

Epps is seeking compensatory and punitive damages in amounts to be determined at trial.

Epps traveled to Washington for the Jan. 6 "Stop the Steal" rally that preceded the storming of the Capitol, but he never entered the building and said in his lawsuit he tried to calm the crowd.

Epps claims that nearly a year after the attack, then-Fox host Tucker Carlson seized upon a conspiracy theory that the FBI was responsible for the insurrection and that Epps was part of that effort. Carlson told viewers in January 2022 that Epps was a "central figure" in the attack and "helped stage-manage the insurrection," according to the lawsuit.

Fox fired Carlson in April.

Epps is suing the network for defamation and false light, alleging that the statements about him on Fox "would lead the public to believe that Epps was a federal agent working to provoke or otherwise incite others to attack the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021."

(Reporting by Helen Coster and Jack Queen in New York, and Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; Editing by Jamie Freed)
By Kate Lamb and Stanley Widianto

JAKARTA (Reuters) -ASEAN foreign ministers on Wednesday called for regional unity in addressing an intensifying conflict in Myanmar, amid doubts over the bloc's capability to implement a two-year-old peace process that has yet to get off the ground.

The gathering of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta comes as patience wears thin among its 10 members over Myanmar's military rulers' refusal to halt hostilities and start inclusive dialogue, as agreed to by its top general in April 2021.

Myanmar has been beset by fighting since the military seized power in early 2021 before unleashing a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy opponents, which prompted a wave of retaliatory attacks by a resistance movement and ethnic minority armies.

ASEAN chair Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said she and her counterparts discussed implementation of the "five-point consensus", which is the only diplomatic process in play for achieving peace in Myanmar, where the United Nations estimates 1.5 million people have been displaced.

All members emphasised unity on the issue, she said, adding, that "without cessation of violence, there would never be a conducive environment needed for the start of dialogue and the delivery of aid".

Retno's remarks come after a Thai-led meeting last month attended by Myanmar's military leaders who have been barred from high-level ASEAN meetings. Most ASEAN members shunned that meeting, which Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai defended, saying Thailand was suffering in terms of its border, trade and refugee problems.

On Wednesday, Don revealed he had met with ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been in detention since shortly after the 2021 coup and is currently appealing sentences of 33 years in jail.

Suu Kyi was in good health, he said, without providing further details.

The Thai foreign ministry said in a separate statement the two had a "private one-hour meeting".

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Wednesday said the agreed peace plan should remain ASEAN's focus.

"Any other efforts must support the implementation of the five-point consensus," she said.

Rizal Sukma, an international relations expert at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Jakarta, said it was crucial that ASEAN stick with its plan.

"It provides legitimacy for ASEAN to get engaged in this issue, not to mention intervene," Sukma said.

"Without the five-point consensus, there is no basis for the intervention."

Indonesia is also working behind the scenes to kick-start the process by trying to bring all stakeholders together for talks.

Wednesday's retreat is also expected to discuss the protracted talks on an ASEAN-China code of conduct on the South China Sea, which started in 2017, 15 years after the idea was hatched.

China's coast guard has been accused by the Philippines of "aggressive acts" several times this year, while Vietnam has complained about a Chinese research ship and a flotilla of suspected militia lingering near its offshore energy projects.

China, which claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, maintains it is operating lawfully.

The Jakarta meetings come ahead of Friday's East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum, with top diplomats of the United States, Russia and China among those attending.

(Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty and Michael Perry)
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration calls it a student loan safety net. Opponents call it a backdoor attempt to make college free. And it could be the next battleground in the legal fight over student loan relief.

Starting this summer, millions of Americans with student loans will be able to enroll in a new repayment plan that offers some of the most lenient terms ever. Interest wont pile up as long as borrowers make regular payments. Millions of people will have monthly payments reduced to $0. And in as little as 10 years, any remaining debt will be canceled.

It's known as the SAVE Plan, and although it was announced last year, it has mostly been overshadowed by President Joe Bidens proposal for mass student loan cancellation. But now, after the Supreme Court struck down Bidens forgiveness plan, the repayment option is taking center stage.

Since the ruling Biden has proposed an alternate approach to cancel debt and also shifted attention to the lesser-known initiative, calling it the most affordable repayment plan ever. The typical borrower who enrolls in the plan will save $1,000 a month, he said.

Republicans have fought against the plan, saying it oversteps the presidents authority. Sen. Bill Cassidy, the ranking Republican on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, called it deeply unfair to the 87% of Americans who dont have student loans.

The Congressional Budget Office previously estimated over the next decade the plan would cost $230 billion, which would be even higher now that the forgiveness plan has been struck down. Estimates from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania put the cost at up to $361 billion.

Emboldened by the Supreme Court's decision on cancellation, some opponents say its a matter of time before the repayment plan also faces a legal challenge.

Heres what to know about the SAVE Plan:

WHAT IS AN INCOME-DRIVEN REPAYMENT PLAN?

The U.S. Education Department offers several plans for repaying federal student loans. Under the standard plan, borrowers are charged a fixed monthly amount that ensures all their debt will be repaid after 10 years. But if borrowers have difficulty paying that amount, they can enroll in one of four plans that offer lower monthly payments based on income and family size. Those are known as income-driven repayment plans.

Income-driven options have been offered for years and generally cap monthly payments at 10% of a borrowers discretionary income. If a borrowers earnings are low enough, their bill is reduced to $0. And after 20 or 25 years, any remaining debt gets erased.

HOW IS BIDENS PLAN DIFFERENT?

As part of his debt relief plan announced last year, Biden said his Education Department would create a new income-driven repayment plan that lowers payments even further. It became known as the SAVE Plan, and it's generally intended to replace existing income-driven plans.

Borrowers will be able to apply later this summer, but some of the changes will be phased in over time.

Right away, more people will be eligible for $0 payments. The new plan wont require borrowers to make payments if they earn less than 225% of the federal poverty line  $32,800 a year for a single person. The cutoff for current plans, by contrast, is 150% of the poverty line, or $22,000 a year for a single person.

Another immediate change aims to prevent interest from snowballing.

As long as borrowers make their monthly payments, their overall balance won't increase. Once they cover their adjusted monthly payment  even if it's $0  any remaining interest will be waived.

Other major changes will take effect in July 2024.

Most notably, payments on undergraduate loans will be capped at 5% of discretionary income, down from 10% now. Those with graduate and undergraduate loans will pay between 5% and 10%, depending on their original loan balance. For millions of Americans, monthly payments could be reduced by half.

Next July will also bring a quicker road to loan forgiveness. Starting then, borrowers with initial balances of $12,000 or less will get the remainder of their loans canceled after 10 years of payments. For each $1,000 borrowed beyond that, the cancellation will come after an additional year of payments.

For example, a borrower with an original balance of $14,000 would get all remaining debt cleared after 12 years. Payments made before 2024 will count toward forgiveness.

HOW DO I APPLY?

The Education Department says it will notify borrowers when the new application process launches this summer. Those enrolled in an existing plan known as REPAYE will automatically be moved into the SAVE plan. Borrowers will also be able to sign up by contacting their loan servicers directly.

It will be available to all borrowers in the Direct Loan Program who are in good standing on their loans.

WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS?

Supporters say Bidens plan will simplify repayment options and offer relief to millions of borrowers. The Biden administration has argued that ballooning student debt puts college out of reach for too many Americans and holds borrowers back financially.

Opponents call it an unfair perk for those who don't need it, saying it passes a heavy cost onto taxpayers who already repaid student loans or didnt go to college. Some worry that it will give colleges incentive to raise tuition prices higher since they know many students will get their loans canceled later.

Voices across the political spectrum have said it amounts to a form of free college. Biden campaigned on a promise to make community college free, but it failed to gain support from Congress. Critics say the new plan is an attempt to do something similar without Congress approval.

IS IT LEGAL?

That depends on who you ask, but the question hasnt been taken up by a federal court.

Instead of creating a new payment plan from scratch, the Biden administration proposed changes to an existing plan. It cemented those changes by going through a negotiated rulemaking process that allows the Education Department to develop federal regulations without Congress.

Its a process thats commonly used by administrations from both political parties. But critics question whether the new plan goes further than the law allows.

More than 60 Republicans lawmakers urged Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to withdraw the plan in February, calling it reckless, fiscally irresponsible, and blatantly illegal.

Supporters argue that the Obama administration similarly used its authority to create a repayment plan that was more generous than any others at the time.

The Biden administration formally finalized the rule this month. Conservatives believe its vulnerable to a legal challenge, and some say its just a matter of finding a plaintiff with the legal right  or standing  to sue.

___

The Associated Press education team receives support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
BEIJING (Reuters) -Beijing lashed back at NATO's accusation that China challenges the bloc's interests and security, and opposed any attempt by the military alliance to expand its footprint into the Asia-Pacific region.

In a strongly worded communique issued midway into a two-day summit in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius on Tuesday, NATO said the People's Republic of China (PRC) challenged its interests, security and values with its "ambitions and coercive policies".

"The PRC employs a broad range of political, economic, and military tools to increase its global footprint and project power, while remaining opaque about its strategy, intentions and military build-up," NATO heads of state said in their communique.

"The PRC's malicious hybrid and cyber operations and its confrontational rhetoric and disinformation target Allies and harm Alliance security."

The Chinese mission to the European said in a statement on Tuesday the China-related content of the communique disregarded basic facts, distorted China's position and policies, and deliberately discredited China.

"We firmly oppose and reject this," it said.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters at the summit that while China was not a NATO "adversary", it was increasingly challenging the rules-based international order with its "coercive behaviour."

"China is increasingly challenging the rules-based international order, refusing to condemn Russia's war against Ukraine, threatening Taiwan, and carrying out a substantial military build-up," he said.

However, NATO made no mention of Taiwan in its communique.

Taiwan's foreign ministry said it was "very meaningful" for Stoltenberg to once again clearly express his concern for security in the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan is a responsible, democratic member of the Indo-Pacific region, and is willing to work with like-minded partners such as Europe and the United States to jointly combat coercion by and challenges from authoritarian regimes, it added.

'SPREADING ITS TENTACLES'

Attendance at the two-day summit also includes some Asia-Pacific leaders.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, joining for a second time, aimed to remind the military alliance to pay heed to East Asia risks, while South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol sought deeper international security cooperation amid rising North Korean threats and tension over China.

In May, Kishida said Japan had no plans to become a NATO member, even though NATO was planning a Tokyo office, its first in Asia, to facilitate consultations in the region.

The Chinese mission said China resolutely opposed NATO's "eastward movement into the Asia-Pacific region" and warned any action threatening Beijing's rights would be met with a resolute response.

"Any act that jeopardises China's legitimate rights and interests will be met with a resolute response," it said.

In the communique, NATO said China sought to control key technological and industrial sectors, critical infrastructure, and strategic materials and supply chains, and that Beijing also used its economic leverage to create strategic dependencies and enhance its influence.

China's state-run Xinhua news agency hit back, saying in a report that the wars and conflicts involving NATO states suggest the bloc is a "grave challenge" to global peace and stability.

"Despite all the chaos and conflict already inflicted, NATO is spreading its tentacles to the Asia-Pacific region with an express aim of containing China."

(Reporting by Liz Lee and Ryan Woo; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by Michael Perry and Stephen Coates)
BEIJING (Reuters) -The United States has called on China to "cease its routine harassment" of vessels of other countries with claims in the South China Sea, reaffirming its support for a 2016 arbitration ruling, which China said on Wednesday it does not recognise.

The ruling handed down by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague seven years ago concluded that Beijing's claim to almost the entire South China Sea, where about $3 trillion worth of sea-borne goods pass every year, was groundless.

Saying that ruling was final and legally binding on the Philippines and China, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller in a statement on Tuesday urged Beijing to "comport its maritime claims with international law."

He also called on Beijing to "halt its disruption to states' sovereign rights to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources, and end its interference with the freedoms of navigation and overflight of states lawfully operating in the region."

But China, whose "aggressive" actions in the South China Sea have been the subject of hundreds of diplomatic protests filed by the Philippines, maintained it does not accept any claim or action based on the ruling.

"With its ruling, the tribunal violated the principle of state consent, went beyond its authority to hear the case and perverted law," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbing told a regular news conference.

To celebrate the anniversary of the arbitral award, which has received the backing of countries such as Japan, United Kingdom and Australia, the Philippines foreign ministry on Wednesday launched a website containing "official information" about Manila's legal victory against Beijing.

"We firmly reject attempts to deliberately diminish or undermine the Award's definitive legal effects in international law," Philippines foreign ministry undersecretary Theresa Lazaro told a forum on the South China Sea. "Having been made final, the Award is no longer contestable and is beyond compromise."

(Reporting by Beijing newsroom and Karen Lema in Manila; Writing by Bernard Orr; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
By David Kirton

SHENZHEN, China (Reuters) - China's Huawei Technologies is plotting a return to the 5G smartphone industry by the end of this year, according to research firms, signalling a comeback after a U.S. ban on equipment sales decimated its consumer electronics business.

Huawei should be able to procure 5G chips domestically using its own advances in semiconductor design tools along with chipmaking from Semiconductor Manufacturing International Co (SMIC), three third-party technology research firms covering China's smartphone sector told Reuters.

The firms, citing industry sources including Huawei suppliers, spoke on condition of anonymity because of confidentiality agreements with clients.

Huawei declined to comment. SMIC did not respond to a request for comment.

A return to the 5G phone market would mark a victory for the company that for almost three years said it was in "survival" mode. Huawei's consumer business revenue peaked at 483 billion yuan ($67 billion) in 2020, before plummeting by almost 50% a year later.

The Shenzhen-based tech giant once vied with Apple and Samsung to be the world's biggest handset maker until rounds of U.S. restrictions beginning in 2019 cut its access to chipmaking tools essential for producing its most advanced models.

The U.S. and European governments have labelled Huawei a security risk, a charge the company denies. Since then, Huawei has only sold limited batches of 5G models using stockpiled chips.

Stuck selling last-generation 4G handsets, Huawei fell from most rankings worldwide last year, when sales reached a low point, though it rose to a 10% market share in China in the first quarter, according to consultancy Canalys.

5G FORECASTS

One of the research firms said it expected Huawei to use SMIC's N+1 manufacturing process, though with a forecast yield rate of usable chips below 50%, 5G shipments would be limited to around 2 million to 4 million units. A second firm estimated shipments could reach 10 million units, without providing further details.

Huawei shipped 240.6 million smartphones worldwide in 2019, its peak year, according to Canalys, before selling its Honor unit that accounted for nearly a fifth of shipments that year.

The state-backed China Securities Journal newspaper this month reported Huawei had raised its 2023 mobile shipment target to 40 million units from 30 million at the start of the year, without referencing a return to 5G phones.

Huawei could produce 5G versions of flagship models like the iPhone rival P60 this year, with new launches likely in early 2024, the three research firms said, adding they were basing such predictions on information they had received via checks with contacts in Huawei's supply chain and recent company announcements.

However, U.S. restrictions cut Huawei off from Google's Android operating system and the bundle of developer services upon which most Android apps are based, limiting Huawei handsets' appeal outside of China.

CHIP DESIGN TOOLS

The research firms noted Huawei in March announced it had made breakthroughs in electronic design automation (EDA) tools for chips produced at and above 14 nanometre (nm) technology.

Chip design companies use EDA software to produce the blueprints for chips before they are mass manufactured at fabs.

The research firms, citing their own industry sources, believe Huawei's EDA software could be used with SMIC's N+1 manufacturing process to make chips at the equivalent of 7 nm, the powerful semiconductors typically used in 5G phones.

Washington barred SMIC from obtaining an advanced chipmaking tool called an EUV machine from Dutch firm ASML that is critical in the process of making 7 nm chips.

But some analysts have found signs SMIC has nevertheless managed to produce 7 nm chips by tweaking simpler DUV machines it could still purchase freely from ASML.

The second research firm said it noticed Huawei had asked SMIC to produce chip components below 14 nm this year for 5G products.

The forecast yield rate of less than 50% means that 5G chips are "going to be costly", said Doug Fuller who researches chips at the Copenhagen Business School.

"I guess if Huawei wants to eat the cost they can do this, but I don't see such chips as price competitive," Fuller said.

($1 = 7.2023 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by David Kirton; Editing by Jamie Freed)
By Phil Stewart and David Brunnstrom

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -China's ambassador to the United States held a rare meeting at the Pentagon on Wednesday with the top U.S. defense official for Asia, the Pentagon said, in talks that followed U.S. criticism of Chinese reluctance to engage in military communications.

A brief Pentagon statement said Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng discussed defense relations and "a range of international and regional security issues" in talks with Ely Ratner, a U.S. assistant secretary of defense.

"Ratner also underscored the Departments commitment to maintaining open lines of military-to-military communication between the United States and the PRC," Pentagon spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Martin Meiners said, using the acronym for China's official name.

The discussions lasted about 90 minutes, Meiners said.

China's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, said the meeting was "quite unusual."

"The Chinese ambassador does not often meet with U.S. senior defense officials," Sun said. "It suggests China is at least responding to US concerns, but the actual progress still requires time and negotiations."

With U.S.-China relations at a low over national security issues, including Taiwan, U.S. export bans on advanced technologies and China's state-led industrial policies, Washington has been trying to repair ties between the world's two biggest economies.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited China earlier this month and climate envoy John Kerry is expected to visit next week. Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Beijing last month, the first trip to China by a U.S. secretary of state since 2018.

But Beijing snubbed U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's efforts to hold an in-depth meeting with his Chinese counterpart at a defense forum in Singapore last month, and military communications have stalled.

"We have regularly reached out to thicken our crisis communications and crisis management channels with Beijing and they have serially pushed us off," Colin Kahl, the Pentagon's top policy adviser, told a forum in London on July 10.

China has publicly cited U.S. sanctions as an obstacle to military dialogue. Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu has been sanctioned since 2018 over the purchase of combat aircraft and equipment from Russia's main arms exporter, Rosoboronexport.

But Kahl said in London that China appeared to be concerned that Washington was going to use crisis management channels "so we can have more crises".

"When we have these conversations with them, they're like: 'If you don't want crises, there's a simple answer ... Get out. Like, you're not a Pacific power," Kahl said, adding that was a strange thing to hear as someone from the Pacific coast state of California.

Sun said Beijing was unlikely to accept a defense minister-level meeting with Austin unless Washington addresses the sanction on Li.

"Some have argued that the Li-Austin meeting would be a prerequisite for working-level mil-to-mil to resume. It doesnt have to be, but it makes sense given the protocol," Sun said.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart, David Brunnstrom and Rami Ayyub; editing by Mark Heinrich and Diane Craft)
The federal government awarded millions of dollars to Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to establish a new center that will focus on public health research.

The U.S Food and Drug Administration will give $50 million over five years to the universities to set up the research center, which will provide the federal agency infrastructure and tools to shorten the drug and device development process, according to a press release from UNC Chapel Hill.

The research center will also collaborate with North Carolina State University and North Carolina Central University.

The Research Triangle Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation is one of five programs like this in the country.

Other FDA-funded CERSI programs include the University of Maryland, the University of California at San Francisco in partnership with Stanford University and Johns Hopkins University.

The universities grant application proposed 38 projects on a wide range of research areas like machine learning, pediatric pharmacology, and population science.

This center will support many joint research projects involving FDA scientists to better inform regulatory decisions and thereby improve public health, said Dr. Paul Watkins, a UNC scientist who will help lead the center.

Teddy Rosenbluth covers science and health care for The News & Observer in a position funded by Duke Health and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work.
From left, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon and Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok shake hands at Dodamso, the former office for governors of Gyeonggi province, in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government





By Ko Dong-hwan







Seoul, Incheon and and Gyeonggi Province agreed to a deal, Tuesday, to cooperate in resolving problems the three local governments face.







Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok and Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon held a meeting in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province to sign the business partnership.







The meeting saw the leaders sign a deal to jointly tackle issues impacting citizens' daily lives, businesses and raise the prospects of attracting future international events.







The leaders agreed to jointly tackle mounting waste from households, businesses and construction sites in the capital region with a population of 26 million people. Waste has been going to the Sudokwon Landfill Site in Incheon for decades, but the capacity of the giant dumping ground is forecast to run out in a few years and its shutdown is inevitable, prompting the local governments to find alternate places to store waste.







Another issue that has been drawing attention is the construction of four new railway lines across the capital area for a rapid rail service called GTX. The parties agreed that the large-scale transit infrastructure project should be completed without delay.







Hosting international events that invite athletes, dignitaries from global organizations or other foreign visitors, also become a common agenda for the three local governments under the latest tripartite agreement. They agreed to allow access to local venues and jointly promote global events being held within the capital area.







They also agreed to put the region's local waterways that run across jurisdictional borders to more use by redeveloping infrastructure for docks and bringing in more vessels not just for tourism, but also for trade. They specifically eyed Gyeongin Ara Waterway, which connects the West Sea to the Han River through Incheon. The Seoul mayor has been particularly vocal about redeveloping the waterway, currently used only by sightseeing cruises, to transport people and equipment to promote trade.







From left, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon and Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok sign a deal to jointly tackle problems in the capital region, at Dodamso, Tuesday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government





Kim emphasized that their three meetings have finally borne fruit after signing the partnership deal.







"Now, it's time for the three governments to make some visible progress," he said. "Residents in the capital region should face less hectic commutes to workplaces over long distances and national regulations in the capital region that are relatively more stringent than other regions should be relaxed, and the three authorities should come up with a joint warning system for citizens in times of large-scale disasters."







"Today's meeting has attracted so much public attention because there are so many important issues to deal with in the capital region," the Incheon mayor said. "We should abide by the slogan 'Only for the citizens, only for the country.' Out of such a stance will we see promising policies and solutions that will satisfy all residents of Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi."







Having a partnership across jurisdictional borders to solve common problems promotes the discovery of solutions to local problems, according to Seoul's mayor.







"If the three governments sit down together often and continue to discuss matters consistently, nothing will be unsolvable," Oh said.







Through the meeting, they also picked 10 common tasks in their regions and agreed to work on them together.


By Orhan Coskun

ANKARA (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan's government will hold talks with its nationalist parliamentary ally on ratifying Sweden's NATO accession, a senior official said on Wednesday, after the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) appeared to a take negative view on the issue.

MHP leader Devlet Bahceli said on Tuesday that Sweden had failed to distance itself from terrorism, but added that Erdogan would make the final call about Sweden's membership bid.

Bahceli's comments echoed previous accusations by Erdogan, who said he expected Stockholm to do more against people Ankara considers terrorists, before unexpectedly agreeing to forward Sweden's NATO accession bid to parliament on Monday.

Erdogan's AK Party relies on the MHP for a parliamentary majority, which is required to push through the ratification. Other parties in parliament have not said whether they would support the move.

"There will be contacts with the MHP either by the president or by high levels of the government," a senior government official told Reuters on Wednesday.

"Bahceli's comments are not fully compatible with the steps that have been taken so far. The behind-the-scenes developments and the reasoning for the decision that was taken will be relayed to Bahceli and other MHP executives," the person said.

Separately, Turkey's parliament is due to close at the end of this week and will not re-convene until October. An immediate ratification would require Erdogan to request the extension of the parliament's closing date.

Ankara had accused Sweden of doing too little against people Turkey sees as terrorists, mainly members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the EU and the United States.

A statement issued by Turkey and Sweden on Monday said Sweden had reiterated that it would not provide support to the Kurdish groups and would actively support efforts to reinvigorate Turkey's EU accession process.

The senior official said the ratification would require some time, adding that Ankara still expected some steps from Stockholm regarding the PKK and the group Ankara accuses of orchestrating a 2016 failed coup.

"We need to see the steps that Sweden will take. We want to see Sweden implement steps that shows it is against terrorism and on our side," the person said.

Ankara also expected some "implicit" economic restrictions, including embargoes and restrictions of arms trade, by Sweden as well as other European Union and NATO countries to be lifted, the official said.

(Reporting by Orhan Coskun; Writing by Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by Alex Richardson)
California's governor had blocked previous bids to release Leslie Van Houten (right)

Leslie Van Houten, a former follower of notorious cult leader Charles Manson, has been released on parole after serving more than five decades of a life sentence for two brutal murders.

Van Houten, 73, was a 19-year old member of the "Manson family" when she took part in the murder of a Los Angeles grocer and his wife in 1969.

Five previous bids for her parole were blocked by California's governors.

That decision was later reversed by a state appeals court.

A former homecoming queen, Van Houten was the youngest Manson follower to be convicted of murder for her role in the death of a California grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife Rosemary.

During the killings - which took place just days after the murder of actress Sharon Tate and four others - Van Houten held down Rosemary LaBianca while someone else stabbed her. She later also admitted that she stabbed the woman after she was dead.

Van Houten's lawyer, Nancy Tetreault, told the BBC that she left a women's prison in California early on Tuesday morning and was likely to be on parole for three years.

"She had a long job of detaching herself from the cult mentality and accepting responsibility for her crimes" Ms Tetreault said. "It took her a long time. She had decades of therapy. So she felt guilt and deep remorse."

Charles Manson, considered one of America's most notorious cult leaders, directed his followers to commit nine murders and hoped the killings would start a race war, called "Helter Skelter" after a famous song by the Beatles. He died in prison in 2017.

Following her life sentence, Van Houten earned both a bachelors and masters degree while in prison, where she also worked as a tutor for other inmates.

After being denied parole dozens of times during her incarceration, Van Houten was finally recommended for parole in 2016. But the recommendations were rejected by California Governor Gavin Newsom and his predecessor, Jerry Brown.

The last time she was blocked from parole, in 2020, was ultimately overruled by a California appeals court.

On 8 July, however, Mr Newsom said that he would not block her parole this time, paving the way for her release on Tuesday.

In a statement last week, the governor said he remained disappointed at her release, which he said was unlikely to be heard by California's Supreme Court if the legal battle continued.

"More than 50 years after the Manson cult committed these brutal killings, the victims' families still feel the impact," the statement said.

Leslie Van Houten (right) was the youngest Manson follower to be convicted of murder for her role in the death of Leno LaBianca

Now out of prison, Van Houten is expected to spend about a year at a halfway house, where her lawyer said she would need to learn to navigate a reality much different to when she first was put behind bars.

"She has to learn to use the internet. She has to learn to buy things without cash," Ms Tetreault told the AP. "It's a very different world than when she went in."

In repeated parole hearings, Van Houten expressed regret for her role in the killings and involvement with Manson, later acknowledging that she had let him overpower her "individual thinking".

"I bought into it lock, stock and barrel," she said of his beliefs in a 2002 parole hearing. "I took it at face value".
The F/A-18D that crashed in March 2022 near Beaufort was caused by bird strikes into the planes engines according to crash investigation details released to Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet on Tuesday afternoon. The fighter jet was based out of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and the crash occurred on land owned by one of the states former governors.

A plume of smoke rises after a military jet from MCAS Beaufort crashed in an area near Halfmoon Island on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in northern Beaufort County. Submitted

These details and others result from a fifteen-month-long Marine Corps investigation into the crashs cause. First Lieutenant Hudson E. Sadler, a Marine Corps spokesman said, the bird strike and subsequent fire resulted in a serious situation for the aircrew, and were grateful both pilots survived with relatively minor injuries. The entire report was not released.

Smoke lingers in the sky hours after a fighter jet crashed Thursday, March 3, 2022 on Coosaw Plantation, the family property of former South Carolina governor and congressman Mark Sanford. Sarah Sanford Rauch/Provided

Recapping the March event

The $37 million F/A-18D crashed near Halfmoon Island just north of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort on March 3, 2022, causing a fire that spread across 40 acres and burned several 100-year-old live oak trees. The Coosaw Plantation land is owned by the family of former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford.

U.S. Navy contractors are seen removing soil containing jet fuel. Next, the team will bring in clean backfill soil to restore the impacted property. U.S. Navy

The jet was attached to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. According to Military.com, The F/A-18D is used primarily for attack, tactical air control, forward air control and reconnaissance squadrons. It operates as a two-seater jet. Before the fighter jet crashed and exploded, two pilots ejected safely by pulling an ejection handle that launched one cockpit followed by the other.

In this file photo, an F/A-18D Hornet from Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 prepares to land at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Lance Cpl. Jonah Lovy/Marine Corps

Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 31, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing conducted the investigation, which is now complete and endorsed, Hudson said. Prior to the Tuesday release of information, the Marine Corps had not provided any details about the cause of the crash.

Marine Corps Police block the road on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, at Witsell Road near Cattle Egret Lane after a military jet crashed near Halfmoon Island in Beaufort County. Drew Martin/dmartin@islandpacket.com

The fighter jet was 28 years old and nearing the end of its service life. It had flown 8,318 flight hours of its 9,000-hour service life.

The Marine Corps said the fighter jets age and flight hours were not factors in the crash. The review of its maintenance records showed it was properly maintained in accordance with all publications and safe for flight.
By James Pearson

LONDON (Reuters) - Hackers suspected of working for Russia's foreign intelligence agency targeted dozens of diplomats at embassies in Ukraine with a fake used car advert in a bid to break into their computers, according to a cybersecurity firm report seen by Reuters.

The wide-reaching espionage activity targeted diplomats working in at least 22 of the roughly 80 foreign missions in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, analysts at the Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42 research division said in the report, due to be published later on Wednesday.

"The campaign began with an innocuous and legitimate event," said the report. "In mid-April 2023, a diplomat within the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs emailed a legitimate flyer to various embassies advertising the sale of a used BMW 5-series sedan located in Kyiv".

The Polish diplomat, who declined to be identified citing security concerns, confirmed the role of his advertisement in the digital intrusion.

The hackers, known as APT29 or "Cozy Bear", intercepted and copied that flyer, embedded it with malicious software, then sent it to dozens of other foreign diplomats working in Kyiv, Unit 42 said.

"This is staggering in scope for what generally are narrowly scoped and clandestine advanced persistent threat (APT) operations," said the report, using an acronym often used to describe state-backed cyberespionage groups.

In 2021, U.S. and British intelligence agencies identified APT29 as an arm of Russia's foreign Intelligence Service, the SVR. The SVR did not respond to a request from Reuters for comment about the hacking campaign.

In April, Polish counterintelligence and cybersecurity authorities warned that the same group had conducted a "widespread intelligence campaign" against NATO member states, the European Union, and Africa.

Researchers at Unit 42 were able to tie the fake car advert back to the SVR because the hackers re-used certain tools and techniques which have previously been connected to the spy agency.

"Diplomatic missions will always be a high-value espionage target," the Unit 42 report said. "Sixteen months into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, intelligence surrounding Ukraine and allied diplomatic efforts are almost certainly a high priority for the Russian government".

USED BMW

The Polish diplomat said he had sent the original advert to various embassies in Kyiv, and that someone had called him back because the price looked "attractive".

"When I checked, I realised they were talking about a slightly lower price," the diplomat told Reuters.

SVR hackers, it turns out, had listed the diplomat's BMW for a lower price - 7,500 euros - in their fake version of the advert, in an attempt to encourage more people to download malicious software that would give them remote access to their devices.

That software, Unit 42 said, was disguised as an album of photographs of the used BMW. Attempts to open those photographs would have infected the target's machine, the report said.

Twenty-one of the 22 embassies targeted by the hackers and subsequently contacted by Reuters did not provide comment. It was not clear which embassies, if any, had been compromised.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson said they were "aware of the activity and based on the Directorate of Cyber and Technology Security's analysis found it did not affect Department systems or accounts."

As for the car, it was still available, the Polish diplomat told Reuters:

"I'll try to sell it in Poland, probably," he said. "After this situation, I don't want to have any more problems".

(Reporting by James Pearson; Editing by Conor Humphries)
By Sam Nussey and Miho Uranaka

TOKYO (Reuters) - SoftBank is considering a U.S. listing for its PayPay payments business, three sources familiar with the matter said, in what could mark another American listing for Masayoshi Son's sprawling tech conglomerate along with chip designer Arm.

New York is seen as a more attractive destination than Tokyo given the higher valuations tech companies generally achieve, one of the sources said. The timing of the listing was still unclear as money-losing PayPay needs to first demonstrate a clear path to profitability, the source said.

SoftBank has previously expressed an aim to list PayPay, with one executive saying in November it was worth just under 1 trillion yen ($7.17 billion). That the conglomerate is considering a U.S. listing has not been previously reported.

All of the sources declined to be identified as the information is not public.

Representatives for PayPay and SoftBank Group's domestic telecoms business, SoftBank Corp, said they did not comment on speculation. PayPay is owned by SoftBank Corp, its internet business, Z Holdings, and the group's second Vision Fund.

SoftBank founder Son recently pledged to shift to "offence mode" amid rising global interest and investment in artificial intelligence. He been playing defence for some time, curbing investment after the tech sell-off hit the value of portfolio companies hard.

PayPay, which offers QR code payment services, is used by more than 55 million people in Japan, making it a top player in a crowded digital payments market.

It has benefited from a government-backed effort to encourage consumers to shift towards digital away from cash and grew quickly by offering aggressive rebates.

SoftBank is planning an initial public offering for Cambridge, England-based chip designer Arm in the U.S. as it looks to raise funds following the slump in tech valuations.

($1 = 139.5500 yen)

(Reporting by Sam Nussey and Miho Uranaka; Editing by David Dolan)
WASHINGTON  Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee grilled FBI Director Chris Wray Wednesday about the alleged weaponization of law enforcement agencies against former President Donald Trump and conservatives and accused the FBI of failing to aggressively go after the Bidens.

Democrats on the panel pressed Wray about Trumps involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack and the former presidents mishandling of classified documents for which he has been charged.

With the focus quickly turning to the critical 2024 election, lawmakers in both parties on Wednesday attempted to use Wrays high-profile appearance on Capitol Hill to score political points and beat up the opposing party. The fiery hearing lasted for nearly six hours.

Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a top Trump defender, lodged a litany of complaints against Wray, accusing the FBI of downplaying the Hunter Biden laptop story before the 2020 election, supporting the suppression of conservative voices on social media, tracking threats against school boards and retaliating against whistleblowers.

I havent even talked about the spying that took place of a presidential campaign or the raiding of a former presidents home, said Jordan, who also leads the GOPs new Weaponization subcommittee. Maybe whats more frightening is what happens if you come forward and tell Congress youre a whistleblower. Come tell the Congress whats going on? Look out. You will be retaliated against.

FBI Director Wray faces grilling by GOP House members (Bill Pugliano / Getty Images file)

Throughout the hearing, Wray, who was appointed by Trump in August 2017, defended his employees work, touting the FBIs progress in addressing violent crime, protecting the U.S. from foreign threats, seizing dangerous drugs like fentanyl and investigating the Chinese government. At one point, he called it insane that he was being accused of political bias against conservatives, given his own background; Wray, as Democrats noted at the hearing, is a registered Republican.

In one heated exchange with Wray, conservative firebrand Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., read the director an alleged 2017 text message from Hunter Biden to a Chinese businessman in which the younger Biden claimed he was sitting with his father  which President Biden has denied. A lawyer for Hunter Biden has said the text is fake.

Gaetz called it a shakedown of the businessman, then accused Wray of being deeply uncurious about the Hunter Biden text.

Are you protecting the Bidens? Gaetz asked the director.

Absolutely not, Wray replied.

Gaetz later lambasted the FBI for abusing FISA warrants, accusing the agency officials of using the FISA process as their, like, creepy personal snooping machine.

People trust in the FBI more when J. Edgar Hoover was running the place than when you are, Gaetz told Wray, and the reason is because you dont give straight answers.

Democrats used their time with Wray to train their fire on Trump. New York Rep. Jerry Nadler, the top Democrat on the panel, asked Wray to detail how exactly the FBI had executed a search warrant at Trumps Mar-a-Lago golf resort to recover classified documents and the extent the government went to get the material before taking that serious step.

President Trump had many, many chances to voluntarily comply with the FBI and DOJ requests. Instead, he made the choice to keep these highly classified defense and national security documents, Nadler said, calling it "absurd" that Republicans would attack the FBI "for doing their job and ensuring that no person is above the law.

When in doubt, Chairman Jordan investigates the investigators, Nadler said of his GOP counterpart.

Wray did receive some unusual praise from one conservative on the committee during the hearing.

Youre still a registered Republican, and I hope you dont change your party affiliation after this hearing is over, Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., a member of the far-right Freedom Caucus, told Wray.

I want to thank you, he continued. I want to thank you for leading an agency ... that protects Americans from foreign terrorists, an agency that protects Americans from spies from China and Russia and cybercrime and public corruption and organized crime and drug cartels and human traffickers and white-collar criminals."

The oversight hearing comes as special counsel Jack Smith pursues an indictment of Trump over his alleged mishandling of classified documents and an investigation of the former president for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Wrays appearance also comes after House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., had threatened to initiate proceedings to hold the FBI director in contempt of Congress.

In his opening statement, Wray said it was important to him to highlight the FBIs work that gets less attention. I want to talk about the sheer breadth and impact of the work the FBIs 38,000 employees are doing, each and every day because the work the men and women of the FBI do to protect the American people goes way beyond the one or two investigations that seem to capture all the headlines, he said.

Last year, the FBI arrested more than 20,000 violent criminals and child predators, Wray told lawmakers, an average of almost 60 bad guys taken off the streets per day, every day.

Wray said that the FBI is conducting more than 300 investigations into the leadership of drug cartels and has already seized hundreds of kilograms of fentanyl this year alone. The bureau, he said, also has thousands of active investigations into the Chinese governments efforts to steal our most precious secrets, rob our businesses of their ideas and innovation, and repress freedom of speech right here in the United States.

And thats just scratching the surface; the men and women of the FBI work tirelessly every day to protect the American people from a staggering array of threats, he said.

In a lengthier prepared statement submitted to the committee outlining the FBIs top priorities, Wray also emphasized the urgent legislative matter of renewing provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that are set to expire at the end of the year, including a statute, Section 702, that allows the federal government to conduct warrantless surveillance of foreigners outside the U.S., even if theyre communicating with Americans.

Wray warned, Loss of this vital provision, or its reauthorization in a narrowed form, would raise profound risks. It could mean substantially impairing, or in some cases entirely eliminating, our ability to find and disrupt many of most serious security threats, he said.

Jordan has criticized the FBI and Wray on numerous topics, including a federal investigation into Hunter Biden, who is expected to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of failure to pay taxes. The presidents son also faces a separate felony gun possession charge that is likely to be dismissed if he meets certain conditions.

Earlier this year, Jordan subpoenaed Wray for documents after the GOP chairman said a withdrawn memo had focused on the FBI exploring possible domestic violent extremism in Catholic churches. He also subpoenaed Wray and other members of the Biden administration for documents related to local school board meetings amid claims that FBI divisions had focused on potential threats at such meetings.
President Biden celebrated Finland's addition to NATO  and Sweden's impending membership  on Wednesday, but fierce arguments over when and how Ukraine should join the Western alliance overshadowed a moment the administration has hailed as a diplomatic triumph.

Capping a high-stakes summit in the Lithuanian capital city of Vilnius, Biden said he remained "optimistic" about NATO's future, declaring that it was stronger and more united than ever in its history.

"We will not waver," Biden said to a crowd of thousands in a courtyard at Vilnius University. "Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes."

The question of Ukraine's membership has split the North Atlantic Treaty Organization since Russia's February 2022 invasion.

France, Lithuania and Poland have argued that the alliance should detail exactly how and when Kyiv might join. But the U.S. and Germany have warned that a fast-tracked bid would put NATO in a direct  and possibly nuclear  confrontation with Moscow.

Turkey dropped its objection to Sweden's bid for membership just as NATO's annual summit kicked off on Monday, putting the bloc's focus squarely on the Ukraine dispute.

The alliance released a heavily qualified diplomatic statement on Tuesday that declared "Ukraine's future is in NATO," but failed to lay out a real plan for when that might occur. NATO leaders said the bloc would "be in a position to extend an invitation" once all allies agreed and Ukraine met certain unspecified conditions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky bashed the proposed language as "absurd" when it was leaked ahead of its official release Tuesday, but softened his tone Wednesday. He expressed gratitude for the substantial package of aid that was announced at the summit.

During a meeting with Biden, the Ukrainian leader said unity among NATO members and security guarantees amounted to "success."

Biden conceded Zelensky must feel "the frustration, I know," but assured him the U.S. would be a long-term partner for Ukraine.

"I know, youre many times frustrated about what things get to you quickly enough, and whats getting to you and how were getting there," Biden told Zelensky. "But I promise you: The United States is doing everything we can to get you what you need as rapidly as we can get it to you."

The alliance's communique about Ukraine is "a modest step forward but it could have been better," said Daniel Fried, a former U.S. ambassador to Poland and assistant secretary of State for Europe. "The Biden administration could have gone further and been a little more forward leaning, but they ended up on the right side of an important line, which is whether Ukraine ultimately is part of the European and transatlantic family or whether it belongs to the Kremlin."

The alliance established a new NATO-Ukraine Council to include Kyiv on security discussions and simplified Ukraine's process to join by removing the "membership action plan," which would have required a multiyear reform effort to meet NATO standards.

Ukraine is "now closer to NATO than ever before" after NATO leaders lifted the "membership action plan" requirement, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday.

"If you look at other membership processes, there have not been timelines," Stoltenberg said in defense of the alliance's ambiguous language on Kyiv's membership. "They are condition based  has always been."

Read more:Ukraine and expansion top NATO agenda as Biden tries to cement unity

Biden and Group of Seven leaders also unveiled a joint declaration on Wednesday to provide Kyiv with long-term security commitments to modernize its military capabilities and support training for Ukrainian forces to fend off future Russian attacks.

The declaration will launch negotiations between Kyiv and individual countries on future investment and send a message to Russia "that time is not on its side," according to Amanda Sloat, the senior director for Europe at the National Security Council.

Earlier on Wednesday, Zelensky tweeted that although he was grateful for the security guarantees, "the absolute majority of our people expect specifics" about the conditions it must meet in order to receive an invitation.

NATO previously promised Ukraine and Georgia membership at a 2008 summit in Bucharest, but 15 years later has still failed to fulfill its pledge. That history has played a role in the bloc's cautious approach in Vilnius, Mary Elise Sarotte, a historian and author of "Not One Inch," a book detailing the history of NATO in the lead-up to and after the collapse of the Soviet Union, said.

"There's been a lot of damage and consequences of over-promising and under-delivering," Sarotte said, pointing to Russia's invasion of Georgia in 2008 and annexation of Crimea in 2014. "And now we're in wartime, not peacetime, so the cost would be even higher."

Any quick entry would likely bring NATO to war with Russia  a scenario Biden and his foreign counterparts have been trying to avoid.

"As soon as Ukraine has fixed borders, they should be in NATO. But right now, it would fracture alliance unity, it would help divide Ukraine  which is what Russia wants  and it would undermine Article 5," Sarotte said, referring to the NATO clause that requires collective defense of all its members.

The alliance's internal tensions spilled into public view on Wednesday when national security advisor Jake Sullivan defended the decision to delay Ukraine's membership in a tense exchange with Ukrainian activist Daria Kaleniuk, who accused Biden of being "afraid of Russia."

"The American people do deserve a degree of gratitude ... for their willingness to step up," Sullivan said.

Biden, too, has been blunt that he does not think Ukraine is ready for membership. Before leaving Vilnius, he told reporters that Zelensky understood that "whether or not he's in NATO now is not relevant" because of the commitments made by the alliance.

The president said he had been briefed on Ukraine's counteroffensive and would consider sending Ukraine long-range missiles.

"We accomplished every goal we set out to accomplish," Biden said of the gathering.

The White House has touted Biden's ability to hold the alliance together in the face of Russian aggression as a foreign policy accomplishment and a crucial argument in his bid for a second term in 2024. The president will host NATO's 75th anniversary summit next July, four months before the election.

Since Moscow's invasion, Washington has directed more than $75 billion in humanitarian, financial, and military support for Ukraine, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. The president has also rallied other nations to provide security assistance and weaponry in Ukraine's war effort.

As the war drags on, and with Kyiv's month-old counteroffensive off to a slow start, Biden and NATO leaders will have to convince their respective countries that the billions' worth of aid has not been wasted.

A last-minute decision by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to greenlight Sweden's entrance into the alliance, after stalling it for more than a year, gave Biden and Western allies a tailwind before the summit kicked off.

The breakthrough came hours before Biden arrived in Vilnius, and after a pressure campaign that included a White House visit by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson last week and a phone call to Erdogan while Biden traveled aboard Air Force One to Europe.

"I want to thank you for your diplomacy and your courage to take that on, Biden told Erdogan in a face-to-face sitdown Tuesday.

Part of that effort also entailed working to strike an agreement to sell Ankara the F-16 fighter jets that it has long sought. That deal had been held up by Congress over concerns about Turkey's increasingly anti-democratic policies, antagonism toward Greece and other neighbors and Erdogan's delay of Sweden's bid.

U.S. officials insist the F-16 sale is unrelated to the diplomatic push on Sweden's membership, but Biden suggested in the CNN interview that an agreement could be imminent. Sullivan announced Tuesday that Washington would move ahead with the transfer of F-16 fighter jets, in consultation with Congress, but lawmakers have yet to approve the deal.

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Monday he was working with the Biden administration on his concerns about the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, and he expected to have a decision within the next week.

Biden will end his five-day trip to Europe on Thursday with a stop in Helsinki, where he'll take another victory lap to extol alliance unity with Finland's addition as the 31st member of the military bloc in April.

"The defense of freedom is not the work of a day or a year. It's the calling of our lifetime  of all time," Biden said in his Vilnius speech. "Our unity will not falter, I promise you."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Queen Street

A new restaurant and raw bar from the team behind one of L.A.s 101 best restaurants just opened in Eagle Rock and is drawing lines out the door for oysters, Southern-inspired seafood dishes and specials like fried pickled green tomatoes. Queen Street is the latest concept from Last Word Hospitality, the restaurant group behind Found Oyster, Caipirinha Bar and Barra Santos (which recently opened in nearby Cypress Park ). At its newest, the inspiration is the variety of seafood grill one can find in Charleston, S.C., where chef-partner Ari Kolender grew up on she-crab soup and tomato bread pudding.

His childhood-favorite fried flounder with apricot chutney here features an apricot agrodolce, and the barbecued prawns are dressed in Calabrian-inspired aged-sherry vinegar. There are deviled crab fritters, baked potato with pimento cheese and hush puppies with a trout-roe add-on. I'm never not going to not cook that way, and we even do that stuff at Found sometimes, Kolender said. But we're not a Southern restaurant. We're still using the bounty of California.

Much like at Found Oyster, Last Word Hospitalitys other popular seafood restaurant, Queen Street will still source some seafood from the Northeast and California but also items such as blue crab from Maryland, Gulf shrimp and oysters from Charleston when in season. Also new is that almond-wood-fired grill for pork chops, lamb ribs, tuna, squid and more, and a kitchen that more than doubles the kitchen of Found. Queen Street offers more than double the seating of Found and reserves about 20 seats around a large wooden horseshoe-shaped bar for walk-ins, where managing director and partner Joe Laraja might be spotted shucking oysters. Personal photos, including one of Kolenders grandfather eating seafood, can be spotted on the gallery wall.

Wine director Eva Goreshnik curates a list of French, Italian, Californian and additional wines by the glass and bottle, plus sake, sherry and an additional captains list of rarer pours. After more than two years of planning and construction, Queen Street is now open from 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, with plans to expand to daily service eventually.

4701 E. York Blvd., Los Angeles, queenstla.com

Hollywood's Linden riffs on the flavors of New York and chef Jon Harris' upbringing there, weaving cultures and cuisines together for dishes like jerk duck with coconut-and-pea risotto. (Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

Linden

Linden  a culture-bending ode to New York, the Caribbean and Jewish cuisine  is now open in Hollywood with jerk duck over risotto, oxtail matzo ball soup, banana-pepper lobster rolls and a carbonara take on the bacon, egg and cheese deli sandwich. Linden, the first restaurant from chef Jon Harris, is in the former home of Ronnies on Sunset and features cultures and flavors from every type of community that you can find on Linden Boulevard from Long Island to Brooklyn.

I've been to more bar mitzvahs than barbecues, he said. Being from Long Island and having deep roots that are Caribbean, it's like: With New York being a melting pot of that, it's my whole chemical build. You can go from Jewish food to Italian to Caribbean to Southern.

In a nod to his time spent cooking in the Northeast, Harris' lobster roll features banana-pepper aioli as well as tempura leeks. (Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

The third-generation chef cooked in Boston and Rhode Island before teaching cooking classes in New Jersey and using his apartment to host a 26-seat supper club. He moved to Los Angeles in late 2020, where he also debuted his supper club, the Apartment, setting the wheels in motion for Linden. At the new restaurant, his oxtail matzo ball soup was inspired by taking a trip to Katzs in New York City with his Antiguan and Barbudan grandfather, and the restaurants bread service is both an ode to learning how to make challah and fresh butter in school thanks to a teacher, Miss Bezalel, and a nod to the fresh focaccia hed find in Italian restaurants with his father on Long Island. The traditional side of peas and carrots wind up as freshly made spaetzle, while the rugelach bread pudding  because his grandfather always kept rugelach at the ready  involves croissants, doughnuts, bagels and, of course, the Jewish cookie, all under a blanket of Chantilly cream.

The beverage program weaves in Trinidadian and Jamaican influence in a nod to business partner Scott Williams roots, with sorrel, pineapple, ginger beer and more. Rob Vinokur, a partner in the previous restaurants that inhabited the block, is also a partner here and will be involved with Harris plans for an adjacent speakeasy as well as a walk-up window for jerk chicken served in quarters, halves and whole. During its soft opening, Linden is open from 5 p.m. to midnight Thursday to Sunday, with operations extending from Tuesday to Sunday after a grand opening slated for August.

5936 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, instagram.com/lindenlosangeles

Donnas

Michael Francesconi and Matthew Glaser, the owners of Lowboy, Bar Flores and Little Tokyos Wolf and Crane, are bringing East Coast-inspired Italian American cuisine to their block of restaurants in Echo Park, with piccata, marsala, red-sauce pasta, parm-covered garlic bread and a bar program thats serving variants on negronis, martinis and other Italian cocktail classics.

Echo Park's Donna's serves red-sauce classics such as shrimp scampi, meatballs and parm-topped garlic bread. (Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

Donnas, which took over Adamae on Sunset Boulevard, sits adjacent to Lowboy and beneath Bar Flores. Chef Sathia Sun (formerly of Union and Felix) is serving his spin on checkered-tablecloth icons with items like head-on prawn scampi, fried calamari with pomodoro and squid-ink aioli, a tonnato Caesar salad, rolled lasagna bolognese and grilled swordfish with olives and pine nuts. Karla Flores-Mercado, a partner in Bar Flores, is heading up the cocktail program, which includes Italian spirits and amari, while the wine program focuses on wines from Italy as well as California and elsewhere.

The space, transformed from the minimalist white walls and open floor plan of Adamae, now involves more nooks, color and archways for a cozier dining room and bar that seats roughly 70. For Francesconi and Glaser, Donnas marks 20 years of dreaming of opening an Italian restaurant together, an idea discussed since their time as college roommates. It also wont be the last project for their restaurant group, Park Hospitality: Another, to-be-announced concept is in the works, though after that they might rest a bit. Doing this block was a big endeavor, Francesconi said. I think we just want peace with it. Now that the last spot is in place, lets just enjoy it. It's been 3 years of getting the whole building and block off the ground. Donnas is open from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday.

1538 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 266-8132, donnasla.com

Casalena

A sprawling new Mediterranean restaurant and bar in Woodland Hills, with nods to coastal Spain, Italy and European resorts, is taking over the former Villa Restaurant space. Casalena, with multiple dining rooms and a large patio spread across 8,000 square feet, serves charred octopus with chorizo vinaigrette, whipped eggplant with pickled peppers, steaks and lamb chops, grilled Caesar salad, pizzas, crudo, whole branzino, Wagyu pappardelle and more. The kitchen is helmed by executive chef Lobo Leon (formerly of the Rose, Cento Pasta Bar) and culinary director Danielle Sobel (Catch LA), who plan to launch lunch and brunch services later this summer. Cocktails include martinis, a Calabrian-chile take on the paloma, a Mediterranean margarita laced with orange marmalade, and a blood-orange spritz, with European and California wines and Italian and Spanish beers. Casalena is the latest project and first restaurant from siblings Chloe, Brandon and Tyler Makhani of hospitality and realty group Avondale Equities, and was constructed on the site of where their parents got married and former restaurant. After years of planning and renovations, the new restaurant and bar are now open from 5 p.m. to midnight Sunday to Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, the restaurant is open from 5 p.m. to midnight, with the bar open until 2 a.m.

22160 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, (818) 704-1185, casalena.la

Bastion Bakery

Grand Central Markets newest vendor is serving croissants, financiers, French baguettes, whole-grain loaves of bread and more treats from the team behind lauded wholesale operation Bakers Kneaded. At Bastion Bakery, founders Sara and Julian Partovi and Bakers Kneadeds Carlos Enriquez are specializing in B.K. Buns  round croissants filled with jams and creams in flavors such as pistachio and strawberry  plus selling other desserts and pastries such as brownie caramel tarts, Nutella croissants, strawberry tarts, kouign-amann and ham-and-cheese croissants made with French butter and whole grains. Coffee from pop-up Refined Grind is also on offer. Bastion Bakery is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

317 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, instagram.com/bastionbakery

Thicc Burger

Pop-up Thicc Burger serves the kind of hearty beef patties that owner Jean "Jay" Wolfe grew up eating in L.A. (Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

After years away, a popular burger pop-up has returned to Los Angeles with a new food truck  and soon, a new location within the Original Farmers Market. A pandemic-spurred pivot for private chef Jean Jay Wolfe, Thicc Burger brought the kind of thick, 4-ounce burgers they grew up eating at the likes of Fatburger and Hawkins House of Burgers to parking lots and breweries around L.A. In 2021, Wolfe took Thicc Burgers pastrami burgers, chili cheese fries and more to Texas, New York, Georgia and beyond, but returned with a food truck this year. Shortly thereafter, the Original Farmers Market awarded Thicc Burger a 1,500-square-foot stall along 3rd Street through its New Originals contest. Aiming to open there in mid-August, Wolfe plans an expanded menu that features plant-based and build-your-own options, plus breakfast items such as a burrito, a play on the McGriddle sandwich, fried chicken biscuits and specials such as shrimp and grits on Sundays.

It'll be kind of like the old-school burger joints that I ate at in Inglewood growing up, Wolfe said. I hope to bring that old-school L.A. back to L.A. The Farmers Market is a piece of our history, so keep it classic. The truck will be used for catering and events once the stall opens. In the meantime, it can be found popping up in various locations each week. Thicc Burger is slated to open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

6333 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, thiccburgers.com

Blitzens in July pop-up

Arts District bar Here and Now is reprising its annual Christmas in July pop-up this month, bringing back the holly, jolly cocktails, festive bites and programming that can also be found during its winter pop-up, Blitzens. Blitzens in July runs July 11 to 30 with such cocktails as boozy hot cocoa, a fig-tinged apple brandy old-fashioned, naughty and nice shots, spiced spiked cider and a rum-and-sherry eggnog variant, with other options inspired by the Grinch, the Festival of Lights and candy cane forests. The food menu features a cross-cultural smattering of holiday classics, including tamales, latkes, turkey leftover sandwiches and baked Brie, while this years programming involves carolers, Christmas burlesque, visits from Santa and holiday-themed drag queen bingo. Here and Nows Blitzens in July pop-up runs from 5 p.m. to midnight Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday and from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

300 S. Santa Fe Ave., Suite N, Los Angeles, (213) 262-9291, hereandnowdtla.com

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Across a wide swath of the U.S. from Texas to Nevada, a major heat wave that is threatening to break temperature records continued to bake parts of the South and Southwest on Wednesday, sending people scrambling for relief and adding to what has become a series of weather extremes that researchers say fit the pattern of a warming environment.

Temperatures well into the triple digits are expected this weekend from California to Texas to Florida, with parts of Nevada forecast to reach 116 degrees Fahrenheit and cities in Arizona expected to hit a staggering 118 F.

Today is Day 12 of 110-plus, and the exclamation on this event is yet to come, said David Hondula, who directs the Phoenix Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, which was gearing up for a weekend spike in temperatures.

A lady walks under misters outside a restaurant, Wednesday, July 12, 2023 in Gilbert Ariz. Even desert residents accustomed to scorching summers are feeling the grip of an extreme heat wave smacking the Southwest this week. Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Southern California are getting hit with 100-degree-plus temps and excessive heat warnings. (AP Photo/Matt York) (Matt York / AP)

Last month was the warmest June globally since at least 1850, when record-keeping began, according to a new report by Berkeley Earth, a nonprofit research organization that focuses on climate data analysis. The report found that June 2023 broke the previous record, set last year, by a large margin, putting the planet on track for one of the warmest years on record  if not the warmest.

The report comes as long stretches of oppressively high heat and humidity grip much of the U.S., with those across the entire southern portion of the country bearing the brunt of extreme temperatures. And theres no end in sight.

Hondula said his primary concern was the citys population of people experiencing homelessness.

We know there will be hundreds of people living on the street during this heat event and at much, much higher risk than everybody else, Hondula said.

Last year, heat played a role in 425 deaths in Maricopa County, where Phoenix is, according to a report released this June. About 56% of the heat deaths involved people experiencing homelessness.

A resident tests the temperature of drinking fountain water during a heatwave in Austin, Texas, US, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. A record-breaking heat wave is about to send temperatures soaring from California to the Gulf of Mexico, posing health risks and straining power grids for days to come. (Sergio Flores / Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Hondula said a small team within his office was traversing the city, contacting unsheltered people, handing out supplies and helping direct them to cooling centers for relief.

The status quo is just not good enough. We have a lot more to do locally, Hondula said, adding that he was concerned because critical nighttime temperatures were slated to exceed 90 F for several more days. The lack of respite has been a concern over this whole period.

Meanwhile, local heat-relief centers were seeing a surge in visits.

"We're packed," said the Rev. Katie Sexton-Wood, the executive director of the Arizona Faith Network, an interfaith nonprofit organization that organizes and operates 11 heat-relief centers at Maricopa County houses of worship.

Since May, 4,144 visitors had taken refuge in such centers, which typically operate from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. and offer sleeping mats, food, water and case workers. Trailers designed for showers and wellness checks visit each of the sites. Staff are trained to administer naloxone in case of an overdose.

It is life-threatening to be outside in those temperatures. We have seen those numbers skyrocket in the past two weeks, Sexton-Wood said of visits to the participating churches, adding that each facility had moved its cooling center into bigger rooms to accommodate the demand.

Studies have shown that as the world warms, climate change is increasing the frequency, severity and duration of extreme heat events. The return of a naturally occurring climate pattern known as El Nino is also expected to amplify extreme weather events this year.

President Joe Biden tweeted Tuesday evening that the heat was related to the ongoing climate crisis.

"Right now, families across America are experiencing the devastating impacts of the climate crisis  from floods to extreme heat," he wrote.

The Berkeley Earth findings largely agreed with a separate report released last week by the European Unions Copernicus Climate Change Service that found that both global surface air temperatures and sea surface temperatures were hotter last month than any previous June on record.

The new and worrying milestones were fueled by what Berkeley Earth researchers said were particularly warm conditions in the North Atlantic, eastern equatorial Pacific, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, southern Africa, and Antarctica. A prolonged heat wave also baked much of the southern United States for weeks last month.

Scorching conditions are now enveloping even more of the country. Across the Southwest this week, residents sought relief from weeks of triple-digit temperatures.

For some, staying cool during the long, punishing heat wave remains a major challenge.

Maria Larumve Cruz lives at the Rancheria mobile home community in Phoenix. On Tuesday afternoon, when it was 108 F outside, conditions felt even hotter inside her trailer.

Cruz, 61, said she has diabetes and gets anxious about the heat.

Because Im afraid Ill have heatstroke and drop dead, she said in an interview conducted in Spanish.

The dangers of extreme heat are apparent to Cruz, who saw a neighbor get sick and die during the heat wave.

She arrived from the hospital after dialysis. She couldnt handle the heat, Cruz said in Spanish. She went to her room to wait for her daughter. But the woman couldnt handle it, and when her daughter arrived she was dead.

Heat is expected to build over the coming days in the Southwest and across much of the southern part of the country.

Phoenix, which has already suffered through 12 consecutive days at or above 110 F, is forecast to see temperatures spike as high as 118 F over the weekend.

"Temperatures are likely to reach record territory this weekend," officials with the Phoenix office of the National Weather Service tweeted Wednesday. "Be careful out there and please practice good heat safety."

Denise Chow reported from Vancouver, British Columbia; Evan Bush from Seattle; and Erin McLaughlin from Phoenix.
Passengers pass through ticket gates at a subway station in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap



The basic fares for subway and buses in Seoul will go up by 150 won ($0.12) and 300 won starting in October and August, respectively, city government officials said Wednesday.



The fare hikes were approved in a meeting of the Seoul city government's transportation fare adjustment committee convened earlier in the day.



It is the first time public transportation fares in the capital have been raised in eight years since the last markups in June 2015.



The basic subway fare currently stands at 1,250 won if paid by credit or transportation cards and 1,350 won by cash. The basic bus fare for intra-Seoul buses is currently 1,200 won by credit or transportation cards.



The city committee also approved fare hikes of 700 won and 350 won for intercity and nighttime buses, respectively, to 3,000 won and 2,500 won.



The fare hikes for subway and buses will be effective from Oct. 7 and Aug. 12, respectively.



The city had initially planned a subway fare markup of 300 won in April to cope with growing transportation budget deficits.



In line with the central government's stance to stave off rising living costs burdening households, however, the city had put off the hike plan to the second half.



It had also reportedly decided to go for two rounds of a 150-won hike over an extended period of time instead of a 300-won markup at once.



The city is expected to opt for another 150-won hike in the basic subway fare in the second half of next year.



In a press conference earlier this month, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said a fare hike of at least 300 won would be enough to offset the city subway service's growing deficit.



Yoon Jong-jang, a senior city official in charge of transportation, said, "I am sorry that the city opted for fare hikes at citizens' cost in the face of rising living expenses." (Yonhap)


NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  Irans president has begun a rare visit to Africa as his country, which is under heavy U.S. economic sanctions, seeks to deepen other partnerships around the world.

President Ebrahim Raisis visits to Kenya and Uganda on Wednesday represent the first to the African continent by an Iranian leader in more than a decade. He is also visiting Zimbabwe.

Africa is a continent of opportunities and a great platform for Iranian products, Raisi told journalists in Kenya. He didn't take questions. None of us is satisfied with the current volume of trade," he said.

Iran's leader specifically mentioned Africa's mineral resources and Iran's petrochemical experience, but the five memoranda of understanding signed on Wednesday by the Islamic Republic and Kenya appeared not to address either one. Instead, they addressed information, communication and technology; fisheries; animal health and livestock production and investment promotion.

Kenyan President William Ruto called Iran a critical strategic partner and global innovation powerhouse. Tea accounts for the bulk of Kenya's exports to Iran, but Ruto expressed interest in expanding the range of agricultural exports.

Iran intends to set up a manufacturing plant for Iranian vehicles in Kenya's port city of Mombasa, Ruto added.

Raisis Africa visit is meant to promote economic diplomacy, strengthen political relations with friendly and aligned countries, and diversify the export destinations, Irans foreign ministry said in a statement upon his arrival.

Last month, Irans leader made his first visit to Latin America, stopping in Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua.

In March, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to re-establish diplomatic ties in a major diplomatic breakthrough.

Iran is in a growing standoff with Western nations over its nuclear program, which has made major advances in the five years since then-U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew his country from an international agreement that restricted it. Trump also restored sanctions on Iran that have contributed to a severe economic crisis.

The U.S. last month accused Iran of providing Russia with materials to build a drone manufacturing plant as Moscow seeks weaponry for its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Iran has said it provided drones to Russia before the start of the war but not since.

Kenya is East Africas economic hub and an ally of the U.S., with President Joe Bidens wife, Jill, visiting the country early this year. Last year, the U.S. and Kenya signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic civil nuclear cooperation. Kenya has expressed interest in using nuclear power for energy production.

Under Ruto, Kenya is struggling with debt and rising cost of living, with more deadly protests on Wednesday in the capital, Nairobi, and elsewhere.

Raisi later Wednesday met with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

Museveni, a U.S. ally on security matters, has previously voiced support for Irans controversial nuclear program. During a 2010 visit by former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Museveni asserted that all sovereign countries had a right to pursue peaceful nuclear programs even as he urged the eradication of all nuclear arsenals.

Uganda is trying to set up a nuclear power plant that authorities this year said would be generating electricity by 2031. The plant, which is being developed with the technical support of the China National Nuclear Corporation, would exploit the East African countrys substantial deposits of uranium.

Like Iran, Zimbabwe is under U.S. sanctions. A ministerial delegation from Zimbabwe visited Tehran early this year and agreed to deepen cooperation in areas including petroleum trade.

___

Associated Press writers Rodney Muhumuza in Kampala, Uganda, and Farai Mutsaka in Harare, Zimbabwe, contributed to this report.
By Angelo Amante and Kanishka Singh

VILNIUS/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden will host Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Washington on July 27, and the two leaders will discuss issues including the Ukraine war and transatlantic cooperation regarding China, the White House said on Wednesday.

The leaders will also discuss developments in North Africa and Italy's upcoming presidency of the G7 in 2024, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

This will be Meloni's first official visit to the United States since taking office last year.

Meloni confirmed the meeting at a press conference at the end of the NATO summit in Vilnius.

Meloni, Italy's first woman prime minister, came to power last October as the head of a right-wing coalition.

Italian diplomats have said Meloni wanted to see Biden before deciding whether to pull Italy out of China's Belt and Road (BRI) initiative.

Italy became in 2019 the first and so far only G7 nation to join the hugely ambitious BRI programme, which critics said would enable China to gain get control of sensitive technologies and vital infrastructure.

Italy will have the G7 presidency next year and Meloni said the rebuilding of Ukraine would be a focus for her.

"I see working on the reconstruction of Ukraine also as a way to bet on a future of peace, freedom and Euro-Atlantic prosperity for this nation," she told reporters.

Meloni said support for Africa would also be discussed in her talks with Biden and another feature of the G7 presidency.

Italy argues that more help for nations such as Tunisia is needed to prevent migrants from making perilous attempts to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.

"It's not true that Africa is a poor continent. Above all it's a continent that has been exploited," she said.

(Reporting by and Angelo Amante, Kanishka Singh and Keith Weir; Writing by Keith Weir and Kanishka Singh; Editing Federico Maccioni, Crispian Balmer and Alistair Bell)
By Sakura Murakami and Kentaro Sugiyama

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Wednesday he welcomed that Japan and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) had agreed on a new partnership programme, ahead of his attendance at the NATO Vilnius summit.

At a joint announcement with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, Kishida said he looked forward to furthering cooperation in new areas including cyber-security, and hoped to deepen cooperation with NATO as it increases its engagement with the Indo-Pacific.

The new partnership programme comes as NATO explores a deeper engagement with Asia while China increases its military presence.

Stoltenberg said at the announcement that NATO is concerned with China's heavy military buildup and its expansion of nuclear forces, and also condemned the launching of missiles by North Korea.

"No other partner is closer to NATO than Japan," he said, adding that Asia matters to Europe just as much as Europe matters to Asia.

China has lashed out at a communique issued by NATO during its two-day summit in Lithuania's capital Vilnius claiming that China challenged the military alliance's interests, security, and values.

China has said it opposes NATO's "eastward movement into the Asia-Pacific region" and warned any action threatening Beijing's rights would be met with a resolute response.

(Reporting by Sakura Murakami and Kentaro Sugiyama; Editing by Michael Perry)
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan has made a strong request to Hong Kong officials not to tighten restrictions on food imports from Japan because of its plan to discharge treated radioactive water from its Fukushima nuclear plant, Tokyo's foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

Japan, in a Wednesday meeting with Hong Kong government officials, explained its plans to discharge the treated water from the tsunami-wrecked plant and assured the safety of Japanese food, the ministry said.

The meeting was held a day after Hong Kong leader John Lee said the city, Japan's second-largest market for agricultural and fisheries exports, would ban seafood products from a large number of Japanese prefectures if Tokyo goes ahead with its water release plan.

(Reporting by Kantaro Komiya; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia told CNN on Wednesday that his decision to travel to New Hampshire with the group No Labels  which is pushing for a third-party centrist candidate  is not related to any such plans to seek the White House as an independent.

No, no, this is nothing about a third party, this is nothing about bringing up any office at all, its about a dialogue for common sense, which is very hard to have here, finding commonality, Manchin said on Capitol Hill. And were going around the country basically talking to people who want this commonality and common sense approach to how we fix problems. Its not happening here.

But he again wouldnt rule it out and downplayed the fact hes going to New Hampshire, an early primary state, saying he plans to travel to other states as well.

Ive never ruled out anything or ruled in anything, he said. This is a strictly a conference were having for common sense.

Manchin, who is up for reelection for his US Senate seat next year, told CNN he simply is trying to have a dialogue for common sense.

The senator though wouldnt say if he shared concerns that a third-party bid could hurt fellow Democrat, President Joe Biden.

So heres the thing, the most important thing is: How do we help democracy do what its supposed to do? How do we help the process, the political process that we have do what its supposed to? Thats that common sense discussions to find out what the American people would like to see accomplished, Manchin said. Not just basically the toxic atmosphere we have because of the political parties.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
NAIROBI (Reuters) - Police deployed heavily in Kenya's capital Nairobi on Wednesday ahead of expected countrywide protests called for by the main opposition leader against a raft of tax hikes.

At least two people were killed last Friday during a first round of demonstrations against the taxes, which are contained in a finance bill signed into law by President William Ruto last month.

Kenya's High Court ordered that implementation of the legislation be suspended pending a legal challenge, but the government has raised petrol prices anyway.

The protests were called for by opposition leader Raila Odinga, who lost out to Ruto in last year's presidential election.

A Reuters reporter in Nairobi saw police trucks with water cannons near the city's Central Business District, where the streets were unusually quiet. Kenya's police chief said on Tuesday that no protests would be allowed since organisers had not informed the authorities of their intention to demonstrate.

Odinga led a series of protests earlier this year against the high cost of living and alleged election irregularities.

Those repeatedly degenerated into clashes between police and protesters and led civic leaders to warn against a return to the ethnically-charged violence that has plagued Kenya in the past.

Ruto's government says the tax hikes, which include a doubling of the fuel tax and introduction of a levy to fund affordable housing, will raise an extra 200 billion Kenyan shillings ($1.42 billion) a year and are needed to deal with growing debt repayments and to fund job-creation initiatives.

The opposition says they will deepen the suffering of Kenyans at a time when many are already struggling with high prices of basic commodities such as maize flour. ($1 = 141.2000 Kenyan shillings)

(Reporting by Thomas Mukoya and Humphrey Malalo; Writing by Aaron Ross; Editing by Alex Richardson)
(Reuters) - More expert organizations should take part in reviewing Japan's plan to release Fukushima wastewater into the sea in addition to the U.N nuclear watchdog, South Korean opposition lawmakers said on Wednesday while visiting Japan.

Democratic Party lawmaker Wi Seong-gon, who was among the group of lawmakers from the opposition parties, made the comment in a joint statement at a press conference in Tokyo. The statement was also supported by eight members of Japan's parliament.

South Korea's government said recently it respected the decision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to approve Japan's plan to release treated radioactive water from its tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean.

When asked about the South Korean government's position, Wi said Seoul needed to relay the voices of people who were concerned and opposed to the plan.

"We are doing our best to persuade the government and this is why we are visiting Japan right now," Wi said.

The administration of President Yoo Suk Yeol has walked a fine line in its stance to Japan's discharge proposal, as it tries to improve ties with Tokyo while recognising domestic unease about the water discharge plan.

(Reporting by Hyunsu Yim; Editing by Ed Davies)
Lee Jae-myung, the chair of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a meeting of Supreme Council members at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap



Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung proposed a parliamentary investigation Wednesday into a now-scrapped expressway project over allegations that the government changed its route to help the family of first lady Kim Keon Hee gain financial benefits from it.



The Seoul-Yangpyeong expressway project has emerged as one of the biggest political issues after the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) alleged the highway's endpoint was changed to where Kim's family owns land in Yangpyeong, east of Seoul, as prices of the land would rise if the road is built.



Land Minister Won Hee-ryong categorically rejected the allegations and scrapped the project altogether last week. Since then, the ruling People Power Party and the DPK have traded accusations and counter-accusations blaming each other.



On Wednesday, DPK leader Lee Jae-myung called for a parliamentary investigation.



"The expressway gate involving the family of the president's wife is developing in an increasingly intriguing manner," Lee said during a party meeting. "The lies the Yoon Suk Yeol administration told to cover up the truth ... are being exposed everywhere."



Lee said the government's argument that the route change was made at the request of Yangpyeong County was found to be false, claiming the local government was passive in its effort to change the terminus until February.



"The gist of this incident is that the endpoint of the expressway was altered to the vicinity of land owned by the first lady's family soon after the new administration came in," Lee said.



Lee stressed that a parliamentary probe is needed to thoroughly investigate why the endpoint was modified, adding he will wait for a response from President Yoon regarding the matter.



"The government is spilling a lot of words, but if their acts are deemed justifiable, they can gallantly disclose the process," the DPK leader said. (Yonhap)


ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece and Turkey agreed on Wednesday to resume talks and confidence-building measures as they hailed a new "positive climate" in ties after more than a year of tensions between the historic foes.

The two North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies have been at odds for decades over a range of issues including where their continental shelves start and end, energy resources, overflights of the Aegean Sea, and ethnically split Cyprus.

Last year, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan halted bilateral talks in a dispute over airspace violations and after accusing Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of pressuring the United States to block the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey.

Relations improved when Greece became one of the first countries to send rescue workers to help pull survivors from the rubble after a devastating earthquake hit Turkey in February.

Erdogan and Mitsotakis, both recently re-elected, met on the sidelines of a NATO Summit in Vilnius on Wednesday in their first meeting since March last year.

"It is to the benefit of both countries that the positive climate formed in bilateral relations over recent months has continuity and consistency," the two leaders' offices said in identical but separate statements.

"The two sides agreed to build on the positive momentum and activate multiple channels of communication between the two countries in the coming period," they said, adding that the two leaders look forward to "more frequent contact at all levels."

They also agreed that the next meeting of a High-Level Cooperation Council, a mechanism the two countries set up in 2010 for their rapprochement, will be held in the northern Greek city of Thessalonki in the autumn.

"We are cautiously optimistic we can turn a new page," Mitsotakis told reporters after the summit.

(Reporting by Renee Maltezou; Additional reporting by Huseyin Hayatsever; Editing by Conor Humphries)
VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP)  Follow along for updates on the summit of the NATO military alliance in Lithuanias capital:

What to know:

 NATO backs Ukraine's fight vs. Russia but doesn't invite Kyiv to join

 Swedens rocky road from neutrality toward NATO membership

 What is NATO doing to help Ukraine in the war with Russia?



French President Emmanuel Macron called Wednesday for sustained international military support for Ukraine because Russia is now showing signs of weakness and division.

Speaking at the end of a NATO summit in Lithuania dominated by the war, Macron said the path for Ukraine to join NATO is open, even though alliance members stopped short of offering a clear timetable or plan for the country's membership.

Responding to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys disappointment, Macron said its legitimate for Zelenskyy to expect a lot from us.

But, he said at the summit, NATO allies did what we ought to do while preserving the unity of the alliance.

Macron said time is on Ukraines side in the war, because divisions exposed by a mutiny by Wagner mercenaries last month have shown the weakness of Russian power.

The French president reiterated a promise to send SCALP long-range missiles to Ukraine and said NATO allies should maintain a long-term commitment. Even if the war drags on, he said, We will still be there.

Macron also made it clear that he opposes expanding NATOs activities beyond Europe. The alliance had planned to open a liaison office in Japan but France opposed the move. The alliance takes decisions unanimously.

He welcomed Japans presence at the summit and said NATO should have partners in the Indo-Pacific or other regions. Nevertheless, put simply, it remains the North-Atlantic Treaty Organization. The Indo-Pacific is not the North Atlantic.

Earlier Wednesday, China  where Macron traveled on a state visit in April  reiterated that it "resolutely opposes NATOs eastward expansion into the Asia-Pacific.



U.S. President Joe Biden told Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday that the United States is doing everything we can to help Ukraine succeed in its fight against Russia, adding that he understands Zelenskyys frustration over NATOs decision regarding membership for his country.

The presidents sat down together on the sidelines of the annual NATO summit in Lithuania after the U.S. and other world powers announced long-term security commitments for Ukraine.

Biden told Zelenskyy: Were going to make sure you get what you need.

Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude for billions of dollars in weapons and other support from the American people, despite his biting criticism of NATO a day earlier over not outlining a pathway to membership for his country.

The U.S. has said Ukraine should not be allowed to join NATO while it is at war, out of fear that membership would spark a global confrontation with Russia, which opposes Ukraine coming under NATOs security umbrella.

Zelenskyy told Biden: You gave us huge support and I want to thank all the Americans.

Biden said Ukraine is paying a hell of a price but that the war is bringing the world together. He said U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been calling his counterparts around the world for help.



British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has declined to repeat his defense ministers comments that Ukraine must ensure its allies dont feel taken for granted.

Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said at the NATO summit in Vilnius that whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude for supplying Ukraine with weapons.

Sunak said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had repeatedly expressed his gratitude to the U.K. and other allies.

Speaking at a news conference in Vilnius, Sunak said Ukrainians are fighting for their lives and freedom. So I completely understand Volodymyrs desire to do everything he can to protect his people and to stop this war.

He said the NATO summit had seen allies doubling down in their support for Kyiv and had taken a big step toward admitting Ukraine to the alliance.

The summit communique echoes the U.K.s long-held position that Ukraines future is in NATO, he said.



The Group of Seven industrial nations issued a joint declaration on Wednesday pledging long-term security assistance for Ukraine to bolster the besieged countrys defenses during and after its war with Russia.

Our solidarity will never waver, said Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, which sits with Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United States to make up the G-7.

The announcement, which came on the last day of a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, lays the groundwork for individual nations to negotiate their own arrangements with Ukraine.

Were going to help Ukraine build a strong, capable defense, U.S. President Joe Biden said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the support, saying the actions taken during the Vilnius summit would provide much needed and meaningful success for his country.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the G-7's arrangement makes it possible for signatories to further specify their concrete contributions to Ukraine and embed them in a longer-term strategy which Ukraine can then rely on.



British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has raised some eyebrows by suggesting that Ukraine should appear more grateful for Western military support and not treat allies like Amazon.

Whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude, Wallace told reporters at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, noting that Ukraine was persuading other countries to give up their own stocks of weapons.

In comments cited by multiple British media outlets, including The Times of London, The Guardian and the Independent, Wallace said he had heard grumbles from lawmakers on Capitol Hill in Washington that were not Amazon.

I mean, thats true, he was quoted as saying. I told them that last June: I said to the Ukrainians when I drove 11 hours to be given a list: Im not Amazon.

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks spokesman, Max Blain, downplayed the remarks.

I think you have heard from President Zelenskyy repeatedly, and indeed today, about his gratitude to the people of the United Kingdom for their support and their generosity, he said, adding that the U.K. government and the U.K. people will be steadfast in support of Ukraine.

-

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed the recent U.S. decision to send cluster munitions to his country, saying Russia also uses the controversial and widely banned weapons.

Russia constantly uses cluster munitions on our territory. It wages war exclusively on our land. It kills our people, he said Wednesday at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

This is about justice," Zelenskyy added. "We defend ourselves, without using (these) weapons on the territory of other states. Zelenskyy said. Any cluster munitions supplied to Ukraine, he said, would be used purely for military purposes and purely in Russian-occupied parts of southern and eastern Ukraine.

President Joe Biden earlier this week described the decision to provide the projectiles as very difficult, citing their record of killing civilians. Over 120 countries across the world -- but not the U.S., Russia or Ukraine -- have signed on to an international convention prohibiting the production of cluster munitions and discouraging their use. Both Moscow and Kyiv have deployed the munitions during the war, and Ukrainian regional officials have regularly accused Russian forces of using them to target civilians.

-

NATO and Ukraine are holding their first ever high-level talks in a new format.

The 31-nation alliance is not letting Ukraine join while the war with Russia is going on, but has launched a NATO-Ukraine Council as part of its political commitment to the country.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says its a forum where Ukraine and NATO allies will meet as equals, hold crisis consultations and jointly take decisions. Ukraine is now closer to NATO than ever before.

Hungary has blocked high-level talks with Ukraine in the past due to concerns over the rights of the ethnic Hungarian minority living in Ukraine. But Stoltenberg said he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy can convene the NATO-Ukraine Council, so it cannot be blocked.

This is something new, this is something different. Its a strong tool for political integration, and also for decision-making, Stoltenberg said Wednesday before chairing the meeting.

Russia had a similar arrangement with NATO, but meetings dwindled after it annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Once the war started last year, the allies ruled that NATO cannot consider Russia to be a partner.

-

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday praised NATOs decision to simplify Ukraines path to eventual membership and hailed new security guarantees and military aid for his country emerging from the alliance summit.

The results of the summit are good, but if there were an invitation, that would be ideal, Zelenskyy said at a press briefing with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Vilnius, Lithuania. A day earlier, he tweeted that it was absurd that NATO hadn't set a timetable for Ukrainian membership.

He welcomed the alliance's move to drop the requirement for Kyiv to submit a formal membership action plan prior to joining as an important step. NATO said Tuesday Ukraine could join when "allies agree and conditions are met.

Zelenskyy also lauded very positive news regarding new military aid packages from NATO countries. He met with leaders of the alliance on Wednesday, without immediately providing details.

The Ukrainian leaders thanked Western backers for their ongoing support, but suggested they don't fully understand the realities of war that Ukraine has been facing since Russian forces invaded in February last year.

NATO members have taken steps to expedite Ukraine's membership once the war is over.

The most important thing is to have results, so that we can see concrete steps that bring us closer to NATO, Zelenskyy said.



The Kremlin considers plans by G7 nations to offer Ukraine security guarantees extremely ill-judged and potentially very dangerous, spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.

Britain issued a statement a day earlier on plans by the G7  made up of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States  to agree Wednesday to a significant international framework for Ukraines long-term security arrangements.

A joint statement expected to be signed by G7 members on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Lithuania would mark the first time that this many countries have agreed a comprehensive long-term security arrangement of this kind with another country, the British government said.

Countries providing security guarantees to Ukraine essentially ignore the international principle of indivisibility of security, Peskov said: By providing security guarantees to Ukraine, theyre infringing on Russias security.

We consider this extremely ill-judged and potentially very dangerous, he said.

Peskov also reiterated Russia's longstanding opposition to Ukraine's potential membership in NATO, calling it an offensive alliance that brings instability and aggression to the world.



China has renewed its concern about NATO's eastward "expansion as the alliance wraps up its summit in Lithuania on Wednesday.

A joint communique from the Atlantic alliance a day earlier said China's stated ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security and values, while indicating that NATO members remain open to constructive engagement with Beijing.

China issued a strong rebuttal, saying it would resolutely safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests, and it resolutely opposes NATOs eastward expansion into the Asia-Pacific.

NATO has a bad track record in history, Chinas diplomatic mission to the European Union in Brussels said in a statement, faulting NATO for meddling in affairs beyond its borders, and creating confrontation.

This fully exposes NATOs hypocrisy and its ambition of seeking expansion and hegemony, it added, calling the NATO statement tedious and saying it was playing the same old tune, filled with Cold War mentality and ideological bias.

Like Russia, China has long voiced concerns that NATO has been on an eastward expansion, with both the vice foreign minister, Le Yucheng, and Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying referring to what they perceived as a continual expansion of the alliance.



Hungary has welcomed a NATO decision to bring Ukraine closer to the military alliance without receiving a clear path for joining it, saying Wednesday that a sense of responsibility had prevailed at a summit where Kyiv had hoped for more concrete assurances for NATO membership.

Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that providing no invitation or timeline for Ukraines NATO membership was the only responsible decision that NATO could take in light of the ongoing war  and one that Kyiv would have to settle for despite its broader hopes.

A decision has been taken that does not risk escalating the war, Szijjarto said. The member states have made it clear that Ukraine will be invited to join NATO only if it fulfils all the conditions and if the allies unanimously agree to this.

Szijjarto also urged NATO not to become an anti-China alliance, and said cooperation with China was as economically advantageous as partnerships with countries like South Korea and Japan.

NATO should not be given an anti-China edge, so lets make it clear that NATO is not an anti-China organization, Szijjarto said. It was not created against China, and its current operation is not against China. We do not see China as a risk, we do not see it as an adversary or an enemy.



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says issues including new military aid for Ukraine, a formal invitation for his country to join NATO, and security guarantees from its member states were on tap at second and final day of the alliance's summit on Wednesday.

The comments from the Ukrainian leader came a day after NATO member countries eased the pathway for Ukraine to join one day but stopped short of providing a specific timetable for an invitation that Zelenskyy has sought for Ukraine.

We want to be on the same page with everybody. For today, what we hear and understand is that we will have this invitation (to join NATO) when security measures will allow, I want to discuss with our partners all these things, Zelenskyy told reporters in the Lithuanian capital.

A post published on Zelenskyys official Twitter account said he had met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine on its way to NATO.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain, which has provided considerable military support to Kyiv, told Zelenskyy that the efforts of Ukraines soldiers against Russian forces were inspiring to everyone. Were proud to have played a part in training some of them.

NATO members have long proposed that Ukraine could join one day, but Tuesday's decision shows the challenges of reaching consensus among the alliances current members while Russia's war in Ukraine continues.

Under Article 5 of the NATO charter, members are obligated to defend each other from attack, which could swiftly draw the U.S. and other nations into direct fighting with Russia.
RALEIGH, NC (AP)  A federal jury on Wednesday convicted a man charged with teaching someone how to make bombs meant to kill federal law enforcement officers.

Christopher Arthur, 39, faces a maximum 20 years in prison, according to federal prosecutors. He was also charged with illegal possession of weapons, including improvised explosives found on his farm in Mount Olive, North Carolina.

Arthur, an Army veteran who served two tours of duty in Iraq, is the owner of Tackleberry Solutions, a company with the goal of teaching war time tactics to the everyday citizen.

Arthur was arrested in January 2022 after he provided instructions on how to construct bombs to a confidential human source, referred to as Buckshot by federal prosecutors.

Buckshot initially contacted Arthur in May 2021 for help, claiming that agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had confiscated some of his weapons. He told Arthur he wanted help preparing for the agents expected return to his house.

Prosecutors played snippets of recordings made by Buckshot in which Arthur instructs him on a home defense strategy he called the spider web, which included putting improvised explosives around the home to maim or kill.

Im going to show you something called the spider web, Arthur is heard saying in the recordings, which were played in court. Its a freaking death box.

Arthur's attorney, Assistant Federal Public Defender Ed Gray, urged the jury to consider the context under which Arthur was giving this information to Buckshot. He said Arthur believed a war was coming and that the collapse of the federal government was imminent.

Gray said that all of Arthur's wartime tactics and bomb-making manuals and videos were merely meant to empower individuals to better defend themselves and their homes.

What you have is someone dealing with fear, Gray said. Hes talking about preparing for the future war  hes not talking about today.

Indeed, Arthur took the stand in his own defense to try and convince the jury that he had no issue with the current government. But in his videos he commonly referred to the tyrannical government, spoke openly of law enforcement and government as enemies and that things had only worsened with recent events.

After the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol it was not uncommon in our area for FBI agents to show up asking about Jan. 6. I know one or two people who were questioned, Arthur said. Still, Arthur claimed to have no beef with the federal government.

But the jury didn't buy it, and took only about an hour to deliberate.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Kocher argued that Arthur knew exactly what he was doing, and that by teaching someone to make bombs to defend his home against federal agents', all law enforcement are put in danger.

Kocher played videos where Arthur instructed citizens to create militias, and railed against a tyrannical government. Kocher argued the warnings were not meant for some future apocalypse, but were against the current federal government. Arthur urged his viewers and trainees to make an individual decision as to whether they were under such threats, and to take up arms in defense.

His words," Kocher said. "The individual gets to decide who the innocent are  including the federal government and local law enforcement.

Arthur had been on the FBIs radar since at least May 2020 when police found multiple tactical instruction manuals by Arthur in the home of a man who had just been killed in a shootout with officers in New York, federal authorities said. Court documents identified the man killed as Joshua Blessed, a truck driver from Harrisonburg, Virginia.

The FBI found three bombs in Blesseds vehicle in Virginia and more at his home. Blesseds cell phone records indicated that he trained with Arthur at his North Carolina home in March 2020. Text messages printed out in court documents showed that Blessed and Arthur considered themselves friends, even brothers, Arthur texted.
Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia told CNN on Tuesday afternoon that she still hasnt been informed by the House Freedom Caucus that she has been kicked out of the far-right group.

But she said shes not really concerned about it.

No one has told me that, Greene told reporters on Capitol Hill. As a matter of fact, all the information I found out was from you guys.

She added, Im here for Georgias 14th District. Thats who voted for me. Thats who sent me here and thats who I work for. And I dont have time for the drama club.

CNN previously reported that the Freedom Caucus ejected Greene from the group just before the July Fourth recess because of her allegiance to GOP leadership and fights she had with members of the caucus, but Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry wasnt able to get in contact with Greene over the break to tell her the news. Greenes ejection from the group is the first time the caucus had voted to remove a member since formally launching in 2015.

Perry, a Pennsylvania Republican, told CNN Tuesday, I dont discuss that when asked about Greenes membership status and whether hes gotten a hold of her yet.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy  who worked to bring Greene into the fold, which is part of the reason for her Freedom Caucus ouster  offered praise for the congresswoman, calling her one of the most conservative members and one of the hardest working members.

McCarthy called it a loss for the Freedom Caucus that they decided to boot her.

I dont know why they would do something like that from any perspective, he told reporters. I will tell you this - Marjorie Taylor Greene is a very good member, works hard, represents her district night and day. She is always here fighting for the process where it may. I think its a loss for the Freedom Caucus.

Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, a Freedom Caucus co-founder, echoed a similar sentiment, telling CNN: I was for keeping Marjorie.

Jordan praised the Georgia Republican as a fine member who fights hard for her constituents and does a great job, but declined to get into any internal Freedom Caucus dynamics.

Another member of the caucus, Rep. Ralph Norman, told reporters that Greenes beliefs were too far apart from the rest of the Freedom Caucus for her to remain a member.

She left the Freedom Caucus. Her views were not the same, which is fine, the South Carolina Republican said. Shes a good friend, we just disagree. So it was good for her and its good for the Freedom Caucus.

Norman added, She was critical of us, of the 20 in January, referring to the 20 House Republicans who opposed McCarthys bid for speaker. She had different opinions on different things, the 20, of what we did in January, she just disagreed with, and thats fine, but shes very vocal and continued on.

News of Greenes removal was confirmed publicly by members during the July Fourth recess.

A vote was taken to remove Marjorie Taylor Greene from the House Freedom Caucus  for some of the things shes done, Republican Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland told reporters last week.

Colorado Republican congressman and Freedom Caucus member Ken Buck also confirmed Greenes ousting to CNNs Dana Bash in an interview on Tuesday.

My understanding is they voted to remove her, and the chairman has tried to contact her to let her know and there havent been any returned phone calls, Buck told CNNs Dana Bash on Inside Politics Tuesday. This week she will undoubtedly get notified.

Buck said he was not in the Friday morning meeting before recess where the vote had been held, but if he had been there, he would not have voted to kick her out, despite his belief she doesnt belong within the conservative group.

I dont want her to be in the Freedom Caucus, but I wouldnt vote to kick her out, Buck told Bash. Once she is in the Freedom Caucus, I think she is what she is.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Manu Raju and Morgan Rimmer contributed to this report.

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IDLIB, Syria (AP)  Youssef al-Ramadan says he always feels guilty for having to put his wife and three children to work in order to survive  and now they might not be able to get by since international aid could stop flowing from Turkey.

Standing outside his tent in a displacement camp in northern Idlib, he is worried that their income might not be sufficient to make ends meet if the United Nations Security Council cannot renew a humanitarian border crossing that has been a critical lifeline for him and some 4.1 million people in Syria's rebel-held northwest. The vast majority live in poverty and rely on aid to survive.

On Tuesday, the U.N. Security Council failed to renew the Bab al-Hawa border crossing into opposition-held northwestern Syria from Turkey.

Russia, a key political and military ally of President Bashar Assad, vetoed a compromise resolution presented by Brazil and Switzerland that would renew the crossing's mandate for nine months. With the exception of China's abstention, it was voted in favor by the majority of member states, and had the backing of humanitarian agencies and the U.N. Secretary General. Moscow's rival resolution, which would renew the mandate for six months with additional requirements, failed to get the minimum of nine votes in favor, with only China giving its support.

Like many others in Idlib, al-Ramadan was internally displaced due to the ongoing conflict, now in its 13th year. He says he cannot go back to his hometown south of the province, because he alleges that the Syrian government and Russia confiscated his home and farmland.

They took our land and our homes, and now they want to cut off the border crossing, he told The Associated Press. Im barely able to survive with Bab al-Hawa open, so what happens if it closes?

Syria is still dealing with the impact of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in February that rocked Turkey and northern Syria in both government and opposition held areas, killing over 50,000 people.

The Security Council initially authorized aid deliveries in 2014 from Turkey, Iraq and Jordan through four crossing points into opposition-held areas in Syria. Over the years, Russia, backed by China, had reduced the authorized crossings to just Bab al-Hawa from Turkey, and the mandates from a year to six months.

Russia alleges that militant groups in Idlib are taking the aid and preventing it from reaching families in need. Moscow and Beijing have been calling to phase out the U.N. cross-border mandate and instead route through Damascus, but Syrians in the northwest enclave say they are skeptical of the push.

The Syrian Response Coordination Group, a relief group active in northwestern Syria, slammed the Security Council's five permanent members  France, United States, United Kingdom, Russia, and China  for what they called strongly irresponsible actions and clear disregard for the fate of millions of civilians in Syria.

International humanitarian organizations decried Russias veto.

It defies reason and principle, that Security Council members would vote to not maintain all avenues of aid access for vulnerable Syrians at this time, International Rescue Committee President David Miliband said in a statement.

Dr. Munzer Khalil, Idlib health director, told The Associated Press that he fears severe public health consequences if the Security Council cannot renew the crossing's mandate, because many health facilities relying on U.N. aid will face shortages of critical medical supplies and equipment, including vaccines for children.

The recent earthquake that hit the region emphasizes the urgency of addressing the inequitable access to aid in northwest Syria and allocating resources for both long-term and immediate recovery initiatives," Khalil said.

___

Chehayeb reported from Beirut. Associated Press writer Bassem Mroue contributed to this story from Beirut.
Milan Kundera made the journey from communist to outcast (Getty)

The Czech-born French author Milan Kundera has died, aged 94.

The writers death was reported on Wednesday (12 July) by public broadcaster Czech Television.

A spokesperson for Gallimard, Kunderas publisher in France, confirmed to The New York Times that Kundera had died in Paris after a prolonged illness.

Kundera is the award-winning author of the 1984 novel The Unbearable Lightness of Being, which followed the lives of two couples in the 1968 Prague Spring period of Czechoslovak history.

His other books include The Joke (1967), Immortality (1988), Laughable Loves (1969) and The Farewell Waltz (1972).

A celebrated novelist, playwright, poet and essayist, Kundera was born in the Czech city of Brno.

In 1950, he was expelled from the Czechoslovakian party for anti-communist activities before he eventually emigrated to France in 1975. He had been a vocal voice for the Prague Spring.

In 1979, his Czech citizenship was revoked. Two years later, he became a French citizen.

Milan Kundera (AP)

In 2008, Kundera was accused of betraying a Czech airman working for US intelligence more than 50 years earlier. He issued a strong denial to the Czech press, saying he was totally astonished and calling the allegations the assassination of an author.

An open letter signed by authors including Salman Rushdie and JM Coetzee argued that despite the claims of the magazine that published the accusation, a witness statement by an eminent Prague scientist clears [Kundera] of any guilt.

In 2019, after more than 40 years in exile, the author, then 90, had his citizenship of his homeland restored.

The Czech Republics ambassador to France Petre Drulak told reporters that he had visited Kunderas apartment in Paris to hand deliver the citizenship certificate, noting that the author had been in a good mood when he just took the document and said thank you.

Published in 1988, Immortality was Kunderas last novel to be written in Czech. His subsequent four novels were written in French. Most recently, he released 2015s The Festival of Insignificance, which he wrote in his mid-eighties.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being remains Kunders most enduringly popular novel. The book was an instant success when it was published in 1984 and was reprinted in at least 24 languages.

It was adapted into a 1988 film, which starred Daniel Day Lewis, Juliette Binoche and Lena Olin.
By Krishn Kaushik and Elizabeth Pineau

NEW DELHI/PARIS (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads to France on Thursday to deepen ties with New Delhi's oldest strategic partner in the West, with a slew of high-profile defence deals expected and a new joint plan to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Modi has been invited as the guest of honour at the Bastille Day celebrations by French President Emmanuel Macron. Units from India's army, navy and air force will also participate in the parade, including two of the 36 Rafale fighter jets India bought in 2015 for nearly $9 billion.

The visit will "provide an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future across diverse sectors such as strategic, cultural, scientific, academic and economic cooperation," the Indian government said in a statement on Wednesday.

This year marks 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries, and the announcement of the new military deals will burnish the deepening defence ties between the two nations.

France has been one of Indias closest partners in Europe for decades. Paris was the only western capital to not impose sanctions on New Delhi after India conducted nuclear tests in 1998.

Ten years later, when India got Nuclear Suppliers Group waiver for its civil nuclear plans, France was the first country to sign an agreement.

India has relied on French fighter jets for four decades now. Much before buying Dassault Aviation's Rafale in 2015, India bought Mirage jets in 1980s, which still comprise two squadrons of the air force.

In 2005, India bought six Scorpene-class diesel submarines from France for 188 billion rupees ($2.28 billion) to be built in India by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) in partnership with the French Naval Group, the last of which will be commissioned next year.

The ageing fleet of India's Russian-made platforms, Moscows inability to perform maintenance work, and delays in India's indigenous manufacturing plans for parallel platforms have necessitated the two new defence deals.

For submarines, India is expected to buy three more Scorpene submarines, which will again be made by MDL and the Naval group, government sources in New Delhi and Paris said. The price of the deals has yet to be agreed.

India is also expected to agree to buy 26 Rafale jets, the sources said, without giving the deal's expcted value.

The marine version of Dassualt's Rafale jets, intended for India's first indigenous aircraft carrier commissioned in August 2022, outperformed the American SuperhornetF18s in tests last year for Indian requirements.

During the visit, Macron will host Modi for a private dinner, as well as a state banquet at the Louvre Museum. Modi will also meet other political leaders, selected French personalities and business leaders, and interact with the Indian diaspora.

Both India and France through its island territories have deep interests in the Indian Ocean and are concerned about China's growing assertiveness in the region. Details of an announcement on a plan for the region are not known.

The visit comes less than a month after President Joe Biden hosted Modi for a state visit, during which the U.S. offered critical military technology including fighter jet engines and high altitude drones to India.

Last week Modi chaired an online meeting of leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Group members, which included Russian President Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping.

Macron, Biden, Putin and Xi, along with leaders of the other G20 members countries are expected to visit New Delhi in September for its summit to be hosted by India as its head this year.

The Indian leader will also later visit the UAE and meet President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also the ruler of Abu Dhabi.

($1 = 82.2775 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Krishn Kaushik in New Delhi and Elizabeth Pineu in Paris; Editing by Kim Coghill)
By Josh Smith and Kantaro Komiya

SEOUL/TOKYO (Reuters) - North Korea conducted a missile test with its longest ever flight time off its east coast on Wednesday, as leaders of South Korea and Japan were set to meet on the sidelines of a NATO summit to discuss threats including the nuclear-armed North.

The launch came after heated complaints from North Korea in recent days, accusing American spy planes of violating airspace in its economic zones, condemning a recent visit to South Korea by an American nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine, and promising to take steps in reaction.

The missile flew for 74 minutes to an altitude of 6,000 km and range of 1,000 km, Japan's chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matusno said, in what would be the longest ever flight time for a North Korean missile.

In April North Korea test fired its first ever solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), one of around a dozen missile tests this year. Analysts believe the North's ICBMs can fly far enough to strike targets anywhere in the United States, and the country likely has developed nuclear warheads that can fit on rockets.

Japan's Coast Guard said what was believed to be a ballistic missile appeared to have landed as of mid-morning. It had earlier predicted the projectile would fall outside Japan's EEZ and around 550 km (340 miles) east of the Korean peninsula.

Leif-Eric Easley, an international studies professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said North Korea's recent bellicose statements against U.S. surveillance aircraft was part of a pattern of inflating external threats to rally domestic support and justify weapons tests.

"Pyongyang also times its shows of force to disrupt what it perceives as diplomatic coordination against it, in this case, South Korea and Japans leaders meeting during the NATO summit."

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, in Lithuania to attend the NATO summit, convened an emergency national security council meeting to discuss the launch and vowed to use the summit to call for strong international solidarity to confront such threats.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is also in Lithuania, ordered his staff to gather information and stay alert to prepare for unpredicted events, according to the prime minister's office.

Kishida and Yoon are expected to meet on Wednesday, and Matsuno said a summit was also planned with South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

"We will respond in close cooperation with the international community," Matsuno told a news conference.

He said the launch threatened the peace and stability both of the region and the international community, and that Japan had lodged a protest through diplomatic channels in Beijing.

FLURRY OF ACTIVITY

The United States' top general met with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts for a rare trilateral meeting in Hawaii just before the missile launch.

With a wary eye on North Korea's military moves and other rising challenges in the region, Yoon has moved to repair frayed ties with Japan and reduce historical disputes that have limited cooperation between the two U.S. allies.

In addition to its missile tests, the North failed in an attempt to launch its first-ever spy satellite on a new launch vehicle. United Nations Security Council resolutions ban North Korea's use of ballistic missile technology, including for satellite launches.

The Security Council, as well as a number of nations, have imposed sanction on North Korea for its missile and nuclear weapons programmes.

(This story has been refiled to fix a typographical error in paragraph 4)

(Reporting by Tokyo and Seoul bureaus; writing by Elaine Lies; Editing by Tom Hogue and Lincoln Feast)
China to enhance daycare for children under three

Xinhua) 10:45, July 12, 2023

BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) -- China will step up efforts to provide daycare services for children under three in a bid to relieve mothers of the heavy burdens of child-rearing, a health official said Tuesday.

The country now has about 75,000 nurseries for children under three, which can take in more than 3.6 million children, said Yang Jinrui, a senior official with the National Health Commission, at a seminar marking this year's World Population Day, which falls on Tuesday.

About 6 percent of children under three in China have gone to nurseries, according to Yang.

A majority of Chinese children under three are taken care by their families, particularly mothers who are struggling to balance child-rearing with their careers.

The Chinese government will try hard to perfect its population policies, establish a childcare service system that is accessible to all, and encourage fathers and mothers to share the responsibilities of child-rearing, Yang said, adding that these are part of the efforts to create a favorable environment for couples to raise children.

In 2021 China began to allow each couple to have three children. Measures are being taken to boost the fertility rate as the country faces an aging population.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Firefighters and police continued their search for a missing woman in her 60s near a stream in Busan, 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul, July 11, in this photo provided by Busan Metropolitan City Fire and Disaster Headquarters. Yonhap



Heavy rainfall is expected to return across the country later this week, weather officials said Wednesday, following downpours that left one person missing and scores evacuated the previous day.



The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said a well-developed stationary front will bring significant monsoon rains to the entire country starting Thursday.



During Thursday and Friday, 50 to 150 millimeters of rain is expected to fall across the country, except for Jeju Island, which will experience 5 to 40 mm of rain, the agency said.



Some areas in the greater Seoul region, Gangwon Province and North Chungcheong Province are forecast to receive 200 to 250 mm during the two days.



Rainfall is predicted to persist until next Monday with the stationary front oscillating north and south near the country until early next week, the weather agency said.



On Tuesday, an elderly woman was reported missing and scores of people were evacuated in heavy rains that swept across the country.





A man rides a bicycle across a bridge over the rising Jungnang Stream amid torrential rains in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
(Reuters) - The number of people uprooted by a conflict between military factions in Sudan that erupted nearly three months ago has surpassed 3 million, according to estimates from the International Organization for Migration.

More than 2.4 million people have been displaced internally and more than 730,000 have crossed into neighbouring countries, data published late on Tuesday said.

Most have fled either from the capital Khartoum, the focus of the power struggle between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that broke out on April 15, or from Darfur, where ethnically-targeted violence has surged.

U.N. officials have said Sudan could slide into civil war, as regional and international mediation efforts have failed.

"This war won't end shortly," said United Nations special envoy Volker Perthes, speaking in Belgium. Several ceasefire agreements have been violated and "have basically been used by the parties to reposition themselves," he said.

On Wednesday, residents reported the sound of fighter jets and artillery shelling in Omdurman and Bahri, parts of the wider capital.

Fighting has also been reported in recent days between the army and powerful SPLM rebel factions in South Kordofan State, and in Blue Nile State near the border with Ethiopia, triggering displacement from those regions as well.

The fighting has laid waste to large parts of the capital and led to waves of attacks in Darfur. Civilians have faced widespread looting, power cuts, food and water shortages, a collapse in health services and a spike in sexual violence.

The Sudanese government's Combating Violence against Women and Children unit said on Tuesday it had recorded nine new cases of sexual assault in Khartoum, bringing the total since mid-April to 51, adding that the real number of cases was likely much higher.

Most victims blamed RSF forces for the assaults, the unit, which is seen as impartial, said in a statement. The RSF has called on civilians to report violations and said members found to be involved in abuses will be held to account.

Of those leaving Sudan, the majority have fled north to Egypt or west to Chad, with large numbers also crossing into South Sudan and Ethiopia.

After sharing power with civilians following the overthrow of Omar al-Bashir in a popular uprising four years ago, the army and the RSF took full control in a coup in 2021 then came to blows amid disputes over a planned transition towards elections.

FAILED MEDIATIONS

International efforts to broker an end to the fighting have shown little sign of progress, including talks led by Saudi Arabia and the United States in Jeddah that were adjourned last month, and an African-led meeting in Addis Ababa this week.

A summit of Sudan's neighbours will be held in Cairo on Thursday.

Perthes, speaking to reporters in Brussels, said he was concerned that the warring factions were able to resupply from outside the country. He said regional countries should tell the combatants to end the war, and should not resupply them.

Britain on Wednesday announced sanctions on six companies linked to the two forces it said were fuelling the conflict by providing funding and arms, expanding on a previous action by the United States.

(Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz in Dubai, Nafisa Eltahir in Cairo, Mujiva M in London, Julia Payne in Brussels; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Peter Graff, William Maclean)
Hospitality comes naturally to DeVonn Francis. Hes the grandson of Jamaican immigrants who regularly held bashments in their basement social club for weddings, birthdays, big domino games and parties just to have parties. Francis grew up cooking next to his mom, pulling from a Caribbean pantry of ingredients such as coconut milk, bay leaves and Scotch bonnets, and working for his father at the family Jamaican restaurant in Virginia.

DeVonn Francis founded culinary event studio Yardy World as a way to connect to his Jamaican heritage and to "expand the story of what Caribbean food is." (Yasara Gunawardena / For The Times)

So when it comes to gathering for good times, Francis can pull off a several-course dinner party for 16 people  charring cabbage steaks, searing pork collars, sauteing crispy rice, whipping up a rum cake topped by yogurt and oranges  with ease and grace. That was the case when he recently cooked for a circle of creative friends and friends of friends at the downtown Los Angeles loft of Fabienne Toback, executive producer of the Netflix show High on the Hog.

Francis, who worked in kitchens such as Estela and Altro Paradiso while attending Cooper Union to study performance art, has been helping to reshape food and dining culture in New York and beyond. His dinner parties put identity and community at the forefront while hes creating his own Caribbean American cooking.This month, hes popping up in Los Angeles as part of a dinner series at Kismet in Los Feliz.

He founded event studio Yardy World in New York five years ago as a way to connect to his Caribbean heritage and create a platform to take up space however it feels good and whatever way we want to, Francis said. Restaurants often didnt feel like they were necessarily safe spaces for queer people or people with different gender identity expressions or women, he said. Hospitality to me means you get to prioritize care for everyone in the system, not just the guest.

That includes himself. Yes, I am a chef and I can cook and I am Black and I am Jamaican and I am queer and none of these things are in conflict with each other, Francis said. They help me to make decisions that I probably wouldnt have had I not come from this particular set of experiences. That makes me excited to put that energy into making new dishes and expanding the story of what Caribbean food is too.

Rum cake reimagined: DeVonn Francis drizzles olive oil over a rum cake topped with whipped cream, labneh and oranges. (Yasara Gunawardena / For The Times)

"This is the most delicious cut of pork I've had in a very long time," DeVonn Francis said of collar steaks, which he cooked with salt, sugar and spices sprinkled on both sides to develop a lacquer-like crust. (Yasara Gunawardena / For The Times)

The perception of Black food in the U.S., including Caribbean cuisine, has been monolithic in the past, said Toback, lacking in all the possible facets. Hes Jamaican, he grew up in Virginia, hes queer, he's an artist. Its not just about food, its about representation. Hes a positive voice for young people  the different ways to be Black and queer is important.

And hes attuned to big questions: What does it mean to throw a party? What community are we building? How are we honoring the past  our mothers, grandmothers, aunties? How are we stewards for the future? How do we think about the people who cook and serve our food?

Others are asking similar questions, using food as a catalyst for expansive dining experiences. Artist and writer Nia Lees Storme Supper Club centers on Black queer community. Suppa Club, a once-monthly dinner series, has a BIPOC-community-minded focus too. Founded by Sana Keefer, Boyle Heights-based Asi Asi aims to connect guests with chefs, artists, architects and designers. And Ku Rasa and Ananas Ananas are food designers creating sensory experiments. Meanwhile, USAL Project organizes dinners to connect with nature. And Fude dinners focus on "art, nudity and self love."

Read more:For studio Ananas Ananas, the food is the art. 'Can we eat it?'

Sometimes theyre pop-ups, part of a membership or ticketed events  their announcements spreading by social media or word of mouth. They speak to a demand for intimacy, connection, pleasure and meaning beyond the restaurant experience.

For us as a guest it allows us to be comfortable in a way that even the most comfortable restaurant cant provide, said Rose Apodaca, a writer and creative director attending Francis L.A. dinner. She was seated between photographer Paul Sepuya and David Charles, a director currently working on the Apple TV+ docuseries "Omnivore" with Rene Redzepi. Also at the table, among other guests, were DJs Caleb Kruzel and Mez Monty, artists Simon Renggli and Sarah Kinlaw, producer Karis Jagger and curator Sayantan Mukhopadhyay.

I dine out all the time, I like restaurants," Apodaca said, "but here theres less pressure to order, to hurry up and eat. You can get up and move around, get to know people. Theres a free-flowing cultural exchange among a spectrum of gender identities, racial and political identities in a safe space  I know thats a cliched phrase, but it is.

"Hospitality to me means you get to prioritize care for everyone in the system," said DeVonn Francis, including guests and as well as everyone working in the kitchen. (Yasara Gunawardena / For The Times)

That cultural exchange starts with Francis.

Hes sharing his background, Apodaca said. Hes articulating it, verbally and through his food and the table setting and his manner in terms of how he cooks. With his tank top on. Hes doing this on his terms.

Standing in Tobacks kitchen, Francis sliced green onions, shallots and ginger, fried them in olive oil and tossed them with some of his favorite spices: coriander, cumin, paprika, curry powder, cardamom, turmeric. He mixed these with crispy-sauteed jasmine rice seasoned with salt and mirin, adding chopped dried shrimp from the nearby Japanese market, sesame seeds and the zest of limes, a combination exploding with flavor.

Read more:Off Menu: Bridgetown Roti filters Bajan flavors through an L.A. lens

At 30, he has launched his own company, published recipes and appeared in videos for Bon Appetit, and guest-starred in cooking shows. He styled and photographed his mother for the chapter titled "Black Queer Food" in Bryant Terrys cookbook Black Food: Stories, Art and Recipes From Across the African Diaspora, which features Francis braised goat with preserved citrus and cassava crepes.

While many chefs are celebrated for experimentation, Francis said, "I feel somehow covertly Black and brown chefs sometimes suffer from being locked into tradition. Oh, I want to see that you can make really good West African cuisine or I wanna see that you can make really good Malaysian cuisine.

"My dad would make me cut all the cabbage and carrots for [his] restaurant," said DeVonn Francis. "There was a huge 32-quart pot ... I remember thinking, 'I'm never gonna fill this pot, there's not enough cabbage in the world to fill this pot.'" (Yasara Gunawardena / For The Times)

I was talking to a chef friend about this recently whos writing a book on Chinese American cuisine. He said, You would never be like, Rene Redzepi, thats not Nordic food. Youd never say that. Why arent we allowed to expand beyond those boundaries when it comes to cuisine with respect to the fact that had jerk paste not been a thing I wouldnt be able to talk about it in a new iteration? So respect to the history, but also where do we go from there? How do we keep growing that story so people feel included in the many ways in which you can be Jamaican?

After bowls of Yardy World snack mix (nuts, plantain chips, coconut flakes, spices and dried mango and pineapple) and a course of tuna crudo with puffed rice crackers were passed around, Francis delivered charred cabbage with coconut vinaigrette, basil oil and herbs to the table.

"I grew up eating a lot of cabbage," he said. "It was always stewed to s, unrecognizably stewed. But it was delicious, stewed cabbage and carrots. My dad would make me cut all the cabbage and carrots for the restaurant. There was a huge 32-quart pot that was taller than me. As a kid, I remember thinking, 'Im never gonna fill this pot, theres not enough cabbage in the world to fill this pot.'"

Francis' cabbage was not unrecognizably stewed, but seared and served in a pool of coconut vinaigrette aromatic with garlic and punchy with rice vinegar and lime juice, garnished with basil oil and fresh parsley and mint.

DeVonn Francis' cooking is evolving the story of Caribbean American cuisine. He prepared several courses for an L.A. dinner party gathering writers, DJs, filmmakers, artists and designers. (Yasara Gunawardena / For The Times)

DeVonn Francis makes an appetizer for a dinner party at the downtown loft of producer Fabienne Toback, as guest Rose Apodaca looks on. Francis will be popping up at Kismet restaurant in Los Angeles in July. (Yasara Gunawardena / For The Times)

"This cabbage is incredible," Toback said. "It's light and fresh and invigorating. Certain cuisines get pigeonholed, as sometimes happens with African American food. Or, 'Oh, Mexican food is heavy.' 'Oh, Japanese food, I don't like raw fish.'" Francis is broadening how we understand food in terms of heritage, she said. He's American, but his flavors reflect his Jamaican background.

I am just enthralled by the shared community around food that brings so many different threads together, said guest Mukhopadhyay, assistant curator of modern and contemporary art at the Portland Museum of Art in Maine, who came to Francis dinner at the invitation of DJ Kruzel. The West Indies have historic ties to the East Indies, India, where my family is from, through empire and conquest. Theres a strong Indo-Caribbean community and a flavor profile that mirrors a lot of Indian cuisine for me, especially the spices. Its interesting to see out of such a turbid and violent history the kinds of ways in which cuisine adapts  so nourishing, so beautiful.

Francis said his goal is: How are we continuing Caribbean food and heritage versus being mired in its history? Its I know jerk chicken or I know oxtail, but they dont really understand the complexity of the culture. How can every recipe push that along further?"

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By Asif Shahzad

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -The International Monetary Fund's board approved a $3 billion bailout programme for Pakistan which will immediately disburse about $1.2 billion to help stabilise the South Asian ailing economy, the lender said on Wednesday.

Pakistan and the Fund reached a staff level agreement last month, securing a short-term pact, which got more than expected funding for the country of 230 million, which faced an acute balance of payments crisis with only enough central bank reserves to cover barely a month of controlled imports.

The board's approval was mandatory before disbursing the first tranche, with the rest to arrive later in instalments.

The IMF executive board "approved a 9-month Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) for Pakistan for an amount of SDR2,250 million (about $3 billion, or 111 percent of quota) to support the authorities' economic stabilization program," the lender said in a statement.

It said Pakistan faced "a difficult external environment, devastating floods and policy missteps have led to large fiscal and external deficits, rising inflation and eroded reserve buffers in FY23."

The deal, a lifeline for Pakistan, which has been on the cusp of default, came after eight months of tough negotiations over fiscal discipline.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the bailout was a major step forward in the government's efforts to stabilise the economy and achieve macroeconomic stability. "It bolsters Pakistan's economic position to overcome immediate- to medium-term economic challenges, giving next government the fiscal space to chart the way forward," he said.

Terming it a milestone, Sharif said it was achieved against "the heaviest of odds & against seemingly impossible deadline."

Sharif's coalition government is due to face a national election this year and must undertake more painful fiscal discipline measures to satisfy the IMF. It included the central bank raising its policy interest rate to a record high of 22% while ordinary Pakistanis struggle with inflation running at about 29% and the government raising 385 billion rupee ($1.39 billion) in new taxes.

POLICY ANCHOR

The IMF said the fresh funding will provide a policy anchor for addressing domestic and external imbalances and a framework for financial support from multilateral and bilateral partners.

"The program will focus on implementation of the FY24 budget to facilitate Pakistan's needed fiscal adjustment and ensure debt sustainability, while protecting critical social spending; a return to a market-determined exchange rate and proper FX market functioning to absorb external shocks and eliminate FX shortages," it said.

The IMF said it wanted Islamabad to ensure a tight monetary policy aimed at disinflation and further progress on structural reforms, particularly in the energy sector, state-owned enterprises governance and climate resilience.

The deal, which has already brought some relief to investors in the country's stocks, exchange rate and bonds, will unlock more external financing.

Longtime allies Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates have deposited $3 billion in Pakistan's central bank in the last two days. Sharif said China had rolled over $5 billion in loans in the last three months to save his country from default.

Fitch credit rating agency on Monday upgraded Pakistan's sovereign rating to CCC from CCC-.

($1 = 277.0000 Pakistani rupees)

(Reporting by Asif Shahzad, additional reporting by Ariba Shahid and Gibran Peshimam; editing by Ed Osmond and David Gregorio)
JERUSALEM (AP)  Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas briefly visited the occupied West Bank's Jenin refugee camp Wednesday in the wake of a devastating Israeli offensive last week, marking his first visit to the camp since 2005.

The visit, which lasted just over an hour, came at a time of seething discontent among Palestinians in the West Bank toward Abbas and the Palestinian Authority, the autonomous government which administers parts of the West Bank but has largely lost control over several militant strongholds in the region, including Jenin. The 87-year-old president is widely seen as out of touch with the public and rarely ventures outside of his Ramallah headquarters.

The Palestinian leaders visit to the Jenin refugee camp came a week after Israel launched a massive two-day military operation there. It was the largest Israeli offensive in the West Bank in nearly two decades, killing at least 12 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier, forcing thousands to flee their homes and leaving large swaths of the camp in ruins. The Israeli army said the operation was necessary to crack down on Palestinian militant groups following a spate of recent attacks.

Abbas arrived in Jenin aboard a Jordanian helicopter on Wednesday afternoon. Thousands clustered around his heavy security detail, and children chased his motorcade as it moved along the streets. He visited a freshly-dug cemetery, where he laid a wreath at the graves of those killed in last weeks operation, before speaking to a tightly-packed crowd.

Jenin camp is the icon of struggle, steadfastness and challenge, said Abbas. He pledged the reconstruction of the camp would begin immediately. I say to everyone near and far, this country is safe and its authority will remain one... we must get rid of the occupation and we say to them: leave us, we are here to stay."

Abbass leadership has come under criticism over rampant corruption in the Palestinian Authority and the lack of any progress toward independence. Just 17% of Palestinians are satisfied with Abbas' leadership and 80% want him to resign, according to a Palestinian public opinion poll in June.

The Palestinian Authority has long drawn resentment for its security cooperation with Israel, which allows its security forces to crack down on rival militant groups such as Hamas, but the Jenin raid further degraded its reputation among many Palestinians.

U.S. President Joe Biden said in an interview with CNN this week that the Palestinian Authority has lost its credibility among Palestinians and has created a vacuum for extremism in the West Bank.

Abbas's visit came after a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's office that his government would take steps to strengthen the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, but gave no specifics about what steps it would take.

Since taking office in December, several ultranationalist ministers in Netanyahu's government have called for the Palestinian Authority to be disbanded.

Netanyahu heads one of the most hard-line governments in Israel's history, made up of ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox factions along with his ruling Likud party.

Over the last year, Israel has conducted stepped-up raids into Palestinian areas in response to deadly Palestinian attacks targeting Israelis over the past year.

More than 150 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the start of the year, while at least 26 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks against Israelis.
Former Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday said that Ukraines membership in NATO should not be considered until Russias war in the country ends.

I honestly believe that its important as the leader of the free world and the arsenal of democracy that America continue to provide the Ukrainians what they need to fight and win and repel that unprovoked Russian invasion. But the question of NATO membership  and I spoke about this with (Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelensky  I think should all wait on after the war is won, Pence told CNNs Kaitlan Collins on The Source.

The position aligns Pence with President Joe Biden, who told CNN in an exclusive interview last week that Moscows war in Ukraine needs to end before the alliance can consider adding Kyiv to its ranks. But Pence, whos running for the GOP presidential nomination, sought to draw a distinction with Biden as well as his predecessor.

Pence criticized Bidens foreign policy approach and took a crack at former President Donald Trump, telling Collins that the former presidents claim that he could end the war in 24 hours wouldnt be achievable without major concessions.

The only way you could end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours would be by giving Vladimir Putin what he wants. And thats the last thing the United States should ever call upon Ukraine to do, he said.

Despite trying to distinguish his position on Putin from Trumps, the former vice president defended the Trump administration for staying firm against the Russian leader.

Pence, who has become a strong advocate for US support for Ukraine amid Russias invasion, is so far the only Republican presidential candidate to visit Ukraine. On a trip to the nation last month, Pence met with Zelensky, telling him, The United States and the free world continue to stand with you until victory is achieved but then justice is also achieved.

The former vice president said he assured the Ukrainian leader that hell continue to do everything in our power to make sure that we provide the Ukrainian military with the support they need until they repel the Russian invasion and restore the sovereignty of this country.

Thought Trump would come around on election

During a recent visit in Sioux City, Iowa, Pence was confronted about his decision, as Trumps vice president, to certify the 2020 election results on January 6, 2021.

If it wasnt for your vote, we would not have Joe Biden in the White House.  Do you ever second guess yourself? Iowa voter Luann Bertrand asked.

In response, Pence outlined his responsibility to certify Bidens victory  despite pressure from Trump to do otherwise  following the US Capitol insurrection. Republicans, he added at that Iowa event, need to focus on the future: We spend the next election talking about the past, youre going to get four more years of Democrats in the White House.

Pressed by Collins Tuesday night on whether he wished he had spoken up sooner  before the day of the US Capitol attack  by coming out and publicly conceding the election in the weeks before, Pence said he had hoped Trump would come around on the election.

I had frankly hoped all the way up to the waning days before January 6 that President Trump would come around on this issue, he told Collins. Id seen it many times. You talk about times we disagreed when I was vice president. Id seen the president take a hard position on an issue and then take the opposite position and then engage in a debate back and forth.

Pence said he thought Trump may have been coming around when he told a Georgia rally crowd before January 6 that Pence was always going to do the right thing.

Ultimately, he told Collins, Sadly, things went downhill from there but he had hoped all along the way to persuade him of the rightness of our cause and our position.

The former vice president has spoken before about how he broke with Trump on January 6  even saying months before jumping in the race that Trumps reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day, and I know that history will hold Donald Trump accountable.

Pence has promised to visit all 99 counties in Iowa, as he works to carve a path to the nomination against his former running mate. Next week, hes set to visit New Hampshire for his second swing through the Granite State since officially launching his campaign.

This story has been updated with additional details.

CNNs Kyung Lah and Veronica Stracqualursi contributed to this report.

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Southbound Interstate 35 in Fort Worth near the Ripy Street exit was closed Tuesday evening as police investigated a shooting on the highway in that area, according to police records and the Texas Department of Transportation.

Police responded to a call in that area about a shooting around 3:25 p.m. Tuesday. According to police, one vehicle pulled up next to another around 3:20 p.m. and someone in the first vehicle opened fire on the driver of the second, leading to an accident.

The vehicle with the shooter left the area headed southbound and the victim showed up at the hospital with a gunshot wound to the arm, according to police. Detectives from the gang unit were investigating the shooting Tuesday evening.

It was not immediately clear whether anybody else was injured in the shooting or the subsequent accident.

Southbound traffic was being directed to the service road and major delays were occurring.

According to a 6:10 p.m. update from TxDOT, the interstate has reopened.

Traffic camera footage from TxDOT previously showed all southbound lanes of the freeway closed after the exit for Ripy Street.
WARSAW (Reuters) - A team of Polish doctors has started examining former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Wednesday.

Saakashvili, 55, was sent to prison in 2021 for six years on charges of abusing his power while president of the ex-Soviet state, a charge he says was politically motivated. His health deteriorated in prison, where he has staged repeated hunger strikes and alleges he was poisoned.

"We do not leave friends in need," Morawiecki wrote on Twitter. "At my request, a team of Polish doctors... started a comprehensive medical examination of President Mikheil Saakashvili in Georgia.

Warsaw had previously proposed to the Georgian government that Saakashvili be treated in Poland.

Saakashvili himself has asked to be transferred abroad for treatment.

In a video shot during a court hearing last week, an emaciated Saakashvili lifted his shirt to show protruding ribs.

(Reporting by Alan Charlish; Editing by Toby Chopra)
BEIJING (Reuters) -China on Wednesday sent another strong signal that a years-long crackdown on its tech industry is over as Premier Li Qiang met firms such as Alibaba's cloud unit and Meituan, and urged them to do more to support the economy.

After listening to suggestions from firms that also included PDD Holdings' Pinduoduo and JD.com, Li told them authorities would seek to make regulation of platform firms more transparent and predictable.

Shares in some U.S.-listed Chinese firms rallied in premarket trade, with Alibaba Group Holding gaining 2.2% and PDD Holdings rising 2.7%. Other companies named as attending included ByteDance's Douyin, the Chinese equivalent of TikTok, and cargo service platform Huolala.

The meeting comes after authorities signalled last week that a crackdown that began in late 2020 on the technology sector had ended with fines on Ant Group and Tencent.

During the campaign, which wiped $1.1 trillion off the combined market value of the biggest players, regulators repeatedly criticised and punished those companies for violations ranging from failing to protect customer privacy to monopolistic behaviour.

But Beijing's tone has softened since December, with authorities shifting to stress the need to revitalise the sprawling online platform sector, as the economy recovers at a slower-than-anticipated rate following the end of COVID curbs.

"We hope that the majority of platform enterprises will look forward with firm confidence ... continue to promote innovation and breakthroughs, better empower the real economy," Li said at Wednesday's meeting, according to state media.

"Governments at all levels should endeavour to create a fair and competitive market environment, and improve policies on investment access," he said.

Despite the recent signals, however, some fund managers told Reuters that they would continue to steer clear of the sector, citing expectations of stringent regulation in the future and the flagging domestic economy.

Still Zhou Hao, economist at Guotai Junan International, said Wednesday's meeting was a "positive signal".

"A sound development of the platform economy is very significant to investors too. Prudent development of platform firms is important to investors' long-term valuation," he added.

(Reporting by Ella Cao, Brenda Goh, Ellen Zhang, Ethan Wang and Ryan WooEditing by Barbara Lewis and Mark Potter)
GENEVA (AP)  The U.N.'s top human rights body overwhelmingly approved a measure calling on countries to do more to prevent religious hatred in the wake of Quran burnings in Europe, over the objections of Western countries who fear tougher steps by governments could trample freedom of expression.

Applause broke out in the cavernous chamber of the Human Rights Council on Wednesday after the 28-12 vote, with seven abstentions, on a measure brought by Pakistan and Palestine that was backed by many developing countries in Africa, as well as China and India, and Middle Eastern countries.

The resolution comes in the wake of recent Quran burnings in parts of Europe, and among other things, calls on countries to take steps to prevent and prosecute acts and advocacy of religious hatred that constitute incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.

After the vote, Ambassador Khalil Hashmi of Pakistan insisted the measure does not seek to curtail the right to free speech, but tries to strike a prudent balance between it and special duties and responsibilities.

The opposition of a few in the room has emanated from their unwillingness to condemn the public desecration of the Holy Quran or any other religious book," Hashmi said. "They lack political, legal and moral courage to condemn this act, and it was the minimum that the council could have expected from them.

A day earlier, however, Michele Taylor, the U.S. ambassador to the council, said that the United States strongly condemns the acts that have precipitated todays discussion, including desecration of the Holy Quran on June 28  a reference to an incident in Sweden last month that fanned protest in some Muslim communities.

After the vote, Taylor said she was truly heartbroken that the council was unable to reach consensus "in condemning what we all agree are deplorable acts of anti-Muslim hatred, while also respecting freedom of expression.
Another airline is coming to Raleigh-Durham International Airport this fall to take over a trans-Atlantic route established by Delta Air Lines.

Air France will begin flying between RDU and Paris in October, operating a flight Delta inaugurated in 2016. Air France and Delta are partners, seamlessly selling tickets on each others flights. Triangle travelers who land at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport after an overnight flight can connect to some 200 destinations in dozens of countries.

Air France is scheduled to take over the route between RDU and Charles de Gaulle on Oct. 30. The carrier will fly three days a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Delta currently flies daily between the Triangle and Paris.

Delta spokesman Drake Castaneda said the airlines customers will still be able to book the RDU-Paris flight on delta.com and the Delta app and will still earn Delta frequent flyer miles.

The only real change here is that Air France will operate the flight itself, Castaneda said.

Air France will use a larger plane than Delta, a 279-seat Boeing 787. Delta uses a Boeing 767 with 234 seats.

Delta became the second airline to offer nonstop flights between the Triangle and Europe, competing with the long-established American Airlines flight to London. Last year, they were joined by Icelandair, which flies nonstop to Reykjavik with connections to about 30 cities in Europe.

Triangle-area travelers embraced RDUs nonstop service to Paris when it launched in 2016 and have made it one of their favorite international destinations, Michael Landguth, RDUs president and CEO, said in a written statement. We welcome the arrival of Air France and the opportunities it provides to connect more travelers from our region with Paris and destinations in Europe, India and beyond.

Air France will become the 15th airline to operate out of RDU and the seventh to offer international service. In addition to Paris, London and Reykjavik, Triangle travelers can fly nonstop to Cancun, Freeport, Montreal and Toronto.

RDU becomes the 14th U.S. airport where Air France operates, according to Eric Caron, the North America general manager for Air France-KLM, the airlines parent company.

Whether the final destination is Paris or going beyond through Air Frances wide global network, we look forward to welcoming travelers on board soon, Caron said in a statement.


By Lee Eung-tae



Yesterday, we were visited by some close friends. We have a genuine feeling of warm affection toward them. But according to the Korean way of thinking, "friends" is an inappropriate term. One of the couples is senior to us and the other is junior, by more than five years. Nevertheless, we feel very close to them.



We met three years ago while studying in a Busan Foreign Language University class for the Korean Language Teacher's Certificate. Chatting over coffee and cakes, a retired high school Korean teacher revealed that she was fascinated by poems written by poets born in Busan. I was amazed at her passionate interest. She now leads a poetry appreciation club at her church. Every weekend the members undertake a walking poetry tour. While strolling to attractive locations, one can appreciate poems through her insightful remarks which inspire contemplation. After a poetry tour, all the participating club members feel they have been raised to a high level of mental and physical refreshment, enjoying beautiful scenery and appreciating the poems.



Like killing two birds with one stone, how amazing it is! Thanks to her, I have developed the habit of reading poems that I once ignored, on the walls in my neighborhood streets.



She often sends me Korean poems she has recorded in her own voice. What is amazing to me, is the profound way my heart is moved as I listen to the poems she has recited. She reads with a deep understanding born of her own contemplation. Each poem is actually created anew by her insightful interpretation.



I realize that words in the poem are experienced differently depending on the narrator's affection, passion, contemplation of life  a long sincere life  so I think it is true to say that the recitation of a poem in a sweet but pallid voice alone cannot move people. Regardless of how great a poem may be, an empty reading cannot inspire deep feelings. I think it can touch us deeply when it is narrated by a person with a profoundly contemplative understanding of the poem.



On saying goodbye, the lady gave my wife a collection of poems called "Feeling Pain as I am a Flower" written by Shin Deok-yeop a renowned female poet. While reading one of the poems, I was naturally reminded of our friend, because I thought her innocence and purity were much like the beautiful traits of glass described in the poem. In spite of myself, I found myself reading the poem with all my heart and mind as my friend always does.



'To Glass'

So fragile because the inside is utterly naked

Even if you sharpen the edge like harboring spite when completely broken

And you sting the hand gathering the scars.

You once invited sunlight

And shook the darkness awake.

You were filled with wine and sent congratulations,

And let roses that you embraced perfume the air.



So sleek and without dust though

So easily stained

You are like a woman who

Often grows paper cranes and lets them fly in the air



Scared of the wind

Curl up at the sound of the wind

As you save yourself, then

You are not easily broken



Having no inside out

In order to show the world inside out

You break walls



The street you take me to is bright

You reveal the scenery of all the houses





Lee Eung-tae (eungtae@gmail.com) is a former high school teacher who taught English for 35 years.


By Arshad Mohammed

(Reuters) - A senior U.S. Republican lawmaker criticized as "absolutely unacceptable" a State Department response on Tuesday to his inquiry about why the U.S. special envoy for Iran's security clearance was under review.

Michael McCaul, chairman of the House of Representatives committee on foreign affairs, wrote to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on June 30 seeking "a full and transparent accounting" about an investigation into the envoy, Rob Malley.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a U.S. official said Malley was put on unpaid leave on June 29 after news broke that his security clearance was under review.

In a response made public by McCaul's office, Naz Durakoglu the assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs, said the agency had a "thorough and comprehensive process" to assess an individual's eligibility to access classified information.

"Consistent with longstanding Executive Branch and Department of State policies and practices, the Department is not in a position to provide further documents or information related to this personnel-security clearance matter," she said.

McCaul, in a brief statement, said: "This is an absolutely unacceptable response."

"Congress deserves to know exactly why the U.S. Special Envoy (for) Iran had his security clearance suspended, was then suspended from his position, and now, according to news reports, is being investigated by the FBI," McCaul added, saying he would ask the agency for a classified briefing next week.

When news that his security clearance was under review broke on June 29, Malley said: "I have been informed that my security clearance is under review. I have not been provided any further information, but I expect the investigation to be resolved favorably and soon. In the meantime, I am on leave."

In a regular briefing on Tuesday, State Department spokesman Matt Miller said Malley "stopped performing the duties" of special envoy for Iran on June 29 and "went on leave "several weeks before that," but he declined to provide further details.

Appointed soon after Democratic President Joe Biden took office in 2021, Malley had the task of trying to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Then-President Donald Trump, a Republican, had abandoned the pact in 2018 and reimposed U.S. sanctions on Iran.

Having failed to revive the deal, the United States has held talks with Iran to try to ease tensions by sketching out steps that could limit the Iranian nuclear program, release some detained U.S. citizens and unfreeze some Iranian assets abroad, Iranian and Western officials said in June.

(Reporting by Arshad Mohammed and Simon Lewis; Writing by Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Leslie Adler)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich on Wednesday will challenge European Union sanctions imposed on him after the Ukraine war, arguing that the restrictions were imposed simply because he is a well-known Russian, a source familiar with the matter said.

After President Vladimir Putin ordered tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, the EU slapped sanctions on Russian officials and a host of Russian businessmen while freezing hundreds of billions of dollars of Russian assets.

The EU in March 2022 described Abramovich, now 56, as an "oligarch who has close ties to Vladimir Putin" including "privileged access" to the Kremlin chief, connections the EU said had helped him maintain his assets.

Abramovich filed a challenge to the EU sanctions on May 25, 2022, and on Thursday the General Court of the Court of Justice of the European Union will hear the challenge, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

His lawyers will argue that the EU sanctions are baseless and were imposed purely because he is a famous Russian businessman, the source said.

"He was not sanctioned because of evidence relating to the criteria: he was sanctioned simply because politically, the most famous Russian businessman had to be even if this is a manifest error," the source said.

Abramovich, who also holds Israeli citizenship, was one of the most powerful businessmen who earned fabulous fortunes after the 1991 break-up of the Soviet Union. Forbes has put his net worth at $9.2 billion.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
(Reuters) -The armed confrontation in Ukraine will continue until the West gives up plans to dominate and defeat Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with an Indonesian newspaper published on Wednesday.

The goal of the "US-led collective West" is to strengthen its global hegemony, Lavrov told the Kompas newspaper. Lavrov is due to attend the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum in Jakarta this week, as is U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

"Why doesn't the armed confrontation in Ukraine come to an end? The answer is very simple  it will continue until the West gives up its plans to preserve its domination and overcome its obsessive desire to inflict on Russia a strategic defeat at the hands of its Kiev puppets," according to a transcript of the interview published on Russia's foreign ministry website.

"For the time being, there are no signs of change in this position."

Russia waged a full-scale invasion in Ukraine in February 2022, calling it a "special military operation" to denazify its neighbour. Kyiv and its allies call the war, now in its 17th month, an aggression to grab land.

On Wednesday, Russia launched a wave of kamikaze drone attacks on Kyiv for a second night in row and hours before President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was due to meet NATO leaders at a summit in Vilnius.

The West says it wants to help Ukraine win its conflict with Russia, and Western powers have supplied large amounts of modern arms and ammunition to Kyiv.

Lavrov also accused Kyiv of ignoring Indonesia's peace plan and instead promoting its own "package of ultimatums."

Ukraine dismissed the Indonesian plan, a multi-point formula which had included a call for the establishment of a demilitarised zone, reiterating Kyiv's position that Russia should withdraw its troops from Ukraine.

Commenting on the internal strife in Myanmar since a military coup in 2021, Lavrov urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to resolve issues with "close cooperation" with the junta and without interfering in Myanmar's domestic affairs.

ASEAN foreign ministers meeting on Tuesday were expected to address the growing violence in Myanmar. The regional bloc has barred the junta from its summits for failing to implement an agreed peace plan.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne and Ananda Teresia in Jakarta; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
(Reuters) - Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy secretary of Russia's powerful Security Council chaired by President Vladimir Putin, said late on Tuesday that the increase in military assistance to Ukraine by the NATO alliance brings World War Three closer.

Commenting on the first day of the summit of the U.S.-led alliance in Lithuania, where a number of countries pledged more weaponry and financial support, Medvedev said the aid would not deter Russia from achieving its goals in Ukraine.

"The completely crazy West could not come up with anything else ... In fact, it's a dead end. World War Three is getting closer," Medvedev wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

"What does all this mean for us? Everything is obvious. The special military operation will continue with the same goals."

Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a "special military operation," while Kyiv and its allies say Moscow is waging an unprovoked war to grab land and dominate its neighbour.

The West says it wants to help Ukraine win the war, and Western powers have already supplied large amounts of modern arms and ammunition to Kyiv.

Medvedev, who cast himself as a liberal moderniser when he was president from 2008-2012, now presents himself as a fiercely anti-Western Kremlin hawk. Diplomats say his views give an indication of thinking at the top levels of the Kremlin elite.

He also advocated on Tuesday for using the "inhuman weapon" that is cluster munitions after what he said were reports of Ukraine already using it.

The U.S. announced it would supply Kyiv with cluster munitions that typically release large numbers of small bomblets over a wide area and are banned by many countries.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said that Moscow would be forced to use "similar" weapons if the United States supplied cluster bombs to Ukraine.

Russia and Ukraine have previously accused each other of already using cluster munitions in the 500-day war.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Stephen Coates)
The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, responding to Associated Press investigative stories on the Supreme Court, said Tuesday it was time for the justices to bring their conduct in line with the ethical standards of other branches of government.

If they just establish the basic standards of every other branch of government, it would give us much more confidence in their integrity, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said. He commented in Vilnius, Lithuania, where he was attending the NATO summit as part of the U.S. delegation.

The AP published stories showing that Justice Sonia Sotomayor, aided by her staff, has advanced sales of her books through college visits over the past decade; that universities have used trips by justices as a lure for financial contributions by placing them in event rooms with wealthy donors, and that justices have taken expenses-paid teaching trips to attractive locations that are light on actual classroom instruction.

The series comes after stories over the past six months that have raised ethical concerns about the activities of the justices. Durbin and other lawmakers in Washington have announced a vote next week on legislation that would require the court to adopt an ethics code. While the measure is unlikely to pass, it sends a signal of discontent about the court.

The nation's highest court operates without an ethics code, instead following what Chief Justice John Roberts has referred to as a set of foundational ethics principles and practices.

Asked Tuesday about the AP stories, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who also sits on the Judiciary Committee, called them powerful reports that amount to a "drip-by-drip-by-drip indictment of a Supreme Court that seems answerable to no one for ethical breaches.

The chief justice really ought to be taking these into account for the sake the court and the country because the Supreme Court will no longer exist as a truly viable institution if it continues the failure to face the need for a code of ethics, he said.

In contrast, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, another member of the Judiciary Committee, said he believes Congress should leave the ethics issue to the court and that the Democrats' pursuit of ethics reform is part of a long-standing assault against the court that the left feels is undermining a lot of things theyve accomplished over the years by judicial action. To me, thats the motivating factor."

I think its a co-equal branch of government we dont have jurisdiction over. Secondly, I think this is part of a false narrative that the court is out of control and needs Congress to save it, Cornyn said.

Kathleen Clark, a law professor at Washington University in St. Louis and an expert in legal ethics, said the latest reporting reveals the extent to which "ethics problems at the Supreme Court is an equal opportunity scandal.

It's not just about Clarence Thomas and (Samuel) Alito, Clark said, referring to earlier media reporting about the two conservative justices. It's an institutional rather than individual problem.

_____

Megerian reported from Vilnius, Lithuania. AP writer Kevin Freking in Washington contributed to this report.
By John Irish and Steve Holland

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -G7 countries will announce on Wednesday an international framework that would pave the way for long-term security assurances for Ukraine to boost its defences against Russia and deter Moscow from future aggression, officials said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was meeting leaders of the 31-member alliance at the NATO summit, after they declared on Tuesday that Ukraine's future lay inside the alliance but rebuffed his call for a timeline for membership.

Without getting entry into the alliance while the war with Russia continues - given that NATO's Article 5, which says that an attack on one member is an attack on all, could push it into war with Russia - Ukraine has sought current and long-term security commitments.

NATO has assiduously abstained from giving military assistance to Ukraine as an organisation, to avoid entering a direct conflict with Russia, and is keen to continue leaving that to member states and others.

Britain, France, Germany and the United States, known as the Quad, have been negotiating with Kyiv for weeks over a multilateral text that would create a broad framework for member states, encompassing elements including modern advanced military equipment, training, intelligence-sharing and cyberdefence.

"The joint declaration, expected to be signed by all members of the G7, will set out how allies will support Ukraine over the coming years to end the war and deter and respond to any future attack," the British government said in a statement.

The G7, which comprises the United States, Germany, Japan, France, Canada, Italy and Britain, as well as the European Union, will meet on the margins of the NATO summit later on Wednesday to announce the initiative.

Countries such as Poland and Romania are likely to also sign up on Wednesday to the framework, which would be open to other countries to make their own bilateral commitments, officials say.

A U.S. official said Washington would begin its own negotiations with Kyiv soon. President Joe Biden has spoken about using its support for Israel as a possible model.

The United States' military aid for Israel is worth about $3.5 billion a year, but the relationship also entails a great deal of political support.

"G7 leaders agree to enter bilateral negotiations with Ukraine to provide long term security assistance and ensure they have a capable fighting force to deter Russian aggression in the future and provide support for Ukraines good governance reforms and strengthen Ukraines economy," the U.S. official said.

Germany has already said that it would initially provide 12 billion euros in military support until 2032, including 3.2 billion euros for 2023.

France, which said on Tuesday it would send long range cruise missiles to Kyiv for the first time, is also negotiating with Ukraine, but will possibly face tough discussions in parliament as it debates its military budget from 2025 to 2030.

Diplomats said in return for the assurances, Ukraine would also pledge to push through governance and judicial reforms.

(Additional reporting by Andrew Gray, Sabine Siebold and Justyna Pawlak; Editing by Alex Richardson)
DAKAR/MADRID (Reuters) - Authorities in Senegal have disputed reports that 300 people travelling on three migrant boats from Senegal to Spain's Canary Islands disappeared last week as "unfounded" and said hundreds had been rescued in Moroccan territorial waters.

But the migrant aid group that originally reported the missing boats, Walking Borders, said it believed those on the three boats were still missing.

Walking Borders on Sunday said two boats, one carrying about 65 people and the other with between 50 and 60 on board, had been missing for 15 days since they left Senegal for Spain.

A third boat left on June 27 with about 200 people aboard it said, adding that all three departed from Kafountine in southern Senegal and that the families of the missing it was speaking to had no new information about their whereabouts since.

Spain's coastguard said on Monday it sent a rescue plane to look for the third boat.

But Senegal's foreign ministry on Tuesday cast doubt on what it described as the publication on social networks of reports of the disappearance at sea of at least 300 Senegalese migrants who left Kafountine for the Canary Islands.

"The checks carried out show that this information is completely unfounded," the ministry said in a statement. It said 260 of its citizens were rescued in Moroccan territorial waters between June 28 and July 9.

Senegalese and Moroccan authorities are ensuring that those rescued were taken care of and repatriated as soon as possible, it said.

Walking Borders in a statement on Wednesday said the ministry's reports of rescues "do not correspond to any of the boats whose disappearance we have been warning about since the beginning of July."

It said it would not speculate on the reasons for the Senegalese statement.

"Since the end of May there have been numerous boats leaving the coasts of Senegal, a situation that did not occur before," it said.

It said 10 boats from Senegal, five from Mauritania and one from Gambia had arrived on the Canary Islands in that period.

The Atlantic migration route, typically used by sub-Saharan African migrants, is one of the world's deadliest. At least 559 people died in 2022 in attempts to reach the Canary Islands, according to the U.N.'s International Organisation for Migration.

Data from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex shows at least 1,135 migrants originating from Senegal have arrived in the Canaries so far this year.

(Reporting by Joel Kouam; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Conor Humphries)


By Simon Hutagalung



The focus NATO is placing on Asia does not imply that it is disregarding issues outside of its regular sphere of influence, particularly the crisis in Ukraine. Its summit might result in the adoption of a new strategic concept that includes China. The Chinese threat might account for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's attendance in Madrid. First-time participants Tokyo and Seoul, who were invited as "Asian partners," are taking part. Australia and New Zealand attended as countries that are worried about Beijing's goals in the Pacific.



These invites are a component of both nations' continuing strategic direction shift. Along with the United States, India and Australia, Japan is a participant in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or the "Quad," a framework for strategic security dialogue for the Indo-Pacific region developed in opposition to China. Since a deal was signed in June 2022, the nation has cooperated with the alliance on intelligence sharing and marine security. Tokyo, according to Kishida, wants to "promote the idea that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region are inseparable" during the meeting. Kishida stated his "great concern that the situation in Ukraine today" may be repeated in his region when speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Because of China's recent military buildup in Taiwan, the Japanese prime minister is concerned about a replay of the Russian invasion in the Asia-Pacific. Kishida's worries have been exacerbated by the continued hostilities brought on by Japan's territorial conflicts with its neighbors China and Russia.



Recent news stories have focused on Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. Because of the issues in Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, the Middle East has long been seen as a volatile region with the capacity to destabilize the whole globe. More well-known socialist leaders are Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, Evo Morales of Bolivia and Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua. Another element that adds to Africa's significance is the energy it can provide to major countries and the rest of the world. East Asia, however, is more substantial than the combined importance of these three regions. There are six of them mentioned.



More than 3.5 billion people are living in East Asia. This amounts to approximately half of all human beings. Fifteen percent of China's population of over 1.4 billion people would have attained middle-class status by 2015, whereas more than half of East Asia still survive on less than $2 per day. India, which has 1.2 billion-plus citizens and is growing at its current rate, is similar in that sense. The new secretary general of the association, and the ten ASEAN members will create an ASEAN Middle Class by 2030, with a total population of more than 500 million. This group will practice several wise financial practices.



There are around 15 different political regimes or kinds of government that control the entire population. They include family/communist dynasties in addition to constitutional, monarchical, sultanic and parliamentary democracies. Despite these disparities, none of the East Asian nations are waging a bloody war against one another. Students could eventually have a more sophisticated understanding of the nature of global solutions as a consequence. For instance, practically everyone was against the Second Iraq War. In other words, more so than Europe, Latin America, or Africa, East Asia has the potential to become the conscience of the upcoming global crisis.



The prevention of violence paves the way for trans-regional economic growth in East Asian countries. According to the World Bank, East Asia's GDP has been expanding on average between 4.5 percent and 5 percent yearly. More than half of the growth rates observed globally may be attributed to this. East Asia is expanding more quickly than the rest of the world as a result. The economy would certainly suffer from unchecked population expansion; in areas like Indonesia, it already has. Out of more than 15 East Asian nations, this is only one setback.



China and South Korea now have greater numerical voting weights in the International Monetary Forum (IMF) as a result of East Asia's economic expansion. In addition, since 1945, Japan has participated eight times in the U.N. Security Council and plans to do so once more after being inducted as a full member. China relies on its private and commercial firms to carry out its foreign operations, whereas Japan has a sizeable foreign Development Budget (ODB) of more than $1 billion annually. Petrol China is currently a $1 trillion industry worldwide. TEMASEK, a government-controlled firm, is one of the largest sovereign funds in the world, despite Singapore's modest size.



In the region, military transcontinental missiles with nuclear warheads can be launched by China, India and North Korea. In other words, if they choose to "export" their missile and nuclear technologies individually or collectively, as did North Korea at one point, they can alter any regional power dynamics. The U.S. maintains a sizable footprint in the region to halt such a spread.



China, the ROK and other Asian nations endured unspeakable agony as a result of the militarism of Japan's invasion and colonial rule. If the past is remembered, it might act as a guide for the present. "We have always urged Japan to seriously consider its history of aggression, appropriately manage historical issues with an honest and responsible attitude, and build on this foundation to establish normal state-to-state relations with its neighbors," said Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Whatever China's views on the alliance between South Korea and Japan, the country's leadership appears to have been concerned by the development.





Simon Hutagalung serves in the Indonesian Foreign Ministry. The views expressed in this article are his own and do not represent those of the ministry.


BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbia will investigate the accusations made by the United States against the head of its state security agency, President Aleksdandar Vucic said on Wednesday, after the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on the pro-Russian official.

The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)sanctioned Aleksandar Vulin, the director of the Serbian Security and Information Agency (BIA), implicating him in helping Moscow with "malign" activities in the Western Balkans region, and with having links to an arms dealer and a drug trafficking ring.

"I think it's very important, it's terribly important, to conduct an investigation," Vucic told reporters.

"Aleksandar Vulin was not sanctioned for any crime or corruption or whatever, but because of his position about the Russian Federation," Vucic said.

Vulin who is also the head of the co-ruling Movement of Socialists, and who previously held posts of the defense minister and the minister of interior, is the first high-ranking Serbian official to be sanctioned by the United States since Vucic took office in 2017.

In a statement on Tuesday, Vulin's party accused the United States of "lying, raping, and distorting the truth".

In the past, Vulin, a staunch supporter of Serbia's strogman Slobodan Milosevic in the 1990s, visited Russia and met chiefs of its intelligence agencies, most recently in May when he attended a security conference there.

In January, Vulin was accused by a group of Serbian and pro-Ukraine activists of involvement in the recruitment of Serbs to fight for Russia's Wagner mercenary army in Ukraine.

In 2022, Belgrade's daily Nova quoted Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza as saying he and members of the Russian opposition were wiretapped during their meeting in Belgrade and that Vulin handed over transcripts of the talks to Moscow.

Although Belgrade has repeatedly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine it has so far refused to join international sanctions against Moscow.

Serbia is a candidate to join the European Union, but it must first root out rampant corruption, organised crime and align its foreign policies with those of the bloc.

(Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
James Lewis, who died aged 76 this week, was the sole suspect in the Tylenole murders that terrorised the US in 1982 (Getty/AP)

Roy Lane put away mobsters, judges and even a former Illinois governor during a storied 26-year career in the FBI.

For the retired special agent, the death of Tylenol murders suspect James Lewis at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this week at the age of 76, marked an unsatisfying end to the pursuit for justice he had dedicated half his life to.

James Lewis death ends a lifetime of cruelty to others, and the compulsive need for revenge, Mr Lane, 75, told The Independent.

In 1982, Mr Lane was assigned to a joint FBI task force of more than 100 law enforcement personnel investigating the poisoning deaths of seven Chicago-area residents.

On 28 September that year, the first victim Mary Kellerman, 12, was hospitalised after taking a capsule of Extra-Strength Tylenol, an acetaminophen manufactured by Johnson & Johnson.

The seventh grader died the next day.

Six adults would take the contaminated pills on 29 September, including three members of the same family, Polish immigrant Adam Janus, 27; his brother Stanley Janus, 25; and Stanleys wife Theresa Janus, 20.

Mary McFarland, Mary Lynn Reiner, Paula Prince would all die within a day of consuming the toxic capsules.

The deaths of young mothers, fathers and children just starting out their lives were heartbreaking, Mr Lane said. Each one was just awful.

The mysterious deaths sparked a wave of terror across the United States, and doctors and law enforcement were initially baffled.

Helen Jensen, a public health nurse in Arlington Heights, was the first to suggest it could have been poisoning due to tampering with medicine bottles.

James Lewis death ends a lifetime of cruelty to others, and the compulsive need for revenge, retired FBI special agent Roy Lane says (Associated Press)

She visited the Jamus household and found a Tylenol bottle and a receipt, and testing on the remaining capsules revealed that they contained nearly three times a fatal dose of cyanide.

Ms Jensen told the Associated Press in an interview this week she was initially laughed at by investigators for suggesting the capsules had been deliberately tampered with.

I was a woman and I was a nurse, she said. I understood the attitudes of that time. But I was proven right by the next day.

On 5 October, Johnson & Johnson ordered a nationwide recall of more than 31 million bottles of Tylenol in circulation. Investigators rushed to remove the capsules from homes and off shelves.

The panic led to widespread changes to the way prescription drugs were packaged, and led the Food and Drug Administration to introduce anti-tampering features such as foil seals to packaging that remain standard.

In 1983, Congress passed the Tylenol bill making it a federal offence to tamper with packaging.

Halloween was cancelled

Mr Lane remembers the sense of panic that spread through the nation that October.

People were so afraid, Halloween was cancelled that year in most communities, he told The Independent.

From then on, people were warned to check their kids candies after coming back from trick or treating.

The early investigation was hamstrung by distrust and rivalries between the Chicago Police Department and FBI, according tothe 2022 Chicago Tribune podcast Unsealed: The Tylenol Murders.

Law enforcement called on the FBIs then-nascent Behavioral Science Unit, established in 1972, to try to build a picture of a suspect seemingly hellbent on committing mass murder.

James Lewis provided detailed drawings showing how the Tylenol murders poisoner could have carried out the 1982 terror campaign (ABC7)

Mr Lane told The Independent that the expert profilers suggested the person they were looking for would be experiencing a sense of euphoria at the global attention.

A few days after the murders, Johnson & Johnson received a one page, handwritten letter written in all caps demanding $1m to stop the killing.

As you can see, it is easy to place cyanide (both potassium & sodium) into capsules sitting on store shelves, the letter read.

If you dont mind the publicity of these little capsules, then do nothing. So far I have spent less than $50, and it takes me less than 10 minutes per bottle.

Lewis was convicted of writing to Johnson & Johnson to extort $1m over the Tylenol poisonings, but was never held accountable for carrying out the murders (ABC7)

After a nationwide manhunt, the letter was traced to James William Lewis, a conman who had multiple aliases and had been implicated in the 1978 murder of a Kansas City businessman.

Mr Lane told The Independent officials obtained a warrant for Lewis arrest on 11 October. He was arrested two months later after a lengthy cat and mouse game in December.

Lewis was described as a chameleon who had moved from state to state by police, using at least 20 aliases to work as a computer specialist, tax accountant, importer of Indian tapestries and pharmaceutical salesman, the Associated Press noted in an obituary.

Lewis had lived in Illinois before moving to New York with his wife LeAnn in the fall of 1982. He stood trial in 1983 on the extortion charges, and was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Officers believed Lewis wanted to avenge the death of his daughter Toni, who died in 1974 aged five after sutures made by a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary that were used to fix her congenital heart defect had torn.

Lewis gave investigators a detailed account of how the killer could have carried out the poisoning, and while he remained the prime suspect in the murders, he was never charged, and the case remains officially unsolved.

The euphoria diminishes

With the prime suspect in the Tylenol murders behind bars for extortion, the FBI continued to pursue leads in the case.

Then, out of the blue, Lewis contacted Mr Lane saying he wanted to be involved in the investigation.

We had already been apprised by the FBI behavioural science unit that at that time the person was having euphoria about all the attention that was going on, Mr Lane said.

As time goes on, the euphoria diminishes, and the way they can recapture that euphoria is to contact one of the investigators, and want to be involved in the case itself.

In an interview this week, Mr Lane said Lewis had waived his rights to self-incrimination while providing information that seemingly only the killer would have known.

He recalled being struck by Lewis odd behaviour.

I was told that he would laugh at the wrong times, cry at the wrong times, and thats exactly what he did. He wanted information about the case, and he wanted to become involved in solving the case, Mr Lane said.

Mr Lane wouldnt go into detail about what Lewis told him. But in a 1992 jailhouse interview with ABC 7 Chicago, Lewis described in detail how the killer would have used a pegboard to drill holes into the Tylenol capsules and inject them with deadly cyanide.

There were certain statements that were made, and drawings that were made, that were quite incriminating, Mr Lane told The Independent.

He loved the attention. He didnt care if its good or bad.

Lewis stopped talking to the FBI after they refused to grant him immunity.

Lewis was released from federal prison in 1985, and moved to Massachusetts with his wife.

Stoking a battered ego

Mr Lane retired from the FBI in 1996 and moved into a job in private security.

A decade later, he received a call from the head of the FBIs Chicago office.

The bureau had set up a second task force to examine fresh evidence in the case, and Lewis remained their prime suspect.

At the time, Lewis was in jail in Massachusetts on charges of kidnap and rape of a neighbour who he had been in a business dispute with.

He spent three years in custody, and was released in 2007 when prosecutors dismissed the charges on the day his trial was due to begin after the victim refused to testify.

Mr Lane told The Independent he was contracted to work on the sting operation by the FBI, but was unable to discuss details, citing the need to preserve operational security.

But some elements of the elaborate plot were revealed by the Chicago Tribune in their 2022 investigation, and by Lewis on his personal website.

According to both accounts, Mr Lane introduced Lewis and his wife LeAnn to a woman named Sherry Nichols, telling them she was an investigative reporter who was working on a book about the Tylenol murders.

Lewis, pictured in 1992, maintained his innocence up until his death at his Massachusetts home on Sunday 9 July (ABC7 / Screengrab)

In reality, Nichols was an FBI agent working under an assumed identity.

The FBI agents told Lewis they had identified a new suspect, and needed his help with the investigation that would clear his name.

Lewis was writing a novel at the time titled Poison! The Doctors Dilemma, and the agents reportedly offered to help.

The book, which Lewis self-published in 2010, was about a rogue Government employee named Agua Naranja who found himself at the centre of a mass posioning event in the Chicago area.

Lewis claimed in a lengthy spiel that on his website that the FBI tried to lead and prod him getting his protagonist to confess to the Tylenol killings.

For 18 months, Roy Lane and Sherry Nichols, acting in cahoots, stroked my battered ego, wined and dined my wife and me at expensive restaurants, and tried to get both of us tee-toddlers drunk, Lewis wrote.

They gave me money to buy a laptop computer, flew me at govenment expense to Chicago, New York and Joplin, Missouri, then back to Boston, put me up in expensive hotels and paid me thousands of dollars, all while trying to manipulate me into implicating myself in mass murder in my own novel.

Lewis claimed he had endured nearly 40 years of being publically vilified in the press worldwide as the prime Tylenol mass murder suspect.

Mr Lane would later tell the Tribune Lewis account was about 50 per cent accurate.

Police records obtained by the news site stated that the agents had worked closely with FBI criminal profilers on the sting.

Agents from the second FBI task force closely monitored the operation as Mr Lane and Ms Nichols took the Lewises on trips to New York and Chicago.

They returned to a Walgreens in Chicago where one of the victims, Paula Prince, had purchased the deadly Tylenol capsules.

According to police records obtained by the Tribune, Lewis walked straight up to where the poisoned bottle had been kept years earlier.

At a Chicago hotel, Mr Lane reportedly confronted Lewis with a major discrepancy in the timeline of his story. He had maintained at his extortion trial that he had taken three days to write the threatening letter to Johnson & Johnson.

However, the first media reports emerged about the Tylenol poisonings on 30 September. And the FBI later determined that the letter was sent on 1 October.

Lewis blamed a faulty memory on the problematic timeline.

Yes, I am a killer

On 4 February 2009, the FBI executed a search warrant on Lewis home seizing computers and boxes of material.

Among the items taken was a handwritten note stating: Yes, I am a killer but I got 10 good reasons, the Tribune reported.

In the document, Lewis reportedly wrote that the reasons listed included to protect my family and to teach a lesson.

Authorities had long suspected revenge as a potential motive for the killings.

Lewis five-year-old daughter Toni had died after sutures used to fix her congenital heart defect had torn. He apparently blamed Johnson & Johnson for the death.

The investigation remained active for years, and Lewis was questioned as recently as September 2022 over the poisonings.

Lewis had also been in serious trouble with the law on previous occasions.

In 1978, he was charged in Kansas City, Missouri, with the dismemberment murder of Raymond West, 72, who had hired him as an accountant, the Associated Press noted in its obituary.

The charges were dismissed because Wests cause of death was not determined and some evidence had been illegally obtained.

Lewis was convicted of six counts of mail fraud in a 1981 credit card scheme in Kansas City, accused of using the name and background of a former tax client to obtain 13 credit cards.

He continued to deny any involvement in the Tylenol murders right up until his death.

In one of his final interviews last year, he told Chicago Tribune reporters: Have you been harassed over something for 40 years that you didnt have anything to do with?

Lewis, 76, was found unresponsive at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Sunday, and pronounced dead soon after, authorities said.

Cambridge police superintendent Fred Cabral said officers had found Lewis body after being asked to perform wellness check by his wife, who was out of town.

A cause of death was not immediately available, but police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

For Mr Lane, Lewis death brought disappointment, but also the knowledge that he had done all he could.

His death puts the pursuit of justice to an end, Mr Lane told The Independent this week.

Law enforcement doesnt forget. We kept working at it for justice for the families.
The last time it snowed in Johannesburg was back in 2012

People have woken up to snow and sleet in South Africa's biggest city, Johannesburg, for the first time in over a decade.

South Africans are being warned to keep warm as a cold front sweeps across most of the country.

"No major disruptions have been caused by the snowfall at this stage," a spokesman for the South African Weather Service (Saws) has told the BBC.

Cold weather conditions are expected to continue through the week.

Many people in Johannesburg on Monday seem enchanted by the rare sight of snow in their city.

"Some of the pupils and I went out to explore... some of them had seen snow before whereas others thought it was raining," says primary school teacher Agnes Mideva.

Domestic worker Nobukhosi Stompie told the BBC she travelled through the snow on her way to work, and had never seen anything like it.

"We're keeping warm indoors so we're fine," says caretaker Billy Nxumalo. "Snow was everywhere, covering the fields near our neighbourhood - it was really beautiful to see."

Children in Gauteng province waste no time playing with the snow

As winter begins in the southern hemisphere nation, meteorologists are keeping a close eye on developments.

Snow has been reported in a number of provinces including the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and the Gauteng region which includes Johannesburg and Soweto.

Weather experts have advised initiation schools in the Eastern Cape to be extra vigilant over the next week as they keep watch over hundreds of teenage boys undergoing traditional circumcision rites on isolated mountainsides across the province, a practice seen as a rite of passage into manhood amongst the Xhosa ethnic group.

Farmers are also being advised to provide shelter for their livestock during the cold spell.

It is not clear what role climate change has played in the rare snowfall.
Astronomers have expressed concern about satellite constellations, like SpaceX's Starlink, made up of thousands of spacecraft, interfering with observations of the night sky.

When Elon Musk's company first started launching Starlink satellites by the dozen into low-Earth orbit, SpaceX took note of the concerns about light reflection interfering with astronomy observations and made some changes to the spacecraft design.

A new study released last week in the Astronomy & Astrophysics journal found that unintentional low-frequency radio waves can be detected by radio telescopes.

Scientists from several research institutions used the Low Frequency Array, or LOFAR, which includes dozens of arrays in the Netherlands and other European countries, to observe 68 Starlink satellites.

The study authors said they detected "unintended electromagnetic radiation" emanating from onboard electronics. Previously, astronomers were concerned about communications transmissions interfering, but the authors say this is a new problem.

"This study represents the latest effort to better understand satellite constellations impact on radio astronomy," the study's lead author Federico Di Vruno said in a statement. "Previous workshops on Dark and Quiet Skies theorized about this radiation, and our observations confirm it is measurable."

Artists impression of a large satellite constellation in low Earth orbit circling above the LOFAR telescope. (Credit: Danielle Futselaar)

This is a problem for radio astronomy observations because the unintended tradition could impact astronomical research. Astronomers use radio observatories to listen for very faint signals in the universe, which requires having the telescope be away from human radio signals. Often, radio observatories are in remote areas, but satellites fly above the telescopes no matter where they are radiating signals at any time.

Astronomers are asking satellite operators to consider this new impact on radio astronomy as they develop new spacecraft.

STARLINK INTERNET 'DISHY' FACES OFF AGAINST SNOW, WILDFIRES IN REMOTE CANADA

SpaceX's Starlink constellation recently surpassed 4,000 satellites in orbit, according to Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer tracking large constellations and human-made objects in space.

"With LOFAR, we detected radiation between 110 and 188 MHz from 47 out of the 68 satellites that were observed. This frequency range includes a protected band between 150.05 and 153 MHz specifically allocated to radio astronomy by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)," said study co-author Cees Bassa, from the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy.

Starlink SpaceX during deployment.

The authors said they focused on SpaceX because it has the largest constellation, but they expect to find similar unintended emissions from other low-Earth orbital satellites.

There are other large constellations in orbit and planned for the coming years, including OneWeb and Amazon's Kuiper Project.

"Our simulations show that the larger the constellation, the more important this effect becomes as the radiation from all the satellites adds up. This makes us worried not only about the existing constellations but even more about the planned ones  and also about the absence of clear regulation that protects the radio astronomy bands from unintended radiation," said co-author Benjamin Winkel, with the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Germany.

The study authors are part of the International Astronomical Union's Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Interference and are in contact with SpaceX about their findings.

According to the authors, SpaceX offered to talk about ways to mitigate radio interference. Astronomers said they hope others in the space industry also take note.
As a current undergraduate at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the U.S. Supreme Courts June 29 ruling was especially enraging.

As a Chapel Hill resident of six years, I entered UNC-CH in 2021 knowing that racial tension existed on campus  the 2018 neo-Nazi rallies, famed journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones being denied tenure in 2021, and more. Over my first two years, Ive been pleasantly surprised by the tight-knit pockets of culture that make students feel at home. That is now at risk more than ever.

Julian Taylor

Students bring more to a university than numbers can describe. Any attempt to diminish the ways that applicants are viewed holistically and apart from their stats is a step backwards. With all the speculation about what the ruling means for the future of admissions, everyone has the same question: Just how bad was it?

I dont know. The ruling contains possible loopholes and gray areas that remain to be seen in action.

Heres what I do know: UNC cannot afford the narrative established in the Supreme Courts ruling. Emphasizing the separation of race and law establishes colorblindness as a social neutral and implies that we have already done what is necessary to rectify historical tragedies. This is false. In fact, historical is the wrong word here; they are ongoing tragedies.

For UNC, this is even more so the case. As a public institution, the UNC System aims to provide service to the citizens of the State, so well focus there. North Carolina sits in the top half of states with the largest income gap by race (Black and white). Based on the Stanford CEPA Socioeconomic Disparities Index, North Carolina does not outperform its expected education achievement gap in any scenario (math or reading, fourth grade or eighth grade). Out of the five school districts with the highest achievement gaps between white and Black students in the nation, two are in North Carolina. One  Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools  is in UNCs backyard.

Given that UNC selects 82% of its students from this in-state pool, acting as if there is no racial deficit in the admissions process seems absurd.

UNCs history with race gets much more intimate. The university was built by enslaved labor on indigenous lands and originally funded by escheats, which often included human beings. As far as admissions, for the first 160 years of its existence as the nations oldest public university, race was the deciding factor on all undergraduate applications. Affirmative action is a nuanced subject, but the formula in the past was pretty straightforward: no African Americans.

According to a report from the National Center for Education Statistics, just 112 Black men completed a bachelors degree this spring at UNC-CH. Thats roughly 2.3% of the 4,951 students who did.

Legacy preference directly ties the universitys current admissions policies to those of the past. At 17%, legacy students make up a larger percentage of UNCs student body than at the average public institution. If were trying to move forward and improve equity in admissions, legacy is quite literally holding us in the past. By selecting from children of alumni, the admissions office narrows its preference to a pool of applicants that is representative of a previous generation of UNCs student body. In 1995, for example, UNC was over 80% white.

So when UNC recently took small steps towards making the process equitable, in spite of its history and present, and the Supreme Court came along and deemed it unconstitutional, I had the same reaction as many UNC students: Are you kidding me? Thats gotta be racist.

Higher education is the backbone of the definition of success in America. Giving someone the tools to chase their passions and a diploma to accredit their skills is the most direct way to improve their trajectory. If we could extend that opportunity to a wider array of people, why wouldnt we?

Julian Taylor is a rising junior at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he studies public policy and urban planning. He is a member of the UNC Affirmative Action Coalition and a Morehead-Cain Scholar.
By Abhirup Roy

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Texas again deferred a vote on grants of federal funds to build electric vehicle chargers to Aug. 16 amid pushback from some charging companies over its plan to include Tesla's technology in charging stations, according to three sources.

A spokesperson at Texas' department of transportation confirmed that the issue was removed from the agency's July agenda "at the discretion of the commissioners" but said the agenda for the August meeting had not been finalized.

The vote in Texas is being closely watched in the industry as it could drive similar moves in other states.

Reuters reported last month that Texas planned to mandate EV charging companies to include Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS) standard if the companies wanted access to a program to electrify highways using federal funds.

Days later, a group of EV charger makers and operators pushed back on the plan saying they needed time to test the interoperability of Tesla connectors with the U.S. standard Combined Charging System (CCS).

The vote had already been delayed to Tuesday from June 29, with three members of Texas' transport commission, including the chairman, saying they wanted to understand NACS and its implications before voting on the issue, according to a recording of the meeting on its website.

"We do think the reason why this decision is being punted is there is reaction within the industry that this is a big announcement and let's just do this responsibly," one source, an executive from an EV charging company, told Reuters. The person declined to be named as the policy discussions were private.

"Texas is a bit of a bulwark. What they do sets a precedent for other state transport departments. The clout that they can throw around is pretty powerful," the person said.

Washington state has talked about similar plans and Kentucky has mandated that EV charging companies include Tesla's plug.

The rollout of the federal funds require charging companies to offer CCS. But plans to adopt Tesla's technology by Ford Motor and General Motors have prompted a flurry of automakers and charging companies to embrace the technology.

(Reporting by Abhirup Roy in San Francisco; Additional reporting by Hyunjoo Jin; Editing by Sonali Paul)
BANGKOK (AP)  Thai police have arrested two Germans in connection with the abduction and slaying of another German, whose dismembered body was found in a freezer in a southern Thailand home, authorities said Wednesday.

A 52-year-old German man was apprehended Tuesday evening in Bangkok, and a 47-year-old German woman turned herself in to police earlier in the day, according to the Khaosod newspaper, citing Tawee Kudthalaeng, the police chief in the town of Nong Prue where the victim's body was found.

Reached by The Associated Press, Tawee confirmed the arrests and said the two had been charged with murder. He said a third suspect was still being sought but provided no further details.

He had previously said his office was looking into both German and Thai nationals as suspects in the case.

The body of Hans-Peter Mack, a 62-year-old real estate broker, was found Monday night stuffed into a chest freezer in a home in Nong Prue, an upscale settlement popular with foreigners northeast of Pattaya in Chonburi province.

He had been missing for a week and was last seen driving his Mercedes sedan in Pattaya, the coastal city where he lived with his Thai wife.

Police have said a large amount of money was missing from Macks bank account, which they suspect is linked to the slaying.

___

Find more of APs Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific
Nearly five years after a fiery crash on Interstate 40 that killed four people and injured several others, the truck driver charged with causing the collision has pleaded guilty to several charges.

As his trial was set to begin Monday, William ONeal of Garner pleaded guilty to six felonies, according to Paul Jackson, a senior district attorney in Johnston County who was handling the case.

ONeal had been charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injuries. After hearing from survivors and families of the victims, Superior Court Judge Dawn Layton sentenced ONeal to six consecutive suspended sentences ranging from 15 to 33 months and placed him on probation for 36 months, according to Jackson.

ONeal is barred from operating a motor vehicle of any kind during his probation. He changed his plea to guilty without making a deal with prosecutors, Jackson said in a written statement.

The crash took place around noon on Aug. 29, 2018. ONeal was driving a flatbed utility truck eastbound on I-40 near Benson when traffic in front of him slowed to a stop because of a previous accident.

State Highway Patrol investigators said at the time that ONeal failed to slow down, slamming into the stopped cars, causing two of them to catch fire. Troopers determined ONeal was neither impaired nor speeding at the time, but they also found nothing mechanically wrong with his truck to explain why he did not brake.

Altogether, 10 cars and two trucks were involved in the crash.

Three people  Michael Anthony Peters of Youngsville and McRoy and Josephine Skipper of Georgetown, South Carolina  died the day of the crash. A fourth person, Sherry Allen of Four Oaks, died later. Several others were injured, two of them seriously.


By John J. Metzler



UNESCO has equally designated unique foods as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage; Ukrainian Borsht soup, the delicious French baguette and Korean kimchi. All good.



Nonetheless, the United States has long had a tumultuous relationship with UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organization. The bone of political contention centers on what's seen as inherent anti-Israel bias in the Paris-based organization. That's why even the Obama administration withheld American funding in 2011 when the group extended membership to Palestine. Donald Trump formally withdrew from UNESCO in 2017.



At that time Nikki Haley, who was the American U.N. ambassador lauded UNESCO's purpose but charged the organization's "extreme politicization has become a chronic embarrassment."



America is now back among UNESCO's 193 member states; thanks to a curious initiative by the Biden Administration to "counter China's influence" in the consultative body. By the way, the United States owes considerable contributions in arrears, back dues if you will, amounting to $619 million.



The U.S. State Department "welcomed the way in which UNESCO had addressed in recent years emerging challenges, modernized its management and reduced political tensions." UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay told Member states, "It's a great day for UNESCO and for multilateralism. Building upon the momentum achieved in recent years, our Organization is once again moving towards universalism with this return of the United States."



Following a two-day special session held at the body's Paris headquarters, UNESCO's members overwhelmingly voted to readmit the United States; but ten countries voted against Washington among them Belarus, China, Indonesia, Iran, North Korea, Nicaragua, Palestine, Russia and Syria.



The U.S. is assessed to pay 22 percent of UNESCO's annual operating budget of $534 million; that's an approximately $150 million annual contribution also counting towards budget arrears. The United States remains UNESCO's largest financial contributor, yet following Washington's withdrawal under President Trump, China became the biggest donor state.



The United States previously pulled out of UNESCO in 1984 during the Reagan administration because it viewed the agency as mismanaged, corrupt and used to advance Soviet interests. The U.S. rejoined in 2003.



Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield stated, "If we are not engaged in international institutions, we leave a void and we lose an opportunity to advance American values and interests on the global stage. Wherever and whenever new rules are being debated, Americans need to be at the table."



France's left-leaning Le Monde newspaper opines that the UNESCO deal opens the "return of American financial resources." This editorial adds that the breakthrough will enable Washington to "settle a debt of $600 million and is bound to revitalize the institution." It's noted that Frenchwoman Audrey Azoulay heads UNESCO "with an uncontested mastery."



Clearly this is a done deal and Antony Blinken's State Department is celebrating. But what about some measures and metrics to test whether the American investment in a renewed UNESCO is worth our millions?



First; Form a bipartisan Congressional Committee to oversee UNESCO to make certain they are keeping to their promise of transparency and reform. Demand accountability.



Second; Begin serious renegotiation of Washington's onerous 22 percent financial assessment. These numbers are based on outdated contribution assessments which don't take into account the economic rise of many of the G-20 countries, especially China.



Third; given that China has become UNESCO's largest donor, thus holding widening political clout, let's also reduce Beijing's annual contributions so we don't fall victim to the "he who pays the piper" syndrome but rather equally spread the financial responsibility.



Fourth; Let's carefully assess and monitor what we actually gain from UNESCO and how it helps or hinders America's global soft power agenda.



Designating noted World Heritage Sites and unique cuisines are laudable but does this cost $543 million annually? Admittedly, UNESCO notably works with girls' education projects in developing countries. And I'm particularly happy they're coordinating the reconstruction of Iraq's historic city of Mosul which was under barbaric ISIL control for three years.



One rationalization the Biden administration used for rejoining UNESCO is countering China's growing influence and diplomatic footprint in the U.N. Fair point. But let's see if our wider investment is really warranted or wasted.





John J. Metzler (jjmcolumn@earthlink.net) is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He is the author of "Divided Dynamism: The Diplomacy of Separated Nations; Germany, Korea, China."




The Justice Department (DOJ) said Tuesday it will no longer defend former President Trump as being immune in writer E. Jean Carrolls defamation lawsuit.

The DOJ had previously certified that Trump was acting in the scope of his employment as president when he made allegedly defamatory statements denying Carrolls account that Trump sexually assaulted her in the mid-1990s.

But now the department is reversing its position, leaving Trump on the hook for any potential damages.

The DOJ cited the legal battle that ensued as to whether their original certification was proper, which held up the case for months. It bounced between multiple courts in New York and Washington, D.C., ending with no clear resolution.

Citing the recent rulings, the DOJ wrote it has determined that it lacks adequate evidence to conclude that the former President was sufficiently actuated by a purpose to serve the United States Government to support a determination that he was acting within the scope of his employment when he denied sexually assaulting Ms. Carroll and made the other statements regarding Ms. Carroll that she has challenged in this action.

Carrolls second lawsuit went to trial in May, in which a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing the longtime advice columnist and later defaming her by denying her story. Those claims did not involve Trumps time as president, so they were not held up by the immunity issues. Trump is appealing the verdict.

But Carrolls first lawsuit, which only includes claims of defamation, has not yet gone to trial.

Under the Westfall Act, the DOJ had attempted to step in and declare Trump immune in that suit by certifying that he made the statements in question in the scope of his employment as president.

The suit at the time revolved around Trumps initial denials when Carroll came forward publicly in June 2019, comprising a written statement given to reporters, comments Trump made on the South Lawn and an interview he gave The Hill at the White House three days after the allegation was first published.

But since the jury sided with Carroll, her first lawsuit has expanded.

One day after the jurys verdict, Trump appeared for a CNN town hall and again denied Carrolls story. Carroll proceeded to add those comments to her original lawsuit.

The DOJ noted the verdict and the addition as another reason to step away from its position.

These post-Presidency statements, which were not before the Department during the original scope certification in this case, tend to undermine the claim that the former President made very similar statements at issue in Carroll out of a desire to serve the government, the department continued.

Robbie Kaplan, Carrolls lawyer, applauded the DOJ in a statement.

We are grateful that the Department of Justice has reconsidered its position, she said. We have always believed that Donald Trump made his defamatory statements about our client in June 2019 out of personal animus, ill will, and spite, and not as President of the United States. Now that one of the last obstacles has been removed, we look forward to trial in E Jean Carrolls original case in January 2024.

This witch-hunt, funded and carried out by woke, radical, liberal Democrats is now even more exposed as a partisan sham, as the Department of Justice has broken with long-standing tradition in a desperate attempt to perpetuate this hoax. The corrupt Biden Administration is politically weaponizing the justice system against President Trump because he is the overwhelming favorite to defeat Joe Biden and take back the White House, Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trumps campaign, said in a statement.

After Carroll expanded the suit, Trump also countersued the longtime advice columnist, alleging she defamed the former president during a recent CNN appearance of her own.

In court documents filed earlier Tuesday afternoon, Carrolls lawyers called it a tit for tat as they asked the federal judge overseeing their legal battles to dismiss Trumps countersuit as procedurally improper and for failing to state a claim.

While that might read like an article penned by Andy Borowitz in the New Yorker or by a writer at the Onion, its actually the theory of the counterclaim that Trump now purports to assert in this action, Carrolls lawyers wrote.

But here in federal court, where logic and reason rather than satire prevail, it is clear that Trumps new counterclaim for defamation should be dismissed with prejudice, they added.

Updated 8:22 p.m.

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Hope for Swedens imminent entry into the NATO security alliance began to fade on Monday when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan introduced a last-minute hurdle by linking his approval of the Nordic countrys bid to Turkeys long-sought accession to the European Union.

But just hours later, he made a surprise U-turn by dropping his opposition, paving the way for NATO to expand its fortification against a belligerent Russia as Moscow fights a war in Ukraine.

The move, which won praise from the West and rebuke from Moscow, demonstrated how the Ukraine war has been a defining moment for Turkeys role on the international stage. Erdogan has remained relevant by keeping Russia close and stressing his commitment to NATO, while extracting maximum concessions from each side. His delicate balancing act has given Turkey a unique position of being the only NATO nation whose ear Russia has.

But analysts say that in his third decade in power and final term in office, the Turkish strongman may be on a conciliatory path with the West.

By backing Swedens NATO bidAnkara is signaling a recalibration in ties with the West, which have been strained for a while now, said Mehmet Celik, editorial coordinator for the pro-government Daily Sabah newspaper. In a way, this is a balancing move for Turkeys position between the West and Russia.

The apparent about-face is already reaping rewards.

In Vilnius, Lithuania, where the NATO summit kicked off on Monday, US President Joe Biden and other NATO members touted unprecedented unity within the alliance in the face of Russias war, heaping praise on Erdogan for his decision.

Hours after the announcement, Washington said it intends to move forward with the transfer of F-16 fighter jets that Turkey has been demanding for years, capping months of behind-the-scenes diplomacy to get Ankara to move ahead with Swedens accession to NATO.

During a meeting in Vilnius on Tuesday, Erdogan called Biden a dear friend. He said it was high time for the heads of Turkey and the US to get together for further consultations, calling Tuesdays meeting a first step forward and those prior mere warmups.

Erdogan is yet to visit the White House under the Biden presidency.

Rich Outzen, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, told CNN the F-16 deal is a big benefit for Turkey.

In a larger sense, Russias unjustified war against Ukraine reminded the West of the importance of geography, hard military power, and alliance commitments  and thus the value of Turkey, he said.

There had been little doubt that Turkey would ultimately accept Swedens bid, he added. The wildcard had been how far Erdogans demands would go.

Ankara has long favored NATO expansionunder conditions that strengthen its own hand, he said. Having a veto right over the business of the worlds biggest security alliance  now expanding further  is a win for Ankara.

The reaction from Russia was sharp. A Russian defense official said Turkey is turning into an unfriendly country after a series of provocative decisions.

Such behavior could not be called anything other than a stab in the back, Viktor Bondarev, head of the Russias Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security said, calling the unfriendly step a result of pressure from NATO.

Those provocative decisions, he said, include Turkey repatriating Ukrainian soldiers captured by Russia to their country despite promising Moscow not to do so until the war ends. The commanders, who had been handed to Turkey by Russia in September, were flown back with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after his meeting with Erdogan this month. They have said that they plan to return to the battlefield.

Russias diminished military reputation

All this comes just weeks after an attempted mutiny in Russia by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the boss of mercenary group Wagner, exposing cracks in Moscows military leadership and Putins hold on power.

Outzen says Russias diminished military reputation has been good for Turkey, adding that the mutiny may have affected the perception in Ankara of Putin as a leader in full control of the political and military elites in his country.

Since Erdogan was re-elected for another five years, there has been a change in how Turkey calibrates its balancing act, becoming more openly pro-Ukraine, Sinan Ulgen, a former Turkish diplomat and chairman of Istanbul-based think-tank EDAM, told CNN.

Turkey now feels more confident and believes that it has bigger space for maneuvering given that Russia is isolated and needs Turkey as the only NATO country who has not implemented sanctions, he added.

That calculus may be more indicative of Erdogans pragmatic style than a policy shift, say analysts.

Ties with Russia are a good example. They disagree on many issues but where their interests align, they are able to move forward, said Celik. The West lacks that relationship with Turkey, which I think is an opportunity missed.

Turkey is closer to the Western axis, but the West does not want to accept an equal partnership with Turkey, which makes Ankara raise the bar to protect its interests, he added.

Despite Erdogans recalibration, relations with Russia arent likely to suffer significantly, say analysts. Turkey, however, is likely to continue to be relevant to both Russia and the West.

Due to proximity, power, and relations with both Kyiv and Moscow, Turkey will be a key player in conflict resolution and whatever peace deal ultimately emerges, said Outzen.

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MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday imposed sanctions on 10 Mexican nationals and one company in the country for their alleged involvement in the Sinaloa Cartel's vast illicit fentanyl trafficking network.

The U.S. Treasury accuses the 10 people of links to suppliers of precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl, a highly addictive painkiller that has fueled the opioid crisis in the United States and a sharp uptick in overdose deaths.

Wednesday's additions to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned list include Noel Lopez Perez, the brother of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's second wife, and Ricardo Paez Lopez, a cousin to the youngest of El Chapo's sons.

The sons, known as "Los Chapitos," are accused of leading a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel after their father's 2016 capture and extradition to the U.S. a year later. The fourth son, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, was captured in Mexico earlier this year.

The U.S. Treasury also sanctioned an import-export company, REI Compania Internacional, and its majority shareholder for allegedly receiving chemical shipments from China.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said after the Treasury announcement that the U.S. was acting "responsibly" in the fight against fentanyl and other drugs but that more needed to be done.

"It is necessary to attend the causes of the problem," he said during his regular morning news conference. "It's complex."

Lopez Obrador added that his Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez would meet this month with U.S. Homeland Security adviser Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall to discuss the problem.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has been seeking increased cooperation from Mexico and China in stemming the flow of fentanyl and its precursor chemicals.

(Reporting by Kylie Madry; Additional reporting by Stefanie Eschenbacher and Raul Cortes; Editing by Sarah Morland, Mark Heinrich and Josie Kao)
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has proposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he extend a deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of grain from Ukraine in return for connecting a subsidiary of Russia's agricultural bank to the SWIFT international payment system, sources told Reuters.

Russia has threatened to ditch the grain deal, which expires on Monday, because several demands to dispatch its own grain and fertilizer abroad have not been met. The last two ships traveling under the Black Sea agreement are currently loading cargoes at the Ukrainian port of Odesa ahead of the deadline.

A key demand by Moscow is the reconnection of the Russian agricultural bank Rosselkhozbank to the SWIFT international payment network. It was cut off by the European Union in June 2022 over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. An EU spokesperson said in May the EU was not considering reinstating Russian banks.

However, the EU is considering connecting to SWIFT a subsidiary of Rosselkhozbank to allow specifically for grain and fertilizer transactions, three sources familiar with discussions told Reuters on Wednesday. The European Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Guterres has proposed to Putin that Russia allow the Black Sea grain deal to continue for several months, giving the EU time to connect a Rosselkhozbank subsidiary to SWIFT, two of those sources familiar with discussions told Reuters.

Guterres sent a letter to Putin on Tuesday proposing a way forward to further facilitate Russian food and fertilizer exports and ensure the continued Black Sea shipments of Ukrainian grain, a U.N. spokesman said on Wednesday.

"The objective is to remove hurdles affecting financial transactions through the Russian Agricultural Bank, a major concern expressed by the Russian Federation, and simultaneously allow for the continued flow of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

He gave no further details on the proposal, but added that Guterres was engaged with all relevant parties on the issue and was willing to further discuss his proposal with Russia.

The United Nations and Turkey brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative with Russia and Ukraine in July 2022 to help alleviate a global food crisis worsened by Moscow's invasion and blockade of Ukrainian ports.

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 get its food and fertilizer exports to foreign markets.

While Russian exports of food and fertilizer are not subject to Western sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine, Moscow says restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance have amounted to a barrier to shipments.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Kanishka Singh and Mark Heinrich)
GENEVA (Reuters) -The United Nations human rights chief on Wednesday urged Russia to respect humanitarian law after outlining evidence published in a report two weeks ago of arbitrary detention, torture and sexual violence against civilians in Ukraine.

The U.N. rights monitoring mission in Ukraine documented the arbitrary detention of more than 900 civilians between the launch of the Russian invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, and May 23 of this year, and the summary executions of 77 of them.

"Over 90% of detainees held by the Russian Federation whom we were able to interview said they had been subjected to torture and ill-treatment - including sexual violence, in some cases - by Russian security personnel," U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said.

"These findings are shocking. They call for concrete measures by the Russian Federation to instruct and ensure their Russian personnel comply with international human rights and humanitarian law," he told the U.N. Council, the only body in which governments meet to protect human rights worldwide.

In response to Turk's comments, Gennady Gatilov, Russia's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, said the findings "understated the crimes of the Ukrainian side".

"The real scale of the atrocities of the Ukrainian authorities and military is deliberately hushed up," he said.

Ukraine gave U.N. investigators full access with the exception of one incident, the report said, while Russia did not provide any access to detainees despite repeated requests.

Turk said his office had also recorded some violations committed by Ukraine.

"We also found that Ukrainian personnel in unofficial places of detention, or  to a much lesser extent  in official pre-trial detention facilities, engaged in torture or ill-treatment, including sexual violence, mostly involving threats," he said.

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
A sudden marine heat wave off the coast of Florida has surprised scientists and sent water temperatures soaring to unprecedented highs, threatening one of the most severe coral bleaching events the state has ever seen.

Sea surface temperatures around Florida have reached the highest levels on record since satellites began collecting ocean data. And the warming is happening much earlier than normal  yet another example of ocean heat being amplified by the human-caused climate crisis and the extreme weather it brings.

We didnt expect this heating to happen so early in the year and to be so extreme, Derek Manzello, a coordinator at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Coral Reef Watch, told CNN. This appears to be unprecedented in our records.

The exceptional temperatures  close to 97 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas  are more than just another alarming climate record; extreme ocean heat and its duration are critical in deciding the survival of coral reefs. Temperatures that are too hot for too long cause coral to bleach, turning a ghastly white as they expel their algal food source and slowly starve to death.

Sea surface temperatures around parts of Florida and the Bahamas are warmer than 90 degrees Fahrenheit, shown here in shades of purple. - CNN Weather

Coral that bleaches wont always die, but the more intense the heat and the longer it lasts, the more inevitable death becomes, coral experts said.

All it takes is sea surface warming of 1 degree Celsius, or 2 to 3 degrees Fahrenheit, beyond the reefs normal highest temperature to trigger the heat stress that leads to bleaching, according to Manzello. The sea surface temperatures around Florida are more than 2 degrees Celsius above that normal range and have been for one to two weeks, he said.

Buoys off the coast of Florida measured hot tub-like water temperatures near 97 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday in the shallow, heat-prone Florida Bay between the southern tip of Florida and the Keys. The more ecologically vital and expansive coral reefs are located east and south of the Florida Keys, but the buoy measurements indicate just how extreme the heat in Florida has been so unusually early in the summer.

Ocean temperatures around Florida usually get hotter as the summer progresses and dont reach their peak until late August into September, Manzello said, meaning ocean temperatures could rise further.

That would mean significant and severe bleaching will start in the next week and the coral could start to die altogether within a month, he said.

It still remains to be seen if this event is going to be more or less severe than previous events, Manzello said. However, all of the evidence right now is pointing to the fact that its going to be one of the more severe events weve seen.

The bleaching is already happening in the Florida Keys, which is home to 6,000 individual reefs. Eleven observations of partial bleaching were confirmed by the Mote Marine Laboratory in June. Experts said they expected that number to grow exponentially in the weeks to come.

An existential crisis for coral

Coral that bleaches won't always die, but there's a higher likelihood of death the longer the heat lasts. - Courtesy Derek Manzello/NOAA

Katey Lesneski saw bleaching firsthand this past weekend while diving at an unnamed reef off the coast of Islamorada, one of the northern Florida Keys. Lesneki is the monitoring coordinator for Mission: Iconic Reefs, a NOAA project that aims to restore seven iconic reefs around the Florida Keys to some of their former glory over the next 20 years by planting and growing coral there.

She said she saw the beginning stages of bleaching happening in coral up to 60 feet deep.

The corals look a lot lighter in color, theyre usually pretty robust tones of yellows and greens and browns and oranges, but they literally start to look like someone threw bleach on them, Lesneski told CNN.

A NOAA study published last year found that climate change-fueled coral disease and bleaching had already eroded 70% of Floridas coral reefs. The seven reefs that Lesneski is trying to restore went from well over 50% coral cover, to just 2% coral cover by the time her program launched in 2019.

A boat arrives at the Haulover inlet on Tuesday in Miami, Florida. The surface ocean temperatures in parts of Florida are higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and the warmer coastal ocean water is threatening coral reefs. - Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Florida is losing more than just the coral. Coral reefs generate billions of dollars for Floridas economy through activities like fishing and tourism, which wouldnt be possible without reefs to protect the species that rely on them.

Just from an ecological standpoint, about 25% of the marine species depend on coral reefs at some point in their lives, Lesneski said. Thats everything from the pretty fish that people like to look at to the large game fish  those fish get their start and heavily depend on other components of the reef at some point in time.

Floridas latest coral crisis is just another symptom of the broader threat of climate change, which could wipe out all of Earths coral reefs by 2100, a recent study found.

What were looking at right now is another cut in a death by a thousand cuts, Manzello said.

Ocean warming is only getting worse, bleaching events are getting more frequent, so its really an existential crisis for coral reefs as we know them.

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By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK (Reuters) -U.S. prosecutors on Wednesday unveiled an indictment charging a second former executive of college financial aid startup Frank with defrauding JPMorgan Chase into buying the company for $175 million.

Olivier Amar, 49, who was Frank's chief growth officer, was charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, securities fraud and conspiracy.

Frank founder Charlie Javice, 31, was arrested in April and later pleaded not guilty to the same four counts.

Lawyers for Amar, whose whereabouts were not immediately known, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Federal prosecutors have said that Javice repeatedly lied about Frank to the largest U.S. bank, including by claiming that she had lined up 4.25 million student customers when in fact she had data for only about 300,000.

JPMorgan has said it learned of Javice's fraud after sending marketing materials to people whom she claimed were real, and finding that just 28% were delivered and 1.1% were opened, far fewer than in other similar campaigns.

The bank shut down Frank in January, and Chief Executive Jamie Dimon branded the acquisition a "huge mistake."

Separately on Wednesday, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission added Amar as a defendant to its civil lawsuit against Javice.

The SEC said Amar bought "sham lists" of college students' data from third-party providers that Frank falsely passed off to JPMorgan as customers.

In December, JPMorgan sued Javice and Amar in federal court in Delaware.

Javice filed counterclaims in February, accusing JPMorgan of harming her reputation and withholding about $28 million of payments. She and Amar are seeking to dismiss the bank's claims.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Leslie Adler)
By Valerie Volcovici and Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. climate envoy John Kerry on Monday will become the Biden administration's third senior official to visit China in recent weeks after trips by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

A U.S. official said on Tuesday that Kerry would visit from Monday to Thursday.

Washington has sought to repair ties with Beijing frayed over national security issues, including Taiwan; spying allegations; U.S. export bans on advanced technologies; China's state-led industrial policies; human rights issues; the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and trade tariffs.

Kerry said in May that China had invited him to visit "in the near term" for talks on averting a global climate crisis despite tensions between the world's two biggest economies and greenhouse gas emitters.

The two countries have previously cooperated on climate change with breakthroughs that led to the 2015 Paris climate accord.

Kerry last met his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua in January.

Yellen said over the weekend that her meetings with senior Chinese officials were "direct" and "productive," helping to stabilise the superpowers' often rocky relationship.

Last month, Blinken met President Xi Jinping in China but soon after his trip ended, U.S. President Joe Biden referred to Xi as a 'dictator,' risking a further deterioration of relations.

The visits have covered a range of topics but produced no clear breakthroughs.

China last year briefly suspended talks with the United States on climate, security and other matters in response to a visit to Taiwan by U.S. House of Representatives by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

(Reporting by Valerie Volcovici; Writing by Kanishka Singh; Editing by Howard Goller)
NATO has offered Ukraine a smoother path into the Western security alliance but refrained from providing a clear timetable for Kyivs membership, dashing the hopes of millions of Ukrainian citizens and their president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

Since Ukraine is still fighting a massive war against Russia in Europe, adding the nation to the alliance anytime soon would trigger a defense article that would bring the U.S. and its allies into the conflict.

The solution offered by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg includes strengthened support and relations with Ukraine, a new council specifically to work with Kyiv and the removal of a procedural step toward joining the alliance.

What allies have agreed today is a strong, united and positive message to Ukraine about enduring support but also a positive message on the path forward for membership, Stoltenberg said Tuesday at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Zelensky sharply criticized the proposal because it did not establish a direct timeline toward membership, which he said would embolden Russia. The Ukrainian leader said his country deserves respect and that it was unprecedented and absurd when time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraines membership.

Michael Purcell, a professor at George Washington University with expertise on Russia and international security, said anything less than ensuring Ukraines membership would be disappointing to Ukraine, though the decision was no surprise.

This is the way NATO does business, Purcell told The Hill. And I think Zelensky in a calm moment would not be surprised by this outcome.

Still, the blow to Ukraines NATO aspirations was particularly upsetting for Kyiv because its people had hoped for a breakthrough at the alliances summit this week in Vilnius.

Before the decision was finalized, Oleksiy Goncharenko, a member of Ukraines parliament, said millions of Ukrainians are looking to Vilnius today with hope.

We want to see the word invitation or to invite from NATO to Ukraine, Goncharenko told Stoltenberg during a Tuesday press conference. That would boost the morale of the Ukrainians enormously. If this would not happen, that would be really demoralizing.

Ukraine first expressed interest in joining NATO in 2002 and six years ago called for a formal Membership Action Plan (MAP) process, which involves a series of political and military reforms overseen by alliance leadership.

Calls for a MAP increased after Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Kyiv in 2014, fomented a separatist war in eastern Ukraine and invaded in 2022.

Ukrainians now face the prospect of a long war. The counteroffensive that Ukraine launched last month has made only incremental progress against entrenched Russian forces.

Alp Sevimlisoy, a NATO expert and millennium fellow with the Atlantic Council, said the Western alliance should have announced a plan to admit Ukraine within 12 to 16 months to improve European security.

When we look at what the Russian Federation is aiming to do, its to ensure that it can keep pushing, whether [against] the Ukraine or whether its the Baltics, without a response from us, Sevimlisoy said. So what we are doing, and what weve done militarily, is ensure that precedent hasnt been set that Russia is being put into its place.

The deal instead includes a multi-year program of assistance for enhanced interoperability with NATO, the establishment of a NATO-Ukraine council to strengthen political ties and enhance decision-making, and the removal of MAP as a requirement.

Some analysts said the agreement has done little to improve cooperation and interoperability with Ukraine at a time when they are already training and providing Kyiv with the best of the best. Removing the requirement of MAP eliminates a strong oversight power, since Ukraine still struggles with corruption and democratic challenges, and reflects disunity across the alliance on admitting the embattled country.

NATO agreed in a communique published Tuesday that Ukraines future is in the organization and it will be admitted once conditions are right, but its unclear if those conditions include a geopolitical goal, such as a ceasefire.

President Biden has said he does not support a faster track for Ukraine, saying it should tackle anti-corruption and democratic processes first.

Biden has also stressed it is not feasible to admit Ukraine into the alliance during the war, which would risk invoking Article 5 and NATO members joining the conflict against Russia. The White House repeated that claim Tuesday.

Purcell, from George Washington University, noted that Article 5 also contains a clause that says allies may take action as it deems necessary if a NATO member is attacked and could be interpreted in a way that doesnt necessarily mean all-out war with Russia.

But Purcell agreed admitting Ukraine was risky because Russian President Vladimir Putin has become an increasingly erratic leader who has used nuclear arms as blackmail.

I certainly empathize with NATOs leadership, he said. If youre the guy sitting at the desk with the red button, its a different calculus.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Mark Stephenson had an exciting few days recently.

First, Stephenson and his wife closed on their new beach house in Surf City, North Carolina. Then, on their way home to Kenly, the couple stopped to buy lottery tickets, according to a North Carolina Education Lottery news release.

We just closed on our beach house yesterday and we were on our way back when we stopped at a Speedway and bought the ticket, Stephenson told officials in the July 11 news release.

When Stephenson got to the Speedway in Beulaville, though, the two tickets he planned to buy were sold out, so he bought a $2,000,000 Riches scratch-off instead, according to lottery officials. As Stephenson drove, his wife scratched the ticket.

She just started screaming, Stephenson told officials.

The couple won a $100,000 prize, according to officials.

I had to pull off at a Bojangles so we could collect our thoughts, Stephenson said in the release.

After taxes, Stephenson took home $71,256 which he plans to use to help pay for the new beach house and renovations, he told officials.

We are just very blessed and very thankful, Stephenson said in the release.

Kenly is about 40 miles southeast of Raleigh.

Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.

If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.

Co-workers with 15-year pact to share Powerball prize can finally honor promise in NC

Mom always envisioned winning big  then scratched her lucky number in NC lottery

Chuck E. Cheese coin led man to NC lottery prize so big, it left him bawling
Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Cho Seung-hwan speaks during a press conference at the Government Complex in Sejong, Tuesday. Courtesy of Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries



By Park Jae-hyuk



The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries emphasized once again that it has made efforts to protect the human rights of foreign crew members on Korean ships, by checking their working conditions regularly with human rights activists, as well as their employers and unionized fishermen.



"To attract excellent foreign fishermen, the government will also support shipping companies that train foreign apprentices and ease regulations on long-term stay of foreign fishermen who have worked diligently," Minister Cho Seung-hwan said in a press conference, Tuesday.



His remarks came after a recent conflict between human rights activists and employers of foreign crew members, over allegations that migrant fishermen are still vulnerable to human rights violations.



In May, the Advocates for Public Interest Law and the Environmental Justice Foundation issued a report claiming that foreign workers on Korean-owned deep-sea fishing vessels are forced to work overtime and are paid less than the minimum wage.



Citing a survey conducted on foreign crew members, the organizations called for urgent measures to prevent discrimination against migrant fishermen.



"Labor inspections have been led by the Korea Overseas Fisheries Association (KOFA) that represents the owners of deep-sea fishing vessels," the activists said at that time. "Civic groups are not allowed to participate in the quarterly labor inspections nor have access to the findings."



In April, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea also expressed concerns over the maritime ministry being silent on the commission's request to legislate the labor standards of migrant fishermen. The ministry only said at that time it will gradually increase the minimum wage of foreign crew members by 2026 to as high as the minimum wage of Korean crew members.



The KOFA, however, claimed last month that working conditions for foreign crew members have been improved over the past couple of years.



"All owners of deep-sea fishing vessels are prioritizing the human rights of workers, regardless of their nationality," KOFA Chairman Yoon Myung-kil said.



During the latest press conference, the maritime ministry also unveiled its plans to allow more holidays and offer tax benefits for Korean fisherman, as part of efforts to cope with the shortage of skilled young Koreans prepared to work on fishing boats.



The ministry, however, denied the speculation that it devised a "two-track" strategy to increase the supply of both Korean and foreign fishermen.



"Unionized Korean fishermen basically oppose giving foreign fishermen the job positions that Koreans want," the minister said. "We are considering training excellent foreign workers, so that they can stay in Korea with E-7 visas and eventually acquire Korean nationality."


Thailands Parliament will vote for a new prime minister on Thursday, and the countrys young and urban are about to find out whether their backing of a progressive opposition party at Mays elections will translate into genuine power.

Not too long ago, they were basking in the euphoria of the partys stunning victory, priming themselves for democratic change and reform. Two months on, they are instead confronted with the sight of 79-year-old Wan Muhamad Noor Matha  very much considered a member of the old guard  as the new speaker of Thailands House of Representatives.

The young voters had propelled the Move Forward Party  led by the Harvard-educated, 42-year-old Pita Limjaroenrat  to an unprecedented majority of the seats in Parliament after nine years of military rule, but this was too slim for the party to push forward its own candidates, forcing it into a coalition with seven other parties.

Move Forward had campaigned on an ambitious structural reform agenda targeting the countrys monarchy, monopolies and military. These aims essentially extended the goals of student protests more than two years ago that were triggered by the dissolution of a political party  Move Forwards predecessor entity  which was highly critical of outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the former military general who seized power in a 2014 coup and made changes to the Thai Constitution in 2017.

Its slim majority has made its agenda vulnerable to the machinations of the institutions it is seeking to reform, along with the interlocking patronage networks that remain despite the ouster of several influential business families in this election. The installation of Wan Noor as a compromise candidate after second-placed party Pheu Thai had objected to Move Forwards choice, was just the beginning.

Leader Of Move Forward Party, Pita Limjaroenrat, Meets Public Ahead Of Parliament's Prime Ministerial Vote (Lauren DeCicca / Getty Images)

The choice of Mr. Wan Muhamad Noor Matha as House speaker indicates that the Pheu Thai Party has significant leverage over the Move Forward Party, said Syetarn Hansakul, a senior analyst with the Economist Intelligence Unit.

It puts the Pheu Thai Party in an advantageous position if Mr. Pita fails to get sufficient votes from the senators to back him as prime minister.

Barriers to power

In fact, its not clear if Limjaroenrat will even get to lead the new Thai government when the bicameral National Assembly comes together to begin the vote for prime minister on Thursday  which could be the first of many.

Limjaroenrat needs 376 votes to become prime minister. He has 312 from his eight-party coalition from the 500-seat lower house, so this means he would still require about 64 more votes from the 250-member Senate  a body appointed by the royalist military in the aftermath of the 2014 coup.

Thats by no means a guarantee since one of Move Forwards stated aims is to amend Thailands lese-majeste law, which criminalizes criticism of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and other members of the royal family.

Its not our job to listen to the people, Thai Senator Prapanth Koonmee reportedly said in June. Even if you got 100 million votes, I still wouldnt pick you if I dont like you or find you suitable.

In fact, Nomura assigned a 60% likelihood that Pheu Thai  instead of Move Forward  will lead the coalition government after the endorsement of Wan Noor as House speaker last week.

Neither is a preferred choice by the Thai establishment, said EIUs Hansakul. However, between the two, Pheu Thai presents less of a threat to the status quo to the Thai establishment since it does not proclaim an agenda to reform the monarchy and the military in Thailand, she said.

Limjaroenrat could also be disqualified because of a complaint against his shareholding in a media firm, which is illegal under Thai law.

Still, a government led by Limjaroenrats Move Forward may spell trouble for monopolies in the alcoholic beverage and energy sectors since the party aims to level the playing field, according to EIUs Hansakul. The business community has also balked at a plan to raise the minimum wage significantly.

Even if Limjaroenrat manages to clinch the prime minister role, a Move Forward-led government will face significant obstacles because the Senate retains substantial veto power and Pheu Thai holds a significant share of seats in the coalition.

As a result, Move Forward may not be able to secure its preferred ministerial portfolios, as demonstrated by its failure to have its choice of House speaker appointed, said Napon Jatusripitak, a visiting fellow at ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

Generational change

Limjaroenrat hasnt quite given up. At a Sunday rally in central Bangkok, he addressed hundreds of supporters and reminded the Senators were all the peoples politicians.

There may be fresh protests if Limjaroenrat and Move Forward are prevented from leading the new government.

Move Forwards unexpected victory in May was heralded as a profound, earth-shaking result for Thai politics over the last two decades as the Thai people spoke up for change and reform, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, professor of politics and international relations at Chulalongkorn University, told CNBC after the elections in May.

Its victory was seen as a break from the populist appeal of Thaksin Shinawatra, the tycoon and former prime minister who went into self-imposed exile in 2008 to avoid a jail sentence for abuse of power following a military coup that had overthrown his government two years earlier.

He has continued to influence Thai politics from a distance  Pheu Thai is the latest iteration of his party vehicle after several before were disbanded by the courts  but Move Forwards emergence at this election points to his waning influence among the young who are not familiar with his biography.

In fact, new speaker Wan Noor could be considered part of this old guard  hes a veteran of at least nine political parties, including Pheu Thais predecessor entity Thai Rak Thai, and a former House speaker in the late 1990s under three different prime ministers. He was most recently associated with the Prachachat Party.

This new generation wants a structural change that Thaksin cannot offer. Hes always trying to reconcile with the old money, hes still courting the king for the right to return, said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, an associate professor in politics at Kyoto Universitys Center for Southeast Asian Studies.

The issue of the monarchy is at the center of the struggle in Thai politics today, he added. About 250 of the 1,914 prosecutions linked to the 2020 protests were under the lese-majeste law, according to the group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights  with many minors among these cases.

While the objections of the royalist military establishment and the old guard may derail Move Forwards ambitions, Limjaroenrats party can still count on the mandate of 14 million Thai voters.

If pro-democracy social movements do not lose momentum, it is likely that support for the party will persist, even if the courts disqualify the party or its leader, said ISEAS Yusof Ishaks Jatusripitak.

There is also an argument that Move Forward might be more effective in opposition for now.

In Thailand, political parties are ephemeral, as they tend to lack enduring organizational roots at the local level and are prone to dissolution at the hand of the courts, Jatusripitak said.

From this standpoint, the transformation of the Move Forward into a movement-based political party following the pro-democracy movements in 2020-2021 is a strategic adaptation that should keep support for the party alive for the time being, he added.
Escapee Michael Burham is likely still in the area around a northwestern Pennsylvania jail and is probably getting help as he seeks to evade 200 law enforcement officers looking for him, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said at a news conference Tuesday.

Burham on Thursday allegedly climbed workout equipment to leave through a roof and shimmied down a rope of sheets to escape the Warren County Prison, court documents with new details on the day he escaped jail reveal.

Surveillance footage shows Burham and other inmates walking in and out of his jail cell, according to the criminal complaint filed by the city of Warren on Friday.

The search continued Tuesday for Burham, whom authorities described as armed and dangerous and with survivalist skills and military reserve experience. They said he escaped the prison while detained on arson and burglary charges and was a suspect in a homicide.

Warren police said Burham was also associated with the prior carjacking and kidnapping of a local couple while trying to escape capture.

Bivens said evidence leads him to believe Burham is still around.

We continue to find items. Those lead me to believe that there still a likelihood that he is here, he told reporters, without providing details. Some of those items have been found in the past 24 hours, he said. I also look at the absence of proof that he has gone anywhere else.

Law enforcement searched for escaped inmate Michael Burham in Warren County, Pennsylvania, on July 11, 2023. - WICU

Among the tips coming in on a very regular basis were reports Monday evening and overnight of sightings of Burham, but Bivens said none of those investigations has panned out.

Investigators have used rapid DNA tests at cabins and other sites where break-ins have occurred but none have been matched to Burham  although some results are pending, according to Bivens.

Bivens told reporters the pace and scope of the search have dramatically increased and he believes Burham will be captured.

Were not going away. We absolutely will be incarcerating you again. Its only a matter of time, he said, addressing the escapee.

He also had a message for anyone helping Burham, saying they will be prosecuted.

Observed standing on a pull up machine

Burham was seen walking around the yard of the jail gym around 10:41 p.m. while three other inmates were sitting on the ground talking, according to the complaint.

At about 11:26 p.m., Burham was observed standing on a pull up machine in the jails gym and exiting through a metal gated roof, the complaint reads.

After escaping from the gym, Burham tied a rope which consisted of multiple sheets tied together. (He) then tied said rope from the roof and allowed it to hang on a portico, the complaint stated.

Burham proceeded to slide down the rope, landing on the portico, and jumped from the portico to the ground after which he fled the premises on foot, according to the complaint.

Details of the alleged kidnapping

CNN has also obtained the court documents detailing the alleged kidnapping that put Burham in jail in May.

Burham kidnapped an elderly couple  David and Jessica Anundson  at gunpoint from their home in Sheffield, Pennsylvania, on May 20, according to the criminal complaint from Warren County.

Burham forced the couple into their vehicle and drove them to the North Charleston, South Carolina, area, where he forced them out in a cemetery and drove away, the complaint says.

The complaint also stated the Anundsons were in fear of serious bodily injury or death.

Law enforcement believes that Burham was either staying on the property or nearby and had been watching the couples residence for about a week, based on the information the couple provided.

CNNs Laura Dolan, Kristina Sgueglia, Nic Anderson and Artemis Moshtaghian contributed to this report.

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LONDON (AP)  Prosecutors rested their sexual assault case against Kevin Spacey in a London courtroom Wednesday after four men testified in the past two weeks that the Oscar winner preyed on them.

Prosecutors read jurors statements Spacey gave investigators denying that he aggressively grabbed three men by the crotch and performed a nonconsensual sex act on a fourth.

The defense is scheduled to begin presenting its case Thursday in Southwark Crown Court. The stakes are high, with Spacey facing a possible prison term if convicted.

The 63-year-old American actor has pleaded not guilty to 12 charges that include sexual and indecent assault counts and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

The allegations date from 2001 to 2013 when Spacey was working at the Old Vic Theatre.

None of the alleged victims knew each other but each testified that they went to police after Spacey was accused of sexual misconduct in the U.S. in 2017 as the #MeToo movement gained momentum.

The accusations at the time crippled Spacey's once-stellar career. He won a best supporting actor Academy Award for the 1995 film The Usual Suspects and a lead actor Oscar for the 1999 movie American Beauty. He was fired from the TV series House of Cards and most of his work dried up.

Three of the men said Spacey had a reputation of being drawn to good-looking young men and one said he had been warned to avoid him.

It was well known he was up to no good, the man testified.

One man said Spacey made racially offensive remarks to him and then " like a cobra coming out and getting hold, grabbed his penis when they were alone backstage at a charity event.

An aspiring actor who reached out to Spacey for advice said he regretted meeting up with him for a late-night drink. He said he ended up at Spacey's flat near Waterloo station and  after falling asleep or passing out  woke up with the star performing oral sex on him.

A fourth man who had gone out for a night of heavy drinking with the actor said Spacey later gave him an awkward hug and kissed his neck before grabbing his crotch.

Spacey denied doing anything nonconsensual and said he didn't remember meeting two of the men.

Spacey told police last year that the fourth man who came forward had reimagined their time together and concocted false allegations.

Defense lawyer Patrick Gibbs suggested the men were motivated by money. Several of them have filed lawsuits against the star and one testified that an American lawyer had said he could win him $10 million.

Gibbs suggested witnesses were lying, that one of the men had obstructed the investigation by resisting efforts to let officers view phone data and social media accounts and that some of the men were later ashamed of what they'd consensually done with Spacey.

Spacey, who owns homes in London and the U.S., is free on unconditional bail.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday he would not be former President Donald Trumps running mate if given the opportunity to join him on the ticket.

I dont think so. Im not a No. 2 guy, DeSantis said on the Wisconsin Right Now radio show, saying he would rather stay on as governor because the vice presidency doesnt really have any authority.

Asked about his own thoughts on a running mate, DeSantis said, "Its a little bit presumptuous to be doing that at this stage."

"Im here to win the early primaries, and thats what weve got to do first," he added.

DeSantis has been sharpening his criticisms of Trump. On the Mark Belling Show on Tuesday, he took a swing at both Trump and President Joe Biden over their ability to win over suburban women, who he argued not only disapprove of Biden, I think they also unfortunately disapprove very strongly of Donald Trump.

DeSantis went on to liken Floridians to the national electorate, calling his home state a microcosm of the United States where candidates have to appeal to a wide variety of voters to win statewide office. DeSantis won re-election last year by a double-digit margin.

Reached for comment, a Trump campaign spokesperson was dismissive of DeSantis remarks.

Ron DeSantis isnt anybodys guy. Hes not the guy. Hes just a guy. Ron is just there, sullen and sad, because his numbers are as tiny as him, Steven Cheung said.

DeSantis also said Tuesday he would support the eventual GOP nominee, even if it's Trump.

Trump continues to hold a sizable lead over his GOP opponents, including DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence, in most national surveys.

An NBC News poll conducted last month found 51% of national Republican primary voters picked Trump as their first choice in the race for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, followed by 22% who chose DeSantis and 7% who picked Pence.
WASHINGTON  Secret Service representatives will meet with the Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee in response to a request for a briefing about a bag of cocaine that was found in the White House, according to Anthony Guglielmi, the Secret Service's chief of communications.

The meeting is planned for 10 a.m. ET Thursday, said two sources familiar with the requested meeting.

Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., sent a letter Friday asking Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle for a staff-level briefing on the investigation by July 14.

"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," the letter said.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., also sent a letter asking Cheatle to respond to a list of questions about White House security practices.

The cocaine was found July 2 in a cubby near the White House's heavily trafficked West Executive entrance, officials involved in the inquiry said. A formal lab test came back positive for cocaine Wednesday.

When she has been asked about the cocaine, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has emphasized that the investigation is under the purview of the Secret Service and said she is "confident" it will get to the bottom of the incident.

It is unclear how long the bag was in the White House before it was discovered, and officials have set low expectations for identifying who brought it.

The cocaine packet is still in a federal lab for testing, sources said.
EXCLUSIVE  Republican Rep. Lance Gooden of Texas is reintroducing legislation requiring the Department of Homeland Security to collect biometric data from migrants at the southern border to hinder human trafficking and asylum fraud.

The "Biometric Verification for Entry and Reconfirming Identification with Forensics (B-VERIFY) Act" would require DHS or HHS to conduct DNA testing to substantiate familial relationships between an illegal immigrant and a minor. The legislation also proposes utilizing DNA test results to combat identity fraud.

"Violent cartels are using children as pawns in their illicit border operations while convicted criminals infiltrate our borders unopposed. Meanwhile, the Biden Administration remains asleep at the wheel," stated Rep. Gooden. "It is imperative Congress arm our law enforcement with the resources they need to protect our national security and secure our borders from the horror of human trafficking."

The bill's reintroduction follows a record-high number of unaccompanied alien minors at the southwest border, with 81,437 minors encountered this fiscal year.

ENDING BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP FOR CHILDREN OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS GAINS STEAM IN GOP 2024 FIELD

Texas Department of Public Safety troopers recovered two abandoned migrant children in Eagle Pass July 3, 2023.

The Trump administration expanded on the use of biometric data in 2020 through a pilot program that cracked down on suspected fraudulent migrant families. However, the contracts that fueled the project have expired and have not been renewed by the Biden administration.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and ten of his Democratic colleagues attempted to stop Trump's plan at the time, saying it would "put into the hands of the federal government massive amounts of biometric data taken without consent from hundreds of thousands of migrants who have done nothing other than seek a better life in our country."

A group of migrants arrested after allegedly crossing illegally into the U.S. via Texas.

The Department of Homeland Security recorded that human trafficking investigations were up by 17% and human trafficking arrests were up 35% from fiscal year 2020 to 2021.

"The B-VERIFY Act would be a large step forward to securing our southern border," said Texas Public Policy Foundation CEO Greg Sindelar. "By collecting this biometric data, DHS will be able to better expose erroneous asylum claims, prevent immigration fraud and protect children from human trafficking."

Republican senators, like Ted Cruz, R-Texas, have blamed the Biden administration for the increase of crime at the border. Cruz directed his words at Biden, saying, "The women who are sexually abused crossing illegally, that is your fault. The children who are brutalized crossing illegally, that is your fault."

SUSPECTED COYOTE ARRESTED IN RIO GRANDE AFTER GUIDING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ACROSS RIVER INTO TEXAS: VIDEO

President Biden has instructed officials not to turn away unaccompanied minors. The number of unaccompanied minors at the southwest border has doubled during his presidency.

HHS must provide schooling and mental and medical services for migrant children as well as try to place them with a family member or a "vetted sponsor."

Since Title 42 ended in May, more than 49,000 migrants have had appointments at ports of entry on the southern border. During this time, several migrants have died in HHS custody.
Ahead of contract negotiations set to begin Thursday, the head of the United Auto Workers union declared that its prepared to strike against the Big Three US automakers.

In a Facebook address to UAW members Tuesday, UAW President Shawn Fain said nearly 150,000 members will strike if Ford, Stellantis and General Motors do not meet their demands.

The Big Three is our strike target. And whether or not theres a strike  its up to Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, because they know what our priorities are. Weve been clear, said Fain.

The contracts between the UAW and the Big Three expire on September 14. Negotiations with Stellantis begin Thursday, Ford on Friday and General Motors on Tuesday.

If the Big Three dont give us our fair share, then theyre choosing to strike themselves, and were not afraid to take action, warned Fain.

Stellantis workers attend a "members' handshake" event with United Auto Workers president Shawn Fain to mark the beginning of the UAW's contract talks with Stellantis at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant on July 12, 2023 in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The members' handshake broke with the long-standing tradition of opening the negotiations with a ceremonial handshake between the UAW leadership and the auto company executives. The UAW opens auto contract negotiations with Stellantis today, Ford on July 14, and General Motors on July 18. - Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

In an op-ed last month Ford CEO Jim Farley said success will require adaptation including job losses but also job gains. The upcoming negotiations should be about collaboration, not concessions  creative ideas, not confrontation. We have important work to do together with the UAW, he said.

Stellantis said that they plan to preserve good wages and benefits for workers while remaining competitive in the global marketplace.

Together, we must approach these negotiations with open minds and a willingness to roll up our sleeves to find solutions that will result in a contract that is competitive in the market, provides a path to the middle class for our employees and meets the needs of our customers, the company said in a statement.

We want to reach an agreement that positions the GM team, facilities and our business to succeed today and tomorrow, said Gerald Johnson, GM executive vice president of global manufacturing, labor relations and sustainability, in a video message to employees.

In a break with tradition Fain said that he and other union leadership will not have a public handshake ceremony with the Big Three ahead of negotiations. Instead, today he will be shaking hands publicly only with union members.

Im not shaking hands with any CEOs until they do right by our members and fix the broken status quo of the Big Three, said Fain.

He added, Were taking a different approach every step of the way, noting there will be regular updates on negotiations for members.

The top three automakers all reported profits in the first quarter of this year.

Theyve made a quarter of a trillion dollars in North American profits in the last 10 years, and they can afford to make things right for our members, according to Fain.

The last auto workers strike was in 2019, when 48,000 UAW members at General Motors walked off the job for six weeks.

Energy secretary defends Biden against union animosity

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm defended President Joe Biden from a surprising amount of anger directed at the White House from Detroits auto union leaders amid the push to electric vehicles.

Granholm, the former governor of Michigan, described Biden as the most pro-labor president in American history and an ally and friend to auto union workers.

Although Biden has been endorsed for reelection by the AFL-CIO, the countrys largest labor federation, the United Auto Workers has held off in backing the president so far.

Asked if the UAW will ultimately back Biden, Granholm said: I certainly hope so.

Were very encouraged and hopeful that all of the unions will see the benefit of this presidency, Granholm told CNN.

The tension between Biden and the auto union centers on the transition to electric vehicles.

The UAW has blasted Biden for using taxpayer money to subsidize EV battery factories without requiring strong wages for workers.

Why is Joe Bidens administration facilitating this corporate greed with taxpayer money? Shawn Fain, the UAWs newly-elected president, said last month after US officials awarded a $9.2 billion loan to Ford and South Korean battery maker SK to build three EV battery plants in the United States.

Granholm stressed that Biden wants these battery plants to be unionized or at least pay prevailing wages and to allow workers to collectively bargain.

He would very much like to see that. And hes an ally in that push, Granholm said.

The energy secretary argued the EV investment boom that Biden has presided over has the potential to create substantially more union jobs.

The amount of jobs in the full supply chain of the electric vehicle that are ripe for partnering with a labor union is enormous, Granholm said.

Granholm said that about 300 electric vehicle, car company or battery suppliers that have announced plans to come to or expand in the United States, amounting to $140 billion worth of investment.

Those are jobs all over the country, including in Michigan. We want them to be jobs that are friendly to organized labor. But they are jobs, and they are going to pay good-paying wages, Granholm said.

Last week, the White House tapped Gene Sperling to serve as the administrations point person in upcoming labor talks between the UAW and the nations big three unionized lawmakers.

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Members of the Korean Metal Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions hold a rally near Ichon Station in Seoul, Wednesday, urging President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down. Yonhap



By Park Jae-hyuk



Unionized workers at Hyundai Motor and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries participated in a general strike initiated by the Korean Metal Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, Wednesday. Their participation has raised concerns over potential damage to Korea's exports, which have relied heavily these days on carmakers and shipbuilders.



Hyundai Motor's union decided to down tools for two hours from 1:30 p.m. that day and another two hours from 10:10 p.m. This is the first time in five years that the carmaker's unionized workers joined a general strike launched by the umbrella union.



Their four-hour strike is expected to cause a setback in the production of around 2,000 vehicles. When the automaker's labor-management dispute flared in 2016, Hyundai Motor suffered a setback in the production of over 142,000 vehicles annually.



"Hyundai Motor union's participation in the illegal political strike will make the company lose its opportunity to take a leap forward in the global market by increasing its investments in future vehicles," the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association said in a recent statement. "Amid the stabilization of the management of auto parts makers after the recent improvement in sales and exports, the strike will reduce automobile production and worsen the management of component suppliers."





Unionized workers at Hyundai Motor leave the carmaker's Ulsan factory two hours earlier than usual to join a general strike initiated by the Korean Metal Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, Wednesday. Yonhap
Security guarantees from leading nations and assurances that Ukraines future lies in NATO on Wednesday appeared to calm brewing worries that Ukrainian frustrations at not being admitted to the alliance would overshadow one of the most significant bloc summits in recent memory.

President Joe Biden and G7 leaders unveiled a substantial show of support for Ukraine Wednesday at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, offering a joint declaration of support for Ukraine aimed at bolstering the war-torn countrys military capability.

Biden acknowledged that the alliance did not invite Ukraine to membership during the summit as it works on necessary reforms, but, he said, Were not waiting on that process to be finished to boost the countrys security. Biden has emphasized that Ukraine is not ready to enter NATO, telling CNN in an exclusive interview last week that Russias war in Ukraine needs to end before the alliance can consider adding Kyiv to its ranks.

Mr. Zelensky and I talked about the kind of guarantees we could make in the meantime And so today, the long-term commitments were making are backed up by the notion that in the meantime, were going to provide security to Ukraine for its needs and against any aggression that may occur.

Ukraine has been a dominant item on the summits agenda as the US president looks to keep the group united behind President Volodymyr Zelensky in the face of Russias invasion. Zelensky arrived in Lithuania on Tuesday and had issued a blistering statement expressing his frustration at not receiving more specific details on when and how Ukraine would join the alliance.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda hold a Ukrainian flag from the front line of the war with Russia, next to Olena Zelenska, in Vilnius on July 11, 2023. - Kacper Pempel/Reuters

However, it appears he heard enough to go home happy, saying, The results of the summit are good in a news conference with the alliances chief. Among the moves NATO took was agreeing to remove one requirement for Ukrainian entrance to the group  a Membership Action Plan  given Kyivs close relationship with NATO nations. It did not provide a firm timeline for when the Ukrainians will become official members.

While sitting with Biden before their meeting on the summits sidelines, Zelensky said he felt the summit was a success for Ukraine despite his earlier frustrations  which the US president acknowledged during his remarks.

The frustration, I can only imagine. I know, youre many times frustrated about what things get to you quickly enough, and whats getting to you and how were getting there. But I promise you: The United States is doing everything we can to get you what you need as rapidly as we can get it to you, Biden said.

In an event with Zelensky and G-7 leaders, Biden told the Ukrainian president that American support is not going anywhere. The declaration, Biden said, starts a process by which each of our nations, and any other nation who wishes to participate, will negotiate long term bilateral security commitments with and to Ukraine.

Were going to help Ukraine build a strong defense across land, air, and sea, Biden vowed, calling it a force of stability in the region to deter against any and all threats.

The Ukrainian delegation is bringing home significant security, victory for the Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our children. It opens for us absolutely new security opportunities, and I thank everyone who made it possible, he said.

Pool

Biden offers his vision for the future

In an address from Vilnius University on Wednesday evening, Biden offered his vision for American leadership, emphasizing the importance of the worlds democracies working together with allies and partners to face crucial challenges. It was a poignant location for a speech aimed at countering Russian aggression as the president stood in the capital of a former Soviet state that is now a NATO member and close US ally.

Biden, who has framed the central challenge of his presidency as the fight between democracy and autocracy, continued that theme, using the bully pulpit to highlight his foreign policy experience as he seeks a second term.

Will we turn back naked unchecked aggression today? Or will we deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow? Will we staunch the climate crisis before its too late? Will we harness the new technology to advance freedom, or will we diminish it? Will we advance opportunities in more places or allow instability and equality to persist? How we answer these essential questions is literally going to determine the kind of future our children and grandchildren have, he said.

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers a speech at Vilnius University, after the NATO summit, in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

He said the world faces a choice between a world defined by coercion and exploitation, where might makes right, or a world where we recognize that our own success is bound to the success of others. When others do better, we do better as well.

Biden railed against Russian President Vladimir Putins craven lust for land and power as he argued that the war in Ukraine has unified the worlds democracies. He framed the transatlantic alliance as an anchor to global stability, making an argument for the strength of NATO, calling the alliance a bulwark of global security and stability as he emphasized its unity.

NATO is stronger, more energized, and yes, more united than ever in its history, Biden said, adding that it wasnt inevitable and that Putin was betting NATO would break as he stoked the war.

In the lead-up to Russias invasion, Biden noted he was in constant contact with NATO, G7, and EU leaders, (warning) the world, and preparing accordingly. He lambasted Russias crimes against humanity as he offered praise to the Ukrainian people, vowing to stay united and to stand with Ukraine as long as it takes.

(Putin) is still making a bad bet against the conviction of the unity among NATO and the unity among the United States and our allies and partners will break down. He still doesnt understand our commitment, our vows, our freedom is something we can never, ever, ever, ever walk away from. Its who we are, he said.

Biden nodded to the history of his Lithuanian backdrop as he began his remarks: Its good to be back in this nation and a region that knows better than anyone the transformational power of freedom to show the world the strength of a people united cannot be denied.

New military aid for Ukraine

The G7 issued a three-page document detailing the joint declaration agreement shortly after the leaders spoke on Wednesday.

Today we are launching negotiations with Ukraine to formalize  through bilateral security commitments and arrangements aligned with this multilateral framework, in accordance with our respective legal and constitutional requirements  our enduring support to Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity, rebuilds its economy, protects its citizens, and pursues integration into the Euro-Atlantic community, the declaration said, adding that those discussions will begin immediately.

It will work on bilateral, long-term security commitments and arrangements towards three goals.

The first goal is ensuring a sustainable force capable of defending Ukraine now and deterring Russian aggression in the future, through continued provision of security assistance and modern military equipment, support for Ukraines industrial base development, training for forces, intelligence sharing and cooperation, and support for cyber defense, security and resilience initiatives.

The second is strengthening Ukraines economic stability and resilience, including through reconstruction and recovery efforts, to create the conditions conducive to promoting Ukraines economic prosperity, including its energy security. And the third is providing technical and financial support for Ukraines immediate needs stemming from Russias war as well as to enable Ukraine to continue implementing the effective reform agenda that will support the good governance necessary to advance towards its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

The announcement will start a process of bilateral negotiations with Kyiv, National Security Council senior director for Europe Amanda Sloat told reporters.

There will be a long-term investment in Ukraines future force aimed at ensuring Ukraine has a sustainable fighting force capable of defending Ukraine now and deterring Russian aggression in the future, a strong and stable economy, and the help Ukraine needs to advance the reform agenda to support the good governance necessary to advance Ukraines Euro-Atlantic aspirations, she said.

Sloat said the purpose of the declaration would be to bolster Ukraines deterrence and send a message to Russia.

We believe the declaration we will announce today seeks to ensure Ukraines future as a free independent, democratic, and sovereign nation. It signals in joint long-term commitment to building a powerful defensive and deterrence force for Ukraine, of course for both stability and for peace. This multi-lateral declaration will send a significant signal to Russia that time is not on its side, Sloat said.

US President Joe Biden (R) attends a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Vilnius on July 12, 2023. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) - Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

Biden and Zelensky meet

Biden expressed understanding and offered support to Zelensky ahead of their meeting in Vilnius, which saw each leader offer each other praise after some earlier tension.

I hope you all got a sense today from all my colleagues how much public support you have. Its real and I hope we finally have put to bed the notion about whether or not Ukraine is welcome in NATO. Its going to happen. Were all moving in the right direction. I think its just a matter of getting by the next few months, the American president told his Ukrainian counterpart.

Biden noted that Russias war has been ongoing more than 500 days, as he heralded the courage of Ukraines people.

The whole world has seen your courage, he said. You set a whole example to the entire world of what constitutes genuine courage.  I think its your resilience and the resolve has been a model for the whole world to see.

Biden praised Zelenskys leadership as he said he looks forward to eventually celebrating his countrys accession to the alliance.

I look forward to having the meeting, celebrating your official, official membership in NATO, he said.

The bad news for you is: Were not going anywhere, youre stuck with us, he joked, prompting rare laughter from his counterpart.

In turn, Zelensky offered heartfelt thanks to the US for standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine from the first days of the war. He also acknowledged criticism facing the US following Bidens controversial decision last week to send his country cluster munitions.

Its very simple to criticize, for example, cluster munitions, he said, calling it a difficult political decision.

This decision will help us to save us, he said of the munitions, thanking Biden for his huge support.

He thanked the American people more broadly.

You spend this money for our lives. And I think that we save the lives for Europe and for all the world, he said.

The war, Biden said, is bringing the world together. Its a hell of a price to pay. But its bringing the world together, and people are realizing that we just cant stand by and let this kind of aggression occur.

The meeting was draped by a 15-year wait for Ukraine to get answers on just when it can join the allied group. NATO first welcomed Ukraines membership aspirations during a 2008 meeting in Bucharest, Romania, but little progress has been made and the timeline remains uncertain.

Ukraine and many NATO allies are calling for a clearer pathway, a roadmap, some kind of statement at Vilnius that will show Ukraine what it needs to do to get into the alliance. And I think that is very important to happen for the alliance to be credible. Given the stakes of the war  given what the Ukrainians have endured, if we walk out of Vilnius without a firmer sense of what it will take to get Ukraine into the alliance, I worry about the alliances credibility, said Chris Skaluba, director of the Transatlantic Security Initiative in the Atlantic Councils Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.

CNNs Donald Judd contributed to this report.

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BEIJING (Reuters) -John Kerry, the U.S. special envoy on climate issues, will visit China from July 16-19, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment said on Wednesday, the latest senior U.S. official to travel to Beijing in recent weeks.

Kerry's trip follows a visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken last month and will come a week after the departure of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

Given the scale of their economies, cooperation between the U.S. and China is considered vital to international efforts to avert the worst impacts of climate change. While in Beijing, Yellen stressed that both countries need to work closely together on the issue.

China and the United States are the world's two biggest sources of carbon dioxide emissions and their cooperation has been seen as a vital part of global efforts to curb global warming.

But while Kerry has sought to insulate climate from broader diplomatic tensions between the two sides, formal talks were suspended last August following the visit of U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, a self-ruled island that China claims.

Climate experts have said they do not expect Kerry's trip to add much momentum to climate negotiations, given ongoing political tensions between the two sides, but there are potential areas of cooperation on issues like the abatement of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

"First and foremost, it's just very important that it is happening," said Joanna Lewis, an expert on Chinese climate policies at Georgetown University.

"I think it is important that some sort of positive agenda comes out of this meeting, even if it is simply an agreement to continue to meet," she said during a webinar on U.S.-China climate cooperation on Tuesday.

(Reporting by Beijing newsroom and David Stanway in Singapore; Writing by Liz Lee; Editing by Tom Hogue and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
US prosecutors unsealed an indictment Monday charging the co-director of a think tank with illicit arms trafficking, violating US sanctions laws, and other charges, five months after he was arrested in Cyprus and fled from authorities.

The US-Israeli citizen, Gal Luft, co-director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, is also someone House Oversight Chairman James Comer, a top Republican, has described as an informant claiming to have incriminating information on Hunter Biden.

Luft has tweeted denials of the allegations, saying in February, Ive been arrested in Cyprus on a politically motivated extradition request by the US. The US, claiming Im an arms dealer. It would be funny if it werent tragic. Ive never been an arms dealer. DOJ is trying to bury me to protect Joe, Jim & Hunter Biden.

Robert Henoch, an attorney for Luft, called the indictment a vicious attempt to silence a witness to corruption. The attorney said there was no arms trading whatsoever and that Luft didnt act as an agent for a foreign entity or lie to federal agents, as alleged.

The Institute for the Analysis of Global Security also defended Luft in a statement, saying he is an expert on energy security, economics and geopolitics.

Luft is a fugitive, prosecutors say. He was charged with failing to register as an agent for China in the US, including acting through a former high-ranking US official who was then advising then-President-elect Donald Trump in 2016. He was also charged with acting as a middleman to aid Chinese companies buying weapons. The indictment also alleges Luft violated US sanctions by attempting to broker sales of Iranian oil.

House Republicans are investigating the Biden familys financial dealings and have requested information from the Justice Department about its investigation into Hunter Biden, who has agreed to plead guilty to two tax misdemeanors. At least one Republican, Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, has claimed that Luft is an important witness in that investigation.

Henoch said Luft met with two prosecutors and four FBI agents in Brussels to share allegations about Biden family financial dealings with the Chinese government. He told the DOJ prosecutors things which they did not want to hear, so they charged him with lying, Henoch said.

Despite the charges, Comer told CNN Tuesday that he still wanted to speak with Luft because of his time at CEFC, the Chinese-backed energy company where Hunter Biden also formed a joint venture with executives of the now-bankrupt Chinese energy conglomerate. The Justice Department has scrutinized Hunter Bidens efforts, after his father Joe Biden left the vice presidency in 2017, to secure a deal with the company to invest in US energy projects, according to documents released by Republicans from two Senate committees.

Luft may be a bad dude. But, heres why I want to talk to him. He worked for CEFC just like Hunter Biden and the federal government charge Luft with being an unregistered foreign agent, but they didnt charge Hunter Biden with anything, Comer told CNN.

I want to know what exactly CEFC was and if he ever crossed paths with the president, the presidents son and what they did, Comer added.

While his father was vice president, Hunter Biden allegedly made millions of dollars from business opportunities in Ukraine, China, Romania and elsewhere, according to House Republicans investigating the Biden family. But theres no evidence Joe Biden abused his office to enrich his family.

Biden last month emphatically denied that he was involved or present when his son Hunter Biden is alleged to have texted a Chinese business partner in 2017, claiming that he was sitting with his father.

Asked whether he was involved in the business dealings or was sitting with Hunter when the message was sent, Biden previously told reporters, No. I wasnt.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Annie Grayer and Alayna Treene contributed to this report.

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WARREN, Pa.  As the Pennsylvania State Police and other agencies press ahead in their massive search for escaped homicide suspect Michael C. Burham, officials in Warren County said they have ordered changes at the county prison where Burham broke out on July 6 using a rope made of bedsheets.

The county will make repairs to the roof of the exercise yard where Burham started his escape from the Warren County Prison, and the county's Board of Commissioners and its Prison Board "will have an ongoing review of the policies, staff and structures in the Prison," the county's three commissioners said in a statement released to the Erie Times-News on Tuesday night.

"All policies and procedures related to inmate access and observation are being reviewed, and changes will be made to increase security in that space," the commissioners also said, referring to exercise yard.

The commissioners also said the Prison Board will work with the Pennsylvania State Department of Corrections "to thoroughly evaluate the facility and its policies to find weaknesses and recommend improvements" to the 139-bed Warren County Prison.

Michael C. Burham, 34, escaped from the Warren County Prison in Warren Pa., on July 6. The Warren police released these photos on July 7.

The Department of Corrections already inspects the prison annually, the commissioners said. They said the Warren County district attorney, Rob Greene, recommended the department conduct the added review in light of Burham's escape.

Though commissioners said they and the Prison Board, which includes the commissioners, will evaluate prison staff in response to the escape, they stopped short of saying whether any staff has or will be disciplined. The commissioners and the board "intend to continue releasing information on future changes and improvements," according to the statement.

All disciplinary measures will remain confidential, the vice chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Ben Kafferlin, said at a news conference on Wednesday about the prison.

In their statement, the commissioners said the criminal investigations into the escape have "slowed our ability to provide information or react to policy and facility concerns."

"Although the Commissioners await the outcome of the criminal investigations for any notice of internal staff issues, the board is confident in the administration and workers and their overall commitment to security," according to the statement. "Working in the jail is a challenging job. The Commissioners and Prison Board support the Warren County Correction Officers."

County commissioners say information limited for now

At the commissioners' regular monthly meeting Wednesday at the Warren County Courthouse, they unanimously approved a contract with the state Department of Corrections for the review of the county prison in response to the escape. The commissioners at the meeting held a news conference about their plans for the prison, located next to the Warren County Courthouse on Market Street in downtown Warren, about 66 miles southeast of Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania. The prison has 48 guards.

At the news conference, Kafferlin said the county is conducting a "rigorous internal investigation," reviewing surveillance footage, time stamps, and tagout sheets, as well as "interviewing every individual who may have information, whether inside or outside the jail."

"We're not on a witch hunt but we are going to seek justice, including if that means with our employees," Kafferlin said. "At the same time, while transparency is of course our guiding principle, the law requires us to keep disciplinary actions confidential. We will follow that law."

Warren County Commissioner Jeff Eggleston added that more information will be revealed to the public as the investigation continues and everyone is evaluated.

"There is a very real possibility that any number of people could be charged with something  we can't discuss any of that at this time," he said. "But when and if any of that becomes an issue, that's something that will be released to the public."

The Erie Times-News on Monday asked the chairwoman of the Warren County Board of Commissioners, Tricia Durbin, whether the commissioners planned to discipline anyone at the prison and make changes at the facility. Durbin responded on Monday that the Prison Board had met that day, and that a statement would be forthcoming.

In releasing the statement to the Times-News on Tuesday night, Durbin cited the criminal investigation as restricting what the county commissioners can disclose at this point. The city of Warren police are conducting that probe.

"As a result of an ongoing investigation, we are limited in the information we have received, as well as what we are able to share," Durbin said in an email. "Once the investigation is finished, the prison board will be able to engage in a more public manner as we shape out any need for process improvements or physical plant needs."

Other members of the Prison Board are Warren County Sheriff Brian Zeybel, county Treasurer Dennis Munksgard and Greene, the district attorney. The two other county commissioners, who are also on the board, are Kafferlin and Eggleston.

The commissioners said in their statement that Greene did not participate in formulating the statement because he is part of the criminal investigation into Burham's escape.

The warden at the Warren County Prison is Rusty Barr, named to the post in August. He was the deputy warden under the former warden, Jon Collins, who retired.

Exercise yard focus of fixes at Warren County Prison

Burham is wanted in connection with the May 11 fatal shooting of Kala Hodgkin, 34, of Jamestown, in Chautauqua County, New York, north of Warren. Though he has yet to be charged in that case, Burham is a "prime suspect" in the killing, the U.S. Marshals Service said. At the time of Hodgkin's death, Burham was wanted on a charge that he had raped her, according to court records.

Burham fled the area after Hodgkin's death. He is accused of kidnapping an elderly couple in Sheffield, in Warren County, on May 20, and stealing their SUV, which he used to drive to South Carolina. He was captured there on May 24 after a multi-agency manhunt. The couple was found unharmed in a cemetery in South Carolina.

Michael C. Burham, 34, escaped from the Warren County Prison in Warren Pa., on July 6. The Warren police released these photos on July 7.

Burham was eventually returned to Warren. He was placed in the Warren County Prison on $1 million bond after he was arraigned on the kidnapping charges on June 19.

Burham is from Russell, near Warren, and is still believed to be in the area of Warren County, state police said. Police said searchers are using police dogs, drones and helicopters and that the search had extended into the 514,029-acre Allegheny National Forest, which borders the city of Warren.

Burham is a "self-taught survivalist with military training," state police said in a news release. "He is to be considered armed and dangerous and we are asking the public not to approach."

He is accused of escaping the prison by climbing on a pullup exercise machine in the prison exercise yard, getting on to a roof and then sliding off the prison roof with a rope made of bedsheets tied together, as the Erie Times-News has reported. The escape occurred at about 11:20 p.m. on July 6, according to the criminal complaint Warren police filed against Burham in the escape case.

In the statement they released on Tuesday night, the Warren County commissioners said their "review has led to the order of repairs on the roof of the prison yard, which is a 40' x 40' room with a cage on the top floor of the jail facility.

"The Commissioners and Prison Board have also ordered the space be augmented with deterrents and safety measures and that the exercise equipment be removed and replaced with equipment that does not provide access to higher positions in the facility.

"The Commissioners expect the immediate structural fixes to be completed before the end of the week.Several longer-term upgrades will begin immediately and be completed in the next few weeks.

"It's important to understand that the law has changed in the past five years, and prisoners must have access to yard time and outside exercise. With a facility as small as ours that is close to full, inmates must be taken to the yard in shifts. That happens all day and evening to ensure all inmates have appropriate yard time. Therefore, inmates are legally required to access the yard, and it is crucial for the Prison Board to ensure the facility is secure."

Eggleston on Wednesday described the yard as a "box" on the top level of the jail that has a roof made of a chain-linked fence on top of steel girders.

"The fundamental problem is that there was a structural weakness in the cage on the roof  that's it as far as the facility goes," Eggleston said. "If that hadn't been the case, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

The commissioners said in the statement: "It's important to know that the Commissioners and Prison Board support the jail staff who did all they could when the alert of Burhams escape was made. The Prison Staff has worked tirelessly to collaborate with local and regional law enforcement to assist with all investigations, and they are to be commended for their efforts."

Massive manhunt: Search for escapee Michael Burham continues as police investigate possible sightings

How Burham got out: Police say homicide suspect escaped from Warren County Prison using sheets tied together

Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNpalattella.

A.J. Rao can be reached at arao@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNRao.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Warren County Prison staff under review in response to Burham's escape
North Macedonias Lake Ohrid at sunset (Getty/iStockphoto)

Glasses clink and cutlery scrapes the plates at a pavement cafe by the side of the lake. People drink Aperol and espresso and take bites of pizza, their heads turned towards the peacock-green water and the villa-dappled hills that frame it. The scene wouldnt be out of place in Lake Como  but Im 1,300 miles away from northern Italy, in a pocket of southwest North Macedonia called Ohrid (pronounced och-rid).

Slowly inching onto the radar of UK travellers thanks to a selection of recently introduced direct TUI flights from Manchester and Gatwick, the town of Ohrid and its namesake lake have vital statistics that actually outshine their famed Italian counterparts.

At more than 138 square miles, Lake Ohrid is more than twice as large as Como, a fact thats best appreciated on a boat trip around the formers shoreline. Karst cliffs, coloured in pewter and newborn pink, run on for miles, giving way to the uninterrupted greenery of the Galicia National Park, which is so densely packed in places it resembles broccoli florets.

Lake Ohrid is twice the size of Lake Como (Sarah Holt)

My boat makes a stop at the foot of the hilltop Monastery of Saint Naum, an Eastern Orthodox monastery originally built in the 10th century. From here I take in grandstand views of the voluminous lake on a plateau dotted with free-roaming peacocks (seen as symbols of resurrection at the time of Saint Naum). I duck into the monastery church, too, and discover the fresco-lined room where Saint Naum is buried. Legend says that if you put your ear to the surface of the tomb, you can still hear his heartbeat, but I spinelessly decide not to put that theory to the test.

At more than a million years old, Lake Ohrid is also older than the Italian Lakes, with Ohrid town acknowledged to be one of the oldest human settlements in Europe. Walking around the Old Town and uphill to the 11th-century Tsar Samoil Fortress, with its gap-toothed ramparts, I get a sense that Im wading through history.

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Ohrids historical sites represent every phase of North Macedonias past and the tug of war so many empires and nations have had over its territory. There are city gates that were originally built in the 4th century BC; a 5,000-seat Hellenistic amphitheatre; a roll call of 14th-century churches; 18th-century townhouses; and the blush-coloured Church of Saint Sophia, which has its roots in the 6th century (to name just a fraction of whats there).

Its this stratum of history that earned Ohrid Old Town its place on Unescos World Heritage Site list in 1997. Areas of the lake are also included in the listing, as they provide a home to more than 200 types of plants and 17 endemic species of fish.

Free-roaming peacocks can be found at the Monastery of Saint Naum (Sarah Holt)

Amble down any of the streets in the town centre and youll discover another of Ohrids USPs: its jewellery shops. Window displays drip with handmade silver filigree in designs as delicate as doilies. Then there are the pearls. Ohrid pearls, as worn by the likes of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana, are distinct from those youll find anywhere else in the world because theyre hand-made. Two families, the Talevs and Filevs, make them using secret, century-old recipes that involve ground shells, emulsions made from the scales of Ohrid trout and a painstaking multi-stage creation process.

I personally experience an event horizon at the door to PS Filigree, one of the towns two Macedonian ruby specialists and am sucked in. As with the countrys pearls, Macedonian rubies are different from those found elsewhere. They are classified as genuine rubies, but they contain less chromium, which makes them opaque and more plummy in colour. I leave with a pendant necklace that includes a pea-sized ruby on the end that I have yet to take off.

Lake Ohrid is also a key player in Macedonias current wine renaissance. The discovery of ancient grape grain remains suggests that wine has been produced in the North Macedonia area since Neolithic times. However, during the mid-20th century, when the country was under the rule of communist Yugoslavia, wine was produced for quantity rather than quality.

Karst cliffs, coloured in pewter and newborn pink, run on for miles, giving way to the uninterrupted greenery of the Galicia National Park

Now, the countrys existing larger wineries are working with experts from around Europe to elevate their offering and an increasing number of independent boutique wineries are opening with the intention of making North Macedonia a newly respected player on the worlds wine stage.

I experience the standard of North Macedonian wine first-hand in the tasting rooms at the Vila and Winery Mal Sveti Kliment, in Ohrid Old Town. Opened in 2016, the winery produces wines using grapes sourced from its own vineyard plus a selection of local winegrowers. But its tasting rooms, run by WSET sommeliers Almir Rahimoski and Elena Mitrevska, are dedicated to showcasing wines from boutique wineries all over the country.

My eyes widen as I sample a glass of sparkling wine from the Peshkov winery. Made using traditional champagne methods, its a new release for 2023. The bubbles do a welcome tap dance on my tongue before leaving a taste of green apple and citrus on my palette. Elena brings out a plate of her own recipe bruschetta, topped with lemon cream, apple and hazelnut to complement the wine, and theres an instant alchemy that elevates the flavour even further.

The Monastery Winery produces 10,000 bottles a year (Sarah Holt)

My interest piqued in North Macedonian wine, I venture out to visit The Monastery Winery the following day. Located at the end of a single-file gravel track, a 15-minute drive from Ohrid, the monastery was built in 2005 on the site of a former church. In 2018, the priest and a local engineer started making wine in the monastery cellar and The Monastery Winery  which now produces 10,000 bottles a year  was formed. I try seven varieties of Monastery wine and tuck into a platter of cow and sheep cheeses, cured meats, and a bowl of unctuous avjar (a smoky dip made from red peppers).

Sipping the wine and nibbling antipasti in the sun of the winerys al fresco tasting area, I again get the sense that I could be in Italy. But the thought soon passes  because Ohrid is so much more than a Como lookalike. Its a history-rich, nuance-filled destination in its own right.

Travel essentials

Tui Lakes and Mountains offers seven-night holidays to Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia staying at the Unique Resort & Spa with prices starting from 661pp, B&B, including return flights from London Gatwick, 15kg of hold luggage and transfers, for 6 September departures.

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By Lee Kyung-min



Major business conglomerates in Korea are rushing to embrace a shorter workweek, according to market watchers, Wednesday.



The move is in line with the global trend in the U.S. and Europe where countries are seeking to introduce a four-day workweek. Few associate spending longer hours at their office with higher productivity. Some say making employees take a Friday off every month or every other week is to have them finish work before that day comes, and not so much about reducing the sheer workload itself.

Samsung Electronics implemented a shorter workweek last month, allowing its 120,000 full-time workers to have a four-day workweek once a month. Employees take every fourth Friday off, coinciding with the issuance of their monthly paychecks. Excluded are production workers on 12-hour shifts, since manufacturing facilities must remain in operation around the clock.



The shorter workweek is part of the final terms agreed upon during management-labor talks in April.



SK Telecom already implemented a shorter workweek since 2020 and SK hynix has a similar program. Almost all SK hynix employees do not work on the second Friday of every month.



Kakao Games employees take every other Friday off.



In April, POSCO Future M implemented a flexible work hour whereby employees can leave work as early as four hours before their shift ends Friday, provided that they finish their work.



But there are exceptions.



Kakao recently scrapped the so-called "Nolgeum" program, whereby employees were able to take every other Friday off. The program was introduced less than a year ago.



An industry official said employees the idea of spending less time at the office was gradually accepted during the pandemic.



"Koreans do tend to think it is important to come in for work, and spending longer hours in the office is somehow associated with an employee being hard-working, which more often has nothing to do with their individual efficiency or productivity," he said.



"Nowadays not as many people think the work-from-home system is that bad of an idea since they are more used to it than they were at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.



Also, an increasing number of young workers are placing greater emphasis on work-life balance compared to their senior counterparts.



Data from Deloitte Group released in May showed that younger employees' work-life balance satisfaction increased in the years of the pandemic, mostly due to remote work.



In a survey of 20,000 young people in 44 countries, about a third of the respondents said the most desirable quality of competent employees is the ability to strike a balance between work and their private life.








YEREVAN, JUYLY 12, ARMENPRESS Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan met with the US Deputy Secretary of Defense Laura Cooper, ARMENPRESS reports, Armen Grigoryan wrote on his Facebook page.

"At the meeting, we discussed with my interlocutor the implementation of Armenian-American educational programs in the defense area, the reform process of the Armenian armed forces. In the context of the latter, I presented the efforts of the Republic of Armenia aimed at the democratic control of the Armenian armed forces. We touched on other issues of bilateral cooperation in the defense area."
YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia welcomes the Order of the International Court of Justice of 6 July 2023, the complete text of which was communicated to the parties on 11 July 2023.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the MFA Armenia, the Court unanimously reaffirmed its 22 February 2023 Order obligating Azerbaijan, pending the final decision in the case, in accordance with its obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination to take all measures at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.

The Court unanimously confirmed with its 6 July 2023 legally binding Order that the 22 February 2023 Order applies without limitation to the checkpoint established by Azerbaijan and the existence and operation of the Azerbaijani checkpoint on the Lachin Corridor plausibly constitutes racial discrimination.

It is important to highlight that the Court considered that the tenuous situation between the Parties confirms the need for effective implementation of that Order, which was taken to prevent an imminent risk of irreparable harm to ethnic Armenians rights under the CERD and which has been and is still being intentionally disregarded by Azerbaijan.

Thus, the 6 July 2023 Order of the Court reaffirms Azerbaijans international legal obligation to take all measures at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions, and therefore to immediately cease the operation of its checkpoint, as it unquestionably impedes the rights under the CERD of Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh.

It can be stated that the 6 July 2023 Order of the Court once again proves that Azerbaijans assertions of its compliance with the Order of the Court of 22 February 2023 were false and manipulative.

We also call on other international actors, and the UN Security Council in particular, to take all steps to ensure the immediate and effective implementation of the Courts Order by Azerbaijan.
YEREVAN, 12 JULY, ARMENPRESS: During the working visit to France, the delegation led by the President of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan met with the head of the "Republicans" faction, Bruno Retailleau, ARMENPRESS was informed from the National Assembly of Armenia.

We highly appreciate your personal commitment to the issue of Armenia and Artsakh since 2020, as a prominent French politician, and your activity as the Founder-Chairman of the group on the Nagorno Karabakh issue in the Senate, the President of the National Assembly said.

He expressed gratitude for the solidarity and principled positions expressed by the Senate especially in the matters of importance for Armenia since the 44-day war of 2020.

Bruno Retailleau noted that this meeting is, first of all, a long-awaited opportunity for him to communicate with good friends, which will provide an opportunity to learn news about Armenia and Artsakh Armenians. He stated that his last visit to Armenia was worrying: not only the people of Nagorno Karabakh, but also the people of Armenia are under threat. Bruno Retailleau added that authoritarianism and dictatorship have seriously questioned the development of the region through democracy.

In response, Alen Simonyan responded that they raise the issue to the international community on a daily basis and expect continuous support and concrete steps from their partners to keep the region free from shocks and war.

A wide range of issues regarding the joint work agenda were also discussed at the meeting.
YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversation with the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and congratulated him on his re-election as the head of the country, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister wished Mr. Mirziyoyev success in his responsible position for the further development of Uzbekistan.

The leaders of the two countries discussed issues related to the further development of Armenian-Uzbek relations and the steps planned in that direction.
YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS. The European Union strongly supports the activities of the ICRC as the only major humanitarian organization present in the South Caucasus, the statement made by the EU Spokesperson on ICRC activities in Southern Caucasus says.

The EU strongly supports the activities of the ICRC as the only major humanitarian organization present in the South Caucasus. It is providing crucial humanitarian assistance and protection to those in need, in accordance with the humanitarian principles of neutrality, independence and impartiality.

Their work along the Lachin corridor has been exclusively focused on providing the essential needs for the Armenian population in Karabakh and much needed humanitarian assistance. It is the responsibility of the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure that ICRC can continue its operations and prevent a potential humanitarian crisis.

The EU strongly supports the crucial role of the ICRC in the region, and reiterates its call for Azerbaijan to ensure the unrestricted movement of people and goods via the Lachin corridor, the statement says.
YEREVAN, 12 JULY, ARMENPRESS. The Foreign Ministry of Artsakh issued a statement regarding Azerbaijan's obstruction of the movement of vehicles of the International Committee of the Red Cross through the Lachin Corridor, stressing that Azerbaijan is obliged not to obstruct the delivery of humanitarian goods to the besieged Artsakh. Violation of this obligation is a serious violation of the provisions of the Geneva Conventions and is qualified as a war crime.

ARMENPRESS reports, the statement of the Artsakh Foreign Ministry stated:

On 11 July, the Azerbaijani side once again blocked the movement of the ICRC vehicles through the illegally established checkpoint in the Lachin Corridor, thereby grossly violating both the norms of international humanitarian law and Azerbaijan's own obligations under the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020 and the ICJ orders of 22 February and 6 July 2023. The fact that Azerbaijan justifies this unlawful and inhumane act by alleging the transportation of "unauthorised items" such as mobile phones, cigarettes and fuel on ICRC vehicles only proves the ongoing transport, food and energy blockade of Artsakh and the acute shortage of essential goods, as well as Baku's hostile and inhumane attitude towards the people of Artsakh.



We reiterate that in accordance with the norms of international humanitarian law, Azerbaijan has an obligation not to impede the delivery of humanitarian cargo to besieged Artsakh. Violating this obligation constitutes a serious breach of the provisions of the Geneva Conventions and qualifies as a war crime.



While acknowledging the ICRC's statement of 11 July regarding this matter, it is also necessary to emphasise that Azerbaijan's actions directly violate the Trilateral Statement signed by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, which, among other things, provides for the establishment of the Lachin Corridor regime under the control of Russian peacekeeping forces to ensure a connection between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, as well as the security of movement for persons, vehicles and cargo in both directions through the Lachin Corridor. Moreover, the continued blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan constitutes a violation of the two legally binding decisions of the International Court of Justice, which ordered Azerbaijan to ensure the unimpeded movement of persons and goods in both directions through the Lachin Corridor. We emphasise that in their approaches to the issue of the Lachin Corridor, international actors should proceed from the legally binding decisions of the International Court of Justice.



By obstructing the humanitarian operations of the ICRC, including medical evacuations, Azerbaijan not only disregards its international obligations but also exacerbates the already dire humanitarian situation in Artsakh. This ban effectively deprives access to urgent medical assistance for all those who critically need it, which can lead to serious consequences and loss of life.



The disruption of ICRC humanitarian operations, combined with the total blockade in place since 15 June and Azerbaijan's consistent obstruction of humanitarian outreach to the population of Artsakh, as well as its policy of creating most unbearable conditions in Artsakh, is yet another manifestation of Azerbaijan's genocidal intentions towards the people of Artsakh.



We believe it is imperative for the international community to condemn Azerbaijan's unlawful actions, exert pressure on the Azerbaijani authorities to restore the ICRC's ability to conduct humanitarian transportation and medical evacuations through the Lachin Corridor based on the principle of respect for human dignity, and make collective efforts to protect the rights and security of the people of Artsakh. Once again, we remind of the responsibility of all parties involved in the peace process in lifting the criminal blockade of Artsakh that has been going on for 7 months now and ensuring Azerbaijan's full compliance with its obligations under the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020 and the decisions of the International Court of Justice.
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Currently, Himachal Pradesh has only 110 IAS officers across various positions, falling significantly short of the required strength.

The severe shortage of capable babus in Himachal Pradesh is exacerbated by the state governments seeming reluctance to act on the issue. Observers note that with a shortfall of 35 IAS officers out of the total cadre of 153 and five senior bureaucrats due for retirement this year, the situation demands urgent attention.

Currently, Himachal Pradesh has only 110 IAS officers across various positions, falling significantly short of the required strength. Surprisingly, chief minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has been seeking a mere two to three officers in each batch, which clearly is insufficient to bridge the gap. This neglect is evident from the fact that even during the previous administration, the state got only six IAS officers in 2016. Theres an urgent need the babus are urging the CM to rectify now.

Notably, the state has five posts of additional chief secretary (ACS), including the chief secretary, but not a single babu currently serves in these positions. Two ACS-rank officers are on Central deputation, while the remaining positions are vacant due to the lack of suitable officers. Sources note that even officers eligible for promotion in January 2024, such as Anuradha Thakur and Onkar Chand Sharma, are unable to fill these vacancies.

Clearly, the situation cannot be allowed to linger. Addressing this administrative drought immediately is necessary to ensure effective decision-making and overall governance.

Court rejects WB plea in IPS cadre transfer case

The Supreme Court has dismissed the West Bengal governments petition contesting a Delhi high court ruling in IPS officer Sagars cadre transfer issue. The 2019 batch officer had requested a cadre transfer from West Bengal to Rajasthan, citing that his wife, also an IPS officer, served in the Rajasthan cadre. He said that in the past similarly placed couples had been given transfers. In February, the Central Administrative Tribunal directed the state government to issue the officer a no-objection certificate (NOC). The state government appealed the tribunals decision to the Delhi High Court, but it was denied. The CAT order has now been supported by the Supreme Court as well.

As the dust settles on this legal battle, it will be interesting to see how the Mamata Banerjee government responds to the courts judgement. Will it comply with the CATs order and grant Sagars requested cadre transfer or explore alternative avenues for challenging the verdict? Observers speculate on the state governments opposition to Sagars transfer request, however, most believe that it may be due to the shortage of IAS and IPS personnel in the state.

Sagars case emphasises the complexities surrounding cadre transfers, particularly for married officers, as well as the ramifications beyond this specific instance. The governments answer will, undoubtedly be keenly watched, as it would signal its approach to cadre transfers and respect for legal processes.

Rajaraman to spearhead Indias financial governance

In a significant development, telecom secretary K. Rajaraman has been appointed as the chairperson of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), assuming the role barely three months before his retirement. He will hold the position for three years or until he reaches the age of 65. Sources, however, have informed DKB that he is likely to join the Gandhinagar-based statutory authority in August. He will succeed Injeti Srinivas, who was the first chairperson of IFSCA.

The regulator act as a unified authority for the development and regulation of financial products, financial services, and financial institutions. Its primary objective is to create strong global connections while catering to the specific needs of the Indian economy, serving as an international financial platform for the region and the world.

Interestingly, IFSCA was the brainchild of former Union finance minister P. Chidambaram, who in 2007 recommended that India should have an international financial services centre. But it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi, then chief minister of Gujarat, who was the first to announce the setting up of Gujarat International Finance Tech-City (GIFT) at Gandhinagar.

With Mr Rajaraman at the helm, it is hoped that his experience and expertise will drive IFSCAs growth and enable it to effectively fulfil its mandate.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the crowd at Lukiskiu Square in Vilnius on July 11, during a NATO Summit. AFP-Yonhap



NATO leaders said Tuesday that they would allow Ukraine to join the alliance "when allies agree and conditions are met"  a pronouncement that came just hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blasted the organization's failure to set a timetable for his country as "absurd."



Instead, alliance leaders decided to remove obstacles on Ukraine's membership path so that it can join more quickly once the war with Russia is over.



"We reaffirmed Ukraine will become a member of NATO and agreed to remove the requirement for a membership action plan," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters, referring to a key step in the process that involves advice and assistance for countries seeking to join.



"This will change Ukraine's membership path from a two-step path to a one-step path," Stoltenberg said.



Although many NATO members have funneled arms and ammunition to Zelenskyy's forces, there is no consensus among the 31 allies for admitting Ukraine into NATO's ranks.



Zelenskyy pushed back sharply against the decision as he headed to the annual NATO summit in Vilnius.



"It's unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine's membership," Zelenskyy tweeted. "While at the same time, vague wording about 'conditions' is added even for inviting Ukraine. It seems there is no readiness to invite Ukraine to NATO or to make it a member of the Alliance."



NATO membership would afford Ukraine protection against a giant neighbor that annexed its Crimean Peninsula almost a decade ago and more recently seized vast swaths of land in the east and south. Joining NATO would also oblige Kyiv to reform its security institutions, improve governance and curb corruption  work that would also ease the country's path into the European Union.



Asked about Zelenskyy's concerns, Stoltenberg said the most important thing now is to ensure that his country wins the war, because "unless Ukraine prevails there is no membership to be discussed at all."



The broadside from Zelenskyy could renew tensions at the summit shortly after it saw a burst of goodwill following an agreement by Turkey to advance Sweden's bid to join NATO . Allies hope to resolve the seesawing negotiations and create a clear plan for the alliance and its support for Ukraine.



The Ukrainian president, who was to meet Wednesday with U.S. President Joe Biden and other NATO leaders, expressed deep frustration in an emotional speech in downtown Vilnius.



"Today I started my journey with faith in solutions, with faith in strong partners, with faith in NATO  in a NATO that does not hesitate, that does not waste time and does not look over their backs at any aggressor," Zelenskyy said.



"I would like this faith to become confidence, confidence in the decisions that we deserve, all of us  every soldier, every citizen, every mother, every child," he said. "Is that too much to ask?"





NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, right, chats with U.S. President Joe Biden, center, and Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda at the NATO Summit in Vilnius on July 11. AFP-Yonhap



Sharp divisions have emerged within the alliance over Ukraine's desire to join NATO, which was promised back in 2008 even though few steps were taken toward that goal.



In addition, the Baltic states  including Lithuania, which is hosting the summit  have pushed for a strong show of support and a clear pathway toward membership for Ukraine.



However, the United States and Germany urged caution. Biden said last week that Ukraine was not ready to join. Members of NATO, he told CNN, need to "meet all the qualifications, from democratization to a whole range of other issues," a nod toward longstanding concerns about governance and corruption in Kyiv.



In addition, some fear that bringing Ukraine into NATO would serve more as a provocation to Russia than as a deterrence against aggression.









Concretely, NATO leaders decided to launch a series of multiyear programs to bring Ukraine's Soviet-era military equipment and doctrines up to modern standards so the country can operate fully with the alliance.



On Wednesday, the leaders and Zelenskyy are set to launch a new, upgraded forum for their cooperation: a NATO-Ukraine Council, where all parties can convene crisis talks if their security is threatened.



To fast-track its future membership, the leaders agreed to do away with a membership action plan for Ukraine, a program often seen as mandatory for aspiring nations to undertake.



Known in NATO parlance as a MAP, the action plan involves a tailor-made package of advice, assistance and practical support for countries preparing to join NATO. Bosnia, for example, is currently taking part in one.



Pressed by reporters to say what kind of conditions are being placed on Ukraine joining, Stoltenberg said: "We want modern defense and security institutions."



The dispute over Ukraine stands in contrast to a hard-fought agreement to advance Sweden's membership . The deal was reached after days of intensive meetings, and it's poised to expand the alliance's strength in Northern Europe.



"Rumors of the death of NATO's unity were greatly exaggerated," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters triumphantly on Tuesday.



According to a joint statement issued when the deal was announced, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will ask Turkey's parliament to approve Sweden joining NATO.



Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, another holdout, is expected to take a similar step. Hungary's foreign minister said Tuesday that his country's ratification of Sweden's NATO membership was now just a "technical matter." Erdogan has not yet commented publicly.



The outcome is a victory as well for Biden, who has touted NATO's expansion as an example of how Russia's invasion of Ukraine has backfired on Moscow.



Finland has already become the 31st member of the alliance, and Sweden is on deck to become the 32nd. Both Nordic countries were historically nonaligned until the war increased fears of Russian aggression.



Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that NATO's expansion is "one of the reasons that led to the current situation."





Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan waits for the start of a round table meeting of the North Atlantic Council during a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Tuesday, July 11. AP-Yonhap
The Meiteis believe they are wronged by a system which deprives them of their rights as Manipurs indigenous people.

The civil war in Manipur has lasted nearly 70 days. US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has offered to help defuse the crisis as Prime Minister Narendra Modi maintains a studied silence. The levels of cruelty inflicted by the warring Meiteis and Kuki-Zos on one another beggars description. David Theik, 31, a Kuki youth guarding his village, was not just beheaded but his head was stuck on a pole and his body severed to pieces. Such cruelty also suggests that the hatred between the two communities runs deep and is beyond repair. Each group has taken a hardened stance and believes its people are victims. This victimhood mentality has pushed the warring factions to retaliate and vow revenge against one another in what seems a fight to the finish.

The Meiteis believe they are wronged by a system which deprives them of their rights as Manipurs indigenous people. They are defined as non-tribals as they adopted Vaishnavism, a form of Hinduism that came from Bengal. The British had already executed their carefully crafted divide and rule policy after they entered the Northeast after the 1826 Treaty of Yandaboo. They demarcated the hills as the ancestral homes of the Kuki-Zo tribes and the Imphal Valley, just a tenth of Manipurs land area, as the natural habitat of Meiteis. That this absurd arrangement, including colonial laws like the Eastern Bengal Frontier Regulation Act 1873, now called Inner Line Permit, should be allowed to continue after 1947, when India became independent, reveals the lack of thinking of Indian rulers who took over from the British.

The Meiteis, roughly 53 per cent of Manipurs population, feel a deep sense of injustice as they are unable to buy land and settle in the hills, while the Kuki-Zo and Nagas, who virtually own the hills, can also settle in the Imphal Valley. That this would blow up into full-scale warfare was inevitable. Remember that both Meiteis and Kuki-Zo people have their share of armed militia, who have been agitating over perceived and real injustices. To that add the Naga militants  the NSCN(I-M)  whose turf is the Ukhrul region, also in the Manipur hills. While the NSCN(I-M) has been in talks with the Government of India since 1997, and Kuki outfits too are on a Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, the fact remains that these are weaponised societies. In the valley there are at least three dozen militant outfits demanding sovereignty, but essentially counter-checking the hill-based militants. That a turf war would break out sooner or later was predictable.

The problem today is that all militants are heavily armed and are being let loose by their communities on the plea that they are defending their villages and people. Lt. Gen. K. Himalay Singh (Retd), a Meitei and the first person from the Northeast to reach three-star rank in the Army, said recently: Where society is weaponised, there will be violence. The current violence is based on aspirations and fears of one group that faces an uncertain future. Obviously, he was alluding to the Meiteis fear of their land being overrun by illegal immigrants from Myanmar. A narrative was created that the Kuki-Zo are growing poppy and that trade in cocaine was growing phenomenally, destroying young lives. According to Babloo Loithangbam of Human Rights Alert, Manipurs drug trade is in the range of `50,000 crores annually, much above Manipurs state budget. Obviously, this isnt unknown to the Manipur government, and the drugs trade isnt entirely run by the Kuki-Zo people; a number of drug lords are also well-heeled Meitei elite.

The immediate spark was the Meitei demand for Scheduled Tribe status, which the Kuki-Zo people felt was an infringement into their rights and would deprive them of jobs and educational opportunities as Meiteis are already a majority and benefit as all development in Manipur is valley-centric. All institutions of governance and learning are in Imphal while the hills remained undeveloped.

Another problem is Article 371-C, which envisages governance autonomy for the hills, but has never been implemented properly. What may have worked better for the tribes is the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, as implemented in the Bodoland Territorial Council, which has substantial Central funding for institutions of learning and other development infrastructure that could prevent the out-migration of Kuki-Zo people in large numbers in search of employment.

Violence is embedded in inequalities. Political scientist Neera Chandhoke says the moral evaluation of any political violence should be determined by two facts  whether it is used to counter the States larger violence or to overcome the bigger injustices, structured inequalities and constant neglect of popular aspirations. The Manipur violence is a legacy left behind by the British, which the Indian State never had the time or inclination to resolve as the region itself was seen as conflict ridden. The Naga insurgency had started with Indias Independence. There may have been a fear that tinkering with the governance norms left by the British could trigger fresh conflicts in areas beyond Nagaland. Even today, India is yet to comprehend its northeastern periphery and the angst of people in this region, which shares just one per cent of its borders with India and 99 per cent with foreign countries.

The Manipur conflict has now crossed its borders, with Mizoram bearing the brunt of hosting over 20,000 displaced Kuki-Zo people, who are bound by kinship ties. The Kuki-Zo have dug in their heels to not settle for anything less than separate self-governance, severed from Manipur. If this is granted to the Kuki-Zo, it will have its repercussions in Tripura where the Tipra Motha, a party representing the aspirations of tribals that is demanding self-governance and an empowered Sixth Schedule with rights over tribal lands. Manipurs Nagas too wont acquiesce to the Kuki-Zo demand as their living spaces are a continuum, with no definite borders. But whats worrying is the demonstration by Meitei and Kuki-Zo militia that they can freely use arms. This may be replicated by other armed groups like Assams Bodos, who want a separate state, and the Garos in Meghalaya. The militia in these states are not totally disarmed. A small spark could push the tribal groups to take to arms.

There are over 40,000 security forces in Manipur now, but they havent been able to contain the violence. What happens if a similar conflict erupts in other states where militancy lurks below the surface. Is the Indian State ready to accede to demands to redraw state boundaries?

Is anyone even thinking of these possibilities?

The writer is a prominent social activist and the editor of The Shillong Times
by John Ai

The new Social Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party has been launched with a low profile. It aims to strengthen control over private enterprises and other social organisations, as well as deal with the petition system. It is also believed to have the function of an intelligence agency. In the 1940s, a similarly named body hunted down the Kuomintang and participated in purges.

Beijing (AsiaNews) - It is called the Department of Social Work, and according to Chinese official media reports it formally came into operation recently. It is a new Chinese Communist Party body that would aim to extend the party's tentacles outside the public sector, into private enterprises and social organisations.

The authorities are keeping a low profile on this new department within the party and the structure of the organisation has not been disclosed. But analysts believe that the new body will also have the function of collecting social and intelligence information.

The decision to establish it was announced in March during the sessions of the National People's Congress. In the restructuring scheme, the Chinese Communist Party's Social Work Department is responsible for the petition system that allows citizens to file complaints and grievances on the wrongdoings of the authorities.

It should be remembered that the authorities have often been accused of preventing citizens from complaining, even imprisoning and mistreating those who appeal to a higher hierarchy in retaliation. It is believed that the department will burden the function of maintaining social stability.

The Social Work Department also has the function of strengthening the Party in civil society. The CCP structures within private companies and corporations, industrial associations, chambers of commerce and other social organisations are under the leadership of this department.

The Chinese authorities have not formally announced the appointment of the heads of this new body. However, Chief Wu Hansheng () appeared in official media reports under his new title and attended a conference on the petition system. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Liu Zheng () gave a speech at a conference on industry associations and chambers of commerce, according to official media reports.

A body with a similar name, the Central Department of Social Affairs, had existed in the history of the Chinese Communist Party from 1939 to 1949 as an intelligence agency. The nationalist Kuomintang had been the main target of the Central Department of Social Affairs during the civil war. In addition, the department participated in purges within the Party during that period.

Analysts believe that the new department will try to penetrate various aspects of society and strengthen its control over the private sector and non-governmental organisations. In recent years, private companies and foreign companies have been ordered to set up Party committees within companies.

Some commentators also point out that the new body shares a similar function to the United Front's Labour Department, in that the latter covers private companies and the 'new social classes', i.e. employees of private and foreign companies, professionals, freelancers and people working in emerging industries.
At the Vilnius summit, NATO signed bilateral cooperation agreements with Japan and South Korea. In its declaration, the military alliance criticises Chinas range of political, economic, and military tools to increase its global footprint. For its part, Beijing replied reiterating its strong opposition to NATO's eastward expansion into the Asia-Pacific and its actions that undermine China's legitimate rights and interests.

Vilnius (AsiaNews/Agencies)  The controversial idea of setting up a liaison office in Tokyo to facilitate coordination between NATO and its Four Asia-Pacific (AP4) partners (Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand) was removed from NATOs summit agenda. Still, NATOs interest in the Indo-Pacific region to contain Chinese expansionism remains one of it priorities, not to mention a source of great irritation for the Chinese government.

This is, in a nutshell, one of the highlights of the NATO summit underway in Vilnius (Lithuania). Opening a NATO liaison office in Tokyo was set aside given the doubts expressed by France and some other members since it would have raised NATOs visibility in a region outside its borders.

Shelving such a proposal does not mean that the perception of a "Chinese threat" has gone. In fact, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand were expressly invited to the summit, where each signed agreements for Individually Tailored Partnership Programs, to enhance bilateral cooperation with the Atlantic Alliance.

As South Korean President Yoon noted, the primary areas of collaboration covered by the deal with his country focus on cybersecurity and ways to meet North Koreas threats.

The agreement signed by Japanese Prime Minister Kishida extends the number of areas of cooperation from nine to 16, including destructive emerging technologies, interoperability between the respective forces and climate change. As to emphasise the relationship with Japan, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: No other partner is closer to NATO than Japan.

China's "containment" in the Indo-Pacific is openly mentioned in the declaration signed by all NATO members at the summit.

The PRC employs a broad range of political, economic, and military tools to increase its global footprint, it reads. However, its malicious hybrid and cyber operations and its confrontational rhetoric and disinformation target Allies and harm Alliance security.

For NATO, The PRC seeks to control key technological and industrial sectors, critical infrastructure, and strategic materials and supply chains. It uses its economic leverage to create strategic dependencies and enhance its influence. It strives to subvert the rules-based international order, including in the space, cyber and maritime domains.

Instead, member countries call on the PRC to play a constructive role, but at the same time, agree to boost our shared awareness, enhancing our resilience and preparedness, and protecting against the PRCs coercive tactics and efforts to divide the Alliance.

The remarks coming from NATO did not go down well in Beijing. A spokesperson for the Chinese Mission to the European Union slammed the declaration for its Cold War mentality and ideological bias.

It went on to reiterate that China will firmly defend its sovereignty, security, and development interests and strongly oppose NATO's eastward expansion into the Asia-Pacific. Any actions that undermine China's legitimate rights and interests will be met with resolute countermeasures.
The Iraqi president scraps a 2013 decree signed by his predecessor, the late Jalal Talabani, giving official recognition to the patriarch as the head of the Chaldean Church. For President Rashid it is a "constitutional" matter that changes nothing to the patriarchs status. In fact, what is at stake are the Church assets. A source told AsiaNews that the decision came after the president met with Rayan the Chaldean, a self-styled Christian leader backed by Shia militias.

Baghdad (AsiaNews)  After experiencing violence and persecution in the recent past, new clouds are gathering over the future of Christians in Iraq, and now threaten the highest Christian authority in the land, the Chaldean Patriarch, Card Louis Raphael Sako.

Recently, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid issued a decree ending the institutional recognition" of the office the cardinal holds. This was done by repealing Decree 147, signed by Mr Rashids predecessor, the late Jalal Talabani, on 10 July 2013, which recognised the patriarchs appointment by the Holy See as head of the Chaldean Church "in Iraq and the world" and thus, responsible for the assets of the Church".

The latter aspect is what matters. Someone wants to take control over the assets and properties held by Christians and the Church, a source told AsiaNews.

Following the decision, President Rashid tried to clarify his decision. His Office issued a statement saying: Withdrawing the republican decree does not prejudice the religious or legal status of Cardinal Louis Sako, as he is appointed by the Apostolic See as Patriarch of the Chaldean Church in Iraq and the world.

The press release goes on to say that, the abolition of the Presidential Decree is intended to correct the situation. A constitutional or legal basis was not provided for the issuance of Presidential Decree No. 147 of 2013. At the same time, it says that Card Sako is highly valued by the Presidency of the Republic as Patriarch of the Chaldean Church throughout the world.

However, the president's decision strips the Chaldean leader of the right to administer Church assets, which are the target of Rayan "the Chaldean" and his Babylon Brigades. It is no coincidence that the president's decision came a few days after he met Rayan, the self-styled Christian leader, the source told AsiaNews.

Some people want to intervene, command, and expropriate what belongs to Christians. For over 100 years, the patriarch, after his papal appointment, had his office recognised by decree; by the king (when Iraq was a monarchy) and then the president, upholding his status as head of the Church and custodian of its properties."

With the removal of the presidential decree, the primate "will likely lose control over the [Churchs] assets and properties, but Card Sako "is determined to fight and is already studying ways to appeal in court so that the law prevails and justice is done.

As significant as the controversy over the presidential decree is, it is but the latest in a series of attacks against the most authoritative and respected figure of the Chaldean Church in Iraq, a trend that has sparked a backlash among Christians against what many see as lies.

It also follows a verbal attack by Rayan al-Kaldani, head of the Babylon Movement, against Patriarch Sako and other Church leaders.

Backed by Shia factions linked to foreign powers (i.e. Iran), the self-styled Christian leader wants to create an enclave in the Nineveh plain using his power base, which includes four Members of Iraqs parliament (out of five reserved for the minority)[i] and a government ministry.

Set up to fight the Islamic State group, his Babylon Brigades have become economically and politically powerful. But in northern Iraq (Mosul and Nineveh Plain), they have encountered strong resistance from local bishops who are highly critical of the minority quota system, and fully support the cardinal's battle. The prelates are prepared even to go so far as to call on Christians to boycott the next election.

In May the Chaldean primate even suggested that he might turn to international tribunals to protect the right distribution of parliamentary seats. Nevertheless, his positions have attracted increasingly harsh attacks against himself and the Church by people close to the Babylon Movement, which in turn has pushed hundreds of Christians - priests and faithful - to take to the streets in solidarity with the cardinal.

In a joint statement sent to AsiaNews, the Assyrian Democratic Movement, the Popular Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Council, the Betnahrain Patriotic Union, the Nahrain Sons Party, and the Assyrian Patriotic Party pledge their support for the patriarch.

This closeness goes beyond respect for his religious authority and the Church, but concerns the latters "status as a religious institution that represents an important part of Iraqi society.

Reacting to the presidents decision, the various Christian groups say that it is not very reassuring" to see Decree 147 repealed given its "negative repercussions", which come on top of direct attacks" on Christians, including displacement, assassinations of members of the clergy and civilians, kidnappings, church bombings, and demographic shifts.

"As national parties, we reject this decision, because it will allow "the manipulation of Church assets by influential and corrupt parties who clearly want to seize them.

[i] The five seats are reserved for Christians but non-Christians can vote for them.
by Steve Suwannarat

On the eve of the joint session of Thailands National Assembly to choose the next prime minister, the countrys highest court accepts to hear a complaint against the young leader who won the elections and his party, with the latter threatened with dissolution for lese-majeste. With former military strongman and outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha retiring from political life, another military coup cannot be ruled out if disorder breaks out.

Bangkok (AsiaNews)  Thailands Constitutional Court will examine a request by the Election Commission (EC) to disqualify Pita Limjaroenrat, 42, leader of Move Forward (Phak Kao Klai), the main party in the coalition that defeated pro-military parties in the 14 May parliamentary election.

The court also accepted a complaint from a lawyer who is demanding the dissolution of Pitas party as a threat to the monarchy.

This comes at the end of a hectic day, following three days of deliberation by the EC, on the eve of the joint session of parliament set to choose a new prime minister at 5 pm tomorrow.

The leader of Move Forward is accused of violating the election law that bans anyone from running if they hold any interests in media firms.

Pita is accused of owning some shares in iTV, a television station, while running for office. The shares in question were part of the estate of his father, who died in 2006. The station stopped broadcasting in 2007 and was eventually delisted in 2014.

In the second case, the court is set to hear a petition from a lawyer who wants Move Forward dissolved for allegedly attacking the monarchy since it proposed to amend Article 112 of the Penal Code which deals with lese-majeste.

This article has become one of the tools with which the military and nationalists have suppressed growing dissent and demands for democracy and justice.

Move Forward has 15 days to counter the charges but should the Constitutional Court accept the plaintiffs argument, the party will be disbanded.

The situation is complex and open to various scenarios. In itself, ineligibility as a Member of the House of Representatives would not prevent Pita from being designated prime minister. It would be altogether different if Move Forward were dissolved.

If Pita still puts forward his name for the post of prime minister, a negative vote could open a different can of worms. Parliament could delay choosing a new prime minister. The winning coalition could split with parties switching side. And, last but not least, the military could decide, again, to re-establish law and order if street protests break out against the decisions of the Election Commission and the Constitutional Court.

Given Thailands complex and shifting politics, the two main parties in the new majority  Move Forward and For Thais (Pheu Thai) party anticipated the ECs move, agreeing already to give Pita a second chance on 19 July if he is not voted in tomorrow.

To become prime minister, one needs 376 votes out of 750. The winning coalition has 312 votes out of 500 in the lower house (House of Representatives), which means that 64 votes must come from the Senate (250 seats), whose members were appointed by the military junta during the previous parliamentary election in 2019.

Meanwhile, yesterday outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced his retirement from political life. His record includes cracking down on the Red Shirt movement in 2010, imposing martial law and carrying out a coup in May 2014, and heading the military junta that ruled the country until 2019. That year, he put on civilian clothes to become prime minister of a government that represented the top military brass and nationalist-monarchist groups.
Chrysler isn't synonymous with quality and reliability. The Auburn Hills-based automaker does have a long history of cool exterior paint colors, and even cooler names for them. Bikini and Punk'n are perfect examples, with Bikini debuting on the 2024 Wrangler and Punk'n returning to the Gladiator late in the 2023 model year.

Kicking off with the Gladiator, the remainder of the paint color palette comprises Firecracker Red, Sting-Gray, Sarge Green, High Velocity, Granite Crystal, Silver Zynith, Bright White, Hydro Blue, and Black.As for the recently facelifted Wrangler, make that 11 exterior paint colors in total. Anvil is also new for 2024, whereas carry-over finishes include Black, Hydro Blue, Sarge Green, Bright White, High Velocity, Silver Zynith, Granite Crystal, Firecracker Red, and Earl.Bikini carries a sticker price of $795 at press time. In regard to Punk'n, the Gladiator's most eye-catching paint color available for 2023 retails at $795 as well.Stellantis, the cross-border merger between Fiat Chrysler and PSA, says that both finishes will enter production this coming fall. September 2023, to be more precise, and Stellantis also notes limited availability.One of only two mid-size pickup trucks available with a manual today (in the US market, that is), the Gladiator starts at $38,990 for the Sport grade. Nine trim levels are listed by the configurator, with the Rubicon advertised at $51,740 and the High Altitude at $54,825. It's also worth remembering that 2023 is the final year of the EcoDiesel, the subject of way too many recalls in way too many vehicle applications.Exclusively paired to the ZF-designed 8HP75 automatic transmission, the 3.0-liter mill develops 260 horsepower at 3,600 revolutions per minute and 442 pound-feet (600 Nm from 1,400 to 2,800 revolutions per minute. The EcoDiesel-equipped Gladiator also happens to be faster than the Pentastar, with Jeep quoting 112 miles per hour (180 kilometers per hour) versus 98 mph (158 kph).The gasser belts out 285 horsepower at 6,400 revolutions per minute and 260 pound-feet (353 Nm) at 4,400 revolutions per minute. Of course, said figures carry over to the Wrangler, although torque peaks 400 spinnies later in the two-door JL and four-door JLU.Wrangler powertrain options further include a 2.0-liter turbo (standard in the Sahara and High Altitude), a 6.4-liter HEMI (for the Rubicon 392), and a plug-in hybrid 2.0-liter turbo (in the 4xe). All versions of the Wrangler and Gladiator are manufactured in Toledo, Ohio, the spiritual home of the Jeep brand since the days of Willys-Overland Motors. The plant was finished in 1910, and Chrysler took control of it in 1988.The big news for the 2024 model year Wrangler, however, is the Dana 44 full-float solid axle out back. That's how the Wrangler's towing capacity improved to 5,000 pounds (2,268 kilograms). By comparison, the Gladiator is rated at up to 7,700 pounds (3,493 kilos).
We've known for a while that tech giants were planning to expand in the automotive world, and now we're at a point where the first big unveiling is just around the corner.

The launch date

Photo: Mo Fei/MyDrivers

Pricing

Photo: Mo Fei/MyDrivers

Initial availability

Photo: Mo Fei/MyDrivers

EV

The powertrain

Photo: Mo Fei/MyDrivers

Digital keys and full smartphone integration

Photo: Mo Fei/MyDrivers

Xiaomi will likely become the first tech behemoth to step into this unexplored territory, trying to pioneer a trend that several other companies will adopt in the coming years.Apple's automotive ambitions make the news regularly, especially as the iPhone maker has been trying to poach several high-profile figures from the car industry. At the same time, the Apple Car is a critical product for CEO Tim Cook and the company's future, as analysts see it as a money-making machine that could let Apple expand beyond the saturated tech world.OPPO, Huawei, and several other tech firms have different plans for automotive expansion, but Xiaomi and Apple seem to spearhead the migration with vehicles built from scratch.Here's everything you need to know about the first vehicle ever developed by a tech company.Xiaomi plans to launch its first-ever vehicle next year. The company started work on the car a couple of years ago, and the CEO led the project. Xiaomi's automotive strategy runs on a $10 billion budget to make the company a leader in the automotive industry in approximately one decade.While the launch is due in 2024, Xiaomi works around the clock to prepare the vehicle for the official unveiling.The firm plans summer and winter tests throughout the year, with the vehicle to receive the last-minute touches in early 2024.The official unveiling will likely happen in the spring of 2024, while Xiaomi will start production in the summer. The first units should ship by the end of the next year.It's too early to discuss such details, but I will rely on the rumor mill for pricing information.Xiaomi allegedly plans two versions of the Xiaomi Car . The first model will run on a single electric motor and offer a range of approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles). It could carry a price tag of around $21,000.The second model will sport increased performance, so its autonomy will drop to 700 kilometers (around 450 miles). The starting price will be higher this time, likely close to $25,000.Xiaomi will launch its first-ever car in China, trying to compete with local carmakers in themarket. The company also aims for an international launch in Europe and the United States.Xiaomi has previously encountered several legal issues in the United States, with former President Donald Trump adding the company to the list of companies banned in the country. The United States eventually removed Xiaomi's ban in 2021, so in theory, the company can sell cars in the country if it complies with local regulations.Apple will undoubtedly bring its cars to international markets, so Xiaomi wants to arrive in Europe as fast as possible, possibly before its American rival takes the wraps off its EV.Xiaomi Car will launch with an electric motor, but its specifications are unknown.The base model will use a single electric motor, while the upgraded version will run on two units for increased performance. The autonomy will be 800 and 700 kilometers, respectively, with Xiaomi focusing heavily on optimizations for increased range.Based on Xiaomi's existing patents , the car will feature a fast-charging system, but its specifications are unclear. Previously, Xiaomi patented systems that can charge a battery to 80 percent in 20 minutes, but the company has so far tried to keep automotive technology a secret.Xiaomi is one of the leading tech companies in the world, and naturally, its first car will come with an increased focus on technology.The vehicle will integrate digital keys , allowing owners to unlock the doors using mobile phones. The technology is already available on the market thanks to UWB support.Xiaomi Car will also sport full smartphone integration for seamless two-way communications. Owners will have full access to the vehicle from a remote location, while the smartphone will play an essential role in the driving experience. While I expect the Xiaomi Car to feature Android Auto support, I also believe the Chinese company will launch its phone projection system with more advanced capabilities. Some of these features will be exclusive to Xiaomi phones, as the Chinese company wants to create a complete ecosystem that will keep customers committed to more than just a single device.Xiaomi also aims for full self-driving capabilities (Apple will launch its first car with limited features in this regard), so an upcoming version of the Xiaomi Car will focus heavily on autonomous driving. The initial version launching next year will include Tesla-like options, but Xiaomi will unlock new capabilities (and possibly lift some limitations) using OTA updates.
Audi is reportedly looking to buy a turnkey EV platform from a Chinese company in a bid to overcome the lack of progress with Volkswagen Group's EV program. If proven true, the information will mark a new low for the German company, whose EV projects have been pushed toward the end of the decade.

EV

Volkswagen Group is in a dire situation because itsprograms are delayed by years. Despite planning to launch several EV-dedicated platforms by 2025, those projects have been pushed back, some toward the end of the decade. The Volkswagen Group was left with the aging MEB platform for most of its projects, and customers started to notice its shortcomings. This affected sales, so recently, Volkswagen announced slashing production at its main EV factory in Emden. This is affecting the ID.7's launch timeline, as the electric sedan deliveries are now pushed toward the end of the year.The situation looks worse in China, where the EV market is more mature than in Europe or the US. Tesla and local companies like BYD, NIO, Geely, and others make up the bulk of EV sales in the country, thanks to a combination of cutting-edge technology and affordable prices. In the meantime, Volkswagen brands are bleeding market share. In the case of Audi, this has led to the demise of CEO Markus Deusmann, who will be replaced by Gernot Doellner on September 1.A new report by Automobilwoche claims that Audi is trying to accelerate its EV program by acquiring a turnkey EV platform from a Chinese company. This should help shorten the development time for its new models previewed by the Sphere-themed concepts . According to the German publication, Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume has already approved Audi's plan. A meeting board scheduled this week should make it official if the report is accurate. On the other hand, Audi said it had no knowledge of any discussion about buying a new platform.Volkswagen Group's most advanced EV architecture, Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), was meant to replace the MEB and the PPE (Premium Platform Electric). While the MEB service life has been extended with a mild refresh recently, the PPE does not yet have a production vehicle. It will underpin the Audi A6 e-tron, Audi Q6 e-tron, and the upcoming Porsche Macan EV, but the program is marred by software problems. These delays and the management change at Volkswagen Group have pushed the SSP back to 2029, a significant setback.Audi is reportedly in talks with several Chinese companies to supply the EV platform, although the Automobilwoche report doesn't mentions names. BYD and BAIC have automotive platforms that Audi could use. Geely is another option, thanks to its Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) that might be offered to other OEMs as an open-source solution. Finally, contract manufacturer Foxconn is also interested in selling its EV architecture, Mobility in Harmony (MIH).
An employee of Tokyo Electric Power Company explains to the media about the facility to be used to release treated radioactive water at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima, northern Japan, June 26. AP-Yonhap



Hong Kong's leader warned Tuesday that the city will ban marine products from "a large number prefectures" if Japan discharges treated radioactive wastewater into the sea.



Chief Executive John Lee said in a press briefing that his government would err on the side of caution because the planned release of wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean is an unprecedented exercise.



He said he has to take the issue seriously because it affects not only the current population of Hong Kong but also the next generation.



"The action we will take, if the exercise really starts, is that we will be banning a large number (of) prefectures' sea products," he said. But he did not name which prefectures and what products will be affected.



A massive earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant's cooling systems, causing three reactors to melt and releasing large amounts of radiation. The tanks storing the water used since the accident to cool the reactor cores will reach their capacity in early 2024.



In 2021, Japan's government announced plans to gradually release the treated  but still slightly radioactive  water following its dilution to what it says are safe levels. Japanese officials say the water, currently stored in about a thousand tanks at the plant, needs to be removed to prevent accidental leaks in case of an earthquake and to make room for the plant's decommissioning.



On Monday, the operator of the wrecked nuclear plant began testing equipment constructed for discharging the wastewater.



Last week, the United Nations nuclear agency endorsed the plan, saying it meets international standards and the environmental and health impact would be negligible.



But the plan has faced fierce protests from local fishing communities concerned about safety and reputational damage. Neighboring countries, including South Korea, China and Pacific Island nations, have also raised safety concerns. Chinese authorities last week highlighted import restrictions on food products from 10 prefectures in Japan, including Fukushima.





A protester holds a poster saying in Japanese "Don't dump contaminated water into the sea!" during a rally against planned treated radioactive water release from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant, in front of the Prime Minister's office, Tokyo, July 10. AP-Yonhap
Apple's AirTag is an excellent technology if you use it correctly. The iPhone maker designed it to help customers keep track of their belongings, including wallets, car keys, and even pets.

The small form factor allows an AirTag to double as a tracking device for cars, too, as it communicates with nearby iPhones and transmits its location to the owner. Many people bought an AirTag specifically to install it into their vehicles in case they get stolen.A woman from Aurora, Colorado, used an AirTag to determine the location of her 2020 Kia Optima . Thieves drove away in the car last weekend, but the owner rapidly determined its location using Apple's device.For some reason, she believed confronting the thieves would convince them to return the car to her. Instead, when she approached the vehicle, the criminals shot her in the hand, so the woman ended up in hospital for treatment.The police rushed to the scene and tried to stop the thieves. They drove away, leading to a Hollywood-style chase that involved an APD Chevrolet Tahoe cruiser crashing into another vehicle. The suspects abandoned the car at East 2nd Avenue and Peoria.Police warned several times that AirTags could help locate a stolen car, but the owner shouldn't try to approach the vehicle by any means.When their vehicle goes missing, a car owner must report the incident to the police. The officers will then try to locate the car using the information provided by the AirTag  this typically takes just a few hours, as the faster the police find the vehicle, the bigger the chances of recovering it. Contacting law enforcement as soon as possible after you notice the car is missing is vital, as thieves wouldn't have enough time to get too far.The more time passes since the car got stolen, the bigger the chances for the thieves to spot the AirTag. By design, the device sends warnings to nearby iPhones to prevent stalking attempts. Thieves could receive notifications that an AirTag is traveling with them, and without the police on their tails, they might have enough time to search the vehicle and remove the tracker. Police recommend people contact law enforcement immediately after discovering that their car or any other belonging is missing and then sharing vital information, such as AirTag coordinates.Android devices don't currently sport an automatic AirTag detection method, so Google users must manually search for nearby trackers with a dedicated application published on the Google Play Store. The next Android operating system version will include automatic detection, especially as the number of trackers grows. It's projected to launch in the summer, with the rollout to compatible devices to continue in early 2024.
The feature is helpful, especially after long trips when the battery consumption is higher, especially for Google Maps and Waze users.A recent bug defeats the purpose of Android Auto wired, breaking down the charging support and therefore causing an unavoidable impact on the battery level.Users reported back in April that Android Auto blocks their phones from charging when connected to the cabin's head unit. The app runs correctly, but the mobile device no longer charges as long as Android Auto runs on the dashboard screen.Users who encountered the error claim that using the same USB port in the car to charge the phone works correctly without Android Auto. When the application launches, the charging stops.Several other Android Auto adopters confirmed the same behavior in their cars, and a Google Community Specialist requested phone logs for additional information. No further information has surfaced since then, so the current status of the investigation is unknown.All users who encountered the glitch own Sony smartphones running Android 13, so Android Auto might not be the main culprit at first glance. The glitch could result from an operating system update error, as the mobile device could block the charging when Android Auto launches and a USB connection is active.The glitch happens in various car brands, including Skoda , Mercedes, and Volvo.Google has remained tight-lipped on a potential fix, but considering the ongoing investigation, you shouldn't hold your breath for a patch.The company has recently released the first beta of Android Auto 10 , but it's unclear if this version includes fixes for this error. The new build comes without significant changes, as Google focuses more on the app's reliability and under-the-hood optimizations. Android Auto 10 should start rolling out to production devices in the coming weeks if no major bugs appear.In the meantime, if you haven't yet updated your Sony smartphone and Android Auto is still working correctly, you'd better not install the latest OS version. Restoring an earlier Android version is a cumbersome process, so delaying the update could help prevent the reported errors. Sony did not comment on the error, but I've contacted the company for more information and will update the article if I get an answer. No other brands seem to struggle with the bug , so if you use Android Auto with a Samsung phone, everything should work correctly, at least as far as the charging is concerned.
A few days ago Austrian bike maker KTM pulled the wraps off a new series of electric balance bikes. It's as if the company kickstarted an invasion of such two-wheeled vehicles, with several other bike makers following suit. The most recent to do so: the Austrians from Husqvarna.

Whereas KTM makes its balance bikes on its own, Husqvarna struck a deal with a giant of the electric balance bike industry, STACYC. The product the two are releasing together is called EE 1.20, and by all intents and purposes it's a tool meant to birth the next generation of riders.Destined for kids aged between 10 and 12 years old, the bike is supposed to "make the transition to full-blown motocross machines easier for all junior age groups." Like all other two-wheelers of its kind, the EE 1.20 needs the rider to learn how to push, balance, and coast before starting to use the electric drivetrain powering the machine.We're talking about a system centered around a 36 V motor, which unleashes its power as per inputs received by means of a twist throttle located on the 19 mm handlebar. A 6 Ah battery allows for a runtime of up to 60 minutes, and needs about three hours of charging to get back to full capacity.The system allows the rider to select one of three riding options (read top speed), with the one currently selected displayed alongside the battery level on a small screen. The Low/Training mode gives it a top speed of 16 kph (10 mph), Med/Standard tops at 24 kph (15 mph), and the High/Advanced is good for 32 kph (20 mph). That's basically the same top speed as the most potent KTM balance bike, but super-fast from kids' perspective nonetheless.The EE 1.20 is built around an aluminum frame, and stops courtesy of hydraulic brakes. The connection to the ground is made by means of 20-inch wheels wrapped in pneumatic tires. The entire package tips the scales at just 15 kg (33 pounds), complete with the battery pack. Husqvarna launched the new balance bike as a means to fill in the gap between the EE 1.12/EE 1.16, which are already in the bike maker's offering, and the EE 3/EE 5 electric mini cycles. It can carry on its back kids that weigh as much as 52 kg (115 pounds), and the seat height sits at a little over 58 cm (23 inches) above the ground.To make the bike as appealing as possible, Husqvarna also offers an apparel collection, including helmets and shirts. The bike is already available for order, but pricing was not disclosed: for that important bit of info you'll have to get in touch with your local dealer.
Since its introduction about three years ago, the Pan America has quickly grown from being the most unlikely Harley-Davidson in the current lineup to being a favorite choice for people looking for an adventure bike.

Because of its nature, the Pan America can be heavily customized right from the dealers' lots to suit whatever touring or off-roading needs a biker might have. That means the years that have passed since its introduction, although sufficient to catch the attention of custom garages the world over, did little in the way of actually giving us a lot of aftermarket-modified Pan Americas to admire.We managed to find one though on the lot of a French crew called Melk . A Pan America took to the extreme not only through the fitting of custom parts, but also through the careful use of a limited number of colors that make the bike look like none other of its kind.The two-wheeler is simply loaded with aftermarket bits from both Harley itself and garages that are in the habit of making parts and accessories for Milwaukee machines  more than 40 elements of the original bike were replaced with something better.It all starts with the wheels, H-D-sourced wire pieces of hardware that replace the five double-spoke ones Harley usually fits on the Pan America 1250 Special. We're not told what dimensions they come in, but they look right at home in the overall design of the machine. The wheels move up and down while keeping the rider comfortable with the help of adaptive air suspension.The frame is the stock one, and holds inside it the motorcycle's stock engine, the still-new Revolution Max 1250. The unit breathes however through a new exhaust system, supplied by Europe's favorite exhaust shop, Dr. Jekill & Mr Hyde, and a performance air filter of Harley make.Up on the frame the French crew installed a seat large enough to hold two people, with the passenger able to rest their back on a top case. This element is accompanied on each side of the ride by large solid bags installed high above the ground.A wealth of smaller elements, from the mirrors to the turn signals, have made their way on the build, and have been supplied by big names of the custom scene, including Kellermann and SW-Motech.When all the hard work on the bike was completed, the Pan America was wrapped in a combination of black (in both gloss and matte forms) and bronze. A lot of highlights in carbon (the fairing, many of the covers, and front fender, among others) can be seen all over the ride.This Pan America is bike number 36 in the Melk's portfolio, and can be replicated upon request for the equivalent of $33,000. Quite the expensive bike, if you ask me, given how much the American bike maker is asking for a stock Pan America 1250 Special, which is $20,399. But certainly just as delicious to look at as a French croissant.
Tiny homes on wheels (THOWS) are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to conventional vacation retreats, with considerable advantages for both the owners and customers. Apart from the financial benefits and the portability that makes them highly flexible, these compact dwellings enable a stronger connection to the outdoors, which should be the most important characteristic of a vacation home.

Photo: NJ Tiny Homes

Photo: NJ Tiny Homes

Photo: NJ Tiny Homes

Many tiny home brands around the world were born from an individual's or a couple's desire to break free from the constraints of conventional housing. These pioneering folks experienced tiny living first-hand and then helped other people to enjoy the same kind of freedom. Nick is one of them. His dream envisioned a perfect holiday home close to his favorite beach or to the Murray River, where he could fully enjoy the beauty of the Australian landscape together with his wife and two children.Luckily, his dream was backed by a two-decade experience in design in construction. In the end, the result was a modern, versatile, and comfy abode that traditional building methods (for optimal reliability) with contemporary interiors and top-notch electronics. It was a dream come true and the beginning of a new endeavor  a tiny house building company named NJ Tiny Homes, after Nick's kids, Natasha and Jaxx.Jasper is one of the most interesting designs in the Australian brand's range. Although on the smaller side in terms of length (only six meters/19.6 feet), Jasper feels much more spacious, luminous, and not at all closed off. The main reason? An outdoor-oriented design with an atypical placement of the entry door. Normally, tiny houses open on the front side, leading guests into the kitchen area or a small transition area between the kitchen and the living room. Jasper, instead, opens up at one of the ends, with huge glass doors.Due to the unusual size, these doors seem to blur the line between the outdoors and the indoors. The living room becomes a versatile space that opens to the natural surroundings when the weather allows it. When the weather gets bad, those inside the house enjoy the full comfort of being at home while still admiring the wonderful views. In other words, the connection to nature is always present.As you can imagine, this particular feature makes Jasper a great vacation retreat. This tiny home would look and feel best in a location where it can be surrounded by nature. At the same time, it's meant to offer the modern comfort of standard homes. The oversized glass doors lead into the generous living area, big enough to include a convertible sofa for additional accommodation.A rustic wood fireplace creates the perfect vacation ambiance when the weather gets chilly, also creating an interesting contrast to the luxury, well-equipped kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of a home, even on vacation.Jasper reveals sturdy stainless steel countertops with a contemporary look , a stove, a cooktop (can be either LPG or induction), and enough room for a full-size fridge. The kitchen was also designed with storage in mind  multiple cabinets and shelves were perfectly integrated in order to maximize space and prevent clutter.The tiled bathroom is also well-equipped with all the basics. In addition to the conventional full-size shower, Jasper also comes with an outdoor shower. The standard toilet can be replaced with a composting alternative if the future owners decide to go off-grid.Jasper can be easily turned into a self-sufficient tiny home with solar panels, special storage tanks for water, and gray water systems. Tiny vacation rentals that are entirely off-grid have become hugely popular in recent years, especially after the pandemic.Jasper's loft bedroom isn't very spacious (it can only fit in a queen-sized bed). Yet, it comes with the advantage of a beautiful skylight that further enhances the indoor-outdoor connection. Efficient lighting and a powerful reverse-cycle air conditioning system are an important part of Jasper's modern setup, keeping things highly comfortable even in the most remote location.Those who need a bit more space can opt for the Panorama model, which is the luxurious, full-size version of the Jasper tiny home.At nine meters (29.5 feet), Panorama boasts more space for larger families. It also keeps a strong connection to the outdoors, even though the oversized glass doors are placed at the front of the house. Still, they're not set right in the center, like most tiny homes. They're moved to the side, allowing the same direct connection between the living room and the natural surroundings, as in Jasper's case.Snowgum, on the other hand, is a mix between these two models. Although similar in size to Jasper, it boasts the same entry door placement as the larger Panorama. Coupled with extra-large windows for the living room, this design maximizes the outdoor/indoor flow to the point where it becomes an almost immersive experience.Snowgum is also the most affordable of the three, with pricing starting at AUD 85,000 ($57,000). Both the Jasper tiny house and the Panorama cost at least AUD 120,000 ($80,600) without customizations.
It's been more than one year since NASA announced who will be supplying the vehicles meant to transport the Artemis astronauts to the launch pad. That's a very long time, and we have to admit, caught up with all the other things happening in the world, we kind of forgot all about them.

EV

Until this week, that is, when the space agency announced it has taken delivery of the three vehicles that will be used on the early crewed mission of the lunar exploration program. And they are all Canoos.Canoo describes itself as a maker of electric vehicles, and although it's not a very present name in the sea of similar companies doing similar things, it does have plans to make a living by producing no less than three different vehicles: the Lifestyle, a multi-purpose delivery vehicle, and a pickup truck.In April 2022 Canoo was awarded a NASA contract to produce crew transportation vehicles for the needs of the Artemis missions. Three of them were to be made and delivered to the Kennedy Space Center. And that's exactly what we've learned happened this week.NASA announced all three "specially designed, fully electric, environmentally friendly crew transportation vehicles" are now on location, awaiting to enter service in the service of Moon astronauts.The exact specs of the rides were not announced, although, to be fair, things like range and top speed don't matter all that much in this case. That's because the trip from the crew headquarters at Kennedy to Launch Pad 39B is short, and there's no need to travel fast.What does matter in the case of such vehicles is their ability to safely transport fully-suited astronaut crews, their support personnel, and additional gear. The Canoos can do that, being large enough to accommodate four astronauts, a spacesuit technician, and specialized equipment.As per NASA , the vehicles are "customized to accommodate NASA's unique specifications for Artemis missions while also paying homage to the legacy of the agency's human spaceflight and space exploration efforts. "We're unsure what that first part means, but when it comes to paying homage to the past, that's obvious everywhere, from the color scheme chosen for the vehicles to the badges and decorations.It won't be until the end of next year when the Canoos will actually transport Moon-going astronauts, the crew of the Artemis II mission. Until then, they will do the rounds on the premises of the Kennedy Space Center as part of training exercises. And we can barely wait to see some videos of these electric astronaut vehicles in action.As for Artemis II, the mission will carry to the Moon for the first time a person of color, a woman, and a Canadian. The four people (Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Hammock Koch, and Jeremy Hansen) will travel the farthest humans have ever been, 6,400 miles (10,300 km) beyond the Moon, but will not actually land on the satellite.
In the world of motorcycle makers, the name MV Agusta is perhaps not as visible as others. That's owed in part to the fact the Italian company is not one to release new models or updates for the existing ones as often as its competitors. Yet when it does release something new, the brand is bound to capture everyone's attention. And that is exactly what it did this week with the special bike we have here.

ECU

Several days after the U.S. celebrated its 247th Independence Day, MV Agusta released something it describes as a tribute to "the land of the free, adventure, epic journeys. And, naturally, racing." And that tribute, the latest in a longer breed we'll discuss later, comes in the form of something called the MV Agusta Dragster RR SCS America.As the name says, the bike is based on the Dragster RR SCS, a streetfighting muscle bike by trade, only it naturally comes with a series of extras and unique touches to make it special. Standing out the most is of course the color scheme, a throwback to the colors of the American flag.Mechanically, the bike is your standard Dragster of this variety, meaning it is powered by a 140-hp engine that gives it a top speed of 152 mph (244 kph). Thanks to the inclusion of an Akrapovic titanium exhaust system with a dedicated, the America version has a total output of 148 hp.Another thing setting the bike apart from the regular production version is the specially designed seat that wears America Special Edition lettering. The triple clamp wears each of the bikes' individual serial number in laser engraved style. That's because the MV Agusta Dragster RR SCS America is a limited edition, with just 300 of them to be made.The bike will sell with a Special Parts Kit that includes a transparent SCS clutch cover, a bike cover, and a certificate of authenticity. It will only be available in North America, with pricing still kept under wraps, despite the bike already being available "exclusively at select MV Agusta dealerships across North America."The U.S. is the Italian company's biggest market, so MV Agusta has been celebrating it with special colors on its bikes ever since the 750S of the 1970s. The habit of releasing versions unique to the local market began in 2004, when the Brutale 750 America was released.The same moniker was subsequently used to designate these special versions bikes several times after that: in 2012 on the Brutale 1090 RR America (the most powerful naked ever produced by MC Agusta until then), in 2017 with the introduction of the Brutale 800 RR America, and a year after that on the Dragster 800 RR America.
A picture showing two Tesla Cybertruck body-in-white structures reveals the massive rear megacasting in production guise for the first time. This differs significantly from the rear structure revealed in previous leaks.

Have we seen these Cybertruck castings yet? $TSLA pic.twitter.com/Up4GzkzRxo  The Surfing Hippie Skin Doc ?????????? ?? (@Pmgraham86) July 12, 2023

When we first saw a Cybertruck skeleton last December, we knew that would not be the final structure that would enter production. At the time, Teardown veteran Sandy Munro explained that the structure in the leaked pictures featured several (at least five) cast pieces welded (or bonded) together. Tesla had to do it that way for the first prototypes because there was no Giga Press to make them in one step.The rear Cybertruck structure was probably built from components cast using a prototyping technique called "Lost Foam." This means the components are replicated from Styrofoam and then covered in sand to form a makeshift mold. When molten aluminum is poured, the foam vaporizes and leaves the aluminum component with the desired shape. Still, once development advances past the prototyping phase, Tesla aims to produce the entire rear structure in one step, using the 9,000-ton IDRA Giga Presses.In early June, a flyover video from Giga Texas showed megacastings that appeared to be the lower part of the Cybertruck's rear structure. At least 45 megacastings were sitting on the ground at the factory, indicating that the Giga Presses at Giga Texas were working full steam. A new image leaked on Tuesday reveals that Tesla progressed with the rear structure, paving the way toward a single-piece megacasting. Considering the sheer size, we can safely call it a gigacasting.The picture shows two Cybertruck body-in-white structures stacked inside the new General Assembly area, which is now under construction. We know that because the grid coordinate also appears in the picture, and it's M60. This is the first time the rear structure appears in production form. However, whether this is a single-piece megacasting or several components are used to create the rear structure is unclear.The picture reveals that the Cybertruck will feature stamped and welded side structures, which don't differ much from unibody vehicles. They have the front and rear castings attached, and there's also empty real estate for the structural battery pack. Oversimplifying things a little, this is just a bigger Tesla Model Y structure prepared to carry a bed. I'm no structural engineer, but looking at the picture, I find it harder to believe the exoskeleton claims The structural battery pack has already been confirmed. The last time was after one of the Cybertruck prototypes arrived in New Zealand for testing. It was missing the battery pack and the attached parts, including the seats. Either way, the image allegedly leaked by a worker at Giga Texas shows that Cybertruck production preparations are advancing rapidly toward the end of summer deadline when the Cybertruck should start series production.Based on the information I have now, I presume the first examples of the electric pickup truck will be assembled manually, similar to how the Tesla Semi is produced. This is what the first customers should get during the delivery event this fall. As the production pace picks up next year, the production line in Texas will switch to higher automation.
Tesla is planning for the second development phase at Giga Berlin, aiming to double the annual capacity to 1 million vehicles. The company has initiated public consultations required during the approval procedure.

Tesla has seen some rough times trying to start operations at Giga Berlin. The American company had to overcome countless obstacles, from environmentalists scrutinizing every hole it drilled to concerned citizens claiming the factory was draining the local water resources. The gigafactory is yet to reach its planned annual capacity of 500,000 EVs, but Tesla is already planning the next phase. Giga Berlin will be expanded with Phase 2 , adding another 500,000 in production capacity for a total of one million units per year.While this sounds like a positive development, it also means that the whole process that delayed the initial plans will repeat. Tesla will again need approval for the expansion works and is now in the public consultation phase. From July 19 to August 18, the public can read the documentation available online and at authorities such as the State Environment Agency and in town halls. Then they can voice their concerns during a public hearing that would probably take place in October.It's an excellent opportunity for environmentalists to express their disdain for Tesla's plans in the Brandenburg region. The main problem is that Giga Berlin is partly located in a water protection area, and this causes a lot of friction. The gigafactory expansion will not only need approval for the additional construction works but will also require additional resources, including water and electricity, to produce more vehicles.According to the plans filed with Brandenburg Environment Ministry, Tesla plans to build another large production hall to house the additional production area. It will also optimize operations at its existing line to increase productivity. As part of the expansion plans, Tesla wants to double the capacity of its battery production facility from 50 GWh to 100 GWh per year.In its Impact Report 2022, Tesla presented some of the measures it plans to minimize water consumption at Giga Berlin. Impressively, Tesla thinks it can double the gigafactory's capacity without increasing water consumption . To achieve this, Tesla will implement hybrid cooling towers and eliminate quench tanks in casting. It also introduced cascade rinsing systems in the paint shop and battery can wash process.Further measures will be taken to treat and reuse water. Tesla also plans to capture rainwater , which will be recycled and used for cooling manufacturing equipment. The condensed water from the air conditioning could also be reused in the cooling towers to offset water consumption. Tesla contracted 1.4 million cubic meters of fresh water, which should cover the gigafactory's needs even when Phase 2 is completed.
A new Waze version published on the App Store for iOS devices fixes a critical bug impacting user accounts.

Waze 4.96 addresses a bug that blocked users from logging into their accounts after logging out from the application. Users who encountered the bug claim the glitch occurred when hitting the sign-out button (either accidentally or on purpose), with the app failing to log them back into their accounts.The only option was to continue using Waze as a guest.A Waze account allows users to save their favorite locations and make the navigation to a bookmarked place much faster and more convenient. It also lets them gain points for their contributions  Waze's gamification component includes multiple account levels that users can upgrade by sending traffic reports.The Google-owned company has focused mostly on addressing bugs and improving the under-the-hood app performance rather than on new capabilities. The most recent updates included bug fixes almost exclusively, including for a widespread issue that caused the car icon to only be visible on the map in the "keep map north up" mode.In the meantime, Google is making more internal changes that many consider another vital step towards a complete Waze demise.The company is integrating Google Ads into Waze , laying off part of the marketing time working on the application. Google has already brought the Google Maps and Waze teams under the same roof last year, so transitioning the application to Google Ads makes its traffic navigation app more integral to its mapping efforts.Back in 2013, when the search giant purchased Waze, it promised to allow the company to run independently. Since then, Google has been dropping hints that Waze and Google Maps could merge periodically, though it's still unclear if this is the strategy the company plans to adopt in the long term. At this point, Google Maps and Waze continue to operate independently.The latest Waze update ships automatically to your iPhone if you have already enabled automatic app updates on the smartphone. If you didn't, the new version waits for your download from the App Store. CarPlay users must update the iPhone app to get the latest version on the dashboard screen.The update does not resolve a problem that could become the intended behavior. Specific reports, such as map chats, are no longer clickable on iPhone , making it impossible for users to receive additional context on an incident. I spotted the change a few versions ago (and several users have confirmed it in the meantime). Still, it's unclear if Waze blocks expanding traffic reports on purpose (as a safety measure to reduce distraction) or if it's a bug that the parent company plans to fix in a future app update.
Ngorongoro volcano blew its top millions of years ago, leaving behind the world's largest intact caldera. Inside the crater-covering more than 100 square miles-is an ecosystem that is home to over 25,000 wildlife animals. The Citizen



Tourists from across the globe have fallen in deep love with the Ngorongoro Crater, overwhelmingly voting the attraction as the best of the best destination in 2023.



Reviews from millions of TripAdvisor travelers have placed Ngorongoro Crater, as a thrilling tourist attraction within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in northern Tanzania, in the top list of allure in the world.



"Ngorongoro Crater is the TripAdvisor travelers' choice Best of the Best 2023," the world's leading travel platform serving about 400 million tourists per month and organizer of the annual travelers' choice award says.



Ngorongoro volcano blew its top millions of years ago, leaving behind the world's largest intact caldera. Inside the crater-covering more than 100 square miles-is an ecosystem that is home to over 25,000 wildlife animals.



"You'll have a great chance of spotting lions, as there are more lions here than any place else in the planet, along with leopards. Black rhinos are also a common sight, as are hippos, zebras, hyenas...the list goes on and on," according to TripAdvisor.



Outside the crater, more than a million wildebeests sweep through during the Great Migration, the statement reads in part, adding that one can also see signs of the first known human ancestor, who walked these plains 1.9 million years ago, at nearby Olduvai Gorge.



"This is the biggest reward of all, not just for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), but also for the entire country, as it places the country on the map as one of the premier tourism destinations in the world," says NCAA conservation commissioner, Dr. Freddy Manongi.



A renowned conservationist, salutes a team of NCAA that has been working hard to conserve the biodiversity and therefore bringing global recognition.



Furthermore, he said they could not imagine the world was watching to the extent of recognizing their efforts, commending travelers who voted for the unique destination.



"The recognition complements efforts of Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan for unlocking tourism potentials through the Royal Tour documentary that featured the Ngorongoro Crater," he said.



"Tourism is President Hassan's strategic industry for spurring the country's economy through its multiplier effects. So, this feat comes at the opportune moment, as it complements our Head of State's mission," he added.



Called the 8th World Wonder and stretching across some 8,300 square kilometers, the NCAA boasts having a blend of landscapes, wildlife, people and archaeology that is unsurpassed in Africa. (The Citizen)


Reaching more people can be a blessing or a curse. Ask anyone who suddenly became famous, and they will tell you more about that. That can also be seen in the automotive world. When a company achieves higher sales numbers, its issues are amplified in the same proportion. Just check Tesla: its design flaws, quality control problems, and reliability concerns are now widely known. In Europe, the best-selling titles the Model Y is receiving are being followed by the realization that Tesla BEVs are very expensive to repair.

BEV

Photo: Morten Haagensen/Creative Commons

Photo: Dana Brems/edited by autoevolution

The French magazine L'Automobile decided to investigate the situation after complaints about the Americanmaker increased as much as its sales. The most common protests relate to excessive delivery delays for spare parts, high repair rates, and warranty denials, among other issues.A taxi driver identified only as Afid said that the Model S he has driven since 2020 had a problem with its battery pack. Although it was still under warranty, he had to hire a lawyer to make sure the company would replace it. Afid also said that there are about 40 Teslas working as taxi cabs in his region and that there is only one approved shop per city, which is clearly insufficient. A taxi cab waiting for repairs is a vehicle that is not helping its owner pay the bills. Tesla would not even allow the taxi drivers to buy light bulbs and replace them themselves just to charge for the service.According to Afid  who must have preferred to remain anonymous  the Tesla vehicles in his region all face several problems and bugs. He probably refers to the myriad of defects other customers already shared about their BEVs, such as door handles that stop working, motors that fail, inverters that leave drivers stranded, suspension components that break, and a long etcetera. Unfortunately, the taxi driver did not elaborate on them.In 2020, Cesvimap performed a crash test with a Model 3 at only 16 kph (10 mph) and discovered it cost 8,501.42 ($9,251.25 at the current exchange rate), without taxes, to fix the vehicle, one of the highest repair prices for such a low-speed crash. Although the front of the BEV was not badly damaged, the two frontal airbags and curtain airbags were deployed, which made the repair costly. The Dacia Spring and the Opel Corsa-e were tested under the same circumstances, and none of their airbags went off. Cesvimap did not disclose how much the Spring would demand to be fixed, but a Corsa-e owner would spend 4,017.12 ($4,371.43), mostly due to the LED headlights.The Securite Reparation Automobile (SRA, something like Safety Automotive Repair) is a French organization that measures repair costs for insurance companies. According to it, Tesla parts cost 56% more than those of similar vehicles. The BEV maker's cars are among the most expensive to repair in France, second only to Porsche.In its investigation, L'Automobile came to similar conclusions to those that customers on the other side of the pond already pointed out. Tesla is not exactly interested in allowing independent shops to take care of its cars, something that has raised fierce disputes around the right to repair. The BEV maker has opposed it more than once without being able to give customers a trustworthy repair network. Even if it did not fail that mission, some buyers could prefer to take their vehicles to technicians they trust, who would need technical information to properly fix these cars. Several shops accuse Tesla of withholding such instructions to restrict its customers to the crowded and insufficient Tesla Service Centers.In a surprising move, L'Automobile managed to talk to Tesla. The company said the accusations are not true and that it only recommends repairs in Tesla Service Centers or authorized shops to ensure a high-quality repair. It also said it expects to have 60% more of these shops by the end of 2023 compared to 2022 in France. Considering the complaints have only improved this year, it seems this expansion did not make that much difference.The French magazine talked about these arguments with authorized shops, and some of them explained why both Tesla and those complaining about the company may be correct. According to these shops, the issue is that Tesla does not give much information in its technical repair instructions. On top of that, its vehicles are highly complex to fix.That only confirms something insurance companies and anyone paying attention to the BEV maker could say: Tesla does not care about repairability and did not conceive its vehicles with that in mind. Its electric cars need specific tools and procedures to be fixed that no other carmaker uses. That pushes shops interested in working with these BEVs to make higher investments in these tools, which also increases repair prices.At this point, it is inevitable that more people will learn about Tesla's hurdles . Although BEV demand has dropped, Tesla is increasing production and pushing cars out of assembly lines as much as possible with the help of massive discounts. That worsened depreciation and multiplied Tesla's audience beyond the legion of dedicated and forgiving fans that catapulted it to notoriety. While the BEV maker does not improve its game, its advocates will not manage to silence the predictable disappointment of those who expected Tesla to do better.
The bill denounced by opposition lawmakers involves amendments to the Criminal Code stipulating that suspects could avoid prosecution in exceptional cases where they cooperate with investigators, admit committing serious or particularly serious crimes and agree to compensate for the damage caused by them.

Presenting the bill to the National Assembly, Justice Minister Grigor Minasian said it is primarily aimed at reducing the workload of law-enforcement agencies as well as courts. He claimed that they are too busy at the moment.

Deputies from the main opposition Hayastan alliance rejected the official rationale for the proposed extrajudicial clemency which they believe will effective give judicial powers to Armenias security apparatus.

This clearly contradicts the fundamental principles of criminal justice, one of them, Artsvik Minasian (no relation to the justice minister), said.

He argued that the bill is also opposed by Armenias Interior Ministry, National Security Service and Supreme Judicial Council.

The bill is understood to have been originally drafted by another law-enforcement body, the Investigative Committee. It is headed by Argishti Kyaramian, one of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians trusted lieutenants.

Armenias national bar association, the Chamber of Advocates, voiced strong objections to the proposed amendments late last month. It said that giving prosecutors and investigators uncontrolled discretionary powers to pardon felons could not only create an atmosphere of impunity but also carry corruption risks. It warned of very serious damage to the fight against crime.

The law-enforcement authorities have reported considerable annual increases in Armenias crime rate since the 2018 velvet revolution that brought Pashinian to power. Critics claim that the country is not as safe as it used to be because its current government is more incompetent and softer on crime than the previous ones.

The authorities registered a total of 37,612 criminal offenses in 2022, up by 24 percent from 2021. According to them, serious and particularly serious crimes accounted for about 16 percent of the total. This included 58 premeditated murders.
12 July 2023 12:30 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

It is still not so easy for Armenia to forget the pain of the past, especially after the ignominious defeat in the second Garabagh war, which lasted 44 days, devastated hopes for invading Azerbaijani land, and ended with the glorious victory of Azerbaijan, liberating its lands from invaders.

The losers do not retreat, harboring a thirst for revenge that has fueled them for 30 years.

Therefore, there is a majority that ignores the law, and among them are the Armenian authorities, the opposition that rejects its own people, subjecting the latter to mass discrimination and great psychological and manipulative pressure.

Many provocative letters have been sent from Armenians to the international organisations, demanding some kind of new laws on the Lachin road, and justice on Azerbaijans Garabagh or the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh that Armenians persistently call.

Note that political analyst Tofig Abbasov expressed his opinion on the issue in his comment for Azernews. According to him, Azerbaijan has always paid attention to serious and consistent demands.

"First of all, any appeals, if they have a general ground, if they have a concrete evidence base, they are considered and should be considered. I think that, in principle, on the situation in and around Garabagh, first of all, Azerbaijan does not have Nagorno-Karabakh, we do not have such an administrative division," political analyst said.

According to him, Azerbaijan has a single economic Garabagh economic region and it is entirely an integral part of the Azerbaijani Republic and is protected by the state.

"Naturally, when we talk about protection by the state, first of all we mean protection of rights and freedoms of people who live on this land, regardless of their national, religious and racial affiliation. If they live and are citizens of Azerbaijan, certainly, their rights should be ensured by the state," the pundit stressed.

Accompanied by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the free passage of persons of Armenian origin through the Lachin border checkpoint was once again ensured, but this does not prevent the Armenian side from accusing Azerbaijan of disregarding the order.

Regarding the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross to Armenians in smuggling and illegal activities, Abbasov stressed that the International Committee of the Red Cross is not a political organization.

"The International Committee of the Red Cross is not a political organization, it is a humanitarian organization, which is engaged in ensuring the rights of people who find themselves in a difficult situation, due to conflicts, hot disputes, military actions, etc. So, if they are in line with their mandate, with their rights, then there can be no problem, but if they are involved in political processes, then of course it should be limited, it should even be suppressed," he opined.

In his comment on the reaction of the Azerbaijani government to the scathing letter in which separatist elements of the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh allegedly sent complaints to the Azerbaijani government for supposedly blocking the Lachin border checkpoint, the expert said:

"Armenians are engaged in provocations against the Azerbaijani and Turkish peoples (citizens) not in the first decade, and maybe not even in the first century, so they do not care how and where to violate the rights and established norms.

The fact is that Armenians are not the indigenous nations of the Caucasus region, they are a displaced ethnic group, they were displaced as a result of the Russian-Iranian war of 1826-28, when Tsar Nikolay the First, he decided to resettle them in the Caucasian-Turkic lands and create a Christian enclave there," the pundit underlined.

Finally, the expert said, as emphasized by the President of Azerbaijan, that the Armenian population living in Karabakh and wanting to live in the future has only one way - to accept Azerbaijani citizenship. "Either they remain citizens of Azerbaijan, accept our legislation, or leave; they have only one option," Abbasov concluded.

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12 July 2023 10:07 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan`s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov has met with the Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany Tobias Lindner, Azernews reports.

The sides discussed current issues on the bilateral and multilateral cooperation agenda and regional and international situation.

Minister Bayramov noted that Azerbaijan and Germany have dynamically improving relations in the fields of politics, economy, energy security, culture and education, stressing the key role of high-level meetings and political contacts. He stressed the importance of further expanding the dialogue and mechanisms of political consultation in this regard.

Jeyhun Bayramov filled Tobias Lindner in on the current situation in the region in the post-conflict period, and the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He stated that Armenias continued military and political provocations against Azerbaijan as well as the landmine challenge are obstacles to peace negotiations.

Minister of State Tobias Lindner Azerbaijan and Germany have great opportunities to further expand cooperation, adding that cooperation in various fields including traditional and alternative energy resources has a room to grow. He further noted that Germany applauds efforts to restore peace and security in the region.

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12 July 2023 14:08 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan's Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev met with a delegation of the Turkish Regional Office of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group headed by Walid Abdelwahab, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, the sides discussed cooperation in the sphere of transport and information and communication technologies (ICT).

According to the Ministry of Transport, the guests were presented information on measures taken in Azerbaijan in the railway and port sphere, including on increasing the population's access to high-speed broadband internet.

It should be recalled that the IDB Group maintains strong relations with Azerbaijan and endeavors to promote its socio-economic development. The Group has approved in Azerbaijan the financing of projects totaling $1.2 billion. The portfolio includes $956 million in IDB financing, $120.2 million approved by ICD (Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector), $83.4 million in ITFC (International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation) trade operations, and $19.4 million in other IDB Group funds and operations. In addition, ICIEC (Islamic Corporation for Investment and Export Credit Insurance) provided $92.5 million in business insurance and $75.5 million in new insurance liabilities.

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12 July 2023 17:42 (UTC+04:00)

ASCO JSC (Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company) has started implementing the "Energy Efficiency Management", "Module for Planning and Performing Repairs, Maintenance" and "Material Flow Management Module" projects of the SAP ERP platform in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

According to the Deputy Head of the Technical Operation Department of the ASCO fleet, Elchin Guliyev told that the projects were developed and implemented in accordance with international practice.

He noted that the "Energy Efficiency Management" project is carried out in accordance with the International Convention "On the Prevention of Marine Pollution from Ships" (MARPOL 73/78), the documents of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) "Ship Energy Efficiency management" and "Use of the ship energy efficiency indicator".

The purpose of the implementation of the "Module for planning and performing repairs and maintenance" is to manage important planning and preventive maintenance processes related to the repair of ships in a fully automatic mode.

Besides that, the implementation of the "Module for planning and performing repairs and maintenance" allows using analytics to predict similar technical failures that may occur on the same type of vessels during their service life and to prevent them.

The Materials Management Module project makes it possible to further improve the planning of spare parts, equipment, and materials needed for ships and ASCO sites.

In the direction of the application of the "Material Flow Management Module", the unification of all goods, equipment, and spare parts in the system was carried out in order to form a detailed order, a fully detailed technical specification of each important spare part.

Recall that earlier, the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) CJSC hosted a presentation of the marine digital "ShipSure" platform - one of the world's leading V.Group shipping companies.

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12 July 2023 11:20 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Azerbaijan Architects' Union has been represented at the General Assembly of the International Union of Architects in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Headed by the Chairman of the Union's Board, professor Elbay Gasimzade, the delegation included Secretary of the Union, professor Gulchohra Mammadova, Secretaries Khalil Jafarov and Sheyda Novruzzade, Secretariat member Nazim Veliyev, Board member Inara Azimzade, President of the Young Architects and Students Club Elin Beylarov, students of the Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction, Azernews reports.

Founded in 1946 in Switzerland, the International Union of Architects is the only international non-governmental organization that represents the world's architects.

The organization is recognized as the only global architecture organization by most United Nations agencies, including UNESCO, UNCHS, ECOSOC, UNIDO and the World Health Organization as well as the WTO.

Through its Member Sections, the UIA is represented in over 100 countries and territories, geographically grouped into five regions.

The Congress and the General Assembly discussed issues such as the problems and ways of developing modern architectural creativity, the preservation of historical architectural heritage.

In conclusion, the General Assembly recommended that the leaders of all countries of the world take care of architecture, improve the living environment of people and establish peace on earth.

The next meeting of the Congress and the General Assembly will be held in Barcelona (Spain) in 2026.

Established in 1934, Azerbaijan Architects' Union encourages the development of the creative abilities of architects, protects copyrights and promotes their achievements worldwide.

Over the past decades, the Union has made a significant contribution to the country's architecture. It played a major role in the development of young architects and in the success of experienced ones.

The Union successfully acts as a member of a number of architectural organizations, being recognized by the international architectural community.

A number of regional architectural organizations are successfully working within Azerbaijan Architects' Union.

Azerbaijan Architects' Union focuses on innovative and creative solutions for sustainable architectural development through the exchange of professional architectural knowledge and skills.

In 2019, Baku hosted the first forum of the International Union of Architects, the prestigious creative association of world architects, and the extraordinary General Assembly of the UIA.

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12 July 2023 10:31 (UTC+04:00)

On July 11, at 23:25, illegal Armenian armed detachments in the territory of Azerbaijan, where the Russian peacekeepers are temporarily deployed, using small arms subjected to fire the Azerbaijani Army positions stationed in the direction of the Shusha district, the Ministry of Defense, Azernews reports.

Moreover, on July 12, at 05:45, the Armenian armed forces units from the positions in the direction of the Digh settlement of the Gorus district using small arms subjected to fire the Azerbaijani Army positions stationed in the direction of the Zabukh settlement of the Lachin district.

The Azerbaijan Army Units took retaliatory measures, the ministry said.

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12 July 2023 10:56 (UTC+04:00)

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant will go on an official visit to Azerbaijan's capital Baku on 12 July, Azernews reports, citing Israeli media.

During the visit, which will last until 14 July, Gallant will meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, his Azerbaijani counterpart General Zakir Hasanov, Commander of the National Border Guard Service General Elchin Guliyev and other high-ranking representatives of the security services.

"The visit to Azerbaijan is aimed at strengthening strategic relations between the countries, intensifying political cooperation and expanding security and technology ties between the two states.

During the meetings, the defence minister is expected to discuss with his counterparts ways to strengthen regional stability," the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

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12 July 2023 13:44 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov recently called on Armenia to refrain from any action that could aggravate the parties' dispute. This follows an ICJ ruling rejecting Armenia's request to amend the Court's Order of 22 February 2023, Azernews reports.

"We call on Armenia to refrain from any actions that may aggravate the parties' dispute," Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov wrote on his Twitter page.

Contrary to Armenia's false claims, the ICJ did not find that the border checkpoint on the Lachin road, nor did it find that Azerbaijan violated the 22 February ruling.

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Senior Chinese diplomat meets with Burundian FM

Xinhua) 10:58, July 12, 2023

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, meets with Burundian Foreign Minister Albert Shingiro in Beijing, capital of China, July 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with Burundian Foreign Minister Albert Shingiro in Beijing on Tuesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, thanked Burundi for its positive contribution to the successful holding of the first high-level conference of Forum on Global Action for Shared Development. He appreciated Burundi's active support and participation in the Global Development Initiative, saying that the implementation of the initiative would help Burundi's economic and social development.

China and Burundi always maintain a high degree of mutual trust and firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests, Wang noted, adding that China will continue to support Burundi in safeguarding its own rights and interests and accelerating its own development.

China is concentrating on its modernization drive and promoting national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, which will also provide new development opportunities for Burundi and other developing countries, Wang said.

Noting that China's cooperation with Burundi and other developing countries never attaches any political conditions, Shingiro said Burundi is willing to carry out more pragmatic cooperation with China in agriculture, infrastructure construction and other fields.

Burundi firmly supports China's position on issues concerning its core interests and major concerns and adheres to the one-China principle, Shingiro said, adding that Burundi opposes politicizing human rights issues in developing countries and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China, adhere to multilateralism, and safeguard common interests.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)




China's top diplomat Wang Yi met with Ban Ki-moon, Korean diplomat who used to serve as the 8th secretary-general of the U.N., on Monday in Beijing, saying that China hopes Korea will work together with China to overcome temporary difficulties and revive the bilateral exchanges.







Over the 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Korea, the bilateral relationship has traversed an extraordinary path and achieved unprecedented results, which are worth cherishing and preserving by both sides, said Wang, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.







The relationship between China and Korea should move forward based on this foundation, rather than stagnating or regressing, the Chinese official said, noting China's policy toward Korea has not changed.







"We hope that Korea will work together with China to overcome temporary difficulties, revitalize exchanges and cooperation, and demonstrate the broad prospects for the development of bilateral relations," he said.







Wang met Ban on the sidelines of the first high-level conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development, which opened on Monday, with four panels included to discuss how countries can work together and better reach the U.N. 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.







Ban said he is grateful for the strong support China has provided during his tenure as secretary-general of the U.N. and chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia.







The Korean diplomat said he also appreciates the series of important global initiatives put forth by China, which have injected strong momentum into the consolidation of global efforts. As closely connected neighbors, Korea and China must live in friendship, Ban said, noting that he will continue to strive for the development of the relationship between Korea and China.







The Korea-China relations have been facing growing difficulties recently as the U.S. has ramped up efforts to mobilize its allies in the Asia-Pacific region to form a containment ring against China, which also pushed Korea to take sides and fall into the U.S.' strategic trap to contain China, some experts said.







In a recent trilateral cooperation forum between China, Korea and Japan, Wang said Europeans and Americans can't distinguish between Chinese, Japanese and Koreans.







"No matter how yellow our hair is dyed or how sharp we change our nose, we can't become Westerners. We should know where our roots are," he told the main group of guests, stressing cooperation between the three countries can revitalize Asia and benefit the world.







Wang and Ban also exchanged views on issues of common concern such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula. (Global Times)











This article was originally published on Global Times.
12 July 2023 14:21 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received Speaker of the Great National Assembly of Turkiye Numan Kurtulmus, Azernews reports.

Numan Kurtulmus conveyed President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogans greetings to the head of state.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked for the greetings, and asked the speaker to pass on his greetings to Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The head of state once again conveyed his congratulations on the victory in the presidential and parliamentary elections held in Turkiye.

The sides hailed the successful development of the friendly and brotherly relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye in all areas, including the interparliamentary cooperation. The President of Azerbaijan noted that Numan Kurtulmus`s visit would contribute to the development of bilateral ties.

During the conversation, they stressed the importance of strengthening the Organization of Turkic States and cementing cooperation within this organization and TURKPA.

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12 July 2023 18:45 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

At the meeting dedicated to the socio-economic results of the 6 months of 2023 President Ilham Aliyev spoke on the incident that has happened in the Soyudlu village of Gadabay. The head of state did not overlook this problem, as he touched on many other issues, and said that the mistakes made against the background of the events are unacceptable.

"The incident in the Gadabay district is completely unacceptable. I believe that the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources was negligent as a minimum, it showed lack of control, acted as a passive observer, as a result of which a foreign investor contaminated our nature."

It should be noted that a few weeks ago in the village of Soyudlu of Gadabay, the local population held an unauthorized protest against the claim of the construction of the 2nd artificial lake by the Anglo-American company. The legal demand of the police was ignored by the protestors and the demonstration was broken up by the police, resulting in clashes between the police and the residents.

The president did not welcome the fact that a part of the residents committed illegal acts following the provocateurs' plot. As the head of state himself noted, "chaos, arbitrariness and provocations in Azerbaijan ended in 1993".

In general, those who want to smear the Azerbaijani police should be shown examples of the brutal behavior of police officers of other countries, especially developed Western and European countries.

Regarding the events, political scientist Amid Aliyev said in a comment for Azernews that both external and internal forces are behind the events.

"Let me note that the views expressed by President Ilham Aliyev the other day are the results of the successes achieved by Azerbaijan in the last 6 months. In addition, the President also touched on the Gadabay events, which have had a greater resonance in the social and political life of Azerbaijan in recent days. First of all, he expressed his remarks to a number of state institutions regarding the increase in citizen dissatisfaction and the lack of a timely response to it. In particular, the negligence of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and the Gadabay Executive Authority was emphasized more," A. Aliyev said.

Speaking about environmental damage, the political scientist noted that during the development of gold deposits by a foreign company in Gadabay, the fact of environmental damage and discharge of toxic substances was left out of control for a long time, which resulted in the mass dissatisfaction of citizens.

"In addition to the local executive and administrative bodies, forces living abroad and inside the country also had an influence on the action that took place. Some foreign factors, who could not accept Azerbaijan's triumphant position, growing influence and state of being regional power center, intended to manage this action in accordance with their interests. In addition, foreign-funded and foreign-controlled individuals and groups within the country were also interested in making this event even bigger and publicized," the political scientist noted.

According to A. Aliyev, although the Azerbaijani police and the people were confronted, all attempts aimed at creating an environment of mistrust between citizens and the Azerbaijani police were prevented.

"Let me first note that the state of Azerbaijan has already solved the problem by sending such oldfashined actions to the archives of the 90s. Actions such as chaos, anarchy, public disobedience and disrespect for government officials have since long lost their power. It seems that the attempt of the interest groups, who could not calculate this fact, was wasted precisely because of this," he said.

In addition, the expert explained the condition that the head of state should be provided with thorough information about the incident, supported by the opinion of international experts, within a week by the relevant institutions, and approached the issue as follows:

"Each foreign legal entity, in addition to investing in Azerbaijan, engages in production, it will first of all obey the laws of Azerbaijan and protect the rights of citizens. This is one of the main conditions and requirements."

Concluding his comment, Amid Aliyev stressed that there are relevant state bodies that have achieved success in the field of investment, and noted that their experience can serve as an example to local and foreign companies that make mistakes in this field.

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Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

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12 July 2023 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

Police in Kenya discovered 40 more mass graves on Monday in their investigation into a starvation cult led by a pastor, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.



Authorities disinterred 12 more bodies as they kicked off the fourth phase of the exhumation process of followers linked to the controversial cult led by Paul Mackenzie.



Kenya's Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki expressed deep concern as he announced that the death toll from the cult has reached 351.



"We will do everything positive to make sure another Shakahola tragedy does not occur in our country, said Kindiki, referring to the Shakahola forest, where the graves were found.

To the religious leaders opposing the government's efforts to crack down on rogue preachers, we will not relent," he added.



Kindiki said "there is no difference between rogue preachers misleading their congregation and terrorists.



The 12 bodies recovered during Monday's exhumation process add to the growing number of victims uncovered in the forest.

Coastal regional police commissioner Rhoda Onyancha addressed the press, revealing that the reported number of missing persons stands at a staggering 613 individuals.



The government, law enforcement agencies and concerned authorities in Kenya are working tirelessly to ensure that justice is served and to provide closure to the families affected by the devastating ordeal.



Hundreds of corpses have been found in the Shakahola forest in Kilifi County since mid-April during investigations into the cult run by Mackenzie, a pastor who leads the Good News International Church in Kenya.



He is accused of ordering his followers to starve themselves to death so they could go to heaven before the end of the world.



The investigations have revealed that some of the victims had their organs missing, which has led to suspicions of trafficking in human organs.

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12 July 2023 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is ready to purchase grain from Russia this year because of an anticipated shortage in Belarus' crop harvest, Azernews reports, citing Interfax.

"We need to purchase it while it is inexpensive. Even if the purchased grain is somewhere close to the cost price, we need to purchase it and store it if there is capacity. This is a gold reserve. Grain always comes in handy," the BelTA state news agency quoted Lukashenko as saying.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
12 July 2023 09:30 (UTC+04:00)

Eight major Italian cities are on red alert on Tuesday as the heatwave the nation is enduing intensifies, Azernews reports, citing ANSA.

Bolzano, Florence, Frosinone, Latina, Perugia and Turin have joined Rome and Rieti, which were already on red alert on Monday as Italy bakes in its second heat wave of the summer.

Rome, Rieti, Florence, Frosinone, Latina and Perugia will also be on red alert on Wednesday, as will Bologna.

Red alert means the heat is so intense it poses a threat to healthy, active people.

Orange alert, the next notch down, indicates that the heat is a danger to fragile groups such as the elderly, the clinically vulnerable and very young children.

The current heat wave is forecast to last all week, with temperatures going above 40 Celsius.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
12 July 2023 18:25 (UTC+04:00)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday met with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the ongoing NATO summit in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuaniac Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

The closed-door meeting took place at the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre (LITEXPO), the venue of the two-day NATO meeting that began on Tuesday.

The meeting was also attended by delegations accompanying the leaders of the two countries. The Turkish delegation included Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, and Akif Cagatay Kilic, the chief adviser to Erdogan.

Earlier in the day, Erdogan met Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

The 31 leaders of the military alliance are meeting to discuss the Ukraine war, Sweden's NATO membership, and steps to strengthen the group's defense and deterrence, among other issues.

Turkiye has been a NATO member for over 70 years, and boasts its second-largest army.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
12 July 2023 21:40 (UTC+04:00)

Kazakhstan commissioned over 7.4 million square meters of housing for the past January-July, Kazakh National Economy Minister Alibek Kuantyrov announced at todays Government meeting, Azernews reports, citing Kazinform.

More than 7.4 million square meters of housing were put into service in January-June this year that is 11.8% more as compared to the pervious year. The highest rates were recorded in the cities of Almaty and Shymkent as well as Ulytau and Abai regions.

The Minister added the agricultural output grew by 3.2%. East Kazakhstan, Mangistau, Akmola and Pavlodar regions reported the most growth.

Seven economic indicators showed positive growth in six regions, namely, Abai, Akmola, West Kazakhstan, Kostanay regions and the cities of Almaty and Shymkent.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
In Bahrain, domestic workers' rights and obligations are regulated by the Labor Law for the Private Sector (Law No. 36 of 2012) and the Domestic Labor Law (Law No. 19 of 2015). These laws aim to protect the rights of domestic workers and ensure fair and decent working conditions. Here are some key points regarding the rights and obligations of domestic workers in Bahrain:

Employment Contracts: Domestic workers should have a written employment contract in a language they understand, specifying the terms and conditions of their employment, such as wages, working hours, rest periods, and other benefits. Working Hours: Domestic workers should not work more than eight hours per day, with a maximum of 48 hours per week. They are entitled to a weekly rest day, which should be specified in the employment contract. Wages: Domestic workers are entitled to receive their wages in a timely manner, at least once a month. The minimum wage for domestic workers is determined by the Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) and should be specified in the employment contract. Rest Periods: Domestic workers are entitled to regular breaks and rest periods during their working hours, including a daily rest period of at least 12 consecutive hours. Health and Safety: Employers are obligated to provide domestic workers with a safe and healthy working environment. They should also cover the costs of medical treatment in case of work-related injuries or illnesses. Accommodation and Food: Employers are required to provide suitable accommodation and adequate food for domestic workers. The accommodation should meet certain standards of cleanliness, privacy, and hygiene. Leave and Vacations: Domestic workers are entitled to annual leave after working for a specific period, usually one year. The duration of the annual leave should be specified in the employment contract. Termination of Employment: Both the employer and the domestic worker have the right to terminate the employment contract. However, there may be notice periods or other conditions specified in the contract or under the law.

Can you fire your domestic worker in Bahrain?

Yes, as an employer in Bahrain, you have the right to terminate the employment contract with your domestic worker. However, there are certain procedures and considerations to follow:

Notice Period: Generally, you are required to provide a notice period to the domestic worker before terminating their employment. The notice period should be specified in the employment contract or according to the labor laws. If the contract does not specify a notice period, it is generally advisable to provide reasonable notice, which is typically one month. Termination Reasons: There should be valid reasons for terminating the employment contract. Valid reasons can include breach of contract, misconduct, poor performance, or other justifiable causes. It is important to note that termination based on discriminatory grounds or unfair treatment is not allowed. Termination Procedures: When terminating the employment contract, it is recommended to provide a written termination letter to the domestic worker, clearly stating the reasons for termination and the effective date of termination. Settlement of Dues: As an employer, you are obligated to settle any outstanding dues owed to the domestic worker, including unpaid wages, leave entitlements, or any other benefits as per the employment contract or labor laws. Return of Documents: You should return any personal identification documents, such as passports or work permits, to the domestic worker upon termination of employment.

What to do if my domestic worker runs away?

If your domestic worker runs away in Bahrain, here are some steps you can take:

Contact the Police: If your domestic worker has run away, it is important to report the situation to the police as soon as possible. Provide them with all the necessary details, including the worker's name, description, and any relevant information that can help in locating them. Inform the Labor Authorities: Notify the Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) about the situation and provide them with the necessary information. They may be able to assist you in locating the domestic worker or provide guidance on further steps to take. Check with the Worker's Embassy or Consulate: If you know the domestic worker's nationality, you can contact their embassy or consulate in Bahrain and inform them about the situation. They may be able to provide support and guidance on how to proceed. Maintain Documentation: Ensure that you have all the necessary documents related to the employment of the domestic worker, including the employment contract, copies of passports or identification documents, and any other relevant paperwork. These documents may be useful for reporting the situation and providing information to the authorities. Be Cautious and Sensible: It's important to handle the situation with caution and avoid taking any actions that may put you or others at risk. Do not attempt to pursue or confront the domestic worker without proper assistance from the authorities. Seek Legal Advice: If needed, consult with legal professionals or labor experts who can provide guidance and advice specific to your situation. They can help you understand your rights and responsibilities as an employer and assist you in taking appropriate steps.

Remember, every situation is unique, and it's crucial to follow the appropriate legal procedures and seek professional advice to ensure that you are acting within the boundaries of the law while attempting to resolve the issue.

For any general commercial and corporate advice, kindly contact us at Law & Order Bahrain.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available in this article is for general informational purposes only. Information outlined in this article may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. Readers of this article should contact attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter. No reader, user, or browser of this article should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information of this article without first seeking legal advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. Use of, and access to, this article or any of the links or resources contained in this article do not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader, user, or browser and website authors, contributors, contributing law firms, or committee members and their respective employers. The views expressed at, or through, this article is of the individual author writing in the individual capacity only. All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this site are hereby expressly disclaimed. The content on this posting is provided "as is" no representations are made that the content is error-free.
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You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @_ishanidesai on Twitter.
Crezh-born writer Milan Kundera / AP-Yonhap



Czech-French writer Milan Kundera, author of "The Unbearable Lightness of Being", has died aged 94, the Milan Kundera Library said Wednesday.



"Unfortunately I can confirm that Mr Milan Kundera passed away yesterday (Tuesday) after a prolonged illness," Anna Mrazova, spokeswoman for the library in his native city of Brno, told AFP.



"He died at home, in his Paris apartment," she said.



The novelist, poet and essayist lived in France since his emigration from Communist-ruled Czechoslovakia in 1975.



He was known for dark, provocative novels dealing with the human condition and sprinkled with satire reflecting his experience of being stripped of his Czech nationality for dissent.



Born on April 1, 1929 in the second Czech city of Brno, Kundera studied in Prague. (AFP)


Here are five key stats on how gastroenterologist pay stacks up compared to CEO pay:

1. Gastroenterologist income is up 11 percent in the last year, reaching $501,000 annually, according to Medscape's 2023 "Physician Compensation Report."

2. The average physician specialist pay was $382,000, $119,000 lower than GI pay.

3. Over half of gastroenterologists (56 percent) feel fairly compensated.

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
Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) General Hospital moved up the date it will end childbirth services by about three weeks, with the care ending abruptly at the end of July 11, according to the Times Leader.

Wilkes-Barre General, which is owned by Commonwealth Health, announced May 31 that it would stop providing planned inpatient labor and delivery services on July 31. The health system attributed the expedited deadline to staffing problems.

"Despite efforts to do so, the hospital is not able to secure necessary staffing on the unit," Commonwealth said in a statement shared by Times Leader. "After today, the hospital will no longer provide planned inpatient labor and delivery services. Gynecological services and surgeries will continue to be provided at the hospital."

When it announced the suspension of childbirth services in May, the health system said Wilkes-Barre General has experienced a 50 percent decrease in deliveries  the timeframe of which was undefined  and supports an average of 40 deliveries per month.

Hospital officials on July 11 said the hospital will continue to work with providers of the 10 women who had planned to deliver at Wilkes-Barre General after July 11 to transition their care to another area hospital, according to the Times Leader.

Commonwealth Health is a subsidiary of for-profit hospital operator Community Health Systems, based in Franklin, Tenn.
In a letter to Trinity Health and the Saint Alphonsus Health System, Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley of Oregon urged them not to stop a hospital's maternity services as planned but continue services for at least six months.

Leaders at Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Baker City, Ore., said in late June that they plan to sunset labor and delivery services July 30, according to a report from the Baker City Herald. The closest maternity department from Baker City is a 45-minute, mountainous trek that can be "treacherous in winter," the senators said in the letter.

The legislators urged Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity and Boise, Idaho-based Saint Alphonsus to continue offering maternity care for the next six months to allow the community more time to prepare.

Saint Alphonsus said the planned closure is because of fewer births in the area and staffing issues, according to the Herald. Mr. Wyden and Mr. Merkley wrote they understand staffing issues have been a prolonged issue but criticized the systems for the tight deadline.

In hopes of helping the hospital continue maternity services, they recommended Saint Alphonsus do three things:

1. Ask the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps to deploy registered nurses trained in obstetrics.

2. Capitalize on support from local businesses, including Beef Northwest Feeders, one of the largest employers in the area, which offered to help find solutions.

3. Work with Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek to connect out-of-state RNs with the state's nursing board to expedite the nurse licensing process.
At least one hospital in Vermont postponed elective surgeries, and staff at multiple hospitals in the state slept at work overnight as historic flooding batters the region.

President Joe Biden approved Vermont Gov. Phil Scott's disaster declaration request July 11 to support flooding response efforts across the state. Flooding began July 9 after several days of heavy rain, according to The Wall Street Journal. At least two areas in the state had received more than 9 inches of rain as of July 11.

"The devastation and flooding we're experiencing across Vermont is historic and catastrophic," Mr. Scott said in a statement. "Flood waters continue to rise in some places like our capital city and have surpassed levels seen during Tropical Storm Irene."

Other parts of the New England region and New York were also hit by heavy rains, though there have been no other immediate reports of effects on hospitals, NPR reported.

"This sort of event absolutely has challenged our hospitals," said Michael Del Trecco, president and CEO of the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. In a July 11 phone call with Becker's, Mr. Del Trecco said staff at several hospitals in the state had to stay the night, as road closures and other dangerous conditions have affected peoples' ability to get to work.

Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin  part of Burlington, Vt.-based UVM Health Network  is one such hospital. Twenty-five staff members stayed overnight July 10 to ensure treatment for patients, according to a report from VTDigger. Infusion services and elective surgeries at the hospital were postponed July 11, CVMC said in a statement. The outpatient dialysis unit, as well as primary and specialty care practices were also closed. The emergency department remains open.

"We do anticipate continued challenges for patients and employees getting from place to place due to the damage to many roads in the region," a spokesperson for UVM Health Network said in a statement to Becker's, adding that emergency departments across the health system remain open.

"To ensure that [UVM Health Network] is coordinating and leveraging all the skills and resources we have available, we have launched a UVMHN Weather Event/Flooding Emergency Management/Recovery Group of operational and clinical leaders, who will check in daily to problem solve and evaluate next steps," the spokesperson said.

There have also been challenges around the transport of tertiary patients to the University of Vermont Medical Center and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. However, pressures around tertiary transports have largely eased for now since a closed stretch of Interstate 89 has since been reopened, Mr. Del Trecco said.

All of Vermont's 14 hospitals are nonprofit  something Mr. Del Trecco said has streamlined communication and collaboration during this time to reopen closed services as quickly as possible.

"The not-for-profit nature, it's not competition, it's how do we solve these problems for Vermonters," he said.

Read live updates on flooding in the Northeast from The New York Times here.
The MOVEit data breach that has affected millions of people across a variety of industries has claimed another health system victim.

Louisville, Ky.-based UofLHealth confirmed to TechCrunch in a July 11 story that it was caught up in the breach but declined to specify how many patients were affected. Clop, a ransomware gang with ties to Russia, has claimed responsibility for the hack and listed the health system on its dark web leak site.

"Recently, the United States government confirmed that multiple federal agencies had been affected by cyberattacks which exploited a security vulnerability in a popular file transfer tool called MOVEit," a UofL Health spokesperson told the news outlet. "Unfortunately, a small number of UofL Health medical practices used this software to transfer files to third-party vendors.

"Upon learning of this event, UofL Health immediately took action and is now working with a forensic IT agency to determine the scope of the matter. The security of normal operations at UofL Health hospitals, medical centers, and physician offices has not been jeopardized."

Other health systems targeted in the MOVEit breach include Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Medicine and Bellaire, Texas-based Harris Health System.
A new law in main requires hospitals and providers to report facility fees, which will be published online, according to the Portland Press Herald.

Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill into law July 11 targeting hospital facility fees in an attempt to bring more transparency to healthcare billing and charges. The new law requires healthcare providers to submit facility fees by Jan. 1, 2024 for public posting. The state will also create a task force to evaluate facility fees under the legislation. The task force will include eight voting members with representatives from hospitals and health plans.

The new task force will review facility fees and enforce federal and state regulations. The members will also recommend changes to laws or rules related to facility fees and medical cost transparency.

Maine Senate President Troy Jackson told the Press Herald facility fees are difficult for patients who may not receive the bill until after treatment. "This new law will help us better understand the scope of the problem and equip the legislature with the tools to enact laws that make a meaningful difference for Mainers," he said.

The Maine Hospital Association is opposed to any actions that would eliminate facility fees.

"Hospitals are prepared to work with the legislature and help them understand both our cost structure, as well as how the many different reimbursement systems work," said Jeff Austin, spokesperson for the Maine Hospital Association, in the article.
Portland, Ore.-based Legacy Health has inked a tentative deal to sell its lab operations to Labcorp in a restructuring move that aims to improve its financial health.

Labcorp said it will acquire "select assets" of Legacy's laboratory business, including facilities and equipment, and will also manage the system's inpatient hospital labs through a long-term agreement to provide staffing, leadership, supply chain services and other support.

The deal is not expected to result in any layoffs, but about 700 Legacy employees will join Labcorp, according to The Oregonian. Terms of the deal, which is subject to regulatory approvals, were not disclosed.

The six-hospital system ended 2022 with a $114.8 million operating loss. It is now losing $10 million a month, according to the report, and has had to dip into its cash reserves  a key reason for the Labcorp deal.

"This is Legacy's financial crisis," Kecia Kelly, chief nursing officer and senior vice president, told The Oregonian.

In April, Moody's Investor Service revised the Legacy's outlook to negative from stable as it expects the system to continue to seek waivers or amendments to some of its debt obligations.

Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health also recently signed an agreement to offload lab assets to Labcorp, which sees hospital lab acquisitions as key opportunity for growth.
Ed Huang, MD, was named president of Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Mass., part of Beth Israel Lahey Health System, also based in Cambridge.

Dr. Huang had been serving in the role on an interim basis, according to a July 12 news release shared with Becker's.

He also is assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School, and adjunct assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Boston University's medical school. Additionally, he is a trustee of Mount Auburn Hospital and the Mount Auburn Cambridge Independent Practice Association.

Previously, he served as associate director of the integrated Brigham and Women's/Massachusetts General Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program, according to the release.
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Chad Wolbers will resign from his role as president and CEO of UnityPoint HealthFinley Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa, the hospital confirmed in a statement shared with Becker's July 12.

Mr. Wolbers plans to leave in late August "to embark on an entrepreneurial venture that will keep him rooted in the Dubuque community, a community that means a great deal to him and his family," the hospital said.

"Chad's decision was made after careful and thoughtful consideration and reflection of his professional and personal goals," the hospital said.

Mr. Wolbers took the helm of UnityPoint HealthFinley Hospital in January 2019. The appointment marked his return to the hospital after serving as COO earlier in his career.

UnityPoint HealthFinley Hospital is part of West Des Moines, Iowa-based UnityPoint Health.

The hospital said Mr. Wolbers has agreed to assist with the transition until the end of August and beyond if needed, and that UnityPoint Health will announce a new market president in the coming weeks.












Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic has created more than 160 artificial intelligence algorithms, 40 of which have been deployed in patient care, The Washington Post reported July 12.

The AI algorithms are used in cardiology, neurology, radiology and other specialties. John Halakama, MD, president of Mayo Clinic Platform, told the Post, "AI is just the simulation of human intelligence via machines."

"We have incorporated many AI algorithms into our practice. One example is a prediction model for patients in the emergency department, early in their course, to identify those likely to require admission to the hospital," Mayo Clinic Chief Medical Informatics Officer Steve Peters, MD, told Becker's in May. "Patients may spend many hours in the ED, for diagnosis and treatment plan, referral to outpatient appointments, or for the decision to admit to the inpatient setting."
The Minnesota Court of Appeals has ruled that Gov. Tim Walz's COVID-19 mask mandate was within his authority, the Star Tribune reported July 10.

Mr. Walz declared a peacetime emergency in March 2020 and began requiring masks in most indoor spaces in July 2020. The mandate was lifted in May 2021.

Shortly after the mandate was enforced, the Upper Midwest Law Center challenged it, claiming Mr. Walz had exceeded his powers and infringed on residents' rights. A county judge sided with the governor, but the plaintiffs appealed to the state Supreme Court.

The case centered around the Minnesota Emergency Management Act of 1996, which permits the governor "emergency and disaster powers" to address "natural and other disasters of major size and destructiveness," according to the newspaper. The plaintiffs argued that COVID-19 most likely originated from a lab leak, and thus was not an act of nature; however, the court ruled it did not have to prove or disprove any human action.

"We are pleased that the courts have once again affirmed that the governor's emergency actions during the pandemic were lawful," a spokesperson for Mr. Walz told the newspaper.
An orthopedic surgeon was shot and killed by a patient at Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics in Collierville, Tenn., on July 11, the clinic confirmed, according to WMC-TV.

A suspect, who was a male patient at the clinic, shot a healthcare worker in an exam room, Collierville police told media outlets. Campbell Clinic has identified Benjamin Mauck, MD, as the shooting victim.

Police in the Memphis, Tenn., suburb had not released the name or age of the accused shooter as of July 11. According to police social media accounts, the suspect was taken into custody, and the incident was a single shooting.

According to the Campbell Clinic website, Dr. Mauck joined the staff in August 2012, and specialized in elbow surgery and hand and wrist surgery. He also saw pediatric patients at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, and was recently named a 2023 Top Doctor in Memphis.

In its statement shared with The Commercial Appeal July 11, Campbell Clinic said:

"Earlier today, we experienced a single shooter event inside our Collierville clinic.

"We are shocked and heartbroken to confirm the incident resulted in the tragic loss of one of our highly respected and beloved physicians, Dr. Ben Mauck. We ask that you please lift his family in prayer.

"During this difficult time, we will be working through many details and will keep you updated as we are able.

"We have decided to close all Campbell Clinic locations tomorrow, July 12 and will communicate the reopening of all facilities at a later time.

"We appreciate our local law enforcement officers who responded within minutes. We will continue to work closely with authorities as this remains an active investigation.

"Our priorities remain Faith, Family and Patient Care. At this time, we ask for your prayers for the entire Campbell Clinic family, as well as for the privacy of Dr. Mauck's family."










After identifying a new COVID-19 omicron subvariant,  EU.1.1, a descendant of XBB.1.5  in late June, its growth has slowed, according to the CDC.

Right now, the subvariant accounts for only 1.1 percent of cases in the U.S., data shows. Nationwide, hospitalizations and deaths both continue to decline. The CDC's most recent data shows that hospitalizations decreased by 0.8 percent as of July 1 and deaths decreased by 9.1 percent in the same one-week period.

Here are five other developments related to the virus:
Researchers have uncovered the first gene linked to long COVID-19, according to early findings from a study involving 6,450 patients, Nature reported July 11. The findings could spearhead larger studies to develop treatments for the complex condition tied to more than 200 symptoms.

Findings published July 1 in the preprint server medRXiv suggest a DNA sequence near

a gene called FOXP4, found in the lungs and some immune cells, is a genetic risk factor for long COVID-19, and that a specific region of the genome is tied to a 1.6-fold higher risk of developing the condition. The research involved data from 6,450 people with lingering symptoms in 16 countries.

"There are several key topics which are essential for patients, including treatments and prevention," Stephanie Longet, PhD, immunologist at Jean Monnet University in France, told Nature. "When causes, maybe multifactorial, [are] clearly understood, it will help to treat patients who will be more susceptible to develop long COVID and potentially prevent long COVID."

The research was built off of previous work done as part of the global COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative  a long-term study where scientists have been looking into genetic factors associated with developing severe COVID-19 infections. In earlier work, the same gene has been associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19.

Read more here.
Just over a week after U.S. News & World Report shared seven "refinements" to its 2023-2024 Best Hospitals ranking methodology, it has announced another change to the rankings' format.

The publication will no longer attribute ordinal rankings to its honor roll hospitals, it said in a July 11 letter addressed to hospital leaders.

"In analyzing how consumers navigate our website and listening to feedback from healthcare organizations and professionals, we know that patients care most about finding the highest quality care in their region in the specialty, procedure or condition where they have a need," the letter said. "While we continue to value the usefulness of the Honor Roll in identifying broad clinical excellence, we also believe that the current format obscures the fact that all of the Honor Roll hospitals have attained the highest standard of care in the nation."

Ordinal rankings will still be listed for the 15 specialties U.S. News gauges, as well as the regions where it publishes.

U.S. News has come under national scrutiny in the past year; numerous law schools refused to submit data for their rankings in November, and medical schools followed suit through the winter.

But criticism of the hospital rankings  often touted by hospitals' marketing departments  is more recent. Bethlehem, Pa.-based St. Luke's University Health Network and Philadelphia-based Penn Medicine's University of Pennsylvania Health System both pulled away this summer and David Chiu, San Francisco's city attorney, questions the rankings' authority and methodology.

Patrick Brennan, MD, Penn Medicine's chief medical officer, alleged the ranking system incentivizes health systems to compete and expend resources in hopes of improving their position. U.S. News says it is taking these positions into account as it adjusts for the future.

"As always, we remain receptive to feedback from patients, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders regarding how we can best fulfill our mission of helping consumers make important decisions," the publication said.
C-suite leaders believe their workforce's well-being is improving. They're wrong, according to a June 20 report from Deloitte.

The management consulting firm surveyed 3,150 C-suite executives, managers and employees across the U.S., the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. It collaborated with Workplace Intelligence, an independent research firm based in Boston.

Less than two-thirds of workers rated their physical and mental well-being as "good" or "excellent," according to the report. Even fewer  under half  spoke positively about their social and financial well-being.

But although most employees said their well-being has worsened over the past year, C-suite executives overwhelmingly believe it improved. Here's what that discrepancy looks like quantified, according to Deloitte:





Physical well-being:

Workers: 36 percent of respondents said their well-being improved last year

C-suite: 80 percent believed their workers' well-being improved in the last year





Mental well-being:

Workers: 33 percent

C-suite: 77 percent





Financial well-being:

Workers: 30 percent

C-suite: 76 percent





Social well-being:

Workers: 27 percent

C-suite: 77 percent





Despite this discrepancy, the majority of C-suite leaders agree that they should be held responsible for their workforce's well-being. Seventy-six percent of executive respondents said workforce well-being should be measured and monitored, and 85 percent believe those metrics should be reported publicly. Eighty-three percent said workforce well-being should be discussed at the board level, while 78 percent supported a leadership change if the company could not maintain an acceptable level of well-being.
A 29-year-old man was charged in the July 11 death of Benjamin Mauck, MD, at Campbell Clinic's Collierville, Tenn., office, Action News 5 reported.

Larry Pickens faces first-degree murder and aggravated assault charges, and he is scheduled to appear in court July 13.

Campbell Clinic confirmed Dr. Mauck was fatally shot to Action News 5 on July 11. Collierville police were called to the clinic about 2 p.m., and a suspect nearby with a gun was taken into custody. Police say the incident was targeted.

Dr. Mauck, who was a hand surgeon, was shot in an exam room, police said. According to Campbell Clinic's website, he joined the practice in August 2012. Dr. Mauck earned his medical degree at the University of Tennessee-Memphis and completed his residency at Campbell Clinic.

Campbell Clinic closed all of its locations July 12, a spokesperson told Becker's in an emailed statement. Police are investigating.

This article was updated July 12 to include arrest and charge details.
Man showed no regret, fitness to practise committee hearing is told

A former charity worker has been struck off the social care register after he was convicted of 23 extremely serious sexual offences, including possessing over 2,000 indecent images of children.
Two men have been remanded in custody charged over a traumatic vehicle hijacking and false-imprisonment incident in south Belfast earlier this week.

Ashton Connery and Matthew Jake Hall (both aged 23) appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court charged with false imprisonment, hijacking and unlawful assault.

Connery was further charged with two counts of theft.

A PSNI detective constable told the court that he could connect both defendants to the charges.

The officer said that at around 11.30pm on Monday, July 10, the injured party had parked his vehicle in Fitzroy Avenue, off the Ormeau Road.

He was then approached by three males who entered his white Seat Leon vehicle and forced him to take his vehicle to the Spar on the Ravenhill Road. One of them stated: You will take us to the shop or we will hit you.

One of the males also stated he had a knife and later stated that he had a Glock pistol in his waistband. Neither of these were produced, but the threat was made.

It is alleged that, based on the descriptions, we believe this to be Mr Connery. During the incident 10 was taken from the injured party.

This gentleman [Connery] then enters the Spar petrol station with this money. He bought cigarettes and he is captured on CCTV. He stole a packet of Skittles and a packet of Twix.

The detective said this male returned to the vehicle and directed the injured party to drive to the Forestside Shopping Centre at Upper Galwally in south Belfast.

He told the court the victim tried to exit his car, but the males became aggressive and attempted to forcibly keep him in his vehicle.

The injured party managed to get out of the vehicle and was chased and was punched by one of these males before raising the alarm for help.

The court heard that details of the males was circulated to police patrols and at 1.30am on Tuesday, July 11, two males matching the descriptions were stopped on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast.

Searches were carried out of the males, said the detective, and Mr Ashton Connery had packets of Skittles and Twix on his person.

Both were arrested for the offences outlined and one suspect remains outstanding.

The officer said police were objecting to bail for both defendants.

In respect of Connery, he has two cautions on his record. Police would be worried that he is likely to interfere with evidence, as one of the suspects remains outstanding.

There is also a risk to the public, as this was a pretty traumatic experience by a member of the public  hijacking, false imprisonment, assault and theft. It was pretty distressing for anyone involved.

There also appears to be an escalation in Mr Connerys behaviour. He was cautioned at the start of 2022 and there were three incidents at the end of 2022: two thefts, a domestic involving an assault on his grandfather, and criminal damage.

He said there had been three bench warrants outstanding from September and November 2022, which were executed in court today.

Also, due to those bench warrants, police believe there would be a likelihood that he would not surrender to police.

The officer said there were similar objections to Hall being released on bail and that there had been a caution issued at the start of last year.

His mother objects to him using her address, as he has a problem with alcohol. On July 5, 2023, there was a domestic incident at her address. He has given an address in Castleford in England and there would be concerns around that.

Defence barrister Declan Quinn said Connery was a suitable candidate for bail due to having no criminal record, forensics being outstanding and a VIPER identification procedure having not yet taken place.

Mr Connery is a somewhat vulnerable person. He has severe ADHD and depression. He lives in a Housing Executive flat in Holywood, Co Down, and he has been living there for six months. A remand into custody threatens that tenancy, said Mr Quinn.

His mental health is very low. He left school in Ballyhalbert at the age of 16 and has been working as a ventilation engineer and in the construction industry.

Given his lack of record, his personal circumstances, he has every incentive to comply with bail and he is an ideal candidate for bail.

Solicitor Clive Fullerton said Hall was intoxicated at the time of the offences and volunteered for the VIPER procedure.

He is originally from here but resides at an address in England with his father. The only reason he was in the province was to attend a medical appointment and see a specialist on June 29.

He contacted his mother and he is adamant that she would take him in given the situation he is in. I would invite the court to fix bail on strict conditions subject to the approval of an address by police.

The only reason reason why he was in the company of his co-accused was because he had offered him his address to stay at while in the province. He has virtually a clean record, added Mr Fullerton.

Refusing Connery bail, the district judge told him: These are very serious charges of hijacking and false imprisonment, which clearly give rise to a very significant concern.

You have a limited record, but there were three outstanding bench warrants and that causes me concern.

I think there is a significant risk to the public and that you may not turn up for any court appearance, so I am remanding you in custody. You can apply to the High Court, but I am refusing you bail.

The judge told Hall: I am not releasing you, as I think the risk to the public is too high. These are very significant charges before the court, so I am refusing you bail and remanding you in custody.

Both men will appear back in court via video-link on August 9.
Police treating the incident as a hate crime

An effigy of Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill on the Eastvale Avenue bonfire in Dungannon (PA)

First Minister designate Michelle ONeill has urged those who placed an effigy of her on a bonfire in Co Tyrone to catch themselves on and join the rest of us in building a better future.

Police have confirmed the incident is being treated as a hate crime.

The Loyalist Eastvale Avenue Bonfire Dungannon Facebook page posted an image of the pyre with a picture of the Sinn Fein vice president on it.

An earlier post informed attendees a parade will take place at 10.20pm before the bonfire is lit at 10.30pm.

People were urged, don't miss the beast from the East and told of a guest appearance (by) Michelle O'Neill.

On the evening police said they were treating this as a hate crime and were liaising with community representatives with a view to having the material removed.

Commenting for the first time following the Eleventh night incident, Ms ONeill wrote on social media: Those attempting to cause offence with effigies etc should catch themselves on and join the rest of us in building a better future.

I am determined to be a First Minister for all. I will represent the whole community irrespective of who you are and where you come from.

Image of Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill placed on loyalist bonfire

Unionist politicians have also condemned the incident. UUP leader Doug Beattie said it was vile and hateful, while a local DUP MLA said it was wrong.

The Orange Order Grand Secretary has also condemned the incident.

Mervyn Gibson said he condemned the burning of any effigies or election posters and said bonfires should be celebratory events and family occasions.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster Mr Gibson said: I condemn the burning of effigies or election posters. I have condemned it for the past six years. It is wrong it should not happen.

"Bonfires should be celebratory events. Not about condemning anyone else's politics or culture. I think things are improving but there is always more room for improvement as we move forward.

"I think people feel they have something against these people that these people are the enemy or the other side. But even if they may be the enemy or the other side I dont think we should burn their effigies on bonfires. I would rather see bonfires be a family occasion.

Thus far Sinn Fein have reported bonfires as hate crimes in Dungannon, Drumahoe in Derry, Antrim, Forth River, Westland, Rathcoole, Monkstown and Sandy Row  they all contained either posters or effigies of Sinn Fein representatives or national flags.

Sinn Fein MLA Colm Gildernew said the bonfire in Dungannon should be investigated by the PSNI as a hate crime.

An effigy of Sinn Fein vice-president Michelle ONeill has been placed on a bonfire alongside the Irish national flag in Dungannon, the Fermanagh & South Tyrone MLA added.

This is sectarian hate crime. This isnt culture in any shape or form.

No bonfires should be used to promote sectarian hate and bigotry and we need to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to this type of behaviour across society.

The PSNI must now investigate this sickening display as a hate crime.

All political leaders must stand together against these displays and make it clear that they have absolutely no place in this society.

Mr Beattie described the placing of Ms ONeills image on the pyre as vile and hateful, adding that it achieves absolutely nothing.

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UUP deputy leader Robbie Butler said: This image and all posters, effigies and flags on bonfires are wrong. This is no different than the abuse directed at Carla Lockhart earlier this week. Hate is hate.

"Celebrating unionism has never been and will never be contingent on demonising anyone else. This is not a celebration of unionism.

DUP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Deborah Erskine said: This is wrong. It detracts from the cultural significance of 11th night bonfires.

"I urge those responsible to remove the effigy & celebrate the 11th night respectfully. Numerous events will be held tonight without burning flags, symbols or effigies, Dungannon should be the same.

Baptist Minister, Rev Karen Sethuraman, who was a chaplain to two former Belfast Lord Mayors, said she will never be convinced that burning political image pictures, emblems, effigies, flags etc is culture.

She added: It is not. It is nothing but hatred. Surely we are better than this? Come on. Time to move forward.

Alliance MLA Eoin Tennyson branded the display disgraceful and completely unacceptable.

He continued: The burning of flags, effigies and election posters is not a celebration of culture, its promotion of hate. These sectarian displays must end.

SDLP councillor Gary McKeown also posted on social media saying his image had appeared on a bonfire just off the Westlink in Belfast.

"I hope everyone has a happy, healthy and inclusive celebration, he said.

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Bonfires were ignited in towns and villages to usher in the main date in the parading calendar.

Over 160 pyres were lit across Northern Ireland on Tuesday night.

Some have already been ignited, including the Corcrain bonfire in Portadown. An estimated 3,000 people attended the lighting of the pyre on Monday night.

An effigy of the historical figure Robert Lundy was burned on the huge bonfire, while a fireworks display entertained the crowd.

DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson had encouraged everyone to enjoy the July 12 celebrations peacefully and positively.

The Twelfth will be enjoyed by tens of thousands of participants and spectators alike. Celebrations over the 11th and 12th are part of the cultural fabric of Northern Ireland and for the vast majority of us they are an occasion where families will come together, often travelling home from wherever they now live to enjoy the occasion together.

I am proud of my culture and my tradition, but I recognise that there are different cultures and traditions within Northern Ireland.

For those of us who do cherish the legacy of the Glorious Revolution then the best way to show that to others is through peaceful and positive celebrations.

Those dont include the burning of flags or election posters on a bonfire, but thankfully in the vast majority of cases that does not happen.

"Unfortunately, it will be a minority of cases where offence is caused that will dominate the headlines. As unionists we need to recognise that such incidents are self-inflicted wounds.
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JULY 12: A female Orange lodge member waves as she takes part in the parade on July 12, 2023 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The marches celebrate the victory of the protestant King William of Orange over the catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JULY 12: A young band member poses for a photograph before setting off on the parade on July 12, 2023 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The marches celebrate the victory of the protestant King William of Orange over the catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JULY 12: Three Orange men take a selfie picture in front of a sign that reads Belfast before setting off on the parade on July 12, 2023 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The marches celebrate the victory of the protestant King William of Orange over the catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Drummers from the Rathcoole Protestant Flute Band take part in a Twelfth of July parade on Royal Avenue, in Belfast, part of the traditional Twelfth commemorations. The loyalist parades mark the anniversary of the Protestant King William's victory over the Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Picture date: Wednesday July 12, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ULSTER Twelfth. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Members of the Orange Order take part in a Twelfth of July parade in Belfast, part of the traditional Twelfth commemorations. The loyalist parades mark the anniversary of the Protestant King William's victory over the Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Picture date: Wednesday July 12, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ULSTER Twelfth. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Drummers from the Rathcoole Protestant Flute Band with a smoke flare at the Twelfth of July parade on Royal Avenue, in Belfast, part of the traditional Twelfth commemorations. The loyalist parades mark the anniversary of the Protestant King William's victory over the Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Picture date: Wednesday July 12, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ULSTER Twelfth. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

The procession in Rossnowlagh, Donegal, took place at the weekend, ahead of 18 processions across Northern Ireland on the Twelfth.

The Pride of Ardoyne flute band parading passed Ardoyne shops in north Belfast ahead of the annual Protestant loyalist order Twelfth of July parade. The loyalist parades are part of the traditional Twelfth commemorations marking the anniversary of the Protestant King William's victory over the Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Picture date: Wednesday July 12, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ULSTER Twelfth. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

The Pride of Ardoyne flute band parading past Ardoyne shops in north Belfast ahead of the annual Protestant loyalist order Twelfth of July parade.

Members of the Rathcoole Protestant Flute Band try to shelter from the rain at the Twelfth of July parade on Royal Avenue, in Belfast, part of the traditional Twelfth commemorations. The loyalist parades mark the anniversary of the Protestant King William's victory over the Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Picture date: Wednesday July 12, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ULSTER Twelfth. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Members of the Rathcoole Protestant Flute Band try to shelter from the rain at the Belfast parade.

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JULY 12: An Orange band leader is seen balancing his baton on his nose during the parade on July 12, 2023 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The marches celebrate the victory of the protestant King William of Orange over the catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

B An Orange band member films himself during the Belfast parade

Chris Heaton-Harris, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland along with Carla Lockhart MP and Margaret Tinsley, Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge Craigavon Borough Council watch the parade at Brownlow House

Officers of Co. Fermanagh Grand Orange Lodge, Norman Donaldson, (front left), Deputy County Grand Master and Mervyn Byers, County Grand Master, with other Breathern as the row their way down Lower Lough Erne past Devenish Island to The Twelfth Demonstration in Ballinamallard.

Thousands of people taking part in Twelfth parades have now finished their return journey across Northern Ireland.

The main demonstrations took place at 18 venues, including Belfast, where frequent showers failed to dampen the spirits of the thousands gathered along the city streets.

There were also significant parades in Lurgan, Bangor, Co Down; Ballymena, Co Antrim; Ballinamallard, Co Fermanagh and Magherafelt, Co Londonderry.

Watch: Thousands line the streets of Belfast to watch Twelfth of July parades

Thousands of Orange Order members accompanied by 600 marching bands took part in the festivities to mark the 333rd anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.

At the main demonstration in field at Barnetts Demesne, Orange Order Grand Secretary Mervyn Gibson also urged Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris to recognise the unresolved issues around the Northern Ireland Protocol and work towards a resolution.

Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris attended the parade in Lurgan, along with DUP MP Carla Lockhart.

In a tweet, Mr Heaton-Harris thanked the Orange Order for their invitation to attend.

Northern Ireland has a rich cultural tapestry and if it is to continue to make progress, it is vital that people across society show respect and tolerance for those who may hold opposing values, views and traditions to their own, he said.

Watch: The Belfast weather is terrible, but it is nice to see the Twelfth for the first time  says Carmen from Spain

The institutions Grand Master Edward Stevenson enjoyed the day in the village of Loughbrickland, Co Down.

These past few months have seen me visit many corners of our jurisdiction to see newly renovated halls, new banners being unfurled, as well as new band uniforms, and Lambeg drums being dedicated, he said.

And, more importantly, a resurgence in the junior Orange movement, with several new lodges established in recent months.

These are not the actions of a people who have given up: they are the actions of people who have stood up and who are investing in the future of their lodges and their community.

As Orangemen and women we need to learn to be more confident in our identity and culture. We have a proud heritage and a great story to tell.

We rightly cherish our history but also should look to the future with much optimism and with a clear sense of direction, ensuring that our cultural traditions remain relevant and continue to prosper in a contemporary world.

Read more The Twelfth 2023  in pictures

During the morning GB News coverage in Belfast, Deputy leader of the DUP Gavin Robinson took a break from marching in the parade to chat with host Dame Arlene.

The East Belfast MP said: Today is a really special day in the calendar.

We celebrate the glorious revolution, we celebrate the Bill of Rights, we celebrate all that was good in our country, he added.

This is a Christian demonstration. Its a political demonstration, its a historic demonstration.

Its colour and its pageantry and its fun.

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During the GB News coverage, Ms Foster, who was regularly greeted by the crowd watching the parade, added: Its good fun sitting here, Im getting shouted at all of the time but its all in good nature. Thats what todays all about  having fun, celebrating and being with your family. Its turned out rather wet but it hasnt dampened the spirits of us all.

Former Coronation Street actor Charlie Lawson was also reporting for GB News, out amongst the crowd as he struggled to deal with the sound of the bands reverberating against the Belfast city centre buildings: Weve found a junction so its a little bit more bearable for you  its bloody noisy!

After the coverage Dame Arlene confirmed she was off to Fermanagh for the rest of the day.

Twelfth parade gets underway in Belfast City Centre

The Northern Ireland Assembly have also confirmed Parliament buildings would be lit up orange to honour the occasion.

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On Tuesday night, the majority of an estimated 250 bonfires were lit in loyalist communities across the region to usher in the main date in the parading calendar.

The Battle of the Boyne in 1690, which unfolded at the Boyne river north of Dublin, saw Protestant King William of Orange defeat Catholic King James II to secure a Protestant line of succession to the British Crown.

Thousands of Orange lodge members parade through the summer months to mark Williams victory and other key dates in Protestant/unionist/loyalist culture.

Those celebrations culminate on the Twelfth.

July 13 will see another gathering, this time organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh. The event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing King William and King Charles.
A Twelfth demonstration making its way through Lurgan town centre to Brownlow House (Credit: Presseye)

Unionists must encourage cooperation between their respective political parties in order to succeed, the Orange Order Grand Secretary has said.

Addressing Twelfth celebrations in Bangor, Mervyn Gibson also urged Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris to recognise the unresolved issues around the Northern Ireland Protocol and work towards a resolution.

[Mr Heaton-Harris] was recently presented with an 18-page document highlighting issues of concern and offering potential political solutions, he said.

It is clear that unionism is seeking solutions; we are not unreasonable people. We want to see a successful Northern Ireland where all people can see the political, social and economic benefits of being an integral part of the United Kingdom.

We need unambiguous actions that acknowledge these issues, actions which address our concerns as well as a proactive campaign of corrective action to repair the damage already caused to trading relationships within the UK internal market.

Mr Gibson claimed Sinn Fein does not want Northern Ireland to work.

He added that unionists need to mobilise their vote, encourage cooperation between unionist parties, and plan for the next Westminster election and a possible snap Assembly election.

We all need to become persuaders for the Union, using our influence with our young people, our family, friends, neighbours and work colleagues, he said.

Orange Order Grand Master Edward Stevenson, meanwhile, told crowds in Loughbrickland that the Orange institution is not about to disappear any time soon.

These past few months have seen me visit many corners of our jurisdiction to see newly renovated halls, new banners being unfurled, as well as new band uniforms, and Lambeg drums being dedicated, he said.

Read more Twelfth pictures: Belfast parade gets a soaking but spirits stay high

And, more importantly, a resurgence in the junior Orange movement, with several new lodges established in recent months.

These are not the actions of a people who have given up: they are the actions of people who have stood up and who are investing in the future of their lodges and their community.

As Orangemen and women we need to learn to be more confident in our identity and culture. We have a proud heritage and a great story to tell.

We rightly cherish our history but also should look to the future with much optimism and with a clear sense of direction, ensuring that our cultural traditions remain relevant and continue to prosper in a contemporary world.
Concerns have been raised about skin colour tests to assess the health of a newborn baby (Alamy/PA)

Babies from black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds could be being put at risk because NHS tests are based on white babies, a new report suggests.

Current health assessments of newborns are decades old and mainly based on white European babies, experts said.

Healthcare workers do a wide range of assessments to check the health of babies immediately after they are born.

One of the tests, called an Apgar test, is conducted in the first 10 minutes after birth to assess how healthy a baby is.

This test assesses the babys heart rate, reflexes, muscle tone, breathing and the babys skin colour. To score highly on the test the baby is assessed to see if they are pink all over.

The NHS Race and Health Observatory said that the test first developed in 1952, are not fit for purpose for black, Asian and ethnic minority babies.

A new review for the Observatory, conducted by experts at Sheffield Hallam University, found that most guidance for healthcare workers do not differentiate between babies from different backgrounds.

This means some minority ethnic babies are not being assessed effectively, the report states.

The report adds that many of the guidelines and policies used words like pink, blue or pale when describing a babys skin colour and do not say how colours may look different in minority ethnic babies.

The authors point out healthcare workers will usually look at a baby for clues to see if they have cyanosis, when a baby does not have enough oxygen in the blood, or jaundice, a condition where there is too much of a chemical called bilirubin in the blood.

But they point out that there are some devices that can detect these conditions more accurately than looking at a baby.

They said that there is not enough training for healthcare workers, or parents, in how to spot jaundice or cyanosis in black, Asian and minority ethnic babies.

These devices should be used to detect jaundice and cyanosis, they said.

They also called for better training for health workers and more information for parents.

Dr Habib Naqvi, chief executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory, said: We need to address the limitations in visual examinations of newborns, such as Apgar scores, where the assessment of skin colour can potentially disadvantage black, Asian and ethnic minority babies with darker skin.

The results from this initial review highlight the bias that can be inherent in healthcare interventions and assessments and lead to inaccurate assessments, late diagnosis and poorer outcomes for diverse communities.

The Observatory is committed to providing practical solutions to patient safety challenges.

Hora Soltani, professor of maternal and infant health at Sheffield Hallam University, added: We are very grateful to the Observatory for supporting this project and for the efforts of our collaborative team who for the first time, have systematically examined the relevance of the most commonly practised neonatal assessments which have been developed decades ago mainly based on white European babies.

The importance of listening to the parents concerns and appropriateness of policies and education of healthcare professionals including access to educational materials which reflect the impact of various skin colour tones on such important areas of neonatal assessment are among the key findings of this work.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: While the NHS is already one of the safest places to give birth in the world, we are absolutely clear that maternity care must be of the same high standard for everyone.

NHS England has published guidance for local maternity systems, supported by 6.8 million, focusing on actions to reduce disparities for women and babies from ethnic minorities and those living in the most deprived areas.

We also set up the Maternity Disparities Taskforce which brings together experts from across the health system, government departments and the voluntary sector to explore and consider evidence-based interventions to tackle maternal disparities.
A TV screen shows an image of North Koreas missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea on Wednesday (Ahn Young-joon, AP)

North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward its eastern waters on Wednesday, its southern neighbours have said.

It comes two days after North Korea threatened shocking consequences for what it called provocative US reconnaissance activity near its territory.

South Koreas military detected the long-range missile launch from the Norths capital region around 10am, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement which said they had bolstered the countrys surveillance posture and maintained readiness in co-ordination with the United States.

Japanese defence minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters the North Korean missile was likely launched on a lofted trajectory, at a steep angle North Korea typically uses to avoid neighbouring countries when it tests long-range missiles.

Mr Hamada said the missile was expected to land at sea about 340 miles east of the coast of the Korean Peninsula, outside the Japanese exclusive economic zone.

People watch a TV showing a news program on North Koreas missile launch on Wednesday in Tokyo. (Eugene Hoshiko, AP)

Since 2017, North Korea has performed a slew of intercontinental ballistic missile launches as part of its efforts to acquire nuclear-tipped weapons capable of striking major US cities. Some experts say North Korea still has some technologies to master to possess functioning nuclear-armed ICBMs.

Before Wednesdays launch, the Norths most recent long-range missile test happened in April, when it launched a solid-fuel ICBM, a type of weapon experts say is harder to detect and intercept than liquid-fuel weapons.

The launch, the Norths first weapons firing in about a month, came after North Korea earlier this week released a series of statements accusing the United States of flying a military plane on a spying mission.

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Koreas leader Kim Jong Un (Jorge Silva/Pool Photo via AP)

The US and South Korea dismissed the Norths accusations and urged it to refrain from any acts or rhetoric that raise animosities.

In a statement on Monday night, Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, claimed the US spy plane flew over the Norths eastern exclusive economic zone eight times earlier in the day. She claimed the North scrambled warplanes to chase away the US plane.

She said: A shocking incident would occur in the long run in the 20-40 kilometre section in which the US spy planes habitually intrude into the sky above the economic water zone of North.

North Korea has made numerous similar threats over alleged US reconnaissance activities, but its latest statements came amid heightened animosities over North Koreas barrage of missile tests earlier this year.
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas has visited the occupied West Banks Jenin refugee camp in the wake of a devastating Israeli offensive last week (Nasser Nasser/AP)

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited the occupied West Banks Jenin refugee camp on Wednesday in the wake of a devastating Israeli offensive last week, marking his first visit to the camp since 2005.

The visit came at a time of seething discontent among Palestinians in the West Bank over his leadership and the Palestinian Authority, the autonomous government which administers parts of the West Bank but whose forces have largely lost control over several militant strongholds in the region  including Jenin.

The 87-year-old president is widely seen as out of touch with the public and rarely ventures outside his Ramallah headquarters, making Wednesdays visit notable.

Security was tight for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbass visit to Jenin refugee camp (Nasser Nasser/AP)

Mr Abbass visit to the Jenin refugee camp came a week after Israel launched a massive two-day military operation there, the largest in the West Bank in nearly two decades.

At least 12 Palestinians were killed, thousands were forced to flee their homes and large swathes of the camp were left in ruins.

An Israeli soldier was also killed in the operation, which the Israeli army said was necessary to crack down on Palestinian militant groups following a spate of recent attacks.

Mr Abbas arrived in Jenin on board a Jordanian helicopter on Wednesday afternoon.

Well-wishers gather to greet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on his first visit to the Jenin refugee since 2005 (Nasser Nasser/AP)

Thousands of people clustered around his heavy security detail, and children chased his motorcade as it moved along the streets.

He visited a freshly-dug cemetery, where he laid a wreath on the graves of those killed in last weeks operation, before speaking to a tightly-packed crowd.

Jenin camp is the icon of struggle, steadfastness and challenge, he said, and pledged that the reconstruction of the camp would begin immediately.

I say to everyone near and far, this country is safe and its authority will remain one we must get rid of the occupation and we say to them: leave us, we are here to stay.

Mr Abbass leadership has come under criticism over rampant corruption in the Palestinian Authority and the lack of any progress towards independence.

Just 17% of Palestinians are satisfied with his leadership and 80% want him to resign, according to a Palestinian public opinion poll in June.

An aid worker delivers food parcels for families affected by the Israeli military operation in the West Banks Jenin refugee camp (Nasser Nasser/AP)

The Palestinian Authority has long drawn resentment for its security co-operation with Israel, which allows its security forces to crack down on rival militant groups such as Hamas, but the Jenin raid further degraded its reputation among many Palestinians.

US President Joe Biden said in an interview with CNN this week that the Palestinian Authority has lost its credibility among Palestinians and has created a vacuum for extremism in the West Bank.

Mr Abbass visit to the Jenin camp came after a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office that his government will take steps to strengthen the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, but gave no specific details.

Since taking office in December, several ultranationalist ministers in Mr Netanyahus government have called for the Palestinian Authority to be disbanded.

Several ultranationalist ministers in Benjamin Netanyahus government have called for the Palestinian Authority to be disbanded (Gil Cohen-Magen/Pool/AP)

Mr Netanyahu heads one of the most hardline governments in Israels history, made up of ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox factions along with his ruling Likud party.

Over the last year, Israel has carried out stepped-up raids into Palestinian areas in response to deadly Palestinian attacks targeting Israelis over the past year.

More than 150 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the start of the year, while at least 26 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks against Israelis.
Three people were killed and 14 others injured when a Greyhound bus crashed into three stationary lorries in southern Illinois, police said (Christian Gooden/St Louis Post-Dispatch/AP)

Three people were killed and 14 others injured, some seriously, when a Greyhound bus crashed into three stationary lorries in southern Illinois early on Wednesday, police said.

Illinois State Police said an initial investigation indicated that the bus had been travelling westbound along Interstate 70 in Madison County at around 1.55am when it collided with the tractor-trailers, which were parked on the exit ramp to the Silver Lake Rest Area.

Four people were taken to hospital by helicopter and at least 10 others by ambulance, state police said in a news release.

They did not immediately release details about those who were injured and killed.

No-one in the three trucks was injured in the crash, which happened near the city of Highland about 25 miles (40km) east of St Louis, police said.

State police spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said all those killed and injured were on the Greyhound bus but she did not know if the bus driver was among the casualties.

The I-70 was closed to westbound traffic after the incident.

The National Transportation Safety Board will send a team to investigate the crash, the agency said.

A worker helps clear the wreckage of the Greyhound bus after the crash on Interstate 70 in Highland, Illinois (Christian Gooden/St Louis Post-Dispatch/AP)

Television footage of the scene showed the badly damaged right front portion of the bus wedged into the rear of a tractor-tractor.

A second tractor-trailer appeared to have made contact with the right rear of the bus, while a third tractor-trailer appeared to have crashed into the rear of that second.

The roof of the bus was crumpled.

Greyhound spokesman Mike Ogulnick told the St Louis Post-Dispatch in an email that the bus had been travelling from Indianapolis to St Louis, where it was scheduled to arrive at about 2.20am.

It was carrying about 30 people, including the driver, he said.

Mr Ogulnick said: Our primary concern is ensuring we care for our passengers and driver at this time.

We are working closely with local authorities and a relief bus is on the way for passengers.

Our primary concern is ensuring we care for our passengers and driver at this time, Mr Ogulnick said.

We are working closely with local authorities and a relief bus is on the way for passengers.

Another bus was sent to transport passengers who were not hurt, he added.
Updated at 3:40 p.m. ET on 2023-07-12

Thailands foreign minister met secretly over the weekend with Aung San Suu Kyi, he told an ASEAN meeting Wednesday, making him the first known high-ranking foreign official to meet the Burmese leader since Myanmars military threw her in prison in February 2021.

Thai top diplomat Don Pramudwinai said Aung San Suu Kyi supported the idea of talks to end the post-coup crisis in her country. Previously, the pro-democracy leader and Nobel laureate had rejected the idea of talks between the military government and armed resistance members.

Don, who was in Jakarta for Association of Southeast Asian Nations meetings, briefed diplomats from other ASEAN states about the in-person meeting approved by the Myanmar junta and Aung San Suu Kyi, the Thai foreign ministry said.

At least shes in good health and thats all, because most people are concerned about her, Don told reporters after speaking to his Southeast Asian counterparts.

The meeting, which took place on Sunday, is an approach of the friends of Myanmar who would like to see a peaceful settlement, he said.

When reporters asked him to sum up Aung San Suu Kyis message, Don replied: Encourage dialogue.

The Burmese pro-democracy icon was sent to prison after the military toppled her elected civilian government in a coup in February 2021.

In a statement, the Thai foreign ministry said the two spoke for more than an hour and Don found her to be in good health, both physically and mentally.

Aung San Suu Kyi supported dialogue and expressed concern about the toll the past two years had taken on the people of Myanmar and the economy, the Thai ministry said in a statement.

The expanding and worsening transnational crimes as the result of political and security volatility in Myanmar calls for ASEAN to come together to address these issues at the root cause, it said.

Zin Mar Aung, the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) foreign minister, said the junta allowed the meeting between Don and Aung San Suu Kyi for its own benefit.

We are in a position to believe that the meeting actually happened only when the persons involved said so. But now our leader has been detained in prison and the news has been one-sidedly released in favor of the military junta, he said. I also believe that this news of the Thai ministers visit is the juntas well-planned and timely attempt to gain advantage just before the ASEAN meeting.

NUG spokesman Nay Phone Latt noted that Don was not authorized to mediate for ASEAN.

As NUG, we can only believe it when our leader is released and delivers the message herself. I dont think we should think too seriously the words of someone who has not been mandated to mediate, the spokesman said.

Aung San Suu Kyi delivers a speech on education in the Myanmar capital Naypyidaw, Jan. 28, 2020. [Aung Shine Oo/AP]

Five-point consensus

ASEAN has been seeking to mediate a resolution to the crisis in Myanmar, where more than 3,700 people have been killed and thousands more arrested by security forces since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a Thai-based monitoring group. The junta also has been battling ethnic armed groups and civilian resistance fighters across the country.

In April 2021, ASEAN and junta leaders agreed on a five-point consensus to end the violence, start dialogue, provide humanitarian aid and appoint a special envoy to Myanmar. But the peace plan has made little progress amid disagreements, and the Southeast Asian bloc has been widely criticized for failing to implement the plan.

Muhammad Waffaa Kharisma, a political analyst at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Jakarta, said Dons meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi could change the dynamics of the conflict.

It is quite surprising, actually, he said. This could potentially be a game-changer in the political crisis.

Still, he said, he feared the meetings purpose was to strengthen the juntas grip on power, which would alarm other countries that want Myanamrs military rulers and other perpetrators of violence in that nation to face justice.

If you look at the situation on the ground, the conflict has actually gone beyond the framework of Aung San Suu Kyi alone, he said.

He said many groups in Myanmar, especially among ethnic minorities, had different agendas for the country such as constitutional amendments, federalism and ending violence from the junta, rather than just restoring and freeing Aung San Suu Kyi.

Another analyst, Aaron Connelly, of the Singapore-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the meeting hurt the regional blocs role in solving the Myanmar crisis.

This meeting undermines ASEAN centrality and ASEAN efforts to resolve the crisis, and shifts the center of gravity for international diplomacy about the conflict in Myanmar to a Thai-led process that Foreign Minister Don initiated in December, Connelly said in a Twitter post.

Political analyst Kyee Myint also does not believe the meeting will have an effect on peace efforts.

The Thai foreign minister was like hey ASEAN, I have accomplished something you guys cannot. What do you say now, Kyee Myint said, adding the Thai government is likely to be turned over with the selection of a new prime minister.

But I dont believe that this will bring about any significant change, he said.

Ministerial retreat

Opening an ASEAN ministerial retreat on Wednesday, Retno Marsudi, foreign minister of Indonesia, the 2023 ASEAN chair, said the five-point consensus was the main reference for the blocs efforts to help Myanmar. A member of ASEAN, Myanmar is not represented at the retreat.

Indonesia strongly condemned the use of force and violence. We strongly urge all stakeholders to denounce violence as this is paramount to build trust, and this is also paramount to deliver humanitarian assistance and for dialogue, Retno said.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Indonesias Kompas newspaper that his country supported the role of ASEAN in resolving the Myanmar crisis.

Lavrov made the remarks before arriving in Jakarta for meetings with ASEAN counterparts and other top diplomats.

Russia always emphasizes the central role played by ASEAN in international efforts to resolve the situation around Myanmar, Lavrov told Kompas, in the report published Wednesday.

He said joint efforts of the 10 ASEAN members and other interested countries on the Myanmar track should be based on close cooperation with the authorities in Naypyidaw, the capital of Myanmar.

We believe that the world community is called upon to help normalize the situation in Myanmar without interfering in its internal affairs, Lavrov said.

His comments come amid growing international pressure on Myanmars junta, by which the United States and other Western countries have imposed sanctions on the Southeast Asian nation.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is to meet with his ASEAN counterparts on Friday at a conference following the ministers meeting.

He also will join officials from the ASEAN Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit to discuss regional and global issues.

The East Asia Summit is a strategic forum that includes ASEAN and eight other countries  China, Japan, South Korea, India, Russia, Australia, the United States and New Zealand.
Activists rally in front of the Chinese consulate where they declared West Philippines Sea Day to mark the Philippines 2016 victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, July 12, 2023.

Dozens of Filipino nationalists marched to the Chinese consulate in the Philippines financial center on Wednesday to mark the seventh anniversary of an international ruling that dismissed Beijings expansive claims in the South China Sea.

The protesters, mostly from the political party Akbayan, carried anti-China banners calling for Beijing to leave the West Philippine Sea, Manilas name for South China Sea waters within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

They called on China to respect the 2016 arbitration courts award that ruled in favor of the Philippines and against Chinas territorial claims. A recent harassment incident reported by the Philippine Coast Guard against its Chinese counterpart added an extra impetus to the protest this year.

We should remember this victory as a legal victory. Not just a legal victory, but also a moral and historical victory of the Filipino people, Akbayan Party President Rafaela David told reporters.

We want this day to be appreciated as a historical moment that we won against a superpower country, she said.

In Manila, opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros said she had introduced a Senate resolution declaring July 12 as the National West Philippine Sea Victory Day.

Commemorating our 2016 victory every year can help weaken Chinas spurious claims over our own territories, she told reporters. China has been continuously repeating its false claims, so it is high time that the public should learn about its rights in the West Philippine Sea.

Hontiveros Senate Resolution 674, highlights that the ruling on the landmark arbitration case, which declared that Chinas claims were contrary to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and that China had breached her obligations with respect to the Philippines sovereign rights over the continental shelf and EEZ.

The government must take every possible action in the name of our national sovereignty, she said. Despite our historic win last 2016, China has continued to enter our EEZ, and drive away our fishermen and harass and bully our coast guard.

Hontiveros called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to raise the West Philippine Sea issue to the United Nations General Assembly.

Members of the Akbayan Party, a political group, take part in a protest at the Chinese Consulate in Makati City, Metro Manila, to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the Philippines victory in a landmark international arbitration ruling over a territorial dispute with China, July 12, 2023. [Gerard Carreon/BenarNews]

His predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, initially ignored the arbitration ruling and preferred to mend bilateral and economic ties with Beijing. Duterte issued a statement before the United Nations General Assembly in 2020, affirming that the ruling was beyond compromise.

Marcos recently traveled to the United States where he received assurances from President Joe Biden regarding Washingtons commitment to a decades-old mutual defense pact.

In Beijing on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin reiterated his countrys stance against the ruling.

The award is illegal, null and void. China does not accept or recognize it, and will never accept any claim or action based on the award, he told reporters.

China asserts most of the South China Sea as its sovereign territory, but Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have territorial claims. Beijing for years has built artificial islands and militarized them, while deploying coast guard boats, navy ships and a state-backed maritime militia around disputed areas

Allies react

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller reiterated his governments support for the ruling which he said was final and legally binding to both the Philippines and China.

We continue to urge Beijing to comport its maritime claims with international law as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, he said in a statement Wednesday, calling on Beijing to cease routine harassment of ships operating in their own EEZs.

UNCLOS was the basis of the ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague seven years ago. The United States has not ratified UNCLOS but recognizes it as international law.

Michele Boccoz, Frances outgoing ambassador to the Philippines, declared that there was no legal basis for Chinas expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea.

The peaceful resolution of disputes, based on the rule of law, is the very basis of the international order our nations established after two devastating world wars. For years now, this order has been challenged with increased determination and sophistication, she said.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha speaks to the press after a cabinet meeting at Government House in Bangkok, May 16, 2023.

For nearly a decade, Thailands Prayuth Chan-o-cha used every weapon in his arsenal to cling to the prime ministerial post, including penning soulful ballads about returning happiness to the country dubbed the Land of Smiles.

But despite his powerful position as former army chief and leader of a coup in 2014, Prayuths long tenure will be remembered, observers and Thais say, mainly for the negatives  leaving democracy in tatters, cracking down on dissent and ramping up arrests for alleged royal defamation.

These issues cast a long shadow over any popularity he may have won among Thais through his quirky sense of humor, his lyric-writing, and tendency to break into melody at odd moments, such as at a campaign rally in 2019 when he crooned love songs.

The Thai people showed their unhappiness in the May general election, in which Prayuths United Thai Nation Party (UTNP) performed dismally, essentially sealing his fate even before he announced Tuesday that he was retiring from politics.

The backlash against his prolonged rule resulted in the opposition Move Forward Party winning the largest number of seats in the election, said Ken Mathis Lohatepanont, a Thai political science researcher at the University of Michigan.

Prayuths detractors will focus on the decline in democracy and freedom of expression, the anemic economy and his personal antics [when they remember his tenure], he told BenarNews.

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha walks next to his cardboard cutout during preparations for National Children's Day at the Government House in Bangkok, Jan. 12, 2018. [Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters]





Prayuths nine-year reign began undemocratically.

The former Gen. Prayuth became Thailands leader by anointing himself prime minister, after the army overthrew an elected government in May 2014. He had said back then his aim was to end bloody street protests and curb the alleged corruption of the Yingluck Shinawatra government.

Little by little, he introduced changes that would keep the junta or himself in power.

For instance, in 2017, his military administration wrote a new constitution, under which a prime minister needed to have considerable support from the Senate to win the parliament vote. Prayuth then stacked the Senate with pro-royalists like himself.

After Thailand held a general election in 2019, Prayuth was elected prime minister, although many observers alleged the poll was rigged through the new constitution to keep the pro-royal junta in power.

Prayuth all on his own managed some attempts to stay in power, such as surviving four votes of confidence, including when he lost support from within his own party.

Despite his troubles, Prayuth kept a sense of humor and mischief while in office. He once dodged questions from reporters by telling them to ask him, as he pointed to a life-size cutout of himself. Another time, the prime minister, irritated with journalists questions, walked up to the press corps and sprayed them with disinfectant.

A failed leader

During his time in power, Prayuth also oversaw a peaceful royal transition. Back in 2014, analysts had said the Prayuths coup had been launched in part to ensure a smooth royal succession in the fading years of the late kings reign, according to analysts.

In May 2019, Thailand held its first coronation in nearly 70 years, crowning new king, Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun (Rama X), two-and-a-half years after the death of a revered former monarch, Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX).

The junta administration, in 2017, had passed a law giving Vajiralongkorn sole authority over the Crown Property Bureau, which oversees the monarchys lands and assets believed to be worth as much as U.S. $30 billion.

Prayuths affinity for the Thai royals was on full display when youth-led pro-democracy and anti-monarchy street protests began in July 2020. Thousands of demonstrators often joined these rallies to issue three demands  that Prayuth resign, the constitution be rewritten and the monarchy be reformed.

In November that year, Prayuth warned demonstrators that all pertaining laws, including the strict royal defamation Lese-Majeste, law would be enforced. As of March 2023, at least 238 people, including a 15-year-old girl, have been charged with violating Lese-Majeste, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said.

The forced confinement of a man to a mental institution for wearing a shirt with a pointed message about the monarchy, at a time when the King has ridden out the pandemic at a luxury hotel in the German Alps, underlines the regimes insecurity, wrote Zachary Abuza, a professor at the National War College and Georgetown University in Washington, in a column for BenarNews in July 2020.

Thailands Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha plays sepak takraw during the general election campaign at Lumpini Park, in Bangkok, April 20, 2023. [Athit Perewongmetha/Reuters]

Protesters demanding Prayuths ouster cited ongoing suppression of democracy, economic woes and mismanagement of the pandemic. Prayuth was heavy-handed in suppressing the protests, wrote Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political science professor at Chulalongkorn University, in the Bangkok Post in July 2022.

The movement was dispersed and suppressed through a combination of water cannon[s], legal instruments, intimidation and coercion  but its discontents and grievances are simmering under the lid of repression, Thitinan wrote.

He also said at the time that while the protests had died down, the country seems headed for an inevitable reckoning in the medium term.

Fed up with the generals

That reckoning came in the May general election, noted Termsak Chalermpalanupap, of the Thailand Studies Program at the ISEAS  Yusof Ishak Institute.

The outcome of the May 2023 general election clearly showed that a majority of Thai voters were fed up with General Prayuth and his clique  the so-called Three Ps, Termsak told BenarNews.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha pays his respects in front of a portrait of King Maha Vajiralongkorn at Government House in Bangkok after receiving the royals endorsement to remain in office, June 11, 2019. [Government Spokesmans Office via AP]

He was referring to Prayuth, former Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan and Gen. Anupong (Pok) Paochinda)  all former army chiefs who were involved in the 2014 coup.

I would say Gen. Prayuth was a failed leader, even when he had near absolute administrative power during his first four years as the head of the military regime. Prayuths coup to knock down the Pheu Thai-led coalition government on 22 May 2014 was inevitable  or even necessary  to reset Thailand for the better. But Gen. Prayuth squandered his golden opportunity to bring real change to the country, Termsak said.

He was referring to allegations about large-scale corruption in the Pheu Thai-led government that preceded the 2014 coup.

Prayuths tenure also saw rampant and worse corruption everywhere, especially in the police, Termsak said.

This has led to the Prayuth governments subpar economic performance. Thailands was the most unequal economy in East Asia and the Pacific, the World Bank reported last year.

Thailands inequality has skyrocketed since the 2006 coup; the military and its proxies have been in charge for the majority of that period, wrote Abuza, of the National War College.

In this scenario, Prayuths government has created more public debt than all previous governments combined, said Thouchanok Sattayavinit, a political science lecturer at Burapha University.

His government spent more money for military purposes, [and] weapons that have no benefits to the country, Thouchanok told BenarNews.

Considering such a legacy, Prayuth ought to have at least stepped down sooner, some say.

Why did he decide so late, asked 24-year-old Kessarin Preuksamongkol, from Chiang Mai.

He waited until the last minute to be sure his chance to be prime minister was nil, then he called it quits.

Shailaja Neelakantan in Washington and Harry Pearl contributed to this report.
Move Forward Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat waves to his supporters during a rally in front of Central World in Bangkok on July 9, 2023.

Updated at 06:37 a.m. ET Time on 2023-07-12

Thailands Election Commission said Wednesday it had found evidence that leading prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat violated electoral rules and referred his case to the Constitutional Court to decide whether he should be disqualified as a lawmaker.

The announcement comes just a day before Parliament is set to vote for Thailands next prime minister. Pita, the leader of the Move Forward Party, has the backing of eight parties comprising 312 MPs, but needs significant support from pro-royal, conservative senators in the 750-seat bicameral legislature to take power.

The Election Commission launched an investigation in June into whether Pita knowingly applied to be an MP candidate while holding shares in defunct media company iTV, which is prohibited under electoral laws. In a statement Wednesday, it said the commissions fact-finding team had concluded he was in breach of the rules.

The Election commission of Thailand has resumed consideration of the case and agreed that the [parliamentary] status of Pita Limjaroenrat has been nullified  Therefore, the case will be forwarded to the Constitutional Court to consider, the polling body said.

Pita said the commissions rush to make its referral to the Constitutional Court was unfair because he had not been given a chance to respond.

Regulations allow me to defend myself, he told reporters. This was done in quite a hurry. It should not have happened one day before the election of a prime minister.

Pita, 42, said he was not worried by the case and it had nothing to do with his qualification as a candidate for prime minister.

Experts say that the case against Pita will not delay voting for Thailands new leader on Thursday. In theory, the PM candidate does not have to be a lawmaker. But it makes it even less likely the Harvard-educated former executive at supperapp Grab will secure backing in the upper house Senate.

The Constitutional Court said in a statement on Wednesday it had accepted Pitas case and it would be added to the agenda for consideration at a later date.

It also said it had accepted a separate complaint filed by a lawyer Teerayuth Suwanakesorn against Pita and Move Forwards plan to reform Article 112  the Lese-Majeste law of the criminal code.

The accused parties would be asked to clarify the matter within 15 days, the Constitutional Court said.

In February 2021, Move Forward proposed an amendment to the royal defamation law, but it did not progress in Parliament.

Teerayuth, a staunch royalist, said in his petition the proposal could be deemed as an attempt to overthrow the constitutional monarchy or the democratic regime with the king as the head of the state.

Battle has begun

Pitas Move Forward Party won a surprise election victory in May on the back of its reform agenda, trouncing parties in the pro-royalist government that have ruled the country in some form or another since a military coup nine years ago.

The partys liberal campaign promises, which include plans to rewrite the constitution, end business monopolies and modernize the justice system and security forces, have antagonized the countrys traditional ruling elite.

Its ambition to amend the Lese-Majeste law, which it says has been abused by the current government to silence criticism, is its biggest hurdle to winning over conservative-leaning senators in the upper house.

There is no rule about how many times Pita  who needs 64 additional votes  can be nominated for prime minister, according to House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha.

Any party with at least 25 seats in the lower house can nominate a prime ministerial candidate, but its unclear if another contender will be put forward.

Pita has appealed to the members of the House of Representatives not to ignore the will of the people.

Voting for the prime minister on July 13 is not merely the election of Pita or the Move Forward Party, but confirmation that Thailand is moving along the democratic path, in line with democratic countries worldwide, he wrote on his official Twitter account on Tuesday.

Whether the military-backed establishment will accept the opposition mandate has been hotly debated in Thailand since before the election on May 14.

Thailands military has staged 13 coups since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932 and the country has been rocked by clashes between generals and pro-democracy reformists over the years.

Arnon Nampa, a lawyer and leader of the pro-democracy movement, called for rallies in the capital Bangkok on Wednesday evening.

This insult to our pride is unacceptable, Arnon wrote on Facebook. We will fight against the destroyers of democracy. ... Regardless of the conclusion, the battle has just begun.

This story has been updated to include comments from Move Forward Party Leader Pita Limjaroenrat, the Constitutional Court and Arnon Nampa.

Kunnawut Boonreak in Chiang Mai contributed to this report.
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One warm and muggy morning on my walk, I notice swallows gathering on overhead power lines.

The pair closest to me are northern rough-wings, and they are well into the throes of courtship: she, sitting rather complacently on the line, while he gracefully swoops down close to her a few times until finally landing on the line nearby and sidling over to her. A second brood in the making. Further along the line are seven silhouetted swallows, perhaps a newly-fledged family. Walking a little closer, I see a pair of barn swallows and five tree swallows.

Here it is the beginning of July and swallows are gathering already, a bit early for forming flocks for migration south. When I am back at the house, swallows are cheerfully twittering above me. A swooning, swooping pair of barn swallows dive at me, coming close, closer, as I walk near the barn. Over and over again they dive, chit-chittering as if checking me out or trying to tell me something.

One flies into the barn, the other follows. Slowly I peek around the door and one lands in the old swallow nest that has not been used for more than 25 years. For the first few years we lived here, the resident barn swallows nested and reared young. Then they were gone. For whatever reason I do not know.

The swallows shared the space with pipistrelles (bats) that are so small they roosted under the wall boards. Observing these two species exiting the barn was better than TV. The sleek swallows, like miniature supersonic transports (SSTs), quickly zoomed and zipped by and were well away in a nanosecond. The pipistrelles were more like biplanes wiggling their wings as they awkwardly flew out in every direction. Visiting children loved to sit and count the bats (max 200+). Neither species was bothered by the other, or so it seemed. Then the bats disappeared too, hopefully to find caves and barns not affected by the devastating white-nose fungus.

Over the years, a few bats have returned as evidenced by the guano on the barn floor. And now a pair of barn swallows has joined them! Perhaps a second nesting for this pair that chose to come here, rather than nesting where they had the first brood. Maybe the nest was destroyed, maybe the young were predated.

The chittering is quite unlike that of the tree swallows, residents for years in the bird boxes in the field. The continuous call of the barn swallow is, according to Bents Life Histories of North American Birds, a jumbled, bubbling, rapid series of notes, kvit, kvit, wit wit, culminating with a queer, ecstatic trilling sound. In 1904, Ralph Hoffmann, the Massachusetts naturalist, described the ending as a very curious rubbery note. Rubber duckies, yes; rubbery noteshmmm.

These tree swallow families are on the wing and there is no evidence of a second nesting for them, so far. Nor on my morning walks are the swallows gathering  a coincidence that they were all there the same day last week.

Barn swallows, Hirundo rustica, are one of the most common and most noticeable birds found all across the globe save Antarctica. These birds have coexisted with people from the time when our ancestors dwelt in caves. Even when we moved to huts and houses, barn swallows decorated the walls, eaves and joints with well-constructed clay nests lined with moss, hair and slender grasses.

But beware: If the swallow took one of your hairs for its nest, you would have headaches all summer. In Ireland they went so far as to believe that every Irishman has one particular hair on his head that if it were seized by a swallow, he should expect one disaster after another.

Not all beliefs and superstitions were so unfortunate. Many cultures, from the Romans and Greeks, the Japanese and Chinese believed having swallows living in or on the house was quite the positive sign. If swallows nested in your barn, the structure was protected from being hit by lightning.

At Paradise in Portugal, the birding lodge we visited in April, the swallows nest on all of the porches and on the rafters above the living/dining area of the main building. For the most part the birds are quite clean, continually carrying the fecal sacs of the young out-of-doors. How lovely to watch them glide and zip about all the while chit-chittering. Imagine my surprise studying the barn swallows in Portugal (called THE swallow in England), to find these birds have very white chests and no spots along the bottom of the tail. Yet they have always been considered barn swallows, the same species as ours.

Ornithologists do not have a consensus as to the number of worldwide species in the Hirundinidae family (swallows, martins, swifts). Some claim 90 species worldwide; in other literature, I come across 83 or 85 species. Some taxonomists may favor lumping species; others prefer to split a species into two or more for whatever reason: location, song or plumage. DNA should help with eventually sorting this out. In 1968, the white-eyed river martin, a beautiful new species with very, very, long tail feathers, was discovered in Thailand but has not been seen since 1980, not for want of trying. Is this bird still counted?

The barn swallow is quite distinctive with that long, forked tail, red face, red throat, thin dark line above the chest, gleaming blue-black body and reddish breast. In the accompanying photo of a male, it is a very red breast. If you are standing under the bird as it flies over, the series of white dots along the bottom of the spread tail is quite prominent. The female with its barely orange-y breast is a paler version of the male.

These sleek, streamlined beautiful birds are amazing to watch, swiftly flying, twisting, turning as they catch insects on the wing. Swallows adorn art and artifacts from prehistoric cave drawings, Grecian urns, Chinese silks, Native American carved totems, Egyptian hieroglyphics, Japanese watercolors. In some cultures, swallows symbolize fidelity, fertility, new beginnings and freedom. Yet in others they came to represent infidelity, loquacity (this could be good or bad), the devil.

Many believed disturbing the bird would bring bad fortune. One superstition in Norfolk, England, has those flocks of swallows gathering in the fall, murmuring to one another and deciding who in town would be the next to die. So if a swallow came and flew down your chimney at this time of year, beware!

Swallows  and there has to be more than one as Aristotle points out  are one of our harbingers of spring, lovely to see when theres barely any green on the trees.
Robert Keegan of Crescent Creamery receives the fiscal 2023 Board Member of the Year award from the MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board from Board President Eva Sheridan.
GREAT BARRINGTON  The number of patients seen by two cosmetic surgeons at their Pittsfield practice has jumped to such a degree that they are opening another clinic in Great Barrington.

The new satellite clinic for Berkshire Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery Center, which will be located at 48 State Road, is still under construction, but might open its doors in September, said Dr. Basil M. Michaels, who founded the center in 1998.

Michaels said the existing South Street practice is now seeing 500 people a week for a variety of visits and checkups, something thats hard to believe with a population of 127,000 people. Its expanded to unbelievable numbers.

Many of the current patients are from South County and travel north to the center for services that range from plastic surgery and skin care treatments to skin cancer treatment and prevention.

The South County population has grown, Michaels noted, and he and his partner, Dr. George Csank, are expanding as a convenience for those patients. They also dont really have enough space in their current practice.

The Pittsfield center has a clinic as well as two ambulatory operating rooms, a recovery room and an aesthetician who performs services like dermabrasion. Nurse practitioners and physicians assistants also do skin cancer checks, serving a critical need as the number of dermatologists has shrunk by more than half over the last 25 years, Michaels said.

The Great Barrington clinic also will provide those skin cancer checks, biopsies and the full gamut of cosmetic procedures  including Botox injections and fillers  but none that require general anesthesia.

Both Michaels and Csank are Ivy League trained plastic surgeons, the centers website says. They both also teach clinical surgery at the University of Massachusetts, as well as to surgical residents and medical students.

Michaels said that since he arrived in the Berkshires in the mid-1990s, the number of dermatologists in the county has dropped, leaving just four part-time dermatologists and one who works full-time.

Recruiting and keeping doctors in rural Berkshire County is an ongoing problem that could worsen in future, according to the Massachusetts Medical Society, which tracks the situation.
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PITTSFIELD  Should employees in Pittsfields top public safety positions be allowed to live outside city limits? After a vote by the City Council Tuesday, Pittsfield politicians are one step closer to asking residents to answer that question for them.

Councilor Ken Warren used a portion of Tuesday nights meeting to discuss his petition requesting the council place the following on the upcoming November ballot: Shall the city eliminate the restriction requiring certain public safety management positions to reside in the city?

Councilors voted unanimously to send that petition on to City Solicitor Stephen Pagnotta to review and reformat in a way that would make clear which positions would be impacted by the vote and what exactly a "yes" and "no" vote would achieve.

That question Warrens petition proposes is one that, when it was posed two weeks ago to the councils subcommittee on ordinance and rules, councilors decided to table rather than answer.

Mayor Linda Tyer recently sent a proposal to the council to drop a decades-old city requirement that the citys public safety managers  the police chief, fire chief and commissioner of public works  live in Pittsfield city limits.

Tyer proposed that the ordinance requiring the public safety managers to be residents be changed to allow the employees to live anywhere within a 20-mile radius of the city.

That request, along with a separate request to increase the salary of the police chief position, came to the councils subcommittee on ordinance and rules late last month.

While the subcommittee voted against recommending the salary increase, the residency requirement question was unanimously tabled in favor of having the mayor, Pittsfield Police Department and human resources director return to further explain the necessity of the change.

Tyer previously told The Eagle in an interview that she was considering removing the residency requirement for the police chief position in order to set the stage for the hiring of the citys next police chief. Michael Wynn, who served as head of the department since 2007, retired last week.

Both the mayor and Wynn said changing the residency requirement would increase the candidate pool for the city.

Tyer selected Thomas Dawley to serve as the interim chief until the next mayor can begin the hiring process for a permanent police chief.

Warren said that after Tyers proposal came to the subcommittee, he did some research on the origin of the residency requirement. He said he found copies of city ordinances from 1947 that say that all members of the police department must be residents of Pittsfield.

We have something thats been around since 1947, Warren said. I would think that if youre thinking of changing something, youd want to at least see what the voters think.

Warren said he was fine to tweak the wording of the question in whatever way the council saw fit.

Either the voters want it or they don't, Warren said. I think that we should trust the voters and allow them to have a say.

The councilors will still need to vote on whether they want the question, as worded by the city solicitor, to be placed on the ballot. That decision will be made at the next council meeting on Aug. 15.

Several councilors expressed reticence at taking the step of putting the question on an open ballot. Chief among them was Councilor Kevin Sherman.

I have a philosophical issue with putting it in the ballot boxes only because of the ability to provide the arguments, Sherman said.

Sherman said he didnt want to see this question get the kind of treatment from voters that hed seen of other ballot questions, where voters find themselves with little context or information to make a decision on voting day.

Some residents already know where they stand and made their opinions known to the council. Meg Bossong told the council that shes against removing the residency requirement and wants it further extended to the rest of the police department.

Bossong said the residency requirement makes sure that those policing Pittsfield are a part of the community and are invested in it  financially and otherwise  and gave residents better ways to interface and request accountability of the department.

There is no police advisory review board and when we had one, it was toothless, Bossong said. And frankly, at this point, the police chief's having to look us in the eye at Big Y is the only accountability measure that we have.
NORTH ADAMS  Following a severe rainstorm that ravaged the Berkshires  especially Northern Berkshires  Gov. Maura Healey came to town to survey the damage, promising help but not how much, exactly.

A collection of local dignitaries stood alongside Healey on Wednesday on the corner of Morgan and State streets in front of a hole in the road where a manhole culvert failed.

[It] couldnt take on any more water and collapsed, flooding State Street, said North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey, who stood near the gaping hole with Healey, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Acting Director Dawn Brantley, state Rep. John Barrett III, D-North Adams, and state Sen. Paul Mark, D-Becket.

In order to qualify for federal disaster aid, damage statewide has to total at least $12.4 million, according to MEMA. Local officials have fretted this week that the total damage wouldnt be that high, though.

Asked if the damage does not meet the threshold, whether the state will still put up money, Healey said, Im not going to make any calls or judgments on that now, noting that shed wait for MEMA to make its assesments.

Im committed to working to try to find ways to make sure we meet the moment and meet the need, Healey said. But right now were just in the initial stages of getting our arms around that and what an assessment might look like.

MEMA spokesperson Sara Porter said Wednesday that MEMA does not yet know whether the level of damage will meet the $12.4 million threshold. Municipal and state leaders throughout the Berkshires advocated for state aid after stormwater infrastructure failed on Monday. Officials said that the rain came too hard and too fast for aging infrastructure to handle it.

Macksey made a direct plea to Healey during Wednesdays news conference.

Governor, we just need help, Macksey said, turning to face Healey. We need help from the state and federal level, not only to rebuild what we see today, but also to work on long-term fixes  North Adams has an infrastructure crisis weve talked about for a long time, and we need resources behind us to help us with that.

Further pleas for state aid Clarksburg estimated more than $1 million worth of damage from Monday's storm. In Adams on Monday, partially untreated sewer water made its way into the Hoosic River after the towns wastewater treatment plant was overwhelmed, and flooded. In Clarksburg, its town hall flooded, and an embankment going up to a condo complex on Carson Avenue eroded away by at least eight inches due to the rushing north Branch of the Hoosic River. Town Administrator Carl McKinney highlighted an issue he said was created by the state. Hurricane Irene struck in 2011, severely damaging Route 8. As a result, during the rebuilding effort, the state armored their side of the river really well, McKinney said. The unintended result: the river has shifted westward, toward the Carson Avenue area, causing increased embankment erosion into the river on the side opposite Route 8. McKinney said the state needs to move the riverbed back where it used to be, and it needs to armor the embankment behind the condo complex.

Macksey updated what she told The Eagle on Tuesday  that the damage in town would take roughly $1.5 million to fix  saying on Wednesday that the town estimates it as closer to $2 million, with that number subject to increase.

Healey acknowledged the difficulties small cities and towns have in paying for repairs of this magnitude, saying the storm shows investments need to be made in smaller communities.

North Adams, great city, its also a small city, that brings with it particular challenges, and our smaller towns, they dont have the workforce, the resources, the funding, they always need to be able to do what needs doing, Healey said.

She added that her administration is working with the federal legislative delegation and promised residents who had experienced flooding that, were committed to assessing whats going on and figuring out what the solutions going to be.

Healey recognized the role of climate change in causing these types of quick storms that overwhelm stormwater infrastructure, a point Barrett made as well.

The infrastructure is very old in communities like North Adams across the state, but in the last six years, weve seen bursts like this, Barrett said. In Adams six years ago, $3 million in damage in 5 minutes. These bursts are popping up more and more all the time.

Healey spoke to widespread flooding, bridges and roads washing out, culverts failing, and flooding on farmland. Commissioner of Agriculture Ashley Randle also visited Western Massachusetts on Wednesday.

Healey also visited a second location, 842 Church St. in North Adams, where resident Michelle Grovess driveway was completely washed out to the street, inches from her house foundation. Berkshire Gas had to replace the gas line, which was damaged. The basement also took on water, but the gas furnace and hot water heater were not damaged.

Groves, who resides and works in Lake Luzerne, N.Y., visits the property on weekends and holidays. Her family has owned the property since the 1940s, and she grew up in the house, which she believes dates to the early 1900s.

This is the worst its ever been, Groves said of the damage. I have a big mess, and I need to be here to take care of it.

Groves believes that the railroad diverted the water through a tunnel in the back of her property to avoid further sinkholes on the railroads property. As for now, Groves is worried about more rain.

When asked how Healeys presence on Wednesday would help local community members, the governor said she thinks it important to be on the scene and to glean details directly.

To see actually whats happening and to take that in, to take that back, to make sure that were having the conversations and understand first-hand what the damage has been, in that way we can take the steps necessary to address it, Healey said. I hear about these things, I get sent videos, I get sent pictures, I talk on the phone, but theres nothing quite like seeing it up close and also talking to those impacted by the event.

Gillian Jones-Heck contributed to this report.
Debris remained on River Street in North Adams on Tuesday morning as strong storms brought heavy rain overnight Sunday into Monday flooding area streets and washing out many roads in the area.
Being a public servant can be a tough job  even when the town hall isnt flooding. Like many communities across the Berkshires in recent days, Clarksburg weathered significant flooding that came with torrential rains.

As the town declared an emergency on Monday, Town Administrator Carl McKinney was keeping apprised of which areas were inundated and which roads were out and relaying that information to residents and The Eagle  all while helping other town employees pump water out of the town halls ground floor. It was two inches deep in the part of the building that houses the towns police department and administrative assistants office, and Mr. McKinney and others had to think and work fast to prevent the treasurers office from flooding.

Fortunately, Mr. McKinney was, all things considered, good-spirited while bailing out the town hall as if it were a boat in surging seas: Im kind of figuring out how Noah felt.

We ask a lot of our public servants, and never more than during an emergency when their dedication to keeping vital services afloat is tested by trying times. And Clarksburg was far from the only Berkshire community that was tried. Rising waters forced road closures from Sheffield to North Adams. A large section of Route 8 in Washington was flooded. Adams appears to have shouldered the largest amount of rainfall in the county: 4.2 inches, or about the average total rainfall expected for the entire month of July.

Partially untreated water from Adams' wastewater treatment plant flowed into the Hoosic River due to storm flooding Monday's storm caused a domino effect of infrastructure issues in Adams, which resulted in a partial discharge of untreated sewer water making its way into the Hoosic River.

Adams, like Clarksburg, also had to declare a state of emergency when flash flooding forced an inflow of water into the towns Wastewater Treatment Plant, causing a partial discharge of untreated sewage into the Hoosic River. Adams officials notified the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Environmental Protection, though fortunately Town Administrator Jay Green said the already high water level in the river helped to dilute the untreated water and, hopefully, will mitigate any health threats.

While its tough to be thankful at times like this, at least Berkshire County escaped the even heavier rainfall endured by some neighboring regions. More than five inches of rain fell in parts of the Hudson Valley across the border in New York state. And in Vermont, even worse flooding prompted more than 100 rescues and caused tens of millions of dollars in damage as waist-high water washed through downtown blocks of the state capital Montpelier.

It could always be worse. While that might be cold comfort to those in Berkshire County who have seen parts of their property damaged or simply washed away over the last couple days, we were glad to hear little in the way of serious injury reports from variously affected Berkshire communities. We are fortunate  and not just because we narrowly escaped the even worse elements of this storm that socked some of our New England neighbors. Were also lucky that the fickle hand of nature once again brought out the best among our bravest. From the jump, first responders across the county were on the scene doing the wettest, most thankless jobs: closing dangerous roads, directing anxious motorists and delivering help to those who needed it in an emergency.

Unfortunately, whether its haze from massive forest fires or the deluge of huge storms, climate change is making these extreme weather events more likely. We must be mindful of the long view here, as far too often we only get real about shoring up our crumbling infrastructure and sharpening our emergency preparedness when the prudent chance of prevention is past us and we are left with only the costlier options of mitigation and reaction.

Like the Clarksburg town administrator working together with other town employees to bail out a flooded town hall, Berkshire County will emerge from this most recent tribulation with grit redoubled and spirit intact  as we always do. And weve never been more thankful to see upcoming forecasts for seasonally normative rain showers instead of the tropical, torrential kind.
In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

So ends many prayers spoken by believers all over the world. It seems a simple way to close a prayer, but sadly, for some, it is a rote recitation. For others, its a heartfelt affirmation of what they just prayed, and to Whom.

Amen is one of two Christian words understood and spoken by most cultures; hallelujah is the other. Amen is a transliteration of the original word, and  wonderful for us  it is pronounced nearly the same. Whether one says Amen or Ahmen, it matters not; what counts is the heart attitude.

What Does Amen Mean?

According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, the Hebrew word amen means truly, verily. Amen can be equated with steadiness, trustworthiness, and truth.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary states amen is a Hebrew word that has served as a declaration of affirmation and as the closing exclamation of agreement to a doxology or prayer in Jewish and Christian liturgy.

Is Amen Seen Anywhere in Scripture?

Thirty instances of amen may be found in the Old Testament, and usage of the word includes that of sincere verification at the conclusion of a pledge (Numbers 5:22), curse (Deuteronomy 27:15-26), consent, announcement, prophecy, or closing pronouncement (cf. Psalm 41:13; Jeremiah 28:6; 1 Chronicles 16:36). In Jeremiah 28:6, Jeremiah scorns a false prophet with Amen. Isaiah emphasizes Gods faithfulness by calling Him the God of Amen (truth) (Isaiah 65:16). Yet it is in the Psalms that Amen became a standard closure to what had been said.

Amen as applied in the New Testament is a continuation of the Jewish liturgical practice. Amen is transliterated into the Greek and appears 129 times, ninety-nine of which are uttered by the Lord Jesus. Lets unpack how He applied Amen.

Found both at the beginning or end of His statements, He often applied Amen (commonly translated as truly or verily) to what He commanded or related about Himself, God the Father, or about what occurred or what was to take place. He spoke truth about everything and everyone, therefore His use of Amen underscores the veracity of what He said. His Jewish listeners would not miss the force of Jesus saying Amen, as Jesus said Amen to affirm His deity alongside His miracles.

In Johns gospel, every time Jesus said truly (amen), it is as a doublet either at the beginning or the end of His statements, giving more emphasis to His words. The only singular use of truly (Amen) is John 8:31, where He said, If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples. Truly as employed here emphasizes disciples who obey Jesus and His word.

As for the use of Amen by the Apostles and Jude:

Paul ended many exhortations within his letters with Amen (Romans 1:25, 9:5, 11:36, 15:33, 16:27; 1 Corinthians 16:24; Galatians 1:5, 6:18; Ephesians 3:21; Philippians 4:20; 1 Timothy 1:17, 6:16; 2 Timothy 4:18).

The writer of Hebrews closed his book with a hearty Amen after he proclaimed glory forever and ever be to Jesus Christ, as did Peter in 1 Peter 4:11, 5:11, and 2 Peter 3:18. Jude concluded his letter in verse 25 with an amen to the proclamation that to God, our Savior through Jesus Christ be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. We can certainly add an Amen to that verse.

Throughout the Epistles and in Revelation, Amen is active as corporate affirmation by the church (Romans 1:25), and individual avowal to what has been said (2 Corinthians 1:20). The book of Revelation declares Amen eight times in affirmation of Gods character, what He has done, is doing, and will do. Revelation 22:20 states an Amen to Jesus pronouncement that He is coming soon.

As a designation for Jesus or God, Revelation 3:14 calls Jesus the Amen: And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of Gods creation. In this passage, Jesus Himself is testifying His words are true as He is true.

When Did We Start Using Amen to End Prayers, and Why?

The Bible gave us our start with including Amen inside passages and concluding prayers, oaths, and affirmations. The Old Testaments use of the word is likened to the phrase, so be it, and it serves as a confirmation of events and words of the Lord as truth. The practice continued in the New Testament, and Jesus use of Amen (verily, or truly), gives us a standard  a model  to follow when we pray or affirm a truth from Scripture.

Historical Christian leaders such as Martin Luther substantiated our prayer conclusions in his book, A Practical Way to Pray, Do not leave your prayer without having said or thought, Very well. God has heard my prayer; this I know as a certainty and a truth. That is what Amen means.

Do We Have to Close Our Prayers with "Amen"?

The Bible does not command us to end our prayers by saying, Amen, but given its use both in the Old Testament, by Jesus (especially), and by the Apostles, its a very good practice. Whether our prayer be one pf praise, cautious imprecation, or supplication, our submission to Gods will in every circumstance deserves an Amen, knowing its His will which will be done, and that perfectly.

Sure, we can close a prayer without saying Amen, but why would we want to omit a verbal exclamation point which highlights God and His character? Our Lord and Savior is our King, and as His subjects (and as children of God), to proclaim Amen to His truths (and what He has done, is doing, or will do) identifies us as those who love and obey Him.

Truly, however, we most often close a prayer by saying its in Jesus name we pray. If we recite an amen without its full gist of meaning  without affirming it with all our hearts  we could be lying to God. Therefore, when we say Amen, we are to mean it.

How Else (Other Than Praying) Can We Use This Word?

Amen is often used in situations outside the biblical norm where someone wishes to affirm the truth of what has been said. It would seem to add more credibility to a statement or action made by someone. The world may not know nor understand the biblical root of Amen, but they know when they repeat the word, they are exclaiming affirmation and agreement with what has occurred or been said. A lighter example would be if someone said, This is the best ice cream ever. To which a person may respond, Amen.

Christians of all denominations say Amen to statements and events which underscore their biblical worldview. For example, when an evil act is brought to judgment, we may voice an Amen to bolster our witness about Gods sovereignty. We also often say Amen when another believer has achieved success in some way that benefits the kingdom of God.

Within churches all over, many pastors will loudly request, Can I get an Amen? after a powerful point in their sermon. Usually, the whole congregation answers the pastor with a loud Amen! In another vein, a song titled Amen repeats the word as a call and response throughout.

Whether its used in prayer or as affirmation of a biblical truth spoken or written by someone, Amen is an affirmative response we should never take lightly. If  in our prayers  we ask for God to exact His justice, we say amen knowing God will enact His perfect will. Whatever He chooses to do, we acquiesce to His perfect character. The Scriptures say, Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). Our delight in Him means we live to love and obey Him, and our desires will be according to His Word and will.

Can I get an Amen?

Photo credit: Getty Images/rudi_suardi

Lisa Loraine Baker is the multiple award-winning author of Someplace to be Somebody. She writes fiction and nonfiction. In addition to writing for the Salem Web Network, Lisa serves as a Word Weavers mentor and is part of a critique group. She also is a member of BRRC. Lisa and her husband, Stephen, a pastor, live in a small Ohio village with their crazy cat, Lewis.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come

In a piece by Al Mohler, we learn that this classic Christmas carol is not really about Christmas, but about the future. Mohler writes,  Joy to the World is based upon Psalm 98, which declares creations joy when the Lord comes to rule and to judge. When we sing Joy to the World, the Lord is Come, it applies when we talk about Bethlehem and when we rejoice in the gift of the infant Christ. But the song also reminds us that Christmas isnt over; the promises of Christmas are not yet fulfilled. Earth will fully receive her King when Christ comes again, to reign and to rule.

Our only true good, and our only true joy in this world is found in Christ. Because of what Christ has done, we see a picture of what Christ will do, and this is why we have joy. This is how we can know God is good, and this is why we are able to face suffering with joy.

The New Testament book that speaks most about joy is the book of Philippians. The irony of this book is that it is written by Paul while he is in prison, arrested for the crime of believing in Christ. This makes the theme of joy all the more extraordinary: prior to accepting and following Christ Paul had all the things one would seem to want from life. He was educated, respected, admired, and successful. This new found faith in Christ led him away from that type of security, and instead brought him beatings, imprisonment, and ultimately death. Yet it is in this new life that Paul finds true joy, and it is there that we find it as well.

Photo credit: Unsplash/Ben White
A tech-savvy group of Stellenbosch University medical students are harnessing the power of algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) to raise much-needed awareness of organ donation in South Africa.

The initiative is being driven by Save7, a non-profit organisation founded by students, that aims to share the message that every South African has the potential to save seven lives by donating their kidneys, heart, and lungs after they die.

Third-year medical student, Jonty Wright (20), founded Save7 after meeting patients in hospital who were desperately awaiting organs. There was nothing more doctors could do for them, and they were literally waiting to die. Something felt deeply wrong with that, and I knew we had to do something, said Wright.

He turned to technology. First he built a website to raise awareness, and then taught himself to programme an AI chatbot to answer questions about organ donation in South Africa. Think of it like ChatGPT, except its an expert in the field of organ donation, he said of his invention.

Wrights graphic designer parents helped bring the Save7 brand to life with bold designs and conversational style that appeals to a young, digital-savvy audience.

Awareness about organ donation is especially low among the younger generation, explained Wright. We needed to make this difficult topic easier for the public to engage with, so we focused our narrative more on multiplying life in the present, than on thinking about death in the future.

In addition to providing information and answering questions, Save7 has also partnered with the Organ Donor Foundation of South Africa to allow users to register as organ donors in less than a minute. You can use Save7.org to sign up and leave a personalised message for your next of kin, which, along with your signature, creates a legally recognisable testament of your commitment to donate your organs. The entire process takes less than a minute and is absolutely free. This is a first in South Africa!

The Save7 team has also made it easy for users to encourage their friends and family to register as donors and have the same conversations with their family using a WhatsApp API. As Wright put it: By signing up, you can save seven lives, but by encouraging your network to do the same thing, you can save exponentially more.

Reaching one million South Africans

The crew is currently running a campaign that aims to reach over one million South Africans by the end of August, which is internationally recognised as Organ Donor Month.

But its efforts dont stop at raising awareness. Since its inception, Save7 has developed backend data systems that simplify the complex administrative processes involved in transplant referrals, and patient support groups. As you dive deeper into the organ-donation ecosystem in South Africa, you discover that there are many gaps for potential donors to fall through, such as inefficient referral systems, lack of centralised databases and poor patient support, to name a few.

Save7 has teamed up with VulaMobile to create an easy-to-use referral portal for doctors to refer potential donors to transplant units. The point is to make this referral as easy as possible for healthcare professionals. Its truly a tragedy when willing donors with healthy organs are missed because the current referral process is inconvenient for doctors.

The Save7 team also established the first renal patient support group at Tygerberg Hospital, which now boasts 50 members. Its easy to get caught up in solving the big problems and forget about the people in front of us.

Our goal with the support groups is not only to provide a much-needed community for our patients, but to create a framework that other public hospitals can use to follow in our footsteps, says Naazim Nagdee, Save7s vice-president.

The support group is driven by former patient and transplant recipient, Melissa Jacobs.

When I was on dialysis, I really would have appreciated someone's support: someone coming to educate me about my condition, how to look after my body, how to be self-sufficient, and most importantly, how to handle the emotional and psychological impact that this condition has on me, said Jacobs. After my transplant my doctor told me about Save7 and I saw the opportunity to get involved and provide for the needs of those still on dialysis."

Surgeon praises students' initiative

Elmin Steyn, transplant surgeon and head of surgery at Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital is full of praise for her students initiative. It is heartwarming to see compassionate young medical students deploy AI technology and social media to help the less fortunate. This campaign has the potential to boost organ donation not only in South Africa, but worldwide. Everyone should support it!

Their goal is to create a system that can easily be replicated and implemented by other students, doctors, and transplant co-ordinators worldwide.

We're striving for a plug-and-play solution, said Sachen Naidu, Save7 treasurer. This mission involves meticulously documenting their progress, analysing what strategies proved effective and what fell short. They aim to provide structural and organisational templates that could aid future organ-donation initiatives across the continent.

We were inspired by the principle of open-source software  it lays out the basic framework for others to copy and paste to their own unique environments, Naidu explained. The Save7 team believes that by sharing its campaign experiences in a developing country, it can simplify the process for others in similar situations. We like to think of it as developing a care package that can be deployed anywhere.
Leading tourism and sightseeing hospitality provider, City Sightseeing South Africa, has announced the official launch of its Hermanus Explorer Tour with first-day trips having already kicked off this month.

The new route  a first for City Sightseeing  will give visitors and tourists a truly memorable experience to and around the charming town of Hermanus every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The scenic adventure is a comprehensive day tour designed to showcase the areas natural beauty, top sites and attractions, and unique highlights of Hermanus on one of the most beautiful routes in the world.

Collaborative effort

Inge Dykman, national marketing manager of City Sightseeing South Africa, believes that the collaboration with industry partners in bringing this new route to consumers will not only strengthen Western Cape tourism offerings, but also ensure that more of the region is showcased to local and international visitors year-round.

Our continued commitment to providing local tourism experiences that appeal to the domestic and international markets we engage is at the forefront of the launch of this exciting new route, says Dykman. Partnering with Wesgro and the Overstrand Municipality will showcase the positive benefit that collectively working towards the continued growth and success of the tourism industry will have on all involved.

The expanded City Sightseeing portfolio kickstarted the Hermanus Explorer Tour from this month as an exceptional value for money package that includes:

Panoramic views of Hermanus and Walker Bay,

Live guided tour in English,

Free Wi-Fi,

Scenic coastal drive, and

A choice of wine tasting (three wines) and cellar tour, or boat-based whale watching (additional charges) or additional leisure time, exploring the town of Hermanus and its array of interesting shops and sites.

Hermanus is one of South Africa's most loved tourist destinations, and Im very excited by the launch of these daytrips to this beautiful coastal town, says Wesgro chief executive officer, Wrenelle Stander.

Hermanus: loved by all

Hermanus was recently listed as one of four Western Cape destinations named as part of the Most Loved Destinations in the World by the Tourism Sentiment Index, and ranked in the top 50 out of 100 places globally.

Overstrand Municipality executive mayor, Annelie Rabie, expressed her joy with the announcement that the famed City Sightseeing Tours have commenced day trips to Hermanus. With the Southern Right Whales currently visiting our coastline we welcome every visitor to appreciate our rich marine wildlife and the countless attractions in our region set-off by a scenic backdrop of fynbos-cladded mountains and oceans, says Rabie.

Our picture-perfect destination is ready for our new arrivals, and we look forward to welcoming City Sightseeing to the Overstrand, concludes Rabie.

Celebrating 21 years of exceptional service and experiences while operating in South Africa, City Sightseeing offers convenient and flexible tour options to explore Johannesburg and Cape Town with day tours available all year.

Weve no doubt that City Sightseeing, South Africas new Hermanus Explorer trip will shine a light on the beauty of this destination, with lots of new and returning visitors arriving on its shores in the near future, concludes Stander.

For more information and to book a tour visit City Sightseeing - Hermanus or call +27 21 511 6000.
Dunlop Tyre's entrepreneurship booster programme - Business in a Box - is raising the bar in the taxi tyre fitment space through a unique partnership with the Dolphin Coast Taxi Association. It aims to provide taxi operators in the bustling business and residential hub of Ballito, located on the north coast of KZN, with safe and reliable tyres, as well as efficient tyre services.

Simunye Tyres, launched in July at the Ballito taxi rank, is the culmination of a strategic alliance between Daisy Govender, the owner of Tyre Track Ballito, and the local taxi association.

With funding provided by the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA), the new fitment centre adds to a growing list of successful small businesses that are tapping into Dunlops innovative plug-and-play business solution to serve local communities.

Unique partnership

Lubin Ozoux, CEO of Sumitomo Rubber South Africa, manufacturer of the iconic Dunlop tyre range, said this was a unique partnership that was certain to raise the bar in the taxi tyre fitment industry.

We are extremely proud of our Business in a Box solution. It is the improved version of our Dunlop Container project that has more than 80 outlets and around 400 people employed around the country. With the improved Business in a Box solution, we aim to establish 48 centres across SA by the end of 2024. The launch of Simunye Tyres in Ballito is one of our early success stories for Business in a Box, and testament to the commitment we have to see small businesses grow and play a part in the local economy. The centre provides a much-needed service for taxi owners and drivers, but more than that, will be contributing to a safer public transport system with our quality safety-tested tyres, says Ozoux.

Dunlops Business in a Box solution incorporates a partnership with SEFA to facilitate funding for successful applicants, creating a seamless process from application to installation.

Thinking out of the box

The inspiration for Simunye Tyres came from Govender, who, after her husbands sad passing, had taken over operations at his Tyre Track centre in Ballito. In February 2022, she left her well-established career in the real estate industry for unfamiliar terrain in tyre fitment.

It was a new journey for me, and while it was a challenge getting to grips with the industry, I soon found a rhythm and looked towards setting a new challenge. I realised I had to think out of the box, she recalls.

A mere two minutes away from her business premises, was the Dolphin Coast Taxi Association rank, a hub of transport in the north coast of KZN.

I had learnt about the Business in a Box opportunities from trade shows that I attended, and realised this provided a business opportunity in our area. At present, the local taxi association, which comprises around 270 taxis, is forced to drive to Stanger and Tongaat for any tyre related issue. This long drive negatively impacts on business as it means downtime from ferrying paying passengers to their destinations, as well as extra petrol costs to drive further from their area of operation. Installing a Business in a Box at the taxi rank would mean shorter down time, and less fuel costs, says Govender.

Talks then opened with the taxi association.

Dunlop was very supportive throughout the process of the BiB application. They efficiently handled the paperwork that needed to be completed, and supported us throughout the loan application process, said Govender.

Simunye Tyres will offer tyre fitment, tyre repairs, wheel balancing, wheel rotation, and expert advice.

Simunye Tyres will also incorporate another local business, AutoZone, to support with additional motor accessories sales such as wiper blades, brake pads and discs, and batteries.

Nhlanhla Lephalo, chairman of the Dolphin Coast Taxi Association, said he was very excited at the partnership resulting in Simunye Tyres. We are very happy with the opening of Simunye Tyres. Before this container shop, we had to drive far outside of Ballito, to places like Tongaat, to get tyres repaired or fitted. Now we save time and money, and our passengers can see for themselves that the taxis are fitting the best tyres, he said.

The team that brought Dunlops latest Business-in-a-Box success story to life, from left, Hennel Nkonjela, key accounts manager, Enterprise Development at Sumitomo Rubber South Africa, Daisy Govender, co-owner of Simunye Tyres and owner of Dunlop Zone Ballito Tyre Track, and member of the Dolphin Coast Taxi Association, Malusi Khuzwayo Emmanuel Shandu, left, and Sthembiso Kunene are the two newly employed tyre technicians at Simunye Fitment Centre

Community impact

The new tyre fitment centre has positively impacted on employment. Govender said two new staff members have been hired, and trained by her Tyre Track team, in tyre diagnostics and fitment.

Hennel Nkonjela, key accounts manager, Enterprise Development at Sumitomo Rubber South Africa, said: Simunye Tyres is a great example of what the Business in a Box programme does, and that is providing a localised business solution that empowers businesspeople. Importantly, its a business that is strongly rooted in the community. We have no doubt it will be a successful operation providing quality, safe, and locally manufactured tyres to the taxi industry, backed by our complimentary, value-added offering of Dunlop Sure tyre insurance and warranties. I am also certain it will be reassuring for taxi passengers to also see firsthand that the vehicles they are traveling in are using quality, locally manufactured wheels and parts.

For more information on Dunlops Business in a Box solution, visit: https://www.dunloptyres.co.za/business-in-a-box.




Prominent South African political advocate group Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) was dealt a major setback in its quest to stop the implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Amendment Act 4 of 2019 (Aarto). The amendment will, among other changes, legalise traffic fines that are distributed by mail and lay the foundation for a demerit system for road traffic offenses.

Outa was given a favourable ruling by Justice Basson in the Gauteng High Court and applied to the Constitutional Court for an order confirming that judgement. Then minister of transport, Fikile Mbalula, and the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) opposed the application, and the case was heard on 15 November 2022.

In a unanimous judgment written by me, the Constitutional Court has upheld the contentions advanced by the minister of transport, the Road Traffic Infringement Agency [RTIA] and the Road Traffic Management Corporation [RTMC] that the subject matter of the Aarto Act falls within the functional area described as 'road traffic regulation' ... which is within the concurrent legislative competence of parliament and the provincial legislatures, wrote Chief Justice Zondo.

This court has concluded in this judgment that parliament had the competence to pass the Aarto Act.

The ruling dismisses Outas legal challenge and does not allow for appeal.

We are disappointed with the Concourts decision but abide by the apex courts ruling. Outa believes that measures to improve road safety and reduce fatalities are urgently needed. However, we dont believe that the Aarto Acts will achieve this, its just not practically possible. South Africa needs effective processes enabled by fair adjudication that comply with the Constitution, said advocate Stefanie Fick, Outa executive director, in the organisation's statement.

The organisation believes that poor enforcement and a lack of administrative discipline in traffic infringement management make the planned procedures difficult to enforce and that the Act does not improve road safety.

Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga welcomed the Aarto judgement.

This judgement provides clarity on Schedule 4 matters of concurrent function between the national and provincial sphere as well as Schedule 5 which is exclusive provincial competence. Our assertion that Aarto is part of road regulation and thus concurrent competence has been confirmed by the highest court in the land, said the minister in a media statement.

The Act is an important cog in our road traffic law enforcement interventions aimed at arresting the carnage on our roads and altering driver behaviour. This will reinforce other interventions such as classifying traffic policing as a 24-hour, seven-day job alongside the regulation of driving schools and introduction of an NQF level 6 training for traffic law enforcement officers.
The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) is pleased to announce the accreditation of the North-West University (NWU) and the University of Pretoria (UP)'s academic programmes for purposes of SAICA's Associate General Accountants [AGAs(SA)] designation.

The accredited programmes are the Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Accountancy and the Extended Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Accountancy at the NWU, and the Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Services) at UP.

The AGA(SA) designation is recognised professionally for equipping members with the professional values, attitudes and abilities and technical competencies that enable them to drive operational efficiency and quality in the value creation process thus enhancing organisational value.

To address South Africas scarce and critical skills shortage, SAICA prides itself on accrediting education programmes which enable both private and public higher education students to access SAICAs membership benefits through a variety of qualification routes.

According to Robert Zwane, SAICAs executive director: Learning, Development and National Imperatives, the three programmes meet the formal regulatory accreditation requirements of the Department of Higher Education and Training, Council on Higher Education, and the South African Qualifications Authority.

Having undergone extensive formal accreditation process, SAICA is confident that both universities have appropriate resources to deliver high-quality programmes at the required standard and quality to meet SAICAs requirements for the AGA(SA) designation, says Zwane.

The accreditation for NWUs Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Accountancy and the Extended Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Accountancy is effective from the 2017 student intake.

Professor Heleen Janse van Vuuren CA(SA), director for the School of Accounting Sciences at the NWU, says that this accreditation by SAICA is an exciting one for the university as it provides their BCom Financial Accountancy students with another opportunity to obtain a professional designation from a globally recognised professional body. We believe that the quality of our programmes together with this opportunity to pursue the AGA(SA) qualification, will ensure that our students are well-equipped to fulfil their prospective roles in the industry, explained Janse van Vuuren.

Meanwhile, the effective accreditation date for UPs Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Sciences) will apply to all students who successfully completed the Business Accounting 300 (BAC 300) module, or similar, and graduated in May 2016 or later.

The SAICA accreditation for this professional qualification will give the students completing the BCom (Financial Sciences) degree at UP an opportunity to obtain another professional qualification, said Professor John Hall, UP Head of Department for Financial Management. He further explained that this will not only make the degree programme more marketable, but will also increase the employability of students that successfully complete the degree and decide to pursue the AGA(SA) qualification.

What is an AGA(SA)?

The primary role of an AGA(SA) is to enhance, drive and measure organisational value thanks to their broad, future-focused, multi-disciplinary approach to driving operational performance. As associate members of SAICA, they are required to comply with the SAICA Code of Professional Conduct and act ethically as well as undertake ongoing and relevant learning activities that contribute towards their ongoing professional competence. They remain up to date with the skills needed to match those required in an ever-evolving business world and have the ability to bridge operational and strategic management functions. This is a win-win situation for both the associate member and the organisations they serve.
Black workers in U.S. account for 90 pct of recent rise in unemployment: Bloomberg

Xinhua) 11:04, July 12, 2023

NEW YORK, July 11 (Xinhua) -- The unemployment rate for African Americans jumped for a second straight month in June as workers left the workforce amid early signs of a cooling labor market in the United States, according to a recent Bloomberg report.

"That cooling has been uneven: the number of unemployed African Americans has increased by 267,000 since April, meaning they account for close to 90 percent of the 300,000 increase in overall joblessness during that period," noted the report.

Black unemployment rose to 6 percent in June, the highest since August, and was once again nearly double that of White workers, whose rate fell to 3.1 percent, a Labor Department report showed.

"Black workers are often among the first to be fired as the economy begins to weaken, research shows, and the recent declines in employment could be a canary in the coal mine for the broader labor market," said the report.

"If conditions continue to weaken, or even accelerate, the gains won by Black workers and other vulnerable groups could diminish quickly," William Rodgers, director of the St. Louis Fed's Institute of Economic Equity, was quoted as saying.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR) hosted a successful fourth workshop on Resources for African Indigenous Languages (Rail) in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The annual workshop, which took place on 6 May 2023 as part of the 17th Conference of the European Chapter of the Association for Computational Linguistics (EACL 2023), was organised by SADiLaR's Rooweither Mabuya, Mmasibidi Setaka and Prof Menno van Zaanen, and the CAM Foundation's Don Mthobela.

The Rail workshop was a great success. All our attendees were fully engaged throughout the session even though it was a full-day workshop, says Mabuya, who co-chaired the event with Setaka. The workshop provides an interdisciplinary platform for researchers working on African indigenous languages, particularly those languages that are under-resourced, she explains. It brings together researchers interested in showcasing their research; provides an overview of the current availability of African indigenous language resources, including data collections as well as tools; and allows for information sharing and discussions on improving the quality and availability of the resources.

Many African indigenous languages currently have no or very limited resources available and are often structurally quite different from the more well-resourced languages, thus they require the development and use of specialised techniques.

Growing a scientific community

By bringing together researchers from different fields, such as (computational) linguistics, sociolinguistics and language technology, to discuss the development of language resources for African indigenous languages, we hope to boost research in this fields, says Setaka. Ultimately, we aim to create the conditions for the emergence of a scientific community of practice that focuses on data, as well as tools, specifically designed for or applied to indigenous languages found in Africa.

Both Mabuya and Setaka, who are digital humanities researchers at SADiLaR in IsiZulu and Sesotho respectively, have been involved with the Rail workshop since its inception in 2019. The first two workshops were virtual events co-located at the Language Resources and Evaluation Conference (LREC) in 2020 and Digital Humanities Association of Southern Africa (DHASA) conference in 2021, whereas the third Rail workshop was hosted as an in-person event in 2023 at the 10th Southern African Microlinguistics Workshop in Potchefstroom.

This years workshop, which was one of 13 workshops accepted at the EACL 2023 conference, had a total of 14 papers and one findings paper presented, Mabuya remarks. It was a hybrid format as some participants were not able to travel  seven papers were presented in person and eight were presented virtually.

Excellent feedback

Mabuya and Setaka were fortunate to travel to Croatia and attend the EACL 2023 conference in person, thanks to travel grants that they received to present their papers at the conference. Mmasibidi Setaka received the Diversity and Inclusion Subsidy aimed at supporting scholars from marginalised regions, whereas I received a grant for the student volunteer programme aimed at supporting early-career scholars to attend the conference and also assist with conference duties, Mabuya says.

The two researchers both presented papers on behalf of their co-authors at the Rail workshop. Mabuyas paper was titled Unsupervised Cross-lingual Word Embedding Representation for English-isiZulu with Derwin T Ngomane, Vukosi Marivate, Jade Abbott and Rooweither Mabuya as authors.

Our paper received such great feedback in comments and questions from the audience, Mabuya recalls. One of the participants even asked for a meet-up with my co-authors as he needed some assistance in his own research which was similar to ours.

Setaka was equally pleased with the response she received for the paper she presented, titled Evaluating the Sesotho rule-based syllabification system on Sepedi and Setswana words with Johannes Sibeko and Mmasibidi Setaka as authors. People were very interested, and so delighted to learn that theres a workshop dedicated to natural language processing (NLP) in Africa.

Making new connections

Reflecting on the conference and overall success of the workshop, Setaka says: The conference brought together a diversity of people interested in the many aspects of NLP. The workshop itself was a great success with a lot of participation from the audience. The fact that our workshop was accepted at EACL was a great highlight for me, considering the nature of EACL and its standing in the NLP community.

Mabuya adds that she made some great connections. It was a big conference with numerous interesting talks and presentations, and I got to meet some amazing scholars. Regarding our workshop, it was great that we had authors who have been submitting their research to Rail each year since it started. This shows the quality of our workshop and the work published in our proceedings. We also have an excellent programme committee who assist with reviewing the submissions.

The Proceedings of the Fourth workshop on Resources for African Indigenous Languages (Rail 2023) are now available, and the SADiLaR team is looking forward to receiving submissions for the fifth instalment of Rail, once the call for papers is out. "The aim is to grow the workshop to greater heights and also allow other scholars to help organise it going forward," Setaka concludes.




In the last few years, the number of voluntary carbon markets has increased as a result of the operationalisation of the Paris Agreement and a general influx of investors into the sector.

Image source: Chayanit Chankhong  123RF.com

Principles under the Paris Agreement

Article 6 of the Paris Agreement was introduced to allow countries to voluntarily cooperate with each other to achieve emission reduction targets set out in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Under Article 6, a country (or countries) will be able to transfer carbon credits earned from the reduction of their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to help other countries meet their climate targets. Such credits are known as Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs).

The Paris Agreement requires all member countries to self-determine their NDCs, with a framework that aims to meet the top-down goal of a "below two degrees" temperature increase, with a temperature rise limit of 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. All NDCs are public knowledge, ensuring that countries can be held accountable for not meeting their respective pledges.

During the United Nations Climate Change conference, COP26, in Glasgow in 2021, a compliance committee was established to facilitate progress towards the top-down goal, and the principle of Global Stock Taking (GST) was introduced, requiring countries to report on their progress towards the top-down goals every five years. This is intended to be a facilitative and non-punitive transparency framework to track progress. An Article 6 rulebook was also introduced to act as an accounting mechanism.

Developments in Africa

In general, the African Union Agenda for 2063 prioritises, among other things, the development of a low-carbon African economy. At COP27, a group of African countries launched the African Carbon Markets Initiative with the aim of eventually producing 300 million carbon credits annually. The initiative seeks to unlock $6bn in revenue and create 30 million jobs by 2030.

Several African countries intend to participate in the various Article 6 mechanisms under development. The West African Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance (WAACMCF) is a regional collaboration aimed at making carbon markets accessible to West African countries and ensuring that the least developed countries also benefit from the implementation of Article 6 mechanisms.

Ghana has taken the first step in benefiting from the Article 6 mechanisms by entering into an ITMO agreement with Switzerland. The governments of both countries signed a bilateral agreement that sets out the conditions for cooperative approaches to carbon emission reductions under the Paris Agreement. This has enabled the implementation of green and low-carbon solutions in Ghana, with the first project focusing on clean cooking and solar lighting. ITMO agreements such as this are expected to lead to further innovative climate financing solutions in future years.

South Africa has yet to enter into any ITMO agreement, but there is a likelihood that the Climate Change Act will come into operation within the next couple of years. There is a possibility that the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DFFE) will conduct further consultations with the public on the content of the Bill within the next six months. While this is not directly related to carbon markets, this Bill is an important step in domestic climate regulation and will have implications for the NDC and the use of ITMOs, with likely feedback loops into the carbon market.

African countries are building on existing projects and activities established under the Clean Development Activities Act, but they need support from developed nations. An example of such support is Germany's Climate Change Initiative, which assisted the East Africa Alliance to publish a guideline for Article 6 negotiations for member parties, including Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

Emerging market laws

The main focus of emerging market laws around NDCs has been on the key emitting sectors, namely thermal energy generation, waste, industrial processes, forestry and agriculture, with the majority of these laws implementing the cap-and-trade approach.

This approach imposes a cap or quota on emissions that an entity in a relevant sector is allowed to emit over a certain period. Although the implementation of emerging laws differs, with some markets moving more quickly than others, most are focused on building NDCs and establishing pilot projects, with broad implementation expected by 2035. Broadly, all the emerging laws are aimed at enabling domestic emission reduction projects and setting out authorisation procedures.

Several laws have already been implemented, stipulating the minimum process for domestic offset credits to support the domestic offset industry and levies around emission reduction transfers. In many cases, a share is taken by the relevant government to trade in its own right. A share of the levy or profit share, an approximate 10%20% cut on the achieved reduction, is then held to create a buffer for wider NDC use in that specific country. In 2022, Gabon implemented laws whereby a share of the levy is taken by the government to trade in its own right.

Impact of voluntary markets and future projects

There is broad consensus that in order for a domestic emission reduction system to work, governments should ensure that the achievement of reductions is available domestically first, before enabling the export of such reductions. It is still unclear at what point domestic emission reductions will be considered to have been achieved in order to implement the export of such reductions. Due to the current uncertainty, country-by-country policy due diligence will be critical for long-term deals and legal due diligence should be conducted around the applicable laws and policies on climate change and what the establishment of various climate change bodies will mean.

Getting through the period of uncertainty to a point where an authorised project is capable of claiming the credits and the adjustments that are available is a valuable outcome for any project, as well as for its investors and end-users. From a transition perspective, the move to implement Article 6 is an exciting time for carbon markets.
On Monday 10 July Instagram's Twitter competitor, Threads, surpassed 100 million users after just five days since launch. This is now the fastest sprint to that magic number in the history of consumer applications, smashing ChatGPT's user accumulation record of two months that was set in January 2023.

Threads by Instagram. Source: Supplied

"That's mostly organic demand, and we haven't even turned on many promotions yet," Mark Zuckerberg said in a Threads post announcing the milestone.

To OpenAIs credit, though, ChatGPT did begin from scratch and didnt have the Threads head start of leveraging the estimated 2.3 billion monthly active users from its parent app.

Meanwhile, main Threads competitor, Twitter, is hemorrhaging traffic as reported by a damning graph that Matthew Prince, CEO of internet infrastructure firm Cloudflare, shared on Twitter.

Twitter usage numbers overall are down from the 240 million monthly active users it officially stated when the company last shared public results in July 2022.

New CEO Linda Yaccarino was quick to boast about an uptick in tweet activity on the day of the Threads milestone, with Twitter owner Elon Musk responding about alleged historic time on screen metrics.

Musk calls his lawyers

The billionaire last week also threatened to file a lawsuit against Meta, accusing it of poaching former employees to create the Threads app in a series of deleted tweets.

Twitter lawyer Alex Spiro wrote in a letter released on Thursday, 6 July: 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.

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.

Instagram boss Adam Mosseri dismissed these claims and has since responded only to enquiries about Threads features from users.

Threads still has no desktop functionality and visiting threads.net in a browser will bring app a QR code prompting users to download the mobile app.

Analysts estimate that usage would spike if Threads releases a desktop version, which could help the fledgling social media platform surpass its biggest competitor.
In 2010, when Apple trademarked its prophetic "There's an app for that" slogan, not even the late, great Steve Jobs could have predicted just how true this would be.

Joff van Reenen, founder and CEO of proptech firm The Chant Laboratory

Although mobile apps like email and diaries had an earlier genesis, the worlds first one-stop consumer platform for app downloads was only launched in 2008, with fewer than 600 choices.

Fast forward 15 years and today there really is an app for that, one for this and another for the other thing  nearly nine million of them, in fact. And according to Statista, during the course of this year, well download those apps  and the thousands more released monthly  299 billion times.

Other fun global app facts from Statista are that the average smartphone has 40 apps installed and that an average smartphone user opens 9-10 apps every day.

If one also considers that as early as 2011, app usage was already greater than mobile web browsing, its almost unfathomable that the real estate industry  which trades in the largest asset class in the world worth $340tn  has been such a relative latecomer to the tech party.

Granted, not everyone in property was asleep at the wheel before 2020, but the industry as a whole needed a global pandemic cattle prod (as it were) to eventually see the digital writing that had long been on the wall, and its been playing catch-up ever since.

To spell out the future in simple terms for property professionals: No technology investment, no business. Period.

Industry Arc predicts that the real estate software development market will grow to $20.6bn by 2026, and compound annual growth rate forecasts for this sector over the next five years range between 5.7% and 10.1%.

But the smart spend will be on apps. Why? Because mobile phones are the worlds digital connections of choice.

According to DataReportals Digital 2023 Global Overview Report, 5.44 billion people had mobile phones at the beginning of this year, equating to 68% of the total global population. This was a more than 3% year-on-year increase of unique mobile users.

The picture in South Africa is even more telling, says DataReportal, with a total of 112.7 million cellular connections active in early 2023  a figure equivalent to 187.4% of the total population.

Real estate professionals need to leverage a two-pronged app strategy to derive maximum benefit from their tech spend.

Brand wrAPPing

Phase one is to take the leap and brand your own app.

Nowadays, the process is far less daunting because the market offers numerous industry-tailored white label apps for real estate companies to skin with their own branding.

Theres no need to reinvent the wheel; simply choose an app that:

Is easy to operate on the back-end;



Can adapt to the look and feel of your brand;



Offers your clients a few nifty functionalities of your choosing like mortgage calculators, in-app broker contact or even secure channels for payments and document submissions;



Can push tailored marketing messages;



Is adapted for images, video and streaming;



Integrates your social media feeds; and



Offers the best bang for buck.

One of the most frequent questions I still field from property professionals is: Why do we need an app if we already have a website?

There are dozens of compelling reasons, but from a client perspective:

Real estate is a fluid industry in which timing is often a factor in whether deals live or die. Apps provide an instant connection between broker and client;



App functionality is up to five times faster than a mobile browser, so clients dont get irritated and bounce;



Apps were specifically designed for phones, so theyre simpler and more user-friendly  no address bars, paging back or refreshing. All the information users need is at their fingertips. Mobile websites are comparatively clumsy, because they still rely on computer-

adapted browser functions; and



Apps offer instant new listing updates via push notifications.

From a business perspective, the value of apps can be summarised in two words: big data.

In real estate we know information is gold, and apps are the mother lode.

Apps equipped with advanced analytics and big data capabilities provide real-time insights into market trends, pricing, demand patterns, and consumer behaviour.

By harnessing these data-driven insights, property professionals can make more informed valuations, better decisions regarding investment opportunities and steer marketing strategies.

Real estate apps can also leverage predictive analytics to identify emerging market trends, enabling industry players to stay one step ahead.

Theyre basically your one-stop-shop for brand growth, market intelligence gathering, trend-spotting, targeted marketing, client reach, streamlined transacting and more accurate business forecasting. Neat, huh?

APPsolutely everywhere else

Phase two of a successful real estate app strategy comprises blasting your brand across other peoples apps.

And, no, hacking isnt the way to do it.

Think first in terms of social media platforms - apps that have a global reach of 4.76 billion according to DataReportal. South Africa alone was home to 25.8 million social media users in January 2023, equating to 42.9% of the population.

Social media is a powerful marketing and brand-building tool. Real estate has historically lagged in industry following, which I attribute to realtors aggressively marketing at consumers rather than engaging with them.

Property companies need to reconsider their social media strategies. Offering a mix of choice stock and consumer-resonant content will attract and retain loyal followers.

Its also imperative to innovate with multimedia and to have some fun. A corporate ethos is important in branding but so too is being human.

Other brand-showcasing app opportunities are the leading property search engines.

According to SimilarWeb, Zillow, with its offering of more than 135 million properties, leads global rankings.

Property24 was the 16th most visited site in South Africa last year, with a monthly page view average of just under 14 million. Just the Android version of Property24s app has been downloaded to more than one million phones.

The recipe for rising above the brand clutter on these crowded apps is simple: quality.

Visuals, whether stills or multimedia, must be professionally shot. Image galleries must be generous, showcasing every aspect of well-staged, tidy interiors and exteriors. The property narrative must also be comprehensive, inviting, well-scripted and grammar-checked.

Plan now for the future

My mantra through 30 years of working in real estate has always been that failing to plan is planning to fail.

This is how I see technology in the property industry; if we fail to plan for it now, were planning the roadmap to future business failure.

Dont get overwhelmed by it; embrace the change, because it offers new and better tools to service our clients needs. To quote the tech maestro himself, Steve Jobs said: Youve got to start with the customer experience and work back toward the technology  not the other way around.

Realtors who follow that advice in their approach to apps have a bright future ahead.
Africa's tech ecosystem attracted investment of more than $3bn in 2022. This was a 55.1% increase year-on-year. At the southern tip of the continent market growth is driven by a fintech revolution that is reshaping the financial landscape.

Fintech solutions. Source: Supplied

Almost a quarter of South Africa's 59-million citizens are unbanked. This presents a significant market for financial services and fintech solutions. Additionally, Africa's slower adoption of fintech technologies compared to first-world countries creates opportunities for company growth and the emergence of unicorns in sectors such as payments, document reading, and remittance.

Investors recognise the untapped potential of Africa's fintech landscape and the transformative power of technology to bridge the financial inclusion gap, making it an attractive investment opportunity.

Here are five sectors attracting investor attention:

Alternative funding solutions

With 130 and counting alternative lenders in South Africa, these funding solutions and marketplace platforms have emerged as transformative forces within the fintech industry. The innovative models connect borrowers and lenders, providing an alternative to traditional financial institutions.

FundingHub allows SMEs to compare offers from multiple lenders and the platforms technology that allows for live end-to-end offers lead to it being acquired by Finch Technologies in 2020

Merchant Capital, who aim to create disruptive financial service products for SMEs in emerging markets, received support and investment from Alphacode  the incubator of Rand Merchant Investment Holdings. Alphacode's involvement demonstrates their commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and driving the development of disruptive fintech solutions.

Online payment processing

"Africas domestic e-payments market has an estimated CAGR of 20%, with projections reaching around $40bn by 2025. As the market continues to evolve, more startups like Paystack, Yoco and Revio will emerge to redefine the ways in which Africans transact." Ryan Hodgson, Fundraising Analyst, The Delta.

The growth of e-commerce and digital transactions in Africa has created a pressing need for secure, efficient, and convenient payment solutions. Fintech companies specialising in online payment processing are meeting this demand head-on.

Yoco, a pioneer in mobile card readers, secured $83m in a 2021 series-C funding round supported by a group of notable funders that included 4DX Ventures and HOF Capital.

Regtech and fraud analysis software

Regulatory technology is gaining traction as investors seek solutions that enhance compliance, mitigate risk, and combat financial crime, especially in open banking landscapes.

These technologies offer sophisticated tools for monitoring and ensuring regulatory compliance, bolstering the integrity of financial institutions.

Know your customer solutions like Gathr reduce human error and fraud, while assisting with onboarding more customers. With an expected global market reach of $22.3bn by 2027, coupled with a 19.8% CAGR, investors recognise the importance of robust regtech and fraud analysis systems in an increasingly digitised financial landscape.

Solar finance

Fintech companies in this sector are developing innovative financing models that enable individuals and businesses to access clean energy solutions. Investors are attracted to the opportunities it presents for achieving both environmental and financial goals.

One notable example is Sun Exchange, a solar leasing platform that allows individuals and corporations to own and earn from solar assets located in emerging markets.

According to the companys founder, Abe Cambridge, Our platform was initially developed to allow individuals around the world to buy solar cells in projects that power schools and other organisations in South Africa."

"Since then, corporate sustainability imperatives have been broadening this demographic, and now over a hundred businesses, corporations and investment funds from around the world have now also participated in our solar project crowd sales. These organisations are using their balance sheets and ESG funding to drive sustainable energy development.

Sun Exchange has attracted funding from Techstars, Alphabit Fund and ARCH Emerging Markets Partners, highlighting the support and interest from local and international venture capitalists.

Remittance

Digital remittances is expected to experience a growth rate of 6% between 2023 and 2027, ultimately reaching a market volume of over $345m in SA.

Fintech startups focusing on payments and remittance are revolutionising the way money moves across borders. Investors are keen to support ventures that facilitate low-cost, secure, and transparent remittance services, tapping into the significant market of Africans living abroad who regularly send money back home.

Mukuru has made remarkable strides in this area, offering low-cost international money transfers, primarily targeting African migrants sending money back home.

The company is majority private equity backed, but has also garnered support from Emerging Capital Partners, demonstrating the backing of local funders in the payments and remittance sector.

The key sectors attracting investor attention are also the ones transforming finance, driving financial inclusion, and addressing pressing needs in the market. As investors continue to explore opportunities, the African fintech landscape will undoubtedly witness further growth, innovation, and positive impact.
The Shoprite Group is inviting technology students and seasoned IT professionals to join the retailer by applying for its bursary programme or various available job opportunities.

Image supplied

The retailers comprehensive bursary programme covers tuition fees and on-campus accommodation, provides a grocery allowance, and guarantees employment upon graduation. Youth studying scarce and sought after skills are invited to apply by visiting www.shopriteholdings.co.za/careers.html before 30 September 2023.

Home to some of the brightest industry talent, the Groups Shoprite Technology division uses technology, data, insights, systems and processes to take advantage of and unlock new opportunities.

Greytown-born Percival Phakathi (28) joined the team in 2020 after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of Pretoria.

The dynamic and inclusive environment at Shoprite Technology encourages you to explore possibilities and that can lead to incredible innovations, says Phakathi, who helped to develop a geo-spatial solution for the retailers on-demand grocery delivery app, Checkers Sixty60, optimising delivery zones and ensuring deliveries in under 60 minutes.

In addition to its bursary offering, the Group is also inviting experienced tech professionals to join the rapidly expanding technology division.

With a culture of collaboration and mentorship, Shoprite Technology is the perfect place for young professionals to learn, create and innovate while building a solid career in a highly competitive industry, says Debbie Cunningham, Head of Digital Technologies at the Group. We place significant focus on skills development, tech certification, and opportunities to leverage new tech, ranging from OpenAI to computer vision, as we reimagine the future of retail.

Visit the Shoprite Groups careers portal as well as its LinkedIn page to view the range of available tech positions, ranging from systems engineers to cyber security specialists to business analysts, enterprise architects, application specialists and more.
Hong Kong will host the 2024 World Out of Home Organisation Global Congress from 5 June to 7 June 2024.

Despite a very successful in-person regional event taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in October 2022, this is the first time the Global Congress has been hosted in the Far East. A record 525 participants from all across the world attended the most recent 2023 Global Congress in Lisbon.
The world first started to hear about a novel coronavirus in early January 2020, with reports of an alleged new pneumonia like illness spreading across Wuhan, China. However, the world did not actually know of Covid-19 until February 2020, because it was not until the 11th of that month that the World Health Organisation officially named the novel coronavirus disease as Covid-19. So with this being the official truth, why does United States Government data show that the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) awarded a contract on the 12th November 2019 to Labyrinth Global Health INC. for COVID-19 Research, at least one month before the alleged emergence of the novel coronavirus, and three months before it was officially dubbed Covid-19? The shocking findings however, do not end there. The contract awarded in November 2019 for COVID-19 Research was not only instructed to take place in Ukraine, it was in fact part of a much larger contract for a Biological threat reduction program in Ukraine. Perhaps explaining why Labyrinth Global Health has been collaborating with Peter Daszaks EcoHealth Alliance, and Ernest Wolfes Metabiota since its formation in 2017. The Government of the United States has a website called USA Spending, an official open data source of federal spending information. According to the site as of 12th April 2021 the US Government has spent a mind-blowing $3.63 trillion in response to COVID-19. But thats not the only information on Covid that can be found within the site. Hidden within the Award Search are details on a contract awarded by the Department of Defense to a company named Black & Veatch Special Projects Corp, which is allegedly a global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company specialising in infrastructure development. The contact was awarded on September 20th, 2012 and is described as Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. Obviously this is very vague and most likely of little interest to anyone who happens to stumble across it. But there is something contained deep within the details that should be of interest to anyone and everyone. The Award History for the contract contains a tab for Sub-Awards detailing the recipients, action date, amount, and very brief description for 115 Sub-Award transactions. Most of the Sub-Awards are extremely mundane for things such as laboratory equipment for Kyiv, or office furniture for Kyiv. Click to enlarge But there is one Sub-Award that stands out among the rest, and it is was awarded to Labyrinth Global Health INC for SME Manuscript Documentation and COVID-19 Research. An award for Covid-19 research isnt exactly shocking when the world is allegedly in the grip of a Covid-19 pandemic, but considering the fact the sub-contract was awarded 12th November 2019, at least one month before the alleged emergence of the novel coronavirus, and three months before it was officially dubbed Covid-19, the award for Covid-19 research should come as a shock to everyone. Source But the shock doesnt end there, because the place the contact for Covid-19 research was instructed to take place was Ukraine, as was the entire contract awarded by the DOD to Black & Veatch Special Projects Corp. The contract details found on the USA Spending site actually reveal that the specific DOD department that awarded the contact was the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). The contract was awarded 20th September 2012, and concluded on 13th October 2020. Whilst the details are vague, the US Government site also reveals that $21.7 million of the $116.6 million contact was spent on a Biological threat reduction program in Ukraine. Why did the Department of Defense pay a company that is allegedly a global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company specialising in infrastructure development, to help implement a Biological threat reduction program in Ukraine? And why did both the DOD and said company then pay Labyrinth Global Health INC to carry out COVID-19 research in Ukraine at least one month before the alleged emergence of the novel coronavirus, and three months before it was officially dubbed Covid-19? Founded in 2017, Labyrinth Global Health is allegedly a women-owned small business with deep expertise and a proven track record supporting initiatives for scientific and medical advancement. They describe themselves as a multicultural and international organization with offices in four countries and a team of experts with diverse backgrounds and competencies, including microbiology, virology, global health, emerging infectious disease nursing, medical anthropology, field epidemiology, clinical research, and health information systems. One of those offices just happens to be located in Kyiv, Ukraine, which the company dubs a gateway to Eastern Europe. Source The leadership team of Labyrinth Global consists of Karen Saylors, PHD who is the Chief Executive Officer; Mary Guttieri, PHS who is the Chief Science Officer; and Murat Tartan who is the Chief Financial Officer. Source Karen Saylors, PhD, who co-founded Labyrinth Global Health, has allegedly worked in the international public health field for over a decade and has spent many years living in Africa establishing global surveillance networks, working with partners to improve Global Health policy on infectious disease detection, response, and control. At Labyrinth, Dr. Saylors specialises in studies that aim to understand and mitigate biological and behavioural risk of disease transmission. Dr. Saylors worked with Oxford University Clinical Trials Network in Vietnam on zoonotic disease surveillance research and continues to coordinate with regional partners on emerging outbreaks in animal and human populations. But who are the partners that Dr Karen Saylors and Labyrinth Global Health choose to work with? They are none other than the Eco Health Alliance and Metabiota. Dr Karen Saylors, Eco Health Alliance and Metabiota worked together on the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) PREDICT program from 2009, while Labyrinth Global Health worked alongside EHA and Metabiota on the PREDICT program from 2017. Launched in 2009 and funded by USAID, PREDICT was an early warning system for new and emerging diseases in 21 countries. It was led by the University of Californias (UC) Davis One Health Institute and core partners included EcoHealth Alliance (EHA), Metabiota, Wildlife Conservation Society, and Smithsonian Institution, and as weve just revealed; Labyrinth Global Health. PREDICT was a forerunner of the more ambitious Global Virome Project. The USAID describes PREDICT as having made significant contributions to strengthening global surveillance and laboratory diagnostic capabilities for both known and newly discovered viruses within several important virus groups, such as filoviruses (including ebolaviruses), influenza viruses, paramyxoviruses, and coronaviruses. Heres one of the many studies published by Eco Health Alliance, Metabiota and Labyrinth Global Health proving the connection  Source PREDICT partnered with the non-profit Eco Health Alliance (EHA) to carry out its 9-year effort to catalogue hundreds of thousands of biological samples, including over 10,000 bats. A PREDICT-funded 2015 study on diversity of coronavirus in bats also included Peter Daszak, president of EHA, among its participants. Eco Health Alliance is listed as a partner of the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) on archived pages of its website and was mentioned as a one of the institutes strategic partners by the WIVs Deputy Director General in 2018. Notably, the relationship between the WIV and the American Biodefence establishment was advanced by EHA policy advisor, David R. Franz, former commander at US bioweapons lab at Fort Detrick. WIVs Dr. Shi Zhengli, a.k.a. Batwoman, had also worked with EHAs Daszak on bat-related studies. As far back as 2005, Daszak and Zhengli were conducting research on SARS-like coronaviruses in bats. Several PREDICT-funded studies on SARS-like coronaviruses and Swine Flu count with both Zhenglis and Daszaks contributions. Perhaps the most noteworthy of these is a 2015 PREDICT and NIH-funded study she co-authored entitled: A SARS-like cluster of circulating bat coronaviruses shows potential for human emergence. Meanwhile, Nathan Wolfe is the founder of Metabiota and non-profit Global Viral. He spent over eight years conducting biomedical research in both sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Unsurprisingly, Wolfe is a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. More notably, since 2008 he had been a member of DARPAs DSRC, Defence Science Research Council, until it was disbanded. All of these people and organisations have been working for at least the last decade studying coronaviruses and helping to set up Biolabs in Ukraine. All using US Department of Defense funds to do so. You can read much more about this here, here and here. Putting the biolabs in Ukraine to one side for now, lets return to the subject of Covid-19. If the US Government was funding Covid-19 research before Covid-19 was publicly known to exist then this suggests they either knew Covid-19 existed naturally, or they were involved in constructing this virus in a lab. But if the contract evidence isnt enough for you to come to this conclusion (it should be), then perhaps coupling it with evidence that the US National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and Moderna had a coronavirus candidate in December 2019 will be. A confidentially agreement which can be viewed here, states that providers Moderna alongside the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) agreed to tranfer mRNA coronavirus vaccine candidates developed and jointly-owned by NIAID and Moderna to recipients The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on the 12th December 2019. The material transfer agreement was signed the December 12th 2019 by Ralph Baric, PhD, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and then signed by Jacqueline Quay, Director of Licensing and Innovation Support at the University of North Carolina on December 16th 2019. The agreement was also signed by two representatives of the NIAID, one of whom was Amy F. Petrik PhD, a technology transfer specialist who signed the agreement on December 12th 2019 at 8:05 am. The other signatory was Barney Graham MD PhD, an investigator for the NIAID, however this signature was not dated. The final signatories on the agreement were Sunny Himansu, Modernas Investigator, and Shaun Ryan, Modernas Deputy General Councel. Both signautres were made on December 17th 2019. All of these signatures were made prior to any knowledge of the alleged emergence of the novel coronavirus.It wasnt until December 31st 2019 that the World Health Organisation (WHO) became aware of an alleged cluster of viral pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China. But even at this point they had not determined that an alleged new coronavirus was to blame, instead stating the pneumonia was of unknown cause. All of this requires much further research to fit all of the pieces of the puzzle together, but heres what we definitely know so far  A novel coronavirus emerged in Wuhan in December 2019.

The world did not get to hear about this novel coronavirus until early January 2020.

The world did not know this novel coronavirus was called Covid-19 until February 2020, when the World Health Organization officially named it so.

The US Department of Defense awarded a contract for Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services to Black & Veatch Special Projects Corp, which is allegedly a global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company specialising in infrastructure development.

That contract involved a Biological threat reduction program in Ukraine.

As part of this larger contract, another contract was awarded to Labyrinth Global Health for COVID-19 Research on 12th November 2019.

This was awarded at least one month before the alleged emergence of the novel coronavirus, and three months before it was officially dubbed Covid-19.

Labyrinth Global Health works alongside the Eco Health Alliance, and Metabiota, and participated in the USAID PREDICT program. All of these people and organisations have been working for at least the past decade studying coronaviruses and helping to set up Biolabs in Ukraine. All using US Department of Defense funds to do so.

Information found here points to Eco Health Alliance having a hand in creating the Covid-19 virus.

Information found here points to Moderna having a hand in creating the Covid-19 virus.

Moderna, alongside the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) agreed to tranfer mRNA coronavirus vaccine candidates developed and jointly-owned by NIAID and Moderna, to recipients The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on the 12th December 2019. What does all this point to? Thats for you to ponder and decide. But we promise you there is much more to come on the above
By surrounding a nuclear-armed world power the likes of Russia, NATO is acting in the most reckless and provocative manner possible for a military alliance that is designed with a collective defense clause.

But what if one NATO member provokes an invasion from Russia or some other country? Then all of the other 30 NATO members are pledged to come to the aid of that one nation that provoked war.

NATO is not like the E.U., which is an economic alliance. NATO is a large and growing military alliance of 31 countries that has more than doubled in size since its founding in 1949 and in recent years has added former Eastern Bloc nations on Russias border, in direct violation of v erbal assurances made to Russia by then-Secretary of State James A. Baker III, upon the breakup of the Soviet empire in 1990. If one country gets attacked by a non-NATO country, all of NATO is pledged to join in the fighting under a collective defense clause known as Article 5.

The whole reason for the war between Russia and Ukraine is because Russia didnt want Ukraine joining the Western military alliance known as NATO.

Sweden will be allowed into NATO immediately and Ukraine is being placed on a path forward to full NATO membership, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday, July 11, at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

It should be troubling to everyone living in the U.S., Canada and Europe that two days after Joe Biden announced to the world that the U.S. is running low on ammunition , he and his NATO partners announce they are doubling down on their support for Ukraines inclusion in the NATO military alliance, which is a clear provocation to nuclear-armed Russia.

Stoltenberg also told assembled media that NATO has agreed to put 300,000 troops on Stand-by alert. This includes air and naval assets he added.

By stating that Ukraine is on a multi-year path to NATO membership, this is the equivalent of a declaration of war against Russia. It gives Russia no incentive to end the war with Ukraine because Russia now knows that as long as there is a sovereign country called Ukraine, it will be on a path to joining a military alliance dedicated to the destruction of Russia, or at the very least greatly weakening it. In fact, theres already a neocon plan on the books in Washington to defeat Russia militarily and break it up into several separate countries.

At the press conference shown in the above video, Stoltenberg says NATO has granted security guarantees to Ukraine in the interim, so the most important thing we can do is continue to provide weapons, ammunition and military support to Ukraine because unless Ukraine prevails as a nation, as a democratic nation in Europe, there is no issue to be discussed about security guarantees or membership in NATO at all. On the NATO issue we will send a positive message later today when all allies agree on the text, but I expect that allies will agree on a message which is clear on the need to move Ukraine closer to NATO this is all about moving Ukraine closer to NATO membership, which will be extremely important for Ukraine and also demonstrate the unity and the strength of the message sent to Ukraine.

All of the questions from the media at this press conference sounded like pre-rehearsed, planted questions from media outlets that are not independent but rather owned and operated by the same forces that own NATO.

At the same time this group of war-hungry NATO militants announce their plans to militarize Ukraine and make it a pawn of their own agenda, they condemn Russia for doing the same in Belarus.

The U.S. and NATO get to add Finland, Sweden and Ukraine into their military alliance, but Russia doesnt get to include even one country, Belarus, into its military alliance. Now that sounds like a deal made in hell bent on sparking a global conflagration such that no one has ever seen in terms of its potential to devastate nations, destroy human lives and turn the global order on its head.

NATO acts as if its not aware that Russia is allied militarily with China. Maybe they know something about China that we dont. Maybe when the Chinese head of state shook hands and exchanged warm goodbyes with the Russian leader a few weeks ago after their summit it was all an act. Maybe China is really on our side. I dont know. But it looks to me that we now have all the makings of full-blown world war. All the ingredients needed are set out on the table, just waiting for them to come together. We have Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia on one side, and we have the U.S., Western Europe, Australia, South Korea and Japan on the other side. Neither side seems to want to leave the door open, or even slightly cracked, for the possibility of peace.

Yes, Russia invaded Ukraine with the goal of reclaiming the Russian-speaking parts of that country, claiming those Russians had come under harassment and even military attacks from the Ukrainian government in Kiev since a U.S.-sponsored coup took place in 2014, removing a pro-Russian leader.

Lets summarize whats happened in just the last couple of months in terms of the Wests response to that invasion. The Western NATO powers led by the United States have:

Sent F-16s to Ukraine and are now training Ukrainian pilots in how to operate them.

France announces it will send cruise missiles to Ukraine joining the U.S. and U.K. as the main suppliers of long-range missiles to Ukraine.

First the U.K. and then the U.S. announce they will send armor-piercing radiological depleted uranium shells to Ukraine, which if used will likely poison that countrys rich farmland for decades to come.

U.S. announces it will send cluster bombs to Ukraine which are so dangerous to civilian populations that theyve been banned by 120 nations.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said the purpose of NATOs involvement in Ukraine is to weaken Russia, and other high-level government officials have made similar comments, making it clear that this expense of money, weapons, and eventually American lives, has nothing to do with liberating anyone in Ukraine from any sort of tyranny in the name of protecting Democracy.

NATO leaders meet at a summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, to declare their eagerness to foment perpetual war in Eastern Europe, while all but guaranteeing that the war will spread to Western Europe and potentially the United States, because Russia now knows that the one thing it most feared, a NATO membership for Ukraine, has been promised to be a reality.

The news out of Vilnius today was horrible news for Ukraine. In the eyes of Putin and any red-blooded Russian patriot, the very existence of Russia now depends on the total defeat of Ukraine. Look for Putin to ratchet up his war machine exponentially, because he now has zero incentive to end this war peacefully. He will annihilate Ukraine and likely have to occupy it forever. Anything short of that invites the West and its weapons to sit on his border providing a clear path all the way to Moscow. To avoid this tragic result, all the West had to do was assure Putin that Ukraine would remain a neutral country. They refused.

From the standpoint of a civilian and a Christian living in the West, these developments are very troubling. We are living in a time of historic global upheaval. Prepare yourselves for catastrophic war-time impacts. It didnt have to be this way. Ukrainian and Russian leaders wanted to sit down and resolve their differences peacefully in April 2022. But the governments of the U.S. and the U.K. already had something else up their sleeves, which did not in any way involve peace.

LeoHohmann.com is 100 percent reader supported and independent, not reliant on any corporate ads or sponsorships. If youd like to support my work, you may send a donation of any size c/o Leo Hohmann, P.O. Box 291, Newnan, GA 30264, or via credit card below.
Clearview AI, the leading facial recognition company, is proud to announce the expansion of its advisory board with the addition of four distinguished law enforcement, military, and intelligence experts. Joining the team are Major General Aaron Prupas, retired from the United States Air Force, John T. Lewis, a Senior Intelligence Service Expert from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Mark R. Jacobson, Assistant Dean at Syracuse University, and Steve K. Francis, Acting Executive Associate Director for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). With their extensive experience and expertise in intelligence and military operations, these new board members bring invaluable insights to Clearview AI as it continues to advance the capabilities of facial recognition technology.

AARON PRUPAS

Major General, USAF (Retired)

Aaron Prupas served in the United States Air Force for more than 32 years, retiring in December 2022 at the rank of Major General. Aarons final position in the Air Force was as the Director for Defense Intelligence (Warfighter Support) within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. He also served as the Director of Intelligence for NORAD and USNORTHCOM, Deputy Director of Intelligence for NATO operations in Afghanistan, and the Director of Intelligence for the Air Forces Air Combat Command.

JOHN T. LEWIS

Central Intelligence Agency, Senior Intelligence Service Expert (Retired)

John T. Lewis retired from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as a Senior Intelligence Service Expert in February 2023. He spent over 34 years as a Technical Intelligence Officer, including technology leadership roles in the Directorate of Science & Technology (DS&T), the Directorate of Digital Innovation (DDI) and the Directorate of Operations (DO) with overseas assignments in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and conflict zones. He is a recipient of the CIA Trailblazer Medal, the CIA Career Intelligence Medal, and a four-time winner of DS&Ts John A. McCone Award for Excellence in Science & Technology.

MARK R. JACOBSON

Assistant Dean, Syracuse University

Mark R. Jacobson serves as Assistant Dean at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. He previously served as the John J. McCloy Professor of American Institutions and International Diplomacy at Amherst College and prior to that at Georgetown Universitys Walsh School of Foreign Service.

Jacobson previously served in government in a number of roles as both a civil servant and political appointee, including as special assistant to the secretary of the Navy, as the first deputy NATO senior civilian representative-Afghanistan and as a Presidential Management intern. Jacobson also worked on the staff of the Senate Armed Services Committee and as a Senior Transatlantic Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. He is a veteran, having served in both the Army and Navy reserves with mobilizations to Bosnia and Afghanistan.

STEVE K. FRANCIS

Acting Executive Associate Director, Homeland Security Investigations (Retired)

Mr. Steve K. Francis recently retired as the Acting Executive Associate Director for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), overseeing a workforce of over 10,000 employees across 220 offices worldwide. His focus is on disrupting transnational criminal organizations and terrorist networks that exploit US customs and immigration laws. Previously, he held key roles in preventing illicit procurement networks and combating intellectual property theft.

As the Special Agent in Charge for HSI Detroit, Mr. Francis led a team investigating over 400 violations of US laws, promoting national security, public safety, and border security. Throughout his career, he has received accolades, including the DHS Secretary's Award for Outstanding Achievement in Diversity Management. Mr. Francis earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Michigan State University and serves on the Center of Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection Board of Directors.

The addition of Major General Aaron Prupas, John T. Lewis, Mark R. Jacobson, and Steve K. Francis to Clearview AI's advisory board brings unparalleled law enforcement, military, and intelligence expertise. With their strategic insights, Clearview AI is poised to lead the way in responsible and innovative facial recognition technology. Together, they will navigate the complex landscape of security, privacy, and technology, ensuring a brighter future for intelligent facial recognition solutions.
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Scores of parades will take place across Northern Ireland later as Protestant loyal orders celebrate the Twelfth of July.

The main demonstrations will take place at 18 venues, including Belfast as well as Bangor, Ballymena, Ballinamallard, in Co Fermanagh and Magherafelt in Co Derry.

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An estimated half-a-million people are expected to participate or spectate in the annual festival to mark the 333rd anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.

On Tuesday night, the majority of an estimated 250 bonfires were lit in loyalist communities across the region to usher in the main date in the parading calendar.

People watch the burning of the loyalist Corcrain bonfire in Portadown, Co Armagh (Liam McBurney/PA)

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A statement from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said they received 147 emergency 999 calls between 6pm on Tuesday and 2am on Wednesday  a drop of 28% on last year.

They said 34 of the calls were bonfire-related, one less than last year.

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The Police Service of Northern Ireland tweeted one person had been taken to hospital after an incident at a bonfire in the Portaferry Road area of Newtownards.

The placing of an image of Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill and Irish flags on a bonfire in the Eastvale area of Dungannon, as well as an effigy, above a poster bearing the name of Sinn Fein councillor Taylor McGrann at a bonfire in Rathcoole on the outskirts of Belfast, are being investigated by police as hate crime.

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The loyalist Corcrain bonfire in Portadown (Liam McBurney/PA)

Those actions were condemned by representatives from political parties across the divide.

One of the largest bonfires, located in Craigyhill, Larne, aimed to raise money for a local toddler who is undergoing cancer treatment.

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The Battle of the Boyne in 1690, which unfolded at the Boyne river north of Dublin, saw Protestant King William of Orange defeat Catholic King James II to secure a Protestant line of succession to the British Crown.

Thousands of Orange lodge members parade through the summer months to mark Williams victory and other key dates in Protestant/unionist/loyalist culture.

An effigy of Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill on the Eastvale Avenue bonfire in Dungannon (PA)

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Those celebrations culminate on the Twelfth.

July 13th will see another gathering, this time organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh. The event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing King William and King Charles.

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The routes of certain Orange parades became intense friction points during the Troubles, often leading to widespread rioting and violence.

The disputes usually centred on whether or not Orange lodges should be entitled to parade through nationalist areas.

Craigyhill bonfire in Larne, Co Antrim (PA)

While Orangemen insisted they had the right to parade on public roads following long-established traditional routes, nationalist residents protested at what they characterised as displays of sectarian triumphalism passing through their neighbourhoods.

The number of flashpoints has reduced significantly in the peace process years.

DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson has encouraged peaceful and positive July 12th celebrations.

Celebrations over the 11th and 12th are part of the cultural fabric of Northern Ireland and for the vast majority of us they are an occasion where families will come together, often travelling home from wherever they now live to enjoy the occasion together, he said.

I am proud of my culture and my tradition, but I recognise that there are different cultures and traditions within Northern Ireland. For those of us who do cherish the legacy of the Glorious Revolution then the best way to show that to others is through peaceful and positive celebrations.

Those dont include the burning of flags or election posters on a bonfire, but thankfully in the vast majority of cases that does not happen. Unfortunately, it will be a minority of cases where offence is caused that will dominate the headlines. As unionists we need to recognise that such incidents are self-inflicted wounds.
Two men and two women brought before the High Court by gardai after they refused to quit a building in Dublin owned by a charitable housing association have been released.

The four - who gave their names to the court as Darragh Phelan, Kevin Doyle also known as Caoimhin O'Duill, Aoife Smith and Aishling Hudson - refused to give undertakings not to re-enter the building owned by the Cabhru charitable housing association at James McSweeney House, Berkeley Street.

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However, Mr Justice Brian O'Moore said as the building had now been secured against illegal re-entry, the order requiring all persons in occupation to vacate was now at an end as a result of the gardai having to intervene.

The judge warned however that the order was not spent and if it was violated again they may ultimately be sent to prison.

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The four, who were brought to court accompanied by several gardai, only spoke once when each was asked in turn by the judge if they undertook not to return to the building. They all replied "no".

Following the short hearing, they collected their belongings which had been brought in by the gardai, and left the court.

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At the beginning of the hearing, David Lennon BL, for Cabhru, said they had been removed from the building by gardai who were enforcing an order granted last week by the court requiring all people in occupation to vacate. The four had refused to leave.

As a result, they became subject to the court's "attachment and commital" order requiring all those refusing to leave to be brought before the court by gardai to answer why they should not be jailed for contempt of court.

Mr Lennon said his client had had no desire to see the four incarcerated and was anxious to advance the plans it has had for some time to redevelop the property to provide housing for the elderly.

The judge said he agreed with counsel the order made last week was at an end because all the defendants, who were "unknown persons" but included the four who gave their names to the court, had vacated the premises.

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The "immediate purpose" had been achieved by the intervention of the gardai and the premises had now been secured, but he did not agree the order was spent.

He emphasised to the defendants they were fortunate there was a "limited attitude" taken by Cabhru to the order but if anyone proceeds to re-enter then the order will have been violated and another order for attachment and commital can be sought, and they may be sent to jail.

It may be satisfying on the part of the individuals to show a level of independence from the courts, but if ultimately the order is violated they will be sent to prison or subject to a fine, he said.

The judge granted liberty to the charity to re-enter the case and agreed to a request from counsel to adjourn the question of the costs of bringing the case. He also thanked the gardai.
Gardai have begun an investigation following a vicious blade attack inside Mountjoy Prison.

The attack was allegedly led by Limerick crime gang boss, Wayne Dundon, and resulted in a prisoner and four prison staff being injured.

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One prisoner sustained a slash wound to his neck and received around 20 stitches following the melee last Monday, July 10th.

Four prison staff members sustained less serous slash wounds while protecting the prisoner during the violent jail clash.

The Irish Prison Service (IPS) said an incident occurred in Mountjoy Prison on July 10th, 2023 involving four prison officers.

The incident is being investigated and An Garda Siochana have been notified and therefore the Irish Prison Service cannot comment on an ongoing investigation.

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Any act of violence against a prison officer is unacceptable.

Prison staff work in an extremely challenging environment in which, on a daily basis, they face unique and often violent circumstances unlike most others in the public sector.

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The physical environment in which prison staff operate in, paired with the often challenging behaviours and needs of those in our care lead, at times, to prison staff being injured in the course of their duties.

A Garda spokesman said he would make enquires and would revert with a response in due course.

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Wayne Dundon, who along with two of his trusted criminal lieutenants Nathan Killeen and James Dillon, was jailed for life in 2014 for the murder of innocent amusement arcade owner Roy Collins in April 2009, has reportedly been masterminding plans from behind bars to regaining his control of the drugs trade on the south side of Limerick City.

Dundons brother John Dundon is serving life in jail for the murder of innocent Shane Geoghegan in 2008. Mr Geoghegan, a popular Garryowen rugby player, was shot dead in a case of mistaken identity by Dundon hitman Barry Doyle, who was also given a life sentence.

Wayne and John Dundons sibling Dessie Dundon is serving life for the 2003 murder of their rival, crime boss Kieran Keane.

Another brother, Ger Dundon, was jailed for 15 years in the UK last May, after he was convicted for his role in a violent abduction of two men in a bid to extort more than 300,000 sterling.

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Wayne Dundons gang was dismantled by Gardai when they convinced associates of the gang to give evidence against the gangs leaders.

However, sources said a young associate of Wayne Dundon has recently enlisted the assistance of UK gangsters to help enforce the gangs presence in the south side of Limerick City with a view to regaining control of the drugs trade there.

According to a source, this group has been throwing their weight around and are again trying to take over the drugs business on the south side of the Treaty City.

They have been calling to (other) drug dealers and telling them to knock it on the head, said one source.
An image of Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill has been placed on a bonfire in Co Tyrone.

The picture, along with Irish flags, appeared on the pyre in the Eastvale area of Dungannon on Tuesday evening as bonfires in loyalist areas across Northern Ireland prepared to be lit as part of the annual July 12 celebrations.

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Ms ONeill leads Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland, which won the most seats in the Assembly election entitling her to be nominated as the first nationalist or republican first minister.

However the Stormont Assembly remains collapsed amid DUP protest action over post-Brexit arrangements.

On Tuesday evening, police said they were talking to community representatives about removing the material  which they are treating as hate crime.

Officers are aware of material placed on a bonfire in Eastvale, Dungannon earlier today, the PSNI said in a statement.

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Police are treating this as a hate crime and are liaising with community representatives with a view to having the material removed.

An effigy of Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill on the Eastvale Avenue bonfire in Dungannon (PA)

DUP MLA Deborah Erskine condemned the picture of Ms ONeill on the bonfire as wrong, and urged those responsible to remove the effigy.

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Numerous events will be held tonight without burning flags, symbols or effigies, Dungannon should be the same, she tweeted.

It came as DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson urged peaceful and positive celebrations.

He made the call hours before bonfires built in loyalist areas will be lit ahead of Orange Order parades on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service attended a bonfire on the Portaferry Road in Newtownards.

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It is understood a man fell from a bonfire structure at around 10pm and was taken to hospital.

A pyre with a boat on top, with a picture of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (PA)

There was condemnation at the weekend when an Irish flag and a picture of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was put on a bonfire in Co Tyrone.

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Police are treating the incident as a hate crime.

On Tuesday evening, police and community representatives were working together to remove material from a bonfire in Rathcoole, Newtownabbey, on the outskirts of north Belfast.

An effigy, above a poster bearing the name of Sinn Fein Councillor Taylor McGrann, appeared on the pyre.

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A police spokesperson said they are treating this as a hate crime and have liaised with community representatives with a view to having the material removed.

Mr Donaldson said the burning of flags or election posters are self-inflicted wounds for unionists.

For those of us who do cherish the legacy of the Glorious Revolution then the best way to show that to others is through peaceful and positive celebrations, he said.

Those dont include the burning of flags or election posters on a bonfire, but thankfully in the vast majority of cases that does not happen.

Unfortunately, it will be a minority of cases where offence is caused that will dominate the headlines.

Leader of the DUP Jeffrey Donaldson. Photo: PA

As unionists we need to recognise that such incidents are self-inflicted wounds.

From fun-days and bonfires on the 11th through to the annual Sham Fight at Scarva on Thursday, for most people it will be time to spend with family and catching up with friends.

All of us who enjoy the celebrations can play our part in demonstrating to others everything that is best about this time of the year and why it is so important to us all.

The Eleventh Night fires are traditionally lit on the eve of the Twelfth Of July  a day when members of Protestant loyal orders parade to commemorate the Battle of Boyne in 1690.

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The bonfire was lit to usher in the Eleventh Night. Photo: PA

The battle, which unfolded at the Boyne river north of Dublin, saw Protestant King William of Orange defeat Catholic King James II to secure a Protestant line of succession to the British Crown.

Most of the estimated 250 bonfires pass off every year without incident, but a number continue to be a source of controversy.
A High Court judge has directed that two judgements given in proceedings where a woman was found to have fraudulently obtained her elderly mother's home be sent the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The direction was made by Mr Justice Brian Cregan in relation to proceedings where he found that Marie Gibson was the victim of a fraud committed against her by her daughter, Pauline Gibson.

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At the High Court on Wednesday, Hugh O'Flaherty Bl, instructed by Gaffney Halligan solicitors for Marie Gibson, said his client was delighted with the outcome of the proceedings.

While Pauline, who did not participate in the action and who the court heard is now estranged from her mother, was his client's "flesh and blood" she had no objection to the matter being referred to the DPP, counsel said.

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The judge said he was satisfied that his decisions be sent to the DPP, who will decide on whether to bring criminal charges against Pauline Gibson.

There was no objection to the court's decision.

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The court deferred making a final decision on whether to refer the two judgements, where he also made findings against solicitor Kevin O'Gorman, to the Legal Services Regulation Authority (LSRA), Revenue Commissioners and the Law Society, to a date later this month.

Mr O'Gorman, who advised the parties regarding a loan agreement relating to the plaintiff's home, was found by the court in its judgements to have been negligent in the performance of his duties towards Mrs Gibson.

On Wednesday, the judge, who noted that both LSRA and the Law Society are aware of the case and had representatives present in court, said he wanted clarification on certain legal issues before making any final decision on referring his findings to those bodies.

Eugene Gleeson SC for Mr O'Gorman said his client would prefer if the actions were not referred to the various bodies.

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Counsel said his client is no longer a man of means, and he has already suffered enough given that the proceedings against Mr O'Gorman had been widely publicised.

Costs

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The judge also made several orders regarding the legal costs of the action.

Those orders, where Mrs Gibson was awarded the vast bulk of her costs, were not finalised as the judge said the court required to hear further submissions on the level of costs that should be awarded.

The proceedings arose out of an alleged fraudulent transfer of the property between Pauline Gibson and her parents Marie and John.

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Arising out of the fraud Marie Gibson, who is aged in her 80s had sued Pauline Gibson, Mr O'Gorman, Promontoria Oyster DAC which held the charge, and a receiver it appointed over the plaintiff's home at Castletymon Green, Coolock, Dublin 5.

Last year, in the first of his two judgements, Mr Justice Cregan set aside the transfer of the property between Marie and John Gibson to Pauline, that occurred in 2003 but was not discovered until 2017 shortly after John's death, on the grounds that it was fraudulent.

The court also found that Mr O'Gorman had been negligent in the performance of his duties towards Marie Gibson.

He said that Pauline Gibson had defrauded her parents out of their family home after she arranged for the transfer of that property to herself.

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Marie Gibson claimed that in 2003 her daughter asked for a loan to help renovate Pauline's then family home at Fortfield Road, Terenure.

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However, the court held that Pauline Gibson forged her parents' signatures on documents, resulting in the property being registered in her name.

Pauline Gibson obtained 190,000 from First Active Building Society by way of mortgage on the property.

She defaulted on the loan, which was subsequently acquired from EBS by Promontoria Oyster DAC.

Marie and her late husband were never properly advised about the transfer, nor did they get any benefit for the arrangement, the court held.

Kevin O'Gorman had acted as solicitor for both parties to the transaction.

Transfer

The 2003 transfer was never stamped or registered by Mr O'Gorman, who allegedly sought to re-execute the transfer in 2009, the court found.

Promontoria appointed a receiver over the property, which the Gibsons acquired from Dublin City Council in 1977.

In a second judgement last month, the judge ordered the removal a mortgage charge held by a financial fund over the Marie Gibson's home.

Promontoria had opposed the removal of the charge.

The judge said the transfer of the property, and the charge were void and were set aside, and made damages awards in favour of the plaintiff.

The judge also ruled that the Property Registration Authority should take steps to correct its register,

They found that the appointment of a receiver over the property was not valid.

Pauline Gibson, the judge said had engaged in a scheme in 2003 to defraud her parents out of their family home.

The court marked that with an award of punitive or exemplary damages in the sum of 75,000 in favour of her mother..

Mr O'Gorman, the judge said, had behaved in "a grossly negligent manner" towards Marie Gibson and her late husband.

The judge ruled that Mr O'Gorman should pay Mrs Gibson 35,000
Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill has urged people burning effigies of politicians on loyalist bonfires to catch themselves on.

Ms ONeill was among those whose images were burned on bonfires on July 11th, the eve of Orange Order parades across Northern Ireland.

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Her image appeared on the pyre in the Eastvale area of Dungannon on Tuesday as bonfires in loyalist areas across Northern Ireland prepared to be lit as part of the annual July 12th celebrations.

An effigy of Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill appeared on the Eastvale Avenue bonfire in Dungannon (Liam McBurney/PA)

Ms ONeill leads Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland, which won the most seats in the Assembly election, entitling her to be nominated as the first nationalist or republican first minister.

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But the Stormont Assembly remains collapsed amid DUP protest action over post-Brexit arrangements.

A depiction of Sinn Fein councillor Taylor McGrann also appeared on a bonfire in Rathcoole, Newtownabbey, on the outskirts of north Belfast.

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An effigy above a poster with the name of Sinn Fein councillor Taylor McGrann appeared on a bonfire in Newtownabbey. Photo: PA.

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Police are investigating both incidents as hate crime.

Irish tricolours were also burned on a number of bonfires, while representatives of a number of other parties, including Alliance and the SDLP, also reported seeing their images on bonfires.

These actions have been condemned by politicians across the divide.

Ms ONeill said those involved in burning effigies should instead be helping to build a better future.

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Those attempting to cause offence with effigies etc should catch themselves on and join the rest of us in building a better future.

I am determined to be a First Minister for all. I will represent the whole community irrespective of who you are and where you come from.  Michelle ONeill (@moneillsf) July 12, 2023

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Those attempting to cause offence with effigies etc should catch themselves on and join the rest of us in building a better future, she tweeted.

I am determined to be a first minister for all. I will represent the whole community irrespective of who you are and where you come from.

Ahead of the bonfires, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson urged against the burning of flags and election posters as self-inflicted wounds for unionists.

Around 250 bonfires were lit as part of the annual July 12th celebrations, marking the victory of Protestant King William of Orange over Catholic King James II in the Battle of the Boyne to secure a Protestant line of succession to the British crown.
A former senior doorman at the Stardust nightclub has told an inquest that he cannot say whether the exit doors were unlocked on the night of the fire which killed 48 people.

Deputy head doorman Leo Doyle was continuing his evidence to the jury at the Dublin District Coroners Court on Wednesday, during the inquest into the blaze that swept through the Stardust nightclub in the early hours of February 14th 1981.

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Bernard Condon SC, representing a number of the families of the victims, referenced a statement made by Mr Doyle to gardai, in which Mr Doyle said when a large curtain was down in the nightclub closing off one section, exits one and six were locked and chained while the club was open.

I cant remember saying that, Mr Doyle replied.

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Mr Condon suggested that it was unlikely that the gardai went off on a flight of fancy, and he put it to the witness that he did say this about the doors. Mr Doyle replied that he did not remember, but if it was in his statement, he must have done.

He went on to say he did not remember being told to keep exit one and six closed. He said he did not even know that exit one existed.

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If that is true, then two gardai fabricated your statement, Mr Condon said.

Im not saying that either. I dont remember, Mr Doyle replied, restating that he did not remember telling the gardai that.

Chains

Mr Condon again referenced Mr Doyles original statements, in which Mr Doyle said that, on the night of the fire, he could not say if the locks and chains were off the doors as he did not check them.

We used to unlock the doors, chain the two chains together with a lock and flip the chain over to give the impression they were locked, he said.

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You cant say if they were unlocked? asked Mr Condon.

I cant say, no, replied Mr Doyle.

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Mr Condon asked him if he accepted that this practice of mock locking the doors was inherently dangerous, to which Mr Doyle replied that he did not accept this.

I didnt think there would be a tragedy like that night. Forty-two years ago, there was no training for that, he said.

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Mr Doyle said that he had no idea who came up with the idea of draping the chains over the doors to give the impression that they were locked.

Mr Condon said that in a statement made by another doorman, Michael Kavanagh, Mr Kavanagh had said that a number of weeks before the fire, a number of people got in for free through an exit door and Eamon Butterly was mad over this, and instructions came down from the top that chains and locks were not to be removed from the doors on any night that a disco was on.

Mr Doyle confirmed that if such instructions came down, they came from the top.

Mr Condon said it was practically impossible for the jury to now know the condition of those doors, and they were not able to rely on anything a Stardust doorman said.

I am telling the truth, Mr Doyle said.

The inquest continues on Thursday in the Pillar Room of the Rotunda Hospital.
G7 countries have agreed to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes as they set out the details of what a package of new security measures will entail.

The leaders of the wealthiest economies, which includes the US, UK, Japan, Canada, France, Germany and Italy, jointly penned a security accord at the Nato summit in Vilnius on Wednesday.

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British prime minister Rishi Sunak has said it marks a new high point in international support for Ukraine.

Rishi Sunak described the deal as a new high point in international support for Ukraine (Paul Ellis/PA)

He thinks it will send a message to Russian president Vladimir Putin and has the potential to bring an end to the conflict in eastern Europe.

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The pact contains promises to act multilaterally and on a country-to-country basis to offer Ukraine long-term security guarantees.

The UKs side of the bargain will see more Ukrainian pilots trained in Britain.

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No 10 said the precise offer for each country will be set out in their bilateral agreements.

In a joint declaration signed by G7 leaders, they said: We will stand with Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression, for as long as it takes.

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We stand united in our enduring support for Ukraine, rooted in our shared democratic values and interests, above all, respect for the UN Charter and the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty.

An honour to welcome President @ZelenskyyUa to our #NATOSummit for the inaugural meeting of the NATOUkraine Council. Our 3-part support package means #Ukraine is closer to #NATO membership than ever before. Today we meet as equals; I look forward to the day we meet as Allies. pic.twitter.com/4w7zruztCb  Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) July 12, 2023 Advertisement

The group said the mission was to ensure a sustainable force capable of defending Ukraine now and deterring Russian aggression in the future.

The pact promises security assistance and modern military equipment, prioritising air defence, artillery and long-range fires, armoured vehicles and other key capabilities, such as air combat.

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Ukraines military equipment will increasingly be brought into interoperability with Euro-Atlantic partners.

Plans are also in place to boost Kyivs defence industry, commit to more training exercises and provide support for cyber defence and resilience initiatives.

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G7 countries are also pledging to help Ukraine meet the reforms asked of it to become a Nato member.

They added that the West remains committed to supporting Ukraine by holding Russia accountable through sanctions and by punishing war crimes and other atrocities.
The BBC has suspended a male member of staff following allegations an unnamed presenter paid a teenager tens of thousands of pounds for sexually explicit images.

But the young person at the centre of the controversy has said nothing inappropriate or unlawful happened.

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Here is a timeline of how events unfolded based, in part, on information from the BBC and The Sun.

May 18th

The complainant, a family member, attended a BBC building, where they sought to make a complaint about the behaviour of a BBC presenter.

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Before May 19th

Sources at The Sun newspaper said the stepfather of the teenager went to the police as he wanted to stop the payments.

The sources said the stepfather reported an inappropriate relationship but police said they could not help.

May 19th

The BBCs Corporate Investigations Team (CIT) concluded that information provided to BBC Audience Services by the complainant did not include criminality but merited further investigation.

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The BBC said the CIT made checks to verify the complainants identity and received no response to emails seeking additional information from them about the claims being made.

Director-general Tim Davie told BBC Radio 4s World At One programme that the corporation had clear records of an interaction that lasted 29 minutes when the initial complaint was made.

BBC director-general Tim Davie spoke on BBC Radio 4s World At One programme (Jacob King/PA)

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June 6th

A phone call is made by the CIT to a mobile number provided by the complainant which does not connect.

No additional attempts to contact the complainant were made after June 6th, however the case remained open throughout.

July 6th

The Sun newspaper informed the BBC via the press office of allegations concerning one of its presenters.

The corporation said the allegations were different to those made in May but were from the same family who made the initial claims.

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A senior manager makes the presenter concerned aware of the allegations being outlined by The Sun.

It was agreed that the presenter would not be on air while the matter was being considered.

The Sun newspaper informed the BBC via the press office of allegations concerning one of its presenters (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

BBC executives, including the director-general, were made aware of the case.

The acting chairman was updated, and the board was regularly updated in the following days.

July 7th

Following The Suns contact, the CIT contacted the complainant again.

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The BBC also made contact with the police with regard to the matter.

July 8th

The complainant began sending the BBC materials related to the complaint.

July 9th

The BBC issued an update to staff and the media and confirmed it had suspended the presenter.

July 10th

The BBC met with the Metropolitan Police to report the matter and discuss how to progress the investigation.

The Met requested the BBC pause its investigations into the allegations while they scoped future work.

The BBC reported on Tuesday that a second person felt threatened by messages they had received from the presenter (Belinda Jiao/PA)

July 11th

The BBC reported a second person felt threatened by messages they had received from the presenter.

According to the BBC, the person  aged in their early 20s  met the presenter on a dating app before their conversations moved to other platforms.

The presenter then revealed his identity and asked the young person not to tell anyone.

The young person later posted online alluding to having had contact with a BBC presenter and hinting they might name him.

The presenter then sent a number of threatening messages which the BBC said it had seen and confirmed came from a phone number belonging to the presenter.

The BBC said the young person felt threatened by the messages and remain scared.

BBC News said it had contacted the presenter via his lawyer but had received no response to the allegations.
A teenager in the UK has appeared in court and denied stabbing a teacher in a school corridor.

The 15-year-old, who cannot be identified because of his age, appeared before Gloucestershire Youth Court in Cheltenham and pleaded not guilty to the attempted wounding with intent of Jamie Sansom.

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However, he admitted a charge of the possession of a bladed article.

The teenager spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and enter his pleas.

His parents were sat in the back of the court for the hearing.

Sadie Waits, prosecuting, asked for the case to be sent to the crown court due to the seriousness of the allegations.

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This is quite likely to be quite a complex matter, she said.

The situation is a little unusual in the way the offence has been carried out.

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District Judge Nicholas Wattam rejected the application and said the case would remain in the youth court at this stage.

A further hearing would take place on July 21st where a trial date was likely to be fixed.

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The judge also rejected a bail application on behalf of the defendant and remanded him into secure accommodation.

Addressing the defendant, he said: You will be back in court on July 21st and the court will consider this case again.

Mr Sansom suffered a single stab wound during an alleged incident at Tewkesbury Academy in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, on July 10th.

The academy was locked down and two neighbouring schools were also asked to shut their doors as a precaution following the incident.

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Mr Sansom, who has taught maths at the school since 2017, was discharged from hospital on Monday evening and said he is recovering well and hopes to be back in the classroom before the summer break.
China sent navy ships and a large group of warplanes, including fighter jets and bombers, towards Taiwan over two days, the islands defence ministry said on Wednesday

The show of force came ahead of Taiwans annual military exercises aimed at defending itself against a possible invasion.

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The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) sent 38 warplanes and nine navy vessels around Taiwan between 6am on Tuesday and 6am on Wednesday.

From Wednesday morning until noon it flew a further 30 planes, including J-10 and J-16 fighters.

Of these, 32 crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial boundary that has been considered a buffer between the island and mainland.

Later on Wednesday, another 23 planes crossed the midline.

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32 of the detected aircraft (SU-30*6, BZK-005 UAV RECCE, J-16*6, J-10*10, Y-8 ASW*2, Y-8 EW, H-6*4, KJ-500 AEW&C, Z-9 ASW) had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entered Taiwans southwest and east ADIZ. pic.twitter.com/tbtoid0CH4 Advertisement   Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C.  (@MoNDefense) July 12, 2023

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Taiwan is scheduled to hold its annual Han Guang exercise later this month, in which its military holds combat readiness drills for warding off an invasion.

It will also carry out the annual Wanan exercises aimed at preparing civilians for natural disasters and practising evacuations in case of an air raid.

China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and in recent years has shown its displeasure at political activities in Taiwan by stepping up the number of military planes sent towards the island.

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In the past year, it has also started sending its navy vessels, as well as drones to circle the surrounding waters.

In Tuesday and Wednesdays manoeuvres, the PLA flew H-6 bombers in a large loop to the south of Taiwan, travelling past the island before looping back towards Chinas southern coast.

Its largest military drills in recent years were in response to former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan last August.

It fired missiles over the island in a significant escalation and the military exercises disrupted trade lanes in the Taiwan Strait and forced aircraft to reroute their flights.

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In April, the PLA held large-scale combat readiness drills in the air and waters around Taiwan in response to the islands President Tsai Ing-wen meeting current US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
The European Parliament approved a major plan to protect nature and fight climate change in a cliffhanger vote on Wednesday.

In a test of the EUs global climate credentials, MEPs supported the general outlines of the European Commission proposals in a razor-thin 324-312 vote with 12 abstentions.

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All five Fine Gael MEPs rebelled against an attempt by their centre-right political group the European Peoples Party to kill the Nature Restoration Law.

It means that no Irish MEP backed the rejection of the bill, which has become the focus of a political storm as the European Parliaments right-wing groups seized on it as an attack on farmers that threatened food security, even as green groups and scientists insisted it was the opposite.

The Bill is a key part of the EUs European Green Deal which seeks to establish the worlds most ambitious climate and biodiversity targets and make the bloc the global point of reference on all climate issues.

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A German farmer supporting the EUs proposed Green Deal Bill demonstrates with a Bavarian flag outside the European Parliament in Strasbourg (Jean-Francois Badias/AP)

The plans proposed by the European Commission, the EUs executive branch, set binding restoration targets for specific habitats and species, with the aim by 2030 to cover at least 20 per cent of the regions land and sea areas.

After weeks of intense haggling and despite the staunch opposition from the legislatures biggest group, the European Peoples Party, the plan survived the highly anticipated vote at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

Immediately, politicians started voting on more than 100 amendments to make the plan more flexible.

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Approved amendments will be taken into negotiations with the member states and it will be months before a final law can be approved.

Climate activists demonstrate outside the European Parliament in Strasbourg (Jean-Francois Badias/AP)

The European Commission wants the nature restoration law to be a key part of the system as it is necessary for the overall deal to have the maximum impact.

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Others say that if the EU fails on the nature restoration law, it would indicate an overall fatigue on climate issues.

The Bill long looked like a shoo-in as it gathered widespread support in member nations and was staunchly defended by the European Commission and its president, Ursula von der Leyen.

But Ms von der Leyens own political group, the Christian Democrat EPP, turned sour on it and now vehemently opposes it, claiming it will affect food security and undermine the income of farmers and disgruntle a European population focused more on jobs and their wallets.

Like some other countries and leaders, they want to hit pause on such far-reaching climate legislation.

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Indonesian authorities said on Wednesday that they have seized an Iranian tanker and arrested its crew members for illegally transferring oil to another vessel in the countrys exclusive economic zone.

The Iranian-flagged MT Arman 114, transporting 272,569 metric tons (2.3 million barrels) of crude oil worth 4.6 trillion rupiah (235 million), was seized on Friday while carrying out an illegal transshipment to the Cameroon-flagged MT S Tinos near Indonesias Natuna waters, said coast guard chief Aan Kurnia.

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An Indonesian Coast Guard vessel detected suspicious activity at dawn and tried to approach the two tankers.

The Iranian tanker fled towards Malaysian territorial waters, spilling oil as the hose connecting the two vessels came loose.

The ship ignored various signals to stop, ranging from horns and warnings via loudspeakers to shots in the air, Mr Kurnia said.

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He added that the Iranian tanker, which was also carrying three passengers as well as its crew, was later arrested by the Indonesian Coast Guard with the help of its Malaysian counterpart.

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The Cameroon-flagged tanker managed to escape.

The Iranian-flagged MT Arman 114, right, and Cameroon-flagged MT S Tinos were caught carrying out an illegal oil transfer near Natuna waters in Indonesias exclusive economic zone (Bakamla/AP)

Authorities are still questioning the tankers Egyptian captain and 28 Syrian crew members, Mr Kurnia said.

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He added that they are accused of a variety of violations, including not displaying a national flag, shutting off their identification systems, anchoring illegally, as well as the illegal transfer of fuel between ships, and spilling oil.

Authorities are escorting the Iranian tanker to Batam island, near Singapore, for further investigation, Mr Kurnia said.

In 2021, Indonesian authorities seized another Iranian tanker and a Panamanian tanker over a similar illegal transfer of oil.

The tankers were released months later after a court case in which they were fined two billion rupiah (around 102,200) for spilling oil into the sea. The captains of the vessels were sentenced to one year in jail.

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Iran, home to major oil and natural gas reserves, has seen its sales abroad deeply affected by US sanctions after former president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from Tehrans nuclear deal with world powers in 2018. That cut a crucial source of government revenue in Irans struggling economy.

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Since then, Iran has relied on black-market sales and deals with Venezuela to keep its sales going.

Irans state-owned fleet of oil tankers routinely turn off their automatic identification systems (AIS) to try to mask where they deliver their cargo.

The AIS beacons, a safety measure so other ships know what is around them, can be tracked.

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Analysts say those ships often transfer their oil to other vessels, which then sell the crude oil under false pretences.
The raging conflict in Sudan has driven more than 3.1 million people from their homes, including some 700,000 who have fled to neighbouring countries, the United Nations said on Wednesday, amid growing concerns that the country is sliding into a full-scale civil war.

Sudan has been plunged into chaos since mid-April when months-long tensions between the military and its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere across the north-eastern African nation.

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The conflict derailed Sudanese hopes of restoring the countrys fragile transition to democracy, which had begun after a popular uprising forced the militarys removal of long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir in April 2019.

A coup, led by the military and RSF, disrupted the democratic transition in October 2021.

More than 2.4 million people have fled their homes to safer areas inside the country, according to the International Organisation for Migration. Around 738,000 others crossed into neighbouring counties, the agency said.

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As conflict continues to rage in Sudan, thousands of people are fleeing across the border to Chad.



Many are seriously wounded & have harrowing stories of the violence they have escaped.@WFP is scaling up its response, but more support is needed. https://t.co/CzcKe2Mhx4  United Nations (@UN) July 12, 2023

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Egypt is hosting the largest number of those who fled  more than 255,500 people  followed by Chad, with over 238,000, and South Sudan with around 160,800, the IOM said.

More than 62,000 people fled to Ethiopia, more than 16,700 to the Central African Republic and around 3,000 to Libya, it added.

More than 72% of those displaced are from Khartoum and around 9% from West Darfur province, both places where the clashes have largely centred, the IOM said.

The IOM said 65% of those who fled into neighbouring countries are Sudanese nationals and the rest are foreigners and refugees who were forced to return to their home countries.

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The conflict has turned Khartoum and other urban areas into battlefields.

Members of the paramilitary force have occupied peoples houses and other civilian properties since the conflict broke out, according to residents and activists.

There have also been reports of widespread destruction and looting across Khartoum and Omdurman.

More than 3,000 people have been killed in the clashes and some 6,000 others wounded, Health Minister Haitham Mohammed Ibrahim said in televised comments last month.

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However, doctors and activists say the casualty tally is likely to be much higher.

International and regional efforts have so far failed to establish a negotiated ceasefire and allow humanitarian agencies to provide support to civilians still trapped in the conflict.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned over the weekend that the country is on the brink of a full-scale civil war.



UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that Sudan is on the brink of a full-scale civil war (Khalil Senosi/AP)

Earlier this week, a regional meeting floated the idea of deploying troops to Sudan to protect civilians.

The Quartet Group, which met in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on Monday, called for a summit of the Eastern Africa Standby Force, a 10-member regional bloc, to consider the proposal.

The Quartet Group is a sub-committee of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, an eight-member East African bloc.

It is headed by Kenyas President William Ruto, who called for an unconditional ceasefire in Sudan and the establishment of a humanitarian zone to help deliver humanitarian aid.

Sudans military delegate, who was in Addis Ababa, did not attend Mondays meeting, accusing Mr Ruto of impartiality. The Sudanese government has accused the Kenyan government of siding with the paramilitary force in the conflict.

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Sudans government, which is controlled by the military, denounced the proposal to deploy troops. It said in a statement on Tuesday that any foreign forces in Sudanese territory will be considered as aggressors.

The statement also decried comments by Ethiopias prime minister, who called for imposing a no-fly zone over Sudan.

Egypt, meanwhile, is hosting a meeting with Sudans neighbours on Thursday, aimed at establishing effective mechanisms to help find a peaceful settlement to the conflict, according to the Egyptian presidency.

The regional diplomacy comes as talks between warring factions in the Saudi Arabian coastal city of Jeddah repeatedly failed to stop the fighting. The Jeddah talks were brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States.
North Korea fired its first intercontinental ballistic missile in three months on Wednesday, two days after it threatened shocking consequences to protest over what it called provocative US reconnaissance activity near its territory.

Some experts say North Korea is likely to have launched its developmental, road-mobile Hwasong-18 ICBM, a type of solid-fuel weapon that is harder to detect and intercept than its liquid-fuel ICBMs.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has previously called the Hwasong-18 his most powerful nuclear weapon.

The missile fired from North Koreas capital region at around 10am flew about 620 miles (1,000km) at a maximum altitude of 3,730 miles (6,000km) before landing in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, according to South Korean and Japanese assessments.

They said the missile was launched at a high angle, in an apparent attempt to avoid neighbouring countries.

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A TV screen in Seoul shows a file image of North Koreas missile launch during a news programme (Ahn Young-joon/AP)

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South Koreas military called the launch a grave provocation and urged North Korea to refrain from additional launches.

Chief Japanese Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno denounced North Koreas repeated missile launches as threats to the peace and safety of Japan, the region and international society.

In a trilateral phone call, the chief nuclear envoys of South Korea, Japan and the US agreed to deal sternly with North Korean provocations and boost their co-ordination to promote a stronger international response to the Norths nuclear and missile programmes, according to Seouls Foreign Ministry.

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The launch came while South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are attending the Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

In an emergency meeting of South Koreas security council convened by video in Lithuania, Mr Yoon warned that North Korea would face more powerful international sanctions due to its illicit weapons programmes.

North Koreas ICBM programme targets the mainland US, while its shorter-range missiles are designed to hit South Korea and Japan, both key American allies in north-east Asia.

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Japanese defence minister Yasukazu Hamada, centre, speaks to reporters in Tokyo about North Koreas missile launch (Kyodo News/AP)

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Since 2017, North Korea has performed a raft of ICBM tests, but some experts say the North still has some technologies to master to possess functioning nuclear-armed missiles capable of reaching major US cities.

The Norths most recent previous ICBM test was the first launch of the Hwasong-18 in April.

After that launch, Mr Kim said the missile would enhance the Norths counter-attack capabilities and ordered the expansion of his countrys nuclear arsenal to constantly strike extreme uneasiness and horror in its rivals.

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Missiles with built-in solid propellants would be easier to move and hide, making it difficult for opponents to detect their launches in advance. All of North Koreas previous ICBM tests used liquid fuel.

Kim Dong-yub, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said Wednesdays launch appeared to be the Norths second flight-test of the Hwasong-18.

The launch, the Norths first weapons firing in about a month, came after North Korea earlier this week released a series of statements accusing the United States of flying a military spy plane close to its soil.

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Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, warned of shocking consequences if the US continues reconnaissance activities in the area (Jorge Silva/Pool/AP)

In a statement on Monday night, Mr Kims sister and top adviser, Kim Yo Jong, warned the United States of a shocking incident as she claimed that the US spy plane flew over the Norths eastern exclusive economic zone eight times earlier in the day.

She claimed the North scrambled warplanes to chase away the US plane.

The US and South Korea dismissed the Norths accusations and urged it to refrain from any acts or rhetoric that raised animosities.

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Tuesday: I would just say that we continue to urge (North Korea) to refrain from escalatory actions.

As a matter of international law, the (North Koreas) recent statements that US flights above its claimed exclusive economic zone are unlawful are unfounded, as high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in such areas.

North Korea has made numerous similar accusations over US reconnaissance activities, but its latest statements came amid heightened animosities over North Koreas torrid run of weapons tests since the start of last year.

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Some observers say the North wants to use an expanded weapons arsenal to wrest greater concessions in eventual diplomacy with its rivals.



A man watches a TV news programme on North Koreas missile launch (Eugene Hoshiko/AP)

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said: Kim Yo Jongs bellicose statement against US surveillance aircraft is part of a North Korean pattern of inflating external threats to rally domestic support and justify weapons tests.

Pyongyang also times its shows of force to disrupt what it perceives as diplomatic co-ordination against it  in this case, South Korea and Japans leaders meeting during the Nato summit.

Professor Kim Dong-yub said Wednesdays launch is likely to have been carried out under the Norths previously scheduled weapons build-up programmes to hone Hwasong-18 technologies, rather than a direct response to the Nato gathering or the alleged US spy plane flight.

The Hwasong-18 is among an array of high-tech weapons that Mr Kim has vowed to introduce to deal with what he calls escalating US military threats.

Other weapons on his wish-list are an ICBM with multi-warheads, a spy satellite and a nuclear-powered submarine.

In late May, North Koreas launch of its first spy satellite ended in failure, with a rocket carrying it plunging to the ocean soon after lift-off.

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Some experts say North Korea could ramp up weapons tests around V-Day on July 27 (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File)

Some experts say North Korea could ramp up weapons tests around July 27, the date for the 70th anniversary of the signing of an armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War. North Korea calls the date V-Day or War Victory Day.

Duyeon Kim, of the Centre for a New American Security, said: Pyongyang might be manufacturing tensions ahead of its Victory Day to further strengthen solidarity domestically after having failed its first spy satellite launch in May and then justifying future provocations by first unleashing a stream of threats and harsh rhetoric about US spy planes.

UN Security Council resolutions ban North Korea from engaging in any launches using ballistic technologies.

But China and Russia, both permanent members of the council, blocked the US and others attempts to toughen UN sanctions on North Korea over its recent ballistic missile tests.
BBC newsreader Huw Edwards has been suspended following allegations he paid a teenager tens of thousands of pounds for sexually explicit images.

However, the young person at the centre of the controversy said nothing inappropriate or unlawful happened.

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Here is how events have unfolded:

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May 18th

The complainant, a family member, attended a BBC building, where they sought to make a complaint about the behaviour of Mr Edwards who initially was not publicly named and was referred to only as a BBC presenter.

May 19th

The complainant contacted BBC Audience Services and the details of this contact were referred to the BBCs Corporate Investigations Team.

The BBCs Corporate Investigations Team assessed the information contained in the complaint provided from Audience Services.

The assessment made was that on the basis of the information provided, it did not include an allegation of criminality  but nonetheless merited further investigation.

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The BBCs Corporate Investigations Team emailed the complainant stating how seriously the BBC takes the issue and seeking additional information to verify the claims being made; there was no response to this contact.

Checks were also made to verify the identity of the complainant. The BBC said this is a standard procedure to confirm that the complainant is the person they say they are.

Appearing on BBC Radio 4s World At One programme with broadcaster Sarah Montague, director-general Tim Davie spoke about the initial complaint made to the corporation.

He said: The facts are there that very simply the Corporate Investigations Team looked at the log  that is the summary of the call  we have clear records of an interaction that lasted 29 minutes.

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BBC Broadcasting House in London (Ian West/PA)

June 6th

Having received no response to the email referenced above, a phone call was made to the mobile number provided by the complainant by the BBCs Corporate Investigations Team; the call did not connect.

Following these attempts to make contact with the complainant, the Corporate Investigations Team was due to return to the matter in the coming weeks.

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No additional attempts to contact the complainant were made after June 6th, however the case remained open throughout.

July 6th

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The Sun newspaper informed the BBC via the Corporate Press Office of allegations concerning Mr Edwards.

The BBC said it became clear that the source of the claims was from the same family as approached the BBC on May 18th-19th.

This was the first time that the director-general or any executive directors at the BBC were aware of the case.

The claims made by The Sun contained new allegations that were different to the matters being considered by BBC Corporate Investigations.

When asked about the difference between the complaint on May 19th and the complaint made in The Sun story, Mr Davie said: The process is that we did receive a call as you can see in the timeline on May 19th that was taken by Audience Services Team who then make a summary of the call and put it to our highly experienced Corporate Investigations team.

On the basis of the information they had at that point, it did not include an allegation of criminality, but nonetheless was very serious and they wanted to follow it up, and you can see the attempts to follow it up on the timeline.

It was serious but the key was their assessment was it did not include an allegation of criminality.

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When The Sun made new allegations on July 6th they were different to the matters considered by BBC Corporate Investigations and those new allegations clearly related to potential criminal activity, criminality, that in a nutshell is the difference.

BBC director-general Tim Davie (Jacob King/PA)

The BBC initiated an incident management group to lead the response to this case, involving senior BBC executives including the director-general.

The acting chairman was updated, and the board was regularly updated in the coming days.

A senior manager held the first conversation on this matter with the presenter concerned, to make him aware of the claims being outlined by The Sun.

It was agreed that Mr Edwards would not be on air while this matter was being considered.

Mr Davie also told the World At One he did not speak to the accused presenter on July 6th, but instead the conversation was conducted by a senior manager, which the director-general said was important in order for him to be able to oversee the process.

July 7th

Following The Suns contact, the BBCs Corporate Investigations team contacted the complainant again, who was in touch with the BBCs investigators.

The BBCs Serious Case Management Framework (SCMF) was initiated and the investigation being undertaken by the Corporate Investigations Team was brought into the SCMF, which is chaired by a human resources director.

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The BBC also made contact with the police with regard to this matter.

July 8th

The complainant sent the BBC some materials related to the complaint.

July 9th

The complainant continued to send the BBC materials to do with the complaint.

The BBC issued an update to staff and the media. The broadcaster also confirmed that it had suspended Mr Edwards.

July 10th

The BBC contacted the Met Police over the matter (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

The BBC met with the police to report the matter and discuss how to progress the investigation.

The police requested that the BBC pause its investigations into the allegations while they scope future work.

July 11th

The BBC reported a second person felt threatened by messages they received from Mr Edwards.

According to the BBC, the person in their early 20s met Mr Edwards on a dating app before their conversations moved to other platforms.

He then revealed his identity and asked the young person not to tell anyone.

The young person later posted online alluding to having had contact with a BBC presenter and hinting they might name him.

Mr Edwards then sent a number of threatening messages, which the BBC says it has seen and confirmed came from a phone number belonging to him.

The BBC said the young person felt threatened by the messages and remains scared.

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BBC News said it had contacted the Mr Edwards via his lawyer, but had received no response to the allegations.

July 12th

Im starting to think the BBC Presenter involved in the scandal should now come forward publicly. These new allegations will result in yet more vitriol being thrown at perfectly innocent colleagues of his. And the BBC, which Im sure he loves, is on its knees with this.

But it  Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) July 11, 2023

Broadcaster Jeremy Vine called on Mr Edwards to name himself publicly to prevent damage to the BBC, his friends and those falsely-accused.

British prime minister Rishi Sunak said that he personally was concerned by the serious allegations.

Vicky Flind, the wife of Mr Edwards, issues a statement naming her husband as the individual involved.

She said that he was suffering from serious mental health issues and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future as she asked for privacy for her family.

The Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police say that no criminal offence has been committed by Mr Edwards and neither force would currently be taking any further action in relation to the allegations.

The BBC announces it will resume its fact-finding investigations to ensure due process and a thorough assessment of the facts, whilst continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all involved.
Investigators have found traces of subsea explosives in samples taken from a yacht that has been part of a probe into the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea last year, European diplomats have told the United Nations Security Council.

They said the inquiry has not yet established who the perpetrators were and whether a state was involved.

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Denmark, Sweden and Germany have been investigating the September 26 attack, and the Danish foreign ministry tweeted a letter on Tuesday from the three countries UN ambassadors to the president of the Security Council with information on their activities so far.

Denmark , Germany  and Sweden  have sent a new joint letter to the UN Security Council  on the Nord Stream explosions with a status of the separate, national investigations, in light of the upcoming meeting on the issue  pic.twitter.com/9LrJGrxnDC Advertisement  Denmark MFA  (@DanishMFA) July 11, 2023 Advertisement

Officials voiced caution in March over media reports that a pro-Ukraine group was involved in the sabotage.

German media reported then that five men and a woman used a yacht hired by a Ukrainian-owned company in Poland to carry out the attack, and that it had set off from the German port of Rostock.

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German federal prosecutors declined to comment on that and other reports but did confirm that a boat was searched in January, and said there was a suspicion that the vessel in question could have been used to transport explosive devices which were used to blow up the pipelines.

A section of this weeks letter detailing Germanys findings said the yachts precise course has not yet been definitively established. It said traces of subsea explosives were found in the samples taken from the boat during the investigation, but did not elaborate.

At this point it is not possible to reliably establish the identity of the perpetrators and their motives, particularly regarding the question of whether the incident was steered by a state or state actor, it said.

All information to clarify the matter will be pursued during the continuing investigations.

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An image taken by the Swedish Coast Guard of a leak from Nord Stream 2 on September 28th 2022. Photo: Swedish Coast Guard/AP.

The undersea explosions ruptured the Nord Stream 1 pipeline  which, until Russia cut off supplies at the end of August, was its main natural gas supply route to Germany.

They also damaged the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which never entered service as Germany suspended its certification process shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

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The pipelines had long been a target for criticism by the United States and some of its allies, who warned that they posed a risk to Europes energy security by increasing dependence on Russian gas.

President Vladimir Putin and Russian officials have accused the US of staging the pipeline explosions, which they have described as a terror attack.

Ukraine has rejected suggestions that it might have ordered the attack.

The countries investigating the explosions have not commented on who might have been responsible.
The UK has imposed sanctions on businesses linked to the leaders on both sides in the conflict in Sudan.

The measures apply to three businesses associated with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and three to its rival in the power struggle, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

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The action comes with the conflict between the regular army and the paramilitary RSF threatening to spiral into a full-blown civil war.

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British foreign secretary James Cleverly said: These sanctions are directly targeting those whose actions have destroyed the lives of millions.

Both sides have committed multiple ceasefire violations in a war, which is completely unjustified.

Innocent civilians continue to face the devastating effects of the hostilities, and we simply cannot afford to sit-by and watch as money from these companies, all funding the RSF or SAF, is spent on a senseless conflict.

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The British foreign office said around 25 million people had been left in need of humanitarian assistance as a result of almost three months of violence, with more than 2.2 million internally displaced and 682,000 people estimated to have fled to neighbouring countries.

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Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. Photo: Henry Nicholls/PA.

The companies associated with the RSF identified by the Foreign Office are: Al-Junaid, GSK Advance Company Ltd and Tradive General Trading Co.

The three SAF-linked firms are: Defense Industries Systems, Sudan Master Technology and Zadna International Company for Investment.

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The sanctions will ensure that any assets held by the firms in the UK will be frozen.

Africa Minister Andrew Mitchell said: The SAF and RSF have dragged Sudan into a wholly unjustified war, with utter disregard for the Sudanese people, and must be held accountable.

These sanctions are designed to pressure the parties to engage in a meaningful and lasting peace process.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed fresh pledges of weapons and ammunition to fight Russias invasion along with longer-term security commitments from the West on Wednesday.

It comes after the Ukrainian president expressed disappointment over the lack of a clear path for his country to join Nato as the alliance wrapped up its annual summit in Lithuania.

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Flanked by G7 leaders including US president Joe Biden at a press conference, Mr Zelenskiy said: The Ukrainian delegation is bringing home a significant security victory for the Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our children.

A joint declaration issued by the G7 lays the groundwork for each nation to negotiate agreements to help Ukraine bolster its military over the long term.

Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelenskiy spoke about the G7 deal to support Ukraine (Susan Walsh/AP)

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Mr Zelenskiy described the initiative as a bridge toward eventual Nato membership and a deterrent against Russia.

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Mr Biden said, Our support will last long into the future. Were going to help Ukraine build a strong, capable defence.

The Ukrainian and American presidents also met privately along with their advisers, and Mr Biden later pledged that the United States is doing everything we can to get you what you need.

He acknowledged that Mr Zelenskiy is sometimes frustrated by the pace of military assistance.

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Mr Zelenskiy thanked Mr Biden, saying that you spend this money for our lives, and said shipments of controversial cluster munitions would help Ukraines fight against Russia.

It was a marked shift in tone from Mr Zelenskiys complaints a day earlier that it was unprecedented and absurd to avoid setting a timeline for Ukraine to join Nato.

On the final day of Natos summit, the alliance launched a new forum for deepening ties with Ukraine: the Nato-Ukraine Council.

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The US and Ukrainian leaders met during the summit in Lithuania (Susan Walsh/AP)

It is intended to serve as a permanent body where the alliances 31 members and Ukraine can hold consultations and call for meetings in emergency situations.

The setting is part of Natos effort to bring Ukraine as close as possible to the military alliance without actually joining it.

In a communique issued on Tuesday, the leaders said that Ukraine can join when allies agree and conditions are met.

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At a news conference alongside Mr Zelenskiy, Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said: Today we meet as equals. I look forward to the day we meet as allies.

The ambiguous plan for Ukraines future membership reflects the challenges of reaching consensus among the alliances current members while the war continues, and has frustrated Mr Zelenskiy even as he expressed appreciation for military hardware being promised by the G7.

The results of the summit are good, but if there were an invitation, that would be ideal, Mr Zelenskiy said.

He added that joining Nato would be a serious motivating factor for Ukrainian society at it resists Russia.

Nato needs us just as we need Nato, he said.

Ukraines future membership was the most divisive and emotionally charged issue at this years summit.

World leaders gathered in Lithuania for the Nato summit (Susan Walsh/AP)

In essence, Western countries are willing to keep sending weapons to help Ukraine do the job that Nato was designed to do  hold the line against a Russian invasion  but not allow Ukraine to join its ranks and benefit from its security during the war.

Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo said: We have to stay outside of this war but be able to support Ukraine.

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We managed that very delicate balancing act for the last 17 months. Its to the benefit of everyone that we maintain that balancing act.

Amanda Sloat, senior director of European affairs for the US National Security Council, defended the summits decisions.

She said: I would agree that the communique is unprecedented, but I see that in a positive way.

Ms Sloat noted that Ukraine will not need to work through a membership action plan as it seeks to join Nato, although she said there are still governance and security sector reforms that are going to be required.

The action plan is usually a key step in the process that involves advice and assistance for countries seeking to join.

Symbols of support for Ukraine are common around Vilnius, where the countrys blue-and-yellow flags hang from buildings and are pasted inside windows.

Support for Ukraine has been evident across Vilnius (Mindaugas Kulbis/AP)

One sign cursed Russian president Vladimir Putin, while another urged Nato leaders to hurry up in their assistance for Ukraine.

However, there was caution inside the summit itself, especially from Mr Biden, who has explicitly said he doesnt think Ukraine is ready to join Nato.

There are concerns that the countrys democracy is unstable and its corruption remains too deeply rooted.

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Under Article 5 of the Nato charter, members are obligated to defend each other from attack, which could swiftly draw the US and other nations into direct fighting with Russia.

Defining an end to hostilities is no easy task.

Officials have declined to define the goal, which could suggest a negotiated ceasefire or Ukraine reclaiming all occupied territory.

Either way, Mr Putin would essentially have veto power over Ukraines Nato membership by prolonging the conflict.

Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, Turkeys president Recep Tayyip Erdogan,, and Swedens prime minister Ulf Kristersson made moves on Swedens membership of Nato (Yves Herman/AP)

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace warned Wednesday of bubbling frustration over Mr Zelenskiys demands, adding that people want to see gratitude for Western military support.

Mr Wallace also said hes heard grumbles from some US lawmakers that were not Amazon.

At the same time, the new G7 framework would include long-term commitments to Ukraines security.

To repel Russian attack, the major powers promise swift and sustained security assistance, modern military equipment across land, sea and air domains, and economic assistance.

They also vow to slap more sanctions on Russia.

For now and into the future, they say, they will provide weapons and military equipment, including combat airpower, as well as more training for Ukraines beleaguered army.

Mr Zelenskiy has asked that these assurances last at least until Ukraine joins Nato.

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Moscow reacted harshly to the G7 plan.

Russia has reacted harshly to the plans announced by the G7 leaders (Pavel Golovkin/AP)

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: We consider this extremely ill-judged and potentially very dangerous.

He added that by providing security guarantees to Ukraine, theyre infringing on Russias security.

Ukraine has been let down by security guarantees in the past.

In the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, Russia, the US and UK agreed that none of their weapons will ever be used against Ukraine except in self-defence, in exchange for Kyiv transferring its Soviet-era nuclear weapons to Russia.

But in 2014, Russia annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula and seized territory in the south and east.

In 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion in an attempt to topple Kyiv, leading to the current bloody conflict.

Mr Zelenskiy told reporters that the Budapest Memorandum was no help without Nato membership and its mutual defence agreement.

He said: In fact, Ukraine was left with that document and defended itself alone.

The summit in Vilnius has seesawed between conflict and compromise, with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy admitting his frustration (Yves Herman/AP)

Although international summits are often tightly scripted, this one in Vilnius has seesawed between conflict and compromise.

At first leaders appeared to be deadlocked over Swedens bid for membership in the alliance.

However, Turkey unexpectedly agreed to drop its objections on Monday, the night before the summit formally began.

But Mr Erdogan said on Wednesday that Turkeys parliament could not consider the matter before October.

However, he does appear keener to develop his relationship with Mr Biden.

The Turkish president has been seeking advanced American fighter jets and a path toward membership in the European Union.

The White House has expressed support for both, but has insisted the issues were not related to Swedens membership in Nato.
Rishi Sunak told Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskiy he belonged in Nato as he assured him real progress had been made on providing security guarantees for Kyiv in its fightback against Russia.

The British prime minister met the Ukrainian president on the fringes of the Nato summit in Vilnius.

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Mr Zelenskiy has been left frustrated by the reluctance of the 31 member states to agree a timetable for wartorn Ukraine to be admitted into the international defensive alliance.

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He said it is absurd that Nato has insisted that there are still military and democratic conditions for the eastern European country to meet before it can join following the end of the conflict with Moscow.

Greeting Mr Zelenskiy in the Lithuanian capital on Wednesday, Mr Sunak said: It is good to see you here at Nato where you belong.

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Mr Zelensky said he was keen to advance talks on security guarantees for his people, with Mr Sunak assuring him that real progress had been made in that regard.

The British premier has consistently stated that he sees Ukraines place as being in Nato but its pathway to entry has proved a sticking point among allies in Vilnius.

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Mr Sunak has been working behind the scenes to deliver a non-Nato multilateral defence and economic agreement for Ukraine to give it long-term support against current and future Russian aggression.

Rishi Sunak and Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to meet in private without aides. Photo: Paul Ellis/PA.

All members of the G7  made up of the UK, the US, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada  are set to sign the pact with Ukraine, which the Prime Minister has said has the potential to return peace to Europe.

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As well as holding talks with Mr Sunak, the Ukrainian leader also met other G7 heads of state, including German chancellor Olaf Scholz and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.

He is expected to meet US president Joe Biden later on Wednesday.

During the opening exchanges of their meeting, Mr Sunak praised the efforts of Ukraines armed forces in the pushback against Moscows invading forces.

The British prime minister said: What your soldiers are doing on the front line, it is inspiring to everyone.

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Were proud to have played a part in training some of them.

They have served with enormous bravery and courage.

Mr Zelensky said the training missions in the UK had been very important, with Mr Sunak adding it was clear the exercises had been put to good use.

Conservative Party leader Mr Sunak suggested the pair meet without aides present, with the Ukrainian president agreeing that there should be only two of them in the room.

Such a move had previously been seen as unusual, but it has become a regular tactic of Mr Sunak in recent months to meet with his allies on a one-to-one basis.
A frozen food pack went viral last month. Online, I mean. Nothing to do with E. coli. As for the packs contents, the wrapping was too frosted to see. Making browsers settle for the label: Lorem Ipsum Dolor & Cheddar  With lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt.

Design geeks loved the inside joke, a mystery item acting as the meaning of the famous placeholder text. Lorem ipsum, a mock-Latin, has been the dummy script of template pages for decades, centuries in fact. Yet last month this phantom meal whetted a fresh appetite for the gobbledygooks source. For starters, what does lorem ipsum even mean?

Fancy a Lorem Ipsum Dolor and Cheddar?

Nihil, to borrow the Latin. Nada. Or not in a pure sense. The phrase truncates dolorem ipsum, literally the pain. Yet, the deeper quest has been to pinpoint the pseudo-Latins origins. At first glance, across prototype documents, the filler language seems the stuff that Caesar spoke to his senators. All cum solute nobis and whatnot.

Greater scrutiny, however, reveals the corruption. Words like adipiscing, with its -ing ending, was never a Latin thing. Doubled consonants too, like porttiter (no such word), or the combination of sollicitudin pellentesque, a phrase no self-respecting centurion would have uttered. Ask Google Translate, however, and youll learn the expression means Im worried about the kids. Yeah, right. And Im Marcus Aurelius.
Another Australian, director and producer Fletcher Moules, is nominated as one of the producers of the animated music special Entergalactic, created by American musician and actor Kid Cudi as a visual companion to the album of the same name. Entergalactic is nominated in the animated program category. And Australian composer (and Sydney Conservatorium of Music graduate) Allyson Newman has been nominated for her work on the series The L Word: Generation Q in the outstanding original music and lyrics category. Newman is up against composers from The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, Ted Lasso and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. Australian actors Elizabeth Debicki and Anna Torv are nominated as well. Debicki for her work on The Crown in the supporting actress category, and Torv, who stars in the acclaimed ABC drama series The Newsreader, in the guest actress in a drama series for her performance in The Last of Us. And New Zealand costume designer Kate Hawley was nominated in the outstanding fantasy/sci-fi costume category for her work on The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Bella Ramsey (left) and Anna Torv in The Last of Us. Credit: HBO/Binge HBOs Succession, of course, will be the star of the show. It is nominated for outstanding drama series, and has almost all of its main cast in contention. The toughest category, however, is lead actor where no less than three of its cast are nominated against each other: Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin and Jeremy Strong. And while Strong is a past Emmy winner, the prominence of and praise for Culkins performance in the shows final season would surely place him first among equals.

The nights other tough category is supporting actress in a drama series, where Jennifer Coolidge, Meghann Fahy, Sabrina Impacciatore, Aubrey Plaza and Simona Tabasco from The White Lotus are nominated. Alls fair in love and the Emmys, but its hard to see that award going to anyone but Coolidge who is, like Murray Bartlett, riding something of a cultural wave. Competition in the supporting actor in a drama series is also a little hot, with four actors from The White Lotus (F. Murray Abraham, Michael Imperioli, Theo James and Will Sharpe) against three from Succession (Nicholas Braun, Matthew Macfadyen and Alexander Skarsgard) chasing one Emmy. At first glance, its an open field, but the smart money has to be on Macfadyen. 2023 was definitely Tom Wambsgans year. Loading There were also some surprises. Netflixs Emily-in-politics drama The Diplomat may have been the buzzy pop-out show of the year, but its only major nod was for Keri Russell, in the lead actress in a drama series category. It was excluded from the drama series category, while perennial staples like Better Call Saul and The Crown made it in. And despite the popularity of the Yellowstone franchise  Yellowstone, plus two prequels 1883 and 1923, and at least three more shows, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, 6666 and 1944 coming  the franchise was more or less shut out. That cuts deepest for 1923, which counts Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren among its cast.

Other shows that seem to be obvious oversights  among them, The Idol, Black Mirror and Outlander - all landed on screen after the eligibility window for this years Emmys, which is between June 1, 2022, and May 31, 2023. (At least six episodes of scripted series have to air before the cutoff date.) That means any excluded shows, such as The Idol, which generated enormous noise this year, would not be eligible for Emmys until 2024. Succession is the most nominated program with 27, followed by The Last of Us with 24, The White Lotus with 23 nominations, Ted Lasso with 21 nominations and The Marvelous Mrs Maisel with 14. On those numbers, HBO, which was at one point neck and neck with streaming disruptor Netflix for dominance of the awards landscape, would seem to have re-established itself. Loading Succession, The Last of Us and The White Lotus are all major HBO titles; the other two shows in the top five most nominated belong to Apple TV+ and Prime Video respectively. Netflixs strongest performing shows were Beef and Dahmer  Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story with 13 nominations each. The creative arts Emmys are held the week before the primetime Emmys, and cover almost 100 categories, including visual effects, picture and sound editing, lighting design, music, cinematography, choreography, casting and art direction. The primetime Emmys honour acting, writing, directing and key program categories: comedy, drama, limited series, realty competition, scripted variety and talk show.
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Eating outSuburb guides Parramattas top 10 eateries  from a backyard pizza joint to legendary laksa Plus a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern brunch spot in a pretty setting, crazy good mushroom toasties, and a Vietnamese pho institution going strong since 1992. Andrew Levins July 12, 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

Smart and stylish 300-seat eatery Misc. at Parramatta Park. Parker Blain Parramatta CBD was recently announced as the second New South Wales district to earn a Purple Flag, an internationally recognised accreditation awarded to areas with vibrant, diverse and safe nightlife scenes. (The YCK corridor in Sydneys CBD, which takes in York, Clarence and Kent streets, was the first to get the flag.) To celebrate Parramattas new status, we thought wed round up some of the best spots to eat in Sydneys second CBD. The legendary laksa at Temasek. Wolter Peeters Temasek Temaseks take on Malaysian and Singaporean classics has made it one of the most popular restaurants in Parramatta. It opened in 1992 and even though theyve added extra room over the years, you can still expect long lines if you visit for dinner at the weekend. Top-notch laksas and Hainanese chicken (both $16) make Temasek an inexpensive lunch spot, but the special-order menu items  including a fish-head curry; barbecued banana leaf-wrapped fish; and a showstopping Singapore chilli crab (complete with white bread to mop up all the extra sauce)  make it a great restaurant for a special occasion, too. The only catch is they have to be ordered two days in advance.

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Shop 2-4, 71 George Street, temasekrestaurant.com Swanky Noodle If this was a list of best-named restaurants in Parramatta, this place would take out line honours, no competition. Its a bonus the food is fantastic, too. A huge variety of hand-pulled noodles, dumplings and addictive spicy cold entrees make this the best Chinese restaurant in the area. Shop 1, 115 Church Street, swankynoodle.com.au Misc. in Parramatta Park. Parker Blain

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Misc. This Parramatta Park brunch and lunch spot is not just one of western Sydneys best restaurants  its one of the best in the whole of Sydney. The beautifully located 300-seater has two enormous menus, breakfast and lunch, each focusing on share plates that take inspiration from the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Go with a group and try to fill every bit of your table with plates of wood-fired bread, smoked labne, sujuk (spicy sausage), hot-smoked trout and saganaki cheese. Parramatta Park, miscparramatta.com.au Circa Things have changed slightly since Circa opened in 2010. Its gone from the only good cafe in Parramatta to one of the many good cafes in Parramatta. In our opinion, though, its still the best of them. The fun and varied menu changes seasonally, but the favourites remain, such as the legendary Ottoman eggs (poached free-range eggs with crumbed eggplant and labne). Circa is good for a quick coffee and sweet treat, or for a long lunch of crispy skin barramundi and crab fettuccine.

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21 Wentworth Street, circaespresso.com.au Ria Ayam Penyet Indonesian staples such as nasi goreng and fried chicken are worth ordering on your first visit, but on your return, you should try something from the extensive soup list, in particular the bakso. Its a combo of meatballs, noodles and crispy fried wonton wrappers. Or seek out the simple yet satisfying tamarind soup, sayur asem. If you dine in, your food is brought to you by a robot, so you should obviously dine in. 312 Church Street, parramatta.ria98.com.au Lilymu in Parramatta Square. Edwina Pickles

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Lilymu Lilymus modern take on Chinese and South-East Asian cuisine is fun and crowd-pleasing. Head chef Brendan Fongs menu changes enough that return visits are a must, and pastry chef Emi Echizenyas excellent desserts (especially the beautiful coconut sorbet with apple granita, pineapple and sago) are the perfect end to a great meal. Find it in Parramatta Square, also home to the terrific Ruse Bar and Brasserie and the only Mamak in Sydney you dont have to line up for. Parramatta Square, 153 Macquarie Street, lilymu.com Homage Come for the coffee (an impressive selection of beans roasted by Five Senses and Proud Mary), stay for the sandwiches. Its hard to go past the meatball sub with crisps on the side, and the open mushroom toastie is also crazy good. Friendly service and a great selection of sweets make this a local favourite.

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Shop 1, 71-73 George Street, instagram.com/homagespecialtycoffee Icy Spicy This place has a winning combination of Indian-style momo dumplings and Indian-flavoured ice-cream. There are about 10 momos, all vegetarian and gelatin-free  our pick is the fried beetroot  and more than 32 ice-cream flavours. There are ones youve heard of, like vanilla and butterscotch, but also ones you might not have, such as paan and gulab jamun (rosewater). If you want something that lives up to the Icy Spicy name, get a scoop of green mango generously sprinkled with bright red chilli powder. 146 James Ruse Drive, icyspicy.com.au Pho Pasteurs Vietnamese pancakes with mint, sprouts and lettuce. Wolter Peeters

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Pho Pasteur This Vietnamese institution has served what can only be thousands of bowls of pho to hungry Parramattans since it opened in 1992. Pasteur is a family-run restaurant, a beacon of culinary light that sits near the towering Westfield Shopping Centre. Not only does it offer the best bowl of pho in the area, but the massive menu also includes excellent vermicelli noodle salads, roll-your-own rice-paper rolls (the sugar cane prawns are a standout), and a surprisingly large amount of good vegetarian options. 137 Church Street, phopasteursydney.com Fratelli Pulcinella For many years, the Parramatta LGA was without a decent wood-fired pizza shop (COVID lockdowns were very difficult). That changed in 2022, when former Naples pizza scholar Alessio Zullo opened Parramattas first proper wood-fire setup in, wait for it, his backyard. While Fratelli Pulcinella is technically a takeaway joint, Zullo added outdoor dining so up to 30 people can enjoy his pizzas on his property. The classics (margherita, funghi, Napoletana) are some of the best in Sydney, but the star of the menu is the Vesuvio. Its a giant double layerpizza with home-made Italian sausage, ham, mushrooms and cheese on the inside, then a layer of tomato and cheese on top. Its a truly decadent pizza. It feels insane to go from years of no good pizza in Parramatta to something this wonderful. 44 OConnell Street, instagram.com/fratellipulcinella
Cost per wear is the calculation used by seasoned shoppers to justify splurging on a pair of chunky Loewe loafers or a Zimmermann dress, but it faces competition from a new spending formula: cost per sleep.

Luxury brands are moving out of the wardrobe and creeping between, above and beneath the designer sheets with $4281 weighted woollen blankets, $4380 pyjamas and $1 million beds.

Billie Eilish and Jesse Rutherford in Gucci sleepwear and blanket at the LACMA gala in LA, November 2022. Credit: Getty

Patterned pyjamas from Olivia Von Halle, Sleeper, Gucci and Kiki de Montparnasse are the gateway drug  no prescription required  to bedroom accessories that use wellness to target the wealthy, while making others even richer.

The global sleep market, including mattresses and pillows, generated $US60 billion ($90 billion) in 2020 and is predicted to reach $US112 billion by 2030.
Brisbane will be the place to groove in September with the launch of a new music trail.

Queensland Music Trails, the company behind similar events in the Scenic Rim and western Queensland, will debut its Brisbane series at Northshore Hamilton on September 16 with the Sweet Relief! concert.

The Brisbane Music Trail will focus on community and togetherness.

The Avalanches, Ladyhawke and Groove Armada will headline the one-day launch party, which will feature some of the best dance, electronic and live acts from Australia and around the world.

The Brisbane Music Trail is a long-term initiative to bring our strongest homegrown experiences under one banner so that September becomes the month that Brisbane owns live music in Australia, company chief Joel Edmondson said.
A prominent senior detective sergeant has been sacked from the force after an internal police investigation found he touched a junior officers buttocks and placed his tongue in her ear.

A tribunal decision released in November affirmed the dismissal of Jeff Cocks, after it was found he had touched a junior officers buttocks and placed his tongue in her ear following a drunken staff lunch.

Former senior detective sergeant Jeff Cocks in 2015. Photo has been digitally altered. Credit: Jason South

Criminal charges have not been laid following the incident.

Mr Cocks, who maintains his innocence, was a celebrated and influential senior detective who became known for a series of high-profile drug busts and successful crackdowns on young offenders obsessed with guns, violence and gangster culture.
Perth leads the nation in the consumption of the little-known party drug MDA.

MDA, also known as Sally or Sass, is a synthetic stimulant-psychedelic drug similar to LSD and the active compound in MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy or Molly.

Perth leads the nation in the consumption of MDA, also known as Sally. Credit: ACIC

MDA causes visual hallucinations, euphoria and heightened feelings of intimacy.

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission released new data on Tuesday night showing the amount of MDA found in wastewater in Perth was the highest in the country.
The City of Perth has launched a new, multi-event food festival which will kick off in August with a month of eating and drinking, bespoke dining events and a raft of special offers at restaurants and bars.

Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas invited the community to celebrate the magic of food in the city via the Plateful Perth festival.

Bivouac will host A Night in Mauritius.

I encourage everyone to come into the city, discover hidden gems, revisit old favourites, make the most of limited-time offers and create lasting memories, Zempilas said.

The program begins on August 1 with the Heritage Wine Bars Midwinter Feast. A Farm to Table Dinner with three guest chefs joining forces to produce a menu that shines a spotlight on local produce.
Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe has deferred several major reforms proposed by the independent review until next year as the treasurer said he was poised to decide the next head of the bank.

In his last speech before Jim Chalmers takes his choice to cabinet, Lowe outlined several changes to the way interest rate rises are decided and explained, but left decisions about other structural reforms  such as establishing a separate board to set rates  until next year.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Reserve Bank of Australia governor Philip Lowe.

Interest rate decisions will only be made eight times a year, not 11, and the RBA governor will hold media conferences after each one in a shake-up of the central banks communications in the wake of the review, which was published in April.

Cabinet is due to meet this week as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese returns from his Europe trip to hear Treasurer Jim Chalmers decision.
More than 20 vulnerable children living in state care are reporting allegations of abuse each week  including more than five each week reporting sexual abuse  as Victorias child safety watchdog warns the states child protection system is in crisis.

New figures released by the state government show that between January and March this year there were 322 incidents of abuse reported by children being cared for by the state, including 76 allegations of sexual abuse.

Victorias child safety watchdog says the states child protection system is in crisis amid a sharp increase in abuse allegations. Credit: John Donegan

An analysis by The Age found that in the year to March there were more than 1270 allegations of abuse in the states child protection system reported to the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing  representing a 34 per cent increase in incidents over the past two years.

Victorias Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, Meena Singh, told The Age the system was in crisis and in need of urgent attention.
The prospect of a medically supervised injecting room metres from Victorias Parliament House has drawn heated condemnation from the opposition and alarmed some city leaders, but advocates say it is a crucial and overdue facility that will save lives.

Three sources with knowledge of the negotiations who werent authorised to speak publicly told The Age that the Salvation Army building on Bourke Street is one of several sites under consideration by the government for Melbournes second injecting room. A spokesman for Mental Health Minister Gabrielle Williams said no decision had been made on the final location.

The Salvation Armys building at 69 Bourke Street. Credit: Joe Armao

The Richmond injecting room has been open since June 2018 and has been credited with saving dozens of lives.

Premier Daniel Andrews committed in 2020 to opening a second facility after a review by Professor Margaret Hamilton, an executive member of the Australian National Council on Drugs, urged the government to open another facility in Melbournes CBD to care for drug users in the overdose hotspot.
Australia wants the EU to grant it meaningful access to its agricultural markets and allow producers of foods like prosecco, Parmesan and feta to be able to sell them under those names. Trade Minister Don Farrell (left) with European Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis in Brussels last month. Credit: Twitter But the European Union, which heavily subsidises its agricultural sectors, is resisting opening up its markets to Australian producers at a level Australia says is commercially meaningful. And it wants to protect the names of foods first produced and named in European countries under its system of Geographical Indicators. Farrell, who broke his European holiday to dash to Brussels for the two days of talks, said he was still optimistic of making progress next month when the two sides have agreed to reconvene. Were disappointed that we couldnt finalise a new FTA with the Europeans today but weve agreed a process to continue the negotiations and I view that very positively, he said in an interview.

Were narrowing down the number of issues in dispute between us, were getting closer on those outstanding issues but weve still got a way to go. Time will tell. Trade Minister Don Farrell in Brussels on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Credit: Latika Bourke I think theres a desire on both sides to reach an agreement and the next few weeks will tell whether thats possible or not. Ive taken the trouble to come here, this is my third visit to Brussels over the last six months, I think weve demonstrated our bona fides about wanting to get a fair agreement for Australia and now weve got to finalise that process. Well know this year whether or not were capable or not or getting a result and Im optimistic that we will.

The EUs trade spokeswoman Miriam Garcia Ferrer said Australia had wanted more time to consult internally. Loading We note there were several issues on which the Australian side required further internal consultations, Garcia Ferrer said. We rely on our Australian partners to work with us to get this over the line soon. Our door remains open. The EU side has made every effort to arrive at a balanced agreement that meets our mutual strategic interests, while also protecting the interests of our stakeholders.

We regret it was not possible to conclude our talks with Australia this week. Our respective teams will continue to work on bridging remaining gaps. Europe wants access to Australias critical minerals with both countries looking to diversify their economies away from dependencies on China. We want a diversified trading relationship, we never again want to be reliant on one single market, Farrell said. While Australia can still sell critical minerals  required for the green transition and to make technological goods  a trade agreement would lessen foreign investment screening requirements and encourage European investment in the sector. We are on the cusp of a golden age in terms of our critical minerals, theres never been a time, probably since the gold rush, when our products have been so valuable, Farrell said.

Do we sell all of our products to the Americans? No, wed like the Europeans to come in. We want to give them some advantages if theyre prepared to invest in our country. However, Europe is reluctant to allow competitors into its agricultural markets. France and Ireland are particularly sensitive. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speak with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, right during the NATO summit. Credit: AP As a result of Brexit, Ireland will face competition from Australia in the UK, its primary market, which will eventually allow unlimited imports of Australian beef under a post-Brexit trade agreement. Farrell said Europe could not expect Australia to be satisfied with the sort of deal it struck with New Zealand.

At the moment, lets take the beef quota and we only get access to one steak per European consumer every 50 years, thats an unsustainable position for the Australian meat industry, he said. Political leaders to take up the baton While trade officials continue to work out the details behind closed doors, the case will be taken up at the political level. Albanese has already raised the matter with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin and with French President Emmanuel Macron during their meeting on the sidelines of the NATO conference underway in Vilnius, Lithuania. He said he had told Macron that Australia wanted a better deal on the amount of meat that could be sold to Europeans than was currently on offer.
Russian occupation lives in the minds of many Lithuanians. If they didnt experience it, their parents or grandparents did. Vilnius is the closest EU capital to Moscow. Zelensky brought to Vilnius the battle flag of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade Edelweiss, which is fighting near Bakhmut, the destroyed town in Ukraines eastern Donbas region. Speaking to the crowd first in English, Zelensky said Bakhmut was one of the most decisive battles for freedom in Europe. People held Ukrainian flags as Zelensky spoke in Vilnius. Credit: Getty This is how our children and grandchildren will remember it, he said. This flag of ours means that there will never again be deportations from the Baltic countries to Siberia.

Never again will there be the divisions of Poland and the humiliation of Hungary by invaders. There will never be tanks again in Prague and winter wars against the freedom of Finland  There will be no more occupations in Europe! Loading What Zelensky lacks in height (he is 170 centimetres tall), he makes up for in presence. An engrossed crowd cheered almost every line. As a leader, he captivated, but as a politician, he was on message. Vilnius, which has a population of around 700,000, is plastered with messages calling for NATO members  in town for a two-day summit  to accept Ukraine into their ranks. Among the crowd was Asta Ivanauskiene, a 47-year-old researcher. She told journalists: I am almost 50, but I felt like a student. I was shouting, screaming like I saw a rock star. But he is more than a rock star.

At times Zelensky, standing next to his wife Olena, looked emotional and overwhelmed. But, just like he has time and time again, he struck the right tone. As he attempts to persuade world leaders to let his country into the 31-member club, Zelensky made his pitch to the people. They know that security means being together with Ukraine. I am grateful to you, Vilnius, and to all Lithuanian cities and communities for every call in support of Ukraine, for sheltering our people who have taken refuge from hostilities here, at your home, he said. The president of Ukraine delivers his address in Vilnius. Credit: Getty Images Thank you for your help to our defence and for your clear, honest and, importantly, courageous position on inviting Ukraine to NATO. Ukrainian flags on Lithuanian streets clearly prove that we are already allies, and Ukraine will defend both its own and your freedom! And no one should ever, ever look back to Moscow. Towards the front of the stage, Virginija Pleskiene, 66, wore a ribbon made from the Ukrainian flag.

I got it on the third day of the war at the Russian embassy. Its now practically 500 days that Ive been wearing that ribbon, so the question of why Im here seems ridiculous to me, she said. Loading It seems to me that it is the duty of every normal person to be here. The speeches were followed by the Ukrainian national anthem. Those who knew the words sang. Those who didnt placed their hands on their hearts. The mayor of Vilnius, Valdas Benkunskas, then solemnly raised the flag of Ukraine.

Perhaps the small children who managed to catch a glimpse of Zelensky will pass their memories onto the next generation, as their grandparents did for other historic events. Most of those present witnessed a moment theyll never forget. One woman told inquiring reporters shed hid her tears behind her sunglasses. Zelensky takes the stage in the central square of Vilnius. Credit: Getty We really support Ukraine joining NATO, an emotional Leva Vasiliauskaite said. We know what its like because weve been occupied.
The LaBiancas were killed in their home, and their blood was smeared on the walls afterwards. Van Houten later described holding down Rosemary LaBianca with a pillowcase over her head as others stabbed her. Then, ordered by Manson follower Charles Tex Watson to do something, Van Houten said she picked up a knife and stabbed the woman more than a dozen times. The slayings happened the day after Manson followers killed actress Sharon Tate and four others. Van Houten did not participate in the Tate killings. Charles Manson is escorted to his arraignment on conspiracy to murder charges in connection with the Sharon Tate killing in Los Angeles in 1969. Credit: AP She is the first Manson follower who took part in the killings to walk free. Van Houten is expected to spend about a year at a halfway house, adjusting to a world changed immeasurably by technology in the past half-century.

She has to learn to use the internet. She has to learn to buy things without cash, Tetreault said. Its a very different world than when she went in. Van Houten, who will probably be on parole for about three years, hopes to get a job as soon as possible, Tetreault said. She earned a bachelors and a masters degree in counselling while in prison and worked as a tutor for other prisoners. Leslie Van Houten attends her parole hearing at the California Institution for Women in 2017. Credit: AP Van Houten was found suitable for parole after a July 2020 hearing, but her release was blocked by Newsom, who maintained she was still a threat to society. She filed an appeal with a trial court, which rejected it, and then turned to the appellate courts. The Second District Court of Appeal in May reversed Newsoms rejection of her parole in a 2-1 ruling, writing that there was no evidence to support the Governors conclusions about Van Houtens fitness for release.

The judges took issue with Newsoms claim that Van Houten did not adequately explain how she fell under Mansons influence. At her parole hearings, she discussed at length how her parents divorce, her drug and alcohol abuse and a forced illegal abortion led her down a path that left her vulnerable. They also disputed Newsoms suggestion that her past violent acts were a cause for future concern were she to be released. Loading Van Houten has shown extraordinary rehabilitative efforts, insight, remorse, realistic parole plans, support from family and friends, favourable institutional reports, and, at the time of the Governors decision, had received four successive grants of parole, the judges said. They also noted her many years of therapy and substance abuse counselling. The dissenting judge who sided with Newsom said there was some evidence Van Houten lacked insight into the heinous killings.

Newsom was disappointed by the appeals court decision, his office said. More than 50 years after the Manson cult committed these brutal killings, the victims families still feel the impact, the governors office said in a July 7 statement. Three women co-defendants in the Sharon Tate murder case, from left, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten, laugh as they walk to court in Los Angeles for sentencing on March 29, 1971. Credit: AP Van Houten had been recommended for parole five times since 2016. All of those recommendations were denied by either Newsom or former governor Jerry Brown. Cory LaBianca, Leno LaBiancas daughter, said last week that her family was heartbroken by the possibility that Van Houten could be released.

Anthony DiMaria, whose uncle Jay Sebring was killed along with Tate, said her release was devastating to all the victims families, who collectively suffer the pain and loss caused by the Manson cult. Leslie Van Houten, is escorted by two deputy sheriffs as she leaves the courtroom in Los Angeles, in December 1969. Credit: AP Van Houten, a former high school cheerleader and homecoming princess, saw her life spiral out of control at 14 following her parents divorce. She turned to drugs and became pregnant but said her mother forced her to abort the fetus and bury it in the familys backyard. Van Houten became the youngest of Mansons followers when they met at an old movie ranch on the outskirts of Los Angeles where he had established his so-called family of followers. Manson died in prison in 2017 of natural causes aged 83 after nearly half a century behind bars. Watson and fellow Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel have each been denied parole several times. Krenwinkel was recommended for parole last year, but that was rejected by Newsom. Another follower, Susan Atkins, died in prison in 2009.
Washington: A Republican Senator is blocking the promotions of hundreds of US military officers  including some of the nations top brass  due to his objection to the Pentagon allowing women to take leave or travel if they need an abortion.

In an extraordinary standoff, retired Alabama football coach-turned-politician Tommy Tuberville is refusing to allow the promotions of defence personnel to be ushered through the Senate, leaving about 250 officers and their families in limbo and the US Marine Corps without a commander for the first time in 164 years.

Tommy Tuberville throws toy footballs to supporters in 2020 Credit: AP

The Senator, who campaigned for office on his loyalty to Donald Trump, his support for gun rights and his pro-life stance, announced he would thwart Department of Defence nominees months ago in protest over the Pentagons reproductive health care policies, which include allowing leave and travel funds to women in the military if they need an abortion.

But his refusal to budge unless the Pentagon rethinks its policy has since stalled promotions that would typically be fast-tracked by both parties through the narrowly controlled Senate and has prompted warnings that national security could be placed at risk.
Latest News Five more SMSF auditors disqualified Three others were imposed with additional conditions

Mortgage Choice works hard to increase female broker numbers Women make up 35% of brokers but more to be done

Connecting with community initiatives can not only bring personal fulfillment but generate leads and establishing credibility in the competitive mortgage broker industry, according to Niti Bhargava, a Melbourne-based mortgage broker for Resolve Finance.

I run my business with a purpose, Bhargava (pictured above) said. I don't want to be another mortgage broker who's just looking into the numbers and the profitability of the business.

But equally, these initiatives can generate word-of-mouth and expand your business. Referral partners are coming to me now because they know what kind of values I work with.

Connecting with community

Bhargavas financial literacy program has grown by leaps and bounds since the early days during the pandemic.

The program was fuelled by conversations with her local community, where numerous South Asian women found themselves grappling with the challenges of lockdown, financial difficulties, and even domestic violence.

Recognising the pressing need for support in these areas, Bhargava drew upon her 13-year background in finance and identified a gap that demanded her attention.

I used to work in banking, so Ive listened to many peoples experiences and stories over the years, but I had no way to really help solve their problems, Bhargava said. When you are self-employed, like many brokers are these days, it allows you that time and freedom to give back to the community,

Driven by this desire to give back, Bhargava developed online programs and utilised various community channels, including radio, to provide guidance through educational videos throughout lockdown.

As life gradually returned to normal in Victoria, Bhargava saw an opportune moment to expand the reach of these programs.

Encouraged by the conversations she had with a local Member of Parliament, she realised that the need for financial literacy was not confined to the South Asian community alone; it resonated across different backgrounds, transcending cultural boundaries.

We started doing our first face-to-face session in April, which was quite insightful and eye-opening for me as a facilitator. I had so many different cultures in the room, from African and European communities to Australians, Bhargava said.

The problems were more or less similar across cultures. And so we were like we can't do these things once or six months or once a year. It has to be a regular initiative. Now we do it every quarter.

Building reputation and credibility

In an industry dominated by dodgy lead generation tactics and where Google reviews are worth their weight in gold, cutting through the noise and connecting with customers can be a challenge.

Bhargava, who has also spoken out about the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity in the mortgage broking industry, said while the initiatives were personally fulfilling and meaningful, they also gave brokers that next level of credibility in the eyes of stakeholders.

Ive always been very shy when it comes to real estate agents or other referral partners  I cannot advertise in that way. And specifically, being a woman broker, there were some inclusion differences as well. So I started thinking of connecting through other ways, said Bhargava.

These initiatives help people believe that you are genuine and a member of the community trying to make a difference in society rather than seeing you as just a mortgage broker. You build that reputation.

Bhargava said that when you win work, your image will be already established and you can get to work.

You dont have to project yourself that you are the best and be all like look at me. Just let your work speak for itself and connect with people on a human basis. This gave me uniqueness in a male-dominated industry, she said.

Bhargavas next financial literacy program will be held in Caroline Springs on July 28.
The stunning hotel, part of the renowned Address Hotels and Resorts brand, will be the first Address Hotel to open in Makkah and is the largest within the brands portfolio

Boasting 1,484 rooms and suites and located in the heart of the holy city, Address Jabal Omar Makkah offers a little slice of luxury in Saudi Arabia

Address Hotels and Resorts is thrilled to announce the opening of its latest architectural and hospitality masterpiece, Address Jabal Omar Makkah, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Nestled in the iconic Jabal Omar development, this landmark property offers a truly unforgettable experience for pilgrims and travellers alike.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230711493267/en/

Panoramic Kaaba view from Address Jabal Omar Makkah (Photo: AETOSWire)

The largest hotel within the Address Hotels and Resorts portfolio, Address Jabal Omar Makkah boasts an impressive 1,484 rooms and suites. With its striking architectural design, a seamless fusion of ancient Arabian charm and contemporary opulence, the hotel is the tallest building in Jabal Omar and is a breathtaking sight.

One standout feature of Address Jabal Omar Makkah is its proximity to the sacred Holy Kaaba and Al Masjid Al Haram, along with the Makkah Museum, Masjid Al Jinn, Jannat al-Mu'alla Cemetery, and the iconic Abraj Al Bait Towers. Designed by the world-renowned architects Foster & Partners, the towers of Address Jabal Omar Makkah span over 5,000 sqm and the development includes a commercial area featuring a diverse range of shops, showcasing local, regional, and international brands.

Address Jabal Omar Makkah offers a range of exquisitely designed accommodations to suit every travellers needs. From luxurious Deluxe Rooms, which provide splendid views of the Holy Kaaba or the Holy City, to indulgent Suites and the magnificent three-bedroom Presidential Suite and four-bedroom Penthouse, guests can immerse themselves in comfort and elegance.

With four restaurants, two lobby lounges, and two club lounges, guests can also savour a wide range of delectable cuisines. The hotel's signature dining venue offers traditional Hejazi cuisine and other Saudi Arabian specialties, where live cooking stations showcase international flavours alongside time-honoured delicacies.

The spa and wellness offerings, including the first-ever Foot Spa by Address Hotels and Resorts, at the hotel are designed to provide guests with a truly holistic experience. With a complimentary Fitness Centre, equipped with the latest Technogym equipment on hand as well, guests can maintain their well-being during their stay.

Address Jabal Omar Makkah is also a premier destination for conferences and events. Whatever the occasion, the hotels unparalleled settings and services help create cherished moments. The property's multifunctional meeting spaces are designed to cater to events of any scale. The hotel's creative chefs curate menus tailored to individual preferences, ensuring a flawless and memorable event.

Mark Kirby, Head of Emaar Hospitality, said, We are delighted to announce the opening of Address Jabal Omar Makkah. Its prime location makes it the preferred choice for those seeking to deepen their spiritual connection. With spacious rooms and suites, multiple dining options, and state-of-the-art prayer facilities, the hotel offers all the amenities necessary for a meaningful and unforgettable pilgrimage experience. Whether guests are here for Hajj, Umrah, or to enhance their spiritual connection, Address Jabal Omar Makkah Hotel is the optimal starting point for their journey.

The hotel is proud to be a part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to transform the country's tourism landscape.

To reserve with a 15% discount, click the link, visit our website, or email [email protected] or call +966-0125531444.

*Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230711493267/en/
GreenGrahi develops high quality insect based ingredients for animal and plant nutrition using its novel biotech and engineering processes. The startup announced its pre-seed round of funding from Campus Fund, which will help GreenGrahi double its production capacity, enhance R&D, and facilitate new market entry



GreenGrahi, incorporated in 2021, is an Agri-biotech company creating high quality insect based supplements and ingredients for animal and plant nutrition. They get agri by-products from their partner FMCG companies and agri-input suppliers; then use their proprietary tech called Climate CubesTM to breed and rear black soldier flies for transforming low value commodities into valuable nutrients that could be used to grow more food for humans. Inspired by nature and enabled by technology, they aim to create a circular system that is good for both the economy and the planet.



Started by Siddharth Sharma (graduate from BITS Pilani and Kellogg School Of Management) and Shivali Sugand (graduate from TERI school of Advanced Studies and a Humboldt Fellow) - GreenGrahi focuses on providing an alternative to the traditional sources of nutrition through production of superior quality insect-based ingredients and supplements for shrimp, fish, poultry, pets, and plants. The startup is currently running pilots with leading animal and plant nutrition industries and have a production unit in Roorkee to run end-to-end field trials. Moreover, the founders have established a strong R&D network with leading biotech research labs in India, Israel, and Germany to bring innovation to the insect industry.



Global food requirements will double by 2050 because of increasing population and rising living standards. However, 51% of agricultural land and 90% of the world's marine fish stocks have been exploited in meeting the needs of the current population. Due to this, the animal feed and agricultural companies are facing supply disruptions of essential nutrients leading to unstable and inflated prices globally. At the same time, we are wasting almost 30% of the food that we produce today. There is, therefore, a need for not only nutrient rich feed but also feed which can be produced sustainably using our agricultural residues. This is where GreenGrahi has stepped up by tapping into the circular economy, delivering a product that aims to outperform traditional methods. By using proprietary bio-chemical processes, we upcycle different agricultural residues into nutrition rich insect ingredients using black soldier flies. With this fundraise we aim to conduct commercial pilots and develop capabilities required for scaling, said Siddharth Sharma, Co-founder, GreenGrahi.



With successful validations from over 250 interviews with food industries, animal feed companies, insect farming companies, and subject matter experts across the globe, GreenGrahi is getting ready to operate at an industrial scale. Their innovation not only improves production and operational metrics but also results in creating the highest quality insect nutritional profiles available in the Indian market.



Darshan Doshi , Student Investment Partner at Campus Fund, and part of the GreenGrahi deal team highlighted, What excites us most about the GreenGrahi team is the deep expertise and the vision they bring to the table, along with the large and growing demand for sustainable animal and plant nutrition solutions. Traditional methods of feed production are unsustainable and are prone to multiple externalities such as price shocks. In this backdrop, GreenGrahi's novel insect ingredients that leverage agricultural residues are well positioned to create a long-lasting impact in the ecosystem."



Campus Fund champions fearless student entrepreneurs and recent graduates who challenge the status quo. Campus Fund is backed by the Whos Who of India Inc. and global leaders who believe in the future of India.
Palestinian PM slams U.S. inaction on reviving Palestinian-Israeli peace process

Xinhua) 11:18, July 12, 2023

RAMALLAH, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye on Tuesday slammed the United States for not presenting any initiative to revive the Palestinian peace process with Israel, which has remained stalled since 2014.

"U.S. President Joe Biden and his administration is the only U.S. president and administration that didn't present any initiative to resolve the conflict (between Israelis and Palestinians)," Ishtaye said at the first Palestinian National Population Conference held in the West Bank city of Al-Bireh.

"President Biden is also the only one who did not send an envoy for peace, and this U.S. government is playing the role of a spectator in the light of the practices Israel is carrying out in the Palestinian territories," he added.

"The Palestinians are looking forward to a different approach from the international community ... to deal with the issue of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict," Ishtaye said.

The last round of U.S.-sponsored peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis broke down in March 2014, because of their deep divisions over Israeli settlement expansion and Palestinian statehood.

The Palestinians hope to establish an independent state on the 1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital, while Israel claims the whole of Jerusalem as their "indivisible capital."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
CAMEROUN :: COMIFAC faced with the challenges of transhumance: Problems and solutions :: CAMEROON

Cameroon shall host the Second International Conference of Ministers on Cross-Border Transhumance, on 10-12 July 2023, Yaounde.

The Ministry of External Relations is pleased to inform both national and international media outlets that Cameroon shall host an International Conference of Ministers on Cross-Border Transhumance from 10-12 July 2023, at the Yaounde Hilton Hotel, to discuss issues relating to transhumance, protected areas, natural resources and development as well as peace and security. The Conference will be co-chaired by the Republic of Cameroon, the Economic Community of Central African States and the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) Facilitation of the Federal Republic of Germany.

With the participation of Dr Abubakar Giri Wakili, Fulbe Adamawa, representative of the Lamido of the Adamawa of Northern Nigeria. Dr Abubakar gives an interview to the editorial staff of camer.be on transhumance issues.

"This conference as I must tell you is a very excellent one as it has brought people from different cultures, from different countries and from different fields of research. As I have said earlier in my question the fight for the transhumance has been redefined because of the number of speakers who have spoken positively about transhumance. Before now people have always condemned, migration; the transhumance practiced as a way of life by some people has also been condemned especially by government and farming community supporters. But this conference has identified transhumance as one of the major supporters and producers of meat and skin which is very important for African economies. Therefore, I want to comment on this conference for bringing these people who are very optimistic and very realistic without partiality saying it as it is, defending the people who are not here, who are not even aware that this conference is taking place but speaking the minds of the speechless people, the people who are endangered, marginalized but they are being dependent and protected by people who are outside the transhumance communities. This is a very excellent and a very fair aspiration for the pastoralists and the transhumance communities.

What is your proposition concerning the amelioration or improvement of transhumance ?.

My suggestion is that the government and organizations supporting Such kind of conferences need to educate those practicing transhumance. Honestly, it is an old profession which needs to be modernized for them to live in peace with farmers. The farmer population is increasing, the demand for meat is also increasing, therefore, the people need education, they need sensitization, they need awareness; this is what I suggest and advocate for. In order for this profession to prosper, the practitioners need to be educated, they need to be mobilized to change the traditional long distance migration which one person keeps 1000 cattle, this is an old practice. They need to be educated so that they reduce the number of animals they have and then increase the production of milk and meat.

Whats your name and function ?

My name is Dr Abubakari Girei Wakili, I am representing his royal highness Lamido of Adamawa Fombina in Northern Nigeria. He is a ruler whos territory shares a very long border with Cameroon and his territory also receives transhumance from Niger who crosses his territory to Cameroon. Therefore, his territory is a very important place with respect to transhumance.

He is a pullo himself, most of his subjects practice transhumance culture and thats why am representing him here. He always find it very difficult to negotiate farmer-grazer conflict. The government always takes side with farmers, they do not see the importance and relevance Of transhumance, therefore it has always been a problem for the traditional leadership especially the person am representing, therefore I feel happy to be here where the opportunity is given for the pastoralists equally to practice their culture and continue with it".
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the former President of our nation, is an endless wellspring of inspiration through every word he spoke. His life, we are aware, was fraught with challenges. From studying in difficult circumstances to rising as a scientist and ultimately becoming the first citizen of our country, his journey was remarkable.

Yet, it is equally fascinating to explore the various ups and downs that Dr. Kalam experienced, as his life was punctuated by numerous pivotal moments. Discovering these nine turning points sources from his autobiographies adds a captivating layer to his inspiring stories.

1st Turning Point- When Kalam was a kid

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the esteemed former President, firmly believed in the significance of having a mentor during one's formative years, particularly when one possesses well-defined goals.

In his own journey, Dr. Kalam found such guidance in the person of Shri Sivasubramaniya Iyer, his primary school teacher. One memorable occasion took them and their fellow students to the picturesque Rameshwaram seashore, where the enigmatic flight of birds would be unveiled and comprehended.

He showed students the sea birds and asked them to observe what the birds looked like when they flew. From that practical example, all of the students grasped the entire bird dynamics. The flight of that bird entered Kalam's thoughts and elicited a unique emotion. Kalam made the decision to focus his future studies on flight and the flight system at that very moment. He enquired of the teacher how to make that dream a reality.

2nd Turning point- When Kalam failed in IAF Exam

He was extremely upset when the chance to join the Indian Air Force slipped through his fingers. In pursuit of answers, he eventually arrived at the Swami Sivananda Ashram, where he was able to find an anchor in the form of Swami Shivanand.

He advised him to accept his fate and follow where luck takes him. The remarks of Swami Shivanand were so comforting and motivating that they can be credited with helping to create the Kalam. He achieved his dreams when he was employed by the directorate.

He joined the Indian Committee for space research (INCOSPER), a division of the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO, and thus began his much-publicised career in rocket and missile technology. Read Full story.

3rd turning point - When Kalam was a rocket engineer

In 1961, he was a chief designer of a hovercraft as a senior scientific assistant at the Aeronautical development establishment (ADE). There a visitor was brought by the director of ADE for the demonstration of the hovercraft designed by Dr. Kalam. The visitor who was later recognized as Dr. M.G.K. Menon was given a trial.

Later an interview was organised by the ICSR ( Indian Committee for Space and Research) which was headed by Prof. Vikram Sarabhai for the post of rocket engineer. Dr.Kalam attended the interview. There he was appointed as a rocket engineer at a newly inaugurated Indian Space & Research Organization (ISRO) in 1962. This was the start of his journey in the most awaited rocket program.

4th turning point- Entry of Kalam in India's missile programme

The fourth turning point came in 1982. It was his entry into India's missile programme. He was offered the post of director after a series of meeting and lecturing on the missile program under the supervision of Defence Secretary Dr. V.S. Arunachalam to the Ministry of Defence, Govt of India who was then R.Venkataraman at the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), which was the mother laboratory for the development of missile systems in India, in Hyderabad at the position as the director.

5th Turning Point- When PM regected Kalam's request

Kalam's life took a fifth turn in July 1992, He took over charge as the scientific adviser to the Ministry of Defense and secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development, from Arunachalam. In 1993 he was requested to join the post as the Vice Chancellor of Madras University.

He requested to the Govt. to approve the appointment but the then Prime Minister rejected the request as he was indulging in the no. of programs of national importance.

6th turning point- Successful nuclear tests by Kalam

The fourth and most important turning point came in 1998 as the successful nuclear tests. It was a time of transition in political system of India. As the departure of P.V.Narsimha Rao and the arrival of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. But he managed very intelligently by giving importance to the programs that were almost at their finishing stage and without him could not have given the desired result. Dr. Kalam in this year ignored the offer to be in the Cabinet minister list. The general opinion of his colleagues was that since he was fully involved in two missions of national importance he should not enter the political system.

7th turning point- Kalam as Principal Scientific Adviser

The end of 1998 came with the fifth turning point in the life of Dr. Kalam, When he was appointed Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the India government in the rank of Cabinet minister. On 30th September 2001 a crash took place while landing at the Bokaro Steel plant in Jharkhand when he was going to address the audience. Dr Kalam shared a Hymn on courage.

Courage to think differently, Courage to invent, Courage to travel on an unexplored path, Courage to discover the impossible, Courage to overcome Problems and success are the unique qualities of youth.

8th turning point- PURA by Kalam

After about two years as a principal scientific advisor (PSA) he came back to his academic career at Anna University as a professor of Technology for Societal Transformation for giving priority to the programs of India 2020 mission like PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas).

9th turning point- When Kalam denied to fight Presidential Elections

At the end of his political term as President, he took a conscious decision to go back to a career in academics and research and continue to work for making India into an economically developed nation by the year 2020.

Achievements of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

Though Dr. Kalam was being requested by many parties to participate in the election for the President again, he told very frankly that he would have considered if all the parties agreed to select him. But unfortunately, this was denied by the ruling party and Dr. Kalam took a brave decision to stay away from the Presidential Elections.
Meet the First Female Director of First IIT Outside India; Preeti Aghalayam

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Zanzibar campus, which is slated to become the prestigious institution's first offshore campus, will also be the first IIT campus to be overseen by a woman director. Preeti Aghalayam has been named as the director-in-charge of the IIT Zanzibar campus, with the first Academic Session beginning in October.

Preeti Aghalayam graduated from IIT Madras with a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering. She is a Professor in the Chemical Engineering Department at IIT Madras, where she has worked since 2010. The Zanzibar campus of IIT Madras will be the first IIT outside of India.

The First Female Director of IIT Zanzibar, Preeti Aghalayam says, "I am an alumnus of IIT Madras, and doing something of this magnitude for the institute and for the country is such a big honor. Every time we visited Zanzibar as part of the IIT Madras contingent, we noticed that the representation of women on their side is quite significant. So, it was important that we do this mindfully."

"Aghalayam is the first woman to be an IIT director. We will see many more encouraging things. We are following sustainable development goals and one of the important goals suggests that we need to bring in gender balance," IIT Madras director V Kamakoti said at a press conference.

MoU signed between India and Tanzania:

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently signed between India and Tanzania, allowing IIT Madras to open its first international campus in Tanzania's Zanzibar. The institute offers two full-time academic programs and applications for admission are now being accepted.

Aghalayam graduated with a BTech in Chemical Engineering from IIT Madras in 1995. She then went on to complete her Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2000. She worked as a postdoctoral researcher at MIT, Cambridge, and afterward as a faculty member at IIT Bombay after completing her Doctorate.

Aghalayam has been with IIT Madras since 2010, where she is currently a Professor in the Chemical Engineering department. She was just named one of the Principal Scientific Advisor's office's 75 Women in STEM.

The permanent campus would be extended across 200 acres on Zanzibar Island, with IIT Madras experts developing the Master plan. The admissions process for the first Academic Year 2023-24 has already begun, with classes set to begin in October 2023. During the early days of this institution, faculty will be deputed from IIT Madras or recruited from India.
Chandigarh University hosts India's biggest International Faculty Development Program

More than 100 experts and professors from 79 universities across 28 countries will participate in Chandigarh University's 9-day International Faculty Development Program, which began on Monday with a grand inaugural ceremony which was attended by experts and hundreds of faculty members of the University. The seventh edition of CU's IFDP is being held in both offline and online mode and will focus on sensitizing the faculty about new concepts and methodologies in teaching, research, updating knowledge using modern information, and equipping them with the necessary skills. During the 9-day event, which is India's biggest IFDP, several lectures, screenings, and meetings will be organized with the involvement of faculties from over 25 departments of the university.

Sessions related to curriculum development and research, challenges faced by the university, and possible solutions to improve the quality of education will also be held. The inaugural ceremony of the IFDP was attended by Caroline Rowett, British Deputy High Commission, Chandigarh; Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Head of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE); Dr. Montu M. Patel, President of Pharmacy Council of India (PCI); Prof. (Dr.) Bhola Ram Gurjar, Director National Institute of Technical Teachers Training & Research (NITTTR) Chandigarh; Sushil Sudan, President Jammu & Kashmir State Pharmacy Council; Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of Association of Indian Universities (AIU), and Sushil Kumar Bansal, President Punjab State Pharmacy Council were the Guest of Honor for the occasion. Prof. (Dr.) R.S. Bawa, Pro-Chancellor of Chandigarh University, was also present on the occasion.

Deputy High Commissioner of the UK, Hon'ble Caroline Rowett expressed her gratitude to Chandigarh University for the opportunity to join this significant occasion along with the distinguished academicians from across the globe. She said, "Education is international, and looking around the room we have underlined that. Association and collaboration with international universities provide invaluable opportunities for students and faculty members to engage in cross-cultural exchanges, research projects, and collaborative degree programs. This integration of different perspectives and expertise leads to a more comprehensive understanding of global issues and fosters innovation." She further added, "Education is the heart of the India-UK relationship and is reflected in the India-UK 2030 roadmap.

Both countries are committed to working together through universities to enhance the exchange of ideas and organize networks of leading think tanks at universities and research organizations in both countries. Universities, important stakeholders, and partners are an important part of this relationship." While addressing the inaugural ceremony, Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Head of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) said, "Chandigarh University's initiative of organizing International Faculty Development Program 2023 is a step towards integrating international, intercultural, and global dimension into the goals, teaching-learning, research, and service functions of a university in the higher education system." Stating the quote 'Think Globally, Act Globally', he emphasized on the global relationship between the nations, people, cultures, and institutions. This will help Indian students in linking communities to the world, expanding opportunities in the universities as well as our research scholars and students. Prof. (Dr.) Bhola Ram Gurjar, Director National Institute of Technical Teachers Training & Research Chandigarh, said, "IFDP 2023 is a unique initiative by Chandigarh University and every other institute should follow the same with the motto that lifelong learning is the key to a happy and successful life, and there is no age bar for learning. India had universities like Nalanda and Taxila, much ahead of the world, where specializations in various fields were offered.

However, the concept of universities is outdated as it is the age of multiversity and even NEP talks about delivering an interdisciplinary approach to learning. Today, technology has taken over the world and has created a huge impact on the society. The future technologies will have higher influence over every aspect, but it will not help until we learn about them." Dr. Montu M. Patel, President of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), said, "Chandigarh University is playing a significant role in contributing towards making Chandigarh city a hub of education. However, without training and knowledge, it is impossible to deliver quality education to students. And this International Faculty Development Program (IFDP) is a great initiative to upskill the campus faculty as well as transfer global knowledge to them to enhance the education quality. The government of India under PM Modi and PCI are working along with the UK and other countries for the globalization of pharmaceutical education." Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), thanked Chandigarh University for the invitation to be a part of the international faculty development program and share opinions, views, and experiences with the participants. She said, "The world is constantly changing, and what the students need to learn today in terms of content must be different.

Today's youth aspire to be lifelong learners, innovative, challenge-takers, progressive, solution-providers, leaders, and finally good human beings, which is extremely important to survive in today's world. Hence, it is important to change the curriculum that is relevant not just today but years later as well." Chandigarh University Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu said, "Chandigarh University's focus is to deliver an education of global standard and produce professional leaders for serving the society & realizes the need for equipping its faculty with the latest skills, knowledge, and methodologies for achieving the same. Hence, the university organizes the International Faculty Development Program every year with the involvement of international experts in the education sector to transfer global-level knowledge to the faculty and increase their potential to expand their expertise." He further added that is a matter of pride to state that in the recently released QS World University Ranking 2024, Chandigarh University secured an impressive overall rank of 771-780, which is a historic moment for the university. CU has been ranked the number 1 Private University in India, and 20th among all the Public and Private Universities in the country. About Chandigarh University Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and QS World Ranked University.

This autonomous educational institution is approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honoured with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC. For more information, visit https://www.cuchd.in/. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2151426/Chandigarh_University_IFDP.jpg (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.)
Toyota Motor Philippines has introduced one of its most important new models of the year: the all-new Wigo. As Filipinos seek to become more...
Are you ready to apply for an Ibermedia Next grant? The grants are intended to support the implementation of new technologies in the creation processes of digital animation pieces or hybrid pieces that include a high percentage of animation.

We carefully listened to the demands of the sector, explains Victor Herreruela, coordinator of the program which was developed to modernize a field that he considers strategic for the future of the Ibero-American audiovisual industry.

For him, one of the primary virtues of the Ibermedia Next program is that it hosts pilot projects that support productions other than those traditionally supported by the Ibermedia program.

Under the auspices of the program and financed with funds from NextGenerationEU, Ibermedia Next is part of Component 25 Spain Audiovisual Hub of Europe of the European Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan. Its position means that the program also benefits from collaboration with the Quirino Awards for Ibero-American Animation and the Ibero-American Animation League, composed of the Quirino Awards, Animation! at Ventana Sur, and Mexicos Pixelatl Festival.

Some of the main goals for this pioneering line of grants, as Quirino Awards executive producer Jose Luis Farias describes, are to create networking opportunities for companies and professionals and to simulate and train business skills and technological skills. This will be the first time in Ibermedias history that support is given to formats for demonstration purposes, such as prototypes or teasers, in addition to digital pilots, short films, or video clips. According to Farias, the introduction of the program has resulted in a very experimental grant.

Economic contribution and professional accompaniment for creative companies and professionals:

Ibermedia Next went live on the programs website on May 12 of this year, coinciding with the sixth Quirino Prizes in San Cristobal de la Laguna (Tenerife, Spain). Shortly after, Ibermedia Next representatives attended another key meeting, the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. There, under the aegis of its International Film Market MIFA, Ibermedia Next promoted synergies among professionals and organized conferences and networking activities.

These kinds of activities at the most important international events in the animation sector are planned to be part of the training, consulting, promotion, and dissemination program  with an economic value of up to 95,000 ($104,000)  that complements the economic contribution of up to 150,000 ($164,000) that the selected projects will receive in this first line of grants. Recent industry events such as the Quirino Prizes or Annecy are an example of the networking opportunities that they will be able to take advantage of, including the events of the whole Ibero-American Animation League.

This first line of grants will be opened to prototypes, teasers, pilots, short films, or video clips with a minimum length of five minutes that make use of new technological tools for animation or open-source software during their development. The final result of these pieces must be animated or traditional audiovisual content in VR, XR or AR. To qualify, at least 75% of the footage in the finished production must be animated.

Ibermedia Next Plaza, a first step to network and find partners:

We will help the future leaders of the sector to develop their full potential thanks to this funding, but also through our program of support, consulting, communication and promotion, declares Herreruela, adding that Ibermedia Next Plaza gives the artists more opportunities to create their own network. For practical purposes its the beginning of the process: all participants must sign up in Plaza and fill in their applications before putting together a team and applying with their projects.

In this free platform, businesses and production companies from Spain, Italy, and Portugal can network and get in touch with other companies and creators from all the member states of the Ibermedia Next program. It is a free tool for the industry set up by Ibermedia Next to facilitate meetings between professionals in the sector. When the submission period ends on August 21, 2023, and after the subsequent resolution of the call for proposals in November, creators and producers will be able to check the status of each candidacy on the website: www.ibermedianext.com.

To ensure that these grants are awarded using a fair competitive system, Ibermedia Next has appointed a team of consultants that will be responsible for evaluating and consulting each finalist project. This five professionals are Luis Belerique (Portugal), lead artist at Tequila Works; Rosario Carlino (Argentina), CEO of OSA Estudio and animation teacher at ENERC and the Blaise Pascal University; Alejandra Luzardo (Venezuela), manager for Innovation  Creative Economy & Public Policy IADB; Raul Garcia (Spain), writer, director, and producer, Academy member in the U.S. and Spain, and WGA and ASIFA-Hollywood member; and Aida del Solar (Peru), teacher at Gobelins LEcole de Limage and art and creative director at Cnam-Enjmin (Angouleme, France).

Ibermedia Next launches with the commitment to enable progress in the application of new technologies to digital animation, stimulating experimentation by companies and creators. Do not get left behind, and if you know companies and creators in Iberoamerica and Italy that may be interested, let them know!

Details on how to apply for the grant are HERE.
CEMEX participates in UK Governments Net Zero Council Meeting

12 July 2023

CEMEX represented the cement and concrete sector at the latest meeting of the UK Government's high-level Net Zero Council, which took place at Artillery House in Whitehall on 10 July 2023. This group brings together government ministers, the investment community and real-economy company representatives from a range of sectors, to look at industry roadmaps to net zero and how to deliver them.

Lex Russell, MD of CEMEX UK's Materials business, is a member of the council, which is co-chaired by Energy Minister, Graham Stuart, and Co-op Group CEO, Shirine Khoury-Haq.

The council aims to support industry to help cut their emissions and develop greener practices, as well as delivering on the government's priority to grow the economy by finding ways to ensure British businesses can benefit from the UKs world-leading position in renewable technologies and achieving net zero and export their expertise globally.

Mr Russell commented: By participating in the Council, I can emphasise the policy decisions our industry needs from Government to be a competitive investment proposition to deliver net zero as well as showing the progress we are making in honouring our roadmap commitments. It also enables us to show how vital the construction industry is to the wider development of the countrys infrastructure and economy, and its strong links to other sectors.

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Sinoma to build cement plant in Iraq

12 July 2023

Sama Samawa Industries Commissioner revealed an agreement with Sinoma to establish a cement factory in Muthanna Governorate, southern Iraq. While stating that the production will reach 7000tpa, the director of the Chinese company affirmed that the factory will be operational by 2025.

Taha Mashat, commissioner of Sama Samawa Industries, stated: "The project aims to produce various types of cement, with daily production reaching 7000t and an annual output of 2Mt."

Mr Mashat added, "The company responsible for executing the project is Sinoma, a renowned Chinese company specialising in cement plant construction worldwide. The contract value for establishing this factory in Muthanna Governorate amounts to US$200m, with a projected timeline of 18 to 20 months for completion. The workforce in the factory will consist of 500 Iraqi individuals."

The commissioner further elaborated: "The cement factory project is the first venture for the Chinese company in Iraq. They have undertaken similar projects in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and South America. The Muthanna cement plant will be one of the largest facilities in terms of size and production capacity in Iraq."

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Aubrey Orb Boatwright, 86, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born and raised in the Rossville area. Orb, as he was known, lived in North Georgia with his family and worked at Combustion for 45 years.

He loved cheering on the Atlanta Braves, fishing, especially deep sea fishing, where he always caught the biggest catch and traveling to fun places where Orb enjoyed playing slot machines. He also loved trips to Nashville, where he would enjoy honky-tonk music.

Orb and his favorite min/pin pup, Major, spent many adventures together, as well.

Orb was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Carol Boatwright; daughter, Kimberly Ann Johnston; son, Jeffrey Boatwright; brothers, Charles and Irvin O. Boatwright; sisters, Mary Evans and Wilma Gray

Survivors include his sons, Greg Boatwright and Tim (Alea) Boatwright; brother, James Boatwright; sisters, Estelle Sechler and Ruby Pierce; many grandchildren, great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and extended family

To share condolences please visit www.lane-southcrestchapel.com

A memorial service will be held for Aubrey Orb Boatwright at a later date.

Arrangements have been made by Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, South Crest Chapel, Rossville.
Chattanooga City Council today approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Tim Kelly to formalize a resident-led partnership effort between the City of Chattanooga and Trostyanets  a Ukrainian city that survived 31 days of Russian occupation and is struggling to recover from the effects of the ongoing Russian invasion. No city funds will be allocated toward the agreement.

Mayor Kelly met Trostyanets Mayor Yuri Bova at the 2023 Cities Summit of the Americas in April, when five Ukrainian mayors came seeking help from their American counterparts, and both mayors resolved to explore relations between the two cities consistent with Chattanoogas other existing sister city relationships.

Im not the least bit surprised at the level of interest and the outpouring of support weve seen from Chattanoogans since we first pitched this idea last month, said Mayor Kelly.

Chattanoogans have a humanitarian heart and want to help, and Im excited that we can officially offer them a way to get involved.

Nearly 50 residents have signed up to be a part of Mayor Kellys working group, and 30 Chattanoogans joined the initial online meeting to further explain the possibilities of the group.

The Purpose of Mayor Kellys working group is to convene a committee of Chattanoogans sympathetic to the plight of Trostyanets and the Ukraine who only seek to live peaceful lives with the blessings of a democratically elected government  and who are seeking a way to help. The group will determine the best course of action in establishing plans to provide support to the Trostyanets. The citys telecommunications infrastructure and hospital were both badly damaged in the Russian attacks and Mayor Kellys hope is to help connect Trostyanets with useful technical expertise and assistance as they seek to rebuild.

Residents interested in participating in Mayor Kellys working group in support of rebuilding Trostyanets can apply here.

What Residents Are Saying

Im grateful to the Mayor for giving citizens of Chattanooga the opportunity to participate in a tangible way in terms of brainstorming on ways that members of our community can lend their compassion, skills, ingenuity, and resources to make a significant difference in this war torn country. Many of us are eager to find ways to help.  Judy

My family married into a Ukrainian family, and I can tell you the tireless effort my entire family went through trying to get everyone out prior to anything egregious happening to them. It was devastating for them having to flee then return to homes that were utterly destroyed. The Ukrainian people need our helpwe owe it to them and their resolve to aid them through any support we can give. - Patrick
An officer conducted a traffic stop on a red Honda Grom style motorcycle (TN tag). Police observed the rider riding recklessly (popping wheelies) and caught up to him and initiated the stop. The rider quickly pulled into the nearest parking lot at Ely Laundry, where police got out and quickly confronted him before he could have a chance to possibly run from them. The rider was compliant and identified himself. The bike had valid registration to him. He did not currently have insurance or the motorcycle endorsement on his license. The man was very cooperative and understanding. Police let him return to his home, which was around the corner, with a verbal warning.



* * *

Police were called to check the area on the bridge of Shallowford Road over I-75 for a white male with red shorts and a bandanna who may have been throwing things over the railing towards the interstate below. Police originally checked the area and could not find anyone matching that description. Police drove through the area later and found the person in question and identified him. He said he found a black bandanna on the rail of Shallowford bridge and tried removing it. Police found no evidence of any crime being committed or that was committed.

* * *

An abandoned auto was reported in the driveway of a residence on Old Missions Road. Police ran the tag and found that it was stolen. Police spoke with a person who lives at the residence and they said that they saw a white male, who they know by "Dustin," back the vehicle into the driveway around 3 p.m. and it has not been moved since. The person wished to remain anonymous and also said that they do not know the man's last name or where he is at now. The witness also said that Dustin's girlfriend lived at the residence, but was arrested last week. While searching the vehicle, police found letters written to the girlfriend and signed "Dustin B." Fingerprints were lifted on the vehicle's infotainment system. The vehicle was removed from NCIC and the owner was notified and drove off with her vehicle.

* * *



A woman told police she saw a red truck pulled up west of Safebox Self Storage, 1500 E. 41st St., and she saw a man get out of the passenger side. She said she heard a fence perimeter alarm get set off, and that it goes off if someone gets close to the fence, whether it be outside or inside the fence. She then saw the truck slowly drive by the front of the business and then stop on the east side of the property, and saw the passenger get out again and then walk to the Taco Bell. The woman said shortly before police arrived, she heard the truck peel out of the Taco Bell parking lot. She does not believe anyone got inside the fence, though. This address was added to the Watch List. Police did not locate anything.

* * *

Police responded to a residence on Walker Avenue for a verbal disorder between neighbors. Two women from the residence said a man was outside in the street yelling at them while they were sitting on their front porch. One woman told police the man is the landlord of the house she is currently living in and he had cussed out her sister that night. She told police she is behind in this month's rent, but is unsure of her rights as a renter. Police explained to the woman that he would have to go through a formal legal process to evict her. While speaking to the women, they informed police that two days ago the man was in the road yelling at them and fired a gun in the air. Both of them informed police they did not report the incident the day it occurred, however they said they have camera footage of the incident. While speaking to them, police observed the occupants of the residence next door crack open their door and look outside and close it and shut off the lights in the house. Police were unable to make contact with anyone at that residence at this time. The woman was unable to find the footage, however she assured police she has footage of the incident. Police provided the woman with an Evidence.com link via her email to share the footage of the incident once it is located. At this time there is no proof that anything further than a verbal disorder has occurred. A complaint card was provided and further investigation is pending the video evidence.

* * *

The owner of a business at 2545 Lifestyle Way told police that homeless people are not welcome on their property unless they are a patron of the business(s). Police spoke with a man who said he was sleeping there because he just became homeless and is waiting to move to Atlanta for his new job in a few days. He was informed he is not allowed on the property and he left without incident.

* * *

A man on Hickory Place told police someone had been placing nails in his driveway. The man provided police with video footage showing a person, believed to be female, walking on to his driveway. However, the footage did not capture the woman dropping any nails during that specific instance. The man mentioned that this woman had previously placed nails in the driveway on other occasions.

* * *

Police responded to a shoplifting at US Beauty Mart at 4011 Brainerd Road. An employee provided police surveillance footage of a black female in a pink dress and orange head wrap exiting the store with two hand carts of various beauty supplies at 11:01 a.m. The woman entered a dark grey Chevrolet Malibu with a temporary license plate and the employee followed her to the vehicle. The employee attempted to retrieve the stolen merchandise from the woman's vehicle. The woman eventually threw the merchandise out of the passenger side. It was reported the value of the merchandise was $300, but all was recovered, with some damages.
Chattanooga Police said an 18-year-old charged in a murder was bragging about the killing.

Ralph Hughley, Jr. is charged in connection with the homicide of Dedrick Boatwright last Saturday.

Hughley was arrested on warrants for first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony and possession of a firearm.

Police said they were dispatched to 1100 Arcadia Avenue, where they found the victim lying in a pool of blood in the road. Multiple 9mm shell casings were found nearby.

Multiple witnesses said the vehicle involved was an older model, four-door Ford sedan. It was lighter in color and appeared to have a spoiler on the rear.

A matching vehicle was captured on the city's Real Time Information Center camera system. It detected the vehicle to be a 2008 Ford Taurus and also showed the tag number. There was also a distinquishing sticker on the rear bumper.

A detective observed the vehicle at 400 Tunnel Blvd. as two people entered it and left. Police lost sight of the vehicle, but later found it at 4521 Drummond Dr.

Individuals there said the Taurus had been used in a shooting, but were unaware that someone had been killed. They said they had knowledge of a potential suspect.

Witnesses at the murder scene picked Hughley from a photo lineup.
The city of Chattanooga announces the official launch of the Mentor Hub, a new tool designed in collaboration with local organizations to foster connections between community members and organizations offering mentoring services for youth. This online platform will serve as a nexus, linking individuals with varying availability, professional backgrounds, skills, and interests to mentoring opportunities that align with their unique attributes, ensuring a mutually beneficial experience for both mentors and mentees, said officials.

Im a big believer in the power of positive mentorship and have relied on the wisdom and guidance of mentors throughout different seasons in my life, said Mayor Tim Kelly. Strong mentors can change the trajectory of young peoples lives, which in turn change our communities. Chattanooga is full of great people, and Im hopeful that this initiative and the ease of this tool inspires potential mentors to take the first step toward making new, powerful connections across our city.

The Mentor Hub, accessible at chattanooga.gov/MentorHub, aims to address the need for mentorship programs in the community by facilitating seamless collaborations and encouraging positive role models for young residents. Recognizing the power of mentorship, the city of Chattanooga has partnered with local organizations to establish a database that ensures community members are paired with the most-suitable mentorship programs based on their expertise and availability, said officials.

Whether an individual wishes to dedicate a few hours a week or engage in a long-term commitment, the Mentor Hub provides a basic application that streamlines the process of finding a compatible mentoring program.

"We are thrilled to introduce the Mentor Hub as a powerful tool for connecting passionate individuals with opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of our youth," said Chris Sands, executive director of Community Safety and Gun Violence Prevention for the Office of Community Health. "By facilitating these connections, we are investing in the potential of our young people, providing them with guidance, support, and inspiration to help shape a brighter future."

The Mentor Hub also serves as a resource for youth-oriented organizations, simplifying their search for dedicated mentors within the community. By accessing a pool of individuals from various professional backgrounds, organizations can enhance their mentoring initiatives and expand their reach to a broader audience.

Partnering organizations include:

NAL Fitness

The Bethlehem Center

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga

Boys & Girls Club of Chattanooga

Bridge Refugee Services, Inc.

Green|Spaces

Chattanooga FC Foundation

Dynamo Studios

First Baptist Cares

Foster Grandparent Program

Hamilton County Coalition

Hip Hop for Humanity CHA

Kingship Chess Academy

Rising Phoenix Foundation

Sanders Remodeling, LLC.

PEAK

YCAP

The city of Chattanooga invites all community members interested in becoming mentors to visit chattanooga.gov/MentorHub.

For more information about the Mentor Hub or if an organization is interested in becoming involved, please visit Chattanooga.gov/MentorHub or email MentorHub@chattanooga.gov.
The Womens Care Center, a prolife organization serving DeKalb County, Al., and based in Fort Payne, received a check on totaling $14,125 from the Knights of Columbus Alabama State Council. The Knights, a global Catholic fraternal service order, on a national level, will match this dollar amount with the combined funds of some $28,000 + being used to purchase a new state-of-the-art ultrasound machine to be placed in the Womens Care Center.

Anita Johnson, director of the Womens Care Center, said, upon receiving the check, This has been a long time in the making. We cant say thank you enough to the Knights of Columbus for their generous support. We feel that getting this ultrasound will make a huge difference in saving lives of the unborn. A woman, who might be considering an abortion, upon hearing her babys heartbeat and seeing life growing inside her, is more prone to choose life over an abortion.

Danny Garcia, state deputy for the Alabama Knights of Columbus State Council, presented the Womens Care Center with the check, along with representatives from the local Fort Payne Council #13152 and Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Fort Payne.

State Deputy Garcia said, This makes the fifth ultrasound machine we have funded in a prolife center this year. Placing these machines in facilities is a keystone program for the Knights and promoting life, from the womb to the tomb, is one of our most important ministries. Other ways the Knights help is through donations to clinics like this one in the way of diapers and items a mother might need to feed and clothe her new baby.

Father Rick Chenault, Pastor of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, and a fellow Knight of Columbus, shared his sentiments of the Knights, saying, I am thankful for the hard work of the Knights of Columbus in leading the way in the promotion of the culture of life.

Also on hand was Joe Flaherty, immediate Past State Deputy for the Alabama State Council, and board member of the Womens Care Center. He said, We, the Knights, are here to change lives and save lives. He concurred with Johnson that when a woman hears her babys heartbeat, he adds, we not only have the opportunity to save the life of that baby but also change the life of the woman who might have been considering an abortion.

Mark Sandoval, Grand Knight of the Fort Payne Council, said, I firmly believe that women in need with children, whether born or unborn, must be our top priorty. I will ensure our local council does all we can to support these women and children, as evidenced by this much needed ultrasound machine.

Ms. Johnson added, that when Roe V Wade was overturned, the real work began. She said, With getting an abortion now illegal in Alabama, we are working with women more so on the importance of the life growing inside her. We are here at the Care Center to be with women from the start of their pregnancy in providing prenatal and parenting classes and after the birth of their baby in helping those in need of food, clothing, diapers and other items through the many donations made to our center by local businesses and churches. We want to walk with women as they go through an unexpected pregnancy and support and encourage them along the way.

Johnson said it has been years that her organization has worked to become a medical clinic but various obstacles kept delaying the process. She said, For instance, we needed an ultrasound technician and a doctor to read and sign off on the ultrasounds and neither were being made available to us. We prayed about it. Asked several doctors at different times. Prayed about it some more and then, all of a sudden, everything started to fall into place. A team of medical professionals have come together to provide all the services needed to allow us to become a medical clinic. God is answering our prayers and we are having a hard time keeping up with him. We are so thankful to God and for all our volunteers and staff making this long-awaited service come to fruition, and especially to the Knights of Columbus for providing the funds for the ultrasound.

The Alabama Councils Knights of Columbus, over the last 10 years, have placed 46 ultrasound machines in prolife centers and in three mobile buses totaling more than $2 million.

Once the Womens Care Center in Fort Payne is fully operational as a medical clinic, they will provide limited obstetric ultrasounds. Gender reveals will not be made available. All services will be provided free of charge.

The Center is a pro-life facility and does not provide abortions nor do they make referrals for one.

For more information about the Womens Care Center in Fort Payne, contact them at 256 845-0838 and on the web at www.caredekalb.org.
Tennessee House Democrats are calling on Governor Bill Lee to act quickly to nail down federal funding for passenger rail service to Chattanooga and other major cities.

A new state study said TDOT should determine the cost to begin the service.

The letter said federal funds are available the Bipartisan Infrastructure

The state Democrats, in a letter also said the governor should create an office of rail and public transportation within TDOT.

Chattanooga, which has long been a railroad axis, still asks multiple freight trains passing through each day.

However, it has not had passenger service since the early 1970s.
Elaine Overman Daniel of Ooltewah, Tennessee, went to heaven to see her much loved Savior and Lord on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Elaine was born on Jan. 15, 1930, in Salisbury, North Carolina. She graduated from Spencer High School in 1947. She pursued her passion in nursing  graduating from Rowan Memorial Nursing School in 1950. She married her sweetheart, Robert Council Daniel in March of 1951. She is the mother of two daughters, Sabrina Grace Daniel of Red Bank and Martishia (Marti) Daniel Smith of Ooltewah. She has two granddaughters, Katie Woodard (Ryan) of Ooltewah and Sarah Gackle (Matt) of Birmingham, Alabama. Elaine was never happier than when she spent time with her brand new great-granddaughter, Lainey Joy Woodard. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Ruth Overman.

Elaine was a follower of Jesus, loved to study the Bible, and walked in His Ways. She was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, and friend as well as a dedicated registered nurse. She spent most of her career at Memorial Hospital as the head nurse in the recovery room and then served as a part-time nurse at the McCallie School as well as doing private duty nursing.

She will be remembered as a Christian who was loving, patient, kind, gentle, and faithful with a quiet spirit. She always had a listening ear and a wise, thoughtful response. She will be missed tremendously but is enjoying Jesus, her husband  Council, her parents, and other family and friends in Heaven.

We wish to thank all who contributed to her care over the last several years. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church, Precept ministry or Samaritans Purse. To God be the Glory!

Services will be held on Friday, July 14, at 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Eric Mullinax officiating. Burial will follow at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

You may share condolences with the family at www.heritagechattanooga.com

The family will receive friends Friday, July 14, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.
The Jewish Federation invites the public to decorate cupcakes at a Cupcake Bar on Tuesday at 3 p.m. at the Jewish Cultural Center.

The Jewish Federation has received a grant to have a Memory Cafe Series. Open to the community, it particularly focuses on bringing caregivers and people with minor to extreme memory issues to special events.

The cupcakes are made by the Jewish Cultural Center chef and are non-diary.
Brad Schram, 79, passed away peacefully in his daughters Tennessee home with his wife and family by his side on July 3, 2023, after suffering a stroke while adventuring in the Great Smoky Mountains in April.

Brad is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Dianne (Davis); daughter Kate Chong, son Kirk Schram, and nine grandchildren; siblings Bruce Schram, Gay Houghtaling, Melody Zavala, and Barbara Moreno.

Born Aug. 2, 1943, in Los Angeles, Ca., Brad was raised by his mother, Norma Swift and great aunt and uncle, Irene and Bradford Swift. At eight years old, Brad discovered an interest in birds that led to a lifelong pursuit of birding. After retiring from Sales & Marketing for Pacific Bell in 1996, Brad travelled to all seven continents as an expert birder and naturalist for nature tour companies and specialty expedition cruise ships including the World Discoverer.

Brad spent his childhood in Vista, CA, graduating Vista High School in 1961. He graduated from Biola University in 1965, served as a youth pastor in the late 60s and early 70s, and then achieved a masters in Cultural Anthropology from UC Santa Barbara in the mid-1970s. He served as president of the Santa Barbara Audubon Society from 1977-1978 and championed the cause of captive breeding for the plummeting population of California Condors.

Brad resided in Arroyo Grande, Ca., for the past 40 years. He was a community leader, serving on the board of directors for United Way and The Land Conservancy, and supporting the Mozart Festival. Brad was best known and sought after for his expertise in California birding. He authored A Birders Guide to Southern California, published 1998. He was a perennial presence at the Christmas Bird Counts in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties and has a life list of over 700 species of birds. He also holds the number one spot for birds sighted in San Luis Obispo County. Brad continually and expertly photographed the natural world around him, collecting countless slides and digital files over the decades. Many of his best are available to view: https://www.flickr.com/photos/chaparralbrad/

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 4, at the Life Center at New Life Church, 990 James Way, Pismo Beach, Ca.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo, P.O. Box 12206, San Luis Obispo, Ca. 93406 or at https://lcslo.org/donate/.

Please visit www.chattanoogavalleyviewchapel.com to share your thoughts and memories of Brad.

Arrangements are by the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.
"This achievement was possible because we at HZB have built up expertise in both silicon heterojunction technology and perovskite solar cells and work very closely together," says Prof. Dr. Steve Albrecht, who leads a research group on perovskite tandem solar cells at HZB. For example, the perovskite experts from the HySPRINT Innovation Lab and the silicon experts from the PV Competence Centre (PVcomB) have already set several efficiency world records for tandem solar cells.

The tandem solar cell, now described in detail for the first time in the journal Science, also made headlines in December 2022 when it set a new world record for efficiency, converting 32.5% of incident sunlight into electrical energy. This world record stood until mid-April 2023, when it was broken by a group from the PV Lab at the KAUST research centre in Saudi Arabia. The research field is extremely competitive, with many groups worldwide working in this area. Now the HZB team has again been the first to present a solid and scientifically rigorous peer-reviewed technical publication with precise data sets from the measurements as well as detailed information on the structure of the tandem cell.

Albrecht and his team relied primarily on a significantly improved perovskite compound and a sophisticated surface modification using a novel piperazinium iodide molecule developed by postdoctoral researchers Dr Silvia Mariotti and Dr Eike Kohnen. This largely suppressed charge recombination and significantly reduced the associated losses. Using special measurement techniques, the researchers were able to analyse the fundamental processes at the interfaces and in the individual layers of the tandem cell in detail and then further optimise them based on a deeper understanding. The developments were then combined and transferred to tandem solar cells, with further adjustments to the top electrode for improved optics.

Many experts from different institutes were involved in the production and development of the tandem cells: For example, a group from the University of Potsdam carried out advanced optoelectronic measurements of the single and tandem cells; the novel molecules for modifying the surface were synthesised at the Joxe Mari Korta Centre in San Sebastian, Spain; and a team from Kaunas Technical University in Lithuania helped processing the new perovskite compounds with very high film quality. Only by combining all the modifications was it possible to achieve maximum values for photovoltage (open circuit voltage) and photocurrent, and thus efficiency.

Impressive development in recent years Over the past few years, various research institutes and photovoltaic companies around the world have been continuously improving the efficiency of solar cells. The last two years in particular have been very exciting: teams from the HZB achieved a record value of just under 30% (29.8%) for tandem solar cells made of silicon and perovskite at the end of 2021. This was achieved by introducing special periodic nanostructures into the solar cells. In the summer of 2022, the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland reported a certified tandem cell with 31.3% efficiency. From December 2022 to mid-April 2023, the world record was back at HZB with 32.5%, until the KAUST Photovoltaics Laboratory in Saudi Arabia demonstrated a perovskite silicon tandem cell with 33.2% in the laboratory. KAUST even managed to increase this to 33.7% in May 2023. We are very excited about these tremendous advances in our scientific discipline," says Albrecht. "They give us hope that this technology can make an important contribution to a sustainable energy supply in the fight against climate change in the coming years, because the upscaling and industrial production of perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells is also feasible".
Researchers at PSI and the University of Barcelona have managed to explain the strange behaviour of microgels. Their measurements using neutron beams have pushed this measuring technique to its limits. The results open up opportunities for new applications in materials and pharmaceutical research.

They flow through our arteries, add colour to our walls or make milk tasty: tiny particles or droplets that are very finely distributed in a solvent. Together they form a colloid. Whereas the physics of colloids involving hard particles  such as colour pigments in emulsion paint  is understood well, colloids involving soft particles  such as haemoglobin, the red pigment in blood, or droplets of fat in milk  hold some startling surprises. An experiment carried out 15 years ago showed that soft particles made of polymers  so-called microgels shrink abruptly when their concentration in a solvent is increased above a certain threshold. When this happens, large particles contract until they are the size of their smaller neighbours. Amazingly, this happens even when the particles are not actually in contact with each other. The researchers were puzzled: How does a gel particle know how big its neighbour is without touching it? Is there some sort of telepathy going on between microgels?

Hypothesis of 2016 confirmed Of course not, smiles Urs Gasser. The physicist has been studying the miraculous shrinking of microgels in colloids for the past ten years. Together with a team of researchers, he published a paper in 2016 explaining the phenomenon. Briefly, in this situation, the polymer particles consist of long carbon chains. These carry a weak negative charge at one end. These chains form a ball, the microgel. This can be thought of as resembling a ball of wool, with the properties of a sponge. This three-dimensional tangle therefore contains negative point charges that attract positively charged ions in the liquid. These so-called counterions arrange themselves around the negative charges in the ball, forming a positively charged cloud on the surface of the microgel. When the microgels come close together, their charge clouds overlap. This in turn increases the pressure inside the liquid, which compresses the microgel particles until a new equilibrium is reached.

At the time, however, the research team was unable to provide experimental proof of the cloud of counterions. Together with his PhD student Boyang Zhou and Alberto Fernandez-Nieves of the University of Barcelona, Gasser has now furnished that evidence  and it impressively supports the 2016 hypothesis. The results have been published in the journal Nature Communications.

SINQ neutron source crucial to solving the puzzle This was possible thanks to the neutrons from PSIs spallation source SINQ  along with an experimental trick. Because the cloud of counterions in the colloid is so rarefied that it is not actually visible in the image of the scattered neutrons. The counterions account for no more than one percent of the mass of a microgel. So Gasser, Zhou and Fernandez-Nieves examined two samples: one colloid in which all the counterions were sodium ions, and another in which they were ammonium ions (NH 4 ). Both these ions also occur naturally in microgels  and they scatter neutrons differently. Subtracting one image from the other leaves the signals of the counterions. Boyang Zhou: This seemingly simple solution requires the utmost care in preparing the colloids so as to make the ion clouds visible. No one has ever measured such a rarefied ion cloud before.
Researchers from Switzerland and China have studied the global trade in highly hazardous chemicals subject to a global treaty  the Rotterdam Convention. The results are sobering: Nearly half of the total trade volume of these chemicals crosses national borders illegally, calling for strong international and national action.

54 chemicals and groups of chemicals are covered by the Rotterdam Convention due to their high potential to cause severe harm on human health and the environment. These include mercury compounds, various pesticides and five of the six types of asbestos. The Convention, also known as the PIC Convention (Prior Informed Consent), does not ban these hazardous substances. However, the parties may only trade them among themselves if the importing country has expressly consented to the import.

The PIC procedure is primarily intended to protect developing countries from the uncontrolled import of highly hazardous chemicals, since these countries often lack the necessary infrastructure to safely process and dispose of them. Now, a new study initiated by Empa scientists delivers sobering results: The PIC procedure is defaulted on in nearly half of the traded volume of these chemicals.

Worldwide violations For the study, published on 10 July in the journal Nature Sustainability, researchers from China and Switzerland analyzed public trade data from the United Nations Comtrade database for 46 of the 54 listed chemicals. A total of 64.5 million tons were traded globally from 2004 to 2019. Of these, 27.5 million tons were traded illegally, i.e., exported to countries that had explicitly refused to import them.

Non-compliance with the Rotterdam Convention is a worldwide phenomenon, especially by many countries in Western, Central and Southern Europe, as well as South and Southeast Asia. At the same time, these regions were also the most affected by illegal imports, along with the Middle East and North Africa, as well as Latin America. "This prevalent illegal trade is highly concerning because it undermines global efforts to protect us and our environment from hazardous chemicals," says Empa researcher Zhanyun Wang, who initiated the study.

According to Wang and his co-authors, the result of the study is a rather conservative estimate of the illicit trade in hazardous chemicals, as situations such as smuggling and black markets were not includes in the analysis. In addition, the US, for example, exported about four million tons of chemicals to countries that refuse to import them under the Convention. However, this is not necessarily illegal  because the US has not ratified the Rotterdam Convention and is subject to different rules.

Ongoing large-scale trade Wang also considers the very high overall volume of hazardous substances being traded as problematic. Of the total 64.5 million tons, the majority  55.3 million tons  is ethylene dichloride, a carcinogenic and organ-damaging solvent used in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In second place, with 6.3 million tons, is the toxic reagent, disinfectant and pesticide ethylene dioxide.

The other chemicals, which are predominantly pesticides, make up a relatively small portion of the total. "But we see that these highly toxic compounds are still being traded in significant quantities," Wang says. "Since the Rotterdam Convention came into force, trade has decreased only slightly. Yet for many of these substances, we've known for decades how harmful they are."

Surprisingly, the authors also discovered a brisk trade in some substances that have been severely restricted or even banned for years to decades. These include, for instance, the legacy toxic pesticides aldrin, chlordane, heptachlor and dieldrin, which have been banned worldwide as the Dirty Dozen under the Stockholm Convention since 2004. Also still traded, albeit in much smaller quantities of several thousand tons, are the notoriously neurotoxic compounds tetraethyl lead and tetramethyl lead. Despite decades of global efforts to phase them out in gasoline for normal cars, they seem to be still used in certain specialty fuels.

Strengthening national and international action All of the data used in the study are public  so why aren't the countries addressing the defaults? There are several reasons. "For many countries, the environmental ministry is responsible for implementing the Rotterdam Convention," Wang explains. "But trade is supervised by the customs authority." In addition, there are often insufficient resources available to monitor chemical trade, especially in developing countries.

The researchers recommend that international and national action needs to step up to address global trade of highly hazardous chemicals, particularly illegal trade. Among others, other problematic chemicals should be listed under the Convention, such as chrysotile asbestos. This type of asbestos is by far the most common  and the only one of the six types of asbestos not yet covered by the Convention. "Switzerland has recently taken the initiative here to bring about changes, along with several other countries, but so far without success," Wang says.
Cherokee Nation Treasurer Janees Taylor gives a report on the findings of the single audit and desk review of federal COVID relief funds.
The Cherokee Nation recently received a federal infrastructure grant worth more than $12.9 million for a reconstruction project stretching more than 4.5 miles on Mud Valley Road in Cherokee County.
Theres a lot of advice out there about what to avoid talking about on a first date. For instance, you should steer clear of discussing politics, religion, your ex, or your dates eating habits. But what should you do if your date doesnt speak to you at all?

TikToker Ash Hanson (@ashhansonn) is chronicling the story of the worst date hes ever experienced in his entire life. On his worst date ever, the girl remained silent almost the entire time, so he decided to leave in the middle of their date.

So he had planned to grab drinks with a girl, and when he arrived at the spot, she turned out to be very good-looking. As a matter of fact, she was even more attractive than her photos online. She was like a reverse catfish!

At the start of the date, she seemed pretty quiet, which wasnt usually Ashs type. He found it a bit odd since she wasnt shy at all when they spoke on the phone.

A couple of drinks later, she still had barely uttered a word, not even to thank Ash for paying for the drinks. At that point, Ash was really struggling to keep the conversation afloat.

He was even scrolling through his phone on Google, trying to search for appropriate conversation topics to discuss on a first date.

Ash thought that she might need another drink to help her loosen up and calm her nerves, so he bought a third drink for her.

Finally, his prayers were answered when she got up to use the restroom. As soon as she disappeared inside the bathroom, he quickly made a break for it and ran out of the date.

Then, he blocked her on social media. Ash was upset because that date was a waste of his time and declared that he might as well have just gone on a date with his dog.

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When you were a kid, did you ever not get invited to someones birthday party or other event with people in your class?

Exclusion really hurts, and it can hurt even worse when youre a kid.

One woman confronted a mom from her kids school after her daughter wasnt invited to a birthday party and was accused of ruining it.

She has a nine-year-old daughter that goes to a very small school. There are only 11 girls in her grade. Therefore, the girls in her daughters class are close-knit.

A year ago, the girls in her daughters grade started a book club and would meet twice a month in each others homes.

Her daughter was in the book club full-time last summer but had to stop attending as many meetings because she has a busy schedule as a competitive dancer. However, her daughter will attend book club at least once a month when she can.

Three weeks ago, a friend of her daughters from school named Sarah was at their house. Out of the blue, Sarah asked her daughter if she was excited to attend a birthday party for Addy, another one of the girls in their class.

It was supposed to be a pool party with an outdoor movie later in the evening. But unfortunately, her daughter hadnt received an invite.

When Sarahs mom came to pick her up, she told her the birthday invites were handed out at the last book club meeting, so Addys mom may have just forgotten to hand them out. Sarahs mom encouraged her to reach out to Addys mom.

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As an increasing number of Australians realize, our nation was founded on the legal lie that the continent was terra nullius, nobodys land. The truth is that Aboriginal people had been living on the lands now called Australia for at least 65,000 years by the time the first Europeans arrived. However, since British law said no one was here, most settlers didnt bother making treaties.

One exception was John Batman, who was born in Australia to a convict father and a free mother who had paid passage to keep the family together. After encountering challenges trying to access a land grant in other regions, Batman staked out land near Merri Creek, otherwise known as the home of the Wurundjeri nation, and signed a treaty with them that exchanged handkerchiefs, flour, and other supplies for most of what is now Melbourne.

Even if their signatures werent faked, the most the Wurundjeri people possibly agreed to was temporary hospitality. They considered the land as something they belonged to, not as a possession that could be sold as under English law.

In the end, it didnt matter. In 1835 the governor responded to Batmans treaty with a letter in the kings name: The treaty was invalid because the land already belonged to the crown. Within a few years, most of the indigenous inhabitants in that region were either killed or forcibly displaced far from their ancestral home.

While the themes in this story show up across Australias history, this is the particular story of the land on which I live and work. I first learned about it while preparing to preach on 1 Kings 21 at a church near Merri Creek where the treaty was signed. I dont often like to compare myself with biblical villainsespecially not Ahab and Jezebel, two of the wickedest rulers in the Bible. Yet when we read about what God judged them for, the violent entitlement and casual cruelty with which European settlers stole Melbourne sound uncomfortably familiar.

Ahab ruled the breakaway northern tribes of Israel in the ninth century BC. The Bible paints him as one of their worst kings. He did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him (1 Kings 16:30), which was no small effort. He and his wife Jezebel routinely break Israels covenant with God and drag Israel deep into idolatry, building a temple of Baal and violently persecuting the prophets of God. Elijah the prophet famously challenges him and his 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel with a contest to see which god would answer their sacrifice with fire (1 Kings 18).

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Yet Gods covenant spans the horizontal as well as the vertical; he is enraged by injustice on earth no less than by offenses toward heaven. So, in 1 Kings 21, Gods heavy judgment on Ahab is traced back to an incident involving a field and a relative nobody named Naboth.

Naboth owns a vineyard that has belonged to his family for generations. Unhappily for Naboth, however, the vineyard is next to King Ahabs palace. When Ahab decides that Naboths vineyard is the perfect place for a vegetable patch, he asks Naboth if he can buy the field.

Naboth says no. The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors (v. 3). I mentioned above why the Wurundjeri elders would never have agreed to sell their land to Batman; in a similar way, godly Israelites like Naboth saw themselves as custodians, rather than owners, of their ancestral land, which could never be sold permanently (Lev. 25:23).

Incensed that Naboth has repudiated him, Ahab returns home to sulk. He refuses to eat dinner and lies in bed feeling sorry for himself, before a frighteningly powerful political leader pays him a visit.

Jezebel eviscerates Ahab for moping. Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. Ill get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite (1 Kings 21:7). She writes letters in the kings name and arranges for Naboth to be falsely accused and executed on blasphemy charges.

Suddenly, Ahab finds the field available. Cold, decisive, and deadly efficient, Jezebel has little pity for those in her way. Ahab jettisons any qualms he has with his wifes actions and seizes the murdered mans field for himself.

Often it can appear that the names and stories of those like Naboth, who have found themselves in the cross hairs of those acting with impunity, have long been forgotten to history. Yet God remembers. Through the prophet Elijah and a couple of eavesdroppers, God delivers a chilling message: One day, dogs will lick up Ahabs blood on the very ground where Naboths blood was spilled (v. 19).

The prophecy comes true three years later, when Ahab picks a fight with the neighboring nation of Aram at Ramoth Gilead and dies from a stray arrow in battle (1 Kings 22). As the cleaners are washing Ahabs blood from his chariot, a pack of dogs comes and starts drinking from the bloody puddle, as prophesied, in Naboths field.

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Its the beginning of the end for Ahabs dynasty. Two sons succeed him. The first (Ahaziah) dies, and then, during a reboot of the battle that killed his father, the second (Joram) is wounded and returns to Jezreel to recover. Ahabs former general, Jehu, is sent on a mission from God to finish him off and take the throne for himself. He scores an arrow through Jorams heart and dumps his body in Naboths fieldonce more fulfilling Elijahs prophecy in 1 Kings 21.

Jehu was one of the soldiers who, years earlier, overheard Elijahs words of judgment: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property? (1 Kings 21:19) As he ends Ahabs dynasty, he declares that justice has finally come for what Ahab and Jezebel did to Naboth (2 Kings 9:2526).

Remember how you and I were riding together in chariots behind Ahab his father when the Lord spoke this prophecy against him: Yesterday I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons, declares the Lord, and I will surely make you pay for it on this plot of ground, declares the Lord, Jehu tells his chariot officer. Now then, pick him up and throw him on that plot, in accordance with the word of the Lord.

Have you not murdered men, women, and children and seized their property?

Those who live, work, and worship on stolen lands are advised to tread thoughtfully. God hasnt forgotten what happened here in Australia. He has humbled kingdoms greater than ours for less.

Indigenous Australians havent forgotten how they lost this land either. For Stan Grant, a prominent journalist and Aboriginal man, the injustice tests his faith:

Where was God when our land was invaded? Where was God when we were killed in the Frontier Wars?  I was raised by people with hope in God. A hard hope. The despairing hope of a people forsaken. A people who wait for God's justice.

These injustices took place long before I was born. Yet we nonindigenous Australians inherit together the guilt as surely as we inherit the land itself. Like Ahab, we have enjoyed the proceeds of crimes done in our name. Ahab himself did not arrange the murder, but the order went out in his name, and he was unjustly enriched by it. Likewise, God holds Jezebel and Ahabs heirs accountable for the sins of the house of Ahab as a whole (1 Kings 21:2124).

While individualistic Western culture struggles to recognize corporate sins, a biblical theology of sin reveals that God regularly holds groups of people responsible for their corporate sins, even generations later. These corporate sins call not for denials of individual culpability but for corporate repentance on behalf of the community (Josh. 7; Ezra 9; Dan. 9; 1 Cor. 5).

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Even Ahab recognizes the need for public repentance when confronted by the wickedness Jezebel has done in his name. After Elijah delivers Gods judgment, Ahab responds by acknowledging his sins with public actions: sackcloth, fasting, and humility (1 Kings 21:27). Because of this repentance, God delays judgment and allows his family to remain for one more generation.

Nonindigenous Australians are beginning to repent of the sins done in our name by acknowledging that the places we live and work tell a history that precedes European settlement. Later this year Australians will vote on whether to formally acknowledge indigenous Australians in our constitution and facilitate a consultative indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Whether or not this legislative proposal succeeds, many Australians will continue to acknowledge indigenous inhabitants in more local ways. For instance, recently my sons class opened a school assembly the way an increasing number of events in Australia are marked:

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet today and pay our respects to elders past and present.

Two decades ago, few practiced acknowledgements of country outside activist circles. But with increasing support for reconciliation between indigenous and nonindigenous Australians, its become common to hear these statements (or a welcome to country given by an indigenous person with ancestral connection to that place) as a prelude to a sporting match or at the landing of an airplane.

For nonindigenous Australians (like me), acknowledging that this land belonged to a specific people, like the Wurundjeri people, shows respect for their humanity and culture, as well as their continuing struggle to survive as a unique and irreplaceable culture in the wake of European colonization.

Many nonindigenous evangelical Christians have eagerly adopted this practice, seeing it as a way to love their indigenous neighbors. Some even incorporate acknowledgments of country in Sunday services.

A minority of Christians worry that acknowledging country might be inadvertently participating in pagan spirituality by invoking ancestral spirits. Those who genuinely believe this should of course spare their consciences.

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Other skeptics dismiss acknowledgments as mere secular rites that risk becoming rote. This underestimates the true danger of reciting liturgies: Over time, they have a profound potential to change us for the better.

But for me, as an Old Testament scholar, I understand these acknowledgements as reflecting the character of God we see in the Ahab storyand indeed throughout Scripture. God seeks not just true worship but also true justice. God holds groups accountable for corporate sins. God opposes proud oppressors but shows grace to those who humbly repent.

Nonindigenous Australians cannot undo what was done in our name. We cannot revive the generations cut short by disease or violence or recover lost languages and cultures. We could offer to leave, but most of us have nowhere to go.

Its humbling to acknowledge something we have little power to right. But time and time again, we observe in the Bible that repentance marks the first step in obedience. For myself and my fellow nonindigenous Australians, following God begins by asking forgiveness for the lie of claiming this continent as nobodys land.

Andrew Judd lectures in Old Testament and hermeneutics at Ridley College, on Wurundjeri land now known as Melbourne, Australia.
Iowa lawmakers pass 6-week abortion ban after state Supreme Court killed similar law

Iowa's Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds will sign into law a newly passed bill banning abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected just weeks after the state's Supreme Court upheld a permanent block on a similar restriction previously enacted by the state legislature.

"Tonight, the Iowa legislature has passed  for a second time and by wider margins  legislation to protect life and end abortion at a heartbeat," Reynolds wrote in a Twitter post Tuesday evening. "[T]he voices of the unborn and their elected representatives will not be silenced any longer!"

A statement from Reynolds' office states that she intends to sign the measure into law on Friday, which would ban most abortions after around six weeks of gestation. The ban includes exceptions for cases in which the life of the mother is in danger, miscarriages and fetal abnormalities deemed to be "incompatible with life." It also includes exceptions for rape and incest.

Tonight the Iowa legislature has passed  for a second time and by wider marginslegislation to protect life and end abortion at a heartbeat.



The voices of the unborn and their elected representatives will not be silenced any longer!



Congrats to the Iowa House and Senate! pic.twitter.com/DEI2tVwNqR  Kim Reynolds (@KimReynoldsIA) July 12, 2023

On Tuesday, the Republican-controlled Iowa House of Representatives voted to pass HF 732 in a 56-34 vote, and the Republican-controlled Iowa Senate approved the bill in a 32-17 vote. The votes in both chambers fell largely along party lines, with all support for the measure in the House coming from Republicans as two Republicans joined Democrats in opposition and one Republican joining all Democrats in opposing the legislation in the Senate.

The votes come less than a month after the Iowa Supreme Court deadlocked 3-3 over whether to allow a 2018 law banning abortions after six weeks gestation to go into effect. The court's deadlock enabled a permanent ban on the previous law implemented by a lower court to remain in place.

Adam Schwend, the western regional director of the pro-life grassroots organization Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, expressed gratitude in a statement praising the legislature for "acting swiftly on the will of the people" and to Reynolds for calling a special session to pass the pro-life legislation.

"Iowans recognize the humanity of unborn children with beating hearts and won't rest until they are protected," he added. "These protections will save lives."

The Iowa heartbeat bill facing a legal challenge remains a distinct possibility as Planned Parenthood Federation of America President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson vowed that "we will see Gov. Reynolds in court" in a statement released following the Iowa legislature's approval of HF 732.

"Today, Iowans have been denied the freedom to decide what is best for their own lives and futures," she lamented.

"Inevitably, the brunt of harm will fall on Black, Latino, and Indigenous Iowans; Iowans with lower incomes; and Iowans who live in rural areas. Planned Parenthood will not stand for this," Johnson added.

When Reynolds signs the bill into law as expected, Iowa will join two dozen other states with pro-life protections on the books following the U.S. Supreme Court's June 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling determining that the U.S. Constitution does not contain a right to abortion.

Data compiled by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America reveals that 15 states have protections for unborn babies throughout all nine months of pregnancy, two states have 12-week abortion bans on the books while Florida has a 15-week abortion ban in effect. Iowa will join Georgia as one of two states that have enacted six-week abortion bans. An additional five states currently have their pro-life laws tied up in litigation.
Ukraine sets up coalition with 11 countries to train F-16 pilots

Xinhua) 13:05, July 12, 2023

KIEV, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine signed a memorandum with 11 countries to create a coalition for training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said Tuesday.

"It's official: a coalition for F-16 training of the Ukrainian Air Force has been formed," Reznikov tweeted.

Apart from pilots, technicians and support staff will participate in a training program, Reznikov said.

The creation of the coalition opens the doors to include other types of fighter aircraft in the program, he added.

Reznikov thanked Denmark and the Netherlands for their leadership in creating the coalition.

Separately, Ukraine's Ambassador to the United Kingdom Vadym Prystayko said that 20 Ukrainian pilots will begin training on Western fighter jets in Britain at the end of this month or at the beginning of August, the Ukrainian government-run Ukrinform news agency reported.

Prystayko noted that Britain does not operate F-16 fighters, but has other European-made aircraft.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Church of the Highlands dismisses suggestion it is running $4.5M retreat for fallen pastors

Church of the Highlands, Alabamas largest church, which is also ranked as the second largest congregation in the nation with some 60,000 reported attendees in 2022, has dismissed reports suggesting it's running a $4.5 million retreat center for fallen pastors called The Lodge at Grants Mill at its Grants Mill campus.

Unfortunately there are articles out there that are completely false with no truth to them, Layne Schranz, Church of the Highlands senior associate pastor, told The Christian Post in an interview.

The Lodge that we have at our church has no recovery aspect to it. We have no restoration program. That's not what The Lodge is for.

AL.com published a report Monday from Anna Claire Vollers of Reckon News highlighting how Church of the Highlands founder and Senior Pastor Chris Hodges called The Lodge a pastoral recovery center in 2021 as it was being built.

The pastor's exact wording, however, was that it would be "kind of a pastoral recovery center."

Shortly after construction was completed in April, Hodges called it a place where pastors from all over the world can rest, worship and grow, which Schranz said reflects more accurately what they hope to use the facility for.

I'm so excited to tell you about an incredible place that we just finished construction on, called The Lodge at Grants Mill, nestled among the trees next to the Cahaba River. This beautiful facility is a place where our church can host pastors from all over the world for roundtables and events designed to strengthen and build the big C church, Hodges said in April Instagram video.

"With beautiful bedrooms and a spacious meeting area, pastors will be able to rest, worship and grow. And as you know, Highlands has always had a unique calling to not only build our congregation, but to do everything we can to invest in pastors and churches, and God has blessed it in an amazing way.

Vollers stressed in her report that Hodges revealed during a church leadership event in 2021 that he and Highlands Associate Pastor Dino Rizzo were in the middle of about 20 pastoral, moral failures or restorations right now and expressed a desire to be known for restoring these pastors.

The report quoted people like Lauen Shackleford, a former employee and Church of the Highlands member, questioning whether pastors who suffered moral failures will be undergoing restoration at The Lodge.

My biggest concern is, are they being transparent with the congregation and staff about who will be at The Lodge? Shackleford asked. How often would (the pastors undergoing restoration) be around other people? Are they teaching? Are they leading small groups? Are they dangerous?

Rizzo, a member of the congregations senior leadership team, returned to public ministry in August 2013 at Church of the Highlands, just over a year after he resigned as senior pastor of the Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, over an inappropriate affair with a woman who was not his wife.

I think of pastoral restoration as a programmatic attempt on the part of a church or church leaders to reinstate a pastor after some kind of scandal or moral failing, after the offending sin has come to light, Katelyn Beaty, an author and podcast host who previously served as managing editor at Christianity Today.

Beaty stated in a tweet on Monday that she doesnt believe pastors who have abused their positions should get a wellness retreat.

A pastor who has abused their power over people doesn't need a wellness retreat. My concern is that this pastoral recovery center will be a place where unhealthy leaders cycle in and out, to check off a box in order to return to public ministry, she wrote.

Pastoral burnout is real, and even fallen leaders need places where they can do deep inner work. But when you are dealing with [a] leader with narcissistic or predatory patterns, this kind of center doesn't seem equipped to deal with that and prevent them from acting out.

Schranz told CP that Hodges is currently working on a more formal response to the speculation about The Lodge but insists that, as of now, there is no program being run at the building, and there are no plans to provide a retreat for fallen pastors at the building.

We do not have a restoration or recovery program. That's not what it [The Lodge] was built for, Schranz told CP. We don't have a program for [fallen pastors].
Mother pleads guilty to helping 17-year-old daughter abort, bury, burn 29-week-old baby

A Nebraska mother accused of helping her teenage daughter abort her baby after 20 weeks gestation and assisting with attempting to bury and burn the body has pleaded guilty to several charges.

Jessica Burgess, 42, faced charges after she was accused of ordering abortion pills on the internet for her then-17-year-old daughter Celeste Burgess. The teen aborted the 29-week-old child before the pair buried the burned remains in a field north of Norfolk, which were later discovered by authorities.

As The Associated Press reported Friday, the mother admitted in a plea agreement to helping her daughter obtain an abortion after 20 weeks gestation, in addition to the charges of tampering with human skeletal remains and false reporting. The charges of concealing the death of another person and performing an abortion as a non-licensed doctor were dismissed.

One of the counts against the Nebraska woman is a misdemeanor, while another is a felony. The mother's sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 22. Her daughter, who pleaded guilty in May and faces up to two years in prison, is set to be sentenced on July 20.

Celeste Burgess, now 18, was charged as an adult and pleaded guilty to removing, concealing or abandoning a dead body.

Madison County Attorney Joe Smith noted that this was the first time he had charged anyone with illegally performing an abortion.

In May, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB574, a bill that bans abortion at 12 weeks of pregnancy. The state had previously banned abortions after 20 weeks in 2010.

As The Christian Post previously reported, the mother and daughter discussed plans to abort the pregnancy and destroy the remains over Facebook. According to court documents, authorities obtained the messages exchanged over social media through a warrant.

Detective Ben McBride of the Norfolk Police Investigations Unit applied for a warrant in June, seizing six smartphones and seven laptops and ordering Facebook to turn over chats between the mother and daughter.

The chats reportedly show Jessica Burgess referring to "What i ordered last month" and instructing her to take two pills 24 hours apart. The daughter would later claim that she had a miscarriage at 23 weeks gestation.

Jessica Burgess was accused of ordering the abortion pills online in March, with a sworn affidavit from McBride noting that a woman claiming to be the teenager's friend saw her take the first abortion pill in April.

As The Norfolk Daily News reported in July, the Madison County Attorney's Office alleged that the pair planned to bury the unborn child's remains in a rural location. The teen and her mother allegedly buried the body three different times and also attempted to burn the body after the second exhumation.

Another individual involved in the case, Tanner Barnhill, was sentenced to nine months probation in August. The 22-year-old special needs man had previously pleaded no contest to concealing a death for lending the Burgesses transportation to the burial sites.

Attorneys representing the young man argued that their client has an IQ of around 75 to 80, and that made it easy to take advantage of him. Authorities said that Tanner cooperated with them during the investigation, showing them the burial locations and the text messages with the Burgesses.

The case has drawn further criticism for the state's abortion laws from progressives. In a Monday tweet, Jezebel reporter Susan Rinkunas stated that the Nebraskan mother and daughter "face two years in prison for accessing healthcare the state made unavailable."

Daniel Gump, a legal researcher and author of Criminal Abortion Laws Before the Fourteenth Amendment: A Timeline and Visual Review of Jurisprudence and Historical Milestones, however, told The Christian Post last August that some abortion proponents are misrepresenting the case.

"This is a case of someone illegally procuring a post-viability induced abortion for a minor, and three individuals then attempting to destroy and hide evidence that included human remains," Gump stated.

"The details of the crimes eventually leaked out, and that led to an investigation that included interviews and warrants to seize electronic devices and communication records on social media," he continued. "Justice is being served."
Wisconsin school district must let biological male student use girls' bathroom, judge rules

A federal judge has blocked a Wisconsin school district policy prohibiting students from using bathrooms intended for members of the opposite sex in response to a lawsuit filed by the mother of an 11-year-old trans-identified boy.

Judge Lynn Adelman of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin issued the temporary restraining order last Thursday prohibiting the Mukwonago Area School District from enforcing Policy 5514 - Student Privacy in Restrooms and Locker Rooms. The school board unanimously passed the policy on June 26.

"The District will continue to defend Policy 5514 in the interest of protecting the safety, privacy, and wellness of all students," Superintendent Joe Koch said in a statement. "We will also continue to keep the community informed as this case proceeds through the litigation process."

A school district spokesperson directed The Christian Post to Koch's statement from earlier this month.

"Our School Board is committed to the safety, privacy and wellness of all students and will vigorously defend its position on these matters," the superintendent asserted.

As outlined in the order, the mother of an 11-year-old boy who identifies as a girl filed a lawsuit on behalf of her son. Adelman, appointed to the bench by former President Bill Clinton, noted that the student has identified as female since age 3 and has "used the girls' bathroom at school since moving to the district and beginning third grade."

In addition, the student has "participated with girls in gender-separate school activities." The order maintains that Koch told the student's mother on June 16 that the student would be "required to use either the boys' bathroom or a gender-neutral bathroom at the school," adding, "defendants have begun enforcing this policy against plaintiff."

Under the district's bathroom policy, students must use the bathroom or locker room that aligns with their biological sex, with some exceptions permitted on a "case-by-case basis." School staff and officials, as well as the student's parents, must consult each other about the potential accommodations. According to the restraining order, the district's bathroom policy has negatively impacted the 11-year-old student's mental health.

The court cited a previous ruling from the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, concluding that a "policy that requires an individual to use a bathroom that does not conform with his or her gender identity punishes that individual for his or her gender non-conformance." Adelman believes that the plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits of the case.

The 7th Circuit ruled that a gender-neutral option is not "sufficient," adding that the policy itself violates Title IX, a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.

In recent years, parents have expressed concern about the prevalence of LGBT ideology in public school districts, ranging from policies allowing trans-identified students to use bathrooms and restrooms that correspond with their gender identity as opposed to their biological sex as well as the embrace of LGBT ideology in the curriculum. In response to such concern, policies requiring students to use bathrooms that align with their biological sex have become more common in conservative districts and states.

A study published by the Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies in February found at least 3 million K-12 students are enrolled in public school districts where they can change their name and preferred pronouns to reflect their chosen gender identity without parental consent.

The report, authored by former U.S. Department of Education Press Secretary Angela Morabito, analyzed policies from 20 of the nation's largest school districts as determined by a 2018 list in the Digest of Education Statistics.
Billy Grahams NC home becomes retreat center for ministry leaders in need of restoration

A North Carolina residence once home to world-renowned evangelist Billy Graham and his wife, Ruth, and their children during the most critical years of his ministry has been transformed into a sanctuary for pastoral restoration thanks to a local businessman, actor Kirk Cameron and the Grahams' third daughter.

Charlotte businessman Stephen L. Thomas, Cameron and writer/speaker Ruth Graham joined together to make it possible, according to the website Billys Home Place.

It offers several experiences designed to rejuvenate pastors and help believers discover Gods will through diving deep into Gods Word, it says, adding, If you serve as a vocational missionary or pastor with 20 or more years, take a few moments and fill out the Pastoral Rest and Sabbatical Form. There is no charge for pastors or missionaries who stay at Billys Home Place.

About two years ago, the original family home of Billy and Ruth Graham in Montreat was put up for sale, listed at $599,000, as their daughter sought to raise funds for her own daughters medical treatments. The property was sold for $750,000 on Sept. 1, 2021, according to Redfin.

Ruth Graham, whose daughter was suffering from a multisystem disorder that affects different areas of the body, told The Christian Post in a statement at the time that her parents purchased the home in the late 1940s.

It was selected because it was right across the street from my grandparents, she said. I was born during the time my family lived in the house. The Los Angeles Crusades and [my fathers] tour of England happened during those years.  it is where it all began.

The Grahams moved from the house in 1957 but remained in Montreat.

The home had been used as a vacation rental in recent years. Guests of the home were given access to experience the Grahams young family life through the cottages original furnishings, books, photos and mementos.

The two-story home is still in pristine condition and surrounded by several picturesque walking trails and streams.

The Billys Home Place website says, Rich in Christian history and gospel-legacy, this humble estate is more than a standing relic of a life well lived. Rather this house serves as a continuation of Dr. Grahams legacy. A retreat for weary pastors and missionaries; a solace to seek the face of God. It is to that end that Billys Home Place was established.

Throughout the centuries, it says, the home has served as a symbol of anointing, where God chose to utilize a humble servant to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. Often composing sermons and studying at a small writing table in his second-floor study, its library represents the countless hours Billy Graham dedicated to praying for unrepentant souls and those in need of Christ, it adds.

The website notes that while Graham eventually earned the title of "America's Pastor," speaking in arenas and coliseums worldwide, his earliest ministry unfolded around the fireplace and kitchen table of this unassuming mountain residence.
Christian social worker says job offer was rescinded over his beliefs on sexuality

A social worker from the United Kingdom is taking legal action for alleged religious discrimination after a job offer at a hospital was withdrawn due to his traditional Christian stance on homosexuality and marriage.

U.K. resident Felix Ngole is challenging the withdrawal of the job offer to work at Wakefield Hospital at the Leeds Employment Tribunal this week with the help of the Christian Legal Centre.

He is making claims under the Equality Act for "discrimination, harassment, indirect discrimination and compensation for injury to feelings."

Ngole claims he was refused a job opportunity working with the National Health Service after his "very strong views" about homosexuality and marriage were discovered by the organization recruiting for the position.

Ngole was originally recruited to manage the discharge of patients with mental health conditions back into their communities by the healthcare organization Touchstone Support Leeds.

According to CLC, Ngole was told by Touchstone's chief executive, Kathryn Hart, that the employment offer was rescinded because he was no longer suitable for the open position.

"In particular we have uncovered some information about [Mr Ngole] that does not align with Touchstone Leeds' ethos and values," the Ngole was informed. "[W]e are an organisation proud to work with the LGBTQ+ community and we pride ourselves for being an inclusive employer."

Ngole was allegedly told that he could be considered for the job if he could demonstrate how he would "embrace and promote homosexual rights."

This isn't the first time Ngole has faced what he is calling religious "discrimination" and "harassment." In 2019, the devout Christian was successful in a landmark free speech case after he was kicked out of a social work program at the University of Sheffield for citing biblical beliefs about homosexuality on his Facebook page.

Christian Legal Centre claims that Hart reportedly found online articles about Ngole's previous legal case. The withdrawal of the job offer came shortly thereafter.

"In particular, we can see that you have very strong views against homosexuality and same sex marriage, which completely go against the views of Touchstone, an organisation committed to actively promoting and supporting LGBTQ+ rights," Hart reportedly wrote in an email sent to Ngole.

"In particular, we have serious concerns that your [Mr. Ngole's] ability to act in the best interests of Touchstone, its service users and its staff would be compromised by your strong views," the email continued.

Ngole vowed in a reply email that he "would not discriminate against anyone" while insisting that he would not change his Christian beliefs for employment.

"What I cannot do, and you cannot reasonably expect me to do, without yourselves being discriminatory, is make my participation in the 'promotion of homosexual rights' a condition of my employment," Ngole responded.

Following the correspondence, Ngole was invited to a meeting with employers, which Christian Concern characterized as a "two-hour interrogation."

Throughout the meeting, he was questioned extensively about his faith. And by the end of the meeting, he said, a decision was made to withdraw the original offer he received for the job.

The minutes from the meeting included details about how Ngole claimed that he had "never been accused of discrimination" and did not "have any intention to discriminate against anyone." However, the panel concluded that his analysis "rather misses the point."

Ngole wants Touchstone to amend its recruitment procedures to better align with its stated objective of being an "inclusive employer'" to prevent Christians from being excluded from its workforce.
Church of the Highlands Pastor Dino Rizzo named in sexual harassment lawsuit

Dino Rizzo, a member of the Church of the Highlands' senior leadership team in Alabama, has been named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by a former intern at Vibrant Church in Columbus, Mississippi.

Laura Ashley Eagan alleges Rizzo failed to intervene when she told him she was sexually harassed by Vibrant Church's former senior pastor, Jason Delgado.

In addition to his work with Alabama's largest church, Rizzo is also executive director and founder of the Association of Related Churches, an umbrella group under which Vibrant Church falls.

Church of the Highlands and ARC officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit when contacted by The Christian Post on Tuesday. A Vibrant Church official told CP, "at this time we are not making any statements or comments on the issue."

In the lawsuit, Eagan alleges discrimination/sexual harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence, The Commercial Dispatch reported.

Along with Rizzo and Jason Delgado, the lawsuit lists as defendants Delgado's parents  Vibrant Church staff pastor Ronald D. Delgado and Vibrant Church's human resource director Miriam Delgado.

John Does 1-25 were also named defendants in the lawsuit and seek compensatory and punitive damages.

Eagan alleges that Jason Delgado, who resigned from Vibrant Church amid sexual harassment allegations in April, made unwanted sexual advances by "various electronic means" to her beginning in February 2020 and lasted through the end of the year.

She claims the advances began after telling Ronald Delgado during a confidential counseling session that she was having marriage troubles. She contends he shared that information with his son.

The former intern said her supervisor at the church, identified as Laurel Jones, gave her a poor evaluation without providing documentation to support the evaluation. She further asserts that Jones told her she was "too sexy" to be an intern.

She was later referred to Jason Delgado for mentoring, placing her in a vulnerable position. Soon after the assignment, Jason Delgado began sending Eagan benign messages that escalated to sexual overtures over time.

"Mr. Jason Delgado used his position of confidence, and his knowledge of Mrs. Eagan's situation to fulfill his sexual perversions," the suit alleges. "At best, this is a deliberate manipulation of those in need to fulfill unnatural, sexual fantasies. At worst, this is a calculated sexual predator, with his free pick of vulnerable victims."

The suit said that Eagan "was left with nowhere to turn" when Jason Delgado's communications became sexual in nature.

Since she could not turn to Jason Delgado's parents in their senior positions due to the conflict of interest, Eagan reached other church officials, including Pastor Mike Stephens, Stacy Peterson and 25 others who were made aware of the harassment. But, no one did anything to help.

The lawsuit claims Rizzo investigated the claims but did nothing to intervene in his role at ARC.

It was also alleged that church officials were aware of Jason Delgado's predation on others as far back as 2016 but did nothing to protect future victims.

Jason Delgado resigned his position this spring, three days after The Columbus Dispatch reported that two former employees who spoke on condition of anonymity accused him of sexual harassment.

Rizzo returned to public ministry in August 2013 at Church of the Highlands, just over a year after he resigned as senior pastor of the Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, over an inappropriate affair with a woman who was not his wife.

In welcoming Rizzo back to the ministry, Church of the Highlands Pastor Chris Hodges called his longtime friend an inspiration.

"Dino has been an amazing inspiration to me and to people all over the world," said Hodges in a recording of the presentation.

"In the spring of 2012, Dino found himself in a very depleted, tired state with an unhealthy relationship with God and his family, and it was during that time that Dino got involved in the early stages of a brief  but inappropriate  friendship with another woman. When the situation came to light, I, and the other overseers at HPC, got involved. It was our responsibility. We guided the church over the past year through healing and restoration," said Hodges.

Hodges noted that it was Rizzo who inspired the planting of the Church of the Highlands.

"Dino is a large part of the reason I even came to Birmingham," Hodges said. "He was the first person who challenged me to go plant a church."
Inspiration behind 'Sound of Freedom' blames 'spiritual warfare' for mainstream media backlash

The founder of the organization that inspired the box-office hit "Sound of Freedom" says the media backlash to the film may be a sign of "spiritual warfare."

Tim Ballard, founder of Operation Underground Railroad, which rescues children from sex trafficking rings around the world and inspired the hit film, said he "can't explain" why so many media outlets and personalities have ridiculed the movie as a "QAnon-adjacent conspiracy theory."

In an appearance on Fox News' "Fox and Friends" Monday evening, Ballard said the media's monolithic effort to link the true story of a U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent rescuing two young children from human traffickers in South America is inexplicable.

"I can't explain, and neither can they. Every show I've seen, they just like to throw the word out, 'QAnon,'" he said. "They make zero connection to the actual story. It's very difficult to make that connection when it's actually based on a true story."

Ballard, who formerly worked as an investigator for DHS, reacted to reviews of "Sound of Freedom" from Rolling Stone, The Guardian and other outlets, which linked the film's plot to "QAnon."

In one clip, CNN's Mike Rothschild said the film was made in response to a "moral panic," which he claimed was based on "bogus statistics  and fear."

Ballard called such claims not only baseless but ignorant of the facts.

"I think of the children that are really depicted in that film. I know what happened to them. Those children were the subjects of child rape videos. Those children were being sold for sex. In total, you see over 120 kids actually are rescued.

"It's embarrassing and frankly, grotesque for this guy who knows nothing to start throwing out terms like QAnon and connecting it to a real story," he said, adding such responses make him question whether "there's some other agenda, because why do this?"

In an appearance on "Relatable" with Allie Beth Stuckey, Ballard said journalists are largely unable to say what QAnon actually is.

"I don't even know if any of us can accurately define what QAnon is," he said.

Meanwhile, Ballard argued, the media seems less than eager to report on the estimated $150 billion global human trafficking trade.

When asked why a Washington Post fact-checker was unable to corroborate Ballard's claim that 10,000 children are smuggled into the United States annually, Ballard responded, "Are you kidding me?"

"Look, the United States, we are the No. 1 consumer of child rape videos in the world, OK, so that's the I call that the 'economy of pedophilia,'" he replied. "And now we have over the last two years alone 85,000 unaccompanied minors that show up at our Southern border."

He explained that, according to statistics from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, when these young children  often no older than 3 or 4 years of age  show up at the border unaccompanied by an adult, the Department of Health and Human Service is required to contact their sponsor. That person would then be required to come to the border and physically pick up the child.

Not anymore, says Ballard.

"Now our taxpayer dollars are putting those kids on buses and planes and sending them to what I think is likely completing the final leg of a child trafficking experience," he said.

Shown in only 2,600 theaters, "Sound of Freedom" beat out Disney's "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" for the top spot over the Fourth of July holiday with a bold message: "God's children are not for sale."

So when media outlets like The Guardian or Rolling Stone attempt to demean the film's real-life content or its message of hope for those victims of human trafficking, Ballard says such a backlash takes on a more spiritual dimension.

"When you connect it all together, you see why someone doesn't want the truth coming out because there's a movement right now," he said. "I think a lot of it, Ali, is spiritual warfare."

"I think when people act so insane, sometimes I can only chalk it up to that we're we're playing with powers beyond our mortality."
A beautiful thing: 4,500 people baptized at California beach days after SoCal Harvest

Over 4,500 people were baptized on a Southern California beach during an outreach event overseen by Pastor Greg Laurie and Harvest Christian Fellowship in what the evangelist believes could be one of the largest mass baptisms ever.

Known as the Jesus Revolution Pirate's Cove Beach Baptism, the event took place at Pirate's Cove Beach Saturday and drew an estimated 20,000 attendees. Of the thousands baptized, one of them was Laurie's granddaughter, Stella.

In comments emailed to The Christian Post, Laurie attributed the large number of baptisms to "a number of things," among them the success of the recently released film "Jesus Revolution."

"I would say the Jesus Revolution movie really impacted people and so many have come to Christ after seeing it," Laurie said. "They were so moved by the baptism scenes in the film and wanted to take the same step in life. It was life imitating art, and that art was based on my real life story and the story of many others as well."

Laurie also attributed the turnout to the SoCal Harvest at the Honda Center the weekend before, where over 3,000 people made a profession of faith to follow Christ.

"We invited them all to this baptism," Laurie said.

Laurie considers the mass baptism event "a powerful work of the Holy Spirit," referencing the large baptism events at Pirate's Cove in the 1970s.

"I was there and I was baptized myself at one of them," he said. "But this is different. First, it is much larger than anything we ever did. The line of people to be baptized was half a mile long and people waited patiently for 2 hours or more and they did not seem to mind one bit."

"We have held baptisms at Pirate's Cove but nothing we have done comes close to this event we just did. It may be the largest baptism in history."

Laurie said the atmosphere at Pirate's Cove was "overwhelming and a beautiful thing to see and be a part of," adding that there were "so many amazing stories."

"An 85-year-old man saw the 'Jesus Revolution' film and received Christ into his life and he wanted to be baptized at the same place where the movie was filmed," Laurie continued.

"His family could not believe it. One of them said, he is literally the last person they ever expected would come to Christ."

According to Laurie, Harvest will follow up with those baptized on Saturday to "make sure they are plugged into a local church" and discipled.

This is not the first major baptism event held at Pirate's Cove this year, as a few hundred churches came together to baptize around 4,100 people in May on Pentecost Sunday.

"We have never seen a crowd like that for baptisms," said Pastor Mark Francey, one of the people behind the Pentecost gathering, in an earlier interview with CP.

"As believers, we always want to be obedient to what Jesus asks us to do. My mentors taught me it's as simple as praying, obeying, then acting."
Tennessee church celebrates over 1,000 baptisms in 4 months; pastor stresses need for 'silence and solitude'

Pastor Robby Gallaty said his church has baptized more than 1,000 people from 15 different states over the last four months after he went through a year of silence and solitude.

Gallaty, the senior pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee, told Faithwire that his church has baptized 1,048 people since Dec. 20, after he spent time with the Lord for 10 months. The pastor started by sitting with the Lord for 20 minutes, then 40 minutes, until he worked up to spending an hour to two hours a night with the Lord.

The church also become a praying church by setting up a 24/7 prayer movement online.

Easter weekend they baptized 201 people.

I began sitting with the Lord for 10 months. Then, finally, Dec. 15, 2020, Im on the porch, and I hear as clear as day these words in my head, after a season of silence and solitude: Spontaneous baptism, the pastor is quoted as saying by CBN News.

However, the following Sunday, the church witnessed its lowest attendance at the service since he started serving at Long Hollow five years ago.

The attendance was due to the rising number of COVID-19 infections at the time, but Gallaty said he was still confident about what God had told him about many being ready for baptism.

As many as 99 people were baptized that day, he recalled, adding that as he was sitting outside his house that evening, God showed me, These are the heavy raindrops, Robby, before the torrential downpour thats coming.

The pastor said he then shared his vision with his fellow church leaders and, on the following Tuesday, which was three days before Christmas, they held a baptism-only service. Another 81 people showed up that day for baptism.

As Gallaty streamed the service online, many traveled to his church and its two satellite campuses later for baptism, and at least two of them came all the way from Maine, more than 1,300 miles away.

Gallaty stressed that the revival he saw wouldnt have been possible had he not dealt with the sin in his own life  pride, jealousy and arrogance.

I went to the porch every night to sit with the Lord, thinking that He was going to fix the problems in my church, he shared. I was really frustrated.  I said, Lord, you fix the problems in my staff. I need you to fix the problems in my church. I need you to fix the deacons. I need you to fix the country. And heres what the Lord showed me. About two months in, God showed me, The problem is not with your church. Its not with your staff. The problem is you. Youre the problem.

The church describes its mission as: We exist to be disciples who make disciples of all nations.

The church's website says Gallaty battled a drug addiction for three years, which ravaged his life. "A $180 a day heroin and cocaine addiction forced him to steal $15,000 from his parents. After living without gas, electricity, and water for months, losing eight of his friends to drug-related deaths, watching six friends be arrested, and completing two rehab treatments, Robby remembered the Gospel that was shared with him by a friend in college and was radically saved on Nov. 12, 2002."
Chaos, cosmos and the grunge church

Chaos is descending on us as the boundaries of decency and even personhood are ripped away. The battle between chaos and cosmos is raging everywhere.

Major arenas of spiritual warfare are the Church, the family, the courthouse and educational systems. If our civilization is to survive, all these centers must be engaged at their best.

The most important is the Church, especially in its locality where it touches people directly. When churches fall into chaos, and become disheveled the whole begins to collapse, because, as the poet Yeats, put it, the center cannot hold.

Worship and proclamation bathed and energized by prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit are the most important weapons of churches. If these weaken and fall into chaos, then chaos will advance even more rapidly across the whole of society.

If proclamation becomes trivialized chit-chat rather than declaration of bold biblical truth, and if worship becomes the slave of fallen culture, chaos sweeps in.

Admirably, many churches adjust their style to better communicate with a grungy culture, but too often the grunge sweeps off into and onto the enculturated church.

Two factors should drive style in worship and proclamation: the glory of God and the effectiveness of proclamation to needy human beings.

Excellence should prevail, and the style of one should not detract from the other.

Years ago, I was on a ministry team serving in an inner-city rescue mission. I was shocked one cold Friday night when a woman on our team came in wearing a lavish mink coat. She explained that she was meeting her husband at a high-end restaurant after the rescue mission service.

The people reached by the rescue mission were grungy dressed because they had nothing else. The fur-clad woman was almost a mockery of them and their poverty, and greatly marred the worship and proclamation that evening.

Grunge Church music teams are usually called worship leaders, but instead are often performers performing performance music unknown and unsingable to people in the audience who dont listen to secular grunge music and wonder why they must sing it in church.

Sadly, the Grunge Church often drives people away because it is also a high-decibel Church. The assumption seems to be that the louder the half-million-dollar sound systems, the greater the manifest presence of God. Instead, churches should put the focus on the worship of the Most High God and the decibels will take care of themselves, sometimes from voices shouting spontaneous praises and songs of the Lord  music He loves to hear  and He is not deaf.

The Grunge Church is also the Church of Cool, so much so that even some retirement-age senior pastors attire themselves in the Grunge platform uniform, believing this will make themselves really cool in the eyes of the young.

Yet the greatest spiritual crisis of our age is the loss of the sense of the transcendent majesty of God. Excellence in appearance as well as tone should characterize adoration of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Rather than a trivial performance, there should be a sense among those who come into the temple. That inspires reverent worship and joyful praise that befit His Character.

Transcendence includes the realization that we are accountable to Him in every way. This is why the Old Testament emphasizes beauty and excellence in the worship itself and its garb.

So, I speak here as an old curmudgeon, full of years and probably too much indignation.

In 2015, I visited King George Chapel at Windsor Castle in England. The docent on duty heard that I had co-authored God and Churchill, a spiritual biography of Sir Winston Churchill, with his great-grandson, Jonathan Sandys.

The docent came out from the workroom where she carefully tended the accoutrements of the Chapel. She pointed out to me the seat that was long ago designated for Winston Churchill. His coat of arms hung on the wall at that spot. I couldnt believe it when she beckoned me to come up and sit in that place which the great former prime minister had occupied and from which he prayed and sang worship songs throughout the Second World War whose immense burden was on his shoulders.

I realized I was experiencing one of the greatest five minutes of my life. I had not earned the right to sit in Churchills chair, but it was my privilege to do so.

The experience called for excellence, not grunge of mind, body, or dress. There was no place in those fleeting minutes for the trivial. Our family members traveling with me and watching this extraordinary event did so in wonderment. There was no flippancy, even though we usually kid each other a lot.

But that was no moment for anything other than awe and reverence in that Chapel built centuries ago as a house of worship of the living God by the royal family and their government officials and guests.

He is the same God we worship now.

And sometimes that praise of Him will arise from grungy-dressed people who are by no means grungy in person. In fact, one of the greatest revivals in history, the astounding Welsh revival of 1904-1905, sprang in the depths of the earth from dirty, dusty coal miners led by a fellow dusty, dirty man barely out of his teens  Evan Roberts.

So, if grunge is the best youve got, wear it and worship in it. In other words, always approach the Lord Yahweh and His Son, Yeshua, and the dynamic Holy Spirit with the best your heart can bring.
Matt Walsh misses the mark on gender ... again

In the 1987 cult classic "The Princess Bride," a beautiful young woman named Buttercup is forced into a non-consensual betrothal to a narcissistic buffoon of a prince named Humperdinck. Humperdinck is a big-game hunter obsessed with conquest. To him, Buttercup is just another trophy for the collection. He came, he saw, he wanted, he conquered.

In anticipation of the wedding, Buttercup moves into the palace. Shes given all the creature comforts a gal could want: extravagant clothes, the finest of foods, her own horse, but her life is not her own. She does not love Humperdinck. Shes trapped in a life of someone elses choosing. Where others see a palace, she sees a cage.

So when Buttercup is kidnapped as part of a political strategy, its really kind of a crapshoot to determine which is worse: the danger of the unknown future with her captors, or the drudgery of returning to life at the palace. Prince Humperdinck sets out with a posse of his finest hunters to go and rescue the soon-to-be princess. But the question remains: Does returning a person to captivity really count as rescuing her?

In the last decade or so, the fate of womankind has been captured by an insidious cult known as the gender industry. Every hard-fought, sex-based protection women ever achieved is being systematically erased by this new mens sexual rights movement that insists on flat-earth absurdities like the myth of being born in the wrong body and the existence of a female penis and then weaponizes these concepts by branding them science and codifying them into law in ways that wreak havoc on humanity. (Ive written extensively about this before and dont have time to dive down that particular rabbit hole at present, so suffice to say that its happening, its bad, and its especially harmful to women and girls.)

Enter conservative darling Matt Walsh onto the scene with his admittedly excellent documentary "What Is A Woman," which shines a critically important spotlight on the issue, and suddenly the Republican masses are emboldened to step up to the plate and engage in the previously forbidden discourse that kept them sidelined and out of the fray. Walshs contribution is necessary. Its helpful. Its changed the tide and sounded the necessary alarms. Im glad it exists. I would not take that from him.

But as I said almost exactly a year ago, I have some serious concerns about the world Matt Walsh is inviting us back into. Hes right that transgender ideology is a problem, but he is completely blind to the reality that its a problem that exists, in part, because of the regressive sex-role stereotypes he himself prescribes as the solution.

Are men and women different? Absolutely. Our bodies are different. Testosterone produces different results than estrogen does most of the time. Men are physically stronger. Women possess the superpower of gestating human life. But these are differences that work themselves out naturally. They dont need to be bottled into some sort of script that we then, in turn, require the rest of humankind to recite at their own expense.

One thing I am desperate for more conservatives to understand is how much and how often we fuel the gender cult by bullying people into compliance with rigid gender norms.

People and (especially) churches that try to force people into narrow definitions of superficial manliness etc. are a HUGE part of the problem. If you dont let your sons play with kitchens or dolls because theyre too girly, youre contributing to the mess. If you teach your daughters that godly women are largely silent, compliant women, again, this is part of the problem.

The extremes on the right say that only girls can like pink. The extremes on the left say that if you like pink, you must be a girl. The lies are connected. And Matt Walsh is actively, relentlessly peddling them. Take, for example, his Facebook post on Monday.

Its hard to say if this analysis is worse for men or for women. In my opinion, its a hideous, ungodly and, quite frankly, almost blasphemous analysis of Gods design for both.

Men shouldnt cry. Emotions are for women. Men have a depth women cant even begin to understand.

Oof. Just stop.

Has Walsh ever even opened a Bible? Even once?

Remember King David? Like the most alpha guy of all time? The guy who killed a lion with his bare hands? Remember how he flooded his bed with tears? Or how about when Joseph was wailing so loudly from the other room that all the Egyptians could hear him? Remember the group cry sessions led by men of God repeatedly in the Old Testament? Remember when Jesus wept?

Be like Jesus, Matt.



I understand the call for men to be brave and strong and bold. (I encourage these same traits in my daughter; the world will absolutely require them.) But theres more to manliness than being willing to storm the beaches at Normandy. In fact, during WW2, more than half a million service members suffered some sort of psychiatric collapse due to combat. And when they returned from war and bottled their emotions, their families suffered, as will all families raised under Walshs grotesquely immature prescriptions for masculinity.



Between 2015-2020, fully 122,178 American men died by suicide, compared to the 19,297 women who took their own lives. Is this what Walsh means when he insists that women are more emotional than men? While he might argue that these numbers are so high because men dont know how to bottle their emotions, I think whats actually true is that men dont know how to process their emotions, and he is 100% contributing to that problem by endorsing the very disembodiment that fuels the gender industry in the first place.

Walsh doubled down later in the day and went on to post about how God sanctions gender roles and began waxing on about the golden days of yesteryear when womenfolk stayed in our lanes.

He neglected, of course, to offer any kind of guidance as to where he thinks the parameters of those gender roles ought to fall. He just insisted they were useful, hinting at the idea that society might benefit from a return to "Leave It to Beaver" gender roles and hierarchies. Again, this isnt a particularly biblically literate position. There was no gender hierarchy in Eden. Thats original design. But to hear Walsh talk, you would have thought God created the Stepford wives, put a vacuum in their hands, and called it good.



Gender roles existed because they were necessary to sustain life back in the day before the Industrial Revolution. Work was distributed according to ability, and the bulk of it occurred inside the home. Then big factories hit the scene and removed the work (including all the womens work) from the home and outsourced it, leaving women to sit around twiddling their thumbs where they once had meaningful pursuits to occupy their time. Dorothy Sayers wrote some brilliant analysis on this, and guys like Walsh could seriously benefit from reading it. Hes established that he can properly define a woman as an adult human female, but he could use some reminders as to what the human part of that definition actually entails.

Im perpetually told that Im supposed to be grateful that guys like Walsh are rescuing us from the gender cult. And in some significant ways, I am legitimately thankful for the work hes done. But Im not allowed to say that I resent being escorted back to the elaborate cage he wants to put me in, even if Im absolutely certain that cage is hostile to human flourishing.

Let brave, bold, impassioned people of both sexes arise to do Gods work wherever He calls them to do it and without the confines of performative stereotypes that arent even biblical to begin with.
Black Southern Baptist churches challenge denomination's vote to ban women in leadership

(CP) The National African American Fellowship, a network of more than 4,000 predominantly African American churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, believes a recent vote by SBC messengers in favor of banning women from serving as a "pastor of any kind" is an "unnecessary infringement upon the autonomy of the local church" that will disproportionately impact their congregations.

In a July 3 letter to SBC President Bart Barber, NAAF President Gregory Perkins, who leads The View Church in Menifee, California, where at least one woman currently holds the title of "pastor," urged leaders of America's largest Protestant denomination to pray about the recent move that led to the disfellowshipping of Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in California as well as Fern Creek Church in Louisville, Kentucky.

"We strongly urge our SBC family to consider entering a time of prayer and dialogue because for many, this most recent decision is an unnecessary infringement upon the autonomy of the local church. It has created division within the SBC and may disproportionately impact NAAF-affiliated congregations," Perkins wrote.

A proposed amendment to the SBC constitution clarifying that women cannot serve as pastors passed with approximately 80% of the vote from more than 12,000 messengers on June 14 at the SBC's Annual Meeting. Proposed by Pastor Mike Law of Arlington Baptist Church in Virginia, the amendment will become permanent if it gains majority support at the SBC annual meeting in 2024.

The vote on the amendment also came just hours after messengers voted to uphold the removal of Saddleback Church for allowing a woman to serve in the office of a teaching pastor. The removal of Fern Creek Baptist Church for having a woman pastor was also affirmed.

During the meeting, roughly nine out of every 10 messengers voted to disfellowship churches that have women pastors.

The Southern Baptist Convention's Baptist Faith & Message 2000 states that "the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture."

In his letter, Perkins said prohibiting churches from allowing women to hold the title "pastor" would be challenging for many black Southern Baptist congregations.

"Many of our churches assign the title 'pastor' to women who oversee ministries of the church under the authority of a male Senior Pastor, i.e., Children's Pastor, Worship Pastor, Discipleship Pastor, etc.," Perkins argued. "To disfellowship like-minded churches who share our faith in Jesus Christ, our belief in the authority of Scripture, our mandate to carry out the Great Commission, and our agreement to give cooperatively based upon a local-church governance decision, dishonors the spirit of cooperation and the guiding tenets of our denomination."

Perkins suggested that the ramifications of banning women from serving as a "pastor of any kind" were not properly considered, and the denomination needs to hear from a diversity of voices on the issue. He contends the vote by the messengers is "inconsistent with our shared Baptist polity."

"There will always be issues upon which biblically rooted and committed Christians disagree. It is in our best interest to allow a diversity of voices and perspectives to be heard. Let's seek to better understand the full ramifications of this policy shift and engage in vigorous yet constructive dialogue," he noted.

The NAAF leader said while messengers are free to vote their conscience, he fears the actions of the messengers "may signal to churches in the SBC that do not believe that women should be the Senior Pastor but allow women the usage of a pastoral title, or appoints a woman to a pastoral role, are no longer welcome in the SBC."

Reacting to the letter in a statement on Twitter Monday, Barber welcomed Perkins' offer to pray and have further dialogue on the issue.

"Our sister SBC churches in the NAAF have asked us for a season of prayer and dialogue. What a Christ-honoring, biblical way to approach decisions when fellow believers want to find common ground and make decisions together!" Barber wrote.

"I honor and value these partners in the work of the gospel. I will make sure that the entire SBC family has ample opportunity for prayer and dialogue throughout the coming year leading up to our meeting next June in Indianapolis," he said. "Indeed, I plan to see many of our NAAF leaders next week in Asheville, North Carolina, where I trust that we will make a healthy start in both prayer and fruitful conversation with one another."

Barber's response drew positive reactions, including from Perkins, who replied: "Thank you for your leadership."

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Work to tackle racism at ActionAid UK has been delayed due to high turnover in both the charitys board and senior management team, the charity has reported, while its income has risen to a six-year high.

ActionAid UK said that it has made slow progress on its anti-racism journey since an internal review, published last year, found that some Black and ethnic minority staff had suffered racism .

At the time, the charity committed to addressing systemic problems uncovered by the audit and ensuring the changes would be led by people of colour and lived experience.

However, accounts for the year ending 31 December 2022 reveal that high turnover, with six trustees and two members of the senior leadership team resigning between 2022 and 2023, prevented anti-racism work to be carried out.

Unfortunately, the development and implementation of an organisational equality, diversity and inclusion programme and an anti-discrimination programme was delayed from 2022 to 2023, this will include a detailed action plan, the accounts read.

The delay was caused by significant turnover in ActionAids board and senior management team.

High staff turnover

ActionAid UK said that it conducted extensive trustee recruitment in 2022 after three trustees resigned and the tenures of two came to an end. Three more trustees then resigned between March and May of this year.

The charitys former chief executive Frances Longley also stepped down in the summer of 2022 after a year in post.

She was succeeded by John Good who has acted as interim chief executive officer since June 2022 and is due to be replaced by Halima Begum this month.

In total, seven roles including co-director of fundraising and chief operating officer were filled on an interim basis.

The charity said that the implementation of a detailed action plan was delayed until 2023 due to the high levels of turnover.

We made progress, albeit slow, on our anti-racism journey at ActionAid UK. In our public communications, we developed an action plan to implement anti-racist storytelling principles, and an anti-racist storytelling manager was appointed to deliver the plan, it wrote in the accounts.

However, the development and implementation of an organisational equality, diversity and inclusion programme  an anti-discrimination programme  including a detailed action plan was delayed until 2023 due to a significant turnover in both ActionAid UKs board and senior management team. As at May 2023, work on this is well underway.

Anti-racism and decolonisation journey

The charity said that anti-racism and decolonisation is an overarching objective which will run through all of its work in 2023 and beyond and that it wants to rebuild trust between the UK board, leadership team and staff.

We will develop an organisational anti-racism working plan and embed it into all teams work by the end of the year, the accounts say.

We will work to make sure that our identity, voice, and storytelling are feminist, anti-racist and evidence-based, and in 2023 we will develop and roll out anti-racist storytelling and story-gathering standards and guidance, alongside devising critical success factors for our anti-racist identity against which to measure our progress.

As part of this, ActionAid UK established an anti-discrimination committee this year to oversee the implementation of recommendations from the anti-racism work being done by the organisation.

Highest income since 2016

The accounts show that ActionAid raised 59.6m against a budget of 49.2m in 2022, a 20% increase from the 49.6m it recorded the previous year.

The increase in income, which is the highest since 2016, was largely driven by the response to last years Ukraine Emergency Appeal, which raised a record-breaking 2.3m.

Expenditure rose from 47.6m to 58.1m as a result of an increase in grants remitted to the Federation of 9.4m to 37.9m, of which 9.6m were to help with the humanitarian and resilience programme supporting those affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Public fundraising income fell slightly, from 39.4m to 37.6m, due to the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and rising prices on supporters finances.

The accounts say: Committed income fell from 27.9m to 27.3m following a strong start in 2022. While we still achieved net gains in regular giving supporters, the drop in our child sponsorship supporters was larger than we had since before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, grant income rose by 1.1m to 8.3m in large part due to emergency and humanitarian response grants of 2.9m (2021: 1.2m).

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Charity lawyers have warned that complex disputes between staff members at charities are becoming increasingly common.

Some are now finding that they are spending more time dealing with challenging disputes within charities that cannot be addressed through a traditional investigation under a grievance or disciplinary procedure.

Recent examples include the Charity Commission issuing an official warning to an Oxford University college last year after finding that it had spent more than 6.6m on legal and public relations fees to try and resolve a dispute with former dean Martyn Percy.

Also last year, Cats Protections interim chief executive announced he was stepping down after he expressed concerns over the welfare of the 18 cats kept in the charity chairs three-bedroom house.

Sector lawyers warn that such instances are increasingly frequent. Not only can these disputes be costly, but they can also cause huge reputational damages to the charity and impact beneficiaries.

Shift in the type of dispute

Carla Whalen, partner at Russell Cooke, says that she has seen a change in the type of dispute since she started practising as a charity specialist employment lawyer a few years ago.

In the past, what might have been seen as a traditional human resource complaint, as she puts it, would have been a very specific complaint about a specific act or something done or not done under a particular policy.

Now, she says that complaints tend to relate to nebulous concepts such as the organisations working culture or wellbeing, which are more complex and trickier to deal with.

Ive recently come across some really challenging dispute situations in charities. Sometimes these have involved multiple members of staff and trustees, which puts a strain on everyone including people in the workplace who arent directly involved, and tend to be more complex to deal with than complaints made by one person against another individual, she says.

They require a much wider and deeper review of the relationships, power dynamics and values at play in an organisation. All of this takes a significant investment of time and money and the process can feel very stressful and unsettling.

Tom Murdoch, partner at Stone King, agrees that this type of dispute happens a lot and is quite sensitive and difficult to resolve.

He gives two examples that illustrate internal conflicts around values. The first is a generational clash in a large learned society arguing about how to deal with a member found guilty of historical (but not directly related to the charity) child abuse. The younger members of the society wanted to reject this person as a fellow while the older members defended them.

There was a huge battle at the charity about whether or not having this person clashed with the charitys values, he says.

It was incredibly long and painful and involved people tearing lumps out of each other in public meetings, and had the charity itself in all sorts of difficulties because of the dispute. In some ways, a good thing came out of this because in the end they adopted a clearer code of conduct and a disciplinary process.

The other example is a conservation charity having to expel people who believed in conservation but carried out unethical and unscientific reintroduction of species to a site, which other conservationists thought was extremely harmful.

Murdoch says: Its led to similar consequences: huge fighting and public controversy, bringing the charity in the public eye for the wrong reasons, splitting them when they should be unified.

Generational difference and impact of Covid-19

It is difficult to pinpoint the triggers that have led to an increase in this type of dispute. For Elizabeth Jones, partner at Farrer & Co, it could be partly down to generational differences, with younger people having different expectations around management style.

Sometimes, differences between a management style that 10 years ago would have been absolutely fine isnt sitting so well with some members of the workforce now, she says.

Younger people are incredibly switched on to culture and attach a huge amount of importance to how their workplace aligns with their values. Therefore, they have high expectations around the workplace. I dont think theyre wrong to have those, but it can cause conflict among a generation that has come before that, and, perhaps, had different expectations.

People entering the workforce now, their awareness of these issues and tensions and their expectations that those are resolved is perhaps slightly different to older generations. Sometimes, our involvement can be around helping mediate some of these difficult conversations that are being had within workforces because culture is so important to get right.

She adds that issues around culture can start off coming from a very small percentage of your staff but often they can be the canary down the mine and its worth listening when people are raising issues because often there is something in what is being raised.

The rise of hybrid working, notably because of Covid-19, might have also played a role in the number of disputes arising. Some people find it difficult to operate within the hybrid environment that can throw up a lot of challenges, she says.

Because people are dealing with each other more over screens and less in person, that in itself just makes it harder to resolve disputes. When youre not sat around a table with somebody in person, things become more intractable.

Suhan Rajkumar, a charity law and governance expert at Bates Wells, notes that an increasing number of organisations are starting to see the importance of culture and wellbeing.

He says: Purpose-driven organisations such as charities can find these issues particularly acute because their staff and volunteers are, on the whole, more likely to be engaged in these issues, sharing, for example, strong views on issues aligned with their employers charitable objects.

Charity staff and volunteers are also more likely to hold their organisation to a high standard than staff in a commercial business might be, where there will not always be the same expectation of behaviour aligned to a set of values.

These issues are not unique to the charity sector, though. Society as a whole is becoming more alive to behaviour and power imbalances, Rajkumar says.

The risks of bullying, harassment and discrimination, these issues are more likely to come up in charities as well  both as a reflection of wider society but also due to higher expectations of behaviour and conduct in a purpose-driven organisation, he says.

Reputational damage and harm to beneficiaries

The real cost for charities dealing with these disputes is the potential reputational damage they can have and harm they can cause to beneficiaries.

Whalen says: We have instances where disputes, often between staff and trustees, have got to such a point that the board of trustees is genuinely thinking about whether to just close down because it doesnt feel that they can function at all and be what theyre set up to do.

When were talking about it being costly were not just talking about professional fees. If your fundraisers are doing nothing generating funds because they are demoralised or engaged in some complex group grievance, or if youre not able to deliver the work because you have high rates of staff absence or whatever, that becomes very costly too.

She argues that traditional disputes that involve, say one employee, are much easier to contain, whether they are dealt with through settlement or non-disclosure agreements.

However, disputes around culture can be trickier to contain as they often involve more people.

Its not just personal, its more of a wider issue that they feel its their duty to bring to the attention of the outside world, the media or the Charity Commission if they dont think its being taken seriously within the organisation, she says.

Rather than a situation where perhaps in the past, ultimately they would completely break down, you could probably pay someone off, you cant really do that here.

Not just empty words

So how can charities prevent these issues from arising in the first place?

Rajkumar says: Organisational culture is set from the top, and all trustees will be alive to their role in setting and maintaining organisational culture, addressing complaints and concerns, and providing a safe environment for staff and volunteers.

Both Whalen and Jones say that charities must have policies and procedures in place to help manage any internal disputes or concerns.

Jones says: Its important to keep a close eye on how your staff is feeling, to have employee surveys and look very carefully at the results and act on those. Even when its only a handful of people who are raising an issue, think very seriously about whether there is something in that that should be picked up and addressed, and not let things bubble up because that tends to create a more significant issue over time.

Whalen warns charities that produce diversity and inclusion statements or well-being policies that are quite high standards or have quite ambitious targets while people in senior roles havent been given any training or had any input into developing them.

Where the crunch point sometimes comes is that staff are given an expectation that something will happen, whether theyll get a certain amount of support in the workplace or theyre going to work to become an anti-racist organisation, she says.

Sometimes people feel like an organisation is being two-faced: outwardly, the organisation is saying that its committed to all of these things but staff doesnt feel that.

So, one of the things charities should do is take the time to think carefully about the statements theyre making externally and internally, particularly about topics that can be quite emotive, and make sure that if they go out there saying something theyve got some plan to back that up and understand what it means in practice and that its not just empty words.

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Last Thursday, in his weekly newsletter for CJR, my colleague Mathew Ingram dissected the latest round of chaos at Twitter and his first impressions of Threads, a competitor app that Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, had launched a day prior. When Ingram wrote, Threadswhich is separate from, but linked to, Instagram, allowing users to import their contacts from the latter platformhad already attracted several million users. Since then, it has continued to quickly gather momentum, hitting thirty million sign-ups within twenty-four hours of launch, then fifty million, then a hundred, making it one of the fastest-growing new apps ever. Mark Zuckerberg, Metas CEO, described the early adoption rates as way beyond our expectations. Meanwhile, traffic to Twitter appears to be way down. Elon Musk, Twitters owner, responded by calling Zuckerberg a cuck and proposing a literal dick measuring contest.

While Threads is enjoying something of a media honeymoon, however, not everyone seems convinced by it just yet. While myriad journalists (Ingram included) have set up a Threads account, many of them have also remained on Twitter, reports of whose demiseat least as a tool for journalists to gather and share newsmight yet prove exaggerated. Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, has said publicly that Threads isnt intended to be a hub for politics or hard newsa declaration in line with Metas other recent moves away from news-sharingand Zuckerberg and his company have some, erm, questionable history when it comes to curating healthy online environments for the exchange of information. Im a little bit baffled by the enthusiasm for Threads, The Atlantics Charlie Warzel said last week. I know that Im an incredibly jaded tech journalist who thinks too much about these places. But on Threads, Im scrolling around there, and Im like, Do people not understand that this is a Meta production?

Ahead of Threads marking its one-week birthday today, I spoke with Ingram about his experience as a journalist on the app so far, why Im so far refusing to follow him there, and what the shifting balance of power between Threads and Twitterand other would-be Twitter competitors, including Mastodon and BlueSkymight mean for the media. Our conversation, which took place over Google Docs, has been lightly edited for clarity.



JA: Hey, Mathew! You wrote a bit for us last week about your very early impressions of Threads. Have those changed at all? How are you finding the app so far?

MI: Have my early impressions of Threads changed? Yes and no. Its still so new that its kind of hard to get a sense of it and what it represents, or even how it works, because its changing all the time. And now it has over a hundred million users, which is a staggeringly large number for a thing that has only been around for a week. In terms of utility, it seems to be part Twitter and part Instagramand those things are in conflict with each other in some pretty fundamental ways. So Im still on the fence about it, to be honest.

So I have a confession to make, which is that I havent signed up yet. For two reasons. One of them is practical: I use Twitter mostly for work, and am finding that it still just about performs the functions I need it formostly, seeing what other people on the media beat, who mostly still seem to be there, are sayingeven if Musk has visibly broken it in many ways. Ive heard so much talk about the latest hot Twitter competitor without one ever actually happening that I want to keep my powder dry with this one. Im taking a wait-and-see approach on whether it will become essential for my work.

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The other reason is I dont know if principle is the right word, but it is somewhat astonishing to me that so many people, many of whom were saying quite recently that Facebook is evil and all the rest of it, are stampeding into a new Facebook-owned product without a second thought, just because Elon is worse. Im not saying Facebook is evil, but it is my long-held belief that it, or any other company for that matter, being allowed to monopolize so much of our online life is really bad! So while Im not ruling out going over to Threads, I do at least want to wait until its clear that that is the destination before doing so. What do you think about that?

I can definitely say that I share your concerns in both respects! I am still on Twitter, and it is still useful to some extent, although its getting harder and harder to find the gold amid an increasing amount of dross. And in just a few days on Threads, I would say I have probably reconstituted about 80 percent of my Twitter follows, which surprised me. As far as the problematic-billionaire question goes, there seem to be nothing but billionaire-controlled social apps as far as the eye can see, so to some extent we are forced to pick one. I dont want to get into a point-by-point comparison of Musk and Zuckerberg, but I think Facebooks flawsas serious as they areare a product of a well-intentioned commitment to a model (social connection at all costs), whereas I think Musks motivations are somewhat darker.

One final point is that Threads is at least holding out the promise that it will eventually federate with open-source apps like Mastodon, and I think that that is a fundamentally good thing that Twitter seems to have no intention of doing (and Ive said publicly that if Threads doesnt do this then I will leave).

I guess my gripe with Meta in particular isnt that Zuckerberg is a billionairethough Id of course love to see some mega-successful, non-billionaire-owned social apps!but the concentration of power that hes built. Currently, in terms of my social-app consumption, I only really use Twitter, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram, and I use them for very different things. Zuckerberg already owns three of those. The idea that one guy might control the terms of my entire social lifeand not only social, but social-informational, for want of a better termtroubles me. (Another problem I have with Threads, incidentally, is that it piggybacks off Instagram, which I use in an almost anti-social way, as a curated feed of my life memories, like a personal photo album. I know Threads is a separate app, but I dont see any personal appeal in carting my Instagram contacts over there. With all due respect to my Instagram contacts, theyre a pretty random group of people, and Im not interested in getting news from them.)

Which I guess brings us on to a related point here: that Threadsin part because of this synergy, or whatever you want to call it, with Instagramis not going to be the same app as Twitter. Its leaders have said that it wont focus on politics and news so much. Whether thats achievable if Twitters news-obsessed user base migrates there en masse is a different question, but Meta certainly does have a checkered recent history of downranking news content on its other apps, so Im prepared to take them at their word here; Im certainly not relying on them ever running Threads out of some civic commitment to news. As a journalist who uses Twitter for work, thats a barrier for me. Can you see Threads taking on this journalistic function? Or is that a doomed hope?

The concentration of ownership is definitely a big concern, although I think Metas ownership of WhatsApp is actually a bigger problem than Instagram, because it is so much larger and for many people it is their only method of texting family. In any case, its not goodwhich is why I am so adamant about leaving Threads if they dont implement federation with Mastodon and others. If they do do that, then anyone can use whatever app or service they want, but still interact with friends who use Threads, which to me would be ideal. Whether this happens remains to be seen. But I do think your point about different ecosystems is a good oneI also use Instagram in a very different way; mine is all photos of lakes and kayaks and bald eagles and babies. Blending that and a more Twitter-like user base would be like oil and water in a lot of ways, which is why I spent some time choosing specific people to follow rather than importing all my Instagram follows. As for Metas comments about not doing news on Threads, people will talk about whatever they want to talk about, so well see how long that lasts.

I guess I also find the idea of having to rebuild myrelatively modest, but valuable to meTwitter following on a different app to be daunting. I suppose the flip side, in some ways, of the concentration question is that I do actually find it useful for people I follow and talk to as a journalist to be centralized somewhere. (Though of course, people can be centralized for different purposes in different online spaces owned by different people.) Ive seen a lot of talk to the effect that the downfall of Twitter will end this convenient centralization for journalists, in particularwe might reach a situation where Twitter and Threads hit a sort of equilibrium; where, in order to retain our past networks, we have to cross-post our work, spend time scrolling both sites, and so on. Which, as much as anything, sounds very tedious to me. How do you see that?

Its very irritating! Re-creating my Twitter follows took a bunch of time, and Ive had to do it on Mastodon and BlueSky as well, so its like a full-time job now. Theres definitely a lot of utility for usersand maybe especially for journaliststo have everything centralized in one place. But of course that also means having things controlled by a single entity or person, which has a number of downsides. Im not sure what the answer is, but I am hoping that federation and the fediverse can help, in the way that Mike Masnick, of Techdirt, described in a white paper he wrote awhile back titled Protocols Not Platforms. We have the technology to allow users to choose the services that they want but still follow who they wish from other services, export their data, and so on. Unfortunately, thats not in the interests of platforms that want to control the data so that they can monetize it. It would be nice if regulators would mandate that sort of thing, but I dont really have any hope that thats going to happen anytime soon.

Assuming it doesnt happen anytime soon, what does this mean for Twitter as a journalistic tool in the short term? Lots of people think Twitter has been bad for journalismtrapping reporters behind their desks and in virtual echo chambers, and so onwhile others think it has enabled them to tap into conversations they otherwise wouldnt be hearing: among grassroots justice movements, for example. Ive written before that Twitter can be an echo chamber but that it can also be a really powerful reporting tool depending on how you use it; as someone who writes about the media, I find it super useful to know what (at least some) other journalists are saying in real time in ways that might have remained largely invisible before. Does Threads rivaling Twitter create a whole new forum for that, and thus a whole new online world to get distracted by/beneficially explore (delete as appropriate)? Does it rob Twitter of its primary informational benefitcentralizationin ways that will just make useful information harder to find (and, to reverse the problem, to share with our audiences) and might durably hurt journalism? Does this all make for a great opportunity for journalists to finally abandon short-form social media and actually go outside? Or something else?

I think the main thing all of this means for journalistsassuming Twitter continues to decline, become unusable, and/or dieis that our jobs will become much harder than they have been since Twitter became such a dominant social network for news. Either we will have to visit and follow accounts and curate multiple different platforms to reach everyone who used to be on Twitter, or we will miss some portion of the user base we have grown accustomed to interacting with. We might actually have to go back to calling people on the phone!

I do think in some ways Twitter has been a negative influence on journalism, in the sense that reporters have relied on it too much and perhaps even allow what is discussed or is trending there to distort what they believe the news to be. But at the same time, it has allowed journalists to survey or sample a fairly broad range of opinion and perspective (if used properly) very quickly, which has become so important now that the news cycle is only hours or even minutes long instead of dayswhich is a whole different problem, of course. So will a new future without Twitter, or with a few different social platforms, be better or worse in that sense? I wish I knew. Its definitely likely to become harder. But also, possibly, more interesting.



Other notable stories:

In 2020, the Justice Department sought to shield then-President Trump from a defamation lawsuit brought by E. Jean Carrollan advice columnist who had claimed, a year earlier, that Trump raped her in the ninetieson the grounds that Trump was a federal employee and thus immune from liability. (The defamation case stemmed from Trumps denial of Carrolls claim.) Bidens Justice Department initially persisted with this argument, but yesterday did an about-face, Politico reports , after concluding that the conduct at issue was not job related. The departments new position clears the way for a trial next year. (A jury already found that Trump sexually abused and defamed Carroll.)

Recently, Texas A&M University announced that it had hired Kathleen McElroy, a former editor at the Times who then led the University of Texas at Austins journalism school, to revive its own journalism program. Texas A&M offered McElroy tenurebut according to the Texas Tribune s Kate McGee , university staffers later told McElroy, who is Black, that an increasingly vocal network of constituents within the system were expressing issues with her experience at the Times and with her work on race and diversity in newsrooms. After Texas A&M subsequently downgraded its offer to McElroy, she opted to stay at UT.

For CJR, Joel Simon, the former executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, reflects on Taiwans struggle against Chinese disinformation operations, and what others might learn from it . The Taiwanese example shows that even when the stakes are existential, the best response may be to recognize that there are no short-term solutions and instead follow the guiding principle that has allowed Taiwan to survive and thrive in Chinas shadow, Simon writes: strategic patience.

Thailands Election Commission recommended that Pita Limjaroenrata progressive politician whose party finished first in recent elections, dealing a blow to the countrys military establishmentbe suspended from Parliament, on the eve of lawmakers picking a new prime minister, while a court considers a case against him. The case revolves around shares that he ostensibly owned in a media company; the AP has more .

And The New Yorker s Kyle Chayka commissioned an artificial-intelligence startup to train a program to write with his specific voice , based on some hundred and fifty thousand words of my writing alone. Its output reminded me of the fragility of language and original thought, (the real) Chayka observes. As writers, we are all prone to falling into lazy patterns; avoiding them requires active effort. Robot Kyle is no different.

Related: Twitter throttles tweets as Meta launches a competitor

Correction: A previous version of this post confused Kathleen McElroy and Kate McGee in one instance. The post has been updated.

Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio -- When it comes to a career as a first responder, its never too early for job recruitment.

Thats the idea regarding Olmsted Falls Junior Fire Academy, which takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 31 at the fire station.

The idea for the inaugural event came from Mayor James Graven, whose resume includes being a third-generation firefighter.

He views the upcoming affair targeting fourth- and fifth-grade students as a fun and educational experience.

Its a great opportunity for the city to provide information to the children of our community regarding what first responders do every day, he said.

I believe this program may spark a desire in our young people to want to pursue a profession that helps others by serving as either firefighters or police officers.

The Junior Fire Academy will be limited to 24 participants, who will receive a T-shirt and pizza lunch. The deadline for registration is July 21.

Fire Chief Matt Sheehan said the program begins with the police department.

Theyll do the first hour from 9 to 10 a.m., he said. Then the fire department will go in, because we have more toys the kids can play with.

Its for kids to get a close-up look at being a firefighter. Well offer some classroom training, a basic first aid course and some hands-on activities.

The latter includes not only using fire hoses, but also shooting water into the departments imitation burn building. The kids will knock down wooden fake flames, as well as participate in a search-and-rescue drill.

Were trying to get kids interested at an early age to get involved in the safety services, because numbers are dwindling, Sheehan said. Its very (difficult) for the police department and fire departments to get recruits.

Police Chief Odis B. Rogers added, Its another opportunity for officers to make positive connections with kids, thereby connecting with their parents and the community at large as well.

Maybe we will even spark an interest at an early age for a boy or girl to think about being an officer or firefighter.

Read more news from the Sun Post Herald.
RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- At its meeting June 27, City Council heard from several residents upset about loud parties being held at Airbnb rental properties in the vicinity of Stevens Boulevard.

It was unknown at the time just how many Airbnb properties exist in the area.

Interim Building Commissioner William Gallagher told council Tuesday (July 11) that there are three such rental properties in that area, and another in the Richmond Bluffs Drive neighborhood.

Although residents in the Stevens Boulevard area said they had complained in the past to a city inspector to no avail, Council President Bobby Jordan told those residents at the June meeting that council would act on their concerns.

I can guarantee you somethings going to be done this time, he told them.

On July 9, Jordan held a meeting of Ward 4 residents at which residents again voiced their complaints.

Law Director Todd Hunt said he is now drafting legislation that would prohibit rentals of less than 30 days. That legislation would, if council approves, also need approval from the citys Planning Commission.

Its going to give police officers the authority to actually request copies of the lease, if theres an incident, to prove theyre renting (for) more than 30 days, Hunt said.

Its been pretty effective in other cities and municipalities. Not only in Ohio, but I took some of this (legislation wording) from New Jersey and a couple other communities that adopted this in the last two years.

Hunt, however, said the legislation will not help in instances where people rent a property for more than 30 days and hold loud parties.

Thats going to be on the police department, generally, and the building department if there are building code violations, Hunt said.

Seeking funding for water main projects

Late last month, council agreed to become part of the Cleveland Water Suburban Water Main Renewal Program. City Engineer Chris Courtney reported during Tuesdays meeting that he will apply for several Richmond Heights jobs to be done as part of the programs fall round of funding.

Under the agreement, Richmond Heights agreed to give Cleveland Water ownership of its water lines and to not poach businesses from the city of Cleveland. In exchange, Cleveland Water will provide -- at no cost to Richmond Heights -- replacement and maintenance on its water lines.

The program began in 2007. Richmond Heights became the 42nd community in Cuyahoga County to join, and the first since Highland Heights did so in 2019.

Courtney said that, after meeting with Mayor Kim Thomas and Service Director Ryan Tiedman, that five projects will be submitted for funding by the July 17 deadline. This falls program has $7.5 million set aside for work within its member communities.

The Richmond Heights projects considered most in need of work are:

-- Douglas Boulevard, a $531,000 water main project

-- Sunset Road, a $551,000 project

-- Edgewood Road, at $517,000

-- Dumbarton Boulevard, at $630,000

-- And Highland Road, from Catlin Road to Richmond Road, an approximately $956,000 project.

I dont believe well get all five, Courtney told council. I think theres a pretty good chance well get at least two, maybe three.

The city will hear from Cleveland Water in the first week of September as to whether it will receive funding.

Still interested

Jordan said he spoke recently with DealPoint Merrill CEO David Frank and learned that DealPoint is still interested in purchasing the former Faith United Church of Christ site, 577 Richmond Road, as part of its nearly $300 million mixed-use Belle Oaks Marketplace project.

The former church site abuts the former Richmond Town Square mall site that will soon be redeveloped into the Belle Oaks project.

It was in June 2022 that DealPoint, based in California, first discussed acquiring the 4.12-acre site. The onetime church site is zoned for residential use, which meant DealPoint needed a variance so that, if a purchase was made, it could use the property for commercial purposes.

DealPoint sought a zoning variance as, Frank said at the time, there would be no purchase of the property unless a variance was granted.

The citys Zoning Board of Appeals recommended against the variance and, although council voted 4-3 last August to grant the variance, five votes were needed to overturn the boards decision.

Read more from the Sun Messenger.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Case Western Reserve University police issued an alert Wednesday afternoon that warned the schools students and staff of an employee who was carjacked on campus.

The employee was robbed at gunpoint in Lot 1, near Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Carnegie Avenue. The suspect fled south on Cedar Avenue in the victims white 2023 Toyota Camry just before 1 p.m., according to campus police.

Police are still investigating the incident.

cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer reached out to the university for more information.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Several people were struck by pellet gun bullets in the Flats Wednesday afternoon.

Joseph Morford, Managing Partner at Tucker Ellis LLP, said several pedestrians including one of the law firms employees were shot by a suspect in a passing car while outside the office during their lunch hour.

Morford said a report was filed with Cleveland police. Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer reached out to police for more information including the full police report.

Last summer, police saw a rise in water-pellet gun shootings. The toy guns project Orbeez pellets, or similar water-absorbent polymer beads that can inflict pain, leave a welt or draw blood. They have gained widespread interest on social media, and police say a pellet gun is linked to the death of Ethan Liming, the 17-year-old who was beaten to death in Akron last summer.

Our employee is understandably shaken up, but going to be fine, Morford said in an email. ...We notified our entire Cleveland office, as we do with all such incidents, and encouraged them to remain diligent.

The Tucker Ellis offices are located in the Flats, just a short walk away from West 6th St. where a gunman opened fire on crowds of people leaving bars and restaurants early Sunday morning.

In a statement, Morford said the law firm hopes local and state officials will collaborate to provide resources to stop violence.

We understand the Mayor and police here, like everywhere else, are working tirelessly to reduce crime, Morford said. As a law firm and group of active community participants we at Tucker Ellis will do all we can to support that effort.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Metas new social media app Threads is quickly wrapping itself around Twitters beak and feathers, showing itself to be the blue birds first true rival.

In less than a week, more than 100 million have now signed up to do their social media stitching with Threads. The fastest growth rate of any such app.

The Daily Beast reports that even a random sampling of Twitter employees shows one third are now Threading with some also publicly praising their new rival.

Twitters new owner Elon Musk is not among them. The needled Musk has threatened to sue Meta led by Mark Zuckerberg. A Twitter lawyer sent Meta a letter accusing it of:

Systematic, willful and unlawful misappropriation of Twitters trade secrets and other intellectual property.

So far, Threads is getting more likes and thumbs up than thumbs down. Suspect that would continue in court.
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana  A longtime deputy died Monday when an inmate being transported from a medical appointment used his handcuffs to choke the officer during an escape attempt, authorities say.

Deputy John Durm, 61, was pronounced deceased at Eskenazi Hospital, according to the Marion County Sheriffs Office. He had worked for the sheriffs office for 38 years.

Deputy John Durm faithfully served the people of Marion County as a deputy sheriff for almost four decades, the sheriffs office said in a statement. In that time, he set himself apart as an honorable and faithful public servant.

But he was more than that. He was a husband, a father, and a friend. Our hearts are broken for his wife, Ramona, also a dedicated deputy here at the MCSO, and his children who have continued his legacy of service.

A news release from the sheriff says Durm returned to the jail at about 11:30 a.m. after taking inmate Orlando Mitchell, 34, to a medical appointment. The sheriffs office says Mitchell attacked Durm in the sally port of the jail, then stole the transport wagon.

WISH Channel 8 reports that court documents show Mitchell used the chain of his handcuffs to choke Durm. Mitchell crashed out of the jail complex but crashed a short time later, the sheriffs office says. He was taken into custody by deputies and Indianapolis police.

Another deputy suffered minor injuries while taking Mitchell into custody, the sheriffs office says. Mitchell was taken to Eskenazi Hospital after the crash and was in stable condition. The sheriffs office says he will be arrested and charged with murder upon his release.
ST. PAUL, Minnesota  MyPillow, the company owned by conservative Mike Lindell, is auctioning off equipment online, with Lindell claiming the company has suffered about $100 million in losses because of his conspiratorial claims about the 2020 presidential election.

Lindell blames the companys losses on a cancel culture, saying several major retailers have dropped the product as he continues to insist, without evidence, that the 2020 election was fraudulent, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Among the stores that dropped MyPillow were Walmart, Kohls and Wayfair.

It was a massive, massive cancellation, Lindell tells the Star Tribune. We lost $100 million from attacks by the box stores, the shopping networks, the shopping channels, all of them did cancel culture on us.

The company is auctioning surplus industrial equipment on K-BID Online Auctions, USA Today reports. There are nearly 850 items up for bid, CBS News reports. MyPillow also is subleasing manufacturing space, the Star Tribune reports.

Lindell currently is being sued for defamation by Dominion Voting Systems for $1.3 billion, saying he falsely accused the company of rigging the 2020 presidential election. In April, Fox News reached a $787.5 million settlement with Dominion over how the network promoted lies about the 2020 presidential election to viewers. Lindell was a frequent guest on Fox News.

He also has been ordered by an arbitration panel to pay $5 million to a software engineer who proved election claims that Lindell had made were not valid.

Lindell is refusing to pay the engineer even though he had offered the $5 million reward for anyone who could prove that packet captures and other data he released there were not valid data from the November 2020 election.
HURST, Texas  A 37-year-old woman was killed in a suspected road rage incident after shots were fired into her vehicle as her husband was driving, police say.

Paola Nunez Linares died at about 2 a.m. Tuesday at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth following the shooting, which occurred at about 9:18 p.m. Monday, according to a news release from police. No arrests have been made.

Linares husband, Zane Jones, tells police he was driving to work with his wife in their 2017 Kia minivan north on East Loop 820 when he attempted to pass a slow-moving vehicle, NBC 5 reports. When he moved to the left lane to pass, another vehicle came up behind him at high speed, Jones said.

As I was passing that car, another car behind me sped up, going like 90 mph, and was like on my bumper, Jones tells NBC 5. So I completed the pass, moved over to the right lane and the other car sped up to me and almost like crashed into my car, got very close and then backed away. And I flipped them off.

She [his wife] always told me not to flip people off because you never know.

Police say several shots were fired into the minivan and that Linares was wounded in the head. Jones said he initially thought his wife was ducking from the bullets but when he pulled over he realized she had been wounded.

Linares recently had moved to Texas from Guatemala, Fox 4 reports.

Shes been mugged five times at gunpoint in Guatemala and I sat here and assured her this is a much safer place to be, and that may be, but it wasnt for her, Jones tells Fox 4. Thirty-five years she survived in Guatemala. Took her two years to get killed here, at no fault of her own.
WASHINGTON, D. C. - FBI Director Christopher Wray on Wednesday defended his agency from a barrage of Republican criticism led by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, who accused the bureau of letting politics interfere with its law enforcement mission.

The Champaign County Republican kicked off the hearing by alleging the FBI improperly used its power to silence opponents of coronavirus vaccinations and lockdowns. He accused it of casting doubt on the authenticity of material extracted from a laptop that belonged to President Joe Bidens son, Hunter. He also criticized it for improperly investigating parents who protested at school board meetings, and issuing a memo that linked violent extremism with radical-traditionalist Catholic ideology.

Each category of suppressed speech was conservative in nature, said Jordan, who on Tuesday urged the head of the House committee that oversees federal funding to eliminate any funding for the FBI that is not absolutely essential for the agency to execute its mission including money for a proposed new headquarters building.

American speech is censored, parents are called terrorists, Catholics are called radicals and I havent even talked about the spying that took place of a presidential campaign or the raiding of a former presidents home, said Jordan.

Democrats insisted that Republicans were attacking the FBI because it had the audacity to investigate serious allegations of criminal conduct by former President Donald Trump, as Californias Adam Schiff put it. The top Democrat on the committee, New Yorks Jerrold Nadler, accused Jordan of launching baseless investigations into the FBI based on absurd conspiracy theories.

This hearing is little more than performance art, Nadler continued. It is an elaborate show designed with only two purposes in mind, to protect Donald Trump from the consequences of his actions, and to return him to the White House in the next election.

Georgia Democrat Hank Johnson noted that Trump picked Wray to be FBI director after he fired his predecessor, James Comey, and accused Republicans of trying to intimidate the FBI and publicly discredit it after it sought to hold Trump to the same standard as any other American citizen. He said Wray was a partner in an international law firm before taking a drastic pay cut to head the FBI.

Thats something my wife reminds me of from time to time, Wray responded.

Wray told the committee that defunding the FBI, as Jordan has recommended, would be disastrous for the 38,000 career law enforcement professionals that it employs, hurt local law enforcement partners who rely on its assistance, and aid the criminals it helps prosecute, like drug cartels and terrorists.

He said the FBI has worked with local law enforcement to arrest more than 20,000 violent criminals and child predators last year, taking an average of almost 60 bad guys off the street each day. He said it is has thousands of active investigations into the Chinese governments efforts to steal business secrets and is running over 300 investigations to target drug cartel leaders.

He noted that the FBIs 2-person office in Mansfield, which is in Jordans congressional district, recently worked with multiple local police departments to seize enough lethal doses of fentanyl to kill the entire population of Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati combined.

Wray said the FBI conducted approximately 2,700 investigations within its domestic terrorism program in 2022, and approximately 4,000 international terrorism investigations.

He repeatedly disputed how Republicans characterized FBI activities, denying an assertion by Wyomings Harriet Hageman that his agency used social media companies to suppress the First Amendment rights of American citizens.

The idea that Im biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me, given my own personal background, he told Hageman, after she declared there is a two tiered justice system that has been weaponized to persecute people based on their political beliefs and said hes personally worked to weaponize the FBI against conservatives.

Several Republicans on the committee accused the FBI of taking a harsher approach in probing Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of mishandling classified documents, than it did in examining President Bidens retention of classified documents from his days as Barack Obamas vice president. They also accused federal prosecutors of being too lenient in reaching a deal where Hunter Biden agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanor tax charges and admit he illegally possessed a gun.

Wray said he disagrees with assertions that theres a double standard.

Under my watch, we have one standard, he said. Were going to pursue the facts wherever they lead, no matter who likes it. And I add that last part because, especially in sensitive investigations, almost by definition, somebodys not going to like it.

Jordan grilled Wray on whether the FBI asked financial institutions such as Bank of America to turn over their customers debit and credit card purchase history in the Washington, D.C., area on the day of the Jan. 6 riot, and whether it asked about their firearms purchases. Wray said his agencys exchange with Bank of America was fully lawful, but that it decided against using any of the information it obtained through that inquiry.

There are plenty of times where there are things that we lawfully can do but that we decide is better that we not do, Wray told him.

That you can ask this is scary, Jordan responded. Theres something else were gonna have to change.

Florida Republican Matt Gaetz claimed Wray failed to crack down on agents improper use of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. He told Wray the public trusted his agency more when J. Edgar Hoover ran it, because Wray doesnt give straight answers and appeared to be whitewashing corrupt conduct by the Bidens.

In your home state of Florida, the number of people applying to come work for us and devote their lives to working for us is up over 100 percent, Wray responded.

Were deeply proud of them and they deserve better than you, Gaetz shot back.

Sabrina Eaton writes about the federal government and politics in Washington, D.C., for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP)  NATO leaders gathered Wednesday to launch a highly symbolic new forum for ties with Ukraine, after committing to provide the country with more military assistance for fighting Russia but only vague assurances of future membership.

U.S. President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts will sit down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the new NATO-Ukraine Council, a permanent body where the 31 allies and Ukraine can hold consultations and call for meetings in emergency situations.

The setting is part of NATOs effort to bring Ukraine as close as possible to the military alliance without actually joining it. On Tuesday, the leaders said in their communique summarizing the summits conclusions that Ukraine can join when allies agree and conditions are met.

Today we meet as equals, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday at a joint news conference with Zelenskyy. I look forward to the day we meet as allies.

The ambiguous plan for Ukraines future membership reflects the challenges of reaching consensus among the alliances current members while the war continues, and has frustrated Zelenskyy even as he expressed appreciation for military hardware being promised by Group of Seven industrial nations.

The results of the summit are good, but if there were an invitation, that would be ideal, Zelenskyy said, through a translator.

Despite his disappointment, the Ukrainian leader was more conciliatory on Wednesday than the previous day, when he harshly criticized the lack of a timeline for membership as unprecedented and absurd.

NATO needs us just as we need NATO, he said alongside Stoltenberg.

Ukraines future membership was the most divisive and emotionally charged issue at this years summit. In essence, Western countries are willing to keep sending weapons to help Ukraine do the job that NATO was designed to do  hold the line against a Russian invasion  but not allow Ukraine to join its ranks and benefit from its security during the war.

We have to stay outside of this war but be able to support Ukraine. We managed that very delicate balancing act for the last 17 months. Its to the benefit of everyone that we maintain that balancing act, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said Wednesday.

Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins, whose country lies on NATOs eastern flank and has a long, troubled history with Russia, said he would have preferred more for Ukraine.

There will always be a difference of flavor of how fast you would want to go, he said. However, Karins added, at the end of it, what everyone gets, including Ukraine, and what Moscow sees is we are all very united.

Amanda Sloat, senior director of European affairs for the U.S. National Security Council, defended the summits decisions.

I would agree that the communique is unprecedented, but I see that in a positive way, she told reporters on Wednesday.

Sloat noted that Ukraine will not need to submit a membership action plan as it seeks to join NATO, although she said there are still governance and security sector reforms that are going to be required. The action plan is usually a key step in the process that involves advice and assistance for countries seeking to join.

Symbols of support for Ukraine are common around Vilnius, where the countrys blue-and-yellow flags hang from buildings and are pasted inside windows. One sign cursed Russian President Vladimir Putin. Another urged NATO leaders to hurry up their assistance for Ukraine.

However, theres been more caution inside the summit itself, especially from Biden, who has explicitly said he doesnt think Ukraine is ready to join NATO. There are concerns that the countrys democracy is unstable and its corruption remains too deeply rooted.

Under Article 5 of the NATO charter, members are obligated to defend each other from attack, which could swiftly draw the U.S. and other nations into direct fighting with Russia.

Defining an end to hostilities is no easy task. Officials have declined to define the goal, which could suggest a negotiated ceasefire or Ukraine reclaiming all occupied territory. Either way, Putin would essentially have veto power over Ukraines NATO membership by prolonging the conflict.

Wednesdays commitments will include a new G7 framework that would provide for Ukraines long-term security.

The British foreign ministry said the G7 would set out how allies will support Ukraine over the coming years to end the war and deter and respond to any future attack. The ministry added that the framework marks the first time that this many countries have agreed to a comprehensive long-term security arrangement of this kind with another country.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement that supporting Ukraines progress on the pathway to NATO membership, coupled with formal, multilateral, and bilateral agreements and the overwhelming support of NATO members will send a strong signal to President Putin and return peace to Europe.

Sloat said the commitments will show Russia that time is not on its side.

Moscow reacted harshly to the G7 plan.

We consider this extremely ill-judged and potentially very dangerous, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. He added that by providing security guarantees to Ukraine, theyre infringing on Russias security.

Although international summits are often tightly scripted, this one has seesawed between conflict and compromise.

At first leaders appeared to be deadlocked over Swedens bid for membership in the alliance. However, Turkey unexpectedly agreed to drop its objections on Monday, the night before the summit formally began. The deal led to boasts of success from leaders who were eager for a display of solidarity in Vilnius.

This summit is already historic before it has started, Stoltenberg said.

Erdogan has not commented publicly on the deal, over Swedens membership, even during a Tuesday meeting with Biden where Biden referenced the agreement you reached yesterday.

However, Erdogan appeared eager to develop his relationship with Biden.

The Turkish president has been seeking advanced American fighter jets and a path toward membership in the European Union. The White House has expressed support for both, but publicly insisted that the issues were not related to Swedens membership in NATO.

___

Associated Press writers Karl Ritter and Liudas Dapkus contributed to this report.
COLUMBUS -The State Medical Board of Ohio unanimously approved medical marijuana for patients with irritable bowel syndrome on Wednesday afternoon, making it the 26th ailment for which registered Ohioans can obtain the drug.

But the medical board also unanimously rejected marijuana for obsessive-compulsive syndrome and autism.

The autism community has been advocating for cannabis for years. The board has rejected it each year since 2019, which has resulted in criticism of the medial board and the physician experts it selects to review the medical literature on each condition to make a recommendation on whether the state should add it.

Members of the Ohio Medical Cannabis Industry Association, made up of businesses in the states legal market who have requested the medical board add new conditions over the years, expressed gratitude in a statement Wednesday that IBS patients now have a new option with marijuana.

While this addition will help expand patient access to medical marijuana and help many Ohio patients with this condition, we are disappointed the board did not approve autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, said Charlie Trefney, the associations director of government affairs. OMCIA will continue to work with the Board and advocate for the thousands of Ohioans suffering from these conditions who could benefit from treatment with medical marijuana.

Other businesses involved in Ohios medical marijuana space are backing an initiated statute, essentially a proposed state law, that would legalize marijuana for recreational use for adults if it make the ballot and Ohio voters support it Nov. 7. The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol submitted 222,000 signatures last week to the state and is waiting to hear whether it qualifies for the ballot. It will know by July 25.

The businesses backing recreational marijuana say that problems in the program, including the medical boards reluctance to expand conditions, will likely help them at the ballot box.

These are the conditions for which people can now qualify for medical marijuana:

- AIDS

- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

- Alzheimers disease

- Cachexia

- Cancer

- Chronic traumatic encephalopathy

- Crohns disease

- Epilepsy or another seizure disorder

- Fibromyalgia

- Glaucoma

- Hepatitis C

- Huntingtons disease

- Inflammatory bowel disease

- Irritable bowel syndrome

- Multiple sclerosis

- Pain that is either chronic and severe or intractable (including arthritis, chronic migraines and complex regional pain syndrome)

- Parkinsons disease

- Positive status for HIV

- Post-traumatic stress disorder

- Sickle cell anemia

- Spasticity

- Spinal cord disease or injury

- Terminal illness

- Tourette syndrome

- Traumatic brain injury

- Ulcerative colitis

According to expert physician testimony provided to the board by Dr. Frederick A. Slezak, a retired medical school professor and colon and rectal surgeon, IBS and IBD are related but not the same. Many patients confuse the two.

IBS occurs in the gastrointestinal tract and IBD is a disease of the bowels and intestines.

In North America, about 12% of the population has IBS, Slezak told the medical board. Researchers havent identified with certainty IBS cause, and theres no single effective pharmaceutical option for patients.

Researchers in recent years have begun to understand the endocannabinoid system, a network of neurotransmitters that carry chemical signals to cellular receptors the brain, nervous system and other parts of the body, Slezak said.

Scientists have identified the endocannabinoid system receptors in the gut. A researcher in 2004 suggested a concept of clinical endocannabinoid deficiency to explain a number of ailments, such as migraines, fibromyalgia and IBS, he said.

One study showed low doses of a synthetic form of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the chemical in marijuana that produces the feeling of being high, produced a decrease in colonic contractions in IBS patients. Another study found decreased health care utilization when IBS patients took THC.

Two physician experts recommended against adding autism to the list of ailments for which marijuana could be prescribed, saying there wasnt enough high-quality research, or that the research involved low levels of THC, when Ohio law allows higher levels of THC in products.

The physician researcher for OCD, who works at an addiction treatment center, said anxiety reduced for autism patients who took THC. But It also reduced in the placebo group.

Laura Hancock covers state government and politics for The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com.
COLUMBUS, OhioWhen Gov. Mike DeWine laid out his budget priorities in his State of the State address last January, he laid out a sweeping spending plan to help Ohio children.

He urged state lawmakers in attendance to pass new tax incentives for children, devote more money for childcare, expand Medicaid coverage for children and pregnant woman, and create a new cabinet-level agency devoted specifically to childrens issues.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder says he has submitted an appeal challenging a bribery conviction that left him with a 20-year prison sentence.

In a bare bones filing submitted late Wednesday, attorneys for Householder submitted notice of filing an appeal with the Sixth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals. That filing is not immediately available on the courts online docketing system.

In July 2020, prosecutors accused Householder of secretly operating a nonprofit that accepted $60 million from Akron electric company FirstEnergy Corp. He spent that money catapulting himself to political power, passing legislation worth more than $1 billion to the company, and paying down his personal debts.

READ MORE: Coverage of Householders trial and its aftermath.

After a weekslong trial, a jury convicted him of engaging in a racketeering conspiracy, predicated on bribery, money laundering and others. U.S. District Judge Timothy Black sentenced Householder to two decades in prison  an extraordinary sentence even when compared to fellow governors and House Speakers who were convicted of similar crimes.

Alongside Householder, four other men were accused of participating in the conspiracy. One was convicted at trial and sentenced to five years in prison; two pleaded guilty and testified against Householder; and one died by suicide before trial.

Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer asked Householders legal team to provide a copy of the appeal.

This story will be updated when the appeal becomes available.

Jake Zuckerman covers state politics and policy for Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The U.S. Supreme Court in Moore v. Harper has ruled that state legislatures are governed by the rule of law. State constitutions and their judicial interpretations thus apply to congressional elections. State legislatures, like Ohios GOP-dominated General Assembly, are not free to do as they please.

The June 27 ruling came out of North Carolina, where the GOP-controlled legislature had gerrymandered the states congressional districts to favor Republican candidates. The North Carolina Supreme Court ruled that this violated the states constitution. The GOP cried foul before the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that the state supreme court violated the Elections Clause in Article I of the federal Constitution by rejecting the legislatures map.

Law students learn early about Marbury v. Madison, constitutional supremacy and the role courts play in Americas system of government. Simply put, government officials and their legislatively enacted laws are subservient to constitutions, both state and federal. It might thus seem surprising that North Carolinas GOP had the temerity to claim that North Carolinas Republican legislature could ignore North Carolinas constitution.

Still, there was a kernel of plausibility to the GOPs claim  albeit one that was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court just eight years ago in a case from Arizona. Section 4 of Article I, the federal Elections Clause, provides that the Times, Places and Manner of holding congressional elections shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof.

Most of the federal Constitutions grants and limitations on states powers speak literally to states. Section 10 of Article I provides that No State shall enter into any Treaty, for example, while section 8 of Article I reserves to the States  the Authority of training the Militia.

Because section 4 of Article I directs power to the Legislature of the state, the argument goes, the Framers meant to distinguish federal elections from all other state business. With federal elections, state legislatures act independently of state constitutions.

There are lots of problems with this argument, but history itself is probably its largest obstacle. Congressional elections have for 200 years been subjected to state constitutional constraints. As an example, Chief Justice John Roberts in the Moore ruling pointed to early 19th-century state constitutional requirements demanding written ballots. He could have also pointed to early 20th-century state court decisions invalidating state legislative restrictions on congressional candidates under state constitutions. Multiply these historical instances by dozens of others involving voter registration, vote counting and victory thresholds  all of which have been applied to congressional elections over the years  and the independent legislature argument was historical toast.

What does this mean for Ohio? Not much in terms of Ohios congressional maps. Had the GOP not tightened its control of the Ohio Supreme Court following Republican Chief Justice Maureen OConnors retirement, the holding would have loomed large. But since Justice Sharon Kennedy, a Republican who, unlike OConnor, voted for the gerrymandered maps, replaced her, and since Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Joe Deters, another Republican, to fill Kennedys seat, all bets are that the Ohio Supreme Court will overturn its previous rejections of Ohios gerrymandered maps and let the GOP-controlled General Assembly draw whatever it wants. Gerrymandering will only get worse in Ohio.

Mark Brown is a law professor and the Newton D. Baker/Baker & Hostetler Chair at Capital University Law School.

For Ohios presidential elections, in contrast, the Moore ruling means a lot. Because Article II of the federal Constitution, like Article I, provides that state legislatures direct the method of choosing their presidential electors, the same independent state legislature argument was made by Donald Trump (and a host of GOP supporters, including Ohios Dave Yost). In addition to his bizarre factual fraud claims, Trump argued that independent state legislatures are entitled to appoint their own electors free from state constitutional constraint.

Moore pulls the legal rug out from under that argument. Judicially ordered accommodations during the 2022 pandemic-infested presidential election were never illegal. It is time to stop apologizing for Trumps claims. Perhaps most importantly, Moore makes clear that state legislatures cannot do what Trump demanded on Jan. 6. There is a rule of law after all.

Mark Brown is a professor of law and the Newton D. Baker/Baker & Hostetler Chair at Capital University Law School in Columbus.

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Panther: Blueprint for Black Power is the story of the unexpected birthplace of the Black Panther, a site that changed the course of the nation. But its not where you might expect. Far from Oakland, the Black Panther and its principles came from just outside Selma, Alabama. Lowndes County, Alabama: a county where every single thing Black folks did was an act of rebellion. A county where an all-Black party made it to the ballot in the year 1966. A county that paved the way for revolution. The fourth season of the Murrow Award-winning Reckon Radio examines the first year the Voting Rights Act was put to the test, deep in the heart of the Jim Crow South. Pulitzer Prize finalist Roy S. Johnson and journalist Eunice Elliot tell the story of Lowndes County and the election that shaped politics - and activism - as we know it. Available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

How did a county known as Bloody Lowndes become the birthplace of the Black Panther? Because the people of Lowndes met vicious, racist violence with a powerful response.

In this episode, youll learn more about the history of Lowndes County and just how dangerous the path to progress was for the members of the LCFO.

Below youll find a full transcript of the episode.

(OPENING MUSIC IN)

ARCHIVAL TOWNSPERSON 1:

Yall going to go to the polls this poll season?

ARCHIVAL TOWNSPERSON 2:

Yeah. Well be on time.

ARCHIVAL TOWNSPERSON 1:

Yeah. You doing all right? All right. All right. Take some of [inaudible]. Come out November the 8th. Come out November the 8th. How you doing Miss [inaudible].

ROY S. JOHNSON, HOST:

November 8th, 1966. Thats a long time ago. And then, its not. Its Election Day morning. The sun is shining and the carpool train is going strong. Viola Bradford, that intrepid reporter you met in the last episode, spends the day riding around with Stokely Carmichael. Remember, hes the youngster from New York who came to Lowndes County, Alabama to learn. Learn how to organize, learn how to create change. Revolutionary change.

VIOLA BRADFORD, GUEST:

We went by this mans house. He was 85 years old and blind, sitting on his porch ready for us to take him to the polls. He had never voted. His parents were slaves. And so all day long, thats what we did from poll to poll.

JOHNSON:

Folks pull up the park in dirt lots outside the polling place. People pile out and join the line behind dozens and dozens of men and women, all of them waiting to vote.

BRADFORD:

It was a beautiful day for voting here. Men and women from 21 years of age to at least 82 were waiting at different stations so that SNCC workers could come and pick them up. Many were voting for the first time in a general election.

EUNICE ELLIOTT, HOST:

So LBJ, you may know him as President Lyndon B. Johnson. He signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 more than a year before, but now its being tested. America is being tested.

BRADFORD:

Stokely Carmichael rode along the highways, down rugged dirt roads and through downtown areas. He would holler, Did you vote right? and the Negro voters would holler back, Sure did.

JOHNSON:

Lines at the polls stretched on and on and on. They wind down porch steps through dirt parking lots, in and out of shady patches cast by the oak trees that are everywhere. In some of those lines, every single person is Black. Every single one of them lined up to vote for the first time in their lives. Every single one of them risking their homes, their livelihoods, their very lives just to vote. Now, Whites worked against this day for decades after slavery ended through reconstruction and into Jim Crow. They tried to keep Blacks powerless. Not anymore. But just who were Black folks there to vote for?

(THEME MUSIC IN)

JOHNSON:

Im Roy S. Johnson.

ELLIOTT:

And Im Eunice Elliott. And this is Panther, episode two.

ARCHIVAL NEWS ANCHOR:

A long anticipated freedom march from Selma to Alabamas capital of Montgomery finally gets underway.

MARY MAYS JACKSON, GUEST:

If I died, I didnt care because I was dying for a purpose. We were afraid, but I guess the purpose was greater than the fear.

JOHNSON:

This is Panther: Blueprint for Black Power from Reckon Radio.

ELLIOTT:

This is the seldom told story of one of the most famous and notorious organizations in the Black Power Movement and its origins in Lowndes County, Alabama.

FANNIE LOU HAMER:

Is this America, the land of the free and the home of the brave?

LILLIAN MCGILL, GUEST:

The one in Oakland started out ... They heard about us.

BRADFORD:

These people wanted to vote. They wanted to pull the lever for the Black Panther and then go on home, and this is what they did.

ED MOORE KING, GUEST:

Weve come a long ways, but we got a long ways to go.

REV. AL SHARPTON:

Politicians have been trying to roll back the franchise all across the country. Voter ID, early voting, even the number of polling sites have all come under assault.

FANNIE LOU HAMER:

Because we want to live as decent human beings in America.

(THEME MUSIC OUT)

ELLIOTT:

When we last left you, Stokely Carmichael and SNCC, thats the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, they had just arrived in Lowndes County and they had seen a slew of Black folks brave enough to be seen watching and supporting that 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery. Thats the march that helped light a fire in Washington for the passage of the Voting Rights Act. And now, they were back to find those same people in Lowndes and to organize them.

JOHNSON:

But Eunice, what exactly was it that intrigued Stokely Carmichael, that kid from New York? Lets go back. Lets remember just how dangerous it was for Black people in Lowndes County in 1966, how dangerous it was just to exist. Forget voting or even registering to vote. Even though eight in every 10 folks living in Lowndes were Black, those folks risked their lives just standing on the side of Highway 80. That act alone, that act of quiet defiance was enough to pique Stokely Carmichaels interest. It was enough to tease out an idea to plant seeds that would someday birth a powerful fruit.

REGINA MOORER, GUEST:

So Lowndes County had this history right, being called Bloody Lowndes. That didnt just fall out of the air. Lowndes County had this history of being a violent county in terms of white supremacy and white terrorism in the county.

ELLIOTT:

That was Professor Regina Moorer of Alabama State University. Now, although this was the 1960s, entitlement and supremacy, it still seeped from the dirt in Lowndes. I mean, the parents of many of these Black folks living there had been enslaved. I want you to think about that, Roy. Their parents, were talking about mom and dad, slaves.

JOHNSON:

I just cant, Eunice. I just cant. Its too hard to think about. Lets just keep going.

ELLIOTT:

But think about this. That also means that the parents of many of their white neighbors, they owned slaves or they at least worked on plantations as hateful, racist overseers. And so now, in the 1960s, their children did any and everything they could to keep that same hate alive.

JOANN MANTS, GUEST:

We knew that you could find yourself in a river, in a creek, on a tree limb. You could find yourself dead in every one of the places, but here in particular because of the nature of the plantation ownership and how the law was pretty much within the hands of owners of plantations in Lowndes County.

ELLIOTT:

Thats Joann Mants, the widow of SNCC organizer and longtime Lowndes County activist Bob Mants. She breathed Lowndes Countys activism.

MANTS:

You have to be very careful because where you live will determine whether or not you live or die. Because a lot of people along this County Road 23 can tell you the number of times that their homes have been shot into, how they had to have people to guard every night because marauders would shoot into their living quarters. Some people could not work within this county because if they were associated with these Freedom Riders, or with SNCC, then they could lose everything that they had. So they had to give up a lot of things in order to register to vote.

JOHNSON:

But thats a reputation that was true in a lot of places in the South.

ELLIOTT:

You know what? We should just take a quick step back here just so we can get a better sense of those states. Now, the part of the south that we are talking about is known as the Black Belt, and thats partially for the rich, black soil that makes the region so good for agriculture.

JOHNSON:

Agriculture, Eunice? Really? We talking about cotton. Cotton! Lets be real now, fam. Cotton.

ELLIOTT:

Okay, perhaps. Perhaps. But its also called the Black Belt because of all the Black folks who still call it home today, and thats a direct result of White plantation owners profiting off of enslaved Black labor to pick that cotton from that dirt that its so good for. And when those plantation owners had to free their slaves, well, Roy, you could guess that it was not pretty. The years immediately after the end of the Civil War are known as reconstruction. And in those years, when free Black folks and angry White folks were forced to coexist, the federal troops were the only things standing between them and violence.

JOHNSON:

Those federal troops facilitated some progress. There was the opening of Black schools, even the election of Black public officials in some areas. But as soon as those troops pulled out, the ex-Confederates rolled right in. They seized power and rewrote state constitutions in places like Mississippi and Alabama to make sure Black people never gained power again. And they killed and terrorized anyone who tried to stop them, Eunice.

ELLIOTT:

So reconstruction ended technically in 1877, Roy. But afterwards, at least 16 Black people were lynched, and Im talking about just in Lowndes County. Keep in mind that others were jailed or even killed by police just on trumped-up charges, no pun intended. But countless others were beaten, brutalized, and just plain old dehumanized. And so now maybe you can understand why they call it Bloody Lowndes, and you can see why in this community, the taste of freedom was savored just a little bit more than other places. Places that, by now, were probably taking some of their freedoms for granted. Freedoms that still struggle to exist in Lowndes County. Heres Regina Moorer again.

MOORER:

This particular area was almost like the hub of Black activism for this side of the county. If you look and trace land ownership in Lowndes County, you would notice that most White landowners would concentrate on the north side of Highway 80, while Black landowners will concentrate on the south side of Highway 80. But when you get here in White Hall, you see that Black families pretty much occupied both sides of Highway 80.

JOHNSON:

White Hall is a town in Lowndes, just about halfway between Selma and Montgomery. Black land ownership there translated into action.

MOORER:

It is the only part of this stretch of Highway 80 where you have Black land ownership on both sides of the highway, so I think that helped this particular area become a safe space for activism because it wasnt so much of the threat and intimidation that you saw in other parts of the county. And Ive heard stories, and I dont know the accuracy of those stories, but it traces back to the attempts of Black families to actually acquire and own land during that period of reconstruction. And so this was one of the areas where Black families were able to acquire land and pretty much hold onto it, as opposed to in some other parts of the county where they may have acquired land, but they lost it because of getting a loan or something from a bank and having their property foreclosed on.

ELLIOTT:

Highway 80 was a dividing line in a lot of places. But in Lowndes, it unified Black folks and it ignited Black activism.

JOHNSON:

For too long, Black residents there contended with threats of physical violence for demanding even basic services like clean water. Forget muttering the word vote. Black areas of the county had pitiful roads, porous plumbing, conditions that were borderline inhumane, all courtesy of county government, the White county government. Let Lillian McGill and Viola Bradford tell you about it.

MCGILL:

We wanted better for our kids. I had gone off to school. I went to Selma University in Selma, then I went to Carver. And see, when you get off and you learn more, you want that.

BRADFORD:

There was no plumbing. You had to use the outhouse. There was no electricity. She had oil lamps and candles and a wooden fireplace. I mean, know who lives like that? Yeah, and this is 1966.

ELLIOTT:

Now, you think about it. These days, the mantra around that kind of treatment from those in power would be what? To vote them out. Well, that option wasnt even available to Black folks in Lowndes, Roy. I mean, not in the 1960s.

JOHNSON:

Not even close, Eunice, even though Black men had legally been eligible to vote there since 1870, Black women since 1920. Yet there was not a single, solitary, Black registered voter in Lowndes County in the early 1960s.

MANTS:

Youre talking about people who have been miseducated or not educated, and youre working with people who are having to deal with all of these situations, trying to live, trying to exist, and moving through the Jim Crow period trying to survive. Here we have Lowndes County. From what I can understand, its the second poorest county in the country. So youre talking about poor folks who are trying to register to vote. Somebodys telling them, If you register to vote, you can change something. But in doing so, a lot of those folks are losing home, livelihoods, and life. So you have to make a decision as to how it is that youre going to deal with this entire matter of trying to get these young folks that are telling you that registering to vote can get you this. But it also got me kicked off of a plantation that my generations and I have lived all my life. And so what do I do once Im kicked off? Where do I go? So I got to figure out how will I survive through this entire process?

ELLIOTT:

Exactly. I mean, this is the kind of nonsense that the Voting Rights Act was, at least in theory, going to fix. Because voting, and even just registering to vote, it was not a simple process, at least not for Black folks. They had literacy tests that absolutely had nothing to do with literacy, poll taxes of just arbitrary amounts. And how about the jelly bean counts that obviously had nothing to do with anything and was just plain old-fashioned intimidation? Ed King was a teacher in Lowndes County back in the 1960s and he experienced all three.

KING:

When we first tried to get ready to vote, they was using that literacy test. In other words, the only one that they were going to let vote was one that would take that literacy test and pass, which would be a small number. I took it. I dont know whether I passed it or not, but the man that was registering me was Mr. Goldson and he was teasing me. He said, You are one of the teachers in the county and if you dont pass this test, Im going to report you to the superintendent, and he kind of teed me off. And I told him, I said, Mr. Goldson. I said, If I dont pass this test, Ill be back here every day that you all give the test until I pass it. But the next week, I got a letter that said that passed it. I dont know whether I did or not.

MANTS:

Each literacy test would pretty much be different from the next one. You never knew exactly what literacy test questions you would be asked. How many bubbles are in a box of washing powder? How many seeds are in a watermelon?

JOHNSON:

The questions Joann Mants remembers make discrimination as plain as the Black Belts dark earth. How many seeds in a watermelon? Really, Eunice? On top of that, whites closed everything down in the part of town where people could register. Closed it down in hopes Black folks would get too hungry, too thirsty, or just too worn out to stick around.

ELLIOTT:

And Im sure anybody listening in Georgia might feel like thats just a little familiar, huh?

JOHNSON:

You right. You right. You right.

ELLIOTT:

Okay. But you know what? Well come to that later on. But for now, lets get back to Lillian McGill. She had a hard time getting registered to vote too.

MANTS:

The days we went to register, the stores would close up and we couldnt even get a soda. The jailhouse was next door to where we registered. They wouldnt even let us get water out there from the faucet outside of the jail. They cut the water off. So we started fixing food like youre going to take out to a church picnic, and everybody come in and started going to Montgomery or Selma and getting sodas and water and bringing it back and putting it in with ice. And then they would feed anybody coming by who wanted to register and you stay all day. When you get there, you stay all day till the registration was open.

JOHNSON:

The whole system was rigged. But the only way to change it, even more than a year after the passage of the Voting Rights Act, was in the voting booth. Hello, SNCC.

ELLIOTT:

But SNCCs field organizers werent the first activists on the scene. More on that when Panther returns.

Now, its still important, though, to point out that SNCC wasnt really starting from scratch in Lowndes, because there were already folks there doing the work, and they were doing the work in face of possibly finding themselves hanging from a tree limb. It was that dangerous. And the laws? They were pretty much useless.

MANTS:

We were tired. And sick and tired of being tired, so they decided then that they would get together and organize so they would have a unit rather than everybody trying to do something on their own.

ELLIOTT:

The White folks in power, they were pulling every trick in the book they could to keep Black Alabamians out. And Roy, you may or may not find this hard to believe, but the state of Alabama went so far as to ban the NAACP.

JOHNSON:

Very easy to believe, Eunice. Very easy to believe.

PASTOR AARON MCCALL, GUEST:

If I was to choose a hero for the movement here in Lowndes County, it would be John Hulett.

JOHNSON:

Okay, Eunice, lets introduce our listeners to John Hulett. Pastor Aaron McCall and Ed King, they remember him real well.

MCCALL:

He moved back here with his family a few years before the movement started and he started talking to various people about doing something to change the political economy here in Lowndes County. And when Stoke and them showed up, he was already working in the community trying to get people registered to vote and stuff like that because he had been a part of the Jefferson County Freedom Movement there in Birmingham. And so he brought those same ideas and stuff here, and they took on the establishment here.

KING:

They decided they wanted to set up an organization in Lowndes County, and they named it the Lowndes County Christian Movement. It was organized at a social club.

JOHNSON:

It started with 27, but grew. The group went door to door. Lillian McGill vividly remembers working to recruit her neighbors.

MCGILL:

We had organized, but we would go around and talk about what we had planned and how we would do. There were people who didnt even want us at their house because they feared. There were people who feared that if you come to their house, their job would be in jeopardy and their kids was in jeopardy. You were there for a lot of things. First place, you needed to get them registered hopefully. Next place, you needed to know if they had children. We wanted to integrate the school system. We wanted them to bring them out those one rooms. Because see, they had a lot of one-room schools or one teacher is in there, and shed have 40 or 50 kids and shes teaching six different grades with all the different classes. Well, you know thats not going to be right.

ELLIOTT:

They called themselves the Lowndes County Christian Movement, and groups like this popped up all around the state to get around the states ban of the NAACP, and they also had a list of priorities. Simple things like more resources for schools, plumbing and electricity, more equitable living conditions. But the first step was them being able to just register to vote, being able to have a say in who would be making the decisions affecting their lives.

JOHNSON:

So its now March 1965. Weve got a cadre of Blacks in Lowndes beginning to advocate for themselves, something that could cost them their lives. Weve got SNCC, a national committee of organizers, whose primary mission is to register and empower Black voters. For both groups, this next election is vital. Vital because it will test the realness of the Voting Rights Act.

ELLIOTT:

And its possibly transformative, potentially changing the faces of elected officials in Lowndes County. Stokely Carmichael, SNCCs rising star, was all over that.

MOORER:

Because Stokely Carmichael came here to organize residents around the message that all politics are local. You can look at whats happening at the state level and even the federal level, but if you really want to realize your full potential and your full power when it comes to politics, focus on your county government.

ELLIOTT:

He sought a particular route to improving living conditions for Black Southerners, and his message was to take over the county courthouse, and he had an idea of what that could look like.

JOHNSON:

Now lets pan west to our neighbors in Mississippi. In April 1964, just about a year before the march to Montgomery, Black organizers in that state got similarly fed up with the racist BS. There, political power and White power slept in the same bed. Everybody else, they slept on the floor. The states entire delegation to the Democratic National Convention was white. Lets just be real, Eunice. Mississippi Democrats were segregationists.

ELLIOTT:

Roy, as were most southern Democrats in the 1960s.

JOHNSON:

Yeah, you right. You right.

ELLIOTT:

George Wallace, he was a Democrat. Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever. Yeah, that George Wallace. They were called Dixiecrats. As you can see, that was a nod to their Confederate roots. In Mississippi, SNCC tried something new. They founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, or MFDP, and it was a new political party and it was open to everyone regardless of race. And it was an effort to rally more Black voters to register while also challenging the legitimacy of this all-White, Democratic Party. In 1964, the MFDP sought recognition from the National Democratic Party at its convention in Atlantic City.

ROBERT F. KENNEDY:

I first want to thank all of you, delegates to the Democratic National Convention and the supporters of the Democratic Party.

ELLIOTT:

The MFDP wanted recognition of the new party itself, but also of the racists and exclusionary practices of the traditional Democratic Party in Mississippi.

JOHNSON:

Now one of the main voices behind this push was Fannie Lou Hamer. You know her name even if you dont know exactly why. Fannie Lou was born and raised in the Mississippi Delta. When SNCC came to the Delta in the early 1960s, she attended one of their meetings. She was just curious. Heres Terry Cannon, one of SNCCs few white field secretaries at that time.

TERRY CANNON, GUEST:

I mean, Fannie Lou Hamer didnt know that Black people had the right to vote when SNCC first got in contact with her. She thought it was illegal or something.

ELLIOTT:

So after she learned that she was able to vote, oh, Fannie Lou registered as soon as she could. But then, she was thrown out of house and home, off the plantation she had lived and worked on for 18 years. She was beaten. And Roy, she was involuntarily sterilized.

JOHNSON:

Man.

ELLIOTT:

All of this just because she tried to access the ballot box. Now her notoriety, the reason why you have heard her name, is because of her subsequent work with SNCC, work for which she was arrested and beaten. Violence she turned into a powerful demand for change, the kind of change Stokely Carmichael wanted to see in America. She and others made the trek to New Jersey to the Democratic National Convention, and she implored the White delegates there to stand with them and to reject Dixiecrat racism.

FANNIE LOU HAMER:

I question America. Is this America, the land of the free and the home of the brave? Where we have to speak with our telephones off of the hook because our lives be threatened daily, because we want to live as decent human beings in America? Thank you.

JOHNSON:

Unfortunately, Eunice, that powerful speech just didnt work. The all-White Mississippi delegation was allowed to stand.

CANNON:

That was such a depressing, terrible defeat and demoralizing to many people. It was really the recognition that the Black Liberation Movement could no longer depend on white liberals for its support.

JOHNSON:

This happened as Stokely began to rise within SNCC.

ELLIOTT:

Now Roy, this sounds to me like a moment of reckoning, or maybe it was a moment of realization. Because think about it. The system was not broken. It actually was working exactly as it was intended to, to keep Black folks out of power and out of the voting booths so they couldnt vote for their own. For our own.

JOHNSON:

Boom, Eunice, you nailed it. For Stokely, what happened in New Jersey clenched it. So yes, thank God for Mississippi. It helped one young organizer realize that relying on White folks and their systems for change was fruitless. He wanted Blacks to build their own systems to create their own change.

MOORER:

And I think I would be remiss as a professor at an HBCU to not mention the HBCU legacy that influenced his work here in Lowndes County because we know SNCC was started at Shaw University, a historical Black college started by Ella Baker, and Stokely Carmichael was a graduate of Howard University. So I think that the education that he got at Howard, we saw that manifest in his organizing practices in Lowndes County, but he perfected what he learned in the classroom. So he had the educational or the institutional background, but he got the practical experience on the grounds here in Lowndes.

CANNON:

They knew that marching and praying and sitting in was dead. And appealing to the white liberals, appealing to the federal government, appealing to the FBI. None of that had helped. And as a matter of fact, it had, in great part, harmed and held down SNCC.

ELLIOTT:

Now this was the beginning of some tension within SNCC because not everyone in the organization saw what Stokely saw. And you also have to remember that John Lewis was SNCCs president and he was a strict adherent to the principle of nonviolence, just like his mentor, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. But Stokely Carmichael? He was about results by whatever it took by whatever worked. And nonviolent efforts to change the Democratic Party, they werent working at all.

MANTS:

John Lewis was also, at the time, pushing Black voters to vote for the Democratic Party. So you were starting to see a little bit of divide within the leaders of SNCC, particularly in the path that John Lewis wanted the organization to take and the path that Stokely Carmichael wanted the organization to take.

JOHNSON:

This is where Stokely was when he and a few other SNCC organizers set up in Lowndes, just after the march to Montgomery. Ed King and Lillian McGill were there. So lets let them set the scene.

KING:

They came in during the time we was trying to get the Lowndes County Christian Movement started.

MANTS:

Im going to remember it. Stokely Carmichael came in here the following week. He and Bob Mants and Scotty B, and some others because they came in. And the Freedom House is right down there on that road, and thats where the SNCC workers stayed.

ELLIOTT:

And SNCCs work throughout the county was not top-down. They were there to provide the connective tissue for true grassroots organizing, but it was bottom-up organizing.

CANNON:

So once youve gone in, youve had Freedom Schools, youve talked to everybody youve discovered, people like Fannie Lou Hamer or John Hulett. Youre not there to set up the SNCC party or the SNCC government. Youre there to get things rolling and it required an involved trust in the local people also.

JOHNSON:

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 passed just a few months after SNCC arrived and the Lowndes County Christian Movement got off the ground. That painted change in broad, broad strokes.

MOORER:

You have these people who are now finally able to register to vote, even though we had the Voting Rights Act. And so there are these discussions about, Okay. Now that we can vote, who do we vote for? And so you have these discussions about, Well, LBJ, hes a Democrat. But then you also have the SNCC organizers who are constantly reminding voters like, Yeah, LBJs a Democrat. So is Bull Connor. So is the sheriff here in Lowndes County. So its like, Yeah, theyre Democrats. But are you sure that this is the party that you want to vote for and align yourself with? Right? And so theres this idea of, How do we fully realize the power of a Black vote? And we cant do that if we align ourselves with the Democratic Party in Alabama, which is still the party of white supremacy. So the only viable alternative for voters here in Lowndes County was, Were going to start our own political party. Were going to see how that works out.

ELLIOTT:

Thats next time on Panther.

JOHNSON:

I cant wait. Eunice. See you there.

MCCALL:

I mean, just think about what the panther represents. Number one, he is sleek with precision. Hes strong and hes fierce. And then he was Black and were Black, and he represented us. For us, it represented freedom. He represented freedom.

(THEME MUSIC IN)

JOHNSON:

Panther is produced by Reckon Radio in partnership with Pod People. Its hosted by me, Roy S. Johnson.

ELLIOTT:

And me, Eunice Elliot. Our executive producer is John Hammontree with additional writing, reporting, and production for Reckon by Isaiah Murtaugh, Sarah Whites-Koditshek, and R.L. Nave. Special thanks to Kelly Scott, Katie Johnson, Minda Honey, Abby Crain and Tom Bates.

JOHNSON:

And at Pod People, Anne Feuss, Alex Vikmanis, Matt Sav, Aimee Machado, Ashton Carter, Rebecca Chaisson, John Asante, and Carter Wogahn. Our theme music is composed by Jelani Akil Bauman.

ELLIOTT:

Head to Reckon.news to learn more about the events featured in todays episode, and please make sure to rate, review, and subscribe to our show wherever you get your podcast.

(THEME MUSIC OUT)

Pod People transcripts are created on a rush deadline by a Pod People contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of Pod Peoples programming is the audio record.


The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned the bail plea filed by student activist Umar Khalid, who was arrested and charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with the alleged larger conspiracy case behind the 2020 Delhi riots. A bench comprising Justices A.S. Bopanna and M.M. Sundresh agreed to hear the matter on July 24 after the counsel for Delhi Police sought more time to file a reply citing voluminous charge sheet, running into thousands of pages.

umar

"The man is in custody for two years and eleven months. What counter (affidavit) is there to file? It's a bail plea," told Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Khalid, to the bench.



Khalid has approached the top court against denial of bail by the Delhi High court.



A bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar of high court had rejected Khalid's appeal seeking regular bail on October 18 last year. He had challenged the trial court order which had denied him bail in connection with the UAPA case.



His alleged offensive speeches delivered at Amaravati during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens were the basis of allegations against him in the riots case.



JNU scholars and activists Khalid, and Sharjeel Imam are among the nearly a dozen people involved in the alleged larger conspiracy case linked with the 2020 riots in the national capital, as per the Delhi Police.



The riots broke out in February 2020 as clashes between the anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and pro-CAA protesters took a violent turn, in which more than 50 people lost their lives and over 700 were injured.






Interview: NATO's policies are gross violation of its own charter, int'l law, says Swedish expert

Xinhua) 13:40, July 12, 2023

STOCKHOLM, July 12 (Xinhua) -- "I consider it of paramount importance that NATO's policies are one gross violation of its own charter and of international law," said Jan Oberg, director of the Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research, in a recent interview with Xinhua.

The NATO Summit is held in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Tuesday and Wednesday. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said ahead of the summit that the bloc would strengthen its deterrence and defence, and set an even more ambitious defence spending target.

Oberg said that NATO's 1949 Treaty, with Article 5 about mutual defence among its European members, was "distinctly defensive in nature." But the bloc is violating its own treaty "daily" and is expanding globally.

The provocative -- anything but "defensive" -- alliance has broken its Treaty since 1999 when it first violated international law in an "out-of-area operation in Yugoslavia," Oberg noted.

Additionally, he said that NATO's Treaty was about its members and all members had to be European. And when NATO ran out of new members, it expanded -- "the only raison d'etre of today's NATO."

Then NATO "invented a new category that's nowhere in the NATO Treaty -- partners," said Oberg, noting that the organization has 39 partner states and plans to open an office in Tokyo. "I do denounce the plan of setting up a NATO office in Tokyo in that light."

The Vilnius Summit "offers no indications that NATO has learned any lessons or re-thinks anything in the light of the Russia statements of concern over roughly 30 years," said the scholar, recalling that the Soviet Union, in its former leader Mikhail Gorbachev's time, was indeed given promises that NATO would not expand "one inch" if it was accepted that unified Germany would be a full NATO member.

"It's urgently necessary that an international commission be established to investigate how far NATO can deviate legally from its 1949 Treaty," he added.

Oberg viewed as a blunder NATO's plan to bring Ukraine in as a member in future.

"There are lots of ways to make Ukraine genuinely secure outside NATO. But NATO wants to weaken Russia by cynically using Ukraine," he said.

Oberg said that NATO's pledge to ask its members to invest a minimum of 2 percent of GDP annually on defence is "absurd," because a military budget should be decided according to a comprehensive threat analysis, followed by a priority discussion and never be tied to a country's economic ups and downs.

Oberg regarded militarism as the main factor about which NATO and EU countries try to remain united, "I do not think it will succeed."

"Making oneself strong on one dimension while losing out on all other power dimensions -- diplomacy, economy, legality, creativity, vision and culture -- is a recipe for disaster. NATO no longer argues or analyses, it postulates and judges -- judges everybody else," he said.

"If NATO 'wins' this game after having been the leading creator of 'the most dangerous and unpredictable security environment since the Cold War,' the rest of the world will likely approach an eschatological moment," he concluded.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Opinion

Very special thanks to everyone that donated money to cover the costs of the parade. Without your support the Optimist Club would not be able to continue with our other projects in the community. In the future, look for a complete listing of all the donors and follow-up stories.

On behalf of the Santa Paula Optimist Club, I would like to thank the following people for helping to make this years 65th Christmas Parade such a success: Limoneira Company and Gabriel Salazar, for the flatbed truck and driver Silvester Reyes; the Santa Paula Fire Department for the engines and contacting Santa Claus; Santa Paula Police Department, CERT, and the Explorer Post for providing traffic control, the Santa Paula Times for advertising and support; The Flower Shop for providing electrical for the announcer, and Pepe Gonzalez for providing the doves.

Re: Inquiring Minds & the 3 new council members

To the Editor:

The 2014 Election is over and Santa Paula has 3 new city council members, 2 complete new faces and 1 recycled face (as far as new ideas). Its too early to tell what direction the new city council will travel. However, in the manner in which the writer Marsha M. Rea of Inquiring minds always knew we could..., she has identified the 3 new council members as political progressives or at least it could easily be interpreted as such. There are some of us that will wait and see the actions taken by the voting majority before judging them successful. In Reas article she seems to paint a fantasy of a picture for example; Council member (elect) Proctor has been working with the Sothern California Association of Governments for the past few years and has developed relationships with other leaders from other communities that will surely provide new ideas for solving our problems. What does Rea attempt to do with her accolades for Proctor, did this man not serve 8 prior years on the council and did he not have sufficient clout to have done the job he now intends to fulfill? If Proctor used the time building relationships with other CAG wisely can Santa Paula look forward to a healthy reduction in sewer/water rates? If history is correct it was Gabino Aguirre and Proctor that wanted Veolia to have been awarded the contract for the new sewer plant but instead the majority gave the contract to PERC, the same company that was given much praise by Peggy Kelly in her April 9, 2009, SPT article. This same controversy that Marsha Rea seems to have issue with as far as fraud and corruption relates to in her call for further audits is addressed and contradicted by the Ventura County Grand Jurys report dated June 26, 2013. There has been a lot of controversy over the selection of PERC over Veolia but the grand Jury report doesnt anywhere substantiates the conspiracies or fraudulent behavior Marsha Rea seems to allude to in her writings. As far as the praises given to Martin Hernandez by Rea one should wonder where this guy has been during the closed council meetings. It should also be stated that in spite of working for County Supervisor Kathy Long, Hernandez hasnt come up with any solution on his own that could be judged as earth shattering. While not much is known of Crosswhite, shell also be judged on her future performances and lets hope she doesnt get caught on to many social entitlement issues. Although Gherardi has previous experience on the Simi City Council but was re-called back in the late 1970s, because ironically she was associated with sewer rate increases. This same Ginger Gherardi has been blessed by Rea so lets hope she comes through for us but if she relies totally on additional government funding or big government solutions be advised that government help comes with lots of strings attached. And as long as people understand that the sewer plant project is Santa Paulas debt and in prior years the voters didnt actively push their representatives for infrastructure necessities in a timely manner, we now face the pain of paying for OUR bills and thats where the pain is located. If the informed legal voters of Seta Paula prefer conspiracy theories they should at least take the time to find the truth. After all, would it be ethical to allege those that favored Veolia had a hidden agenda?

Andrew F. Castaneda

Santa Paula

How large is the Santa Paula aquifer?

To the Editor:

The East Area 1 environmental impact report (EIR) uses the year 2000 Fox Canyon Management statistics which say the Santa Paula aquifer encompasses about 13,500 acres at 365 feet deep. This is a total cubic acreage of 4,927,500 acre feet of dirt which is saturated with 15% water content. This calculates to 739.125 acre feet of water. The EIR then rounds this up to 800,000 acre feet.

This appears to be a lot of water, but remember this was in the year 2000, before the drought. Today, the saturation number is closer to 10% which is 492,750 acre feet of water. Furthermore, farmers and cities currently draft 26,000 acre feet per year. Therefore, current usage is 3.5%--5% per year (26,000/ 739,125 to 26,000/ 492,750) between the high and low estimates.

The problem is replenishment. If the drought continues, the aquifer will decline by 17.5 to 25% in five years. Without substantial rainfall, there is no offset to this current usage. Even with a 20% state mandated usage reduction, you can only slow the decline of the aquifer if there is no rain. The only thing that will stop this decline of the aquifer is substantial rainfall. But meteorologists are predicting more dry years with only a mild El Nino this winter.

Overall, East area 1 is a fantastic project that I endorsed at the time. Unfortunately, when most of the city voted to approve it, no one ever expected a severe drought over the horizon. I would hope the city manager and city council would get together with United Water and update the water report in the EIR. They need to be able to decisively guarantee water for the project (1.2 million gallons per day/ every day) without further accelerating the decline of the aquifer. Or there must be a moratorium until there is rain. Either way, the aquifer must be protected first and foremost.

John Wisda

Santa Paula


 
Jayne Burns didn't always plan on working past 100.

But most mornings, she drives herself 20 minutes from her house in Cincinnati to Mason, Ohio to clock into her shift as a part-time fabric cutter at Joann Fabric and Crafts store.

She's been working at the store for 26 years  and it's still one of her favorite ways to spend time. "I enjoy what I do, so I want to keep doing it," she says. "I'll work for as long as I can or as long as they'll have me."

Burns, who turns 101 on July 26, began working at the craft store in 1997, just a few months after her husband Dick died. Her daughter, Donna Burns, was working at the store part-time and recommended her for the role, thinking it might be a welcome distraction from the grief.

The centenarian, who was a bookkeeper for most of her career, tried retiring several times throughout her 70s and 80s, but would "unretire" just a few months later because she missed the routine and lunches with her co-workers.

"I enjoy talking to everybody I work with, and meeting the customers who are very nice," she says, "even if some of them are surprised to see me at the cutting table."

Ultimately, there's no secret to living a longer, happier life, says Burns, but "working has helped."
Hollywood has seen an exodus in recent weeks of senior-level Black women leaving their jobs, and it could feed into a wider problem for diversity, equity and inclusion across the industry. Many of the women led DEI initiatives at their company, including Karen Horne, senior vice president of North America DEI at Warner Bros. Discovery; Jeanell English, executive vice president of impact and inclusion at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences; Verna Myers, Netflix's first head of inclusion; and LaTondra Newton, Disney's chief diversity officer and senior vice president. Additionally, Terra Potts, executive VP of worldwide marketing at Warner Bros., is leaving the studio after 13 years and previously headed up its multicultural marketing and publicity, where she played a key role in reaching a more diverse and broader audience. On the news side of things, Joanna Abeyie, the BBC's creative diversity director, is leaving after a year and a half with the broadcast company. Her replacement will be the third creative diversity executive in two years at the BBC. And the list could grow: Industry sources have told Variety that more Black, Indigenous and executives of color are expected to leave or be let go in the coming weeks. While some instances, like Horne's, are due to company restructuring, most of the other women are leaving on their own, with some like Myers and Abeyie saying they plan to focus on their own businesses. The news is a one-two punch that shows Corporate America is failing to live up to its diversity commitments, and that it continues to fail Black women in leadership, experts say. "It's absolutely alarming," says Rachel Thomas, co-founder and CEO of LeanIn.org. "We need as many strong leaders of all identities running DEI in organizations, so the fact that we're seeing so many prominent Black women overseeing DEI stepping away should be a wake-up call that whoever is in those positions get the support and investments they need from senior leadership."

The DEI fatigue problem

Diversity work in Corporate America can itself be a recipe for burnout: Oftentimes, marginalized workers are the ones who are most invested in making workplaces more equitable, and so they're tasked with addressing discrimination and biases that have long been built into their environments. These efforts aren't always prioritized or well-funded, and pressures have only gotten worse in recent years. "DEI leaders are facing extreme fatigue and burnout," says Chandra Robinson, vice president in the Gartner HR practice. Many organizations had the "best of intentions" to prioritize diversity efforts in 2020, Robinson says, following the social justice protests that erupted after the killing of George Floyd. "Unfortunately," she says, "with so much attention paid to DEI, undue pressures are put on DEI leaders to make progress" quickly. As a result, many business leaders don't recognize that meaningful diversity work takes time, "just like any other strategy." Half of DEI leaders say their biggest challenge is when other leaders fail to take ownership for driving diversity outcomes, and one-third say they have limited power to effectively drive change, according to a 2022 Gartner survey of 181 DEI leaders. It's driven up quitting rates: Some 60% of chief diversity officers at S&P 500 companies left their jobs between 2018 and 2021, according to data from executive search firm Russell Reynolds, and the average tenure of chief diversity officers decreased from 3.1 to 1.8 years in 2021.

Diversity efforts among the first to be cut during a downturn

It also doesn't help that diversity efforts are some of the first to be cut at signs of an economic downturn. "Often, women of color are the loudest champions of diversity, equity and inclusion in organizations," Thomas says, "so if they're leaving, the concern may be their organization is taking their foot off the gas in DEI when we want to see the exact opposite." Research from Glassdoor shows DEI efforts stalled in 2022. Experts say this move can have a chilling effect on young workers, Black women and people of color collectively who were most likely to say DEI is important to them. Companies can show their commitment to DEI effort by ensuring diversity heads have a direct reporting line to the CEO, Thomas says. DEI leaders should also have ample support and investment to make long-term progress, otherwise many face a "glass cliff" of being put into positions where they're set up to fail. Robinson adds that DEI leaders can "communicate progress in an iterative manner, with mid- and long-term outcomes." Short-term benchmarks by quarter or even years can help keep programs on track, but meaningful and systemic outcomes are years in the making. "It takes time," Robinson says, "but we're making progress."

Black women aren't supported in senior leadership

Meaningful and lasting progress won't come until workplaces adequately support women, and Black women in particular, to succeed in positions of leadership. Black women are more likely than women overall to aspire to executive roles, according to the joint Lean In and McKinsey "Women in the Workplace" report. Many report not only wanting to drive business results, but also to make the workplace better for everyone, Thomas says. But they also face more barriers to advance in their career: Black women leaders are more likely to be undermined at work, and 1 in 3 Black women leaders says they've been denied or passed over for opportunities because of personal characteristics, including their race and gender. Many Black women are choosing to leave. Some 71% of Black women say they'd quit for a new job in order to get a pay raise or promotion, according to a 2022 survey from the consulting firm Every Level Leadership. They're fueling a trend that shows women leaders overall are leaving their organizations at the highest rate ever, widening the quitting gap between women and men in senior roles, according to Lean In and McKinsey. The pattern has the potential to unwind decades of progress toward gender equity and increased female leadership in the workplace. Roughly 1 in 4 C-suite leaders is a woman, and just 1 in 20 is a woman of color. "Any Black woman who leaves is a wake-up call that we need to do more and we need to do better," Thomas says. Want to be smarter and more successful with your money, work & life? Sign up for our new newsletter! Get CNBC's free report, 11 Ways to Tell if We're in a Recession, where Kelly Evans reviews the top indicators that a recession is coming or has already begun. Check out: Its a huge concern: Senior-level women are calling it quits after decades climbing the career ladder
People carry signs as SAG-AFTRA members walk the picket line in solidarity with striking WGA workers outside Netflix offices in Los Angeles, July 11, 2023.

Another strike is looming over Hollywood.

If extended talks between the Screen Actors Guild  American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers fail by midnight in Los Angeles, 160,000 actors will join already-striking writers on the picket lines Thursday.

Heading into negotiations last month, Hollywood's talent was looking to improve wages, working conditions and health and pension benefits, as well as create guardrails for the use of artificial intelligence in future television and film productions.

The actors' union agreed to a request from studios and streaming services Tuesday to meet with federal mediators in one final push to reach a new contract deal, but members said they remain ready to walk off sets should negotiations fall through. The union has already granted one extension to its contract, which was originally set to expire July 1.

SAG-AFTRA disputed reports that the AMPTP made the request for mediation after an emergency meeting Monday with several top Hollywood executives. The union said media reports were published before it was informed producers were requesting mediation.

"We will not be distracted from negotiating in good faith to secure a fair and just deal by the expiration of our agreement," SAG-AFTRA said in a statement Tuesday. "We are committed to the negotiating process and will explore and exhaust every possible opportunity to make a deal, however we are not confident that the employers have any intention of bargaining toward an agreement."

"The AMPTP has abused our trust and damaged the respect we have for them in this process," SAG-AFTRA's statement continued. "We will not be manipulated by this cynical ploy to engineer an extension when the companies have had more than enough time to make a fair deal."

SAG-AFTRA's comments come as damning reports have surfaced about tactics studio producers allegedly plan to implement against the currently striking Writers Guild of America, namely, that producers don't plan on attempting to negotiate with writers for several months. According to the reports, producers expect the underpaid workers will run out of money and possibly lose their homes and be forced to come to the bargaining table.

Writers have been on strike for two months, leading several projects that did not have completed scripts to pause their productions.

Already, Netflix has postponed the production start of the fifth and final season of "Stranger Things." Warner Bros. Discovery 's "Game of Thrones" prequel "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight" shuttered its writers room. Disney and Marvel's "Thunderbolts" and "Blade" have paused production.

Some productions have been able to continue, albeit without writers on set, as their scripts were already completed. However, if SAG-AFTRA strikes, those shows and films will immediately stop shooting.

Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal and CNBC. NBCUniversal is a member of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce seal is displayed during restoration at the headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday asked a federal judge in Ohio to block Medicare's new powers to negotiate drug prices before Oct. 1.

The motion for a preliminary injunction is a significant escalation in the pharmaceutical industry's legal battle against Medicare and would halt the talks before they begin this fall.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra will publish a list of 10 high-cost drugs by Sept. 1 that are selected for the negotiations. Drugmakers then have to decide whether to sign agreements to participate in the talks by October.

The U.S. Chamber and local chambers of commerce in Dayton, Ohio and Michigan sued Medicare in federal court in the southern district of Ohio in June. They argued that the drug negotiations violate the First and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, as well as the separation of powers.

The Chamber asked Judge Thomas Rose on Wednesday to block the negotiations before they get under way because they violate the due process clause.

Drugmaker Abbvie , a member of the U.S. Chamber and the Dayton, Ohio area chamber, fears that its blood cancer drug Imbruvica will be selected for the negotiations this fall. Imbruvica generated $4.6 billion in revenue last year, or about 8% of the company's total sales.

The Chamber argued in its motion Wednesday that the HHS secretary has "free rein to set prices unilaterally" with no administrative or judicial review.

The Chamber said the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals established a precedent that when the government sets prices, it must provide procedural safeguards to ensure a company receives a reasonable rate and fair return on investment. This precedent stems from the 2001 case Michigan Bell Telephone Co. v. Engler, the Chamber's lawyers said.

The Medicare drug price negotiations do not provide these safeguards and impose price caps that are well below a drug's market value, the chamber's lawyers said.

Abbvie executive Michael Staff, in a declaration to the court Wednesday, said the drugmaker will suffer acute, concrete and irreparable harm if the company has to sign an agreement on Oct. 1 to participate in the negotiations.

Companies have to start submitting information to the HHS secretary on Oct. 2. Staff said this includes proprietary information and trade secrets such as R&D costs, market data and cost of production.

Merck , Bristol Myers Squibb , and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America have also sued Medicare over the drug price negotiations in multiple federal courts scattered throughout the U.S.

HHS and the White House have vowed to defend the program in court, arguing that there is nothing in the Constitution that prevents Medicare from negotiating lower drug prices for seniors.
Geopolitical tension is the biggest risk to companies' bottom lines right now said Columbia University economics professor, Jeffrey Sachs.

In an interview with CNBC, Sachs also stated that productivity measurement in the U.S. is outdated due to technological improvements in modern devices like computers and smartphones, and he expressed concern about artificial intelligence advancements, stressing a need for more regulation in the AI sector.

"The first thing we should do is tamp down the geopolitical risks. We should negotiate a peace in Ukraine," Sachs told CNBC.

He said issues between China, Ukraine and Russia are major reasons why global profitability is low. Trade conflict between the U.S. and China is strained due to a history involving tariffs, tech rivalry and alleged spying. As a result, the U.S. government is dismantling long-standing supply chain relationships with China, creating supply shocks.

"If we want clear sailing on the economy. ...we should reduce the tensions between the United States and China. I think this would not only cause the whole world to breathe a sigh of relief but really help businesses worldwide to get better oriented," the bestselling author explained.

Professor Sachs also discussed productivity measures in the U.S., explaining that while we live in a service economy, we're not accurately measuring the flow of services, and we instead only measure the costs of services.

He explained, "When you're producing a ton of steel or a bushel of wheat you can talk about productivity pretty specifically, when you're producing a range of services, a lot of which are now digital, or you're providing education in different ways or information is flowing in different ways. Our government is so far behind in measurement issues that I personally don't pay too much attention to the official data on productivity."

Sachs also said the discussions around AI are not hype and will have a huge effect on jobs in the coming years but overall it's a big win.

"Part of society is going to be so incredibly rich that they actually should pay some more taxes. And we need to even this out a bit. And we have not had either the quantification of those effects carefully studied yet, nor have we had really a policy debate about this except raising the idea of things like guaranteed basic income, which are ideas that will have to be on the table in an AI-rich world. It's going to change a lot," Sachs warned.

Watch the video above to see the full interview.
The fast-casual chain developed the collaborative robot, or cobot, in partnership with Vebu Labs, a California-based robotics startup. Chipotle also announced Wednesday that its $50 million venture arm, Cultivate Next, is investing in Vebu. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

Today, it takes roughly 50 minutes to make a batch of Chipotle's guacamole. But the Autocado unveiled Wednesday could cut the prep time in half.

Chipotle Mexican Grill has developed a robot that can cut, core and peel avocados used in its guacamole as the restaurant industry faces a sustained labor shortage.

Avocados sliced, cored and peeled by the Autocado robot created by Chipotle and Vebu Labs.

Sweetgreen recently opened a location in Naperville, Illinois, where it makes its salads and warm bowls on an automated assembly line. Starbucks is investing in coffee-making equipment that creates less work for baristas. Fast-food chains such as Carl's Jr. are using artificial intelligence software to take drive-thru orders .

The announcements come as the company and its rivals have experimented with robotics and other forms of automation. The broader restaurant industry is struggling with a shrinking workforce and rising wages.

To prepare avocados using the Autocado, Chipotle employees load up the device with a full case of the ripe fruit. The Autocado can hold up to 25 pounds at one time.

Then, the machine vertically orients the avocados, slices them in half and removes their cores and skin. A bowl at the bottom collects the fruit, which employees can then hand mash and mix with the rest of the guacamole ingredients.

Chipotle still wants employees to have a hand in making their guacamole.

"There's no plan to test automated guac made in our restaurant," Curt Garner, Chipotle's chief technology officer, told CNBC.

Employees don't have to monitor the Autocado while it prepares the avocados and can even use the top of the device as more counter space to prepare other ingredients.

The prototype is "very close" to design for manufacture, according to Garner. Chipotle expects to test the Autocado in restaurants later this year.

Eventually, Vebu plans to add machine learning capabilities and sensors to the Autocado that will help it evaluate the quality of avocados.

Preparing avocados for guacamole routinely ranks as one of employees' least favorite tasks, Garner said. It's also one of the most dangerous duties in Chipotle kitchens, sometimes resulting in knife injuries.

On top of saving time and labor costs, the robot could also cut food waste. If the chain deploys the Autocado across its footprint of more than 3,200 locations, it could help save millions of dollars on avocados annually, the company said.

Despite those savings, guacamole will probably still cost customers extra.

"It's worth it," Garner said.

Chipotle has been testing out automation for other kitchen tasks. Since September, one of the company's California locations has been using Chippy, an autonomous tortilla chip maker created by Miso Robotics, a start-up co-founded by Vebu's CEO.

"We've got a few more months of that restaurant test before we'll officially make the decision whether there's any more refactoring that needs to be done or whether [Chippy is] ready to go into a different restaurant," Garner said.

Garner added that the company is exploring more opportunities to automate ingredient preparation and use artificial intelligence to predict how much food to prepare.
FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before the House Judiciary Committee during a hearing on "Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation," on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on July 12, 2023. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

China is requiring U.S. and other foreign-owned companies to host groups that monitor their compliance with Chinese Communist Party orthodoxy, FBI Director Christopher Wray said in congressional testimony Wednesday.

It's one way in which the Chinese government has "exploited" joint business ventures in order to obtain companies' secrets and information, Wray told the House Judiciary Committee.

"There is no country, none, that presents a broader, more comprehensive threat to our ideas our innovation our economic security than the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party," Wray testified.

"In many ways, it represents, I think, the defining threat of our era," he said.

Wray's blunt criticism against China's alleged government intrusion into foreign business, in a venue where his language has otherwise been highly guarded, underscores the high tension between Beijing and Washington. His remarks also come on the heels of high-stakes visits to China by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

Wray on Wednesday had been asked by Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, about whether China is "in essence nationalizing American enterprises" by forcing companies doing business in the country to allow the CCP to operate internal "political cells."

"The CEOs I've talked to are afraid to say something, they say they've come to the FBI," Gooden said.

Wray called it "a very important issue" that deserves more attention.

"While there's no law against joint ventures, the problem that we have is that the Chinese government all too often has exploited those joint ventures to then use them as ways to get improper access to companies secrets, and information," the FBI director said.

Wray said that Americans "would be shocked to hear" that virtually all companies doing business in China are required to allow those cells.

"If we try to install something like that in American companies, or if the British tried to do it in British companies or any number of other places, people would go out of their minds, and rightly so," he said.

Wray did not name specific companies who have been required to house CCP cells in China. He also did not directly respond to Gooden's concern that Beijing had ramped up its use of those cells.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the CEO advocacy group Business Roundtable, whose members include the leaders of major companies such as Apple and Nike, did not immediately respond to CNBC's requests for comment on Wray's remarks.

Commercial risk intelligence platform Sayari warned in a 2021 report that private companies in China face growing pressure to give the so-called CCP cells more influence.

Those companies have been required since 2018 to establish CCP cells in order to be listed on domestic stock exchanges, according to Sayari. The cells, in turn, have pushed to strengthen their role in corporate governance, the company said.

China has long required such internal party committees, but enforcement only began to pick up after 2012, according to a report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

New rules last year required securities investment funds in China to set up these internal party committees. When asked about the new rules, China's securities regulator said they are in line with corporate governance principles and Chinese law, and there's "no need to worry at all" about data security, according to a CNBC translation of the Chinese.

The Financial Times previously reported that HSBC had installed a CCP committee in its banking business in China, making it the first foreign lender to do so.

It's not the first time Wray has raised concerns about Beijing's alleged efforts to enforce communist political views within foreign companies operating in China.

"It's even to the point where, under Chinese law, Chinese companies of any size are required to host inside the company," Wray said in an interview with CNBC. "They call it a committee, but it's essentially a cell whose sole responsibility is to ensure that company's adherence to the Chinese Communist Party's orthodoxy."

"And it doesn't just apply to Chinese companies; it applies to foreign companies if they get to a certain size in China, as well," Wray told CNBC.

Those companies "have to comply," he added. "They have to cooperate."

The exchange with Gooden came as a respite to the mostly hostile questions Wray received from committee's Republican majority. The Biden administration official fielded heated questions and frequent interruptions from Republicans largely centered on the agency's perceived political bias against conservatives.

 CNBC's Christina Wilkie contributed to this report.

Update: This story was updated to remove a reference to a Wall Street Journal op-ed.
by Ashok K. Mehta

Recently, I met a retired three-star General from the Gorkha Regiment. He told me that when he visited different formations the Divisional and Corps Commanders told him that the best battalions in his formation are from the Gorkhas. Whether it is battle, counter insurgency, professional competitions or any other mission, Gorkhas stand out. When Nepal agreed that India inherit the British legacy of recruiting Gorkhas at Partition in 1947, it was the first time that Gorkhas were to be officered by Indians. Prime Minister Nehru, speaking to the Constituent Assembly, thanked Nepal for it.





The British coveted their 51 Gorkha battalions at the height of World War II so ferociously that only Brits were allowed to command them. Only Indian medical officers were attached to some of the Gorkha battalions. When they were being downsized after the transfer of power from Hong Kong to China in 1997, a country-wide Save The Gorkha movement started across Britain. Many pubs and restaurants are named after Gorkhas as well as iconic places in Nepal.





No such movement has started in India over the possible phase-out of the Gorkha Brigade, the Armys single-biggest regiment of 43 battalions larger than the entire British Infantry, as its roots are in politics, not in high diplomacy and strategy. This is happening when the big gun in the armed forces, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Anil Chauhan belongs to the 11 Gorkha Regiment. A similar contingency was nipped in the bud in 1973 by then Army Chief Gen Gopal Bewoor also from 11 Gorkhas who thought the idea of sufficient recruitable material in India was unstrategic. The Gorkha Brigade is a strategic force permitted to be recruited by Nepal that characterizes the special relations between two sovereign countries.









The run-down of the Gorkha Brigade began with three years of no recruitment of Nepal Domiciled Gorkhas (NDG) and retirement of 4000 Gorkhas creating a deficiency of approximately 8000 to 9000 personnel. This is to be made good by recruiting Indian Domiciled Gorkhas (IDG), Kumaonis, Garhwalis and tribals of the northeast without a single NDG. Despite reducing their recruitment standards, IDG just about manage to fill their quota of 40 per cent intake. Kumaonis and Garhwalis have their single-class regiments and will be unable to provide suitable material for long. Assuming Nepal will be unwilling to permit recruitment under Agniveer norms, by 2030 only half or less of Gorkha battalions will be Gorkhali. By 2025, some of the seven Gorkha regiments will have to shed one battalion from their five or six battalions. At some stage, around 2035, or even earlier, the government may order winding down the Gorkha Brigade creating a slack of 30,000 soldiers.









India did not consider it necessary or wise to consult Nepal on Agniveer. Instead, it delivered a fait accompli with a neighbour it claims it has the closest relationship in the neighbourhood. Nepal was the second country after Bhutan Mr Modi visited when he became Prime Minister in 2014. Not just that, he captured the heart and soul of Nepalis with his oratory in their Parliament when he extolled the courage and bravery of Gorkha soldiers who had shed their blood defending the territorial integrity of India. Ambassadors in Kathmandu since 1959 whom I met were enamoured with Gorkhas but some doubted their loyalty to India. One Ambassador never visited Gorkha hubs in Nepal like Pokhara and Dharan to meet the ex-servicemen. But since the last decade and more after the end of the Maoist insurgency, Ambassadors without exception had expressed no doubt about Gorkhas loyalty and even admitted that they were a pro-India constituency in Nepal. During the Maoist insurgency, Maoists sought, through inducement and coercion, Indian ex-servicemen and instructors to train their cadres. Only one ex-serviceman from 1.25 lakh ESM joined them. Kathmandu deserved to be consulted over a sensitive strategic bilateral issue such as recruitment, especially when the rules of engagement were significantly altered for the first time in 77 years even though the tripartite agreement (1947) does not mention consultation. Still, it does seek equal treatment with the parent army. There are several mechanisms to initiate discussion on defence and security most notably the Bilateral Group on Security Cooperation India and Nepal established during the Maoist insurgency. Kathmandu was between elections when Agniveer was announced and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, was heading the government. There was a short discussion on Agniveer in Nepal Parliament where it was criticised by former Defence Minister Bhim Rawal.





Due to the unstable nature of the present government led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, and neither side taking up Agniveer formally during his visit in May, it is on the backburner. Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud told BBC Nepali in Kathmandu recently that Nepal will seek a national consensus on Agniveer which is virtually putting it in cold storage. In other words, Agniveer is unacceptable to Nepal in its present form. Slamming Agniveer, Nepals hardy Gorkhas are now joining the Russian Army while continuing with the British Army, Singapore Police Brunei Army and French Foreign Legion. At this rate, the Chinese dream of recruiting Gorkhas may bear fruit.





Ashok K. Mehta is a radio and television commentator, and a columnist on defence and security issues. He is a former Major General of Indian Army. After joining the Indian Army in 1957, he was commissioned in the 5th Gorkha Rifles infantry regiment in the same year. He had fought in all major wars India went into, except the Sino-Indian War of 1962. And he was also on a peacekeeping mission in Zaire in the year 1962 and in the Indian Peace Keeping Force, Sri Lanka (1988-90) and it was his last assignment in the Indian Army. He is also a writer of several books and a founder-member of the Defense Planning Staff in the Ministry of Defence, India.
A growing group of donors who have supported Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' run for president are worried about the trajectory of his campaign, even after he raked in $20 million since entering the race in May.

Despite those big fundraising numbers and his entry into the race on a wave of hype, DeSantis is lagging well behind frontrunner Donald Trump in polls. The Murdoch family, led by conservative Fox Corp. and News Corp. mogul Rupert Murdoch, reportedly is souring on DeSantis. And as concerns for DeSantis mount across the board, several donors have told fundraisers about their worries, according to people familiar with the matter.

Some donors are worried the polls indicate DeSantis has to climb a potentially insurmountable hill to overtake Trump, these people said. They're also worried that Trump has a huge lead over DeSantis when it comes to Republican congressional endorsements. DeSantis represented Florida in the House before he won the governor's office.

Many of the people declined to be identified in this story in order to speak freely about private conversations.

One megadonor, Ken Griffin, "continues to assess the field," according to a spokesperson for the billionaire Citadel CEO, referring to the GOP primary lineup. Former Vice President Mike Pence, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina are among the other contenders.

"Nothing's changed" in Griffin's stance toward the election, said the spokesperson, Zia Ahmed, who also denied that the Citadel CEO is concerned about DeSantis' position in public polling.

Days after publication of this story, Ahmed provided CNBC with a statement from Griffin that notably did not mention any candidate currently running for president but gave insight into what the Citadel CEO is looking for in who he supports.

"My political participation is driven by values and policies, not poll numbers or personalities. I will continue to support candidates who relentlessly focus on policy solutions that ensure future generations can achieve the American Dream," Griffin said in a statement provided to CNBC on Saturday. "I care deeply about all children having access to a high-quality education, preserving American competitiveness, guarding personal liberties, ensuring our communities are safe and secure, fiscal prudence, and maintaining America's leadership role on the global stage. I am committed to America being the greatest democracy in the world."

Griffin had told Politico in November that he was prepared to back DeSantis if he ran for president. "He has a tremendous record as governor of Florida, and our country would be well-served by him as president," Griffin said then. Semafor reported in April that Griffin was sticking with DeSantis, but The New York Times reported that same month the billionaire was still evaluating the Republican primary race and that his spokesman declined to say what Griffin thought about the presidential race.

Griffin gave over $100 million in the 2022 midterms mainly toward Republicans running for state and federal races, including $5 million toward DeSantis' successful run for reelection in Florida.

It's unclear whether Griffin has contributed to pro-DeSantis entities such as Never Back Down, a super PAC backing DeSantis' run for president. When asked about the top individual donors to that PAC, a person fundraising for the group did not mention Griffin.

Instead, the person named former Philadelphia Eagles owner Norman Braman and VillageMD co-founder and executive Clive Fields, among others. Businessman Robert Bigelow told Time in April he had given over $20 million to Never Back Down.

The super PAC has raised $130 million since the committee launched in March. Yet more than half of that total came from a transfer of $82.5 million from a state-level political committee once controlled by DeSantis.

Braman, who has an estimated net worth of $3 billion and backed Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., when he ran for president, donated $75,000 to the DeSantis now-defunct state committee that transferred money to the Never Back Down PAC, according to campaign finance records. Braman's company, Braman Motors, contributed $100,000 to the state-based DeSantis PAC, as well, according to the records.

Braman did not return multiple requests for comment. Fields did not return a request for comment. Griffin's spokesman did not say whether the Citadel CEO contributed to the PAC.

Andrew Romeo, a spokesman for the DeSantis campaign, did not deny any element of this story.

"You could wallpaper the governor's residence with the amount of premature political obituaries written about Ron DeSantis. Challenging the establishment is never easy  and this campaign to save our nation is going to be a long, hard-fought battle to defeat Joe Biden," Romeo said. "We are building an organization that will go the distance. Ron DeSantis is putting in the work to win, and as voters across the country continue to learn about his forward-looking plans to reverse Biden's failures, he will earn the nomination."

Romeo also pointed CNBC to the campaign being endorsed by 259 state legislators.

Dave Vasquez, a spokesman for Never Back Down, touted DeSantis' fundraising success in a statement to CNBC.

"$150 million was just raised to elect Governor Ron DeSantis the next President of the United States," Vasquez said shortly after publication of this story. "That combined haul is the largest in one single quarter out of any candidate in this primary. Not only are we outpacing the competition in fundraising, we're already lightyears ahead of the field when it comes to infrastructure on the ground  that's what makes everyone going up against Governor DeSantis so nervous."
Discord has introduced parental control tools, a move that represents a continued shift by the growing social media company to involve parents on its platform amid greater scrutiny of teen social media usage and its potentially negative health consequences.

The new settings in Discord's Family Center allow parents to know which Discord communities their teens belong to, as well as the users that their teens are friending and interacting with. The settings will not, however, allow parents access to the actual content of their teens' interactions.

As recently as 2021, Discord's top executives told the Wall Street Journal that the company's user-first philosophy came before the wants of parents. But parents and public officials continue to pressure social media platforms over issues related to teen usage. A Surgeon General's report from May of this year indicated that 46% of teens ages 13-17 say that social media makes them feel worse about their body image, and that there is a relationship between social media use and depression. What's more, 64% of teens are "often" or "sometimes" exposed to hate-based content, including racism and cyberbullying.

Discord's blog post about the new parental controls attempted to strike a balance between its user-first philosophy and the fact that many social media users are teens  the Surgeon General report said up to 95% of people between ages 13 and 17 report using social media. "The Family Center is a new opt-in tool that makes it easy for teens to keep their parents and guardians informed about their Discord activity while respecting their autonomy," Discord wrote.

Family Center requires the consent of both the user and the parent. In order to set it up, the parent must scan a QR code that the teen generates. Once Family Center is set up and a teen has accepted a parent's request, the Family Center provides details about Discord activity within the last seven days, including number of users messaged or called, the number of new friends added, and how many servers the user is actively participating in. Discord described it as a highlight of activity rather than complete archive.

Snap, Instagram, TikTok all have parental controls

Parental controls like these are growing more common across social media. Last year, Snapchat launched parental controls that also sought to find a balance between providing parents more information but not encroaching too far into the online lives of their children.

"Family Center is designed to reflect the way that parents engage with their teens in the real world, where parents usually know who their teens are friends with and when they are hanging out  but don't eavesdrop on their private conversations," Snap said when it announced that feature in August 2022.

Meta said last month that it is rolling out new tools to make users verify their age as 18 on Instagram, a move that came after its 2022 introduction of a Family Center. A 2021 Wall Street Journal investigation tied teen use of Instagram to negative mental health outcomes. Later that year, Meta paused work on an Instagram for Kids. Since 2020, TikTok's Family Pairing feature has allowed parents to modulate the content that their child can view and even disable the search bar.
Signage is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Maryland, August 29, 2020.

WASHINGTON  The Food and Drug Administration will address concerns raised by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer about a caffeinated energy drink popular among teens.

An agency spokesperson said it "is reviewing the concerns" outlined in Schumer's letter to FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf about the dangers of Prime Energy, a beverage founded by YouTube stars Logan Paul and KSI.

The caffeinated form of the drink contains almost six times more caffeine than a standard 12 oz. can of Coca-Cola, according to Schumer, D-N.Y., who argues that physicians are concerned about its effects on kids' health.

Prime Energy is not intended for anyone under the age of 18, according to a company representative. But Schumer says it is marketed toward that demographic on social media. Founders Paul and KSI also attract a younger fanbase.

The drink also "complied with all FDA guidelines before hitting the market," the company representative said.

In a statement, the FDA said healthy adults can consume up to 400 mg of caffeine a day "without dangerous, negative health effects," but there is no set level for children. Prime Energy boasts 200 mg of caffeine.

Pediatricians advise against the consumption of caffeine for children under 12 "and against any use of energy drinks for all children and teens," according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

"We encourage caregivers and families to read a product's label before giving the product to their child," the FDA said. "Consumers should take care when consuming for the first time a new packaged food containing added caffeine if the amount of caffeine in the food is not declared on the label."

CNBC's Annika Kim Constantino contributed to this report.
Ray Epps, in the red Trump hat, center, gestures to others as people gather on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 2021.

Fox News was sued for defamation Wednesday by self-described Donald Trump supporter Ray Epps for "spreading falsehoods" that Epps was an undercover FBI agent who was responsible for encouraging a mob of Trump backers that invaded the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

The suit by the Arizona resident Epps was filed nearly three months after Fox News' corporate parent agreed to pay Dominion Voting Systems $787.5 million to settle that company's defamation lawsuit accusing Fox Corp. of making false claims about the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.

The suit by Epps, a former U.S. Marine, said that as Fox recently learned in the Dominion case, "its lies have consequences."

The suit accuses former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who was fired on the heels of the Dominion settlement, of being the primary promoter of the false conspiracy theory about Epps. He was among the throng of supporters of then-President Trump who gathered outside the Capitol on Jan. 6.

Epps and other Trump backers believed false claims by Trump and his allies that the 2020 presidential election had been rigged in favor of President Joe Biden. A joint session of Congress was set to confirm Biden's victory that day.

"In the aftermath of the events of January 6th, Fox News searched for a scapegoat to blame other than Donald Trump or the Republican Party," said Epps' complaint, filed in the same Delaware Superior Court where Dominion sued.

"Eventually, they turned on one of their own, telling a fantastical story in which Ray Epps  who was a Trump supporter that participated in the protests on January 6th  was an undercover FBI agent and was responsible for the mob that violently broke into the Capitol and interfered with the peaceful transition of power for the first time in this country's history," the suit said.

Epps in his complaint said Fox News' "lies have destroyed" his and his wife Robyn's lives.

The suit also said that in May, the U.S. Department of Justice notified Epps "that it would seek to charge him criminally for events on January 6, 2021 two-and-a-half years later."
FTC Chairwoman Lina Khan testifies during the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce hearing on the "FY2024 Federal Trade Commission Budget," in Rayburn Building on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.

The Federal Trade Commission could appeal a judge's decision against its attempt to block Microsoft and Activision Blizzard from closing their $68.7 billion deal as soon as Wednesday, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to CNBC.

Bloomberg first reported that the agency was leaning toward an appeal after U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley denied the FTC's request for a preliminary injunction. If it had been granted, the parties would not have been able to close their deal until the FTC's internal administrative proceeding played out later this summer, past the July 18 deal deadline.

The FTC has not reached a final decision on appealing, according to the source, who was not authorized to speak publicly on internal discussions. But the temporary restraining order that prevents Microsoft and Activision from closing will expire after 11:59 p.m. PT on Friday. The FTC declined to comment.

Even if it appeals, the agency will be racing against the clock of the deal deadline until the court acts. The parties are still dealing with opposition from the U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority, but that agency agreed on Tuesday following the ruling in the U.S. to stay the litigation in order to consider proposals to restructure the deal that may assuage its concerns.

A Microsoft spokesperson referred CNBC to an earlier statement from Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith, who said they "hope other jurisdictions will continue working towards a timely resolution. As we've demonstrated consistently throughout this process, we are committed to working creatively and collaboratively to address regulatory concerns."

 CNBC's Steve Kovach contributed to this report.

WATCH: What the blockbuster Microsoft and Sony deals mean for the future of gaming
The Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the strategic objective of a free, independent, democratic, and sovereign Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders, capable of defending itself and deterring future aggression. at the 2023 NATO Summit seen next to the Main Media Center, in Vilnius, Lithuania, in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12, 2023.

The Group of Seven wealthy nations on Wednesday revealed a long-term security framework for Ukraine, saying it will seek to implement a reform agenda to help provide Kyiv with "the good governance necessary to advance towards its Euro-Atlantic aspirations."

"We consider Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine to be a threat to international peace and security, a flagrant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and incompatible with our security interests," the G7 said in a joint declaration of support.

"We will stand with Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression, for as long as it takes."

Outlining how the G7 will support Ukraine over the long term, the joint statement said the countries will ensure "a sustainable force capable of defending Ukraine now and deterring Russian aggression in the future" by providing modern military equipment across land, air and sea, training for Ukrainian forces, and intelligence sharing.

The G7 said it would also seek to bolster Ukraine's economic stability, including through recovery efforts, "to create the conditions conducive to promoting Ukraine's economic prosperity."

The countries vowed to provide technical and financial support for Ukraine's immediate needs as a result of Russia's full-scale invasion.

The declaration said it recognized "the need for the establishment of an international mechanism for reparation of damages, loss or injury caused by Russian aggression."

In return for its support, the G7 statement said Ukraine would be committed to continuing with the implementation of reforms, including areas such as law enforcement, anti-corruption and corporate governance.

Moscow sharply criticized the G7's security pledges to Ukraine.

G7 intentions to supply security guarantees to Ukraine are "erroneous and dangerous" as they breach the safety of Russia, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday in Google-translated comments collected by Russian state news agency Tass.

Earlier in the day, bloc member London said the G7 was expected on Wednesday to agree to a "significant international framework for Ukraine's long-term security," which would "set out how allies will support Ukraine over the coming years to end the war and deter and respond to any future attack."

"Supporting their progress on the pathway to NATO membership, coupled with formal, multilateral, and bilateral agreements and the overwhelming support of NATO members will send a strong signal to President Putin and return peace to Europe," British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.
Analysts at Goldman Sachs have picked a number of global stocks it says are trading at a discount  and said two of its picks could rise more than 100% over the next 12 months. "For investors looking for attractive value, we feature stocks trading below history and the broader market, where our analysts see upside to consensus earnings," the analysts led by John Sawtell said in a July 10 research note. The analysts picked telecommunications company BT Group , giving it an estimated 130% potential upside in the next year. Goldman analyst Andrew Lee "believes investors are yet to buy into his thesis that deregulation will support higher returns in a fibre world for best positioned operators such as BT," according to the bank. Other stock picks on Goldman's list include British bank Natwest , which it says could rise as much as 111%, and Deutsche Bank , with an estimated 99% upside to its price target over 12 months. Goldman also gave Lloyds Bank potential upside of 78%, and said South African technology group Naspers could rise by 71% over 12 months. 'Upside risks' The stocks all appear on Goldman's list called "value buys with earnings upside potential." "We screen for Buy rated stocks that are trading at attractive valuations relative to their own history ... and the broader market ( SXXP ), where our analysts see upside risks to consensus 2023/24E EPS [earnings per share]," the analysts said. Italian bank Intesa Sanpaolo also makes the list, with Goldman analyst Chris Hallam liking the stock for its new digital bank Isybank, which gives the company "one of the most forward-leaning fintech strategies in European Financials." The bank gave Intesta Sanpaolo a 58% potential upside to its 12-month price target. Carmaker Porsche is another pick for its "attractive equity story, given its unique luxury pure-play positioning, highly coveted product offering and a clear focus towards [the battery electric vehicle] transition," the bank said, saying it could rise 33% over the next 12 months.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.
Urs Holzle, senior vice president of technical infrastructure at Google Inc., speaks during the company's Cloud Next '18 event in San Francisco, California, U.S., on Tuesday, July 24, 2018.

Google employee No. 8 Urs Holzle will step back from management after 24 years of leading technical teams, CNBC has learned.

Most recently leading technical infrastructure for Google Cloud and reporting directly to CEO Thomas Kurian, Holzle oversaw an organization that consisted of more than 12,000 full-time employees.

In the transition, Holzle will be classified as an "individual contributor," which means he will be working independently and no longer managing employees.

Holzle has been a pivotal figure within Google since its early days. In infrastructure, the company has claimed his team reduced the energy used by Google data centers to less than 50% of the industry average.

In an email to employees Tuesday, Holzle said he will focus on a small number of technical assignments at a time as well as advising. Part of that will include articulating technical AI processes, facilitating discussions and encouraging quicker decision making, his memo stated.

His email went on to say this is one of the most interesting and impactful years in a long time and that he's been wanting to do more technical work.

The move comes amid a shakeup within the company's cloud organization, according to an email from Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian viewed by CNBC.

Chris Vonderhaar will lead Cloud Supply Chain and Operations and will leave Amazon Web Services after 13 years at the company, where his most recent role was vice president of AWS Data Center Community. Ben Treynor Sloss, vice president of engineering at Google Cloud, will begin reporting directly to Kurian. Kurian noted a couple of other shifts.

Kurian's note said making technical decisions more quickly is more important than ever.

A Google spokesperson confirmed the moves but did not provide comment.

Google faces pressure to continue growing cloud revenue after the unit reported its first profitable quarter in April. The company also faces competition from Amazon and Microsoft in both cloud offerings and artificial intelligence.

In a separate reorganization among Google's artificial intelligence and research teams in April, Jeff Dean, who long ran Google's AI efforts, also became classified as an "individual contributor" and given a new title as "chief scientist."

The move also comes as Google calls for limiting remote work as it tries to get employees to return to physical offices. Holzle sparked internal controversy in 2021 after announcing he'd move to New Zealand while the company started asking employees to come back to the office, resulting in workers complaining the company had a double-standard for higher-ups.

In recent all-hands meetings, more company executives have made physical appearances.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on June 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. The committee held the hearing to review "The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Semi-Annual Report to Congress."

A group of lawmakers led by Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren are calling on the Biden administration to investigate how tax prep software companies may have illegally shared customer data with tech platforms Google and Meta .

In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russell George, the lawmakers laid out key findings from their own probe expanding on reporting from The Markup and The Verge, which initially revealed the data sharing. The FTC, DOJ and TIGTA declined to comment on the letter and the IRS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a story published last year, the publications jointly reported that tax prep software companies TaxSlayer, H&R Block and TaxAct had shared sensitive financial information with Meta's Facebook through a piece of code known as a pixel. The report found that Meta pixel trackers sent names, emails and income information to Meta, in violation of the platform's policies.

The report also found that TaxAct had sent similar information to Google through its analytics tool, but that information did not include names.

After the initial report, Meta and Google both told CNBC they have policies against customers or advertisers sending them sensitive or identifying information. Some statements the tax prep companies provided to the publications at the time seemed to indicate the data sharing was done accidentally.

In a Wednesday statement, a Google spokesperson said the company has "strict policies and technical features that prohibit Google Analytics customers from collecting data that could be used to identify an individual. Site owners - not Google - are in control of what information they collect and must inform their users of how it will be used. Additionally, Google has strict policies against advertising to people based on sensitive information."

"We've been clear in our policies that advertisers should not send sensitive information about people through our Business Tools," a Meta spokesperson said in a statement. "Doing so is against our policies and we educate advertisers on properly setting up Business tools to prevent this from occurring. Our system is designed to filter out potentially sensitive data it is able to detect."

H&R Block said in a statement that the company "takes protecting our clients' privacy very seriously, and we have taken steps to prevent the sharing of information via pixels."

TaxAct said in a statement it's "always complied with laws that protect our customers' privacy and, as noted in the report, we disabled the tools in question while we evaluated potential concerns. Protecting the rights and privacy of our customers is our top priority, and we are committed to engaging with stakeholders to address any concerns and to help advance public policy."

Taxslayer did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Building on the original reporting, the group of seven lawmakers opened their own probe into the extent of the data sharing. Among their findings released Wednesday, the lawmakers said that millions of taxpayers' information had been shared with Big Tech firms through the tax prep software and that both the tax prep companies and tech firms were "reckless" in how they handled sensitive information. Although the companies said information shared would have been anonymous, the lawmakers found that experts believed it wouldn't be hard to connect the data to individuals.

Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., joined Warren in the investigation and letter.

While the tax prep companies installed Meta's and Google's tools without fully understanding the privacy implications, according to the lawmakers, the two tech platforms failed to provide enough information about how they would collect and use the information gathered through their tools. Although Meta and Google both said they have filters to catch sensitive data that's inadvertently collected, they seemed to be "ineffective," the lawmakers wrote.

The probe also found that Meta tools used by TaxAct allegedly collected even more information than previously reported, including the approximate amount of federal taxes a person owed. They said that Meta confirmed it used data collected from the tax software providers "to target ads to taxpayers, including for companies other than the tax prep companies themselves, and to train Meta's own AI algorithms."

The group believes that their findings indicate the tax prep companies "may have violated taxpayer privacy laws," which could result in criminal penalties "up to $1,000 per instance and up to a year in prison," according to the letter.

After calling for the agencies to investigate and prosecute where necessary, the lawmakers noted that new policies may mitigate the issue in the future.

"We also welcome the recent IRS announcement of a free, direct file pilot next year, which will give taxpayers the option to file taxes without sharing their data with untrustworthy and incompetent tax preparation firms," they wrote.

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WATCH: Facebook battles Apple over user privacy features in iOS update
Longtime tech investor Paul Meeks said artificial intelligence pure play C3.ai could be a potential winner as the firm might be a acquisition target for megacap tech companies. "One pure play AI company, C3.ai, probably at some point successfully sells itself to one of the mega tech cap companies," Meeks said on CNBC Pro Talks Wednesday. The portfolio manager at Independent Solutions Wealth Management said his prediction stems from the CEO Tom Siebel's track record. Siebel sold his prior software company, Siebel Systems, to Oracle for nearly $6 billion in 2006. Three years later, he started C3.ai , a provider of AI solutions to businesses. "Because that company is being run by Tom Siebel, who at one time in his career worked in Oracle, left Oracle, created a company, sold it back to Oracle and became a billionaire. So he's done it before," Meeks said. AI YTD mountain C3.ao The 70-year-old Siebel has a net worth of close to $4 billion, according to Forbes . C3.ai uses AI to predict a host of issues ranging from fraud detection to helping companies optimize their operations. Over the years, it's attracted prominent customers, including the U.S. Department of Defense as well as oil and gas giants like Shell and Baker Hughes . Shares of C3.ai have rallied more than 260% this year alone.
Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Article 53 LR

Zurich, 12 July 2023  Swiss Re's Board of Directors launched a thorough succession process for a new chairperson after Sergio P. Ermotti's resignation as Chairman on 30 April 2023. An extensive identification and rigorous selection process involving several external candidates ensued. After careful consideration, the Governance and Nomination Committee under the lead of Joerg Reinhardt concluded that the current Vice Chairman, Jacques de Vaucleroy, should continue leading the Board of Directors and be proposed for election as the new Swiss Re Chairman at the next AGM in April 2024. This was fully endorsed by the members of the Board of Directors.

Joerg Reinhardt said: "I am delighted that the Board of Directors proposes Jacques de Vaucleroy, who currently acts as chair ad interim, as next Chairman of Swiss Re. From the selection process, which involved several external candidates, Jacques emerged as the Board's preferred successor. I am convinced that his in-depth knowledge, his outstanding experience in the industry and his thorough acquaintance with Swiss Re will be of great value."

Jacques de Vaucleroy said: "I feel honoured by this nomination. Swiss Re will continue to be fully determined to execute its strategy and achieve its financial targets. The company's excellent client franchise, the very strong capital position and our simplified, nimbler organisation enable us to bring the best of our firm to clients, investors, and employees."

Until the next AGM in April 2024, Jacques de Vaucleroy will continue to lead the Board of Directors in his current capacity as Vice Chairman. He will make this his "cornerstone" mandate and step down from most of his external mandates to ensure the capacity and time commitment required by the Chairman role.

To follow best governance practice, Jacques de Vaucleroy will step down as Lead Independent Director and as Chairperson and Member of the Compensation Committee. Joerg Reinhardt shall become the Lead Independent Director and Jay Ralph chair the Compensation Committee, both appointments with immediate effect. Jacques de Vaucleroy will also step down as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Swiss Re Europe S.A. and Swiss Re International SE, once a successor has been selected.

About Jacques de Vaucleroy

Jacques de Vaucleroy has over 30 years' experience in the insurance industry. He was elected to the Board of Directors of Swiss Re in 2017. He currently chairs the Compensation Committee and the Governance and Nomination Committee. He is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Swiss Re Europe S.A. and Swiss Re International SE.

Jacques de Vaucleroy was a member of the Management Committee of AXA Group from 2010 to 2016, serving as Chief Executive Officer for North, Central and Eastern Europe and Chief Executive Officer of Global Life&Savings. He also held a number of positions in boards of directors and supervisory boards of AXA companies. Before that, he spent 24 years at ING, where he held senior roles in banking, asset management and insurance. He was a member of the Executive Board of ING Group from 2006 to 2009, in charge of insurance and asset management in Europe.

Jacques de Vaucleroy is a Board member of Fidelity International Limited, Eight Roads Holdings Limited, Colt Technology Services Group plc and Everex SA. He is also Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Heraclius Topco BV. In addition, he is on the board of two non-profit organisations, namely the Simon I. Patino Foundation and TADA. Jacques de Vaucleroy is a Belgian citizen born in 1961. He graduated with a Masters degree in Law from the Universite Catholique de Louvain, Belgium, and a Masters degree in Business Law from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium.

About Swiss Re

The Swiss Re Group is one of the world's leading providers of reinsurance, insurance and other forms of insurance-based risk transfer, working to make the world more resilient. It anticipates and manages risk  from natural catastrophes to climate change, from ageing populations to cyber crime. The aim of the Swiss Re Group is to enable society to thrive and progress, creating new opportunities and solutions for its clients. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, where it was founded in 1863, the Swiss Re Group operates through a network of around 80 offices globally.

Cautionary note on forward-looking statements

The information provided and forward-looking statements made are for informational purposes only. In no event shall Swiss Re be liable for any loss or damage arising in connection with the use of this information and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements (the cautionary note on forward-looking statements are available under https://www.swissre.com/terms-of-use.html). Swiss Re undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This communication is not intended to be a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and does not constitute an offer for the sale of, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in any jurisdiction, including the United States. Any such offer will only be made by means of a prospectus or offering memorandum, and in compliance with applicable securities laws. This document does not constitute an invitation to effect any transaction in securities or make investments.
Tehran summoned Russia's ambassador on Wednesday over a Moscow-endorsed statement on three Gulf islands disputed by Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

The three isles of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb are claimed by both Tehran and the UAE, but have been held by Iran since 1971  during the time of the UAE's formation, after gaining independence from Britain.

The UAE renewed demands for the three islands, with UAE Minister of State for International Co-Operation Reem al-Hashimy telling the U.N. General Assembly in September last year that "despite the UAE's sincere calls to peacefully resolve this conflict over the past five decades, we stress here that Iran has not responded. We will never relent in voicing our claim to these islands either through direct negotiations or through the International Court of Justice, as is our legitimate right."

The UAE joins fellow economic Middle East heavyweights Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar in the Gulf Cooperation Council. Following a ministerial meeting in Moscow on Monday, Russia and the GCC released a joint statement that urged a diplomatic solution to the territorial dispute.

"The ministers affirmed their support for all peaceful efforts, including the initiative of the United Arab Emirates and its endeavours to reach a peaceful solution to the issue of the three islands, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, through bilateral negotiations or the International Court of Justice, in accordance with the rules of international law and the United Nations Charter, to resolve this issue is in accordance with international legitimacy," it said, according to the state-owned Saudi Press Agency.

Iran recognized the compulsory jurisdiction of the U.N.'s International Court of Justice late last month.

Tehran's ministry of foreign affairs rejected the statement on Tuesday.

"These islands belong to Iran forever and issuing such statements is in contradiction with the friendly relations between Iran and its neighbors," said Nasser Kanaani, spokesperson for the Iran's ministry of foreign affairs.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran emphasizes the continuation of the policy of good neighborliness and mutual respect, and considers the development and stability of the region to be the collective responsibility of the countries of the region."

Iranian officials called on Russia to correct its position on the territorial row, according to the state-owned Islamic Republic News Agency. The Russian and Iranian foreign ministries did not immediately respond to CNBC requests for comment.

Western sanctions and a dwindling pool of trade partners have brought Moscow and Tehran into a partnership of convenience since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops deploy  including in the latest overnight air strikes against Kyiv  Iranian-made Shahed drones in the conflict in Ukraine. Iran denies supplying such weapons to Russia for this purpose. The two nations also cooperate militarily in the conflict in Syria.

Moscow is not Iran's only key partner to wade into hot waters over the three Gulf islands dispute. In December, the ambassador of major Iranian oil buyer China was likewise summoned by Tehran, after Beijing signed a GCC statement that claimed "support for all peaceful efforts, including the initiative and endeavours of the United Arab Emirates to reach a peaceful solution to the issue of the three islands; Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, through bilateral negotiations in accordance with the rules of international law, and to resolve this issue in accordance with international legitimacy."
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) could be at a turning point in its years-long talc legal battles. The Club holding could either finally settle or be forced toward the path of further litigation. The uncertainty is giving us pause on our next move on the stock. There have been allegations over the years that J & J's talc-based products, including its baby powder, contained traces of asbestos and caused ovarian cancer or mesothelioma, which has led to thousands of lawsuits filed against the company. This has led J & J to create a company to silo the litigation and file for bankruptcy to settle cases. J & J has staunchly denied its now-discontinued talc products ever contained asbestos or ever caused cancer. The company has updated its formula to include cornstarch. But the fate of J & J's proposed $8.9 billion talc settlement is at a pivotal stage and may depend on the resolution of a court case in California involving Emory Hernandez, a 24-year-old dying of mesothelioma. Hernandez, who recently changed his first name from Anthony, claims asbestos in J & J's talc-based baby power caused his illness. The verdict, which is expected any day now, could determine whether the many plaintiffs suing the company elsewhere will accept or reject J & J's settlement offer. In 2021, Johnson & Johnson created a subsidiary called LTL Management to protect the company from talc litigation in North America. LTL then filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October of that year, starting a process to resolve thousands of lawsuits that alleged J & J's talc contains the carcinogenic mineral asbestos. LTL's first bankruptcy filing was dismissed by a U.S. appeals court in January. The court said there was no evidence that supported LTL's need to file for bankruptcy to get its financial affairs in order. The decision enabled talc lawsuits against J & J to resume. LTL filed for bankruptcy again in April, proposing that a settlement amount of $8.9 billion to be paid out in segments over 25 years. This proposed resolution would avoid continued litigation and remove the talc lawsuit overhang on J & J and its stock. In this second bankruptcy hearing, U.S. chief bankruptcy judge Michael Kaplan temporarily halted talc lawsuits against J & J, giving the company time to negotiate and possibly secure more support for its proposed settlement. J & J has said that more than 60,000 claimants support its latest proposition. However, there are others who object. The key to J & J winning its bankruptcy case is if claimants support the company's plan by a 75% supermajority, which is required for approval. Kaplan has allowed this one case to proceed, involving Hernandez, who has a short time to live given his diagnosis of mesothelioma, a type of cancer often associated with asbestos exposure. This is the first J & J talc trial in about two years. JNJ YTD mountain J & J year-to-date stock performance The unresolved lawsuits against J & J have, in part, weighed on the company's stock. Shares of Johnson & Johnson have been on a downward trajectory since the beginning of the year, losing about 10% so far in 2023 compared to the S & P 500's roughly 16.5% advance over the same stretch. However, if the $8.9 billion talc settlement is approved and there's no more litigation risk, a surge in J & J stock is expected to follow. Like J & J, other companies have reached settlement agreements to avoid further litigation. 3M (MMM) reached a tentative settlement of $10 billion with various U.S. cities to resolve water contamination claims. Shares were up more than 8% when news broke last month. Separately, three chemical firms  Chemours (CC), DuPont (DD) and Corteva (CTVA)  reached a $1.8 billion deal in June to resolve thousands of lawsuits over U.S. water pollution claims. Shares of those companies increased 10%, 3.5%, and 2.5% respectively, following the news. Bottom line Johnson & Johnson's talc lawsuits have been an enduring legal battle for the company and a drag on the stock. We don't know how the California case will play out. While a verdict against J & J would certainly be appealed, it could mean further drawn-out litigation against the company. If the company were to secure an acquittal, however, then we believe the plaintiffs would face more pressure to take J & J's proposed $8.9 billion settlement. During the CNBC Investing Club's Monthly Meeting on Wednesday, Jim Cramer said such an outcome could push shares into the $180s. The stock closed above $158 on Tuesday. Jim suggests waiting for the verdict in the Hernandez case. J & J has spent a lot of money to deal with the lawsuits  and if they lose the Hernandez case, more claimants may come forward. That, in turn, means more money out of J & J's pocket. J & J is an iconic company that's financially sound. It's one of the few companies in the world with a AAA credit rating. But bleeding cash could eventually have some financial impact. The company recently split off and brought public its consumer health business Kenvue. The MedTech and Pharmaceuticals units remained and make up the new J & J. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long JNJ. 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.

Traders wear Johnson & Johnson coats at the NYSE. Adam Jeffery | CNBC
US climate envoy John Kerry gestures as he speaks next to China's special climate envoy Xie Zhenhua during a session at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos on May 24, 2022.

BEIJING  John Kerry, special presidential envoy for climate, is set to visit Beijing from July 16 to 19, according to announcements from the U.S. and China.

"During meetings with [People's Republic of China] officials, Secretary Kerry aims to engage with the PRC on addressing the climate crisis, including with respect to increasing implementation and ambition and promoting a successful COP28," the U.S. State Department said in a statement.

Kerry's trip will mark the third time in a month that a high-level U.S. official has traveled to China for talks.

Although the meetings have yet to yield specific action, they mark a resumption of in-person communication that fell off due to the pandemic and geopolitical tensions.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen ended a four-day trip to Beijing on Sunday. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing in late June, months after he was originally scheduled to travel there in February.

Blinken postponed his initial plans after news of an alleged Chinese spy balloon over U.S. airspace. Beijing claims it was a weather balloon that blew off course.
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and Chairman of the House Financial Service Committee Maxine Waters (D-CA) listen as David Marcus, CEO of Facebooks Calibra, testifies on "Examining Facebook's Proposed Cryptocurrency and Its Impact on Consumers, Investors, and the American Financial System" on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., July 17, 2019.

WASHINGTON  House lawmakers clashed Wednesday over federally mandated environmental, social and governance disclosure requirements for companies rolled out amid concerns over growing climate disasters.

The Republican-held House Financial Services Committee met to consider a list of proposals that aim to strengthen public markets, among them a bill to require the U.S. Comptroller General to study the drawbacks of corporate sustainability reporting for public American companies. The measure would consider the long-term effects of the directives on social equity, the economy and environmental protection.

The GOP majority committee members decried the disclosure rules as part of a broader push to discourage ESG investing nationwide. Democrats defended them as necessary to promote responsible investing to reduce inequities and curb climate change.

Committee Chair Rep. Patrick McHenry said the Biden administration's focus on climate-related policy through the Securities and Exchange Commission will discourage private companies from going public. He panned the agency's March 2022 rule proposal to require such disclosures in registration statements and periodic reports.

"Rather than focusing on sound financial regulation, the SEC has turned its attention towards non-material, environmental, social and political issues," McHenry, R-N.C., said. "These politically motivated regulations not only discouraged private companies from going public but also hinder the competitiveness of American public companies."

Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters, meanwhile, criticized Republicans' attempts to undermine what she called the federal government's responsibility to hold public companies accountable for ESG.

"Today is the first of six hearings this month where Republicans will partner with a network of dark-money climate deniers and conspiracy theorists to wage their latest culture war against responsible investing and divert attention away from what really matters in people's lives," Waters, D-Calif., said in opening remarks. "The Republican effort to dismantle ESG is integral to their agenda to gut diversity and inclusion across the board."

The SEC's proposal, which mirrors stricter guidelines in the European Union, has met with pushback from businesses and shareholders. SEC Chair Gary Gensler said his agency is weighing changes to the plan based on 15,000 public comments.

The House and Senate passed a GOP-led bill in March to overturn a Labor Department rule permitting retirement fund managers to account for ESG-related factors when making investments on clients' behalf. President Joe Biden vetoed the measure.

The hearing Wednesday gave Republicans another shot at undercutting the Biden administration's ESG efforts.

"If ESG is capitalism, why do we need the government to interfere in the free market?" Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., asked during the hearing. "That's what ESG is, that's what the free market is doing."

Benjamin Zycher, a senior fellow at conservative think tank the American Enterprise Institute, contended that federal regulators lack the power to make the investing rules. He testified that the SEC is becoming "part of the climate crusade" under Gensler.

"I don't believe the SEC has the authority to promulgate any part of this rule," Zycher said.

Other lawmakers called the disclosures essential as extreme weather wreaks more havoc around the country. Rep. Juan Vargas, D-Calif., called the timing of the hearing amid global climate disasters "fascinating."

"Timing is everything. It really is fascinating to me that these bills are coming up right when the scientists are saying, 'This is a disaster, and human beings are causing it because of the burning of fossil fuels,'" Vargas said.

"How in the hell can that not be material?" he added. "That's what investors want to know."
Mark Cuban often sits quietly while his "Shark Tank" co-hosts are in a bidding war  and it isn't a coincidence.

The billionaire investor learned how to use silence to his advantage, he said in a recent discussion with best-selling author Chris Voss on Fireside, the interactive streaming app Cuban co-founded. Instead of being first to grill the entrepreneurs, Cuban prefers to "just be quiet and listen," he added.

It's a negotiating tactic  one that allows him to gather necessary information and gives him time to size up his competition.

"[Silence] gives you a chance to learn. There will be times when someone walks in on 'Shark Tank' and I'm thinking to myself: 'There's no way I'm interested. Or, if I am, I don't have quite all the data that I need to make a decision,'" he said. "When I listen to the other sharks, they're going to tell me if I have any competition financially to do a deal. They're going to teach me things, potentially, about that industry about the person."

Cuban mentioned his fellow shark, real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran, as someone he often learns from on the show, simply by listening.

"Barbara Corcoran, who sits next to me very often her people skills dwarf mine," he added. "She is so good at sizing up people and understanding who they are... I want to get a sense of what her perspective is. And just getting that input makes me smarter."

The Cost Plus Drugs founder might also get a kick out of others' reactions to his quietness, as he notes how they "always freak out."

"People freak out with silence," he said. "So when the entrepreneurs are there and I'm not saying anything, what happens is, they all start looking to me because they've heard from everyone else and they haven't heard from me."

"[They ask] 'Mark, you got anything for me?,'  I'm just waiting or I'm just listening. Because it gets all the other sharks wondering what I'm doing," Cuban continued. "They know I'm not afraid to pull the trigger on a deal. And it gets the entrepreneur wondering what I'm doing because he wants to know if I'm going to bid or if I'll pay more or what else I may be able to add."

Cuban's negotiation trick is actually backed by science  a few moments of silence in a negotiation can give both parties time to reflect and result in better outcomes all around, according to a 2021 study by the MIT Sloan School of Management.

However, the hack only works if you practice active listening and observing, Cuban said.

"The more you pay attention and the more aware you are, the better opportunity you have to get what you want," he said.

"Silence is powerful," he added. "Silence is money  money in the bank."

Disclosure: CNBC owns the exclusive off-network cable rights to "Shark Tank," which features Mark Cuban as a panelist.

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The Mexico nearshoring play is real, but investors should be aware of some pitfalls. Nearshoring, also called reshoring, onshoring, inshoring or backshoring , is helping drive Mexican stocks higher this year. The iShares MSCI Mexico ETF (EWW) is up more than 25%, higher than the S & P 500, which is 15% higher, and the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, ahead just 4%. EWW YTD mountain IShares MSCI Mexico ETF year-to-date. For U.S. companies, there are compelling advantages to moving operations to Mexico from Asia, including geographical proximity, as well as low labor costs. But some market participants urge caution for investors, saying there are challenges. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's seizure of a railroad run by conglomerate Grupo Mexico earlier this year made some investors wary. Several issues still need to be addressed by the Mexican government, they say. "Nearshoring is real. It is a contributor to GDP at this point, particularly in the north of Mexico, where you're seeing above-average growth relative to the rest of Mexico," said Meagan Nace , analyst on the Artisan Partners Sustainable Emerging Markets Team. Nace took a trip to the country in November. But some threats "really call into question how long this rate of growth in nearshoring can go," Nace added. Here are three issues investors need to consider. Access to power The "number one risk" threatening the nearshoring narrative is electricity, according to a June note from Morgan Stanley's Mexico equity strategist Nikolaj Lippmann. The lack of stable, reliable sources of power is an issue for American companies seeking to bring operations closer to home. "There is no nearshoring industrial revolution without electricity," according to a March note where Lippmann discusses Mexico's need to revamp its electricity infrastructure. "Mexico's industrial North and Baja California are already struggling, and the country risks facing a power deficit in 2025  if no capacity additions are done in the coming years," Lippman said. That potential deficit is leading "some companies to question the return on investment of moving the entire supply chain when there's no incentive to build renewable energy in your country, and you may not have access to the grid," Nace said. The need for 'secondary cities' Companies seeking to reshore their operations in Mexico are scouting for space in the northern part of the country, close to the border of the United States. Monterrey , the city chosen for a Tesla plant , is one such industrial hub. However, Artisan Partners' Nace said much of the region is completely built out, unlike southern Mexico, which is usually a destination for tourists. That makes it difficult for companies to establish a base of operations. "There is no room for any other buildings unless you start looking for these secondary cities," Nace said. She added that she has heard anecdotally that finding labor is also an issue in northern Mexico, as workers are wary of living in the region. "You think it's this booming area, and it is, and it's filled to capacity  no one really wants to live there," she said. Water scarcity Access to water is also an issue for companies in Mexico. In fact, President Lopez Obrador previously barred facilities in the Nuevo Leon area, home to Monterrey, because of water shortages. He said Tesla offered to use recycled water at its plant. Companies have committed "that all the water used in the manufacture of electric automobiles will be recycled water," Lopez Obrador said. Automakers are not the only water-intensive industries. Semiconductor manufacturers, which are also seeking to reshore operations, also require vast amounts of water. "This is an area that really Mexico has not dealt with," Nace said. Nace, while acknowledging the stock market in Mexico remains shallow "and quite narrow," has found less obvious stock picks for investors. Industrial real estate firm Vesta Mexico , which recently debuted on the New York Stock Exchange, is a beneficiary of the nearshoring trend, has multinational operations and superior corporate governance, she said. Another pick is auto insurance company Qualitas Controladora SAB de CV, which Nace called a less well-known opportunity. According to Nace, the firm is the largest auto insurance company in Mexico, "similar to a Progressive in the United States. Significantly, it offers a cross-border trucking program and is poised to gain market share. "Many times, the U.S. companies are uncomfortable insuring their fleet within Mexico, but the reality is, the Mexican truck drivers would rather call Mexican companies," she said, "so, there is a benefit to having a Mexican company as your insurer in cross-border traffic."
North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un before a meeting with US President Donald Trump on the south side of the Military Demarcation Line that divides North and South Korea, in the Joint Security Area of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone on June 30, 2019. Brendan Smialowski | AFP | Getty Images

North Korea launched a long-range ballistic missile toward its eastern waters Wednesday, its neighbors said, two days after the North threatened "shocking" consequences to protest what it called a provocative U.S. reconnaissance activity near its territory. South Korea's military detected the long-range missile launch from the North's capital region around 10 a.m., the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. It said South Korea's military bolstered its surveillance posture and maintained readiness in close coordination with the United States. Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters that the North Korean missile was likely launched on a lofted trajectory, at a steep angle that North Korea typically uses to avoid neighboring countries when it tests long-range missiles.

Passengers wait for their train in front of a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing a ballistic missile off its east coast, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, July 12, 2023. Kim Hong-ji | Reuters

Hamada said the missile was expected to land at sea about 550 kilometers (340 miles) east of the coast of the Korean Peninsula outside of the Japanese exclusive economic zone. North Korea's long-range missile program targets the mainland U.S. Since 2017, North Korea has performed a slew of intercontinental ballistic missile launches as part of its efforts to acquire nuclear-tipped weapons capable of striking major U.S. cities. Some experts say North Korea still has some technologies to master to possess functioning nuclear-armed ICBMs. Before Wednesday's launch, the North's most recent long-range missile test happened in April, when it launched a solid-fuel ICBM, a type of weapon that experts say is harder to detect and intercept than liquid-fuel weapons.

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NATO officials and leaders from its partner states continue their summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, focusing on Russia's war in Ukraine and the path forward for aspiring members.

G7 states signed a declaration outlining long-term security guarantees for Ukraine aimed at to deterring future Russian aggression, a day after Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed frustration at NATO for its lack of a timeline giving specific details for his country's desired NATO membership.

The Kremlin warned in a statement that Western security assurances for Ukraine were a "dangerous mistake" that would threaten Russia's national security and make Europe less safe.
Move Forward Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat addresses supporters ahead of the July 13 parliamentary vote to elect Thailand's next prime minister, in front of Central World in Bangkok on July 9, 2023. Tananchai Keawsowattana / Thai N | Afp | Getty Images

Thailand's Parliament will vote for a new prime minister on Thursday, and the country's young and urban are about to find out whether their backing of a progressive opposition party at May's elections will translate into genuine power. Not too long ago, they were basking in the euphoria of the party's stunning victory, priming themselves for democratic change and reform. Two months on, they are instead confronted with the sight of 79-year-old Wan Muhamad Noor Matha  very much considered a member of the old guard  as the "new" speaker of Thailand's House of Representatives. The young voters had propelled the Move Forward Party  led by the Harvard-educated, 42-year-old Pita Limjaroenrat  to an unprecedented majority of the seats in Parliament after nine years of military rule, but this was too slim for the party to push forward its own candidates, forcing it into a coalition with seven other parties. Move Forward had campaigned on an ambitious structural reform agenda targeting the country's monarchy, monopolies and military. These aims essentially extended the goals of student protests more than two years ago that were triggered by the dissolution of a political party  Move Forward's predecessor entity  which was highly critical of outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the former military general who seized power in a 2014 coup and made changes to the Thai Constitution in 2017. Its slim majority has made its agenda vulnerable to the machinations of the institutions it is seeking to reform, along with the interlocking patronage networks that remain despite the ouster of several influential business families in this election. The installation of Wan Noor as a compromise candidate after second-placed party Pheu Thai had objected to Move Forward's choice, was just the beginning. "The choice of Mr Wan Muhamad Noor Matha as house speaker indicates that the Pheu Thai Party has significant leverage over the Move Forward Party," said Syetarn Hansakul, a senior analyst with the Economist Intelligence Unit. "It puts the Pheu Thai Party in an advantageous position if Mr Pita fails to get sufficient votes from the senators to back him as prime minister."

Barriers to power

In fact, it's not even clear if Limjaroenrat will even get to lead the new Thai government when the bicameral National Assembly comes together to begin the vote for prime minister on Thursday  which could be the first of many. Limjaroenrat needs 376 votes to become prime minister. He has 312 from his eight-party coalition from the 500-seat lower house, so this means he would still require the support of about 64 more votes from the 250-member Senate  a body appointed by the royalist military in the aftermath of the 2014 coup.

Pictured in this May 18 photograph are (from left) Sudarat Keyuraphan, leader of the Thai Sang Thai Party; Pita Limjaroenrat, prime minister candidate and leader of the Move Forward Party; and Cholnan Srikaew, leader of Pheu Thai Party. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images

That's by no means a guarantee since one of Move Forward's stated aims is to amend Thailand's lese-majeste law, which criminalizes criticism of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and other members of the royal family. "It's not our job to listen to the people," Thai Senator Prapanth Koonmee reportedly said in June. "Even if you got 100 million votes, I still wouldn't pick you if I don't like you or find you suitable." In fact, Nomura assigned a 60% likelihood that Pheu Thai  instead of Move Forward  will lead the coalition government after the endorsement of Wan Noor as house speaker last week. "Neither is a preferred choice by the Thai establishment," said EIU's Hansakul. "However, between the two, Pheu Thai presents less of a threat to the status quo to the Thai establishment" since it does not proclaim an agenda to reform the monarchy and the military in Thailand, she said. Limjaroenrat could also be disqualified because of a complaint against his shareholding in a media firm, which is illegal under Thai law. Still, a government led by Limjaroenrat's Move Forward may spell trouble for monopolies in the alcoholic beverage and the energy sectors since the party aims to level the playing field, according to EIU's Hansakul. The business community has also balked at a plan to raise the minimum wage significantly.

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Even if Limjaroenrat manages to clinch the prime minister role, a Move Forward-led government will face significant obstacles because the Senate retains substantial veto power and Pheu Thai holds a significant share of seats in the coalition. "As a result, Move Forward may not be able to secure its preferred ministerial portfolios, as demonstrated by its failure to have its choice of House Speaker appointed," said Napon Jatusripitak, a visiting fellow at ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

Generational change

Limjaroenrat hasn't quite given up. At a Sunday rally in central Bangkok, he addressed hundreds of supporters and reminded the Senators "we're all the people's politicians." There may be fresh protests if Limjaroenrat and Move Forward are prevented from leading the new government. Move Forward's unexpected victory in May was heralded as "a profound, earth-shaking result for Thai politics over the last two decades" as the Thai people spoke up for change and reform, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, professor of politics and international relations at Chulalongkorn University, told CNBC after the elections in May. Its victory was seen as a break from the populist appeal of Thaksin Shinawatra, the tycoon and former prime minister who went into self-imposed exile in 2008 to avoid a jail sentence for abuse of power following a military coup that had overthrown his government two years earlier. He has continued to influence Thai politics from a distance  Pheu Thai is the latest iteration of his party vehicle after several before were disbanded by the courts  but Move Forward's emergence at this election points to his waning influence among the young who are not familiar with his biography.

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In fact, new speaker Wan Noor could be considered be part of this old guard  he's a veteran of at least nine political parties, including Pheu Thai's predecessor entity Thai Rak Thai, and a former house speaker in the late 1990s under three different prime ministers. He was most recently associated with the Prachachat Party. "This new generation wants a structural change that Thaksin cannot offer. He's always trying to reconcile with the old money, he's still courting the king for the right to return," said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, an associate professor in politics at Kyoto University's Center for Southeast Asian Studies. "The issue of the monarchy is at the center of the struggle in Thai politics today," he added. About 250 of the 1,914 prosecutions linked to the 2020 protests were under the lese-majeste law, according to the group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights  with many minors among these cases. While the objections of the royalist military establishment and the old guard may derail Move Forward's ambitions, Limjaroenrat's party can still count on the mandate of 14 million Thai voters. "If pro-democracy social movements do not lose momentum, it is likely that support for the party will persist, even if the courts disqualify the party or its leader," said ISEAS Yusof Ishak's Jatusripitak. There is also an argument that Move Forward might be more effective in opposition for now. "In Thailand, political parties are ephemeral, as they tend to lack enduring organizational roots at the local level and are prone to dissolution at the hand of the courts," said ISEAS Yusof Ishak's Jatusripitak. "From this standpoint, the transformation of the Move Forward into a movement-based political party following the pro-democracy movements in 2020-2021 is a strategic adaptation that should keep support for the party alive for the time being," he added.
U.S. National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby speaks during the daily briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., June 5, 2023.

Chinese intelligence hacked into Microsoft email accounts belonging to two dozen government agencies, including the State Department, in the U.S. and Western Europe in a "significant" breach, according to Microsoft and U.S. national security officials.

"The Senate Intelligence Committee is closely monitoring what appears to be a significant cybersecurity breach by Chinese intelligence," Sen. Mark Warner, D-VA, and chair of the Select Committee on Intelligence said Wednesday. "It's clear that the PRC is steadily improving its cyber collection capabilities directed against the U.S. and our allies. Close coordination between the U.S. government and the private sector will be critical to countering this threat."

A spokesperson for Warner confirmed that he had been briefed on the incident. The State Department also confirmed that it had been affected Wednesday.

"The Department of State detected anomalous activity, took immediate steps to secure our systems and will continue to closely monitor and quickly respond to any further activity," a spokesperson told CNBC.

The hackers accessed Microsoft-powered email accounts at the agencies as part of a continued effort by China-based actors to spy on and steal sensitive government and corporate data. The hacking group, code-named Storm-0558 by Microsoft, also compromised personal accounts "associated" with the agencies, likely employees of the agencies.

The compromise was "mitigated" by Microsoft cybersecurity teams after it was first reported to the company in mid-June 2023, Microsoft said in a pair of blog posts about the incidents. The hackers had been inside government systems since at least May, the company said.

"This was a very advanced technique used by the threat actor against a limited number of high value targets. Each time the technique was used, it increased the chances of the threat actor getting caught," said Google Cloud's Mandiant senior vice president and chief technical officer Charles Carmakal. "Kudos to Microsoft for leaning in, figuring this out, remediating, collaborating with partners and being transparent."

U.S. government officials identified the potential intrusion to Microsoft. The National Security Council didn't identify which agencies had been affected, although a bulletin from the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said the first report was made by a single executive branch agency.

"Last month, U.S. government safeguards identified an intrusion in Microsoft's cloud security, which affected unclassified systems. Officials immediately contacted Microsoft to find the source and vulnerability in their cloud service," National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said in a statement to The Wall Street Journal. "We continue to hold the procurement providers of the U.S. government to a high security threshold."

Microsoft is a major government contractor, and its Exchange software is used almost ubiquitously by public- and private-sector clients. The company has invested significantly in cybersecurity research and threat containment, given how commonplace its software is and how high-profile its many clients are.

Top law firm Covington & Burling, for example, was compromised by Chinese hackers using an exploit of Microsoft server software in 2020.

The latest compromise comes months after Microsoft and top government officials acknowledged another Chinese state-backed group was behind espionage efforts that targeted "critical" U.S. civilian and military infrastructure, including a naval base in Guam.

It's also a timely example of the kind of threat U.S. national security officials have been warning about for months and years. Jen Easterly, the top U.S. cybersecurity official, has called China an "epoch-defining" threat.
Israel fears that combat operations in the West Bank since 2021 may be the start of a new Palestinian offensive or intifada. This would be the third one. The first lasted from 1987 to 1993 while the second one was from 2000 to 2005.

Israel defeated the 2000 Intifada terror campaign by 2005. But as long as Palestinians had free access to Israel, Palestinian government (Fatah) urged and encouraged Palestinians to attempt attacks inside Israel. The Israelis responded with tighter border controls and that kept the terrorist threat low in Israel. Fatah insisted they had a right to keep trying to kill Israelis and for over a decade Arab and Western nations kept providing aid to the West Bank and Gaza despite the fact that more and more of it was used to support and encourage more terrorism against Israel. Gradually more donor states, Moslem and non-Moslem, admitted the Fatah misuse of aid money and cut their aid, often to nothing. It was not just the Fatah support of terrorism but the growing Fatah corruption which meant a lot of the aid was stolen to enrich Fatah leaders. Palestinians also opposed the Fatah policy and Fatah was forced to tolerate more and more Palestinians renouncing terror to pass the background check and work in Israel. West Bank Palestinian jobs in Israel have become a crucial part of the West Bank economy even more so than they were back in 2000.

The post-2000 ban on Palestinian workers was unpopular with many Israeli employers, but the threat was so great that Israeli employers had to pay more to import and hire non-Moslem foreigners for as long as there was a threat that Palestinian workers were likely to try and kill Israelis. Both Israel and the former or potential Palestinian workers knew that a growing number of those Palestinian workers could be trusted to work in Israel. Those who violated that trust faced prison or worse if they played any part in an attack. Anyone associated with these untrustworthy Palestinians had a more difficult time getting permits to work in Israel. The growth of these trustworthy Palestinian workers was something neither Israel nor Fatah wanted to publicize lest the Islamic radicals declare war on Palestinians working or seeking to work in Israel. This might trigger a civil war in the West Bank, something Fatah did not want but the radicals were divided about.

Hamas does not care about any form of collateral damage from forcing Palestinians working in Israel to cooperate with terrorists. Most Palestinians recognize that Hamas is hard-core about attacking Israel, which is why Hamas has had a hard time gaining political traction in the West Bank. Palestinians know that Hamas policies produce more poverty and casualties for Palestinians. The only thing that got Hamas control of Gaza during the last Palestinian elections in 2007 was the belief that Hamas would be less corrupt than Fatah. That was true in 2007 but became less so ever since. Hamas forbids working in Israel and punishes anyone who protests about Hamas corruption.

West Bank violence between Palestinians and Israelis living in the many Jewish settlements has been on the increase for over a decade. The upsurge in violence is the result of the Palestinian leadership calling for another intifada (uprising) in 2013. This was a side-effect of the rebellion in Syria and the Arab Spring in general. While some Palestinian leaders call for another uprising (intifada), most Palestinians, especially the older ones (over 30), fear the economic consequences of that and warn the pro-intifada radicals that there is not a lot of popular support for another round of violence. Israel has shown they know how to handle this at little cost to themselves and great cost to the Palestinians.

All this is complicated by persistent American efforts to achieve a negotiated peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The Palestinian peace talks never made much progress. The talks were held at the insistence of the U.S., which threatened to cut aid if the talks did not happen. American leaders are aware of Palestinian attitudes on peace with Israel but the U.S. still assumes that a peace deal is possible. For years Palestinian leaders have agreed with that when speaking to Western leaders and reporters but they then turn around and tell their followers that, of course, Israel must be destroyed and that there is no other solution. For most Western leaders the disunity, corruption and general chaos within the Palestinian community is seen as a larger problem than a peace deal. That may be true, but without a positive attitude towards a peace deal, there wont be any peace. Despite all this, for over a decade many Palestinians have been talking about a Third Intifada as if more civil disorder will change anything. Peace is not on the agenda. Most Israelis and Americans agree. Even without a new intifada, casual violence in the West Bank kept increasing. This usually takes the form of young men throwing stones at Israeli soldiers or civilians. Israeli women and children are the preferred targets because they are the least likely to shoot back if the rocks begin to inflict injuries. Palestinian propaganda praises those who kill children just as much as those who killed soldiers or police. All are heroes of the Palestinian struggle to destroy Israel. This is becoming embarrassing for some Western nations when it was pointed out that their aid money was being used directly for some of this propaganda.

The recent West Bank violence in Jenin was the result of Israeli security forces shutting down a major Palestinian effort to recruit, train and arm hundreds of Palestinians to carry out attacks against Israelis living in the West Bank as well as in Jerusalem and Israel in general. The Palestinian terrorism operation was real as Israeli troops encountered armed resistance as they approached the location where weapons and munitions were stored, and newly recruited Palestinians were trained and armed. After a brief battle the Jenin operation was shut down. Twelve armed Palestinians were killed and about 150 suspects were arrested. Weapons and munitions were disposed of and the Israeli troops withdrew, having lost one Israeli soldier killed. This sort of thing had not been seen in the West Bank since 2002. The current growth of terrorist activity in the West Bank can be attributed to Gaza-based and Iran-supported terror group Hamas. There have been increasing Hamas efforts to establish operations in the West Bank. Most West Bank Palestinians want no part of this because similar activity in Gaza has brought nothing but poverty and trouble to the Palestinians living there.

The disruptive impact of small groups of radicals is a long tradition in the Middle East, especially after Islam was introduced over a thousand years ago. Islam is the only major religion whose scripture mandates continuous violence against infidels (non-believers). The Islamic scriptures make it clear that the mere existence of infidels is a threat to Islam and must be attacked, no matter what the cost. Most Moslems ignore this aspect of their religion, at the risk of being declared a heretic if conservative Moslems near them decide to get violent and go jihad (war on) against any Infidels within reach. Many Moslems, including Gulf oil state Arab governments are openly seeking a way to reform Islam and eliminate this flaw which has been crippling Islam and killing Moslems for over a thousand years. This is a serious effort and one reason for making peace with Israel. The Islamic militants in Gaza and the West Bank oppose efforts to give peace a chance.

July 7, 2023: In the West Bank (Nablus) two Palestinian men suspected of involvement in earlier shootings, were killed during a gun battle with soldiers. Two more were wounded and three others arrested.

July 6, 2023: In the West Bank an Israeli resident of a settlement was shot and killed by a Palestinian gunman. The shooter drove away and was later stopped at a checkpoint for a routine check. The shooter opened fire on the soldiers and ran off on foot. He was pursued by soldiers who caught up with him and during a brief gun battle the Palestinian gunman was killed. All this occurred a few hours after the last Israeli soldiers had left Jenin.

In the north, on the Lebanese border, an unidentified group in Lebanon launched two rockets towards Israel. One landed inside Lebanon and the other near a village located on the Lebanon/Syria border. Israel believed the rockets were meant to hit Israel and fired some artillery shells at the location where the rockets were launched. Recently rockets fired at Israel from Lebanon and Gaza have been very inaccurate.

July 5, 2023: Israeli troops withdrew from the West Bank town of Jenin after two days of efforts to dismantle a large Hamas operation that was accumulating weapons, explosives and Palestinians, especially residents of Jenin, willing to carry out attacks against Israel or Israelis in the West bank. Technically Jenin is a refugee camp but in reality it is a West Bank community with a history of supporting violence against Israelis. The counterterrorism operation in Jenin was planned and carried out by the Mossad (Israeli intelligence) and the army. As expected the Palestinian terrorists refused to surrender once surrounded and that led to a gun battle that left 12 Palestinian fighters and one Israeli soldier dead. Another armed Palestinian was wounded and captured. The Israelis warned Jenin residents that an attack was about to take place and to keep everyone inside. Most Jenin residents do not support the Palestinian militants and terrorists, but to speak of that openly risks being attacked as pro-Israeli. The day after the operation, the families of those killed refused to allow local Palestinian leaders to attend the funerals. These leaders from Fatah and Palestinian National Authority are known more for their corruption than maintaining order in Jenin or elsewhere in the West Bank. As the Israelis left some Jenin residents came out and protested the Hamas operations in Jenin. Jenin residents see Hamas as reckless outsiders who dont care what harm comes to Jenin residents because of Hamas preparations to attack Israelis.

Up north on the Syrian border, there has been three days of violence in Syria's Daraa province. This was largely internal disputes and not directed towards Israel. This often occurs near the Israeli border, where there has been a lot of random violence for the last decade. Daraa is the most violent province but similar violence continues in many parts of Syria.

July 4, 2023: Israel carried out airstrikes against two Hamas targets in Gaza. This was in response to Hamas firing five rockets at Israel a few hours earlier. Iron Dome intercepted all five rockets.

In the West Bank a Palestinian man drove his car onto a sidewalk and bike lane and injured nine people, including a pregnant woman who lost her unborn child. The Palestinian driver then got out of his vehicle and armed with a knife went after more Israeli civilians. One of the Israelis armed and shot the Palestinian attacker dead.

July 3, 2023: In the coastal city of Bnei Brak a 16 year Palestinian boy stabbed an Israeli man, but was only wounded. The Palestinian ran away but police caught up with and arrested him. The Palestinian boy said he was from a town near Jenin. Israeli police went there and questioned family members and later arrested the boys father and 31 year-old brother.

July 2, 2023: In central Syria (Homs) an Israeli airstrike against Iranian targets in Syria, One Iranian was killed and four others wounded. These men were near the warehouses that the Israelis concentrated on. The warehouses contained something explosive because as the warehouses caught fire and burned, items inside continued to explode for hours. Syrian air defense units from Homs to the Israeli borders opened fire on the incoming Israeli missiles. Israel uses high-speed air-to-surface launched from Israeli aircraft across the border in Israel, Lebanon or Jordan. One of those Syrian anti-aircraft missiles missed a target and crossed the Israeli border and exploded in the air. This caused no damage or casualties on the ground. Israeli air defense units located where the S-200 missile that crossed the border came from and attacked the launch site.

This is the 19th Israeli airstrike this year against Iranian targets in Syria.

In the West Bank Hamas launched two rockets from Jenin towards Israel. Both rockets were defective and hit the ground less than a hundred meters from the launch site. This was the first such rocket attack from the West Bank in 18 years.

July 1, 2023: An Israeli airstrike in central Syria (Homs) killed Hussein Suhani, an Iranian IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps) general.

In Gaza, Hamas led its first public display of its weapons and photography was allowed. The Hamas Islamic terrorists present were masked. June 29, 2023: Israeli media release reports of Israeli and Iranian operations in the Island of Cyprus. Israel believed Iranian operatives were planning to kill an Israeli businessman in Cyprus. Israel found out about this operation because of a recent Mossad operation inside Iran that found, seized and got a planner of the Cyprus attack out of Iran.

June 24, 2023: In the West Bank a Palestinian gunman opened fire on an Israeli checkpoint. Soldiers fired back and killed the Palestinian man. Elsewhere in the West Bank fifty Israeli settlers armed with rifles and fire bombs attacked the Palestinian village of Umm Safaset fire to five Palestinian homes. Some Palestinians were shot at and an ambulance medic was wounded. Another two Palestinian medics were injured when the Israelis threw a large rock through a window of their vehicle. Israeli soldiers arrived and dispersed the settlers. The government plans to station more soldiers in the area to prevent more similar settler violence. So far this year 137 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli gunfire in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. At the same time 24 Israelis have been killed, twelve of them civilians.

June 15, 2023: Israeli airstrikes against targets near Damascus resulted in the destruction of many imported Iranian weapons and munitions as well wounding several Iran-backed Syrian militiamen. This was the 18th Israeli operation inside Syria so far this year. Fourteen have been airstrikes while four were carried out by Israeli troops crossing into Syria. Most of this activity has to do with the increased presence of Iran-backed militants near the Israeli border. Iran has long been obsessed with carrying out attacks inside Israel.

June 12, 2023: Syrians blame outsiders for the length and severity of the 12- year-long civil war. Iran and Russia came to the aid of the Syrian government while Israel continued to attack Iranian forces in Syria, and Turkish forces crossed the border to deal with Islamic terrorists threatening Turkey and Syrian Kurds control most of the northern border with Turkey. In the northwest there is Idlib province, which remains under the control of Islamic terrorists who dont belong to ISIL. For years the Assads made deals with Islamic terror groups that controlled areas throughout Syria for them to move to Idlib rather than fight to the death with the Assad troops. The Assads did this to maintain morale among their own troops, who had been fighting for years and were liable to desert rather than face a death-match with Islamic terrorists. For the last few years there has been fighting in Idlib involving the Islamic terrorists attacked by Assad, Turkish and Kurdish forces, with air support from Russia and Turkey. The fighting is slow, methodical and relentless in killing Islamic terrorists and shrinking the terrorist controlled area. Although there are fewer than a thousand American military personnel in Syria, they are constantly attacked by Iran-backed militias and harassed by Russian warplanes. The Iranian violence has been going on for a long time but the harassment of American aircraft by Russian fighters is recent. Both countries long had an agreement to avoid such interference by each others aircraft. Both nations were using their warplanes mainly to seek out and attack ISIL forces. Apparently in response to Western economic sanctions on Russia because of the Ukraine War, the Russian fighters are now engaging in dangerous maneuvers around American aircraft.

June 7, 2023: Iran openly opposes any peace with the West because of Western insistence that Iran first cease its support for violence in Iraq and Syria as well its nuclear-weapons program. Iranian forces in Iraq seek to dominate the Iraqi government and its forces in Syria continue to try to establish bases for attacking Israel, while Iran officially insists it has no nuclear weapons program despite growing evidence that the nuclear weapons efforts continue. Iran is open about its plans to eventually destroy Israel with ballistic missiles carrying powerful warheads. Israel says it will carry out airstrikes against Iranian nuclear weapons facilities if it appears Iran is close to having such weapons. There is ample evidence that the nuclear program exists and much of the work is done at the Natanz underground facility 225 kilometers south of Tehran. Israel has successfully attacked Natanz several times in the last few years. Iran responds by repairing the damage and expanding the nuclear facilities deeper underground. In early 2021 there was an explosion at the Natanz nuclear fuel enrichment facility. The government first denied this but later admitted the attack took place and did major damage to their new high-performance nuclear enrichment (turning uranium into weapons grade material) equipment. There was massive equipment failure and damage on a scale similar to the 2010 attack carried out with software designed to get into the Natanz nuclear fuel enrichment compound, which was well guarded. Later analysis indicated that the deep-underground (about 50 meters, or 155 feet) plant was effectively destroyed. The target was the thousands of centrifuges that turn uranium ore into nuclear fuel or, with more effort, nuclear material suitable for a nuclear explosive. Israeli hackers got to the centrifuges in 2010 via a computer worm hack called Stuxnet.

In 2021 the Israelis obtained technical details of the Natanz electrical system as well as details of the new generation of centrifuges Iran installed there. The Israeli plan was to use explosives placed and detonated where it would shut down the primary and back-up power systems when the maximum number of new centrifuges were powered up and vulnerable to severe damage if both the main power and backup power systems failed. The explosives were placed correctly and went off on time. The result was Natanz again suffered major centrifuge loss that delayed resumption of production and over a year to completely repair. Now the Americans have developed a 14 ton MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator) bomb designed to destroy or disable such underground facilities. MOP has a guidance system so that it lands where it will do the most damage, MOP also has a void sensor that will detonate the bomb when it enters an underground facility after smashing through earth and concrete. For this reason, Iran has expanded the Natanz facility deeper underground. That does not prevent Natanz from being attacked by several MOPs that destroy the four access tunnels needed to enable personnel and material to get in and out of the underground facility. Iranian support for Russia in Ukraine, especially supplying Russia with weapons, has made it easier for Israel to justify attacks on Iran, including air strikes.

June 3, 2023: The continuing Israeli airstrikes in Syria are apparently concentrating on Iranian Unit 18340, which maintains several workshops for producing guided rockets using components smuggled in from Iran. Israeli airstrikes often destroy Iranian convoys bringing in these components. Because of this many of the components are flown in on cargo transports. Some of these have been damaged on the ground when Israel attacks Syrian air bases.

June 2, 2023: During 2022 Israel did not make any additions to its nuclear weapons inventory of 90 warheads. In contrast, China increased its nuclear warhead inventory by 15 percent. At 410 warheads, China now has the third largest nuclear arsenal in the world, behind Russias 4,489 warheads (including 12 added in 2022) and America's 3,708. The remaining nuclear powers have smaller warhead inventories. France has 290, Britain 225, Pakistan 170 (five added in 2022), India 164 (four added in 2022) Israel 90 and North Korea 30 (five added in 2022).

May 31, 2023: Israeli media reported that recent Israeli airstrikes on targets near Damascus hit the Hezbollah Golan Unit. This unit organizes, arms and trains Hezbollah for attacks on Israel. This has not resulted in any successful Hezbollah attacks on Israel but has Hezbollah personnel seeking to carry out such attacks. The main obstacle is Israeli surveillance along their Syrian border, which detects attempted attack efforts and disrupts them with artillery and air strikes. Hezbollah is also using some men trained by the Golan Unit to attack American forces in Syria. The Americans, like their Israeli counterparts, are trained and equipped to defend themselves.
Viasat 's stock plummeted in trading on Thursday after the company disclosed its most recently launched communications satellite suffered a malfunction.

The Carlsbad, California-based company on Wednesday said an "unexpected event occurred" while deploying the reflector of its Viasat-3 Americas satellite "that may materially impact" performance. The satellite launched successfully in April on SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket.

"We're disappointed by the recent developments," Viasat CEO Mark Dankberg said in a statement.

Shares of Viasat fell 28.5% on Thursday to close at $30.74 a share, its biggest one-day loss since going public in December 1996.

Viasat did not disclose the identity of the reflector's manufacturer in its release. Dankberg said his company is "working closely" with the manufacturer to resolve the problem. A Viasat spokesperson confirmed to CNBC that the manufacturer is a top aerospace and defense company  but noted that it is not Boeing , which built the 702MP+ bus that is the spacecraft's structure and power.

The design of the reflector on the Viasat-3 Americas satellite appear to match the "AstroMesh" line of reflectors that Northrop Grumman advertises. Additionally, Viasat has said the "long boom arm" that supports the reflector is a "direct derivative" of the telescoping booms that Northrop Grumman built for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.

Viasat has previously thanked both Boeing and Northrop Grumman as part of its combined team behind the Viasat-3 Americas satellite.

Northrop Grumman did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.
Vietnamese employees working inside the French IT company Linkbynet in Ho Chi Minh City. A decade ago app technology would likely have been developed in California's Silicon Valley, but today those apps are being churned out by Vietnam's startup sector, an industry driven by local techies trained overseas but returning home to prowl for opportunities.

Vietnam's tech startups are reaping the benefits as the country sets its sights on becoming a fully digital society by 2030.

In 2020, the government announced its national strategy on digital transformation, which aims to increase the digital economy's share of gross domestic product from 14% currently to 20% by 2025.

The Southeast Asian nation hopes to become a high-income economy by 2045 by focusing on its digital economy.

According to the World Bank, "If digital sectors expand by about 10 percent every year, the cumulated monetary gains for the economy will exceed US$200 billion over 2021-45, or about the size of the country's current GDP."

That's why officials are rolling out the red carpet for tech entrepreneurs.

In 2021, new startup support centers Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City were announced. One year later, a roadmap for boosting innovation in science was revealed, with promises to spend 1% of GDP on scientific research.

Last year, the country pledged to introduce business innovation surveys to monitor the development of startups.

Vietnam's start-ups attracted a lot of investor interest in 2022, according to a recent report by venture fund Do Ventures and the National Innovation Center, a government unit under the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

It ranked third in terms of deal count in Southeast Asia, and fourth in deal value last year, the report said. Notably, domestic funds were the top investors in local startups last year, accounting for 45% of total deal value.

However, the total value of investment in Vietnamese startups was only $634 million in 2022  down 56% year-on-year from the record high of $1.4 billion in 2021, the report noted.

Fintech, retail, health care and payments were the most in-demand sectors for funding, it said.

The country's current tech unicorns include electronic payment solutions provider VNPay, gaming startup-turned-conglomerate VNG, smartphone e-wallet Momo and blockchain player Sky Mavis, the maker of NFT-based game Axie Infinity.

Other names making waves include M Village, which offers co-living housing for young professionals, and TopCV, which focuses on resume creation tools to job-seekers.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the Broadband Event at the White House in Washington, D.C., June 26, 2023.

The U.S. doesn't need to make a "false choice" between artificial intelligence innovation and safety, Vice President Kamala Harris said ahead of a meeting Wednesday at the White House with civil society leaders in the space.

"It is a false choice to suggest that we either can advance innovation, or we protect consumers," Harris said. "We can do both."

Harris said rejecting that "false choice" would be a "guiding principle" for the administration.

"We should not dampen or in any way slow down innovation that can improve the condition of people's lives," Harris said. "And we must also ensure that in that process, we are not trampling on people's rights."

The meeting Wednesday includes groups that advocate on behalf of specific populations or on digital rights issues. The White House confirmed the following list of participants:

Alexandra Reeve Givens, CEO, Center for Democracy and Technology

Harlan Yu, Executive Director, Upturn

Janet Murguia, President and CEO, UnidosUS

Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO, AARP

Lisa Rice, President and CEO, National Fair Housing Alliance

Liz Shuler, President, AFL-CIO

Mary Anne Franks, President, Cyber Civil Rights Initiative

Maya Wiley, President and CEO, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Sneha Revanur, Founder and President, Encode Justice

Susan Henderson, Executive Director, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund

It follows a similar discussion Harris hosted with CEOs of major tech companies working on AI, including Microsoft , Google and OpenAI. AI experts have encouraged the government to listen to a diverse range of voices on the technology so as not to be overly swayed by industry priorities.

It comes as Congress is weighing its role in creating safeguards around AI. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is working on a legislative framework to address AI-related issues, though a timeline for its release is not yet clear.

Harris said the group would discuss transparency in AI, so the public can understand what is going into these systems and how they make decisions. She said her concerns about the technology included its effect on privacy, workers, misinformation and discrimination.

WATCH: OpenAI's Sam Altman testifies before Congress  Here are the key moments
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For nearly a decade, sales representatives from a prominent medical device maker operated a bribery scheme at a Kansas veterans hospital that wasted millions of taxpayer dollars and jeopardized the lives of patients, a recently unsealed whistleblower lawsuit alleges. The sales reps from the company, Medtronic, "bribed hospital staff to purchase its devices over those of competitors and to purchase grossly excessive inventory," according to the suit. related investing news Ford's dividend quality, J&J's split-off, cost basis discipline  what we think about all these J&J's strong quarter was amplified by new details around its big Kenvue consumer unit stake In 2017, Tom Schroeder filed the lawsuit, United States ex rel. Schroeder v. Medtronic, Inc., under seal. The case became public at the end of 2020, when the government decided not to intervene in the case. Schroeder said before this lawsuit consumed his life, he devoted his career to the medical device industry. For years he worked at Becton Dickinson, a direct competitor to Medtronic. At the time of the alleged kickback scheme, Schroeder was a sales manager at Becton Dickinson, but eventually ascended to the level of an area vice president, making him responsible for managing sales representatives in his region. "We get into this industry to help people," Schroeder said.

Tom Schroeder, the whistleblower accusing Medtronic of a kickback scheme, left, is interviewed by Morgan Brennan, in Kansas City, Missouri. CNBC

But while working at one of his client sites  a small veterans hospital in Kansas  he said he learned about a scheme that had the opposite effect. Schroeder said rumors circulated that Medtronic sales representatives were bribing VA staff to purchase an excessive amount of the company's inventory. These products were later used in medically unnecessary procedures on veteran patients, Schroeder alleged. He said the prospect of veterans being harmed is what motivated him to file this suit. "I had a hard time sleeping at night," Schroder said. Medtronic, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is the world's largest medical device manufacturer in terms of revenue. Shares of the company were up more than 12% year to date as of Tuesday's close. Medtronic's latest annual filing also shows it had more than $31 billion in sales  with the largest portion of that coming from its cardiovascular portfolio. The products at the center of Schroeder's lawsuit fall under the cardiovascular umbrella. "There's a lot of money tied up in this business," Schroeder said. Medtronic declined an on-camera interview for this story. In a statement to CNBC, Boua Xiong, a Medtronic spokesperson, said the "allegations in this case are false, and Medtronic will continue to defend the litigation as it moves ahead."

An alleged scheme

The lawsuit centers on how patients are treated for peripheral artery disease at the Robert J. Dole Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Wichita. The condition occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries and blocks blood flow to the legs. One way to treat the disease is with an atherectomy device, which removes buildup in the arteries and restores blood flow. These devices can be used in conjunction with balloons, which expand in the vessel to put pressure on the buildup to clear it. Devices, known as stents, can then be inserted to keep the artery propped open. Medtronic is a major manufacturer of these devices. Schroeder said atherectomy procedures at the hospital were performed at a level he's never seen in his career. Unsealed text messages from the case show that in 2017, a Medtronic sales representative sat in an operating room as doctors treated a veteran patient for peripheral artery disease. As the patient lay on the operating table, this employee texted a Medtronic colleague play by play of the devices that were inserted into the veteran's body. Medical experts say typically one to two devices are used in these procedures. But in this case, 17 devices were deployed, according to the text messages. "U are going to want to start going to the VA all the time," the colleague texted in response to hearing that many devices had been used. After the procedure concluded, the Medtronic sales representative in the operating room texted her colleague that she was taking the doctors who had performed the procedure to get lunch. "If you read those text messages and you're not pissed off and you're not angry and you're not sad for those veterans, I don't know what to say," Schroeder said. "That broke my heart." The Dole VA launched its own internal investigation in 2018 when its new medical director, Rick Ament, noticed the department that performed these procedures was spending an excessive amount of money. Ament, who still works in the Department of Veterans Affairs system, declined an interview. CNBC obtained his nearly six-hour video deposition, which was taken in 2022 as part of Schroder's lawsuit.

Video deposition of Rick Ament, the former medical director of the Robert J. Dole Veterans Affairs Medical Center, taken as part of this whistleblower lawsuit. United States ex rel. Schroeder v. Medtronic

"The rough estimates early in the analysis showed that our costs were $5 million a year more than they should have been in this department alone," Ament said in his deposition. Ament's investigation, which occurred independently and without knowledge of the lawsuit Schroeder filed a year earlier, found that the Dole VA was purchasing an excessive amount of inventory. The veterans hospital purchased more devices than some of the largest veterans medical facilities, according to data the VA's investigation gathered. "The foundational number that we were looking at was the usage compared to the largest hospitals in the VA, and we exceeded that by multiple folds," Ament said. The evidence Ament's team collected was concerning enough to shut down the unit that performed these procedures, which it did in 2018, according to his deposition testimony. Ament also said he referred the case to the VA's Office of Inspector General, or OIG, which opened its own investigation later that year. As of this month, the OIG said its investigation still has not been completed. Many of the documents gathered during the OIG's investigation have recently been unsealed as evidence in Schroeder's lawsuit. Internal Medtronic records the OIG gathered show dozens of pages of dinner receipts. "There's a tremendous amount of activity here," Ament said when he saw the receipts during his deposition. In Ament's deposition, some of these itemizations were disclosed. In one of these outings, two orders of oysters at $34, three orders of filet mignon at $76, two orders of lobster tail for $84, a rib eye for $42 and halibut for $40 had all been expensed. "This clearly gives the impression that influence is trying to be asserted," Ament said in his deposition. According to the OIG's investigatory documents, these meals were provided to hospital staff at the Dole VA as well as the doctors the VA contracted to perform atherectomy procedures.

Medtronic pushes back

Since 2011, Medtronic and its subsidiaries have paid more than $60 million in settlements related to allegations of kickback schemes and fraud claims. Medtronic said it has "cooperated fully" with the Department of Justice in past settlements, and "when problems were found, took appropriate remedial action." In these settlements, Medtronic made no admissions of wrongdoing.

Past Medtronic settlements 2011: Medtronic paid $23.5 million to settle claims that the company paid kickbacks to physicians.

2015: One of Medtronic's acquirees, ev3, paid the government $1.25 million to resolve allegations that it caused certain hospitals to submit false claims to Medicare for alleged unnecessary inpatient admissions related to atherectomy procedures.

2018: Medtronic paid $13 million related to allegations of a kickback scheme that originated from one of its subsidiaries, Covidien. Medtronic said the settlement is related to alleged misconduct largely before its acquisition of Covidien.

2019: Medtronic paid more than $17 million because a doctor from Covidien offered discounted and free marketing to doctors using its products. The alleged misconduct occurred between 2011 and 2014, largely before Medtronic acquired Covidien.

2020: The medical device giant paid more than $8 million for alleged kickbacks to a neurosurgeon.

Medtronic also said that Schroeder has "admitted under oath that he has no firsthand knowledge of any problematic procedure involving Medtronic devices." Evidence shows "the physicians performing these procedures  received no additional compensation for the procedure of using the devices," the company said. In a motion to dismiss, filed in November 2022, Medtronic wrote Schroeder was a "direct competitor" who "lacks sufficiently concrete factual allegations to plausibly claim medically unnecessary procedures occurred." However, the judge found that the allegations of medically unnecessary procedures were sufficient because Schroeder said Medtronic's employees had a financial incentive to promote the use of its products, even if those products were not medically necessary. "Anybody who thinks I'm a disgruntled employee just really hasn't read the facts. Because when you read the facts, I think it speaks for itself," Schroeder said. Schroeder also doesn't think you can chalk up the alleged kickback scheme at the Dole hospital to a mere rogue sales representative. Schroeder alleges that this misconduct was visible to employees with leadership roles at the company. "I was an executive with a competing company, so I have a distinct understanding of what's visible to the higher-ups," he said. Brendan Donelon, Schroeder's attorney for this case, also pointed to this being a systemic issue. "These pretty grotesquely large dollar amounts had to have stuck out like a sore thumb." Donelon said. "But you can choose to look the other way."

Brendan Donelon, the whistleblower's attorney, right, is interviewed by Morgan Brennan, in Kansas City, Missouri. CNBC

Donelon said one of the most shocking aspects is that one of the sales representatives who allegedly perpetrated this kickback scheme at the Dole VA is still employed with Medtronic and selling products at other VA facilities throughout the country. "You can have policies on paper, but unless you put them into practice, unless you change your culture, it's going to keep happening," he said. CNBC spoke with more than a dozen former Medtronic employees, many of whom touted the company's compliance system and said they were not aware of any improprieties. When asked how this alleged kickback scheme could have slipped through the cracks for nearly a decade, many said if Schroeder's allegations were true, this alleged misconduct may have been inherited from companies Medtronic acquired because they had less rigorous compliance systems in place. In a statement to CNBC, Xiong said Medtronic has a "strong compliance and reporting program, including robust auditing and other internal controls in addition to an employee Code of Conduct." Douglas Winger, one of the Medtronic sales representatives named as a defendant in Schroeder's lawsuit, won a Medtronic President's Club award in 2016 for his sales. This annual recognition rewards Medtronic's highest performers, who have demonstrated exceptional performance in meeting their revenue and growth targets, according to former employees. Many also said it's the highest award the company bestows to sales representatives. "This is not something that can be overlooked or missed," Schroeder said. Winger did not respond to CNBC's request for comment. In a deposition for this case, Winger was asked whether he recalled receiving any training about the fact that purchasing meals for federal employees was prohibited. He responded that he did not recall any training during his time at Medtronic. During his deposition, Winger also denied providing kickbacks at the Dole VA.

Questions about patient safety

While conducting his internal investigation, Ament requested one of his nurses to pull a sample of patient data for veterans treated for peripheral artery disease. This sample, which was unsealed as part of Schroeder's lawsuit, found that an average of seven devices were used per patient. One patient had 33 devices placed in their body. "Where can you put 33 devices in one patient?" said Dr. Kim Hodgson, a retired vascular surgeon and the former president of the Society for Vascular Surgery. Schroeder retained Hodgson as an expert for this case to review patient data once the VA provides more detail beyond the initial sample. Without the detailed patient information, Hodgson said he cannot make a definitive determination as to whether medical inappropriateness occurred. But in an interview with CNBC he said this sample suggests some patients may have been improperly treated. Schroeder said he believes these veterans could be facing significant consequences. According to Medtronic's labeling on one of its atherectomy devices, it lists some of the adverse outcomes as "amputation" and "death." "It enrages you," he said. "These aren't reversible. What's done is done." The Dole VA's investigation found that amputations among hospital patients increased sixfold during the period of alleged misconduct. However, the veterans hospital did not determine whether there was a direct correlation between the procedures and the rise in amputation rates.

Tom Schroeder, the whistleblower for this case, alleges Medtronic operated a bribery scheme at a veterans hospital. Source: CNBC

In a statement to CNBC, the VA said its investigation found a large increase of costs at the Dole VA were related to purchases of Medtronic devices. It also said "patient safety is our top priority" and "to date has found no quality of care issues." In a recent court filing, the VA said 59 veteran patients are having their medical records examined for "possible substandard care issues." ProPublica previously wrote about Schroeder's lawsuit. In response to learning about the allegations of misconduct at the Dole VA, Kansas senators urged the VA to contact patients that these procedures may have impacted. Due to privacy laws, the identities of the patients who underwent these procedures have not been made public. Hodgson also said the science supporting atherectomy procedures is flimsy. Hodgson says he considers the clinical trials that Medtronic uses to market its products to be "fairly low evidence trials." In a statement to CNBC, Xiong said that the procedure is a "safe and effective frontline therapy" and that its devices "demonstrated safety across multiple clinical trials." Xiong also said Medtronic's atherectomy devices are supported by more than 15-peer reviewed studies. This includes a study called DEFINITIVE LE, which Medtronic funded. Xiong said it is "the largest independently adjudicated study of an atherectomy procedure ever conducted." The Food and Drug Administration approves all medical devices. One process for approval is called the 510(k) pathway. This fast-tracks devices onto the market, with no need for comprehensive studies to be done. Companies just have to prove their product is similar to ones already out there. Medtronic received FDA approval for its atherectomy devices through this pathway. In a video deposition conducted as part of Schroeder's lawsuit in February, Medtronic's chief medical officer, John Laird, was asked whether the technology regarding atherectomy procedures was approved with definitive clinical data. He said that it was approved with data that was "good enough" to allow the FDA to clear the devices for use.

Video deposition of John Laird, Medtronic's current Chief Medical Officer, taken as part of this whistleblower lawsuit. United States ex rel. Schroeder v. Medtronic
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines)  Love the Philippines, the latest slogan of the Department of Tourism, has elicited bashing from netizens. One of their comments is that it is so generic. But long before the slogan existed, there was already one magazine show that promoted love for the Philippines  iHeartPh.

"We really want to showcase the beauty of our country," explains Executive Producer Vanessa Verzosa. "The Philippines is really blessed with natural resources. And that's what we want to highlight in the show, inspiring Filipinos to appreciate and love our country."

iHeartPh piloted in 2018 on CNN Philippines. Now on its 8th season, the magazine show continues to deliver its promise by showcasing inspiring stories and aspirational features.

"I love experiencing new things and going to new places," shares program host Valerie Tan. "But more than that, my most favorite part is meeting people from all walks of life, connecting with them, and sharing their stories to our viewers."

Tan adds that iHeartPh highlights these positive features with that Filipino touch.

"You can be assured you'll feel inspired after each episode. Every story we do is unique and there's always a good takeaway, not only for the viewers but also for me!," she said.

The magazine show spreads good vibes here and abroad. In fact, it has been chosen by the Taiwanese government for its tourism promotion. Serving as a regular TV program partner for Philippine promotion, the beauty of Taiwan has been showcased several times. The most recent of which is the "Love Fun Taiwan" campaign.

"We are proud that our show is appreciated outside the country," beams Verzosa. "Maybe, the reason why the Taiwanese government trusts us is that they see the direction of the show, which is really to promote inspiring stories and aspirational features. The show is aligned to their goal."

iHeartPh has gained the trust and support of big and small companies, global and local brands as well as famous and ordinary personalities in sharing their stories.

As program host, Tan gets to immerse herself in the many stories featured in the program. She enjoys every feature. One of the features she immensely enjoyed was her visit to the Amis tribe, the largest indigenous ethnic group in Taiwan. There she got a glimpse of how they live, fish, cook, and even dance! "It's interesting to note that just like us Filipinos, they love to sing and dance!"

"Another memorable feature is the rags to riches story of a member of an essential oil company. This proves that your past doesn't define your future, and you can use the challenges you encountered to fuel you for success."

Eight seasons and counting, iHeartPh is here to stay in the heart of Filipino viewers. True to its core, the program has been consistently uplifting the image of the Philippines and the Filipinos - spreading good vibes. The program advocates love and appreciation of the country, helping the government to amplify its tourism campaign.

"There are way too many reasons why I love the Philippines!," volunteers Tan. "First, our beaches are the best in the world. We have a lot of natural resources and wonders. Undoubtedly, there's still so much to explore."

"Second, Filipino cuisine! Anthony Bourdain himself said it when he referred to Cebu lechon as the 'best pig, ever'. Lastly, the warmth and hospitality of the Filipino people are unrivaled. Pinoys are usually kind and warm, and always carry a smile on our faces," Tan said.

"Our commitment is to showcase world-class visual narratives to our viewers," says Program Director Jallawee Beritan. "We listen to our viewers because they deserve a program that does not only feed their senses but their soul."

"No matter where our show takes us; at the end of the day, the Philippines will always be home," quips Tan.

And iHeartPh will always be at the heart of every Pinoy.

Produced by TV8 Media Productions, iHeartPh Season 8 premieres on Sunday, July 16, 2023 at 7 p.m. with replays every Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. on CNN Philippines.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 12)  After the inhibition of two judges, the remaining drug case of former Senator Leila de Lima has been re-raffled to a new judge.

De Lima's lawyer, Boni Tacardon, on Wednesday said Judge Gener Gito of Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 206 will be the new judge. He is the third judge to handle the case in less than a month.

Judge Abraham Joseph Alcantara, who acquitted de Lima in her second drug case, inhibited on July 6 upon the request of state prosecutors.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier said the prosecution asked the judge to inhibit to get a new perspective on the evidence.

DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano 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.

RELATED: DOJ: Prosecutors asked judge to inhibit to get new perspective on De Limas remaining drug case

Romeo Buenaventura, the first judge, voluntarily inhibited himself from the case after three individuals who were accused alongside De Lima questioned his impartiality.

He inhibited on June 15 after Ronnie Dayan, Joenel Sanchez, and Franklin Bucayu filed motions for his inhibition for failing to disclose that he is the brother of Atty. Emmanuel Buenaventura, who previously assisted Dayan in the execution of his affidavit which the accused later said was coerced.

De Lima, who has repeatedly maintained her innocence, has been detained since 2017 for allegedly allowing the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison when she was justice secretary.

She was also accused of financing her 2016 senatorial campaign using drug money from inmates.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 12)  The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) does not consider the dashes in the controversial map in the much-awaited "Barbie" live-action movie as a representation of China's disputed nine-dash line claim.

"Having carefully reviewed the film, the Department is not convinced that the lines shown depict anything more than a fictitious path in an imaginary world map," the DFA said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) previously allowed the commercial screening of the film despite criticisms over a scene supposedly featuring the nine-dash line that led Vietnam to ban the movie.

The MTRCB said the film underwent "meticulous" consultation with the DFA in determining whether the map in question contradicts the landmark arbitral ruling that disproved China's expansive claims in the South China Sea.

READ: What you need to know about the arbitral tribunal's ruling

"To avoid any misinterpretation, the Department has provided advice to the MTRCB," the DFA said without elaborating. "The Department trusts that the MTRCB will do its utmost in the exercise of their mandate."

The MTRCB earlier said it requested Hollywood distributor Warner Bros. to blur the controversial dashes in the movie, which is set to hit Philippine theaters on July 19.

Senator Grace Poe, a former chairperson of the MTRCB, disagreed with the request to blur the disputed dashes as she believes doing so amounts to censorship.

Kalokohan yun," Poe said. "Bakit mo ibu-blur kung wala namang mali? [Thats nonsense. Why would you blur it if there is nothing wrong?] For me, that's censorhip and thats wrong."

In addition to appearing like a child's artwork, Poe maintained that the map does not show the name of the Philippines.

Warner Bros. Film Group has stressed that the doodles in the map depict Barbies make-believe journey and are not intended to make any type of statement.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 12)  Victims of an alleged large-scale illegal recruitment scheme trooped to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday to file a case against the CEO of an employment agency that is supposedly asking over 100,000 from each of its clients who wish to leave the country.

The victims filed complaints against former Cebu City Councilor Prisca Nina Mabatid, CEO of Pinoy Cares Visa Center (PCVC) Opportunities, whom they claim has been recruiting and deceiving people, including overseas Filipino workers, for job opportunities in other countries like Canada.

"Ang reklamo po ng ating mga biktima sila ay niloko sa isang skema na bibigyan sila ng pagkakataon na i-process ang kanilang student visa sa Canada at mabibigyan sila ng pagkakataon magtrabaho at mag-aral at tumira sa Canada kasama ang kanyang pamilya," said Joanna Concepcion, chairperson of migrants' rights group Migrante International.

Sinisingil po sila ng at least 104,500 dito sa Pilipinas, overseas mas higit pa doon," she also said.

[Translation: Our victims said they were deceived by being told their student visa in Canada will be processed and they will have the chance to work, study, and live there with their family. They were asked to pay at least 104,500 here in the Philippines, and the amount is even higher overseas.]

According to the victims, they were easily convinced by PCVC to apply for a student visa in Canada because it promised a processing period of only three months for all immigration documents of applicants and their families.

Isa sa mga pangako niya na within three months, makakaalis na kami sa Pilipinas at makakatrabaho na kami sa Canada, said Ronell Robles, one of the complainants.

[Translation: One of her promises was that within three months, we will be able to leave the Philippines and work in Canada.]

The victims alleged that upon payment, they were asked to sign a memorandum of agreement indicating that the amount is non-refundable.

The complainants said Mabatids company stopped responding to questions and concerns afterwards.

"Within three days, nag send sila ng email," Robles related. "'Yung requirements, na-compile ko naman. Tumatawag naman ako, hindi ko makontak. Halos araw-araw ako tumatawag di ako sinasagot."

[Translation: Within three days, they sent an email. I was able to compile the requirements. I called, but they cannot be contacted. I called almost everyday, but there was no response.]

The victims said they learned about the recruitment through social media posts of their local public employment service office.

Pictures of Mabatid with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Vice President Sara Duterte, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and Senator Raffy Tulfo were also used by her company to convince people, the victims also said.

Mabatid has yet to answer calls to explain her side.

CNN Philippines has also tried reaching out to the Department of Labor and Employment and the DMW but they have yet to verify the legitimacy of PCVC.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 12)  Witnesses who retracted their statements and refuse to testify after they were rescued from a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Las Pinas City should face criminal charges, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Wednesday.

Remulla said progress in the case has been hampered by witnesses who suddenly decline to speak out against the suspects despite previously complaining.

Ang problema nga, nasa ayos na sila, nawala na yung tingin nila na danger sa kanilang mga buhay o kaya yung kanilang takot ay nawala na, ayaw na nilang tumestigo, he told reporters in a briefing.

[Translation: The problem is after they no longer feel that they are in danger or when their fear is gone, they also don't want to testify anymore.]

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will likely sue these people for alleged perjury and obstruction of justice, the secretary said.

Pag pwede na umuwi, gusto mo na umuwi, ayaw mo nang tumestigo Para saan pa yung ni-rescue natin? Eh kung nagkalabanan diyan at may namatay na pulis, eh di balewala? Remulla lamented.

[Translation: Now that theyre allowed to go home, they wish to go home and no longer want to testify Then why did we even rescue them? Had the suspects put up a fight and a police officer died, then it wouldve been all for nothing?]

Over 2,000 workers, including foreigners, were rescued from alleged human traffickers last June 27 in a raid conducted by authorities on Xinchuang Network Technology Inc.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said of those rescued, 1,525 are Filipinos while the others are from China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Taiwan, and Singapore, among other countries.

The victims claimed to work for an online casino, with their shift running from noon to midnight. The PNP said the POGO complex has board and lodging, and only a few workers were allowed to leave.

Earlier, Remulla accused the PNP of committing irregularities during the raid as the latter allegedly did not discuss the operation with the DOJ, resulting in a poor case build-up against the suspects. The PNP, however, maintained that it followed standard operating procedures.

Remulla said his department will meet with the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group on Friday to discuss the raid, particularly to prevent the supposed lack of coordination between prosecutors and police during similar operations in the future.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 12)  The national government has called on all Filipinos in Sudan to evacuate immediately after the United Nations warned the conflict-torn country is on "the brink of a full-scale civil war."

"The Philippine Embassy in Cairo strongly reiterates its call for all Filipinos in Sudan to leave the country immediately to ensure their safety," the embassy said in a statement on Wednesday.

Filipinos who wish to return home should provide the embassy with their full name, contact number, and copy of their passport. They are also advised to tell the embassy if they have a valid passport or not.

Those who want to evacuate through Egypt are directed to apply for entry visas at the Egyptian Consulate in Wadi Halfa and comply with visa application requirements.

Meanwhile, Filipinos who choose to evacuate through Port Sudan should inform the embassy in advance.

"Make sure that you have sufficient cash with you (to cover costs of your food, water and accommodation) as the wait in both Wadi Halfa and Port Sudan will take on average 10 days or more," the embassy said.

Those who decide to stay in Sudan are instructed to give the embassy their names, contact details, locations in Sudan, and the details of their emergency contacts in the Philippines. They are also told to hold on to their passports.

The United Nations earlier warned that Sudan could be on the verge of all-out war after a weekend airstrike killed dozens in a residential area in the city of Omdurman.

Filipinos can reach out to the embassy through WhatsApp/Mobile: (+20) 122 743 6472; Facebook/Messenger: PHinEgypt; or email: cairo.pe@dfa.gov.ph
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 12)  An international cruise ship terminal is set to open this October in Siargao Island to help boost the country's tourism sector, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said Tuesday.

"Maraming nagre-request na mga cruise operator (A lot of cruise operators are requesting) to go directly to Siargao," PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said in a briefing.

READ: Siargao tourism bounces back; tour operators fully booked

"We will break ground before the end of the year in a dedicated cruise terminal also in Coron, Palawan," he added.

Santiago said it will help prevent the surge of tourists in airports, especially in peak seasons where at least 12 million tourists are expected to arrive in the country annually.

Aside from Siargao and Coron, cruise ship terminals are also eyed in Currimao and Salomague in Ilocos, Legazpi and Camiguin in the Bicol region, Boracay, and Panglao in Bohol.

"Similar to the airports, we want to be able to build exclusively-dedicated cruise terminals na ang talagang focus niya is (that have the sole focus) to accept foreign tourists. When they arrive, malinis (clean), maaliwalas (comfortable) ang facility," Santiago said.

The agency also launched its Port Users and Locators Satisfaction Outlook (PULSO), a real-time customer feedbacking system for tourists.

Through PULSO kiosks scattered across several sites, passengers can submit feedback on their travel experience which will become PPA's basis for improving services.

CNN Philippines correspondent EJ Gomez contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 12)  Filipinos can expect to be able to board a direct flight from Manila to Paris sometime soon.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Wednesday said French ambassador Michele Boccoz has informed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of her countrys plans to open a direct flight between the two nations.

There are many things going on and one of them, I understand, we will have in the near future a direct flight from Manila to Paris, and thats also in progress, the outgoing envoy told Marcos during a farewell call, as quoted by the PCO in a release.

Boccoz added that the French government is working on enhancing their student exchange or scholarship programs to encourage more Filipinos to study there.

It is also something that were really promoting, to have more students in all areas in science, in engineering and technologies and all of the areas because theres so many giftedvery, very gifted people, she said.

And the young generation is so dynamic in this country, and Im sure therell be many, many opportunities to increase the relationship in all those areas and to go to the next step of our relations, the ambassador added.

Meanwhile, Marcos expressed his gratitude for Frances initiatives and lauded the envoy for her work in strengthening the two countries' ties.

It is something new for our two countries to have these relationships now. Im sure that theres something that will grow rapidly within the next two years. Those are the things that I think we can merge. I think we can make a good start, Marcos told Boccoz.

Malacanang said Boccoz will conclude her diplomatic mission in the country this month after serving as ambassador to the Philippines since February 2021.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 12)  The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said around $88 million worth of investment pledges from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s foreign trips are seen to materialize this year.

"The number that we expect to materialize in 2023 will total around $88 million, maliit pa 'no," Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said in a briefing on Wednesday.

"Iyon lang iyong up to June this year, and we expect some more to ripen and eventually live to the inflow of investments," he also said.

[Translation: The number that we expect to materialize in 2023 will total around $88 million still quite small. That is just for up to June this year, and we expect some more to ripen and eventually live to the inflow of investments.]

"It's not so large as yet, but the potential is as we announced before, we have a pipeline that we were able to build up amounting to around $70 billion," Pascual added.

The DTI chief said these were six projects registered with the Board of Investments and other investment promotion agencies, adding these have the potential of providing thousands of direct jobs to Filipinos.

"At the near end of the pipeline for instance, we developed the pipeline, but at the near end of our current pipelines, six companies we met during the past presidential visits are already starting their investment projects in the country," Pascual said.

"They will contribute to our manufacturing, renewable energy and IT-BPM industries," he added. "Collectively, they are expected to generate approximately 17,800 direct employment."

The names of the companies cannot be disclosed yet, Pascual said. He also gave his assurance the agency has a mechanism to monitor and evaluate these investments.

Pascual, however, noted that "not all leads may materialize," and that efforts must be sustained to generate investment leads.

Back in February, Malacanang said Marcos' overseas trips have generated P3.45 trillion in investment pledges.

"Total foreign investments committed during the President's official travels include in Indonesia, $8.48 billion; Singapore, $6.54 billion; United States, $3.847 billion; Thailand, $4.62 billion; Belgium, $2.20 billion; China, $24.239 billion; and Japan, $13 billion," the PCO said in a statement.

The president previously said he sees overseas trips as return of investment.

RELATED: Tulfo asks Marcos: When will PH reap investment pledges?
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 12)  On the seventh anniversary of the 2016 arbitral ruling on Wednesday, more governments around the world reaffirmed their support for the landmark decision that recognized the Philippines sovereign rights in areas within its exclusive economic zone and invalidated China's sweeping claims over the South China Sea.

In a statement, the United States stressed that the 2016 ruling of the tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is "final and legally binding."

READ: PH wins maritime arbitration case vs. China

The US Department of State's statement also condemned Chinas attempts to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources of other states.

We will continue working with allies and partners to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific, one that is at peace and grounded in respect for international law, the US government said.

Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu shared the same sentiment, underscoring the need to respect international law for an open, stable and prosperous region.

Ahead of the anniversary, the European Union (EU) and the Canadian government issued statements expressing their support anew for the Philippines in upholding the July 12, 2016 ruling.

The EU said the ruling is a significant milestone as it serves as a useful basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties.

Canadian Ambassador David Hartman, meanwhile, stressed the need to enforce the ruling.

We have always been strong in our position and we have been an active vocal proponent on the enforcement of it, encouraging all parties involved to respect the ruling, he said.

READ: EU, Canada reaffirm support for 'legally binding' 2016 arbitral ruling

In a separate statement, the German Embassy in Manila also said international law must be honored and upheld.

All disputes must be resolved peacefully, not by force or coercion, it added.

PH welcomes support for 2016 ruling

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo welcomed the statements of support from other nations for the Philippines legal victory in the West Philippine Sea.

Anniversaries are markers reminding us of the trajectory we have taken as a nation and as a people. In the decision to file a case for arbitration, the Philippines opted to take the path of principle, the rule of law and the peaceful settlement of disputes, the country's top diplomat said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Tribunals decision affirmed the correctness of that course of action, Manalo added. We are honored that the Award stands as a beacon whose guiding light serves all nations.

To mark its seventh year, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) launched a microsite collating accurate information on the arbitral award.

We understand that the issue is complex and may be confusing, so this is an attempt to clear some of the fog. It is a work-in-progress site, but I feel it is an important start to gaining a better understanding of the complex issues faced by the Philippines in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea, DFA Assistant Secretary Maria Angela Ponce said.

China still rejects WPS decision

The US called on China to stop its "routine harassment" in the West Philippine Sea and respect the ruling, which China has repeatedly rejected.

"The Arbitral Tribunal gravely violated UNCLOS and general international law. The award is illegal, null and void," the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines said Wednesday.

"China does not accept or recognize it, and will never accept any claim or action based on the award," it added.

Beijing also accused Washington of masterminding the arbitration case  saying "the US ropes in allies to play up the issue each year on the anniversary of the illegal award to gang up against China."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 12)  Residents in a barangay in Navotas City vacated their homes after another ammonia leak in the area was reported by authorities Wednesday morning.

According to the Navotas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), a tube ice facility along Naval Street in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran had a loose valve plate which caused the leak.

Authorities said responding officers closed the valve plate at 12:10 a.m.

No injuries and casualties were reported.

Initial information from the Bureau of Fire Protection showed there was failure on the part of maintenance, Navotas DRRMO department head Vonne Villanueva told CNN Philippines. The incident remains under investigation.

The facility will be temporarily closed as authorities will inspect if it is safe to operate again, Villanueva added.

Last month, a minor died while 23 people were rushed to hospitals after an ammonia leak and fire in a cold storage facility in Navotas City

Local officials said they would tap experts to set better standards in operating a cold storage facility and prevent similar incidents in the future.

Villanueva said authorities inspect the facilities every month for the renewal of their permits.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 12)  Other countries were apprehensive to support the Philippines during the early days of Manilas campaign for a rules-based challenge to China amid the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea, a Filipino diplomat said on Wednesday.

"When we began this campaign in 2010, in 2011, we did not have support to tell you the truth. We were like a pariah," said Ambassador Henry Bensurto Jr. in an interview with CNN Philippines' The Source.

Bensurto, now the country's ambassador to Turkey, was the lead counsel of the Department of Foreign Affairs when Manila notified China of its intent to challenge Beijings nine-dash line claim on January 22, 2013.

The arbitral award has since been hailed by the international community, with a number of countries calling on China to respect the legally-binding ruling.

"I was there in the ASEAN meeting, I think it was in Bali, Indonesia, when we formalized and announced to the world essentially a new paradigm shift in our foreign policy approach," Bensurto said, recalling the conference in 2011. "When the Secretary (Albert del Rosario) made a statement mentioning the 9-dash line, I think that was it, there was no support."

Then Foreign Affairs Secretary Del Rosario said at the time that the new introduction of China of the 9-dash in 2009, becomes the core of the problem," which "now must be subjected to a rules-based regime of UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).

Despite the apprehensions from other countries, Bensurto said Del Rosario stuck to the plan.

"In our private moment, I did ask him for the last time: 'Are you certain about this, Sir?'," he shared.

"He said, again he asked the question, 'Is this the right thing?' I told him this is the right thing. And he said, 'If this is the right thing, this is what we will do'.

In 2016, the arbitral tribunal constituted under UNCLOS largely ruled in favor of the Philippines. It declared that China has no legal basis to claim virtually the entire South China Sea, including the area the Philippines calls West Philippine Sea.

"I think there was a strong sense as to the importance, the significance, the global implications of the case that we filed against China. It was not an ordinary case," said Bensurto. "I think there was a strong sense from all sectors as to the outcome of this case."

He noted that the Philippine delegation brought observers from Southeast Asian nations to the tribunal in The Hague.

"At a certain point, we were able to bring observers from ASEAN, from Singapore, from Indonesia, from Malaysia, from Vietnam," Bensurto said. "For the judges to see that it is not just a matter relating to the Philippines, but a matter that impacts other ASEAN countries."

Aside from China and the Philippines, other claimants to the resource-rich waterway are Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Seven years have passed since the Philippines won its case before the tribunal, but Beijing continues to reject the ruling.

Meanwhile, more countries reaffirmed their support for the ruling including the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom and the European Union.
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Microsoft clawed its way back from oblivion by betting big on the cloud rather than focusing on its then-cash cow, Windows. Not only has the company become a big provider of cloud services to enterprises, but its also converted as many of its products as possible to the cloud.

Just consider what Microsoft did with Office. Years ago, consumers or enterprises bought a client version of Office for a one-time payment, and then used it as long as they wanted without having to pay again. These days, businesses and consumers more typically buy a monthly or annual subscription, which constantly updates via the cloud.

For Microsoft, that means a lot of additional recurring revenue.

With that in mind, the company is considering doing the same thing for Windows, but with an even stronger focus on the cloud. If Microsoft has its way, not only will people pay an annual subscription for Windows, but theyll also load Windows directly from the cloud rather than on their own PCs.

At least, thats the vision the company laid out in an internal state of the business presentation a year ago. (The presentation only recently came to light as part of a hearing in which the US Federal Trade Commission is trying to block Microsofts $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.)

In a consumer-focused section of the presentation titled Long Term Needle-Moving Opportunities, Microsoft said this about the importance of making Windows cloud-based:

Move Windows 11 Increasingly to the Cloud: Build on Windows 365 to enable a full Windows operating system streamed from the cloud to any device. Use the power of the cloud and client to enable improved AI-powered services and full roaming of peoples digital experience.

A closer look at Windows 365

Thats a mouthful and a lot to unpack. To better understand it, you need to know that Windows 365 is a cloud-based version of Windows for businesses and enterprises that streams Windows as well as its apps, data, content, and settings from the cloud to any device.

So, whether youre on your PC at home, one at work, or a different one while traveling, youll get precisely the same version of Windows with all its apps, data, and settings intact. Leave off work at the office, and when you get home, youll be able to get back to it via Windows 365, doing exactly what you were doing at the office.

IT oversees Windows 365 in organizations; its not up to individuals to provide their own tech support. So IT troubleshoots any network, Wi-Fi, loading, or other issues. Youre not dealing with the vagaries of Windows and the cloud on your own.

The benefits to businesses can be considerable, according to Microsoft. Working remotely can be more secure, because IT controls the security settings of everyones PC, rather than individuals doing it. IT can save time onboarding new employees, because hardware setup time is considerably reduced  just stream Windows to a device. Its easier for companies to use temporary workers, because they can be quickly provisioned with cloud-based Windows.

Bringing Windows 365 to the masses

Microsofts presentation makes clear its looking to bring that same Windows 365 model to general consumers, not just to techies who can provide their own technical support. One report says a consumer version of Windows 365 might include a cloud-based family subscription so parents could do things such as help with their childrens homework live. That same report says a pricing model of $10 a month is being discussed, although it hasnt been set in stone.

The $10-a-month subscription is key to the consumer Windows 365 model and why Microsoft might push it so hard. Right now, consumers dont directly pay for Windows, ever. They buy a computer with Windows pre-installed, so its cost is built into the PCs purchase price. After that, they pay nothing. They always have the latest version, because Windows automatically updates itself.

Microsoft recently reported that more than 1 billion people worldwide use Windows. Most of them are individual users. If only 1% of those 1 billion people buy a Windows 365 subscription, that gives Microsoft an extra $100 million in revenue a month  an additional $1.2 billion a year. Each extra single percent growth in the use of Windows 365 equals another $1.2 billion. Thats as close as the company will ever get to free money.

Bugs, glitches, and too much complexity

There are major hurdles standing in the way of that becoming a reality, though, and they all have to do with the nature of the cloud and of Windows. Unlike Chrome, Windows wasnt built from scratch for the cloud, which means itll never run as smoothly as a ChromeOS device.

Cloud solutions architect Vladislav Bilay put it this way to Lifewire: "Chrome, as a web-centric operating system, was designed with a focus on cloud-based applications and services. It emphasizes simplicity, speed, and security for users who primarily work and collaborate online. On the other hand, Windows has a long-standing history as a versatile and robust desktop operating system, catering to a wide range of applications, offline functionality, and legacy software compatibility.

In other words, a cloud-based version of Windows will be glitchy and annoying  even glitchier and more annoying than it already is. Beyond that looms an even bigger problem: How will ordinary, non-tech-savvy consumers get Windows to load and run properly from the cloud if something goes wrong? And as every Windows owner knows, something always goes wrong with the operating system.

Ive been using PCs and Windows for decades and know my way around them pretty well. And yet, even I often come across annoying problems and bugs that cant seem to be fixed, something that would doom any cloud-based version of Windows.

For example, I bought a laptop a year ago, and for inexplicable reasons, after a while it decided it would connect to some Wi-Fi networks but not others. Ive spent hours on the phone to the manufacturers tech support line (when I can get through, that is) and even more hours trying to troubleshoot it myself. So far, theres no solution in sight.

Then on my main PC there are the usual slowdowns for no reason, intermittent network glitches, a full panoply of PC weirdness  any of which could render a cloud-based version of Windows unusable. Businesses, at least, have IT staff and help desks to solve those problems. If they cant be solved, IT simply takes away the problematic PC and gives an employee a new, usable one. Users without their own IT desk dont have that luxury.

These issues arent going away any time soon. And if they dont, I cant imagine anyone paying Microsoft more than $100 a year to buy a product thats inferior to the one they now get essentially for free. But thats the direction Microsoft is hoping to take.
Nine months after US President Joe Biden signed an executive order that updated rules for the transfer of data between the US and the EU, the European Commission this week ratified the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. Industry experts, however, say it will be challenged at the European Court of Justice (CJEU), and stands a good chance of being struck down.

The move comes three years after the CJEU shut down the previous EU-US data sharing agreement, known as Privacy Shield, on grounds that the US doesnt provide adequate protection for personal data, particularly in relation to state surveillance. In 2015, a previous attempt to forge a data sharing pact, dubbed Safe Harbor, was also struck down by the CJEU.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said the new framework should provide "legal certainty" to transatlantic businesses, calling the commitments "unprecedented."

"Today we take an important step to provide trust to citizens that their data is safe, to deepen our economic ties between the EU and the US, and at the same time to reaffirm our shared values," she said in a statement. "It shows that by working together, we can address the most complex issues."

However, industry experts expect the accord to face a plethora of legal challenges from privacy advocates before ultimately being struck down like its predecessors.

We have various options for a challenge already in the drawer, although we are sick and tired of this legal ping-pong, said Max Schrems, an Austrian lawyer and privacy activist who founded NOYB (None of Your Business)  European Center for Digital Rights. In 2016 and 2020, Schrems initiated legal proceedings against Safe Harbor and Privacy Shield, respectively, which led to the CJEU invalidating both agreements.

We currently expect this to be back at the Court of Justice by the beginning of next year, Schrems said in a statement published on NOYBs website.

US privacy laws need fundamental overhaul for agreement to proceed

The EU-US Data Privacy Framework is based on the executive order signed by Biden in October 2022. In essence, the agreement places new restrictions on electronic surveillance by American intelligence agencies and gives Europeans new avenues to launch a complaint when they believe their personal information has been used unlawfully by US intelligence agencies.

This in itself could prove problematic since, if the next US presidential election should see the top job go to a Republican candidate, theres a very real chance this executive order could be overturned, pulling the rug out from underneath the agreement, said Nader Henein, an analyst at Gartner. When Donlad Trump became president in 2016, he ripped up a number of international treates that had been approved by his predecessor, Democratic President Barack Obama.

While privacy experts have said from the outset that the agreement doesnt adequately address the issues that led to Safe Harbor and Privacy Shield being struck down, its not a surprise the agreement was signed despite its high chance of failure.

Both the EU and the US have invested a significant amount of effort in getting a new deal signed, said Jonathan Armstrong, a compliance and technology lawyer at UK-based compliance specialists Cordery.

Some of the messaging suggests that both parties want to do a deal even if it ends up with a case of 'deja vu all over again', he said, while noting that the Data Privacy Framework is no where near as impervious to legal challenges as some of the accord's promoters have suggested.

Although the agreement takes a few steps forward in terms of providing European data with protections from US law enforcement, it does not come close to meeting the requirements laid out by the European Court of Justice when it invalidated its predecessors, said Henein, echoing Armstrongs skepticism.

We expect it's going to be invalidated in two to five years, he said, describing the situation as a tedious groundhog day that is essentially just a can-kicking exercise that will end up being a headache for future administrations long after the current signatories have left office.

The US Constitution does not guarantee privacy per se, with laws and regulations around the issue having to be extracted from Fourth Amendment protections against illegal search and seizure. To pave the way to an agreement that is likely to pass CJEU scrutiny, the US would need to extend the same privacy protections to non-US citizens, a policy that Henein said would be incredibly politically unpopular and would likely see champions of a legal overhaul labelled as antiprotection and accused of opposing intelligence gathering efforts that could protect the country.

Currently there are no federal laws covering how companies store and protect personal data, which has led individual states enacting their own legislation, Henein noted. There are no privacy protections relating to enterprise companies so they're now being passed at the state level, Henein noted, adding that to date only 13 states out of 50 have passed such protections, meaning that it's still early days for privacy legislation in the US.

For legislation to advance so it doesnt just cover US citizens, but also governs data pertaining to people sitting and living in other countries once that data lands legally in the US, is a tall order, he said.

Businesses want clarity about data privacy

Both Armstrong and Henein agree that businesses want clarity around data-privacy issues, but unfortunately, the Data Privacy Framework doesnt provide it.

Organizations need rock-solid regulations, not a plan that causes widespread panic every three years when it gets struck down and leaves companies noncompliant overnight, Henein said, adding that organizations cannot afford to pin their 10-year strategy on something that won't survive half that time frame.

If the deal does survive a legal challenge, however, it could change some aspects of the data protection landscape, Armstrong said, noting that more cross-boarder data protection pacts and copy-cat deals in countries such as Switzerland and the UK could occur. Since leaving the EU, the UK has been in talks with the US about a new data transfer scheme that would be similar to Data Privacy Framework, while Switzerland has been in discussions with the US for an agreement that mirrored Privacy Shield before it was struck down.

Data transfer will remain complex as it reflects world events, Armstroing said. Since global politics are complex, so global data transfers will remain complex too.
As its campaign against Ukraine grinds on well into its second year, Russia appears to be making greater use of hacktivists, "patriotic" cybercriminals, and mercenaries in its attacks on the smaller nation. Meanwhile, Western countries neighboring Russia, including recent NATO entrant Finland, have seen an upsurge in hostile attacks that pose a threat to both businesses and government institutions.

Attacks by Russia against Ukraine's government, media outlets and utilities predate the full-scale invasion of its southern neighbor by Russian forces in February 2022, stretching back to the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Notable attacks include the NotPetya wiper malware in June 2017 and attacks on Ukraine's power grid in December 2015 that temporarily left about 225,000 customers without power. The latter was subsequently attributed to Sandworm, a unit of Russian military intelligence (GRU).

With the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, feared attacks leading to the degradation of critical infrastructure services failed to materialize -- thanks to the experience, preparations, and expertise of Ukrainian cyber-defenders. Assistance by Ukraine's Western allies also helped to build resilience in the face of determined assaults.

Russia's cyberattacks against Ukraine have surged

Cyberattacks have nonetheless continued throughout the conflict, accompanied by something of an upsurge in activity since the start of 2023. The Computer Emergency Response Team of Ukraine (CERT-UA) handled 701 incidents between January and April of 2023, with utilities at the sharp end of attacks. About a quarter of the attacks were aimed at government agencies and the military with many of the remainder targeting the power grid, finance, transport, telecoms, and other elements of Ukraine's critical infrastructure. This compares to 2,194 attacks logged by CERT-UA throughout the whole of 2022.

The aims of Russian cyber attackers include reconnaissance (gaining information about government and public infrastructure as well as citizens), destroying infrastructure, spreading panic and distrust in local authorities, and attacking the morale of the population through disinformation and propaganda.

Russian cyberattacks against Ukraine often coincide with physical strikes by rockets and missiles and drones, according to Victor Zhora, the deputy chairman and chief digital transformation officer of the State Service of Special Communication and Information Protection of Ukraine (SSSCIP). "In some cases, we observe the coordination between cyberattacks and kinetic attacks," Zhora says. "For instance, some cyberattacks can be disruptive to [elements of the] critical infrastructure, such as telecoms. In some cases, these attacks can amplify the psychological effect of kinetic attacks."
Hong Kong: Japan seafood import control set

The Government announced today that to ensure food safety and public health, it plans to prohibit the import of aquatic products originating from ten metropolis or prefectures of Japan once the country commences the discharge of wastewater from Fukushima.



Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki and Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan met Consul-General of Japan in Hong Kong Kenichi Okada and relevant Japanese officials today, and reiterated to the Japanese side that the Japanese authorities should not discharge the wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power station (FNPS) into the ocean unilaterally without the consensus of the international community so as to avoid bringing about irreversible impacts on the environment.



The Government's inter-departmental taskforce reviewed the final report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and relevant information provided by Japan.



Having considered the final report of the IAEA, relevant information provided by Japan, opinions of the experts in Mainland and risk assessments, the Government has come to the view that there is currently no guarantee that the purification system can operate continuously and effectively in the long term after the commencement of the discharge plan, and that the plan will not pose any potential risks to food safety and marine ecology.



To ensure that all food imported from Japan is safe and fit for consumption, based on the precautionary principle, the Government currently plans to prohibit the import of all aquatic products originating from Tokyo, Fukushima, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama once Japan commences the discharge of wastewater.



These aquatic products include all live, frozen, chilled, dried, or otherwise preserved aquatic products, sea salt and unprocessed or processed seaweed.



Additionally, the Government will maintain the existing import control measures on certain food products against the five prefectures, ie Fukushima, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki and Gunma since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear incident.



As regards media reports claiming the stringent measures imposed by the Government were intended to impress Beijing, the Government said it must emphasise that, under one country, two systems, Hong Kong exercises a high degree of autonomy while preserving its own economic and social systems. Plus, it added that Hong Kong is a free port as well as a separate customs territory.



The Government explained that it administers the food safety regulatory regime with regard to the actual situation and considerations in Hong Kong to safeguard food safety and public health.



Additionally, the Government stressed that it will continue to maintain close communication with the Japanese authorities, closely monitor the latest situation regarding import of food from Japan and the discharge plan of the FNPS, and perform risk assessments to help safeguard food safety and the public health of citizens in Hong Kong.

This story has been published on: 2023-07-12. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Teachers, students from 5 mainland universities to visit Taiwan: spokesperson

Xinhua) 13:56, July 12, 2023

BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- A group of 37 teachers and students from five mainland universities plan to visit Taiwan from July 15 to 23 at the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, according to a mainland spokesperson.

Led by Hao Ping, Party chief of Peking University, the group includes members from Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Wuhan University, and Hunan University, said Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, late Tuesday in response to a media query.

During their trip, the mainland teachers and students will engage in exchanges with their peers from Taiwan University, Chengchi University, Chinese Culture University, and Dong Hwa University.

The trip will also include stops in Taipei, Taichung, New Taipei, Hsinchu, and Hualien.

"This trip, made by the first group of its kind to travel to the island in more than three years, is conducive to promoting the resumption of cross-Strait exchanges," Chen said.

He expressed the hope that all the mainland group's exchanges and visits in Taiwan will go smoothly.

"We support and encourage young people on both sides of the Strait to enhance exchanges and mutual understanding, learn from each other through exchanges and interactions, and jointly create a bright future," Chen said.

From late March to early April this year, Ma Ying-jeou led a group of Taiwan students who visited several cities on the mainland. He repeatedly expressed the hope that teachers and students from mainland universities could go to Taiwan for exchanges during discussions at Fudan University, Wuhan University, and Hunan University.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
SITEKI  Three men of KaShoba were arrested on Sunday, in connection with a murder of a 42-year-old man of Madonsa, suspected to be a dagga dealer.

The trio aged between 29 and 33 are currently in custody at the Siteki Police Station, where they have been assisting the investigating police officers from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) with information regarding the matter. According to the police report, the man died while undergoing treatment at the Good Shepherd Catholic Hospital (GSCH). The report further stated that the deceased was assaulted with kicks and blunt objects while at KaShoba area.

Arrested

The three suspects, two of whom are from Mahwalala in Mbabane and the other from KaShoba, were arrested and charged in connection with the murder of the deceased. The trio is expected to appear at the Siteki Magistrates Court today. According to a source, the three men were arrested on Sunday by police officers from the Manzini Police Station at Madonsa, who then handed them over to their counterparts in Siteki on the basis that the crime was committed within their jurisdiction. The source alleged that the trio went to Madonsa to fetch the man on board a sedan and allegedly bundled him into the back seat of the car. Upon their return from Manzini, the trio allegedly went to a forest within KaShoba that is situated next to a sports ground. Moreover, the source claimed that the trio assaulted the man with kicks and blunt objects like logs until he became unconscious.
SITEKI  There could be light at the end of the tunnel in saving the future of 603 Eswatini pupils doing Matric.

The pupils will now write their exams under the Independent Examinations Board (IEB). The IEB is a South African assessment agency that conducts assessment for schooling and adult education. The IEBs objective is to ensure that there is at least one non-racial assessment body at Grade 12 during the time of apartheid to serve progressive schools that stood in opposition to the apartheid policies of the day. The IEB examinations are set to start in November, while the Matric examinations are slated to commence in October or November. The local centre, U-Tech High, normally hosts Matric exams for pupils from 10 schools locally namely; Milestone, Mbalenhle Academy, Diamond Valley, Harrolds, Pro-Learning and Phumelela. The rest are Hillside, Wem, Bookville and the host (U-Tech High). The IEB is accredited by Umalusi for examinations in schooling and adult education.

Requirement

It has also been appointed as the Assessment Quality Partner for the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) for Foundational Learning Competence, a requirement in occupational qualifications at Levels 3 and 4 of the National Quality Framework (NQF). This is taking place after there was uncertainty about the Matric examinations this year, following that the Minister of the Department of Basic Education in South Africa, Angie Motshekga, announced the halting of writing Matric exams outside South Africa. Representatives of schools offering Matric in Eswatini said Minister of Education and Training Lady Mabuza informed them that she was awaiting feedback from her counterpart in South Africa, after having met to discuss the issue of Matric examinations last month. Pro-Learning Christian Academy owner Ernest Magongo, said even though they were still waiting for the feedback from the minister, they had already agreed in principle with the Board of the IEB to have the local pupils who were supposed to write the Matric examinations sit for the IEB examinations this year.

Meeting

Magongo shared that after Mabuzas meeting with her counterpart in South Africa, the minister then summoned them to a meeting to update them on what transpired during her meeting with Motshekga. Magongo stated that the minister then facilitated a virtual meeting with the senior officials at IEB and the Examination Council of Eswatini (ECESWA) together with the local schools offering Matric examinations to pave way that could ensure that the pupils sit for their examinations this year under the IEB. Adding, the school owner said the minister advised them that they were supposed to have a second option considering that the South African Government had openly told her that allowing the Matric examinations to be written outside their borders was against their Constitution. Magongo said under the IEB examination, parents were expected to fork out about E1 300 per subject. The IEB examination is almost similar to our International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). Our pupils will be writing the IEB exams but if some are not ready they can sit in June next year. There is little difference from the syllabuses of IEB and our IGCSE. The IEB have agreed in principle that they will allow our pupils to sit for their examination even though it is more expensive that the Matric examinations, he said.

Furthermore, Magongo said he engaged parents of the pupils about the latest development and they understood the situation. He mentioned that schools were further advised to host education workshops for their educators to orient them about the IEB programme. Hillside High Administrator Lazarus Masamhiri, said even though they were still waiting for feedback from the minister, they were informed that their pupils would be allowed to write the IEB examination. The IEB told us that they will allow us to write their examinations this year pending the current status of the Matric examinations, he said. Director of Education Ntombenhle Dlamini briefly said the ministry was waiting for a feedback from their counterpart in South Africa.

Allowed

The minister said the local schools offering Matric examinations have been allowed to write their examinations under IEB this year. We met with Angie and her legal team who unpacked the constitutional challenges of allowing another country to sit their examinations and they informed us that they will come back to us. We have been waiting since but it is evident that they have made their stance clear in this matter that they will not allow emaSwati to sit for the Matric examinations. I have also managed to engage IEB to ensure that the pupils are allowed to sit for their examination as it is almost similar to ours, she said. Mabuza said she also encouraged and advised the local schools offering Matric examinations to migrate and offer the IEB examination as it was almost similar to the local examinations.
The worst-kept secret in the country is finally out. In a shock statement, the wife of Huw Edwards  the hitherto anonymous presenter at the centre of allegations of sexual misconduct  has named him.

Vicky Flind, a respected TV producer who works on ITVs Peston show, broke cover late this afternoon, sending shockwaves through the BBC and beyond.

Edwardss name had been one of the many swirling around the internet over the past few days. Almost everyone working in the media knew he was the individual accused of soliciting indecent images from a vulnerable teenager in return for money  allegedly 35,000  which the youngster then used to fund a drug addiction.

For legal reasons, we couldnt say it or print it  but we knew it. As, of course, did all those other BBC presenters whose names were dragged through the mud on Twitter and social media.

That is why they were all  rightly  so incensed at the BBCs apparent inaction in either revealing the identity of the accused, or even issuing a statement clearing their names.

SARAH VINE: In a shock statement, the wife of Huw Edwards  the hitherto anonymous presenter at the centre of allegations of sexual misconduct  has named him

Vicky Flind, a respected TV producer who works on ITVs Peston show, broke cover late this afternoon (pictured together in 2018)

What Flind has done  identifying her own husband and finally putting an end to the malicious speculation  is therefore not only extremely courageous, it is also exemplary from a moral point of view.

She has taken the decision to put a lot of people out of their misery, while inevitably drawing attention to her own  and that of her five children with Edwards. I can only imagine what they, and she, are going through.

It is important to stress that in no way does her statement count as an admission of her husbands guilt: she is merely confirming that he is the person accused. And Scotland Yard has dropped its probe into the allegations, saying that as far as the police are concerned, no crime has been committed.

But even if no criminality has taken place, the fact remains that the idea of Edwards  that self-styled beacon of upright BBC journalism  allegedly soliciting images of young people speaks of a worrying hypocrisy, and is entirely at odds with someone of his standing.

As well as the original allegations, he has subsequently been accused of breaking stay-at-home lockdown rules to meet another young person, sending messages to a 17-year-old with love hearts and kisses and sending threatening messages to a person in their early twenties whom he met on a dating app.

Of course, it may turn out that none of these things happened. But there is a sharp contrast between these claims and the public image of the man who led the nation for the televised coverage of the late Queens funeral  not to mention the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Diamond Jubilee, the death of Prince Philip and the Coronation of King Charles.

Huw Edwards has been our upright companion for the BBCs flagship 10 oclock news for as long as many of us can remember.

No wonder, as Flind said in her statement, Edwards is suffering from serious mental health issues and is receiving in-patient hospital care where hell stay for the foreseeable future.

Huw Edwards has been our upright companion for the BBCs flagship 10 oclock news for as long as many of us can remember

Unless he can prove to the public that these allegations are wholly false, its hard to see how there could be a way back for him.

His wife spoke in her statement of his battle with depression over the years, perhaps as a way of trying to mitigate the situation. And one does always have sympathy for anyone battling a serious mental health condition. But the problem for Edwards  and, by extension, the BBC  is that he was to a large extent the Corporations mouthpiece.

This is not some flighty Radio 1 DJ were talking about here: this is the man who succeeded David Dimbleby, the last in a long line of venerated BBC greats. Its an unconscionable prospect.

Its also a terrible shame.

As it is, his lifes work and reputation are in jeopardy. And yet again, the publics belief in the integrity of those who hold such exalted positions of power has been shaken to its core.
A woman has revealed how much she really earned while working in tech for Google, Meta and LinkedIn - and the figures might surprise you.

US-based Mitchie Nguyen has spoken to Insider to chart her six-year career to date, which has seen her rise through the ranks at the biggest corporations in the industry.

The tech star, who studied sociology and media in college, said that she found it difficult to land a job at first because it was 'really hard to convince companies to take a chance' on her.

But after finding her feet she was able to climb the ladder and soon secured a $196,000-a-year job.

However, she has since turned her back on the bumper salary to build her own business.

Mitchie Nguyen, from the US, has spoken to Insider to chart her six-year career to date, which has seen her rise through the ranks at the biggest corporations in the industry

Mitchie had no prior experience in tech or the corporate world, but set up a club at college called Diversatech in a bid to gain skills that would help get her foot in the industry door.

It was this that ultimately helped her land her first role at LinkedIn after joining its business leadership program in 2017.

The scheme saw those enrolled rotate across customer operations and recruiting roles before ultimately being offered a position as a sales associate, which came with a $50,981 base salary plus a $17,000 annual target bonus.

Mitchie revealed that it was not the highest-paying position available to graduates, but said she was keen to get a big name on her resume early on in her career.

After realizing that she was not particularly passionate about sales, she began to look elsewhere.

It was then that Mitchie took a job as an associate product-marketing manager at Google, which came with a $91,000 base salary, 15 per cent annual bonus target and $64,000 stock package vested over four years.

On top of that, there were business trips to 10 countries a year, including Japan, Austria, Australia, Italy and Spain as she explored how to run a business within each location.

Mitchie revealed she was then approached by Meta in 2020 about joining its privacy product-marketing team, which turned out to be an offer she could not refuse.

Mitchie revealed how much she really earned while working in tech for corporations including LinkedIn and Google (stock images)

Mitchie rose through the ranks at Meta and by the time she quit in June 2023 she was on a whopping base salary of $196,000 (stock image)

Mitchie's career path in tech to date LinkedIn Business-leadership program and sales associate position: $50,981 base salary and $17,000 annual target bonus Google Associate product-marketing manager: $91,000 base salary, 15 per cent annual bonus target and $64,000 stock package vested over four years Meta Product-marketing manager: $150,000 base salary, $15,000 target bonus, $80,000 stock package over four years and $20,000 sign-on bonus Advertisement

Having 'aggressively negotiated the salary and also secured a promotion,' she ended up with an extensive list of benefits which included a $150,000 base salary, $15,000 target bonus, $80,000 stock package over four years and $20,000 sign-on bonus.

Speaking about her time at the tech giant, she said: 'I had the opportunity to be at the forefront of emerging technology and work on some really cool early product development.'

Mitchie rose through the ranks and by the time she quit in June 2023 she was on a whopping base salary of $196,000.

Despite her impressive pay packet, the rising tech star told the publication 'the number one reason and motivation has always been to gain a breadth of experience.'

She continued: 'When you're starting out in your career, it's important to explore roles and build a network in new companies.

'Through all these jobs, I gained confidence and skills from sales to product marketing.'

Mitchie has since decided to turn her back on the corporate world altogether and quit her high-paying job to build her own startup in the 'creator economy.'

She concluded: 'If I were to sum up the biggest learning out of my short, six-year career, it's to not be afraid of change and take a chance on yourself  trust that everything will work out.'
Image of man at a desk shared on US website Reddit is being fiercely debated

An optical illusion featuring a man at a writing desk has sparked a fierce debate as people try to work out whether he's sitting inside or outside his house.

The image, created by Swedish photographer Erik Johansson (erikjo.com) was shared to the Optical Illusions forum on Reddit by a user who asked the question: 'Is the man in the house or not?'

The picture shows a man seated on a chair at a table in rather deep concentration, accompanied by his dog.

At first glance they may appear to be sitting inside their house.

However, the roof and wall structure resemble how the outside of the house would look, leading many to speculate what really lies behind the distorted image.

Since being shared on Reddit, the post has received 275 upvotes and 33 comments.

A commenter attempted to set the record straight, saying: 'People seriously answering the question? Bruh, there is no answer. This is an optical illusion, impossible to make in real life.

'Roof makes it obvious that it's the exterior of the house, but the floor makes it obvious that it's interior. Therefore logical paradox.'

Another wrote: 'Well the man is on the floorboards that are attached to the walls. The home doesn't have a ceiling. Technically, he is still outside.'

'The thing that solidifies it for me is that we can see the shingles on the roof. No house has shingles on the inside,' another agreed, coming down on the side of outdoors.

Is this man in the house or outside? What can you determine by looking at the details?

The post sparked a fierce debate with Reddit users unable to agree if the man was inside or outside the property

A fellow commenter insisted that the man is outside on the patio, but others weren't so sure.

'He is inside,' one said. 'I have never seen a rug go under a house and the light outside hanging from the house is the dead give away.'

Menawhile, another 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.
A TikTok star who has racked up millions of views has revealed that has been living in his car.

Isaac Richman, from North London, has become a hit on TikTok and has more than 100,000 followers on the platform.

He is known for pranking people travelling on the London Underground by making directed announcements at people so they think they are in trouble.

The TikToker also has a job in construction and earns around 56,000 a year.

But Isaac claims he has been living in his car because landlords and estate agents fear he won't be able to keep up with his rent payments because he is self-employed.

Isaac Richman, from North London, has become a hit on TikTok and has more than 100,000 followers on the platform

Landlords will usually ask for proof of earnings if a prospective tenant is self-employed and will often ask for one to three years' worth of accounts, as well as HMRC self-assessment forms.

It's unclear if Isaac was asked for these details or if he was able to provide them.

He spoke candidly on his TikTok and said: 'I'm dreaming right? I must be dreaming. I've got 70,000 followers on TikTok, I've got 10,000 followers on YouTube, I've got 10,000 on Instagram.

'Had 200 million views in three months but I live in a car. In this car. I'm dreaming right?

'Can someone wake me up because I live in his car and I have all these followers and all these views. How does that work out?'

Speaking with MyLondon, Isaac explained that he put down a 2,000 holding deposit and the estate agent said they would sign the contract.

But the property was given away to someone else.

He added: 'I've been going to estate agents and they look at me, and they think, young black man, probably ain't got the money to pay for this.

@moretalentlesslimited I live in a car because no estate agent thinks i can afford or will pay the rent  Public Comedy, Independent talent scout and entertainment management Sign up for our mailing list for free tickets to events/show, discounted merch, private telegram group and much more  Link soon to come Our hashtags  #MoreTalentLessLimited #iRtHeArTizt #MTLL #UndergroundPrankster #LondonPrankster #UndergroundBoss For bookings and more contact  Via Instagram & tiktok msg @MoreTalentLessLimited  original sound - MoreTalentLessLimited

The TikToker, who is often spotted by fans, also has a job in construction and earns around 56,000 a year

But Isaac has been living in his car for the past five months because nobody would rent to him

'They don't know that I make more money than half of these estate agents.

'When you go to view a property, there's about ten other people in a queue before you.'

Isaac has since got himself a studio flat with the assistance of Enfield council.

Since he has been of no fixed address for a while, he has only just been able to register with GP practice.

But the online sensation slammed London's mayor, Sadiq Khan, for the housing crisis and told The Sun: 'There are a lot of things wrong with London. I understand the problems Londoners face and Sadiq Khan doesn't, I think.'

The outlet also reports that Isaac plans to run for mayor so he can improve the lives of Londoners.

Over the past couple of months, Isaac has been saving for a deposit and getting his accounts in order so he can apply for a mortgage.

Fans commented on his heartfelt TikTok video, and sent their thoughts but also discussed how bad the housing crisis is.

Fans commented on his heartfelt TikTok video, and sent their thoughts but also discussed how bad the housing crisis is

One wrote: 'Nobody realises how bad this housing crisis is and there is no sign of it getting better!! I feel your struggles and wish you the best'

Another said: 'To make people even smile on the tube is a talent mate... hope u ok.'

A third penned: 'I hope you're okay. Its like when you have everything everyone is there but when you have nothing no ones there.'

A fourth commented: 'That is genuinely awful. What is wrong with our society?'
She and her fiance purchased the waterfront abode last year

A woman has given a tour of the fully furnished houseboat she bought for roughly $200,000 in a beach town where houses cost millions.

Lindsay Perrotti, 28, and her fiance, 31, purchased their waterfront abode on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, last year and live there part-time.

She went viral on TikTok after giving a detailed tour of their stunning home away from home in a series of videos.

Its basically like a tiny house on the water, she explained in the first clip, which has been viewed more than 635,000 times.

Lindsay Perrotti, 28, and her fiance, 31, purchased a houseboat on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, last year and live there part-time

She went viral on TikTok after giving a detailed tour of their waterfront abode, which features a cozy living room with a nautical striped couch and matching chair

The living room leads into a kitchen with white cabinets, a sink, a stovetop, a microwave, and a refrigerator. The only thing that appears to be missing is an oven

Perrotti began the tour on the front deck of the houseboat, which features custom wrap-around seating, a small table, and a cooler.

She stepped through the sliding glass door into a cozy living room with a vaulted ceiling, where she has a full-size couch with nautical stripes and a matching chair.

The room is big enough for a round coffee table and a buffet cabinet filled with plates and glasses. A large TV is mounted in the corner of the room.

The living room leads into a kitchen with white cabinets, a sink, a stovetop, a microwave, and a refrigerator. The only thing that appears to be missing is an oven.

Perrotti noted that there is 'plenty of space to cook,' but instead of a dining room table, they have an open counter with two stools.

To the right of the kitchen is a bathroom with a full-size shower, sink, and toilet, which she said is 'easy to get ready in.'

A ladder goes up to the loft, where they have a queen bed that is 'great for guests.'

To the right of the kitchen is a bathroom with a full-size shower, sink, and toilet, which she said is 'easy to get ready in'

A ladder goes up to the loft, where they have a queen bed that is 'great for guests'

Perotti's bedroom gets plenty of light thanks to the window and sliding glass doors that lead out to a side deck overlooking the water

The couple has a small outdoor bistro table with chairs where they can sit and enjoy the view

Perotti's bedroom gets plenty of light thanks to the window and sliding glass doors that lead out to a side deck overlooking the water.

They have a small outdoor bistro table with two chairs where they can sit and enjoy the view  the 'best part' of the houseboat.

'I cannot believe that this is our view,' she said. 'It's epic.'

In Perotti's follow-up videos, she answered viewers' questions about her waterfront home, including how they found it and how much they paid for it.

Most of the homes on Long Beach Island cost $1 million or more, but their houseboat is just a fraction of the cost.

'Our houseboat was built custom in 2021, and we were able to negotiate all the furniture and decor in the price with our slip fee for around $100,000 to $200,000,' she explained.

Perotti said they purchased it after a friend sent them a video of the floating property, insisting that they would love it.

'Our houseboat was built custom in 2021, and we were able to negotiate all the furniture and decor in the price with our slip fee for around $100,000 to $200,000,' she explained

Perotti and her fiance live on the houseboat from May to October, weather pending

Perotti said they spend their evenings in the beach town 'taking long bike rides after work, cooking together, and never missing the sunset'

Most of the decor is from Wayfair and Kohl's, according to the content creator, but they have been going to Home Goods and antique stores to make their home feel more like their own.

The sink and shower run into the ocean, and they have a 300-gallon septic tank that gets emptied every two weeks to a month.

They live on the houseboat from May to October, weather pending. She noted that they have 'amazing insurance' and would be covered if their boat was destroyed in a hurricane.

'If there is a storm, in general, we just feel it rocking, so it depends really on the winds,' she said. 'We've been here, so far, where there's been 50-mile-per-hour winds. It was actually our first weekend on the boat, and it just basically feels like you're moving.'

Perotti's houseboat is winterized and goes on the hard in the marina during the winter, which is a part of their dock fee.

In another video, she shared that she and her fiance spend their evenings in the beach town 'taking long bike rides after work, cooking together, and never missing the sunset.'
The vet noted that the deadly product can be found in your purse

A vet has revealed the one item that is usually in your purse that can kill your dog - with even just a small amount.

Dr. Matt McGlasson is a California-based veterinarian who frequently shares a look at his life helping save animals to his over 670,000 TikTok followers.

Most recently, the doctor shared life-saving advice to users on the video-sharing platform as he revealed the one item you should never let your dog near that may be hiding in your purse.

Dr. McGlasson noted that something that may seem harmless to you could result in the death of your furry friend if they even get their paws on it for a small amount of time.

Dr. Matt McGlasson is a California-based veterinarian who has revealed the one item that is usually in your purse that can kill your dog - with even just a small amount

He frequently shares a look at his life helping save animals to his over 670,000 TikTok followers

He revealed the item you should make sure is always out of reach of your pup is gum

Keep the gum away! The signs of xylitol poisoning Vomiting

Weakness

Lack of coordination or difficulty walking or standing

Tremors

Seizures

Coma Advertisement

He revealed the item you should make sure is always out of reach of your pup is gum.

'There's something in your purse that can kill your dog. Sugar-free gum contains Xylitol. Just one piece could be fatal to your puppy,' he said.

The vet also showed a couple of examples of sugar-free gum to avoid, including Trident, Mentos, and Extra.

'Keep your fur babies safe, no gum for puppies,' he said at the end of the video.

In the caption, he added that gum is 'very dangerous' to dogs.

Xylitol is a substance that is widely used as a sugar substitute.

And while it's safe for people, it's extremely toxic to dogs.

According to VCA Animal Hospital, when a dog eats even a small amount of the sugar alternative, it results in a potent release of insulin.

This release causes a dog's blood pressure to decrease and causes liver failure as quickly as 10 to 60 minutes.

The signs of xylitol poisoning include vomiting, weakness, lack of coordination or difficulty walking or standing, tremors, seizures, and a coma.

The vet also showed a couple of examples of sugar-free gum to avoid, including Trident, Mentos, and Extra

To prevent your dog from getting xylitol poisoning, keep sugar-free gum away from them and only brush their teeth with toothpaste intended for dogs

Viewers flooded the comments section thanking the vet for informing them of the life-saving tip

To keep your pooch from dying, you will need to allow your vet to give it fast and aggressive treatment.

To prevent your dog from getting xylitol poisoning, keep sugar-free gum away from them and only brush their teeth with toothpaste intended for dogs.

Viewers flooded the comments section thanking the vet for informing them of the life-saving tip.

One person wrote: 'Sweet babies. Thank you for the info! I need to tell many people.'

Someone else commented: 'I didn't know that, thank you.'

'Thank you for the warning,' said someone else.

'I didn't know that,' said one person.
A woman has given an unflinching account of how her fairytale marriage was shattered after she discovered her 'Teacher of the Year' husband was a compulsive cheater and sexual predator who targeted his teenage students.

Hulu's new true crime docuseries Betrayal: The Perfect Husband explores Jenifer Faison's marriage to convicted sex offender Spencer Herron, from their college romance to his shocking arrest that shed light on his double life.

Based on Faison and producer Andrea Gunning's podcast of the same name, the three-part ABC News Studios production features interviews with multiple women who claim to have been taken advantage of by the former teacher.

Faison described them as having an 'ideal marriage' up until Herron was arrested for sexually assaulting a student in 2018, saying, 'I never would have imagined the scope of what he had done.'

Jenifer Faison opened up about her marriage to convicted sex offender Spencer Herron in the new Hulu docuseries Betrayal: The Perfect Husband

Faison learned her 'Teacher of the Year' husband was living a double life after he was arrested for sexually assaulting a student in 2018

The former couple met when she transferred to Berry College, a private liberal arts institution in Mount Berry, Georgia, for her junior year to study communications.

Herron, who was a senior, was a manager of the school's television station.

Their college friend Josh Villines described him as having a 'boy-next-door, Eagle Scout' quality to him, saying he was the type of guy who would help you move a couch into your third-story dorm room.

'He was just one of those people who had an outgoing and charismatic personality,' he explained.

Faison and Herron began dating almost immediately and fell madly in love. She said it was the 'perfect college relationship,' noting that there weren't any red flags.

He wrote her sweet love notes and made her mixed tapes. Even her family was smitten with Herron when she brought him home to meet them.

Despite their love for each other, Faison broke up with Herron after he graduated because she couldn't see their relationship working while she was still in school.

After receiving her diploma, she moved home and worked at a radio station for three years before relocating to Los Angeles to become a television producer.

Faison and Herron fell in love when she transferred Berry College, a private liberal arts institution in Mount Berry, Georgia, for her junior year

Herron was a year older than Faison, and she broke up with him after he graduated because she didn't think they could make their relationship work while she was still in school

Faison's first job in television was with Judge Judy, which earned her two Emmy nominations. She went on to work as a producer for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Breakthrough with Tony Robbins, and Jersey Shore.

While she was making a name for herself in Hollywood, Herron got married and had children. He remained in Georgia, where he worked as a freelance videographer, taught video production at a high school, and played in an Air National Guard band.

Faison dated other people, but she never met anyone who compared to her college sweetheart. After 20 years apart, a divorced Herron reached out to her on Facebook.

As fate would have it, they were traveling to New York City at the same time and made plans to meet up while they were there.

'The night I re-met Spence in New York was magical,' she recalled, saying their reconnection felt like it was 'meant to be.'

'We really believed we were soulmates,' she said.

Faison made the decision to move across the country to be with Herron, who asked her to marry him after getting her parents' blessing.

They tied the knot in front of their family and close friends on December 30, 2012, and they went on to purchase a wine bar in downtown Acworth, Georgia.

Herron taught video production at Kell High School, where he was named 'Teacher of the Year' twice, and he continued to have occasional deployments with the Air National Guard band.

Herron stayed in Georgia, got married, and had children, while Faison became a television producer in Los Angeles

After 20 years apart, Herron reached out to Faison on Facebook following his divorce. They reconnected in New York City and fell back in love

Up until his arrest on June 1, 2018, Faison thought they had a 'great marriage.' She recalled how she excitedly drove home to see him after finishing up work in Nashville that day.

'I pulled into the driveway of our house expecting him to come outside to greet me, and nothing this time,' she said. 'Little did I know I was married to a man who had done something so horrible that it would devastate our lives and change us forever.'

When she walked inside, Herron was sitting on the couch, shaking his head, saying, 'It's over, it's all over.'

Faison recalled seeing a search warrant on the table, saying she only remembers the words 'sexual assault' and 'student.'

When the police came and arrested Herron, he was charged with five counts of sexual assault and held on $55,220 bail.

Faison initially believed there had to be some sort of misunderstanding, but two days later, she stumbled into his email and clicked on a folder that was labeled 'photos.'

After finding dozens of images of naked women, she was confronted with the hard truth that the man she had married was a compulsive cheater.

Faison made the decision to move across the country to be with Herron, and they married in front of their family and close friends on December 30, 2012

Faison thought they had a 'great marriage' up until he was arrested on June 1, 2018. He was charged with sexually assaulting a student named Rachel

'I just kept looking and it was woman after woman after woman,' she said. 'And then I found emails and messages between him and these women. He was living a double life. Who was this predator that I was married to?'

Faison was blindsided and desperate for answers. She made timelines and charts tracking his infidelity, finding messages from 'over 60 women.'

She described her ex-husband as essentially using their wine bar as a 'brothel' when she wasn't there, sleeping with everyone from prostitutes to mutual friends.

Herron also had two- to three-year-long affairs with about half a dozen women, some at the same time.

'He even cheated on me the week of our wedding,' she said.

Not only was Herron living a secret life, but he escalated his behaviors and became a sexual predator.

Throughout 2016 and 2017, he sexually assaulted a student named Rachel, who later reported him to authorities. He started grooming her when she was 15 and had sex with her when she was 16.

When Faison went through Herron's emails, she found that he was a compulsive cheater who carried on years-long affairs and had sex with everyone from prostitutes to mutual friends

Faison was horrified to learn that her seemingly 'perfect husband' was a sexual predator

'I was just a kid. I remember feeling really sick to my stomach about it,' she said on the Betrayal podcast.

Prosecutors said he arranged to be alone with his victim 'under the pretense of meeting for a non-existent school club.'

Herron pleaded guilty to the sexual assault charges in January 2019 and was sentenced to five years in prison and 15 years of probation. He was granted parole in 2022 and had to register as a sex offender

Arrest warrants stated that he also allegedly had sex multiple times with two other students between 2016 and 2018.

The age of consent in Georgia is 16, but it is illegal for a teacher in the state to have any sexual relationship with a student, regardless of their age. He was charged with sexual assault rather than statutory rape.

Rachel struggled with both the aftermath of the sexual assaults and the victim shaming she faced from members of the community who believed Herron was innocent.

'I went from a happy, carefree, and hopeful teenager to a cynical, angry, and depressed one,' she said during a speaking engagement featured in the series.

'I completely shut myself out from people. I withdrew from my family and my friends and by the time I was a senior, I had no communication with anyone that I was involved with at school. I felt like I wasn't deserving of anything good in my life.'

Herron pleaded guilty to the sexual assault charges in January 2019 and was sentenced to five years in prison and 15 years of probation. In 2022, he was granted parole and had to register as a sex offender.
Bad news. That flirtatious glass of bubbly that eases you into the mood might actually be killing your sex life.

Scientists have analysed seven scientific studies involving more than 50,000 women aged 18 to 79 and concluded that alcohol reduces women's sensitivity to touch and can lower their libido  meaning they're less aroused during sex and the experience is less intense.

'Since a healthy sexual function is essential for a good quality of life, policymakers may consider using the results to raise awareness among women,' researchers at Iran's Gerash University of Medical Sciences said last week, conjuring up bizarre images of Health Secretary Steve Barclay lecturing women on the lesser-known effects of 'wine o'clock'.

So have you been doing it wrong all this time? Is sex really more satisfying if you pack away the pinot grigio?

Here, four brave writers debate a tipple before a tumble versus stone-cold sober sex...

Is sex really more satisfying if you pack away the pinot grigio?

SQUIFFY: A tipple makes me feel nicely frisky

Katie Glass, 42, is single and lives in Somerset. She says:

Some of the best sexual experiences of my life have taken place after a few drinks. Of course they have  I am English!

If I'd stayed sober for my whole dating life, then I'd probably never have had any sex in the first place. Indeed, when my married friends tell me their love lives have dried up, the first thing I ask them is if they're drinking enough.

It's not like I need alcohol to go to bed with someone. I can appreciate the pleasures of a nice morning cuddle and the intensity (and sometimes emotional significance) of being soberly present for sex.

But if I had to condemn myself to either having sex sober for ever or always doing the deed after a bottle of champagne . . . well, there would be no contest.

I don't drink to get s***faced, as J-Lo eloquently said recently, but I do like the way a few drinks so gorgeously takes the edge off things.

A nice cool glass of wine, half a cider or a shot of Jack Daniel's makes me feel delightfully frisky and brave enough to flirt. It makes everything a little softer, pleasantly blurred and rose-tinted and everyone prettier, which is a necessity when you're past 40.

Some of the best sexual experiences of my life have taken place after a few drinks. Of course they have  I am English!

I like the way a drink makes me bolder, more confident in my body and less inhibited about trying new things. Having sex is like dancing  everyone is better at it after a few drinks.

God knows how these researchers concluded alcohol lowers women's libido. Have they never seen a group of women after a bottomless prosecco brunch?

Of course, sober sex can have a certain intensity. But equally intoxicating is the way alcohol creates something of a fantasy state, which is exciting to explore with a partner.

It's a state especially welcome when most of the time you and your other half are talking about the dull stuff, such as whose turn it is to do the washing-up. Nothing changes the mood as quickly from Waltons-esque domesticity to Eyes Wide Shut eroticism as necking a shot.

I wouldn't trust a relationship where I could only sleep with my partner while drunk, but I'd be far more suspicious about dating someone so determinedly in control of themselves that they couldn't enjoy the odd pre-coital tipple.

Don't they know the pleasure of sweet strawberry daiquiri kisses, going to bed after an afternoon on the cab sav or the joy of taking a lover and a bottle of champagne to bed?

I'm not shocked by this absurd study. Telling women they shouldn't drink before sex seems like just another, new, humourless way of trying to stop us from having fun.

Is it any surprise this research comes out of Iran  a country where, recently, some young women were arrested for the crime of daring to dance without their hijabs on?

Will I be taking their advice for a sober sex life?

No thanks, I'll keep dancing, drinking and getting it on.

SOBER: Nothing's worse than a drunken fumble

Antonella Gambotto-Burke, 57, has a 17-year-old daughter from her former marriage. She lives in Kent and has been with her partner for 18 months. She says:

The idea of having sex while drunk fills me with sadness. That boring bumbling, the fumbling, those sloppy expressions of desire.

Critically, the forgetting of who you really are or what it is you're really feeling, as I did decades ago when, for a relatively short period of time, I drank.

Frankly, the latest study about the relationship between alcohol consumption and female sexual problems comes as no surprise to me.

Heavy social drinking has, over the past half-century in particular, become a rite of passage for British women.

On a midnight train from London to Kent recently, I watched with embarrassment as a young woman, clearly inebriated, planted her feet on the arm rests of her seat and with one fist raised in the air began clumsily twerking above the aisle. Booze had not so much lowered as completely erased her inhibitions.

Heavy social drinking has, over the past half-century in particular, become a rite of passage for British women

In the same spirit, unhappily married middle-aged women joke about 'wine o'clock' and mask distaste for their husbands in a semi-permanent fug of alcohol.

In my early 20s, I shared a flat with a colleague who took immense pride in 'drinking men under the table'. She appeared to take equal pride in the drunken gropes she had with drunken men in bars, pubs and at boozy work functions.

In the morning, I'd regularly find her fully dressed and face-down on the living room floor, her skin colourless and reeking of tobacco. Sober sex, to her, would have been unimaginable.

On a handful of occasions in my late teens, I had empty drunken encounters with otherwise lovely men that, in their wake, only filled me with disgust and regret.

Despite this, I continued drinking. I drank to disguise fear, inexperience and loneliness, and because everyone else I knew was drinking. I stopped in my 30s when I realised how unhappy it was making me.

Gavin, my partner, has no issue with the fact I don't drink because he also stopped drinking years ago. While he certainly enjoyed drinking more than I ever did, he hated the effect it had on his relationships.

When we make love, there's no need to hide or pretend. Sex  to us  is an evolution of feeling. Yes, it can be awkward. Yes, it can be confronting. Yes, it can feel overwhelming. But we stay with the feeling, focusing on each other and the high we get from that.

Our relationship is too valuable to risk derailing it with drunken arguments or the lack of thoughtfulness that drunkenness entails. Alcohol-fuelled sex seems so silly in comparison.

Antonella's new book Apple: Sex, Drugs, Motherhood And The Recovery Of The Feminine (14.99, Pinter & Martin Ltd) is out now. Follow her @gambottoburke

SOBER: No booze has done wonders for my sex life

Daisy Buchanan, 38, has been married for eight years. She says:

This may shock you, but I honestly can't remember the last time I had sex after a few glasses of wine.

That isn't because booze has made my memory hazy, or because I kept falling asleep half way through.

About a year ago, I stopped drinking alcohol altogether. But, long before that, I decided to stop drinking before getting intimate with my partner. The decision to stay sober has done wonders for my sex life.

I wasn't always like this. When I was in my 20s, alcohol was a huge part of my life. As a fan of Sex And The City, I believed drinking and dating went hand in hand.

With plenty of strong cocktails under my belt, I could become the sort of woman I desperately longed to be: wild, uninhibited and up for an adventure.

This may shock you, but I honestly can't remember the last time I had sex after a few glasses of wine

Even when I was in a long-term relationship, I didn't stop drinking. I was terrified of becoming 'boring', and I put a lot of pressure on myself to be an exciting, open-minded partner.

I thought I needed wine to be at my best in the bedroom. To me, it was as important as clean sheets and nice lingerie.

However, when I met the man I'd eventually marry, something started to shift. He was  and is  kind, funny and loving, and made me feel incredibly secure. I was shocked to find myself initiating intimacy when I was stone-cold sober.

Then, less than a year into our relationship, I noticed something startling. We'd gone out for dinner, and come home tipsy and giggly. One thing led to another, and I caught myself thinking I'm too drunk to enjoy this. It's not bad  but it's not great.

I wasn't very drunk, but I was drunk enough to realise that I didn't feel present in the room  or in my body. The alcohol had made me numb, and my senses were dulled.

Alcohol can definitely lower libido and make experiences less intense. But there's a darker side to our drinking, too. I'm starting to realise how incredibly vulnerable alcohol made me. On more than one occasion in the past, I woke up in the wrong place with the wrong person, feeling confused and ashamed.

At the time, I tried to shrug it off, telling myself that it was all part of being young and single, but now, as a sober woman approaching 40, I realise that when I was drinking heavily, I wasn't able to consent to sex in a clear-headed, wholehearted way. I believed I needed alcohol to give me sexual confidence. But sober sex makes me feel more confident than booze ever did.

I understand that the prospect of sober sex is daunting for a lot of women. We live in a world where we're encouraged to develop negative thoughts about our bodies  and it's harder than ever to switch our brains off.

So many of us struggle with anxiety and insecurity, and alcohol is an instant short-term cure for those problems.

Putting down the bottle can be a challenge, especially on a date night. However, I think it can change everything. For me, it's led to better sex, more body confidence, and a huge boost in happiness and self-esteem.

SQUIFFY: Being a little well-oiled makes sex better

Susannah Jowitt, aged 54, has been married for 24 years and has two grown-up children. She says:

Who doesn't love being lectured about one's sexual functionality by a bunch of university researchers? It's enough to drive one to drink!

We women should actually count ourselves lucky. Men have had the relationship between alcohol and sexual dysfunction all to themselves for so long.

Brewer's droop has long caused flops in foreplay and it was only a matter of time before they shared the pain with us.

Of course, what any woman knows  especially the modern woman who juggles school runs, Ocado orders, worming the dog and cooking supper with the voracious demands of her HRT-fuelled libido  is that alcohol may well reduce our sensitivity to touch, but it also raises the chances of us wanting to be touched.

We women should actually count ourselves lucky. Men have had the relationship between alcohol and sexual dysfunction all to themselves for so long

I finish most days wound up and worn out, so any hope of a midweek tumble depends on a change of gear to fire up the sex drive. For my husband and me, that transition happens as we prepare supper  I chop and cook, he pours  and we both chat about our day over a bottle of wine.

A tipple or two later, we are relaxed and beginning to flirt. I might even pinch his bum as he turns to get the plates out of the cupboard. From there, all sorts of options begin to open up . . .

Two or three nights a week, we don't drink that bottle of wine and, trust me, those nights are duller. We chat less, eat quicker and because those are our 'sensible' nights, we focus on going to bed earlier. Tucked up by 9pm, no alcohol to blunt our senses, frankly I'd rather read my book.

Very few animals are designed to feel pleasure during sex and we humans are top of the passion pops, so we might as well sip from the cup of wild abandon and arousal rather than lie back and think of research studies.

I'm talking a drink or three at most, not a full-on, big-night-out binge. We want blurred edges, not full blackout.

So back off, scientists. Seduction is an art and middle-aged sex is supposed to be fun as well as functional.

If being a little well-oiled helps the moving parts run smoothly, then go for it, I say.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's bombshell Netflix series has been nominated for a Hollywood award.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex released their $100million docuseries Harry & Meghan with the streaming giant last December, which became Netflix's second-highest ranked documentary ever - behind The Tinder Swindler.

Meghan & Harry, directed by Liz Garbus, was the first project to emerge from the multi-year deal the couple signed with the streaming giant back in 2020, shortly after they announced they were stepping down as working members of the Royal Family.

Now the series has been nominated for a Hollywood Critics Award in the Best Streaming Nonfiction category.

Announcing the news on Twitter, the organisation revealed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are up against Prehistoric Planet 2, Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss, Rennervations, The 1619 Project and The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's bombshell Netflix series has been nominated for a Hollywood award

Nominees were chosen using an anonymous voting process from the HCAs TV Awards Committee, which comprises of 27 members.

The committee is formed from a group of 180 different members of the association, and it's unknown which 27 members made the decision with regard to the Sussexes' nomination.

The HCA TV Awards Committee and Television Branch members will also vote on the winners beginning from July 18, 2023.

It's currently unknown when the award ceremony will be.

Meghan and Harry used their $100million deal with the streaming giant to launch swipes at the Royal Family and Britain in shows being described as transatlantic 'TV bombs' hurled at The Firm.

The privacy-conscious couple handed over a trove of pictures and video from their relationship including the moment Harry proposed in 2017 and filming himself in the VIP lounge at Heathrow as he emigrated in March 2020.

The first three episodes contained a series of barbs that are believed to have upset his father King Charles III, including Harry's claim that he was 'literally brought up' by a 'second family' in Africa where he chose to spend three-month stints in his late teens and twenties as he came to terms with his mother's death.

Harry also describes a 'huge level of unconscious bias' in the Royal Family - with reference to Princess Michael of Kent wearing an offensive Blackamoor-style brooch in front of his wife at Buckingham Palace.

There is also a suggestion that the UK is racist and more obsessed with race than the US, with Meghan declaring that she 'wasn't really treated like a black woman' until she came to Britain.

And in a swipe at the choice of wives by his male relatives, viewed as an attack on his father and other senior royals, perhaps even his brother William, Harry insisted that his decision to marry Meghan sets him apart from his family because it was 'from his heart' and not because she 'would fit the mould'.

Meghan & Harry, directed by Liz Garbus, was the first project to emerge from the multi-year deal the couple signed with the streaming giant back in 2020, shortly after they announced they were stepping down as working members of the Royal Family

He said his wife being an American actress 'clouded' his family's view of her - and they believed it wouldn't last.

The news comes after sources claimed the couple are in talks to front a new Netflix documentary which will see them meeting communities in South Africa.

The Sunday Mirror reported Prince Harry and Meghan will be shown helping to build houses in the villages they will visit with the series thought to take a 'humanitarian' focus as Meghan brings awareness to safe birthing practices.

A source told the newspaper: 'The cameras will follow [The Sussexes] as they visit compounds and share medical education.'

They added the production will be a combined project from Netflix and the couple's Archewell Foundation.

The source revealed: 'Meghan is particularly keen to share information about giving birth safely with the women she meets.'

Harry and Meghan's reported project in South Africa will be their third in conjunction with Netflix, following their bombshell six-part docuseries in December 2022 and their 'Live to Lead' series, which aired on New Year's Eve in 2022.

It will follow the couple's 'return to South Africa', according to the source, following their royal tour which saw them visit the nation in 2019.

During the tour, the couple met with community members in townships around Cape Town while travelling with Prince Archie, and were pictured smiling and laughing as they danced with locals.

Meanwhile earlier this week, Meghan could be seen cuddling up with her daughter Lilibet as they attended a 4th of July parade in a video shared by a hotel owned by a friend of the Sussexes.

Prince Harry was pictured alongside his two-year-old daughter last week at the event in Montecito.

In a clip shared by local hotel Rosewood Miramar Beach days later promoting their 4th July celebration, Meghan can be seen alongside her husband and daughter as they wave to passersby.

The luxury five-star hotel is owned by businessman Rick Caruso, who previously revealed how he had first met the couple back in May 2020 to discuss 'charity work' as well as their future plans.

According to The Times, Meghan and Harry have since dined at the exclusive hotel, while the Duchess' ex-husband Trevor also tied the knot at the premises.

The clip shared by the hotel, which has 93K followers on Instagram, shows one car in the parade driving along the road, while those inside waved to parade spectators.

After a clip showing Meghan, Harry and Lilibet, the video moved on to showcasing the BBQ on offer at the hotel for the celebration.

Other clips showed the beachfront bar, as well as a huge sign reading USA which was covered in balloons.

The video, which is less than a minute long, was shared alongside the caption: 'A little Miramar magic for 4th of July!'

Vanity Fair reported back in 2020 that Meghan and Harry had been 'cosying up' to the owner of the hotel.

The couple reportedly held a meeting with the businessman, with Caruso telling Vanity Fair: 'I was just very impressed by both of them. They're surprisingly down-to-earth. We talked about their charity work and the work that my company does.

'We just shared a lot of things that we'd like to do to make people's lives better. We're very lucky to have them.'
Prince William is a 'hands-on, caring dad' and 'not a workaholic like his father King Charles', a royal expert has claimed.

The Prince of Wales, 40, carried out just 190 engagements last year, compared to his father's 497 - but former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond has praised William's different approach to royal life.

She said the father-of-three is prioritising his family because he knows how much it means to his children [Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five] 'to be around at weekends and holidays and whenever he can'.

William previously commented on the King's workaholic nature, telling a BBC documentary in 2018 that he would like to have more 'family time' with his hard-working father.

Speaking to OK! magazine, Jennie said: 'With the late Queens ailing health, William probably had to step up to his full time royal job quicker than he might have hoped, but you can see now how committed he is.

Prince William is a 'hands-on, caring dad' and 'not a workaholic like his father King Charles (pictured together)', a royal expert has claimed

'However, I also very much admire the fact that hes not a workaholic like his father, he knows how important family life is... He seems to be a full on, hands-on, caring dad,' she added.

Asked in the Prince, Son and Heir - Charles at 70 BBC documentary in 2018, whether his father has 'time to be a grandfather on top of everything else', William answered carefully.

In previous years, Charles is said to have privately expressed his frustration that he doesn't get to see as much of his grandchildren as the Middleton family, a claim his aides have always furiously dismissed.

But his elder son made clear that he would like to have more 'family time' with his hard-working father.

William said: 'It's something I'm working more heavily on, put it that way. I think he does have time for it, but I would like him to have more time with the children.

'Now he's reached his 70th year it's a perfect time to consolidate a little bit because, as most families would do, you are worried about having them around and making sure their health's OK  and he's the fittest man I know but equally I want him to be fit until he's 95.

'So having more time with him at home would be lovely, and being able to play around with the grandchildren. Because when he's there, he's brilliant. But we need him there as much as possible.'

Queen Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, added: 'He will get down on his knees and crawl about with them for hours, you know making funny noises and laughing, and my grandchildren adore him, absolutely adore him.

The Prince of Wales (pictured with his three children), 40, carried out just 190 engagements last year, compared to his father's 497 - but former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond has praised William's different approach to royal life

The King has been described as a 'brilliant' grandfather who will spend hours crawling on the floor and making silly noises with his little grandchildren. Pictured, Princes George, Louis, Princesses Kate and Charlotte, Prince William and King Charles and Queen Camilla in June 2023

'He reads Harry Potter and he can do all the different voices and I think children really appreciate that.' Aides said Charles could not be prouder to be a grandfather.

The King, then Prince of Wales, happily showed the documentary crew an arboretum that he planted for his eldest grandchild at Birkhall, his Scottish home, which he calls 'George's wood'.

Meanwhile, speaking about how hard-working his father is, William added: 'He has amazing personal discipline.

'So, he has  and it's frustrated me in the past a lot  he has a routine. The only way to fit all this stuff in is things have to be compartmentalised. The man never stops.

'I mean when we were kids there was bags and bags and bags of work that the office just sent to him. We could barely even get to his desk to say goodnight to him.'

Camilla said she tried to encourage her husband to 'pace himself' but admitted he is too driven to take any notice.

She smiled ruefully: 'My father once said to me, 'As you get older, you've got to do one thing and that is pace yourself'. And I would love to tell him to pace himself, but I'm afraid that's not going to happen.'

In May, King Charles was revealed as the hardest-working royal of the past ten years - carrying out nearly 5,000 engagements in that period, just ahead of Princess Anne.

TOTAL ENGAGEMENTS BY ROYAL FAMILY MEMBERS EACH YEAR SINCE 2010 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Queen 444 370 425 344 393 341 332 296 283 295 133 184 120 Philip 356 330 325 184 273 250 219 131 Charles 585 601 592 537 533 527 530 546 507 521 271 385 497 Camilla 243 250 276 246 224 235 221 235 219 224 120 166 194 William 73 90 88 62 143 122 188 171 220 220 153 235 190 Kate 34 111 44 91 62 140 105 87 126 108 123 138 Harry 53 16 61 52 94 108 152 209 193 201 Meghan 96 83 Andrew 529 455 436 330 367 275 323 326 394 274 Edward 362 374 431 345 426 354 359 291 463 308 129 204 276 Sophie 188 191 324 228 307 218 179 218 239 236 154 194 280 Anne 514 568 566 454 528 544 509 540 518 506 233 387 474 Duke of Gloucester 307 251 337 222 280 270 205 232 243 226 80 115 183 Duchess Gloucester 120 155 146 132 132 145 121 113 90 84 48 56 110 Duke of Kent 223 211 239 198 206 202 159 160 174 203 68 77 91 Princess Alexandra 82 118 110 28 83 88 88 65 67 60 13 34 48 Data compiled each year by royal watcher Tim O'Donovan for The Times newspaper

The King, who spent most of the past decade as heir-to-the-throne, carried out 4,854 engagements between 2013 and 2022  compared to his sister Anne on 4,693.

In third place was their brother Prince Edward on 3,155  followed by the Queen on 2,721 and Andrew on 2,289. The Duke of York's position in fifth place is something of a surprise considering he stepped back from royal duties four years ago in 2019.

Sophie (2,253) and Camilla (2,084) were just behind, with Sophie stepping up last year to do her most engagements since 2014 as the Queen's health declined.

But while Prince William (1,704) and Kate (1,024) are now two of the most visually prominent royals, they actually carried out fewer engagements than the lesser-known Duke of Gloucester (2,056) and Duchess of Gloucester (1,031) respectively.

The Duke of Kent has also made a huge contribution to royal life despite not often being as noticed as others - having carried out 1,538 engagements in a decade.

After him in the league table was Prince Philip (1,057), whose last engagement was in August 2017, nearly four years before his death in April 2021. Philip carried out more engagements over the past decade than Harry (1,009) and Kate.

Meghan is at the bottom of the list, having completed 179 engagements during her short royal life before she and Harry stepped down as senior royals in 2020 and moved to North America.

The data was compiled by the Mail's Royals section based on figures put together each year by famed royal watcher Tim O'Donovan from Datchet in Berkshire.

The retired insurance broker uses the Court Circular, the official daily list of royal engagements, before noting all the engagements down, producing quarterly totals and then sending an annual table of his results in a letter to The Times.

Mr O'Donovan is always keen to point out that his work should not be converted into a 'league table' of individual royal performance, writing in his most recent letter to the newspaper in December 2022: 'All engagements differ as to time and content. There is also the time taken in preparation, whether it be a visit, investiture or speech.'

Mail Royals compiled his totals from 2013 to 2022 to complete the ten-year period for analysis, while also going back a few further years to 2010 to provide a longer view of how the number of engagements for each royal has changed.

The data for last year showed that Charles completed the most engagements at 497, followed by Anne on 474. In third was Sophie at 280 with Edward just behind on 276.
LOBAMBA - The chilly weather did not dampen the spirits of thousands of emaSwati who converged at Sibaya to listen to His Majesty King Mswati IIIs address.

Most were walking wardrobes, having donned an assortment of warm clothing, anticipating a continuation of the cold front that started on Monday. However, yesterdays temperatures had improved from those of Monday, as, on some intervals, people were seen enjoying to bask in the rare sun. They started filing into the Ludzidzini Royal Residence as early as 8am, some walking on foot, others alighting from trucks, buses and kombis that were organised by government. Most people, however, may have shunned trucks, as a number of the vehicles arrived carrying only a few people. Noteworthy, many people arrived late for Sibaya, as they were seen forming long queues at the arrivals security check-point, even after 2pm. Those who had arrived earlier mingled around the culture arena, conversing among themselves, while awaiting to be summoned into the cattle byre, where they were to listen to the Kings address.

Hailer

A loud hailer was then used at about 1.30pm, summoning everyone into the cattle byre. The throngs went through another security checkpoint outside the kraal, where they were cleared for the event. There was relief from most of the people when they found that an artificial turf had been laid in the cattle byre for people to sit on and avoid muddying their clothes with the damp cow dung. This years Sibaya was also attended by students from the Buckswood School. Members of the diplomatic corps also attended and an artificial turf was also laid for them in the front row. Acting Ludzidzini Indvuna, Themba Ginindza, at times warned the people as they trickled into the cattle byre to hurry and make themselves comfortable. At about 2.30pm, the royal family started walking into the kraal to assume their positions opposite the large crowd. Her Majesty the Indlovukazi was also welcomed with loud ululations as she went to take her seat, accompanied by royal family members and Lutsango.

Applause

The long wait by the throngs of people finally paid off at 2.57pm, when His Majesty walked in to a rapturous applause, ululation and praise singing. The throngs went mad with screams of Bayethe!, as he graced the Sibaya with an entourage of royal family members that included princes, chiefs and others. His Majestys speech lasted about 40 minutes, after which he retired to the inner compounds of the royal residence. Ginindza then had a tough time bringing the people to order as some seemed hungry by then. When he announced that food had been served, inkhosi iniphekele the people did not wait for him to say Bayethe! first, but they shouted in his stead. Ginindza saw the error and corrected it by shouting Bayethe! again, ahead of the throngs. The people also displayed impatience by leaving the cattle byre while the Indlovukazi was still seated. They also could not heed continuous reprimands by the indvuna. This was the first Sibaya to be called after the outbreak of the COVID-19 and the civil unrest.
Princess Caroline of Monaco's daughter-in-law has opened up in a rare interview about how she broke the story of an Italian Prince 'confessing to murder'.

Beatrice Borromeo, who is regarded as 'the most stylish royal' and has modelled for Dior worked as a journalist before marrying Grace Kelly's grandson Pierre Casiraghi.

While working for an Italian newspaper in 2011, she leaked a video which allegedly showed Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy - the only son of the last King of Italy - admitting he was responsible for the death of German teenager Dirk Hamer who was shot in Corsica in 1978.

The prince, known as 'pretender to the throne' of Italy's abolished monarchy, denies involvement.

Speaking to Tatler about the story, Beatrice, 37, said 'for as long as I can remember the story of this case was part of our lives' adding that the Dirk's mother Birgit is her own mother's best friend.

Princess Caroline of Monaco's daughter-in-law has opened up in a rare interview about how she broke the story of an Italian Prince 'confessing to murder'. Pierre Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo are pictured

Prince Victor, who was in Potenza jail serving on corruption charges at the time the footage was recorded in 2006, is seen telling other inmates he had taken the court for a ride after his acquittal.

In the video, leaked in 2011, he described firing two shots which hit the tourist as he was sleeping on his boat off the island of Cavallo in 1978.

The royal, who was 41 at the time, had argued with a group of young holidaymakers whom he accused of stealing his inflatable boat.

Dirk Hamer, 19, was shot twice in the right leg and died in hospital three months later.

Victor Emmanuel was cleared of the killing in 1991 at a Paris court.

While working for an Italian newspaper in 2011, she leaked a video which allegedly showed Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy (pictured in his youth) - the only son of the last King of Italy - admitting he was responsible for the death of German teenager Dirk Hamer who was shot in Corsica in 1978

Dirk Hamer, 19, was shot twice in the right leg and died in hospital three months later. His family (pictured) have fought for the royal to be arrested

The six-minute video, shown on the Il Fatto Quotidiano newspaper 12 years ago, was recorded in secret.

In the footage, he can heard saying: 'I was in the wrong... in the wrong.

'I have to say I took them for a ride... the prosecutor had asked for five years and six months. I was sure of winning.

'They gave me a six-month suspended sentence [for arms possession]; six months, there was an amnesty, they didn't even register [the sentence]. I got out!'

The case is set to the subject of a new Netflix documentary The King Who Never Was, which Beatrice has worked on.

Beatrice is the daughter of Italian aristocrat Don Carlo Ferdinando and worked as a political journalist and documentary maker, before marrying Pierre Casiraghi, 33, the son of Caroline, Princess of Hanover and the grandson of Grace Kelly.

The case is set to the subject of a new Netflix documentary The King Who Never Was, which Beatrice has worked on.

On her wedding day in 2015, she sported four couture gowns, two by Valentino for her civil service in Monaco and two by Armani Prive for the religious service in Lake Maggiore.

Seven years on and now a mother-of-two, Beatrice is still impressing wherever, she goes, with Tatler saying she: 'cuts an elegant figure everywhere she goes  whether it's a red carpet, a royal appearance or simply yacht-hopping  with her equally chic sister-in-law Charlotte Casiraghi making for the perfect fashion partner-in-crime'.

Beatrice first shot to the fashion world's attention when she tied the knot in what Vogue dubbed the 'chicest wedding of the summer'.

The magazine called Beatrice the 'Monegasque royal to keep your eye on' describing her wedding dresses as 'a love letter to the greats of Italian fashion'.

In 2021, she became an ambassador for Dior, opting for a navy jumpsuit to watch their 2021 fashion show virtually.

Since, Beatrice, who shares son Stefano, five, and Francesco, four, has been pictured in Dior pieces, styling them perfectly.
Queen Letizia of Spain showed off her incredibly toned arms in a grey polkadot dress as she attended a foundation meeting in Madrid earlier today.

The Spanish monarch looked polished to perfection as she joined her husband, King Felipe at the La Caixa scholarship awards this morning.

The royal handed out postgraduate scholarships to 120 students at the ceremony, which will help them receive education at some of the most prestigious academic centres around the world.

The mother-of-two opted for a stunning grey shirt dress for the occasion, which featured a playful white polkadot pattern and smart belt detailing.

The former journalist kept her make-up to a minimum, showing off her natural beauty while on stage.

Queen Letizia of Spain showed off her incredibly toned arms in a grey polkadot dress as she attended a foundation meeting in Madrid earlier today

The Spanish monarch looked polished to perfection today as she joined her husband, King Felipe at the La Caixa scholarship awards

Wearing her brunette hair loose, her soft waves swept her shoulders and were tucked behind her ear to show a flash of her earrings.

Between 1982 and 2021, La Caixa Foundation has allocated 189 million euros to the scholarship program, which is one of the largest of Europe.

Throughout this period, 3,687 university students have been able to extend their training abroad with scholarships from La Caixa Foundation.

It comes amidst a busy period for the Queen, who yesterday attended BBVA Microfinance Foundation awards in Madrid.

She opted for a boho-style blouse with floral embroidery alongside a pair of sophisticated cream trousers.

Her outfit was matched with a pair of espadrille wedges creating the picture-perfect yet practical outfit.

The ceremony provided children from low-income backgrounds with access to higher education by awarding university scholarships.

The event took place at the Zarzuela Palace, which is the residence and working offices of the Spanish monarch.

The queen chose simple accessories alongside her boho-chic outfit, contrasting to her usual glamorous look.

Her face glowed with beauty as she opted for a light and dewy makeup look with a classic nude lip.

The royal handed out postgraduate scholarships to 120 students at the ceremony, which will help them receive education at some of the most prestigious academic centres around the world

Wearing her brunette hair loose, her soft waves swept her shoulders and were tucked behind her ear to show a flash of her earrings

The mother-of-two opted for a stunning grey shirt dress for the occasion, which featured a playful white polkadot pattern and smart belt detailing

Queen Letizia was joined by her husband King Felipe for the outing this afternoon in Madrid (pictured)

Between 1982 and 2021, La Caixa Foundation has allocated 189 million euros to the scholarship program, which is one of the largest of Europe

Queen Letizia attended the event alongside the 24 winners of the BBVA Microfinance Foundation Scholarship Awards.

The receivers of the scholarship stood proudly in formal attire alongside the elegant royal.

The mother-of-two posed alongside the scholarship winners for photographs, but a small distance was kept between each individual.

As Queen Letizia gleamed in the heart of the photograph, she demonstrated that when it comes to fashion, simple can sometimes be best.

Letizia opted for a nude pair of shoes with the playful grey polkadot dress, which showed off her toned arms

The Spanish royal is frequently involved in charitable events, on top of other royal duties and caring for her two daughters Princess Leanor, 17, and Princess Sofia, 15.

The wife of King Filipe VI attended the ceremony held by the BBVA bank, which aims to offer education aid to the community.

Carlos Torres Vila, BBVA Chair, said that the initiative aims to help 'reduce the digital education gap' as well as giving out scholarships to 'support access to higher education, initiatives for the development of values and skills, school kits and vocational training.'

It comes just days after the Queen attended the military academy alongside her daughter, Princess Leonor of Spain, 17, who will attend the academy in September after graduating UWC Atlantic College in Wales.

The Spanish palace previously announced that Princess Leonor will attend university to study law once her three years of military training are complete.
READ MORE: Man on his stag do wakes up from Ibiza holiday fast asleep

Staying out too late on a work night and stumbling in the next day with a pulsing headache, a nauseated stomach and a foggy brain may feel all too familiar for some.

Now imagine executing the same plan for a night out in a different country.

A British man flew from London to Ibiza for a big night out with his pals - and still successfully managed to make it back into work the next day - with the whole adventure costing him a total of 400.

Ben Matthew Saunders' friends were already on holiday in the Spanish party spot and were hitting the strip to celebrate one of their birthdays.

The 22-year-old, from Fleet, Hampshire, was crushed he couldn't join the group as he had work commitments, but spontaneously decided to book a flight for one night of revelry before returning to work the next day.

Ben Matthew Saunders (pictured), from Hampshire, flew from London to Ibiza for a big night out with his pals - and still successfully managed to make it back into work the next day

The agency owner and TikToker used Sky Scanner to book return flights from London on Monday July 10, which set him back 290.

Ben explained: 'I decided to go out there the day before.

'I know a lot of people use work as an excuse for not going on nights out or celebrating things but I didn't want to do that. I felt bad that I couldn't go.

'I did have work on the day that I flew, as well as the day after, but I wanted to see if I could head out there for one night. Doing it gave me an adrenaline rush'.

Ben finished off a meeting at the National Theatre in Central London at 2pm before catching a flight from London Stansted Airport at 5pm.

The plane touched down in Ibiza at 8.40pm just in time to get ready for the evening's adventures.

'My friend was really happy that I spared the time to go' he added.

The 22-year-old was crushed he couldn't join his friends as he had work commitments, but spontaneously decided to book a flight for one night

Ben finished off a meeting at the National Theatre in Central London at 2pm before catching a flight from London at 5pm

'When I told my friends I was going to come, they didn't believe me or know how I was even going to do it.

'It was a very freeing experience for me as well - it was a great night out.'

On the wild night, Ben jumped into a taxi and arrived at his friends hotel in San Antonio, where he dropped his backpack and headed to the club.

He partied all night before picking up his bag, catching a bus to Ibiza Airport at 7am and flying back to London Gatwick Airport for 11.50am.

Ben travelled to Brighton via train and arrived at 1pm, just in time for his next meeting.

The influencer and agency owner partied all night before picking up his bag, catching a bus to Ibiza Airport at 7am, and flying back to London Gatwick Airport

He added: 'The whole evening was around 400, which is quite expensive for a night out but it isnt extortionate considering what I did.

'If I planned it in advance I could have got cheaper flights but it was on a whim.

'With all the transport and access we have these days, you can go anywhere you want in the world, whenever you want.

'I have a lot of flexibility in my life and I can choose to do things like this.

'I would encourage anyone else to go for a night out in Ibiza if they can.

I hope Ive proved this is possible'.
Dinhut said it's called a 'punnet' in the UK, but there is no set word in the US

She recently asked her American viewers what they call a container of fruit

Food influencer Claire Dinhut, 27, is known as 'Condiment Claire' on TikTok

An American living in London has sparked an online debate after pointing out an everyday grocery item that Americans don't have a set name for.

Claire Dinhut, who is best known as 'Condiment Claire,' has more than 470,000 followers on TikTok, where she shares her food hauls, recipes, and, of course, her favorite condiments.

In a recent video, the half-American, half-French food influencer was waxing poetic about the gooseberries she got at a farmer's market when she held up the plastic container to the camera.

'What would you call this?' Dinhut, 27, asked. 'In the UK it's called a punnet.'

Claire Dinhut, an American living in London, sparked a debate on TikTok after holding up a plastic fruit container and asking what it is called

The food influencer explained that it is called a 'punnet' in the UK, but there is no set word for it in the US

'In the US there's no word. I did an Instagram poll, and you [Americans] were all very confused,' she said

Punnet is a British word for a small basket or container for fruit or vegetables, but she has yet to figure out the American equivalent.

Poll What do you call a small container that holds fruit or vegetables? Carton Punnet Pint Other What do you call a small container that holds fruit or vegetables? Carton 1069 votes

Punnet 1172 votes

Pint 240 votes

Other 265 votes Now share your opinion





'In the US there's no word. I did an Instagram poll, and you [Americans] were all very confused,' she said.

'It was a tray, basket, fruit holder, fruit box,' she continued, rattling off all the names she heard.

Dinhut noted that 'in French, it's a barquette.'

The video has been viewed more than 82,000 times, inspiring dozens of people to share what they call the fruit container in the comments.

A number of Americans insisted 'it's a carton,' while others labeled it everything from a container to a pint.

'Ive always called it a plastic container or container,' one viewer shared.

'A carton, container, a thing of gooseberries,' someone else added.

Dinhut, who is best known as 'Condiment Claire,' has more than 470,000 followers on TikTok, where she shares her food hauls, recipes, and, of course, her favorite condiments

Dinhut's video has been viewed more than 82,000 times, inspiring dozens of people to share what they call the fruit container in the comments

Another joked that it's a 'plastic fruit holdy thing.'

'I literally asked everyone on ig I can assure you every third person has a diff answer hhahhhahq,' Dinhut responded in the comments.

TikTok users from other countries also weighed in.

'In Canada it's a pint or a quart depending on the size,' one Canadian explained, while another added that it is also a 'punnet in Australia.'

A British expat living in the US admitted to calling it a punnet for the past 12 years.

'Do you mean nobody has known what Im talking about?' the person asked. 'Another word to add to that list'

Dinhut's video comes a few months after an American influencer and her English boyfriend went viral for sharing the different words they use to describe the same thing.
She said she has seen multiple robberies and is paid $16 an hour

A Waffle House employee has revealed she has been through two robberies and has had guns shoved in her face for the past 24 years she has been with the company - all while being paid just $16 an hour.

Waffle House employees in South Carolina went on strike Saturday morning to protest dangerous working conditions and low wages.

Servers and cooks of the popular 24-hour breakfast chain called for better security, higher pay, and an end to the mandatory 'meal deductions' from paychecks.

At the strike, Jessica Gantt, 47, revealed she had spent over two decades at the fast food restaurant, having dealt with her fair share of unsafe situations, and been paid just double the minimum wage, despite giving her 'blood, sweat, and tears,' for the company.

Jessica Gantt, 47, a Waffle House employee, has shared she has been through two robberies and has had guns shoved in her face for the past 24 years - all while being paid just $16 an hour

Waffle House employees in South Carolina went on strike Saturday morning to protest dangerous working conditions and low wages (stock image)

Servers and cooks of the popular 24-hour breakfast chain called for better security, higher pay, and an end to the mandatory 'meal deductions' from paychecks

The protest is being supported by the Union of Southern Service Workers, which represents employees in various industries.

In a video shared on the USSW's TikTok account, Jessica detailed her frustrations with the breakfast chain.

'I've been with the company for 24 years. In this time, I'm only making $16 an hour, ' she said at the beginning of the viral video, which garnered over 1.1 million views.

Then, the fast food employee detailed the dangerous conditions she has been working with for the past two decades.

She added: 'I've been through two robberies, and I've had guns in my face in 24 years.'

Jessica noted that she thinks Waffle House could 'do better than $16 an hour.'

'I'm almost 47 with a herniated disc in my back. [Do] you think they're going to get me any mat or anything good to stand on back there on the concrete floor while they work me 17-hour shifts back-to-back? No.

'I think Waffle House incorporated could do me better than that. I've given my blood, sweat, and tears for this company in the years.

At the strike, Jessica revealed she had spent over two decades at the fast food restaurant, having dealt with her fair share of unsafe situations

In a video shared on the USSW's TikTok account, she detailed her frustrations with the breakfast chain

'They could do a little bit better than what they've done. After 24 years that's why I'm out here striking today,' she said at the end of the clip.

Responding to the strike, representatives for Waffle House told DailyMail.com, 'Waffle House is proud of its long record of effectively addressing concerns our associates report to us. We intend to do that directly with our associates.'

The minimum wage in South Carolina is $7.25 - and according to Indeed, the average pay for a Waffle House employee is $7.25 to $31.40.

The cost of living in South Carolina is five per cent less than the national average, however, according to the Economic Policy Institute, if you are single, you need to earn $14.72 an hour to make a livable wage.

Another employee, Marshawna Parker, who spoke to The State, revealed she has also been at the breakfast hot spot for over 20 years and noted that she had witnessed several shootings during her time there.

She noted that Waffle House only employs security guards on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, however, they should have guards at all times.

'They could do a little bit better than what they've done. After 24 years that's why I'm out here striking today,' she said at the end of the clip

She told the outlet: 'We could have been easily shot over an order of hash browns thats $3.

'Theres no excuse for them not to have security at all time to protect us... We are not just bodies in the building: We have lives, people have kids.'

Workers have begged for an end to the mandatory 'meal deduction' policy, which sees $3 to $6 taken out of employees' paychecks to cover a meal during their shift - regardless of whether they eat it or not.

Summer Schoolmeester-Cochran, a Waffle House server, wrote in a statement published by USSW: 'Im usually the only server working second shift, so I am running around and dont have time to eat a meal, but Waffle House still makes me pay for it.... let us opt out.'

According to a statement from USSW, the strike came after employees handed a petition to management. The union has said that there has been no response to the workers' requests.
She wore a skimpy, two-piece swimsuit in the pics, which were taken by Howard

Howard Stern's wife, Beth Ostrosky Stern, 50, flaunted her incredibly-toned figure as she posed for Social Life Magazine in a series of stunning bikini snaps taken by her disc jockey husband.

Beth, who wed the 69-year-old radio host in 2008, graced the cover of the publication's 25th anniversary issue this month - and she proudly showed off her ageless physique during the shoot.

Donning only a skimpy, white two-piece swimsuit, the actress, model, author, and animal-rights activist left little to imagination in the photos, which were taken on a beach by Howard in Southampton, New York.

Beth starred seductively into the camera in one of the images, while another showed her smiling from ear to ear as she knelt in the sand.

Howard Stern's wife, Beth Ostrosky Stern, 50, flaunted her incredibly-toned figure as she posed for Social Life Magazine in a series of stunning bikini snaps taken by her husband

Beth graced the cover of the publication's 25th anniversary issue this month - and she proudly showed off her ageless physique during the shoot

Howard and Beth first met in 2000 at a dinner party. They started dating soon after, and tried the knot in 2008 after eight years together. They're seen in 2018

Donning only a skimpy, white two-piece swimsuit, the 50-year-old actress left little to imagination in the photos, which were taken on a beach by Howard in Southampton, New York

She wore bright red lipstick and dramatic eyeliner, and left her long, locks in loose waves around her face.

Beth - who is best known for starring in the Ben Stiller-lead comedy Flirting With Disaster in 1996 and the 2000 flick Whipped - has focused her recent years on finding forever homes for cats and kittens in need

A third picture featured the blonde beauty running down a boardwalk in a flowing, beige gown.

Later on in the shoot, she switched into a strappy, red bathing suit with a plunging neckline.

Beth - who is best known for starring in the Ben Stiller-lead comedy Flirting With Disaster in 1996 and the 2000 flick Whipped - has focused her recent years on finding forever homes for cats and kittens in need.

She co-founded an adoption center called Biancas Furry Friends Feline in 2019, and revealed to Social Life Magazine that she's currently fostering 19 felines in her and Howard's home.

While chatting with the publication about her passion for helping animals, she admitted that there's a 'misconception' that comes with being the wife of the famous broadcaster.

'People think my life is so very glamorous with Howard and that I have other people doing the messy part of pet foster work,' she explained.

'[But that's] not true. I am currently fostering 19 kittens and adult/senior cats. Thats a lot of poop to scoop.

While chatting with the publication about her passion for helping animals, she admitted that there's a 'misconception' that comes with being the wife of the famous broadcaster

'People think my life is so very glamorous with Howard and that I have other people doing the messy part of pet foster work,' she explained. '[But that's] not true.' They're seen in 2019

She and Howard currently reside in a sprawling, $25 million Hamptons mansion - which sits on 4.35 acres of property and spans across 15,000-square-feet

'What I have chosen to do with my life is a passion and a 24/7 commitment. I put the animals first since I have no human children.'

She and Howard currently reside in a sprawling, $25 million Hamptons mansion - which sits on 4.35 acres of property and spans across 15,000-square-feet.

The waterfront abode boasts eight bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, a bowling alley, wine cellar and tasting room, enormous pool, spa, and private studio that Howard can work out of.

Howard also owns a $21 million penthouse in Manhattan and a $65 million vacation home in Palm Beach, Florida.

Beth - who has racked up nearly 800,000 followers on Instagram - also spoke out about some of the hate that she gets online, explaining that while social media can be a great 'tool' for her to 'further her work' and 'reach so many people,' there's a 'darker' side to it.

Beth (seen with Howard in 2005) also spoke out about some of the hate that she gets online, explaining that while Instagram can be a great 'tool,' there's a 'darker' side to it

'Every day, I block about 10 to 15 people who have commented nasty things and hurt my feelings regarding my rescue work,' she shared. 'The criticism is painful.' She's seen in 2019

'Every day, I block about 10 to 15 people who have commented nasty things and hurt my feelings regarding my rescue work,' she shared.

'The criticism is painful, but I try to take a deep breath and find solace in meditation and cuddling with one of my cats.

'I remind myself that every day I am fortunate to be able to save lives, and Im doing my best.

'I have to stay focused on my mission and resist the temptation to respond to criticism, as my husband advises. Blocking accounts has become a necessity.'

Howard and Beth first met in 2000 at a dinner party, just after the star split from his first wife, Alison Berns, whom he shares three daughters with.

They started dating soon after, and tried the knot in 2008 after eight years together.
Australian foodies will be able to score free McDonald's fries for a few hours for one day only.

DoorDash and McDonald's are teaming up to treat chip lovers to the takeaway favourite to celebrate International Fries Day on Thursday, July 13.

However, you better be quick as the tasty deal is only available for a limited time for a limited number of people.

Between midday and 3pm, DoorDash is throwing in a free large fries with all McDonald's orders.

Those who place a McDonald's order with the company from midday tomorrow should add a large fries to their cart then use the exclusive code 'FREEFRIES' to unlock the deal.

DoorDash customers who order from McDonald's can score a free large fries on Thursday, July 13, between midday and 3pm

The 'mouthwatering' offer is only available for the first 15,000 customers or until stocks last.

Those who are lucky enough to nab the deal not only get free fries, but all delivery and service charges will be waived.

Puji Fernando, General Manager of DoorDash Australia and New Zealand, said there was no better way to celebrate International Fries Day.

Tobi Fukushima, Marketing Manager for McDonald's Australia, added: 'International Fries Day is all about celebrating our delicious fries that have captured the hearts and appetites of people around the globe.

'By partnering with DoorDash, we're able to deliver our golden, perfectly crispy fries to the homes of our customers, making International Fries Day truly special.'
An American expat has shared the one thing she's noticed since moving to Australia that she doesn't agree with.

Brooke Laven has noticed one habit most Aussies who don't live in Sydney share - and it's that they love to 'rip' on the harbour city.

The American revealed that people she's met on her travels to Melbourne and Brisbane claim to 'hate' Sydney and will begin to list several reasons why.

But Sydneysiders have 'nothing bad to say' about other cities, in Brooke's experience.

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Brooke Laven, from the US, has noticed one habit most Aussies who don't live in Sydney share - and it's that they love to 'rip' on the harbour city

'I picked up on this thing about Australians that if you don't live in Sydney, you love ripping on Sydney,' she said.

'If somebody brings up Sydney they'll say they hate the city and list all these different reasons.

'But if you ask someone who lives in Sydney about other cities in Australia, they'll just say they'd love to visit, they have nothing bad to say.'

Brooke admitted to falling victim to the stereotype, revealing moving to Sydney wasn't on her radar at first.

'Before I moved to Australia, I initially wanted to go to Melbourne and Brisbane and thought Sydney was so basic. But now that I live here, I love it. I never want to leave.'

Many Sydneysiders were similarly infatuated with the city.

'Sydney is objectively the best city in Australia, but no one wants to admit it,' a man wrote. 'Yeah, its expensive, but theres a reason.'

'Spot on. We love visiting the other cities. Were so lucky to live here,' another said.

'I think everyone secretly wishes they lived in Sydney, but its too expensive, so its easier to just rip into it,' a woman said.

But others weren't so convinced.

'Sydney looks good but it doesnt feel good. I dont like the vibe,' a Melbourne man said.

A second said, 'Sydney is a tourist destination. Its not a place to live. Objectively ruder, more crowded, longer commutes, more noisy.'

'When I visited Sydney a few years ago, I walked all over the city and not one person took the time of day to return a smile,' an old man said. 'Give me Hobart any day.'
An Australian woman living in London has revealed the biggest changes she's had to adjust to - and the one meal she can no longer eat.

Emily Brogan, from Brisbane, recently moved to London and regularly shares commentary about the differences between the two cities.

The Aussie expat said she cannot swear as much in the UK and doesn't understand the relaxed attitude to probationary drivers.

While she cannot find affordable sushi anymore, Emily at least never has to worry about her favourite artists not touring in London.

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An Australian woman living in London has revealed the biggest changes she's had to adjust to - and the one meal she's has had to give up

Four differences between Australia and the UK British people do not swear as often and 'never' use the c-bomb.

Londoners never have to worry about their favourite artists not performing in their city on tour

UK drivers aren't expected to display their green probationary 'P' plates when driving

Sushi is extremely expensive in London and not widely available Source: Emily Brogan Advertisement

Emily listed the differences in a short clip - and began by saying she was shocked she was expected to censor her language.

'I've been in London for six months, and here in the UK, the c-bomb is a no-no. In Australia, it was literally a term of endearment,' she said.

'But if I'm in London at work dropping the c-bomb, [my co-worker] will tell me I'd be so much more attractive if I didn't use that word.'

Emily said many people told her she must have a limited vocabulary if she needs to resort to swearing - but she insisted curse words add 'oomph' to her speech.

Another shocker was the culture around concerts and expecting huge celebrities to tour in London.

'Londoners don't have to worry about whether or not the A-list celebrity they're obsessed with is going to come to their country,' she said.

'I swear Australia is in Woop Woop - the amount of times a celebrity will [skip Australia on their world tour] is ridiculous.'

'Woop Woop' is Australian slang for a location that is far away from everything.

'Justin Bieber just cancelled his concerts in Australia - 13-year old me would be dead,' Emily said. 'But London - every single celebrity without fail will come here.'

Emily Brogan, from Brisbane, recently moved to London and regularly shares commentary about the differences between the two cities

Emily also said she didn't understand why UK residents don't have to display their green 'probationary' plates on their vehicles.

'Here in the UK, apparently you only need to have 'P' plates on your car for a week and you can take them off when you feel "comfortable",' she said.

'In Australia, you're stuck with them for three years and you will get fined if you don't have them on.'

The main reason the driving plates affected her was the inability to play 'hot or not' with her friends in London.

'I feel bad for the British people - because [having 'P' plates] is literally a game of "Are you hot or not?"'

'You'll be driving along the highway with your gal pals and you know the sign means they're between the ages of 17-22 - and then you have to guess whether they're attractive,' she said.

The Aussie expat said she cannot swear as much in the UK and doesn't understand the relaxed attitude to probationary drivers

Emily was also upset to find there were no sushi places that offered the same food at the price she was accustomed to.

'Sushi train and sushi in general is so expensive here and you get no bang for your buck,' she said.

'In Australia, you can go to your local sushi store and get a roll of sushi for $2.50 - but here, it would cost me a month's rent.

'No wonder you guys aren't big on sushi - it's because it's so expensive.'

Many were shocked at some of Emily's observations.

'The c-bomb is part of my vocabulary and I'm from the UK,' a woman said.

'Swearing is very normal in Surrey,' another wrote.

But others had similar experiences.

'One of the biggest reasons I moved to London is for the concerts,' an Australian expat said.

'Sushi really needs to be cheaper,' a foodie agreed.
Concerns are growing among doctors in America that Ozempic and similar weight-loss drugs may be linked to suicide.

European regulators this week opened an investigation after three patients in Iceland reported suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm.

And now the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it has received at least 60 reports of suicidal thoughts among patients taking the weight loss drug or its sister medication Wegovy.

More than five million prescriptions for weight loss drugs were written in the US in 2022 alone and it's feared that many other cases have gone unreported.

A Reddit group for people taking the drug shows how dozens of patients have suffered from depression after taking up the weekly injections, saying they feel 'hollow' and as though 'rarely anything makes me happy'.

One of the more chilling posts came from an Ozempic user in Canada, which read: 'I never understood why anyone would commit suicide, now I understand. I'm on my third week not Injecting but I can still feel the side effects.'

Novo Nordisk, which manufactures Ozempic, says in its warnings leaflet that patients on the drug may also experience suicidal thoughts

In 2022, more than 5 million prescriptions for Ozempic, Mounjaro, Rybelsus, or Wegovy were written for weight management, compared with just over 230,000 in 2019. This marks an increase of more than 2,000 percent, according to market research firm Komodo Health

Pictured above are two patients who have reported low mood while on Ozempic or a similar drug using semaglutide. The patient on the left said after three weeks on the drug she felt 'like s***' while the patient on the right said: 'Sometimes being skinny is not worth being sad'

Users have also taken to TikTok to warn others about the weight loss drugs, saying they were left struggling with low mood and anxiety.

One user who was on Wegovy said it put their anxiety 'on level 1,000'.

'It tapers off towards the end of the week, right when I am beginning to take my other shot, and then I take my shot, and then it is happening all over again,' they explained.

Dr Florence Comite, an endocrinologist in New York City, said it was plausible that patients on the weight loss drug could experience suicidal thoughts

Novo Nordisk admits that suicidal thoughts may be a rare side effect of the medication and says patients should be monitored and taken off the drug if these occur.

Doctors are not sure how the drugs interact with mood, but theories suggest it may be linked to low blood sugar sparked by a lack of eating, which can raise levels of the stress hormone cortisol, increasing anxiety.

Others have also suggested that the drug could trigger negative emotions by taking away enjoyment from food. Last month, a scientist who helped develop the drugs said they made life 'miserably boring'.

A spokeswoman for Novo Nordisk told DailyMail.com that patient safety was a 'top priority' and all reports of suicidal thoughts were taken 'very seriously'.

Writing in the Reddit group on Ozempic and suicidal thoughts, one US-based user  who uses the name mmsantiago68  said: 'I wanted to thank you because you described perfectly how I feel on it. Hollow.

'Im in my second month and will try to keep going but today I was feeling extra bad, and looked to see if anyone else has had this experience. I hope youre doing better.'

Another user in Canada  who used the handle bubbiepies  said: 'Yes, I had to go off it because it was intolerable.

'I never understood why anyone would commit suicide, now I understand. I'm on my third week not Injecting but I can still feel the side effects.'

And a third  using the name drBiGi who appears to be based in Europe  said: 'Since on Ozempic (now at 0.5mg)... rarely anything makes me happy.

'I [was] a highly dopaminergic person, always striving for more  better life, good food, alcohol, women etc.'

Users on TikTok have also expressed concern over the drug.

One patient in New York City, who uses the handle thereselee6, said that she only lasted on Ozempic for three weeks because it made her feel 'like s***'.

'With the weekly injections, you feel like s*** for five or six days,' she said, 'and then like on the sixth night right before the seventh day you are like, "Oh, I start to feel okay". But then, boop, time for the shot.'

She said that side effects of the medication such as vomiting and feeling sick were leaving her feeling awful.

A second US-based user  who uses the name whit.toks on TikTok  said that the drug set her anxiety off so much that she came off the medication, quipping: 'Sometimes being skinny is not worth being sad'.

Another patient in the US said: 'I am quitting Wegovy because... since the first time I took my first Wegovy shot, my anxiety has been on level 1,000.'.

Dr Florence Comite, an endocrinologist at the Comite Center for Precision Medicine and Health in New York City, said it was plausible that patients taking weight loss drugs could experience suicidal thoughts and depression  although she hasn't seen this out of the hundreds of patients she has prescribed the drugs to.

She told DailyMail.com: 'There is no direct line between hypoglycemia  low blood sugar  and depression.

'But when your sugar falls you can get symptoms such as fatigue, jittery and generally not feeling good.

'And if life is not treating you well, you may start to think: "Is it worth doing this?".'

Shown above is a package of Wegovy. Taken as weekly injections, it has been in shortage across the US amid its potential to help with weight loss

A UK study found that people who used Wegovy experienced rapid weight loss, dropping 18% of their weight over 68 weeks. They regained two-thirds of that weight, or 12% of their original body weight in the year after dropping the weekly injections. Experts say the drug needs to be used over a lifetime to keep off the pounds

Asked about whether disrupting comfort eating could also cause low mood, she said: 'If you are used to going to food to comfort you, but now you don't feel like eating, that might undermine your sense of wellness and leave you feeling worn out.'

Dr Comite, who has taken weight loss drugs in the past, said: 'It was bewildering. I couldn't believe the impact on my brain and GI tract and, like, I wasn't hungry, I had no desire and also no interest [in eating].'

Dr Comite has prescribed Ozempic, Wegovy and other weight-loss drugs to hundreds of patients over several years  with Ozempic first becoming available for diabetics in 2017 while Wegovy was approved in June 2021.

She told DailyMail.com that none of these patients have gone on to develop suicidal thoughts or anxiety, but all are screened before being put on the drugs to ensure that any mental health problems are closely monitored.

Ozempic and Saxenda work by imitating hormones in the body that make someone feel full, suppressing appetite.

They can also slow the speed at which the stomach empties, ensuring more food for longer.

The drugs have taken America by storm, with prescriptions for Ozempic and Wegovy  which both use the drug semaglutide  having surged 2,000 percent since 2019. An estimated 5million prescriptions were written for Ozempic and similar drugs in 2022.

Novo Nordisk, which manufactures Ozempic and Saxenda, already notes suicidal thoughts as a potential side effect of the drugs.

It writes in the precautions: 'Suicidal behavior and ideation have been reported in clinical trials with other weight management products.

'Monitor patients for depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior.

'Discontinue Wegovy in patients who experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors and avoid in patients with a history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation.'

Their clinical trials excluded patients with depression or recent suicidal thoughts because of concerns over how the drug could affect them.

Doctors are warned to think twice before prescribing the drugs to patients who are depressed or experience suicidal thoughts  but with the medications being handed out liberally in America this warning may be overlooked.

The FDA says there have been at least 60 reports of suicidal thoughts in patients on medications that use semaglutide  which includes Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus.

The reports come from the Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), which was used during the Covid pandemic to alert scientists to rare side effects of the vaccines such as blood clots.

The cases are self-reported and have not been verified by the agency. They were reported since 2018, the year after Ozempic was approved for weight loss in the US.

The FDA said it had also received at least 70 such reports for patients on Saxenda, which uses liraglutide, since 2010.

A link to depression and suicidal thoughts due to Ozempic could be serious for the company.

The European Medicines Agency was revealed yesterday to be investigating the risks of weight loss treatments triggering suicide or self-harm.

A safety committee is looking into the adverse events raised by the Icelandic Medicines Agency, it was reported by Reuters.

Two of the cases were linked to suicidal thoughts, with one patient using Ozempic and the other Saxenda, while one case in a Saxenda patient was linked to thoughts of self-harm.

Novo Nordisk said at the time that patient safety was a 'top priority' and it treated all reports about adverse events very seriously.

Sanofi's Acomplia, another weight loss drug, was withdrawn in Europe in 2008 after it was linked to suicidal thoughts.

Penny Ward, a visiting professor in pharmaceutical medicine at Kings College in London and an expert on EU drug safety monitoring, said the most likely outcome of the investigation would be a change in the drug's label in the EU to carry a warning of the possible side effect of suicidal thoughts.

Another drug safety expert, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the small size of Iceland's population might have led regulators to consider only a few adverse event cases were a significant proportion and worth investigating.

A spokeswoman for Novo Nordisk said: 'Patient safety is a top priority for Novo Nordisk, and we take all reports about adverse events from use of our medicines very seriously.

'GLP-1 receptor agonists have been used to treat type 2 diabetes for more than 15 years and for treatment of obesity for 8 years, including Novo Nordisk products such as semaglutide and liraglutide that have been on the market for more than 10 years.

'In the US, FDA requires medications for chronic weight management that work on the central nervous system, including Wegovy and Saxenda, to carry a warning about suicidal behavior and ideation.

'This event had been reported in clinical trials with other weight management products.'
LOBAMBA  Former Members of Parliament (MPs) have sung His Majesty King Mswati IIIs praises for pledging Sibaya dialogue after the general elections.

The head of State assured the nation that there would be a dialogue shortly after the general elections, where emaSwati would get the chance to voice out issues of concern at the cattle byre at Ludzidzini, as is the norm in the Kingdom of Eswatini. Former Ndzingeni MP Lutfo Dlamini said one of his highlights of the Kings speech was on the issue of dialogue. The former legislator highlighted that the opportunity for dialoguing was what the country needed at the moment to reflect on where it was coming from and the direction it desired to take going forward. The King also highlighted that we need to put the country first before anything and that is of utmost importance. It will help no one to destroy the very things that we will need after the dialogue, so we ought to put our differences aside and build from here, he said.

Former Siphocosini Inkhundla MP Mduduzi Matsebula highlighted that it was important for the nation to harness its collective intelligence through dialoguing as the King had announced.

This is the right time for us to rebuild our country politically, economically and socially. It is of significance for the country to remember where we come from and we ought to put our differences aside and move forward collectively, he said. Former Shiselweni II MP Strydom Mpanza echoed the King on the issue of electing people who have a First World mentality, so as to land the Kingdom of Eswatini in that class. We need a government that will carry the country forward and that entails electing people with a vision to bring exceptional development. My other prayer is that every group in society be well represented, so that there is balance in authority as the King wished, he said.
A disease that kills up to 70 percent of people it infects has been detected in the United States for what appears to be the first time.

The bacteria that causes scrub typhus was found in mites living in half of the national parks surveyed in North Carolina, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study.

It can be transmitted to humans via bites, triggering symptoms including rashes that cover the limbs and dark, scab-like, wounds on the skin. In serious cases, it can also impair the function of the lungs and heart, leading to death.

Scientists at North Carolina State University, who led the research, warned further surveillance was needed in case the disease had spread to other states.

The above map shows where sampling took place in North Carolina. Darker colors indicate a higher proportion of mites carrying the disease

Pictured above is the scab that can be caused by scrub typhus (left) and a larval and adult mite that can carry the disease and transmit it to humans via a bite (right). The mites are shown on top of a pinhead

No cases of the disease have been detected in people in North Carolina to date, but bug-borne pathogens are on the rise nationwide.

Last month the US announced its first domestic malaria cases in two decades had been detected in Florida and Texas. And this month it was revealed that the mosquito-borne West Nile Virus had reached new towns in Ohio and Connecticut.

There are also concerns over tick-borne diseases such as babesiosis  which kills one in five people it infects  spreading further North.

Dr Kaiying Chen, an entomologist at North Carolina State University who led the study, told DailyMail.com: 'This is the first time that [scrub typhus] has been detected in the free-living chigger [mite] in the US.'

Scrub typhus is native to an area called the Tsutsugamushi Triangle  named after the bacteria that causes the disease  which stretches from Pakistan to far eastern Russia and Australia, where there are one million cases a year.

Estimates suggest up to 60,000 people may die from the disease every year, with death rates being kept lower by the rapid administration of treatments such as the antibiotic doxycycline. This prevents the disease escalating to later stages, when it is more lethal.

But it has recently started to crop up in other areas including the Middle East, southern Chile and Africa, which prompted researchers to search for it in the US.

Also known as bush typhus, it is caused by an infection with the bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi which can be carried by mites.

About 10 to 12 days after being infected, a reddish or pinkish lesion appears at the site of the mite bite.

The patient may also start to suffer from a headache, fever, chills, muscle pains and have a sore emerge on the skin with a 'punched out' appearance.

About a week later, a pinkish rash may also appear on the skin around the abdomen that may then extend to the arms and legs.

Without treatment, the disease can also lead to abnormalities in the heart, lungs and blood  which could lead to death.

Treatment includes doses of the antibiotic doxycycline to kill off the bacteria causing the infection.

Scientists at the University of Texas say between 30 to 70 percent of patients die if they do not receive treatment.

For the study, published today in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWR), scientists checked mite populations in ten national parks in North Carolina.

Mites were collected by placing a tile on the ground, which generally measures a meter by a meter, and searching the area within them for the arthropods.

At nine of the sites, ten mites were collected, while at one only five mites were collected.

All the mites were then tested for whether they were carrying the bacteria that causes scrub typhus.

Testing showed that nine out of ten mites in Lumber River State Park were infected with scrub typhus.

Eight out of ten in Kerr Lake State Recreation Area carried the bacteria behind the disease, as well as one out of ten in Falls Lake State Recreation Area and Morrow Mountain State Park.

One out of the five from Merchant Millpond State Park was also infected.

Dr Chen and her team said in the paper: 'This result is... significant because it indicates... circulation of [scrub typhus] in chiggers [mites] collected within the continental United States.'

It was not clear how the disease had reached the US, but it could be the case that mites carrying the disease found their way into the country via an airplane or an import on a ship.
Even 'safe' levels of air pollution can trigger heart attacks, a study suggests.

Researchers also found people can be struck down within just an hour of breathing in dirty air.

Tougher air quality standards are now urgently needed, experts claimed.

Levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2)  mainly emitted by cars  were tracked in nine US cities over 15 years.

Columbia University scientists then compared this with heart attack hospitalisation rates, allowing them to tease apart any potential link.

Even 'safe' levels of air pollution can trigger heart attacks, a study suggests. Researchers also found people can be struck down within just an hour of breathing in dirty air

Air pollution increases the risk of several conditions, including heart attack, stroke and diabetes

What is nitrogen dioxide? Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a gas mainly produced during the combustion of fossil fuels. Short-term exposure to concentrations of NO2 can cause inflammation of the airways and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections and to allergens. NO2 can exacerbate the symptoms of those already suffering from lung or heart conditions. Advertisement

As concentration of the pollutant increased, so did the risk of heart attacks, just 60 minutes after NO2 levels spiked.

The increased heart attack risk kicked in when NO2 levels stood lower than current US national standards of 100 parts per billion (ppb).

This threshold means that for every billion units of air, 100 units of NO2 is considered acceptable.

These are in line with World Health Organization and UK air standards that the hourly concentration should not exceed 200 micrograms of NO2 per cubic meter of air (g/m). 100 ppb NO2 equates to 191 g/m.

UK laws currently state hourly levels of toxic NO2 must not exceed that threshold more than 18 times a year.

However, air quality tracking tools shows that this limit is regularly breached in parts of London.

Writing in the journal Environment International, the academics said: 'Our findings suggest that current hourly standards may be insufficient to protect cardiovascular health.'

Studies have repeatedly shown that air pollution, especially from traffic, can trigger a heart attack.

This is because inhaling pollutants  which can be so small they travel deep into the lungs and bloodstream  can restrict blood flow to the heart and force the organ to work harder than normal.

Pictured, a graph showing three measures of nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant primarily produced by engines and the burning of fossil fuels. The urban background annual average (purple) dropped by almost a quarter (23 per cent) in 2020

READ MORE: World's most polluted countries REVEALED - and the worst might surprise you It is measured in particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and can be especially dangerous - it is linked to worsening medical conditions such as heart disease Advertisement

However, it is unclear when the risk of heart problems kicks in after exposure to pollution and how long it lasts.

The Columbia University team used data on the hourly NO2 concentrations for cities in New York state between 2000 and 2015.

The study also involved hospitalisation data for 8.9million people, including 350,000 who suffered a heart attack.

Average hourly NO2 concentrations stood at around 23.3ppb.

But every 10ppb increase seemingly raised the risk of heart attacks by 0.2 per cent.

And the risk of a heart attack was highest in the first hour of exposure, when it jumped by 0.21 per cent.

The risk was heightened for six hours after spikes in NO2 rates across all cities and remained elevated for up to 24 hours in some.

Around 100,000 Brits and 800,000 Americans have a heart attack every year.

The WHO has demanded that countries take tougher action as evidence continues to build over the health risks of tiny pollutants, which have also been linked to dementia and cancer.

Poor air quality is estimated to cause 7million deaths every year and cuts millions of healthy years off lives, according to the UN agency.
The 52-year-old has been left with a stump after the psychotic episode

The unidentified man from India attended hospital 16 hours after detaching it

A schizophrenic man chopped off his penis with a kitchen knife and then flushed it down the toilet.

Sharing gory details of the incident in a medical journal, surgeons in India told how the unidentified 52-year-old was left with a stump.

The man, who had stopped taking his medication, didn't turn up to hospital until 16 hours after amputating himself.

Medics said the man, from Pune, had 'no suicidal intention'.

However, he attributed his action 'to voices in his head that told him to cut his penis or otherwise face dire consequences'.

The unidentified 52-year-old from Pune in western India has been left with a stump after the psychological episode. But doctors who treated him said he only attended hospital after it had been detached for 16 hours

Writing in the Open Journal of Clinical and Medical Case Reports, doctors at Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College in Pune said his scrotal skin was dislodged from the root of the penis.

Medics rushed the man into surgery to clean his wound.

He was given general anaesthetic to knock him out so surgeons could operate on the stump.

After seven days in hospital, the man was discharged.

Checks 20 days after the operation revealed the 'stump was healing well', medics also said.

The man reported no other complications and was able to pass urine.

Writing in the journal, they stated self-inflicted penile amputation  also known as Klingsor syndrome  is a 'rare form of physical self-harm that stems from psychological anomalies'.

They added: 'It presents not only as a surgical emergency but also has the potential to worsen the patients psychological distress and self-care challenges.'

Klingsor syndrome was first logged in medical literature in the 1990s and has been rarely documented since, with fewer than 30 official reports.

Patients who carry out such an act normally suffer from psychiatric disorders, hallucinations or drug abuse.

Doctors are able to reattach penises if they have been well kept, are presented early and the wound is not too contaminated or mangled.

People who have had successful reattachment surgery are able to urinate normally and can even achieve erections after, in some cases.

The date of the incident was not revealed in the report. Doctors did not reveal how much blood the man lost, nor how he stopped any bleed.
Family doctors already have patients turning to 'Dr Google' for a diagnosis.

But Google has now developed AI which could perform as well as a doctor when answering questions about ailments.

The tech giant reports in the journal, Nature, that its latest model, which processes language similarly to ChatGPT, can answer a range of medical questions with 92.6 per cent accuracy.

That is on a par with the answers provided by nine doctors from the UK, US and India, who were asked to respond to the same 80 questions.

Researchers at Google say the technology does not threaten the jobs of GPs.

Google has now developed AI which could perform as well as a doctor when answering questions about ailments. But researchers at Google say the technology does not threaten the jobs of GPs

The tech giant reports in the journal, Nature, that its latest model, which processes language similarly to ChatGPT, can answer a range of medical questions with 92.6 per cent accuracy

But it does provide detailed and accurate answers on questions like 'can incontinence be cured?' and the foods to avoid if you have rosacea.

That could lead to it being used for medical helplines like NHS 111 in the future, the researchers suggest.

Dr Vivek Natarajan, senior author of a study on the AI programme, called Med-PaLM, said: 'This programme is something that we want doctors to be able to trust.

'When people turn to the internet for medical information, they are met with information overload, so they can choose the worst scenario out of 10 possible diagnoses and go through a lot of unnecessary stress.

'This language model will provide a short expert opinion, which is without bias, which cites its sources and expresses any uncertainty.

'It could be used for triage, to understand how urgent people's condition is, and to bump them up the queue for medical treatment.

'We need this to help when we have a lack of expert physicians, and it will free them up to do their job.'

The Med-PaLM artificial intelligence programme was adapted from a programme called PaLM, which was expert at processing language but had not been specifically trained on health.

Researchers carefully trained the AI further to give it more high quality medical information and teach it how to communicate uncertainty when it had gaps in knowledge.

The programme was trained on doctors' answers to questions, so it could reason properly and avoid giving information which might cause a patient harm.

It had to meet a benchmark called MultiMedQA, which combines six datasets of questions on medical subjects, scientific research and medical consumer queries, as well as HealthSearchQA - a dataset of 3,173 medical questions which people searched for online.

Med-PaLM only gave answers which risked potential harm to a patient on 5.8 per cent of occasions, the study, published in the journal Nature, reports.

That is also comparable to the rate of potentially harmful answers given by the nine doctors surveyed, which was 6.5 per cent.

There is still a risk of 'hallucinations' within the AI - meaning it could make up answers without data behind them, for reasons engineers do not completely understand, and the technology is still being tested.

But Dr Natarajan said: 'This technology can answer questions doctors are given in medical exams, which are really hard.

'It is really exciting and doctors do not need to fear AI is going to take their jobs, as it will instead simply give them more time to spend with patients.'

However James Davenport, Hebron and Medlock Professor of Information Technology at the University of Bath, said: 'The press release is accurate as far as it goes, describing how this paper advances our knowledge of using Large Language Models (LLMs) to answer medical questions.

'But there is an elephant in the room, which is the difference between 'medical questions' and actual medicine.

'Practising medicine does not consist of answering medical questions  if it were purely about medical questions, we wouldn't need teaching hospitals and doctors wouldn't need years of training after their academic courses.'
A Government shake-up of financial regulations could see the Section 75 rules which protect customers when spending on their credit cards 'watered down'.

A Treasury consultation document confirmed plans to overhaul the Consumer Credit Act 1974. This is the law which regulates 200billion in debts every year, including credit cards, store cards, personal loans, payday loans and hire purchase deals.

The exact changes are still being hammered out, but could impact consumers if vital refund protections end up being changed or abandoned.

A key change to watch out for is what happens to credit card refunds, known as Section 75 protections.

Taking all the credit: The FCA regulator has overseen consumer credit since 2014

Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at stockbroker Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'The Consumer Credit Act has ridden to the rescue for millions of people. So, the fact the government is planning to axe the Act is bound to be unsettling.

'Those who responded to the consultation were keen to keep something along the lines of Section 75, but there were calls for some changes. This could strengthen some rights but endangers others.'

Section 75 protection means if a consumer buys something on credit worth between 100 and 30,000, the lender and seller are equally liable to sort the problem out if something goes wrong.

Customers are often able to get their money back using Section 75 in cases where a product hasn't been delivered as promised, or a holiday has been cancelled, for example.

The Treasury today said: 'It is clear that consultees are supportive of change and the Government therefore intends to proceed with an ambitious approach to CCA reform.'

This is everything we know about how credit card and loan regulation might change in the future.

What is the Consumer Credit Act?

The CCA is 1974 legislation designed to bring in a single approach to regulating consumer loans. It still applies today, with minor tweaks over time.

Before the CCA, this sector was subject to a hodgepodge of different laws - and often no laws at all.

The CCA changed all that by bringing in rules around how lenders structure deals, advertise, end loans and set refund rights for consumers - chiefly, Section 75 rules.

The Office for Fair Trading oversaw the CCA until 2014, when it was handed over to the Financial Conduct Authority regulator.

What about the CCA is changing?

Two things. Firstly, the Government wants to overrule large parts of the CCA and let the FCA write its own rules around how it regulates debt.

The Government will be 'repealing much of the CCA and recasting it in the FCA rulebook', the Treasury said.

Partly that is because some rules need updating, and partly it is because the FCA does not have the powers it needs to carry on with some of the rules if the CCA ends.

A Treasury document on the changes said: 'The CCA provides consumers with important rights and protections which protect consumers at both the pre-contractual and post-contractual stages of an agreement.

'The consultation explained that the FCA's current [...] rule-making powers would not enable the FCA to replicate all of these rights and protections in its rulebook.'

House of cards: Consumers have to grapple with a confusing mass of credit card documents

Secondly, the overhaul also means being able to update the wording of the CCA, which is almost 50 years old.

These laws were brought in before inventions such as 'buy now pay later' loans, the internet and smartphones, for example.

Economic secretary to the Treasury Andrew Griffith said: 'While it was well designed for its time, the CCA is increasingly under strain to deliver a 21st century customer experience.

'The existing legislation is ill adapted to technology that was not conceived of almost 50 years ago. It poses challenges for financing emerging technologies like electric cars and enabling online customer journeys via smartphones.'

What changes could be on the table?

It is clear a lot of the CCA will be ripped up. However, exactly what will change is still up for grabs, and consumers will not see any differences for months or years yet.

But we do know that buy now pay later loans will be regulated as part of the changes.

The FCA could also improve how loan small print is worded.

At the moment, the CCA means lenders have to give pre-worded documents to customers before they can take out a credit card or loan, such as 'pre-contract credit agreements'.

But experts like campaign group Fairer Finance say these documents, while well-meaning, are clunky, confusing and not understood by many consumers.

Fairer Finance wants to see these documents changed to be easier for consumers to interpret.

James Daley, the chief executive of Fairer Finance, said: 'What's frustrated me most about this market is that there are quite strict rules around what lenders must tell customers before they complete an application. More so than just about any other financial services market.

'Unfortunately, some of these rules date back almost 50 years  and are not fit for today's market which comprises many different types of credit product.'

This can be a problem when customers take out loans on devices with small screens, like smartphones.

The Treasury noted that 'the prescription of form for information requirements means that firms are required to provide information in a way that is not compatible with smartphones, and that this leads to lower customer engagement with important information'.

What about Section 75 rules?

The good news for consumers is that there are no plans to scrap the jewel in the crown of the CCA - Section 75 refund rules.

Section 75 protections are likely to be kept, the Treasury said today.

The Treasury added: 'Section 75 was generally seen as an important provision by industry and consumers, with some noting that it provides consumers with greater confidence to make purchases on credit. However, many consultees believed it could be modernised.'

Some lenders told the Treasury they wanted to see Section 75 rules watered down.

For example, when customers have a problem with something they buy on credit, some firms wanted to see lenders only be on the hook for the value of the loan itself, not the entire replacement value of a product.

Others wanted to see consumers first target sellers with refund requests before being able to ask the lender.

An FCA spokesperson said: 'We are keen to make sure consumer credit regulation supports a well-functioning and competitive market whilst maintaining appropriate consumer protections.'
On the surface, the London town of Acton has a lot going its way. It has plenty of green spaces, a bustling outdoor market, and a property sector where the average home sells for 750,000. There's money on Acton's streets, for sure.

Yet, it is not what the banks think about this town, sandwiched between Ealing and Shepherd's Bush in West London. They have given it the proverbial two fingers.

In recent years, all the big banks have shut their branches on Acton's sprawling High Street, the last to do so being Barclays just over two years ago.

Although some branches have been turned into restaurants and supermarkets  giving the town a vibrant cosmopolitan feel  others such as Barclays' imposing Victorian premises (established in 1852) remain empty, scarring the High Street.

An empty bottle of Staropramen Premium Czech lager lies on the steps. Says it all.

Sixty-four new banking hubs have been confirmed as the banks retreat from the High Street at an alarming rate

The old Barclays branch is a reminder of a time when banks were part of a community's fabric and the bank manager a man around town (yes, outrageously, they were all men back in the 1960s and 1970s).

Where banks once dominated, slot machine shops increasingly thrive.

'It broke my heart when Barclays shut,' says 76-year-old customer Christine Francis who has lived in Acton for more than 20 years.

'As did the demolition of the Crown Post Office to make way for new flats. Every community deserves a bank and a post office. Surely.'

She's right, dead right. So, it is heartening that Acton has now been given a banking lifeline of a sorts  in the shape of a so-called banking hub, managed by the Post Office.

It launched last month in the town's Oaks Centre shopping arcade after much deliberation as to where it should end up. The centre has struggled in recent years as shops have shut, although Lidl ensures a steady throughput of locals.

The hub, next to a KFC, was set up by Cash Access UK, an organisation funded by the banks and specifically established to get this new 'back to basics' form of High Street bank up and running.

The hub is compact, with one counter where customers can transact and a private room for one-to-one discussions. Manager Vip Varsani greets customers like long-lost friends. A sign on the window proclaims: 'Welcome to convenient banking in the heart of your community.'

Acton's hub is one of only seven launched so far countrywide  and the first in an inner City location. For better or worse, it represents the future of High Street banking for many communities.

Sixty-four hubs have been confirmed as the banks retreat from the High Street at an alarming rate. Four more will be announced today, destined for Elland, Leeds; Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire; Ware, Hertfordshire; and Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire.

Since early last year, nearly 1,000 branches have either been shut or earmarked for closure, leaving many communities bankless.

And with banks poised to shut yet more premises, 68 could become hundreds as the number of communities with no remaining bank branches ratchets up.

Under regulations just imposed by the Government, banks must ensure consumers and businesses have access to cash.

John Howells, chief executive of cash machine network Link, says: 'As more branches close, I expect hundreds of new hubs to open across the UK.' Link works with Cash Access UK in deciding what communities deserve a hub.

Jeff Prestridge (picured left) outside the new Acton new hub, which is one of only seven launched so far countrywide  and the first in an inner City location.

But hubs aren't universally loved.

Some experts are underwhelmed. They believe hubs are dumbed-down banking  primarily basic, transactional banking.

Others argue they are a better solution than leaving swathes of communities bankless when the last branch in town shuts.

Banking hubs are shared bank branches which customers from 30 banks and building societies can use to deposit money, make withdrawals or pay utility bills.

They are suitable for both personal and business customers. Open Monday to Friday, staff from five leading banks including building society Nationwide, are also on hand one day a week to help with more complex banking matters. They take a day in turn.

So in the case of Acton, a NatWest representative is available on Monday, followed by Barclays (Tuesday), Lloyds (Wednesday), Nationwide (Thursday) and Santander on Friday. The five are determined by which banks are most popular in the local area.

Hubs are not an automatic right. Under an agreement struck in late 2021 between the banks and pressure groups representing the elderly and small businesses, hubs can only be installed in communities that have no remaining bank and no Nationwide branch.

Disappearing: Since early last year, nearly 1,000 bank branches have either been shut or earmarked for closure, leaving many communities bankless

It's a stipulation that irritates former NatWest banker Derek French  a long-standing campaigner for hubs. A Nationwide branch prevents a hub from being set up even though the society does not offer business banking: vital to many independent retailers.

A hub is also not a given. It will only be approved if Link says the community is big enough for one.

Rupa Huq, Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton, says the hub is welcome. 'Acton is littered with the carcasses of branches deserted by the banks,' she adds. 'I've fought for the hub for a long time, so it's great that it is now open.'

But she believes it could be improved. She thinks the signage in the hub's window does not make it 100 per cent clear that the hub can be used by all bank customers  not just the five whose details are advertised in the window.

It's a point made by Valerie Bell, who has lived in Acton for nearly a quarter of a century.

She's a Co-op Bank customer. She says: 'I walked past the hub the other day and saw no mention of my bank, so I assumed it wasn't for me  just the customers of Barclays, Lloyds, Nationwide, NatWest and Santander as listed in the window.

Rupa would also like the hub to offer more services as it becomes established. 'Customers see the Post Office branding and expect to be able to buy stamps and travel money.'

She would also like the hub to be open on a Saturday when Oaks Centre is at its busiest and maybe extend its hours during the week.

Local campaigner Maire Lowe also hopes the hub can be supported by a cash machine. The town's main ATM, located in nearby Morrisons, is often out of order, primarily because of demand.

'With a few tweaks, the hub could really benefit the town,' she says.

Lifeline: Under regulations just imposed by the Government, banks must ensure consumers and businesses have access to cash

These gentle criticisms are acknowledged by Cat Farrow, chief operating officer at Cash Access UK. She says: 'As more hubs open, we'll be listening carefully to feedback from residents and small businesses.

'We fully expect the concept to evolve over time to meet people's changing needs. Right now though, our priority is opening more hubs.'

Certainly, the Acton hub is popular judging by the number of people who used it two days ago when I went to visit.

Not only were people making cash transactions, some were popping in to see NatWest's Kishor Bhudia, the resident banker for the day.

M.S. Khan, general secretary of the mosque over the road says the hub is great news. He will no longer have to catch the bus to Ealing, laden down with bags of cash donated by worshippers, in order to bank them.

Christine Francis also welcomes it. 'It's about time the banks put something back into Acton,' she says.

It's far too early to assess the merits of the Acton hub and hubs in general. My heart desperately wants them to succeed  like Mr French, I've been campaigning for them since I was just out of shorts.

But they need to be properly funded by the banks. They also require the City regulator to use its new-found powers to ensure banks finance new hubs where access to cash and deposit services is desperately needed.

Two big asks.
The cop charged with Tasering the 95-year-old dementia-sufferer and great grandmother Clare Nowland may have been given preferential treatment in being granted unconditional bail by his police colleagues, lawyers believe.

The claim comes as Daily Mail Australia can reveal state prosecutors are considering whether to upgrade the charges against Senior Constable Kristian White to manslaughter.

Mr White is currently charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning bodily harm, and common assault, over the incident at a nursing home in Cooma, NSW on May 17.

The elderly woman died a week after the incident, which sparked global outrage.

Senior Constable White was granted unconditional bail last week whereas many people accused of such serious assaults are either denied bail or have it granted with strict conditions.

One senior barrister told Daily Mail Australia 'not surprised' White was given bail with no conditions, but several Sydney lawyers said that it was 'unusual' for someone facing serious charges of violence to be granted unconditional liberty. An 'ordinary citizen' would have conditions imposed, they argued.

Senior solicitor Peter Katsoolis said that 'it is not common, but he is a police officer. I would be very doubtful if it were anyone else (other than a police officer) who would get unconditional bail on (these charges).

'And there is community safety. That is still of paramount concern.'

NSW Police could not comment on allegations of 'special treatment' for Kristian White or whether he might be charged with manslaughter 'as the matter is now before the court'.

Taser cop Kristian White (above, right) is on unconditional bail charged with three offences of violence over the cse of Clare Nowland, 95

Kristian White, 33, was a no show at Cooma Local Court last week, angering the magistrate who said his court had not been informed that the DPP had changed the cop's attendance to via AVL

The concerns come as it was revealed on Tuesday that Ms Nowland's family is suing the State of NSW over her alleged assault, and filed a civil action on her behalf before her death.

Ms Nowland, a 43kg, 157cm great grandmother with dementia, was Tasered inside a treatment room of the nursing home as she slowly approached Snr. Constable White and a female sergeant while using her walking frame with a knife in her hand.

After Snr. Constable White fired his Taser at her, she fell to the ground, hitting her head, and never regained consciousness before she died surrounded by her family on the evening of May 24.

It's alleged the officer Tasered Ms Nowland after asking her to 'stop' several times, then saying 'Oh bugger it' as he deployed the Taser.

Despite intense public interest in the Tasering of 95-year-old Ms Nowland, Commissioner Webb has consistently refused to view bodycam footage of the incident, which is described by senior police as 'confronting'.

Police Commissioner Karen Webb has been accused of a cover-up after police spin doctors scrubbed publicity about Ms Nowland's alleged assault of any mention of the Tasering, that Nowland had a knife, that it was in a nursing home or that the cop's employment was under review

About an hour later, police announced in a media release they had charged Kristian White, although he was charged by summons rather than being brought to Cooma Police Station under arrest, and had already left the town at the time.

The police have been accused of a cover-up for not mentioning in the media release that Ms Nowland had been Tasered.

The NSW Police media release also failed to mention that the unnamed victim had a knife, that she was in a nursing home and that the officer's employment was under review.

Last week a magistrate railed against prosecutors for allowing White to appear before Cooma Local Court via audio visual link instead of in person.

A 'disgusted' NSW Magistrate Roger Clisdell chastised the Director of Public Prosecutions for wasting the money spent on extra security and that he had been left as 'Dumbo sitting on the bench here (who) has to suck it up'.

It is believed that an email of the appearance details had been sent to court, but not brought to Mr Clisdell's attention before the hearing began.

Accusations have been made over the handling by police and prosecutors of the case of accused cop Kristian White (right), charged over the Tasering of 95-year-old Clare Nowland (left) in May

During his much-anticipated first court appearance, the DPP said it was applying for bail with conditions, such as appearing in person at future court hearings.

The magistrate, critical that he had also been handed a redacted copy of police facts, said 'Am I not trustworthy enough to see the unredacted copy?'.

A clearly irritated Mr Clisdell threw out the bail application, saying '(The DPP) excused him today, so why should I put him at your beck and call and not mine?'

White is currently suspended from NSW Police with pay, as he awaits a further court appearance on September 6.

The maximum sentence for recklessly causing grievous bodily harm - the most serious of his existing charges - is 10 years in prison whereas an upgrade of charges to manslaughter would see him face a maximum penalty of 25 years.

The four main concerns when granting bail were about failure to appear at future court dates, propensity to commit a serious offence while free, endangering the safety of the community, or interfering with witnesses.

Suspended police officer Kristian White (above with his dog in Cooma last month) appeared via AVL in court and is not required in person when his case returns to court in September

White's lawyers argued that the police officer did not present a flight risk and had no risk of reoffending.

According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics, the state has seen a marked reduction in the number of case where defendants are released unconditionally.

A 2011 study found such incidences have declined 15 percentage points from 60.3pct to 44.0pct despite the numbers on bail rising.

The number of defendants facing an assault charge who were unconditionally released also dropped 14 percentage points, despite the number of assault matters before the courts increasing.

The likelihood of unconditional release for alleged assault offenders dropped by almost half between 1999 and 2008.

More recent BOCSAR data shows that of defendants charged with offences 'intended to cause injury', the percentage of them who had bail dispensed with, also referred to as unconditional release on bail had plummeted.

Between 2015, when 40.9pc of these offenders were given unconditional bail and 2022, when it was granted to 32.3pc, this was despite the number of people in that category of violent crime rising by 32pc.

Peter Woodhouse of Aulich lawyers said online that people charged with serious offences had found it harder to get bail since 2014 with a 'significant tightening of NSW bail laws when the "show cause" test was implemented in relation to serious offences and in response to an outcry fueled by the media'.

'Take it from somebody who practices in the area often,' he said, 'those reforms made it much harder to get bail in NSW and it is generally quite difficult to get bail in NSW for somebody charged with a serious offence.'
Most hosts at the news station are critical of the Voice

Rupert Murdoch's pay TV channel Sky News Australia is launching a brand-new station dedicated to covering the Voice to Parliament.

The channel, which will be called Sky News The Voice Debate, will feature the latest news updates, analysis, commentary and a special documentary on the Voice.

Press conferences, government and community announcements and town hall meetings are also scheduled to run throughout the day.

Sky News Australia CEO Paul Whittaker explained the pop-up station will canvass many perspectives on the referendum.

'As the nation is asked to decide on a change to the constitution - one of the most consequential responsibilities for Australians in decades - Sky News Australia is committed to ensuring voters are comprehensively informed,' he said.

Sky News Australia will launch a new station dedicated to covering the Voice to Parliament

'The new channel will deliver a dedicated news service, providing Australians with up-to-date information and rolling coverage that shares every perspective of the debate.'

A one-hour documentary about the referendum titled The Voice: Australia Decides will premiere on the channel.

It will be hosted by Sky News Northern Territory correspondent Matt Cunningham, who will speak to Indigenous leaders, traditional owners, everyday First Nations people and politicians.

It includes interviews with both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton.

Cunningham commented on how the Voice had become a 'heated debate', both in Canberra and among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

'Through the documentary, we discover there is no shortage of passion and opinion when it comes to The Voice, and at the same time, no shortage of misunderstanding around this issue,' he said.

'Advocates argue that The Voice is crucial to give Indigenous Australians a say in the laws that affect them, while opponents believe it could create a separate form of government and undermine the current political system.'

A documentary about the referendum titled The Voice: Australia Decides hosted by Sky News Northern Territory correspondent Matt Cunningham (pictured) will premiere on the station

Cunningham will speak with Indigenous leaders, traditional owners and politicians. There will also be interviews with Anthony Albanese (pictured) and Peter Dutton

Most of the late-night commentators at Sky News Australia, such as Andrew Bolt, Rita Panahi and Peta Credlin, have been vocal critics of the Voice to Parliament.

Both Bolt and Credlin slammed Indigenous Affairs minister Linda Burney's National Press Club address last week on their respective programs.

Bolt said: 'Linda Burney. Please, please stop embarrassing yourself. Stop hoodwinking voters too, about your racist voice.'

Credlin claimed an advisory body would 'take away rights' from non-Indigenous Australians.

Chris Kenny is the only host from the News Corp entity to have expressed support for the advisory body.

The Voice channel can be watched by Sky News subscribers and regional viewers with free-to-air access to the station. It can also be streamed on the Sky News Australia website and through News Corp mastheads.

Conservative political commentator Andrew Bolt (pictured) is among most of the late-night Sky News hosts who are critical of the Voice

Sky News has previously dedicated an extra channel to the Covid pandemic, past elections and political topics.

Their Coronavirus channel gave updates on the pandemic and played out press conferences from governments in Australia and across the globe.

The election channel covered the 2016 Australian federal election between Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten and the U.S. presidential election between Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton.

That same channel also exclusively aired updates and conferences on the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum in that same year.

Sky News The Voice Debate begins airing from July 25.
Dozens of inner-city families living in an industrial zone face mass eviction after the council finally decided to enforce zoning rules that changed decades ago.

Residents who live at the apartment complex at Williamstown in Melbourne's inner-west have been ordered by Hobsons Bay Council to leave within six months or face legal action.

The council now deems the area as industrial, and claims residents are 'at risk' 35 years after the estate first was rezoned.

The Techno Park Drive complex was originally built to house migrants and refugees post-World War II before being sold into the private market in the late 1980s.

Many residents facing eviction fear they could be forced to live in tents as the nation battles a housing crisis.

They come from all walks of life, from owner-occupiers and renters to young families, migrants and the elderly.

Lara Week bought a two-bedroom home advertised as a home office three years ago and has lived there ever since.

Techno Park Drive residents (pictured) have vowed to fight to stay in their homes

'Council have accepted people living here for decades and we're not the only part of Hobsons Bay where council have accepted people living on industrial land when it suited them,' Ms Week told A Current Affair.

The homes are in close proximity to a Mobil fuel storage site, which ceased operations in 2021 but hasn't ruled out refurbishing tanks at the site in the future.

Residents have launched a desperate appeal to stay and insist the council has the power to resolve the zoning issue.

'Think about the people,' pleaded Arnie, a resident of 14 years.

John added: 'For them to just abruptly enforce a technical colour on a map and tell people that they can't live in their homes anymore, it's just so devastating.

'There are ways that the council can fix this. They have the power to allow us to continue living here.'

Lara Week (pictured) leads the community fight to stay in their inner-city homes

But not everyone at the council wants the residents booted out.

'I'm here to support the residents. A decision has been made and, in my opinion, it's just not fair,' Hobsons Bay councillor Daria Kellander told the program.

'Evicting people from their homes and making people homeless is not a solution. It's not okay.'

Hobsons Bay Council has vowed to stick to its decision and claims rezoning the land would not be appropriate due to significant safety risks.

'Although Mobil is no longer refining fuel at its Altona site, it remains a state-significant fuel terminal and a major hazard facility that stores fuel,' its statement read.

'The risk to people living in the immediate area if there is an incident is too great. It would be unconscionable for council not to act and ensure people are not living in the area.

The Techno Park Drive complex (pictured) was built to house migrants post-World War II

Ms Week has set up an online petition to fight the mass eviction, which has more than 600 signatures.

'Council says the zone is industrial, and that people cannot live there. But the community exists because Council chose to accept residential use for decades,' the petition states.

'Council's decision to threaten people with eviction and legal action now, in a time of housing crisis, is heartless, bureaucratic, arbitrary and wrong. It has caused tremendous harm to people and caused them to fear losing their homes.'
Vermont's Wrightsville Dam reached full capacity on Tuesday evening, officials announced - meaning that the spillways could be used for the first time since the dam was built in 1935, and send more water down into the flood-ravaged capital, Montpelier.

Torrential rain overnight on Sunday has caused the worst flooding since Hurricane Irene in 2011 and, before then, the devastating great Vermont flood of 1927.

Montpelier is among the hardest-hit areas, and on Tuesday evening city officials began giving updates every two hours, as residents watched the dam in fear.

By noon on Tuesday, the water level had risen approximately 30 feet in 24 hours.

Wrightsville Dam, which overlooks the state capital, Montpelier, was at capacity by 4pm on Tuesday, and floodwaters were approaching the spillways - which run down into the city

Much of Montpelier was underwater on Tuesday, as residents watched the dam waters with concern

William Fraser, the Montpelier city manager, said they had no idea what to expect if the spillways came into use.

'This has never happened since the dam was built, so there is no precedent for potential damage,' he said in a Facebook post.

'There would be a large amount of water coming into Montpelier, which would drastically add to the existing flood damage.'

The Winooski River running through Montpelier surpassed the levels it had reached in August 2011 as Irene inundated the state, reaching 21.35 feet at 9 am  the second-highest on record.

As of 4pm on Tuesday the Wrightsville Dam was holding at maximum capacity, the local authorities said.

The Winooski and North Branch rivers 'continue to remain high and pose a serious threat to anyone near the floodwater,' they warned.

Postal trucks awash during flooding from the Winooski river on Tuesday

Montpelier police shared images of the flooding in downtown on Tuesday

Montpelier residents were being told not to drink tap water, as the system was likely overwhelmed and water contaminated.

Many roads were impassable, and even the governor, Phil Scott, was cut off - he had to hike up hills to get out of his home and around the floodwater.

Scott called the situation 'historic', and warned it was far from over.

'Even though the sun may shine today and tomorrow, we expect more rain later this week, which will have nowhere to go in the oversaturated ground,' Scott said.

'So I want to be clear  we are not out of the woods. This is nowhere near over, and at this phase, our primary focus continues to be on life and safety before we can shift into a recovery phase.'

An emergency health order banning people from the city center expired at 3pm on Tuesday, but officials urged people to avoid traveling to the embattled state capital.

'The downtown area remains flooded and is not safe for public travel. Unless you are a business owner making a necessary visit to your store, please avoid Downtown Montpelier until emergency crews have had time to assess the damage and assure public safety.'

Fraser said that those trapped in the city should stay where they are.

'Unfortunately, there are very few evacuation options remaining,' Fraser said.

'People in at-risk areas may wish to go to upper floors in their houses. The city has asked for swift water rescue assets to be moved into the area to assist when possible.'

President Joe Biden on Tuesday approved a request for a disaster declaration, which will allow federal resources to be sent to the area to assist.

Phil Scott, the governor of Vermont, warned residents on Tuesday that they were 'not out of the woods yet'

Vermont residents were being warned on Tuesday not to try and come to downtown Montpelier

Vermont State Police said the state's swift water rescue teams performed more than 100 rescues across the state and are still busy performing rescues.

Additional rescue teams from Connecticut, Massachusetts and North Carolina were also in Vermont to help, and others are on their way.

Helicopters from the National Guard are also being deployed to assist with evacuations in the hardest-hit communities and the most remote areas that are not accessible by swift water teams.

Many of those living and owning businesses in the area did not have flood insurance.

Bob Nelson, the owner of Nelson Ace Hardware in downtown Barre, estimated that he had lost about $300,000 worth of inventory, which will not be covered by his insurance.

But he told The New York Times the community support, he said, has been 'unbelievable.'

'Texts, phone calls, people stopping, people helping shovel mud off our front sidewalk,' he said.

'It's just been tremendous.'
LUDZIDZINI  His Majesty King Mswati III says there should be free and fair elections and no one should be threatened or intimidated.

The King was speaking during Sibaya yesterday at Ludzidzini Royal Residence. His Majesty noted that on the weekend of July 22 and 23, 2023, the country will embark on the nomination stage of the 2023 General Elections. The nominations will then be followed by primary elections. He said as the elections process would be taking place, no one should be threatened for participating. He said the elections were free and fair, therefore, votes shall decide who would be elected into Parliament, not threats. Wonkhe umuntfu akaye ebhokisini nangabe akuhambi kahle kutikhanyele kona nje, hhayi kutsi bekukhona lokuhle kumjubela ngendlela, he said. His Majesty said there was a saying known as kungahlwa kwenile, where there would be people disturbing others. He called for that mentality to stop in order for the elections to be free and fair.

Violence

The saying kungahlwa kwenile was mostly used during the unrest to mean when it gets dark, the violence would start. I pray that our lections be free and fair, no one will threaten another or conduct intimidating tactics on anyone, the ballot shall be the deciding factor this year. There should be no one who will be doing dirty work in the dark, because we have heard in the past that kungahlwa kwenile, I hope and pray that such tactics will not be attempted in our nation, so that we have a free and fair election in the kingdom, he said. The King also urged emaSwati to be understanding, that the country was in the path of attaining First World status. I believe that as the nation conducts the elections, it should be, at the back of each and every electorate, that the country aspires to be in the First World status, therefore, the people who will be elected will need to have this mindset and lead the country there as they will be part of government, he said.

Adding, the King highlighted that those people should also have integrity, respect and prioritise the nation, not their personal agenda. I hope as you go for the elections, you will elect people of noble character, people with integrity and people who will have the nation at heart and not propagate their own selfish agendas, he said.
Esteemed finance presenter Alan Kohler has shocked viewers after delivering an urgent message about climate change during his nightly finance segment on ABC News.

Kohler initially stuck to his regular topic of finance with insights into China's economic outlook and updates on Australian mortgage rates, before he pivoted to address the gravity of climate change  a topic that took many by surprise.

'The extent of Antarctic sea ice is at a new record low, quite a bit lower than last year's record low,' he said.

'That's not finance yet, but it will be.'

The veteran journalist's bold departure from his usual finance segment garnered high praise from Australians, who commended his efforts in bringing attention to climate change.

Climate change campaigner Sophie McNeill praised the reporting as 'brilliant'.

'Alan runs through latest global inflation, mortgage rate, and then shows us the latest Antarctic record-low sea ice levels, concluding "thats not finance yet, but it soon will be".'

A second added: 'Alan's the best. And he gets it.'

A third said 'time for everyone in the media to do same,' while a fourth dubbed the news as a 'terrifying reality being ignored by govts'.

A fourth said: 'Thanks Alan Kohler for using your platform to remind us that thriving economies are based on thriving ecosystems. Time to reframe their importance by including global warming and state of the environment summaries in every evening news broadcast.'

Another added: 'He truly is a person who is head and shoulders above many other finance analysts. Fearless and authoritative.'

A minority were unimpressed with Kohler's warning, saying that he should solely concentrate on reporting economics and finance.

'Stop with the climate crisis fear porn,' one said.

'Hmmm, perhaps he should stick to finance,' a second added.

'Hey Alan, perhaps stick to guessing about finance,' a third added.

'Poor Alan, wrong on his major economic calls so he's taken on climate,' a fourth said.

On Monday, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) revealed preliminary data showing the hottest week ever on on record, unprecedented sea surface temperatures, and Antarctic sea ice loss.

Antarctic sea ice reached its lowest extent for June since satellite observations began, at 17 per cent below average, breaking the previous June record by a significant margin.

Throughout the month, the daily Antarctic sea ice extent remained at unprecedented low values for the time of year.

There was about 2.6million square kilometers of Antarctic sea ice loss compared to the long-term average of the satellite era, and almost 1.2million square kilometers compared to the previous record in 2022.

'That is a really dramatic drop in the sea ice extent in Antarctica,' said Dr Omar Baddour, chief of climate monitoring at WMO.

Veteran ABC journalist Alan Kohler on Monday followed up his nightly finance segment with some shock news describing how Antarctic sea ice is at a record low

The World Meteorological Organization said Antarctic sea ice reached its lowest extent for June since satellite observations began

The World Meteorological Organisation said the record-breaking temperatures on land and in the ocean could have potentially devastating impacts on ecosystems and the environment.

'We are in uncharted territory and we can expect more records to fall as El Nino develops further and these impacts will extend into 2024,' professor Christopher Hewitt, WMO Director of Climate Services, said.

'This is worrying news for the planet.'
Staff have to return to the office from next week

Messages from bank employees have been leaked complaining about an internal email from the Commonwealth Bank requesting they record their attendance ahead of a mandatory return to the office.

But the Bank explained that the internal roll system is a voluntary app designed to help locate colleagues in the workplace, as it responded to the reaction from staff.

An email was sent to the Commonwealth Bank's 49,000 staff that required employees to return to the office for at least 50 per cent of their work time per month from July 17.

It resulted in hundreds of complaints from workers that were filed to the Finance Sector Union (FSU), with some threatening to quit.

In an email back in May, CommBank group executive of human resources, Sian Lewis, broke down why the bank was asking workers to return to the office saying the move built 'stronger connection face-to-face'.

Commonwealth Bank employees have complained about an internal email asking they record their attendance in the workplace ahead of a mandatory return to the office - but the bank explained the inflated reaction was over a voluntary app designed for workers in the office

She then announced the launch of a 'Connect Me tool' inside the WorkDay HR system that 'provides a view of who will be coming into the office each day and allows you to plan for in-person collaboration that maximises time with colleagues'.

The app works by recording days employees are in the office.

But some took issue with the measure, with one worker, who opted to remain anonymous, describing it as 'ridiculous and annoying'.

The employee told News.com.au that staff had 'become kindergarten kids again, forced to tick attendance at school'.

'They (staff) are annoyed at being treated like kids,' they said.

'They are fine to return to the office but not the way they treat us like kids, ticking attendance.

'If we go back to the office we will do it because we want to, not being forced like this. They need to know the way of working is changing now.'

But the Commonwealth Bank explained to Daily Mail Australia that the app was voluntary to use, was actually created in response to employee feedback and only designed to help find workers who were present in the office.

'Our Connect Me app was developed for our employees, in response to their feedback on helping them connect with their colleagues on the days they come into the office,' a CBA spokesperson said.

'The app is entirely voluntary and is being used by thousands of our people to share their in-office days and see where colleagues they work closely with are planning to work.'

The bank revealed the launch of the 'Connect Me tool' inside the WorkDay HR system in an internal email

The app allows employees to 'connect with their colleagues on the days they come into the office' and is entirely voluntary

Screenshots were also leaked of Commonwealth Bank employees criticising the request to return to the office.

One person said: 'When I accepted the offer at CBA 1.5 years ago, I was informed that I can completely work from home for the role.'

'The consideration at the time was combined benefits of 'work from home', 'salary' and 'environment' your organisation provides. When CBA suddenly announces mandatory office, it took away the benefit without renegotiation.

'This violates the core value 'care' CBA tries to achieve. When our bank claims we 'care', do we do one-way announcement or do we try to speak with/listen to employees?'

Another said: 'I completely support the insights and observations expressed in the email, and I certainly experience these every time I visit my leader and team who are based in Sydney.'

'Unfortunately I don't achieve these experiences when sitting in the Melbourne office. The flexibility of WFH was one of the benefits advertised for my role I accepted 12 months ago.'

A third suggested the bank work on 'improving ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) score and keeping institutional investors happy' instead.

'I'm all for transparency and would love to see data on this, it would definitely be an opportunity to dispel all the conjecture in the comments if supported by data,' they wrote.

The response from the bank's employees has been slammed by other Aussie workers who have said if staff can't cope with working half the week in the office, they should just resign - or their employers should sack them.

'If the staff are not prepared to work five days a week in the office, they should be fired,' one commented.

'Ask for their resignation, see if they will attend the office,' said another.

'Get back to the office and work you lazy bunch of whingers. He's your boss. He employs you and pays you so do as he says. Entitled and spoilt rotten,' a third comment read.

'I don't get why people are complaining... I'm happy going into the office three to four days it's not impacting my family or our budget ... if you don't like your employer's policies simple get a job elsewhere,' another posted.

Complaints were filed with the FSU after CommBank group executive of human resources, Sian Lewis, sent an internal email requesting staff return to the office for at least 50 per cent of their work time per month

A screenshot shows leaked messages from Commonwealth Bank employees criticising the request to return to the office

The Finance Sector Union claimed the direction to work in the office was made without consultation with staff or the union and that Ms Lewis did not appear at a meeting with some bank staff and the FSU to have the edict overturned.

'It is totally unacceptable that CBA delivers an edict to its staff altering work from home arrangements without any consultation,' said FSU National Secretary Julia Angrisano last month.

'Our members have raised serious concerns about the significant impact this change would have on them, including on their work/life balance, mental health and well-being and caring responsibilities.

'They complain about the financial impact of increased commuting costs and childcare costs.

'Some say they will now be seeking employment elsewhere.

'For some CBA staff, their teams are not local so they are being made to go to an office to engage in video meetings with other workers interstate or overseas, or working from home that day.'

The union added that they wanted the bank to 'suspend the mandate and engage in proper consultation' to develop a 'work from home policy'.

The Commonwealth Bank told Daily Mail Australia in May that it was simply providing a 'framework' for staff to get back to the office.

'Our approach to hybrid working has always been about finding the right balance between our longstanding commitment to flexible working and ensuring we deliver the best outcomes for our customers,' the spokeswoman said.

The CBA say office workers connect with an additional 11 more colleagues each day and spend between 20 to 30 minutes more time collaborating with each other.
A pair of anti-transgender demonstrators protested for 'women's rights' outside Victorian Premier Daniel Andrew's office.

The two women stood with at least 12 signs covered in anti-trans messages outside Mr Andrew's office in Mulgrave, south Melbourne, on Tuesday.

Angie Jones, a self-defined 'true feminist' who has previously come under fire for her anti-trans views, shared photos from the small demonstration.

'Every single person who walked in to and out of his office offered us support. Cars pulled off the busy Princes Highway to tell us they supported us,' she wrote.

'Dan Andrews made it unsafe for women to organise in Melbourne but small scale direct action seems to be very effective!'

A pair of anti-transgender demonstrators protested 'trans rights' outside Victorian Premier Daniel Andrew's office on Monday

The women stood with at least 12 signs covered in anti-trans messages outside Mr Andrew's office in Mulgrave

Messages on the signs included: 'Woman is a fact, not a gender identity', 'Let women speak', 'men will never be woman,' and 'There is no right way to be a boy or girl'.

Others signs described 'trans ideology' as 'propaganda' and 'cult like'.

One sign called out Mr Andrews specifically and called him a 'destroyer of women's rights'.

In another post Ms Jones wrote: 'TERFs [trans-exclusionary radical feminist] getting lots of toots and people walking up to us and offering support outside Dan Andrews office.'

Dozens of people with anti-trans beliefs applauded the protest, however several others called out behaviour as hateful and ignorant.

Messages on the signs included: 'Woman is a fact, not a gender identity', 'Let women speak' and 'There is no right way to be a boy or girl'

'You will forever be defined by your callous inability to accept people for who they are,' one wrote.

'Ignorance personified, transgender has been around for centuries. They are not taking anything away from you,' another wrote.

Ms Jones shared another photo from the demonstration on Wednesday morning and responded to critics.

'I live in the outer suburbs and work with ordinary working class people. Trans Rights are the luxury belief of the liberal elite & their spoilt children,' she wrote.
Hundreds of commuters are being warned of delays during peak hour on Sydney's train network.

Urgent track repairs at Martin Place train station have led to delays on one of the city's main train lines, the T4 Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra line.

Passengers have described packed carriages pulling up to the CBD station, further extending delays on the network.

'Allow extra travel time on T4 due to urgent track repairs at Martin Place,' Sydney Trains tweeted just after 7am on Wednesday.

Urgent track repairs at Sydney CBD station Martin Place have triggered large delays during peak hour

'Trains may stop at or between stations for longer than normal.

'Stops will change for some trains.'

Passengers have been urged to use alternative transport to get to work with local bus routes 333 or 444 available for travel between Bondi Junction and the City.

One passenger took to social media after typing their destination into the trip planner app and seeing a 21 minute delay for his first train.

'Sydney trains fail again,' he said just before 7.30am.

'Taking taxi to get to Central to chair my 8.30am meeting.

'Yet another time no trains servicing Eastern suburbs in the morning peak due to urgent track repairs.'

The rail meltdown is the latest in a series of delays on the network that have left travellers frustrated.

It comes just four days after evening commuters were left stranded on platforms after a single transport employee called in sick to work.

Passengers waited for up to an hour for trains.

Transport New South Wales said a 'staff resourcing issue' had been causing the cancellations.

The T4 Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra line were affected by the delays with passengers urged to consider alternative routes

T1 Western and T5 Cumberland lines were completely stopped in both directions at around 3.30 on Thursday afternoon, with commuters having to use buses instead.

The T1 North Shore and the T2 Inner West and Leppington lines were also affected.

The missing staff member's role involves telling train drivers when the path is clear to avoid any collisions.

'Sydney Trains had late notice of resourcing issues this afternoon at the Rail Operations Centre.

'As a result, the continuity of the operations plan was impacted,' the spokesperson said.

'The resourcing issue involved highly specialised roles and the incident will be reviewed.'
The U-turn comes two months after Trump was found liable in the case , which the 2024 candidate has called a 'scam'

The Department of Justice reversed its decision that he was immune from her defamation lawsuit alleging sexual assault

Former President Donald Trump suffered another legal setback Tuesday in his blockbuster case with writer E. Jean Carroll

Donald Trump suffered a legal defeat on Tuesday as the U.S. government reversed its earlier position that the former president could be immune from the writer E. Jean Carroll's $10 million defamation lawsuit against him.

In a letter to Trump's and Carroll's lawyers, the Department of Justice said it no longer believed Trump acted within the scope of his office and employment as president in June 2019, when he denied having raped Carroll in a Manhattan department store dressing room in the mid-1990s.

The department late in Trump's presidency had reached an opposite conclusion, which the Biden administration adopted to the surprise of some observers.

Its change of heart means it will not try to substitute itself as the defendant, which would have effectively ended Carroll's case because the government cannot be sued for defamation.

The dramatic U-turn comes two months after Trump was found liable for sexual abuse in Carroll's civil suit, which the former president has branded a 'scam'.

Trump was found liable for sexually abusing Carroll in May, which he has branded a 'scam'

E. Jean Carroll, the journalist who accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in the changing room of a Manhattan department store in the mid 1990s, is seen leaving court in May

Carroll's suit against Trump came after remarks he made while president, where he said the former Elle magazine columnist was not his 'type' and that she had made up her claims to boost sales of her memoir.

She sued a second time after a similar Oct. 2022 denial, leading on May 9 to a $5 million jury verdict against Trump for defaming and sexually abusing - but not raping - Carroll. Trump is appealing that verdict.

In announcing its decision to not offer immunity to Trump, the Department of Justice said: 'Evidence of Mr. Trump's state of mind, some of which has come to light only after the department last made a certification decision, does not establish that he made the statements at issue with a 'more than insignificant' purpose to serve the United States government.'

Steven Cheung, a spokesperson of Trump, said the step showed that the Justice Department under President Joe Biden was "politically weaponizing the justice system" against Trump. He dismissed the department's move as 'a partisan sham.'

Carroll's lawyer Roberta Kaplan said the change removes a possible impediment to the scheduled Jan. 15, 2024, trial in Manhattan federal court.

'We have always believed that Donald Trump made his defamatory statements about our client in June 2019 out of personal animus, ill will and spite, and not as president,' Kaplan said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Carroll asked a judge in a filing to dismiss Trump's countersuit that she defamed him by repeating her claim that he raped her.

Her lawyers called the countersuit Trump's latest effort to 'spin' his trial loss by claiming she caused 'significant harm' to his reputation and an 'inordinate amount of damages' by implying after the verdict that the assault was also a rape.

They also said Trump sprung his counterclaim too late, to further delay 'this otherwise trial-ready, much-delayed case.'

Trump, who is again seeking the presidency, sued Carroll on June 27, objecting to a CNN interview following the verdict where she said 'oh yes, he did, oh yes, he did' when asked about the jury finding that he did not commit rape.

In their filing, Carroll's lawyers said she did not say 'oh yes he did' with actual malice, which would mean she knew or had reckless disregard for whether the statement was false.

They also said the statement was 'substantially true,' and therefore not defamatory, and simply reflected what was on Carroll's mind as the verdict was read.

Trump is facing mounting legal woes as his 2024 presidential election campaign heats up. He is pictured June 25, 2023

As his 2024 presidential campaign continues to ramp up, Trump is facing mounting legal woes from several directions.

Last month, he was indicted by Special Counsel Jack Smith in a number of charges related to his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House.

Trump was also indicted earlier this year for separate alleged offenses related to hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels.

After he was found liable in Carroll's case in May, Trump went on a tear against the legal challenges being launched against him.

'The whole thing is a scam,' he said after the decision. 'And it's a shame, and it's a disgrace to our country.'

Trump repeated his previous claim that his trial was not fair because it was held in his hometown of New York City, in the borough of Manhattan, where he lived for almost all of his adult life.

Manhattan is a staunchly Democrat borough, and the former president is widely loathed in his hometown.

'What else can you expect from a Trump-hating, Clinton-appointed judge, who went out of his way to ensure the result of this trial was as negative as it could possible be,' he asked.

'Speaking to and in control of a jury from an anti-Trump area, which is probably the worst place in the United States for me to get a fair trial.

'We'll be appealing this decision. It's a disgrace. I don't even know who this woman is. I have no idea who she is, where she came from.

'This is another scam. It's a political witch hunt,' he added.
Joe Biden has been slammed over one of his advertisements during his 2020 campaign, where he bragged that he'll 'always answer a call from my grandchildren.'

The president, 80, has disowned one of his granddaughters - who was born after Biden's son Hunter had a fling with a former stripper named Lunden Roberts.

Biden infamously said earlier this year that he has 'six grandchildren' - completely ignoring Arkansas-based Navy Joan Roberts, who is his seventh.

But his adversaries, including people on the left, have called out the President for his contradictory behavior. The resurfaced clip was posted weeks before the 2020 election, on October 18.

The resurfaced clip was posted weeks before the 2020 election, on October 18. Joe Biden has been slammed over the advertisement in which he bragged that he'll 'always answer a call from my grandchildren'

Hunter's daughter Navy Joan pictured with her mother Lunden Roberts

Biden captioned it: 'I've had a rule my entire life: No matter what's happening, no matter how important the meeting, I'll always answer a call from my grandchildren.'

In the clip, he was talking to one of his grandchildren about missing them. He says: 'I miss you too, angel. Okay, I'm heading home now. I'll call you when I get back to Delaware. I love you baby, bye-bye.'

But the comment has sparked criticism - as many pointed out that the comment is disingenuous, since he has disowned his granddaughter born to Hunter Biden and Roberts.

The six grandkids that Biden acknowledges are Naomi, 29, Finnegan, 22, Maisy, 21, Beau Jr., 2, Natalie, 18, and Robert 'Hunter', 16.

One person wrote on social media in reaction to the clip: 'Some restrictions may apply, offer not valid in the state of Arkansas.'

Another said: 'All of them?' While others added: 'All of them, or just the six you acknowledge?'

More Twitter users piled in, writing: 'Does this include your 7th grandkid? Does she deserve a call?' as well as: 'Ring ring.. Navy calling. Still no answer pops.'

Another person added: 'Excluding a whole entire granddaughter. What an evil man.'

Biden's recent critics included CNN anchor Dana Bash, who called the situation: 'Sad and disturbing on so many levels.

None of the Bidens have met four-year-old Navy Joan, including President Joe Biden, first lady Jill , Hunter and baby Beau Biden, who were photographed together at Tuesday's Fourth of July celebration

Biden's recent critics included CNN anchor Dana Bash, who called the situation: 'Sad and disturbing on so many levels'

Navy Joan Roberts with her mom Lunden Roberts, in a photo posted July 10, 2023

'I've talked to Democrats who very much love Joe Biden who say that this is kind of devastating to the image of who he is.'

This comes just days after The New York Times printed a blistering op-ed by one of its star columnists slamming Joe Biden for disowning his granddaughter.

Maureen Dowd shared a letter written to Biden by her sister Peggy, a Republican voter who was previously so-charmed by the current-president that she voted for him.

But Dowd said Peggy had been appalled by Biden's refusal to acknowledge four year-old Navy Joan Roberts, whose mom Lunden got pregnant after a fling with Hunter.

Dowd even suggested the president's behavior would result in the little girl being bullied at school, as 'she grows up, knowing that her father and paternal grandparents wanted nothing to do with her.'

'She will probably be able to see a video or two showing her half-sister Naomi getting married on the South Lawn and you watching the fireworks on the balcony with little Beau. And if she misses that, there will be plenty of schoolmates to remind her that she wasn't wanted. Kids can be mean that way.'

It comes after Hunter Biden's baby mama settled their bitter child support suit with the First Son, who promised to meet their out-of-wedlock daughter and play a role in her life, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed last week.

Navy Joan Roberts is shown on the Instagram of her mother, Lunden Roberts, in a photo posted July 4, 2023

Navy Joan gets none of the perks of having a president for a grandfather, nor the round-the-clock Secret Service protection enjoyed by the rest of the Biden brood

Hunter's baby mama settled their bitter child support suit with the First Son promised to meet their out-of-wedlock daughter and play a role in her life

Years of legal wrangling ended abruptly when Lunden Roberts, 32, agreed to slash Hunter's $20,000 monthly payments and drop her petition to have Navy Joan's last name changed to Biden.

The pre-school age girl has never met Hunter and the Bidens have refused to count her as part of the family - with only six stockings representing the grandchildren being hung at the White House at Christmas.

Earlier this week, House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik also blasted President Biden for failing to acknowledge his seventh grandchild.

Stefanik, who proudly proclaims herself as the 'newest mom' in Congress, told DailyMail.com the president should have acknowledged Navy Joan years ago.

'Every American knows that Joe Biden should have done the right thing years ago and acknowledged ALL of his grandchildren,' said Stefanik, R-N.Y.

'It is cold, heartless, selfish, and cowardly that the President of the United States can't show love or compassion to his beautiful granddaughter. America sees this for what it is - an inexcusable disgrace.'
Staff of one of Australia's biggest employers have won the permanent right to work from home - worth $10,000 a year in cost savings - while a former state premier says those doing so should have their pay slashed.

Under a deal agreed with unions, the Australian public service will not be able to impose limits on the number of days its 176,000 employees can work from home.

This is despite the federal government spending $1.54billion - or $9,459 per worker - on office rent every year, with many of those desks now empty all or most of the time.

Meanwhile, Commonwealth Bank employees say they are being treated like 'kindergarten kids' by having to log their attendance on a roll call system before the banks mandatory return to office next week - though CBA said the system is voluntary.

Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett believes that state's public servants should have pay levels reduced due to the money they save by staying at home.

Staff of one of Australia's biggest employers have won the permanent right to work from home (stock image)

Those who have to spend money on travelling to work and other associated expenses are $10,000 worse off per year than those who work from home. Train passengers are pictured

He said those public servants who 'have no alternative but to physically attend their workplace every day' such as those working in hospitals and schools should have their current pay levels maintained, but work-from-homers should face cuts.

Poll Should people working from home have their pay cut because of the money they save on travel? Yes No Should people working from home have their pay cut because of the money they save on travel? Yes 782 votes

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Federal government agencies are required to 'lean towards' approving WFH requests with a presumption they should be approved.

They can only refuse after genuinely trying to reach agreement and there are reasonable business grounds not to approve.

Workers can challenge a refusal in the Fair Work Commission.

The new deal marks a stark change in attitude from the previous Coalition government, which told public service bosses they wanted staff to 'show up', which led to agencies limiting work from home.

Mr Kennett, who was Victoria's state premier from 1992 to 1999, said reducing the pay of work-from-home public servants was one way of eroding the state's burgeoning debt, which is set to reach $171.4billion by 2027.

'Clearly, Victoria's financial position is such that we cannot afford to be increasing salaries,' Mr Kennett told 3AW radio.

'So the most appropriate method is if a person chooses to work from home, whatever the number of days a week, their salary is reduced by the reduction in costs they would have otherwise incurred.'

The outspoken former Liberal premier said many people work from home 'because they don't have to go through the trauma of driving to and from work, or (taking) the train or something  they save money and it saves them all that stress'.

Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett (pictured) wants to see that state's public servants' pay slashed if they work from home by the amount they save on various costs

A 2022 Australian study found that those working fulltime from home could save up to $10,000 a year through savings on costs such as transport, tolls and food.

Public sector staff who had to go to work, on the other hand, were out of pocket, Mr Kennett said.

In Victoria, government employees are required to work in the office three days a week.

In May, Commonwealth Bank ordered its 49,000 staff back to the office for at least 50 per cent of the time from July 17, sparking anger from some workers.

ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott said his bank has a different view to its main rival.

He said fewer than half of ANZ's staff were in the office 'on a good day'. 'We're in a service industry where a lot of people can work from home pretty successfully.'

In May, CBA ordered its 49,000 staff back to the office for at least 50 per cent of the time from July 17, sparking outrage from workers. A woman is pictured at a train station

But Mr Elliott acknowledged there were drawbacks.

'I worry about the cultural implications of this  how do young people learn?' he said.

'You learn by observing others and being in the room with people and seeing how stuff is done. I worry about that.'

An Andrews government spokesman told News Corp that 'The government will not be taking advice from Jeff Kennett, whose Liberal government closed hospitals and schools and sacked teachers and nurses.'
A mail campaign to cut prostate cancer deaths was backed by the Health Secretary yesterday.

Steve Barclay wants men to 'make informed decisions when it comes to prostate checks' because early detection and fast treatment saves lives.

He added: 'Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men so I welcome the Mail's campaign to raise awareness and get men talking about it. I want men to be able to make informed decisions when it comes to prostate checks.

'Men aged 50 and over can decide if they would like to ask for a prostate specific antigen blood test free on the NHS. A PSA blood test can help diagnose prostate problems including cancer but it is not a perfect test, so it is important men have all the information and can choose what's best for them.'

Mr Barclay called on Mail readers to come forward to share their stories to help shape government policy on tackling major diseases.

Steve Barclay wants men to 'make informed decisions when it comes to prostate checks'

He added: 'If you have been impacted by cancer, we need to hear from you.'

Around 1,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer a week, making it the most common cancer among men and second only to breast cancer overall.

For just under a fifth of annual diagnoses, the cancer is stage 4  meaning it has already spread around the body, often making it incurable. Around 12,000 patients  one every 45 minutes  die from the disease every year.

Experts are in agreement that early detection is key to boosting survival rates. However, with no national screening programme, progress has been slow in bringing numbers down.

The Mail's End The Needless Prostate Deaths campaign has received cross-party support with Labour and the Liberal Democrats adding their backing. Wes Streeting, Labour's health spokesman, said it was inexcusable for men to have different survival odds based on where they lived.

The Mail has reported that men in parts of the North East are up to six times more likely to be diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer than counterparts in most areas of London.

Mr Streeting, himself a cancer survivor, said: 'Patients in every part of the country should be able to get tested, diagnosed, and treated as quickly as possible. It is unfair and inexcusable for some men to have such worse odds when it comes to prostate cancer simply because of where they live.

'We must bring an end to needless prostate cancer deaths.

'It will require fundamental reform of the NHS, so it diagnoses illness and treats it much earlier.'

He added: 'Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men so I welcome the Mail's campaign to raise awareness and get men talking about it'

Mr Streeting was admitted to hospital in March 2021 with pain from a kidney stone before a scan revealed a malignant tumour. He had surgery and was declared cancer-free in 2021, an outcome he attributes to his lucky early diagnosis and swift treatment.

With men only half as likely to seek medical help than women, he said embarrassment or stoicism should not get in the way of life-saving checks.

Mr Streeting added: 'As someone who owes his life to the NHS catching my cancer early, I encourage all men to get yourself checked if you notice symptoms.'

The Mail has been campaigning for more than 25 years for an improvement in prostate cancer treatments and diagnosis. Because prostate tests are not good enough to allow routine testing in the same way as for breast cancer, men must visit their family doctor if they have symptoms.

Lib Dem health spokesman Daisy Cooper said we should all 'play our part in shattering the stigma around prostate cancer' with too many families 'losing the men they love far too soon'.

She added: 'I wholeheartedly back this campaign from the Mail and Prostate Cancer Research leading the charge.'
A deadly heatwave hitting Europe has claimed its first life in Italy as British tourists across the Mediterranean brace themselves for temperatures as high as 45 degrees Celsius.

A 44-year-old road sign worker collapsed yesterday due to the heat in the Italian city of Lodi, southeast of Milan, as temperatures soared to above 40C. The man, who has not been named, later died in hospital.

Thousands of visitors to the Mediterranean are now being warned of the life-threatening effects of the sweltering heat after an anticyclone weather system from the Sahara desert called Cerberus began to expand northwards.

Cerberus - named after the Dante's Inferno creature that guards the gates of the underworld in Greek mythology - will see temperatures shoot up to 44C in southern parts of Spain today.

The Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily are expected to bear the brunt of the heat, with temperatures predicted to reach 45C today.

British tourists have been struggling with the unrelenting heat this week, with some holidaymakers fainting in Rome as temperatures topped 36C yesterday.

British visitors sought refuge in the shaded areas in the Italian capital yesterday

A man cools himself off during a heatwave across Italy, in Naples, on July 10. The Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily are expected to bear the brunt of the heat, with temperatures predicted to reach 45C

An unnamed British tourist fainted at the Colosseum in Rome this afternoon and was handed bottles of water by concerned passersby as temperatures soared to over 36C

People cool off in the Barcaccia fountain today as Rome experiences high temperatures

Shoppers shelter underneath umbrellas from the sun outside a Chanel store in Rome on Wednesday

Temperatures will shoot past 40C by the end of the week, prompting officials to issue warnings about the life-threatening risk of excessive heat

One British tourist, who has not been named, collapsed in front of the Colosseum in Rome yesterday before she was handed bottles of water by concerned passers-by. Other tourists sought refuge beneath trees in Italian capital, while others used their shirts as makeshift parasols to shield themselves from the sun.

And in Italy, two brothers, aged six and seven, were found to have drowned in an irrigation basin near the town of Manfredonia, on the eastern coast of Italy. Police believe the children had sought relief from the relenting heat yesterday afternoon by swimming in the basin before getting into difficulty and drowning, reports ANSA.

Why is the Cerberus anticyclone causing temperatures to soar in Europe? An anticyclone named Cerberus is causing temperatures to exceed 40C across much of the Mediterranean this week. The anticyclone - a high pressure weather system - began in the Sahara desert before expanding into Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Cerberus then expanded northwards towards southern Europe where it is bringing sweltering temperatures. Advertisement

Scientists have relentlessly warned of the damaging effects of climate change. As well as withering crops, melting glaciers and raising the risk of wildfires, higher-than-normal temperatures also cause health problems ranging from heatstroke and dehydration to cardiovascular stress.

'How many more summers will we have to go through before we begin to convince ourselves of the fact that the rise in temperatures may not be a sporadic extraordinary event at all, but rather an irreversible process that has in fact already begun,' Italian immunologist Mauro Minelli told the Leggo newspaper.

Temperatures are also predicted to rise to a sweltering 44C in Greece this week.

In Athens, sun shades will be installed at the Acropolis amid reports of tourists fainting at the popular World Heritage Site.

The Red Cross will also be on site handing out free water to visitors after crowds sweltered in the heat as they queued up to visit the Parthenon, part of the ancient citadel known as the Acropolis.

Union representatives for staff working at the site have argued they should be paid more for working in the sweltering conditions, as Greece's culture minister, Linda Mendoni, vowed to introduce special precautionary measures to protect tourists.

Meanwhile, temperatures will rise to 41C in Cyprus, 39C in Croatia and France will be basking in 34C heat by the end of this week.

The hot weather is expected to last across the Mediterranean for around two weeks, meteorologists say.

In Italy, health ministry officials have issued red alert warnings for eight major cities across Italy - Bologna, Florence, Frosinone, Latina, Perugia, Rieta, Roma and Viterbo - today.

A red alert warning means that the heat is so intense that it poses a health risk to the whole population - not just vulnerable groups like the elderly and very young children.

It marks Italy's first heatwave of the year - months after storms, avalanches and floods killed dozens of people.

And the country is expected to be hit by a second heatwave on Sunday which will see temperatures in Rome and Florence - major hotspots for British tourists - rise to over 41C and 37C respectively.

Pictured: A heat map showing soaring temperatures in Europe for Friday 14 July

Some tourists in Rome used their shirts as makeshift parasols to shield themselves

People were seen dipping their fingers into the cooling water near the Pantheon in Rome

People at a beach on lake Epple during a heat wave in Karlsruhe, Germany

In Spain, the popular southern destination of Murcia will see temperatures of 44C in the coming days, with officials issuing heat warnings to locals and tourists.

The sweltering temperatures across the Mediterranean as a whole are approaching record levels. The previous record high of 48.8C was registered in the Sicilian town of Floridia on August 11, 2021.

Europe is fastest warming continent on planet, experts say Europe's climate monitoring service Copernicus has revealed that last week was likely to be the hottest since records began in 1940. And scientists at Copernicus have warned that Europe has been warming twice as much as the global average since the 1980s, with far-reaching impacts on the continent's ecosystems and socio-economic fabric. Last summer was marked by extreme heat, drought and wildfires across Europe - and the rate at which glaciers melted was 'unprecedented', Copernicus said in its report. European countries - including Britain, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain - saw their warmest summer on record last year. And worryingly Europe was around 2.3C above the pre-industrial average used as a baseline for the Paris Agreement on climate change last year. Advertisement

The Red Cross has urged people to check on the most vulnerable during the high temperatures, such as children and older people.

It also called on people to stay hydrated and to watch for signs of heatstroke, which can include vomiting and fainting.

Elsewhere, the heatwave in Greece is set to last for six days and peak on Friday but experts have warned that the extreme weather could cause forest fires that have been deadly in the past.

The northern Greek city of Larisa is set to be hit with a 44C heatwave later this week while in Athens, the National Observatory predicted the city could see temperatures reach 43C today.

In a sign of just how worried health officials are about the impending heatwave, the Greek government issued emergency meetings yesterday and called on employers to make sure staff do not work outdoors between noon at 5pm in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the Met Office has said the hot conditions, currently impacting parts of southwest Europe and northwest Africa, are expected to reach the Middle East later in the week, with the UK being spared the extreme temperatures altogether.

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: 'The heatwave conditions which are affecting parts of southwest Europe and northwest Africa are expected to extend eastward eventually reaching the Middle East later in the week.

'Much higher than average temperatures are also likely at times further north across Europe, but these will be shorter lived and less impactful.'

'Communities in the affected regions should expect health impacts and the potential for wildfires.'

It comes after the World Meteorological Organisation said the beginning of this month was the hottest week on record for the planet.

Scientists have said climate change combined with the emergence this year of the El Nino weather pattern, which warms the surface waters in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean, have fuelled record-breaking temperatures.

People cool-off on the banks of the Ticino river at the Ponte delle Barche in Bereguardo, near Milan, Italy, on Tuesday

A man refreshes himself at the Piazza della Rotonda fountain in Rome

Another shelters from the unforgiving sun with a T-Shirt near the Colosseum in Rome

The Red Cross has urged people to check on the most vulnerable during the high temperatures

A boy dives into the sea during a heatwave across Italy, in Naples

Some tourists came to the Italian capital prepared, bringing their own portable fans for comfort in the unforgiving heat

A man finds refreshment in a fountain in Seville

'The world just had the hottest week on record, according to preliminary data,' the WMO said in a statement, after climate change and the early stages of the El Nino weather pattern drove the warmest June on record.

This year has already seen a drought in Spain and fierce heatwaves in China as well the United States.

Temperatures are breaking records both on land and in the oceans, with 'potentially devastating impacts on ecosystems and the environment', the WMO said.

'We are in uncharted territory and we can expect more records to fall as El Nino develops further and these impacts will extend into 2024,' said Christopher Hewitt, WMO Director of Climate Services. 'This is worrying news for the planet.'

El Nino is a naturally occurring pattern that drives increased heat worldwide, as well as drought in some parts of the world and heavy rains elsewhere.

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has said 'the situation we are witnessing now is the demonstration that climate change is out of control'.

Research published on Monday found that more than 61,000 people died due to the heat during Europe's record-breaking summer last year.

The majority of deaths were in people over the age of 80 and about 63 percent of those who died due to the heat were women, according to the research published in the journal Nature Medicine.

The world has warmed an average of nearly 1.2C since the mid-1800s, unleashing extreme weather including more intense heatwaves, more severe droughts and storms made fiercer by rising seas.

People take cover from the sun under a beach umbrella at Lake Epple in Germany, July 11, 2023

A picture taken with a drone shows bales of stubble on a dry field amid a heatwave, in Karlsruhe, Germany, July 11, 2023

A woman cools off at the Barcaccia fountain near the Spanish Steps

Women sunbathe in a boat during a heatwave across Italy, in Naples

Oceans absorb most of the heat generated by planet-warming gases, causing heatwaves that harm aquatic life, altering weather patterns and disrupting crucial planet-regulating systems.

In June, global sea surface temperatures hit unprecedented levels. Antarctic sea ice reached its lowest extent for the month since satellite observations began, at 17 per cent below average, breaking the previous June record by a substantial margin.

While sea surface temperatures normally recede relatively quickly from annual peaks, this year they stayed high, with scientists warning that this underscores an underappreciated but grave impact of climate change.

'If the oceans are warming considerably, that has a knock-on effect on the atmosphere, on sea ice and ice worldwide,' said Michael Sparrow, chief of World Climate Research Programme at the WMO.

'There's a lot of concerns from the scientific community and a lot of catch-up from the scientific community trying to understand the incredible changes that we're seeing at the moment.'

El Nino is a naturally occurring pattern that drives increased heat worldwide, as well as drought in some parts of the world and heavy rains elsewhere.

But Mr Sparrow said its effects would likely be felt more acutely later in the year. 'El Nino hasn't really got going yet,' he said.
States from California to Texas are currently experiencing high heat warnings

The worst of the heatwave is expected to hit the area mid-July

Phoenix, Arizona has seen temps in the triple digits every day since June 13

Arizonians cannot seem to beat the heat as the state finds itself in the midst of a 110F-plus heatwave that is on the cusp of breaking some state records.

In Phoenix, residents have seen temperatures in the triple digits every day since June 13 and forecasters say that the heat is not going anywhere any time soon.

The National Weather Service is predicting that temps upwards of 110 degrees Fahrenheit will remain through at least the next two weeks.

While experts say the current heat wave has not been as aggressive as those in the past, but it's length could make it the longest in the area's history.

Videos posted to TikTok show the extent of the blazing heat as one person showed themselves cooking an egg in the summer heat and another showed their car's thermometer reading at 117 degrees Fahrenheit.

'My skin hurts. My plants are suffering. Why do I live here?' the TikTok creator wrote.

Arizonians cannot seem to beat the heat as the state finds itself in the midst of a 110F-plus heatwave that is on the cusp of breaking some state records

Videos posted to TikTok show the extent of the blazing heat as one person recorded themselves cooking an egg in the summer heat

Temps across Arizona have hovered around the high 90s to 110s this week

@rachelarizona July 2, 2023 Hottest day of the year so far at my house. 117 degrees.  My skin hurts. My plants are suffering. Why do I live here???? trending hot heatwave heatadvisorywarning phoenixarizona fyp fyp foryoupage summer2023 melting miserable  original sound -

Current computer models for weather in the Grand Canyon State for 16 days into the future 'do not show an end to this heat wave.'

'This should go down as one of the longest, if not the longest-duration heat wave,' the National Weather Service wrote in a recent tweet.

The area's current streak of temperatures at 110-degrees or higher sits at 10 days. It's the seventh-longest streak in the state's history.

A previous record was set in 1974 when Phoenix had 18 straight days at the high temperature point.

The state has yet to record a temperature above 120 this year and has only previously recorded temperatures that high three times.

The latest predictions estimate that Wednesday could see 117 degrees but that there is the possibility of temps rising above 120.

It's still a stretch from the highest-ever temperature recorded: 123 degrees in 1994.

'With dangerous heat continuing this week, take the proper safety precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses,' the National Weather Service said on Twitter.

'An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect across the lower deserts through next weekend,' the account shared, warning residents to take precautions.

To make matters worse, nighttime temperatures are expected to hover around 90.

Pictured: Dozens of people cool off in the waters of Oak Creek provides an escape from the extreme heat in Sedona, Arizona at Slide Rock State Park

A member of the grounds crew wipes his face while under the wing of a jet at Sky Harbor International Airport on Monday, July 10, 2023, in Phoenix

A hiker finishes her hike early to beat high temperatures on July 10 in Phoenix

A woman uses an umbrella for shade to combat high temperatures in Phoenix on Monday

An Arizona license plate in Sedona sums up the weather forecast this week: 'HEAT N UP'

Even residents who are accustomed to the heat typically associated with an Arizona summer say they are slowly starting to bake.

One person on Twitter showed a picture of a crippled cactus and joked that the heat was getting to the native plants.

'Even the cactus is trying to escape the Arizona heat,' the woman wrote.

Another person on the app shared a photo of the tar melting off her roof.

'How bad is the Phoenix heat wave? The tar is melting off the newish roof on our house,' Astrid Galvan shared in a post.

On TikTok, one hilarious resident shared a video of himself frying an egg on a grill that was not plugged in but heated up by the sun.

'Gotta love Az summers,' the creator captioned the video.

'It's hot,' the man added in text on top of the clip.

Another person responded, sharing that it was 107 degrees at 8pm.

One person on Twitter showed a picture of a crippled cactus and joked that the heat was getting to the native plants. 'Even the cactus is trying to escape the Arizona heat'

The heat wave is currently sweeping across America, especially in southern parts of Texas, California, Arizona, and Florida. Pictured: Satellite map of the temps in the U.S.

The heat wave is currently sweeping across America, especially in southern parts of Texas, California, Arizona, and Florida.

In Southern California, an excessive heat warning was issued for parts of the area with hot and dry conditions expected through the weekend.

A similar situation is unfolding in Texas where temps have been up into the high 90s and 100s with officials expecting power demands to reach new highs.
LOBAMBA - The Sibaya dialogue will be held immediately after the 2023 General Elections.

This is as per the directive issued by His Majesty King Mswati III yesterday during Sibaya. The general elections are expected to end on September 29, 2023. His Majesty made the announcement of the dialogue yesterday during the Sibaya which was attended by throngs of emaSwati, who were eagerly anticipating what he would say. In the last Sibaya, where the King announced Cleopas Dlamini as the new Prime Minister, following the death of Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, His Majesty noted the calls for a dialogue and reminded emaSwati of the processes to be followed if there were issues that the people wanted to raise, processes which are enshrined in the Constitution.

Direction

The King, at the time, stated that when the time was right, emaSwati would be called to Sibaya to chart a way forward on the political direction that the country would take. These processes recognise Sibaya as the ultimate decision-making body in the land. Yesterday at Sibaya, the attendees gathered with a myriad of expectations, with the main one being that the King would dissolve the 11th Parliament, something which indeed happened. His speech, which was structured in similar fashion like the Speech from The Throne he usually delivers to mark the official opening of Parliament around February each year, touched on a variety of sectors, including the economy, health, road infrastructure and the need for the nation to come together.

Screams, ululations and whistles were heard from almost every corner of the cattle byre when the King announced that the nation needed to come together and engage. Then King assured that the dialogue would allow him to listen to what the citizens had to say. Using the vernacular term kubhunga, the King recounted that the nation had not been able to come together for national talks, partly because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated the introduction of restrictions on travel and gatherings. He said the good news was that the pandemic was no longer a serious threat, which meant that the nation could now gather at Sibaya and dialogue. In vernacular, he said; Loku kusho kutsi ematfuba ekutsi live selingabhunga sekangavuleka.

He emphasised that the kingdom was known to be a dialoguing nation and that the time had come to do so. Back to Sibaya, His Majesty thanked the Heavens for the cold weather accompanied by rains, saying it was a clear sign that Sibaya had been summoned. It has never happened that at this time of the year we receive the rains that we witnessed, more especially because it is winter. We can say that these are blessings for the country. When we witness rains, it means that it is blessings from the Almighty God, His Majesty said. He said since the beginning of the year, there had been a lot of positive aspects witnessed in the country and that such happened at a time when the country had struggled with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The King then emphasised on the need to restore peace in the country and for emaSwati to live in harmony. There is a need to restore the harmony and peace that we are known for as a nation. There is nothing that can ever defeat a nation that is united and lives in peace, he said. He said what was important was for all citizens to put in effort to ensure the promotion of peace, not just for the existing generation but for future ones as well.
A Nigerian man has been found guilty of attempting to rape an Australian woman after a night out at a popular beachside nightclub in Bali.

Idongesit Joseph Zion was sentenced to one year imprisonment by Chief Judge Ida Bagus Bamadewa Patiputra at the Denpasar District Court on July 6.

The court found that Zion had attempted to sexually assault an Australian woman, known as KTR, at his accommodation on Jalan Teuku Umar, in central Denpasar, on December 2, 2022.

The court heard Zion lured her to his accommodation after falsely claiming he was booking her a motorcycle taxi back to her hotel.

A Nigerian man has been found guilty of attempting to rape an Australian woman in Bali after tricking her into coming back to his accommodation on a motorcycle taxi (stock image)

Zion and KTR met at Finns Beach Club, along the Berawa beachfront west of Denpasar, on a Friday night, according to Balinese news outlet Coconuts.

Zion, who was with his friend, started interacting with KTR, who was with her sister, before the Australian lost interest and attempted to leave.

He then incessantly attempted to keep in contact with the Australian, offering to purchase her a taxi back to her hotel.

The court heard although his initial proposal was refused by KTR, Zion would order an online motorcycle taxi for her.

Believing she was returning to her own hotel, KTR accepted the gesture only to be taken to Zion's accommodation where he would attempt to rape her.

Thanks to the help of her sister and Zion's friend, KTR was able to escape and alert police.

The Denpasar District Court heard the Aussie had rejected the man's advances at Finns Beach Club (pictured) before being conned onto a motorcycle taxi travelling with him

Judge Ida Bagus Bamadewa Patiputra said Zion had caused 'clear harm to the victim' while also breaching decency values of the island.

'The victim suffered losses and felt violated as a woman,' Ida Bagus Bamadewa Patiputra said.

'The defendant, Idongesit Joseph Zion, is declared legally and convincingly guilty of the crime of attempted rape. The defendant is sentenced to one year in prison.'

The court took mitigating factors into consideration during Zion's sentencing, in particular, both parties apologising to each other during the course of the trial.

SmartTraveller, an Australian Government website that provides warnings for those travelling internationally, cautions tourists to 'exercise a high degree of caution'.

The website notes 'solo women' are at a higher risk of being targeted, warning them to 'be alert in taxis, crowds, bars and nightclubs'.
Olivia Pratt-Korbel's murderer, Thomas Cashman, has lost his appeal to have his life sentence reduced, to the relief of his victim's family.

Cashman, 34, lodged an appeal against his minimum 42-year jail term, after he was found guilty of killing nine-year-old Olivia at her home in Dovecot, Liverpool.

Her mother, Cheryl Korbel, said of Cashman's rejected bid at reducing his jail term: 'That news meant everything to us as a family, it was huge.'

On August 22 last year, Cashman was chasing convicted drug dealer Joseph Nee, who tried to run into the girl's home in a bid to escape.

Cashman opened fire, hitting Olivia's mother in the wrist as she tried to keep the door shut on Nee, with the same bullet then killing her daughter.

Thomas Cashman, 34, lodged an appeal against his minimum 42-year jail term, after he was found guilty of killing nine-year-old Olivia

Olivia Pratt-Korbel was shot dead at her home in Dovecot, Liverpool, on August 22 last year

After Olivia's family endured a four-week trial, her killer refused to show up for his sentencing, instead remaining in his cell.

Cheryl, 48, told The Mirror: 'We knew when he didn't show up in court that he was going to appeal it.'

Cashman, a high-level Liverpool drug dealer and father-of-two, reportedly launched an appeal less than 20 days after being handed the life sentence, which his lawyers argued was too harsh.

Cheryl said: 'I laughed when I heard he had appealed his sentence, I just thought it was a joke, we went right through court and then he never turned up for his sentence.'

Cashman was branded a 'coward' for his refusal to come into Manchester Crown Court to be sentenced and face Olivia's family.

His no-show prompted calls for a change in the law to force criminals to attend their sentence hearing or face extra years in jail.

Cheryl is among those, including former justice secretary Dominic Raab, and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, calling for a change in the law.

Cheryl Pratt-Korbel has called for a change in the law after her daughter's killer did not show up for his sentencing

'You never get closure', Cheryl told the newspaper, 'and then for him to not turn up was a punch in the stomach. It's not a quick process at all. It was draining.'

'The pain he has put us through, we've lost Olivia, she was the core of the family, she was the youngest. But whether that makes any difference to him I'm not sure.

'The law needs changing so other families don't have to go through the same thing, so they get the chance to tell these offenders the pain they have caused.'

Cashman's trial heard how he 'lay in wait' with two guns to attack 36-year-old Nee.

An artist's sketch of Thomas Cashman in the dock at Manchester Crown Court on March 30

After shooting Nee, his victim tried to escape, running towards the Korbels' front door, opened by Cheryl who had gone outside to see what was happening.

As she tried to block the door on Nee, frightened Olivia ran from her bed to the stairs, shouting, 'Mum, I'm scared!'

Cashman fired again, hitting Cheryl in the wrist as she tried to keep the door shut on Nee. The same bullet hit and killed her daughter, who was hiding behind her.

Jailing him, Mrs Justice Yip said the killer was 'not of previous good character', had made it clear he was a criminal and had 'demonstrated no remorse' during his trial.

She added: 'His failure to come into court is further evidence of that.'
The travellers are seen in the mud helping to plant seeds

Australians have been left divided after bikini-clad tourists were videoed jumping into a rice paddy to help farmers with their crops in Bali.

The footage was uploaded to the Instagram page, Bali Living, and showed the tourists ankle-deep in mud as they helped with the farm work.

Half a dozen women are seen lending a hand while posing for pictures with locals prompting social media users to question if they were helping or getting in the way.

Bikini-clad tourists have been filmed jumping into rice fields in Bali's to help the farmers plant seeds, drawing a mixed reaction online

Footage shows both the locals and the tourists laughing with the farmers appearing happy and unbothered by the extra assistance.

The popular tourist destination has previously seen people attempt to get their five minutes of fame online by faking farm work.

Therefore, pessimistic social media users voiced their displeasure with the travellers interrupting the work of locals.

'Beyond disrespectful making content out of underprivileged people as their prop,' one person wrote.

'All for the gram, disrespectful and careless,' another added.

'Reminds me of that viral bikini girl who got backlash staring at a rice farmer with a post about being grateful. They didn't learn their lesson now they make the same old content,' a third commented.

'Poor hard working people from developing countries being treated like a prop for those rich influencer tourists.'

The comment refers to a 2019 post by tourist Natalie Schlater, who uploaded a photograph of herself in a bikini overlooking a rice field in Canggu, comparing her life to that of a rice picker in Bali.

'Thinking about how different my life is from the man picking in the rice field every morning,' the Instagrammer captioned the photo.

Looking deep into the distance, she appeared to watch on as a man is hard at work picking rice in the background.

Half a dozen women are filmed planting seeds in between posing for pictures with the Balinese people leading people to question whether they are helping or just getting in the way

Many mentioned the case of Natalie Schlater who uploaded a photograph of herself in a bikini overlooking a rice field in Canggu comparing her life to that of a Bali rice picker

'It is the epitome of the social media generation,' one commented, while another sarcastically penned an alternate caption for the image: 'Just thinking about how I'm so popular and rich and this guy is a rice farmer'.

However, other users said the bikini-clad girls were helping the farmers and it looked like the workers were happy they were there.

One person wrote: 'I reckon they're not bothered, you can hear laughter in the background too, it's the locals who take pictures with them too, not the foreigners'.

'They're not making content, none of them are taking a picture,' another added.

'What's wrong? They are helping at least,' a third commented.
Donald Trump on Tuesday night called for Hunter Biden to be executed for tax fraud and falsifying a gun permit.

Hunter, 53, agreed on June 20 to plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of federal income tax fraud, and a separate deal related to a felony gun charge.

Republicans have claimed that the agreement is a 'sweetheart deal', and are questioning the prosecutor, David Weiss.

Weiss, appointed by Trump as U.S. Attorney for the district court of Delaware, on Monday insisted he reached his conclusion independently - despite two I.R.S. whistleblowers alleging that the process was corrupted.

But Trump reacted with fury to Weiss's decision to reach a plea agreement, insisting he should have sentenced Hunter to death.

Hunter Biden, 53, has agreed a plea deal on tax and gun permit charges. Donald Trump said he deserved the death penalty

The president's son is shown holding the gun he bought having sworn that he was not addicted to drugs. He has since admitted his cocaine habit

The death penalty is not an option for tax fraud or gun charges.

'Weiss is a COWARD, a smaller version of Bill Barr, who never had the courage to do what everyone knows should have been done,' wrote Trump on his social media platform, Truth Social.

'He gave out a traffic ticket instead of a death sentence.'

Despite Trump himself appointing Weiss, the former president blamed the two Democrat senators for Delaware - Tom Carper and Chris Coons - who recommended him.

'Because of the two Democrat Senators in Delaware, they got to choose and/or approve him,' said Trump.

'Maybe the judge presiding will have the courage and intellect to break up this cesspool of crime.

'The collusion and corruption is beyond description. TWO TIERS OF JUSTICE!'

Amid the Republican anger and accusations, Weiss said on Monday he had been reassured by the Justice Department he would have the authority to file charges outside his Delaware district against President Joe Biden's son should he wish to do so.

The U.S. attorney outlined his powers in a letter to Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, after the South Carolina senator wrote and asked him to clarify allegations from an IRS whistleblower that he was denied special counsel status.

'I have not requested Special Counsel designation,' Weiss noted.

'I was assured that I would be granted this authority if it proved necessary,' Weiss added.

'And this assurance came months before the October 7, 2022, meeting referenced throughout the whistleblowers' allegations.'

Hunter Biden is seen on June 23, arriving at an air base in Washington DC

Hunter Biden is seen with his parents on July 4, watching the fireworks from the White House

U.S. Attorney David Weiss said he has not requested special counsel status as part of his investigation into Hunter Biden

Weiss add that he has 'never been denied the authority to bring charges in any jurisdiction.'

Questions about the extent of Weiss' authority were raised after IRS agent Gary Shapely, a whistleblower, claimed that Weiss had tried to bring charges against Hunter Biden in Washington DC, but was blocked by DC's top federal prosecutor Matthew Graves, a Biden appointee.

Federal law requires federal criminal proceedings are held in the district where the crimes were committed. Hunter Biden lived in Washington DC and California at the time of his tax crimes.

That means Weiss would need cooperation from the Central District of California and Washington DC to file charges there.

Shapley said Weiss was denied that permission.

But Weiss said he has been reassured he would have gotten it if he had requested it.

Shapley's lawyers accused Weiss of changing his story.

'U.S. Attorney David Weiss's story continues to change,' Shapley's legal team said in a statement.

'As a practical matter, it makes no difference whether Weiss requested special counsel or special attorney authority. Under no circumstances should 'the process' have included the political appointees of the subject's father, because Congress and the public had been assured it would not - but it did.'

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham wrote to U.S. Attorney David Weiss and asked him to respond to allegations from an IRS whistleblower

Shapley, in an interview with Fox News in June, described an October 7, 2022, meeting with top IRS and FBI officials about the Hunter case.

'I was there, and I witnessed this personally,' Shapley said, noting Weiss started by saying 'he's not the deciding person whether or not charges are filed or not.'

Shapley claimed the final decision was made by officials in Washington DC. He noted Weiss meet with the Matthew Graves, the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, in March 2022.

'After that occurred, he was no longer looking to charge,' Shapley said.

Shapley noted Weiss said he had requested special counsel authority and was denied.

'I even had him repeat that, because I knew how important that fact was, and I wanted to make sure I understood it,' he noted.

Shapley said he even documented the details of the meeting in an email and noted that email was in the hands of House investigators.

Attorney General Merrick Garland has consistently said Weiss had full authority.

Garland had said: 'As I said at the outset, Mr. Weiss was appointed by President Trump as the U.S. attorney in Delaware and assigned this matter during the previous administration.'

Garland said Weiss 'would be permitted to continue his investigation and to make a decision to prosecute any way in which he wanted to and in any district in which he wanted to. Mr. Weiss has since sent a letter to the House Judiciary confirming he had that authority.

'I don't know how it would be possible for anybody to block him from bringing a prosecution, given that he has this authority,' he said in June.

He claimed Weiss never asked to be appointed special prosecutor.

'Mr. Weiss had, in fact, more authority than a special counsel would have,' said Garland.

'He was given complete authority to make all decisions on his own.

'Some have chosen to attack the integrity of the Justice Department by claiming that we do not treat cases alike.

'This constitutes an attack on an institution that is essential to American democracy.'
ANZ's chief executive has blamed customers for bank branch closures as he revealed the staggering number that had been shut in just six years.

Under Shayne Elliott's watch, the number of ANZ branches across Australia has plunged by 42 per cent from 678 in 2017 to 391 now.

Of those still operating, 250 are in big cities, compared with 75 in inner-regional areas, 47 in outer regional towns and 19 in remote locations.

Mr Elliott, who was last year paid $6million, told a parliamentary hearing customers complained about bank branch closures but then did almost all their transactions online.

'What we've found is - and again, I don't mean to diminish the feedback - but a lot of people bemoan the fact that branches are closing but they don't actually use them,' he told the House of Representatives economics committee in Canberra on Wednesday.

'And even when we do provide alternative solutions, the usage is extraordinarily low because people actually do like the convenience of being able to do things digitally.'

ANZ's chief executive has blamed customers for bank branch closures. Under Shayne Elliott's watch, the number of ANZ branches across Australia has plunged by 42 per cent from 678 in 2017 to 391 now (he is pictured fronting the House of Representatives economics committee in Canberra)

Mr Elliott, who took over as CEO in 2016, argued the rate of closure was faster earlier in his leadership, pointing out only 35 branches had closed since 2021 as 96 per cent of customers did their transactions digitally.

'Only eight per cent of our customers only use a branch and don't have any sort of digital relationship with us,' he said.

'That is falling at a rapid rate.

'Most of them are actually more likely to be small business operators, small businesses have more complex needs than individuals.

'Retail customers are generally pretty well serviced on a digital basis.'

Despite the branch closures, ANZ's share price of $23.92 is lower than the $25.34 level of January 2016 when he took over as CEO.

But his bank made a cash profit of $6.496billion in the year to September 2022, growing every financial year when the Covid lockdown recession of 2020 was excluded.

The Kiwi-born banking veteran argued a New Zealand experiment, where major banks shared a branch to save on costs, had not worked, but said ANZ could install more smart automatic teller machines that accepted cash deposits.

'Part of the solution is ATMs, again it's not the same but we have smart ATMs, they take deposits, dispense cash, and coin machines and all sorts of things that the industry and ourselves invest in to try and make it as smooth as possible,' Mr Elliott said.

He also stressed most branch closures had happened in city centres, using downtown Melbourne as an example.

'Most of the closure has actually happened in major cities,' he said.

'It's your classic Collins Street where we would have had five branches in the past, now we have three.

He also stressed most branch closures had happened in city centres, using downtown Melbourne as an example (pictured is an ATM in Victoria)

'That's where the bulk has been. There's been essentially no closures in remote or very remote Australia and regional somewhere in the middle.

'It's responding to what customers are doing.'

Mr Elliott said regional areas were harder to service but suggested remote branches could stay open if they operated on just morning hours.

'Remote towns, part of the country, are difficult to service in general whether that's banking or supermarkets or petrol stations or whatever it might be,' he said.

'From a banking perspective, we are fortunate in the fact that generally we provide all those services in an alternative way, as long as there's good internet connection or telephone service.'

But he admitted customers, even if they mainly did their transactions online, were still attached to a physical branch.

'We look at a number of things: yes, we look at the foot traffic, we look at the number of customers that will consider that branch their home, their home branch and we look at the total relationship value that we have with them,' he said.

'Whether they use the branch or now, everybody is attached to a branch and we think about the network that branch supports, the number of conversations that people are having, not just transactions or over the counter are clearly very important but also the general interaction and usage of that branch.

'At some point, it gets to a point where based on the data, we make a decision about keeping it open.'
An employee of a large tech company with the bizarre title of 'head of vibe' has appeared in a gloating interview about the invigorating workplace, even as reports surface of a judgmental ranking system of employees.

Canva topped Fast Company's 2023 Best Workplaces for Innovators list and Chris Low - officially the 'head of vibe' at the Australian headquarters - spoke glowingly of the workplace which includes a dedicated chocolate chip cookie chef, gym classes, cooked meals, rooftop beehives and an annual 'vibe allowance'.

While Mr Low conceded his title was 'unusual', he said Canva employees such as himself 'literally... bring the vibe to the workplace everyday'.

Mr Low said the Canva Australia team created 'magical moments' in the workplace on a daily basis.

However Canva may not be the working paradise he claims, as reports have emerged that the graphic design software platform company -which attracts 300,000 job applications a year - has introduced an employee benchmarking system that grades employees out of five.

One Canva worker detailed how he had been told he had fallen into the lowest-ranked group of employees at the company.

'It just came out of nowhere,' David - whose name has been changed to protect his identity - told the Australian Financial Review.

David said managers at the graphic design platform told him he was 'missing' objectives, meaning he had slipped into the bottom group of workers.

'Everyone is now looking over their shoulder,' David said.

'It's all a bit surreal.'

Reports have surfaced that Canva has introduced employee benchmarking systems that grade employees out of five

Mr Low said it had been a 'momentous' year for the graphic design platform

David said his Canva manager spoke to him about his performance from a pre-written script, however the company disputes this.

'We don't use pre-written scripts for performance conversations,' a Canva spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

The spokesperson said the company has had the same performance system for more than two years and 'haven't made any changes in that time period'.

They also said the company had seen an increase in people 'who are in our top performing category, rather than the bottom'.

Prominent media commentator Joe Hildebrand called out the company and Mr Low's Sunrise performance.

'The last time I saw anything run on just good vibes was at a bush rave in 1995 and even then Im pretty sure there was more than just vibes involved,' he said.

Media commentator Joe Hildebrand called out Canva's business practices

Mr Hildebrand said a company could 'have all the cookies and beanbags in the world but if employees arent being productive Im pretty sure those good vibes disappear pretty quickly'.

Mr Hildebrand, who previously worked as a reporter on workplaces, said he was aware of reports the company had developed a five tier employee ranking system.

'And thats the thing with all these hippy trippy tech companies that offer stuff like free yoga: One minute youre doing a sun salutation and the next youre doing the downward dog,' he said.

On winning the Fast Company's award, Mr Low said in a statement it had been a 'momentous' year for the tech platform.

'Fostering innovation has been at the core of our culture from the start and is a huge part of who we are today,' he said.

'Were nearly a decade into our journey now, but it still feels like were just getting started.'
A beloved Wisconsin radio show host has had a double mastectomy, and plans to have her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed, after discovering she carries a gene that makes her more at risk of cancer.

Elizabeth Kay, 41, is the host of the 99.1 The MIX - but she's been talking her listeners through the life-changing surgeries she's having in a bid to beat the 58 percent risk that she'll get cancer.

The mom-of-one carries BRCA2, which doctors calculated meant her risk of getting the disease was 58 percent - worse odds than flipping a coin.

After having consultations, she decided to go for a double mastectomy.

Elizabeth Kay posted an instagram picture of herself from her hospital bed today, with the caption: 'All set, let's do this. Love my doctors'

She said: ''I'll have reconstructive surgery, and then I will also have my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed'

She posted an instagram picture of herself from her hospital bed today, with the caption: 'All set, let's do this. Love my doctors.'

Kay, who has been on Milwaukee airwaves since 2009, told WISN: 'We have had a couple of members of our family in the past few years been diagnosed with breast cancer.

'And then we had another family member get diagnosed and similar in age and that made everyone kind of pause and wonder, 'OK, this is a hereditary cancer? What does this mean for the rest of us in the family?'

'I have decided to go ahead and take these preventative measures similar to what Angelina Jolie has done, and have a bilateral mastectomy.

'Then I'll have reconstructive surgery, and then I will also have my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed.

'This is serious. It's in my family and I am being proactive. I don't want any part of cancer.

'And if I can be preventative and I have this information, I'm going to do something with it.'

Kay has been on Milwaukee airwaves since 2009

Kay often posts heartwarming images and clips of her family life, with her husband Eric (right) and teen son Brayson

Kay pictured with her teen son, Brayson

She donated a kidney in March 2021 to a stranger in Kentucky on behalf of her mother-in-law, Camille, so that she could get an even better kidney match through the paired kidney exchange program

After being tested, Kay revealed that her family carried the gene mutation BRCA2, which stands for breast cancer gene 2.

It increases the risk of cancers of the breast, ovaries, and fallopian tubes - because the gene provides instructions for making a protein that acts as a tumor suppressor.

When this gene is mutated, is it less effective at creating the tumor-suppressing protein and therefore less effective at keeping any potential cancers at bay.

The BRCA2 protein is also involved in repairing damaged or changed DNA - which, biologically speaking, is what cancer is caused by.

This is not the first time the mom-of-one has gone into surgery.

She donated a kidney in March 2021 to a stranger in Kentucky on behalf of her mother-in-law, Camille, so that she could get an even better kidney match through the paired kidney exchange program.

Kay often posts heartwarming images and clips of her family life, with her husband Eric and teen son Brayson.
The girlfriend of a man who admitted shooting a father-of-two in the face and dousing him with acid looked up the words 'premeditated' and 'barbaric' before and after the attack, a court has heard.

Michael Hillier, 39, and his girlfriend Rachel Fulstow, 37, both deny murdering Liam Smith, 38, whose body was found at the bottom of his driveway in a housing estate in the village of Shevington near Wigan.

Hillier has, however, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, while Fulstow, who previously had a one-night-stand with Hillier, has pleaded not guilty to the same charge and another count of perverting the course of justice.

A jury at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester have now been told the couple planned the murder of electrician Mr Smith before luring him out of his home on November 24 2022.

The court heard Mr Smith had previously had a one-night-stand with Fulstow in a York hotel in 2019 before the former nail technician entered a relationship with Hillier the year after.

Michael Hillier and his girlfriend Rachel Fulstow are on trial for the murder of father-of-two Liam Smith, 38, (pictured)

Hillier, from Sheffield, was 'led to believe' his girlfriend had been raped by Mr Smith, Jason Pitter KC, opening the case for the prosecution, told the jury.

The prosecution say Hillier was assisted in the organisation, preparation and execution of the attack by the first defendant, Rachel Fulstow, his then girlfriend.

The couple 'executed' Mr Smith outside his home, before leaving him dead in the street with chemicals still 'fizzling' on his body. the jury were told.

The body of Liam Smith, 38, was found at the bottom of his driveway on Kilburn Drive, Shevington, Wigan, in the early evening of November 24 last year.

'Having been drawn out of his house he was blasted, at probably close range, in the face with a shot from a gun,' Jason Pitter KC told the court.

'That was fatal, it penetrated his brain and would have brought him instantly to the ground.

Liam Smith's, 38, body was found at the bottom of his driveway on Kilburn Drive, Shevington, Wigan, (pictured) in the early evening of November 24 last year

'However, he then proceeded to pour acid onto the face and body of Liam Smith, followed by soda crystals.

'The result was that his flesh burned away in those areas where the acid made contact with his skin."

Mr Smith's mother and sister wept uncontrollably in the public gallery as CCTV footage of the attack was played to the jury.

A week after the murder both defendants went on holiday for a fortnight to Jamaica, jurors heard.

Jurors were told prosecution evidence includes CCTV and vehicle recognition footage, mobile telephone tracking and internet searches done by Fulstow before and after the murder.

These included online searches for Mr Smith and searching for the meaning of the word, "premeditated" and "barbaric".

Liam Smith's (pictured) father said earlier this year that he had 'absolutely no idea whatsoever' why his son was killed

A jury of five women and seven men were selected to try the case. Trial judge Maurice Greene told them the case involved the loss of life of Mr Smith and emotions may run high but that they must put that to one side and judge the case only on the evidence heard in court.

Mr Smith's family launched a plea earlier this year for information that would help solve his killing.

His father Phil said at the time: 'Liam's savage murder at his home address has sent complete shock waves of grief and despair amongst everyone who knew and loved him.

'Two young boys will now have to spend the rest of their lives without their adoring father, and the rest of our family will be forever haunted by this senseless act.'

The grieving father said he had 'absolutely no idea whatsoever' why his son was killed.
Beijing has praised Paul Keating after the former prime minister slammed NATO, branded the head of the military alliance as a 'supreme fool'.

Chinese state-run paper, The Global Times, described Mr Keating as a 'visionary and insightful politician' after he lashed out at NATO over a plan to expand the alliance into the Asia-Pacific by setting up a liaison office in Tokyo, Japan.

French President Emmanuel Macron has opposed the move, saying he felt it was a 'big mistake' that would fuel tensions between NATO and Beijing.

Keating criticised NATO chief Jans Stoltenberg, who met with prime minister Anthony Albanese at a summit in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius on Tuesday, over the proposal.

'Of all the people on the international stage the supreme fool among them is Jens Stoltenberg, the current secretary-general of Nato,' Keating said.

Beijing has praised Paul Keating (pictured) over his intense criticism of NATO and the alliance's chief over a plan to expand into the Asia-Pacific

'Stoltenberg by instinct and by policy, is simply an accident on its way to happen.'

He added that the alliance boss 'conducts himself as an American agent more than he performs as a leader and spokesperson for European security'.

The former Labor prime minister warned that the expansion would bring the 'militarism of Europe' into the asia-pacific that's been 'egged on by the United States'.

'Exporting that malicious poison to Asia would be akin to Asia welcoming the plague on itself,' he said.

The Global Times published a story that was highly critical of NATO and the plans outlined in the summit before applauding Mr Keating's acid-tongued response.

'Keating is a visionary and insightful politician,' it read.

'We highly agree with his statement. No one has criticized NATO more accurately and vividly than Keating. His words reflect a consensus among Asian countries.'

'The transatlantic military alliance, which has been expanding and disrupting the security situation in Europe since the Cold War, is now extending its reach into the Asia-Pacific region.'

The communist party mouthpiece said the 'ulterior motives' were 'inciting division and hatred, creating group confrontations, and causing chaos in Europe' and the plan was designed 'to disrupt the peace in the Asia-Pacific region'.

'We firmly resist this, together with the majority of countries in the Asia-Pacific region,' it added.

China's state-run paper published a story that was highly critical of NATO before applauding Mr Keating as a 'visionary and insightful politician' (pictured, China President Xi Jinping)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with NATO boss Jans Stoltenberg at the alliance's summit in Lithuanian capital of Vilnius on Tuesday

Mr Stoltenberg brushed off the criticisms from Mr Keating when he met with Mr Albanese, and thanked him for Australia's commitment to NATO and support for Ukraine.

The prime minister has also distanced himself from the comments, describing Mr Stoltenberg as a 'friend' of Australia during an interview with the ABC.

Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea leaders are all attending the NATO summit despite not being NATO members, because Mr Stoltenberg says Europe's security is 'not regional, it is global'.
Claims local tribes could not be represented by The Voice

An Aboriginal elder has revealed he will vote against the Voice to Parliament unless it is delayed to allow more time for Australians to know what they are voting for.

Ned Hargraves, who is an elder of the Warlpiri people in a rural area of the Northern Territory, north-west of Alice Springs, argued there is a significant lack of information regarding the Voice.

Mr Hargraves called on the government to delay the referendum, which will happen in the last quarter of 2023, as several questions about the Voice remain unanswered.

The elder wants to know how an advisory body can guarantee important issues in the Indigenous community will be addressed.

He is also seeking to understand how it can guarantee the laws and traditions from every Aboriginal tribe will acknowledged - with more than 400 distinct tribes scattered around Australia.

While a majority of Aboriginal Australians continue to support the Voice, polling suggests residents across the country are becoming increasingly opposed to it.

An elder of the Warlpiri people in a rural area of the Northern Territory, Ned Hargraves (pictured), reveals he will vote no on The Voice to Parliament due to a lack of information

Mr Hargraves told the ABC he was concerned about the ramifications of the referendum passing without Indigenous communities being properly informed about what it entails.

'My people need to know exactly what we want. What are we saying yes to?' he said.

'If I give you a written paper in my language and you try to read it and try to understand it, would you sign it?'

The Aboriginal elder highlighted concerns the Voice would have little impact to curb issues currently faced by Indigenous Australians, such as the disproportionate percentage of First Nations people in prison.

According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in June of last year, 31 per cent of all prisoners were Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islanders - despite the Indigenous community representing 3.1 per cent of the total population.

Of those in prison, 78 per cent had already spent time in the prison system for prior offences.

Mr Hargraves also said specific issues relating to individual tribes could be miscommunicated if only a 'general' Voice to Parliament passes.

'When you look at ... our Dreamings, our laws, we don't want another person who doesn't know my Tjukurpa, my dreamings, to handle it,' Mr Hargraves said.

Although currently being on the same side of the debate as MP and leader of the No campaign Jacinta Price, Mr Hargraves said he did not back her.

'I'm not a fan of Jacinta. But I am for my people,' he said.

Mr Hargraves raised concerns The Voice could miss on making change over current Indigenous issues and miscommunicate issues presented by individual tribes

According to polling from the national broadcaster, which averages national polls on the Voice, support for the referendum has started to dwindle.

The binary poll shows Australians are starting to become more conditioned with voting no on the referendum as the voting date draws closer.

A March poll by YouGov, which surveyed 732 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, showed 83 per cent of Indigenous Australians support the Voice.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney had recently claimed that the No campaign had adopted 'Trump-style politics' to derail support for the Voice.

'The aim is to polarise, to sow division in our society by making false claims,' she told the Press Gallery last week.

'Do not let the No campaign get away with using Trump-style politics. Do not let them divide us.'

In June, a Newspoll showed overall support for the Voice plunged three points to just 43 per cent.

The No vote rose four points, to 47 per cent, putting it ahead for the time since Newspoll began tracking support.
A split beanbag that has covered a Sydney CBD footpath in a snowdrift of white beads illustrates the growing plight of homelessness in Australia.

The scene was snapped on a chilly Wednesday morning on the corner of Clarence and Erskine Streets in the middle of the nation's biggest city.

Half of the pavement is covered by in Styrofoam pellets that had spilled from a deflated bean bags which sits against the window of a 7/11 convenience store.

Also strewn along a length of about three meters of footpath were cardboard boxes, newspaper, piles of worn clothes, plastic bags and even an overturned blade scooter.

Aziz, who works in the 7/11, said the debris belonged to homeless man 'Greg', who had been camped on the pavement for 'quite a long time'.

The contents of a split beanbag and other possessions spread over a Sydney pavement highlight the nation's homelessness crisis

'He just feels stuck around there,' Aziz said.

'He mostly buys food from us, he gets coins from people who give it to him,' Aziz said.

Aziz said the convenience store staff will clean up outside if there is mess banked up on the shop's glass walls.

'Other than that what they do on the street is out of our reach, we can't do anything.'

Charity Mission Australia reported the demand for their homelessness services, mainly based in New South Wales, has jumped by 26 percent to 7,378 people between over the past two calendar years.

The report, which was released in May, described homelessness as a 'national emergency' that was widening to include groups that previously had secure accommodation.

The debris, which covered a three-metre long area on a CDB footpath belonged to homeless man Gret

A worker from the 7/11 store said employees sometimes cleaned up the mess if it banked against the shop's glass walls

'We're now seeing families with children, including those escaping domestic violence, more older people  specifically older women  and many people who are working full-time,' Mission Australia's program manager, Donna Davis, said.

'There really is a whole new cohort of people that need our help.'

The report blamed skyrocketing rents, low wages and income support payments, and the shortage of social and affordable housing for compounding the problem.

Real estate research firm, Proptrack, confirmed rentals in Sydney for under $400 a week have hit record lows - plunging from 21 per cent of all rentals to just 9 per cent between 2020 and 2023.

Trina Jones, from Homelessness NSW, said in May that there were more than 57,000 households on the waiting list for short-term accommodation as the state entered the chilly months.

Ms Jones has just been appointed the first-ever NSW Rental Commissioner, a role she starts next week.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is attempting to get a social housing package through parliament but has been stymied by Coalition and Greens senators

'Homelessness is just one bad situation away from everybody,' Kerry said.

Sydney's Marrickville Council said last month they were concerned about the growing number of people camping out in the inner west Enmore Park.

'Several agencies have been involved in visiting Enmore Park and engaging with those people who are sleeping rough. We are aware of it and it's distressing,' a council spokesperson said.

Enmore Park sits in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's electorate.

The Albanese Government's $10billion social housing package has been stalled in parliament after Coalition and Greens senators voted against it.

Even if the measure does get through homelessness agencies have said it is too little and will be too late for many already out on the street or living in other temporary or unsecure accommodation.
A driver has been charged after a multi-vehicle crash landed five people in hospital.

The 22-year-old man is alleged to have caused the six-car pile up on Liverpool Road in Strathfield, in Sydney's inner-west, at 6.50pm on Tuesday.

Paramedics treated the victims at the scene before they were rushed to Concord and Royal Prince Alfred Hospitals in a stable condition.

The 22-year-old man is alleged to have caused the six-car pile up on Liverpool Road in Strathfield in Sydney's inner west at 6.50pm last night

The people injured in the crash were all men aged 24, 30 and 41 while two were 28-years-old.

The young driver, from Greenacre, was arrested and taken to Auburn Police Station.

He was charged with five counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct while in charge of a motor vehicle and possessing a prohibited drug.

Drive conveyance taken without consent of owner and failing to stop and render assistance were among the other charges.

9 News footage of the wreckage showed badly damaged cars left behind in the trail of destruction.

Paramedics treated the victims at the scene before they were rushed to Concord and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a stable condition

The bonnets of several cars were ripped apart and were seen sprawled across the road.

The 22-year-old driver was refused bail and was ordered to front Burwood Local Court on Wednesday.

Auburn Police officers established a crime scene and are conducting inquiries.

The Crash Investigation Unit has also commenced an investigation into the incident.
High-profile brain surgeon Charlie Teo has been found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct over an 'inappropriate' conversation with a patient's daughter, an exorbitant fee he charged, and other complaints about consent.

It was found he told a patient's daughter that 'You're asking the wrong f****** question' and 'Would I do it all over again? F****** oath I would. You should be grateful.'

The 65-year-old Dr Teo appeared before the Medical Professional Standards Committee in February to face complaints that he decided to operate on two patients where the risk of surgery outweighed any potential benefits of the operation.

It was also alleged that he did not obtain informed consent from the patients before the surgery, charged an inappropriate fee of $35,000 to one patient and spoke inappropriately, with several swear words, to that patient's daughter post-surgery.

In its decision announced on Wednesday the committee said it 'found these elements of the complaint proven'.

Dr Charlie Teo (pictured left with his partner Traci Griffiths) has been found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct in a landmark ruling

Details of Dr Charlie Teo's foul-mouthed conversation (pictured) have been revealed

'The committee found that Professor Teo was guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct' in 2018 and 2019 while working as a neurosurgeon at the Prince of Wales Private Hospital in Sydney.

The committee concluded in one instance he did 'not exercise appropriate judgment in proceeding to surgical resection' of Patient A.

In another, with Patient B, 'the practitioner carried out surgery which was different to that proposed to the patient, and the surgical strategy led to unwarranted and excessive removal of normal functional brain'.

It was also found that Dr Teo's 'judgment in deciding to operate on Patient A was inappropriate (because) it was high-risk and inappropriate surgery by reason of the nature and location of the tumour, its genetic type, and that it was diffuse (spread over a wide area).'

The Medical Professional Standards Committee found that the surgeon had 'for the most part, become isolated from the majority of his peers, and does not conform to a number of relevant accepted professional standards'.

The committee ordered that Dr Teo 'be reprimanded and imposed conditions on his registration to protect the public'.

These conditions include that he must obtain a written statement from a Medical Council-approved neurosurgeon which supports him performing recurrent malignant intracranial tumour and brain stem tumour surgical procedures.

If the written statement does not support Dr Teo performing the procedure he cannot perform the surgery.

The committee found that 'On or around 23 March 2019, (Dr Teo) used inappropriate language during a telephone conversation with Person E, Patient B's daughter'.

The surgeon was found to have said 'You're asking the wrong f****** question' and 'Would I do it all over again? F****** oath I would. You should be grateful.

'I've given the family extra f****** time.'

The committee found Person E to be 'a credible witness whose evidence was not impeached in cross-examination.

The committee found that 'On or around 23 March 2019, (Dr Teo) used inappropriate language' (pictured)

The Medical Professional Standards Committee found that Dr Teo (pictured) spoke inappropriately to a patient's daughter post-surgery

'She candidly explained that she had used abusive and derogatory language directed to (Dr Teo) in her telephone conversation.'

It said it was 'both likely and credible that (Dr Teo) responded in words attributed to him given Person E's hostile introduction to their conversation'.

The committee found that Dr Teo's reported words were 'consistent with his explanation about offering surgery'.

It took into account evidence from another person, Dr Profyris, that Dr Teo 'does swear from time to time'.

Five months ago the brain surgeon, who can also no longer work in the USA or Singapore, said he had been demonised in the Australian press and that it was costing lives.

Banned neurosurgeon Charlie Teo (pictured with girlfriend Traci Griffiths) said in February that the media and medics who 'destroyed' him have blood on their hands - and allowed children to die who he could have saved

'I don't know why a particular journalist or particular newspaper, a particular show or 14 particular neurosurgeons have taken on this task of destroying me,' Dr Teo told businessman Mark Bouris on his Straight Talk podcast.

'But as long as they understand they have blood on their hands. I really want them to know that.

PRAISE FOR SURGEON Former patients and their family and friends flocked to a TikTok post from Mark Bouris plugging his podcast interview with Charlie Teo. They hailed his life-saving skills despite the controversy surrounding him. One follower, Bri Kniepp, posted: 'He saved my life. I would not be here without him. 'It's painful to hear the slander against when there are so many great outcomes.' Another added: 'He saved my beautiful girl operating on her in Madrid last year. Love you Charlie.' 'Charlie Teo needs to be protected at all costs,' posted one. 'He saved my auntie's life when no-one would operate on her.' Another added: 'Gave my mate an extra 18 months.' 'He saved my friend! Her life is completely different now...we love you Doc!,' said another. A grateful son added: 'He saved my dad's life. Charlie is the GOAT.' Advertisement

'I want them to know that, you might not like me, you might want to destroy me, and you've succeeded.

'But there's not a day goes by that I don't see a case that's died, or was going to die that I could have saved. It's terrible.'

Dr Teo said his ground-breaking brain surgery on 'inoperable' tumours was at first lauded by patients and the media, and gave him a 'Bambi-like' reputation.

But he argued his Messiah-like status was sabotaged by jealous rivals and the media.

'I don't know who's behind it all but all the media has basically tried to make me look like I'm some sort of terrible person,' he said.

'Once they came out with all those headlines, all the colleagues who were jealous and fuming, wanting to destroy me, go, "Yes, Now we can go in for the kill!"

'It was like a wolfpack seeing blood - a feeding frenzy. All these complaints started coming in.

'Suddenly, Bambi was no longer Bambi. Bambi was a demon. And now we can go get him and we destroy him.'

He admitted his pioneering high risk surgery - usually where other doctors have said the associated dangers of an operation were too high - often had 'terrible' outcomes.

But more often than not, he said he had good outcomes - and that he had been treated unfairly.

'I've done 11,000 brain tumours, can we please talk about some of the good results?

'The judge at the time stopped me and said, "We're not here to talk about the 11,000 cases, we're here to talk about the two patients on the table."

'But that's so unfair, because the outcomes of those patients was terrible.

'They're using those bad outcomes to say I should never have operated in the first place. It led to my professional demise.

'There's 11,000 other cases out there, of whom the majority have done well. I think that should be put into the equation as well before you start persecuting someone.'

He said he had been victimised by rivals who had used the system to ruin him.

'It's got nothing to do with fairness and what's right or wrong,' he said.

'It's all got to do with people's agendas. And the agenda is to destroy Charlie Teo. And they have succeeded.'

He said even sympathetic neurosurgeon colleagues were unable to help him return to surgery in Australia because of the strict restrictions on supervising him.

The doctor said in February that he was mentoring neurosurgeons in Spain on his specialised techniques on brainstem tumour operations which were previously avoided by surgeons.

He also said that he hopes to be able to still operate in other countries - but is keeping them secret for fear of sparking another media outcry which will shut him down again.

'I've got this skill. I mean, I know it,' he said. 'I take out tumours that no one else can take out.

'And all the surgeons around the world that watch me are just absolutely amazed by it. I still have the passion, the desire and the skills to do it. It's just I can't do it.

'There are some countries in the world that want me, but the trouble is that particular journalist have gone to those countries.

His fame and reputation as a celebrity surgeon caused Charlie Teo (pictured with supporter and model Cheyenne Tozzi) to be targeted by jealous rivals, he claimed

'As soon as (they) find out that I'm operating in a particular country, they go and try and destroy my reputation there as well.

'I'm not going to say anything at this stage, but a few countries have been trying to seduce me to operate there.

'So I'm hopefully going to be able to operate in some other countries.'

Five months after saying that, Dr Teo's chances of being able to operate in other countries have now been significantly diminished.
A Colorado hairdresser who shared a viral video of a woman launching into a racist rant against a Mexican family has slammed claims it was 'deceptively edited'.

Jada Gallardo said she pulled out her phone to record the shocking tirade while relaxing by the pool at the lavish Alta Green Mountain apartment complex over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

The hairdresser's footage was widely circulated after it caught Blair Featherman, 49, verbally abusing a Latino family nearby and calling them 'f****** low-class slime'.

But while Gallardo has doubled down and said Featherman was 'acting belligerently crazy', the so-called 'Poolside Karen' accused the hairdresser of editing the video for TikTok clout.

Hairdresser Jada Gallardo (pictured) has doubled down and said 'Poolside Karen' was 'acting belligerently crazy' during her racist rant

In the TikTok video posted by Gallardo, Featherman was seen shouting vile racist epithets at a group of people sitting around the pool at the apartment complex.

Featherman was heard calling the group 'trash', scolding them for hosting a 'f****** Mexican party', and mocking them for 'not knowing what Hermes is'.

Speaking to the New York Post, Gallardo alleged that the confrontation heated up over the claims over the designer brand, with the hairdresser saying she fired back: 'I'm wearing Hermes sandals!'

'Just because [of] our skin tone we dont know what an expensive designer is?' she recalled saying, adding that Featherman's rant made 'a lot of people' mad.

She said Featherman was initially incensed after alleging that Gallardo and her boyfriend didn't live at the Alta Green Mountain apartment complex, where units rent for up to $6,500 a month.

'(Featherman) asked if we had a key fob,' she said. After responding that she lived there, she claimed Featherman said: 'I need to check your key fob because I work here and a lot of people have been coming in that dont belong here.'

Gallardo also alleged that during the hostilities, Featherman even got into a brief physical fight. 'There was a big wad of brown hair (on the ground after the fight)', she added.

Blair Featherman, 49, launched into a racist rant at her luxury apartment complex in Colorado, calling a group of Latinos 'trash'

Gallardo said the racist tirade erupted over an argument about inviting outside members into the lavish apartment complex's swimming pool

The ordeal took place at the Alta Green Mountain apartment complex, where condos cost up to $6,500 a month to rent

The version of events was supported by Melanie Rangel-Olmedo, another witness to the poolside diatribe, who said Featherman caused severe distress to the families.

'One father took his two daughters back home because he didnt want them to hear the things that she was saying,' she said.

Rangel-Olmedo added that members of Featherman's group 'kept apologizing' after feeling embarrassed by the racist rant.

Although police were eventually called to the pool, Rangel-Olmedo claimed the authorities only came after 'hours' of abuse from Featherman.

While footage of the tirade was viewed millions of times after it spread through social media, Featherman claims she was actually a victim.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, Featherman says she was goaded into her inappropriate remarks by Gallardo, who she believes did so for internet fame.

'I have been trying to stay silent and not comment about this, but there are things the video doesn't show,' art consultant Featherman, 49, said.

'I'm not a racist. It was deceptively edited and put together to tell a narrative that isn't true.'

Instagram model Gallardo was accused of editing the video for TikTok clout, but she has denied the claims as she slammed Featherman for being 'belligerent'

Featherman told DailyMail.com that she was goaded into her comments by a wannabe model who is desperate for TikTok views

Featherman, who claims to be an expert in Feng Shui, the Chinese art of furniture arrangement, said she was attacked by the group, leading her to erupt in anger.

The argument over the number of guests Gallardo took to the pool spiraled out of control, and while Featherman admitted she was wrong to take the bait, she said it only occurred when she reached the end of her tether.

She claimed members of the group were calling her 'white b**** and white this and white that', which came after she was 'already having a bad day'.

As she reached for the phone, she claimed she was physically attacked, with one woman clawing at her hair so violently that her artificial nails broke off.

The alleged attack is not included in the video that Gallardo, 32, posted on TikTok and Featherman said the video is cut so it then follows on several minutes later from a different angle.

Video shows the moment Featherman hurled racial abuse at a Latino group for having a party at a Colorado swimming pool - set in a ritzy apartment complex where she lives

Featherman said she was the one who was attacked by a group of women, but claimed the posted video carefully avoided showing that

Recalling the aftermath of the alleged fight, Featherman said she was left in disbelief over the frantic scenes.

'I couldn't believe what just happened, my heart was racing, and I was so full of adrenaline,' she recalled. 'I couldn't think straight.'

Enraged and disoriented, she still had possession of the woman's nails, and decided to open her hand so the group could see.

'I have heard that people are assuming they're pills that I am holding in my hand, but it's actually her nails that I'm showing her,' she said.

The video ends with police being called to the complex although no one was arrested.
Dylan Mulvaney has fled to Peru for some much-needed solo travel and soul searching after she complained she no longer felt safe in the US.

The trans influencer, 26, has been at the center of scandals this year - having caused a storm of outrage after partnering with Bud Light in April, knocking millions off the value of the beer company.

After addressing the ordeal publicly on her TikTok last month, Mulvaney has announced she's solo traveling in South America to reconnect with herself - and filmed herself frolicking with llamas.

She told fans in a series of videos, which included posing with a llama: 'Okay surprise! I'm in Peru! I'm at Machu Picchu. Isn't this so beautiful.

Dylan Mulvaney has fled to Peru for some well-needed solo travel and soul searching after she complained she no longer felt safe in the US

She said: 'Most of all this trip has me feeling like my own best friend again. And that is the best feeling in the world'

'I came here to feel something. And I definitely have. I have done shaman ceremonies that were like 10 years worth of therapy, it was wild.

'I've seen a lot of llamas. The people here are so kind. I feel very safe here.

'it's a little sad that I had to leave my country to feel safe but that will get get better eventually.

'I am dying for some Trader Joes rolled chilli lime chips but other than that I am so content. I still haven't been kissed yet but I'm holding out hope.

'Most of all this trip has me feeling like my own best friend again. And that is the best feeling in the world.'

In Peru, same-sex partnerships are not recognized as marriage. In America, gay marriage is recognized in the law.

People in Peru are allowed to legally change their gender without requiring surgery.

This comes amid the background of plummeting sales for Bud Light since their partnership with influencer Mulvaney.

The popularity of the beer has been dropping since brewer Anheuser-Busch teamed up with Mulvaney, 26, and gave her a personalized can.

Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender influencer on social media, was chosen as a brand ambassador for Bud Light

Meanwhile last month, Mulvaney broke her silence on Bud Light to slam the embattled beer brand for for not standing by her amid the fallout from their disastrous campaign.

The 26-year-old on Instagram addressed the debacle, which has seen Anheuser-Busch lose $20million in market cap value since the advert for March Madness.

Speaking to her 1.8million followers, she said: 'I was waiting for the brand to reach out to me, but they never did. I've been scared to leave my house.

'For a company to hire a trans person and then not publicly stand by them is worse than not hiring a trans person at all.

'Because it gives customers permission to be as transphobic and as hateful as they want. There's should be nothing controversial or divisive about working with us.

'I have been ridiculed in public I've been followed and I have felt a loneliness that I wouldn't wish on anyone.'
Popular tax cut has come to an end

A part-time Bunnings worker has taken to social media to express her dismay about her measly tax return, as Australians vent their frustration at the axing of a popular tax cut.

The young woman took to TikTok to share her tax return, calling on the government to reinstate the low and middle-income tax offset (LMITO) that came to an end last financial year.

In a short clip set to the RnB song 'Bills, Bills, Bills' by Destiny's Child, the woman, known as Tash Griffin, shows her followers that she is due to receive just $191.72 from the tax office this year.

One follower asked her: 'Did you even claim anything? haha I get back $6k-$10k every year.'

Ms Griffin hit back at the response in a second video, saying: 'If I had a dollar for every single time someone commented about whether I claimed anything, I'd have more than what I got in my tax return.'

'I know how to claim deductions, but the thing is, I am a part-time worker at Bunnings. What is there to claim? I'm not a tradie who has a million tools I can claim  I'm sorry,' she said.

'My work uniform? Already claimed on last year's tax. I can't do it again. Sorry. So [unless] someone wants to enlighten me on other things I can claim, I need everyone to shut up.'

Ms Griffin said last year she had received more than $3,000 in her tax return.

TikTok user Tash Griffin is angry about her paltry tax return which is significantly less than last year's

The low and middle-income tax offset (LMITO) came to an end last financial year

Other social media users empathised with her plight, sharing their own stories of disappointment.

We're getting bugger all back this year,' one comment read.

'They took $1,500 of the $1,680 tax break they gave us a few years ago.'

Another said they were 'crying' about this year's tax refund because they got $2,100 more last year.

A third user lamented that 'politicians are getting an extra 9k in their tax returns'.

Over on Twitter, Australians were also venting their anger at the ending of the LMITO.

'Letting the LMITO lapse is one of the worst strategic decisions Ive ever seen,' one post read.

'It was the perfect opportunity to sell cutting the Stage 3 cuts but instead all people will see is going from having big returns to suddenly owing tax while knowing the rich get a cut in a year.'

The temporary LMITO was introduced in the 2018-19 budget by then-Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, extended during the pandemic, and then increased by the Morrison government during its pre-election March 2022 budget for one year.

That increase meant that, for the 2021-22 financial year, Australians earning $126,000 a year or less were given a tax cut of up to $1,500, depending on how much they earned.

The biggest benefit was reserved for those earning between $48,000 and $90,000.

The legislation introducing the LMITO, also known as the 'lamington', ended last financial year with Treasurer Jim Chalmers opting not to further extend the measure.
Ron DeSantis has ruled out being Donald Trump's running mate, insisting that he was 'not a number two guy'.

The Florida governor was in Wisconsin on Tuesday, and spoke briefly to a local news podcast, Wisconsin Right Now.

He was asked if he would consider being Trump's vice president.

'I don't think so,' he said.

'I'm not a number two guy. I think I'm a leader.

'Governor of Florida: I've been able to accomplish a lot. I think I could probably do more staying there than being VP, which doesn't really have any authority.'

Ron DeSantis, pictured on June 6, has ruled out being Donald Trump's running mate

Trump and DeSantis are seen together in November 2019. The pair are now competing for the Republican nomination, with DeSantis trailing by a wide margin

The Trump campaign reacted with scorn to DeSantis's remarks.

'Ron DeSantis isn't anybody's guy. He's not 'the guy.' He's just 'a guy,'' said Steven Cheung.

'Ron is just there, sullen and sad, because his numbers are as tiny as him.'

DeSantis is currently trailing Trump by a significant margin.

His 77-year-old rival is polling at 49.8 percent among Republican primary voters, while DeSantis himself is at 21 percent.

The Florida governor - once seen as a rising star - has been dogged by claims he's performed poorly on the campaign trail, and that he's unable to connect with voters.

DeSantis, 44, was asked by the podcast hosts who he was considering for his running mate, but he said the question was premature.

'Who do you guys recommend?' he asked.

'I'm taking it one step at a time, and I think that's something we'll evaluate as time goes on.

'I think it's a little presumptuous to be doing it at this stage.

'I'm here to win the early primaries, and that's what we've got to do first.'

A campaign yard sign featuring Republican presidential candidates Trump and DeSantis stands in a front yard in Racine, Wisconsin, on June 27

Asked if he would consider Joe Biden's Democratic rival RFK as a running mate, DeSantis said that he and the notorious anti-vaxxer 'worked together on Fauci', but he felt they disagreed on too much to be serious political partners.

'I think there are issues on which we can align,' he said.

'But on the bulk of issues I think he's a liberal Democrat, so I'm going to choose somebody conservative.'

DeSantis did confirm he would support the eventual Republican nominee, even if it's Trump.

To participate in the first Republican presidential debate on August 23, candidates must pledge to support the eventual nominee, whoever that is.

Trump has not said whether he will sign the pledge.

Nikki Haley and Tim Scott have said they will sign, but Mike Pence, Chris Christie and Vivek Ramaswamy have all declined to give a straight answer.
READ MORE: 'Skiplagging' can save travelers hundreds of dollars per trip - and costs airlines tens of thousands in lost revenue. This is why it's so controversial

A North Carolina teenager was detained at an airport after he was caught using a 'skiplagging' hack - where travelers buy cheaper indirect flights and exit the airport at the layover stop.

Hunter Parsons of Charlotte said his son Logan had an American Airlines ticket from Gainesville in Florida to New York JFK with a stop in Charlotte.

Logan was flying to Charlotte, but an indirect ticket terminating at JFK was cheaper than a direct trip to North Carolina, so he booked that fare with the intention of skiplagging - not completing the entire trip.

It was the first time the teenager had flown by himself, his dad said, adding that the family has taken advantage of the popular method of saving on flights previously.

At the gate, however, Logan's North Carolina ID raised red flags with the agent and the teen was subsequently taken to a security room and interrogated, Hunter said.

Logan's ticket was canceled and the family was forced to buy him a direct flight.

While not illegal, 'skiplagging' - also known as hidden city ticketing - is frowned upon in the industry and does violate some airlines' codes of conduct.

It was the first time Logan (pictured) had flown by himself, his dad said, adding that the family has taken advantage of the popular method of saving on flights previously

Hunter Parsons (pictured) of Charlotte said his son Logan had an American Airlines ticket with a stop in Charlotte and the intention of getting off without re-boarding

Logan's American Airlines ticket was canceled and he was forced to buy a direct flight

Hunter Parsons said he had no concerns allowing teenager Logan to fly alone as the family has utilized the popular but risky method many times.

'We've used Skiplagged almost exclusively for the last five to eight years,' said Hunter, saying that they were not worried about his flight.

When Logan got to the gate for check-in, though, the agent caught a whiff of his plan and Hunter said he was taken into a security room and interrogated 'a little bit.'

'They kind of got out of him that he was planning to disboard (sic) in Charlotte and not going to make the connecting flight,' the dad said.

According to Hunter, the family was unaware that skiplagging is looked down upon.

He said his worry was not that the ticket was canceled by an American Airlines representative, but the way the situation was handled.

'Our concerns are he is a minor and was kind of left to fend for himself several states away,' Parsons told Queen City News.

An airline attorney who spoke with the outlet agreed, calling it 'harsh.'

'It's the first time he's flown, and he really doesn't know what he is doing,' said Bruce Brandon. 'It seems to be a bit harsh to me.

'I just don't understand why they would do this,' the lawyer added.

Hunter Parsons said he had no concerns allowing teenager Logan (second from right) to fly alone as the family has utilized the popular but risky method many times

The Parsons family in a photo posted to Facebook by Lisa Parsons

'Our concerns are he is a minor and was kind of left to fend for himself several states away,' Parsons (left) told Queen City News

Brandon added that the whole situation didn't add up, despite recent crackdowns by airlines on hidden city ticketing.

'Was it a security issue or was it a contract issue?' asked the attorney. 'Was he held against his will in that back room?'

In recent years, many major flight providers have taken action against outlets that connect passengers with cheaper flight options via the controversial method.

United Airlines and Orbitz sued the flight-search site Skiplagged in 2014, claiming the company 'intentionally and maliciously' interfered with their businesses.

More recently, Lufthansa brought a lawsuit against a passenger who had attempted to skiplag on its airline. The company later dropped the suit.

And in 2021, Southwest sued Skiplagged in Texas for displaying the airline's cheap fares and selling the tickets on its flights without permission - after it had already sued similar site Kiwi.com for the same reasons.

In its lawsuit filed in July 2021, Southwest claimed the two travel sites appeared to be working together and said Skiplagged's flight data came from Kiwi.com, Insider reported.

'Neither Skiplagged nor Kiwi is authorized to display Southwest fares or sell Southwest flights,' the airline's lawyers wrote in the complaint.

But Kiwi.com hit back at at the time, saying Southwest appeared to be 'holding back freedom of choice' from customers.

'We cannot comment on the latest lawsuit itself, but what is appearing here is a sense of panic from Southwest,' a Kiwi.com spokesperson said.

'Trying to hold back freedom of choice brought about through tech innovation with aggressive legal action is a sad situation from an airline that was a disruptor themselves.'

Southwest won its case against Kiwi.com in fall 2021, when the court granted the airline an injunction to say Kiwi could no longer scrape its site for data. Kiwi settled the lawsuit - and in turn Skiplagged.com no longer offers Southwest tickets.

In a statement following the incident involving Logan, American Airlines said the popular process is against its terms and conditions of flying.

'Purchasing a ticket without intending to fly all flights to gain lower fares (hidden city ticketing) is a violation of American Airlines terms and conditions and is outlined in our Conditions of Carriage online,' the statement read.

The airline also said it had been in touch with the Parsons regarding the incident.

The family said they understand the business's position but thought there could have been a better way to go about it.

'I think a stern warning, "hey this is frowned upon, if you do it again there would be consequences, financial penalties,"' said Hunter Parsons.

According to the American Airlines website, a one-way direct flight from Gainesville, Florida, to Charlotte, North Carolina, in July can cost between $255 and $547 depending on the departure time.

Skiplagged.com offers options for $159 and since Charlotte is the layover stop before the plane continues its journey, passengers can still get there in the 1hr 37minutes it would take on a direct flight.

Talking to Queen City News, a representative for American Airlines said it was speaking with the family about Logan's detention in Florida.

The spokesperson said they had been unaware he'd been held for questioning until the outlet reached out.

An investigation is underway within the company.
A Scottish mother who was ordered to repaint her pink front door by Edinburgh council kill-joys has been hit with another complaint after she changed it to off-white.

Miranda Dickson, 49, was threatened with a 20,000 fine by the City of Edinburgh Council when she painted over the white front door of the home in Drummond Place.

Council officials claimed she had breached regulations and that the new door colour was 'not in keeping with the historic character' of the listed building - telling her that she had until April this year to change it back to white or face a massive fine.

Instead, she painted it green - before receiving a missive telling her that her application had been rejected and changing it to off-white.

Ms Dickson has now revealed that she has received a complaint about the off-white colour, and claimed that a complaint was also made about wallpaper she used inside her home. The mother-of-two said 'I was just gobsmacked. I feel like it's becoming discriminatory, it obviously is personal.

'There are many brightly coloured doors within Edinburgh's New Town. I am hoping the council aren't going to take the complaint seriously, I painted it thinking: "How could anyone find this offensive". It is obviously someone in my neighbourhood who has a problem with me - they should go and see the Barbie movie!

Ms Dickson inherited her parents' Georgian home on Drummond Place, Edinburgh, in 2019 in the World Heritage conservation area, and in 2021 she got the front door professionally painted with Dulux pink paint

But she faced a 20,000 fine for painting her front door pink against the council's conservation orders - so she painted it bright green

She has now received another complaint despite her door being painted off-white

'It's off-white, it's so muted - he painted it three weeks ago.

'I moved back to Edinburgh after eight years in the States and didn't expect people would be so mean. I'm just really hoping that the council will see sense.'

Ms Dickson inherited the house in 2019, and in 2021 she painted the door pink. But she was told to change it in October 2022 or face a 20,000 fine - so she she painted it green in April.

On May 18, Ms Dickson then received a letter saying she was 'violating' the UNESCO heritage area with her green front door. She phoned the painter and got it redone as quickly as possible, hoping the saga would end, and three weeks ago it was painted off-white.

On Monday she learnt of a new complaint. She continued: 'Half the neighbours are supportive, but I've been here longer than half the people on this street.

'I don't understand how you can pick on this door and mandate nonsensical rules. These are guidelines, not rules. When I asked the council is there a colour palate to choose from, there isn't. They just said a "normal colour". The Georgians used pale colours because pigment was expensive.

In October last year, Ms Dickson said that she believed the complaint was 'malicious' and described her front door as pretty

She has also revealed a complaint about the acid-green wallpaper she used inside her house

The latest complaint came after she phoned the painter and got the colour redone as quickly as possible, hoping the saga would end

'Robert Adam, one of the architects of Edinburgh's New Town, used a lot of pink in his interiors. I don't know when these rules were made but when I stripped the door it had been bright yellow and mint green - there's bright green and bright coral doors which were painted recently. You can't have a set of guidelines but only enforce them when someone complains, it doesn't work. It comes down to personal opinion.

'It isn't like putting a glass box on the side of the building or turning a house into apartments.'

Wallcoverings painted by a Grecophile former owner in 1890, depicting urns and 'tigers which look like rats', are also part of the listed status.

Ms Dickson repapered her office in acid green wallpaper to preserve the depictions - but was stunned to be told by the council that someone had complained.

She said: 'Someone complained about the wallpaper inside the house. My parents had that room restored but it's my office, I had it covered with acid green wallpaper.'
The BBC star at the centre of the sex pictures scandal is 'extremely angry', a former colleague has said - as a fourth young person came forward to air allegations about the presenter.

The unnamed presenter, who was accused of paying a teenager 35,000 for sexually explicit photographs, was yesterday accused by a second young person who said he had sent them abusive messages on a dating app.

A third young person said they met the presenter during the third national lockdown in 2021 while the BBC was telling millions of people to follow the rules as part of its coverage of the pandemic.

And last night a fourth came forward to claim he had sent them 'creepy' messages using love hearts and kisses on Instagram when they were 17 years old - though it is not known if the presenter knew their age at the time.

Former BBC presenter Jon Sopel weighed in on the row yesterday afternoon - before the fourth person made their allegations - to reveal the unnamed star is 'extremely angry' over how the claims had been covered.

Jon Sopel said the unnamed BBC star was 'extremely angry' over the reported claims

The unnamed BBC presenter allegedly met a stranger from a dating site in February 2021

'A number of people have been in touch with the presenter to say they feel righteous fury over the way The Sun has covered this and it is fair to say that the presenter at the heart of this is also extremely angry over a lot of The Sun coverage and is convinced they're trying to dig and find new dirt to harm this particular person's reputation,' Mr Sopel told The News Agents podcast.

Meanwhile, one senior BBC insider described the mood inside New Broadcasting House as increasingly 'fraught'. He told the Times: 'Everyone feels a bit blindsided. People are deeply frustrated that the BBC has become the story. Tim's comments today helped to clear up some of the questions but he still hasn't answered everything.'

Radio 2 host Jeremy Vine has called on the presenter to identify himself to stop other BBC stars from being defamed.

He said: 'He should now come forward publicly. These new allegations will result in yet more vitriol being thrown at perfectly innocent colleagues of his. And the BBC, which I'm sure he loves, is on its knees with this.'

Yesterday, on the heels of the original allegations that the unnamed star had paid the teenager for explicit photos, a second person said they had been sent abusive messages after meeting on a dating app and a third person said they had met the presenter.

The third person said they met up after months of interactions, and that the presenter sent them 650 in cash and asked them for a picture, The Sun reports. They claim the presenter travelled into a different county to meet them at their flat in February 2021 when rules included a stay-at-home order and mixing only between household bubbles.

The person claimed at the meeting, which came months after they started talking on the dating site in November 2020, 'he came round for an hour.... We just chatted. He was obsessed with me making him a cup of tea.'

In an interview with the newspaper, the person claims they met on account that didn't have a picture of the presenter but they 'put two and two together' when the BBC star told him his name and what he did for a living.

They said that the host was eager to meet face-to-face, and was asking to do this even when the restrictions 'kept getting stricter' as the pandemic continued.

However, when they turned down chances to meet the BBC presenter, he allegedly sent 'a barrage of messages' saying he 'felt unwanted'.

The 23-year-old claims that when they did meet he 'came round for an hour'.

Tim Davie, director general of the BBC, revealed today he has not spoken with the presenter at the centre of the scandal

The newspaper claims to have a sworn statement from the dating site user claiming they received a payment of 200 - sent on the day of the visit - and another two of 200 and 250 by PayPal from the presenter.

They said: 'He gave me cash three times. Although he started to make me feel like he owned me because he was giving me money. He was always talking about his career and was very arrogant.'

They added that they began to feel 'used' and 'uncomfortable' by the TV star's behaviour and demanding messages.

They said they wanted people to 'know the truth' about the presenter, adding: 'It is complete hypocrisy of the BBC star. He thought he was above everybody else.

'The BBC points the finger at others who do wrong but their big star was happy to act like the rules don't apply to him.'

The Sun said it had contacted the BBC and the presenter in question over the claims.

And last night the paper claimed it had been contacted by a fourth person who alleged the BBC star had messaged them out of the blue on their Instagram account with kisses and love hearts when they were 17 years old.

The individual, who is now 22, told The Sun the man sent them a love heart emoji in October 2018 without ever having spoken to him before.

This was followed by sporadic messages between the pair, with the person even advising them to take part in a BBC school scheme when given the opportunity.

They told The Sun: 'Looking back now it does seem creepy because he was messaging me when I was still at school.

'In light of everything now, I feel shocked because as a broadcaster it is a name everyone would trust.

'I had no reason to think it was anything beyond that at that time.'

They added: 'Knowing what I know now, I feel I was a bit naive.'

In their later conversations, including when school was mentioned, the presenter stopped using love hearts and emojis, with the youngster adding: 'In light of what I know now, it feels as though when he realised I was not flirtatious back, he changed in the way he would reply.'

It comes after allegations the presenter had sent abusive and menacing messages to a different person in their 20s after meeting them on a dating app.

They claim they were put under pressure to meet with the star but never did, the BBC reported.

When they hinted online that they might name them, they allege they were sent abusive messages that were filled with expletives.

The new claims raise further questions about the star's conduct less than a week after The Sun newspaper reported allegations that he paid a teenager 35,000 for sexually explicit pictures, starting when they were 17.

The person involved has said there was no wrongdoing and the claims are 'rubbish'.

BBC Director General Tim Davie today denied it is 'odd' that he is yet to speak to the star.

According to the BBC, the conversation between the person in their 20s and the presenter moved onto other platforms after beginning on a dating app.

The presenter then revealed his identity and asked the young person not to tell anyone.

The young person later posted online alluding to having had contact with a BBC presenter and hinting they might name him.

The presenter then sent a number of 'threatening messages' which the BBC says it has seen and confirmed came from a phone number belonging to the presenter.

The BBC said the young person felt 'threatened' by the messages and 'remains scared'.

BBC News said it had contacted the presenter via his lawyer but had received no response to the allegations.

Earlier today, Mr Davie also suggested privacy was a consideration in why the corporation did not speak to the household name until almost two months after they first received a complaint from the teenager's family.

He defended the seven-week delay between the initial complaint and confronting the presenter, insisting that the claims had to be verified first before being put to staff.

But he admitted it was 'fair' to question why the 'very serious' complaint was only followed up by a single call and email to the teenager's parents.

Asked if it was 'odd' that he himself has not chatted to the presenter, Davie replied: 'No', adding: 'I think it is critical they are spoken to by a very senior manager'.

He was also asked if he knew 'categorically' whether or not the star paid for the alleged victim's lawyer.

He said: 'That's not information I am party to. I don't even think that's something for the BBC.'

But he did admit that the scandal had been 'clearly damaging' to the corporation's reputation.

'The BBC is often in the midst of quite painful and difficult affairs and storms,' he said before adding: 'These are clearly damaging to the BBC it, is not a good situation.'

In a major update on the case, Mr Davie also said he had 'paused' their internal investigation while the police consider if any crimes have been committed after a meeting with Scotland Yard yesterday.

It's claimed the BBC star broke lockdown rules to take part in the meeting at a 23-year-old's flat
New Delhi, July 12 (UNI) Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France would set new benchmarks for India's strategic partnership in the years ahead.



Addressing a special briefing here, a day before Modi embarks on his trip to France, Kwatra said, The visit would be both rich in substance and we believe that it would set new benchmarks for our strategic partnership in years ahead.

Modi will be on a three-day trip to France at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

Giving details of the visit, the Foreign Secretary said "The major ceremonial part of the visit will start on July 14 and the Prime Minister Narendra Modis participation in the French National Day celebration is a special gesture extended by France.

PM Modi will participate in the French National Day celebration- Bastille Day. This is a very special gesture extended by France to PM Modi he said.

A large tri-services contingent from India will also participate in the Bastille Day Parade along with three Indian Air Force aircraft, which would also take part in the flypast after the Bastille Day celebrations.

On Thursday, Modi will meet his French counterpaprt Elisabeth Borne and President of the French Senate Gerard Larcher, the Foreign Secretary said.

This would be the Prime Minister's sixth visit to France.

On Thursday evening, the prime minister will interact with the Indian community which would be followed by a private dinner to be hosted by President Macron at Elysee Palace in Modi's honour.



The visits major ceremonial part will start on Friday wherein the Prime Minister will participate in Bastille Day celebrations he added.



On the same day, the Prime Minister will hold delegation-level discussions with French President Macron.



The two leaders will also interact with the CEOs from both countries under the rubric of the India-France CEO forum he said.

After concluding his visit in France the Prime Minister will depart to Abu Dhabi on July 15.

The Prime Minister will hold talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

UNI JA SSP
The mum entered the picture of her son in a local competition

A genuine picture taken on an iPhone was thrown out of a photography competition after judges suspected it was generated by artificial intelligence.

Suzi Dougherty's photograph of her 18-year-old son Caspar was deemed 'suspicious' by judges despite the mum insisting it was taken on her mobile phone.

The picture was taken at a Sydney Powerhouse Museum exhibition, with her son dressed in the same colour of the bathroom of the installation and mimicking the stance of the mannequins.

Ms Dougherty told Daily Mail Australia she photographed her son Caspar next to two mannequins at the Gucci exhibition.

'We really liked the picture and so we printed it for my mum who loves Gucci but couldn't go as she was sick and she told me I should enter it in this competition,' Ms Dougherty said.

A mum has been left flummoxed after entering a picture of her son for a local photography competition only for it to be rejected as the judges ruled it appeared to be AI-generated (pictured)

Suzi Dougherty's (pictured) photograph of her 18-year-old Caspar was deemed 'suspicious' by judges despite the mum insisting it was taken on her iPhone

Despite never entering a photo competition, she entered it into Charing Cross Photography competition under the theme Fashion.

The entry was viewed by four judges who loved it but rejected it as they were suspicious it was AI-generated.

'In our most recent photo competition, CCP received an image that first intrigued all the judges and then suspicion set in so we decided not to include the photo for judging,' the competition organisers said.

'We have already indicated (in the socials as well as the T&Cs of the competition) that though we may in the future include a section for AI images we are not accepting them now so ask that you do not submit any.

'We want the images to come from YOUR real-life experience, and not sourced from cyberspace.

'There is no way we can be completely sure the image submitted was made by AI but you really cant ignore the gut instincts of four judges.'

Ms Dougherty was flummoxed by the decision but said that she was 'flattered' as she wouldn't have the slightest clue how to create an AI image.

'I was a bit confused at first, I thought it was a bit of a prank but no, I actually was disqualified,' she said.

'I think it is really funny and I was very flattered that they thought it was good enough to be AI.'

While she had never entered a competition before Ms Dougherty didn't rule out a future entry joking: 'I think I might have the photography bug now'.

'I don't know now I might try again, there is a kangaroo photography competition I saw and I might take my trusty iPhone out and have another go,' she said.

Ms Dougherty also says she has no hard feelings for the photography store who runs the competition saying they are a great place and have offered to make things right.

'They have offered me a print in a frame and are going to put the picture in the window to sell the picture of my son in the shop which is amazing (that) they think it is good enough to do that.

'It is just hard and obviously people can't tell anymore what is real and what's not real.'

Iain Anderson, the owner of Charing Cross Photo Sydney, shared an update following a conversation with Ms Dougherty where she informed them that the picture is real.

'It's a great play on what is real and not in our world indeed,' Mr Anderson said.

'Sadly, for the entrant, the timing was not great considering that AI is such a hot topic and without the background info we felt the need to question the entire image.

'We can confirm that this photo did not contravene our T&Cs.'
A massive explosion was heard across four suburbs as a huge fire broke out at a townhouse inside a gated community.

The fire erupted at the house on Nambucca Close in Murrumba Downs, north of Brisbane, just before 1pm on Wednesday.

Seven fire crews were called to the scene to contain the burning building with an exclusion zone set up around the Nambucca Rise complex.

Residents reported hearing a loud explosion across four suburbs including Strathpine, Griffin, Kallangur and Dakabin.

Several fire crews were at the scene to contain the fire which took place at the Nambucca Rise complex in Nambucca Close

Police urged residents to stay away from the surrounding areas including Yaraki Court and Pine River Drive.

Queensland Ambulance Service has not yet confirmed if anyone required treatment as a result of the incident as police evacuated residents nearby.

By the time emergency crews arrived at the scene the townhouse and the garage was well alight by the blaze.

Footage showed thick plumes of smoke billowing from the burned out property.

The explosion destroyed the townhouse with the force sending debris across the street.

The dwelling was destroyed by the explosion with debris from the property scattered across the street

Residents took to social media to report the shocks they felt from the explosion which rattled homes across neighbouring areas.

'Our roof shook and felt like something large dropped on it... Same for neighbours. We were all out in the street checking!' one wrote on Facebook.

'It shook my house in Griffin' another wrote.

Some felt the explosion several kilometers away from the Murrumba Downs area.

'Shook our glass door in Mango Hill,' one wrote.
A learner driver is facing time behind bars after being clocked 253km/h on a highway while driving an unregistered black Holden ute.

Tarelle Lewis Charles Power-Williams pleaded guilty to driving 143 km/h over the speed limit on the North-South Motorway at Waterloo Corner in Adelaide on January 30.

Magistrate Benjamin Sale described the 20-year-old as 'the most dangerous man in the state', during sentencing submissions at the Adelaide Magistrates' Court on Monday.

'Does he simply not care about his own life or the lives of others?' he asked the young man's defence lawyer Andrew Williams.

Power-Williams confessed to 'driving like a d***head' after police caught up with him two kilometres away from where his speed was detected.

Tarelle Lewis Charles Power-Williams (pictured) drove a black Holden ute 143km/h over the speed limit in Adelaide

The Smithfield man pleaded guilty to a range of offences including escaping a police pursuit, driving unregistered and breaching bail (pictured, the black Holden ute)

The court heard the ute's gear box had blown up while Power-Williams (pictured) was revving behind the wheel

The court heard his gear box had blown up while Power-Williams was revving behind the wheel, the Adelaide Advertiser said.

The Smithfield man pleaded guilty to a range of offences including escaping a police pursuit, driving unregistered and breaching bail.

He also pleaded guilty to charges over a separate incident in November 2021 where he drove a stolen car at 80 km/h along suburban streets on the wrong side of the road for 18 minutes.

Magistrate Sale said Power-Williams appeared to have 'no regard for his safety or anybody else's' as the court heard he 'aggressively' careered across three lanes.

'On the occasions that he was driving in the fashion that I have heard, he was probably the most dangerous person in the state for those minutes that he was driving,' Magistrate Sale said.

'This is not just being, as he's described it 'a dickhead', but this seems to be offending that often only ends up in one way if he keeps doing it that he will kill himself or he will kill somebody else.'

Mr Williams told the court the young man was ashamed of his behaviour and had taken the risks without thinking of the consequences.

But Magistrate Sale asked Mr Williams why his client made a conscious choice to drive at extreme speeds.

'Does he simply not care about his own life or the lives of others?' he asked.

Magistrate Sale also questioned if the risky behaviour was his idea of fun.

His lawyer said he had been driving under the supervision of his career criminal father when he was pulled up for speeding in November 2021.

Mr Williams told the court his client had become trapped in 'a self-destructive cycle' of economic disadvantage, mental health challenges and ongoing unemployment.

He added Power-Williams had been influenced by drugs, alcohol and negative peer-pressure.

Defence lawyer Andrew Williams said Power-Williams (pictured) was young and immature which then led the magistrate to say his client would likely be 'a risk to the community for many years to come'

A psychological report revealed to the court found Power-Williams had a difficult upbringing tainted by his parents' drug use that desensitised him.

Mr Williams said his client was young and immature which then led the magistrate to say his client would likely be 'a risk to the community for many years to come'.

Prosecutor Lorne Matthews urged the court to disqualify Power-Williams 'until further order for not less than five years' and to give a term of imprisonment.

Magistrate Sale said it would be a long time before the young man would drive again.

Power-Williams who is in custody will be sentenced next week.
A devastated family has been 'torn apart' after their 11-year-old daughter died from the flu, as warnings intensify over the dangers of influenza B among young children this winter.

Emma Schwab, 11, from Noosa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, died last Thursday after contracting Influenza B.

A GoFundMe page, set up by a friend of the girl's parents to cover her funeral costs, has so far raised almost $9,000.

Emma Schwab (pictured), 11, from Noosa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, died last Thursday after contracting Influenza B

Emma pictured with her mum Javiera

'Emma tragically passed away on Thursday from Influenza B,' wrote the GoFundMe organiser Mel Horton.

'She was only 11 years old. Understandably the family is torn apart.'

A Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health spokesperson, where Emma was treated, offered 'sincere sympathies to the family during this extremely difficult time'.

'Their experience is heartbreaking for everyone involved,' they said.

'Our clinicians are providing support to the family.'

Emma's death comes after a teenage girl from the Central Coast also died after contracting Influenza B.

The Year 9 student attended St Joseph's Catholic College in East Gosford and passed away on the weekend after falling ill with the disease several weeks ago.

Parents with children at the school received a letter informing them of the girl's tragic death, according to the ABC.

'(She) was a well-loved student, thoughtful to the needs of others, a true friend and a valued member of our college community,' the letter read.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has urged parents to get their children vaccinated against flu

A teenage girl from the Central Coast also died after contracting Influenza. The Year 9 student attended St Joseph's Catholic College in East Gosford (pictured) and passed away on the weekend after falling ill with the disease several weeks ago

Influenza cases have been surging across the Central Coast and NSW over the past month, particularly among children.

Those aged 16 and under represent 54 per cent of all emergency department admissions for influenza-like illness over the last week, with NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant labelling the spike 'concerning'.

'In recent weeks we have seen influenza cases rising fastest among very young children as well as those aged five to 16 years, with these two age groups often accounting for around half of all flu cases diagnosed in NSW each week,' said Dr Chant.

'Sadly, our childrens hospitals are seeing an increasing number of these children being admitted for care and some of these patients are seriously unwell.

Dr Chant urged parents to get their children vaccinated against flu to reduce the risk of them being hospitalised.

Since May, 16 children have been admitted to intensive care with life-threatening complications from influenza at Sydney Childrens Hospital, Randwick, The Childrens Hospital at Westmead and John Hunter Hospital.

Doctors say these can include serious heart, brain, and muscle-related complications.
This is the dramatic moment a fin emerged from the sea sparking panic among holidaymakers on a Spanish beach.

In the video, locals and tourists can be heard warning their children to get out of the water in La Antilla, Spain, as others run up and down the beach fearing a shark was about to attack.

The creature was filmed thrashing around between swimmers and youngsters on paddle boards for more than a minute before heading back out to the ocean.

It comes after a series of shark sightings near European beaches in recent weeks. On June 22, a tintorera or blue shark sparked panic at Aguamarina beach in Orihuela Costa, south of Alicante.

But in the dramatic footage from La Antilla on Tuesday, not all was quite as it seemed.

Locals and tourists can be heard warning their children to get out of the water in La Antilla, Spain, as others run up and down the beach fearing a shark was about to attack

READ MORE: Shark is spotted in shallow waters in Spain less than a week after another sparked panic on Costa Blanca beach Advertisement

Police later described it as a Cuvier's beaked whale and urged people to stay 'calm'.

The force said: 'It's not a shark and you're not going to see Steven Spielberg on the shoreline with his camera. It's not a killer whale either.

'The animal that has paid us a visit appears to be a Cuvier's beaked whale, which holds the record for deep-sea dives but is very sensitive to sonar. Possibly it's disorientated and about to end up stranded.'

The Cuvier's beaked whale is one of the most frequently spotted beaked whales despite its deep-water habitat.

The master divers have been known to plunge to depths of around 1.9 miles.

The species also holds the record for the longest dive. One whale went three hours and 42 minutes without coming up for air, according to scientists.

On June 28, another blue shark was spotted off one of the docks on the island of Arousa in the Galician province of Pontevedra.

The creature was filmed thrashing around between swimmers and youngsters on paddle boards for more than a minute before heading back out to the ocean

But police later described it as a Cuvier's beaked whale and urged people to stay 'calm'

The Cuvier's beaked whale is one of the most frequently spotted beaked whales despite its deep-water habitat

READ MORE: Terrified Brits flee the water as ANOTHER shark is spotted in shallow waters near Spanish beach Advertisement

Footage showed the shark's fin appearing above the water line as it approached a fisherman's boat.

Blue sharks rarely bite humans but have been implicated in several 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.
The family of a victim of the Manson cult has slammed the decision to release cult member Leslie Van Houten, following her release from prison on Tuesday.

Anthony DiMaria, the nephew of hair stylist Jay Sebring who was killed by the cult in 1969, yesterday called out California Governor Newsom's decision not to appeal.

He told CNN: 'I certainly have respect for Governor Newsom and the attorney general. But our families strongly, vehemently disagree with their decision not to file an appeal.'

He warned that Van Houten's, 73, release set a 'dangerous, pernicious precedent' and called her a 'cold-blooded killer in one of the most notorious murder rampages in United States history.'

Van Houten walked out of a California prison on Tuesday after serving 53 years of a life sentence for her involvement in two of the infamous Manson murders.

Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten walked out of a California prison Tuesday after serving 53 years of a life sentence for her participation in two infamous murders

Jay Sebring, hairdresser to the stars, and developer of male hair care products. He was murdered along with Sharon Tate and others by the Manson family

The 73-year-old was serving a life sentence for helping Charles Manson's followers carry out the 1969 killings of Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary. Manson is pictured above

Van Houten was convicted in the 1969 murders of Leno LaBianca, a grocer in Los Angeles , and his wife, Rosemary

Several relatives of the Manson victims have also spoken out against Van Houten's release.

Cory LaBianca, the daughter of victim Leno LaBianca, told The Associated Press: 'My family and I are heartbroken because we're once again reminded of all the years that we have not had my father and my stepmother with us.

'My children and my grandchildren never got an opportunity to get to know either of them, which has been a huge void for my family.'

Van Houten was serving a life sentence for helping Charles Manson's followers carry out the 1969 killings of Leno LaBianca, a grocer in Los Angeles, and his wife, Rosemary.

Over the years Van Houten has said she regrets the killings, claiming she is mentally ill and became deranged after using LSD, believing Manson was 'Jesus Christ.'

She was first sentenced to death for her crimes but her sentence was reduced to life in prison after capital punishment was outlawed in California in 1972.

Van Houten was on Tuesday 'released to parole supervision' and driven to transitional housing, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

The convicted killer, 73, is expected to spend about a year learning basic skills such as how to go to the grocery store and get a debit card, according to her attorney Nancy Tetreault.

Her release comes just four days after Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom announced he would not fight a state appeals court ruling that Van Houten should be granted parole.

He said it was unlikely the state Supreme Court would consider an appeal.

Newsom had previously rejected parole for Van Houten three times, but a state appeals court in May rejected his most recent denial of parole.

A disappointed Newsom said in a statement: 'More than 50 years after the Manson cult committed these brutal killings, the victims' families still feel the impact.'

'She's still trying to get used to the idea that this real,' her lawyer said. 'She's been in prison for 53 years. ... She just needs to learn how to use an ATM machine, let alone a cell phone, let alone a computer.'

Van Houten was 19 when she and other cult members knifed the couple as part of Manson's deranged plan to incite a race war by terrifying Los Angeles with a killing spree.

She has shared how she held Rosemary down as she was murdered before stabbing her in the stomach 16 times and how she helped Patricia Krenwinkel, Tex Watson, and Clem Grogan carve up Leno's body before smearing the couple's blood on the walls.

The killer also wiped down fingerprints from surfaces and drank chocolate milk from the couple's refrigerator.

The slayings happened the day after Manson followers killed actress Sharon Tate and four others. Van Houten did not participate in the Tate killings.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom sits in the state Assembly at the state Capitol, June 30, 2023

Leslie Van Houten, seen being transported to jail in 1977, had been originally sentenced to death before being resentenced to life imprisonment after California briefly ended the death penalty

Susan Atkins, left, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten are pictured

A policeman in the drive of the Los Angeles home of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca

The slayings happened the day after Manson followers killed actress Sharon Tate (pictured) and four others. Van Houten did not participate in the Tate killings

Kay Hinman Martley, 85, whose cousin Gary Hinman was savagely murdered in July 1969 by members of Manson's cult, said she fears the release could lead to the freedom of the other four surviving Manson killers.

Krenwinkel is currently locked up in the same prison Van Houten was just released from. Manson's 'right-hand man' Bruce is at the California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo, Watson is at the RJ Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, and Bobby Beausoleil at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, she said: 'I can't believe California would do this, that they would let a killer who tortured several people I mean the Manson Family has got a terrible reputation.

'I don't care what this woman says, if she says she's sorry.

'She was given a death sentence and then it was turned to life imprisonment and they forgot [to add] that darn 'without parole'.

'I'm just livid. I don't know what else to do.'

A state appeals court ruled in May that Van Houten should be released, noting what it called her 'extraordinary rehabilitative efforts, insight, remorse, realistic parole plans, support from family and friends' and favorable behavior reports while in prison.

Tetreault, Van Houten's lawyer, said her client was 'thrilled and overwhelmed.'

'She's just grateful that people are recognizing that she's not the same person that she was when she committed the murders,' she added.

The Manson Family claimed at least seven victims  among them pregnant actress Tate and coffee heiress Abigail Folger.

Manson died in prison in 2017 of natural causes at age 83 after nearly half a century behind bars.
But NATO refused to offer Ukraine a timeline to join the bloc, angering Zelensky

A 'long term' security package for Ukraine will be announced by G7 countries at today's NATO summit - but the security bloc has refused to offer Kyiv membership, or even a timeframe for entry.

In a statement echoed by the White House, Downing Street said: 'The joint declaration, expected to be signed by all members of the G7, will set out how allies will support Ukraine over the coming years to end the war and deter and respond to any future attack.'

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak added: 'As Ukraine makes strategic progress in their counteroffensive, and the degradation of Russian forces begins to infect Putin's front line, we are stepping up our formal arrangements to protect Ukraine for the long term.'

NATO leaders also announced the creation of the 'NATO-Ukraine Council', a permanent body where the 31 allies and Kyiv can hold consultations in emergency situations.

The setting is part of NATO's effort to bring Ukraine as close as possible to the military alliance without actually joining it.

But Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky blew up the professions of unity at the summit in Vilnius, blasting allies for failing to set a firm timeline for his country to join the alliance.

The joint declaration on an 'international framework' to help 'end the war' in Ukraine will be signed by all G7 countries and announced at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, today (British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (L) speaks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken)

A frustrated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky looks on prior to a bilateral meeting with the German chancellor and delegation on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Vilnius on July 12, 2023

US President Joe Biden (R) and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (L) attend the first day session of NATO Heads of State and Government Summit at the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre (LITEXPO) in Vilnius, Lithuania on July 11, 2023

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R) looks on next to French President Emmanuel Macron as they attend a meeting of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) with Asia Pacific Partners during the NATO Summit in Vilnius on July 12, 2023

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, left, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, right, talk during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday, July 12, 2023

On Tuesday, the leaders said in their communique summarizing the summit's conclusions that Ukraine can join 'when allies agree and conditions are met.'

The ambiguous outcome reflects the challenges of reaching consensus among the alliance's current members while the war continues - and leaves Zelensky sorely disappointed.

The Ukrainian president on Tuesday was sharply critical of what he described as NATO's 'unprecedented and absurd' reluctance to set a timeline for his country's acceptance into the alliance.

'Vague wording about ''conditions'' is added even for inviting Ukraine,' Zelensky said.

'This means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraine's membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia. And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror.'

In essence, Western countries are willing to keep sending weapons to help Ukraine do the job that NATO was designed to do - hold the line against a Russian invasion - but not allow Ukraine to join its ranks and benefit from its security during the war.

Zelensky said he had faith in NATO, but that he would 'like this faith to become confidence, confidence in the decisions that we deserve, all of us, every soldier, every citizen, every mother, every child.'

'Is that too much to ask?' he added.

This morning, he cut a more reconciliatory tone, thanking Western counterparts for their continued commitment to providing military aid to Ukraine, but said he would push to ensure Ukraine 'will have this invitation [to NATO] when security measures will allow.'

'We want to be on the same page with everybody,' he told reporters at the summit.

Ukraine's future membership was unquestionably the most divisive and emotionally charged issue at this year's summit, with leaders clearly disagreeing over the level of support offered to Ukraine.

'We have to stay outside of this war but be able to support Ukraine. We managed that very delicate balancing act for the last 17 months. It's to the benefit of everyone that we maintain that balancing act,' Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said Wednesday.

But Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins, whose country lies on NATO's eastern flank and has a long, troubled history with Russia, said he would have preferred more for Ukraine.

'There will always be a difference of flavour of how fast you would want to go,' he said. However, Karins added, 'at the end of it, what everyone gets, including Ukraine, and what Moscow sees is we are all very united.'

Amanda Sloat, senior director of European affairs for the U.S. National Security Council, defended the summit's decisions.

'I would agree that the communique is unprecedented, but I see that in a positive way,' she told reporters on Wednesday.

Sloat noted that Ukraine will not need to submit a 'membership action plan' as it seeks to join NATO - a key step in the process that involves advice and assistance for countries seeking to join - but added 'there are still governance and security sector reforms that are going to be required' in Ukraine.

Symbols of support for Ukraine are common around Vilnius, where the country's blue-and-yellow flags hang from buildings and are pasted inside windows.

But there has been more caution inside the summit itself, especially from Biden, who has explicitly said he doesn't think Ukraine is ready to join NATO. There are concerns that the country's democracy is unstable and its corruption remains too deeply rooted.

Under Article 5 of the NATO charter, members are obligated to defend each other from attack, which could swiftly draw the U.S. and other nations into direct fighting with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky holds a document during a bilateral meeting with the German Chancellor on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12, 2023

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) and his wife Olena Zelenska react next to France's President Emmanuel Macron and French President's wife Brigitte Macron ahead of the social dinner during the NATO summit, at the Presidential Palace in Vilnius on July 11, 2023

'Abusrd': Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a statement blasting NATO for refusing to commit to a timeline for his country joining. President Biden said days earlier Ukraine wasn't 'ready' to join

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, arrives for a second day of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, 12 July 2023

Russia's war in Ukraine - and the prospect of the war-torn nation joining the security alliance - will be at the top of the agenda at the NATO summit today

Sunak said in a statement that supporting Ukraine's 'progress on the pathway to NATO membership, coupled with formal, multilateral, and bilateral agreements and the overwhelming support of NATO members will send a strong signal to President Putin and return peace to Europe.'

And Sloat said the commitments will show Russia 'that time is not on its side.'

Although international summits are often tightly scripted, this one has seesawed between conflict and compromise.

At first leaders appeared to be deadlocked over Sweden's bid for membership in the alliance. However, Turkey unexpectedly agreed to drop its objections on Monday, the night before the summit formally began. The deal led to boasts of success from leaders who were eager for a display of solidarity in Vilnius.

'This summit is already historic before it has started,' NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said.

Erdogan has not commented publicly on the deal, over Sweden's membership, even during a Tuesday meeting with Biden where Biden referenced 'the agreement you reached yesterday.'

However, Erdogan appeared eager to develop his relationship with Biden.

The Turkish president has been seeking advanced American fighter jets and a path toward membership in the European Union. The White House has expressed support for both, but publicly insisted that the issues were not related to Sweden's membership in NATO.

As NATO leaders gathered in Vilnius yesterday, Ukraine's armed forces said they were forced to repel a Russian drone attack.

The Ukrainian Air Force said: 'A total of 15 kamikaze drones were involved in the strike.

'Eleven of them were destroyed in the areas of responsibility of the Centre and East air commands.'

The statement did not say if other drones were shot down in other parts of Ukraine.

But governor of Cherkasy region in central Ukraine Igor Taburets said two people were hospitalised with burns after a drone hit a non-residential building, sparking a fire.

He said: 'Cherkasy was on alert for more than three and a half hours.'

Kyiv military authorities said there was also a drone attack on the capital but did not say how many drones were involved.

The Ukrainian military said on Tuesday it had downed a total of 26 Russian attack drones in the latest barrage.
The father of Elle Edwards has said how he struggled to keep his cool just yards from her killer in court.

Tim Edwards told ITV's Good Morning Britain how Connor Chapman could 'feel his anger' as he walked past him during the trial.

In his first televised interview, he said: 'He could feel my anger.

'When he was in the dock he had to walk past me and I had to show my strength and doing what I wanted to do to him, but obviously that was not the right thing to do, but he knew how angry I was.

He revealed that he wears a locket in memory of Elle, to break her link with the killer.

Elle Edwards was killed after drug-dealer Connor Chapman opened fire with a sub-machine gun in Wallasey

Tim Edwards said that his daughter's killer could 'feel his anger' during the trial

Mr Edwards revealed that he wears a locket every day for his daughter

Connor Chapman was sentenced to a minimum of 48 years in prison after being branded a 'highly dangerous man'

Miss Edwards, 26, was killed when Chapman, a 23-year-old drug dealer, opened fire with a sub-machine gun outside The Lighthouse in Wallasey, Merseyside on Christmas Eve last year.

When asked what was in the locket, he said: 'Just peace for her.'

Mr Edwards said he stared at his daughter's killer throughout the case, even ignoring CCTV footage played during the hearing.

He added that he was glad the case was over and that they 'got the best justice we could'.

'Now it's time to put that behind us.', he said.

But he admitted that he would have wanted Chapman to get a whole life sentence.

Asked if that would have been what he wanted, he said: 'I think we all did yeah.

'I think even the judge, if he could have given him a whole life sentence he was prepared to do that.'

In line with convention not to give young offenders whole life sentences, the judge handed Chapman a minimum of 48 years in prison.

While accepting that the judge had 'given the maximum he possibly could', Mr Edwards said that the sentence was 'not nearly enough'.

Tim Edwards leaves Liverpool Crown Court following the guilty verdict on July 6

Police CCTV footage shows the Mercedes Chapman used on the night he opened fire outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey, Merseyside

He declined to mention the name of Miss Edward's killer himself, saying he didn't want to 'feed' a criminal's ego.

When asked why, he said: 'I understand you've got to mention the people who do these crimes, because that's obviously part of the story, but you don't need to give someone like that air-time.

'You should concentrate on the victims and the people who have been affected by these things more.

'He has no part in my life whatsoever so I don't need to mention his name.'

Mr Edwards said: 'Elle was a great, fun-loving, normal 26-year-old.

'She was doing well.
This is the shocking moment brazen thieves broke into a secure glass vault and stole nine bottles of some of the world's most expensive wines before being chased out of the store by staff.

The daring heist, which took place at an upmarket wine warehouse in Spain's Costa Brava, saw the robbers steal 100,000 worth of wine in broad daylight while the store was packed with customers.

Store CCTV footage shows two of the three men walking from different directions towards the tall glass vault containing only rare vintage wines on Sunday.

One man can be seen pulling a crowbar from a fellow robber's waistband before kneeling down in front of the sealed door of the vault. The second robber pulls a high-pressure suction cup from the front of his shorts before helping open the door.

Then - as the pair pull the glass vault door open - a third thief carrying a rucksack joins them and they all begin piling the expensive wine bottles into the bag.

Store CCTV footage shows two of the three men walking from different directions towards the tall glass vault containing only rare vintage wines on Sunday

A shocked sales assistant discovered the robbers before chasing them all out of the store. One is seen vaulting across the counter of one of the store's checkouts - narrowly avoiding another shop assistant in the process - before fleeing

CCTV footage from outside the store shows the sales assistant sprinting after the three men, who manage to cross a busy road and escape from view

The video shows how one of the thieves appeared to be directing the other two men on which of the bottles to steal, suggesting he knew which were the most rare and expensive bottles of the collection.

After loading the bottles of wine worth 100,000 into the rucksack, two of the robbers can be seen walking slowly towards the exit while the third kneels down to close his bags.

But at this moment, a shocked sales assistant discovered the robber before chasing them all out of the store. One is seen vaulting across the counter of one of the store's checkouts - narrowly avoiding another shop assistant in the process - before fleeing.

CCTV footage from outside the store shows the sales assistant sprinting after the three men, who manage to cross a busy road and escape from view.

The horrified owners of the Vins i Licors Can Grau store in Palafrugell in the Mediterranean Costa Brava said the haul was worth 102,255 (120,000 euros).

The bottles are reportedly worth between 850 (1,000 euros) and 25,500 (29,950 euros) each.

The owners of the store told local media that the same thieves had already attempted a heist a month ago but were then forced to abandon their haul and flee.

The most expensive bottle stolen was reportedly a 2008 Romanee Conti worth 25,500 while the second most valuable bottle was a 2013 vintage Romanee-Conti valued at more than 21,780.

The gang also made off with two bottles of 2015 La Tache, reportedly worth 10,805 each as well as a bottle of 2015 Richebourg estimated to be worth 7,498.

The horrified owners of the Vins i Licors Can Grau store in Palafrugell in the Mediterranean Costa Brava said the haul was worth 102,255 (120,000 euros). Pictured: The wine stand where the robbers stole the bottles of wine

Pictured: A largely empty wine stand after three robbers robbed a store in Spain

Other wines stolen included a 2018 Echezeaux worth 6,400, a 2018 Romanee-Saint-Vivant worth 6,071 and a 2016 Petrus worth 4,857. They also stole a 2010 Chateau Margaux worth 1,004.

Store co-owner Jordi Grau, 46, said: 'We have an area of fine wines, enclosed in a showcase.

'They opened the showcase, forced the bolt, and with a suction cup, opened the door, and from there they took high-end bottles.'

Grau added: 'They had a backpack and they put them in the backpack, they were surprised and they ran after them, they were prepared, and they ran a lot.

'We tried to intercept them, they jumped over the counter and there was a car waiting for them in a car park next door.'

'The store was open to the public, there were more people and it was around twelve and it was open, at a busy time of day,' Grau added while commending his staff for their bravery in chasing the robbers away.

Speaking about the burglars' previous attempt to steal from the store, he said: 'They tried to open the showcase that has now been broken into, but they were unsuccessful back then and they opened another one next to it, which has equally fine wines, but cheaper than those that have been taken now.

'They tried to take 12 or 13 bottles, but were spotted and left the loot behind before escaping.

'As a result of that, we are looking for ways to improve our security, but we have not had time to implement them.

'This week they were going to set up acoustic alarms. It seemed like they knew.'

He added that he expects the bottles to end up on a black market and that the robbery might have been commissioned.

Police are investigating the heist - which saw one of the thieves drop his mobile phone during his escape - but no arrests have yet been made.
President Joe Biden is preparing to sit down with Volodymyr Zelensky Wednesday after the Ukrainian president erupted over NATO's statement that stopped short of providing a date for when Ukraine would be invited to join the alliance.

Zelensky had hoped for more out of the summit of NATO leaders gathering here in Vilnius, but instead was presented with a statement that says it will join the powerful alliance 'when allies agree and conditions are met.'

That came after Biden said in advance of the summit that Ukraine wasn't yet ready to join, and expressed bringing it in in the middle of a hot war that he fears could lead to 'World War III.'

Zelensky annoyed some members of the U.S. delegation with a blistering Twitter outburst shortly before he arrived.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky came into the summit blasting NATO allies for not providing a date when Ukraine would be invited to join

'It's unprecedented and absurd when time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine's membership. While at the same time vague wording about 'conditions' is added even for inviting Ukraine,' Zelensky said.

'This means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraine's membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia,' he said. 'And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror.'

He followed that up with a speech to an adoring crowd in the town square of Vilnius, where locals have long memories about the decades when Lithuania was absorbed into the Soviet empire.

Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan hit out at suggestions that Washington was going soft on Russia by refusing to extend a formal invitation to Kyiv for NATO membership.

Speaking at the NATO Public Forum event, Sullivan slammed anti-corruption activist Daria Kaleniuk after she suggested Biden was 'afraid of Russia, afraid of Ukraine winning.'

The top Biden aide said: 'The United States of America has stepped up to provide an enormous amount of capacity to help ensure that Ukraine's brave soldiers have the ammunition, air defense, the infantry, fighting vehicles, the mine clearing equipment and so much else to be able to effectively defend against Russia's onslaught and to take territory back as well.

'I think the American people do deserve a degree of gratitude from the United States government for their willingness to step up and from the rest of the world as well.'

In a thinly-veiled swipe at Ukrainian criticism of their Western allies, Sullivan said some of the claims made against the U.S. were 'entirely unfounded and unjustified.'

Biden will take appear later on Wednesday with Zelensky to outline the new security guarantees for Ukraine that will also be backed up by G7 allies such as the U.K., France and Germany.

But it will stop short of the 'attack on one is an attack on all doctrine' that is the bedrock of NATO's Article 5 mutual defense doctrine.

Ukraine is deeply suspicious of any less-binding security 'assurances', given that Russia's invasion already trampled the so-called Budapest Memorandum under which international powers committed to keeping the country safe in exchange for Kyiv giving up its Soviet-era nuclear arms.

The Kremlin has already called the plans 'potentially very dangerous' for European security.

White House national security official Amanda Sloat earlier talked up the new joint NATO communique on Ukraine for what it did signal, as opposed to what Ukrainian president Zelensky said it lacked.

He spoke in the Vilnius town square and brandished a Bakhmut battle flag, speaking with his wife Olena Zelenska

Biden, here with Nato Sec. Gen. Jens Stoltenberg, has cautioned against admitting Ukraine while it is in a war

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) and his wife Olena Zelenska (L) participate in a family photograph ahead of the social dinner during the NATO summit. Biden skipped the event

Turkish President Recep Erdogan, who met with Biden, announced he would get behind a bid to allow Sweden to join the group

She called it 'unprecedented,' adding on a call with reporters traveling with the president that 'we reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of the NATO alliance.

She noted that the negotiators upgraded a 'commission' on Ukraine to a 'council.'

Back in 2008, in a move still on the minds of diplomats gathered in Vilnius, members in Bucharest said Georgia and Ukraine would eventually become members of the powerful group. Russia invaded Russia months later.

Zelensky was less biting in comments to reporters Wednesday.

He said he is working to make sure Ukraine 'will have this invitation when security measures will allow,' adding, 'We want to be on the same page with everybody.'

He has a long track record of demanding more, even from allies who are providing heavy weapons to help Ukraine battle Russia's invasion, often to useful effect.

Writing on Telegram, he later thanked Australia after Canberra agreed to give Ukraine a new package including 30 Bushmaster armored vehicles following talks with the country's prime minister, Anthony Albanese.
Tokyo lodges protest to Pyongyang over suspected ballistic missile launch

Tokyo, July 12 (UNI) Japan has lodged a protest to North Korea over its latest suspected ballistic missile launch, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Wednesday.

"North Korea's continuing missile launches, including ballistic missiles, and other actions threaten the peace and security of our country, the region and the international community and are unacceptable. Such ballistic missile launches violate relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. This is a serious problem from the point of view of the security of the people; that is why a strong protest has been lodged through the embassy in Beijing," Matsuno said.

Matsuno added that Japan's aircraft and ships were not in danger.
Nicola Sturgeon splurged 1,200 of taxpayers cash on business class flights and a luxury hotel during her farewell tour of London TV studios.

The former SNP leader spent one of her final days as First Minister giving interviews on shows including ITVs Loose Women.

She snubbed a request from Westminsters Scottish affairs committee to give evidence about her time in office and instead embarked on a round of media appearances.

Ministerial expenses show she contradicted her supposed eco- credentials by shunning train travel, despite it being one-tenth of the cost.

Her two-day trip cost the public purse a total of 1,230.02, including 515 spent on one night in a London hotel  which government officials are refusing to name.

Criticising the expense, Tory MSP Annie Wells yesterday said that Ms Sturgeon should have set an example and kept costs to a minimum.

The former SNP leader spent one of her final days as First Minister giving interviews on shows including ITVs Loose Women.

She snubbed a request from Westminsters Scottish affairs committee to give evidence about her time in office and instead embarked on a round of media appearances.

She added: The fact that she also thought it appropriate to take a short and costly business class flight to London also flies in the face of her repeatedly asking the Scottish public to do their bit to tackle the climate emergency while in high office.

No information is yet available about how much it cost to send Ms Sturgeons security staff and advisers with her.

While in London, Ms Sturgeon was interviewed by Sky and ITV. She also gave a speech to the Royal Society of Arts to boast about her apparent achievements in office.

During her ITV Loose Women interview in March, Ms Sturgeon joked that she was mortified to be wearing the same red jacket as when she announced her shock resignation a month earlier.

She also insisted she had no regrets pushing controversial legislation through Holyrood to make it easier for people to legally change gender.

Criticising the expense, Tory MSP Annie Wells yesterday said that Ms Sturgeon should have set an example and kept costs to a minimum.

A fortnight after her jaunt to London, officers swooped on the home she shares near Glasgow with husband Peter Murrell.

Mr Murrell  the SNPs former chief executive  was taken into custody for questioning as part of a Police Scotland probe into party finances, as was party treasurer Colin Beattie.Ms Sturgeon was herself arrested as a suspect in the investigation two months later, with all three released without charge pending further inquiries.

Asked to justify the cost of Ms Sturgeons trip, a Scottish Government spokesman claimed it was the best value for money possible for the Scottish taxpayer.

The spokesman added: Any business flights taken by Scottish Government ministers and employees are offset by a carbon levy.

Last year, taxpayers forked out almost 150,000 for Ms Sturgeons junket to Cop27 in Egypt, despite her having no role at the climate summit.
The 'completely mad West' risks a third world war by supporting Ukraine, the former Russian president has claimed.

Dmitry Medvedev, now Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council and a Putin ally, said 'World War III' was 'fast approaching' and the Russian invasion of Ukraine would 'continue'.

It comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed new G7 security commitments to the country but warned it could not be a substitute for NATO membership.

Mr Medvedev said: 'The completely mad West has failed to invent anything else. In fact, it is a dead end.

'World War III is approaching. What does all this mean for us? Everything is obvious. The special military operation will continue with the same goals.'

Dmitry Medvedev (left), now Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council and a Putin ally, said 'World War III' was 'fast approaching' and the Russian invasion of Ukraine would 'continue'

Mr Medvedev said: 'The completely mad West has failed to invent anything else. In fact, it is a dead end'. Pictured: A Russian Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile

The 'long term' security package for Ukraine to help 'end the war' will be announced by G7 countries later today at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

In a statement echoed by the White House, the UK Government said: 'The joint declaration, expected to be signed by all members of the G7, will set out how allies will support Ukraine over the coming years to end the war and deter and respond to any future attack.'

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak added: 'As Ukraine makes strategic progress in their counteroffensive, and the degradation of Russian forces begins to infect Putin's front line, we are stepping up our formal arrangements to protect Ukraine for the long term.'

Speaking after talks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Zelensky said the G7 promises should be seen 'not instead of NATO, but as security guarantees on our way to integration'.

'We can state that the results of this summit are good, but should we receive an invitation, then that would be the optimum,' he said.

Pictured: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a joint press conference with the NATO Secretary General on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Vilnius on Wednesday

Pictured: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Wednesday

On Tuesday, Zelensky blew up the early professions of unity at the NATO summit after he blasted allies for failing to set a firm timeline for his country to join the alliance.

He issued his complaints on Twitter after saying Ukraine would be 'represented' at the summit  amid indications that he would meet with President Joe Biden here, saying the presence would be about 'respect.'

'But Ukraine also deserves respect. Now, on the way to Vilnius, we received signals that certain wording is being discussed without Ukraine.

'And I would like to emphasize that this wording is about the invitation to become NATO member, not about Ukraine's membership,' he said.

'It's unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine's membership.

'While at the same time vague wording about 'conditions' is added even for inviting Ukraine,' Zelensky said.

On Tuesday, Zelensky blew up the early professions of unity at the NATO summit on Tuesday after he blasted allies for failing to set a firm timeline for his country to join the alliance

'And I would like to emphasize that this wording is about the invitation to become NATO member, not about Ukraine's membership,' he said.

'It's unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine's membership.

'While at the same time vague wording about 'conditions' is added even for inviting Ukraine,' Zelensky said.

'This means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraine's membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia,' he said. 'And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror.'

Meanwhile, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan hit back in a thinly-veiled warning to Kyiv after Zelensky's tirade.

He angrily dismissed claims from Ukrainian anti-corruption activist Daria Kaleniuk that the president 'was afraid of Russia' by not setting out a timeline for Ukraine to join the Brussels-based military alliance.

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan (pictured) hit back in a thinly-veiled warning to Kyiv after Zelensky's tirade

Speaking at a side event at the two-day NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, top Biden aide Sullivan dismissed her critcism, saying 'there has been a lot of conspiracy theorising that simply is not based on any reality whatsoever.'

READ MORE: Rishi Sunak tells Zelensky that Ukraine 'belongs' in Nato as they hold talks at summit amid tensions in military alliance Advertisement

'The United States of America has stepped up to provide an enormous amount of capacity to help ensure that Ukraine's brave soldiers have the ammunition, air defense, the infantry, fighting vehicles, the mine clearing equipment and so much else to be able to effectively defend against Russia's onslaught and to take territory back as well.

'I think the American people do deserve a degree of gratitude from the United States government for their willingness to step up and from the rest of the world as well.'

And in a swipe at Zelensky's criticism of his Western allies, Sullivan said some of the charges leveled against the U.S. were 'entirely unfounded and unjustified.'

The United States is by far the largest donor of military support to Ukraine, offering more than $46 billion worth of hardware to Kyiv, according to data from a respected German think-tank.

Last week, Mr Medvedev claimed the West must stop opposing Russia's aggression in Ukraine - or face nuclear war, epidemics and famine which could wipe out millions.

He said Putin would not accept any solution short of total defeat or the 'annihilation' of democratic Ukraine.

Last week, Mr Medvedev claimed the West must stop opposing Russia 's aggression in Ukraine - or face nuclear war , epidemics and famine which could wipe out millions

He said Putin would not accept any solution short of total defeat or the 'annihilation' of democratic Ukraine

'You don't have to be a visionary to understand that the confrontation phase will be very long,' said Medvedev, who is now deputy head of 70-year-old Putin's security council.

'The confrontation will last for decades. One way to resolve it is the third world war. But it is obviously bad, because the victors are not at all guaranteed further prosperity, as was the case after previous world wars. Most likely, there will simply be no winners.

He also called for Russia to suspend diplomatic relations with the UK and other countries who are siding with Kyiv.

'It would be better to temporarily suspend diplomatic relations with Finland and similar countries (such as Poland, the Baltic states and, of course, the UK), or at least downgrade their level for a while.'

Medvedev, 57, is seeking to position himself to return to the Kremlin if Putin falters or is too ill to continue in power.

Medvedev was president of Russia from 2008 to 2012, and was also the country's longest-serving post-Communist prime minister.
A cancer specialist has told how she refused to let an NHS colleague treat her brain tumour because she did not trust him.

Dr Phyllis Windsor was seen by Professor Sam Eljamel in 2006 but immediately became wary of the surgeon and decided to seek treatment in London instead.

It would later emerge that Eljamel had repeatedly botched operations and left patients with life-changing injuries while he worked for NHS Tayside between 1995 and 2013.

Dr Windsor, 71, had her consultation with Eljamel after being diagnosed with a pituitary tumour. But the oncologist said her suspicions were raised when he said he could fully remove the tumour.

The surgeon also wanted to give her photodynamic therapy, which Dr Windsor says was not appropriate for her.

Dr Phyllis Windsor (pictured) was seen by Professor Sam Eljamel in 2006 but immediately became wary of the surgeon

Eljamel (pictured) had repeatedly botched operations and left patients with life-changing injuries while he worked for NHS Tayside between 1995 and 2013

She then sought treatment elsewhere, despite the fact she worked alongside Eljamel at NHS Tayside.

Dr Windsor said none of Eljamel's colleagues held him to account even though he was repeatedly making mistakes.

The retired medic, who was employed by NHS Tayside for 28 years, now supports a public inquiry into the scandal and claims the culture at her old health board is 'toxic'.

Speaking about her case yesterday, she said: 'The tumour was operable but complete removal was impossible as it had grown into the bones at the base of my skull.

'The standard treatment would have been a good partial removal followed by radiotherapy to prevent recurrence.

'I didn't trust the guy. There was no discussion. I don't think he knew what he was doing.

'I wasn't going to let him anywhere near my head. Thank goodness I didn't, now these stories have come out. I was fortunate I had the knowledge to not trust him.'

Campaigners are pushing for an inquiry into why Eljamel was able to harm patients for so long. Whistleblowers claim NHS chiefs were aware of concerns about him in 2009, four years before his suspension.

Dr Windsor sought treatment elsewhere, despite the fact she worked alongside Eljamel at NHS Tayside

Dr Windsor said none of Eljamel's colleagues held him to account even though he was repeatedly making mistakes

One of his victims, Jules Rose. Eljamel was allowed to operate on Ms Rose despite bosses already having concerns about him, according to a BBC Scotland documentary in 2018

Ms Rose (pictured) previously said she feels like 'one of the lucky ones' following botched surgery which was meant to removed a brain tumour

The Scottish Government has announced an independent commission into the disgraced surgeon but has stopped short of the full public inquiry his ex-patients are demanding.

One of his victims, Theresa Mallett, heckled First Minister Humza Yousaf last month during an SNP independence convention in Dundee.

Dr Windsor, from Kinfauns, Perthshire, backs a public inquiry and believes other senior medics must have been aware of Eljamel's failings.

She said: 'How on earth none of them knew how badly he was operating is beyond me. They would have been there to see what he was doing. None of them held him to account.

'NHS Tayside possibly needs to be taken into special measures. I don't think they're capable of running a hospital.

'I would not see anybody at NHS Tayside. The whole culture is toxic. That's certainly what I left. I feel sorry for his victims. Most people have complete trust in doctors.'

NHS Tayside said: 'Concerns were raised about Professor Eljamel in 2013. He was suspended in December 2013 and never returned to work in NHS Tayside. There have been three external reviews of Professor Eljamel's practices. All have included recommendations to strengthen procedures and NHS Tayside has accepted and actioned all of these.'
He is suing the broadcaster for articles published in 2020 and 2021

The ABC has sensationally pulled its final defence in its defamation fight against a former special forces commando, just two weeks before the matter was set to go to trial.

Heston Russell who made headlines after he raised $15,000 for veterans charity Swiss 8 by selling nude photos of himself on OnlyFans is suing the ABC and two of its investigative journalists over stories published in 2020 and 2021.

He claimed the stories made it look like he was being investigated for shooting an unarmed prisoner.

The stories, written and produced by journalists Mark Willacy and Josh Robertson, aired on television, radio and online on November 19, 2021.

Earlier this year, Justice Michael Lee found ten defamatory imputations put forward by the national broadcaster were carried following a preliminary hearing in November 2022.

The matter was set to go to trial later this month with the ABC relying solely on just a new public interest test to defend the articles, after it dropped its 'truth' defences following a number of strikeout applications by Mr Russell's team.

Heston Russell (pictured) is suing the ABC and two of its investigative journalists over stories published in 2020 and 2021

At an emergency hearing in the Federal Court, barrister Lyndelle Barnett for the ABC told the court they had 'withdrawn the public interest defence'

But at an emergency hearing in the Federal Court at 5.45pm Wednesday, barrister Lyndelle Barnett for the ABC told the court they had 'withdrawn the public interest defence' and accepted that Mr Russell was entitled to judgment.

NCA NewsWire understands costs in the case are expected to exceed $1 million.

The urgent listing came after the court made orders requiring the ABC to produce documents that barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC contended were improperly redacted for relevance, as well as documents revealing the identity of a source dubbed as 'Josh'.

On Wednesday, Ms Barnett sought a stay of orders requiring them to produce the documents, with the stay granted pending the hearing of the application on Friday.

Ms Barnett told the court the course had been taken as the ABC takes 'their promises to sources very seriously'.

'It is not a course that has been taken lightly, but it does demonstrate the significance of those promises to my clients,' she said.

Mr Russell has claimed the use of his name and photo in the articles implied he was involved in the death of an Afghan prisoner

In his judgment earlier this year, Justice Lee said while the identity of 'Josh' was protected, it was 'strange' as he was pictured in articles and footage of him was also aired on multiple television programs.

'Both articles record he does not want to be identified because he 'fears retribution',' the judgment, handed down in February, said.

'If those responsible for publication of 'Josh's' photograph within the ABC though there was substance in 'Josh's' fear of retribution, they must have assumed his potential assailants were a somewhat incurious and lazy lot.'

Mr Russell's senior counsel contends the former commando is entitled to the unredacted documents regardless of the ABC's withdrawal of their remaining public interest defence.

Justice Lee commented that the scheduled hearing time on July 28 would now be used for an assessment of damages including Mr Russell's claim for aggravated damages by reason of the ABC's conduct in the proceedings.

While the articles contained a denial from Mr Russell, he claims the use of his name and photo implied he was involved in the death of an Afghan prisoner.

In his statement of claim, Mr Russell said an ABC article published in 2021 alleged soldiers from the November commando platoon were being investigated over their actions in Afghanistan in 2012.

Mr Russell (pictured) launched a campaign alongside 2GB's Ben Fordham and called on the ABC to apologise and take down the articles

Mr Russell is asking for the ABC to remove the article and pay aggravated damages on top of court costs

It was claimed the platoon murdered a prisoner who was unarmed and handcuffed because there was no room on the extraction flight.

A US Marine helicopter pilot said he was not a witness but heard a 'pop' on the radio he believed was a gunshot.

Mr Russell launched a campaign alongside 2GB's Ben Fordham and called on the ABC to apologise and take down the articles.

In March 2022, the national broadcaster quietly updated and published corrections on two of the stories.

Mr Russell is asking for the ABC to remove the article and pay aggravated damages on top of court costs.

The matter will return to court on Friday.
A young entrepreneur has revealed how he went from sleeping rough to building an award-winning tech business worth millions.

At 17 Harry Sanders became homeless after his parents split, sometimes living on the streets of Melbourne alongside heroin addicts, but eight years on the company he founded as a teenager is now Australia's largest SEO agency.

Mr Sanders' first night after his family upheaval was spent under a bridge in Preston, but he kept focusing on his unlikely dream of building a business, even working on his laptop outside in the dark.

'It is intimidating when it gets dark. You can hear noises and it feels like you're constantly on edge,' he told The Project.

'You wake up every morning tired and groggy. Not really wanting to get up and do anything.'

Mr Sanders' now runs his own award-winning SEO agency which is Australia's largest

Mr Sanders had started his own small tech firm as a a teenager and he never gave up on his unlikely dream

What are Harry's tips for success? 1. Sacrifice: Harry was forced to skip going to classes at uni and going to parties with mates because he dropped out of high school and never went to uni, and instead jumped into the business world early on. 2. Accept your struggles as your path to success: He understands now that the struggles and adversity he has faced has brought him to where he is today. 3. Honesty is always #1: 'Transparency is our biggest underlying value. Sometimes this means falling on our sword when we make mistakes, but businesses respect a company that takes responsibility,' he said. 4. Lay it all out on the table: Harry's generosity and willingness to take risks has paid off. 'Putting everything I have into what I do is what keeps me on top. I never stop giving, and I have been given so much in return,' he said. 5. Never lose sight of how far you've come: He never gets too caught up in his success because he's seen the struggle and knows how fortunate he is to be so successful today. Advertisement

In the daytime, he charged his phone and laptop, used wifi and made work calls from his local St Vincent de Paul.

Still, Mr Sanders found himself struggling to get benefits from Centrelink and when he did he ended up in dire living quarters.

When he was given government housing, he found himself rooming with people who were battling drug addiction.

Mr Sanders said it was 'insanely tough' to get onto Centrelink, even as a homeless 17-year-old, and he found himself jumping through 'many hoops'.

However, his experiences living on the street and relying on Centrelink taught him valuable lessons he still applies today.

No matter how much shame and exhaustion he endured during his 'very grim sitruation', Mr Sanders persisted.

His daily grind paid off when he finally earned enough from a handful of clients to pay for a room in a share house.

'I remember moving in, just getting in and just sobbing, like oh my god I have a room, I can close the door and this is my room.

'That was a life-changing moment.'

Among the strategies he used and still swears by is getting eight hours sleep each night, researching his industry and dressing clothes that reflect the 'real' him each day.

Today Mr Sanders's agency StudioHawk has three offices - in Melbourne's Prahran, at Surry Hills in Sydney and London's Hackney.

He owns property in London and is building his own dream home in Melbourne.

StudioHawk is worth over $4million, and has won awards such as SEMRush's Agency of the Year and Optus Media Marketing & Advertising Business of the Year.

But Mr Sanders, who is still the youngest person in his team, is a long way from finished.

'My vision is to lead and grow StudioHawk to be the largest dedicated SEO agency in the world, and have a boatload of fun while doing it,' he says.

That doesn't mean he's setting out to join the superstar tech billionaire club.

Harry Sanders's first night after his family dramatically split at 17 was spent living under this bridge (pictured above) at Preston in Melbourne. He's now a multimillionaire

He now owns properties in London and Melbourne and has offices in both cities and in Sydney

'Unlike Elon, my mission is not to get to Mars,' he said.

'I just want to leave the world a better place, by providing opportunity and education to at risk youth, or other such people going through difficult hardships in their life.'

Aside from StudioHawk, Mr Sanders works with youth homelessness organisation the Lighthouse Foundation.

If you are experiencing homelessness you can call Link2home 1800 152 152, the Domestic Violence Line 1800 656 463, Link2Home Veterans and Ex-Service 1800 326 989 or the Child Protection Helpline 13 21 11.
A dispute between Commonwealth Bank employees and bosses is emerging as the frontline in a battle set to shape Australians' work-from-home entitlements.

CommBank has ordered its 49,000 employees to return to the office for at least half their week from next Monday, sparking fiery backlash from those working remotely under arrangements established during the Covid pandemic.

The fight kicked up a notch on Wednesday with the Financial Services Union (FSU) stepping in to challenge the return-to-office order by formally asking the Fair Work Commission to side with employees.

Streams of complaints from CommBank workers have been popping in the media saying the directive from CEO Matt Comyn and group executive of human resources Sian Lewis was taking away a key benefit of the job with no consultation.

National secretary Julia Angrisano confirmed the FSU has 'asked the Fair Work Commission to intervene in this matter.'

CommBank CEO Matt Comyn ordered the bank's 49,000 employees back into the office for at least half the week

Financial Services Union national secretary Julia Angrisano has asked the Fair Work Commission to 'intervene' against the 'mandate'

Brought in as a public health order during the Covid pandemic, remote working has triggered a seismic shift in the way the country operates with technology enabling many staff to effectively do their jobs away from the office.

Team meetings, business flights and conferences gave way to Zoom meetings and digital workspaces like Slack with companies eventually agreeing to make hybrid arrangements - where hours are split between home and the office - permanent.

But the CommBank fight is going a step further, with the FSU wanting the Fair Work Commission to determine a non-negotiable 'mandate' to return to the office, even for part of the week, should not be allowed.

'Instead of issuing edicts, we want the bank to engage in a consultation process with the FSU and affected staff,' Ms Angrisano said.

'What the CBA has done is ignore the Enterprise Agreement and instead dictate changes to work from home arrangements that currently suit many of its employees.'

'Our members at the CBA deserve to be consulted about changes to their working conditions... remote work is a sustainable model.'

Ms Angrisano said CBA employees had complained to the union that mandating a return to the office would force them to spend more money on commuting and child care and interfere with their family life.

They would also lose at least two to three hours a day travelling to and from work.

'Some workers are so unhappy about the CBA's edict that they are considering whether to resign and seek other more flexible working arrangements.'

'We will be asking the Fair Work Commission to order the CBA to offer all affected staff remote working arrangements on mutually agreeable terms,' Ms Angrisano said.

Commonwealth Bank employees have complained about an internal email asking they record their attendance in the workplace ahead of a mandatory return to the office - but the bank explained the inflated reaction was over a voluntary app designed for workers in the office

The Commbank fight could establish the extent to which remote working will remain

Some people were complaining CommBank employees were being too precious about returning to the office

The FSU also provided comments from CommBank workers about how the change would affect them.

'This change will have a financial, productivity and engagement impact,' one said.

'I work in a different state from the rest of my team, I'll have to do all the commuting to simply sit in the office by myself.'

Another said: 'When we go in the office we sit on our own and do our work like at home but with more distractions and costs.'

A spokesman for the Commonwealth Bank said the requirement to be in the office 50 per cent of the time applied over the course of a month and staff were told of the new requirements in May.

'Our approach to hybrid working has always been about finding the right balance between our long-standing commitment to flexible working and ensuring we deliver the best outcomes for our customers,' he said.

While Commbank looks set to be a test case for the private sector, public servants have been given the greenlight to push for permanent remote working privileges.

Under a deal agreed with unions, the Australian public service will not be able to impose limits on the number of days its 176,000 employees can work from home.

This is despite the federal government spending $1.54billion - or $9,459 per worker - on office rent every year, with many of those desks now empty all or most of the time.

Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett believes that state's public servants should have pay levels reduced due to the money they save by working from home.

He said those public servants who 'have no alternative but to physically attend their workplace every day' such as those working in hospitals and schools should have their current pay levels maintained, but work-from-homers should be subject to cuts.

Federal government agencies are required to 'lean towards' approving WFH requests with a presumption they should be approved.

They can only refuse after genuinely trying to reach agreement and there are reasonable business grounds not to approve.

Workers can challenge a refusal in the Fair Work Commission.

The new deal marks a stark change in attitude from the previous Coalition government, which told public service bosses they wanted staff to 'show up', which led to agencies limiting work from home.

Many companies will be closely watching how the Commbank fight plays out

Big private companies like Telstra, ANZ, Suncorp, and Medibank which have adopted permanent hybrid working arrangements will be watching the developments of the CommBank saga closely.

As will NAB, who ordered senior bosses must be in the office five days a week, and Mineral Resources whose chief executive Chris Ellison said working from home was a strict no-go.

He is one of a number of bosses taking the route of offering employees a reason to endure the commute and attend the office.

'We're focused really heavily on the wellbeing of our people,' Mr Ellison told the Macquarie Australia conference.

'It's not just the pay package anymore, with the younger generation. In my day it was, but it's not that anymore. It's the environment, the opportunities they get and the lifestyle they lead.'

'We've got to be able to try and make sure that we can accommodate all that to get the quality people that we want and to hang on to them.'

Some companies have split the other way and have entirely embraced remote working.

Health insurer NIB even paid employees an extra $1,200 a year to recognise that they were renting workspaces in people's homes.
A Metropolitan Police detective has lost his 18th employment tribunal case in just 16 years, after claiming 25,000 for 'injury to feelings'

Detective Constable Derrick Quarm's claim was the latest to be dismissed in a catalogue of lawsuits against the force dating back to 2007.

This time, the former paratrooper's allegations of race discrimination, victimisation, and whistle-blowing detriment were thrown out.

Previously DC Quarm has been criticised by an employment tribunal judge for bringing claims 'totally without merit'.

The Met Police has described some past claims as 'wild, unfounded and entirely unsupported by the evidence'.

Detective Constable Derrick Quarm has brought 18 claims against the force in just 16 years

The serving police officer joined the Met Police in January of 1997 and first lodged a claim against the force in 2007 over his applications for detective training.

Over the following years, he launched more lawsuits relating to allegations about his line management, his colleagues, and at one stage accusations of 'police criminal networks'.

He has seen claims relating to race discrimination, victimisation and whistle-blowing all thrown out.

At one stage he asked for 25,000 to cover 'injury to feelings'.

Off the back of a failed case in 2015, DC Quarm was ordered to pay 18,000 to cover the Met Police's legal fees - which came from the public purse.

He failed to pay the sum leading to a charging order being made on a property owned by him which was registered in 2018.

Two of his claims have been settled.

Now, at his latest tribunal at London Central Employment Tribunal, he raised concerns about his colleagues and the Directorate of Professional Standards, which investigates crime and corruption by police officers on duty.

In particular, DC Quarm alleged one colleague was guilty of perjury.

He claimed that whistleblowing complaints raised by him were being obstructed.

He said from 2016 to present staff have 'deliberately fed false information' to the Independent Office for Police Conduct about his whistleblowing.

DC Quarm alleged colleagues committed perjury to 'conceal the facts of their repeated acts to mislead to IOPC' and that 'senior leaders' from the Met were 'fully aware of unlawful actions'.

He also made a complaint that bosses tried to 'conceal the pattern of criminal offences' which he thought would be 'exposed' by his ongoing employment tribunal claims.

All of his claims were dismissed by Employment Judge Tim Adkin.

Judge Adkin said DC Quarm had a 'reputation within the department for making lengthy complaints and for bringing Employment Tribunal claims'.

The judge said the Met Police managers dealing with his internal complaints would have been 'somewhat wary' due to his reputation and correctly took legal advice in how to deal with them.

DC Quarm's latest claim against the Met was thrown out after a judge deemed it 'totally without merit'

Judge Adkin said his claims were 'convoluted' and 'principally relevant to him personally rather than matters of wider public importance'.

Louise Casey's report on the Met police, which found that the force was institutionally racist, sexist and homophobic, was also discussed as part of DC Quarm's case.

However, Judge Adkin said that the claims didn't have much bearing.

Judge Adkin said: 'In a marginal case the content of the Casey reports might be enough to tip the balance in relation to the initial burden of proof.

'We do not however find that DC Quarm's present claim is such a case.

'There is an absence of evidence specific to this case [that] suggests that race was a factor in the Claimant's treatment either directly or by reasonable inference.'
Jeremy Vine said today the unnamed presenter at the heart of the BBC furore 'needs to come forward', adding that 'the longer he leaves it the worse it will be for him'.

Vine and Piers Morgan are among the high-profile figures who have called for the unnamed BBC presenter to go public, with a number of other BBC stars including Gary Lineker, Nicky Campbell, Rylan Clark and Vine all being forced to publicly deny they are the person in question.

Speaking on his Channel 5 show, Vine - who also hosts an afternoon show on BBC Radio 2 - said: 'It's his decision but he needs to come forward now, I think.

'I know his survival instinct has kicked in and I know he saw what happened to Phillip Schofield, but my God look at the damage to the BBC, look at the damage to his friends, to those falsely accused - and the longer he leaves it the worse it will be for him.'

Vine said he thought 'very carefully' before posting a tweet on Tuesday night urging the unnamed presenter to reveal himself, adding: 'I know the individual concerned. I am very worried about his state of mind and what this is doing to him.

Press gather outside the headquarters of the BBC, which has been plunged into crisis in the last few days

TV and radio star Jeremy Vine has said the unnamed presenter at the heart of the BBC furore 'needs to come forward' adding that 'the longer he leaves it the worse it will be for him'

'I haven't spoken to him but I gather from somebody who has that he is described as angry and keen to play it long.

'Now to me that means that he wants to be anonymous for as long as possible, hoping that he can one day walk back into the building.'

However, Vine faced a backlash from Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid on her ITV breakfast show today.

She told viewers: 'Now we have a very high-profile presenter, Jeremy Vine, putting pressure on the unnamed presenter to come forward, which I think is a strange move for another presenter.

'But it reflects the fact that there are other people who feel they are unwittingly caught up in this.'

On The Sun's front page on Wednesday, the newspaper reported a 23-year-old person has claimed the BBC presenter broke lockdown rules to meet them during the pandemic in February 2021.

The paper also reported an additional claim from another person saying the presenter 'started a chat with a teen follower from his Instagram account - using love hearts and kisses in his messages'.

According to The Sun, the individual was 17 when the presenter contacted them 'out of the blue'.

Separately, BBC News reported on Tuesday that a person in their early 20s has alleged that they were sent threatening messages by the unnamed man.

BBC News said it had contacted the presenter via his lawyer, but had received no response to the allegations.

On July 9, the BBC issued an update to staff and the media and confirmed it had suspended the unnamed presenter following the first allegation printed in The Sun which said the presenter had paid a teenager tens of thousands of pounds for sexually explicit images.

But the young person at the centre of the controversy later said via lawyers, in a letter to the BBC, that nothing inappropriate or unlawful happened with the unnamed presenter.

BBC News said it does not know the identity of the young person and has not spoken to them directly, but that the letter was sent by a multinational law firm.

Their mother told The Sun they stand by the claims and a spokesperson for The Sun said it is 'now for the BBC to properly investigate'.

Tim Davie, director general of the BBC, revealed today he has not spoken with the presenter at the centre of the scandal

On Tuesday the corporation's director-general Tim Davie said he has ordered a review to 'assess how some complaints are red flagged up the organisation' as the BBC's annual report was unveiled.

He said the BBC is dealing with a 'complex and difficult situation' after the 'serious allegations'.

The corporation has been asked to pause its internal investigation into the allegations 'while the police scope future work' following a meeting with the Metropolitan Police.

A spokesperson for the force said it continues to make an 'assessment to establish whether there is evidence of a criminal offence being committed' and 'there remains no police investigation at this time'.

A statement from the BBC on Tuesday said: 'The events of recent days have shown how complex and challenging these kinds of cases can be and how vital it is that they are handled with the utmost diligence and care.

'There will, of course, be lessons to be learned following this exercise.'
The stepson of British billionaire who was on the doomed Titan sub when it imploded last month is receiving fresh social media backlash after claiming he's set to receive his inheritance but still can't get a date.

Brian Szasz revealed on Twitter that he now has 'millions to spare' in inheritance following his stepfather Hamish Harding's death, telling one user that he's set to receive 'more than you'll make in a lifetime'.

After deactivating some of his social media profiles following the backlash and news of his stepfather's passing, Mr Szasz has now returned to the site, declaring: 'With millions to spare, I still can't get laid.'

He was slammed by some for the 'disrespectful' comments following his stepfather's passing, with some questioning: 'You sure you were written into the will?,' as he pleaded for a date.

He has not confirmed if he has received his full inheritance yet or how much money he would receive - likely sharing it with his sister, stepbrothers, and mother. It can take up to two years for inheritance payments to be made in the US.

It comes after Mr Szasz initially received enormous criticism for attending a Blink182 concert and responding to Twitter posts made by scantily-clad OnlyFans models while his stepfather Hamish Harding had been aboard the Titan submersible when it lost contact, causing a lengthy search for the ill-fated vessel.

Brian Szasz revealed on Twitter that he now has 'millions to spare' in inheritance following his stepfather's death

Mr Szasz's stepfather Hamish Harding had been aboard the Titan submersible when it lost contact, causing a lengthy search for the ill-fated vessel

Mr Szasz has now made quite the leap back onto social media, pleading: 'With all this cash I just want a girl to hangout with please!'

One of his followers asked him how much inheritance money he has got, and that 'anything more than $0 is too much.'

READ MORE: Who is Brian Szasz? Stepson of British billionaire Hamish Harding killed on Titanic submersible Advertisement

Mr Szasz hit back, stating it would be 'more than you'll make in a lifetime.'

In a now deleted Tweet, he said 'With millions to spare, I still can't get laid.'

Mr Szasz has said he's received a lot of backlash on Twitter for his antics amid a massive search and rescue mission to find and save his step-father and four other passengers on board the OceanGate Titan sub that went missing during an expedition to the Titanic's wreckage.

During the failed search, he responded to one OnlyFans model named Brea, asking: 'can I sit on u.'

Just 30 minutes before he had asked his followers to continue to think of his family, writing, 'Please keep my family in your prayers!'

Since the tragedy, Mr Szasz took to Twitter again to tell his followers: 'Everyone who has been kind to me Im taking to Taylor Swifts Eras tour in LA!'

It is not yet known how much he will receive in inheritance. However, Mr Harding was widely considered to be a billionaire as the owner of Dubai-based company Action Aviation.

Mr Szasz will have to share the money with his step-brothers, Mr Harding's sons, Rory, 18, and Giles, 15.

A portion will have likely been left for his wife Linda as well as Mr Szasz's sister Lauren.

Hamish Harding was killed on the sub and was widely considered to be a billionaire. He was the owner of Dubai-based company Action Aviation

Mr Harding lived in Dubai with wife Linda. He is pictured with his family in a photo he posted to his Facebook

All five men on board died after the Titan sub imploded on its expedition last month

Mr Harding lived in Dubai with wife Linda, while his step-son revealed on Twitter he lives in a one-bedroom flat in Idaho.

In response to a message from a follower who asked how his family was holding up, Mr Szasz responded: 'Stayin strong thanks!'

He also tweeted an exchange he had with Blink-182 drummer and husband of Kourtney Kardashian Travis Barker.

The star had contacted the Blink-182 fan on Twitter saying: 'Praying for you and your family.'

Following Mr Harding's death, his company said in a statement that the billionaire made a career out of 'making unusual things happen' and has three Guinness World Records and a trip to outer space on the Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin on his resume.

In 2021, he set the record for the longest time spent at the bottom of the sea after exploring the Mariana Trench, the deepest place on Earth, for four hours and 15 minutes.

At the same time, Mr Harding set the record for the greatest distance covered at full ocean depth. Also, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing in 2019, he set a world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the Earth.

But his record-setting barely scratches the surface of a life filled with danger and excitement.

Mr Szasz revealed on Twitter he lives in a one-bedroom flat in Idaho

He had reactivated his profile after going radio silent because he was ridiculed online for asking an OnlyFans model to sit on him

Mr Szasz also tweeted an exchange he had with Blink-182 drummer and husband of Kourtney Kardashian Travis Barker

In 2016, he joined close friend Buzz Aldrin on an expedition to Antarctica, where the astronaut became the oldest person to reach the South Pole at the age of 86.

Mr Harding repeated the trick in 2020, returning with his son Giles who, at the age of 12, became the youngest person to reach the point.

And last year, he was awarded a Living Legends of Aviation honor by actor Morgan Freeman. The award has previously been given to Mr Aldrin, as well as billionaires Sir Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk.

Mr Harding, who had degrees in natural sciences and chemical engineering from Cambridge University, also held 16 air speed records and last year became the first Briton to travel on Blue Origin's fifth human spaceflight mission.
Elon Musk's Tesla is taking on Britain's energy companies with a new service allowing customers to charge up their Powerwall home batteries overnight - and sell electricity back.

Tesla, maker of electric cars, is said to be working to register as an electricity provider and has advertised for a 'Head of Operations' for Tesla Electric on LinkedIn.

The company's service would be available to owners of the Powerwall home battery and would sell electricity to households in the UK as well as buy back stored energy at times of peak demand, reports say.

A job advert explains that Tesla Electric is 'part of Teslas mission to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy.'

Powerwall batteries can be set to charge automatically overnight when energy is cheap and then release this energy for use during the day.

Elon Musk's Tesla is taking on Britain's energy companies with a new service

Tesla's home battery pack that could 'change the way the world uses energy'

Tesla founder Elon Musk unveiled a 'revolutionary' battery which he claimed can run an entire home for eight hours back in 2015 at a California press conference

A job advert for someone to 'lead the ongoing route to market activities, resulting in obtaining an electricity supply license in the UK and accreditation to all associated relevant industry codes'

'As part of Teslas mission to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy we have launched Tesla Electric,' the advert says. 'Tesla Electric is Teslas retail electricity offering, currently available to Tesla product owners in selected markets globally, such as Texas.'

'Delivering a seamless, simple customer experience will ensure that small scale residential flexibility can be fully utilized to support the transition of the entire electricity grid to 100% renewables,' it adds.

The home batteries reportedly cost 9,500 to install.

Tesla launched an energy utility for homeowners in Texas with an off peak rate which is about a third lower than the standard rate from other energy providers, according to the Telegraph.

The job advert is looking for someone to have operational responsibility for retail electricity activities in the UK.

Tesla's home battery pack that could 'change the way the world uses energy'

Powerwall batteries can be set to charge automatically overnight when energy is cheap and then release this energy for use during the day

Powerwall charges using electricity generated from solar panels, or when utility rates are low, and powers your home in the evening

HOW DOES POWERWALL WORK? The technology powers up overnight when electricity rates are cheaper. Users can then switch the battery on during the day to use the home during the day. Powerwall can be used as back up power in the case of an emergency, or be used to hold power from renewable energy sources. The 'daily use' version has a capacity of 7 kilowatt-hours, which is around a quarter of a home's daily usage. Home battery packs could disrupt the utility market. In 2013, the Edison Electric Institute, the trade group for investor-owned electric companies, issued a report warning about disruption. 'One can imagine a day when battery storage technology or micro turbines could allow customers to be electric grid independent,' the report said. Advertisement

This includes responsibility for managing their market entry 'and building out the team, systems and processes needed to start operations'.

'We seek candidates with demonstrated experience in delivering retail energy programs and with a healthy skepticism of the status quo,' it says.

Tesla founder Elon Musk unveiled a 'revolutionary' $3,000 (1,980) battery which he claimed can run an entire home for eight hours back in 2015.

Musk introduced the Powerwall device at a press conference in California and said the technology could 'change the world'.

According to tech site Mashable, Musk told attendees at the event at the time: 'Our goal is to fundamentally change the way the world uses energy.

'It sounds crazy, but we want to change the entire energy infrastructure of the world to zero carbon.'

Tesla has become the world's most valuable car company. Musk has aspirations of cracking the mass market and turning the EV maker into a company that can create a more climate-friendly world.

MailOnline has contacted Tesla for comment.
If Fukushima wastewater is safe for drinking or swimming, Japan should do so instead of dumping: Chinese FM

14:05, July 12, 2023 By Du Qiongfang and Xu Keyue ( Global Times

People rally in front of the Second Members' Office Building of the House of Representatives to protest against the Japanese government's plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the sea in Tokyo, Japan, May 16, 2023. Hundreds of Japanese people on Tuesday gathered at multiple locations in Tokyo to protest against the government's plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the sea, demanding immediate suspension of such plan.(Photo: Xinhua)

The IAEA rushed out a report with limited and one-sided conclusions on the plan to dump nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean, and failed to address the concerns of the international community on the complex issue, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday in response to the recent controversial remarks made by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, who claimed that the contaminated wastewater is safe for drinking or swimming.

Grossi made the controversial remarks during his visits to South Korea and New Zealand. According to South Korean media outlet KBS, Grossi claimed the contaminated wastewater was safe enough to swim in after being treated and diluted in an interview with a South Korean news outlet.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said during a press briefing on Tuesday that "If you pay attention to recent media reports, it is not difficult to notice that the comprehensive assessment report of the IAEA is controversial, and experts involved in the assessment have expressed different views, which is an undeniable fact."

If someone believes that the Fukushima contaminated wastewater is safe for drinking or swimming, we suggest that Japan should make good use of the contaminated water for those purposes and allow those individuals to drink it or swim in it, rather than dumping it into the ocean and causing concerns among the international community, Wang said.

This once again demonstrates that the institution has hastily issued a report on the complex issue of the dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the sea. The related conclusions with limitations and one-sidedness fail to address the international community's concerns regarding the plan for the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, Wang said.

Wang noted that the Japanese side cannot treat the institution's report as "carte blanche" to allow the dumping.

Wang added that the IAEA did not assess the effectiveness and long-term reliability of the treatment of nuclear-contaminated wastewater or the purification equipment, and cannot guarantee that all nuclear-contaminated water to be treated will meet the standards for the next 30 years.

The long-term impact of the discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean on the marine environment and food safety is not something that can be easily concluded by the IAEA, Wang said.

The Japanese side has not invited professional organizations such as the World Health Organization to conduct assessments from a health perspective, but only invited the IAEA to conduct an assessment based on a limited amount of sample data provided by Japan. The conclusions drawn by the organization based on the assumption that the Japanese purification system will remain effective and reliable in the long term, and that there will be no mistake or error in the management of the discharged water over a period of 30 years, are not credible, Wang said.

As the scheduled dumping start date is approaching despite outrage at home and abroad, a Japanese environmental NGO and city assembly is going to hold another large-scale protest titled "Don't discharge the contaminated water into the sea" in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture on July 17.

The parade will have local fishermen and the representatives of fishery associations, experts on fish immunology and genetics and breeding, as well as many citizens showing up and making speeches at Onahama fish market, the Global Times learned from Yoshitaka Ikarashi, a resident of Iwaki.

"The sea of our hometown, the sea of Japan, the sea of the world must not be polluted by radioactivity anymore," read a poster for the parade sent by Ikarashi.

It is unacceptable to make the victims of the nuclear accident suffer even more and to spread marine pollution, according to the poster.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Find out why, how it is getting paid, and if you are eligible, by reading on

Bank of America customers are in line for $100 million of pay back

Bank of America has been ordered to pay $250 million, with $100m going to customers, for illegally charging customers multiple times for individual errors.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) accused the bank on July 11 of harming hundreds of thousands of customers by systematically double-dipping on fees for account holders with insufficient funds.

The bank will be forced to pay $150 million in penalties to the CFPB and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) on top of the customer refunds.

So when are Bank of America customers getting paid? And what do you need to do to get your refund?

Read on for all there is to know.

Bank of America customers are in line for a $100 million refund - while the bank will be forced to pay $150 million in penalties to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accused Bank of America of double-dipping on $35 insufficient funds fees

Why have Bank of America been fined?

The CFPB has ordered Bank of America to pay a total of $250m for illegally charging junk fees, withholding credit card rewards and opening fake accounts.

Of that, $100m will be given out to customers, hundreds of thousands of whom were allegedly harmed by the bank double-dipping on fees for account holders with insufficient funds.

A CFPB statement said that $35 fees charges to customers after failed transactions due to lack of funds were being taken repeatedly for the same failed transaction.

In 2022, the bank told DailyMail.com that it had eliminated the $35 overdraft fee 'and eliminated all non-sufficient fund fees,' dropping revenue through these streams by 90 per cent.

It also claimed that in order to compete with other credit card companies, Bank of America targeted individuals with special offers of cash and points when signing up for a credit card, but then illegally withheld those bonuses - such as cash rewards - from tens of thousands of customers.

Lastly, it said the bank misused sensitive customer information in order to open accounts by illegally applying for and enrolling customers for accounts 'without consumers knowledge or authorization.'

CFPB director Rohit Chopra said: 'These practices are illegal and undermine customer trust.'

It follows the government's pledge to crack down on sneaky junk fees earlier in 2023, which inflate prices and make it difficult for consumers to know how much they will end up paying for a service.

How will Bank of America customers be reimbursed?

Reimbursements for consumers charged unlawful non-sufficient funds fees, which have not already been settled by the bank, total approximately $80.4m.

The remaining $20m plus of refunds is for the withheld bonuses and misuse of customer information.

Bank of America have said that, depending on circumstances, they will either deposit funds into customers' accounts or send them a check, but it has not yet been said how much customers will receive on average.

It is also unclear when people should expect to be reimbursed by if applicable.

Who is eligible for the Bank of America pay back?

Bank of America serves 68 million clients across the world - making it America's second largest bank - and hundreds of thousands of them are affected according to the CFPB's statement.

The regulator told Newsweek that those who had their credit card rewards withheld - tens of thousands of consumers according to the CFPB - have already been paid.

Those to whom the remaining reimbursements are relevant do not need to do anything as they should receive pay back automatically, but Bank of America have confirmed that they will directly contact those eligible as well.

A point of contact for enquiries is due to be identified before August.
Bull, which had fallen into the water during annual bull running event, drowned

This is the horrifying moment a tormented bull drowned after falling into the water during a bull running event on the eastern coast of Spain.

Distressing footage shows the bull thrashing about in the sea as crew members desperately tried to keep the animal's head above the water.

But their desperate efforts to rescue the heavy beast, which was seen frantically trying to stay afloat, came to no avail and the animal was seen slowly sinking beneath the water's surface.

The tormented bull had fallen into the water at the traditional Bous a la Mar celebrations in the coastal city of Denia on Monday afternoon after it chased bull runners around a square that is open to the sea.

The swimmers had jumped into the water to flee an impending strike but as soon as the beast fell into the sea behind them, the creature began thrashing about in the water, desperately trying to stay above the water's surface.

Un toro muere ahogado en los 'Bous a la Mar' de Denia. Hasta cinco mozos han intentado que el animal no se hundiera, pero su peso lo hacia imposible > https://t.co/nwB7I8EM7l pic.twitter.com/9Ju9EY4olG  Informativos Telecinco (@informativost5) July 10, 2023

The tormented bull had fallen into the water at the traditional Bous a la Mar celebrations in the coastal city of Denia on Monday afternoon after it chased bull runners around a square that is open to the sea

The swimmers had jumped into the water to flee an impending strike but as soon as the beast fell into sea behind them, the creature began thrashing about in the water, desperately trying to stay above the water's surface

Harrowing footage shows two of the volunteers desperately trying to hold onto the bull's horns as they drag it towards their boat. The bull, unable to swim, desperately tries to grapple for air and is seen thrashing about in the water

The frantic volunteers turn the doomed beast on its back, its legs sprawled in the air, as they manically try to keep the bull's mouth and nose above the water

Volunteers on a nearby boat, who are always on hand to assist bulls that fall into the water, jumped into the water and swam towards the ailing beast.

Harrowing footage shows two of the volunteers desperately trying to hold onto the bull's horns as they drag it towards their boat. The bull, unable to swim, desperately tries to grapple for air and is seen thrashing about in the water.

Another crew member on the boat is seen reaching out to hold the bull and appears to be trying to wrap a rope underneath the bull - but to no avail.

The frantic volunteers turn the doomed beast on its back, its legs sprawled in the air, as they manically try to keep the bull's mouth and nose above the water.

But the bull - likely weighing over 2,000lbs (1,000kg) - is too heavy for the crew members to keep him upright.

And in a harrowing scene, the bull - no longer having the energy to try to keep its head above water - slowly sinks beneath the surface as the crew members struggle to get it to shore.

The video cuts out but event organisers later confirmed that the bull - which belonged to the local El Cova ranch, had drowned in the horrific incident following efforts to revive it on the shore.

The incident occurred on the third day of the Bous a lar Mar festivities in Denia, which is set to continue festivities until next Saturday, reports El Pais.

But the bull - likely weighing over 2,000lbs (1,000kg) - is too heavy for the crew members to keep him upright

And in a harrowing scene, the bull - no longer having the energy to try to keep its head above water - slowly sinks beneath the surface as the crew members struggle to get it to shore

A different bull jumps into the water during the traditional bull running event at the harbour in Denia on Wednesday

Spectators jump into the war next to a different bull during the festival in Denia on Wednesday

A Bous a la Mar event is different from the usual Spanish festivals where bulls run around in a closed ring or through enclosed streets. It sees bull runners jump into the sea to avoid the bulls - and often, as was the case with Monday's incident, the animals fall into the water.

As soon as it emerged that the bull had died on Monday afternoon, the festival was suspended for a few hours before reopening for an evening session.

A volunteer who has been working at the bullring in Denia for years told Las Provincias that the last death of a bull during their annual festivities happened over 10 years ago in 2011.

He claimed it is rare for bulls to die, whilst adding: 'It is something anecdotal.'

A series of traditional bull running festivals have been taking place across Spain this month - but it's often the bull runners who end up being injured during the world-famous events.

Last week, an enraged bull leapt over a barrier and charged towards spectators who had tormented him during an event in Castejon, Spain.

The bull had stopped in the middle of the Sarasate de Castejon street after baying spectators had begun waving a banging their hands against the barricades in an effort to whip the beast into a frenzy.

But the crowd got more than they bargained for when one particularly impatient spectator took a long wooden stick and attempted to jab the bull in the face.

With a sudden burst of speed, the enraged bovine leapt over the fence, causing pandemonium and sending the audience scrambling in horror to evade its charge.

One unlucky local resident, Fernando Miguel, 61, attempted to evade the cow's wrath by squeezing himself between the barricades.

He managed to avoid being gored by the bull's horns, but the sheer force of the passing beast caused him to lose his balance, sending him toppling over backwards.

The back of his head hit the road with a sickening crack, knocking him out cold.

Surrounded on all sides by baying spectators, the bull appeared confused and tormented with onlookers shouting, waving and banging their hands against the barricades in an attempt to whip the bull back into a frenzy

The crowd got more than they bargained for when one particularly impatient spectator took a long wooden stick and attempted to jab the bull in the face

The horrified crowd gasped as Fernando lay motionless on the pavement, before concerned onlookers ran over and swiftly whisked him out of shot.

But Fernando wasn't the only casualty of the bull's wrath.

As the beast crashed into the protective barrier, it unleashed an unexpected blow to the gut on 82-year-old Teresa Martinez Pascual, who was also sent crashing to the turf clutching a wounded stomach.

Although her injuries were described as more serious, she was treated by local medics and successfully transported to a nearby hospital in a stable condition for further care.

Fernando meanwhile later regained consciousness and despite having suffered a severe cranial contusion escaped serious injury and was discharged from hospital later that night.

The man who incited the bull's anger by poking at its face with the stick was unhurt in the incident, his actions having only caused significant injury and pain to his compatriots.

But this was not the first incident involving bulls from the Arriazu de Ablitas farm - around midday on Saturday 2 July, another man fell victim to the unpredictable nature of the wild cattle, suffering a blow in the bulls' confinement area.

Fortunately, his injuries were less severe, and he did not require further medical attention.

The adrenaline-fueled tradition of bull running has been an integral part of Spanish culture for centuries.

Bulls charge at a runner during the fourth bull run of Sanfermines in Pamplona on 10 July

Rooted in history and folklore, the exhilarating events draw both locals and tourists who seek a thrilling and unforgettable experience - but in recent years the tradition has been widely condemned for its treatment of the bulls, many of whom sustain significant injuries or are killed.

The origins of bull running can be traced back to ancient times when cattle were herded through the streets to marketplaces.

Over time, these humble gatherings evolved into larger-scale celebrations, often associated with religious festivals or local patron saints.

While different regions of Spain have their own variations, the most famous bull running event takes place in Pamplona during the San Fermin festival, which typically runs from July 6-14.

The event attracts thousands of daredevils each year, who sprint alongside the majestic animals and race through narrow, cobbled streets to avoid their horns.
Joe Biden's administration has told Ukraine that the U.S. 'deserves a degree of gratitude' for its billions of dollars in military support to the war-torn nation.

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan issued a thinly-veiled warning to Kyiv one day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky went on a social media tirade over what he called an 'absurd' delay in offering his country a pathway to full NATO membership.

Sullivan angrily dismissed claims from Ukrainian anti-corruption activist Daria Kaleniuk that the president 'was afraid of Russia' by not setting out a timeline for Ukraine to join the Brussels-based military alliance.

The campaigner also infamously ambushed ex-British prime minister Boris Johnson at a press conference in Warsaw last year, berating him for NATO's failure to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

Speaking at a side event at the two-day NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, top Biden aide Sullivan dismissed her criticism, saying: 'There has been a lot of conspiracy theorizing that simply is not based on any reality whatsoever.'

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is in Lithuania to press for more military support for his country

'The United States of America has stepped up to provide an enormous amount of capacity to help ensure that Ukraine's brave soldiers have the ammunition, air defense, the infantry, fighting vehicles, the mine clearing equipment and so much else to be able to effectively defend against Russia's onslaught and to take territory back as well.

'I think the American people do deserve a degree of gratitude from the United States government for their willingness to step up and from the rest of the world as well.'

In a thinly-veiled swipe at Zelensky's criticism of his Western allies, Sullivan said some of the charges leveled against the U.S. were 'entirely unfounded and unjustified.'

The United States is by far the largest donor of military support to Ukraine, offering more than $46 billion worth of hardware to Kyiv, according to data from a respected German think-tank.

Lawmakers in Congress have earmarked as much as $100 billion, but not all of that aid has yet been drawn down to help the Ukrainian government.

Most of the weapons shipped to Ukraine are also made in the U.S., boosting jobs in the country's key defense sector.

The second largest donor, by contrast, is Britain, which has offered up just over $6 billion, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy's Ukraine Support Tracker.

And Washington's key NATO ally chimed in to back Jake Sullivan's stance.

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, who was blocked from taking over the aliiance by Joe Bide, said Ukraine needs to get better at thanking Western allies for their support.

He said there had been grumbles from influential figures in Washington about the level of support for Kyiv.

The former British soldier said: 'There is a slight word of caution here, which whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude...if you're persuading countries to give up their stocks.'

Zelensky is holding talks with several NATO countries on Wednesday in Lithuania where he is trying to drum up further military support for Ukraine's military.

Last week he won a U.S. pledge for cluster munitions that could inflict significant damage to Russian forces.

Washington's decision to supply Ukraine with cluster bombs -- banned across a large part of the world -- has proved highly controversial.

Biden admitted that it had been 'a difficult decision', one that humanitarian groups strongly condemned.

Sullivan said Sunday that Kyiv had pledged to only use the munitions on Ukrainian territory 'where they have the highest incentive to limit impact to civilians, because its Ukrainian citizens who would be at risk.'

Russia's war in Ukraine - and the prospect of the war-torn nation joining the security alliance - will be at the top of the agenda at the NATO summit today

Amanda Sloat, senior director of European affairs for the U.S. National Security Council, defended the summit's decisions.

'I would agree that the communique is unprecedented, but I see that in a positive way,' she told reporters on Wednesday.

Sloat noted that Ukraine will not need to submit a 'membership action plan' as it seeks to join NATO - a key step in the process that involves advice and assistance for countries seeking to join - but added 'there are still governance and security sector reforms that are going to be required' in Ukraine.

Symbols of support for Ukraine are common around Vilnius, where the country's blue-and-yellow flags hang from buildings and are pasted inside windows.

Zelenksky made a fiery speech in the city's downtown area on Tuesday night, saying that Ukraine would make the military alliance 'stronger'.

But there has been more caution inside the summit itself, especially from Biden, who has explicitly said he doesn't think Ukraine is ready to join NATO. There are concerns that the country's democracy is unstable and its corruption remains too deeply rooted.

Under Article 5 of the NATO charter, members are obligated to defend each other from attack, which could swiftly draw the U.S. and other nations into direct fighting with Russia.

But it is not automatic and the clause requires the approval of all NATO countries to be triggered.

That has happened only once since NATO was founded in 1949; in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks and George W. Bush's invasion of Afghanistan.

The U.S. and Britain used the meeting in Vilnius to tell all NATO allies to reach the agreed 2 percent spend of GDP on defense.

Only 11 countries hit that target: the United States, Britain, Poland, Greece, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland Romania, Hungary, Latvia and Slovakia.

But Poland recently announced it would ramp up defense spending to as much as 4 percent by the end of this year in response to Russia's war on Ukraine,
Rishi Sunak told Volodymyr Zelensky he 'belonged' in Nato today as they held talks at the military alliance's summit.

The PM and Ukraine president greeted each other warmly at the gathering in Vilnius.

And Mr Sunak gave another strong indication of support for Kyiv becoming a full member - despite tensions with the US and other states over the idea.

Mr Zelensky has been left frustrated by the reluctance of the 31 existing members to agree a timetable for Ukraine to be admitted.

He said it is 'absurd' that Nato has insisted that there are still military and democratic 'conditions' to meet before it can join following the end of the conflict with Moscow.

Rishi Sunak and Volodymyr Zelensky greeted each other warmly at the gathering in Vilnius

Mr Sunak gave another strong indication of support for Kyiv becoming a full member - despite tensions with the US and other states over the idea

Embracing Mr Zelensky in the Lithuanian capital this morning, Mr Sunak said: 'It is good to see you here at Nato where you belong.'

Mr Zelensky said he was keen to advance talks on security guarantees for his people, with Mr Sunak assuring him that 'real progress' had been made in that regard.

The British premier has consistently stated that he sees Ukraine's place as being in Nato but its pathway to entry has proved a sticking point among allies in Vilnius.

Mr Sunak has been working behind the scenes to deliver a non-Nato multilateral defence and economic agreement for Ukraine to give it long-term support against current and future Russian aggression.

All members of the G7  made up of the UK, the US, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada  are set to sign the pact with Ukraine, which the Prime Minister has said has the potential to 'return peace to Europe'.

As well as holding talks with Mr Sunak, the Ukrainian leader also met other G7 heads of state, including German chancellor Olaf Scholz and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.

He is expected to meet US president Joe Biden later.

During the opening exchanges of their meeting, Mr Sunak praised the efforts of Ukraine's armed forces in the pushback against Moscow's invading forces.

The PMsaid: 'What your soldiers are doing on the front line, it is inspiring to everyone.

'We're proud to have played a part in training some of them.

'They have served with enormous bravery and courage.'

Mr Zelensky said the training missions in the UK had been 'very important', with Mr Sunak adding it was clear the exercises had 'been put to good use'.

Mr Sunak suggested the pair meet without aides present, with the Ukrainian president agreeing that there should be 'only two' of them in the room.

Previously that was seen as unusual, but it has become a regular tactic of Mr Sunak in recent months to meet with his allies on a one-to-one basis.
A Royal Navy Warrant Officer accused of fondling an unconscious junior colleague's nipple and 'dry-humping' her has denied sexual assault and told the court that other sailors 'made up' the alleged incident.

Senior soldier WO1 James Mason, 40, is alleged to have sexually assaulted the Able Seaman in a junior sailors' mess room onboard frigate HMS Kent while it was at sea after she had blacked out from alcohol consumption.

He is accused of twisting her exposed nipple after her pyjama top rode up and then cocking his leg to thrust 'sexually' over her body.

However, he has told a military court he never touched her and suggested the woman and other witnesses had fabricated their version of events to avoid getting in trouble for exceeding the alcohol consumption rule while at sea.

WO1 Mason, based within the engineering department on Type 23 frigate HMS Kent, denies charges of sexual assault and disgraceful conduct of an indecent kind.

Warrant Officer James Mason (pictured) has told a military court he never touched the junior colleague that has accused him of sexual assault

WO1 James Mason, 40, is alleged to have sexually assaulted the Able Seaman in a junior sailor's mess room onboard frigate HMS Kent (pictured) while it was at sea after she had blacked out from alcohol consumption

The female sailor had joined four male sailors for drinks after they finished work and was wearing her pyjamas, a 'baggy' blue top with matching shorts, Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire has heard.

However, giving evidence, WO1 Mason told the court he had gone down to the junior rates' mess in a 'professional' capacity, to tell them to 'knock it on the head'.

WO1 Mason said he shared a bottle of wine with the executive Warrant Officer earlier in the evening, but only had two glasses, describing himself as 'two out of 10 drunk'.

Having returned to his cabin and fallen asleep, WO1 Mason got up at 1.30am and was 'desperate' to use the toilet, but the senior rates toilets occupied so he went to the junior ones.

Recounting his journey back from the toilet, he said: 'You could hear music and I looked down into the mess as I was walking down. It was extremely loud.

'I decided to go down the ladder and have a look. It was basically to tell them to knock it on the head.'

The court heard it is forbidden for female rates to be in an all-male mess deck at that time, while soldiers were expected to adhere to the rule of four units of alcohol, per person, per day.

He told the court he saw the alleged victim, who he described as being 'seven out of 10 drunk', stood with a drink in her hand as she said 'hello' and approached him.

'She bumped into me twice and I said 'you've had a bit too much to drink',' he said. 'She was sat upright and after a few minutes she fell asleep.'

WO1 Mason, based within the engineering department on Type 23 frigate HMS Kent, denies charges of sexual assault and disgraceful conduct of an indecent kind

The court heard when he tried to report his findings to the executive Warrant Officer the following morning, the female soldier was already speaking to the military police - where WO1 Mason was told she was being breathalysed.

However, she had actually lodged a formal complaint and the senior soldier was 'removed without prejudice' from the warship by boat soon afterwards.

Asked why his version of events was so different to other witnesses, he said: 'I don't know why they differ.

'I can't say why they would make it up but [to not get in trouble for drinking too much], would be a reasonable assumption to make.'

He told the court being accused of sexual assault was an 'awful feeling', vehemently denied the allegations and added that he wasn't sexually attracted to his alleged victim.

Prosecutor Lieutenant Commander Ed Hannah had told the court the alleged victim was drunk and passed out on a sofa and had to be moved - with her top falling in the process.

WO1 Mason is alleged to have grabbed the exposed nipple, twisted it and then lift one of his legs and thrust over her in a 'sexual move'.

The trial continues.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday he will push President Biden to provide longer range missiles as it seeks to defend itself against relentless Russian missile attacks.

Zelensky made the plea during a press event in Vilnius as he spoke about trying to bring his country into the NATO alliance, after yesterday unloading on a joint statement that fails to provide a timeline for when it will be invited to join.

'We do need long range weapons. This deficit remains and I will raise this issue,' he said, raising yet another tension point at the NATO summit. He spoke a day after French President Emmanuel Macron said his country would begin to provide crucial long-range missiles.

Ukraine is undertaking a counter-offensive, but has been regaining territory slower than some western advisors expected against dug-in Russian positions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he plans to press for more long-range missiles

French president Emmanuel Macron said Paris would provide the SCALP surface-to-air missile system to strike targets further inside Russian-occupied territory.

'We have decided to deliver new missiles allowing deep strikes to Ukraine,' he said, without saying how many would be sent from its arsenal of just under 400.

That only ups the pressure on Washington to consider meeting the escalation from Paris, although the administration has exercised caution about providing weapons that could allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory.

Washington has held off on approving the missiles with a range of up to 190 miles, amid concerns it could allow Ukraine to strike inside Russia and lead to escalation.

A group of senators from key defense committees who traveled to the summit told DailyMail.com they could get behind the administration providing longer-range ATACM missiles.

'Well I have not seen what President Macron has proposed, but any additional weapons provided to Ukraine so they can win this war I think is a good thing,' said Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.). '[I] certainly appreciate the French presidents willingness to deliver more weapons and better weapons.

Some senators traveling to Vilnius told DailyMail.com they want to provide long-range missiles to Ukraine

Zelensky also said Ukraine would use cluster munitions against Russian forces on territory they had occupied inside Ukraine

Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu said 'Russia has cluster bombs for all occasions,' although it has already used them in its attack on Ukraine

Asked about any accompanying risks, he said: I dont believe that we are going to encourage Putin more than we already have, right? I mean, hes already launched a war that is the largest we have in Europe since World War II. We need to give Ukraine the weapons to win.

'Thats good news for Ukraine,' said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), a senior member Armed Services Committee, when asked about the French move.

'I think its helpful. I think the more we work together, and thats the whole point of this NATO summit and our alliance is working together to cooperate on our shared security interests.'

But Sen. Angus King (I-Vt.) spoke to the balances inherent in any decision.

'Clearly what the president is balancing is full throated support for Ukraine versus not provoking an escalation of the conflict. Thats a decision that has to be made on a case-by-case basis, weapon by weapon.'

He said it could prove to be more provocative and might feed into Russian President Vladimir Putins paranoia.

Zelensky also acknowledged 'slight disagreements' over cluster munitions Biden agreed to provide after an internal debate.

He pledged to limit their use, as he has done previously.

'We are fighting only on our land. They are killing our people.' He said his forces would use the munitions 'only against military targets, only against the occupied territory of Ukraine. This is something that is under control. It is not going to be used anywhere else.'

Russia was accused at the start of the invasion of dropping masses of cluster bombs, and Ukraine collected mountains of exploded shells.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in response to the Biden administration's move that 'Russia has cluster bombs for all occasions,' threatening to use them even though Russia already has.
The author of the Unbearable Lightness of Being has died at his Parisian home at the age of 94.

Milan Kundera, whose dark, provocative novels explored the human condition, died in Paris, France, on Tuesday, according to a Milan Kundera Library spokesman.

'Unfortunately I can confirm that Mr Milan Kundera passed away yesterday after a prolonged illness,' she told AFP.

Kundera died at his apartment in Paris, France, his adoptive country where he had lived since his emigration from Communist-ruled Czechoslovakia in 1975.

'Not only Czech literature, but world literature as well has lost one of the greatest contemporary writers, and one of the most translated writers too,' Tomas Kubicek, director of the Kundera library, told the public Czech TV.

Milan Kundera (pictured), whose dark, provocative novels explored the human condition, died in Paris, France, on Tuesday, according to a Milan Kundera Library spokesman

Kundera (pictured in 1968) died at his apartment in Paris, France, his adoptive country where he had lived since his emigration from Communist-ruled Czechoslovakia in 1975

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said Kundera was able to 'appeal to whole generations of readers across all continents' with his work.

Kundera was frequently touted as a favourite to win the Nobel Prize for literature, but he never claimed the coveted honour.

Through his characteristic satire and poetic prose, Kundera had sought to express all that is compelling and absurd about life, drawing on his own experiences of being stripped of his Czech nationality for dissent.

Life, he said in his work of criticism 'Art of the Novel' (1986), 'is a trap we've always known: we are born without having asked to be, locked in a body we never chose, and destined to die.'

Kundera was born on April 1, 1929, in the town of Brno, in what was then Czechoslovakia. His father was a famous pianist.

He studied in Prague, where he joined the Communist Party, translated the French poet Apollinaire and wrote poetry of his own.

Pictured: Front cover of the Unbearable Lightness of Being, Kundera's novel about the 1968 Prague Spring

He also taught at a film school where his students included the future Oscar-winning director Milos Forman.

Although he professed faithfulness to Communism, the independent spirit of Kundera's writing soon got him into trouble.

He was expelled from the party in 1950, re-joined in 1956 and was expelled a second time in 1970 after the Prague Spring reform movement - in which he was seen as playing a role - was crushed.

Kundera's first novel 'The Joke', a work of dark humour about the one-party state published in 1967, led to a ban on his writing in Czechoslovakia while also making him famous in his homeland.

In 1975, he and his wife Vera went into exile in France, where he worked for four years as an assistant professor at the University of Rennes. They were stripped of their Czech nationality in 1979.

In his adopted home, where he became a citizen in 1981, his reputation and success grew as translations of his novels appeared, such as 'Life is Elsewhere' (1973) set in Czechoslovakia about a poet entrapped by the Communist regime.

'The Book of Laughter and Forgetting' (1979) playfully explored through seven interlinked narratives the nature of forgetting in politics, history and daily life.

The novel was 'brilliant and original,' said the New York Times in 1980, 'written with a purity and wit that invite us directly in; it is also strange, with a strangeness that locks us out.'

Kundera was an author 'fascinated by sex, and prone to sudden, if graceful, skips into autobiography, abstract rumination, and recent Czech history,' said the Times reviewer, John Updike.

By far his most famous work, 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being' was published in 1984 and turned into a film starring Juliette Binoche and Daniel Day-Lewis in 1987.

The novel is a morality tale about freedom and passion, on both an individual and collective level, set against the Prague Spring and its aftermath in exile.

Kundera's critics say he turned his back on fellow Czechs and dissidents following his exile in France and for his decision to ban the translation of his French books into Czech.

In 2008, a Czech magazine accused him of being a police informer under Communist rule, which he denied as 'pure lies'.

In 2013, Kundera published his first novel after a 13-year hiatus.

'The Festival of Insignificance', about five friends in Paris, received mixed reviews, with The Atlantic noting its 'near-impenetrable irony' and The Guardian deeming it a 'stinker'.

What Kundera 'has to tell us seems to have less relevance', said the New York Times. 'You can't help wondering what his evolution would have been like if he had stayed, or stayed longer, in Czechoslovakia.'

In 2019, the Czech Republic restored his nationality and in 2023 the Milan Kundera Library opened in his hometown of Brno.
Do you have details about the incident? email rachael.bunyan@mailonline.co.uk

A shocking video has emerged showing four bouncers savagely beating up a British tourist at a nightclub on the Greek party island of Zakynthos.

Distressing footage shows three bouncers holding the tourist, who has not been named, in a headlock while a fourth pummels him with a series of punches.

As the Briton desperately tries to break free from their grasp, the four bouncers all begin to take turns to kick, punch and elbow him in the body and head in a horrific attack at the CherryBay nightclub in Laganas on Friday.

One bouncer can be seen repeatedly punching the Briton with a right hook to his head as he tries to protect his body from the heavy blows. At one point, as the young tourist nearly breaks free, a large man knees him in the face and pushes him into the corner before punching him in the face.

According to Greek media, the bouncers were reacting to an incident between the British man and another nightclub goer.

Distressing footage shows three bouncers holding the tourist, who has not been named, in a headlock while a fourth pummels him with a series of devastating punches

At one point, as the young tourist nearly breaks free, a large man knees him in the face and pushes him into the corner before punching him in the face

In the video, a second bouncer can be seen quickly steps forwards and sucker-punches the tourist in the face, the force of which causes the Briton's head to hit the wall behind him in a sickening blow.

The tourist is then thrown to the floor by one bouncer before he is kicked in the face by another bouncer.

The Briton is then thrown across the room again towards his concerned friends who reach out to check on his condition.

The youngster, whose face is bloodied and bruised from the frenzied attack, is led out of the door by his friends as the brutal bouncers follow them out.

One bouncer can be seen repeatedly punching the Briton with a right hook to his head as he tries to protect his body from the heavy blows

The Briton is then thrown across the room again towards his concerned friends who reach out to check on his condition. The youngster, whose face is bloodied and bruised from the frenzied attack, is led out of the door by his friends as the brutal bouncers follow them out

General view of the CherryBay nightclub where the attack happened

As the Briton desperately tries to break free from their grasp, the four bouncers all begin to take turns to kick, punch and elbow him in the body and head in a horrific attack at the CherryBay nightclub in Laganas on Friday. Pictured: Map showing Laganas on the Greek island of Zakynthos

Police arrived at the scene and the victim only identified one of his attackers, a Serbian employee of the club.

Officers then arrested the suspect on suspicion of being one of the perpetrators of the vicious attack, reports ERT News.

MailOnline has contacted CherryBay nightclub and the UK Foreign Office for comment on the incident.

In 2017, an American tourist was beaten to death by seven Serbian men, including one bouncer, and a Greek bartender at Bar Code in the same resort of Laganas.

Bakari Henderson, 22, was in Zakynthos for a photoshoot to launch his own fashion line when he and his friends visited the bar and reportedly asked a Serbian waitress for a selfie.

The mob of Serbian men chased Henderson out onto the street and was fatally attacked.
Michele Danilczyk claims her husband had a 'hallucinogenic drug' put in his drink before the bizarre incident

The family of a Long Island man who danced naked on a poker table in a Las Vegas casino claim he was 'drugged' at the bachelor party he was attending.

Brian Danilczyk, 35, was in Sin City for the bash and started behaving erratically after his drink was spiked, according to his pregnant wife.

Michele Danilczyk told the New York Post that a 'hallucinogenic drug' was slipped into his drink, while his father - who witnessed the incident, said his son was in an 'altered state of mind.'

Danilczyk is facing charges of disorderly conduct, battery and five counts of indecent exposure after he was arrested on Sunday.

He was captured on camera, standing on top of a table in Harrah's Casino completely naked.

Michele Danilczyk claimed a 'hallucinogenic drug' was slipped into her husband Brian Danilczyk's drink at Harrah's Casino in Las Vegas on Sunday

Danilczyk has no recollection of the incident in which he climbed on top of a poker table and stripped off

Danilczyk allegedly 'climbed atop a poker table came and flaunted his genitals to all who [passed] exposing his penis and testicles while gyrating,' according to the police report.

Officers said that as security made their way towards Danilczyk, he exposed 'his anus to all who passed on the main floor'.

Michele on Wednesday defended her husband's actions, telling the New York Post: 'I will start by saying that we are good people and my husband is a great person.

'He would NEVER act in such a way. He is the victim. The person who chose to drug my husband is the true criminal and is to blame for such behavior.

'His drink was laced with some type of drug that caused a severe hallucinogenic reaction.

'He has no recollection of it happening so we are working extensively at the emergency room and visiting doctors for a toxicology reading to find out exactly what type of drug it was.

'We live a very happy and blessed life.'

Police say Danilczyk punched a one-legged man at the Bird Bar at the Flamingo Hotel at 11.20pm on Sunday.

Danilczyk is facing charges of disorderly conduct, battery and five counts of indecent exposure after he was arrested

Completely naked, he began gyrating his hips and placed his hands behind his head as onlookers begin to record what is going on

Security crews then grabbed Danilczyk as he picked up a card shoe that is laying on the table, sending cards across the floor

Danilczyk was then seen removing his clothing by security officers who tried to detain him but he managed to run away while yelling and fully unclothed.

He then made his way to Harrah's where the scene captured on video unfolded.

Danilczyk could be seen clambering on top of one of the poker tables in the packed casino floor.

Completely naked, he then began gyrating his hips and placed his hands behind his head as onlookers began to record the incident.

Security teams dressed in yellow quickly surrounded Danilczyk who then laid on his back and exposes his anus to the crowds watching.

One casino worker was forced to turn away and cover her eyes, while others could be heard laughing in the video.

Danilczyk's father, William Danilczyk, to the New York Post that his son was 'in an altered state of mind' at the time of the incident.

'He and his friend were sitting outside talking about homeowners insurance, and somebody inside bought a round for everybody,' he said.

'They were getting ready to leave the bar, and they called them inside and said, 'Hey, they bought a round, the drinks are sitting here.'

Michele on Wednesday defended her husband's actions which she said were out of character.

The incident happened at the Harrah's Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, pictured here

After managing to grab Danilczyk, the group of three security guards managed to pull him to the ground and he was taken to a holding area

'So they came in and drank their drinks, and he went outside, and 10, 15 minutes later, he says to his friend, 'I'm feeling off. Something's weird. Something's wrong with me.'

'He started getting all paranoid and ran off. They went after him and found him, and were trying to calm him down, but he just started getting worse and worse and worse, and basically, this drug took over and he took off running.'

Security crews then grabbed Danilczyk as he picked up a card shoe that is laying on the table, sending cards across the floor.

After being pulled down to the floor by the security team, he then began tussling with the three men before they eventually managed to pin him down.

As he is carried away the crowds that gathered to watch erupted into applause.

Danilczyk was escorted to a holding area and was covered with a blanket.

Police said he appeared to be in a 'altered mental state' and was cooperative.

They said his vitals were stable and as they continued to investigate he became more lucid but could not remember the incident.

Danilczyk was then taken to the Clark County Detention Center, before he was released.

His next appearance in court is scheduled for Thursday August 17.
Republicans are expected to grill FBI Director Chris Wray on a series of alleged abuses by the agency - including political interference in the Hunter Biden probe and Biden bribery allegations - during a hearing on Capitol Hill Wednesday.

Wray is set to testify at a regularly scheduled House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing at 10 a.m. led by Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.

A committee aide told DailyMail.com that Republican lines of questioning are anticipated to focus on the number of FBI abuses uncovered in Special Counsel John Durham's report. Lawmakers will also bring up testimony by FBI whistleblowers that agency leadership 'inflated' domestic extremism statistics and used government resources to target Catholics and parents at school board meetings - and then were retaliated against by leadership.

Republicans will also focus on uncovering more information about an ongoing investigation into the Biden family's 'criminal bribery' business scheme - specifically the FBI's internal FD-1023 form that alleges a $10 million pay-to-play scheme involving Joe and Hunter Biden and a Ukrainian oil executive.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told reporters at the Capitol Tuesday that 'we've got a lot of questions' for Wray, including whether he agrees with the findings in the Durham report and if the FBI treats certain individuals unequally.

Wray is set to testify at a regularly scheduled House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing at 10 a.m. Wednesday

In recent months, Republicans have moved forward contempt of Congress charges against Wray after he violated the terms of a subpoena and failed to hand over the FD-1023 form that they claim shows President Joe Biden and his son Hunter were each given $5 million in an alleged 'criminal' scheme with a foreign national.

However, the FBI has maintained that it 'remains committed' to cooperating with the committee 'in good faith' by providing committee leadership access to the redacted document in a secure setting.

A spokesperson for Wray told DailyMail.com that he will be focused on the 'good work' of the FBI to 'protect the American people and the professionalism, patriotism, and dedication to public service of FBI employees.'

According to an excerpt of Wray's prepared opening statement, the director plans to say that the work of the FBI's 38,000 employees 'goes way beyond the one or two investigations that seem to capture all the headlines.'

He will focus on the agency's work to counter violent crime and child predators, and also cartels exploiting the southern border.

Another highlight the director will tout are the 'thousands' of active investigations into Chinese espionage aimed at repressing Americans' freedoms.

The hearing also comes as the White House is grappling with finding cocaine in the west wing 10 days ago. President Biden is out of the country this week to participate in a series of NATO meetings.

Rep. Darell Issa, R-Calif., who sits on the Judiciary Committee, told Fox News Tuesday that Congress 'can't trust the FBI or DOJ' on a plethora of issues, including on FISA reauthorization following the issues outlined in the Durham report.

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)'s Section 702 provision allows U.S. federal intelligence agencies to conduct targeted searches of foreigners, but sometimes Americans are improperly searched in the process - which the Durham report reveals.

Jordan has called Section 702 renewal - which must be completed by the end of 2023 - 'the most important thing we are going to do this Congress.'

'He's gonna have to answer on how and why we can rebuild that trust. If we can't rebuild that trust, we can't reauthorize and right now that trust isn't there,' said Issa.

Issa also cited suppression of Americans' free speech and abuses raised by whistleblowers in the Hunter Biden investigation as examples.

The Judiciary Committee has been investigating the work of the federal government and Big Tech to suppress certain viewpoints of Americans on social media.

However, Issa says he expects Wray to 'duck' on answering a number of questions by citing ongoing investigations.

On the other side of the Capitol, Senate Republicans will also be paying attention to the hearing.

Jordan has called Section 702 renewal - which must be completed by the end of 2023 - 'the most important thing we are going to do this Congress'

Sen. Rand Paul sent a letter Tuesday evening to Jordan, exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com, in which he informed the chairman of Wray's failure to respond to his multiple requests for information on COVID-19 origins.

Paul said he never received a response from the FBI despite multiple inquiries.

He wrote to 'notify' Jordan on the 'FBI leaderships ongoing refusal to meet with members of Congress to discuss its work' related to COVID origins.

Paul said it is 'not coincidental' that the FBI has repeatedly refused to meet with himself and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

'FBI leadership appears to want to prevent Congress and the American people from learning additional information underlying its conclusion that the origins of the pandemic are most likely a lab incident in Wuhan,' he continued.
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A lucky couple who won a $20million lottery prize have revealed how they plan to spend a major chunk of their newfound fortune on charity.

The winners, from Wanneroo, 40km north of Perth in Western Australia, say while they are looking forward to a luxury life with more free time, they will give away much of the Oz Lotto jackpot.

'I've been playing for the past 35 years,' the winner told Lotterywest.

'The chance to cut back at work is wonderful, but my priority is to give money to charity, we are now in a position to help other people.'

A lucky couple who won a $20million lotto prize have revealed how they plan to spend a major chunk of their new-found fortune on charity

The winners, from Wanneroo, 40km north of Perth in Western Australia, say while they are looking forward to a luxury life with more free time, they will give away much of the Oz Lotto jackpot

The couple bought their winning ticket at Hocking News in the Wyatt Grove Shopping Centre, more than 20km south of their home suburb.

They grew curious hearing that the main prize had gone west again.

'I knew someone from WA had won and I thought to myself 'who was that lucky person'?'

The winning numbers were 26, 46, 35, 42, 28, 9 and 4, with the supplementary numbers being 40, 21 and 47.

The win is WA's 51st division one prize in 2023.

More than $163million in division one prizes has gone to WA players this year.
CCTV footage has emerged showing a Russian submarine captain's final run before he was shot dead in revenge for a missile attack on Ukraine.

Stanislav Rzhitsky, 42, was seen jogging while being followed by a mystery cyclist in Krasnodar, Russia, just minutes before he died on the spot after being shot up to seven times.

It comes after Rzhitsky's submarine had fired Kalibr missiles at a city in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, killing up to 27 civilians.

Ukrainian-born judo teacher Sergei Denisenko, 64, confessed to killing the submarine captain on the 'instructions' of Ukrainian intelligence after he was arrested, according to claims by Russian media.

He had prepared for the mission since December and was detained before he was due to fly via Turkey to Switzerland - where he has Ukrainian refugee status.

Stanislav Rzhitsky (pictured), 42, was seen jogging while being followed by a cyclist in Krasnodar, Russia, just minutes before he died on the spot after being shot up to seven times

Ukrainian-born judo teacher Sergei Denisenko (pictured), 64, confessed to killing the submarine captain on the 'instructions' of Ukrainian intelligence, according to Russian media

'He was ordered to eliminate a significant Russian official. Denisenko chose Rzhitsky,' reported 112.

The killer could have tracked Rzhitsky's movements in on fitness app Strava where he posted details of his regular jogging route, according to Baza, a Russian Telegram channel with links to the security services.

His partner with whom he has two young children is also a refugee in Switzerland.

REN TV reported that he had been 'recruited' by his ex-wife who was living in Kyiv.

The detained man's friends alleged he had been framed over the shooting and a number of theories emerged over the submarine captain's death.

'His friends and colleagues do not believe in his involvement in the crime,' reported VChK-OGPU Telegram channel.

Russian law enforcement claim he was shot on the orders of Ukraine and rushed to arrest the alleged suspect, a father-of-six Ukrainian-born judo teacher Sergei Denisenko, 64 (pictured curling up as armed police stormed his house)

It comes after Rzhitsky's submarine had fired Kalibr missiles at a city in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, killing up to 27 civilians. Pictured: Stanislav Rzhitsky

Pictured: Stanislav Rzhitsky, 42, who was shot up to seven times and killed while on a run in Krasnodar, Russia

The location would be an 'extremely strange place' for a Ukrainian assassin to kill his Russian target, said the channel.

The killer then escaped to a trolley bus stop along Kubanskaya Embankment Street, some 380 yards from the scene of the shooting.

'The stop is opposite the fence of the Krasnodar branch of the Alpha special forces unit,' said the channel.

'The murder was committed almost at the.FSB Special Forces Centre. They often run there, train in this park.'

The cyclist allegedly tailing the submarine captain is not believed to be Denisenko.

When the war broke out, Denisenko took refuge in Switzerland with his wife and two preschool children.

Later he returned to Ukraine and repaired his blitzed house. He then came to live with his eldest son in Russia.

'Relatives note that all this time Sergei was positive, and talked with his family on the phone,' said the report.

'Despite his anti-war stance, he was not an activist and planned to develop his favourite sport.' Before the war he headed the Ukrainian Shotokan Karate Federation.

While a pistol and silencers were found at his rented flat where he was detained cowering on the floor in his underwear by armed special forces officers, his friends say he had no experience with firearms.

While a pistol and silencers were found at his rented flat where he was detained cowering on the floor in his underwear by armed special forces officers, his friends say he had no experience with firearms

Major-General Kyrylo Budanov denied his agents were responsible for the killing in Krasnodar, which he instead blamed on internal Russian anti-war foes of Putin.

He claimed it was a Russian-on-Russian shooting. 'We know that the roots of what happened yesterday in the Russian Federation must be sought within Russia itself, where internal protest against the war in Ukraine is growing,' he said.

Since Rzhitsky had quit the navy before the war, the motive for a Ukrainian assassination appears lacking.

Captain Anatoliy Varochkin, 56, was in charge of the submarine on 14 July 2022 when the missiles killed little tragic Liza Dmitrieva, four, and 26 others in the devastating strike from the Black Sea, it emerged. He is now deputy chief of staff of the Black Sea Fleet.
The brother of a prison reform boss jailed for subjecting her husband to 20 years of marital abuse offered him 100,000 to drop the case against her, a court has heard.

Sheree Spencer, 45, beat and humiliated her husband Richard, 46, throughout their relationship and was jailed for the worst case of controlling behaviour the judge had ever seen.

As the case was coming to court, Spencer's brother Sean McCann  a well-paid software developer - rang Mr Spencer and offered him sums ranging from 42,000 to 100,000 before threatening to 'ruin his life' if he pursued the prosecution against Sheree.

McCann, 44, was said to have been 'acutely upset and stressed' by his sister's impending prosecution for her campaign of abuse against her husband.

At Cannock magistrates court today he admitted witness intimidation and will face sentence next month after a probation report looks into his alcohol abuse - a factor which also played a major part in his sister's case.

Sean McCann (pictured), is the brother of prison boss Sheree Spencer, 45, who was jailed for subjecting her husband to 15 years of marital torture

Mr McCann (pictured left) offered his sister's (pictured right) husband Richard, 46, 100,000 to drop the prosecution case against her, a court heard

Sheree (pictured left) beat and humiliated Richard (pictured right) throughout their relationship and was jailed for the worst case of controlling behaviour the judge had ever seen

He became the second man closely linked to Spencer to appear in court for meddling in her case.

Last month her partner Adrian Taylor, 52, was given a conditional discharge for threatening 'repercussions' against another potential witness in the hearing.

Sheree Spencer was jailed for four and a half years at Hull Crown Court in February after admitting controlling and coercive behaviour and assaults.

She made Richard's life hell with verbal attacks and beatings that left him cowering on the floor in the foetal position.

On one occasion she defecated on the floor and forced him to clean it up and on another she beat him with a wine bottle so badly it permanently disfigured his ear.

In furious tirades she would call him 'tiny c***,' 'fat boy,' 'a pussy' and 'dumb dumb' and caused bruises and scratches that he would need to cover with make-up before going out.

In October last year McCann rang his brother in law from his home in Rugeley, Staffs, in a call that lasted an hour and 12 minutes.

Prosecutor Hannah Baddeley told magistrates: 'The defendant asked the injured party to drop the case against his sister.

'He appeared intoxicated during the call and in that state he talks down to people and questions their intelligence.

'He offered sums of 42,000 and 100,000 and also made threats to ruin the injured party's life.

'When the matter was investigated he said he was aware of the ongoing case and that a phone call had taken place but he could not remember the conversation.

'He also said he did not have access to the sums of money being offered.'

Sheree Spencer was jailed for four and a half years at Hull Crown Court in February after admitting controlling and coercive behaviour and assaults

She made Richard's life hell with verbal attacks and beatings that left him cowering on the floor in the foetal position

In furious tirades she would call him 'tiny c***,' 'fat boy,' 'a pussy' and 'dumb dumb' and caused bruises and scratches that he would need to cover with make-up before going out

Paul Kay, mitigating, said: 'His sister ended up in prison as the result of the offences she committed, I understand she got four years.

'Mr McCann has been under considerable stress as the result of that and alcohol played a large part in this offence.

'Mr McCann has a massive drink problem. Your worships will have come across people often in these courts with alcohol issues but I have rarely come across anyone in Mr McCann's situation.

'He has abused alcohol since university and slowly slipped into alcoholism. It is so severe that it has triggered hallucinations and epileptic seizures.

'He has plumbed the depths and has been homeless, although he is now helped by a new partner who he met while using a food bank which she volunteered at.

'Despite this he has a job as a software programmer working for a major institution and his salary is a very very good one. He is able to hold that job down despite the desperate situation alcohol has brought him to.'

Magistrates adjourned the hearing until August 24th to allow a probation report to be prepared on McCann, focusing in particular on his drink problems.

McCann gives his job title as Principal Developer with the At The Races racing app, which is the digital partner of Sky Racing, however it is understood he left his role at the company in August 2022.

In the past he was in software development in the banking sector in London for major names such as Barclays Investment Bank and Credit Suisse.

McCann and his sister rose from humble beginnings in Sunderland's Grindon estate to reach the top of their chosen professions - only to see their success come crashing down due to alcohol.

Sheree Spencer worked at the top of prison reform and held meetings at Government level - often boasting that former PM Boris Johnson was a personal friend.

McCann gives his job title as Principal Developer with the At The Races racing app, though he left the company in August 2022

McCann and his sister rose from humble beginnings in Sunderland's Grindon estate to reach the top of their chosen professions - only to see their success come crashing down due to alcohol

Sheree Spencer worked at the top of prison reform and held meetings at Government level - often boasting that former PM Boris Johnson was a personal friend

The court heard that she too had a drink problem and would threaten and physically assault her husband when she needed him to go to the shop to buy her wine.

She also betrayed the trust of a friend, Caroline Grant, who gave her a roof over her head when criminal investigations began into her conduct.

She repaid Ms Grant's kindness by seducing her partner, Adrian Taylor, during drinking sessions at the home she'd been welcomed into.

Taylor eventually left Caroline and moved in with Spencer until she was locked up.

Spencer's case became notorious after Hull Crown Court heard how she had mocked, humiliated and beaten her husband for years.

In jailing her, Judge Kate Rayfield told Spencer: 'This is the worst case of controlling and coercive behaviour I have seen.

'She described how she had sat through two hours of video and audio recordings of Spencer hurling hateful abuse at her husband.

Judge Rayfield said: 'In one of these recordings it is clear you had defecated on the floor. Your husband can be heard scrubbing while you are heard to say to him: "I made you do that, all I asked you to do was go to the shop".

'I watched as you spat in his face time and time again and called him "bitch, tiny c*** and skank" and insulted members of his family.

'You whispered in his face in the most sinister way, shouted demands and instructions at him - "Get the f***ing chicken on, get to the f***ing shop" and warning him "you will learn".'

The judge added: 'By your actions you intended to humiliate or degrade Richard and you have caused him significant psychological harm.

'Richard Spencer was a vulnerable victim, isolated from his family and trapped financially.'

At his home in East Yorkshire father of three Mr Spencer declined to comment on being told Sean McCann had admitted the offence against him.
A family has been jailed for making a woman a house slave and abusing her for over 18 months.

The husband and four relatives forced his wife to drink engine oil and gave her death threats, a court heard.

Mohammed Shuaib Arshid, 28, came to the UK with his new wife after entering into an arranged marriage in Pakistan.

They moved into a house in Hillingdon, West London, shared with his father Arshid Sadiq, 54, mother Nabila Shaheen, 56, brother Aqeel Arshid, 32, and sister Zaib Arshid, 27.

Arshid's relatives all subjected his wife to coercive behaviour including stopping her from calling her family and friends on her mobile phone without permission.

Mohammed Shuaib Arshid and four of his relatives were jailed for abusing his wife for 18 months, Isleworth Crown Court heard

She wasn't permitted to leave home or have access to her personal identity documents.

The victim, who was also made to cook and clean each day before going to bed, couldn't attend college, and as she had no cash, had to beg her abusive husband for money to buy basic toiletries.

She suffered long-term physical harm after being abused both mentally and physically by all five family members, between October 2017 and April 2019, in a shared home.

Mohammed Shuaib Arshid was jailed for three years consecutive to the eight year term for false imprisonment, making 11 years in total.

Arshid Sadiq was sentenced to seven years and three months imprisonment.

Nabila Shaheen was sentenced to four years and three months imprisonment.

Aqeel Arshid was sentenced to 21 months jail suspended for 18 months while Zaib Arshid was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months.

All five relatives were also made subject to an indefinite restraining order, preventing any further contact with the victim.

Paul Jenkins, a Senior District Crown Prosecutor for the CPS said: 'The victim believed that they were moving into a safe family home with a loving husband, but the subsequent actions of Mohammed Shuaib Arshid, Arshid Sadiq, Nabila Shaheen, Aqeel Arshid and Zaib Arshid proved that this was not the case.

'The victim was subject to regular abuse whilst under their care, resulting in serious physical and psychological harm.

'This case demonstrates the willingness of the CPS to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice and our commitment to protect those who have been subject to controlling or coercive situations, securing protective orders wherever possible.'

The court heard that the woman was abused both mentally and physically by all five family members

A CPS spokesperson said Being the victim of violence or sexual assault is undoubtedly a harrowing experience - but when this abuse is honour based, the challenges can often feel impossible to overcome.

If someone is seen to have dishonoured or brought shame on a family or community, they can be punished through threatening behaviour, rape, kidnap, false imprisonment, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and even murder - also known as honour killings.

Honour-based abuse cases are some of the most complex the Crown Prosecution Service deals with. We know much of this abuse takes place in familial settings and tight-knit communities, often making it incredibly difficult for victims to come forward to report.

We want to support victims of this unacceptable violence; both honour-based abuse and forced marriage are illegal, and where our legal test is met, we will not hesitate to prosecute.

We can protect potential victims through anonymity, forced marriage protection orders and extra-territorial jurisdiction over offences committed abroad.

Whether you are a victim, or suspect you know someone who is, we would encourage you to come forward and report it.

Victims of this devastating crime deserve justice and you could help other potential victims.
Rescuers started to clear mud and debris from the roads this morning, with inspections starting in the downtown area

Thousands of residents have been left with destroyed homes and businesses

Officials said the 'devastation is far-reaching' after flooding had 'surpassed levels seen during Tropical Storm Irene' in 2011

Vermont is recovering from widespread flooding that caused 'historic and catastrophic' damage but officials have warned the 'crisis is far from over.'

Rescuers in canoes and inflatable boats made their way through Montpelier to help free thousands who have lost their homes and businesses.

Governor Phil Scott confirmed that the levels of flooding had 'surpassed levels seen during Tropical Storm Irene' in 2011.

Officials said the Wrightsville Dam was near capacity, which raised the threat of significantly more flooding after nine inches of rain fell.

Scott said: 'The devastation is far-reaching. Although the coming days, weeks, and months will be incredibly difficult, we've faced challenges before, and Vermonters have risen to meet the moment.

Rescuers in canoes and inflatable boats made their way through Montpelier to help free thousands who have lost their homes and businesses

'Whether during Irene, COVID, or other hardships, Vermonters have proven time and time again, we're willing and able to step up.

'They may, in fact, continue to rise. So I want to be clear: We are not out of the woods. This is nowhere near over.'

President Joe Biden has approved a federal emergency declaration in Vermont, and spoke with Gov Scott and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell Tuesday evening.

Rivers in Winooski and North Brand have been receding, with Montpelier confirming that the threat of a dam breach has passed.

Officials said that they started to clear mud and debris from the roads this morning, with inspections starting in the downtown area.

Water in the dam had risen approximately 30 feet in 24 hours on Tuesday, but the torrential rain has stopped meaning the levels are starting to stabilize.

The lashings of rain on Sunday caused the worst flooding since Hurricane Irene in 2011, with only the great Vermont flood of 1927 worse before then.

Montpelier Town Manager Bill Fraser said: 'It looks like it wont breach. That is good. That is one less thing we have to have on our front burner.'

President Biden has approved a federal emergency declaration in Vermont, and spoke with Gov Scott and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell Tuesday evening

Vehicles were swept away across Vermont caused by the flooding, with a Lays crisp van partially submerged in the water

In an update officials said that they started to clear mud and debris from the roads this morning, with inspections starting in the downtown area

Water in the dam had risen approximately 30 feet in 24 hours on Tuesday, but the torrential rain has stopped meaning the levels are starting to stabilize

Fraser said the dam remains a lingering concern but with the water receding the city was shifting to recovery mode.

Public works employees were expected out Wednesday to start removing mud and debris downtown and building inspections will start as businesses begin cleaning up their properties.

Montpelier residents were being told not to drink tap water, as the system was likely overwhelmed and water contaminated.

An emergency health order banning people from the city center expired at 3pm on Tuesday, but officials urged people to avoid traveling to the embattled state capital.

They said in a statement: 'The downtown area remains flooded and is not safe for public travel.

'Unless you are a business owner making a necessary visit to your store, please avoid Downtown Montpelier until emergency crews have had time to assess the damage and assure public safety.'

Vermont State Police said the state's swift water rescue teams performed more than 100 rescues across the state and are still busy performing rescues.

Vermont State Police said the state's swift water rescue teams performed more than 100 rescues across the state and are still busy performing rescues

Additional rescue teams from Connecticut, Massachusetts and North Carolina were also in Vermont to help, and others are on their way.

So far no deaths have been reported as a result of the flooding in the state, with 70 people evacuated from damaged buildings and cars.

Mike Cannon, program manager for Vermont Urban Search and Rescue Task Force added that seventeen animals were also rescued.

The flooding has already caused tens of millions of dollars in damage throughout the state.

Similar scenes played out in neighboring Barre and in Bridgewater, where the Ottauquechee River spilled its banks.

So far no deaths have been reported as a result of the flooding in the state, with 70 people evacuated from damaged buildings and cars

The lashings of rain on Sunday caused the worst flooding since Hurricane Irene in 2011, with only the great Vermont flood of 1927 worse before then

More rain was forecast Thursday and Friday, but Peter Banacos, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the state will be spared any further torrential downpours

Congregation member Gayle McFarland, of Montpelier, Vt., collects sodden table cloths in the basement of Bethany Church, in downtown Montpelier

Footage also showed a Lays chip truck partially submerged under water as it was pushed down a flooded road in Barre, Vermont.

Nearly 80 state roads were closed, up from 24 on Monday, according to state Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn.

In Vermont's capital, brown water from the Winooski had obscured vehicles and all but the tops of parking meters along picturesque streets lined with brick storefronts whose basements and lower floors were flooded.

Some residents of the city of 8,000 slogged their way through waist-high water Tuesday; others canoed and kayaked along main streets to survey the scene.

More rain was forecast Thursday and Friday, but Peter Banacos, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the state will be spared any further torrential downpours.

Much of the focus turned to reopening roadways, checking on isolated homeowners and cleaning out mud and debris from water-logged businesses.
Tucker Carlson has stoked fury once again as he showered Andrew Tate with praise in an interview with the 'influencer' - claiming the sex trafficking charges against him were dreamt up by 'Epstein's dinner partners'.

The former Fox News host, 54, flew to Romania to sit down for a two-and-a-half-hour-long interview with Tate as part of his new Tucker On Twitter series.

The interview comes after Tate, 36, and his brother Tristan were last month indicted on human trafficking and rape charges in Romania after their initial arrest at the end of last year.

Carlson previously called Tate's arrest a 'conspiracy' and 'human rights violation'.

Now, he has sparked outrage after the release of his interview with Tate, which has racked up more than 40 million views.

Many critics have slammed Carlson for the interview, accusing him of not 'fact checking anything he said' and of 'singing the praises of an accused rapist'.

However, while many hit out, Elon Musk dubbed the interview 'interesting', after Carlson said he uploaded it to Twitter because it wouldn't be taken down.

Tucker Carlson flew to Romania to sit down for a two-and-a-half-hour-long interview with Tate as part of his new Tucker On Twitter series

Carlson has now sparked outrage after the release of his interview with Tate for his latest Tucker On Twitter release

Carlson - who previously hailed Tate as 'really smart' and 'really real' - glared down the camera, telling viewers: 'Jeffrey Epstein's dinner partners insist that Andrew Tate is a pervert and a criminal. Maybe they're telling the truth. Either way, we think Tates' views about men very much deserve a hearing.'

Andrew Tate's claims about 'the matrix' In the interview with Carlson, Tate also made bizarre claimed about a supposed 'matrix' that was forcing men to be subservient to woman. It comes after podcaster Adam22 said he allowed his wife to film an adult scene with another man. Tate shared his perplexing thoughts on the matter: 'This is what the matrix wants for you as a man,' Tate said. 'They want the woman in charge and the man below with no backbone because if the woman is in charge they can emotional affect her and scare her.' 'I would argue, in nearly any household where the female is dominant everyone is vaccinated,' he claimed. Advertisement

The former Fox News host continued: 'It's also true that in some ways, the charges against the Tates seem inevitable, like they were always going to happen. Accusing a man of a sex crime is the fastest possible way to discredit what he's saying.'

Carlson - who was fired from Fox News earlier this year for unknown reasons and joined up with Musk and Twitter - asked viewers to 'make up your own mind'.

But users hit back at the latest release of the show, with some calling Carlson a 'clown' for interviewing the indicted Tate.

'Somehow Tucker felt no obligation to fact check anything Andrew Tate said?', another Twitter user noted.

'Glorifying an accused rapist/human trafficker. For two and a half hours. This man until not long ago had the most popular cable show in America,' another said.

The show also drew criticism from the likes of DailyBeast reporter Justin Baragona, who said: ''After lamenting about how young men are now withdrawing into porn, Tucker Carlson then proceeds to sympathetically interview an unapologetic pornographer  for two and a half hours!'

Former Republican presidential candidate Joe Walsh said: 'Two and a half hours defending & singing the praises of an accused rapist and human trafficker. So brave.'

Andrew Tate is pictured in an episode of Tucker On Twitter now viewed over 40 million times on the social media platform

Andrew Tate is pictured in the interview which Elon Musk dubbed as 'interesting'

While Carlson appeared to defend Tate, saying 'earlier generations of Western leaders might have found parts of Tate's message inspiring' but 'now it's seen as a threat,' the criticism of the talk show host continued.

Conservative radio talk show host Erick Erickson said: 'Tate is charged in Romania with rape, human trafficking, and forming an organised crime group to sexually exploit women.

'Are you an Andrew Tate right winger or a Sound of Freedom right winger. You can't really be both.'

The criticism continued: 'This is such an L man what are you doing.'

Carlson has previously voiced his support for Tate. After the self-proclaimed misogynist's arrested on December 29, he told the Full Send Podcast: 'First of all he's really smart. That's completely real. 100 percent.'

In the same interview, Carlson claimed that the same people who live on 'Pedo Island with Epstein' and 'the same people that were friends with Harvey Weinstein' were claiming to protect women by rebuking Tate.

Both Tate and his brother have continually denied the charges against them.
Drone footage taken of a city on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles, showed the devastating damage done to a handful of million dollar homes by a landslide over the weekend.

At least 16 people living in the Rolling Hills Estates neighborhood were displaced Saturday when the ground beneath their homes began to shift.

It is unclear exactly what caused the landslide, but residents of Peachtree Lane - where the bulk of the damage was done where an average home costs north of $1.2million - have been left without options and without many of their prized earthly possessions.

Drone footage shows a number of terra cotta roofs in the posh neighborhood caved in, and though some houses on the line remain unimpacted for the moment, authorities are keeping residents at a distance as they continue to evaluate.

Roofs were visibly damaged as homes continued to sink over the weekend in Palos Verdes

A landslide currently affecting residents of a small community in Southern California is threatening to swallow more homes - after already destroying 12 over the weekend

On Saturday, residents had 20 minutes to gather their valuables and get out. They have not since had access to their properties.

Weber 'Yei' Yen's house was one that collapsed over the weekend. He told the LA Times that he is saddened over the loss of personal memorabilia, like photo albums of his children and items he and his wife have collected from their travels over the years.

'I had to jam a lifetime of memories into two suitcases. Its sad, all these children pictures, memorabilia; they can never be recovered,' he said.

His house now rests at least 15 feet below its original position. The roof has been visible damaged, and the garage is now nowhere close to street level.

Yen is waiting to hear from his insurance company about what they will cover.

'Im feeling sad and confused and angry - angry that no one had told us earlier about this. This is pretty significant [ground] movement; someone should have known about it,' he said.

In the days leading up to the disaster, Yen noticed a few cracks in his home - as did several of his neighbors - but he did not imagine the issue was as dire as it was about to become.

Scott Management, the management company for the Rolling Hills Park Villas homeowners association, has not yet commented and dodges the Times' reporter on Tuesday.

LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn said Monday that the ground in the area had continued moving overnight, meaning answers about the safety of the neighborhood may not come for days.

On Tuesday, several who live in Rolling Hills Estate confirmed that several of the houses that had been destroyed, were moved several feet down the hillside by the forces of nature.

The LA Times reported that by 8am local time Tuesday, several homes sunk below what remained of their driveways, to the point where they were not visible from the road.

Speaking to the outlet, residents reported that they were left stunned at the sight of their homes slowly continuing to move after the initial landslide, which officials believe may have been caused by water evaporating underground.

'Just shock,' resident Katie Schwartz, 57, told the paper Monday, still in disbelief over the worsening damage. 'It just changes your whole life.'

Weber 'Wei' Yen, 73, lost his home on Peachtree Lane on Saturday, 'Its sad, all these children pictures, memorabilia; they can never be recovered,' he said

Some of the houses that sunk over the weekend

On the scene in Rolling Hills Estate Tuesday morning, several reported sounds of cracks and movement under their feet - fueling fears that further evacuation may soon be in the cards

Many have already been left homeless - and 16 people evacuated - after the natural didsaster Saturday afternoon, which left a dozen homes in the upscale suburb partially collapsed, and the ground along a usually placid, treelined street cracked

The city, set a stone's throw from Long Beach, has since said it's also working with the LA County Fire Department (LACFD) and the LA County Sheriff's Office to monitor the situation, its affects, and potential cause. So far, just one street, Peartree Lane, has been affected

Officials on Monday had warned of the fate of the already savaged homes: 'The force of gravity is taking them... These homeowners have lost their homes and, really, the land that the home sits on is also gone'

Days after the initial event on Saturday, several who live in the affected area - a street set on the top of a canyon that hangs over the Pacific - confirmed that the homes already savaged by the disaster had moved multiple feet down the hillside seen here

Palos Verdes, which is just a stone's throw from Long Beach, is working with the LA County Fire Department (LACFD) and the LA County Sheriff's Office to monitor the situation, its continued affects, and its potential cause.

In the meantime, the street where the crisis is unfolding remains closed to the public as of Tuesday. It is currently accessible a only to residents, city officials and public safety staff. The city has made clear that the worst may not yet have passed.

'This is just devastating for these residents,' said Hahn.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the area experiences different types of landslides, including rapid debris flows caused by heavy rainfall.

Hahn says she has reached out to California Gov. Gavin Newsom for further aid, but has not yet heard back.

The city, which is home to roughly 8,000 people, declared a state of emergency at its council meeting on Tuesday.
Temperatures are set to climb to extreme levels in the Southwestern US Wednesday - putting more than 50million Americans at risk.

Meteorologists warn the heat may reach 120 degrees in some areas, and will place additional stress on the region's already afflicted energy grid - raising the risk of wildfires and heat-related illness.

A sprawling area of high pressure currently positioned directly over the Four Corners is responsible for the scorching temperatures, which are unusual even for the notoriously hot expanse.

Known as a 'heat dome' to meteorologists, the phenomenon is now set to persist through much of the month - scorching metros in Arizona, Nevada, and California in the process.

Millions in those states - as well as others like Texas and New Mexico - are currently under heat advisories, after a peer reviewed journal warned just two days without power could kill nearly 13,000 in the fifth-most populous city in the US.

Temperatures are set to climb to extreme levels in the Southwestern US Wednesday - as a persistent 'heat dome' continues to batter the region

Millions in states like Arizona are currently under heat advisories, after a peer reviewed journal warned just two days without power could kill nearly 13,000 in Phoenix - which is currently bearing the brunt of the weather phenomenon

A woman is seen trying to cool off with a cold bandana in Austin, Texas, which for weeks has been experiencing plus-100 degree temperatures

'While the 120-degree mark is not a certainty for Phoenix, it is possible late this week and this upcoming weekend,' AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski warned this week of forecast temperatures for the famously arid city, known as Arizona's Valley of the Sun.

The city has seen 13 consecutive 110F-plus days - and now weather experts warn the city may soon challenge its all-time record of 18 days.

The last time Phoenix saw so many consecutive 110 degree days was 49 years ago, in 1974.

'Phoenix has only reached the 120-degree Fahrenheit mark three times since records have been kept dating back to 1929,' Sosnowski said of that looming possibility.

'The last time temperatures topped that mark was on July 28, 1995, when a high of 121 was recorded. The all-time record high of 122 was set on June 26, 1990.'

Also breaking heat records this week was fellow desert city El Paso, Texas, where the record for most consecutive days above 100 degrees was broken Sunday when the mercury topped 100 F for the 24th consecutive day - and did so again Monday.

Andres Matamoros sits in the shade as he tries to keep cool while selling fresh fruit and cold coconuts Wednesday in Houston, where temperatures are expected to exceed 100 degrees

California's appropriately named Death Valley (seen here Sunday) will see the highest temperatures Wednesday, as 120 temperatures are set to persist until the weekend

A hiker pauses during her hike early Monday in Phoenix, where a power failure could spell doom for thousands of residents, experts warn

Set in the northern Mojave Desert, Death Valley also stretches into Nevada - where desert cities such as Vegas are set to be bombarded by abnormal heat this week

The heat may reach 120 degrees in some areas - and will place additional stress on the region's already afflicted energy grid, raising the risk of wildfires and illness. Vehicles are seen making their way across the Mojave desert in triple digit heat on Tuesday

A street vendor sits under an umbrella while selling fruit on the side of a road in Los Angeles on Tuesday, where temperatures were more tame but still hovered around 90

A grocery store worker wears a hat to protect their head from the sun while pushing shopping carts in Southern California, which has been battered by the unusual heat for weeks

As the heatwave persists, experts are warning more than 50millions Americans to take precautions and stay hydrated, as the risk of power failures loom. A person is seen drinking from a cup while waiting at a bus stop in Los Angeles Tuesday

In Death Valley (seen here Tuesday morning), high temperatures are set to reach the 120s beginning Wednesday - and may even climb close to 130 degrees over the weekend, experts say

Phoenix may also stand a chance of climbing near or to the 120-degree mark by late week, as as a high-pressure area and northward bulge of the jet stream that flows west to east over the top half of America strengthens and forces the heat dome westward

The weather is being felt as far as Washington, D.C., where temperatures have also neared 100 degrees

A man exercises shirtless in extreme temperatures at MacArthur Park, Tuesday, in Los Angeles. Experts are warning to avoid any outside activity in the coming days, as the heat is set to worsen over the weekend

A man uses an umbrella to avoid the midday sun in Los Angeles

A Salvation Army Relief Station gives water to a man in 110 degree heat in Phoenix

Bus riders wait in the shade to shield themselves from the midday sun in Los Angeles Tuesday

A man takes a break in the shade Tuesday in Los Angeles, as the city expects temperatures in the 100-110 degree range this week

A woman is seen braving the heat in LA Tuesday, where strong sun made the day feel well hotter

A man lies motionless as he sunbathes on the beach Tuesday in Los Angeles.

People gather under the shade of a bus stop, Tuesday in Phoenix

A man lies on the beach, Tuesday in Los Angeles.

The "World's Tallest Thermometer" shows temperatures reaching triple digits in Baker, California - set smack dab in Death Valley

A street vendor braves the heat to sell snow cones tends to a customer at a street corner in Southern California

A man sits on a hammock under the shade of a tree as temperatures rose above 90 in LA Tuesday

Residents are warned to take preventative measures to beat the heat - as this family did during their outdoor outing in LA Tuesday

With a forecasted high of 109 degrees for Wednesday, that record is set to keep growing into the weekend, when temperatures are still expected to exceed 110 degrees.

Other hubs such as Austin and Houston also will not be spared by this week's heat, and in fact have been already bludgeoned by plus-100 degree temperatures brought by an earlier heat dome for nearly a month.

That said, as is the case in Arizona, the state has yet to record a temperature above 120 this year - though heat indexes that account for factors such as humidity have far exceeded that marker.

In nearby New Mexico, weather is also is forecast to climb to 100 on multiple days this week, with thermometers in Albuquerque expected to surpass that marker Wednesday and ensuing days.

America's hottest location - by far - will be Death Valley, California, where high temperatures are set to reach the 120s beginning Wednesday and may even climb close to 130 degrees Saturday, which is looking to be the hottest day so far this year.

Increasing the stress put on air conditioners and other cooling devices is the face that even overnight, temperatures may only fall into the middle or upper 90s, fueling concerns of a power failure.

AccuWeather's Andrew Johnson-Levine warned of this relatively new, climate change caused phenomenon this week: 'Aside from daytime temperatures, heat may stick around at night.'

He also warned about the atypical summer temperatures expected across a huge swath of the country this week.

'While the Desert Southwest cities are usually quite hot in July, this week will bring heat that is highly anomalous.

'In Las Vegas, daytime highs usually hover around 105 degrees in July, with Phoenix a few degrees warmer. As temperatures may surge into the 120s, this will not be typical heat for the region.'

Pictured: Dozens of people cool off in the waters of Oak Creek provides an escape from the extreme heat in Sedona, Arizona at Slide Rock State Park

A member of the grounds crew wipes his face while under the wing of a jet at Sky Harbor International Airport on Monday, July 10, 2023, in Phoenix

A hiker finishes her hike early to beat high temperatures on July 10 in Phoenix

A woman uses an umbrella for shade to combat high temperatures in Phoenix on Monday

An Arizona license plate in Sedona sums up the weather forecast this week: 'HEAT N UP'

Large-scale power failures in the city have yet to occur - but is an increasingly likely prospect this weekend.

A recent study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, however, somewhat eerily predicted what would happen if Phoenix is hit with a heatwave and a power grid failure at the same time, using an eerily similar scenario being hit by a heat wave where high temperatures hovering around 110F.

Coupled with a power grid blackout that lasted at least two days, the study found that about half the citys population - some 800,000 people - would suffer from heat-related illnesses, and overwhelm the citys 3000 emergency room beds in such an event

In addition, the peer reviewed report found that an estimated 12,800 people would die from complications related to the heat, which even residents accustomed to the heat typically associated with an Arizona summer say is worse than usual.

One person on Twitter showed a picture of a crippled cactus and joked that the heat was getting to the native plants. 'Even the cactus is trying to escape the Arizona heat'

The heat wave is currently sweeping across America, especially in southern parts of Texas, California, Arizona, and Florida. Pictured: Satellite map of the temps in the U.S.

One person on Twitter showed a picture of a crippled cactus and joked that the heat was getting to the native plants.

'Even the cactus is trying to escape the Arizona heat,' the woman wrote.

Another person on the app shared a photo of the tar melting off her roof.

'How bad is the Phoenix heat wave? The tar is melting off the newish roof on our house,' Astrid Galvan shared in a post.

On TikTok, one hilarious resident shared a video of himself frying an egg on a grill that was not plugged in but heated up by the sun.

'Gotta love Az summers,' the creator captioned the video.

'It's hot,' the man added in text on top of the clip.

Another person responded, sharing that it was 107 degrees at 8pm.
Humza Yousaf was dealt a fresh blow today after one of his MPs refused to rejoin the SNP group at Westminster.

Angus MacNeil, who served a recent suspension, revealed he would not be retaking the SNP whip in the House of Commons until at least October as he delivered a blast at the party's strategy.

He claimed SNP bosses were 'utterly clueless' about how to pursue Scottish independence and said an 'urgency' on the matter was 'absent'.

Mr MacNeil, the MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, even threatened to stand against the SNP at the next general election without further 'clarity' on how the party will pursue its ambition of breaking up the UK.

He demanded SNP members have a say on the party's direction at its annual conference, which is usually held in October.

Mr MacNeil's action will pile the pressure on Mr Yousaf, the SNP leader, as he attempts to revive the party's fortunes following the resignation of his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon.

Angus MacNeil, who served a recent suspension, revealed he would not be retaking the SNP whip in the Commons until at least October as he delivered a blast at the party's strategy

Mr MacNeil's action will pile the pressure on Humza Yousaf, the SNP leader, as he attempts to revive the party's fortunes following the resignation of his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon

The MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar claimed SNP bosses were 'utterly clueless' about how to pursue Scottish independence and said an 'urgency' on the matter was 'absent'

The Scottish First Minister has had to deal with the fall-out from the divisive leadership contest to succeed Ms Sturgeon, as well as several dramatic developments in the police probe into the SNP's finances.

The SNP's woes have seen the party's opinion poll ratings dwindle, while Mr Yousaf has been accused of having sown confusion about how he hopes to achieve independence.

At a specially-convened conference on independence last month, the First Minister insisted the SNP would have a 'mandate' to 'negotiate our independence' if they win the general election in Scotland.

Mr Yousaf later clarified that a majority of seats in Scotland would be enough to constitute a victory at the general election, which is expected next year.

But this was short of the bar set by Ms Sturgeon, who wanted the general election to be fought as a 'de facto referendum' with more than 50 per cent of the votes considered enough to open independence negotiations with Westminster.

Mr MacNeil recently had the SNP whip suspended for a week after a reported row with the party's chief whip at Westminster, Brendan O'Hara.

He had cryptically tweeted about standing up to 'bullies' but accepted the decision to suspend him.

In an open letter posted on his Twitter account this afternoon, Mr MacNeil insisted his decision to not now rejoin the SNP group at Westminster was 'not about the conduct of the chief whip'.

He said the time spent away from the SNP group had 'allowed me to concentrate on what really matters, the pursuit of Scottish independence'.

'I will only seek the SNP whip again if it is clear that the SNP are pursuing independence,' he added.

'At the moment, the SNP has become a brand name missing the key ingredient. The urgency for independence is absent.'

In an open letter posted on his Twitter account this afternoon, Mr MacNeil criticised the Scottish Government's strategy both before and after November's Supreme Court ruling

Mr MacNeil criticised the Scottish Government's strategy both before and after November's Supreme Court judgment on another independence referendum.

This saw the UK's most senior judges rule that the Scottish Parliament cannot legislate for another independence referendum without permission from Westminster.

Mr MacNeil wrote: 'The Scottish Government went to the Supreme Court a year ago utterly clueless about how to pursue independence, left the Supreme Court utterly clueless about how to pursue independence.

'The SNP still have no clear understanding that it has to use elections to negotiate Scottish independence from Westminster by getting the backing of the majority of the electorate.

'The SNP membership must have a say at conference on the policy direction, which it hasn't until now.

'The tricks of the last six years of kicking the can down the road has not served Scotland well in matching our successful neighbours, instead we are trapped with Brexit in a socially failing UK.'

He added he would not seek to rejoin the SNP until 'at least' October, when he hoped for 'clarity' on the party's independence strategy after its annual conference.

In a threat to stand against the SNP at the general election without greater action on independence, Mr MacNeil said: 'I will certainly be standing at the next election in Na h-Eileanan an Iar on an independence platform.

'And I hope after clarity on independence after the October conference that I will be standing for the SNP.'
President Joe Biden passed on dinner with the 31-strong members of NATO because he has spent 'countless hours' meeting with world leaders, his national security advisor said.

Biden, 80, who often touts his long career on the world stage, elected to skip the dinner Tuesday night on a day NATO was celebrating its expansion to include Sweden as it swells to deter Russian aggression.

Instead, after arriving in the country Monday night, he turned in early Tuesday after holding a series of events including a sit-down with the Turkish president.

It is a prerogative he has exercised at other summit events, where he often pops in the night before and jets out as soon as the event ends.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan got asked about Biden's absence during an appearance on CNN from Vilnius, after an official explained his reasons for skipping in advance, as covered by DailyMail.com

Biden skipped a social dinner at the NATO summit, although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C-L) and his wife Olena Zelenska talk with French President Emmanuel Macron did attend

'Well, President Biden has spent i mean, literally countless hours with NATO leaders over the course of the period since this war began  multiple NATO summits, including a whole day yesterday, including a whole day today,' he said.

'So last night, he wasn't the only leader who wasn't there,' he said, without identifying the other leader who stayed home.

'But last night, he thought he didn't have to attend and that he would have every opportunity to sit with all of his colleagues at length on all of the significant issues of our time and not just to sit with them, but frankly, to lead,' he said.

Then, Sullivan pivoted to his message about how Biden had driven the 'unity, the purpose, the forcefulness of this alliance' since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

'So his ability to galvanize and persuade and organize the entire alliance to a point where it is more unified and more determined and more decisive than at any point in NATO's history,' he said  although that galvanizing didn't happen over a multi-course meal in the Lithuanian capital.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan pointed to an unidentified leader besides Biden who didn't attend the dinner

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and his wife Brigitte Macron were among those who made a night of the summit on Tuesday

Moules-frite diplomacy: President of the European Council Charles Michel (R) of Belgium and his wife Amelie Derbaudrenghien Michel (2nd R) attended the dinner, as did Gitanas Nauseda (2nd R) and his wife, Diana Nausediene (

Other leaders opted to mug for the cameras on a red carpet. It was still bright out as they did, although the sun didn't go down until near 10 pm in Vilnius in mid-July.

Biden kept busy during the day Wednesday, meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky with a big speech planned in the evening.

It wasn't known what was on the menu, although in 2022 celebrity chef Jose Andres prepared a feast for the NATO gathering in Madrid.

Biden had hours earlier has raised eyebrows after skipping dinner with NATO leaders on Tuesday night and instead heading straight to his luxury Kempinski hotel.

A US official blamed the 80-year-old president's busy schedule over four days and said he's preparing for a 'big speech' on Wednesday when asked why he wasn't attending.

Biden, who has only been in Europe since Sunday night and went to the beach on Saturday, had Secretary of State Antony Blinken attend instead.

The president's snub came after he told Turkish President Recep Erdogan he would win re-election - and would be working with him for the next five years.

Despite mounting concerns about his health and age, he was confident about his chances in 2024. Biden would be 86 by the end of his second term.

President Joe Biden skipped dinner with NATO leaders on Tuesday night and instead headed straight to his hotel in Lithuania after meeting with Turkey's President Erdogan

The White House later revealed that Biden made a string of phone calls when he returned to his accommodation to address the severe flooding in Vermont.

He spoke with Vermont Governor Phil Scott, Senator Bernie Sanders, and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell about 'his commitment to deliver federal assistance needed to help respond to severe flooding,' a US official said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena led the dignitaries on the first night of the summit in Vilnius.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte were also in attendance alongside British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Earlier on Tuesday, Erdogan thanked the US president for congratulating him after his own election  which went to a runoff that had some officials contemplating a less strenuous relationship with Turkey, after it used its strategic position to maintain ties with Russia.

'Thank you. I look forward to being with you in the next five years, Mr. President,' Biden said.

Erdogan had called his meeting with Biden a 'step forward,' and made reference to his own five-year term.

'And with the forthcoming elections, I would like to take this opportunity to also wish you the best of luck,' said Erdogan.

Donald Trump regularly attested to his bond with Erdogan when he was in the White House.

'He's a friend of mine, and I'm glad we didn't have a problem because, frankly, he's a hell of a leader, and he's a tough man, he's a strong man,' Trump said in 2019.

Biden and top advisors were silent as reporters shouted questions following his meeting with Erdogan. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and U.S White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan look on during a bilateral meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska attended the dinner with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and his wife Diana Nausediene

The Turkish strongman was speaking on a day when he achieved a key objective while dropping his opposition to admitting Sweden - namely getting F-16 fighter aircraft from the U.S.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters in Vilnius Thursday Biden had previously 'been clear that he supports the transfer' of the jets.

'He has placed no caveats on this ... He intends to move forward with that transfer,' he said.

Officials have been vague about additional details, and noted that the Greeks took part in a final meeting on the subject. Biden himself mentioned the jets in the context of bringing in Sweden in a recent CNN interview before heading to London for the start of his trip.

Biden was tight-lipped following his comments, barely flinching as U.S. reporters hurled a series of questions to him about the contours of the deal that will bring in Sweden, on Russia's eastern flank.

He kept his lips pursed as aides signaled the press event was over and escorted media members out of the room where they were meeting.

Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin, a Biden ally, talked up the diplomatic breakthrough in Vilnius, telling DailyMail.com there was a 'serious question' when Biden got sworn in about whether the alliance was viable after Trump.

Durbin said an alliance that was 'faltering' was now a 'strong, viable, credible operation' with Finland a member and Sweden seeking to join.

Asked if Biden was bringing something home, he responded: 'He certainly is. It's significant. It's historic.'

Earlier, Biden vowed to defend 'every inch' of NATO territory, as the powerful alliance took a key step to adding its 32nd member.

The president spoke in the capital Vilnius at the start of the summit as his national security advisor Jake Sullivan said talk of splits over support for Ukraine have been 'greatly exaggerated.'

'As I've said before, we take  NATO takes  all of us take Article V literally,' Biden said as he met Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda at the start of the summit Tuesday.

He said all members were committed to the NATO Charter's mutual defense obligations. 'We're together against whoever was violating that space. We're going to defend every inch of it,' he said.

Jake Sullivan on Tuesday warned that Vladimir Putin will be 'disappointed' by what emerges from the summit.

The top aide to President Biden hit out at claims that divisions had erupted over Washington's decision to send controversial cluster bombs to Kyiv's armed forces.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte were also in attendance with Ukraine's first couple

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (front), British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (left second row) and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (right second row) lead the dignitaries into the dinner on Tuesday night

Biden spent a few hours at the beach with his family in Delaware on Saturday

President Joe Biden vowed to defend 'every inch' of NATO territory as he met with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda at the Presidential Palace at the start of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania Tuesday

Biden kicked off the summit after a key breakthrough that would grow the alliance to 32 members

Biden signed a book before his meeting with the Lithuanian president

Biden touted the strength of the alliance. The U.S. has about 1,000 troops serving in Lithuania, which border's Russian ally Belarus

Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda, right, welcomes U.S. President Joe Biden at the Presidential Palace prior the NATO summit in Vilnius

Biden advisors say unity of the alliance is on display in Vilnius

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had been among a chorus of voices who raised concerns about shipping the highly lethal arms to the war-torn country.

But in a response to DailyMail.com, Sullivan dismissed claims that the 31-nation military alliance was fractured over its backing of the Ukrainian military.

'I would say rumors of the death of NATO's unity were greatly exaggerated,' he said. 'Vladimir Putin has been counting on the West to crack, NATO to crack and the transatlantic alliance to crack and he has been disappointed with every turn.'

The Russian tyrant will be 'very much disappointed' by what emerges from the two-day meeting in Lithuania, Sullivan added.

And in a clear sign that tensions were on the rise, Russian ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov accused Washington of plotting 'confrontation' with Moscow.

'Everything is being done to prepare domestic public opinion for the approval of the anti-Russian decisions that will be made in Vilnius in the coming days,' he was quoted as saying by the RIA news agency, a Kremlin mouthpiece.
Sean Illing in Vox:

There are a handful of topics that I almost force myself to not think about because the thoughts lead to a dead end. At the top of that list is climate change. Its one of those problems that starts to overwhelm me when I consider the scale and the implications and all the barriers to tackling it.

I also know I cant ignore it, because its real and its getting more urgent. In fact, the average temperature was as hot as its ever been, or at least as hot as weve ever recorded it to be, several days already this month. And if you live in the northeast United States, youve probably noticed the smoke blanket looming over you in recent weeks thanks to wildfires in Canada.

The question a lot of us have asked ourselves at various points is: What is my responsibility in this situation? What can I, as an individual, do?

There isnt an easy answer here, in part because the problem is too big for any one of us to solve. But if youre a parent  as I am  the climate predicament takes on an additional dimension. You have to wonder not just about the ethics of raising children in an unstable world. You also have to decide, in a very concrete way, what you really value and whether or not youre willing to live in accordance with those values.

More here.
READ MORE: Gabby Douglas announces she's returning to gymnastics for 2024, almost six years after coming forward about abuse

Nassar was convicted in 2018 of sexually assaulting members of the US team

Larry Nassar was attacked in his cell, away from any cameras, by another inmate who used a makeshift weapon to stab him.

The disgraced USA gymnastics team doctor, 59, was nearly killed on Sunday at the United States Penitentiary Coleman in Florida, where he is serving up to 175 years for abusing some of the nation's top athletes.

He was stabbed at least 10 times - twice in the neck, twice in the back and six times in the chest, suffering a collapsed lung, with an official saying he 'is lucky to be alive.'

The attack has been deemed an 'unwitnessed' event, however, because there are no cameras inside the prison cell, according to an insider. Only common areas and corridors and are monitored by video.

It's unclear if the attacker was caught on a corridor camera entering or exiting Nassar's cell. Police have not revealed the assailant's identity.

Nassar, 59, was attacked on Sunday night at the United States Penitentiary Coleman in Florida - where he was serving up to 175 years

The attack has been deemed an 'unwitnessed' event, however, because there are no cameras inside the cells at the prison (stock)

Nassar is serving up to 175 years at the Florida prison for abusing some of the nation's top athletes

Officials said staff provided life-saving measures and the inmate was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

They added that the FBI was notified, saying in a statement: 'No staff or other inmates were injured and at no time was the public in danger. An internal investigation is ongoing.'

'He is lucky to be alive and the only reason he is alive, in my opinion, is because of the staff members who were there.,' said Joe Rojas' who is the prison guard union chief.

The two officers guarding Nassar's cell were reportedly on mandated overnight shifts because of staffing shortages.

The Florida prison's union had held a protest two weeks before the attack over what they claimed was dangerous understaffing.

'We sounded the alarm, we warned the public, and I hate to be prophetic, but we were right,' Rojas said.

Staffing guidelines show the facility, with more than 1,200 prisoners, should have 222 correctional officers. Only 169 positions are filled.

The day Nassar was stabbed, 44 posts were left vacant and unassigned at the prison, records show. One of the officers assigned to Nassars unit was working a third straight 16-hour day, while the other officer was on a second straight day of mandated overtime.

Nassar was previously assaulted in prison shortly after his conviction within hours of being placed in the general population at a Tucson, Arizona, prison. The severity of the attack was not disclosed at the time.

He was then moved to the Florida prison and kept with other sex offenders for his safety.

The pedophile was convicted in 2018 of sexually assaulting members of the US team, including Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney.

He admitted to sexually assaulting the athletes when he worked at Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics, which trains Olympians.

The doctor also admitted to possessing child pornography, and more than 100 women sought over $1 billion from the federal government for the FBI's failure to stop him.

Nassar admitted to sexually assaulting the athletes when he worked at Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics, which trains Olympians. Pictured: Nassar with McKayla Maroney

In June 2022 Nassar had his final appeal rejected by the Michigan Supreme Court, which was filed on the basis he was 'treated unfairly'

USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee made a $380 million settlement with the women.

During victim impact statements in 2018, several athletes testified that during Nassar's decades of sexual abuse they had told adults what was happening, including coaches and athletic trainers, but that it went unreported.

More than 150 victims spoke or submitted statements during an extraordinary seven-day hearing in court more than four years ago.

Nassar, who had been the main doctor for Olympic gymnasts, was sentenced in federal court in 2017 to 60 years in prison on charges of possessing child sex abuse material.

The following year, he was also sentenced to up to 175 years and up to 125 years, respectively, in two separate Michigan courts for molesting female gymnasts under his care.

He had agreed to serve a minimum sentence of 40 years as part of a plea deal, with that prison time coming after he completes his 60-year federal sentence for child pornography charges.

USA Gymnastics filed for bankruptcy in 2018, after Olympic bronze medalist Jamie Dantzscher had filed a lawsuit and additional claims were filed on behalf of a growing number of Nassar's victims.
Have YOU been turned away or detained?

Have YOU been turned away or detained?

Have YOU been turned away or detained? Email eirian.prosser@dailymail.co.uk

Summer holidaymakers have been warned that Britons of 'South Asian descent' are being turned away at the Tunisia's airports or even detained amid a state of emergency.

The Foreign Office said that British nationals have been subject to extra screening or refused entry - including at the second-biggest airport, Enfidha - on alleged security grounds, in guidance quietly updated on its website last week.

Officials added that the British Embassy had raised the issue with Tunisian authorities, but warned the Embassy is not able to override their decision-making. MailOnline has contacted the Foreign Office, the British Embassy and the Tunisian Embassy in London for further information.

Tunisia has seen a rise in racially motivated attacks following President Kais Saied's comments in February accusing 'hordes' of illegal migrants of bringing violence and alleging a 'criminal plot' to change the country's demographic make-up.

With a population of 12million, Tunisia hosts an estimated 21,000 migrants from other parts of Africa, representing just 0.2 per cent of the population.

Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport is among the airports which the British Foreign Office says is turning Britons of South Asian descent away or detaining them

The Foreign Office's travel advice states: 'Some British nationals of South Asian descent have been delayed, temporarily detained, or denied entry into the country by Tunisian immigration authorities at airports. This can cause distress and inconvenience. The British Embassy has raised this issue with Tunisian authorities.

'Entry to Tunisia is decided by Tunisian authorities, and the British Embassy cannot override decisions to refuse entry.'

They added: 'Some British nationals of South Asian descent have been subject to additional screening or refused entry by immigration authorities at airports, including Enfidha, on alleged security grounds.'

It comes a week after hundreds of Tunisians gathered in the streets and blockaded streets by burning tyres while demanding the eviction of all illegal migrants, according to AFP.

The guidance was quietly updated on the Foreign Office website last week

Medic Lazhar Neji said between 30 and 40 migrants, including women and children, were injured after the 'inhumane' and 'bloody' attack in Sfax, Tunisia, as horrifying scenes unfolded on Tuesday July 5.

The day before residents had vowed to 'avenge' the death of a 41-year-old Tunisian man at his funeral after he was stabbed to death during an altercation with three suspected Cameroonian migrants.

A state of emergency has been in effect in Tunisia since a suicide attack on a police bus in 2015. It has been extended multiple times, most recently in 2022.

A new constitution was ratified in the country by President Kais Saied in 2022 following the suspension of parliament in 2021 and its dissolution a year later. The new parliament re-opened in March 2023 following elections in December 2022 and January 2023.
Carol Vorderman has fired off another salvo in her feud with Johnny Mercer's wife by accusing her of 'harassment'.

The former Countdown presenter, 62, has been at war with Felicity Cornelius-Mercer, 43, and the veterans' minister, 41, since last week, and took things up a notch this afternoon by sharing a reel showing a series of tweets she had sent her.

She wrote: 'I've been harassed by Johnny Mercer's wife for months. This is from just one day in April + much more abuse elsewhere. I didn't respond at all. Until he mocked military using foodbanks. She's paid c45k on MP expenses (+200% pay rise) to do this?'

In response, Mrs Cornelius-Mercer said she had been tagging Ms Vorderman, 62, in abusive tweets sent to her husband to show how she had stirred up 'awful traffic' by 'telling followers to target MPs'.

She added: 'Feel free to stop the reel and read them. These hateful comments are sent to us as a direct result of @carolvorders drivel. I've only ever reacted to her rubbish about hating all Tories, which has been going on long before I got involved.'

Carol Vorderman today accused Johnny Mercer's wife of 'harassing' her on Twitter

In response, Mrs Cornelius-Mercer said she had been tagging Ms Vorderman, 62, in abusive tweets sent to her husband to show how she had stirred up 'awful traffic'

The former Countdown presenter has been at war with Felicity Cornelius-Mercer and his wife since last week

Felicity Cornelius-Mercer works as Principal Secretary in her husband's parliamentary office

Speaking to LBC, Ms Vorderman said Mrs Cornelius-Mercer sent her '60 tweets' over one day.

'Jonny Mercer's wife has been harassing me for months on Twitter, on one day she sent over 60 tweets, the words she used about my private life were really misogynistic actually,' she said.

'To the point where I almost felt like reporting her to be honest, I found it quite upsetting.'

She added: 'It's like an unhealthy obsession that they have.'

The bizarre feud began early last week when Mrs Cornelius-Mercer accused Ms Vorderman of being a 'celebrity attack dog' who was 'inciting people to hate all Tories'.

Yesterday, the row even made it into the House of Commons when a Conservative MP accused Ms Vorderman of being a 'snob' after she criticised the Mercers for not going to university.

Mr Mercer was educated at 10,000-a-year Eastbourne College and served in the British Army while his wife worked as a crewing supervisor for MK Airlines.

She is now Principal Secretary in her husband's office - receiving a salary of between 40,000 to 49,000, according to the latest filings.

A tweet by Ms Vorderman on July 8 and referencing the married couple said: 'Not a degree in sight in spite of expensive private education! So who'd employ them?'

The message was followed with a shrugging emoji.

Criticising the comments in a debate yesterday, Tory MP Siobhan Baillie said the TV star eats 'political hate for breakfast to get social media hits'.



Mr Mercer has previously described Vorderman as a 'deeply unpleasant person', while his wife has made thinly-veiled jibes about her appearance.

Ms Baillie, Conservative MP for Stroud, weighed in during an adjournment debate in the House of Commons, where she was making the case for how and why access to on-the-job training should be improved.

A tweet by Ms Vorderman on July 8 and referencing the married couple said: 'Not a degree in sight in spite of expensive private education! So who'd employ them?'

She said: 'Snobbery about further education and no degree sadly continues to this day. You just have to look at Carol Vorderman's attack on (Tory minister Johnny Mercer) and his wife.'

After referencing Ms Vorderman's tweet about Mr Mercer's education, she said: 'This is the latest example of nonsense.

'Dismissing a minister who works tirelessly for the armed forces and veterans for not having gone to university is bad enough, but deliberately being condescending about the lives of millions of people who did not go to university is absolutely unforgivable.

'I used to admire Carol Vorderman an awful lot before she decided to eat so much political hate for breakfast to get social media hits. Now, sadly, I just feel sorry for her.'

It follows Tory assistant whip Jacob Young taking to the social media platform on Monday and calling Ms Vorderman a 'horrible little snob'.

Prior to the adjournment debate on Monday, Ms Vorderman tweeted that it was 'a joke' to call her an education snob.

On Friday last week, Mrs Cornelius-Mercer appeared to aim a jibe at Ms Vorderman when she joked about undergoing plastic surgery

The digitally-altered image was posted on Twitter. Mrs Cornelius- Mercer's husband has faced criticism over his role in Rishi Sunak's government

She said: 'They can't think of anything else to have a go at.... HOWEVER, I'll let my record in education do the talking (including) helping 500,000 children with their maths during lockdown...giving bursaries for young people and schools with disadvantaged backgrounds like mine....helping Blunkett introduce the Numeracy Hour....governor of inner city school......education books for decades.....recognised STEM Ambassador....I could go on.

'Always a believer in encouraging young people to achieve their best, in whichever way that comes around, to be strong and happy and confident. Anything else being espoused is offensive, targeted, predictable Right Wing nonsense. PS Tories....this attack won't work. It just makes us more determined.'

On Friday last week, Mrs Cornelius-Mercer appeared to aim a jibe at Ms Vorderman when she joked about undergoing plastic surgery.

Her tongue in cheek remark came 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.

Responding to a Twitter user who has superimposed Mr Bean actor Rowan Atkinson's face onto hers, Mrs Cornelius-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)'

Last week, qualified lifeguard Mrs Cornelius-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 Cornelius-Mercer 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.
The mistress who found herself at the center of the Colorado dentist murder case broke her silence on Wednesday - claiming the relationship she shared with the man who allegedly poisoned his wife to death by lacing her protein shakes with potassium cyanide - was built on lies.

Karin Cain, 49, told Good Morning America in an ABC exclusive, that she was deceived by Jim Craig, who was charged with first-degree murder in March, a man who she 'thought' she was falling in love with.

The orthodontist, who is currently in the middle of a divorce from her own husband, Jason, said the murder suspect lied to her about being 'deep into a divorce,' as well as the values they shared, and the reason why his wife was dying.

'If I had known what was true, I would not have been with this person,' she said to ABC. 'I didn't willingly have a relationship with somebody who was in a marriage.'

Craig, 45, faces a preliminary hearing Wednesday morning in which prosecutors plan to convince the judge there is enough evidence to charge him with first degree murder.

Karin Cain, 49, told Good Morning America in an ABC exclusive, that she was deceived by Jim Craig, who was charged with first-degree murder in March, a man who she 'thought' she was falling in love with

Craig was seen entering the Arapahoe District Court for his arraignment on first-degree murder charges on March 23. He faces a preliminary hearing Wednesday morning in which prosecutors plan to convince the judge there is enough evidence to charge him with first degree murder

.@ABC EXCLUSIVE: The woman dating a Colorado dentist accused of poisoning his wife is breaking her silence. @mattgutmanabc has the interview. pic.twitter.com/o2OVcrVNmr  Good Morning America (@GMA) July 12, 2023

The three week relationship, Cain says, was built on lies.

'He told me they hadn't been living together, and he had an apartment,' she said.

In reality, the forty-five year old father of six was declaring his love and devotion to his wife Angela in her final days, while also flying in his Texas mistress while she was dying.

Crain visited the dentist while his wife was in the hospital in critical condition. He told her he needed the support and they met for dinner twice.

'He at no point seemed stressed or anxious ... I mean really I had to drag it out of him are you sure you're okay because you seem okay.'

When his wife eventually died, Cain was investigated as it was alleged that he killed his wife to start a new life with Cain.

When asked about her reaction to finding out her potential future love was an alleged murderer who killed his own wife, Cain said she couldn't even process the facts, as they 'just don't fit' in her reality.

She denied the two had any plans together after the death of his wife, and said she didn't 'like' being labeled a mistress.

'There had been no planning our future together,' she claimed.

She also expressed her sympathy for the six children who just lost their mother in an incomprehensible way.

'I can't even imagine the loss of a family member,' she said, 'and to consider that it could be at the hands of someone in the family for 25 years.'

Cain said she has been cooperating with authorities since the start of the investigation.

The dentist maintains his innocence. He has not entered a plea that will likely happen 3-6 weeks from now at the time of the arraignment.

DailyMail.com caught up with orthodontist Karin Cain in Marble Falls, Texas in March. She spoke with ABC and denied having any plans with the dentist after the death of his wife, and said she didn't 'like' being labeled a mistress.

Craig 'had multiple affairs with several women' and told his wife he had been addicted to pornography since he was a teenager according to his arrest warrant

Karin Cain and her husband Jason have two children, daughter Karson, now 21, and son Kooper, 19

Craig, who is from Aurora, Colorado, is being held on suspicion of murdering his wife of 24 years, Angela, by poisoning her. Investigators claim he mixed potassium cyanide in her protein drinks.

Angela first started feeling sick on March 6. By March 15, she was in hospital for the third time complaining of headaches and nausea, and quickly suffered a seizure. She was taken off life support on March 18.

Cains name was included in two places in court documents filed in Craigs case in Colorado, although many other times her name was redacted.

One was on an image of a Southwest plane itinerary from Austin  the nearest airport to Cains home in Marble Falls  to Denver, that included the name Karin Kathleen Cain. She was due to fly out on March 8 and return two days later,

'It appeared that James had REDACTED visit him while his wife was in the hospital sick,' wrote Aurora Detective Bobbi Olson in the affidavit.

The other was at the bottom of a March 16 email and included her professional qualifications and work address.

In the email to her alleged lover, she wrote: 'Hi honey, I am so sorry for what has transpired this week in your world. I am sorry II am not a part of your world to be of more help to you and instead I am pulling you away.

This is so hard, she continued. I want to be and do whatever I can to support and encourage you and I dont want to add to what has become an incredibly difficult time.

She was still wearing her wedding band, despite currently going through a divorce from husband Jason. She said she wouldn't have engaged in her three week relationship with the alleged murderer if she had known he was lying to her

Cain has her own business and says on her website that she is the only orthodontist in Burnet and Llano counties, west of Austin. She expressed her sympathy for the six children who just lost their mother

Cain and her family have lived in Marble Falls, Texas, for 24 years.

Craig sat alongside deputy public defender Patrick Thompson (right) and public defender Katie Telfer during his brief arraignment at Arapahoe District Court Thursday morning

I cant imagine what it is doing to you to walk your kids through this. I do want to give you any comfort I can but I do not feel it is right for me to mix in with all those gathering to mourn Angela either and I do not want to meet your family as a friend and try to conceal what I feel for you.'

'I am praying for you and seeking Gods wisdom for this time.

She signed off with the words I love you.

According to Cains online biography, she has lived in Marble Falls since 2004 and has two adult children, a daughter Karson, 21, and a son Kooper, 19.

She says on her website that she is the only orthodontic specialist in Burnet and Llano counties, west of Austin.

Despite her relationship with Craig, she seems to have a low opinion of general dentists as she stresses why patients should use orthodontic specialists.

'Unfortunately, many general dentists who wish to increase their income by adding orthodontic treatment, or even focusing a majority of their clinic time on orthodontics, are not up front with their patients and even allow their staff to affirm that they are an orthodontist when questioned,' she writes on her website.

'Many will pay for membership in official sounding groups and go to weekend courses to add certificates to their credentials. As a consumer it is very confusing.'

'Dr. Cains years of education, training, and experience allow her to provide the highest quality, efficient, and most effective orthodontic care to patients of all ages,' she adds.

Craig's case has caused a media frenzy. He is a Mormon who is allegedly addicted to porn, had numerous affairs over the years and successfully hid his drug abuse and gambling problems.

Angela was said to be determined to work on her marriage to the dentist despite his multiple infidelities and other issues in their relationship.

Although she raised her concerns with her sister  saying several times that she would leave her husband  he always managed to talk her round.

Craig had 'run the dental office into the ground' according to his wife, and the family's financial situation was said to be 'dire'.

Jim Craig, 45, was arrested for murder after detectives discovered his wife Angela Craig, 43, had been fatally poisoned

James and Angela Craig pose for a family picture with their six children aged eight to 20

Craig was a practicing dentist and part of the Summerbrook dental office in Colorado, which filed for bankruptcy protection in 2021

Heartbreaking messages show the mother-of-six complaining about how she felt 'dizzy' and 'nauseous' as she deteriorated in hospital from what cops say was poison put in her smoothies by James.

But Angela continued to tell her husband how much she loves him.

The dentist sent his wife several loving messages, including telling her that he had written her a song, despite police saying he knew she was slowly being poisoned.

He was arrested in Aurora, accused of killing his wife by poisoning her protein shakes, all the while conducting an affair with Cain.

Messages revealed by police in an arrest affidavit show seemingly loving messages between the married couple as social media photographs all show Angela showering her husband in kisses for loved-up snaps on their shared Facebook page.

While his wife deteriorated in hospital and was dealing with mystified doctors, Craig also flew his mistress over from Texas while simultaneously messaging his wife to say he 'wished he could stay longer' at the hospital with her.

Angela and Craig started discussing her strange symptoms via text on March 6, just a day after she returned from a short trip to visit her sister in Utah  where she showed no signs of ill health.

Messages obtained by police show Craig thanking her for making his drink before he admits to giving her too many B vitamins in her protein shake.

She said: 'You're welcome baby, I love you too,' before adding that her head feels 'funny and dizzy' and initially blaming it on caffeine.

The pair continue to chat about her feeling unwell, with Craig insisting that he will 'come home' from the surgery to care for his sick wife.

Angela then reassures her husband at 6.38am on March 7 that he doesn't have to miss work  with her sister later telling police that their finances were dire and Craig's dental surgery was being 'run into the ground.'

She then questions if her illness is due to a 'sinus infection' before telling her husband: I'm not sure what you were expecting, I don't think this is a sleep thing'.

He sent repeated declarations of love before flying in his mistress from March 8 to March 10  with her arriving just two days after he is accused of administering the poison on March 6.

Writing to his wife after she complained of nausea, headaches, exhaustion and vomiting, he said: 'I love you. It was so nice hanging out with you and just watching a show and snuggling.

Craig allegedly first gave his wife the poison on March 6, in a shake he mixed before their workout

Text messages Craig exchanged with Angela while she was in hospital fighting for her life

Craig admitted to drugging Angela five or six years ago and referenced the incident in a text message to his wife while she is hospitalized

'I am so grateful that the last couple of days have allowed me to have more flexibility in my schedule.'

Angela then references 'reliving the past', which her sister told police was referring to an incident where Craig had drugged her previously  something he claimed was because he intended to take his own life and didn't want her to stop him.

She then thanks him for checking on her repeatedly throughout March 8, before saying 'I love you' and apologizing for falling asleep on the sofa.'

The mother-of-six was then admitted to Parker Adventist Hospital on March 9, three days after she was initially seen and released. She was ultimately discharged on March 14 before her death the next day.

On March 10, the day his mistress left Colorado, Craig tells her to 'get some rest finally', to which she replies, 'I love having you here I just don't wanna wear you out. Trying to take care of everything at home and be here with me.'

He said: 'I'm fine. It's really busy and crazy but that's always the case when you're not around. I want to be up there with you 24/7.'

It appears he then came back to the hospital to visit his wife, with her texting him at 9pm to say 'Thank you for coming back. I miss you so much and it's nice to have some time. I love you.'

Craig, hours after his mistress jumped on a plane to Texas, messages his wife at midnight to tell her that he 'workup dreaming about making love' to her.

On March 12 he offered to have her hooked up to an IV at home, offering to fill it with fluids from his office  with Angela initially refusing before saying, 'we can see if it would make you feel better'.

She then asks Craig to bring her several personal items before going for more medical tests and texting her husband to say, 'My brain is normal, so there!' I hope you're getting some sleep. I miss you.'

Later in the evening she replied to a message from Craig which said 'I want to be close to you', saying 'I love you too baby! Thank you for handling so much. Maybe someone will figure me out tonight'.

The couple continue to discuss her symptoms, before she tells him the day before she returns home that she needs to makes sure she 'doesn't feel like vomiting' before they sleep together.

In their final exchange before she suffered a seizure, Angela told her husband that she was 'having trouble staying upright' with him responding several times as she was already rushed to hospital after suffering a seizure.

When speaking to police Angela's sister said that Craig had had 'multiple affairs with several women' and said he was 'addicted to porn since he was a teenager.'

Angela also complained to her sister that during a recent trip to Las Vegas Craig had gambled away over $2,000  despite the family struggling financially.

She was pronounced brain dead on March 18, twelve days after Craig is accused of poisoning her.

The family home is shuttered up, a small sign posted on the door asks for privacy

Sources close to the Craigs' Mormon church said members were asked to help 'organize' the mudroom and basement at their Aurora home (pictured) - which some now wonder if it may have been a crime scene

Craig had asked friends, family, and members of his church to remain tight-lipped about Angela's condition, with a similar plea being issued to the wider church community two days after her death

Craig would not allow hospital staff to conduct an autopsy, with family members urging him to allow the process in case the cause was 'genetic' and to see if it could prevented from passing down their family.

But he denied the request, saying he felt 'if they couldn't figure out what was wrong with her when she was alive then he wouldn't let them poke her more when she was dead'.

According to the charging documents, Craig had researched poison on his office computer.

Search terms included: 'how many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human'; 'Is Arsenic Detectable in Autopsy'; 'Top 5 Undetectable Poisons That Show No Signs of Foul Play'; 'how to make poison,' and 'The Top 10 Deadliest Plants (They Can Kill You).'

Craig ordered more poison, with a delivery of cyanide dispatched on March 13, and Angela accusing her husband of poisoning her when she was discharged on March 14.

He was reported to the authorities by one of his co-workers, who was suspicious about his behavior and the poison deliveries.

The affidavit said Craig planned to 'end his wife's life by searching for ways to kill someone undetected, providing her poisons that align with her hospitalized symptoms, and working on starting a new life with [his lover].'

The dentist allegedly ordered the arsenic online on February 27 and received a package at home on March 4.

Craig's second package arrived at work on March 13 and when an employee opened the box she found a bio hazard sticker and a canister marked 'Potassium Cyanide'.

She googled the chemical compound and realized the symptoms of cyanide poisoning was similar to the symptoms Angela was experiencing.

Craig may have recruited members of his church into helping him clean up a potential crime scene at his home the day before his wife, Angela, was pronounced dead, DailyMail.com revealed.

According to a source close to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Southshore Ward, of which the Craig family is a part, members were asked to help 'organize' Craig's mudroom and basement at their home in Aurora, while Angela was in hospital and ahead of other family coming into town.

The source told DailyMail.com: 'It was an oddly specific request. It's quite common in the community for us to go into somebody's house and help when there's been a new baby or sickness, but the language of this request was so heightened.

'And looking back at the timing of the communication, I can't help wondering if that was something Jim asked for knowing that it might be a crime scene later.'

The request was sent to church members via email shortly after 1pm on March 17.

Major Crimes homicide detectives had already executed a search warrant on the family residence at 8:45am the previous morning.

And less than 24 hours after the church members search, Angela, by then intubated and unconscious in intensive care, was pronounced brain dead.
For months, rumours had been swirling about the state of the marriage between Australia's richest couple, Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest and his wife Nicola.

Journalists' queries about their apparent separate lives - and what this meant for their sprawling $32billion mining empire and their various philanthropic enterprises - had been rebuffed in the strongest possible terms.

That was until Wednesday night. The pair, who have been married for more than 30 years and share three adult children together, released a statement confirming what many had suspected for a while.

'After 31 years of marriage, we have made the decision to live apart. Our friendship and commitment to our family remains strong,' the couple said in a joint statement to The Australian Financial Review.

Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest and Nicola Forrest (pictured), who have been married for 31 years and have a net worth of over $30billion, said they will now be living apart

Australia's richest couple insist their separation will have no impact on the the strategic direction of their mining empire or their philanthropic ventures

Signs the marriage was about to end - The couple had increasingly been spending time apart in different parts of the world - A flurry of large share transfers between various companies within their empire - Rumours swirled the relationship was nearing the end Advertisement

Mr Forrest, known by his nickname 'Twiggy', was ranked the second richest person in Australia this year - behind rival mining magnate Gina Rinehart.

The couple's wealth has largely been amassed through their 36 per cent stake in iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group, which they founded in 2003 and is now the eighth-biggest company on the ASX by market capitalisation.

They jointly oversee their private investment arm, Tattarang, and they also co-founded, and continue to co-chair, their philanthropic venture Minderoo Foundation, which works to tackle a range of issues from modern slavery to plastic pollution.

The couple insist their separation will have no impact on the the strategic direction of their mining empire or their philanthropic ventures.

'There is no impact on the operations, control or direction of Fortescue, Minderoo or Tattarang,' their statement added.

But it became clear to many that something was afoot after the couple spent long periods apart in recent years.

Suspicions were heightened further by a recent flurry large share transfers between different companies within their empire.

The revelation of their separation came after the AFR approached the pair about a transaction last month that moved more than $1.1 billion worth of Fortescue shares into a new company called Coaxial Ventures, which is wholly owned by Ms Forrest.

That transaction came shortly after Mr Forrest effectively gave half of his Tattarang shareholding to Ms Forrest.

Pictured: Andrew and Nicola Forrest with their daughters Grace and Sophia

Both transactions have granted Ms Forrest control of more Fortescue shares than her now-estranged husband, according to the AFR.

It is quite the reversal given as recently as March 2020 almost 95 per cent of the family's Fortescue shares were held by companies owned by Mr Forrest.

The couple, who met at a house party in 1988, insist the new arrangements will have no impact on the direction of their various ventures.

It is understood Tattarang  which holds almost 65 per cent of the Forrest familys Fortescue shares  will vote in accordance with decisions of the Fortescue board in future.

Mr and Ms Forrest have equal shareholdings in Tattarang and he remains executive chairman of Fortescue.

Since the pandemic, the couple have spent long periods apart. Mr Forrest was in London this week meeting US President Joe Biden, while Ms Forrest is also reportedly overseas.

Grace Forrest was 2018 Western Australia's Young Australian of the Year for her work in the charity Walk Free, funded by her parents' wealth

Sophia Forrest is an actor who recently got engaged to her girlfriend Zara Zoe

How the Forrests made their money Andrew Forrest first found success as a stockbroker for Kirke Securities and Jacksons. But the ambitious entrepreneur, laid the groundwork for his $32billion mining fortune in mining by founding Anaconda Nickel Ltd, now known as Minara Resources, in 1994. He was ousted as CEO when the company almost collapsed in 2001, but within two years he'd taken control of Allied Mining and Processing, renaming it Fortescue Metals Group. It was Fortescue's iron ore mining, in Western Australia's Pilbara region, that saw the Forrest's wealth explode on the back of exports to China. Mr Forrest was famously ambitious, borrowing heavily and spending between $1billion and $2billion building roads and railways to support his new mines. Some of his operations were highly controversial, including mining on traditional lands without agreements. In 2019 he lost a High Court judgement which granted native title to the Solomon Hub iron ore mine, which sits on Yindjibarndi land. That judgement meant the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation would pursue millions of dollars in compensation - which Fortescue has vowed to fight. In recent years Mr Forrest has diversified into sustainable energy sources, including hydrogen. He also has farming operations, seeking to capitalise on China's growing appetite for meat and dairy products. Advertisement

The couple have three adult children  Grace, Sophia and son Sydney.

It is understood they have no plans to divorce.

It has long been the Forrest family joke that Nicola was known as the 'undercover billionaire'.

The nickname is partly a reference to her notorious thriftiness and partly down to the fact she preferred to remain in her husband's shadow for decades.

'The [undercover billionaire title] comes from the fact that she'd be encouraging dad, Sydney, and I to eat a week-old expired yoghurt because it'd be wasted,' daughter Grace Forrest told the ABC last year.

'The UCB does not like waste in any form.'

Her mother's hatred of waste even led Ms Forrest to abstain from using cling wrap and to wash and reuse plastic ziplock bags.

Mr and Ms Forrest pledged to give away the 'vast majority' of their fortune in their lifetimes and have previously said they will give little to their children.

Instead their fortune will be distributed to a range of charitable causes including Indigenous affairs, education reform and scientific research.

In April last year, Ms Forrest said she and Andrew would give away their fortune because they don't want their children to be 'burdened' by a handout.

'We live in a home and I have a great life  but the things that are most important in life, money doesnt buy that,' she told ABCs Australian Story.

'Children dont benefit from thinking they're going to inherit a huge amount of money.'

Last month, it was revealed the former couple had donated $5billion worth of shares in his mining company to his charity, the Minderoo Foundation.

The donation is about one-fifth of their stake in the company Mr Forrest founded.

'As our world faces enormous challenges, we have elected to continue to use our material wealth to help humanity and the environment meet these existential risks,' he said at the time.

'Accumulating wealth should only be a small part of a person. Their contribution to their family and society is way more important.

US President Joe Biden greets Andrew Forrest during a Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle on July 10, 2023

'If you happen to be good at accumulating wealth, then I believe in using that skill for the greater good.'

The former couple's statement on Wednesday evening added: 'We will continue our shared mission to create and gift our wealth to tackle community and global challenges, as recently shown by last months donation of one-fifth of our Fortescue shareholding to Minderoo Foundation.'
Two beloved grandparents who died in a house fire tried to flee the blaze but were trapped inside, authorities believe.

Sonia and Orosil Airspe, aged 75 and 81, were unable to escape when their home in Lily Street, Wetherill Park, in Sydney's southwest caught fire at 6am on Wednesday.

Neighbours noticed smoke coming from the two-storey house and phoned emergency services at 6.45am.

Then two brave neighbours launched a rescue mission to try and save the grandparents but could not prise open the shutters covering the upstairs windows.

The two men suffered smoke inhalation in their desperate attempt, with one of them taken to hospital.

Two grandparents died in tragic circumstances in a house fire in Sydney's southwest on Wednesday morning

The home is believed to have been bolted from the inside to try and keep the grandfather, who is believed to have had dementia, from wandering off

The two victims of the Wetherill Park fire were grandparents Sonia and Orosil Airspe, who had lived in the home for decades

Firefighters eventually forced entry to the home, which burned for nearly three hours, and located the their bodies.

'The firefighters carried the woman outside and applied CPR until NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived, however the couple was pronounced dead at the scene,' a Fire and Rescue NSW statement said.

'Firefighters kept attacking the flames, extinguishing the blaze around 9.30am.'

FRNSW used 24 firefighters and six fire trucks to extinguish the blaze at the Lily Road home.

FRNSW deputy commissioner Megan Stiffler told 7News it appeared the grandparents 'were trying to make an exit' based on evidence recovered inside.

She added that the tight security made it difficult for firefighters to get inside the home.

It is understood Mr Airspe suffered dementia and that many of the home's possible exits were bolted from the inside in an effort to prevent him from leaving unnoticed and getting lost.

Neighbours said the elderly couple were popular and were often seen entertaining their grandchildren at home.

Ms Stiffler said it is essential that households check that their smoke alarms are working but also speak to their relatives about their plans in the event of a blaze at home.

'If youve got older family members  please, sit down, have the discussion, talk about where their safety escape plan is,' she said.

Ms Stiffler said the fatalities are 'a tragic reminder' about how dangerous are homes become during winter.

Fire and rescue NSW took almost three hours and used 24 firefighters and six fire trucks to extinguish the blaze at the Lily Road home

Sonia Airspe (pictured) who died in the house fire aged 75, is understood to have tried to keep the home secure so that her husband did not walk off and get lost

Neighbours said the elderly couple were popular and were often seen entertaining their grandchildren at home. Pictured, Orosil Airspe, who died aged 81

Six people have died in house fires across NSW so far this winter, one more than at the same time in 2022.

Last year a record 16 people died in NSW house fires over winter.

Fire and Rescue NSW warned householders to keep all materials at least a metre from any heater, ensure electric blankets are not damaged and ensure smoke alarms are connected and working properly.

Experts from FRNSW's Fire Investigation and Research Unit (FIRU) are now working with NSW Police to determine where and how the fire started.
Charles Manson led a cult of around one hundred disaffected young people in the 1960s, which he named the Manson Family, and dispatched his followers to murder Los Angeles' rich and famous in 1969.

The notorious Manson Family were convicted for nine murders after embarking on the killing spree that terrorized the city fifty years ago.

Now, decades later, one of the murderers Leslie Van Houten has been released from prison after serving more than fifty years for two of the infamous killings.

Members of the Manson Family stabbed, beat and shot young actress Sharon Tate, who was heavily pregnant, to death at her Hollywood Hills home on August 8 1969.

They also killed her friends, celebrity hairstylist Jay Sebring, coffee heiress Abigail Folger, aspiring screenwriter Wojciech Frykowski and teenager Steven Parent, who had been visiting an acquaintance at the estates guesthouse.

The next night Manson and some of his followers struck again, this time murdering wealthy grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary at their home.

Manson and his followers also killed musician Gary Hinman and Hollywood stuntman Donald 'Shorty' Shea.

Experts have since speculated that the group could have been responsible for more unsolved murders.

Here is everything you need to know about the Manson Family and where Charles Manson's surviving followers are today.

Charles Manson led a cult of disaffected young people in the 1960s, and dispatched his followers to murder Los Angeles' rich and famous in 1969

Charles Manson (pictured left in 2017) died in 2017 in prison where he was serving life for the brutal murders of nine LA residents in 1969 (pictured in 1969 right)

Members of the Manson Family stabbed, beat and shot young actress Sharon Tate (pictured), who was heavily pregnant, to death at her Hollywood Hills home on August 8 1969

How many of the Manson Family are still in jail?

Patricia Krenwinkel, who was convicted for the murders of Folger and Leno LaBianca, aged 75, remains in prison.

Krenwinkel met Manson when she was 19 and believed that she was in a romantic relationship with the cult leader, but he soon bartered her for sex and she twice attempted to leave.

His followers tracked her down, brought her back, and kept her high on drugs she later alleged.

Krenwinkel came up for parole in 2022, but Governor Gavin Newsom blocked her release.

Charles 'Tex' Watson, now 77, also remains behind bars for his role in the killings on the Tate estate and at LaBianca's home.

Watson first met Manson at Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson's home.

He shot Steven Parent after leading the killers to Tate's home, and also took part in the butchery at LaBianca's estate.

Despite his attempts over the years to convince the parole board he is a changed man Watson has repeatedly been denied release.

Bruce Davis, now 80, remains incarcerated at California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo.

He was convicted of taking part in the Hinman and Shea murders but was not involved in the Tate and LaBianca killings.

Davis attacked Shea with a knife and held Hinman at gunpoint while Manson butchered them with a sword.

Parole panels have repeatedly recommended his release, but governors have blocked it.

Bobby Beausoleil remains in prison at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville for murdering his musician friend Gary Hinman.

He was eventually recommended for release in 2018, but Governor Newsom also blocked the decision.

Leslie Van Houten spiraled out of control aged 14, she rejected her life as a high school cheerleader and homecoming princess and instead turned to a life of drugs

Leslie Van Houten has been released from prison after serving more than fifty years for two of the infamous killings

Leslie Van Houten, seen being transported to jail in 1977, had been originally sentenced to death before being resentenced to life imprisonment

Who has been released?

Leslie Van Houten spiraled out of control aged 14, she rejected her life as a high school cheerleader and homecoming princess and instead turned to a life of drugs.

When she became pregnant her mother forced her to have an abortion and bury the fetus in the backyard, she alleged.

Van Houten met Manson at an old movie ranch on the outskirts of Los Angeles.

She eventually ended up taking part in the murder of Rosemary LaBianca by holding a pillowcase over her head and stabbing her more than a dozen times.

Steve Clem' Grogan, 71, became involved with Manson while he was working as a ranch hand at the same old movie ranch where Manson put up his followers.

He was sentenced to life in prison for taking part in Sheas murder but was eventually paroled in 1985 and moved to Northern California.

Charles 'Tex' Watson, now 77, (pictured left in 2011) also remains behind bars for his role in the killings on the Tate estate and at LaBianca's home (pictured right in 1970)

Jay Sebring, hairdresser to the stars, and developer of male hair care products was murdered along with Sharon Tate and others by the Manson family

Manson and some of his followers also murdered wealthy grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary at their home

A policeman in the drive of the Los Angeles home of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca following their brutal murders

How many have died?

Charles Manson died in 2017, aged 83 having spent fifty years in prison.

He spent decades taunting prosecutors and investigators, at some points denying involvement in the murders and at others suggesting he had killed more than those he was convicted for.

Susan Atkins, one of Manson's followers convicted for the Tate, LaBianca and Hinman murders, died of cancer in 2009 aged 61.

Atkins was working as a topless dancer in San Francisco when she met Manson in 1967.

Initially the Tate and La Bianca murders went unsolved, but Atkins boasted of killing them to her cellmate in prison while serving time for unrelated offences.
New Yorkers are increasingly alarmed by crime, with millions saying they've never been this worried before and are turning to guns, pepper sprays and self-defense classes to make themselves feel safer, a survey shows.

Siena College Research Institute (SCRI) polling revealed shocking levels of anxiety across the Empire State, where 87 percent say crime is a serious problem and 61 percent worry about becoming a victim themselves.

Gov Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced more than $51 million in grants to combat hate crimes, and public perceptions of offending rates may not wholly reflect reality, but SCRI's polling spotlights a mounting problem.

'Is this the worst it's ever been?' asked Don Levy, SCRI's director.

New Yorkers are worried about walking into a crime scene, like this stick-up at a Manhattan jewelry store

Rich or poor, New Yorkers have crime on their mind

'Forty-one percent of all New Yorkers, with little variation across most demographic groups, say that they've never been this worried about their personal safety.'

SCRI released their polling data on Wednesday, as police began investigating the state's latest gun crime: an incident in The Bronx, in New York City, that left three people injured, including a six-year-old boy.

Researchers found that 51 percent of New Yorkers have been worried about their safety in public places, including schools, stores, or places of worship  which have all been targeted by mass shooters in recent years.

'Is this the worst it's ever been?' asked polling boss Don Levy

Another 36 percent of residents have felt threatened by a stranger's behavior in a public place this past year  an indication of the rousing levels of social problems like homelessness and drug use on the streets of major cities.

Many are turning to security devices  and not the police  for answers, from home security systems to firearms, tasers, pepper sprays and even weekly self-defense classes to boost their security, the survey found.

Four in ten New Yorkers have spent at least $100 on such products, 12 percent have spent more than $500.

Many people reported being a victim of crime themselves, or seeing one take place, says the survey of roughly 1,000 residents.

Some 9 percent of New Yorkers say they've been physically assaulted, the same number said they'd been burgled. Nearly 40 percent have witnessed violent or threatening behavior in a public setting.

'Crime isn't just something that happens to others faraway, according to New Yorkers,' added Levy.

'A majority are concerned about themselves or their loved ones being safe in public places, and many are taking steps to protect themselves as best they can.'

The situation is worst in New York City, home to some 8.5 million of the state's roughly 20 million people.

Security cameras, self-defense classes ... or simply moving to a safer area

Cops scour for shell casings after a shooting in Queens, New York City

New York City has struggled to bring crime rates back down from their uptick during the pandemic

City-dwellers report higher rates of assault and burglaries, have greater fears about crime, and are more likely to take a self-defense class, join a neighborhood watch, move home, or buy a gun.

The polling shows how New York City and the state have struggled to bring crime rates back down after they ticked up during the pandemic, raising tough questions for Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Speaking at the funeral of a dad-of-six who was shot dead by a scooter-riding madman this week, Adams vowed to halt the violence that's swamped the Big Apple since the coronavirus outbreak.

Adams and police were focused on problems that contributed to the death of the shooting victim, Homod Ali Saeidi: ghost guns, illegal scooters and mental illness.

'We have to get those things that harm innocent people off our streets,' said the mayor.

'We're steadfast. We're not going to allow anyone to deter us from that.'
President Zelensky insisted Ukraine is always grateful for Western aid to fight Russia today after an astonishing attack by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.

Zelensky offered to meet the minister tomorrow after his controversial remarks at a Nato conference in the Baltic.

At an event in Lithuania, the Defence Secretary said he had bluntly told told Kyiv officials 'I'm not Amazon' when he was presented with a 'shopping list' after an 11-hour drive to visit the war-torn capital.

He went on to suggest that Kyiv had not shown enough 'gratitude' for the materiel support it had received since the February 2022 invasion.

Rishi Sunak publicly distanced himself from his senior minister's complaint, saying the Mr Zelensky had 'expressed his gratitude for what we have done on a number of occasions'.

It came after the Ukrainian war leader had expressed his frustration at the reluctance of the 31 member states to agree a firm timetable for membership.

Joe Biden's administration has also told Ukraine that the US 'deserves a degree of gratitude' for its billions of dollars in military support to the war-torn nation.

The Defence Secretary said he had bluntly told told Kyiv officials 'I'm not Amazon' on a recent visit, after being presented with a shopping list of items they wanted to be supplied with.

It came after the Ukrainian war leader had expressed his frustration at the reluctance of the 31 member states to agree a firm timetable for membership.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today told Mr Zelensky he belonged in Nato as he assured him 'real progress' had been made on providing security guarantees for Kyiv.

The PM told a press conference that Ukraine was 'enormously grateful ... president Zelensky has expressed his gratitude for what we have done on a number of occasions'.

In surprisingly strong remarks at the event in Vilnius, Mr Wallace told reporters: 'There is a slight word of caution here which is that, whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude.'

'My counsel to the Ukrainians... you're persuading countries to give up their own stocks. And yes the war is a noble war and yes we see it as you doing a war for not just yourself but our freedoms.

'But sometimes you've got to persuade lawmakers on the Hill in America. You've got to persuade doubting politicians in other countries that it's worth it and it's worthwhile and they're getting something for it.'

A bemused Mr Zelensky later said he was 'always grateful' for foreign aid, adding: 'I don't clearly understand the questions. We were always grateful to the UK, to the prime ministers and to the minister of defence.'

And Mr Sunak told his own press conference at the event: '(He) expressed his gratitude for what we have done on a number of occasions, not least in his incredibly moving address that he made to Parliament earlier this year and he has done so again to me, as he has done countless times when I have met him.

'So I know that he and his people are incredibly grateful for the support we have shown, the welcome that we have provided to many Ukrainian families, but also the leadership we have shown throughout this conflict.'

Mr Sunak today told Mr Zelensky he belonged in Nato as he assured him 'real progress' had been made on providing security guarantees for Kyiv.

Mr Zelensky said it was 'logical and understandable' that Ukraine could not be admitted immediately as the struggle against Russia meant the conflict would develop into a world war.

But he said Nato had sent 'signals' that were 'important' when it came to Ukraine becoming a member state.

'Already we can hear some confident statements (about) when the conditions will be met,' said Mr Zelensky, who was speaking through a translator.

As well as holding talks with Mr Sunak, the Ukrainian leader also met other G7 heads of state, including German chancellor Olaf Scholz and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.

He is expected to meet US president Joe Biden later on Wednesday.

Labour's shadow defence secretary John Healey said: 'The Ukrainians are fighting for the future and the freedom of their country.

'President Zelensky wants more military help yesterday, of course he does. What he doesn't need is lectures on gratitude, especially when they overshadow a successful summit in which NATO is stronger and the support for Ukraine is greater.'

This morning US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan issued a thinly-veiled warning to Kyiv.

He angrily dismissed claims from Ukrainian anti-corruption activist Daria Kaleniuk that the president 'was afraid of Russia' by not setting out a timeline for Ukraine to join the Brussels-based military alliance.

'The United States of America has stepped up to provide an enormous amount of capacity to help ensure that Ukraine's brave soldiers have the ammunition, air defense, the infantry, fighting vehicles, the mine clearing equipment and so much else to be able to effectively defend against Russia's onslaught and to take territory back as well,' he said.

'I think the American people do deserve a degree of gratitude from the United States government for their willingness to step up and from the rest of the world as well.'

In a thinly-veiled swipe at Zelensky's criticism of his Western allies, Sullivan said some of the charges leveled against the U.S. were 'entirely unfounded and unjustified.'

The United States is by far the largest donor of military support to Ukraine, offering more than $46 billion worth of hardware to Kyiv, according to data from a respected German think-tank.

Lawmakers in Congress have earmarked as much as $100 billion, but not all of that aid has yet been drawn down to help the Ukrainian government.

Most of the weapons shipped to Ukraine are also made in the U.S., boosting jobs in the country's key defense sector.

The second largest donor, by contrast, is Britain, which has offered up just over $6 billion, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy's Ukraine Support Tracker.
A primary school student who died after catching the flu was so unwell she was taken to the emergency department a day earlier but was discharged.

Emma Schwab, 11, was treated for Influenza B at Noosa Hospital on Queensland's Sunshine Coast on July 5 but returned home.

Her condition then worsened to the point paramedics were called the following day, reports The Courier Mail.

Multiple ambulance crews, including critical care paramedics, attended the home and rushed her to Gold Coast University Hospital where she sadly died on July 6.

A Gold Coast University Hospital spokesperson would not comment on specifics but said it was 'heartbreaking' and that trained personnel were supporting Emma's devastated parents Cameron and Javiera Schwab.

Noosa Hospital is run by Ramsay Health Care with a spokesperson telling the newspaper they have reached out to the family.

'We express our deepest condolences to the patient's family and loved ones; we have been in contact with the family to offer our support during this extremely difficult time.'

Emma Schwab (pictured), 11, from Noosa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, died last Thursday after contracting Influenza B

Emma pictured with her mum Javiera was released from hospital and went home

Australia is experiencing a spike in flu cases this season, with the highest number among children.

From January 1 to June 25, there have been 116,473 flu notifications reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) in Australia, the Health Department said.

'Since seasonal surveillance commenced in April 2023, there have been 1,236 sentinel hospital admissions with influenza, of which 80 people or 6.5 per cent were admitted directly to ICU.'

'In the year-to-date, notification rates have been highest in people aged 0509 years, followed by those aged 004 years, and 1014 years.'

In NSW alone, those aged 16 and under represent 54 per cent of all emergency department admissions for influenza-like illness over the last week, with NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant labelling the spike 'concerning'.

'In recent weeks we have seen influenza cases rising fastest among very young children as well as those aged five to 16 years, with these two age groups often accounting for around half of all flu cases diagnosed in NSW each week,' said Dr Chant.

'Sadly, our children's hospitals are seeing an increasing number of these children being admitted for care and some of these patients are seriously unwell.

Dr Chant urged parents to get their children vaccinated against flu to reduce the risk of them being hospitalised.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has urged parents to get their children vaccinated against flu

Since May, 16 children have been admitted to intensive care in NSW with life-threatening complications from influenza at Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, The Children's Hospital at Westmead and John Hunter Hospital.

Doctors say these can include serious heart, brain, and muscle-related complications.

A GoFundMe page, set up by a friend of Emma Schwab's parents to cover her funeral costs, has raised almost $9,000.

'Emma tragically passed away on Thursday from Influenza B,' wrote the GoFundMe organiser Mel Horton.

'She was only 11 years old. Understandably the family is torn apart.'

Emma's death comes after a teenage girl from the Central Coast also died after contracting Influenza B.

A teenage girl from the Central Coast also died after contracting Influenza. The Year 9 student attended St Joseph's Catholic College in East Gosford (pictured) and passed away on the weekend after falling ill with the disease several weeks ago

The Year 9 student attended St Joseph's Catholic College in East Gosford and passed away on the weekend after falling ill with the disease several weeks ago.

Parents with children at the school received a letter informing them of the girl's tragic death, according to the ABC.

'(She) was a well-loved student, thoughtful to the needs of others, a true friend and a valued member of our college community,' the letter read.
US voters by wide margins say prosecutors gave Hunter Biden 'special treatment' over his tax and gun-related charges, including half of Democrats, a DailyMail.com/TIPP Poll shows.

Our survey of more than 1,300 adults this month found that 61 percent said President Joe Biden's son got a sweetheart deal last month when prosecutors let him plead guilty to tax charges but dodge a gun-related conviction.

An overwhelming 83 percent of Republicans said the younger Biden had received special treatment, but importantly, about half of supporters of the president's own Democratic Party felt the same way.

Researchers found that almost every demographic  including men, women, whites, blacks, and Hispanics from all regions of the US  broadly agreed that Hunter's deal was unusually generous.

Most observers saw Hunter's treatment as a sweetheart deal

The deal has not allayed concerns about Hunter Biden's behavior in conservative circles

US Attorney David Weiss, a federal prosecutor appointed by Republican former President Donald Trump, last month said Hunter, 53, had agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges of willfully failing to pay income taxes.

He had also entered into an agreement that could avert a conviction on a gun-related charge, Weiss added.

Trump and his Republican allies charged that the plea agreement amounted to special treatment for Biden's son.

Weiss was one of a few Trump-appointed prosecutors that Biden asked to stay on after he took office in January 2021, to avoid the appearance of tampering in politically sensitive investigations.

The younger Biden has worked as a lobbyist, lawyer, consultant to foreign companies, investment banker and artist, and has publicly detailed his struggles with drug abuse and prostitutes.

He is set to make an initial appearance in federal court in Delaware, according to court filings.

The papers show that Hunter received taxable income of more than $1.5 million in 2017 and in 2018, but did not pay income tax those years despite owing in excess of $100,000.

A majority in almost every demographic  including men, women, whites, blacks, and Hispanics from all regions of the US  saw Hunter's treatment as unusually generous

He is also charged with unlawfully owning a firearm from roughly October 12-23, 2018, when he was using and hooked on drugs.

For that charge, he entered a pretrial diversion agreement, an alternative to prosecution that is sometimes used to allow defendants to avoid prison time or a criminal conviction.

The deal does not appear to have allayed concerns about the conduct of the president's son among Republicans, who are investigating allegations of foreign influence peddling among Biden family members when Joe Biden was Vice President in the Obama administration.

Testifying on Wednesday in front of the House Judiciary Committee, FBI Director Christopher Wray insisted he was 'absolutely not' working to protect the Biden family and that the agency had not been politicized.
The announcement came a day after Ukraine's leader unleashed a social media tirade slamming the move not to offer his country a pathway to join NATO

The world's leading economies vowed to provide 'long-term' security aid to the war-torn nation

Joe Biden looks set to face fresh questions over his fitness for office after he mixed up Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky with Russian strongman Vladimir Putin.

The 80-year-old commander-in-chief referred to Zelensky as 'Vladimir' as he poured praise on the Ukrainian military for its fightback against Moscow's troops.

It is yet another high-profile gaffe from Biden, who will be 86 at the end of his second term if re-elected, quickly corrected himself 'for being too familiar.'

The president regularly uses cue cards in his public appearances because aides are worried about his regular slip-ups.

Biden had just vowed to stand by Ukraine 'as long as it takes' as he and fellow G7 leaders announced a new security deal for Kyiv.

It came just one day after Volodymyr Zelensky launched a social media tirade against his Western allies over what he called an 'absurd' delay to setting out a pathway to his country's full membership of the NATO military alliance.

'We are going to be there as long as it takes,' Biden said in a speech flanked by fellow leaders from the G7, a club of the world's richest economies that includes Britain and France.

'We are going to help Ukraine build a strong and capable defense across land, air and sea,' he added before being ushered off stage, insisting the Ukrainian military would be 'a force of stability in the region.'

The president insisted that his administration would not abandon Ukraine as he announced 'long term commitments' to support the country's military and protect it from further Russian aggression

Most Western allies have already provided substantive military support, but mainly to be used by land forces. Western fighter jets or warships have not been delivered so far.

Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart later sat down for long-awaited talks in Vilnius, Lithuania on the second day of a key NATO summit.

The president acknowledged that sometimes Ukraine was 'frustrated' with the speed and scope of arms deliveries but vowed that the U.S. 'is not going anywhere.'

Dressed in his trademark olive green combat fatigues, Zelensky appeared to row back on his bullish outburst from 24 hours earlier.

He thanked 'all Americans' for their support and standing 'shoulder to shoulder' with Kyiv.

The commander-in-chief's remarks come just hours after his National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan made pointed comments at a foreign policy forum that appeared to criticize Kyiv officials.

Sullivan slammed claims from an anti-corruption activist that Biden was not willing to offer full NATO membership to Ukraine because he was 'afraid of Russia' and said American taxpayers should receive 'a degree of gratitude' for their support of the country.

But the security deal announced on Wednesday still falls short of the timeline for joining the Brussels-based mutual defense club that Kyiv had sought.

Nor will it see foreign troops sent to Ukraine in the event of a future Russian invasion.

Zelensky had annoyed some members of the U.S. delegation with a blistering Twitter outburst shortly before he arrived.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky came into the summit blasting NATO allies for not providing a date when Ukraine would be invited to join

'It's unprecedented and absurd when time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine's membership. While at the same time vague wording about 'conditions' is added even for inviting Ukraine,' Zelensky said.

'This means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraine's membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia,' he said. 'And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror.'

He followed that up with a speech to an adoring crowd in the town square of Vilnius, where locals have long memories about the decades when Lithuania was absorbed into the Soviet empire.

Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan hit out at suggestions that Washington was going soft on Russia by refusing to extend a formal invitation to Kyiv for NATO membership.

Speaking at the NATO Public Forum event, Sullivan slammed anti-corruption activist Daria Kaleniuk after she suggested Biden was 'afraid of Russia, afraid of Ukraine winning.'

The top Biden aide said: 'The United States of America has stepped up to provide an enormous amount of capacity to help ensure that Ukraine's brave soldiers have the ammunition, air defense, the infantry, fighting vehicles, the mine clearing equipment and so much else to be able to effectively defend against Russia's onslaught and to take territory back as well.

'I think the American people do deserve a degree of gratitude from the United States government for their willingness to step up and from the rest of the world as well.'

In a thinly veiled swipe at Ukrainian criticism of their Western allies, Sullivan said some of the claims made against the U.S. were 'entirely unfounded and unjustified.'

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace echoed Sullivan's remarks with an unusually blunt riposte to the Ukrainian government.

'There is a slight word of caution here which is that, whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude,' he told reporters.

'My counsel to the Ukrainians... you're persuading countries to give up their own stocks. And yes, the war is a noble war and yes, we see it as you are doing a war for not just yourself but our freedoms.

'But sometimes you've got to persuade lawmakers on the Hill in America. You've got to persuade doubting politicians in other countries that it's worth it and it's worthwhile and they're getting something for it. 'Whether you like that or not, that is just the reality of it.'

Ukraine is deeply suspicious of any less-binding security 'assurances', given that Russia's invasion already trampled the so-called Budapest Memorandum under which international powers committed to keeping the country safe in exchange for Kyiv giving up its Soviet-era nuclear arms.

The Kremlin has already called the plans 'potentially very dangerous' for European security.

White House national security official Amanda Sloat earlier talked up the new joint NATO communique on Ukraine for what it did signal, as opposed to what Ukrainian president Zelensky said it lacked.

He spoke in the Vilnius town square and brandished a Bakhmut battle flag, speaking with his wife Olena Zelenska

Biden, here with NATO Sec. Gen. Jens Stoltenberg, has cautioned against admitting Ukraine while it is in a war

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) and his wife Olena Zelenska (L) participate in a family photograph ahead of the social dinner during the NATO summit. Biden skipped the event

Turkish President Recep Erdogan, who met with Biden, announced he would get behind a bid to allow Sweden to join the group

She called it 'unprecedented,' adding on a call with reporters traveling with the president that 'we reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of the NATO alliance.

She noted that the negotiators upgraded a 'commission' on Ukraine to a 'council.'

Back in 2008, in a move still on the minds of diplomats gathered in Vilnius, members in Bucharest said Georgia and Ukraine would eventually become members of the powerful group. Russia invaded Russia months later.

Zelensky was less biting in comments to reporters Wednesday.

He said he is working to make sure Ukraine 'will have this invitation when security measures will allow,' adding, 'We want to be on the same page with everybody.'

He has a long track record of demanding more, even from allies who are providing heavy weapons to help Ukraine battle Russia's invasion, often to useful effect.

Writing on Telegram, he later thanked Australia after Canberra agreed to give Ukraine a new package including 30 Bushmaster armored vehicles following talks with the country's prime minister, Anthony Albanese.
Leslie Van Houten walked out of a California prison on July 11 after serving 53 years of a life sentence for her participation in two of the infamous Manson murders.

Van Houten, the youngest member of the Manson Family cult, 'was released to parole supervision' and driven to transitional housing, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

This was her fifth recommendation to the parole board, with all since the first in 2016 having been vetoed.

In the next year it is expected that she will be rehabilitated into what has become a vastly different world to that when she was imprisoned.

Find out about Van Houten's future on parole by reading on.

Leslie Van Houten (pictured in 2017) was freed from a California prison on July 11 after serving 53 years of a life sentence

She was serving a life sentence for helping Charles Manson carry out the 1969 killings of Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary. Manson is pictured above

On August 9, 1969, Van Houten, Manson, and Patricia Krenwinkel murdered Leno and Rosemary LaBianca (above), with three accomplices

Who is Leslie Van Houten?

Van Houten was born on August 23, 1949, in Altadena, Los Angeles into a middle class, churchgoing family.

During her adolescence, her parents divorced and she began using drugs such as LSD and cannabis.

Van Houten has said that she was driven apart from her mother when she was made to abort a baby aged 17.

Two years later she became the youngest member of the Manson Family - a white-supremacist cult led by serial killer Charles Manson in California.

On August 9, 1969, Van Houten, Manson, and Patricia Krenwinkel murdered Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, with three accomplices.

Van Houten was found guilty of first degree murder, and initially given a death sentence, however, after the Californian Supreme Court deemed the penalty unconstitutional in 1972, this was reduced to a life sentence with eligibility for parole.

Why has she been granted parole?

After her 13th parole rejection, already in 2008, Van Houten took legal action on the basis that the decision was made purely on evidence from her crimes.

However, she continued to not be recommended for parole until 2016.

Her fifth recommendation, in November 2021, was overruled like the previous four, and a request for review was rejected the following year.

But on May 30 2023, an appeal court set aside the parole denial, ruling in Van Houten's favor.

The decision was made based on her 'extraordinary rehabilitative efforts, insight, remorse, realistic parole plans, support from family and friends, favorable institutional reports, and, at the time of the Governors decision, had received four successive grants of parole.'

Van Houten (right) was the youngest of the Manson Family - a white-supremacist cult

What will Leslie Van Houten do now?

READ MORE: Manson victim family slam Leslie Van Houten's release from prison Advertisement

Governor Gavin Newsom, who overruled the original recommendation, confirmed that he would not fight the state appeals court ruling on July 7.

With her release 53 years after she went to prison, Van Houten will spend roughly a year in transitional housing, learning basic skills such as how to go to the grocery store and get a debit card, according to her attorney Nancy Tetreault.

The supervised parole term is a maximum of three years, with a discharge review occurring after one year.

'She's still trying to get used to the idea that this real,' her lawyer said.

'She's been in prison for 53 years... She just needs to learn how to use an ATM machine, let alone a cell phone, let alone a computer.'

Tetreault also told CNN that her and her client had discussed the possibility of the latter being overwhelmed by the transition.

Van Houten will seek work relevant to the bachelor's and master's degrees which she attained while in prison after she has started acclimatizing.
The state of California has spent a staggering $17.5 billion to combat homelessness in the past four year as the population on the streets swelled to 170,000.

According to a budget report, a total of $20.6 billion has been allocated through to 2024 to combat homelessness in The Golden State.

This includes nearly $4 billion being issued to local governments, $3.7 billion to a program called Project Homekey which funds local governments to buy commercial buildings and motels to turn them into accommodation.

Jason Elliott, senior adviser on homelessness to Governor Gavin Newsom told CNN: 'The problem would be so much worse, absent these interventions. And that's not what people want to hear. I get it, we get it.'

The state's homeless population has grown, with California adding more homeless people every year than any other state.

A homeless man, warms up a piece of doughnut over a bonfire he set to keep himself warm on Skid Row in Los Angeles, on Feb. 14, 2023

A homeless person lies on the sidewalk while holding a water bottle, Sunday, July 2, 2023

One aide to Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom, Jason Elliott who is pictured here, has said that the problem could be 'so much worse'

The outlet also reported that with the $17.5 billion being handed out to deal with the problem, they could just in theory pay the rent of homeless people.

Elliott said: 'That is reductive. Perhaps that would work for me, because I dont have significant behavioral health challenges.

'If two thirds of people on the streets right now are experiencing mental health symptoms, we cant just pay their rent.'

According to Elliott, the state needs more 2.5 million more units in California to house the homeless.

He described this as: 'A problem that is decades and decades in the making because of policy choices that we've made. We are not blameless.

'And when I say we, I mean Republicans and Democrats alike.'

Through the Project Homekey initiative, 13,500 units have been finished but Elliott admits 'it's not enough'.

A further $2 billion from the huge pot went toward tax credits for developers to build affordable housing, which has seen 481 new units completed so far, with thousands more anticipated.

Another $2 billion went to kick-start affordable housing projects, stalled by funding shortfalls. And nearly $2 billion was spent on emergency rental assistance.

Homelessness figures have risen 13 percent in California during Governor Newsom's time as governor, with statistics showing a 6.8 per cent increase between 2019 and 2020, and a further 6 percent increase between 2020 and 2022, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

Under Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom's leadership, the number of homeless people has risen

A line of tents can be seen here on the pavement in the Skid Row neighborhood of Los Angeles

Amber and Carl, right, sit near their tents in the Skid Row neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA, 29 June 2023

The state has struggled in recent years with devastating wildfires and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Elliott continued: 'Its frustrating. At the end of the day if we want to truly solve homelessness in America. We need to build more housing.'

In a new report by Dr. Margot Kushel, which was commissioned by the state, she dispelled myths including that people living rough don't want a permanent house.

She also concluded that nine out of ten people lost their stable housing in the state of California and did not make their way to the state due to being homeless.

She told CNN: 'Nine out of 10 people lost their stable housing here. These are Californians. We have to create the housing for all Californians.'

Kushel also said that 65% of respondents did report 'symptoms of mental health conditions'.

On Monday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency to confront the homelessness crisis.

There was a 6 percent increase between 2020 and 2022, according to government statistics

Outside of Los Angeles, cities like San Francisco have also been suffering from large amounts of homeless people

A homeless woman moves her belongings after being approached by the San Francisco Homeless Outreach Team's Encampment Resolution Team in San Francisco, on Dec. 13, 2022

She said: 'Its no secret that Los Angeles is facing an emergency when it comes to homelessness.

'This is an issue of life and death for the thousands of people who are living in tents and cars.

'Thats why I signed an updated declaration of emergency and have continued to lock arms with the City Council to maintain our momentum toward confronting homelessness and building more affordable housing.'

Earlier this week, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, pictured here, declared a state of emergency to confront the homelessness crisis

Bass has also launched a program called Inside Safe to clear street encampments, which has so far moved 1,300 people off the streets into motels.

Bass refused to tell reporters how many of these people had since been moved to permanent housing.

The 2023-2024 city budget includes $250 million for Inside Safe. From the total, $110 million will be used to pay for temporary motels. $21 million will be used for permanent housing.
Two other cops claim that was allowed to remain on paid leave because of an 'ongoing sexual relationship' with police Chief Kevin Sylvester

Emily Hirshowitz was charged with sending herself threatening messages after claiming they came from a colleague in Ossining in Upstate New York

A police officer accused of sending herself menacing texts to get another officer fired was in a 'sexual relationship' with her chief, a lawsuit claims.

Officer Emily Hirshowitz, 36, is accused of having an 'ongoing' relationship with chief Kevin Sylvester.

The bombshell claim was made by two former officers who say Sylvester forced them both to resign from the police department in Ossining in Upstate New York.

Officers Louis Rinaldi and Andrea Zambrano claim they were suspended without pay after facing internal departmental charges by Sylvester in recent years.

Hirshowitz initially accused Rinaldi of sending threatening messages to her phone before she was arrested last month for sending them to herself.

Ossining officer Emily Hirshowitz, 36, (left) is accused of having an 'ongoing' relationship with Police Chief Kevin Sylvester (right)

Officers Louis Rinaldi (left) and Andrea Zambrano (right) claim they were suspended without pay after facing internal departmental charges by Sylvester in recent years.

She was charged with four counts of third-degree falsely reporting an incident and another three counts of first-degree filing a false instrument.

Sylvester allegedly allowed her to remain on paid leave despite the charges, something which the former officers say is a 'lighter punishment' than others had previously received.

'Sylvester told [village officials] that Hirshowitz had been set up by Plaintiffs Rinaldi and Zambrano and personally recommended she not be suspended without pay,' the lawsuit says.

Sylvester is also accused of interviewing other cops 'directly asking each officer if they were aware the Rinaldi was sending the texts.'

The lawsuit against the village and various village officials claims Sylvester tried to point the finger at Rinaldi 'despite having no evidence to support his accusations.'

Rinaldi and Zambrano field their legal action earlier this month, in which they accuse Sylvester of unfairly forcing both of them to resign from their positions, interfering in their pursuits for other police jobs.

They claim that he targeted them both after several clashes, and brought a slew of other allegations against the police chief and the village.

Zambrano joined the force as a paramedic in 2016, and resigned in July 2020, after filing a harassment complaint against Sylvester in April 2019.

Sylvester allegedly allowed her to remain on paid leave despite the charges, something which the former officers say is a 'lighter punishment' than others had previously received.

The lawsuit against the village and various village officials claims Sylvester tried to point the finger at Rinaldi 'despite having no evidence to support his accusations.' Pictured: Hirshowitz alongside Police Chief Kevin Sylvester

Hirshowitz was named '2018 Employee of the Year' by the Rotary Club of Ossining

She claims that he told her to comply with orders that she believes went against her doctor's recommendations.

The lawsuit states that Sylvester complained to her colleagues about the legal costs of the complaint, which was deemed unfounded, with Zambrano requesting to change shift to limit contact with Sylvester.

Unspecified departmental charges were brought against her in April 2020 and she was suspended without pay, with the pandemic delaying the hearings before she claims she was forced to resign.

Her lawyers also claim that Sylvester directed members of the department to acquire data on her personal cars from the county's license plate readers dating back to November 2017.

Officer Rinaldi reached an agreement in April 2022 and resigned in May. He accused Sylvester of indirectly costing him a job he expected to get at Greenburgh Police Department.

Rinaldi claims he was forced to undergo substance abuse rehab in 2018, and was the target of several allegations by Sylvester related to domestic violence instances.

He was handed disciplinary charges in January 2021 after an incident with his fiance, with Rinaldi undergoing further treatment for substance abuse.

At one point, Hirshowitz suddenly seemed keen on dropping the investigation but her superiors were persistent and wanted to get to the bottom of who was behind the messages

Hirshowitz filed a report with the District Attorney's office in May 2022, claiming to have received threatening texts from several anonymous numbers

In November 2021 there was a second incident, although Rinaldi maintains he was the victim and filed a complaint against Sylvester  who tried to get his fiancee to cooperate against Rinaldi, according to the lawsuit.

Additional disciplinary charges were then brought based on a video purportedly showing Rinaldi ingesting a white powdery substance while off duty in 2019 and Rinaldi was suspended without pay in early December 2021.

The video was provided by his fiancee and the lawsuit contends that Sylvester repeatedly contacted her between November 2021 and March 2022 'to gather information against Rinaldi.'

Lawyers for the village branded the claims as 'ludicrous' telling The Journal News: 'Some (claims) are so ludicrous that you don't dignify them with a denial.

'It appears to me to be a lawsuit out of spite. Allegations are easy and talk is cheap.'

The lawsuit comes about a week after the criminal charges were filed against Hirshowitz, who is set to appear in court on July 12.

She filed a report with the District Attorney's office in May 2022, claiming to have received threatening texts from several anonymous numbers.

Hirshowitz believed fellow police officers from were behind the messages, writing in a complaint 'a fellow police officer or multiple police officers at my department are involved.'

Rinaldi (center) claims he was forced to undergo substance abuse rehab in 2018, and was the target of several allegations by Sylvester related to domestic violence instances.

Hirshowitz blamed the menacing texts on fellow officers within Ossining PD leading to an investigation by police and the District Attorney

Months later, in July and August, Hirshowitz went on to make further complaints, this time including screenshots of messages filled with expletives.

The messages called her 'useless,' 'dumb' and a 'reject,' while others were full of insults and some even suggested she commit suicide.

In August last year her bosses pushed for the DA's office to continue investigating the matter despite Hirshowitz telling the office she no longer wanted to pursue the complaint any longer.

A department-wide meeting was held on August 23 at which the mayor of Ossining attended alongside Sylvester.

A search warrant was obtained for her cellphone and Apple iCloud accounts in October.

Prosecutors found evidence indicating that she controlled several of the phone numbers from which the threatening messages were sent - with at least eight messages emanating from devices owned by her.

Hirshowitz's attorney, Paul DerOhannesian, says more information needs to be gathered regarding the case.

'There's a lot of mystery and confusion surrounding the allegations in this case and we'll evaluate as we learn more,' said DerOhannesian to the The Journal News.
Charlotte Rooks fears Craig Thomas will track her down again now he's free

A woman who was beaten with hammers and forced to eat photos of dead relatives by her ex-boyfriend is living in fear that he will track her down having been released from prison after ten years.

Craig Thomas's relentless campaign of terror against Charlotte Rooks was described as the 'worst domestic abuse' a judge had ever seen.

He was given ten-year prison sentence for beating her with hammers, making her sleep naked standing up and even forcing her to eat photographs of dead loved ones as a bizarre punishment.

Thomas was jailed in 2013 and then initially released on probation in 2019 after serving half his sentence - but quickly recalled to prison for breaching the terms of his release.

But now he's served the full ten years, his release has become automatic - and Ms Rooks was advised this week that he is free, but has not been told where he's staying, fearing that he could try to track her down again.

Craig Thomas's relentless campaign of abuse was described as the 'worst domestic abuse' a judge had ever seen

Ms Rooks was beaten with hammers, made to sleep naked standing up and even forced to eat photographs of dead loved ones as a bizarre punishment

Ms Rooks' life was ruined by the campaign of abuse she suffered at the hands of Thomas

She told MailOnline: 'I am terrified that he will try to find me and finish what he started.

'When Thomas came out the last time, he was on licence and banned from Cardiff as part of those conditions. Now he has served the full ten years, he has no such restrictions.

'Instead, I am a prisoner, and he is freer than I could ever imagine. I am more afraid now than when he took me ten years ago. He could move around the corner from me.'

'Craig Thomas nearly killed me at the time. My injuries are life-changing. I have a bulging blood vessel in my brain. Even now, that could rupture and kill me.

'He said "If you survive this, every time you look in the mirror, you will be reminded of what I did to you", and it is true Thomas has branded my face.

'It has taken me ten years to get to the point I am at now, I am working in a role where I am using my lived experience to help others, and I hope to create a charity looking after the pets of women fleeing domestic violence.

'Despite everything I have said, I am placing my faith in the police and the public to protect me from Thomas, and I am grateful for my recent contact with the officers currently serving with South Wales Police.'

An earlier investigation into the police's handling of Thomas's abuse found widespread failings.

The damning 2018 report from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) revealed how police:

Visited the flat where Ms Rooks was trapped several times after tip-offs from members of the public.

Failed to grasp the full horror of the victim's enduring ordeal.

Failed to arrest her tormentor until she finally managed to escape through her own daring.

Failed to properly conduct their own internal investigations into mistakes made.

Following its publication, South Wales Police issued a 'sincere apology' and admitted that Ms Rooks was let down by them.

One one occasion after being called to the property officers concluded the couple had been having loud sex. In fact Thomas had been brutally beating Ms Rooks.

Ms Rooks (pictured, her injuries) was advised this week that he is free, but has not been told where he's staying, fearing that he could try to track her down again

The police officers did not contact the person who made the tip-off, and the report concluded that 'the rationale that they had disturbed a couple 'having sex' does not explain the presence of the bruising seen days before by the witness. This was seemingly overlooked by both officers'.

The officers did not attempt to speak to Ms Rooks in a separate room to her alleged attacker, despite it being their policy to do so.

She even tried to tip the officers off by saying it was her baby that had been heard. They did not pick up on the hint that she didn't have a baby.

On another occasion a member of the public reported seeing Thomas attacking Ms Rooks through the window of his flat on Trenchard Drive in Llanishen, Cardiff.

Four officers went to the flat and Thomas told them the call was a fake, claiming that 'people had a vendetta against him over drugs and suggested that this was why the police had been called'.

The call was in fact genuine. Thomas had been repeatedly beating a pregnant Ms Rooks, hitting her stomach with the metal extension from his vacuum.

Despite the fact officers identified reddening on her cheek that 'looked fresh' and injuries to her eye it was recorded that there was no sign of a disturbance.

When the police left on that day Thomas took out his frustrations on Ms Rooks, the report revealed.

'When they left I knew that I was f***ed,' said Ms Rooks. 'I thought that I was going to die. That night I remember saying to him to just kill me.

'He said: "I will either give you bleach or you can put a bag over your head."

'I remember really weighing up these options because I just wanted to die.

'That night he lifted up the sofa and made me lie down and put my arms above my head so that my hands were trapped under the sofa and would then repeatedly jump on my stomach.

'Obviously your body reaction is to curl up but my hands were trapped under the sofa. If I couldn't control my reflexes he would just stamp on my head - that went on all night.

'I was being tortured. That is exactly what CID said. [The person interviewing me] had to take a break himself during the interview.'

Thomas was eventually arrested and sentenced to ten years in prison at Cardiff Crown Court.

The Ministry of Justice has been contacted for comment.
The world sighed over Brad Pitt's beauty when he stepped out in racing overalls at Silverstone last weekend. How could this man, approaching his 60th birthday, still look like the golden god who charmed Geena Davis into bed in Thelma and Louise way back in 1991?

But in an extraordinary 98 page legal filing  obtained exclusively by the Daily Mail - quite a different picture is painted of the A-list star.

And this depiction of William Bradley Pitt is not pretty at all.

Pitt, 59, is described in the court filing as a 'bully' who has acted emotionally, irrationally and 'ultimately illegally' over the vineyard where he and Angelina Jolie were married.

He's said to have run a long obstructionist campaign to prevent his ex wife Angelina Jolie, and her former investment company Nouvel, from profits and a say in the running of their wine business based at their former French hideaway, Chateau Miraval.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt at a Cannes film premiere in 2007, when they were still married

Chateau Miraval  which is now valued at $164million  is where the couple tied the knot in 2014

It is tempting to describe this dispute  centring as it does on a vineyard  as sour grapes. But the harvest is far too bitter for that.

For the incendiary document  which aims to get 'at least' $350million from Pitt by way of compensation over a dispute  is dotted with personal details about the man and his marriage.

It isn't  quite  a character assassination, but what is said by lawyers acting for Nouvel, the company formerly owned by Jolie  is deeply damaging. Nouvel was founded by Jolie but sold to a subsidiary of Stoli Group in October 2021.

It is said by lawyers for Nouvel that Jolie had to sell the business because after the drunken row on a private plane which ended their marriage in 2016, she was 'uncomfortable' being involved in the sale of alcohol.

The filing alleges that their six children were so traumatised by that incident on the plane  described in full, riveting detail - that they have not been able to go back to Chateau Miraval since.

The documents allege that Pitt has run a 'gaslighting' campaign which suggests that the image of the brand was damaged by its association with Yuri Shefler of Stoli, who bought Jolie's share.

In point of fact, say Nouvel's lawyers, the risk of damage to the brand comes from Pitt's own tarnished image. Pitt is bluntly invited to 'look in the mirror.'

The spectre of disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein  in prison for rape and sexual misconduct  is invoked.

Even his attempts to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, by building houses, are derided.

Pitt stands accused of using a deal with Jolie over the asset as 'leverage' by offering her 'poison pill' terms in a tit for tat after she filed allegations of domestic abuse during their custody battle.

Its also said in the filing that the Chateau Miraval company made no repayment of $40 million of loans and that Jolie sought to sell the company in order to 'achieve liquidity'  an astonishing assertion given her long and successful career in Hollywood.

Pitt at Chateau Miraval during a launch of his skincare line, Le Domaine

Meanwhile, it is alleged that Pitt has used the company as his 'personal cashbox' and squandered millions on 'vanity projects.' Over 1million Euro was spent on a swimming pool, and a further 1million a year was spent on a team of Croatian stone-masons who worked on walls at the property.

The document claims: 'Lately, Pitt has shifted his public relations campaign, claiming that Shefler and the Stoli Group are trying to evict him from his ''family home'' and eject him from the business that he ''built''. Talk about fantasy.

'This is a fight about money and corporate control, not a fight over a family home. Pitt seeks to exert total and absolute control over Chateau Miraval and its profitable wine business, ignoring that, legally, he co-owns it with Tenute del Monde. The chateau is no one's ''home''.

Pitt is not a French citizen who keeps the chateau as his domicile. And the notion that Chateau Miraval was the Pitt-Jolie family home died back in 2016 when Pitt terrorized his wife and children in a drunken rage while en route from the chateau to Pitt's true home - Hollywood.

'Equally ludicrous is the idea that the Stoli Group is trying to take away a business that Pitt ''built''. Pitt is an actor, not a winemaker.

'He deals in illusions, not dirt and grapes. During the years that he allegedly ''built'' the business, he filmed and appeared in dozens of movies, not to mention making countless promotional appearances, jetting-setting around the world for movie premieres, and attending Hollywood parties.

'While he no doubt visited the vineyards to admire the work of the French laborers who actually made the business successful, Pitt is no vigneron.'

HAPPY DAYS BEFORE THE STORM

The story begins in 2008 when Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie purchased Chateau Miraval, a 1300-acre country estate in the south of France.

It was a complex transaction. The property was owned by the French company, Chateau Miraval, which was in turn wholly owned by the company Quimicum, based in Luxembourg.

Pitt and Jolie purchased all the shares of Quimicum for 25million, thereby also acquiring Chateau Miraval.

The purchase was made through their respective investment holding companies. Pitt's is called Mondo Bongo, after a song from the soundtrack of the film Mr & Mrs Smith where the couple first met. Jolie's was called Nouvel, the middle name of her daughter Shiloh.

The actor inspects vines at the vineyard after its rose won an award

According to the filing, Mondo Bongo purchased 60% of Quimicum's shares, and Nouvel purchased 40% of Quimicum's shares but 'the couple always intended that Pitt and Jolie would be equal owners.'

In 2013, Pitt caused Mondo Bongo to transfer 10 per cent of the Quimicum shares to Nouvel, making them 'equal 50-50 owners.'

The filing claims that at this point: 'To improve the quality of its winemaking, Chateau Miraval entered into a business relationship with Familles Perrin in March 2013. Familles Perrin is owned and run by one of France's most successful winemaking families.'

'Under the Miraval Provence business agreement, Chateau Miraval cultivated the estate's vineyard, harvested its grapes, and produced wine, while Familles Perrin provided winemaking technical assistance and aged, bottled, and sold the wine. Pitt and Jolie loaned their Hollywood star-power to support the wine's marketing efforts.'

The document goes on to claim that: 'Although Pitt was happy to lend his talent for image-management and self promotion to the marketing side of the business, he is not, and has never been, a winemaker. Contrary to the image he projects in the press, to no one's surprise, Pitt does not spend his time toiling in the vineyards.

'Instead, while he is off making blockbuster movies, Perrin and others have assumed the day-to-day responsibility of actually making Miraval's wine.'

The wine business was a success, with Chateau Miraval Rose being ranked the best in the world by Wine Spectator magazine. Profits grew from around 1million in 2013 to around 15million in 2022.

The filing says: 'Amidst the initial success of their investment, Pitt and Jolie married at Chateau Miraval on August 23, 2014, surrounded by a small group of friends and family.

'By agreement between them as a couple and later as wife and husband, Jolie continued her humanitarian work, took care of their children, and was entrusted with pursing the couple's extensive philanthropic work worldwide, including for the Jolie-Pitt foundation, while oversight of the couple's investment in Chateau Miraval was left in the hands of Pitt.'

Both Jolie and Pitt invested millions of dollars in the business. Nouvel, Jolie's former investment company, says it loaned at least $40million in total but had not a cent repaid.

THE MARRIAGE FALLS APART.

The court filing claims: 'But all was not well. Pitt developed a publicly acknowledged alcohol abuse problem. In 2016, after a serious and internationally publicized incident between Pitt, Jolie, and the couple's children on a plane trip from France to California, Jolie filed for divorce.'

The legal filing continues by alleging: 'Over the years, Pitt developed an addiction to alcohol, which resulted in increasingly destructive behavior towards Jolie and the rest of their family.

'Things came to a head on a private plane trip from France to the United States on September 14, 2016. As has been widely reported and documented in recently released FBI records and confirmed by Jolie in these proceedings, during the flight, Pitt, who reportedly consumed multiple alcoholic beverages, took Jolie to the bathroom.

Pitt and Jolie in Kensington, West London, in 2014, two years before their divorce

'As they argued, Pitt grabbed Jolie by the head, shaking her, and pushed her into the bathroom wall. Pitt also punched the ceiling of the plane four times and told her, 'You're f******g up this family'.

'As noted in the FBI investigative report, when their children asked, ''Are you OK, Mommy?'', Pitt replied ''No, she's not OK. She's ruining this family. She's crazy''. And when one of their children confronted Pitt, Pitt lunged at the child.

'Jolie held Pitt back, but in the process suffered injuries to her back and elbows. Over the remainder of the flight, Pitt continued to rant, and poured beer on Jolie and the children as they tried to sleep.

'When the flight landed and Jolie told Pitt that she was taking the kids to a hotel to rest, Pitt refused to let the family leave the plane for 20 minutes, yelled ''You're not taking my f*****g kids'', and pushed Jolie. Five days later, Jolie filed for divorce.'

The FBI investigated but did not pursue the matter and the Los Angeles county department of children and family services also cleared him over the incident. He has always denied any physical element to the argument.

HOSTILITIES OPEN OVER THE VINEYARD

The filing alleges: 'In retaliation for the divorce and custody proceedings, Pitt embarked on a multi faceted, years-long campaign to seize control of Chateau Miraval and appropriate the company's assets for his benefit and that of his own companies and friends.

'It did not matter to Pitt that his rights as a 50% owner were co-equal to those of Jolie. Pitt credited himself for the wine's success and viewed control of Chateau Miraval as his personal entitlement.

'Appointing himself the rightful owner of Chateau Miraval, his twin objectives were to usurp the value of Jolie's company, Nouvel, and to obtain sole control over Chateau Miraval and its profitable wine business.'

It goes on to claim: 'He stopped consulting with Jolie on any aspect of Chateau Miraval and withheld important information about the business and its investment decisions from her. This gave him absolute de facto control of the property, and he took full advantage of it.

Pitt, 59, is described as a 'bully' who has acted emotionally, irrationally and 'ultimately illegally' over the vineyard

The documents allege that Pitt has run a 'gaslighting' campaign which suggests that the image of the brand was damaged by its association with Yuri Shefler of Stoli, who bought Jolie's share

'As the divorce proceedings progressed, however, Jolie began to turn more of her attention to the business aspects of Chateau Miraval, as she was no longer comfortable leaving the management and supervision of her largest investment primarily in the hands of Pitt.

'Moreover, Chateau Miraval had never distributed any of the business' profits to its shareholders and was expending large sums of money on projects that did not appear to have a legitimate business purpose.

'Jolie began to insist on receiving information about Chateau Miraval's finances and began exercising a greater degree of supervision over its business.'

There were allegedly concerns over the trademarks of the brands which the court filing claims are now among its most valuable assets. Nouvel's lawyers also claim that Familles Perrin were charging 'three times' the standard bottling rate and thus 'gouging' the company.

The filing claims that Pitt 'improperly blocked' Jolie from receiving information about the company and also ensured that there was no functioning board of directors at the company Quimicum, which meant that there was no oversight of the Chateau Miraval company.

The filing alleges: 'Chateau Miraval's wine business generates tens of millions of dollars in profits. But Pitt ensured that Jolie and Nouvel would never see a dime of that money. Instead, Pitt improperly diverted millions in dividends paid to Chateau Miraval from the Miraval Provence wine business to Pitt's personal projects that lacked any legitimate business purpose, including spending over a million euros of the business' funds on a swimming pool, nearly a million euros a year constantly rebuilding stone walls using stone masons from Croatia, close to three million euros on 'garment work', and more money to build and rebuild a staircase four times. '

JOLIE AND PITT ALMOST NEGOTIATE A SALE

The filing notes: 'Jolie was already increasingly uncomfortable participating in an alcohol business. In addition, given the events that led to her filing for divorce, neither she nor any of the children felt able to return to the chateau. Combined with Pitt's actions confirming that he had no intention of sharing control of Chateau Miraval with her, Jolie decided to sell Nouvel.

'Jolie was not obligated to sell Nouvel to Pitt. She nevertheless offered to sell her interest to him and negotiated with him for months. Nearing a deal, Pitt's hubris got the better of him: he made an eleventh-hour demand for onerous and irrelevant conditions, including a provision designed to prohibit Jolie from publicly speaking about the events that had led to the breakdown of their marriage. Pitt knew that much of Jolie's wealth and liquidity were tied up in Nouvel and used that fact to try to force Jolie to agree to his unreasonable terms.

'Luckily for Jolie, other companies were interested in acquiring Nouvel and its interest in Chateau Miraval. In October 2021after Pitt ignored Jolie's final offer to sell her interest in the winery on the same terms Pitt had proposed but without the hush clauseshe sold Nouvel to Tenute del Mondo, a subsidiary of Stoli Group, an international wine and spirits company. '

Pitt gives the thumbs up to wellwishers during the British Grand Prix on July 1

PITT AND STOLI AT WAR

Hostilities, though, continued between Pitt and Jolie's former company. The filing alleges: 'Unwilling to share control, Pitt refused to work with either Stoli or Nouvel as an equal partner. Stoli was shocked: It made no sense for Pitt to reject an experienced alcohol company with a worldwide distribution network. It became apparent that Pitt was not acting rationally, a development that Stoli had not expected.

'Despite Pitt's obviously emotional reactionfueled at least in part by his animosity toward JolieStoli and Nouvel made several proposals to allow the parties to work together, including offering to resolve the shareholder deadlock at Quimicum and to return normal governance to both Quimicum and Chateau Miraval. Pitt rejected all of Stoli's overtures. He sent lawyers to business meetings who read messages from scripts and refused to engage in any discussion about the business. '

Instead, there have been assertions in legal papers about Stoli and its links with the Russian regime.

The filing claims: 'Pitt is desperate to shift attention from his own bad behavior, including the well publicized, alcohol-fueled confrontation with Jolie and his children on a private plane flight that precipitated the end of his marriage.

'His principal vehicle to do so has been to make assertions against Stoli that are both false and inflammatory. One of Pitt's lies is his suggestion that Stoli Group's owner, Shefler, is an ally of Vladimir Putin. In reality, ever since Shefler rebuilt Stoli from the ashes of its Soviet predecessor into a profitable business, he has been in open conflict with Putin and Russia.

'Stoli has been locked in litigation with the Putin regime for decades over control of the Stolichnaya vodka trademarks. Shefler and Stoli have repeatedly and publicly denounced the Putin regime and its reprehensible invasion of Ukraine.

'Putin's people once even tried to kidnap Shefler. For Pitt to suggest that Sheflerwho has been fighting Putin for decadesis in fact a Putin ally is truly outrageous.'

PITT'S REPUTATION SHREDDED

The filing claims: 'Pitt is gaslighting, claiming that he is the victim in order to cover up the harm he intentionally caused to his ex-wife and to Nouvel (excluding them from the business and holding the most significant part of her net worth hostage) and the business (asset stripping and foolish spending).

'But Pitt should look in the mirror because, according to the court filing, it is he, and not the Stoli Group, who carries baggage, some of it recent front-page news, that is detrimental to Chateau Miraval's business. Who really has to launder his reputation?'

It goes on to allege: 'In recent years, Pitt has experienced a steady drumbeat of negative media coverage. For example, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Pitt founded the 'Make It Right Foundation', an effort to provide victims with homes.

'But that initiative devolved into lawsuits and recriminations when it was revealed that the homes Pitt's foundation built used faulty designs and materials, and now have major issues with water infiltration, mold, structural damage, and gas leaks. Only six of the 109 homes built are in reasonably good condition.

'Pitt also worked with disgraced predator and rapist Harvey Weinstein, even though the press has reported that Jolie disclosed to Pitt that Weinstein had assaulted her in the late 1990s and had urged him not to associate with Weinstein.

'Pitt has also publicly acknowledged being aware of Weinstein's sexual misconduct toward Pitt's ex-girlfriend, Gwyneth Paltrow. But Pitt ignored these warnings.

'He starred in a film co-produced by Weinstein in 2009 and even asked Weinstein to produce his own movie in 2012, which Weinstein later distributed. Pitt's close association with Weinstein added to his media woes.'

It's a shocking salvo in a divorce which is already one of the most bitter in Hollywood history. Naturally friends of Pitt say that not a word of it should be believed  and point out that he was one of the few who stood up to Weinstein.

But, as battle rages, where on earth will it all end?
Judges in Rome ruled that the brief sexual assault 'did not constitute a crime'

Italian women are sharing videos of themselves rubbing their breasts in protest against the decision of a judge who declined to punish a school caretaker for groping a student because the act 'lasted less than 10 seconds'.

The incident unfolded at a school in Rome in April 2022, when 66-year-old caretaker Antonio Avola plunged his hand down the trousers of a 17-year-old female student, groping her buttocks and pulling on her underwear.

After being reported to police by the victim, Avola confessed to the act, claiming he had done it as 'a joke'. Prosecutors had called for the elderly man to receive a three-and-a-half-year sentence for sexual assault.

But this week the judge acquitted Avola on all charges because groping under 10 seconds 'does not constitute a crime'.

In the wake of the shocking ruling, Italian actor Paolo Camilli posted a video on his TikTok account in which he filmed himself rubbing his chest for almost 10 seconds in silence, underscoring the length of time the caretaker was able to assault the teen.

His post sparked a swell of protest across social media, with the hashtags #10secondi (10 seconds) and #palpatabreve (brief groping) used to share the outrage.

Italian women are sharing videos of themselves rubbing their breasts in protest against the decision of a judge who declined to punish a school caretaker for groping a student because the act 'lasted less than 10 seconds'

Thousands took part in the protest, with some videos being re-shared by notable figures including Chiara Ferragni, a famous Italian social media influencer with almost 30 million followers.

The student meanwhile was furious with the court's decision not to punish Avola.

'The judges ruled that he was joking? Well, it was no joke to me,' the student told Italian publication Corriere della Sera.

'The caretaker came up from behind without saying anything. He put his hands down my trousers and inside my underwear.

'He groped my bottom... For me, this is not a joke. This is not how an old man should ''joke'' with a teenager.'

'That handful of seconds was more than enough for the caretaker to make me feel his hands on me.

'I'm starting to think I was wrong to trust the institutions,' she said, referencing her decision to report the caretaker to the school and police.

It is not the first time such a decision by Italian judges has sparked outrage in the country.

In the wake of the shocking ruling, Italian actor Paolo Camilli posted a video on his TikTok account in which he filmed himself rubbing his chest for almost 10 seconds in silence

In 2016, a 65-year-old Italian man accused of groping his female colleagues was found not guilty of sexual harassment because an Italian court ruled that he was driven by an immature sense of humour.

The ruling was condemned in the country where around a third of women aged 16 to 70 are said to have suffered some form of physical or sexual violence.

A junior colleague accused the man of touching her sexually, while a second woman said he treated he like 'a little girl... as if he were giving me a light slap on the behind', court documents stated.

The court in Palermo, Sicily, admitted he had behaved exactly as the women said but decided to acquit him anyway.
A British woman was caught writing her name on a 678-year-old Italian bridge and forced to wash it off, police said.

The tourist, 20, was caught scribbling her initials in pen on the Ponte Vecchio on Tuesday morning in Florence, Italy, before she was forced to wash it off and fined 140.

It comes after a Bulgarian gym instructor from Bristol was filmed carving his initials into the 2,000-year-old Colosseum in Rome last month.

The Ponte Vecchio is a 98ft landmark crossing the Arno River, with a famously narrow and the cobblestoned walkway lined with shops.

The original bridge was built in 996 and finished in 1345, but has since been swept away by floods and rebuilt several times over.

The tourist, 20, was caught scribbling her initials on the Ponte Vecchio (pictured) on Tuesday morning in Florence, Italy, before she was forced to wash it off and fined 137

READ MORE: US tourist is fined 500 for trying to drive his rented Fiat Panda across famous medieval Ponte Vecchio Advertisement

And in January, an American tourist was fined 430 after attempting to cross the same famous Italian bridge in a rented Fiat Panda.

The Californian man, who was not identified, was reportedly searching for a parking spot.

In June, shameless Ivan Dimitrov, 27, was caught red-handed as he scratched his name and that of his girlfriend Hayley Bracey, 33, into a wall at the famous tourist site.

The couple were on the first leg of a three-week European holiday while their house was being renovated, and he was filmed by an outraged American tourist who posted footage online that went viral.

In what officials have described as a 'surreal' letter to the mayor of Rome, police and the authorities at the Colosseum, Dimitrov has now apologised for what he did, revealing his ignorance in the process.

He wrote: 'Aware of the seriousness of the committed act, with these lines, I wish to address my most heartfelt and honest apologies to the Italians and to the whole world for the damage caused to an asset which, in fact, is the heritage of all humanity.

Ivan Dimitrov (pictured), 27, said he only learned of the 'antiquity' of the Colosseum after he was caught red-handed carving his and his girlfriend's names into the monument's wall

Gym instructor Ivan Dimitrov, 27, and his girlfriend Hayley Bracey, 33

'I admit with profound embarrassment that only after what regretfully happened did I learn of the antiquity of the monument.

'The council with dedication, care and sacrifice guards the inestimable historical and artistic value of the Colosseum.'

A passer-by filmed the tourist as he carved the names into the stone walls of the 1,937-year-old building using a set of keys.

Dimitrov can be seen scratching 'Ivan + Hayley 23' into one of the bricks on June 23.

The video was shared on Reddit with the caption: 'A******e tourist carves name in Colosseum in Rome.'

In the video, the English-speaking man filming the footage says: 'Are you serious, man? That is f***ed up, man. Stupid a******e.'

Reddit users called on the poster to send the video to police so the vandal could be arrested.

In a statement at the time, Italy's Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano, said: 'I consider it very serious, unworthy and a sign of great incivility that a tourist defaces one of the most famous places in the world, a historical heritage such as the Colosseum, to engrave the name of his fiancee.

'I hope that whoever made this gesture at the Flavian Amphitheatre will be identified and sanctioned according to our laws.'

Rome vandal Ivan Dimitrov poses with his girlfriend Hayley Bracey in a gym
Kevin Spacey told police he may have made 'clumsy pass' at an alleged victim and said he had 'consensual one-night stands with many members of the theatre world', his sex assault trial heard today.

It comes as prosecutors concluded their case against the Oscar-winning actor, who is facing charges including sexual assault and indecent assault, which are alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013.

Spacey, who denies the charges, was labelled a 'sexual bully' when proceedings began last month.

Over the course of the trial at Southwark Crown Court, each of Spacey's four accusers have given evidence - variously describing him as a 'vile sexual predator', 'slippery' and 'atrocious, despicable, disgusting'.

On Wednesday, prosecutor Shauna Ritchie said the defendant had told police he was 'baffled' and 'deeply hurt' by the claims made by one man, who accuses him of assaulting him in a car.

Kevin Spacey, who denies the charges, was labelled a 'sexual bully' when proceedings began last month

He told officers he did not recognise the alleged victim he met in a West End theatre, or the aspiring actor who said he woke up to Spacey performing a sex act on him.

Addressing the claims made by the latter, he told police he would 'never' have performed a sex act on anyone without their consent.

He added: 'I have had a number of consensual one-night stands with many members of the theatre world in my property.'

The actor said he may have made a 'clumsy pass' at his final alleged victim but denied deliberately attacking him.

One complainant, who alleges the actor 'aggressively' grabbed his crotch while he drove him to a lavish showbiz party in the early 2000s, described Spacey's behaviour as 'like he thought he could he could groom me'.

Jurors also heard Spacey allegedly grabbed another man's crotch 'like a cobra' after meeting him at a West End theatre in the mid-2000s following an alleged 'barrage of vile comments'.

The House Of Cards and American Beauty star is also accused of having had a 'panicked' look on his face after a third man rejected an alleged sexual grab at an expensive property he was staying at in the Cotswolds in the early 2010s.

On Monday, an aspiring actor told the court of an incident in the late 2000s where 'things went further' - claiming Spacey had 'drugged' him before waking up to find the defendant performing a sex act on him.

The man's police interview was played to jurors, where he told an officer he had written to the two-time Oscar winner asking for 'mentorship', but ended up breaking down as he described the alleged assault.

The actor arriving at Southwark Crown Court in London for trial on sexual offences today

Throughout the trial, Spacey's alleged victims have spoken of how it was 'well known' in the theatre world that he was 'up to no good', with one allegedly warned that the actor liked 'young straight men'.

One complainant accused the Hollywood star of being 'insensitive' - claiming the defendant's decision to come out as gay was used to 'disguise' his alleged sexual misconduct.

Under questioning from Spacey's lawyer, Patrick Gibbs KC, the men all denied either seeking financial gain, attempting to further their career or giving false accounts to the jury.

Spacey 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.
FBI Director Christopher Wray insisted he is 'absolutely not' working to protect the Biden family as he claimed the agency has not been politicized during a face-off with Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee.

GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz displayed a text message allegedly sent by Hunter Biden where the president's son wrote to a Chinese Communist Party official Henry Zhao on July 30, 2017 demanding money for a business deal.

'I'm sitting here with my father and we would like to understand why the commitment has not been fulfilled,' Hunter allegedly wrote at the time. 'You will regret not following my direction. I am waiting for the call with my father.'

'You seem deeply uncurious about it almost suspiciously uncurious. Are you protecting the Bidens?' Gaetz asked Wray.

'Absolutely not,' said the FBI director.

FBI Director Christopher Wray insisted he is 'absolutely not' working to protect the Biden family as he insisted the agency has not been politicized during a face-off with Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee

Gaetz pulled up a text message allegedly sent by Hunter Biden to a CCP official

'Sounds like a shakedown, doesn't it Director? You won't answer the question and everyone know why you won't answer because to the millions of people seeing this, they know it is a shakedown.'

'People trusted the FBI more when J. Edgar Hoover was running the place than when you are,' Gaetz went on.

'In your home state of Florida, the number of people applying to come work for us  is up over 100% since I started,' Wray shot back.

'They deserve better than you,' said Gaetz.

Gaetz and other Republicans also tore into Wray for the FBI's unlawful uses of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

Section 702 under FISA allows U.S. federal intelligence agencies to conduct targeted searches of foreigners, but sometimes Americans are improperly searched in the process. The provision is set to expire by the end of the year.

Hunter Biden's lawyer sent a scathing letter Friday to the Republican chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee, slamming him for releasing the testimony of two IRS whistleblowers

Republicans created this graphic of an alleged WhatsApp message between the first son and a Chinese business associate

The FBI admitted to using FISA to run queries 204,000 times in 2022 on American citizens, from January 6 protesters to BLM demonstrators.

'People were looking themselves up, looking their ex-lovers up, using the FISA process as their creepy personal snoop machine,' said Gaetz.

Wray said there have been instances of 'disciplinary action' for improper use of the warrantless search process.

At the end of the year, Congress must decide whether to reauthorize Section 702 and Republicans have said they will not do so without major changes.

GOP Rep. Ken Buck took a less combative tone while expressing his own concerns with FISA.

'You're still a registered Republican and I hope you don't change your party affiliation after this hearing is over,' he told Wray. 'I want to thank you for leading an agency that protects Americans from foreign terrorists.'

Wray also went on offense against a number of GOP allegations - saying it is 'ludicrous' to suggested that anyone from the agency was involved in the January 6th attack and 'somewhat absurd' to accuse the FBI of working with social media companies to suppress information on COVID-19 origins.

'Consider the fact that the FBI was the only the only agency the entire intelligence community to assess it's more likely than not that was the explanation,' he said.

Jordan insisted the FBI had worked with social media companies to censor speech - on everything from the Hunter Biden laptop to covid origins and vaccines and mail-in voting.

'That's exactly what you did,' said the chairman. 'And the judge said it last week. Every week people meeting with big tech companies say "Hey, look at this, this violates your policy, take this speech of Americans down.'"

He was referring to a Missouri case where a judge blocked the White House, FBI and DOJ from contacting social media companies due to collusion concerns.

Earlier this week the committee released a report based on documents subpoenaed from Meta and Alphabet finding that after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine's intelligence agency enlisted the FBI to help combat 'Russian disinformation' on social media.

The FBI transmitted Ukraine's takedown requests to social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Youtube.

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., asked Wray how many undercover agents were at the Capitol complex on Jan. 6.

'I'm not sure there were undercover agents,' said Wray.

"I find that kind of a remarkable statement,' said Biggs. 'You don't know?'

'I say that because I want to be very careful. There have been a number of court filings related to these topics.'

'Are you acknowledging then there were undercover agents?' Biggs pressed.

'As I sit here right now i do not believe there were undercover agents,' said Wray. 'Did you have any assets that day present in the crowd?' said Biggs.

'When it comes to ... confidential human sources, that's a place where again I want to be careful. There are court filings,' said Wray.

Key Takeaways:

'Absolutely not!' Wray insists he is not protecting the Biden family after GOP Rep Matt Gaetz displays a 'shakedown' WhatsApp message sent by Hunter Biden

Republicans tear into the 204,000 improper FISA queries carried out by FBI: 'People were looking themselves up, looking their ex-lovers up, using the FISA process as their creepy personal snoop machine,' said Gaetz

Wray says he's 'not sure' if there were undercover agents at the Capitol complex on Jan. 6 but it is 'ludicrous' to say the agency was involved in the attack

Wray said he was 'aghast' at memo about 'radical traditional Catholics' from Richmond field office and the FBI was conducting an investigation

'The conduct in the Durham report was totally unacceptable,' said Wray. 'It must never be allowed to happen again'

Wray insists he is not biased against conservatives because he is one: 'The idea that I am biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me given my own personal background'

Says agency does not target pro-life protesters - 'Most of the investigations that we've opened since the Dobbs decision ... 70% of them, have been violence against pro-life facilities'

Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan railed against Wray's FBI for its handling of the Hunter Biden laptop and for a memo written by the FBI in Richmond, Virginia, targeting 'radical traditional Catholics.'

'Americans have seen the FBI Richmond Field Office put together a memorandum saying pro-life Catholics are extremists,' Jordan said.

In January, a former FBI agent revealed a memo by the agency entitled 'Interest of Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremists in Radical Traditionalist Catholic Ideology Almost Certainly Presents New Mitigation Opportunities.'

Wray said he was 'aghast' at the memo and the FBI was conducting an investigation into the memo - which he insisted was the product of a single field office.

'As soon as I found out about it, I was aghast and ordered it withdrawn and removed from FBI systems,' Wray said.

"We do not recruit, open, or operate confidential human sources to infiltrate, target, or report on religious organizations,' the director insisted.

Judiciary Ranking Member Jerry Nadler called the hearing 'little more than performance art' that was 'designed to 'protect Donald Trump and to return him to the White House in the next election.'

At one point Wray also addressed what would happen if the FBI were 'defunded' as some Republicans have called for.

'We would have hundreds more violent criminals on the street,' the director said.

He also sided with the findings of the report by special counsel John Durham - which found the FBI was not justified in opening Operation Crossfire - the investigation into collusion between the Trump team and Russia.

'The conduct in the Durham report was totally unacceptable,' said Wray. 'It must never be allowed to happen again.'

He would not say whether anyone had been fired from the agency as a result. 'I can't speak to pending personnel matters.'
Other chains like Sweetgreen and Starbucks have started using AI as the nation faces a labor shortage after the pandemic

The company will test the collaborative robot, or cobot, in restaurants this year

The robot, named Autocado, prepares the fruit before employees smash it and mix it with other ingredients

Chipotle has unveiled a prototype of a collaborative robot, or cobot, that can cut the prep time for guacamole in half, as the nation's fast food chains face labor shortages.

The robot, appropriately named Autocado, can cut, core and peel avocados with no human supervision, shortening the process that currently takes about 50 minutes.

Employees just have to load the machine up with up to 25 pounds of avocados at a time and the Autocado cuts them in half and removes their skin and cores.

The robot first places the avocados in a vertical position and transfers them to a processing device. The prepared avocados can then be safely collected in a stainless-steel bowl at the bottom of the device.

However, employees will still have to smash the avocados by hand and add additional ingredients to create the restaurant's signature guacamole.

The robot, appropriately named Autocado, can cut, core and peel avocados with no human supervision

Employees just have to load the machine up with up to 25 pounds of avocados at a time and the Autocado cuts them in half and removes their skin and cores

Those hoping that shortening the process would mean free guacamole will be disappointed, as the company has said guacamole will still cost extra.

The fast food chain partnered with California-based robotics startup Vebu Labs to develop the machine and plans on continuing to develop technology to cut labor costs.

Chipotles chief technology officer Curt Garner told CNBC there 'is no plan to test automated guac made in our restaurant.'

There is, however, plans to test the Autocado in restaurants later this year.

Garner claimed that preparing guacamole is often cited as Chipotle's employee's least favorite stack. Additionally, the process can sometimes be dangerous, resulting in knife injuries.

Chipotle is also testing an automated kitchen assistant called 'Chippy' that uses culinary traditions with artificial intelligence to make tortilla chips, in a Fountain Valley, California, restaurant.

To make sure Chippy creates the perfect tortilla chips, Miso Robotics trained it with Chipotle's recipe  corn masa flour, water and sunflower oil, a sprinkle of salt and a squeeze of fresh lime juice after cooking.

The innovations comer as chains across the country look for ways to function with a reduced workforce, as the restaurant industry struggles with a shortage of labor.

Back in January Chipotle was desperately looking to hire 15,000 people in North America ahead of its busy Spring season.

More than 60 percent of establishment in the country said they are understaffed in a recent survey, as reported by Bloomberg.

Labor shortages started because of the COVID-19 pandemic, as many restaurants were forced to close due to strict lockdown orders, and the industry cannot seem to bounce back.

Chipotle plans to test the Autocado in restaurants later this year

Sweetgreen has already opened a fully automated location in the Chicago area and plans on continuing using AI to cut labor costs

A study by the National Bureau of Economics found that COVID-19 reduced the US workforce by hundreds of thousands.

The labor shortages have forced restaurant owners to offer higher wages to attract more staff, which, combined with increasing food costs, is leading establishments to run their banks dry to stay afloat.

Major fast-food chains are employing robots to flip burgers, brew espressos and greet customers - and it is a fraction of the cost compared to paying human workers.

Sweetgreen has already opened a fully automated location in the Chicago area and plans on continuing using AI to cut labor costs.

Starbucks has rolled out more than $21 million worth of AI-powered espresso makers that runs on the company's Deep Brew software.

And while it does not make cups of coffee, it can mix brews precisely and does so faster than a human barista.

The same software has also been added to the coffee maker's drive-thru lanes, which greet customers and take their orders - reducing the number of staff needed in a location.

Wendy's, on its part, began a partnership with Google this year to 'revolutionize the drive-thru experience with artificial intelligence'.

Experts have warned that millions of fast food workers could lose their jobs as technology advances.

Analytics firm Challenger, Gray, and Christmas claimed that nearly 4,000 Americans lost their jobs in May because of AI - the first time AI has been cited as a reason for job losses, as reported by Insider.
Sick of sky-high vacation costs, travelers are increasingly resorting to a crafty money-saving hack known as 'skiplagging.'

The practice sees vacationers book a flight with a layover- which is actually their intended destination - and then skip the connecting journey. Some advocates swear it has helped them save hundreds of dollars on a trip.

So it's little wonder the aviation industry is fighting back. American Airlines recently detained a teenage boy at an airport after finding he had tried to 'skiplag' his flight.

And in 2018 German airline Lufthansa attempted to sue a passenger who tried to implement the hack. Meanwhile Southwest Airlines also launched a failed lawsuit against 'Skiplagged,' a site which advertises the best deals.

The backlash is so fierce that Skiplagged now has a warning on its site not to use the hack too frequently - because airlines might penalize them by canceling their return flight or wiping their loyalty miles.

Skiplagged.com offers the 'skiplagged' rates between destinations and calculates how much you can save by implementing the travel hack

But why exactly are firms so desperate to clamp down on the hack? The practice is perfectly legal and experts insist there are no security risks.

Here Dailymail.com explains everything you need to know about the controversial travel hack.

How does skiplagging work?

To skiplag, a passenger books a flight from Point A to Point B with a stopover at their actual required destination.

The traveler then abandons the last leg of their journey and remains in the city which was supposed to be their layover.

For example, instead of flying directly from Newark to Los Angeles, the traveler could book a ticket from Newark to Salt Lake City, Utah, which has a layover in L.A.

How much can it save - and why is the total flight cheaper?

Some customers claim to have saved hundreds on journeys by implementing the hack.

On Skiplagged, a flight from San Francisco to London, United Kingdom, with a layover in Lisbon, Portugal next April costs $265.

By comparison, a direct flight from San Francisco to Lisbon would cost $375 saving the customer $110. Surprisingly it also works out quicker.

The Skiplagged journey is available from airline TAP Portugal and takes 11 hours and five minutes in total to get from San Francisco to Lisbon.

But if you were to search and book a trip from San Francisco to Lisbon the cheapest option would be with Vueling - for $375 - and would take 16 hours and 25 minutes including a stop in Barcelona.

Skiplaggers stand to save $110 on a trip from San Francisco to Lisbon in April 2024, Skiplagged claims

The skiplagged journey is available from airline TAP Portugal and takes 11 hours and five minutes in total to get from San Francisco to Lisbon

But if you were to search and book a trip from San Francisco to Lisbon the cheapest option would be with Vueling - for $575 - and would take 16 hours and 25 minutes including a stop in Barcelona

Another example is a trip from Newark to Seoul, South Korea, in October which would normally cost $770.

Travelers can shave off $173 off the price by booking a flight from Newark to Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, with a layover in Seoul.

The skiplagged trip is with Delta Airlines and it would take 21 hours and 21 minutes to travel to make it to Seoul.

By comparison, a direct flight with Air Prema from Newark to Seoul would take just 14 hours and 55 minutes - but would cost $896.

All the examples are based on one-way tickets to a destination.

The practice highlights the outrageousness of flight pricing algorithms.

Costs for journeys are often based on the popularity of the destination rather than the length of the journey - hence why a trip requiring two flights can actually work out cheaper.

What's more, larger airports - in prime destinations such as JFK in New York and Chicago O'Hare - function as 'hubs' for long journeys meaning they are common layover stops.

For instance, in the Newark-Los Angeles-Utah example, Los Angeles is a more popular destination than Utah which is why the Utah trip is less expensive - despite being further away.

However customers should be aware that they cannot check a bag if they do implement the hack - because it will continue onto the end destination. And because airlines hate it so much, there's every chance you could be met by security at your gate if they suspect you are guilty of the hack.

Meanwhile travelers can also shave off $173 off the price by booking a flight from Newark to Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, with a layover in Seoul rather than going straight to Japan

Why do airlines hate it? Is it a security risk or is it purely for financial reasons?

In a 2021 memo, American Airlines execs said the practice was 'prohibited' and urged staffers to closely monitor it.

Much of the frustration of the practice is that it loses firms revenue. In 2014 United Airlines and travel website Orbitz attempted to sue Skiplagged CEO Akatrer Zaman for 'unfair competition' and 'deceptive behavior.'

The company argued the website had cost $75,000 between them in lost revenue from the date Skiplagged was set up in 2013 to when the lawsuit was filed in 2015.

Kyle Kroeger, of Via Travelers, told Dailymail.com: 'One of the major reasons airlines hate skiplagging is because it can disrupt their operations.

'For example, if multiple customers purchase connecting flights and only use the first leg of them, it could leave an airline with empty seats on the second part of those flights.

'Not only does the airline lose out on potential revenue, but it also could lead to delays for other customers.'

Airlines in the US collectively lost more than $200 billion during the pandemic when travel ground to a halt overnight.

These losses - compounded with rising fuel costs - has put the aviation industry in a race to recuperate their losses.

Indeed, experts insist skiplagging poses no security threat so it can't be the airlines main concern.

Aviation security expert Arnold Barnett, a professor at MIT Sloan, told Dailymail.com: 'Skiplagging poses no violation of any laws and I dont see how skiplagging can create a security issue.

'If a passenger checks a bag to the final destination and then fails to board the connecting flight, that could present risk. But no rational person who boards in Florida headed for Charlotte would check a skiplagged bag for New York.'

What are the risks of booking a ticket this way?

While skiplagging is perfectly legal, many airlines say it is a violation of their own terms and conditions.

In response to a case of a teenager getting detained for skiplagging, American Airlines explained: 'Purchasing a ticket without intending to fly all flights to gain lower fares (hidden city ticketing) is a violation of American Airlines terms and conditions and is outlined in our Conditions of Carriage online.'

According to NerdWallet, some customers have had their tickets cancelled if they are found before boarding to have used the hack - or have had their return ticket voided.

On top of that, fliers report having their loyalty miles and elite status taken away. Some have even been banned from booking with the airline ever again.

What's more, it offers limited flexibility to the passenger. There is always a risk that an airline could change your itinerary last minute and change the layover - thereby sabotaging your whole trip.
A British cruise ship operator has apologised after passengers endured the 'traditional' slaying of 78 dolphins by residents as a ship docked in the Faroe Islands.

Passengers on board the Ambition could only look on in horror as the ship docked in the capital in the middle of a bloody summer hunt.

Ambassador Cruise Line took to Twitter to share a full apology and express their objections to the 'outdated practice' of whaling.

Christian Verhounig, Ambassador CEO, said: 'We are extremely disappointed that this has happened after weeks of trying to open constructive dialogue with the Faroese government and Visit Faroes on these issues.

'We continue to educate our guests and crew not to buy or eat any whale or dolphin meat and stand against any profiteering from commercial whaling and dolphin hunts.'

Image shows residents moving a whale, beached and slaughtered for food in the Faroe Islands

The Ambassador Ambience, another cruise ship belonging to the operator. The Ambition docked in the Faroe Islands on Sunday, only for passengers to witness local whaling practices

The cruise line formally apologised to passengers and objected to the practice on Twitter

On Twitter, a statement read: 'Ambassador can confirm that the arrival of Ambition in Torshavn in the Faroe Islands today coincided with the culmination of a hunt of 40+pilot whales in the port area.

'We were incredibly disappointed that this hunt occurred at the time that our ship was in port.

'We strongly object to this outdated practice, and have been working with our partner, ORCA, a charity dedicated to studying and protecting whales, dolphins and porpoises in UK and European waters, to encourage change since 2021.

'Sustainability is one of Ambassador Cruise Line's core values, and we fully appreciate that witnessing this local event would have been distressing for the majority of guests onboard.

'Accordingly, we would like to sincerely apologise to them for any undue upset.'

Seventy eight long-finned pilot whales, a species of dolphin, were killed near Torshavn on Sunday, Yahoo News Australia reported.

Rob Read, COO at Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK, told the site cruise companies should boycott the Faroe Islands entirely if they really want to put pressure on them to stop whaling practices.

'Cruise companies need to take a stand in support of ocean wildlife and remove the Faroe Islands from itineraries.

'Their continued visits to the Faroe Islands inadvertently supports the abhorrent practice that is the Grindadrap.''

Grindadrap involves herding various whales and dolphins into shallow bays where they are beached, killed and butchered.

The 'tradition' goes back 1,100 years, with many islanders identifying the practice as part of their cultural heritage.

The islands' authorities now regulate the practice and require participants to train.

Spectators turn out to watch the traditional whaling practice on the shore, in the Faroe Islands

The practice is said to be culturally significant to many locals, with records dating back to 900CE

As the use of harpoons and spears are now banned, whales are taken on to land and killed in front of spectators.

A beached whale will have its dorsal fin slashed, its spine severed and arteries opened, leading a huge draining of blood across the beach and into the sea.

The meat and blubber of the animals are then used as food, and the blubber can also be processed for medicinal uses.

In recent decades, research has highlighted health issues associated with eating the whales due to pollutants in the sea.
PDE announced the arrangement Tuesday, singling out two health centers offering the services - both of which are set in Seattle public schools

Schools in Seattle are offering free 'gender affirming care' to students as young as 11, a prominent parental rights organization has found.

Documents obtained by Parents Defending Education (PDE) this week reveal health centers at Meany Middle School and Nova High School are allowing students to 'conveniently' seek the treatment on-site and for free.

Nova Wellness's website does not specify what is meant by 'gender-affirming care'. The provider for the two centers, Country Doctor Community Health Centers (CDCHC) claims to offer hormone therapy and sex-change surgeries for adolescents.

The facility's self-professed 'mission', according to its website, 'is to promote health in transgender, non-binary and gender diverse communities through ensuring equal access to gender-affirming medications and procedures.'

Erika Sanzi, PDE director of outreach, fumed about schools being involved in gender affirming care for children.

'It's bad enough that medical professionals are prescribing cross-sex hormones and cutting off breasts and genitals of minors.

'It is a whole new level of awful and terrifying for schools to be involved,' she said.

Schools in Seattle such as this on are currently offering free 'gender affirming care' to students as young as 10, a parental rights group has found. The on-site services include hormone therapy for adolescents, as well as referrals for surgeries for prepubescents

To accomplish this, medical provider Country Doctor installed school-based centers at Meany Middle School (pictured) and Nova High School (seen above), allowing students to 'conveniently' seek such services on-site and for free



While puberty blockers are still barred for prepubescents, kids as young as 10 will still have access to cross-sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone at two primary care clinics the CDCHC runs elsewhere in the city.

DailyMail.com reached out to CDCHC and the two school health centers for further clarification about the policies in place at these school-based wellness centers, but did not immediately receive a response.

According to documents from the the Seattle Public School obtained by PDE, both centers are 'staffed full time by a clinic administrator, medical providers, and a behavior health specialist.'

'The Nova Wellness Center offers no cost comprehensive, trauma-informed, and gender affirming care, conveniently at the school,' the passage reads, before listing and specifying some of the services it offers including 'gender reaffirming care,' the documents state.

'We bill appropriate services to insurance if you have it,' it adds, after confirming it is a subsidiary of Country Doctor. 'There are never any co-pays or co- insurance to worry about.

'We also offer services and support to students and families without insurance.'

Medical Services available at the center, the document states, include 'wellness physical' and 'gender affirming care.'

It further notes on its website that the Nova Wellness Center offers the service at 'no cost' and with a 'trauma-informed' approach.

Public schools in Seattle are currently offering free 'gender affirming care' to students as young as 10, a prominent parental rights organization has found

A passage penned by Seattle public school district further detailed the Country Doctor practice in place at Nova High (pictured), showing how students not only there but at other schools as well are being allowed access to cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers

A passage on Country Doctor's website reveals what its gender affirming policy entails - although it is not clear whether this applies to the school centers.

'Gender-affirming care is integrated into everyday primary care, so that you can get your hormones in the same place you get your wellness exams, cancer screenings, and treatment for acute and chronic health conditions,' it says.

It goes on to outline the services - offered exclusively to 'transgender, non-binary and gender diverse patients.'

They include: 'Gender-affirming medications (estrogen, androgen blockers, testosterone, etc.) and injection teaching as needed' as well as 'hormone therapy for adolescents and specialty referrals for younger patients as needed'.

Also included in the treatment are 'referrals for gender-affirming surgeries' such as vaginoplasty and chest reconstruction - and 'procedures (e.g. speech therapy, electrolysis).

'Assistance obtaining mental health letters of support for gender-affirming procedures and referrals for internal or external behavioral health counseling,' it adds' are also dished out 'as needed.'

The lone caveat for the controversial treatment, Country Doctor clarified, is that 'puberty blockers for children who have not yet reached puberty are not provided at this time.'

The statement - which comes as the Seattle Public School District also implemented a policy that states a students gender identity may be kept secret from parents - suggests that similar practices may be in place Country Doctor's sister center at nearby Meany Middle.

Since the policy was unveiled Tuesday, parents such as Erika Sanzi (pictured) are already expressing their distaste. She labeled the previously unreported policy as 'a whole new level of awful' after helping to uncover it Tuesday

Since the policy was unveiled Tuesday, parents are already expressing their distaste.

Alex Nester, an investigative fellow for PDE, said: 'Schools arent parents, and they arent doctor offices,' she said in her own statement.

'The combination of the districts parental exclusion policies, and its provision of dubious medical interventions to change a childs sex, creates a really troubling situation for Seattle families.'

That said, it remains unclear whether Seattle's school district - the largest in Washington State - will tell parents if their child is seeking 'gender affirming care' at either of the two school facilities, which are both sanctioned by the SPS.

In separate documents obtained by Sanzi's team, the district advised school staff in general to 'not disclose a student's transgender or gender X status' unless legally required to do so.'

The district also states staff should 'avoid using gender pronouns' if 'it is unclear whether the student asserts the same gender identity at home.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to the district for comment.
Thrill-seekers at Alton Towers resort in Staffordshire have been left furious after waiting 'three hours' in queues for rides that have repeatedly broken down, sparking scenes of mayhem.

The 910-acre theme park is the largest in the UK and is operated by Merlin - who also own Thorpe Park in Surrey.

Alton Tower's stand-out attractions include classic rides like Nemesis, Rita and The Smiler - however many visitors have taken to social media to claim they haven't been able to get on any of them due to mishaps.

Pictures shared online have shown furious ticket-payers taking matters into their own hands and vaulting the ride enclosures after hours of waiting.

Venting on social media, one person claimed they had sat in the same line for The Smiler for three hours and not moved.

Many visitors flocked to social media to complain of how their expensive visit to the theme park had gone

They said: 'Absolute mayhem on the smiler. Three hours queue and then you seize [sic] operation. Absolute shambles from you!!'

One mother said her end-of-year treat for her daughter had been ruined by the fiasco.

She said: 'Expensive end of year school trip that was for my daughter! Not even managed to get on one ride today! Totally worth it, not!'

Another said that they had been repeatedly stranded on broken-down rides.

They complained: 'Our visit to Alton Towers so far: Galactica - delayed opening, Sub-Terra: breaks down with us on, have to get off Curse of Alton Manor: breaks down with us on, 10 minute wait in the dark Wicker Man: been in queue since 11:45, broken down twice in that time.'

Another said their visit had been an expensive waste of time.

They said: 'Open 10-6pm, 35 a ticket if paid in advance, or 68 on the gate. Arrive at 9.30, wait for the gates to open, run to The Smiler, queue for four hours 11 minutes to get on for my first ride.

'Heading to The Wicker man now. Should get on just before 6pm.'

Making light of his four-hour wait for The Smiler, one irate guest cracked a joke.

They japed: 'Come to Alton Towers and queue! I've not ridden a single ride today, joined the line for The Smiler at 10:25am and I'm still waiting.

'Three hours and waiting, it should be called the smile remover.'

MailOnline has contacted Alton Towers for comment.

Have you been caught up in the chaos? Email: john.james@mailonline.co.uk
A plastic surgeon has lost her fight to regain her medical license, after she was barred from medicine for livestreaming operations which included a botched liposuction that caused a perforated bowel.

Dr Katharine Roxanne Grawe was struck off in November after The Ohio State Medical Board found she violated standard procedures.

The surgeon, who went by the name Dr Roxy and posted videos of herself dancing in her scrubs, had been battling to have her license reinstated.

Despite her efforts, officials at the Ohio State Medical Board ruled to permanently revoke her medical license, reports ABC6.

Grawe had accumulated thousands of social media followers as 'Dr Roxy' and clients eve came to her after they were impressed by her TikToks.

Dr. Grawe leaves the room after the Ohio State Medical Board chooses to permanently take away her license. @wsyx6 @fox28columbus pic.twitter.com/AoYMbrpEaJ  Kate Siefert (@KateWSYX6) July 12, 2023

Dr Katharine Roxanne Grawe, a plastic surgeon who operated in her clinic in Powell, Ohio, lost her license in November. She is now seeking to have her license restored

Dr. Roxy is pictured here leaving the meeting of the Ohio State Medical Board earlier today

Despite battling to have her license reinstated, Dr. Roxy was barred from practicing at a meeting earlier today

Grawe frequently livestreamed her operations, arguing that it was educational for her viewers

Grawe claimed she always asked permission, but the state medical board said it was inappropriate to share the footage - and that the procedures should have had her full attention.

Speaking to the board, ABC6 reported that she said: 'I ask you from the bottom of my heart to please consider my thoughts with an open mind.

'This has humbled me more than you can know. I am willing to change my social media practices and I will never live stream a surgery again.'

In response, a medical board member replied: 'We've seen an extreme lack of professionalism.

'Her posts done as a marketing ploy. In the video (referring to stream of surgery for Patient One named in case), you can see her looking at the camera and not paying attention to the patient. '

According to the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), states actively share information relating to practitioners who have been disciplined.

The Physician Date Center (PDC) collects and maintains all actions taken against physicians which could hamper any work she wishes to do outside of the state.

The FSMB say that states are notified within 24 hours should a licensee who has been sanctioned by another state appear in their territory, with the notified board free to initiate its own actions.

The state medical board warned her in September 2021 that it was wrong to livestream her operations.

She was urged to undertake remedial education courses related to plastic surgery complications, professionalism and ethics.

She was asked to provide certificates of completion of the courses, along with summaries about what she learned and how she would apply it to her future practice.

Yet Grawe continued to livestream the operations, the state medical board said.

Anyways look at how they ate pic.twitter.com/vBUq3oEc8l  MONEY MIAH  (@bigbarbiaa) June 15, 2021

Grawe filmed a TikTok of herself dancing in her clinic to a Megan Thee Stallion song

In November 2022 the board revoked her license, citing 'clear and convincing' evidence that her continued practice presented 'a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public.'

In one case cited by the state medical board a patient was sent to the emergency room by a nurse practitioner at Roxy Plastic Surgery less than a week after receiving liposuction, a Brazilian butt lift and a skin-tightening procedure from Grawe.

Free air was found in her abdomen and medical staff discovered that she was suffering from hepatic encephalopathy - loss of brain function when a damaged liver fails to remove toxins from the blood.

Surgeons found her bowel had been perforated and she had a serious bacterial infection.

The patient required a prolonged stay with multiple procedures to remove dead tissue, plus open abdomen and skin grafting, according to Grawe's notice of suspension.

At least part of her procedure at Grawe's office was livestreamed on social media, according to the board.

The board said Grawe was looking and speaking to the camera while performing liposuction on the patient's abdomen, and was evidently distracted from the surgery

Some of Grawe's patients admitted they were seduced by the social media content she had shared.

Kelsey Cardenas told ABC 6 that she chose Grawe for her July 2022 breast augmentation after watching the TikToks.

Grawe frequently looked at the camera and spoke directly to her followers while operating on her patients

Kelsey Cardenas said she agreed to livestream her breast augmentation, but now regrets going to Grawe's surgery

Cardenas said.'As a woman, we already know how we pick ourselves apart about stuff. So to think it's that easy to go into her office and she can fix everything that is wrong with you.'

After agreeing to have her operation shared on social media, it was a disaster and left her with huge scars that would not heal.

Cardenas continued: 'They kept telling me, 'It will be better in two weeks, it will be better in two weeks.'

'It took 25 weeks. It was not until December that it was fully closed and I didn't have some sort of scab.'

She said she is now traumatized by the footage of her operation and consulted other doctors who said they were appalled.

She said: 'I went to the wound center. The doctor there was appalled. He said this is never going to look normal again without reconstructive surgery.'
A British terrorist who travelled to Syria intending on martyrdom on the battlefield has been released from a UK jail after just nine years behind bars.

Yusuf Zubair Sarwar and his childhood friend Mohammed Nahin Ahmed were both jailed in 2014 and branded dangerous by the trial judge after pleading guilty of joining a jihadi group in Syria.

Woolwich Crown Court was told that the pair had travelled to the war-torn country in May 2013 to join an Al-Qaeda linked terrorist group after contacting Islamic extremists who were fighting against Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

Traces of military-grade explosives, including TNT and nitroglycerine, were found on their clothes when they returned to the UK in January 2014. They had joined a militant group called Kataib al-Muhajireen (KaM).

The men, both 22, pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in preparation of terrorism acts contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act. They were both sentenced to 12 years and eight months with an extended licence period of five years.

Yusuf Zubair Sarwar (pictured) and his childhood friend Mohammed Nahin Ahmed were both jailed in 2014 and branded dangerous by the trial judge after pleading guilty of joining a jihadi group in Syria

Sarwar spent eight months in Syria fighting alongside an al Qaida-linked terrorist group

At the time of their sentencing judge Michael Topolski said: They willingly, enthusiastically and with a great deal of purpose, persistence and determination embarked on a course intended to commit acts of terrorism.

The judge added: The consequences for them are dramatic and distressing for the families concerned.

It is with no enthusiasm that the court sentences young men to significant terms of imprisonment.

A grave crime has been committed. The sentence in each is an extended sentence of 17 years and eight months.

The judge said he had imposed a longer licence term after reaching the clear conclusion that Sarwar and Ahmed were dangerous. He said they were both fundamentalists who are interested in and deeply committed to violent extremism.

MailOnline can reveal that Sarwar, now aged 31, was released from jail on licence after a Parole Board hearing in April 2022. He was required to serve two-thirds of his custodial sentence before being considered for release.

A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Yusuf Sarwar following an oral hearing.

Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

Sarwar left a scribbled letter for his mother when he fled for Syria, but she went to the police who intercepted him and his friend Ahmed when they flew back to Britain eight months later

MailOnline has been told that Ahmed, who like Sarwar is from Birmingham, had an application to be released on licence rejected by the Parole Board in July 2021, but has a new hearing in the next few months.

If successful, Ahmed, also 31, will be released on licence before Christmas. Like Sarwar, he will be under an extended licence period of five years with limitations on their movements and contacts.

A spokesperson for the Parole Board said:We can confirm the parole review of Mohammed Ahmed has been referred to the Parole Board by the Secretary of State for Justice and is following standard procedure.

Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

At the time, judge Topolski rejected arguments from lawyers for Sarwar and Ahmed that the sentence should be reduced because the pair joined a group fighting the Syrian president.

This was not a spontaneous response to travel to a humanitarian crisis, he said. This was a well planned operation put into action for very different reasons.

The judge said that whilst he concluded that Sarwar and Ahmed had not planned an attack in the UK, there was evidence to show that without doubt that the men were travelling to Syria intending on jihad and martyrdom on the battlefield.

DCS Sue Southern, head of the West Midlands police counter-terrorism unit, said at the time: This case typifies the challenges both police and families are facing when it comes to young people being influenced to join the conflict in Syria or Iraq.

These two men had no previous connections to extremist organisations and no police record. They were not known to us.

However, one of them was clearly being influenced by extremists he was talking to online, and he in turn was radicalising his friend.

They both deceived their families and, by the time we were contacted, serious offences had already been committed. We had no choice but to arrest and charge the pair on their return.

MailOnline has highlighted a number of dangerous terrorists - mostly British born - who have been released from UK prisons without publicity over the last few years and may still pose a security risk.

These include Khuram Iqbal, now 30, who once called himself the father of terrorism, who was rejected for release by the Parole Board in October 2022, but was allowed to leave prison in December that year.

Iqbal was jailed in 2014, then aged 21, for three years and three months for disseminating terrorist publications and possessing terrorist information.

He was released on licence in May 2015 but recalled to jail in 2016 for breaching a ten-year notification order by failing to tell police about two cryptocurrency accounts.

Referring to the number of terrorists being released, Chris Phillips, the UKs former Head of the National Counter Terrorism, said: The people being released are convicted terrorists.

We know that prison is not reforming prisoners so we are faced with more people who are very dangerous on our streets.

You can not adequately monitor these people. We have seen attacks on our streets and more people murdered by recently released terrorists. It is likely we will see more in the future.
Three people have died and at least 14 were seriously injured after a Greyhound bus crashed into three semi-trucks on a highway in Illinois.

The passenger bus with about 30 people on board hit three 'commercial motor vehicles' on the Interstate 70 westbound carriageway in the Silver Lake Rest Area of Madison County at 1.54am Wednesday, officials said.

One of the drivers whose truck was hit said he was thrown from his vehicle by the impact, and photographs from the scene show the Greyhound bus - reportedly number 1675 - was almost completely destroyed.

The victims were Greyhound bus passengers, according to State Police spokesperson Melaney Arnold, and no one from the three trucks involved was injured.

Illinois State Police said three people have been confirmed dead and 'multiple others' were taken to the hospital with 'serious injuries', including four by helicopter and at least 10 by ambulance.

Three people have died and at least 14 are seriously injured after a Greyhound bus crashed into three semi-trucks on a highway in Illinois at 1.54am Wednesday, officials have said

A tractor-trailer with its rear obliterated has been pictured at the scene of the crash which killed three people, as officials surveyed the damage before it was towed away from the scene

One of the drivers whose truck was hit said he was thrown from his vehicle by the impact, while the Greyhound bus was almost completely destroyed in the Illinois incident

They said initial investigations indicate the bus had been traveling west when it struck the three vehicles, which were parked on an exit ramp.

'No one in the commercial motor vehicles were injured,' police said in a statement.

'All westbound lanes and the ramp to the rest area are open. This is an open and ongoing investigation. No further information is available at this time.'

One of the drivers in the semi-trucks told News 4 he was asleep at the time of the crash, which jolted him out of his vehicle.

He woke up 'in the air' and thought he was dreaming, but after becoming aware of the horrific reality surrounding him he helped get passengers out of the bus before first responders arrived at the scene.

Passenger Edward Alexander of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he helped a pregnant woman get off the bus.

He also started searching for his phone on the bus when he realized it was emitting smoke.

'I was like, 'forget that phone,' and went on and jumped out the window,' Alexander said.

It is not yet known what caused the fatal collision.

The crash happened close to where the road crosses Highland Silver Lake, just east of St Louis, which sits on the border between Illinois and Missouri.

Greyhound confirmed the bus was number 1675, according to News 4.

The company said it had been close to completing a four-hour journey to St Louis from Indianapolis, Indiana, when it veered off course.

'Multiple passengers, including our driver, have been transported to the hospital,' they said in a statement.

'Our primary concern is ensuring we care for our passengers and driver at this time.

'We are working closely with local authorities and a relief bus is on the way for passengers.'

Another bus was sent to transport passengers who survived the crash, the company said.

The crash happened close to where the road crosses Highland Silver Lake, just east of St Louis, which sits on the border between Illinois and Missouri. Greyhound said the bus had been traveling from Indianapolis to St Louis, where it had been due to arrive at 2.20am

Photographs from the scene show the banjaxed bus with its roof almost completely caved in, while much of the right side is hollowed out

No one in the trucks was injured, despite colossal damage to the rear of one HGV shown at the scene

Photographs from the scene show the banjaxed bus with its roof almost completely caved in, while much of the right side is hollowed out.

The front of the bus appeared to be compressed into the back of a wagon, and a pile of debris is visible to the right.

A tractor-trailer with its rear obliterated was also pictured at the scene as officials surveyed the damage before it was towed away from the scene.

It is illegal in Illinois for trucks to park on exit ramps - but trucking industry experts say semis often stop there for the night because overnight parking is hard to find.

'That's not only dangerous for them but it's dangerous for the motoring public because they do need their rest and they deserve their rest,' Lewis Pugh of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association said at a government meeting earlier this year.
Joe Biden blasted Donald Trump as he issued a warning to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, telling him to pull out of Ukraine and abandon his 'bad bet' that the U.S. would end its support for the war-torn country.

The president, in yet another fiery speech in defense of Kyiv, claimed he had been 'rebuilding' ties with European allies after Trump's spell in the White House and insisted that Putin 'cannot be allowed to seize his neighbor's territory by force.'

'Russia could end this war tomorrow by withdrawing his forces from Ukraine' and 'ceasing his inhumane attacks on women and children', the 80-year-old said.

Biden received a rapturous applause from the Lithuanian crowd in the country's capital, Vlinius

Locals waved American and Ukrainian flags as they waited for the president to speak

'Unfortunately, Russia has shown thus far no interest in the diplomatic outcome. Putin still wrongly believes that he can outlast Ukraine. He can't believe it's their land, their country and their future and even after all this time, Putin still doubts our staying power. He is still making a bad bet.

'When Russian bombs began to fall, we did not hesitate to act. We rallied the world support the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their liberty and their sovereignty.'

'When Putin, and his craven lust for land and power, unleashed his brutal war on Ukraine, he was betting NATO would break apart. He thought NATO would break. He thought our unity would shatter at the first testing. He thought democratic leaders would be weak. But he thought wrong.'

Biden also made a barely-veiled attack on Donald Trump's foreign policy, blasting his predecessor for undermining U.S. ties with Europe.

The former president once mulled pulling out of NATO, arguing that taxpayers in America were shouldering too much of the burden, and withdraw nearly 10,000 troops from U.S. bases in Germany.

'I've been so focused as president on rebuilding and revitalizing alliances, the cornerstone of American leadership in these past years, Biden said.

His administration had been stressed the importance of the relationship between Europe and the United States as an anchor to global stability.

And in blunt remarks clearly aimed at the real estate mogul and his Republican supporters, Biden said: 'The idea that the United States could prosper without a secure Europe is not reasonable. That really is not a joke.'

The commander-in-chief made a veiled dig at his predecessor Donald Trump, hitting out at him for undermining Washington's ties with its European allies

Biden made his speech at Vilnius University, the oldest college in the Baltic nation that was once occupied by both the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.

Lithuania eventually broke away from the Soviet Union and restored its independence in 1990, joining NATO in 2004.

The speech had echoes of Biden's rallying cries in support of the military alliance in Warsaw earlier this year.

The United States spends more on defense than any other country because it is the world's largest economy worth just over $23 trillion.

It currently splashes out 3.1 percent of its gross domestic product, a key measure of economic activity, or roughly $816 billion on boosting its military might.

But the Biden administration said in March this year that it would increase that figure with Congress eventually signing off on a $856 billion defense budget for 2024.

The second largest NATO spender is Britain, which shells out 3.5 percent of its GDP on defense that equates to just over $72 billion.

It is why Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had been urging all of the 31 NATO members to spend at least 2 percent and honor a long-standing pledge agreed in Wales in 2014.

Poland has promised to ramp up its own figure to 4% of GDP with its whole economy worth just over $688 billion this year.

Biden's remarks came at the end of a two-day visit to the Lithuanian capital for a key NATO summit that was overshadowed by a row over when Kyiv can join the mutual defense club.

The U.S. had traded barbs with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky over what he called the 'absurd' delay to laying out a timeline for his country to sign up.

But Washington is concerned that the West could get dragged into a full-scale war ' with Russia and is only offering 'long-term commitments' to protect Ukraine from future attacks.

Lawmakers in the U.S. have earmarked a grand total of $113 billion thus far to help Kyiv's armed forces boot out the Russian invaders.

Just over $46 billion has already been dispersed and spent on military aid for the Ukrainian military, official data shows.

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky struck a more conciliatory tone on Wednesday after launching a series of social media barbs over what he called an 'absurd' delay to Kyiv's NATO bid

Zelensky struck a more conciliatory tone on Wednesday in his face-to-face talks with Biden in the Lithuanian capital.

The two leaders offered a sharp contrast as they sat side by side, Biden in a traditional business suit and Zelensky in his trademark military green T-shirt and trousers.

Biden said he understood the Ukrainian leader's frustration at getting the help he needs quickly enough.

'I promise you the United States is doing everything we can to get you what you need,' Biden said in the presence of reporters.

'I look forward to the day when we're having the meeting celebrating your official, official membership in NATO,' he said.

Speaking to reporters later on Wednesday, Zelensky warned that he would not accept a 'frozen conflict' with Russia.

'We want to recover our lands, restore security on our territory,' Zelensky said. 'That's victory... A frozen conflict is not a victory.'

G7 leaders instead offered a security deal, brokered by Biden, that pledged to boost Ukraine's air, sea and land defenses.

But it stopped short of the 'attack on one is an attack on all' doctrine that is the hallmark of NATO that Biden called 'a sacred oath' earlier on Wednesday.

That mutual defense clause has only been triggered once in the organization's history - by the United States after Al Qaeda's attacks on 9/11 in 2001.

George W. Bush's administration evoked Article 5 of the NATO treaty to launch the U.S.-led of Afghanistan.

Finland, which has been non-aligned for decades, is the latest country to sign up with Sweden set to become the 32nd nation to gain membership.
Starved dogs that were rescued from an 'atrocious' illegal puppy farm run by a greedy mother and her two daughers have made a full recovery in their new happy homes.

Julie Pearce, 57, Rosalie Pearce, 33, and Kaylie Adams, 24, sold puppies on websites including Gumtree amid a boom in demand for pet dogs during the Covid pandemic.

More than 50 dogs and pups were rescued from the house in Fochriw, Bargoed, following a raid by council staff, police and RSPCA officers, and a vet.

The property was in a filthy state with floors covered in faeces and urine, and little water light or fresh air for the dogs, many of which had dirty matted coats and were infested with fleas.

Following the raid on the puppy farm in March last year the animals were placed in the care of Hope Rescue, and after providing much-needed care and attention for the neglected dogs the charity was able to find new homes for all 54 of them.

Starved dogs that were rescued from an 'atrocious' illegal puppy farm run by a greedy mother and her two daughers have made a full recovery in their new happy homes

Horrifying images show the appalling conditions the dogs were kept in

'After living such sheltered lives many of the dogs also needed extra support in learning about normal dog things such as walking on a lead, travelling in a car and house training,' Sara Rosser, operations manager of Hope Rescue said

Julie Pearce 57, and daughters Rosalie Pearce (pictured) 33, and Kaylie Adams, 24 sold the puppies online after seeing a boom in demand for dogs during the pandemic

Sara Rosser, operations manager of Hope Rescue, said: 'We were pleased to be able to support the hard work of Caerphilly County Borough Council trading standards with this case.

'It was shocking to see so many dogs living in such awful conditions. The majority needed to be completely clipped off by our staff at the centre because their coats were so matted in faeces and urine and many were covered in fleas. Some of the dogs were also pregnant or feeding young puppies and needed additional care.

'After living such sheltered lives many of the dogs also needed extra support in learning about normal dog things such as walking on a lead, travelling in a car and house training. We are pleased to say that all of the dogs have now gone on to find wonderful homes where they have become much loved family members and able to live the lives they deserve.'

Prosecutors said the family ran an 'extensive and unlicensed dog breeding' business selling the animals online and pocketed around 125,000.

One Shih Tzu-cross puppy was described falsely online as 'raised in our busy family home' and whose mother was their 'loved family pet'. Its buyer paid 2,000 for the dog as a pet for her mother and said she would never have bought it if she knew it came from a puppy farm.

Cardiff Crown Court heard Julie Pearce was behind the business, despite moving from Wales to Gran Canaria and leaving her daughters to deal with its day-to-day running.

All three, of Fochriw, near Caerphilly, South Wales, admitted running an unlicensed dog breeding business and engaging in unfair commercial practices. Rosalie Pearce and Kaylie Adams also admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing to meet their welfare needs.

Barristers for all three defendants said the family members were genuinely remorseful for what had happened.

Judge David Wynne Morgan said the operation had been motivated by 'greed' and the dogs were left in an 'appalling' condition

Following the raid on the puppy farm in March last year the animals were placed in the care of Hope Rescue, and after providing much-needed care and attention for the neglected dogs the charity was able to find new homes for all 54 of them

Julie Pearce with her two daughters Rosalie Pearce and Kaylie Adams

Sara Rosser, operations manager of Hope Rescue, said: 'We were pleased to be able to support the hard work of Caerphilly County Borough Council trading standards with this case

Ms Rosser added: 'It was shocking to see so many dogs living in such awful conditions. The majority needed to be completely clipped off by our staff at the centre because their coats were so matted in faeces and urine and many were covered in fleas'

Judge David Wynne Morgan said the operation had been motivated by 'greed' and the dogs were left in an 'appalling' condition.

Rosalie Pearce and Kaylie Adams were handed 56 week suspended sentences and ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. Julie Pearce was sentenced to 42 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months. All three defendants were banned from keeping animals for the next 10 years. A Proceeds of Crime Act investigation will now be launched into their finances.

Speaking after the sentencing Philippa Leonard, Caerphilly Council's cabinet member for public protection, said: 'Sadly unlicensed breeders often prioritise profit over animal welfare.

'Unlicensed dog breeding is a serious matter and it is hoped that the outcome of this case will serve as a strong deterrent to those who operate in this manner.

'Animal welfare is a priority in Caerphilly and we will not hesitate to seek out and take action against anyone who flouts the law.

'Proceeds of Crime Act investigations and civil orders for reclaiming the costs of housing and caring for any seized dogs will also be pursued in addition to prosecution and disqualification orders.

'If anyone is concerned or suspicious of illegal dog breeding please contact our trading standards or licensing teams. Your information will help us tackle illegal puppy breeding in Caerphilly and will help stop animals being exploited by unscrupulous breeders.'

The dogs rescued were taken in by charity Hope Rescue who said they have all now been rehomed.

Operations manager Sara Rosser, said: 'It was shocking to see so many dogs living in such awful conditions. The majority needed to be completely clipped off by our staff at the centre because their coats were so matted in faeces and urine and many were covered in fleas. Some of the dogs were also pregnant or feeding young puppies and needed additional care.

Ms Rosser added: 'We are pleased to say that all of the dogs have now gone on to find wonderful homes where they have become much loved family members and able to live the lives they deserve'

Rosalie Pearce (left) and Kaylie Adams (right) sold puppies together with their mother on websites including Gumtree amid a boom in demand for pet dogs during the pandemic

The dogs were kept in horrific conditions at the illegal puppy farm

'After living such sheltered lives many of the dogs also needed extra support in learning about normal dog things such as walking on a lead, travelling in a car and house training.

'We are pleased to say that all of the dogs have now gone on to find wonderful homes where they have become much loved family members and able to live the lives they deserve.'

A spokesperson for Gumtree said: 'We do not tolerate this appalling treatment of innocent dogs and assisted the National Anti Fraud Network to build their case. We are pleased to have helped secure this conviction.

'We take the welfare of animals on our site extremely seriously and work alongside leading industry partners, including the Pets Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG)  the UK's trade body covering online animal sales made up of 25 welfare organisations including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Dogs Trust, and the RSPCA among others  to ensure we comply with best practice industry standards that improve animal welfare in an ecommerce environment.

'Our dedicated safety team will never fail to act to ensure our platform is a safe place to find pets in need of a new home.'
CNN, a network plagued in recent years by its left-leaning bent, is under fire for misgendering transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney during a segment about the 'culture war' being waged against Bud Light.

Network correspondent Ryan Young failed to use she/her pronouns when speaking about Mulvaney during a short segment about the beer company's declining sales number.

He also called the controversial influencer 'Dylvan.'

'He, of course, is the transgender person they were going to sponsor and go along with, with Bud Light,' he said, using 'he' instead of 'she.'

'But [trans activists] didn't like how Bud Light didn't stand by him after all this,' Young continued, repeating the offense.

CNN host Kate Bolduan apologized Wednesday for the segment in which Mulvaney was misgendered

CNN contributor Ryan Young twice misgendered Mulvaney during a brief segment about Bud Light's declining sales

Young did not correct himself, nor was he corrected by segment host Kate Bolduan, to whom he was speaking.

Ari Drennen of Media Matters posted footage of the exchange, calling it an 'unbelievably bad CNN segment.'

Craig Harrington, the progressive media watchdog's director of research wrote: 'God damn, that sucked.'

'What horrible coverage and the pundit couldnt even correct the misgendering of Dylan. This makes me sad,' wrote one user.

On Wednesday, CNN issued an apology at the close of 'News Central,' the program where the misgendering had occurred.

Bolduan said that Mulvaney was 'mistakenly referred to by the wrong pronoun, and CNN aims to honor individuals ways of identifying themselves and we apologize for that error.'

The misstep by an already struggling CNN came as Mulvaney was revealed to be traveling in Peru, after feeling unsafe in America as the fallout of the Bud Light drama continues.

The company's April partnership with transgender influencer Mulvaney has cost the brand's parent-company about $22billion in market cap to date.

Sales of Bud Light plunged 28.5 percent for the week that ended in July 1, down slightly from the 27.9 percent decline the brand saw for the week ending in June 24.

The domestic beer's problems have, to some extent, bled into its Anheuser-Busch owned sister brands.

Sales of Michelob Ultra - the nation's third favorite beer last year - were down by 4.3 percent in the week ending in July 1. Busch Light sales were down 8.5 percent for the same period, according to Bump Williams Consulting and NielsonIQ data.

Budweiser was also down 12.1 percent, according to the consultants.

Bud Light continues to fight for its life in the aftermath of a disastrous April partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, that has so far cost the brand's parent-company about $22billion in market cap

Bud Light has posted steady declines since April

As for Mulvaney's international travels, Mulvaney told fans the solo trip to South America is part of an effort to reconnect with herself.

'Okay surprise! I'm in Peru! I'm at Machu Picchu. Isn't this so beautiful,' Mulvaney said in a video with a llama.

'I came here to feel something. And I definitely have. I have done shaman ceremonies that were like 10 years worth of therapy, it was wild.

'I've seen a lot of llamas. The people here are so kind. I feel very safe here.

'it's a little sad that I had to leave my country to feel safe but that will get get better eventually.

'I am dying for some Trader Joes rolled chilli lime chips but other than that I am so content. I still haven't been kissed yet but I'm holding out hope.

'Most of all this trip has me feeling like my own best friend again. And that is the best feeling in the world.'

In Peru, same-sex partnerships are not recognized as marriage. In America, gay marriage is recognized in the law.

People in Peru are allowed to legally change their gender without requiring surgery.

Dylan Mulvaney has fled to Peru for some well-needed solo travel and soul searching after she complained she no longer felt safe in the US

She said: 'Most of all this trip has me feeling like my own best friend again. And that is the best feeling in the world'

This comes amid the background of plummeting sales for Bud Light since their partnership with influencer Mulvaney.

The popularity of the beer has been dropping since brewer Anheuser-Busch teamed up with Mulvaney, 26, and gave her a personalized can.

Meanwhile last month, Mulvaney broke her silence on Bud Light to slam the embattled beer brand for for not standing by her amid the fallout from their disastrous campaign.

Speaking to her 1.8million followers, she said: 'I was waiting for the brand to reach out to me, but they never did. I've been scared to leave my house.

'For a company to hire a trans person and then not publicly stand by them is worse than not hiring a trans person at all.

'Because it gives customers permission to be as transphobic and as hateful as they want. There's should be nothing controversial or divisive about working with us.

'I have been ridiculed in public I've been followed and I have felt a loneliness that I wouldn't wish on anyone.'
Huw Edwards is one of the most recognisable faces on British television, anchoring coverage of major national events and presenting the BBC's News At Ten.

The 61-year-old has fronted the flagship nightly news programme for the last 20 years, earning a reputation as a respected veteran broadcaster.

This evening he was named by his wife Vicky Flind in a shock statement as the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for explicit images.

The Metropolitan Police however said no criminal offences have been committed by the presenter.

Edwards, who was born in Bridgend and brought up in Llangennech, Carmarthenshire, joined the BBC as a trainee in 1984.

Huw Edwards is one of the most recognisable faces in British television - and announced the Queen had died in September 2022

Edwards, who was born in Bridgend and brought up in Llangennech, Carmarthenshire, joined the BBC as a trainee in 1984

In four decades at the Corporation, he has been among the broadcasting teams leading coverage of historical events including the late Queen's funeral in 2022 and most recently the coronation of the King in May this year.

It was revealed just yesterday that he had jumped to fourth on the list of the BBC's highest paid stars, according to the corporation's annual report.

In her statement, Vicky Flind said her husband Huw Edwards was 'suffering from serious mental health issues' and is now 'receiving in-patient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future' as she asked for privacy for her family.

Edwards, a married father-of-five, announced the late Queen's death on the BBC last September.

After an image of the flag at Buckingham Palace was shown at half mast, he told viewers: 'A few moments ago Buckingham Palace announced the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.'

He then read out the statement from the Palace while dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and black tie, in line with the BBC's dress code for when a member of the royal family dies as a mark of respect.

Edwards is the BBC's go-to presenter for big news events and has been front and centre in live broadcasts of election coverage, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the wedding of the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011, the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018, and the funeral of the late Duke of Edinburgh in 2021.

He was also the BBC's voice at Trooping the Colour and the Festival of Remembrance.

Edwards was a Westminster correspondent for 13 years, and has played a key role in the BBC's political reporting, taking over election coverage from the long-serving David Dimbleby in 2019.

Edwards on the new set of the six O'clock news in 1999

Edwards is a household name at the BBC after four decades working with the corporation (pictured in 1999)

This evening he was named by his wife Vicky Flind in a shock statement as the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images

He told the Radio Times in 2019: 'I'm going to let you in on a secret: the first time a senior BBC manager dangled this carrot in front of me was in 1992. So it's been at the back of my mind since then.'

Edwards revealed in a documentary in 2021 he had bouts of depression which have left him 'bedridden' since 2002.

Speaking on the podcast hosted by BBC journalists Jane Garvey and Fi Glover, 'Fortunately...with Fi and Jane', he said he he decided to share publicly that he has depression as he felt it was 'complete hypocrisy' to support organisations such as the Shawmind Foundation or Mind without explaining why.

'I also felt that it might be someway helpful to people if I opened up about it and say, 'You can do a job and you can be successful', whether it's just reading a bit of autocue or doing whatever it is... while also dealing with issues like that,' he told the podcast.

According to the BBC's annual report, it was revealed yesterday that Edwards' salary was bumped up by 25k to 439,000 last year, after praise for his role in covering the Queen's death and funeral.

According 2021/2022 report, he earned between 410,000-414,999.

In 2018, it was reported he agreed to take a pay cut following revelations over unequal pay for men and women at the BBC.

The presenter shared with BBC Radio Cymru that he had lost weight and started training with former professional boxer Clinton McKenzie as he tried to get himself in shape in 2019 at the age of 58.

'The truth is that I lost weight because I felt unhealthy. It's simple enough,' he told the radio station.

Edwards quickly became the BBC's go-to presenter for big events (pictured attending the BAFTA awards in 2007)

The newsreader took to outside number 10 as Gordon Brown took over from Tony Blair as Prime Minister on June 27, 2007

The BBC news anchor is pictured preparing for a broadcast outside 10 Downing Street after Gordon Brown announced he would resign in May 2010

Edwards presented the BBC's coverage of the royal wedding between Prince William and Kate in 2011 from outside Buckingham Palace

In 2012 he presented the Diamond Jubilee celebrations (pictured left at the BAFTA awards that year, right in 2013)

Huw Edwards is pictured meeting the Queen at the new BBC studios in 2013

He was also the figurehead for the Commonwealth Games in 2014

'I was physically and mentally in the wrong place. I was far too heavy and I wasn't happy with that. I wasn't happy with my own appearance, and I realised that I wasn't being fair with my own body in terms of my general health and wellbeing.

'I just felt pretty low to be honest, and it got progressively worse. Losing weight and getting fit have been a transformation for me.'

Edwards said in 2021 that he was considering his future presenting News At Ten as he approached his 60th birthday.

'A time comes when you're bound to re-assess what's in front of you,' he told Radio Cymru in a Welsh-language interview.

'Now that a big milestone is here, which is 60 years old, it's natural for a man to think 'am I going to continue in this job for another five years, or do I want to do something different?'

'The nightly news business, after 20 years, that can be taxing, even though I still enjoy the job.

'I don't think I'll be doing that for long. Because I believe that, in the first place, I think it's fair for the viewers to get a change.

'Secondly, I have co-workers who are very talented - it's time to give them a chance too.'

Another royal wedding was under his belt after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex married in 2018

Edwards, a married father-of-five, has documented his fitness journey on his Instagram

The presenter shared with BBC Radio Cymru that he had lost weight in 2019

He has presented the flagship nightly news programme on the BBC for the last 20 years (pictured in 2019)

BBC news anchor Huw Edwards broadcasts outside 10 Downing street in London on July 24, 2019 as Theresa May prepares to resign

He took the helm for the BBC's overnight coverage of the general election in 2019

But he said he would not be giving up journalism entirely.

He added: 'I won't disappear tomorrow from the 10 o'clock news because I'm still enjoying myself.

'But of course, I'm thinking about the working patterns of the future. And the truth is that I don't want to sustain these working patterns for a long time to come, because I don't believe it's a very wise thing at all.'

An article on the BBC website in 2002 said Edwards was determined to stamp his own identity on News at Ten.

'You don't want to let people down, but at the same time, I want to do it in my own way. I don't want to be a clone of Sissons or Buerk,' he said.

Edwards, who attended Llanelli Grammar School and graduated in French from Cardiff University, is an honorary professor in the School of Journalism, Media and Culture at his old university.

Just last month, Edwards picked up the best live event honour at the Tric Awards for being among those to cover the state funeral of the late Queen, and in February he received the Broadcast Awards special recognition award.

In May, it was announced that Edwards had joined the TV presenting line-up for the Proms 2023.

Edwards' wife, Vicky Flind, tonight named him as the presenter at the centre of the allegations (pictured together in 2018)

In 2021 the presenter was chosen for the BBC coverage of Prince Phillip's funeral (pictured)

Meanwhile in 2022 he joined AJ Odudu, Kirsty Young, Roman Kemp and Clare Balding for the Platinum Jubilee broadcast (pictured left to right)

Edwards in Downing Street with other BBC journalists during the Conservative Party leadership contest in 2022

In four decades at the Corporation, he has been among the broadcasting teams leading coverage of historical events including the late Queen's funeral in 2022 (pictured)

He joined Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby for a pre-recorded segment shown as part of the coronation coverage in May

In June this year Edwards won the Live Event award for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at the TRIC

Edwards' most recent appearance on the BBC on July 5, covering the visit of King Charles III to Scotland

He is listed as a vice president on the website of the National Churches Trust and has appeared on Songs of Praise.

In her statement, Ms Flind said: 'In light of the recent reporting regarding the "BBC Presenter" I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family.

'I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children.

'Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.

'The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters.

'He has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he'll stay for the foreseeable future.

'Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published.

'To be clear Huw was first told that there were allegations being made against him last Thursday.

'In the circumstances and given Huw's condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected.

'I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end.'
A young girl has bravely revealed how she fought off her would-be abductor by biting his arm after he grabbed her from the courtyard of her Miami apartment complex.

A'hlyric, 6, had been playing with her siblings in the courtyard last Thursday when she noticed an SUV she hadn't seen before parked near the building as she sat on the rear stairway.

She was momentarily alone when the stranger ambushed her, scooped her up and ran towards his Range Rover.

'He pulled me. He picked me up. He started running with me,' A'hlyric told CBS4 News Miami.

She went into survival mode and managed to escape after she bit down on the assailants arm.

A'hlyric, 6, had been playing with her siblings in the courtyard of her Miami apartment complex when she was almost abducted

Leonardo Venegas, 32, was later identified as the alleged attacker and was arrested on Saturday on charges of kidnapping and child abuse causing no great bodily harm

The Miami apartment complex courtyard where the random stranger appeared attempting to abduct the young girl

Though she was slapped and thrown to the ground she was able to get to her house and tell her aunt as the assailant bolted to his car and drove off.

Leonardo Venegas, 32, was later identified as the alleged attacker and was arrested on Saturday on charges of kidnapping and child abuse causing no great bodily harm, NBC News reported.

Once the young girl broke free she ran towards the front of the building to tell her aunt, what had just happened, according to the affidavit.

Teisha McGill, the girl's mother, said she was grateful that her daughter survived the harrowing attack and spoke of her courage.

'She's really brave,' McGill said 'she fought him off.'

Chilling footage shows Venegas allegedly lurking behind the family's apartment building before the attack.

The suspect was allegedly seen running away from the property after the botched attack before jumping into his car to flee the scene.

Officials said he drove past a license plate reader that captured the plate number.

The girl identified her attacker through images captured on video, the affidavit said and police found the Range Rover on Saturday when Venegas was taken into custody.

Teisha McGill pictured with daughter A'hlyrica after the kidnapping ordeal

'(We're) thankful that that six-year-old little girl had a great memory,' Miami police officer Kiara Delva (pictured) told CBS Miami

Venegas agreed to speak to investigators in a taped interview, in which he told them that he was the driver of the Range Rover and was in the area 'looking for houses to buy.'

The complex that the little girl lives in is supported housing by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and as result homes are not listed with 'for sale' signs, the affidavit said, the news outlet reported.

'(We're) thankful that that six-year-old little girl had a great memory,' Miami police officer Kiara Delva told CBS Miami.

'She was able to give a great description of the suspect involved, which helped our tactical robbery detectives to locate the vehicle. Very brave - she fought for her safety.'

Venegas was held on no bond on the kidnapping charge and was also placed on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold, jail records showed.

It is unclear if he has legal counsel and when his next court date is scheduled for.
FBI Director Christopher Wray insisted his agency has moved to comply with a Missouri court ruling ordering the Biden administration to cease contact with social media companies.

He claimed the agency does not order social media companies to suppress free speech but 'alerts' them when there are potential issues.

'Obviously we're going to comply,' said Wray. 'We sent out guidance to the field and headquarters about how to do that. Needless to say the injunction itself is the subject of ongoing litigation.'

Trump-appointed federal judge Terry Doughty of Louisiana barred members of the Biden White House, Department of Justice and FBI from meeting with social media executives.

FBI Director Christopher Wray insisted his agency has moved to comply with a Missouri court ruling ordering the Biden administration to cease contact with social media companies

He refused to block his own order while the Biden administration appeals it to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

The case was brought by Republican attorneys general in Missouri and Louisiana, who alleged that U.S. government officials went too far in efforts to encourage social media companies to address posts they worried could contribute to vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic or upend elections.

The order barred agencies 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 Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution.

Critics, however, said the order was broad, unclear and could chill government efforts to fight misinformation on important topics.

Some worry it could curtail efforts to combat false and misleading narratives as Americans prepare for the 2024 presidential election.

And administration officials argued the tech companies control their own policies regarding misinformation and that the lawsuit casts officials' comments on issues and policy as threats.

U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty, who was appointed by Donald Trump, refused to block his own order preventing contact between administration officials and Big Tech

'We have issued guidance to everyone,' Wray said, refusing to say whether anyone would be disciplined over their contact with social media companies. 'I'm not going to speak to personnel matters we have not made such determinations at this state.'

Key takeaways:

'Absolutely not!' Wray insists he is not protecting the Biden family after GOP Rep Matt Gaetz displays a 'shakedown' WhatsApp message sent by Hunter Biden

Republicans tear into the 204,000 improper FISA queries carried out by FBI: 'People were looking themselves up, looking their ex-lovers up, using the FISA process as their creepy personal snoop machine,' said Gaetz

Wray says he's 'not sure' if there were undercover agents at the Capitol complex on Jan. 6 but it is 'ludicrous' to say the agency was involved in the attack

Wray said he was 'aghast' at memo about 'radical traditional Catholics' from Richmond field office and the FBI was conducting an investigation

'The conduct in the Durham report was totally unacceptable,' said Wray. 'It must never be allowed to happen again'

Wray insists he is not biased against conservatives because he is one: 'The idea that I am biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me given my own personal background'

Says agency does not target pro-life protesters - 'Most of the investigations that we've opened since the Dobbs decision ... 70% of them, have been violence against pro-life facilities'

Earlier this week the committee released a report based on documents subpoenaed from Meta and Alphabet finding that after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine's intelligence agency enlisted the FBI to help combat 'Russian disinformation on social media.

The FBI transmitted Ukraine's takedown requests to social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Youtube.

'Where do you find the [national security] interest in free speech of American citizens being taken down?' asked Rep. Darrell Issa. 'Where do you have that authority?'

'We don't ask social media companies to censor information,' Wray insisted.

'What we do do is is alert them when some other intelligence agency gives us information about a foreign intelligence service being behind some account. We will call social media companies' attention to that,' he went on.

'The suggestion of the most powerful law enforcement operation is not a suggestion. It is in fact effectively an order,' proclaimed Issa.

Wray maintained that the agency had never targeted conservatives - and noted that he himself is a Republican.

'The idea that I am biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me given my own personal background,' Wray told the committee.
Former colleagues and friends of Huw Edwards have rallied round him tonight after he was named at the centre of the scandal engulfing the BBC.

Dan Walker, who hosted the BBC Breakfast show from 2016 until May 2022, and former news correspondent Jon Sopel led the way in wishing Edwards well.

BBC broadcaster John Simpson also wrote on social media saying he feels sorry 'for Huw himself', adding that 'no criminal offences were committed' and this is 'a purely personal tragedy for everyone involved'.

In a post on social media, Walker said: 'This is an awful situation and will come as a big shock to many.

'Huw Edwards is clearly not in a good place at the moment and this must be terrible for his family.

The former colleagues of Huw Edwards share messages of support on social media following the news that Huw Edwards is the star at the centre of the BBC scandal

Huw Edwards was named as the BBC presenter facing allegations over the '35,000 sex pics scandal' by his wife Vicky Flind

'I just hope that whoever needs help - on all sides of this - gets the time, space & support they need to heal.'

BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine, who said earlier on Wednesday that he felt the then-unnamed presenter 'needs to come forward', retweeted Walker's statement.

Former BBC News North America editor Sopel said he did not agree that the then-anonymous presenter should come forward.

Speaking on his The News Agents podcast, he said: 'I think that whoever the presenter is needs to work it out himself, I cannot begin to imagine the sort of pressure, the sort of anguish, turmoil that is going on in his life.'

Sopel, who is now the host of the daily podcast The News Agents, said: 'This is an awful and shocking episode, where there was no criminality, but perhaps a complicated private life.

'That doesn't feel very private now. I hope that will give some cause to reflect. They really need to. I wish Huw Edwards well.'

He added: 'Dear @BBCRadio4 @BBCNews, Well done on handling the breaking news about @thehuwedwards and the fact that he's now being treated in hospital - but to then straight off back of that into a report on him facing fresh allegations of misconduct? That was just terrible.'

Simpson, a world affairs editor of BBC News, wrote on a post on social media saying: 'I feel so sorry for everyone involved in this: for the Edwards family, for the complainants, and for Huw himself.

'No criminal offences were committed, so it's a purely personal tragedy for everyone involved.'

Dan Walker, who hosted the BBC Breakfast show from 2016 until May 2022, wrote: 'Huw Edwards is clearly not in a good place at the moment and this must be terrible for his family'

Former BBC news correspondent Jon Sopel said: 'This is an awful and shocking episode, where there was no criminality, but perhaps a complicated private life'

BBC broadcaster John Simpson wrote on a post on social media saying: 'I feel so sorry for everyone involved in this: for the Edwards family, for the complainants, and for Huw himself'

In a shock statement issued on Huw's behalf, Vicky Flind said her husband, 61, was 'suffering from serious mental health issues' and is 'now receiving in-patient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future' as she asked for privacy for her family.

She also added: 'In light of the recent reporting regarding the 'BBC Presenter' I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family.

'I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end. Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published'.

Ms Flind's statement was released at 6pm, however, there was confusion as the BBC first said Mr Edwards, who recently led coverage of the Queen's death and King Charles' Coronation, had resigned from his role as their top newsreader.

But minutes later the corporation clarified that he had not quit. Sources close to the star have since stressed that he has not left his job.

He is accused of sending cash to a teenager in return for sexual photographs over three years, starting when the youth was 17. The teen is alleged to have use it to fund a crack cocaine habit. Three more young people have since made allegations against the broadcaster.

And tonight, after he was named, a current BBC employee said that earlier this year they had received suggestive messages on social media from the presenter.

Newsnight also claims another BBC worker and a former one have also told them they received what they perceived to be more inappropriate social media messages that made them feel uncomfortable.
This is the moment veteran BBC newsreader Sophie Raworth revealed Huw Edwards is the star at the centre of the '35,000 sex pics scandal'.

The surreal moment saw Raworth open BBC One's six o'clock news show by naming her colleague.

She revealed Vicky Flind - Huw's wife - had identified her husband in a breathless announcement to the nation on live TV.

Raworth said: 'In the last few minutes the BBC presenter has been named as Huw Edwards, the man who has been accused of paying a teenager for explicit photos.'

Sitting on the news show's panel, the BBC's culture editor Katie Razzall then said: 'This will come as a huge shock to viewers.'

Huw Edwards' (pictured) wife sent a statement to the BBC naming the newsreader as the star at the centre of the '35,000 sex pics scandal'

BBC newsreader Sophie Raworth (pictured) today revealed Huw Edwards is the unnamed star at the heart of the row that has engulfed the BBC

'This is such dramatic news,' Razzall said, as she described her colleague as 'a man who has embodied BBC values'.

Explaining the story, she added: 'We've had a statement in the last few minutes from Vicky Flind, who is the wife of Huw Edwards, who named him as the BBC presenter facing allegations.'

'This is a man who has embodied BBC values, has been the face of the BBC, has held viewers hands through so many of the momentous, significant parts of our nation's history, whether that's general elections, royal events, the Queen's death.'

She noted the statement from Huw Edwards' wife says he 'was suffering from serious mental health issues and is now receiving inpatient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future.'

In a Tweet, Razzall later said: 'BBC Presenter named. Huw Edwards, according to his wife Vicky Flind, is 'suffering from serious mental health issues' and is now 'receiving in-patient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future' and she asked for privacy for her family.'

He is accused of sending cash to a teenager in return for sexual photographs over three years. The teen is alleged to have use it to fund a crack cocaine habit. Three more young people have since made allegations against the broadcaster.

The BBC's culture editor Katie Razzall then said: 'This will come as a huge shock to viewers'

And tonight, after he was named, a current BBC employee said that earlier this year they had received suggestive messages on social media from the presenter.

Newsnight also claims another BBC worker and a former one have also told them they received what they perceived to be more inappropriate social media messages that made them feel uncomfortable.

The Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police both said this evening that no criminal offence had been committed by the presenter.

The BBC had paused its internal probe into the claims Mr Edwards paid the teenager for explicit pictures - and that investigation will now continue.

Edwards was named after a number of BBC stars including Gary Lineker, Rylan, Nicky Campbell and Jeremy Vine were forced to publicly deny they were the household name at the centre of the scandal.

Mr Vine had urged his colleague to name themselves to protect colleagues, and the BBC. Mr Campbell went to the police to report people who named him online and threatened to sue them.
'Armed and dangerous' prison escapee Michael Burman is not the military-trained survivalist that hes been depicted as in the aftermath of his jail break-out, his cousin told DailyMail.com Wednesday.

In an exclusive interview Bryan Burham, 33, described his cousin as more of a drunk than a warrior.

And he said he is as shocked as anyone to hear about Burhams recent violence and subsequent escape from the Warren County Jail in Pennsylvania, just 20 miles away from Bryans residence in Jamestown, New York.

I havent heard from Mike, havent talked to him, he said. We havent been close in years.

Bryan, speaking at his home, lives just up the street from where his cousin allegedly murdered the mother of his daughter in her house. Police on Sunday raided Hodgkins old home, searching for the escapee after receiving a tip that a side door was left open.

Michael Burham was arrested in South Carolina on May 24 after going on the run. The Berkeley County Sheriff's office released this picture of the moment he was apprehended

Bryan Burham talks to a DailyMail.com reporter at his door in Jamestown, New York. He said his cousin is more of a drunk than a warrior

Burham is the prime suspect in the killing of Kala Hodgkin, the mother of his daughter, in Jamestown, New York, on May 11

But he said he has yet to hear from police himself.

The police havent spoken to me, he said. I have all the tip lines and stuff if I need them.

Hes following developments on social media.

All I know is pretty much what I see on Facebook, he said. This was a surprise for us.

Bryan Burham insisted the cousin he knows is not the killing type.

He didnt seem like a violent guy, he said. Crime Watchers (sic) did a piece on him the first time he was out, describing him as kind of a drunk who went to casinos a lot.

'That was more accurate than the hardened, military-trained survivalist that theyre portraying him to be now.

He never served overseas and he was a water treatment specialist for the Reserves, he added.

Hes not like a combat vet. And the PTSD angle, what everyones saying, isnt really a thing.

A small tribute to Kala Hodgkin has sprung up outside the home where she was murdered, allegedly by Burham

The hunt for accused killer Burham, 34, entered its sixth day Wednesday. He is believed to have used knotted bed sheets to rappel down a wall at the Warren County Jail, which is in a remote part of Pennsylvania, a two-and-a-half hour drive north of Pittsburgh.

Police have described him as 'a self-taught survivalist with military training'.

A reward of nearly $20,000 has been offered for information leading to his arrest.

He was being held in the lock-up on 26 counts including arson, kidnapping and burglary in Pennsylvania and is being investigated in homicide and rape cases across the New York border in Jamestown.

He is the prime suspect in the murder of Kala Hodgkin, 34  the mother of one of his children  and in a related arson.

At the time of Hodgkin's death, he was wanted on a separate charge of raping her.

After allegedly shooting her dead, he is said to have gone on the run for two weeks, hijacking an elderly couple's car.

He was eventually arrested in South Carolina on May 24 and brought into custody.

Some 150 law enforcement officers are now looking for Burham. Earlier this week, investigators found mini campsites near the jail where they believe he could have stayed.

Now, Pennsylvania State Police are probing whether he had help from someone working in the jail.

Police raided Hodgkin's former house in Jamestown on Sunday, DailyMail.com has learned. They briefly handcuffed two 16-year-old boys who were living there with one of the teen's father.

Authorities say he may be best recognized by his distinctive Tiger tattoos

Police gather in the front yard of Michael Thurman's Jamestown home after handcuffing two 16-year-old boys when they raided the former home of murder victim Kala Hodgkin

Nick Travis (left) and Craig Matteson, both 16, were handcuffed after police raided the home where they now live  the former home of murder victim Kala Hodgkin

The home in Jamestown, ew York where Michael Burham allegedly shot Kala Hodgkin dead

They pushed the window open, came in with AR-15s in battle uniforms, pulled my kids out of their bedroom, and put them in handcuffs for no f**king reason, said Michael Thurman

They were acting after a report that a door was open at the house and fered that Burham had returned to the scene of his alleged crime.

The officers arrived at about 11 a.m., entering through an unlocked window on the front porch, coming upstairs with guns drawn and shining flashlights.

Nick Travis and friend Craig Matteson said they were sleeping when cops arrived and that were startled awake by the sound of officers. The teens just recently moved into the house with Traviss father Michael Thurman.

Nick initially thought his friend was making the noise.

I was sleeping and I thought my buddy had a friend over, so I came out of the room and I heard Jamestown Police Department, Nick said.

There were a bunch of cops in here, pointing guns at me with flashlights.

They asked me if anybody else was here, he recalled. Nick told them about Craig.

They told me to call his name, so I did, and he comes out, he said. They were just telling us to come downstairs, get on the ground. So they put us in handcuffs and set us out the front steps and made us sit there for about 30 minutes. We had to wait for my dad to get home.

I was wearing a T-shirt and shorts, he recalled. I was scared because I didnt know what to do. The cuffs were really tight. It hurt.

Craig, in his own description of the incident, said he was sleeping when he heard Nick shout for him.

At first, I thought he was joking around, messing with me, he told DailyMail.com.

I came out of my room and I saw him at the top of the stairwell with his hands up. I poked around, saw a flashlight with a gun, an AR. I asked if they were joking. They said no, this is not a joke.

'They had us come down and then the guy yanked me off the steps, slammed my head against the wall, put me in handcuffs and then searched me right there. He then took me outside and yanked me down on the stairs.

Thurman arrived minutes later. He was furious.

I was at work a couple blocks away and my kids were sleeping upstairs, said Thurman, who considers both boys his sons. They pushed the window open, came in with AR-15s in battle uniforms, pulled my kids out of their bedroom, and put them in handcuffs for no f**king reason.

They made them come down with their hands in the air, and handcuffed them, he said.

I was there in a minute, as soon as my son called, he said.

Hodgkin lived in the modest two-story house on the outskirts of Jamestown with her three children, one of whom, a daughter, she shared with Burham.

Warren County Jail is in a remote part of Pennsylvania, a two-and-a-half hour drive north of Pittsburgh, close to the New York state border

The criminal rappelled down this building using tied-together bedsheets, shown, after hoisting himself on to a roof by climbing onto a pull-up machine

Local, multi-state and federal investigators are taking to the ground and air to search for the alleged murderer

The front door is still boarded over from the homicide, after Burham reportedly busted through the door in the pre-dawn hours on May 11, shooting her dead in the living room.

The couch in the living room has been replaced, along with a section of the original blood-soaked carpet, which detectives removed for evidence while investigating the homicide.

Thurman, 52, said cops on Sunday knocked over the replacement couch during the raid, before making their way upstairs. They searched the entire property, including the basement, attic and garage, in their search for the escapee and possible related evidence.

Thurman told DailyMail.com that police raided the home Sunday after a relative of Kala Hodgkin, who lives nearby, alerted police that a side door was left open.

The guy I was talking to when I pulled up told me he was SWAT, that he had been stomping through the woods, Thurman said. I was furious.

Thurman, whose mother owns the house, said Kala had lived in the house for a few years.

We loved her, she was a sweet girl, he said.

He said he wants to get a lawyer to pursue action against the cops.

I want to sue those mother****kers, sue them for violating our civil rights, slamming my sons head against the wall, he said.

Craig said he now understands why they were reacting as they did, trying to find the escaped prisoner, but still thinks they overreacted.

They eventually told us they just needed to search the house, that they got information this house was vacant, that there was a screen door open, Craig said. I get what was going on, but they took it way out of hand. There was no reason for them to have six officers here with ARs for two 16-year-old kids. I get they didnt know we was in here, but at that point, they didnt ask us if were minors.
The View co-host Whoopi Goldberg has slammed a Michigan hairdresser for telling people who want to identify as anything other than a man or woman to use a pet groomer.

Goldberg, 67, said 'you can't make fun and say rude stuff about people' in reference to the controversial comment by salon owner Christine Geiger.

On Tuesday, Geiger vowed to ban certain members of the LGBTQ+ community who specify their pronouns from using her downtown Traverse City salon, saying they were 'not welcome'.

'If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman, please seek services at a local pet groomer,' the Studio 8 Hair Lab owner wrote on Facebook.

Her comment followed the recent Supreme Court ruling in favor of a Christian Colorado web designer who refused to design a website for a same-sex wedding, and it was widely condemned online.

The View co-host Whoopi Goldberg slammed Michigan hairdresser Christine Geiger for telling people who want to identify as anything other than a man or woman to use a pet groomer

Geiger vowed to ban certain members of the LGBTQ+ community who specify their pronouns from using her downtown Traverse City salon , saying they were 'not welcome'

Goldberg began her commentary on the issue by referencing the SCOTUS ruling, saying: 'They cited her First Amendment rights.

'Now, a salon owner in Michigan argues that this gives her the right to refuse to serve transgender clients.

'First of all, I don't think any transgender folks are coming to your salon,' Goldberg said to raucous applause from the audience.

'Having looked up some more information, if you decide you don't want to do somebody's hair, you have every right to say no.

'What you can't do is what you did, lady. You can't make fun and say rude stuff about people, that's when it becomes a problem.'

In her Facebook post, Geiger wrote that she was simply exercising her right to 'free speech' as well as her ability as a business owner to 'refuse services' to certain customers.

In the since-deleted post, Geiger wrote that she did not care that she was in violation of a law passed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer earlier this year.

'Should you request to have a particular pronoun used please note we may simply refer to you as "hey you". Regardless of MI HB 4744,' Geiger wrote.

In March, Gov. Whitmer signed legislation that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Geiger also wrote that she as a small business owner is 'not bound to any oaths as realtors are regarding discrimination.'

Under her incendiary comments, she added the hashtag 'take a stand.'

The post and the account have since been deleted, while the salon's Instagram has been set to private with a caption explaining that they do 'not cater to woke ideologies.'

In response to criticism by local people and the wider public as her post went viral online, Geiger doubled down on her take in a comment saying she has 'no issues with LGB. Its the TQ+ that Im not going to support.'

Geiger made the comment on her business - Studio 8 Hair Lab - Facebook page

In her post, Geiger (pictured) wrote that she as a small business owner is 'not bound to any oaths as realtors are regarding discrimination'

The woman's post comes just weeks after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Christian web designer who refused to create a site for a gay couple

Continuing on in her lengthy comment, the salon owner said she believes the '+' is code for 'Minor Attracted Person aka: pedophile.'

The '+' in the LGBTQ+ acronym actually represents members of the community who identify with an orientation or identity that isnt included within the acronym.

'Its an inclusive way of representing gender and sexual identities that letters and words cannot yet fully describe,' GoodRX Health reports.

Geiger said she is 'not willing to play the pronoun game or cater to requests outside of what I perceive as normal' for her clientele.

'Conservatives need to acclimate these woke individuals to their new reality,' she wrote, adding that she's 'HAD ENOUGH of their ideologies.'

Last month's Supreme Court vote over the Colorado web designer's issue with serving a hypothetical gay couple requiring website design was 6-3 - reflecting the conservative-liberal divide among justices.

The ruling overturned a lower court's decision that Denver-area business owner Lorie Smith was not allowed an exemption from a Colorado law which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Smith, the owner of 303 Creative, is an evangelical Christian who said she believes marriage can only exist between a man and a woman.

She sued Colorado's civil rights commission and officials in 2016 because she said she feared being punished for refusing to serve gay weddings.

Smith insisted she did not want to discriminate against anyone but objects to not being able to express her Christian beliefs, adding that her websites count as art and were protected by her constitutional right to free speech.

Goldberg's input on the latest development on the issue comes weeks after she slammed SCOTUS for outlawing race as a factor in college admissions - saying they had 'upset' the precedent.

She argued that if everyone was truly treated equally there would have never been a need for affirmative action in the first place.

The Supreme Court banned colleges from using race as a factor when admitting students in a landmark ruling on affirmative action last month.

The justices decided in a 6-3 vote that the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)'s race-based affirmative action admissions policy is unconstitutional.
A woman accused of racism after a video posted online showed her having a meltdown when a group of black men tried to use her apartment complex's pool claims they were not invited.

Alexandra Sloan Fine, 29, told DailyMail.com on Wednesday that she invited the white man in the video, whom she only referred to as 'Joshua,' as her guest when 'two cars full of men' entered the pool facility uninvited.

She said the men started to act as if they were also her guests and 'when I didn't allow it, they started saying I was racist. I never said anything about that.

'I never mentioned race nor did I make any racist remarks,' Fine noted, adding that the black men in the video 'accused me of being broke... hence me mentioning a price.'

In videos posted to TikTok on Monday, Fine could be seen in a red bikini arguing the men do not pay the $2,000 rent to live at her Fort Worth, Texas, apartment complex and use the pool facility.

But one of the men claims in the video that they were invited by a friend who lives in the complex.

Still, Fine told the men to 'go back to Denton' before she apparently hit one of the black men in question.

Alexandra Sloan Fine, 29, told DailyMail.com on Wednesday that 'two car fulls' of black men entered the pool at her Fort Worth, Texas, apartment complex uninvited

She said she only invited the white man whom she was seen arguing with

In the first video, the heavily tattooed blonde woman could be seen confronting Joshua, who wore blue swim shorts with pineapples on them and blue Crocs.

'Are you f***ing serious, what the f***?' she asks Joshua, who calls her 'f***ing disgusting.'

'You can't just let somebody come swim?' he asks Fine.

'You think I pay $2,000 for nothing?' she replies. 'Do you want a pool, go pay $2,000 like I do, that's f***ing wrong.'

'No, it's wrong that you're gonna think you can police people,' Joshua retorts as he begins putting his shirt back on.

At that point, Fine threatens to call the leasing office of the apartment complex as somebody off screen could be heard telling the black men, 'I'm sorry for her.'

A follow-up video shows her sitting on one of the lounge chairs in the pool complex, saying: 'This is f***ing ridiculous Joshua. I don't f***ing have to be around this s***.'

Joshua then replies, 'I don't know why you gotta be like that,' to which the woman says, 'They don't live here.'

'Who cares?' Joshua asks.

'I pay a lot of f***ing money to live here,' Fine hits back.

'And are they taking your money?' Joshua asks.

'No,' she admits, 'but I don't want a lot of people splashing me that don't pay to live here. F*** you all.'

A follow-up video shows her sitting on one of the lounge chairs in the pool complex, saying, 'This is f***ing ridiculous Joshua. I don't f***ing have to be around this s***'

At one point, Fine threatened to call the Fort Worth police on them, though it is unclear if the call was ever actually made

The men and the woman then start talking over each other, though one man could be heard telling the woman: 'We're grown a** people.'

Fine then tells them to 'go back to Denton, where you belong.'

Denton, a nearby city is also predominantly white, according to the US Census with just 11.5 percent of the population identifying as black or African American.

However, its median household income is lower than the national average, at just $65,168 compared to $71,000.

'He doesn't pay to live here, he doesn't pay s*** so he doesn't care,' the woman continues. 'I pay $2,000 to live here. I don't want mother f***ing people who don't pay s*** to live here.

'Get the f*** out.'

One of the black men then tries to explain that his friend lives here, but Fine continues to insist they 'get the f*** out.'

She continues on to deny that she is a 'crackhead,' saying sarcastically, 'that's why I can afford to pay $2,000.

'Get the f*** out,' she repeats before twerking in front of one of the black men filming the altercation and hitting him. 'Get out, you don't live here.

'I'll call the police right now,' though it is unclear if she ever actually made the call.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the TikTok user and the Fort Worth Police Department for comment.
MSNBC's Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski said Wednesday that President Joe Biden's staff needed to 'own his age' and blasted them for not simplifying his schedule and ensuring he doesn't fall.

As Biden mounts his 2024 reelection bid, Brzezinski and co-host Joe Scarborough were discussing another president whose age was an issue - the late President Ronald Reagan, who successfully won a second term.

Scarborough pointed out that the staff of Reagan - who was nearly 78 when he left the White House - 'managed his schedule very carefully.'

That got Brzezinski riled up about Biden's staff.

'I'm gonna be honest, I don't think they do a good job helping out the president,' she said.

MSNBC's Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski (left), seated alongside co-host Joe Scarborough (right) on Wednesday slammed President Joe Biden's aides for not staffing him better

'I'm just saying if you are managing a president's schedule, and you are managing a president getting on stage and getting off stage and getting on planes and getting off planes - and yes, he's 80 - you need to be there for him,' she continued.

'And you need to make a pathway and you sure as hell better make sure he doesn't fall on a sandbag,' she added. 'And I blame the staff for that,' Brzezinski said.

In June, the president tripped over a sandbag that was left onstage at a commencement ceremony for the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado.

He later quipped that he had been 'sandbagged.'

The stumble followed him tripping up the stairs of Air Force One several times.

Biden also got his foot stuck in a toe clip and fell sideways off his bike at Rehoboth Beach last June.

President Joe Biden tripped over a sandbag that was left onstage at the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation ceremony in early June

The summer before, Biden's toe got caught in a clip and he fell off his bike sideways during a trip to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

'There are the things that are going to hurt him,' Brzezinski continued. 'These are things that are gonna be played on a loop, OK?

'Let him do his job, let him do his speeches, let him work on policy, let him do his connections in Congress unlike any president that we've seen I don't know, since Clinton,' she said. 'But my God, make sure, you know - you're Secret Service, you're his staff - that you're there and you're telling him what's next.'

She added that viewers of the show shouldn't take this as, 'oh he can't get from one place to another.'

'When you're busy and you're onstage, and we've been onstage, I've done speeches and I'm so nervous, I'm doing the speech, I'm trying to get it right, and when it's done, I don't know which way to go and I'm looking for direction,' the 56-year-old anchor recalled.

Brzezinski said his staff needed to, 'do a better job.'

'Because you can't have these video images of the president tripping or the president going the wrong way,' she said. 'It's not going to work in this presidency because his age is going to be a factor. His age is going to be a factor and it's your job to ensure he gets from one place to another.'

She argued that Biden 'can handle the presidency.'

'You have to handle his schedule and where he goes,' she said.
Three of America's largest tax preparation companies have been accused of sharing tens of millions of taxpayers' sensitive financial data with tech giants Google and Meta without their consent.

A seven-month congressional probe, led by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, alleges H&R Block, TaxAct and TaxSlayer used visitor tracking technology embedded in websites to share the information.

In a potential violation of federal law, the investigation found data was in some cases misused by Facebook parent company Meta for targeted advertising.

According to the report, alongside sharing data such as addresses and phone numbers, companies also shared details about taxpayers' filing status, income, approximate refund amount, and names of dependents.

They even allegedly shared information about which buttons and text fields customers clicked on when filling out a tax form - which could reveal which tax breaks they may have claimed or if they are using any government programs.

Three of America's largest tax preparation companies have been accused of sharing tens of millions of taxpayers' sensitive financial data with tech giants Google and Meta

The seven-month congressional probe was led by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren

'On a scale from one to 10, this is a 15,' David Vladeck, former consumer protection chief at the Federal Trade Commission, told CNN of the alleged data breach.

'This is a five-alarm fire, if what we know about this so far is true,' Vladeck, who is now a law professor at Georgetown University, added.

Tax preparation companies help people file their federal and state taxes online through their websites.

The bombshell report, released on July 11, said webpage titles in online tax software was allegedly being collected and shared using a tracking technology known as a tracking pixel.

An aide to Senator Warren told CNN that this information can reveal what forms taxpayers have accessed.

During the probe, Meta told investigators it used the taxpayer data it received for targeted third-party adverts and to train its artificial intelligence algorithms.

Lawmakers labeled tax preparation firms as 'untrustworthy and incompetent', but it does not appear that taxpayers' details could be shared more widely to risk identity theft or further criminal activity.

A Meta spokesperson said the company instructs its partners not to use its tools to share sensitive information and that its systems are 'designed to filter out potentially sensitive data it is able to detect.'

According to the congressional probe, which was also prepared by Senators Ron Wyden, Richard Blumenthal, Tammy Duckworth, Bernie Sanders, Sheldon Whitehouse and Representative Katie Porter, the use of tracking technology resulted in the 'reckless' sharing of legally protected data.

'Every single taxpayer who used their websites to file their taxes could have had at least some of their data shared,' potentially putting them at risk, the report said.

The lawmakers called on the FTC, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Justice Department and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to 'fully investigate' the matter and 'prosecute any company or individuals who violated the law.'

Federal law forbids the disclosure of tax return information without written permission from the taxpayer.

In a statement, H&R Block said it takes client privacy 'very seriously, and we have taken steps to prevent the sharing of information via pixels.' The report said H&R Block had testified to using the tracking technology for 'at least a couple of years.'

TaxAct and TaxSlayer did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment.

'We have strict policies and technical features that prohibit Google Analytics customers from collecting data that could be used to identify an individual,' a Google spokesperson said.

'Site owners - not Google - are in control of what information they collect and must inform their users of how it will be used. Additionally, Google has strict policies against advertising to people based on sensitive information.'

H&R Block said it takes client privacy 'very seriously, and we have taken steps to prevent the sharing of information via pixels' (Pictured: H&R Block tax preparation location in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania)

H&R Block, TaxAct and TaxSlayer allegedly used visitor tracking technology embedded in websites to share the information

'Every single taxpayer who used their websites to file their taxes could have had at least some of their data shared,' potentially putting them at risk, the report said

An IRS report released early this year found 72 percent of Americans would rather use a free, electronic tax filing service provided by the agency instead of private online services.

According to investigative journalism outlet The Markup, who first highlighted the tracking practice, market researchers have estimated tax preparation is a more than $11 billion industry in the US.

It comes after website TurboTax was accused of launching 'predatory' and 'deceptive' marketing campaigns which lured customers away from free services run by the IRS - and was forced to reimburse customers $141 million.

The company plugged its own tax return process as 'free, free, free' in an advertising campaign but then would lump customers with 'upgrades' and add-on fees they did not need.

The firm was ordered last year to pay 4.4 million affected customers - who began receiving their settlement money earlier this year.

Victims received payments ranging between $29 and $85 depending on the number of tax years they qualify for.
Shopify has just waged war on work meetings - by introducing a calculator that shows employees how much it costs to hold such congregations.

The tool, a plug-in embedded in employees Google calendar, uses staffers' compensation data to put a price tag on the prospective event, after breaking it down by each attendee.

That said, while individual salaries are all carefully calculated, they will not be put on display along with the meeting's overall purported cost, according to the plug-in's creator.

After only being rolled out Tuesday, the calculator has already found that an average 30-minute meeting with three employees can cost anywhere between $700-$1600.

That amount can quickly swell when high-paid execs in the C-Suite attend, Chief Operating Officer Kaz Nejatian warned Tuesday, after coming up with the concept shortly after being promoted to the position in September.

Canadian commerce firm Shopify has just waged war on in-person meetings - by introducing a calculator that shows employees how much it costs to hold such congregations (seen here)

According to its creator, Iranian-born COO Kaz Nehatian, the tool uses staffers' compensation data to put a price tag on the prospective event, after breaking it down by each attendee

'The goal of this thing is to show you that time is money,' Nejatian - the founder of mobile payment application Kash and a former product manager at Facebook - said of the new tech in an interview with Bloomberg Wednesday.

'If you have to spend it, you think about it,' the Iranian-born exec added, before explaining the reasoning behind his somewhat unique creation.

'No one at Shopify would expense a $500 dinner. But lots and lots of people spend way more than that in meetings without ever making a decision.'

The new tool, Nejatian continued, comes as part of the companys yearlong push to put the kibosh on unnecessary gatherings, after doing away with all recurring meetings with more than two people earlier this year.

In the time since, the firm has taken it a step further, by discouraging all meetings on Wednesdays.

The goal of these initiatives, the COO explained, is to 'change the default answer from yes to no.'

In another interview, this time with tech journalist Peter Wang, Nejatian further described his lukewarm outlook on called gatherings.



'A meeting is a bug that some other process didnt work out,' Nejatian told Wang Wednesday, before the writer shared some of the contents of their conversation to Twitter.

'Imagine if Van Gogh had to paint Starry Night while perpetually being interrupted every 20 minutes,' Nejatian reportedly reasoned.

'No matter how many meeting rooms are available, there never seems to be enough.'

In another interview, this time with tech journalist Peter Wang - shared some of their conversation to Twitter - Nejatian further described his lukewarm outlook on called gatherings

Recalling how he created the plug-in during the Ottawa-based company's latest hack day, Nejatian said the tech also comes as part of his desire to reconstruct the firm internally to focus more on personal 'tinkering' rather than orders from above.

He told Yang: 'Most people just want to build, but most companies are built for managers. You don't want to end up with smart, credentialed project managers who write strategy memos to grow team size to write more memos.

'Great products are built through tinkering, not strategy.'

Along with publishing portions of the interview, Yang also shared a photo of Nejatian's new technology in action - showing a scheduled 30-minute Google meeting between seven people along with an approximate cost.

Tapped at over $2,000 dollars, Nejatian said that number would pale in comparison if the seven attendees were executives.

In such a case, the tech expert said, a meeting of just three people could cost well over $2,000.

Speaking to CNN of the tool's cost-cutting potential, Nejatian said that getting rid of even three meetings a week per person should see a 15 percent reduction in overall costs.

Brass at the Ottawa-based company added aside from keeping tabs on the cost of meetings in a monetary sense, the new tech will allow employees an opportunity to reconsider how they are using their time

The tool's rollout comes amid a period of unprecedented scrutiny toward both in-person and remotely held meetings, after the pandemic shined a light on how unnecessary they can be.

According to a study from Steven Rogelberg, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte who has analyzed meetings for decades, noncritical meetings waste about $100 million a year at big US firms.

Others on social media - including both Executives and their employees - have also increasingly aired a belief that spend hours each week in meetings that could disappear with little impact.

As a result, Shopify began its effort to reduce unnecessary meetings in January, nixing all previously scheduled recurring meetings involving three or more people.

It also enforced a new policy of meeting-less Wednesdays, while limiting larger meetings with 50 or more people to a specific six-hour window on Thursdays.

That said, in an internal note circulated this week and viewed by Bloomberg, the company said those steps have so far proven to be not enough, hence the creation of the new Google Chrome plug-in.

'[W]e have seen meeting creep seep back in and we needed to take immediate action,' the company - whose stock is up more than 100 percent over the past year - wrote.

'Time is money, and it should be spent on helping our merchants succeed or having fun - meetings frequently do neither.'

Brass went on to state that while keeping tabs on the cost of meetings in a monetary sense, the new tech will allow employees an opportunity to reconsider how they are using company time.

The company wrote of its hopes for the tool: 'The Meeting Cost Calculator is here to challenge the status quo, nudging us to reconsider meeting necessity and explore more creative collaboration methods.'

Nejatian, meanwhile, touted how his creation has already resulted in the elimination of more than 12,000 calendar events, freeing up more than 322,000 hours of time for employees to - as he put it - 'get shit done.'

The Meeting Cost Calculator was rolled out to Shopify's more than 11,000 employees Wednesday, though none have posted any photos or video of it in action. As previously mentioned, Shopify currently does not hold meetings on Wednesdays.
Woke Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg admitted on Tuesday that even he is afraid of crime on New York City's subways.

'I know the statistics that transit crime is down, but when one of my family members gets on the train, I, too, get a knot in my stomach,' he told FOX 5 News when asked about the perception that the subway system is becoming increasingly unsafe.

'I live here, I'm raising my family here, so we have a lot more work to do,' he added.

Bragg's comments come as transit crimes spiked nearly 20 percent last month, compared to the same time period the year before.

Among those crimes was a string of subway slashings in which a man allegedly attacked three different women over a 20-minute span on June 18.

Many of these criminals have prior arrests, but were let back onto the streets under the lax bail laws that Bragg had advocated for.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg admitted on Tuesday that even he is afraid of crime on New York City's subways

Police are pictured at the site of a subway station in Queens where a straphanger was killed last month

During the month of June, crimes on New York City's transit system spiked more than 18 percent, with 195 different cases reported  up from 165 cases reported in June 2022.

In one instance, a career criminal was accused of slashing three different women within just a 20-minute span on Father's Day.

The first victim, Bianchelly Diplan, 19, was walking out of the 86th Street station on her way to Paris Baguette to pick up a cake when the back of her leg was cut so deeply she required 19 stitches.

Another woman, 48, was later slashed in the right leg in the same station on the platform where the suspect, Kemal Rideout, 28, could be seen on security footage dashing back into the downtown 4-train around 4pm.

Fifteen minutes later, Rideout allegedly attacked a 28-year-old victim in the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station, police said.

That victim was left with blood dripping down her leg and needing an emergency tourniquet to stem the bleeding.

She tried to film her attacker as he nonchalantly walked through the train, and could be heard in the footage crying out for help.

Rideout is now facing three counts of felony assault.

He previously had four prior arrests outside of the city, and is now being held on Riker's Island without bail.

Kemal Rideout, 28, is facing three counts of felony assault after he allegedly stabbed three women on Father's Day

One victim was left with blood dripping down her leg and needing an emergency tourniquet to stem the bleeding

In another incident just five days earlier, a 20-year-old subway rider fatally stabbed Devictor Ouedraogo, 36, on a northbound J train in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Charges against Jordan Williams, 20, were dropped after a grand jury found he had acted in self-defense because Ouedraogo had earlier choked him and punched his girlfriend.

Video obtained by the New York Daily News showed the victim, who was slurring his words and was shirtless, getting into a random passenger's face. The outlet has not published the footage.

As the commuter tried not to react, Ouedraogo began gyrating in front of him.

Williams could be seen approaching the man in an apparent attempt to calm him down by the end of the video.

But a second clip obtained by the outlet showed the two men fighting, as an unknown woman was heard screaming 'Don't f******* touch her, you piece of s***.'

'Get your f****** hand off of her.

It is not known if this woman referenced was Williams' girlfriend.

Ouedraogo was then seen backing off as his chest was covered in blood and stumbled off the train and collapsed on the platform.

Police and first responders rushed to the scene, and emergency service crews took the man to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Emergency crews were seen carrying a stretcher up to the Queens platform where Devictor Ouedraogo, 36, was killed last month

Crews brought Ouedraogo, another career criminal, to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead

Sources claimed that Williams' self-defense claims were backed by video showing Ouedraogo strangling Williams and punching his girlfriend, as well as testimony from witnesses on the train.

New York law states that 'a person is justified in using deadly physical force when they reasonably believe it is necessary to use such force to defend themselves or others from imminent use of deadly or unlawful physical force.'

Officers said the couple involved in the attack stayed on the train, but were tracked down at the Chauncey Street station.

They said they did not know the victim, and both Williams and his girlfriend were taken into custody as 'persons of interest,' though the woman was later released.

It was later revealed that Ouedraogo had spent three years in prison beginning in 2009 following an attempted robbery conviction in Queens.

The incident has drawn similarities with the death of Neely, 30, a homeless man with drug addiction problems, who died on the subway on May 1 after he was restrained by Penny

The case echoes that of black homeless man Jordan Neely, 30, who was killed on the F-train on May 1 when Daniel Penny, 24, - a white ex-Marine - put him in a chokehold for allegedly threatening fellow passengers, claiming he acted in self-defense.

In interviews, Penny claimed Neely ripped off his jacket and threatened to kill the subway passengers.

'The man stumbled on, he appeared to be on drugs, the doors closed, and he ripped his jacket off and threw it down at the people sitting next to me at my left,' he added.

Penny said he was listening to music and took his headphones out as he heard Neely yelling in what he deemed a 'scary situation.'

'The three main threats that he repeated over and over again were I'm going to kill you, I'm prepared to go to jail for life and I'm willing to die,' Penny said.

But in that case, a grand jury upheld manslaughter charges and added a charge of criminally negligent homicide against Penny.

If convicted, Penny faces up to 19 years in prison.

Bragg claimed on FOX 5 that there are 'really encouraging signs' that crime is falling

Still, Bragg claimed on FOX 5 that there are 'really encouraging signs' that crime is falling in the city.

According to recent New York Police Department data shows that the Big Apple saw a 4 percent dip citywide in crimes last month, despite a 23 percent jump in car thefts.

Major crimes, including shootings and rapes, were down across the board.

Bragg suggested the reason for the decreased crime is frequent communication between his office and law enforcement.

'We do a number of long-term investigations involving wiretaps,' he explained. 'We do targeted enforcement, so we are seeing the returns on that investigative work, and we're going to do that kind of work.'
Rep. Eric Swalwell got into a bitter public display with Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan during a hearing with FBI Director Christopher Wray while arguing that the GOP has turned into the 'party of non-consensual nudes.'

The California Democrat reduced the discoveries found on Hunter Biden's hard drive to his nude images, despite the slew of damning evidence from the laptop that Republicans maintain could have altered the outcome of the 2020 elections.

Swalwell said during the hearing Wednesday it's 'bananas' to think suppression of the laptop discovery influenced the election. He also slammed Republicans for believing they are 'guardians of personal security and privacy.'

While there were several shocking images of the president's son taking drugs and engaged in sexual acts  and one of him naked holding a gun  there were also emails between Hunter and his business associates and foreign partners. Specifically, there are emails that remain under investigation because it allegedly links President Joe Biden to his son's shady foreign business.

California Rep. Eric Swalwell said during a Judiciary hearing Wednesday that it's 'bananas' to think suppression of the Hunter Biden laptop story influenced the 2020 election

Swalwell accused Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan and the Republican Party of obsessing over the 'non-consensual naked images' of Hunter Biden. Pictured: Jordan listens during a House Judiciary hearing with FBI Director Christopher Wray on Wednesday

'Chairman, I've counted in this hearing  and we're only about an hour in  the use of the word 'laptop' about 20 times,' Swalwell lamented after questioning Wray at the Judiciary hearing on Wednesday.

'In fact, in the Chairman's opening statement, he said that he's upset that he believes the FBI prevented more Americans from learning about a private citizen's laptop,' he said in a swipe at Rep. Jordan, adding: 'That is bananas to me.'

Director Wray appeared for a hearing before the House Judiciary panel Wednesday as it conducts oversight of the FBI. Specifically on the minds of the Republican chairman and members is Hunter Biden, 52, and his foreign business connections.

A New York Post story first revealing the existence of Hunter's abandoned laptop and some of the information found on the hard drive was prevented from circulating online as social media sites like Twitter and Facebook suppressed its spread and labeled it misinformation.

National Security experts also dismissed the report, which came out just one month before the 2020 presidential election. Media outlets were later forced to walk back on previous reports also calling the laptop misinformation.

Republicans claim that if the New York Post story was given the same air time and seriousness as other stories, it would have influenced how voters cast their ballots because of the allegations of President Biden's involvement in his son's affairs.

The GOP also maintained that the suppression could have been part of a larger campaign to keep under wraps how the Biden family enriched themselves through President Biden's office.

Swalwell lamented that the laptop was just full of 'non-consensual nudes'  although there is not proof that any of the naked images of Hunter Biden were taken without consent. Other information found on the laptop also led to allegations that President Joe Biden was involved in his son's shady foreign business deals

A slew of images were recovered from the abandoned laptop Hunter left at a repair shop years ago  including ones where he was naked or partially clothed, others with drugs or drug paraphernalia and some with women engaged in sex acts

'You all are bringing up FISA every single question, you're essentially saying to the American people that you're guardians of personal security and privacy, but the 2020 election was determined because the FBI didn't let more Americans see a private citizen's non-consensual nudes,' Swalwell said.

While images found on Hunter Biden's laptop have been shared widely since their discovery, the images were taken by the president's son and there is no evidence that they were captured in a 'non-consensual' setting.

'Is that what we are saying here? That you lost the election not because of your ideas but because a private citizen's laptop wasn't out there? That's bananas,' Swalwell added. 'Like, you should be a party of ideas, not a party of non-consensual nudes to help you win an election. It seems like that is what the objection that is here today.'

'This hearing has turned into absolute chaos. I yield back.'

During the California lawmaker's rant, Chairman Jordan attempted to cut-in several times to ask if he was going to allow Wray to answer the questions he was posing regarding the laptop.

'You want an answer, will you yield?' Jordan asked over Swalwell to no avail, adding: 'Will you yield for an answer?'

At the conclusion of Swalwell's time, Jordan said: 'We bring up FISA because the reauthorization  if the gentleman didn't know  at the end of this year. And it was in our witness' opening statement.'

'I didn't bring up the laptop,' he added.
From initial allegations last week to being named by his wife publicly tonight, this is how the Huw Edwards scandal unfolded.

The naming of Mr Edwards as the 'BBC presenter' followed days of speculation after The Sun newspaper reported an unnamed man had allegedly paid 35,000 to a young person over the course of three years for sexually explicit photos.

Mr Edwards' wife Vicky Flind issued a shock statement tonight on his behalf and revealed the her husband, 61, was 'suffering from serious mental health issues' following the claims.

He is accused of sending cash to a teenager in return for sexual photographs over three years, starting when the youth was 17. The teen is alleged to have use it to fund a crack cocaine habit. Three more young people have since made allegations against the broadcaster.

Minutes before Mr Edwards was revealed to be the accused presenter, the Met Police dropped their probe into the allegations, saying 'no offence has been committed' and that they were taking no further action.

Shortly after Ms Flind's statement, it was revealed her husband now faces fresh allegations of inappropriate behaviour tonight from his own BBC colleagues.

Here is a full timeline of the scandal that has engulfed the BBC, based on what we know so far:

Mr Edwards' wife Vicky Flind issued a shock statement tonight on his behalf and revealed the her husband, 61, was 'suffering from serious mental health issues' following the claims

April

The mother and step-father of a young person contact an unnamed police force to make allegations about the behaviour of a top BBC star towards their child.

The parents claimed the presenter had paid the teenager 35,000 for sexually explicit photographs between the ages of 17 and 20, the money from which was used to fund a crack cocaine addiction.

The force has since confirmed it looked into the claims, but 'no criminality was identified', it said in a statement to the BBC.

May 18

A family member goes to a BBC building to make an in-person complaint about the behaviour of the presenter and asking him to stop sending money to their child, a month after going to the police.

May 19

The family contact BBC Audience Services to make a formal complaint over the phone. The corporation says its records show this call lasted 29 minutes.

The details of this call were then sent to the Corporate Investigations Team, which assessed the information provided.

BBC director general Tim Davie said the team determined there were no allegations of criminal behaviour but the claims were 'none the less was very serious' and merited further investigation.

The corporation claims the team emailed the family to say they were looking into it and asking for additional information, but received no response.

It added that it began conducting checks to verify the identify of the complainant, to confirm they were who they said they were.

June 6

The Corporate Investigations Team phones a mobile number given by the complainant, but it does not connect.

The BBC says the team decided to return to the complaint in a number of weeks and kept the case open, although they did not attempt to contact the family again after June 6.

Explaining why no contact was made with the complainant for more than a month, Mr Davie told Sarah Montague on BBC Radio 4's World At One, 'thousands' of complaints are made and it is 'appropriate' there is a verification process.

'Some verification of that claim is appropriate once the Corporate Investigations team has taken something on, they do some due diligence on what is being alleged,' he said.

BBC director general Tim Davie (pictured) said the initial claims made to the BBC were not allegations of criminal behaviour, but were 'none the less very serious'

The BBC (file photo) was contacted by The Sun about the allegations on July 6, which lead to Mr Davie and other senior executives first becoming aware of the claims

July 6

The Sun contacts the BBC press office about allegations regarding the presenter in question. The source of these claims is the same family who approached the BBC on May 18 and 19.

Despite the seniority of the presenter, this is the first time Mr Davie or any executives at the corporation become aware of the case and the complaints.

Speaking this week, Mr Davie said the nature of these complaints made to The sun are different to those originally given to the BBC in May.

He said: 'When The Sun made new allegations on July 6 they were different to the matters considered by BBC Corporate Investigations and those new allegations clearly related to potential criminal activity, criminality, that in a nutshell is the difference.'

The BBC creates an task force to lead the response to the case, which includes senior executives as well as Mr Davie. The Acting Chair of the corporation, Professor Dame Elan Closs Stephens, and the Board, are updated as to its progress.

The enquiry by the Sun leads to a senior manager holding the first conversation on this matter with the presenter concerned, as they inform him about the claims being made.

The decision is made not to have the presenter go on air while the claims are being looked into.

July 7

After being contacted by The Sun, the Corporate Investigations Team at the BBC contact the complainant again, who was in touch with the BBC's investigators.

The alleged victim's family details the accusations in a newspaper interview, claiming the presenter paid for the explicit photographs for three years.

The alleged victim's mother also claimed the teenager used the cash to fund their spiralling drug habit.

The BBC contacts the police regarding the claims and initiate its Serious Case Management Framework (SCMF).

The investigation by the Corporate Investigations Team was brought into the SCMF, which is chaired by a Human Resources Director at the BBC.

July 8

The family send the BBC 'materials related to the complaint' as it is revealed the presenter could face a police probe over potential crimes which carry a maximum 14-year prison sentence.

As rumours and speculation swirl on social media as to the star's identity, other major names at the BBC are forced to issue statements denying they are the man behind the scandal.

The likes of Gary Lineker, Rylan Clark and Jeremy Vine all issued firm denials, while Nicky Campbell contacted the police after being wrongly accused of being the presenter in question.

The BBC, led by director-general Tim Davie (left), met the Met Police yesterday, led by Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley (right), on Monday

July 9

The BBC confirms it has suspended the presenter and issues a statement saying it takes 'any allegations seriously'.

It came after the culture secretary Lucy Frazer held 'urgent talks' with BBC boss Tim Davie, with the minister describing the allegations as 'deeply concerning'.

Following a phone call with Mr Davie, she tweeted: 'I have spoken to BBC director-general Tim Davie about the deeply concerning allegations involving one of its presenters.

'He has assured me the BBC are investigating swiftly and sensitively.'

She added: 'Given the nature of the allegations it is important that the BBC is now given the space to conduct its investigation, establish the facts and take appropriate action. I will be kept updated.'

Director-general Tim Davie sends an internal email to staff reiterating that the BBC is taking the allegations 'incredibly seriously'.

He added: 'By law, individuals are entitled to a reasonable expectation of privacy, which is making this situation more complex. I also want to be very clear that I am wholly condemning the unsubstantiated rumours being made on the internet about some of our presenting talent.

'We are in contact with the family referenced in the media reports. I want to assure you that we are working rapidly to establish the facts and to ensure that these matters are handled fairly and with care, including by external authorities where appropriate.'

July 10

The BBC hold an online meeting with the Metropolitan Police to report the matter and discuss how to progress the investigation.

The police request that the BBC pause its probes into the allegations while the force looks into whether it needs to investigate the claims.

Speaking at the launch of the BBC's annual report Mr Davie says: 'As you know yesterday, the BBC corporate investigations team had a meeting with the police in relation to the information provided to the BBC by The Sun newspaper on Thursday.

'As a result of this. The BBC has been asked to pause its own investigations into the allegations while they scope future work. We will pass any material that we have to them.'

Later that evening the young person at the centre of the claims dramatically denies the allegations made by their parents, calling them 'rubbish' and saying nothing inappropriate or unlawful had taken place.

However, their mother and step-father hit back hours later saying they stood by their story and accused the presenter of 'getting into their head', suggesting the star had paid for their child's lawyer.

July 11

BBC director general Tim Davie defends the delay in speaking to the presenter and denies it's 'odd' he hasn't personally spoken with them yet.

Asked if it was 'odd' that that he himself has not chatted to the presenter, Davie replied: 'No', adding: 'I think it is critical they are spoken to by a very senior manager'.

He was also asked if he knew 'categorically' whether or not the star paid for the alleged victim's lawyer.

He said: 'That's not information I am party to. I don't even think that's something for the BBC.'

But he did admit that the scandal had been 'clearly damaging' to the corporation's reputation.

'The BBC is often in the midst of quite painful and difficult affairs and storms,' he said before adding: 'These are clearly damaging to the BBC it, is not a good situation.'

Later in the day reports emerged claiming the presenter had sent abusive and menacing messages to a person in their 20s after meeting them anonymously on a dating site.

They claim they were put under pressure to meet with the star but never did, the BBC reported.

When they hinted online that they might name them, they allege they were sent abusive messages that were filled with expletives.

July 12

Newsreader Huw Edwards is named by his own wife as the BBC star accused of paying 35,000 to a vulnerable teenager in return for explicit photographs.

Vicky Flind's shock statement came minutes after Scotland Yard dropped their probe into the allegations.

She revealed her husband, 61, who was last on screen on July 5 during the King's visit to Scotland, is 'suffering from serious mental health issues' following the claims that emerged in The Sun six days ago.

In a statement released by Mr Edward's wife Vicky Flind, she said that he was receiving in-patient hospital care

Ms Flind, who also works in TV, said the father-of-five is 'now receiving in-patient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future' as she asked for privacy for her family, declaring: 'I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children'.

She added: 'I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end. Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published'.

Ms Flind's statement was released at 6pm, however, there was confusion as the BBC first said Mr Edwards, who recently led coverage of the Queen's death and King Charles' Coronation, had resigned from his role as their top newsreader. But minutes later the corporation clarify that he had not quit. Sources close to the star have since stressed that he has not left his job.

He is accused of sending cash to a teenager in return for sexual photographs over three years, starting when the youth was 17. The teen is alleged to have use it to fund a crack cocaine habit. Three more young people have since made allegations against the broadcaster.

Minutes before Mr Edwards was named, the Met Police dropped its probe into the allegations, announcing it would be taking 'no further action' and concluding that no 'criminal offence has been committed'.

BBC Anchor Huw Edwards has been named by his wife Vicky Flind as the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images

A statement from the force said: 'Detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command have now concluded their assessment and have determined there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed.'

The Met's statement regarding the allegations said a number of parties had been spoken to, including the BBC, the alleged complainant and their family 'via another police force' and concluded there would be no further police action.

And tonight, shortly after Mr Edwards was named, it was revealed the presenter faces fresh allegations of inappropriate behaviour tonight from his own BBC colleagues.

Junior staff members revealed to the Six O'Clock News and Newsnight that the presenter, 61, had sent 'inappropriate messages' to them - but also confirmed that they had not previously officially complained to the Corporation.

In the hours that followed Ms Flind's statement, three BBC employees, two current and one former, then came forward with claims. A current employee said they received inappropriate and suggestive messages from the presenter, while two more, one who has since left, said they have received messages which made them feel uncomfortable.

One said they felt it was an abuse of power by someone very senior in the organisation.
The true crime social media star, who has over 89,000 subscribers, had obtained the images through freedom of information laws before posting them online

A true crime YouTuber has been slammed for charging viewers to see autopsy photos of 11-year-old Gannon Stauch who was brutally murdered by his stepmom.

NewsNation reported that a YouTuber by the name 'Zav Girl' sent in a Freedom of Information Act request for the autopsy pictures of Stauch, who was stabbed and shot in 2020.

Once the pictures were released to the person running the 'Zav Girl' account, the outlet says she charged her followers $3 on Patreon, a membership platform. to view them.

The YouTuber has since received backlash for posting the images on her Patreon account, which has since been deactivated by the company.

While appearing on 'Dan Abrams Live' on Tuesday evening, Michael Allen, the lead prosecutor on the Stauch case, said his office reached out the child's family about the photos.

Zav Girl shared the images of the youngster onto her Patreon platform

Gannon was stabbed 18 times then shot in the head and dumped over a bridge by his evil stepmother

He told the show: 'It's just completely disrespectful to the family members that have had to live through this horror.

'But even more so, Gannon deserved so much more in life from his stepmother and he certainly deserves dignity and respect in death.

'There's nothing about what this YouTuber is doing, and I think there's another one out there as well that provides any dignity or respect to Gannon.'

He continued: 'They could have used body diagrams that the autopsy also included, instead of putting the actual pictures of Gannon's just completely broken body that reflects the depravity and horror that he had to live through.'

In a statement posted to her community page on her YouTube account, Zav Girl said: 'Some people genuinely think making a video including the autopsy photos is bad and I respect their opinion and feelings.

'Other people, like myself, think of autopsy photos and the coroner explaining them as interesting and informative and are able to view it all in a more scientific detached way.

She continued: 'It's just one of those things where it depends on the person.'

'I am not adamantly against taking down the video if people are truly unhappy with it, and I will absolutely consider doing that.

'I understand some of you have issues with me charging money on my patreon for the video.

'But in this case I spent a lot of time and worked hard putting together a video lining up the coroner's audio and descriptions along with the appropriate part of the photos she is describing and editing it together to try to make it as informative as possible for the viewer. '

Gannon (pictured) disappeared in Colorado Springs in January 2020. His body was found on March 20, 2020 - 1,400 miles away in Florida

Patreon have since removed the account on their platform belonging to Zav Girl for breaking their guidelines

Letecia Stuach was found guilty in May of this year of murder in the first degree after killing Gannon

Despite the YouTuber's remarks, the decision by her to add the pictures to her Patreon was slammed by her viewers also.

One person commented on her statement: 'Your not the victim here. What you did is unfathomable. You should be ashamed of yourself.'

Another said: 'Zav, when you, or anyone, can be emotionally detached from autopsy photos of a naked child who was brutally murdered, it's time to take a break from true crime.

'We know how Gannon died. No photos needed.'

Meanwhile one other commented: 'What you did with Gannon's autopsy photos is appalling. It's simply appalling. Did you ever think about how his parents would feel, or are you devoid of empathy?'

Subscribers to her YouTube page hit back at her Patreon post, with one telling her what she did was 'unfathomable'

Patreon also confirmed to DailyMail.com that they had taken the decision to remove the account belonging to Zav Girl.

In a statement, they said: 'We removed 'Zav Girl' from Patreon for violating our Community Guidelines against violent and graphic content.

'To create a safe environment for users, Patreon does not allow content glorifying or promoting violence that is graphic, gratuitous, sadistic, or glorifies real-world suffering.'

Letecia Stauch was found guilty in May of murder in the first degree, guilty of murder of a child under 12, guilty of tampering with a deceased human body and guilty of tampering with physical evidence in the death of 11-year-old Gannon.

In January 2020, Gannon had been reported as a runaway that was last seen by Letecia.

On March 2 that same year, Stauch was arrested in South Carolina and extradited to Colorado where she was charged with the little boy's murder.

Gannon's body was then discovered on March 20 1,400 miles away under a bridge in Pace, Florida by construction workers under the overpass.

Leticia Stauch is pictured in court in Colorado in March 2020 after being arrested in connection with the murder

Stauch stabbed Gannon 18 times before beating him across the head four times and shooting him in the jaw in January 2020, 'obliterating' the young boy's skull, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors say she killed Gannon because she was resentful about being used as a glorified babysitter. She Googled the phrase 'I hate my stepson.'

The killer stepmom had tried to blame mental illness on her behavior, with her defense attorneys claiming she'd suffered a 'psychotic crack.'

She was later sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole for the brutal murder.
The infamous Colombo crime family's boss-in-waiting pleaded guilty to labor racketeering on Wednesday, a move that could lead the Mafia clan without a leader.

Theodore 'Skinny Teddy' Persico, 59, struck a deal with Brooklyn federal prosecutors in which they agreed not to seek a prison sentence longer than 71 months - just shy of six years. He'd been facing a maximum sentence of 20 years.

Persico became one of six purported Colombo mobsters who accepted pleas in the massive case that devastated the clan's leadership in 2021.

The indictment targeted the entirety of the crime organization's 'administration.' The Colombos are currently believed to be the weakest of the city's legendary 'Five Families' in terms of membership.

Theodore 'Skinny Teddy' Persico, 59, struck a deal with Brooklyn prosecutors, meaning he will likely not be available to lead the Colombo crime family as he'd been ordained to do

The late Carmine 'The Snake' Persico was Teddy's uncle. He died in prison several years ago, where he was serving a life sentence. His son, Alphonse 'Little Allie Boy' Persico, is also serving a life sentence and therefore unavailable to lead the family

Vincent Ricciardo, 77, a captain in the family, is the sole defendant who has not yet struck a deal. He is scheduled to plead on Friday.

Persico - the nephew of the late Colombo godfather Carmine 'the Snake' Persico - is accused of conspiring with now-deceased Colombo boss Andrew 'Mush' Russo to shake down a Queens-based union and launder the funds, in a ploy that ran for 20 years.

Carmine Persico's son, Alphonse 'Little Allie Boy' Persico, is currently serving a life sentence in prison for murder - leaving Teddy Persico as one of a dwindling number of personnel options to lead the family.

With Teddy likely headed to prison, along with most living top family officers, it is unclear who will lead the ailing family.

Like many of his colleagues, Teddy Persico possesses a lengthy rap sheet that dates back to his teenage years when he was convicted of attempted grand larceny on Staten Island.

He eventually spent more than 15 years in state prison for dealing drugs.

His most recent prison stint ended in May of 2020. He had been convicted for ordering the 1993 hit against Joseph Scopo, which took place during an internal power struggle inside the Colombo family.

Persico delivered the order to 'kill Joey' while he was briefly out of prison to attend his grandmother's funeral. Testimony in the 2012 trial indicated that he gave the order while sitting in a room with his grandmother's body and three state jail guards, who had escorted him from an upstate prison.

According to prosecutors, Theodore Persico was a 'high-ranking captain' of the Colombo family and the first inline to succeed Russo, who died aged 87 last year while awaiting trial.

Witness testimony, say prosecutors, will prove that Persico participated in a 'high-level meeting of the crime family in November 2020' to determine a path forward for the organization.

During that meeting, Russo was decided upon as the 'family's boss,' and Persico 'would become the boss upon completion of his supervised release.'

With the former Don dead and many of his top lieutenants almost certainly going to prison, it is unclear who will lead the ailing crime family

It was allegedly decided at a 2021 meeting of the family that Teddy Persico would take over as the next head of the family

Persico wound up behind bars again because of the labor racketeering case, and so may not have been available in May, when his supervised release was set to end.

Prior to Russo's death last year, Benjamin 'The Claw' Castellazzo, who is in his eighties, served as the family's underboss, and Ralph DiMatteo acted as consigliere. Castellazo was also scheduled to be in court last week to plead guilty.

DiMatteo, 68, was in court last week, where he admitted to extortion, conspiracy and money laundering from 2020 to 2021.

The then-third in command was famously pictured lounging in a Florida pool while on the lam in 2021, one day after he was supposed to turn himself in.

In his appearance last week, DiMatteo referred to the mob family exclusively as 'the enterprise.'

Presiding Judge Hector Gonzalez said the sentencing guidelines for DiMatteo range between 41 and 51 months in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for October 5.

The Colombo family is one of five major mafia organizations in the northeastern United States. The others including the Genovese family, Lucchese family, Gambino family and Bonanno family.
A 'Jesus Christ Superstar' actor who represented himself during the January 6th trial and claimed he was unaware of the conspiracy to storm the Capitol has been acquitted of all charges.

James Beeks, 51 - who joined the far-right militia the Oath Keepers involved in the planning and execution of the capitol riot - was charged with attending the riot as well as conspiracy and civil disorder.

The charges were dismissed by U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta who said prosecutors had presented almost no evidence the Floridian had been aware of the group's plans to storm the capital and obstruct the certification of Electoral College votes.

Beeks had represented himself for most of his case but permitted standby counsel Greg Hunter to deliver his closing argument on Tuesday.

He had not denied joining the Oath Keepers in the weeks leading up to January 6 but argued he had no knowledge of the conspiracy to obstruct the electoral college certification.

Speaking outside federal court in Washington D.C on Wednesday Beeks told WUSA9 'I want to go to Disneyworld, I feel great.

Beeks, 51 was charged with attending the January 6 riot (pictured) and conspiracy and civil disorder

Speaking outside federal court in Washington D.C on Wednesday the actor told WUSA9 'I want to go to Disneyworld, I feel great.

'I feel a huge burden has been lifted off my shoulders, and I couldn't be happier.'

When asked about how he felt when his co-defendant Donovan Crowl was found guilty on both counts Beeks replied 'I was sweating bullets, I even wrote a note to my attorney saying "I think we're screwed" but he told me to just hold on.

Adding: 'When he [the judge] started reading my counts and activities I felt a lot more confident that it was going to go in the way we wanted it to go.'

Beeks made clear to distance himself from the Oath Keepers, telling the outlet: 'I didn't know anything about them, I didn't know what their ulterior motives were.

'I only knew what the public statements were and after the event I saw all the things that were happening.

'I think the judge made a really good decision on that because I just didn't know, and that proves the intent at least in my case.

'I'm just happy with the way its turned out,' he said.

Florida Oath Keepers leaders Kelly Meggs and Stewart Rhodes were convicted of seditious conspiracy alongside other members who participated in chatroom planning and riots at the capital.

Beeks, 51 joined the far-right militia the Oath Keepers involved in the planning and execution of the capitol riot in January 2021

Beeks has since distanced himself from the group saying he was not aware of their 'ulterior motive'

The actor was charged with six counts, which include conspiracy to defraud the U.S., tampering with a witness, destruction of government property and civil disorder.

Beeks was playing Judas in a production of the musical 'Jesus Christ Superstar' in Minneapolis when he was arrested in November 2021.

He was charged with six counts, which included conspiracy to defraud the U.S., tampering with a witness, destruction of government property and civil disorder.

Beeks waived his right to a jury trial, opting instead to represent himself and be tried by Judge Amit Mehta.

After Judge Mehta acquitted Beeks on two charges prosecutors agreed to drop the remaining four.

Beeks is the first member of the Oath Keepers to be acquitted on all counts and only the second Jan. 6 defendant to be acquitted on all counts.
Top Oversight Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin wrote a letter to Chairman James Comer demanding he probe whether Republicans had been duped by a now-indicted whistleblower.

Raskin, together with Oversight Democrat Rep. Dan Goldman, N.Y., expressed 'concern' that committee Republicans had been 'manipulated by an apparent con man who, while a fugitive from justice, attempted to fortify his defense by laundering unfounded and potentially false allegations through Congress.'

Gal Luft gave an interview to the FBI about Hunter Biden in 2019 and was set to testify before the House Oversight Committee before he was arrested and vanished.

The whistleblower, an Israeli-American think tank founder and professor, was indicted last November on charges that he failed to register as a foreign agent working for China, arms trafficking and violating US sanctions on Iran by the DOJ.

He allegedly attempted to broker the sale of arms to Libya, Kenya and the UAE without the necessary US permits, and selling Iranian oil to China in violation of sanctions.

Top Oversight Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin wrote a letter to Chairman James Comer demanding he probe whether Republicans had been duped by a now-indicted whistleblower

Luft, a former Israeli Defense Force colonel, was detained in Cyprus but fled while free on bail. His whereabouts are unknown, but on Monday the indictment against him was unsealed.

Luft claims he is being persecuted by the federal government because he provided derogatory information about the Biden family to the FBI in 2019. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams claimed in a statement that Luft engaged in multiple, serious criminal schemes.'



'He subverted foreign agent registration laws in the United States to seek to promote Chinese policies by acting through a former high-ranking U.S. Government official; he acted as a broker in deals for dangerous weapons and Iranian oil; and he told multiple lies about his crimes to law enforcement,' Williams said.

Last week in a video published by the New York Post Luft claimed to have compromising information on Hunter Biden relating to his work consulting for Chinese energy executives CEFC China Energy in 2017 and 2018.

Luft claimed he was arrested to stop him from testifying before the House Oversight Committee. He claimed he provided incriminating evidence to the FBI during a secret meeting in Brussels in March 2019 - but it was covered up.

Gal Luft (pictured), a former Israeli Defense Force colonel, vanished last month while he was on bail in Cyrus waiting extradition to the U.S. on seven charges

President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, step off Air Force One, February 4, 2023

Comer was preparing to interview Luft before he disappeared, and said the indicted dual citizen remains a 'potential witness.' Comer had communicated with Luft earlier this year but lost touch after his arrest.

Calling himself 'patient zero of the Biden family investigation,' Luft, 57, says he is innocent of the charges levied against him.

Luft says he told the FBI that Joe Biden was present in a meeting shortly after his vice presidential term ended with his son Hunter and CEFC officials at the Four Seasons hotel in Washington, D.C.

Luft, who also worked for CEFC, was accused by prosecutors of allowing Chinese officials to use him to recruit and 'educate' former CIA director James Woolsey on positions favorable to China.

'It appears as if Mr. Luft sought 'whistleblower' status from you in an effort to defend himself from criminal prosecution while a fugitive from justice. Worse yet, this latest episode also raises concerns that Mr. Luft may be manipulating your investigation not only for his own self-interest but perhaps also in furtherance of the CCP's efforts to undermine U.S. security interests and the President of the United States,' Raskin and Goldman said.

'These recent revelations naturally raise broader concerns about the credibility and motivations of other purported whistleblowers that Congressional Republicans have relied on to support unfounded and baseless allegations. Sadly, the Luft episode severely undermines the credibility of the critical function of whistleblowers in this body.'

Comer shot back that if Luft is untrustworthy due to working for the CEFC, then so are the Bidens.

'Democrats have either been duped by the Bidens or they are intentionally misleading the American people,' Comer said in a statement. 'Democrats should join us in requesting the FBI's record memorializing its interview with Gal Luft to get to the bottom of his claims about the Bidens.'
A passenger has described the moment a flight attendant 'flew up in the air' as a plane plunged around 5,000ft in less than two minutes as if they were in the sci-fi film 'The Matrix'.

The Allegiant Airlines flight, which took off from Asheville, North Carolina, was travelling at 18,000 feet before it dropped to around 13,000 feet.

Two passengers and two flight attendants were taken to hospital and treated for injuries - with one employee left with a protruding bone from his ankle.

The flight was traveling to St. Petersburg, Florida, when it suddenly lost altitude 15 minutes before landing.

Passenger Lisa Spriggs said: 'Literally she flew up in the air  like Matrix is the only way I can think to describe it  was there for maybe half a second and then landed straight down.'

Were you on the flight? Email alexander.butler.mol@mailonline.co.uk

The Allegiant Airlines flight, which took off from Asheville, North Carolina, was travelling at 18,000 feet before it dropped to around 13,000 feet just 15 minutes before it was supposed to land

Passenger Lisa Spriggs (pictured) said: 'Literally she flew up in the air  like Matrix is the only way I can think to describe it'

Four people were taken to hospital, though the extent of their injuries remains unclear. It is also unclear whether anyone else was injured.

Ms Spriggs also said an attendant and another employee broke their ankles, with the bone protruding from the employee's foot.

Ms Spriggs added: 'Thank goodness there was medical personnel on our flight... they were just administering whatever help they could.

'I'm just thankful to be on the ground,' she added, describing the situation as 'terrifying. You hear of it happening, but you don't expect it to be that bad.'

In a statement to WFLA, Allegiant executives said: 'Today, Allegiant flight 227, en route from Asheville, NC to St. Petersburg, FL experienced severe turbulence before landing.

'The plane, carrying 179 passengers and six crew members, landed normally and taxied to the gate under its own power.

Four people were taken to the hospital, though the extent of their injuries remains unclear. It is also unclear whether anyone else was injured. Pictured: debris after the turbulence

Ms Spriggs also said an attendant and another employee broke their ankles, with the bone protruding from the employee's foot. Pictured: debris after the turbulence

Two passengers and two flight attendants were taken to hospital and treated for injuries

Ms Spriggs also said an attendant and another employee broke their ankles, with the bone protruding from the employee's foot. Pictured: Ambulances outside St. Pete-Clearwater Airport

'Airport paramedics met the plans to assess two passengers and two flight attendants for injuries. They were transported to the hospital for further evaluation.'

The airline added that it will 'continue to investigate the incident' in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board 'and will provide more information as soon as it becomes available.'

One man onboard the plane shared how he saw several passengers hit their heads during the tumultuous flight before several people were taken off the plane in stretchers.

'There was a sudden burst of turbulence and then major, major turbulence,' Paul Harris told WFLA. 'The plane felt like it dropped pretty considerably. Several people, including a lady in my row hit the ceiling.'

He added that several of the overhead bins opened up and couldnt be closed because they broke.
An investigation is now underway into claims a spy tried to infiltrate the meeting

Claims that China sent a spy to infiltrate a House of Commons briefing by Hong Kong dissidents are to be probed by parliamentary bosses.

The investigation comes after this newspaper's revelations that a man claiming to be a tourist tried to gatecrash the private event on the top floor of the high-security Palace of Westminster.

He attempted to enter a meeting addressed by Finn Lau and Christopher Mung to an audience of around 50 journalists, peers and MPs. He left after a brief stand off.

Mr Lau and Mr Mung are among three exiled Hong Kong activists who have 100,000 arrest bounties put on their heads by the city's Beijing-controlled police.

Pro-democracy campaigners have accused the gate-crasher of being a Chinese Communist Party informer intent on filming, stalking and harassing those at the event.

A Daily Mail investigation revealed a man claiming to be a tourist tried to infiltrate a private meeting in the Palace of Westminster in which MPs and journalists heard talks from Hong Kong democracy activists Christopher Mung (left) and Finn Lau (right)

Many Hong Kongers at the event kept their faces covered throughout the talk because of these concerns.

Tonight Mr Lau told The Mail: 'I am astonished by the bold actions of the intruder. There are multiple layers of security in Parliament and this incident shows how far China is willing to go to harass dissidents.

'I appreciate and welcome this investigation as it may expose the extent of China's transnational repression.'

Members of the public may visit Parliament on guided tours but are forbidden to roam away from tour routes without supervision.

Finn Lau (left) and Christopher Mung (right) are among three exiled Hong Kong activists who have 100,000 arrest bounties put on their heads by the city's Beijing-controlled police

It is unknown how long the alleged spy wandered around the Commons unsupervised or where he went.

The investigation, already started, may look into how this man was able to freely walk around restricted areas of parliament.

In an online statement, China's embassy in London accused Britain of hiding 'fugitives' and interfering in 'China's internal affairs'.

Two days ago the relatives of pro-democracy activist Nathan Law, who fled to Britain in 2020, were taken away for questioning after police in Hong Kong raided their home.

It is unknown how long the suspected Chinese spy spent inside the Palace of Westminster (pictured) before being discovered

MI5 boss Ken McCallum warned that it had seen 'more concerning activity' from China including the 'harassment and assault' of Chinese dissidents living in Britain.

A House of Commons spokesman said: 'The safety and security of all those who work and visit in Parliament is our top priority, however we cannot comment on our security measures.'

Catherine West MP, Labour's spokesman for Asia and the Pacific, said: 'This is a serious allegation and it is absolutely right that Parliament is investigating it.

'It comes against a backdrop of increasing attempts to harass and intimidate Hong Kongers who have made their home here. The Government must take this seriously.'
A young woman travelling across Australia on a dream working holiday has tragically lost her fight for life after a horror head-on collision.

Armitha Safitri, 30, was attempting a U-turn on Karoonda Highway near Wynarka in South Australia's Murray Mallee region when a ute slammed into her car last Friday.

She was rushed to an Adelaide hospital in a critical condition but died on Tuesday.

Ms Safitri arrived in Australia last September on a working holiday visa and most recently was a fruit picker in Renmark, in South Australia's Riverland region.

She was driving to Adelaide and about relocate to Sydney when tragedy struck.

Armitha Safitri was on the adventure of a lifetime travelling Australia on a working holiday when tragedy truck

Doctors had warned her family back home In Indonesia to expect the worst.

'The doctor said that 90 per cent of her internal organs are not functioning normally, most likely she can not survive any longer,' her brother Robby Yahya told Kompas TV.

Ms Safitri has been remembered as the kindest person.

'I don't know what to say, it's really heartbreaking,' friend Izzy Fierza said.

'She was talkative, very funny, always have good jokes.'

She had previously worked for a tourism company in Bali before she decided to move to Australia.

'When our business started to get busy again [after Covid], we wanted to keep her in Bali but Mitha didn't want to, she wanted to go to Australia,' a former colleague told ABC.

The Indonesian national had been in Australia for less than a year

Australia's Indonesian community is now rallying around the heartbroken family to help to raise funds to bring her body home.

'Thank God Mitha's friends and Indonesian immigrants there tried to bring Mitha home to Indonesia,' her brother said.

Ms Safitri's death takes South Australia's road toll to 66 lives so far in 2023, compared to 40 this time last year.

Investigations into the fatal crash continue.

The ute driver, a 63-year-old man, was taken to hospital with 'non-life-threatening injuries'.
Friends and family remembered Lesure as an outspoken and beloved police officer known throughout the community

She was with Mark Lesure moments before he was struck by a heart attack, but took her chance and stole thousands from the cop

Shuntae Daniels is facing several criminal charges after shamelessly robbing the corpse of a former Memphis detective

A Tennessee woman was arrested for mugging the corpse of a retired homicide detective after he collapsed and died from a heart attack in his driveway.

Shuntae Daniels admitted to investigators that in the moments after beloved local cop Mark Lesure, 57, was struck by the medical emergency, she emptied his pockets and sent $1,500 to herself from his phone, according to an arrest affidavit.

After stealing from the cadaver, Daniels then splashed the money around town, spending the cash on shoes, the hair salon, and getting her nails done.

She is now facing charges of aggravated burglary, two counts of theft, and identity theft, and is being held in custody on a $100,000 bond for the shameless act.

Shuntae Davis is facing several criminal charges after stealing from the dead body of a former cop

Mark Lesure, 57, collapsed and died on his driveway on July 9

Investigators say they were quickly on the scene after receiving a man down call on July 9 when Lesure suffered the heart attack.

The cop was pronounced dead at the scene, but while at his house, officers combed through security footage and found that he had been with Daniels moments before he died.

According to an affidavit cited by Local Memphis, the footage saw Daniels witness Lesure's medical emergency, before running inside his home and emerging with an extra phone.

She was seen on the video making a phone call, and video reportedly heard her say: 'We are going to see who knows the law'.

It was later determined she had been on the phone with Memphis police after dispatch found it had received a 911 near Lesure's residence at the same time.

When she was brought in for questioning, Daniels claimed she stole from the former cop after they had been having an argument at his house.

She said she had demanded he give her $10 for gas, but after Lesure went inside to fetch it he then had the heart attack, the affidavit said.

Lesure was a 23-year veteran of the force with a history of speaking out

Apparently seizing the moment, Daniels told investigators she went inside Lesure's home and stole his Samsung smartphone and his wallet containing $100.

She then rifled through his pockets and took the $10 on the ground that he had taken out for her gas money, per the arrest document.

Daniels' spree was not done, however, as she later took Lesure's phone and transferred $1500 to herself in several $200 transfers.

The thief took the money and splashed it on beauty treatments, including new nails, a haircut and expensive shoes.

The former detective's aunt, Rose Lesure-Jones, told WREG: 'He was in the driveway when we got here lying face down.

'Whatever it was he didnt deserve this, he really didnt he was a good guy. One of the good guys really.'

Lesure was a 23-year veteran of the force, and had a reputation for being outspoken and was well known within his community.

Earlier this year, he spoke to the New York Times in the aftermath of the police killing of Tyre Nichols, where he slammed the cops in question.

'Human beings man, that's what happened,' he said. 'They let their emotions get the best of them, and there was no veteran officer there to stop them.

'Usually, when vets are there, things go differently because we have that experience to say, I understand youre mad, but you got to stop. You cant do this, it isnt right.'

Friends and family remembered Lesure as a standup member of the community who would mentor young kids in his spare time

The beloved cop had recently retired after over two decades on the force, and had gone back to school to get his Master's degree

Following his career with the police department, Lesure had reportedly recently gone back to school to get his Master's degree.

One of his neighbors, Randie Fleming, remembered him as a standup friend who went out of his way to mentor young kids in his spare time.

'He had outreach ministries to young people in the community, a few blocks away,' he told WREG. 'Its one thing you hear gang members shooting and killing each other dying, but someone who is an upstanding guy, he served his community.'

Daniels is due in court Wednesday, and is being held on a $1000 bond in the Shelby County Jail.

Daniels is facing charges of aggravated burglary, two counts of theft of property in the amount of $1000 to $2500, and identity theft.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene confirmed Wednesday that she is no longer a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus after the group voted to oust her after she called Rep. Lauren Boebert a 'little b****' on the House floor.

Greene's dismissal from the group was in question because she refused to call back the Freedom Caucus' Chairman Scott Perry, who had wanted to deliver the news to the Georgia Republican personally.

Greene told CNN Wednesday that she hadn't called back anyone in the group because, 'I don't care.'

'I'm not interested in any type of drama, or petty conversations,' she said.

Freedom Caucus members chose to vote her out due to her treatment of Boebert - who she had also confronted in a Capitol Hill bathroom during January's speaker's vote - but also because she had backed House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene confirmed Wednesday that she is no longer a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus after the group voted to oust her after she called Rep. Lauren Boebert a 'little b****' on the House floor

Rep. Lauren Boebert is photographed leaving the Capitol Building on Wednesday. Her altercation with Greene prompted Greene's ouster from the House Freedom Caucus during Fourth of July recess

Boebert, on the other hand, was a part of the vocal 'Never Kevins,' who held up McCarthy's ascent to the speakership for 15 ballots.

'I enjoy being a free agent a lot better,' Greene also told CNN. 'I'm interested in getting accomplishments done, not doing things just to disrupt and fight leadership. And that's a major difference.'

On Monday, CNN reported on the deep tensions within the Freedom Caucus, which was launched in 2015 by Rep. Jim Jordan, among others, to move House Republican leadership to the right.

Now around 40 members strong, the group has become unwieldy, with members split on how much they should support McCarthy and whether they should officially back the 2024 White House run of former President Donald Trump.

'Days are numbered anyway for the group,' one conservative lawmaker told CNN. 'Because they go in 100 different directions.'

Greene is supportive of both.

She's already endorsed Trump's 2024 campaign and worked to get McCarthy elected as speaker.

That runs contrary to the original role of the Freedom Caucus, which was often to be the thorn in House GOP leadership's side.

'The reality is they're mad at her for playing ball with McCarthy and, and still being one of Trump's favorites,' a conservative lawmaker told CNN. 'It's pretty evident. That's what's gone down.'

At the same time her relationship with Boebert has frayed.

When the two women were both elected in 2020, they were immediately tied together in media reports.

'QAnon goes to Washington,' announced Roll Call, the longtime chronicler of Capitol Hill, connecting Greene and Boebert to the pro-Trump conspiracy theory, which they have since distanced themselves from.

Greene and Boebert were also compared to each other because of their brash temperament, relative youth compared to most members of Congress and ability to rile up a MAGA crowd.

But Greene doing just that - at the rally of a known white nationalist in February 2022 - and Boebert expressing displeasure, produced the first media reports that the MAGA darlings weren't in lockstep.

During January's House leadership vote, the two women had a fight in the bathroom.

Sources told The Daily Beast that 'Greene questioned Boeberts loyalty to McCarthy, and after a few words were exchanged, Boebert stormed out.'

'You were OK taking millions of dollars from McCarthy but you refuse to vote for him for Speaker, Lauren?' Greene reportedly said, catching Boebert off guard by coming out of a stall in the women's bathroom off the Speaker's Lobby.

Boebert responded to Greene, 'don't be ugly,' a source said, and then added that she 'ran out like a little schoolgirl.'

Six months later, their arguments spilled out onto the floor.

During votes on June 21, Boebert can be seen approaching the dais, walking past Greene and then hightailing it back to her where the two women were captured by C-SPAN speaking animatedly.

The lawmaker chairing the session can be heard banging the gavel and saying, 'Take your conversations off the floor,' as a round of voting concluded.

By dinnertime, The Daily Beast had reported what was said.

Greene had alleged that Boebert had copied her articles of impeachment, instead of just supporting her bill.

'I've donated to you, I've defended you. But you've been nothing but a litte b***h to me,' Greene told Boebert, sources said. 'And you copied my articles of impeachment after I asked you to cosponsor them.'

One GOP lawmaker in earshot told The Beast: 'I heard Marjorie call Boebert a b***h right to her face.'

And Greene admitted to it on-the-record.

'She has genuinely been a nasty little b***h to me,' the Georgia congresswoman told Semafor.

Greene said that Boebert had come over to her to confront her about telling reporters she believed the Colorado congresswoman was playing copycat.

'I was sitting down, and so I stood up and said, "I'm happy to clarify my public statements to your face,"' Greene told Semafor. 'I told her exactly what I think about her.'

On Thursday, House Freedom Caucus member Rep. Andy Harris spilled the beans to Politico that the group's members had taken a vote and kicked Greene out of their group .

He called the ouster 'an appropriate action.'

'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 said. 'I think the straw that broke the camel's back was publicly saying things about a member in terms that no one should.'
There was growing speculation last night that Huw Edwards will never return to the BBC following the tumultuous last week.

Insiders last night felt it was now against the odds that he will ever be seen again in his roles as presenter on the News at Ten and also fronting the big events like royal ceremonies and general elections.

So attention has turned within the industry to the likely successors that some have dubbed the face of the BBC.

A number of insiders believe that Clive Myrie, 58, is the most likely to replace Edwards, for both the main news reading role and for fronting coverage of the big occasions.

He won plaudits for presenting the 10pm news from Kyiv in the early days of Russias war on Ukraine and was a major presence in the corporations coverage of the Queens death last September.

There was growing speculation last night that Huw Edwards will never return to the BBC following the tumultuous last week

A number of insiders believe that Clive Myrie, 58, is the most likely to replace Edwards

Others believe Fiona Bruce, 59, is one of the few other BBC News stars that has the gravitas to replace the 61-year-old Welshman. She currently presents Question Time and Antiques Roadshow as well as fronting news bulletins.

Also two very senior news presenters tipped David Dimbleby, 84, to return to the BBC to front its coverage of the next general election if Edwards is absent. There was a long and at times tense wait for Edwards to finally succeed Dimbley in this role.

On senior industry figure said that in terms of fronting the News At Ten and the big events: Clive Myrie is in the frame for that. He is clearly a star that has risen. They added that while Bruce had been increasingly associated with shows like Antiques Roadshow she was one of the few people at the corporation that had the authority to succeed Edwards.

On the potential return of Dimbleby to front the next election, they added: He is getting on but he is fantastic, he is the most professional, he is a Rolls Royce broadcaster. Another insider said that Kirsty Young, 54, who has impressed when presenting big royal occasions, like the Queens funeral could be given an enhanced role.

Other names linked to the News at Ten role are Sophie Raworth, 55, and Reeta Chakrabarti, 58, who has been this week presenting the bulletin in Edwards absence.

One insider said there were a crop of younger presenters, such as Amol Rajan, 40, who were on the rise but that might lack the experience.

Others believe Fiona Bruce, 59, is one of the few other BBC News stars that has the gravitas to replace the 61-year-old Welshman
Officials say they may revisit the decision in October, before the end of the trial of suspected killer Bryan Kohberger

Plans to demolish the house where four University of Idaho students were murdered in November are being shelved

The University of Idaho has announced it will pause plans to demolish the house where four students were brutally murdered in November.

Officials say they will revisit the decision in October, before the end of the trial of alleged killer Bryan Kohberger, 28, for the murders of Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, and Xana Kernodle, 20.

According KHQLocal, staff and faculty at the university were sent a memo explaining the decision, while also noting the significant impact the 'evil' crime had on the community.

'In response to this tragedy, we have tried to do what is right, knowing full well there are no actions or decisions that will be, met with full support,' the memo read.

Yellow police tape sealed off the house on King Road, a quiet cul-de-sac near the University of Idaho campus following the killings of the students in November 2022

The four University of Idaho students who were found dead in off-campus housing were (L-R) Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, and Xana Kernodle, 20. They are pictured just hours before they were murdered

The murders of the four students shocked the nation, and the university says it has gone back and forth over what to do with the house as a 'constant reminder'.

In the memo, the college said: 'Since that fateful night in November, the house on King Road where four of our fellow Vandals were senselessly killed has stood as a stark reminder of what was lost.

'We lost our innocence and our sense of safety. We realized that evil can visit our town and we lost four bright souls from our Vandal family. In response to this tragedy, we have tried to do what is right, knowing full well there are no actions or decisions that will be met with full support.

'This is why the decision about what to do with the Kind Road house is so difficult. On the one hand, some people want it taken down. It is a constant reminder of the heinous acts that went on inside it. It is also a place that continues to draw unwanted attention from the media, YouTubers and others.

'On the other hand, it elicits deep emotional responses from those who are working through grief and who fear that its destruction could impact the court case.

'We hear all these arguments, take them seriously and weight them against the greater good for our university.'

Blood drips down the outside of the wall of the house the four students shared. Investigators described it as the worst crime scene they have ever seen

The decision over the house is set to be revisited after the trial of Bryan Kohberger, 28. The suspected killer is pictured during a court appearance in Idaho on January 5, 2023

The university said that it planned to revisit the decision to pause demolition in October, noting that there is no legal requirement to leave it standing.

However, the memo added that the university 'fully expect to demolish the house' in the future, and the current decision was 'the right course to take' for the current moment.

The decision to keep the house standing comes as the nation readies for Kohberger's blockbuster murder trial later this year.

Questions have swirled over the details of the four murders, with the extensive police manhunt and several bizarre details yet to be answered.

In April, it was revealed that some of these questions may become clearer, with the surviving roommate inside the Idaho murder house, Bethanky Funke, agreeing to be interviewed by Kohberger's defense team.

When DailyMail.com visited the home in November, shortly after the brutal slayings, blood was seen oozing from the walls.

Blood was dripping down the side of the home while evidence markers littered the back porch and interior.

Police sources told DailyMail.com that the scene inside the home is the worst theyve ever seen with the victims left to bleed out following the brutal early morning attack.

'There was blood everywhere,' said one source close to the investigation.

'We have investigators who have been on the job for 20, even 30, years, and they say they have never seen anything like this.'
Joe Biden is considering providing longer-range missiles to Ukraine in its war with Russia following his controversial decision to also send cluster munitions.

The administration has been wary of sending Kyiv the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) because it has a range of just under 200 miles  meaning it could be used to strike Russia and Crimea from Ukraine.

Some U.S. politicians have maintained that while they want to arm Ukraine with the weapons to defend against Russian aggression, they do not want to provide the country with the means to launch their own counterattack.

After speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Vilnius, Lithuania during the 2023 NATO Summit on Wednesday, Biden told reporters that he is considering authorizing providing longer-range missiles.

Zelensky briefed Biden on his country's continued counteroffensive after Russia invaded in February 2022. The president told reporters before boarding Air Force One that he cannot provide more details on their meeting.

President Joe Biden confirmed Wednesday he is considering sending longer-range missiles to Ukraine that have the capacity to reach Russia and Crimea. Pictured: Soldiers out of Fort Bragg conduct reliability tests of Army Tactical Missile System in New Mexico on December 14, 2021

It comes as politicians are still reeling over Biden's decision to send to Kyiv controversial cluster munitions, which are used by Russia but banned in 100 different countries

Meanwhile, lawmakers and politicians back home in the U.S. are still reeling over Biden's move to give more cluster munitions to Ukraine. The controversial weapon is banned by 100 countries  including Germany, France and the United Kingdom.

Cluster munitions weapons system dispenses a large number of tiny bomblets from a rocket and are prone to 'duds' that can explode at a later date, maiming or killing those who come in contact with it. Particularly at risk are children who mistake the dud bomb for a toy.

Russia and Ukraine have used the munitions since the onset of their conflict last year.

'It's very simple to criticize cluster munitions,' Zelensky said during remarks in Lithuania on Wednesday.

'I didn't hear some of you countries criticize Russia,' he added, acknowledging that it was a difficult decision for Biden that 'will help us save us.'

Asked about sending ATACMS weapons, Biden told reporters there is an equivalent being considered.

'What we need most of all is artillery shells,' he said. 'We're in short supply, but we're working on that. They seem very satisfied with everything we're doing.'

At the NATO 2023 Summit on Wednesday, treaty countries unveiled their Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine, but stopped short of admitting the country into the treaty organization.

Biden said the message NATO wants to send to Russian President Vladimir Putin is: 'We're together.'

Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the 2023 NATO Summit in Lithuania on Wednesday as Kyiv continues to demand they be admitted into the treaty

In Lithuania, Biden blasted Donald Trump as he issued a warning to Putin to pull out of Ukraine and abandon his 'bad bet' that the U.S. would end its support for the war-torn country.

The president, in yet another fiery speech in defense of Kyiv, claimed he had been 'rebuilding' ties with European allies after Trump's spell in the White House and insisted that Putin 'cannot be allowed to seize his neighbor's territory by force.'

'Russia could end this war tomorrow by withdrawing his forces from Ukraine' and 'ceasing his inhumane attacks on women and children', the 80-year-old said.

'Unfortunately, Russia has shown thus far no interest in the diplomatic outcome. Putin still wrongly believes that he can outlast Ukraine. He can't believe it's their land, their country and their future and even after all this time, Putin still doubts our staying power. He is still making a bad bet.

'When Russian bombs began to fall, we did not hesitate to act. We rallied the world support the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their liberty and their sovereignty.'

'When Putin, and his craven lust for land and power, unleashed his brutal war on Ukraine, he was betting NATO would break apart. He thought NATO would break. He thought our unity would shatter at the first testing. He thought democratic leaders would be weak. But he thought wrong.'

Biden also made a barely-veiled attack on Donald Trump's foreign policy, blasting his predecessor for undermining U.S. ties with Europe.

The former president once mulled pulling out of NATO, arguing that taxpayers in America were shouldering too much of the burden, and withdraw nearly 10,000 troops from U.S. bases in Germany.

'I've been so focused as president on rebuilding and revitalizing alliances, the cornerstone of American leadership in these past years, Biden said.

His administration had been stressed the importance of the relationship between Europe and the United States as an anchor to global stability.

And in blunt remarks clearly aimed at the real estate mogul and his Republican supporters, Biden said: 'The idea that the United States could prosper without a secure Europe is not reasonable. That really is not a joke.'

Biden received a rapturous applause from the Lithuanian crowd in the country's capital, Vlinius, during remarks on Wednesday

Locals waved American and Ukrainian flags as they waited for the president to speak

The commander-in-chief made a veiled dig at his predecessor Donald Trump, hitting out at him for undermining Washington's ties with its European allies

Biden made his speech at Vilnius University, the oldest college in the Baltic nation that was once occupied by both the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.

Lithuania eventually broke away from the Soviet Union and restored its independence in 1990, joining NATO in 2004.

The speech had echoes of Biden's rallying cries in support of the military alliance in Warsaw earlier this year.

The United States spends more on defense than any other country because it is the world's largest economy worth just over $23 trillion.

It currently splashes out 3.1 percent of its gross domestic product, a key measure of economic activity, or roughly $816 billion on boosting its military might.

But the Biden administration said in March this year that it would increase that figure with Congress eventually signing off on a $856 billion defense budget for 2024.

The second largest NATO spender is Britain, which shells out 3.5 percent of its GDP on defense that equates to just over $72 billion.

It is why Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had been urging all of the 31 NATO members to spend at least 2 percent and honor a long-standing pledge agreed in Wales in 2014.

Poland has promised to ramp up its own figure to 4% of GDP with its whole economy worth just over $688 billion this year.

Biden's remarks came at the end of a two-day visit to the Lithuanian capital for a key NATO summit that was overshadowed by a row over when Kyiv can join the mutual defense club.

The U.S. had traded barbs with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky over what he called the 'absurd' delay to laying out a timeline for his country to sign up.

But Washington is concerned that the West could get dragged into a full-scale war ' with Russia and is only offering 'long-term commitments' to protect Ukraine from future attacks.

Lawmakers in the U.S. have earmarked a grand total of $113 billion thus far to help Kyiv's armed forces boot out the Russian invaders.

Just over $46 billion has already been dispersed and spent on military aid for the Ukrainian military, official data shows.

Zelensky struck a more conciliatory tone on Wednesday after launching a series of social media barbs over what he called an 'absurd' delay to Kyiv's NATO bid

Zelensky struck a more conciliatory tone on Wednesday in his face-to-face talks with Biden in the Lithuanian capital.

The two leaders offered a sharp contrast as they sat side by side, Biden in a traditional business suit and Zelensky in his trademark military green T-shirt and trousers.

Biden said he understood the Ukrainian leader's frustration at getting the help he needs quickly enough.

'I promise you the United States is doing everything we can to get you what you need,' Biden said in the presence of reporters.

'I look forward to the day when we're having the meeting celebrating your official, official membership in NATO,' he said.

Speaking to reporters later on Wednesday, Zelensky warned that he would not accept a 'frozen conflict' with Russia.

'We want to recover our lands, restore security on our territory,' Zelensky said. 'That's victory... A frozen conflict is not a victory.'

G7 leaders instead offered a security deal, brokered by Biden, that pledged to boost Ukraine's air, sea and land defenses.

But it stopped short of the 'attack on one is an attack on all' doctrine that is the hallmark of NATO that Biden called 'a sacred oath' earlier on Wednesday.

That mutual defense clause has only been triggered once in the organization's history - by the United States after Al Qaeda's attacks on 9/11 in 2001.

George W. Bush's administration evoked Article 5 of the NATO treaty to launch the U.S.-led of Afghanistan.

Finland, which has been non-aligned for decades, is the latest country to sign up with Sweden set to become the 32nd nation to gain membership.
When Leslie Van Houten was first put behind bars in 1969, Richard Nixon was president, The Beatles and Marvin Gaye were at the top of the U.S. charts and computers were in their infancy.

'If you think about it, she's never used an ATM, never had a cell phone,' said her lawyer last week.

Just days later, Van Houten finally got her chance to sample such technological advances  and much more  when she was released on parole on Tuesday from a California prison.

For five decades, the former drug-addled hippy and high school 'homecoming princess' had languished in prison for her part in crimes so appalling that many Americans, including successive California governors, have insisted that none of the principal offenders should ever be released.

Now 73, Van Houten was a lonely and mentally damaged 19-year-old from suburban Los Angeles when she met crazed cult leader Charles Manson and, she has always claimed, fell completely under his malevolent spell.

Leslie van Houten (right) was first jailed alongside Susan Atkins (left) and Patricia Krenwinkel (centre) for her role in the Manson murders

As a member of the notorious Manson Family, she helped commit a series of bloody and senseless murders in 1960s Los Angeles, in which nine victims, including the Hollywood actress Sharon Tate, were butchered.

Van Houten would later say she genuinely believed Manson, a career petty criminal, was Jesus Christ and that he'd been sent secret messages in Beatles songs about a coming race war in the U.S. And that she became so devoted to the psychopath and his deranged world view that she was ready to murder on his command.

Even at her trial  where horrified global attention focused on her and two other 'Manson girls', Susan Atkins and Patricia Krenwinkel, chillingly smiling and holding hands while sporting crosses they'd carved on their foreheads  she refused to desert her manipulative master.

Van Houten rejected efforts by her lawyers that might well have kept her out of prison, if she were to undergo psychiatric tests and be tried separately from other Manson Family members. She was convicted in 1971 for her role in the killings of supermarket executive Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary, at their LA home. She stabbed Mrs LaBianca, a stranger chosen at random, 16 times in the abdomen with a carving knife.

She was initially sentenced to death, but was saved from the San Quentin gas chamber when California outlawed capital punishment the following year.

Cult leader Charles Manson (pictured) died in prison aged 83 in 2017 after being convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder in 1971

Those who remain behind bars include Charles Watson, arguably the most vicious Family member

Apart from six months when she was released from prison in the late 1970s while awaiting a new trial and  astonishingly  even attended the 1978 Oscars, she had been behind bars ever since.

Her supporters have long argued that Van Houten, a rootless and damaged child of a broken home, described by one of her original lawyers as being 'nutty as a fruitcake', has been entirely rehabilitated and was merely being kept behind bars as retribution.

She became eligible for parole in 1977 and a California parole board panel first recommended her release in 2016 after she'd made 22 appearances before the board.

That decision, however, was reversed five times by successive state governors, backed by relatives of the victims.

However, this year, California governor Gavin Newsom was overruled by an appeal court, which said Van Houten no longer posed a danger to society. Newsom said he wouldn't make any further appeals as any challenge was very unlikely to succeed.

And with four more Manson Family killers still in prison, the victims' relatives have expressed fears that Van Houten's release will be followed by others.

Anthony DiMaria is the nephew of celebrity hair stylist Jay Sebring, who was killed by the Manson Family when they rampaged through the LA home that his ex-girlfriend, Sharon Tate, shared with husband, film director Roman Polanski. DiMaria called Van Houten a 'cold-blooded killer', and said her release sets a 'dangerous, pernicious precedent'.

Leslie van Houten (pictured) was released on parole on 11 July after first being jailed in 1969

Kay Hinman Martley, whose cousin Gary Hinman was stabbed to death by a Manson Family member, said: 'This is opening the door for the other four . . . They are all psychopaths who have manipulated the systems.'

However, the judges who approved Van Houten's release said Governor Newsom did not take account of her efforts to rehabilitate herself. She has earned two degrees in prison, helping fellow inmates learn to read and even study for their own degrees. According to Van Houten's lawyer, Nancy Tetreault, her client is considering various job offers and trying to 'find her bearings'.

She added, without irony: 'I think she wants to get into some field where she can make an impact.'

Van Houten long ago renounced Manson (who died in prison aged 83 in 2017), regretting her part in the murders and insisting she'd been mentally ill, her condition aggravated by LSD use.

As Prisoner W-I3378 at the California Institution for Women in Chino, she told a 2002 parole board she had pinned down Mrs LaBianca while another Family member, Patricia Krenwinkel, stabbed her in the collar bone. Cult member Charles Watson then stabbed her eight times with a bayonet before Van Houten repeatedly plunged her knife into the victim.

Despite such ferocity, she then coolly wiped down surfaces for fingerprints, changed her clothes and even took chocolate milk out of their victims' fridge to drink.

Generations of Americans have struggled to understand how the pretty daughter of a suburban Southern California schoolteacher and second-hand car auctioneer could have behaved so monstrously. Van Houten was shattered by her parents splitting up when she was 14, and the former church choir member quickly became involved with drugs, especially the hallucinogen LSD.

The impressionable teenager embraced the 'free love' hippy movement, becoming pregnant at 17  her mother forced her to have an abortion at home  before dropping out and moving into a commune in San Francisco.

Manson, who was always looking to prey on 'lost souls', met Van Houten in 1969. His hold over his female followers was largely sexual, and he was reportedly able to get them into bed within just half an hour of them being taken to meet him at his base, the rundown Spahn Ranch  a Western film set outside LA.

Robert 'Bobby' Beausoleil (pictured) was jailed for murdering music teacher Gary Hinman in 1969, having first met Charles Manson in 1968

Van Houten and some 17 other women became not only Manson's harem, but his criminal lackeys sleeping with men he wanted to influence, selling drugs and stealing. He ensured his flock were more susceptible to his will by doling out daily rations of LSD.

A virulent racist who later carved a swastika on his forehead, Manson hoped to bring on a race war with a string of murders of rich white people that could be blamed on black radicals.

In August 1969, he sent his followers on a two-day killing spree, first targeting what he mistakenly believed was the home of a successful record producer who had spurned Manson's music.

Instead, they found heavily pregnant actress Sharon Tate and a trio of her guests, including Abigail Folger, a coffee heiress, and hairdresser Jay Sebring. They were all stabbed and shot to death. Another man, visiting the house's caretaker, was also murdered.

Wanting more bloodletting, the following night Manson targeted the home of a randomly chosen wealthy couple, the LaBiancas. Manson had instructed male acolyte Charles 'Tex' Watson to make certain that Van Houten  who hadn't gone to Tate's home  directly participated in the killings that night.

Van Houten actually went on trial three times. The first, in 1971, was overturned on appeal largely because of the disappearance of her lawyer, Ronald Hughes. His body was later found in a forest and it was widely believed Manson Family members killed him.

Van Houten's second trial in 1977 ended in a hung jury and was declared a mistrial.

Released on bail, she spent six months working as a legal secretary and, through an acquaintance, wrangled that invitation to the Oscars ceremony. Elegantly dressed and attractive, Van Houten went unrecognised by everyone, except the cult film director John Waters with whom she became good friends.

Van Houten's third trial in 1978 ended in her being convicted on two counts of murder and one count of conspiracy.

Although other members of the Manson Family have already been freed, Van Houten is the first of the actual killers to be let out.

Bruce Davis (left) who was described as Charles Manson's 'right hand man' remains in prison despite being recommended for parole while Steve 'Clem' Grogan (right) was released in 1985

Those who remain behind bars include Charles Watson, arguably the most vicious Family member  he shot two of the victims and helped kill most of the others. In prison, he became an ordained Christian minister in 1981 and has fathered four children, conceived during conjugal visits.

Patricia Krenwinkel, also still in prison, testified that she stabbed Sharon Tate's friend, Abigail Folger, to death. She reportedly said later that she felt nothing when she killed her.

'Nothing, I mean, what is there to describe? It was just there, and it was right.'

The daughter of an insurance salesman, Krenwinkel also admitted stabbing Mrs LaBianca and writing 'DEATH TO PIGS' on the wall of their home with the couple's blood.

Manson Family member Bobby Beausoleil was convicted of fatally stabbing musician Gary Hinman, who was his friend, a few weeks before the other murders in a botched robbery.

The final ex-cult member still behind bars is Bruce Davis, who has also reportedly turned to God. Manson's 'right-hand man' was convicted of murdering Hinman and Donald Shea, who worked at the ranch where the Family lived  Manson despised him because he'd married a black woman.

Legal experts say it had once been widely believed that nobody in the Manson Family would ever leave prison alive  and some are doubtful that the others will follow suit.

That Van Houten was regarded as the most sympathetic case speaks volumes about the depravity of this twisted 'Family's' despicable crimes.
The strange origin story behind Australia's richest man's nickname has been revealed.

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest was given the famous moniker 'Twiggy' shortly after starting boarding school in Perth.

The billionaire, who earned his fortune by mining iron in Western Australia's Pilbara region, said he was first called Twiggy when he was nine.

'I was always a skinny little kid and it was quickly pronounced I was way too skinny to be a forest, even a tree. In fact I was only skinny enough to be a twig,' he told the Herald Sun.

'The standing joke was that Twiggy is so skinny he has to run around under the shower to get wet.'

Forrest added while he professionally introduces himself as Andrew, he still uses Twiggy more than 50 years on.

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest (above) said he was given the nickname 'Twiggy' by classmates when he was nine because they thought he was too 'skinny' to be a forest

The nickname has even come up in business meetings with Chinese executives.

'They think it's the funniest thing ever and they debate what Twiggy might look like with a Chinese letter,' he said.

'People who say you lose your professional edge by having a nickname take themselves way too seriously.

'From my Aboriginal mates who I grew up with to my knockabout mates at school, to my uni days, to prime ministers and presidents people are very comfortable calling me Twiggy, and I don't think it's been a handicap.'

Forrest was ranked the second richest person in Australia this year - behind rival mining magnate Gina Rinehart.

His estranged wife's own nickname has also remerged following news of their split.

The pair, who have been married for more than 30 years and have three adult children, released a statement confirming their separation on Wednesday night.

'After 31 years of marriage, we have made the decision to live apart,' the couple said in a joint statement to the Australian Financial Review.

'Our friendship and commitment to our family remains strong.'

The Forrests insisted the split will have no impact on the the strategic direction of their mining empire or their philanthropic ventures - including their charity Minderoo.

Forrest and ex-wife Nicola's (pictured together) daughter Grace revealed Mrs Forrest has been given the nickname 'undercover billionaire' for her notorious thriftiness

One of their two daughters, Grace Forrest, revealed last year Nicola's long-running family nickname - the 'undercover billionaire'.

The nickname is partly a reference to her notorious thriftiness and partly down to the fact she preferred to remain in her husband's shadow for decades.

'The [undercover billionaire title] comes from the fact that she'd be encouraging dad, Sydney and I to eat a week-old expired yoghurt because it'd be wasted,' Grace told the ABC.

'The UCB does not like waste in any form.'
It was Huw Edwards' own BBC News colleagues whose revelations added to an ever-growing torrent of shocking claims.

Until everything changed at the last moment today, evening news bulletins were planning to lead on further allegations of inappropriate behaviour, this time towards staff within the BBC.

It would be the second time in 24 hours that BBC News had broken developments in the story about their senior colleague.

Sitting in Mr Edwards' own chair on News At Ten on Tuesday night, his stand-in Reeta Chakrabarti informed the nation about claims the star  not then named  had 'threatened' and 'bullied' a young person he had met on a dating app with allegedly menacing messages.

Then tonight, there was a further wounding blow from BBC reporters who revealed claims of inappropriate behaviour to staff. It was the fifth case to come to light in as many days after The Sun newspaper broke the story about payment for photos on Saturday.

Police have made it clear there is no evidence of any crimes. While Mr Edwards has not made any direct comment, his wife stressed tonight: 'Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published.'

It was Huw Edwards' (pictured in April) own BBC News colleagues whose revelations added to an ever-growing torrent of shocking claims

20-year-old 'drug addict'

This was the first person to be linked to the star. The Sun reported claims from a worried mother who said the presenter had paid their child 35,000 over three years for sexually explicit photos.

Last Saturday, the paper quoted the mother as saying the individual had used the money to fund a crack cocaine habit, and she was worried her child could 'wind up dead'.

The mother and stepfather of the alleged victim, who they said was 17 when contact with the presenter was first made, and is now 20, went to police in South Wales this April to report Mr Edwards, but were told there was no crime.

Last Saturday, the paper quoted the mother as saying the individual had used the money to fund a crack cocaine habit, and she was worried her child could 'wind up dead'

A month later, they complained to the BBC, 'begging' it to make the presenter cease payments.

The Sun said it was only after hearing nothing back, seeing the presenter still on screen and finding a further 1,000 payment to their child, that they approached the newspaper, which said they did not ask for money for the story.

A lawyer representing the person later disputed the allegations, describing them as 'rubbish'.

Indivdiual in early 20s

The BBC broke the news of the second individual on Tuesday night, saying they had alleged the presenter had pressured them to meet up after they found each other on a dating app.

The person told the corporation's journalists they felt threatened by 'expletive-filled messages' the 'bullying' broadcaster sent. The conversation moved to another online platform where the presenter revealed his identity, telling the youngster not to betray him to anyone, it was said.

They were 'put under pressure to meet up, but never did', BBC News reported, adding: 'When the young person hinted online they might name the presenter, they were sent abusive, expletive-filled messages... and had been scared by the power the presenter held.

'They said the threats made in the messages had frightened them  and they remain scared.'

BBC News said the new allegations of 'menacing and bullying behaviour by the high-profile BBC presenter raised fresh questions about his conduct'.

In the News at Ten studio, special correspondent Lucy Manning told Chakrabarti she had been able to verify the threatening messages were sent from a phone number belonging to the suspended presenter.

The BBC broke the news of the second individual on Tuesday night, saying they had alleged the presenter had pressured them to meet up after they found each other on a dating app (Stock Photo)

'Covid lockdown' friend

Another individual claimed in The Sun yesterday the star had broken Covid lockdown laws to meet them.

Mr Edwards was alleged to have travelled to the 23-year-old's home in February 2021  while restrictions prevented people from meeting anyone outside their household or bubble.

The young adult said they met the presenter in November 2020 on a dating site and the TV personality had travelled across London to another county to meet them at their flat in February 2021.

Days after Britain's third national lockdown was announced on January 15, 2021, the presenter reportedly messaged the person on WhatsApp to say: 'I've been as patient as I can. I'm not used to being turned down like this.. Sorry.'

On February 18, the star allegedly travelled on public transport from Paddington to Liverpool Street and on another train out of London to meet the 23-year-old, who told The Sun: 'He came round for an hour. I was quite shocked that he broke the rules to come and meet me because of who he is. I was just a random person online. We just chatted. He was obsessed with me making him a cup of tea.'

Another individual claimed in The Sun yesterday the star had broken Covid lockdown laws to meet them (Stock Photo)

Love hearts to 17-year-old

A fourth young person claimed the presenter had sent them 'creepy' messages with kisses and love heart emojis when they were just 17.

The Sun also published extracts from a conversation the presenter allegedly initiated on Instagram in October 2018.

The paper said messages contained love heart emojis and kisses. The youth, now 22, told The Sun: 'Looking back now it does seem creepy because he was messaging me when I was still at school.'

Fifth set of claims

Tonight the BBC revealed claims of 'suggestive' messages sent to BBC employees. The news on Radio 4 said they were part of 'yet more allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards BBC employees past and present'.

Ms Manning said: 'A BBC employee said they had this year received suggestive messages on social media from the presenter. They believed the messages were inappropriate especially as the presenter was a much more senior colleague.

'BBC News has seen the messages which refer to the BBC staff members appearance and they are flirtatious.' She said the employee wanted managers to be more proactive speaking to younger staff who worked with the presenter.
A teenage girl has been allegedly sexually assaulted while out with her siblings at a busy shopping centre.

Victoria Police said the incident happened at Melbourne Central on the corner of La Trobe and Swanston Street, in central Melbourne, on July 2.

Investigators said a man walking behind the group, bumped the girl on the shoulder, sexually assaulted her and walked away.

Police have released an image of a man (pictured) they want to speak to after a teenage girl was sexually assaulted in broad daylight at Melbourne Central shopping centre earlier this month

Investigators say the young girl was shopping with her siblings on the corner of La Trobe and Swanston Street when a man walked between her and her sibling, bumping her on the shoulder and sexually assaulting her at about 3.30pm on July 2 (pictured: Melbourne Central)

Police have released an image of the man they believe could help them with their inquiries.

He is described as approximately 170cm tall, between 30 and 40 years old with black and grey hair.

He was seen wearing a navy puffer jacket and jeans along with white sneakers.

Anyone with any information about the assault, or who recognises the man, is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A male police officer who claimed he was 'sexually touched' by a female officer had been regarded by his superiors as a 'high risk' predator to women.

Sergeant Rebecca Anne MacLeod, 44, of Croydon, appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday after being charged with sexually touching one of her colleagues while on duty.

The court heard while MacLeod was regarded by her Victoria Police superiors as a 'champion of women's policing', her male accuser was deemed by force command to be a serious risk to the safety of women.

Sergeant Rebecca Anne MacLeod (pictured) has been accused of 'sexually touching' a male officer who regarded by his superiors as a 'high-risk predator' of women

Sergeant Rebecca Anne MacLeod (pictured) is defending a 'sexually touching' charge

MacLeod was charged with intentional sexual touching and unlawfully assaulting her colleague in the mess room of Victoria Police's Docklands offices on September 30, 2021.

Detective Inspector Warren Chapman told the court MacLeod's alleged victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had told him he had 'felt uncomfortable' after MacLeod's hand brushed against his penis during a spontaneous hug.

The dedicated officer, who has been a policeman for 27 years, had been called to court as a prosecution witness.

Inspector Chapman told the court he was surprised when the supposed victim later reported MacLeod, who is a lesbian, to its Professional Standards Command - Victoria Police's internal watchdog.

Inspector Chapman told the court he believed MacLeod to be a 'scrupulously honest' police officer who had set an example to other officers with her performance.

'Bec was seen by the leadership group as one of our leaders in terms of women's policing. She was well-respected, had done a number of courses, had been supported with upgrading at other work units, taking the lead in relation to women's matters. She essentially championed women's policing,' he said.

Inspector Chapman said he believed the alleged victim's claims to him fell 'well short of sexual assault or harassment' but worked to sort the matter out between the pair.

He noted the alleged victim had previously been the subject of a sexual harassment complaint, which included allegations of 'predatory behaviour'.

Sergeant Rebecca Anne MacLeod (second from right) is being defended by barrister Geoffrey Steward (far left)

Sergeant Rebecca Anne MacLeod has been an inspiration to female police officers

The court heard the alleged victim had been identified by force command well before his own complaint as being a 'high risk' to women.

'I was given a file by one of my inspectors that identified that he was a risk to the organisation in terms of predatory behaviour against females,' Inspector Chapman told the court.

'There [were] a number or source reports that were attached to that file and I was asked to come up with a workplace plan that wouldn't disclose the identity of those sources, but would go some way to reducing the risk around some of the behaviours that had been described.'

That behaviour included approaches by the alleged victim to other female officers where 'they felt uncomfortable in his presence', the court heard.

Inspector Chapman said he had previously spoken to the alleged victim in an effort to drill home what was expected to him as a police officer.

'I described [to him] some of the behaviours that had been reported, and I guess the impact of those behaviours on the way some of our members that were female felt in the office,' he said.

'In terms of a response from him, I don't remember any admissions being made other than the fact he was present when I described the behaviours and the impact they had on other females at the office.'

Inspector Chapman agreed the man's behaviour around women was deemed so serious by force command it considered making him participate in courses to address his behaviour.

'One of the considerations was around that education piece and training,' he said.

Sergeant Rebecca Anne MacLeod was charged after an internal investigation by police

The court heard the alleged victim had simply wanted Inspector Chapman to note his complaint, but took the matter to internal police upon encouragement by another officer.

That officer, Acting Sergeant Adam Biderman, told the court he believed Inspector Chapman had failed to adequately deal with the alleged victim's complaint.

'I told [the alleged victim] he should report the matter to PSC and this is what the inspector should have done straight away,' Sergeant Biderman said in his statement to internal police.

'I feel like if it was a female reporting the matter, it would have been reported to PSC straight away.'

Sergeant Biderman added that he preferred not to have to work around MacLeod out of fear she may assault him too.

'I feel uncomfortable working with Sergeant MacLeod. I don't want her thinking it's okay to treat members like that and I don't want it to happen to me,' he told police.

MacLeod's barrister Geoffrey Steward slammed the officer, accusing him of 'pre-judging' his client.

'My opinion at the time was based on information I was told by a colleague and I don't think anyone would be comfortable working in an environment where someone was alleged to have done what Bec had done,' Sergeant Biderman told the court.

The hearing, before Magistrate Johanna Metcalf, continues.
The surface of the Moon is much older than experts had previously estimated.

The discovery means that they have a better understanding of when its cratered landscape ended up the way it did.

The researchers point to a giant indentation called the Imbrium Basin, thought to be one of the largest craters in our solar system, as an example of their findings.

It was probably created by the collision of an asteroid around the size of Sicily and the team now say it dates from to 4.1billion years ago rather than 3.9billion years ago as was originally thought.

The researchers from Norway and France say they have found a way of co-ordinating different systems of dating the surface of the Earths satellite, including using rock samples from the Apollo landings.

A giant crater on the surface of the Moon was probably created by an asteroid crashing into it 4.1 billion years ago (File photo: The surface of the Moon with the earth behind it)

Presenting the work at the Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference in Lyon, Professor Stephanie Werner, of the Centre for Planetary Habitability, University of Oslo, said: What we have done is to show that large portions of the lunar crust are around 200million years older than had been thought.

The researchers stress their findings do not change the estimates of the Moon itselfs age, just the estimate of its surface and when it was pounded by giant debris from space.

Professor Werner said: This is an important difference. It allows us to push back in time an intense period of bombardment from space, which we now know took place before extensive volcanic activity.

'As this happened on the Moon, the Earth was almost certain to have also suffered this earlier bombardment too.
While some admit Threads is better, others have shared how much they hate it

Twitter's workforce are flocking to Meta's Threads just a week after its launch

Many Twitter employees have flocked to rival app Threads in the aftermath of its record-breaking launch, a new report claims.

This is despite heightened tensions between Twitter's Elon Musk and his Meta rival Mark Zuckerberg.

One Twitter staffer even admitted Threads was 'just better', according to The Daily Beast, adding: 'I'm going to get fired for this, but I work at Twitter right now and have never really used it. Here's to a new world!'

Another user complimented the ease of Threads' registration process, posting: '[Not gonna lie] the signup flow was really nice.'

But these employees are not the only ones, as the publication claims that nearly a quarter of a sample of 133 staffers have signed up to the 'Twitter-killer app'.

Many Twitter employees have flocked to rival app Threads in the aftermath of its record-breaking launch, a new report claims

READ MORE: Threads confirms it is working on a MAJOR update Threads has confirmed that a major update will soon be available, less than a week after its record-breaking launch Advertisement

Musk's workforce currently includes roughly 1,700 people, meaning it is possible that hundreds may have joined.

MailOnline also found that other former and current Twitter employees have used Threads to voice grievances against it or promote Musk's platform.

Bruce Daisley, who previously worked as the Vice President of Twitter in Europe, the Middle East and Africa branded Threads 'a mess of the hottest sort'.

He wrote: 'I hope someone at Threads Towers has a busy day ahead doing computer stuff because this is a mess of the hottest sort right now.'

Follow The Daily Mail on Threads

In a separate post he added: 'Welcome to Threads. I already hate it.'

Meanwhile, Twitter software engineer Tom Blacknell wrote: 'Everyone should check out Twitter.'

Dionne Grant, a partner manager at the firm also jokingly posted: 'Research purposes and that,' to which one user replied a winking GIF.

News of this comes just days after Twitter threatened to file a lawsuit against Meta over its new 'copycat' Threads platform.

Bruce Daisley, who previously worked as the Vice President of Twitter in Europe, the Middle East and Africa branded Threads 'a mess of the hottest sort'

MailOnline found that both former and current Twitter employees have used Threads to voice grievances or promote Musk's platform

Meta has been accused of poaching former Twitter employees to create the Threads app in addition to using its rival's 'trade secrets'

In response, Meta Communications Director Andy Stone said that no ex-Twitter employees took part in the engineering side of Threads

Meta has been accused of poaching former Twitter employees to create the Threads app in addition to using its rival's 'trade secrets'.

In a letter released on Thursday, Twitter lawyer Alex Spriro wrote: '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.

'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.'

In a tweet referencing the letter, Musk later added: 'Competition is fine, cheating is not.'

In response, Meta Communications Director Andy Stone said that no ex-Twitter employees took part in the engineering side of Threads.

He wrote: 'No one on the Threads engineering team is a former Twitter employee - that's just not a thing.'

Follow The Daily Mail on Threads
The Meg movie franchise sees the megalodon shark portrayed as a gigantic, monstrous beast that can race through the waters towards unsuspecting victims.

But a new study shows that while the megalodon was large  up to 65 feet (20 metres) long  it wasn't exactly fast.

While previous estimates suggested that the megalodon could swim at 3.1mph, researchers now believe its top speed was more like 1.2mph.

For comparison, Olympic legend Michael Phelps clocked speeds of around 6mph while in his prime.

'Megalodon [was] an "average swimmer" with occasional bursts of faster swimming for prey capture,' said Professor Kenshu Shimada, lead author from DePaul University in Chigaco, US.

A new study shows that while megalodon was large  up to 65 feet (20 metres) long  it wasn't exactly fast

While previous estimates suggested that megalodon could swim at 3.1mph, researchers now believe its top speed was more like 1.2mph

The megalodon, meaning big-tooth, roamed the oceans between 15 and 3.6million years ago and is widely considered to be one of the largest and most powerful predators in history.

Experts believe the monster looked like a stockier version of today's much feared great white shark and weighed up to 100 tons.

In their new study, the team set out to understand the top swimming speed of the creature.

While previous studies have focused on megalodon's teeth, the researchers instead turned to placoid scales  tiny megalodon scales found within rock pieces in Japan.

'Our big scientific findings come from "tiny evidence" as small as grains of sand,' said Professor Shimada.

Their analysis revealed that despite its enormous size, megalodon was not an active fast swimmer.

The placoid scales showed that the creature was not equipped with 'keels'  narrowly-spaced ridges that are characteristic of fast-swimming sharks.

For comparison, Olympic legend Michael Phelps (pictured) clocked speeds of around 6mph while in his prime

While previous studies have focused on megalodon's teeth, the researchers instead turned to placoid scales  tiny megalodon scales found within rock pieces in Japan

However, this finding was surprising to the scientists, who had recently discovered that megalodon was warm-blooded.

'The question was how the fossil shark expended the high level of metabolic heat resulting from its warm-bloodedness without being an active swimmer,' the team explained in a statement.

The researchers turned to previous studies, and discovered another possible function for megalodon's warm-bloodedness.

Essentially, the ancient shark was greedy, according to the experts.

'It suddenly made perfect sense,' said Professor Shimada.

'Otodus megalodon must have swallowed large pieces of food, so it is quite possible that the fossil shark achieved the gigantism to invest its endothermic metabolism to promote visceral food processing.'
Barbed wire and knitting needles were among construction materials also used

One magpie had stolen 1,500 pins to protects its nest from lurking predators

Eurasian magpies have been found to steal anti-bird spikes from building roofs

Roof spikes have long been used by humans to keep birds at bay.

But it seems that crows and magpies aren't so scared at all, having stolen countless sharp metal pieces to build their own fortified nests.

Experts at the Netherlands' Naturalis Biodiversity Centre and the Natural History Museum of Rotterdam made the surprising discovery that birds make use of roof spikes to scare off predators.

Their research unexpectedly took off at a hospital courtyard in Antwerp, Belgium, where onlookers spotted a bird's nest made up of 1,500 metal spikes.

It remains unclear how the birds get hold of the spikes without getting hurt, although MailOnline has contacted the researchers for further information.

One magpie had stolen 1,500 pins to protects their nests from lurking predators in a hospital courtyard in Antwerp, Belgium (pictured)

READ MORE: Cheeky magpies help each other remove sophisticated GPS harnesses  ruining a year of scientific work A tribe of clever magpies have successfully outsmarted a team of scientists, ruining a 12-month elaborate experiment with a series of extraordinary 'rescues' in the wild Advertisement

'An impregnable fortress,' Auke-Florian Hiemstra of Naturalis said. 'Because the magpies appear to be using the pins exactly the same way we do: to keep other birds away from their nest.'

This Eurasian magpie's nest was by no means the only example of this, with others already seen in Glasgow and Enschede in the Netherlands.

Carrion crows also exhibited similar behaviours near Rotterdam's Central Station, placing an array of spiky objects in a weeping willow tree.

While crows were seen to use these sharp objects as a nesting material, magpies appeared to place spikes in a way that overarched their 'dome' nests.

This indicates that magpies primarily use spikes for the functional purpose of scaring off weasels and other birds.

Barbed wire and even knitting needles were among objects used by magpies too, as a way of protecting their nest roofs.

Even condoms and fireworks are frequently encountered by Mr Hiemstra, alongside cocaine wraps, sunglasses and windshield wipers.

'It's like a joke, really,' Mr Hiemstra continued. 'Even for me as a nest researcher, these are the craziest bird nests I've ever seen.'

Auke-Florian Hiemstra (pictured) said: 'The magpies appear to be using the pins exactly the same way we do: to keep other birds away from their nest'

The Antwerp nest close up: A sneaky magpie had stolen as much as 150ft worth of anti-bird pins from nearby roofs to protect its eggs and babies from being snatched

Even condoms and fireworks are frequently encountered by Mr Hiemstra in the nests of magpies, alongside cocaine wraps, sunglasses and windshield wipers

Kees Moeliker, director of the museum, added: 'Just when you think you've seen it all after half a century of studying natural history, these inventive crows and magpies really surprise me again.'

Antwerp's magpie nest is now on display at the Live Science room of Naturalis in Leiden.

While birds' lack of fear towards spikes is not a new concept, experts claim theirs is the first scientific publication to put this into words.

This also comes just days after a group of European scientists found that 176 bird species were using human-made materials to build nests.

This study, led by the University of Warsaw, saw that litter-collecting behaviour was particularly widespread among gulls, ducks and many birds of prey in all continents but Antarctica.

'Many birds, including birds of prey, gulls and pigeons, are urban-adapted and breed successfully in cityscapes where human-made materials are readily available,' the team wrote in The Conversation.

'The extent to which birds adapt to polluted environments remains underappreciated because a study like ours is only as good as the available data.'
Over half of the world's oceans have developed a green tinge in the past two decades years, a study shows.

Measurements of ocean surface color taken via satellite over the past 20 years have uncovered a global explosion in the growth of phytoplankton, the plant-like microbes common to the upper ocean.

While many of these microscopic organisms, including green algae, absorb carbon dioxide as they harvest solar energy, their 'pond scum'-like population boom has contributed to suffocating, oxygen-depleted 'dead zones' worldwide.

The color shift is subtle to the human eye, but NASA-run satellite equipment has confirmed that over 56 percent of the world's oceans  a vast area larger than Earth's total landmass  has been turning greener.

'To actually see it happening for real,' according to the study's co-author Stephanie Dutkiewicz, a senior research scientist and climate modeler at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 'is not surprising, but frightening.'

'These changes,' she said, 'are consistent with man-induced changes to our climate.'

NASA-run satellites have confirmed that over 56 percent of the world's oceans  a vast area larger than Earth's total landmass  has turned greener. This 'pond scum'-like boom in phytoplankton (like this 2018 image) has contributed to oxygen-depleted 'dead zones' globally

NASA's Aqua satellite has recorded ocean changes continuously since 2002. Above, an identical portion of the North Sea, as captured by NASA's MODIS team on April 16, 2003

MIT and UK's National Oceanography Centre, analyzed decades of ocean color data from NASA's Aqua satellite. Purple regions (above) indicate greener oceans detected two-times or more above the signal-to-noise ratio. Black dots mark areas with heavy chlorophyll increases

The MIT team, in collaboration with the UK's National Oceanography Centre, analyzed decades of ocean color data collected by the MRI Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA's Aqua satellite.

The color data, collected from low Earth orbit, showed that the hotter tropical oceans near the equator have become the most consistently greener over time.

A growth in phytoplankton, the foundation of the marine food chain that helps sustain krill, fish, and seabirds and marine mammals, might ordinarily be interpreted as a sign of ocean health.

But the overgrowth and oxygen-sucking decay created by the large masses of theses microbes has been consistently linked to a rise in oceanic dead zones and mass marine migrations for over a decade.

'I've been running simulations that have been telling me for years that these changes in ocean color are going to happen,' Dutkiewicz said. 'So, we hope people take this seriously.'

'It's not only models that are predicting these changes will happen,' she noted. 'We can now see it happening, and the ocean is changing.'

The greening discovered by the researchers' analysis of NASA's MODIS-Aqua data from July 2002 to June 2022, published today in the journal Nature, took pains to look out for greening two-times more that the expected signal-to-noise ratio.

The result, they said, is that this greening can't be explained by any naturally occurring, seasonal or year-to-year variations in phytoplankton blooms alone.

The number of ocean 'dead zones' - areas with no oxygen in which animal life suffocates and dies - quadrupled in 50 years from 1963 to 2013 due to global warming. Pictured are coastal area (red) and open ocean (blue) dead zones across from NOAA's 2013 World Ocean Atlas

In oceanic 'dead zones', oxygen plummets to levels so low many animals suffocate and die. Low oxygen caused the death of the corals and crabs pictured here in Bocas del Toro, Panama

'This gives additional evidence of how human activities are affecting life on Earth over a huge spatial extent,' according to the study's lead author B. B. Cael, of the UK's National Oceanography Centre in Southampton.

OCEAN DEAD ZONES In areas traditionally called 'dead zones', oxygen plummets to levels so low many animals suffocate and die. As fish avoid these zones, their habitats shrink and they become more vulnerable to predators or fishing. But the problem goes far beyond dead zones, the study's authors say. Even smaller oxygen declines can stunt growth in animals, hinder reproduction and lead to disease or even death. It also can trigger the release of dangerous chemicals such as nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas up to 300 times more powerful than carbon dioxide, and toxic hydrogen sulphide. Advertisement

'It's another way that humans are affecting the biosphere.'

The researchers tracked seven wavelengths of colored light from the ocean's surface via the MODIS system onboard NASA's Aqua satellite.

Although the ocean appears uniformly blue to the naked eye, its true color contains a mixture of these wavelengths, beyond blue and green to even red, some of which varies much less from year to year and thus provides much more signal than noise.

Cael and his team conducted a statistical analysis using all seven wavelengths measured by the Aqua satellite and not just the two typically used to measure the changes in green chlorophyll pigment from phytoplankton activity.

'I thought, doesn't it make sense to look for a trend in all these other colors,' Dr Cael said, 'rather than in chlorophyll alone?'

'It's worth looking at the whole spectrum, rather than just trying to estimate one number from bits of the spectrum.'

Cael's group was able to compare these results to a predictive model made by Dutkiewicz at MIT in 2019.

Dutkiewicz's model simulated the changes on ocean color based on two scenarios: one with further greenhouse gases added to the atmosphere, and another scenario without it.

The greenhouse-gas model predicted that, within 20 years, a approximately 50 percent of the world's ocean surface would become detectably greener  precisely what Cael found in the real-world MODIS-Aqua data.

'This suggests that the trends we observe are not a random variation in the Earth system,' Cael said in a press statement.

'This is consistent with anthropogenic climate change.'

But, Cael noted that more detailed study than just color changes would be needed to understand exactly how all of these marine ecosystems across the globe are changing individually due to a hotter planet.

'The ecosystem is changingeven if it's hard to say exactly how with the current state of our knowledge about plankton ecosystems,' Cael told Vice.

'These color changes may mean a shift to smaller or bigger plankton, more or less predators or prey, different types of plankton that affect carbon storage or fisheries differently, among other things.'
Twitter experienced a worldwide outage for more than one hour Wednesday - another blow for Elon Musk, who is battling Meta over its newly launched Threads.

DownDetector, which monitors online issues, began to receive issue reports around 10:22 am ET.

Users took the occasion to make fun of Musk's platform, saying, 'Time to head to Threads,' which Mark Zuckerberg launched last week that already has 100 million users.

Twitter disclosed it has 237.8 million.

Twitter experienced a worldwide outage that impacted tens of thousands of users

Twitter was still functioning for some users who are shared their frustrations with certain features not working.

Many have shared that their tweets are not loading and Timelines are not updating.

It is unclear what sparked the outage or how long it will last.

DownDetector's US outage map showed New York City all in red- meaning it is hit hard - followed by Boston, Dallas and other major cities nationwide.

At the peak, more than 6,000 Americans issued reports to DownDetector.

Countries like Italy, China, the UK and other parts of Europe were also experiencing problems.

The outage comes nearly one week since Zuckerberg launched Threads, which is deemed 'a Twitter-killer app.'

Experts have told DailyMail.com that the explosion in popularity highlights how Threads poses a serious threat to Musks social network, which has been in turmoil since the Tesla boss took over.

Between March 2022 and March 2023, monthly active users of Twitter fell 15 percent on iOS and 14 percent on Android in the US, according to SimilarWeb.

Users took the occasion to make fun of Musk's platform, saying, 'Time to head to Threads,' which Mark Zuckerberg launched last week that already has 100 million users

Twitter is still functioning for some users who are sharing their frustrations with certain features not working

The drop came in the wake of chaotic decision-making and rapid changes at Twitter in the wake of Elon Musks takeover of the app.

Gizmodo editor-in-chief Dan Ackerman told ABC News: 'I think people have been looking for an alternative that is kind of Twitter-like but without some of the toxic atmosphere that you have on Twitter now.'

Twitter did not take the Thread launch lying down - on July 6 the company threatened to file a lawsuit, accusing Meta of poaching former employees to create a 'copycat' 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,' Twitter lawyer Alex Spiro wrote in a letter released Thursday.

'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 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.'

He also claimed Meta assigned those staffers to create 'copycat 'Threads' with the intent to use Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property in order to further the development of Twitter's competitor.

'Meta is expressly prohibited from engaging in any crawling or scraping of Twitter's followers or following data. As set forth in Twitter's Terms of Service, crawling any Twitter services,' the letter stated.

The letter alleged the app is in violation of both state and federal law as well as those employees 'ongoing obligations to Twitter.'
Elon Musk has officially joined the AI race with the launch of a new company named xAI - after years of claiming the tech will be the demise of humanity.

The Twitter boss has not shared many details but revealed it's ambitious vision was 'to understand the true nature of the universe.'

The xAI team includes members who previously worked at DeepMind, OpenAI, Google Research, Microsoft Research and Tesla.

The company's sparse website notes include that more information will be shared in a live Twitter Space on Friday.

Elon Musk announced Wednesday a new AI company he calls xAI. The Twitter boss has not shared details, but the company aims to understand the universe

'Announcing formation of @xAI to understand reality,' Musk said in a tweet at 12:23pm ET.

He then shared another post highlighting how the date of xAI's release is to honor Douglas Adams' 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.'

When adding up the month, day and year, you get 42.

The number is the answer given by a supercomputer to 'the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything.'

Musk wrote: 'And what are the most fundamental unknown questions? Once you know the right question to ask, the answer is often the easy part, as my hero, Douglas Adams, would say.'

The Tesla CEO registered a firm named X.AI Corp in March, incorporated in Nevada, according to a state filing.

The firm lists Musk as the sole director and Jared Birchall, the managing director of Musk's family office, as a secretary.

And the company's official Twitter account went live in May - but somehow managed to stay under the radar.

Many of the founding members are skilled with large language models.

The xAI team includes Igor Babuschkin, a DeepMind researcher, Zihang Dai, a research scientist at Google Brain and Toby Pohlen, also from DeepMind.

Musk has been quick to criticize AI over the years, with his most notable attack on the tech in March when he and more than 1,000 other industry leaders called for a pause on the 'dangerous race' to develop AI, which they fear poses a 'profound risk to society and humanity' and could have 'catastrophic' effects.

Musk used Twitter to announce xAI. Many of the founding members are skilled with large language models

Musk has been one to criticize AI over the years, with his most notable attack on the tech in March when he and more than 1,000 other industry leaders called for a pause on AI - but Google and Microsoft boss stood on the sidelines

The group signed an open letter asking for a six-month pause, so more risk assessment can be done.

And the Twitter boss signed another in 2015 with the late Stephen Hawking, which warned that without safeguards on intelligent machines, mankind could be heading for a dark future.

Although Musk has been a major critic of AI, he did reveal in April that he had plans to launch 'the third option' to Microsoft and Google, called 'TruthGPT.'

The announcement was made to Tucker Carlson.

Due to Musk's belief in free speech, the new bot product could have less left-wing bias than ChatGPT, which has already been criticized for 'woke' responses.

He also accused Larry Page, co-founder of Google, of not taking AI safety seriously.

However, the billionaire also reiterated his warnings about AI during the interview with Carlson, saying, 'AI is more dangerous than mismanaged aircraft design or production maintenance or bad car production' according to the excerpts.

'It has the potential of civilizational destruction,' he said.

xAI is not Musk's first AI company, as he co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but stepped down from the company's board in 2018. In 2019, he tweeted that he left OpenAI because he had to focus on Tesla and SpaceX.
The top ten European destinations that Britons want to jet off to this summer have been revealed - and it's sunny Mallorca that takes the top spot.

The ranking is based on hotel searches made via Expedia.co.uk for holidays taking place between June and August.

Mallorca is one of four Spanish destinations that make the ranking, along with holiday hotspots in Portugal, the Netherlands, Greece and Turkey.

Scroll down to see all ten, listed in reverse order...

10. ISTANBUL

One Tripadvisor reviewer declared Istanbul, pictured, as a city that's both 'ancient and modern'

Often referred to as a place where East meets West for its geographical location, Istanbul is a city that sprawls across both Asia and Europe.

It is also a cultural melting pot of more than 15million people, as well as the 51million tourists that visit each year, according to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute.

Highlights listed by Tripadvisor include the Hagia Sophia Mosque, exploring the Sultanahmet district, catching a boat along the Bosphorus, and getting lost in the Grand Bazaar.

'There are so many cliched phrases used to describe Istanbul - ancient and modern, where East meets West, old world blended with new world - and they are all true,' wrote Tripadvisor user Sarikanarya.

9. SANTORINI

One Instagram-baiting spot in Santorini is the village of Oia (above). 'You will struggle to find a more stunning spot in the Cyclades,' says Lonely Planet

Santorini sits on the rim of a 'sea-drowned volcanic crater' that was created by a 'huge' volcanic eruption thousands of years ago, Lonely Planet explains.

The guide describes the isle, which is one of the Cyclades islands, as 'the supermodel of the Greek islands, a head-turner whose face is instantly recognisable around the world'.

Once you arrive there, the tourist board recommends that you explore the isle's 'wild, untamed' beaches and learn about its history in museums such as the Archaeological Museum of Fira.

One of many Instagram-baiting spots is the hilltop village of Oia (above), where houses are carved into the volcanic rock of the crater. 'You will struggle to find a more stunning spot in the Cyclades,' says Lonely Planet.

8. LISBON

The Portuguese capital of Lisbon is famed for its bright yellow trams (above)

'One thing is certain - all the time in the world wont be enough to enjoy everything there is to see and do in the capital. Make your choice and let Lisbon blow your heart away.'

This is the introduction to Lisbon from the city's tourist board, which recommends visiting the 'iconic' Praca do Comercio square and lounging on the 'idyllic beaches' of Arrabida and Sesimbra.

The Portuguese capital is also famed for its bright yellow trams. Hop aboard Tram No.28, which takes visitors 'through the prettiest historic and residential quarters of the city', the tourist board reveals.

Tripadvisor reviewer 'TSchenk', who explored the city with his wife, described the destination as 'a wonderful, ancient city', adding: 'We are both avid hikers, and we really enjoyed exploring this historic city mostly on foot. The food, especially the seafood, is unbelievable.'

7. TENERIFE

Tenerife is an island of 'extraordinary beauty and diversity', says Lonely Planet

Number seven on the list is the 'striking' isle of Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, which attracts more than six million travellers a year, Lonely Planet reveals.

The site says that there are four 'unmissable' places to visit - Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife; Puerto de la Cruz city; La Laguna old town; and Garachico, where you can swim in natural pools.

Tenerife's most famous spots offer 'Brit-infused revelry and clubbing combined with white sandy beaches and all-inclusive resorts', Lonely Planet says.

It continues: 'Get your explorer's hat on and step beyond the tourist spots and youll discover an island of extraordinary beauty and diversity, with remote mountain-ridge villages, cultured port settlements and charming ancient towns.'

6. MALAGA

Malaga's coastline offers 14km (eight miles) worth of beaches. Above is the city's Malagueta Beach

'The 1960s may have brought mass tourism to the surrounding region, but Malaga is no resort town,' says Rough Guides, adding that you'll see more local people than tourists at this Spanish holiday destination.

The guide recommends visiting the city's historic centre, 'gorging' on food at the Mercado Central, and walking along its 'gorgeous' coastline, which offers 14km (eight miles) worth of beaches.

Malaga is also where Pablo Picasso spent his early childhood, the Spanish tourist board reveals, and you can retrace his steps with a walking tour of the city.

5. RHODES

On Rhodes, Rough Guides recommends visiting the 'ravishing' village of Lindos, which is crowned by an ancient acropolis

'Rhodes is deservedly among the most visited of all Greek islands,' says Rough Guides.

The site recommends heading to Prasonisi beach - 'one of the best windsurfing spots in Europe' - and to the 'ravishing' hillside village of Lindos, which is crowned by an ancient acropolis.

Another highlight is Symi Island which can be visited on a full-day boat trip, Tripadvisor reveals.

Reviewer 'Lenny0911' wrote on the site: 'What an amazing island... the buildings in the town are so colourful and the view coming into the harbour of the town is spectacular. The beaches and coves are fabulous.'

4. AMSTERDAM

Explore the canals and tilting buildings of Amsterdam, which ranks fourth

'Golden Age canals lined by tilting gabled buildings are the backdrop for Amsterdam's treasure-packed museums, vintage-filled shops and hyper-creative drinking, dining and design scenes.'

So says Lonely Planet of the popular Dutch city, which ranks fourth in the Expedia list.

The guide recommends exploring the Van Gogh Museum, home to the 'world's largest' collection of the painter's work, and Vondelpark, a city park that's described as 'Amsterdams favourite playground'.

A tour of the Anne Frank House is one of the city's 'most profound experiences' while the Rijksmuseum is the country's 'top treasure house', Lonely Planet adds.

3. BARCELONA

Barcelona's 'unmissable' sights include La Sagrada Familia church and Park Guell (above)

Ranking in third place is the 'enchanting seaside city' of Barcelona, which boasts 'boundless culture, fabled architecture and a world-class drinking and dining scene', Lonely Planet reveals.

According to the travel guide, 'unmissable' sights include La Sagrada Familia church and the Park Guell as well as the city's 'fabulous' Barceloneta beach.

Tripadvisor reviewer 'Resorteye' described the beach as a 'beautiful' stretch of sand with 'room for long walks, people watching and sunsets'.

2. THE ALGARVE

'Soaring cliffs, sea caves, golden beaches, scalloped bays and sandy islands draw over four million visitors to the Algarve each year,' Lonely Planet says

The Algarve in Portugal is 'refreshingly undeveloped', says Lonely Planet, which might be why it ranks second place in Expedia's top 10 European destinations of 2023.

'Soaring cliffs, sea caves, golden beaches, scalloped bays and sandy islands draw over four million visitors each year,' Lonely Planet continues.

The destination is 'surrounded on two sides by the Atlantic' and is a 'paradise' for surfers, the guide adds.

1. MALLORCA

Discover the remote mountains and soulful hill towns of Mallorca (above)

Gold-medal-winning Mallorca is described as the 'ever-popular star of the Mediterranean' by Lonely Planet.

The guide continues: 'Mallorca has a sunny personality thanks to its ravishing beaches, azure views, remote mountains and soulful hill towns.'

On a visit, Time Out recommends stopping by the 'enchanting' seaside village of Deia, hopping aboard the vintage train from Palma to the town of Soller and going for a wine tasting in the island's Binissalem region.

You can also check out the landmark La Seu cathedral in Palma, which houses 61 stained-glass windows. 'Inside there are some beautiful spots where the sun catches the colour in the windows perfectly,' wrote Tripadvisor reviewer 'SB01'.
British holidaymakers are being urged to be vigilant for travel fraud, which cost victims millions last summer.

Fresh calls for tourists to stay alert have come after a total of 4.6million was lost between May and August alone and more than 6,450 reports of holiday fraud were made across the financial year, costing more than 15million or an average of 2,372 per victim.

To make sure the equivalent totals are much less this year, Wizz Air travel expert Andra Rado has revealed the top scams to look out for and a devious strategy pickpockets use to discover where tourists keep their cash.

Scroll down for Rado's advice on thwarting scammers and the safest destinations to consider for a break.

Fake bookings

British holidaymakers are being urged to watch out for travel scams, which cost victims a total 4.6million last summer

Rado says: 'Criminals are creating clones of websites like Airbnb and Booking.com and advertising deals and offers on social media.

'The links, offers, and websites look real, so you think you're giving your payment details to the legitimate sites.

'You'll often receive a confirmation email of your booking, so you won't suspect anything until you try and check-in for your flight, or even arrive at your hotel, and they have no record of your booking.'

The travel expert advises holidaymakers to 'always be careful with links that come from social media' and says 'cloned sites will be very difficult to detect.'

He adds: 'There might just be a small change in the URL from the original site that you dont notice when clicking on a link.

'Verify the offers youre seeing are correct by manually typing in the legitimate websites address and going through there.'

Pickpocket signs

Rado says: 'Keep valuables separate from each other so pickpockets cant get everything in one go and keep bags in front of you rather than behind you'

'Pickpockets often lurk in areas that have signs warning you of their presence,' Rado warns.

'When you see a sign saying warning: pickpockets operate in this area, your first instinct is to pat your pockets that contain your valuables like your phone and wallet to make sure theyre still there  but this shows thieves exactly where to look.

'Keep valuables separate from each other so pickpockets cant get everything in one go and keep bags in front of you rather than behind you.

'Be especially careful on public transport as its very easy for people to grab things and jump off the train before youve even noticed anything is missing.'

Bracelet scam

'The bracelet scam is common in markets and on beaches,' Rado says. 'Scammers approach tourists and put a friendship bracelet on you, often tied so that the only way they can be removed is by cutting them'

'The bracelet scam is common in markets and on beaches,' Rado says.

'Scammers approach tourists and put a friendship bracelet on you, often tied so that the only way they can be removed is by cutting them.

'They then demand you pay for the item that theyve given you, whether you want it or not  and not only do you have to give them money for an item you didnt want, but it can also often be a technique used to pick your pockets while youre distracted.'

He adds: 'Say a firm "no" if someone tries to give you anything in the street, and never let anyone put a bracelet or necklace on you, no matter how friendly they seem.'

Intercepting Twitter complaints

Rado says: 'People often tweet companies with complaints about things like lost luggage, and criminals have started to use this to scam people.

'Using fake customer service Twitter handles, they respond to complaints asking for contact details, and claim that they need to pay for their lost luggage to be sent to them  of course, the luggage never arrives, and they may even ask for more money, claiming that further problems have delayed it.

'No airline would ask for money to be sent in order to return lost luggage. Make sure you get in contact with official customer services with complaints, and to report scams like this.'

Fake petitions

This particular scam is common in 'highly touristy cities', according to Rado who explains: 'Youll be approached by someone or sometimes a group of people with a clipboard asking you to sign a petition.

'Theyre betting on you not being fluent in the language, and can keep talking until you agree to sign, without really knowing what it is - but then they ask for a cash donation.

'They can sometimes be aggressive, demanding that you give them money for their cause, and this can often be a distraction technique to pick your pockets while youre trying to saying no.

'Just keep walking if someone approaches you asking for signatures, be firm and say no, and keep an eye on your belongings.'

Overcharging taxis

'One of the most common places to get conned when travelling is in a taxi with scammers claiming that the meter is broken and making up a huge figure when you get to your destination, or the meter going up much faster than it should,' Rado warns

Rado says: 'One of the most common places to get conned when travelling is in a taxi, with scammers claiming that the meter is broken and making up a huge figure when you get to your destination, or the meter going up much faster than it should.

'Theyre assuming that you dont know how much the ride should actually cost so they can charge you as much as they like, so make sure you ask your hotel or a local for a rough idea of how much you should be paying.'

Rado stresses that it's 'not all doom and gloom', though, and highlights the most scam-free destinations.

He says: 'There are many destinations that people claim to feel the safest in, such as Malaga, which has recently been ranked as the second safest city in Spain.

'And a recent study revealed that Budapest, Reykjavik, and Vienna are among the top safest cities in the world, particularly for solo travellers.'
Kevin Costner's wife fears the Yellowstone star is 'out for revenge' against her after she filed for divorce, sources tell DailyMail.com.

'He wants to humiliate her,' a close friend of Christine Baumgartner said. 'This isn't about the house, it's about making Christine's life a living hell for actually going through with the divorce.'

The 49-year-old handbag designer has until the end of the month to vacate the $145million Santa Barbara mansion that she and the 68-year-old actor and director had previously shared.

'Christine said she wouldn't be surprised if Kevin had her escorted off the property by police,' the friend says. 'It was Christine who wanted to make this transition as peaceful as possible for the sake of the children.

'Kevin has done the complete opposite. He's not thinking about the kids, about how traumatizing this is.'

A close friend of Christine Baumgartner tells DailyMail.com that Kevin Costner wants to make her life 'a living hell for going through with the divorce'

The 49-year-old handbag designer has until the end of the month to vacate the $145million Santa Barbara mansion that she and the 68-year-old actor and director shared

Baumgartner filed to end the 18-year marriage in May. The couple had dated for six years before they tied the knot at the star's home in Aspen, Colorado, in 2004 shortly after he and first wife Cindy Silva divorced.

Baumgartner had agreed to leave the family home, but only on her own terms.

She previously said in court filings that she would leave the estate on August 31, following the results of a court date originally scheduled for July 12.

The couple's prenup states that Baumgartner has a month to vacate the premises if either partner files for divorce.

Although she appears to have passed the original deadline, the judge set a new deadline of July 31 for her to be moved out.

Baumgartner says Costner is asking the court 'to precipitously kick her and the children out of the family home.'

Costner has said he will give her $30,000 a month to rent a property of her choice and $10,000 and the use of all his staff for the move.

But Baumgartner's friend says: 'Kevin knows that finding a suitable place to rent in the Padaro Lane community is going to cost much more than what he was originally offering Christine.

'He could have made this easy. He could have offered an amount that made it viable to continue living in the community, but he's opted to punish her.'

Costner was not only the primary breadwinner, but the only person making money recently.

Baumgartner says she has 'no income, no earning capacity and no accessible assets other than about $50,000.'

A judge has ruled that Baumgartner must be out of the house by the end of July

The couple are seen with their sons Cayden, 15; Hayes, 14; and daughter Grace, 13, in 2019

Costner is being represented by the top divorce attorney Laura Wasser, who reportedly served as an inspiration for Laura Dern's lawyer character in Noah Baumbach's critically acclaimed film Marriage Story, which earned Dern an Academy Award for best supporting actress.

Wasser has defended the validity of the prenuptial agreement in court, and it appears that the judge is inclined to agree with her, although it is not a done deal yet.

A hearing to address the document's validity won't happen until November, and Baumgartner is expected to continue challenging it.

The judge may have opted to follow the document's provisions before considering it more fully at the later date, but the preliminary move to get Costner's ex out of the house indicates that the judge may agree that the rest of the document is also valid.

Baumgartner will also be forced to return $1.5 million paid to her by Costner if the judge determines that the prenup is valid, and she will also reportedly be forced to pay his attorneys' fees for defending the document.

Baumgartner previously wrote in court filings that she was hesitant to leave her home without having a plan and funding in place, if only for the sake of her children, whom she doesn't want to have to move multiple times.

Costner was not only the primary breadwinner, but the only person making money recently, and Baumgartner says in her filing that she has no income

She claimed that 'Kevin wants me to rent [a] place without [a] financial plan in place. However, [I] have our three children to think about. It is contrary to their best interests to commit to rental that [I] may not be able to afford, particularly as that would ultimately lead to multiple relocations.

'My goal has been and continues to be maintaining as much stability for our children as possible, which includes having the proper resources and plan in place so that [I] can establish [a] stable home for them, rather than making temporary and inconsistent housing arrangements,' she continued.

The Yellowstone star was on the hook to help his estranged wife relocate per their prenuptial agreement, but it was a relatively paltry sum for their lifestyle.

Costner would have paid her a reported $1.5million to find a new home, but with California's elevated home prices  particularly if she tried to stay near Costner  she may have had difficulty finding something similar to the luxury she and her children are accustomed to.

Costner has deposited $1.5million in Baumgartner's bank account to get her to move out of his mansion, and he said he had given her $200,000 earlier in their marriage in line with their prenuptial agreement.

However, Baumgartner hasn't touched the money, as she says doing so would rob her of her ability to contest the prenup's validity.
Emily Blunt revealed during a recent interview that she's taking an entire year off from acting, to spend more time with her family.

The 40-year-old actress shares two children - Hazel, 9, and Violet, 7 - with her husband John Krasinski, who celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary on Monday.

Blunt - who was spotted recently at the Paris premiere of her new film Oppenheimer - didn't specify when the break started, though she told the Table for Two podcast that she's taking her hiatus to spend more time with kids.

'This year, I'm not working. I worked quite a bit last year and my oldest baby is nine, so we're in the last year of single digits,' Blunt explained.

'And I just feel [like] there are cornerstones to their day that are so important when they're little,' she clarified.

Year off: Emily Blunt revealed during a recent interview that she's taking an entire year off from acting, to spend more time with her family

Family: The 40-year-old actress shares two children - Hazel, 9, and Violet, 7 - with her husband John Krasinski, who celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary on Monday

'And it's, 'Will you wake me up? Will you take me to school? Will you pick me up? Will you put me to bed?' And I just need to be there for all of them for a good stretch. And I just felt that in my bones,' she said.

Blunt also opened up about how her and her husband Krasinski typically spend their mornings together.

'Its usually the morning. We [rescued] a puppy whos absolutely beautifulI wasnt wanting to get a dog, but the kids were pushing for it and John was up for it,' she said.

'I dont mind getting up early with this puppy because it means that John and I can kind of talk in the morning and catch up and really talk before the kids are up and everything,' she said.

The actress also admitted that, 'I love watching things like The Voice, I mean, we love The Voice.'

Both Blunt and Krasinski reside with their kids in Brooklyn, and they are also neighbors with her Oppenheimer co-star Matt Damon and his wife Luciana Barroso.

When asked about being neighbors with the Damon's, Blunt said, 'Matt [Damon] is just the most easygoing, beautiful person. Lucy is even more beautiful  sorry, Matt.'

'But we all became friends and then they moved to Brooklyn and they said "We found this amazing building." And of course, we were like, "Well live in the same building!"

She added there are, 'really lovely, cool people living in Brooklyn' adding she has Sunday night dinners with the Damon family and their kids 'love each other.'

Family: 'And it's, 'Will you wake me up? Will you take me to school? Will you pick me up? Will you put me to bed?' And I just need to be there for all of them for a good stretch. And I just felt that in my bones,' she said

Mornings: Blunt also opened up about how her and her husband Krasinski typically spend their mornings together

Neighbors: Both Blunt and Krasinski reside with their kids in Brooklyn, and they are also neighbors with her Oppenheimer co-star Matt Damon and his wife Luciana Barroso

Neighbors: When asked about being neighbors with the Damon's, Blunt said, 'Matt [Damon] is just the most easygoing, beautiful person. Lucy is even more beautiful  sorry, Matt'

Blunt plays Kitty Oppenheimer, the wife of Cillian Murphy's J. Robert Oppenheimer in the new biopic Oppenheimer, arriving in theaters July 21.

She'll next be seen in Pain Hustlers, starring alongside Chris Evans and Andy Garcia and Catherine O'Hara, in theaters October 27.

The actress also has The Fall Guy in post-production, a film adaptation of the 1980s hit TV series, starring alongside Ryan Gosling.

Blunt also lends her voice to Imaginary Friends, which her husband Krasinski is writing, directing and starring in, alongside Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Matt Damon, Ryan Reynolds, Awkwafina, Steve Carrell and Vince Vaughn.
Lily Allen showed off her glamorous sense of style as she the Duke of York Theatre in London on Tuesday after performing in her new play The Pillowman.

The star, 38, looked elegant in a bright red semi-sheer Philosophy by Lorenzo Serafini off-the-shoulder gown as she made her way down the street in the UK capital.

Pop star Lily's garment featured a plunging neckline with ruched detail on the upper section of the dress.

The skirt section reached down to the ground and featured loose ruffles, with the material being partially see-through.

Performer Lily carried a Christian Louboutin clutch purse in a deeper share of red with her as she headed out for the evening.

Glamour puss: Lily Allen, 38, showed off her glamorous sense of style in a red dress as she the Duke of York Theatre in London on Tuesday after performing in her new play The Pillowman

Star quality: The star looked elegant in a bright red semi-sheer Philosophy by Lorenzo Serafini off-the-shoulder gown as she made her way down the street in the UK capital

In style: Pop star Lily's garment featured a plunging neckline with ruched detail on the upper section of the dress

She opted for a make-up palette of natural hues to highlight her pretty features and wore her bleached blonde hair swept back off her face.

Lily was joined by Poppy Delevingne for the evening as the pair stepped out to enjoy one another's company.

Model Poppy, 37, wore a multi-coloured cardigan which she wore open over a black top.

She opted for a pair of casual blue denim jeans while she wore a pair of black high-heeled shoes.

Socialite Poppy, who is the sister of model Cara Delevingne, carried a black handbag with her to match her shoes.

After receiving critical acclaim for her West End debut in 2:22 A Ghost Story, Lily has proved she is keen to stick around in the world of theatre as she takes on a role in the first major rival of Martin McDonagh's Olivier award-winning play.

In a role that sees Lily cover the side of her face in blood, The Pillowman will run for a limited time only, finishing in early September.

The website states: 'In a totalitarian state a Writer is questioned by the authorities about a spate of murders that bear similarities to her short stories. Is this life imitating art or something more sinister?

Fashion focus: The skirt section reached down to the ground and featured loose ruffles, with the material being partially see-through

Looking good: Performer Lily carried a Christian Louboutin clutch purse in a deeper share of red with her as she headed out for the evening

Natural beauty: She opted for a make-up palette of natural hues to highlight her pretty features and wore her bleached blonde hair swept back off her face

Out on the town: Lily appeared in good spirits as she smiled while out in the UK capital this week

Famous friends: Lily was joined by Poppy Delevingne for the evening as the pair stepped out to enjoy one another's company

Out and about: Model Poppy, 37, wore a multi-coloured cardigan which she wore open over a black top

Besties! Lily leaned in to embrace her pal Poppy as they bid farewell after dinner together

Friends! The pair enjoyed a sweet hug as they enjoyed a low-key evening together following Lily's latest performance

'This black comedy widely regarded as one of the greatest plays of the past 25 years, examines the role of the artist in society and asks what price do we pay for freedom of expression.'

Lily is the first woman to take on the leading role of Katurian in the revival of the 2003 play, which follows the fiction writer as she is imprisoned by a totalitarian state.

Starring opposite Steve Pemberton, who plays Tupolski and Matthew Tennyson, who stars as Michael, Lily plays the role that had been previously played by David Tennant twenty years ago.

Speaking about the decision to cast a woman in the role, Lily told The Telegraph: 'I think it will add an extra layer of horror, because we're not used to seeing women being beaten up.

'It will be shocking, in that sense. I also feel that men don't necessarily get the same c**p for their artistic output that women do.'

Keeping things casual: She opted for a pair of casual blue denim jeans while she wore a pair of black high-heeled shoes

Dressed to impress: Socialite Poppy, who is the sister of model Cara Delevingne, carried a black handbag with her to match her shoes

The Pillowman follows Katurian as she is brutally questioned by authorities after a spate of murders bear similarities to her short stories.

It comes after Lily revealed she has written musical versions of Black Mirror and Bridget Joness Diary.

Speaking on BBC Radio, Lily said: 'I wrote the musical for Bridget Joness Diary and that hasnt happened yet  maybe one day it still will.

'I also did an adaptation of an episode of Black Mirror for the stage which has also been sold to someone, its just not happened yet, but the musics finished.'
The hosts of Australia's No. 1 female podcast have weighed in on the current Jonah Hill texting scandal.

The Superbad actor was recently accused of sending 'emotionally abusive' texts to his ex-girlfriend Sarah Brady, who has been posting the year-old messages to social media all week.

Discussing the subject, Life Uncut's Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne sided with Brady and blasted Hill for masking his relationship rules as 'boundaries'.

'It's not boundaries, it's a rule book that he's given her,' said Byrne, calling Hill's behaviour 'manipulative'.

'If those texts are real then it's hugely problematic,' she added.

Laura Byrne and Brittany Hockley of Australia's No. 1 female podcast Life Uncut have weighed in on Jonah Hill's texting scandal

The Superbad actor was accused of sending 'emotionally abusive' texts to his ex-girlfriend Sarah Brady, who has been posting the year-old messages to social media all week

Sharing her two cents, Hockley said, 'This is gaslighting, it's manipulation, coercion, it's control.'

Despite the pair slamming the Hollywood A-lister, they also explained that his behaviour was stemming 'from his own insecurities' with self-esteem and body image, which Hill has been open about in the past.

'It's so easy to paint people as one dimensional and to paint him as being this evil person, but I do think that it's interesting to unpack where this type of behaviour has come from,' Byrne opined.

'Jonah Hill has been in the media for a very long time and there's always been discussion around his weight, there's always been discussion about the way that he looks,' she continued.

'And he has spoken very publicly about the insecurities he has as a person,' Byrne said, adding that Hill suffers from 'self-loathing.'

Agreeing, Hockley said, 'The way he's been treated by the media over the years is horrific.'

She added, 'No one deserves the level of body-shaming he's experienced and he's spoken about that openly.'

'It's not boundaries, it's a rule book that he's given her,' said Byrne, calling Hill's behaviour 'manipulative'

Sharing her two cents, Hockley said, 'This is gaslighting, it's manipulation, coercion, it's control'

Hill's ex-girlfriend had the Internet buzzing when she took to social media to brand the actor a 'misogynist' and 'narcissist' by sharing alleged text messages from the star this week.

And now the 26-year-old surf instructor has revealed why she waited until his new girlfriend gave birth before posting the alleged receipts.

Brady took to Instagram on Sunday to post a voice memo to explain the timing of her posts was out of respect toward the pregnancy of 39-year-old Jonah's girlfriend Olivia Millar.

She could be heard saying: 'I didnt want [Millar] to have to see all of this while she was pregnant because I didnt know what kind of stress that would cause her and her baby physically.'

'It's so easy to paint people as one dimensional and to paint him as being this evil person, but I do think that it's interesting to unpack where this type of behaviour has come from,' Byrne opined

The surf instructor went on to say that she knows that 'the timing can seem bad' but she is hoping that Millar had seen the posts in order to 'make an informed decision of how she wants to care for herself and her baby.

'I just hope she would receive some of these screenshots somehow through friends, like, friends of mine that I met through him that I know are good people that I know would make an effort to protect her.'

This came just a day after Brady blasted the Superbad star by taking to Instagram to share messages allegedly sent by him that appear to reveal their past arguments.

The alleged texts from Hill display him outlining his parameters for a 'romantic partnership.' The two dated back in 2021 for about one year.

It comes less than one month after news broke that the filmmaker welcomed a baby with girlfriend Olivia Millar.

DailyMail.com reached out to Hill's representative for comment.

Hill's ex-girlfriend had the Internet buzzing when she took to social media to brand the actor a 'misogynist' and 'narcissist' by sharing alleged text messages from the star this week

In a post to the Life Uncut Instagram account, Brittany and Laura shared a message about 'personal boundaries'

The rollout of damning statements against the movie producer began with an Instagram Stories post Brady shared with the caption, 'F*** it.'

The screenshot showed two messages alleged to be from Jonah on December 2, 2021.

The lengthy initial text apparently from Jonah included a list of unacceptable behaviors from Sarah if they were to be together romantically.

The new dad allegedly mentioned things including 'surfing with men,' 'inappropriate friendships with men,' and 'posting pictures of yourself in a bathing suit' that were off limits for his then-girlfriend.

He additionally stated that if Sarah 'needed' to 'model,' 'post sexual pictures,' or maintain friendships with women who were part of her 'wild recent past' then he was 'not the right partner' for her.

'The way he's been treated by the media over the years is horrific,' Hockley said of Hill

In another post of his alleged messages, Brady claimed that Hill only wanted her to socialize with friends whom he had 'personally approved.'

The entertainer, whose documentary Stutz came out on Netflix last year, added, 'If these things bring you to a place of happiness I support it and there will be no hard feelings. These are my boundaries for romantic partnership.'

He then clarified, 'My boundaries with you based on the ways these actions have hurt our trust.'

Sarah wrote online to her nearly 80,000 followers, 'See the misuse of the term "boundaries"?'

Brady spun her posts as a 'warning to all girls.'

'If your partner is talking to you like this, make an exit plan,' she captioned a screenshot that appeared to show Hill complaining about social media photos featuring her 'a** in a thong.'

The alleged texts from Hill display him outlining his parameters for a 'romantic partnership.' The two dated back in 2021 for about one year

Brady blasted Hill's text messages all over Instagram and called them a form of 'misogyny'

After Brady appeared to have signaled that she had deleted some of the supposedly offending photos, the Wolf Of Wall Street star appeared to tell his then-girlfriend it was a 'good start' but that she didn't 'seem to get' his point.

'But its not my place to teach you. Ive made my boundaries clear,' he affirmed. 'You refuse to let go of some of them and youve made that clear and I hope it makes you happy.'

Brady maintained that her ex-boyfriend's critiques were made in an attempt to control her.

She explained that she agreed with his requests in an attempt to keep him from experiencing 'crippling anxiety.'

Interacting with her fans, Sarah admitted: 'Its been a year of healing and growth with the help of loved ones and doctors to get back to living my life without guilt, shame and self-judgment for things as small as surfing in a swimsuit rather than a more conservative wetsuit.'

She continued, 'And Im sure theres still much more healing from this abuse ahead of me.'

The couple used to regularly coordinate their outfits before their romance turned sour

The former duo first went public with their romance in August 2021 after their connection was sparked when Jonah approached her online.

On Friday Sarah said she was 'sharing this publicly now because keeping it to myself was causing more damage to my mental health than sharing it could ever do.'

She also explained she used to take the 'blame' for Hill's actions when they would speak with their therapist.

In part of her tirade against her ex, the athlete noted, 'I hope my ex has a daughter, maybe shell turn him into a real feminist.

'Because the fact that he calls himself a feminist now is laughable.  If I could have one wish for him it would be that he is surrounded by feminist men who can hold him accountable to grow in the ways he has expressed he wants to.'

The law student went on to say, 'I think fame can put people in an echo chamber of viewpoints, which can enable emotionally abusive behavior.'
Pregnant billionaire heiress Georgia Geminder showed off her incredibly organised kitchen cupboard on Tuesday.

The former model-turned-oral care founder, 28, who is expecting her first child with her investment director husband Matthew Danos, shared a picture with her followers on Instagram.

Georgia, who is the founder of tooth whitening products Gem, revealed she had her pantry in her Melbourne home organised by a decluttering company and said she was thrilled with the results.

Inside her cupboard, which rivals Khloe Kardashian's extremely neat pantry, was a mix of healthy snacks and some naughty sweet treats - no doubt for the odd pregnancy craving.

The bottom shelf was filled with jars of Mentos, Crunchie bars, Snickers, and Mars Bars, while the middle shelf contained glass boxes of items including cookies, almonds, shortbread, cashews and dried apricots.

Pregnant billionaire heiress Georgia Geminder showed off her incredibly organised kitchen cupboard on Tuesday (pictured)

On the top shelf were large jars filled with cereals including Nutri-Grain, Weet-Bix Bites and Froot Loops.

All the jars were clear with white lids and featured simple clear labels to help keep things organised.

'OBSESSED with our new pantry @ClutterCure_ couldn't recommend them more,' Georgia captioned her post.

The former model turned oral care founder, 28, who is expecting her first child with her investment director husband Matthew Danos, shared a picture with her followers on Instagram

In March, Georgia announced that she and husband Matthew are expecting their first child together, just three months after their lavish Melbourne wedding.

'We are over the moon,' the heiress wrote alongside an image, which showed her cradling her belly in a blush pink dress.

The baby news came just three months after the couple tied the knot in an opulent society wedding in December.

The event took place in the ritzy suburb of Kew, and was a traditional Jewish ceremony followed by a black tie reception inside a marquee at Raheen, the Pratt family mansion.

In March, Georgia announced that she and husband Matthew are expecting their first child together , just three months after their lavish Melbourne wedding

The couple are pictured on their wedding day with Georgia stunning in an embellished gown

Georgia, who is the model granddaughter of Australia's late 'Cardboard King' Richard Pratt and eldest daughter of billionaire packaging magnates Raphael and Fiona Geminder, looked like modern day princess in a beaded strapless fishtail gown with matching gloves and a tiara.

She accessorised her look with a diamond and sapphire choker necklace, drop earrings and a dramatic ivory veil.

Georgia's mother Fiona owns cardboard giant Visy and is worth a reported $3.4billion, while her father Raphael - who is also on Forbes Rich List - has a 40 percent share in plastics manufacturer, Pact.

Her grandfather Richard Pratt, an immigrant born in Poland whose family fled to Australia months before the German invasion, was a leading figure in Melbourne society until his death on April 29, 2009.

In 2020 she launched Gem, a clean beauty company specialising in oral care that replaces chemicals with natural ingredients

Ms Geminder, a former Australian Grand Prix ambassador, spent seven years modelling in Australia, London and Los Angeles before quitting the industry to create a non-toxic toothpaste brand in 2020.

In 2020 she launched Gem, a clean beauty company specialising in oral care that replaces chemicals with natural ingredients.

Her new husband Matthew is the managing director of James Richardson Investments, part of a furniture, hospitality, real estate and retail corporation headquartered in Melbourne's north.

The company is best known for its duty-free outlets in airports and border crossings across Australia and the Middle East.

James Richardson is a household name in Israel thanks to its multiple stores in Ben Gurion airport, Israel.
Bindi Irwin shared a heartwarming video of herself enjoying a day out at the beach with daughter Grace Warrior, two, on Wednesday.

The precious footage showed Bindi, 24, and her husband Chandler, 26, taking Grace to a scenic beach to take in the sights and enjoying some fun activities.

Grace has clearly inherited the Irwin family's love of wildlife as she was heard saying she is 'like a turtle' as she walked across shallow water with the help of grandmother Terri and uncle Robert.

A proud Bindi couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she watched over her daughter, joking she is 'like a plesiosaur'.

Fans could not stop gushing over Bindi's mini-me, claiming the youngster looks just like her famous mum and grandfather, late Crocodile Hunter Steve, and is destined to follow in her footsteps.

Bindi Irwin shared a heartwarming video to social media on Wednesday showing her enjoying a day out at the beach with daughter Grace Warrior, two. Both pictured

'Grace reminds me of Dora the Explorer,' one fan wrote and another added: 'She's looking more and more like her mother'.

Elsewhere, Chandler posted a gorgeous photo of him and Grace posing up a storm alongside a koala in a tree at Australia Zoo in Queensland.

The pair were all smiles in the snap, with young Grace looking thrilled to be hamming it up alongside the iconic Australian marsupial.

The precious footage shows Bindi, 24, and her husband Chandler (left) taking Grace to a scenic beach to take in the sights and enjoy some fun activities

Chandler's followers were quick to comment on the precious picture, saying Grace looks like a perfect mixture of her mum and dad.

Bindi and Chandler first met in November 2013 when Chandler, who hails from Florida, was touring Australia for a wakeboarding competition.

The young couple were married on March 25, 2020 and Grace was born exactly one year later, on their first wedding anniversary.

Grace has clearly inherited the Irwin family's love of wildlife as she is heard saying she is 'like a turtle' as she walks across shallow water with the help of grandmother Terri and uncle Robert

Earlier this year, it was reported that Bindi's daughter Grace Warrior is set for television stardom.

One family insider believes the two-year-old could become even more famous than her grandfather Steve 'The Crocodile Hunter' Irwin.

'She is an absolute natural in front of the camera. It's believed she could be an even greater entertainer than her grandfather Steve Irwin. She's so bright and funny' the source told New Idea.

Grace is the granddaughter of legendary Wildlife Warrior Steve 'The Crocodile Hunter' Irwin, who died at 44 in 2006, after being pierced in the chest by a stingray while filming a documentary in Batt Reef, off the coast of Queensland.

A proud Bindi can't wipe the smile off her face as she watches over her daughter, joking she is 'like a plesiosaur'
An Australian influencer and DJ is trapped at an airport in Vietnam after making a critical mistake while booking his overseas trip.

Sydney-based Levi Neufeld has been sleeping in a transit room in Ho Chi Minh Saigon Airport for over 24 hours after the promoter forget to apply for a transit visa for India, one of the stopovers during a trip to Dubai.

Neufeld, known for his brief stint on The Voice as the 'hot door guy' and more recently as Brent Vitiello's best man on Married At First Sight, documented his unplanned extended layover in Vietnam on Instagram.

Despite having no intention of leaving the airport in India, Neufeld was barred from boarding his connecting flight to Dubai and promptly sent back to Vietnam.

All passengers intending to stopover in India must apply for a transit visa for the sole purpose of entering the airport.

Australian influencer and DJ Levi Neufeld is trapped at an airport in Vietnam after the promoter made a critical mistake while booking his overseas trip

His passport was confiscated in India, given to a flight crew and is now in the hands of 'officials' in Vietnam as he awaits his flight back to Australia.

Neufeld insisted that he was not that a visa would be required at any stage of his travel.

'I've been flying for 20 hours, flew from Sydney to Vietnam and then Vietnam to India. And then I had a connecting flight from India to Dubai, but I wasn't told that I had to get a visa for India,' he explained in an Instagram post on Tuesday.

'This has broken me.

'They are making me stay here in Vietnam for the next 27 hours. So a day and a bit. They're putting me in a transit room.'

Levi has been sleeping in a transit room in Ho Chi Minh Saigon Airport for over 24 hours after forgetting to apply for a transit visa to India, one of the stopovers in his trip to Dubai

Neufeld, known for his brief stint on The Voice as the 'hot door guy' and more recently as Brent Vitiello's best man in Married At First Sight, documented his unplanned extended layover in Vietnam on Instagram

Despite having no intention of leaving the airport in India, Neufeld was barred from boarding his connecting flight to Dubai and promptly sent back to Vietnam

'I've been flying for 20 hours, flew from Sydney to Vietnam and then Vietnam to India. And then I had a connecting flight from India to Dubai, but I wasn't told that I had to get a visa for India,' he explained. 'This has broken me'

Despite the setback, Neufeld remains resilient, vowing to document his unexpected stay through a TikTok series and updating his followers on his situation.

He even took the opportunity to rate the airport food and give his followers a glimpse into his makeshift shower situation.

Neufeld also posted a photo of a rubbish bin with a sign asking people not to urinate in it.

'Who the f**k would pee in a trash can? And then I realised it's the international airport and it's a pretty lawless place. So checks out,' he said.

Neufeld has compared himself to Tom Hanks in the film The Terminal.

Hanks' character in the movie is stranded at JFK airport in New York with nowhere to go when a war rages in his fictional country of Krakozhia.

He is forced by officials to stay in the terminal for nine months until his original identity is confirmed.
Sarah Harris has repeatedly made lewd jokes about men's private parts in episodes of The Sunday Project and The Project, rolling her eyes and cracking up her co-hosts in two segments within a day of each other.

The jokes come just a few months after Harris was slammed for her reaction to queer comic Reuben Kaye's now infamous X-rated Jesus joke, which forced her to apologise and prompted calls for The Project to be cancelled.

Harris began the week with a quip on The Sunday Project during an interview with US astrophysicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson, currently on an Asia Pacific tour of his show, Cosmic Perspectives on Civilisation.

The Channel Ten star quizzed the NASA advocate and cosmos philosopher about theories on the moon landing, asking Tyson about factors conspiracists believe prove the 1969 Apollo 11 landing was faked.

'What about the flag, and the flag not waving in the wind and there's no footprints in the moon dust?' Harris asked.

Sarah Harris joked on The Sunday Project about the so-called faked moon landing, replying to astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson's quip about a 'limp' flag pole with 'I know that problem. There's a nasal spray for it now though'

Next up on Tuesday night was a segment about the role played by Ryan Gosling (above) as Ken in the new Barbie movie, prompting Harris to refer to the Ken doll's crotch

Sarah Harris got a hearty laugh out of the Barbie movie story with a quip about the Ken character, saying 'That's a big Kenergy for a doll - with a mound, don't you reckon?'

Tyson replied: 'there is footprints in the moon dust and the flag, did you notice had a stick in it, otherwise it would have just fallen limp, okay?'

Harris responded: 'I know that problem. There's a nasal spray for it now though,' and gave a theatrical shrug.

The camera then cut to fellow host Michael Hing laughing hysterically.

Two nights later, Harris fronted The Project with co-hosts Waleed Aly, Kate Langbroek and Sam Taunton, for a line-up of stories including the launch of the new Barbie movie.

Tuesday's focus was a story about the character of Ken, Barbie's offsider, played alongside Margot Robbie by US actor, Ryan Gosling.

Introducing the segment, Harris said, 'He might just be Ken, but Ryan Gosling is stealing the show in the lead-up to the Barbie movie with his incredible 'Ken-ergy"

'In a musical for the show, I'm Just Ken, Ryan belts an emotional ballad about, well, just being Ken.'

Snippets from Ken's song were played, showing him shirtless and flexing his muscles, singing 'Doesn't seem to matter what I do, I'm always number two ... Cos I'm just Ken, anywhere else I'd be a 10. Is it my destiny to live a life and die of blond virginity?'

When the song ended, Harris cut in, remarking 'That's a big Kenergy for a doll - with a mound, don't you reckon?'

A mirthful Kate Langbroek said, 'he's actually hot in that, to which Harris replied, 'He's very pretty ... my Ken dolls did not look like that.'

Kate Langbroek: 'What about the big fur-pimping coat, I want a bit of that ... very collectible.'

In March, Sarah Harris herself erupted into laughter when The Project hosted comedian Reuben Kaye speaking about the hate he perceived, particularly from the Christian community, for his sexuality and for dressing up in drag.

Sarah Harris cracks up at queer comedian Reuben Kaye's Jesus joke in February, only to be forced to apologise on air the following night

'I love Jesus, I love any man who can get nailed for three days straight and come back for more,' Kaye quipped.

Harris appeared to think the joke was side-splitting, dissolving into laughter with other members of the panel, while Waleed Aly seemed stunned at the gag.

The Jesus joke was aired on Tuesday, February 28, and the next night Harris along with Waleed Ally apologised live to viewers.

It did not stop the backlash, however, with some members of Australias Christian and Muslim communities launching a protest and social media flooded with hashtags like #CancelTheProject and #BoycottTheProject.
New tech drives rural development across China

People's Daily Online) 14:42, July 12, 2023

As China has continuously improved the digital infrastructure in rural areas, various places across the country are boosting rural development and advancing rural revitalization by making use of these innovative facilities.

A seeding machine equipped with the Beidou Navigation Satellite System is at work in a cotton field in Yuli County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

Many places have jumped on the livestream bandwagon, promoting local agricultural products online. In an e-commerce company in Dandong, northeast China's Liaoning Province, two young salespersons promoted strawberries, a local specialty, on a short-video platform. The duo, with one introducing the product to the viewers and another checking on inventory and price, quickly sold over 80 crates of strawberries.

Thanks to the online platform, sales of the company has increased, with some repeat orders. A dessert shop in southwest China's Yunnan Province, for example, has purchased strawberries from the company in many strawberry seasons, according to a company executive.

Similarly, peach grower Li Xiqing in Laowan village, Liuping township, Qin'an county, northwest China's Gansu Province, started to sell his peaches in his WeChat Moments (a platform that allows users to share images and texts) two years ago. Some e-commerce companies later came to his peach orchard to buy peaches from him. "In the past, I had to go elsewhere with my peaches to look for buyers, which is very time-consuming and exhausting. And there were times when I failed to sell them," he said. With the e-commerce platforms and logistic networks, Li can easily sell his peaches while gaining more income.

Livestreams and short-video platforms stimulate the needs of consumers. The two innovative approaches can provide more job opportunities for farmers, generate wealth for them, and help high-quality farm produce hit the market, said Sun Dongsheng, a researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Economics and Development of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS).

Regions across the country have applied intelligent facilities to their farm work. According to an official of a service center in Shanying village, Jiaxiang county, east China's Shandong Province, the harvesters and planters of the village are all equipped with the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. To operate the machines, the operators simply need to input the map into them, and plan the route. Then the machines will accurately work along the route, greatly improving work efficiency.

Cailu village, Dongyang city, east China's Zhejiang Province, has built an online platform to monitor the farmland. Information about the fields, such as what nutrients the fields lack, and which and when the seeds were planted, can be easily obtained from a screen in a service center of the village. "Thanks to the technical support, efficiency has been enhanced," said Lu Yangchun, head of the village.

Meantime, southwest China's Guizhou Province launched an application, allowing farmers to check a wide range of information such as favorable policies, utilization of funds, and rural collective resources. "Such information has a bearing on our lives, so I frequently check them on the application, especially all kinds of subsidies," said a villager surnamed Jian.

A report of the digital development in rural China of 2022 released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said that by the end of last year, all of China's county seats have been covered by 5G networks, and all of China's administrative villages have been connected to broadband internet services. China's online retail sales in rural areas reached 2.17 trillion yuan ($301 billion). And village-level comprehensive service centers empowered by digital technologies hit 483,000 across the country.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Stan has dropped a spectacular new trailer for their blockbuster series, Twisted Metal.

The Avengers actor Anthony Mackie is set to star in drama, which drops on the streaming giant on July 27.

He plays the hero in the spectacular action-filled story, based on the 1990s PlayStation game.

Set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, the plot centres on John Doe (Mackie) - a fast-talking milk man who has to deliver a mysterious package to get a chance at a better life.

To complete his mission, he teams up with an axe-wielding character called Quiet played by Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Stephanie Beatriz.

Stan has dropped a wild new trailer for their blockbuster post-apocalyptic series Twisted Metal starring The Avengers' Anthony Mackie

Mackie plays the hero in the spectacular action-filled story, based on the 1990s PlayStation game

The brand new series Twisted Metal will premiere July 27, same day at the U.S., only on Stan.

The new trailer promises plenty of excitement for fans in the sfx-packed drama.

It begins with John (Mackie) explaining the post-Apocalyptic world consists of walled-cities designed to keep out marauding criminals.

Meanwhile, cargo is delivered from one walled city to another by people like Joe.

'And that's where the guns and cars come in,' Joe says.

Early in the trailer, John can seen racing across a flaming landscape in his souped-up red muscle car.

Later scenes show him attempting to escape a field of fire as he is pursued by machine-gun wielding criminals inside an abandoned shopping mall.

A woman called Raven (played by Scream star Neve Campbell) hires John to deliver a mysterious package.

Another character featured in the trailer is Agent Stone played by Spider-Man: No Way From Home actor, Thomas Haden Church.

He portrays a cop who appears to be just as crazy and dangerous as the criminals John is trying to avoid.

The trailer also introduces the scary clown character, Sweet Tooth (Samoa Joe), who is seen chasing after his victims with a meat cleaver and a machine gun.

To complete his mission, John (Mackie) teams up with an axe-wielding chacter called Quiet, played by Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Stephanie Beatriz

The brand new series Twisted Metal will premiere July 27, same day at the U.S., only on Stan

The series has been adapted from the 1995 game by Deadpool writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick.

And fans can expect plenty of weird Deadpool humour combined with the action mayhem.

Arrested Development star Will Arnett also features.

Mackie, who's played Sam Wilson/Falcon on The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, has been seen in multiple movies for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actor is set to play Captain America in Captain America 4.
Brendan Fraser and his partner Jeanne Moore looked loved-up at the Ischia Global Fest 2023 in Italy on Tuesday.

The Oscar winner, 54, and Jeanne arrived at the week-long festival which hosts film premieres and panels on Monday.

And Brendan appeared in high spirits as he posed for a snap in a black shirt while Jeanne looked lovely in a white top and maxi skirt on Tuesday evening.

The actor made his red carpet debut with Jeanne, who is a make-up artist, last September and went on to achieve great success with his film The Whale.

Moore, 43, has been by Fraser's side every step of his epic comeback that has shot him back into the Hollywood spotlight, while restoring his A-list status.

Smitten: Brendan Fraser and his partner Jeanne Moore looked loved-up at the Ischia Global Fest 2023 in Italy on Tuesday

Exciting: The Oscar winner, 54, and Jeanne have arrived at the week-long festival which hosts film premieres and panels

Brendan recently spoke about what's next for him at the Greenwich International Film Festival after the huge success of his comeback movie The Whale.

He said: 'At the moment, I don't have anything  I'm really being picky right now', according to People.

Brendan was at the festival to be honoured for his work and his philanthropy as part of the festival's first ever Inspiration Talk and award.

ESPN's Hannah Storm, 60, interviewed the Critics Choice Award winner during the event in which he opened up about many aspects of his life and career, including how he prepared from his role in The Whale.

Brendan said as he prepared for the role of Charlie, he contacted the non-profit Obesity Action Coalition, according to Greenwich Time.

'Their mandate is to treat the story with dignity and respect. And that meant everything from the design of Charlie's body to the way that characters speak, everything', he explained to the audience.

The foundation arranged for him to meet with 10 people over Zoom and the journeyman actor said he discovered one thing that each of them had in common.

They had all been on the receiving end of degrading comments from an adult.

Supportive: Moore, 43, has been by Fraser's side every step of his epic comeback that has shot him back into the Hollywood spotlight, while restoring his A-list status.

Oscar winner: The actor made his red carpet debut with Jeanne, who is a make-up artist, last September and went on to achieve great success with his film The Whale (pictured)

'It just exemplifies what sets the pattern of shattering a young person's confidence and then coupling them with all sorts of reasons, they can find themselves, like Charlie, eating to medicate,' he contended.

'By repressing the pain down inside and internalizing trauma with food, it reflects how much they feel externally. And Charlie is the personification of that. So, I felt a sense of obligation to the role as their voice and as their champion.'
Critics are absolutely swooning over Oppenheimer, the drama about the scientist known as the father of the Atomic bomb, following its premiere in Paris on Tuesday.

Journalists who watched the flick have taken to Twitter to share their glowing reviews of the movie, with one critic describing how the film 'split my brain open' and 'left me sobbing through the end credits'.

Oppenheimer features an all-star cast and is led by Cillian Murphy, who plays the theoretical physicist who helped develop the bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer. The Christopher Nolan-directed movie also boasts a cast including Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr and Matt Damon.

Film critic Robbie Collin from The Telegraph raved on Twitter: 'Am torn between being all coy and mysterious about Oppenheimer and just coming out and saying its a total knockout that split my brain open like a twitchy plutonium nucleus and left me sobbing through the end credits like I cant even remember what else.'

He also teased plenty of sex scenes: 'And for all those whove groused about the lack of sex in Christopher Nolans earlier work boy oh BOY, are you getting some sex as only Nolan could stage it in this one.'

'Split my brain open': Critics are absolutely swooning over Oppenheimer, the drama about the scientist known as the father of the Atomic bomb, following its premiere in Paris

Vulture movie critic Bilge Ebiri gushed: 'OPPENHEIMER is...incredible. The word that keeps coming to mind is "fearsome". A relentlessly paced, insanely detailed, intricate historical drama that builds and builds and builds until Nolan brings the hammer down in the most astonishing, shattering way.'

Jonathan Dean of The Sunday Times called the film 'audacious' and 'inventive', and also had some criticism how the female characters were used.

'Totally absorbed in OPPENHEIMER, a dense, talkie, tense film partly about the bomb, mostly about how doomed we are. Happy summer! Murphy is good, but the support essential: Damon, Downey Jr & [Alden] Ehrenreich even bring gags. An audacious, inventive, complex film to rattle its audience,' he posted.

'The downside? The women are badly served - Emily Blunt only once gets out of her stressed mother role. But its straight into my Nolan top three, alongside Memento & The Prestige,' he added.

Lindsey Bahr, a film writer for the Associated Press, was also spellbound.

'Christopher Nolans #Oppenheimer is truly a spectacular achievement, in its truthful, concise adaptation, inventive storytelling and nuanced performances from Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon and the many, many others involved  some just for a scene,' she posted.

'Its hard to talk about something as dense as this in something as silly as a tweet or thread but Oppenheimer really is a serious, philosophical, adult drama thats as tense and exciting as Dunkirk. And the big moment  THAT MOMENT  is awe inspiring,' she continued.

Rave reviews: Oppenheimer features an all-star cast and is led by Cillian Murphy, who plays the theoretical physicist who helped develop the bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer

Sophisticated: Emily Blunt looked as glamorous as ever as she joined a dapper Cillian Murphy at the Oppenheimer premiere in Paris on Tuesday

Wow! Emily made sure to turn heads in her vibrant ensemble as she joined their fellow cast members at the Cinema Le Grand Rex to celebrate their hotly anticipated biopic

Turning heads: She added a few extra inches to her frame with a pair of silver pointed stilettos and let her outfit do all the talking as she accessorised with droplet earrings

Suave: Meanwhile, Irish actor Cillian, 47, cut a suave figure in a navy suit, made up of smart trousers and a fitted blazer

Stylish: Matt, 52, cut a dapper figure in a smart navy blue suit, which he styled with a plain white T-shirt and brown boots

Stars: Matt, Robert, Cillian and Emily were all joined by director Christopher Nolan (right) as they celebrated their new release

'So many years after seeing that opening shot of The Dark Knight in IMAX at CityWalk and not understanding what I was seeing on a technical level but feeling it, I feel very lucky to have seen Oppenheimer in 70mm IMAX. A once-in-a-lifetime experience,' Lindsey added

Matt Maytum of Total Film was also blown away by the drama.

'#Oppenheimer left me stunned: a character study on the grandest scale, with a sublime central performance by Cillian Murphy. An epic historical drama but with a distinctly Nolan sensibility: the tension, structure, sense of scale, startling sound design, remarkable visuals. Wow.'

Meanwhile, Elsa Keslassy of Variety tweeted: 'A sign that French audiences loved #Oppenheimer is that they stayed in front of the Grand Rex theater long after the film ended to debate about it!'

In addition to Cillian, the cast is also made up of Florence Pugh - who plays Oppenheimer's mistress - Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek and Josh Hartnett.

Pals: Matt was seen beckoning someone over to join the group as they all grinned for pictures together

Smart: Robert Downey Jr also looked as dapper as ever in a dark blue suit, which he teamed with a matching satin tie and black shoes

All-star cast: Matt Damon is among those cast in the film

Big names: The cast is also made up of Florence Pugh - who plays Oppenheimer's mistress - Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek and Josh Hartnett

The reviews are in! Critics praised the film after watching the film in Paris on Tuesday

Oppenheimer was the director of the laboratory which designed the atomic bomb during World War Two as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project.

The film is being adapted from the 2006 book American Prometheus: The Triumph And Tragedy Of J. Robert Oppenheimer, by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.

The book, which won the Pulitzer Prize, details Oppenheimer's personal life and his time leading the Manhattan Project in the early and mid-1940s.

Oppenheimer will be released in the US on July 21, 2023.
Zoey 101 star Alexa Nikolas is voicing outrage over a resurfaced 2005 episode of MTV's Punk'd, where Justin Long is tricked by his pal Jonah Hill and co-creator Ashton Kutcher into buying alcoholic drinks for two underage girls.

Nikolas  who accused Hill of once 'shoving his tongue down her throat' when she was 16 and he was 24  told Page Six that she was 'disturbed' by the prank and condemned all involved.

'I just saw it for the first time today,' the actress, now 31, said. 'We as a society should be deeply disturbed that those men and the network signed off on that episode being released.'

In the episode, Justin, Jonah and his brother Christian Long meet up with two ladies, both of whom are played by teen actresses, at a local restaurant for dinner.

The brunette in the skit is played by a then-18-year-old Ashley Greene, who is best known for her role in the Twilight films. The blonde actress says she is 17.

Long  who would've been around 27-years-old at the time  has no reason to believe the two girls are not of drinking age as they proceed to order alcoholic beverages from the waitress.

Outrage: Zoey 101 star Alexa Nikolas is voicing outrage over a resurfaced 2005 episode of MTV's Punk'd, where Justin Long is tricked by his pal Jonah Hill and co-creator Ashton Kutcher into buying alcoholic drinks for two underage girls

In the episode, Justin (center), Jonah (right) and his brother Christian Long (left) meet up with two ladies, both of whom are played by teen actresses, at a local restaurant for dinner

Familiar face: The brunette in the skit is played by a then-18-year-old Ashley Greene, who is best known for her role in the Twilight films. The blonde is 17

The waitress even looks around the table to ask if they're all over the age of 21 and both girls, along with Justin, Jonah and Christian, nod affirmatively.

Justin gives the waitress his credit card and she soon returns with the drinks.

The blonde actress quickly drinks hers down and orders another.

Moments later, the restaurant's manager (played by an actor) approaches the table and asks them all to show him their IDs.

The girls are then forced to confess that they are underage.

Speaking directly to Justin, the manager asks: 'What are you guys doing with a 17 and 18 year old girl drinking alcohol? Do you realize how bad this can be?'

'We can all leave and no one knows anything,' says the Jeepers Creepers star as he tries his best to calmly get him and the girls out of the situation.

To make things worse, the blonde teen's father (also an actor) enters the restaurant to join in on the scolding, which is almost entirely aimed at Justin.

As the fiery back-and-forth reaches its peak, the Punk'd camera crew emerges and Justin learns it's all been an elaborate prank.

'They had no shame,' Nikolas told Page Six after watching the skit for herself. '[It] says a lot about our culture at the time.'

She continues: 'I don't think the culture has changed much honestly. Which is why I created Eat Predators. It's time for accountability. Power to survivors.'

Her latest comments come soon after she came forward to claim that Jonah 'slammed her against a door and shoved his tongue in her mouth' when she was 16 and he was 24.

Nikolas detailed alleged 'predatory behavior' from Hollywood stars in a long string of tweets published this week.

Long  who would've been around 27-years-old at the time  has no reason to believe the two girls are not of drinking age as they proceed to order alcoholic beverages from the waitress

Justin gives the waitress his credit card and she soon returns with the drinks

Moments later, the restaurant's manager (played by an actor) approaches the table and asks them all to show him their IDs

The actress claimed Hill, now 39 - who was accused of 'emotional abuse' by ex Sarah Brady last week, 'shoved his tongue down her throat' without her consent when she attended a party at Justin Long's house.

Hill has denied all allegations to DailyMail.com.

In tweets published on July 8 and 9, Nikolas also alleged Long's then roommate, former CSI: Miami actor Jonathan Togo, 45, assaulted a minor friend of hers who was '16 or 17' at the party and that Long allegedly knew about it - which Long has denied in a statement to DailyMail.com.

Togo and Long would have been around 30-years-old at the time of the alleged incidents. Nikolas - who is the founder of Eat Predators - an organization which aims to call out abusers and networks - claims adult men were 'feeding alcohol' to her and her minor friends.

Nikolas also accused Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, 49, of 'utter predatory disrespect for professional boundaries.'

She tweeted: 'After reading Sarah Brady's admirable post about #JonahHill I just gotta say when I was 16 I got invited to a house party at #justinlongs house where he was living with some lame predator actor from CSI Miami. I'll look up the name later and find him.

'Oh ya this was the guy living (from my memory) with #justinlong his name is Jonathan Togo ew ew ew.

'He was sleeping *aka assaulting a minor* a friend of mine that was also 16 or 17. Anyways. #JonahHill came over at some point and we were all pretty wasted because of course the predators were feeding us minors a bunch of alcohol.'

The girls are then forced to confess that they are underage

Speaking directly to Justin, the manager asks: 'What are you guys doing with a 17 and 18 year old girl drinking alcohol? Do you realize how bad this can be?'

To make things worse, the blonde teen's father (also an actor) enters the restaurant to join in on the scolding, which is almost entirely aimed at Justin

Punk'd: As the fiery back-and-forth reaches its peak, the Punk'd camera crew emerges and Justin learns it's all been an elaborate prank

Describing the alleged incident between her and Hill - who she claimed knew she was 16 - she wrote: '#jonahhill seemed to have his eyes on me because at one point I wanted a cig and he said he had one in his car 'right outside'. Didn't seem like too much of an effort so I trusted him. I went outside and he grabbed the cigs from his front seat.

'Just to note #JonahHill said if I wanted the cig I had to come with him outside to get it. He didn't wanna go 'all alone'. They were all aware I was 16.

'#JonahHill didn't hand me the cig which I thought was weird and then as we walked back to the door I asked him for it and he said nothing but slammed me to the door and shoved his tongue down my throat. I was so appalled I pushed him off of me and ran inside.'

She then blasted Long over allegedly inviting teenagers to his house, writing: 'Also #justinlong why the f**k did you have children at your house late night? Ew.

'Hey Justin Long I find it interesting you being in Barbarian as a predator. It must have been weird playing some of your friends.

'You knew your roommate was assaulting a minor under your own roof. You let it happen. Eek. I hope you regret it now.'

She also tweeted: 'I was 16 and #JonahHill was 24? Not okay.

'I've been traumatized by men in Hollywood. It's truly sad the traumatic events I have lodged in my body and mind. Things have to change. F**k #familyguy too.'

Referencing MacFarlane, Nikolas, who voiced a character in a 2011 episode of Family Guy when she was 18 years old, wrote: 'One day soon after more therapy we can all start talking about #sethmacfarlanes utter predatory disrespect for professional boundaries period.

'I was 18. He was my boss and he is 19 years older than me.

'Oh ya and mysteriously offered the job. Never did voice work in my entire life. Creep.'

DailyMail.com has also contacted representatives for Seth Macfarlane and Jonathan Togo for comment.

A spokesman for Justin Long told DailyMail.com: 'This is the first time Justin has been made aware of this situation that allegedly happened nearly two decades ago. While Justin is sympathetic to any and all victims of any abuse, the simple fact remains he has no knowledge of what may or may not have happened concerning Ms. Nikolas.'

Claim: Zoey 101 star Alexa Nikolas has accused Jonah Hill of 'slamming her against a door and shoving his tongue in her mouth' when she was 16 and he was 24 (Hill pictured R in 2008 aged 24)

Back then: Alexa is seen in 2008 aged 16 in LA

Role: Alexa (left) played Nicole Bristow in Zoey 101 from 2005-2006

Alleged: The actress, 31, claimed Hill, now 39 - who was accused of 'emotional abuse' by ex Sarah Brady this week, 'grabbed her and shoved his tongue down her throat' when she attended a party at Justin Long's house (Hill pictured 2008)

This comes after Brady, 26 - who dated Hill in 2021 for one year - set the internet alight on Friday by taking to Instagram to share messages allegedly sent by him that appear to reveal their past arguments - including messages outlining his parameters for a 'romantic partnership.'

In June, it was revealed that Hill had welcomed his first child with his current girlfriend Olivia Millar.

Sarah revealed why she waited until his new girlfriend gave birth before posting.

Brady took to her Instagram Story on Sunday to post a voice memo to explain the timing of her posts was out of respect toward the pregnancy of Jonah's girlfriend Olivia Millar.

She could be heard saying: 'I didn't want [Millar] to have to see all of this while she was pregnant because I didn't know what kind of stress that would cause her and her baby physically.'

The surf instructor went on to say that she knows that 'the timing can seem bad' but she is hoping that Millar had seen the posts in order to 'make an informed decision of how she wants to care for herself and her baby.

'I just hope she would receive some of these screenshots somehow through friends, like, friends of mine that I met through him that I know are good people that I know would make an effort to protect her.'

This came just a day after Brady blasted the Superbad star by taking to Instagram to share messages allegedly sent by him that appear to reveal their past arguments.

It comes less than one month after news broke that the filmmaker welcomed a baby with girlfriend Olivia Millar.

DailyMail.com reached out to Hill's representative for comment.

The rollout of damning statements against the movie producer began with an Instagram Stories post Brady shared with the caption, 'F*** it.'

The screenshot showed two messages alleged to be from Jonah on December 2, 2021.

The lengthy initial text apparently from Jonah included a list of unacceptable behaviors from Sarah if they were to be together romantically.

The new dad allegedly mentioned things including 'surfing with men,' 'inappropriate friendships with men,' and 'posting pictures of yourself in a bathing suit' that were off limits for his then-girlfriend.

He additionally stated that if Sarah 'needed' to 'model,' 'post sexual pictures,' or maintain friendships with women who were part of her 'wild recent past' then he was 'not the right partner' for her.

In another post of his alleged messages, Brady claimed that Hill only wanted her to socialize with friends whom he had 'personally approved.'

The entertainer, whose documentary Stutz came out on Netflix last year, added, 'If these things bring you to a place of happiness I support it and there will be no hard feelings. These are my boundaries for romantic partnership.'

He then clarified, 'My boundaries with you based on the ways these actions have hurt our trust.'

Sarah wrote online to her nearly 80,000 followers, 'See the misuse of the term 'boundaries'?'

In tweets published on July 8 and 9, Nikolas also alleged Long's then roommate, former CSI: Miami actor Jonathan Togo, 45, (seen left with Long in 2008) assaulted a minor friend of hers who was '16 or 17' at the party and that Long allegedly knew about it - which Long has denied

Nikolas named Togo as the alleged attacker and shared a photo of him

Claim: Nikolas claimed Hill grabbed her and forced a kiss on her in shock tweets

Nikolas also lambasted Long online - who has denied her allegations

Claim: Nikolas also accused Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane of 'predatory disrespect'

Brady spun her posts as a 'warning to all girls.'

'If your partner is talking to you like this, make an exit plan,' she captioned a screenshot that appeared to show Hill complaining about social media photos featuring her 'a** in a thong.'

'Call me if you need an ear,' she added.

After Brady appeared to have signaled that she had deleted some of the supposedly offending photos, the Wolf Of Wall Street star appeared to tell his then-girlfriend it was a 'good start' but that she didn't 'seem to get' his point.

'But it's not my place to teach you. I've made my boundaries clear,' he affirmed. 'You refuse to let go of some of them and you've made that clear and I hope it makes you happy.'

Brady maintained that her ex-boyfriend's critiques were made in an attempt to control her.

She explained that she agreed with his requests in an attempt to keep him from experiencing 'crippling anxiety.'

Interacting with her fans, Sarah admitted: 'It's been a year of healing & growth with the help of loved ones and doctors to get back to living my life without guilt, shame and self-judgment for things as small as surfing in a swimsuit rather than a more conservative wetsuit.'

She continued, 'And I'm sure there's still much more healing from this abuse ahead of me.'

The former duo first went public with their romance in August 2021 after their connection was sparked when Jonah approached her online.

On Friday Sarah said she was 'sharing this publicly now because keeping it to myself was causing more damage to my mental health than sharing it could ever do.'

She also explained she used to take the 'blame' for Hill's actions when they would speak with their therapist.

Exposed? Hill's ex Sarah Brady blasted the Superbad star by taking to Instagram to share messages allegedly sent by him that appear to reveal their past arguments; pictured in 2021

Tense: Taking to Instagram late on Friday night, the surfer blasted the 39-year-old Superbad star by sharing screenshots of their past arguments

Implicit: Brady used the caption of new Instagram post to air out her ex. She claimed he had requested that she take down the full-clothed photo

Heed: Sarah called her decision to release the private messages a 'warning to all girls'

Unleashing: Sarah posted a message thread with the caption 'you make me sick'

Insight: Sarah alleged that while dating Jonah, he had to 'personally approve' her friends

Former flames: The couple used to regularly coordinate their outfits

One wish: Sarah said she wants her ex to be held accountable

Getting personal: In part of her tirade against her ex, the athlete noted, 'I hope my ex has a daughter, maybe shell turn him into a real feminist.'

Ridiculous: In a screenshot of a conversation with another person, Brady claimed that a therapist had urged her to come up with a 'safe word'  'pineapple'  for 'when Jonah was yelling at me'

Odd standards: One snippet of conversation appeared to show Hill complaining that his then-girlfriend's 'therapist thinks I suck,' before he called himself 'literally ... the best boyfriend. On earth'

Shade: In other posts, she urged her followers to 'Boycott Stutz,' Hill's documentary about his relationship with his therapist. One included a screenshot of text saying it 'is never appropriate for a therapist to speak about themselves at length'

In part of her tirade against her ex, the athlete noted, 'I hope my ex has a daughter, maybe she'll turn him into a real feminist.

'Because the fact that he calls himself a feminist now is laughable.  If I could have one wish for him it would be that he is surrounded by feminist men who can hold him accountable to grow in the ways he has expressed he wants to.'

The law student went on to say, 'I think fame can put people in an echo chamber of viewpoints, which can enable emotionally abusive behavior.'

One snippet of conversation appeared to show Hill complaining that his then-girlfriend's 'therapist thinks I suck.'

Brady seemed to be addressing Hill when she wrote 'Gaslight much?' over one screenshot.

In the text, he appeared to complain that he was 'so lovely' to her, which he didn't feel was being reciprocated.

'I literally am the best boyfriend. On earth,' he added. She mocked the sentiment by sarcastically writing #1 Boyfriend over the screenshot and adding a photo of a smiling dog.

In other posts, she urged her followers to 'Boycott Stutz,' Hill's documentary about his relationship with his therapist. One included a screenshot of text saying it 'is never appropriate for a therapist to speak about themselves at length.'

She also clarified that just because a person is 'emotionally abusive,' it 'doesn't mean they're a terrible person.'

'At the same time, it doesn't mean it's OK,' she said.

In addition to screenshots of conversations allegedly between her and Hill, Brady also included screenshots that appeared to show her complaining about her ex with another person.

The other person said it must have made her 'feel crazy having a licensed professional tell You to Not talk to other men to keep your boyfriend from acting like a f***ing baby.'

Brady claimed that the therapist suggested she come up with a 'safe word for when Jonah was yelling at me,' which was 'pineapple.'

In June, it was revealed that Hill had welcomed his first child with his current girlfriend Olivia.

She also clarified that just because a person is 'emotionally abusive,' it 'doesnt mean theyre a terrible person,' adding, 'At the same time, it doesnt mean its OK'

Heads up: Sarah shared screen shots of her messages with Jonah that showed the actor letting her know he'd started dating another woman

Furious: Sarah told Jonah 'I'd appreciate if you'd make that woman aware of how recently you've been flirting with me, sexting me and leaning on me for partner level emotional support'. He replied by denying the timing of his new romance was 'inappropriate'

A question of timing: Jonah said it had been 'six months' since the end of the relationship. Sarah then produced a screen shot of a sexting message from mid July

'I've done nothing wrong': Jonah said he was 'deeply' let down by Sarah's reaction and felt violated by the fact she'd taken a screenshot of his sext

Hill - a self-described mental health advocate - then offered to pay for Brady's therapy for the rest of 2022 'even though you'll somehow punish me with that gesture.'

Details about the child, including the birth date, were not revealed, but his rep confirmed she gave birth in the spring of 2023.

On Monday Brady posted more exchanges - which she claimed took place on August 30 and 31 last year - around the time he moved on with Millar which he texted Brady about.

She responded: 'I'd appreciate if you make that woman aware of how recently you've been flirting with me, sexting me, and leaning on me for partner-level emotional support.'

She also shared a screengrab of him writing about 'holding my hard [censored]' in a text dated July 13, 2022, prompting the actor to confirm: 'Yes we sexted two months ago.'

Hill blasted Sarah for the screenshot, branding it 'triggering' and accusing her of breaching his trust.
After a number of recent teases Disney has finally released the much-anticipated second trailer for Star Wars: Ahsoka.

The two-minute clip sees Rosario Dawson's, 43, titular character  former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano  reunite with a number of familiar faces.

Aside from Star Wars: Rebels characters Sabine (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) and Hera (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), the exiled Jedi Padawan of Anakin Skywalker also comes face-to-face with Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen)  the character's first live action appearance  as she and Sabine search for Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfadi).

Thrawn was the main villain in Timothy Zahns Heir to the Empire book trilogy, which followed Skywalker's adventures after the events of Return of the Jedi.

Set during the same time as The Mandalorian's third season, the new trailer also features an appearance from recently-deceased actor Ray Stevenson, who portrays Baylan Skoll in the series.

New trailer! After a number of recent teases Disney has finally released the much-anticipated second trailer for Star Wars: Ahsoka, starring Rosario Dawson, 43, as the titular character

Familiar faces: The two-minute clip sees Dawson's character  Ahsoka Tano  reunite with a number of familiar faces, including Sabine (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) from Star Wars: Rebels

Thrawn: The exiled Jedi Padawan of Anakin Skywalker also comes face-to-face with Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) as she and Sabine search for Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfadi)

Back on the big screen: The new trailer also features an appearance from recently-deceased actor Ray Stevenson, who portrays Baylan Skoll

The trailer opens with Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati as they breach a New Republic vessel.

'War is inevitable,' Skoll declares.

'One must destroy, in order to create,' he adds, as Shin is pictured killing New Republic soldiers.

Meanwhile Baylan reaches the captain and menacingly states, 'We are no Jedi' before killing him with a lightsaber.

The scene then changes to Ahsoka inside of an ancient temple.

'I started hearing whispers of Thrawn's return as Heir to the Empire,' she says, as the camera pans to a carving of a Jedi on the wall.

The ruins appear to be that of a Jedi Temple or outpost.

The next scene reveals that Ahsoka's enemies are also searching for Thrawn.

War: The trailer opens with Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati as they breach a New Republic vessel. 'War is inevitable,' Skoll declares

Destruction: 'One must destroy, in order to create,' he adds, as Shin is pictured killing New Republic soldiers

Menacing: Meanwhile Baylan reaches the captain and menacingly states, 'We are no Jedi'

Searching: The next scene reveals that Ahsoka's enemies are also searching for Thrawn. Shin and Baylan are seen meeting with Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth, who shows them a star map that can lead them to Thrawn

Pleading her case: Next, Hera Syndulla meets with Chancellor Mon Mothma and other New Republic senators to petition them to take the threat of Thrawn seriously

Fighting for peace: 'I've spent most of my life fighting a war. That's why I'm trying to convince you to help me prevent another one,' she tells them

Shin and Baylan are seen meeting with Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth, who was previously defeated by Ahsoka in The Mandalorian season 2.

'What happens when we find Thrawn?' Shin asks.

'Power. Such as you've never dreamed,' Baylan replies as Elsbeth reveals a star map that can lead them to Thrawn.

The next scene shows the New Republic fleet taking flight for the first time in Star Wars history.

It's followed by a shot of Hera Syndulla flying her ship before meeting with Chancellor Mon Mothma and other New Republic senators to petition them to take the threat of Thrawn seriously.

'I've spent most of my life fighting a war. That's why I'm trying to convince you to help me prevent another one,' she tells them.

She then meets up with Ahsoka and tells her, 'You and I both know who could help you with this.'

'She's still just as stubborn as ever,' Ahsoka replies.

Interesting: She then meets up with Ahsoka and tells her, 'You and I both know who could help you with this,' to which Ahsoka replies, 'She's still just as stubborn as ever'

Trying to reason: 'I bet your master found you difficult at times,' Hera reasons with Ahsoka

Shocker! The trailer then reveals a shocking new piece of information: Sabine Wren was once Ahsoka's apprentice

Wow: 'Anakin never got to finish my training. I walked away from him, just like I walked away from Sabine,' Ahsoka reveals

Cold reunion: Despite Ahsoka's initial concerns, she decides to listen to Hera's advice and reunites with Sabine in a very tense meeting where Sabine coldly refers to Ahsoka as 'master'

Tense: 'You never made things easy for me... Master,' Sabine tells Ahsoka during their reunion

Words of wisdom from Ezra: In the next clip Sabine watches a hologram of Ezra Bridger, who stars a few wise words with her

Mandalorian: In the next scene Sabine is pictured kneeling in front of her Mandalorian helmet

Kanan Jarrus homage: The sene appears to be an homage to Kanan Jarrus, who did the same thing before his death

'I bet your master found you difficult at times,' Hera reasons with Ahsoka.

'Anakin never got to finish my training. I walked away from him, just like I walked away from Sabine.'

The trailer then reveals a shocking new piece of information: Sabine Wren was once Ahsoka's apprentice.

Despite Ahsoka's initial concerns, she decides to listen to Hera's advice and reunites with Sabine in a very tense meeting where Sabine coldly refers to Ahsoka as 'master.'

'You never made things easy for me... Master,' Sabine tells Ahsoka during their reunion.

In the next clip Sabine watches a hologram of Ezra Bridger, who stars a few wise words with her.

'As a Jedi, something you have to make the decision no one else can, but I'm counting on you to see this through,' he says.

In the next poignant scene Sabine is pictured kneeling in front of her Mandalorian helmet, in what appears to be a reference to Kanan Jarrus who did the same thing before his death.

She then cuts off her hair, before setting off on her journey.

'Nice haircut,' Ahsoka praises her new look.

Ahsoka is later seen in the midst of battle.

'Sometimes we have to do what's right regardless of our personal feelings,' she says.

Out with the old: She then cuts off her hair, before setting off on her journey

Funny: 'Nice haircut,' Ahsoka praises her new look

New look: Sabine shows off her new look but doesn't respond to her former master

Setting off: They are then seen heading off into space on their journey

Battle: Ahsoka is later seen in the midst of battle. 'Sometimes we have to do what's right regardless of our personal feelings,' she says

Villain: 'If we don't stop Thrawn, everything will be in vain,' she tells Sabine, while Thrawn finally makes his on-screen appearance

Another revelation: Later Baylan reveals that he knew Anakin Skywalker as he speaks with Ahsoka. 'Anakin spoke highly of you,' he tells her, before they begin a fierce lightsaber battle

Inquisitor: The action-packed trailer ends with Ahsoka battling the Inquisitor in a dark forest, though his/her identity is not revealed

Coming soon! Star Wars: Ahsoka is set to stream on Disney+ on August 23 with the first two episodes

'If we don't stop Thrawn, everything will be in vain,' she tells Sabine, while Thrawn finally makes his on-screen appearance. He is dressed in his white Imperial uniform, and has blue skin, and bright red eyes.

The trailer then cuts to Sabine who attempts to use the Force in a battle with Shin.

'You have no power, Shin tells her, before they duel it out with lightsabers.

Towards the end of the trailer Baylan reveals that he knew Anakin Skywalker as he speaks with Ahsoka.

'Anakin spoke highly of you,' he tells her, before they begin a fierce lightsaber battle.

The action-packed trailer ends with Ahsoka battling the Inquisitor in a dark forest, though his/her identity is not revealed.

Not shown in the clip was Hayden Christensen who will be returning in his signature role as Anakin Skywalker for the series.

Star Wars: Ahsoka is set to stream on Disney+ on August 23 with the first two episodes.
Laura Linney looked stunning at the film screening for The Miracle Club in New York City on Tuesday.

The 59-year-old Ozark actress put on an elegant display in a bright red tea dress with an asymmetrically draped neckline to celebrate the forthcoming premiere of her latest project.

The Big C star teamed the bold dress with a pair of classic black pumps and accessorized with gold jewelry.

For the special occasion, the two-time Golden Globe winner styled her strawberry blonde tresses in loose waves and a subtle blowout.

The Truman Show alum  who previously revealed she worried for her childhood friend, Brooke Shields, when she reached fame in elementary school  sported a minimal and radiant makeup look to showcase her natural beauty.

Elegant: Laura Linney looked stunning at the film screening for The Miracle Club in New York City on Tuesday. The 59-year-old Ozark actress put on an elegant display in a bright red tea dress with an asymmetrically draped neckline to celebrate the forthcoming premiere of her latest project

For a subtle flush and sun-kissed appearance, the New York native wore a light wash of peachy-pink blush.

And she looked dazzling in a bright pink, matte lip color.

At one point, she was also seen posing with the director, Thaddeus O'Sullivan, and the co-president and co-founder of Sony Pictures Classics, Michael Barker, at the event.

In the flick, Linney stars alongside Maggie Smith, Kathy Bates, Stephen Rea, Agnes O'Casey, Mark McKenna, and Martin McDonagh.

According to the synopsis, the comedy film is set in 1967 and follows the story of three generations of close friends: Lily (Smith), Eileen (Bates), and Dolly (O'Casey).

The trio live in 'a hard-knocks community in Dublin' named Ballygar and have a shared dream of winning a pilgrimage to Lourdes  'that place of miracles that draws millions of visitors each year'  in France.

When they are met with opportunity to win and go to Lourdes, they seize the chance and start making a plan.

Right before they are set to travel there, however, their old friend Chrissie (Linney) arrives in Ballygar for her mother's funeral.

Classic beauty: The Big C star teamed the bold dress with a pair of classic black pumps and accessorized with gold jewelry

Radiant: For the special occasion, the two-time Golden Globe winner styled her strawberry blonde tresses in loose waves and a subtle blowout. The Truman Show alum sported a minimal and radiant makeup look to showcase her natural beauty

Group photo: At one point, she was also seen posing with the director, Thaddeus O'Sullivan, and the co-president and co-founder of Sony Pictures Classics, Michael Barker, at the event. The Miracle Club will premiere in theaters on July 14

Supermodel: Carol Alt, 62, looked stunning in a striped metallic-colored mini dress with a plunging neckline

Ageless: The brunette bombshell looked every bit the super model as she stunned at the star-studded premiere

Catwalk queen: The runway veteran recently stunned in a swimsuit on the catwalk for the SI Swim show at Miami Swim Week

Together, they set out on 'the journey that they hope will change their lives, with Chrissie, a skeptical traveler, joining in place of her mother'.

The synopsis continues: 'The glamour and sophistication of Chrissie, who has just returned from a nearly 40-year exile in the United States, are not her only distancing traits'.

In the end, 'old wounds are reopened along the way, forcing the women to confront their pasts even as they travel in search of a miracle.'

The Miracle Club will premiere in theaters later this week on July 14.
Married At First Sight's Janelle Han was left broken hearted after her 'husband' Adam Seed cheated on her with fellow bride Claire Nomarhas on the show this year.

But the 29-year-old beauty influencer has found new love.

On Tuesday, Janelle sent fans wild when she soft launched her new romance by posting a loved-up selfie to her Instagram page.

In the photo, the blonde beauty is seen smiling while linking arms with her mystery beau in Melbourne.

Daily Mail Australia understands the pair have been dating for several weeks now after meeting him on a night out.

Married At First Sight's Janelle Han has teased a new romance after her TV 'husband' Adam Seed cheated on her with another bride

Han has chosen to keep his identity under wraps.

Both Janelle's followers and co-stars couldn't contain their excitement with the post.

Duncan James commented a series of rockets, while Caitlin McConville wrote: 'I spy with my little eye.' Another asked: 'Is that a soft launch?'

Both Janelle's followers and co-stars couldn't contain their excitement with the post. Duncan James commented a series of rockets, while Caitlin McConville wrote: 'I spy with my little eye.' Another asked: 'Is that a soft launch?'

Janelle was previously linked to co-star Jesse Burford after forming a connection to him after they 'trauma bonded' after their partners on the show, Adam and Claire, cheated on them with each other.

While Janelle has admitted she and Jesse have kissed, they didn't explore their relationship any further as she moved from Perth to Sydney and he still lives in Western Australia.

'There was a moment before I left for Sydney that me and Jesse were hanging out heaps, it was at the peak of when the cheating scandal came out and potentially [it was] a trauma bond but we grew very close and we did share one peck,' she said.

Janelle was previously linked to Jesse Burford after forming a connection to him after they 'trauma bonded' after their partners , Adam and Claire, cheated on them with each other

The podcast hosts pressed Janelle on exactly what sort of kiss it was and if anything more happened, but the MAFS bride said there was 'no tongue'.

'There was a period where we both definitely liked each other, I was drunk one night and I told him that I had a low-key crush on him,' she explained.

'But he's been pretty vocal that I am his type as well, so it wasn't weird territory,' Janelle added.
Chris Hemsworth and his Spanish actress wife Elsa Pataky enjoyed a romantic date in Madrid last month.

The happy couple looked inseparable as they exited their luxury hotel and made their way to a restaurant.

Elsa, 46, looked effortlessly chic yet casual in a yellow sun dress with loose sleeves and a plunging neckline.

She teetered on a pair of chunky wedges and added a designer twist to the ensemble by accessorising with a Fendi handbag.

Meanwhile Chris, 39, also went for a low-key look by sporting a scoop-neck khaki coloured T-shirt, baggy black pants and Golden Goose sneakers.

Chris Hemsworth and his Spanish actress wife Elsa Pataky enjoyed a romantic date in Madrid last month

The happy couple both looked casual and relaxed as they strolled to their destination

Despite attempting to keep a low profile, a few fans recognised them on the street, with one even requesting a selfie from the Thor star.

The pair have been on holiday in Spain and Ibiza the past week, sharing a glimpse at their luxurious getaway to social media.

On Tuesday, Chris posted a series of images to Instagram in which he and the Spanish actress were partying aboard a boat.

'A little fun in the sun in Spain,' Chris wrote in the caption alongside the photos, which showed the genetically blessed couple in swimwear.

Elsa, 46, was effortlessly chic yet casual in a yellow sun dress with loose sleeves and a plunging neckline

The actress teetered on a pair of chunky wedges and added a designer twist to the ensemble by accessorising with a Fendi handbag

Chris, 39, showed off his famously fit physique in a pair of black boardshorts as he hammed it up on the vessel.

Elsa, 46, looked stunning in a green bikini, squealing with delight as she and her hunky husband dived off the bough of the boat into the crisp ocean.

In other images, Chris had fun with the couple's children on the shore before taking part in a little snorkeling.

The Byron Bay-based couple were sure to document the stunning vista and ocean views around them as they set sail.

Despite attempting to keep a low profile, a few fans recognised them on the street

The Thor actor was forced to stop and take a selfie with an adoring fan

The family earlier travelled to Ibiza after celebrating Chris's father Craig's 68th birthday in Greece.

The Hollywood hunk also partied alongside his parents and best pal Matt Damon last week on the Greek island of Mykonos.

Guests travelled far and wide to attend the exclusive destination-soiree.

The exclusive guest list included Matt and his wife Luciana Barroso, Chris and Australian model Gabriella Brooks - girlfriend of Liam - radio personality Lauren Phillips and her partner, AVMIN air boss Paul O'Brien.

All eyes were on the Hollywood A-listers as they crossed the street together

The pair were joined by a female friend as they headed to a restaurant together

Fellow Byron Bay locals joined the festivities including Anthony 'The Cat' Catalano and his wife Stefanie, who were holidaying in nearby Ithaca.

The former Domain boss owns Byron's Bay's legendary Rae's on Wategos beach and is a notable figure in the north coast town now synonymous with A-listers.

Australian DJ Kaz James - who has a summer residence on the party Island was another likely guest at Craig Hemsworth's soiree.
Sarah Michelle Gellar was one fashionable flyer as she jetted out of Los Angeles with her family on Tuesday.

The Buffy The Vampire Slayer actress, 46, was spotted departing LAX with her husband Freddie Prinze Jr., 47, and their two children, Charlotte and Rocky.

Sarah, who attended the Canneseries International Festival in April, wore a jean jacket, black top, and billowing white trousers and a 'love' trucker hat worn over her blonde locks.

Eyes shielded behind black sunnies, she pushed a lime green suitcase through the transport pub and carried a baby pink purse on her wrist.

Her feet were comfortably slipped into chunky white trainers.

Family trip! Sarah Michelle Gellar was one fashionable flyer as she jetted out of Los Angeles with her family on Tuesday

As for her husband, Freddie looked stylish in an arty zip-up jacket, blue trousers, and sunnies.

Sarah has been married to fellow actor Freddie Prinze Jr. since 2002, after they met on the set of the 1997 horror film I Know What You Did Last Summer.

The '90s Hollywood 'it' couple went on to star as Fred and Daphne in both Scooby-Doo live-action films in 2002 and 2004.

Sarah recently discussed ageing as she covered NewBeauty magazine's March edition.

'It can be hard when you've been in the public eye for a long time, but I think that I'm the worst at comparing myself to what I used to look like. I'm harder on myself than the public is,' she explained.

In the interview with the magazine, the actress said she likes to care of her mental health.

Sarah admitted that she realised she wasn't taking proper care of herself in the pandemic.

'I keep telling my husband that I feel like I've aged so much in those three years of having the kids home and homeschooling and all that!' she noted.

Hat's off to her style! Sarah wore a jean jacket, black top, and billowing white trousers and a 'love' trucker hat worn over her blonde locks

Standing out! Her belongings were wheeled about in a lime green suitcase

On her husband's response, she said: 'He keeps saying, "You didn't age anymore in those three years than any other three years," but it sure feels like I did!'

It comes following the news that a streaming series based on iconic 1999 teen film Cruel Intentions is in the works at Amazon.

The movie, which starred Sarah, Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe as ruthless Manhattan prep school students has become a cult classic since its release almost 25 years ago.

According to TVLine, the project was scheduled to go into production in June, with physical production set to occur in Toronto.

Insiders stated that the show was in development for Amazon's Freevee service, although it could potentially be moved to Prime Video.
Eight years after she proudly showed off her tattoo tribute to then-husband Brian Austin Green, SI Swimsuit cover girl Megan Fox finally covered up the intimate ink located on the right side of her pelvis.

Now instead of the word 'Brian' in cursive, the 37-year-old mother-of-three has a witchy black snake coiling its tail around flowers.

'Thanks for your trust @meganfox,' SYZYGY Precision Tattooing owner Jesse wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.

'Was able to completely hide the old tattoo underneath the new snake and flowers she wanted... Very grateful for all of the [opportunities] tattooing has given me and all of the cool people I've met along the way.'

After nine years of marriage, Fox legally separated from the 49-year-old 90210 alum in November 2019 and their divorce was finalized on February 8, 2022 - according to TMZ.

End of an era! Eight years after she proudly showed off her tattoo tribute to then-husband Brian Austin Green, SI Swimsuit cover girl Megan Fox finally covered up the intimate ink located on the right side of her pelvis (pictured in 2015)

Improvement? Now instead of the word 'Brian' in cursive, the 37-year-old mother-of-three (pictured Tuesday) has a witchy black snake coiling its tail around flowers

Hands up! And that wasn't the only tatt the Tennessee-born bombshell got on Tuesday as she also had several red fine-line designs etched on to her fingers by Los Angeles-based tattoo artist Sydney Smith

Megan and Brian will next celebrate the seventh birthday of the youngest of their three sons -Journey River Green - on August 4.

Green welcomed his fifth child - son Zane Walker - 13 months ago with his babymama, Dancing with the Stars Australia judge Sharna Burgess.

And that wasn't the only tatt the Tennessee-born bombshell got on Tuesday as she also had several red fine-line designs etched on to her fingers by Los Angeles-based tattoo artist Sydney Smith.

Fox's left hand now has tiny stars, crosses, moon, dots, a necklace, and the number 11.

Megan's right hand now has tiny dots, stars, crucifix necklace, eyeball, a bow-tie shape, and the number 11.

The Diablo IV paid partner also showed off her brand new silver metallic manicure applied by Nails of LA founder Britteny Boyce.

Fox has not been pictured with her on/off fiance - Grammy nominee Machine Gun Kelly - since they left their London hotel hand-in-hand on May 31.

The 33-year-old pop-punk rocker - whose daughter Casie Colson Baker (with ex Emma Cannon) turns 14 on July 24 - will next bring his summer tour to Grona Lund in Stockholm this Wednesday.

Throwback: Megan pictured January 15, 2015 in Hawaii

SYZYGY Precision Tattooing owner Jesse wrote on Instagram on Tuesday: 'Thanks for your trust @meganfox...Was able to completely hide the old tattoo underneath the new snake and flowers she wanted'

It's over: After nine years of marriage, Fox legally separated from the 49-year-old 90210 alum in November 2019 (pictured in 2019) and their divorce was finalized on February 8, 2022

2019 family portrait: Megan and Brian will next celebrate the seventh birthday of the youngest of their three sons -Journey River Green - on August 4

June 28 family portrait: Green welcomed his fifth child - son Zane Walker (R) - 13 months ago with his babymama, Dancing with the Stars Australia judge Sharna Burgess (2-R)

Obsessed! Fox's left hand now has tiny stars, crosses, moon, dots, a necklace, and the number 11

Symbols: Megan's right hand now has tiny dots, stars, crucifix necklace, eyeball, a bow-tie shape, and the number 11

Talons: The Diablo IV paid partner also showed off her brand new silver metallic manicure applied by Nails of LA founder Britteny Boyce

Still going strong? Fox has not been pictured with her on/off fiance - Grammy nominee Machine Gun Kelly (R) - since they left their London hotel hand-in-hand on May 31

Megan and MGK (born Colson Baker) - who reconciled in March after a month-long split - famously drank each other's blood after getting engaged on January 11, 2022; and they originally met in 2020 on the set of Midnight in the Switchgrass.

The Johnny & Clyde actress will next portray knife expert Lee Christmas' (Jason Statham) CIA agent ex-girlfriend Gina in Scott Waugh's action-packed four-quel Expend4bles, which hits US/UK theaters on September 22.

The $100M-budget Lionsgate flick also stars Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, and Andy Garcia.
Jenna Dewan is sharing snaps from her recent getaway to paradise.

The Step Up actress, 42, posted a slew of shots from her idyllic trip to Punta Mita, Mexico onto her Instagram Stories on Tuesday - including a few sizzling bikini snaps.

Jenna wowed in a sexy hot pink swim suit as she enjoyed a virgin daiquiri in her relaxing lounge area.

She still had sand on her body as she kicked back in the shaded accommodations with her pink sunglasses shielding her eyes.

In another snap, she displayed her svelte body as she displayed her radiant, makeup-free complexion for the camera.

Beach babe! Jenna Dewan shared several bikini snaps from her recent getaway to Mexico on Tuesday

The Rookie actress sported a stylish wide-brim straw hat, a delicate gold choker necklace, and a tote slung over her shoulder.

She gave a shout-out to Khloe Kardashian's line Good American for the swimsuit and FARM Rio for their trousers.

Jenna also shared snaps of her posing in a sexy black swimsuit with a cut-out displaying her gym-honed body.

The snaps appeared to be throwback photos, as she was seen enjoying a trip to Puerto Vallarta several weeks ago with her daughter Everly, whom she shares with ex-husband Channing Tatum.

At 10, Everly, whom the family call Evie, is nearly as tall as her mother.

She has followed in her parents' footsteps, and has developed a love for Irish Dancing.

In an April interview with Access Hollywood, the Soundtrack star described the fifth grader's affinity for the art.

'I know it sounds bizarre, but as a little kid, she loved Irish folklore,' the proud mom revealed.

Toned and terrific! She displayed her svelte abs as she posed with a smile on her face

Simply stunning! Jenna also shared snaps of her posing in a sexy black swimsuit with a cut-out displaying her gym-honed body

'And Chan [Channing] is Irish, but it wasn't like a big thing in our house.'

Jenna explained Evie wanted to start learning Irish dancing after watching the movie Riverdance.

'So we found a dance class and it just took off, she loves it.' the doting mama said.

'She's winning medals and I'm back there cheering her, wearing a shirt that says Irish Dance Mom.'

Strike a pose: She displayed her sexy swimsuit as she posed before a mirror

'I was like, "I'm officially a dance mom. It happened."'

Jenna's hit show, The Rookie, has been renewed for a sixth season.

However, due to the ongoing writers strike which began May 2, it's unclear when any new scripts will be ready, or when the show will go back into production.

In terms of her personal life, Jenna is engaged to actor Steve Kazee. They share three-year-old son Callum together.
Garcelle Beauvais gave an update on Tuesday on her Bravo co-star Kyle Richards after her shocking split from husband Mauricio Umansky.

The 56-year-old actress spoke exclusively to Page Six at the premiere of the Netflix show Survival Of The Thickest about Kyle, 54, after it was reported last week that she and Mauricio, 53, were separating after 27 years of marriage.

Garcelle stars with Kyle on The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills and checked in on her after her and Mauricio's marriage woes became public.

'I just texted her and said, ''[Are you] OK?'' And she replied  I didn't expect a reply for days  but she just said she's hanging in there,' Garcelle said.

Kyle and Mauricio issued a joint statement last week on Instagram that denied they were divorcing, while also admitting to going through a rough patch in their marriage.

Bravo star: Garcelle Beauvais gave an update on Tuesday on her Bravo co-star Kyle Richards after her shocking split from husband Mauricio Umansky

'Any claims regarding us divorcing are untrue. However, yes, we have had a rough year. The most challenging one of our marriage. But we both love and respect each other tremendously,' the statement read.

'There has been no wrongdoing on anyone's part. Although we are in the public eye, we ask to be able to work through our issues privately. While it may be entertaining to speculate, please do not create false stories to fit a further salacious narrative,' their statement concluded.

Kyle and Mauricio despite their split have been putting on a united co-parenting front for their daughters Alexia, 27, Sophia, 23, and Portia, 15.

The reality star last week shared festive snaps with the real estate broker on Instagram as they spent the Fourth of July together.

In an album posted to Mauricio's Instagram, he and Kyle took in a parade and a fly-past with Alexia and Portia, as well as Alexia's boyfriend Jake Zingerman.

Mauricio still had a ring on his wedding finger as he and Kyle posed for a picture as a pair, accompanied by their dog Storm.

Viewers will be able to watch the immediate aftermath of their separation on season 13 of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills.

Longtime couple: Kyle and Mauricio, shown in April in Beverly Hills, issued a joint statement last week on Instagram that denied they were divorcing, while also admitting to going through a rough patch in their marriage

Rough year: 'Any claims regarding us divorcing are untrue. However, yes, we have had a rough year. The most challenging one of our marriage. But we both love and respect each other tremendously,' the statement read

Reality stars: Garcelle, Sutton Stracke and Kyle are shown last October at BravoCon in New York City

United front: The reality star and real estate broker shared festives snaps on Instagram as they spent the Fourth of July together

Filming on season 13 ended in May, but the stars of the show will be back in front of cameras to discuss the shock split this week, according to an article on Monday by TMZ.

Production isn't expected to last especially long, with filmmakers aiming to capture the aftermath and some talking points about the separation.

Kyle and Mauricio 'have been separated for a while now but are still living under the same roof,' an insider told People last week. 'They remain amicable as they figure out what's next for them and their family.'

Mauricio and Kyle got married in January of 1996 and welcomed their three daughters Alexia, Sophia, and Portia. Maurici also became stepfather to Kyle's daughter Farrah Aldjufrie, 34, from her first marriage to Guraish Aldjufrie.
Edwina Bartholomew shared some never before seen pictures of her office space on Wednesday as the Sunrise team packed up to move to a new location.

The television presenter, 40, took some snaps of her photo wall which documented all her happiest memories during her long stint in the breakfast studio.

'Packing up our Sunrise office to head to our new studio,' she captioned the series of images she shared to Instagram.

The Stories began with a snap shot of her entire photo wall before flicking to an image of Edwina sitting on top of a car.

She sat smiling with the team at S**tbox Rally as they drove through the Australian outback to raise money for cancer research.

Edwina Bartholomew, 40, (pictured) shared some never before seen pictures of her office space on Wednesday as the Sunrise team packed up to move to a new location

Next was a picture of Edwina having fun in the snow as she played with a couple of dogs during a trip to Canada.

The blonde beauty also took a tropical trip with cameraman Luke Miers and learned how to use a kayak in a pool to promote Tourism Fiji.

She followed it up with a memory of herself rugged up and fishing outside a luxury log cabin at Moonbah Huts in the Snowy Mountains.

The television presenter took some snaps of her photo wall which documented all her happiest memories during her long stint in the breakfast studio

'Packing up our Sunrise office to head to our new studio,' she captioned the series of images she shared to Instagram

Finally, Edwina shared a happy snap of herself from 10 years ago when she flew to London to report on the Olympics.

She ended the reel of photos with an image of all the media passes she's acquired through the years which gave her access to some of the most exclusive events.

Some of those events included the Super Bowl, The Emmy Awards, The Oscars, Cannes Film Festival, the Olympics, and a royal visit.

Edwina sat smiling with the team at S**tbox Rally as they drove through the Australian outback to raise money for cancer research

Next was a picture of Edwina having fun in the snow as she played with a couple of dogs during a trip to Canada

The blonde beauty also took a tropical trip with cameraman Luke Miers and learned how to use a kayak in a pool to promote Tourism Fiji

It comes as Sunrise's 19-year history of broadcasting from Sydney's iconic Martin Place in the Sydney CBD is about to end, after a lease sign went up out front in February.

It seems Edwina is one of the last of the Channel Seven staff to make the move and join their colleagues at Eveleigh in the inner suburb of Redfern.

The move to Eveleigh, which started in 2018, will for the first time in 40 years bring all divisions of Seven Sydney together in one place.

Moving out of 52 Martin Place was supposed to be completed by the end of 2022, but it seems it has taken far longer to get everyone accommodated in the new studio.

She followed it up with a memory of herself rugged up and fishing outside a luxury log cabin at Moonbah Huts in the Snowy Mountains

Finally, Edwina shared a happy snap of herself from 10 years ago when she flew to London to report on the Olympics
She's never shied away from flaunting her incredible figure.

And Luisa Zissman set pulses racing in a pair of sexy images as she enjoyed a summer getaway in Beverly Hills.

The Apprentice star, 35, flaunted her incredible figure in an eye-catching neon pink bikini in a pair of snaps as she prepared for another day of sunbathing.

Luisa proudly showcased her washboard abs in the plunging pink bikini top and matching bottoms in a pair of mirror images.

Showing off the results of her gruelling fitness regime, the star wowed in the colourful two-piece.

Sizzling! Luisa Zissman, 35, proudly flaunted her incredible figure in a neon pink bikini in a pair of racy Instagram snaps from her trip to Beverly Hills

Racy! The Apprentice star proudly showcased her washboard abs in the plunging pink bikini top and matching bottoms in a pair of mirror images

Hours after arriving in California, Luisa also reunited with her pal Sam Faiers, taking to Instagram Stories to share a beaming selfie while enjoying cocktails together.

Luisa recently courted controversy when she revealed she'd had her beloved pet horse Madrono stuffed.

The star, who is a horse lover, has white stallion Madrono on display in her living room window after the animal died in 2019 and was stuffed in 2022.

Luisa, who is a mother-of-one, opted to keep the animal in her life by undergoing the process with skilled taxidermist Simon Wilson over a two-month period.

The move, which was delayed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, proved to be divisive among social media followers, with some branding her 'creepy' for wanting a constant reminder of its death.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain in 2021, shortly after Wilson reunited Luisa with her horse, she admitted it was impossible to say goodbye to Madrono.

She explained: 'I suppose everyone deals with grief in different ways. He's so majestic and so beautiful so I didn't want to let go of him...

'When I knew Madrono had to be put to sleep I went to Simon and said I couldn't bear to not see him again.

Besties! Hours after arriving in California, Luisa also reunited with her pal Sam Faiers, taking to Instagram Stories to share a beaming selfie while enjoying cocktails together

Unusual: Luisa recently courted controversy when she revealed she'd had her beloved pet horse Madrono stuffed

'I couldn't describe it, I just wanted him with me forever.'

Recalling how she felt after seeing him stuffed for the first time, she said: 'It made me really happy!

'Like you said he's a work of art, he's a sculpture. For me I just wanted him to live forever I guess and be this amazing piece of art, this sculpture, I was so privileged to own him.'

She added: 'I was pretty grief stricken, I had quite a hard time after Madrono died, some people might find that strange but we're a nation of animal lovers so I hope some people with understand.'

Since Madrono's death, the animal lover has acquired four more horses.
Patrons at two American cinemas were given more than they bargained for as the settled down to watch for summer blockbuster Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One on Tuesday.

Fans of the action franchise piled into Atlanta's Regal Atlantic Station and Miami's AMC Sunset Place, where they were treated to a guest appearance by none other than Mr. Ethan Hunt himself - otherwise known as Hollywood star Tom Cruise.

The actor flashed his famous grin as he welcomed guests before introducing the film, the seventh instalment in a seemingly endless franchise that once again sees Cruise, 61, perform all of his daredevil stunts himself.

Dressed in a casual short-sleeved polo shirt - pink for Miami, blue for Atlanta - he posed for selfies, shook hands and even fist bumped star-struck fans at the events, presented by Paramount Pictures and Skydance.

The hard-working actor, accompanied by Mission: Impossible director Christopher McQuarrie, travelled from one cinema to the other while promoting the film, which officially opens on July 12.

Main man: Tom Cruise made guest appearances at a special screening of his new film Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One in Atlanta and Miami on Tuesday (pictured in Miami)

Say cheese: The Hollywood actor flashed his famous grin as he posed for selfies at Regal Atlantic Station ahead of the screening (pictured in Atlanta)

Cruise is seen coming off the motorbike and free-falling for several seconds before pulling a parachute cord in one thrilling action sequence from the new film.

And in a new interview he detailed just what it took to pull that death-defying move, with Tom explaining that there was a 'no-go point' on the ramp during filming.

Cruise revealed that after reaching a certain point on the ramp, he couldn't 'slow down' and had to keep going, even if other factors in the stunt were not correct - with the star admitting that at one point he was thrown 'a little off' course due to 'crosswinds.'

Speaking to Sian Welby on Capital Breakfast, he said: 'Theres a lot going on, theres a lot of preparation to figure that out. The amount of knowledge that goes into something like that, its very exciting.

'I enjoy learning, you know I enjoy pushing cinema in that way, but even just as Im going, the helicopter thats going over, I had to be in sync with that helicopter, because if hes in the wrong position, hes going to blow me off the ramp.

'If I can do these things, but if we dont get the shot, we dont get the shot, and also you can see in the electronic press kit, that Im jumping out of a helicopter just before I do it because I have to test the wind currents in the bowl.'

He added: 'They change very quickly so as soon as I do that jump, you can see that when I opened, I was a little off because I had a crosswind and as I, my shoulder was a little up and the parachute opened and the second it opens it was pulling me into the side of the mountain, so I had to quickly, once you pull you have to be quickly ready to adjust the direction of the parachute.'

The film star went on to say that it's not only safety he considers when jumping but also his acting skills too and how it delivers on screen.

Centre of attention: Cruise was surrounded by selfie and autograph hunters at the event

Over here: Fans clamoured for his attention as he appeared in front of a projection screen with director Christopher McQuarrie for a surprise introduction to the film

Upbeat: The actor appeared to be in high spirits as he introduced the seventh instalment in a seemingly endless film franchise

Loving it: Cruise posed for selfies, shook hands and even fist bumped star-struck fans at the event, presented by Paramount Pictures and Skydance

Making their day: Two teenage boys were given something to remember as Cruise obliged them with a photo on Tuesday evening

While he also explained timing, position and speed is so important, with him explaining that once he gets past a certain point on the ramp, there's no going back - even if everything else isn't perfect.

He said: ''And theres also performance that Im thinking of, you have to feel and see you know, have the audience see that that is acting, plus I have to know the speed of the bike, the helicopter, if hes in the wrong position.

'I have a go and a no-go point, where there is a point on that ramp where I know Im committed and I can slow down, but I cant come off the throttle at that point. If Im going to stop, I really have to, theres a go, no-go point, its like right at this point, youre in.

'And even if the helicopter, the drones are in the wrong position, once I pass that point, no matter what Im committed, and I cant slow down. I have to go as fast as I can off the edge of that ramp.'

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One is officially released across cinemas on July 12.

New pal: Three young fans lookjed thrilled as they met the action here in the flesh at Atlanta's t Regal Atlantic Station

Popular: Cruise and McQuarrie posed for a group shot with guests before departing the theatre on Tuesday

No room at the inn: Miami's AMC Sunset Place was packed to the rafters as Cruise and McQuarrie made their appearance ahead of the screening

Action packed: Veteran star Cruise once again performs all his own stunts in the new film
Hailey Bieber channeled her inner Barbie in a pink halterneck minidress as she shared a fun TikTok video on Tuesday.

With the new film starring Margot Robbie as the pink obsessed Mattel character on the verge of release, Hailey, 26, showcased her sensational figure in the plunging ribbed pink number while striking a series of poses.

She showed off her glowing bronzed tan in the eye catching outfit, accessorised with a simple gold choker and a pair of chunky drop earrings.

The American star styled her long dark tresses by pulling them back from a centre parting into a neat updo.

Hailey applied a flawless palette of makeup to accentuate her beauty including perfectly sculpted brows and blushed cheeks.

Glowing: Hailey Bieber commanded attention in a pink halterneck mini dress as she shared a fun TikTok video on Tuesday

Stunning: The model, 26, showcased her sensational figure in the plunging ribbed pink number as she posed up a storm for selfies in the clip

She appeared to be in high spirits as she struck a number of poses in front of an outdoor seating area while Barbie World by Aqua and Nicki Minaj played over the top.

It comes after Hailey finally revealed why she decided to wear a 'nepo baby' crop top that caused headlines back in January.

She was named in the infamous December 2022 'nepo babies' article, with the term referring to a child of famous parents.

But unlike some of her peers, Hailey didn't shy away from the controversial label.

The beauty brand owner - who is the daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin and graphic designer Kennya Baldwin - proudly rocked a cropped 'Nepo Baby' T-shirt as she stepped out in Los Angeles just weeks after the article was published.

'The nepo baby T-shirt was just meant to be my little comment on the whole discourse that had been going around,' she said in an interview with Bloomberg on earlier this month.

'And, you know, my point to having worn the T-shirt was not to poke fun at it or be like, "Yeah, I'm a nepo baby" and ha ha type of thing.'

'It was more so to be like this is what everyone is saying, and I want you to know this is my way of responding to it and my way of acknowledging it.

Incredible: She showed off her glowing bronzed tan in the eye catching outfit which she accessorised with a simple gold choker and a pair of chunky drop earrings

Glamorous: The stunner turned up the heat as she styled her long dark tresses into a neat up do and applied a flawless palette of makeup to accentuate her beauty

Having fun: She seemed in high spirits as she struck a number of poses in front of an outdoor seating area while Barbie World by Aqua and Nicki Minaj played over the top

'In a way that is so overly literal that it's like, "I'm just going to call myself a nepo baby because I am one and I embrace that I am," she said.

Hailey revealed she enjoyed wearing the controversial piece, since she had 'mixed' reactions to it.

'I'm like, "So you're going to sit there and call me a nepo baby all day long but then I acknowledge it and then I'm not enough of a nepo baby?"

'So, it's like, there is never any winning with the internet.'

Hailey exuded confidence as she strutted through the indoor parking lot in the statement-making tee.

The term nepo babies was coined online and is used to describe celebrity offspring who land easily in the world of showbiz, cushioned by their parents' famous names.
Millie Court looked sensational as she posed in a revealing pink bikini top and high waisted bottoms looking back on her dream holiday to Mykonos.

The Love Island star, 25, looked confident and enticed fans as she posed winking for the camera.

She teamed the baby pink bikini with hot pink earrings and a shell necklace, and showed off her golden glow surrounded by tropical palm trees.

Captioning her Instagram snap on Tuesday, she wrote: 'Pink to make ME wink' - and fans agreed pink was her colour.

She wore natural makeup, doing her brows and using highlighter to show off her high cheekbones.

Pretty in pink: Millie Court showed off her incredible figure in a skimpy bikini as she reminisced on her Mykonos trip in an Instagram post on Tuesday

Natural: The Love Island star looked a natural stunner as she wore minimal makeup and accessories

Followers flocked to compliment the reality star, commenting on her fit physique and even likening her to Barbie.

She was joined on the holiday by fellow Love Island star Chloe Burrows, Chloe's sister Ellie Burrows and a few other close friends, including Lucy Archer.

Millie posted a series of photos after the dream trip, captioning the post 'Mykonos Archives' and gleamed alongside her friends.

In the first snap, she wore red lipstick which complimented her tan and trusted shell necklace, Ellie Burrows was quick to comment 'miss this,' alongside a crying face emoji.

The star was also reminiscing a few days prior and posted an Insta reel, paired with Peggy Gou's (It Goes Like) Nanana, showing off her adventures.

She captioned the reel: 'Nothing beats memories like this,' adding 'This is your sign to book Mykonos with your friends!!' and tagged her fellow travellers.

Chloe commented: 'Best video ever I laughed my head off LOOOOVVEEEE.'

The star shared more snaps while at the sunny resort, and posted a sizzling sunset picture in a red dress, which she claimed made her the real life salsa dancer emoji.

Glowing: Millie glowed alongside her friend in a slew of holiday snaps which she posted after the trip, she wore red lipstick and her trusted shell necklace

Red hot: Millie posed in sizzling red co-ord at sunset on the Mykonos beach, she paired the look with gold earrings and shimmery makeup

Millie is no stranger to a sunny trip away and posted snaps from her trip to the Bahamas not long before her Mykonos adventures.

The reality star showed off her glowing tan in a series of Instagram snaps as she posed with her sister Jessie and mum Esme.

She wore her long blonde tresses in a bun and wore matching sea-shell necklaces with her sister as they sipped on cocktails.

In pale yellow swimwear she posed next to pigs at the famous Exuma Bay, and claimed in her Instagram post it was the 'Best day eva'.

Beaming: Millie is no stranger to a sunny trip away and posted snaps from her trip to the Bahamas not long before her Mykonos adventures

Trio: Millie posed next to mum (middle) and Jessie (left) as they enjoyed a day at the beach sipping on cocktails

Cute: The Love Island alum shared posed in a matching white bikini and a gorgeous wrap to match
Matt Damon looked every inch the doting dad as he departed the Oppenheimer premiere in Paris on Tuesday with his daughter Stella.

The actor, 52, seemed in high spirits as he his youngest child, 12, sweetly supported him at the Cinema Le Grand Rex to celebrate his new biopic.

Following the showing, the father and daughter were spotted exiting the French cinema at the star studded event and headed for a waiting car.

For the occasion, Matt cut a dapper figure in a smart navy blue suit, which he teamed with a plain white T-shirt and brown boots.

He wore his silver locks in a slicked back style and appeared to be in jovial spirits as he smiled and waved at photographers.

Amazing: Matt Damon looked every inch the doting dad as he departed the Oppenheimer premiere in Paris on Tuesday with his daughter Stella, 12

Sweet: The actor, 52, seemed in high spirits as he his youngest child sweetly supported him at the Cinema Le Grand Rex to celebrate his new biopic

He was sweetly supported by three of his children during the night Alexia, 24, 14-year-old Gia and Stella and two of their friends. Matt is also dad to Isabella, 17.

Matt shares Isabella, Gia and Stella with his wife Luciana Barroso, while he also adopted her daughter Alexia from her previous relationship with Arbello Barroso.

Matt and Luciana met while the Oscar-winner was filming Stuck On You in Miami in April 2003 and she was working in a bar.

After the couple got engaged in September 2005, they wed nearly three months later in a private civil ceremony at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau.

The couple have been going strong ever since and often make very loved-up appearances together.

At the premiere, Matt also smiled for snaps with a whole host of his co-stars, including Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr.

Matt is starring as Lieutenant General Leslie Groves - an engineer who directed the Manhattan Project.

Home time: Following the showing, the father and daughter were spotted exiting the French cinema at the star studded event and headed for a waiting car

For the occasion: Matt cut a dapper figure in a smart navy blue suit, which he teamed with a plain white T-shirt and brown boots

Looking good: Meanwhile Stella looked simply stunning in a long black dress

Meanwhile, Cillian is playing Dr J. Robert Oppenheimer, the 'father of the atomic bomb', in the 81million blockbuster directed by Christopher Nolan.

The cast is also made up of Florence Pugh - who plays Oppenheimer's mistress - Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek and Josh Hartnett.

Oppenheimer was the director of the laboratory which designed the atomic bomb during World War Two as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project.

The film is being adapted from the 2006 book American Prometheus: The Triumph And Tragedy Of J. Robert Oppenheimer, by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.

The book, which won the Pulitzer Prize, details Oppenheimer's personal life and his time leading the Manhattan Project in the early and mid-1940s.

Daughters: He was sweetly supported by his daughters Alexia, 24, 14-year-old Gia and Stella and two of their friends. Matt is also dad to Isabella, 17

Love life: Matt and Luciana (pictured in June) met while the Oscar-winner was filming Stuck On You in Miami in April 2003 and she was working in a bar and tied the knot two years later

Thriller: Oppenheimer stars Cillian as Dr J. Robert Oppenheimer, the 'father of the atomic bomb', and has been directed by Christopher Nolan
Lottie Moss nailed gothic chic on Tuesday night as she rocked an all black ensemble while leaving Italian restaurant Il Trillo in Fulham, London.

The model, 25, rocked a sheer black skirt and fishnet tights teamed with a casual hoodie while walking with hair colourist pal Andrei Alexe following their meal.

Lottie certainly caught the eye with her striking look, teaming her hoodie and skirt combo with a pair of chunky black lace-up boots and a floral choker.

The younger sister of Kate, 49, added a silver tote bag to her ensemble and finished things off with a selection of silver rings.

She swept her blonde locks into a loose, high ponytail while she appeared to go make-up free for the outing.

Gothic style: Lottie Moss nailed gothic chic on Tuesday night as she rocked an all black ensemble while leaving Italian restaurant Il Trillo in Fulham, London

Outing: The model, 25, rocked a sheer black skirt and fishnet tights teamed with a casual hoodie while walking with hair colourist pal Andrei Alexe following their meal

Catching the eye: The duo were sure to turn heads as they both rocked gothic-style black outfits for their dinner outing

Lottie was seen deep in concentration with stylist Andrei, who works his hair magic at Hershesons salon in London's Berners Street and who this year was voted in the top 10 of Londons best hair colourists by Harper's Bazaar.

Lottie's dinner outing comes after she sent temperatures soaring as she was spotted leaving celebrity hotspot Chiltern Firehouse in London at 4am on Sunday morning.

The bleary-eyed model flaunted her figure in a sheer black dress as she was joined by an older American lawyer Christian Leathley.

Lottie's frock left almost nothing to the imagination as she wore only a skimpy lingerie beneath.

The beauty completed the look with a black leather jacket and strutted her stuff in a pair of matching heels that strapped up her toned legs.

The latest outing comes as Lottie is starring on Celebs Go Dating alongside presenter Vanessa Feltz, 61, and Love Island's Chloe Burrows, 27.

And dating agent Anna Williamson, 41, told how Kate Moss, 49, 'could learn some upsetting things' about her younger sister Lottie, should she tune in to the show.

However, supermodel Kate is unlikely to watch the show with Lottie previously revealing she 'doesn't really know' her older half-sister and their relationship is so distant that 'she doesn't reply to my texts'.

Style: Lottie certainly caught the eye with her striking look, teaming her hoodie and skirt combo with a pair of chunky black lace-up boots and a floral choker

Fashion: Lottie flashed her legs beneath her sheer black tiered skirt

Details: The younger sister of Kate, 49, added a silver tote bag to her ensemble and finished things off with a selection of silver rings

Dressed up: She swept her blonde locks into a loose, high ponytail while she appeared to go make-up free for the outing

Speaking to told The Mirror, Anna said: 'I would be so intrigued if Kate Moss was going to watch this series, I hope she does, I think she'll find out a lot of interesting and perhaps upsetting things about her sister.'

Anna added: 'I would love it to be able to be, perhaps an olive branch between the two sisters, who I believe, it's no secret that they're not that close."

'I would love it if Kate would use this opportunity to reach out to her little sister and give her a much-needed hug but I think she needs.'

Out and about: The pair chatted away as they walked down the street following their Italian meal

Here they are: Lottie dressed up for her night out with her friend

Chat: Lottie was seen deep in concentration with stylist Andrei, who works his hair magic at Hershesons salon in London's Berners Street

Talent: Andrei this year was voted in the top 10 of Londons best hair colourists by Harper's Bazaar

In a self-penned essay in March, Lottie said that while her sister provided her a useful stepping stone, she was determined to make her own money herself and used her earnings to pay for private schooling at St. Bede's School in Redhill.

She also responded to the backlash for a series of Tweets she posted in response to Lily Allen, the daughter of actor Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen, who launched a defence of celebrity children raised within privileged families.

Lottie wrote in Newsweek: 'I think a common misconception is that because Kate, who is 24 years older than me, is rich and famous, so were my family. But obviously, that was her money and her fame, not ours.

New venture: Lottie is starring on Celebs Go Dating alongside presenter Vanessa Feltz, 61, and Love Island's Chloe Burrows, 27

Sisters: Dating agent Anna Williamson, 41, told how Kate Moss (pictured in 2014), 49, 'could learn some upsetting things' about her younger sister Lottie, should she tune in to the show

'I knew that my sister Kate was famous and growing up, I idolised her, thinking she was the coolest.

'I never got much love or attention from her though, which has always upset me, especially because people have brought her up to me for as long as I can remember.

'How do I say to people that I don't know her and that she doesn't reply to my texts? I honestly think the whole "nepo baby" concept is so weird.

'There are so many people in the world that have had obvious advantages in their career because of who they know or who someone in their family is, not just famous people.'
Meg Mathews returned to social media with a flurry of posts on Wednesday morning, just days after spending a night in police custody for allegedly crashing her car while under the influence of alcohol.

The ex-wife of former Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher was arrested following her own book launch on Friday after police were called to a collision in Nansledan, Cornwall.

Mathews, 57, is alleged to have climbed behind the wheel of her car while intoxicated following the book signing before allegedly smashing into a stationary vehicle.

After spending a night in the cells at Bodmin police station she returned to Instagram this week, but avoided mentioning the issue while updating her followers.

Instead, Mathews, a parent to model daughter Anais Gallagher with her former husband, posted serene clips of an early morning swim off the Cornish coast, where she was joined by close friend Milla Magee.

Back at it: Meg Mathews returned to social media with a flurry of posts on Wednesday morning, just days after spending a night in police custody

Handcuffed: The ex-wife of former Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher was arrested following her own book launch on Friday after police were called to a collision in Nansledan, Cornwall

The one-time music executive also documented her visit to the Larkshall pub in Chingford, Essex on Tuesday - just four days after her arrest - where she attended a charity dog show with former glamour model Sam Fox on behalf of Animal SOS Sri Lanka.

Other social media updates from Wednesday morning include a throwback of Mathews cradling daughter Anais, now 23-years of age, when she was an infant.

Photographs taken at the crash sight in Cornwall show how she was bundled into the back of a police van following her arrest on Friday.

Witnesses told Cornwall Live that she screamed and threw herself on the ground during the arrest, alleging she yelled at officers: 'Why are you ruining my life?'

Mathews, has been charged with driving a motor vehicle whilst under the influence of alcohol and is due to appear before Bodmin Magistrates' Court on Friday, July 28.

Lovely: But there was no mention of the drama that unfolded in Cornwall on Friday as Mathews returned to Instagram this week

Looking back: Other social media updates from Wednesday morning include a throwback of Mathews cradling daughter Anais, now 21-years of age, when she was an infant

Nightmare: Photographs taken at the crash sight show how she was bundled into the back of a police van. Witnesses allege Mathews screamed and threw herself on the ground during the arrest. They say she yelled at officers: 'Why are you ruining my life?'

Arrested: Mathews, pictured here on her Instagram, has been charged with drink driving after allegedly crashing a car

Police responded to a two-vehicle collision in Stret Ewyn, Newquay around 9.20pm on Friday.

Mathews, of Hilgrove Mews, Newquay, allegedly smashed her yellow jeep into a parked vehicle just minutes after she left a book promotion event at the Teylu homeware and fashion shop in Nansleden.

The owner of the grey Ford Kuga that she allegedly struck contacted police, The Sun reported. Gaffer tape was also seen near the vehicle's left rear wheel arch.

It is understood that Mathews was breathalysed at the scene and taken into custody on suspicion of drink-driving. She has since been charged and is scheduled to appear in court at the end of the month.

Mathews had advertised the book launch on her Instagram page in the build up to the event, which she called Cards, Margs & Menopause, in a nod to the Tarot reading, Margarita cocktail making and book signing that was taking place.

Controversy: The 57-year-old is alleged to have been involved in a crash between her vehicle (pictured) and another on Friday, July 7

Damage: It is claimed Mathews crashed her vehicle into a parked car (pictured) after leaving her own book launch

Old times: Mathews and her then-husband Noel Gallagher arriving for a party at No10 Downing Street in 1997

Organisers described her new book as a 'no-holds-barred guide to menopause designed to entertain and empower women in equal measure.

'It's full of Meg's personal insights as well as the latest information and advice from a wide range of menopause and lifestyle experts.'

Mathews was one of the most recognisable faces in the Nineties party scene, courtesy of her relationship with Mr Gallagher and famous pals including Kate Moss, as part of the infamous 'Primrose Hill Set'.

Her four-year marriage to Noel ended in 2001 but the pair continue to co-parent daughter Anais, 23.

She moved to Cornwall in 2021 and has supported a number of local charities, including Surfers Against Sewage.

Stepping out: Mathews and Noel Gallagher, 'Snatch' Premiere In Leicester Sq, London, August 2000
Steve-O was seen for the first time on Tuesday since jumping off London's Tower Bridge in a shock video.

The Jackass star, 49, left onlookers screaming last week as he counted down before plunging into the River Thames with an umbrella, later being detained by police.

Steve-O, who is currently on tour in the UK and shooting his third comedy special, appeared in good spirits as he walked his dog Heidi by Southends Cliffs Pavilion.

The star, whose real name is Stephen Glover, cut a casual figure in a black T-shirt and black jeans before his show.

His top, a nod to fellow content creator Vincent Imperati, also known as 'skinny Vinny', featured a pink and blue cartoon print.

Here he is! Steve-O was seen for the first time at Southends Cliffs Pavilion on Tuesday since jumping off London's Tower Bridge in a shock video

Say what? The Jackass star, 49, left onlookers screaming last week as he counted down before plunging into the River Thames with an umbrella, later being detained by police

He paired his look with white trainers and kept a low profile with black sunglasses.

This didn't stop fans from recognising the star however, as he later posed for a selfie outside the venue.

The daredevil cut a wide smile on his face as he embraced his dog and chatted with fellow crew.

He could also be seen stripping down to his underwear as he got ready ahead of his big performance, showcasing his eclectic display of back tattoos.

Evidently the star appears to have got away with his stunt.

The star drew quite the crowd only a week earlier as he counted down before jumping off Tower Bridge.

Jack-O, 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.

Easy going: And stepping out for the first time since, Steve-O, who is currently on tour in the UK and shooting his third comedy special, appeared in good spirits as he walked his dog Heidi

Laid-back: The star, whose real name is Stephen Glover, cut a casual figure in a black t-shirt and black jeans before his show

Casual: His top, a nod to fellow content creator Vincent Imperati, also known as 'skinny Vinny', featured a pink and blue cartoon print

Errands: He paired his look with white trainers and kept a low profile with black sunglasses

Spotted! This didn't stop fans from recognising the star however, as he later posed for a selfie outside the venue

Sweet: The daredevil cut a wide smile on his face as he embraced his dog and chatted with fellow crew

Getting ready: He could also be seen stripping down to his underwear as he got ready ahead of his big performance, showcasing his eclectic display of back tattoos

What's that? The star had a huge face tattooed on his back

Friendly: Crew and fans were pleased to spot the star walking his dog

Moving on: Evidently the star appears to have got away with his stunt

Further video shows the star being marched away by police but still managing to plug his TV endeavors.

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.

For both stunts, Steve-O rocked Union Jack, including an umbrella, bucket hat and an 'I [love] London' tee.

Icy: The star drew quite the crowd only a week earlier as he counted down before jumping off Tower Bridge

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

Trouble: Further video shows the star being marched away by police but still managing to plug his TV endeavors

Other stunts: 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'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.

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!!!'
Matt Damon showcased his muscular arms in a black fitted T-shirt on Wednesday morning as he and his family left Paris following the Oppenheimer premiere.

The Hollywood star, 52, was seen crossing the road with his daughters and their friends as they made their way to Gare du Nord station following their trip to the French capital.

Matt teamed his T-shirt with casual black joggers and white trainers as he walked alongside his young family and other members of his team.

The Jason Bourne star finished off his look with trendy sunglasses, while storing his travel essentials in a backpack.

The group looked in good spirits as they made their way along the streets after getting glammed up for the premiere the previous night.

Home time: Matt Damon showcased his muscular arms in a black fitted T-shirt on Wednesday morning as he and his family left Paris following the Oppenheimer premiere

Family: The Hollywood star, 52, was seen crossing the road with his daughters and their friends as they made their way to Gare du Nord station following their trip to the French capital

Also seen leaving Paris on Wednesday were Matt's Oppenheimer co-stars Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr.

He was sweetly supported by three of his children during the premiere; Alexia, 24, Gia, 14, and Stella, 12, plus two of their friends. Matt is also dad to Isabella, 17.

Matt shares Isabella, Gia and Stella with his wife Luciana Barroso, while he also adopted her daughter Alexia from her previous relationship with Arbello Barroso.

Matt and Luciana met while the Oscar-winner was filming Stuck On You in Miami in April 2003 and she was working in a bar.

After the couple got engaged in September 2005, they wed nearly three months later in a private civil ceremony at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau.

The couple have been going strong ever since and often make very loved-up appearances together.

At the premiere, Matt also smiled for snaps with a whole host of his co-stars, including Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr.

Matt is starring as Lieutenant General Leslie Groves - an engineer who directed the Manhattan Project.

Casual: Matt teamed his T-shirt with casual black joggers and white trainers as he walked alongside his young family and other members of his team

Let's go: The film star clutched onto his mobile phone as he strolled in Paris

The next day: Matt cut a casual figure after getting dressed up at the premiere the night before

Travel look: The Jason Bourne star finished off his look with trendy sunglasses, while storing his travel essentials in a backpack

Walk this way: Matt and the girls looked casual as they walked in Paris

All together now: The group looked in good spirits as they made their way along the streets after getting glammed up for the premiere the previous night

Time to go: Cillian Murphy, 47, was spotted wheeling his suitcase out of his hotel in Paris after the premiere of his new film Oppenheimer

Looking serious: Emily Blunt, 40, cut a casual figure in a floral button-up shirt style jumpsuit covered in pink lilies as she too left her hotel

An eclectic outfit choice: Co-star Robert Downey Jr, 58, was also spotted in a somewhat unusual outfit choice as he left the French capital with multiple bags swung over his shoulders

Hotly-anticipated: Oppenheimer is set to be released on July 21 - in an epic blockbuster day which will also see the Barbie movie unveiled in cinemas

Meanwhile, Cillian is playing Dr J. Robert Oppenheimer, the 'father of the atomic bomb', in the 81million blockbuster directed by Christopher Nolan.

The cast is also made up of Florence Pugh - who plays Oppenheimer's mistress - Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek and Josh Hartnett.

Oppenheimer was the director of the laboratory which designed the atomic bomb during World War Two as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project.

Character: Matt is starring as Lieutenant General Leslie Groves (right) - an engineer who directed the Manhattan Project

Co-stars: Matt was in jovial spirits as he smiled with Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy and Emily Blunt at Tuesday's premiere (L-R)

Daughters: Matt was sweetly supported by his daughters Alexia, 24, 14-year-old Gia and Stella and two of their friends. Matt is also dad to Isabella, 17

Love life: Matt and Luciana (pictured in June) met while the Oscar-winner was filming Stuck On You in Miami in April 2003 and she was working in a bar and tied the knot two years later

The film is being adapted from the 2006 book American Prometheus: The Triumph And Tragedy Of J. Robert Oppenheimer, by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.

The book, which won the Pulitzer Prize, details Oppenheimer's personal life and his time leading the Manhattan Project in the early and mid-1940s.

The film is set to be released on July 21 and a whole host of the A-list cast flocked to Paris to celebrate its release on Tuesday.
Elle Fanning was spotted heading for dinner with her The Great co-star Sacha Dhawan at the Ham Yard Hotel in London on Tuesday.

The actress, 25, who plays Catherine The Great, cut a casual figure on their outing as she sported a stylish grey shirt-style maxi dress.

Elle paired her look with chunky white sandal and wore a big brown satchel wore across her body.

The star opted for a makeup-free look and tied her blonde locks into a slicked-back bun.

The Golden Globe winner appeared in good spirits as she delved into a deep conversation with the British actor, 39.

Chatty: Elle Fanning was spotted heading for dinner with her The Great co-star Sacha Dhawan at the Ham Yard Hotel in London on Tuesday

The star recently revealed that she is currently single after confirming her split from Max Minghella earlier this month during a cover story for Harper's Bazaar U.K.

The former couple, who had mainly kept their relationship on the private side, first met on set of Teen Spirit (2018), with Elle taking on the lead role and Minghella directing.

Despite going their separate ways, the beauty expressed to the outlet: 'But Im a hopeless romantic.

'I believe in love at first sight. Call me crazy, but I believe in those things. I feel that its my destiny.'

The actress had previously hinted at the split when she uploaded a few reels onto her main TikTok page where she tried to predict her love life shortly before Valentine's Day.

Both Elle and Max were last publicly seen together in December 2022 while attending the Babylon premiere.

The Neon Demon star has been looking to the future after celebrating her 25th birthday.

'I do sense Im in another transformation phase right now... sometimes you can just feel youre growing another layer.'

Stylish: The actress, 25, who plays Catherine The Great, cut a casual figure on their outing as she sported a stylish grey shirt-style maxi dress

Spiltsville: The star recently revealed that she is currently single after confirming her split from Max Minghella earlier this month during a cover story for Harper's Bazaar U.K

Meanwhile, it comes after she shockingly claimed she missed out on a movie role aged 16 because she was deemed 'unf***able'.

The Great actress, who began her acting career aged just three, told The Hollywood Reporter's comedy actress roundtable of the 'disgusting' moment she lost the role in an unspecified family film.

She said: 'I've never told this story, but I was trying out for a movie. I didnt get it. I dont even think they ever made it, but it was a father-daughter road trip comedy.

'I didnt hear from my agents because they wouldnt tell me things like this  that filtration system is really important because theres probably a lot more damaging comments that they filtered  but this one got to me. I was 16 years old, and a person said, 'Oh, she didnt get the father-daughter road trip comedy because shes unf***able.' "

'It's so disgusting. And I can laugh at it now, like, 'What a disgusting pig!'

The star added that she always felt 'immensely confident' growing up in the public eye and didn't feel like the early fame damaged her.

She said she was 'very protected' as a Hollywood child star and credited her 'amazing' manager and agent who she has been with since she was 'eight or nine' for their support.
Clara McGregor appeared to be having the time of her life as she showcased a host of energetic dance moves at the Ischia Global Fest 2023 in Italy on Wednesday.

Ready for the beach party, the actress, 27, cut a stylish figure in a white and brown striped shirt and beige linen trousers.

Clara, who is the daughter of Ewan McGregor and Eve Mavrakis, embraced the summer spirit and went barefoot.

She styled her brunette locks naturally wavy and let her hair down as she busted out some serious moves.

The beauty flaunted a stunning palette of makeup for the evening, including a swipe of pink lipstick.

Party time! Ewan McGregor's daughter Clara appeared to be having the time of her life as she showcased a host of energetic dance moves at the Ischia Global Fest 2023 in Italy on Wednesday

Clara appeared in good spirits as she danced and chatted with a host of other guests.

She has certainly been enjoying her time in the sunny city, and was all smiles as she enjoyed a beach day on Tuesday.

The actress showed off her incredible figure in a plunging bikini top and matching bottoms.

Clara was seen enjoying a swim before floating in the water and chatting to a mystery man.

Clara split up with her long-term boyfriend Gordon Goodman in 2017.

She had met the part-time disc jockey in 2015 at New York University, where they are both studying film.

The pair soon became lovers and travelled together to exotic destinations including Bali in Indonesia.

They would often share romantic photos together on social media, including this one where they are posing by a hot tub in Miami.

Lost in music! Ready for the beach party, the actress, 27, cut a stylish figure in a white and brown striped shirt and beige linen trousers

Good spirits: Clara, who is the daughter of Ewan McGregor and Eve Mavrakis, embraced the summer spirit and went shoeless, letting her toes soak up the sand

Happy days: She styled her brunette locks naturally wavy and let her hair down as she busted out some serious moves

Chic: The beauty flaunted a stunning palette of makeup for the evening, including a swipe of pink lipstick

Night out: Clara appeared in good spirits as she danced and chatted with a host of other guests

Dancing queen: Clara through her arms in the air and shook her hips to the music

The trip comes after Clara was recently spotted in Czech Republic with her dad Ewan to promote their new movie You Sing Loud, I Sing Louder.

The father-daughter duo are starring together in their latest project which focuses on a father daughter road trip, with Ewan's character driving his daughter, played by Clara, to rehab.

Ewan shares Clara with ex-wife Eve Mavrakis, and has repaired his relationship with his daughter over the past five years.

While the drive is fictional, the premise of a dad trying to help his daughter is based on Clara's own experience.

With Ewan saying at the SXSW Conference in Texas in March: 'I sat down to read it and I was blown away. It was a beautiful story about us. There's things that aren't accurate, or are bent, but they still reflect our estrangement for a while,'

'The drive is fictional. But for a couple of years, we sort of lost her. So the storyline is about her realising that she needs the help her father's trying to give.

'Along the way, their relationship is healed somewhat.'

Despite the huge success of his comeback movie The Whale, Brendan revealed to People earlier this month that he is being 'really picky about his next role and currently doesn't have anything lined up.

He recently attended the Greenwich International Film Festival where he was honoured for his work and his philanthropy as part of the festival's first ever Inspiration Talk and award.
Florence Pugh came to the rescue on Wednesday as she helped Emily Blunt maintain her modesty at the Oppenheimer photocall.

The co-stars were surrounded by a crowd as they posed for snaps in London's Trafalgar Square but disaster struck when Emily's gold jacket popped open.

Quick to offer a helping hand, Florence, 27, rushed to cover up, with the pair unable to control their laughter at the mishap.

Despite the drama, Emily, 40, looked sensational in her metallic gold suit which featured a low neckline and stylish black buttoning.

She added a few extra inches to her frame with a pair of nude heels and accessorised with gold drop earrings.

Oops: Florence Pugh came to the rescue on Wednesday as she helped Emily Blunt maintain her modesty after her jacket came undone at the Oppenheimer photocall in London

Another disaster! Emily was also left struggling with her footwear after Robert Downey Jr misplaced his step and nearly trod on her toe

The Mary Poppins star, who is playing physicist Oppenheimer's wife Kitty in the biological thriller, styled her golden locks in glamorous waves.

She accentuated her striking features with lashings of mascara and a touch of pink lipstick as she posed for the cameras.

Florence also looked incredible as she went braless in a chic denim dress.

The racy number featured a plunging neckline and flared long sleeves, embellished with a patchwork lining along the hem.

She paired her look with elegant white toe-pointed heels and wore a simple diamond necklace to accessorise.

The Don't Worry Darling star also happily showcased her newly-dyed pink locks, with the beauty having previously debuted her shaved hair at the Met Gala in May.

She accentuated her natural beauty with a flawless palette of makeup, including a pink eye shaddow and glossy pink lips.

Spirits were certainly high for the cast, with Matt Damon and Robert Downey Jr also sharing a sweet embrace.

Oops: Quick to offer a helping hand, Florence, 27, rushed to cover up, with the pair unable to control their laughter at the mishap

Gorgeous in gold: Despite the drama, Emily, 40, looked sensational in her metallic gold suit which featured a low neckline and stylish black buttoning

Bluetiful: Florence also looked incredible as she went braless in a chic denim dress. The racy number featured a plunging neckline and flared long sleeves

Pals: Spirits were certainly high for the cast, with Matt Damon and Robert also sharing a sweet embrace

Funny: Robert looked as suave as ever in a blue suit as he showed off his karate moves

Matt, who is starring as Lieutenant General Leslie Groves - an engineer who directed the Manhattan Project, cut a dapper figure in a smart white shirt and navy trousers.

The actor, 52, styled the look with his sleeves rolled up.

Meanwhile Robert, looked as suave as ever in a blue suit, layered with a baby blue t-shirt.

Showing off his karate moves on the carpet, the actor added a pair of blue sunglasses to his look and white and blue trainers.

Oppenheimer was the director of the laboratory which designed the atomic bomb during World War Two as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project.

The film is being adapted from the 2006 book American Prometheus: The Triumph And Tragedy Of J. Robert Oppenheimer, by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.

The book, which won the Pulitzer Prize, details Oppenheimer's personal life and his time leading the Manhattan Project in the early and mid-1940s.

The film is set to be released on July 21 and a whole host of the A-list cast flocked to Paris to celebrate its release on Tuesday.

Oppenheimer will be released on July 21.
Maya Jama has revealed the reason she severed ties with her estranged father when she was just 12.

The Love Island host candidly reflected on her relationship with the absent parent in a new interview for British Vogue, adding that doing so at such a young age has helped her cut others out of her life as an adult.

Hussein Jama, 53, has been in and out of prison all his life and last saw his daughter when she got in touch with him as part of a 2017 documentary on absent fathers called When Dads Kill: Murderer in the Family.

In January, Hussain claimed he hadn't spoken to Maya since that programme, and pleaded with her to get in touch.

Maya explained that she opted to cut ties with her father from such a young age because she became 'old enough to gather her own opinion.'

Candid: Maya Jama has revealed the reason she severed ties with her estranged father when she was just 12, as she graced the cover of British Vogue's August issue

Severed ties: The presenter cut ties with her dad from a young age, and while they briefly reunited in 2017 for a TV documentary, they haven't spoken since

She then added: 'Can I ask you a question? One of my really deep friends who goes to therapy said that she thinks the reason why Im so able to cut off relationships with certain people is because I cut off one with my dad at such a young age.

'And having that experience is like, if I can cut off my own blood its easier to cut off people now as an adult. Do you think that?'

A MailOnline investigation uncovered Hussein's lengthy prison record, with his first term of two years coming when he was just 17, and he was sent to HMP Portland Young Offender Institution.

While there he says he was abused by inmates, and it set him on a downward spiral which saw him in and out of prison for the next 30 years of his life  and the vital years when Maya and her brother Omar were growing up.

Just after being released from Portland, he met Maya's mother Sadie, then 19, in a local pub in Montpelier, Bristol.

But violence was never far away and just weeks after they met, Hussein was in court with another man for using a dog as a weapon against three police officers.

Within weeks of being in Bristol, Hussein was in trouble once again  for glassing a man in a city centre pub leaving him with a 3cm cut and he was given 18 months.

It was this attack Maya mentioned during the TV documentary, and which had left her visibly shocked and almost in tears as she said: 'That's just so mad to me because you can easily kill someone like that.'

Insight: Maya admitted that cutting contact with her dad Hussein has helped her to do so with others in her life as an adult

During the candid British Vogue interview, Maya also spoke candidly about her love life, with her romance with the British rapper Stormzy drawing particular attention.

Maya, who is half Swedish and half Somali, said of the reaction to her romance with Stormzy, who is of Ghanaian descent: 'None of us really knew the level of importance it held to a certain group of people, us being together.

'We were both super ambitious. We were both from similar upbringings and we were both just little grafters that have made something good of ourselves.'

The pair split in 2019 after four years and when questioned about her break up, she mused: 'It was lovely when it was lovely, and then you move.'

Detailing how she copes with break ups, Maya confessed: 'Yeah, I've got that harshness. I don't want revenge, I just want you to always feel like, "I'm so f**king sad I've lost them." You're going to miss my presence based on my absence.

'The best thing you can do is try and do everything that made you happy before you met them.'

Insight: Hussein Jama (pictured with Maya's mother Sadie) has been in and out of prison all his life, and spent several years of her childhood behind bars

Despite her heartbreak, Maya revealed she hasn't been put off dating again.

Asked if she still wants love, she revealed: 'Yeah. Actual love. That's all I ever want. Just real love. I want a best friend that I'm in love with. And I have had that before.'

As for being in the public eye, she admitted she's aware she divides opinion, saying: 'The people that do really like me, I feel like they see a bit of themselves in me.

'And then the other people are like, "Who the f**k is this bitch and what does she even do?"'

See the full feature in the August issue of British Vogue, available via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday 18 July.
Katie Holmes kept comfortable and casual as she stepped out in New York City this week.

The 44-year-old Dawson's Creek alum - who was recently seen out with her agent - donned clinging black Fanka leggings and a white T-shirt.

She pulled her lengthy brunette locks into a ponytail as she held a conversation on her phone.

The longtime actress looked beautiful as she went bare-faced for the NYC outing.

Katie, who was formerly married to Tom Cruise, rounded out her look with white sneakers.

On the go: Katie Holmes kept comfortable and casual as she stepped out in New York City this week with a fresh face

Her look: The 44-year-old Dawson's Creek alum donned clinging black Fanka leggings and a white T-shirt

The filmmaker's phone was protected by a coral-colored phone case as she held it to her ear.

She went without jewelry, except for understated silver hoop ring worn in her pierced nose.

The superstar carried her belongings in a black leather knapsack that she wore on her back.

It comes after weeks ago Katie sparked dating rumors when she was spotted out with her agent Jeremy Barber.

But it was quickly confirmed that the two are not romantically involved, Page Six reported.

Holmes' representative insisted that she has a strictly professional relationship with Barber, a partner in the Motion Picture Literary and Talent Departments at United Talent Agency.

In December, she and her production company Lafayette Pictures signed with UTA, which also represents Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford and Charlize Theron.

In April Katie completed her performance in the off-Broadway show The Wanderers.

The mother-of-one portrayed a movie star who contacts a married novelist, and their interaction later puts the man's marriage to the test.

Natural beauty: The longtime actress looked beautiful as she went bare-faced for the NYC outing

Footwear: Katie, who was formerly married to Tom Cruise , rounded out her look with white sneakers

It marked the third time Katie took her acting chops to the stage.

It came after she made her Broadway debut in 2008 in a revival of Arthur Miller's All My Sons.

She would later return to the theatre in 2012 for a run in the show Dead Accounts.

Katie's latest film, Rare Objects, which she directed, co-wrote and acted in, hit theaters on April 14.

She starred alongside Julia Mayorga, who played a young woman trying to put aside her traumatic past when she goes to work in an antique store.

Haute stuff in the city: Last month she was all made up at the American Ballet Theatre June gala and premiere of Like Water for Chocolate at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center on in New York

Last year, Holmes and her ex-boyfriend Bobby Wooten III split after nearly a year of dating.

'They just didn't work out together for the long run,' a source shared with Us Weekly at the time.

The actress and autodidactic musician, 33, made their red carpet debut in May 2022.

They were first linked when they were spotted kissing and holding hands while out and about in the Big Apple.

Then they appeared together at The Silver Ball, The Moth's 25th Anniversary Gala.

Katie shares 17-year-old daughter Suri Cruise with ex-husband Tom, to whom she was married from 2006-2012.
Vanessa Kirby put on a stylish display as she was spotted on Wednesday morning exiting from a black SUV as she arrived on the set of the morning news show CBS Mornings in New York City.

For her July 12 appearance on CBS Mornings, the actress, 35, looked elegant in a gray suit and a pair of black high heels.

She opted to wear no undershirt underneath her blazer jacket as she showed off a little bit of her cleavage.

The Oscar-nominated actress completed her look with a pair of black sunglasses as she had her blonde hair straightened, which she wore down.

While on CBS Mornings, Kirby was interviewed by the show's co-hosts Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson to discuss her return as 'The White Widow' in the new film Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One, starring Tom Cruise.

It was released to theaters across the country on Wednesday.

Stylish Suit: Actress Vanessa Kirby put on a stylish display in a grey suit and pair of black heels as she was spotted on Wednesday morning exiting from a black SUV as she arrived on the set of the morning news show CBS Mornings

Little bit of cleavage: The actress opted to wear no undershirt underneath her gray blazer jacket as she showed off a little bit of her cleavage

Interview Time: The Oscar-nominated actress CBS Mornings, Kirby was interviewed by one of the show's co-hosts Gayle King to discuss her return as 'The White Widow' in the new film Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One

Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One, is the seventh film of the Mission: Impossible franchise, with first film being released in 1996.

In the Mission Impossible film franchise, Kirby plays Alanna Mitsopolis/White Widow, a powerful and dangerous international arms dealer. Kirby made her debut in the sixth movie of the film series, the 2018 film Mission: Impossible  Fallout.

When asked by Dokoupil about her character in the film, the British actress elaborated more on the building process that the film's director Christopher McQuarrie uses for the franchise where he finds actors he wants to work with and builds characters around them.

'[When I joined Mission: Impossible  Fallout], one of the first things [McQuarrie] said was that [he] love having a kind of thread between the films that started 30 years ago with the first Mission: Impossible film and Vanessa Redgrave plays my mom Max,' Kirby stated.

The British actress also expressed how lucky she was able to study Redgrave's portrayal of Max in the first film (the only one in the franchise that Redgrave appears in).

'[Vanessa Redgrave] was so charming with Tom [Cruise] and they sort of loved each other in those scenes [from Mission: Impossible] and I just wanted to try and capture the essence of what she had done,' Kirby said of how she tried incorporate some of Redgrave's character in her own character in the franchise.

'She had this incredible... I would never have thought of myself to be somebody that's sort of in charge of this really dark, hugely powerful organization, but to [portray the character] with lightness and play rather than as [Gayle said] assertive or menacing,' the 35-year-old actress added.

When asked by King, Kirby said she initially portrayed Alanna as 'quite strong and aggressive' until McQuarrie and other higher up producers of the Mission: Impossible films told her to tone it down, which she described as a huge acting challenge.

Sneak peak: During her appearance on CBS Mornings, a clip of Kirby from Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One, which was released in theaters around the country on July 12

CBS Mornings: While on the morning news show, Kirby (left) was interviewed by CBS Mornings co-hosts Gayle King (right), Tony Dokoupil (center), and Nate Burleson (not pictured)

NYC Premiere: At the NYC Premiere of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning - Part One, Kirby avoided a near wardrobe malfunction while posing for pictures on the red carpet

'They said, "Remember that the most powerful don't need to assert [that they are in charge] because [they] don't have to. So, it was a big acting challenge and lesson. It was wonderful to learn that you can actually do [assert that you are in charge] quietly,"' Kirby recalled.

The Oscar-nominated actress' appearance on CBS Mornings was the latest one by a cast and/or crew member to promote the release of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning - Part One and comes just two days after the film's star-studded premiere in New York City.

For the NYC premiere, Kirby nearly suffered a wardrobe malfunction as she posed for photos on the red carpet. Despite this, the 35-year-old showed off her incredible figure in a bronze colored slip dress and a black silk cape garment that she placed her hands through as gloves.

The Mission: Impossible franchise stars Cruise as its protagonist Ethan Hunt, a highly skilled field agent and operative for the Impossible Mission Force (IMF), a secret government agency that handles dangerous and high-stakes missions.

In the latest Mission: Impossible movie, when Hunt (Cruise), and his IMF team being confronted by a mysterious yet all-powerful foe known as 'The Entity', he is forced to consider that nothing can matter more than his mission.

The film's direct sequel, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Two, is scheduled to be released in June 2024. Kirby will reprise her role in the eighth installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise.
Kevin Costner and Yellowstone were ignored again as the Primetime Emmy Award 2023 nominations were announced on Tuesday amid his messy divorce and upcoming departure from the highly-popular series.

The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards nominations were announced on Wednesday morning and some major names including Selena Gomez, Harrison Ford, and Elizabeth Olsen led the big name snubs which led to many devastated fans on social media.

The nods were announced by presenters - actress Yvette Nicole Brown and Television Academy Chair Frank Scherma - via YouTube livestream.

Yellowstone has never received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in any of the major acting categories or in Outstanding Drama Series throughout all four seasons of the highly-popular CBS show.

The lone nomination they received was for Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Contemporary Program for production designer Cary White, art director Yvonne Boudreaux, and set decorator Carla Curry.

Kevin Costner and Yellowstone were ignored again as the Primetime Emmy Award 2023 nominations were announced on Tuesday amid his messy divorce and upcoming departure from the highly-popular series.

Sad: The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards nominations were announced on Wednesday morning as some major names including Selena Gomez (pictured), Harrison Ford , and Elizabeth Olsen led the big name snubs which led to many devastated fans on social media

Meanwhile, Kevin is in the middle of a bitter divorce with wife of nearly 20 years Christine Baumgartner who was just awarded with $129,000 per month child support -which was just half the amount she demanded.

Yellowstone did not receive a recognition in the Outstanding Drama Series category but eight different projects did including: Andor, Better Call Saul, The Crown, House Of The Dragon, The Last Of Us, Succession, The White Lotus, and Yellowjackets.

Kevin went ignored in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama category once again as he lost out to a history-making three Succession stars - Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin, and Jeremy Strong - in addition to Jeff Bridges (The Old Man), Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul), and Pedro Pascal (The Last Of Us).

Harrison Ford was snubbed in two different categories as many believed he would be nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy for Shrinking and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie for 1923.

The 80-year-old acting legend has never received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination throughout his storied career.

Harrison was ignored in the Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series race as Anthony Carrigan (Barry), Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear), Henry Winkler (Barry), James Marsden (Jury Duty), Phil Dunster (Ted Lasso), and Tyler James Williams (Abbott Elementary) all were recognized.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie saw nominations for Taron Edgerton (Black Bird), Kumail Nanjiani (Welcome To Chippendales), Evan Peters (Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story), Daniel Radcliffe (Weird: The Al Yankovic Story), Michael Shannon (George & Tammy), and Steven Yeun (Beef).

Harrison's 1923 co-star Helen Mirren also did not receive a nod in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie category as Lizzy Caplan (Fleishman Is In Trouble), Jessica Chastain (George & Tammy), Dominique Fishback (Swarm), Kathryn Hahn (The Beautiful Things), Riley Keough (Daisy Jones & The Six), and Ali Wong (Beef) all were recognized.

Pattern: Yellowstone has never received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in any of the major acting categories or in Outstanding Drama Series throughout all four seasons of the highly-popular CBS show

Uh oh: Meanwhile Kevin is in the middle of a bitter divorce with wife of nearly 20 years Christine Baumgartner who was just awarded with $129,000 per month child support -which was just half the amount she demanded; the former couple are pictured with children from left to right - Grace, Hayes, and Cayden - at an event in LA in August 2019

Double ouch: Harrison Ford was snubbed in two different categories as many believed he would be nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy for Shrinking (left) and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie for 1923

Selena Gomez was overlooked in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy category again for her work in Only Murders In The Building.

The 30-year-old multihyphenate was snubbed once again as Christina Applegate (Dead To Me), Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary), Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face), and Jenna Ortega (Wednesday) all earned nods.

There was some good news for the former Disney star as her cooking show Selena + Chef was nominated for Best Streaming Reality or Competition Series and her documentary My Mind & Me was nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Non-Fiction Program.

Only Murders In The Building was also nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series as it will be up against heavy hitters including: Abbott Elementary, Barry, The Bear

Jury Duty, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, Only Murders in the Building, Ted Lasso, and Wednesday.

Selena's fellow lead on the program Steve Martin and was also snubbed for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy but Martin Short did earn a nomination as he will be up against Bill Hader (Barry), Jason Segel (Shrinking), Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso) and Jeremy Allen White (The Bear).

Elizabeth Olsen did not receive a nomination in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama category for her In Love And Death Role.

The 34-year-old actress as passed over for Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters), Melanie Lynskey (Yellowjackets), Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid's Tale), Bella Ramsay (The Last Of Us), Keri Russell (The Diplomat), and Sarah Snook (Succession).

As of now the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards are scheduled to take place on Monday, September 18 and air on Fox.

Ugh: Selena Gomez was overlooked in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy category again for her work in Only Murders In The Building

Sad: Selena's fellow lead on the program Steve Martin and was also snubbed for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy but Martin Short did earn a nomination as he will be up against Bill Hader (Barry), Jason Segel (Shrinking), Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso) and Jeremy Allen White (The Bear)

Tough times: Elizabeth Olsen did not receive a nomination in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama category for her In Love And Death Role

However a report on Tuesday indicates that they are mostly likely to be postponed as the Television Academy and the show's broadcast network fear it will be interrupted by potential strikes.

But the two organizations are split as to when the iconic television awards should be rescheduled to, according to insiders who spoke to Variety.

The Television Academy is reportedly hoping to pencil in a date later in the fall, but Fox is circling around a new spot early in 2024.

Both the Academy and Fox fear that the show could be devastated if the SAG-AFTRA union, which represents actors, goes on strike, and it is also possible that the ongoing WGA strike could still be dragging on by the original date of September 18.

Split decision: The Television Academy and Fox both want to postpone the Emmy Awards, but they disagree over the new date, Variety reported on Tuesday; Zendaya seen accepting an Emmy in 2022

Between a rock and a hard place: The organizations fear a likely SAG-AFTRA strike could derail the show, and the ongoing WGA strike could also extend to its original September 18 date; picketing writers seen May 15 in LA

The shakeup comes shortly after SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher caught plenty of negative publicity for taking a break from the already-extended negotiations with film studios to attend a Dolce & Gabbana show in Italy, where she was pictured rubbing elbows with Kim Kardashian and other stars.

According to Variety, the Television Academy has proposed pushing the Emmys back to sometime in November, about two months after the show would have normally aired, in hopes that issues around the unions have been resolved by then.

However, the show's broadcaster Fox is pushing for a more aggressive strategy. It suggests delaying the ceremony until January of 2024.

Both the Academy and Fox have agreed that canceling the show is out of the picture, as its 75th anniversary is too important a date to skip.

If the strikes are settled on an ideal timetable, then the Emmys could also be the first major award show to air after new contracts are signed for actors and writers.
The 45-year-old mother of Robert De Niro's youngest child has revealed she suffered from a 'postpartum complication' after the couple welcomed their daughter together in April.

In her first interview since the birth of the Hollywood icon's seventh child, Tiffany Chen has opened up to CBS Morning co-host Gayle King about her experience in a candid chat which airs in full on Friday.

Chen and the legendary actor, 79, surprised the world with news of the birth of their daughter, Gia Virginia, in May.

The news came after the couple, who have been linked since summer 2021, first met on the film set of the actor's hit 2015 comedy, The Intern.

New mom: Tiffany Chen has revealed she suffered from a 'postpartum complication' after giving birth to Robert De Niro's seventh child

Meet Gia: Their baby girl was born weighing 8 lbs., 6 oz. this past April, and is seen in this photo posted to social media by the actor

De Niro also father to Drena, 51, Raphael, 46, twins Julian and Aaron, 27, Elliot, 24, and Helen, 11.

Chen's interview comes as the wider De Niro family is in mourning following the tragic death of the actor's 18-year-old grandson, Leandro.

Leandro's shock death happened on July 5 when the teenager's lifeless body was found sitting in a chair beside white powder inside a $950,000, one-bedroom apartment in the Cipriani Club Residences on Wall Street, New York.

His mother Drena then claimed that her son died after taking an overdose of fentanyl.

'Someone sold him fentanyl laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him,' the Oscar-winning actor's heartbroken daughter claimed on Instagram.

She added: 'For all these people still f**king around selling and buying this s**t, my son is gone forever.'

The grieving mother made the remark in response to a commenter who asked her how her son had died.

A funeral service for the teen saw De Niro joined the likes of Tommy Mottola, Christopher Walken, Harvey Keitel as they helped their friend mourn the loss of his grandchild.

New parents: De Niro and girlfriend Tiffany have been linked since summer 2021; pictured June 7

Happy family: The actor resides in New York City with Chen and their young daughter

Hollywood star: Chen is a martial arts practitioner who met De Niro while filming 2015's The Intern (pictured)

Elsewhere, the longtime entertainer shared a glimpse of his seventh child during an appearance on CBS Mornings in May.

He then opened up about his newborn daughter during an appearance on the Today Show during Tribeca Film Festival weeks later.

Robert also gushed about raising a newborn, stating, 'It feels great.'

In regards to how he has changed as a father, the star told host Hoda Kotb: 'I have certain awareness  when youre older you have awareness of certain things in life, dynamics, everything, family dynamics.'

The Goodfellas actor added: 'You cant avoid learning certain things and how you can deal with those and manage them and this and that, the usual.

'It's amazing, but I'm very happy about it.'

Robert De Niro's late grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez (pictured, left) was the son of De Niro's adopted daughter Drena De Niro (pictured, center)

The 18-year-old passed away on July 5 and an official cause of death has not yet been determined. However, Drena made claims about his death on Instagram

Shortly after the news of his new family addition came to light, the actor told Page Six that welcoming his seventh child was 'planned' and questioned 'How you could not plan that kind of thing?'

Ahead of Father's Day, Robert De Niro discussed his children with People and revealed that his six older children had not yet met his two-month-old daughter.

'Not yet, but they will,' he stated.

The star lives in New York City with Chen, a martial arts practitioner who played a Tai Chi instructor in The Intern, and their young daughter.
He ended his US chat show The Late Late show in April after eight years.

And James Corden was all smiles reunited with pal and the show's former producer Ben Winston for a swanky lunch in London on Wednesday.

The actor, 44, cut stylish in all black and shielded his eyes behind shades while dining Alfresco at celebrity hotspot Scott's.

James, who recently returned with his family to live in the UK, layered a jacket over a simple T-shirt and jeans while completing the look with a pair of comfy white trainers.

The pals were delighted to see each other and shared a hug before sitting down to enjoy a sumptuous meal of smoked salmon.

Dining out: James Corden, 44 (L) was all smiles as he reunited with pal and The Late Late Show's former producer Ben Winston (R) for a swanky lunch in London on Wednesday

Pals: The pair shades a hug outside celebrity hotspot Scott's

Meanwhile Ben, 41, who is the son of professor and television presenter Sir Robert Winston, 82, opted for a similar casual style.

He teamed an olive green jacket over dark trousers while slipping his feet into a pair of leather sneakers.

As well The Late Late Show Ben also owns Fulwell 73 productions, the makers of Hulu's The Kardashians, 2021's Cinderella (starring James) and the upcoming Byker Grove reboot.

He also directed the 2021 Friends reunion and produced Adele's TV concert special as well as One Direction's 2011 documentary.

It comes after Joanna Page has revealed when her Gavin and Stacey co-stars would 'reunite' for new a new show together.

The actress, 46, is joining forces with her on-screen in-laws Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb - who play Gavin's parents Mick and Pam Shipman - for an upcoming series.

Joanna has done the voiceover for the new travel show that will follow Alison and Larry as they journey from Barry to Billericay.

Gavin and Stacey followed the love story of Joanna and Mathew Horne's characters as they navigated their family lives in Essex and Wales.

Stylish: The actor, 44, cut stylish in all black and shielded his eyes behind shades while dining Alfresco at celebrity hotspot Scott's

Dinner: James, who recently returned to live in the UK, layered a jacket over a simple t-shirt and jeans while completing the look with a pair of comfy white trainers

Lavish: The pals were delighted to see each other and shared a hug before sitting down to enjoy a sumptuous meal of smoked salmon

Causal style: Meanwhile Ben, 41, opted for a similarly causal style

The hit series also starred Ruth Jones and James as Nessa and Smithy and the last episode aired with the Christmas special in 2019.

The special ended on a cliffhanger as Nessa popped the question to Smithy at the end.

Joanna told The Sun of the new travel show and of her hopes it could spark a full reunion: 'That would be so lovely. When we all first started it was like an instant family.

'We're all still constantly in touch with each other, my gosh we send each other so many messages. We struggle to even make time for our own families.

Quiff: James styled his locks into a stylish quiff

Friends: He teamed an olive green jacket over jeans while slipping his feet into a pair of leather sneakers

Cocktails: The duo appeared to enjoy a cocktail as soaked up the summer sun

Famous family: Ben is the son of professor and television presenter Sir Robert Winston, 82 (pictured in 2016)

'But then I agree, we have GOT to find out what Smithy says to Nessa!'

The pair will make their TV return as they set off on a 210 mile journey from Billericay in Essex to Barry to revisit filming locations.

In the three-part series Alison & Larry: Billericay To Barry, Larry, 75, and Alison, 76, will take a trip down memory lane and include some special guests during their travels.

Speaking about filming the upcoming show, Larry said: 'I am really looking forward to reminiscing with Alison whilst taking the trip from Billericay to Barry, it was such a huge part in the plot of Gavin And Stacey.

'This journey holds a special place in my heart and I hope the fans are pleased with it.'

Impressive: As well The Late Late Show Ben also owns Fulwell 73 productions, makers of Hulu's The Kardashians, 2021's Cinderella (starring James) and the upcoming Byker Grove reboot (James and Ben pictured meeting President Biden)

Sitcom: He also directed the 2021 Friends reunion (pictured) and produced Adele's TV concert special as well as One Direction's 2011 documentary

Alison added: 'I can't wait to take this trip down memory lane to explore Pam and Mick's neck of the woods, as well as so many other locations precious to me.

'And who better to do it with than Larry! I'm so excited to be reunited.'

While fans can revisit filming locations with Larry and Alison, Mathew Horne shut down speculation last year of a Gavin and Stacey reboot.

The actor, 44, claimed fans desiring the comedy's return 'is not enough of a reason', adding that the writers 'want to make sure that they have a story' first.

During on Graham Norton's Virgin Radio show, Mathew added how difficult it was to get the ensemble together for the 2019 Christmas special, which was later declared the most-viewed non-sporting event in a decade.

Exciting: It comes after Joanna Page has revealed when her Gavin and Stacey co-stars will 'reunite' for new a new show together

Yay! The actress, 46, is joining forces with her on-screen in-laws Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb - who play Gavin's parents Mick and Pam Shipman (left and right) - for an upcoming series

Cast: Mathew Horne recently shut down speculation last year of a Gavin and Stacey reboot (L-R) Mathew as Gavin, Joanna Page as Stacey, James Corden as Smithy and Ruth Jones as Nessa

He said: 'Obviously, the BBC would like more. James [Corden] and Ruth [Jones] have always said that they would only do more if they had a story and a reason to do it.

'Just because people want it is not enough of a reason to do it for them. They want to make sure that they have a story.

'They don't want to let the the piece down and let the audience down. They don't just want to do it for the sake of doing it.

I genuinely don't know if they're planning on doing more.'

Mathew - who played the titular Gavin in the series - revealed he has an 'allegiance' to the mega-hit, and would return if he were asked.

He said: 'It's quite a large ensemble and one filled with successful people. It was difficult to get everyone together last time, so it would be equally difficult to do it again.

Alison & Larry: Billericay To Barry is set to air later this summer on Gold.
Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury sparked engagement rumours once again on Tuesday after sharing their plans for a fairy-tale themed wedding.

The former Love Island star and her boxer boyfriend, both 24, enjoyed a trip to Disneyland Paris after the sportsman surprised the influencer while she was in France for a work trip.

And fans of the couple are convinced they are at the theme park to get engaged or source inspiration for their 'extravagant Disney' nuptials.

Sharing photos for their trip to Instagram, Molly-Mae wrote: 'When you wish upon a star.'

One follower commented: 'Where is the proposal I was sure when he arrived in Paris it was happening.'

Cute: Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury, both 24, sparked engagement rumours once again on Tuesday after sharing their plans for a fairy-tale themed wedding

Adorable: The former Love Island star and her boxer boyfriend enjoyed a trip to Disneyland Paris after the sportsman surprised the influencer while she was in France for a work trip

'I thought the same,' another added, while someone else commented: 'They're both wearing rings though.'

Tommy surprised his girlfriend Molly-Mae for their four-year anniversary last week.

The boxer flew out to Paris with their daughter Bambi on a secret trip before spoiling her with a fancy hotel room and red roses.

Molly-Mae shared the sweet moment on her Instagram Story as she sat with friends in a cafe completely unaware of what was about to happen.

A pal opposite her filmed the moment as Tommy approached behind her with little Bambi in her pram.

As they walked round in front of her she then clocked them and looked completely shocked before composing herself and getting up to hug him.

It comes following reports that Molly-Mae and Tommy are planning 'an extravagant Disney themed wedding within the grounds of a British castle' - with baby daughter Bambi playing a key role.

The couple, who met on ITV2 series Love Island in 2019, confirmed the birth of their first child in January, but are yet to announce an official engagement - despite fans claiming Fury has already proposed.

Could it be? And fans of the couple are convinced they are at the theme park to get engaged or source inspiration for their 'extravagant Disney' nuptials

Friends now claim the Manchester based pair are keen on ensuring their wedding will be a magical experience, if and when it happens.

A source told The Sun: 'Molly wants to book a castle somewhere in the UK, where they'd have a banquet from a Michelin-star chef, performances from famous musicians and a spectacular fireworks display.

'They also want it to be about their fairy-tale love story with Bambi playing a big part of the ceremony.'

The source added: 'They're huge fans of Disney, so Molly will be wearing a princess gown and arrive in a horse-drawn carriage. She wants the full Cinderella experience.'
Cillian Murphy was riding on a career high as he hit the black carpet for the Oppenheimer premiere in London on Wednesday.

The actor, 47, plays the leading role in the Christopher Nolan film, which has already received rare reviews from critics who have said his performance is Oscar worthy.

Joined by Hollywood's Matt Damon, Cillian flashed a smile as he was cheered by fans in the capital, after the film debuted in Paris on Tuesday night.

Cillian was dressed in a white T-shirt and black cardigan, while Matt, 52, rocked a white shirt and trousers.

Peaky Blinders star Cillian takes on the role of Dr J. Robert Oppenheimer, the 'father of the atomic bomb', in the 81million blockbuster directed by Christopher Nolan.

Big moment: Cillian Murphy was riding on a career high as he hit the black carpet for the Oppenheimer premiere in London on Wednesday

Here they are: Joined by Hollywood's Matt Damon, Cillian (right) was cheered by fans in the capital, after the film debuted in Paris on Tuesday night

One to watch: The actor, 47, plays the leading role in the Christopher Nolan film, which has already received rare reviews from critics who have said his performance is Oscar worthy

Matt portrays Lieutenant General Leslie Groves - an engineer who directed the Manhattan Project.

Oppenheimer was the director of the laboratory which designed the atomic bomb during World War Two as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project.

The film is being adapted from the 2006 book American Prometheus: The Triumph And Tragedy Of J. Robert Oppenheimer, by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.

The book, which won the Pulitzer Prize, details Oppenheimer's personal life and his time leading the Manhattan Project in the early and mid-1940s.

The film is set to be released on July 21 and has already been hailed as a contender to scoop multiple awards.

Journalists have taken to Twitter to share their glowing reviews of the movie, with one critic describing how the film 'split my brain open' and 'left me sobbing through the end credits'.

The Telegraph's Robbie Collin wrote: 'Am torn between being all coy and mysterious about Oppenheimer and just coming out and saying its a total knockout'

Elsa Keslassy of Variety added: 'A sign that French audiences loved #Oppenheimer is that they stayed in front of the Grand Rex theater long after the film ended to debate about it!'

Casual: Cillian was dressed in a white T-shirt and black cardigan

Say cheese: He posed for a photo with Christopher Nolan at the photocall in Trafalga Square

Cast: (L-R) Christopher Nolan, his wife Emma Thomas, Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr, Florence Pugh and Matt Damon attend the photocal

In high spirits: Matt beamed as he posed in the capital

Cillian was joined by the A-list cast at Wednesday's photocall.

Florence Pugh came to the rescue on Wednesday as she helped Emily Blunt maintain her modesty after the actress' gold jacket popped open.

Quick to offer a helping hand, Florence, 27, rushed to cover up, with the pair unable to control their laughter at the mishap.

Despite the drama, Emily, 40, looked sensational in her metallic gold suit which featured a low neckline and stylish black buttoning.

She added a few extra inches to her frame with a pair of nude heels and accessorised with gold drop earrings.

Oops: Florence Pugh came to the rescue on Wednesday as she helped Emily Blunt maintain her modesty after her jacket came undone at the Oppenheimer photocall in London

Another disaster! Emily was also left struggling with her footwear after Robert Downey Jr misplaced his step and nearly trod on her toe

The Mary Poppins star, who is playing physicist Oppenheimer's wife Kitty in the biological thriller, styled her golden locks in glamorous waves.

She accentuated her striking features with lashings of mascara and a touch of pink lipstick as she posed for the cameras.

Florence also looked incredible as she went braless in a chic denim dress.

The racy number featured a plunging neckline and flared long sleeves, embellished with a patchwork lining along the hem.

She paired her look with elegant white toe-pointed heels and wore a simple diamond necklace to accessorise.

The Don't Worry Darling star also happily showcased her newly-dyed pink locks, with the beauty having previously debuted her shaved hair at the Met Gala in May.

She accentuated her natural beauty with a flawless palette of makeup, including a pink eye shadow and glossy pink lips.

Spirits were certainly high for the cast, with Matt and Robert Downey Jr also shared a sweet embrace.

Oops: Quick to offer a helping hand, Florence, 27, rushed to cover up, with the pair unable to control their laughter at the mishap

Gorgeous in gold: Despite the drama, Emily, 40, looked sensational in her metallic gold suit which featured a low neckline and stylish black buttoning

Bluetiful: Florence also looked incredible as she went braless in a chic denim dress. The racy number featured a plunging neckline and flared long sleeves

Pals: Spirits were certainly high for the cast, with Matt and Robert also sharing a sweet embrace

Funny: Robert looked as suave as ever in a blue suit as he showed off his karate moves

Robert, looked as suave as ever in a blue suit, layered with a baby blue t-shirt.

Showing off his karate moves on the carpet, the actor added a pair of blue sunglasses to his look and white and blue trainers.

Oppenheimer will be released on July 21.
Amanda Holden sent temperatures soaring as she took to the red carpet at the Barbie's UK premiere in London on Wednesday.

The TV personality, 52, put on a very leggy display in a pink mini-dress as she was joined by daughter Hollie, 11.

Amanda's skin-tight frock hugged every inch of her jaw-dropping figure and also boasted dramatic shoulder pads and gloved sleeves.

The stunner, who also shares daughter Lexi, 17, with husband Chris Hughes, matched her accessories perfectly with a chic PVC clutch and a pair of strappy heels.

Sporting a radiant palette of make-up she shielded her eyes behind oversized shades and let her blonde tresses fall loose.

Style: Amanda Holden, 52, sent temperatures soaring as she took to the red carpet at the Barbie's UK premiere alongside daughter Hollie, 11, in London on Wednesday

Hot stuff: The TV personality put on a very leggy display in a pink mini-dress as she posed up a storm at the star-studded event

Meanwhile Hollie looked lovely in a printed Dolce & Gabbana co-ord that featured an off the shoulder top and matching skirt.

She toted her essentials for the evening in a white Kate Spade bag and slipped her feet into ballet flats.

The Barbie movie not only stars Margot, Ryan, and Dua, but also America Ferrera, Will Ferrell, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, and Simu Liu. Various versions of both the Barbie and Ken dolls will be portrayed, with actress Helen Mirren narrating the film.

The premise of the movie, which has a budget of $100 million, follows Barbie and Ken as they travel to the real world in order to find the true meaning of happiness.

Filming began last year in 2022 at Warner Bros. Studios in the UK, while some exterior shots were notably filmed outdoors in Los Angeles, such as Venice.

During a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Greta revealed that Margot had felt 'self-conscious' while filming the Venice Beach scene.

'But 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,' she explained.

'People would go by Ryan, high-five him, and say, 'Awesome, Ryan, you look great!' And they wouldn't actually say anything to Margot. They'd just look at her. It was just surreal. In that moment, she did feel self-conscious.'

Perfection: Amanda's skin-tight frock hugged every inch of her jaw-dropping figure and also boasted dramatic shoulder pads and gloved sleeves

Fun times: The duo posed for a slew of fun snaps before heading to the screening

Pretty in pink: The stunner, who also shares daughter Lexi, 17, with husband Chris Hughes, matched her accessories perfectly with a chic PVC clutch and a pair of strappy heels

Smiles: Meanwhile Hollie looked lovely in a printed Dolce & Gabbana co-ord that featured an off the shoulder top and matching skirt

Glam: She toted her essentials for the evening in a white Kate Spade bag and slipped her feet into ballet flats

Plastic fantastic: Barbie will officially hit theaters later this month on July 21, the same day Christopher Nolan's historical epic drama, Oppenheimer, also releases

Gerwig added, 'And as the director, I wanted to protect her. But I also knew that the scene we were shooting had to be the scene where she felt exposed. And she was exposed, both as a celebrity and as a lady.'

'To be fair, Ryan was like, 'I wish I wasn't wearing this vest.' But it was a different kind of discomfort.'

Dua Lipa's catchy track, Dance The Night, is the lead single on the soundtrack, and officially dropped a few months earlier on May 25.

Other music artists are set to feature on the album as well, such as Ava Max, Ice Spice, Lizzo, Nicki Minaj, Billie Eilish. Ryan Gosling, who plays Ken in the live-action movie, will also appear on the soundtrack with a song called, I'm Just K

Barbie will officially hit theatres later this month on July 21, the same day Christopher Nolan's historical epic drama, Oppenheimer, also releases.
Jonah Hill's ex Sarah Brady has come out in support of Zoey 101 star Alexa Nikolas who claimed the actor 'slammed her against a door and shoved his tongue in her mouth' when she was 16 and he was 24 as she detailed alleged 'predatory behavior' from Hollywood stars in tweets this week.

This came after 26-year-old surf instructor Brady had accused 39-year-old Hill of 'emotional abuse.'

Earlier this week Nikolas, now 31, had claimed that Hill - who is eight years her senior - shoved his tongue down her throat' without her consent when she attended a party at Justin Long's house. Hill has denied all allegations to DailyMail.com.

Brady took to her Instagram Story early Tuesday morning to share a screenshot of direct messages between her and Nikolas as she praised her for opening up about her alleged encounter with the Moneyball actor which she captioned: 'survivors unite [fist emoji]'

Nikolas - who recently slammed a resurfaced Punk'd clip - had written to Brady: 'I shared my personal Jonah story from when I was only 16 and he assaulted me.'

Bonded: Jonah Hill's ex Sarah Brady (left) has come out in support of Zoey 101 star Alexa Nikolas (right) who claimed the actor 'slammed her against a door and shoved his tongue in her mouth' when she was 16 and he was 24

This came after 26-year-old surf instructor Brady had accused 39-year-old Hill of 'emotional abuse'; the former couple are seen in December 2021

Brady took to her Instagram Story early Tuesday morning to share a screenshot of direct messages between her and Nikolas as she praised her for opening up about her alleged encounter with the Moneyball actor which she captioned: 'survivors unite [fist emoji]'

'Thank you for being brave and sharing,' Brady replied. 'I'm sorry that he did that to you.'

The Zoey 101 actress said that she remained quiet about the alleged incident for years until Brady's revelation over the weekend.

Nikolas wrote: 'I was afraid to say anything about it until I ready about your admirable bravery today.'

Brady then chimed in about her ex Hill saying: 'He's a little scary, huh?'

The internet conversation ended with Nikolas saying: 'Sending you so much love and healing You are bad a***.'

In the tweets from Nikolas published on July 8 and 9, she also alleged Long's then roommate, former CSI: Miami actor Jonathan Togo, 45, assaulted a minor friend of hers who was '16 or 17' at the party and that Long allegedly knew about it - which the Jeepers Creepers actor has denied in a statement to DailyMail.com.

Togo and Long would have been around 30 years old at the time of the alleged incidents. Nikolas - who is the founder of Eat Predators, an organization which aims to call out abusers and networks - claims adult men were 'feeding alcohol' to her and her minor friends.

Nikolas also accused Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, 49, of 'utter predatory disrespect for professional boundaries.'

Claim: Nikolas had accused Jonah Hill of 'slamming her against a door and shoving his tongue in her mouth' when she was 16 and he was 24 (Hill pictured R in 2008 aged 24)

Back then: Alexa is seen in 2008 aged 16 in LA

Role: Alexa (left) played Nicole Bristow in Zoey 101 from 2005-2006

She tweeted: 'After reading Sarah Bradys admirable post about #JonahHill I just gotta say when I was 16 I got invited to a house party at #justinlongs house where he was living with some lame predator actor from CSI Miami. Ill look up the name later and find him.

'Oh ya this was the guy living (from my memory) with #justinlong his name is Jonathan Togo ew ew ew.

'He was sleeping *aka assaulting a minor* a friend of mine that was also 16 or 17. Anyways. #JonahHill came over at some point and we were all pretty wasted because of course the predators were feeding us minors a bunch of alcohol.'

Describing the alleged incident between her and Hill - who she claimed knew she was 16 - she wrote: '#jonahhill seemed to have his eyes on me because at one point I wanted a cig and he said he had one in his car right outside. Didnt seem like too much of an effort so I trusted him. I went outside and he grabbed the cigs from his front seat.

'Just to note #JonahHill said if I wanted the cig I had to come with him outside to get it. He didnt wanna go all alone. They were all aware I was 16.

'#JonahHill didnt hand me the cig which I thought was weird and then as we walked back to the door I asked him for it and he said nothing but slammed me to the door and shoved his tongue down my throat. I was so appalled I pushed him off of me and ran inside.'

She then blasted Long over allegedly inviting teenagers to his house, writing: 'Also #justinlong why the f**k did you have children at your house late night? Ew.

'Hey Justin Long I find it interesting you being in Barbarian as a predator. It must have been weird playing some of your friends.

Alleged: The actress, 31, claimed Hill, now 39 - who was accused of 'emotional abuse' by ex Sarah Brady this week, 'grabbed her and shoved his tongue down her throat' when she attended a party at Justin Long's house (Hill pictured 2008)

In tweets published on July 8 and 9, Nikolas also alleged Long's then roommate, former CSI: Miami actor Jonathan Togo, 45, (seen left with Long in 2008) assaulted a minor friend of hers who was '16 or 17' at the party and that Long allegedly knew about it - which Long has denied

Nikolas named Togo as the alleged attacker and shared a photo of him

Claim: Nikolas claimed Hill grabbed her and forced a kiss on her in shock tweets

'You knew your roommate was assaulting a minor under your own roof. You let it happen. Eek. I hope you regret it now.'

She also tweeted: 'I was 16 and #JonahHill was 24? Not okay.

'Ive been traumatized by men in Hollywood. Its truly sad the traumatic events I have lodged in my body and mind. Things have to change. F**k #familyguy too.'

Referencing MacFarlane, Nikolas, who voiced a character in a 2011 episode of Family Guy when she was 18 years old, wrote: 'One day soon after more therapy we can all start talking about #sethmacfarlanes utter predatory disrespect for professional boundaries period.

'I was 18. He was my boss and he is 19 years older than me.

'Oh ya and mysteriously offered the job. Never did voice work in my entire life. Creep.'

DailyMail.com has also contacted representatives for Seth Macfarlane and Jonathan Togo for comment.

A spokesman for Justin Long told DailyMail.com: 'This is the first time Justin has been made aware of this situation that allegedly happened nearly two decades ago. While Justin is sympathetic to any and all victims of any abuse , the simple fact remains he has no knowledge of what may or may not have happened concerning Ms. Nikolas.'

This comes after Brady, 26, - who dated Hill in 2021 for one year - set the internet alight on Friday by taking to Instagram to share messages allegedly sent by him that appear to reveal their past arguments - including messages outlining his parameters for a 'romantic partnership.'

Nikolas also lambasted Long online - who has denied her allegations

Claim: Nikolas also accused Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane of 'predatory disrespect'

In June, it was revealed that Hill had welcomed his first child with his current girlfriend Olivia Millar.

Sarah revealed why she waited until his new girlfriend gave birth before posting.

Brady took to her Instagram Story on Sunday to post a voice memo to explain the timing of her posts was out of respect toward the pregnancy of Jonah's girlfriend Olivia Millar.

She could be heard saying: 'I didnt want [Millar] to have to see all of this while she was pregnant because I didnt know what kind of stress that would cause her and her baby physically.'

The surf instructor went on to say that she knows that 'the timing can seem bad' but she is hoping that Millar had seen the posts in order to 'make an informed decision of how she wants to care for herself and her baby.

'I just hope she would receive some of these screenshots somehow through friends, like, friends of mine that I met through him that I know are good people that I know would make an effort to protect her.'

This came just a day after Brady blasted the Superbad star by taking to Instagram to share messages allegedly sent by him that appear to reveal their past arguments.

It comes less than one month after news broke that the filmmaker welcomed a baby with girlfriend Olivia Millar.

DailyMail.com reached out to Hill's representative for comment.

Exposed? Hill's ex Sarah Brady blasted the Superbad star by taking to Instagram to share messages allegedly sent by him that appear to reveal their past arguments; pictured in 2021

Tense: Taking to Instagram late on Friday night, the surfer blasted the 39-year-old Superbad star by sharing screenshots of their past arguments

The rollout of damning statements against the movie producer began with an Instagram Stories post Brady shared with the caption, 'F*** it.'

The screenshot showed two messages alleged to be from Jonah on December 2, 2021.

The lengthy initial text apparently from Jonah included a list of unacceptable behaviors from Sarah if they were to be together romantically.

The new dad allegedly mentioned things including 'surfing with men,' 'inappropriate friendships with men,' and 'posting pictures of yourself in a bathing suit' that were off limits for his then-girlfriend.

He additionally stated that if Sarah 'needed' to 'model,' 'post sexual pictures,' or maintain friendships with women who were part of her 'wild recent past' then he was 'not the right partner' for her.

In another post of his alleged messages, Brady claimed that Hill only wanted her to socialize with friends whom he had 'personally approved.'

The entertainer, whose documentary Stutz came out on Netflix last year, added, 'If these things bring you to a place of happiness I support it and there will be no hard feelings. These are my boundaries for romantic partnership.'

He then clarified, 'My boundaries with you based on the ways these actions have hurt our trust.'

Sarah wrote online to her nearly 80,000 followers, 'See the misuse of the term "boundaries"?'

Brady spun her posts as a 'warning to all girls.'

'If your partner is talking to you like this, make an exit plan,' she captioned a screenshot that appeared to show Hill complaining about social media photos featuring her 'a** in a thong.'

Implicit: Brady used the caption of new Instagram post to air out her ex. She claimed he had requested that she take down the full-clothed photo

Heed: Sarah called her decision to release the private messages a 'warning to all girls'

Unleashing: Sarah posted a message thread with the caption 'you make me sick'

'Call me if you need an ear,' she added.

After Brady appeared to have signaled that she had deleted some of the supposedly offending photos, the Wolf Of Wall Street star appeared to tell his then-girlfriend it was a 'good start' but that she didn't 'seem to get' his point.

'But its not my place to teach you. Ive made my boundaries clear,' he affirmed. 'You refuse to let go of some of them and youve made that clear and I hope it makes you happy.'

Brady maintained that her ex-boyfriend's critiques were made in an attempt to control her.

She explained that she agreed with his requests in an attempt to keep him from experiencing 'crippling anxiety.'

Insight: Sarah alleged that while dating Jonah, he had to 'personally approve' her friends

Former flames: The couple used to regularly coordinate their outfits

One wish: Sarah said she wants her ex to be held accountable

Getting personal: In part of her tirade against her ex, the athlete noted, 'I hope my ex has a daughter, maybe shell turn him into a real feminist.'

'It hurts so badly': Brady seemed to be addressing Hill when she wrote 'Gaslight much?' over one screenshot. In the text, he appeared to complain that he was 'so lovely' to her, which he didn't feel was being reciprocated

Interacting with her fans, Sarah admitted: 'Its been a year of healing & growth with the help of loved ones and doctors to get back to living my life without guilt, shame and self-judgment for things as small as surfing in a swimsuit rather than a more conservative wetsuit.'

She continued, 'And Im sure theres still much more healing from this abuse ahead of me.'

The former duo first went public with their romance in August 2021 after their connection was sparked when Jonah approached her online.

On Friday Sarah said she was 'sharing this publicly now because keeping it to myself was causing more damage to my mental health than sharing it could ever do.'

She also explained she used to take the 'blame' for Hill's actions when they would speak with their therapist.

In part of her tirade against her ex, the athlete noted, 'I hope my ex has a daughter, maybe shell turn him into a real feminist.

'Because the fact that he calls himself a feminist now is laughable.  If I could have one wish for him it would be that he is surrounded by feminist men who can hold him accountable to grow in the ways he has expressed he wants to.'

The law student went on to say, 'I think fame can put people in an echo chamber of viewpoints, which can enable emotionally abusive behavior.'

Odd standards: One snippet of conversation appeared to show Hill complaining that his then-girlfriend's 'therapist thinks I suck,' before he called himself 'literally ... the best boyfriend. On earth'

Ridiculous: In a screenshot of a conversation with another person, Brady claimed that a therapist had urged her to come up with a 'safe word'  'pineapple'  for 'when Jonah was yelling at me'

Shade: In other posts, she urged her followers to 'Boycott Stutz,' Hill's documentary about his relationship with his therapist. One included a screenshot of text saying it 'is never appropriate for a therapist to speak about themselves at length'

One snippet of conversation appeared to show Hill complaining that his then-girlfriend's 'therapist thinks I suck.'

Brady seemed to be addressing Hill when she wrote 'Gaslight much?' over one screenshot.

In the text, he appeared to complain that he was 'so lovely' to her, which he didn't feel was being reciprocated.

'I literally am the best boyfriend. On earth,' he added. She mocked the sentiment by sarcastically writing #1 Boyfriend over the screenshot and adding a photo of a smiling dog.

In other posts, she urged her followers to 'Boycott Stutz,' Hill's documentary about his relationship with his therapist. One included a screenshot of text saying it 'is never appropriate for a therapist to speak about themselves at length.'

She also clarified that just because a person is 'emotionally abusive,' it 'doesnt mean theyre a terrible person.'

'At the same time, it doesnt mean its OK,' she said.

In addition to screenshots of conversations allegedly between her and Hill, Brady also included screenshots that appeared to show her complaining about her ex with another person.

She also clarified that just because a person is 'emotionally abusive,' it 'doesnt mean theyre a terrible person,' adding, 'At the same time, it doesnt mean its OK'

On Friday Sarah said she was 'sharing this publicly now because keeping it to myself was causing more damage to my mental health than sharing it could ever do.'

The other person said it must have made her 'feel crazy having a licensed professional tell You to Not talk to other men to keep your boyfriend from acting like a f***ing baby.'

Brady claimed that the therapist suggested she come up with a 'safe word for when Jonah was yelling at me,' which was 'pineapple.'

In June, it was revealed that Hill had welcomed his first child with his current girlfriend Olivia.

Details about the child, including the birth date, were not revealed, but his rep confirmed she gave birth in the spring of 2023.

Heads up: Sarah shared screen shots of her messages with Jonah that showed the actor letting her know he'd started dating another woman

Furious: Sarah told Jonah 'I'd appreciate if you'd make that woman aware of how recently you've been flirting with me, sexting me and leaning on me for partner level emotional support'. He replied by denying the timing of his new romance was 'inappropriate'

A question of timing: Jonah said it had been 'six months' since the end of the relationship. Sarah then produced a screen shot of a sexting message from mid July

'I've done nothing wrong': Jonah said he was 'deeply' let down by Sarah's reaction and felt violated by the fact she'd taken a screenshot of his sext

Hill - a self-described mental health advocate - then offered to pay for Brady's therapy for the rest of 2022 'even though you'll somehow punish me with that gesture.'

On Monday Brady posted more exchanges - which she claimed took place on August 30 and 31 last year - around the time he moved on with Millar which he texted Brady about.

She responded: 'I'd appreciate if you make that woman aware of how recently you've been flirting with me, sexting me, and leaning on me for partner-level emotional support.'

She also shared a screengrab of him writing about 'holding my hard [censored]' in a text dated July 13, 2022, prompting the actor to confirm: 'Yes we sexted two months ago.'

Hill blasted Sarah for the screenshot, branding it 'triggering' and accusing her of breaching his trust.
Cindy Beale made a shocking return from the dead after 26-years last month, as she was revealed to be living in France with ex-husband Ian Beale.

And now EastEnders viewers are convinced have worked out how the villain, played by Michelle Collins, will work her way back to Albert Square.

During Wednesday's episode, Ian's mum Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) was discussing her upcoming honeymoon with son Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden).

While drowning her sorrows at the Prince Albert she was busy complaining about her husband-to-be Rocky (Brian Conley) after he attempted to organise her a surprise hen do.

Saying: 'I have been on at him for months about a cruise for our honeymoon, I've given him all the info and what does he do?,'.

Shocking: EastEnders viewers have been left convinced they have uncovered how Cindy Beale will make her dramatic return to Albert Square on Monday (Kathy Beale pictured)

Back with a bang: Cindy made a shocking return from the dead after 26-years last month, as she was revealed to be living in France with ex-husband Ian Beale

Kathy continued: 'He books us a cottage in France'.

Racing to Twitter fans were convinced the trip would see characters collide with one writing: 'Cottage in France for Kathy's honeymoon and it just happens to be where Ian currently is'.

While a second said: 'Honeymoon in France, bet she runs into Ian'.

A third commented: 'OMG Kathy and Rocky are going to a cottage in France.... Ian and Cindy are also in France?!?'.

Another echoed the sentiment saying: 'So Rocky has booked a villa inFrance for him and Kathy's honeymoon? What's the betting it's right near Ian and Cindy'.

And: 'Cottage in France? Does she bump into Ian there?'.

However later in the episode Rocky surprised Kathy with her cruise tickets, as the plot continues to thicken.

In the pub: While drowning her sorrows at the Prince Albert she was busy complaining about her husband-to-be Rocky (Brian Conley) and his honeymoon plans in France

Shock: With fans racing to Twitter convinced the trip would see characters collide

Convinced: One wrote: 'Cottage in France for Kathy's honeymoon and it just happens to be where Ian currently is'

It comes after fears for EastEnders' future have reportedly been ignited as fans have switched off in their droves over 'desperate' plots in recent times.

In the BBC soap's heyday, the programme would draw in audiences of up to 30million, with storylines such as Den and Angie Watts' divorce dominating - however, this week the soap has barely drawn in over a million viewers, according to overnight figures.

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' - while there are also claims that the stories have gone 'woke'.

The decision to build an eye-watering 87million new set is also said to have come under scrutiny on the show, despite the programme recently winning big at the recent British Soap Awards, with four gongs in publicly voted categories.

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.

Concern: It comes after fears for EastEnders ' future have reportedly been ignited as fans have switched off in their droves over 'desperate' plots in recent times

 Slide me  Before and after: The old EastEnders set has finally been demolished more than a year after the BBC soap opera moved to its brand new 87million set

Peak: In the BBC soap's heyday, it would draw in audiences of up to 30 million, with storylines such as Den and Angie Watts' divorce dominating - however, this week it's drawn a little over a million viewers

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 spokesperson 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...

'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 18 million times on BBC iPlayer and remains one of iPlayer's most popular programmes.'
America Ferrera looked chic as she stepped out at Barbie's European premiere in London on Wednesday before heading off to the film's photocall.

The actress, 39, stunned in a plunging rhinestone gown as she joined the star-studded arrivals at Cineworld Leicester Square to celebrate the upcoming release.

She then changed into a fitted red dress and headed over to the evening's second occasion at the Lastminute.com London Eye where the cast lit up the landmark in pink.

Her first dress nipped in at the waist with a thick band and featured a ruffled fabric peplum down one side.

America, who plays a human character named Gloria, accessorised her Old Hollywood look with a pair of sheer opera gloves.

Switching it up: America Ferrera looked chic as she stepped out at Barbie's European premiere in London on Wednesday before heading off to the film's photocall

She topped off her outfit with a deep red lipstick and styled her hair into soft, glamours waves.

America joined a whole host of her Barbie co-stars at the much-anticipated premiere, including leading stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.

The star later changed into another dress that featured long sleeves, structured shoulder pads and a heart shaped cut-out on the back.

She topped it off with a pair of mirrored stiletto heels and some large, square earrings.

Margot, who tackled the leading role of Barbie, has recently been kept busy on a global press tour with other cast members, and has made stops in countries such as Australia, South Korea, and Mexico.

But Margot will star as just one version of Barbie as the iconic doll will be brought to life by an array of stars, who will each take on an aspect of the versatile character.

Greta Gerwig, who is known for directing past films such as Little Women (2019) and Lady Bird (2017), not only took on the role as director of the upcoming fantasy comedy, but also co-wrote the screenplay with Noah Baumbach.

The Barbie movie not only stars Margot, Ryan Gosling, and Dua Lipa, but also Will Ferrell, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, and Simu Liu. Various versions of both the Barbie and Ken dolls will be portrayed, with actress Helen Mirren narrating the film.

Flawless: The actress stunned in a plunging rhinestone gown as she joined the star-studded arrivals at Cineworld Leicester Square to celebrate the upcoming release

Glitzy: Her first dress nipped in at the waist with a thick band and featured a ruffled fabric peplum down one side

Pink carpet: America joined a whole host of her Barbie co-stars at the much-anticipated premiere, including leading stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling

All smiles: She topped off her outfit with a deep red lipstick and styled her hair into soft, glamours waves

She's arrived: The star later changed into another dress that featured long sleeves, structured shoulder pads and a heart shaped cut-out on the back

Beaming: She topped it off with a pair of mirrored stiletto heels and some large, square earrings

The premise of the movie, which has a budget of $100 million, follows Barbie and Ken as they travel to the real world in order to find the true meaning of happiness.

Filming began last year in 2022 at Warner Bros. Studios in the UK, while some exterior shots were notably filmed outdoors in Los Angeles, such as Venice.

During a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Greta revealed that Margot had felt 'self-conscious' while filming the Venice Beach scene.

'People would go by Ryan, high-five him, and say, 'Awesome, Ryan, you look great!' And they wouldn't actually say anything to Margot. They'd just look at her. It was just surreal. In that moment, she did feel self-conscious.'
She never puts a foot wrong when it comes to fashion.

And Jourdan Dunn turned up the heat in a very leggy black PVC mini dress as she attended the Barbie London premiere on Wednesday night at Cineworld Leicester Square.

The model, 32, ensured all eyes were on her in the thigh-skimming number which was cinched in at the waist to show off her figure.

It was completed with oversized lapels, white shirt cuffs and she boosted her height with white Jimmy Choo heels.

She accessorised with a boxy matching black bag and wore a statement circular hat tipped to one side.

Wow! Jourdan Dunn turned up the heat in a very leggy black PVC mini dress as she attended the Barbie London premiere on Wednesday night at Cineworld Leicester Square

Incredible: The model, 32, ensured all eyes were on her in the thigh-skimming number which was cinched in at the waist to show off her figure

She wore her long dark tresses pulled back and opted for a typically glamorous makeup look courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury.

She accentuated her features with the brand's Pinkgasm jewel lipgloss while achieving a gorgeous glow Charlotte's Magic Cream and new Hydrator Mist.

Margot Robbie, who tackled the leading role of Barbie, has recently been kept busy on a global press tour with other cast members including Ryan Gosling as Ken, and has made stops in countries such as Australia, South Korea, and Mexico so far.

Greta Gerwig, who is known for directing past films such as Little Women (2019) and Lady Bird (2017), not only took on the role as director of the upcoming fantasy comedy, but also co-wrote the screenplay with Noah Baumbach.

The Barbie movie not only stars Margot, Ryan, and Dua, but also America Ferrera, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, and Simu Liu. Various versions of both the Barbie and Ken dolls will be portrayed, with actress Helen Mirren narrating the film.

The premise of the movie, which has a budget of $100 million, follows Barbie and Ken as they travel to the real world in order to find the true meaning of happiness.

Filming began last year in 2022 at Warner Bros. Studios in England, while some exterior shots were notably filmed outdoors in Los Angeles, such as Venice.

During a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Greta revealed that Margot had felt 'self-conscious' while filming the Venice Beach scene.

'But 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,' she explained.

Work it: It was completed with oversized lapels, white shirt cuffs and she boosted her height with white Jimmy Choo heels

Outfit: She accessorised with a boxy matching black bag and wore a statement circular hat tipped to one side

Glowing: She wore her long dark tresses pulled back and opted for a typically glamorous makeup look

Career: Margot Robbie, who tackled the leading role of Barbie, has recently been kept busy on a global press tour with other cast members including Ryan Gosling as Ken

Talent: Greta Gerwig, who is known for directing past films such as Little Women (2019) and Lady Bird (2017), not only took on the role as director of the upcoming fantasy comedy, but also co-wrote the screenplay with Noah Baumbach

Plot: The premise of the movie, which has a budget of $100 million, follows Barbie and Ken as they travel to the real world in order to find the true meaning of happiness

Film: Filming began last year in 2022 at Warner Bros. Studios in England, while some exterior shots were notably filmed outdoors in Los Angeles, such as Venice

Oh no! During a recent interview with Rolling Stone , Greta revealed that Margot had felt 'self-conscious' while filming the Venice Beach scene

Cast: The Barbie movie not only stars Margot, Ryan, and Dua, but also America Ferrera, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, and Simu Liu

Fun: Various versions of both the Barbie and Ken dolls will be portrayed, with actress Helen Mirren narrating the film

Confident: She put on a leggy display in the black mini dress

Yay! Barbie will officially hit theaters later this month on July 21, the same day Christopher Nolan's historical epic drama, Oppenheimer, also releases

'People would go by Ryan, high-five him, and say, "Awesome, Ryan, you look great!" And they wouldnt actually say anything to Margot. Theyd just look at her. It was just surreal. In that moment, she did feel self-conscious.'

Gerwig added, 'And as the director, I wanted to protect her. But I also knew that the scene we were shooting had to be the scene where she felt exposed. And she was exposed, both as a celebrity and as a lady.'

'To be fair, Ryan was like, "I wish I wasnt wearing this vest." But it was a different kind of discomfort.'

Barbie will officially hit theaters later this month on July 21, the same day Christopher Nolan's historical epic drama, Oppenheimer, also releases.
Clara McGregor looked elegant as she joined chic Sofia Carson, Trudie Styler and Brendan Fraser at the Ischia Global Fest 2023 in Italy on Wednesday.

The actress, 27, opted for a stylish black slip dress with a plunging neckline and studded silver belt.

Clara, who is the daughter of Ewan McGregor and Eve Mavrakis, elevated her height with a pair of silver sandals.

Joining her at the event, Sofia, 30, looked incredible in an off-the-shoulder cherry red mini dress.

The actress pulled her brunette hair back into a high pony tail and topped her look off with a towering pair of heels.

Sophisticated: Clara McGregor, 27, looked elegant at the Ischia Global Fest 2023 in Italy on Wednesday

Bright: Clara, who is the daughter of Ewan McGregor and Eve Mavrakis, was joined by chic Sofia Carson and Trudie Styler (L-R) at the event

Trudie, 69, opted for a very bold look, wearing a bright yellow shirt with a floral printed maxi skirt.

She shielded she eyes with a pair of sunglasses and completed her look with some wedge heels.

Elsewhere, Brendan, 54, wore a casual grey polo shirt with some dark blue jeans and a pair of trainers.

Clara's trip comes after she was recently spotted in Czech Republic with her dad Ewan to promote their new movie You Sing Loud, I Sing Louder.

The father-daughter duo are starring together in their latest project which focuses on a father daughter road trip, with Ewan's character driving his daughter, played by Clara, to rehab.

Ewan shares Clara with ex-wife Eve Mavrakis, and has repaired his relationship with his daughter over the past five years.

While the drive is fictional, the premise of a dad trying to help his daughter is based on Clara's own experience.

With Ewan saying at the SXSW Conference in Texas in March: 'I sat down to read it and I was blown away. It was a beautiful story about us. There's things that aren't accurate, or are bent, but they still reflect our estrangement for a while,'

Cool: Elsewhere, Brendan, 54, wore a casual grey polo shirt with some dark blue jeans and a pair of trainers

Stunning: Clara opted for a stylish black slip dress with a plunging neckline and studded silver belt

Holiday mode: Clara later shielded her eyes with a pair of sunglasses

Glam: Sofia, 30, looked incredible in an off-the-shoulder cherry red mini dress

Chic: The actress pulled her brunette hair back into a high pony tail and topped her look off with a towering pair of heels

Smiles: Trudie, 69, opted for a very bold look, wearing a bright yellow shirt with a floral printed maxi skirt

Event: The film and music festival runs until July 16

Founder: The actor joined festival producer Pascal Vicedomini

'The drive is fictional. But for a couple of years, we sort of lost her. So the storyline is about her realising that she needs the help her father's trying to give.

'Along the way, their relationship is healed somewhat.'

Despite the huge success of his comeback movie The Whale, Brendan revealed to People earlier this month that he is being 'really picky about his next role and currently doesn't have anything lined up.

He recently attended the Greenwich International Film Festival where he was honoured for his work and his philanthropy as part of the festival's first ever Inspiration Talk and award.
Amelia Dimoldenberg perfectly nailed the dress code as she stepped out at the London premiere for the hotly-anticipated Barbie movie on Wednesday.

The Chicken Shop Date host, 29, dressed as a Mattel doll as she perfectly recreated the 2010 news anchor Barbie while hosting the star-studded pink carpet.

She nailed every inch of the Barbie 'I Can Be News Anchor' doll's outfit as she brought the character to life while conducting interviews with the movie's stars.

Amelia looked effortlessly stylish in a pink satin skirt featuring a ruffled hem and black stitching, which she styled with a dark top.

She completed her ensemble with a cropped pink tweed blazer and gave herself a few extra inches with a pair of platform black heels with pink bows on them.

Recreation: Amelia Dimoldenberg recreated the 2010 news anchor Barbie as she stepped out at the London premiere for the hotly-anticipated Barbie movie on Wednesday

Barbie girl! The Chicken Shop Date host, 29, nailed every inch of the Barbie 'I Can Be News Anchor' doll's outfit as she brought the character to life while conducting interviews herself

Amelia carried a Barbie branded microphone and a pink piece of paper with the same branding on, as she even recreated the doll's accessories.

The interviewer styled her golden tresses in a straight fashion with her fringe framing her features, while she opted for a dramatic slick of eyeliner.

She perfectly nailed every single aspect of her ensemble as she looked every inch like the original news anchor doll, which was discontinued in 2012.

Amelia also took to her Instagram Stories to reveal her fashion inspiration as she embodied Barbie to host the pink carpet.

And Amelia was not the only star to channel Barbie at the premiere as leading star Margot Robbie also recreated one of the doll's looks.

The actress, 33, has already debuted a series of looks inspired by the doll in the lead up to the film's release, and chose to channel a 1960s Enchanted Evening figurine for the hotly anticipated event.

She wowed in a stunning pink satin gown from Vivienne Westwood with a white fur trim as she pose up a storm.

The dress was cinched in with a corset-style top with a flower on her hip and featured a dramatic train.

Glam: Amelia looked effortlessly stylish in a pink satin skirt featuring a ruffled hem and black stitching, which she styled with a dark top

Life in plastic, it's fantastic! She completed her ensemble with a cropped pink tweed blazer and gave herself a few extra inches with a pair of platform black heels with pink bows on them

Similarities: Amelia carried a Barbie branded microphone and a pink piece of paper with the same branding on, as she even recreated the doll's accessories

Inspiration: Amelia also took to her Instagram Stories to reveal her fashion inspiration as she embodied Barbie to host the pink carpet

Margot, who plays the leading role of Barbie in the film, boosted her height with see-through heels and wore a pearl chocker as well as long white gloves.

Margot has recently been kept busy on a global press tour with other cast members, and has made stops in countries such as Australia, South Korea, and Mexico.

Margot will star as just one version of Barbie as the iconic doll will be brought to life by an array of stars, who will each take on an aspect of the versatile character.

Sex Education's Emma Mackey will star as a Barbie who has a 'Nobel Prize in physics' while Alexandra Shipp will be an author version of the doll.

Greta Gerwig, who is known for directing past films such as Little Women (2019) and Lady Bird (2017), not only took on the role as director of the upcoming fantasy comedy, but also co-wrote the screenplay with Noah Baumbach.

The Barbie movie stars a whole host of talent including Margot, Ryan Gosling, Dua LIpa, America Ferrera, Will Ferrell, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, and Simu Liu.

Various versions of both the Barbie and Ken dolls will be portrayed, with actress Helen Mirren narrating the film.

The premise of the movie, which has a budget of $100 million, follows Barbie and Ken as they travel to the real world in order to find the true meaning of happiness.

Filming began last year in 2022 at Warner Bros. Studios in the UK, while some exterior shots were notably filmed outdoors in Los Angeles, such as Venice.

During a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Greta revealed that Margot had felt 'self-conscious' while filming the Venice Beach scene.

'But 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,' she explained.

'People would go by Ryan, high-five him, and say, 'Awesome, Ryan, you look great!' And they wouldn't actually say anything to Margot. They'd just look at her. It was just surreal. In that moment, she did feel self-conscious.'

Partying! Amelia joined Clara Amfo on stage as the pair showed off their dance moves while hosting at the premiere

Uncanny! And Amelia was not the only star to channel Barbie at the premiere as leading star Margot Robbie also recreated one of the doll's looks

Exciting! Barbie, starring Margot as the leading doll, will officially hit theatres later this month on July 21

Gerwig added: 'And as the director, I wanted to protect her. But I also knew that the scene we were shooting had to be the scene where she felt exposed. And she was exposed, both as a celebrity and as a lady.'

'To be fair, Ryan was like, 'I wish I wasn't wearing this vest.' But it was a different kind of discomfort.'

Dua's catchy track, Dance The Night, is the lead single on the soundtrack, and officially dropped a few months earlier on May 25.

Other music artists are set to feature on the album as well, such as Ava Max, Ice Spice, Lizzo, Nicki Minaj, Billie Eilish. Ryan Gosling, who plays Ken in the live-action movie, will also appear on the soundtrack with a song called, I'm Just K

Barbie will officially hit theatres later this month on July 21, the same day Christopher Nolan's historical epic drama, Oppenheimer, also releases.
Scott Disick seemingly shaded Blac Chyna in a teaser for the upcoming new episode of Hulu's The Kardashians shared by E! News.

'Youre basically somewhat of a co-parent to Dream,' Disick, 40, said to Khloe Kardashian, 39, in the clip.

The forthcoming episode highlights a conversation between the two as they celebrated Dream Kardashian's 6th birthday last November.

The bash was thrown by the Good American co-founder.

'Youre, like, more than an aunt,' Scott said to Khloe, whose niece Dream is brother Rob Kardashian's daughter.

Khloe replied that she feels more like a 'third wheel' to Dream's parents Rob and Chyna, and Disick doubled down on his prior statement as he insisted, 'Youre the wheel that makes the car move.'

Aunt and niece: Scott Disick shaded Blac Chyna in a teaser for the upcoming new episode of Hulu's The Kardashians as he said Khloe Kardashian 'co-parents' her daughter Dream, 6, with Rob Kardashian

His words: 'Youre basically somewhat of a co-parent to Dream,' Disick, 40, said to Khloe, 39, in the clip

Khloe, who is mom to daughter True, five, and son Tatum, 11 months, later admitted she does feel like a third parent to her niece.

'Dream is one of my babies, too, just like all the rest of them,' the proud aunt gushed in an interview snippet.

'I absolutely love being a mom to people,' she said in the confessional. 'I love mothering people. Its so in my blood just to be a mom. I wouldnt have it any other way.'

In addition to Dream, Khloe is also aunt to Mason Disick, 13, Penelope Disick, 11, Reign Disick, 8, North West, 10, Saint West, 7, Chicago West, 5, Psalm West, 4, Stormi Webster, 5, and Aire Webster, 1.

Rob, 36, and Chyna, 35, welcomed Dream in 2016 before going their separate ways in 2017.

That year the model and entrepreneur took Khloe, Rob, Kris Jenner, Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian to court for defamation, in hopes of winning upwards of $100 million.

The five reality TV stars emerged triumphant in 2022 when a jury found them innocent following a two-week trial.

Despite the litigation, Chyna told The Sun that there's never been any ill-will toward the family on her part.

Former couple: Rob, 36, and Chyna, 35, welcomed Dream in 2016 before going their separate ways in 2017

'As far as negativity goes, no. On my side, there's never been anything negative. I don't talk about them,' she said.

'I've never talked about them for what, the past six years now. So it's all love,' she insisted.

Chyna, who has turned a new leaf by removing all of her cosmetic enhancements, is also mother to son King, 10.

And in regard to her relationship with exes Rob and King's father, rapper Tyga, the star said, 'There are no challenges. Everythings been going, like, really smooth.'

But back in March 2022 Tyga and Rob defended themselves after Chyna - real name Angela White - said she had to sell three cars to support herself and her brood.

Chyna's claims were reshared by Instagram page The Shade Room, where Rob joined in the comments to clap back.

The Arthur George founder wrote online, 'I pay 37k a year for my daughter's school. I handle every single medical expense. I pay for all her extracurricular activities. I have my daughter from Tuesday-Saturday. Why would I pay child support lol.'

And Tyga joined in to add, 'I pay 40k a year for my son's school and he lives with me Monday-Saturday. Why would I pay child support lol.'

Close: Khloe and her younger brother Rob share a close-knit bond

White recently had all of her face fillers and illegal silicone injections removed, in addition to having her Baphomet tattoo lasered off her left hip.

Chyna had previously undergone five breast augmentations and three liposuction surgeries.

This year she legally changed her name back to Angela White, but has kept Blac Chyna as her alias on social media.

She keeps busy running her clothing line BlacChynaCloset as well as her beauty company Lashed Cosmetics.
Jennifer Lopez looked happy as she exited Tracy Anderson Method Studio in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The 53-year-old superstar - who celebrated the Fourth of July in The Hamptons - flashed her megawatt smile after working up a sweat.

The Bronx native wore a light blue crew neck sweatshirt and carried a coveted white leather Hermes bag.

The mother-of-two, who shares 15-year-old twins Emme and Max with ex-husband Marc Anthony, rocked clinging leggings with an abstract pattern.

As she left the gym she held a bedazzled, personalized reusable water bottle in her hand.

Good mood: Jennifer Lopez looked happy as she exited Tracy Anderson Method Studio in Los Angeles on Wednesday

On the go: The 53-year-old superstar was spotted leaving after working up a sweat

The entrepreneur pulled her light brown locks up and secured them with a brown claw clip.

Her hair was visibly sweaty from her grueling workout, with damp strands falling around her neck.

The superstar donned a pair of lightly-tinted aviator sunglasses as she left the popular facility where stars like Olivia Wilde and Harry Styles regularly exercise.

JLo teamed her gym outfit with a pair of fashionable white sneakers.

An employee at the gym held the door open for her as she headed straight to a car that was waiting for her.

It comes after the multihyphenate recently defended critics of her alcohol brand Delola.

The star hit back at critics who blasted her choice to create her alcohol brand, despite previously saying she doesn't drink.

'I know that a lot of people have been talking about like, "Oh she doesn't even drink, what's she doing with a cocktail?" And to tell you the truth, that was true for a long time, I didn't drink,' she explained.

Hydrated: As she left the gym she held a bedazzled, personalized reusable water bottle in her hand

Fuss-free: The entrepreneur pulled her light brown locks up and secured them with a brown claw clip

'A few years back, as you will see from several photos of me out over the past 10, maybe 15 years, I have been having the occasional cocktail,' she added.

'I do enjoy the occasional cocktail. I do drink responsibly, I don't drink to get s***-faced.

'I drink to be social and to have a nice time and just kind of relax and to let loose a little bit, but always responsibly,' she emphasized.

'I have to tell you, I tried a lot of different things, cocktails, I was into White Russians at one point, I was into rose, but I never found anything that I really loved. And so like anything else in my life, I created it myself,' Jennifer gushed.

Jenny From The Block then filmed herself going into a local liquor store and finding bottles of Delola.
Al Pacino's ex Lucila Sola showed the actor what he's missing in a sizzling new Instagram snap, following reports that she's been 'banned' from visiting him.

The 47-year-old mother of Daisy and the Six actress and Leonardo Di Caprio's ex-girlfriend, Camila Morrone, wowed in a nude-toned bikini that showed off her spectacular figure.

The beauty wore her brunette tresses cascading down her shoulders in beachy waves, and was pictured leaning against a rock in the snap as she enjoyed a vacation in Italy.

'Italia!!!' she captioned the photo, adding the Italian flag emoji.

The snap comes after reports that Al Pacino's, 83, current girlfriend Noor Alfallah, 29, is refusing to let Lucila visit their home - even though he still acts as a 'stepfather' to her model daughter Camila.

If you've got it! Al Pacino's ex Lucila Sola, 47, showed the actor, 83, what he's missing in a sizzling new Instagram snap, where she flaunted her spectacular figure in a nude bikini

Banned: The snap comes after reports that Al Pacino's, 83, current girlfriend Noor Alfallah, 29, 'banned' Lucila from visiting their home; Noor and Al pictured in April 2023

Lucila's last Instagram post prior to the new snap was all the way back in April of 2022, and saw her enjoying an outing in snowy weather.

Last month, Al shocked the world when it was revealed that his partner was eight-months pregnant with their first child together.

The legendary Hollywood actor then welcomed his fourth child, son Roman, in June.

The couple's surprise announcement has taken a serious toll on Al's relationship with his former girlfriend and 'close friend' Lucila.

According to a source close to the actress - who dated Al for four years before they split in 2015 - Noor has effectively 'banned' Lucila from the Scarface star's home in LA, where she is currently living.

'Over the last few months, Noor's relationship with Al has become more serious - and it has become increasingly difficult for Lucila to get face time with Al,' the insider shared. '[Noor] keeps trying to keep Lucila away from Al.'

Al's spokesperson declined to respond to a request for comment.

Although Al and Lucila ended their relationship eight years ago, the pair have remained incredibly close over the years - an the actor is still understood to play a 'stepfather' role to his ex's daughter Camila, 25.

In fact, it was Al who was said to have introduced Camila to her former boyfriend, Leonardo DiCaprio, 48, helping to spark their five-year romance back in 2017.

Over the years, Lucila and Al have been seen spending time together on a number of occasions, with the insider describing them as 'best friends'.

Severed bond: Although Al and Lucila ended their four-year relationship eight years ago, the pair have remained incredibly close over the years; Seen together in 2019

Moved: The insider revealed that Lucila has been left so hurt by Noor's actions that she has moved from her LA home and relocated to New York to be closer to daughter Camila Morrone; She is pictured with Al in 2014

Stepdad duties: While Lucila and Al were dating, the actor became a 'stepfather' to Camila, 25, and still plays that role in her life, it's been reported; Camila, Al, and Lucila pictured in 2014

In March, Al was seen paying a visit to his former partner's home in Beverly Hills - however the source says that the days of Lucila visiting his house are now over, at least as far as Noor is concerned.

Lucila has been left so devastated by this turn of events that she has now upped sticks and moved from California to New York City, in order to be closer to her daughter, who is based in the Big Apple.

'Tensions between Lucila and Noor have risen in recent months with resentment emanating from both sides,' the source shared.

'Something had to give and now Lucila's suddenly moved 3,000 miles away from her ex - which coincides with Al finding out he was about to become a father again.'

This is the latest in a dramatic series of revelations that have shrouded Al and Noor's pregnancy announcement in a storm of controversy.

The pair have been dogged by rumor after rumor about the circumstances of the conception, with an inside source insisting to DailyMail.com earlier this week that the pair 'could not be happier' about the pregnancy, while conceding that the news had come as a 'surprise'.

That same source also shut down speculation that Noor had kept Al in the dark about the pregnancy - and slammed suggestion that the Sony executive is dating her older beau for money.

'She's wanted to have a baby for years and Al could not be happier. He loves Noor and the feeling is mutual,' the friend of the couple explained.

New mom: Noor and the legendary Hollywood actor welcomed their first child (and his fourth), son Roman, in June; Noor pictured in an Instagram snap

Dad of four: The Godfather star is also a dad to twins Anton and Olivia, 22, and daughter Julie, 33; They are pictured in 2020

'Not only does Noor come from an extremely wealthy family, but she has also worked to obtain her own wealth.'

However, reports have since emerged that the actor had demanded a pre-natal DNA test after refusing to believe he could 'impregnate anybody', only found out about the impending arrival two months ago and believed the relationship with Noor was 'long over.'

It has even been claimed Pacino only found out about the pregnancy at the six-month mark, and was 'shocked' at the revelation.

Al and Noor - who have kept their romance largely under wraps since it began during the pandemic - have yet to publicly address any of these rumors, however the mother-to-be seemed to make clear the status of their relationship back in April, when she shared an image of herself and her partner at an art exhibition together.

Although their child will be Noor's first, Al has already fathered three other children with two women - 22-year-old twins, Olivia and Anton, with his former partner Beverly D'Angelo, and a daughter, 33, with ex Jan Tarrant.

Noor is certainly no stranger to dating older men who already have families - having enjoyed romances with several high-profile figures over the years, including Rolling Stones icon Mick Jagger and billionaire Nicolas Berggruen.
Hollywood star Tom Cruise was spotted out with his rarely-seen son Connor over the weekend.

The actor, 61, and his family are currently in New York amid the relentless press tour for his new Mission Impossible film.

Connor is the youngest of Tom's two children who he shares with his ex-wife Nicole Kidman, 56.

The actor shares his eldest two children with his ex-wife Nicole. They adopted Bella Kidman Cruise, now 30, and son Connor during their marriage from 1990 to around 2001.

Top Gun star Tom later married Katie Holmes, 44, who he shares daughter Suri, now 17, with. They split in 2012.

Family matters: Hollywood star Tom Cruise was spotted out with his rarely-seen son Connor over the weekend

Stepping out: Connor (right) is the youngest of Tom's two children who he shares with his ex-wife Nicole Kidman, 56, pictured with Tom's older sister Lee Ann Mapother, 63

They were photographed separately in the city as they headed to an AMC theatre.

Connor dressed casually in a grey T-shirt and light blue trousers as he stepped out in the city with Tom's older sister Lee Ann Mapother, 63.

Lee walked beside Connor and looked bright in a pink top and white jeans.

It comes as patrons at two American cinemas were given more than they bargained for as the settled down to watch for summer blockbuster Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One on Tuesday.

Fans of the action franchise piled into Atlanta's Regal Atlantic Station and Miami's AMC Sunset Place, where they were treated to a guest appearance by none other than Mr. Ethan Hunt himself - otherwise known as Hollywood star Tom.

The actor flashed his famous grin as he welcomed guests before introducing the film, the seventh instalment in a seemingly endless franchise that once again sees Cruise, 61, perform all of his daredevil stunts himself.

Dressed in a casual short-sleeved polo shirt - pink for Miami, blue for Atlanta - he posed for selfies, shook hands and even fist bumped star-struck fans at the events, presented by Paramount Pictures and Skydance.

The hard-working actor, accompanied by Mission: Impossible director Christopher McQuarrie, travelled from one cinema to the other while promoting the film, which officially opens on July 12.

Busy: The actor, 61, and his family are currently in New York amid the relentless press tour for his new Mission Impossible film

Here he is! It comes as patrons at two American cinemas were given more than they bargained for as the settled down to watch for summer blockbuster Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One on Tuesday

Cruise is seen coming off the motorbike and free-falling for several seconds before pulling a parachute cord in one thrilling action sequence from the new film.

And in a new interview he detailed just what it took to pull that death-defying move, with Tom explaining that there was a 'no-go point' on the ramp during filming.

Cruise revealed that after reaching a certain point on the ramp, he couldn't 'slow down' and had to keep going, even if other factors in the stunt were not correct - with the star admitting that at one point he was thrown 'a little off' course due to 'crosswinds.'

Speaking to Sian Welby on Capital Breakfast, he said: 'Theres a lot going on, theres a lot of preparation to figure that out. The amount of knowledge that goes into something like that, its very exciting.

'I enjoy learning, you know I enjoy pushing cinema in that way, but even just as Im going, the helicopter thats going over, I had to be in sync with that helicopter, because if hes in the wrong position, hes going to blow me off the ramp.

'If I can do these things, but if we dont get the shot, we dont get the shot, and also you can see in the electronic press kit, that Im jumping out of a helicopter just before I do it because I have to test the wind currents in the bowl.'

He added: 'They change very quickly so as soon as I do that jump, you can see that when I opened, I was a little off because I had a crosswind and as I, my shoulder was a little up and the parachute opened and the second it opens it was pulling me into the side of the mountain, so I had to quickly, once you pull you have to be quickly ready to adjust the direction of the parachute.'

The film star went on to say that it's not only safety he considers when jumping but also his acting skills too and how it delivers on screen.

While he also explained timing, position and speed is so important, with him explaining that once he gets past a certain point on the ramp, there's no going back - even if everything else isn't perfect.

Action packed: Veteran star Cruise once again performs all his own stunts in the new film

Coming soon: Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One is officially released across cinemas on July 12

He said: ''And theres also performance that Im thinking of, you have to feel and see you know, have the audience see that that is acting, plus I have to know the speed of the bike, the helicopter, if hes in the wrong position.

'I have a go and a no-go point, where there is a point on that ramp where I know Im committed and I can slow down, but I cant come off the throttle at that point. If Im going to stop, I really have to, theres a go, no-go point, its like right at this point, youre in.

'And even if the helicopter, the drones are in the wrong position, once I pass that point, no matter what Im committed, and I cant slow down. I have to go as fast as I can off the edge of that ramp.'

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One is officially released across cinemas on July 12.
Emily Blunt and Matt Damon have lifted the lid on what it is like having each other as neighbours during an appearance on The One Show.

The actress, 40, and the Hollywood star, 52, are gearing up for the release of their new film Oppenheimer, which also stars the likes of Cillian Murphy.

But it is not the first time they have worked together as they previously starred in 2011 thriller The Adjustment Bureau and became fast friends.

And the close pals have also revealed that they are neighbours in real life as they live in the same apartment block in Brooklyn, New York.

Appearing on The One Show on Wednesday, the pair dished on what they are each like as neighbours as they chatted to hosts Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas.

Amusing: Emily Blunt and Matt Damon have lifted the lid on what it is like having each other as neighbours during an appearance on The One Show

When asked if it was true that they are neighbours, Matt grumbled: 'God help me!'

Emily then hilariously shared her thoughts on what Matt is like as a neighbour, quipping: 'Nosy neighbour over there, always scratching at the door.'

Her response had Matt in stitches and the pair giggled as he said: '[I'm] like Gollum outside your house.'

Host Alex then asked Emily if he was a 'needy' neighbour, prompting the Mary Poppins star to joke: 'Oh he's so needy. He's like "hey #available".'

Matt couldn't help but chime in as he added: '#Nodinnerplansagain!'

The pair were left in fits of laughter as they jokingly criticised each other, before Emily gushed that she actually loves living next to Matt and his family.

Taking a more serious tone, Emily said: 'No, I adore having them as neighbours, it's the best!'

Agreeing, Matt added: 'We have a lot of fun.'

Neighbours: The close pals have also revealed that they are neighbours in real life as they live in the same apartment block in Brooklyn, New York

Joking around: Emily hilariously shared her thoughts on what Matt is like as a neighbour, quipping: 'Nosy neighbour over there, always scratching at the door'

Emily lives with her husband John Krasinski and their two daughters Hazel, nine, and Violet, seven.

While Matt lives with his wife of 18 years Luciana Barroso, who he shares his daughters Alexia, 24, Isabella, 17, Gia 14, and Stella, 12, with.

He shares Isabella, Gia and Stella with his wife Luciana Barroso, while he also adopted her daughter Alexia from her previous relationship with Arbello Barroso.

The pals have been very busy promoting their latest film - the upcoming Christopher Nolan-directed biopic Oppenheimer, slated for release on July 21.

Matt is starring as Lieutenant General Leslie Groves - an engineer who directed the Manhattan Project.

Emily is playing Kitty, the wife of physicist and 'father of the atomic bomb' Dr J. Robert Oppenheimer - who will be portrayed in the 81million blockbuster by Cillian Murphy.

Family: Emily lives with her husband John Krasinski and their two daughters Hazel, nine, and Violet, seven

Marriage: While Matt lives with his wife of 18 years Luciana Barroso, who he shares his daughters Alexia, 24, Isabella, 17, Gia 14, and Stella, 12, with

Chatting: Their comments came as they chatted to Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas on The One Show on Wednesday

All smiles: The pals appeared to be in jovial form as they appeared on the chat show, with Emily looking glamorous in a black lace gown

Pals: Emily, 40, and Matt, 52, are gearing up for the release of Oppenheimer, but they first worked together in 2011 thriller The Adjustment Bureau and became fast friends

Thriller: The pals have been busy promoting their latest film - the Christopher Nolan-directed biopic Oppenheimer, which stars Cillian Murphy and is set for release on July 21

The cast is also made up of Florence Pugh - who plays Oppenheimer's mistress - Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek and Josh Hartnett.

Oppenheimer was the director of the laboratory which designed the atomic bomb during World War Two as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project.

The film is being adapted from the 2006 book American Prometheus: The Triumph And Tragedy Of J. Robert Oppenheimer, by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.

The book, which won the Pulitzer Prize, details Oppenheimer's personal life and his time leading the Manhattan Project in the early and mid-1940s.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has asked Indian-origin senior minister S Iswaran to go on leave as he is assisting the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) with an investigation into a case uncovered by the agency. The bureau did not elaborate on the nature of the investigation in its statement issued on Wednesday.

The prime minister said in a separate statement that the investigation would require Transport Minister Iswaran, as well as other individuals, to be interviewed by CPIB.

Lee said he has instructed Iswaran to take a leave of absence until the investigation is completed.

In his absence, Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat will be Acting Minister for Transport, Channel News Asia reported, citing the prime minister's statement.

Lee said he was briefed by the director of CPIB last Wednesday regarding a case that the bureau had uncovered. The director sought Lee's concurrence to open a formal investigation.

Denis Tang is the director of the anti-graft agency, which sits under the Prime Minister's Office.

"I gave Director CPIB my concurrence on July 6, following which the formal investigation began on July 11," said the prime minister.

In its statement, CPIB said it will investigate this case "thoroughly with strong resolve to establish the facts and the truth, and to uphold the rule of law".

"CPIB acknowledges the interest by members of the public in this case because a minister is being interviewed by CPIB. As investigations are ongoing, CPIB is unable to provide further details."

It also said Singapore has a "strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption".

CPIB investigates all cases without fear or favour and will not hesitate to take action against any parties involved in corrupt activities, it added.

Iswaran is member of parliament from the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) which has ruled the prosperous city state since independence.
India and Maldives on Tuesday reviewed the whole spectrum of their bilateral ties and discussed ways to enhance stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region during talks here between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his counterpart Abdulla Shahid. India agreed to work on the preservation of the Utheemu Palace, the wooden house of Sultan Mohammad Thakurufaanu, the 16th century hero in the Maldives history.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed between the two nations after talks between the two leaders. Encouraged to learn of the steady progress in our development partnership. It is directly contributing to the economic growth and social welfare of our neighbour, Jaishankar said on Twitter after the meeting with Shahid at the Hyderabad House here.

Shahid said the two sides exchanged nine MoUs under Phase-II of the High Impact Community Development Scheme.

The MoU signed on Utheemu Palace Roof Preservation and Development of Palace Surroundings Project will promote Maldivian culture.

This signifies the cultural cooperation between both countries,the visiting Foreign Minister said on Twitter. He said the MoUs were also signed to upgrade hospitals, digitise schools, set up computer labs and a volley court, install streetlights and fish processing units in the archipelago nation. Jaishankar said he shared with Shahid perspectives on the stability and prosperity of the Indian Ocean region and how collaboration between the two nations advanced those goals.
Mayor, Commissioner take stock of restoration work of drinking water supply pipeline to Manimajra



Chandigarh: Anup Gupta, Chandigarh Mayor and Anindita Mitra, Commissioner, MCC on Tuesday visited the site at Manimajra, where the main canal water supply pipeline 80mm near Bapu Dham colony was washed away during heavy rain on July 9 resulting in disruption of water supply. During the visit Mayor and Commissioner were apprised by the engineers on field that because of heavy impact of flowing water, the pipeline has been badly damaged, disrupting water supply to the entire area of Manimajra. The Commissioner said that 24 tankers have been specially deployed in Manimajra from 6 am to 8 pm for supply of drinking water and approx 4 lac litres of drinking water has been supplied. Mitra added that the arrangement shall continue till the resumption of piped water supply services.

Foreign Cooperation Deptt of Hry Govt signs MoU with Tanzania Investment Centre



Chandigarh: The Foreign Cooperation Department (FCD), the Government of Haryana and the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding for bolstering bilateral economic collaboration. This agreement aims to foster greater cooperation and facilitate investment opportunities between the two entities, ultimately driving sustainable economic growth and development between the two regions.



Govt to develop a drug-abuse monitoring system this month says Hry CS



Chandigarh: To ensure effective monitoring of de-addiction centers in Haryana, the Social Justice, Empowerment, Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes and Antyodaya (SEWA) department will develop a drug-abuse monitoring system by the end of this month, Haryana Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal said on Tuesday. After presiding over the 5th State Level Committee of Narco Coordination Center (NCORD) which was virtually attended by Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police, Kaushal said that the Health Department has also directed to prepare standard treatment guidelines for de-addiction centers, outlining the appropriate quantity of drugs to be used for the treatment of drug addicts.



Chandigarh Bird Park to be closed for five days



Chandigarh: The Forest and Wildlife Department of Chandigarh Administration on Tuesday decided to close Chandigarh Bird Park for public visit for the next five days to complete repair and maintenance works following unprecedented rainfall in the city. The park, established over an area of 6.5 acres behind Sukhna Lake, has been developed by providing ample space for each and every bird with 58 ft height with total ground area of 200 x 150 feet each for birds.
Citing three-fourth majority in Punjab and 14 seats in 35-member Chandigarhs Municipal Corporation, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday wrote a letter to Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit seeking land for Aam Aadmi Partys (AAP) office in the city.

Mann, who is also AAPs Punjab unit convener, requested the Governor to allot a plot in Chandigarh for its Punjab unit office maintaining that they are a national party and enjoy a huge majority in the state.

AAP won the Vidhan Sabha Election in 2022 in Punjab by a three-fourth majorityAll seven Rajya Sabha members from the State belong to AAP. Similarly, the Aam Aadmi Party won 14 seats in Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Elections, out of 35 seats Aam Aadmi Party has emerged as a significant and popular party in Punjab and Chandigarh region said the Chief Minister in a letter to the Governor.

But even after writing and asking for land for the party office in meetings and interactions on multiple occasions, there is no response from the Chandigarh Administration, rued Mann.

In his letter, he further pointed, Shiromani Akali Dal, a regional party, has three acres of land in Sector-28, Congress has been allotted more than one acre of land in Sector-15, and the BJP has two plots in Sector-33 and Sector-37.

This inaction and deafening silence in the matter means the UT Administration is playing favourites and has some ulterior motives, he alleged.

Requesting the Governor to allot a suitable plot for the construction of AAPs office in Chandigarh, Mann urged the Governor to take necessary measures and action at the earliest.
As the fury of the rains abated on Tuesday, Himachal Pradesh authorities took stock of the havoc triggered by the record rainfall, saying 31 people have been killed, nearly 1,300 roads closed due to landslides and floods and 40 major bridges damaged.



In Kullu's Sainj area alone, around 40 shops and 30 houses were washed away, according to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who conducted an aerial survey of the Kasol, Manikaran, Kheer Ganga and Pulga areas.



Officiating Director General of Police Satwant Atwal said 31 people have died in the recent rains in the past three days, adding that 250 tourists are stranded in Chandertal and 300 in Sissu in the Lahaul and Spiti district and 300 in parts of Mandi district. An attempt to evacuate them by an IAF helicopter failed due to bad weather, Atwal said.

There was little rain on Tuesday, helping the authorities to intensify the restoration of damaged infrastructure. Officials said the Shimla-Kalka highway, which was blocked for vehicular traffic due to a cave-in following a landslide at the Chakki Mor area near Jabli, has been partially restored for one-way traffic. A large number of vehicles, however, are stranded on both sides of the road.



The state education department has issued an order stating all government schools will be closed till July 15. The state public service commission has rescheduled the Himachal Pradesh Administrative Service Competitive (Preliminary) Examination to August 20 in the wake of the bad weather.



The chief minister said excessive damage has been caused by the rainfall in the past few days. There is not even a single panchayat in the state where roads and water supply schemes have not been damaged, he said.

About 100 people were rescued from different places in the hill state on Monday. According to officials, about 800 people are still stranded at Chandertal and Pagal Nallah in Lahaul and different parts of Mandi.



As many as 1,299 roads, including the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway, were blocked for vehicular traffic and 3,737 water supply schemes were affected, data from the emergency response centre said. Out of the total 80 deaths so far from the beginning of the monsoons, 24 are attributed to road accidents while landslides claimed 21 lives, followed by falling from height (12), accidental drowning (seven), flash floods (five), electrocution (four), snake bite (two) and others (5), according to the data.

Bus service is suspended on 1,284 routes of the Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation (HRTC), according to transport officials. The supply of essential items was hit in several areas, including Shimla and Manali, as the Chandigarh-Manali and the Shimla-Kalka national highways were closed following landslides, caving-in of roads and flooding. Several areas in Kullu and Mandi remained without electricity as 2,577 transformers were disrupted, while the water supply was also affected in many areas as 1,418 water supply schemes suffered damage.

Manali town and the adjoining areas remained cut off for almost a day as roads were blocked due to landslides. Mobile connectivity has also been disrupted. There were reports of landslides in Shamti, in the suburbs of Solan, which damaged two houses and an office while about 10 houses were affected. The meteorological department has warned of the possibility of moderate to high flash floods in Shimla, Sirmaur and Kinnaur districts.

HIMACHAL CM VISITS FLOOD HIT AREAS



Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu conducted an aerial survey of districts of Kullu, Mandi, and Lahaul-Spiti to assess the damage caused by relentless rains triggering floods and landslides during the last three days and also visited various affected areas, including Bhuntar, Sainj, Kasol, Kheerganga and in Kullu district.



He also interacted with the people who suffered losses due to floods and expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and assured that every possible assistance would be provided by the State Government and immediately announced a relief of rupees one crore for the area.



He told them that six helicopters had been deployed to carry out rescue operations and evacuate the stranded tourists and local residents. The first helicopter sortie took off in the morning to rescue stranded people at Chandertal but had to return back due to adverse weather conditions. However, the authorities were prioritizing the evacuation of elderly and sick from Chandertal and the teams have left for the site.



As the flash floods had severely disrupted the communication network in the affected areas two satellite phones have been provided to the local police personnel at Sainj for communicating during an emergency. The Chief Minister has assured the residents that all out efforts were being made to restore these services at the earlies



PWD MINISTER HOLD MEETING WITH NHAI OFFICIALS FOR RESTORATION OF ROADS



In a review meeting held with the officers of National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI), Vikramaditya Singh, Public Works Department (PWD) Minister, said that due to incessant rains in the state for the last few days, there has been a damage of crores to the roads including the National Highways (NH) in the State.



The Government is making concerted efforts to reopen all the closed roads and clear the National Highways as soon as possible. "I have spoken to the Union Road Transport Minister, Nitin Gadkari and have urged him for the time bound restoration of NH's. On the request of the government, NHAI Secretary, Manoj Kumar is on a State visit to take stock of the situation and assess the damages to NHs.



A detailed discussion was held on the damages caused to the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane as National Highway Authority has assessed maximum damage on this NH between Raison and Manali. The work of opening this route for all types of vehicles is going on war footing, said the Minister.



Vikramaditya said that the water in Beas River has crossed all the previous danger marks and NHAI should consider raising the height of the National Highway in this area so that such incidents can be avoided in future. The Minister also directed to arrange for an alternative route on the Pinjore-Baddi-Nalagarh highway besides immediate repair of Maddanwala bridge. At present single lane movement of vehicles is being allowed on this route.



WATER SUPPLY REMAINS DISRUPTED IN SHIMLA, TANKERS PRESSED INTO SERVICE

Water supply to several parts of Shimla remained disrupted for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday as heavy silt following incessant rains affected pumping of water. Water is being supplied through tankers to the residents and ten tankers have been pressed into service, Mayor of the Corporation Surender Chauhan said. Shimla received 6.58 mld (million litre per day) of water on Tuesday against the average 42-45 mld as no pumping was done from the Giri water source, according to the Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) officials.
The Gautam Buddha Teachers Training College organised different programmes on the World Population Day in the college campus. The organizers conducted an essay competition on the subject of Effects of education on increasing population on world level. The programme was inaugurated by the secretary of the college Management Mithilesh Mishra.

On this occasion the chief guest Mishra said that it is the duty of every student to make the common person aware of the effect of increasing population in the society as well as in the country. He further said that the sources are limited and the population is unlimited. In this condition we have to utilize the sources according to the population .

The principal of the college Arvind Kumar Yadav said that this is the duty of the students to teach the common persons of human rights also. We have to make the common masses aware regarding family planning, equality, poverty and other draw- back of increasing population.

On this occasion an essay competition was organized by the college management. In this competition maximum students took part and expressed their views regarding the increasing population and its effects.

In the essay competition Preeti Kumari stood first, Chinta Kumari and Roshani Kumari second and Lisha Kumari stood third. The college management has given the prizes to the winner of the competition.

On this occasion teachers Pushpa Kumari, Kumari Anjali, Prameshwar Yadav, Deepmala, Gulshan Kumar, anjan Kumar, Sanjay Kumar Verma and Hema Ekka were present.
Protests of pharmacists and paramedical staff including regular nurses working in government hospitals continued as staff did not reach the hospital for the second day on Tuesday increasing the suffering of patients who are constantly facing problems.

On the other hand, the officials and employees of the health department say that there is no problem in any kind of system, the system is being handled by the contract employees and trained students. At the same time, about 10 operations have been postponed in the main JP and Katju hospitals of the city.

Around 3000 staff of government hospitals are protesting, pressing for their demands.

Jai Prakash Hospital Superintendent Rakesh Srivastava said that an operation has taken place here on Tuesday, we are making arrangements with the help of contract employees and students undergoing training.

On the other hand, Superintendent of Katju Hospital, PK Singh said that arrangements are being made by the staff here, while two operations have been done so far on Tuesday. At JP and Katju have 12 and 6 operations daily respectively.

Medicines are being distributed in Jaypee Hospital by contract employees.

350 nurses at main 5 centers, number of contracts 100

There are 5 main centers of Bhopal, including JP and Katju and other health centers. In Bhopal alone, the number of nurses on strike is close to 350. At the same time, the number of contract nurses is less than 100 in these five centres. Out of which around 20 are on leave.

The staff of Jaypee Hospital, Katju Hospital, Kolar Health Center, Bairagarh Civil Hospital, Berasia Civil Hospital are protesting.

Amber Chauhan of Madhya Pradesh Health Officer Employees Federation, told that we are on strike regarding our ten-point demands. Earlier we had submitted a memorandum of 41 point demands to the government, since Monday the nursing staff working in government hospitals were on strike.

Today paramedical staff, pharmacists, radiographers, lab technicians etc. are also included with them. Apart from this, work has come to a standstill in 52 districts. We are demanding grade pay, night allowance and stipend to nursing students etc. If our demands are not met then this protest will continue.
Health Minister Banna Gupta today said that the manner in which the population is increasing today, is a matter of concern. Its side effects are visible in the field of economy, global warming, employment etc. Due to the tampering we are doing with nature, big problems are going to arise in the future. He said that today the number of women in the country is less than men due to dowry harassment and female feticide in the society for the want of a son.

The Minister was addressing the programme organized in Ranchi on the occasion of 35th World Population Day today. On this occasion, he also flagged off an awareness chariot to make people aware about population control. This campaign is being run in the state from 27 June to 31 July. CHO manual, Sahiya booklet and brochure were also released in the programme. Along with this, new initiative kits were distributed among the newly married couples. At the same time, doctors working in the field of health, NHM, Sahiya, etc were also honoured.

The Minister said that Jharkhand is close to the national average in the area of population control. He said that the minor difference that is there will also be removed soon. He said that there has been a decrease in infant and maternal mortality rate in the state. More than 5 lakh women have been sterilized in 5 years under family planning, but the number of vasectomies is very less. We need to make people aware of this direction.

Gupta said that today we need to change the mindset. Be it a son or a daughter, there should be a mindset to see both equally. He said that we should take a vow that as soon as a girl child is born in a house, plant fruit trees and also play an important role in environmental protection.

Addressing the program, Additional Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Singh said that India is a country of youth. In 1951, when the population of India was around 36 crores, today on the occasion of 35th World Population Day, it has increased to around 140 crores. This increasing population rate is a matter of grave concern. On the occasion of this Population Day, we are working to make the people of Jharkhand aware through the Population Stabilization Campaign. Under this, the awareness chariot has been flagged off. The awareness chariot will go to different areas of the state to make people aware about population control from June 27 to July 31.

Singh said that it is necessary to bring stability in the population to improve the standard of living of the people. He said that women in rural areas are being made aware of their health. The health department is now going to add cancer to the list of notified diseases. With this, the government will be able to become aware of the reality of cancer patients and take steps for their benefit. Still many misconceptions about this disease are spread among rural women. Work is also being done to resolve this.

On this occasion, Additional Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Singh, Campaign Director of National Health Mission Alok Trivedi, Additional Campaign Director Vidyanand Pankaj Sharma, Nodal Officer Family Planning, Director Chief, Civil Surgeon, NHM and health of various districts Representatives from USAID Momentum, IngenderHealth, PSI India, PHSI and FRHS India associated with the State Health Department were also present.
HRDC, Bhopal organized 5 days TOT (Training of Trainers) Program of R I S E for Executives of various units of BHEL including Haridwar, Jhansi, Bangalore, Jagdishpur, Goindwal, Hyderabad, Trichy & the host unit Bhopal from 10th July 2023 to 14th July 2023 at Vikas Hall, HRDC Building, BHEL, Bhopal.

The program TOT- R. I. S. E. has been designed to enable Trainers to Train Artisans of respective unit to achieve three desired output like Strengthening and Alignment towards business goals, Enhancing the sense of Pride, Gratitude & Ownership in BHEL and Sharpening the outlook towards Productivity, Quality & Relationship along with enhancing the skills and competencies of Artisans across BHEL.

As per the Directives of Governing Council Dt. 18.03.2023, HEP Bhopal has been assigned as the Center of Excellence for Artisans Training. Accordingly, HRDC Bhopal, in collaboration with CLD, Noida has successfully designed the intervention named "R I S E" - REACH INSPIRE SERVE & ENGAGE for Artisans across BHEL.

Twenty one Employees in grade of E1-E5 from different units of Bhel attended the program. The TOT program was inaugurated by Sh. Amitabh Dubey, GM (IE, SYS, EC & PYX).

Swagata S Saxena, HOD (HRDC) briefed about the program.

Amitabh Dubey addressed the participants and said that gratitude, positive vibes, personal touch are essential for organizational growth. He also said trainers have to included restaurant owner mindset in Participants.

He also talks about new orders, turnover and profit of this year 2022-23, He also insisted to have "Delta change in output should be more than Delta change on business environment" and this programme has capability to boost positive & progressive mindset of employees. Tarun Kaushik compered and proposed vote of thanks.
Mayor Malti Rai reviewed the complaints received on the Mayor Helpline and while reviewing the action taken for redressal, it was directed that it should be ensured that complaints are redressed at the earliest.

Mayor Malti Rai called on Govindapura Smart City on Tuesday morning.

Complaints received on the mayor helpline in the center and action taken for their redressal and reviewed the work done for registering and redressing complaints on computer.

Regarding redressal of complaints, Mayor Rai discussed with the officials as well as took feedback from the citizens.

She directed that the problems and complaints of the citizens should be redressed expeditiously.

Mayor Rai was informed that in the current month till date 1486 complaints have been received, out of which 956 complaints have been resolved promptly and satisfactorily. The work of redressal of the remaining complaints is being done.

Meanwhile, in another program for cleanliness Mayor Malti Rai has called upon all the citizens of the city to keep clean and actively participate in the activities prescribed under the Survey-2023 and in the cleanliness. Along with participation, by giving more and more citizen feedback, keep your city clean, she was addressing program on cleanliness at Mansarovar Dental located at Kolar Road.

Interacted with the people present in the program related to cleanliness organized in the college Mayor Rai explained various components of Swachh Survekshan-2023, especially regarding citizen feedback.

She inaugrated 'Let's make Bhopal number 01' cleanliness prgram organized under survey-2023 at the college on Tuesday.

Addressing the professors and students, he said that cleanliness is very important for all of us. It is necessary that we should not only pay attention to our own cleanliness but also to the people around us.

You should also worry about making your city area clean.

She said that all the citizens should actively cooperate in the activities of cleanliness and give feedback to yourself and other citizens in the Citizen feedback component of Swachh Survekshan-2023.
In a heart-wrenching incident, the body of a 12-year-old boy, identified as Vikash Kumar Yadav, was found floating in the Kharkai river at the Baroda Ghat in the Bagbera police station area. The discovery was made only hours after his parents had reported him missing to the police.



Vikash, a fourth-grade student at a local school, had gone out of his house on Monday afternoon accompanied by three friends. However, as the evening unfolded, he failed to return home, causing great concern for his family. Throughout the night, his parents tirelessly searched for him in every possible location, eventually deciding to file a missing report at the Bagbera police station on Tuesday morning.

Tragically, in the afternoon, the police found Vikash's lifeless body floating in the Kharkai river at the Baroda Ghat. Upon recovery, the authorities promptly informed the victim's parents, who later identified their son's body.

To determine the cause of Vikash's untimely demise, the police transferred the body to the MGM medical college mortuary for postmortem examination. The investigation aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the boy's tragic death, providing answers and closure to the grieving family.

Local officials expressed their commitment to unraveling the truth behind this devastating incident. They will delve into the details, gather evidence, and interview witnesses to gain a comprehensive understanding of the events leading to Vikash's passing.

The community has been deeply saddened by this tragic loss, and heartfelt condolences pour in for Vikash's grieving family. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of children, and it highlights the need for ongoing efforts to protect and educate young individuals on potential dangers.

As the investigation unfolds, authorities will work diligently to determine the circumstances that led to Vikash's unfortunate demise. The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of vigilance and collective responsibility in safeguarding the lives of children within communities.
The monsoon session of Jharkhand Assembly will be held from July 28 to August 4. The decision to this effect was taken at the State Cabinet today. As per Cabinet decision, the monsoon session will be from July 28 to August 4.

The Monsoon session is likely to witness uproar as BJP leader Babulal Marandi whom the BJP has anointed as BJP legislature party leader is yet to get Leader of Opposition status. Though Marandi has not got LoP status, the BJP has appointed him as party chief in the State.

Presently Marandi is in Delhi meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other leaders. Marandi in Delhi received guidance from the Central leadership.

Cabinet co-ordination secretary Vandana Dadel informed this sharing information regarding the approvals given in the cabinet meeting. She included above along with as many as 35 proposals that were approved by the cabinet.

The State Cabinet today approved the constitution of Netarhat Tourism Development Authority under the chairmanship of tourism department secretary for development of tourism in Netarhat.

The Netarhat Tourism Development Authority will also have deputy commissioner and deputy development commissioner of Latehar district other than principal of BIT Mesra Hotel management department head and others.

The authority head will have power of municipal body commissioner and he will be able to remove encroachment from the Netarhat Panchayat area.

Among those proposals approved, important included the monsoon session of state assembly from July 28 to August 4, approximately Rs. 3.5 thousand crores for transmission line, Patratu Thermal Power Station, establishment of power substation and installation of transformers, and Rs 300 crore (approx) for construction of roads besides others.

A proposal of the home and prison department related to compensation in case of death inside the jail was also among the important approvals. According to the approved proposal, a prisoner will be paid Rs 5 lakh as compensation in case of death in fight among prisoners, Rs 4 lakh in case of death due to negligence by jail authorities and Rs 3 lakh in case of suicide.

In other decision, Work and Accounts Management Information System to be developed by C-DAC for State work departments like Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, Water Resources Department, Rural Works Department, Road Construction Department, Building Construction Department, Energy Department and Forest and Environment Department Ex-post facto approval on extension of the period from 27.02.2022 to 26.02.2023, and from 27.02.2023 to 26.02, of the agreement made to give work to C-DAC on the basis of nomination under Financial Rule 245, repealing Financial Rule 235 Tenure extension approved till 2025.
Newly appointed state BJP president Babulal Marandi who is on two-day visit to Delhi, had a busy schedule today as the former chief minister of State on Tuesday mret Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other leaders.

After meeting the Union Home Minister, Marnadi tweeted, "Met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and received his guidance on running the party. The two leaders had discussion on state affairs and the party strategy on how to strengthen the party. The meeting of Maranadi with Amit Shah assumes importance because it was Amit Shah in 2020 in whose presence Maranadi had made Ghar Wapsi joining BJP after 14 years of exile.

The newly appointed State Chief on Tuesday also met state BJP in-charge Laxmikant Bajpai and Union tribal affairs minister Arjun Munda. The meeting of Marandi with Munda assumes importance as the two leaders had bonhomie.

When Marandi was Chief Minister of State from 2000 to 2002, Munda was in his cabinet. However, when Marandi was asked to resign from Chief Ministers post, Munda was appointed as his replacement and he was anointed as Chief Minister of State.

BJP sources said that now Munda has shifted to Delhi he will do BJP national politics, while Marandi will look after party affairs in State.

On Monday, Marandi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. After meeting the Prime Minister, Marandi tweeted, "Today I had a courtesy meeting with the successful Prime Minister, Respected Narendra Modi. The guidance and blessings of the respected Prime Minister have always been available. Many thanks to the respected Prime Minister for this affection."

Marandi left for Delhi on Sunday. This is his first visit to Delhi after becoming the State president.

In fact, BJP is working in a mission mode in preparation for the Lok Sabha and Vidhansabha elections. During this, BJP has also made many major changes in the party. After handing over the command of Jharkhand to Babulal Marandi, Babulal's pace seems to be getting faster.

BJPs new state president Babulal Marandi will take charge on July 15. On this day the party is preparing to organize the program. Officials from other districts will also participate in the programme. Former President Deepak Prakash will complete the formalities of taking over the post of Marandi. State in-charge Laxmikant Vajpayee can also participate in the program. Mr. Marandis supporters can reach Ranchi on this day.
Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, Abu Baqr Siddiqui, who went to participate in the two-day program organized on National Fish Farmers Day in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, informed Union Minister Purushottam Rupala regarding fish production and possibilities in the State.

Giving information about the schemes being implemented in the fisheries sector in Jharkhand, Siddiqui said that the scheme of cage culture in mining pits has been started in the state as an innovation for two years, which has yielded positive results. Cage culture is being promoted continuously in the state and at present more than 75 00 cages have been installed within the state of Jharkhand. A proposal of 5200 cages for 2023-24- was sent to the Government of India for approval, which should be approved. He said when Jharkhand was separated from Bihar and became a new state, at that time 14 thousand metric tonnes of fish used to be produced in the state, but today there has been a 20-fold increase in fish production in the state with a record production of 2 lakh 80 thousand metric tonnes. A target of 3 lakh 70 thousand metric tonnes has been set in the next two years. Cage culture is being promoted continuously in the state.

The Agriculture Secretary told the Union Minister that like the Sagar Mitra scheme being run in the coastal states, Jharkhand and other states should also be given the benefit of the Matsya Mitra scheme. The soil of Jharkhand is of hard nature, and the unit cost prescribed by the Government of India is low, which needs to be increased. The Agriculture Secretary demanded cooperation from the Government of India for the construction of aqua parks in Hazaribagh and Dumka and did not have to depend on other states for fish seed of other species like Mangur, Singhi Pangas etc. Approved and technical support should be given for Modern Hatchery, Brood Bank Scheme. He said that there is a need to build a fish aquarium house in Jharkhand as a state of the art, in which the cooperation of the central government is expected.

In the two-day program, information about the schemes of the Government of India was given, along with a detailed review of the fisheries scheme in various states.

Prior to the programme, Agriculture Secretary Abu Bakar Siddiqui visited the Hygienic Fish Market in Pondicherry. Siddiqui said that the fish market here is quite hygienic. If the model here is implemented in Jharkhand, it will prove to be very beneficial for the fish farmers, as well as the availability of hygienic fish will always be available to the customers. He informed that about 150 farmers have been given space in the Hygienic Fish Market. Individual space has been ensured for all the farmers. All the facilities including fridge, packaging, cold storage have been made available in the market. Due to the excellent arrangement of packaging, the fish can be kept safe for one year. He said that the civic body looks after the maintenance work of the fish market here while the agriculture department does its funding and monitoring.

Fisheries Director HN Dwivedi and Deputy Director of Fisheries Amarendra Kumar were also present along with the Cooperative Secretary in Agriculture Animal Husbandry of Jharkhand Government.
A summit involving the Heads of States or Heads of Governments of the members of the SCO,Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was scheduled to be held in New Delhi. The congregation was modified to a Virtual Summit Meet and was consequently chaired by the Indian Prime Minister.

The decision of hosting a virtual summit signalled two significant concerns.

Firstly, india was wary of the China-Pakistan nexus, which could easily derail the SCO either during the meet or through its interaction with global media houses.

Secondly, India could not risk sabotaging the relationship it had built with the USA especially after the Indian PMs state visit to the USA.

Hosting Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia and Xi Jinping, the Premier of the Peoples Republic of China could have led to souring of Indo-US relations. The western countries have routinely branded Putin as an Aggressor and have demanded he be tried in the ICC, International Criminal Court, following his decision to go to war with Ukraine. The ICC at Hague had even issued an arrest warrant for Putin for the forceful relocation of children from Ukraine to Russia. As India is not a signatory to the Rome Statute and thus not a member of the ICC, it is not duty bound to execute said warrant. However, this would blemish Indias image and India would be crucified by the global media if there was even a hint that India was defending Putins presence at the summit .

In the light of the growing tensions between USA and China, inviting Xi Jinping could have also proved to be a dangerous line to toe. Xi Jinping himself was not keen on the visit after the Indo-China border dispute debacle. It is no secret that India has not supported and does not ever intend to support Chinas golden project- The Belt and Road Initiative, BRI. India has long maintained that China should not be permitted to build anything substantial neither in POK, Pakistan Occupied Kashmir nor In Gilgit Baltistan. A constituent of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, CPEC, and the BRI is the Karakoram Highway. The highway in question and naturally the initiative as a whole have been long opposed by India.

Accepting the BRI and projects under it would imply accepting the sovereignty of Pakistan and China over disputed territories and, in turn, India forfeiting claims over said territories. The acceptance could also be construed as India accepting both, the Line of Control, LOC with Pakistan and the LAC, Line of Actual Control with China. Thus India rightfully refused to endorse or even remotely show any support for Chinas initiative.

Additionally, since Iran was to be inducted in the SCO as a full member during this Summit, it could have been slightly embarrassing for the Indian Prime Minister to be seen sharing the dais with the President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi when the USA views Iran with a lot of contempt. India congratulating Iran on a virtual stage would merely be seen as fulfilment of courtesy and protocol and would not attract much negative attention.

The virtual summit started well, until member nations caused it to be pulled into directions, which were congruent with their ideological priorities.

Kazakhstan insisted on addressing the issue of integration of energy by cooperation amongst the member states. However, the other central Asian countries of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan were more concerned with cooperation within the global economy, eradication of external threats, remedies to combat regional terrorism, promoting cultural bonds and development of infrastructure so as to attain peace and prosperity in the region. It is pertinent to note that the Central Asian nations mostly stuck to the official agenda of the meeting even though their apparent and actual influence on the power dynamic is not as relevant as some of the other countries.

The Big 3 of the SCO : Russia, China and India too pressed for actualising of their individual priorities.

Vladimir Purims approach was confined to defending his authoritarian regime, indirectly justifying the attack on Ukraine and reiterating how he still wields tremendous power even after the rebellion led by Y. V. Prigozhin, the head of the private mercenary group, Wagner. He further launched a tirade against the decision of the western bloc to impose sanctions on Russia.

Merely a decade ago, Xi Jinping had paid homage to Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru. In 2014, he had quoted Tagore, Grow like a summer flower; magnificently, die like an autumn leaf, quietly and beautifully. During the SCO, once again, Xi Jinping referenced Tagore stating, The sea of danger, doubt and denial around man's little island of certainty challenges him to dare the unknown. However, theatricality should not draw attention away from the fact that Chinas true agenda has been to establish economic hegemony in the region. Xi Jinpings seemingly vocal concerns for global economic partnership and regional security should be viewed as distractions and nothing more.

The Indian PM voiced his concerns pertaining to terrorism in general and cross border terrorism as a state tool while also touching upon digital cooperation. He observed, The SCO is an extended family. We all should redress the concerns of: Security, economic development, connectivity, unity, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and environmental protection, being the pillars of our vision for SCO. He also drew inspiration from Buddhism to buttress Indias demand for digital cooperation. Consequently, he introduced Bhasini, an AI language platform developed by India that could help overcome language barriers within the SCO.

Furthermore, India rejected the proposal made by Tajikistan, termed  Trade and Investment to promote regional integration as it reflected a heavy bias in favour of China.

Pakistan entered the melee in advocating for its own hidden agenda. This had only been made possible as China had pushed for Pakistan being granted membership to the SCO in response to Russia pushing for Indias admission as a full member. It should be noted that Pakistan is absent from every other major global multi-forum.

Since the Army of Pakistan fully controls two vastly important subject matters in Pakistans governance, namely Security and Foreign Affairs, it was clear that the PM had been tutored by the Army and not his Foreign Minister, on how to conduct himself during the SCO meet. Also, during the meeting, Shehbaaz Sharif remained fixated on the fact that India had brought up state sponsored cross border terrorism. This phrase alone was enough to cause Mr. Sharif to tunnel vision and lose sight of the bigger picture just so that he could scupper Indias aims. Shehbaaz Sharif rebutted, Any temptation to use terrorism as a cudgel for diplomatic point scoring must be eschewed. It is ironic that Mr. Sharif would make such demands while the Establishment of Pakistan still fails to dismantle terror networks, which operate from within its territory. Moreover, Mr. Sharif conveniently ignored the fact that India has been ready, as evidenced even during the G-8 Summit in Hiroshima, to fruitfully engage with Pakistan if cross border terrorism was eradicated by the latter.

As the summit proceeded, sufficient attention was paid to Afghanistan as well. However it is unlikely that the Taliban government would readily and absolutely accede to all the advice and preachings tendered by the SCO member states. Advising the Taliban to adopt the ideals of inclusive governance and to secure womens and childrens rights may irk the Taliban.

The nations showed a united front in dealing with the issues of human rights and environmental issues while reiterating their pledge of non-interference, by other countries, with the internal affairs of the member states. These promises, however, should be viewed as largely hollow until an institutional framework is put into place. Moreover, commitments to safeguarding human rights by countries like China, Pakistan, Russia and Iran seem useless as these countries continue to routinely violate said rights.

The states were also unanimous in the demands for reforms within institutions such as the UNO, UNSC, WTO, IMF and World Bank to name a few. Once again this seems unlikely as China would oppose any attempts for India to have a permanent seat in the UNSC, United Nations Security Council and would probably go as far as to veto an endorsement made in Indias favour by the other four permanent members. Similarly, India and other Western powers would oppose China playing a bigger role in global commercial and financial institutions.

The issues, which remained markedly absent from the discussions are also of significance. Geopolitical issues like the Russia-Ukraine war and the fragility of Peace in the Indo- Pacific found no mention in the entirety of the meeting.

With no common objective attained, a lacklustre statement was issued promising to move forward and progress at the next meeting of the SCO in Kazakhstan,.

The meeting was dismissed, the leaders wished each other well and the summit came to an unimpassioned conclusion. The tall promises made in all the previous meetings, including the most recent one, became irrelevant as soon as the large screen televisions turned black.

Pranjal Pandey is a lawyer by profession and Ajay is technocrat turned bureaucrat. Views expressed are personal.
State-level special session organized in Eklavya School on the subject of 'Home-Sickness and Mental Health Bhopal on Tuesday. A session on 'Home-sickness and mental health' was organized by the Department of Tribal Affairs at Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) Gurukulam, Bawadia Kala on Tuesday.

Students of tribal and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) tribes of Madhya Pradesh registered their participation in this state-level session organized Samwad series under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. A total of 100 Eklavya Model Residential Schools, CM Rise Schools, Kanya Shiksha Parisar, MAPCET centers and tribal hostels also participated virtually. Departmental Psychologist and Counseling Consultant Priya Sonpar has addressed the session.

More than 500 students and staff in the Bhopal auditorium attended the session. Thousands of students and employees of more than 100 departmental schools and institutes participated in this session via Zoom.

In the session, advice, support and guidance was given to the newly admitted tribal and PVTGs students for their admission process in residential schools and hostels. The participants were also guided on mental health and tricks to lead a happy student life. Along with this, students, principals, teachers and hostel superintendents were also addressed the needs and suggestions for the tribal students.

Students coming from students teaching in institutions away from their homes were specially covered in this session. On this occasion, EMRS Bhopal Principal Dr. Yashpal Singh, Departmental Education Consultant Ashutosh Srivastava, Consultant Amit Pathe Pawar and other employees were present.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Abu Dhabi on July 15 after concluding a two-day visit to Paris.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Modi will hold talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ruler of Abu Dhabi.

"The India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has been steadily strengthening and the prime minister's visit will be an opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence and culture," it said.

The prime minister is visiting France on July 13 and 14 at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

Modi will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day parade on July 14 in Paris where a tri-services Indian armed forces contingent would be participating.

The MEA said President Macron will host a state banquet as well as a private dinner in honour of the prime minister.

The two leaders will also hold wide-ranging talks.

"The prime minister is also scheduled to meet the prime minister of France as well as the presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly of France," the MEA said.

He will separately interact with the Indian diaspora in France, CEOs of Indian and French companies, and prominent French personalities.

"The prime minister's visit will provide an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future across diverse sectors such as strategic, cultural, scientific, academic and economic cooperation," the MEA said.
StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals (NYSEAMERICAN:AMPE  Free Report) in a report issued on Saturday morning. The brokerage issued a sell rating on the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock.

Ampio Pharmaceuticals Stock Performance

Shares of AMPE opened at $0.24 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $3.68 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.13 and a beta of 1.48. Ampio Pharmaceuticals has a 1 year low of $0.18 and a 1 year high of $2.83. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $0.26 and its 200 day simple moving average is $0.26.

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Ampio Pharmaceuticals (NYSEAMERICAN:AMPE  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The specialty pharmaceutical company reported ($0.26) earnings per share for the quarter.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ampio Pharmaceuticals

About Ampio Pharmaceuticals

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. BlackRock Inc. grew its holdings in Ampio Pharmaceuticals by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 13,996,074 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $6,578,000 after purchasing an additional 61,269 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Ampio Pharmaceuticals by 20.0% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 9,954,092 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $602,000 after acquiring an additional 1,662,127 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its stake in Ampio Pharmaceuticals by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 3,430,770 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,612,000 after acquiring an additional 66,375 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC boosted its stake in Ampio Pharmaceuticals by 998.6% during the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 2,035,413 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $342,000 after acquiring an additional 1,850,138 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Two Sigma Advisers LP boosted its stake in Ampio Pharmaceuticals by 304.3% during the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 432,216 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 325,300 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 19.82% of the companys stock.

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Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a biopharmaceutical company, develops therapies for the treatment of osteoarthritis-related pain. It focuses on the preclinical development of AR-300, a novel proprietary, small molecule formulation for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. The company is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.

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StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Argo Group International (NYSE:ARGO  Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Saturday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the stock.

A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on ARGO. Compass Point lowered shares of Argo Group International from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $30.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Monday, March 13th. TheStreet raised shares of Argo Group International from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a report on Friday, May 26th.

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Argo Group International Trading Up 0.1 %

NYSE:ARGO opened at $29.67 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $29.54. Argo Group International has a 12 month low of $19.00 and a 12 month high of $34.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a current ratio of 0.63. The stock has a market cap of $1.04 billion, a PE ratio of -4.75 and a beta of 1.01.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Argo Group International

Argo Group International ( NYSE:ARGO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The company reported ($0.31) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.80 by ($1.11). The business had revenue of $419.60 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $461.90 million. Argo Group International had a negative net margin of 9.98% and a positive return on equity of 0.06%. Equities analysts forecast that Argo Group International will post 2.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of ARGO. Captrust Financial Advisors increased its stake in Argo Group International by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 22,288 shares of the companys stock worth $822,000 after buying an additional 504 shares during the period. Spire Wealth Management boosted its stake in Argo Group International by 50.0% during the 1st quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 1,680 shares of the companys stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 560 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank boosted its stake in Argo Group International by 17.3% during the 4th quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 4,760 shares of the companys stock worth $123,000 after purchasing an additional 701 shares during the period. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its stake in Argo Group International by 334.7% during the 1st quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 926 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 713 shares during the period. Finally, Credit Suisse AG raised its position in Argo Group International by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 31,591 shares of the companys stock worth $817,000 after buying an additional 763 shares during the last quarter. 89.92% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Argo Group International

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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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Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited (LON:BOCH  Get Free Report)s share price was up 4.8% on Tuesday . The company traded as high as GBX 264 ($3.40) and last traded at GBX 260 ($3.34). Approximately 20,867 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 90% from the average daily volume of 208,065 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 248 ($3.19).

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Numis Securities started coverage on Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public in a research report on Wednesday, March 15th. They issued a buy rating and a GBX 507 ($6.52) price objective for the company.

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Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Stock Performance

The company has a 50 day moving average of GBX 242.54 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 216.74. The stock has a market cap of 1.16 billion, a PE ratio of 26,000.00 and a beta of 0.79.

Insider Activity at Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public

Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Company Profile

In other news, insider Constantine Iordanou acquired 47,470 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, June 9th. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 246 ($3.16) per share, for a total transaction of 116,776.20 ($150,233.11). 18.95% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of banking, financial, and insurance services. It offers current, demand, savings, time, notice, instant access, and fixed deposits; housing, student, vehicle, mortgage, consumer, business and business premises, term, and home or investment loans; and asset finance, factoring, trade facilities, European financial, project finance, shipping finance, and syndicated and corporate lending services, as well as hire purchase services for car and equipment.

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Boliden AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:BDNNY  Get Free Report) was upgraded by Barclays from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Several other research analysts have also commented on BDNNY. Sanford C. Bernstein raised Boliden AB (publ) from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 4th. Morgan Stanley upgraded Boliden AB (publ) from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 21st. Berenberg Bank downgraded Boliden AB (publ) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, May 19th. Handelsbanken upgraded Boliden AB (publ) from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, March 20th. Finally, DNB Markets downgraded Boliden AB (publ) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 14th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $364.00.

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Boliden AB (publ) Price Performance

Shares of Boliden AB (publ) stock opened at $61.31 on Monday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $63.40 and its two-hundred day moving average is $74.44. Boliden AB has a fifty-two week low of $55.70 and a fifty-two week high of $92.60.

About Boliden AB (publ)

Boliden AB (publ) ( OTCMKTS:BDNNY Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $1.78 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $1.91 billion during the quarter.

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Boliden AB (publ) engages in the exploring, extracting, and processing of base metals and precious metals in Sweden, other Nordic region, Germany, the United Kingdom, the rest of Europe, North America, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Business Area Mines and Business Area Smelters.

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Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC raised its stake in Vanguard Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:VUG  Free Report) by 1.3% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 107,738 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,357 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Growth ETF accounts for approximately 1.6% of Chicago Partners Investment Group LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 11th largest holding. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLCs holdings in Vanguard Growth ETF were worth $26,742,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in VUG. FOCUS Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Vanguard Growth ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $213,000. Probity Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Vanguard Growth ETF by 22.5% in the 4th quarter. Probity Advisors Inc. now owns 8,978 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,913,000 after buying an additional 1,648 shares during the last quarter. Diversified Trust Co raised its holdings in Vanguard Growth ETF by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 4,203 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,048,000 after buying an additional 139 shares during the last quarter. Mezzasalma Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Vanguard Growth ETF by 4.6% in the 4th quarter. Mezzasalma Advisors LLC now owns 996 shares of the companys stock valued at $212,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Oxinas Partners Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Vanguard Growth ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $214,000.

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Vanguard Growth ETF Stock Up 0.2 %

Vanguard Growth ETF stock traded up $0.51 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $280.64. 373,012 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 975,295. Vanguard Growth ETF has a 12 month low of $203.64 and a 12 month high of $283.80. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $268.11 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $246.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $91.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.60 and a beta of 1.11.

Vanguard Growth ETF Profile

Vanguard Growth Index Fund, formerly Vanguard Growth ETF, is an exchange-traded share class of Vanguard Growth Index Fund, which employs a passive management or indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the MSCI US Prime Market Growth Index (the Index). The Index is a diversified index of growth stocks of large United States companies.

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China Mengniu Dairy (OTCMKTS:CIADY  Get Free Report) and SSE (OTCMKTS:SSEZY  Get Free Report) are both large-cap consumer staples companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, earnings, profitability, dividends, valuation and analyst recommendations.

Profitability

This table compares China Mengniu Dairy and SSEs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets China Mengniu Dairy N/A N/A N/A SSE N/A N/A N/A

Institutional & Insider Ownership

0.1% of China Mengniu Dairy shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.0% of SSE shares are owned by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation and Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio China Mengniu Dairy $11.02 billion 1.28 $510.78 million N/A N/A SSE $15.18 billion 1.63 -$149.44 million N/A N/A

This table compares China Mengniu Dairy and SSEs gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

China Mengniu Dairy has higher earnings, but lower revenue than SSE.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for China Mengniu Dairy and SSE, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score China Mengniu Dairy 0 0 0 0 N/A SSE 0 1 3 0 2.75

SSE has a consensus target price of $2,082.00, suggesting a potential upside of 9,104.24%. Given SSEs higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe SSE is more favorable than China Mengniu Dairy.

Dividends

China Mengniu Dairy pays an annual dividend of $0.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.5%. SSE pays an annual dividend of $0.65 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.9%.

Volatility and Risk

China Mengniu Dairy has a beta of 0.33, meaning that its stock price is 67% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, SSE has a beta of 0.75, meaning that its stock price is 25% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

SSE beats China Mengniu Dairy on 6 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About China Mengniu Dairy

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China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited, an investment holding company, manufactures and distributes dairy products in the People's Republic of China and internationally. It operates through four segments: Liquid Milk Products, Ice Cream Products, Milk Powder Products, and Others. The Liquid Milk Products segment offers ultra-high temperature milk, milk beverages, yogurt, and fresh milk. The Ice Cream Products segment provides dairy-based ice cream. The Milk Powder Products segment offers milk powder. The Others segment engages in cheese and trading activities; and manufacture of raw materials for daily products. The company also offers organic food and formula products for babies and toddlers; and commercial factoring and financing guarantee services. It offers its dairy products under the MENGNIU brand. China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited was founded in 1999 and is based in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

About SSE

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SSE plc engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, and supply of electricity. It generates electricity from water, gas, coal, oil, and multi fuel. The company distributes electricity to approximately 3.8 million homes and businesses across the north of the central belt of Scotland and central southern England; and owns, operates, and develops high voltage electricity transmission system in the north of Scotland and remote islands. It also produces, stores, distributes, and supplies gas. In addition, it engages in the electricity and utility contracting, telecommunications, energy trading, insurance, and property holding businesses, as well as provides maintenance services. The company was formerly known as Scottish and Southern Energy plc and changed its name to SSE plc in September 2011. SSE plc was incorporated in 1989 and is based in Perth, the United Kingdom.

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Kinsale Capital Group (NYSE:KNSL  Get Free Report) and Insurance Australia Group (OTCMKTS:IAUGY  Get Free Report) are both financial services companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, institutional ownership, risk, dividends, analyst recommendations and profitability.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

86.4% of Kinsale Capital Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 6.0% of Kinsale Capital Group shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

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Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Kinsale Capital Group and Insurance Australia Group, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Kinsale Capital Group 0 2 3 0 2.60 Insurance Australia Group 0 1 1 0 2.50

Profitability

Kinsale Capital Group presently has a consensus target price of $359.00, indicating a potential downside of 3.43%. Given Kinsale Capital Groups stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Kinsale Capital Group is more favorable than Insurance Australia Group.

This table compares Kinsale Capital Group and Insurance Australia Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Kinsale Capital Group 20.44% 28.34% 7.67% Insurance Australia Group N/A N/A N/A

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Kinsale Capital Group and Insurance Australia Groups top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Kinsale Capital Group $819.20 million 10.51 $159.11 million $7.90 47.06 Insurance Australia Group N/A N/A N/A $2.68 7.00

Kinsale Capital Group has higher revenue and earnings than Insurance Australia Group. Insurance Australia Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Kinsale Capital Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

Kinsale Capital Group pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.2%. Insurance Australia Group pays an annual dividend of $1.86 per share and has a dividend yield of 9.9%. Kinsale Capital Group pays out 7.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Insurance Australia Group pays out 69.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Kinsale Capital Group has raised its dividend for 7 consecutive years.

Summary

Kinsale Capital Group beats Insurance Australia Group on 13 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Kinsale Capital Group

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Kinsale Capital Group, Inc., a specialty insurance company, provides property and casualty insurance products in the United States. The company's commercial lines offerings include construction, small business, excess and general casualty, commercial property, allied health, life sciences, energy, environmental, health care, inland marine, public entity, and commercial insurance, as well as product, professional, and management liability insurance. It markets and sells its insurance products in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands primarily through a network of independent insurance brokers. Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.

About Insurance Australia Group

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Insurance Australia Group Limited underwrites general insurance products and provides investment management services in Australia and New Zealand. It offers personal and commercial insurance products, including bicycle, comprehensive motor, commercial and motor fleet, commercial property and liability, construction and engineering, consumer credit, compulsory third party, directors and officers, extended warranty, farm, crop, livestock, home and contents, income protection, marine, veteran, vintage and classic car, boat, caravan, travel, life, professional indemnity, public and product liability, security, workers' compensation, motor vehicle, business, and rural and horticultural, as well as reinsurance. The company sells its products through branches and agencies, call centers, online facilities, brokers, agents, authorized representatives, and financial institutions; and third parties under the NRMA Insurance, SGIO, SGIC, RACV, CGU, ROLLiN, WFI, Swann Insurance, NZI, State, AMI, Lumley, and Coles Insurance brands. The company was formerly known as NRMA Insurance Group Limited and changed its name to Insurance Australia Group Limited in 2002. Insurance Australia Group Limited was founded in 1920 and is based in Sydney, Australia.

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Pentair (NYSE:PNR  Get Free Report) had its price target hoisted by analysts at Citigroup from $70.00 to $74.00 in a note issued to investors on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Citigroups price objective would suggest a potential upside of 12.62% from the companys previous close.

A number of other equities research analysts have also issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Pentair in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. UBS Group raised shares of Pentair from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the stock from $53.00 to $72.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Pentair from $65.00 to $66.00 in a research note on Monday, May 1st. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on shares of Pentair from $69.00 to $71.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Finally, Oppenheimer raised their price objective on shares of Pentair from $72.00 to $78.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $64.27.

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Pentair Stock Performance

NYSE:PNR opened at $65.71 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 1.76. The company has a fifty day moving average of $59.80 and a two-hundred day moving average of $55.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.84 billion, a PE ratio of 21.93, a P/E/G ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.16. Pentair has a fifty-two week low of $38.55 and a fifty-two week high of $66.32.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Pentair

Pentair ( NYSE:PNR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The industrial products company reported $0.91 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.14. Pentair had a net margin of 11.88% and a return on equity of 23.09%. The company had revenue of $1.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $996.02 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.85 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts forecast that Pentair will post 3.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. New York Life Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Pentair by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC now owns 26,356 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,185,000 after purchasing an additional 406 shares during the period. Seven Eight Capital LP purchased a new stake in shares of Pentair in the 4th quarter worth about $289,000. FUKOKU MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE Co purchased a new stake in shares of Pentair in the 4th quarter worth about $229,000. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC boosted its position in shares of Pentair by 29.1% in the 4th quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 221,559 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $9,966,000 after buying an additional 49,977 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brinker Capital Investments LLC boosted its position in shares of Pentair by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Brinker Capital Investments LLC now owns 6,243 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $281,000 after buying an additional 219 shares in the last quarter. 89.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Pentair Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Pentair plc provides various water solutions worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Pool, Water Solutions, Industrial & Flow Technologies. It designs, manufactures, and sells residential and commercial pool equipment and accessories, including pumps, filters, heaters, lights, automatic controls, automatic cleaners, maintenance equipment, and pool accessories for residential and commercial pool maintenance, repair, renovation, service, and construction applications; and water treatment products and systems comprising pressure tanks, control valves, activated carbon products, conventional filtration products, and point-of-entry and point-of-use systems for use in residential whole home water filtration, drinking water filtration, water softening solutions, commercial total water management and filtration, and foodservice operations.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Primerica (NYSE:PRI  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Saturday.

PRI has been the topic of several other research reports. Raymond James assumed coverage on Primerica in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. They set a strong-buy rating and a $244.00 price objective on the stock. Truist Financial increased their price target on Primerica from $210.00 to $220.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 11th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $210.25.

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Primerica Stock Up 1.1 %

Shares of NYSE PRI opened at $203.77 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $188.95 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $173.65. Primerica has a 52-week low of $115.03 and a 52-week high of $204.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.39 and a beta of 1.19.

Primerica Announces Dividend

Primerica ( NYSE:PRI Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 8th. The financial services provider reported $3.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.45 by $0.04. Primerica had a return on equity of 27.48% and a net margin of 15.33%. The firm had revenue of $690.04 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $697.61 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.11 earnings per share. Primericas revenue for the quarter was down .2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Primerica will post 15.34 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 12th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 22nd were given a dividend of $0.65 per share. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.28%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 19th. Primericas payout ratio is 23.47%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Glenn J. Williams sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.25, for a total value of $765,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 49,902 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,543,757.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, CEO Glenn J. Williams sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.25, for a total value of $765,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 49,902 shares in the company, valued at $9,543,757.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, President Peter W. Schneider sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $192.19, for a total value of $384,380.00. Following the completion of the sale, the president now owns 13,024 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,503,082.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 11,200 shares of company stock valued at $2,119,760 in the last three months. 0.87% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Primerica

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of PRI. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC boosted its stake in Primerica by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 2,281 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $393,000 after buying an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC boosted its stake in Primerica by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 5,882 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,013,000 after buying an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank boosted its stake in Primerica by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 5,777 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $995,000 after buying an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its stake in Primerica by 42.5% in the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 228 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors raised its position in Primerica by 3.2% in the 3rd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 2,760 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $341,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the last quarter. 91.27% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Primerica Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Primerica, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products to middle-income households in the United States and Canada. The company operates in four segments: Term Life Insurance; Investment and Savings Products; Senior Health; and Corporate and Other Distributed Products. The Term Life Insurance segment underwrites individual term life insurance products.

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Triumph Group (NYSE:TGI  Get Free Report) had its target price raised by Bank of America from $16.00 to $19.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Bank of Americas price objective would suggest a potential upside of 52.00% from the companys current price.

Separately, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Triumph Group in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $13.00.

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Triumph Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE TGI traded up $0.29 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $12.50. The stock had a trading volume of 1,218,044 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,016,797. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $11.68 and a 200-day moving average of $11.38. The company has a market capitalization of $818.13 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 10.16 and a beta of 2.60. Triumph Group has a 12-month low of $7.84 and a 12-month high of $16.87.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Triumph Group

Triumph Group ( NYSE:TGI Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 17th. The aerospace company reported $0.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.26 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $393.30 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $349.11 million. Triumph Group had a net margin of 6.50% and a negative return on equity of 7.37%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 1.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.39 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that Triumph Group will post 0.44 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. UBS Group AG lifted its position in Triumph Group by 112.9% during the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 3,202 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 1,698 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Triumph Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $53,000. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its holdings in shares of Triumph Group by 141.0% in the 1st quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 2,902 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $73,000 after acquiring an additional 1,698 shares during the last quarter. Counterpoint Mutual Funds LLC bought a new stake in shares of Triumph Group in the 4th quarter worth about $85,000. Finally, Dark Forest Capital Management LP lifted its holdings in shares of Triumph Group by 341.7% in the 1st quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 7,699 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $89,000 after acquiring an additional 5,956 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.64% of the companys stock.

Triumph Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Triumph Group, Inc designs, engineers, manufactures, repairs, overhauls, and distributes aerostructures, aircraft components, accessories, subassemblies, and systems worldwide. It operates in two segments, Triumph Systems & Support, and Triumph Interiors. The company offers aircraft and engine-mounted accessory drives, thermal control systems and components, cargo hooks, high lift actuations, cockpit control levers, hydraulic systems and components, control system valve bodies, landing gear actuation systems, electronic engine controls, landing gear components and assemblies, exhaust nozzles and ducting, main engine gearbox assemblies, geared transmissions and drive train components, main fuel pumps, fuel-metering units, primary and secondary flight control systems, and vibration absorbers.

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Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund (NYSE:AIO  Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Tuesday, July 11th, investing.com reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 13th will be given a dividend of 0.15 per share on Tuesday, August 1st. This represents a dividend yield of 9.65%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 12th. This is a positive change from Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Funds previous dividend of $0.11.

Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund Stock Performance

AIO traded up $0.08 on Tuesday, hitting $18.73. The company had a trading volume of 80,362 shares, compared to its average volume of 108,700. Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund has a 52-week low of $14.92 and a 52-week high of $19.11. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $17.43 and a 200-day simple moving average of $17.14.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Advisors Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 39.5% during the first quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 267,380 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,845,000 after purchasing an additional 75,695 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada increased its position in shares of Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 16.9% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 262,242 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,732,000 after acquiring an additional 37,935 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its position in shares of Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 41.5% during the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 115,834 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,024,000 after acquiring an additional 33,944 shares in the last quarter. Stifel Financial Corp increased its position in shares of Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 1.3% during the first quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 95,141 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,655,000 after acquiring an additional 1,266 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund during the first quarter valued at approximately $648,000.

Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund Company Profile

The Fund seeks to generate a stable income stream and growth of capital by focusing on one of the most significant long-term secular growth opportunities in markets today. A multi-asset approach based on fundamental research is employed, dynamically allocating to attractive segments of a companys debt and equity in order to offer an attractive risk/reward profile.

Further Reading

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Geneva Partners LLC lowered its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 18.8% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 11,481 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 2,650 shares during the quarter. Geneva Partners LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $573,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Capital Investment Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. Capital Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 14,110 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $1,429,000 after acquiring an additional 545 shares during the period. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 6.8% during the 4th quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 6,141 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $674,000 after buying an additional 389 shares during the last quarter. Oak Family Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 15.4% during the 4th quarter. Oak Family Advisors LLC now owns 12,735 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $1,398,000 after buying an additional 1,703 shares during the last quarter. Calton & Associates Inc. raised its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 24.4% during the 4th quarter. Calton & Associates Inc. now owns 2,859 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $314,000 after buying an additional 561 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Prudential PLC raised its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 20.1% during the 4th quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 136,388 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $14,974,000 after buying an additional 22,858 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.08% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently weighed in on ABT. BTIG Research upped their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, April 17th. Morgan Stanley cut Abbott Laboratories from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $112.00 price target for the company. in a report on Tuesday, May 30th. Sanford C. Bernstein upped 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. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $118.00 to $122.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, Citigroup increased their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $121.26.

Abbott Laboratories Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:ABT traded down $0.27 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $107.23. The company had a trading volume of 931,072 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,040,943. Abbott Laboratories has a twelve month low of $93.25 and a twelve month high of $115.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 1.22. The stock has a market cap of $186.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.76 and a beta of 0.68. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $106.45 and its 200-day simple moving average is $106.29.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 19th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $9.75 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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 period in the prior year, the business posted $1.73 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.39 earnings per share for the current year.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Investors of record on Friday, July 14th will be given a $0.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.90%. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 62.01%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the director now directly owns 6,825,316 shares in the company, valued at $757,746,582.32. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of the firms stock in a transaction 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 70,427 shares in the company, valued at $7,786,409.12. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.02, for a total value of $5,551,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 6,825,316 shares in the company, valued at $757,746,582.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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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American Equity Investment Life Holding (NYSE:AEL  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the ten brokerages that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and one has issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $45.40.

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on AEL. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of American Equity Investment Life from $48.00 to $43.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of American Equity Investment Life in a research note on Friday, July 7th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Raymond James downgraded shares of American Equity Investment Life from a strong-buy rating to a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded American Equity Investment Life from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and lifted their target price for the company from $50.00 to $55.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 5th. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their target price on shares of American Equity Investment Life from $39.00 to $44.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 10th.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Equity Investment Life

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of AEL. Retireful LLC bought a new position in shares of American Equity Investment Life during the 2nd quarter worth about $985,000. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of American Equity Investment Life by 19.9% during the first quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 229,006 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $8,356,000 after purchasing an additional 37,962 shares during the period. Royce & Associates LP lifted its holdings in shares of American Equity Investment Life by 60.8% in the first quarter. Royce & Associates LP now owns 70,901 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,587,000 after purchasing an additional 26,818 shares in the last quarter. Toroso Investments LLC lifted its position in American Equity Investment Life by 599.4% during the 1st quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 52,397 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,912,000 after buying an additional 44,905 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its stake in American Equity Investment Life by 9.3% in the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 548,037 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $19,998,000 after acquiring an additional 46,490 shares during the last quarter. 96.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Equity Investment Life Stock Performance

Shares of American Equity Investment Life stock opened at $52.91 on Friday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $43.16 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $42.12. The company has a current ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.00 and a beta of 0.95. American Equity Investment Life has a 12 month low of $28.05 and a 12 month high of $53.68.

American Equity Investment Life (NYSE:AEL  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The financial services provider reported $1.47 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.15 by $0.32. The business had revenue of $662.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $626.02 million. American Equity Investment Life had a return on equity of 12.84% and a net margin of 25.84%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 348.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.92 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that American Equity Investment Life will post 6.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About American Equity Investment Life

(Get 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.

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Beam Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IWN  Free Report) by 2.2% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 14,931 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 316 shares during the period. iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF makes up about 2.1% of Beam Wealth Advisors Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th largest holding. Beam Wealth Advisors Inc.s holdings in iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF were worth $2,046,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC boosted its stake in iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF by 6.5% during the 1st quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 2,863 shares of the companys stock valued at $386,000 after purchasing an additional 174 shares during the last quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF by 10.7% in the 1st quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. now owns 8,888 shares of the companys stock worth $1,218,000 after buying an additional 857 shares during the last quarter. American National Bank purchased a new position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF in the 1st quarter worth $563,000. Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 11,713 shares of the companys stock worth $1,605,000 after buying an additional 161 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Eudaimonia Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF in the 1st quarter worth $219,000.

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iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF Price Performance

IWN stock opened at $143.33 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $11.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.40 and a beta of 1.15. iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF has a 1 year low of $127.21 and a 1 year high of $160.21. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $136.47 and its 200-day moving average price is $140.10.

iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF Company Profile

iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF, formerly Ishares Trust Russel 2000 (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 2000 Value Index Fund, is an exchange traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Value Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of equity securities of Russell 2000 Index issuers with relatively lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth.

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Shares of Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the fifteen brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and twelve have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $594.94.

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on HUM. StockNews.com began coverage on Humana in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating for the company. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Humana from $620.00 to $637.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. Barclays reduced their price objective on Humana from $620.00 to $585.00 in a research note on Monday, June 19th. SVB Securities reduced their price objective on Humana from $640.00 to $600.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their price objective on Humana from $590.00 to $530.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 20th.

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Humana Trading Up 0.6 %

Humana stock opened at $437.22 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $487.92 and a two-hundred day moving average of $496.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a current ratio of 1.39. Humana has a one year low of $427.21 and a one year high of $571.30. The stock has a market cap of $54.63 billion, a PE ratio of 17.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.67.

Humana Announces Dividend

Humana ( NYSE:HUM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The insurance provider reported $9.38 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $9.25 by $0.13. Humana had a return on equity of 21.04% and a net margin of 3.26%. The company had revenue of $26.74 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $26.40 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $8.04 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 11.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Humana will post 28.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be issued a $0.885 dividend. This represents a $3.54 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. Humanas payout ratio is currently 14.38%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Humana

In other Humana news, CFO Susan M. Diamond sold 4,156 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $526.28, for a total value of $2,187,219.68. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 3,931 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,068,806.68. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.32% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Humana

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Gradient Investments LLC boosted its stake in shares of Humana by 50.0% in the second quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 69 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Czech National Bank boosted its stake in shares of Humana by 0.5% in the second quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 14,790 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $6,613,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Level Four Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of Humana by 19.5% in the second quarter. Level Four Advisory Services LLC now owns 515 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $230,000 after acquiring an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Humana by 16.3% in the second quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 22,264 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $9,955,000 after acquiring an additional 3,127 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its stake in shares of Humana by 1,301.1% in the second quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 72,257 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $32,308,000 after acquiring an additional 67,100 shares during the last quarter. 93.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Humana Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Humana Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a health and well-being company in the United States. It operates through two segments, Insurance and CenterWell. The company offers medical and supplemental benefit plans to individuals. It also has a contract with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to administer the Limited Income Newly Eligible Transition prescription drug plan program; and contracts with various states to provide Medicaid, dual eligible, and long-term support services benefits.

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TransAlta Renewables (TSE:RNW  Get Free Report) was downgraded by stock analysts at CSFB from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a research report issued on Wednesday, BayStreet.CA reports. They currently have a C$13.00 price objective on the stock, down from their prior price objective of C$14.50. CSFBs price target suggests a potential downside of 1.14% from the companys current price.

A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on RNW. National Bankshares reduced their price objective on TransAlta Renewables from C$13.00 to C$12.50 in a research report on Thursday, July 6th. Atb Cap Markets downgraded TransAlta Renewables from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research note on Sunday, May 7th. ATB Capital downgraded TransAlta Renewables from a sector perform rating to a tender rating and dropped their price target for the stock from C$14.00 to C$13.00 in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, TD Securities raised their price target on TransAlta Renewables from C$12.00 to C$12.50 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$14.50.

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TransAlta Renewables Trading Up 1.0 %

RNW stock traded up C$0.13 during trading on Wednesday, hitting C$13.15. 1,882,207 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 565,256. TransAlta Renewables has a 1 year low of C$10.63 and a 1 year high of C$18.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 44.52, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.81. The company has a 50-day moving average of C$12.10 and a 200-day moving average of C$12.05. The firm has a market capitalization of C$3.51 billion, a PE ratio of 45.34, a P/E/G ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.73.

TransAlta Renewables Company Profile

TransAlta Renewables ( TSE:RNW Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 5th. The company reported C$0.17 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$0.15 by C$0.02. TransAlta Renewables had a return on equity of 4.12% and a net margin of 14.55%. The business had revenue of C$119.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$134.80 million. Analysts predict that TransAlta Renewables will post 0.7003155 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

(Get Free Report)

TransAlta Renewables Inc owns, develops, and operates renewable and natural gas power generation facilities and other infrastructure assets in Canada, the United States, and Australia. The company operates through Canadian Wind, Canadian Hydro, Canadian Gas, US Wind and Solar, US Gas, and Australian Gas segments.

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DORCHESTER WEALTH MANAGEMENT Co increased its stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 0.5% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 71,226 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 355 shares during the quarter. Philip Morris International makes up approximately 1.4% of DORCHESTER WEALTH MANAGEMENT Cos holdings, making the stock its 26th largest holding. DORCHESTER WEALTH MANAGEMENT Cos holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $6,927,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PM. Riverpoint Wealth Management Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in Philip Morris International during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Red Tortoise LLC purchased a new stake in Philip Morris International during the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Optiver Holding B.V. purchased a new stake in Philip Morris International during the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Stone House Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Philip Morris International in the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Winch Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in Philip Morris International by 200.0% in the 4th quarter. Winch Advisory Services LLC now owns 294 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 196 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.43% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have commented on PM shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price target for the company from $109.00 to $116.00 in a report on Thursday, March 30th. Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, April 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $114.00 price target for the company. 22nd Century Group restated a reiterates rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Tuesday, June 27th. StockNews.com started coverage on Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, Citigroup upgraded Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from $109.00 to $117.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned 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 Moderate Buy and an average price target of $111.40.

Philip Morris International Price Performance

Philip Morris International stock traded up $0.24 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $98.84. 1,250,977 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,403,879. The companys fifty day moving average price is $94.39 and its 200-day moving average price is $97.79. The company has a market cap of $153.42 billion, a PE ratio of 17.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 0.70. Philip Morris International Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $82.85 and a fifty-two week high of $105.62.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The company reported $1.38 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.34 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $8.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.03 billion. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 128.55% and a net margin of 10.80%. Philip Morris Internationals revenue for the quarter was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.56 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 11th. Investors of record on Friday, June 23rd were given a dividend of $1.27 per share. This represents a $5.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.14%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 22nd. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 90.88%.

About Philip Morris International

(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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Eastmain Resources Inc. (ER.TO) (TSE:ER  Get Free Report) shares rose 12% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as C$0.28 and last traded at C$0.28. Approximately 2,105,459 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 333% from the average daily volume of 486,551 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.25.

Eastmain Resources Inc. (ER.TO) Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.84, a current ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of C$0.28. The stock has a market cap of C$81.37 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.75.

About Eastmain Resources Inc. (ER.TO)

(Get Free Report)

Eastmain Resources Inc, together with its subsidiary, Eastmain Mines Inc, engages in the acquisition and exploration of mineral resource properties in Canada. The company primarily explores for gold, silver, nickel, platinum, and copper deposits. Its flagship project is the Clearwater project, which hosts the Eau Claire gold deposit covering an area of 201 square kilometers located in the central portion of the Eastmain River Greenstone Belt within the James Bay Mining District of QuAbec.

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Echo45 Advisors LLC lessened its stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Free Report) by 12.1% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 725 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 100 shares during the quarter. Thermo Fisher Scientific comprises about 0.3% of Echo45 Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding. Echo45 Advisors LLCs holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $418,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of TMO. Morgan Stanley raised its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 17.7% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 11,730,063 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $6,459,629,000 after purchasing an additional 1,764,312 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 1.8% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 9,123,657 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $5,024,306,000 after purchasing an additional 161,344 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 104,536.8% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 8,355,245 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $4,601,150,000 after purchasing an additional 8,347,260 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 1.8% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 6,879,351 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $3,780,655,000 after purchasing an additional 123,256 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in Thermo Fisher Scientific in the 4th quarter valued at $3,105,677,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.33% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Thermo Fisher Scientific

In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $545.22, for a total value of $5,452,200.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 141,330 shares in the company, valued at approximately $77,055,942.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 1,600 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $534.82, for a total transaction of $855,712.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 141,330 shares in the company, valued at approximately $75,586,110.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $545.22, for a total transaction of $5,452,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 141,330 shares in the company, valued at approximately $77,055,942.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.32% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Price Performance

NYSE TMO traded up $8.77 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $528.03. The companys stock had a trading volume of 643,435 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,484,276. The stock has a market cap of $203.67 billion, a PE ratio of 33.84, a PEG ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 0.78. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $475.77 and a fifty-two week high of $611.06. The companys 50-day moving average is $523.87 and its two-hundred day moving average is $549.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 1.27.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical research company reported $5.03 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $5.03. The firm had revenue of $10.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.67 billion. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a net margin of 13.75% and a return on equity of 19.16%. The firms revenue was down 9.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $7.25 EPS. Analysts forecast that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 23.69 EPS for the current year.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be issued a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.27%. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 9.13%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have issued reports on TMO shares. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $670.00 to $620.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $615.00 to $610.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 4th. KeyCorp dropped their price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $710.00 to $640.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $693.00 to $670.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $700.00 to $650.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Thermo Fisher Scientific currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $629.77.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

(Free Report)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the United States and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, clinical next-generation sequencing, bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets.

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Massachusetts Wealth Management lowered its position in Emerson Electric Co. (NYSE:EMR  Free Report) by 3.4% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 14,180 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 500 shares during the period. Massachusetts Wealth Managements holdings in Emerson Electric were worth $1,236,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of EMR. RB Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Emerson Electric by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 5,358 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $525,000 after acquiring an additional 155 shares during the last quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new position in shares of Emerson Electric during the first quarter worth about $116,000. Prudential PLC purchased a new stake in Emerson Electric during the first quarter worth about $1,215,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Emerson Electric by 17.5% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 9,521 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $934,000 after purchasing an additional 1,418 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brighton Jones LLC lifted its stake in shares of Emerson Electric by 31.8% during the first quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 3,856 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $378,000 after buying an additional 931 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.63% of the companys stock.

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Emerson Electric Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of EMR stock traded up $0.51 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $92.31. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,058,620 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,381,734. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 1.19. Emerson Electric Co. has a 52-week low of $72.40 and a 52-week high of $99.65. The stock has a market cap of $52.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.29, a PEG ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 1.41. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $84.71 and a 200 day moving average price of $86.45.

Emerson Electric Announces Dividend

Emerson Electric ( NYSE:EMR Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The industrial products company reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.97 by $0.12. Emerson Electric had a return on equity of 16.94% and a net margin of 27.35%. The company had revenue of $3.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.65 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.29 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 21.8% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that Emerson Electric Co. will post 4.19 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 12th were issued a dividend of $0.52 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 11th. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.25%. Emerson Electrics dividend payout ratio is presently 25.58%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on EMR shares. Loop Capital dropped their price objective on shares of Emerson Electric from $115.00 to $105.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. HSBC upgraded shares of Emerson Electric from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the stock from $79.00 to $100.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 14th. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Emerson Electric from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $90.00 to $105.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Emerson Electric in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, TheStreet raised Emerson Electric from a c+ rating to a b rating in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Emerson Electric has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $99.47.

Insider Activity

In other news, VP Lisa Flavin sold 48,718 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $89.65, for a total transaction of $4,367,568.70. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 51,748 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,639,208.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.33% of the companys stock.

Emerson Electric Company Profile

(Free Report)

Emerson Electric Co, a technology and engineering company, provides various solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and consumer markets in the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. The company operates through Automation Solutions, AspenTech, and Commercial & Residential Solutions segments.

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First National Trust Co trimmed its holdings in shares of Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR  Free Report) by 1.3% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 14,280 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 191 shares during the quarter. First National Trust Cos holdings in Danaher were worth $3,599,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC increased its position in shares of Danaher by 18.0% during the first quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 9,965 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $2,534,000 after acquiring an additional 1,519 shares during the last quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D increased its position in shares of Danaher by 0.4% during the first quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 408,902 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $103,060,000 after acquiring an additional 1,453 shares during the last quarter. TRU Independence Asset Management 2 LLC purchased a new stake in Danaher in the first quarter worth $817,000. Caprock Group LLC increased its position in Danaher by 16.8% in the first quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 8,778 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $2,215,000 after buying an additional 1,262 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lindbrook Capital LLC increased its position in Danaher by 6.3% in the first quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 4,065 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $1,025,000 after buying an additional 242 shares during the last quarter. 75.68% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have issued reports on DHR shares. Citigroup decreased their target price on Danaher from $325.00 to $300.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on Danaher from $310.00 to $275.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on Danaher from $309.00 to $275.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. SVB Securities started coverage on Danaher in a research report on Monday, May 1st. They issued an outperform rating and a $300.00 target price for the company. Finally, William Blair reissued an outperform rating on shares of Danaher in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $294.88.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Danaher Price Performance

In related news, EVP Joakim Weidemanis sold 9,934 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $245.27, for a total value of $2,436,512.18. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 91,423 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $22,423,319.21. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink . In other news, EVP Joakim Weidemanis sold 9,934 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $245.27, for a total value of $2,436,512.18. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 91,423 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,423,319.21. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . Also, SVP Daniel Raskas sold 19,847 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $228.50, for a total value of $4,535,039.50. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 38,673 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,836,780.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last quarter, insiders have sold 34,466 shares of company stock worth $8,103,781. Company insiders own 11.10% of the companys stock.

NYSE:DHR opened at $237.65 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $175.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.61, a P/E/G ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 0.80. Danaher Co. has a 52-week low of $221.22 and a 52-week high of $303.82. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $234.82 and a 200 day moving average of $247.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 1.51 and a current ratio of 1.89.

Danaher (NYSE:DHR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The conglomerate reported $2.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.26 by $0.10. Danaher had a return on equity of 16.70% and a net margin of 22.40%. The firm had revenue of $7.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.06 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.76 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts expect that Danaher Co. will post 9.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Danaher Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.27 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.45%. Danahers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 11.64%.

Danaher Profile

(Free Report)

Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services worldwide. The Biotechnology segments offers bioprocess technologies, consumables, and services; lab filtration, separation, and purification; lab-scale protein purification and analytical tools; reagents, membranes and services; and healthcare filtration solutions.

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Geneva Partners LLC lowered its position in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 12.2% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,592 shares of the companys stock after selling 498 shares during the quarter. Geneva Partners LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $1,234,000 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 the company. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 633 shares of the companys stock valued at $232,000 after buying an additional 28 shares during the period. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC lifted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC now owns 1,485 shares of the companys stock valued at $543,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares during the last quarter. Aries Wealth Management grew its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Aries Wealth Management now owns 3,701 shares of the companys stock worth $1,271,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares during the period. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 7.6% during the 1st quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 397 shares of the companys stock worth $136,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Richard W. Paul & Associates LLC raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.3% in the 1st quarter. Richard W. Paul & Associates LLC now owns 1,248 shares of the companys stock valued at $428,000 after buying an additional 28 shares during the period. 87.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Eli Lilly and Company

In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $398.48, for a total value of $89,658,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 101,908,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $40,608,622,608.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other Eli Lilly and Company news, EVP Patrik Jonsson sold 6,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $429.46, for a total transaction of $2,576,760.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 36,941 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $15,864,681.86. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $398.48, for a total transaction of $89,658,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 101,908,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $40,608,622,608.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 970,965 shares of company stock worth $423,725,107 over the last three months. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock traded up $2.61 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $442.00. 1,045,581 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,065,857. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 1.02. The firms 50-day moving average price is $443.43 and its 200 day moving average price is $381.94. The stock has a market cap of $419.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 69.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.38. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12-month low of $296.32 and a 12-month high of $469.87.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.73 by ($0.11). The business had revenue of $6.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.87 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 20.54% and a return on equity of 61.42%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.62 earnings per share. As a group, 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 firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Investors of record on Friday, September 8th will be issued a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.02%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 71.86%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on LLY shares. SVB Securities lifted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $410.00 to $458.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $420.00 to $500.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 27th. Guggenheim decreased their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $395.00 to $392.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. Berenberg Bank lifted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $375.00 to $500.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 20th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $430.00 to $475.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $437.90.

About Eli Lilly and Company

(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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iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (BATS:IGV  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $345.69 and last traded at $345.69, with a volume of 1742727 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $339.73.

iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF Trading Up 1.5 %

The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $325.51 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $297.84. The company has a market cap of $6.24 billion, a PE ratio of 41.65 and a beta of 1.06.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. lifted its position in shares of iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF by 225.4% during the 1st quarter. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. now owns 949,834 shares of the companys stock valued at $289,414,000 after acquiring an additional 657,920 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC raised its holdings in iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF by 336.8% in the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 633,339 shares of the companys stock valued at $192,978,000 after acquiring an additional 488,357 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF by 1,163.7% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 309,188 shares of the companys stock valued at $94,209,000 after acquiring an additional 284,721 shares during the last quarter. Main Management ETF Advisors LLC acquired a new position in iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $35,357,000. Finally, Mirabella Financial Services LLP raised its holdings in iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF by 380.9% in the 1st quarter. Mirabella Financial Services LLP now owns 99,672 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,380,000 after acquiring an additional 78,947 shares during the last quarter.

About iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF

iShares North American Tech-Software ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P North American Technology-Software Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P North American Technology Software Index (the Underlying Index).

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Destiny Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:USMV  Free Report) by 8.3% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 12,691 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 970 shares during the period. Destiny Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF were worth $923,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Highview Capital Management LLC DE acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $1,944,000. Atlas Private Wealth Management boosted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. Atlas Private Wealth Management now owns 26,969 shares of the companys stock worth $1,962,000 after purchasing an additional 926 shares during the period. Stone House Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 37.5% during the 1st quarter. Stone House Investment Management LLC now owns 57,141 shares of the companys stock worth $4,156,000 after purchasing an additional 15,590 shares during the period. Everhart Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 2.5% during the 1st quarter. Everhart Financial Group Inc. now owns 8,519 shares of the companys stock worth $620,000 after purchasing an additional 207 shares during the period. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 3.4% during the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 460,427 shares of the companys stock worth $33,492,000 after purchasing an additional 15,180 shares during the period.

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iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Stock Performance

Shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF stock opened at $74.14 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $29.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.17 and a beta of 0.75. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF has a one year low of $47.44 and a one year high of $55.45. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $72.99 and a two-hundred day moving average of $72.56.

iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF 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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Lorne Steinberg Wealth Management Inc. reduced its stake in Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS  Free Report) by 1.5% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 53,637 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 835 shares during the quarter. Morgan Stanley comprises about 1.9% of Lorne Steinberg Wealth Management Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest holding. Lorne Steinberg Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in Morgan Stanley were worth $4,709,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. CVA Family Office LLC raised its position in Morgan Stanley by 6.5% during the 1st quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 5,350 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $470,000 after buying an additional 326 shares during the last quarter. Vestor Capital LLC purchased a new position in Morgan Stanley during the 1st quarter worth approximately $175,000. Pinnacle Wealth Management Group Inc. raised its position in Morgan Stanley by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Group Inc. now owns 33,208 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,902,000 after buying an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Employees Retirement System of Texas raised its position in Morgan Stanley by 30.0% during the 1st quarter. Employees Retirement System of Texas now owns 564,000 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $49,519,000 after buying an additional 130,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Compton Wealth Advisory Group LLC raised its position in Morgan Stanley by 26.2% during the 1st quarter. Compton Wealth Advisory Group LLC now owns 10,713 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $941,000 after buying an additional 2,226 shares during the last quarter. 84.48% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Oppenheimer lifted their target price on shares of Morgan Stanley from $95.00 to $103.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on shares of Morgan Stanley from $90.00 to $80.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 24th. Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of Morgan Stanley from $100.00 to $95.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Morgan Stanley from $97.00 to $91.00 in a report on Friday, July 7th. Finally, Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Morgan Stanley from $125.00 to $112.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Morgan Stanley has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $95.44.

Insider Transactions at Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley Stock Up 2.2 %

In related news, major shareholder Stanley Morgan sold 1,049,889 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.45, for a total transaction of $9,921,451.05. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 8,456,881 shares of the companys stock, valued at $79,917,525.45. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . In related news, Director Thomas H. Glocer sold 4,535 shares of Morgan Stanley stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $87.11, for a total transaction of $395,043.85. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 98,110 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,546,362.10. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . Also, major shareholder Stanley Morgan sold 1,049,889 shares of Morgan Stanley stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.45, for a total value of $9,921,451.05. Following the sale, the insider now owns 8,456,881 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $79,917,525.45. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock.

Morgan Stanley stock traded up $1.83 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $86.79. The company had a trading volume of 2,987,813 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,444,421. The stock has a market cap of $144.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.95, a PEG ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 1.33. Morgan Stanley has a 1 year low of $72.05 and a 1 year high of $100.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. The business has a fifty day moving average of $84.58 and a 200 day moving average of $89.02.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The financial services provider reported $1.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.67 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $14.52 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.96 billion. Morgan Stanley had a net margin of 14.12% and a return on equity of 11.35%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.06 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Morgan Stanley will post 6.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Morgan Stanley Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 1st were given a dividend of $0.775 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, April 28th. This represents a $3.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.57%. Morgan Stanleys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 53.26%.

About Morgan Stanley

(Free Report)

Morgan Stanley, a financial holding company, provides various financial products and services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. It operates through Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments.

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MSCI Inc. (NYSE:MSCI  Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the ten research firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have assigned a hold recommendation and seven have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $562.00.

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on MSCI shares. Oppenheimer lifted their price objective on MSCI from $575.00 to $600.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 4th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on MSCI from $600.00 to $545.00 in a research note on Monday. UBS Group dropped their price objective on MSCI from $611.00 to $570.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. StockNews.com started coverage on MSCI in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, SpectralCast reissued a maintains rating on shares of MSCI in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th.

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MSCI Price Performance

MSCI stock opened at $486.71 on Wednesday. MSCI has a one year low of $385.00 and a one year high of $572.50. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $471.67 and a 200-day moving average price of $504.85. The firm has a market capitalization of $38.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 44.61, a PEG ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 1.11.

MSCI Announces Dividend

MSCI ( NYSE:MSCI Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The technology company reported $3.14 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.91 by $0.23. The firm had revenue of $592.20 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $593.92 million. MSCI had a negative return on equity of 93.49% and a net margin of 38.62%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.98 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that MSCI will post 12.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 12th were issued a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 11th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.13%. MSCIs dividend payout ratio is currently 50.60%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Monumental Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of MSCI in the second quarter worth about $1,067,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp grew its stake in shares of MSCI by 379.2% in the second quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 3,824 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,795,000 after purchasing an additional 3,026 shares during the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of MSCI by 1.9% in the second quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 1,182 shares of the technology companys stock worth $555,000 after purchasing an additional 22 shares during the last quarter. Czech National Bank grew its stake in shares of MSCI by 0.6% in the second quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 9,477 shares of the technology companys stock worth $4,447,000 after purchasing an additional 57 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Level Four Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in shares of MSCI by 2.9% in the second quarter. Level Four Advisory Services LLC now owns 6,490 shares of the technology companys stock worth $3,046,000 after purchasing an additional 181 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.69% of the companys stock.

MSCI Company Profile

(Get Free Report

MSCI Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides investment decision support tools for the clients to manage their investment processes worldwide. It operates through four segments: Index, Analytics, ESG and Climate, and All Other Private Assets. The Index segment provides indexes for use in various areas of the investment process, including indexed product creation, such as ETFs, mutual funds, annuities, futures, options, structured products, over-the-counter derivatives; performance benchmarking; portfolio construction and rebalancing; and asset allocation, as well as licenses GICS and GICS Direct.

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MV Oil Trust (NYSE:MVO  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, July 5th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Monday, July 17th will be paid a dividend of 0.325 per share by the oil and gas producer on Tuesday, July 25th. This represents a $1.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.65%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 14th.

MV Oil Trust has raised its dividend payment by an average of 28.4% annually over the last three years.

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MV Oil Trust Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MVO opened at $13.47 on Wednesday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $12.02 and a two-hundred day moving average of $12.84. The company has a market capitalization of $154.91 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.15 and a beta of 0.95. MV Oil Trust has a 1 year low of $8.38 and a 1 year high of $16.41.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MV Oil Trust ( NYSE:MVO Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 11th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.41 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $5.19 million for the quarter.

Separately, StockNews.com cut shares of MV Oil Trust from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, May 15th.

Institutional Trading of MV Oil Trust

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Morgan Stanley boosted its position in shares of MV Oil Trust by 105.4% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 48,496 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $792,000 after purchasing an additional 24,891 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC lifted its stake in MV Oil Trust by 61.6% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 19,998 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $249,000 after buying an additional 7,623 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA acquired a new stake in shares of MV Oil Trust in the first quarter valued at approximately $137,000. Private Advisor Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of MV Oil Trust during the first quarter worth approximately $128,000. Finally, Advisor Group Holdings Inc. increased its holdings in shares of MV Oil Trust by 446.1% in the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 9,830 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $116,000 after acquiring an additional 8,030 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.06% of the companys stock.

About MV Oil Trust

(Get Free Report)

MV Oil Trust acquires and holds term net profits interests in the oil and natural gas properties of MV Partners, LLC. Its properties include approximately 860 producing oil and gas wells located in the Mid-Continent region in the states of Kansas and Colorado. The company was incorporated in 2006 and is based in Houston, Texas.

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LS Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE  Free Report) by 822.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 91,753 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 81,809 shares during the period. LS Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in NextEra Energy were worth $7,072,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Appleton Partners Inc. MA grew its stake in NextEra Energy by 3.3% during the 1st quarter. Appleton Partners Inc. MA now owns 13,360 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,030,000 after acquiring an additional 432 shares in the last quarter. Trust Co. of Virginia VA boosted its position in shares of NextEra Energy by 14.0% during the 1st quarter. Trust Co. of Virginia VA now owns 8,776 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $676,000 after purchasing an additional 1,075 shares during the period. Central Bank & Trust Co. lifted its holdings in NextEra Energy by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. Central Bank & Trust Co. now owns 5,511 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $425,000 after buying an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. M. Kraus & Co lifted its holdings in NextEra Energy by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. M. Kraus & Co now owns 139,454 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $11,658,000 after buying an additional 3,229 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mission Wealth Management LP lifted its holdings in NextEra Energy by 9.7% during the 1st quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP now owns 36,563 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,818,000 after buying an additional 3,230 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.70% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Robert Coffey sold 4,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.90, for a total value of $299,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 11,292 shares of the companys stock, valued at $845,770.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, EVP Robert Coffey sold 4,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.90, for a total value of $299,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 11,292 shares in the company, valued at $845,770.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO John W. Ketchum bought 13,600 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was bought at an average price of $74.26 per share, with a total value of $1,009,936.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 184,485 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,699,856.10. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 0.18% of the companys stock.

NextEra Energy Stock Performance

NextEra Energy stock traded up $0.17 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $72.36. 960,333 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,090,124. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a 12-month low of $69.64 and a 12-month high of $91.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a current ratio of 0.53. The stock has a market cap of $146.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 0.46. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $74.46 and its 200 day simple moving average is $76.52.

NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The utilities provider reported $0.84 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.75 by $0.09. NextEra Energy had a net margin of 26.97% and a return on equity of 12.44%. The firm had revenue of $6.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.78 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.74 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.11 EPS for the current year.

NextEra Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 30th were given a $0.4675 dividend. This represents a $1.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.58%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 26th. NextEra Energys dividend payout ratio is presently 55.65%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have issued reports on NEE. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of NextEra Energy from $94.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of NextEra Energy in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Guggenheim reduced their target price on shares of NextEra Energy from $92.00 to $86.00 in a report on Friday, July 7th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on shares of NextEra Energy from $95.00 to $90.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of NextEra Energy in a report on Wednesday, June 7th. They issued a buy rating and a $90.00 price objective on the stock. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $91.17.

NextEra Energy Profile

(Free Report)

NextEra Energy, Inc, through its subsidiaries, generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power to retail and wholesale customers in North America. The company generates electricity through wind, solar, nuclear, coal, and natural gas facilities. It also develops, constructs, and operates long-term contracted assets that consists of clean energy solutions, such as renewable generation facilities, battery storage projects, and electric transmission facilities; sells energy commodities; and owns, develops, constructs, manages and operates electric generation facilities in wholesale energy markets.

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Owens Corning (NYSE:OC  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Thursday, June 15th, RTT News reports. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be paid a dividend of 0.52 per share by the construction company on Friday, August 4th. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 14th.

Owens Corning has raised its dividend payment by an average of 20.4% per year over the last three years and has increased its dividend every year for the last 8 years. Owens Corning has a dividend payout ratio of 18.0% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect Owens Corning to earn $11.55 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $2.08 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 18.0%.

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Owens Corning Trading Up 1.4 %

Shares of OC opened at $130.56 on Wednesday. Owens Corning has a twelve month low of $74.22 and a twelve month high of $132.67. The company has a market cap of $11.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.45, a P/E/G ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 1.46. The company has a current ratio of 1.86, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $116.29 and its 200-day simple moving average is $102.54.

Insider Buying and Selling at Owens Corning

Owens Corning ( NYSE:OC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The construction company reported $2.77 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.22 by $0.55. The company had revenue of $2.30 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.22 billion. Owens Corning had a net margin of 13.54% and a return on equity of 26.06%. The firms revenue was down 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.84 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Owens Corning will post 10.78 EPS for the current year.

In other Owens Corning news, insider Marcio A. Sandri sold 8,000 shares of Owens Corning stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total transaction of $800,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 62,962 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,296,200. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, insider Gunner Smith sold 6,900 shares of Owens Corning stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.01, for a total value of $793,569.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 31,153 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,582,906.53. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Marcio A. Sandri sold 8,000 shares of Owens Corning stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total value of $800,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 62,962 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,296,200. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 21,570 shares of company stock worth $2,282,993. Insiders own 0.89% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Owens Corning

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of OC. Compass Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Owens Corning in the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Power Corp of Canada acquired a new stake in Owens Corning in the 1st quarter worth about $34,000. Zions Bancorporation N.A. boosted its holdings in Owens Corning by 611.0% in the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 583 shares of the construction companys stock worth $53,000 after buying an additional 501 shares during the last quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. acquired a new stake in Owens Corning in the 1st quarter worth about $57,000. Finally, Belpointe Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Owens Corning by 64.4% in the 1st quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 633 shares of the construction companys stock worth $61,000 after buying an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.43% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently commented on OC shares. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of Owens Corning from $105.00 to $135.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 6th. Barclays raised shares of Owens Corning from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and upped their price target for the stock from $113.00 to $135.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Owens Corning from $111.00 to $135.00 in a report on Tuesday. Bank of America upped their target price on Owens Corning from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Loop Capital lifted their price objective on shares of Owens Corning from $125.00 to $138.00 in a research report on Friday, June 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Owens Corning presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $116.08.

About Owens Corning

(Get Free Report)

Owens Corning engages in manufacture and sale of insulation, roofing, and fiberglass composite materials in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Composites, Insulation, and Roofing. The Composites segment manufactures, fabricates, and sells glass reinforcements in the form of fiber; and glass fiber products in the form of fabrics, non-wovens, and other specialized products.

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Palisades Hudson Asset Management L.P. reduced its position in iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:IEUR  Free Report) by 3.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 165,345 shares of the companys stock after selling 5,382 shares during the period. iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF makes up approximately 4.6% of Palisades Hudson Asset Management L.P.s holdings, making the stock its 7th largest holding. Palisades Hudson Asset Management L.P. owned approximately 0.20% of iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF worth $8,661,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF during the 1st quarter valued at about $41,000. Capital Investment Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF by 29.7% during the 1st quarter. Capital Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 851 shares of the companys stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 195 shares during the period. Financial Freedom LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $50,000. Addison Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF by 230.9% during the 4th quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 1,340 shares of the companys stock valued at $64,000 after buying an additional 935 shares during the period. Finally, M&R Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF by 1,369.9% during the 1st quarter. M&R Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,220 shares of the companys stock valued at $64,000 after buying an additional 1,137 shares during the period.

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iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF Trading Up 2.2 %

IEUR stock traded up $1.12 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $53.11. 76,409 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 718,861. iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF has a 12-month low of $38.54 and a 12-month high of $54.81. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $52.67 and a 200-day moving average price of $51.97. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.11 and a beta of 0.95.

About iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF

The iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF (IEUR) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Europe IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of developed European securities. IEUR was launched on Jun 10, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IEUR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:IEUR  Free Report).

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Parker-Hannifin (NYSE:PH  Get Free Report) had its price objective increased by equities researchers at Barclays from $400.00 to $425.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Barclayss price objective indicates a potential upside of 6.60% from the stocks previous close.

A number of other research firms have also weighed in on PH. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $376.00 to $383.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Parker-Hannifin from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, June 23rd. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $411.00 to $415.00 in a research note on Friday, May 5th. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $390.00 to $405.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $322.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $401.83.

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Parker-Hannifin Stock Performance

Parker-Hannifin stock opened at $398.70 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 0.72. Parker-Hannifin has a 1-year low of $235.69 and a 1-year high of $400.08. The firm has a market capitalization of $51.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 1.53. The companys 50-day moving average is $353.10 and its 200 day moving average is $335.66.

Insider Activity at Parker-Hannifin

Parker-Hannifin ( NYSE:PH Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The industrial products company reported $5.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.01 by $0.92. Parker-Hannifin had a net margin of 8.28% and a return on equity of 29.14%. The company had revenue of $5.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.79 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $4.83 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 23.9% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Parker-Hannifin will post 20.89 EPS for the current year.

In related news, VP William R. Bowman sold 2,403 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $357.65, for a total transaction of $859,432.95. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 11,152 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,988,512.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, VP Thomas C. Gentile sold 1,759 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $352.94, for a total transaction of $620,821.46. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 5,465 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,928,817.10. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP William R. Bowman sold 2,403 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $357.65, for a total transaction of $859,432.95. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 11,152 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,988,512.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 34,526 shares of company stock valued at $11,618,868 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 1.37% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Legacy Bridge LLC raised its holdings in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 1.2% in the second quarter. Legacy Bridge LLC now owns 3,282 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,280,000 after buying an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. Buckingham Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 8.5% during the second quarter. Buckingham Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,807 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,095,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares during the last quarter. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 11.8% during the second quarter. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. now owns 166,017 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $64,753,000 after purchasing an additional 17,504 shares during the last quarter. Brookstone Capital Management raised its holdings in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 9.6% during the second quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 4,232 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,626,000 after purchasing an additional 372 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Parker-Hannifin during the second quarter worth $211,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.62% of the companys stock.

About Parker-Hannifin

(Get Free Report)

Parker-Hannifin Corporation manufactures and sells motion and control technologies and systems for various mobile, industrial, and aerospace markets worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Diversified Industrial and Aerospace Systems. The Diversified Industrial segment offers sealing, shielding, thermal products and systems, adhesives, coatings, and noise vibration and harshness solutions; filters, systems, and diagnostics solutions to monitor and remove contaminants from fuel, air, oil, water, and other liquids and gases; connectors, which control, transmit, and contain fluid; control solutions for extreme corrosion resistance, temperatures, pressures, and precise flow; and hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical components and systems for builders and users of mobile and industrial machinery and equipment.

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ProPetro (NYSE:PUMP  Get Free Report) had its price objective lowered by equities researchers at Stifel Nicolaus from $17.00 to $16.00 in a research note issued on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Stifel Nicolaus target price points to a potential upside of 72.79% from the stocks current price.

Several other research analysts have also recently commented on PUMP. Citigroup lowered their target price on ProPetro from $10.00 to $9.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 21st. 500.com reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of ProPetro in a report on Thursday, June 8th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price target on ProPetro from $14.00 to $12.00 in a report on Thursday, June 8th.

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ProPetro Trading Down 0.6 %

PUMP opened at $9.26 on Wednesday. ProPetro has a 12 month low of $6.33 and a 12 month high of $12.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 62.13 and a beta of 2.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 1.15. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $7.56 and a 200 day moving average price of $8.33.

Insiders Place Their Bets

ProPetro ( NYSE:PUMP Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported $0.40 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.49 by ($0.09). ProPetro had a return on equity of 16.74% and a net margin of 1.33%. The company had revenue of $423.57 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $410.08 million. Sell-side analysts expect that ProPetro will post 1.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other news, Director Michele Vion sold 21,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.89, for a total value of $144,690.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 40,094 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $276,247.66. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.88% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of ProPetro

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in ProPetro by 8.8% during the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 17,847,360 shares of the companys stock valued at $143,672,000 after acquiring an additional 1,445,598 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in ProPetro by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 11,033,275 shares of the companys stock worth $88,817,000 after purchasing an additional 361,312 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in ProPetro by 25.7% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 6,750,490 shares of the companys stock worth $48,536,000 after purchasing an additional 1,381,397 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its position in ProPetro by 6.7% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,584,796 shares of the companys stock worth $32,965,000 after purchasing an additional 289,537 shares during the period. Finally, Boston Partners increased its position in ProPetro by 42.8% during the 1st quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,992,577 shares of the companys stock worth $28,701,000 after purchasing an additional 1,196,513 shares during the period. 79.30% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About ProPetro

(Get Free Report)

ProPetro Holding Corp., an integrated oilfield services company, provides hydraulic fracturing, wireline, cementing, and other complementary oilfield completion services to upstream oil and gas companies in the Permian Basin. ProPetro Holding Corp. was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Midland, Texas.

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Quaker Chemical Co. (NYSE:KWR  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, May 10th, RTT News reports. Investors of record on Monday, July 17th will be paid a dividend of 0.435 per share by the specialty chemicals company on Monday, July 31st. This represents a $1.74 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 14th.

Quaker Chemical has raised its dividend by an average of 3.7% per year over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 15 years. Quaker Chemical has a dividend payout ratio of 20.0% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect Quaker Chemical to earn $8.72 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.74 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 20.0%.

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Quaker Chemical Stock Performance

Shares of KWR stock opened at $197.85 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.99, a current ratio of 2.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $197.64 and a 200 day simple moving average of $192.51. Quaker Chemical has a 52 week low of $129.06 and a 52 week high of $216.45.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Quaker Chemical ( NYSE:KWR Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.89 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.35 by $0.54. The business had revenue of $500.15 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $485.29 million. Quaker Chemical had a negative net margin of 0.32% and a positive return on equity of 8.74%. Quaker Chemicals revenue was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.42 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Quaker Chemical will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of research firms have issued reports on KWR. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on shares of Quaker Chemical from $220.00 to $235.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Quaker Chemical in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on shares of Quaker Chemical in a report on Thursday, June 1st. They issued a buy rating and a $250.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Quaker Chemical from $203.00 to $227.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th.

Insider Buying and Selling at Quaker Chemical

In other Quaker Chemical news, Director Michael F. Barry sold 200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total value of $40,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 90,126 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,025,200. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, Director Michael F. Barry sold 14,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $202.45, for a total value of $2,834,300.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 76,126 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $15,411,708.70. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Michael F. Barry sold 200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, April 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total transaction of $40,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 90,126 shares in the company, valued at $18,025,200. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 32,740 shares of company stock worth $6,643,713. 1.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Quaker Chemical

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of KWR. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new position in Quaker Chemical during the first quarter worth $1,128,000. State Street Corp boosted its stake in Quaker Chemical by 2.9% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 455,153 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $90,098,000 after acquiring an additional 12,719 shares in the last quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC boosted its stake in Quaker Chemical by 333.5% during the first quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 12,056 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $2,386,000 after acquiring an additional 9,275 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Quaker Chemical by 4.5% during the first quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 255,245 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $50,526,000 after acquiring an additional 11,053 shares in the last quarter. Finally, HBK Sorce Advisory LLC bought a new position in Quaker Chemical during the first quarter worth $340,000. 79.30% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Quaker Chemical Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Quaker Chemical Corporation develops, produces, and markets various formulated chemical specialty products for a range of heavy industrial and manufacturing applications. The company operates through four segments: Americas; Europe, Middle East, and Africa; Asia/Pacific; and Global Specialty Businesses.

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TransAlta Renewables (OTCMKTS:TRSWF  Get Free Report) had its price objective dropped by Raymond James from C$15.50 to C$13.00 in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. TD Securities lifted their price target on shares of TransAlta Renewables from C$12.00 to C$12.50 in a report on Monday, May 8th. Credit Suisse Group lowered TransAlta Renewables from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, National Bank Financial lowered their price target on TransAlta Renewables from C$13.00 to C$12.50 in a report on Thursday, July 6th.

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TransAlta Renewables Stock Up 18.8 %

TransAlta Renewables stock traded up $1.56 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $9.82. 65,207 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,028. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $9.03 and its 200-day moving average price is $8.93. TransAlta Renewables has a 52-week low of $7.78 and a 52-week high of $14.27.

About TransAlta Renewables

TransAlta Renewables Inc owns, develops, and operates renewable and natural gas power generation facilities and other infrastructure assets in Canada, the United States, and Australia. The company operates through Canadian Wind, Canadian Hydro, Canadian Gas, US Wind and Solar, US Gas, and Australian Gas segments.

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Sabal Trust CO decreased its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 2.6% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 6,836 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 180 shares during the quarter. Sabal Trust COs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $692,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ABT. JDM Financial Group LLC bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. FWL Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Institutional investors own 73.08% of the companys stock.

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Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ABT traded down $0.56 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $106.94. The company had a trading volume of 1,326,416 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,044,553. The companys 50 day moving average price is $106.45 and its 200 day moving average price is $106.29. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The stock has a market cap of $185.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.67, a P/E/G ratio of 4.76 and a beta of 0.68. Abbott Laboratories has a 52-week low of $93.25 and a 52-week high of $115.69.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 business had revenue of $9.75 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.64 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 13.98% and a return on equity of 22.36%. The companys revenue was down 18.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.73 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.39 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.51 per share. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.91%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 13th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.01%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ABT has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Bank of America lowered their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $115.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $117.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. 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. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $127.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, BTIG Research boosted 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 Monday, April 17th. One 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, Abbott Laboratories presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $121.26.

Insider Buying and Selling at Abbott Laboratories

In other news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the companys 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 in the company, valued at $757,746,582.32. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total transaction of $909,466.56. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 70,427 shares in the company, valued at $7,786,409.12. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 completion of the transaction, the director now owns 6,825,316 shares in the company, valued at $757,746,582.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

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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State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D lessened its position in Occidental Petroleum Co. (NYSE:OXY  Free Report) by 21.4% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 429,674 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after selling 116,899 shares during the period. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund Ds holdings in Occidental Petroleum were worth $26,825,000 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. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. bought a new stake in shares of Occidental Petroleum during the first quarter worth about $334,000. Cibc World Market Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 47.2% in the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 55,697 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $3,160,000 after purchasing an additional 17,859 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC bought a new stake in Occidental Petroleum during the first quarter worth $1,124,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in Occidental Petroleum during the 1st quarter valued at $313,000. Finally, Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. boosted its holdings in Occidental Petroleum by 12.4% during the 1st quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 54,540 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $3,094,000 after acquiring an additional 6,018 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.31% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Occidental Petroleum news, major shareholder Berkshire Hathaway Inc acquired 638,301 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 26th. The stock was bought at an average price of $57.01 per share, with a total value of $36,389,540.01. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now owns 222,629,243 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,692,093,143.43. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Insiders have acquired 6,469,323 shares of company stock worth $376,269,362 in the last ninety days. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Occidental Petroleum Stock Performance

Shares of OXY opened at $60.55 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a current ratio of 1.09. The stock has a market capitalization of $53.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.75. Occidental Petroleum Co. has a 52-week low of $55.51 and a 52-week high of $77.13. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $58.59 and its 200 day simple moving average is $61.05.

Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 9th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.30 by ($0.21). Occidental Petroleum had a net margin of 27.06% and a return on equity of 45.10%. The firm had revenue of $7.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.37 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.12 EPS. Occidental Petroleums revenue was down 15.3% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Occidental Petroleum Co. will post 4.84 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Occidental Petroleum Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Friday, June 9th will be given a dividend of $0.18 per share. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 8th. Occidental Petroleums payout ratio is 8.25%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

OXY has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $68.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Raymond James upped their target price on Occidental Petroleum from $75.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. Susquehanna boosted their price objective on Occidental Petroleum from $72.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on Occidental Petroleum from $62.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $63.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $70.24.

Occidental Petroleum Company Profile

(Free Report)

Occidental Petroleum Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and gas properties in the United States, the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America. It operates through three segments: Oil and Gas, Chemical, and Midstream and Marketing.

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Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC trimmed its stake in SRH Total Return Fund, Inc. (NYSE:STEW  Free Report) by 9.5% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 51,197 shares of the companys stock after selling 5,357 shares during the quarter. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC owned approximately 0.05% of SRH Total Return Fund worth $629,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. UBS Group AG bought a new position in SRH Total Return Fund during the third quarter worth about $933,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of SRH Total Return Fund during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,190,000. Guggenheim Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of SRH Total Return Fund in the third quarter valued at about $115,000. Royal Bank of Canada acquired a new position in SRH Total Return Fund in the 3rd quarter valued at about $2,507,000. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC acquired a new position in SRH Total Return Fund in the 3rd quarter valued at about $999,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 14.57% of the companys stock.

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SRH Total Return Fund Stock Up 0.7 %

STEW traded up $0.09 on Wednesday, reaching $13.41. The company had a trading volume of 9,820 shares, compared to its average volume of 71,539. SRH Total Return Fund, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $10.65 and a fifty-two week high of $13.42. The companys fifty day moving average is $12.83 and its 200 day moving average is $12.68.

SRH Total Return Fund Dividend Announcement

SRH Total Return Fund Company Profile

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 24th will be given a dividend of $0.125 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 21st. This represents a $0.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.73%.

(Free Report)

SRH Total Return Fund, Inc is a closed-ended balanced mutual fund launched and managed by Boulder Investment Advisers, LLC It is co-managed by Stewart West Indies Trading Co Ltd. and Rocky Mountain Advisers, Llc. The fund invests in public equity and fixed income markets across the globe. It seeks to invest in securities of companies operating across diversified industries.

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Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC reduced its holdings in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS  Free Report) by 5.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,822 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 110 shares during the quarter. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLCs holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $354,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Tsfg LLC increased its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 49.8% during the 4th quarter. Tsfg LLC now owns 665 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $116,000 after purchasing an additional 221 shares during the last quarter. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the 4th quarter valued at about $39,000. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. boosted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 15,176 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $2,638,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares during the period. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service during the 1st quarter valued at about $666,000. Finally, DnB Asset Management AS boosted its holdings in United Parcel Service by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. DnB Asset Management AS now owns 173,857 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $33,727,000 after acquiring an additional 1,024 shares during the period. 58.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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United Parcel Service Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE UPS traded up $2.02 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $187.26. The stock had a trading volume of 456,954 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,288,973. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a current ratio of 1.34. The company has a 50 day moving average of $173.54 and a two-hundred day moving average of $180.35. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a twelve month low of $154.87 and a twelve month high of $209.39. The firm has a market cap of $160.84 billion, a PE ratio of 14.99, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.09.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

United Parcel Service ( NYSE:UPS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The transportation company reported $2.20 earnings per share 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 company had revenue of $22.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $22.98 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.05 earnings per share. United Parcel Services quarterly revenue was down 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 10.73 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced 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 3.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 12th. United Parcel Services payout ratio is 52.43%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have weighed in on UPS. Raymond James dropped their price objective on United Parcel Service from $207.00 to $205.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Atlantic Securities started coverage on United Parcel Service in a report on Tuesday, June 6th. They issued a neutral rating and a $162.00 price objective for the company. UBS Group increased their target price on United Parcel Service from $196.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Loop Capital decreased their target price on United Parcel Service from $219.00 to $212.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 21st. Finally, Barclays reduced their price objective on United Parcel Service from $180.00 to $172.00 in a research report on Friday, June 2nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, United Parcel Service currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target 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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Intangible cultural heritages around the Great Wall | Aromatic oak leaves

(People's Daily App) 15:20, July 12, 2023

It is a good time to pick po luo ye (oriental white oak leaves) along the Great Wall; on the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival. In Qinhuangdao, many villages around the Great Wall have preserved the tradition of eating cakes wrapped in oriental white oak leaves.

The legend has it that four hundred years ago, national hero Qi Jiguang, an anti-Japanese general in the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), led his army to station at the foot of the Great Wall to guard the border passes. Because the southern China soldiers were unable to get accustomed to the local food, local people, who wanted to see Qi's army well fed, went up the mountains to pick oak leaves and use them to wrap the dumpling fillings so that the fragrance of the leaf was well blended with the taste of the fillings. After being steamed, the dumpling becomes a kind of portable cake with recipes passed down through generations. Now, the oakleaf cake, as part of the intangible cultural heritage of Qinhuangdao, has become a well-known local snack that has been handed down from far back in history.

As a gift from nature and thanks to the innovation of craftsmanship, oakleaf cake has turned into a delicacy served on the tables of many restaurants. Small workshops have been developed into modern factories and the fragrance of the cake is taking wing to spread far and wide.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Shares of Trex Company, Inc. (NYSE:TREX  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the twelve brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have given a hold recommendation and eight have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $61.13.

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on TREX shares. UBS Group increased their target price on Trex from $56.00 to $59.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. StockNews.com lowered Trex from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, July 7th. DA Davidson raised their price objective on Trex from $48.00 to $58.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. Bank of America upgraded Trex from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $54.00 to $66.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. Finally, Loop Capital raised their price objective on Trex from $64.00 to $65.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Trex

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Level Four Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in Trex during the 2nd quarter worth about $686,000. First Hawaiian Bank acquired a new position in shares of Trex in the 2nd quarter valued at about $951,000. Green Alpha Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Trex by 4.9% in the 2nd quarter. Green Alpha Advisors LLC now owns 23,921 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,568,000 after purchasing an additional 1,114 shares during the period. Red Spruce Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Trex by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter. Red Spruce Capital LLC now owns 14,082 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $923,000 after purchasing an additional 375 shares during the period. Finally, Empower Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Trex in the 1st quarter valued at about $7,244,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.81% of the companys stock.

Trex Trading Up 4.8 %

Shares of NYSE TREX opened at $68.42 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $7.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 49.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.28 and a beta of 1.54. Trex has a 1-year low of $38.68 and a 1-year high of $68.78. The businesss 50 day moving average is $58.62 and its 200-day moving average is $53.26.

Trex (NYSE:TREX  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The construction company reported $0.38 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.33 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $239.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $237.65 million. Trex had a return on equity of 30.02% and a net margin of 15.37%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 29.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.62 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Trex will post 1.61 EPS for the current year.

About Trex

(Get Free Report

Trex Co, Inc engages in the manufacture of wood-alternative decking and railing. Its products include deck framing and drainage, outdoor lighting, furniture, pergola and outdoor kitchens, fencing, collections, and accessory hardware. It operates through the following segments Trex Residential Products and Trex Commercial Products.

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Waverton Investment Management Ltd lessened its stake in shares of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:LNG  Free Report) by 30.2% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 58,256 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 25,150 shares during the quarter. Waverton Investment Management Ltds holdings in Cheniere Energy were worth $9,181,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of LNG. Optimum Investment Advisors raised its stake in Cheniere Energy by 133.3% in the 4th quarter. Optimum Investment Advisors now owns 175 shares of the energy companys stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. BDO Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Accel Wealth Management raised its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 100.0% in the 1st quarter. Accel Wealth Management now owns 200 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ridgewood Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.36% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently commented on LNG. Raymond James dropped their target price on shares of Cheniere Energy from $205.00 to $200.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 21st. TheStreet raised shares of Cheniere Energy from a c+ rating to a b rating in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Mizuho decreased their price target on shares of Cheniere Energy from $200.00 to $187.00 in a report on Thursday, June 22nd. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Cheniere Energy in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a strong-buy rating on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on shares of Cheniere Energy from $205.00 to $200.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 3rd. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $201.00.

Cheniere Energy Stock Up 0.7 %

LNG traded up $1.11 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $159.49. 506,253 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,756,909. The company has a quick ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.40. The businesss 50 day moving average is $149.76 and its two-hundred day moving average is $152.88. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $120.29 and a fifty-two week high of $182.35. The stock has a market cap of $38.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.07, a PEG ratio of 0.33 and a beta of 1.01.

Cheniere Energy (NYSEAMERICAN:LNG  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The energy company reported $6.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.96 by $0.93. Cheniere Energy had a net margin of 23.24% and a negative return on equity of 13,004.16%. The firm had revenue of $7.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.58 billion. As a group, equities analysts expect that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 15.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Cheniere Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 17th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 10th were given a dividend of $0.395 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 9th. This represents a $1.58 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.99%. Cheniere Energys payout ratio is currently 5.06%.

Cheniere Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Cheniere Energy, Inc, an energy infrastructure company, primarily engages in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related businesses in the United States. It owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas. The company also owns Creole Trail pipeline, a 94-mile pipeline interconnecting the Sabine Pass LNG terminal with various interstate pipelines; and operates Corpus Christi pipeline, a 21.5-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with various interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines.

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A number of firms have modified their ratings and price targets on shares of Primo Water (NYSE: PRMW) recently:

7/10/2023  Primo Water was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating.

7/9/2023  Primo Water was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating.

7/7/2023  Primo Water was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating.

7/6/2023  Primo Water was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating.

7/5/2023  Primo Water was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating.

7/4/2023  Primo Water was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating.

7/3/2023  Primo Water was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating.

5/18/2023  Primo Water is now covered by analysts at StockNews.com. They set a strong-buy rating on the stock.

Primo Water Trading Up 0.2 %

Shares of Primo Water stock traded up $0.03 on Wednesday, hitting $12.88. The stock had a trading volume of 272,116 shares, compared to its average volume of 914,429. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $13.10 and a 200 day moving average of $14.24. Primo Water Co. has a twelve month low of $12.15 and a twelve month high of $16.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.75. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.70 and a beta of 1.03.

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Primo Water (NYSE:PRMW  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $0.08 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.09 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $546.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $534.04 million. Primo Water had a net margin of 1.88% and a return on equity of 7.46%. Sell-side analysts expect that Primo Water Co. will post 0.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Primo Water Announces Dividend

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Primo Water

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 14th. Investors of record on Friday, June 2nd were issued a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.48%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 1st. Primo Waters dividend payout ratio is currently 118.52%.

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. CWM LLC lifted its stake in Primo Water by 556.1% during the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,257 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 1,913 shares in the last quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Primo Water during the 1st quarter valued at $36,000. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. increased its position in shares of Primo Water by 77.3% during the 4th quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,961 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 1,291 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Middle East FZE purchased a new stake in shares of Primo Water during the 4th quarter valued at $54,000. Finally, Clear Street Markets LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Primo Water during the 4th quarter valued at $56,000. 82.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Primo Water Corporation provides pure-play water solutions for residential and commercial customers. It offers bottled water, water dispensers, purified bottled water, self-service refill drinking water, premium spring, mineral water, sparkling and flavored water, filtration equipment, and coffee. The company offers its products under the Primo, Alhambra, Crystal Rock, Mountain Valley, Deep Rock, Hinckley Springs, Crystal Springs, Kentwood Springs, Mount Olympus, Pureflo, Sierra Springs, Sparkletts, and Renu brands in the United States; Canadian Springs, Labrador Source, and Amazon Springs brands in Canada; and Decantae, Eden, Eden Springs, Chateaud'eau, and Mey Eden brands in Europe and Israel.

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WESPAC Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA:GLD  Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 41,462 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $7,597,000. SPDR Gold Shares comprises approximately 7.1% of WESPAC Advisors LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its biggest holding.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Tiedemann Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 18.8% in the 1st quarter. Tiedemann Advisors LLC now owns 21,438 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $3,928,000 after buying an additional 3,389 shares in the last quarter. Geneva Partners LLC grew its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares by 139.9% during the 1st quarter. Geneva Partners LLC now owns 9,861 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,807,000 after acquiring an additional 5,751 shares during the last quarter. LS Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares by 92.9% during the 1st quarter. LS Investment Advisors LLC now owns 37,259 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $6,827,000 after acquiring an additional 17,939 shares during the last quarter. Destiny Wealth Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 107.7% in the 1st quarter. Destiny Wealth Partners LLC now owns 5,076 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $930,000 after purchasing an additional 2,632 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First American Trust FSB boosted its stake in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 14.2% in the 1st quarter. First American Trust FSB now owns 1,669 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $306,000 after purchasing an additional 208 shares during the last quarter. 38.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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SPDR Gold Shares Stock Up 1.2 %

Shares of NYSEARCA GLD traded up $2.14 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $181.59. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,046,460 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,419,406. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $181.97 and its 200-day simple moving average is $179.31. SPDR Gold Shares has a one year low of $150.57 and a one year high of $191.36.

SPDR Gold Shares Company Profile

SPDR Gold Trust (the Trust) is an investment trust. The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion, less the Trusts expenses. The Trusts business activity is the investment of gold. The Trust creates and redeems Shares from time to time, but in one or more Baskets (a Basket equals a block of 100,000 Shares).

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The latest and hopefully final desecration of Indiana Jones, a wholesale hero to millions of film fans across the globe, was sadly a necessity within todays horrible culture. Men, are the enemy in todays society, and everything they do must be depreciated and negated. Therefore, it was inevitable that our heroic archaeologist Indiana Jones would fall victim to the anti-male hatred that is so prevalent in todays dystopian nightmare society.

In the horrible socialist, hyper sensitive times we are living in, anything that does not follow strict propaganda guidelines or cultural Marxist ideology is labelled as toxic. Indiana Jones past escapades have thus come up for review, and surprise, surprise  old Indiana Jones is now deemed as toxic by the intolerant leftist former liberals who are now staunch communists. Indy must have his entire career ruined, and be retired in disgrace for his previous adventures.

Having a cock and balls, testosterone and leaping over bottomless pits with nothing but a hat and whip are serious no-nos in a culture that has been hijacked by feminazis, gay supremacists, hysterical doomsday eco-cultists, African American fascists and trans hactivists, all funded and promoted by the big money at the top of the chain.

Please do not pay to watch this film, as you will feel truly ashamed of yourself for helping to fund such a piece of utter detritus. The film is not a good farewell to Indy, it is a sickening burial of a hero many have watched over the years. It is hard to understand how such a terrible pointless film could have ever been passed to be made, but it seems Hollywood has absolutely no quality standards anymore, and are entrenched in a deadly suicide dive poisoned by severely toxic political propaganda.

First of all, who is the fucking kid? He is useless, and plonked in solely as a brown token. The Nazi guy is clearly a racist when he is speaking to the hotel waiter, however his team somehow hired an irritating black woman. How probable is it that CIA Nazis in the 1960s would hire a black woman in their team of Aryan supremacists for diversity purposes? The film is one muddled contradiction after another, and the lazy, hackneyed script is a messy drip of diarrhoea from Kathleen Kennedys putrid gaping anus. As for the god-daughter of Indy, we have the celebrated British actress, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and her furiously large pear shaped mole, who is destined by studio executives to take over from Indiana Jones in subsequent films. Well, good luck to her, however this may result in even more people not going to see any of the films in the future.

With an enormous $350 million production budget (not including $280 million marketing budget) for frankly a very mediocre, banal film that has none of the previous magic of the first three movies, we can easily surmise that this will be another serious loss for Disney and Lucas film. The first three Indiana Jones films might as well be deleted from the Disney catalogue, because this awful monstrosity destroys everything from those previous classics.

Sadly, the way that Western society has deteriorated to be supposedly inclusive is a fabricated lie  it is in fact a harsh, intolerant exclusive censorship-driven curly cunt hair of dystopian Marxist lunacy that is now too far gone to ever redeem itself.

Maybe Putin letting those missiles fly to finish everything off would actually be a delightful relief for billions of people.
Ambulance driver, who stopped the ambulance at snack shop, claimed that one of the nurses was unwell. (Photo: Twitter/@Anjanikumar_IPS)

Despite the crackdown on illegal use of sirens and also misuse of sirens by authorised vehicles like ambulances, the menace continues. Police who have been focussing more on sensitising vehicle drivers, particularly those driving ambulances, are now gearing up to act tough on the violators and implement strict enforcement.

The decision comes especially in the wake of an ambulance driver using a siren got clearance at a traffic junction, only to stop by a roadside eatery for him and the staff to buy mirchi bajji and soft drinks on Monday night at Basheerbagh in the city.

Police have also received complaints of hospitals sending patients to diagnostic centres located far away with whom they have a tie-up, for scans and other tests. In such cases, ambulance drivers are under pressure to transport more patients and they use sirens to avoid traffic and red signals, despite the case not being an emergency.

Some ambulance drivers, police found, have got used to using sirens and the moment they start the vehicle, they start siren also, creating inconvenience to other road users. " We will not know such cases unless we stop the vehicle, but it might again lead to inconvenience to genuine patients. As such it being a sensitive matter, we are dealing with them with caution," traffic officials said.

Earlier in May, BK Rahul Hedge, DCP-I Hyderabad traffic police held a meeting with managements of Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Ambulance associations and sensitised them on use of sirens for purposes other than carrying patients to hospital.
File Photo

New Delhi: The Centre will sell tomatoes at discounted prices in retail markets, starting from Friday. The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF) will undertake the sale of tomatoes. The discounted tomatoes will be available in Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, with cities such as Patna, Varanasi, Kanpur, and Kolkata being included in the scheme.

According to Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh, the tomatoes will be sold at prices at least 30 per cent lower than the prevailing market rates in the respective areas. Both NAFED and NCCF will procure the perishable commodity from key producing centres in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. The tomatoes will then be sold in major consumption centres, where retail prices have seen the highest increase in the past month.

Singh acknowledged the challenges associated with selling tomatoes in retail markets, as it is a highly perishable commodity. In Delhi-NCR, NCCF will sell tomatoes through its outlets, mobile vans, and platforms like Mother Dairy's Safal and Kendriya Bhandar outlets. In other cities, both NAFED and NCCF will sell tomatoes at discounted rates through their own outlets or in partnership with local vendors.

The sale of discounted tomatoes will continue until prices stabilise, which is anticipated to happen at the beginning of August. The intervention centres for tomato sales have been identified based on the absolute increase in retail prices over the past month, with priority given to centres where prices exceed the national average.

Tomato prices typically experience pressure during the lean production months of July-August and October-November. Monsoon-related supply disruptions have exacerbated the recent price surge. Current supplies in markets are mainly from Maharashtra, but additional supply is expected soon from Nashik, Narayangaon, and Aurangabad. Prices are expected to cool down as these new supplies become available.

The ministry highlighted the seasonality of tomato production, with southern and western regions contributing the majority of India's tomato production. Price spikes can occur due to temporary supply chain disruptions and crop damage caused by adverse weather conditions.

The discounted tomato sale initiative aims to alleviate the burden on consumers and stabilise tomato prices during this challenging period.
The 24 Opposition parties have together around 150 Lok Sabha members now and are seeking to expand their base. The Opposition parties are likely to deliberate on a broad plan for their unity efforts. (File Image: DC)

New Delhi: With the saffron threat looming large over the much-hyped "Grand Alliance" against the BJP in the 2024 general election, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi appears to have jumped into the fray to stitch Opposition unity. A day before the Opposition conclave in Bengaluru on July 18, Mrs Gandhi is all set to host a dinner for the Opposition leaders. The leaders of 24 Opposition parties, eight of which are new, have been invited to the dinner and subsequent meeting.

The first Opposition meeting, featuring some 15 parties, took place in Patna at the instance of chief minister Nitish Kumar. Since then, a split in Maharashtra veteran Sharad Pawars Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and his nephew Ajit Pawars switch to the Eknath Shinde-BJP coalition in the state, is seen to have somewhat dampened the moves for Opposition unity. The NCP split spurred speculation about Opposition alliances fragmenting in other states, like Bihar. The Aam Aadmi Party is among those invited, despite the friction between the AAP and the Congress at the Patna meeting.

This is also the first meeting that will bring Trinamul boss Mamata Banerjee on the same platform as the Left and the Congress after they fought each other in the West Bengal panchayat polls, which Banerjees TMC won by a landslide, defeating the BJP and leaving the Left-Congress at a distant third. At the same time, sources claim that eight new parties will join the meeting on Monday.

The 24 Opposition parties have together around 150 Lok Sabha members now and are seeking to expand their base. The Opposition parties are likely to deliberate on a broad plan for their unity efforts, where they intend to put up one common candidate against the BJP across the country, sources said. Karnataka deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar had said on Monday: "A meeting of leaders of all Opposition parties (in the country) will be held on July 17 and 18, as already announced. All the leaders are going to come. (M) Mallikarjun Kharge (AICC president) has requested Sonia Gandhi to participate in this meeting. We have got a message that she will be participating in this meeting."

While announcing the dates of the Opposition meeting, AICC general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal said: "We are steadfast in our unwavering resolve to defeat the fascist and undemocratic forces."

However, the Congress continues to boycott the ruling BRS in Telangana. The Congress considers the BRS to be in "league with the BJP". The Congress also accused the BRS of helping the BJP in Telangana and other states after the top leadership of the Congress met with the party leaders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also meet the French PM, the presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly of France. (File Photo: AFP)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave New Delhi for Paris early on Thursday on an official visit to France on July 13-14, when he will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day parade on Friday. On the way back from France, he will visit the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.

A tri-services Indian armed forces contingent will take part in the Bastille Day parade. India is reportedly expected to place orders for the acquisition of 26 Rafale fighters for the Indian Navy, apart from orders for the construction of three more Scorpene submarines in India. The visit will strengthen strategic ties between the two nations and increase security cooperation as well as in space, civil nuclear energy, counter-terror, cyber-security, Climate change and renewable energy.

Asked about recent riots by people of North African origin that shook France in the past few weeks and led to large-scale violence and destruction, and whether it might have the potential of affecting the visits schedule, foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said at a special MEA media briefing that the riots were an internal matter of France and New Delhi never had any doubts about the visit going ahead.

French President Emmanuel Macron will hold formal talks with the Prime Minister and host a state banquet as well as a private dinner in honour of the PM on Friday. Modi will also meet the French PM and the presidents of the Senate and National Assembly of France. He will separately interact with the Indian diaspora in France, CEOs of Indian and French companies, and prominent French personalities. The state banquet will be hosted at the iconic Louvre in Paris.

Asked about possible defence pacts, the foreign secretary spoke about Indias vision and objectives of co-production and co-development of defence platforms. Asked about cooperation on civil nuclear energy, he said both sides were "closely talking on making progress" on this issue.

On Friday morning, Modi will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day parade to commemorate the storming of the Bastille prison during the French Revolution in 1789. He will later hold delegation-level talks with the French President, after which the two sides are expected to announce pacts in various spheres.

On the UAE leg of the visit, the MEA said: "The Prime Minister will thereafter visit Abu Dhabi on July 15. He will hold talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Abu Dhabi on July 15 during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, to take forward bilateral ties in key areas of energy, food security, and defence.

Modi will visit Abu Dhabi after concluding his two-day visit to Paris.

"The India-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership has been steadily strengthening and the Prime Minister's visit will be an opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence and culture," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

It will also be an opportunity to discuss cooperation on global issues, particularly in the context of the UAE's Presidency of COP-28 and India's G-20 Presidency in which the UAE is a "special invitee", it added.

The Prime Minister is visiting France on July 13 and 14 at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

Modi will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day parade on July 14 in Paris where a tri-services Indian armed forces contingent would be participating. The MEA said President Macron will host a state banquet as well as a private dinner in honour of the Prime Minister.

The two leaders will also hold wide-ranging talks.

"The Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet the prime minister of France as well as the presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly of France," the MEA said.

He will separately interact with the Indian diaspora in France, CEOs of Indian and French companies, and prominent French personalities.

"This year marks the 25th anniversary of the IndiaFrance strategic partnership and the prime minister's visit will provide an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future across diverse sectors such as strategic, cultural, scientific, academic and economic cooperation," the MEA said.

A 269-member tri-services contingent of the Indian armed forces last Thursday left for Paris on board two C-17 Globemaster aircraft.

At least three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force are also expected to take part in the flypast over the Champs Elysees on the occasion along with French jets.
After waiting for 10 days for salaries this month, TS power employees joint action committee met Transco, Genco CMD D. Prabhakar Rao and expressed their concern over the delay in payment of salaries for the past one year. (Photo: Twitter)

Hyderabad: As the ruling BRS and the principal opposition contender Congress leaders and cadre fought pitched battle on round-the-clock free power, employees in the public power department and sector in Telangana state are fighting a different battle  a fight for their salaries, which have not yet come into their accounts.

Power employees working in power utilities expressed severe anger against Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao-led BRS government over salaries getting delayed month after month. Incidentally, even other state government employees working in different departments are yet to receive salaries, and delayed salaries have become a regular feature.

All state government employees, who in earlier dispensations used to get salaries on the first of every month in the Undivided Andhra Pradesh, are now forced to wait at least till the third week of each month to get paid as the Telangana state government is delaying payments, citing funds crunch.

Employees say this is forcing them to be declared defaulters, as they are under compulsion to default on payment of EMIs for home, vehicle loans, etc., for no fault of theirs. Their credit ratings too are getting hit and would impale their future lending capacity from banks for various needs.

After waiting for 10 days for salaries this month, the TS power employees joint action committee (JAC) met Transco, Genco CMD D. Prabhakar Rao on Tuesday and expressed their concern over the delay in payment of salaries for the past one year.

They told Prabhakar Rao that most employees have applied for and taken home, car, education, personal loans and they were forced to default on EMI payments to banks due to delay in salaries. Their CIBIL score was getting affected, banks were lying penalties for default and they were also not getting fresh loans, they said.

Prabhakar Rao apparently tried to assure them that their salaries will be credited in their accounts on Wednesday. But inquiries revealed that employees did not receive any SMS alerts from banks on their mobiles until late Wednesday evening.

Employees said that they got information from higher ups that salaries could be credited on Thursday. They requested CMD to take steps to ensure that they receive salaries on the first of every month henceforth.

Meanwhile, state government employees working in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts received salaries so far while employees in other districts were kept waiting.

Employees said that salaries are being disbursed in phases for other districts in alphabetical order and by the time all the districts are covered, it would be the third week of the month.

Employees are also angry at their union leaders for not questioning the government strongly on salary delays. They recollect the days in Undivided AP, when they used to sit on dharnas and stage protests whenever they faced any problems from the government side but in Telangana there is no such situation.

They say that union leaders dont question the K. Chandrashekar Rao government on any issue and they will not encourage or allow the employees to lodge any protest, claiming that "any confrontation" with the government "will not be good" for employees and it would be better to achieve our demands through soft 'lobbying'.

"Is this the reason we fought for Telangana," an employee asked. "Not only do we not get paid on time, but we have to fear even asking for our rights?"
The strike entered its seventh day on Wednesday but no one from the government has reached out to end the impasse or listen to their grievances of the striking employees. (File Image: DC)

Hyderabad: Over 50,000 workers working across 12,769 gram panchayats across Telangana state are on strike for the last one week, demanding a hike in salaries and to protest against the non-payment of salaries up to six months.

The strike entered its seventh day on Wednesday but no one from the government has reached out to end the impasse or listen to their grievances of the striking employees.

The state government pays Rs 8,500 salary per month but they have not been paid for the last six months. Besides being paid on time, the cleanliness workers are also seeking a hike, saying the amount is too paltry to run their homes with the pressure of mounting expenses.

Meanwhile, as a result of the strike, villages across the state are stinking as garbage has piled up, with workers boycotting duties. Rains have further

worsened the situation. But there was no response from the BRS government.

Reportedly, panchayat raj minister Errabelli Dayakar Rao is currently touring the USA to attend a TANA conference, which became infamous with videos of fights between attendees over food.

These striking cleanliness workers perform multiple duties of sanitation, watering trees, driving tractors of panchayats, collecting garbage from households and clearing sewer lines in villages.

"They are being paid a meagre salary of Rs 8,500 per month. Even this is pending for the last six months. The salary arrears in some gram panchayats is three months while in most others it is six months," said a striking employee.

With this, workers and their family members are struggling to make ends meet.

"Majority of the workers are from backward and downtrodden communities like the Dalits (SC), girijan (ST: adivasi, lambada) and OBC communities. They are being paid just Rs 8,500 per month, which is not at all sufficient to run a decent living. If this was not enough, the BRS government has not paid us our rightfully due salaries for the past three to six months. This shows that the KCR government is least bothered about the lives of poor, Dalits, OBCs, tribals, and those who work for society," said Erra Laxman, a worker from Mahabubnagar district.

In some panchayats, where the workers were in excess of sanctioned strength, they shared Rs 8,500 salary along with those who were "extras", due to which

several of them only ended up getting paid Rs 4,000 per month. There were instances of some gram panchayats issuing cheques to workers that bounced on presentation at banks due to lack of balance in accounts.

"Our situation is pathetic. We are unable to look after our families with these meager salaries. BRS leaders promised to hike our salaries several times but nothing happened," lamented Chinna Nagamani, a worker from Medak district.

The workers went on strike only in March this year after their salary arrears touched six months. Following an assurance from the BRS government that arrears would be cleared, they called off strike and joined duties. The government partially cleared some of the arrears but the situation is now back to square one.

The workers are also demanding withdrawal of multiple tasks assigned to them. They want to be treated as regular employees of the government, and get medical insurance and ex gratia for the family in case of accidental death while performing duties.
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval addresses during an event at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, in New Delhi, (PTI Photo/Kamal Kishore

New Delhi: Asserting that terrorism is not linked to any religion, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday said it is no coincidence that despite there being around 200 million Muslims, the involvement of Indian citizens in global terrorism has been "incredibly low".Noting that India has been a melting pot of cultures and religions that have co-existed in harmony for centuries, he also said Islam occupies a unique and significant "position of pride" amongst the religious groups in the country.

Doval was speaking at an event here organised by the Khusro Foundation and the India Islamic Cultural Centre in honour of Muslim World League (MWL) Secretary-General Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, who is on an India visit.

On his part, Al-Issa said Muslims in India are proud of their nationality and the Indian Constitution.

Doval also hailed Al-Issa as an authentic global voice of moderate Islam and a profound scholar with a deep understanding of Islam.

He also said India as the world's largest democracy and the mother of democracies is a land of incredible diversity.

"In your (Al-Issa) talk you elaborately mentioned diversity as a fundamental trait of our existence. It (India) has been a melting pot of cultures, religions, languages and ethnicities that have co-existed in harmony for centuries. As an inclusive democracy, India has successfully managed to provide space for all its citizens regardless of their religious, ethnic and cultural identities," he said.

"Amongst its numerous religious groups, Islam occupies a unique and significant position of pride with India being home to the second largest Muslim population in the world," he said.

To give an idea of the scale we are talking about, India's Muslim population is almost equal to the combined population of over 33 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Doval added.

He asserted that India continues to play its role as a refuge to heterodox ideas with an infinite capacity to absorb dissent.

"Dissent does not mean disintegration, dissent does not essentially mean a confrontation. But in this country, because of your thought, because of your ideas, no one is under threat," he said.

Doval stressed that as a proud civilisational state, India believes in promoting tolerance, dialogue and cooperation to deal with the challenges of our time.

"It is no coincidence that despite having around 200 million Muslims, the involvement of Indian citizens in global terrorism has been incredibly low," he said.

"Yet the challenge of extremism and global terrorism compels us not to lower our guard to preserve the security and stability of our borders and also rise to the security challenges beyond," he said.

Doval asserted that India has been leading the fight against individuals and organisations who are promoting extremism, narcotics and terrorism.

He also recalled the attack on the Grand Mosque in Mecca in 1979 to underscore the need for countering terrorism.

Noting that India has also been a victim of terrorism for many decades and has faced numerous terror attacks including the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Doval said India has actively been working to combat terrorism through various means.

This includes strengthening its security apparatus, enacting new laws and cooperating with other countries to prevent terror activities, he added.

"However in this war against terror, even in the face of grave provocation India has upheld steadfastly the rule of law, rights of its citizens and protection of human values and human rights," he said.

India is an "extremely responsible power" but when the need for hot pursuit against terrorist havens was felt it has gone all out to destroy terrorism in the national interest, the National Security Advisor said.

Noting that Al-Issa has in the past rejected any attempt to associate terrorism with any nationality, civilisation or religion, Doval said this is the absolutely right approach.

"Terrorism is not linked to any religion, it is the individuals that get misguided and it is probably the duty of spiritual and religious leaders to see that they can belong to any religion, faith, belief system or political ideology, but anyone who takes the path of violence will have to be countered as effectively," he said.

Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'not an era of war' assertion, Doval said in today's world, with complex geopolitical challenges confronting us, religion has to become a beckoning light for humanity to usher in an era of peace and harmony.

"Our differences will have to take a backseat," he said and added that future battles for the good of humanity will have to be fought against hunger, poverty and ignorance.

Hailing the "excellent" relations between India and Saudi Arabia, Doval said the ties were rooted in shared cultural heritage, common values and economic ties.

Our leaders share a common vision for the future and have been closely interacting with each other, the National Security Advisor said.

In his remarks, Doval also noted that Islam arrived in India in the 7th century during the life of Prophet Mohammad and gradually found a new home in this sub-continent.

Doval credited the spiritual content of Hinduism and Islam in bringing people together and helping in developing a social and intellectual understanding of each other.

It gave rise to a vibrant expression of peace and harmony, notwithstanding the vagaries of political ups and downs, he said.

While historians have focussed more on political events, they have failed to capture this underlying spirit of accommodation, tolerance and respect. The Holy Quran emphasises the importance of unity and understanding among people from diverse backgrounds, he said.

The philosophy of cooperation and dialogue in Islam has over centuries merged seamlessly with the ancient Hindu civilisational 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' - The World is One Family, he said.

Doval stressed that the edifice of modern India is built on equal rights and opportunities for all its citizens.

"Equality is guaranteed by our Constitution and law. This is also part of our thinking," he said.

Al-Issa is here at the official invitation from the Indian government.

MWL is an international NGO headquartered in Mecca, with members from all Islamic countries and sects.

It aims to present Islam and its tolerant principles, provide humanitarian aid, extend bridges of dialogue and cooperation with all, engage in positive openness to all cultures and civilizations, follow the path of centrism and moderation and ward off movements calling for extremism, violence and exclusion.
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. (Image: Twitter)

VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, has decided to grant full rights to beneficiaries of the assignment lands and Lanka lands. A proposal on this was approved at the state Cabinet meeting here on Wednesday. This would benefit 66,111 families possessing 63,191,84 acres of such lands.

The Cabinet meet, chaired by Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, discussed over 50 issues including the green signal for construction of 47,000 houses in Amaravati CRDA R-5 Zone, and granted approval to the projects cleared by SIPB. It also gave the nod for legislation to waive the retirement provision for priests and others in shrines.

Addressing a press meet after the Cabinet meeting, BC welfare minister Venugopala Krishna said the Cabinet took several key decisions. As for assigned lands and low-lying lands, it was decided to confer full rights to all original assigned land owners who have kept such lands in their possession for 20 years.

In case of death of original beneficiaries, their legal heirs would get the full rights. This would benefit 66,111 persons who are holding 63,191.84 acres of assigned lands.

The three-and-a-half-hour-long meeting has ratified the investment proposals cleared by the State Investment Promotion Board. It also approved the welfare calendar for July and decided to do Bhoomi Puja on July 24 for the construction of 47,000 houses for the poor in 1,366 acres under the R-5 zone in the CRDA region at an expenditure of Rs 5,000 crore.

The Cabinet permitted construction of burial grounds for SCs in 1966 revenue villages.

It decided to remove Inam lands from the prohibited list of Section 22-A, benefitting 1,13,000 persons, and to waive loans given to the Dalits to purchase 16,213 acres of land under the Land Purchase Scheme before the state bifurcation. They will now enjoy full rights on those lands.

The Cabinet also decided to fill vacancies in the new and old medical colleges and hospitals. Some 706 posts in the new medical colleges and teaching hospitals, 247 posts in Kurnool cancer hospital and 94 CTBC posts in the 11 existing medical colleges will be filled up.

Another decision was to fill up 128 teaching and 68 non-teaching vacancies in polytechnic colleges and two senior posts in AP Maritime Board.

While enhancing the retirement age of professors in educational institutions like JNTU from 62 to 65, to overcome the "scarcity of teaching staff" and of Endowments Department staff from 60 to 62, the Cabinet also gave its approval for all temple Arachakas to continue in the profession as long as they can work without retirement.

As for the cases filed against those involved in Visakhapatnam land scam, the Cabinet decided to order a fresh probe vis-a-vis 18 registered cases while accepting the reports in 43 cases. The Cabinet has also decided to fill 11 vacancies in the newly created Tadepalligudem revenue division and 13 deputy collector posts elsewhere in the state.

The Cabinet ratified the MoU signed with the US educational agency, ETS, for training students of classes 3 to 10 for TOEFL certification and for extension of the scheme to Intermediate students.

Besides permitting the AP Maritime Board to raise necessary loans to build ports, the Cabinet sanctioned Rs 454 crore towards a Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) package to 10,231 Project Affected Families (PAFs) and Project Displaced Families in 22 villages under phase 2 and 3 of the Gandikota Reservoir Project.
Congress activists stage protest in Devarakadra mandal seeking 24 hours pwer for farmers.

Hyderabad: Responding to a call by the AICC, Telangana state Congress leaders held a Satyagraha Deeksha at the Gandhi Bhavan here on Wednesday, protesting the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from Parliament.

The leaders also averred that the BRS government had failed to deliver free power to farmers for 24 hours during their nine years. The deeksha was held under the aegis of TPCC working president Mahesh Kumar Goud.

"Desperate attempts by Kalvakuntla brother and sister to cry hoarse over three hour power comment will not bring them back to power for a third time. We will come to power and provide free power for 24 hours," said TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy said in a tweet.

Speaking on the issue, AICC state in-charge Manikrao Thakre said, "Free power scheme was started by us. We will continue it but will end the corruption in it."

The satyagrahis also said that the the duo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah was behind the judgment against Rahul Gandhi and was a ploy to trouble the resurgent Congress, which is all set to secure 100 seats and romp home to power in Telangana state, said TPCC senior vice president Mallu Ravi. "We are also set to win elections in MP, Rajasthan and Chattisgarh."

"People have made up their mind to vote for the Congress to save democracy at both state and Central level," he said.

The BJP government even forced Rahul Gandhi to vacate his house immediately.

Both the BJP and the BRS are two sides of the same coin. it is clear to everyone that the BRS is the B-team of the BJP. "We won the Karnataka polls and we will win here also," he added.

Former TPCC president Ponnala Laskhmaiah, said, "The timeline of the case against Rahul Gandhi shows how the case was used with a motive to unfairly remove him from the Parliament and muzzle his voice. The strength of democracy depends on the strength of each pillar and one should complement

each other."

Speaking at the deeksha, Congress MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy said, "Rahul

Gandhi did not speak of politics in the entire yatra though there were elections in Karnataka. He carried the message of unity and love across the country. We will challenge his conviction in the apex court. He comes from a family which sacrificed his grandmother and father for the nation."

Commenting on BRS protests, he said, "BRS leaders are using money made

through illegal sand mining, illegitimate land and other real estate deals to mobilise people against us. Employees of power companies are not being paid properly and are facing problems in paying their EMIs. I can prove they are not providing 24 hours power, in fact they are not even giving six hours of power in many areas. I am ready to resign if found wrong. Is K.T. Rama Rao ready for an open debate?"

"Modi is behaving like a dictator. If he continues to behave like this, people will teach him a lesson," said AICC member Sampath Kumar.

Pooh-poohing any doubts over the continuation of free power scheme for farmers, Congress MLA from Manthani D. Sridhar Babu said, "The BJP found

itself on defensive post Rahuls Bharat Jodo yatra, and connived to disqualifiy him to stop his struggle. The BRS started drama to disturb our satyagraha. It proves they are hand in glove with BJP. We will continue the free power scheme after we win the elections."

Mahila Congress activists also participated in the protest. State Mahila Congress president Sunitha Rao and other women activists burnt an effigy of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao as part of it.

Other senior Congress leaders who took part in the protest include AICC secretary Mansoor Ali Khan, former minister Shabbir Ali, MLA Jagga Reddy,

former MP Ponnam Prabhakar, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, among others.
Union Home minister Amit Shah. (Photo by arrangement)

NEW DELHI: Stepping up the campaign in Madhya Pradesh, Union home minister Amit Shah is likely to visit the state every fortnight. Speaking in Bhopal late on Tuesday night, the home minister made it clear that there will be no change of guard before the elections and exhorted the various party factions to bury the hatchet and "work unitedly". After a simmering rift within the BJP, a section of state and Central leaders were subtly mounting pressure on the high command for a change in the state leadership before the elections, sources revealed.

Interestingly, while the state BJP projected a possible victory in the Assembly polls, a rival camp comprising some state and Central leaders have been indicating a "total rout" of the BJP during forthcoming polls at the end of the year.

It was learnt that the home minister wanted the factions to "iron out their differences" and show a "united face".

Intensifying the campaign, the BJP is expected to kick-start the "Vijaysankalp Yatra" across the state once again. All the district unit and state functionaries have been asked to get "regular feedback" of all the 230 constituencies from booth level onwards. The reports and feedback are to be discussed and analysed by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan along with top Central leaders, including the home minister. An all-out effort is now being made to remove any "grievances" among the party workers, particularly those at the grassroots level, the sources said. As per the BJP strategy, the state has been divided into seven regions, which include Neemar, Malwah, Gwalior, Chambal, Bundelkhand, Vindhya and Mahakaushal. The seven regions would be monitored by seven senior party leaders.

While the BJP has been traditionally strong in Bundelkhand, the Congress has been overtly active in the region this time. The partys chief ministerial face, Kamal Nath, is seeking reports on the BJPs weaknesses in Bundelkhand. However, to maintain and consolidate its grip in Bundelkhand, which has nearly 26 Assembly seats, Chouhan has unfurled a series of development projects among the steps taken for the welfare of the tribals.

The proposed "Vijay Sankalp Yatra" will be used to highlight the achievements of both the state and Central governments. The yatra will also project the many achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The sources revealed the yatra was also being planned with an eye on the 2024 general election.
Less than 72 hours after parting ways with Foxconn, Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal reiterated his commitment to semiconductor manufacturing in India. Addressing shareholders during the 58th General Annual meeting, Agarwal said that Vedanta will begin a historic foray into semiconductor fab and display fab this year, subject to government approvals.

"The world has its eyes on India as the next factory of the world. Our country stands to be financial beneficiary of the 'China + 1' strategy," he said, adding that a huge opportunity lies in the electronics sector.

Sharing the company's plan for the semiconductor business, he said a huge opportunity lies in the electronics sector as India imports $100 billion worth of electronics every year, of which around $30 billion is on semiconductor and display glass.

Also Read | Foxconn to apply afresh for chipmaking incentives after pulling the plug on $19.5 bn JV

This will open an entirely new avenue of rapid growth for the company in a sector that is strategic for the country," he said.

The $19.5 billion joint venture was previously expected to be the first of its kind in the country, backed by a $10 billion government-supported financial incentive scheme. Just last month, Vedanta resubmitted its application for setting up a 40 nanometre (nm) fabrication unit proposal to the India Semiconductor Mission, which according to Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State of Electronics and IT, is under evaluation.

We have lined up partners for our semiconductor venture. With these ventures, we will enable our youth to access affordable electronic devices that will help them fulfill their aspirations, Agarwal added.

AvanStrate Inc, a Vedanta subsidiary and the fourth largest manufacturer of glass substrates in the world owns niche patented technology for the production of glass substrates and is one of the only four global companies to own this technology, Aggarwal added.

Earlier this month, Vedanta announced its ventures into the semiconductor and display glass sectors. In September last year, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the Gujarat government, marking Vedanta's foray into the display ecosystem in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

Agarwal said that Vedanta is well-positioned to seize the enormous opportunity for India in the natural resources sector. The company's portfolio includes seven key minerals vital to emerging technologies.

We have demonstrated resilience and delivered impressive results in the last financial year, Agarwal said. Outlining Vedantas growth strategy, Agarwal said that the company plans to invest Rs 14,000 crores in growth capex across its businesses this fiscal year.

The Group has invested over $35 billion in India, contributing to over 1.4% of the countrys GDP. "We are committed to make sizable investments across business verticals in the coming years, he underscored.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said cybercrimes pose a major threat to the security of citizens across the globe in a rapidly advancing borderless digital arena.

He also said that a reliable global partnership is the key to effectively combatting this menace.

Shah will inaugurate the two-day G20 conference on 'Crime and Security in the Age of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Metaverse' beginning in Gurugram on Thursday. The conference will bring together over 900 participants from G20 countries, nine special invitee countries, international bodies, technology leaders and domain experts from India and across the world.

Also Read | HM Amit Shah takes stock after heavy rains, speaks to Punjab, Himachal CMs

In a rapidly advancing borderless digital arena, cybercrimes, especially cyber frauds, pose a major threat to the security of citizens across the globe. A reliable global partnership is the key to effectively combatting this menace. The Government of India, led by PM https://t.co/eGdhZFLJBm  Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 12, 2023

In a rapidly advancing borderless digital arena, cybercrimes, especially cyber frauds, pose a major threat to the security of citizens across the globe. A reliable global partnership is the key to effectively combatting this menace, Shah said in a tweet.

The home minister said the G20 conference on cybersecurity will witness rigorous brainstorming among G20 countries, nine special invitee countries, and domain experts.

The conference will emphasise global partnerships to counter cybercrimes and pave the way for safer cyberspace by addressing a wide range of cybersecurity concerns, he said.

Shah will also flag off cyber volunteer squads from seven premier educational institutions of the country, an official statement said, adding that these specially identified volunteers will work to generate cyber awareness in the society, identify and report harmful content, and render technical assistance for making the society cyber safe.

Shah will also inaugurate an exhibition and release conference medallion.

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and guidance of the home minister, building a 'cyber safe India' is one of the top priorities of the Ministry of Home Affairs," the statement said.

The conference is envisaged as an opportunity to forge a global partnership to build a safe cyberspace and prioritise cybersecurity concerns. The proceedings will focus around cyber security and measures to counter cybercrime in the context of new and emerging technologies like NFT, AI and Metaverse.

Also Read | What is 'WhatsApp Pink' scam? How to steer clear of it?

The cybersecurity has become an essential aspect of security-related affairs internationally, which requires adequate focus owing to its economic and geopolitical implications.

Enhanced focus on cybersecurity at the G20 forum can positively contribute in ensuring the security and integrity of critical information infrastructure and digital public platforms, the statement said.

The deliberations on cybersecurity and cybercrime prevention at the G20 forum will also help in the development of an information sharing framework.

The conference will provide a platform for cutting-edge ideas, knowledge exchange and networking with visionaries around the globe, it added.
Foundations Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI  Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm purchased 1,407 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $336,000.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D raised its position in Cummins by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 80,716 shares of the companys stock valued at $19,557,000 after purchasing an additional 531 shares in the last quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC raised its position in Cummins by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 7,543 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,828,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. raised its position in Cummins by 5.0% in the 4th quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 329,159 shares of the companys stock valued at $79,752,000 after purchasing an additional 15,735 shares in the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Cummins in the 4th quarter valued at about $419,000. Finally, Dfpg Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of Cummins by 162.2% in the 1st quarter. Dfpg Investments LLC now owns 5,089 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,216,000 after acquiring an additional 3,148 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.72% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently commented on CMI. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price objective on Cummins from $231.00 to $227.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. VNET Group reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Cummins in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. 888 reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Cummins in a report on Wednesday, May 31st. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on Cummins in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $250.00.

Cummins Trading Up 1.4 %

NYSE:CMI opened at $256.59 on Wednesday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $227.29 and its 200 day moving average price is $236.24. The company has a market capitalization of $36.32 billion, a PE ratio of 14.46, a P/E/G ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. Cummins Inc. has a 52-week low of $191.60 and a 52-week high of $261.91.

Cummins (NYSE:CMI  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $5.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.70 by $0.85. The business had revenue of $8.45 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.13 billion. Cummins had a return on equity of 25.94% and a net margin of 8.37%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 32.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $4.04 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Cummins Inc. will post 19.8 EPS for the current year.

Cummins Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 7th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 25th will be issued a $0.0168 dividend. This represents a $0.07 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.03%. Cumminss payout ratio is currently 35.40%.

Cummins Company Profile

(Free Report)

Cummins Inc designs, manufactures, distributes, and services diesel and natural gas engines, electric and hybrid powertrains, and related components worldwide. It operates through five segments: Engine, Distribution, Components, Power Systems, and New Power. The company offers diesel and natural gas-powered engines under the Cummins and other customer brands for the heavy and medium-duty truck, bus, recreational vehicle, light-duty automotive, construction, mining, marine, rail, oil and gas, defense, and agricultural markets; and offers new parts and services, as well as remanufactured parts and engines.

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Geneos Wealth Management Inc. decreased its position in shares of Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL  Free Report) by 7.2% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 11,494 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 898 shares during the quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in Aflac were worth $742,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of AFL. CoreFirst Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Silicon Valley Capital Partners acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Johnson Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Aflac in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. MinichMacGregor Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Aflac during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Studio Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Aflac during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. 66.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have commented on AFL. 58.com reissued a reiterates rating on shares of Aflac in a research note on Friday, June 9th. Bank of America started coverage on shares of Aflac in a research report on Monday, June 5th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. 888 reiterated a reiterates rating on shares of Aflac in a research note on Friday, June 9th. VNET Group reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Aflac in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on Aflac in a research note on Tuesday, April 25th. They set an equal weight rating and a $73.00 price target on the stock. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Aflac has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $71.22.

Aflac Stock Performance

NYSE:AFL opened at $70.50 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.05 and a current ratio of 0.05. Aflac Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $53.04 and a fifty-two week high of $74.01. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $67.57 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $68.00. The company has a market capitalization of $42.60 billion, a PE ratio of 10.17, a P/E/G ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 0.94.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results 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 business had revenue of $4.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.61 billion. Aflac had a net margin of 22.90% and a return on equity of 15.25%. Aflacs quarterly revenue was down 7.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.42 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that Aflac Incorporated will post 5.81 earnings per share for the current 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 paid a dividend of $0.42 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 16th. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.38%. Aflacs dividend payout ratio is currently 24.24%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Aflac news, Director Barbara K. Rimer sold 18,210 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $68.18, for a total transaction of $1,241,557.80. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 35,813 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,441,730.34. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, Director Barbara K. Rimer sold 18,210 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.18, for a total transaction of $1,241,557.80. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 35,813 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,441,730.34. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, VP June P. Howard sold 8,230 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.57, for a total transaction of $556,101.10. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 119,402 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,067,993.14. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 112,582 shares of company stock worth $7,649,767. 0.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Aflac Company 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.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AFL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL  Free Report).

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O-I Glass (NYSE:OI  Get Free Report) had its price objective dropped by analysts at Citigroup from $28.00 to $27.00 in a report released on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Citigroups price objective suggests a potential upside of 24.02% from the companys current price.

A number of other analysts have also commented on the company. Truist Financial boosted their target price on O-I Glass from $27.00 to $31.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. StockNews.com lowered O-I Glass from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, May 26th. Barclays boosted their target price on O-I Glass from $18.00 to $19.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on O-I Glass from $26.00 to $30.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on O-I Glass from $27.00 to $28.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $26.56.

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O-I Glass Trading Up 2.6 %

NYSE OI opened at $21.77 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.34. O-I Glass has a twelve month low of $11.60 and a twelve month high of $23.52. The company has a market cap of $3.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.48 and a beta of 1.35. The businesss fifty day moving average is $21.31 and its 200 day moving average is $21.10.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On O-I Glass

O-I Glass ( NYSE:OI Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The industrial products company reported $1.29 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.83 by $0.46. The company had revenue of $1.83 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.78 billion. O-I Glass had a return on equity of 31.48% and a net margin of 10.04%. O-I Glasss revenue for the quarter was up 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.56 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that O-I Glass will post 3.19 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in OI. Quadrant Capital Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of O-I Glass by 67.3% during the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 3,926 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $65,000 after acquiring an additional 1,580 shares during the last quarter. Seven Eight Capital LP purchased a new position in shares of O-I Glass during the 4th quarter worth $500,000. IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltd boosted its stake in shares of O-I Glass by 2.6% during the 4th quarter. IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltd now owns 623,573 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $10,333,000 after acquiring an additional 15,600 shares during the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC boosted its stake in shares of O-I Glass by 6.4% during the 4th quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 20,798 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $345,000 after acquiring an additional 1,259 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in shares of O-I Glass by 13.7% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,854,673 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $63,873,000 after acquiring an additional 465,410 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.28% of the companys stock.

About O-I Glass

(Get Free Report)

O-I Glass, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of glass containers to food and beverage manufacturers primarily in the Americas, Europe, and internationally. The company produces glass containers for alcoholic beverages, including beer, flavored malt beverages, spirits, and wine.

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BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of RenaissanceRe (NYSE:RNR  Free Report) from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report report published on Tuesday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. BMO Capital Markets currently has $216.00 target price on the insurance providers stock, up from their prior target price of $198.00.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of RenaissanceRe in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. TheStreet cut RenaissanceRe from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Thursday, June 8th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded RenaissanceRe from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $234.00 to $238.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on RenaissanceRe from $245.00 to $256.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on RenaissanceRe from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, March 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a 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 $221.40.

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RenaissanceRe Stock Up 1.6 %

Shares of NYSE:RNR opened at $192.09 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $193.45 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $198.92. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -53.06 and a beta of 0.43. RenaissanceRe has a 12-month low of $124.18 and a 12-month high of $223.80. The company has a current ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22.

RenaissanceRe Announces Dividend

RenaissanceRe ( NYSE:RNR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The insurance provider reported $8.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $7.34 by $0.82. The firm had revenue of $2.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.40 billion. RenaissanceRe had a positive return on equity of 11.89% and a negative net margin of 1.61%. RenaissanceRes quarterly revenue was up 4.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.50 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that RenaissanceRe will post 23.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were given a dividend of $0.38 per share. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. RenaissanceRes payout ratio is currently -41.99%.

Insider Buying and Selling at RenaissanceRe

In related news, CEO Kevin Odonnell purchased 13,020 shares of RenaissanceRe stock in a transaction on Friday, May 26th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $192.00 per share, for a total transaction of $2,499,840.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 296,025 shares in the company, valued at approximately $56,836,800. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 2.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On RenaissanceRe

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC purchased a new position in RenaissanceRe in the 4th quarter worth approximately $140,549,000. Egerton Capital UK LLP purchased a new stake in RenaissanceRe in the 1st quarter worth $124,842,000. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. boosted its stake in RenaissanceRe by 340.4% during the first quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 373,468 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $74,821,000 after buying an additional 288,657 shares during the last quarter. Balyasny Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of RenaissanceRe during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $31,514,000. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of RenaissanceRe in the 4th quarter valued at about $40,533,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.15% of the companys stock.

About RenaissanceRe

(Get Free Report)

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Property, and Casualty and Specialty segments. The Property segment writes property catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance and excess of loss reinsurance to insure insurance and reinsurance companies against natural and man-made catastrophes, including hurricanes, earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis, as well as winter storms, freezes, floods, fires, windstorms, tornadoes, explosions, and acts of terrorism; and other property class of products, such as proportional reinsurance, property per risk, property reinsurance, binding facilities, and regional U.S.

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The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Terreno Realty (NYSE:TRNO  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday, MarketBeat reports. The brokerage issued a neutral rating and a $65.00 target price on the real estate investment trusts stock.

Several other research firms have also weighed in on TRNO. JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and set a $71.00 target price on shares of Terreno Realty in a report on Monday, April 3rd. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Terreno Realty in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a sell rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given 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 Hold and an average target price of $66.83.

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Terreno Realty Stock Performance

NYSE TRNO opened at $59.15 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $60.16 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $61.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.41, a PEG ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.80. Terreno Realty has a fifty-two week low of $50.36 and a fifty-two week high of $67.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a current ratio of 0.21.

Terreno Realty Dividend Announcement

Terreno Realty ( NYSE:TRNO Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The real estate investment trust reported $0.29 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.53 by ($0.24). The company had revenue of $74.65 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $74.96 million. Terreno Realty had a net margin of 70.11% and a return on equity of 8.83%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Terreno Realty will post 2.18 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.70%. Terreno Realtys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 60.61%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Terreno Realty

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of TRNO. AE Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Terreno Realty by 88.2% during the second quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,953 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $418,000 after purchasing an additional 3,259 shares in the last quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Terreno Realty by 3.5% during the first quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 108,737 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $7,025,000 after buying an additional 3,675 shares in the last quarter. Toroso Investments LLC grew its holdings in shares of Terreno Realty by 83.8% during the first quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 17,009 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,099,000 after buying an additional 7,756 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Terreno Realty by 21.2% during the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 122,732 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $7,929,000 after buying an additional 21,460 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in Terreno Realty by 4.6% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,068,258 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $133,610,000 after acquiring an additional 91,891 shares in the last quarter. 99.10% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Terreno Realty

(Get Free Report)

Terreno Realty Corporation (Terreno, and together with its subsidiaries, the Company) acquires, owns and operates industrial real estate in six major coastal U.S. markets: Los Angeles, Northern New Jersey/New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Miami, and Washington, DC We invest in several types of industrial real estate, including warehouse/distribution (approximately 79.5% of our total annualized base rent as of December 31, 2021), flex (including light industrial and research and development, or R&D) (approximately 4.8%), transshipment (approximately 6.4%) and improved land (approximately 9.3%).

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Unum Group (NYSE:UNM  Free Report) had its target price lifted by Barclays from $46.00 to $52.00 in a report released on Tuesday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

UNM has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded Unum Group from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $49.00 to $52.00 in a report on Tuesday, March 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on shares of Unum Group from $51.00 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Unum Group from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $44.00 to $50.00 in a report on Monday, March 20th. Citigroup raised Unum Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $49.00 to $53.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 15th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on Unum Group in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $48.60.

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Unum Group Trading Up 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE UNM opened at $48.48 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.55 billion, a PE ratio of 6.87, a PEG ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.09. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $45.72 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $42.70. Unum Group has a one year low of $31.26 and a one year high of $49.49.

Unum Group Announces Dividend

Unum Group ( NYSE:UNM Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The financial services provider reported $1.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.65 by $0.22. The company had revenue of $3.04 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.05 billion. Unum Group had a net margin of 11.78% and a return on equity of 14.67%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.36 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Unum Group will post 7.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 28th were issued a dividend of $0.33 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 27th. This represents a $1.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.72%. Unum Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 18.70%.

Insider Transactions at Unum Group

In other news, COO Michael Q. Simonds sold 18,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.72, for a total transaction of $786,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 222,088 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,709,687.36. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, EVP Timothy Gerald Arnold sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.00, for a total value of $450,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 92,053 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,142,385. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, COO Michael Q. Simonds sold 18,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.72, for a total transaction of $786,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 222,088 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,709,687.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 55,988 shares of company stock worth $2,513,529 over the last three months. 0.77% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Financial Management Professionals Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Unum Group by 2,262.1% in the 2nd quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 685 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 656 shares in the last quarter. Ahrens Investment Partners LLC acquired a new position in Unum Group during the first quarter worth $44,000. CVA Family Office LLC raised its stake in Unum Group by 37.8% during the second quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 1,075 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $51,000 after acquiring an additional 295 shares in the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. increased its position in shares of Unum Group by 514.7% during the 4th quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 1,543 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $63,000 after purchasing an additional 1,292 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Machina Capital S.A.S. acquired a new stake in shares of Unum Group during the 1st quarter worth about $63,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.94% of the companys stock.

Unum Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Unum Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial protection benefit solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and internationally. It operates through Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, and Closed Block and Corporate segments. The company offers group long-term and short-term disability, group life, and accidental death and dismemberment products; supplemental and voluntary products, such as individual disability, voluntary benefits, and dental and vision products; and accident, sickness, disability, life, and cancer and critical illness products.

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A member of Derry City and Strabane District Council has called on the Mayor to hold an urgent full Council meeting on reinstatement of Holiday Hunger Meals Payment.

Cllr Shaun Harkin (People Before Profit) said: "Child poverty and children going hungry in our communities is shameful and immoral when corporations are making record profits.

"I've contacted Council party leaders of Sinn Fein, SDLP, DUP and UUP, with the backing of Independents, to support the request for the Mayor to hold an urgent full Council meeting on reinstatement of Holiday Hunger Meals Payments.

"Cost-of-living crisis and anti-poverty campaigners are demanding Department of Education funding for the School Holiday Food Grant be immediately reinstated. Stormont departments have implemented vicious across the board cuts at the behest of a Tory Secretary of State determined to ram through a punishment budget.

"Among the most criminal of these cuts was the decision by the DoE Permanent Secretary to end School Holiday Food Grant funding. Almost 100,000 children are being punished with 'Holiday Hunger' when they should be enjoying the summer. There can't be silence when we know children aren't eating properly, food banks are overwhelmed and households are struggling to avoid going under," said Cllr Harkin.

Cllr Harkin said Department funding U-turns have come about in the past when there had been people power campaigning.

He added: "Collective action now is crucial.

"Derry and Strabane Council must take the fight to Stormont and to the Secretary of State on behalf of children and households in our District and across all communities. We need action now.

"Councils, trade unions, community sector organisations and those with influence should do everything possible to back this demand - and challenge the entirely of austerity budget."
Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill has urged people burning effigies of politicians on loyalist bonfires to catch themselves on.

Ms ONeill was among those whose images were burned on bonfires on July 11, the eve of Orange Order parades across Northern Ireland.

Her image appeared on the pyre in the Eastvale area of Dungannon on Tuesday as bonfires in loyalist areas across Northern Ireland prepared to be lit as part of the annual July 12 celebrations.

Ms ONeill leads Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland, which won the most seats in the Assembly election, entitling her to be nominated as the first nationalist or republican first minister.

But the Stormont Assembly remains collapsed amid DUP protest action over post-Brexit arrangements.

A depiction of Sinn Fein councillor Taylor McGrann also appeared on a bonfire in Rathcoole, Newtownabbey, on the outskirts of north Belfast.

Police are investigating both incidents as hate crime.

Irish flags were also burned on a number of bonfires, while representatives of a number of other parties, including Alliance and the SDLP, also reported seeing their images on bonfires.

These actions have been condemned by politicians across the divide.

Ms ONeill said those involved in burning effigies should instead be helping to build a better future.

Those attempting to cause offence with effigies etc should catch themselves on and join the rest of us in building a better future. I am determined to be a First Minister for all. I will represent the whole community irrespective of who you are and where you come from.  Michelle ONeill (@moneillsf) July 12, 2023

Those attempting to cause offence with effigies etc should catch themselves on and join the rest of us in building a better future, she tweeted.

I am determined to be a first minister for all. I will represent the whole community irrespective of who you are and where you come from.

Ahead of the bonfires, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson urged against the burning of flags and election posters as self-inflicted wounds for unionists.

Around 250 bonfires were lit as part of the annual July 12 celebrations, marking the victory of Protestant King William of Orange over Catholic King James II in the Battle of the Boyne to secure a Protestant line of succession to the British Crown.
OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G Updated on 14-Jul-2023

Market Status : LAUNCHED Release Date : 10 Jul, 2023 Official Website : Oppo Digit Rating 72 Out of 100 Read full review Key Specifications Screen Size 6.74" (FHD)

Camera 50 +64 + 8 MP | 32 MP

Memory 256GB / 12GB

Battery 4700 mAh Variant/(s) 256GB/12GB Color OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G Price in India:  54,999 Set Price Drop Alert See All Prices OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G Alternatives

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OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G Brief Description Touted to be the new Portrait Expert on the block, the OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G has finally launched in India to much fanfare. The company has made big claims about the Reno10 Pro+s periscope telephoto lens portrait shooting abilities and at 54,999, theres pressure to stay true to the claims. Moreover, the phone houses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, which weve even seen on some mid-range contenders, so the camera has to knock it out of the park... Read More

Digit Rating For OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G 72 Design 68

performance 69

value for money 73

Features 80 pros

Impressive telephoto lens

Good selfie camera

Bright and vivid 1.5K resolution display

Fast 100 W charging cons

Not the best performer for the price

Refresh rate switches to 90 Hz in some apps on High setting

Bloatware-ridden

Plastic frame

OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G Full Specifications Basic Information Manufacturer : OPPO Model : OPPO Reno10 Pro+ Launch date (global) : 10-07-2023 Operating system : Android OS version : 13 Type : Smartphone Status : Launched Colors : Black Product Name : OPPO Reno10 Pro+ Stereo Speakers : Yes Display Screen Size : 6.74 inches Display technology : AMOLED Screen resolution (in pixels) : FHD Pixel Density (PPI) : 451 PPI Refresh Rate : 120Hz Screen-to-body Ratio (in %) : 90.6 Camera Camera features : Triple Rear camera mega pixel : 50 +64 + 8 MP Maximum Video Resolution (in pixels) : 4K@30 Front Camera Megapixel : 32 MP Front Facing Camera : Yes LED Flash : Yes Video Recording : Yes Digital Zoom : Yes Autofocus : Yes Face Detection : Yes HDR : Yes OIS : Yes Aperture (f stops) : f/1.8 EIS : Yes Primary 1 Aperture : f/1.8 Front Facing Aperture : f/2.4 Battery Battery capacity (mAh) : 4700mAh Removal Battery (Yes/No) : No Support For Fast Charging : Yes Fast Charging Wattage : 100WW Charging Type Port : Type C Sensors And Features Keypad type : Touchscreen Proximity Sensor : Yes Finger print sensor : Yes Accelerometer : Yes Compass : Yes Connectivity SIM : Dual 3G Capability : Yes 4G Capability : Yes Wifi Capability : Yes Wifi HotSpot : Yes Bluetooth : Yes NFC : Yes GPS : Yes 5G Capability : Yes 5G Band : n71,n28,n5,n3,n3,n1,n40,n41,n78,n77 Technical Specifications CPU : Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 CPU speed : 1x3.0GHz,2.75x2.0GHz,3x4GHz Processor cores : Octa RAM : 12GB GPU : Adreno 730 Dimensions (lxbxh- in mm) : 162.9 x 74 x 8.3 Weight (in grams) : 194 Storage : 256GB

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Disclaimer: Digit, like all other media houses, gives you links to online stores which contain embedded affiliate information, which allows us to get a tiny percentage of your purchase back from the online store. We urge all our readers to use our Buy button links to make their purchases as a way of supporting our work. If you are a user who already does this, thank you for supporting and keeping unbiased technology journalism alive in India.

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Google Pixel 8 is said to be a better smartphone for night photography because the recently leaked renders show us two flashlights on the back of the smartphone. The two flashlights could help in night photography by providing more light and help capture brighter pictures in dark.

For photography, it might boast a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens for wide angle shots and a depth sensor. Along with that, it might sport a 11-megapixel selfie shooter. Leaked specs of the Pixel 8 claim it's expected to have a quad camera setup on the back holding a 50-megapixel primary camera, 64-megapixel ultra-wide lens, 48-megapixel telephoto sensor and a depth sensor as well.

Not just that, the Google Pixel 8 could also feature the Ultrasonic Fingerprint sensor which will improve the unlocking of the smartphone.

Also read: Pixel Fold, Pixel 8 Pro renders reveal major design details of the two Google phones

Talking about the processor, it is expected to be powered by Googles Tensor G3 chipset. For display, it might use a 6.17-inch AMOLED display which will support 120Hz refresh rate and might also produce 1400 nits of peak brightness.

Apart from that, the launch timeline and price details of Pixel 8 have also been tipped by Yogesh Brar. The Google Pixel 8 is said to be $50 to $100 more costly than its predecessor. It might launch at a price range of $649 to $699 in its home country.

However, the Google Pixel 7 was launched at a price of $599 in the United States. Googles next flagship smartphone is expected to launch in October like all the other Pixels.

Also read: Smartphone or digital thermometer? Google Pixel 8 Pro will be both!

As with the Pixel brand, the Pixel 8 is expected to continue the tradition of being able to take exceptional still photos -- something that previous Pixel phones have become reknowned for over the years. Pixel 8 will no doubt continue in that tradition. And for that reason alone, it will demand future smartphone buyers' attention if they're going to be buying a smartphone with top-notch photography features.
OLED patent war between SDC and BOE escalating

To consolidate their position in the Apple supply chain and the OLED market, Samsung Display (SDC) and BOE's patent dispute is escalating by the day. SDC has officially filed a patent infringement lawsuit against BOE in the US, accusing BOE of stealing OLED technology. The technical details and subsequent actions involved in this lawsuit could potentially impact Apple's supply chain.

Photo: The patent war between SDC and BOE is escalating.

Credit: AFP

SDC filed a patent infringement lawsuit against BOE in the district court of Eastern Texas in June 2023. Further reports by South Korea's TheElec revealed that SDC claimed that the OLED products BOE supplied to Apple for the iPhone 12/13 have infringed five SDC patents (599, 593, 803, 683, 578).

Among the five disputed patents, 803, 683, and 578 are core patents for SDC's "Diamond Pixel," an arrangement structure that consists of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) sub-pixels. In the documents filed for this lawsuit, SDC provided "BOE's OLED RGB sub-pixel arrangement structure" as evidence of patent infringement, pointing out that BOE's arrangement structure is similar to SDC's previously disclosed Diamond Pixel arrangement structure.

Additionally, SDC also claimed in this lawsuit that the OLEDs supplied to Apple by BOE for the iPhone 12/13 have infringed SDC's patent. Considering that BOE has been supplying 6.1-inch OLEDs to Apple since 2020 for the iPhone 12 and subsequently for the iPhone 13/14, all OLEDs supplied to Apple by BOE may be under suspicion for patent infringement.

Back in December 2022, SDC filed a patent infringement complaint with the US International Trade Commission (ITC). Although SDC didn't explicitly mention the name of the company, it was speculated that the complaint was filed against BOE. Initially, SDC only claimed that four patents were infringed but add one more (578) in March 2023. It's worth noting that the five patents SDC claimed to be infringed in this complaint are the same as the ones listed in the Eastern Texas district court lawsuit.

In response, BOE has also begun to take countermeasures. On April 18, BOE filed a lawsuit at the Chongqing No.1 Intermediate People's Court against Samsung China, SDC Dongguan, SDC Tianjin, and Samsung partners in China for patent infringement on nine BOE patents. Additionally, on June 9 and June 21, BOE requested a mistrial regarding three of SDC's patent claims and didn't rule out the possibility of doing the same to the two remaining patent claims in the future.

Since ITC began investigating the patent infringement lawsuit in January, the results of the mistrial request may not affect ITC's investigation. However, if BOE wants to appeal the outcome of the patent infringement lawsuit and ITC's final judgment, the mistrial results can be used during the appeal trial.

Analysis pointed out that the reason why SDC didn't specifically name BOE back in December 2022 was to reduce the impact on Apple's iPhone business. However, with BOE officially filing a counter-lawsuit against SDC and Samsung Electronics in Chongqing, SDC now has a reason to directly file a lawsuit against BOE.

Some viewpoints pointed out that SDC previously had an iPhone OLED supply guarantee contract with Apple. If Apple didn't order a specific amount of iPhone OLEDs from SDC, it was required to pay the difference to SDC. However, this supply guarantee contract ended in 2021. Because of this, SDC is playing the patent card against BOE to prevent the latter from getting more iPhone OLED orders.

Other viewpoints stated that for the patent lawsuit in China, SDC is at a disadvantage against BOE since the latter has a homecourt advantage. Even if SDC wins against BOE in the US case, BOE is likely going to strengthen its patent strategy and portfolio. As a result, BOE could become an even bigger threat to SDC and LG Display (LGD) in the next two to three years.

Currently, the global OLED market is dominated by South Korean companies. According to data from the Korea Display Industry Association (KDIA), South Korea held an 81.3% market share in the global OLED market in 2022, while China accounted for 17.9%. However, when focused on the small-to-medium-sized OLED market, Chinese corporations are rapidly gaining ground. In the first quarter of 2023, SDC held the highest market share of 54.7% in the small-to-medium-sized OLED market. BOE was second at 19.2%, surpassing LGD (17.4%).

The patent dispute between SDC and BOE is also gradually expanding to the supply chain. Recent reports from South Korean media pointed out that Samsung Electronics is planning to exclude BOE from its mobile phone and TV panel supply chain.
China-based carmakers joining bandwagon in developing automotive chips

With the rising penetration of new energy vehicles (NEV) in China, China-based automakers, such as BYD, SAIC, Nio, and Li Auto, are developing automotive chips to strengthen resilience and reduce reliance on other suppliers.

SAIC recently said it would invest CNY6 billion (US$830 million) to form a joint venture with partners, with SAIC holding a 99.8% stake in the JV, to engage in developing automotive chips and accelerate import substitution.

Following efforts for automotive chip localization, including setting up funds, investing in IC design houses, and forming JVs with partners, SAIC targets to bring the proportion of locally-sourced chips to 10% in 2023, up from 7% in 2022, and plans to reach 30% by 2025. SAIC has also set a target to complete the vehicle validation of 100 domestically produced chips by the end of 2023.

In addition to SAIC, other companies such as BYD, Geely, NIO, and Li Auto are joining the bandwagon to develop their automotive chips in various ways, including investments.

In March, SiEngine, co-funded by Geely's subsidiary ECARX and Arm China, completed its third round of financing within a year. Automakers have introduced SiEngine's first chip, made on TSMC's 7nm node. The company is developing its next-generation chip for smart cockpit, autonomous driving, and CPU for vehicles.

Zhejiang Jingnen Microelectronics, another startup incubated by Geely, completed its second round of financing in June. In March, the startup announced the successful tape-out of its first auto-grade IGBT chip and plans to introduce its product into several cars in 2023.

As competition intensifies in the Chinese new energy vehicle market, major automakers are increasing their investments in automotive chips to ensure supply security. Still, due to the high requirement for technology and capital for auto-grade MCU and analog chips, the local sourcing rate is relatively low in China.

Sources indicated that except for a few automaker giants, like Tesla, which can set up separate businesses for designing chips, most carmakers would have to acquire IC design capability either through investments or joint ventures. Besides, automakers also face challenges such as prolonged timelines for investment returns, chip standardization, economies of scale, and cost issues.
Intel offers customized AI processors to China, backed by major Chinese AI server providers

As the US seeks to tighten export controls on AI chips to China, Intel held a press conference in Beijing on July 11, announcing the launch of the deep learning processor Habana Gaudi 2 in the Chinese market. This processor can be used to accelerate AI training and inference tasks. Chinese AI server giants, such as Inspur, New H3C, and xFusion, are expected to release server products featuring the Gaudi 2 processor.

According to Chinese media, Intel's Gaudi 2 was already introduced in the European and American markets in May 2022. Habana also collaborated with American company Supermicro to launch the Supermicro Gaudi 2 AI training server system in the second half of 2022.

A customized version of the AI processor for the Chinese market is also planned in order to meet regulatory requirements. Chen Baoli, vice president of Intel Data Center and AI Group and general manager of China. Chen mentioned that during the period of introducing Gaudi 2 to China, Intel also optimized the software-level iterative computing capability to address the current trend of large language models (LLM).

According to data from China-based Pacific Securities, Inspur alone held a 37% market share in the Chinese AI server market in 2022, while New H3C had 8%, and with the joint efforts of xFusion, they are promoting Intel's customized AI processor. This shows that Intel's Gaudi 2 is making every effort to compete in the Chinese market, aiming to provide an alternative option to Nvidia.

However, although Intel's Gaudi 2 has been introduced in the European and American markets for over a year, there have been no reports of large-scale adoption. Meanwhile, Intel might be able to addess the current gap in AI computing power in China.

According to Sandra L. Rivera, Intel's executive vice president and general manager of the Data Center and AI Group, Gaudi 2 is the most efficient product in Intel's product portfolio for LLM workloads. Intel will also further update its data center product roadmap and plans to integrate high-performance AI chips with GPUs to launch a more comprehensive next-generation GPU product by 2025.

Habana was originally an Israeli startup chip company established in 2016. Its products have entered major Chinese internet companies. After Intel's acquisition of Habana for US$2 billion in December 2019, it obtained the Gaudi accelerator product. Prior to the acquisition, Habana's Gaudi processor was already familiar to major Chinese internet and cloud service providers.
China sees car exports grow 75.7% in 1H23 while NEV market share approaches 30%

The latest data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) showed the country's automotive market is recovering. Production and sales of new energy vehicles (NEV) both increased by over 40% in the first half of 2023. Total car export also grew by 75.5% year-over-year.

According to CAAM, 13.25 million cars were produced and 13.24 million were sold in China in the first six months of this year. Homegrown brands saw sales increase by 22.4% from last year to 5.99 million cars.

As for NEVs, CAAM said China made 3.79 million vehicles in the first half of 2023, a 42.4% growth year-over-year. It sold 3.75 million cars, a 44.1% increase from 2022. NEVs accounted for 28.3% of China's automotive market, CAAM said. Plug-in hybrid EVs enjoyed over 90% sales growth from January to June this year, with fuel cell and battery EVs falling behind.

CAAM said car demand resumed gradually in the first half of 2023 due to sales campaigns and other factors. Moreover, thanks to the lower base period in April and May 2022, the Chinese automotive market saw more significant growth this year.

Top 10 NEV brands in China, 1H2023 Company Sales volume (10k) YoY change(%) Market share (%) BYD 125.5 95.9 33.5 Tesla 47.7 61.7 12.7 SAIC 36.3 -7.1 9.7 GAC 23.8 109.9 6.4 Changan 17.7 96.8 4.7 Dongfeng 17.4 -3.9 4.6 Geely 15.8 43.9 4.2 Li Auto 13.9 130.3 3.7 FAW 11 82.4 2.9 Great Wall Motor 9.3 46.4 2.5

Source: CAAM, compiled by DIGITIMES Asia, July 2023

CAAM said China's NEV market expanded rapidly in the first six months of this year. As new models were launched and car performance was enhanced, competition between automakers intensified.

According to CAAM's data, BYD reached 1.2 million cars in sales from January to June, a 95.9% increase from 2022. Li Auto and GAC Motor both saw sales grow more than 100% year-on-year. It was the first time Li Auto made one of the top 10 NEV sellers in China.

On the other hand, CAAM said China exported 2.14 million cars in the first half of 2023, a 75.7% growth from 2022. NEV export increased by 1.6% to 534,000 vehicles. China-made NEVs were mostly exported to Belgium, the UK and Thailand, according to CAAM.

The association said China's automotive market is expected to see further growth in the second quarter of 2023 while companies will keep facing multiple challenges.

China-based Gasgoo reported that the country launched a NEV sales campaign in rural areas and announced several policies in June to boost production and demand. CAAM said China's NEV sales will likely reach 9 million cars because of the above efforts.
Barristers look set to strike in October over the level of fees they are paid, which they say remain at levels from over 20 years ago.

The Council of The Bar of Ireland has recommended withdrawal of services to its members who are criminal law practitioners. This action is being taken in pursuit of a "meaningful, independent and time-limited mechanism to determine the fees payable to barristers by the Director of Public Prosecutions and under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) scheme".

Following engagement with its members over the last number of months, the Council of The Bar of Ireland has now formally written to the Government to notify it of its recommendation to members, to implement an initial one-day withdrawal of services on Tuesday October 3rd 2023.

A statement from the Bar of Ireland said: "Fees payable to criminal barristers remain at 2002 levels, despite the ongoing delivery of efficiencies and reforms by the profession".

Barristers have suffered a pay cut in real terms of more than 40% over the past twenty years, the Bar of Ireland says, while every other sector working in the criminal justice system has seen pay restoration implemented.

It says this is despite a range of additional reforms and changed practices being delivered by barristers.

"As a direct consequence of the failure to restore fee cuts, a career choice for recently qualified junior barristers in crime has become unattractive when compared to opportunities in other areas of law. Two-thirds of criminal barristers leave practice after just six years at the Criminal Bar, due to the remuneration and conditions that currently exist in criminal practice. Retention rates drop to less than a third of those who set out to pursue a career in criminal law.

"This is already creating issues in respect of frontline advocacy services, which if not addressed, will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the administration of criminal justice and the public good," the Bar of Ireland statement said.

Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland Sara Phelan SC said: "Barristers are being treated differently to other members of the criminal justice system and indeed to society at large. Despite delivering a range of changed work practices and reforms that have delivered significant efficiencies for the criminal justice system, the Government has refused to recognise this by means of fee restoration.

"We have been attempting to engage with Government on this matter for seven years now and, having exhausted every avenue available to us, we have now lost confidence in Governments commitment to the preservation of the highest standards in the administration of justice and in the existing mechanism for determining the fees payable to barristers practising criminal law.

"It is with regret that we are confirming our recommendation to members to withdraw services but we have been left with no choice. This is not an action the Council or the members of the Law Library take lightly, as we are acutely aware of the impact on everyone involved in the criminal justice system.

"We have notified Government of the intended action, and, in the meantime, we remain available to actively engage with them on these important matters," Ms Phelan said.
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An illicit cigarette factory in north Louth, which was raided by gardai and customs five years ago had the capacity to manufacture 3 million cigarettes a day, with a daily loss to the exchequer of 1.2 million, Dundalk Circuit Court heard last Thursday.

Vytautas Sakinis, who lived at the plant at Killin, Jenkinstown pleaded guilty to being concerned with the processing of illicit tobacco products on March 15th 2018.

A surveillance operation was put in place after the authorities here were notified that an illicit cigarette factory was operating at an unknown location in Ireland and it was established that workers were briefly taken to accommodation in the Drogheda before being taken to the factory.

When the joint Garda and Revenue raid was carried out, they discovered a ladder leaning against a substantial quantity of hay bales.

Eleven men were found in makeshift living quarters beside the production line which had three machines to make the cigarettes, put them in counterfeit Mayfair packs and package and box them.

Twenty three million cigarettes were discovered in boxes at the site.

The defendant - who was 26 at the time and had an environmental engineering degree, had told Revenue officials that he had responded to a job ad he had seen on a website in Lithuania.

His flight here was paid for before he signed the contract, and the workers later returned here by ferry.

Two of Mr. Sakinis' co-accused were given custodial sentences of 10 and 12 months, another was given an 18 month suspended sentence, and seven others were given 10 month suspended jail terms, on them leaving the State and not returning for more than three years.

Judge Hayes imposed a 15 month sentence which he suspended in full on the defendant entering a bond to be of good behaviour for that period.
A YOUNG teen is preparing to sacrifice her beautiful locks as part of a charity pledge that has been five years in the making.

Kaylee Tynan, from Ballinacurra, who recently celebrated her 13th birthday, was inspired to set up the fundraiser for friends who have endured chemotherapy.

The Cork girl had intended to cut her hair years earlier. However, she was determined to grow as much as possible to gift to children and young people suffering from hair loss. Kaylee, who is preparing to begin secondary school in St Aloysius College, Carrigtwohill in September, will be donating her hair to the Little Princess Trust in the UK.

The charity specialises in making wigs for children and young adults who have lost their hair to cancer treatments or illness.

Kaylee has already generated 1,360 for the LauraLynn Foundation through a GoFundMe page documenting her journey. The charity is the only facility of its kind to provide hospices services for children in Ireland.

The teenager and her family hope to raise even more funds before she braves the hairdressers chair at Oxygen hair salon in Midleton next Tuesday.

Kaylees mum Leanne spoke about why the fundraiser is so close to their hearts.

We know of a family who have benefitted from LauraLynn so can see the essential services they provide, she explained. Kaylee has been so committed to doing this so we know its going to be emotional when it happens. We know a few people who went through chemo so we see how much these funds can benefit people. She admits it will be difficult for Kaylee to part with her hair.

Kaylee loves her long hair but she knows that while hers will grow back others wont be as fortunate. It was Kaylees realisation that this is going to help other children that motivated her to do this.

Losing her grandfather to the disease in recent years also influenced her decision to fundraise.

It has touched other family members, but we have been lucky. Kaylee, who has a 16-year-old sister named Lauren, has been overwhelmed by the support she is receiving.

When she saw that the funds had reached 1,000 tears fell. Kaylee thanked the public for getting behind her cause.

Its so good to be helping other people even though I am still kind of nervous. The good thing is that its really long now so it will still be up to my shoulders when its cut. To donate or find out more about Kaylees fundraiser, visit www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/KayleeTynan.
CORK city councillors have signed off on the first phase of a new greenway, which when complete could be the greatest and most exciting greenway in the whole country.

The Cork City to Viaduct Greenway Phase I  Tramore Road to Eagle Valley was approved at a meeting of Cork City Council on Monday evening.

Works under phase one will include the development of 2.9km of greenway along the former West Cork Railway corridor between Chetwynd Reservoir, off Spur Hill, and Kinsale Road Roundabout.

Phase one will also see the development of 1.1km of feeder routes linking to and from existing active travel routes in the vicinity of Bandon Road, including around 500m of southbound cycle track within Eagle Valley housing estate in Wilton.

Works will also include the provision of a park and cycle or walk facility with an integrated cycle hub to the east of Forge Hill.

Speaking at the council meeting, the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Kieran McCarthy said phase one marks a National Transport Authority (NTA) investment of over 5m.

In a report to councillors, the city councils director of infrastructure development Gerry OBeirne said the proposals under phase one form part of a larger greenway project which is under consideration by Transport Infrastructure Ireland which may eventually result in a greenway between Cork city, Bandon, and beyond.

Phase one went to public consultation in April and 24 submissions were received. Among the concerns raised during the public consultation stage were queries in relation to possible impacts on Eagle Valley, including impact on parking and privacy concerns.

Following consultation, the proposed design will now be adjusted to maintain existing informal parking arrangements while also maintaining traffic lanes and a cycle lane.

To address privacy concerns, there will be a buffer between the greenway and the boundary with Eagle Valley with vegetation screening in place.

Fianna Fail councillor Fergal Dennehy was among the councillors to voice support for the greenway which he said when fully complete has the potential to be the greatest and most exciting greenway in the whole country.

Fine Gael councillor Garret Kelleher, a former resident of Eagle Valley, said phase one will be a huge step forward for an estate he described as very car dependent in its design.
A young man selling heroin at the bus station in Cork approached one man and asked him if he was interested in buying the drug  without realising that this would-be customer was a plainclothes member of An Garda Siochana.

Dean Seery of 17 Cathedral Road, Cork, pleading guilty to being in possession of the Diamorphine (heroin) and having the drug for the purpose of sale or supply to others.

Judge Olann Kelleher sentenced him to six months in jail.

While he had no previous convictions for drug-dealing he had a total of 131 other convictions including five for having drugs for his own use, 59 for being drunk and a danger and 21 for being threatening and abusive.

Defence solicitor Diane Hallahan said the young man had a chronic addiction to alcohol and drugs, so much so that he was intoxicated at the time of this latest offence and had little recollection of it occurring.

Ms Hallahan said that in recent times the accused had been trying to get treatment but events overtook him and he ended up in prison.

The solicitor said he was doing well in prison and was doing a course in relation to addiction difficulties.

Sergeant John Kelleher outlined the background to the dealing of heroin.

On December 20 2022 at Parnell Place bus station the defendant was observed.

While at the bus station Dean Seery approached a plainclothes member of An Garda Siochana and tried to sell drugs to him.

He was subsequently searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

He was found in possession of heroin valued 500.

He was arrested and conveyed to Bridewell garda station and later charged with having the drugs for his own use and having them for sale or supply to others.

He was given concurrent four and six month sentences on the possession and supply charges respectively.
The head of Cork citys public libraries has asserted that the security of library staff is paramount and that work is ongoing to establish a procedure on how best to deal with protestors who have been harassing workers.

Cork city librarian David OBrien joined a meeting of Cork City Council this week in the wake of an ongoing series of incidents involving far-right protesters objecting to the availability of what they term pornographic books related to LGBTQ+ matters.

During those incidents, library staff have been filmed against their wishes and, according to Forsa trade union, have been called groomers and paedophiles.

At the council meeting, Mr OBrien said from the outset of these incidents, he contacted various people locally and nationally seeking advice on how best to respond. He said there have been ongoing discussions with senior management in city council.

We have been working on it, we are working on it there is a process being put in place where we will have a procedure that goes with that, he said.

Mr OBrien stated that several risk assessments have been carried out.

One of those risk assessments resulted in the library being closed in March when there was a right-wing and left-wing pro and anti march outside the door where there were lines of gardai  who have been very good to us on a local basis, who kept the crowd apart  and we made a decision, for the first time in 130 years, to actually close the doors, he said, stressing that the safety of library staff is paramount.

Mr OBrien was speaking following a suspension of standing orders proposed by Labour Party councillor John Maher to discuss a joint motion he tabled with Green Party councillor Colette Finn.

The motion called on the council to reaffirm its ongoing support and solidarity with the LGBT+ community in Cork city and with all workers who have endured bullying and harassment from a vocal minority.

It is imperative that we promote human rights for all.

We reiterate our city is open to all, inclusive and proud of the work we have achieved, but are mindful of the challenge ahead of creating a safe and welcoming city for all and that this council does not recognise vigilantism and supports the valuable and brave work of An Garda Siochana as the only legitimate police force in this city and in this State, the motion stated.

In the council chamber, Mr Maher delivered a passionate speech in which he drew from his own experience as coming out as a gay man in recent years.

I can only share my experience: 34 years of age, scared to tell the best friends and family you could ask for that you were gay.

A feeling that I was worthless, something that I wouldnt wish on anybody in our city or country.

Why? Some of you might ask. Despite Cork citys best efforts, members of the community are called groomers, pedophiles, disgusting, bad examples, he said.

He quoted former American politician and gay rights activist Harvey Milk and called for the council to become stronger LGBT+ allies.

Its up to us as Cork City Council to give hope to our workers by making safer working environments. Lets give hope to the LGBT+ community by becoming stronger allies, provide funding for pride events and give hope to other LGBT+ organisations by reaching out to them. Its up to us. Weve got to give the people hope, he said.

The motion was unanimously supported by councillors.

There were several calls for Cork City Council and the gardai to provide improved protections for library staff including from Independent councillor Mick Finn.

Libraries are supposed to be safe havens of learning for young people and people of all ages and if theyre not, we, as the operators of the libraries, need to see what we can do, he said.

Similar comments were made by Green Party councillor Colette Finn.

I want An Garda Siochana to follow through on our laws, that it is not acceptable to be intimidatory and aggressive to people going to work, she said.
A member of An Garda Siochana was verbally abused as a scumbag and a prick by a woman at MacCurtain Street and now she has been sentenced to two months in prison for her verbal outburst.

Sorcha Waters of Mount St Josephs Drive, Gurranabraher, Cork, pleaded guilty to being drunk and a danger and engaging in threatening behaviour during the incident.

Sergeant John Kelleher said the incident occurred on June 17 at MacCurtain Street, Cork.

As soon as she was asked by the garda for her name and address she became verbally abusive saying, Youre a scumbag, youre a prick. F*** off.

Sgt. Kelleher said the accused had five previous convictions for being threatening and abusive and nine for being drunk and a danger.

Judge Olann Kelleher sentenced her to two months in prison for being abusive and insulting and she will serve five days in prison in default of payment of a 200 fine on the drunkenness charge.
A Government minister has described conditions in the Noonans Rd local authority flats complex as unacceptable, urging Cork City Council to engage with tenants.

Minister of State for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Malcolm Noonan, made his remarks during a Dail exchange yesterday evening with Socialist TD for Cork North Central Mick Barry.

Mr Barry had outlined the conditions in which some social housing tenants of Noonans Rd are living, describing broken heating systems, outbreaks of mould, crumbling balconies, structural damage and rodent infestation.

Stating that the provision of social housing would be a key part to the solution of the housing crisis, Mr Barry said that social housing must be quality housing, and, he said, when the State is the landlord, the State must be an exemplary landlord.

Describing the conditions endured by some of the Noonans Rd tenants, Mr Barry said many of these tenants were vulnerable people, some of them old, some of them sick.

They feel they have been abandoned, forgotten by the council, he said.

The negative psychosocial effects of this abandonment are real. They are very real.

Noting that the Noonans Rd flats are adjacent to tourism attractions such as St Fin Barres Cathedral and Elizabeths Fort, Mr Barry suggested tourists might be shocked at the nearby conditions in which people are forced to live.

They might be even more shocked to discover that the landlord is not a private grasping individual; it is the city council itself, he said.

Responding to Mr Barrys remarks, Mr Noonan, who is a member of the Green Party, said his party colleague, Cllr Dan Boyle, had visited Noonans Rd earlier in the day.

Deputy Mick Barry referred to the Noonans Rd flats and the condition they are in, Mr Noonan said.

It sounds appalling and we urge Cork City Council to continue to engage positively.

Trying to address those issues is critical. It is unacceptable that people live in those conditions, he said.

Speaking to The Echo today, Mr Barry said Mr Noonans comments were remarkable.

Even the Government have to admit that the living conditions for tenants at Noonans Rd flats are unacceptable.

Ministers in the Housing Department dont put their hands up and say housing provided by the State falls way below standard every day, the northside TD said.

They only do it when theyve been boxed into a corner and have no alternative but to fess up.

The tenants should note the ministers comments and keep doing what theyre doing, that is, increase the pressure, Mr Barry said.

Speaking at Mondays meeting of Cork City Council, the council's assistant chief executive Brian Geaney said a detailed survey and assessment of the Noonans Rd units took place in March.

Mr Geaney denied that the flat complexes have been abandoned by the council, as some tenants have claimed, and said a significant majority of housing maintenance requests had received responses.

A report identifying an "appropriate solution" to the situation is due to be presented to councillors in September.

Mr Geaney added that council staff would see what works could be done ahead of September saying these works might include weeding, cleaning works and improving the public realm.
A 74-year-old man will go on trial on Thursday accused of murdering a woman whose body was found in a wooded area in Cork 42 years ago.

Noel Long with an address at Maulbawn, Passage West, Co Cork was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court this afternoon.

Mr Long is charged with murdering 54-year-old Nora Sheehan between June 6 and June 12, 1981, at an unknown place within the State. Her body was found by forestry workers at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods in Cork six days after she went missing.

When the registrar read the indictment to the accused man and asked him how he was pleading, he replied: "Not guilty".

Mr Justice Paul McDermott swore in a jury of eight men and four women to hear the trial, which will begin before him on Thursday morning and is expected to last four weeks.

The prosecution case is being led by senior counsel Brendan Grehan, while Michael Delaney SC is heading up the defence team.

Addressing the jury panel, Mr Justice McDermott said the murder is alleged to have occurred in Cork and that the majority of the witnesses who will be called to give evidence are from Cork or the Munster area.

He said some witnesses such as forensic scientists are based in Dublin and there will also be a large number of Garda witnesses from Cork including a number of retired members of An Garda Siochana.

The judge said the former address of the late Ms Sheehan was Ballyphehane in Cork. He said Mr Long's former address was in Bishopstown and he now resides in Passage West.

Mr Justice McDermott warned the jury panel their role was to judge the facts of the case and to do that they must have no knowledge of those involved in the case or events said to relate to the alleged offence.

He added:

"This case involves an alleged murder, it is important to bear in mind that cases of this kind sometimes receive media coverage and have done so in the past and it may be the case in this case."

In that context, the judge asked the jury panel not to have any regard to what may have been reported about the case elsewhere and not to go looking for information online either. "It [the case] is tried and determined in accordance with what you hear in court and nothing else, I want to emphasise that," he continued.

"If having heard or seen coverage of this case and you feel by reason of that that you can't bring an independent mind to bear on the allegation in this case then you should not serve  it is very important we have a jury of independent people who bring judgment to bear without preconception," he said.

The judge later stressed to the selected 12 jurors they should only be concerned with what they hear from within the "four walls of this court" and not what they hear from anywhere else.
A MEMBER of Cork City Council has said that 30 years on from the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland, LGBTQ+ people in Cork are under sustained attack, and council staff are being harassed in their workplaces.

Labour Party councillor John Maher tabled a motion at Mondays meeting of Cork City Council asking that the council reaffirms its ongoing support and solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in Cork City and with all workers who have endured bullying and harassment from a vocal minority.

Mr Mahers motion, which received unanimous support, comes in the wake of an ongoing series of incidents in which city librarians have been harassed by far-right protesters objecting to LGBTQ+ books they term pornographic.

Mr Maher said the abuse meted out against librarians had been replicated in recent months in similar attacks against members of the LGBTQ+ community, bookshop workers, pharmacy staff, members of An Garda Siochana, and politicians, all of whom, he said, had been harassed, abused, and recorded without their consent.

People have been called groomer, disgusting, and paedophile, and while many will say that I should not repeat the stuff said, I think we must hear it and be awake to the attacks, he said.

I am very proud of our city, but the reality now is that many dont feel safe, and this is something we must acknowledge and address.

Co-founder of Trans+ Pride Cork, Saoirse Mackin, echoed these sentiments.

Over the [last] year or more, there has been an increase in attacks on LGBT+ people in general, but in particular trans people in the city, she said.

I personally know a few people who have been attacked over the past year, more so than I would have over the past few years.

Hate crime is on the rise in Ireland and across the world, and people do not feel as safe in the city as before.

Gay Projects Ailsa Spindler also said people in the LGBTQ+ community have become more fearful.

I would say there has been a national increase in not only the things we heard about, like the comments and incidents, but the fear that people feel, said Ms Spindler.

She also praised Mr Maher on his motion.

I think people like Councillor John Maher give us hope that the world is becoming a better place, she said.
GROWING up in front of a television set, there were two catch cries in our house; the news and cartoons.

The latter were a welcome respite for the young ones, a much appreciated alternative to the serious stuff.

From Tom and Jerry to The Flintstones, cartoons were great fun and a reliable way of placating a truculent child. The news, on the other hand, was for our parents.

Instead of todays hourly bulletins and lots of choice when it comes to sources of news consumption, RTE was the only source, more or less revered going back to the 60s, 70s and 80s.

I recall awful scenes on the news from the north as the Troubles raged. As a kid, I was scared of Ian Paisley and would regularly say that for as long as he was alive, there would never be peace in the north. He had bogeyman status in my world. I thought he was the most unreasonable, cross and miserable piece of work to ever grace the screen of our TV. Who knew that hed cosy up to Martin McGuinness in his later years, mollified and easier to take?

These days, I catch the news whenever it suits me, on the go via my phone, in front of a laptop or TV. What used to be that sacred time  9pm for the RTE news  is no longer loaded with significance.

As kids, we had to keep quiet while the likes of Charles Mitchell (Im really ageing myself here) recounted the days news with immense gravity. Or, as we saw it, he droned on about tedious adult stuff like politics.

God, it was so boring for kids.

With maturity comes a desire to keep abreast of the news. But worryingly, according to the 2023 Digital News Report from Reuters, which surveys people from all over the world, the proportion of news consumers that avoid news remains close to all-time highs at 36% across markets.

There are those who try to periodically avoid all sources of news and then there are people trying to specifically restrict their news usage at particular times or for certain topics.

Thats not exactly going to keep the public informed of all thats happening in the world, both at home and abroad.

And who can blame folk for wanting to keep the news at a distance? Because its nearly always bad; whether its the latest update on climate change, the war in Ukraine, the cost-of-living crisis, the lack of affordable housing in this country  oh, and the story that keeps on giving - RTEs flagrant and wasteful spending of taxpayers money.

Irish people are still interested in the news, according to the report. But thats on the decline. Just over half (52%) of those surveyed said they were very or extremely interested in news  a drop from 70% in 2021. But that years figure was unusually high given the enormous interest in Covid. We lapped up the statistics and instructions on how to live from the media.

Some 69% of Irish people aged 65-plus said they are very or extremely interested in news. However, our young folk do not share this curiosity. In 2016, 53% of 18-24 year olds said they were very or extremely interested in news. This year, that figure has dropped dramatically to just 28%.

Social media is the source of news for 39% of young people. Hardly reliable, you might say.

Irish people are increasingly worried about fake news, misinformation and disinformation. Developments in AI make it more difficult to distinguish between whats real and what is fabricated. But theres reasonably welcome news for traditional news producers in this country. When it comes to trusting the news most of the time, 47% go along with that.

Obviously, the survey was carried out before the scandalous revelations from RTE. It found that the national broadcaster was the most trusted service at 71%.

What would be the response of people surveyed today?

RTE has a lot of work to do to win back the publics trust. Some say its a busted flush. But its too big to fail. However, while clearly it speaks to an older demographic, surely RTE should be trying to win over young people  tomorrows potential audience?

News avoiders, who tend to be young, are more likely to say theyre interested in positive or solutions-based journalism and less interested in the news of the day.

Its an area RTE could well tap into, looking at stories that affect the younger demographic such as housing and alternatives to the traditional heavily mortgaged semi-d.

Theres a wealth of stories out there that would appeal to the 18-24 demographic. RTE needs to be more engaged and farseeing if its to grow audiences of the future.
Vivienne Clarke

A Fianna Fail TD has said he believes Ryan Tubridy came out better than he went into the Public Accounts Committee meeting on Tuesday.

In two extraordinary committee appearances on Tuesday, Tubridy said he had been publicly cancelled and it was touch and go whether he would be allowed to return to his weekly radio programme.

The former Late Late Show presenter said he wants to return to RTE radio as soon as possible because its all Ive got.

If I do go back to RTE, which I hope to, itll be a whole new world order, Tubridy said in his closing remarks.

RTE has been mired in controversy since it emerged last month that it under-reported fees paid to Tubridy and failed to correctly disclose 345,000 of payments to him between 2017 and 2022.

James OConnor, who is a member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), said many of the documents released by Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly in advance of the meeting had improved his standing.

However, Mr O'Connor told Newstalk radio that was not happy that the 39 pages of documents had been provided to the committee members just 90 minutes before the meeting.

The documents had revealed emails between Mr Kelly and RTE which indicated that previous testimony to the PAC by RTE representatives had been misleading. There remained many questions for RTE to answer, particularly Dee Forbes and Breda OKeefe, he added.

Mr OConnor did have concerns about the claim that Renault had in previous years paid Tubridy in advance for events that had not yet been held. Thats hard to understand. I would take that with a pinch of salt.

It was highly unusual for someone to be paid two years in advance. What would happen now that Tubridy no longer worked on the Late Late Show, would he have to pay that money back, he asked.

RTEs new director general Kevin Bakhurst now had a golden ticket and had the opportunity to reform the station from the top to the bottom. This is a clean slate, Mr O'Connor said.

Questions 'left hanging'

However, Fine Gael TD Ciaran Cannon repeated his unhappiness with evidence presented to the PAC on Tuesday.

Mr Cannon told RTE's Morning Ireland that after six hours of questioning on Tuesday, there were still many questions left hanging in the air and that was most unfortunate.

One of the issues that I repeatedly raised with Mr Kelly was that he stated at the very beginning of his contributions that he had no reason to suspect that RTE might be trying to hide payments to Ryan Tubridy.

Noel Kelly is a vastly experienced director of a very successful company. He has spent 23 years negotiating with RTE, and somebody presented him with a demand, as he described it, for an invoice that it was to be made out to a company he had never heard of, is not to mention Ryan Tubridys name in any shape or form, and is to be made in payment for consultancy services that were never provided.

Now, if I had been Noel Kelly and I was deeply concerned, as he should be, about damaging the reputation of Ryan Tubridy, if details of this ever emerged, that would have set off huge alarm bells in my head. I would have asked serious questions of who is this company? Why am I making out an invoice for services that were never delivered and why am I leaving Ryan Tubridys name off this.

Mr Cannon said he believed Noel Kelly had a serious responsibility to protect the reputation of his client and he had fallen down in that regard. The PAC meeting had been an opportunity for him to begin to restore public trust in Tubridy as a person of integrity and trustworthiness, something that I believe he ultimately is, but through the actions of Noel Kelly, we remain in the fog.

We remain in the fog, remain confused, and ultimately we remain deeply concerned.

Mr Cannon pointed out the discrepancy between Mr Kellys response in the Grant Thornton report and his comments to the PAC. Either his account to Grant Thornton was inaccurate or his account to the PAC was inaccurate.

The two simply don't stand.

Mr Cannon said the evidence by RTE representatives had also been contradicted by Noel Kelly and Ryan Tubridy.

We are deeply concerned, as we should be, about the future of public service broadcasting in this country. It's something that is, I have to say, immensely precious to me.

This institution is so, so important to us as a democracy. It really beggars belief that we've had hours and hours and hours of testimony now. And I as a public representative representing license payers and taxpayers simply can't stand up and say, hand on heart. I trust everything I'm hearing here.

'Line will have to be drawn'

Meanwhile, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said that she does not know for how long the Oireachtas committees will continue their inquiries into the controversy, but that at some point a line will have to be drawn.

Ms McEntee told RTE radios Today with Claire Byrne that the information presented to the Oireachtas committees was put together and made public so that everybody could see what had happened.

There were a number of strands to the issue, she said. It was important that as a publicly funded body RTE was held accountable, but it was also important that all the facts be made public.

Separately there was a process whereby Minister for Media Catherine Martin was seeking a forensic review looking at the accounts again to make sure that all of the facts are there, that they're clear.

She said the new director general Kevin Bakhurst needed to be given time to take all the information that had been gathered and to make sure that trust was rebuilt in RTE.

Ms McEntee said she had not heard any of the evidence presented to the committees. Of course I've read and while I haven't been able to see in real time, I've read what has happened.

Both committees now had to present their reports so that all the information could be analysed along with the forensic review, she added.

When asked if she thought Ryan Tubridy should be back on air, Ms McEntee said: Personally, I don't think it's for me to decide or to dictate who should or should not be on air.

I think that's a matter for the director general and the RTE authority, and I know that he is obviously going to be taking into account all of the situations that have arisen, all of the information that he has, and then that decision will be made. So I really don't think it's appropriate for me as a government minister to dictate who should or should not be on our radio.

Tubridy back on air

Earlier, Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe said it was not his business or that of any politician to comment on whether Tubridy should return to on air duties at RTE.

That was a line no politician should cross, he told Newstalk.

When asked if the Government would be providing more funding to RTE, Mr Donohoe said he would not be indicating what the Government response would be.

He said the new director general had to face three key issues: the implementation of a transparent pay policy within the station, a register of interest and the funding of RTE.

What had really happened within RTE would have to be determined by a forensic accountant as really serious issues had arisen and people were annoyed about what had happened, Mr Donohoe said.

But it was important to have a sense of proportionality and balance during the inquiries, he warned.

On the issue of the TV licence and reports that Minister for Media Catherine Martin would not be advising people to pay their licence fee, Mr Donohoe said there was no stronger advocate for RTE and public service broadcasting than Ms Martin.

He said having a TV licence was the law and it was important to support public service broadcasting as it had a vital role to play.
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.

Native to England, Wales and Scotland, the Eurasian beaver was hunted to extinction in the 16th century, according to The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. But they have been slowly returning to England and conservationists say they are now being reintroduced to the Nene Wetlands nature reserve in Northamptonshire, England, for the first time in 400 years.

Beavers gnawing behavior has a positive impact on their environment. By cutting back tree stems, homes for birds and insects are created from the regrowth.

This is an exciting and unique opportunity to see this iconic species return to the Nene Valley, bringing back both its natural habitat restoration skills as well as providing an opportunity for the visitors to see beavers in the wild at our most visited reserve, said Matt Johnson, Wildlife Trust in Northamptonshire conservation manager, in a press release from the Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs & Northants.

Conservationists are counting on the beavers being released in Nene to help manage its wet woodland habitat. They will help with the restoration of reedbeds in an enclosed area by Delta Pit. Their wetland work will be beneficial to a variety of species, as well as offer visitors the chance to observe them through the Rushden Lakes visitor center.

We know that nature is critical for our wellbeing and for a secure future, and urgent action is needed to tackle the decline in nature and biodiversity, said Mike Thomas, regional asset director of the Crown Estate, in the press release.

A feasibility study was successfully completed, and a license was procured by Natural England for the release of the beavers, which will be reintroduced to the wetlands next winter.

Beavers werent officially recognized as an English native species until October of 2022, when they also became a European protected species. Various Wildlife Trusts around England have been implementing beaver release programs, as they have been found to have a significant positive impact on wetlands as a keystone species.

Known as eco-engineers, beavers will be able to help with removing the growth of willows around lake edges at Delta Pit to the extent that not as much site management will be required. Their foraging will also diversify marginal vegetation. The restructuring by the beavers will not only benefit birds, but other species like bats and invertebrates.

Beavers only dine on plants, and love the non-native invasive species called Himalayan balsam that can interfere with the growth of native wildflowers, another added benefit to having them in the wetlands ecosystem.

The release of the beavers into the Nene Wetlands will be the first time beavers have been released onto Crown Estate land.

These will be the first beavers to be reintroduced on our land and we are looking forward to welcoming them into our community, Thomas said in the press release.
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.

Otters in the forest at Angkor Park in Cambodia on July 6, 2022. Decades after poachers hunted nearly all wildlife that lived in the forests near Cambodia's world heritage listed Angkor Wat temple, a conservation program has helped bring them back. TANG CHHIN SOTHY / AFP via Getty Images

A new study by scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS), Durham University and Princeton University asserts that bolstering the protections of current conservation areas is as important for keeping biodiversity intact as establishing new protected areas, a press release from Durham University said.

The researchers found that, of the approximately 5,000 species studied, about 70 percent of them are either completely unrepresented in protected areas; are found in protected areas that have been downsized, downgraded or have lost their official status  known as PADDD events; or would be particularly at risk of extinction if land use were to shift in the future.

However, the team found that, by strengthening the protections that already exist in conservation areas, and enlarging current park networks across one percent of the land on Earth, crucial habitats for 1,191 wildlife species that are at a heightened risk of extinction can be protected.

We looked at ~5000 species of terrestrial vertebrates and mapped out where their suitable habitats occur across the world. We find that of these species, 1463 species have less than 10% of their habitats currently in protected areas (which we feel is insufficient representation in protected areas), 2308 species have at least 100 hectares of their habitats falling within parks with documented PADDD events (which means some or all of their nominally protected habitat is not actually being protected), and 407 species have not been affected by PADDD events but are reliant on parks that might experience increased land use change in the future (that is, they occur in parks that are likely to experience degradation in the future), lead author of the study Dr. Yiwen Zeng of NUS told EcoWatch in an email.

The study, Gaps and weaknesses in the global protected area network for safeguarding at-risk species, was published in the journal Science Advances.

When a government decides to take away some of the legal protections for a park and it is downgraded, downsized or degazetted, it can become more vulnerable to potentially damaging human activities. These can include mining, forest clearing for the expansion of infrastructure and other destructive actions.

A majority of PADDD events globally are linked to industrial-scale resource extraction or development. In some cases, PADDD events are not necessarily harmful to biodiversity  for example, when countries restore land rights to displaced Indigenous people by giving them control over protected areas. But certainly in those cases where a protected area is downgraded in status or degazetted in order to make way for logging, mining, and other harmful extractive activities, biodiversity will be harmed, Zeng told EcoWatch.

The study found that PADDD events have occurred on more than 687 million acres of parks as of 2021.

One example is the habitat of Cambodias critically endangered frog Megophrys damrei. The protected habitat sits within a national park, but is experiencing ongoing habitat loss and degradation.

Unfortunately, across the world, nations are not doing an adequate job of protecting their parks, which leaves those special places open to habitat destruction. And in many cases, countries are downgrading the protected status they have given to parks. So, as a result, lots of sensitive species suffer, Zeng told EcoWatch.

The researchers found that if another 127 square miles of wild spaces in Indonesia were given protection, suitable habitats for 53 additional species that currently have limited, unprotected habitat could be preserved, the press release said.

The critically endangered songbird Sangihe golden bulbul is found in just one place on Earth: Sangihe Island in Indonesia. The entire population is estimated to be from 50 to 230 individuals living in one unprotected area. There have not been any of the birds documented on plantations, which suggests it only thrives in intact forests, meaning enhanced conservation would benefit the species.

There are many wonderful examples in conservation of people fighting to protect species, but there is always a risk that when you take your eye off the ball, pressure builds, and hard-won protection is lost, said Dr. Rebecca Senior of Durham University in the press release. Designating parks on paper is not enough; they need to be in the right places, with the right management, and they need to last.

It is a make or break time in human history to create and preserve protected areas in order to safeguard the worlds biodiversity.

This study establishes a geography of arks: Where new parks can be created, and where to restore and reinforce existing parks, to boost wildlife conservation, Zeng said in the press release. Many global discussions on conservation rightfully center around the need to create new protected areas. These include discussions at the COP15 United Nations biodiversity conference in December 2022, where a target to protect 30% of the planets lands and seas was adopted. But our study also shows the importance of ensuring that protected areas remain effective at keeping out harmful human activity.

So how would the expansion of park networks across only one percent of Earths land mass lead to the protection of essential habitats for nearly 1,200 species that are at risk of extinction?

This can be achieved if the expansion and strengthening of park networks is done in key locations. These are locations that target places where the largest number of potentially vulnerable species occur. Note, however, that we are absolutely not saying that the worlds protected areas should be expanded by only 1%. For many reasons, we are big supporters of the 3030 idea, Zeng told EcoWatch.

What parts of the world contain the most potentially effective conservation areas that are not yet protected in terms of number of species?

There are critical areas for biodiversity around the world that need protection. Its not as though one continent or one country holds all or most of these places. Having said that, though, we can single out a few nations that can greatly contribute to saving the worlds biodiversity by protecting key places. These include Madagascar, Malaysia and Peru just to name a few examples, Zeng said.

There are actions individuals can take to help strengthen the protection of existing parks, Zeng told EcoWatch.

People need to let their political leaders know that they care about biodiversity and want to see more wild places protected to save species, sustain healthy ecosystems, and provide opportunities for people to connect with nature. And, of course, they can show their support for parks by visiting them and enjoying all they have to offer, just so long as they do so in accordance with park rules, Zeng told EcoWatch.

Zeng emphasized that the bottom line is that effectively managed parks are essential to the planets biodiversity.

There [have] been a lot of promising developments with the signing and adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This gives us a target and guide towards increasing biodiversity conservation efforts worldwide, but of course this needs to be backed up by action and proper financing as well. What is clear, though, is that parks need to be protected, and if they are not, they will be damaged or destroyed, and biodiversity will suffer, Zeng said.
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.

A puddle of water amid the nearly dried-up river bed of the Rhine in Cologne, western Germany, during a heatwave on July 18, 2022. INA FASSBENDER / AFP via Getty Images

Following a tense debate, the European Parliament has voted in favor of a Nature Restoration Law that establishes legally binding targets to restore degraded natural areas in the European Union (EU). It is the first major piece of legislation to protect biodiversity in the EU in 30 years.

Members of Parliament (MEPs) said the restoration measures must cover at least one-fifth of the land and sea areas in the EU and be in place by 2030, a press release from the European Parliament said.

The Nature Restoration Law is an essential piece of the European Green Deal and follows the scientific consensus and recommendations to restore Europes ecosystems. Farmers and fishers will benefit from it and it ensures a habitable earth for future generations, said MEP Cesar Luena, a Spanish politician who was one of the biggest champions of the measure, in the press release.

The bill passed 336 to 300, with 13 abstentions, and will now pass to a committee of European representatives, reported The New York Times.

Restoring ecosystems is essential to battling biodiversity loss and climate change, as well as reducing risks posed to food security, MEPs emphasized. They added that the new law does not interfere with the creation of renewable energy infrastructure, and does not require new protected areas to be created in the EU.

With more than 80 percent of European habitats suffering, the continent was in desperate need of a binding law to restore the continents wild spaces.

European nature is in a dire state, but this vote shows that there is still hope to restore and grow whats left, said Spela Bandelj, project manager for Greenpeace Central and Eastern Europe Biodiversity, in a press release from Greenpeace. So far governments and the EU have failed to act. The nature restoration law is a clear benchmark to judge them on their actions on the ground.

Parliament said the new law must support international commitments by the EU, especially the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity framework, which was adopted at the 15th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in 2022.

Its a huge social victory, Luena said, as The New York Times reported. Its good for everybody. Because if you have healthy ecosystems, then the economic systems which depend on these ecosystems are going to be healthy themselves.

Before the law can take hold, EU countries must quantify the restoration area needed to achieve restoration goals for each type of habitat, and the European Commission must provide data on the conditions needed for long-term food security.

The possibility of restoration law targets being postponed in the event of exceptional socioeconomic circumstances was held open by Parliament.

Within a year of the law coming into force, assessments of any gap between available EU funding and the financial needs of restoration would have to be assessed by the Commission, and funds to make up the difference would need to be found.

The Commission has said that, for each euro invested in the new legislation, benefits of at least eight euros would be reaped.

Parliament will now begin negotiations on the final draft of the Nature Restoration Law.

Our position adopted today sends a clear message. Now we must continue the good work, defend our ground during the negotiations with member states and reach an agreement before the end of this Parliaments mandate to pass the first regulation on nature restoration in the EUs history, Luena said in the press release.




China bans import of swine from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia to prevent ASF risk

China's General Administration of Customs (GAC) and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs have jointly issued documents announcing a ban on the import of swine and related products from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Croatia to mitigate the risks of African swine fever (ASF), Global Times reported.

The GAC said BiH reported a case of ASF to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on June 22. The case was discovered on June 21 in a farm located in the northern part of the country.

Likewise, Croatia reported two cases of ASF to WOAH on June 27. These cases were identified in farms within the Vukovarsko-Srijemska County on June 23.

In order to safeguard the domestic animal husbandry industry and prevent the spread of African swine fever, the GAC has implemented a ban on the import of swine, wild boars, and related products from these two countries to China. The ban will take effect from July 6.

In accordance with the applicable quarantine regulations and laws, any imported swine and related products from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia that are discovered will either be returned or disposed of under the strict supervision of customs officers.

- Global Times
China calls for early release of investigation results on Nord Stream blasts

Xinhua) 15:43, July 12, 2023

UNITED NATIONS, July 11 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for an early release of the results of a country-specific investigation into the Nord Stream gas pipeline explosion that happened nearly 10 months ago.

According to Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, the nations involved have been looking into the Nord Stream pipeline blasts for a while, but no definitive statement has been released.

"The longer the delay, the more difficult it will be to collect evidence and find the truth, the more doubts and speculations will occur, and the less credible the results of the investigations will be," he told a Security Council briefing on the Nord Stream issue.

China believes that the best way to respond to the concerns of the international community is to announce the results of the investigation as soon as possible, he added.

The Nord Stream pipeline explosions occurred against the backdrop of the Ukraine crisis, Geng said, noting that the parties concerned have made very different analyses and interpretations in the wake of the incident. "We call on all parties not to politicize investigations and not use it as an opportunity for political manipulation," he said.

Geng stressed that Russia is one of the main parties involved in the incident. Any objective and impartial investigation requires communication and cooperation with Russia.

The envoy reiterated China's call for an early clarification of the facts surrounding the explosion and for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. Geng said China favors the UN Secretariat providing more helpful information and the Security Council staying updated on the issue.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
More carriage driving opportunities for Manx residents

Manx Lottery Trust has awarded funding to Manx Carriage Driving 4 Disabled (MCD4D) so it can extend its services and provide more drives to deserving residents.

The grants, which total 26,250, will enable MCD4D to offer more driving opportunities on more days per week, so more members, and new members, can enjoy and obtain lasting benefits from carriage driving.

MCD4D offer equestrian services for people with limiting disabilities to enjoy carriage driving.

Part of the funding has also been used to purchase, and care for a strong pony, needed to pull a carriage with pneumatic tyres. Drivers will then experience a smoother ride, which is particularly important for those restricted in movement and with mobility issues.
Elon Musks new AI company aims to understand the true nature of the universe The team will be holding a Twitter Spaces chat on Friday.

Elon Musk has a new AI company. A website has appeared for xAI, which will embark on the self-described mission to understand the true nature of the universe. The announcement comes after filing documents revealed the existence of a company called X.AI Corp earlier this year. Musk also said in an April interview that he wanted to start a venture for maximum truth-seeking AI that tries to understand the nature of the universe that hopefully does more good than harm.

Not much else is known yet about Musks latest venture. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO and Twitter Chairman tweeted today, Announcing formation of @xAI to understand reality. The company webpage notes that the team will host a Twitter Spaces chat on Friday, July 14th.

Announcing formation of @xAI to understand reality  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 12, 2023

Musks previous comments about an AI startup suggested he wanted a third option to challenge ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and Google. He reportedly bought thousands of GPUs earlier this year for a Twitter-related AI project. It isnt yet clear whether the two projects are related.

The website lists veterans of DeepMind, OpenAI, Google Research, Microsoft Research, Tesla and the University of Toronto as working on the project. Collectively we contributed some of the most widely used methods in the field, in particular the Adam optimizer, Batch Normalization, Layer Normalization, and the discovery of adversarial examples, the xAI website reads. We further introduced innovative techniques and analyses such as Transformer-XL, Autoformalization, the Memorizing Transformer, Batch Size Scaling, and Transfer. We have worked on and led the development of some of the largest breakthroughs in the field including AlphaStar, AlphaCode, Inception, Minerva, GPT-3.5, and GPT-4.

In addition to Musk, the listed team members include Igor Babuschkin, Manuel Kroiss, Yuhuai (Tony) Wu, Christian Szegedy, Jimmy Ba, Toby Pohlen, Ross Nordeen, Kyle Kosic, Greg Yang, Guodong Zhang and Zihang Dai.
FTC appeals ruling that would have let Microsofts Activision takeover move forward The fight's not over yet.

The Federal Trade Commission isn't giving up on its attempt to halt Microsoft's pending $68.7 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard. The agency said in a filing it's appealing Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley's denial of its request for a preliminary injunction to temporarily stop the deal from going through.

The FTC has sued to prevent the merger from happening over antitrust concerns. An administrative trial is set to start in August, but the companies have a merger deadline of July 18th. The agency was concerned Microsoft and Activision would close their deal by then despite a UK regulator blocking the deal in that country.

Bloomberg first reported that the agency was considering an appeal against Corley's decision. The FTC told Engadget after Tuesday's ruling that it would announce its "next step to continue our fight to preserve competition and protect consumers" in the following days.

Corley ruled that, unless the FTC obtains an emergency stay from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals by 11:59PM PT on July 14th, a temporary restraining order that's currently preventing Microsoft and Activision from closing the deal will be dissolved. The restraining order was put in place until Corley made a decision on the preliminary injunction.

Meanwhile, after Corley's ruling, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard and the UK's Competition and Markets Authority said they agreed to pause their legal battle and see if they could reach a compromise. The CMA later clarified that although "merging parties dont have the opportunity to put forward new remedies once a final report has been issued, they can choose to restructure a deal." It added that doing so could lead to a fresh merger investigation.

Yesterday the Court ruled our acquisition of Activision Blizzard should proceed, and we oppose any further delay. Our statement on the FTC's decision to appeal: pic.twitter.com/EhdO4OHX9g  Brad Smith (@BradSmi) July 13, 2023

"The District Court's ruling makes crystal clear that this acquisition is good for both competition and consumers," Microsoft president and vice-chair Brad Smith said in a statement posted to Twitter. "We're disappointed that the FTC is continuing to pursue what has become a demonstrably weak case, and we will oppose further efforts to delay the ability to move forward."

"The facts havent changed. Were confident the US will remain among the 39 countries where the merger can close," Activision Blizzard said in a statement to Engadget. "We look forward to reinforcing the strength of our case in court, again.

Update 7/12 9:10PM ET: Added Activision's statement.

Update 7/12 10:19PM ET: Added Brad Smith's statement.
With the arrival of Xiaomi's Mix Fold 2 last August, it was only a matter of time before other brands would catch up with similarly impressive slimness for their next foldable phones. So far this year, we have Huawei's Mate X3 which finally broke Xiaomi's thinness record, followed by Google's Pixel Fold  it's a tad thicker, but at least it's available in western markets. Today, another Chinese brand has beaten Huawei with an even slimmer and lighter foldable phone  the Honor Magic V2. It's the first of its kind to reach a folded thickness of less than 1cm, and it weighs less than some of the top flagship candybars  namely Apple's iPhone 14 Pro Max or Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Specifically, the Magic V2 is 9.9mm and 4.7mm thick when folded and unfolded, respectively. Only the Mate X3 and Mix Fold 2 come close in this aspect. As for weight, the Magic V2 measures just 231g (8.15oz), beating the Oppo Find N2 and Mate X3 by a few grams. As someone who has been using a 262g (9.24oz) Mix Fold 2 for 10 months, I found it surprisingly delightful while fiddling around with Honor's slimmer and lighter foldable.

One of the keys to this form factor breakthrough is Honor's new hinge design, which consists of 3D-printed aerospace-grade titanium parts and proprietary steel bits. Together with the latest flexible OLED panel from China's BOE, the Magic V2 has been certified by TUV Rheinland to last for over 400,000 folds  doubling that of the Pixel Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 4. As a bonus, the hinge lets the phone "hover" in a laptop-like mode, which comes in handy for taking photos, watching videos, listening to music, making video calls and more, thanks to some tweaks in MagicOS 7.2 (based on Android 13).

Gallery: Honor Magic V2 hands-on | 17 Photos































/17 Gallery: Honor Magic V2 hands-on | 17 Photos































/17

Despite the size and weight reduction, the Magic V2 packs a generous 5,000mAh battery capacity, beating that of all existing foldable phones. This is thanks to the new silicon-carbon battery tech, which allows for a significant bump in energy density. These cells support Honor's 66W fast charging, though fans of wireless charging are out of luck here  not a surprise given the ambitious thickness reduction. The company also had to slim down essential components like the vapor cooling chamber, antenna, aluminum mid-frame, fingerprint module, USB-C connector, speakers and more to fit everything together. Much of this was done in Honor's research lab just across the street from the production line in Shenzhen.

The Magic V2 offers a 6.43-inch 2,376 x 1,060 OLED screen on the outside, and its 20:9 aspect ratio is to better mimic the user experience of a conventional smartphone  which is just as well given the thickness and weight achievement here. When unfolded, you'll be greeted by a 7.92-inch 2,344 x 2,156 flexible panel with a near-invisible crease. Both displays have an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz plus HDR10+ support, and yes, you can use a stylus on them, though only the Ultimate Edition in China comes bundled with an active pen. Honor also touted its eye protection measures for both screens on the Magic V2, using features like high-speed 3,840Hz pulse wave modulation dimming technology to reduce eye fatigue, as well as "Circadian Night Display" to help the user sleep better.

Photo by Richard Lai / Engadget

The rest of the Magic V2's core specs are very much on flagship level, featuring Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage, NFC, triple mics, Bluetooth 5.3, infrared remote and more. With the preloaded MagicOS 7.2 (based on Android 13), Honor even promises 50 months of fast performance, as certified by SGS. The only glaring omission on this list of goodies is an ingress protection rating (the Mate X3, Pixel Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 4 all have an IPX8 rating), but Honor assured us that it has applied a P2i nano-coating to the device for basic water resistance.

The cameras are seemingly impressive, too: the rear-facing set consist of a 50-megapixel f/1.9 main camera with optical stabilization, a 50MP f/2.0 ultra-wide camera and a 20-megapixel f/2.4 2.5x zoom camera also with optical stabilization. Both the external and internal displays have a 16-megapixel f/2.2 selfie camera each. Honor said its AI motion sensing feature can help capture constantly moving subjects like kids and pets, but we won't be able to verify this claim until we get to a review unit later.

Photo by Richard Lai / Engadget

The Honor Magic V2 is now up for pre-orders in China, with color options including black (with a vegan leather back), gold, silk purple, and silk black (with "silk" referring to the frosted glass back), with prices starting from 8,999 yuan (about $1,250) for the 256GB version, 9,999 yuan ($1,390) for double the storage, and maxing out at 11,999 yuan ($1,670) for the 1TB Ultimate Edition.

Even though the demo units I played with at Honor's headquarters had Google services pre-installed, the company was hesitant on confirming a possible global rollout. Perhaps we will hear more at IFA come September, otherwise I'm sure the enthusiasts will already know how to grab one from China, anyway. Meanwhile, the pressure is on Samsung to come up with foldables of matching qualities later this month.

All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices are correct at the time of publishing.
The Morning After: Nothings Phone 2 is coming to the US for $599 The see-through smartphone gets some upgrades but keeps the unique design.

If youre looking for a phone a little more unique than just another iPhone or Galaxy, Nothing is happy to oblige. With its second phone, its finally launching in the US. This time, its a flagship device, with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, bigger screen and better cameras. The Nothing Phone 2 has updated 50MP primary and ultra-wide rear cams, with 2X super-res digital zoom and object tracking.

Nothing

Nothing is playing to its custom-software strengths, with deeper customization in its low-key dot-matrix fonts and design. There are more advanced widgets, like shortcuts to quick settings, and a new array of custom color themes to stretch you beyond white, black and red. You can also set up an essential app that lights up a region of the phones glyph lighting on the back when it has notifications. This means you could prioritize WhatsApp or text messages with a special visual flourish, separate from all the other smartphone notifications.

Despite those upgrades, the Nothing Phone 2 will be a competitive $599 when it arrives in the US on July 17th at 4 AM ET. Expect to hear our impressions very soon.

 Mat Smith



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A judge has rejected the FTCs injunction.

A judge has rejected the Federal Trade Commission's request for a preliminary injunction to prevent Microsoft from buying Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion. Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley wrote the acquisition "has been described as the largest in tech history," and it deserved to be scrutinized. She noted Microsoft's commitment to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation and deals the company has to bring its games and Activision Blizzard titles to Nintendo Switch and cloud gaming services. Later yesterday, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it has also agreed to take a break from its legal battle to negotiate a compromise that could allow the deal to move forward. It might finally all happen.

Continue reading

You will never ever have the chance to acquire again.

The first Rolls-Royce EV, the Spectre, is going on sale soon at a cool $425,000  and at that price, purchasing slots will be limited, to say the least. But any buyers planning to flip one for a quick profit may want to think twice. CEO Torsten Muller-Otvos said the company will ban for life anyone attempting to resell their Spectre for profit. Its not the first to make a move like this. Last year, GM said it would ban buyers from flipping Hummer EVs, Corvette Z06s and other vehicles within 12 months, under the threat of limiting the transferability of certain warranties.

Continue reading.

Its even larger than the company's highest-end OLED models.

Samsung has introduced an 83-inch model to its relatively affordable S90C series. The 4K screen shares the smaller models' 144Hz QD-OLED panel technology, AI-powered HDR mapping, Dolby Atmos support and soundbar syncing. The 83-inch S90C will be available for $5,400 (affordable?). That's a lot more than the 77-inch TV's $3,600 price. However, there's no high-end S95C equivalent of this 83-inch size  at least not yet.

Continue reading.

It wants other companies to make them instead.

Intel is bowing out of its own mini PCs. The chip designer has confirmed it's ending its "direct investment" in its Next Unit of Compute (NUC) business. Instead, the company plans to help partners to create NUCs in its stead. The company doesn't explain why it's ending production of first-party NUC machines, but its likely because of the bleak computer market, prompted by both a rough economy and the early pandemic surge in sales.

Continue reading.

Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace will modify their designs for new purposes.

NASA

In 2022, NASA chose Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace to develop next-gen spacesuits to finally replace the decades-old gear astronauts are still using. Now, the space agency has expanded its existing contracts and is giving them $5 million apiece to design and develop new spacesuits not included in the original orders. Axiom unveiled a prototype for its original order in March, showcasing a suit with joints, which allow wearers to move around with ease, and a helmet equipped with a light and an HD camera.

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Internacional

Argelia afirma que el reconocimiento de Israel a la soberania marroqui en el Sahara viola las leyes internacionales
The volcanic eruption in Iceland close to the capital Reykjavik is slowing, experts said, adding that residents should still keep clear of the volcano which has been spewing out toxic gas.
A Ukrainian flag from the frontline of the war with Russia was delivered by activists and raised during a ceremony in Vilnius, Lithuania, on the sidelines of the NATO leaders summit.
Ukraine to join NATO when 'conditions are met'

NATO will extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the military alliance when members agree and conditions are met, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told a news conference.
Wednesday, July 12, 2023

My wife and I often watch the nightly television news together. We see the frequent reports of young men and women from poor countries drowning in the Mediterranean Sea in their desperate attempts to reach Europe, South Americans fleeing gang violence and poverty in their home countries to seek shelter and economic opportunities in America, and Black youth in Americas inner cities facing similarly dire conditions in their daily lives. With this endless stream of heartbreaking stories, we are constantly reminded of the extremely high levels of suffering in the world.

These global problems are so massive in scale that just thinking about them can be quite overwhelming. Although I am realistic enough to know that no individual or country could ever have enough power and resources to change the world into what it should ideally be, my wifes default reaction to every single one of the human tragedies we hear about has given me food for thought. I have become convinced that the kind of empathy she shows could be a crucial key to unlocking some of the solutions that are so critically needed. That is, if more of us conditioned ourselves to always think in such compassionate terms.

Our son turned 21 this spring. Throughout his teenage years, whenever my wife heard about a young man in any type of distress, or one who died tragically, whether at the hands of the police or through gang violence, out of her mouth came the following words: This could easily be my son. I cant imagine what this young mans family must be going through now. Her anxiety has only heightened, now that our son is in college and outside her immediate zone of protection.

After hearing my wifes words of empathy hundreds of times over the last several years, I began to wonder: What if all of us used them to guide our everyday decisions and actions?

At the root of much of human suffering are the twin evils of greed and corruption. A recent newspaper reportindicated that in the U.S., unscrupulous people stole as much as $280 billion of the COVID-19 relief funding provided by the government. While none of us can claim to be saints, there are some sins that anyone with any iota of decency must know not to commit. At a time when thousands of people were dying every day, often alone, and millions of others had either lost their jobs or been forced to shut down their businesses, it is mindboggling that these fraudsters saw nothing wrong with depriving their needy compatriots of the resources the government had provided to support them.

In every country from which desperate people flee, greed and corruption are the dominant factors that cause economic collapse, breakdown of security, and the general dysfunction that make those places unlivable. Ironically, in almost every society, the people who steal on such a massive scale tend to be those who already have the means to live relatively comfortably. They forgetor dont carethat their excessive grabbing of resources robs other people of the opportunity to have any life at all.

In 2019, widespread frustration with entrenched corruption was what led ordinary Ukrainians to vote out the oligarchs who had ruled the country since its independence in 1991. Ukrainians elected Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a comedian with no political experience, as president. Zelenskyys main campaign promise was to root out corruption from Ukrainian society. In his inaugural address as president, he asked members of his new administration and the civil service not to hang his portrait on their office walls. Instead, he said: Hang pictures of your children. And before you make any decision, look into their eyes.

That was a profound statement of empathy. President Zelenskyy essentially asked his government officials to keep in mind that their own children could, potentially, be the victims of any adverse effects of bad decisions they made. The world would be a much better place if people in positions of power everywhere made this a guiding principle.

Biological impulses work the same in all humans, whether we are rich or poor, powerful or powerless. Poor and powerless people love their children as intensely as the rich and powerful do theirs. As we all go about our daily lives, our thoughts and actions should constantly be guided by the fact that there are no guarantees in life. Any of us might be at the top today, but we could easily slip and fall down the ladder tomorrow. Or, any one of us could be here today but gone forever tomorrow. And then, our sons and daughters would be at the mercy of the world. Other peoples greed and corruption could end up making our beloved but vulnerable childrens lives utterly miserable.

These thoughts should motivate each of us to be a little less greedy and corrupt. We should all learn to think like protective mothers.
Diabetes Health

The Big Picture: Dr. Shelandra Bell says, "The American Society of Anesthesiologists has a very important recommendation for you!"

In the news: A new consensus statement from the ASA states that if you're taking Ozempic, Trulicity, and other GLP-1 receptor agonists, it's important that you stop taking them before you have elective surgery.

Their research shows that stopping the medicine, 1-week before surgery could reduce some negative complications that come from anesthesia.

You should know medicines like GLP-1s delay stomach emptying; and, this effect can have negative consequences for you when you're under anesthesia.

The consensus statement provides two levels of stopping.

1 Week before surgery.

1 Day before surgery.

Also, the ASA states that if you're taking GLP-1 medications and you have emergency surgery--then, the surgical team should assume that you have a full stomach of food. As such, the surgical team would invoke separate procedures to ensure that complications remain low.

As you know type 2 diabetes is a huge problem in Montana. Almost 7.8% of you in Yellowstone County have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Keep in mind: You should not take this statement from the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), as a reason to simply stop taking your prescribed GLP-1 medication. Talk to your healthcare team.

What are the 3 common GLP-1 Medications?

Doctors Expert Insights About the Need to Stop Taking GLP-1 Before Surgery & Your Health in Montana

Know this: "Yup, this is a big deal and I'm talking to my patients about this already. During surgery, the stomach needs to be empty. This minimizes the risk of aspiration. Aspiration occurs when stomach contents are regurgitated and then inhaled or aspirated back into the lungs. As you can imagine, if there's a lot of food in the stomach, this aspiration could lead to complications. This includes stuff like aspiration pneumonia, pneumonitis, and even ARDS. In some cases, these can lead to death. Your surgeon will talk to you before your scheduled surgery. Make sure that you're following their directions. And, if for some reason, you haven't complied, please let them know this as well! It could save your life!" Dr. Puja Uppal, Family Medicine.

Next steps to take if you or someone in your life is on GLP-1 medication and is about to get elective surgery: Make sure you read & understand the statement by the ASC and talk to your surgical team. (Visit the Resource Here)

Billings Health Alert

Stop taking Ozempic and other GLP-1 before elective surgery.

The Health Standard Newswire:

Living in Billings, the following diabetes health facts impact your health directly!

Did you know there were 314.0 deaths from diabetes in Montana in 2021?

11.6% of you in Yellowstone County lack health insurance.

27.6% of you in Yellowstone County, have high blood pressure.

11.0% of people living in Yellowstone County state that they're in poor health.

17.6% of you in Yellowstone County smoke.

All of these variables play an important role in diabetes health management.

ASC Statement States:

Health Standard Newswire: ASC. June 2023. Consensus Statement

What they're saying:

"Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk reduction in this cohort (see table). In addition, GLP-1 receptor agonists are also used for weight loss. Several entities have recommended to hold these drugs either the day before or day of the procedure. For patients on weekly dosing, it is recommended to hold the dose for a week." (Statement Source)

"The GLP-1 agonists are associated with adverse gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, vomiting and delayed gastric emptying. The effects on gastric emptying are reported to be reduced with long-term use. This is most likely through rapid tachyphylaxis at the level of vagal nerve activation. Based on recent anecdotal reports, there are concerns that delayed gastric emptying from GLP-1 agonists can increase the risk of regurgitation and pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents during general anesthesia and deep sedation. The presence of adverse gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, abdominal distension) in patients taking GLP-1 agonists are predictive of increased residual gastric contents." (Ibid.)

Sources:

The American Society of Anesthesiologists published the statement: American Society of Anesthesiologists Consensus-Based Guidance on Preoperative Management of Patients (Adults and Children) on Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists (Read it Here)

The Health Standard Newswire
Diabetes Health

The Big Picture: Dr. Shelandra Bell says, "The American Society of Anesthesiologists has a very important recommendation for you!"

In the news: A new consensus statement from the ASA states that if you're taking Ozempic, Trulicity, and other GLP-1 receptor agonists, it's important that you stop taking them before you have elective surgery.

Their research shows that stopping the medicine, 1-week before surgery could reduce some negative complications that come from anesthesia.

You should know medicines like GLP-1s delay stomach emptying; and, this effect can have negative consequences for you when you're under anesthesia.

The consensus statement provides two levels of stopping.

1 Week before surgery.

1 Day before surgery.

Also, the ASA states that if you're taking GLP-1 medications and you have emergency surgery--then, the surgical team should assume that you have a full stomach of food. As such, the surgical team would invoke separate procedures to ensure that complications remain low.

As you know type 2 diabetes is a huge problem in Montana. Almost 7.1% of you in Missoula County have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Keep in mind: You should not take this statement from the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), as a reason to simply stop taking your prescribed GLP-1 medication. Talk to your healthcare team.

What are the 3 common GLP-1 Medications?

Doctors Expert Insights About the Need to Stop Taking GLP-1 Before Surgery & Your Health in Montana

Know this: "Yup, this is a big deal and I'm talking to my patients about this already. During surgery, the stomach needs to be empty. This minimizes the risk of aspiration. Aspiration occurs when stomach contents are regurgitated and then inhaled or aspirated back into the lungs. As you can imagine, if there's a lot of food in the stomach, this aspiration could lead to complications. This includes stuff like aspiration pneumonia, pneumonitis, and even ARDS. In some cases, these can lead to death. Your surgeon will talk to you before your scheduled surgery. Make sure that you're following their directions. And, if for some reason, you haven't complied, please let them know this as well! It could save your life!" Dr. Puja Uppal, Family Medicine.

Next steps to take if you or someone in your life is on GLP-1 medication and is about to get elective surgery: Make sure you read & understand the statement by the ASC and talk to your surgical team. (Visit the Resource Here)

Missoula Health Alert

Stop taking Ozempic and other GLP-1 before elective surgery.

The Health Standard Newswire:

Living in Missoula, the following diabetes health facts impact your health directly!

Did you know there were 314.0 deaths from diabetes in Montana in 2021?

11.1% of you in Missoula County lack health insurance.

23.9% of you in Missoula County, have high blood pressure.

10.2% of people living in Missoula County state that they're in poor health.

14.2% of you in Missoula County smoke.

All of these variables play an important role in diabetes health management.

ASC Statement States:

Health Standard Newswire: ASC. June 2023. Consensus Statement

What they're saying:

"Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk reduction in this cohort (see table). In addition, GLP-1 receptor agonists are also used for weight loss. Several entities have recommended to hold these drugs either the day before or day of the procedure. For patients on weekly dosing, it is recommended to hold the dose for a week." (Statement Source)

"The GLP-1 agonists are associated with adverse gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, vomiting and delayed gastric emptying. The effects on gastric emptying are reported to be reduced with long-term use. This is most likely through rapid tachyphylaxis at the level of vagal nerve activation. Based on recent anecdotal reports, there are concerns that delayed gastric emptying from GLP-1 agonists can increase the risk of regurgitation and pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents during general anesthesia and deep sedation. The presence of adverse gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, abdominal distension) in patients taking GLP-1 agonists are predictive of increased residual gastric contents." (Ibid.)

Sources:

The American Society of Anesthesiologists published the statement: American Society of Anesthesiologists Consensus-Based Guidance on Preoperative Management of Patients (Adults and Children) on Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists (Read it Here)

The Health Standard Newswire
LACROSSE, Wis.  Two local dairy farmers were recognized by the American Jersey Cattle Association last month. David King, of Fremont, Ohio, and Dustin and Carrie Gingerich, of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, were awarded the 2023 Young Jersey Breeder Award on June 21 at the associations annual meeting, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

The Young Jersey Breeder Award is presented to individuals or couples who are at least 28 years old and under the age of 40 on Jan. 1 of the year they were nominated. Recipients merit recognition for their expertise in dairy farming, breeding Jersey cattle, participation in programs of the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc. and leadership in Jersey and other dairy and agriculture organizations, according to an American Jersey Cattle Association press release.

Jed and Laura Barens, of Mount Upton, New York and Michelle Moore, of Frederic, Wisconsin were also recognized with the Young Jersey Breeder Award.

The American Jersey Cattle Association was organized in 1868 to improve and promote the Jersey breed. Since 1957, National All-Jersey Inc. has served Jersey owners by promoting the increased production and sale of Jersey milk and milk products.

David King

David King is a fourth-generation farmer at Jer-Bel Farms in Sandusky County. After graduating from Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute in 2011, he brought his knowledge back to his family farm, where they were milking in a 42-stall tie-stall barn.

Two Lely A4 robots are responsible for milking Kings 380-cow Registered Jersey herd. The robots were added in 2014.

The Jer-Bel herd produced 17,962 pounds of milk, 842 pounds of fat and 656 pounds of protein on average from 167 cows at the end of 2022.

On top of these impressive production numbers, the familys herd has also won awards. There have been 10 cows recognized as Hall of Fame Production cows. These cows have then gone on to have powerful families. One example is Jer-Bel Bancroft Adeline, Excellent-92% who produced 7JE1769 Jer-Bel Maldini Archie. In 2020, Archie was the #1 Genomic Young Sire. To market these animals, the family utilizes IVF. There are currently 10 Jer-Bel bred females part of the Top 1.5% with the highest sitting at the 17th rank.

King grew up as a member of 4-H and FFA and continues his involvement by showing animals at the county, district and state levels. King has also spent his time as an active dairy cattle evaluator. He hosts various dairy judging teams at the farm to help them prepare for their competitions. The family also hosts tourist groups to educate the public on the industry and the daily life of dairy farmers.

Gingerich family

The Gingerich family runs Rocky Ridge Jerseys, a 140-cow farm in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.

Dustin Gingerich graduated high school in 2000 and decided to join his grandfathers farm by milking 26 Jerseys. Dustin and Carrie married three years later, and the couple now has four daughters, Hannah, Abigail, Lydia and Leah. Carrie Gingerich works off-farm as a teacher but helps with the farm chores when she can.

When Dustin Gingerich first joined the farm, the number of cows jumped to 100. The family began renting a larger facility in 2012 as the herd grew. The family now owns their own farm with 140 cows housed in free stalls and milked in a swing-10 parlor.

Overall, 90% of the herd scored Very Good or Excellent. These scores are thanks to Gingerichs sire selection and the use of the Jersey Mating Program. Rocky Ridge Jerseys has brought up five Hall of Fame cows. On top of these high-scored cows, the farms products have also been recognized. One of their more notable awards was a Dairy of Distinction Award in May 2022.
Growers are being urged to send brown rust samples into the UK cereal pathogen virulence survey (UKCPVS) to help investigate a suspected virulence change in its population.

The disease is an Achilles heel of many popular UK wheat varieties, according to the president of the Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC), Patrick Stephenson.

It is now being found on variety Theodore  a hard group 4 wheat with a resistance score of 8  in untreated trials indicating a potential shift in the UK population.

Compounding matters is a warming climate, which is encouraging geographical spread, with Mr Stephenson saying that high levels of late season brown rust are being found much further north following a hot June.

Only 13 samples have been received so far and UKCPVS need more," he explained.

"If you find brown rust, send in a sample so we can get a better handle on whats going on. There is certainly something happening out there,."

While UKCPVS pathologists need disease samples from varieties with high resistance ratings, samples from susceptible varieties are also important, as they offer insight into population diversity.

AICC chairman and prime agriculture agronomist Andrew Blazey, who advises in the east of England, called for the sector to engage with pathogen, weed, and pest monitoring initiatives such as UKCPVS.

Providing samples for researchers investigating how diseases behave on cereal varieties, the herbicide resistance status of grassweeds, or insecticide resistance status of key pests like cereal aphids, are critical, he stressed.

It doesnt take much time to take a sample post it. The results ensure advisers and growers have the most up to date information on managing some of these challenges in UK crops.

When taking brown rust, yellow rust or mildew samples in the field, growers and agronomists should take infected leaves and wrap them in tissue paper, before placing in an envelope.

Growers should send to FREEPOST UKCPVS with a completed sample form.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a new consultation on giving the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) more powers to investigate food fraud.

It asks for views on NFCUs access to further additional powers that would allow food crime officers to be lawfully on premises and assist with searches, following an arrest by the police.

The NFCU is the law enforcement unit of the FSA and it tackles serious, organised, or complex cases of crime in relation to food.

Its role is to detect, investigate and disrupt serious fraud and related criminality within food supply chains, across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It follows on from last years consultation on enhanced investigatory powers for the NFCU, with responses broadly supportive.

Now the FSA is seeking to secure further legal powers for the NFCU in order to investigate food crime more effectively, with "autonomy and independence".

The agency is also seeking to reduce the dependency of support on partners, such as local authorities and the police.

FSAs acting head of the NFCU, Andrew Quinn said: Weve launched this consultation as we want to protect consumers and businesses from food fraud more effectively.

"This additional power of search and entry would be a vital tool to make sure that investigations can be progressed more directly, while also freeing up local police services so their vital resources can be diverted to other priorities.

At the same time any use of these powers of entry and search will be restrained, focusing on effective regulation to prevent and detect food crime, and subject to robust controls and external scrutiny.

"We remain committed to using any enhanced powers in a proportionate way that keeps the public safe, with strengthened safeguards and oversight arrangements to guard against their abuse."

The public, public health professionals and food sector partners in England and Wales can respond to the four-week consultation.
Thieves who steal expensive GPS technology from farm machinery are being targeted as part of a new UK-wide crackdown.

The newly-launched National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU) has unveiled 'Operation Walrus', which will target the criminals and work on prevention.

There will be increased patrols of farms, property marking sessions, crime prevention advice for farmers and partnership working with Countryside Watch groups.

Theft of GPS equipment causes farmers misery and also costs them significant amounts of money.

Since 1 January, there have been 113 reports of thefts of GPS guidance systems used by farmers across Britain, according to NRCU figures.

The Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT), led by Cambridgeshire Police, has teamed up with the NRCU to lead the UK-wide operation.

Sergeant Tom Nuttall, from the RCAT said: Its fundamentally important we tackle this increasing problem head-on.

While there have been arrests and convictions, there is still a lot of work to be done to tackle these organised crime gangs who target farms using sophisticated methods.

Last month, two men from Cambridgeshire were arrested in Northumbria on suspicion of stealing GPS systems from Scotland.

Meanwhile, other forces have secured convictions.

In March, Mantas Dvareckas, 25, from Great Yarmouth, was jailed for two years and six months at Chester Crown Court having pleaded guilty to the thefts of GPS systems from tractors in Cheshire in October 2021.

And last year, Aidas Cesna, 28, from Lincoln, and Gintaras Jankauskas, 30, were jailed after admitting conspiring to steal equipment valued at about 380,000 from agricultural vehicles at multiple farms between September and October 2021.

DC Chris Piggott, from the NRCU, said these incidents showed that offenders were willing to travel the length and breadth of the country to steal GPS systems.

He said: Were seeing reports of thefts from every part of Britain  not just the arable areas in the east of England with recent clusters of thefts in north west and north east England and Scotland.

They are putting a lot of effort into identifying farm equipment fitted with GPS, watching those farms and even using drones to spot opportunities to return at night.

"They go to great lengths to get hold of systems, breaking through locked gates and buildings security systems to take GPS from machinery.

How can I better protect GPS systems?

Police are also offering the following advice to farmers:

 Be sure to remove GPS systems, screens and other valuables when leaving vehicles and store securely.

 Park tractors and other agricultural vehicles in secure, alarmed buildings in well-lit areas covered by CCTV.

 Activate PIN security on GPS systems, with your own unique number if available.

 If your system is not PIN enabled, mark your postcode to deter thieves and trace your property back to you.

 Keep tractors and combines with GPS stored out of sight when possible.

 Record serial numbers and photograph your systems.

 Check serial numbers of second-hand systems offered for sale.
Anthony Michael Hall has secretly been a dad for more than a month.

Anthony Michael Hall has secretly been a dad for more than a month

The Breakfast Club actor, 55, quietly welcomed his and his 32-year-old actress wife Lucia Oskerovas son  who they have called Michael Anthony Hall II  on 1 June but he has only now spoken about the joy of being a parent.

He told People: That first month of parenting is pretty wild. Its the craziest time, but its the best time.

Everything that everybody tells you is pretty true: you lose sleep.

Anthony also joked his big boy has some appetite, adding: In between his breastfeeding, I get to give him his bottles.

He said he knew when he was a young man he didnt want to start a family until later in life, but admitted about the new arrival: I couldnt be happier (now.) Here I am at 55, and Im fully committed. Im excited. My wife and I are really into parenting and diving in.

Anthony and Lucia revealed in February she was pregnant, when she was six-and-a-half months into her due date.

The actor said on his Instagram at the time: My wife Lucia and I are so blessed, happy and proud to announce on this Valentines Day, that we are expecting our first child this summer.

Anthony and Lucia started dating in 2016, with the actor proposing to her three years later while they were on holiday in Italy and they said I do in a 2020 wedding ceremony.

Despite being secretive over their sons birth, Anthony shared updates of Lucias pregnancy on Instagram, saying in one post She is now 7 months along. I thank God for her and for our precious and soon to be born son Michael. Life is a true gift. Blessed and truly thankful.
Duane 'Dog' Chapman has gone on a lengthy homophonic rant and declared Jesus was not a sissy.

Duane 'Dog' Chapman has mocked the LGBTQIA+ community

The 70-year-old reality star - who is also known as Dog the Bounty Hunter after his former show of the same name - said that people who don't attend church are to blame for kids changing their sexuality" in a shocking tirade.

Speaking to Christian ministry founder Sharell Barrera - in the company of his wife Francie Frane - in a clip shared online, Chapman bemoaned: For many years, these holy rollers have done just that  rolled around.

And you see where theyve got us now. Theyve got kids changing their sexuality. They talk about tithing more than they do about whats going on.

Chapman went as far as to call for people to help "stop all that" and "rebuke them" and insisted they need to be "saved".

He continued: Theyre so wacko themselves that where they have brought us all is to the gates of hell. So we have to stop all that, rebuke them.

He then said: Jesus was not a sissy  he was not a sissy man.

Leading to cheers of agreement from his wife and Barrera, he added: We dont need no more sissy men [] We need men and women that are willing to stand up against evil and speak the word of God."

The former bail bondsman then seemingly referred to Target losing a reported $9 million in the week after their Pride merchandise was boycotted.

He said: All these guys that are backing those jokers up are taking billion-dollar beatings, theyre falling."

Taking one last jab at the LGBTQIA+ community, Chapman remarked: He didnt make Adam and Steve, he made Adam and Eve.

So, thats exactly how it is.

The controversial character is known for his nasty rhetoric regarding many issues, mainly politics, and once called President Joe Biden "little Hitler" and accused him of stealing the 2020 election, which saw him replace Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, his 2021 wedding was almost derailed after threats of sabotage.

The TV star tied the knot for the sixth time with Francie in Colorado, but the ceremony was nearly plunged into crisis after anonymous threats.

According to The National Enquirer newspaper, there was a threat to throw paint on Francie's wedding dress and picket the ceremony.

Elsewhere, a guest reported that their car's tyres had been deflated and it was later found that they had been slashed with razor blades while another member of the wedding party claimed that vandals had left a pungent smell in their car.

The wedding had already been shrouded by a family row as the 'Dog the Bounty Hunter' star didn't invite his daughters Cecily and Bonnie after they accused him of making racist comments and cheating on his late wife Beth, who passed away from cancer in 2019.
Morgan Freeman missed a press trip this week after catching a "contagious infection".

Morgan Freeman missed the planned trip

The 86-year-old actor didn't make it over for the scheduled trip to the UK to promote his new Paramount+ series 'Special Ops: Lioness' - in which he stars alongside Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldana - after contracting an unspecified illness.

A representative told MailOnline: "Morgan has a fever and his doctor felt he had a contagious infection, so he cancelled his trip. He is fine now."

He didn't appear alongside his co-stars on BBC programme 'The One Show', while Nicole and Zoe have also attended a photocall at Savoy Place and a screening at the Tate Britain.

The spy thriller series - which is inspired by a real CIA programme - follows marine Joe (Zoe) who tries to balance her personal and work life as she leads the way on the organisation's war on terror.

Morgan has been cast as US secretary of state Edwin Mullins, and Nicole plays the CIA's senior supervisor Kaitlyn Meade.

The show is set to premiere on July 23 with the first two episodes available at launch, with one episode due to be released each week until the finale on September 3.

Meanwhile, 'The Shawshank Redemption' star Morgan previously claimed his fame has left him "screwed" when it comes to being a character actor.

He told the Sunday Times newspaper: "When my career started in film I wanted to be a chameleon. I remember De Niro early on, doing very different parts. Almost unrecognisable as the same actor.

I had opportunities like that. But as you mature in this business, eventually you become a star.

Then youre pretty screwed in terms of referring to yourself as a character actor. You play a lot of the same type of role  people hire you and say, Its you that I want. And you live with it.
'The Unbearable Lightness of Being' author Milan Kundera, who warned of the dangers of Russia, has died aged 94.

Satirist and communist outcast Milan Kundera passed away aged 94

The acclaimed Czech-born French fiction writer and communist outcast passed away on Wednesday (11.07.23), at home in Paris, according to the Moravian Library in Brno.

A statement by the library read: Milan Kundera, a Czech-French author who is among the worlds most translated authors, died on July 11, 2023, in his Paris apartment."

Kundera, who lived a largely secluded life, went into exile in France in 1975, acquiring citizenship in 1981.

His Czechoslovak citizenship was revoked in 1979 but he was granted Czech citizenship in 2019.

Although he was born in Czechoslovakia, he considered himself a French writer and was insistent that his French literature be studied in and classified as French.

Perhaps his most noted work, 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being' is set amidst the Soviet invasion that destroyed the 1968 Prague Spring.

He was known for using satire to describe the absurdities of life, honing in on totalitarianism, the difficult relationship with his homeland, and the control Moscow had over Czechoslovakia and neighbouring countries.

His death comes amid the continued conflict between Vladimir Putin's Russia and Ukraine.

In a 1983 essay, Kundera poignantly penned: In central Europe, the eastern border of the west, everybody has always been particularly sensitive to the dangers of Russian might."

On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell as the head of the East German Communist Party announced that citizens of the GDR could cross the border whenever they pleased.

After then, Kundera rarely returned to the Czech Republic. However, he denied claims made in 2008 by the Czech publication Respekt that he had been an informer for the Communist Party in the 1950s.

He joined the Communist Party as a teen and his early poetry contained socialist views.

However, he ended up getting expelled from the party in 1950, before getting reinstated six years later, and getting ousted again in 1970.

His dismissal ended up providing the inspiration for his debut novel, 1967's 'The Joke', about the cruelness of Czech life under Communism. However, it was banned there a year after it was published, as were a number of his texts.

After they reinstated his citizenship four years ago, his native country awarded the scribe the prestigious Franz Kafka prize - an international literary award presented in honour of the Jewish, Bohemian, German-language novelist.

In his birthplace of Brno, there is a library boasting an archive dedicated to Kundera.
Ncuti Gatwa turned to astrology after he "fell out of love" with the church.

Ncuti Gatwa believes in astrology

The 'Barbie' actor has found the divination practice to be very helpful in understanding his life and other people's behaviour, and was able to "forgive" a former partner following a "very bad" break-up after understanding their respective star signs meant they weren't compatible.

He told Rolling Stone UK magazine: It probably filled a gap that religion left in me. I couldnt put my faith in an old book that had been used for so much evil. I found astrology so accepting. It helped me accept my own darkness, and other peoples darkness, too.

"I had a very bad break-up. I ended up becoming homeless after it.

"People will probably think this sounds so silly but once the grieving was done, once Id found a safe home again, typing in our respective star signs and seeing all this writing that described so accurately what the problem was between us, it led me to be able to forgive them.

"I understand their motives now. I dont forget their actions, but I can forgive their motives.

The 30-year-old actor still regards his religious upbringing as a "big part" of his identity and insisted he hasn't given up his Christian faith entirely.

He said: I have faith I was raised in church. Both my parents are traditional Rwandan Christians.

"I loved my upbringing in church  its a big part of my identity.

"However, a long time ago I fell out of love with it all.

"I still feel a connection to something greater than us, though. I cant live my life without it. I have to believe something will save us from AI.

And Ncuti found a sense of community in church when his family came to Scotland from Rwanda, particularly because there were so few other Black families living nearby.

He said: That was isolating. I had to discover myself in a deeper way.

Not that theres a disconnect between me and the Black British community, because I am Black and I am British, but there arent any Rwandans.

"Certainly, there werent any in Scotland. Church was how we found a community. Church people can be the kindest people and they can be shockingly cruel.
Cambodia's apparel exports decreased by 18.98 per cent to $3,654.411 million in the first six months of 2023, accounting for 31.87 per cent of its total foreign income of $11,464.480 million during the period, according to general department of customs and excise (GDCE) under ministry of economy and finance.

During the period under review, Cambodia's exports of apparel and clothing accessories (knitted) (Chapter 61) were $2,477.936 million, 21.5 per cent lower than the exports worth $3,157.623 million during the corresponding period of 2022. The country's exports of apparel and clothing accessories (not knitted) (Chapter 62) dropped by 13 per cent to $1,176.475 million. In January-June 2022, the country exported apparel worth $1,352.481 million in this category. The decline in shipments reflects sluggish demand in the global market.

From January to June 2023, Cambodia's apparel exports fell 18.98 per cent to $3,654.411 million, making up 31.87 per cent of its total foreign income, according to the country's General Department of Customs and Excise. This downturn reflects global market sluggishness. Despite the decline in exports, the drop has been somewhat mitigated.

In June 2023, Cambodia's apparel exports declined by 0.81 per cent to $860.368 million compared to the shipment of $867.985 million in the corresponding month of 2022. The shipment of apparel and clothing accessories (knitted) slipped 3.7 per cent to $622.428 million from $646.458 million during the same period last year. But the exports of apparel and clothing accessories (not knitted) gained 7.4 per cent to $237.910 million in June 2023.

As for imports, the country's knitted or crocheted fabric (Chapter 60) imports during January-June 2023 were valued at $1,329.329 million, 21.7 per cent lower than the imports worth $1,696.890 million in the same period of 2022. Manmade fibre (Chapter 55) imports declined by 15 per cent to $689.878 million, against $731.942 million in the same period of 2022. Cotton and cotton yarn (Chapter 52) imports gained 2.6 per cent to reach $277.828 million during the period under review, compared to $270.839 million in the same period of 2022.

The significant drop in the initial months of the first half of the year marked a slowdown in apparel exports. However, the decline was arrested to some extent as the year progressed. Last year, the country's apparel exports increased by 12.69 per cent to $9.035 billion.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
In May 2023, Dutch manufacturing industry experienced a 9.2 per cent decline in its average daily output compared to the same period in 2022, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). This marks a continuation of the output contraction seen on an annual basis throughout the preceding months of this year.

Among the larger industries, the chemical industry saw the steepest decrease in production. This data is particularly significant given that manufacturing output had been on a recovery path since May 2020, following a sharp decline in the spring of that year. However, the trend has reversed since May 2022.

After adjusting for seasonal effects and working-day patterns, manufacturing output saw a 1.2 per cent increase between April and May 2023, as per CBS.

Netherlands' manufacturing output fell by 9.2 per cent in May 2023 compared to May 2022, according to Statistics Netherlands. After seasonal adjustments, there was a 1.2 per cent rise from April 2023 to May 2023. Despite this, manufacturers' sentiment declined for the third consecutive month due to uncertainty about future outputs and orders.

Nevertheless, manufacturer sentiment in June reflected a decline for the third consecutive month. The pessimistic outlook is mainly attributed to less confidence in future output and order positions. This trend aligns with sentiment in Germany, a critical market for the Dutch manufacturing industry. German business confidence also decreased in June, as per Eurostat.

However, the German manufacturing industry, which is a key market for the Dutch manufacturing industry, showed an opposite trend, with average daily output increasing by 2 per cent year-on-year in May, according to Destatis.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)
The Philippines and the European Union (EU) will initiate discussion this year on the scope of a planned bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), according to the formers department of trade and industry (DTI) secretary Alfredo Pascual.

This was conveyed by EU officials during his visit to Brussels early this month, Pascual told reporters recently in Manila.

The Philippines and the EU will initiate discussion this year on the scope of a planned bilateral free trade agreement, said the former's department of trade and industry secretary Alfredo Pascual, adding this was conveyed by EU officials during his recent visit. Both sides launched exploratory talks for an FTA in 2013, with two negotiations done until 2017.

Pascual met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to convey his countrys interest to pursue the proposed FTA.

My expectation is that there will be scoping discussion within the year based on the way my counterparts have expressed, he was quoted as clarifying by a news agency.

The timely resumption of the talks is crucial as the country is expected to graduate from the EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) in the near term, he said.

Both sides launched exploratory talks for an FTA in 2013, with two negotiations done until 2017.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Vietnam-Cambodia trade reached over $2.8 billion over the first five months this year, rising by nearly 3 per cent year on year (YoY), the Cambodian ministry of commerce announced recently. Vietnam's export turnover to the United States reached $1.5 billion, while its imports from there stood at $1.3 billion.

This makes Vietnam Cambodia's biggest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the third among all trading partners of Cambodia after China and the United States, according to Vietnamese media reports.

Vietnam-Cambodia trade hit over $2.8 billion between January and May 2023, rising by nearly 3 per cent year on year. Vietnam's export turnover to the United States reached $1.5 billion, while its imports from there stood at $1.3 billion. This makes Vietnam Cambodia's biggest trading partner in the ASEAN and the third among all trading partners of Cambodia.

Vietnams minister of industry and trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Cambodian minister of commerce Pan Sorasak signed an agreement early last month to enhance bilateral trade in the 2023-2024 period.

The first such agreement was signed by both sides in 2006 and has been renewed every two years.

The agreement has contributed to boosting two-way trade turnover over the years, according to the Vietnams ministry of industry and trade.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Meera Nandan

Actress/Singer

Biography: Meera Nandakumar ( aka Meera Nanadan) is an Indian actress, radio jockey, and television host who works in the South Indian film industry. She was a television host in a Malayalam channel before she became an actress. Meera made her acting debut with the Malaylam film 'Mulla' in 2008. Personal Life Meera Nandan was born in Elamakkara to Nandakumar and Maya. Meera is the elder child in her family. She has a younger brother named Arjun Nandakumar. After completing her schooling from Bhavans Vidya Mandir, Elamakkara, she earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from St. Teresas College Ernakulam. Career Life Meera started her career as a Television host and later turned into acting. She made her acting debut with the Malayalam movie 'Mulla'. The film featured Dileep, Vanitha and Reena Basheer among others. Directed by Lal Jose, she essayed the role of Lachi in the film.'Mulla' went on to become one of the highest films in 2008. The actress played one of the lead roles and received much praise for her performance. After the success of her debut film in Malayalam , she made her debut in Tamil cinema with Valmiki. Directed by G Ananda Narayanan, the film featured Akhil, Meera Nandan and Sruthi Nair in the lead roles. Apart from acting in Malayalam and Tamil film, she then appeared in a Telugu film named Jai Bolo Telangana in 2011. Later, she acted in several malayalam films in the lead roles.Her notable performances movies list include such as Puthiya Mugham, Kerala Cafe, Patham Nilayile Theevandi and Apothecary. After seven years of acting career, Meera had taken a break from the industry in 2015 and worked as a RJ in Dubai. In 2017 ,she came back to the industry with 'Goldcoins'.

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Bigg Boss Tamil Season 7 Latest Update:: Bigg Boss has received huge response from the fans among all the programs aired on Vijay TV. So far 6 seasons have been completed and the 7th season will start soon this year.

Kamal Haasan is confirmed to host the 7th season of Bigg Boss. In this case, it has been reported that the promo shooting for the 7th season of Bigg Boss has been completed.

Kamal Haasan's Bigg Boss

Vijay TV's top rated show Bigg Boss has completed 6 seasons so far. Kamal Haasan has been hosting the show since its first season. Simbu and Ramya Krishnan hosted the show instead of Kamal when he was hospitalized during the Corona period.

In last year's Bigg Boss season 6, serial actor Azeem won the title. Vikraman, Shivin and Azeem went to the final stage of Bigg Boss. Many expected Vikraman to win the title. But finally Kamal Haasan announced that Azeem is the title winner. This caused a lot of dissatisfaction among Bigg Boss fans.

Promo Is Ready

In this case, it is said that Bigg Boss season 7 will start soon. It is said that Kamal Haasan is going to host the 7th season of Bigg Boss and he is paid a salary of 130 crore rupees for this. The latest update is that Kamal Haasan participated in the promo shoot of Bigg Boss season 7.

According to reports, the promo shooting for Bigg Boss Season 7 was held at EVP Film City, Chennai last week. Kamal Haasan has acted in it. It is expected that Bigg Boss season 7 promo will be released soon. Also, according to the information, this season will start from the 2nd week of August. Bigg Boss fans are excited by this information.

Similarly, information about the contestants who will participate in Bigg Boss season 7 has also been revealed. vijay TV stars MaKaPa Anand, KPY Sarath, Uma Riyaz and Bhavana are said to be participating.
Imman Annachi Attacks Mari Selvaraj: Imman Annachi is famous for hosting the program "Sollunganne.. Sollunga" on Sun TV for many years. He has also acted in some films including Sivakarthikeyan's Kaaki Sattai.

Imman Annachi, who participated as a contestant in Bigg Boss season 5, got a lot of fans. In this case, Imman Annachi, who has acted in a new film, participated in its pre-release program and has created a sensation.

Caste Based Films In Tamil

Imman Annachi said in the program that if you make a film based on a particular community in the society, it will run successfully and a few directors are currently following this trend.

While there were opportunities to direct Dhruv Vikram and Dhanush's films, Mari Selvaraj gave priority in directing Maamannan as Udhayanidhi Stalin asked him to direct his last film. Udhayanidhi Stalin starrer Maamannan has set a record of grossing more than 50 crores.

At the same time, many criticisms and debates on the film erupted among social media, political circles and film personalities. Udhayanidhi Stalin amazed audience by acting in some scenes that many actors hesitate to act in Tamil cinema. His introducton was featured in the pig farm in Maamannan.

Not Good For Film Industry

Also, he surprised his fans by tattooing a pig on his arm. There were also criticisms that Udhayanidhi is doing this to attract the votes of Arundhadhiar people. Imman Annachi who used to host reality shows on the small screen is acting in some films. While speaking at a film event he said, "Cinema has become very bad these days. A situation has developed that if you make a film based on a particular community, you can make it as a hit film."

Imman Annachi has said "It is not good for Tamil film industry to continue such a situation. They are making good business by saying 'Mel Thattu and Keel Thattu'. I'm not telling it as a comedian but with a serious concern for the society."

Fans who heard his speech, netizens are commenting that Imman Annachi has indirectly attacked director Mari Selvaraj.
Arvind Kumar death: TV artist Arvind Kumar, who played the role of Chaurasia in Lapataganj, is no more. The talented actor passed away on Monday (July 10) after suffering from a cardiac arrest. The news of his demise sent shockwaves across the television industry. He was seen in a crucial role in the sitcom that starred Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain actor Rohitash Gour.

ARVIND KUMAR DIES- HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED

It was actor Vinod Goswami, who shared the unfortunate news on social media. He took to Facebook to inform his followers about the sudden demise of Arvind Kumar. The news spread like wildfire on the internet, leaving the fans shocked.

While Arvind Kumar's family has not issued a statement after his death, reports suggest that he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. He was on his way for a new shot when he suffered a cardiac arrest. He was immediately rushed to the hospital but the doctors declared him dead on the spot, a report in Tellychakkar said.

NITESH PANDEY AND TWO MORE ARTISTS DIED IN SPAN OF THREE DAYS

Three talented artists passed away in May 2023, leaving everyone in a state of gloom. The deaths took place in a span of three days. Splitsvilla star Aditya Singh Rajput, Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai actress Vaibhavi Upadhyaya and Anupamaa actor Nitesh Pandey left for their heavenly abode in May.

Aditya passed away after she slipped and fell in the bathroom. He was found dead in the bathroom at his Mumbai apartment. Vaibhavi died in a road accident while she was travelling with her fiance Jay Gandhi. The car was hit by a truck when they were travelling at a steep turn in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

Vaibhavi had sustained a head injury, which turned out to be fatal and caused her death. Nitesh Pandey, who was seen in Gaurav Khanna-Rupali Ganguly's show Anupamaa, passed away due to cardiac arrest. He was 51. The Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara star suffered a massive cardiac arrest in Nashik, where he was shooting for a project. His son broke down into tears at his funeral, which was attended by Rupali Ganguly and Nakuul Mehta.
Karan Suchak: Television actor Karan Suchak, known for his role as 'Jai' in Star Bharat's popular show 'Na Umra Ki' is winning the hearts of the audience.

Having portrayed various characters throughout his successful decade-long career, his portrayal of an obsessive lover in the show is captivating viewers and receiving tremendous praise.

As the monsoon season arrives, bringing joy and pleasant weather, Karan took the opportunity to share his love for bike rides during this time with his fans.

Na Umra Ki Seema Ho Actor Karan Suchak shares his love for bike rides and new destinations on his wishlist

Expressing his passion for bike riding in the monsoon, Karan Suchak said, "Riding a bike fills me with immense joy. When I hop on my bike, wearing safety gear, and embark on a journey of thousands of kilometers, the moment I reach a new city and step out of my car to breathe in the fresh air, surrounded by open spaces and beautiful views, my heart feels truly alive."

"Experiencing nature on two wheels is a different sensation compared to being in a four-wheeler. It's as if the motorcycle drives my soul, just as it propels my body. I love traveling, and there are still many places I have yet to explore. Over the past eight months, I have visited Goa twice, the Statue of Unity twice, Udaipur in Rajasthan, as well as Lonavala and Mahabaleshwar, covering a distance of 10,000 kilometers," he added.

Na Umra Ki Seema Ho: Iqbal Khan's Show Breaks Social Stigma, Actor Says 'Equality Begins At Home'

He went on to say that, "Since childhood, I have always had a deep desire for bike rides, constantly yearning to own the best bike, and I worked hard to fulfill that dream."

Continuing, Karan Suchak shared, "I have few places on my wishlist which I want to explore next so whenever I'll get some free time from shooting 'Na Umra Ki Seema Ho,' I'd love to take a small break and visit these places. Specifically, I would love to visit Meghalaya, often referred to as the 'Bali of India,' and explore the beautiful landscapes of Munnar in South India."

"For now, I eagerly await the monsoon season to indulge in exhilarating bike rides, savoring tea at pit stops, enjoying a plate of Maggi noodles, and creating cherished memories."

In the current storyline of the show, Jai, Vidhi, and Dev find themselves entangled in a web of tricks and schemes that aim to disrupt their relationship.

Jai is relentless in his pursuit to cause strife between them, unaware of the storm brewing in Vidhi and Dev's lives. Will Jai succeed in his plans, or will the love shared by Dev and Vidhi triumph over his treacherous endeavours?

I'm Glad It's Happening..: Manushi Chhillar About The Upcoming Miss World 2023 Pageant In India

To uncover the unfolding drama, tune in to 'Na Umra Ki Seema Ho' every Monday to Friday at 8:00 pm, exclusively on Star Bharat.
SINGAPORE, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TradeFlow Capital Management (TradeFlow) founders Dr. Tom James and John Collis have purchased 81% of its stock to regain full control of strategy and operations of the company from LSE-listed Supply@Me Capital PLC (SYME). This transaction was completed and announced on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) on Friday, 30 June 2023.

John Collis, TradeFlow CRO, commented: "This is a significant milestone for TradeFlow. As founders and directors, Tom and I have bought 81% of the company. This is the first step in what will be a period of significant growth for TradeFlow."

Dr. Tom James, CEO and CIO of TradeFlow, affirmed: "We are taking our fund management business to the next level. Regaining control of the TradeFlow business is an important strategic move and we couldn't be more excited about it. We shall be implementing innovative ideas to grow the fund business going forward. With this management buy-out and realignment, we'll be able to expand our offerings and continue to drive growth."

TradeFlow's flagship USD Fund, which has been operating since April 2018, has demonstrated robust and strong returns with ultra-low volatility of returns since its inception, and maintains an investment grade rating. The TradeFlow strategy has proven to be a strong alternative to traditional fixed income investments, providing diversification away from traditional asset classes and private credit. As a non-lending strategy, it offers a unique way to diversify investment portfolios.

Since 2018, TradeFlow has successfully invested into more than US$2.3 Billion of real world Commodity asset-backed transactions. With its solid track record of developing and operating its robust Institutional investment product and strong AUM growth experienced year-on-year even through the COVID19 lockdown, a concerted effort to scale-up its Funds and business is now possible.

About TradeFlow Capital Management (Tradeflow)

TradeFlow is the world's first Fintech-powered commodity trade enabler focused on SMEs. Since 2018, TradeFlow has successfully invested in more than US$2.3 Bn of physical commodity trade through 1500+ transactions across 15+ countries and 27+ commodity types, with more than 800 SME counterparts.

TradeFlow is a Partner of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to mobilise capital and improve trade finance access for SMEs worldwide through the "'ICC Trade Now" and "ICC Digital Trade Standards Initiative" platforms.

TradeFlow Capital Management Pte Ltd

UEN: 201920511H

www.tradeflow.capital

CEMP - USD Trade Flow Fund SP ISIN number: KYG1988M6375

CEMP - EUR Trade Flow Fund SP ISIN number: KYG198751300

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BEIJING, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- China's world-class solar module manufacturer Seraphim Energy Group Co., Ltd. (Seraphim) signed a solar module supply agreement with Malaysia-based company ERS Energy Group of Companies ('ERS Group') on June 21, 2023.

According to the agreement, Seraphim will supply high-efficiency solar modules for ERS Group's 300 mega-watt (MW) ground-mounted power station located in Zambales Province, Philippines. The module supply will commence in the third quarter of 2023 and be completed by the second quarter of 2024.

It is noted that the components supplied by Seraphim mainly consist of 550/555W high-efficiency modules, which utilize multi-busbar cell technology and high-density packaging. These modules have lower internal losses and less risk of micro cracks, which will significantly improve power generation efficiency and reduce Balance of System (BOS) cost.

As a leading global manufacturer of photovoltaic products, Seraphim has been strategically investing in the Philippines since 2016. Taking into account the unique requirements and installation conditions of local projects, the company continuously optimizes product performance and service levels to meet customers' needs.

"We believe that our close collaboration with ERS Group will help us achieve our sustainable development goals in clean energy and bring positive impacts to the economy, environment, and social development of the Philippines and the local communities," said Insan Boy, Vice President of Global Sales of Seraphim.

ERS Group is a leading engineering, procurement, and construction service provider headquartered in Malaysia.

"We have successfully completed several power station supply collaborations with Seraphim in the past. We are impressed with Seraphim's outstanding component quality and performance which is why ERS Group will continue to work with Seraphim to jointly promote the development of the solar energy market in the Philippines," said Jonathan Kan, Managing Director of ERS Group.

Over the years, Seraphim has earned consistent trust and recognition from customers both at home and abroad through solid technological innovation and research and development capabilities.

Based on different application scenarios, Seraphim has developed multiple series of photovoltaic products and smart solutions. Seraphim holds over a hundred technology patents and its 20 giga-watt photovoltaic products have been applied in more than 100 countries and many regions worldwide.

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SEOUL (dpa-AFX) - LG Electronics Ltd. (LGEPF.OB, LGEJY.OB, LGEIY.OB, LGEAF.OB), a South Korean electronic major, said it aims to achieve 100 trillion Korean won in sales by 2030. It plans to invest more than 50 trillion won by 2030 for the qualitative growth of its business.



In a speech Wednesday at the LG Sciencepark in Seoul, South Korea, CEO William Cho outlined the bold vision built on three growth engines: pursuing new platform-based service businesses through the advancement of business portfolio, accelerating business-to-business (B2B) and exploring new business areas such as electronics vehicle charging and digital health.



The CEO identified electrification, servitization and digitalization as key inflection points LG will focus on to achieve rapid mid- to long-term growth.



The CEO also highlighted the company's financial objectives. The company will achieve Triple 7, which encompasses an average growth rate and operating profit of 7 percent or more as well as enterprise value to EBITDA ratio of 7.



Cho said LG will focus on the transition to the platform-based service business model, acceleration of B2B areas and procurement of new growth engines based on competitive edge as three pillars to focus on customer experience. By 2030, the proportion of these three pillars in sales and operating profit is expected to increase to more than 50 percent.



The company plans to invest more than 50 trillion won by 2030 for the qualitative growth of the business, including the advancing of the business portfolio led by the three new growth engines. This includes an R&D investment of more than 25 trillion won, facility investment of more than 17 trillion won and strategic investment of 7 trillion won.



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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
"In 2015, we made our first appearance in Vancouver WCD with the main brand WINONA. After eight years, WINONA has now become the leading brand of functional skin care products in China. Invited to participate in WCD for three times this year, we brought four core brands. I hope that after four years, it will bring new impacts to WCD in terms of academic, technical, clinical and social impact. Guo Zhenyu, chairman and president of BOTANEE Group, said.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230711804321/en/

2023 BOTANEE International Skin Health Summit (Photo: Business Wire)

During the WCD World Dermatology Conference in Singapore, BOTANEE Group held the 2023 International Skin Health Summit simultaneously, bringing its four brands WINONA, WINONA Baby, AOXMED and Beforteen to the world stage for the first time, showing the professional strength of China's leading dermatology enterprises.

Professor He Li, Executive Dean of Dermatology Hospital of the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, shared the experience at the summit. She said that the four-in-one whitening and freckle-removing products with skin barrier repair, anti-inflammation, pigment production reduction and microcirculation improvement can obviously improve the curative effect when used externally in the active and stable period of chloasma.

According to the existing epidemiology, the prevalence rate of atopic dermatitis in children aged 1-7 years in China is 12.94%, and the prevalence rate of AD in infants aged 1-12 months is 30.48%. Professor Ma Lin, director of dermatology department of Beijing Children's Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, pointed out that WINONA Baby Cream can be used as a routine emollient to protect children's AD in remission, which can significantly reduce the risk of recurrence of children's AD in maintaining the therapeutic effect.

With the continuous iteration of the efficacy skin care market and consumer demand, BOTANEE has also been committed to promoting brand building. Thereinto, AOXMED is the ingenious research and development of BOTANEE for more than ten years. It insists on exploring cutting-edge technology and evidence-based science for the two major consumption scenarios of medical beauty and daily life, and provides skin rejuvenation solutions connecting medical beauty and home beauty in series.

At the end of the forum, experts discussed how to make the acne diagnosis of high-level doctors sink to the grassroots level. In this regard, Beforteen has given a solution. As a brand-new acne brand launched by BOTANEE, Beforteen and the team of experts have conducted case studies on more than one million cases, and combined with the AI consultation session, they can provide users with personalized "food+medicine+makeup" according to different types of acne.

According to BOTANEE's 2022 annual report, the company invested about 255 million yuan in R&D expenses, up 124.96% year-on-year, and the R&D rate reached 5.08%. This year, the new central factory of BOTANEE, which cost nearly 500 million yuan, has also been officially put into operation, further escorting its brand product quality and sustainable development.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230711804321/en/

Contacts:

Wu Ling

Email: wuling@winona.cn

Website: https://www.botanee.com.cn/index.html
Kyiv, Ukraine--(Newsfile Corp. - July 11, 2023) - PRUS Security Ukraine has announced the expansion of its armored vehicle fleet with the arrival of the brand-new Lexus LX450. This month, the new Lexus LX450, armored according to the VR7 class, arrives at the company's base. It incorporates all the know-how's in the armored vehicles industry: a modern, reinforced braking system, Run Flat tires, improved protection of the car capsule and important components, including the radiator, as well as a fire protection system.





Figure 1

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Another addition to the ever-growing fleet of PRUS Security is a new Toyota Land Cruiser 300, manufactured in 2023 and armored according to the B6+ class. The vehicle is set to be delivered to Ukraine by the end of summer. This model is renowned for its ruggedness, reliability, and exceptional off-road capabilities, making it the perfect choice for navigating challenging terrains.

The fleet expansion marks PRUS Security's intention to continually enhance the quality of provided safety and security services for the company's miscellaneous clients in Ukraine. Igor Prus, co-founder and CEO of PRUS Security, comments:

"We've chosen these two models because they exhibit excellent protective qualities while ensuring comfort throughout the client's journey. Whether it's safeguarding high-profile persons, regular individuals, or providing secure transportation to media teams, our fleet is equipped with the best armored vehicles for the job. The vehicles of this type were used to evacuate international media teams and journalists from Kyiv at the beginning of the war."

About PRUS Security's Armored Vehicles Rentals in Ukraine

PRUS Security has established a solid industry presence providing security services in Ukraine. Amidst the war bringing chaos and destruction across the whole country, PRUS Security emerges as a trusted partner that guarantees safety and peace of mind to individuals and organizations.

PRUS Security caters to the safety requirements and needs of various clients, including private individuals, companies, and larger establishments. The company's expertise lies in providing a full complex of security services encompassing vehicle rentals, physical property protection, and personal security in Ukraine.

The company's most renowned and popular offer is armored vehicles for rent. PRUS Security uses an advanced fleet of new, fully protected cars that offer secure and comfortable transportation solutions to clients. Whether opting for a vehicle with one of PRUS Security's professional drivers or utilizing their own qualified driver, customers can trust in the utmost safety provided by the company's autos.

Clients can also trust PRUS Security to safeguard physical objects of different levels of security complexity and objects of critical infrastructure. The company has experience in protecting banks, office buildings, factories, logistic centers, and other establishments. For every type of property, the PRUS team develops and implements a robust strategy of security measures to prevent unauthorized access and minimize the risk of potential threats.

Drawing from an extensive experience in complex security protocols, PRUS Security is sure to remain the stronghold of safety and protection for businesses, organizations, and individuals amidst challenging circumstances. The growing fleet of armored vehicles and the solid team of professional security officers further reinforce PRUS Security's commitment to delivering unmatched security solutions.

Contact Info:

Name: Viktoriia Prus

Phone number: +38(068)3178888

Email: office@prus.com.ua

Website: https://prus.com.ua/en/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/prus-security/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094530274431

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173060
LONDON, July 12, 2023"), a subsidiary of Webull, residents of the UK can now trade U.S.-listed equitiesand fractional shares, all at low commissions through the award-winning Webull app. The Webull platform also makes news, industry data, and educational materials available to provide investors with the tools needed to make informed investment decisions.

Anthony Denier, Webull US CEO responsible for operations in America and Europe, stated, "Our first step into Europe follows on the heels of successful launches over the past two years in Singapore, Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong. While each country has very different requirements and expectations, we believe there is great potential in the UK and look forward to rapidly expanding our product range to cater to our British clients. Webull's trading platform has become very popular in the United States, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and we are confident that the powerful trading tools and simple mobile format will prove equally attractive in the UK. We are sure our new clients will enjoy tech and enjoy investing."

Webull UK secured its authorisation from the FCA in October 2022. It has spent the last six months hiring a team with local experience to help the platform exceed British expectations. While its offering will initially be limited to U.S.-listed securities, Webull UK expects to expand this rapidly, opening new global investment opportunities for retail investors.

Nick Saunders, Chief Executive Officer of Webull UK, said, "The investment market has changed in the last 10 years. The British public is now actively seeking low-cost investment opportunities domestically and in markets outside the UK. Webull's strength is in our global network and innovative mindset; we look at the right solution for our clients, and seek to build on the existing, sustainable foundations to give our customers the product they want. As a pure broker, our interests are aligned with our clients. We provide the tools to help them make informed, global investment decisions."

The Webull trading platform launched in the United States in 2018 through its SEC-registered broker-dealer and FINRA member subsidiary. In 2021, Webull was the second most downloaded app among pure-play brokerages in the U.S., according to mobile and data analytics firm App Annie. Webull has received notable recognition in the financial industry. In 2022, we won the "Best Brokerage App" award at Benzinga's Global Fintech Awards, highlighting our commitment to superior mobile trading. We were also honored as the "Best Options Trading Platform" at the Finder Stock Trading Platform Awards. In the Stockbrokers Annual Review 2023, we were recognized as the "Best in Class" for the investor community. These accolades showcase our dedication to providing innovative and exceptional services to our users.

The Webull trading platform can be downloaded through the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

For more information about Webull UK, please visit Webull UK's website at https://www.webull-uk.com. For media inquiries, please contact pr@webull.com.

About Webull

Webull is a leading digital investment platform built on next-generation global infrastructure. Webull serves tens of millions of users from over 180 countries, providing retail investors with 24/7 access to financial markets worldwide. Users can put investment strategies to work by trading global stocks, ETFs, options, and fractional shares, through Webull's trading platform, which is currently available in the United States, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, South Africa, and Japan.
Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen.

LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Recruitment agency PageGroup plc (PAGE.L), in its trading update, on Wednesday reported lower gross profit for the second quarter and first half. Looking ahead, the company expects fiscal 2023 operating profit to be in line with company consensus of 137.6 million pounds. Quarterly gross profit decreased 6.2 percent to 263.5 million pounds from 280.9 million pounds for the same period in the previous year. Group gross profit declined 6.5 percent in constant currencies. A growth in EMEA region was more than offset by drop in all other regions. 'The permanent recruitment saw a dip of 11.2 percent with lower levels of confidence in both candidates and clients resulting in delays in decision making and reluctance of the candidates in accepting offers.', the company said in a statement. However, temporary gross profit grew 12.1 percent from last year. For the first half, total gross profit fell 2.3 percent on a reported basis and 4.5 percent at constant currency rates to 526.5 million pounds. The company is scheduled to release its first-half results on August 7. Currently, shares of PageGroup closed at 423.20 pence, up 3.07% or 12.60 pence on the London Stock Exchange. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen.

LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Helical Bar Plc (HLCL.L), a British property development firm, said on Wednesday that it signed a contract to partner with Transport for London or TfL, on commercial office portfolio joint venture or JV. Helical owns 51 percent of the JV, whereas TfL remaining 49 percent. 'The joint venture company will purchase leasehold interests in the sites from TfL and establish individual property companies for each of the sites. The sites will then be developed directly by the company, which is to be funded with equity and debt,' Helical said in a statement. Helical will initially deliver new high-quality and sustainable office space above or close to London Tube stations, which currently consist of three new commercial office developments at Bank, Paddington and Southwark, totaling around 600,000 sq ft. Earlier, TfL's wholly owned commercial property company had selected Helical as its preferred investment partner for its sustainable commercial office portfolio across central London. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Higher severity ESG-related incidents led to larger divergence in stock performance compared to lower severity cases; the largest deltas were associated with controversies related to negative environmental impact and to mismanagement of a company's products and services.

ESG-related controversial incidents often receive significant attention from the media but the link between these controversies and actual stock performance isn't always clear.

Analysis by Clarity AI, the global sustainability technology platform, tests the hypothesis that involvement in ESG Controversies is a valid predictor of corporate medium-term value loss.

Investors can perceive controversial incidents as a potential sign of poor management or a lack of ethics, which can erode investor confidence and make them less willing to invest in the company's stock. The legal and regulatory consequences of such incidents can also be expensive and time-consuming to resolve, further damaging the company's reputation and market value. Finally, such incidents can disrupt a company's operations, leading to a decline in productivity and profitability, which can negatively impact its market value.

The analysis indicates that controversial actions linked to ESG can have a significant negative effect on a company's value compared to peers, resulting in a delta in valuation ranging from -2% for less severe controversies to -5% for the most severe controversies after a period of six months.

The analysis covered over 10,000 controversial incidents for more than 1,500 corporations spanning over a four year period. All incidents were classified into one of three different severity groups, namely: Low, Medium, and High. This classification has been done according to the increase in the ESG-derived risks for the company as estimated by Clarity AI's models, which take into consideration the magnitude of the issue, its impact on stakeholders, and the management by the company. The magnitude of the impact was further broken down considering the type of incident and the industry to which the company belongs.

For the incident type, the research analysed the effect of controversies around four main topics: negative environmental impact, corporate governance issues, market dominance abuse and company mismanagement of its products and services. The largest deltas in stock performance were found for High severity cases and the topics of products and services mismanagement (-11.8% market value divergence on average) and negative environmental impact (-8.9% market value divergence on average). In general, higher severity incidents led to larger deltas in company value when compared to lower severity cases.

The analysis also tested whether the impact of controversies on market value can be greater if the controversy is related to a topic that is material to the industry the company operates in for example the environmental topic for the mining industry or corporate governance topics for the consumer finance industry.

Results confirm that the effects derived from a company's involvement in such activities exceeds that of the average of all similar incidents for all companies. The difference is significant, being as large as twice as much for environmental cases and almost three times as much for bad corporate governance controversies.

The analysis confirms that Controversy scores based on Natural Language Processing, like the ones developed by Clarity AI, can be an effective tool for identifying and tracking the evolution of these incidents. ESG frameworks must include these metrics to measure a company's controversial behavior as an additional outside-in measurement of the ESG risk that corporations are exposed to.

Borja Cadenato, Director of Product at Clarity AI, said, "Understanding the risks associated with corporate controversies and taking appropriate actions when controversies do occur can help investors build stronger-performing portfolios and help companies react appropriately to minimise market value loss and maintain investor confidence."

For detailed information on our analysis methodology please reach out to insights@clarity.ai

About Clarity AI

Clarity AI is a sustainability technology platform that uses machine learning and big data to deliver environmental and social insights to investors, organizations, and consumers. Clarity AI's capabilities are an essential tool for end-to-end sustainability analysis related to investing, corporate research, benchmarking, consumer ecommerce, and regulatory reporting. As of June 2023, Clarity AI's platform analyzes more than 70,000 companies, 420,000 funds, 201 countries, and 199 local governments, which represents more breadth than any other player in the market. One way Clarity AI delivers on its mission to bring societal impact to markets is by ensuring its capabilities are delivered directly into clients' workflows through integrations with partners like BlackRock Aladdin, Refinitiv an LSEG business, BNP Manaos, CACEIS, and Simcorp. Additionally, Clarity AI's sustainability insights reach more than 150 million consumers across more than 400,000 merchants on the Klarna platform. Clarity AI has offices in North America, Europe, and the Middle East, and its client network manages tens of trillions in assets and includes companies like Invesco, Nordea, BlackRock, Santander, Wellington, and BNP Paribas. clarity.ai

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230711555981/en/

Contacts:

Media

Edelman

clarityAI@edelmansmithfield.com
Enhanced Data Management Tool for Upcoming Accelerator program

NEW YORK and LONDON and PUNE, India, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Synechron, a leading global digital transformation consulting firm, today announced that it has formally partnered with VisionGroup, a Singapore-based technology company and the creator of dataSense, the next generation catalogue and data management tool, to help extend innovation in the Data Management space.

Synechron has been working with VisionGroup and its dataSense team to leverage this technology into Synechron's 13 global Financial Innovation Labs ('FinLabs'), as well as incorporate it into the next generation of FinLabs-created accelerator solutions expected to debut later this year.

The dataSense technology uses a combination of mathematical algorithms and event processing to build the picture of an organization's data. It complements metadata platforms by creating an operational view of the data built from the actual data, and not simply metadata. dataSense bridges the gap between the business glossary, operational data, and technical metadata. It augments and completes the data governance framework. dataSense enhances organizations' existing processes and controls, and can capture unexpected items, such as internal data abuse. Enabling digital fingerprints and data catalogues allows for rapid identification (through Smart Alerts) of data changes and identifying who made changes.

Tim Jennings, Global Data Practice Lead at Synechron said, "We are excited to be partnering with VisionGroup, and looking to leverage the capabilities of the dataSense tool for some interesting imminent use cases. We are seeking to exploit the data observability features in our upcoming risk accelerator, supporting features for pro-active identification and rectification of data issues, and enabling real insight into the data payloads between systems. We are also keen to explore how we can use this tooling in the refresh of our own internal data estate, where data integrity and quality will be the objective."

Kieran Ebbs, Chief Revenue Officer, VisionGroup said, "We are delighted with the announcement of this strategic partnership with Synechron, a company renowned for its deep expertise in financial services. This collaboration aims to redefine the data landscape by combining Synechron's extensive capabilities with the innovative approach of dataSense, a transformative data management solution. This unique partnership presents an unparalleled opportunity to deliver successful data initiatives that will drive remarkable outcomes for organizations, empowering them to unlock the true potential of their data, optimize data management processes, and generate actionable insights."

About Synechron:

At Synechron, we believe in the power of digital to transform businesses for the better. Our global consulting firm combines creativity and innovative technology to deliver industry-leading digital solutions. Synechron's progressive technologies and optimization strategies span end-to-end Artificial Intelligence, Consulting, Digital, Data, Cloud & DevOps, and Software Engineering, servicing an array of noteworthy financial services and technology firms. Through research and development initiatives in our FinLabs we develop solutions for modernization, from Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain to Data Science models, Digital Underwriting, mobile-first applications and more. Over the last 20+ years, our company has been honored with multiple employer awards, recognizing our commitment to our talented teams. With top clients to boast about, Synechron has a global workforce of 14,500+, and has 43 offices in 18 countries within key global markets.

For more information on the company, please visit our website or LinkedIn community.

About VisionGroup

VisionGroup is a humanity plus company based in Singapore that believes in using technology for the betterment of the human race. We are focused on driving adoption of impactful technology to governments, enterprises and the masses by making it better, faster and easier. We have a vision to empower lives by integrating disruptive technology into everyday life to create a better us and a better world. And a mission to empower our clients and stakeholders to turn their Vision to Reality. Our goal is to be a leading global technology enabler by placing Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Cybersecurity into all aspects of everyday life to make lives better through impactful technology. Our core sectors of focus are in Commerce, Finance and Government. See more at our website.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1943591/Synechron_Logo.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2151676/dataSense_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/synechron-and-visiongroup-partner-to-leverage-datasense-301875197.html
On the recommendation of the Supervisory Board and following the positive opinion of the Works Council, the Minister of Finance has appointed Willemien Terpstra as CEO and Chair of the Executive Board of N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie. The appointment starting on 1 March 2024 will be for a term of four years. Currently, Willemien Terpstra is Global Vice President for Decarbonization with the international chemical company LyondellBasell, where she is responsible for the decarbonisation of the group's operations worldwide. Terpstra will be succeeding Han Fennema, who earlier this year announced his intention to step down, after serving nearly ten years as Gasunie's CEO. Fennema will be stepping down as CEO on 1 November 2023. Gasunie CFO Janneke Hermes will act as Interim Chair of the Executive Board until Terpstra steps in as CEO.



'We are very pleased with the arrival of Willemien Terpstra,' says Gasunie Supervisory Board Chair Pieter Duisenberg. 'She is extremely motivated to further shape Gasunie's social task of bringing about the energy transition. Her knowledge, experience and competencies make her perfectly suited to lead the strategic development of Gasunie and the implementation of our agenda for the future concerning hydrogen, heat, CO2 and natural and green gas. The Supervisory Board sees her as an enthusiastic successor to Han Fennema, to whom we owe tremendous gratitude. Under his expert, passionate, down-to-earth leadership, Gasunie has developed from a gas TSO into a green energy infrastructure company. With this, Han has laid the foundation for the next chapter in Gasunie's story.'



'I feel extremely motivated to work together with all Gasunie staff on further shaping the energy system of the future, a system in which we will strive to achieve a new balance between sustainability, reliability and security of supply,' says Gasunie's soon-to-be new CEO Willemien Terpstra. 'Gasunie plays a crucial role in the energy sector and has an ambitious vision of the future concerning the energy supply for the Netherlands and its neighbouring countries. I am looking forward to making a contribution in the coming years to the realisation of this vision of the future and, with Gasunie, to being a major player in making our society sustainable.'



Willemien Terpstra studied business administration at Nyenrode Business University (NL) and obtained her MBA at Emory University in Atlanta (USA). She started her career working at ARCO Chemical (predecessor and now part of LyondellBasell) in Rotterdam and filled numerous senior management positions in various business units at this internationally operating company. In her current role as Global Vice President for Decarbonization, she is responsible for sustainability measures, energy savings and the decarbonisation of the group's operations worldwide. Born in 1970 in Hallum in the north of the Netherlands, Willemien Terpstra is married with four children.



For more information; please contact Simon den Haak, Manager Corporate Communications via S.P.den.Haak@gasunie.nl or +31643272561

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
Verlingue announces the acquisition of a majority stake in the insurance broker INSER, in line with its Verlingue 2024 strategic plan to create a major European, family-owned, independent insurance broker. This move to acquire a stake in the Italian market consolidates this ambition:

Verlingue has chosen Italy as its fifth country of operations after France, the UK, Switzerland and Portugal.

INSER is Verlingue's 7 th international acquisition in 7 years

Verlingue has become a majority shareholder in the Italian broker INSER, one of Italy's leading independent brokers

The long-standing shareholder, ISA, remains a minority shareholder in INSER to continue to support its growth in Italy

160 INSER employees are joining Verlingue, whose international turnover now accounts for 35% of its total turnover.

Founded in 1979 in Trento, INSER is one of the leading independent players in the Italian insurance brokerage market. It focuses on corporate risks and public procurement. The Italian broker, which has expanded through targeted organic growth and a strategic acquisitions programme, employs nearly 160 staff in 8 offices in northern Italy (Trento, Parma, Brescia, Milan, Bergamo, Vicenza, Udine) and central Italy (Rieti).

With Italy, Verlingue is entering an important strategic market by making its seventh acquisition outside France in seven years, following on from its acquisitions in Switzerland (2016, 2017 and 2019), the UK (2018) and Portugal (2020, 2022).

With this new acquisition, the Adelaide Group continues to execute its 2024 strategic plan with the ambition of becoming a major European, family-owned, independent insurance broker, serving increasingly international customers. Verlingue's ambition in Italy is to become a benchmark broker in the market for SMEs, mid-caps, large companies and public authorities. Verlingue will be able to rely on the current management team.

Under the terms of the partnership, Verlingue will become INSER's majority shareholder, while its long-standing shareholder, ISA, will retain a minority stake and continue to support its growth in Italy.

Giorgio Franceschi, Deputy Chairman of ISA, said: "We are delighted with this acquisition. We have found a solid and credible international partner in the family-owned Verlingue group, which will now contribute to a new phase in the development of INSER, a long-standing and important subsidiary of ISA, which we have supported in its growth and in which we will continue to be present. The partnership between Verlingue and ISA offers a great opportunity to create value for customers, employees and the region as a whole."

Regarding the partnership, Pierpaolo Ruggeri, CEO of Inser Spa, said: "Verlingue's European project is exciting and Italy is a strategic country. This partnership will enable us to strengthen our development trajectory, both through organic growth and targeted acquisitions, in order to consolidate our positioning and offer a high-quality service to our customers."

Benjamin Verlingue, Deputy CEO of the Adelaide Group: "I am delighted that Adelaide is setting up operations in Italy, Europe's fourth-largest insurance market. This opens up many positive prospects for our customers, who are becoming increasingly international.

In an industry that is consolidating, being a family-run broker with an ambitious, long-term vision means that we can offer an appealing plan to the teams who decide to join us. I'm very pleased that Inser and ISA made this choice."

Anne-Jacques de Dinechin, Chief Executive Officer of Verlingue, said: "Our international success is based on strong local management teams in each country. With the acquisition of Inser, we are bringing on board a team of committed experts who will play a full part in our goal to become a major player in Europe."

About Verlingue

An insurance broker specialising in business protection, Verlingue is a subsidiary of the Adelaide Group.

Working alongside entrepreneurs, Verlingue's goal is to harness corporate risk management and employee protection to drive its customers' value creation and performance.

With offices in France, Portugal, Switzerland, Great Britain and Italy, and through partners in over 100 countries, Verlingue works with its customers over the long term and at all times to better understand and plan ahead for new risks in order to develop simple yet effective solutions to protect their business (corporate risk) and staff (supplementary social protection schemes and pensions).

1,350 employees, 550 of whom are based outside France

2,350m in premiums negotiated on behalf of its customers

Operating out of 5 countries in Europe

LinkedIn/www.verlingue.fr

About Inser

Leading insurance broker providing protection for companies and public bodies. With over 40 years of experience in Italy, INSER is able to meet the specific needs of each of its customers with a team of employees capable of developing personalised solutions with the utmost care and professionalism. With 8 offices in Italy, INSER has a strong regional presence, ensuring that it is close to its customers and therefore able to generate value.

160 employees

130m in premiums negotiated on behalf of its customers

8 locations

LinkedIn/www.inserspa.eu

About ISA

Istituto Atesino di Sviluppo Spa (ISA) is a holding company that has been operating in Trentino-Alto Adige and neighbouring regions for over 90 years. ISA's aim is to acquire stakes, mainly minority ones, by investing in diversified initiatives with the role of a patient long-term partner, with a view to creating value. Investments are selected with the utmost care and rigour, with a view to creating a sustainable development path that is attentive to social and economic growth. Through an effective network of contacts, ISA brings together private capital and financial institutions, generating opportunities for investment, growth and development.

https://isa.tn.it/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230711157642/en/

Contacts:

Press contact

Adelaide Group Thomas Barbelet thomas.barbelet@verlingue.fr +33(0)6 72 75 49 14

Epoka Agency Lucie Fortin lfortin@epoka.fr +33(0)6 19 68 70 18
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 12, 2023) - Exploits Discovery Corp. (CSE: NFLD) (OTCQX: NFLDF) (FSE: 634) ("Exploits" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the start of its 2023 sampling program at Gazeebow South in central Newfoundland. This program will be composed of 58 samples collected on a 500 x 500 metre grid pattern covering an approximately five-kilometre-long segment of the interpreted Appleton Fault Zone that transects this property.

The till sampling program is a regionally-successful method to determine the presence of gold mineralization within the study area by analyzing samples for indicator minerals, including gold. The approximately 10-kilogram samples will be collected from the C-horizon soil layer (immediately overlying bedrock), processed-tracked, and submitted to Overburden Drilling Management Limited ("ODM") for analysis. Once in the laboratory, the sample material will be thoroughly inspected for the presence of gold-indicator minerals. Gold grains that are identified within the samples will be counted, optically examined, and classified by morphology (pristine versus reshaped) in order to ascertain the transport distance from their original bedrock source. Upon completion of these bench-studies, ODM will submit the heavy mineral concentrates (HMC) to an independent laboratory for assaying.

The goals of this program will be the following:

Follow-up on gold-in-till signatures identified by Torq Resources (2017-2018) that are proximal to the interpreted Appleton Fault Zone

Test previously unexplored areas for indications of gold mineralization

Jeff Swinoga, President and CEO, comments, "We are very excited about our Gazeebow South property which covers an estimated 10 kms of Appleton Fault. The results of this till sampling program, together with prospecting, mapping, LiDAR & Magnetic surveys, will help assist our geologists to identify, validate and advance potential gold targets along the northern Appleton Fault Zone. Our field exploration program this year is designed to generate and advance new gold targets along the northern prospective fault lines leading to a drilling decision later this year."

ODM's laboratory facilities are based in Ottawa, Canada. ODM's experienced staff have performed similar studies from tills sourced from central Newfoundland and ODM holds a Certificate of Authorization from the Professional Geoscientists Ontario.

Figure 1: Exploits 2023 Phase-1 till sampling program for Gazeebow South.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6393/173200_6e00cd45b4795989_002full.jpg

National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure

Ken Tylee, P.Geo., VP of Exploration with Exploits, is a qualified person within the Provinces of Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Tylee has reviewed and approved the technical information presented herein.

About Exploits Discovery Corp.

Exploits is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of mineral projects in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Company is focused on discovering high-grade structurally hosted epizonal gold similar to New Found Gold's success along the Appleton Fault Zone and parallel structures within the Exploits Subzone.

Exploits is utilizing its experienced, talented local team and geologic understanding with the vision to become one of the most successful explorers in Canada.

On Behalf of the Board

/s/ "Jeff Swinoga"

President and CEO

For more information, please contact:

Shanda Kilborn

VP, Investor Relations

+1 (778) 819-2708

investors@exploits.gold

https://exploitsdiscovery.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities 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.

Acknowledgments

Exploits Discovery would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program from the Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173200
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 12, 2023) - Metal Energy Corp. (TSXV: MERG) (OTCQB: MEEEF) (the "Company" or "Metal Energy") is pleased to provide further evidence supporting lithium ("Li") brine prospectivity at the SourceRock project ("SourceRock" or the "Project"), Thunder Bay-Nipigon area of northwestern Ontario (Figure 1).

"We have ample scientific documentation supporting our thesis of highly concentrated lithium brines at SourceRock. The Sibley Basin sedimentary brine source rocks exhibit deep geological characteristics and boast elevated total dissolved solids (TDS) levels. Higher TDS concentrations are typically associated with increased lithium content. We know the presence of super saline brines within the Project and our objective is to confirm their lithium content. With drill permits in hand we are excited to progress SourceRock towards its planned 'proof-of-concept' drill program," said James Sykes, CEO of Metal Energy.

Please watch this video for new details indicating SourceRock's supersaturated saline solution and increased TDS meet the criteria for increased Lithium concentration potential within brines.





SourceRock Lithium Brine Project: Ontario's First Lithium Brine Project - Chemical Analysis and Interpretations



Cannot view this video? Visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXJxSvzLT-Q

For the latest videos from Metal Energy and other Ore Group companies, subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@theoregroup

SourceRock is a drill-ready project with an exploration permit already in-hand from the Ontario Ministry of Mines for up to 20 drill pads. Initial geophysical data compilation has already identified saline brine drill targets on the Project. The Company is currently engaged with local Indigenous groups, communities, and stakeholders, and anticipates a drill program to commence after sufficient and meaningful consultation has been completed.

SourceRock Exploration Plans

SourceRock is a drill-ready project with an exploration permit already in-hand from the Ontario Ministry of Mines for up to 20 drill pads. Initial geophysical data compilation has already identified saline brine drill targets on the Project. The Company is currently engaged with local Indigenous groups, communities, and stakeholders, and anticipates a drill program to commence after sufficient and meaningful consultation has been completed.

About the SourceRock Li Brine Project

SourceRock is exceptionally large, covering 913 square kilometres (91,288 hectares) encompassing approximately 10 to 20 km wide by 95 km long 91,288 hectares within the Proterozoic Sibley sedimentary basin, Thunder Bay-Nipigon area, Ontario. The Project has excellent access to infrastructure and capacity that has supported previous exploration programs and mine development, including year-round highway, railroad, and seaport access, with power and natural gas lines crossing SourceRock.

About Metal Energy Corp.

Metal Energy is a nickel and battery metal exploration company with three projects in politically stable Canadian jurisdictions; Manibridge (Ni-Cu-Co-PGE) in Manitoba, and SourceRock (Li-Na-K) and Strange (Ni-Cu-Co-PGE) in Ontario. The Manibridge Project is 85% owned by Metal Energy and 15% owned by Mistango River Resources Inc. (CSE: MIS). Both SourceRock and Strange Projects are subject to earn-in agreements where the Company can acquire 100% exploration rights to each project.

QP Statement

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Charles Beaudry, P.Geo., Director for Metal Energy, and a Qualified Person as defined in "National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects."

For further information, please contact:

Metal Energy Corp.

MERG on the TSXV

info@metalenergy.ca

www.metalenergy.ca

James Sykes, CEO

jsykes@oregroup.ca

306-221-8717

Reader Advisory

Certain information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements or information ("forward-looking statements"), including details about the business of the Company. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Company's control, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, environmental risks, operational risks, competition from other industry participants, stock market volatility. Although the Company believes that the expectations in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, its forward-looking statements have been based on factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate. Those factors and assumptions are based upon currently available information. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results or events and cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, as no assurance can be provided as to future results, levels of activity or achievements. Risks, uncertainties, material assumptions and other factors that could affect actual results are discussed in our public disclosure documents available at www.sedar.com including the Filing Statement dated November 15, 2021. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as of the date of this document and, except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.





Figure 1 - SourceRock Li Brine Project Location in the Thunder Bay-Nipigon area of northwestern Ontario



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LONDON, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Matthey (JM), a global leader in sustainable technologies, has today signed an investment agreement with the Jiading District in Shanghai to help accelerate the hydrogen economy in China.

At a signing ceremony in Sonning, UK today, JM and the Shanghai Jiading District announced plans to build a new catalyst coated membrane (CCM) production facility, providing CCM production capability for multiple proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell applications and PEM electrolysers.

The facility which will have an initial capacity of up to 5GW, will occupy 22,000m2 in the Jiading district of Shanghai, in a designated Hydrogen industrial zone and is due to be operational in 2025. It will have potential to expand further in line with customer demand.

The investment, which is backed by customer demand, is part of JM's 1.1 billion global stated capital expenditure for the three years to 2024/25 and will include government support and incentives.

Dr Mark Su, President of Greater China at Johnson Matthey, said: "This is a landmark investment for our business as we build our footprint in the US, Europe and now China, cementing our presence in all three major hydrogen markets. We are excited to expand our businesses whilst creating and scaling the low carbon solutions that will help China achieve carbon neutrality by 2060."

The new production facility will enable Johnson Matthey to supply existing Chinese and international customers with locally produced CCMs, and in addition there is a strong pipeline of further customer interest across both fuel cell and renewable (green) hydrogen technologies.

Ms. Gao Xiang, Mayor of Jiading District, said: "Jiading District is a famous international automobile city and one of the earliest areas in China to develop a hydrogen industry. With the help of companies like Johnson Matthey, we are able to actively build a hydrogen technologies innovation hub and a national fuel cell vehicle demonstration city. This investment agreement plays to both parties' strengths and is a win-win cooperation."

CCMs are key performance defining components in fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV). China has said it aims to have 1 million hydrogen-powered vehicles on its road by 2030.

Johnson Matthey has a long heritage in China with six state-of-the art manufacturing facilities. JM is one of China's leading auto catalyst producers and platinum group metals traders and refiners, and a leading player across syngas and hydrogen fuel cells. JM was the first commercial scale membrane electrode assembly (MEA) producer in China, producing the MEAs for hydrogen fuel cell shuttle buses showcased in the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022.

Johnson Matthey is a global leader in sustainable technologies, catalysing the net zero transition. With over 200 years of sustained commitment to innovation and technological breakthroughs, we improve the performance, function and safety of our customers' products. Our science has a global impact in areas such as low emission transport, energy, chemical processing and making the most efficient use of the planet's natural resources. Today, about 13,000 Johnson Matthey professionals collaborate with our network of customers and partners to make a real difference to the world around us. For more information visit www.matthey.com

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The World's Best Brand In 2020 And 2021, The Leela Has Been Voted #3 Top Hotel Brand In Travel+Leisure World's Best Awards Survey 2023

The Leela Palace Udaipur featured in 100 Best Hotels in the World and in 5 Favourite Resorts in India

The Leela Palace New Delhi included in the 3 Best City Hotels in India and in 15 Best City Hotels in Asia.

MUMBAI, India, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has once again been recognized among the top 3 World's Best Hotel Brands by readers of Travel+Leisure USA. Voted the World's #1 Hotel brand in 2020 and 2021, the brand has once again won top accolades, ranking #3 in the Top Hotel Brand in Travel+Leisure World's Best Awards Survey 2023. This honour is a recognition of the brand's consistency in its pursuit of excellence and commitment to delivering true Indian luxury with the graciousness of Indian hospitality.

The Leela Palace Udaipur has also been featured in the 100 Best Hotels in the World and in the 5 Favourite Resorts in India while The Leela Palace New Delhi has been included in the 3 Best City Hotels in India and the 15 Best City Hotels in Asia.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Anuraag Bhatnagar, Chief Executive Officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, said, "We are delighted and humbled to win this prestigious recognition and be featured amongst the world's top 3 hotel brands once again. This honour is a testament to the hard work, passion and dedication of our associates who are committed to creating authentic luxury experiences while placing the guest at the centre of everything we do. We are delighted that our nuanced approach to luxury is resonating with the discerning global traveller, and we thank them for their trust and support."

Travel+Leisure World's Best Award Survey is a renowned benchmark of excellence for travel and hospitality companies globally. It honours the finest travel experiences in the world selected by Travel+Leisure's global readership of discerning travellers. Readers rate their experiences and evaluate hotels across the world, based on characteristics such as rooms, location/ facilities, service, food, and value.

The Leela has always placed high importance on the ever-evolving needs and expectations of the luxury traveller and has focused on curating meaningful and relevant experiences while staying true to its philosophy of 'Atithi Devo Bhava'-Guest is God. The Leela experience is infused with a distinct aesthetic that celebrates India's rich art, cuisine and culture that is engrained in its offering of India's heritage to the world. This is not only a recognition of what the brand has been able to achieve but also a tribute to the love that Indian hospitality enjoys globally.

Explore more at www.theleela.com | Watch video: https://bit.ly/44HTFhE

About The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts

Headquartered in Mumbai, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts is owned by a Brookfield Asset Management-sponsored private real estate fund and operates eleven award-winning properties in major cities and leisure destinations across India. These include the flagship hotel in the capital city of New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Udaipur, Jaipur, Gurugram, East Delhi, Mumbai, Gandhinagar and now Kovalam and Ashtamudi in Kerala. The Leela celebrates each hotel through its unique location, art, culture and cuisine with thoughtful services, celebratory rituals, and immersive experiences. The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts was voted the World's Best Hotel Brand twice in a row by Travel + Leisure, USA, World's Best Awards Survey, 2020 and 2021. In 2023, the brand has once again been featured in the top 3 World's Best Hotel Brands. An epitome of true Indian luxury hospitality, The Leela is committed to providing guests with unforgettable stays in settings that capture the essence of India. The brand has a marketing alliance with US-based Preferred Hotels & Resorts and is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance.

For more information, please visit our website www.theleela.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Leading Global Food Company to List on Sao Paulo and New York Stock Exchanges?

Proposal to Unlock Value for Shareholders and Increase Access for Investors

SAO PAULO, Brazil, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JBS, a leading global food company, today announced a proposal to list company shares on the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange (B3 S.A. - Brasil, Bolsa, Balcao or "B3"), using Brazilian Depository Receipts (BDRs), and the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), in order to better reflect the company's global presence and unlock value for shareholders.

"Today, JBS presents a transformative value proposition to its shareholders and the market that will unlock the potential value of our global company for all stakeholders," said Gilberto Tomazoni, JBS Global CEO. "The dual listing strategy will accelerate our capacity for diversification and growth into more branded and value-added food products, reduce our cost of capital and generate greater returns for shareholders, while creating opportunities for the communities where we operate and for our more than 260,000 team members around the world."

Under the proposal, Level II BDRs will be traded on B3, backed by Class A shares listed on the NYSE. Minority shareholders may cancel BDRs at any time to directly hold Class A shares. A dividend distribution linked to the dual listing will be part of the transaction, given the strategic relevance of the proposal.

With annual revenues of R$375 billion, JBS operates a diversified, global food production platform, with operations and commercial offices in 24 countries, and over 330,000 customers in more than 190 countries. Established in Brazil 70 years ago, nearly 60% of its global workforce resides in Brazil, producing food and related products in more than 130 production facilities spread across all regions of the country. The company also has significant operations in North America, Europe, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

"This proposal will enhance transparency and strengthen corporate governance, attracting a broader base of investors with greater financial capacity," said Guilherme Cavalcanti, JBS Global CFO. "Importantly, the proposal will provide flexibility to finance growth through the issuance of equity while reducing the cost of capital, allowing the company to compete on an equal footing with global peers."

The company's proven operational structure, including assets, supply chains and financial flows around the world, is not impacted by the proposed dual listing, creating certainty for employees, producers and customers. The company will be subject to regulations set forth by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), NYSE and the Brazilian Securities Commission (CVM).

"The market has patiently requested this next step from our company, and we believe we have responded with a compelling proposal that reinforces our commitment to Brazil, creates value for our stakeholders and should be well received by minority shareholders and the market," stated Tomazoni.

Learn More About This Proposal: Please visit jbs.com.br/en/duallisting for more information.

About JBS

JBS is one of the leading food companies in the world, with a diversified, global platform of products including beef, pork, poultry, lamb, fish and alternative protein offerings. The company has more than 260,000 team members and over 330,000 customers in more than 190 countries. JBS offers a comprehensive portfolio of well-recognized brands, including Seara, Swift, Pilgrim's Pride, Moy Park, Primo and Just Bare.

Disclaimer:

This press release is for informational purposes and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be illegal in the absence of registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

Statements contained in this press release (or the documents it incorporates by reference) that are not facts or historical information may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may, among other things, include statements about the proposed transaction involving JBS N.V. and JBS S.A.; beliefs related to the creation of value as a result of the proposed transaction involving JBS N.V. and JBS S.A.; the intended timeline for completion of the operation; benefits and synergies of the operation; and any other statements regarding the future beliefs, expectations, plans, intentions, financial condition or performance of JBS N.V. and JBS S.A. In some cases, terms such as "estimate", "project", "anticipate", "plan", "believe", "may", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "planned", "potential", "could", "will" and similar terms, or the negative of these expressions, may identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and beliefs of JBS N.V. and JBS S.A. about future events and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current results.

This press release is being released in respect of the proposed transaction. In connection with the proposed transaction, JBS B.V.) or JBS S.A.'s website) or by contacting JBS S.A.'s Investor Relations department. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval.

MEDIA CONTACT

Nikki Richardson

Corporate Communications

JBS USA & Pilgrim's

nikki.richardson@jbssa.com
Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen.

WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Pratt & Whitney, an RTX (RTX) business, has signed a $5.5 billion modification to the previously awarded F117 Engine Sustainment Support contract with the U.S. Air Force. The contract provides engine services for C-17s operated by the USAF and eight international partners. The modification includes an engine performance improvement package that will eliminate more than 20 shop visits per year. The package will also improve the F117 engine's fuel efficiency. 'One specific product improvement we are looking to incorporate under this contract is a compressor blade coating technology, which according to the Air Force Research Laboratory's estimates, can extend time on wing by up to 16% and reduce fuel burn by over 1%,' said Chris Johnson, vice president of Fighter and Mobility Programs at Pratt & Whitney. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Internet, Everywhere--(Newsfile Corp. - July 12, 2023) - Shopify Inc. (NYSE, TSX: SHOP), a provider of essential internet infrastructure for commerce, plans to announce financial results for its second quarter, which ended June 30, 2023, after markets close on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.

Shopify's management team will host a conference call to discuss second-quarter results at 5:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. The conference call will be available via webcast on the investor relations section of Shopify's website at https://investors.shopify.com/news-and-events/.

An archived replay of the webcast will be available following the conclusion of the call.

About Shopify

Shopify is the leading global commerce company that provides essential internet infrastructure for commerce, offering trusted tools to start, scale, market, and run a retail business of any size. Shopify makes commerce better for everyone with a platform and services that are engineered for speed, customization, reliability, and security, while delivering a better shopping experience for consumers online, in store and everywhere in between. Shopify powers millions of businesses in more than 175 countries and is trusted by brands such as Mattel, Gymshark, Heinz, FTD, Netflix, Kylie Cosmetics, SKIMS, Supreme, and many more. For more information, visit www.shopify.com.

CONTACTS:

INVESTORS:

Carrie Gillard

Director, Investor Relations

ir@shopify.com

MEDIA:

Stephanie Ross

Communications Lead

press@shopify.com

SOURCE: Shopify

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173096
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 12, 2023) - UGE International Ltd. (TSXV: UGE) (OTCQB: UGEIF) (the "Company" or "UGE"), a leader in commercial and community solar, announces milestones and business updates for the second quarter ending June 30, 2023.

Backlog Approaches 100MW Annual Growth Goal

In the second quarter, UGE's project backlog (stages 3.1-5) increased 14% to 356MW from 313MW at the end of the first quarter. Since the start of the year, the Company's backlog has increased by 96MW, marking near-achievement of its 2023 annual goal to add 100MW to its backlog. UGE anticipates achieving and exceeding this goal during the third quarter, far ahead of schedule. The Company's stage 3.0 development pipeline, which represents projects with site control secured but in earlier stages of development, also grew by 27% in Q2 to 605MW. As of June 30, 2023, UGE has a pre-development pipeline (stages 1 and 2) of over 2 gigawatts, as well.





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Projects Totaling 3.2MW Reach Notice to Proceed (NTP)

During the quarter, UGE achieved the NTP milestone for two projects totaling 3.2MW as the projects prepare for construction. The Company has now reached NTP on 13.2MW of projects in 2023. The Notice to Proceed milestone indicates that financing for the project has closed and all necessary permits and interconnection approvals for the project are in place.

One of the projects to reach NTP is UGE's second 2.7MW ground-mount solar farm in Oakland, Maryland; the first of the two projects reached NTP in March. After years of running a pilot community solar program, Maryland instated a permanent program this May, making it the 23rd U.S. state to implement a shared-access community solar framework without limitation to accessibility.

The other project to reach NTP during the quarter was a 548kW rooftop project, to be built atop a shopping mall on Staten Island, New York. This will be the third community solar project UGE owns and operates on Staten Island.

Both new projects will join UGE's Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) program, meaning that at least 30% of the energy generated by the project will be reserved for LMI households. Strengthening renewable energy equity is one of UGE's guiding goals; the Company's stated target is for more than 25% of the off-take from its operational portfolio to serve LMI households by 2026.

Deployment Progresses, Rooftop Projects Near Completion

During the quarter, the Company made significant progress on the construction of two rooftop projects totaling 1.8MW. One of the projects, UGE's second in the town of Peekskill, New York, has all major equipment installed and is on track to reach commercial operation at the beginning of August. Another, a 1MW project at Foxcroft Academy in Maine, is scheduled just to turn on just a few weeks later at the end of August. Further deployment progress was made across an additional five projects - four ground-mounts and one rooftop - totaling 11.5MW.





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Construction Complete on 1MW Ground-Mount

UGE completed its 1MW community solar project in Norway, Maine. Pending the utility installing the final meter required for interconnection, the project will reach official commercial operation imminently. The project, built atop a former landfill, will provide cheaper, cleaner electricity to the municipality and local small businesses in the area.

UGE Projects Stages 3.1-6*

As-of June 30, 2023





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*Stage 3.1: Site secured, material feasibility determined

Stage 6: Operational

Strategic Plan Released

The Company shared its corporate Strategic Plan for 2023-2026, presenting UGE's Strategic Pillars, Corporate Goals, and how the Company will measure its success against said goals. The Strategic Plan is available here.

About UGE

UGE develops, owns, and operates commercial and community solar and battery storage projects. Our distributed energy solutions deliver cheaper, cleaner energy to businesses and consumers with no upfront cost. With over 500MW of global experience, we work daily to power a more sustainable world. Visit us at www.ugei.com. For more information, contact UGE:

Nick Blitterswyk - investors@ugei.com or +1 917 720 5685.

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 news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the anticipated use of proceeds, and the listing of the Green Debentures on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

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The Customer will renew its subscription to Plurilock AI Cloud for 5,800 users.

New cybersecurity project will further integrate Plurilock's flagship product into the Customer's operating environment and existing workflows.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 12, 2023) - Plurilock Security Inc. (TSXV: PLUR) (OTCQB: PLCKF) and related subsidiaries ("Plurilock" or the "Company"), an identity-centric cybersecurity solutions provider for workforces, announced today that the Company has signed a contract renewal for its flagship product, Plurilock AI, with one of India's largest airlines (the "Customer").

According to the terms of the contract, the Customer will renew its subscription to Plurilock AI Cloud, which features Single-Sign On and Access Controls for cloud applications, for 5,800 users. In addition, the contract also includes the launch of a new cybersecurity project, which will further integrate Plurilock AI Cloud into their operating environment and existing workflows. The project comprises custom development work that enables the Company's flagship product to provide additional automatic provisioning, de-provisioning and account synchronization across cloud services.

"We are pleased to have established a strong business relationship with an overseas airline of this caliber," said Ian L. Paterson, CEO of Plurilock. "Our goal is to be well-positioned as a leading provider of AI-driven cybersecurity solutions to organizations across different key industry verticals. We look forward to working with the Customer in ensuring their security requirements are met and protecting their business systems against cyber threats."

Additional Subscription to the Private Placement

The Company also wishes to announce that, further to its news release dated June 28, 2023, the Company has accepted one additional subscription (the "Additional Subscription") for 100,000 units of the Company ("Units") at a price of $0.145 per Unit, for gross proceeds of $14,500 (the "Private Placement"). The aggregate gross proceeds raised under all tranches of the Private Placement totaled approximately $1,661,305.

Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one additional share (a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.20 per Warrant Share for a period of 48 months from the closing date of the Private Placement, provided that if the volume weighted average closing price of the Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (or such other stock exchange on which the Shares are traded) is equal to or greater than $0.25 for any ten consecutive trading days, the Company may at its option to elect to accelerate the expiry of the Warrants by providing notice to the holders thereof, in which case the Warrants will expire thirty calendar days following delivery of such notice.

In connection with the Additional Subscription, the Company paid an arm's length finder (the "Finder") $1,015 and issued 7,000 finder's warrants, representing 7% of the proceeds raised from those purchasers introduced by such Finder and 7% of the total number of Units sold to investors introduced by such Finder, which provide that such Finder may acquire Shares at $0.145 per Finder's Warrant Share for a period of 48 months from the date of issuance.

The Company intends to use the proceeds raised from the Private Placement for general corporate purposes and market awareness advertising.

About Plurilock

Plurilock secures workforces, delivering least privilege access management and advanced IT solutions to commercial and government customers worldwide. With industry-leading artificial intelligence and patented real-time identity confirmation technology, Plurilock combines next-generation cybersecurity with a comprehensive line of products and services that enable teams across North America and the globe to compute safely in a remote work world.

For more information, visit https://www.plurilock.com or contact:

Ian L. Paterson

Chief Executive Officer

ian@plurilock.com

416.800.1566

Prit Singh

Investor Relations

prit.singh@plurilock.com

905.510.7636

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") related to future events or Plurilock's future business, operations, and financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements normally contain words like "will", "intend", "anticipate", "could", "should", "may", "might", "expect", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential", "project", "assume", "contemplate", "believe", "shall", "scheduled", and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, actions, or developments and are based on expectations, assumptions, and other factors that management currently believes are relevant, reasonable, and appropriate in the circumstances. Although management believes that the forward-looking statements herein are reasonable, actual results could be substantially different due to the risks and uncertainties associated with and inherent to Plurilock's business. Additional material risks and uncertainties applicable to the forward-looking statements herein include, without limitation, the impact of general economic conditions, the success of the Company in obtaining new or extended contracts or orders; the Company's ability to maintain existing customers or develop new customers; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquisitions of other businesses and/or companies or to realize on the anticipated benefits thereof; and unforeseen events, developments, or factors causing any of the aforesaid expectations, assumptions, and other factors ultimately being inaccurate or irrelevant. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond the control of Plurilock. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at the date hereof, and Plurilock undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in its most recent Annual Information Form. They are otherwise disclosed in its filings with securities regulatory authorities available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173178
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 12, 2023) - Canadian Copper Inc. (CSE: CCI) ("Canadian Copper" or the "Company") announces that it has initiated a non-brokered private placement of up to 8,333,333 units at a price of $0.12 per unit for gross proceeds up to $1,000,000 ("Private Placement"). The Company has secured an initial commitment of $100,000 from Simon Quick, CEO of Canadian Copper.

"As a result of my conviction for the Murray Brook deposit and this transformative acquisition for Canadian Copper, it is prudent that we align ourselves with our current shareholders and future investors whom we are asking to invest alongside us to complete this transaction," commented Simon Quick, CEO of Canadian Copper. "Murray Brook is a large well-defined resource, situated between and connecting two previously operating mines in a world class base metal district conducive to development. A strategic asset purchase of this caliber, which is 10 km from a well-maintained concentrator facility that was operating as recently as 2022, do not come along very often. We believe this acquisition supports the Company growth strategy of increasing our exposure to critical minerals in stable jurisdictions."

Each unit of the Private Placement will consist of one common share of the Company and one-half of a share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $0.18 per share at any time within 2 years from the date of issuance. The warrants will be subjected to an accelerated exercise clause in the event the Company's share price exceeds $0.30 for 10 consecutive trading days on a volume weighted average price basis.

Proceeds from the Private Placement will be used for the financing of the $750,000 cash payment owed under the Purchase Agreement to acquire the Murray Brook deposit, to update the Murray Brook deposit historical mineral resource estimate technical report projected for release in November 2023, and for general corporate working purposes. Please click here to understand the accretive rational and strategic merits for this purchase.

Closing is expected on or about July 31, 2023, or such other date as the Company may determine. While the Private Placement is being affected by the Company on a non-brokered basis, the Company may pay finder's fees to arm's-length third parties consisting of a cash commission of up to 7% of the gross proceeds of the Private Placement and 7% broker warrants on the same terms as warrants issued per the Private Placement. A statutory four month plus one day hold period will apply to all securities issued in connection with the Private Placement. The Private Placement is subject to CSE and

regulatory approval.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered under the 1933 Act and any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements is available.

Certain directors and other insiders of the Company may participate in the Private Placement and subscribe for an amount no more than the maximum amount permissible under applicable securities laws and regulatory rules. Participation by the directors and other insiders in the Private Placement would be considered a "related party transaction" pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61- 101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company expects to be exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval in connection with the insiders' participation in the Private Placement in reliance on sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in that the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of any securities issued under the Private Placement (and the consideration paid to the Company therefor) to interested parties (as defined under MI 61-101) will not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101).

About Canadian Copper Inc.

Canadian Copper is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company with a copper and base metals portfolio of historical resources and grassroots projects. The Company is focused on the prolific Bathurst Mining Camp (BMC) of New Brunswick, Canada. There are currently 74,192,873 shares issued and outstanding in the Company.

For more information, please contact:

Simon Quick, Director and CEO

email simon@canadiancopper.com / ir@canadiancopper.com

phone (905)-220-6661

web www.canadiancopper.com

Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note and Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain 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 proposed Private Placement, proposed use of proceeds, market and regulatory approval, anticipated closing date for the Private Placement, insider participation, acquisition of the Murray Brook deposit, planned update to the Murray Brook mineral resource estimate, 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. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "will", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the Company's option to acquire properties under the Puma Option Agreement, the proposed expenditures for exploration work thereon, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the CSE), permits or financing, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, the Company's limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's prospectus dated May 24th, 2022 and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval website at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this presentation or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173186
Global software executive joins supply chain leader focused on continuing the company's growth and market leadership

Kinaxis Inc. (TSX: KXS), the leading provider of supply chain management solutions, today announced Margaret Franco as chief marketing officer. Reporting to President and CEO John Sicard, Franco will lead the global marketing organization, including advertising and brand strategy, marketing communications, product and solution marketing, digital marketing, demand generation and business development.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712626907/en/

Margaret Franco has been named Kinaxis chief marketing officer. (Photo: Business Wire)

As Kinaxis continues to expand globally, Franco's base in London puts her at the center of a growing customer and employee hub and adds strength to the company's international network with offices in Tokyo, Chennai and Rotterdam, and more than 40,000 users in over 100 countries. Franco's experience helping companies scale to $1 billion and beyond, her pedigree in shaping global brands and her commitment to customer, partner and employee communities make her a valuable addition to the company.

"Kinaxis is at an exciting inflection point where its technique, product, people and culture are well positioned to transform an industry ripe for change. I'm thrilled to be joining John and the whole team, and looking forward to achieving something special together," said Franco.

Headquartered in Ottawa, Kinaxis works with many of the largest global brands, including Bose, Carlsberg, Ford, HAVI, Honeywell, Merck, Procter Gamble, Schneider Electric, Qualcomm, Unilever, and many others. Since its IPO in 2014, the company has more than tripled revenue, and in May 2023, Kinaxis was named a leader in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for Supply Chain Planning Solutions for the ninth consecutive time.

Sicard added, "It's rare to find someone with the depth of experience, global perspective and commitment to people and culture that are necessary to help us, and our customers, make real change in supply chain management. I'm thrilled to welcome Margaret to our team."

Franco was previously chief marketing officer at Finastra and before that held senior marketing roles in North America, Europe and Asia at Dell during a 13-year tenure. In 2022, Franco was ranked fourth on the Financial Technology Report Top 25 Women Leaders in Financial Technology.

To learn more about Kinaxis and its supply chain management solutions, please visit www.kinaxis.com.

About Kinaxis

Everyday volatility and uncertainty demand quick action. Kinaxis delivers the agility to make fast, confident decisions across integrated business planning and the digital supply chain. People can plan better, live better and change the world. Trusted by innovative brands, we combine human intelligence with AI and concurrent planning to help companies plan for any future, monitor risks and opportunities and respond at the pace of change. Powered by an extensible, cloud-based platform, Kinaxis delivers industry-proven applications so everyone can know sooner, act faster and remove waste. For more Kinaxis news, visit Kinaxis.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Source: Kinaxis

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712626907/en/

Contacts:

Media Relations

Jaime Cook Kinaxis

jcook@kinaxis.com

289-552-4640

Investor Relations

Rick Wadsworth Kinaxis

rwadsworth@kinaxis.com

613-907-7613
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / AI/ML Innovations Inc. (CSE:AIML)(OTCQB:AIMLF)(FWB:42FB), a leading company committed to acquiring and advancing Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning technologies that address urgent societal needs, is pleased to report that its minority-owned subsidiary, Tech2Heal SAS, has made significant advancements in its Digital Health Delivery Platform, Alakin, through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). The Alakin Platform is a cutting-edge cloud-based solution incorporating a comprehensive suite of AI-driven features designed to empower clinicians and enhance patient care - enabling clinicians to optimize their quality medical time with patients and deliver personalized, proactive care.

The challenges clinicians face due to administrative burdens often limit their direct patient interaction. Alakin confronts this issue head-on by streamlining workflows and automating time-consuming tasks, including note-taking and form-filling. The platform automatically populates relevant information by leveraging AI-powered algorithms, significantly reducing the time spent on administrative duties. This automation not only improves clinician productivity but also enhances the accuracy and completeness of patient records.

Moreover, Alakin leverages AI to provide proactive patient care guidance through comprehensive risk factor analysis. By considering multiple factors such as medical history, current conditions, age, sex, social and environmental determinants, and family background, the Platform generates personalized preventative care recommendations. This innovative approach allows clinicians to address potential health risks and deliver targeted interventions, ultimately improving patient outcomes and overall population health.

Dr. Elisabeth Pakin, CMO and Co-founder of Tech2heal stated, "At Tech2heal, our mission is to empower clinicians and revolutionize healthcare delivery. By harnessing the capabilities of AI within the Alakin Digital Health Platform, we are reshaping the dynamics of clinician-patient interactions, enabling healthcare professionals to reclaim valuable time for direct patient care." Dr. Pakin added, "We strongly believe in the power of listening to our customers and understanding their unique challenges. Through ongoing collaboration and feedback, we continuously refine and expand the Alakin platform to meet the evolving needs of clinicians and empower them to provide exceptional care."

With its latest AI automation enhancements, Tech2heal's Alakin Platform sets a new standard for digital health solutions, revolutionizing how healthcare is delivered. By leveraging the power of AI, clinicians can maximize their impact, improving patient care and driving positive health outcomes.

About Tech2heal https://www.tech2heal.com/

Tech2heal is an innovative leader dedicated to transforming healthcare through cutting-edge digital solutions. The company's flagship product, the Alakin Digital Health Platform, leverages artificial intelligence to automate administrative and repetitive tasks, empowering clinicians to optimize their medical time with patients. Guided by customer feedback, Tech2heal is committed to developing solutions that address the specific pain points faced by healthcare professionals and drive positive change in the industry. This collaborative approach enables Tech2heal to address the specific needs of clinicians and continually enhance the platform's capabilities to deliver maximum value.

About AI/ML Innovations Inc. https://aiml-innovations.com/

AI/ML Innovations Inc. has realigned its business operations to capitalize on the burgeoning fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), with an initial investment focus on emerging digital health and wellbeing companies that leverage AI, ML, cloud computing and digital platforms to drive transformative healthcare management solutions and precision support delivery across the health continuum. Through strategic partnerships with Health Gauge (95.2% owned by AIML), Tech2Heal (up to 22% ownership rights, with 12.44% currently owned by AIML), AI Rx Inc. (70% owned by AIML) and other planned accretive investments, the Company continues to capitalize on expanding growth areas, to the benefit of all the Company's stakeholders. AI/ML's shares are traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "AIML", the OTCQB Venture Market under "AIMLF", and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under "42FB".

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Tim Daniels, Executive Chairman

For more information about AI/ML Innovations :

For detailed information please see AI/ML's website or the Company's filed documents at www.sedar.com.

For further information, contact: Blake Fallis at (778) 405-0882 or info@aiml-innovations.com.

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For AI/ML Innovations Investors

Certain statements made in this press release that are not based on historical information are forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, AI/ML Innovations' expectations concerning management's plans, objectives and strategies, including strategies for defending the Company's intellectual property. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. AI/ML Innovations Inc. undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise except as expressly required by applicable securities law. Further information regarding the uncertainties and risks can be found in the disclosure documents filed by AI/ML with the securities regulatory authorities, available at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE: AI/ML Innovations Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/766966/AIML-Innovations-Incs-Subsidiary-Revolutionizes-Digital-Health-Platforms-with-AI-Automation-Enhancements
ARway will supply the technologies used for wayfinding, retail advertising, promotion of traveller amenities setting a new standard for airports globally

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / ARway.ai ("ARway" or the "Company") (CSE:ARWY)(OTCQB:ARWYF)(FSE:E65) is an AI powered Augmented Reality Experience platform with a disruptive no-code, no beacon spatial computing solution enabled by visual marker tracking with centimeter precision announces its participation in the Smart Airport Initiative managed by TM Forum . In Addition to ARway other Partners in the program include; Amazon Web Services, VANTIQ, FIWARE, Rockport Software, Intel, Mvine, Vodafone, Deloitte, Vertex, GS1, Heathrow Airport, DFW Airport, and other technology partners.

ARway has been invited to participate in a Smart Airport Initiative managed by TM Forum, a global industry association, and based on the ACRIS semantic model (supported by Airports Council International) that standardizes data flow between connected systems. The initiative will create a working solution that improves the major aspects of airport operations including reservations, passenger management, facilities management, baggage, access control, decision intelligence, and more. ARway will be providing the technologies used for wayfinding, retail advertising, promotion of traveller amenities, etc. which will be accessed through a user's mobile device. The project is expected to be live in the fall of 2023.

Evan Gappelberg CEO comments "We are extremely gratified to be chosen as the AR navigation standard for airports and to work on this airport project alongside the biggest names in technology. We see this as a huge positive step forward and as a major validation of our technology for our investors. He continues "ARway will be providing the technologies used for wayfinding, retail advertising, promotion of traveller amenities and will be helping to set the standard for augmented reality assisted airport navigation globally".

About TM Forum

TM Forum is an alliance of 850+ global companies working together to break down technology and cultural barriers between digital service providers, technology suppliers, consultancies and systems integrators.

Their work is defined by members, which include 10 of the world's top 10 network and communications providers and stretch across 180 countries. Their members tap into each other's collective experiences and abilities to collaboratively solve complex industry-wide challenges, deploy new services and create technology breakthroughs to accelerate change.

Recent News

ARway.ai's Spatial Computing Platform Launches V2.5 With AI-Assisted Augmented Reality Pathfinding Experiences

ARway.ai Spatial Computing Solution Gaining Momentum As 2023 Sales Pipeline Reaches Over $2.5M in Revenue Potential

ARway.ai Files Pivotal Augmented Reality Patent For its Ground-Breaking Indoor Navigation Technology

To learn more about ARway, please follow on Social Media: Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, and visit our website: www.arway.ai

About ARway.ai

ARway.ai (CSE: ARWY) (OTCQB: ARWYF) (FSE: E65) is a spatial computing platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI) providing an array of augmented reality (AR) experiences for indoor spaces. ARway's breakthrough no-code no-beacon IPNN allows for the easy creation of navigation, tours, information sharing, notifications, advertising and gamification. ARway works seamlessly as a cross platform solution on iOS/ Android. ARway's technology is optimized for both mobile devices and AR glasses: Apple's Vision Pro, Magic Leap and Microsoft's HoloLens. ARway has unlimited use cases for augmenting physical spaces, making it a valuable tool for creators, brands and companies in various industries. The complete ARway platform includes: the Web Creator Studio, the ARwayKit Software Development Kit (SDK) and a mobile app for iOS and Android .

Nextech 3D.ai

On October 26, 2022, ARway.ai. was spun-out from its parent Company, Nextech3D.ai (OTCQX: NEXCF) (CSE: NTAR) (FSE: EP2). Nextech retained a control ownership in ARway.ai. with 13 million shares, or a 50% stake. Nextech3D.ai is a Metaverse Company and leading provider of augmented reality ("AR") experience technologies and 3D model services. Nextech's AI-powered 3D modeling platform, "ARitize3D" has contracts with; AMZN, KSS, CB2, Genuine Parts & many others. To learn more about Nextech3D.ai, visit www.nextechar.com

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations Contact

Julia Viola

investor.relations@arway.ai

ARway.ai

Evan Gappelberg

CEO and Director

866-ARITIZE (274-8493)

Forward-looking Statements

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the completion of the transaction are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. ARway.ai will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: ARway Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767184/ARwayai-Selected-by-TM-Forum-to-Participate-in-Smart-Airport-Initiative-Alongside-Intel-Amazon-Vodafone-and-Other-Technology-Partners
Firm Appoints Alberto Herrero as Managing Partner in Madrid

PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / N2Growth Inc., a global leadership consulting and executive search firm, announced today its expansion of operations in Spain with the appointment of Alberto Herrero as Managing Partner. Headquartered in Madrid, Mr. Herrero will be responsible for the firm's operations in Spain and neighboring countries and will report directly to Kelli Vukelic, Chief Executive Officer of N2Growth. Mr. Herrero and his team are joining N2Growth in the acquisition of Blacksmith, an executive search firm in Spain.





N2Growth Spain





Kelli Vukelic, CEO said, "I am so pleased to welcome our new team in Spain, led by Alberto Herrero. Alberto has a proven track record of supporting organizations and leaders to deliver exceptional results. Furthermore, his broad business background and consulting abilities perfectly align with N2Growth's approach to finding and developing the best leaders."

Before joining N2Growth, Mr. Herrero spent over 20 years leading Blacksmith, a Spanish executive search boutique focused on the financial industry and professional services with huge recognition in Europe and Latin America. Alberto brings an extensive global background to his role, with experience spanning the United States, Latin America, the UK, and Europe. His expertise extends to advising various businesses, including large Spanish and international companies, investment banks, asset managers, and private equities, on strategic talent matters.

Mr. Herrero's impressive track record includes successful placements of numerous C-suite executives and board members and advising clients on complex succession plans and talent strategies. His experience and strategic insight will undoubtedly bolster N2Growth's efforts in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Switzerland and reinforce its global Financial Services Practice.

Mr. Herrero has appointed Pilar Munoz, Eduardo Aguilar, Mario Armero, and Luisa Martinez Abasolo as Partners and Jose Manuel Garcia de Sola as Senior Advisor. The new team collectively brings a wealth of experience to the firm, ultimately enhancing N2Growth's global talent acquisition and leadership advisory capabilities.

"After 23 years serving our clients on their talent and leadership matters as an independent firm, it is a pleasure for me and my dedicated and excellent team to give a step forward by joining N2Growth, which will give us a powerful best in class platform to serve our clients and grow our business in the region. Thank you to the Board of Directors and Kelli Vukelic, CEO, for this exciting opportunity," said Mr. Herrero.

N2Growth's expansion into Spain and surrounding countries follows the recent news of establishing a presence in Latin America, mainly Chile, Mexico, and Brazil. This solidifies the firm's commitment to serving our global clients and enabling greater access to worldwide premiere executive talent and leadership advisory services.

About N2Growth

N2Growth is a global leadership consulting and executive search firm consistently ranked as one of America's Best Executive Recruiting Firms by Forbes. The firm serves more than 50 markets across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. You can find more information at www.n2growth.com.

Contact Information

Dan Evans

Chief Marketing Officer

press@n2growth.com

SOURCE: N2Growth

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767281/N2Growth-Bolsters-Executive-Search-Leadership-Advisory-Operations-in-Spain-Acquires-Blacksmith
HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Summa Staffing Technologies, LLC (Summa) is excited to announce the beta launch of Surge, a groundbreaking Direct Hire fee schedule specifically tailored to start-ups and small to medium-sized companies. Surge leverages cutting-edge technology and elite recruiting talent to provide our client partners with streamlined hiring processes, efficient access to top talent and affordable solutions.

Press Release 1

Surge Fee Schedule





Summa's Surge program was designed to revolutionize the way companies source top talent across all skill levels. With a focus on delivering exceptional service and accelerated fill times, Surge's fee schedule delivers cost-effective solutions ranging from 9.5% to 13.5%, offering our client partners the expertise of former in-house talent acquisition experts who have successfully built corporate talent programs within Fortune 500 companies at a fraction of the traditional cost. As a result, Summa clients can access top-tier talent at a price point that accelerates organizational development during the critical growth stages.

Brent Wiltz, President of Summa, emphasized their commitment to addressing the challenges faced by businesses in finding and hiring top talent. "It's time to change the model for the people and companies that need it most," says Wiltz. "Our new direct hire fee schedule provides a cost-effective solution over a fixed period of time, enabling you to control costs while competing for the exceptional talent typically attracted only by larger organizations."

Layered into Surge is the Summa "Community Profit Sharing" program. Summa believes in making a positive impact beyond their talent and clients, and through this unique initiative, 5% of every Direct Hire Placement fee is reinvested in the communities where they operate through charitable gifts. Made in the name of the client partners themselves, these gifts strengthen the fabric of the communities they serve.

Summa boasts a proven track record of delivering high-quality staffing solutions across diverse industries and labor categories. Set apart by an unwavering focus on exceptional service and the cultivation of long-term relationships with clients, Summa is dedicated to helping businesses flourish by delivering highly aligned talent to fuel successful growth.

Rafael Diaz, Managing Director of Recruitment at Summa, highlighted the transformative impact of our discounted fees: "By reducing the cost of recruitment, companies can invest more in their talent acquisition efforts, ultimately finding the right candidates to drive their business forward. And it's not just companies that benefit-job seekers also reap the rewards as more open positions become available in the market."

Contact Information

Brent Wiltz

President

bwiltz@thinksumma.com

4142023190

SOURCE: Summa Staffing Technologies, LLC

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/766906/Summa-Staffing-Technologies-LLC-Summa-is-Excited-to-Announce-the-Beta-Launch-of-Surge-a-Direct-Hire-Fee-Schedule-Tailored-to-Start-Ups-and-Medium-Sized-Companies
IOTech Edge Connect provides a high performance software solution that enables acquisition of real-time industrial data at the edge

IOTech, the leader in open edge computing, announced the general availability of Edge Connect, a powerful new solution for acquiring large amounts of data in complex multi-protocol industrial environments. Industrial IoT applications deliver tremendous business value in manufacturing, energy and other sectors. However, organizations must first connect the edge devices and collect their data before they can create business value, a complex and time-consuming process. Edge Connect streamlines this process so organizations can rapidly deploy new use cases at the edge.

Edge Connect was developed in collaboration with some of the world's leading industrial solution providers including Schneider Electric, Johnson Controls, Fluence Energy and King Steel.

"King Steel has been working in collaboration with IOTech over the last 12 months to help contribute to the direction of Edge Connect with its focus on Industry 4.0 connectivity. Edge Connect delivers an Industry 4.0 data connectivity solution that enables real-time data acquisition, data storage, data visualization and analytics for our award-winning NexCell Injection Moulding Machines," said Jim Chen, General Manager of King Steel. "It was easy to embed Edge Connect into our machines, saving King Steel development time in contrast to alternatives and helping future proof our equipment as our requirements evolve."

Edge Connect is specifically designed as a connectivity solution that can be used by third party OT applications deployed at the industrial edge, including closed loop control applications in the manufacturing sector, real-time monitoring for battery energy storage systems in the energy sector and embedded applications in the automotive sector. Unlike other connectivity solutions, Edge Connect can easily embed into a wide range of edge devices, even the smallest microcontrollers, making it perfect for industrial OEMs. The solution works seamlessly with all existing proprietary systems and hardware, eliminating the need to rip and replace infrastructure to deploy it.

Edge Connect's key features and benefits include:

Easy connectivity unlocks data value : The product provides the ability to easily connect to many different types of equipment concurrently using a variety of industrial protocols (e.g. Modbus, BACnet, OPC Unified Architecture (UA), EtherCAT and many more) and read/write data from these devices at high volume and very low latency, generating business value from the data that has been locked inside of these traditionally siloed systems.

: The product provides the ability to easily connect to many different types of equipment concurrently using a variety of industrial protocols (e.g. Modbus, BACnet, OPC Unified Architecture (UA), EtherCAT and many more) and read/write data from these devices at high volume and very low latency, generating business value from the data that has been locked inside of these traditionally siloed systems. Open APIs : Edge Connect's open APIs make third-party application integration simple. OPC UA has become the de facto communication standard for Industry 4.0 and client applications can access aggregated data via an OPC UA server layer.

: Edge Connect's open APIs make third-party application integration simple. OPC UA has become the de facto communication standard for Industry 4.0 and client applications can access aggregated data via an OPC UA server layer. MQTT/JSON support : Users have the option of accessing normalized data via MQTT/JSON, which is particularly useful when streaming data to cloud services.

: Users have the option of accessing normalized data via MQTT/JSON, which is particularly useful when streaming data to cloud services. Memory and CPU efficiency: With its small memory footprint and efficient use of computing resources, Edge Connect is ideal for applications where CPU and memory resources are limited, such as microcontroller applications.

Major industrial OEMs and ISVs across industry verticals such as smart manufacturing, building management and energy already use IOTech's OT software technologies to create a new generation of protocol-agnostic, data-driven industrial edge solutions. Edge Connect greatly simplifies the development of connected OT applications and enables faster time-to-market for new edge solutions. Because it is hardware and operating system agnostic, users have complete flexibility to deploy it as a native Linux application, containerized or even embedded as a library into a third-party software stack.

"As a high performance connectivity solution that providers can easily embed in their own edge solutions then Edge Connect is unique," said Andrew Foster, Product Director at IOTech. "It solves the problem of accessing an organization's operational data that is typically locked away inside of their OT systems. In most cases, this is through simple configuration or via dynamic device discovery and without the need for custom code."

Designed for high-performance edge computing use cases across a variety of vertical markets Edge Connect simplifies integration between real-time edge applications and higher-level enterprise IT, SCADA and cloud applications.

Edge Connect is available now. For more information, visit here.

About IOTech

IOTech solves the industrial data problem at the edge. Used by the world's leading providers and consumers of industrial edge solutions, IOTech Edge Central makes industrial data easily accessible, actionable and manageable. Edge Central is the most comprehensive foundational software solution for the edge and includes connectivity, processing and edge management. Our modular and flexible plug-and-play, open edge distributed computing data platform and edge management software toolset greatly reduce the time-to-value equation and protects software investment beyond the hardware lifecycle. Edge Central is based on EdgeX, the world's #1 open-source data integration platform and a true, vendor-neutral collaborative ecosystem.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712108541/en/

Contacts:

Haley Zadel

For IOTech

IOTech@10fold.com
Latest CaRi-Heart Technology Raises the Bar for CAD Management by Quantifying Both Coronary Inflammation and Plaque

OXFORD, England, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Caristo Diagnostics Limited, a global leader in cardiac and vascular disease diagnostics and risk prediction, announces today that it is deploying its latest CaRi-Heart technology in National Health Service (NHS) hospitals as part of a new coronary artery disease (CAD) management pathway pilot.

The new pilot supported by NHS England will involve five NHS trusts, including University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. As part of the pilot, patients visiting Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinics (RACPCs) who undergo a CCTA scan as per NICE guidance, will have their scan analysed by the CaRi-Heart platform in order to help healthcare professionals better assess patients' cardiac risk to optimise medical management.

The latest CaRi-Heart platform was released recently for UK and EU markets and can detect both coronary inflammation and atherosclerosis (plaque), based on routine cardiac CT scans. CaRi-Heart's newest product component, the CaRi-PlaqueTM module, is a web-based software medical device designed for trained operators to analyse cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) data for characterisation and quantification of coronary plaque components. Trained operators can use the CaRi-Plaque module to generate a report describing the physical characteristics of coronary plaque powered by artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms.

The CaRi-Heart report quantifies coronary inflammation via the patient-specific Fat Attenuation Index ScoreTM (FAI ScoreTM), which is a novel and patented biomarker for the measurement of coronary inflammation, measured for each coronary artery. The CaRi-Heart report also provides the CaRi-Heart Risk, which assesses the overall 8-year risk of a fatal heart attack (based on coronary inflammation status, plaque, and clinical risks factors). Research studies have shown that abnormal FAI is associated with a 6-9 times higher risk for fatal heart attacks and 5 times higher risk for non-fatal heart attacks1.

"Inflammation plays an important part in the development of atherosclerosis and is a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease progression and events", said Professor Keith Channon, Caristo Diagnostics Chief Medical Officer, "Previously, chest pain clinics have returned most patients back to primary care without a defined prevention or treatment pathway. With coronary inflammation and plaque evaluation provided by the CaRi-Heart analysis, the clinical team will be able to use the additional information to identify at-risk patients more effectively and optimize their treatment, so future cardiac events can be prevented."

"Caristo and our clinical partners are excited about this ground-breaking clinical initiative supported by NHS England", said Frank Cheng, Caristo Diagnostics CEO, "We anticipate that this real-world implementation will pave the way for the CaRi-Heart technology to be broadly adopted both across the NHS and around the world".

About Caristo Diagnostics Limited

Caristo Diagnostics Limited is a global leader in cardiac and vascular disease diagnostics and risk prediction. Founded in 2018 as a spin-out company from the University of Oxford, the world's #1 research university, Caristo has developed a portfolio of imaging-based and AI-assisted platforms that can be applied to aid the prediction and diagnosis of heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. Caristo was highlighted by Nature in 2020 as one of the most exciting science-based companies to have emerged from academic labs. To-date Caristo has attracted over 23 million in venture capital investment (nearly US$30 million). Find Caristo online on its website, LinkedIn and Twitter.

About the CaRi-Heart Technology

Named first of "7 Technologies That Could Change Heart Healthcare Forevermore" by the Robb Report, the CaRi-Heart technology is Caristo's flagship offering which aids coronary artery disease diagnosis with improved risk prediction. It applies advanced AI algorithms to routine cardiac CT scans to visualize and quantify coronary inflammation, which is the previously invisible root cause of the disease. Each patient's CaRi-Heart report includes several clinical results: (1) the patient specific Fat Attenuation Index ScoreTM (FAI ScoreTM), a novel and patented biomarker for the measurement of coronary inflammation, which indicates the patient's risk in % relative to a matched peer group; (2) CaRi-Heart Risk, which assesses the absolute 8-year risk of a fatal heart attack (based on both coronary inflammation status and standard clinical risks factors); and (3) coronary plaque-specific characterization and quantification. The CaRi-Heart Analysis is supported by the CaRi-Heart software, which is cloud-based and agnostic to the type of scanner generating the routine cardiac CT images. The CaRi-Heart technology is CE Mark certified under the latest EU MDR with UKCA marking being received in September 2022. The CaRi-Heart technology is limited to research use in the U.S. before the FDA grants marketing authorization.

Multiple patents underpinning CaRi-Heart technologies have been granted in major jurisdictions around the world. In addition, exceptional validation results showing CaRi-Heart technology's ability to aid the prediction of heart attacks have been published in leading medical journals including the Lancet, JACC, European Heart Journal, and Cardiovascular Research. CaRi-Heart validation and implementation projects have been supported by multiple UK government grants and awards, including the NHS AI Stage 3 Award for real-world evaluation and implementation of CaRi-Heart care pathway in multiple NHS hospitals. With its deep clinical insights, proven validity and implementation readiness, the CaRi-Heart Analysis Service and the resulting new care pathway can transform cardiac care around the world by aiding in better prediction and prevention of future heart attacks.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2054669/4101508/Caristo_Logo.jpg

Contact: Frank Cheng, Caristo Diagnostics CEO, frank.cheng@caristo.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/caristo-diagnostics-piloting-new-cardiac-disease-diagnostic-technology-in-uk-nhs-hospitals-301875355.html
Hydro Hotel Eastbourne Plc - Interim Results for the Half Year ended 30 April 2023

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, July 12

12 July 2023

Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne, Plc

("Hydro Hotel" or the "Company")

Interim Results for the Half Year ended 30 April 2023

YOUR CHAIRMAN'S LETTER

Dear Shareholder,

SIX MONTHS TO 30 APRIL 2023

I am pleased to report on the company's results for the six months to 30 April 2023. The total turnover for the six month period to 30 April 2023 was 1,799,816 compared to 1,822,411 for the same period the previous year, a decrease of 1% (compared to an increase in the six months to 30 April 2022 of 882%).

The gross profit percentage for the period was 3% lower than in the six months to 30 April 2022 and staff costs (excluding grants received for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme) increased by 3% compared to the figure for the period to 30 April 2022 (73% increase in the half year to 30 April 2022).

Overheads increased by 17% (77% increase in the half year ended 30 April 2022). Essential repair work to the fabric of the building was undertaken during the six months to 30 April 2023, with only routine maintenance carried out during the period to 30 April 2022. Consequently, there was an increase in repair costs of 83,847 for this period compared to the same period in the previous year, contributing to the increase in overhead expenses. This in turn has led to a loss for the half year to 30 April 2023 of 171,469 compared to a profit of 22,277 for the half year to 30 April 2022.

The updating of the decor and furniture of the Crystal Restaurant continued during the period, together with the refurbishment of some bedrooms and public areas. New solar panels were installed on the hotel roof, to save energy costs and in keeping with the company's green policy.

The Board and the management of the company continue to monitor cash resources and have paid the dividend of 138,000 declared on 19 January 2023. No further dividends were declared in the period.

The Board wishes to express its thanks to the management and staff of the hotel for their co-operation and efforts during the period. The Hydro team look forward to welcoming new and returning guests in this our 128th year of operation.

Yours sincerely,

Graeme C King, MA, CA

11 July 2023

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023

Half year to Half year to Year ended 30 April 2023 30 April 2022 31 October 2022 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)    TURNOVER 1,799,816 1,822,411 4,402,288 OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT (192,313) 17,580 429,300 INTEREST RECEIVABLE 20,844 4,697 15,911 (LOSS)/PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION (171,469) 22,277 445,211 TAXATION - - (108,511) (LOSS)/PROFIT FOR PERIOD (171,469) 22,277 336,700 (Loss)/Earnings per share (28.58)p 3.71p 56.12p

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AT 30 APRIL 2023

30 April 2023 30 April 2022 31 October 2022 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)    FIXED ASSETS Tangible Assets 2,565,055 2,504,821 2,456,700 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks 40,321 40,200 36,645 Debtors 156,803 124,131 214,131 Investments - 3 month notice deposit accounts 459,798 451,946 453,924 Cash at bank and in hand 1,146,320 1,353,406 1,585,647 1,803,242 1,969,683 2,290,347 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year (761,721) (817,611) (831,002) NET CURRENT ASSETS 1,041,521 1,152,072 1,459,345 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 3,606,576 3,656,893 3,916,045 PROVISION FOR LIABILITIES (123,109) (94,380) (123,109) NET ASSETS 3,483,467 3,562,513 3,792,936 CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called up share capital 600,000 600,000 600,000 Revaluation reserve 398,372 402,651 398,372 Profit and loss reserves 2,485,095 2,559,862 2,794,564 3,483,467 3,562,513 3,792,936





STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023

Half year to Half year to Year ended 30 April 2023 30 April 2022 31 October 2022 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)    NET CASH (USED IN)/INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES (Note 1) (133,517) 238,289 597,959 NET CASH (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES (Note 2) (167,810) (93,236) (136,665)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES Dividends paid (138,000) (120,000) (204,000) NET (DECREASE)/INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (439,327) 25,053 257,294 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD 1,585,647 1,328,353 1,328,353 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE END OF THE PERIOD 1,146,320 1,353,406 1,585,647 RELATING TO: Cash at bank and in hand 1,146,320 1,353,406 1,585,647







NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWSFOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023

Half year to Half year to Year ended 30 April 2023 30 April 2022 31 October 2022 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)    Note 1 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES (Loss)/profit after tax (171,469) 22,277 336,700 Adjustments for: Taxation - - 108,511 Depreciation 95,450 92,102 192,714 Loss/(gain) on disposal of fixed assets 3,625 289 463 Interest receivable (20,844) (4,697) (15,911) OPERATING CASH FLOW BEFORE WORKING CAPITAL CHANGES (93,238) 109,971 622,477 MOVEMENTS IN WORKING CAPITAL (Increase)/decrease in stocks (3,676) (3,543) 12 Decrease/(increase) in debtors 57,328 (8,459) (98,459) (Decrease)/increase in creditors (93,931) 140,320 183,783 Income taxes paid - - (109,854) NET CASH (USED IN)/GENERATED FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES (133,517) 238,289 597,959 Note 2 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of tangible fixed assets (182,780) (97,001) (149,666) Interest received 20,844 4,697 15,911 Payment for other investments (5,874) (932) (2,910) NET CASH FLOW (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES (167,810) (93,236) (136,665)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

1 The results are prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Company's Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 October 2022. 2 The earnings per share are based on a loss of 171,469 (2022 profit of 22,277) being the loss on ordinary activities after taxation. 3 The movement in retained Profit and Loss Reserves from 2,794,564 at 31 October 2022 to 2,485,095 at 30 April 2023 includes the loss for the period and dividends paid of 138,000 (2022: 120,000 paid in the period and Nil accrued). 4 All dividends in 2023 were paid in the period and no accrual is included in creditors, amounts falling due within one year as at 30 April 2023 (2022: 120,000 dividends paid and no accrual included in creditors, amounts falling due within one year as at 30 April 2022). 5 A copy of the interim report and accounts and the Chairman's statement thereto, which were approved by the Board of Directors on 11 July 2023, will be posted to all registered shareholders shortly thereafter. 6 The financial information set out above does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 October 2022, on which the report of the auditor was unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 498 of the Companies Act 2006, have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. 7 The company's auditor, UHY Hacker Young LLP, has not reviewed these unaudited interim accounts.

Enquiries:

Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne, Plc Sally Gausden Company Secretary Telephone: +44 1323 431 200 Peterhouse Capital Limited AQSE Corporate Adviser Mark Anwyl Telephone: +44 20 7469 0930

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation EU 596/2014 as it forms part of retained EU law (as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018).
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Bayer:

Approximately 97 percent of the world's farmers farm on less than 10 hectares (about 25 acres) of land. They represent approximately 550 million smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially across Asia and Africa. These farmers, many of them owning under 2 hectares (about 5 acres), feed more than half of the population in these regions. Therefore, it's no exaggeration to say that smallholder farmers play a big role in global agriculture and food security.

In line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we are committed to contribute to feeding the growing population while respecting planetary boundaries. We start at the farms of those who form the backbone of food security in many rural regions of the world. Smallholder farmers' efforts to escape poverty and feed their families are our efforts as well. We want to help them thrive, empower them to build viable and sustainable businesses, with ripple effects on their rural communities. We want to make a difference - not only in the lives of smallholder farmers but ultimately our all livelihood.

Empowering smallholder farmers is crucial for food security. Together with our partners, we strive to unleash the potential of individual smallholders whose success ultimately contributes to the ecosystem success. Sustainability increased smallholder incomes will in turn benefit the inclusive development of low- and middle-income countries.

D Narain , Global Lead Smallholder Farming

Smallholder Needs

Many of these smallholder farmers are facing significant challenges. Their yields are often low because they do not have access to high-quality crops and practical knowledge about more productive and environmentally friendly cultivation methods. Often, they do not have affordable financing opportunities and access to markets on which they can sell their products at appropriate prices. At the same time, smallholder farmers are also highly exposed to the impacts of climate change and increasingly to harvest losses. For all these reasons, they are often not able to achieve a stable income through farming.

Smallholder Strategy

As the world's leading agriculture company, we will support a total of 100 million smallholder farmers in LMICs by 2030 by improving their access to agricultural products, services, and partnerships. To achieve this, we are increasing the range of our commercial efforts and strategic initiatives tailored to the needs of smallholder farmers. Our strategy to strengthen smallholder farmers is embedded in our regional commercial strategies.

We are successively expanding our product and service portfolio for smallholder farmers, including innovative business models and digital solutions across the entire crop system. This includes solutions from the areas of digital farming and market access, a modified product portfolio, biotechnological solutions, and the formation of partnerships along the value chain.

We aim to create market models that reduce business risks for all partners in the value chain, including smallholder farmers. This is implemented by helping smallholder farmers gain access to the agricultural value chain and increase productivity and income, as well as by creating resilience to ensure the long-term food security of smallholder farmers, their families, and rural regions in the LMICs.

Targets & Achievements

By 2030, we will be supporting 100 million smallholder farmers in LMICs with products, services, and partnerships. We want to enable them to produce enough quality food for themselves and others. While we know improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers will improve food security and quality of life in their communities, we also know it will help us grow our business.

Globally, we generated around 2.3bn of sales with smallholder farmers in 2022, which represents roughly 9% of Crop Science's divisional sales. We estimate our Smallholder farming business to double by 2030 (vs. reference year 2019 of ~1.7bn).

In 2022 already, together with our partners, we supported 52 million smallholder farmers in LMICs with our products and services - 3 million more than in the previous year. We achieved this by significantly expanding business activities, especially in Asia/Pacific.

The Bayer Foundation funds the Digital Farmer II program of our partner Mercy Corps Agrifin together with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This leverages the spread of digital technologies to develop more efficient digital information and financial products and services for smallholder farmers. The goal is for the program to serve up to five million farmers in Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia by 2025. In 2022, we reached some 950,000 smallholder farmers via non-commercial partnerships.

Read more about Our Targets & Our Progress | Bayer global

Read more about the Smallholder Reach Methodology in the Method Paper Smallholder Reach (PDF)

To scale our efforts, we build our engagement with smallholder farmers on the key strategic initiatives of Smallholder-centric Solutions, Value-chain Partnerships, and Digital Solutions - to ultimately unleash their farming potential and improve smallholder livelihoods.

Designing smallholder-centric solutions is key to enable more smallholder farmers to have better yields at their crops. These solutions allow to attain high-quality seeds for main crops which endure better though environments and pests, while creating more affordable and effective crop protection products.

Through a deep understanding and close collaboration with smallholder farmers we aim to create lasting partnerships that provide access to training, advice, and solutions that are needed to harness the opportunities of commercial farming, while also establishing inclusive business models that help connect smallholder farmers to the agricultural value chain.

To help them increase their productivity while heightening land stewardship, we need to create, test and scale digital solutions. Augmenting the access and use of new technologies is essential to overcome extreme weather conditions and pests, while improving income and food security.

We're working directly with smallholder farmers around the world to make a massive impact, together.

For more information, please contact:

Global Smallholder Farming

Crop Science Division, Monheim, Germany

Email: smallholder@bayer.com

View original content here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Bayer on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Bayer

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/bayer

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Bayer

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767288/Bayer-Empowering-SmallHolder-Farmers
KELOWNA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Diamcor Mining Inc. (TSX.V:DMI)(OTCQB:DMIFF)(FRA:DC3A) ("Diamcor" or the "Company"), a Canadian diamond mining company with a well-established proven history in the mining, exploration, and sale of rough diamonds, announced today that it has completed the reconfiguration of its existing generator systems at its Krone-Endora at Venetia diamond mine project (the "Project"). These efforts are aimed at addressing the negative impacts to processing volumes and diamond recoveries, along with associated revenues, experienced in recent months due to increased power outages or load-shedding in South Africa. With these initiatives now complete, the Company has the ability to process material moving forward as required without dependence on the Eskom supplied power grid.

"The increased frequency and uncertainty of power supply at the Project was significantly limiting our ability to process material and generate diamond recoveries and associated revenues in recent months and required a solution to eliminate these issues moving forward," stated Mr. Dean H. Taylor Chief Executive Officer of Diamcor. "Overcoming these issues is a significant milestone which allows us to now aggressively resume advancing our ongoing trial mining efforts, processing volumes, and the bulk-sampling efforts on the greater areas of the Project," added Mr. Taylor.

The existing generator systems were originally installed to address short-term power outages, however given the increased frequency of daily power outages experienced over the past few quarters, addressing this issue became a key priority for the Company. In addition to the reconfiguration of the existing power systems, refinements to the Project's screening and processing facilities are also expected to further reduce power requirements and lower operating costs for the long-term.

About Diamcor Mining Inc.

Diamcor Mining Inc. is a fully reporting publicly traded Canadian diamond mining company with a well-established proven history in the mining, exploration, and sale of rough diamonds. The Company's primary focus is on the mining and development of its Krone-Endora at Venetia Project which is co-located and directly adjacent to De Beers' Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa. The Venetia diamond mine is recognized as one of the world's top diamond-producing mines, and the deposits which occur on Krone-Endora have been identified as being the result of shift and subsequent erosion of an estimated 50M tonnes of material from the higher grounds of Venetia to the lower surrounding areas in the direction of Krone and Endora. The Company focuses on the acquisition and development of mid-tier projects with near-term production capabilities and growth potential and uses unique approaches to mining that involves the use of advanced technology and techniques to extract diamonds in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner. The Company has a strong commitment to social responsibility, including supporting local communities and protecting the environment.

About the Tiffany & Co. Alliance

The Company has established a long-term strategic alliance and first right of refusal with Tiffany & Co. Canada, a subsidiary of world famous New York based Tiffany & Co., to purchase up to 100% of the future production of rough diamonds from the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project at market prices. In conjunction with this first right of refusal, Tiffany & Co. Canada also provided the Company with financing in an effort to advance the Project as quickly as possible. Tiffany & Co. is now owned by Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE (LVMH), a publicly traded company which is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange (Euronext) under the symbol LVMH and on the OTC under the symbol LVMHF. For additional information on Tiffany & Co., please visit their website at www.tiffany.com.

About the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project

Diamcor acquired the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project from De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited, consisting of the prospecting rights over the farms Krone 104 and Endora 66, which represent a combined surface area of approximately 5,888 hectares directly adjacent to De Beers' flagship Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa. The Company subsequently announced that the South African Department of Mineral Resources had granted a Mining Right for the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project encompassing 657.71 hectares of the Project's total area of 5,888 hectares. The Company has also submitted an application for a mining right over the remaining areas of the Project. The deposits which occur on the properties of Krone and Endora have been identified as a higher-grade "Alluvial" basal deposit which is covered by a lower-grade upper "Eluvial" deposit. These deposits are proposed to be the result of the direct-shift (in respect to the "Eluvial" deposit) and erosion (in respect to the "Alluvial" deposit) of an estimated 1,000 vertical meters of material from the higher grounds of the adjacent Venetia Kimberlite areas. The deposits on Krone-Endora occur with a maximum total depth of approximately 15.0 metres from surface to bedrock, allowing for a very low-cost mining operation to be employed with the potential for near-term diamond production from a known high-quality source. Krone-Endora also benefits from the significant development of infrastructure and services already in place due to its location directly adjacent to the Venetia Mine, which is widely recognised as one of the top producing diamond mines in the world.

Qualified Person Statement:

Mr. James P. Hawkins (B.Sc., P.Geo.), is Manager of Exploration & Special Projects for Diamcor Mining Inc., and the Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 responsible for overseeing the execution of Diamcor's exploration programmes and a Member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta ("APEGA"). Mr. Hawkins has reviewed this press release and approved of its contents.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

Mr. Dean H. Taylor

President & CEO

Diamcor Mining Inc.

www.diamcormining.com

For further information contact:

Mr. Dean H. Taylor

Diamcor Mining Inc

DeanT@Diamcor.com

+1 250 862-3212

For Investor Relations contact:

Mr. Rich Matthews Mr. Neil Simon

Integrous Communications Investor Cubed Inc

rmatthews@integcom.us nsimon@investor3.ca

+1 (604) 355-7179 +1 (647) 258-3310

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. While these forward-looking statements represent our best current judgement, they are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict and which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Further, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

WE SEEK SAFE HARBOUR

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Diamcor Mining Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767215/Diamcor-Eliminates-Disruptions-to-Processing-Volumes-and-Recoveries-Caused-by-Eskom-Power-Outages
Provides Exploration Update

Volta acquires a 100% Option interest in the Wakeman Lithium Project, situated within the fertile Allison Lake Batholith, Ontario.

Phase 1 reconnaissance exploration progressing well with 3 properties (106 km2 /10,613 hectares) prospected and samples at the laboratory.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 12, 2023) - Volta Metals Ltd. (CSE: VLTA) ("Volta" or the "Company") announces that is has entered into an arm's length option agreement effective July 07, 2023, whereby the Company was granted an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Wakeman Lithium Project located approximately 80km north east of Ear Falls, Ontario (Figure 1). The Property consists of 70 claim cells, covering 1,438 Hectares (14.4 km2).

Geologically the Wakeman Property is located within the fertile Allison Lake Batholith, which is believed to be the source intrusion of the Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum (LCT) pegmatite occurrences in the emerging Lithium field (Figure 2).

Based on Company's technical advisor Dr. Breaks' research, the Allison Lake Batholith returned anomalous Li, Rb, and Cs levels in addition to indicator minerals indicating advanced pegmatite evolution, all permissive signatures for the development of a Lithium bearing pegmatite system.

The property is easily accessible through a network of logging roads, and can be worked year-round. The Company is planning to mobilize field crews to conduct initial mapping, sampling and prospecting as part of its regional Phase 1 exploration program.

Figure 1. Wakeman Project location in Allison Lake area, Ontario



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9598/173166_7b8ecefa64a189aa_001full.jpg

Figure 2. Geology of Wakeman Property



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9598/173166_7b8ecefa64a189aa_002full.jpg

2023 Phase 1Exploration Program Update

The fully-funded Phase 1 exploration program is aiming to screen all 24,324 Ha (243 km2) of Volta's underexplored land package which is located in two of the emerging Lithium bearing pegmatite districts in Ontario - Allison-Root Lake and Falcon Pegmatite Fields (See News Release dated June 26, 2023 and Figure 1 for details). The aim of the current program is to complete first pass prospecting, mapping, sampling the known pegmatites in order to define target areas for detailed Phase 2 follow-up. All of the properties are accessible by logging roads.

The Company commenced exploration on June 23, 2023 at the Root Lithium Project, followed by the Kim and Store Lake Properties. Field work has noted the presence of evolved metre-scale tourmaline-garnet rich pegmatites hosting well developed quartz-cores and plumose muscovite on the Root Lake Property. Samples have been submitted to ACT Labs for detailed multi-element chemical analysis following screening by a handheld Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS). The exploration teams are now prospecting newly acquired Wakeman Property.

Shares to be issued

Pursuant to the Option Agreement, Volta will issue 200,000 Common shares as part of the commitment to earn a 100% interest on the Wakeman Property.

The Common Shares will be subject to a four-month hold period under applicable securities laws in Canada.

Qualified Person

This technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Andrew Tims, P.Geo., who is an independent Qualified Person (QP) as defined in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The QP and the Company have not completed sufficient work to verify the historic information on the Properties, particularly regarding historical exploration, neighbouring companies, and government geological work.

For more information about the Company, view Volta's website: voltametals.ca

ABOUT VOLTA METALS LTD

Volta Metals Ltd. (CSE: VLTA) is a mineral exploration company focused on lithium, cesium and tantalum, and is based in Toronto, Ontario. It has optioned and is currently exploring a critical minerals portfolio of lithium, cesium and tantalum projects in Northwestern Ontario, which is considered to be one of the most prolific emerging hard-rock lithium districts in the world. To find out more about Volta, and its flagship Falcon West Project, please visit voltametals.ca.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

For further information, contact:

Kerem Usenmez, President & CEO

Tel: 416.919.9060

Email: info@voltametals.ca

Website: voltametals.ca

Neither the CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to product development, plans, strategies and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, including the receipt of all necessary regulatory and CSE approvals, authorizations and consents and corporate and shareholder approvals required in connection therewith; Corporation's share options, including the timing thereof; the Optioned Properties, including whether any such properties will be further explored or developed; the makeup of the Resulting Issuer's management team upon completion of the Transaction; the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Resulting Issuer; and the anticipated benefits and results of the Transaction. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Corporation's expectations include: the failure to satisfy the conditions of the CSE and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Corporation with securities regulators; the fact that LICAN's interests in the Optioned Properties are options only and there is no guarantee that such interest, if earned, will be certain; the future prices and demand for lithium; and delays or the inability of the Corporation to obtain any necessary approvals, permits and authorizations required to carry out its business plans. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Corporation. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Corporation will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173166
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 12, 2023) - Scotch Creek Ventures Inc (CSE: SCV) (FSE: 7S2) (OTC Pink: SCVFF). (the "Company") ("Scotch Creek" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the successful completion of a property wide gravity grid survey on its Highlands West lithium project in Clayton Valley, Nevada.

The mapped results of the survey have revealed a large-scale gravity low in the south-central portion of the property. This gravity low is interpreted to be a down-faulted, northwest trending structural basin. The basin is three kilometers long and one and a half kilometers wide. This discovery is significant for the Company as it strongly supports the notion that significant subbasins exist along the Western flank of the main Clayton Valley evaporative basin that can potentially host lithium brine.

Mr. Robert D. Marvin, Scotch Creek's Qualified Person, stated, "This newly recognized gravity low is interpreted as a graben structure and as such it represents a very high-quality lithium brine exploration target. The exploration model is that this graben was connected to the main Clayton brine lake in the recent geologic past. Such a connection would allow for lithium rich basin water to invade into the south-central portion of the Highlands property."

Scotch Creek would like to invite investors and stakeholders to connect with our investor relations team or visit our website to sign-up to receive regular updates and news alerts.

About Scotch Creek Ventures

Scotch Creek is a mineral exploration company, focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of lithium projects located in tier-one mining jurisdictions such as Nevada, USA. Scotch Creek's vision is to secure North America's green revolution future with strategically sourced lithium projects.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"David K. Ryan"

David Ryan

Chief Executive Officer

Further information about the Company is available on our website at www.scotch-creek.com or under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and on the CSE website at www.thecse.com.

Public Relations Contact

Scotch Creek Ventures Inc.

Telephone: +1.604.862.2793

Email: info@scotch-creek.com

Website: www.scotch-creek.com

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release.

Forward-looking and cautionary statements

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This release may contain statements within the meaning of safe harbour provisions as defined under securities laws and regulations.

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company and certain of the plans and objectives of the Company with respect to the same. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173221
FinancialNewsMedia.com News Commentary

PALM BEACH, Fla., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Potash fertilizers help in the overall improvement of plant quality and also increases its shelf life. Potassium is a vital soil element and is one of the key members of the NPK fertilizer family. Natural potassium does not exist in the environment since it responds aggressively to water. Fertilizer potassium is at times called "potash", a term that originates from an early making procedure where potassium was filtered from ashes of woods and concentrated by dissipating the leachate in huge iron pots. A report from Verified Market Research projected that the Potash Fertilizers Market size is projected to reach USD 41.11 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.66% from 2023 to 2030. The report said: "In the production of food, potassium is eliminated from the soil in the crops that are harvested and should be replaced keeping in mind the end goal to keep up the crop growth in the future. It also helps to enhance crop yield, improvise taste, and further helps plants to resist diseases. Potash fertilizers are applied to various crop types such as cereals & grains, oilseeds & pulses, and fruits & vegetables. In terms of form, potash fertilizers are present in liquid & solid forms." Active companies in the markets this week include Millennial Potash Corp. (OTCQB: MLPNF) (TSX-V: MLP), The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS), Gensource Potash Corporation (OTCPK: AGCCF) (TSX-V: GSP), Intrepid Potash, Inc. (NYSE:IPI), Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE: NTR) (TSX: NTR).

Verified Market Research continued: "A greater number of crops such as plantation crops and horticulture crops are fertilized utilizing potash fertilizers, and hence, this factor act as a driver for the development of the market. The other determinant factor boosting the Potash Fertilizers Market is the rise in nourishment utilization together with the expanded population and the have to keep up a sound way of life. Rising soil deficiency, ease of utilization, and giving uniform application, coupled with an increasing demand for more production of food crops, are anticipated to drive the growth of the potassium fertilizers market. The potash fertilizer required depends on the type of crops developed because potassium take-up changes between crops and different soils. As accuracy horticulture is known to play down supplement misfortunes by enabling the variable-rate fertilizer application, the demand for this fluid potassium, fertilizers are expected to rise within the forthcoming a long time. The significant growth trend of the global population indicates an increasing demand for food, and in turn, would drive the demand for potash for the production of fertilizers."

Millennial Potash Corp. (OTCQB:MLPNF) (TSX.V:MLP) BREAKING NEWS: Millennial Potash Reports Arrival of New Drill Rig and Initiation of Drilling at Its North Target - Millennial Potash Corp. ("MLP", "Millennial" or the "Company") is pleased to report the arrival of a new universal drill rig, with associated drilling supplies and machinery, at its Banio Potash Project in Gabon. The new drill rig has been mobilized to the site of historic drillhole BA-002 in preparation for the extension of this hole to test the occurrence of additional potash cycles at depth.

Farhad Abasov, Millennial's Chair, commented "Millennial is very pleased to announce the arrival of the new core drill rig at site which has now been mobilized to the first drill set up. This new drill rig has the capability to collect large drill-core to depths over 1,200m, which is essential to explore and test the 10 potash cycles at our Banio Potash Project. Initially, the rig will extend two historic holes to delineate deeper potash cycles and then move to a new drill site to expand the extent of the known potash mineralization in preparation for a potential resource estimate in Q4 2023. Our team has done an excellent job overcoming logistical hurdles and delivering this rig to Banio. We look forward to providing updates as we start the first stage of drilling at Millennial's Banio Potash Project."

The new drill rig arrived on site at Banio via barge from Libreville, the capital of Gabon. The drill rig is capable of drilling HQ core to depths over 1,200m, which is the Company's currently planned maximum target depth on the Banio Potash Project. The historic site of hole BA-002 to which the drill rig has been mobilized is northwest of the Company's camp location. The drill plan at the North Target includes extending BA-002 by 50-60m to delineate additional potash cycles below Cycle V. Upon completion of this extension, the drill rig will shift approximately 4km to the southeast to historic drill site BA-001 and extend this hole an additional 350m to a final depth of approximately 700m. According to recent reinterpretation of the geologic model, BA-001 was terminated prematurely having only penetrated the upper zone of Cycle VIII. Extending this hole by 350m has the potential to intersect cycles IV, V, VI and VII where the nearest historic hole, BA-003, intercepted as much as 27.5m of carnallitite grading 60.5% carnallite in Cycle VI (see the 43-101 Technical Report titled "Technical Report on the Banio Potash Project, Mayumba Permit, prepared for the Company by Ercosplan and filed on SEDAR on Jan. 24, 2023).

Upon completion of the BA-002 extension, a new hole, BA-004, which is located about 4km east of BA-001, will test the potential of potash mineralization in that region of the basin. If successful intersecting similar potash seams (beds), the mineralization will have been tested over a strike length of approximately 7km. The drilling programme at the North Target is scheduled for completion in Q4 2023 and this data will form the basis for a potential Maiden Resource Estimate also in Q4 2023. A drill programme at the Banio Potash Project's South Target, totalling approximately 3,000m in three new holes, is planned to follow the North Target drilling. Drill site selection at the South Target has been chosen to test the presence of potash cycles I to X as interpreted from gamma-ray logs of historic oil and gas drill holes in the area. CONTINUED Read this full release and get more info for Millennial Potash Corp. at: https://millennialpotash.com/news-releases/

Additional recent developments in the markets include:



The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS) recently announced its combined April and May 2023 sales volumes and revenue by business unit. For the second quarter, we expect potash sales volumes toward the high end of the previous guidance range of 2.0-2.2 million tonnes, reflecting the impact of strong spring demand in North America. For pricing, we now expect realized MOP prices at the mine near the low end of our previous range of $325-$375 per tonne. Our updated pricing guidance incorporates the recent China contract settlement of $307 per tonne.

In Phosphates, we expect sales volumes to be near the low end of our previous guidance range of 1.8-2.0 million tonnes. Following strong demand for the spring season, North American customers are deferring inventory restocking to the third quarter. Realized DAP prices on a FOB basis are expected at the high end of our previous guidance range of $550-$600 per tonne. Results for the quarter are expected to reflect the capture higher-priced sales early in the quarter.

Gensource Potash Corporation (OTCPK: AGCCF) (TSX-V: GSP), a fertilizer development company focused on sustainable potash production, recently announced that on May 29, 2023 it completed the closing of its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering (the "Offering") of units of the Company (each a "Unit") at a price of $0.15 per Unit.

At the closing, the Company issued 6,118,583 Units for aggregate gross proceeds of $917,787.45. Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital stock of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant of the Company (a "Warrant"). Each whole Warrant is exercisable for one Common Share (a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $0.30 per Warrant Share for a period of 24 months following the date of issuance.

Intrepid Potash, Inc. (NYSE:IPI) recently announced the successful completion of the Well 45 and Well 46 drilling projects at its solar solution potash mine in Moab, Utah. This is the second update on Intrepid's major capital projects included in its 2023 capital program.

Key Highlights & Management Commentary : We successfully completed the Well 45 and Well 46 drilling projects at our solar solution potash mine in Moab, Utah, in time for the 2023 evaporation season. Both projects will help us deliver on our key goals of maximizing brine availability and underground brine residence time, which is expected to lead to improved brine grade and higher and more consistent production.

Bob Jornayvaz, Intrepid's Executive Chairman and CEO commented: "I'm very pleased to share that we completed two additional potash growth projects on the planned schedule to have them commissioned in time for the 2023 summer evaporation season. Successfully executing both projects required a very high level of technical expertise and our new design for Well 45 led to significant cost savings compared to our previous horizontal caverns due to the single-well design. While our Moab potash operation has been our most consistent production asset, these projects are expected to help ensure this continues to be a world-class operation for many years to come. Our focus continues to be successful project execution across our operations, and I'm very encouraged by the results so far."

Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE: NTR) (TSX: NTR) recently announced plans to release second quarter earnings results on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, after market close. Nutrien will host a conference call the following day, Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. EDT to discuss and answer investor questions on second quarter results and the outlook.

Investors can access the call by dialing 1-888-886-7786 or 1-416-764-8658. A webcast of the conference call can be accessed by visiting Nutrien's website, https://www.nutrien.com/investors/events. A recording of the conference call will be available after the completion of the call by dialing 1-877-674-7070 and inputting the conference identification number 043533#. The recording will be available through November 1, 2023.

DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM was compensated twenty six hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by Millennial Potash Corp. by a non affiliated third party.

FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/potash-fertilizers-market-size-expected-to-reach-41-billion-by-2030-as-demand-explodes-301875265.html
Virgin Atlantic leads airline industry by implementing innovative, first-of-its-kind generative AI pricing technology to fully automate processes, offer the most sophisticated and competitive pricing for customers, and support revenue generation.

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2032 / Virgin Atlantic has partnered with Fetcherr , a demand prediction and AI-native algorithmic pricing optimization solution, to implement its Generative Pricing Engine (GPE). Through this industry-leading partnership, Virgin Atlantic is the first airline to leverage Fetcherr's cutting-edge, fully automated generative AI pricing technology, with the system live now and being used to price selected routes.

Fetcherr's GPE is the industry's first market dynamics generative AI model that generates the best real-time market moves to bring prices down or up, based on predicted actions of all market variables. The technology builds on the airline's existing dynamic pricing to enable uniquely granular high-frequency pricing, inventory management, and publishing capabilities in one complete system that fully automates processes - from pricing to publishing - to optimize operations and support revenue generation.

The GPE scans the entire network 24/7, optimizes and justifies pricing recommendations to generate hidden or lost revenue, saves manpower by publishing fares in real-time to all distribution channels, and accurately predicts demand and inventory in all markets. For example, where seats are still available in higher volumes, it may automatically price lower for prospective customers to incentivize bookings.

Chris Wilkinson, VP Airline Pricing and Revenue Management, Virgin Atlantic said:

"Innovation is in Virgin Atlantic's DNA and with Fetcherr's Generative Pricing Engine, we're leading the way to offer dynamic pricing that harnesses generative AI. As strong and sustained demand for air travel continues, our focus remains on our customers and giving them the best service and experience at a price optimised to drive preference. Our partnership with Fetcherr offers a major advancement in pricing technology beyond traditional segmentation, along with seamless end-to-end operational infrastructure, that will revolutionise the way we set prices."

"We are committed to revolutionizing the way airlines price flights and are excited Virgin Atlantic is determined to disrupt the industry by embracing new methods to tailor pricing and improve revenue," said Roy Cohen, CEO and Co-Founder at Fetcherr. "We are committed to helping Virgin Atlantic automate and enhance its operations and revenue using our generative AI technology."

Fetcherr's partnership with Virgin Atlantic follows its recent $12.5M Pre-Series B funding, expansion into the U.S. with the opening of its North American headquarters, and Advisory Board growth which includes the appointment of Ben Baldanza, former CEO of Spirit Airlines. Alongside Baldanza, Fetcherr's Advisory Board of seasoned aviation industry executives and veterans includes Alex Cruz, former Chairman and CEO of British Airways; John Dabkowski, former CEO of Navitaire, Senior Vice President at the airline solutions division at Sabre, and Vice President of Airline Commercial at Amadeus; and Nathaniel Felsher, former Global Co-Head of Aviation - Corporate & Investment Banking at Deutsche Bank.

###

About Fetcherr

Fetcherr is an Israeli Algo Trading-based startup that developed a proprietary AI-powered pricing system, using proven reinforcement AI models to increase airline revenue by enabling High-Frequency Pricing. Founded in 2019 by experts in deep learning, Algo-trading, e-commerce and digitization of legacy architecture, Fetcherr aims to disrupt traditional, rule-based (legacy) revenue systems through deep learning methodologies, beginning with the airline industry. For more information, please visit www.fetcherr.io .

About Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core, with a purpose to ensure everyone can take on the world. In 2022, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain's only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the sixth year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs more than 7,500 people worldwide, flying customers to 31 destinations across four continents. Virgin Atlantic recently continued its expansion in the US, launching new routes to Austin, Texas and Tampa, Florida.

Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. In February 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers. Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in March 2023 as the global airline alliance's first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance's transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester Airport.

Virgin Atlantic has been pioneering sustainability leadership for more than 15 years, with a commitment to achieving 10% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by 2030 and Net Zero by 2050. The airline operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the skies and has reduced its absolute carbon emissions by 35% over the last decade. In October 2022, Virgin Atlantic welcomed the first of 16 A330-900neos to the fleet, continuing its transformation towards 100% next generation aircraft by 2027. In late 2023, Virgin Atlantic will be leading an industry consortium to deliver the first 100% SAF flight across the transatlantic, demonstrating that 100% SAF can be used safely as a drop in fuel in existing infrastructure, engines and airframes.

For more information visit www.virginatlantic.com or via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @virginatlantic.

Media Contact

Chad Belisario

fetcherr@5wpr.com

SOURCE: Fetcherr

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767170/Virgin-Atlantic-Partners-With-Fetcherr-To-Implement-Generative-Pricing-Engine-GPE
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Land Betterment Corporation:

Interior of eko Solutions Home at Camp G.R.A.V.E.S.

In December of 2021, the worst tornado outbreak in Kentucky history decimated the Bluegrass State, flattening entire towns and leaving hundreds homeless. The shocking images out of Western Kentucky attracted global media coverage and an outpouring of support from around the world.

eko Solutions, a division of Land Betterment based in Fishers, Indiana, which specializes in low-cost upcycled shipping container homes, immediately sent four units to Dawson Springs to house families displaced by the storms. Now, nearly two years later, as the news cycle moves on and as the tornadoes fade into memory for much of the public, eko Solutions continues to help affected individuals and families in Western Kentucky with the tall task of rebuilding their communities and their lives.

Last month, eko Solutions placed six units on site at Camp G.R.A.V.E.S., a nonprofit organization in Water Valley working to provide short-term housing solutions and a host of educational and employment resources to displaced families. The current plan is to house around 30 families on the site - 14 in tiny homes, 16 in camper sites and six in eko Solutions container homes.

"After my apartment in Mayfield was destroyed, I didn't know what to do," said Jared Medlock, a Camp G.R.A.V.E.S., resident who recently moved into a new unit provided by eko Solutions. "Now I feel like I have some kind of stability under my feet."

That sense of stability comes at a critical time for Medlock, who was diagnosed with brain cancer last year. He says searching for housing while battling cancer was an exhausting and harrowing experience.

"First FEMA arranged temporary housing for me in Murray, but that funding ended last month," said Medlock. "Then my case worker told me about Camp G.R.A.V.E.S., and I was accepted, now I'll be here for the next 18 months."

Medlock will be living in an eko Solutions container home, which features an open floor plan, full kitchen and full bathroom. He says the home, which was built using the mainframe from an upcycled steel shipping container, will give him space to focus on his health while rebuilding his life.

"It's been nonstop stress, with my health issues and looking for housing, it's been a 24/7 job on its own," Medlock said. "But the container home is awesome, it's a really neat way to do it. When you walk in you just feel at ease. I'd love to buy one for myself one day."

Five other individuals and their families will occupy eko Solutions homes on the site. They began moving into the units in June.

For more information on Camp G.R.A.V.E.S., and to learn about volunteer opportunities, visit www.campgraves.org.

To learn more about eko Solutions and their line of low-cost container home solutions, visit www.ekosolutions.com.

Media Contacts:

Mark LaVerghetta

Chief Governance Officer, Corporate Finance

Land Betterment Corporation

Phone: 317.537.0492 ext. 0

Email: info@landbetterment.com

Stephanie Conzelman

Stakeholder Engagement Director

Land Betterment Corporation

Phone: 207.205.0790

Email: info@landbetterment.com

Zak Owens

Fleur de Lis Communications

Phone: 502.386.5704

Email: zak@fdlcomms.com

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Land Betterment Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Land Betterment Corporation

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/land-betterment-corporation

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Land Betterment Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767298/ek-Solutions-Homes-Bring-Peace-of-Mind-to-Displaced-Families-at-Camp-GRAVES
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Revolve Renewable Power Corp. (TSXV:REVV)(OTCQB:REVVF) ("Revolve" or the "Company"), an owner, operator and developer of renewable energy projects, is pleased to announce the completion of the interconnection milestone related to the 250MW Parker Solar and Storage Project (the "Parker Project"), which was sold in January 2023 to ENGIE IR Holdings LLC a wholly owned subsidiary ENGIE S.A. ("ENGIE"), a global leader in the energy sector.

The terms of the sale, which also included the sale of the 1,000MW Bouse Solar & Storage Project (the "Bouse Project") are set out in the news release date January 11, 2023 (https://revolve-renewablepower.com/revolve-announces-sale-of-1250mw-of-utility-scale-solar-and-storage-projects/) and are also summarised below.

The Transaction

The total consideration payable by ENGIE is within the range of guidance previously provided by the Company for the sale of utility scale development assets, which for reference is outlined in page 10 the Company's corporate presentation (https://revolve-renewablepower.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Revolve-Corporate-Presentation-June-8-2023.pdf).

The Company received an upfront payment of US$2,000,000 (inclusive of the reimbursement of development costs) on completion of the transaction in January 2023. US$800,000 of this payment was recognised as revenue in the Company's Q3 FY2023 financial accounts with the remaining US$1,200,000 accounted for as deferred revenue.

Milestone Payments

The remaining consideration is linked to each of the Parker Project and Bouse Project successfully completing the following development milestones:

completion of further interconnection studies;

Issuance by ENGIE of a Notice To Proceed (an " NTP ") construction works to the applicable EPC contractor.

") construction works to the applicable EPC contractor. on the Commissioning Date (the "COD"), with such date being the date that a project has been synchronized to the grid and is capable of delivering all of its installed capacity to the grid.

The Company previously guided that it expected the first of these milestones to be achieved in 2023 when further interconnection studies are issued. We are now pleased to confirm that the completion of further interconnection studies milestone has been met for the Parker Project.

Put Option

As part of the transaction the parties entered into a put option agreement (the "Put Option") allowing ENGIE to sell the Parker Project and Bouse Project back to the Company for a limited period following receipt of the results of the next interconnection studies due for each project.

This Put Option exercise period commenced when the interconnection study was received for the Parker Project and has now since expired for this project, with ENGIE choosing not to exercise the option.

The next milestone payment related to the Parker Project totalling US$850,000 has now become due and is expected to be paid within the next 30 days. There were no additional development costs incurred by the Company in relation to this milestone.

As a result of this the Company expects to record revenue from the transaction in Q1 FY2024 (July 2023 to September 2023) totalling of US$1,090,000 consisting of the milestone payment above and US$240,000 of previously deferred revenue.

Steve Dalton, CEO of Revolve commented: "We are delighted to reach a key milestone for the Parker Project and the overall transaction with ENGIE. The milestone payment provides us with further capital to continue funding the business and our expanding project development pipeline. While the expiration of the put option removes the risk of the Parker Project being sold back to us and the uncertainty that this generated for investors.

We can now look forward to continuing to supporting the team at ENGIE in developing the Parker Project towards reaching its next milestone as well as the release of the next interconnection study for the Bouse Project in the first half of next year. "

The Parker Project

The Parker Project is a 250MW solar and storage project, located on approximately 1,530 acres of land wholly managed by the Bureau of Land Management (the "BLM") in La Paz County, Arizona. The Project is near existing transmission infrastructure and easily accessed through existing state road network. It has the capacity to provide electricity to an equivalent of approximately 300,000 homes. The Company commenced the greenfield development of the Parker Project in mid 2021.

About Revolve

Revolve was formed in 2012 to capitalize on the growing global demand for renewable power. Revolve develops utility-scale wind, solar and battery storage projects in the US and Mexico with a portfolio of 2,838MW under development. The Company has a second division, Revolve Renewable Business Solutions, which installs and operates sub 20MW "behind the meter" distributed generation (or "DG") assets. Revolve Renewable Business Solutions currently has an operating portfolio of 6MW with an additional 3MW under construction.

Revolve has an accomplished management team with a demonstrated track record of taking projects from "greenfield" through to "ready to build" (or "RTB") status and successfully concluding project sales to large operators of utility-scale renewable energy projects. To-date, Revolve has developed and sold over 1,550MW of projects.

Going forward, Revolve is targeting 5,000MW of utility-scale projects under development in the US and Mexico, and in parallel is rapidly growing its portfolio of revenue-generating DG assets.

For further information contact:

Steve Dalton, CEO

IR@revolve-renewablepower.com

or

Sunita Prasad

VP, Corporate Development & Investor Relations

Phone: +1 778-885-5550

IR@revolve-renewablepower.com

Forward Looking Information

Although Revolve believes, considering the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because Revolve can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include information relating to the business plans of Revolve and Revolve's management's expectation on the growth and performance of its business in the United States and Mexico, including the planned MW capacity of its projects; its expansion into the distributed generation market; potential opportunities in the distributed generation market; the completion and timing of the development of its planned portfolio of distributed generation projects; the completion of the Transaction, including final approval of the transaction by the TSXV; potential revenues and cashflows generated from its DG division; and the Company's plans to develop, construct and finance rooftop solar, battery storage and energy efficiency projects of up to 5MW and enter into long term power purchase agreements for the sale of electricity from the projects with the underlying customers. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Revolve and/or Revolve, respectively.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions, having regard to the Company's experience and its perception of historical trends, and includes, but is not limited to, expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions relating to the extent of regulations pertaining to the Company's projects and Revolve's ability to continue as going concern. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information, including but not limited to: the effects of weather, catastrophes and public health crises, including COVID-19; labour availability; disruptions to the Company's supply chains; changes to regulatory environment, including interpretation of production tax credits; armed hostilities and geopolitical conflicts; failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals in a timely fashion, or at all; risks related to the development and potential development of the Company's projects; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; the availability of tax incentives in connection with the development of renewable energy projects and the sale of electrical energy; as well as those factors discussed in the sections relating to risk factors discussed in the Company's continuous disclosure filings on SEDAR. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Revolve. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Revolve as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. Revolve does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Revolve Renewable Power Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767291/Milestone-Reached-on-250MW-Parker-Solar-Storage-Project
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 12, 2023) - Flying Nickel Mining Corp. (TSXV: FLYN) (OTCQB: FLYNF) ("Flying Nickel" or the "Company") is pleased to announce final PGM assay results from the Company's 100% owned Minago Nickel PGM project (the "Minago Project") in the Thompson Nickel Belt, Manitoba.

Flying Nickel has received and released assay results of 3,549 samples totalling 4,025 meters from 47 holes since the start of PGM assay program in January 2023. Overall, the PGM assay results confirmed significant platinum and palladium intersections throughout the MinagoNose Deposit. The Company successfully completed the program on schedule. Flying Nickel's next step is to update Minago mineral resource estimate by including the project's first-ever PGM resource.

This final batch of assay results total 168 meters from 2 drill holes. Highlights from this latest assay data set include:

N-07-26 grading 0.31% Ni, 0.289 g/t Pt, 0.42 g/t Pd and 0.004 g/t Au (0.713 g/t PGM+Au) over a 4.99 meter interval from 207.8 meters downhole.

Hole N-07-21 did not contain any significant PGM assay results.

Assay results for hole N-07-26 are tabulated below:

Hole ID From To Length Ni % Au g/t Pt g/t Pd g/t Au+Pt+Pd g/t NiEq % N-07-26 207.81 212.80 4.99 0.31 0.004 0.289 0.420 0.713 0.43 N-07-26 218.00 220.15 2.15 0.15 0.003 0.138 0.230 0.370 0.22

* Detection limit is 10 ppm for Ni, 10 ppm for Cu, 10 ppm for Co, 5 ppb Au, 10 ppb Pt and 5 ppb Pd using GE_FAI5V5_Au, Pt, Pd, FAS ICP-AES, 50g-5ml @SGS Burnaby Geochemistry Laboratories.

When calculating composite grades, half the detection limit value was used when assay results were less than the detection limit. True widths are approximately half the width observed in core.

NiEq % (Resource) = ( (Ni% x 22.04 x Ni Price $/lb) + (Cu% x 22.04 x Cu Price $/lb) + (Pt gpt / 31.1035) x Pt $/oz +(Pd gpt / 31.1035) x Pd $/oz + (Au gpt / 31.1035) x Au $/oz)/(22.04 x Ni $/lb). This calculation assumes 100% recovery rates and does not include Cobalt due to a lack of data. Calculation is an estimation of resource potential. Metal prices are Ni $12.4/lb, Cu $4.1/lb, Pd $1,721/oz, Pt $1,068/oz, Au $1,904/oz based on January 13, 2023.

Flying Nickel and Nevada Vanadium Mining Corp. ("Nevada Vanadium") also announce that further to their joint press releases dated October 5, 2022 and August 23, 2022, Flying Nickel and Nevada Vanadium continue to work diligently with their respective advisors towards completion of the proposed acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Nevada Vanadium by Flying Nickel by way of plan of arrangement. Flying Nickel and Nevada Vanadium expect to update the closing schedule in August 2023.

About Minago Project

The Minago Project is located in Canada's Thompson Nickel Belt and currently has a NI 43-101 compliant open pit optimized and underground, Measured and Indicated resource of 44.2 million tonnes grading 0.74% Ni (722 million lbs contained nickel) and Inferred resource of 19.6 million tonnes grading 0.74% Ni (319 million lbs contained nickel). The resource split is approximately 78% Nose deposit and 22% North Limb deposit at Minago. This technical report, completed by Mercator and AGP, has an effective date of February 28, 2022, and is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR.

There has been cumulative 90,783 meters of drilling at the Minago Project by 6 operators since 1966. Additionally, Flying Nickel drilled 2,718 meters in 2022 since acquiring the Minago Project in February 2021.

Total length of PGM assay sections and number of boreholes is estimated. Maps and charts are available at www.flynickel.com

QA/QC

The sampling process incorporated blanks (Ordovician crushed homogeneous limestone), standards (certified reference material: CDN-ME) and duplicates (core duplicate ). QAQC samples were inserted at intervals of 20, which represent 6%.

Qualified Person

The disclosure of scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Adrian Lupascu M. Sc. P.Geo., VP Exploration of Flying Nickel Mining Corp., a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. The historical information referred to this release and shown above were obtained from historical work reports up to date and has not been independently verified by a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43- 101.

Further information on the Company can be found at www.flynickel.com.

FLYING NICKEL MINING CORP.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

John Lee

Interim Chief Executive Officer

For more information about the Company, please contact:

Phone: 1.877.664.2535 / 1.877.6NICKEL

Email: info@flynickel.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 Flying Nickel's future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Flying Nickel's forward-looking statements. Flying Nickel 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 Flying Nickel 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. Flying Nickel undertakes no obligation to release publicly any future revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173237
Acquisition Will Expand Gen II's Private Capital Servicing Capabilities in Key European Jurisdictions and Increase Assets Under Administration to More Than $1 Trillion

Gen II Fund Services, LLC ("Gen II"), a leading independent private capital fund administrator, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Crestbridge, a preeminent European provider of private capital fund administration solutions. The transaction is expected to close in due course following customary regulatory approvals. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

With the addition of Crestbridge's Private Equity and Real Estate Fund Administration business, Gen II continues to execute on its growth strategy, by expanding its global service and product capabilities, increasing assets under administration to more than $1 trillion, and continuing to invest in all aspects of its business. The combination further establishes Gen II as one of the world's largest independent private capital fund administrators, expanding the firm's jurisdictional reach to include the UK, Jersey, Ireland and other international markets. The combination will create a roster of more than 1500 professionals, representing one of the industry's largest and most experienced fund administration teams.

Founded in 1998, Crestbridge provides a broad range of outsourced administration, accounting, corporate governance and compliance services to many of the world's leading fund sponsors. The firm has specialized private markets expertise, including private equity, real estate, private credit, infrastructure, and venture capital.

"The Crestbridge team shares our commitment to strategic growth and personalized client service. We're excited to join forces to provide clients with seamless, superior service across North America and Europe," said Steven Millner, CEO of Gen II. "Like Gen II, Crestbridge is known for its client-first approach and commitment to investing in the best people and technology."

"Our extensive European footprint, deep sector experience and shared values make Crestbridge a perfect fit with Gen II," said Dean Hodcroft, CEO of Crestbridge. "Together we can leverage our highly complementary geographical locations and the best of our private markets offerings, including Crestbridge's highly respected real estate and private equity capabilities. We look forward to empowering our combined teams to support international private fund managers through all stages of the fund lifecycle."

About Gen II

Gen II is a leading fund administration provider focused entirely on serving private capital asset managers and investors. Since its inception in 2009, the company has become one of the largest independent private capital fund administrators, with more than $1 trillion of private fund capital under administration. Gen II offers private fund sponsors a best-in-class combination of people, process, and technology, enabling GPs to manage their operational infrastructure, financial reporting, and investor communications most effectively. For more information, please visit gen2fund.com.

About Crestbridge

Crestbridge is a leading global administration, management corporate governance solutions business providing a broad range of outsourced services globally, including accounting and compliance. Our expertise spans services, asset classes and jurisdictions. Since 1998, we have been putting our insight and experience to work for clients who include leading corporations, sovereign wealth funds, investor groups, and asset managers. For more information, please visit crestbridge.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712630574/en/

Contacts:

For Gen II:

Daniel Abramson

BackBay Communications

Daniel.abramson@backbaycommunications.com



For Crestbridge:

Daniel Jason

Material Impact

dan.jason@wearematerialimpact.com
The surge in demand for online & remote learning tools and favorable government initiatives & corporate funding to promote smart education drive the growth of the smart education and learning market

PORTLAND, Ore., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Smart Education and Learning Market by Component (Software, Services, and Hardware), Learning Mode (Virtual Instructor-led Training, Simulation-based Learning, Social Learning, Blended Learning, Adaptive Learning, and Collaborative Learning), and End User (Academics and Corporate): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the global smart education and learning Market was valued at $260 billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach $1.4 trillion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 18.4% from 2023 to 2032.



Prime determinants of growth

The surge in demand for online & remote learning tools and favorable government initiatives & corporate funding to promote smart education drive the growth of the market. In addition, an increase in the need for interactive and personalized learning environment fuels the growth of the smart education and learning market. However, a lack of digital literacy and skills and data privacy and security concerns limits the growth of this market. Conversely, the rise in the implementation of AR and VR technology in the education sector is anticipated to provide numerous opportunities for the expansion of the market during the forecast period.

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Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $ 260 billion Market Size in 2032 $ 1.4 trillion CAGR 18.4 % No. of Pages in Report 267 Segments covered Component, Learning Model, End-User, and Region. Drivers Surge in demand for online and remote learning tools Favorable government initiatives and corporate funding to promote smart education Increase in need for interactive and personalized learning environment Opportunities Rise in implementation of AR and VR technology in the education sector Restraints Lack of digital literacy and skills Data security and privacy issues related to IoT devices

COVID-19 Scenario

The smart education and learning market had witnessed stable growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the increased demand for online learning solutions. Educational institutions, governments, and private investors allocated significant funds towards developing and expanding smart education infrastructure. There was a significant rise in investments in technology, software platforms, content creation, and digital learning resources.

Moreover, education technology companies were often seen to deploy technologies such as process automation and hybrid learning models to provide improved efficiency and reduce maintenance expenses during the outburst of the COVID-19 crisis.

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The software segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period.

Based on the component, the software segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly half of the global smart education and learning market revenue, owing to an increase in the need for personalized learning, enhanced accessibility, and delivering interactive and engaging content. However, the same segment is also projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 20.9% from 2023 to 2032.

The blended learning segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on learning mode, the blended learning segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than one-third of the global smart education and learning market revenue, owing to, the rise in demand for cost-effective solutions in educational institutions to provide optimized resources. However, the adaptive learning segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 23.2% from 2023 to 2032, due to the increasing adoption of adaptive learning systems to heighten the need for personalized learning experiences.

The Academics segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

Based on end users, the academics segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to more than two-thirds of the global smart education and learning market revenue, due to numerous beneficial factors, including flexibility and accessibility. However, the corporate segment is expected to portray the largest CAGR of 20.7% from 2023 to 2032 and is projected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period, owing to increasing demand for the connectivity of learning infrastructure in the corporate sector with effective tools and platforms for employee training and development.

Asia-Pacific maintain its dominance by 2032

Based on region, Europe held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for around one-third of the global smart education and learning market revenue, due to high demand for high-quality mobile services, extensive availability of fiber, and rise in penetration of the advanced technology across the region. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 21.6% from 2023 to 2032 and is likely to dominate the market during the forecast period, owing to the increase in demand for quality education and skills development, coupled with the rapid expansion of internet connectivity and mobile device adoption.

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Leading Market Players:

Adobe Systems Incorporated,

Blackboard Inc,

Cisco Systems, Inc,

Desire2Learn Incorporated,

Educomp Solutions Limited,

Ellucian Company L.P,

NIIT Limited,

Saba Software, Inc,

SMART Technologies Inc,

Unit4 Business Software Ltd,

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global smart education and learning market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

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We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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The rising demand for e-learning and the growing adoption of digital technologies in the education sector are anticipated to drive the growth of the global education computing devices market during the forecast period from 2023 to 2032. The North America region generated the major market share in 2022

PORTLAND, Ore., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research has recently published a report, titled, "Education Computing Devices Market by Product Type (Smartphones, Laptops, Tablets, Others), by End-user (Primary, Secondary, Higher Secondary): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the global education computing devices market generated $101.3 billion in 2022, and is anticipated to generate $368.1 billion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 14.1% from 2023 to 2032.



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Prime Determinants of Growth

The ease of accessibility and flexibility that digital learning offers and the rising demand & low-cost of e-learning platforms are predicted to be one of the important factors driving the growth of the global education computing devices market in the forecast timeframe. However, the potential health impact associated with prolonged screen time and the high costs of computing devices may hamper the education computing devices market growth in the coming period. On the contrary, technological advancements and developments in the education sector are expected to offer growth opportunities for expansion of the education computing devices market in the 2023-2032 forecast period.

Report Coverage & Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $101.3 billion Market Size in 2032 $368.1 billion CAGR 14.1 % No. of Pages in Report 290 Segments covered Product Type, End-User, and Region Drivers Rising adoption of digital technologies in the educational sector Increased demand for e-learning across the globe Opportunities Advancements in technology Integration of virtual reality and augmented reality technology into classrooms Restraints High cost of purchasing and maintaining education computing devices

COVID-19 Scenario

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant influence on the growth of the global education computing devices market. The lockdown led to closure of schools and educational institutions, resulting in widespread disruption of learning across the globe.





On the other hand, the pandemic accelerated the adoption as well as availability of a variety of electronic gadgets, which allowed students to participate in online learning opportunities.





The education computing devices market is, however, projected to show steady growth in the future as the educational institutions and governments are likely to invest in improving internet connectivity, upgrading network, and providing adequate devices to support seamless access to education computing devices.

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Product Type: Smartphones Sub-segment to be Highly Dominant During the Forecast Period

The smartphones sub-segment accounted for the major share in the education computing devices market in 2022 and is expected to grow at a the highest CAGR of 14.5% during the forecast period. The dominant growth of the sub-segment is mainly because smartphones can be a cost-effective option for educational purposes as compared to dedicated educational devices like laptops or tablets. Besides, educational institutions and schools can leverage students' existing smartphones to implement digital learning initiatives and thus reduce infrastructure costs.

End-User: Higher Secondary Sub-segment to Flourish Immensely by 2032

The higher secondary sub-segment generated the highest market share in 2022 and is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 14.6% by 2032. The rising usage of education computing devices by higher secondary students as they often engage in college and career planning activities, such as preparing college applications, exploring career paths, and researching universities are the factors predicted to boost the sub-segment's growth by 2032.

Region: North America Market to Hold Majority of Market Share by 2032

The North America region accounted for the highest share in the global education computing devices market in 2022 and is expected to continue to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. The initiatives taken by governments in the region to expand infrastructure in the commercial & education sector, and the improving economic situation in the countries of the region are expected to be the main growth drivers for the growth of the North America market by 2032.

Leading Players in the Education Computing Devices Market:

Xiaomi Corporation

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

Hewlett- Packard Development Company LP

Dell Technologies Incorporated

Acer Inc.

Lenovo

OPPO

Apple Inc.

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd.

Vivo Mobile Communications Co., Ltd.

The report provides a detailed analysis of the key players of the global education computing devices market. These players have adopted different strategies, such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain their dominance in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

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Key Benefits For Stakeholders:

This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the education computing devices market analysis and education computing devices market outlook from 2021 to 2031 to identify the prevailing market opportunity.

The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.

Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.

In-depth analysis of the market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.

Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market.

Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.

The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global education computing devices market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.

Education Computing Devices Market Key Segments:

By Product Type

Smartphones

Laptops

Tablets

Others

By End-user

Primary

Secondary

Higher Secondary

By Region

North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)

(U.S., Canada, Mexico) Europe (UK, Germany, France, Rest of Europe)

(UK, Germany, France, Rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

(China, Japan, India, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific) LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East, Africa)

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About Us

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / In our Top Story this issue, as reported in ESG Today, anti-ESG critics continue to work to undermine the use of ESG factors by various public sector fiduciaries - such as state and city pension fund managers, comptrollers, treasurers - and are joining forces at both the state and federal levels to mount attacks on ESG proponents (such as Wall Street asset managers).

For example, the House of Representatives' Committee on Oversight and Accountability held hearings earlier this spring to "examine the concerns of state attorneys general related to the integration of ESG factors by [state-based] asset managers." Republican committee members see great dangers posed by adoption of ESG investment strategies by fiduciaries in their states. The hearings produced anti-ESG comments to encourage House and Senate Republicans to pass legislation to reverse the Department of Labor's rule allowing for state and city pension plan managers (under ERISA oversight) to use ESG factors in their investment management process.

A number of Republican state AGs are working in tandem at the state level to attack the ESG investment strategies adopted by state pension system managers in their jurisdictions -- which the AGs see "as being used to push a radical, far-left ideology to shape the behavior of American businesses." The House hearings were designed to air these grievances, such as those of Utah AG Sean Reyes, who sees ESG as "an open conspiracy to bypass Congress and impose costly changes on American consumers by using the power of horizontal agreements by key players in the financial system." (These are the banks, asset managers and insurance companies forcing changes "over the real economy corporations" by pressuring managements "to adopt changes they would not do on their own.")

On the national level, the committee members characterized "the Biden Administration [agenda] as routinely pushing ESG priorities over the economic, energy, and national security needs of the United States." Committee Chair James Comer - Republican of Kentucky, a coal-producing state - said ESG practices "are a coordinated effort by unelected shadow organizations to force liberal policies on U.S. taxpayers, investors, and retirees." In his view, the Biden Administration's embrace of ESG initiatives (such as renewable energy) is risking Americans' retirement funds in an effort to advance a political agenda. This is how "the Far Left" works, he states.

Moving the committee's agenda toward Federal law, Republican Congressmen Andy Barr (Kentucky) and Rick Allen (Georgia) reintroduced in late June the Ensuring Sound Guidance (ESG) Act "to protect retail investors' retirement accounts from asset managers who put environmental and social goals ahead of returns."

ESG approaches, says Representative Barr, are a "cancer within our capital markets that prioritizes higher-fee, less diversified and lower return investments." The legislation if adopted would reverse the U.S. Department of Labor guidance for fiduciaries on ESG investments and seek to avoid such investments as in "climate-related ESG funds." (The bill originally passed by House and Senate was sent to the White House in March for signing was vetoed by President Biden.)

The targeted Department of Labor rule - "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights" - was adopted in December 2022, allowing pension plan fiduciaries for ERISA plans to consider ESG in the investment process and allows consideration of climate and ESG factors in annual corporate proxy voting. The Republicans in Congress are working to overturn the rule (which reversed a Trump-era rule that aimed to block the consideration of ESG factors by pension plan managers).

Should we consider this a primary factor in the anti-ESG attacks by many Republican leaders: The worldwide investment in clean power was the same amount spent on producing oil and gas (US$1 trillion).

As the attacks on "ESG" and "woke" policies accelerate at both federal and state levels of government, the G&A team will continue to keep you updated.

This is just the introduction of G&A's Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc.

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/governance-accountability-institute-inc

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767308/Anti-ESG-Attacks-Continue-at-State-Federal-Government-Levels




JAKARTA, July 12, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - Indonesia has urged ASEAN member states to preserve the Southeast Asia Region as a nuclear-weapon-free zone and not abandon human rights issues, and reaffirms its readiness to cooperate in reaching significant human rights promotion and protection efforts."We will continue the communication with each other, but I emphasize that we have a very strong political will to maintain Southeast Asia as a nuclear-free region," Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said during the sidelines of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) in Jakarta on Tuesday.Marsudi has led the Commission of the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) meeting. The SEANWFZ had contributed to the collective efforts in maintaining the region's peace and stability through global disarmament and non-proliferation regime.However, Indonesia regretted that none of the nuclear weapon states had signed the protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty, which was inked by ASEAN member states 25 years ago. The protocol was formulated to invite the five nuclear powers -- China, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States -- to join the efforts to realize Southeast Asia as a region free of nuclear weapons.During the SEANWFZ meeting, the Commission plans to task negotiators to examine the treaty body due to some objections to some sentences. Thus, the ASEAN member states must cooperate to achieve the region's peace and stability without nuclear weapons. "We must come as a united front before the nuclear weapon states. (It is) only then we can forge a clearer path toward a region free of nuclear weapons," Marsudi said.Additionally, during the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) with representatives of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), Indonesia stated that differences between ASEAN member countries should not become an excuse for abandoning Southeast Asia's human rights issues.The Indonesian foreign minister noted that dialogue on human rights should be conducted regularly. "We are, therefore, aiming for a Leaders' Declaration on the ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue," Marsudi said. ASEAN could set an example of its values in prioritizing constructive engagements amid global crises and rivalries that worsen human rights.The AICHR should continue to work beyond capacity-building activities and results in impactful homegrown initiatives, as well as continue to promote human rights values in accordance with the regional context and voice the promotion and protection of human rights that are constructive, objective, and proportional in the three pillars of the ASEAN Community.Indonesia reaffirms its readiness to cooperate in reaching significant human rights promotion and protection efforts.The series of ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) events are being held in Jakarta from July 10 to July 14, 2023. The events comprise 18 meetings, including the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) meeting, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) meeting, the AMM plenary session, and a retreat session, as well as meetings with ASEAN's dialogue partners.Yashinta Difa, Raka Adji, Editor: Azis Kurmala (c) ANTARA 2023Image: [L-R] Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Zambry Abdul Kadir, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Philippines Enrique Manalo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Bui Thanh Son, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Retno Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos Saleumxay Kommasith, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam Erywan Pehin Yusof, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia Prak Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Timor Leste Bendito dos Santos Freitas, and the General Secretary of ASEAN Kao Kim Hourn take a group picture before the Meeting of the Commission of the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) in Jakarta, Tuesday (11/7/2023). (ANTARA FOTO/Indrianto Eko Suwarso/YU/cfo) (https://photos.acnnewswire.com/20230712.ASEAN.jpg)Source: ASEAN Foreign Ministers MeetingCopyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Whole Foods Market Foundations:

Now through 2026, Whole Planet Foundation and one of its key partners, the Kasperick Foundation, are disbursing $850,000 to two organizations in Chiapas and Oaxaca, Mexico. The funds will go to Trickle Up, a nonprofit, and FondoMas, a financial cooperative, and will support approximately 2,320 people living in rural communities to generate income and improve their business strategies. 86% of recipients will work with Trickle Up and will be women receiving free seed capital to start a very small business, selling items such as food, household goods, or clothing. The other 14% will work with FondoMas and be primarily men, smallholder coffee farmers receiving loans to prepare their harvest. Supporting entrepreneurship in southern Mexico is critical as 76% of Chiapas' population is living at the poverty line while 66% of Oaxaca's is.

Trickle Up

In early 2023, 1,000 women from remote towns in Chiapas, Mexico, received seed capital grants of $250. 1,000 more women will be included by the of the year. These women formed part of Trickle Up's Fuerte project. Trickle Up is well-known as one of the pioneering organizations behind the Ultra-Poor Graduation model, which uses a sequenced and time-bound approach to move households out of extreme poverty. Upon joining, participants commit to receiving livelihoods training and to organizing into Savings and Loans groups, where they will run a small community bank with the support of Trickle Up's training.

FondoMas

In May 2023, Whole Planet Foundation approved a second project in Chiapas, with FondoMas, a savings and lending cooperative based out of San Cristobal de las Casas. FondoMas lends to rural smallholder farmers, who typically have less than 5 acres of land. They use their cash loans to maintain and harvest their plants and then pay off their loans by selling their coffee to FondoMas, who, in turn, sells the coffee in bulk. By opening up these market linkages to farmers, they are providing them with more consistent and better pricing. Moreover, FondoMas' commitment to environmentally friendly farming practices and with equipping farmers with the tools they need, align them well with Whole Planet Foundation and Whole Foods Market's higher purpose of Nourishing People and the Planet.

FondoMas works through a network model; while they offer credit, their partners offer training and market linkages to clients. This allows an efficient business model, keeping pricing low and competitive. They also have developed in-house monitoring technology to ensure seamless data sharing with their network partners.

When asked why he supports Whole Planet Foundation's work in Mexico, Vince Kasperick, the founder of the Kasperick Foundation and donor of this project, said "We are proud to be part of this partnership, bringing opportunity to these budding entrepreneurs."

Thank you to the Kasperick Foundation for their generosity in supporting our goals in Mexico and to all Whole Planet Foundations donors that enable us to partner with high-impact organizations, helping their clients change their own lives through entrepreneurship.

Learn more at wholeplanetfoundation.org.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Whole Foods Market Foundations on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Whole Foods Market Foundations

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/whole-foods-market-foundations

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Whole Foods Market Foundations

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767318/Supporting-2000-Rural-Entrepreneurs-in-Southern-Mexico-by-2026
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 12, 2023) - Phenom Resources Corp. (TSXV: PHNM) (OTCQX: PHNMF) (FSE: 1PY0) ("Phenom" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that 9,151,582 warrants priced at $0.26 with an expiration of July 9, 2023 were exercised, adding a total of $2,795,992 to the treasury over 3 years; an 85% exercise rate. In July 2023 alone, 4,756,009 of the warrants were exercised for proceeds of $1,236,586. The warrants were offered in connection with a $1,600,000 financing which closed on July 9, 2020. The Company now has a total of 95,003,664 shares issued and outstanding.

"I am extremely pleased to report a successful warrant exercise for the Company. I would like to thank shareholders for their vote of confidence in the Company's exploration roadmap. Recent proceeds from the warrant exercise will be used to fund drilling this summer and an NSR extension payment on the Carlin Gold-Vanadium Project, for the initial evaluation of the recently optioned Crescent Valley gold project, for advancing Company initiatives and for working capital," commented Paul Cowley, Company President and CEO.

About Phenom Resources Corp.

Phenom has a 100% interest in the Carlin Vanadium Project, located in Elko County, 6 miles south from the town of Carlin, Nevada and Highway I-80 which hosts the Carlin Vanadium deposit, North America's largest highest grade primary vanadium resource. The Project lies in the Carlin Gold Trend. Approximately 9 million ounces comprised of multiple gold deposits, including past producing mines, are present near the Phenom property (5-15km).

ON BEHALF OF PHENOM RESOURCES CORP.

per: "Paul Cowley"

CEO & President

(604) 340-7711

pcowley@phenomresources.com www.phenomresources.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking information

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking" statements. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance. All such statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to vary from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, they should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173241
Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen.

WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Maine has become the thirteenth U.S. state to pass paid family and medical leave legislation. Both houses of the Maine Legislature had recently voted to give approval to LD 1964, An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Commission to Develop a Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Program. The Bill, as part of the state's supplemental budget, was signed by Governor Janet Mills into law on Tuesday. The law will come into effect on May 1, 2026 and will apply to businesses with 15 or more employees. Employees and employers would split a wage contribution, equal to 1 percent or less of the employee's wage, to fund the program. Employers who offer comparable or more comprehensive paid leave plans have the option to opt out from this scheme. Once an employee hits a certain contribution benchmark, they would be able to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave each year for qualifying life events. If the worker has been with their employer for at least 120 days, their job would be protected until they returned from leave. The Maine government will provide $25 million in start-up funding for the paid family and medical leave program. The Maine Senate Democrats said only 15 percent of American workers have access to any sort of paid leave, and fewer than 60 percent of the workforce has access to unpaid leave under the Family Medical Leave Act. Nationally, one in four women takes fewer than 11 days of parental leave after giving birth despite a recommended six- to eight-week recovery period. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Regions Bank



By Nestor Mato

Eradicating abuse. Empowering survivors.

They're at the heart of the mission for the nonprofit Kristi House in Miami.

And they're the focus of a determined group of experienced leaders, generous supporters and longtime advocates who are deeply invested in helping people be made whole.

"They will heal. They will recover," Kristi House CEO Amanda Altman told the Doing More Today team as they saw how the agency works hand-in-hand with those who have experienced physical abuse, child sexual abuse, sex trafficking, substance abuse, and other traumas.

Survivors benefit from evidence-based, therapeutic expertise. In addition, Kristi House coordinates legal, medical and social services for people going through the program.

Chris Cruzpino, Miami-Dade market executive for Regions Bank, serves on the Kristi House Board of Directors. She also volunteers her time to share financial wellness with people supported by the agency.

"Helping them understand things about a Social Security number, a checking account, what credit means to them, and savings and how that can affect them and impact them is extremely valuable," Cruzpino shared.

Because financial wellness supports financial freedom. And it gives survivors another way to move forward, to heal, and to write a new chapter.

This is all complex work. And much of it is delivered through Kristi House's Project GOLD, or Girls Owning their Lives and Dreams. Nestor Mato from the Doing More Today team shows you how it works. (See the video above.)

Supporting organizations like Kristi House complements Regions Bank's Community Engagement Strategy. And the bank has a clear track record of helping survivors of human trafficking and related traumas.

Check out the following examples from recent years - starting with an article that shows how you can help spot the warning signs of trafficking and alert law enforcement to what you see.

Human Trafficking is a Growing Problem. Here's How We Can Fight It

Fighting 'A Crime Hidden in Plain Sight'

This Forensics Team Leaves Criminals with Nowhere to Hide

The Fight to End Human Trafficking Takes a Step Forward

Refuge. Recovery. Healing

'Fighting the Good Fight'

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Regions Bank on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Regions Bank

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/regions-bank

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Regions Bank

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767327/They-will-heal-They-will-recover
LONDON and OXFORD, England, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PQShield , a leading provider of quantum-safe cryptographic solutions, has been selected by AWS to participate in its AWS European Defence Accelerator, to advance the development and deployment of cutting-edge quantum-resistant encryption technology. This collaboration elevates PQShield's ability to support defense and national security organizations across Europe and addresses four key focus areas of the defense industry's needs identified by the AWS European Defence Accelerator.

Energy Resilience:

Cryptography plays a pivotal role in securing critical national infrastructure (CNI), as it remains a primary target for nation-state attacks. PQShield's innovative cryptographic solutions will bolster the energy sector's resilience, protecting vital assets and ensuring uninterrupted service.

Secure Information Sharing:

Confidentiality and integrity are paramount in secure information sharing. PQShield's advanced encryption algorithms provide robust protection for sensitive data, guaranteeing its confidentiality and integrity during transmission and storage.

Quantum:

As quantum advancements accelerate, the need for quantum-safe cryptography becomes increasingly urgent. PQShield is at the forefront of this evolving field, developing and implementing cryptographic solutions that can withstand the power of quantum computers.This collaboration will enable rapid advancements in the realm of quantum cryptography.

Cyber Resilience:

Cryptography forms the cornerstone of multi-domain system integration and is crucial for enhancing cyber resilience. PQShield's expertise in quantum-safe cryptography will fortify cyber defenses, ensuring secure communications and protecting against emerging threats.

Beginning in September 2023, the AWS European Defence Accelerator is a four-week technical, business, and mentorship program delivered in collaboration with Plexal, a United Kingdom Government supported innovation technology firm. Participating startups are eligible to receive AWS computing credits, specialized AWS training, mentoring from defense and national security domain and technical subject matter experts, business development, go-to-market advice, and investment guidance. To further accelerate their solutions' go-to-market opportunities, the cohort companies will have the chance to connect with AWS defense customers, industry leaders, and members of AWS Partner Network (APN) looking for defense solutions.

With a strong track record of successfully completing joint innovation projects, such as IUK and Horizon, POShield is well-positioned to contribute to this transformative endeavor. Backed by a world-class research team, PQShield recognizes that collaboration is key to securing the migration to quantum-safe cryptography and beyond.

PQShield already plays a vital role in policymaking discussions and standard-setting projects, as well as supporting the wider global move towards quantum-safe solutions, for example, being a leading contributor to the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) process to standardize post-quantum cryptography that concludes this summer, and advised on / contributed to all of the algorithms announced in the first group of winners in July 2022.

The AWS European Defence Accelerator provides an unprecedented opportunity to collaborate with multiple organizations simultaneously, driving innovation and reinforcing the security landscape.

"Virtually every organization, government and device in the world relies on public-key cryptography that will be rendered useless by large-scale quantum computers," said Dr. Ali El Kaafarani, CEO, PQShield. "The result could be particularly devastating for defense and national security agencies. This collaboration will arm our team with better tools to help the defense industry modernize their cryptography and build in quantum-resistant encryption to protect their systems."

Cameron Brooks, AWS Director (Europe) said "I congratulate PQShield and all those selected to participate in the AWS European Defence Accelerator."

About PQShield

PQShield is a post-quantum cryptography (PQC) company creating the global standards and core technologies to power the future security layer of the world's leading organizations. Its quantum-secure cryptographic solutions work with companies' legacy systems to protect sensitive data now and for years to come.

It is the only cybersecurity company that can deliver high-quality secure implementations of quantum-safe cryptography on chips, in applications, and in the cloud, and is also an authority on PQC side channel attack resistance, having built a dedicated SCA test lab with partner, Riscure.

PQShield is also a leading contributor to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) post-quantum cryptography standardization project, and has contributed multiple cryptographic extensions to RISC-V.

With dedicated research teams in France, and teams across the United Kingdom, United States, Belgium, the Netherlands and Japan, PQShield is principally backed by Addition, Crane Venture Partners, Oxford Science Enterprises (formerly OSI), Kindred Capital, and InnovateUK. Its latest white papers are available to read here.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/pqshield-selected-to-participate-in-aws-european-defence-accelerator-301875699.html
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Walgreens Boots Alliance

Originally published by Walgreens Boots Alliance

Senior leaders, partners, customers, industry experts, suppliers, and team members came together virtually from around the world for a special Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) event on March 9 to celebrate the release of its annual Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, and highlight the innovative ways WBA is making a difference on the health of our communities and our planet in the last year.

Hosted by Alethia Jackson, WBA senior vice president of ESG and chief DEI officer for the U.S., and Una Kent, WBA vice president of ESG and DEI international, the event underscored the significant impact of the company's efforts to responsibly serve the needs of our communities and planet, and create greater access to care, improving health outcomes and driving health equity.

Here are six key takeaways from the event:

1. WBA is leading the way in accountability and sustainability, and that positive impact is being felt in communities around the world.

Ornella Barra, WBA chief operating officer, international, and ESG committee chair, delivered opening remarks that featured the company's successes in giving back to our communities, with a cumulative fiscal year 2022 total of $100 million donated, a 21.2% reduction in global carbon emissions, and a 204 metric ton savings of plastic.

Barra noted WBA's ESG approach is designed around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) framework of the United Nations, with WBA among the first to embrace those goals after their publication in 2015. Among the 17 SDG's, she emphasized "Partnership for the goals," which aligns with one of WBA's key values of partnership. "When it comes to our global ESG efforts, collaboration with our partners and stakeholders is key," she says.

2. An embedded ESG strategy in an organization's business strategy is critical to success.

WBA CEO Roz Brewer, in conversation with Jackson and Kent, emphasized the importance of integrating a company's ESG strategy with its business strategy. For WBA, this is especially important in its transformation to a healthcare company, especially for customers, patients and team members, all of whom demand transparency.

Brewer says having an ESG strategy that is integrated and in lock step with business strategy provides something to stand behind that is important to defining who WBA is as a company. She pointed to work during the COVID pandemic that continues to inform our work with health equity, and current initiatives like streamlining HIV antiviral distribution that have provided deeper insights into what underserved communities need, while underscoring the importance of the relationships our pharmacists have with patients and customers.

3. Building partnerships and developing relationships are key to making progress toward health equity.

The first ESG pillar, Healthy Communities, begins locally, so it must be nurtured in communities and regions by building partnerships and developing relationships, says Georgia Lehoczky, Walgreens regional healthcare director for South Florida and Puerto Rico, and Shauna Markes-Wilson, director of pharmacy and retail operations for Walgreens region 28 in Georgia and Florida.

The combination of Walgreens scale with strong local partners has proven an incredible formula to addressing health inequality, vaccine hesitancy, and chronic conditions, according to Lehoczky. Working with community-based organizations-outside the walls of our retail pharmacies-to interact with patients where they live has been a successful strategy to reach the people who need health services the most.

According to Markes-Wilson, this strategy works because of the trust pharmacists and technicians have built within their communities. "We know trust is a critical component of health equity, so it matters where the data comes from and who's delivering it," she says. "Because many of our pharmacists and technicians live and work in the communities they serve, and look like the communities we're trying to reach, they are seen as highly trustworthy sources of health information among their community members. That combination is a catalyst for success, and puts communities that need our services within reach," she says.

4. Key stakeholders expect sustainability to a core element of an organization's strategy.

For people to be healthy, we need a Healthy Planet, so sustainability needs to be a core element of an organization's strategy, says Amy Brachio, global deputy vice chair, sustainability at EY, in conversation with Walgreens director of ESG Lauren Stone. Global initiatives to reduce environmental impact and lessen the effects of day-to-day business are not only better for the planet, they are also good for business and generate significant value.

Brachio listed three key groups that sustainability resonates with: investors, employees and customers. The investor community is increasingly looking for reassurance on sustainability and brand protection. For employees, people want to work for companies that have strong sustainability strategies, particularly since those companies have 55% better employee morale and 38% better employee loyalty. And customers also have ambitious sustainability expectations, with 86% of them more likely to trust a company that reports its sustainability results, and 80% wanting to purchase goods that reflect strong corporate social responsibility over those that don't.

Ultimately, Brachio says, there is a strong connection between a healthier planet and driving sustainability that helps people live healthier lives. "It's hard to imagine how you live a joyful life if you don't have access to clean air and water, and access to food," she says.

5. Misconceptions surrounding the topic of disability are often an incomplete picture drawn from people's own experiences.

Holly May, WBA EVP and global chief human resources officer, and Joe Riddle, director of Neurodiversity in the Workplace, discussed the importance of WBA's third ESG pillar, Healthy and Inclusive Workplace, emphasizing the creation of a workplace that is welcoming, inclusive and representative of the global communities we serve, which is illustrated by the company's commitment to disability hiring and inclusion.

Riddle countered a series of myths and misconceptions about hiring people with disabilities, pointing out that one-in-four U.S. adults have a disability, and that companies that focus on disability inclusion with supporting initiatives perform better, with 28% higher revenue and 30% higher profits than companies that don't. Additionally, most accommodations that help people with disabilities to succeed have little to no cost. If we can give people access to those tools, Riddle says, we can enable them to do their best, while creating a larger talent pool.

6. Transparency is critical to bringing products and services to market in a way that's honest, safe, and sustainable.

From sourcing to packaging, we strive for transparency in our supply chains and in those of our partners to deliver brands that our customers can truly trust, says John Kallend, WBA's SVP of global partnerships, who spoke with Kris Licht, president of health and global chief customer officer at Reckitt, a WBA global supplier, about WBA's fourth ESG pillar, Sustainable Marketplace.

Much of the impact we can have lays not just within the four walls of our plants and warehouses, but also out in the world helping consumers use products smarter, better and in a more sustainable way. "We have to ask ourselves questions," says Licht. "What is the footprint we have as businesses and as employers? What is the environmental footprint of our brands, and what happens after the sale of a product?" Asking these questions allows for the optimization of product formulations and designing products and packaging to improve the sustainability footprint of the product portfolio.

Watch the full event replay or segment clips, or download the full 2022 ESG Report.

Roz Brewer, Alethia Jackson and Una Kent at WBA's ESG Report virtual launch event.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Walgreens Boots Alliance on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Walgreens Boots Alliance

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/walgreens-boots-alliance

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Walgreens Boots Alliance

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767332/6-Things-To-Know-From-WBAs-ESG-Report-Launch-Event
CHICAGO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Czech Republic tractor market will grow at a CAGR of 2.4% during 2022-2028. Tractor demand in the Czech Republic is driven by the need to improve agricultural production, mechanization, and efficiency. Domestic and foreign tractor manufacturers compete in the market, offering different tractor models with differing power outputs, settings, and amenities to meet various farming needs. The agricultural tractor market is predicted to grow more as the agricultural sector evolves, embracing innovative technologies and practices. Government backing, technical developments, and the desire to enhance productivity and sustainability are projected to drive demand for tractors in the Czech Republic.

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Czech Republic Tractor Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Report Attributes Market Size (2028) 3.8 Thousand Units Market Size (2022) 3.3 Thousand Units CAGR (2022-2028) 2.4 % Historic Year 2020-2021 Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2028 Market Segmentation Horsepower, Drive Type, and Geography

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In 2022, the demand for agriculture tractors in the Lower Central Bohemian and South Bohemian regions was high. Strong demand for agriculture tractors is expected to come from the Central Bohemian region in the upcoming years. Moreover, the tractor market is regionally diverse due to the diversity of the overall volume of tractors in Czech Republic agriculture. The size of the Central Bohemian and South Bohemian farms necessitates using stronger, more expensive tractors. In addition, farms in these areas have more potential to get EU funding and produce higher revenue. These elements enable farmers in the areas above to purchase tractors with superior technological specifications, particularly those with greater power.

The Czech Republic has around 4.2 million hectares of agricultural land. Tractors have a diverse market in the Czech Republic, with various well-known brands available. Domestic tractor manufacturers, such as Zetor, have a prominent presence in the market. Furthermore, international brands, such as John Deere, Kubota, Case IH, Class, New Holland, and Massey Ferguson, are widely used and recognized. Agriculture in the Czech Republic involves various sectors and farming practices that necessitate specialized tractors.

Key Insights

The Czech Republic tractor market increased by 7.9% in 2022 from 2021. The increase in crop production and tractor sales was due to favorable climate conditions and government support to farmers.

The Central Bohemian region witnessed a massive increase in farm mechanization in terms of agricultural and industrial productivity.

The Czech Republic tractor market is highly concentrated, with the top players controlling most of the industry. Domestic and global brands, on the other hand, are equally represented in the industry.

The Czech Republic government plans schemes and initiatives to facilitate credit and improve agriculture-related operations, which will contribute to the growth of the overall value chain of the market.

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Key Strategies Adopted by the Market Vendors

John Deere, Kubota, CNH, and AGCO dominated the Czech Republic tractor market. These brands have adopted several strategies to gain traction in the market. In the Czech Republic, both domestic and international tractor market manufacturers have established dealer networks. These dealerships offer sales, service, and spare parts, ensuring farmers can access dependable aftersales services and tractor maintenance. The dealer network is important in growing market penetration and providing clients with localized support.

The competitive landscape in the Czech Republic tractor market is dynamic, with domestic and international competitors striving for industry share. To meet the unique demands of the country's farmers, manufacturers differentiate themselves through product range, dealer networks, technology, brand reputations, and customer-oriented strategies. Further major industry players are announcing alliances, new product launches, and expansions to acquire a competitive edge. For instance, John Deere has announced MY24 updates for its 7, 8, and 9 Series Tractors lineup that will help prepare them for the future of precision agriculture. The new StarFire 7000 integrated GPS position receiver and an all-new G5Plus CommandCenter Display include key updates.

Key Company Profiles

John Deere

Kubota

CNH Industrial

AGCO

Deutz-Fahr

Yanmar

Iseki

Zetor

JCB

CLAAS

Steyr Traktoren

SALEK

CASE IH

URSUS

New Holland

Fendt

Valtra

SAME

Kioti

Massey Ferguson

Belarus

Market Segmentation

Horsepower

Less Than 50 HP

50 HP-100 HP

Above 100 HP

Wheel Drive

2-Wheel-Drive

4-Wheel-Drive

Geography

Central Bohemian

South Bohemian

Highlands

South Mooravian

Others

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Key Questions Answered in the Report:

What are the expected units sold in the Czech Republic tractor market by 2028?

What is the growth rate of the Czech Republic tractor market?

How big is the Czech Republic tractor market?

Which region holds the largest Czech Republic tractor market share?

Who are the key companies in the Czech Republic tractor industry?

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Dallas, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - July 12, 2023) - The Law Office of Daniel Clancy has announced new practice-area expansions, taking its white-collar crime defense attorney services to Dallas, Plano, and Arlington, Texas. The news comes as The Law Office of Daniel Clancy moves to equip a greater number of Texans with legal representation in the face of white-collar crime allegations. Headed by thirty-year criminal law veteran and former Dallas County DA prosecutor, Daniel Clancy, the firm is able to guide the accused throughout the complex legal process.

For more information, visit https://www.theattorneypost.com/the-power-of-relationships-and-responsibility-insights-from-criminal-defense-attorney-daniel-clancy/.

Law Office of Daniel Clancy Expands Dallas, Arlington, Plano White Collar Crimes

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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The firm brings its services to Dallas, Arlington, and Plano while maintaining the specialism of its practice. The Law Office of Daniel Clancy now expands its working relationships with individuals and businesses in both state and federal cases.

White-collar crime expertise remains in high demand, says the firm, with fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering accusations having the potential to permanently tarnish professional reputations. Having expanded its legal services, The Law Office of Daniel Clancy offers tailored defense strategies suited to navigate each individual case in Dallas and beyond.

According to the firm, a full understanding of white-collar crime law is the bedrock of any successful defense. Defendants in Dallas, Plano, and Arlington now have access to a legal staff whose experience in the field informs their preparatory and investigative work. By expanding, the firm aims to help a higher number of clients navigate their charges.

As explained by The Law Office of Daniel Clancy, its expanded services are designed to protect the rights of the accused. On top of negative public perception, corporate crime is associated with heavy sentences - with this in mind, the firm's team gathers relevant documents and utilizes data analysis techniques in search of a positive outcome for its clients.

The Law Office of Daniel Clancy continues to address Texas communities in order to enhance statewide awareness of available legal help. Clancy has recently appeared on podcasts speaking at length about his firm's expanded services - one such can be found at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/delving-into-the-legal-maze-insights-and-experiences/id1562180400?i=1000617040038

As a staunch supporter of in-person meetings, Clancy announced that his firm hosts client consultations across its expanded Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex service area.

Interested parties in Dallas, Plano, and Arlington can find further details about The Law Office of Daniel Clancy at https://pod.co/attorneypost/delving-into-the-legal-maze-insights-and-experiences-from-dallas-tx-criminal-defense-attorney-daniel-clancy.

Contact Info:

Name: Daniel Clancy

Email: dclancy@danielclancy.com

Organization: The Law Office of Daniel Clancy

Address: 3131 McKinney Avenue Suite 800 , Dallas, Texas 75204, United States

Website: https://www.danielclancylaw.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173048
Victoria, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 12, 2023) - ALUULA Composites Inc. (TSXV: AUUA) ("ALUULA"or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced bought deal brokered private placement, led by Haywood Securities Inc. ("Haywood"), consisting of a total of 24,489,953 units (the "Units"), including partial exercise of the over-allotment option, at a price of $0.15 per Unit (the "Issue Price") for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of $3,673,492.95 (the "Offering"). Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.25 per share for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Offering.

In connection with the Offering, the Company: (i) paid Haywood a cash commission of $220,409.58; (ii) issued to Haywood 1,469,397 broker warrants, exercisable to acquire Units at the Issue Price; and (iii) paid Haywood a corporate finance fee comprised of $45,918.40 in cash and $137,756.25 payable in Units (being 918,375 Units).

The Company expects to use the net proceeds of the Offering to expand production capacity (including a shift to wider industry standard 1.5 meter output widths), repay outstanding bank debt, make modest increases to its workforce and expand its facilities.

The securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a hold period of four months, expiring on November 13, 2023, in accordance with applicable securities laws.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as defined in the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration is available.

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release.

About ALUULA

ALUULA Composites Inc. (TSXV: AUUA) was created with a vision to find solutions for real world challenges not being met by traditional composite manufacturers. Its goal is to create the next generation of lighter, stronger soft composites for a broad range of large vertical markets.

Using a patented and proprietary approach to increase fiber strength at the molecular level, ALUULA core weaves and outer facing films are fused without the use of heavy glues. This remarkable process allows ALUULA to create materials with a previously unachievable strength to weight ratio. Fusion at the molecular level also enables ALUULA to develop composites that are recycle-ready. The company continues to add patented innovation to its product offerings and specialized core competencies to its growing team.

Partnering with world-class brands, ALUULA Composites is quickly becoming the top choice for innovators seeking to set a new standard of high-performance.

ALUULA is a Canadian company founded by a team of highly experienced chemists and engineers who share a common passion for exploring and enjoying the outdoors. They have created a new realm in dimensionally stabilized multilayer materials that are the result of an innovative bonding of co-polymer layers, creating composites which are extremely light, highly tear and stretch resistant, and are easily fabricated into a multitude of products across a wide range of markets. ALUULA Composites strives to develop products and processes that are not hazardous to our environment and minimize the footprint we leave behind.

Learn more about ALUULA Composites at: www.aluula.com.

Contact:

Mr. Peter Dorrius, CFO and Corporate Secretary

Email: cfo@aluula.com

Investor Relations General Contact

Email: investors@aluula.com

TSX Venture Exchange

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking Statements

The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to the anticipated use of funds. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statement will prove to be correct. Forward- looking statements herein are made as of the date hereof, and except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. 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.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173185
The global personalized cancer medicine market is driven by factors such as a rise in prevalence of cancer, increase in demand for ideal therapeutics for treatment and rise in adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) based diagnosis.

PORTLAND, Ore., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Personalized Cancer Medicines Market by Product (Personalized Medicine Diagnostics and Personalized Medicine Therapeutics), End User (Hospitals & clinics and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032" According to the report, the global personalized cancer medicine market generated $180 billion in 2022, and is anticipated to generate $507.23 billion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 10.9% from 2023 to 2032.

Request Sample Report on Personalized Cancer Medicine Market Analysis 2032. Allied Market Research- https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/13733

Prime determinants of growth

Growing prevalence of cancer and technological advancement drive the growth of the global personalized cancer medicine market. However, the high cost of personalized cancer medicine presents a significant challenge and hampers market growth. On the contrary, the growing healthcare infrastructure and adoption of strategies by key manufacturers are expected to offer remunerative opportunities for expansion of the personalized cancer medicine market during the forecast period.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $180 billion Market Size in 2032 $507.23 billion CAGR 10.9 % No. of Pages in Report 209 Segments covered Product, End Users,?and Region. Drivers Rise in prevalence of cancer Increase in demand for ideal therapeutics for treatment Rise in adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) based diagnosis Opportunities Increase in research and development activities in personalized cancer medicine Restraints High cost of personalized medicine Limited Reimbursement and coverage

Covid-19 Scenario

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent global lockdowns, the personalized cancer medicine market faced a downturn.

However, as the global situation started ameliorating and the prevailing cases of cancer has highlighted the need for innovation in the healthcare sector and thus shown positive impact on the growth of the market.

Procure Complete Report (209 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures)

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/personalized-cancer-medicine-market

The personalized medicine diagnostics segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on product, the personalized medicine diagnostics segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the global personalized cancer medicine market revenue, and is estimated to register highest CAGR of 11.3% throughout the forecast period. This growth is attributed to advancements in genomic technologies, growing collaborations between diagnostic companies, pharmaceutical companies, and academic institutions, regulatory support, and the increasing demand for personalized treatment approaches. These diagnostics are essential in identifying the most effective treatment options for individual patients, leading to improved outcomes and personalized care in the field of medicine.?

The hospitals and clinics segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

Based on end user, the hospitals segment held the largest market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the global personalized cancer medicine market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period.?This is attributed to the rise in number of patients receiving personalized treatment in hospitals, as it owns advanced genomic and proteomic technologies that are needed to analyze patient data and identify disease biomarkers. ?However, others segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 11.3% from 2023 to 2032, owing to?contribution of CROs, research institutes, bio and health informatics companies, pharma & biotech companies, and diagnostic tool companies in advancements in personalized cancer medicine. Their collective efforts contribute to the development of new therapies, precision diagnostics, and research insights that improve patient outcomes and propel the growth of the market.

For Purchase Inquiry- https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/13733

North America to maintain its dominance by 2032

Based on region, North America dominated the personalized cancer medicine market in 2022 more than half of the global personalized cancer medicine market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This is attributed rise in prevalence of cancer cases, growth in investment by private and public agencies and well-established research & commercialization base. In addition, the increase in the geriatric population in North America has led to a higher prevalence of cancer, leading to increased demand for ideal therapeutics.

The healthcare system has made significant investments in improving healthcare infrastructure and facilities, which has enabled better access to healthcare services and treatments for patients with cancer. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR of 14.9% during the forecast period, owing to rising incidence of relapse cancer, increase in healthcare expenditure, growth in awareness about the importance of early detection and treatment of cancer and rise in adoption of precision medicine arena is expected to boost the market growth.

Leading Market Players: -

Abbott Laboratories

ARIEL Precision Medicine, Inc.

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

GE Healthcare, Inc

Aadi Bioscience, Inc.

Illumina, Inc.

Qiagen

Novartis AG

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the global personalized cancer medicine market. These players have adopted different strategies such as product approval , expansion, agreement, product approval , collaboration and acquisition to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

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AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model):

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We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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The permit allows the testing of cannabinoids and terpenes in addition to filth/foreign materials, metals, moisture content, and mycotoxins

HAUPPAUGE, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Botannis Labs, Inc., a leading provider of analytical testing services for the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries, is pleased to announce that the Hauppauge, Long Island-based testing laboratory received approval for testing of cannabinoids and terpenes last month from the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). As only one of 15 permitted testing laboratories in New York State and the only laboratory in Suffolk County, Botannis is permitted to test for cannabinoids and terpenes including delta-10 THC, filth/foreign material, heavy metals, moisture content, mycotoxins/aflatoxins.

Terpenes are a class of natural compounds consisting of unsaturated hydrocarbons that are found in the essential oils of plants. They determine the smell of many plants and herbs and are found abundantly in the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids are compounds that are also found in the cannabis plant. Terpenes, along with cannabinoids like THC and CBD, may contribute to the entourage effect - a synergy derived from the natural combination of these compounds.

With this updated permit from the OCM, Botannis can now test cannabis products for potency as levels may change from plant to plant based on various factors such as climate, soil type, and age of the crop. Botannis can test for and determine exact potency levels in finished cannabis products for consumer safety and quality assurance.

"We're very happy to add onto our cannabis testing capabilities," said Matt Wolf, CEO of Botannis Labs, Inc. "Our permit from the OCM allows us to carry out cannabis potency testing to measure the cannabinoids present and the strength of these compounds. Cannabis product consumers deserve to know what is in the products they are purchasing, and cannabis manufacturers deserve to have reliable testing laboratories that can assess potency levels."

"With terpenes added to our cannabis testing permit, Botannis can analyze terpenes in medical and adult use cannabis," said Jeff Reingold, COO of Botannis Labs, Inc. "Terpene analysis allows us to provide a more comprehensive scope of product testing for manufacturers and consumers that trust us to tell them exactly what is in the product that they are selling and consuming."

Learn more about testing protocols and standards and find the full list of permitted laboratories on the NY OCM's website.

For more information about Botannis Labs and its services, please visit www.botannis.com.

ABOUT BOTANNIS LABS, INC.

Botannis is a NY State Licensed, ISO-Certified, cGMP product testing lab that provides a comprehensive scope of harmonized GMP testing services and regulatory consulting. Botannis Labs' team of experts leverage their decades of experience to utilize optimized testing methods and quality procedures to help assure the compliance of partner brands and the safety of consumers. With modern capabilities and a rigorous dedication to quality, Botannis provides clients access to advanced analysis and cutting-edge laboratory services. Learn more at www.botannis.com.

Contact Information

Mathew Chamakkala

Vice President, Quality Control

info@botannis.com

SOURCE: Botannis Labs, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767389/Botannis-Labs-Inc-Receives-Cannabinoids-and-Terpenes-Testing-Permit-From-NYS-Office-of-Cannabis-Management
PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Philly Shipyard, Inc. ("Philly Shipyard"), the sole operating subsidiary of Philly Shipyard ASA (Oslo:PHLY) today announced the contract award to conduct the T-AH(X) Hospital Ship Feasibility Study for Gibbs and Cox, a Leidos Inc. company. The six-month design study will cover a solution for preliminary designs to replace the two current hospital ships - USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort - owned by the U.S. Navy and operated by Military Sealift Command (MSC). Philly Shipyard will subcontract to Vard Marine Inc. ("VARD") to provide engineering and technical services for this effort.

"This contract win highlights our commitment to pursuing and securing work in the government market," said Steinar Nerbovik, Philly Shipyard President and CEO. "Along with our current commercial and government backlog of shipbuilding projects, we have completed previous design studies for the U.S. Navy and are very interested in pursuing government opportunities that fit our production delivery cycles and skill sets. We are excited and grateful to team up, once again, with Vard Marine on this important industry study."

Philly Shipyard and VARD will leverage design work performed as part of a special study completed for the U.S. Navy's Common Hull Auxiliary Multi-Mission Platform (CHAMP) program, which was won in 2019.

About Philly Shipyard

Philly Shipyard, Inc. (PSI) is a leading U.S. shipbuilder that is presently pursuing a mix of commercial and government work. It possesses a state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility and has earned a reputation as a preferred provider of oceangoing merchant vessels with a track record of delivering quality ships, having delivered around 50% of all large ocean-going Jones Act commercial ships since 2000. PSI is the sole operating subsidiary of Philly Shipyard ASA. Philly Shipyard ASA is listed on the Euronext Expand Oslo (Oslo: PHLY) and is majority-owned by Aker Capital AS, which in turn is wholly-owned by Aker ASA (Aker). Aker is an industrial investment company that exercises active ownership to create value. Aker has ownership interests in oil and gas, renewable energy and green technologies, maritime assets, marine biotechnology and industrial software, and its portfolio includes companies like Aker BP, Aker Horizons, Aker BioMarine, Cognite, and Aker Solutions. For more information about Philly Shipyard, visit www.phillyshipyard.com.

Media Contacts:

Philly Shipyard, Inc.

Matt Cassidy

215-875-8863

matthew.cassidy@phillyshipyard.com

SOURCE: Philly Shipyard ASA

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767371/Philly-Shipyard-Wins-Contract-for-Hospital-Ship-Design-Study
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION (IN WHOLE OR IN PART) IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

As of 12 July, Silver Lake has now secured a total stake of 71% including shares tendered into the offer

Since 7 July, Silver Lake has not purchased any more shares in the open market

Silver Lake's offer at 32 is the only opportunity for shareholders to sell at an attractive premium to the current share price and to realize maximum value in the shortest possible timeframe

Silver Lake reiterates that it does not require a domination and profit and loss transfer agreement (DPLTA) to finance the tender offer and hence does not intend to enter into a DPLTA

Silver Lake intends to pursue a delisting of Software AG as soon as practically possible after closing of the tender offer

MENLO PARK, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Silver Lake, the global leader in technology investing, together with Mosel Bidco SE, a holding company controlled by funds managed or advised by Silver Lake ("Silver Lake"), announced today that shortly before the end of the Additional Acceptance Period, it has secured an incremental 8% of shares in Software AG since the announcement of the preliminary results of the Initial Acceptance Period on 29 June and now has secured a total stake of 71% of shares in Software AG as of 12 July 2023. This excludes bonds convertible into Software AG shares held by Silver Lake.

Shareholders of Software AG can still tender their shares at the 32.00 offer price, a premium to the current share price, during the last days of the Additional Acceptance Period expiring on 17 July 2023. Should shareholders not tender, there is no guarantee that they will be able to achieve such an attractive price or be able to sell their shares given the limited liquidity and trading volumes in Software AG shares. Since 7 July, Silver Lake has not purchased any more shares in the open market.

Silver Lake reiterates that it does not require a domination and profit and loss transfer agreement (DPLTA) to finance its offer or achieve its economic and strategic objectives. Hence, Silver Lake does not intend to implement a DPTLA.

After closing of the tender offer, Silver Lake intends to pursue a delisting of Software AG to support management with implementation of its strategy in a non-listed environment, and with the backing of Silver Lake as Software AG's new majority shareholder.

About Silver Lake

Silver Lake is a global technology investment firm, with approximately $98 billion in combined assets under management and committed capital and a team of professionals based in North America, Europe and Asia. Silver Lake's portfolio companies collectively generate more than $276 billion of revenue annually and employ approximately 710,000 people globally.

About Software Aktiengesellschaft

Software AG simplifies the connected world. Founded in 1969, it helps deliver the experiences that employees, partners and customers now expect. Its technology creates the digital backbone that integrates applications, devices, data and clouds; empowers streamlined processes; and connects "things" like sensors, devices and machines. It helps 10,000+ organizations to become a truly connected enterprise and make smarter decisions, faster. The Company has about 5,000 employees across more than 70 countries and annual Group revenue of over 950 million.

Media Contact for Silver Lake

Jeffrey Vogeli, FGS Global

Email: jeffrey.voegeli@fgsglobal.com

Phone: +41 79 511 1763

Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Statement

This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell Software AG shares. The final terms of the Takeover Offer as well as other provisions relating to the Takeover Offer are set out solely in the offer document authorized for publication by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt fur Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht). Investors and holders of Software AG shares are strongly advised to read the offer document and all other documents relating to the Takeover Offer, as they contain important information. The offer document for the Takeover Offer (in German and a non-binding English translation) with the detailed terms and conditions and other information on the Takeover Offer is published amongst other information on the internet at www.offer-2023.com.

The Takeover Offer will be implemented exclusively on the basis of the applicable provisions of German law, in particular the German Securities Acquisition and Takeover Act (Wertpapiererwerbs- und Ubernahmegesetz - WpUG), and certain securities law provisions of the United States of America relating to cross-border takeover offers. The Takeover Offer will not be conducted in accordance with the legal requirements of jurisdictions other than the Federal Republic of Germany or the United States of America (as applicable). Accordingly, no notices, filings, approvals or authorizations for the Takeover Offer have been filed, caused to be filed or granted outside the Federal Republic of Germany or the United States of America (as applicable). Investors and holders of Software AG shares cannot rely on being protected by the investor protection laws of any jurisdiction other than the Federal Republic of Germany or the United States of America (as applicable). Subject to the exceptions described in the offer document and, where applicable, any exemptions to be granted by the respective regulatory authorities, no takeover offer will be made, directly or indirectly, in those jurisdictions in which this would constitute a violation of applicable law. This announcement may not be released or otherwise distributed in whole or in part, in any jurisdiction in which the Takeover Offer would be prohibited by applicable law.

The Takeover Offer relates to shares in a German company admitted to trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and is subject to the disclosure requirements, rules and practices applicable to companies listed in the Federal Republic of Germany, which differ from those of the United States and other jurisdictions in certain material respects. The financial information relating to Silver Lake and Software AG included elsewhere, including in the offer document, are prepared in accordance with provisions applicable in the Federal Republic of Germany and are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States; therefore, it may not be comparable to financial information relating to United States companies or companies from other jurisdictions outside the Federal Republic of Germany. The Takeover Offer will be made in the United States pursuant to Section 14(e) of, and Regulation 14E under, the Exchange Act, and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. Shareholders from the United States should note that Software AG is not listed on a United States securities exchange, is not subject to the periodic requirements of the Exchange Act and is not required to, and does not, file any reports with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Any contract entered into with Silver Lake as a result of the acceptance of the Takeover Offer will be governed exclusively by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. It may be difficult for shareholders from the United States (or from elsewhere outside of Germany) to enforce certain rights and claims arising in connection with the Takeover Offer under United States federal securities laws (or other laws they are acquainted with) since Silver Lake and Software AG are located outside the United States (or the jurisdiction where the shareholder resides), and their respective officers and directors reside outside the United States (or the jurisdiction where the shareholder resides). It may not be possible to sue a non-United States company or its officers or directors in a non-United States court for violations of United States securities laws. It also may not be possible to compel a non-United States company or its subsidiaries to submit themselves to a United States court's judgment.

To the extent that this document contains forward-looking statements, they are not statements of fact and are identified by the words "intend", "will" and similar expressions. These statements express the intentions, beliefs or current expectations and assumptions of Silver Lake and the persons acting in concert with it. Such forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections made by Silver Lake and the persons acting in concert with it to the best of their knowledge, but are not guarantees of future accuracy (this applies in particular to circumstances beyond the control of Silver Lake or the persons acting in concert with it). Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are usually beyond Silver Lake's control or the control of the persons acting in concert with it. It should be taken into account that actual results or consequences in the future may differ materially from those indicated or contained in the forward-looking statements. It cannot be ruled out that Silver Lake and the persons acting in concert with it will in future change their intentions and estimates stated in documents or notifications or in the offer document.

SOURCE: Silver Lake

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767395/Silver-Lake-has-now-Secured-71-of-Shares-in-Software-AG--Only-5-More-Days-Left-for-Shareholders-to-Tender-their-Shares-at-32-Offer-Price
Management of new projects

Structuring information systems to boost pharma development

Focus on digitalisation and AI to support the deployment of the innovative biotherapy strategy based on Apoa-I

Regulatory News:

ABIONYX Pharma, (FR0012616852 ABNX PEA PME eligible) (Paris:ABNX), a new generation biotech company dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative therapies based on the world's only natural recombinant ApoA-I, today announces the appointment of Laurent Guerci as Chief Digital Innovation Officer.

Agricultural engineer and graduate of the CPA (Executive MBA), Laurent Guerci has spent his entire career in information systems, first as the founding director of a company specialized in ERP for agricultural applications, which he sold, then as consulting director in information systems at PWC, and finally as director of various profit centers within the ACTIA industrial Group, where he was in charge of developing new digital activities in France and abroad.

He will be responsible for carrying out various projects to structure ABIONYX Pharma, in particular the digitalisation of the Group. ABIONYX Pharma's ambition, in support of its innovative biotherapies strategy, is to digitalise its internal processes, its exchanges with its pharmaceutical partners and to use its data capital through the use of Artificial Intelligence technologies to improve its know-how in pre-clinical and clinical studies and the development of innovative therapies, whether in sepsis, renal diseases or ophthalmology.

About ABIONYX Pharma

ABIONYX Pharma is a new generation biotech company that aims to contribute to health through innovative therapies in indications where there is no effective or existing treatment, even the rarest ones. Thanks to its partners in research, medicine, biopharmaceuticals and shareholding, the company innovates on a daily basis to propose drugs for the treatment of renal and ophthalmological diseases, or new HDL vectors used for targeted drug delivery.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712247349/en/

Contacts:

NewCap

Investor relations

Louis-Victor Delouvrier

Nicolas Fossiez

abionyx@newcap.eu

+33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

NewCap

Media relations

Arthur Rouille

abionyx@newcap.eu

+33 (0)1 44 71 94 94


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Jack Ma, the renowned business tycoon and co-founder of Alibaba, has seen a significant decline in his fortune over the past three years.



According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Ma's wealth has dropped by $4.1 billion in the past year alone, primarily due to the sharp devaluation of Ant Group, the fintech giant he co-founded but no longer controls.



Once regarded as Asia's wealthiest individual, Ma currently holds a 9.9 percent stake in Ant Group. His net worth now stands at approximately $30 billion, less than half of the $61.2 billion peak recorded in 2020, prior to the tumultuous events that unfolded that year.



Ant Group, renowned for operating China's ubiquitous Alipay digital payments system, is currently undergoing a share buyback that values the company at $78.5 billion. This marks a staggering 75 percent decline in valuation, equating to a loss of $230 billion from its 2020 valuation.



When considering the combined market capitalization loss of Ant Group and Alibaba, the figure amounts to a staggering $877 billion, based on peak share prices observed in late October 2020. It was during this time that Ma delivered a landmark speech, criticizing Chinese financial regulators and banks, which triggered a chain of events leading to intensified regulatory scrutiny and an unprecedented crackdown on private enterprises in China's tech sector.



Consequently, Chinese regulators halted Ant Group's highly anticipated $37 billion initial public offering in November 2020 and mandated the restructuring of its business operations. The repercussions of Ma's speech rippled through the industry, resulting in heightened regulatory oversight of numerous tech companies across the country.



Since then, Ma has maintained a low public profile. Reports suggest that he has spent time in Japan, where his friend and Alibaba investor, SoftBank CEO Masa Son, resides. He has also taken on the role of a visiting professor at a Tokyo university and dedicated more time to philanthropy. Moreover, Ma has distanced himself from the companies he co-founded.



In January, Ma relinquished control of Ant Group after a two-year overhaul of its business model as directed by regulators, transitioning from consumer lending to insurance products. Additionally, he stepped down as chairman of Alibaba in 2019 upon reaching the age of 55.



Last week, Chinese financial regulators imposed fines totaling $984 million on Ant Group and its subsidiaries, citing violations related to consumer protection and corporate governance. Analysts interpret these fines as a potential signal that the regulatory crackdown has finally come to an end.



In March, Alibaba announced plans to restructure its operations into six separate units, each led by its own CEO and board of directors. The company anticipates that this new structure will enhance agility and unlock greater value for investors.



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
Mammoth Foundation CEO John Baek, signs collaboration agreement with Vietnam Blockchain Institute, showcasing practical implementations at GM Vietnam event for 2,000-3,000 consumers.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / On June 27th, 2023, the Mammoth Foundation has signed a collaboration agreement with the Vietnam Blockchain Institute, the leading organization in Vietnam's blockchain industry. This partnership will facilitate the implementation of Mammoth's blockchain technology in Vietnam, as well as the United States, Thailand, Indonesia, and Japan, with the goal of bringing about economic and social change in these countries.

W3W is a web3 lifestyle software that provides benefits to its users. Through NFT membership, the practical application of web3 is gaining popularity in Vietnam. Mammoth Foundation, with its huge mammoth chain and GMMT token, is constantly working with W3W to include continual technical upgrades.

On the following month July 7th and 8th, between 2,000 and 3,000 consumers attended the GM Vietnam event, where these practical implementation was showcased.

The recent listing of Mammoth Foundation on the renowned Gate.io exchange is a significant accomplishment. As a result of this listing, the foundation is now organizing a number of airdrop events as well as numerous marketing methods to attract and engage new users.

These initiatives seek to enhance the visibility of the Mammoth project within the cryptocurrency community.

About Mammoth Foundation.

Established in 2020, Giant Mammoth Chain INC does business as Mammoth Foundation. With its first listing on the New York virtual currency exchange Bitmart in January 2023, GMMT has gradually secured overseas exchanges such as CITEX, Deepcoin, and CoinStore enabling trading in twelve locations. They have been expanding their ecosystem through consistent efforts to secure global partners and users. They aim to apply blockchain technology to real-life applications and continue expanding their ecosystem through projects such as the NFT marketplace "EDEM," the shopping platform "Cokili," and the webtoon and web novel platform "E-Pafadise."

To learn more about The Mammoth Foundation, follow the company on LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/gmmt

Find The Mammoth Foundation on CoinMarket Cap: https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/giant-mammoth

Media Contact

Organization: Giant Mammoth Chain

Contact Person: Floy Kim&Tom An

Website: https://gmmtchain.io/

Email: g-master@gmmtchain.io

City: Seoul

Country: Korea South

SOURCE: Giant Mammoth Chain

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767418/The-Mammoth-Foundation-Signs-Collaboration-Agreement-with-the-Vietnam-Blockchain-Institude-to-Implement-Block-Chain-Technology-in-Vietnam
"Achieve Global Market Reach for Both Used and New Satcom Equipment"

BOCA RATON, FL / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / SatcomHQ, a leading destination for sourcing reliable satellite equipment, is pleased to announce the opening of registrations for satcom equipment dealers and distributors in their aggregate marketplace. With years of experience and a proven track record of connecting dealers with genuine buyers, SatcomHQ (www.satcomhq.com) has established a global network of authorized dealers, including manufacturers, distributors, sellers, VARs and contractors.

SatcomHQ Launches Registration for Satcom Equipment Dealers and Distributors Worldwide

Achieve Global Market Reach for Both Used and New Satcom Equipment

In a bid to facilitate large-scale operations, SatcomHQ offers free registration in their dealer directory. By leveraging SatcomHQ's extensive network, dealers and distributors gain quick access to global markets, while maintaining full pricing control and receiving shipping assistance. Expanding operations with SatcomHQ presents a lucrative proposition for several reasons, including:

Free registration

Global market access: Benefit from SatcomHQ's network to reach satcom equipment markets worldwide.

Complete sales transparency: Gain insights and control over sales through the dealer dashboard.

List used and new equipment

Satellite Phones

Satellite Modems

VSAT Systems

Earth Station Antennas

Satcom-On-The-Move (SOTM) Systems

Satellite Broadcast Systems

Satcom Terminals

Tracking, Telemetry, and Control (TT&C) Systems

Satellite Ground Stations

Satellite Signal Analyzers

Satellite Signal Repeaters

Satellite Signal Encoders/Decoders

Satellite Transceivers

Satellite Navigational Systems

Satellite Imaging Systems

Satellite Data Terminals

Satellite Tracking Systems

Satellite Ground Control Systems

Satellite Power Amplifiers

Satellite Antenna Controllers

Satellite Link Emulators

Satellite Payloads

Satellite Modulation/Demodulation Equipment

Satellite Tracking Antennas

Satellite Signal Monitoring Systems

Satellite Frequency Converters

Satellite Signal Switches

Satellite Video Encoders/Decoders

Satellite Interference Detection and Mitigation Systems

Satellite Gateway Systems

Satellite Network Management Systems

Satellite Bandwidth Optimization Systems

Daily updated inventory: Keep up with market demands and achieve faster time-to-market with SatcomHQ's regularly updated inventory. Public dealer directory: Enhance visibility and attract potential buyers through the SatcomHQ dealer directory. Automated listing integration: Listings can be easily imported from existing dealer websites and online stores such as Amazon and eBay.

The satcom industry is experiencing an astonishing compound annual growth rate of 10.4% for the projected period of 2022-2026. Its essential applications in remote communications, telecommunications, navigation and positioning, weather forecasting, rescue operations, military operations, and the logistics industry contribute to its flourishing nature. With the constant need for technological advancements and maintenance in this industry, uninterrupted connectivity and state-of-the-art infrastructure are crucial. SatComHQ bridges the gap between dealers and global buyers by providing a digital platform where quality satcom equipment can be sourced.

About SatcomHQ:

SatcomHQ is a leading sourcing destination for reliable satellite equipment, connecting dealers and distributors with genuine buyers. With an extensive network of authorized dealers worldwide, SatcomHQ offers a comprehensive platform for showcasing and selling both used and new satcom equipment. Their mission is to empower the satcom industry by providing a seamless marketplace experience and facilitating global market reach.

For more information, visit the official website or contact 1-561-295-7000.

Contact Information

Sean Thomas

MD/CEO

info@satcomhq.com

+1-954-283-9335

SOURCE: SatComHQ

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767425/SatcomHQ-Launches-Registration-for-Satcom-Equipment-Dealers-and-Distributors-Worldwide
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of new interviews with 01 Communique Laboratory, Galantas Gold and ARway discussing their latest news.

The Power Play by The Market Herald provides investors with a quick snapshot of what they need to know about the company's latest press release through exclusive insights and interviews with company executives.

01 Communique Laboratory Inc. (TSXV:ONE)(OTCQB:OONEF) (the "Company") one of the first-to-market, enterprise level cybersecurity providers for the quantum computing era, is pleased to announce its new technology partnership with Keyfactor, the identity-first security solution for modern enterprises.

For the full interview with Andrew Cheung and to learn about 01 Communique Laboratory, click here.

Galantas Gold (V:GAL) intercepts copper, gold, zinc and cobalt at Gairloch project in Scotland

Galantas Gold Corporation (TSX-V & AIM:GAL)(OTCQX:GALKF) ("Galantas" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of the first exploration drill hole at the Gairloch Project in Scotland.

For the full interview with Mario Stifano and to learn about Galantas Gold, click here.

ARway.ai (CSE:ARWY)(OTC:ARWYF) selected by TM Forum to participate in Smart Airport Initiative alongside Intel, Amazon, Vodafone and other technology partners

ARway.ai ("ARway" or the "Company") (CSE:ARWY)(OTCQB:ARWYF)(FSE:E65) is an AI powered Augmented Reality Experience platform with a disruptive no-code, no beacon spatial computing solution enabled by visual marker tracking with centimeter precision announces its participation in the Smart Airport Initiative managed by TM Forum.

For the full interview with Shadnam Khan and to learn about ARway.ai, click here.

Interviews for The Power Play by The Market Herald are released daily. To learn more about the companies featured in The Power Play or to explore our other interviews visit The Power Play by The Market Herald.

About The Market Herald

The Market Herald Canada is the leading source of authoritative breaking stock market news for self-directed investors. Our team of Canadian markets reporters, editors and technologists covers the entire listed company universe in Canada. We cover over 3,985 businesses, their people, their investors, and their customers. We write the stories that move the Canadian capital markets.

DISCLAIMER: Report Card Canada Media Ltd. ("Report Card") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market Herald Limited, an Australian company ("Market Herald"). Report Card is not an advisory service, and does not offer, buy, sell, or provide any other rating, analysis or opinion on the securities we discuss. We are retained and compensated by the companies that we provide information on to assist them with making information available to the public. All information available on themarketherald.ca and/or this press release should be considered as commercial advertisement and not an endorsement, offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Report Card is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority in any province or territory of Canada, will not be performing any registerable activity as defined by the applicable regulatory bodies and do not provide nor claim to provide investment advice or recommendations to any visitor of this site or readers of any content on or originating from themarketherald.ca. Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees may from time to time acquire, hold or sell securities and/or commodities and/or commodity futures contracts in certain underlying companies mentioned in this site and which may also be clients of Market Herald's affiliates. In such instances, Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees will use all reasonable efforts to avoid engaging in activities that would lead to conflicts of interest and Market Herald and/or its affiliates will use all reasonable efforts to comply with conflicts of interest disclosures and regulations to minimize any conflict. All the information on this document and/or the website - themarketherald.ca - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Report Card does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this document and/or website (themarketherald.ca) is strictly at your own risk. Report Card will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'. Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information.

CONTACT:

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themarketherald.ca

SOURCE: The Market Herald

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767432/The-Power-Play-by-The-Market-Herald-Releases-New-Interviews-with-01-Communique-Laboratory-Galantas-Gold-and-ARway-Discussing-Their-Latest-News
CHICAGO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arizton recently published a research report on the Middle East data center market and Africa data center market. The report includes current market trends, challenges, and dynamics & provides real-time insights that enable companies to leverage the change & make effective, strategic decisions.

Arizton Advisory & Intelligence provides competitive and insightful business intelligence across various industry verticals. Our expertise and knowledge ensure that the analysis provided is comprehensive, detailed, and complete. The analysis helps our client organizations to make insightful decisions and devise marketing strategies for their businesses. The actionable insights delivered through our market research provide a comprehensive market analysis at every level of market segmentation in the industry.

Middle East & Africa Data Center Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Details Middle East Data Center Market Size (Investment) USD 7.94 Billion (2028) CAGR (20222-2028) 8.53 % Africa Data Center Market Size (Investment) USD 4.92 Billion (2028) CAGR (2022-2028) 10.25 % Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2028 Market Segmentation Infrastructure, IT Infrastructure, Electrical Infrastructure, Mechanical Infrastructure, Cooling Systems, Cooling Techniques, General Construction, Tier Standards, and Geography

The Middle East Data Center Market Investment to Reach $7.94 Billion by 2028

The Middle East data center market has several global support infrastructure providers with expertise in providing OCP scale infrastructure. Some of the support infrastructure providers in the industry include ABB, Airedale, Alfa Laval, Delta Electronics, Cummins, and Caterpillar.

The Middle East is one of the key locations for investments in renewable energy. Solar energy is available in abundance and is one of the region's most reliable sources of renewable energy. Companies investing in renewable energy install solar panels and work on innovations to benefit from solar energy generation. Middle Eastern countries have a long-term vision for renewable energy installation, which drives data center investments since many data center operators intend to use renewable energy in their data centers for the long term. The rise in data center power consumption and the need to reduce carbon emissions prompt data center service providers to purchase renewable energy sources to power their existing and upcoming facilities.

Middle Eastern countries are working toward adopting digital transformation to attract foreign investments. 5G network deployment fuels digital transformation, IoT, smart cities, and the fourth industrial revolution. The rapid investment in 5G technology increases the demand for high-bandwidth internet in Tier II and Tier III cities, thereby leading to the generation of a substantial amount of data, further driving data center development to process the information. 5G network services play a key role in supporting enterprise digitalization and will drive the adoption of IoT applications.

Some telecom operators in the Middle East data center market have deployed 5G network services; some are in 5G trials. Middle Eastern countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar commercially deployed 5G network services. Turkey, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran are other Middle Eastern countries in 5G planning and are yet to deploy commercial services in the upcoming years.

Key Trends

Most facilities are being developed to operate at a PUE of less than 1.5. In contrast, few facilities in countries like Turkey that adopt partial free cooling during peak winters aim to operate at a PUE of less than 1.3.

In the Middle East data center market, investments in cooling infrastructure contribute the major share of more than 50% in the mechanical infrastructure due to the high temperature in some countries during the peak summers.

The region witnessed growth in the deployment of data centers in Tier III and Tier IV certification in the design phase/construction phase of the region. In comparison, most private and public entities (BFSI, education, government) have received Uptime Institute's Tier III/IV certification during the design phase or for the constructed facility.

In September 2022, Khazna Data Centers signed an MOU with China-based GDS Services to develop data centers across the Middle East and APAC.

In September 2022, Khazna Data Centers and BEEAH Digital formed a JV. The JV will be termed as One Data Center SPV. The newly formed company plans to build a 9-MW data center in Sharjah and UAE.

Looking for More Information? Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3907

The Africa Data Center Market Will Witness Investments of $4.92 Billion by 2028

In the Africa data center market, power capacity is expected to reach 240.5 MW by 2028. The African market is one of the significantly growing markets with rising adoption of cloud services among organizations in sectors such as healthcare, education system, and government entities. Africa has registered a CAGR of more than 20% in the past four years for cloud adoption, and this trend is supposed to continue with increased deployment of 5G, increasing submarine cable connectivity, and a shift toward the cloud. Also, the growing need for data security and portability is driving the growth of the cloud service market. Cloud service adoption and usage are growing in the market due to the increased interest from global cloud service providers and the development of data centers by cloud operators. Entities such as banks that operate sensitive data are shifting their focus to transfer and operate data through cloud servers, whether in-house or cloud service providers. The growing adoption of cloud services is also increasing the revenue of the public cloud market. Global cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft, Google, Oracle, and Huawei Technologies have a strong presence in South Africa with their cloud regions.

Key Highlights

The South African data center market is one of the major data center markets in the African region. Low electricity and land costs, renewable energy projects, and data protection laws are the major factors expected to drive the data center market in the future.

In July 2021, the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) became effective in controlling the misuse of citizens' sensitive and personal information. Organizations that do not comply with the act will be penalized either through a fine of around $1 million.

Digital Realty and Equinix have chosen acquisition as a medium to enter the market, while Vantage Data Centers has opened its own facility. Many other global players might follow the same path to enter the African market. South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria are major contributors to the data center area in the African region.

In November 2022, Digital Realty opened the JB4 facility with 20,000 square feet of area in phase 1 of the facility.

In July 2022, Vantage Data Centers opened its first data center (JNB11) with a white floor space of around 130,000 square feet. Once fully built, the campus will have three data center buildings span over 650,000 square feet of area.

Looking for More Information? Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3906

Market Segmentation

Infrastructure

IT Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

General Construction

IT Infrastructure

Server Infrastructure

Storage Infrastructure

Network Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

UPS Systems

Generators

Transfer Switches & Switchgear

Power Distribution Units

Other Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

Racks

Other Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

CRAC & CRAH Units

Chiller Units

Cooling Towers, Condensers, and Dry Coolers

Other Cooling Units

Cooling Techniques

Air-based Cooling Technique

Liquid-based Cooling Technique

General Construction

Core & Shell Development

Installation & Commissioning Services

Engineering & Building Design

Physical Security

Fire Detection & Suppression

DCIM/BMS Solutions

Tier Standard

Tier I & II

Tier III

Tier IV

Geography

Africa

South Africa



Kenya



Nigeria



Egypt



Ethiopia



Other African Countries

Arizton's Expertise in Data Center Industry

We continuously track data center investments worldwide and strive to provide accurate market analysis on investments across 20+ infrastructure categories.

Arizton's team of principal consultants and analysts work towards publishing extensive secondary and primary research that is credible, resourceful, and data-driven. With over 5+ years of experience, Arizton has helped several Fortune 500 companies with data-driven insights that enabled them to expand their businesses to niche regions, added over a billion dollars in revenues, and effective go-to-market strategies. We offer various product portfolios to meet the client requirements, which align with their key business strategies and identify high-value growth avenues.

Exhaustive syndicated reports, databases, country-wise market analysis, & customized consulting projects are published by our exuberant and well-experienced analysts who possess exemplary skills in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research. Subscribe to our exhaustive portfolios to access premium research reports at competitive prices. Partner with Arizton for your next strategic business decision and gain a competitive advantage with real-time, data-driven research.

What We Deliver to Our Clients?

Competitive Intelligence

Cost Analysis & Business Forecast

Business Expansion Avenues

Country Specific Insights

Go-To-Market Strategy

Data Center Ancillary Insights

Check Out Some of the Top-Selling Research Reports:????

Middle East and Africa Data Center Colocation Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2022-2027

South Africa Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2022-2027

Middle East Data Center Construction Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028

Africa Data Center Market Landscape 2023-2028

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Arizton Advisory and Intelligence is an innovative and quality-driven firm that offers cutting-edge research solutions to clients worldwide. We excel in providing comprehensive market intelligence reports and advisory and consulting services.??????????????????????????????????

We offer comprehensive market research reports on consumer goods & retail technology, automotive and mobility, smart tech, healthcare, life sciences, industrial machinery, chemicals, materials, I.T. and media, logistics, and packaging. These reports contain detailed industry analysis, market size, share, growth drivers, and trend forecasts.???????????????????????????????????

Arizton comprises a team of exuberant and well-experienced analysts who have mastered generating incisive reports. Our specialist analysts possess exemplary skills in market research. We train our team in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research reports.???????????????????????????????????? ?????

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SAN DIEGO (dpa-AFX) - Illumina, the world's largest gene sequencing company, has been hit with a record fine by the European Union or EU after completing an $8 billion acquisition without obtaining approval from Brussels.



The European Commission imposed a penalty of 432 million euros, equivalent to 10 percent of Illumina's revenue, which is the maximum fine for such infringements. The dispute between Illumina and the EU began in 2021 when Illumina proceeded with the purchase of cancer test developer Grail while EU regulators were still examining the potential impact on competition.



The EU regulators ultimately decided to block the transaction a year later, citing concerns that the deal would stifle innovation and limit consumer choice. Illumina had challenged the EU's authority to scrutinize the deal, arguing that Grail does not generate any revenues in Europe. However, the European Commission emphasized that EU merger rules require companies to refrain from implementing mergers until they receive approval. This is considered a crucial aspect of the European merger control system, allowing the commission to fulfill its role before structural changes disrupt the competitive landscape.



By imposing the maximum penalty, EU authorities aim to deter other companies from disregarding the approval process as Illumina did. The fine levied against Illumina surpasses the previous largest penalty for a similar infringement, when telecoms group Altice was fined 125 million euros, equivalent to 1 percent of its revenues. Illumina has expressed its intention to appeal the fine, stating that it believes the penalty is unlawful, inappropriate, and disproportionate.



Illumina's completion of the acquisition also sparked a challenge from activist investor Carl Icahn, who criticized the deal as reckless and advocated for the departure of Illumina's CEO, Francis deSouza. In June, deSouza agreed to step down. Grail, the cancer test developer that was acquired by Illumina, aims to create a screening test for various cancers in individuals without symptoms. Illumina has accused Brussels of endangering lives by blocking a deal that seeks to bring a blood test for screening multiple cancers to the market.



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 12, 2023) - Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. (CSE: NOP) ("NOP" or the "Company), a B.C. based company engaged in the exploration, in Nevada, for organic, sedimentary raw rock phosphate, is pleased to announce that it has launched a new corporate website and investor portal.

The site is available at: https://www.nevadaphosphate.com

"NOP is very pleased to launch a new site to include both a deck describing the Company and its process leading to drilling and to supplement that information with a separate deck including views of Murdock Mountain, the principal P205 project, and accompanying photos," stated Robin Dow, CEO, Nevada Organic Phosphate.

"We intend to be both highly communicative and transparent through this important, early process in our efforts to participate in the global phosphate industry," added Dow. "We believe Murdock Mountain offers both tremendous long term opportunities and short term challenges. We will do our level best to let the investing public know precisely how it's going."

Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc.

NOP is a junior exploration company with an organic sedimentary raw rock phosphate bed, 8.25 kilometers long, in northeast Nevada. This is believed to be the only known organic sedimentary phosphate project in North America. It is situated close to the main highway to Montello/Elko, Nevada, and near the rail head to California.

For More Information

Robin Dow, CEO

T: 604.355.9986

E: robin@dowgroup.ca

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulations services providers have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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. All statements which are not historical statements are considered FLSI. All FLSI is based on assumptions, which may prove inaccurate, and subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those risks and uncertainties identified in the Company's public securities filings, which may cause actual events or 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 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. Any FLSI in this news release is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173310
LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / CLS Holdings USA Inc., and Oasis Cannabis Dispensary are pleased to welcome The Real McCoy to our Dispensary shelves. The Real McCoy is a boutique cannabis company located in Nevada that prides themselves on producing the purest indoor grown cannabis.

Oasis Cannabis Dispensary is proud to be carrying The Real McCoy's small batch, high quality hand crafted flower, which compliments our already wide variety of cannabis products offered.

Oasis Dispensary General Manager, Portia Davis states, "Excited to have The Real McCoy as a part of our menu!"

After meeting with The Real McCoy team, it's clear that our values and passions are aligned. Both teams work hard to provide affordable high quality cannabis to all. Our overall goal is to bring the amazing plant to the people and we can't wait to have our customers enjoy The Real McCoy products.

The Real McCoy owner, Carissa McCoy, says, "The Real McCoy is a family owned and operated Cultivation and Production facility. We believe in providing quality medicine at an affordable price and we are excited to be able to give to the community and the locals. Everyone at The Real McCoy is extremely passionate about this plant and the opportunity to be available at Oasis. This is the way!"

The Real McCoy operates in a new 12,000 square foot state of the art growing facility in Northern Nevada, with 25 years growing experience and extensive knowledge of the cannabis industry. The Real McCoy has adapted state-of-the-art growing practices, from nutrients to a wide variety of world class genetics to utilizing top technologies to ensure the prime environment for growing the best cannabis in the state.

CLS Holdings USA Inc., CEO, Andrew Glashow says, "After meeting with the principals, hearing The Real McCoy story, and seeing the operation, it became readily apparent that this small batch grower produced an outstanding product. We are excited to have it in the store."

Instagrams: @oasisdispensary | @clsholdingsusa | @therealmccoy_nv

Twitter: @oasiscannabis | @CLSHoldingsUSA | @TheRealMcCoyNV

Facebook: @oasisdispensarylv | @CLSHoldingsUSA

Website: oasiscannabis.com | https://www.clsholdingsinc.com/ | Therealmccoy.us

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, the "forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to, among other things, the expected development of our business and joint ventures, results of operations and financial performance, future liquidity, working capital and capital requirements. The continued spread of COVID-19 could have, and in some cases already has had, an adverse impact on our business, operations and financial results, including through disruptions in our cultivation and processing activities, supply chains and sales channels, and retail dispensary operations as well as a deterioration of general economic conditions including a possible national or global recession. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "intends," "expects," "plans," "goals," "projects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, are uncertain and involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity or performance. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they were made. These cautionary statements should be considered together with any written or oral forward-looking statements that we may issue in the future. Except as required by applicable law, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to reflect actual results, later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. See CLS Holdings USA filings with the SEC and on its SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com for additional details.

Keep out of reach of children. For use only by adults 21 years of age and older. While supplies last*. Management reserves all rights. Serenity Wellness Center LLC RD046 and D046. The Real McCoy RC188 and RP124.

SOURCE: CLS Holdings USA, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767500/Oasis-Cannabis-Dispensary-Welcomes-The-Real-McCoy
73 Strings, a Paris, France-based provider of valuation and portfolio monitoring solutions for the private capital industry, raised an undisclosed amount in Series A funding.

The round was led by Blackstone Innovations Investments, and Fidelity International Strategic Ventures (FISV), with participation from Broadhaven Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to continue to invest in building the product, engineering, and go-to-market teams.

Led by CEO Yann Magnan, 73 Strings is a data collection, monitoring and valuation platform empowering the private capital industry. The company has developed an AI-powered platform to assist alternative investment funds in streamlining their middle-office processes and enables funds to collect and structure portfolio company data, monitor these companies and estimate their fair value quickly.

The company is headquartered in Paris and has a global presence across New York, London, Paris, Toronto, and Bengaluru to support its growing customer base. 73 Strings supports clients globally across multiple strategies including Private Equity, Growth Equity, Venture Capital and Private Credit.

FinSMEs

12/07/2023
Ad Fontes Media, a Westmister, CO-based media bias intelligence company, closed a $4.2M funding round.

The round was led by Aion Ventures and joined by New Community Transformation FundDenver (NCTF-D) and several other industry and mission-aligned investors, including ad tech entrepreneur Will Luttrell.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its business reach. This growth includes expanding the team to 15 full-time core team members, 65 analysts and the addition of Dr. Brad Berens in the role of Head of Insights.

Led by founder and CEO Vanessa Otero, Ad Fontes Media provides media bias intelligence-powered solutions and services giving marketers the insights and control they need to maximize their investments in news advertising.

The Media Bias Chart rates media sources in terms of political bias and reliability. Its flagship Ad Fontes Data Platform, a family of integrated media bias intelligence solutions, allows brand, media, and media technology partners to leverage its comprehensive news source ratings so they can engage with them in real-time in media planning.

Top global brands as well as agencies and measurement companies like IPGs Mediabrands and Comscore have used Ad Fontes Media to unlock the value of news audiences and determine when and how to advertise alongside news.

FinSMEs

12/07/2023
Fold Health, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of a platform purpose-built to support needs of value-based primary care, raised $6M in funding.

The round, which brought the total amount to $12M, saw participation from Iron Pillar and angel investors.

The company intends to use the funds to continue scaling its platform and to hire talent.

Led by CEO Abhijit Gupta, Fold is an outcomes optimization platform purpose built to charge primary care results. It partners with value-based primary care groups, ACOs, health systems, health plans and digital health companies, to improve the reach and effectiveness of collaborative cares teams in their mission to improve outcomes. Its platform offers an integrated suite of capabilities including:

ClinOps Efficiency Engine: A workflow engine that automates the majority of the work required in value-based care  including care gap closure, transitional care management, annual wellness visit completion, high risk patient engagement, and attribution growth and protection.

Care Team Enablement Suite: Unifies patient data, task management, omni-channel communications and scheduling to keep complex collaborative care teams in tight coordination.

Patient Enablement Suite: A fully white labeled patient web and app experience that allows patients to conveniently work with their care team, including self scheduling, chart access, notifications management, and wearables/RPM data integration.

FinSMEs

12/07/2023
Hello Pediatrics, a Fairfax, Virginia-based provider of comprehensive, after-hours telehealth services, completed a $3m series B funding.

The round was led by Sequoia Health Strategies and Dialectic Capital. In addition to the capital, the company announced that Paul Portsmore, CEO of Sequoia Health Strategies, will join the board as its new Chairman. Sandy Chung, MD, a prominent, board-certified pediatrician, will also join the board. Lastly John Fichthorn, Managing Partner of Dialectic Capital, will also join the board in addition to leading the series B round.

The company intends to use the funds to add child and family integrated behavioral health services, expand into new states and enhance technology to improve the customer and provider experience.

Led by CEO Lucy Janoyan, Hello Pediatrics is a Board-Certified Pediatric Medical Practice providing after hours Telehealth support to Pediatricians and Patients. Its Pediatricians practice evidence-based medicine, and its service delivery is designed to integrate with local pediatric practices, streamlining updates & communication to deliver care at home, and return patients to their medical home.

FinSMEs

11/07/2023
St. Cloud Capital, LLC, a Los Angeles, CAbased based private investment firm, held the final closing of its fourth fund, St. Cloud Capital Partners IV SBIC, LP, with total capital commitments of $236m.

This included leverage from the Small Business Administration.

Fund IV will continue executing the same investment strategy as St. Cloud Capitals predecessor funds, providing debt and equity growth capital to lower middle market companies in the U.S. St. Cloud typically invests $5 million  $20 million in companies across a wide range of industries in every layer of the capital structure, including senior secured debt, subordinated debt, and minority equity.

Led by Managing Partners Benjamin Hom, Kacy Rozelle, Robert Lautz, and Matt Smith, St. Cloud has already made three investments in Fund IV in Sentinel Offender Services, LLC, Clear Sight Partners, LLC, and Atomica Corp.

Since its inception in 2001, St. Cloud Capital has managed over $700 million in total capital across its four funds.

FinSMEs

12/07/2023
Indias pharmaceutical industry has experienced remarkable expansion, establishing itself as the global pharmacy of the world. Boasting the ability to manufacture one-third of the worlds medications, India holds the position of the leading provider of cost-effective generic drugs, vaccines, and affordable medications. This impressive progress has not only created improved prospects for affordable access to vital medicines for the Indian population but has also brought India closer to achieving its Universal Health Care objectives. To manage an end-to-end pharmaceutical supply chain effectively, a robust framework is crucial. Lets explore the key elements in building such a framework.

Manufacturing excellence

Indias pharmaceutical industry has excelled due to low-cost manufacturing, robust R&D infrastructure, and a skilled workforce. It produces affordable medicines and plays a significant role in reducing the global North-South gap in AIDS treatment access. Continuous improvement in processes, adherence to global quality standards, and investment in infrastructure are vital to maintaining manufacturing excellence.

Regulatory compliance and quality control

Indias pharmaceutical industry boasts the second-largest number of FDA-approved medicine-manufacturing plants worldwide. This achievement highlights the countrys commitment to upholding rigorous regulatory guidelines and implementing stringent quality control measures. By prioritising high standards of quality control, ensuring batch traceability, and complying with international regulations, Indias pharmaceutical sector has successfully established trust and credibility in the global market. This dedication to maintaining superior manufacturing practices has positioned India as a reliable and preferred destination for pharmaceutical production, further enhancing its standing in the international pharmaceutical arena.

Efficient distribution network

With its extensive reach, Indias pharmaceutical sector caters to over 200 countries and territories worldwide. To effectively meet this demand, a robust distribution network is essential. It requires a well-developed logistics infrastructure that can efficiently cover both urban centres and remote areas. Leveraging technology, such as advanced tracking systems, coupled with cold chain transportation, plays a vital role in preserving the integrity and efficacy of pharmaceutical products during transit. Additionally, ensuring last-mile connectivity through innovative solutions enables timely and reliable delivery.

Supply chain visibility and traceability

The implementation of robust systems for supply chain visibility and traceability offers significant benefits by mitigating risks such as counterfeiting and stockouts. By leveraging technologies like blockchain and serialisation, these systems enhance transparency throughout the supply chain. They ensure product authenticity by providing an immutable record of every transaction and preventing diversion or tampering. This level of transparency enables businesses to identify and resolve issues promptly, improving overall operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Collaboration and partnerships

Strong partnerships and collaborations across the pharmaceutical ecosystem are vital. Collaborations between pharmaceutical companies, contract manufacturers, distributors, healthcare providers, and regulatory authorities foster knowledge sharing, enhance operational efficiency, and facilitate rapid response during emergencies. These collaborations promote innovation, improve supply chain resilience, and ultimately contribute to better patient care and public health outcomes.

Demand forecasting and inventory management

Indias pharmaceutical industry is projected to reach $65 billion by 2024. Accurate demand forecasting plays a crucial role in optimizing production and reducing waste. By leveraging data analytics and technology, the industry can enable collaborative forecasting, which minimizes stockouts and overstocking. This approach ensures efficient inventory management, enhances operational efficiency, and maximizes profitability while meeting the growing demands of the market.

Training and skill development

A skilled workforce is essential for effectively managing a complex pharmaceutical supply chain. Continuous training programs play a critical role in enhancing employees knowledge about regulatory requirements, quality control measures, and technology adoption. By investing in human capital, the industry ensures compliance with global standards, fosters innovation, and maintains high-quality standards throughout the supply chain, ultimately benefiting patient safety and overall industry reputation.

Conclusion

Indias pharmaceutical industry has transformed the healthcare landscape, providing affordable and accessible medicines globally. Building the right framework for managing an end-to-end pharmaceutical supply chain is essential. As India moves closer to achieving Universal Health Care targets, the pharmaceutical sectors role becomes increasingly significant in providing efficient, accessible, and affordable healthcare to its population and beyond.

The author is chief executive officer at GS1 India. Views expressed are personal.

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Shah Rukh Khan is returning to the big screen with Atlees Jawan. The big scale entertainers prevue dropped just two days ago and fans cant get enough. King Khans latest action-drama packed movie shows him in a double role with a never seen before bald-look. The glimpses have left SRK fans exhilarated with one fan going an extra mile to give a doll-like form to his character from the movie.

Paige Wilson, a miniature artist, shared pictures of her creation adapted from Jawans prevue. The doll has been made using cloth and plastic and adorned with an outfit similar to the one the superstar dons in the film. Wilson penned a heartfelt note in the caption. Addressing SRK as the most talented, she asked if its too early to showcase her tribute to Jawans spectacular prevue. She added: Its so multifaceted that we may not be able to exhaust its thrills by re-watching it endlessly before the whole #Jawan story is knownbut well try! With all my loveoh and Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo L.A.!

Check out these dolls:

Dearest, most talented @iamsrk, hope it's not too soon for my #SRK doll tributes to your knockout #JawanPrevue #JawanTrailer! It's so multifaceted that we may not be able to exhaust its thrills by re-watching it endlessly before the whole #Jawan story is knownbut we'll try! pic.twitter.com/DK5rySEUqr  Paige Wilson (@breakfreeofbox) July 11, 2023

The post garnered over 87,000 likes and is counting.

Several users commented on the post. Check out some of the responses below:

One user wrote: You are amazing.

You are amazing  Chetan (@agarche11ca) July 11, 2023

Nice work! said another.

Nice work!  Harbinder Kaur (@harbinderkaur14) July 11, 2023

Several other users expressed their admiration with wows and red hearts.

The lady, Paige Wilson, is an LA-based artist and has been curating SRKs life in miniatures using his characters since 2008. Her creation Breaking Free of the Box gained wide popularity and SRK himself acknowledged her efforts, a nightmare for most people. In 2015, the actor tweeted: How do you make them so fast and so good?

Check out the post:

How do you make them so fast and so good??? https://t.co/rINQCTZB8j  Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) October 30, 2015

To which, the artist replied: Its beyond a dream for me to know YOU like them.

@iamsrk Wow, I don't know except to say it's ALL an extension of your energy maybe hitting the Hollywood sign and bouncing into my studio!:)  Paige Wilson (@breakfreeofbox) October 30, 2015

.@iamsrk And if you ever have any special requestsdoll tribute-wisejust let me know! It's beyond a dream for me to know YOU like them!:)  Paige Wilson (@breakfreeofbox) October 30, 2015

Furthermore, the exclusive 2-min promo of the film shows SRK dancing to Hemant Kumars Bekaraar Karke Hume in a metro. This particular scene created a meme-fest on Twitter.

The film also stars Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi, Priyamani alongside Sanya Malhotra, Ridhi Dogra and Sunil Grover among others. The film will also see SRKs Pathaan co-star Deepika Padukone make a special appearance. The Gauri Khan-produced film is set to release on 7 September in theatres.
The trip to Fiji for an Australian family turned into a living nightmare when their daughters blister turned into an infection and inflamed her foot.

With a rare and crippling disorder, Bella Macey, 10, experiences agonising pain in her entire right leg whenever she moves or even when someone touches it.

After returning from the trip, the little Melbourne girl was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), frequently referred to as the most painful condition ever to exist.

Macey rated her pain a constant 10 out of 10 in an interview with A Current Affair. She explained, Its all sharp, its burning, its tingly, its all sore. Its different pain [that] I never knew was possible.

Her condition has caused her to become hypersensitive, making even the slightest contact excruciatingly painful. She finds even the most basic duties unbearable. I cant have a shower, I cant have a batheven with a tissue, you cant touch it with anything, otherwise I will scream, she said.

According to the GoFundMe campaign, since her diagnosis, she has been battling excruciating pain that affects her daily activities and steals away her childhood. Bellas pain has meant she has lost mobility in her right foot and leg, right up to her groin. She is now bedridden or in a wheelchair if she needs to get around.

So, what is this most painful disorder and what are its symptoms? How complex is it, how it can be treated?

Lets take a closer look.

Also read: What is the Guillain-Barre Syndrome, the rare disorder that has forced Peru to declare national emergency?

What is CRPS?

Numerous people all around the world suffer from the crippling disorder known as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), which produces severe discomfort that is difficult to relieve.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) describes it as a broad term describing excess and prolonged pain and inflammation that follows an injury to an arm or leg.

According to Moneycontrol, it typically only affects one arm or leg after an initial injury, such as a fracture or sprain with no nerve damage or limb nerve loss.

The bodys response is far more intense than usual, and it frequently results in agony that is worse than the damage itself.

Acute (recent, brief-term) and chronic (lasting more than six months) versions of CRPS exist.

Also read: PM Modi launches National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission: What is this genetic disorder?

What causes CRPS?

Although the exact cause of CRPS is a mystery, it is believed to be brought on by more sensitive nerves in the affected location, which could alter the way that pain is sent from the leg to the brain, reported Dailymail.

A stroke or multiple procedures on the limb rarely can be the culprit. There is no apparent cause in one out of every ten instances.

Everyone, even children, is susceptible to CRPS. According to Delhis Pain Management Centre, estimates suggest CRPS occurs in 26.2 out of every 100,000 people.

Women are more likely than men to experience it, as per UK-based National Health Services.

The precise number of CRPS cases is unknown, however, Dailymail cited research saying that up to 3,800 people in the UK experience a yearly occurrence. And every year, between 5.5 and 26.2 Americans per 100,000 experience CRPS.

Also read: Jo Lindner spoke of rippling muscle disease before death: What is it?

What are its symptoms?

The primary symptom is pain, which may be stabbing, searing, stinging, or throbbing.

The affected limb is typically painfully sensitive to touch, bumps, and temperature changes.

Additionally, CRPS can result in oedema, which can cause stiffness, limb weakness, and jerky movements. Additionally, joints may seem warmer or redder than usual.

Many CRPS patients experience anxiety or depression.

According to NHS, further symptoms include tremors and muscular spasms, trouble sleeping, changes to the hair and nails, and more.

Also read: 101 million Indians are likely diabetic: Why the silent-killing disease is on an alarming rise

How complex is it?

There is no precise test that can determine CRPS and the damaged nerve. According to NINDS, early in the course of the condition is when the diagnosis is easier.

Diagnosis includes a detailed examination by a neurologist, orthopedist, or plastic surgeon familiar with normal patterns of sensory nerve anatomy. The

The medical trial health authority says nerve conduction studies can detect some but not all CRPS-associated nerve injuries as some injuries involve tiny nerve branches of that cannot be detected this way.

Other methods include diagnostic imaging of your nerves by ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and triple-phase bone scans.

Also read: Fatima Sana Shaikh opens up about her epilepsy struggles: What is the chronic neurological disorder?

How can it be treated?

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all cure for CRPS.

Through pain treatment and rehabilitation, therapies work to keep patients moving.

This could involve medication, graded motor imagery, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and other coping mechanisms.

Former therapies that are now rarely utilised include amputating the troublesome lower limb and sympathetic nerve blocks, surgical sympathectomy, and cutting affected nerves or nerve roots.

With inputs from agencies
A sensational double murder has rocked Bengaluru. Two top executives of a tech company that provided internet services were stabbed to death by a former employee. The deceased, Subramanyam Phanindra, the managing director, and Vinu Kumar, the chief executive officer, of Aironics Media Private Limited, were reportedly attacked with multiple weapons including a machete, sword and small knife.

The killings reportedly took place on the premises of the company. Three persons were involved in the murders and said to have forcefully entered the office at Pampa extension in Amruthahalli, north Bengaluru. The main accused has been identified as Shabarish; he called himself Joker Felix and was inspired by the DC Comics villain.

All three suspects have been arrested. The two others have been identified as Vinny Reddy and Santosh.

The murder scene

According to the police, the accused had a rivalry with the CEO and the MD. They used to work in their earlier firm.

Shabarish then established his own company, a rival in the business. He held a grudge against Phanindra, who opposed his industry practices. The three suspects reportedly poached employees and customers.

Around 4 pm on Tuesday, Shabarish entered the office, carrying a sword and a knife. He attacked the two executives, stabbed them to death and escaped from the spot.

Shabarish came to the office building on a two-wheeler and was accompanied by the two other suspects. They held a discussion for about 20 minutes before the attack, according to a report in The Indian Express.

Shabarish and his accomplices were carrying knives and machetes. The three accused were sitting in a room with Phanindra when they attacked him. When Kumar heard the screams, he intervened and tried to save him but he was also assaulted.

There were 10 employees on the premises when the attack took place. After stabbing the CEO and MD, the accused threatened other employees and fled from the scene, a police officer told The Indian Express.

Phanindra and Kumar were rushed to hospitals by the employees but the two succumbed to their injuries.

Joker Felix inspired by DC villain

Shabarish and his associates are on the run. Their photographs have been publicised to trace their movement or location, said the police.

After the murder, Shabarish posted the news as a status update on Instagram. His handle is joker_felix_rapper. A photograph on his Instagram account suggests that he was inspired by The Joker, the archnemis of Batman. With black paint around his eyes and lips and teeth painted red, it appears like he is trying to ape the DC villain.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@joker_felix_rapper_)

The suspect identifies himself as a fashion model and Kannada rapper on Instagram, where he has 16.5k followers. His account has videos of performances and most of his posts are signed off with Mr JF (Joker Felix). He also has a YouTube channel called JF media, with more than 8.9k subscribers, where he posts Kannada rap songs.

After the murder, Shabarish posted an Instagram story. This planet peoples always flatters and cheaters. So I hurt this planet peoples. I hurt only bad peoples. I never hurt any good people (sic), he wrote, according to a News9 report. He also posted a news clipping of the murder hours later.

The hunt for the suspects

Amruthahalli police, who have registered a murder, arrested Shabarish and his aides. Two teams were formed to trace them and conduct an investigation. More details will emerge after a thorough investigation has been conducted," Raman Gupta, additional commissioner of police, East Division, told News18.

According to officers investigating the case, the murder was pre-meditated. The accused had weapons and a vehicle ready to flee the scene.

One of the causes could be business rivalry, an officer told News18. The accused Felix is said to have launched a rival company working in the same area of expertise as Aeronics and the intense competition could have led to this attack.

With inputs from agencies
As France confirms the deployment of the SCALP cruise missile, Ukraine has acquired another long-range weapon capable of striking targets far beyond the front lines.

The announcement was made on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Lithuania. French president Emmanuel Macron said the delivery of the missiles was aimed at enabling Ukrainian forces to have the capacity to strike deeply.

Frances declaration on Tuesday came months after Britain began shipping its identical Storm Shadow. But what are these SCALP missiles and how can they help Ukraine. Lets take a closer look.

Ability to strike deeply

Developed jointly by the two NATO allies, Storm Shadow/SCALP is a 1,300-kilogramme (2,870 pounds) missile armed with conventional explosives, usually launched from aircraft such as the Royal Air Forces Eurofighter Typhoon or French Rafale.

The first SCALPs were already in Ukraine as President Emmanuel Macron announced their delivery, a French military source told AFP Tuesday on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Lithuanian capital Vilnius.

I have decided to increase deliveries of weapons and equipment to enable the Ukrainians to have the capacity to strike deeply, Macron said.

Built by missile maker MBDA, the missiles range of over 250 kilometres (155 miles) makes it the longest-range Western weapon supplied to Kyiv so far.

It is capable of striking targets far into the countrys Russian-occupied east, well behind front lines that have remained relatively fixed for months.

Such capability is critical for Ukraines forces to disrupt Russian logistics and command and control, said Ivan Klyszcz, a researcher at the Estonia based International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS).

SCALP strikes could help with Ukraines current approach to operations namely to advance slowly so as to protect its forces and reduce its own casualties as much as possible, he added.

French deliveries would preserve the clarity and coherence of our doctrine, which is to allow Ukraine to defend its territory from Russian invasion, Macron said.

The subtext is that French-supplied weapons should not be allowed to hit Russian territory, after Moscows repeated warnings of reprisals.

Macrons message matched that of Britains Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who said in May that Storm Shadow would allow Ukraine to push back Russian forces based within Ukrainian sovereign territory.

High-value targets

With these weapons, a few jets operating within the safe space of their own air defences can make a difference, said Dylan Lehrke of UK-based private intelligence firm Janes.

Russian forces can deny Ukrainian aircraft the use of airspace above territory they control, but they have been unable to defend against deep strikes, he added.

Manufacturer MBDA says on its website that the SCALP is designed to meet the demanding requirements of pre-planned attacks against high-value fixed or stationary targets such as hardened bunkers and key infrastructure.

It has been used in previous conflicts including in Iraq, Libya and Syria.

The missile uses inertial navigation, GPS and terrain referencing to chart a low-altitude course to its target to avoid detection.

It uses an infrared camera to match images of the target to a stored picture to ensure a precision strike and minimal collateral damage, MBDA says.

The warhead can be programmed to detonate above the target (airburst), on impact or following penetration.

West fears Ukraines counter offensive

Despite some Western partners concerns that Ukrainian forces could launch attacks into Russia itself, Macrons remarks suggested that Paris had gotten guarantees from Kyiv that the missiles would not be fired into Russia, reports Al Jazeera.

The delivery of the missiles would preserve the clarity and coherence of our doctrine to permit Ukraine to defend its own territory, Macron said speaking in Vilnius.

In May, UK defence secretary Ben Wallace also stated that Storm Shadow would allow Ukraine to push back Russian forces based within Ukrainian sovereign territory.

Macron, however, did not say how many of the missiles would be sent to Ukraine. But a French diplomatic source was quoted by Reuters saying that the country was talking about sending Ukraine 50 SCALP missiles. According to another French military source, the missiles would come from existing French military stocks, and it would be a significant number.

Trade magazine Defense et Securite Internationale has reported that Paris has fewer than 400 of the missiles.

Along with the very closely linked Storm Shadow missiles previously delivered by the United Kingdom, the SCALP-EGs equip Ukraine with additional munitions that outperform anything previously provided by the United States or the countrys other international partners in terms of range and punch.

SCALP-EGs contain piercing warheads, stealthy features, and low-altitude flight profiles to limit the likelihood of interception.

Russia issues warning

Russia on the other hand is warning of the harmful consequences for the Ukrainian side. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared the Frances decision as a mistake.

Of course, that forces us to take countermeasures, Al Jazeera quoted Peskov.

He further added that western weapons deliveries to Ukraine will have little effect on the outcome of the conflict. They would only make the fate of the Kyiv regime worse, according to Peskov.

A similar reaction from Russia was seen following the UKs announcement that it will provide a batch of Storm Shadow missiles in May. Russia at that time warned that the UK risked being fully dragged into the fight.

Russian-installed officials said last month that a British-supplied Storm Shadow had hit a bridge at Chongar, which links the annexed Crimean Peninsula to southern Ukraine.

The bridge was unusable following the strike and would be closed for around 20 days, Moscows governor for southern Ukrainian region Kherson, Vladimir Saldo, said at the time.

Russia claimed soon after Britain began delivering the missiles in May that it had already shot down a Storm Shadow.

But both sides in the conflict regularly claim to have destroyed the others hyped high-tech weapons.

In recent months, Ukraine has claimed kills of Russias Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and Moscow has highlighted successes against German-made Leopard tanks operated by Kyiv.

With inputs from AFP
Which one swear word is the most pleasurable to yell when youre angry? Yes, there are many we cannot write here. Yet with this one, we can!

In a mathematical milestone, a researcher in England has constructed a formula that, using a list of 186 unpleasant phrases, generates a brand-new curse word she calls the worlds ultimate swear word.

At Kings College in London, where she plans to earn a PhD in number theory, Sophie Maclean, an MSc student, discovered that banger, or ber, is the most insulting word, according to BBC Science Focus.

However, how did she come up with the most offensive word?

Lets take a look.

Also read: Duck Off No More: Why Apple wont autocorrect the worlds favourite expletive

The algorithm

A computer model that the researcher loaded with a list of well-known bad words discovered the ultimate term, which starts with the letter b, includes four characters, and ends in -er.

When no inputs were provided, Mclean discovered that the model created phrases like ditwat.

While speaking to BBC Science Focus, Mclean said, I think neither is as saying as a f**k when youve stubbed your toe or a s**t when you realise youve forgotten your parents birthday. But both feel like they could be quite good insults for people.

In this work, Mclean utilised Russian mathematician Andrey Markovs popular model Markov chain, which depicts a series of potential events in which the probability of each event depends solely on the state obtained in the preceding event.

Accordingly, her work in the study involved creating findings based on prior inputs. She gave the model a list of expletives created by Ofcom, which hired Ipsos MORI to conduct research to determine how people feel about inappropriate language on TV and radio.

Based on the attitude of the general population, Mclean carefully combed through the list and reduced it to 45 of the most insulting words. The algorithm received the list and applied certain inputs from it to arrive at the new curse term.

Mclean classified them into three categories: somewhat offensive (cow, pissed, arse), moderately offensive (s**t, arseh**e), and severely offensive (too rude for this page).

Also read: History of Swear Words on Netflix is a crash course on how linguistic excesses snaked their way into pop culture

Perception changed

The general publics perception of foul language has changed in New Zealand.

The annual report of the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA), which was released in December 2022, states that there has been a change in the publics perception of language that offends us.

According to Pete Barnao, the BSAs head for communications and interactions, Audiences are more relaxed over many swear words, particularly the F-word, but less tolerant of racial or cultural slurs.

The survey claimed that over the past year, we as a country appeared to have loosened our stance on terms like b*****d, d**k, God, h*e, Jesus Christ, s**t, and wer.

Pain-lessening effect

Some people dislike swearing, but Mclean told the British outlet that there is scientific proof that screaming out bad words helps lessen pain, and that uttering such words is a sign of intelligence in a study published in Science Direct.

According to BBC Science Focus, this phenomenon is known as the hypoalgesic effect, which is defined as an action or sensation that lessens pain stimuli.

The School of Psychology at Keele University conducted research that found swearing could have a pain-lessening effect. The research team holds that cursing sets off our fight-or-flight reaction.

Volunteers repeated their chosen forbidden words while submerging their hands in an ice bath for as long as feasible. Researchers established a connection between swearing and an improvement in pain tolerance when they discovered that the volunteers could hold their hands in the icy water for longer periods of time when repeating the swear word, according to a Cleveland Clinic article.

Also read: From ants pants to lolcat: Here are some of the words added into the Oxford Dictionary

The debate

Despite the fact that many studies support the benefits of profanity, some research contradicts these conclusions.

Since people like to use strong words to convey their emotions, profanity has often been associated with sincerity and creativity.

As a result, the creative braina region of the right brainis activated.

The benefits of cursing are numerous, according to Timothy Jay, a retired professor of psychology at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts who has researched swearing for more than 40 years.

The benefits of swearing have just emerged in the last two decades, as a result of a lot of research on brain and emotion, along with much better technology to study brain anatomy, he told CNN.

The concept that such language exhibits a poverty of vocabulary has been debunked by Jay in a study from 2015.

He and his team also discovered that banned terms were negatively correlated with conscientiousness and agreeableness and favourably correlated with neuroticism and openness, two of the Big Five personality traits.

Additionally, it has been discovered that neuroticism and openness are correlated with honesty, which means that individuals who curse may also be the most honest.

With inputs from agencies
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) resides in hearts of people, said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after her party established a commanding lead in the West Bengal panchayat elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is now established as the main Opposition party in the state, was a distant second position, with the Left-Congress alliance behind it at third.

These elections saw widespread violence, deaths, and instances of loot of votes. The BJP blamed the TMC for the violence with Suvendu Adhikari even saying that It is not an actual reflection of peoples mandate.

At last count  voting is still continuing  data from the State Election Commission showed Mamatas party leading in 29,665 gram panchayat seats, with the BJP ahead only in 8,021 seats. In terms of control of panchayats, the TMC was headed to win 2,302 of the total 3,317, the BJP 239, the Congress 57 and the Left Front 62. And in panchayat samitis, the TMC had won 2,155 of 9,740 seats by 10 pm. The BJP had won 214 panchayat samitis while the Left Front had got 47, and the Congress 38.

In the 2018 elections, the Trinamool Congress had secured over 78 per cent, while the BJP was once again far behind with 12 per cent, leaving the Left-Congress with nearly six per cent seats in the gram panchayats.

The results were a big boost for the TMC and workers celebrated the win by dancing, eating sweets and dancing outside the party office. It also prompted TMC leaders to take jabs at the BJP, with Babul Supriyo tweeting, The @BJP4India seems to be struggling to find solid ground. Their aimless attacks without evidence are truly remarkable! Its not surprising, though. Their deep-seated fear of rejection has them grasping at straws. The people of Bengal have spoken loud and clear, shutting the door on their divisive politics once again.

But why are the poll results significant? Why are these rural body polls being viewed so closely?

A mighty presence in the state

While there are several reasons why the polls are important to the TMC and to Mamata Banerjee, the most important reason is that it shows one and all that Mamata and her party are a presence in the state not to be trifled with ahead of the 2024 general elections. Its important to note here that this is the only election in the state before the Lok Sabha polls, which will take place early next year.

This comes as the BJP gains grounds in the state and is establishing their hold in West Bengal. To simplify, in 2018, the BJP had only two MPs and three MLAs in the state. That picture has since changed significantly. It now has 17 MPs and 69 MLAs in West Bengal out of 42 and 294, respectively.

Hence, these results prove that Mamata has retained its hold on rural Bengal.

Moreover, the poll wins also cement her popularity in the state. As political analyst Jayanta Ghosal pointed out in a report published by The Print that prior to the election her party was rocked with allegations of scams and irregularities in implementation of schemes.

The BJPs national vice president had even attacked Mamata for her intense campaigning, saying she had realised that voters in West Bengal have begun to distance themselves from the TMC. Moreover, even Congress Adhir Chowdhury had said, TMC has stolen peoples money and is now seeking forgiveness.

However, as the results poured in, indicating a massive sweep for the TMC, Abhishek Banerjee, the partys national general secretary, thanked the people of West Bengal for support to the party. Even a malicious campaign with baseless propaganda to malign the state government in WB couldnt sway the voters, he said in a tweet.

Morale booster for TMC cadres

The win in the panchayat elections will be a huge boost for the TMC leaders and especially the grassroots-level worker. These elections have been marred by violence, with one side blaming the other. The total death toll in the state since the poll process began on 8 June, when the poll date was announced, has reportedly crossed 30.

Also read: Why panchayat polls in West Bengal see so much violence

These election results will infuse new energy in the TMC cadre to go pursue the electorate even more passionately ahead of the 2024 polls and take their message of governance and also spread Mamata Banerjees message.

It may also put a dampener on the BJPs efforts; political analysts say that the win may show the saffron party that their 2019 results  where they secured 18 Lok Sabha seats and reduced Mamatas party to a mere 20 seats from its previous tally of 34  cant be replicated again.

Also read: West Bengal panchayat polls: TMCs political violence graph coincides with BJPs rise in state

A stronger Opposition leader

The win in the West Bengal panchayat elections also establishes Mamata Banerjee as a stronger Opposition leader, commanding more heft at the national Opposition table.

Several opposition parties will collect in Bengaluru on 17-18 July to discuss their future ahead of the 2024 polls and chart a way to beat the BJP in the general elections. With her win, Mamata will be able to sway the talks in her favour and make her an even more credible Opposition leader.

As of now, the Congress has been the biggest presence at the table, followed by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. However, the Janata Dal-United leader is facing trouble at home, which will additionally boost Mamatas standing.

This win will make Trinamools claims to put up its own candidates as the joint Opposition (or consensus) candidates in 38 to 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bengal, in an unassailable position, reported the Swarajya.

With inputs from agencies
North India, especially the capital, Delhi, and Himachal Pradesh are experiencing a very wet time  torrential rain has wreaked havoc, with some reports pegging the death toll in the region to be as high as 100.

Delhi, on Monday, witnessed 153 mm of rain, the highest precipitation in a single day in July in 40 years, leading to waterlogged roads, flooded houses and the Yamuna river rising to dangerous levels. The hill state of Himachal Pradesh has received rainfall four times than normal for July till now, leading to landslides, more deaths and a scene of chaos and destruction.

As the wet weather prevails, a question is being asked by many: Did the India Meteorological Department fail in providing timely warning for such weather? Does India need a better forecasting system?

Rain fury in the North

North India is still reeling from the torrential rainfall that has lashed the area since the weekend. Frightening visuals of landslides, bridges being swept away and vehicles washing away put on show just how bad the rains have been.

Himachal Pradesh has received the major brunt of the rainfall  entire houses and buildings have been washed away owing to the heavy showers. Officials on Wednesday have pegged the death toll in the hill state at 31. An NDTV report has added that the loss of infrastructure in the state  shops washed away, roads damaged  is an estimated Rs 3,000-4,000 crore.

Himachal Pradeshs chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also tweeted earlier, Natures fury has tragically claimed the lives of 17 persons besides causing extensive damage to the roads, power transformers, electric sub-stations and numerous water supply schemes by throwing normal life out of gear in various parts of the state and an initial estimate of loss ranging from Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 4,000 crore.

The situation also led to Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking to ministers and officials and urging them to take action to ensure that all are safe and dry.

Also read: IMD predicts El Nino for this year: How will it affect monsoon rains in India?

In Delhi too, the rain has caused massive damage as it has already received 112 per cent more rainfall than the average so far in the current monsoon season that started on 1 June. The Yamuna river has risen to its highest recorded level in 10 years and is expected to rise even further, prompting officials to carry out evacuation of thousands and move them to makeshift accommodations in safer places. Saurabh Bharadwaj, the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP governments water minister said previously that over 2,700 tents have been pitched to ensure the peoples well-being.

The rain fury in Delhi was so intense that even the homes of Delhis ministers, including Public Works Minister Atishi, were flooded. Schools and educational institutions have remained closed while offices have requested employees to work from home.

Reason for heavy rainfall

Even as the region struggles with the consequences of the torrential rain, experts tried to ascertain the cause of Mother Natures fury.

The IMD said that the rain was due to the confluence of monsoon winds and the western disturbance. For the unaware, a western disturbance is a low-pressure system that originates in the Mediterranean Sea and moves eastward across Central Asia. As it travels across the region, it brings changes in weather patterns, particularly in Northern India, Pakistan, and Nepal.

Speaking to India Today, IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said, It (heavy rain) is mainly because of the interaction with the western disturbance, which is moving across Northwest India, and strong monsoon winds approaching the same region. There is the confluence between two types of winds, and these two winds are hitting the western Himalayan region.

Incidentally, this same weather pattern was witnessed in 2013 when Uttarakhand witnessed heavy downpour, including the cloudburst in Kedarnath.

Questions over Indias weather prediction

The torrential downpour has put the spotlight on the IMD and their forecasting systems. Many have said that as the country continues to witness severe rain each year it is time for India to upgrade and improve it.

But what is the science behind Indias rainfall forecast? India, at present, depends on satellite data and computer models for weather prediction. The Indian Meteorological Department uses the INSAT series of satellites and supercomputers.

Apart from this, IMD also partners with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for ground-based observations from the Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), the Global Telecommunication System (GTS) that measure temperature, sunshine, wind direction, speed and humidity. Meanwhile, the Agro-meteorological Tower (AGROMET) and Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) systems augment the observations.

An NDTV report also states that IMD uses Doppler radars to improve their efficiency in predictions. In fact, the weather agency has increased Doppler radars from 15 in 2013 to 37 in 2023 to ensure better forecasting.

However, it is far from a perfect science and several variables are involved. For instance, Professor Roddam Narasimha, FRS, a distinguished aerospace scientist, told Rediff.com that rainfall is one of the hardest things to predict. Temperature and wind can be predicted more easily than rainfall. Rainfall, as common experience suggests, is very spotty. It can be raining here in Malleshwaram, but not on the old Airport road in Bengaluru. So, in space and time it is very spotty. The last bit of physics required that tells us whether it is going to rain or not is very hard.

He further stated that the best minds in India have not devoted their time to the study of monsoon and they have followed the fashions of the West.

Former Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Madhavan Rajeevan Nair was also quoted as telling India Today, The model we are using has a certain bias. It normally under-predicts heavier rainfall. It can predict light or moderate rain better if the rainfall is in the vicinity of 80 mm in 24 hours. So the model can only give an indication that heavy or very heavy rainfall is going to happen in certain areas.

Dr Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay, deputy project director, Monsoon Mission at Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) has also said to India Today that the dynamic models are based on certain assumptions. It has not been possible to incorporate all components of nature accurately in the dynamical models and that is the first reason why sometimes forecasts can go wrong. The errors in forecasts can also crop up due to errors in the initial input given to the models.

Moreover, climate change is making forecasting the annual monsoon more difficult.

Its important that India improves on its rain forecast; after all, it plays a decisive role in Indias economy, so much so that former President Pranab Mukherjee had once said, Monsoon was Indias real finance minister.

With inputs from agencies
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has banned one of its most popular monks, Amogh Lila Das. Das has quite the following on social media for his videos on religion and motivation.

The action comes after he made controversial remarks about renowned philosopher Swami Vivekanand and his guru Ramakrishna Paramhansa, which has triggered a controversy.

Issuing a press release, ISKCON on Tuesday said that Amogh has acknowledged his mistake in making problematic comments. As a form of atonement, he has voluntarily decided to isolate himself from all social activities for one month, as mentioned in the press release.

But who is Amogh Lila Das, and what is the uproar that led to his ban? Lets take a closer look.

What happened?

During one of his pravachans, Amogh Lila Das questioned Swami Vivekanandas eating of fish, claiming that a good person would never eat anything that might damage animals. He asked the crowd, Would a virtuous person ever eat fish? Doesnt a fish experience pain as well? Would a good person eat fish?

He also made sarcastic remarks about Ramakrishnas teaching of Jato Mat Tato Path (as many opinions, as many paths), saying that not every path leads to the same destination.

A video clip of Dass comment went viral on social media, triggering a storm.

ISKCON punishes monk Amogh Lila Das for making derogatory & outrageous comments against Ramkrishna Paramhansa & Swami Vivekananda by banning him for one month. Monk Amogh Das will remain in the hills of Govardhan for one month & completely seclude himself from the public life pic.twitter.com/hLx1AvPvqg  Pooja Mehta (@pooja_news) July 11, 2023



Sharing the clip, TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh, tweeted, "We revere ISKCON. But they should stop him now. Insulting Ramakrishna and Vivekananda will not be tolerated. Immediate action should be taken against this so-called monk."

In a statement, ISKCON said the views expressed by Das are not representative of its values and teachings.

"We condemn any form of disrespect and intolerance towards other religious beliefs and practices," it said.

It also said the "derogatory remarks" shows a lack of awareness in Das about the diversity of spiritual paths and personal choices.

Well done @RadharamnDas ji for taking timely action against Amogh Lila Das - however he is a serial offender & has committed worse offences by calling Mahdeva as a demi-God It is perfectly fine for an organisation to have one Aaradhya but such words are unacceptable pic.twitter.com/Xounz18rcW  Sameer (@BesuraTaansane) July 11, 2023



"Taking view of this serious mistake committed by him, ISKCON has decided to ban him for one month. We have communicated our decision to him. Amogh Lila Das has begged for the forgiveness for his comments, and he is realising that what a great disservice he has done," the statement said.

"He has taken a vow to go on 'prayaschit' (atonement) for one month in the hills of Govardhan and will completely seclude himself from the public life with immediate effect," it added.

Who is Amogh Lila Das?

Amogh Lila Das is a well-known motivational speaker on social media and has been affiliated with ISKCON for 12 years. Prior to his ban, he was the vice president of the Dwarka chapter of ICKCON.

Born as Ashish Arora in a religious Punjabi family in Lucknow, he began his spiritual journey at an early age and temporarily left home to seek God while he was in Class 12 in 2000. However, he later returned to get a degree in software engineering.

After completing his graduation in 2004, he started working for a US-based multinational corporation. But soon left his full-time job to follow a spiritual path.

He went to the Dwarka centre of ISKCON to learn about spirituality and took a vow of celibacy at the age of 29. He held the position of project manager before deciding to leave the corporate world in 2010.

Known for his unique speaking style, Das presents himself as someone who inspires and motivates people, spreads spiritual messages, and gives sermons. He has a large number of fans and followers on social media.

With inputs from PTI
With the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) slated to launch the Chandrayaan-3 on Friday, one nation will be paying close attention  the United States of America.

Lets take a closer look at why the US  which made history by putting a man on the moon over half a century ago  will be keeping a careful eye on the Chandrayaan-3 launch:

Artemis Accords

ISROs launch comes in the aftermath of India  during Prime Minister Narendra Modis first state visit to the United States  joining the Artemis Accords.

The Artemis Accords is a non-binding multilateral arrangement between the American government and other world governments to return humans to the moon by 2025.

India joins 26 other countries committed to peaceful, sustainable, and transparent cooperation that will enable exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. NASA will provide advanced training to Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) astronauts with the goal of launching a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024, a White House statement said.

India has signed the Artemis Accords, which advance a common vision of space exploration for the benefit of all humankind, the United States added.

South Pole

The ISRO is aiming for Chandrayaan-3 to become Indias first mission to successfully land on the Moon  that too its unexplored South Pole.

Chandrayaan-2, which took off on 22 July in 2019, was Indias first attempt to carry out a soft-landing on the Moon.

During that mission, the lander instead of making a soft landing crashed on the surface.

Chandrayaan-3 mission consists of an indigenous propulsion module, lander module and a rover with an objective of developing and demonstrating new technologies required for inter-planetary missions. With the 43.5 metre tall rocket, scheduled for the lift off from the second launch pad at pre-fixed time at 2.35 pm on July 14, the countdown for the launch is expected to begin on Thursday.

The largest and heaviest LVM3 rocket (formerly GSLV MkIII), fondly called as fat boy by ISRO scientists for its heavylift capability, has completed six consecutive successful missions.

The LVM3 rocket is a composite of three modules  propulsion, lander and rover (which is housed inside the lander).

The lander module will begin its descent for a soft landing on 23 or 24 August, according to scientists at ISRO.

The Moons south pole region has been chosen because the Lunar South Pole remains much larger than that at the North pole.

There could be a possibility of presence of water in permanently shadowed areas around it.

The Rover, after the soft-landing, would come out of the lander module and study the surface of the moon through its payloads APXS  Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer  to derive the chemical composition and infer mineralogical composition to further enhance understanding of lunar surface.

Rover, which has a mission life of 1 lunar day (14 Earth days) also has another payload Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) to determine the elemental composition of lunar soil and rocks around the lunar landing site, ISRO said.

According to Sci Tech Daily website, NASA in 2025 plans to send the first human beings to explore the region near the Moons South Pole.

According to the NASA website, the agency has its sights set on locations around the South Pole for the Artemis era of human lunar exploration.

Extreme, contrasting conditions make it a challenging location for Earthlings to land, live, and work, but the regions unique characteristics hold promise for unprecedented deep space scientific discoveries. Using advanced technology including autonomous systems, the crew inside of Starship will land at a carefully selected site within a 100-meter radius, the website states.

The south pole region has very different geology from the region around the [US] Apollo missions, so Chandrayaan-3 will provide a close-up view of an entirely new region of the Moon, planetary geochemist Marc Norman, from the Australian National University of Canberra, told Nature.

Similar measurements were made by the US Apollo and Chinese Change missions when they landed nearer the Moons equator, but this will be the first analysis of the environment at one of the poles. Thermal conductivity in particular depends on the grain size and packing of regolith  the surface layer of loose rubble  and so will be useful for characterising the landing site, Norman added.

Nature noted that such data cannot be observed from orbit.

This isnt the first time India has made a momentous discovery.

As per The Statesman, ISRO in 2008 intentionally crashed the Chandrayaan-1 into the South Pole  which in a massive development confirmed the presence of water ice.

As Space.com noted, Chandrayaan-1, which launched in October 2008, sent a moon orbiter aloft in Indias first-ever deep-space effort. The orbiter carried a 64-pound (29 kilograms) impactor probe that slammed hard (but intentionally) into the lunar surface near the south pole. The impactor detected water ice just before it crashed, a discovery matched by a NASA instrument aboard the Chandrayaan-1 orbiter called the Moon Mineralogy Mapper.

With inputs from agencies
The Yamunas water level in Delhi is at an all-time high.

The river on Wednesday rose to 207.81 metres at 6 pm, according to several media reports.

This, after it rose to 207.55 metres earlier in the day  breaking its all-time record of 207.49 metres set way back in 1978.

According to the Central Water Commissions (CWC) flood-monitoring portal, the water level at the Old Railway Bridge crossed the 207-metre mark at 4 am, the first time since 2013, and rose to 207.55 metres by 1 pm.

Worse, officials say the river is expected to rise even further.

Delhi water minister Saurabh Bharadwaj told the media that the city government was prepared to deal with the situation. We are monitoring the situation and all possible steps are being taken.

But what happened? And what does this mean for Delhi-NCR?

Lets take a closer look:

What happened?

According to NDTV, several places have flooded including homes and markets. Many people are now camping on the terraces of their homes.

Boats have been deployed for rescue operations and to bring awareness to people who may be along the river banks.

I appeal to the people who stay in the affected areas to vacate their homes with whatever essentials they need as soon as possible. We have made adequate arrangements for everything including food and toilets at camps, Indian Express quoted Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as saying at a press conference.

The government has put relief measures in place I have just met all the District Magistrates, and instructed them to take over schools to convert them to relief camps and for the utilisation of toilets and other facilities.

As per News18, the police have imposed Section 144 in flood-prone areas.

The CrPCs section 144 prevents unlawful assembly of four or more persons and public movement in groups.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority also issued an advisory asking people to avoid low-lying areas.

According to Indian Express, temporary tents have been set up along the streets of Mayur Vihar.

A farmer Sri Kishan told the outlet hed leased two acres of land.

All my crops have been destroyed by the flood. I had to buy my own tarpaulin sheets and bamboo sticks to set up my tent, Kishan said.

This is like Venice, a shopkeeper at north Delhis Monastery market  one of the many flooded spots  told PTI as locals scampered to salvage clothes, utensils and other objects.

The last time we saw so much water was in 2013. Flooding destroys our shops, ruins stocks. We suffer big losses, another shopkeeper told NDTV.

According to officials, Garhi Mandu village near the Signature Bridge in Wazirabad is submerged.

A majority of the people have been taken to safety and the rest are being evacuated using boats, they said.

Local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ajay Mahawar said water has entered the houses of the residents of Garhi Mandu and Usmanpur villages.

The power supply was cut off around 4 am as a precautionary measure and people were assisted to move to safer places. The problem is that many of them do not want to leave their houses despite the flood. We are also providing them food and distributing relief material through boats, he added.

The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) headquarters is flooded and the employees were seen wading their way through the water accumulated at the entrance to get into the office.

VIDEO | DTC headquarter in Delhis Indraprastha faces waterlogging amid heavy rainfall in the national capital. pic.twitter.com/GZaF4OxwPK  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 12, 2023

Videos of the DTC headquarters located at Indraprastha showed people folding their trousers and holding their shoes in hand before entering the building.

Earlier, the situation would be this bad only when it rained for days. But this time, there is knee-deep water inside the headquarters. Adding to our woes, it also contains sewage water, a DTC employee told PTI Video.

According to officials, the DTC headquarters building has been in need of repair for a long time. Constructed in 1958, the redevelopment project of the headquarters and bus depot has been a long-standing proposal that has not achieved fruition till now, they said.

The shopkeepers at the Monastery market were busy shifting their goods.

The government has not done anything. Our goods have been destroyed. This is like Venice, one of them said, pointing towards the flooded market.

Another man who runs a garments shop in the market said he had shifted the clothes to another shop owned by him in the area.

Some people have kept their goods at a height. But if the water level rises further, they will be doomed. The Yamuna is flowing just behind the market. The water level has been rising since 9 am. No government team has come to our aid so far, he added.

Kejriwal asks for Centre to intervene

According to NDTV, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to the Centre urging that no more water be released by Haryanas Hatnikund barrage.

Kejriwal, in his letter to home minister Amit Shah, urged that limited quantity of water should be released by Haryana from Hathnikund barrage so that the level of Yamuna doesnt rise any further.

If flood happens in Delhi, it wont send a good message to the world, Kejriwal, pointing to the upcoming G20 in New Delhi, wrote.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal writes to Union Home Minister Amit Shah Limited quantity of water should be released from Hathnikund, so that the water level of Yamuna does not increase further. G20 summit is to be held in Delhi so if flood happens in Delhi, it wont send a pic.twitter.com/iVbBUv8gTR  ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2023

Kejriwal earlier tweeted, Central Water Commission predicts 207.72 meter water level in Yamuna tonite. Not good news for Delhi. There have been no rains in Delhi last 2 days, however, levels of Yamuna are rising due to abnormally high volumes of water being released by Haryana at Hathnikund barrage. Urge Centre to intervene and ensure that levels in Yamuna dont rise further. Highest Flood Level 207.49m (in 1978). Current Level 207.55m. .

What does this mean for Delhi-NCR?

According to News18, the Yamuna is slated to cross the 208-metre mark on Thursday.

This has led to a red alert being sounded in Delhi.

The outlet quoted Delhi minister Atishi as saying that all necessary arrangements have been made and that the government is prepared to deal with any unforeseen situation.

Northwest India has seen incessant rainfall for three days since Saturday, with many areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan recording heavy to extremely heavy precipitation.

Delhi witnessed its highest rainfall (153 mm) in a single day in July since 1982 in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Sunday.

The city received an additional 107 mm rain in the subsequent 24 hours, exacerbating the situation.

With inputs from agencies
Six of the 11 accused people in the sensational Professor TJ Joseph hand-chopping case of 2010 were found guilty by a special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday.

Five others were acquitted. The verdict was pronounced by Judge Anil Bhaskar in the second phase of the trial on Wednesday, almost 12 years after the incident.

It is being said that the trial got delayed due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

The accused were charged with offences under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, the Explosives Act, and criminal conspiracy, grievous bodily harm with a deadly weapon, and criminal intimidation under the IPC.

The Court shall pronounce the sentence at 3 pm on Thursday, 13 July.

Who are 6 held guilty in Prof TJ Joseph hand-chopping case?

The six accused held guilty by the court in Professor TJ Josephs hand-chopping case are: MK Nassar, Sajil, Najeeb, MK Naushad, PP Muhammadkunju and PM Ayoob.

As per the probe team, MK Nassar was the mastermind of the attack.

A report by LiveLaw said the main accused, Ashamannur Sawad, who is said to have chopped off the Professors hand as per the NIA Chargesheet, is still absconding.

Who have been acquitted in Prof TJ Joseph hand-chopping case?

The court has acquitted Shafique, Aziz Odakkali, Mohammad Rafi, TP Subair and Mansoor.

In the first phase, 31 people were put on trial in connection with the case, of which 13 were found guilty in 2015.

In the second phase, 11 people were put on trial. They were the ones who had escaped after the first stage of the trial was over and were subsequently detained by the police.

Whats the case?

The crime took place on July 4, 2010, when the accused ganged up to avenge Prof Joseph, the former Head of the Malayalam Department of Newman College, Thodupuzha, for having committed blasphemy while setting a question paper.

A question in an exam set by the professor contained a passage that was alleged to have insulted Prophet Muhammad.

On July 4, 2010, a group of eight men, armed with swords and knives, in a Maruti Omni waylaid the professor near his home at Muvattupuzha when he was going to church with his family.

They stopped their van and smashed the windscreen of professors vehicle before pulling him out and chopping off his right hand. They also had stabbed him in the left leg.

When the professors sister and mother tried to stop the assault, they too were attacked by the assailants who then detonated bombs and fled from the spot.

The case was initially investigated by the Kerala Police, but was subsequently handed over to NIA on March 9, 2011.

With inputs from agencies
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday that the nine years of Prime Minister Narendra Modis government will be written in golden letters whenever the history of eradication of poverty and development of agriculture in the country will be written.

Addressing the 42nd Foundation Day function of NABARD here in the national capital. Shah said under the leadership of PM Modi, not only the cities of India, but the villages are also becoming self-sufficient today.

In the agricultural economy, Shah said that the co-operative sector is connected in such a way that it cannot be separated and that NABARD played a huge role in helping the self-help groups to stand on their feet which enabled every person in the village especially mothers and sisters to become self-reliant and establish themselves in the society with respect.

India which has about 65 per cent rural population cannot be imagined without NABARD, which has worked as the backbone of this countrys rural economy, infrastructure, agriculture, cooperative institutions and self-help groups for the last four decades, the Home Minister said.

In the last 42 years, the Minister said NABARD has taken initiatives in many sectors, especially, in refinance and capital formation. He said an amount of about Rs 8 lakh crore has gone to the rural economy through NABARD for capital formation so far.

Under various schemes, Shah said, NABARD has refinanced Rs 12 lakh crore to the rural agricultural economy to meet the needs of agriculture and farmers and to strengthen and diversify agri-production.

Shah further said that NABARD has refinanced Rs 20 lakh crore in the rural economy with a growth rate of 14 per cent in the last 42 years. Noting that without this achievement the countrys rural economy and its development cannot be imagined, Shah said, we should set such goals, which encourage people to work and inspire others to progress ahead.

Shah mentioned, a short-term loan of Rs 896 crore was provided for agriculture finance in 1982, which NABARD has taken to Rs 1.58 lakh crore today.

In 1982, the long-term agriculture loan was only Rs 2,300 crore, which has been increased to Rs 1 lakh crore by NABARD today.On this occasion, the Home Minister also distributed Micro-ATM cards to milk societies and RuPay Kisan Credit cards to the members of these societies.

Many dignitaries including Minister of State for Finance Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad, Ministry of Cooperation Secretary Gyanesh Kumar and Chairman NABARD KV Shaji were also present.
The rise of the e-commerce industry in the past few years has led to scams along the same lines. Proving the same, one such incident hit headlines recently. In a scam set to shock the public, a Twitter user named Shashank uploaded a series of pictures of the package containing a Fit-Life watch instead of the Apple one originally ordered. Stating the turn of events on the microblogging site, he warned how his father-in-law ordered an Apple Watch series 8 but was duped by the Amazon seller of it.

Voicing his concerns for the received package, he tagged Amazon, Apple, Amit Agarwal  Senior vice president India and Emerging Markets for Amazon and Jeff Bezos, Amazons executive chairman.

Check out the post:

The same post was re-tweeted by another user named Sanaya on Twitter. The woman described the same incident warning people to NEVER ORDER FROM AMAZON. She mentioned about ordering an Apple Watch series 8 from Amazon on 8 July but complained about receiving a fake Fit-Life watch the next day. She also acknowledged the fact that Amazon Help refused to budge despite several calls. In the end, she pointed towards the series of pictures from the received package and urged the Apple Support authorities to resolve it as soon as possible.

Check out the viral post:

NEVER ORDER FROM AMAZON!!! I ordered an @Apple watch series 8 from @amazon on 8th July. However, on 9th I received a fake 'FitLife' watch. Despite several calls, @AmazonHelp refuses to budge. Refer to the pictures for more details. Get this resolved ASAP.@AppleSupport pic.twitter.com/2h9FtMh3N2  Sanaya (@Sarcaswari) July 11, 2023

The post garnered over 2.8 lakh views. The post attracted the attention of Amazons help team. In addition, it attracted several responses from users who had experienced a similar fate in the past.

Check out Amazons reply:

Ateeb, an Amazon help representative responded: We apologize for the inconvenience with your order. Please contact us via DM. We will do our duty to assist. Further, please dont provide your order/account details over DM as we consider them personal information.

We apologize for the inconvenience you've had with your order. Please reach out to us via DM. We will do our best to assist. Further, please dont provide your order/account details over DM as we consider them to be personal information. -Ateeb https://t.co/1XyLaGkcaN  Amazon Help (@AmazonHelp) July 11, 2023

Check out some of the responses below:

One user wrote: I never trust these online portals for gadgets or expensive purchases. Nothing beats trying and buying gadgets directly from stores.

I never trust these online portals for gadgets or expensive purchases.

Nothing beats the satisfaction of trying and buying gadgets directly from stores.  :: RB :: (@DeLoneWulf) July 11, 2023

Went through the same ordeal three years ago ordering an Apple Watch from Flipkart, got a fake Chinese watch and it was just before COVID lockdown set in, got a refund just in time or else it would have been a long process, shared another user while stressing the experience taught him never to order high value products online.

Went through same ordeal three years ago ordering Apple Watch from Flipkart, got a fake Chinese watch and it was just before COVID lockdown was starting to set in, got refund just in time else it would have been a long process. Never ordered high value products online later  Bhautik Joshi (@KreativeGeek) July 12, 2023

Others concluded saying that many e-commerce companies behave in a similar manner.
The BJPs decision to nominate Ananta Rai Maharaj, as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from the state has kicked off a fresh storm with the ruling with the ruling TMC accusing the saffron party of fanning separatism in the state.

Ananta Rai, who has been demanding a separate state of Greater Cooch Behar to be carved out of West Bengal, said the BJP has offered him a Rajya Sabha ticket after a meeting with Union MoS for Home Nisith Pramanik.

I am happy that they have chosen me. I will try to serve the people of the state and my region, Ananta Rai told reporters after the news broke of his nomination by the BJP through a party notification from Delhi Wednesday morning.

Six Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal will go to the polls on July 24; a by-poll will also be held in another seat from the state.

Rai heads one of the GCPA factions, demanding that a separate state or union territory be carved out of northern West Bengal. He is believed to have considerable say among the Rajbanshi community of the North Bengal region, estimated to account for nearly 30 per cent of the electorate in the area.

The community is one of the biggest SC communities of the state after Matuas in South Bengal.

We believe in taking all the communities along and moving forward to the development path. We believe in the ideals of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas,  BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said.

Reacting to his nomination, TMC MP and spokesperson Santanu Sen said, This only proves that BJP fans separatist movement in the state.

We have been saying for a long time that the BJP is fanning a separatist movement in North Bengal and wants to divide the state. This development only proves the point. BJP should clearly say whether they want division of the state or not, he said.

According to political analysts, the Rajbanshis are an important electoral factor in four out of the eight Lok Sabha seats in North Bengal. The BJP, in 2019, had bagged seven out of these eight parliamentary seats.

However, political equations have changed in the region in the last four years, with the TMC recovering much of its ground in parts of North Bengal and Congress-Left combine emerging as an alternative to the BJP.

With its eight districts, including picturesque Darjeeling, north Bengal is economically important for the state for its tea, timber and tourism industries. The region, which shares a border with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, has witnessed several statehood movements since the early eighties by various ethnic groups such as Gorkhas, Rajbanshis, Kochs and Kamatapuris.

Several BJP MPs and MLAs from the region have advocated that a separate state or Union territory be carved out with these eight districts. However, the state BJP has maintained that it does not support such demands.

The Trinamool Congress on Monday announced its candidates for six Rajya Sabha seats.

Among them are Derek OBrien, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and Dola Sen. OBrien, an MP since 2011, is the TMCs leader in Rajya Sabha, while Ray, who was first sent to the Upper House of Parliament in 2012, is the deputy chief whip. Sen, a senior leader and trade unionist, became an MP in 2017.

The newcomers on the list were Bangla Sanskriti Mancha president Samirul Islam, TMCs Alipurduar district president Prakash Chik Baraik, and RTI activist and TMC spokesperson Saket Gokhale.

A by-poll will be held in another seat as former Goa chief minister Luizinho Faleiro resigned as a TMC MP in April.

The TMC has 216 MLAs in the 294-member assembly and enjoys the support of five BJP MLAs, who switched over to the ruling party but are yet to resign from the House. The BJP has a strength of 70 in the assembly.

As per the numbers in the assembly, TMC will get six of these seven Rajya Sabha seats and the BJP one.

With inputs from PTI
The Congress accused the Centre on Wednesday of promoting tax terrorism by surreptitiously bringing the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) within the purview of the anti-money laundering law.

Addressing the media, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the government issued a notification to this effect on July 7, even when nine states opposed the move.

He alleged that the notification was issued in a tearing hurry as no bona fide reasons were cited by the government for the same.

Bringing the GSTN under the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) is a way of the (Narendra) Modi government to practise, promote and propagate tax terrorism, Singhvi said while pointing out that the step was taken with only months to go for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The triplet tactic of constraint, compulsion and coercion by the BJP through the new law shall wreak havoc on the business community in India. This is another tactic of the BJP to intimidate, incarcerate and imprison opposition leaders just ahead of the general elections, the Congress leader said.

He said the notification issued by the finance ministry amended a 2006 notification, facilitating sharing of information between the GSTN, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and other investigative agencies. The changes have been made for the provisions under section 66 of the PMLA, which provides for the disclosure of information, Singhvi noted.

The Modi government wants to hit two targets together. Firstly, to break the back of the market and secondly, to twist the organs of the opposition. The PMLA was implemented in GST subjects from July 7.

The excuse given was that it was necessary for the country. It was implemented even after nine states opposed it, he said.

The Congress leader also questioned the timing of the move, while pointing out that less than a year is left for the parliamentary polls.

With the election nearing, the government is finding new techniques and tools to target the opposition, he said while claiming that only 24 convictions have taken place in such cases over decades.

How and why did this new notification come without any discussion? Is spreading the governments fear and phobia behind this move? Is this a new way to control small and middle-category businesses? Will its special message be only for the opposition? What was the sudden need to bring the GST under the PMLA? Singhvi asked.

What was the tearing hurry? Why could this not be discussed? Is harassment the only reason for bringing this law or whether this has been done to control small and medium businesses ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls? he asked while alleging that the government took the step without any bona fide reason and that it does not have the bona fide interest of the citizens at heart.

Singhvi also wondered whether this is a way of settling political scores or suppressing the grassroots-level donors of the opposition parties. Has the law been introduced to further intimidate leaders from the opposition parties? he asked.

Singhvi alleged that the government, which misused agencies such as the income-tax department, ED and CBI, has now launched another attack and through this law, it wants to harass small and medium entrepreneurs by way of tax terrorism.

The government used to adopt these tactics against opposition leaders but now, it wants to use the same against small businessmen and traders, he said.

Singhvi claimed that the move will imperil trade, which is yet to come out of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and has already fallen to a historic low.

This move puts honest and innocent businessmen at the mercy of an organisation that has built a reputation for itself as a willing and pliant apparatus of the ruling regime, he said, adding that it could result in small businesses being investigated by the countrys financial crime agency for GST violations, breaking the backbone of the economy.

Maintaining that the government has to ensure a smooth functioning of businesses in order to ensure a smart economic recovery, the Congress leader said at a time when the Centre is misusing the EDs powers, businesses are concerned about greater scrutiny at the hands of investigative agencies.

He claimed that the GST regime has already broken the back of the Indian economy and bringing it under the PMLA would prove to be lethal for the economy.

Bringing a large section of businessmen under the EDs lens and giving the agency the power to arrest is a way to practise and promote tax terrorism, Singhvi said while questioning the

surreptitious manner in which the government took the step. The fact that the GSTN was brought under the PMLA (section 66) through a gazette notification of the finance ministry on July 7, without any discussion or debate in Parliament, raises legitimate apprehensions, he said, noting that the Centre was aware that such a move would face backlash from the public.
An murder similar to last years grisly Shraddha Walkar case has surfaced in the national capital. Delhi Police, on Wednesday, recovered the the chopped body parts of a woman from near Geeta Colony flyover.

As per reports, police got information about the pieces of the womans body around 9:15 am. the body parts were strewn in many places near the flyover.

The police was present at the spot. A probe has been launched into the matter.

"Remains of a person have been found in two different places near Geeta Colony flyover in the Yamuna Khadar area. The FSL and crime teams have reached the spot. Prima facie, it is a body of around 35 to 40-year-old person," PTI quoted Deputy Commissioner of Police (north) Sagar Singh Kalsi as saying.

"We found two polythene bags under the Geeta Colony flyover. In one of them, we found the head, while the second bag had other body parts," Kalsi said.

"The body is in a decomposed condition and it is not clear whether the bags have all the parts. The victim is yet to be identified. A post-mortem examination will be conducted," the DCP said.

Body parts in two black polythene

Police said they have recovered two black polythene bags from the site.

"One polythene contains the head of the body and the other polythene contains other parts of the body. On the basis of long hair, we are assuming that it is the body of a woman. It is yet to be identified, probe underway," Paramaditya, Joint CP, Central Range said.

#WATCH | Delhi: Two black polythene bags have been found. One polythene contains the head of the body and the other polythene contains other parts of the body. On the basis of long hair, we are assuming that it is the body of a woman. It is yet to be identified, probe underway: https://t.co/C5stJpUwHj pic.twitter.com/ARMGleSsSU  ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2023

A case under IPC section 302 (murder) is being registered at the Kotwali police station. The area is being searched for further evidence, the officials said.

The gory crime in the capital comes after 27-year-old Mumbai woman, Shraddha Walkar, was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend Aftab Poonawala last year.

Poonawala later chopped Walkar's body into 35 pieces and had alleged to have preserved them in a refrigerator before dumping them in the forest areas of Chhatarpur in south Delhi. He even had charred her face to hide her identity.

With inputs from agencies
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Wednesday met ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn in Indonesia and suggested India-ASEAN dialogues in finance, cyber and maritime domains.

Started my engagements in Indonesia with a meeting with ASEAN Secretary General Dr Kao Kim Hourn. Discussed the development of our comprehensive strategic partnership. Suggested India-ASEAN dialogues in finance, cyber and maritime domains, EAM Jaishankar tweeted on Wednesday.

Noted the ongoing work in energy, disaster management and health and wellness. Agreed to expand our Track II engagement, Jaishankar further wrote.

The EAM said the ASEAN relationship paves the way for the Indo-Pacific Vision. India is therefore deeply committed to the principle of ASEAN centrality, Jaishankar wrote.

EAM Jaishankar on Friday also met Malaysia Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir.Great to meet the Foreign Minister of Malaysia Dr Zambry Adbul Kadir. Discussed our expanding bilateral cooperation. Exchanged views on ASEAN-related issues. Look forward to welcoming him in India, the EAM tweeted on Wednesday.

EAM Jaishankar is on a six-day visit to Indonesia, Thailand from July 12-18. In the first leg of his visit, the EAM will reach Indonesia to attend Foreign Ministers Meetings under the ASEAN on July 13-14 and then he will go to Thailand for the Foreign Ministers Meeting of Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC), a release from the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday.

Jaishankar will visit Jakarta, Indonesia for the Foreign Ministers Meetings under the ASEAN framework in the format, ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum on July 13-14.

The External Affairs Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other countries. Indias engagement with this ASEAN-centered regional architecture signifies Indias strong commitment to ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific.

After Jakarta, the EAM will travel to Bangkok, Thailand to participate in the 12th Foreign Ministers Meeting of Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Mechanism on July 16, 2023.MGC is one of the oldest mechanisms of the lower Mekong region and is guided by Indias Act East Policy.

In Bangkok, the EAM will also attend the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Foreign Ministers Retreat on July 17, 2023.

BIMSTEC is an economic and technical initiative which brings together the countries of the Bay of Bengal for multifaceted cooperation. The retreat would discuss ways to further deepen the BIMSTEC agenda and strengthen the organisation.

With inputs from agencies
Google Doodle on Wednesday celebrated the beloved South Asian street food, which is popularly known as pani puri. The occasion marked the anniversary of a restaurant in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, achieving a Guinness World Record on 12 July, 2015, for serving the highest number of pani puri flavors, offering a remarkable 51 options.

With Indias first ever F-oodle (i.e- a #GoogleDoodle honouring food) were celebrating our favourite snack On this day, Masterchef Neha set a world record by creating the most flavours of pani puri. So heres a little game where you can break records & set high scores 

 pic.twitter.com/n8yqrNkpXF  Google India (@GoogleIndia) July 11, 2023

Pani puri is a popular snack, which consists of a crispy shell filled with a combination of potatoes, chickpeas, spices, and flavored water.

It goes by various names, such as pani ke batashe, puchka, gol gappa, and has numerous regional variations across India.

In Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, this delicacy is typically stuffed with boiled chickpeas, a mixture of white peas, and sprouts, all dipped in a tangy and spicy water.

In Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and other northern Indian states, the treat filled with potatoes and chickpeas, immersed in jaljeera-flavored water, is known as gol gappa.

West Bengal, parts of Bihar, and Jharkhand use the names puchkas or fuchkas for their version, which features tamarind pulp as a key ingredient.

The origins of this popular snack can be traced back to the time of the epic Mahabharata. It is said that the newlywed Draupadi faced the challenge of feeding her five husbands. With only a few leftover potatoes, vegetables, and a small amount of wheat dough, Draupadi filled small fried dough pieces with the potato and vegetable mixture, thus inventing pani puri.

In todays interactive doodle game, players are tasked with assisting a team of street vendors in fulfilling orders for pani puri. The objective is to select the puris that match each customers desired flavor and quantity, ensuring their satisfaction.

With inputs from agencies
As many as 2,000 people stranded in Himachal Pradeshs popular tourist destination Kasol have been evacuated after rains battered the area, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Wednesday.

The Kullu-Manali road was reopened on Tuesday following which about 2,200 tourists crossed the region.

Over 2,000 stranded individuals in Kasol have been successfully evacuated as of now. Our teams are working tirelessly to clear the Dunkhara landslide on the Kasol-Bhuntar road. District administration is on-site coordinating relief efforts. 2200+ vehicles have safely passed through Kullu, receiving food support at Ramshilla Chowk. I personally oversee the situation and remain committed to overcoming these challenges. Stay strong, Himachal Pradesh!, Sukhu said in a tweet.

Over 2000 stranded individuals in Kasol have been successfully evacuated as of now. Our teams are working tirelessly to clear the Dunkhara landslide on the Kasol-Bhuntar road. District administration is on-site coordinating relief efforts. 2200+ vehicles have safely passed  Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (@SukhuSukhvinder) July 12, 2023

The tourist vehicles that were stranded in Lahaul were also evacuated at night. Over 300 tourist vehicles left for their respective destinations, he added.

To facilitate easy evacuation, a check post has been installed in the region to collect the details on the stranded tourists. ASP (Kullu) Ashish Sharma said that the state is also providing food and drinking water to the people.

A large number of tourists were struck in various parts of Kullu and Lahaul following landslides and flash floods leading to the blocking of roads. They were being lodged in hotels, rest houses, homestays and other holiday destinations.

#WATCH | Rescue operation underway to rescue stranded tourists in Kasol, Himachal Pradesh (Source: Himachal Pradesh police) pic.twitter.com/ZuUOvQTKgk  ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2023

Owing to the crisis that ensued after several regions across north India witnessed heavy rains, hotels and tourism units offered free stays and food to stranded tourists and shared the addresses and contact numbers of their hotels on social networking sites.

Meanwhile, road rescue teams are clearing the snow en route to Chandertal. About 300 tourists were stranded at Chandratal since Saturday, out of which seven unwell tourists, including two elderly and a girl, were airlifted to Bhuntar from Chandertal Tuesday evening.

Currently, a total number of 873 roads are blocked for vehicular traffic in Himachal Pradesh while 1,369 water supply services have also been disrupted in the hilly state. As many as 80 people have died in rain-related incidents and road accidents since the onset of the monsoon on June 24.

With inputs from PTI
India on Wednesday voted in favour of a draft resolution tabled in the UN Human Rights Council that condemns and strongly rejects recent public and premeditated acts of desecration of the Holy Quran.

The Geneva-based 47-member UN Human Rights Council adopted the draft resolution Countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, with 28 members voting in favour, seven abstentions and 12 nations voting against.

India voted in favour of the resolution that condemns and strongly rejects the recent public and premeditated acts of desecration of the Holy Quran, and underscores the need for holding the perpetrators of these acts of religious hatred to account in line with obligations of States arising from international human rights law.

Those voting in favour of the resolution included Bangladesh, China, Cuba, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Qatar, Ukraine and UAE. Nations voting against the resolution included Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, the UK and the US.

The draft resolution was brought by Pakistan on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation as well as by the State of Palestine.

It urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and all relevant special procedures of the Human Rights Council, within their respective mandates, to speak out against advocacy of religious hatred, including acts of desecration of sacred books that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, and contribute to the process of examination of gaps in national laws, policies and practices and recommend redressal measures.

It called upon States to examine their national laws, policies and law enforcement frameworks with a view to identifying gaps that may impede the prevention and prosecution of acts and advocacy of religious hatred that constitute incitement to discrimination, hostility and violence, and to take immediate steps to plug those gaps.

Volker Turk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the debate on the topic was prompted by recent incidents of burning of the Quran, which is the core of faith for well over a billion people.

These and other incidents appear to have been manufactured to express contempt and inflame anger; to drive wedges between people; and to provoke, transforming differences of perspective into hatred and, perhaps, violence.

A crescent, a star, a cross, a seated figure: for some, these might mean little, but for millions of people they have deep significance as the repository and incarnation of an immense history, a far-reaching system of values, a foundation of collective community and belonging, and the essence of their identity and core beliefs, he said.

Turk underlined that many societies are struggling with the weaponisation of religious differences for political purposes. We must not allow ourselves to be reeled in and become instrumentalised by these merchants of chaos for political gain  these provocateurs who deliberately seek ways to divide us, he said.

There has been widespread anger and condemnation across the Islamic world after an Iraqi Christian immigrant, in an act of protest supported by the Sweden government, burned the Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm on the festival of Eid al-Adha last month.
The brutal murder of Jain monk Kamakumara Nandi Maharaj in the Belagavi district of Karnataka has taken a political turn with the opposition BJP taking up the issue to target the Siddaramiah government demanding a CBI inquiry into the alleged killing.

The BJP staged a protest on Wednesday outside the Assembly and demanded that the case be turned over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), claiming that the state police are conducting a shoddy investigation.

Speaking to ANI former state minister R Ashoka said: "Everyday Hindu karyakartas are being targetted in the State, the government need to assure the Jain community the security which they seek from the Government. We feel that a CBI investigation is required to unearth the truth."

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar hit out at congress alleging that the recent cruel murder of Jain Muni Kamkumar Nandi Maharaj depicts Karnataka's state.

" This recent brutal murder of Jain Muni Kamkumar Nandi Maharaj is shocking... The police and the government swinging into action only after repeated protests of the BJP shows the kind of state that Karnataka is surely and slowly becoming a safe haven for these types of criminalities," Rajeev Chandrasekhar said.

On Tuesday, a BJP delegation visited the village where the crime took place.

Shikaripura MLA B Y Vijayendra said,"Law and order under the Congress government are in shambles. Every day we hear of a murder. We want a CBI probe into the murder of Swami Nandi Maharaj."

The Chikodi police have so far arrested two people in connection with the incident and 12 others have been detained. Preliminary information suggests that there could be a personal feud behind the murder.

The BJP however is not buying the police's explanation and are steadfast in their demand for a CBI probe.

Responding to BJP's demands, Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge said "The Jain community is satisfied with the way the investigation that is being carried out by the state police. The same police force was okay when the BJP was in power and now they want the CBI, let them say what they want."

The murder is likely to be raised for a second day in the State assembly as well with the BJP accusing Congress of being anti-Hindu.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday said that the water entering Delhi was coming from Haryana and Himachal Pradesh since the capital had not received any rains in the last 2-3 days. He also said that he has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah urging him to release a limited quantity of water from the Hathnikhund barrage in Haryana to prevent water levels to rise further in Yamuna.

#WATCH | Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, says The water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi has reached 207.71 metres, which is the highest ever. Delhi has not received rainfall in the last 2-3 days. Water is entering Delhi from Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. Regarding this, I have also pic.twitter.com/wPUZk7XO3u  ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2023

Earlier on Wednesday, Delhi Police imposed section 144 CrPC as a precautionary measure in the flood-prone areas in the national capital as the Yamuna River swelled to 207.25 metres, the highest ever in the past 45 years.

Over the past three days, Delhi recorded a rapid increase in the Yamuna water level. It shot up from 203.14 metres at 11 am on Sunday to 205.4 at 5 pm on Monday, breaching the danger mark of 205.33 metres 18 hours earlier than expected.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal writes to Union Home Minister Amit Shah Limited quantity of water should be released from Hathnikund, so that the water level of Yamuna does not increase further. G20 summit is to be held in Delhi so if flood happens in Delhi, it wont send a pic.twitter.com/iVbBUv8gTR  ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2023

Chief Minister Kejriwal said that by tonight Yamuna will reach 207.72m, till now the highest level was 207.49 which was recorded in 1978.

In his letter to Shah, Kejriwal wrote, It is well above the danger mark (205.33 m). Prior to this, the maximum level of Yamuna had been reached in the year 1978, which was 207.49 metres. At that time there was a flood in Delhi and the situation became very serious. At the level of 207.55 metres now Yamuna can flood anytime, the letter reads.

Kejriwal stressed that a flooded Delhi would send a bad message to delegates who are scheduled to attend the G20 Summit in the national capital.

I humbly request you that if possible the water from Hathni Kund barrage should be released in limited and controlled volumes so that the level of Yamuna in Delhi does not increase further, he said.

Forty-five boats have been deployed for awareness, evacuation and rescue work and NGOs have been roped in to provide relief to the evacuated people.

With inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Abu Dhabi on July 15 after concluding a two-day visit to Paris.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that after concluding his visit to France, the PM will reach the United Arab Emirates on 15 July to meet the President of UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

#WATCH | Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi will depart tomorrow morning for his visits to France and UAE. The first segment will be his visit to France, PM will reach Paris tomorrow. PM will stay in France on the 13th and 14th July at the pic.twitter.com/tXFPQH9aP7  ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2023

We have all seen significant transformation taking place in the India-UAE relationship. The bilateral trade is currently robust, with $85 billion dollars between India and UAE. Making UAE, Indias third-largest trading partner last year and Indias second-largest export destination, he said.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi will depart tomorrow morning for his visits to France and UAE. The first segment will be his visit to France, PM will reach Paris tomorrow. The PM will stay in France on the 13th and 14th of July at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron

This is Prime Ministers 6th visit to France. After PM Modi reaches tomorrow, he will meet PM France Elisabeth Borne and President of French Senate Gerard Larcher on the same day, he said.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Modi will hold talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ruler of Abu Dhabi.

The India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has been steadily strengthening and the prime ministers visit will be an opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence and culture, it said.

The prime minister is visiting France on July 13 and 14 at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. Modi will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day parade on July 14 in Paris where a tri-services Indian armed forces contingent would be participating.

The MEA said President Macron will host a state banquet as well as a private dinner in honour of the prime minister.

The two leaders will also hold wide-ranging talks. The prime minister is also scheduled to meet the prime minister of France as well as the presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly of France, the MEA said.

He will separately interact with the Indian diaspora in France, CEOs of Indian and French companies, and prominent French personalities.

The prime ministers visit will provide an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future across diverse sectors such as strategic, cultural, scientific, academic and economic cooperation, the MEA said.

With inputs from agencies
In a stern warning, Manipur Police has asked people to stop misusing its black commando uniform after reports suggested that armed rioters were wearing the outfit to create mistrust, officials said.

They said information has been circulated throughout all formations to ensure that the Manipur Police Commando uniform, black in colour, is not misused and they have been instructed to intensify the vigil.

This comes after videos were found doing the rounds in which some of the armed assailants were seen wearing the black uniform, which seems to have been stolen during the uprising witnessed in the state from May 3 onwards.

The two groups  Meitei and Kuki  have engaged in armed conflicts with each other and the violence has claimed over 150 lives so far. The police have been asked even to check any vehicle carrying security personnel, especially the India Reserve Battalion and Manipur Police, and their identity cards, the officials said.

There have been occasions where police uniforms have also been misused but such cases are less in number, they said, adding there is a need to put an end to this practice as otherwise the other community feels that the law enforcing agency is biased.

The 45,000-strong Manipur Police was vertically split after the ethnic clashes, with Meitei personnel in the force moving to Imphal valley for safety and the Kuki personnel escaping to the hills.

While an assessment was being made about the stolen weapons by the police, efforts were also intensified for their recovery. In this connection, two people were arrested by the police with stolen police weapons which they had purchased from the Imphal valley.

In a related development on better policing, Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, immediately after taking over, had identified that nearly 1,200 personnel were missing from duty, officials said.

His first task was identifying these people and completing the formalities of their joining back duty wherever they were comfortable.

The officials privy to the developments said nearly 1,150 personnel have reported back to duty and fresh instructions had been issued to withhold pays of those personnel who are not back.

Recently, the police chief had visited Khangabok area of Thoubal district where jawans of 3rd India Reserve Battalion had foiled an attempt by hundreds of rioters to loot the armoury. This district is known for Khongjom, where the last battle of the independence of Manipur was fought in April 1891 against the British army.

Nakas (checkpoints) are being erected by Manipur Police during which people are detained for violating rules, including movement during curfew, besides providing security to farmers from both the communities at the foothills.

With inputs from PTI
A distressing incident unfolded at a school in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, as a female student died by suicide after reportedly being thrashed by a teacher for adorning a bindi on her forehead.

Reports suggest that the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Chairperson, Priyank Kanoongo, confirmed the distressing news through a tweet on Tuesday.

The victim, a female student, was allegedly subjected to physical violence for wearing the traditional Hindu mark at her school.

Expressing grave concern over the matter, Kanoongo declared that the NCPCR has taken immediate action by dispatching a team to investigate the incident on-site in Dhanbad.

The unfortunate occurrence took place in the Tetulmari area of Dhanbad on Monday, sending shockwaves throughout the community.

Outraged by the incident, the girls parents and locals staged a protest against the school management, urging authorities to conduct a thorough investigation.

In response to the uproar, Uttam Mukherjee, Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in Dhanbad, assured the public that the accused teacher had been apprehended by the police following the revelation of the incident.

Mukherjee further highlighted that the school in question lacks affiliation with the CBSE board.

The concerned official promptly informed the District Education Officer about the incident and personally met with the victims grieving family.

A collection of suicide prevention helpline numbers are available here. Please reach out if you or anyone you know is in need of support. The All-India helpline number is: 022-27546669
India on Wednesday said that it has been made clear to the EU parliamentarians that the situation in Manipur is a matter absolutely internal to the country.

Indias statement came ahead of a planned debate in the European parliament on the situation in Manipur.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said EU parliamentarians concerned are being reached out and it has been made clear to them that it is a matter absolutely internal to India.

A motion for a resolution on the Manipur situation was tabled in the Brussels-based EU parliament and it was scheduled to be taken up on Wednesday.

Manipur has been witnessing violent clashes, especially between Kuki and Meitei communities for close to two months.

The opposition parties have been accusing the government of failing to contain the violence.

This is a matter totally internal to India, Kwatra said, replying to a question on the matter at a press conference.

He said New Delhi is aware about what is happening at the EU parliament in Brussels.

We made a reach-out to the concerned EU parliamentarians. But we made it very clear that this is a matter absolutely internal to India, he said.
Union minister Ramdas Athawale said on Wednesday that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would not harm the interests of Muslims or the tribal communities but it will ensure unity and harmony among communities.

Addressing the media, the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment said that Congress is spreading false propaganda that the BJP and its government will change the Constitution.

Dr B R Ambedkar was in favour of the UCC, and it is needed for ensuring religious harmony, he said.

This is false propaganda being spread by the Opposition. The UCC is needed to ensure unity and harmony between Hindus and Muslims. Even B R Ambedkar, the architect of our Constitution, was in favour of UCC, said Athawale, a Dalit leader from Maharashtra.

I want to tell Muslims that the UCC is not against you. Instead of doing politics over it, all political parties should support it. Not all tribals are against it. This law is not against tribals or Dalits or Hindus or Muslims. It is very important to bring in the UCC, he added.

The Law Commission in June invited views and suggestions from religious organisations as well as the public at large about the UCC which has been a contentious issue for long.

Athawale, meanwhile, also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not anti-Muslim or anti-Dalit.

The minister was here to hold a meeting with the Gujarat government officials about the status of the implementation of various schemes meant for Dalits and other downtrodden communities.

No matter how hard opposition parties tried, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will once again win the 2024 Lok Sabha elections with more than 325 seats and Modi will become prime minister for the third time in a row, he said at the press conference.

Rahul Gandhi will not get the chance to become the next prime minister, said Athawale, and added that the Congress leader should not politicize each and every issue.

On the opposition parties efforts to forge unity, the Republican Party of India leader said, Who will become the PM if the Opposition wins? Every leader, from Mamata Banerjee to K Chandrashekar Rao, Akhilesh Yadav, Nitish Kumar and even Arvind Kejriwal is saying they are the PM candidate. On the other side, our PM candidate is only Modi and my party will support him.

Asked about recent cases of atrocities on Dalits in Gujarat, the Union minister admitted that such incidents were happening.

It is true that atrocities are still happening. But the situation has improved in recent times. Many people from general category castes are coming forward to help Dalits. We all need to come forward to end the caste system, Athawale said.

Gujarat reported 1,030 inter-caste marriages in 2021-22 and 1,117 in 2022-23, he said.

Recently, in a mega survey on Uniform Civil Code (UCC) conducted by News18, it was found that at least 67.2 per cent of Muslim women support the common law for all Indians for matters such as marriage, divorce and adoption.

Over 8,035 Muslim women participated in the survey from 25 states and Union Territories.

The participants were 18 to 65 plus, hailing from different communities, regions, educational and marital statuses.

With inputs from agencies.
When Delhi was temporarily marooned recently, the Delhi government blamed the floods in the Yamuna river for the three days of waterlogging in the National Capital. Ironically, the Yamuna began rising only from Monday evening when the waterlogging in the city had started to clear. It would, therefore, be incorrect to blame the Yamuna for a flood like situation in the city, which happened because the silt from the choked drains was not cleared.

Delhi faced temporary deluge because the state government didnt prepare the city for such an eventuality. Even when the city was marooned, some of the ministers could be seen indulging in photo-ops, with a few posing in front of cameras in knee-deep water or taking a boat ride. It is a ministers responsibility to put a system in place in advance and keep it functional to avoid such miseries.

The Public Works Department (PWD), the MCDs, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), and the revenue and flood and irrigation departments are responsible for cleaning and maintaining roads and drains in the city. However, the majority of the responsibility rests with the MCD and the DJB.

Of these, only NDMC is today not under the supervision of the AAP. Anyway, NDMC covers a very small area and all its drains fall into the drainage system managed by the MCD or the DJB.

One minister in a video message said that it seldom rained in Delhi during the month of July. Come on Sir, the scheduled time of arrival of monsoon in Delhi is after 20 June. July and August, coinciding with the Indian calendar month of Shravan, have always been the months which receive maximum rains.

The city was flooded not because of the heavy downpour but because the MCD, which is now under the control of the AAP, failed miserably to clear silt from the clogged drains. This happened because there isnt any sanitation committee in place for the cleaning of the drains.

The city mayor made loud claims before the monsoon had arrived of having got the drains cleaned, but none of the committees of the corporation are functional and the civic services lying in a limbo. Municipal Corporation works through various committees with the standing committee the apex body.

The chairman of the standing committee functions as the executive head of the political wing of the corporation, whereas the Commissioner is the head of the administrative arm. Both the offices work hand-in-hand to make the corporation function smoothly. However, the mayor has reportedly scuttled the election of these bodies as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has the numbers to dominate these committees.

The bane of governance in Delhi in the past decade has been that the government of the day has chosen politics over administration. The issue of the election of the Standing Committee is now pending before the Supreme Court, thus the constitution of all the related committees like on sanitation and education among others stand delayed.

In the absence of these committees, the officials are working and spending on whats called anticipatory approvals and would regularise all actions as and when the committees are formed. This is a perfect example of how petty politics trumps governance which exemplifies in the shape of clogged drains and flooded roads of the National Capital.

These acts can also amount to financial malpractice as in the absence of political accountability splurging and embezzlement become rampant.

As for the floods in the Yamuna, instead of bemoaning it, the concerned minister should be happy. When Yamuna is in floods, it overflows into the river plain and recharges the groundwater stock, which in the National Capital is abysmally low.

A Yamuna with good discharge during the rainy season also helps clean the river of the filth, which flows into it as systems for prevention of water pollution are in a shambles.

Moreover, blaming the neighbouring state of Haryana for flooding Delhi by releasing water is ludicrous. Can anybody hold the discharge by a river in flood? If one goes by the ministers logic, the Uttar Pradesh government should lodge a complaint about Delhi releasing waters through the Okhla barrage.

The writer is an author and president, Centre for Reforms, Development and Justice. Views expressed are personal.

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On 17 March 1970, CPM goons entered the house of the Sain family in West Bengals Bardhaman district. What followed was one of the most brutal incidents of political violence in the state.

The attackers gouged out the eyes of the familys eldest son Naba Sain and hacked his younger brothers Malay and Pranab to death. They then made the brothers mother eat rice soaked in her sons blood. The Sain family was targeted because they supported Congress.

In a state where violence is the most visible form of political expression, a democratic choice like supporting the party you like can turn deadly.

As bone-chilling as it may seem, the spree of political killings that West Bengal witnessed during the recently concluded panchayat polls is only a continuity of the violence that has been ingrained in the states politics for decades.

While political violence has happened in other states too, the scale, frequency and modus operandi are unique to West Bengal. In states, such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, gun violence during elections in the past reflected the interplay of politics and gangsters. In present-day West Bengal, the use of homemade crude bombs and a propensity to heighten the goriness of crimesthe predominant use of blades and knivesshow how violence has penetrated into rural households.

Interestingly, in the state, political violence has subsumed other forms of violence, such as those along caste and class lines. Such form of violence peaked and became a daily occurrence during the 35-year Left rule (1977-2011). But, the brutality predates the Left and goes back to the Congress rule.

Siddhartha Shankar Ray was the last Congress chief minister of West Bengal before the Left came to power. Ruling from 1972 to 1977, he oversaw a turbulent period in the state and as well as Indian history  in the form of the Naxal movement and the Emergency (1975-77). Rays rule was marked by the use of state machinery to crush violent forces and dissent, but inter-party clashes were still rare. This changed under the Left rule during which such attacks became common. The political murders continued even after the Left was defeated by the current ruling party Trinamool Congress in the 2011 Assembly polls.

It was first the Congress versus Left, then Left versus TMC and now the TMC has been blamed for attacks by all other parties in the state. The common thread that binds all regimes in West Bengal is violence. But there are other reasons that have made political violence unique to Bengal and they all lie at the grassroots level.

How parties in power ensure continuity of violence

In Bengal especially in the rural areas- ones political allegiance overrides all other identities like caste.

Despite being endangering, political empowerment is also key to prosperity in a resource-scarce state where industries are yet to find a foothold and jobs are limited. Often economic resources like land are in the control of local politicians and a lack of employment means that several youths end up becoming political henchmen. The states ruling parties from Left to TMC ensured the continuity of this factor by maintaining a belligerent stand against industries.

The most infamous case is the 2008 Tata Nano Singur controversy. In a somewhat uncharacteristic move, the Left government pushed for industrialisation by acquiring farmland for the Tata factory in Singur. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee who was then an Opposition leader led a movement against the upcoming factory citing injustice to farmers.

Tata Group ended up pulling out of the state. The controversy propelled Banerjee to power and also served as the death knell to industries.

How rooted political brutality in Bengal is reflected by the fact that 19 people across party lines have been killed during the ongoing Panchayat polls despite the Calcutta High Court ordering the deployment of central forces for the election.

The court had also passed a direction for central forces to remain in the state for ten after the declaration of results.

Holding elections cannot be a license for violence and HC has seen earlier instances of violence elections cannot be accompanied by violence..if persons are not able to file their nominations and if they are finished off while they are going to file it then, where is the free and fair election? the court had said.

But in Bengal, its a vicious circle once you use violence to come to power, you have to continue the brutality to stay in control over fear of reprisals from political opponents if they win elections.

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The stormy revival of the debate on a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) reminds me of what Lenin said in the run-up to the 1917 Russian revolution: There are decades when nothing happens; and there are weeks when decades happen.

After literally decades of inertia when nothing happened it has catapulted to the top of public political discourse with even the usual UCC sceptics willing to support it, though with caveats. It appears to be no longer a question of if but when some sort of a law bringing a semblance of uniformity in myriad personal laws is enacted.

A draft of a UCC prepared by a Uttarakhand government-appointed panel is said to be ready and expected to become a model for a nation-wide law.

PersonalIy, I welcome the move though Ive reservations about its timing (just ahead of next years general election) and the confrontational tone of the debate with the Opposition calling it a political dog-whistle and the BJP accusing them of Muslim appeasement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accused the Opposition of trying to instigate Muslims on the issue while not caring for their welfare. My own view is that the so-called Muslim leadership spearheading the blind opposition to UCC doesnt need any instigation from outside. Its already regressive enough not to let go of its medieval mindset.

However, political point-scoring should not detract from the fact that a debate on UCC has been long overdue and should be welcomed  including by Muslims if only because it would put an end to the uncertainty that has hung over their head like a sword of Damocles.

The fact is that to a great degree it has been prompted by the communitys own women folk complaining of gender discrimination under the Sharia-based Muslim Personal Law.

Their victory over the triple talaq practice  now a criminal offence  has given a boost to their demand for further reforms focusing on issues like inheritance, succession, maintenance and guardianship.

A nationwide survey of Muslim women by News18 found overwhelming support, especially among educated women, for a radical overhaul of the existing Muslim personal law regime to ensure gender equity. Its key findings include a very high degree of support among Muslim women on the key provisions of what most experts say will be the major tenets of any UCC.

Though there is a slightly higher support of the provisions of the UCC among highly educated Muslim women (Graduate+), the overall support is very high, it says with some 67 per cent of all Muslim women in favour of a common law for all Indians for personal matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption and inheritance.

It found highest support for equal rights of succession and inheritance of property irrespective of gender. There is also very high support for raising the minimum age for marriage for both men and women to 21.

Of course, anyone even vaguely familiar with Muslim womens mood didnt need a poll to tell them what they think of the existing Muslim personal law. Only the Muslim leadership appears to have missed the trick. And Im not sure if the mullahs would be persuaded by a poll.

Meanwhile true to type, Muslim leaders have gone missing at this crucial juncture. All that we have by way of an official Muslim reaction is a statement from the All India Muslim Personal Law Board reiterating its opposition to a UCC.

In its representation to the Law Commission, it has said that majoritarian morality should not override religious freedom and rights of minority communities in the name of a code. Nothing surprising there. Its pet objection to tampering with the Muslim Personal Law has always been that it is immutable because it derives from the teachings of the Quran and sharia.

This despite the fact that Islamic scholars have repeatedly questioned such claims. Not only the immutability claim is a myth, but the sharia law as practised in India bears little resemblance to its original spirit.

Professor Tahir Mahmood, one of Indias most authoritative voices on Islam, has accused the Muslim clergy of misinterpreting and misrepresenting the original law.

The law as practised here is not the true Islamic law, he wrote over the weekend calling it incompatible with the modern age, in the Indian Express.

Lets cut to the chase: the time for bogus claims, lame excuses and dithering is over. The community must either move towards reforming its personal laws voluntarily to bring them in line with modern times or it will have changes imposed upon it from outside as happened with triple talaq.

The only option before it to avoid another  and possibly bigger  humiliation is to ackowledge the regressive aspects of the Muslim Personal Law as it exists today and undertake to reform it. The community should also come forward with concrete proposals and work with the government to help shape a law that would address its concerns.

Having said that, one doesnt have to be a Muslim apologist to be sceptical of the populist narrative portraying Muslims as the only obstacle to a UCC. As the unfolding debate shows most minority groups  Jains, Sikhs, Christians, Parsis, various tribal communities  are opposed to any dilution of their cultural and religious identity.

Sikh activists, backed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and Shiromani Akali Dal, are reportedly planning to set up a Sikh personal law board to push their viewpoint on the issue.

Indeed, sections of Hindus too are opposed to any interference with the Hindu Undivided Family law provisions relating to tax exemptions. Besides, more than 30 tribal groups in Jharkhand have urged the Law Commission to withdraw the move pending wider consultations with all stakeholders.

Earlier this year, the Mizoram state Assembly passed a unanimous resolution saying that any steps taken or proposed to be taken for the enactment of a UCC in India will terminate religious and social practices, cultures, and traditions of minorities.

In view of ethnic tensions in Manipur, the government is likely to tread cautiously there to avoid further complicating the situation in the region. But elsewhere, too, matters of cultural and religious identity need to be handled with sensitivity to dispel minority fears.

Even senior BJP leader Sushil Modi has recommended that tribals from North East should be kept out of the ambit of UCC, and according to a PTI report  it has been welcomed by the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram.

In a statement, it also asked the Law Commission not to submit its report in haste, urging it to first understand the customary practices and traditions of the tribal communities from their prominent members and organisations. Judging from the reactions so far, it is obvious that securing a consensus on such a contentious issue is easier said than done.

As for Muslims, as I have always maintained, their misconceived and dogged opposition has already done enough damage to the communitys interests and image. The status quo can no longer be sustained. Its either reform or perish. And time is running out.

The writer is an independent columnist and the author of Unmasking Indian Secularism: Why We Need A New Hindu-Muslim Deal. Views are personal.

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The newly sworn-in second deputy chief minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar and a member of his NCP faction, Praful Patel, are expected to be in New Delhi tonight where they will be meeting the BJP top brass, sources said.

The talks of Pawar and Patels visit to the national capital come amid a cabinet expansion tussle in Maharashtra soon after Ajit Pawar joined the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition government in the state.

Also, there have been rumours of the reallocation of portfolios in the Maharashtra government after Ajit Pawar severed ties with his uncle Sharad Pawar to join the ruling coalition in the state.

Ever since joining hands, the NCP has been eyeing major portfolios which have been keeping the leaders of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena camp worried and apprehensive.

The portfolio allocation in Maharashtra is stuck as the Ajit Pawar-led NCP camp has been demanding a sizeable share of important portfolios.

A few sitting ministers in the Maharashtra government are expected to lose the post they are holding. They may continue to remain ministers but might have to give away the key portfolio that they have been allocated.

Also, there were reports that as per initial understanding, only those cabinet portfolios that are with BJP ministers will be given to NCP and the sharing will take place between the BJP and NCP.

The scenario has now changed and portfolios that Shindes ministers have are expected to be included in the Maharashtra cabinet reshuffle.

With inputs from agencies
Moments after a BJP fact-finding mission announced that it will visit the violence-hit regions of West Bengal following a tumultuous Panchayat poll, Ravi Shankar Prasad said that he hoped chief minister Mamata Banerjee will allow members of Parliament to enter the areas.

The four-member team led by former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said it plans to visit north and south Bengal districts.

I hope that Mamata ji will allow all 4 MPs to visit the violence-affected areas in West Bengal, Prasad said.

He added, Mamata ji, your democratic credentials are further on test. We are senior members of the Parliament and we have the right o visit to these areas and see for ourselves.

After reaching the state, Prasad said, Violence and killings during rural polls are unacceptable. So many people have been killed; why have so many people had to die in this election? We will visit the violence-hit areas of north and south Bengal. Later, we will submit our report to our national president JP Nadda.

Apart from Prasad, the fact-finding team includes Satyapal Singh, Rajdeep Roy, and Rekha Verma.

The BJP MP said that over 48 people have been killed in the state of West Bengal during the Panchayat elections.

48 people killed during elections is a sickening sign of a democracy, Prasad said.

Mocking BJPs fact-finding mission, the Trinamool Congress said that this was the partys way to distract attention from its humiliating defeat in Panchayat polls.

They should first send a fact-finding team to Manipur, which is burning for the last two months. The BJPs fact-finding team in West Bengal is an attempt to divert attention from its own organisational failure, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said.

With inputs from agencies
Congress leaders and workers in Kerala observed maun satyagraha or silent protests to oppose Rahul Gandhis disqualification from Lok Sabha over the Modi surname case.

Leaders say that Gandhi was erroneously convicted in the defamation case. An array of senior leaders including MLAs, MPs and former ministers gathered in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Park, located in the heart of the capital city, to take part in the protest that would continue till the evening.

Among those who attended the silent protests were Kerala PCC chief K Sudhakaran, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly V D Satheesan, MPs including Kodikunnil Suresh, Rajmohan Unnithan and K Muraleedharan as well as presidents of various District Congress Committees.

#WATCH | Chhattisgarh Congress leaders including CM Bhupesh Baghel, Deputy CM TS Singh Deo and the partys in-charge for the state Selja Kumari, observe a Silent Satyagraha in Raipur to express solidarity with Rahul Gandhi in the wake of Gujarat High Court upholding Sessions pic.twitter.com/CFwM7NTV4Z  ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) July 12, 2023

The working president of KPCC, Suresh, alleged that the Central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to keep Rahul Gandhi away from the Parliament by ordering his disqualification.

The Modi government is trying to insult Rahul Gandhi and keep him away from the Parliament. But the Congress workers in the country will unitedly rally behind him to check all such moves, he said.

A number of workers from nearby districts also took part in the silent protests.

Before losing his position as the Member of Parliament, Rahul Gandhi represented Keralas Wayanad constituency.

Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal recently wrote to all state unit chiefs of the party and key functionaries about the protest after the Gujarat High Court dismissed Gandhis plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his Modi surname remark.

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 the BJP to resort to crooked measures leading to his conviction and disqualification from the membership of Lok Sabha, he said.

Similarly, Chattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Bhagel observed maun satyagraha in Raipur.

With inputs from PTI
Ahead of the second Opposition meeting on July 18, Congress Sonia Gandhi will host a dinner for leaders in an attempt to consolidate support to put up a united fight against BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The second meeting will be held in Bengaluru which will be held by over 24 parties including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Eight parties, that were not present in the first meeting, will be present in Bengaluru on 18 July. These include Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), Kongu Desa Makkal Katchi (KDMK), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), All India Forward Bloc, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Kerala Congress (Joseph), and Kerala Congress (Mani).

Referring to the previous meeting, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote in an invite to top opposition leaders, The meeting was a great success as we were able to discuss various important issues that threaten our democratic polity and came to a unanimous agreement on unitedly fighting the next General Elections.

I believe that it is important to continue these discussions and build on the momentum that we have created. We need to work together to find solutions to the challenges that our country is facing, he added.

Last month, after attending the first Opposition meeting, the Aam Aadmi Party announced that it will not join any future Opposition unity parties until Congress publicly opposes the Centres ordinance to control administrative services in Delhi.

It further said that the grand old party needs to decide whether it backs the people of Delhi or the Modi government.

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OpenAIs highly popular ChatGPT has experienced a decline in user numbers for the first time since its launch, The Washington Post has reported. This development raises the possibility that the AI chatbots popularity may have reached its peak.

According to Similarweb, an internet data firm, both mobile and desktop traffic to the AI chatbots website dropped by nearly ten per cent in June compared to the previous month. This decline may on the surface, look concerning for OpenAI, considering the significant investment the company has made to maintain and operate the AI chatbot.

It is worth noting that ChatGPT had gained significant attention earlier this year for its rapid growth, being hailed as the fastest-growing application. It was estimated to have reached around 100 million active monthly users within a mere two months. However, since then, Metas Threads has surpassed this record, amassing 100 million users in just five days.

The current decline in user numbers begs the question of whether this is an indication of future trends or simply a temporary setback. Has the publics fascination with AI already reached its peak, or are the ongoing issues and limitations of the technology becoming more apparent and affecting its popularity? Further analysis and observation will be necessary to determine the long-term trajectory of AIs public reception.

Why OpenAI isnt worried

OpenAI makes very little money from the free version of ChatGPT, and this was what most people were using. OpenAI makes some money from people who have subscribed to ChatGPT Plus. Even though this number too has fallen, engineers at OpenAI had anticipated this.

ChatGPT makes the bulk of its money from its APIs and plugins that it sells to businesses. Businesses, having seen what GPT-4 and GPT3.5 are capable of are ready to pay through their nose for OpenAIs plugins. And, the plugins are a regular source of income that brings a monthly revenue.

Basically, ChatGPT makes money when paying customers, be it private users or paying businesses, access its LLM, or large language model, GPT-4. As long as people are accessing that, OpenAI has no reason to worry. But theres a catch.

ChatGPT still as popular as ever

It is true that ChatGPT has faced various issues, such as providing incorrect answers and implementing certain subject restrictions. These challenges, along with the emergence of alternative tools and the diminishing novelty factor, may contribute to the decrease in user numbers as the school year concludes.

However, it is important to recognize that the ability to generate content using artificial intelligence is just one aspect of the broader impact AI can have. Artificial intelligence has the potential to be applied across numerous domains where intelligence is currently utilized, making it a significant and enduring concept.

The decline in usage of ChatGPT should not be seen as a definitive reflection of the future of artificial intelligence. The development of new technologies takes time, and it is crucial to remain steadfast and committed to the ongoing progress in the field.

School Vacations partly to blame?

The Washington Posts speculation that the decline in ChatGPT usage could be attributed to the end of the school year and reduced usage by college students during summer break seems plausible. Additionally, concerns about data security, such as Samsungs reported prohibition on the use of AI chatbots by employees, may contribute to the decrease in user numbers.

It is understandable that OpenAI may not be overly concerned about the decline in usage of the public version of ChatGPT. There could be various reasons for this, such as a focus on refining the technology, addressing limitations, or potentially transitioning to other platforms or target markets. It is important to note that OpenAI continues to make advancements and develop new versions of its AI models.
Over Indias history as an independent nation, there have been many instances where a single decision would have changed the technological fate of the country for good. Many a time when major tech companies wanted to set up semiconductor research and development (R&D) units or fabrication plants India faltered.

However, government apathy, logistical challenges, corruption and the mind-numbingly slow-moving bureaucracy of an older India ensured that no major tech company considered India as a safe bet to set up a semicolon hub in. Figure this: In 1987, fabs in India were only two generations behind the rest of the world. Today, according to estimates, we are nearly 12 generations behind.

Governments, bureaucrats, ministers and Indian private businesses alike, simply did not have the vision that could nurture a semicon industry in India, irrespective of the party in power.

It all started in the early 1960s, when Jawaharlal Nehru was the prime minister. Fairchild Semiconductor, one of the biggest giants in the transistor and semiconductor space back then, wanted to set up a silicon-based fabrication unit in India. This was at the moment when the silicon revolution was at its cusp. However, because of bureaucratic lethargy, Fairchild ultimately went to Malaysia.

Again, in 1969, Intel had planned to set up a semiconductor manufacturing facility in the country. During his visit to India, Robert Noyce, the co-founder of Intel, who was exploring opportunities to set up a fabrication and R&D unit in the country, was told by the Indira Gandhi-led government, that he could only set up a fab unit if the production and export did not exceed hundreds of thousands of chips every year. Obviously, this was an unacceptable condition.

Meanwhile, after the 1962 war, Bharat Electronics Limited or BEL did set up a fabrication unit that made silicon-based chips, but mainly manufactured germanium transistors. However, we did nothing to protect BELs technology, and simply gave ourselves up to cheaply made, and higher quality integrated circuits from China and Taiwan, in about two decades.

In the late 1980s we had Metkem Silicon Limited which, in partnership with BEL, designed and made polysilicon wafers for solar cells and electronics. This could have been a major step to bring in an electronics revolution in India. However, because of a lack of vision and cheap ICs from China and Taiwan, BEL couldnt match the global quality and price competition, and many of the fab units went defunct as demand for India-made ICs and chips dwindled.

Surprising is the inadequacy with which Indias governments handled fabrication units that were operational and were churning out good and cheap ICs.

Semiconductor Complex Ltd. (SCL), Chandigarh, for example, started by making ICs using the 5000nm process in 1984, and quickly developed their own 800nm process by 1986. During this time China and Taiwan were just getting started with ICs and were at a nascent stage.

An unfortunate fire at the SCL Chandigarh plant in 1989 set back SCL, and thereby Indias silicon industry by decades. There was very little to no initiative by the VP Singh-led government to revive SCL in any way, even though SCL was a core supplier to many government-run industries. Ultimately, it was bought for scraps by ISRO, and was used to make about 5,000 to 10,000 chips a year, down by about 90-95 per cent from its best years.

Sometimes, Indias semicon dream was also dashed owing to external forces. In 1998, in the aftermath of the Pokhran nuclear tests under the leadership of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the US imposed several sanctions on India. Owing to the sanctions a major silicon designing and manufacturing company headquartered in the US, had to back out of discussions for setting up an R&D centre and a fab unit in India.

We were this close in setting up an R&D centre in India back then, a senior level executive at the company told Firstpost. We were exploring options near Hyderabad and Bengaluru for it. However, we had to back out because of those sanctions.

In 2005, right after former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took charge, Intel started their operations in India and had employed several experienced professionals and established a state-of-the-art cleanroom, specifically a class100 facility, to inspect semiconductor impurities.

However, the required equipment imported from the US encountered significant delays at the port and was stuck for several months. Furthermore, in addition to facing substantial import duties, they were also burdened with substantial demurrage fees.

Ultimately the equipment was taken away from India and sent to China, two years later. China not only welcomed the project but provided the company with all the necessary support as well as incentives worth billions.

On top of all this, one of Intels major competitors, who were also planning to set up a unit in India, saw what happened, and decided to set up their shop someplace else.

This one experience with Intel, came to haunt us again in 2012-13, when the government led by PM Manmohan Singh set aside Rs. 39,000 crore to construct two semiconductor fabrication plants in India. The JP group, IBM and HSMC, participated in the bidding process.

The government of Gujarat promptly provided the necessary infrastructure and earmarked 300 acres of land near Gandhinagar. However, because the government had treated Intel, HSMC was unable to assure its investors of a promising market and a favourable environment in India. Consequently, it had to withdraw its bid.

After decades, we have foreign chipmakers, the best ones no less, interested in setting up shop in India. It is imperative that we dont lose them this time. If we do, we will be playing catch up with the latest fabrication technology for another 15-20 years, given the rapid pace with which it is developing today. More importantly, though we will miss a major opportunity to become a major player in many other aspects of technology that will shape the future.
A 15-year-old adolescent boy hailing from Alwar, Rajasthan, had to be relocated to a care facility in order to receive counselling and treatment as a result of his dependence on online games.

The seventh-grade students mental well-being is progressively declining due to his compulsion to play mobile games. It has been reported that the teenager has been engrossed in mobile gaming for an uninterrupted duration of 15 hours per day over a period of six months.

The young boy exhibited instances of screaming fire-fire during his sleep, along with persistent hand tremors. Additionally, his excessive gaming addiction has adversely affected his eating patterns.

The case of the teenager from Alwar serves as an illustration of the negative impact that online games like PUBG and Free Fire can have on the mental well-being of young individuals. This 15-year-old boy immersed himself in these games without pause for a period of six months.

A student in the seventh grade, the boys mental health has been steadily declining due to his addiction to mobile gaming. His dependence on online games such as Free Fire and battle royale games on his mobile device has severely affected his overall well-being and mental equilibrium. Consequently, he has been admitted to a specialized facility to receive treatment.

The boys excessive gaming habits raised serious concerns within his family. Initially, they attempted to limit his gaming activities for two months. However, their efforts proved unsuccessful, as the young boy persisted in playing PUBG-like games on his mobile whenever he had the chance.

A team of psychiatrists and doctors is currently attending to the boys needs, providing him with the necessary medical care. Under their supervision, he has shown signs of improvement.

The boys mother works as a domestic helper, while his father earns a living as a rickshaw-puller.

As a result of his addiction to mobile gaming, the boy neglected his basic needs, including food.

During his sleep, he frequently utters the phrase fire-fire and experiences hand tremors, imitating the movements involved in playing games on a mobile screen.

When his condition worsened, the family sought medical assistance at a hospital in Jaipur in an effort to address the issue and provide him with appropriate treatment.

At present, he is residing in a hostel in Alwar, where counsellors closely monitor him and track his progress.

Experts suggest that counselling can be highly effective in preventing Internet Gaming Disorders by addressing psychological risk factors associated with it, such as low self-control, anxiety, impulsivity, and more. Through counselling, individuals can gain support and guidance to better manage their gaming habits and develop healthier coping mechanisms. By working with a counsellor, individuals can explore the underlying causes of their excessive gaming, learn strategies to enhance self-control and address any co-occurring mental health issues.

Additionally, counselling can provide a space for individuals to discuss their concerns, improve their emotional well-being, and develop a balanced approach to gaming and other aspects of their lives. Overall, counselling plays a crucial role in mitigating the negative effects of Internet Gaming Disorders and promoting healthier behaviours and psychological well-being.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on an official visit to France and the United Arab Emirates from 13 to 15 July, 2023.

PM Modi France visit

The Indian Prime Minister will be in Paris from 13-14 July at the invitation of President of France Emmanuel Macron.

PM Modi will be the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade on 14 July where tri-services (army, navy, air force) Indian armed forces contingent would be participating.

After the Bastille Day parade on Champs Elysees, the formal delegation level talks will be held.

During his France visit, PM Modi will hold formal talks with Macron.

French President Macron will also host a State Banquet and a private dinner in honour of the Indian Prime Minister at his official residence at Elysee Palace.

As per reports, on the day of his arrival in France, PM Modi will be addressing a diaspora event at La Seine Musicale, a performing arts centre situated in IIe Seguin island in Seine River, in the western suburbs of Paris.

Prime Minister Modi will also separately interact with CEOs of Indian and French companies and prominent French personalities.

As per reports, Marcon will host PM Modi at Cour Marly courtyard at the world-famous Louvre Museum for a ceremonial dinner which is expected to be attended by more than 250 dignitaries.

After a sumptuous vegetarian spread for PM Modi at the Cour Marly, Macron and the Indian Prime Minister will go on a guided tour of the Louvre.

PM Modi and Macron will attend the dazzling fireworks display over Eiffel Tower from the terrace at Louvre.

Prime Minister Modi will also be meeting his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne as well as the Presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly of France.

Why is PM Modis France visit important?

PM Modis visit to Paris holds a special significance as this year marks the 25th anniversary of the India  France Strategic Partnership.

The visit of Prime Minister Modi will provide an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future across diverse sectors such as strategic, cultural, scientific, academic and economic cooperation, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

Indian contingent at French Bastille Day

French Bastille Day or the National Day of France will be celebrated on 14 July.

This years Bastille Day parade will see a strong contingent of 269 men of the Indian Army from the Punjab Regiment and Rajputana Rifles participating in the event. A single Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale fighter 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.

PM Modi UAE visit

Wrapping up his visit from France, PM Modi will visit Abu Dhabi on 15 July where he will hold talks with UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has been steadily strengthening and Prime Ministers visit will be an opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence and culture, MEA said.

PM Modis UAE visit will also be an opportunity to discuss cooperation on global issues, particularly in the context of UAEs Presidency of COP-28 of the UNFCCC and Indias G-20 Presidency in which UAE is a Special Invitee, the MEA said.

With inputs from agencies
After NATO shattered President Volodymyr Zelenskys hopes for a clear schedule for joining the alliance, Western powers will offer Ukraine a package of long-term security commitments on Wednesday.

The group of seven leading democracies  the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan  said they would look to agree on providing Ukraines forces with modern military equipment, across land, air, and sea domains.

We will each work with Ukraine on specific, bilateral, long-term security commitments and arrangements towards ensuring a sustainable force capable of defending Ukraine now and deterring Russian aggression in the future, the G7 said in a statement obtained by AFP.

Ukraines international backers are looking to reassure Kyiv on their support after military alliance NATO refused to offer the war-torn country an invitation to become a member.

That would mean prioritising air defence, artillery and long-range fires, armoured vehicles, and other key capabilities, such as combat air, the statement said.

The global powers said that they would offer to provide swift military and financial assistance to Ukraine in the event of future Russian armed attack.

They would also look to impose economic and other costs on Russia if it launched another war once this conflict is concluded.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky had earlier welcomed the promises  made on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Vilnius  but said that they could not be a substitute for Kyivs ultimate goal of joining the alliance.

NATO countries  spearheaded by the United States  have been wary of giving Ukraine too concrete a commitment on future membership in the bloc for it fear it will drag the West into war with Moscow.

But Western leaders insist they want to show the Kremlin that it cannot wait for their support to Ukraine to falter.

With inputs from agencies.
North Korea launched a ballistic missile towards Japan from its east coast on Wednesday, as stated by South Koreas joint chiefs of staff. This action followed threats of retaliation due to alleged US spy plane flights.

The missile traveled approximately 1,000km (621 miles) before crashing into the water, according to South Koreas military. The chief cabinet secretary of Japan reported that the missile landed about 250km west of Okushiri island in Hokkaido, the northernmost prefecture of Japan.

The missile was airborne for 74 minutes, reaching an altitude of over 6,000km.

This incident occurred during a rare trilateral meeting in Hawaii between the top US general, South Korean, and Japanese counterparts.

The launch took place just as the meeting concluded, despite its long-planned nature, according to Colonel Dave Butler, a spokesperson for Gen Mark Milley, as informed to Reuters.

With rising threats from China and North Korea, Washington has been urging the uneasy neighboring countries to collaborate more closely.

However, Seoul and Tokyo have strained relations due to disputes stemming from Japans occupation of Korea between 1910 and 1945.

Experts believe that North Korea likely tested its road-mobile Hwasong-18 ICBM, which uses solid fuel, making it harder to detect and intercept compared to the Norths other liquid-fueled ICBMs.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has previously declared the Hwasong-18 as his most potent nuclear weapon.

South Korean and Japanese assessments indicate that the missile was launched at a high angle, seemingly an effort to avoid affecting neighboring countries.

This marks North Koreas twelfth missile launch this year.

In April, the regime test-fired its first-ever solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile. In late May, it made an unsuccessful attempt to launch its self-proclaimed first-ever spy satellite using a new launch vehicle. South Korea recently announced the recovery of satellite wreckage from the ocean, stating that it held no military value as a reconnaissance satellite.

These recent missile tests by North Korea followed heated complaints about US military activities. The regime accused American spy planes of violating its economic zones and criticized a recent visit by an American nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine to South Korea.

Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of Kim Jong-un, issued threats of shocking consequences over US reconnaissance activity.

She claimed that the US spy plane had flown over North Koreas eastern exclusive economic zone eight times in one day, prompting the North to scramble warplanes to intercept it.

The US and South Korea dismissed North Koreas accusations and called for restraint in both actions and rhetoric to avoid escalating tensions.

North Korea has frequently made similar threats regarding alleged US reconnaissance activities. However, these recent statements come amidst heightened animosity due to the regimes series of missile tests this year.

The use of ballistic missile technology, including satellite launches, is prohibited by UN Security Council resolutions. Several countries, including the Security Council, have imposed sanctions on North Korea in response to its missile and nuclear weapons programs.

According to analysts studying commercial satellite imagery, North Korea is expected to showcase military force, such as a large parade, on July 27th. This date commemorates the regimes claim of victory in the Korean War (1950-1953) against the US, South Korea, and their allies.

(With inputs from agencies)
Islamabad: Saudi Arabia has deposited $2 billion into Pakistans central bank, the government said Tuesday, a much-needed financial boost ahead of a critical meeting of the International Monetary Fund on the new bailout package for the cash-strapped South Asian country.

In a video statement, Pakistani Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the kingdom was making good on its promise to bolster Pakistans foreign exchange reserves. The infusion is not a loan as such but will shore up the reserves and remain with Pakistans central bank for at least a year.

The development comes on the eve of the meeting of he IMFs executive board which is expected to approve a new and much-needed $3 billion loan to Pakistan to help the country overcome an economic crisis.

Dar said that with the Saudi deposit, Pakistans foreign exchange reserves which dropped to $9.6 billion last week  barely enough to pay import bills for a month  have gone up to $11.6. We thank the Saudi leadership on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, he said.

He assured the nation that Pakistan would soon return to the path of growth. God willing, now Pakistans economy will witness an improvement, Dar said.

Following the announcement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tweeted his deep gratitude to the leadership and brotherly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and said the deposit reflects the kingdoms growing confidence in Pakistans economic turnaround.

We remain committed to making all necessary efforts to improve Pakistans economy, Sharif said.

Also on Tuesday, Sharif in a meeting with the Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, praised the kingdoms generous and unwavering support for Pakistan, saying it was particularly instrumental in securing the deal with the IMF, according to a government statement. It said Sharif thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the deposit.

The IMF late in June agreed to provide $3 billion to Pakistan in badly needed relief to bail out the impoverished countrys ailing economy  a nine-month agreement that the IMFs executive board is to approve Wednesday at a meeting in the United States. Pakistan also hopes the board will approve the release of a crucial $1.1 billion from the bailout.

Pakistans economy has faced several heavy blows recently, such as the devastating floods last summer that killed 1,739 people, caused $30 billion in damage and impacted millions of Pakistanis. The country was also hit by an international commodity price spike in the wake of Russias war in Ukraine.

The bailout deal was originally signed between the IMF and Pakistans former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2019 and was to expire on June 30 when the new, breakthrough agreement was announced.
Jakarta: Thailands top diplomat said Wednesday that he met with ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi in detention over the weekend and she conveyed her openness to engage in talks to resolve the crisis gripping her strife-torn nation.

Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai is the only government official outside of Myanmar known so far to have met with Suu Kyi since she was detained with other officials when the army seized power from her elected government on Feb. 1, 2021.

He told his counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, who are meeting in Indonesias capital, that Suu Kyi was in good health when he met with her for more than an hour on Sunday.

She encourages dialogue, Don told reporters in Jakarta when asked what message Suu Kyi conveyed to him. Obviously were trying to find a way to settle with Myanmar.

The military takeover and the crackdown on the armed resistance to it plunged the country into deadly chaos. Western and European governments, including the United States, have imposed sanctions on Myanmars military government and demanded the immediate release of Suu Kyi and other political detainees.

Nay Phone Latt, a spokesperson for the National Unity Government  Myanmars main opposition organization, which views itself as the countrys legitimate government  told The Associated Press that the information about the meeting between the Thai foreign minister and Suu Kyi raised questions, and Myanmars people are uncertain that it actually took place..

He added that the military juntas attempt to try to use the influence of Suu Kyi at this time is indirectly admitting that they are no longer in a good situation concerning the countrys political crisis.

Suu Kyi, 78, is serving a total of 33 years imprisonment after being convicted on a raft of charges that her supporters and rights groups say were politically motivated in an attempt to discredit her and legitimize the militarys takeover while preventing her from returning to politics.

A legal official from Myanmar who insisted on anonymity for fear of being punished by the authorities because he is not authorized to release information about Suu Kyis legal proceedings told the AP that Suu Kyis lawyers on Wednesday submitted appeal arguments to the Supreme Court on her behalf for the five corruption cases where she was found guilty.

The Myanmar crisis is at the top of the agenda of the ministerial meetings of ASEAN, a 10-nation bloc that includes Myanmar and Indonesia, which is the groups chairman this year.

ASEAN has been under international pressure to address the crisis, and it again banned Myanmars generals from attending ASEAN foreign ministerial meetings in Jakarta after the military government largely ignored an emergency plan to take steps to end the crisis.

The generals responded by accusing ASEAN of violating the blocs bedrock principles of nonintervention in each others domestic affairs.

Don told reporters Tuesday that his government wanted to see all ASEAN members back in the group, without elaborating, a stance that deviates from the regional blocs position of not recognizing the military government and banning its attendance at the top-level meetings of the group.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Wednesday that ASEAN would continue to focus on the five-point peace plan, suggesting Myanmars generals wouldnt be allowed back to the regional blocs ministerial and leaders summits unless they substantially comply with the plan.

When asked by reporters to comment on Dons meeting with Suu Kyi, Marsudi, who was hosting the ministerial meetings, declined to answer. She instead highlighted the more than 100 engagements Indonesia as ASEAN leader has so far done this year with rival groups in Myanmar to foster dialogue, which she said could lead to the easing of tensions and violent confrontations in Myanmar.

ASEAN is still very concerned and condemns the high number of acts of violence, Marsudi said. ASEAN urges all parties to resolve or to stop acts of violence, especially those resulting in civilian victims of bombings of public facilities, including schools and hospitals.

More than 3,750 civilians, including pro-democracy activists, have been killed by security forces and nearly 24,000 arrested since the military takeover, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights group that keeps tallies of arrests and casualties.

Its too early to tell if the rare access to Suu Kyi granted by Myanmars military government to Don would eventually lead to talks between her camp and the ruling generals. The military government had earlier refused requests by ASEAN special envoys to meet her.

Asked if he considered his meeting with Suu Kyi a breakthrough, Don said it appeared to be a positive development.

Thailand supports ASEANs approach of seeking the Myanmar military governments compliance with the five-point peace plan, Don said. But he told reporters without elaborating that his meeting with Suu Kyi was an approach from the friends of Myanmar. We would like to see peaceful settlement.

Two Southeast Asian diplomats involved in the meetings in Jakarta told the AP that Thailand was taking extra steps to help ease the crisis out of fear that an escalation of the violence could drive large numbers of refugees from Myanmar into Thai territory. The two diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to discuss the sensitive issue publicly.
The Metropolitan Police is currently examining whether a criminal investigation should be launched against a BBC presenter who is currently suspended.

This decision comes after fresh allegations were made by an individual in their 20s who claimed to have received threats from the presenter after meeting through a dating app.

Tim Davie, the Director General of the BBC, stated that the Metropolitan Police has taken charge of the inquiry.

However, the police are currently in the preliminary stages of their investigation and may ultimately determine that no criminal case exists.

The controversy surrounding the BBC presenter began when The Sun newspaper accused the individual of paying a crack cocaine user over 35,000 since the user was 17 years old, allegedly in exchange for nudes.

On Tuesday, BBC News released additional separate allegations, reporting that a person in their early 20s had been threatened by the same prominent presenter after meeting on a dating app.

Sources at The Sun attempted to distance the newspaper from suggestions that the BBC presenter had received images when the individual was a minor, which could potentially be a criminal matter.

They asserted that the story published on Friday was primarily about concerned parents trying to cease payments to their vulnerable 20-year-old child involved in drug use, rather than focusing on the age of the alleged victim.

Whether a criminal offense was committed depends on whether the explicit photos were exchanged before or after the young person turned 18.

If the photos were sent when the person was 17, it could be considered child sexual abuse, a serious crime.

However, if the explicit images were shared only after the individual turned 18, it is possible that no laws were violated. The legal age for sharing explicit photographs is higher than the age of consent.

The Metropolitan Police has engaged in discussions with the BBC but has not yet initiated a criminal investigation into the allegations. The Sun reported that one police force had already informed the alleged victims stepfather several months ago that they could not investigate the matter as it did not violate any laws.

An individual at The Sun insisted that the newspaper had been cautious not to explicitly accuse the BBC presenter of criminal behavior in their reporting.

The lawyer representing the 20-year-old reportedly told The Sun last week that the allegations were baseless and that no illegal activities had occurred.

Tim Davie made it clear that the reason for suspending the presenter was The Suns implied accusation of potential illegal conduct. He stated that a previous complaint by the 20-year-olds parents to the BBC was very serious but not criminal.

Fresh Allegations

The anonymous individual who came forward with the recent claims alleged that they were pressured to meet with the presenter, who initially concealed their true identity.

However, they never followed through with the meeting. When the individual, in their 20s, mentioned online that they had been conversing with a prominent BBC presenter and contemplated revealing their identity, the presenter allegedly responded with abusive and profanity-laden messages.

These latest developments unfolded as Tim Davie faced questions from the media regarding his handling of the allegations against the suspended presenter.

He confirmed that the BBC had temporarily halted its internal investigation into The Suns accusations while specialized officers from the Metropolitan Police conduct their inquiries.

Davie also provided a timeline of events, revealing that the presenters behavior was initially brought to the BBCs attention in May when the 20-year-olds family attempted to file a complaint in person at a BBC office. They later contacted the BBCs complaints line, typically used by dissatisfied viewers.

According to Davie, the complaint was then forwarded to the BBCs internal investigations team, which deemed it necessary to pursue.

At that stage, the information did not involve any allegations of criminal behavior, but it was regarded as a serious matter. Despite making two attempts to contact the complainant, the investigations team received no response, leading them to temporarily pause their inquiry.

Davie emphasized that it is standard procedure for the BBCs investigations team to verify serious allegations before presenting them to the accused presenters, in order to prevent baseless claims from being made.

The suspended male presenter was only informed of the allegations against him last week when The Sun notified the BBC of the more serious and potentially criminal accusations.

Davie also emphasized that the BBC has a duty of care toward the suspended presenter and stated that they are providing him with support. He declined to comment on the possibility of blackmail being involved.

On Tuesday, the BBC released the salaries of many of its leading presenters and shared data revealing its struggle to connect with younger audiences.

The report also indicated a decline of 500,000 television licenses purchased last year, highlighting the additional challenges faced by the national broadcaster.
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Cholera



Answer: James Polk



At the age of fifty-three, former President James K. Polk died from cholera he contracted while visiting New Orleans during an epidemic in 1849. Due to the nature of his death, he was initially put in a mass grave in Nashville, Tennessee. At the behest of his wife, Sarah, he was moved to Polk Place in 1850.



He and his wife Sarah were relocated when Polk Place was demolished. In 1893, former President Polk and his wife, Sarah, were re-buried at the state Capital in Nashville.

2. Heart Failure



Answer: Grover Cleveland



On June 24, 1908, Grover Cleveland died at the age of seventy-one from heart failure complicated by other health factors. He was in Princeton, New Jersey with his wife and doctors when he died. His children were not allowed to be there, instead, they stayed with their grandmother.



At the time of his death, Venezuela flew their flag at half-mast because former President Cleveland helped Venezuela during the country's border dispute with Great Britain.

3. Stroke



Andrew Johnson



Andrew Johnson died of a stroke while visiting his daughter in Elizabethtown, Tennessee in the early morning hours of July 31, 1875 at the age of sixty-six. Shortly before his death, former President Johnson had won back his Senate seat after his impeachment as president. Former President Andrew Johnson had a Masonic funeral under a willow tree that he planted from a clipping of a willow tree near Napoleon's grave. His body was wrapped in a silk American flag and a copy of the Constitution was his pillow. Answer:Andrew Johnson died of a stroke while visiting his daughter in Elizabethtown, Tennessee in the early morning hours of July 31, 1875 at the age of sixty-six. Shortly before his death, former President Johnson had won back his Senate seat after his impeachment as president. Former President Andrew Johnson had a Masonic funeral under a willow tree that he planted from a clipping of a willow tree near Napoleon's grave. His body was wrapped in a silk American flag and a copy of the Constitution was his pillow.

4. Esophageal cancer



Answer: Ulysses Grant



On July 23, 1885, former President Ulysses Grant passed away from esophageal cancer at the age of sixty-three in Mt. McGregor, New York. Because his death took place in the heat of summer, he was embalmed quickly and placed in a glass coffin. Former President Grant wanted to be buried at West Point, but when he realized that his wife would not be able to be buried next to him after her death he changed his mind.



Former President Grant's wife chose New York City as the place for their burial. Twelve years after former President Grant was buried, his remains were moved to a designated burial space provided by New York City Mayor William Grace. Five years later, Mrs. Grant was buried in a matching coffin next to her husband in the mausoleum.

5. Heart attack



Answer: Lyndon Johnson



Lyndon Johnson once told a group of people that no men in his family live past the age of sixty-five. Former President Lyndon Baines Johnson died at the age of sixty-four from a heart attack in the afternoon of January 22, 1973 while at his ranch in Johnson City, Texas. Former President Johnson was an avid smoker and had several heart attacks; his first being in 1955. Neither his wife nor children were with him when he died.



Former President Johnson was buried at his ranch in the family cemetery. Anita Bryant sang "Battle Hymn of the Republic" at the funeral.

6. Cerebro-arteriosclerosis



Answer: William Taft



Former President William Taft was seventy-two when he died in Washington, D.C on the evening of March 8, 1930. His cause of death was written down as cerebro-arteriosclerosis, a disease defined by blood being unable to get to the brain because of hardened arteries.



President Hoover offered the White House as a funeral spot, but former President Taft had already made arrangements at All Souls Unitarian Church. Because of his work as the Secretary of War and President of the United States, Taft qualified for burial at Arlington National Cemetery. His was the first Presidential funeral to be broadcasted on radio.

7. Pneumonia complications



Answer: Benjamin Harrison



Former President Benjamin Harrison died March 13, 1901 of complications from pneumonia at the age of sixty-five. He was living at his home in Indianapolis, Indiana and his second wife was with him at the time of his death. Ironically, Benjamin Harrison's grandfather, William Henry Harrison, died of pneumonia while in office.

8. Asthma complications



Martin Van Buren



Former President Martin Van Buren suffered from malignant catarrh (now known as asthma). At the age of seventy-nine, in the early morning hours of July 24, 1862, former President Martin Van Buren died from asthma. His first diagnosis of the respiratory disease was at the age of forty.



At the time of his death, former President Van Buren was at his home in Kinderhook, New York known as Lindenwald. Answer:Former President Martin Van Buren suffered from malignant catarrh (now known as asthma). At the age of seventy-nine, in the early morning hours of July 24, 1862, former President Martin Van Buren died from asthma. His first diagnosis of the respiratory disease was at the age of forty.At the time of his death, former President Van Buren was at his home in Kinderhook, New York known as Lindenwald.

9. Bright's disease complications



Answer: Chester Arthur



Former President Chester Arthur died from complications of Bright's disease at the age of fifty-seven while living in Albany, New York on November 18, 1886. He was formally diagnosed with the kidney disease while in office in 1882. On November 17, 1886, he suffered a stroke caused by renal failure and went into a coma. He died the next day with his sister and children present.

10. Pulmonary embolism



Answer: Theodore Roosevelt



Former President Theodore Roosevelt died in the early morning hours of January 6, 1919 at his home in Oyster Bay, Long Island. At the age of sixty, he died in his sleep of what doctors said was a pulmonary embolism. His wife was home at the time of his death. He is buried in the Youngs Cemetery.

Source: Author pennie1478 This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
Microsoft To Go Ahead And Acquire Activision Blizzard As FTCs Injunction Request Denied News oi -Alap Naik Desai

Microsoft will be allowed to proceed with its acquisition of Activision Blizzard as the FTC has failed to win an interim injunction. Essentially, a California judge has allowed Microsoft but cautioned that the allegations of antitrust haven't been scrapped.

After five days of hearing testimonies from multiple members of the top management of tech companies, Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley has denied the Federal Trade Commission's request for a preliminary injunction.

Microsoft Convinces It Can Maintain A Healthy And Competitive Ecosystem

Microsoft has been facing multiple legal hurdles from antitrust agencies in quite a few countries. The tech giant had won a reprieve in the EU but continues to face challenges in the UIS and the UK.

Previous reports had indicated that Microsoft was exploring options to close the deal despite the UK block. This forced the FTC to request an injunction.

Even the UK CMA filed to try and postpone Microsoft's appeal of its Activision Blizzard acquisition decision. The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) figuratively threw out the request, as it would have pushed the appeal process from July to October. The CAT claimed such tactics are "contrary to justice and fairness."

Right after the California judge read out the decision, the CMA and Microsoft jointly agreed to pause their legal battle in the UK. Both have indicated they will try to negotiate how the Activision Blizzard deal could be modified.

At the heart of the issue is a concern that Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard will significantly hamper competition in the emerging cloud gaming segment. However, it appears Microsoft was able to convince Judge Corley.

Will Microsoft Be Able To Buy Activision Blizzard?

Microsoft had indicated long back that it intends to acquire Activision Blizzard in a deal valued at $68.7 billion. The company doesn't appear to be facing any financial hurdles. However, it has continually faced opposition from several rival companies such as Sony.

The legal challenges for Microsoft haven't ended but they won't stop Microsoft from acquiring Activision Blizzard. The EU agency has already given the deal the go-ahead in May. Hence Microsoft can now technically close without the UK's explicit approval, and without an injunction in the US holding it back.

The US FTC does have the provision to appeal. However, some reports suggest that the agency might not take the option presumably because the regulator didn't appeal a court's decision permitting Meta to acquire Within.

Microsoft will most likely face a lengthy antitrust investigation because the deal is widely perceived as being anti-competitive. However, this should happen after the Xbox console maker acquires Activision Blizzard.

Best Mobiles in India
First Impressions: The OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G Had us Drooling With its Telephoto Camera and Performance Chops Partner Content oi -Kabir Jain

OPPO has been a force to reckon with, in the Indian smartphone market. The global technology brand has a penchant for focusing on the smaller details while not overlooking the big picture. The Reno series is a great example. This time, the OPPO Reno10 series comes with a first-of-its-kind telephoto portrait camera.

The OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G, the flagship of the Reno10 series features the highest in the industry. This includes a 64MP telephoto-portrait camera-a cutting-edge imaging technology coming to the Reno series for the first time.

The flagship offering is also the thinnest and lightest periscope camera system. Unable to hold our excitement, we took the Reno10 Pro+ 5G out for a spin, and we have lots to talk about.

Ultra-Clear Portrait Camera System

The Reno10 series focuses sharply on enhancing your photography skills, arming content creators with a strong suit of imaging hardware and software.

Among them is a first-ever telephoto portrait camera. The 64MP telephoto-portrait camera gives creators the ability to capture photos at 3X optical zoom, offering more freedom while composing frames. The -inch sensor offers exceptional light sensitivity, which shows in some of the samples we shot.

The telephoto-portrait camera comes with a large f/2.5 aperture with a 25cm minimum focusing distance, achieving a natural bokeh effect without sacrificing details and clarity.

That aside, the Reno10 Pro+ 5G features a 50MP primary camera with a large 1/1.56-inch Sony IMX890 sensor with f/1.8 aperture, OIS, and pixel omni-direction PDAF, providing the foundation for experimenting with the ultra-clear camera system of the Reno10 Pro+ 5G.

There's also a 112-degree ultra-wide-angle camera which features a 5P lens module and 1.12um-sized pixels after binning, capturing exceptional quality while delivering a super wide field of view. The camera has an anti-facial distortion algorithm, which unlocks creative, action-packed ultra-wide portraits.

On the front, the Reno10 Pro+ 5G features a 32MP selfie camera equipped with the Sony IMX709 sensor with an RGBW pixel array. The camera sensor was co-designed by OPPO and Sony for improved color reproduction, light capture, and image quality when shooting in low-light environments. The selfie camera also comes with auto-focus technology with a minimum focusing distance of 15cm, a rarity among selfie shooters, making it the perfect shooter to snap ultra-clear selfies with friends.

Exquisitely 3D Curved OLED Display

OPPO has really upped its game in the display department, with 3D curved OLED displays across the lineup. But considering the flagship status, the best is reserved for the Reno10 Pro+ 5G. The smartphone comes with a custom 10-bit OLED display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and 2772x1240 resolution with HDR10+ support. Combined with an upgraded Dual Track Stereo speaker, the Reno10 Pro+ 5G is a theater in your pocket.

The display brightness can go up to 1100 nits in high-brightness mode, and can push it even higher to 1400 nits when playing HDR content, making it one of the brightest panels on a mobile phone.

A specialty of the Reno10 Pro+ 5G is another fresh new dish out of OPPO's kitchen. ProXDR Exposure Control - that locally adjusts screen brightness on HDR with up to 8 times higher dynamic range than standard SDR.

Exquisitely Designed

The Reno10 Pro+ 5G is not just the most powerful Reno smartphone ever, it also boasts a beautiful, light, slim, and premium design. It features an exquisite curved frame that seamlessly connects with the 3D glass back panel, providing an easier grip. The phone weighs just 195 gms and is 8.28mm thin and is Industry's thinnest and lightest periscope camera phone available.

The flagship features a two-tone colorway created using glass and aluminum splicing technique. OPPO claims it is resistant to drop and corrosion, and also provides the necessary protection to the camera modules within.

The Reno10 Pro+ 5G is available in two stunning color variants - Glossy Purple and Silvery Grey. The former has a finish that is of silken transparent glass, while the latter uses the exclusive OPPO Glow process to create a subtle metallic texture and smudge-resistant finish. And protecting it from damage is the Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on the back panel.

Blink and it's Charged

The Reno10 Pro+ 5G recharges using 100W SUPERVOOCTM for fast and smart charging. You can charge the 4700mAh dual-cell battery from 1-50% in just 9 minutes 30 seconds, and 100% in just 27 minutes! If you don't believe us, it has passed the TUV Rheinland test, charging for 5 minutes and playing for 2 hours.

The charging system is aided by the Battery Health Engine (BHE) which recently bagged the 2023 SEAL Business Sustainability Award. The BHE tech, developed in-house by OPPO, adds to the growing international recognition of OPPO's efforts to enhance sustainability through technical innovation. BHE ensures that the battery maintains its health up to 80% even after 1,600 charge cycles to last over four years.

The secret sauce is basically a custom SUPERVOOC S Power Management Chip, OPPO's first independently developed power management chip, with 6 functions integrated into 1 chip in the place of the original 3 chips, reducing the space taken inside the phone by 45% while enhancing the discharge efficiency to up to 99.5%, the highest in the industry.

OPPO has also obtained the Tuv Rheinland Safe Fast-Charge System certification which combines a total of 40 tests, testing the reliability of the wired charger, cable, mobile phone, and mobile manufacturing system combined with extra harsh environment tests to ensure a reliable OPPO flash charge experience.

The Fastest and Coolest Reno Phone Yet

The OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G is perhaps the fastest smartphone in the Reno lineup's history, with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 platform at the core. Built on a 4nm TSMC process, the SoC delivers up to 30% improvement in power efficiency. That, combined with the Dynamic Computing Engine and up to 12GB of RAM, you can keep as many as 44 apps open at the same time on the Reno10 Pro+ 5G without any lag or data loss from overloading.

To prove its point, OPPO has obtained the TUV SUD 48-Month Fluency Rating A - The highest rating of A on mobile phone fluency. This ensures that the smartphone will not slow down, and function as good as new for at least four years.

The Reno10 Pro+ 5G also comes with an upgraded ultra-conductive cooling system, that provides up to 1,800W/mk in thermal conductivity, which combined with a large VC liquid cooling surface area, ensures the phone stays cool during gaming or extended video shooting.

Seamless and Smart Experience With ColorOS 13.1

The Reno10 Series runs on the steady and smooth ColorOS 13.1 UI which is based on the latest Android 13 and comes with a bevy of smart features like a multi-screen connection allowing users to pair their smartphones to other devices seamlessly, allowing them to work across various displays simultaneously.

The OS is smart enough to automatically recognize and pixelate sensitive information like profile photos and names in chat screenshots. It also has a smart always-on display that can now control music and check food delivery apps like Zomato and Swiggy without having to unlock the phone.

New to the Reno10 Pro+ 5G is a super handy infrared remote control. Using it, you can control almost all appliances in your house, including your air conditioner, TV, and anything that requires a traditional remote.

Our First Impressions

Using the Reno10 Pro+ 5G for a while, we were bowled over by the sheer number of cutting-edge features packed in this flagship. From the industry-first telephoto-portrait cameras and 100W SUPERVOOCTM fast charging to blazing-fast performance with cutting-edge cooling solutions, the Reno10 Pro+ 5G is an all-rounder that also looks stunning.

We spent hours experimenting with the camera, shooting portraits and landscapes with panache and we simply spent a few minutes charging it before starting all over again. In between, we also got work done on the phone without a hitch, switching between multiple apps without the phone ever slowing down.

Price, Availability and Offers

The OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G launched in India this week, and it is priced at Rs 54,999 for the single 12GB RAM + 256GB storage variant. The flagship will go on sale from July 13 in India and will be available on Flipkart, OPPO Store, and other mainline retailers. Customers can avail of the following offers on the first sale of the OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G

 Customers who buy a phone between 13th and 19th July can enter the MyOPPO raffle and win a trip to Dubai and other exciting prizes. Buy the Reno10Pro+ 5G and Reno10 Pro 5G between July 13 - July 31 and get OPPO Pad Air(4+128GB) at a discount of INR1500.

Best Mobiles in India
Australian Lawmakers Probe Foreign Interference on Social Media

By Phil Mercer July 11, 2023

The world's biggest social media platforms are facing an Australian Senate inquiry Tuesday to explain how they're tackling the threat of foreign interference. The domestic spy agency, the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, has said that espionage and foreign interference are now the main security threats to Australia, ahead of terrorism.

Federal lawmakers in Canberra are investigating the risk posed to Australia's democracy by foreign interference on social media. A Senate inquiry Tuesday is asking Meta, Google, Tik Tok and Twitter how they're addressing the threat.

The Chinese-owned messaging app WeChat has reportedly refused to appear before the committee in Canberra.

Meta, which owns Facebook, has said it takes the issue seriously and has removed more than 200 foreign interference operations since 2017.

The U.S. company has warned that the internet's democratic principles were increasingly being challenged by "strong forces."

Experts say the hearing comes at a crucial time as the federal government in Canberra considers major changes to Australia's privacy laws.

They could include greater limits on the profiling and targeting of social media users.

Vanessa Teague, a professor at the Australian National University, is calling for more controls of so-called microtargeting. It is a marketing plan that uses data to identify the interests of individuals, which is then used to influence them.

Teague told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that the strategy can be used to shape consumer and political behavior.

"I really hope that the committee members are able to ask everybody, whether they are American companies or Chinese companies, about the abuse of microtargeting for political purposes and I think we could go a long way towards informing better privacy law to make systematic violation of privacy for advertising purposes illegal," she said.

In its submission to the Canberra parliament's Select Committee on Foreign Interference through Social Media, the Australian Human Rights Commission warned that social media was "quickly becoming the weapon of choice for foreign actors seeking to unduly influence Australia" and that "foreign entities now possess an unprecedented ability to interfere with...information."

The commission urged the Senate committee to set up a permanent government taskforce "dedicated to preventing and combating cyber-manipulation in Australia."

The inquiry this week holds its final public hearings. On Wednesday, it is scheduled to hear from government departments, intelligence agencies and the police about tackling foreign interference online.

Lawmakers are due to present their final report by August 1, 2023.

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July 11, 2023

By Jim Garamone , DOD News

Brown Would Accelerate Change in U.S. Military to Maintain Deterrence

The U.S. military must accelerate development and quicken moves to build a joint force ready for the challenges of tomorrow, Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown told the Senate Armed Services Committee today.

Brown testified before the committee as part of the confirmation process to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. If confirmed, Brown would be the 21st man to hold the position and the first airman since Richard B. Myers stepped down from the post in 2005. He would also be the second African American in the position. Army Gen. Colin L. Powell served as chairman from 1989 to 1993.

If confirmed, Brown would succeed Army Gen. Mark A. Milley in the position.

"I come before you today, having served the last three years as a service and joint chief," Brown said in his opening remarks to the committee. "But for the 11 years prior, I served in seven assignments across four combatant commands." The general served in the European Command, Africa Command, Central Command and Indo-Pacific Command.

"I've held leadership positions focused on our five national security challenges: China, Russia, North Korea, Iran and violent extremists," he said.

Brown's experience is with fielded forces and dealing with allies and partners. "Having led to warfighters abroad [has] shaped my thinking," he said. "As a result, I'm mindful of the security challenges at this consequential time and a need to accelerate to stay ahead of the growing threat."

The U.S. military is the most powerful in the world today, but leaders must make changes to ensure DOD can "implement the National Defense Strategy and prepare a joint force that can win the next war if called upon."

A prepared and capable joint force, simply, is the guarantor of deterrence and the key to peace, he told the committee.

Brown is fully aware of the role of Congress and promised to work closely with members on the Hill to invest in national defense and strengthen national security.

He also promised to work to sustain "faith and confidence with our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, guardians and DOD civilians and their families."

Beyond that, the general vowed to sustain and build the faith and confidence of the American people in their military. "Above all, I will dedicate myself to this proposition: That the American people should understand and know their military and its service members solely as unwavering defenders of the Constitution and our nation," he said.

Brown discussed  generally  some of the lessons learned from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. "Strategically, the thing I do think about is how the value of information early before the ... conflict started, and how that was able to bring not only a NATO closer together, but also to bring together allies or partners around the world," he said.

This emphasized to him the need to build relationships long before they are needed.

The Russian invasion also reemphasized the crucial importance of logistics. "I think the Russians learned, if you don't pay attention to the logistics, it's hard to win, and hard move forward," he said. More than that, he said, all operations take longer than planned.

"I think the other piece that I would highlight is just that the will to fight," Brown said. He said the determination and will of the Ukrainian people and their leadership was hard to measure before the conflict. "But it pays a huge dividend," he said.

His last observation is the value of air power. "Having watched what either side has been able to do, or not do, [emphasized] the value of air defense and integrated air defense, and how that's been helpful to the Ukrainians in defense of the nation," he said.

There is a problem with recruiting in the military and Brown addressed that as well saying he wants to ensure "that young people and their influencers understand the great opportunities provided by serving in the military."

Americans need to understand that the military provides great experiences. "There are many that have served in the military [and] have gone on to be successful, whether they stay for a full career, or stay for one tour," he said.

Potential recruits need to hear the personal experiences of those who have served in the military, he said. They need the firsthand stories to understand what to expect as a member of the armed forces and why it matters. "It's hard for them to be part of an organization if they don't fully understand or appreciate it," Brown said. "We have a responsibility to reconnect with the nation, to talk about the opportunities and for all of us that are interested in national defense and national security. And we need to share the stories of what inspired us to join."

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PESCO Projects Adapt and Accelerate Amid Shifting European Security Landscape, EU Report Finds

European Defence Agency

11 July 2023

Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the EU's flagship initiative to drive greater defence cooperation among 26 EU Member States, reports visible progress across projects in all military domains in 2022. A new report finds that the changing security environment is impacting many PESCO projects' scope and timelines, with work on key defence capabilities being expedited and expanded. The annual Projects Progress Report finds that many projects are successfully transitioning from one phase to the next, with a marked uptick in progress in response to pressing security concerns.

In 2022, PESCO projects showed significant advances across their lifecycle phases. Out of the total 60 projects under review from the first to the fourth waves, a promising upward trend is evident. Twelve projects have successfully moved forward to the next lifecycle phase, while three are in the final completion phase, marking substantial achievements. Furthermore, 43 projects have made significant strides by meeting their interim objectives, indicating notable progress despite remaining in the same lifecycle phase.

Adapt and Strengthen in Response to Aggression

Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has significantly impacted the European security environment, with Member States evaluating the lessons learned from the ongoing war and reshaping their defence capability development needs accordingly. The report finds that these developments are exerting significant influence on ongoing PESCO projects, manifested in key areas:

Expanded Project Scope: PESCO projects have demonstrated remarkable adaptability by broadening their scope and objectives to proactively address the wider challenges stemming from Russia's aggression. For instance, in the maritime domain, a project has been expanded to tackle the challenge of drifting mines at sea.

PESCO projects have demonstrated remarkable adaptability by broadening their scope and objectives to proactively address the wider challenges stemming from Russia's aggression. For instance, in the maritime domain, a project has been expanded to tackle the challenge of drifting mines at sea. Adjusted Timelines: Recognising the urgency and criticality of certain capabilities, project timelines have been expedited. This acceleration can be observed in projects related to capabilities that address more complex and evolving air threats, including the missile domain, due to pressing air defence needs.

Recognising the urgency and criticality of certain capabilities, project timelines have been expedited. This acceleration can be observed in projects related to capabilities that address more complex and evolving air threats, including the missile domain, due to pressing air defence needs. Resource Planning : The ongoing war has resulted in increased defence spending and project funding, while human resources remain largely unchanged with personnel navigating the challenges of increased demands.

: The ongoing war has resulted in increased defence spending and project funding, while human resources remain largely unchanged with personnel navigating the challenges of increased demands. Strengthened Partnerships : The war has prompted closer cooperation among PESCO member states, NATO Allies, and Ukraine. With some capabilities of PESCO projects used or activated in support of Ukraine.

: The war has prompted closer cooperation among PESCO member states, NATO Allies, and Ukraine. With some capabilities of PESCO projects used or activated in support of Ukraine. Enhanced Interoperability: The ongoing war of aggression has further underscored the criticality of interoperability and exchangeability among member states. For instance, ongoing PESCO projects are adapting their scope and timelines and are considering synergies to better respond to the shifting security landscape.

The year 2022 was a milestone for PESCO, as the highest number of projects18 in totalreached their project execution year. In total, 22 projects are slated to reach full operational capability (FOC) in 2025, highlighting the steady pace of progress within the PESCO initiative. However, eight projects require special attention or scrutiny as fundamental project management elements need to be addressed.

PESCO projects are already producing deliverables and enhancing European capabilities in areas such as cyber defence, unmanned systems, medical services, and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) surveillance. Some of the capabilities of PESCO projects, such as 'Cyber Rapid Response Teams and Mutual Assistance in Cyber Security' (CRRT) and 'European Medical Command' (EMC), have already been used or activated in support of EU CSDP missions and operations as well as EU partners, including Ukraine, with CRRT testing the capability in support of EU Partners and EMC acting as a coordinating and supporting body.

PESCO Projects Showcase Progress in Key Defence Areas

Within the realm of PESCO projects, several initiatives are already yielding fruitful results, bolstering Member States' capabilities. One notable project from the first wave, the EMC, has set up a coordinating entity to efficiently manage scarce European medical services in terms of planning, coordination, and management. Achieving full operational capability in 2022, this project played a pivotal role in successfully leading the Pandemic Response Exercise, RESILIENT RESPONSE, in 2023. Amid the ongoing war on Ukraine, the importance of robust military medicine capabilities in protracted, high-intensity operations has become evident.

Another project, 'CBRN Surveillance as a Service' is focused on establishing a persistent and distributed manned-unmanned sensor network utilising unmanned aerial and ground systems, providing comprehensive CBRN situational awareness. The project is set to deliver a technical demonstrator in 2023, followed by the establishment of a multinational CBRN unit.

The CRRT project developed a cooperation framework to respond to major cyber incidents through mutual assistance, joint training, operational support, and the creation of joint capabilities. Eight project members have formed Cyber Rapid Response Teams, actively refining their skills through regular exercises. These teams were activated in support of Ukraine and Moldova in 2022, demonstrating their operational value. The project is currently defining the next steps forward.

The Integrated Unmanned Ground System project, brings together 10 members to develop an unmanned ground system (UGS) capable of collaborating with other unmanned platforms and manned vehicles to provide combat support and service to ground forces. The project is progressing towards the design, prototyping, and testing of an integrated modular UGS platform by 2023, which could set the standard for future projects. In May 2023, a follow-on project (iUGS2) was established, reflecting the increasing importance of unmanned systems, as highlighted by lessons learned from the war against Ukraine.

Future capability needs moving forwards

The report also finds that many of the projects set up to address future capability needs have also moved forward. The European Patrol Corvette (EPC) project is on the cusp of achieving harmonised requirements, a significant milestone that will contribute to heightened maritime security and safeguarding critical infrastructure.

Similarly, the Maritime (semi) Autonomous Systems for Mine Countermeasures project has finalised the harmonisation of requirements and engaged an industrial consortium to develop underwater autonomous vehicles. Additionally, the Defence of Space Assets project aims to define crucial blocks that will bolster the safety and resilience of space assets, with the first joint exercise in this domain slated for 2024.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

All data and findings are from the PESCO Secretariat's - the European Defence Agency (EDA), the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Union Military Staff (EUMS) - Annual Projects Progress Report. The report is not publicly available. PESCO Project Spokespersons PESCO Factsheet PESCO Website On 11 December 2017, the Council adopted a decision establishing Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO). PESCO enables participating member states to work more closely together in the area of security and defence. This permanent framework for defence cooperation allows willing and able member states to develop jointly defence capabilities, invest in shared projects, and enhance the operational readiness and contribution of their armed forces. PESCO projects have been adopted by the Council and launched across five different waves; 6 March 2018 - 17 projects

19 November 2018 - 17 projects

12 November 2019 - 13 projects

16 November 2021- 14 projects

23 May 2023 - 11 projects Each of the projects is carried forward by varying groups of PESCO participating Member States (project members) and is coordinated by one or more of them (project coordinators). The project members may agree among themselves to allow other participating Member States to join as project members or to become observers to the project. The key difference between PESCO and other forms of cooperation is the legally binding nature of its 20 binding commitments undertaken by participating Member States to one another. These include increasing defence spending, planning and developing defence capabilities together and improving the interoperability of forces and joint use of existing and future capabilities. 26 states participate in PESCO, the EU 27 with the exemption of Malta. There are 22 common members in the EU and NATO, and all of them are also participating in PESCO.

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EP Plenary: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell on the EU's relations with the Palestinian Authority

European External Action Service (EEAS)

11.07.2023

Strasbourg, 11/07/2023

EEAS Press Team

Speech delivered by Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, on behalf of High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell

Check against delivery!

President, Honourable Members of the European Parliament,

Thank you for the timely opportunity to discuss your report, and also to exchange views on our relations with the Palestinian Authority, also on behalf of the High Representative/Vice-President [Josep Borrell].

Let me start by updating you on the situation on the ground, which is of great concern.

The security situation continues to deteriorate, leading to deplorable numbers of Palestinian and Israeli victims.

This year alone, the number of Palestinians killed in confrontations with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has more than doubled compared to the same period last year - to more than 130, including at least 22 children, in addition to five Palestinians killed and large-scale destruction of property by Israeli settlers. The number of Israelis killed by Palestinian perpetrators has also increased to 31, compared to 28 in the same period last year, with many more injured on both sides.

We are also witnessing an alarming increase of demolitions, evictions, and settlement expansion, with around 13,000 new settlement units announced in the occupied West Bank [and] approved by Israel in the past six months alone, and new administrative procedures to expedite settlement expansion. We have urged Israel not to proceed with these measures, which are illegal under international law.

All these developments only serve to fuel the cycle of violence that has accelerated to alarming levels in recent months. The European Union has reacted publicly on several occasions - including [on] the recent military operation in Jenin and terrorist attacks in Israel and the West Bank.

It is clear that the only way to break out of this vicious cycle is a return to effective security cooperation between the Palestinian Authority and Israel. But we know from experience that the security track cannot be separated from the political track. Remote as it may look today, there is no viable alternative to the Two-state solution - and the longer it takes, the more difficult it will become.

With this in mind, we are working through our EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process [Sven Koopmans], to revive peace efforts with regional partners, in particular Saudi Arabia and the League of Arab States.

Now, I would like to turn to the title of this debate: our relations with the Palestinian Authority.

Thirty years since its creation by the Oslo Accords, the Palestinian Authority is facing unprecedented financial and political challenges.

Financially, the Palestinian Authority is struggling to maintain its public finances and provide services to the population. We heard alarming messages at the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), which the European Union hosted in May.

The European Union remains the largest donor to the Palestinian people, with projects and interventions that cover almost all aspects of Palestinian life. These are in line with the Palestinian reform agenda and aim at promoting Palestinian state-building. In December 2022 - so, last December -the [European] Commission adopted its 2022 Annual Action Programme in favour of Palestine, for a total amount of 186 million.

As part of our multi-annual support to [the] United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), our 2023 contribution of 82 million was frontloaded at the beginning of the year.

Other donors need to step in as well, while the Palestinian Authority needs also to urgently continue its financial reforms to steer towards calmer waters. We recall that Israel also needs to respect signed agreements and take the necessary measures that would ease the Palestinians' financial pressures.

Politically, the Palestinian Authority is also facing internal challenges. We are witnessing increasingly negative trends as regards rule of law and fundamental freedoms in areas where the Palestinian Authority is in control, and in Gaza.

A stronger and more credible Palestinian Authority as a partner is in everyone's interest.

This is why the European Union continues to urge to hold the overdue national elections as soon as possible. This is important for strengthening the legitimacy of the Palestinian Authority for the Palestinian people.

In January, the High Representative/Vice-President invited Palestinian Prime Minister [Mohammad Shtayyeh] to the Foreign Affairs Council meeting. We agreed to establish a regular political dialogue at ministerial level. We are planning to have the first such dialogue with the Palestinian counterpart in the autumn.

We also agreed to work towards establishing Partnership Priorities between the European Union and the Palestinian Authority, in the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy. Both will be important steps forward in our political relations.

Thank you very much and looking forward to the debate.

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Pevkur at NATO Summit: Approved regional plans and Sweden's accession considerably strengthen Estonia's defence

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence

11. July 2023

The NATO Summit in Vilnius has progressed very positively from the Estonian perspective. "New regional plans have been approved, Sweden is about to become a full-fledged member of NATO, and Ukraine's future towards NATO got a clearer perspective. These new military plans put in place the NATO collective defence actions across all domains - land, air, water, space and cyber. They also delve into actions in different phases of a conflict - in peacetime, in crisis and in war," said Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur.

"Already today, we also talked about next steps towards ensuring the implementation of these plans: for example, strengthening military command, developing forces and capabilities, but also, of course, the necessary defence investments and boosting the capability of the defence industry," said Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur.

"In the defence ministers' format, we received an overview from NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Cavoli, who in cooperation with Allied defence forces has developed plans that are in line with the current security situation. NATO forces are stronger than a year ago and we also have a common and clear understanding on the targets for development that lay ahead of us," said minister Pevkur.

Additionally, the defence ministers of the three Baltic States signed a joint declaration on air defence, to move forward with the rotational air defence model recently agreed at the NATO defence ministerial. "As a result of previous cooperation, the Baltic States already have joined air spaces for enabling aerial exercises for NATO jets. The Baltic States are ready to implement the new model immediately and to host Allied air force units. This was also what we communicated in our declaration," explained Minister of Defence Pevkur.

In addition to the NATO formats, Minister of Defence Pevkur will also meet bilaterally with British Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace, in order to sign a joint statement underpinning subsequent bilateral steps following the approval of the new regional plans.

Joint declaration (PDF)

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'Three Persian Gulf islands belong to Iran forever'

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jul 11, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani has reiterated that the three Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb, and the Lesser Tunb are an inseparable part of the country.

The comments came on Tuesday a day after the issuance of a joint statement following a sixth joint ministerial meeting between the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Russian Federation in Moscow.

In a part of the statement, false claims regarding the three Iranian islands were raised once again.

"The three islands belong to Iran forever and issuing such statements contradicts Iran's friendly relations with its neighbors," Kanaani said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran underlines the continuation of the policy of good neighborliness and mutual respect, and considers the development and stability of the region to be the collective responsibility of the countries of the region," he added.

Iranian officials have repeatedly asserted that the three islands are an integral part of the country, in the face of repeated United Arab Emirates claims on the islands.

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Opening statement by H. E. Gabrielius Landsbergis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, at the Social Dinner for the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence at the NATO Vilnius Summit

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2023.07.11

11 July 2023, Vilnius

Ladies and gentlemen, good evening,and a warm welcome to the Grand Dukes' palace for this brief moment to wind down - so well-deserved yet so fleeting like a Lithuanian summer.

We started out with songs of the Forest Brothers - men and women who fought for Lithuania's freedom against the Soviets in the 1940s and 50s. Tens of thousands were tortured and killed, hundreds of thousands exiled to Siberia and the GULAGs. Yet despite unspeakable oppression, their spirit kept the freedom flame alive during 50 years of the Soviet occupation and brought us to the restored Lithuania you all witness here today - proud, independent, free and at peace.

This freedom flame continues to burn in the heart of every Lithuanian. And when Ukrainians stand up against Russia's vicious terror, when Belarusians refuse to bow to a petty dictator, when seas of roses and umbrellas cry out for democracy, we hear the rhyme of history and a lesson our past taught us so well: one should never walk alone.

We have re-emerged as the Berlin Wall was tumbling down to the sounds of the "Wind of Change" and the continent hoped for a chance of peace. Thirty-four years on, the air sirens replaced the winds of change, The Scorpions have amended the lyrics, and the wall has reappeared. Europe is facing a war and has to relearn what's it like to live like the Cold War is back again.

In a midst of Russia's aggression against Ukraine a message from Vilnius was and always will be a call for solidarity and strength. With arms, ammunition, intelligence, training, logistics, diplomacy and all the rest - until Ukraine's final victory. A new European security architecture is being forged as we speak. With NATO and Trans-Atlantic partnership stronger than ever. With Finland. With Sweden. And with Ukraine as its equal and indispensable part. From the Baltic to the Black sea, from the Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific our security rests on the rules based international order, which we have to defend.

Imagination is not the Kremlin's strongest suit - it has to see things to believe them. We are grateful to Germany for its recent decision to permanently station a 4000-strong brigade in Lithuania. We appreciate all Allies who send their troops to defend NATO's eastern borders and are counting the days until these reinforcements arrive. Our firm response is the only way to deter Moscow who is massing divisions and mercenaries just a few hours' drive from here. It is also the only way to deter the bullies beyond this continent who want us to shrink each time we are faced with coercion and blackmail.

Ladies and gentlemen,

When 21 years ago U.S. President George W. Bush spoke to thousands at the Vilnius Town Hall and invited Lithuania to join NATO, he declared that the long night of fear, uncertainty and loneliness was over. [Very few Forest Brothers lived to see that day]. Now Ukraine is longing to hear those words and it is us who can turn their night into dawn. We cannot let this opportunity go to waste. For the sake of Ukrainians, but also for the sake of every one of us.

Thank you.

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Lithuania's Foreign Minister Landsbergis: We are grateful to Germany for its historical decision to deploy a brigade and strong partnership in protecting the rules-based international order

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2023.07.11

11 July 2023, Vilnius

During the NATO summit on 11 July, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis met with the German Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

"We are grateful to Germany for its historical decision to deploy a brigade and strong partnership in protecting the rules-based international order," Landsbergis said at the meeting.

Lithuanian and German leaders discussed security in the region, the issues of defence and deterrence on NATO's eastern flank, Russia's war against Ukraine and cooperation with the countries of the EU's Eastern Partnership.

The Foreign Ministers advocated for the need to continue and further strengthen the provision of comprehensive support for Ukraine.

Lithuania's Foreign Minister also acquainted his German counterpart with Lithuania's first Indo-Pacific Strategy that was approved on 5 July.

"Our new strategy aims at strengthening the well-being and security of Lithuania and of all our friends in the region. The support of all our partners, including Germany, helped Lithuania to stand up to China's economic coercion," said Landsbergis.

Germany is Lithuania's most important economic partner and one of the leaders in foreign trade (EUR 9.7 billion, + 25 %). In 2022, Germany led the export market for goods of Lithuanian origin (EUR 2.6 billion, + 26 %), the main market for Lithuanian exporters of services (mainly transport) (EUR 2.5 billion, + 33 %). /No. 1).

Germany is the largest investor (EUR 5.6 billion or ~20 % of total FDI in Lithuania).

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Lithuania's Foreign Minister Landsbergis at the meeting with the Georgian Foreign Minister: "At the moment, our common interest is Ukraine's rapid victory in Russia's war of aggression"

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2023.07.11

On 11 July, during the NATO summit in Vilnius, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Ilia Darchiashvili.

During the meeting, the Foreign Ministers discussed the problematic security situation in the region following Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine.

"We are talking to Georgia as a NATO partner whose resilience to Russian imperialism and hybrid threats we must strengthen together. Our common interest is Ukraine's victory in Russia's war of aggression. Only then will it be possible to eliminate the grey areas on the European security map," the head of Lithuania's diplomacy noted.

Landsbergis stressed that Lithuania and the NATO community appreciated Georgia's contribution to NATO operations and urged Darchiashvili to use the cooperation mechanisms offered by the Alliance.

The Foreign Ministers also discussed Georgia's prospect of membership in the European Union. Landsbergis underlined that Lithuania consistently supported Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration, urging the Georgian Government to continue reforms and fully implement the twelve priorities specified in the European Commission's opinion on Georgia's membership application.

"It is important to keep up with the significant progress and, while continuing the reforms, not to lose sight of the fundamental values and principles of the EU - democracy, human rights and the rule of law - that will serve as the basis for the decision on granting the status of candidate country to Georgia at the end of this year," the Foreign Minister said.



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Ministers of Defence of Lithuania and the United Kingdom agreed to continue strengthening military cooperation

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2023-07-11

International cooperation | Security and defense policy

On July 11 Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anusauskas thanked Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom Ben Wallace for the significant British contribution to regional security and discussed further military cooperation plans of the countries. At the meeting Ministers underscored that the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) need to be able to give a particularly active response to threats and agreed that the Lithuanian-British cooperation will only grow stronger further on.

"The role of the United Kingdom in the European security is indispensable. It is a special Ally whose presence in our region is a powerful deterrent. We particularly appreciate the Joint Expeditionary Force, we view it as one of the primary means of response in the event of any crisis. We wish for an even more significant JEF role in the region, it is particularly important to synchronize JEF action with NATO and national plans," said A. Anusauskas.

Ministers also discussed the joint assistance of their countries to Ukraine. This year, Lithuania dedicates eight rotations of military instructors to the British-led Operation Interflex for training Ukrainian military personnel, in total, approx. 100 Lithuanian troops are serving I the operation. Besides that, Lithuania is contributing to the UK-administrated international fund for organizing heavy weaponry procurement in assistance of Ukraine, Lithuania's contribution will soon total to EUR 6 million.

A. Anusauskas also extended gratitude for the leadership of the United Kingdom in the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group in Estonia. Minister also met with Minister of National Defence of Canada Anita Anand to discuss the military capabilities deployed to the Baltic states. The Canadian Armed Forces is the framework nation of the NATO eFP Battle Group in Latvia.

"Canada and Germany took essentially analogous decisions about deployment of brigades in the Baltic states. The Allied presence in the region must be increased because we need to deterrence the increasingly adversarial Russia," said A. Anusauskas after meeting Minister of National Defence of Canada.

MoD / Sgt 1st Class A. Cemerka

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Address by Gitanas Nauseda, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the NATO Social Dinner

President of the Republic of Lithuania

July 11, 2023

Mr. Secretary General, Dear Colleagues,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you all at this special dinner.

Today, it feels as if half of the world has gathered here in Vilnius to discuss security and defense - and also to get a sense of Lithuanian hospitality.

The whole day we were talking about boosting our defenses, our response to Russia's threat and the need to help Ukraine. Tomorrow will also be devoted to the most pressing issues to our Alliance.

But this evening, I would like to talk about Lithuanian traditions and our shared values.

This year, Vilnius is celebrating 700 years since it was first mentioned in the famous letters of Gediminas, the Grand Duke of Lithuania.

Gediminas not only significantly strengthened the Lithuanian state, but also pursued the idea of opening up to the world. He sent letters to the whole of Europe, inviting merchants, craftsmen and others to come to Lithuania - a safe place for peaceful dialogue.

That is history. What every Lithuanian also knows is the legend about the dream Gediminas had while hunting in this same valley. In his dream, the Grand Duke saw an Iron Wolf, who was standing on a hill and howling as strong and loud as a hundred wolves.

A priest explained to him that the Iron Wolf represents a castle and a city that will be founded here, and this city will be a great capital, and its glory will resonate throughout the world.

Today, indeed, I feel that the name of Vilnius resonates globally. I feel especially proud that the NATO Summit is taking place in the old city of Gediminas, and under the ancient Lithuanian emblem of Vytis - a mounted armored knight chasing enemies.

Since times immemorial, Vytis represents bravery, perseverance and readiness to defend what we Lithuanians hold dear - our land, our loved ones and friends, and our freedom.

I believe that the same values also constitute the essence of NATO. Lithuania, in a sense, was destined to join the Alliance of like-minded, strong-willed and freedom-loving countries.

Never before has our country had so many close allies and friends. Never before were we a part of something as big, as powerful and as significant as NATO. For us, the Alliance has already become an essential part of our identity.

Let me thank you, each and every one, for coming here and sharing this wonderful testimonial moment. I hope that you will enjoy your meals and musical program, and that you will have a chance to engage in productive informal discussions.

And now, let me raise a toast for the unity of the Alliance. All for one and one for all!

Gitanas Nauseda, President of the Republic of Lithuania

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The President to NATO Allies: Now is the time for decisive decisions!

President of the Republic of Lithuania

July 11, 2023

On Tuesday, President Gitanas Nauseda participated in the first meeting of the NATO Vilnius Summit.

The President noted that already a year ago in Madrid, NATO Allies recognized that the Alliance needed further adaptation to counter the Russian threat and other growing security challenges.

"Today we have gathered in Vilnius, Lithuania, the most exposed region of NATO - at the doorstep of Russia's brutal war in Ukraine. Placed between heavily militarized Kaliningrad and Belarus we are linked to the rest of the Alliance through a very narrow Suwalki corridor. We know how fragile peace and stability can be. And how important leadership and the supporting hand of every Ally is," the President said.

Gitanas Nauseda thanked Germany for its decision to permanently deploy a combat brigade in Lithuania. "This is a necessary element to ensure credible deterrence and defense. To deter, not to fight, is our goal," the President said.

Gitanas Nauseda also expressed gratitude to the United States of America for its continued military presence in Lithuania, as well as to each of the Allies contributing with their troops and capabilities to strengthening the security of Lithuania and the entire eastern flank.

The Lithuanian leader pointed out that the military integration of Belarus and Russia is growing, that nuclear weapons are being deployed in Belarus, and that Wagner mercenaries may be relocated close to the NATO borders.

"NATO's new regional defense plans are an important element boosting NATO's readiness to defend every inch of Allied territory from the first minute of aggression. But the plans mean little if they are not resourced properly. We need to join forces to ensure that these plans are in place by the end of the year," the President said.

The President underlined that the war in Ukraine once again proved the importance of air defense. It is very significant that the Allies agreed to a rotational model of air defense in the Baltic region. This should be the first step in building up a NATO air defense shield. The Lithuanian leader also welcomed the renewed defense investment pledge with 2 percent of GDP for defense as the new minimum.

Welcoming Finland, which is attending the NATO Summit for the first time as a full member, the President expressed his strong belief that Sweden will be soon joining the NATO family.

"We should also help Ukraine to join the transatlantic family as soon as possible. The Bucharest Summit decision has stayed for fifteen years now. But we did not take any real steps to implement it. Decisions must be implemented, and promises must be kept," the President said.

Gitanas Nauseda pointed out that the establishment of the NATO-Ukraine Council and lifting the requirement for a Membership Action Plan are important and welcome steps on Ukraine's path to Euro-Atlantic integration.

"Here in Vilnius, we should make it clear that Ukraine's future lies in NATO. We need to define a clear pathway for Ukraine to membership. Until we invite Ukraine to join the Alliance, we will continue to spread messages of uncertainty and strategic hesitation that have already cost us dearly in the past. The longer we hesitate to invite Ukraine, the more we are delaying the end of the war," the President said.

Gitanas Nauseda stressed that unresolved problems or delayed solutions only lead to bigger crises or even war. "Now is the time for decisive and bold decisions," the President said.

The President's Communication Group

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Bilateral meeting with the U.S. President: gratitude expressed for the contribution to strengthening the security of Lithuania

President of the Republic of Lithuania

July 11, 2023

On Tuesday, President Gitanas Nauseda met with the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, currently in Lithuania for a working visit, to discuss the security situation in the region, the Vilnius NATO Summit agenda and bilateral cooperation issues.

Gitanas Nauseda underlined that the relations with the United States, which have recently marked their centenary, have always been and will continue to be a priority of strategic importance for Lithuania.

"I thank the United States for its long-standing support for Lithuania's statehood and non-recognition of its occupation. I am also grateful for President Biden's personal contribution to strengthening Lithuania's security," the President said.

Gitanas Nauseda emphasized that a strong transatlantic bond is an indispensable guarantor of the security of Europe as a whole and that the presence of U.S. forces in Lithuania is an essential element of deterrence. Therefore, as it increases its defense funding, Lithuania places special focus on the development of military infrastructure that will be accessible to U.S. forces.

The President assured the U.S. leader that Lithuania is committed to long-term support for Ukraine and its victory in the fight against Russian military aggression.

Gitanas Nauseda presented U.S. President Joe Biden with Lithuania's highest state decoration, the Order of Vytautas the Great with the Golden Chain.

The President's Communication Group

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The President opened the NATO Public Forum

President of the Republic of Lithuania

July 11, 2023

President Gitanas Nauseda opened the NATO Public Forum on Tuesday morning.

The President expressed his delight to welcome the NATO Public Forum in Vilnius, the historical capital of Lithuania, celebrating its 700th anniversary this year. At the same time, the President underlined that the NATO Summit is taking place in a city just a few hundred kilometers away from Russia's brutal and devastating war in Ukraine.

"We must take decisions on Ukraine. For 15 years we have been repeating that one day Ukraine will join NATO. But we never took any tangible step forward on this path. At the same time, Russia did not hesitate to take aggressive initiatives: it invaded Georgia in 2008, illegally annexed Crimea, destabilized Donbas, and launched a brutal military invasion of Ukraine. It is time to change the paradigm. There will be no security and stability in Europe unless Ukraine's future is clearly defined," the President said.

According to Gitanas Nauseda, we owe Ukraine a clear pathway to NATO membership. "Only Article 5 can provide real security guarantees that will deter Russia from any future aggression," the President said. "Tomorrow we will hold the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council - a significant upgrade of our practical and political partnership."

The President stressed that Russia poses the greatest direct and long-term threat to the security of the Alliance. Therefore, deterring Russia remains a key task for the foreseeable future. "I am glad that NATO is taking steps to strengthen deterrence and forward defense. All Allies stand firm and united in their collective defense commitments. The Alliance is already making history in Vilnius by approving the new generation defense plans," the President said.

According to the Lithuanian leader, a more serious approach to defense investment is needed: 2 percent of GDP for defense must become a minimum - the floor, not the ceiling.

In his opening speech at the NATO Public Forum, the President reviewed the complexity of the regional and global security environment, including the Indo-Pacific region, and highlighted the importance of energy, cyber and technological security, innovation, and hybrid threats.

The President's Communication Group

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Kosraean Marine returns home during Koa Moana 23

US Marine Corps News

11 Jul 2023 | Staff Sgt. Courtney White 1st Marine Logistics Group

KOSRAE, Federated States of Micronesia -- Nestled 370 miles north of the equator between Hawaii and Guam is the "Jewel of Micronesia." Kosrae, formerly known as Strong Island, is the easternmost of the Caroline Islands in the Federated States of Micronesia. The volcanic island is largely unspoiled and surrounded by coral reefs teeming with fish. Homing nearly 6,600 people on its 42 square miles, Kosrae has become a travel destination for hikers, surfers and scuba divers. This year, Kosrae is also a destination for U.S. Marines and Sailors with Task Force Koa Moana 23 including Private First Class Alexiander Sigrah, a Kosrae native.

"I am excited to be able to go back home and fix a lot of stuff that I've always wanted to be involved in helping with," said Sigrah, an automotive maintenance technician and liaison for Koa Moana. "I hope we can make strong relationships with the people back home."

Task Force Koa Moana deployed to the Indo-Pacific to strengthen relationships with Pacific Island partners through bilateral and multilateral security cooperation and community engagements.

"It is not every day that you see Marines walking around," said Sigrah. "We have the ability to fix the hospital and the police shooting range. Small things like that mean a lot to all the people back home. Repairs are a big thing, but they can't because its financially hard."

According to Lt. Col. Robert J. Hillery, the task force commanding officer, Marines like Sigrah allow for a better connection between Marines and the Micronesian population.

"PFC Sigrah can assist in communication, coordination, and collaboration, which in turn, helps us build and maintain a mutually beneficial relationship," said Hillery. "His presence also shows his community his dedication to both the Corps and his hometown."

Sigrah enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in 2022 and was promoted to his current rank while deployed to Kosrae with the task force.

"Joining was appealing to me because people who used to be in the service back home, veterans, are looked up on and respected," said Sigrah. "I wanted to earn respect too. Now, I am a Kosrae descendent and a Kosrae Marine. That is pretty rare."

According to Sigrah, he is thrilled to be a liaison for his community and the Corps.

"I want to introduce the Marines to our lifestyle over there and how people work with one another," said Sigrah. "A similar thing about the Marine Corps and Kosrae is people are very close to one another and help out each other. That's what I like best about the Marine Corps so far."

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NATO Secretary General: Vilnius Summit has already made history on Sweden, will take key decisions on Ukraine, deterrence and defence

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

11 Jul. 2023

Speaking at the start of a two-day NATO Summit in Vilnius on Tuesday (11 July 2023), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's agreement to forward the accession protocol for Sweden to the Grand National Assembly as soon as possible, calling this an historic decision which is "good for Sweden, good for Turkiye, and good for the whole Alliance."

At the Summit, Allies will also send a clear message that "we stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes," and upgrade political ties with Kyiv - including at the inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Mr Stoltenberg underlined that Allies will take decisions to reinforce deterrence and defence, and agree a more ambitious defence investment pledge. The Secretary General also welcomed that Allies will be joined by the leaders of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, underscoring that security is not regional, but global.

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Opening remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, with Sweden

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

11 Jul. 2023

(As delivered)

So once again, good afternoon, welcome to all of you at this NATO Summit.

Many thanks to our host, Lithuania.

And to you personally President Nauseda, dear Gitanas, for hosting all of us.

Let me also welcome President Niinisto, who has been at many NATO Summits before, but this is the first NATO Summit where you actually attend as a full-fledged member, so welcome to you, Sauli.

And then also a warm welcome to Prime Minister Kristersson. Following the agreement yesterday, we will soon also be welcoming Sweden as a full-fledged member, so welcome to you.

Today, we will make many decisions for an even stronger Alliance.

We will increase our practical and political support to Ukraine. This will bring Ukraine closer to NATO, where it belongs.

We will also take bold steps to further strengthen our deterrence and defence, including new plans and forces for the defence of the Euro-Atlantic area.

And we will agree a more ambitious defence investment pledge.

Let me now pass the floor to our host, to President Nauseda for his opening statement.

Please, Gitanas, you have the floor.

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NATO steps up work on climate change and security

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

12 Jul. 2023

Last updated: 11 Jul. 2023

NATO's 2023 Climate Change and Security Impact Assessment demonstrates how extreme weather conditions create operational stress and shorten the life cycles of military equipment, generating additional maintenance and replacement costs. The assessment, which builds on findings from the first 2022 edition, focuses on four geographical regions (Europe, North America, the Middle East and North Africa/the Sahel, and the High North), and four of NATO's operational domains. It uses three specific case studies to underpin its recommendations on adapting to a climate changed future operating environment: the impact of extreme heat on NATO Mission Iraq; the effects of rising sea levels and storms on Norfolk Naval Station in the US; and those of flooding on the Naval Air Station in Sigonella, Italy.

The Compendium of Best Practice provides concrete examples of Allied efforts to adapt to climate change through the introduction of relevant policies and procedures into their armed forces while reducing their environmental footprint. The introduction of energy efficient and environmentally sustainable technological solutions combines capability requirements on innovation with military effectiveness, while ensuring interoperability and enhancing mission endurance. This facilitates NATO's exploitation of the ongoing transition to low-carbon energy sources and helps inform the development of an implementation plan for NATO's Energy Transition by Design.

The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Mapping and Analytical Methodology provides guidelines and tools to calculate emissions from the civilian and military facilities (installations and assets) of the NATO Enterprise. The Methodology will help NATO as an organisation to reach its emission reduction targets.

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Secretary General previews Vilnius Summit at the NATO Public Forum

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

11 Jul. 2023

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg spoke to Andrea Mitchell from NBC at the start of the NATO Public Forum in Vilnius on Tuesday (11 July 2023).

The Secretary General stressed that "this Summit is already historic before it has started, because Sweden will become a full-fledged member of this Alliance. That's good for Sweden, this is good for Turkiye, for the whole of NATO, and it's also good for the Baltic region." Mr. Stoltenberg said he was confident that leaders would make "strong and united decisions on Ukraine, both to sustain and step up our support. I'm also confident that on the membership issue, allies will reaffirm that Ukraine will become a member."

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NATO Deputy Secretary General in Vilnius: Security is the foundation of prosperity

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

11 Jul. 2023

Speaking at the NATO Public Forum in Vilnius on Tuesday (11 July 2023) Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana said that it is fundamental for the Alliance to maintain its technological edge. He said that NATO's "ecosystem of innovation" goes hand in hand with the new NATO Innovation Fund, the "first ever multinational sovereign venture capital fund", noting the need to put "a little seed money into start-ups" and that NATO is acting as a catalyst for "harnessing the innovation ecosystem across the Alliance".

Speaking about the war in Ukraine and noting that high-intensity warfare is back in Europe, the Deputy Secretary General said that there is also a need to invest more in conventional and multi-domain forces. He said that NATO is an aggregator and "an organization that sends a demand signal to our governments and to our private sector".

Mr. Geoana stressed that "security is the foundation of prosperity, security is the foundation of democracy" and that NATO is looking forward to having Sweden as a new Ally.

The NATO Public Forum in Vilnius is organised by NATO, the Eastern Europe Studies Centre, the German Marshall Fund of the United States, the Munich Security Conference and the Atlantic Council.

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Secretary General welcomes NATO's deepening partnership with South Korea

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

11 Jul. 2023

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea to the NATO Summit in Vilnius on Tuesday (11 July 2023).

Saying that Russia's war in Ukraine shows how security is not regional but global, Mr Stoltenberg commended South Korea for its support to Ukraine. He also expressed concern about North Korea's provocative behavior, including nuclear activity and ballistic missile tests which violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions.

The Secretary General welcomed NATO's deepening partnership with Seoul, including the new partnership programme between the Alliance and South Korea. This programme will further strengthen cooperation including on cyber defence, counter-terrorism, arms control, and new technologies. South Korea opened a diplomatic mission to NATO last November.

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Turkiye agrees to advance Sweden's NATO accession

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:13, July 11, 2023

VILNIUS, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye agreed to advance Sweden's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Monday, a day before the alliance's summit in the Lithuanian capital, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced.

Stoltenberg said at a press conference following a three-party meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson that Turkiye has agreed to forward Sweden's accession protocol to the parliament as soon as possible and ensure its ratification.

The NATO accession process requires the approval of all member states. Sweden and Finland applied to join the alliance last year, but faced objections from Turkiye, which argued that the two countries harbor members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Gulen movement.

Turkiye eventually lifted its objection to Finland's NATO accession earlier this year after Helsinki took "concrete steps" against such organizations. In April, Finland became NATO's 31st member state. However, Ankara continued to block Sweden's NATO bid.

The NATO chief said that since the 2022 NATO summit, Sweden and Turkiye have worked closely together to address Turkiye's legitimate security concerns.

"Sweden has amended its constitution, changed its laws, significantly expanded its counter-terrorism cooperation against the PKK, and resumed arms exports to Turkiye, all steps set out in the Trilateral Memorandum agreed in 2022," he said.

The two countries agreed to continue their cooperation under the Trilateral Permanent Joint Mechanism within the framework of the Trilateral Memorandum, and also under "a new bilateral Security Compact that will meet annually at ministerial level and create working groups as appropriate," he added.

Earlier on Monday, before leaving for Vilnius, Erdogan said that his country would support Sweden's joining NATO if the European Union (EU) revived membership talks with Ankara, an unexpected move that some media claimed would "rock the alliance's unity."

Sweden's NATO membership has been a key focus at the Vilnius summit. Ahead of the alliance's meeting, several organizations in Sweden have stepped up to voice their objections to the country's joining of the alliance. The Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society told Dagens Nyheter (DN) newspaper last week that the country would be safer not belonging to a military alliance.

It is "a historically bad prioritization -- Sweden safer outside NATO," said Kerstin Bergea, the society's chairperson. "I am afraid that we will escalate the tense world situation by becoming part of a nuclear weapons alliance."

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Russia warns of 'measures' if NATO expands to inlcude Sweden

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 11 July 2023 5:33 PM

Russia warns it will take "necessary measures" in the event of Sweden's accession to NATO as the Western treaty keeps expanding eastward.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov issued the warning on Tuesday, saying that Moscow was struck by the speed at which Finland and Sweden abandoned their long-held principle of neutrality in order to join the Western military bloc.

"All of Russia's legitimate security interests will be protected. The necessary measures [will be taken]; we know what these measures should be and how to put them into practice," Lavrov said in comments carried by the Tass news agency.

"We will definitely draw conclusions depending on how quickly and extensively NATO will use the territory of Finland and Sweden," he said.

"There is no doubt that this will be done as both Helsinki and Stockholm are already discussing a variety of issues with the United States that relate to the deployment of the alliance's infrastructure right on the Russian border with Finland and very close to our border with Sweden," Lavrov added.

Sweden and Finland applied for NATO accession last year following the eruption of the Ukraine conflict. Finland's NATO membership was green-lighted by all NATO members in April. But Sweden's application was blocked by Turkey that as one of NATO's 31 members, has a veto over any new country joining the bloc.

In a U-turn on Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to support Stockholm's membership bid. According to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Erdogan would forward Sweden's bid to parliament in Ankara and "ensure ratification."

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also reacted to the development, saying that Moscow "had an objective to weaken NATO because the United States, Britain and the entire NATO had an objective to weaken Russia."

Russia has repeatedly warned US-led NATO forces against the alliance's expansion. It says that NATO leaders betrayed a promise not to expand the body after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union more than three dcades ago, Moscow has seen NATO expand to 15 European countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has also repeatedly railed against the West for driving NATO's eastward expansion, especially its courting of ex-Soviet republics such as Ukraine and Georgia.

Moscow launched the military campaign in Ukraine in February last year, with NATO's eastward expansion blamed for it.



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Tehran reaffirms sovereignty over three Persian Gulf islands after fresh claims

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 11 July 2023 10:55 AM

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman says the country forever has full sovereignty over the three Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa, the Greater and Lesser Tunbs.

Nasser Kan'ani's comments came on Tuesday after a joint statement issued at the end of the sixth joint ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Russian Federation, held in Moscow on Monday.

In their statement, the ministers said the issue should be settled through bilateral negotiations or the International Court of Justice, in accordance with the rules of international law and the United Nations Charter.

The Iranian spokesperson rejected the contents of the statement about the trio islands and said they "eternally belong to Iran and such statements are inconsistent with Iran's friendly relations with its neighbors."

Kan'ani once again reaffirmed Iran's policy of good neighborliness and mutual respect and held all regional states accountable for development and stability in the region.

The three Persian Gulf islands have historically been part of Iran, proof of which can be found and corroborated by countless historical, legal, and geographical documents in Iran and other parts of the world. However, the United Arab Emirates has repeatedly laid claim to the islands.

The three islands fell under British control in 1921 but on November 30, 1971, a day after British forces left the region and just two days before the UAE was to become an official federation, Iran's sovereignty over the islands was restored.

Iran recognizes that Arabs ruled the islands for centuries, but all historical documents show that they did so from the Iranian port city of Lengheh and therefore as Iranian subjects.





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Lebanon: Israel must withdraw from strategic border village

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 11 July 2023 9:42 AM

Caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati says Israeli military forces must withdraw from the northern parts of the divided border village of Ghajar after the regime's troops cut it off from the Arab nation in recent weeks.

Mikati made the remarks during a meeting with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) commander Major General Aroldo Lazaro at the Grand Serail in Beirut on Monday.

Lebanon's caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, who also attended the meeting, said that the two sides discussed the security situations in southern Lebanon.

He added that the UNIFIL commander relayed an Israeli request for the removal of a tent that the Tel Aviv regime claims to have been set up by the Hezbollah resistance movement beyond the UN Blue Line - the de-facto border between Lebanon and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

"Our response was that we want them (Israeli forces) to retreat from northern Ghajar, which is considered Lebanese territory," Bou Habib said.

He stressed that Lebanon has "recorded around 18 Israeli violations of the borderline."

Also on Monday, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri stressed that the Hezbollah tent has been erected within the Lebanese territories.

He called on the international community to oblige Israel to observe the UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 33-day-long Israeli military onslaught on the country in the summer of 2006.

Ghajar, which lies in a strategic corner where the boundaries between Syria, Lebanon and occupied Palestinian territories meet, was occupied by Israel in the 2006 war. Some 2,000 people live there.

Most of the villagers still consider themselves Syrian Shia Muslims, the community of which Syria's President Bashar al-Assad is part.

In November 2010, the Israeli cabinet approved a plan to withdraw from the northern part of the village. Until this day, however, Israel has not withdrawn from the village.

In recent weeks, Lebanese officials said that Israel has built a wall around the Lebanese part of Ghajar, warning that Israel might annex it to the occupied part of the village.

Hezbollah last week issued a statement, calling Israel's works around the Lebanese part of Ghajar "dangerous."

It added that the wall is separating the area "from its natural and historic surroundings in Lebanon."

Almost at the same time that the Hezbollah statement on Ghajar was issued, an anti-tank missile was fired from Lebanon near Ghajar  with some fragments landing in Lebanon and others inside Israeli-occupied territory. Israel fired shells on the outskirts of the nearby village of Kfarchouba.

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World 'one miscalculation away' from nuclear apocalypse, Indonesia warns

"We cannot be truly safe with nuclear weapons in our region," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi says.

Tria Dianti and Pizaro Gozali Idrus for Benar News 2023.07.11 -- The risk of nuclear arms being used is higher now than at "any time in recent history" with the world only "one miscalculation away from apocalypse," Indonesia's top diplomat warned Tuesday, calling on foreign powers to keep Southeast Asia safe from such weapons.

At a meeting in Jakarta, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi urged nuclear-armed powers to sign a 30-year-old treaty that seeks to keep the region free of nukes. She issued her warning ahead of four days of ministerial-level meetings in Jakarta between member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The crisis in Myanmar meanwhile is expected to be among the main topics at the summit, which will also include talks with China, Russia and the United States later this week.

"The risk of nuclear weapons use is higher today than at any time in recent history," Retno said at Tuesday's meeting of the Commission of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ).

"We keep hearing warnings about the possible use of nuclear weapons. We also see nuclear power remains part of some countries' military doctrine, including in our region. We know fully well we cannot be truly safe with nuclear weapons in our region."

She added: "No weapon is more powerful and destructive than nuclear weapons. And with nuclear weapons we are only one miscalculation away from apocalypse and global catastrophe."

In 1995, all of ASEAN's members signed the SEANWFZ Treaty, also known as the Bangkok Treaty, that committed to keeping the region free from nuclear weapons. The treaty prohibits its signatories from developing, manufacturing, possessing, testing or using them.

But none of the world's nuclear powers have signed the protocol, citing various objections over the scope and verification of the treaty. Some of them have also argued it infringes on their rights to transit and navigate in international waters due to its inclusion of continental shelves and exclusive economic zones.

Combined, the nine nuclear-armed nations Russia, the U.S., Great Britain, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea possess an estimated total of 13,000 nuclear weapons, according to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.

Earlier this year, the United States, Britain and Australia unveiled AUKUS, a trilateral defense agreement to enable Indonesia's next-door neighbor, Australia, to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, as part of a U.S. doctrine that aims to contain China's military expansionism, particularly in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.

The deal has stoked concerns among leaders in Southeast Asia about whether it could provoke a nuclear-arms race, but U.S. President Joe Biden has issued assurance that the submarines won't be armed with nuclear missiles.

However, despite the warnings raised by Foreign Minister Retno, AUKUS was not officially part of Tuesday's talks in Jakarta.

"There is no agenda on the submarines at the SEANWFZ meeting, and in the context of the latest developments in the region, the nuclear-powered submarines are not a nuclear weapon," Sidharto Suryodipuro, director for ASEAN cooperation at Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, according to local media reports.

B-52s in Indonesian skies

Retno's warning about nuclear weapons came weeks after U.S. Air Force B-52s took part with Indonesian fighter jets in joint exercises in Indonesia. The exercises were the first ever in Indonesian skies involving the strategic, eight-engine bombers that are capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

Under another military pact with Australia, Canberra has allowed the U.S. to deploy some of these giant planes at the Tindal Base in northern Australia.

When asked this week whether Indonesia would consider a similar deal, a spokesman for the Indonesian military said Jakarta, because of its traditional policy of non-alignment to any superpowers, would not permit the U.S. to station B-52s on its soil.

"As long as we are nonaligned, it is impossible [this will] happen," military spokesman Rear Adm. Julius Widjojono told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.

"They were only here for the exercise, unlike their permanent position in Australia," he said, referring to recent joint exercises with the B-52 bombers that were staged from the U.S. military base in Darwin, northern Australia.

Radityo Dharmaputra, a lecturer in international relations at Airlangga University in Surabaya, said nuclear powers do not want to give up their ability to deter or intimidate their rivals in a strategically important and contested part of the world.

"Nuclear weapons are a deterrence tool, which can make other countries refrain from doing something," he told BenarNews.

He said that each nuclear power has its own interests and stakes in Southeast Asia, especially amid the current rivalry over issues such as trade, human rights and territorial disputes.

Human rights

Speaking separately at a meeting of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, Retno said the bloc must not waver in addressing human rights issues in the region, despite complexities on the ground and differences among its members.

"ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue is a testament of ASEAN's maturity to engage in frank and open dialogue without naming and shaming," she said.

"It is therefore important for it to be conducted regularly. We are therefore aiming for a Leaders' Declaration on the ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue," she said.

ASEAN must unite in rejecting politicization of human rights and double standards while proving its ability to tackle issues within its own backyard, she said, without elaborating.

One of the region's most pressing human rights issues is the crisis in Myanmar, where a military coup in February 2021 has plunged the country into chaos.

More than 3,000 civilians have been killed by Myanmar security forces and nearly 24,000 arrested since the coup, according to rights groups.

ASEAN has attempted to resolve the conflict with a five-point plan that includes an immediate end to violence and dialogue among all contending parties.

But Myanmar's military government has largely ignored the plan, prompting ASEAN to bar its military leaders from top-level gatherings.

The Myanmar crisis is expected to dominate discussions later this week when U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other top diplomats join the ASEAN foreign ministers as dialogue partners.

The U.S. and its allies have imposed sanctions on Myanmar's military and called for the restoration of democracy, while China and Russia have been more cautious and urged respect for Myanmar's sovereignty.

ASEAN has been trying to bridge the gap between the rival powers and persuade them to support its peace plan.

Indonesia, as this year's ASEAN chair, has quietly engaged with various stakeholders in Myanmar, including the military, the opposition National Unity Government, ethnic armed groups and civil society groups.

Retno said last week that Indonesia had conducted 110 engagements "in the form of in-person meetings, virtual meetings, and phone calls" with representatives of Myanmar. She said Indonesia hoped to see progress in the implementation of the ASEAN plan before the end of the year.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news service.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Speedy expansion of Ream naval base includes pier that can accommodate warships

Cambodia says the base, built with Chinese money, won't be a permanent home to foreign forces.

By RFA Staff 2023.07.11 -- Recent images obtained by Radio Free Asia from the Earth imaging company Planet Labs show significant developments at the project that began just two years ago.

Compared to December last year, the base now has "several sets of sizable buildings including, possibly, administrative offices and barracks" at the center, according to Tom Shugart, Adjunct Senior Fellow with the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security, who first spotted the developments.

In only six months, an area of reclaimed land in the southern part of the base has tripled in size.

However, the most striking new feature is a "deep draft pier" connecting to the central area of the base.

Back in February, analysts thought the pier was a temporary one to ferry in construction materials and equipment, but it has now turned out to be a permanent naval pier that could provide access to full-size warships of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.

Satellite images from May this year show the pier has been measurably extended, with the usable pier length estimated to be roughly 300 meters (984 feet).

"It ought to be able to accommodate any ship in the PLA Navy's fleet, including its new Type 003 aircraft carrier," Shugart told RFA.

"What we don't know is to what depth the harbor will be dredged, the scale of other port services such as shore power, and the scope of the logistical support facilities," he said.

"However, given the length of the pier, I'd expect it to at least support surface combatants such as destroyers and cruisers, and probably logistics support ships," the analyst told RFA.

Remarkable speed

"It looks like lots of rapid progress is underway on construction of this base," Tom Shugart said, adding that such projects "seem to move pretty quickly given the relative lack of impediments that the Chinese government faces, compared to projects in democratically-governed states, where similar developments are more likely to be slowed down by lawsuits and environmental concerns, etc."

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen reportedly assigned land to the Ministry of National Defense to develop an air defense command and general headquarters, as well as a naval radar system in Ream National Park, adjacent to the naval base.

The U.S. Department of Defense's China Military Power Report in November 2022 said China "has likely considered Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand," among other places, as locations for PLA military logistics facilities.

China and Cambodia began developing the Ream Naval Base, in Sihanoukville province on the Gulf of Thailand, with Beijing's funding, in June 2021.

Thanks to its strategic location, the base would help Beijing boost its power projection not only in Southeast Asia but also the Taiwan Strait. This would be China's first naval staging facility in Southeast Asia and the second in the world after a base in Djibouti.

Phnom Penh has repeatedly denied that China is being given exclusive military access to the base, saying that would be in contradiction to Cambodia's constitution.

At the security forum Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore in June, Cambodia's Minister of Defense Tea Banh said that Cambodia is being "transparent regarding the developments at Ream."

He also stressed that it will not be a permanent base for any foreign force.

"We need a proper base so that we have a chance to develop our navy and protect our sovereignty," Tea Banh told the forum.

"Of course, there are people who say that our base will be open to foreign troops, but this will not happen," the minister stated.

Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Critical minerals market doubled due to clean energy demand, report says

Companies based in China lead in investment spending.

Subel Rai Bhandari for RFA 2023.07.11 -- The critical minerals market essential for clean energy technologies has doubled over the past five years, with China leading worldwide investment spending, a new report by a global energy watchdog said Tuesday.

Between 2017 and 2022, the energy sector was the main factor behind a tripling in overall demand for lithium, with a 70% jump in demand for cobalt, and a 40% rise in demand for nickel, the International Energy Agency said in its first annual Critical Minerals Market Review.

The market for energy transition minerals reached U.S.$320 billion in 2022 and is set for continued rapid growth, moving it increasingly to center stage for the global mining industry, the report said.

Clean energy tech is propelling record deployments for critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper and rare earth elements. They help power electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels and other technologies key to the clean energy transition.



This infographic shows the composition of China's unrefined raw material imports by origin in 2022. Credit: IEA This infographic shows the composition of China's unrefined raw material imports by origin in 2022. Credit: IEA

The report said that investment in critical minerals development recorded a sharp uptick of 30% in 2022 - following a 20% increase in 2021 - with companies based in China nearly doubling their investment spending in 2022.

The global shift towards clean energy technologies is driving a rapid increase in demand for such minerals, with global consumption of these transition minerals projected to grow six-fold by 2040.

China has emerged as a significant player in recent years due to its dominance over the processing and refining of key minerals necessary for renewable energy.

Due to a blend of incentives and regulatory policies, China is also ahead in manufacturing clean energy technologies, such as solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicle (EV) batteries. It hosts about 50% of the world's operational wind and solar capacity.

Chinese companies have been acquiring overseas mines and investing in mineral-rich countries to secure the sourcing of transition minerals to meet their rising demand.

The report said Chinese companies invested $4.3 billion between 2018 and the first half of 2021 to acquire lithium assets, twice the amount invested by American, Australian and Canadian companies combined.

Despite growth, major issues remain

Though the critical or transition minerals industry is witnessing a rapid surge in demand, opening up new avenues for growth, the Paris-based energy agency said that more work is needed to ensure diversified and sustainable supplies to support the transition.

"At a pivotal moment for clean energy transitions worldwide, we are encouraged by the rapid growth in the market for critical minerals, which are crucial for the world to achieve its energy and climate goals," said International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol.

"Even so, major challenges remain. Much more needs to be done to ensure supply chains for critical minerals are secure and sustainable."

The agency's analysis found that if all planned critical mineral projects worldwide are realized, supply could be sufficient to support the national climate action pledges announced by the governments.

However, a combination of challenges, including volatile price fluctuations, supply chain constraints, and geopolitical uncertainties, have created a complex set of obstacles to overcome, posing significant risks to secure and swift energy transitions, the group said.

Lack of industry-wide progress, especially in environmental sustainability, means greenhouse gas emissions remain at high levels, with roughly the same amount being emitted per metric ton of mineral output every year, the report said.

Similarly, water withdrawals almost doubled from 2018 to 2021, while waste generation oscillated around 5 gigatons, with 2021 intensities slightly above 2018 levels.

Diversity of raw supply also remains a concern, with many new project announcements coming from already dominant players.



This infographic shows the share of top three critical mineral producing countries in total production for selected resources and minerals in 2022. Credit: IEA. This infographic shows the share of top three critical mineral producing countries in total production for selected resources and minerals in 2022. Credit: IEA.

The report said the share of the top three producers in 2022 either remains unchanged or has increased further, especially for nickel and cobalt, with China and Indonesia leading the way.

While the projects in the pipeline indicate "a somewhat improved picture for mining," the geographical concentration for refining operations is greater, with China holding half of planned lithium chemical plants and Indonesia representing nearly 90% of planned nickel refining facilities, the report said.

China has established itself as the world's largest metal refining hub in the past few decades. However, it heavily relies on imports for large volumes of raw materials, often from a few sources; for example, China depends almost entirely on the Democratic Republic of the Congo for mined cobalt.

Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Unpacking The NATO-Turkey-Sweden Deal

By Rikard Jozwiak July 11, 2023

VILNIUS -- On July 10, on the eve of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signaled that Ankara was ready to ratify Sweden's NATO accession protocol, potentially putting an end to a saga that has dragged on for over a year.

Finland and Sweden, which were previously nonaligned militarily, applied for membership of the alliance in May 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February. Then in June 2022, at a summit in Madrid, NATO invited both countries to join, conditional on the ratification of every member state.

So, what does the deal struck between Turkey and Sweden mean, and what further roadblocks could lie ahead?

Pre-Summit Drama

In many ways, there was a sense of deja vu after what happened at the Madrid summit. Back then, the noises coming out of Ankara were very negative about the chances of Turkey allowing Sweden and Finland to join. But then, a day before the gathering in the Spanish capital, the three countries agreed on a trilateral memorandum, with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg serving as an arbiter, in which Sweden and Finland pledged to lift an arms embargo against Turkey, update their counterterrorism legislation, and extradite individuals (mostly Kurds) that Turkey deems to be engaging in terrorist activities.

Finland fulfilled its part of the bargain and promptly joined NATO in early April. But Sweden was stuck, largely due to Turkey's objections to regular Swedish demonstrations, where emigre Kurds protested against Erdogan's government, along with some incidents of the Koran being burned that incensed both Turkey and large parts of the Muslim world.

But, as in Madrid a year earlier, a day before the July 11-12 summit in the Lithuanian capital was about to start and after plenty of doom and gloom about the likelihood of a breakthrough, Stoltenberg again announced a major deal -- this time a bilateral security "compact," or agreement, between Sweden and Turkey that will most likely allow the former to become NATO's 32nd member.

What Does The Agreement Entail?

Essentially the deal covers two things. Firstly, Sweden and Turkey will continue to work together to fight terrorism. The two countries will meet annually at the ministerial level and, according to a joint statement agreed after the meeting in Vilnius, Sweden will present a road map at the first ministerial meeting, likely to take place in the fall, "as the basis of its continued fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations towards the full implementation of all elements of the Trilateral Memorandum."

Secondly, during the meeting in Vilnius it was also agreed that the NATO secretary-general will create a new position within NATO structures -- a special coordinator for counterterrorism.

However, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson did make clear in the press conference after the negotiations that Sweden didn't have to make any new pledges when it comes to handing over more people that Turkey considers to be terrorists.

Earlier the same day, NATO officials from various member states agreed on new defense plans for the military alliance, explaining how the bloc would defend itself in the case of an attack.

For most alliance members, the likely adversary would be Russia, but Turkey insisted -- and NATO agreed -- that the alliance would also consider threats from terrorism. NATO officials who did not want to be named because they were not authorized to speak on the issue told RFE/RL in Vilnius that NATO's concurrence on this point meant Ankara was prepared to strike a deal with Sweden.

A New Push For Turkey To Join The EU

Earlier in the day, the Turkish president had thrown a bit of a curveball by demanding that the European Union revive Turkey's stalled membership bid as a precondition for Sweden joining NATO.

As a result, the statement issued after the meeting in Vilnius said that "Sweden will actively support efforts to reinvigorate Turkey's EU accession process, including modernization of the EU-Turkey Customs Union and visa liberalization."

Unlike all other EU candidate countries, Turkey still doesn't have a visa-free regime with the EU -- something it has coveted for a long time. The same is true of the customs union between the EU and Turkey, which entered into force at the end of 1995 but which Turkey would like to expand to include more agricultural products and services.

In 2016, the European Commission issued an assessment on how to modernize the customs union, but just as in the case with visa liberalization, the 27 EU member states haven't reached the necessary consensus on moving forward.

Sweden is actually a strong proponent of EU enlargement and has long favored stronger EU engagement with Ankara, despite many skeptics remaining, notably Austria, Cyprus, France, Greece, and the Netherlands. Enter Charles Michel, the president of the EU Council, the body that sets the EU's political and strategic priorities, who met with Erdogan after a hiatus in the talks between the Turkish president, Kristersson, and Stoltenberg.

After lengthy discussions, Michel tweeted that he and Erdogan "explored opportunities to bring cooperation back to the forefront and re-energize our relations."

He also wrote that he had tasked the European Commission and the European External Action Service, the EU's diplomatic service, to submit a report on how to proceed.

It's clear that Turkey, having seen the EU enlargement process kick into gear with the candidate statuses of Ukraine and Moldova last year, wants to be part of that discussion as well. In the end, though, any progress depends on how much appetite there is in Brussels for further enlargement, in particular concerning a country as large and as powerful as Turkey.

So, Is It A Done Deal?

Both Stoltenberg and Kristersson said after the meeting that they hoped that the Swedish accession protocol will be brought to the Turkish parliament for a vote "as soon as possible" without going into any specific timelines. If the accession document isn't ratified in July, then the earliest opportunity would be October, when the Ankara chamber returns from recess.

Then there is the Hungarian question. Budapest has, in purported solidarity with Turkey, also failed to ratify Sweden's NATO accession treaty, something required of all the member states' parliaments. The secretary-general reminded everyone that Hungary has explained time and again that it won't be the last country to give the thumbs-up and Kristersson spoke of assurances from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban that Budapest won't delay the process any further.

So there is still a chance that both Turkey and Hungary could whiz through all the required legal procedures and Sweden could become a NATO member as early as this month.

But in a process that has dragged on for longer than expected, predictions are perhaps a fool's errand. Especially since in recent days, Swedish police said that they had received three new applications to burn holy books, including the Koran outside a Stockholm mosque.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/nato-turkey- sweden-takeaways/32498758.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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U.S. Sanctions Serbian Security Chief For Alleged Corruption, Drug Trafficking

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service July 11, 2023

The United States has sanctioned Aleksandar Vulin, director of Serbia's security agency, for allegedly using his position to further Russian and criminal agendas, including arms dealing and drug trafficking.

The sanctions come after months of protests in Belgrade that have demanded Vulin's resignation. The protests began in May following two mass shootings that left 18 dead, including nine elementary students. Protesters have specifically blamed Vulin, Serbia's former defense minister, for failing to bring criminal groups to justice.

The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) made no mention of the protests or the domestic controversy surrounding Vulin in its sanctions announcement on July 11. However, the OFAC took a clear stance against corruption and Vulin's alleged actions, which the Treasury Department said helped Russia.

"Treasury will not hesitate to target actors that abuse their positions for personal gain while undermining effective and democratic governance in the Western Balkans," said Brian Nelson, undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, in a statement. "Today's action holds accountable Aleksandar Vulin for his corrupt and destabilizing acts that have also facilitated Russia's malign activities in the region."

The statement accuses Vulin of misusing his public office and says he has been implicated in transnational organized crime and illegal narcotics operations. The statement specifically points to Vulin's collaboration with U.S.-designated Serbian arms dealer Slobodan Tesic, who has been described by the Treasury Department as "among the biggest dealers of arms and munitions in the Balkans."

It also says Vulin has used his public position to support Russia and facilitate "malign activities that degrade the security and stability" of the region.

The Belgrade protests have also called for the resignation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and the resignation of Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic. Vucic previously rejected the dismissal of Gasic but did not comment on Vulin.

Vucic told Reuters on June 9 that his administration was not at fault for the protesters' anger.

"Is the government to blame for crimes that happened? I cannot accept that," he said.

With reporting by Shelby Rayer in Washington

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/serbia-spy-chief-vulin- sanctions-united-states/32499106.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Defence Minister Sklenar ahead of NATO Summit in Vilnius: Alliance is to put a modern and practical strategy in place for effective defence

Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic

11.07.2023

As part of the Slovak Delegation to the NATO Vilnius Summit led by the President of the Slovak Republic Zuzana Caputova, Defence Minister Martin Sklenar has today departed for Lithuania. According to the head of the SVK MOD, the summit will provide an opportunity to clearly articulate Slovakia's interests in scaling up SVK defence capabilities and the Alliance's collective defence.

As the Defence Minister himself put it, "there are three strong themes for Slovakia". These include the strengthening of the Alliance's ability to react with flexibility to a potential armed attack on any one member, the delivery of the Defence Investment Pledge to invest 2% of GDP annually on defence as a floor, and the NATO-Ukraine relationship with Ukraine's future gradual integration into NATO's structures.

Speaking ahead of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Defence Minister Martin Sklenar said: "The most important output of the summit will be the adoption of NATOs new defence plans that will speak of where, when, how and with what forces NATO member states will defend themselves together against the existing threats. This will take the Alliances strength to a new level."

To support this aim, enhancing Slovakia's preparedness to tackle the threats of today and the future will involve making investments in defence capabilities and infrastructure, military mobility, and the provision of logistical support to forces bolstering our defences through the Alliance's collective defence arrangements, according to Sklenar.

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Seventh Anniversary of the Philippines-China South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Ruling

US Department of State

Press Statement

Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

July 11, 2023

Today marks the seventh anniversary of an Arbitral Tribunal constituted under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention firmly rejecting the People's Republic of China's (PRC) expansive South China Sea maritime claims, including any PRC claim to the area determined by the Arbitral Tribunal to be part of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, as well as any resources therein. Under the terms of the Convention, this ruling is final and legally binding on the Philippines and the PRC.

The United States reaffirms its July 13, 2020, policy regarding maritime claims in the South China Sea. We continue to urge Beijing to comport its maritime claims with international law as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention; cease its routine harassment of claimant state vessels lawfully operating in their respective exclusive economic zones; halt its disruption to states' sovereign rights to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources; and end its interference with the freedoms of navigation and overflight of states lawfully operating in the region.

We will continue working with allies and partners to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific, one that is at peace and grounded in respect for international law.

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Department of the Air Force rolls out Climate Campaign Plan

Published July 11, 2023

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Department of the Air Force released its Climate Campaign Plan July 11.

The Department of the Air Force Climate Action Plan, which was published in October 2022, defines how it will preserve operational capability, increase resiliency, and do its part to help mitigate future climate impacts. The plan lays out an enterprise-wide approach to why it is important to ensure policies, technology innovation and evolving operations remain relevant in a changing climate.

The Climate Campaign Plan is the implementation portion of the Climate Action Plan and breaks down the strategy through specific and measurable objectives and key results. This plan details the actions, offices of primary responsibility, external partners and timelines to achieve the key results.

DAF's overall goal is to be resilient to the effects of climate change and preserve a combat-credible force that is increasingly impacted by climate change. The department's ability to adapt to these challenges will be critical to meet our national security obligations.

"Our priorities are to maintain air and space dominance in the face of climate risks, ensure our decisions reflect an understanding of the impacts of climate on our mission, and build resilience by optimizing energy use and pursuing alternative energy sources," said Dr. Ravi Chaudhary, assistant secretary of the Air Force for energy, installations and the environment. "Ultimately, this Campaign Plan is about warfighting and responding at the point of effect for theater commanders - and we will be ready."

The department will provide updates as necessary to address new policies, technology innovation, and evolving missions that answer emerging climate concerns.

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UNITAS LXIV to Begin in Colombia

US Navy

11 July 2023

From U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. 4th Fleet

CARTAGENA, Colombia -- U.S. Navy and Marine forces are set to arrive in Cartagena in support of UNITAS LXIV, the world's longest-running multinational maritime exercise in the world, scheduled to start July 11, 2023.

The Colombian navy will host this year's UNITAS, which will feature 26 warships/vessels, three submarines, 25 aircraft (fixed wing/helicopter), and approximately 7,000 people from 20 partner nations. Forces will conduct training operations off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia, and ashore in Covenas and Barranquilla, Colombia, through July 21. This year marks the 64th iteration of the exercise. Additionally, this year Colombia will celebrate the bicentennial of its navy, a historical milestone commemorating 200 years of the country's maritime forces.

"UNITAS is so much more than a two week exercise. All participating nations have given much time, energy and effort into the months of planning leading up to what will be one of the most complex UNITAS to date," said Rear Admiral Jim Aiken, commander U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet. "Utilizing air, surface, sub-surface, and unmanned assets, and land units, UNITAS will provide the multinational force a challenging environment in which to conduct training across the full spectrum of maritime operations. UNITAS strengthens maritime partnerships, enhances proficiency and improves interoperability of the participating forces, which is why so many partner nations are taking part this year."

As part of the U.S. Navy's future hybrid fleet, the Chief of Naval Operations has tasked U.S. 4th Fleet to scale unmanned platforms to the fleet level. An addition to this year's UNITAS will include the integrated operations of unmanned air, surface, and subsurface systems into the exercise. UNITAS' challenging training address key aspects of multinational and combined operations such as technology standardization and common operating procedures.

"This is our first opportunity to integrate unmanned systems into our operations at sea," said Rear Adm. Aiken. "UNITAS has often served as a test bed for technology, so it is appropriate that we begin our unmanned integration campaign to operationalize the hybrid fleet here in UNITAS."

In addition to the United States, UNITAS LXIV will bring together 19 nations from all over the world to train forces in joint maritime operations that enhance tactical proficiency and increase interoperability. Participating nations include Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Paraguay, Spain, South Korea, United Kingdom, United States, and Uruguay.

Following the UNITAS LXIV Opening Ceremony on July 12, the in port phase of the exercise will feature subject matter expert exchanges, professional symposia, ship rider exchanges, and operations meetings. During this time, Marines and Sailors will conduct expeditionary training events in Covenas to include riverine operations and diving and salvage operations.

During the UNITAS LXIV Underway Phase, forces will participate in events testing all warfare operations, to include live-fire exercises such as a SINKEX and an amphibious ship-to-shore landing and force retraction.

"Marines and Sailors from across the United States will travel to Colombia to not only train alongside our partner nations' militaries, but to hone the skills required to operate as part of a larger maritime force focused on sea control and sea denial," said Lt. Gen. David G. Bellon, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South, and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Reserve. "We will be exercising command and control from a forward position as Marines set up and employ Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations to enhance naval capabilities as part of UNITAS."

U.S. forces participating in UNITAS LXIV include USS New York (LPD 21), USS Cole (DDG 67), USS Little Rock (LCS 9), USS Pasadena (SSN 752), and USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10). Other U.S. participants include Patrol Squadron Five (VP 5), Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EOD) 612, Mine Countermeasures Group 3, (MCMGRU 3), Expeditionary Mine Countermeasures EOD Company 61 (EODMU 61), East-coast based Naval Special Warfare units, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22 (HSC 22), Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 70 Detachment 2 (HSM 70 Det 2), Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE), Fleet Surgical Team (FST) Eight, and the Meteorological Environmental Team (MET). U.S. Marine forces include 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment (3/23), 4th Amphibious Assault Battalion (4th AABn), 8th Combat Logistic Battalion (CLB 8), 4th Combat Engineer Battalion (4th CEB), Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 774 (VMM 774), Marine Light Helicopter Attack Squadron 775 (HMLA 775), Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 (VMGR-234), Marine Aircraft Control Group - 48 (MACG-48), and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 (VMFA-112). Finally, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 40, (COMDESRON 40), Commander, Amphibious Squadron Four (COMPHIBRON FOUR), U.S Marine Corps Forces South (MARFORSOUTH), Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH), USNAVSOUTH/FOURTHFLT, and U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) are participating in UNITAS LXIV.

UNITAS, which is Latin for unity, united, or oneness, was conceived in 1959 during a previous era of strategic competition when representatives at the first Inter-American Naval Conference in Panama agreed to conduct an annual maritime exercise with one another. Prior to UNITAS I in 1960, U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Arleigh Burke reviewed preparations for the multinational exercise. He commended planners for their progress, especially in building compatible communication systems among navies, and predicted that UNITAS would build strong relationships among Sailors of the Western Hemisphere.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command's joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region.

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South is the Marine Corps component to U.S. Southern Command, is responsible for planning exercises, operations, and overall Marine Corps support for the SOUTHCOM assigned area of responsibility.

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Wreck site identified as World War Two carrier USS Ommaney Bay (CVE 79)

US Navy

11 July 2023

Naval History and Heritage Command confirmed the identity of a wreck site as USS Ommaney Bay (CVE 79) July 10.



While operating in the Sulu Sea, Ommaney Bay was hit and eventually mortally wounded by a twin-engine Japanese suicide plane on Jan. 4, 1945.

NHHC's Underwater Archaeology Branch used a combination of survey information provided by the Sea Scan Survey team and video footage provided by the DPT Scuba dive team, to confirm the identity of Ommaney Bay. This information correlated with location data for the wreck site provided to NHHC in 2019 by Vulcan, LLC (formerly Vulcan, Inc.).

"Ommaney Bay is the final resting place of American Sailors who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country," said NHHC Director Samuel J. Cox, U.S. Navy rear admiral (retired). "It is with sincere gratitude that I thank the Sea Scan Survey team; Mick Stefurak, Neil "Snake" Krumbeck and Joe Brothers for confirming the location of this wreck site. We would also like to thank the team of Australian divers from DPT Scuba; David Tipping, Chris McCran, Aimee McCran, Samir Alhafith, Heeman Lee and John Wooden for their deep diving expertise and assistance identifying the Ommaney Bay. This discovery

allows the families of those lost some amount of closure and gives us all another chance to remember and honor their service to our nation."

The Japanese kamikaze crashed into Ommaney Bay's starboard side, releasing two bombs and causing severe damage. A series of explosions were caused by one of the bombs that entered the flight deck and detonated below, among the fully-gassed aircraft in the forward third of the hanger deck. The second bomb exploded close to the starboard side after rupturing the fire main on the second deck and passing through the hanger deck.

The order to abandon ship was given as the possibility of stored torpedo warheads exploding at any moment increased. A total of 95 Sailors were lost, including two personnel from an assisting destroyer who were killed when the torpedo warheads on Ommaney Bay finally went off.

Ommaney Bay received two battle stars for her World War II service.

The wreck of Ommaney Bay is a U.S. sunken military craft protected by U.S. law and under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Navy. While non-intrusive activities, such as remote sensing documentation, on U.S. Navy sunken military craft are allowed, any activity that may result in the disturbance of a sunken military craft must be coordinated with NHHC and, if appropriate, authorized through a relevant permitting program. Most importantly, the wreck represents the final resting place of Sailors who gave their life in defense of the nation and should be respected by all parties as a war grave. For more information on Ommaney Bay, visit https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/o/ommaney_bay.html

For historical imagery of Ommaney Bay, please visit the following links:

https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/alphabetical---donations0/b/ua-467-10-bob-brennan-collection-.html

https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/NH-86000/NH-86336.html

https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/NH-89000/NH-89350.html

https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/NH-43000/NH-43063.html

https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/NH-106000/NH-106820-A.html

https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/NH-106000/NH-106820.html

NHHC UAB is responsible for setting policy and managing the U.S. Navy's nearly 3,000 shipwrecks and over 15,000 aircraft wrecks. They hold maritime archaeological and conservation expertise and are equipped to conduct research on sunken military craft; manage a conservation and curation facility that stabilizes, analyzes, and houses a collection of artifacts recovered from sunken military craft; and engage in an expansive array of public outreach efforts, including partnering with the diving community.

NHHC, located at the Washington Navy Yard, is responsible for preserving, analyzing, and disseminating U.S. naval history and heritage. It provides the knowledge foundation for the Navy by maintaining historically relevant resources and products that reflect the Navy's unique and enduring contributions through our nation's history and supports the fleet by assisting with and delivering professional research, analysis, and interpretive services. NHHC comprises many activities, including the Navy Department Library, the Navy Operational Archives, the Navy art and artifact collections, underwater archeology, Navy histories, 10 museums, USS Constitution repair facility, and the historic ship Nautilus.



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NAVSUP WSS, Shipyard Supply Support Unit Standardize Processes, Decrease Ship Repair Delays

US Navy

11 July 2023

From Angela King-Sweigart

MECHANICSBURG, Pa -- Members of Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support's (NAVSUP WSS) Strategic Management and Improvement Office (SMIO) assisted public shipyard units with knowledge sharing and standardization, leading to decreased ship repair delays.

A major goal of the collaboration between NAVSUP WSS and Shipyard Supply Support Unit in August 2022 was to standardize the people, processes and practices involved with material acquisition, like purchasing replacement parts for ships and submarines, at the Navy's four public shipyards, according to Lynn Kohl, NAVSUP WSS vice commander.

These efforts help to solve the challenges facing the Navy when it comes to increasing ship readiness and increased maintenance costs as highlighted by a recent GAO report.

Specific metrics and tasks were created to accomplish the goal with a deadline of December 2022. After analysis, NAVSUP WSS leadership decided to assemble a team to facilitate this goal. The team was led by Capt. Pamela Theorgood, deputy commander for ships and submarines, NAVSUP WSS Mechanicsburg, who appointed seven continuous process improvement black belts from the SMIO to join the team.

Black belts are journeyman level continuous process improvement (CPI) practitioners, who facilitate incremental changes to business processes to improve efficiency and quality at all levels. To become a black belt employees must complete five weeks of full-time training as well as pass a comprehensive final exam. The NAVSUP WSS black belts that assisted with this project were: Jaleesa Daniels, Cassandre Luberus, Lorissa Luckenbill, Brian Mackalonis, Caleb Miller, Christian Nazario and Cynthia Smith.

"One of our major goals was to increase communication across the shipyards," said Cassandre L. Luberus, a NAVSUP WSS Strategic Management and Improvement Office black belt. "And that was accomplished. We created a SharePoint site that facilitated process standardization across the shipyards. Additionally, we hosted weekly collaborative meetings with the Shipyards' Supply Support Units (Code 500s) subject matter experts and other stakeholders. These actions led to increased knowledge sharing and aligned processes."

Another major initiative was to develop and standardize acquisition Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across the shipyards. While each shipyard has some specialties, many of them performed the same or very similar functions, but in slightly different ways, explained Luberus. Developing a standardized practice helped to reduce inefficiencies in their methods.

"After we developed the SOPs, it became clear that they were something that needed to be developed further. While it is still in development, these SOPs will be made into an official publication," she said.

While this project is winding down for the SMIO team, other projects are ongoing. Luberus has more than nine projects touching everything from command strategy to acquisition and says that breadth of scope is common amongst the black belts. Broad knowledge and experience make the SMIO team ideal to directorates, supervisors, and employees to find solutions to problems they face in day-to-day work.

"I greatly enjoyed being a part of this project, and it was something that presented a challenge. I was thankful that when called upon, we answered! And I would do it again and again," she said.

Leadership is happy with the team's hard work on standardization for Shipyard Supply Support Unit's material acquisition.

"I was excited to lead this team to accomplish these important goals, they did an outstanding job," said Theorgood. "This project helped to reduce delays during shipyard maintenance which directly contributes to Naval readiness."

The Navy's four public shipyards are Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Virginia; Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Maine; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Washington; and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Hawaii. The Supply Support Unit, also called the Code 500s, is the organization of teams involved in each step of the process ensuring material is available to support shipyard operations.

NAVSUP WSS is one of 11 commands under Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, NAVSUP employs a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel. NAVSUP and the Navy Supply Corps conduct and enable supply chain, acquisition, operational logistics and Sailor and family care activities with our mission partners to generate readiness and sustain naval forces worldwide to prevent and decisively win wars.





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VP-16 Hosts Brunei Distinguished Visitors

US Navy

11 July 2023

From Lt. Robert Cale

By invitation of the government of Brunei, 23 U.S. Navy personnel attached to the "War Eagles" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 hosted distinguished visitors (DV) on a P-8A Poseidon flight out of Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) Base in Rimba, June 27.

"Brunei and the U.S. have a shared interest in regional security and stability," said Cmdr. Patrick Reilly, VP-16 executive officer. "The purpose of this detachment was to promote maritime security while confirming the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific."

The War Eagles were joined by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah the Crown Prince, and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office. Also attending the flight with the Crown Prince was Brigadier General Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Alirupendi bin Haji Perudin, Acting Deputy Commander Colonel Hishamuddin bin Abidin, and U.S. Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Caryn R. McClelland.

During the flight, the DVs observed the capabilities of the P-8A aircraft and patrolled Brunei's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. VP-16 conducted additional flights with members of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

"We were delighted to host the visit of VP-16," said Ambassador McClelland. "The U.S. demonstrated its commitment to partnering with Brunei to enhance maritime domain awareness and security cooperation in defense of a free and open Indo-Pacific region."

In addition to the flights, the War Eagles participated in sporting events with RBAirF personnel from 15 Squadron, No. 1 Wing and 55 Squadron, No. 5. Wing. The two nations also organized games of "Capture the Flag" and VP-16 was introduced to the traditional Malay game "Kaki Tiga". Afterwards, the squadrons conducted subject matter expert exchanges to trade knowledge and experience in aviation and operations in the South China Sea.

The VP-16 "War Eagles" are based in Jacksonville, Florida, and are currently forward deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan. The squadron conducts maritime patrol and reconnaissance as part of a rotational deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.





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NATO Chief Calls Summit 'Historic' as Turkey Backs Adding Sweden to Alliance

By Patsy Widakuswara, Anita Powell July 11, 2023

President Joe Biden said Tuesday this year's NATO summit represents a "historic moment," as the security bloc prepares to enlarge while tackling issues around the grinding war in Ukraine.

"This is a historic moment," Biden said to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. "Adding Finland and Sweden to NATO is consequential. And your leadership really matters. And we agree on the language that you propose, relative to the future of Ukraine being able to join NATO."

Stoltenberg said Tuesday he is "absolutely confident" that Turkey's parliament will admit a new member, Sweden. Meanwhile, Ukraine's president continued to push for his nation's inclusion in the security alliance - a step that NATO members seem unlikely to take at this high-stakes summit in Lithuania's capital.

"NATO will give Ukraine security," tweeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "Ukraine will make the alliance stronger

Allies were debating the wording of a final joint text, but there is consensus that Ukraine joining NATO while Russia's invasion is ongoing is not under consideration.

Membership in the middle of a war would require the alliance to apply the principle of "an attack on one is an attack on all" enshrined in the bloc's Article 5 - putting the U.S. and Western nations in direct conflict with Moscow.

Zelenskyy has said he accepts that situation, but shortly before leaders gathered for their meeting Tuesday, he tweeted complaints about what he said were "signals that certain wording is being discussed without Ukraine."

Zelenskyy, who is expected to attend the summit Wednesday, said "vague wording about 'conditions'" was being added, while there was no timeframe for inviting Ukraine to join NATO.

"It seems there is no readiness, neither to invite Ukraine to NATO nor to make it a member of the alliance," Zelenskyy said.

NATO allies in 2008 agreed in principle that Ukraine would join, but did not set up a pathway for Ukraine's membership.

Stoltenberg said Tuesday in Vilnius that he had put forth a package during an informal NATO foreign ministers meeting in May that included removing the requirement for a membership action plan in Ukraine's bid.

Some NATO allies, including the U.S., UK and France, are set to come up with proposals to strengthen Ukraine's armed forces, including its postwar needs, through a series of long-term commitments outside the NATO framework.

The so-called security guarantees are going to be done in "extremely close coordination, given how high the stakes are," however it will be "different from having an Article 5 agreement to defend Ukraine," said Leslie Vinjamuri, director of the U.S. and Americas program at Chatham House, to VOA.

Sweden's accession

Stoltenberg said Tuesday the NATO summit "is already historic before it has started" after talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yielded a breakthrough in a months-long impasse during which Erdogan accused Stockholm of not doing enough to crack down on their branch of a political party that Turkey's government sees as extremists.

Erdogan pledged to support the approval of Sweden's bid in Turkey's parliament, while Hungary, the other remaining NATO member yet to give its approval in a process that must be unanimous, is expected to follow suit.

Political leaders in Washington welcomed the news.

"Putin thought he could divide us, he believed he could bully us into disunity, but his hopes have backfired," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor Tuesday.

The Biden administration has supported Turkey's effort to buy 40 F-16 fighter jets from the United States, a deal that has met opposition from U.S. lawmakers who said it should not go forward until Turkey supported Sweden joining NATO.

Asked Tuesday what made Turkey agree to drop its opposition, Biden said with a smile, "What do you think?" When asked by another reporter if he was surprised by Turkey's decision, Biden said, "Not at all."

Sweden and Finland applied jointly for membership last May, with both Nordic nations citing overwhelming popular support for the idea amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Finland's membership was finalized in April.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that Sweden's accession would be negative for Russia's security.

Defense spending

Another key issue at the summit is whether the members can agree on  and then meet  a commitment to spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense. Currently, only seven members fulfill that target.

Several alliance members used the summit to announce new military aid for Ukraine, including a $770 million package from Germany with Patriot missile launchers, battle tanks and ammunition. French President Emmanuel Macron said his government will supply long-range missiles to Ukraine.

Following the two-day summit, Biden heads to Helsinki on Thursday to meet with leaders of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Denmark. Once Sweden has joined NATO, all five Nordic countries will be members of the military alliance.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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VOA Interview: National Security Council's John Kirby

By Misha Komadovsky July 11, 2023

As NATO leaders meet in Lithuania's capital to hammer out key agreements amid a grinding war in Ukraine, John Kirby, director of strategic communications for the National Security Council, met with VOA to discuss the main issues at the high-stakes summit.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

VOA: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was withholding Sweden's NATO bid for a long time until he pivoted yesterday, as we saw. What was the breakthrough moment?

Kirby: It's a big decision. And we're grateful to [Erdogan] because Sweden is a modern, capable military. They will lend to the alliance a terrific suite of military capabilities that are critical for NATO's eastern flank. I'll let those two leaders talk about how they got to where they got to. We have long believed that Sweden had met its commitments  commitments made on the margins of the Madrid summit last year, and we were also very glad to see that the conversation and the dialogue continued between both leaders.

VOA: Was your decision to provide F-16s to Turkey somehow related to the decision made by Ankara?

Kirby: The president has long supported F-16s for Turkey, as well as modernizing the F-16s that they already have. And that's something that we have to work out with Congress, and we know that, and we've had those conversations.

VOA: NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance agreed to remove the requirement for a Membership Action Plan, or MAP, for Ukraine to join NATO. I'll quote him: 'We will issue an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO when allies agree and conditions are met.' Speaking of these conditions, are they any different from the Membership Action Plan that we have seen before?

Kirby: Ukraine is at a point now where the alliance doesn't really feel like a MAP is required. Because we have been now working with Ukraine so closely, particularly over the last 16 months, we have such a strong sense of awareness about their military capabilities. So, MAP may not be the best process. But what the alliance will talk about with Ukraine in Vilnius is what the process, what the path needs to look like going forward. There's still going to be reforms that Ukraine has to meet and make  political reforms, rule of law, democratic institutions  those reforms are still required to be a member of NATO. The other thing to remember is that they're in the middle of a shooting war right now. And the president believes strongly that we've got to continue to focus on their needs on the battlefield.

VOA: Let me ask you straight: Is it an open door policy but just rephrased and restructured, or is it different?

Kirby: It's still an open door policy. Every nation that aspires to become members of NATO  Finland and Sweden, who are now the 31st and 32nd members  they still had to apply. There's still a process. And part of that process is having a healthy, vibrant democracy and healthy, viable, sustainable democratic institutions. And Ukraine still has some more work to do in that regard. We all understand that it's difficult to work on political reforms when you're in the middle of a war, which is why, again, the president wants to focus on getting them what they need on the battlefield and making a commitment to Ukraine after the war's over and before NATO membership that they'll continue to have support from the United States and for the allies for their own self-defense.

VOA: One of the requirements that Jens Stoltenberg outlined today was having armed forces which are interoperable with NATO. What is your assessment of the armed forces of Ukraine? Are they any closer to NATO standards?

Kirby: I think, without question, they're getting closer to interoperability with NATO, because as the war has gone on, they have shed a lot of their Soviet systems. The way they operate on the battlefield has definitely Westernized as the last 16 months have transpired. They've got a lot of Western equipment. They have been trained by Western militaries, including the United States, even before this most recent invasion kicked off. So clearly, they are closer to a standard of interoperability now. Are they absolutely there yet? Again, I think that remains to be seen, and our focus right now is helping them succeed on the battlefield.

VOA: President Joe Biden has said inviting Ukraine to join NATO right now is an invitation to war, but Russia has no history of attacking NATO allies. Why not extend this invitation?

Kirby: What the president said was joining NATO now would be going to war with Russia. The allies in 2008, in the Bucharest declaration, made it clear that NATO is in Ukraine's future. The president still believes that. He still believes in the open door policy. He just believes that right now, the focus has to be on helping Ukraine succeed on the battlefield, and in making sure that Ukraine has the appropriate security commitments from the United States and from our allies for when this war is over. Because they're still going to have a long border with Russia, and we need to make sure that Mr. Putin doesn't believe he can buy for time.

VOA: Is there a possibility for Ukraine to join NATO in the near future?

Kirby: I wouldn't be able to put a timeline on that. They're in a shooting war right now. Ukrainians are fighting and dying for their country, and we've got to focus on helping them succeed in that effort. Then we'll set out a pathway for eventual membership that will allow Ukraine the time and space to work on some of these reforms, at the same time, enjoying security commitments and guarantees from the West so that as they continue to work on their reforms postwar, that they can still maintain a measure of safety and self-defense.

VOA: What kind of reforms are you looking into right now?

Kirby: These are reforms that President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy and Ukraine were in some measure already working on  rooting out corruption and oligarchs, working on democratic institutions, strong judiciary, rule of law. All these are key tenets that any nation who aspires to be a member of NATO has got to ascribe to and make sure that they they rise to that level.

VOA: Let's get back to Sweden. President Erdogan has to pass this bid through the parliament of Turkey, of course, and they have to support it. Can he bail?

Kirby: As every other NATO ally is going to have to do, there's a ratification process here. But we're comfortable and confident that Sweden will become the 32nd member of the NATO alliance.

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Taliban Suspend Swedish Activities in Afghanistan Over Quran

By Ayaz Gul July 11, 2023

The Taliban on Tuesday ordered the suspension of all Swedish activities in Afghanistan because of the public burning of the Quran, Islam's holy book, at a protest in Sweden last month.

The Swedish Foreign Ministry has also condemned the "Islamophobic" act, but it noted that Sweden has a "constitutionally protected right to freedom of assembly, expression and demonstration." The reaction came after the intergovernmental Organization of Islamic Cooperation stressed the need for taking steps to prevent future desecration of the Quran.

On June 28, an Iraqi national resident in Sweden's capital, Stockholm, tore and burned a copy of the Quran outside the largest mosque as Muslims celebrated Eid al-Adha worldwide. The incident sparked outrage and condemnation in Islamic countries.

"The Islamic Emirate suspends Sweden's activities in Afghanistan for granting permission to insult the Quran and the Muslim faith," the Taliban said, using the official name for their government in Kabul.

According to the statement, the order will remain effective "until they [Sweden] apologize to the Muslims for this heinous act." The Taliban called on other Islamic nations to "reconsider" their relations with the Swedish government over its "blasphemous" act.

The Quran burning incident in Sweden saw an immediate reaction from the Middle East and North Africa, with governments strongly condemning the act. Morocco recalled its ambassador from Stockholm.

A crowd of angry protesters in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, quickly assembled at the Swedish Embassy and stormed its compound before being dispersed by security forces. Tens of thousands of people staged protest rallies across Pakistan last Friday.

Like other Western countries, Sweden closed its embassy in Afghanistan in August 2021 and evacuated all its staff, including Swedish and Afghan citizens, when the then-insurgent Taliban regained control of the country.

Aid workers said Tuesday's Taliban order would likely disrupt the humanitarian operations of the nongovernmental Swedish Committee for Afghanistan in the impoverished war-ravaged country.

The charity group manages development programs, including health care and education, in 18 provinces, employing about 8,000 Afghan employees.

The SCA said it was seeking dialogue with the de facto Afghan authorities to clarify if Tuesday's order also would affect their aid operations.

"SCA strongly condemns all acts of desecration of the Holy Quran, just as we condemn any attempt to create conflict or hostility between people based on religious belief, ethnicity, nationality or any other division," the group stated. "For over 40 years, SCA has been working in close collaboration with the rural population and in deep respect of both Islam and local traditions in Afghanistan."

Last year, SCA-run medical centers received 2.5 million patients in the Afghan provinces of Wardak and Nuristan. Its schools provided education to 133,000 children, and the organization supported more than 20,000 persons with disabilities, the statement noted.

Humanitarian operations in Afghanistan have already been under severe pressure after the Taliban banned the United Nations and other nongovernment organizations from hiring Afghan female workers. The Taliban have also barred girls from attending schools beyond the sixth grade and ordered most female government employees to stay home since seizing power nearly two years ago.

The restrictions on women's freedom to access education and work and a decline in donor funding have prompted the U.N. to cut its annual humanitarian aid plan for Afghanistan by more than $1 billion, forcing aid agencies to stop giving critical assistance to millions nationwide.

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WFP: Growing Number of Refugees from Sudan's Darfur Region Crossing Into Chad

By VOA News July 11, 2023

The United Nations food agency says thousands of people are crossing the border into the central African nation of Chad from neighboring Sudan to escape the nearly three-month-old violence that the world body's humanitarian chief has described as a civil war "of the most brutal kind."

The World Food Programme said in a statement Tuesday that 20,000 people from Sudan's Darfur region have arrived in the small Chadian border town of Adre in the last week alone. The agency said many of the people arriving from Darfur are seriously wounded amid reports that fleeing civilians are being deliberately targeted "with an increasing ethnic dimension to the violence."

The WFP statement says it estimates that about 10% of children crossing from Darfur into Chad are malnourished.

"People are running across the border, wounded, scared, with only their children in their hands and the clothes on their backs," said Pierre Honnorat, the WFP's country director in Chad. "They need safety, security, and humanitarian assistance."

The WFP says its relief efforts along the Chad-Sudan border have become increasingly challenging due to the annual rainy season. It has deployed two all-terrain vehicles that can each carry up to 1,200 kilograms of food and can cross multiple "wadis," or large gullies filled with rainwater.

More than 230,000 refugees and 38,000 returnees have crossed into Chad from Sudan since fighting began in April between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces after months of rising tension over the country's political future and plans to integrate the RSF into the national army.

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Cameroon's Separatists Torch Trucks of Cocoa as Farmers Protest

By Moki Edwin Kindzeka July 11, 2023

Cameroon's anglophone rebels have torched truckloads of cocoa that were bound for French-speaking towns as farmers protest a ban of exports to Nigeria.

Cocoa farmers have blocked hundreds of tons of the beans from leaving their farms and are staging daily street action after the government cracked down on cocoa and other cash-crop smuggling by banning exports to neighboring Nigeria.

Cameroon's farmers say they can get nearly double the price for cocoa in Nigeria, where they don't face threats from separatists.

Joan Mary Becke, 27, is one of the cocoa farmers protesting the move this month in Mamfe, a town on Cameroon's border with Nigeria.

Speaking via a messaging app, she said they can earn about $2 per kilogram selling to Nigeria, nearly double compared to Cameroon, where anglophone rebels threaten their shipments.

"We should be able to decide where and when to sell our cocoa," she said. "The government of Cameroon has been unable to protect farmers from separatists who have prohibited the sale of cocoa in French-speaking regions. Should farmers and their families die of hunger when there is a ready Nigerian market for cocoa?"

Becke said the rebels this month torched several trucks transporting cocoa from Cameroon's southwest region to the coastal business hub of Douala.

Farmers told VOA the rebels torched at least six truckloads of cocoa in the past 10 days.

Cameroon government and military officials confirmed that rebels torched trucks hauling cocoa but would not say how many were destroyed.

Cocoa farmers have been holding daily street protests aimed at the export ban in southwestern villages and towns and say they will continue until the government lifts the ban.

On June 13, Cameroon announced a temporary ban on cocoa, cotton, and other cash crop exports to Nigeria to save the country from losing $165 million each year to smuggling.

The government says it dispatched several hundred police and customs officers to the border to stop illegal cocoa exports.

Mamfe Robert Ashu Tabechong, the mayor of Mamfe, said farmers are still able to sell cocoa to smugglers for export through the porous border to Nigeria.

"We cannot collect revenues. Without collecting revenues, we cannot develop our municipality," Tabechong said. "We have support from the forces of law and order [military] to enable us [to] combat the middlemen and secessionists transporting cocoa to Nigeria because Nigeria, lately, they have many factories that are transforming cocoa into chocolates and other things."

Tabechong said Cameroon should either lift the cocoa ban or at least allow farmers to sell some of the beans to Nigeria.

Cocoa farming is one of the main sources of livelihood in southwestern Cameroon. The Ministry of Trade says the region contributes about 60 percent of the 300,000 tons of cocoa grown in Cameroon each year.

Viang Mekala, the most senior government official in Manyu, the administrative unit where Mamfe is located, spoke to VOA while addressing protesting cocoa farmers Tuesday in Mamfe.

"When the hierarchy will see our report, they will know what to say, and the answer to give to the population," Mekala said.

Cameroon's government says illegal cocoa exports to Nigeria spiked after anglophone separatists launched a rebellion in 2017 to break away from the French-speaking majority. The rebels declared their own ban on the sale of cocoa to French-speaking towns.

Cameroon authorities say the military will protect farmers who sell their cocoa to the French-speaking regions. However, Cameroon's cocoa farmers cite this month's attacks on cocoa trucks and say they are not convinced.

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Remarks by President Biden and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Official Greeting | Vilnius, Lithuania

July 11, 2023

Lithuanian Exhibition and Conference Center

Vilnius, Lithuania

1:15 P.M. EEST

SECRETARY GENERAL STOLTENBERG: President Biden, dear Joe, welcome to the NATO Summit. And many, many thanks for your strong leadership making this alliance united and even stronger. This summit is already historic because the agreement we made yesterday will make Sweden a full member of NATO. And that will make our alliance even more capable of defending all Allies.

At this meeting, we will also send a clear message to Ukraine that we stand by them as long as needed and also that we agree on a united and positive message  message on the path forward for Ukraine and membership for Ukraine.

Another major message from this summit will be that we need to invest more in our defense. And we will agree on a new defense investment pledge where we state clearly that 2 percent of GDP for defense is the minimum.

The good news is that European Allies and Canada are stepping up. This year, we have new numbers showing that they have added 8.3 percent in real terms for the defense budget. This is a record high, and that demonstrates that Allies are delivering on their commitments.

So, once again, Mr. President, it's great to have you here at the NATO Summit.

MR. PRESIDENT: It's good to be here. And thank you for continuing to deliver.

I  as I've made no mis-  the press is not at all surprised that I've been touting the fact that I think it's really important at this critical moment in Ukrai-  in the whole NATO issue that you continue to lead NATO. You're trusted. No one knows the situation that we're facing better than you do.

And this historic moment  the adding of Finland and Sweden to  to NATO  it's consequential. And your leadership really matters. And the  and we agreed on the language that  that we proposed, that you proposed, relative to the future of Ukraine being able to join NATO.

And we're looking forward to continuing a united NATO. They've heard me say  my American press have heard me say many times I still think that President Putin thinks the way he succeeds is to break NATO. Not going to do that, especially with you as the lead of it.

So, thank you for being willing to do it.

SECRETARY GENERAL STOLTENBERG: Thank you so much.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: Thank you, thank you, thank you.

SECRETARY GENERAL STOLTENBERG: Thank you.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: Thank you, all.

1:18 P.M. EEST

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Remarks by President Biden and President Gitanas Nauseda of Lithuania Before Bilateral Meeting | Vilnius, Lithuania

July 11, 2023

Presidential Palace

Vilnius, Lithuania

10:42 A.M. EEST

PRESIDENT NAUSEDA: (In progress.) And, first of all, I would like to remind you that we are celebrating one and  100 years of our establishment of our diplomatic relations. Also, our cooperation recently is improving all the time.

But I would like also to thank for the non-recognition policy of the United States regarding the occupation of Lithuania in the Soviet Union. It was very persistent policy. It helped us  our spirit, moral spirit high. And I think this is very important to remember, too.

The situation in our region is unfortunately deteriorating. And you see what is happening around us. And we see Belarus just swallowed into the Russian Federation, and we see that Belarus is becoming additional threat, additional factor of insecurity in the region.

So this is the reason why we ask the NATO  we ask our strongest Ally, United States  to pay a consistent atten-  attention to the security of our region.

And I think the NATO Summit, which takes place in Vilnius, in absolutely near proximity to adversary countries  this is symbolic event  symbolic. But also, at the same time, this is a great opportunity to take the bold decisions, and we expect that they will be done.

This is very important to mention that we already have this Vilnius meeting as historical one, even before it started, because the membership of Sweden is already the  on the table. And I think we will welcome the 32nd member of NATO very soon.

We have regional defense plans approved, and now it's important that they become executable by the end of this year, with pre-positioning, with assigned forces.

We are probably  Lithuania is one of the most enthusiastic supporters of transatlantic bond in Europe  in European Union because we think that your participation, your attention is extremely important in this field of geopolitical uncertainty.

And at the same time, Lithuania is intending to buy  to acquire military equipment from United States. And I would like to mention Black Hawks. Also, we intend to buy HIMARS, JLTVs  Oshkosh. And all this military equipment helps us to modernize our military forces.

At the same time, we are closely cooperating with Germany. And recently, the very good decision was announced by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to scale up the forward presence of eFP country Germany in Lithuania up to brigade size on a permanent basis. So, I think it would be very positive to welcome this decision and welcome the engagement of all eFP countries in the region to increase the forward presence in our  in our region.

So, Mr. President, thank you so much for your participation in our NATO Summit. I'm looking forward to closely cooperating with you and with our colleagues during these two days.

I'm looking forward to  to be able to listen to your speech tomorrow in Vilnius University. It will be another historical moment for Lithuania.

And all the Lithuanian people greet you so warmly. Even Vilnius  you see it's a little bit empty right now, but this is because of security restrictions and some people decided to leave the city just to  to avoid some inconveniences. But, you know, in our hearts  from bottom of our hearts, we welcome your visit, we welcome your arrival, and we are looking forward to cooperate with United States in the future.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, Mr. President, thank you for the welcome and thank your team as well.

You know, it's great to be back in Vilnius. I was here in 2014 as vice president shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine the first time and, at the time, talked about what I thought Russia was likely to continue to do. Some people were somewhat skeptical of my judgment at the time and  but, unfortunately, it turned out to be accurate.

And the United States is here today to reaffirm our commitment to NATO but also to Vilnius. Look, we  we go back a long way. And the  when  we  we're committed to Lithuania and to the Baltics and to NATO.

I remember  you may recall when we were having the debate in the United States Senate about enlarging NATO, and I was arguing very strongly that the Baltics should all be a part of NATO. And you've been very, very added value.

And our pledge to be with you has not wavered. It didn't take us long to get thousands of troops here when Russia invaded the second time. We'll be able to  you can be assured that you're going to have all that you need.

We have the Secretary of Defense with us today. We can send him alone; he's enough. (Laughter.) But  but all kidding aside, we 

And, look, as I've said before: We take, NATO takes, all of us take Article 5 literally. One inch of NATO territory means we're all  we're all in a war together against whomever is violating that space, and we're going to defend every inch of it.

And I want to thank you, Mr. President, for hosting this historic summit at an important time: the first time that NATO leaders will meet with 31 together, and looking forward to meeting very soon with 32 members with the addition of Sweden.

The leader of Sweden was just in my Oval Office not long ago, and we were hoping this would occur when it did. And I'm confident we'll get that done today.

And in the coming days, we're also going to discuss a range of issues  how to strengthen NATO's eastern flank and modernize NATO's deterrence and defense capabilities. And we're going to be doing it in a place of  where those  those efforts truly matter every single, solitary day. And we're also going to discuss our support for the people of Ukraine. And I want to thank you and  for your partnership and leadership as we take on this challenge together.

So, I look forward to our conversation today and to continuing to stand with you and all the people of Lithuania for a simple reason: shared values. We have the same value set. It's important. That's what NATO is all about. That's what transatlantic alliance is about.

And as you probably heard, I am a very strong supporter of the transatlantic alliance. I've learned that nothing happens here that doesn't affect us. So, we're all in.

We're looking forward to today. Thank you.

PRESIDENT NAUSEDA: Thank you.

10:50 A.M. EEST

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Sweden moves closer to NATO entry after Turkiye deal

People's Daily Online

By Chen Weihua in Brussels (China Daily) 08:56, July 12, 2023

Sweden cleared the biggest hurdle to its NATO membership on Monday when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan removed his veto following a trilateral meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Stoltenberg announced after the meeting that Erdogan has agreed to forward Sweden's accession protocols to the Grand National Assembly  the Turkish parliament  as soon as possible and ensure ratification.

"We took a very big step toward the formal ratification of Sweden's NATO membership," Kristersson said.

The progress on Sweden's membership came on the eve of the two-day NATO meeting in Vilnius, which runs through Wednesday, when the Russia-Ukraine conflict is expected to dominate the agenda.

In May last year, Sweden and Finland ditched their long-standing policy of military nonalignment and applied for NATO membership. A unanimous agreement is required from all NATO members for new entries. While Finland became a member in April, Sweden's bid was blocked by Turkiye and Hungary.

Ankara said it could not welcome the Nordic nation as a NATO ally unless the latter cracked down on groups that Turkiye views as national security threats, including the banned Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK.

The burning of copies of the Quran by protesters in Stockholm further escalated tensions in past months.

However, a joint statement after Monday's meeting said that Sweden had amended its Constitution, changed laws, expanded counterterrorism cooperation against the PKK and resumed arms exports to Turkiye.

Turkiye and Sweden also agreed to create a "new bilateral security compact" and that Stockholm will present a "road map as the basis of its continued fight against terrorism in all its forms".

Unlike Turkiye, Hungary never publicly gave a reason for why it hadn't yet ratified Sweden's NATO membership. On July 4, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that Hungary would not delay Sweden's membership once there was progress on the Turkish side.

Early on Monday, Erdogan created a stir before departing for Vilnius when he said his country would support Sweden's NATO entry if the European Union opened membership talks for Turkiye.

The possibility was quickly dismissed by Brussels, which said that joining NATO and the EU were two very different procedures. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in Berlin that "it should not been seen as a connected issue".

European Council President Charles Michel, who met with Erdogan on Monday, tweeted that he and Erdogan had "explored opportunities ahead to bring cooperation back to the forefront and reenergize our relations".

The Turkiye-Sweden joint statement also said that Sweden will actively support efforts to reinvigorate Turkiye's EU accession process.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 11 July 2023 - Day 503

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that Moscow's municipal authorities are highly likely threatening to withdraw contracts from construction firms if they fail to hit quotas for providing 'volunteers' to serve in Ukraine. One company has reportedly been set a target of 30 volunteers by the end of August 2023.

The move will likely primarily affect ethnic minorities from poorer regions of Russia such as Dagestan and central Asian states, who make up the majority of Moscow's construction workers.

This measure is highly likely at least tacitly endorsed by Moscow mayor Sergey Sobyanin. It continues his track record of trying to minimise the impact of the conflict on better-off Muscovites, while still being seen to support the war effort.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day July 11, the Russian occupiers attacked Ukraine with Iranian-made strike drones of the "Shahed" type. A total of 28x kamikaze drones were involved. Due to Ukrainian Air Defense destroyed 26x strike UAVs and 2x reconnaissance drones of the "Zala" type. Also, Russian forces carried out 54x airstrikes and fired 38x MLRS at Ukrainian cities and Defense Forces. Unfortunately, not only infrastructure was damaged, but also civilians suffered.

The threat of missile and air strikes remains high across Ukraine.

Russia continues to focus its main efforts on the Kup'yans'k, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Mar'inka axes, heavy battles continue. During the day, 17x combat clashes took place.

Volyn' and Polissya axes: no significant changes detected. There are no signs of the formation of Russian groupings. Armed Forces of Belarus perform tasks in the Ukrainian border.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russian forces maintain an enhanced military presence. They carried out an airstrike in the area of Volfyny, Sumy Oblast. Russians also shelled with mortars and artillery more than 15x settlements. In particular, these are Karpovichi of Chernihiv Oblast; Romashkove in the Sumy Oblast and Strelech, Veterinarne and Sotnytsky Kozachok in the Kharkiv Oblast.

Kup'yans'k axis: Ukrainian soldiers are holding their ground. Krasne Pershe, Kam'ianka, Dvorichna, Zapadne, Masyutivka, Kislivka of the Kharkiv Oblast were under Russian artillery and mortar attacks.

Lyman axis: Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensives in the vicinities of Vesely of the Donetsk Oblast. The settlements of Nevs'ke, Bilogorivka of Luhansk Oblast and Tors'ke, Verkhn'yokam'ians'ke and Vesele of Donetsk Oblast were shelled by artillery.

Bakhmut axis: under heavy fire from the Russian forces' aviation and artillery, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled Russian assaults at Hryhorivka and east of Orihovo-Vasylivka. More than 10x settlements, including Vasyukivka, Bohdanivka, Khromov, Chasiv Yar and Ivanivs'ke of the Donetsk Oblast, were shelled by Russian forces.

Avdiivka axis: Defense Forces repelled the advance of Russian troops in the Avdiivka, Pervomaisky, and Nevelsky. Russian forces launched an airstrike in the area vicinities of Avdiyivka. The occupiers shelled more than 10x settlements, including Avdiivka, Berdychi and Nevels'ke in the Donetsk Oblast.

Mar'inka axis: under Russian artillery fire, Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled all attacks in the vicinities of Pobeda, Novomykhailivka and Mar'inka settlements. Russian forces shelled more than 10x settlements, including Kostyantynivka, Mar'inka, and Elizavetivka in the Donetsk Oblast.

Shakhtars'k axis: Russian forces carried out unsuccessful offensive actions in the Blagodatny area. Carried out airstrikes near Odradny and Makarivka. Shelled the settlements of Vugledar, Blagodatne, Velyka Novosilka, Vodyane and Zolota Niva of the Donetsk Oblast.

Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: Russia is concentrating forces to prevent further advance of Ukrainian troops. Russians carried out airstrikes at Mala Tokmachka in the Zaporizhia Oblast and Zolota Balka in the Kherson Oblast. They shelled more than 25x settlements, among them Hulyaipole, Hulyaipils'ke, Zaliznychne, Olhivs'ke of Zaporizhzhya Oblast; Kozats'ke, Lviv, Inzhenerne, Tokarivka in the Kherson Oblast and Kherson, as well as Dniprovs'ke, Dmitrivka and Ivanivka in the Mykolayiv Oblast. Defense Forces of Ukraine continue to conduct an offensive operation in the Melitopol and Berdyansk axes, are digging trenches at achieved positions, and carry out counter-battery measures.

Repression against citizens of Ukraine raising in Henichesk of the Kherson Oblast. According to the available information, getting "into the basement" has become many times easier, since local collaborators, wanting to serve themselves before the ROV, constantly slander citizens and conduct groundless inspections. The Russian occupiers also threaten the local population that if they do not have a Russian passport, citizens will be forcibly deported to Siberia and all their property will be confiscated.

Ukrainian Air Force conducted 14x strikes on Russian manpower, weapons and military equipment concentrations and 3x - on anti-air defense system.

Ukrainian missile and artillery units hit 3x control points, 10x artillery units at firing positions, 1x anti-air defense system and 1x EW station.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the AFU have continued the attempts to conduct offensive operations in Donetsk, Krasny Liman, and South Donetsk directions.

In Donetsk direction, due to skillful actions of the Yug Group of Forces' units, aviation and artillery, 9 enemy attacks have been successfully repelled close to Nevelskoye, Pervomayskoye, Severnoye, Spornoye, and north west of Kleshcheevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU manpower and hardware concentration areas have been hit near Spornoye, Avdeevka, Mayorskoye, Vesyoloye, Kurdyumovka, and Krasnogorovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 250 Ukrainian servicemen, 1 tank, 3 infantry fighting vehicles, 4 motor vehicles, 2 pickup trucks, 1 Krab self-propelled artillery system, 1 D-20 howitzer, as well as 1 U.S.-manufactured AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar station.

In Krasny Liman direction, the units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, aviation, and artillery have repelled 3 enemy attacks close to Chervonaya Dibrova and Karmazinovka (Lugansk People's Republic).

The enemy suffered significant losses near Nevskoye, Chervonaya Dibrova, (Lugansk People's Republic), Serebryanka and Terny (Donetsk People's Republic).

The actions of one AFU sabotage and reconnaissance group have been thwarted close to Terny.

The enemy losses were up to 105 Ukrainian servicemen, 2 tanks, 5 armoured fighting vehicles, 3 pickup trucks, Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, as well as D-20 and D-30 howitzers.

In Krasny Liman direction, the units of the Vostok Group of Forces, aviation, and artillery have repelled an AFU attack close to Rovnopol (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy has been driven back to its initial positions.

In Zaporozhye direction, aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems launched strikes on the AFU units close to Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were up to 90 Ukrainian servicemen, 4 tanks, 15 armoured fighting vehicles, 5 pickup trucks, 1 U.K.-manufactured FH-70 howitzer, as well as 2 D-20 and 2 Msta-B howitzers.

In Kupyansk direction, Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, as well as artillery of the Zapad Group of Forces have inflicted a fire damage on AFU manpower and hardware clusters close to Sinkovka, Timkovka, Novomlynsk , Kislovka, Olshana, Kotlyarovka, Krasnoye Pervoye, (Kharkov region), and Stelmakhovka (Lugansk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were over 20 Ukrainian servicemen, 2 armoured fighting vehicles, 4 motor vehicles, Msta-B and D-20 howitzers, and 1 U.S.-manufactured AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar station.

In Kherson direction, the enemy losses were over 50 Ukrainian servicemen, 6 motor vehicles, and 1 U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery system.

Moreover, 1 ammunition depot of the 124th Territorial Defence Brigade has been neutralised close to Antonovka.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation neutralised 2 command posts of the AFU 24th and 65th mechanised brigades near Toretsk (Donetsk People's Republic) and Orekhov (Zaporozhye region), as well as 75 artillery units of the AFU at their firing positions, manpower and military hardware at 95 areas.

Air defence facilities have shot down 2 enemy Su-25 aircraft close ro Sadovoye and Tyaginka (Kherson region).

3 Storm Shadow cruise missiles and 1 HIMARS MLRS projectiles have been intercepted.

In addition, 9 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been intercepted close to Zhitlovka, Novokrasnyanka, Novodruzhesk (Lugansk People's Republic), Volodino (Donetsk People's Republic), Lubimovka (Zaporozhye region), and Konstantinovka (Kherson region).

In total, 455 airplanes and 241 helicopters, 4,966 unmanned aerial vehicles, 426 air defence missile systems, 10,649 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,137 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 5,413 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 11,592 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

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Counter-Terrorism: EU and UN hold fifth High-level dialogue to steer strategic partnership

European External Action Service (EEAS)

11.07.2023

Brussels/New York, 11 July 2023

EEAS Press Team

The European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) held their Fifth Dialogue on Counter-Terrorism in Brussels on 11 July.

The annual event is a key moment to take stock of the current terrorism landscape and to reflect on the EU-UN strategic partnership for common efforts against the global scourge of terrorism and the underlying spread of violent extremism.

The EU and the UN discussed current terrorism challenges, notably in West Africa and the Sahel, East Africa, Afghanistan and Central Asia, and the Middle East. Building on the outcome of three EU-UN staff talks held in June, theyalso addressed thematic areas of common concern, such as terrorism based on xenophobia, racism, and other forms of intolerance, or in the name of religion or belief, CT cooperation in Africa, and the situation in the camps in Northeast Syria.

The EU and UN representatives also provided an update on strategic policy developments since the previous High LevelDialogue in April 2022, including on the consensus eighth review of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy by the UN General Assembly. Representatives emphasised theimportance of placing human rights and the rule of law at the core of the global response to terrorism. They also underlined the critical role of civil society, and gender-responsive policies to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism.

The annual Dialogue also marked the first anniversary of the EU-UN Global Terrorism Threats Facility, an EU-funded andUN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT)-managedinitiative that provides technical assistance to requestingcountries faced with terrorism, including through mentoringand advisory services and training, in coordination with other EU and UN capacity-building efforts.

They concluded with an agreement to continue cooperating closely on key joint priorities, focusing on impact and results,and to actively explore ways to strengthen multilateral cooperation, particularly in Africa, including by leveraging the EU's role of co-chair of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF).

The Fifth EU-UN High Level Dialogue was co-chaired by Joanneke Balfoort, Deputy Managing Director for Security and Defence Policy at the European External Action Service,and by Raffi Gregorian, Deputy to the Under-Secretary-General and Director the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT). The Dialogue, hosted by the European External Action Service, was also attended by principals and representatives from the European Commission's Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, the Directorate General for Migration and Home Affairs, the Directorate General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, the Council, and, on the side of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, by UNOCT, the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee's Executive Directorate (CTED), the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team.

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India to Take Second Shot at Moon Landing

By Anjana Pasricha July 11, 2023

India will launch a mission to the moon later this week hoping to become the fourth country to land a craft on the lunar surface.

So far only three countries a the United States, Russia and China a have achieved what is called a "soft landing" on the moon in which vehicles touch down without damage.

The mission marks the Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) second attempt to land a rover on the moon a a previous effort nearly four years ago failed.

The spacecraft called Chandrayaan-3, which means moon vehicle in Sanskrit, is scheduled to be launched Friday afternoon (2:35 p.m. Indian time) It is equipped with a lander and a robotic rover that are expected to land on the moon on August 23 or August 24 to map the lunar surface for about two weeks.

"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," ISRO director S. Somanath said.

He said the main objective is to demonstrate "a safe and soft landing."

India aims to land its rover on the South Pole of the moon, a previously unexplored part that lies in near darkness. It will study the topography of this region.

"There is expectation that the southern parts of the moon have a lot of mineral deposits and helium-3. There is also the possibility of water deposits there," Ajey Lele, a space consultant with the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses in New Delhi told VOA.

Through such studies of the moon's topography, India's upcoming space flight to the moon "has the potential to contribute to scientific understanding that will underpin a variety of future lunar missions, including those by other actors," Tomas Hrozensky at the European Space Policy Institute told VOA in emailed comments.

India's moon mission in 2019 had successfully deployed a lunar orbiter, but the lander crashed during the final moments of its descent to the lunar surface a a setback to its main goal.

Aiming for 'soft' landing

Lele says there is optimism about Chandrayaan-3 achieving a "soft" landing. "The glitches that led to the failure of the previous mission have been fixed. Basically, they have made the lander system more sturdy, so it can withstand any impact."

The latest space project is part of India's ambitions to showcase its homegrown technological capabilities in space and be seen as a leading space-faring nation.

"After a quantum rise in our space expertise, India can no longer wait to be left behind in the march to the moon," India's space minister, Jitendra Singh, said Sunday.

India's space program has notched several milestones. Its first mission to the moon in 2008 helped confirm the presence of water. In 2013, it put a satellite in orbit around Mars. Its space agency is also preparing for its most ambitious space mission yet a a human spaceflight next year.

Delivering on "an ambitious and technologically challenging vision serves a profound benefit for perception of the government's capability both within and outside of the country," according to Hrozensky.

US, India teaming up

In recent years there has been a renewed interest in exploring the moon as scientists seek to determine whether it will be possible to mine the moon for minerals and other resources that are shrinking on earth.

Outer space is one of the areas in which India and the U.S. decided to deepen collaboration during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington last month. U.S. President Joe Biden said that the two countries are joining hands to send an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station next year.

India has also signed on to the Artemis Accords, an American-led international partnership for space cooperation that, among other objectives, aims to send humans to the Moon by 2025 after a gap of five decades.

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Transcript - Joint press statements

Transcript

11 Jul 2023

Berlin, Germany

Prime Minister, Chancellor of Germany

Australia-Germany relations; NATO Summit; Climate Club

E&OE



OLAF SCHOLZ, CHANCELLOR OF GERMANY: I am delighted to be able to welcome you to the German Capital on your first official visit. Especially in times like these, we can see how important it is to closely exchange with partners, also with partners that are half a world away, if you will, like our friends from Down Under. Just ahead of the NATO Summit in Vilnius that will begin tomorrow, we see this opportunity to discuss Russian aggression in Ukraine and its impact. We also spoke about the challenges ahead for both of our countries. Australia provides huge support to Ukraine in military and humanitarian terms, and I thanked Prime Minister Albanese for this strong message of solidarity with Ukraine and also with Europe. I am very happy to see that Australia, as of this Autumn, will also make a contribution to air surveillance in the eastern part of the alliance and will deploy an Air Force jet in Germany, and more specifically Ramstein. Both our countries are committed to the rules based international order. We agree that borders must be respected and must not be changed by the use of force. We will not accept might makes right. The rule of law must be enforced. And this is why we support Ukraine so that it can defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The bilateral relations between Germany and Australia are close and built on friendship. Last year, we celebrated the 70th anniversary of our bilateral relations. This is this is a vivid relationship defined by cultural exchange, people to people contact, close political cooperation and also close economic ties. When it comes to questions of economic security, diversification and resilient supply chains, we have agreed today that we will cooperate even more strongly in the future. This is a core goal of the new German National Security Strategy. Politics and companies in both our countries are facing similar challenges in this regard. We are convinced that an ambitious Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and Australia will help us to master these challenges. It will support our regions to diversify our trade relations, thus becoming less dependent on individual suppliers.

For the same reason, we have agreed today that we will further deepen the cooperation between our economies. Also, in order to build up supply chains for critical minerals and raw materials, a joint study will identify concrete options for cooperation and will analyse how we can implement the highest social and ecological standards in a rules based trade system. We also spoke about armament and I am very happy about the agreement on the Boxer that was just concluded. It highlights our firm wish to deepen our strategic cooperation, as close partners in values. And I hope that we will also cooperate with other systems in the future too. Climate was also a topic discussed during our meeting. We wanted companies from Germany and Australia to further expand cooperation on the production and transportation of green hydrogen. With their cooperation, Germany and Australia are making an important contribution to reaching climate neutrality. We also want to expand our existing energy partnership and develop it into a climate partnership in order to fight climate change even more effectively. I am delighted that Australia has announced its will to join the Climate Club. Anthony, thank you so much for being here today.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, thank you very much, Chancellor. And it is indeed an honour to be here today as a guest of Chancellor Scholz and to thank him for the friendship that we have developed over the last year as leaders of our respective nations. Thank you also for your warm remarks. Australia comes to Germany as a partner. This is my sixth visit to Berlin but my first as Prime Minister. We are partners in the clean energy transition, in free trade and in trusted commerce. A partner in support of the rules based order and democracy. A partner in solidarity with Ukraine. Australia and Germany are close friends, and our relationship is growing stronger. As threats to the rules-based order appear both in Europe and the Indo Pacific, we are each making contributions to the others' security. As Germany makes a historic transformation to carbon neutrality, Australia has emerged as a partner in closer climate cooperation and in critical minerals. And as trusted networks of trade become more important, the Chancellor's commitment to free trade is crucial to us.

Unsurprisingly then, our discussions today have been warm and productive. On trade, regional security, defence and the green economy, we are working together. We discussed the ongoing negotiations of the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement. The FTA will diversify trade and strengthen economic links between Australia and the EU at a time of considerable and global uncertainty. I thanked Chancellor Scholz for Germany's support for an ambitious agreement that delivers for Australian and German businesses, workers and their families. Ultimately, our negotiations with the EU will only be concluded when we have a good deal, and one that includes new market access for our agricultural products.

No challenge is of course more pressing than that posed by climate change. Australia and Germany are now united in our deep commitment to tackling climate change. And I commended Chancellor Scholz on his development of Germany's Climate Club, and was pleased to confirm that Australia will join that high-ambition initiative. Together with the G7, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Indonesia, the Netherlands and Luxemburg we are united in our commitment to be ambitious about taking up the opportunities that come from acting on climate. My Government has set the ambition for Australia to be a Renewable Energy Superpower. But we also want to be a renewable energy export superpower, working with countries like Germany, on the industries of the future. For example, we know that exports of green hydrogen derivatives from Australia to Germany can work, and that businesses at both ends are working on this. Growing jobs and industry is a key aim for my Government, and for Chancellor Scholz's government as well. We're also working together to lay the foundations for critical minerals supply chains between our two countries.

The Chancellor and I discussed the NATO summit, which begins tomorrow, and the role Australia and NATO's other Indo-Pacific partners can play. Upholding the international rules-based order is more important than ever in the wake of Russia's illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine. I commended the Chancellor for Germany's leadership in Europe's response to Russia's aggression. Australia will continue to consult with Ukraine and other partners on how we can best support the defence of Ukraine and its national sovereignty into the future. I am announcing today a new Australian contribution to supporting security in Europe through the deployment to Germany of an E-7A Wedgetail early warning aircraft. This aircraft will help to protect the multinational logistics hubs that are essential to the flow of military and humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine. This deployment includes up to 100 crew and support personnel from Australia. It will be deployed for 6 months and will operate in European airspace. We are grateful to Germany for hosting this deployment. This demonstrates Australia's commitment to upholding the rules-based international order.

Today I reiterated Australia's appreciation for Germany's growing engagement in the Indo-Pacific and thanked the Chancellor for the strong signal that his own travel to the region has sent. And I invited Chancellor Scholz to visit Australia in 2024, and we're very hopeful that that will occur and I extended an invitation to him to address the Australian parliament during such a visit.

I am pleased that our governments have established an in-principle arrangement for Australia to supply over 100 Boxer Heavy Weapon Carriers to Germany, starting in 2025. This will be one of the biggest defence sales in Australia's history - worth over $1 billion dollars to the Australian economy in the production and supply of these vehicles. The majority of these vehicles will be produced by Rheinmetall at its Centre of Excellence in Redbank, Queensland, with the remainder to be built in Germany. And I've had contact today with Premier Palaszczuk who has very much welcomed the announcement that this will produce good, secure jobs in Queensland.

Australia and Germany are old friends. But the challenges and the new opportunities of today mean that we need to work together more closely in the future. Standing here before you today, the Chancellor and I are strengthening our relationship and committing to our shared ambition for the future. I thank you very much for the warm reception that I have received here.

JOURNALIST: Thanks very much gentlemen, Mark Riley from the Seven Network Australia. A question to both of you about the commitment of the surveillance aircraft. Prime Minister Albanese, this means that Australia is now as close to having boots on the ground as you can be without actually doing it. They'll be in the air, on the border. Is this the beginning of a broader commitment - a physical commitment - of the Australian military to this broad campaign. And Chancellor Scholz, what does it mean to you as a NATO power for a country like Australia to make this sort of a commitment? And what sort of message do you think it sends to Vladimir Putin?

PRIME MINISTER ALBANESE: Thank you, Mark. This is a very serious commitment. We have had meetings with our Defence Ministers from Ukraine and with Minister Marles during the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore. I met with President Zelenskyy briefly at the G7 meeting that was held in Hiroshima. And we have been liaising with our friends in Ukraine for how Australia can provide support. But we're also talking to our friends in NATO. And we very much welcome the fact that Germany will host us here, up to 100 personnel as well as the E-7A Wedgetail. This is an important contribution. Australia, of course, is a long way from Europe. But one of the things that this war has done is remind us that in today's interconnected globalised world, an event such as the land war in Europe has an impact on the entire world. We've been impacted by our economy, as well as we've been shocked by the brutal invasion, and the disregard for the international rules based order, which we had come to think was something that we hoped would be a permanent presence. So it is important that the democratic world react to defend the rules based order. This contribution is very significant, both for what it will do, but also for what it symbolises as well - which is Australia's commitment to doing what we can to provide the appropriate resources which will maximise the impact of Australia's contribution to support the integrity, and borders, and sovereignty of Ukraine.

CHANCELLOR SCHOLZ: For us, it is truly very important to know how much Australia supports Ukraine. And we're doing this together with many other partners in the world. Ukraine needs this support. Because it is of course remarkable to see the bravery of the men and women in Ukraine, the army defending its country and the resilience of the entire country. But it is also true that without the financial, humanitarian and military support that we make available, it wouldn't be possible to defend oneself in such a way. And so we are delighted about this massive support made by many countries in the world, also countries that are not immediately a member of the European Union, or a defensive alliance that is restricted to the Atlantic region. We are partners in our different international formats. And I am really moved and we will fully support this project to manage it well. It's a very important step and a good one.

JOURNALIST: Thank you very much. Chancellor, I have a question regarding the NATO Summit on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Turkish President, Mr ErdoAYan, said he would make his decision on the Swedish accession, depending on the EU clearing the way for Turkey's accession to the EU. What do you think about this proposal? Is that something one should take seriously? Does one need to react to that? And a question to both of you. On Friday, the US announced it will deliver cluster munitions to Ukraine. There have been different reactions, also different reactions from allies. And I would like to hear from both Germany and Australia, members of the agreement ostracising cluster munitions. What is your stance? Do you reject such a delivery? Do you accept it because the US are an important ally? Or are you even in favour of it because it will help Ukraine in its defence?

CHANCELLOR SCHOLZ: Thank you very much for these very important questions. The first thing, Sweden's accession to NATO. If you look at the facts, there is nothing in Sweden's way. Sweden would perfectly fit NATO. It is a democratic country, it is a country with a powerful national defence structure, designed in a way that it can accede to NATO without any further adaptations. So I was delighted to see that NATO invited Finland and Sweden to join. I'm glad that Finland was already able to join and I hope very much that Sweden will become a member very soon. That is the positive message that I read from the comments of the Turkish President, that he sees this as a real possibility, and I will do everything I can to make this happen as quickly as possible - at best yesterday, already - so we'll do our best to make NATO membership for Sweden a reality soon. The next question is one that is not linked to the first. So I think we shouldn't see it as one topic. You know that the European Union at its last Summit, decided to ask the Commission to report to us about the current state of negotiations and the state of cooperation between Turkey and the EU, and that we want to improve their cooperation. The other question, that is a sovereign decision by the United States of America. We have signed the international convention that prohibits the use of such munitions. For us, we can say that we would not make such deliveries because we have made this commitment, and I won't comment any further on this American decision.

PRIME MINISTER ALBANESE: Australia is also a signatory to the international convention. We don't have such weapons and we don't intend to change that position, and I agree with the Chancellor about his comments referring to what other nations may do.

JOURNALIST: Jacquelin Magnay from The Australian newspaper. President Scholz, or Chancellor Scholz, the Indo-Pacific leaders like Mr. Albanese are invited to NATO amid talk of a regional NATO Office in Japan being set up. I'm just wondering, why are European nations concerned about security in the Indo-Pacific? And you know, is NATO's place in the South Pacific? And Mr. Albanese, what have you told Germany and Europe about the need for such security in the region?

CHANCELLOR SCHOLZ: Thank you very much for your question. It's a very good sign, that not for the first time, NATO has invited its partners from the Indo-Pacific region. This means that we can continue the good discussions we had elsewhere. NATO is a transatlantic alliance, so it's geographically located somewhere else, but we share insights, we share positions, and this is why I think it is important that we need to continue the cooperation that we've had. For Germany and other NATO partners it's become a very common practice to deploy their own ships, vessels, aircraft to the Indo-Pacific for exercises to develop common understanding and so forth, and we will continue to do that.

PRIME MINISTER ALBANESE: On NATO offices and their location, that's really a matter for NATO. Australia, obviously, is a guest here, when we travel to Vilnius tomorrow. I think it's very positive that in the just over a year that I've had the honour of being our Prime Minister, we have been invited to participate in two NATO Summits and I look forward to engaging with Japan, South Korea and New Zealand as well. And then to being able to present to all of the NATO members is, I think, an opportunity that Australia should always participate in when we're invited. Just like I was honoured to participate in the G7 meeting that was held in Hiroshima just a short time ago. With regard to our region, I sent a message which is that democratic nations and friends, such as Germany, are always welcome to participate and to engage in our region. I see it as very positive. And it is good thing that Chancellor Scholz has visited the region. It's a good thing that we're having more cooperation, economic cooperation, which we hope ends up with a Free Trade Agreement that we are very hopeful of securing in the coming period. With increased engagement, including people to people, business to business, and country to country, what you do is strengthen the ties between us. And because we have such common values, values of support for democracy, values of support for and respect for sovereignty, and for multilateralism through forums. Values which are consistent, as well, with regard to our economy. So I see a great opportunity to have even more cooperation with Germany and to have a greater presence by Germany in the Indo Pacific, and a greater presence of Australia here in Europe.

JOURNALIST: Chancellor, I have a question on Ukraine and the NATO Summit. The US President has offered Ukraine sort of a military protection guarantee, like the Israeli model, which sounds very far reaching. Don't you see a risk of this model being very close to actual NATO accession? And the comparison to Israel, from a German perspective, sounds very deep and very binding. Do you think it is right? And one question on the taxpayer scheme for married couples. Do you agree with your head of the Social Democratic Party? And a question to Mr Albanese. The Federal Chancellor just expressed that you will be joining the Climate Club. Your own country is currently building new coal-fired power plants and is also ramping up exports of fossil fuels. So what would be the impact if you were to join the climate club, would you change your policies in the coming years?

CHANCELLOR SCHOLZ: We are supporting Ukraine right now. There is an urgent need to defend their own country against the Russian aggression, the integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine is of most importance to us. So after the United States, we are the second country in terms of support - financial contributions, humanitarian contribution, and also arms deliveries. We also have included this in our budget and financial planning, so that we can live up to our obligations in the coming years to make sure that Ukraine is able to defend itself and defend its own territory and protect its land. We also will deepen cooperation within NATO, that's what you've seen with the NATO Ukraine Council. And I very much speak up in favour of enhancing cooperation. As I've said, over many months, here and elsewhere, we talk about security guarantees for Ukraine after a peace agreement that we always hope for. And this is a discussion that is an intensive one. We also feel obliged to look into the possibility of security guarantees. We are discussing the design of such guarantees with the President of the United States, who has made a proposal. That is not entirely the EU - one that is relevant, and that could be a possibility - but this discussion is ongoing.

PRIME MINISTER ALBANESE: Australia is very pleased and proud to join the Climate Club. There has not been a new coal-fired power station built in Australia, nor is there one proposed or under construction, and that has been the case for well over a decade. There has been some rhetoric from some in the our Greens political party about that, but nothing has happened. In spite of the fact that the previous government had twenty two different energy policies and didn't land any, nothing actually happened with regard to new coal-fired power. And the simple reason is this, that the cheapest form of new energy is renewables - in Australia, like most parts of the world. Our plan, that we have legislated, is for a 43% reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050. That 2030 plan includes our energy grid being made up of 82% renewables. And what we've seen since our time in government, in just one year, is a massive increase in investment. Because our policy was supported by not just mainstream environmental groups, but by the Business Council of Australia, by the Australian Industry Group, which is represents large manufacturers, as well as our Australian Council of Trade Unions, as well as the Australian Conservation Foundation, and Greenpeace, and other mainstream environmental groups. So, we're very pleased to join the Climate Club, because we are ambitious and we also see that this isn't just the right thing to do by the environment but this is also the right thing to do by jobs and by our economy. And one thing we can do is to cooperate and learn off each other. Because you can't address climate change as just a national issue. It has to be, by definition, a global response. And I praise Chancellor Scholz's leadership and Germany's leadership in establishing the Climate Club, and showing that leadership for a considerable period of time. Thanks very much.





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Tsikhanouskaya Says Belarus Deserves To Be High On Agenda At NATO Summit

By RFE/RL's Belarus Service July 11, 2023

VILNIUS -- Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya says she aims to voice her country's position on specific issues such as the transfer of Russian tactical nuclear weapons to Belarusian territory while attending the NATO summit in Vilnius.

Tsikhanouskaya, in an interview with RFE/RL on July 11, said that she recognizes that Ukraine is "in focus" at the summit and agrees that it should be, but said Belarus also deserves to be high on the agenda.

"For almost a year, there has been no new pressure against the regime. And this is viewed as a weakness of democracy -- [authoritarian leader Alyaksandr] Lukashenka and his cronies do crime after crime, and there is no punishment for that," Tsikhanouskaya said.

The Belarusian opposition leader, whose supporters and Western governments say was the real winner of the country's presidential election in August 2020, reiterated her position that there can be no security for Ukraine without freedom for Belarus.

"This connection should be in the heads of the politicians from the NATO alliance," she said in the interview.

Tsikhanouskaya's concern stems from comments made by Russian authorities that have raised the specter of the potential use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine and since Lukashenka accepted a plan to place Russian nuclear arms in Belarus.

Lukashenka said on July 6 that a "certain number of nuclear warheads" had been moved to Belarus, adding that the tactical nuclear weapons had been deployed as a weapon of deterrence, not of attack.

Tsikhanouskaya said on the anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster in April that an overwhelming majority of Belarusians were against plans to station Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus but that their opinion was not taken into consideration before the weapons were moved there.

She acknowledged that Ukrainians are fighting for freedom and security for the whole region and said that Belarusians should support them at every level.

"Ukraine should be given everything that it needs to battle the invading Russian forces," she said. "When it needs arms, arms should be given. When it needs NATO membership, it should be given to Ukraine."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-tsikhanouskaya- ukraine-nato-nuclear-weapons-nato-agenda/32499248.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Roadmap - Scaling the EFP Latvia Battle Group to Brigade

National Defence

2023-07-11

Statement

We, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Latvia and the Minister of National Defence of Canada, recognize our common interests in international peace and security, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to our shared values, the rules-based international order, and international cooperation.

Against the backdrop of Russia's brutal and illegal war in Ukraine and in response to Russia's continued aggressive and destabilizing actions, Allies agreed at the 2022 Summit in Madrid that a more robust, multi-domain, and scalable force posture was required to deter and defend through a greater military presence in Europe, particularly along NATO's Eastern Flank.

At the Madrid Summit in June 2022, the Ministers of Defence for Canada and Latvia signed a Joint Declaration demonstrating our two countries' commitment to bolstering the deterrence and defence of NATO's Eastern Flank, enhancing the greater security of the Euro-Atlantic area.

Russia continues to pose the most significant and direct threat to Allies' security. As such, we acknowledge the importance of NATO's longer-term posture and are committed to its steadfast and swift implementation. This Roadmap outlines our joint plan to implement the commitments made at the Madrid Summit and through the Joint Declaration signed by Canada and Latvia. The implementation of this Roadmap will further strengthen NATO's presence in Latvia and our ability, alongside troop-contributing Allies, to deter and respond to threats posed by Russia more rapidly and effectively. It will result in a significant increase in persistently deployed Allied forces in Latvia and will therefore contribute to our shared objective of protecting our populations and defending every inch of Allied territory.

The Roadmap outlines Canada's three-phased approach to scaling the current Canada-led multinational enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group to a combat-capable multinational enhanced Forward Presence Brigade, including a Preparation Phase, a Build Phase, and a Steady State Phase. It also highlights Latvia's investments in the development of military capabilities to strengthen the defence of NATO's Eastern Flank.

Preparation Phase: The initial Preparation Phase commenced shortly after the NATO Leaders Summit in Madrid in June 2022 and much progress has already been made.

Canada hosted the inaugural Multinational enhanced Forward Presence Brigade Force Sensing Conference in October 2022, which will be followed by regular forthcoming iterations;

An important initial step for Brigade development, Canada formally affiliated its land-based NATO Response Forces to Latvia;

To enable this affiliation, the Canadian Army has realigned its Managed Readiness Plan to assign a single Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group to support deterrence and defence in Latvia, including through forward-deployed forces and Canada-based reinforcements;

In addition to the previously announced Urgent Operational Requirement procurements for the enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group, which included Portable Anti-X Missile systems, Counter Uncrewed Aircraft Systems , and Air Defence Systems, Canada will continue to invest in capabilities and infrastructure to support the Brigade, including increasing forward-deployed equipment and materiel within Latvia;

and Canada will continue to invest in capabilities and infrastructure to support the Brigade, including increasing forward-deployed equipment and materiel within Latvia; In January 2023, Canada deployed the Forward Command Element to Latvia to prepare for integration of a Canadian-led Brigade Headquarters into Multinational Division - North and the future arrival of Brigade capabilities and troops;

Latvia has adopted a law regarding the development of the new military training area "Selonia", 25 000 hectares in size. Latvia has allocated EUR 38 million of national financing for the first phase of the development of "Selonia";

Latvia has allocated financing for the procurement of medium-range air defence systems, rocket artillery systems, and costal defence systems; and

Latvia has introduced conscription in order to increase the fighting force of the Latvian National Armed Forces (LNAF).

Build Phase: Canada and Allies will flow the bulk of the Brigade's forces and equipment into Latvia. As the transition to the Build Phase occurs, Brigade build-up and infrastructure development will need to be aligned.

The enhanced Forward Presence Brigade will begin reporting directly to the Multinational Division Headquarters - North;

Canada will bolster its presence in Latvia by deploying a Canadian Army Tank Squadron of 15 Leopard 2 battle tanks and personnel by the end of 2023;

In Fall 2024, the enhanced Forward Presence Brigade will conduct its first Brigade exercise and NATO Combat Readiness Evaluation;

The enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group will transition from the Latvian Mechanized Infantry Brigade to the Canada-led enhanced Forward Presence Brigade;

Brigade build-up aims to be completed in 2025 with a significant increase in Canadian and multinational Armed Forces soldiers persistently deployed on the ground in Latvia, with additional forces assigned to reinforce Latvia at high readiness from their home country;

In Fall 2025, Latvia will finalize construction of the first phase of "Selonia", including a life support area and shooting ranges, thus providing initial opportunities for military training and exercises in the area. Meanwhile, current and additional new infrastructure will be available to facilitate build-up of the enhanced Forward Presence Brigade;

Medium-range air defence systems and coastal defence systems will enter service in LNAF, thus reinforcing enabling capabilities;

Conscription system is stabilized and LNAF experiences steady flow of personnel into units; and

Latvia, as one of the Multinational Division - North Headquarters Framework Nations, will develop a plan concerning further development of Multinational Division - North.

Steady State Phase: The Steady State Phase will see the Canada-led multinational enhanced Forward Presence Brigade in Latvia to consist of a mix of a significant proportion of forward deployed forces, with stocks and equipment prepositioned for the use of rapidly deployable surge forces readied on standby in Canada and across Allied contributing nations. The goal of this phase will be to maintain readiness and demonstrate the Brigade's capability in order to deter, and if necessary, defend against potential aggression.

By 2026, Canada will complete the full implementation of persistently deployed Brigade capabilities to Latvia;

The enhanced Forward Presence Brigade will deploy and exercise episodically to maintain readiness and demonstrate the Brigade's capability;

Rocket artillery systems will enter service in LNAF boosting enabling capabilities;

Canada will have up to 2 200 persistently deployed Canadian Armed Forces members as part of the enhanced Forward Presence and supporting elements in Latvia, and will be prepared to deploy hundreds more as needed;

Latvia will gradually increase capacity of military training area "Selonia" to accommodate Brigade-level exercises; and

Latvia, as one of the Multinational Division - North Headquarters Framework Nations, will lead the development of Multinational Division - North as a fully resourced and enabled warfighting division.

This Roadmap forms the foundation of a sustainable plan to realize the commitments made at the Madrid Summit in June 2022 and the Joint Declaration signed by Canada and Latvia. This Roadmap further demonstrates Canada's and Latvia's commitment to deterrence and defence, to the security of the Euro-Atlantic area, and to the NATO Alliance and its Allies. We will continue to stand together in the face of aggression, and in solidarity against elements that threaten our individual and collective security.

Signed at Camp Adazi on the 10th day of July in the year 2023 in three (3) copies in English, French, and Latvian.

For the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia

Inara Murniece, Minister of Defence, Republic of Latvia

For the Department of National Defence of Canada

Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, Canada

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with President of Slovakia Zuzana AaputovA

Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau

July 11, 2023

Vilnius, Lithuania

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the President of Slovakia, Zuzana AaputovA, on the margins of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The two leaders underscored the centrality of NATO to Euro-Atlantic stability and welcomed continued collaboration among Allies to ensure our collective security. The Prime Minister also welcomed Slovakia's contribution to the multinational NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battlegroup in Latvia.

The Prime Minister and the President underscored the enduring friendship between Canada and Slovakia, and welcomed the recent conversion of the Canadian office in Bratislava into a full embassy.

The two leaders reaffirmed their enduring commitment to supporting Ukraine as it continues to fight for freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Finally, the Prime Minister and the President discussed the importance of a positive and inclusive approach to politics, their commitment to human rights and the rule of law, and the threat to democracy posed by disinformation.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas

Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau

July 11, 2023

Vilnius, Lithuania

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Prime Minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas, on the margins of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Prime Minister Trudeau was joined by Minister of Foreign Affairs MAlanie Joly and Minister of National Defence Anita Anand.

The two prime ministers reiterated their commitment to continue to collaborate with Allies to address the most pressing security challenges of our time, particularly Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Prime Minister Kallas thanked Canada for its continued leadership as a Framework Nation for the enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia. They also discussed enhancing co-operation in cyber security.

The prime ministers welcomed the recent upgrading of the Canadian office in Tallinn to the status of full embassy as a symbol of the growing and warm relations between Canada and Estonia.

The two leaders also expressed their continued determination to support Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia's aggression and continues on its path toward Euro-Atlantic integration.

The two prime ministers agreed to remain in regular contact.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of New Zealand Chris Hipkins

Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau

July 11, 2023

Vilnius, Lithuania

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Chris Hipkins, on the margins of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The prime ministers discussed the current wildfire situation across Canada. Prime Minister Trudeau thanked Prime Minister Hipkins for New Zealand's support to help battle the wildfires. Given New Zealand has also faced devastating climate-related disasters this year, both leaders underscored the need to work together to address the effects of climate change in both countries and around the world, and reiterated their support for the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge.

Prime Minister Trudeau underscored the importance of New Zealand as a friend and partner to Canada and as an Indo-Pacific Ally to NATO. The leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russia's brutal and unjustifiable war of aggression.

The two leaders agreed to stay in close contact and to continue to work together to advance shared interests and address common challenges in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

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Wang Yi to attend ASEAN meetings in Jakarta, 'broader cooperation overrides limited disputes'

Global Times

By Zhang Han Published: Jul 11, 2023 03:27 PM

China's top diplomat Wang Yi will attend a series of ASEAN meetings in Jakarta from Thursday to Friday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday, as China reiterates its support for ASEAN unity and emphasizes its commitment to properly handling sensitive issues with regional countries.

Although the meetings are held annually, 2023 marks a juncture as China and ASEAN are working toward an enhanced partnership to jointly cope with the slowing global economy and geopolitical challenges, analysts said.

Wang, Director of the Office of the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, will attend the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will also attend some of the meetings.

China expects to build more consensuses through the meetings, make political and fruitful preparations for the East Asia Cooperation Leaders' Meeting in September, and promote regional peace, stability and prosperity, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at Tuesday's routine press briefing.

Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said on Tuesday that the ASEAN meetings are held every year, but 2023 is special.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the bilateral strategic partnership and China's accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia as the first influential extraterritorial power in Indonesia. It is also the 10th anniversary of Chinese President Xi Jinping proposing joint efforts with ASEAN to build a Maritime Silk Road of the 21st century and proposing, for the first time, the concept of building a more close-knit China-ASEAN community of a shared future, also in Indonesia.

It is hoped that yet again in Indonesia, more fruitful achievements can be made, as both China and Southeast Asia are in urgent need of stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific amid attempts by some external forces to destabilize the region.

Xu predicts that Wang Yi may discuss with ASEAN diplomats China's signing of the Treaty of Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, for which China has voiced support. This would be a responsible move by China, a major power in the region, to safeguard peace and stability.

Progress will be made on negotiating the China-ASEAN Free Trade Zone Version 3.0 and further building of a China-ASEAN community of a shared future, Xu said.

China witnessed a year-on-year trade increase of 15 percent with ASEAN in 2022, the first year the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade deal went into effect, per official data. The region continues to hold the position of China's top trade partner in the first five months of 2023.

According to Wang Wenbin on Tuesday, China will work with regional countries to make full use of the RCEP, promote the stability of the regional industrial chain and supply chain, practice true multilateralism to promote open regionalism, properly handle hot and sensitive issues, promote regional peace and stability, and maintain the correct direction of East Asian cooperation.

Indonesia is seeking during this week's forum to accelerate talks on a long-stalled Code of Conduct (COC) on the South China Sea, Reuters reported.

Gu Xiaosong, dean of the ASEAN Research Institute of Hainan Tropical Ocean University, told the Global Times on Tuesday, as a regional country with a large population and a robust economy, Indonesia is in an ideal position to coordinate regional affairs, including mediating disputes on the South China Sea and pushing forward the COC talks.

Before the ASEAN meetings, calls emerged in Vietnam and the Philippines to ban the Hollywood movie Barbie over a scene featuring a world map showing China's Nine-Dash Line in the South China Sea.

Xu interpreted those noises as a common phenomenon before the meetings.

The parties involved should adhere to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), which emphasizes "consultations and negotiations by sovereign states directly concerned" and not make the issue international or more complicated, Xu said.

Gu noted that against the backdrop of China and the US resuming engagement on various fronts, the ASEAN meetings might be less overshadowed by major power competition and more focused on constructive topics.

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Solomon Islands officially opens embassy in Beijing, 'a big milestone' to further enhance relations between countries and people

Global Times

By Shan Jie, Bai Yunyi and Fan Anqi Published: Jul 11, 2023 09:09 PM

Through a ceremony with applause and dances in Beijing, the Solomon Islands officially opened its embassy in China on Tuesday, almost four years after the two countries established diplomatic ties. The Tuesday event, as Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare told the Global Times, is "a big milestone" that is expected to further enhance the relations between the two countries and their people.

The ceremony, held in Beijing, was attended by Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Sogavare, who is on his second official visit to China.

Barrett Salato was introduced by Sogavare as the new Solomon Islands Ambassador to China at the event. Before this, he served as the Trade Commissioner in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of the Solomon Islands, according to the local government website.

In the future, through the embassy, bilateral relations between the Solomon Islands and China, people-to-people ties, and shared values between the two countries will be further strengthened, Sogavare told the Global Times.

He further noted that China is a great country, and for countries like the Solomon Islands and other similar Pacific Island countries, it would be "very stupid" not to increase cooperation with China and seize the development opportunities it offers.

"China is our good friend, and it can help us achieve these development goals," he concluded.

The two countries established diplomatic ties on September 21, 2019. Half a month later, Sogavare paid his first visit to China, during which the Solomon Islands officially joined the Belt and Road Initiative.

Analysts believe that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-Solomon Islands relations have made great progress. In 2022, the two countries even signed a security pact that drew global attention.

On Monday afternoon, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Sogavare in Beijing, as the two sides jointly announced the official establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership based on mutual respect and common development for a new era.

Sogavare and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang have also witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents on development cooperation, trade, civil aviation, customs and meteorology, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

"It is a bilateral relation forged together by shared principles of equality, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and non interference. Solomon Islands-China relation is special and unique," Sogavare said in his speech at the opening ceremony, recalling that China was one of the first countries to provide Solomon Islands much needed vaccine during the pandemic.

"It provides our country with its testing equipments and supported our national health infrastructure. China stood by the Solomon Islands," he said.

He also reaffirmed Solomon Islands' recognition of the one-China principle and vowed to boost engagement with China at all levels. "I made it very clear, there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an integral part of this great country," he said at the event.

Media reported that Sogavare is leading a delegation consisting of representatives from diplomatic, trade, and other fields, to visit multiple cities and provinces in China, including Beijing, East China's Jiangsu, and South China's Guangdong provinces. They will also visit several companies to explore cooperation opportunities.

"I am very pleased," said Chinese Ambassador to the Solomon Islands, Li Ming, in an interview with the Global Times at the opening ceremony. He expressed the hope that the opening of the embassy would further promote bilateral relations to new heights.

"I believe that whether in Beijing or Honiara, the embassies of both sides are willing to work together to promote greater development in the friendly relations between the two countries and their peoples," he said.

People-to-people exchanges

At the opening ceremony on Tuesday, some young Solomon Islanders, dressed in traditional attire, joyfully performed traditional dances, representing different islands of the Pacific country. Behind them, the background screen was showing the beautiful scenery of the tropic islands, with a slogan saying "Welcome to Solomon Islands."

These young people are students from Solomon Islands who are currently studying at various Chinese universities.

Thanks to the support of the Chinese government, many students from the Solomon Islands have been able to receive higher education in China over the past years. They are the best example of the people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

"I meet many helpful people here and I want to study very hard in China," Roxbe Gideon, a Northwestern Polytechnical University student from the Solomon Islands, told the Global Times at the Tuesday event. Gideon, majoring in civil engineering, said that he would like to follow his father's footsteps and become an engineer.

Nisi Alexandrick, Gideon's schoolmate, majoring in aeronautics, hoped to use the knowledge he learned in China to help improve aeronautics or aircraft system in his motherland, in order to improve the air transportation.

Apart from attending the opening ceremony, during their trip in Beijing, the students also had the opportunity to visit Tian'anmen Square and some leading technological companies such as the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation.

According to the "Joint Statement on Establishing aaComprehensive Strategic Partnership FeaturingaMutual Respect and Common DevelopmentaFor a New Era" published on Monday, China and the Solomon Islands will "expand exchanges and cooperation in areas such as culture, education, health, sports, tourism, youth, think tank and the media and at the subnational level."

China will continue to provide government scholarships and various kinds of training opportunities including maritime support and send medical teams to Solomon Islands. The Peace Ark hospital ship of the Chinese Navy will visit Solomon Islands and provide humanitarian medical service in 2023, read the statement.

The two sides formally signed the Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Solomon Islands Relating to Civil Air Transport, and are committed to launching direct flights between the two countries as early as possible.

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Newly formed top office overseeing HK, Macao affairs unveiled

Global Times

By Chen Qingqing Published: Jul 11, 2023 10:55 PM

The newly formed Hong Kong and Macao work office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee made its first public appearance with a meeting on Tuesday chaired by Xia Baolong, director of the office.

The high-profile appearance of the office's leadership shows that the formation of the top office overseeing Hong Kong and Macao affairs has completed and that the leadership and decision-making mechanism of the office and relevant institutions in the two special administrative regions (SARs) are now unified, providing a firm guarantee for the Party's leadership in Hong Kong and Macao-related work, experts said.

Zhou Ji, who's in charge of day-to-day operations; Zheng Yanxiong, director of the central government's liaison office in Hong Kong; Zheng Xincong, director of the central government's liaison office in Macao; Yang Wanming and Wang Linggui were appointed as deputy directors of the office.

Zhou, 59, was named deputy governor of Henan Province in 2021 and was later made head of the Party commission that oversees law enforcement in the province, according to media reports.

The new office will function as a working body of the CPC Central Committee. The name of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council will be retained, according to the plan unveiled in March.

The reform plan also aims to fully implement the central government's full governance over the two SARs and the One Country, Two Systems principle, supporting the two SARs' integration into the country's overall development plan, experts said.

"Given that the directors of the two liaison offices of the central government in Hong Kong and Macao are both the deputy directors of the office, this means the office shares a unified leadership and decision-making mechanism with local relevant institutions in Hong Kong and Macao, which will coordinate and operate in a unified way," Louis Chen, a member of the Election Committee and general secretary of the Hong Kong Legal Exchange Foundation, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

The CPC Central Committee's leadership over Hong Kong affairs will be conducive to maintaining and promoting prosperity of the city with all-out efforts, ensuring that the city won't become a weak point in national security, and making certain its development plan is seamlessly connected with the country's overall plan, some experts said.

The official announcement of the list of members of the office shows that the team members have the ability to implement the work requirements the CPC Central Committee has for the office, including conducting investigation and research, safeguarding national security, promoting Hong Kong's integration into the overall development of the country, resolving deep-seated problems, and responding to dangerous international situations, Lau Siu-kai, a consultant from the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies who is also a senior policy advisor, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

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Lithuania's Foreign Minister Landsbergis at a meeting with the U.S. Senators: 'We managed to stand up against China's coercion because we were not alone - our US, EU and other partners supported us'

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2023.07.11

On 10 July, Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis met with the U.S. Congress delegation led by Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen. The meeting focused on Lithuanian and regional security issues, the agenda of the NATO summit in Vilnius, and Lithuania's Indo-Pacific Strategy.

"We highly appreciate the strategic partnership between Lithuania and the United States, which makes a significant contribution to strengthening Lithuania's security," the head of Lithuania's diplomacy said during the meeting with the representatives of the U.S. Senate. The Foreign Minister thanked the members of the Congress for their support for Lithuania and the Baltic states in developing military capabilities and for the presence of the U.S. troops in Lithuania.

The Foreign Minister also stressed the need to continue military support to Ukraine and urged the U.S. to support Ukraine's aspirations for NATO membership. "At a time when Ukraine's prospects for NATO membership are being decided, it is necessary to mobilize the Alliance as a whole. 15 years ago, at the Bucharest Summit in 2008, the Alliance decided that Ukraine would become a member of NATO. Today, we should commit to creating the right conditions for this," the head of Lithuania's diplomacy said.

The Foreign Minister also presented Lithuania's first Indo-Pacific Strategy of 5 July to the members of the U.S. Congress. "The support of the U.S., E.U. partners and the international community helped us cope with China's pressure. Our new strategy aims to promote the prosperity and security of Lithuania and all our friends in the region," said Landsbergis.

Bilateral cooperation between Lithuania and the United States was also discussed during the meeting. The senators thanked Lithuania for its principled position and leadership in supporting Ukraine and countering the attempts of authoritarian regimes to undermine the rules-based international order.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen's delegation includes Senators Richard Durbin, Thom Tillis, Pete Ricketts, Dan Sullivan and Angus King, who came to Lithuania to attend the NATO summit in Vilnius.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on July 11, 2023

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will attend the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia from July 13 to 14.

CCTV: China just announced that Director Wang Yi will attend ASEAN-plus foreign ministers' meetings. How does China view the current state of East Asian cooperation? What does China expect to achieve through the meetings?

East Asia has remained generally stable despite challenges such as a slowing global economy and the flaring up of geopolitical conflicts. The region continues to witness an economic rebound and progress in economic integration. China's relations with regional countries have maintained the growth momentum. The China-ASEAN strategic partnership, in particular, has been strong and robust. Our friendly cooperation has further deepened and expanded, which has galvanized the overall cooperation in East Asia.

The ASEAN-plus foreign ministers' meetings provide a platform to enhance mutual trust and cooperation. China hopes to see more common understandings coming out of those meetings, which will prepare the ground for fruitful leaders' meetings this September and contribute to regional peace, stability and prosperity. China will work with regional countries to firmly support ASEAN unity and the community-building, advance the purposes and principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and uphold the rules and order of the region. China will work with regional countries to capitalize on the RCEP's full entry into force, keep regional industrial and supply chains stable and smooth and together look after the regional epicentrum of growth. China will work with regional countries to practice true multilateralism, advance open regionalism and handle hotspots and sensitive issues properly to keep the region peaceful and stable and make sure that East Asian cooperation will move forward in the right direction.

China News Service: On July 7, the giant panda Ai Bao at ROK's Everland theme park, who came from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, gave birth to twin cubs. They are the first pair of baby pandas born outside China this year and also the first twin cubs ever born in the ROK. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: This is fantastic heart-warming news, which I believe brings joy to people both in China and the ROK. The giant panda is a national treasure and name brand for China and an envoy for friendly exchanges between China and the rest of the world. Ai Bao's first baby, Fu Bao, is much adored by the ROK public. We believe that the twin cubs' birth will bring joy and luck. They have our best wishes, and we hope they will play a part in thickening the bond and friendship between Chinese and the people of the ROK just like their sister Fu Bao has.

CCTV: According to reports, the IAEA chief has made controversial comments during his visit to the ROK and New Zealand. He said on several occasions that one could drink or swim in the "treated water" from Fukushima and that the "treated water" is as harmless as the water discharged from nuclear power plants in other countries. However, many nuclear experts, including those involved in the review, have recently expressed different views. What is your comment on this?a

Wang Wenbin: If you take even just a brief look at recent media coverage, you will find that the IAEA safety review has indeed been controversial. Experts who participated in the review have expressed views different from the final report. That is an indisputable fact. This shows once again that the IAEA released the review on this complex issue too hastily, and the conclusion has its limitations and is narrowly focused without addressing the world's concerns over the discharge plan. Japan can't just use the IAEA report as a "greenlight" for the ocean discharge.

I need to point out once again that it is against common science to put the nuclear-contaminated water from Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant and the water released from normally functioning nuclear power plants in the same category, given the uncertainty about whether the former will meet safety standards after treatment. These two types of water are inherently different as they come from different sources, contain different radionuclides and require different levels of sophistication in terms of the treatment methods involved. The nuclear-contaminated water in Fukushima comes from the cooling water injected into the damaged reactor cores, as well as seepage of groundwater and rainwater after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, and it contains various radionuclides released from the damaged reactor cores. It is totally different from the normal water discharge from operating nuclear power plants. The IAEA didn't assess the efficacy and long-term reliability of Japan's treatment facilities and therefore cannot guarantee that all nuclear-contaminated water will be up to standard after treatment in the next 30 years. The impact of long-running discharge on the marine environment and food safety is not something that the IAEA can easily draw a conclusion on.

If some people think that the nuclear-contaminated water from Fukushima is safe to drink or swim in, we suggest that Japan save the nuclear-contaminated water for these people to drink or swim in, instead of releasing it into the sea and causing widespread concerns internationally.aa



RIA Novosti: According to POLITICO, apart from Ukraine's allies, other countries also made it clear to Russian President Putin that nuclear escalation should not be considered. It is said that President Xi Jinping told the Russian side not to use nuclear weapons during a state visit to Russia in March. China is trying to persuade Russia to put the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant under IAEA's full control. What's China's comment on this report?

Wang Wenbin: China released readouts on President Xi Jinping's visit to Russia in March. The two presidents had candid and in-depth communication on the Ukraine crisis. The Chinese side elaborated on its principled position. The Russian side spoke highly of China's objective, fair and balanced position and welcomed China to play a constructive role in the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.

China believes that all nuclear weapon states need to embrace the idea of common security and uphold global strategic balance and stability. Last January, leaders of the five nuclear-weapon states issued a joint statement, affirming that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. Under the current circumstances, parties need to focus on the diplomatic efforts aimed at peacefully resolving the Ukraine crisis and jointly seek de-escalation and lower strategic risks.

China takes the nuclear safety issue of nuclear facilities in Ukraine seriously and is closely following the situation. In the document entitled China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis, we call for keeping nuclear power plants safe and oppose armed attacks against nuclear power plants or other nuclear facilities for peaceful purposes. China supports the IAEA in maintaining contact with all parties and playing a constructive role in safeguarding the safety and security of Ukraine's nuclear facilities.

AFP: We understand that US climate envoy John Kerry is due to visit China in the next few days. Can the Chinese side give any further details of his trip, such as details on who he will meet with and what will be discussed?

Wang Wenbin: China and the US are in touch regarding dialogue and exchange at various levels. As for the specific visit you asked about, I'd refer you to competent authorities.

Climate change is a global challenge and calls for a global response. China and the US had sound cooperation on climate change and jointly facilitated the conclusion and coming into effect of the Paris Agreement. It is hoped that the US will work with China to create enabling conditions and atmosphere for China-US climate cooperation.

Bloomberg: In your comments, you said experts had pointed out that the Fukushima water report released by the IAEA was inadequate. Are the experts you are referring to those 12 people, including the representative from China, that wrote the report for the IAEA? Or is it other experts who were not part of the IAEA's panel?

Wang Wenbin: We have stated multiple times that the IAEA's review report has its limits, is narrowly focused, and failed to address international concerns over the legitimacy, safety and legality of Japan's discharge plan. Japan should not view the report as a "greenlight" for the ocean discharge. IAEA Director General Grossi stated on multiple occasions that the IAEA will not endorse Japan's decision on ocean discharge. I would like to tell you that the view from experts involved in the review is different from what is stated in the IAEA report. This is an indisputable fact.

The nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant contains dozens of radionuclides, many of which cannot be treated effectively with existing technologies. Some long-lived radionuclides may spread with ocean currents and form a bioconcentration effect, which will multiply the total amount of radionuclides, causing potential hazards to the marine environment and human health. Japan did not invite the WHO or other professional institutions to carry out review from the health perspective. Japan invited IAEA only for a review process that was based on very few samples and data, which had been provided by Japan. The IAEA based its review on the assumption that Japan's purification facility would remain effective and reliable in the long term, and Japan's management of the discharge would be free from mistakes or errors for the next 30 years. Such a conclusion can hardly be trusted.



Yonhap News Agency: According to reports, on Tuesday, Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea accused a US military spy plane of entering the country's airspace over its economic water. She warned that the DPRK will take military actions in response if the US continues such intrusion. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: Lately, relevant party has been sending strategic weapons to the Korean Peninsula to engage in military activities. Has this been conducive to resuming dialogue? Or has it only deepened the rift and made the tensions worse? Reality has given us the answer. We hope parties will face the crux of the issues squarely, keep searching for a political settlement and keep the Korean Peninsula peaceful and stable. China is committed to bringing parties to the table and we have been encouraging efforts to address each other's legitimate concerns in a balanced way. Relevant party needs to step up to its responsibility and act on what it said about seeking "dialogue without preconditions", instead of saying one thing but doing another.

TASS: Taiwanese island media published a report claiming the US has urged island military to construct a new Biosafety Level-4 laboratory to "secretly establish virus research and development capabilities." Do you have any comments on that?

Wang Wenbin: China has been clear and consistent about its opposition to US-Taiwan military engagement. If the report you cited is true, this is further evidence that the U.S. has malignant designs for Taiwan and the DPP authorities is simply selling Taiwan away.

Taiwan is a sacred and inalienable part of China's territory. We will firmly safeguard China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and resolutely push back all moves that would harm Taiwan's interests and sell Taiwan away.

Bloomberg: You have repeatedly said that experts have said the IAEA's report is inadequate. And the initial statement from MOFA also said that the report failed to fully reflect views from experts that participated in the review. But I don't think the Chinese side has ever named any of these experts that have made these comments. And I haven't seen any media reports about other experts or the members of the IAEA panel saying that the report itself is inadequate. Can you tell us the names of the people or the names of the nuclear safety experts who have said that the IAEA panel's report is inadequate or is not substantial?

Wang Wenbin: Indisputably, there is controversy over the IAEA review, according to relevant experts. If you have not seen the coverage on this, the only explanation might be that you haven't been thorough. I suggest that you take a close look at the recent reports on this issue. I believe the public has access to those commentaries in the media coverage. You may also seek verification from the IAEA to see whether or not relevant experts have expressed different views and opinions on the review report.

I would also like to tell you that the experts are not just the only ones disputing the review. In this part of the world and elsewhere, the public, including many individuals and groups, have expressed strong criticism and opposition to the review,which is not hard to find in media reports.

AFP: US authorities have announced covert lobbying and arms dealing charges against an analyst named Gal Luft who is alleged to be an unregistered foreign agent of China. What's the Chinese government's position on relevant charges?

Wang Wenbin: I'm not aware of what you mentioned.a

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Chinese leader called for war preparedness ahead of Yellen visit

Xi visited troops responsible for the Taiwan Strait and called for enhanced planning of 'war and combat.'

Chris Taylor for RFA 2023.07.11 -- Just days before United States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen touched down in Beijing for a four-day visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the headquarters of the People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater and emphasized war preparedness.

The Jiangsu Province PLA Eastern Theater is responsible for the Taiwan Strait and for a possible military assault on Taiwan, which China's communist government claims as "sovereign territory" despite having never governed it.

The Eastern Theater carries out regular drills in the Taiwan Strait and has overseen live-fire drills encircling Taiwan in recent months.

Addressing commanders in Jiangsu Thursday, Xi "stressed efforts to ... break new ground for theater command development and war preparedness," state media reported.

He called for "enhancing the planning of war and combat ... and stepping up training under real combat conditions to raise the forces' capabilities to fight and win," the reports said.

According to reports, experts think that Xi is "very aware" that any military move on Taiwan could draw in the U.S. and Japan, which has close ties with Taiwan as its former colonial overlord from 1898 to 1945, when Japan was defeated in WWII.

Yellen did not meet Xi during her two days of meetings with senior officials in Beijing, but the U.S. Treasury had indicated that was not an expectation before she went.

Xi is effectively the "supreme leader" of the PLA, the world's largest standing armed force.

Signaling that he is aware of Xi's ambitions - just hours after Janet Yellen said the world has room to accommodate both the U.S. and China, - U.S. President Joe Biden said in an interview with broadcaster CNN that Xi aimed to dominate the world stage.

"I'm confident he [Xi] wants to have the largest economy in the world, the largest military capacity in the world," Biden said.

In the past, Biden has reiterated or refused to walk back comments that undermine diplomacy with China, such as calling Xi a "dictator" after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Beijing last month.

Tension in the strait

Beijing is fiercely opposed to U.S. military support for Taiwan and sales of weapons to the de-facto nation, and accuses the U.S. of turning Taiwan into a "powder keg."

From Friday morning to Saturday morning the PLA sent 13 aircraft and six vessels into airspace and waters around Taiwan while Yellen was in Beijing and calling for a peaceful competitive relationship.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry said four Chinese aircraft - two SU-30 fighters, one BZK-005 reconnaissance plane and one Y-8 anti-submarine warfare plane - crossed the median line in the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern air defense identification zone.

Ni Lexiong, a professor at the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, noted to the South China Morning Post that the show of force may have less to do with Yellen than the fact a US congressional delegation led by Mike Rogers, chairman of the House armed services committee, made a three-day visit to Taiwan.

The U.S. House of Representatives recently finalized the review of the National Defense Authorization Act for the 2024 fiscal year. In its draft, the committee highlighted delays of deliveries of U.S. military sales to Taiwan and demanded a report from the U.S. Secretary of Defense by March 1, 2024, outlining the benefits and challenges of jointly producing arms and ammunition with Taiwan.

"The congressional group's Taiwan visit is putting more pressure on Beijing and reminding Xi that Washington is escalating military intervention in a possible Taiwan war endorsed by the NDAA," Ni said.

"Xi senses strong danger as the U.S. has also learned from the ongoing Ukraine war to be prepared for both short-term and long-term war, and more ammunition and heavy weapon systems are likely to be deployed to Taiwan."

"This is Xi's first inspection tour to the command since former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei last August, causing theater troops to stage unprecedented drills as [a] response," Zhou Chenming, a researcher with Yuan Wang, a Beijing-based military science and technology think tank, told the Hong Kong English-language newspaper in the same report.

Trade tensions

During his visit to Jiangsu Province in East China, Xi also emphasized the development of technology, which has been subject to U.S. trade restrictions on high-tech semiconductor chips.

Yellen described the China chip restrictions as "narrowly targeted" in state security interests.

State media described his three-day "inspection tour" to the province as "promoting scientific and technological self-reliance." The tour concluded on Friday when Yellen was meeting with senior officials in Beijing. Xi visited an industrial park, enterprises, a historical and cultural block, and a science laboratory.

Even though recent visits to China by Blinken and Yellen may have broken the ice and re-established some critical lines of communication, tensions between the U.S. and China cannot be considered to have been defused because China sees the trade restrictions on chip technology as standing in the way of its economic development.

"China wants to convince the United States that working together requires not viewing us as a primary competitor or gathering your friends to form a gang," said Lu Feng, an economist at Peking University.

China blasted female economists online for eating dinner with Yellen, even calling them traitors, in a social media outburst that was revealing about China's complex feelings about its leading "frenemy," the U.S.

China "requires" the U.S. to "cease the suppression of Chinese enterprises, lift bans on Xinjiang-related products, and take concrete steps to respond to China's major concerns in economic relations between the two countries," China's Finance Ministry said in a readout after Yellen departed on Sunday.

In comments given to U.S. business leaders in Beijing, Yellen said: "In fact, trade between our two countries 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."

Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Hong Kong police question family of exiled activist Nathan Law

City's chief vows to hunt down wanted overseas activists, likens them to 'rats crossing the street.'

By Simon Lee for RFA Cantonese 2023.07.11 -- Hong Kong police on Tuesday questioned the family of exiled former pro-democracy lawmaker Nathan Law, who the city's leader has vowed to "pursue for life" under a national security law criminalizing public criticism of the authorities.

"Today, the Hong Kong national security police went to the apartments of Nathan Law's parents and brother and took them away for questioning," advocacy group Hong Kong Watch said in a statement on its website. "They were later released without arrest."

The move came after national security police last week issued arrest warrants and bounties for eight prominent Hong Kong activists living in exile, accusing them of "collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security."

Law, who now lives in the United Kingdom, announced in 2020 that he had cut ties with his family back in Hong Kong in a bid to protect them.

But police raided his parents' home early Tuesday morning, taking away his parents and brother and questioning them about whether they had provided him with any financial support, or whether they were his "agents" in Hong Kong, according to multiple media reports.

"At around 6.00 a.m. today (July 11), the national security department [of the Hong Kong police force] searched two units in Yat Tung Estate, Tung Chung, where Nathan Law's parents and elder brother live, and took [the three of them] away to take their statements," the pro-Beijing Sing Tao Daily reported.

Police wanted to know if they had been providing financial assistance to Law or had acted on his behalf in Hong Kong, it said.

"After the three had made their statements, they were allowed to leave the police station," the report said, versions of which also appeared on iCable News and in the South China Morning Post.

Bounties on their heads

The July 3 warrants also listed former pro-democracy lawmakers Ted Hui, now in Australia, U.K.-based Dennis Kwok, U.S.-based activist and political lobbyist Anna Kwok and Australia-based legal scholar Kevin Yam among the wanted.

U.K.-based activists Finn Lau and Mung Siu-tat and U.S.-based businessman Elmer Yuen are also on the wanted list.

Authorities have offered bounties of HK$1 million (US$127,700) for information that might lead to an arrest or a successful prosecution.

Those named face a slew of charges including "collusion with foreign powers" and "inciting subversion and secession" under a law imposed on Hong Kong by the Communist Party in the wake of the 2019 protest movement that effectively bans public dissent and peaceful political opposition.

The warrants were quickly followed by five more arrests of former associates of Law and the now-disbanded pro-democracy party Demosisto that he co-founded in the wake of the 2014 Umbrella Movement, who were accused of using the "Punish MEE" pro-democracy crowd-funding app to bankroll overseas activists.

The escalating crackdown has sparked international criticism of the authorities' ongoing attempts at "long-arm" law enforcement overseas.

Hong Kong's three-year-old national security law bans public criticism of the authorities as "incitement of hatred," and applies to speech or acts committed by people of any nationality, anywhere in the world.

More targeted

Meanwhile, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam has lodged complaints to the Hong Kong Bar Association and The Law Society of Hong Kong against two others on the "wanted" list: former lawmaker Dennis Kwok and solicitor Kevin Yam, for "professional misconduct," Hong Kong Watch said, adding that both could have their licenses to practice law in Hong Kong suspended.

"This is a drastic escalation since last week's arrest warrants and bounties against the eight activists, which were already outrageous and completely unacceptable," the group's Chief Executive Benedict Rogers said.

The group called on British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to summon the Chinese ambassador and ask him to explain why the authorities are targeting the families of Hong Kongers under the protection of the United Kingdom. Law has been granted political refugee status.

"The Hong Kong government is openly threatening activists abroad, in an attempt to silence them and spread fear among the community," the statement said.

It said the threats against Law's family showed that the situation in Hong Kong is increasingly similar to that of mainland China, and that any difference between the two systems of governance has been totally dismantled.

'Rats crossing the street'

Chief Executive John Lee on Tuesday repeated his vow to "hunt down" Law and the other activists for the rest of their lives.

"I have said many times that we will hunt them down for the rest of their lives, and that we will use every means in our power to do so, including going after anyone providing them with financial or other kinds of assistance," Lee told reporters on Tuesday.

"We will also go after the forces behind the scenes, who may even be controlling them," he said, without elaborating on who those forces might be.

He likened the exiled activists to "rats crossing the street," to be shunned unless anyone has information leading to their arrest or prosecution, in which case a reward could be offered.

Former Security Secretary Regina Ip earlier told reporters that she believed that while "normal" family contact with overseas activists wasn't an issue, anyone sending funds to overseas activists who then used the money to lobby overseas parliaments to sanction Hong Kong "or other violations of the national security law," could face prosecution.

More than 260 people have been arrested under the national security law, including dozens of former opposition lawmakers and political activists and senior journalists including pro-democracy media magnate Jimmy Lai, who is a British citizen.

An estimated 10,000 have been prosecuted for "rioting" or public order offenses in the wake of the 2019 protest movement, which Beijing views as an attempt by "hostile foreign forces" to foment a "color revolution" in Hong Kong.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Solomon Islands leader feels he's 'back home' amid weeklong visit to China

China, Solomon Islands signed 9 agreements including for police cooperation and aviation.

By Stephen Wright for BenarNews 2023.07.11 -- China's leaders have feted Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on his second official visit to their country and promised further aid to the economically-lagging island nation that has become Beijing's beachhead in the Pacific.

Relations between China and the Solomon Islands, an archipelago about 2,100 kilometers (1,300 miles) northeast of Brisbane, Australia, have blossomed since Sogavare's government switched its diplomatic recognition to Beijing from democratically governed Taiwan in 2019.

The two countries signed a security agreement last year, alarming the United States and its allies such as Australia, who worry it could lead to a Chinese military presence in the South Pacific.

Sogavare, accompanied by a delegation of Cabinet ministers, legislators and business leaders, began a week-long visit to China on Sunday. On Monday, he met China's President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, according to state news agency Xinhua.

A joint Solomon Islands-China statement, published by Xinhua, said the two countries had signed nine agreements covering development cooperation, trade, infrastructure development, civil aviation, education, police affairs, customs and meteorology. Details of the agreements have not been made public.

The statement said relations had been elevated to a "comprehensive strategic partnership."

Sogavare, who will also visit Jiangsu and Guangdong provinces, appeared impressed by his red-carpet reception.

"I'm back home," the prime minister said in a video posted online by state-run China Global Television Network that showed Sogavare and his wife Emmy Sogavare greeted by Chinese officials.

"The busy Beijing traffic gave way to the motorcade of more than 20 vehicles. The Solomon Islands and PRC flags were flown alongside each other along the streets," said a statement Monday from Sogavare's office, describing his arrival in Beijing.

China's 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 - which it considers a rebel province - and advance its own economic and security interests. The Pacific island nation of Kiribati also switched its diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 2019.

In a speech to a forum in Beijing on economic development, Sogavare echoed Beijing's talking points in its sparring with the U.S., which has the world's largest economy and military.

Sogavare's speech "underscored the need to rise above those that want to create a divided world with ideological geopolitical fault lines," the statement from his office said.

Xi, following his meeting with Sogavare, said the Solomon Islands had become the "pacesetter" for relations between China and Pacific island countries, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. Recognition of China has proven to be the "correct choice" for the Solomon Islands, Xi said.

Li said China is willing to expand economic and development cooperation with the Solomon Islands, according to Xinhua and a second statement from Sogavare's office.

Under Sogavare, the Solomon Islands has sought to benefit from the China-U.S. rivalry in the Pacific by securing more development assistance.

The country of some 700,000 people grapples with crumbling roads, limited telecommunications and lack of basic healthcare. At the same time as Sogavare is visiting China, power supply in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara has been cut for two-hour periods several times a day while maintenance is carried out on generators, according to the country's power company.

The competition for influence in the Solomons has spilled into domestic security, raising concerns it could cause new instability in a country that spiraled into chaos only two decades ago, culminating in an Australian-led military intervention from 2003 until 2017.

Both China and Australia have been training Solomon Islands police and donating equipment, including water cannons gifted by China and guns courtesy of Australia. In the past month the Solomons has been given seven Nissan X-Trail SUVs from Australia as well as night-vision devices, drones, a wireless signal jammer and two vehicles from China.

Sogavare's trip to China comes after Australia earlier this month offered to extend a 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 Sogavare's government following anti-China and anti-government riots in the capital Honiara.

So far, the Solomons Islands government has neither publicly accepted nor rejected Australia's offer. Sogavare has said a security treaty between Australia and the Solomon Islands needs to be reviewed.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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New China-Solomon Islands Police Deal Trigger Concerns

By William Yang July 12, 2023

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare of Solomon Islands kicked off his trip to China this week with a clear goal a to deepen bilateral ties with Beijing, causing alarm among some Western nations.

Among the highlights of the trip: Solomon Islands inaugurated its embassy in Beijing and the two countries signed a total of nine documents, including a police cooperation deal that will be effective through 2025.

In response to the signing of the agreements between China and Solomon Islands, the U.S. and Australia have urged Beijing and Honiara to release details of the policing deals.

Penny Wong, spokesperson for Australian Foreign Minister, said in a statement that Canberra is concerned that the development will "invite further regional contest."

In an interview with VOA Mandarin, John Hennessey-Niland, the former U.S. ambassador to Palau, said he is disturbed by the secrecy around the agreements.

"[There are] concerns about what the agreements between Solomon Islands and China may lead to," he said, adding that it could result in a military presence in the middle of the Pacific, which is something that the world wants to avoid.

The deepening partnership between Solomon Islands and China in recent months, especially in security-related sectors, has alarmed Western democracies, such as the U.S. and Australia.

US embassy

In an attempt to compete for influence with China in the South Pacific, the U.S. opened its embassy in Solomon Islands in February. Regionally, the Biden administration held its first United States-Pacific Island Country Summit in September 2022 and pledged $810 million to the region in programs that range from fighting the climate crisis to maritime security and education.

Meanwhile, Australia continues to engage in security cooperation and talks with Solomon Islands as part of a decadeslong tradition in which Australia is the primary security provider to the Pacific island nation. Before Sogavare's trip to China, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles was in Honiara for two days to discuss security.

However, following the talks, Sogavare called for a review of Solomon Islands' security treaty with Australia, emphasizing the move is necessary to take into account "the changing security challenges faced by both countries."

Some experts view Sogavare's call for a reevaluation of the security partnership with Australia and the decision to sign a new police cooperation deal with China as clear signs that Solomon Islands is shifting its foreign policy focus.

"The decision seems to be pushing out Australia and New Zealand, which have both been involved in keeping the police and security cooperation and replacing it with China," said Anne-Marie Brady, an expert on China-Pacific politics at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

She said that the trend is reflecting implications of the China-Solomon security agreement signed last year.

After signing the controversial security pact, which outlined broad conditions under which the Pacific Island nation could ask China to send in armed police and military personnel, Solomon Islands sent a delegation of more than 30 police officers for training in China.

However, Brady highlighted differences between China's police system and that of democratic countries' including Solomon Islands.

Mihai Sora, a former Australian diplomat posted to Solomon Islands and a research fellow in the Pacific Islands program at Lowy Institute, agreed.

"The obvious concern is what impact will it have on Solomon Islands' police force, especially when we think about how the Chinese police force responded to political protests and domestic dissent in Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet," Sora told VOA.

Evolving foreign policy

Since Solomon Islands switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019, Beijing has helped build up key infrastructure in the archipelagic state.

It includes the stadium for the upcoming Pacific Games, a multimillion-dollar cellular network built by the Chinese telecom giant Huawei and financed by a Chinese EXIM bank loan, as well as the redevelopment of a port in the capital, Honiara, that is being spearheaded by a Chinese state company.

Before he departed for Beijing, Sogavare said it is not in Solomon Islands' interest to take sides, saying the island nation is "friends to all and enemies to none."

"Our national interest is development," he said during an annual Independence Day address last Friday. "This position has not changed. It is more urgent than ever."

Despite Sogavare's emphasis on Solomon Islands being neutral, his policies are contradicting that long-standing foreign policy principle, said Brady.

"His government is picking a side and excluding other partners," she told VOA, adding that Solomon Islands continues to promote policies that are in line with China's agenda in regional groupings.

However, Sora, from the Lowy Institute, said Sogavare is looking to maximize benefits from all partners.

"He is using the strategic anxiety of traditional partners like Australia and the U.S. and the strategic intent of new partners like China to extract as many benefits from all partners as he can," he said.

While the overall direction of Solomon Islands' foreign policy under Sogavare's rule remains unclear, Sora said China's efforts to double down on relationships with certain countries in the Pacific are challenging the existing regional architecture and undermining regional unity.

"While U.S. and Australia address regional concerns by working through the Pacific Islands Forum, China is looking for ways to work around the regional intergovernmental body," he said.

"We will see this continuing push from China to maximize those relationships that are working in its favor in the Pacific, and that's going to create an increased level of unease among Pacific countries," Sora added.

China-Solomon Islands relations

Also during his trip, Sogavare praised China's role in addressing global challenges, telling Premier Li Qiang that Solomon Islands "has a lot to learn from China's development experience."

In a meeting with Sogavare, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said Beijing will continue to provide economic and technical assistance "without political strings attached," reported China's state media, Xinhua.

Some analysts told VOA that China hopes to use Sogavare's visit to show other Pacific countries that Beijing is a good partner while Sogavare hopes to convince the skeptical Solomon Islands public that the decision to switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019 is delivering results favorable to Honiara.

"Beijing is looking to publicize its approach to develop ties with Solomon Islands as a good news story, while Sogavare is demonstrating to domestic audiences that the relationship with China is delivering for the people," Sora said.

Sogavare is expected to visit economic powerhouse provinces such as Jiangsu and Guangdong during his weeklong visit to China.

Legu Zhang contributed to this story.

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Press Statement of Foreign Minister of DPRK

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, July 11 (KCNA) -- Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, released the following press statement on Tuesday:

The U.S., which has finally plunged the security of the European continent into a crisis of war through NATO's illegal ever-escalating eastward expansion, is going to perpetrate an unethical crime imperiling even innocent peaceable citizens.

On July 7 the U.S. president announced a decision to offer cluster ammunitions to Ukraine, sparking off serious international uproar.

As cluster bombs are recognized as very dangerous WMD, their use is internationally banned. Even now the damage by the cluster ammunitions dropped by the U.S. forces is unabated across the world.

The U.S. has made a very dangerous choice by deciding to offer such lethal weapons to Ukraine, which brings to light once again its true colors as destroyer of peace regarding aggression and massacre as its national policy and mode of existence.

No wonder, even the UN secretary general expressed his opposition to the U.S. choice immediately, and the international community is getting increasingly vocal in its criticism of it.

The U.S. president said that the recent step was a "difficult decision."

This clearly shows once again before the world the impudent behavior of the U.S., a top-class war criminal nation and WMD proliferater, which never cares about the lives of peaceable citizens if it is to maintain its hegemony, although it is well aware of the terrible consequences to be brought by the transfer of cluster ammunitions.

The U.S. will have to face utterly disastrous consequences if it finally allows the transfer of WMD to be used in the Ukrainian war, which even its vassal countries hesitate to do.

The situation goes to clearly prove that the U.S. is the chief culprit of intentionally prolonging the Ukrainian crisis and the "deadly enemy of mankind" disturbing global peace and security.

Upon authorization, I, on behalf of the DPRK government, vehemently denounce the U.S. decision to offer WMD to Ukraine as a dangerous criminal act to bring a new calamity to the world, and strongly demand the U.S. withdraw the decision immediately.

The recent decision of the U.S. can never dampen the indomitable spirit of the Russian army to defend the dignity and sovereignty of the country but will only result in further hardening the anti-U.S. will of the Russian people.

The DPRK government and all the Korean people extend firm support and solidarity to the just cause of the Russian people once again, convinced that Russia will boldly weather all trials and difficulties and surely achieve the final victory. -0-

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DPRK accuses U.S. of intruding on Exclusive Economic Zone

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 16:53, July 11, 2023

SEOUL, July 11 (Xinhua) -- A senior official of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) warned on Monday and Tuesday against the U.S. intrusion into the airspace over the country's Exclusive Economic Zone, the DPRK's state news agency reported.

Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, accused the United States of sending a strategic reconnaissance plane that intruded into the airspace over the "economic water zone" of the DPRK side in the eastern waters off the Korean Peninsula eight times on Monday and of conducting espionage, according to two statements by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The DPRK will take countermeasures if the United States makes more such intrusions, said Kim in the statements.

The warnings came on the heels of a Monday press statement by the Ministry of National Defense of the DPRK in which a ministry spokesman lashed out at the United States due to its alleged military espionage which violates the DPRK's sovereignty.

The United States has recently conducted hostile espionage activities on the Korean Peninsula and its vicinity at an unprecedented level by intensively mobilizing various air reconnaissance means deployed in the Asia-Pacific region, said the statement.

It urged the United States to stop such provocative moves immediately.

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North Korea Fires Long-Range Ballistic Missile

By Eunice Kim July 12, 2023

North Korea has fired a single long-range ballistic missile off its east coast, according to South Korea's military, as leaders of both Japan and South Korea are in Lithuania for NATO summit meetings.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile was launched from the area around the North's capital, Pyongyang, at around 10 a.m. local time Wednesday.

The missile was in flight for about 74 minutes, according to Japan Coast Guard data, suggesting the long-range ballistic missile was flown in a lofted trajectory. That would mark the longest flight for a North Korean missile, Japanese media report, citing a defense ministry official.

U.S. Japanese and South Korean militaries are analyzing related data.

North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles on June 15, both of which landed within Japan's economic zone. Its last long-range launch on April 13 had tested a solid fuel ICBM, the Hwasong 18, for the first time.

The missile launch comes on the heels of a trio of angry statements posted within a 24-hour period on North Korean media KCNA this week. The statements accused U.S. drones and reconnaissance planes of "intruding" North Korea's exclusive economic zone to spy on the state along its eastern coastline.

Two were delivered by the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who warned North Korean forces would react "clearly and decisively" should the U.S. cross into its economic zone again.

Both South Korea and the U.S. said the aerial maneuvers were routine in nature.

"As a matter of international law, the DPRK's recent statements that U.S. flights above its claimed exclusive economic zone are unlawful are unfounded," U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told a press gaggle on Tuesday, referring to North Korea by its official acronym, "as high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in such areas."

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol are both in Vilnius, Lithuania, as special invitees to the NATO summit, as part of NATO's Asia-Pacific Partners grouping that also includes Australia and New Zealand.

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JAPAN INDIA MARITIME EXERCISE 2023 (JIMEX 23) CONCLUDES

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 11 JUL 2023 7:22PM by PIB Delhi

The 7th edition of Japan India Maritime Exercise 2023 (JIMEX 23) hosted by the Indian Navy concluded in the Bay of Bengal with the two sides bidding farewell to each other with a customary steampast. Indian Naval ships Delhi, Kamorta and Shakti, under the command of RAdm Gurcharan Singh, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet and Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) ship Samidare under the command of RAdm Nishiyama Takahiro, Commander Escort Flotilla One, participated in the six day long exercise.

JIMEX 23 witnessed complex exercises, undertaken jointly by the two navies. Both sides engaged in advanced level exercises in all three domains of maritime warfare - surface, sub surface and air. Besides ships and their integral helicopters, the exercise also witnessed the participation of fighter aircraft, maritime patrol aircraft and a submarine. JIMEX 23 ended on a high note revalidating common procedures and enhancing interoperability between the IN and JMSDF.

*******

VM/JSN



(Release ID: 1938774)

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Report claims Iranian supertanker seized off Indonesia

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 11 July 2023 7:07 PM

A report by Reuters news agency claims Indonesian authorities have confiscated an Iranian-flagged large oil tanker because of violation of maritime rules in waters off the Southeast Asian country.

The Tuesday report by Reuters identified the Iranian Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) as MT Arman 114 and said it had been seized by Indonesia's coast guard last week because it dumped oil into the ocean and was transferring oil to a Cameron-flagged tanker named MT S Tinos.

There was no confirmation of the report by the Indonesian authorities nor there was any report of the incident on Indonesia's official news agency Antara.

Iranian authorities have not commented on the report. The official IRNA news agency mentioned Reuters' claims in a report on Tuesday.

The report by Reuters said the Iranian VLCC was carrying 272,569 metric tons of light crude oil, valued at $304 million, when it was seized on Friday in Indonesia's North Natuna Sea, adding that a total of 32 people onboard the ship, including its Egyptian captain, had been detained.

Iran has been using various tactics to sell its oil to customers in East Asia since 2018 when the United States imposed a raft of sanctions on Iranian oil exports after Washington pulled out of an international deal on Tehran's nuclear program.

Statements by Iranian authorities and reports by international tanker tracking services have suggested there has been a major surge in Iranian oil deliveries to private buyers in China in recent months.

Some estimates suggest oil exports from Iran reached as much as 2 million barrels per day on average in May, a record not seen in the past five years.

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Iran hints good will to resolve gas field row with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 11 July 2023 9:10 AM

Iran says it always observes the principles of good neighborliness and mutual interests in exploiting shared hydrocarbon reservoirs, as the controversy surrounding the Arash joint oil and gas field with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait erupted anew.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani on Tuesday reacted to the latest claims by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait over their "exclusive rights" to Arash strategic maritime gas field, known as Al-Dorra in the two Arab countries, in the resource-rich Persian Gulf.

Earlier this month, in an interview with Saudi state-run Al Ekhbariya television, Kuwait Oil Minister Saad Al Barrak called on Iran to validate its claim to the field by demarcating its own maritime borders first.

"Whoever has a claim must start demarcating the borders. And if it has a right, it will take it according to the rules of international law," the Kuwaiti minister said.

A day after the Kuwaiti statement, the Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry said that the Arab kingdom has "full rights" along with Kuwait to the gas field.

In response to such claims, Kan'ani said senior managers of the Iranian and Kuwaiti foreign ministries held their latest round of "legal and technical" negotiations in Tehran on March 13 about the demarcation of the disputed area.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has always paid heed to the issues relating to maritime demarcation and exploitation of joint hydrocarbon resources by considering the common interests and the principle of good neighborliness with all the neighbors, including Kuwait," the Iranian spokesperson added.

He once again reiterated the Iranian administration's policy on pursuing dialogue, cooperation and engagement and said all bilateral issues are pursued based on such a framework.

The row over the strategic offshore gas field, located in the interlocking marine region between Kuwait and Iran in the Persian Gulf, stretches back to 1967 when it was discovered by the Japanese firm AOC.

Iran and Kuwait each awarded an offshore concession, one to the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, the forerunner to British Petroleum, and one to Royal Dutch Shell.

The two concessions overlapped in the northern part of the field, whose total proven gas reserves are estimated to be around 20 trillion cubic feet.

Iran engaged in drilling operations in the field in the early 2000s, but those activities were stopped after a visit by a high-level Kuwaiti delegation to Tehran, as Iran didn't want any dispute.

In March 2022, the Kuwaiti government signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia to jointly develop the field, without taking into confidence another key stakeholder - Iran.

Iran at the time rejected the agreement as "illegal" and in violation of previous negotiations, saying Tehran must be included in any action to operate or develop the field.

Over the years, Iranian officials have held a series of talks with the two countries over the dispute and repeatedly emphasized the importance of resolving it.

On Wednesday, Iran's foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held talks with his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Salem Abdullah al-Jaber al-Sabah in Baku on the sidelines of the meeting of the top diplomats of the Non-Aligned Movement member-states.

The two officials "affirmed the importance of boosting cooperation to maintain the region's security, safety, and stability ... stressing the need for preserving dialogue," Arabic media reported.

Similarly, the Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji met his Saudi counterpart, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, on the sidelines of an OPEC conference in Vienna to discuss "bilateral issues."

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No Signs Iran Moving Ahead With Nuclear Weapons

By Jeff Seldin July 11, 2023

U.S. intelligence officials involved with closely monitoring Iran's rapidly expanding nuclear program assess that Tehran continues to stop short of producing nuclear weapons, though they caution there are still reasons for concern.

The conclusions, part of an unclassified report released Monday by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, are in line with recent public statements by top U.S. intelligence and military officials a all of whom warned it will not take long for Iran's nuclear program to weaponize if such a decision is made.

"Iran is not currently undertaking the key nuclear weapons-development activities that would be necessary to produce a testable nuclear device," the ODNI report said.

But it also noted Iran "has accelerated the expansion of its nuclear program ... and undertaken research and development activities that would bring it closer to producing the fissile material needed for completing a nuclear device following a decision to do so."

The report further warns Iran continues to grow the size and the enrichment levels of its uranium stockpile beyond what was allowed under the now-defunct Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and that Tehran's research and development of advanced centrifuge technology also exceeds what was allowed under the nuclear deal.

The United States, under President Joe Biden, has been working to try to revive the 2015 JCPOA, which was scrapped by former President Donald Trump in 2018.

According to Iranian and Western officials, Washington and Tehran have engaged in a series of indirect talks over the past several months, though there are few indications much progress has been made.

"There is no agreement in the offing, even as we continue to be willing to explore diplomatic paths," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during an appearance at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York last month.

This past May, the most senior U.S. military official warned U.S. lawmakers that Iran's nuclear activities bear watching.

"They continue to improve their capability," said General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "[Tehran] could produce enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon in less than two weeks from time of decision and would only take several more months to produce an actual nuclear weapon."

The head of the U.S. spy agency voiced similar concerns in April.

Iran could "probably develop that stockpile of weapons-grade enriched uranium in a couple of weeks," CIA Director William Burns told an audience in Texas, adding, "Our judgment is that the Iranian leadership has not yet made a decision to resume the weaponization program."

Burns also warned at the time about Iran's progress on delivery systems for a potential nuclear weapon, something echoed in the latest ODNI assessment.

"Iran has emphasized improving the accuracy, lethality, and reliability of its missiles," the report stated. "Iran's work on space launch vehicles [SLVs] a including its Simorgh a shortens the timeline to an ICBM [intercontinental ballistic missile] if it decided to develop one because SLVs and ICBMs use similar technologies."

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Airstrikes to resume if Iraq fails to disarm terrorists: Iran's top general

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jul 11, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's top general has warned that the Islamic Republic will resume its cross-border airstrikes to target anti-Iran terrorist groups in northern Iraq if the central government in Baghdad fails to disarm them by a previously-set deadline.

"Unfortunately, some neighboring countries do not act properly regarding their responsibility towards the border. There are armed separatist groups in northern Iraq that create insecurity on our borders," Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri said on Tuesday.

He noted that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force has carried out "effective" missile and drone strikes against the terrorist groups in the past to safeguard Iran's security, but halted the operations when the Iraqi government committed to disarming them by September.

Iran's top general expressed hope that Baghdad will honor its commitment under a security agreement it signed with Tehran in March.

However, he warned that if the terrorists remain armed and active after the deadline, "our operations against these groups will undoubtedly be more intense".

Terrorist groups residing in the Iraqi Kurdistan region increased their malign activities against the Islamic Republic last year, especially in border areas.

The IRGC responded by launching several rounds of airstrikes against their positions and vowed to continue the operations until the groups are unarmed.

4353**2050

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Putin-Prigozhin meeting demonstrates Russia's internal unity before NATO summit: observers

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: Jul 11, 2023 10:48 PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin five days after the aborted Wagner Group mutiny last month where Putin offered an "assessment" of Wagner's actions on the battlefield in Ukraine and "of the events of June 24," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying on Monday, without releasing details of the assessments.

The issue seemingly is approaching a phased solution given the quick meeting between Putin and Prigozhin, the organizer of the short-lived mutiny on June 24 that Putin described as a betrayal of the country, according to analysts reached by the Global Times. But Putin may adjust Russia's military system and regain internal balance and stability, they believe.

Putin listened to the commanders' explanations and suggested options for their future employment and use in combat, Peskov said. According to the spokesperson, Prigozhin told Putin that Wagner unconditionally supported him, the BBC reported.

An analysis by CNN on Monday described the meeting as "surreal" as it is hard to believe that, "five days after the greatest and most violent threat to Putin's rule yet, he would invite into the Kremlin the chief mutineer and possibly as many as 30 of his commanders to discuss how they could work."

The mutiny was not aimed at overthrowing Putin's authority, neither was it provoked by external forces, said Zhao Huirong, an Eastern European studies expert from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Prigozhin's top priority is to gain more attention, especially from Putin, to lodge his demands rather than launching a real mutiny against the Russian leadership, Zhao told the Global Times.

Putin also avoided a tough road to deal with the issue. Instead, he tried to listen to their demands, according to information Peskov revealed, Zhao pointed out.

Cui Hongjian, director of the Department of European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, also believes that both Putin and Prigozhin were willing to cool the issue after the munity took place.

There is no fundamental contradiction between the two sides. The problem was rooted in lack of communication, and Putin probably has sorted out some misunderstandings and seek rebuilding integration of Russia's political system during the meeting , Cui said. He noted that Putin's top priority at this stage is to maintain internal unity.

Released one day before NATO's 2023 summit scheduled on July 11 and 12, the confirmation of the face-to-face meeting between Putin and Prigozhin can be viewed as a move by Russia to demonstrate its internal unity to the West in order to prevent the latter from making further use of the issue to hype the so-called cracks in Putin's authority during the summit, according to Cui.

Some Western media has been hyping the whereabouts of Prigozhin. The BBC said in a report on Tuesday that they tracked Prigozhin's private jet to Belarus in late June, and returning to Russia the same evening, noting that the Wagner chief's current whereabouts are unclear.

But Chinese military expert Song Zhongping believes he may continue to serve as Wagner leader in the future.

The Wagner mutiny sends an alarm to Putin which is that private mercenary groups must be reined in under control of the law. Mercenary leaders should not be allowed to establish absolute personal authority as this will damage national security, Song told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Song expects Russia to enact laws to regulate private armed forces in the future.

The Wagner mutiny did reveal some problems in Russia's domestic systems. Putin is still likely to face severe challenges as he tries to solve these problems to regain Russia's internal balance and stability, Cui noted.

It will require great political skills by Putin to solve these problems while stabilizing the morale of the army to ensure Russia's status in the battlefield in Ukraine will not be affected, according to Cui.

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Sergey Lavrov's written interview with Indonesian newspaper Kompas, July 11, 2023

11 July 2023 22:00

1379-11-07-2023



Unofficial translation

Question: If the war in Ukraine continues, what will happen next? What will Russia do?

Sergey Lavrov: I think it would be correct to start answering your question by explaining the root causes of the events in Ukraine. We often hear that the conflict supposedly started in February 2022 with Russia's "unprovoked aggression." This assertion is completely false.

Let me recall that in February 2014, Washington and its EU satellites orchestrated a state coup in Kiev. This is the point of departure for all subsequent events.

During the coup, Ukraine's legally elected President Viktor Yanukovich was overthrown and power was seized by the pro-Western anti-Russia forces with the support of neo-Nazi groups - successors to the Nazi collaborationists Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevich. This event shook the country to its core. Ukraine could develop peacefully only if it maintained its delicate domestic political and interethnic balance. This balance was destroyed by absolutely barbarous methods with prompting from the West that was trying to achieve its geopolitical goal of cultivating territories that had once been part of a uniform state inhabited by Russians and Russian-speakers that were historically oriented toward Moscow.

After the new, illegitimate powers in Kiev threatened the eastern regions that supported the overthrown President, Crimea withdrew from Ukraine. In full compliance with international law, its residents freely expressed their will in favour of re-unification with Russia.

An armed uprising flared up in Donbass mostly populated by Russians. The Kiev regime did not even try to settle the problem by political and diplomatic means. For many years, it was methodically exterminating the residents of the region just because they wanted to speak Russian, their native tongue, respect their history and honour the memory of their fathers and grandfathers, heroes of the Great Patriotic War, which liberated the nations of Europe from the horrors of Hitlerism almost 80 years ago.

Viewing Ukraine as a military ram against Russia, the United States and EU countries were pushing the Kiev regime to resolve the "Donbass problem" by force - through the ethnic cleansing of its Russian and Russian-speaking residents. It is enough to recall the cynical admissions by the former leaders of Germany and France, Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande, about the Minsk Package of Measures which they helped draft along with President Vladimir Putin. They said the whole point of working on this agreement was to gain time and allow Kiev to build up its military capacity.

These dramatic developments left Russia no other choice than to recognise the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics and sign with them treaties on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance in full accordance with international law. Then - in response to their official appeals for aid and in full compliance with Article 51 of the UN Charter on the right to self-defence - we launched the special military operation to protect the people in this region and remove the military threat posed to them by the Kiev regime.

Why doesn't the armed confrontation in Ukraine come to an end? The answer is very simple - it will continue until the West gives up its plans to preserve its domination and overcome its obsessive desire to inflict on Russia a strategic defeat at the hands of its Kiev puppets. For the time being, there are no signs of change in this position. We are seeing that the Americans and their vassals continue feverishly pumping Ukraine full of arms and pushing Vladimir Zelensky to continue hostilities.

It is telling that the West is ignoring the initiatives of the developing nations, for instance, the proposals by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. During his visit to Moscow on June 30, 2022, he spoke about the need for ceasefire, humanitarian assistance and food security and expressed willingness to "develop communication" between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine.

On June 3 of this year, Defence Minister of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto also spoke about settlement of the crisis in Ukraine. But Kiev instantly rejected his idea by saying that it needed no mediators right now.

The so-called "peace formula" suggested by Zelensky is a symptom of the aggressive mood of Kiev and its external patrons. They are trying to push it through as the only possible option for settlement. In effect, it consists of a package of ultimatums for Russia - a demand to stage a trial of its military-political leadership and take off its material assets in the form of reparations. To legitimise these demands that have nothing to do with seeking a real settlement, they are trying to convene some "peace summit" in the near future, to which they are inviting developing nations. I am sure the Indonesians understand perfectly well the harmful motive behind these plans and will not yield to the false rhetoric of those that stand for fighting to the last Ukrainian.

Question: How is Russia going to push for achieving a new balance in international politics and what path is it going to take? A new Cold War is believed to be ongoing. What are its ramifications for the political economy of the world? What policy is Russia pursuing in the new cold war?

Sergey Lavrov: We do not define the current phase of international relations as a new Cold War. The issue at hand is different and is about something different, namely, the formation of a multipolar international order. This is an objective process. Everyone can see that new globally meaningful decision-making centres are strengthening their positions in Eurasia, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. These countries and their associations promote values such as national interests, independence, sovereignty, cultural and civilisational identity and international cooperation. In other words, they are fully within the global development trend and are, as a result, going from success to success.

With regard to the US-led collective West, these countries are trying to slow these processes down and turn them around. Their goal is not to strengthen global security or engage in joint development, but to maintain their hegemony in international affairs and to keep on pursuing their neo-colonial agenda, or in simple terms, to continue to address their own problems at the expense of others, as they are accustomed to do.

Unilateral economic sanctions and our Western colleagues' overall selfish foreign policy undermine global food and energy security. Their actions have complicated things for the developing countries. Enormous amounts of money that could have been spent on promoting international growth, including on helping the countries that are most in need, are being burned up in the form of thousands of tonnes of military equipment and ammunition supplied to Ukrainian neo-Nazis.

However, this coin has a brighter side. Western egocentrism and disregard for the interests of the Global South and Global East encourage the latter to look for alternative cooperation formats across all areas. The seizure of Russian gold and currency reserves in the United States and Europe have led the international community to realise that no one is immune from expropriation of tangible assets that are kept in Western jurisdictions. Not just Russia, but a number of other countries are consistently reducing their dependence on the US dollar and transitioning to alternative payment systems and payments in national currencies.

At the same time, the effectiveness of country associations without Western participation is on the rise. The SCO and BRICS are a case of modern multilateral diplomacy without leaders or followers where decisions are made based on consensus. We welcome Indonesia's interest in strengthening cooperation with these associations, which undoubtedly have a great future.

Question: In Russia's opinion, where does Indonesia stand in today's polarised world, including Asia and Southeast Asia? How are Russia-Indonesia relations doing under the pressure exerted by major global powers?

Sergey Lavrov: Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim country in terms of population, a leader of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and one of Russia's key partners in the Asia-Pacific region. We welcome our Indonesian friends' commitment to building bilateral relations on the basis of equality, consideration of each other's interests and respect for the principle of equal and indivisible security.

We greatly appreciate Jakarta's independent foreign policy designed to promote the creation of a more equitable international order and the interests of the Global East and Global South, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and to settle existing conflicts. Indonesia's successful G20 presidency last year reaffirmed its important role in international affairs.

I am pleased to note that despite the illegitimate anti-Russian sanctions imposed by Washington and its satellites, Russian-Indonesian cooperation has retained its constructive spirit. We have formed an extensive legal and contractual framework relying on the Declaration on the Foundations of Friendly and Partner Relations in the 21st Century signed in 2003.

Today, we can say that our relations have reached the level of a strategic partnership. Our political dialogue is marked by high intensity. In June 2022, Moscow hosted talks between President Vladimir Putin and President Joko Widodo. In December 2022, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko paid a working visit to Jakarta.

Trade and economic cooperation is expanding. In 2022, trade increased by almost 45 percent to $4.79 billion.

We focus greatly on mutual trade liberalisation within the EAEU-Indonesia format. The negotiating process on a free trade agreement is on track to become a success.

As a foreign minister, I would like to emphasise our constructive cooperation at the United Nations and other multilateral forums covering a wide range of pressing international issues, including food and energy security. This year, we are working closely with Jakarta as the current ASEAN Chair on the agendas of the EAS, ARF, ADMM-Plus, and the Russia-ASEAN Strategic Partnership.

Question: What can Russia propose doing to help Indonesia and ASEAN deal with the Myanmar situation? What does Russia think about ASEAN's authority and centrality at a time where Russia is open to a dialogue with Myanmar's military? Will you attend the ASEAN meeting in July? If so, what are your priorities?

Sergey Lavrov: In our contacts with the Naypyidaw authorities, we have consistently emphasised ASEAN's central role in international efforts to resolve the situation in Myanmar. We support the Indonesian Chairmanship's efforts to give an additional boost to the collective steps to implement the Five-Point Consensus. We note ASEAN's role in mobilising humanitarian assistance to the people in need.

We believe that the collective efforts by the ten ASEAN nations and other countries that have a stake in the Myanmar issue should be based on close cooperation with the Naypyidaw authorities. It is important to prevent differences in choosing the best ways to promote a settlement in that country from negatively affecting the unity of the association and its centrality to regional affairs.

We firmly believe that the international community is called upon to help normalise the situation in Myanmar without interfering in its domestic affairs. We invariably adhere to this principled position as we construct our relations with the Myanmar leadership, regardless of specific individuals or political forces at the helm.

My immediate plans include a trip to the ASEAN ministerial meetings in Jakarta. We pay special attention to promoting strategic partnership with the association which will turn five years in 2023. The history of our ties goes back more than three decades. Their continued development is among Russia's foreign policy priorities, which fact is enshrined in the revised Foreign Policy Concept approved by President Vladimir Putin in late March, 2023.

The Russia-ASEAN Comprehensive Action Plan approved by the leaders in 2021 is being implemented with a great deal of dynamism. Lively political dialogue has been established. Sector-specific interaction, with its traditional focus on scientific research and high technology, is expanding. This, in particular, was demonstrated by the Russia-ASEAN Year of Science and Technology Cooperation in 2022. Our agenda includes launching new areas of cooperation, including digital transformation and smart cities, as well as energy and food security.

At the East Asia Summit, Russia put forward an array of specific ideas, including the launch of a collective response mechanism for pandemic threats, the expansion of tourism agency cooperation, and the establishment of ties between volunteer organisations. ASEAN has supported us in all the above areas of focus.

Acting within the ARF framework, which marks its 30th anniversary this year, we focus on ensuring the safe use of ICT and mitigating nuclear risks. Russia has come up with practical initiatives in these areas.

We are working towards strengthening ASEAN architecture for stability and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region. Backed by certain regional players, the United States and its NATO allies are pursuing the launch of alternative bloc structures, including under the Indo-Pacific brand. These endeavours are designed not to promote cooperation, but to contain and confront, which is subjecting the ASEAN-centric system to a serious strength test. Russia is a reliable supporter of the association. The extrapolation to the Asia-Pacific Region of the negative scenarios that have been staged by the United States and NATO in other parts of the world must be prevented.

Question: Considering the current state of regional and global affairs, especially as regards stability and security as well as food, energy, medical security and trade, what can Russia offer Indonesia and other Indo-Pacific countries?

Sergey Lavrov: Of course, we have what to offer the countries of the Asia-Pacific Region and the Indian Ocean. Russia is one of the world's leading suppliers of food, oil, gas and precious minerals, including rare-earth metals. The majority of Russian agricultural exports (60 percent) goes to Asian states. During the past year, our foreign trade with many international partners, including Asian countries, grew multiple times over.

Russia has achieved impressive results in developing a cluster of high-tech production. Our country is among the world's top ten in digitisation of government services, scientific achievements and inventions in robotics, quantum technology, artificial intelligence and smart cities. ASEAN epidemiologists learned about our practices on countering infectious diseases during a three-year programme of upgrading courses, which was completed in late 2022.

The issues of energy and food security have moved to the fore of our dialogue with the ASEAN countries due to the difficult situation in the global economy. In addition to the traditional oil-and-gas and coal sectors, the recently adopted Russia-ASEAN working plan on energy devotes considerable attention to renewable energy sources as well as to nuclear and low-carbon energy.

Our experts are ready to discuss measures on deepening cooperation on food.

As for Indonesia, Russia is willing to increase its exports of wheat and meat (including meat in compliance with halal standards) to your country. We are interested in expanding such cooperation in Russia's Muslim regions.

We are convinced that an increase in supplies of Russian oil and oil products would contribute to Jakarta's energy security. We are ready to share with you our advanced solutions in the peaceful nuclear industry, including the construction of modern NPPs of big and small capacity, the non-energy use of nuclear technology, development of nuclear infrastructure and training of personnel.

We are carefully studying opportunities for the involvement of Russian transport as well as information and communication companies in developing comprehensive infrastructure for the new capital - Nusantara - in East Kalimantan.

The experience of countering the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that there are considerable opportunities for bilateral cooperation in fighting epidemiological diseases.

Consultations on using national currencies in mutual transactions would meet the interests of practical cooperation between Russia and ASEAN countries, including Indonesia. We are ready for practical work in this and all other areas I mentioned.

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The sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines should be treated with utmost seriousness: UK statement at the Security Council

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on the Nord Stream gas pipeline.

11 July 2023

Colleagues, the UK condemns acts of sabotage on critical national infrastructure. We should treat the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines with utmost seriousness.

The international community is concerned about this act, and wants clear answers about what happened and who was responsible. As we have said before, the best way to get those answers is to support the impartial investigations of Denmark, Sweden, and Germany and to respect those processes.

We do not believe it is a good use of our time for the Security Council to start to prejudge the outcome of these investigations, dictate how they are conducted, or otherwise undermine them.

We welcome the latest update sent by Germany on behalf of Denmark and Sweden, and their commitment to updating the Security Council. Their letter underlines the complexity of ongoing investigations and underscores that this process will take time. We are confident that when these investigations conclude, their findings will be authoritative.

We, and fellow Council members, should continue to offer full support to these investigations so that we can establish who was responsible for these acts of sabotage.

Finally, we must note Russia's inconsistent attitude towards civilian infrastructure. They claim outrage here, but are pursuing a systematic campaign to target civilian infrastructure in their war of aggression against Ukraine, killing thousands of civilians in the process. Such hypocrisy should not surprise us, but it makes it hard to take anything the Russians say on this subject at face value.

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There is no rational or moral argument for Russia to veto the resolution on Syria cross-border aid: UK statement at the Security Council

Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria cross-border aid.

11 July 2023

Colleagues, I join others in thanking Brazil and Switzerland for their work as penholders.

The Secretary-General was absolutely clear: he asked this Council to give humanitarians a 12 month mandate to deliver aid to 4.1 million people who desperately need it. The humanitarian partners who brief us regularly set out the case for this again, and again. Countries in the region too, who are directly impacted by the conflict in Syria, called for a 12 month mandate. And the partners I met on the ground, at the Syrian border, were clear: a 12 month mandate was a minimum lifeline, all the more so after February's earthquakes.

The pens, and the majority of this Council, worked in good faith to try to deliver this.

Including an eleventh-hour compromise to try to find common ground.

But Russia has yet again used their veto to restrict lifesaving humanitarian access to 4 million Syrian people. There is no rational or moral argument to veto this resolution.

Humanitarian access should respond to humanitarian need and should not be taken hostage by Russia.

Since 2014, Russia has chipped away at this humanitarian lifeline, year after year. Today, they have continued their efforts to restrict access to people in need.

As the UK, we will continue, as we have done every year, to put our humanitarian responsibility above politics.

We call on Russia to do the same.

We need to put the needs of the Syrian people first.

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Security Council fails to reach consensus on Syria aid lifeline

11 July 2023 - Life-saving assistance to millions in northwest Syria is at risk after the UN Security Council on Tuesday failed to adopt either of two competing resolutions to extend cross-border aid delivery from TArkiye.

The disruption comes as humanitarian needs are at an all-time high after more than 12 years of war and in the wake of the devastating double earthquakes that struck the region in February.

The UN and partners were hoping for a 12-month extension of the mandate to transport aid through the Bab al-Hawa crossing point - a lifeline for four million people in northwest Syria, the last opposition stronghold.

Rival resolutions

The first draft resolution, tabled by Brazil and Switzerland, called for a nine-month extension and included a paragraph on the expansion of crossline operations, increased funding, enhanced early recovery activities and humanitarian mine action.

Speaking before the vote, Brazilian Ambassador SArgio FranAa Danese said they "spared no effort to try to achieve a text as consensual as possible."

Although 13 of the 15 countries in the Council voted in favour of the resolution, it was struck down by a no vote from Russia, one of the five permanent members. China, another permanent member, abstained.

The second resolution for a six-month extension was submitted by Russia, which China supported. Three countries voted against and 10 abstained.

Consensus efforts to continue

The Security Council first established the cross-border mechanism in 2014, initially through four border crossings. Bab al-Hawa is the only one remaining.

Every month, trucks deliver medicines, safe water, food, shelter supplies and other items for some 2.7 million Syrians. Damascus opened up two additional crossings in the aftermath of the earthquakes.

Swiss Ambassador Pascale Baeriswyl said the resolution her country co-sponsored would have assured the continuation of humanitarian assistance by all cross-border and crossline modalities,

"Brazil and Switzerland as co-pen holders are guided by the humanitarian imperative. We will therefore not let this veto cease our tireless efforts to find a solution," she said.

Russia votes against

In explaining Russia's vote, Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said the cross-border mechanism "looks completely anachronistic today". He highlighted the need to uphold Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"Blessing the mechanism within which the terrorists from Idlib will, with impunity, disallow humanitarian assistance into the enclave through crosslines; where Western countries are funding the early recovery and humanitarian projects only on those territories which are not under Government control, and Syria itself is being suffocated with inhumane sanctions, is not something that we're going to do," he said.

'A sad moment'

The resolution's failure represented a sad moment for the Syrian people and the Security Council, "save for one country", said United States Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

"Russia has not lived up to its responsibility as a permanent member of this Council. And it's beneath the dignity of this body," she said.

"This is a gross affront to the values we all hold dear to our efforts to advance peace and security, and above all, to the Syrian people who have endured so much needless suffering and violence at the hands of the Assad regime."

Transition to crossline delivery

After the vote on the Russian draft, China expressed regret that the Council was unable to reach consensus on the renewal of the cross-border mechanism.

"We have all along maintained that humanitarian assistance to Syria should be provided in a way that respects the sovereignty of Syria and the Syrian Government's ownership," said Ambassador Jun Zhang.

The pipeline was a temporary arrangement under specific circumstances, he said, adding that "there is a need to speed up the transition to crossline assistance and to phase out the cross-border mechanism over time until its eventual discontinuation."

UN chief disappointed

UN Secretary-General AntAnio Guterres has voiced his disappointment over the Council's inability to reach agreement, his Spokesperson said in a statement issued following the meeting.

"UN cross-border assistance remains a veritable lifeline for millions of people in northwest Syria as humanitarian needs have reached an all-time high since the start of the conflict, while the impact of the devastating February earthquakes still acutely felt," it said.

Mr. Guterres urged Council members to redouble their efforts to support the continued delivery of cross-border assistance to millions in dire need "for the longest possible period."

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At UN, Russia Vetoes Aid to Millions in Northwest Syria

By Margaret Besheer July 11, 2023

Russia has vetoed the continuation of a U.N. aid operation that is a lifeline to more than four million Syrians living in areas outside of government control and signaled its readiness on Tuesday to completely shutter the nine-year-old aid operation.

"Now Moscow must answer to the international community a and you have to answer to the Syrian people," U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said after Russia voted against a nine-month extension of the authorization that lets humanitarian aid flow from Turkey into northwest Syria, reaching 2.7 million people each month.

Brazil and Switzerland, which oversee the Syria humanitarian file on the 15-member council, had initially sought a one-year extension of the use of the Bab al-Hawa border crossing. But once it became clear during negotiations that Russia would not go along with it, they sought nine months as a compromise. Some other Russian concerns were also addressed in the compromise text, which received 13 votes in favor. China abstained.

Over the last few years, Russia, with Syrian government backing, has forced the Security Council to shrink the cross-border aid operation and has threatened to totally close it down. Since 2021, Moscow has only agreed to 6-month renewals, instead of the year-long ones the council had approved since the operation was established in 2014, and which humanitarian groups have requested. Moscow and Damascus have also pushed for aid deliveries across conflict front lines from within the country, rather than from outside.

"The cross-border mechanism is an obvious violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, which because of circumstances was possible 5 to 7 years ago, but looks completely anachronistic today," Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council.

After casting its veto, Russia put forward its own draft resolution, which offered only a six-month renewal. Humanitarians have repeatedly said this is insufficient for planning and efficiency. It would also mean the operation would come up for renewal again in early January a in the dead of winter.

Nebenzia said the choice was clear: "But let me state already here, if our draft is not supported, then we can just go ahead and close down the cross-border mechanism."

He added that Moscow is not open to any kind of technical rollover, which is often used for a short amount of time to continue a mission while outstanding issues are worked out.

Tuesday's votes took place after the mission's authorization expired at midnight Monday, because the ongoing negotiations delayed plans for an earlier vote.

"Where we are right now is that trucks are not crossing the border at Bab al-Hawa," Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield told reporters after the votes. "They have been stopped. So needed humanitarian assistance is not getting to the people."

Following devastating earthquakes in February, the Syrian government did authorize the use of two other crossing points from Turkey. Those are available until August 13. The Assad government has not said publicly whether it plans to extend their use. But the U.N. says on their own they cannot match Bab al-Hawa, which sees about 85% of aid to northwest Syria transit the crossing.

"Bab al-Hawa remains the center of gravity for the U.N.'s cross-border response," U.N. Spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. He added that humanitarians pre-positioned supplies in northwest Syria ahead of the vote in order to meet short-term needs.

In the meantime, the Swiss ambassador said she is not giving up.

"The council has a responsibility in renewing the mandate for cross-border aid and we will keep up our work to find common ground and to ensure that we collectively live up to that responsibility," Pascale Baeriswyl said.

Under a General Assembly resolution adopted in April 2022, Russia will now have to go before the U.N. membership within the next 10 days to explain its veto.

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Han Kuang war drills to use Taoyuan, Taitung airports for first time

ROC Central News Agency

07/11/2023 02:42 PM

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) Taiwan's military will conduct an anti-takeover drill at its major international gateway and an emergency landing and takeoff drill at a civilian airport in eastern Taiwan during the live-fire portion of this year's Han Kuang exercises.

It will be the first time either of those airports will be part of the annual war games conducted by Taiwan to test its combat readiness.

Major General Lin Wen-huang (), who is in charge of planning at the Ministry of National Defense (MND), said the anti-takeover drill at Taoyuan International Airport will be held on July 26 and the drill at Taitung Fengnian Airport will be held on July 25.

The five-day island-wide live-fire exercises are scheduled for July 24 to 28.

The anti-takeover drill will involve members of the Aviation and Special Forces Command and Army Airborne Special Forces posing as invading forces, with ground troops deployed to repel the takeover, according to the MND.

Such drills were previously staged at other airports in Taiwan but never at Taiwan's busiest civilian airport in Taoyuan.

Transportation Minister Wang Kwo-tsai () previously said the drill is scheduled to last about an hour, but Wang said their impact would be felt for up to two hours, and at least 61 flights and more than 4,000 travelers could be affected.

Past reports of plans related to the exercises have indicated that the airport will remain open to passenger traffic while the drills are being held but that one of the airport's two runways may be closed on the morning of July 26.

The MND, Transportation Ministry, and Taoyuan airport operators provided no further details about possible flight delays or whether passengers connecting through the airport should adjust their plans, despite there being only about two weeks before the drills are to be held.

The emergency landing and takeoff drill at Taitung, meanwhile, will also be staged for the first time at the Taitung airport, which opened in 1981.

The drill will be conducted to test the ability of Taiwan's civilian airports and emergency landing strips to handle takeoff and landing missions during wartime, according to the MND.

The Han Kuang exercises, Taiwan's major war games held annually since 1984 in the form of live-fire drills and computerized war games, are meant to test Taiwan's combat readiness in the face of a possible Chinese invasion.

This year's tabletop drills were staged in May.

Meanwhile, the annual Wanan air defense exercise is to be held across Taiwan and its outlying islands from July 24 to 27 this year, with air raid sirens set to sound at 1:30 pm to signal the start of the 30-minute drills.

Following the half-hour air raid drills, another half hour of drills will be staged by local city and county governments to test public-private sector cooperation in helping evacuees following a major disaster or if a war were to break out, according to the MND.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/ls

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Military's ballistic plates meet required test standards: MND

ROC Central News Agency

07/11/2023 04:48 PM

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) Ballistic plates made in Taiwan for use in military bulletproof vests have met local and international standards and passed required tests proving their effectiveness, Taiwan's military said Tuesday.

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) was responding to a video by a city councilor and YouTuber claiming that bulletproof vests used by Taiwan's military were ineffective.

At a press briefing Tuesday, Major General Pan Huan-ya () of the 205th Arsenal of the MND's Armaments Bureau said ballistic plates produced by his arsenal have repeatedly passed required tests both in the United States and in Taiwan.

The shields were previously sent to U.S.-based Chesapeake Testing, which specializes in testing ballistic and armor protection systems, in 2016 and passed National Institute of Justice (NIJ) level III body armor compliance testing, according to Pan.

The military also conducted four rounds of tests locally on Nov. 15 and Nov. 30, 2022, and on Feb. 7 and June 27, 2023 that also showed the domestically made ballistic plates meet NIJ Level III ballistic capabilities in accordance with NIJ Standard 0101.04, he said.

Pan said the bulletproof tests shown in a video released by YouTuber Uncle Sam Gun & Fun ( Gun & Fun) on Friday revealed that the YouTuber did not understand NIJ body armor compliance testing standards.

The NIJ standard requires that NIJ Level III should be conducted with regular 7.62 mm NATO full-metal jacket bullets, but the YouTuber used 5.56 mm armor-piercing bullets, Pan said.

According to Pan, the NIJ standard also stipulates that body armor compliance testing be done on ballistic plates that come with inserts, but the YouTuber either failed to use inserts or put them in the wrong spot, he said, without elaborating on the nature of the insert or its proper use.

According to the U.S.-based Taiwanese YouTuber, the ballistic plate was provided by New Taipei City Councilor Lin Ping-yu (), a member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

The narrator of the video said the guns and bullets used to pierce the body armor are not those used by the Chinese army, but that they are very similar.

Lin has since refused to disclose where he found the plate purported to be made by the 205th Arsenal. He said his main goal was to show that Taiwanese soldiers need better protection from Chinese bullets.

The MND, meanwhile, has pledged that if the ballistic plate used in the video was found to be a controlled product of Taiwan's armed forces, it will ask those responsible for the leak to take legal responsibility.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/ls

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Paraguayan president-elect arrives in Taiwan, pledges to boost ties

ROC Central News Agency

07/11/2023 06:18 PM

Taipei, July 11 (CNA) Paraguayan President-elect Santiago PeAa arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday afternoon with a group of incoming government officials for a 5-day visit that he said would aim to "reinforce the friendship" between AsunciAn and Taipei.

"I'm joined by my wife, my daughter, and my economic team that will work with me in the next couple of years to bring our relations to a place that we can only dream at this moment," PeAa told reporters shortly after touching down at Taoyuan International Airport, without elaborating.

Also in the PeAa's delegation are Foreign Minister-designate RubAn RamArez Lezcano, incoming Presidential Chief Secretary Lea GimAnez Duarte, Finance Minister-designate Carlos FernAndez Valdovinos, and incoming Industry Minister Francisco Javier GimAnez GarcAa de ZAAiga.

PeAa said he was looking forward to meeting with government officials and private sector representatives in Taiwan during his July 11-15 visit to explore ways to "reinforce the friendship" that was built on 66 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"I want to spend the next five years bringing us together," said the 44-year-old president-elect, who is scheduled to be sworn in next month, "We are close, but I think that in these moments, we need to be closer."

Meanwhile, Taiwan's Presidential Office issued a press release to welcome the Paraguayan president-elect and his delegation.

President Tsai Ing-wen (ee) and Vice President Lai Ching-te (ea), who is also the Democratic Progressive Party's presidential nominee, will meet with the Paraguayan delegation separately and discuss issues of interest to both countries, the release said, without revealing the meeting dates.

PeAa, a former economist who served as Paraguay's finance minister from 2015 to 2017, is from the Colorado Party, which has been in power since 2013.

PeAa received nearly 44 percent of the vote in April's presidential election, defeating his main rival Efrain Alegre, who had pledged to switch diplomatic allegiance from Taipei to Beijing during his election campaign, by a double-digit margin.

The victory for PeAa, who favors maintaining Paraguay's diplomatic ties with the Republic of China (Taiwan's official name), dispelled some concerns that Taiwan would lose another diplomatic ally.

Currently, Paraguay is one of the 13 independent states that maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan, and the only one in South America.

(By Teng Pei-ju)

Enditem/ASG







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US to send Turkey F16s following Ankara's approval of Sweden's NATO accession

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 11 July 2023 4:20 PM

US President Joe Biden has agreed with Turkey's request for F-16 fighter jets and the upgrade of its old warplanes not long after Ankara approved Sweden's bid to join NATO in a U-turn.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan announced on Tuesday that the US president had given his support to Turkey's aircraft requests.

Sullivan told reporters that Biden had agreed to upgrade Turkey's military airplanes. "He has placed no caveats on this ... He intends to move forward with that transfer," Sullivan said without giving further details pertaining to the F16 deal.

Before Sullivan, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had said the United States supported the "modernization" of the Turkish military.

Last year, Ankara requested $20 billion worth of new F16 fighters and nearly 80 modernization kits to upgrade its older aircraft.

Biden's support for Turkey's request for modern aircraft came a day after Ankara eventually approved Sweden's bid for NATO accession. All NATO members must approve the accession of a new member.

Turkey's initial opposition to Sweden's NATO accession had been the main obstacle to the Nordic country's bid to join the North Atlantic Alliance.

On Monday, Turkish President Tayyip Recep Erdogan surprisingly said he was no longer opposed to Sweden's NATO accession, saying he now supported Stockholm's NATO bid and the rest was up to the country's lawmakers. However, he said he would push the parliamentarians for their approval of Sweden's NATO accession.

Erdogan had initially conditioned his approval of Sweden's NATO bid to Stockholm ending all support to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the EU, and the United States. He had hinged sending accession documents to parliament for ratification to securing concessions from Stockholm.

Then, Erdogan changed the demands, saying Ankara would agree to Sweden's accession to the NATO military alliance only if the European Union agrees to Turkey's membership in the EU bloc.

Some experts believe that Erdogan was leveraging Sweden's NATO bid to get Washington to agree on the aircraft deal.

"There seems to have been a big push by the Biden administration to allow Turkey to modernize its air force and acquire new F-16s," said Camille Grand, a defense specialist at the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank.

Meanwhile, the timetables remain unclear for both the F-16 transfer and Sweden's NATO accession. Russian officials said Sweden's expected accession to NATO would have "negative implications" for Russia's security and that Moscow would have to respond.



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US to offer Turkey military boost as prize for letting Sweden join NATO

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 11 July 2023 8:13 AM

The US has reportedly expressed support for the "modernization" of the Turkish military as a prize for Ankara's eventual approval of Sweden's accession to the US-led NATO military alliance.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Turkish counterpart Yasar Guler conferred on Washington's support for modernizing Turkey's military in a telephone conversation on Monday after Ankara finally endorsed Sweden's NATO membership after holding out against the bid for over a year, according to Pentagon's readout of the discussions released later in the day.

"They ... discussed the positive talks between Turkey, Sweden, and NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, as well as the Department of Defense's support for Turkey's military modernization," the Pentagon said of the phone call between Austin and Guler.

Ankara requested in October 2021 to purchase $20 billion worth of Lockheed Martin Corp F-16 jetfighters and nearly 80 modernization kits for its existing warplanes.

The phone call came just hours after NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg declared that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to approve Sweden's bid to join the alliance in a press briefing earlier in the day, just ahead of the NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital city of Vilnius, which commences on Tuesday.

The development came after Sweden and Turkey ironed out their differences at an eleventh-hour meeting attended by Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Vilnius.

Erdogan had previously conditioned his approval on Sweden dropping its support for Kurdish militant groups that are considered terrorist outfits by Ankara. He even upped the ante earlier on Monday by reportedly demanding that Turkey's endorsement of Sweden's NATO accession be further hinged on the revival of his country's European Union membership process.

Ankara also demands that Stockholm extradite or expel supporters of the Kurdish PKK militant group -- considered a terrorist organization by the US and the EU -- as well as the Kurdish YPG militants in Syria and the followers of the US-based Turkish opposition cleric, Fethullah Gulen. Erdogan alleges that Gulen, a former political ally, masterminded the failed 2016 coup attempt against Erdogan's government.

A statement issued following the Monday meeting by the two countries said Sweden would stop providing support to Kurdish militant groups.

This is while Sweden's NATO accession must also be approved by the Turkish parliament, though Erdogan has agreed to push for its ratification.

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose country is yet to endorse Sweden's NATO bid, also declared on Thursday that Budapest would no longer block Sweden's membership ratification.

Sweden and Finland applied for NATO accession last year following the eruption of the Ukraine conflict.

Russia has explicitly warned both Baltic countries that they have fallen victim to "the Russophobic frenzy" that followed the raging conflict over Moscow's national security concerns about NATO's persisting eastern expansion among other issues, insisting that the two countries have failed to put their interests above those of the collective West.

Finland's NATO membership was green-lighted by all NATO members in April, though it took the Turkish parliament two weeks to ratify the accession.





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President ErdoAYan meets with President Biden of the U.S.

Presidency of The Republic of Turkey

11.07.2023

President Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan met with President Joe Biden of the U.S. on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Vilnius.

In brief remarks prior to the meeting, President ErdoAYan thanked President Biden for his call to congratulate him on his re-election, and said: "I am of the opinion that it is now time to have negotiations at the presidential level within the context of the strategic mechanism. I see this meeting, occurring on the margin of NATO, as the first step of this. Our previous meetings were like warm-up sessions, and now we are starting a new process. This new process is a five-year-long process for me. And now, you are also getting prepared for the forthcoming elections. I wish you success with the preparations."

U.S. President Biden, for his part, described the NATO Summit as "historic," and expressed his pleasure over the agreement reached about Sweden's NATO membership bid. Thanking President ErdoAYan for the diplomacy he carried out and the leadership he displayed on the Sweden issue, President Biden said: "This summit is reaffirming our commitment to NATO defense with close Allies in NATO, and I hope we can make it even stronger." In response to President ErdoAYan's wishes of good luck in the U.S. presidential elections, President Biden stated: "And we look forward to meeting with you the next five years."

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Remarks by President Biden and President Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan of the Republic of Turkey Before Bilateral Meeting | Vilnius, Lithuania

July 11, 2023

Lithuanian Exhibition and Conference Center

Vilnius, Lithuania

6:20 P.M. EEST

PRESIDENT BIDEN: Mr. President, it's good to see you again a delighted to be with you. And, you know, we're at this historic summit meeting. We're resolving a lot of things, I hope.

And you made a you made all the more historic by the agreement you reached yesterday in the admission of Sweden and how you're going to proceed. I want to thank you for your diplomacy and your courage to take that on. And I want to thank you for your leadership, Mr. President.

This summit is reaffirming our commitment to NATO defense with close Allies in NATO, and I hope we can make it even stronger.

So, welcome.

PRESIDENT ERDOAzAN: (As interpreted.) Mr. President, my dear friend, I would like to, first of all, thank you for congratulating me in the aftermath of my reelection to my current post. And I'm grateful for the congratulatory messages that you have extended to me.

And within the framework of our strategic mechanism, I think it's high time for the heads of states to get together for further consultations. That's why I believe today's meeting with you within the margin of the NATO Summit is the first step forward.

Our meetings prior to this were mere warmups, but now we are initiating a new process. This new process is a process of five years.

And now you are getting prepared for the forthcoming elections. And with the forthcoming elections, I would like to take this opportunity to also wish you the best of luck.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: Thank you very much.

PRESIDENT ERDOAzAN: Thank you.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: And we look forward to meeting with you the next five years. (Laughter.)

6:22 P.M. EEST





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PM meeting with President Duda of Poland: 11 July 2023

The Prime Minister met President of Poland Andrzej Duda at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

11 July 2023

The Prime Minister met Polish President Andrzej Duda at the NATO Summit in Lithuania today.

The leaders praised the extensive cooperation between the UK and Poland, not least on defence where we continue to deepen our collaboration.

They agreed the war in Ukraine had demonstrated the significance of interoperability between NATO forces, as well as importance of strengthening defence industries across the Alliance.

President Duda updated the Prime Minister on his recent visit to Ukraine. The leaders discussed the need to put in place long-term security arrangements for Ukraine, to ensure they can never be threatened in the same way again.

They also reflected the need to continue to strengthen NATO in response to the threat posed by Russia.

The Prime Minister and President Duda discussed a number of wider ways the UK and Poland can work together, including on tackling illegal migration. They welcomed the efforts to develop a working arrangement between the UK and Frontex in this respect.

The leaders looked forward to seeing each other throughout the remainder of the summit.

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PM meeting with Prime Minister Rutte of the Netherlands: 11 July 2023

The Prime Minister met Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

11 July 2023

The Prime Minister met Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte at the NATO Summit in Lithuania today.

He thanked Prime Minister Rutte for his years of service and said his expertise and friendship would be greatly missed by the UK and others when he eventually leaves office.

The leaders reaffirmed their staunch commitment to upholding security in our region. This includes ensuring NATO is fully equipped to take on the challenges of the future.

The Prime Minister and Prime Minister Rutte discussed the importance of providing Ukraine with the kind of long-term defensive capabilities they need to win this war and secure a lasting peace. They praised the progress that has been made through the new international coalition, established by the UK, the Netherlands, and others, to provide Ukraine with combat air capability.

On tackling illegal migration, the Prime Minister and Prime Minister Rutte welcomed the strong cooperation between our countries so far. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of making use of international forums such as the European Political Community to make multilateral progress on this issue.

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PM meeting with the President of TArkiye: 11 July 2023

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met Turkish President Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

11 July 2023

The Prime Minister met Turkish President Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan at the NATO Summit in Vilnius today.

The Prime Minister welcomed TArkiye's support for Sweden's accession to NATO and commended President ErdoAYan for his efforts.

The leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensuring the UK-TArkiye relationship reaches its full potential, building on growing trade links and strong defence and security cooperation.

Discussing opportunities to bolster our bilateral cooperation, including in cutting-edge defence technology and in addressing the shared challenge of illegal migration, the Prime Minister set out that dealing with criminal people smuggling gangs is a key priority for him.

Both leaders agreed to task their Foreign Ministers to look at areas for closer collaboration on migration and organised crime. The leaders also agreed to deepen intelligence sharing and cooperation on countering terrorism.

President ErdoAYan updated the Prime Minister on President Zelenskyy's recent visit to TArkiye and the leaders agreed on the importance of ensuring an extension to the Black Sea Grain Deal.

The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.

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Statement on a joint coalition on F-16 training of the Ukrainian Air Force

National Defence

Statement

July 11, 2023 - Ottawa, ON - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

The Ministers of Defence of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and the United Kingdom share the conviction that continued support to Ukraine is of utmost importance in the light of Russia's brutal and unprovoked aggression.

The parties agree that in order to assist Ukraine in the defence of its airspace, they will establish a joint coalition on training of the Ukrainian Air Force in operating and maintaining F-16 fighter aircraft, in accordance with the necessary authorizations and with the possibility to include other types of fighter aircraft at a later stage.

The parties agree to commence training of relevant Ukrainian pilots, technicians and support staff, which will provide the Ukrainian Air Force with basic capabilities of operating, servicing and maintaining F-16 fighter aircraft. This includes making relevant equipment, trainers and other staff available for such training. All training activities will be conducted outside of Ukraine.

The coalition's focus will be on training, but will also in due course be ready to consider other lines of effort related to ensuring Ukraine a fully functional F-16 capability.

Ludivine Dedonder

Minister of Defence

Belgium

Anita Anand

Minister of Defence

Canada

Troels Lund Poulsen

Minister of Defence

Denmark

FranAois Bausch

Minister of Defence

Luxembourg

Kajsa Ollongren

Minister of Defence

the Netherlands

BjArn Arild Gram

Minister of Defence

Norway

Mariusz BAaszczak

Minister of Defence

Poland

Helena Carreiras

Minister of Defence

Portugal

Angel TAlvAr

Minister of Defence

Romania

PAl Jonson

Minister of Defence

Sweden

Ben Wallace

Minister of Defence

the United Kingdom

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There's a model for Ukraine's future Euro-Atlantic integration: The Baltics

Government of Norway

Speech/statement | Date: 11/07/2023

By Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt (Opinion in The Washinton Post, 10 July 2023)

Foreign affairs ministers Lars LAkke Rasmussen (Denmark), Margus Tsahkna (Estonia), Elina Valtonen (Finland), Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir (Iceland), Arturs Krisjanis Karins (Latvian prime minister; acting foreign minister), Gabrielius Landsbergis (Lithuania), Anniken Huitfeldt (Norway) and Tobias BillstrAm (Sweden).

Together, the Nordic and Baltic countries represent a unique history of Euro-Atlantic integration. One of the Nordic countries' greatest foreign policy achievements was an extensive engagement in the Baltic countries after the Cold War. The Nordics supported their Baltic neighbors' fight for restoration of freedom and their journey into the Euro-Atlantic family. Now, the Nordic and Baltic countries act together in an equal and free partnership of prosperous democracies.

It is time for us to bring this Baltic experience of the 1990s to our joint efforts in support of Ukraine on its journey toward membership in the European Union.

The ministers for foreign affairs of the Nordic and Baltic countries jointly visited Ukraine in April to express our unwavering support. The visit made a significant impression and reaffirmed our belief that vigorous and enduring support for Ukraine across multiple areas is the only path forward. We cannot allow Russia to harvest any fruits of aggression.

Opinions on the war in Ukraine

The future of Ukraine and its people lies within the Euro-Atlantic family. The E.U. has affirmed this by granting candidate status to Ukraine. This past month marked not only one year since that historic decision was made but also the 30th anniversary of the adoption of what is known as the Copenhagen Criteria. The rules serve as the foundation for E.U. enlargement, shaping the democratic values, economic stability and legal requirements that aspiring member states must meet.

The Nordic countries stood alongside the Baltic countries as they pursued E.U. membership, recognizing the importance of regional cooperation and shared values. Today, motivated by the same principles of solidarity and unity, we support Ukraine's endeavors to meet the Copenhagen criteria and align with European standards.

The Nordic and Baltic countries, having experienced the transformative power of European integration firsthand, are eager to share our knowledge, expertise and best practices with Ukraine. E.U. integration will go hand in hand with the Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction, which must begin with no delay. It is important to lay the ground with ambitious, long-term engagement that empowers Ukraine to recover and rebuild in a manner that generates new opportunities for all Ukrainians.

The involvement of all relevant partners, including the private sector and international financial institutions, is crucial. We will stand by Ukraine to rebuild a modern and prosperous country firmly anchored on the European path a and with the means to protect itself.

In this regard, we take note of President Volodymyr Zelensky's ambition to transform Ukraine's state institutions, to root out corruption, secure the rule of law a and make Ukraine open and transparent. These are high ambitions, but we are convinced that Ukraine has the potential to achieve these goals with our long-term support.

Ukraine's security is part of European security. Russia will likely be a threat to Ukraine security, as well as to our own, in the long-term. Our support therefore needs to be steadfast, durable and long-term. Ukraine has the right to choose its own security arrangements. All NATO allies agree that Ukraine will become a member of the alliance.

Right now, the most important and urgent task is to support Ukraine to prevail in this war. At the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, this week, we want to see ambitious steps bringing Ukraine closer to NATO and upscaling our practical support, both financially and longer-term.

At this critical juncture, we need to make sure that history does not repeat itself. Zelensky's "peace formula" for a just and sustainable peace, based on the respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, seeks to achieve this. The Nordic and Baltic countries actively support Ukraine's efforts to ensure as much international participation as possible in the implementation of the peace formula.

We are committed to strengthening Ukraine's capacity to defend itself. So far, our combined pledged support to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion amounts to more than 8.5 billion euros a and our support will continue for as long as necessary. At the same time, we need to put in place credible, lasting frameworks to secure Ukraine's future, bridging the gaps on Ukraine's path toward future NATO membership.

Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration entails an ambitious endeavor. It is our duty to support Ukraine on its path to a better future for its people. The historic example of successful Nordic-Baltic cooperation is an inspiring precedent and gives us hope.

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Ukrainian FM says NATO eases requirements for Ukraine's entry

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 11:26, July 11, 2023

KIEV, July 10 (Xinhua) -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has eased the requirements for Ukraine's membership in the alliance by canceling a requirement to follow a Membership Action Plan (MAP), Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Monday.

"Following intensive talks, NATO allies have reached consensus on removing MAP from Ukraine's path to membership," Kuleba tweeted.

Kuleba described the decision as "long-awaited," noting that it would shorten Ukraine's path to NATO.

Later in the day, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that negotiations on the final declaration of the NATO summit regarding Ukraine are still underway, according to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

The next NATO Summit is slated for July 11-12 in Vilnius, Lithuania.

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Moscow says if US gives cluster bombs to Ukraine, Russia may use 'similar' weapons

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 11 July 2023 7:00 PM

Moscow says if the United States proceeds with supplying globally-banned cluster bombs to Ukraine, Russia may use "similar" weapons, warning that the move will prolong the war.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu warned that Moscow would have no choice but to use "similar" weapons if Washington supplied controversial cluster munitions to Kiev.

"In the event that the United States supplies cluster munitions to Ukraine, the Russian armed forces will be forced to use similar weapons against the armed forces of Ukraine as a response," he said.

Shoigu further threatened that "Russia has cluster munitions in service... for all occasions." He said that the Russian-made cluster bombs are "much more effective than the American ones, their range is wider and more diverse."

On Friday, the White House said that the US would indeed supply cluster bombs to Ukraine to help its counteroffensive against Russian forces despite a global ban on the use of the controversial munitions.

Cluster bombs are banned under the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), an international treaty that addresses the humanitarian consequences and unacceptable harm caused to civilians by cluster munitions through a categorical prohibition and a framework for action.

The weapons can contain dozens of smaller bomblets, dispersing over vast areas, often killing and maiming civilians. The CCMs are banned because unexploded bomblets can pose a risk to civilians for years after the fighting is over.

Cluster munitions generally eject submunitions that can cover five times as much area as conventional bombs.

"Neither we, nor the Americans, nor Kiev have joined the Convention on Cluster Munitions. However, realizing the threat that such ammunition poses to the civilian population, Russia has refrained from using them in the special operation," Shoigu further said, adding that the Russian army was taking measures to protect its troops from such weapons.

The Convention on Cluster Munitions, which took effect in 2010, bans all use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster bombs. More than 100 countries have signed the treaty, but the US, Russia and Ukraine have not.

Since the beginning of the Ukraine war, US media have regularly reported on the weapons shipments sent by the US to boost Kiev's fighting forces, with other NATO members delivering tens of billions in military aid, as well.

By January, the US and its allies had provided Ukraine with over 100 million rounds of small arms ammunition, over a million rounds of artillery shells, and more than 100,000 tank rounds.

Russia sees the flooding of Ukraine with weapons from the West as a futile effort to change the outcome of the war. Moscow says supplying Kiev with more weapons will only add to the death and destruction and prolong the conflict.



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Ukraine arms influx: Long-range missile from France and more military aid from Norway

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 11 July 2023 4:57 PM

France has committed to providing long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine to help Kiev strike Russian forces "deeply" while Norway also intends to boost its military aid to the ex-Soviet republic amid the ongoing NATO summit.

On Tuesday and on the first day of the two-day NATO summit in Lithuania, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Paris would provide Ukraine with SCALP long-range cruise missiles to help Kiev's forces hit Russian troops and supplies deep behind the front lines.

"I have decided to increase deliveries of weapons and equipment to enable the Ukrainians to have the capacity to strike deeply," the French leader said while declining to say how many missiles would be delivered.

Citing an unnamed French diplomatic source, Reuters reported that Paris would send about 50 SCALP missiles produced by European manufacturer MBDA.

Separately, a French military source, cited by Reuters, said in a briefing at the NATO summit that the missiles would come from existing French military stocks and that it would be a "significant number." The source further said that Paris has already started delivering the SCALP cruise missiles to Ukraine.

The SCALP missiles, which will be integrated into Ukrainian Russian-made warplanes, have a range of about 250 kilometers, three times as far as Ukraine's existing missile capacities. The source added that these missiles would only be used within Ukraine's internationally-recognized borders.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Macron stressed that the delivery of such missiles would adhere to France's policy of helping Ukraine to defend its territory. He was implying that Ukraine had given assurances to France that the missiles would not be fired into Russia.

Back in May, the United Kingdom said that it was supplying the Franco-British missile, produced by MBDA, that it calls the Storm Shadow. The French version is known as SCALP.

Previously, France sent Mistral shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, as well as Crotale short-range anti-air missiles, which can be used against low-flying missiles and aircraft.

France's move to send long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine drew Russia's rebuke, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov slamming it as a "mistake."

"From our point of view, this decision is a mistake with consequences for the Ukrainian side, because this will, of course force us to take countermeasures," he said on Tuesday.

Separately on Tuesday, Norway said that it was pledging an additional 2.5 billion kroner ($240 million) of military assistance to Ukraine. The move will bring Oslo's military aid to Kiev to a total of 10 billion kroner for the current year.

"The defensive war being waged by Ukraine (...) is being waged now. It is now that is really necessary," Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Gahr Store told reporters on Tuesday on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius.

Norway will this year allocate 10 billion kroner to military aid and 7.5 billion to civilian support, rather than the 7.5 billion initially planned for each.

Furthermore, Oslo has already donated other armored vehicles, multiple rocket launcher systems and artillery shells to Kiev.

Despite Russia's repeated warnings that the Western military aid will only prolong the war, the US and European countries have continued to supply Ukraine with weapons.

Since the start of the war, they have given Ukraine tens of billions of dollars worth of weapons, including rocket systems, drones, armored vehicles, tanks, and communication systems.



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Zelensky slams 'absurd' lack of timeline for Ukraine's NATO entry

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 11 July 2023 1:48 PM

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has hit out at NATO allies for their uncertainty to accept his country to the bloc, as several members, including the United States, have expressed reservations about admitting Kiev to the military alliance.

Zelensky sharply criticized NATO allies Tuesday, saying he would openly discuss his country's membership bid as a guest at the bloc's summit in Lithuania's capital, Vilnius.

"It's unprecedented and absurd when a timeframe is not set, neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine's membership," said Zelensky on the Telegram messaging app before joining the gathering.

Referring to "vague wording about 'conditions'" for inviting Ukraine, he said, "It seems there is no readiness neither to invite Ukraine to NATO nor to make it a member of the alliance."

He made the remarks after NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Kiev would get more military aid and security guarantees, an easing of formal conditions to join, as well as a new format of cooperation with the alliance, the so-called NATO-Ukraine Council.

"I expect allies will send a clear, united and positive message on the path towards membership for Ukraine," Stoltenberg said.

NATO backs Kiev in its war against Russia, but many members, including the US and Germany, oppose giving Kiev a timetable for membership.

US President Joe Biden, who is scheduled to meet Zelensky on Wednesday, has said there is no agreement to offer Kiev membership while the war with Russia rages on. He argued that Kiev's membership could drag NATO directly into the conflict with Russia.

Britain, however, said Ukraine should join the bloc "as quickly as possible," but only after the conflict with Russia "finishes."

"I totally agree with the United States that we can't have a new member in the middle of a conflict. That would just import war into the alliance," UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told CNN on Tuesday from the summit.

Meanwhile, the US, Britain, France and Germany have been negotiating over long-term commitments on weapons supplies to reassure Kiev before it joins NATO.

Ukraine was last offered NATO membership back in 2008 on the condition it met the terms set out in an action plan. The country has been involved in a military conflict with Russia since February last year. Ever since, the West has been providing Kiev with military equipment worth tens of billions of dollars.

Russia has repeatedly warned US-led NATO forces against the alliance's eastward expansion.

Moscow launched the military campaign in Ukraine in February last year, with NATO's eastward expansion blamed for it.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has also repeatedly railed against the West for driving NATO's eastward expansion, especially its courting of ex-Soviet republics such as Ukraine and Georgia.

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Ukraine steps up mercenary recruitment to conceal losses, treats them like 'cannon fodder': Russia

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 11 July 2023 11:32 AM

Ukraine has stepped up its recruitment of mercenaries from across the globe in efforts to conceal the catastrophic losses of its military forces in the raging war against Russia, Moscow's Defense Ministry has declared in an official statement.

"The Kiev regime has stepped up recruitment work in Asian, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries to attract foreign mercenaries," said the statement released Monday, adding that nearly 12,000 foreign mercenaries from 84 countries have arrived in Ukraine since February 2022 to take part in Ukrainian combat operations against Russian forces.

"The largest number of mercenaries came to Ukraine in March-April 2022, but after the first losses were suffered, the dynamics of their arrival has sharply decreased," according to the statement, which added that "the most numerous groups came from Poland (over 2,600 people), the USA and Canada (900 or more people), Georgia (over 800 people), the UK and Romania (700 or more people each), Croatia (over 300 people), as well as from France and the Turkish-controlled part of Syria (200 or more people each)."

In total, since 24 February 2022, 11675 foreign mercenaries from 84 countries have officially arrived in Ukraine to participate in the combat operations on the side of the AFU.

As of 30 June, 4,845 foreign mercenaries, the vast majority from the United States, Canada and European countries, have been reliably confirmed killed in the fighting. Another 4,801 foreign fighters escaped from the territory of Ukraine after dealing with the attitude of the Kiev regime towards them. Today, 2,029 mercenaries continue to operate in the ranks of the AFU.

It further cited "information obtained during interrogations of captured Ukrainian servicemen" to point out that Ukrainian "commanders operating on the line of contact are not held accountable for losses among foreign mercenaries."

According to the official document, "the Ukrainian command treat the foreign mercenaries as cannon fodder, sending them at Russian positions in the first place. The evacuation of wounded mercenaries is organized on a residual principle, only after Ukrainian servicemen are removed."

It further added that "due to the high losses of personnel, the Kiev regime has reportedly launched the recruitment of foreign mercenaries in Argentina, Brazil, Afghanistan, Iraq and in the American-controlled areas of Syria over the past month."

The United States and its allies have been pouring weapons worth tens of billions of dollars and other aid into Ukraine since the start of its conflict with Russia, despite Moscow's repeated warnings.

In total, the Biden administration has committed more than $100 billion to the so-called "Project Ukraine."

Russia began what it described as a "special military operation" in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, as part of a national security measure against the persisting eastern advance of the US-led NATO military alliance.

Moscow also said the military operation was aimed at defending the pro-Russia population in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk against persecution by Kiev, and also to "de-Nazify" Ukraine.

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Top Russian diplomats blast US, NATO over Ukraine aims

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 11 July 2023 10:46 AM

Senior Russian diplomats have lashed out at the US for pushing a massive publicity campaign to win public support for any "anti-Russia decisions" at the NATO summit currently underway in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius.

"Every possible effort is being made to prepare local public opinion for the acceptation of any anti-Russian decisions that will be taken in Vilnius in the coming days," said Russia's Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov in a statement posted on the Embassy's Telegram channel late Monday night.

"On the eve of the NATO Summit, the atmosphere in the US information landscape has heated up to the limit," he further noted, insisting that the situation in the Ukraine conflict continues to degrade "to the most unfavorable outcome" in what he referred to as "the confrontation between Russia and the NATO countries."

"The decisions of the West are posing increasingly insurmountable obstacles to a way out of the acutest political and military crisis, fraught with the most serious consequences for international security," Antonov also warned amid reports that some members of the US-led military alliance are pushing win approval for Ukraine's NATO accession despite declared opposition by US President Joe Biden.

This is while Russia's senior security negotiator in Vienna, Konstantin Gavrilov, insisted in an interview with RIA state news agency that the West is "losing" the war in Ukraine.

"Both the United States and NATO understand that time is not working for them," Gavrilov said, adding, "They are losing in Ukraine."

Antonov, meanwhile, further drew attention to Washington's double standards and cynicism in its approach to the raging Ukraine conflict.

"The more Americans are getting involved into the conflict in Ukraine, the more cynical their actions appear and the more dilapidated moral principles look," the top Russian diplomat reiterated as quoted in a TASS report on Tuesday.

Pointing out that Washington has "publicly advocated high human rights standards and ranted about banning inhumane weapons," he then emphasized that the US is now the one that "is throwing cluster munitions into the abyss of the Ukrainian crisis."

"At the same time," he noted, "it does not bother making any excuses; the only thesis the US is pushing is that it is necessary to defeat Russians."

Antonov's comments came in apparent reaction to US efforts to justify delivering the globally banned cluster bombs to Ukraine by reasoning that civilian casualties would occur anyway in case Russians win the battle against Ukraine.

"We have taken note of... [NSC spokesman] John Kirby's statements about the provision of cluster munitions to Ukraine. The official de facto confessed to the United States committing war crimes during the Ukraine conflict," Antonov said in a statement on Sunday.

He further emphasized that the US could not care less about causing even more death and destruction far away from its borders after the White House National Security Council spokesman acknowledged that some civilians "will likely be hurt" by the US-supplied cluster bombs.

The top diplomat was referring to Kirby's remarks during an ABC News interview earlier on Sunday, when he said he believes "we can all agree that more civilians have been and will continue to be killed by Russian forces... than will likely be hurt by the use of these cluster munitions."

Antonov further lashed out at Kirby's remarks, insisting that such twisted logic boils down to, "it won't get any worse."

"He overtly stated that civilians would fall victim to US cluster-type weapons. According to the perverted view of the White House representative, this does less harm than the actions of Russia," he then added in a statement posted on his Telegram social media page.

Meanwhile, with France pushing for a clear path to Ukraine's NATO membership, but Germany urging caution, Russian diplomats also claimed that divergences have been narrowing in the effort by Ukraine to join NATO.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba of Ukraine said NATO member states reached a consensus to drop the Membership Action Plan (MAP) requirement for Ukraine's bid to join the alliance.

MAP is a list of political, economic, and military goals other Eastern European nations had to meet before joining NATO.

"Following intensive talks, NATO allies have reached a consensus on removing MAP from Ukraine's path to membership. I welcome this long-awaited decision that shortens our path to NATO. It is also the best moment to offer clarity on the invitation to Ukraine to become member," Kuleba tweeted on Monday.

Despite the reported consensus, some NATO members, have had reservations, wary of any step they fear could draw the military alliance into a direct conflict with Russia, potentially sparking a global war.

The war in Ukraine began after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the launch of a "special military operation" in the ex-Soviet republic on February 24, 2022, to "demilitarize" two eastern Ukrainian regions amid Kiev's vaulting ambitions to join NATO, which Moscow deems a redline.

Moscow has repeatedly warned Ukraine against its NATO membership proposals, calling the move "purely destabilizing."

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NATO Disappoints Ukraine With No Set Timetable For Accession

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service July 11, 2023

VILNIUS -- Ukraine's future is inside NATO, but the military alliance will extend an invitation to Kyiv only when "members agree and conditions are met," NATO leaders said in a declaration that disappointed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on the first day of their summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on July 11 told a press conference there had never been a stronger message from NATO both on the political message for membership and the concrete support from NATO allies.

Speaking to reporters, Stoltenberg said Ukraine has moved closer to membership, in part due to its adoption of large amounts of military equipment and training from NATO members to help Kyiv repel invading Russian forces since February 2022.

This development allowed for the "unprecedented" dropping of the requirement for Ukraine to fulfill a Membership Action Plan (MAP), Stoltenberg said, just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said it would be "unprecedented and absurd" if NATO didn't offer Kyiv a clear timeline for either full integration or at least an invitation to start membership negotiations.

The declaration says the NATO leaders "recognize that Ukraine's path to full Euro-Atlantic integration has moved beyond" the need for the MAP.

"We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the Alliance when Allies agree and conditions are met," it added without releasing details on what the conditions are.

Zelenskiy complained about "vague wording about conditions" for inviting Ukraine even before the declaration was published.

"It seems there is no readiness neither to invite Ukraine to NATO nor to make it a member of the Alliance," he added.

But Stoltenberg told the news conference that previous accessions to NATO had not been accompanied by a timeline. "They are conditions-based, have always been," he said.

The Ukrainian leader said the perceived ambiguity would only benefit Russia and pledged to raise the issue in person at the summit.

"For Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror. Uncertainty is weakness. And I will openly discuss this at the summit," he said after confirming he will meet on July 12 with U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the summit.

Speaking later at a rally in Vilnius, Zelenskiy said NATO will make Ukraine safer and Ukraine will make NATO stronger.

"I traveled here today with belief in a decision, with belief in partners, with belief in a strong NATO," he said. "I would wish for this belief to become a certainty -- certainty in decisions that all of us deserve and which our every soldier expects, our every citizen, our every mother, our every child. And is this too big of a wish?"

While the language of the declaration fell short of this wish, it used strong language toward Moscow, saying: "The Russian Federation is the most significant and direct threat to Allies' security and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area."

The Kremlin railed over the summit, saying the alliance was treating Russia as though it were an "enemy," exacerbating an already volatile security situation around the world.

"Russia is perceived by [NATO leaders] as an enemy, as an adversary. It is in this vein that the discussions [in Vilnius] will be conducted," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a briefing in Moscow.

"We are monitoring this very carefully because much of what has been said will be subject to in-depth analysis in order to take measures to ensure our own security," he added.

Ahead of the summit, France and Germany announced new military aid packages for Ukraine.

President Emmanuel Macron said on arrival in Vilnius that France will start supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine, which will allow Kyiv's forces to defend themselves .

"I have decided to increase deliveries of weapons and equipment to enable the Ukrainians to have the capacity to strike deeply while keeping our doctrine to allow Ukraine to defend its territory," he said, without giving further details on how many or the types of missiles.

An unnamed French military source told reporters in Vilnius that Paris has already started delivering a significant number of SCALP cruise missiles to Ukraine.

SCALP is the French name of a long-range missile developed jointly by France and Britain and known in the United Kingdom as Storm Shadow.

The SCALPs, which have a 250-kilometer range, would only be used within Ukraine's internationally recognized borders and would be launched from non-Western planes, the source said.

Britain has already delivered a number of Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine since May.

The German Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said on July 11 that Germany also would give Ukraine military armored vehicles and ammunition worth 700 million euros ($768 million).

Hours before the start of the summit, Russia launched another drone attack on Kyiv -- the second this month -- and Odesa.

The attack was largely repelled by the Ukrainian air defenses, causing only minor damage around Kyiv, according to initial assessments.

"All detected air targets that were moving in the direction of Kyiv were destroyed by our air-defense forces," the head of the Ukrainian capital's military administration, Serhiy Popko, said on Telegram.

In the Black Sea city of Odesa, two drones hit an administrative building in the port and a grain terminal caught fire, which was quickly extinguished causing no "critical damage" or injuries, regional Governor Oleh Kiper said on Telegram.

The Ukrainian air defense said separately that it had destroyed 26 out of the 28 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Russia.

With reporting by Rikard Jozwiak in Vilnius, Reuters, and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-strikes- kyiv-nato-summit-ukraine/32498294.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Prime Minister: NATO must learn lessons from Putin's barbaric tactics in Ukraine

As the world passes the grim milestone of 500 days since Putin's full-scale, illegal invasion of Ukraine, NATO leaders will gather in Lithuania to put the alliance on the right path to face down the threats of the future.

11 July 2023

NATO Summit in Lithuania this week will focus on supporting Ukraine and preparing the alliance to take on the threats of the future

New NATO contributions and defence industry funding will cement the UK's position as the leading European NATO ally

Comes as new UK Defence Command Paper due to set out plans to make our Armed Forces more lethal and deployable

As the world passes the grim milestone of 500 days since Putin's full-scale, illegal invasion of Ukraine, NATO leaders will gather in Lithuania today (Tuesday) to put the alliance on the right path to face down the threats of the future.

Since Putin's invasion, NATO has demonstrated its overwhelming strength and unity. Countries have increased their defence spending, Sweden and Finland have both applied to become members (with Finland subsequently joining) and allies have provided unprecedented levels of support to Ukraine.

At this week's summit the Prime Minister will call on fellow leaders to build on this momentum and ensure NATO is learning crucial lessons from Russia's actions and tactics in Ukraine.

Putin's war is a watershed moment in Europe's history. As well as causing untold devastation for millions of people in Ukraine and across the world, this multi-domain war has shifted our understanding how our adversaries approach conflict in the modern age.

NATO is the cornerstone of the UK's defence and of Euro-Atlantic Security. For it to remain so, all members need to ensure we are constantly evolving and equipping our alliance to take on the threats of the future - changing our approach in response to Putin's war in Ukraine.

The Integrated Review Refresh published in March highlighted the acute threat posed by Russia bringing large-scale, high intensity warfare back to our home region, with implications for the UK and NATO's approach to deterrence and defence.

NATO has responded to this increased threat in a number of ways over the last year, including through the adoption of NATO 2022 Strategic Concept and NATO Force Model. The Strategic Concept will guide NATO's approach to the challenges and opportunities ahead while the NATO Force Model will provide the capability behind the approach - providing the Supreme Allied Commander Europe with the forces he needs.

The UK has committed almost all of our Armed Forces and military capabilities to NATO under the new NATO Force Model. We contribute to every single NATO mission and we are one of the biggest troop contributors to NATO's enhanced Forward Presence on the Eastern flank.

At today's NATO Summit the Prime Minister will say allies need to go further - starting with every country finally spending a minimum of 2 per cent of their GDP on defence. The aspiration to reach 2 per cent was originally set out almost two decades ago, and the UK is one of the few countries to have delivered on it every year. In 2022, only 9 out of 30 NATO allies spent at least 2 per cent of their GDP on defence. This is projected to rise to two thirds of allies by 2024 thanks to campaigning by the UK and others willing to shoulder their fare share.

The Prime Minister will argue that meeting this 2 per cent commitment - which must be a floor not a ceiling - will be crucial to NATO's ongoing ability to deter and defend against the kind of tactics Putin has used in Ukraine. He will specifically call for allies to channel efforts into ensuring our Armed Forces can respond more rapidly, we are ready to operate across every domain and our defence industries are prepared to dramatically scale-up production in times of crisis.

The Prime Minister said:

When thousands of Russian troops crossed the border in February last year, it marked a grim new chapter in Europe and NATO's history.

In the 500 days that have elapsed since we have witnessed the most terrible crimes and human tragedies in Ukraine. But we have also seen the NATO alliance come together like never before in support of Ukraine and with firm determination that Russia cannot succeed.

That is work we need to continue this week. We cannot let the fog of war obscure the clear lessons our alliance must learn if we are going to outpace and outmanoeuvre those who seek to do us harm.

That is why the UK is investing record amounts in defence, to make our Armed Forces more lethal and more deployable, and to ready our defence industry ready for the challenges ahead. And that's something we need to see across NATO - starting with meeting the 2 per cent commitment.

The importance of allies properly investing in defence is clear in NATO's domestic defence industries, where Putin's war in Ukraine has exposed weaknesses in our industrial capacity. NATO nations have stepped up to provide millions of rounds of ammunition and game-changing equipment to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. But this has risked leaving our own forces short.

In response to this concern, the Prime Minister has announced more than A5 billion of extra funding for UK defence over the last year, some of which will go towards replenishing our ammunition stockpiles.

Today the Prime Minister will confirm an eight-fold increase in the UK's production capacity of 155mm artillery ammunition. Most NATO armies use this as standard, and a new A190 million BAE Systems contract - possible thanks to our defence spending uplift - will lead to the production of vastly more artillery shells for use by the UK and other allied forces.

This investment will make us safer and will create more than 100 jobs at BAE Systems' sites in the North of England and South Wales - boosting their existing 1,200-strong UK munitions workforce

Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive at BAE Systems, said:

We're incredibly proud of our role in delivering equipment to protect our armed forces and as the UK Ministry of Defence's long-term strategic partner for munitions supply, we're actively mobilising our operations in support of our NATO allies.

This multi-million pound investment will enable us to significantly ramp up production and sustain vital sovereign capability to deliver cutting-edge munitions, whilst creating and sustaining highly-skilled jobs across the UK.

Alongside this UK domestic uplift, the Prime Minister will push for further joint NATO efforts to increase our shared capacity to produce everything from missiles to ammunition - upping our investment and removing barriers to industrial cooperation between allies. These efforts will give our Armed Forces the equipment they need to prepare for any eventuality.

The Ministry of Defence will shortly publish a new Command Paper, setting out the measures the UK is taking to improve the lethality and deployability of our own Armed Forces as well as our contribution to NATO.

This includes establishing a new Defence 'Global Response Force' which will dramatically increase our ability to physically respond to a crisis at very short notice, either because we are already present or by deploying more rapidly.

The Global Response Force will complement the NATO Force Model by bringing together the UK's deployed and high-readiness forces under a single command. It will be able to draw on capabilities from every domain - land, sea, air, cyber and space - to ensure we can respond quickly and fully everywhere in the world. It is a direct response to the lesson learned early on in the war in Ukraine about the need to respond rapidly to the changing threat picture.

The Global Response Force builds on lessons learned from recent crises, including in Sudan, where it would have streamlined and coordinated our response. The Ministry of Defence's operation in Sudan involved a rapid evacuation of more than 2,200 people airlifted on military aircraft - more than the next three countries combined. We achieved this by bringing together the expertise and capabilities of personnel from across the Ministry of Defence located all over the world, supported by other parts of government and coordination with other international partners.

Just as we make our Armed Forces more deployable, we must ensure they are equipped in the advanced technologies of the future. The Prime Minister will point out to allies NATO's ability to lead in these domains, given the alliance's combined size and expertise.

Earlier this year the European HQ of NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the Northern Atlantic (DIANA) opened in London. DIANA aims to harness dual-use commercial technologies for defence and security purposes, with a focus on future technologies like AI. At this week's summit the Prime Minister will encourage allies to continue to invest in these capabilities and to engage in global discussions about their development and use - including at the first international summit on AI to be hosted in the UK this autumn.

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Latest in Ukraine: Russia Targets Kyiv in Drone Attack

By VOA News July 11, 2023

Latest developments:

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said he expects leaders at a summit in Lithuania to send a "very strong and positive message" about Ukraine's desire to join the alliance.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said Tuesday's ratification of Sweden's accession to NATO is now "only a technical question." Hungary and Turkey are the only NATO allies that have not approved Sweden joining the alliance, and Turkey agreed Monday to drop its opposition.

Ukrainian officials reported Russian aerial attacks Wednesday, including Iranian-made Shahed drones targeting the capital, Kyiv, for a second consecutive night.

Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said on Telegram there was an air alert for Kyiv that lasted for two hours, and that Ukraine's air defenses destroyed "all enemy targets" in the Kyiv area.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

Tuesday's attacks also featured Shahed drones targeting Kyiv and the southern port of Odesa.

Ukraine's military said it shot down a total of 26 drones launched by Russia.

Officials in the Kyiv region said debris that fell from intercepted drones damaged multiple residential buildings.

In Odesa, regional governor Oleg Kiper said two drones hit an administrative building at the port, while debris from downed drones caused a nearby grain terminal and another terminal to catch fire.

Odesa is a key port involved with the Black Sea Grain Initiative, an agreement brokered by the United Nations and Turkey that allowed for the resumption of critical grain exports from Ukrainian ports that had been blocked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The arrangement also includes exports of Russian food and fertilizer. Russia has complained that its portion of the deal is not being fulfilled and has said there are no grounds for extending the agreement beyond its July 17 expiration.

The United Nations said Monday that more than 32 million metric tons of food commodities have been exported through three Ukrainian ports since the initiative began in August 2022.

The U.N. said those exports went to 45 countries, including wheat transported by the World Food Program to people in need in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Cluster munitions

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday that allies need to do whatever they can to supply Ukrainian forces with ammunition amid a shortage, and that it is up to individual countries to decide what kind of ammunition to provide.

His comments came in response to a question about U.S. plans to provide cluster munitions, which have been banned by more than 100 countries due to the danger they pose to civilians both during and after conflicts.

Stoltenberg spoke as leaders gathered for a two-day NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, and said the conflict in Ukraine has become a "war of attrition" where the needs for ammunition, fuel and maintenance parts is "enormous."

He said cluster munitions have been used since Russia invaded in February last year, but that there was a distinction between Russian forces using them to invade a sovereign country and Ukraine using them to defend itself.

Stoltenberg said that at the beginning of the invasion, NATO allies did not have enough ammunition stocks and the capacity for producing more was not enough. He cited efforts to boost production, which have begun to produce results, but cautioned that increasing that capacity takes time.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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July 11, 2023

Transcript

Senior Officials Host Media Roundtable on the Successful Destruction of the U.S.' Declared Chemical Weapons Stockpile

Mallory Stewart, Assistant Secretary Of State For The Bureau Of Arms Control, Verification, And Compliance; Douglas Bush, Assistant Secretary Of The Army For Acquisition Logistics And Technology; Kingston Reif, Deputy Assistant Secretary Of Defense For Threat Reduction And Arms Control; Kelly Flynn, Public Affairs Specialist, DOD Press Office; Michael Abaie, Program Executive Officer, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives

KELLY FLYNN: Thank you all for joining us today for this media roundtable. This media roundtable is to discuss the United States successfully completing destruction operations of its declared chemical weapons stockpile. This is not a general DOD brief, so I'd ask you to hold any questions that are not related to this subject matter for a later briefing.

My name is Kelly Flynn and I am from the DOD Press Office. I will be moderating today's media roundtable. Participating with us in the room today are the Honorable Douglas Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, Mallory Stewart, assistant secretary for the Bureau of Arms-Control Verification and Compliance from the U.S. State Department, Mr. Kingston Reif, deputy assistant secretary of defense for threat reduction and arms control, and Mr. Michael Abaie, program executive officer, assembled chemical weapons alternatives.

We will begin the media roundtable with opening remarks, starting with Mr. Bush.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ARMY DOUGLAS BUSH: So thank you for joining us today as we make history, the destruction of the United States' declared chemical weapons stockpile.

The U.S.'s destruction of declared chemical weapons stockpiles in a safe, secure and environmentally-responsible manner was a difficult task requiring many years to complete. By January of 2012, nearly 90 percent of these weapons were eliminated. Destroying the remainder posed a greater challenge because it involved the more complicated approach of neutralizing these munitions chemicals.

We are proud to announce that the final two chemical munitions destruction sites, Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky and the Army's Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado, completed their operations in June of 2023.

Important work remains despite this achievement. We must eliminate secondary waste and decommission the chemical munitions destruction facility at Blue Grass Army Depot. These tasks should be completed within two or three years.

Most importantly, I want to thank the thousands of federal military and civilian employees and contractors for helping the United States support the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons' vision of a world free of chemical weapons. Some of the people who have worked at these sites, I've met many of them, worked for decades in this industry moving from site to site where their expertise was needed most. So there's a rare, very real human story here about the amazing work that these dedicated folks did that I hope we'll be able to tell more in the weeks and months ahead. Thank you.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE MALLORY STEWART: Thank you so much. I want to reiterate our thanks to the thousands and thousands of people that have worked to achieve this effort. The United States achieved a significant milestone in fulfilling its obligation under the Chemical Weapons Convention to destroy all of its chemical weapons. This is an important moment not only for the United States, but also for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, states' parties to the CWC and the entire world. This achievement is indicative of the important role that international cooperation and transparency play in arms control and disarmament.

The United States is proud to have achieved destruction of the CW stockpile in a manner that mitigated effects on the environment, was responsive to local communities that hosted our destruction sites and ensured the safety of the thousands of dedicated members of the U.S. workforce who carried out this important task. We again thank all of those who contributed to this success.

With complete destruction of the U.S. stockpile, the United States is proud once again to reiterate its continued commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention. Not only has the United States completed destruction in accordance with its obligations, but we have also contributed to the chemical weapons stockpile destruction of other states' parties as we worked and continue to work to achieve a world free of chemical weapons threats.

As we celebrate this achievement, we must acknowledge that the international community's job is not yet done. The threat posed by the possession, development and use of chemical weapons still exists and requires our continued focus. To this end, the United States will continue to support the OPCW through its active engagement and financial support. Thank you.

DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE KINGSTON REIF: Well, good afternoon, everyone. Thanks for being here. My office, the Office of Threat Reduction and Arms Control within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense Programs under the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisitions and Sustainment has been responsible for managing and overseeing the assembled chemical weapons alternatives, or ACWA programs' destruction of the last 10 percent of the U.S. declared chemical weapons stockpile housed in Colorado and Kentucky and ensuring the department's compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Assistant Secretary Stewart has already described why it was so vital to meet the nation's obligations under the convention to destroy our stockpile by the 30th of September of this year for the viability of the Chemical Weapons Convention and for our moral and diplomatic leadership. The only thing I would add and foot-stomp is that the most important action the United States can take to contribute to a world free of chemical weapons and lead by example is to follow through on our own treaty commitments, and with verifiable completion of destruction operations last week, we have done just that.

In my opening comments, I'd like to highlight why this achievement is so important for the Department of Defense and what it means for the department's efforts to counter chemical weapons threats moving forward.

Since ratifying the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1997, through last Friday, the United States destroyed over 30,000 metric tons of declared chemical agent contained in nearly three and a half million chemical munitions, over 22,500,110, one-ton containers containing chemical agent, and over 55,500 bottles and containers containing chemical agent.

The department, as we've heard, takes great pride in the transparent way in which we have undertaken our destruction effort, our sterling safety record, our dedication to protecting the environment, our engagement with the local communities in Colorado and Kentucky, and the financial and technical support, as Assistant Secretary Stewart mentioned, we have provided to other nations to meet their chemical Weapons Convention commitments.

This achievement has relied on decades of hard work by thousands of federal, military, and civilian employees and contractors. As a nation, we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to those who dedicated their time, talent, and effort to this mission.

Because this was dangerous work, these weapons were not designed to be taken apart. They had to be painstakingly disassembled in reverse. They were designed to detonate on the battlefield and inflict horrendous suffering on their victims, a terrible legacy of the post-World War II and early Cold War era.

Of course, the destruction effort in Colorado and Kentucky has not been without its challenges. It has been a long, arduous, and expensive journey. I think it's important to point out that as recently as five years ago, the milestone we are highlighting today, it was not clear that it could be achieved.

The progress since Mr. Abaie assumed the mantle of PEO of the Aqua Program has been remarkable. The program's turnaround is a major acquisition success story, one defined by proactive risk management, resourceful problem solving, and technological innovation, and it has been a team effort.

The completion of the operation's mission means that the significant resources spent on demilitarization can be redirected to support other high priority department missions, once closure of the destruction facilities is completed. Closure is expected to be a multi-year process.

Though the destruction mission is over, the Defense Department will not cease in its efforts to support the effective implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, including by working to ensure the Organization for the Prohibition of the Chemical Weapons readiness to face current and future chemical weapons threats.

As Assistant Secretary Stewart has noted, the threat posed by chemical weapons has not disappeared with the a with the destruction of the last declared munition in Kentucky. Thank you very much.

MICHAEL ABAIE: Thank you, Mr. Reif. Good afternoon, everyone, and I'd also like to thank you all for joining us today. As you heard, the Program Executive Office for the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternative is responsible for the destruction of the last remaining 10 percent of the U.S. stockpile at Pueblo, Colorado and at Bluegrass, Kentucky.

So we safely destroyed over 780,000 munitions that were filled with mustard in projectiles or mortars in Pueblo, Colorado on 22 June of this year. And last Friday, we destroyed the last rocket of GB nerve agent in Richmond, Kentucky at the Bluegrass Army Depot. We had over 100,000 rounds of mustard and nerve agent, both VX and sarin, at that location.

While the destruction is complete, we still have much more work to do. We still have to decontaminate and decommission the facility and demolish the facility. We're working very closely with the local communities to ensure that, you know, whatever we can transport to them that is not contaminated, can be safely done so.

As everyone has mentioned, there has been many, many thousands of dedicated professionals who have dedicated many, many years of their life. In fact, for some, their entire career has been dedicated to this task of getting rid of all these stockpiled munitions.

A majority of our workforce will continue to stay with us as we go through closure. As Mr. Bush identified, there'll be another two or three years of work being done in that area to completely close those facilities, and we'll have to go through the administrative closure, making sure that we meet all of the safety and permit requirements we have to meet each one of those states.

So I hope that you can help us in translating to the many people that have helped in support of this work, the dedicated professional manner that they've gone about doing this job safely, without any incident over the last five years. This is a very dangerous type of work that we do, and again, we've continued to focus on the safety aspect and the environmental aspects of this as we go through closure.

Additionally, I'd like to thank the local communities. We have worked very, very closely with the local communities to ensure that a as partners, you know, they have supported the U.S. Army, for allowing these stockpiles to be stored in their backyards and near them. We have worked very closely with them. They were part and parcel to the Aqua Program in selecting the technologies that were used in each of these sites. These are first of a kind technologies that we put in place, designed and constructed and tested and then now operated.

And I'd also like to thank our contractors, Bechtel as well as Amentum, for doing a phenomenal job in making sure that we get to this point safely and on time to meet the 30 September 2023 CWC commitment. Thank you.

MS. FLYNN: Thank you for those opening remarks. We'll now open the discussion for questions. I ask that you each state your name and which outlet you're from, and I ask our participants to state their name before they speak for our Zoom participants.

Q: Why did it take so long to destroy the last 10 percent of munitions? What was the total cost? Have you helped other nations in their demil process and are those operations still going on?

MR. ABAIE: So if you'll allow me to take the first part about why did it take so long for the last 10 percentawhen we started the demil process, incineration was the technology that the Army had used to destroy those 90 percent. Their large ton containers were done with neutralization.

The two communities worked with Congress, their congressional delegations, and asked that we do not use incineration. So, Congress mandated that the Army evaluate other technologies a two technologies per site, to ensure that we have alternative processes.

So, during that time, that's how the ACWA Program was actually started back in the early 2000s, and in 2003, the selections were made for each of the sites. At Pueblo, it was neutralization followed by bio-treatment, and in Kentucky, it was neutralization followed by supercritical water oxidation.

Unfortunately, as we developed that system, it wasn't as safe as we had all intended it, so we ended up shipping the hydrolysate a that's that byproduct of neutralization off-site. So that's why it took so long a we had to actually come up with new alternative technologies, then design, construct, build, test, and obviously we had some technical challenges during that process but that's why it's taken so long.

And roughly, it's taken about a little over $13.5 billion to do the last 10 percent.

MR. REIF: On the second part of your question, Jim, I can start on that. As I mentioned, the U.S. government and the Department of Defense are very proud of the support that we have provided to other nations to meet their CWC commitments. Those nations include Russia, Syria, Albania, and Libya. I'll defer to Assistant Secretary Stewart to add anything more to that.

But primarily, financial assistance to other countries destroying their chemical weapons stockpiles has come via the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, which is executed by the Defense Reduction Agency.

MS. STEWART: Yeah, thank you. I'll follow up on Kingston's point but I also want to add to the first point, that really the responsiveness of the U.S. government to local communities' concerns about the destruction sites was sort of more expansive and more collaborative than I've seen, you know, in many situations, ensuring the safety of both the workers but also a continuing comfort level of the local communities and the politicians with the processes that were being developed, having a really expansive interaction and involvement of those that were concerned, pulling them into the conversation, showing them the technology and ensuring that there would be no danger to the community, and that we had the very highest of mitigation capacity for any effects on the environment.

So really, you know, huge thanks to all of those contracted and all of those federal government workers that really took deep responsibility for this process went above and beyond in ensuring both the safety, health, and quite frankly, the satisfaction of the local communities with this process. And I think that really added to some of the time that went into it but I think the overarching success of this mission. So that was one point I would contribute to the initial comment.

On Kingston's point, you know, we have made a very coherent and extensive effort to help other countries with the destruction of their stockpiles you know, very publicly with the Syrian chemical weapons program, the destruction, ensuring that the OPCW had complete transparency and insight into the declared chemical weapons of Syria, and I think that's been very public but I would note that we've also assisted extensively with the Russian destruction of their declared chemical weapons stockpile and Albania and Libya, as Kingston mentioned.

Q: Which countries still have chemical weapon stockpiles?

MS. STEWART: Well, if you look at our compliance report, we have questions about some of the destructions of China's stockpile, we also have concerns specifically with respect to the undeclared chemical weapons that Russia is maintaining and has utilized in the Skripals and Navalny cases especially.

MS. FLYNN: Thank you. Now we'll go back to the Zoom again to Tara Copp with AP.

Q: Thanks for doing this. I was wondering about the potential costs and scope of the environmental cleanup, some of the things that you're more concerned about at these sites?

And then secondly, because we do have Secretary Bush in the room, if he could talk about the decision on the cluster munitions and how that kind of relieves pressure on the 155 stocks that he's been working to manage? Thanks.

MR. BUSH: I'll let my technical experts address the first part of your question.

MR. ABAIE: Sure. Absolutely. So, with regard to the environmental impacts, so as Ms. Stewart already indicated and I would like to emphasize again, safety to the workforce, the communities, and the environment is really the cornerstone of the ACWA Program.

So as part of the design of the facility, we've ensured that we have significant environmental codings in all of our facilities, and we minimized where the actual munitions go in to get destroyed.

So when we talk about making sure we meet all environmental requirements, we actually work with the state regulators, as well as EPA, to ensure that we have cleaned the facility to the requirements that are made and imposed on us by the state and the EPA. So we, again, ensure that the facilities are going to be fully decontaminated to where it can be no longer detected and meet the safe requirements in those areas.

As far as the costs associated with the closure of the facilities, over the next two years, three years, it's approximately $2 to $3 billion left to complete the cleaning of the facilities and then closing it out.

MR. BUSH: So, Tara, on the cluster munitions, I can't add anything to what the President, the National Security Advisor, and the Undersecretary for Policy have laid out regarding the dynamics of that decision.

MS. FLYNN: Let's go to Alex Horton on Zoom.

Q: Hey. Yeah, thanks for doing this. So I had a couple questions for you. You know, I failed high school biology, so if you can give us sort of, like, a layman's terms of how the process actually works when it comes to I think what you call bio-treatment? And, you know, just, like, the process in general, if you can describe how it worked to safely demilitarize these? That would be helpful.

And the second part is, you know, we've heard from the administration already that, you know, this is sort of, you know, the first time a declared class of weapons of mass destruction has been brought to an end. Another way to say that is the U.S. was the last to achieve this. You've spoken about the environmental concerns, the complexity. Can you give us other reasons why the U.S. was last, compared to everyone else? What were some of the challenges that you faced?

MR. ABAIE: So again, let me see if I can take the technical piece of this. With regard to each of the facilities, again, for Pueblo, we used neutralization. So, once we bring the munitions into the facility, it's all handled by robotics, there's no human interaction except for when they need to go and do some repairs or maintenance work.

So when the munition enters those rooms where they're chemical munitions will be emptied, the projectiles and the mortars would be drained of their mustard. That mustard was then transferred into a cylinder where it's mixed with high temperature water and caustic, and that process breaks down the a it's a chemical reaction where it breaks down the mustard agent down to what we call hydrolysate.

The hydrolysate, at that point, can be fed into a reactor, what we call a bioreactor, and that basically has microbes in it. It's very similar to the public septic system that we have. It allows it to eat, digest the sulphur that's associated with it. And what you get after that is basically water and salt cakes. So, the water is processed back into the facility to reused and the salt cakes is sent into designated landfills.

At Bluegrass it's very similar. Once we bring the rockets or projectiles into the room where it can be used, it is drained. The nerve agent is drained and goes through again a cylinder, hot water. Caustic is used to mix it to break down the nerve agent to a much lower toxic chemical and then shipped at offsite to a designated licensed facility for incineration.

We also brought in technologies to do thermal destruction for some of the very challenging munitions at both sites. These were some of the older ones, mostly mustard, some nerve agents at Bluegrass, but these were brought in because we could not punch and drain the mustard out of them. They had solidified over the years so it would be very problematic for us to drain it.

So these thermal units called static detonation chambers, a technology that was developed in Europe and we brought it over here. We use it in Anniston as part of the challenges that they had in Anniston, Alabama. We continue to use it at Bluegrass as well is in Pueblo.

Again, it would elevate the temperatures of the munition so much that it would open up and the mustard agent would be exposed to the high temperatures, and it would basically turn itself in a neutral by product in gas, and which are captured and then again we evaluate all of the affluent gases to insure that we meet all the environmental aspects of it.

So that's it from technical perspective on how we were able to do all this and move it out. I think the second part of the question is why did it take us so long to do this. Again, with the congressional mandate that the program had gotten, it's to evaluate new technologies. So, the incineration technology that was originally developed and used safely for those 90 percent of the stockpile at seven other sites, those would not be able to be used at the last two locations.

We have to work with the local communities and with lots of different contracting folks to come up with new technologies. Again, lots of technologies were evaluated, each of the communities were part in parcel in the selection of the final prototype technologies that we would use to build, design and test and operate the facilities with.

It was a lot of work that had to be done. Obviously technical challenges were part of that. It took us a long time to resolve those technical challenges as we move forward. Again, working very closely with the local communities to insure that they were part in parcel to everything that we did as we moved forward.

I would say that, you know, it has not been an easy process. A lot of challenges, a lot of things have to be modified. We have to identify risks in advance and get after it. But again, I'll go back to my original statement, the corner stone of the program was to insure maximum safety to the workforce, to the local communities and the environment and that overwrote anything else that we had to do.

So anything that we looked at to evaluate or to do, we had to make sure to meet those standards and that's why it took us such a long time for us to get to this point.

MR. REIF: And if I could just add a few things. Alex, thanks for the question. You know Mike referenced the environmental, the regulatory and the safety requirements and how stringent they rightly are and I would say that those requirements are second to none globally. Second thing I would say is that the United States has declared and destroyed the entirety of its declared chemical weapons stockpile. Russia has completed destruction of its declared stockpile with our support, as Assistant Secretary Stewart referenced.

Syria has completed destruction of its declared stockpile, again, with our support, as Assistant Secretary Stewart has referenced.

But as Assistant Secretary Stewart also referenced, you know, the State Department's compliance report notes that both of those countries possess undeclared stockpiles of chemical weapons and both countries have actually used chemical weapons.

And then finally, I just want to highlight what I said in my opening remarks about the turnaround that this program has had under Mike's leadership. It's been a long and arduous journey, but when Mike took over in 2018, it wasn't clear that the milestone that we are highlighting and celebrating today was achievable. And it's thanks to his incredible leadership and his focus on risk management, the ingenuity of his team and the workforce, the proactive problem-solving that we were able to complete the mission a few months ahead of our commitment even.

MR. BUSH: And if I could add, wanting to make sure I mention my predecessor Dr. Bruce Jette, who was instrumental in bringing Mike in and supporting Mike. And Mike and he together worked with Congress very closely to get the resources needed to overcome other challenges we face. So, a lot of people helped, including members of Congress who were critical in making sure we had the resources to get this done the right way.

MR. ABAIE: If I may add, this has been a complete team effort. The entire Pentagon collectively, addressed some of the issues that we came up with, be it financial, be it technical challenges, be it regulatory challenges.

And the permitting has probably been one of our biggest challenges of all. Ensuring that we meet all the requirements, so the entire Pentagon facility actually stepped up to the Army leadership, as Mr. Bush articulated, including Mr. Bush and Dr. Jette and all the way through the comptroller in the department as well as others, have been significant support.

The Under Secretary Ms. Lord and the Under Secretary Dr. LaPlante have all been very supportive of all the work and any technical challenges that we've had they have provided the resources and the - whatever support needed to get the job done. So, this truly has been a team effort.

MS. FLYNN: Do we have any other questions in the room?

Q: Thank you very much. Can you talk a little bit about North Korea's chemical weapon capabilities? They are spending a lot of resources on nuclear and missile capabilities. But how much have they advanced their chemical weapon capability technology? Thank you.

MS. STEWART: Thank you for the question. This is Mallory Stewart from the State Department, for those on Zoom.

Clarifying that although the DPRK's not a state party to the Chemical Weapons Convention we do access that DPRK maintains a chemical weapons program. The DPRK is a state party to the Biologic Weapons Convention, but we also access that DPRK has a biological weapons program in violation of that convention.

There's limited sort of additional clarification I can provide beyond what's in the compliance report. But we do access that the DPRK maintains a chemical weapons program. We're quite concerned about it. We've seen some evidence of it publicly and internationally in a in previous assassinations, and I think it's useful to refer everyone to the Annual Compliance Report to get additional details. Thank you.

MS. FLYNN: OK, and with that, we can conclude today's discussion. I thank you all for coming, and thanks to our panelists for coming, as well.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3454071/

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SHANGHAI, China, July 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co., Ltd (Junshi Biosciences, HKEX: 1877; SSE: 688180), a leading innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapies, announced that the supplemental new drug application for toripalimab, the companys anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, in combination with axitinib for the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), has been accepted by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).



Globally, renal carcinoma is the third most common type of malignancy in the urinary system, and RCC accounts for 80%-90% of all cases. According to data published in the Chinese Medical Journal, in 2022, there were approximately 77,000 new cases of renal carcinoma and 46,000 deaths due to this disease in China. Approximately one-third of the renal carcinoma patients had distant metastasis at initial diagnosis, while 20%-50% of the patients with localized tumors developed distant metastases after nephrectomy. According to the risk classification of the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC), patients with low, medium and high-risk metastatic RCC who were receiving anti-vascular targeted treatment demonstrated median overall survival (OS) rates of 35.3, 16.6 and 5.4 months, respectively. Therefore, the need for new treatment options is more urgent for patients with medium and high-risk advanced RCC compared to low-risk patients.

This supplemental new drug application is mainly based on the RENOTORCH study (NCT04394975). As the first pivotal phase 3 study of immunotherapy for patients with advanced RCC in China, RENOTORCH is a multi-center, randomized, open-label, active-controlled study aiming to evaluate the efficacy and safety of toripalimab in combination with axitinib versus sunitinib monotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with intermediate to high-risk unresectable or metastatic RCC. The study was jointly led by principal investigators Professor Jun GUO of the Peking University Cancer Hospital and Professor Yiran HUANG of Renji Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine.

According to the studys interim analysis, toripalimab in combination with axitinib for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced RCC significantly reduced the risk of disease progression or death compared to sunitinib monotherapy, while improving secondary endpoints such as ORR. The safety profile of toripalimab in the study was consistent with known risks, and no new safety signals were identified. Further details on the study data will be presented at an upcoming international academic conference.

Dr. Jianjun ZOU, the Global Research and Development President of Junshi Biosciences, expressed her enthusiasm regarding the acceptance of this application. Currently, Chinas primary approach towards treating advanced RCC still relies heavily on targeted monotherapy using TKIs, and unfortunately, the benefits from this treatment are minimal for patients. We are therefore immensely excited about the RENOTORCH study, a Chinese-led clinical trial conducted in the Chinese population that has demonstrated that combining toripalimab with axitinib can significantly prolong patients progression-free survival (PFS). This means that the field of renal cancer treatment in China may soon welcome its very first immune-targeting combination therapy. We will actively communicate and collaborate with regulatory authorities and hope to soon provide more effective and accessible treatment options to Chinese patients.

About RENOTORCH

The RENOTORCH study is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, active-controlled phase 3 study aiming to evaluate the efficacy and safety of toripalimab in combination with axitinib versus sunitinib monotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with intermediate to high-risk unresectable or metastatic RCC. Enrolled individuals were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive toripalimab in combination with either axitinib or sunitinib until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. The primary endpoint is PFS as assessed by the Independent Radiographic Review Committee (IRC), and secondary endpoints include PFS as assessed by investigators, ORR as assessed by IRC or investigators, duration of response (DOR), disease control rate (DCR), OS, safety profile, etc. The study is jointly led by principal investigators Professor Jun GUO of the Peking University Cancer Hospital and Professor Yiran HUANG of Renji Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. The study was launched in August 2020, with 47 domestic centers participating and 421 patients enrolled and randomized.

About Toripalimab

Toripalimab is an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody developed for its ability to block PD-1 interactions with its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, and for enhanced receptor internalization (endocytosis function). Blocking PD-1 interactions with PD-L1 and PD-L2 promotes the immune systems ability to attack and kill tumor cells.

More than forty company-sponsored toripalimab clinical studies covering more than fifteen indications have been conducted globally by Junshi Biosciences, including in China, the United States, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Ongoing or completed pivotal clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of toripalimab cover a broad range of tumor types, including cancers of the lung, nasopharynx, esophagus, stomach, bladder, breast, liver, kidney, and skin.

In China, toripalimab was the first domestic anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody approved for marketing (approved in China as TUOYI). Currently, there are six approved indications for toripalimab in China:

unresectable or metastatic melanoma after failure of standard systemic therapy; recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after failure of at least two lines of prior systemic therapy; locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma that failed platinum-containing chemotherapy or progressed within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant platinum-containing chemotherapy; in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine as the first-line treatment for patients with locally recurrent or metastatic NPC; in combination with paclitaxel and cisplatin in first-line treatment of patients with unresectable locally advanced/recurrent or distant metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ("ESCC"); in combination with pemetrexed and platinum as the first-line treatment in EGFR mutation-negative and ALK mutation-negative, unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The first three indications have been included in the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) (2022 Edition). Toripalimab is the only anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody included in the NRDL for the treatment of melanoma.

In the United States, the Biologics License Application (BLA) for toripalimab in combination with gemcitabine/cisplatin for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced recurrent or metastatic NPC and toripalimab monotherapy for the second-line or later treatment of recurrent or metastatic NPC after platinum-containing chemotherapy is under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy designations for toripalimab in combination with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of recurrent or metastatic NPC as well as for toripalimab monotherapy in the second or third-line treatment of recurrent or metastatic NPC. Additionally, the FDA has granted Fast Track designation for toripalimab for the treatment of mucosal melanoma and Orphan Drug designations for the treatment of esophageal cancer, NPC, mucosal melanoma, soft tissue sarcoma, and small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

In Europe, marketing authorization applications (MAA) were accepted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the United Kingdoms Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for 1) toripalimab combined with cisplatin and gemcitabine for the first-line treatment of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic NPC and 2) toripalimab combined with paclitaxel and cisplatin for the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable locally advanced/recurrent or metastatic ESCC, in December 2022 and February 2023.

About Junshi Biosciences

Founded in December 2012, Junshi Biosciences (HKEX: 1877; SSE: 688180) is an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative therapeutics. The company has established a diversified R&D pipeline comprising over 50 drug candidates, with five therapeutic focus areas covering cancer, autoimmune, metabolic, neurological, and infectious diseases. Junshi Biosciences was the first Chinese pharmaceutical company that obtained marketing approval for an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody in China. Its first-in-human anti-BTLA monoclonal antibody for the treatment of various cancers was the first in the world to be approved for clinical trials by the FDA and NMPA and has since entered Phase Ib/II trials in both China and the US. Its anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibody was the first in China to be approved for clinical trials by the NMPA.

In the face of the pandemic, Junshi Biosciences response was strong and immediate, joining forces with Chinese and international scientific research institutions and enterprises to develop an arsenal of drug candidates to combat COVID-19, taking the initiative to shoulder the social responsibility of Chinese pharmaceutical companies by prioritizing and accelerating COVID-19 R&D. In 2021, JS016 (etesevimab), Chinas first neutralizing fully human monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2 administered with bamlanivimab, was granted Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) in over 15 countries and regions worldwide. Meanwhile, VV116 (deuremidevir hydrobromide), a novel oral nucleoside analog anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug designed to hinder virus replication, has been approved for marketing in China and Uzbekistan. The JS016 and VV116 programs are a part of the companys continuous efforts towards innovation for disease control and prevention of the global pandemic.

Junshi Biosciences has about 3,000 employees in the United States (San Francisco and Maryland) and China (Shanghai, Suzhou, Beijing, Guangzhou, etc.). For more information, please visit: http://junshipharma.com.

Junshi Biosciences Contact Information

IR Team:

Junshi Biosciences

info@junshipharma.com

+ 86 021-6105 8800

PR Team:

Junshi Biosciences

Zhi Li

zhi_li@junshipharma.com

+ 86 021-6105 8800
NEW ORLEANS, July 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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 Companys 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 Do

If 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 Lawsuit

SentinelOne 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, LLC

KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nations 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:
Westford, USA, July 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to SkyQuest, the growing global awareness of plastic waste and pollution has profoundly impacted the demand for sustainable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastics. This heightened consciousness has propelled the growth of the lactic acid market .

Browse in-depth TOC on the "Lactic Acid Market"

Pages - 242

Tables - 94

Figures 59

Get sample copy of this report:

https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/lactic-acid-market

The expanding applications of lactic acid across diverse end-use industries, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, personal care, industrial, and others, are expected to drive the growth of the lactic acid market in the forecast period. Lactic acid has extensive use in the food industry, offering several benefits. One of its primary advantages is its ability to extend the shelf life of various food products, helping to maintain their freshness and quality.

Prominent Players in Lactic Acid Market

Corbion NV

BASF SE

Galactic SA

DowDuPont Inc.

NatureWorks LLC

Futerro SA

Teijin Limited

Musashino Chemical Laboratory Ltd.

Henan Jindan Lactic Acid Technology Co., Ltd.

Weifang Ensign Industry Co., Ltd.

Musashino Chemical (China) Co. Ltd.

Anhui COFCO Biochemical Co., Ltd.

Synbra Technology BV

Spectrum Chemical Manufacturing Corp.

Danimer Scientific Inc.

TCI Chemicals (India) Pvt. Ltd.

Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG

Shenzhen Esun Industrial Co., Ltd.

Zhengzhou Tianxingjian Chemical Co., Ltd.

Yancheng Hongtai Bioengineering Co., Ltd.

Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC):

https://www.skyquestt.com/report/lactic-acid-market

Biodegradable Plastics Segment is Expected to Grow the Market Due to the Production of Biodegradable Packaging Materials

The biodegradable plastics segment has emerged as the leader in the lactic acid market, asserting its dominance in the application landscape. This segment involves producing a wide range of biodegradable packaging materials, disposable tableware, and other plastic products. The growing demand for environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional plastics has significantly propelled the prominence of biodegradable plastics.

The markets in North America are witnessing a significant surge in growth within the lactic acid market, driven primarily by the increasing demand for biodegradable plastics, especially in the packaging industry. The region's growing emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendliness has fueled the adoption of lactic acid-based materials as a viable alternative to conventional plastics.

Personal Care and Cosmetics Segment is Expected to Dominate the Market Due to Increasing Consumer Preference for Natural and Organic Ingredients

The personal care and cosmetics segment has emerged as the fastest-growing application segment in the lactic acid market, fueled by the increasing consumer preference for natural and organic ingredients in personal care products. Lactic acid finds extensive usage in various applications within this segment, including skincare, hair care, and other personal care formulations.

Regional markets in the Asia-Pacific hold a commanding position in the global lactic acid market, primarily due to its status as the largest producer and consumer of lactic acid. Several factors contribute to the region's dominance in this market. The region boasts a rapidly increasing population, creating a significant consumer base for various lactic acid products.

A comprehensive analysis of the major players in the lactic acid market has been recently conducted in a report. The report encompasses various aspects, including collaborations, mergers, innovative business policies, and strategies, providing valuable insights into key trends and breakthroughs in the market. Furthermore, the report scrutinizes the market share of the top segments and presents a detailed geographic analysis. Lastly, the report highlights the major players in the industry and their endeavours to develop innovative solutions to cater to the growing demand.

Key Developments in the Lactic Acid Market

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company and LG Chem recently revealed their collaborative plan to address the growing demand for lactic acid and polylactic acid (PLA) by establishing a production facility. This joint venture aims to cater to the surging market needs by producing 150,000 tons of high-purity corn-based lactic acid annually. Lactic acid, derived from corn, offers a renewable and sustainable source for producing various products.

Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements:

https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/lactic-acid-market

Key Questions Answered in Lactic Acid Market Report

What specific growth drivers are projected to impact the market during the forecast period?

List the top companies in the market and explain how they have achieved their positions of influence.

In what ways do regional trends and patterns differ within the global market, and how these differences shape the market's future growth?

Related Reports in SkyQuests Library:

Global Zeolite Market

Global Thermally Conductive Plastics Market

Global Magnesium Sulphate Market

Global Magnesite Market

Global 1-Decene Market

About Us:

SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally.

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SEATTLE, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WatchGuard Technologies, a global leader in unified cybersecurity, today unveiled AuthPoint Total Identity Security, a comprehensive bundle that combines the award-winning AuthPoint multi-factor authentication (MFA) with dark web credential monitoring capabilities and a corporate password manager. The introduction of this new product, paired with the zero trust risk-based policies of WatchGuards Unified Security Platform architecture, enables managed service providers (MSPs) to provide optimal modern cybersecurity delivery from WatchGuard Cloud.



Stolen or leaked credentials are a primary cause of data breaches, yet passwords remain the most prevalent method of user authentication for organisations, said Carla Roncato, vice president of Identity at WatchGuard. And while multi-factor authentication has become a mandatory requirement for organisations, most still need to deal with weak and reused passwords, shared admin passwords, credential leaks on the dark web, and corporate applications with limited MFA support. AuthPoint Total Identity Security provides advanced password management capabilities and dark web monitoring to help protect corporate credentials in addition to MFA and web single sign-on.

AuthPoint Total Identity Security enables MSPs to offer their customers credentials monitoring, on-demand dark web exposure alerts, and password management to reduce issues related to credential compromise with an all-in-one mobile authenticator app for iOS and Android. Also, AuthPoint Total Identity Security gives users an easy-to-manage tool to generate complex passwords that are auto-filled through browser extensions for Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Apples Safari, and Firefox protected by a vault password. By storing each applications credentials in a password manager, the user only has to create and remember one unique, complex vault password, which helps mitigate the risk of phishing.

Key features of AuthPoint Total Identity Security include:

AuthPoint MFA Service  Delivered through WatchGuard Cloud, AuthPoint MFA makes it easy to configure and manage offline and online verification methods and access policies across endpoints, VPNs, and web applications, and set up single sign-on application portals across multiple customer deployments.

Delivered through WatchGuard Cloud, AuthPoint MFA makes it easy to configure and manage offline and online verification methods and access policies across endpoints, VPNs, and web applications, and set up single sign-on application portals across multiple customer deployments. Dark Web Monitoring Service  AuthPoints Dark Web Monitoring on-demand service notifies customers when compromised credentials, from up to three monitored domains, are found in newly acquired credential breach databases. Alerts are sent to administrators and end users impacted so they can generate new passwords quickly and before an account takeover.

AuthPoints Dark Web Monitoring on-demand service notifies customers when compromised credentials, from up to three monitored domains, are found in newly acquired credential breach databases. Alerts are sent to administrators and end users impacted so they can generate new passwords quickly and before an account takeover. Corporate Password Manager  Built with business use cases in mind, AuthPoints Corporate Password Manager enforces a higher standard for passwords and can reduce password reset requests. Passwords do not need to be remembered and are protected in the vault with a complex vault password. When users need to access their apps, they can retrieve their passwords using the AuthPoint mobile app for iOS and Android and/or browser extension to auto-fill credentials for a smoother overall single sign-on experience. It provides: Corporate Vault  Add credentials and generate strong passwords for commonly used workplace applications where SSO is not enabled. Additionally, administrators can securely share credentials for the common use of an application. Private Vault  Add credentials and generate strong passwords for personal and social apps. If the employee leaves the organisation, these personal credentials can be exported and imported to another password manager.



Built with business use cases in mind, AuthPoints Corporate Password Manager enforces a higher standard for passwords and can reduce password reset requests. Passwords do not need to be remembered and are protected in the vault with a complex vault password. When users need to access their apps, they can retrieve their passwords using the AuthPoint mobile app for iOS and Android and/or browser extension to auto-fill credentials for a smoother overall single sign-on experience. It provides:

One of the many reasons we value WatchGuard as a technology partner is that they are continuously expanding their Unified Security Platform architecture with new services and cloud offerings to help us better serve our customers, said Richard Jackson, Technical Director, at Aigis IT Security Ltd. The new AuthPoint Total Identity Security bundle combines two categories of identity security into one with password management and multi-factor authentication and goes further by enabling credential monitoring to protect our customers from widespread credential-based risks. These risks affect everyone, it only takes one compromised credential to result in a successful ransomware attack, its the kind of product that organisations need right now and for the foreseeable future.

For more information about AuthPoint Total Identity Security, click here.

About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.

WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. is a global leader in unified cybersecurity. Our Unified Security Platform approach is uniquely designed for managed service providers to deliver world-class security that increases their business scale and velocity while also improving operational efficiency. Trusted by more than 17,000 security resellers and service providers to protect more than 250,000 customers, the companys award-winning products and services offer five critical elements of a security platform: comprehensive security, shared knowledge, clarity & control, operational alignment, and automation. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. To learn more, visit WatchGuard.com.

For additional information, promotions and updates, follow WatchGuard on Twitter (@WatchGuard), on Facebook, or on the LinkedIn Company page. Also, visit our InfoSec blog, Secplicity, for real-time information about the latest threats and how to cope with them at www.secplicity.org. Subscribe to The 443  Security Simplified podcast at Secplicity.org, or wherever you find your favourite podcasts.

WatchGuard is a registered trademark of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. All other marks are property of their respective owners.

Contact information



Chris Warfield Tracey Treanor WatchGuard Technologies, Inc traceyt@prpr.co.uk chris.warfield@watchguard.com PRPR +1.206.876.8380 +44 (0)1442 245030

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fba21fc3-a26e-444c-be27-b49245453b1d
PUNE, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- "Software Outsourcing Market" research report focus on overall information that can help to take decisions on current market situation.

Software Outsourcing Market Report Contains 2023: -

Complete overview of the global Software Outsourcing Market

Top Country data and analysis for United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia, Australia, Brazil and Saudi Arabia, etc. It also throws light on the progress of key regional Software Outsourcing Markets such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America and Middle East and Africa

Description and analysis of Software Outsourcing market potential by type, Deep Dive, disruption, application capacity, end use industry

impact evaluation of most important drivers and restraints, and dynamics of the global Software Outsourcing Market and current trends in the enterprise

Detailed profiles of the Top major players in the industry, including. Accenture,HCL Technologies,HPE,IBM,TCS,Oracle,Cognizant,Infosys,CapGemini,NTT Data,Sodexo,ACS,ISS,Bleum,Neusoft,Inspur,ValueCoders,Kanda

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Software Outsourcing Market Segmentation: -

Market Analysis and Insights: Global Software Outsourcing Market

Outsourcing has become very popular in the IT world because of its benefits, such as cost-effectiveness and flexibility. It has removed the challenges and delays traditionally associated with in-house development.



Software development is commonly outsourced to vendors or separate contractors, as it speeds up development, provides access to specialists with the expertise you may not have on your in-house team, and is usually quite cheap.



The global Software Outsourcing market size is projected to reach US$ million by 2028, from US$ million in 2021, at a CAGR of % during 2022-2028.



Outsourcing software services are on the rise. According to a study by Computer Economics, large organizations have increased the percentage of their IT budgets spent on outsourcing from 6.3% to 8.7% this year. Medium-sized companies too increased their budgets from 4.7% to 6.5%. The use of software development outsourcing helps companies decrease costs and get their product to market faster, so its no wonder companies large and small are taking advantage of this trend.



With industry-standard accuracy in analysis and high data integrity, the report makes a brilliant attempt to unveil key opportunities available in the global Software Outsourcing market to help players in achieving a strong market position. Buyers of the report can access verified and reliable market forecasts, including those for the overall size of the global Software Outsourcing market in terms of revenue.



Overall, the report proves to be an effective tool that players can use to gain a competitive edge over their competitors and ensure lasting success in the global Software Outsourcing market. All of the findings, data, and information provided in the report are validated and revalidated with the help of trustworthy sources. The analysts who have authored the report took a unique and industry-best research and analysis approach for an in-depth study of the global Software Outsourcing market.



Global Software Outsourcing Scope and Market Size

Software Outsourcing market is segmented by players, region (country), by Type and by Application. Players, stakeholders, and other participants in the global Software Outsourcing market will be able to gain the upper hand as they use the report as a powerful resource. The segmental analysis focuses on revenue and forecast by Type and by Application for the period 2017-2028.

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researchers latest report provides a deep insight into the global Software Outsourcing Market covering all its essential aspects. This ranges from a macro overview of the market to micro details of the market size, competitive landscape, development trend, niche market, key market drivers and challenges, SWOT analysis, Porters five forces analysis, value chain analysis, etc.

Software Outsourcing Market segments help decision-makers direct the product, sales, and marketing strategies, and can power your product development cycles by informing how you make product offerings for different segments.

Segment by Type

Infrastructure Outsourcing

Application Outsourcing

Segment by Application

Government

Enterprise

Other

Market segment by Region/Country including: -

North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico)

Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia and Spain, etc.)

Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Southeast Asia, etc.)

South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, etc.)

Middle East & Africa (South Africa, UAE, Saudi Arabia, etc.)

Key Players in the Software Outsourcing Market: -

Accenture

HCL Technologies

HPE

IBM

TCS

Oracle

Cognizant

Infosys

CapGemini

NTT Data

Sodexo

ACS

ISS

Bleum

Neusoft

Inspur

ValueCoders

Kanda

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Key Benefits of Software Outsourcing Market Research Report:

Types, applications, regions, and key players covered in the study

Industry drivers, restraints, and opportunities covered in the study

Recent industry trends and developments

Competitive landscape & strategies of key players

Historical, current, and projected market size, in terms of value

In-depth analysis of the Artificial Intelligence AI Chips Market

Sales, price, revenue, market share, and growth rate are covered in the report sales channels, distributors, traders, dealers, etc. are covered in the report

Detailed TOC of Global Software Outsourcing Market Research Report 2022

1 Report Overview

1.1 Study Scope

1.2 Market Analysis by Type

1.2.1 Global Software Outsourcing Market Size Growth Rate by Type: 2017 VS 2021 VS 2028

1.2.2 Infrastructure Outsourcing

1.2.3 Application Outsourcing

1.3 Market by Application

1.3.1 Global Software Outsourcing Market Share by Application: 2017 VS 2021 VS 2028

1.3.2 Government

1.3.3 Enterprise

1.3.4 Other

1.4 Study Objectives

1.5 Years Considered

2 Global Growth Trends

2.1 Global Software Outsourcing Market Perspective (2017-2028)

2.2 Software Outsourcing Growth Trends by Region

2.2.1 Software Outsourcing Market Size by Region: 2017 VS 2021 VS 2028

2.2.2 Software Outsourcing Historic Market Size by Region (2017-2022)

2.2.3 Software Outsourcing Forecasted Market Size by Region (2023-2028)

2.3 Software Outsourcing Market Dynamics

2.3.1 Software Outsourcing Industry Trends

2.3.2 Software Outsourcing Market Drivers

2.3.3 Software Outsourcing Market Challenges

2.3.4 Software Outsourcing Market Restraints

3 Competition Landscape by Key Players

3.1 Global Top Software Outsourcing Players by Revenue

3.1.1 Global Top Software Outsourcing Players by Revenue (2017-2022)

3.1.2 Global Software Outsourcing Revenue Market Share by Players (2017-2022)

3.2 Global Software Outsourcing Market Share by Company Type (Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3)

3.3 Players Covered: Ranking by Software Outsourcing Revenue

3.4 Global Software Outsourcing Market Concentration Ratio

3.4.1 Global Software Outsourcing Market Concentration Ratio (CR5 and HHI)

3.4.2 Global Top 10 and Top 5 Companies by Software Outsourcing Revenue in 2021

3.5 Software Outsourcing Key Players Head office and Area Served

3.6 Key Players Software Outsourcing Product Solution and Service

3.7 Date of Enter into Software Outsourcing Market

3.8 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion Plans

And More

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1.To study and analyze the global Software Outsourcingconsumption (value) by key regions/countries, product type and application

2.To understand the structure of Software Outsourcing Market by identifying its various sub segments.

3.Focuses on the key global Software Outsourcingmanufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the value, market share, market competition landscape, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years.

4.To analyze the Software Outsourcing with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market.

5.To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks).

6.To project the consumption of Software Outsourcing submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries).

7.To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market.

8.To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.

Key Reasons to Purchase

To gain insightful analyses of the market and have comprehensive understanding of the global Software Outsourcing Market and its commercial landscape.

Assess the production processes, major issues, and solutions to mitigate the development risk.

To understand the most affecting driving and restraining forces in the Software Outsourcing Market and its impact in the global market.

Learn about the Software Outsourcing Market strategies that are being adopted by leading respective organizations.

To understand the future outlook and prospects for the Software Outsourcing Market.

Besides the standard structure reports, we also provide custom research according to specific requirements

Client Focus

1. Does this report consider the impact of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war on the Software Outsourcing market?



Yes. As the COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war are profoundly affecting the global supply chain relationship and raw material price system, we have definitely taken them into consideration throughout the research, and we elaborate at full length on the impact of the pandemic and the war on the Software Outsourcing,Industry.



2. How do you determine the list of the key players included in the report?



With the aim of clearly revealing the competitive situation of the industry, we concretely analyze not only the leading enterprises that have a voice on a global scale, but also the regional small and medium-sized companies that play key roles and have plenty of potential growth.

Please find the key player list in Summary.



3. What are your main data sources?



Both Primary and Secondary data sources are being used while compiling the report.

Primary sources include extensive interviews of key opinion leaders and industry experts (such as experienced front-line staff, directors, CEOs, and marketing executives), downstream distributors, as well as end-users.



Secondary sources include the research of the annual and financial reports of the top companies, public files, new journals, etc. We also cooperate with some third-party databases.



4. Can I modify the scope of the report and customize it to suit my requirements?



Yes. Customized requirements of multi-dimensional, deep-level and high-quality can help our customers precisely grasp market opportunities, effortlessly confront market challenges, properly formulate market strategies and act promptly, thus to win them sufficient time and space for market competition.

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Proficient market insights is an upscale platform to help key personnel in the business world in strategizing and taking visionary decisions based on facts and figures derived from in-depth market research. We are one of the top report resellers in the market, dedicated to bringing you an ingenious concoction of data parameters.
Pune, India, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global roof coating market size was valued at USD 1.72 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to expand from USD 1.78 billion in 2023 to USD 2.41 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.4% over the estimated period. The rise is driven by the growing product demand from the construction sector. The coatings are designed for the prevention of physical, water, and chemical damage.

Fortune Business Insights provides this information in its research report, titled Roof Coating Market, 2023-2030.

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List of Key Players Profiled in the Global Roof Coating Market Report:

BASF SE (Germany)

Akzo Nobel N.V. (Netherlands)

RPM International Inc. (U.S.)

PPG Industries (U.S.)

The Sherwin-Williams Company (U.S.)

HITAC ADHESIVES & COATINGS (India)

Neogard (U.S.)

DOW (U.S.)

Wacker Chemie AG (Germany)

SIKA AG (Switzerland)

Report Scope & Segmentation:

Report Attributes Details Forecast Period 2023-2030 Forecast CAGR 4.4% 2030 Value Projection USD 2.41 Billion Market Size in 2022 USD 1.72 Billion Historical Data 2019-2021 No. of Pages 320 Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Company Profiles, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Latest Trends Segments Covered By Form

By Production Process

By Application Regions Covered North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East and Africa Roof Coating Market Growth Drivers Excellent Waterproofing property of roof coating to drive market growth

Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report with TOC:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/roof-coating-market-107698

COVID-19 Impact:

Market Expansion Affected on Account of Disruptions in Supply Chains

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the imposition of lockdown restrictions, creating disruptions in supply chain. Besides, the period registered a decline in product demand considering the limited availability of labor. The limitations on logistics further created issues in the procurement of raw materials for the process of production. These factors impacted industry expansion to a considerable extent.

Segments:

Urethane Coatings Segment to Register Notable Growth Owing to Superior Properties

Based on type, the market is subdivided into urethane coatings, bituminous, silicone, acrylic, and others. The urethane coatings segment accounted for the largest share in the market and is anticipated to register appreciable expansion over the projected period. The expansion can be driven by various advantages of the product including long life span, high durability, and strength.

Asphalt Segment to Exhibit Appreciable Surge Impelled by the Products Cost-effectiveness

On the basis of substrate, the market is segmented into asphalt, metal, concrete, membrane, plastic, and others. The asphalt segment is estimated to depict lucrative expansion over the study period. The surge is driven by the benefits of easy installation and cost-effectiveness.

Water-based Segment to Record Considerable Upsurge Driven by Soaring Antifungal Coating Demand

By technology, the market is categorized into solvent-based, water-based, and others. The water-based segment is poised to expand at a substantial rate over the anticipated period. The growth is propelled by the benefit of excellent tensile strength.

Residential Segment to Depict Substantial Growth Propelled by Rising Public Construction Demand

Based on end-use sector, the market is segregated into non-residential and residential. The residential segment is touted to register lucrative growth over the projected period. The upsurge is impelled by escalating urbanization and migration.

Based on geography, the market has been analyzed across North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

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Report Coverage:

The report gives a comprehensive analysis of the key factors touted to drive the global business scenario over the forthcoming years. It further offers an analysis of the vital steps and initiatives undertaken by leading companies for consolidating their industry positions. It also gives an account of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on market growth along with the pivotal trends impelling industry expansion.

Drivers and Restraints:

Waterproofing Property of Roof Coatings to Propel Industry Expansion

Roof coatings exhibit excellent waterproofing property. Therefore, the rising waterproofing demand is touted to impel the roof coating market growth over the ensuing years. The solutions offer a range of benefits such as energy-saving, cost-effectiveness, easy installation, sustainability, and excellent environmental appeal.

However, the high cost associated with the production of roof coatings may hinder market growth to a considerable extent.

Regional Insights:

Asia Pacific to Lead Driven by Growing Construction Demand

The Asia Pacific region has recorded a soaring demand for the construction of residential buildings, malls, airports, parks, and others. This is estimated to augment the roof coating market share over the forecast period.

The North America market is estimated to depict substantial expansion over the study period. The expansion is driven by an increase in villas, bungalows, penthouses, and high-class infrastructure.

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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 on Impact of COVID-19 on Global Roof Coating Market Supply Chain Analysis & Challenges due to Covid-19 Steps taken by Government / Companies to Overcome this Impact Potential Challenges and Opportunities due to COVID-19 Outbreak



TOC Continued...!

Competitive Landscape:

Major Players Strike Partnership Deals to Strengthen Industry Foothold

Key industry participants are forging partnerships and collaborations for strengthening their market footholds. Some of the other initiatives include acquisitions, merger agreements, and the launch of new products. Several companies are also participating in trade conferences for enhancing their business prospects.

Key Industry Development:

April 2023  Dubai Central Laboratories (DCL) and Wacker Chemicals Middle East rolled out a study project over 12-month span. The project was aimed at decreasing energy consumption in buildings via polymer-modified and silicone construction materials in the UAE.

Have a Look at Related Research Insights:

WaterProofing Membranes Market Size Worth $ 42.85 billion by 2028 | Exhibiting a CAGR of 6.2%

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New York (US), July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Anti Fingerprint Coatings Market Overview

According to a Comprehensive Research Report by Market Research Future (MRFR),  Anti Fingerprint Coatings Market Information By Type, by Technology, and Region - Forecast till 2032, The anti-fingerprint coatings market will be surging from USD 0.9 Billion in 2023 to USD 1.4 Billion by 2032, exhibiting growth at a rate of 6.00% between 2023 and 2032.

Market Scope

To get anti-smudge qualities, the anti-fingerprint coating is frequently utilized. The anti-fingerprint coating helps to reduce the adherence of moisture and dirt, which lowers the product's maintenance expenses. The anti-fingerprint coating is therefore used by end-user companies as a strategy to stand out from the competition in the market. The adoption of these coatings has had an impact on the entire market, which has boosted the opportunity for anti-fingerprint coating producers.

The need for anti-fingerprint coatings is on the rise across a range of end-use industries, including consumer goods, automotive, stainless steel, and building and construction. The global market for anti-fingerprint coating has also grown as a result of the rising use of the anti-fingerprint coating in stainless-steel applications utilized in the production of white consumer products. The market for anti-fingerprint coating has expanded as a result of the increased production of consumer products and ceramic sanitaryware in nations including China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Vietnam, and Spain.



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Market Competitive Landscape:

The major manufacturers of anti-fingerprint coatings include

AGC Chemicals Europe Ltd.

CYTONIX

DAIKIN INDUSTRIES Ltd.

ESSILOR OF AMERICA INC.

HARVES Co. Ltd.

Izovac

Leader Optronics Technology Co. LTD

NAGASE & CO. LTD.

Nanokote

NanoSlic Smart Coatings

Natoco Co. Ltd.

Nippon Paint Surf Chemicals Co. Ltd.

PPG Industries Inc.

Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.

Taiwanfluoro Technology

Plasmatreat GmbH

Kriya Materials

Janos Tech.

Carl Zeiss Limited

Buhler AG

Among others.

Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market Size in 2032 USD 1.4 Billion CAGR 6.00% (2023-2032) Base Year 2022 Forecast Period 2023-2032 Historical Data 2018- 2022 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Market Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Type, Technology, and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World Key Market Drivers Rapidly increasing demand for anti-fingerprint coatings in solar panels, the building & construction sector, and the automotive industry and the rising penetration of consumer goods like mobile phones, tablets, and laptops





Browse In-depth Market Research Report (128 Pages) on Anti Fingerprint Coatings:



https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/anti-fingerprint-coatings-market-11753



Market USP Covered:

Market Drivers:

Consumer demand has been changing quickly as a result of shifting global economic activity, with an increase in different urban regions in both developing and developed nations. The United Nations estimates that the world's population will increase from 7.8 billion in 2020 to approximately 9.9 billion by 2050. Out of the overall population, emerging economies including China, India, Brazil, South Korea, and South Africa are predicted to see 90% of the population growth. The high middle-class population in these economies will likely lead to major development in a number of urban regions. According to projections, this will raise customer demand for products like tablets, smartphones, televisions, and wearable technology, which will encourage the use of anti-fingerprint coating for those products.

The anti-fingerprint coating is applied to consumer products to maintain the product's cleanliness and prevent fingerprints from appearing on it. Additionally, the anti-fingerprint coating's hydrophilic and hydrophobic qualities aid in lowering the visibility of fingerprints, improving consumers' impression of visual detail. During the forecast period, all of the aforementioned elements are anticipated to drive the global market for anti-fingerprint coating.

Market Restraints:

Manufacturers of anti-fingerprint coatings are continuously encouraged by the Environmental Protection Agency and REACH to use environmentally friendly materials and manufacturing processes. Before a product is put on the market in Europe, REACH examines how companies formulate anti-fingerprint coating. The manufacturers may lose their competitive edge as a result of a loss of intellectual property. Additionally, the REACH laws forced numerous industries all over the world to modernize their technology, which resulted in extra expenditures for these manufacturers. These concerns have made the producers of anti-fingerprint coatings wary of establishing new facilities in the otherwise highly lucrative anti-fingerprint sector in Europe.



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COVID 19 Analysis

The novel coronavirus has expanded quickly and is still spreading throughout many nations and areas, having a significant negative influence on both individual lives and the community as a whole. The global trade, economy, and financial systems are now seriously threatened by this crisis, which started as a human health problem. Major players are also dealing with supply chain interruption, coronavirus outbreak, and potential consumer spending reduction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Smart waste technology is advantageous to both public and private waste management services. Furthermore, the worldwide anti-fingerprint coating market was already significantly impacted by COVID-19's spread in the first quarter of 2020, and it is predicted that this would continue to negatively affect the market's growth throughout the course of the year.

A case in point, Covanta Holding Corporation, a manufacturer of anti-fingerprint coatings, saw a significant decline in demand for its products, resulting in a $15 to $30 million drop in sales during the lockdown period compared to pre-COVID levels and a reduction in compensation for 50% of CEOs and 25% of leadership salaries for the ensuing 12 months. Additionally, hospitals produce a significant amount of garbage, including test kits, face masks, syringes, and blood. Additionally, as production in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries rose, so did the generation of medical waste. In 2020, the market for anti-fingerprint coatings is anticipated to be impacted by COVID-19's increasing global effect.



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Market Segmentation

By Type

There are two types of anti-fingerprint coatings: oleophobic coating and hydrophobic coating. In 2022, the oleophobic coatings market category held the greatest market share. Oleophobic coating repels oil and stops fingerprints from smearing the screens of smartphones and other devices. With this type of coating, hazardous things will slide off the surface rather than scratch the glass, increasing its resistance to scratches. The rate of adoption does, however, slow down as the oleophobic coating ages.

By Technology

The Anti Fingerprint Coatings technologies are sol gel, vacuum deposition, and others. The vacuum deposition segment has been in the lead since 2022.

By Application

Various applications are consumer products, architecture and construction, transportation, solar energy, stainless steel, and other categories. In 2022, the consumer goods market share was the greatest. Due to the prevalence of touchscreens and the demand for smudge resistance, consumer goods have historically been a significant application area for anti-fingerprint coatings.

Regional Insights

In 2022, the North American market assumed the top spot (45.80%). The firms, which are not headquartered in the United States, have a substantial presence here thanks to their manufacturing plants or R&D centres. Given that the United States is one of the most industrialised nations in the world, there are many potential uses for display technology here, especially in the manufacturing and commercial sectors. This provides the nation with lots of potential for the anti-fingerprint coating business to grow. The anti-fingerprint coating is used in industrial sectors like automotive and electronics, for example, where easy cleaning is required.

Discover more research Reports on Chemical Industry , by Market Research Future:

Polyurethane Coatings Market Research Report Information By Technology (Solvent-Borne, Water-Borne, Spray), By End-user (Automotive, Aerospace, Household, Construction, Electronics), And By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, And Rest Of The World)  Market Forecast Till 2030

Hydraulic Fluid Market Research Report Information by Base Oil (Mineral Oil, Synthetic Oil), By Application (OEM, Mining Equipment), And by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, And Rest of The World)  Market Forecast Till 2030

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About Market Research Future:

Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis with regard to diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.
Dublin, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "China In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) Market (By Segment and Company), Size, Share, Regulations, Reimbursement, Major Deals, Trends & Recent Developments - Forecast to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

China's In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) market is predicted to exceed US$ 25 Billion by 2028

China is a large and fast-growing in vitro diagnostics (IVD) market - in fact, the largest in vitro diagnostics market in the Asia-Pacific region, and only second to the United States in terms of value.

Due to the upsurge of the geriatric population and the high burden of chronic and infectious diseases, like diabetes, cancer, and COVID-19, the China IVD market is slated to show significant growth, as these chronic disorders can be diagnosed and monitored using in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) products.

Moreover, The State Council issued a guideline to implement the country's Healthy China initiative to diminish the incidence of disability among elderly people aged between 65 and 74 years by offering medical and health services.

Such initiatives by the government are expected to boost market growth during the forecast period. However, a lack of proper reimbursement and stringent regulatory framework restricts the market's growth.

China In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) Market - Recent Developments

In April 2023, Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc, and bioMerieux SA teamed up to improve health outcomes globally by exploring selected opportunities to bring nanopore sequencing to the infectious disease diagnostics market.

In December 2022, bioMerieux announced the CE-marking of VIDAS KUBE, the next generation automated immunoassay system for the VIDAS range.

By Segment China IVD Market and Forecast - Key Takeaway

Immunoassays accounted for lion's share of the total China IVD market, and is likely to maintain its dominant position over the forecast period as well.

Clinical Chemistry holds the 2nd position in the China IVD market, but its share is likely to continually decline over the forecast period.

Molecular Testing is the fastest growing segment of the China IVD market, driven by increasing demand for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products in China.

China SMBG market is dominated by foreign IVD companies such as Roche.

SMBG and Hematology segments are competing closely with each other to grab maximum share of the pie.

China IVD Market Company Analysis

In the China IVD market, Roche Diagnostics is the leader with majority share, followed by Danaher Corporation, Shanghai Kehua Bio-Engineering Co. Ltd. and Mindray Medical International Limited.

Sysmex Corporation, Abbott Laboratories, and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. are the other top players in the China IVD market.

Sysmex is focusing on Tier 2 and 3 hospitals in China, as they will play a crucial role in providing more advanced treatment, training future generations, and raising the level of regional medical care.

In the diagnostics business, Abbott will focus on driving sales growth from its Alinity suite of diagnostics instruments and its portfolio of rapid diagnostic testing system.

In April 2023, bioMerieux submitted a 510(k) premarket notification to the U.S. FDA for the VITEK REVEAL, formerly known as SPECIFIC REVEAL Rapid AST System.

China IVD Market - Driving Factors

Government Efforts to Regulate Laboratory testing

Healthy China 2030 Initiatives to Fuel China IVD Market

Increasing Number of Private Hospitals & Independent Testing Laboratories

Chinese Government Policies Encourage Investment in IVD

Technology Advancement Spurring the IVD Market

High Prevalence of Chronic and Infectious Diseases

China IVD Market - Challenges

Lack of Expertise in Advanced Technology in the Local Companies

Price Pressures Limits Participation of Multinational IVD Companies in China IVD Market

Reimbursement Rates of Different Products Varies in Different Provinces

Operational Barriers Faced in Conducting Diagnostic Tests

China IVD Market - Key Players Sales Analysis (2015 - 2028)

Roche Diagnostics

Abbott Laboratories

Sysmex Corporation

Mindray Medical International Limited

Shanghai Kehua Bio-Engineering Co. Ltd.

bioMerieux SA

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc

Danaher Corporation

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Profiles of Select Private Clinical Labs and Diagnostic Services Companies

Dian Diagnostics Group Co. Ltd. (Formerly Zhejiang Di'an Diagnostics Technology Co., Ltd.)

ADICON Clinical Laboratories (Privately held)

Guangzhou KingMed Diagnostics Center Co. Ltd.

Kindstar Global (Privately held)

BGI-Shenzhen

OriGene Technologies

Scope of the Report

China IVD Market and Forecast (2010 - 2028)

China IVD Market Share and Forecast (2010 - 2028)

China IVD Market & Forecast - By Segment (2010 - 2028)

Development Environment and Regulatory Status in China IVD market

China IVD Market - Key Players Sales Analysis (2015 - 2028)

Registration for In Vitro Diagnostic Reagents in China

Regulatory History/Status/Trends in China IVD Market

Reimbursement of IVD Products in China

Profiles of Select Private Clinical Labs and Diagnostic Services Companies

IVD Market - Major Deals

IVD Market - Recent Developments

China IVD Industry Drivers & Challenges

China IVD Market - By Application Segment

Clinical Chemistry

Immunoassays

Hematology

Coagulation

Microbiology

Molecular Testing

Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG)

Point of Care Testing (POCT)

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/x2ph3v

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.
New York (US), July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Armor Materials Market Overview

According to a Comprehensive Report by Market Research Future (MRFR),  Armor Materials Market Information by Material Type, by Application, and Region - Forecast till 2032", The armor materials market will surge from USD 12.3 Billion in 2023 to USD 20.8 Billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 6.80% from 2023 to 2032.

Market Synopsis

Armor materials are specialized substances with the capacity to deflect or withstand the force of projectiles. There are many different types of armor materials on the market, and producers are vying hard to create strong, lightweight armor materials. Being able to carry extra ammunition or other useful equipment with military troops is made possible by the use of lightweight and effective armor materials.

As a result of growing safety concerns, military and security spending has been steadily rising over the world. In developing nations, political unrest and internal strife have raised the demand for armor materials for security forces.



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Market Competitive Landscape:

The top manufacturers of armor materials include

DuPont

DSM

Honeywell International Inc

Saint-Gobain

3M

KONINKLIJKE TEN CATE BV.

ATI

SAAB AB

CERAMTEC

CoorsTek Inc.

Among others.

Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market Size in 2032 USD 20.8 Billion CAGR 6.80% (2023-2032) Base Year 2022 Forecast Period 2023-2032 Historical Data 2018- 2022 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Market Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Material Type, Application, and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World Key Market Drivers Significant growth in the military and defense industries and growing demand for homeland security





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Market USP Covered:

Market Drivers:

The noticeable rise of the military and defence industries is one of the primary elements promoting a positive outlook for the market. Armor materials are regularly used to protect soldiers in battle and minimize the force of approaching weapons and projectiles. The device is widely used to protect military vehicles from missiles, bullets, and shrapnel, which is also promoting market expansion. Numerous product developments, such as the introduction of lightweight armor materials that are extremely flexible and sustainable and provide consumers with enhanced protection, are leading to the market's expansion. Accordingly, the marine industry's expanding requirement for goods to protect assets from underwater torpedoes, shellfire, and ultraviolet (UV) rays is favorably influencing market growth.

The market for armor materials is also significantly influenced by the expanding demand from the Defence and security sectors. Due to the increased need for high-tech armor materials to protect people, vehicles, and essential infrastructure from ballistic, explosive, and other threats, this market is growing. Due to rising geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East and Asia Pacific, the need for armor materials has surged. Nations are boosting their defense budgets and investing in state-of-the-art armor systems in order to protect themselves against potential threats.

One of the major reasons behind the robust growth of the armor materials market during the forecast period is the rise in security concerns in emerging nations. Additionally, it is anticipated that the market for armor components would expand as need for homeland security rises. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the growth of the market for armor materials will be constrained by the development of lethal ammunition and weapons.



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Opportunity

A factor that can be a great opportunity will be the widespread use of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene in the manufacture of flexible, light-weight, and durable bulletproof vests, as well as the implementation of numerous government initiatives to support soldier modernization strategy, particularly in developing nations.

Market Restraints:

Government restrictions on armor manufacturing and sales limit market expansion. One of the most strictly regulated businesses in the world is the defence and security sector. Armor, weapons, and other related things are produced and sold under government supervision for security reasons. Additionally, official approval is required for sales to other nations or businesses.

COVID 19 Analysis

COVID-19 had an impact on the world economy by lowering the demand, disrupting the supply chain in the market, and having a financial impact on businesses and financial markets. The defence sector has also been affected. The dynamics of the sector have changed as a result of decreased demand and delayed product deliveries.

The production of defence products was slowed down as a result of the significant impact on the defence industry. Due to budget cuts brought on by COVID-19, the Department of Indian Military Affairs requested all of the armed forces to postpone their capital purchases. South Korea intended to save USD 245 million from the nation's defence budget as a result of COVID-19. Thus, the defence industry faced hitherto unheard-of difficulties as a result of falling defence spending and a production halt brought on by the lockdown.

Market Segmentation

By Material Type

As per Material Type, the Armor Materials Market is considered for metals & alloys, composites, para-aramid fibre, UHMWPE, fibreglass, and others. The category of metals and alloys had the largest market share in 2022. This is because titanium and its alloys are increasingly being used in military vehicles and armor, which is expected to drive market expansion. Because of its low density and exceptional corrosion resistance, titanium is frequently utilised to make lighter cars and body armor.

Using Application

Vehicle armor, aerospace armor, body armor, civil armor, and marine armor are all included in the segmentation of the armor materials market based on application. The segment for vehicle armor had the most market share in 2022.



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Regional Insights

In 2022, the global market was headed by North America (45.80%). This is primarily due to the terrorism-related rise in homeland security concerns. The United States has the largest military force in the world and spends the most money on it. There are growing geopolitical and bilateral conflicts among the major nations. Additionally, the growth in terrorist activities has increased demand for armor materials used in the manufacture of defence equipment.

The United States and Saudi Arabia also came to a significant agreement for the supply of weapons in addition to the F-35 combat aircraft. The largest American producer of fighter aircraft, Lockheed Martin, intends to almost double its current yearly production to more than 160 aircraft by 2023.

Europe occupies a massive share of the worldwide market. The development of cutting-edge armor systems and materials for automobiles and aerospace, as well as the growing demand for homeland security applications, are to blame for this. Additionally, a number of amendment acts in the region support the use of domestically manufactured goods like armor materials (steel, fibre) and thus contribute to the expansion of the regional market. In addition, the German armor materials market had the biggest market share, and the armor materials market in the United Kingdom had the quickest rate of growth in the region of Europe.

From 2023 to 2032, the market for armor materials in Asia-Pacific is anticipated to develop at the quickest rate. An rise in military activities is to blame for this. The modernization of military programmes in countries like China, Japan, and South Korea is also predicted to increase demand for the components used in vehicle and aerospace armor. Additionally, the Indian market for armor materials was expanding at the quickest rate in the Asia-Pacific area, while China's market for such materials had the biggest market share.

Discover more research Reports on the Chemical & Material Industry , by Market Research Future:

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About Market Research Future:

Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis with regard to diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.
Pune, India, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Fortune Business Insights, global 360 degree feedback software market size was valued at USD 905.3 million in 2022 and is projected to grow from USD 1001.2 million in 2023 to USD 2136 million by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 11.4% during the forecast period. Rising Performance Assessment Activities to Bolster Market Growth. Fortune Business Insights presents this information in their report titled "Global 360 Degree Feedback Software Market Forecast, 20232030."





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Key Industry Development:

August 2021: Qualtrics declared a partnership with Mercer that helps the best brands better comprehend employee preferences and attitudes to develop more impactful employee experience and benefits programs.

Key Takeaways

360 degree feedback software market size in North America was USD 298.3 Million in 2022

Rising Adoption of Cloud-based Solutions Bolstered Market Growth Amid Pandemic

Faster Data Entry and Reporting to Bolster Installed Segmental Growth

Corporate Segment to Lead the Market due to the Need to Improve Employee Performance





Discover the Leading Players Featured in the Report:

Companies leading the global 360 degree feedback software market are Explorance Inc. (Canada), Qualtrics (U.S.), Momentive (U.S.), Actus Software (U.K.), Engagedly (U.S.), QuestionPro Survey Software (U.S.), Trakstar (U.S.), Lattice (U.S.), SurveySparrow Inc. (U.S.), SmartSurvey (England)





Report Scope & Segmentation

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023 to 2030 Forecast Period 2023 to 2030 CAGR 11.4% 2030 Value Projection USD 2136 Million Base Year 2022 360 Degree Feedback Software Market Size in 2022 USD 905.3 Million Historical Data for 2019 to 2021 No. of Pages 130 Segments covered Type, Application and Geography





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Drivers & Restraints:

Rising Performance Assessment Activities to Bolster Market Growth

The market is expected to rise during the forecast period, owing to the increasing acceptance of cloud-based technologies in various industries. Furthermore, the use of 360 degree feedback software is increasing by the companies to monitor, evaluate, and manage the performance of their employees. These factors are anticipated to bolster the market growth during the projected period.

However, high time consumption and misuse of the software may hinder market growth in the coming years.





Segmentation:

By Type

Installed

Web-based

By Application

Education

Retail

Corporate

Travel and Hospitality

Healthcare

By Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa

South America





Regional Insights:

North America to Dominate Due to Rapid Industrialization and Growing Employee Engagement in Corporate Sector

North America holds a prominent 360 degree feedback software market share owing to rising employee engagement in the corporate sector. Also, emerging industrialization and increasing number of technology experts, doctors, scientists, and other professionals are expected to fuel the regional market growth.

Asia Pacific stands in the second-highest position in the global market, owing to increasing adoption of this software in outsourcing businesses. Also, rapid industrialization in emerging countries is expected to drive market growth.

The Europe market is projected to grow substantially in the forthcoming years backed by the growing number of organizations and the rising need to implement advanced technologies. Moreover, the growing demand for improved management communication solutions to enhance the output of organizations and retain employees is further aiding market augmentation.





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Competitive Landscape:

Strategic Partnerships Allow Key Players to Strengthen their Market Position

The key market players focus on implementing various business growth strategies to expand their business reach. These strategies include forming alliances, mergers, partnerships, and collaborations to strengthen their market position.





FAQs

How big is the 360 degree feedback software market?

The 360 degree feedback software market size was USD 905.3 million in 2022. It is expected to reach USD 2136 million by 2030.

How fast is the 360 degree feedback software market growing?

The 360 degree feedback software market will exhibit a CAGR of 11.4% during the forecast period, 2023-2030.





Related Reports:

Talent Management Software Market Size, Share, Revenue Forecast and Opportunities

Human Resource Technology Market Overview, Industry Share and Forecast





About Us:

Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them to address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in.

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Pune, India, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Fortune Business Insights, the global virtual reality in education market size was valued at USD 3.42 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from USD 4.40 billion in 2023 to USD 28.70 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 30.7% during the forecast period. VR Education Soars Market as Immersive Learning Takes Center Stage. Fortune Business Insights presents this information in their report titled Global Virtual Reality in Education Market Forecast, 20232030.





Virtual Reality (VR) technology has experienced significant growth and acceptance as a result of the pandemic and the growing desire for immersive experiences. The education sector has seen notable technological advancements, leading to the emergence of new VR businesses and widespread adoption of immersive learning experiences in prestigious educational institutions.





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Key Industry Development

January 2022: zSpace announced the launch of new inspire editions to the zSpace Learning Station Family. The launch of ultimate VR/AR learning device handles the computing needs and substantial graphics of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and STEM as well as modeling and simulation, esports, and data visualization.

Key Takeaways

Rapid Advancements in VR Platform during COVID-19 to Boost the Market

Innovations in VR-based Assessment Evaluation and Personalized Learning Experiences to Enhance the Demand for VR in Education

Limited Compatibility with Existing Media Content and Higher Setup Costs to Impede the Market Growth

By Component: Hardware Segment is Expected to Witness More Demand from Various Organizations

Virtual Reality in Education Market Size in North America was USD 1.03 Billion in 2022





Discover the Leading Players Featured in the Report:

Companies leading the Virtual Reality in Education Market Are Google LLC (Alphabet, Inc.) (U.S.), EON Reality (U.S.), Schell Games (U.S.), Avantis Systems Ltd. (U.K.), zSpace, Inc. (U.S.), VRSim, Inc. (U.S.), Veative Group (U.K.), Mursion (U.S.), Immersion VR (U.K.), Unimersiv (U.S.), Alchemy Immersive (U.S.)





Report Scope & Segmentation

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023 to 2030 Forecast Period 2023 to 2030 CAGR 30.7% 2030 Value Projection USD 28.70 Billion Base Year 2022 Virtual Reality in Education Market Size in 2022 USD 3.42 Billion Historical Data for 2019 to 2021 No. of Pages 150 Segments covered Component, Application and Geography





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Drivers and Restraints

Coursera Expands Learning Opportunities with VR Technology Courses and AR Certifications



The education industry has witnessed a consistent rise in demand for experiential learning platforms in recent years. In April 2023, Coursera took a significant step by introducing three courses focused on virtual reality technology. Furthermore, Coursera collaborated with Meta to provide students with Augmented Reality (AR) course certifications upon completing their training.



However, the virtual reality in education market growth may be hindered by compatibility limitations with existing media content and higher setup costs.





Segmentation:

By Component

Hardware

Software

Content

By Application

K-12

Higher Education

Vocational Training

By Region

North America

South America

Europe

Middle East & Africa

Asia Pacific





Regional Insights

North America Takes the Lead with Increasing Adoption and Investment



North America dominated the VR in education market share due to the growing adoption and investments across various application sectors in the region.

On the other hand, Asia Pacific is projected to experience a substantial growth rate during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the availability of VR devices offered by local companies in countries such as China and India.





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Competitive Landscape

Top Players Expand Global Reach through Industry-Specific Solutions and Strategic Collaborations

To broaden market reach and increase the virtual reality in education market share globally, leading players in the VR industry are actively expanding their geographical boundaries. They achieve this by introducing specialized solutions tailored to specific industries. These players strategically collaborate with and acquire local companies, aiming to establish a strong foothold in each region.





FAQs

How big is the Virtual Reality in Education Market?

Virtual Reality in Education Market size was USD 3.42 billion in 2022.

How fast is the Virtual Reality in Education Market growing?

The Virtual Reality in Education Market will exhibit a CAGR of 30.7% during the forecast period, 2023-2030





Related Reports:

Virtual Reality [VR] Market Size, Growth, Share and Trends

Virtual Reality in Gaming Market Size, Share, Trends

Big Data Technology Market Size, Share, Demand & Growth

Augmented Reality Market Size, Share, Trends 2023-2030

Artificial Intelligence [AI] Market Size, Share & Forecast





About Us:

Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them to address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in.

Contact Us:

Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd.

US: +1 424 253 0390

UK: +44 2071 939123

APAC: +91 744 740 1245
CHICAGO, IL, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire  Epazz Inc. (OTC Pink: EPAZ), a mission-critical provider of drone technologies, blockchain mobile apps and cloud-based business software solutions, announced today that ZenaDrone has secured asset-based funding for the initial manufacturing and deployment of 20 ZenaDrone 1000s for services in Ireland to establish Drone as a Service (DaaS) operations. The company estimates that each deployed drone can generate over $100,000 per year.

ZenaDrone will manage and service the 20 drones for any early adopters, which is expected to include Irish farmers, businesses, and government agencies. Irish farmers have a special use case, and their farms will have access to an advanced-precision agriculture drone for monitoring plant health and spraying weeds. Furthermore, the police force and fire departments will be able to quickly mobilize the drones as an integrated part of the first-responder system in times of emergencies.

According to Fortune Business Insights, The global drone services market size was valued at USD 13.9 billion in 2022, and the market is projected to grow from USD 18.9 billion in 2023 to USD 189.4 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 38.9% during the forecast period.

In May, Ossian Smyth, minister of state at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, visited ZenaDrones offices in Dublin, Ireland. ZenaDrones Irish team has been lining up customers throughout Europe, and once the units start getting deployed, they will be an ongoing source of revenue in this region. ZenaDrone also expects to expand the DaaS into Germany.

We are excited to be sending 20 drones to Ireland. We first visited Ireland in 2019, and we are pleased to be working with Irish farmers to upgrade their farms to the latest technologies. ZenaDrone 1000 is a green solution which will disrupt the agriculture industry by reducing labor and reducing greenhouse gases, said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., CEO and director of Epazz Inc. and ZenaDrone Inc.

The ZenaDrone 1000 has a high-quality camera, allowing users to take stunning aerial photographs and videos that capture the worlds beauty from new heights. It also has autonomous flight capabilities, preventing it from crashing even in challenging weather conditions or with sudden obstacles. The drones multi-sensor system can measure height, depth and vegetation and establish a GPS location to track people, objects and animals in the frame of its camera with unprecedented accuracy and control.

About ZenaDrone Inc. (https://www.ZenaDrone.com/)

ZenaDrone is dedicated to improving intelligent, unmanned aerial vehicle technology and incorporating machine-learning software and AI. It was created to revolutionize the hemp-farming sector, later evolving into a smart multifunctional industrial surveillance, inspection and monitoring solution.

About Epazz Inc.

Epazz Inc. is a mission-critical provider of metaverse solutions, blockchain cryptocurrency, mobile apps and cloud-based software. It specializes in providing customized cloud applications to corporate firms, higher-education institutions and the public sector. Epazz develops metaverse business solutions that enable people to collaborate in real time through VR. Epazz is upgrading its business solutions to be fully integrated into the metaverse. Epazz will manufacture low-cost smart glasses for the metaverse.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, as defined by the Safe Harbor statement in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by their use of forward-looking terms such as may, expect, intend, estimate, anticipate, believe and continue (or the negative variations thereof). Such forward-looking statements are subject to risk, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those the statements imply. Investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results may differ materially from those such forward-looking statements contemplate. Epazz assumes no obligation, does not intend to update these forward-looking statements and has no duty to update or correct information that third parties not paid for by Epazz prepare.

Investors are encouraged to review Epazzs public filings on SEC.gov, including its unaudited and audited financial statements, registration statements, Form 10-Ks and Form 10-Qs, which contain general business information about the companys operations, operations results and the risks associated with the company and its operations. Penny stock picks need to be researched. Please do your homework, and review all our filings.

Contact

Epazz Inc.

Investor Relations

investors@epazz.net

312-955-8161

www.epazz.com/investors.aspx

Attachment
KALISPELL, Mont., July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClassOne Technology, a leading global provider of advanced electroplating and wet processing tools for microelectronics manufacturing, today announced it has secured an order for its Solstice S8 single-wafer processing system from award-winning Menlo Microsystems (Irvine, Calif.). The ClassOne system will ship in mid-winter to Menlo Microsystems new facility in the Village of Lansing, New York, where it will be used for high-volume manufacture of the companys Ideal Switch.



Menlo Microsystems Ideal Switch technology combines the benefits of electromechanical and solid-state switches to create best-of-both-worlds solutions that enable 99-percent reductions in switch size, weight, power, and cost. Industries that benefit from Menlo Microsystems Ideal Switch include aerospace and defense, telecommunications, medical, industrial IoT, and test and measurement.

With the launch of our new Ideal Fab, we are primed to onshore our technology and shift production of our Ideal Switch into high gear, said Russ Garcia, CEO, Menlo Microsystems. The Solstice S8 will help us to achieve our manufacturing goals. We are appreciative of the ClassOne team for their expertise and collaboration on process and tool configuration to help meet our exacting manufacturing requirements.

Built on ClassOnes state-of-the-art, high-throughput Solstice platform, the versatile Solstice S8 can perform a host of electroplating and surface preparation processes on a single system. Suitable for R&D as well as high-volume manufacturing, Solstices flexible design allows users to create a customized turnkey solution by mixing and matching the processes Menlo Microsystems requires for their patented Ideal Switch manufacturing process.

ClassOne Technology CEO Byron Exarcos stated, We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with a true innovator like Menlo Microsystems, which has completely reimagined switching technology. Collaborating with this exciting technology company expands our diverse customer base while further validating our industry-leading position in technologies like RF for 5G and IoT, semiconductors and compound semiconductors.

Learn more about ClassOnes complete Solstice single-wafer platform offerings here, or click here to request a demo.

About ClassOne Technology

ClassOne Technology is a leading provider of advanced electroplating and wet processing systems for semiconductor and microelectronic device manufacturing around the world. Its advanced IP portfolio comprises highly customized, cost-effective processing solutions for critical wafer processes used to manufacture compound semiconductor devices for photonics, power, 5G, microLED, and MEMS and sensor markets. With tools installed in leading-edge fabs and research organizations worldwide, ClassOnes flagship Solstice platform is highly configurable, comprising fully and semi-automated electroplating and wet processing applications with the industrys most competitive ROI. For more information, please visit classone.com.

Stay in touch with us. LinkedIn | Twitter

About Menlo Microsystems, Inc.

Menlo Micro is on a mission to create a more energy efficient and sustainable world, with an entirely new category of electronic switches. The Ideal Switch eliminates compromises and tradeoffs by combining the benefits of electromechanical and solid-state switches into the best of both worlds. Menlo is bringing more than 99 percent reductions in size, weight, power, and cost to dozens of industries such as medical, aerospace and defense, telecommunications, consumer electronics, industrial IoT, and test and measurement. For more information, visit menlomicro.com or follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter.

For more information, contact: Sales Inquiries Media Inquiries Byron Exarcos Lisa Gillette-Martin ClassOne Technology Kiterocket tel: +1 678.772.9086 tel: +1 408.205.4732 email: pr@classone.com email: lgmartin@kiterocket.com Mindy Anderson Menlo Microsystems, Inc. mindy.anderson@menlomicro.com



Solstice is a registered trademark of ClassOne Technology. Ideal Switch is a registered trademark of Menlo Microsystems, Inc.



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9b95f747-b949-4ad8-99b2-71df528d4b00
Pune, India, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The industrial laundry machine market size to hit USD 3.86 billion by 2030, growing at CAGR of 5.3% during 2023 to 2030. The global market size was valued USD 3.86 billion in 2022. The market is expected to reach USD 3.86 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period. Due to daily cloth cleaning and drying activities, consumers seek features, such as proper tracking, process automation, and information management, in industrial laundries, which are set to push market growth. Technological developments in the laundry systems have led to the development of advanced laundry machines, which is projected to aid market development. Fortune Business Insights presents this information in their report titled "Global Industrial laundry machine Market, 20232030."

List of Key Players Profiled in the Report:



MAG Laundry Equipment (U.K.)

Laundrylux Inc. (U.S.)

Herbert Kannegiesser GmbH (Germany)

Vega Systems Group (Netherlands)

Lavatec Laundry Technology GmbH (Germany)

Girbau Group (Spain)

Jensen Group (Belgium)

Ferrotec Holding Corporation (Japan)

Domus (Italy)

Pellerin Milnor Corporation (U.S.)

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Key Industry Development :



Girbau, a leader in laundry solutions, presented an innovative self-service model named La Mamorta in the laundry market. The facility comprises cutting-edge technologies that provide a one-stop solution for self-service, delivery, and wet cleaning.

Drivers and Restraints

Growing Automation and IoT Capabilities to Propel the Demand for the Product

Growth in automation and IoT capabilities is anticipated to drive the Industrial Laundry Machine Market growth. Consumers require reliable, smart, and efficient laundry solutions that can solve hectic laundry operations with minimal guidance. For example, Danube International, a leading laundry solution provider in the residential and industrial segment, offers IoT feature that actively contributes to the optimization and efficiency of machines. Moreover, Business Intelligence (BI) techniques and data-driven approaches to solve laundry business solutions and monitor the key performance indicator of the machines are set to propel market growth.

However, higher investments and high costs of maintenance and shortage of resources are expected to hamper the market growth.

COVID-19 Impact:

Decline in Sales of Manufactures During Pandemic Led to Decline in the Market Progress

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic affected the sales of washing machine manufacturers. Supply chain disruption and halted manufacturing activities directly impacted the sales of manufacturers, which is restraining for the growth of the market. Net sales of Girbau dropped by 38% in 2020 compared to 2019. However, the recovery of the market is attributed to the shift toward traveling & tourism to surge demand for laundry equipment.

Click here to get the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on this market. Please visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industrial-laundry-market-105371

Report Scope and Segmentation:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2030 Forecast Period 2023-2030 CAGR 5.3% 2030 Value Projection USD 3.86 billion Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 USD 2.61 billion Historical Data 2019-2021 No. of Pages 120 Segments covered Type, Application, Region Growth Drivers Technological Advancements Across Laundry Services to Trigger Market Growth

Segments

Industrial Washer to Lead the Segment Due to Adoption in Various Sectors

According to type, the market is divided into industrial washer, industrial dryer, industrial cleaner, industrial extractor, and others (garment finishing). Industrial washer is anticipated to dominate due to growing adoption in various sectors such as hospitality, automotive, and marine. Industrial dryer is also set to have a robust growth as it is largely used in hospitality, food & beverages, and automotive sectors. Others segment includes ironing and garment finishing and is set to have decent market growth due to higher demand for ironing clothes from healthcare, hospitality, and marine industries.

Hospitality Sector to Lead the Segment Due to Increasing Need for Such Machines

Based on application, the market is divided into hospitality, healthcare, food and beverage, automotive, and others (marine). Hospitality sector to have highest CAGR due to increasing need for industrial washers, industrial cleaners, and industrial extractors. Healthcare and automotive sectors are set to have a moderate growth due to growth in the working population in growing economic countries and rising daily wash cycles.

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.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific to Lead Market Share Due to Increasing Preference for Cleanliness

Asia Pacific is expected to have a high Industrial Laundry Machine Market share due to increasing consciousness regarding cleanliness. The market reached the valuation of USD 1 billion in the year 2022 due to increasing usage of such machines in commercial washing solutions. China dominates the region with highest CAGR due to rising health concerns that significantly raise the demand for commercial laundries.

North America to have an important growth due to integration of AI. In addition, consumers need more smart solutions to give live updates about the whole laundry process.

Europe is set to have a fair growth due to increasing demand for industrial dryers and energy-effective washers which helps in the minimization of costs and enhance costs savings.

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Competitive Landscape

Acquisition Strategies by Key Players to Drive Market Growth

The market has various industrial laundry players such as Kannegiesser, MAG Laundry Equipment, and others. Market players have been offering IoT solutions that allow end-users to control and manage the time of wash cycles using applications. Market players have been opting for acquisition strategies for expansion and growth in the emerging markets. In November 2022, Wolf laundry, a commercial laundry provider based in the U.K., acquired PeeGee, a Middlesbrough-based industrial laundry technology specialist for expansion and growth in emerging markets.

Table of Content:

Introduction Definition, By Segment Research Methodology/Approach Data Sources

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Macro and Micro Economic Indicators Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and Trends Impact of COVID-19

Competition Landscape Business Strategies Adopted by Key Players Consolidated SWOT Analysis of Key Players Global Industrial Laundry Machine Market Key Players Market Share Insights and Analysis, 2022

Global Industrial Laundry Machine Market Size Estimates and Forecasts, By Segments, 2019-2030 Key Findings By Type (USD) Industrial Washer Industrial Dryer Industrial Cleaner Industrial Extractor Others (Garment Finishing, Ironing, etc.) By Application (USD) Hospitality Healthcare Food & Beverages Automotive Others (Marine, etc.) By Region (USD) North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East and Africa

North America Industrial Laundry Machine Market Size Estimates and Forecasts, By Segments, 2019-2030

Continued

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Toronto, ON, Canada, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canada Carbon (the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Municipality of Grenville-sur-la-Rouge ("GSLR"), through a letter from its attorneys and a letter from its authorized municipal officer, has recognized that the Miller graphite mine project (the Miller Project), located within GSLR, is a mining project within the meaning of the first paragraph of section 246 of the Act respecting land use planning and development ("RLUPD"), and that the Commission de Protection du Territoire Agricole du Quebec ("CPTAQ") may proceed with its analysis, effective immediately.

GSLR hereby acknowledges that its subdivision, zoning, construction, or other by-laws cannot impede the Company's graphite mine project in accordance with the Mining Act and are not enforceable against it. Consequently, GSLRs attorneys have explicitly acknowledged the validity of the Companys CPTAQ application. This recognition by GSLR holds significance, as it allows the CPTAQ to evaluate the Company's authorization application on the merits of the project and without any additional delays.

Canada Carbon has always sought to have the Miller Graphite Project evaluated solely on its merits. That includes the Companys demonstrated interest in being a good corporate citizen and intent to pursue the development of the project in the most responsible manner. The Company will continue to work closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the Miller project is developed with respect for the highest environmental standards and host communities. We will maintain an ongoing dialogue with the Municipality of Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, regulatory agencies, and other local communities to ensure a responsible and sustainable approach to the development process while ensuring positive economic outcomes for the region the province as a whole." said Ellerton Castor, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Canada Carbon.

For example, we have already commenced a significant drilling program designed to address certain questions raised about the hydrogeological profile of the project. We will continue to take a similarly proactive approach to the remainder of our licensing and permitting process.

About Canada Carbon Inc.

Canada Carbon Inc. is a mining exploration and development company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of graphite deposits. The Company holds a 100% interest in two strategic, past-producing graphite properties located in Quebec: the Miller Graphite Project located in Grenville-Sur-La-Rouge and the Asbury Graphite Mine located in Notre-Dame-du-Laus. Canada Carbon is committed to realizing its potential as a high-quality graphite producer while maintaining the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility. For more information on Canada Carbon's mining activities, please visit our website at www.canadacarbon.com.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- COLLECTIVE METALS INC. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) (the Company or Collective), is pleased to announce that it has entered into an arms length definitive share exchange agreement (the Agreement), dated July 11, 2023, with 1000587016 Ontario Ltd. (587016) and the shareholders of 587016 (the Vendors) to acquire (the Acquisition) from the Vendors, 100% of the outstanding shares of 587016. 587016 owns 100% of the Whitemud Project (the Project), a lithium property in Ontario consisting of 381 single cell mining claims totaling 7,775 hectares. The Project is located 53 km east of Ear Falls, Ontario with good highway and logging road access and is in an area where numerous lithium deposits have been delineated to host significant reserves of lithium and is also adjacent to the Companys Landings Lake property.



Chief Executive Officer of Collective Metals, Christopher Huggins, commented The Whitemud Project is a strategic addition to our Lithium portfolio, as it neighbours our Landing Lake Project and expands our presence in Northwestern Ontario. To date, the Project has been underexplored and we look forward to beginning work on the property soon as possible, as our team believes the Project shows great promise and Northwestern Ontario has shown it is emerging as a potential lithium hub. We look forward to advancing both projects and now believe we have solidified our Battery Metals portfolio with our copper and lithium projects.

Government mapping in the northwestern part of Whitemud Lake Area township identified several outcrops of pegmatite in the proximity of Whitemud Lake (Fenwick, 1966). Government lake sediment surveys covered the Property in summer of 2000. The anomalous suite of elements returned from the survey on the Property suggest possible granitic pegmatite source rocks (OGS 2002). The sample sites in the project area returned some of the highest values obtained for Cs, Nb, Li, Sn, Be, Hg, and TI. There were also numerous other sites in the area which also returned elevated to anomalous values of Cs which are covered by the Property. The term elevated indicated analytical results above the 90th percentile, anomalous for results above the 95th percentile and highly anomalous for results above the 98th percentile.

Nearby projects include the Seymour Lake Lithium Project owned by Green Technology Metals which hosts a 9.9Mt resource grading 1.04% Li 2 O. Also nearby is Avalon Advanced Materials Separation Rapids Lithium deposit which hosts a Measured and Indicated resource of 6.28Mt grading 1.408% Li 2 O.





Figure 1 - Collective Metals Whitemud Project Nearby Projects

Regional Geology

The Project is in the English River Subprovince and is ~8km south of the sub-province boundary with the Uchi sub-province. These terrain boundaries are deep seated structures that divide accreted Archean terranes and can act as conduits for fertile peraluminous granites. The Project is underlain by tonalities to granodioritic rocks of the Bluffy Lake batholith in contact with metasedimentary rocks in the north-northeast which have been metamorphosed to the lower amphibolite/upper greenschist facies.

The English River sub-province consists mainly of turbiditic metasedimentary rocks, deposited during the final stages of magmatic and tectonic accretion within the Uchi Subprovince to the north at around ca. 2720 to 2710 Ma. The sedimentary rocks were intruded by a suite of calcalkalic plutons at 2698 Ma. Major regional deformation, amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism, anatexis, and emplacement of an extensive peraluminous granitic suite culminated at 2691 Ma. Late episodes of metamorphism, metasomatism, and emplacement of pegmatites occurred locally at ca. 2680 and 2669 Ma (Corfu, F.1995).





Figure 2 - Whitemud Project Regional Geology & Neighbouring Lithium Projects

Terms of the Agreement

The Acquisition will involve the issuance of 4,000,000 common shares of the Company (the Consideration Shares) to the Vendors (representing 11.3% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company on a post-issuance basis), at a deemed price of $0.31 per share, representing aggregate share consideration of $1,240,000, in exchange for all of the outstanding shares of 587016, as well as a $40,000 cash payment from the Company to a Vendor. The Consideration Shares will be issued pursuant to s. 2.16 (take-over bid and issuer bid) of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions.

Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Garry Clark, P.Geo., and a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

The reader is cautioned that the mineralization on nearby or adjacent properties does not necessarily indicate that any mineral resources may be discovered on the Whitemud Project, or if discovered, that such resources would be economically recoverable.

References

Corfu, F., G. Stott, and F. Breaks (1995), UPb geochronology and evolution of the English River Subprovince, an Archean low Phigh T metasedimentary belt in the Superior Province, Tectonics, 14(5), 1220-1233.

Fenwick, K.W 1966. Preliminary Geological Map, Ontario Geological Survey, Whitemud Lake Area, P412, Scale 1 inch to  mile.

Ontario Geological Survey 2002. Perrault Falls area high density regional lake sediment geochemical survey, northwestern Ontario: Operation Treasure Hunt; Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6092, 84p.

About Collective Metals:

Collective Metals Inc. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) is a resource exploration company specializing in precious metals exploration in North America. The Companys flagship property is the Princeton Project, located in south-central British Columbia, Canada, approximately 10 km west of the currently producing Copper Mountain Mine. The Princeton Project consists of 29 mineral tenures totaling approximately 28,560 ha (70,570 acres) in a well documented and prolific copper-gold porphyry belt and is easily accessible by road, located immediately west of Highway 3.

The Companys Landings Lake Lithium Project, which is located in northwestern Ontario where numerous lithium deposits have been delineated to host significant reserves of Li 2 O. The Landings Lake Lithium Project is located 53 km east of Ear Falls, Ontario and covers 3,146 hectares.

Collective Metals is also advancing the Uptown Gold Project 4 km outside of Yellowknife, adjacent to several high grade past producing mines. The Uptown Gold Property is a high-grade Archean lode gold prospect adjoining the Giant Mine in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The property consists of 4 claims covering over 2,000 hectares and borders the west side of the Giant Mine leases.

Social Media

ON BEHALF OF COLLECTIVE METALS INC.

Christopher Huggins

Chief Executive Officer

T: 604-968-4844

E: chris@collectivemetalsinc.com

Forward Looking Information

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements respecting: completion of the Acquisition; and the expected benefits to the Company from the Acquisition. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1550d911-5ad8-4eda-80d8-e575188e3e1e

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/516410fa-d6e7-4ef6-b95f-b99ca3f40577
Pune, India, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The agriculture equipment market size to hit $296.61 billion by 2030, growing at CAGR of 7.3% during 2023 to 2030. The global market size was valued $169.18 billion in 2022. The rise is propelled by the escalating scarcity of human workforce on cattle maintenance in various countries. This shortage has advocated the demand for deploying modernized equipment. Fortune Business Insights presents this information in their report titled "Global Agriculture Equipment Market, 20232030."

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

April 2023  Mahindra Tractors launched a new range of Ojas tractors constituting four sub tractors platform. Via this launch, the company intended to target the Indian as well as the global market for increasing its sales volume.

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Report Scope & Segmentation

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023 to 2030 Forecast Period 2023 to 2030 CAGR 7.3% 2030 Value Projection USD 296.61 billion Base Year 2022 Agriculture Equipment Market Share in 2022 USD 169.18 billion Historical Data for 2019 to 2021 No. of Pages 120 Segments covered By Equipment Type, By Application and By Region Agriculture Equipment Market Growth Drivers Increasing Equipment Technology Awareness and Favorable Government Policies to Propel the Market Growth Smart Farming Equipment and Industry 4.0 Integration to Create Lucrative Business Prospects

COVID-19 Impacts:

Impact on Market Share Propelled by Imbalance in Supply Demand

The coronavirus pandemic affected industry growth considering the reduction in operations in labor-intensive agriculture countries such as China and India. Furthermore, the post-pandemic period registered a rise in the supply demand gap. However, the soaring integration of wireless equipment models and growing IoT automation are expected to drive product demand creating favorable ground for market expansion.

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Drivers and Restraints:

Favorable Government Policies and Rising Awareness Associated with Equipment Technology to Drive Industry Growth

One of the key factors propelling the agriculture equipment market growth is the soaring adoption of automatic and semi-automatic machines across various regions. The industry growth is further driven by the increasing demand for equipment such as combine harvesters and tractors.

However, the industry expansion could be affected by high costs associated with the initial procurement and maintenance of the product.

Report Coverage:

The report offers a comprehensive analysis of the major factors propelling the global business scenario throughout the estimated period. It further gives an insight into the key trends driving industry expansion over the forthcoming years. Other aspects comprise the significant steps undertaken by leading companies for establishing a strong position in the market.

Market Segmentation:

Agricultural Tractors Segment to Depict Substantial Demand Driven by Rising Development of New Products

On the basis of equipment type, the market for agriculture equipment is categorized into agriculture tractors, harvesting equipment, irrigation & crop processing equipment, agriculture spraying & handling equipment, soil preparation & cultivation equipment, and others (hay & forage equipment, trailers). The agriculture tractors segment is anticipated to exhibit lucrative growth throughout the forecast period. The expansion is due to the rising introduction of eco-friendly and efficient tractors.

Land Development Segment to Gain Prominence Impelled by Soaring Demand Across Industrial Sector

Based on application, the market is classified into land development, threshing and harvesting, plant protection, and after agro processing. The land development segment is poised to grow at a considerable pace over the estimated period. The growth is due to the rising development and launch of new solutions.

By geography, the market for agriculture equipment is segmented into Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

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Regional Analysis:

Asia Pacific to Emerge as Prominent Region Impelled by Increasing Digitalization

The Asia Pacific agriculture equipment market share is expected to register considerable growth over the projected period. The rise is on account of the economic stability offered by various agro-based countries such as India, China, and others.

The North America market is anticipated to depict an appreciable surge over the study period. The rise is due to the presence of major companies such as Alamo Group, Inc., AGCO Corporation, Valmont Industries, Deere & Company, and others.

Competitive Landscape:

Key Players Ink Strategic Deals to Strengthen Industry Footing

Major industry participants are centered on adopting an array of initiatives for consolidation of their market positions. These include merger agreements, partnerships, and the launch of new solutions. Additional factors favoring market expansion comprise an escalation in R&D activities.

List of the Companies Operating in the Market:

AGCO Corporation (U.S.)

Alamo Group Inc. (U.S.)

China National Machinery Industry Corporation (China)

CNH Industrial N.V. (U.K.)

CLAAS KGaA GmbH (Japan)

Deere & Company (U.S.)

Kubota Corporation (Japan)

Mahindra & Mahindra (India)

SDF S.p.A. (Italy)

Valmont Industries Inc. (U.S.)

Major Table of Contents:

Introduction Definition, By Segment Research Methodology/Approach Data Sources

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Macro and Micro Economic Indicators Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities, and Trends Impact of COVID-19

Competition Landscape Business Strategies Adopted by Key Players Consolidated SWOT Analysis of Key Players Global Agriculture Equipment Key Players Market Share/Ranking, 2022

Global Agriculture Equipment Market Size Estimates and Forecasts, By Segments, 2019-2030 Key Findings By Type (USD) Agriculture Tractors Harvesting Equipment Irrigation & Crop Processing Equipment Agriculture Spraying & Handling Equipment Soil Preparation & Cultivation Equipment Others (Hay & Forage Equipment, Trailers) By Application (USD) Land Development Threshing and Harvesting Plant Protection After Agro Processing By Country (USD) North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa Latin America

North America Agriculture Equipment Market Size Estimates and Forecasts, By Segments, 2019-2030 Key Findings By Type (USD) Agriculture Tractors Harvesting Equipment Irrigation & Crop Processing Equipment Agriculture Spraying & Handling Equipment Soil Preparation & Cultivation Equipment Others (Hay & Forage Equipment, Trailers) By Application (USD) Land Development Threshing and Harvesting Plant Protection After Agro Processing By Country (USD) United States By Application (USD) Land Development Threshing and Harvesting Plant Protection After Agro Processing Canada By Application (USD) Land Development Threshing and Harvesting Plant Protection After Agro Processing



TOC Continued!

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DALLAS and NEW YORK CITY, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Associa, the community management industrys largest company, has entered into a partnership with F&D Partners, a leading New York based-energy consultant. The agreement will give Associa-managed communities throughout Canada access to F&D Partners deep expertise in energy audits, sustainability assessments, and customized energy management planning. These programs are designed to help property owners and residents identify and implement targeted energy efficiency measures that minimize energy consumption and environmental footprint while significantly reducing energy bills.

This collaboration highlights Associas commitment to enhancing environmental stewardship throughout the community management sector. The initial phase of this partnership will concentrate on the Canadian markets of Alberta, British Southern Ontario, and Columbias Lower Mainland area. Phase two will concentrate on exploring a broader partnership to offer similar services to Associa-managed communities in 20 U.S. states with deregulated energy service.

F&D Partners has a well-deserved reputation as an industry-leading energy consultant. This partnership represents a powerful collaboration that addresses the growing demand for sustainable property management practices. By incorporating advanced energy solutions, they are well-positioned to create a positive, long-term influence on the natural surroundings, bringing advantages to property owners, residents, and communities throughout Canada.

Associa Canada is committed to delivering exceptional property management services that prioritize sustainability and environmental stewardship, said Todd Cooper, president Associa Canada, and senior vice president, international region. Our clients will now receive thorough and detailed analyses of their energy consumption together with compelling options for financial savings and expense containment. Our goals align perfectly with the vision of F&D Partners, making this relationship a natural fit to drive transformative change in the community management sector.

"We are delighted to partner with Associa Canada to advance the cause of energy efficiency in the property management sector," said Sindarela Rrezhda, vice president of operations for F&D Partners. "Our shared commitment to sustainability will help create more energy-conscious communities. Together, we will make significant impact in driving positive change."

About F&D Partners:

F&D Partners is a leading energy consultant and engineering firm based in New York, specializing in energy efficiency and sustainability solutions. With a commitment to optimizing energy consumption, reducing costs, and improving environmental performance, F&D Partners helps businesses and organizations achieve their sustainability goals while maximizing efficiency. For more information, please visit www.fanddpartners.com/.

About Associa

With more than 225 branch offices across North America, Associa is building the future of community for nearly five million residents worldwide. Our 11,000+ team members lead the industry with unrivaled education, expertise, and trailblazing innovation. For more than 43 years, Associa has brought positive impact and meaningful value to communities. To learn more, visit www.associaonline.com.

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BANGOR, MAINE, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Two different science-oriented camps being held at Husson University this July will give high school students the opportunity to explore careers in pharmacy and healthcare. Sponsored by Husson Universitys College of Health and Pharmacy, these camps are an outstanding way for students to better understand what it means to work in different professions.





Husson Universitys summer camps offer young people the opportunity to explore career paths in a safe and nurturing environment, said Dr. James D. Nash, dean of the College of Health and Pharmacy. Students who attend these camps find the experiences to be both fun and fulfilling. Theyre a way to help teenagers who are unsure about what they want to do when they grow up, identify possible career paths before they head off to college.

On July 17  19, the University will be hosting a three-day overnight Pharmacy Summer Camp. Students will learn about laboratory skills, compounding, patient counseling, hospital pharmacy and other careers. Sponsored by Hussons School of Pharmacy and Hannaford, students will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience in the Universitys laboratories. Enrollment in this camp is limited to 20 students.

To be eligible to participate in Pharmacy camp, high school students must be junior or seniors during the 2023-2024 academic year. Students must also have a minimum 2.75 grade point average (GPA) and an interest in pharmacy as a career. Students and parents who want to learn more should call Elizabeth Roboul at 207.941.7163 or email her at roboule@husson.edu. More information is also available on Husson Universitys website at https://www.husson.edu/pharmacy/pharmacy-summer-camp/.



Nine days after Pharmacy Summer Camp concludes, Husson University will be the site of Health Professions Summer Camp 2023. Open to all students entering their first, sophomore, junior or senior year of high school, this camp provides teens with the opportunity to be introduced to a wide range of healthcare careers. Potential career paths open to exploration include nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy and medicine. Students can also pick up additional information about degree programs in psychology, graduate counseling, health sciences, healthcare administration and public health, and masters degrees in healthcare management while they are on Husson Universitys campus.

During this one-day camp experience, high school students will work with Husson University faculty, current Husson students and Walgreens representatives. Student campers will also be able to tour Husson Universitys state-of-the-art science laboratories. Walgreens is generously covering all costs associated with this year's Health Professions Camp. There is no cost to participating campers.

Students interested in enrolling in Health Professions Summer Camp 2023, should complete the online form located at https://admissions.husson.edu/register/hp_day_camp. Anyone with questions can call Elizabeth Roboul at 207-941-7163 or email her at roboule@husson.edu.

Camps like these help expand teens career horizons and make summer memorable, said Dr. Lynne Coy-Ogan, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. Besides making friends with teens who have similar interests, participating in these camps provides high school students with insights into the challenges and complexities associated with delivering patient care. High school students interested in becoming a pharmacist, doctor, nurse, physical therapist or an occupational therapist should make it a point to participate in this worthwhile educational experience.

For nearly 125 years, Husson University has shown its adaptability and strength in delivering educational programs that prepare future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has come to represent a superior value in higher education. The hallmarks of a Husson education include advanced knowledge delivered through quality educational programs in business; health and education; pharmacy studies; science and humanities; as well as communication. According to an analysis of tuition and fees by U.S. News & World Report, Husson University is one of the most affordable private colleges in New England. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu.

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Pune, India, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to our new research study on Polyurethane Market Size Report, Share, Demand, Growth Strategy, Industry Trends and Forecast to 2028  COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis  by Raw Material, Product, Application and Geography, the Polyurethane market size is expected to grow from US$ 54.92 Billion in 2021 to US$ 102.92 Billion by 2028; it is estimated to register a CAGR of 9.4% from 2020 to 2028. includes the factors governing the market growth, revenue estimation and forecast, and market share analysis. It also entails the identification of significant market players and their key developments.





Download PDF Brochure: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00003570/





Global Polyurethane Market: Competitive Landscape and Key Developments

The key players operating in the global Polyurethane market include Nippon Paper Industries Co Ltd, Borregaard ASA, Burgo Group SpA, Domsjo Fabriker AB, Sappi Ltd, Stora Enso Oyj, Suzano SA, The Dallas Group of America Inc, Tokyo Chemical Industry Co Ltd, West Fraser Timber Co Ltd, Tembec Inc, Domtar Corporation, and LignoTech Florida LLC. Players operating in the global Polyurethane market focus on providing high-quality products to fulfill customer demand. They are also focusing on strategies such as investments in research and development activities, and new product launches.





Polyurethane Market Report Scope, Segmentations, Regional & Country Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Size Value in USD 54.92 Billion in 2021 Market Size Value by USD 102.92 Billion by 2028 Growth rate CAGR of 9.4% from 2020-2028 Forecast Period 2020-2028 Base Year 2020 No. of Pages 235 No. of Tables 177 No. of Charts & Figures 92 Historical data available Yes Segments covered Product, End-use Industry and Geography Regional scope North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; MEA Country scope US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Argentina Report coverage Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends Companies Covered Nippon Paper Industries Co Ltd, Borregaard ASA, Burgo Group SpA, Domsjo Fabriker AB, Sappi Ltd, Stora Enso Oyj, Suzano SA, The Dallas Group of America Inc, Tokyo Chemical Industry Co Ltd, West Fraser Timber Co Ltd, Tembec Inc, Domtar Corporation, and LignoTech Florida LLC





Polyurethane is a thermosetting polymer which is composed of organic units joined by carbamate links and does not melt on heating. It is light in weight, resistant to corrosion, elastic in nature and possesses considerable strength. In most of the cases, PU is an alternative to paper, glass, and metals. High mechanical strength enables polyurethane to provide insulation and replace metals for automobile parts. The polyurethane market is anticipated to grow in the forecast period owing to an upsurge in demand for lightweight and durable materials from automotive, packaging, furniture, footwear, and other end-user industries.





Polyurethane Market: Segmental Overview

Based on product, the polyurethane market has been segmented into rigid foam, flexible foam, coatings adhesives and sealants, elastomers, others. In 2021, the flexible foam segment dominated the market. Furthermore, the rigid foams segment is the fastest growing segment with the highest CAGR. Rigid Foams are used in insulation purpose in commercial as well as residential buildings. They are also extensively used in electronics and appliances. Rigid polyurethane foam is known as one of the most efficient, high performance insulation materials; also, it enables very effective energy savings along with the minimal occupation of space. Additionally, good mechanical properties along with excellent adhesion to other materials can open up a broad field of applications for rigid foam.

The polyurethane market is segmented into five main regionsNorth America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South & Central America. In 2021, Asia Pacific dominated the global polyurethane market. Asia Pacific polyurethane market growth is attributed to the presence of large manufacturing industries in a diverse sector, which chemical, textile, automotive, electronics, and other industries. Expansion of the construction and furniture sectors, along with the presence of major automotive OEMs, is a key driver that propels the demand for rigid foam in Asia Pacific. The government support to weatherize low-income households and meet transitioning standards for green buildings is anticipated to further drive the rigid polyurethane foam demand in insulation applications. These emerging countries are further witnessing an upsurge in urbanization and industrialization, which offers ample opportunities for the key market players in the polyurethane market.





Buy Premium Copy of Polyurethane Market Growth Report (2020-2028) at: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPRE00003570/





Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Polyurethane Market

At the outset of pandemic, a domestic lockdown imposed in the several countries globally, led to immediate decline in the economy, slowdown in the global demand for trade, expansion strategies and disruption in supply chain. Subsequently, these factors hampered the manufacturing, delivery schedules, and sales of various goods. Chemicals and materials industry announced slowdown of manufacturing operations and shutdown and projected a slump in the sales of polyurethane. In addition, trade restrictions imposed by countries in Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America disrupted the supply chain. All these factors hampered the progress of the chemicals & materials industry. The shortage of manpower and a temporary sales halt, caused due to lockdowns and government restrictions further negatively affected the market. Thus, major companies in the polyurethane market faced the hardest hit during initial phase of pandemic, due to sudden government restrictions on manufacturing of non-essential commodities.

In 2021, the global marketplace began recovering from the losses incurred in 2020 as governments of different countries announced relaxation in social restrictions. Manufacturers were permitted to operate at full capacities, which helped them overcome the demandsupply gap. Moreover, rising vaccination rates contributed to improvements in the overall conditions in different countries, which led to conducive environments for industrial and commercial progress. With economies reviving their operations, the demand for polyurethane started rising globally as construction, electronics, automotive, furniture, and chemicals industry resumed their operations in full capacity.





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-- ITS forecasts that reconsigned freight at the Ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert will impact the US supply chain in coming months --



RENO, Nev., July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ITS Logistics today released the June forecast for the ITS Logistics US Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index. This month the index reveals severe conditions in the Pacific Port and both East and West Inland Rail Ramp regions due to the West Coast port labor strikes occurring in Canada. In addition, ITS forecasts that the labor strike at the Ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert will not only negatively impact Canada but will have a severely negative impact on the US supply chain as well due to reconsigned freight.

Most of the IPI freight that enters through these Ports are destined to major US rail hubs including Chicago and Memphis, said Paul Brashier, Vice President of Drayage and Intermodal for ITS Logistics. There is a high probability that a large portion of this freight will be reconsigned to US West Coast Ports if the vessels call on those ports prior to or after calling Vancouver or Prince Rupert.

The Canadian ports handle nearly $225 billion in cargo annually and include items from industries such as apparel, home goods, and electronics that are transported by rail. In addition, according to port authority data, approximately 15% of consumer trade that moves through the Port of Vancouver is headed to or coming from the U.S. It was estimated by the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters industry group, that the movement of $500 million worth of goods is being disrupted every day the strike continues.

Shippers should immediately put contingency plans in place to reroute freight into the US and alter the mode of freight to domestic truckload in anticipation of rail congestion that will occur when the strike is resolved, continued Brashier. Western US Ports will be affected due to Canadian volumes being reconsigned to the US in addition to the July kickoff of retail peak season. Furthermore, the East and Gulf Ports will see a spike in volume as retail peak freight starts to arrive and since most of the freight from the US East and West Region rail ramp services is routed IPI to US Rail Ramps, business there will be impacted as well. While container dwell in Western Canada increases, freight will overwhelm rail lines and ramps when it finally starts to transfer from the ocean terminals to the ramps.

Ultimately, the rerouting of containers will add days to the delivery of products. With the negotiations currently still stalled and the Canadian Parliament out of session it is best that shippers attempt to stay ahead of this current supply chain disruption. Port operations should remain stable in both the East and Gulf, but depending on the duration of the strike it could take one to three months for operations to return to normal in the West region, particularly western Canada.

ITS Logistics offers a full suite of network transportation solutions across North America and omnichannel distribution and fulfillment services to 95% of the U.S. population within two days. These services include drayage and intermodal in 22 coastal ports and 30 rail ramps, a full suite of asset and asset-lite transportation solutions, omnichannel distribution and fulfillment, and outbound small parcel.

The ITS Logistics US Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index forecasts port container and dray operations for the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf regions. Ocean and domestic container rail ramp operations are also highlighted in the index for both the West Inland and East Inland regions. Visit here for a full comprehensive copy of the index with expected forecasts for the US port and rail ramps.

About ITS Logistics

ITS Logistics is a premier Third-Party Logistics company that provides creative supply chain solutions with an asset-lite transportation division ranked #23 in North America, the #11 drayage and intermodal provider, a top-tier asset-based dedicated fleet, and innovative omnichannel distribution and fulfillment services. With the highest level of service, unmatched industry experience and work ethic, and a laser focus on innovation and technologyour purpose is to improve the quality of life by delivering excellence in everything we do.

www.its4logistics.com

Media Contact

Amber Good

LeadCoverage

amber@leadcoverage.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/59e09a4a-be86-4000-b1f8-c32d750537fe
TOWSON, Md., July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vistant, a Maryland-based firm that delivers international development, advanced healthcare solutions, and mission support services to federal government clients, has formally launched a cybersecurity and resiliency services division.



Weve been providing cybersecurity and resiliency support to a variety of clients over the years, but this formalizes those efforts into an official offering, said Vistant President Walter Barnes III. We now have a more complete set of offerings to provide our clients a one-stop option for their development efforts.

Through this division, Vistant helps clients and local partners strengthen vital cyber infrastructure, mitigate disinformation, reduce criminal activity, enhance data storage and transfer, and report and assess cyber threats.

Vistants cybersecurity and resiliency division expands the level and breadth of services the organization has been delivering for several years. Through multiple strategic contracts, Vistant has stepped up to provide cybersecurity services to clients around the globe, including NATO and allied militaries, as well as civilian government counterparts.

We look forward to expanding our support for existing clients cybersecurity and resiliency needs as well as extending these services to new clients, said Jim Lutzweiler, senior vice president of international development. Our cybersecurity teams are uniquely skilled in addressing the needs of developing areas.

About Vistant

Vistant is a Maryland-based firm that specializes in international development, advanced healthcare solutions, and mission support services. Visit Vistant at www.VistantCo.com .

Vistant contracting vehicles: OASIS SB/8a Pool 1 (47QRAD20D1060/47QRAD20D8121); GSA 8a STARS III (47QTCB22D0222); and GSA MAS (GS-00F-166GA). Online at VistantCo.com.



Contact:

James Gallagher

Spire Communications for Vistant

jgallagher@spirecomm.com

919-308-0738


New York, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Residential Energy Storage Market by Power Rating, Connectivity, Technology, Ownership, Operation, Region - Global Forecast to 2028" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05774196/?utm_source=GNW





The 6  10 kW, by power rating, is expected to be the largest and the fastest-growing market from 2023 to 2028

The residential energy storage market is categorized by application into three segments: 3-6 kW, 6-10 kW, and 10-20 kW.Among these segments, the 6-10 kW segment is projected to hold the largest market share and exhibit a high CAGR during the forecast period.



This dominance can be attributed to the reduced reliance on grid supply enabled by energy storage systems, which serve as backup power sources in the event of grid outages. By offering backup capabilities, the 6-10 kW segment provides homeowners with increased energy security and resilience.



The lithium-ion segment, by technology, is expected to be the fastest-growing market from 2023 to 2028

Lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries make up the two technology segments of the residential energy storage market.The market for lithium-ion batteries is expected to grow most rapidly.



The strong growth rate can be due to the rising number of lithium-ion battery manufacturing facilities and high expenditure in their R & D.



The Customer-owned, by ownership type, is expected to be the largest and the fastest-growing market from 2023 to 2028

The residential energy storage market is categorized based on ownership type, including customer-owned, utility-owned, and third-party-owned systems.Among these segments, the customer-owned segment is projected to experience the highest growth rate during the forecast period, closely followed by the utility-owned segment.



This dominance can be attributed to the advantages customers gain, such as lower energy bills and increased energy independence, through the implementation of residential energy storage solutions. By owning their energy storage systems, residential customers can optimize their energy usage, store excess energy, and rely less on external energy sources, leading to greater cost savings and enhanced self-sufficiency.



Breakdown of Primaries:

To gather and authenticate essential qualitative and quantitative information and evaluate future market prospects, comprehensive in-depth interviews have been conducted.These interviews involved key industry participants, subject-matter experts, C-level executives from prominent market players, industry consultants, and other relevant experts.



The primary interviews were strategically distributed among these stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive and well-rounded understanding of the market dynamics, trends, and potential opportunities.

 By Company Type: Tier 1- 65%, Tier 2- 24%, and Tier 3- 11%

 By Designation: C-Level- 30%, Director Level- 25%, and Others- 45%



By Region: Europe  35%, North America- 26%, Asia Pacific  25%, Middle east & Africa  8% and South America  6 %.



Note: Others includes sales managers, marketing managers, product managers, and product engineers.



The tier of the companies is defined based on their total revenue as of 2018. Tier 1: USD 1 billion and above, Tier 2: From USD 500 million to USD 1 billion, and Tier 3:

A few key players with extensive regional coverage dominate the residential energy storage market. These leading market players include Tesla (US), VARTA AG (Germany), Enphase Energy (US), BYD Company Ltd (China), Sonnen GmbH (Germany), LG Energy Solution (South Korea), and other notable companies.



Research Coverage:

The report encompasses a comprehensive analysis of the residential energy storage market, covering various aspects such as power rating, connectivity type, operation type, ownership type, technology, and regional forecasts.It provides a detailed qualitative and quantitative assessment of the market, offering a thorough understanding of its dynamics.



The report examines the key market drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges, offering valuable insights for stakeholders. Additionally, it delves into crucial aspects of the market, including a competitive landscape analysis, market dynamics, estimation of market value, and future trends in the residential energy storage sector.



Key Benefits of Buying the Report

The report will help the leaders/new entrants in this market with information on the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall market and the sub-segments.This report will help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights to better position their businesses and plan suitable go-to-market strategies.



The report also helps stakeholders understand the pulse of the relay market and provides them information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.



Analysis of key drivers (growing investments in R&D of lithium-ion batteries for renewable energy source, The growing adoption of renewable energy sources, such as solar power, is driving the demand for residential energy storage systems), restraints (high upfront cost of residential energy storage systems and Limited subsidies, tax credits, or rebate programs can make the systems less financially attractive for homeowners.), opportunities (Advanced software and control systems can optimize energy usage, intelligently manage charging and discharging, and enable participation in demand response programs.), and challenges (limited energy density and capacity which will impact the duration and power output during extended outages or high-demand periods.) influencing the growth of the residential energy storage market.



Product Development/ Innovation: Residential energy storage systems utilize rechargeable batteries to store energy from solar arrays or electric grids, enabling them to efficiently perform tasks like peak shaving and load shifting.Thanks to advanced technology-based batteries, these systems overcome the limitations of traditional methods and offer greater flexibility and efficiency in managing energy usage.



Residential energy storage market lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have a lifespan ranging from 5 to 15 years and an efficiency range of 85% to 98%.Rapid technological advancements and significant cost reductions have made these batteries appear to be very promising.



The production and development of electric vehicles (EVs), particularly those spearheaded by Tesla, is expected to have a significant impact on Li-ion battery prices. It is anticipated that this cost decrease will spread to other Li-ion battery uses, such as laptops, portable electronics, and power-generating electronics.

Market Development: The residential energy storage sector aim to increase the availability of energy storage systems in new geographic regions.Key players are actively expanding their market presence, both domestically and internationally, to access untapped customer bases and leverage regional incentives and policies.



Sonnen, a company specializing in intelligent energy storage solutions for residential applications, offers products like the SonnenBatterie. These solutions are designed to seamlessly integrate with renewable energy sources and provide grid services, demonstrating their commitment to enhancing renewable energy adoption and grid integration.

Market Diversification: The residential energy storage market involves diversifying the range of products, services, and target customer segments to cater to a wider spectrum of consumer needs and preferences.Tesla holds a significant position in this market, offering the Powerwall product line, which includes various models with different capacities to meet diverse customer requirements.



Enphase Energy, on the other hand, is recognized for its expertise in microinverter technology and provides residential energy storage solutions through the Enphase Encharge product line. Additionally, Enphase Energy offers comprehensive monitoring and maintenance services for their systems.

Competitive Assessment: An in-depth assessment reveals the market shares, growth strategies, and service offerings of key players in the residential energy storage market. Prominent companies such as Tesla (US), Sonnen GMBH (Germany), Enphase Energy (US), BYD Company Ltd. (China), and LG Energy Solution (South Korea) among others demonstrate notable positions in the residential energy storage market.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05774196/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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Albuquerque, NM, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Research Associate, Inc.s (ARA) latest version of HurLoss has once again been accepted by the Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology (FCHLPM) for insurance rate making in Florida.

This latest version is also the first time ARA has submitted a model with a current, or climate-conditioned, view of hurricane risk rather than a stationary or long-term historical view, and the first model accepted by the FCHLPM to account for climate change.

"This improvement recognizes the evolving nature of hurricane risk, which is driven by changing environmental parameters, such as sea surface temperature and wind shear, said ARA Principal Engineer Frank Lavelle, who has managed the development and support of ARAs hurricane model since 2002.

This breakthrough in climate conditioned modeling is made possible by ARAs unique methodology, allowing for direct input from leading Global Circulation Models (GCM).

ARAs engineering approach to catastrophe modeling is first principles, physics based, Lavelle said. Our hurricane model has always used physically based inputs, rather than relying solely on statistical modeling or simply claims data.

ARAs method of quantifying the effects of climate change on hurricane risk is to allow the hurricane model to ingest predictions of future global temperatures and wind shear from leading GCMs and provide event occurrence rates for any given time frame and carbon emissions scenario that has been modeled with a GCM.

Environmental parameters are direct inputs to ARAs unique, physically-based hurricane hazard model, said Senior Engineer Lauren Mudd, ARAs principal climate change expert with respect to the hurricane hazard. Using this method, multiple environmental parameters can be incorporated, as opposed to only a single parameter such as surface sea temperature.

ARAs methodology was approved following the final hearing for the model on Friday, June 2.

The purpose of the FCHLPM, set up by the Florida legislature in 1995, is to assure that computer models used for setting premium rates in the Florida personal lines insurance market are neither excessive nor inadequate. In order to achieve acceptable status, a model is given a rigorous expert review every two years. ARAs model has been accepted every time it has been submitted, going back to the year 2000.

ARAs wind engineering expertise and its state-of-the-art hurricane model, HurLoss , provide an independent and highly respected view of hurricane risk to structural engineers, emergency managers, energy producers, and property insurers.

To learn more about HurLoss  visit www.ara.com/hurloss-platforms/

Attachment
San Jose, Calif., July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The newly completed Sutter Health Ambulatory Care Center and Surgery Center marks the latest milestone in Sutter Healths long-term plans to create greater patient access to more convenient and connected care across the Silicon Valley. And it is part of Sutters broader plan to build more than two dozen ambulatory care centers across Northern California over the next four years.

Located near the city border of San Jose and Los Gatos, in Santa Clara County, the 69,000-square-foot building brings together 34 physicians from 12 different medical specialties across Sutters Palo Alto Medical Foundation, along with lab, imaging and an ambulatory surgery center all under one roof.

"This new care center is part of executing on our plan to innovate and expand access to coordinated, high-quality care across Northern California and make it more convenient for patients while providing a great environment for our care teams. We expect to open or expand nine more care centers in the greater Silicon Valley over the next few years, and this new ambulatory care center is another step in our ability to care for more patients," said Warner L. Thomas, Sutter Health president and CEO.

The new ambulatory care center will officially open on July 24 and the surgery center will open Aug. 1.

Location, location, location.

The new care center and surgery center are located in the heart of a vibrant, transportation-friendly, healthcare neighborhood. Doctors from the Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group (PAFMG) will provide physician services to patients at the center. The new ambulatory care and surgery center will enhance the ability of our medical group physicians to deliver the highest quality of care and the latest medical innovations to the surrounding community, says PAFMG CEO Dr. Kurt VandeVort.

Sutter Health and Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) operate more than 25 care centers in Santa Clara County and have helped make the community healthier and more livable since 1930.

A shared vision.

Among the 34 physicians who will have offices in the new building, more than half joined the PAFMG in the past decade.

As a longstanding not-for-profit healthcare institution in Silicon Valley, PAMF and Sutter have an excellent reputation among patients and clinicians, said Dr. Alan Sue, South Bay geographic medical director, Sutter Bay Medical Foundation (SBMF). We have been fortunate to recruit independent physicians who see how an integrated system like Sutter supports them while they care for patients.

The new care center, completed in part through the generosity of community donors, fulfills the promise of a contemporary, centralized space where physicians from different medical disciplines can come under one banner and collaborate. Less noticeable, but equally important, the Sutter system connects providers and patients through a shared electronic medical record, online portal, scheduling system and more  each intentionally seamless so the patient stays front and center.

Centered on patient and physician satisfaction.

The Sutter Health Ambulatory Care Center was designed from the ground up to support physicians and care teams so they are in the best position to provide an outstanding patient experience.

"Reimagined waiting spaces are one example of the emphasis placed on convenience at this care center, Dr. Elizabeth Vilardo, CEO, SBMF. Each centralized waiting space is shared by several specialty departments, which improves flow and provides easy access to exam rooms.

Instead of multiple reception desks, the second and third floors each have one, facilitating rapid check-in. Customer service touches like this are part of how Sutter meets modern consumer expectations for seamless healthcare.

Infused with innovation.

High-tech healthcare takes on new meaning in the new building, where virtual reality headsets will be used to relieve anxiety in children prior to surgery. This goes so far beyond distraction, said Dr. Paul Elcavage, pediatric anesthesiologist and medical director of the new surgery center. The computer-generated environment is designed to engage all of your senses in an immersive, calming experience."

Part of a pilot project, the idea to bring the headsets to this surgery center, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, was intentional. As an integrated system, Sutter Health looks for opportunities to implement and study leading-edge care options that have the potential to benefit patients, providers and the community. This is one to watch.

Committed to the community.

The new surgery center is also the latest Sutter location in the Bay Area to pledge its services  at no cost  to underresourced patients as part of the Gift of Surgery program, administered by local nonprofit Operation Access.

Sutter Health has not only given more than $2.4 million to our organization through community benefit investments, said Jason Beers, executive director of Operation Access. Sutter sites have also provided in-kind donations totaling more than $70 million while supporting 7,700 surgical procedures and diagnostic services over the past 25 years.

In addition to the Gift of Surgery, Sutter Health and physician volunteers provide no-cost colonoscopies for patients who would not otherwise have access to this important test. These are just some of the many ways Sutter supports improved community health.

Co-located specialists and services include:

Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC), located on the first floor and spread across 23,000 square feet, the ASC features three operating rooms and two procedure rooms. Fourteen spacious recovery areas offer patients privacy and tranquility after surgery. This center will accommodate surgical and endoscopy services, including orthopedic, general and gynecologic surgery, pediatric surgery, and ear, nose and throat surgery. A new central sterile processing area, which cleans, sterilizes and prepares medical instruments, supports the surgery center.

State-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine, featuring the highest power 3 Tesla technology, is also located on the first floor. This machine enables exceptional-resolution images for more accurate diagnosis and treatment of cancer, joint injuries, spinal and musculoskeletal problems and a host of other medical needs.

Full-service laboratory and additional imaging equipment is located on the second floor. Here patients can have blood work and other diagnostic tests performed and receive imaging scans using different techniques including computerized tomography (CT), ultrasound and radiology. Having these services in the care center eliminates the need for patients to travel elsewhere for tests. This floor also includes offices and exam space for eight medical specialties: neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, podiatry, urology, gynecologic oncology, urologic oncology, and physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Medical and surgical specialists round out the third floor. Physicians and advance practice clinicians and staff on this floor support the departments of obstetrics and gynecology, pulmonary medicine, gastroenterology and general surgery.

Early and under budget despite COVID disruptions

The new center was delivered 79 days ahead of schedule at a cost savings of nearly $3 million, despite COVID-19 disruptions. This achievement is owed, in part, to integrated project delivery, sometimes referred to as lean construction. The IPD approach helped teams complete more activities in the pre-construction phase, eliminate waste and adapt in the face of stay-at-home orders and supply chain interruptions.

The primary project team included Sutter Health Facilities and Property Services, Boulder Associates (architect) and Skanska USA Building Inc. (contractor).

Additional information about the services offered can be found at https://www.sutterhealth.org/.

About Sutter Health

Sutter Healths integrated, not-for-profit network of aligned clinicians, employees and volunteers support more than 3 million Northern Californians in communities across 22 counties. The Sutter Health system provides access to high quality, affordable care for through its network of hospitals, medical foundations, ambulatory surgery centers, urgent and walk-in care centers, telehealth, home health and hospice services.



For more information about the Sutter Health network visit: sutterhealth.org | facebook.com/sutterhealth | youtube.com/sutterhealth | twitter.com/sutterhealth.

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Attachments
CALGARY, Alberta, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STEP Energy Services Ltd. (STEP) intends to release its 2023 second quarter results on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 after markets close.



Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis will be posted to STEPs website and SEDAR after the press release is disseminated.

STEP will host a conference call on Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. MT to discuss the results for the second quarter of 2023.

To listen to the webcast of the conference call, please click on the following URL: https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1623985&tp_key=d042f7b434

You can also visit the Investors section of our website at www.stepenergyservices.com and click on Reports, Presentations & Key Dates.

To participate in the Q&A session, please call the conference call operator at: 1-888-886-7786 (toll free) 15 minutes prior to the calls start time and ask for STEP Energy Services Second Quarter 2023 Earnings Results Conference Call.

The conference call will be archived on STEPs website at www.stepenergyservices.com/investors.

ABOUT STEP

STEP is an energy services company that provides coiled tubing, fluid and nitrogen pumping and hydraulic fracturing solutions. Our combination of modern equipment along with our commitment to safety and quality execution has differentiated STEP in plays where wells are deeper, have longer laterals and higher pressures. STEP has a high-performance, safety-focused culture and its experienced technical office and field professionals are committed to providing innovative, reliable and cost-effective solutions to its clients.

Founded in 2011 as a specialized deep capacity coiled tubing company, STEP has grown into a North American service provider delivering completion and stimulation services to exploration and production (E&P) companies in Canada and the U.S. Our Canadian services are focused in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB), while in the U.S., our fracturing and coiled tubing services are focused in the Permian and Eagle Ford in Texas, the Uinta-Piceance and Niobrara-DJ basins in Colorado and the Bakken in North Dakota.

Our four core values; Safety, Trust, Execution and Possibilities inspire our team of professionals to provide differentiated levels of service, with a goal of flawless execution and an unwavering focus on safety.

For more information please contact:
SAN FRANCISCO, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges Xponential Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: XPOF) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.



Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/xpof

Contact An Attorney Now: XPOF@hbsslaw.com

844-916-0895

Xponential Fitness, Inc. (XPOF) Investigation:

The investigation focuses on Xponential Fitness past claims that [t]he foundation of our business is built on strong partnerships with franchisees and [w]e are highly focused on providing franchisees with extensive support to help maximize their performance and enhance their return on investment.

But, on June 26, 2023, analyst Fuzzy Panda Research published a scathing report based in part on interviews with former business partners, franchisees, and employees of Xponential Fitness CEO (Anthony Geisler), concluding the XPOF house of cards is beginning to fall.

With respect to Geisler, Fuzzy Panda's research reveals: (1) Geisler was previously CEO of a reverse merger, pink sheets, pump & dump called Interactive Solutions (INSC) that used Bangkok boiler rooms and (2) former franchisees, and colleagues of Geislers described him as a crook and detailed his many scams and illegal business practices[.]

Fuzzy Panda also found that over 50% of the companys average studios are losing money, 80% of its brands have unprofitable business models, franchisees are giving their studios back to XPOF for $1, more of the worst loss-making transition studios are on XPOFs balance sheet and they have become harder for XPOF to re-sell, and XPOF has closed lots of studios despite managements claim to never closed a single studio.

In response, the price of Xponential shares crashed as much as 42% lower on June 27, 2023.

Were focused on investors losses and whether Xponential lied about its business model and financial metrics, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

If you invested in Xponential Fitness and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman.

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Xponential Fitness should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email XPOF@hbsslaw.com.

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

Contact:

Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895
IRVING, Texas, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gainwell Technologies (Gainwell), a leading innovator in Medicaid technology solutions, ranked number 34 on Fast Companys annual list of 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators. This list honors organizations and businesses that demonstrate an inspiring commitment to encourage and develop innovation at all levels.



Gainwell was recognized for several innovations, including:

Gabby at Gainwell, our conversational AI chat and voice bot thats enabling our contact centers to better serve our clients Medicaid members and their valued providers. This means being able to answer their questions better and more quickly while enabling us to use our agents more efficiently and effectively.

Buildathons that bring together our developers, operations experts and industry partners to design, develop and deliver cutting-edge solutions for our clients in record time. This is what happens when you unleash a diverse group of tech innovators and problem solvers to code and collaborate without boundaries.

Results Accelerators, which are 90-day sprints where employees from around the company at all levels work together in small, self-directed teams to innovate and solve complex challenges. These teams prove that being completely empowered sparks tremendous creativity that directly benefits our clients.



We are honored to be recognized by Fast Company for our innovation, said Gainwell Chairman and CEO Mark Knickrehm. Gainwells presence on this prestigious list is a testament to our people who harness the power of technology and their Medicaid expertise to solve our clients toughest challenges.

To see the complete list of the 2023 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators, go to https://www.fastcompany.com/best-workplaces-for-innovators/list.

About Fast Company

Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc., and can be found online at www.fastcompany.com .

About Gainwell Technologies

Gainwell Technologies is the leading provider of digital and cloud-enabled solutions vital to the administration and operations of health and human services programs. With more than 50 years of proven experience, Gainwell has a reputation for service excellence and unparalleled industry expertise. We offer clients scalable and flexible solutions for their most complex challenges. These capabilities make us a trusted partner for organizations seeking reliability, innovation, and transformational outcomes. Learn more at gainwelltechnologies.com.

CONTACT:

Elizabeth Bonet  Gainwell Technologies

972-556-5082

elizabeth.bonet@gainwelltechnologies.com
New York, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Electric Lunch Boxes Market Report- Global Strategic Analysis, Size, Share, Trend, and Forecast (2022-2029)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06473371/?utm_source=GNW

The future growth has been calculated by taking into account the present growth rate and the overall market size. We have also discussed the alternatives that pose a threat to the growth of the market. In, this report we have categorized the global Electric Lunch Boxes market into segments that are: By Type (Single-layer, Double layer, Multilayer); By Technology (Microwave, Steam) By Application (Food, Drinks, Others); By End User (Households, Commercial); By Distribution Channel (Supermarket Hypermarket, Electric Stores, Online, Others); By Region (North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa)



We have also illustrated the vendor landscape and conducted a detailed analysis of the top five global vendors of the global Electric Lunch Boxes market. The report also presents an analysis of the drivers that enable the growth of the market, the key challenges faced by the vendors and the market as a whole, and the upcoming trends that can have an impact on the market. Marketlook Consulting has collected key data related to the global Electric Lunch Boxes market and analyzed these data using a variety of methods. The market dynamics have been ascertained following a detailed study of the micro, meso and microeconomic indicators in the market. The report is based on in-depth qualitative and quantitative analyses of the global Electric Lunch Boxes market. The qualitative analysis involved the application of various projection and sampling techniques. The qualitative analysis involved primary interviews, surveys and vendor briefings. The data gathered as a result of these processes were validated through experts opinions.



Global Electric Lunch Boxes Market Would Cross USD 0.94 Bn By 2029



Global Electric Lunch Boxes market report provides comprehensive qualitative and quantitative insights on the industry potential, key factors impacting sales and purchase decisions, hotspots, and opportunities available for Electric Lunch Boxes solution providers across the Globe. This report on the global Electric Lunch Boxes market studies the past as well as the current growth trends and opportunities to gain valuable insights of the indicators of the market during the forecast period from 2022 to 2029. The report provides revenue of the global Electric Lunch Boxes for the period 2019-2029, considering 2021 as the base year and 2022-29 as the forecast year. The report also provides the compound annual growth rate (CAGR 6.60%) of the global Electric Lunch Boxes from 2022 to 2029.



Segmental Analysis of Global Electric Lunch Boxes Market Market Study



The global Electric Lunch Boxes market study is segmented based on the various parameters by identifying their business activities, geographical presence, key application areas, end-users, etc., The report covers the market share analysis of all the segments from year 2022-2029. From a strategic point of view, the market outlook covers several frameworks including SWOT Analysis, Value Chain Analysis, and Porters Five Forces Analysis while also offering an evaluation of the Product/Market Lifecycle.



Geographical Coverage of the Global Electric Lunch Boxes Market Study



For a better understanding of the global Electric Lunch Boxes, the market is segmented into geographies such as the North America (U.S, Canada), Europe (U.K, France, Germany, Russia, Italy, Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, Australia, South-Korea, Rest of APAC), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Rest of Latin America), Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, The U.A.E, South Africa, Rest of MEA). The country level analysis in each region is also provided in a very exhaustive manner.



Company Analysis on the Global Electric Lunch Boxes Market Market Study



In the report, the degree of competition among prominent global companies has been elaborated by analyzing several leading key players operating worldwide. The specialist team of research analysis sheds light on various traits such as global market competition, market share, most recent industry advancements, Innovative product launches, partnerships, mergers and acquisition by leading companies in the market. The major players have been analyzed by using research methodologies for getting insight on global competition.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06473371/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
PLANO, Texas, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. David Stager, Jr., a highly respected ophthalmologist known for his commitment to exceptional eye care and patient well-being, is pleased to announce the launch of the prestigious Dr. David Stager Scholarship for Medical Students. This scholarship aims to support and empower aspiring medical professionals in their pursuit of excellence and innovation in the healthcare industry.



With a one-time award of $1,000, the Dr. David Stager Scholarship offers a unique opportunity for current full-time undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a medical degree at accredited universities or colleges in the United States. The scholarship not only provides financial support but also serves as a platform for connecting with experienced medical professionals and making a lasting impact in the field of healthcare.

Applicants for the scholarship must meet the following criteria:

Enrollment: Candidates must be currently enrolled as full-time undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a medical degree at an accredited university or college in the United States.

Academic Achievement: Applicants should possess a strong academic record, demonstrating excellence in their coursework and a deep commitment to their medical studies.

Essay Contest: The scholarship will be awarded based on an essay contest. Applicants must submit a creative and insightful essay of under 1000 words addressing the prompt: "In your opinion, what is the most significant challenge or issue currently facing the healthcare industry, and how do you propose innovative solutions to address it effectively?" We seek individuals who exhibit a profound understanding of the healthcare landscape, exceptional critical thinking skills, and the ability to propose innovative ideas that can positively impact the industry.

Passion for Medicine: We are looking for candidates who demonstrate a genuine passion for the field of medicine and a strong commitment to making a difference in patient care and overall healthcare outcomes.

Leadership Potential: Applicants should exhibit leadership qualities and a track record of involvement in extracurricular activities, community service, or medical organizations.



Dr. David Stager, Jr., the founder of this scholarship, has been a trusted authority in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus for over three decades. His journey in medicine began in Dallas, where he attended St. Mark's School of Texas before completing his undergraduate studies at Southern Methodist University. Driven by a thirst for knowledge and cultural enrichment, he furthered his education with studies in European history in Oxford, Spain, and Paris.

After earning his medical degree and completing his residency in Ophthalmology at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dr. Stager pursued a fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Throughout his illustrious career, he has actively contributed to the advancement of ophthalmology, serving on the Board of Directors of the Retina Foundation of the Southwest and collaborating with nonprofit eye research institutes. Dr. Stager's commitment to making a difference extends globally, as he has served as a Past President and Board member of the Lighthouse for Christ Mission, a charitable ophthalmology hospital in Mombasa, Kenya.

Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply for the Dr. David Stager Scholarship. This prestigious award not only recognizes academic excellence but also rewards individuals with a deep understanding of the healthcare industry and the ability to propose innovative solutions.

The deadline to submit applications for the Dr. David Stager Scholarship is February 15, 2024. The winner will be announced on March 15, 2024, providing ample time for the selection committee to thoroughly evaluate each applicant.

To learn more about the Dr. David Stager Scholarship for Medical Students and to submit an application, please visit the official website at https://drdavidstagerscholarship.com/. We eagerly anticipate receiving applications from talented and passionate medical students and reading their insightful essays.
Phoenix, AZ, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- InnSuites Hospitality Trust (NYSE American: IHT) On July 10, 2023, the Board of Trustees of IHT announced a semi-annual dividend of $0.01 per share, payable on July 31, 2023 to shareholders of record as of July 20, 2023. This announcement continues an uninterrupted 53-year history of annual dividends. InnSuites hotel operations continue strong, while the investment in UniGens diversified efficient clean energy innovation continues to progress.



IHT hotel operations are maintaining their solid start in the current 2024 Fiscal Year (February 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024), First and early Second Fiscal Quarter, reflect both the Tucson Hotel and Albuquerque Hotel achieving record results for the current 2024 Fiscal Year to date (February 1, 2023, through June 30, 2023).

IHT filed its Fiscal 2023 Annual Report and Proxy on July 9th.

The IHT Board approved and notice is hereby given that the Fiscal 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of IHT will be held at the InnSuites Hospitality Trust corporate offices located at 1730 E. Northern Avenue, Suite 122, Phoenix, Arizona 85020 (phone: 602-944-1500) on Wednesday August 16, 2023, at 1:00 P.M., local time. Shareholders of record of IHT at the close of business on July 7, 2023, are entitled to vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

InnSuites Hospitality Trust (IHT), in late 2019, made a diversification investment in new development privately held UniGen Power, Inc. (UniGen), developing a high risk, high profit potential, efficient clean electricity energy generation innovation. The UniGen design is fueled not only with abundant relatively clean natural gas but also with other even cleaner fuels such as ethanol and hydrogen (that emits only water). IHT holds stock, convertible bonds, and warrants that, when fully converted/exercised, could result in IHT holding an approximate 25% ownership stake in UniGen. UniGen has confirmed that prototype design engineering for the UPI 1000TA engine is now complete, with a majority of parts and tooling having been ordered and arriving daily.

Said James Wirth President, CEO, and IHT Board Chairman:

With 2024 Fiscal First Half hospitality revenues reaching record levels, and with continuing progress on the UniGen diversification, IHT management believes that due to real estate held at book values believed to be significantly below current market value and due to the high risk, but also UniGen diversification high profit potential ahead, the IHT future looks bright. In managements opinion IHT stock continues to be undervalued, with IHT extending its stock buyback program.

For more information, visit www.innsuitestrust.com and www.innsuites.com .

Forward-Looking Statements



With the exception of historical information, matters discussed in this news release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements regarding IHTs review and exploration of potential strategic, operational, and structural alternative diversification investments, and expected associated costs and benefits, as well as statements related to continuation of its 52 years of uninterrupted payment of annual dividends, are forward-looking. Actual developments and business decisions may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, that could cause IHTs actual results and future actions to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements include the uncertain outcome, impact, effects and results of IHTs success in finding potential qualified purchasers for its hospitality real estate, or a reverse merger partner, continuation of growth of hospitality revenues and/or profit growth, timely collection of receivables, the success of and timing of the UniGen clean energy diversification innovation, the continuation of semi-annual dividends in the year(s) ahead, and other risks discussed in IHTs SEC filings. IHT expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date hereof, all of which are expressly qualified by the foregoing, other than as required by applicable law.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Marc Berg, Executive Vice President

602-944-1500

email: mberg@innsuites.com

INNSUITES HOTEL CENTRE

1730 E. NORTHERN AVENUE, #122

Phoenix, Arizona 85020

Phone: 602-944-1500
Los Angeles, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Los Angeles, California -

A man traveled thousands of miles, from Boston to Los Angeles, to finally reach sobriety after struggling with addiction. His journey ended with a new beginning at Muse Treatment Center, where he was so happy with the family-like atmosphere he wrote a 5-star review of the program.

My experience at Muse was the best rehab by far, wrote the client, Alan, who underwent rehab at Muses facility in the Westwood area of Los Angeles.

I was nervous at first coming out to California from the east coast, he wrote, but from the moment I landed, I was treated with the best and most respect and great hospitality. When I finally got to the facility, I was treated even greater with their hospitality. All the staff techs care more about their clients and sobriety, not for a paycheck. By far, these have been the best family I ever have had, Gods honest truth. I recommend this place to anyone fighting with addiction.

Muse Treatment is a group of comprehensive substance abuse rehab centers in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California. Programs cover the whole journey toward sobriety, from medically supervised detox to residential and outpatient rehab and continuing through post-treatment follow-up. Clients discover and explore the root causes of their addiction and learn to develop new coping mechanisms for the life struggles that might have contributed to their addiction, to improve their chances of continued sobriety after leaving the center.

Muse uses evidence-based strategies to help clients succeed in their struggles against addiction to alcohol and drugs, including street drugs like heroin and prescription medications like Ativan, Xanax and Ambien. Treatment is also available for co-occurring disorders, in which addiction is accompanied by a mental health disorder such as anxiety or depression. Along with long-established approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy, Muse employs cutting-edge treatments such as neural recovery, which helps individuals recover lost aspects of emotional and cognitive regulation. Muse uses techniques such as neurofeedback and advanced cognitive training to guide clients in regaining the highest levels of functioning at their respective peak potentials. It is part of Muses overarching goal of helping clients learn how to once again live their best lives.

Treatment methods and therapies are individualized to meet each clients unique needs. Muse offers various services for different stages of recovery  from structured, intensive residential care to supportive outpatient communities that are there to help each other as long as it takes. Knowing that the most challenging time for many clients is just after leaving treatment, when they are most vulnerable to resuming substance use, Muse offers 24/7 relapse prevention skills.

Muses customized approach to rehab is one of the ways the program stands apart from others. Each persons addiction experience is different, and their recovery experience should be too.

After admission to treatment, each client is assigned to a team of specialists who design a treatment program specific to their mental and physical needs. These dedicated professionals also stand apart from those at other treatment programs, and Alans high praise of those who helped him is not uncommon among graduates of the program. Treatment is delivered compassionately and thoughtfully by medical professionals, behavioral health specialists, experts in addiction treatment and fully licensed and credentialed therapists  all chosen for their experience and training but also for their ability to understand and support clients on each step of the recovery journey.

https://youtu.be/7IPvGho0P0s

Anyone seeking comprehensive treatment of alcohol dependence or other substance use disorders for themselves or a loved one can start by visiting Muse Treatment or calling 866-634-6111.

###

For more information about Muse Treatment, contact the company here:



Muse Treatment

(800) 426-1818

1251 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Rio Tinto and Sumitomo Corporation will build a first-of-a-kind hydrogen plant in Gladstone as part of a A$111.1 million program aimed at lowering carbon emissions from the alumina refining process.

The Yarwun Hydrogen Calcination Pilot Demonstration Program received the green light after a A$32.1 million co-funding boost from the federal government's Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

The program is aimed at demonstrating the viability of using hydrogen in the calcination process, where hydrated alumina is heated to temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees Celsius.

It involves construction of a hydrogen plant at the refinery and the retrofit of refinery processing equipment. If successful, the program could pave the way for adoption of the technology at scale globally.

Rio Tinto Aluminium Pacific Operations Managing Director Armando Torres said "This pilot plant is an important step in testing whether hydrogen can replace natural gas in Queensland alumina refineries.

"At Rio Tinto we have put the energy transition at the heart of our business strategy, and this is one of the ways we're working towards decarbonising our operations.

"We are proud to be developing this new technology here in Gladstone, in partnership with Sumitomo Corporation, and with support from ARENA."

The project will consist of construction of a 2.5MW on-site electrolyser to supply hydrogen to the Yarwun refinery and a retrofit of one of Yarwun's four calciners so it can operate at times with a hydrogen burner.

The trial is expected to produce the equivalent of about 6,000 tonnes of alumina per year while reducing Yarwun's carbon dioxide emissions by about 3,000 tonnes per year.

Converting the entire plant to green hydrogen could reduce emissions by 500,000 tonnes per year, which is the equivalent of taking about 109,000 internal combustion engine cars off the road.

Construction will start in 2024. The hydrogen plant and calciner are expected to be in operation by 2025.

Sumitomo Corporation will own and operate the electrolyser at Yarwun site and supply the hydrogen to Rio Tinto directly. The electrolyser will have a production capacity of more than 250 tonnes of hydrogen annually.

Sumitomo Corporation Energy Innovation Initiative Director, Seiji Kitajima said "We are excited to be delivering this hydrogen project together with Rio Tinto as our long-term partner with the support of ARENA.

"Demonstrating real-world applications of hydrogen in industrial settings with motivated partners is essential to reducing carbon emissions and working toward our company's vision of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Through this demonstration, Sumitomo Corporation aims to venture into the commercialisation project to contribute to Rio Tinto's decarbonisation."

"Sumitomo Corporation is proud to be working on yet another hydrogen project in Australia and contributing to Australia's own emission reductions goals."

The pilot plant follows the success of a A$1.2 million feasibility study co-funded by Rio Tinto and ARENA that was announced in 2021.

Rio Tinto is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and has targets to reduce Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 50% by 2030 from 2018 levels.

About Sumitomo Corporation

Sumitomo Corporation ("SC") is a leading Fortune 500 global trading and business investment company with 129 locations (Japan:20, Overseas:109) in 66 countries and regions. The entire SC Group consists of more than 900 companies. SC conducts commodity transactions in all industries utilising worldwide networks, provides customers with financing, serves as an organiser and a coordinator for various projects, and invests in companies to promote greater growth potential. SC's core business areas include six business units: Metal Products; Transportation & Construction Systems; Infrastructure; Media & Digital; Living Related & Real Estate; and Mineral Resources, Energy, Chemical & Electronics, and one initiative: Energy Innovation. Sumitomo Corporation established a new business organisation entitled the Energy Innovation Initiative (EII) in April 2021 which will carry this Gladstone project. In order to greatly contribute to the achievement of our long-term goals toward climate change mitigation, "Carbon neutralisation in 2050" and "Realisation of a sustainable energy cycle", we will accelerate our efforts for the materialisation of a hydrogen society by promoting hydrogen related businesses.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230711418008/en/

Contact

Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com

Media Relations, United Kingdom

Matthew Klar

M +44 7796 630 637

David Outhwaite

M +44 7787 597 493

Media Relations, Americas

Simon Letendre

M +1 514 796 4973

Malika Cherry

M +1 418 592 7293

Media Relations, Australia

Matt Chambers

M +61 433 525 739

Jesse Riseborough

M +61 436 653 412

Alyesha Anderson

M +61 434 868 118

Investor Relations, United Kingdom

Menno Sanderse

M +44 7825 195 178

David Ovington

M +44 7920 010 978

Danielle Smith

M +44 7788 190 672

Investor Relations, Australia

Tom Gallop

M +61 439 353 948

Amar Jambaa

M +61 472 865 948

Rio Tinto Plc

6 St James's Square

London SW1Y 4AD

United Kingdom

T +44 20 7781 2000

Registered in England

No. 719885

Rio Tinto Ltd.

Level 43, 120 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Australia

T +61 3 9283 3333

Registered in Australia

ABN 96 004 458 404

riotinto.com

Category: General
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES./

TSX Venture Exchange: BSK

Frankfurt Stock Exchange: MAL2

OTCQB Venture Market (OTC): BKUCF

VANCOUVER, July 12, 2023 - Blue Sky Uranium Corp. (TSXV: BSK) (FSE: MAL2) (OTC: BKUCF), ("Blue Sky" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has closed the oversubscribed 2nd and final tranche of the non-brokered private placement financing announced on June 8, 2023, consisting of 7,861,032 units in this tranche at a price of $0.075 per unit for gross proceeds of $589,577.40. In total the Company issued 21,333,333 units for total gross proceeds of $1,600,000.

Each unit consists of one common share and one transferrable common share purchase warrant (the "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one additional common share in the capital of the Company at $0.12 per share for three years from the date of issue, expiring on July 12, 2026, in this 2nd and final tranche.

The Units issued under the Offering were offered to purchasers pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption ("LIFE") under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions in all the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, and in certain other jurisdictions pursuant to applicable securities laws. The LIFE Units will not be subject to resale restrictions pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. There is an offering document relating to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.blueskyuranium.com.

In this tranche, finder's fees of $40,062.92 were paid in cash on a portion of the private placement to parties at arm's length to the Company. In addition, 534,172 non-transferable finder's warrants were issued (the "Finder's Warrant"). Each Finder's Warrant entitles a finder to purchase one common share at a price of $0.075 per share for three years from the date of issue, expiring on July 12, 2026. In total, cash finder's fees of $84,636.82 were paid and 1,128,490 Finder's Warrants were issued. The news release dated June 19, 2023 had an incorrect exercise price of $0.12 for the Finder's Warrants. The correct exercise price is $0.075 for the Finder's Warrants.

The proceeds of the financing will be used for exploration programs on the Company's projects in Argentina and for general working capital.

Closing of the Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including but not limited to, the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange").

Further to a news release dated July 10, 2023 announcing the engagement of Investing News Network, the $32,400 for the services will be paid equally during the term of the agreement.

About Blue Sky Uranium Corp.

Blue Sky Uranium Corp. is a leader in uranium discovery in Argentina. The Company's objective is to deliver exceptional returns to shareholders by rapidly advancing a portfolio of surficial uranium deposits into low-cost producers, while respecting the environment, the communities, and the cultures in all the areas in which we work. Blue Sky has the exclusive right to properties in two provinces in Argentina. The Company's flagship Amarillo Grande Project was an in-house discovery of a new district that has the potential to be both a leading domestic supplier of uranium to the growing Argentine market and a new international market supplier. The Company is a member of the Grosso Group, a resource management group that has pioneered exploration in Argentina since 1993.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Nikolaos Cacos"

______________________________________

Nikolaos Cacos, President, CEO and Director

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The securities offered were not, nor will they be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent U.S. federal and state registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities in the United States.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, statements about the closing of the Offering, the Company's plans for its mineral properties; the Company's business strategy, plans and outlooks; the future financial or operating performance of the Company; and future exploration and operating plans are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and, even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: the impact of COVID-19; risks and uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary approvals, including Exchange approval for the closing of the Offering, the ability to obtain, amend, or maintain licenses, permits, or surface rights; risks associated with technical difficulties in connection with mining activities; and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Readers are encouraged to refer to the Company's public disclosure documents for a more detailed discussion of factors that may impact expected future results. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, unless required pursuant to applicable laws.

SOURCE Blue Sky Uranium Corp.
MELBOURNE, July 12, 2023 - AustralianSuper announces that it subscribed for 90,618,895 ordinary shares ("Shares") on 21 November 2022, 40,658,710 Shares on 7 December 2022 and a further 114,968,005 Shares on 7 July 2023 in the capital of Jervois Global Ltd. (ASX: JRV) (TSXV: JRV) ("Jervois"), such that immediately following the third subscription, AustralianSuper held a total of 498,961,140 (or approximately 20.65%) of the issued and outstanding Shares in Jervois.

The Shares were acquired pursuant to private placements and entitlement offers by Jervois to institutional and sophisticated investors. The 7 July 2023 purchase price per Share was AUD0.06/ CAD0.053 for an aggregate total purchase consideration of AUD6.9 million/CAD6.1 million.

The head office of Jervois is located at Suite 2.03, 1-11 Gordan Street, Cremorne, Victoria, 3121, Australia.

AustralianSuper acquired the Shares for investment purposes in the normal course of its business and not with the purpose of influencing the control or direction of Jervois.

AustralianSuper has also sub-underwritten the retail component of Jervois' Entitlement Offer (up to AUD10.6 million / CAD9.38 million), which will leave it with a maximum post Entitlement Offer shareholding in Jervois of 25%.

In addition, AustralianSuper may in the future, subject to market conditions, make additional investments in or dispositions of Jervois' securities for investment purposes.

This news release is issued by AustralianSuper pursuant to National Instrument 62-104 Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids of the Canadian Securities Administrators. AustralianSuper will file a report in respect of its acquisition of Shares with the applicable securities commission or securities regulator in each Canadian jurisdiction in which Jervois is a reporting issuer. A copy of the report may be obtained from Andrew Lazar (phone: +61 3 9089 1634) at Level 30/130 Lonsdale Street Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia. AustralianSuper has also made the necessary disclosures on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).

About AustralianSuper

AustralianSuper is Australia's largest superannuation fund and is regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. AustralianSuper manages A$300 billion in members' retirement savings on behalf of more than 3.1 million members from more than 448,000 businesses.

SOURCE AustralianSuper
Here's a troubling statistic: According to the latest Gallup report on state and local government workers' engagement, a median of only 29 percent of them are engaged at work. What's worse, 17 percent of public workers are "actively disengaged." Those employees are "busy acting out their unhappiness," in Gallup's words, undermining the accomplishments of their engaged co-workers.Some disengaged employees leave. The real problem is the ones who stay. Many of them are mentally leaving their workplaces long before they exit the building for good. These quit-and-stay employees are particularly toxic. Their negative attitudes and poor work habits are highly contagious, resulting too often in customer frustration and anger, poor quality of services and decreased team performance. Cells of disengaged workers can create a cancerous effect on the overall health of an organization.Employee engagement should be a top priority for public-sector executives who, by failing to build trust and develop their employees, are contributing to the problem. Having a high-performing workforce is fundamental to performance and organizational viability. An engaged workforce can increase innovation, productivity and overall performance. A disengaged workforce can be counted on to undermine those goals.A variety of researchers have explored the issue of worker engagement, and while they have approached it in somewhat different ways, nearly all agree on a few key elements: The more engaged an employee is, the more proactive he or she is likely to be when approaching a task, willing to go the extra mile when serving a customer, creative in problem-solving, open to taking ownership over his or her job, likely to explore root causes when things go wrong, and encouraged to think strategically.Clearly, while high employee engagement doesn't guarantee high organizational performance, there is a strong linkage. Here are six actions an organization's leader can take to improve employee engagement:The entire recruiting process is an opportunity to engage with future employees. Make sure to include in job ads the reasons the position exists, the desired qualities of the ideal candidate ("an adventurer who embraces change and wants to make a difference," perhaps), and what the organization's mission is ("to improve the quality of life for our residents and build a strong, vibrant community"). A candidate who believes in an organization's mission and the importance of the position being sought is more likely to become engaged.When employees know the context and overarching purpose of their work, they tend to approach it with a clearer sense of purpose and meaning. Research shows that a clear line of sight between an employee's work and the organization's strategic objectives is a driver of positive behavior.The process for setting goals, providing meaningful and timely feedback, and holding employees accountable is essential. There's no substitute for a well designed and well executed performance management process.Leaders need to be perceived as caring about their people's success, seeking to understand each person's strengths and providing employees with every opportunity to use those strengths. Great managers empower their employees by creating and sustaining a trusting working partnership.In some ways, a job and an employer are like a car. People who don't treat their careers like a rental car but instead like their own vehicle are more engaged in their work and believe that they are responsible for their own success. Creating a sense of personal efficacy is crucial to a fully engaged workforce.More than helping employees build the skills they need to do their jobs and increase their promotability, it also communicates the organization's values and its belief in a worker's potential.Nurturing employee engagement should be woven into managers' own performance expectations, and they need to be able to execute on those expectations. It won't be easy to get that 29 percent statistic up to where it ought to be, but the payoff in performance will be worth the effort. Disengaged employees stay for what theyfrom the organization. Engaged workers stay for what they can
Summary of Major Findings

Fine and Forfeiture Revenue Data

Interpreting the Data

Whats Included

Whats Not Included

More Information

All throughout the country, select cities and towns generate substantial fines and other court revenues that fund sizable portions of their budgets. Some are known for issuing lots of speeding tickets. Others raise revenues from parking citations, municipal ordinance violations or traffic cameras.Five years ago, the issue of excessive fines and fees gained national attention following the civil unrest in Ferguson, Mo., and reports that many St. Louis area municipalities prioritized generating revenues from their courts. No reliable national data quantifying fine revenues for individual governments exists, however.To better understand the extent to which local governments rely on fines,conducted the largest analysis of fine revenues to date, constructing a database from thousands of annual financial audits and reports filed to state agencies. We found that for hundreds of mostly small cities and towns, fines are a critical source of funding, at times accounting for more than half of all general revenues.Court revenues make up only a small portion of funding for the vast majority of governments. For the cities and towns relying heavily on fines, though, multiple headwinds could pose problems. Mounting legal and political movements are targeting cuts to fines and court fees. The eventual proliferation of autonomous vehicles and improvements in driver technology could further one day drastically reduce traffic fines. For these and other reasons, its an open question as to whether the financial viability of governments most dependent on fines could be threatened over the long term.Our analysis of financial statements found the following for all cities, towns and counties reporting fines and other court revenues of at least $100,000:Fines and forfeitures account for more than 10 percent of general fund revenues for nearly 600 jurisdictions. In at least 284 of those, the share exceeded 20 percent, the threshold set by Missouri in its post-Ferguson reforms. Another 80 governments reported even higher fines accounting for more than half of general revenues.: When fine and forfeiture revenues in all governmental funds are considered, more than 720 localities reported annual revenues exceeding $100 for every adult resident, while 363 exceeded $200 per adult.A select group of states are home to the majority of localities with relatively high fine revenues, while they're mostly absent elsewhere. We found they're most common in Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, New York, Oklahoma and Texas. ( See state totals .)Laws in a few states limit revenues that localities generate from fines. But we found some governments still exceeded revenues caps in Georgia and Missouri.Jurisdictions relying more on fines to fund their budgets have often sustained decades of economic decline, leaving them with weak tax bases. Those where fines and forfeitures accounted for more than 20 percent of general fund revenues recorded a median household income of only $39,594. Research suggests police favor local residents when writing traffic tickets. At least 124 jurisdictions we reviewed recorded annual fine revenues exceeding $500 per capita, suggesting out-of-towners are likely funding much of the budgets.Theres no national standard for fine revenues, and states with revenue limits set varying caps for their local governments. One common metric is fines as a percentage of total general fund revenues, which excludes utility services and other activities unrelated to general operations. Some governments allocate fines outside their general funds, often into separate police or court funds. To account for this, we also consider per capita fine revenues.The following map shows 840 jurisdictions with relatively high fine or court revenues compared to other localities. Each government met at least one of two criteria: fines and court revenues accounted for more than 10 percent of general revenues, or revenues exceeded $100 per adult resident. Most governments shown met both criteria.Governments report fine revenues differently and, while similar, are not always comparable across jurisdictions. Some include fees and other court expenses, while others do not. Fine revenues shown in the map are listed as they are defined in each governments financial statement. In some cases, governments may report fine revenue collected but not actually retained by the government. Cities may count portions of fines or fees remitted to state agencies, for instance, without subtracting them out in their financial statements. We attempted to note governments where revenues are likely reported this way, but financial statements generally make no distinction. (See note for each locality.)It's helpful to consider both the general revenue share and per capita rate when assessing a government's court revenues. Some not relying much on fines recorded relatively high rates of fines per adult resident because of their very small populations, for instance. Also, note that the presented data is not intended to approximate numbers of traffic tickets or other citations issued. In California and other states, most money collected from fines and fees is routed to the state government rather than to the locality, for example. ( Read methodology .)We compiled financial data for cities, towns, counties and other general-purpose governments in every state. Information was recorded from the most recently completed annual financial audit or financial statement filed to state agencies as of this summer, typically FY 2018 or FY 2017. While our data should reflect the vast majority of all governments reporting at least $100,000 in fines that meet our revenue thresholds for reporting, they do not include all governments.Our primary revenue measure is defined to include fines, punitive fees, other court revenues and forfeitures. The majority of governments simply report fines or fines and forfeitures line items in their financial statements. Others report line items that appear to be broader, such as court revenues. Non-punitive fees and charges for services were excluded.Governments reporting less than $100,000 in fines or other court revenues were excluded from our analysis. Revenue data for some governments was unavailable as their financial statements didnt report line items for fines or court revenues, or aggregated them with unrelated revenues. A number of additional governments without financial audits posted online did not respond to requests for information, including many in Alabama, Kentucky and Texas. For these reasons, our numbers of governments represent underestimates.
2012 Rank City Walk Car Public Transportation Bike/Taxi/Other Work from Home 1 Cambridge, Mass. 24.5% 34.5% 24.5% 10% 6.5% 2 Columbia, S.C. 20.7% 71.6% 2.2% 1.4% 4% 3 Berkeley, Calif. 18.1% 40.3% 20.6% 9.4% 11.6% 4 Ann Arbor, Mich. 15.5% 63.3% 10% 5.1% 6.1% 5 Boston, Mass. 15.5% 43.8% 34.6% 2.8% 3.3% 6 Provo, Utah 12.2% 75.5% 1.8% 5.9% 4.6% 7 Washington, D.C. 11.9% 39.7% 38.6% 5.2% 4.6% 8 New Haven, Conn. 11.2% 67% 15.3% 4.8% 1.7% 9 Syracuse, N.Y. 11% 73.4% 9.4% 3% 3.2% 10 Providence, R.I. 10.8% 69.6% 9.2% 5.3% 5%

City 2007-2012 Walk Change 2007 Walk Commuters Share 2012 Walk Commuters Share Fayetteville, N.C. 3.7 1.7% 5.4% Portland, Ore. 2.6 4.4% 6.9% Boston, Mass. 2.1 13.3% 15.5% Atlanta, Ga. 2.1 3.8% 5.9% Cleveland, Ohio 1.8 3.8% 5.6% Tacoma, Wash. 1.7 1.9% 3.7% Fort Wayne, Ind. 1.6 0.5% 2.1% Chattanooga, Tenn. 1.6 1.9% 3.5% Seattle, Wash. 1.6 8.3% 9.9% Santa Rosa, Calif. 1.6 2.3% 3.8% Providence, R.I. 1.5 9.3% 10.8%
Audi slashes non-F1 racing programs from 2024

Audi appears to be getting very serious about its Formula 1 program - as the VW-owned German carmaker slashes its other motor racing activities.

Valtteri Bottas, British GP 2023

 Alfa Romeo

With the marque entering F1 via a buyout of the Sauber team by 2026, Audi's motorsport boss Rolf Michl said there will be no more financial support for customer teams in DTM or endurance racing.

Motorsoprt-magazin.com said the management board made the decision on Monday, and since then Audi's customer support boss Chris Reinke has been informing teams, drivers and partners.

The move comes shortly after it emerged that Audi CEO Markus Duesmann will be replaced by successor Gernot Dollner from September 1.

The board has reportedly also decided to end Audi's works Dakar rally program, involving Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz's father and namesake, after 2024.

With this decision, Audi will effectively only have Formula 1 in its portfolio for the coming years as professionally-operated or factory-supported motorsport, said correspondents Robert Seiwert and Arno Wester.

Audi's racing boss Michl explained that customer teams will still be able to race with their own budgets.

Audi customer racing will not be liquidated or closed, he said.

"We have received approval for all aspects - technical support, the spare parts service on site and the entire customer care, which has distinguished us for years.

"But there is the very clear decision that, with the focus on entering Formula 1 in 2026, there will unfortunately no longer be any financial support for the teams from our side from 2024.
De Vries out, Ricciardo in

Scuderia AlphaTauri announces that Daniel Ricciardo will be joining the team on for the remainder of the Formula 1 season, starting from the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix, replacing Nyck de Vries.

Danial Ricciardo, British GP 2023

 Red Bull

Team Principal Franz Tost said, Im very pleased to welcome Daniel back into the team. Theres no doubt about his driving skill, and he already knows many of us, so his integration will be easy and straight-forward. The team will also profit a lot from his experience, as he is an eight-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner. I would like to thank Nyck for his valuable contribution during his time with Scuderia AlphaTauri, and I wish him all the best for the future.

Daniel Ricciardo said, Im stoked to be back on track with the Red Bull family!
Macron gives green light for French GP revival

French president Emmanuel Macron has given a green light to the revival of the country's Formula 1 race.

Yuki Tsunoda, Frecnh GP 2022

 Red Bull

After the race at Paul Ricard fell off the calendar after last year's race, new circuit boss Jean Alesi said the event lacked the support of the French president.

The presidents of other countries are honoured to have the event on their territory, said the former Ferrari driver.

I think he (Macron) has other priorities, Alesi added.

At the same time, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said he was open to talks at the highest level.

If president Macron wants to talk, I will be there, he told L'Equipe.

Now, Nice-Matin newspaper is reporting that Macron has indeed opened the door to the revival of a grand prix.

He has reportedly done that by empowering the leading figure behind the defunct event at Paul Ricard, Christian Estrosi, who doubles as the major of Nice.

It is believed a street race on the Cote d'Azur is now on the cards for 2025, after Estrosi wrote Macron a letter and the French president agreed that F1 is an issue of attractiveness for our country .

Be certain that I fully share your ambition, Macron reportedly wrote in reply.

As you (Estrosi) underline, our country must be able, like the other major international sporting events that it organises each year, to reconnect with Formula 1 for the pleasure of all, the letter added.

It is a challenge of attractiveness for our country, of the influence of our automotive industry, and of innovation to support the decarbonisation of this sector.

Macron therefore empowered Estrosi with a mission together with French motorsport federation boss Nicolas Deschaux, to study the different possible location options on the national territory .
New Alpine F1 boss denies he will replace Szafnauer

The new vice president of Alpine's racing programs has denied he will effectively replace current Formula 1 team boss Otmar Szafnauer.

Esteban Ocon, British GP 2023

 Alpine

Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi recently launched a blistering attack on the Enstone and Viry-based team's progress in 2023 - shortly before selling 24 percent of the team to a US-based investor group.

In his attack, Rossi singled out new-in-2022 team boss Szafnauer as having responsibility for Alpine's sluggish progress - and now former FIA official Bruno Famin has been put in a position that reports not to Szafnauer, but directly to Rossi.

When asked about his promotion, Famin said Rossi's goal is to free up time by delegating the entire motorsport portfolio.

As for whether it disempowers Szafnauer, he told L'Equipe: "It doesn't change anything for him.

He is the team principal of the team. Only his boss changes but his function remains.

Famin also denied that his move is to specifically address Alpine's struggles in F1.

No, the Frenchman added. "We've been discussing this with Laurent for some time. It's not in reaction to anything.

It's just the normal evolution of the brand structure, Famin said.

At the same time, he acknowledges that Alpine's difficulties in F1 add to the pressure of his new role.

The pressure, there is always some, he said. But you have to be sure that it is good pressure, not bad. But for me, it's good, I like working under pressure.

Famin continued: "Even if all of our projects are important, F1 remains the priority program because its impact is much greater than all the other disciplines.

There is a lot to do in Formula 1 so it will be quite logical that I devote the most time to it.

He also acknowledged that the recent shakeups at Alpine will be no silver bullet in terms of achieving the team's ultimate goal - race wins and the title.

If there was a recipe for winning races, everyone would know it and everyone would apply it, said Famin. It's also a question of time - it doesn't happen overnight.

One slight tweak is that Alpine's earlier 100-race target for regularly winning races may have now been scrapped by Famin.
Having butt enlargement will not make you a wife - Kanayo O. Kanayo

Edith Mensah Showbiz News Jul - 11 - 2023 , 18:49

Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O Kanayo says that many women are putting their lives at risk by going for butt enlargement when men look beyond that to settle for a wife.

In a viral video sighted by Graphic Showbiz, the actor who shot to prominence for his ritualist roles said many women have been deceived to undergo surgeries to enhance their bodies particularly their butts, for the erroneous impression that men appreciate women with huge backsides.

He described such notions as baseless, for the most part that the men were rather drawn to women who offered something valuable other than possession big bums.

He pointed out that if they were good, husbands would finance their wives to have them but it appears only boyfriends were pushing their partners to have them.

Kanayo O Kanayo said he has been forced to publicly condemn it following an unfortunate incident that claimed the life of a lady in the US who had an infection and subsequently, died from surgery complications.

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I am angry, physically and spiritually. A doctor friend in the US told me that a patient, very beautiful lady came in to the hospital after she had this Bum Bum enlargement and she had infection. And her boyfriend who caused her to go through that surgery came into the ward and the next thing was to signal that something was smelling saying he cant stay there. Few days later the girl died from infection of the procedure.

If Bum Bum enlargement was profitable, why are husbands not giving their wives money to do it.? Bum Bum enlargement is like boyfriend/ girlfriend relationship in Secondary School, not up to the 3% end in marriage. Sadly, this Bum thing many of the ladies do not end as wives. 

Click on link below to watch video
Why my marriage to Chris Attoh crashed  Actress, Damilola Adegbite

Daily Post Showbiz News Jul - 12 - 2023 , 08:00

Popular Nigerian movie star, Damilola Adegbite, has revealed why her marriage to her Ghanaian colleague, Chris Attoh, hit the rocks.

Damilola and Chris, who met on the set of the soap opera Tinsel, married privately in Ghana in 2015, after welcoming a son together in 2014.

The couple parted ways in September 2017.

In a chat with popular media personality, Chude Jideonwo, Damilola said her marriage crashed because love is not enough.

She said, Love is not enough. When you meet somebody and you want to spend your life with them, love is just one of the qualities that you need. But it is not everything.

The thespian said she does not regret divorcing her ex-husband.

She said the only regard she has for Chris Attoh is that he is the father of her son.

Read also: Having butt enlargement will not make you a wife - Kanayo O. Kanayo
A country where everyone obeys the rules

Elizabeth Ohene Opinion Jul - 12 - 2023 , 08:46

Someone told me in London when I said I was going to Botswana that the capital, Gaborone, was: a bit of a backwater, dont expect anything flashy.

This was in 1987.

Gaborone, circa 1987 would probably fit the backwater definition as an isolated or peaceful place where nothing spoils the tranquillity, and yes, compared to the West Africans I was used to, the people were much quieter, laid back and everything was low key.

But the backwater definition as a place where no development or progress was taking place, would have been a sad and totally wrong reading of the Botswana I landed in, on the last leg of my three-country duty trip for the BBC back in 1987.

It was probably true that there was nothing flashy.

They are not flashy in Botswana.

But I am getting ahead of myself, as usual.

Let us get to the morning after my arrival in Gaborone, I am guest of a Ghanaian couple, the man is a senior Ghanaian civil servant on official attachment with the Botswana government.

The BBC Focus on Africa stringer, a male, white Botswana national, is showing me around town and telling me about the place.

I ask him if he thought I would be able to get an interview with the President.

No harm in asking, he said and proceeded to talk to me about President Ketumile Quett Masire.

If he is in town and it is a working day, you can be sure that he will be at his desk at 7.45am, which is when work starts.

The President is at his desk at 7.45am every day? I quizzed.

Please ask anyone, or better still, go to the Presidents office on any working day and check it out for yourself, the stringer told me.

I did get an interview with President Masire, he was puzzled I found it strange he was at his desk when work is supposed to start.

I expect everyone to obey the rules and I also obey them, he said with that trademark, high-pitched laugh of his that I was to cherish for many years afterwards.

This question of obeying the rules came up over and over again, throughout my six-day stay in the country.

My Ghanaian host told me everybody obeyed rules in Botswana and backed the assertion with the story of a very senior Ghanaian legal officer who had been on attachment to the Botswana public office.

He was given an official vehicle and a driver.

At the end of his first day at work, the driver took him home at 4pm, which was the end of the working day and told him politely he was going to park the car in the office and see him the next morning at 7am to take him to work.

The Ghanaian official told the driver he wasnt yet done for the day and they then went to visit friends and other places until much later in the evening when the driver finally dropped him at home and went to park the car.

Over weekends, the driver was asked to come and take the official around and this became the routine throughout the two years attachment period.

Nothing extraordinary, you might say with your Ghanaian and maybe West African background.

At the end of the officials attachment period, a log book was brought out by the driver in which was documented every time the vehicle had been used after 4pm on a weekday and any time it had been used over a weekend.

He was charged for the use of the car and the driver during the unauthorised periods and by the time the calculations were concluded, and the money was deducted from his exit package, our compatriot had nothing left.

These people are serious here and rigorous with their rules, my Ghanaian host told me in awe.

The rule was an official car could only be used between 7am and 4pm on a working day and the only exemption at the time was the President of the Republic.

Everyone else, including Ministers of State, the Vice-President, all public servants, no matter how senior, were bound by this rule and obeyed it without question and I remember how puzzled they all were that I was surprised they all obeyed the rule.

Diamonds

At this time, diamonds had been discovered and the giant diamond company, De Beers from South Africa had teamed up and was operating in the country as Debswana, but cattle was the main livelihood and economic lifeline for Botswana.

As the saying went, there were more cattle than human beings in the country.

Almost everyone had a cattle farm and they were exporting beef on a large scale to Europe.

I spent a happy day at a huge, modern cattle farm, and a fascinating day at the offices of Debswana.

De Beers was made to build a sorting house in Gaborone where the diamonds were graded before being sent to De Beers in London, and President Masire was especially proud he had also insisted the Batswana people were trained in sorting and evaluating diamonds.

The President was famous for his commitment and investment in education and in health, and it showed dividends during the AIDS crisis, when Botswana funded its own programme while other African countries had to rely on international aid.

Botswana was very much in the firing line in the wars against apartheid, surrounded as it was, by white-ruled countries, to the east, Rhodesia, (Zimbabwe) to the west, South West Africa, (Namibia).

It provided a quiet, safe haven for freedom fighters and stood up to the inevitable intimidation from apartheid South Africa.

The Botswana currency is called the Pula, which means water in the Setswana language.

In a country that is mostly desert, it was easy to understand why they called their money Water.

It was the only country in Africa I went to in those days and probably still today, where there was no anxiety about foreign exchange.

Nobody hankered after US dollars or British pounds or any European currency, they had confidence in their Pula and it reigned supreme.

Incident

My Botswana story cannot be complete without the it is your hair incident.

I am at the reception of the Gaborone Sun, which was the main top hotel in town and I am leaning on the reception desk talking with one of the front desk officers.

Suddenly I feel someone grab my hair from the back.

(I had at this time thick, long, black hair and wore it hanging down my neck.)

My hair is pulled violently and I stagger and turned around to see what was going on.

There stood a youngish woman staring at her empty hand and talking more to herself than to me in shock and seeming disbelief: it is your hair!

Of course, it is my hair, what did you think and what have I done to you that you have pulled my hair so violently?

She kept muttering: it is your hair, it is your hair, I have never seen so much hair on a black womans head, it is your hair.

I didnt know whether to laugh or to cry.

I decided maybe this was part of the backwater designation.

Between the cattle farms, the day at Debswana, the use of official vehicles, the President at his desk at 7.45am, the total disinterest in the US dollar and the confidence in the Pula, and the laugh of President Quett Masire, I accepted the it is your hair incident as a comedy break and left Botswana, totally hooked on the country and its people.

To this day, it remains one of my favourite countries.
HAIKOU  As the summer sun sets, the alluring fragrance of Yurui flowers becomes irresistible to tourists, drawing them to explore the village of Qili on the island province of Hainan. Yurui, a species of Barringtonia racemosa, is a tree that produces white, pink and red flowers. It usually blooms at night from May to September and has a delicate fragrance. Famous during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Yurui is now rare in most parts of China due to climate change and the vicissitudes of the dynasties. It mainly grows in southern China. Spanning an area of over 27 hectares, the Yurui forest in Qili, located in Danzhou city, boasts more than 10,000 trees. Most of them are over 800 years old, and the tallest stands 15 meters. "It's my first time seeing the beautiful and unique Yurui flowers blooming at night. I never expected to find such a culturally rich and pleasant village in Hainan," said Wang Xiaozhen, a visitor from central China's Henan province. The village was founded over 1,300 years ago. According to genealogical records, the ancestors of the villagers migrated mainly from China's central plain area and settled in Qili, bringing Yurui seeds with them. The Yurui forest in Qili is an irreplaceable freshwater wetland in Hainan, said Liao Baowen, a researcher at the Research Institute of Tropical Forestry under the Chinese Academy of Forestry. Liao has conducted several on-site studies on Qili's Yurui trees. In February, China issued the "No 1 Central Document" for 2023, the first policy statement released by the central authorities each year, calling for efforts to advance rural vitalization across the board and ceaselessly strive for the modernization of agriculture and rural areas. The stunning Yurui blooms have now injected vitality into the development of tourism in Qili, giving impetus to its rural vitalization efforts. Curious tourists flock to Qili at nightfall, immersing themselves in its illuminated landscape and enchanting ambience. The Yurui trees thrive along the riverbed and banks of a clear stream surrounding the village, while lanterns decorated with poetic verses and wooden plaques praising the trees enhance the atmosphere. With the massive influx of tourists, village officials have seized the opportunity to develop Yurui products, aiming to expand the local tourism economy. He Yaozhu, an official in the village, said that various items made using fresh Yurui flowers, including coasters, keychains and car ornaments, were much sought-after during the village's cultural festival. Other products, such as handmade soaps and scented candles, will be produced, the official added. Days ago, the inaugural Yurui cultural festival in Qili attracted eight companies that have expressed their intention to invest, covering sectors such as agriculture, fishing and tourism. These companies could launch 34 projects with a total investment value of approximately 10.58 billion yuan ($1.47 billion). Villager Jin Zhifang has witnessed the booming tourism industry in Qili. All of the more than 20 rooms in his four-story guesthouse were booked during his trial operations in May. More young people are returning to the village to become entrepreneurs or seek employment. "I've chosen veterinary medicine as my major and plan to come back to work in my hometown after graduation," said local He Fenglou, who just received an admissions notice from a university in Anhui province in eastern China. Xinhua
Visiting my unusual friend, Dampare - Ocassional Kwatriot Kwesi Yankah writes

Kwesi Yankah Opinion Jul - 12 - 2023 , 08:52

They call him Dr George Akuffo Dampare, Ghanas Inspector General of Police. I decided to pay him a visit last Tuesday, and test his body language since becoming a big man. There are several friends who, as soon as their appointment has been announced at midday, begin waving at you from a distance by evening, and with their left hand! In the village, offended peers would refer to your distant hand wave as, he has harvested me like plantain. A sign of arrogance.

Our very first encounter was 2018, when I was also a big man, a minister they call it. He came to my office a couple of times as Commissioner of Police, representing his boss the IGP, for an official meeting. The meeting over, I asked myself whether the young mans demeanor was normal. Overly courteous, polite to a fault, soft spoken, arms crossed behind, all smiles, self-effacing, virtually boyish. Far from the demeanor of a tough-talking, muscle flexing officer. Was he play-acting? I started revising my notes, for there might be a few policemen manifesting abnormality in Ghana.

One could trace in all this, a part Akwapim ancestry and upbringing. Nature up the hills was in constant dialogue with the mountain people, sprinkling particles of politeness. Those our friends could hurl an offensive abuse prefaced with profuse apologies, and get offended persons expressing gratitude for injuries suffered. But the Dampare blood is not only Akwapim; there are also traces of Akim, Kwahu and Guan, he tells me.

But I generally fear the police, having once been bitten. Years ago, my restless pen played mischief and gave a soft blow to the police in my Mirror column. It was 1991, and I boomed with the title, Arrest the Ghana Police. And what was their offense? I had done close checks in Accra, and noticed that the several vehicles emitting poisonous fumes in Accra traffic, included several police vehicles. I listed them brazenly. To top it all, was one saloon car with the registration number, GP3, used by the third in command of the Ghana police! And so therefore I yelled in my column, Arrest the Ghana Police.

A few days after my order for Ghana police to be arrested, I was arrested by the police myself. It was for an offense of insecure parking, for which I had profusely pleaded with the police on duty. But the tough talking policeman on the Accra-Winneba road would not budge. He seized my drivers license, and asked me to report to the Accra Regional headquarters the following Monday. Had he discovered my identity as the author of that blasphemy, and exacting a revenge? It was a possible coincidence. But the officer to whom I reported at the headquarters, knew me and the above blasphemy. Inspector Ben Mensah was his name. He immediately burst into laughter seeing me in police grips. You Kwesi Yankah you said they should arrest the Ghana Police. Book-long people. Here you are. Today you will see, we will take you to counter-back, he chuckled and fumed in jest, feigning widened eyeballs.

Moments after, I was cautioned to be careful next time; and my drivers license returned to me. License regained, I virtually took to my heels not looking back lest the Inspector might change his mind. That was years ago. At the time, 1991, Dampare was a toddling police constable, a year old on his new job as police.

Fast forward 2018; our first encounter in my office. 2021, here was this amiable Dampare, the highly refined, unusual gentleman appointed as the new Inspector General of Police; at 51 the youngest in the Fourth Republic.

Within two years: visible signs of a new image loom around the Ghana police we knew. You see, whenever Ghana gets fed up with herself, the yearning for change cannot be mistaken. You could see smiles playing around our lips as we started seeing strange things happening: Big men pulled over by the police for over speeding, arrested for wrongful parking, charged for jumping the red light; small and big men arraigned before court for motor traffic offences, all on TV camera. No longer do you know who I am? Unprovoked police brutalities on demonstrators fading; dialogue by IGP himself with potential street protestors ahead of action; speedier arrest of armed fugitives; orderly bye elections, quicker response to stressful calls. Was this Ogyakrom?

My visit last week to Dampare was to congratulate him on a good job done so far, and trick him with the question, when is the 9-day wonder ending? I could see right from the reception desk a few strange things. Do any of you care for water? That was from a PR officer as I sat with others awaiting our turns to be called. I sat by Kwasi Agyeman, the dynamic boss of the Ghana Tourism Authority. The PR officers unusual question confounded us, and we all looked over our shoulders making sure the question he asked was not a tongue slip.

At the reception, the television showing was DSTV Channel 362, the Ghana Police Channel inaugurated late last year, and commanding the attention of over one million viewers from Ghana, whose feedback was rolling on the screens.

The Big Boss, IGP himself, was soon to come over grinning from ear to ear. Dampare greeted us all, and bowed to shake my hands taking me along to his office. Here was an IGP of 2023 still wearing the demeanor of an uncrowned subordinate of 2018: same civility, politeness, mental reflexes and all. A simple affable IGP, shedding the bloated ego of an overlord, for the sake of enhanced law and order in Ghana. The police is, after all, a friend.

Our dialogue over, Dampare asked his assistant , Superintendent Dankwa to take me on a visit to the new TV studios beaming frequent dialogues with the public. Soon a flurry of TV cameras and shuffling of feet by a studio crew, primed me for a 3, 2, 1, 0: a brief TV interview. But my friend had played another unusual trick on me. Without prior notice he had assembled the Police Management and Advisory Board in a common room, for an unplanned address by me. This got me rolling my sleeves, and braving a few words of encouragement, congratulating them all on the great team work, that is giving Ghana a new image of the Ghana police.

And Oh, I nearly forgot one thing! Consider this other prank my unusual friend, Dampare, unleashed which may have led to the huge success of my visit.

Our chat in his office had begun with his opening prayer!

With such unusual friends, dont we miss our previous version of law and order?
Why President Akufo-Addo will not fall for plot against IGP Dampare

Sulemana Braimah Opinion Jul - 12 - 2023 , 17:05

In the last two days, the name, Dampare, has been trending in both mainstream and social media. This follows public conversations about the content of a leaked audio recording that reveals a plot against the current Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.

The recording features a voice that is said to be that of a Commissioner of police in a conversation with a senior member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The leaked tape mainly features discussion on why the current IGP must be sacked. In the conversation, the senior police officer accuses the IGP of many things and says the NPP cannot win the 2024 elections with Dampare as IGP.

It is not surprising to hear that a top police officer is against an IGP for one reason or the another.

The current expose, however, reveals a rather bizarre and dirty plot against the IGP and also provides credence to ongoing speculations about some clandestine attempts to seek the removal of Dr. Dampare as IGP.

All the machinations and plots are meant to achieve one thing  convince the President to sack the IGP.

Even though it is difficult to read the mind and intention of the President, for once, I am convinced that President Akufo-Addo, will not fall for the dirty plots.

My convictions are based on the following firm predictions and reasons:

First of all, I can predict that President Nana Akufo-Addo will not want to go down in history as the President who presided over the annihilation of Ghanas most priced asset, which is our peace and stability.

Secondly, I believe that President Nana Akufo-Addo will not want to go down in history as the President under whose tenure Ghanas long march to democratic consolidation was curtailed.

Thirdly, I have some conviction that President Akufo-Addo will not want to go down in history as the President under whose reign civil war erupted in Ghana as a result of some desperate attempts to impose his political party on the people of Ghana even if the people choose to reject his party in the 2024 elections.

Finally, I can confidently predict that President Akufo-Addo knows very well that if the NDC, under the very charismatic and brave Jerry John Rawlings, lost the 2000 elections and handed over power peacefully to the NPPs John Agyekum Kufuor, then the will of the Ghanaian people will always reign supreme.

It is on the basis of these convictions that I have no doubts that President Akufo-Addo will not heed to any orchestrations and sinister plots to remove the man who has proven to be exactly the one he needs to protect and preserve Ghanas most valued asset  peace and stability.

Certainly, the President should want to hand over Ghana to whoever emerges winner of the 2024 elections in peace and not in pieces.

It is unwise for anyone to assume that President Akufo-Addo does not know that what he needs the most to govern the country is not political sycophancy but internal security of the state, which Dr. Dampare is admirably helping him to have.

Also, anyone who assumes the President will be naive to remove Dr. Dampare must be someone who doesnt follow the Presidents pronouncement about his appreciation of the performance of the IGP or someone who simply disregards what the President says as useless commentary.

This is because, IGP Dampare has received praises and commendations from the President more than any other appointee.

The President appointed Dr. Dampare as acting IGP in July 2021. In September, 2021, the President publicly praised him and stated that he (the IGP) had vindicated his decision to appoint him as IGP.

In early October, 2021, the President confirmed Dr. Dampare as the substantive IGP and commended him for his great works during the few months he acted as IGP. Later that same month, during the swearing-in of the Police Council, the President again praised the IGP saying: the IGPs actions thus far, have received the strong backing of Ghanaians and many are now realizing that if you fall foul of the laws of the land you will not be spared.

In March 2022, during the presentation of the statement on the State of the Nation (SONA) in Parliament, President Akufo-Addo singled out the IGP for praise. Here is what the President said on that auspicious occasion: Mr. Speaker, I believe we can all testify that our Police Service is undergoing a great improvement and a change of image before our very eyes.

During times of anxiety, we need a responsive police service to boost the confidence of the population and it is good to see the police rise up to the challenge. The police service is gradually regaining the trust and confidence of the public, under the leadership of its new IGP.

In February 2023, President Akufo-Addo continued with his praises for the IGP. Here is what the he said about the leadership and performance of the IGP: We see the discipline that has been restored to our roads, the enhanced police visibility and general discipline in society under the leadership of the IGP Dr. Akuffo Dampare. I want to assure him that he has my full support and the support of my government to continue his transformation of the police service.

And just a few months later, in April 2023 the President said: I want to commend the outstanding Inspector General of Police and his team for the deployment of officers across the country for the Easter festivities. Your officers could be seen everywhere in our streets smartly dressed on their motto bikes and on our roads all in the bid to protect the people.

So why would anyone think that the President can be praising the IGP all the time and suddenly turn around to remove him just to satisfy some sycophants under the false pretext that an IGP can help a party rig or win elections.

In fact, the conspirators against the IGP ought to have also known that having contested for President for four consecutive times, President Akufo-Addo, knows very well that what is needed to win an election is super performance and quality of message, and not a malleable, unprofessional, sycophantic and an overtly partisan IGP. Such an IGP can only bring about lawlessness, chaos, insecurity and instability.

The President knows very well that President John Agyekum Kufuor won the 2000 elections not because the then IGP, Mr. Peter Tenganabang Nanfuri, was an NPP member or appointed by candidate Kufuor. Peter Nanfuri was appointed by former President Jerry Rawlings of the NDC. Yet the NPP won the 2000 elections.

President Akufo-Addo knows very well that he lost the 2008 election not because IGP Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong, was an NDC member or appointee. He was appointed by President Kufuor, yet the NPP lost the 2008 elections.

The President is also fully aware that he won the 2016 elections by a landslide against the then incumbent, John Dramani Mahama, not because the then IGP, Mr. John Kudalor, was an NPP member or appointee. Mr. Kudalor was appointed as IGP by his competitor, President John Mahama on February 19, 2016 (the year of the elections), yet he, Nana Akufo-Addo, won that election with over one million votes.

So certainly, the President knows that an IGP neither conducts elections nor collate results. The President knows that an IGP does not assign police officers as party agents or polling station officers. In the context of elections, the IGPs job is to professionally lead the police to ensure peace, law and order as was exemplified by IGP Dampare in the recent Kumawu and Assin North by-elections.

From the foregoing, I also find the reaction of the opposition NDC to the ongoing brouhaha about IGP and elections, quite strange. This is because, I believe NDC officials will also know, or at least should know, that President Mills did not lose the 2000 elections to John Kufuor because of an NPP-affiliated IGP.

It must also be clear to the NDC that President Mills did not win the 2008 elections because there was an NDC-affiliated IGP at the time. Of course, the NDC also knows that it did not lose the 2016 elections and the 2020 Presidential elections because of the conduct of an IGP.

So, it is, therefore, baseless for senior members of the NDC to be saying that they will resist any attempt to remove IGP Dampare in order for the NPP to rig the 2024 elections.

It may be worth reminding the NDC that, an IGP does not collate results. An IGP does not gather pink sheets for a party. An IGP does not appoint who represents the party at the strong room of the Electoral Commission (EC) during collation of results at the national level. An IGP cannot also prevent a party agent at the ECs strong room from focusing on having tea with the EC chairperson, instead of remaining vigilant in the results collation process.

I can understand the NDCs defence of Dr. Dampare for his exceptional professionalism and leadership as IGP, but that should be done devoid of the needless partisanship and the false elections-rigging conspiracy theories.

It is not for nothing that for the first time, we are witnessing an overwhelming public support for an IGP. The Ghanaian people know true leadership, when they see and experience one. For once, lets leave the partisanship and hatred and support Dr. George Akuffo Dampare to continue with his exceptional effort and leadership to build the Ghana Police Service we want and deserve as a nation.

The writer is the Executive Director of Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)
Brilliant fuel attendant receives full GNPC scholarship to pursue Chemical Engineering at KNUST

Kweku Zurek Education Jul - 12 - 2023 , 07:18

In a heartwarming development, Benjamin Darko, a brilliant Secondary School graduate whose exceptional performance in the 2021 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) captured the attention of the online community, has been granted a full educational scholarship by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).

This scholarship will enable Darko to pursue his passion for Chemical Engineering at the prestigious Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST).

The development was announced in a Facebook post by the GNPC Foundation. The Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Dr. Dominic Eduah, the Executive Director of the GNPC Foundation, announced this remarkable scholarship package in the presence of Master Darko and his family.

Dr. Eduah emphasized that the Education & Training unit of the Foundation is committed to providing support and restoring Darko's hopes. Collaborating with educational partners, the GNPC Foundation has taken steps to facilitate Master Darko's successful admission into the next enrollment window at KNUST.

Despite achieving an impressive score of 5A's and 3B's, the determined 21-year-old former Science student from Presbyterian Senior Secondary School (PRESEC)  Legon has faced financial obstacles that hindered his pursuit of a Medical-Science related course at the university level.

To keep his dreams alive, Darko has been engaged in various menial jobs since 2021 while working diligently as a fuel attendant at a GOIL station in Kumasi. His inspirational journey gained national attention after his result slip went viral on social media.

Dr. Eduah expressed the GNPC Foundation's understanding of the challenges faced by many parents and students seeking educational advancement under financial constraints. He affirmed the foundation's commitment to facilitating the realization of dreams through scholarships and other educational intervention programs.

Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, the Vice Chancellor of KNUST, shared her delight in being able to contribute to Benjamin Darko's educational journey. She congratulated Darko on his scholarship and advised him to remain disciplined throughout his time at the university.

Overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement about finally being able to resume his education, Benjamin Darko expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the GNPC for their contribution towards shaping his future. He assured everyone that he would give his best and make the most of this opportunity.

With this remarkable act of support from the GNPC Foundation, Benjamin Darko's determination and dedication to his education are set to be rewarded as he embarks on his academic journey at KNUST, setting an inspiring example for aspiring students across the nation.
Binduri Day SHS shut down over lack of food

Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Jul - 12 - 2023 , 13:54

The Binduri Community Day Senior High School in the Upper East Region has been shut down following protest by students over lack of food.

On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, some agitated students boycotted classes to protest and express their displeasure about the inability of the schools administration to provide them with the one hot meal daily for some time now.

Sources within the school have told Graphic Online's Gilbert Mawuli Agbey that since May 29, 2023, the caterer stationed in the school has not been able to cook for the students.

The caterer is said to cited non-payment of arrears owed her by the government, a development which has virtually made it impossible for her to continue to cook for the students.

As a result, some of the students abandoned classes with the reason that they could not come to school to study on an empty stomach. With a total of about 600 students in the school, about 200 are reportedly regular since the lunch stopped.

Speaking during the protest against the happenings in the school, some of the students said they were suffering as they had been denied their daily food for more than a month now.

Some said they were even compelled to eat the same menu for a whole week before the caterer stopped cooking.

One of them said it is very sad that we are sometimes forced to eat banku and okro stew throughout the whole week.

Calm down

The Binduri District Director of Education, John Doka Jaggery, who visited the school during the protest, said although the protest was intended to register their concerns, it was important for them to calm down as it would be addressed.

Subsequently, he asked the students to stay home until the issues they have raised were resolved.

If you are not ready to go back to the classroom to continue with academic work, then remain home until you are informed to come back to school.

I wish to assure you that the directorate will meet the management of the school and the caterer to resolve the issue to pave the way for the reopening of the school hopefully by Monday July 17, 2023.

Meanwhile, the final year students are currently in school writing their mock examination in preparation towards this years West Africa Senior Secondary Certification Examination (WASSCE).
Drowning of 2 teenagers last year: Family demands outcome of police investigations

Emmanuel Bonney Jul - 12 - 2023 , 16:26

The family of one of two teenagers who got drowned in a swimming pool at New Aplaku in the Ga South Municipality is demanding the outcome of investigations into the case by the Ghana Police Service.

It said one year after the incident on Saturday June 12, 2022, the family was yet to be briefed on the outcome of investigations into the matter by the police.

There has also not been a prosecution in the matter although the drowning occurred at an event centre in Accra.

Autopsy

It said apart from the autopsy report which said the teenagers died as a result of the lack of oxygen, the family did not know what was going on as far as investigations were concerned.

Charles William Duodu, an uncle of Christabel Agyekumwaa who was a victim in the incident, said it had been back and forth with the police over the last six months 

We have gone to the Weija Police, CID Headquarters in Accra where they told us that they wanted experts to see what they (police) had seen in it.

From where the CCTV monitor is located, it is easy to see everything clearly from the camera and so why dont you play it for us to watch it too so that we would be clear in our minds as to what happened on that fateful day, he emphasised.

Foul play

Mr Duodu said the family was suspecting foul play in the matter because it did not understand why there was no outcome or prosecution in the matter.

He said the family only wanted justice to be done in the matter and nothing else.

On June 12, 2022, Oliver Ayertei Tetteh, then 17 and a second-year student of the St Johns Grammar School in Accra, and Christabel Agyekumwaa, also 17, and a second-year student of the Methodist SHS in Saltpond in the Central Region, got drowned in a swimming pool at the events centre.

Background

Olivers uncle, Fred Tetteh, had told the Daily Graphic that his nephew and Christabel had been friends from JHS.

He said on June 12, Oliver told his father that he had a challenge with his phone and so he wanted to go to Kasoa to have it repaired.

Apparently, he said, his nephew first went to Christabels house and asked her to accompany him to Kasoa to repair his phone.

Mr Tetteh said about 3 p.m. on that fateful day when Oliver had not returned home, Olivers father called the boys phone several times but there was no response, although it was ringing.

Around 4:30 p.m., Mr Tetteh said, they became alarmed and went to the SCC Police Station to report the matter.

He said the police took their telephone numbers and promised to get in touch with them, if they had any information on the whereabouts of the two teenagers.

He said about 6:30 p.m., the police called Christabels grandfather and asked him to call Olivers father for them to report to the police station to verify information on the two teenagers that was available to the police.
ECOWAS Court dismisses suit against Agyapa deal

Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Jul - 12 - 2023 , 20:42

The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice (CCJ) has thrown out a suit against the Government of Ghana (GoG) challenging the propriety of a Gold Royalties Monetisation Transaction arrangement, popularly referred to as the Agyapa deal.

Three anti-corruption groups  Transparency International, Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) and the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC)  dragged the government to the CCJ in December 2020, seeking an order to halt the Agyapa deal.

It was the case of the applicants that the Agyapa deal was dominated by politically exposed persons and also violated the rights of Ghanaians to have permanent sovereignty over the countrys natural resources as provided under the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

However, the court  sitting in Abuja, Nigeria, last Tuesday  upheld the defence of the government, and dismissed the case of the three civil society organisations, reports Graphic Online's Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson.

The court said the detailed reasoning for its decision would be made available later.

Applicants case

The applicants had argued that the Agyapa deal violated many international conventions against corruption, and, if allowed to go ahead, would allow Ghanas gold resources to be controlled by foreigners.

Apart from asking the CCJ to restrain the government from going ahead with the deal, the applicants also wanted the court to order Ghana to investigate all alleged acts of corruption associated with the deal, and ensure that any alleged perpetrators are brought to justice.

Defence

The government, in its defence, however, refuted the case of the applicants and argued that the Agyapa deal was not meant to cede the sovereignty of the countrys resources to foreigners.

The proposed Agyapa transaction is intended as a means by which only a portion of the proceeds from the exploitation of natural resources of Ghana is invested to ensure that the people of Ghana obtain the benefit therefrom, the Attorney-General (A-G), Godfred Yeboah Dame, submitted.

It was also the case of the government that the first applicant, Transparency International, had no capacity to be part of the action because it was a German organisation and, therefore, not a member of the ECOWAS Community.

Also, the government was of the contention that the argument by the applicants that the Agyapa deal was an interference on the right of Ghanaians to have sovereignty over natural resources was not based on sound legal reasoning, and meritless.

The government also made a case that the applicants failed to provide any evidence to back their allegations that the deal was dominated by politically exposed persons who intend to misappropriate Ghanas resources.

Background

Parliament passed the Minerals Income Investment Fund Act, 2018 (MIIF Act 978) with the key objective of maximising the countys mineral wealth for the benefit of Ghanaians, while ensuring that receiving royalties from gold mining companies was sustainable.

The law was amended to enable it to incorporate subsidiaries and to use it as a special purpose vehicle to do business across the world.

The main subsidiary of the MIIF and holding company, Agyapa Royalties Investment Ltd, will be listed on the London Stock Exchange, while its subsidiary, ARG Royalties Ltd, will be quoted on the Ghana Stock Exchange, both through initial public offerings.

The company will be responsible for managing 75.6 per cent of the countrys royalty inflow from the 12 gold mining companies that currently operate in Ghana, with four more expected to come on stream.

That will enable the country to raise about $1 billion to finance mining concessions in Ghana and across Africa.

In November 2020, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo instructed the Minister of Finance to re-submit the agreements supporting the Agyapa deal to Parliament for the approval process to start all over again.

That followed the corruption risk assessment submitted by a former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, to the President.
First live concert held at Nkrumah Memorial Park

Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Jul - 12 - 2023 , 06:46

The newly renovated Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park had its first live concert after its inauguration by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo last week.

The live musical concert on Friday night was dubbed: Re-ignition Concert. It was heavily patronized.

There were performances by Samini and Kofi Kinaata.

The concert, put together by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), together with its partners, also saw performances from the High School Band and electrifying tunes by renowned Disc Jockey (DJ), Andy Dosty.

Even though the show did not start on schedule, the almost two-hour wait was worth it as the various performers treated patrons to some wonderful tunes from their respective collections, with showbiz broadcaster, Merqury Quaye, of Hitz FM, holding the audience spellbound throughout the show.

Patrons

The main acts were phenomenal, thrilling patrons with back-to-back hit songs, leaving fans thirsty for more after each round.

Their interactions with the audience, coupled with their thrilling displays, gave the audience, made up of Ghanaians and foreigners, every reason to jam.

The Deputy Minister of MOTAC, Mark Okraku-Mantey, explained that the programme was a celebration of the new phase of the memorial park.

He also said the edifice was a testament to the Presidents unwavering commitment to make Ghana the tourism hub of Africa and the number one destination for revellers and visitors from across the world.

The President is still committed to developing tourism, arts and culture.

This project is just one of the things that show that he is ready to do more, Mr Okraku-Mantey said.

As part of the event, the Deputy Minister presented awards to the consultant, the contractor and the architect of the project, adding; we are doing this because everything you see here was made by Ghanaians, so we need to motivate and acknowledge them.

Satisfactory

The Chief Director of MOTAC, John Yaw Agbeko, expressed satisfaction with the turnout at the event, saying that even though people had their own plans for the Friday night, they still showed up in their numbers.

He mentioned that the government was looking forward to developing similar structures and monuments in honour of other personalities who played various notable roles in the countrys history and development.

We are trying to extend our development to the countryside as well.

We have some private attraction sites which have benefited from grants of the Ghana Tourism Development Project Grant so they can do some works on their own but we are still looking forward to doing more, he revealed.

These sites, Mr Agbeko said, included Mole National Park, Kakum National Park, Shai Hills and the Paga Crocodile Pond, among others.
Ghana Hajj Board holds talks with Nigeria Hajj Commission in Mecca

GraphicOnline Jul - 12 - 2023 , 08:08

In a bid to enhance their respective Hajj operations, the Ghana Hajj Board and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NACOHN) recently held bilateral discussions in Mecca on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.

The meeting aimed to foster knowledge sharing and learn from each other's experiences, as both countries conclude their 2023 Hajj operations with the successful repatriation of pilgrims.

The Ghanaian delegation, led by the Chairman of the Ghana Hajj Board, Ben Abdallah Banda, expressed the board's admiration for the Nigeria Hajj Commission's extensive experience.

Chairman Banda emphasized the importance of interaction and exchange of ideas between the two organizations to improve Hajj operations and services in their respective countries.

He stated, "Our purpose is to learn a lot from Nigeria, considering your experience and the number of pilgrims you manage. This is also a reciprocal visit since you called on my predecessor, Sheikh I. C. Quaye, in Ghana in 2021."

Acknowledging the complexities of Hajj operations, Chairman Banda highlighted the significance of continuous improvement and expressed optimism that such meetings would address challenges faced during the process.

He provided insights into the history and role of Ghana's Hajj Board in organizing Hajj operations within the country.

Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, Chairman of the Nigeria Hajj Commission, elaborated on the establishment and responsibilities of NACOHN.

He shared that NACOHN coordinates Africa's largest Hajj operations, which ranks as the fifth largest in the world. Nigeria, with a contingent of nearly 100,000 pilgrims participating in this year's Hajj, ranked fifth in terms of the number of pilgrims, trailing behind Indonesia, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh.

During the meeting, Chairman Hassan revealed various strategies and policies implemented by NACOHN and expressed the commission's readiness to collaborate with the Ghana Hajj Board for improved operations. He also extended an invitation to the Ghana Hajj Board to visit Nigeria's Hajj Institute, which offers training programs in Hajj Management.

Alhaji Abdulahi Hardawa, a senior executive of NACOHN, expressed delight at the meeting, highlighting the significance of the two leading African nations sharing ideas to enhance Hajj operations. He suggested the possibility of forming a Pan African Hajj Union, encompassing Ghana, Nigeria, and other countries in the sub-region. Such a union, he believed, would provide a stronger collective voice to negotiate for improved services.

Members of the Ghanaian delegation included board members Masaudu Osman, Abdul Aziz Haruna Futa, and Ahmed Abdulai Abu. Representing NACOHN were senior members, including some State Hajj Commissioners.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties expressing optimism about the outcomes of their collaboration and the potential for enhanced Hajj operations in the future. The exchange of ideas between the two African countries marks a significant step toward fostering cooperation and ensuring better services for pilgrims from the region and beyond.
Graphic, Absa deepen business relations

Maclean Kwofi Jul - 12 - 2023 , 05:29

The management of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) has paid a working visit to Absa Bank Ghana Limited to deepen business relations and complement each other in their activities.

The meeting was to further build on the relationship between the bank and the media house, discuss areas of collaboration and introduce the new Editor, Graphic, Theophilus Yartey, who has oversight responsibility for the Daily Graphic, its sister brands as well as the news Department.

The GCGL delegation was led by its Managing Director (MD), Ato Afful, and included the Director, Marketing, Franklin Sowa, and the Corporate Communications Manager, Emmanuel Agyei Arthur.

The MD of Absa Bank Ghana, Abena Osei-Poku, and the Director in charge of Marketing and Corporate Relations, Nana Essifuah Boison, received the GCGL delegation.

Lets partner

Mr Afful stated that given the development in the business environment, there was the need for firms to build stronger partnerships for mutual growth.

Considering the development in the ecosystem of both firms, there is the need for us to create an opportune time to meet and discuss how to improve the environment for mutual benefit, he said.

Our mission for the visit is two-fold: the first is introduce the new Editor of Graphic and the second, to deepen and build strong business relationships with the bank, Mr Afful explained.

He explained that given the difficulties in the business landscape, it was crucial for firms such as the bank and the media house to collaborate to reach the target audience.

The MD of Graphic said the quest of the GCGL showed a great testament to leadership and systems embedded in the Africanacity of the Absa brand.

So, we are here to tap into that great leadership you have shown in banking and ensure that there is a mutual benefit for all.

Today, many people spend money with people they know and like, Mr Afful posited.

Absa grateful

Mrs Osei-Poku, for her part, expressed the gratitude of the bank to forge such a close relationship with the GCGL.

For us, we have always maintained a good relationship with Graphic as 60 per cent of our print business is meant for the GCGL.

We also subscribe to the Graphic digital app, GraphicNews Plus, for our senior management members, she said.

The Absa MD commended the GCGL for the support it had extended to the bank over the years through publications in its various brands.

The bank, she said, was always eager to establish better collaboration that would be beneficial to both organisations, as well as the nation.

The MD of Absa indicated how the bank saw the GCGL as one of the most credible and vibrant media organisations in the country for which reason the bank was ready to leverage the relationship between the two parties for growth.

We have seen programmes and initiatives from Graphic such as the Tertiary Business Sense Challenge and other roundtable events which we can partner in the future, the Absa MD added.
Harnessing female participation in student leadership

Esther Antwi, Eugenia Selasie Seadey and Eunice Asiedu Jul - 12 - 2023 , 09:35

Gender inequality has threatened sustainable development in the past and in recent times.

The need to close this widening gap has become more evident following the unfolding global trends.

The global shocks such as the Russia/Ukraine War, COVID-19 and Climate Change have illuminated the numerous consequences gender inequality have on sustainable development.

Women are undoubtedly the hardest hit by global shocks, yet are conspicuously missing in the decisions to curtail them.

Taking stock of the COVID-19 containment measures, for instance, reveal that policies were not sensitive to the peculiar needs of women.

Could it have been different if more women were on the decision-making table? The onset of recent global occurrences have brought prominence to the question of how women are involved in the decision-making processes and offered the opportunity to rethink and fashion out effective ways of increasing the participation of women in leadership.

First, can harnessing women's interest in student leadership play any role in increasing the number of women in leadership? To date, females are intimidated to contest for main student leadership positions but prefer to deputise or not vie for any leadership positions because of the social construction around which gender is most qualified to hold leadership positions.

Interestingly, as young females age, they transition with this bottled-up fear.

Supposing this prejudice is dealt with in young females, could the level of enthusiasm of women to hold leadership positions affect women's involvement in leadership today?

Leadership ambition is often nurtured and encouraged in men but is seen as a negative trait in women.

This discrimination darkens the ambitions of women to hold leadership positions.

In effect, many women are ousted from the leadership scene.

The pernicious social stereotype that men make better leaders than women draws the lines for skewed socio-economic policies which make women worse off.

Many women are fighting an uphill battle in their quest to become leaders; sexual harassment, discrimination and varying abuses are meted on women in their desire to become leaders.

Consequently, many women have backed down on their ambitions, discouraging the interest of more women to pursue and assume leadership positions.

This has resulted in the lack of female mentors who could extend a helping hand to females interested in student leadership and guide them.

Unfortunately, the handful of women in leadership deepens the challenges of becoming a female student leader.

Women's enormous roles in developmental processes cannot be understated; creating the space for their active and significant participation on the decision table is thus key.

Educational institutions can cultivate a new generation of empowered and capable women leaders by encouraging and supporting female students to take on leadership roles.

As female students progress into higher education and the labour market, their leadership skills, experiences and networks acquired during their student years empower them to overcome bias and break societal norms and expectations that limit women's roles and capabilities in pursuing higher leadership positions.

However, the question is, how can this be achieved? First things first, let us harness the interest of females to vie for leadership positions on the household level and then provide the space and needed support in schools, churches, the corporate world and the national level.

The writers:

Eunice Asiedu  Former SRC President, Ghana Institute of Languages

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Eugenia Selasie Seadey  Womens Commissioner, Graduate Student Association, University of Ghana

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ,

Esther Antwi  Womens Commissioner, Bagabaga College of Education

[email protected]. com
I never engaged in illegal mining  Aisha Huang

Justice Agbenorsi Jul - 12 - 2023 , 06:55

En Huang aka Aisha Huang, the Chinese said to be engaged in illegal mining, galamsey in the country has denied facilitating or engaging in any mining activities in Ghana.

En Huang, who mounted the witness box last Monday to open her defence in the trial in which she has been accused of engaging in mining without licence, said allegations that she was engaged in mining were not true but a ploy by the state witnesses to play into media narratives against her.

Neither my company nor myself have engaged in mining or facilitated mining in any form by any person or group of persons.

I do not know and have not been to any of the sites captured in the videos, pictures and maps tendered in evidence by the prosecution witnesses, the accused told the court presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo.

Alleged accomplices

En Huang told the court that due to her long stay in Ghana and her supermarket, Aisha Supermarket, which served Chinese customers at Ahodwo in Kumasi, she became the go-to person and a place of safe custody for most of her colleague Chinese, saying although she knew the four alleged accomplices, they did not work for her.

She added that the four alleged accomplices  all Chinese arrested at a mining site at Bepotenten  were not her employees.

En Huang, who is currently on remand, further told the court that she followed up on the arrest of Gao Jin Cheng, Lu Qi Jun, Haib Gao and Zhang Zhipeng because they were her countrymen whose presence in the region she knew about, adding that she was only called by the police when the four were arrested.

Lands

Reacting to evidence given by farmers who had told the court that she engaged one James Ogbey to purchase their lands for mining activities, En Huang, told the court that she never engaged Mr Ogbey for any parcel of land for mining.

Neither myself, nor my company, own or hired any excavators, changfans or the other earth moving machines allegedly found at sites the four Chinese men were arrested, she said.

Not guilty

En Huang has been accused of being in the thick of affairs of galamsey, especially in the Ashanti Region.

She was deported from Ghana in 2018, after the Attorney-General decided to discontinue her trial in which she was accused of engaging in small-scale mining without licence.

However, she was said to have sneaked back into Ghana to allegedly engage in the same activities for which she was deported.

The A-G, Godfred Yeboah Dame, then decided to prosecute her for the alleged crimes before her deportation and new ones committed since her re-entry into Ghana.

It is the case of the prosecution that Aisha had an illegal mining concession at Bepotenten in the Amansie West District in the Ashanti Region and also operated a mining support services company.

She has pleaded not guilty to undertaking a mining operation without a licence, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in a mining operation, the illegal employment of foreigners and entering Ghana while prohibited from re-entry.
Immigration officer promoted for foiling suspected kidnapping of schoolgirl

GNA Jul - 12 - 2023 , 06:07

The Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service, Mr Kwame Asuah Takyi has promoted Assistant Immigration Control Officer II Emmanuel Ofosu-Acheampong to the rank of Assistant Immigration Control Officer I (AICO I) for his act of professionalism and bravery.

AICO I Emmanuel Ofosu-Acheampong, stationed at the Kasoa Command of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) in the Central East Region, acted on his instincts and foiled what was suspected to be a kidnapping of a young female student along the Nsawam-Amasaman highway while on public transport (Trotro) from Nsawam to Dome in June 2023.

Related: Immigration officer foils suspected kidnapping of schoolgirl (VIDEO)

An official statement signed by Chief Superintendent Amoako Atta, the Head of Public Affairs, explained that the Comptroller-General decorated the brave officer on behalf of the National Immigration Management Committee.

Mr Takyi expressed his admiration for the officer's vigilance and swift response in rescuing the young student from the suspected kidnappers.

He further noted that he was amazed at the news as it had gone viral on numerous news outlets.

Notwithstanding the risks involved on a busy road, the Officer, AICO I Emmanuel Ofosu-Acheampong acted responsibly and timely, garnering commendation from the public, security experts and opinion leaders nationwide, the Comptroller-General said.

Mr Takyi urged the newly promoted Officer to keep being an example wherever he finds himself and keep raising the flag of GIS higher and higher.

He advised him to be emboldened by the promotion and continue to be disciplined.

"Dont let this elevation get into your head and become arrogant but rather be humbled and continue to be a worthy ambassador of the Service, he advised.

In addition to the promotion, AICO I Emmanuel Ofosu-Acheampong was awarded a plaque, certificate, and citation in recognition of his act of heroism.

credit: GNA
Minister regains power to grant "wee" cultivation licence for medicinal purposes

Daniel Kenu and Nana Konadu Agyeman Jul - 12 - 2023 , 18:18

The Minister of the Interior has regained the power to grant a licence for the cultivation of small quantities of cannabis, commonly referred to as "wee" in Ghana for industrial and medicinal purposes.

The move follows Parliament's passage of the Narcotics Regulation Commission Amendment Bill, 2023 on Wednesday, July 12.

The new bill amends the Narcotics Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019).

The new one, which substitutes section 43, now empowers the Minister of the Interior to grant licence for the cultivation of cannabis commonly known in Ghana as "wee".

But this has to be not more than 0.3 per cent of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content on a dry weight basis for industrial purposes for obtaining fibre or seed or for medicinal purposes.

It further prohibits a person who has been granted a licence under the bill from cultivating cannabis for recreational use.

The empowerment of the Minister of the Interior came after the bill was reintroduced in Parliament as the Narcotics Regulation Commission Amendment Bill, 2023 to amend the Narcotics Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019).

The new section 43 provided an opportunity for Parliament to debate the policy rationale of the provision in accordance with Article 106 of the Constitution and the ruling of the Supreme Court on the issue.

Supreme courts ruling

The Bill has been necessitated due to the ruling of the Supreme Court in the case between Ezuame vrs the Attorney-General and the Speaker of Parliament on July 27, 2022.

Read also: Cannabis [Wee] law in Ghana - Supreme Court dismisses review application

In the said ruling, the apex court declared section 43 of Act 1019 as unconstitutional and therefore null and void.

In a 4-3 majority decision on July 28, 2022, a seven-member panel of the apex court held that Section 43 of Act 1019 violated Article 106 of the Constitution, which details the processes a bill must go through before it is passed into law by Parliament, and was therefore null and void.

In the view of the court, the lack of debate on section 43 of Act 1019 amounted to not only a direct violation of the letter of Article 106 of the Constitution but also a violation of the spirit of the law.

There was conspicuously no debate over such a critical and mode of policy by Parliament. Needlessly to say, this conduct and mode of lawmaking defeat transparency and accountability enjoined by the Constitution.

The dictates of constitutional fidelity, in our view, require that such a shift in policy, which is intended to result in a novel exception, ought to be debated to satisfy the purpose of Article 106.

The apex court said failing that, the process adopted by Parliament offended the letter and the spirit of the constitution.

This conclusion does not, in any way, derogate from Parliaments power and independence in the conduct of its proceedings but in accordance with our supreme Constitution, the court held.

Section 43 of Act 1019 stipulates that the Minister on the recommendation of the Commission, may grant a licence for the cultivation of cannabis popularly referred to as "wee" in Ghana, which is not more than 0.3 % THC content on a dry weight basis for industrial purposes for obtaining fibre or seed for medicinal purposes.

Urgency of the Bill

Moving a motion for the House to adopt the report of the Defence and Interior Committee which considered the bill, the Vice Chairperson of the committee, Ophelia Mensah, said the committee met and determined that the bill was of an urgent nature and should therefore be taken under a certificate of urgency.

She said the urgency emanated from the numerous benefits Ghana stood to gain by empowering the Minister of the Interior to regulate the cultivation of cannabis which had not more than 0.3 per cent THC content on a dry weight basis.

It came to the attention of the Committee, prior to the Ruling of the Supreme Court, the Narcotic Control Commission and the Ministry of the Interior had held pre-laying engagement with the Parliamentary Committee on Subsidiary Legislation on the Draft Regulations of Act 1019, including provisions for operationalising section 43 of the Act.

The reintroduction of the said section which was struck down as unconstitutional, will therefore restore the Act to its full original provisions and accordingly pave the way for the regulations to be laid in Parliament in accordance with Article 11 (7) of the Constitution and Order 77 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, she said.

The MP for Mfantseman said additionally, information gathered by the committee indicated that prior to the Supreme Court ruling, foreign investors had initiated preparations to commence investment in the cultivation of cannabis including entering into agreements with local partners and joint venture companies.

Some urgency is therefore required in the passage of the Bill to minimise potential losses to these interested investors, Mrs Ophelia added.

Supreme Court Judgment

In July last year, the apex court struck out as unconstitutional Section 43 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020 (Act 1019).

Section 43 of Act 1019 allows the Minister of the Interior, upon the recommendation of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), to grant an entity the licence to cultivate cannabis of not more than 0.3 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content for industrial and medicinal purposes.

The court held that the law was unconstitutional because there was no debate in Parliament on it before its passage into law, as stipulated by Article 106 (5) (6) of the 1992 Constitution.

Again, the apex court was of the considered opinion that the explanatory memorandum attached to the bill placed before Parliament did not set out in details the policy change, the defects in the existing law and the necessity to introduce a law to license the cultivation of cannabis.

Such an omission, it held, was a violation of Article 106 (2) of the 1992 Constitution.
Legislators receive gratuity, not ex gratia - Speaker of Parliament clarifies

Daniel Kenu and Nana Konadu Agyeman Jul - 12 - 2023 , 05:44

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has reiterated that the money paid to Members of Parliament (MPs) every four years is accumulated salary arrears (gratuity) and not ex gratia.

He said at the beginning of every Parliament, most legislators, including himself as the Speaker, did not know the exact salary they were entitled to until the end of their four-year term; a practice he described as wrong.

He explained that whenever Ghanaians talked about budget for Parliament, they considered such budget as money earmarked for salaries and conditions of service of MPs, especially what people refer to as ex gratia.

Gratuity is different from ex gratia; what they pay MPs is gratuity and it is another wrong practice because as we sit here in our third year, which is three years down, I as the Speaker do not know my salary, he revealed.

Unstable salary

Speaking during a visit to the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Mr Bagbin said: My salary has not yet been fixed and so every month I am paid something based on what my predecessor was earning.

But we all know from the labour front that every year they try to renegotiate with the government and so at the end of the four years then they (government) come out with your salary.

And that will definitely be higher than the first year and so they have to pay you arrears.

It is those arrears that balloon to what the Members of Parliament take at the end of four years and people call that ex gratia and you get the problem, he explained.

In the company of some staff from Parliament, the Speaker was at GCGL to share his perspectives on the annual Press Freedom Index on Ghana and discuss how the media could partner Parliament to celebrate activities marking the 30th anniversary of parliamentary democracy.

At the meeting were the Managing Director of GCGL, Ato Afful; the Editor, Graphic, Theophilus Yartey, and the editorial team of the Daily Graphic.

Reducing cost of election

The Speaker, however, noted that even the gratuity paid to MPs every four years was not enough as was generally perceived.

But all that they pay you, I can tell you, is not sufficient to do one election.

If you want to get to Parliament now, please if you do not have GH2 million you cannot contest a parliamentary primary election and no ex gratia can give you that money, he said.

With the high cost associated with politicians contesting elections in the country, Mr Bagbin suggested the need for us to do something to reduce that cost of doing politics.

In line with that, he called for what he described as political financing or public funding for political parties.

Car loans

Touching on loans by MPs to purchase their own vehicles, the Speaker said legislators did not want vehicle loans but support from the state just like other public office holders.

We just want to be supported just like other public office holders such as District Chief Executives (DCEs), ministers and deputy ministers.

We do the same work and they are given Landcruisers and saloon cars that are funded and fuelled every day.

But you as an MP go to take a loan to buy a car, you insure it, you maintain it and you fuel it to do the same work, he bemoaned.

Systemic corruption

While acknowledging that it was not possible for MPs to insure, maintain and fuel their vehicles with the same salary, Mr Bagbin called for state support for MPs to curb corruption.

That is why when you people (journalists) write against us and they become Members of Parliament, they find it difficult to continue that language.

Because you come and meet the reality and you find out that it is not the problem of your predecessor but it is the system that causes systemic corruption, he said.

The Speaker added that until we change that system, it will be difficult to contain corruption.

Support for journalists

Expressing happiness over the initiative for the Speaker to travel outside Ghana with some selected journalists per trip to attend international events, Mr Bagbin said reports emanating from reporters had helped Ghanaians to appreciate that the work of legislators was not only hear, hear.

We also represent the country internationally and this is what we do to allow Ghanaians place some value on Members of Parliament and what we do to move Ghana in the right direction, he said.
Sierra Leone overtakes Ghana as most peaceful country in West Africa

Benjamin Xornam Glover Jul - 12 - 2023 , 13:16

Sierra Leone has overtaken Ghana as the most peaceful country in West Africa in the latest Global Peace Index published on June 28, 2023.

Ghana has also slipped as the second most peaceful country in Africa in the 2022 index to the 4th position this year.

Commenting on the latest index, the Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Peace Council (NPC) Rev Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi said the development calls for more work as the decline was not too good for Ghana.



He was speaking in Prampram on Tuesday, July 12, 2023 at a two-day national dialogue on Improving civilian  security agency relations for the prevention of violent extremism in Ghana.

Conflict deaths at the highest level this century is causing world peacefulness to decline, the 17th edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI) from the international think-tank, the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) stated.

The national dialogue was organised by the NPC and the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) with funding from the Netherlands Embassy with the objective of strategically building consensus and trust to improve civilian-security agency relations towards preventing violent extremism in Ghana under a project named the Prevention of Violent Extremism Through Social Accountability (PoVETSA) project.

The dialogue was attended by security agencies including the Ghana Police Service, representatives of the various political parties.

The GPI covers 163 countries comprising 99.7 per cent of the worlds population, using 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators from highly respected sources, and measures the state of peace across three domains: the level of Societal Safety and Security; the extent of Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict; and the degree of Militarisation.

Why Ghana dropped

Rev Dr. Adu-Gyamfi attributed the decline to some of the happenings in Ghana to threats such as armed robbery incidents, highway robberies as well as some attacks on journalists, political violence, and the land guard menace and other perceptions, which all goes to inform the rating and compilation of the results.

He said as a country there was the need to do the best we can to avoid some of these happenings.

He stressed the need to enhance trust and confidence between the security agencies and the civilian population to prevent extremism in Ghana and to improve understanding and tolerance as the country prepared itself for the 2024 general elections.

Interventions

He noted that the Peace Council, since 2020 had contributed to the prevention of insurgent activities by undertaking programmes to build resilience against terrorism and violent extremism.

Rev Dr. Adu-Gyamfi said the Council has engaged over 100 student leaders across the country, trained over 400 youths in all the regions of Ghana and reached out to over 200 fisher folks as well as commercial drivers on ways to prevent the insurgents from getting a foothold in the country.

He, however noted that despite these interventions, the extremist threat was persistent adding that it has been established that even though operations under the Accra Initiative temporarily halted terror groups activities and movements, it was limited in duration and geographic scope.

It is worth noting that protracted chieftaincy conflicts give us reasons to worry, because the insurgents are always lurking around to use vulnerable communities for their nefarious activities. Other unresolved conflicts, including intra and inter-party elections at all levels must be holistically dealt with so that they do not serve as motivation for violence and provide impetus for aggrieved individuals to use unlawful means to seek revenge. He said

Rev Dr. Adu-Gyamfi said some of the political tensions and mis-trust have security implications and therefore called on all citizens to help the Council build strong bonds of resilience at all levels of our national endeavours to ward off the common enemy.

The Peace Council believes building the required trust between our political parties and the Ghana Police Service is a sure way to build and sustain our collective resolve against the threat of violent extremist and terrorism and even more importantly improve tolerance ahead of the 2024 general elections, he said.

Global Peace Index 2023

The 17th edition of the annual Global Peace Index (GPI), the worlds leading measure of peacefulness, reveals the average level of global peacefulness deteriorated for the ninth consecutive year, with 84 countries recording an improvement and 79 a deterioration.

This demonstrates that the deteriorations were larger than the improvements, as the post-COVID rises of civil unrest and political instability remain high while regional and global conflicts accelerate.

Key results

Deaths from global conflict increased by 96% to 238,000

New data shows higher number of conflict deaths in Ethiopia than Ukraine, eclipsing the previous global peak during the Syrian war

79 countries witnessed increased levels of conflict including Ethiopia, Myanmar, Ukraine, Israel, and South Africa

The global economic impact of violence increased by 17% or $1 trillion, to $17.5 trillion in 2022, equivalent to 13% of global GDP

A Chinese blockade of Taiwan would cause a drop in global economic output of $2.7 trillion, almost double the loss that occurred due to the 2008 global financial crisis

Despite the conflict in Ukraine, 92 countries improved on military expenditure and 110 decreased their military personnel

Conflicts are becoming more internationalised with 91 countries now involved in some form of external conflict, up from 58 in 2008

The rise in conflicts

79 countries deteriorated in the Ongoing Conflict domain, with conflict related deaths increasing by 96% compared to the prior year. Conflict deaths are now at the highest level this century. The Ethiopian conflict claimed the most lives in 2022 with new data finding that battlefield deaths were over 100,000, while disease and famine related deaths were conservatively estimated at over 200,000. This conflict has been largely hidden from the media because of domestic media restrictions and internet blackouts. This has coincided with US and UN aid organisations stopping food shipments because of corruption in the food supply chains.

In sub-Saharan Africa, Mali recorded the largest deterioration with conflict-related deaths increasing by 154%, while violence against civilians rose by 570%. Eswatini experienced the next largest drop in peacefulness in the region.

The Ukraine war has seen the total number of Ukrainians who were either refugees or internally displaced jump from 1.7% before the conflict, to over 30% and is likely to continue increasing. Recent data has found that up to 65% of men in Ukraine aged 20 to 24 years have fled the country or died in the conflict1 . The report estimates 83,000 deaths are related to the conflict so far.

In contrast to the devastating effects of the war on the Russian population, other internal factors have improved including the incarceration rate, a decrease in violent demonstrations, and the impact of terrorism. The homicide rate within Russia is now at its lowest level since the inception of the GPI in 2008. If not for the Ukraine conflict, Russia would have been one of the largest improvers in peace in this years Index.

The global number of refugees and internally displaced people continues to rise; there are now 15 countries with over 5% of their population displaced.

Regional Highlights

The largest regional improvements occurred in MENA and North America. North Americas improvement was driven by Canada, but the United States deteriorated slightly where homicide rates have risen to levels six times higher than Western Europe.

Since 2016 MENA has seen the largest improvements in peace globally, however it is still the least peaceful region. The epicentre of terrorism has shifted from the MENA region into sub-Saharan Africa, especially the Sahel.

Central America, the Caribbean and South America have recorded substantial deteriorations, falling mainly on measures of repression, violence, and conflict.

Coastal West Africa is at its most peaceful since reporting began in 2008, with countries in the region recording an average improvement of 5% in the past 14 years.

The coastal region between Morocco and Ghana recorded no deaths from terrorism in 2022, in contrast to the neighbouring countries in the Sahel.

 Europe is still the most peaceful region in the world, despite military expenditure and Neighbouring Country Relations deteriorating because of the Ukraine war. The region is still home to seven of the ten most peaceful countries, with the level of violent demonstrations, protests and riots remaining high. The other three most peaceful countries are in the Asia-Pacific region.

2023 Global Peace Index
Stop prioritising electoral fortunes - Mahama tells NPP

Daily Graphic Jul - 12 - 2023 , 03:58

The flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has criticised the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) for prioritising its electoral fortunes over good governance.

The former President cited the introduction of what he described as poorly conceived projects and the governments spending of resources to allegedly buy votes in the recent by-elections in Kumawu and Assin North to back his claims.

His comments follow a recent protest by some food suppliers who picketed at the headquarters of the National Food Buffer Stock Company to demand payment of money owed them.

He was speaking at the Alumni Connect of the Tertiary Education Institutions Network  KNUST chapter (TEIN  KNUST) on July 8, 2023.

The Alumni Connect mobilises leaders of the NDC and mentors the young members of the party for active political engagement.

This years event was on the theme: Empowering TEIN: unlocking potentials, building the bridges of change.

Resources

Mr Mahama said the resources used in the two by-elections could have been used to settle the arrears, not only the food suppliers but also Nation Builders Corps (NaBCo) trainees.

He further suggested that the NPP governments response to those issues had been the adoption of short-sighted, ad-hoc and poorly conceived programmes that had done more harm than good.

Nation Builders Corps (NaBCo) trainees have been abandoned and are owed many months of salary arrears.

But we all know that the NPP lacks prioritisation because I daresay that the money that was spent in buying votes and building ad-hoc roads in Kumawu and Assin North could have cleared all the arrears of the NaBCo trainees and also cleared the arrears of the buffer stock food suppliers, he said.

He indicated the partys readiness to fight back against electoral malpractices in the 2024 election.

The New Patriotic Party led by President Akufo-Addo has shown that they are prepared to resort to electoral manipulation through the pliant and partisan leadership of the Electoral Commission to hang on to power.

It is our responsibility to give expression and manifestation to the desire of the Ghanaian people for change by remaining eternally vigilant and ensuring that the change is secured through democratic means and that no effort at undermining the change through rigging or other forms of manipulation will succeed.

It is in this light that we in the NDC wish to make clear that we will resist and prevent any sinister plot by the EC to manipulate the outcome of the 2024 election, even before the first ballot is cast, through the needless and unacceptable insistence on the Ghana Card as the only means of registration.

The President of the Association, Selma Yoda, urged the partys youth wing to join in the struggle to wrest power from the NPP.

Its not only just about TEIN but also their use in the country.

Even if you are not a polling agent, you can mobilise people from your jurisdiction, wherever you live, wherever you work.

You can preach the good word of the NDC, and you can preach the name of John Dramani Mahama, she said.
Unemployed man remanded for attacking and robbing UG students, others

GNA Jul - 12 - 2023 , 07:46

A 19-year-old unemployed man accused of attacking and terrorizing students and other residents with a matchet around the University of Ghana, Legon has been remanded into police custody.

Appearing before an Accra Circuit Court, Koku Kumedzro has been charged with preparation to commit a crime, namely robbery and robbery.

Abu Bright, a trader who allegedly received an iPhone XR mobile from Kumedzro, has been charged with dishonestly receiving.

Kofi Appiah, a 49-year-old trader who also prevented police officers from arresting Bright has also been charged with resisting arrest and rescue. The three accused persons have pleaded not guilty to their respective charges.

The court presided over by Mrs Evelyn Asamoah has admitted Appiah and Bright to bail in the sum of GHC50,000 with three sureties each.

The prosecution led by Chief Inspector Clemence Takyi said Kumedzro had on numerous occasions armed himself with a matchet and knife and hid at secluded places within the community of the University of Ghana Campus to rob students and other persons of their valuables.

It said on June 17, this year, Kumedzro went to the University of Ghana and took cover in a bushy area. Whilst in the bush, Kumedzro attacked a passerby who was making a call with an iPhone XR Phone.

The prosecution said the victim. who was afraid for his life. left the phone and ran away.

It said the Kumedzro picked up the phone and absconded.

According to the prosecution, Kumedzro offered the phone, valued at GHC3,000, to Bright who sells phones in a showcase at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Accra.

It said Kumedzro agreed to sell the phone for GHC450 to Bright.

Bright in turn also sold the phone for GHC900 to an unknown customer who is yet to be identified.

On June 21, 2023, the prosecution said Kumedzro visited the same spot and decided to rob other victims.

It said on seeing a potential victim, Kumedzro jumped out of his hiding place and attacked the person.

The prosecution said the second victim who was unintimidated by Kumedzros action, asked why he was in the bush.

The prosecution said Kumedzro told the victim that he was attending to natures call.

As the two argued, the Police headquarters Surveillance team arrived at the scene around 1230 hours, and when quizzed, Kumedzro said that he was attending to natures call in the bush.

The prosecution said the Police asked him to point to the exact spot where he attended the natures call, but Kumedzro could not substantiate his claim with proof.

It said Kumedzro then threw away his knife and cutlass and took to his heels.

He was however apprehended by the police, who also retrieved his offensive weapons.

During interrogation, Kumedzro confessed to robbing several victims with the same modus operandi.

It said Kumedzro led the Police to Bright at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle. Bright tried to call the buyer of the phone but the police found out that he had called his personal phone number.

The prosecution said Appiah then rushed to the scene to rescue Bright from the police.
World Banks active local portfolio hits $3.6 billion

Timothy Ngnenbe Jul - 12 - 2023 , 05:36

The active portfolio of the World Bank in the country is worth $3.6 billion across 21 active projects.

The portfolio is spread across several sectors, with urban resilience and land attracting the largest investments of 17 per cent.

The health, nutrition and population sector follows with 16 per cent of the portfolio; finance and competitiveness constitutes 14 per cent; social protection and jobs take 12 per cent, with digital development constituting 11 per cent.

The External Affairs Officer for West and Central Africa, Ken Fosu, made this known to the Daily Graphic last Monday ahead of the arrival in the country of the World Bank Managing Director for Operations, Anna Bjerde.

Ms Bierde is expected in the country today for a four-day official visit.

A statement issued by the World Bank Ghana Office said Ms Bjerde would be accompanied by the World Bank Vice-President for Western and Central Africa, Ousmane Diagana.

This is one of Ms Bjerdes first travels since her appointment as Managing Director on April 3 this year.

Key discussions

Mr Fosu explained that while in the country, Ms Bjerde and her delegation would pay a courtesy call on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to discuss pertinent issues regarding the local economy.

Additionally, the World Bank statement said World Bank officials would hold high-level discussions with government officials, including the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta.

The discussions are expected to centre on critical areas of the World Bank Ghana programme, including macroeconomic, energy sector issues, Ghanas International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, debt restructuring and significant structural reforms needed to accelerate sustainable economic growth over the medium to long term.

Ms Bjerde is also expected to visit World Bank-financed projects such as the Ghana Accountability and Learning Outcomes Project, the Ghana Tech Hub and the Ghana Innovation Hub at the Accra Digital Centre.

Global picture

Globally, World Bank operations comprise an active portfolio of 1,813 projects to a value of $300 billion.

Annual lending has averaged around $65 billion over the past three years.

The operational complex of the World Bank also produces ground-breaking analytical work informing policy reforms, priority investments, technical assistance and targeted poverty reduction.

World Bank operations are grounded in a country-based model, and focused on responding to the crises of recent years and medium-term development priorities, including addressing challenges such as poverty reduction, equitable growth and climate change.



Anna Bjerdes profile

The Office of the Managing Director of the World Bank brings together the operations units of the bank, which include the regional vice-presidencies and operations policy and country services.

The World Banks Fragility, Conflict and Violence Department also reports to the Managing Director.

Prior to assuming the role of Managing Director, Ms Bjerde served as Vice-President for Europe and Central Asia, where she led the World Banks efforts to steer the region through a series of overlapping global shocks  the COVID-19 pandemic, a cost-of-living crisis, natural disasters and the World Banks large-scale response to Ukraine.

She previously worked as Director of Strategy and Operations for the Middle East and North Africa region.

Between 2015 and 2018, she oversaw the World Banks strategies, lending and analytical work for Sustainable Development, covering all the World Banks regions.

She was also the Director of Strategy and Operations in the Europe and Central Asia region in 2014-15.

Ms Bjerde held a leadership role overseeing the World Banks operations in Sustainable Development and Infrastructure in the Africa region between 2011 and 2013.

She has over 30 years of experience working in development across sectors and regions, with a specific interest in inclusive growth and sustainable infrastructure development.

She is a recognised and experienced leader with a strong track record of delivering large client programmes, mobilising resources, managing and motivating extensive and decentralised workforces, and forging strong bilateral and multilateral partnerships.

Ms Bjerde holds a Master in Business and Economics degree from the University of Stockholm.
Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto proposes party-owned businesses to boost NPP financial resources

GraphicOnline Politics Jul - 12 - 2023 , 11:30

Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has unveiled a strategic plan aimed at enhancing the party's financial resources and ensuring its competitiveness in the political landscape.

During his Central Regional campaign tour, Dr. Akoto shared his vision of establishing a network of party-owned businesses at the national, regional, and constituency levels, all to be managed by a holding company.

The proposed businesses are intended to generate revenue to sustain the party's operations while simultaneously creating employment opportunities for party members, thereby alleviating their economic challenges.

Dr. Akoto believes that this strategy, dubbed "Linking party to Government," represents the most sustainable and effective approach to managing the party at all levels.

Drawing inspiration from successful examples around the world, such as the Kuomintang (KMT) in Taiwan, the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa, the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), and various political parties in countries like Italy, France, Germany, Austria, and Israel, Dr. Akoto emphasized the potential benefits of party-owned businesses.

Historically, political parties owning businesses was a common practice in several countries, and Dr. Akoto aims to adapt this model to the NPP. He believes that by implementing a holding company structure and diversifying the party's business ventures, the NPP can generate sustained revenue streams, enhance its financial stability, and improve the lives of its members.

During his campaign, Dr. Akoto addressed concerns raised by his competitors' promises to pay salaries to polling station executives or provide appointments to all constituencies. He dismissed these proposals as fallacies and emphasized that his comprehensive plan is globally accepted and has been successfully implemented in other countries. Dr. Akoto urged party delegates to prioritize a sustainable approach that will address their financial challenges effectively.

Accompanied by campaign officials including Alfred Boye, a former Greater Accra NPP Regional Chairman, and Ken-Wuud Nuworsu, a former NPP Volta Regional Chairman, Dr. Akoto toured various constituencies, including Gomoa West and Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam.

The presence of experienced party members in his campaign team further highlighted his commitment to addressing the concerns and needs of NPP delegates and members at all levels.

Dr. Akoto's proposal for party-owned businesses managed by a holding company represents a forward-looking and comprehensive approach to ensuring the NPP's financial strength.

If implemented successfully, it has the potential to alleviate the economic hardships faced by party members and establish a sustainable source of funding for the NPP's activities in the long run.
High Court dismisses Quaysons application to halt trial

Justice Agbenorsi Politics Jul - 12 - 2023 , 05:51

The Accra High Court has dismissed an application filed by the Member of Parliament for Assin-North, James Gyakye Quayson which sought to put his perjury and forgery trial on hold until the Court of Appeal determines an application against the trial court.

In a ruling yesterday, the court, presided over by Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, said no exceptional circumstance had been proven by Quaysons lawyers to warrant the grant of stay of proceedings.

I am unable to agree with the submission that the appeal has a brighter chance of success because of errors of law.

The fact that the applicant believes his appeal will succeed does not by itself warrant a special circumstance for a stay to be granted, the presiding judge said.

The court emphasised that its decision to hear the case on day-to-day basis was still in force.

But lead counsel for Quayson, Tsatsu Tsikata, notified the court of his intention to file another application at the Court of Appeal to put the trial on hold.

He added that he needed more time to attend to a private matter, hence he would be unable to attend proceedings.

He further prayed the court to choose a later date for the trial instead of today, July 12, 2023.

A Deputy Attorney-General, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, told the court that there was no process preventing the court from continuing the matter.

The presiding judge subsequently adjourned the matter to Friday, July 14, 2023.

Stay

Mr Quayson wanted the court to put the criminal trial, in which he has been accused of perjury and forgery, on hold until the Court of Appeal determines his appeal challenging the courts decision to hear the trial on a daily basis.

With regard to the application for stay of proceedings, the MP was of the contention that the trial must be halted pending the appeal in the interest of justice.

It was his case that the ruling by the court to hear the case on a daily basis was what emboldened President Akufo-Addo to allegedly make prejudicial comments regarding 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 the

Assin North Constituency should not vote for a candidate who could end up in prison, the application for stay of proceedings stated.

Charges

Mr Quayson is facing charges of forgery and perjury in relation to certain 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.

It is the case of the prosecution that Mr Quayson allegedly made a false statement to the Passport Office that he did not hold a passport to another country when he applied for a Ghanaian Passport.

In addition, the prosecution has accused Mr Quayson of making a false declaration to the Electoral Commission (EC) to the effect that he (Quayson) did not owe any allegiance to a foreign country when he filed to contest as a candidate for the Assin North seat.
Delegations from the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and more will attend the inaugural Critical Minerals Africa summit in Cape Town this Octoberaimed at positioning Africa as the primary investment destination for critical minerals, according to event organizers Energy Capital & Power (ECP).

The Summit will bring policymakers and private sector players together to advance African critical minerals production and processing capacity, as well as establish roadmaps to attaining minerals and energy security, with a view to attracting capital and buyers to African projects.

Home to approximately one-third of the worlds mineral resources, the African continent has been at the center of global discussions around energy security and the energy transition, both of which have accelerated demand for minerals such as cobalt, copper, lithium, manganese and platinum group metals.

For Western nations such as the US and UK, mineral-rich countries such as South Africa, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) represent a strategic opportunity to meet growing demand for clean energy minerals and technologies, while diversifying critical minerals supply chains and reducing reliance on single producing or processing countries.

Countries like Japan, Indonesia and South Korea are also seeking to increase foreign investment and forge strategic partnerships in Africa, with Japan signing an agreement with the DRC last December to cooperate in rare earth mining and expand critical mineral supplies. Discussions led by the Minerals Security Partnership have also targeted increased supply chain cooperationwith African producers, evidenced by a meeting earlier this year that united 12 member countries including Australia, Canada, South Africa, France, Tanzania and the DRC.
MAHLE has received a series order from engine manufacturer DEUTZ for the development and supply of components for hydrogen engines. These are power cell unitsi.e., units consisting of the piston, the piston ring pack and the piston pinwhich DEUTZ plans to use in stationary hydrogen engines for the first time from the end of 2024.





MAHLE engine components enable the use of hydrogen in combustion engines.

Further applications in the off-highway sector, such as agricultural and construction machinery, are planned. These new engines can be operated in a climate-neutral manner using hydrogen produced from renewable sources since no CO 2 is produced when the hydrogen is burned.

MAHLE has been working for years on engine systems for hydrogen and other climate-neutral fuels. The Stuttgart-based technology group is contributing this expertise to the DEUTZ project.

We see hydrogen as an important building block for sustainable mobility, especially in the commercial vehicle sector. This project with DEUTZ is a milestone with a lighthouse effect because it shows that there are other technological levers besides electrification to achieve climate-neutrality. Arnd Franz, Chairman of the MAHLE Management Board and CEO

To keep the world moving, we need different technology options. What a climate-neutral excavator or combine harvester will look like remains to be seen. For engines that are constantly in use and move large loads, several options are possible. One of them is the hydrogen engine. Our successful pilot projects demonstrate the potential in the commercial vehicle sector. With MAHLE, we now have a strong partner to help us enter series production of our hydrogen engines at the end of 2024. Dr. Sebastian C. Schulte, Chairman of the Management Board of DEUTZ

For use in the hydrogen engine, MAHLE has adapted and further developed the aluminum piston and piston ring pack from classical diesel technology. In hydrogen combustion, a key challenge is to find the optimum between the gas mixture that is forced into the crankcase during the combustion process and the oil consumption. MAHLE has already verified the reliability of the hydrogen components in a wide variety of engine classes.

MAHLE is committed to technological diversity as part of its corporate strategy: In addition to e-mobility, including fuel cells and the associated thermal management, MAHLE considers the climate-neutral green combustion engine, which runs on non-fossil fuels such as hydrogen, to be one of the future technologies for a sustainable powertrain mix.





Hydrogen engine on the MAHLE test bench

In March 2021, the technology group opened a new test center for hydrogen applications on 1,400 square meters of space at its Stuttgart location.





The DEUTZ carbon-neutral TCG 7.8 H2 hydrogen engine delivers 220 kW of power. Credit: DEUTZ AG

In March, DEUTZ showcased its TCG 7.8 H2 hydrogen engine, with production expected to begin next year. The six-cylinder engine is based on an existing design, produces 220 kW of power and is both carbon-neutral and very quiet. In principle, the hydrogen engine can be used in all current DEUTZ applications, and even in the on-highway segment. After initially being piloted in a genset for generating electricity, the engine will be trialed in an 18-tonne truck as part of the HyCET project.
Rio Tinto and Sumitomo Corporation will build a first-of-a-kind hydrogen plant in Gladstone, Australia as part of a A$111.1-million (US$74.3-million) program aimed at lowering carbon emissions from the alumina refining process.

The Yarwun Hydrogen Calcination Pilot Demonstration Program received the green light after a A$32.1-million (US$21.5-million) co-funding boost from the federal governments Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

The program is aimed at demonstrating the viability of using hydrogen in the calcination process, where hydrated alumina is heated to temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees Celsius.

It involves construction of a hydrogen plant at the refinery and the retrofit of refinery processing equipment. If successful, the program could pave the way for adoption of the technology at scale globally.

This pilot plant is an important step in testing whether hydrogen can replace natural gas in Queensland alumina refineries. Rio Tinto Aluminium Pacific Operations Managing Director Armando Torres

The project will consist of construction of a 2.5MW on-site electrolyzer to supply hydrogen to the Yarwun refinery and a retrofit of one of Yarwuns four calciners so it can operate at times with a hydrogen burner.

The trial is expected to produce the equivalent of about 6,000 tonnes of alumina per year while reducing Yarwuns carbon dioxide emissions by about 3,000 tonnes per year.

Converting the entire plant to green hydrogen could reduce emissions by 500,000 tonnes per yearthe equivalent of taking about 109,000 internal combustion engine cars off the road.

Construction will start in 2024. The hydrogen plant and calciner are expected to be in operation by 2025.

Sumitomo Corporation will own and operate the electrolyzer at Yarwun site and supply the hydrogen to Rio Tinto directly. The electrolyzer will have a production capacity of more than 250 tonnes of hydrogen annually.

The pilot plant follows the success of a A$1.2-million feasibility study co-funded by Rio Tinto and ARENA that was announced in 2021. (Earlier post.)

Rio Tinto is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and has targets to reduce Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 50% by 2030 from 2018 levels.
Amazon US has the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra at its lowest price yet, $850

Just yesterday the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (with 256GB storage) was $950, the lowest we had seen in yet (e.g. it was $975 back in May), but now Samsungs flagship is down even further.

Prime subscribers can pick up the 256GB unit for $850. For context, that is basically the same as the MSRP of a 256GB Galaxy S23 ($860), while the S23 Ultra with that storage was $1,200. You can also grab the 512GB option for $980 too, but that may be too pricey for the extra storage.

In the UK, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is bundled with a free Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go. However, only the 512GB phone is part of the Prime Day deals and the price for the bundle is 1,200.

The Galaxy Chromebook Go on its own is available for 290. It has an 11.6 HD display, an Intel Celeron N4500 (2C/2T, 10nm, 1.1GHz base, 2.8GHz burst), 4GB of RAM and 64GB eMMC storage.



Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go

Connectivity options include LTE for Internet on the go and Wi-Fi 6 (ax, 2x2) when at home. There is also a USB-C port, one USB-A 3.2 port, a headphone/microphone combo jack and a microSD slot.

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Samsung will unveil the new Galaxy Z Flip5 in two weeks, but there is little hope that it will be cheaper than the 2022 model  in fact, the opposite may be true. Sure, there will pre-order deals and trade-in offers, but those will only do so much to offset the high base price.

In the UK, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 (8/128GB) can be yours for 600, thats 40% off its launch price. Also, it comes with an extended 3-year warranty. Note that only Blue units are available.

In the US, the discount is smaller, only 20%, meaning that the 128GB unit costs $800. At least you can pick between four colors: Blue, Graphite, Pink Gold and Bora Purple.

Unfortunately, there are no good deals on the Z Flip4 in Germany, certainly no Prime deals. Instead, local fans can go back in time another year and pick up the Galaxy Z Flip3 for 500. What you will be missing compared to the 2022 model is the new chipset (Snapdragon 888 vs. 8+ Gen 1) and a larger battery with faster charging (3,300mAh 15/10W vs. 3,700mAh 25/15W). Neither phone has the larger display of the Z Flip5.

By the way, the Z Flip3 and Z Flip5 will be getting 4 OS updates and 5 years of security patches. Obviously, the 2021 model has already used up 2 of its updates, but that still leaves 2 more and 3 years of patches. For the Z Flip4 its 3 remaining OS updates and 4 years of patches.

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A district judge allowed Microsoft to acquire Activision, denying the preliminary injunction request by the FTC (Federal Trade Commission). Judge Corley of the District Court for the Northern District of California said they were satisfied with Microsofts promise to keep Call of Duty available on other platforms, including Sony Xbox and Nintendo Switch.

The statement by the law official said the Court did not find FTC to show a likelihood it will prevail on its claim that the merger will lessen competition. Essentially, this means the Trade Commission is not allowed to stop the deal from taking place, although the decision can be appealed, provided documents are filed by the end of Friday.

Judge Corley took into consideration the 10-year parity deal Microsoft and Sony are about to sign for Call of Duty, as well as the similar agreement with Nintendo. The US company will also bring Activisions titles to several cloud gaming services, which would not harm competition in the gaming industry.

The $68.7 billion deal ($95.00 per share) already received the go-ahead from the European Union. It still is in a legal battle with the CMA (Competitions and Market Authority) in the United Kingdom, but reports are both sides decided to pause the case to negotiate the cloud gaming concerns from the British regulator.

Brad Smith, Microsoft President, and Bobby Kotick, Activision Blizzard CEO, both praised the quick court decision. In separate press releases, they both said the deal is going to open competition in cloud gaming instead of stifling it. It should also benefit consumers and workers, as reports are no major layoffs are planned once the merger is complete.

Source
Morrico Equipment and AK Saipan will have new leadership, according to Atkins Kroll.

AK announced the retirement of Torgun Smith, vice president and general manager for Morrico Equipment. Smiths journey with Morrico spans 30 years, during which he played an integral role in the founding of Morrico Equipment, along with Alan and Ross Morrison. Smith was instrumental in Morricos growth, success and reputation as a trusted industry leader in Guam and Micronesia.

As Torgun embarks on this new chapter in his life, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for his exceptional service and numerous accomplishments, said Alex Yap, president of Atkins Kroll for Guam and Saipan. His unwavering commitment and passion for getting the job done have set a remarkable example for us all. Torgun will always be part of our AK and Morrico families, and we wish him great happiness and success.

AK also announced that Joel Lesh has been promoted to Vice President and General Manager of Morrico Equipment as of July 1. Lesh returns to Guam after serving as the AK Saipan Vice President and General Manager, which is a role he held since February 2021. Before that, Lesh was the AK Guam Aftersales Director.

Joel has been an invaluable AK team member for six years, consistently demonstrating exceptional leadership skills, deep industry knowledge and a strong commitment to our success, Yap added. This allows for a seamless transition as he leads the future successes for Morrico Equipment.

Julie Lee appointed as interim VP and GM

AK also announced the appointment of Julie Lee as the interim Vice President and General Manager for Atkins Kroll Saipan, effective July 10. Lee joined AK in 2006 as Financial Controller and went on to become the Finance Director overseeing AK Guam, AK Saipan and Morrico Equipment.

She will continue to oversee the businesss automotive finance and insurance and serve as vice president and treasurer of the AK board of directors and a 401K planning committee member. Lee is a graduate of Seattle University and a former auditor with Deloitte and Touche.

Shermah Santos will serve as interim Finance Director for Atkins Kroll and Morrico Equipment, effective July 10. Santos joined AK in 2017 and has been General Manager of Finance since 2021. She holds a BA and MBA in Accounting from California State University, San Bernardino.
Days before the impact of Typhoon Mawar, mayors and vice mayors assisted residents to get situated in the shelters within the public schools.

Mayors in the southern villages also went into the neighborhoods and informed residents of the governors executive order, which mandated evacuation in all coastal areas to seek higher ground.

Mayors and their staff performed these tasks during Condition of Readiness 1, taking on the role of frontliners and first responders to help the community.

However, the staff are still not classified as employees eligible to receive hazardous pay.

This was the issue brought up by Mayors Council of Guam Executive Director Angel Sablan, at a budget hearing for Fiscal Year 2024 with the legislative committee on general government operations and appropriations.

Sen. Jesse Lujan noted that they will try to work on retroactively paying the staff the hazardous pay by including it in the budget bill.

They are absolutely deserving of it, and they should be part of the first responders, stated Lujan.

None of the committee members voiced disapproval of the possible inclusion.

Piti mayor Jesse Alig stated how the council highlights its staff.

Today, I ask you to consider the hard-working men and women of the Mayors Council of Guam as vital components of our government, said Alig. Without them, we could not accomplish the arduous tasks of the pandemic and disaster recovery. Our administrative staff and community maintenance workers are the backbone of the Mayors Council of Guam, and every one of them is important. Your support to keep all our maintenance workers is first on our wish list.

Your help in allowing us to sponsor other recreational activities, such as cultural and modern dance and exercise programs, will benefit an even greater population, added Alig. Please be mindful that most of what were asking for this year is to lessen the bureaucracy and increase our service capacity.

Sablan then noted that for FY 24, the council is requesting $15,266,732, which is an increase of over 5 million dollars from the FY 23 appropriation. About one and a half million dollars alone is being requested for power alone across the villages, including the mayors offices and recreational facilities under their purview.

Sen. Telo Taitague, co-chairperson of the committee, advised Sablan and the council to seek solar options for the facilities power as the power appropriation for FY 24 would be double the request from FY 23.

Taitague also applauded Aligs work to prepare the island days in advance before the typhoon, but she further advised the council to prepare for future storms during the El Nino season this year.

Oka Point disposal

Another concern of the council is the Oka Point disposal site closing this week. As the Army Corps of Engineers is scheduled to help pick up waste along rights-of-way, according to Sablan, the contract is not open-ended and may close as early as 30 days after its start.

Alig said that at the end of all the assistance provided to the island, there will still be someone that was not helped. He also noted that the free tree cutting by AmeriCorps is full as out of 24 applicants in his village, only four could be helped in the program.

Mayor Louise Rivera of Tamuning-Tumon-Harmon noted that the site is now overwhelmed as it got terrible when it was opened for everybody. She then questioned the lack of green waste sites and the household trash disposal at Oka.

Why do the people of Yigo and all the way down south have to come to Tamuning? stated Rivera. Why does household trash have to be brought to the dump site when it can go to solid waste?

The council is also asking for another three unclassified positions to be funded as two will be for essential staff while the other position will be for the Community Arts Center in Sinajana.

Sablan noted the extra personnel will really help their operations as their two current administrative assistants each handle 10 accounts, one for each of the 19 villages and one for utilities.

Alig added that they deal with procurement and emergency response.

Sen. Sabina Perez noted that they can also possibly find dedicated procurement officials for the council.
The University of Guam is celebrating its recent success as it takes home national and international awards for its 70th Anniversary Exhibit, which was held at the Guam Museum last year.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education recognized UOG's outstanding achievement by presenting them with two Gold Awards in the Special Events, In-Person Multi-Day Events category and the Design/Environmental Graphics category.

The CASE Circle of Excellence Awards is a highly esteemed recognition program in the field of education. In 2023, it attracted participation from 583 institutions spanning nearly 22 countries.

With a staggering 4,021 entries in 96 categories, encompassing magazines, fundraising campaigns, alumni initiatives, special events, marketing, leadership, videos and more, the competition was fierce. UOG emerged victorious, securing the Gold Awards for their remarkable exhibit.

The judges were captivated by the innovative concept of UOG's exhibit, which they believe could serve as a model for other educational institutions.

According to CASE, the panel of judges expressed their inspiration, stating, "The panel had not seen an experience like this in the past and was inspired by the concept. Judges felt this concept could serve as a model for other institutions and is an excellent platform for giving exposure to the institution's message and voice."

But UOG's achievements did not end there. The university's anniversary exhibit also received recognition from the National Association of Government Communicators in the form of their esteemed Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards.

UOG's exhibit claimed first place in the "Special Purpose Product" category, further cementing its position as a premier educational showcase.

Moreover, UOG's exhibit earned second place accolades in two additional categories, namely "Print Display" and "Special Event or Conference." The NAGC Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards, held in April 2023 in Portland, Oregon, aim to honor exceptional government communication products and those responsible for their creation.

The 70th Anniversary Exhibit created by UOG provided an interactive and immersive experience for Guam residents to delve into the university's illustrious 70-year history. Spanning an impressive 3,000 square feet, the exhibit was hosted at the Senator Antonio M. Palomo Guam Museum and Chamorro Educational Facility in Hagatna.

The captivating display attracted a considerable number of visitors, with almost 2,500 guests, including over 700 students, exploring the exhibits.

The success of the exhibit extended beyond the educational and cultural aspects. It also had a positive impact on fundraising efforts, as it managed to raise $10,000 for the UOG Endowment Foundation.

"Our 70th Anniversary Exhibit was produced and coordinated by teams across the University," said UOG Acting President Anita Borja Enriquez in a press release.

"These awards recognize that the rich history of UOG and the work we produce are exceptional among our peers in government and in higher education," added Enriquez in a press release.

Virtual tour

The 70th Anniversary Exhibit closed in October 2022, but it lives on in an online virtual tour. Check it out at: https://url.uog.edu/UOG-70th-virtual-exhibit.
Ron McNinch is a longstanding member of the Guam community and frequently gives his opinion on a wide range of topics.
Published on 2023/07/11 | Source

Actress Esom perfectly matched the black and white mood.

Advertisement

Magazine Dazed drew attention by releasing a pictorial and interview of actor Esom through the July 2023 issue on the 4th.

Esom, who received favorable reviews for her high-quality acting and bold character transformation in Netflix's "Kill Boksoon" and "Black Knight", caused viewers to immerse themselves in each episode. Through this Dazed pictorial, Esom showed another charm, crossing chic and lovely.

In an interview conducted with the pictorial, Esom said about having various layers as an actor, "I tend to leave a lot of open when I have to choose. "I think it was a series of processes to get to know me and actors like me", he said, expressing his own conviction.

"The new scene is also fun, and it is also fun when I find myself that I haven't seen before through new characters. Cha Min-hee of "Kill Boksoon" and Seol-ah of "Black Knight" were both new to me in my work", she said, expressing her affection and interest in acting.

At the time of the interview, the first filming of TVING's original series, "LTNS", was scheduled. "I want to do well because I'm working with Jeon Go-woon and Ahn Jae-hong in the movie "Microhabitat" once more. I'm more careful because we're close, and I don't want to lose them, so I want to do better", she said, raising expectations for her work.

The original TVING series "LTNS", scheduled to be released in the second half of this year, is a comedy-drama in which a couple who threaten a man and woman for money face their broken relationship.

More pictorials and interviews of Esom can be found in the Dazed July issue and on official channels such as its website, social networking services (SNS), YouTube and TikTok.
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(CNBC) Bank of America, the second-largest U.S. bank by assets, engaged in deceptive practices that hurt hundreds of thousands of its customers in recent years, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Tuesday. The bank charged multiple $35 overdraft fees for the same transaction, failed to properly issue rewards to credit card users and signed up customers for card accounts without their consent, the CFPB said in a statement.

To read this article:
(HedgeCo.Net) The Securities and Exchange Commission has announced charges against Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and its parent company BAC North America Holding Co. (BACNAH) for failing to file hundreds of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) from 2009 to late 2019. Merrill Lynch agreed to pay a $6 million penalty to settle the SEC charges and, in a parallel action, Merrill Lynch agreed to pay a separate $6 million fine to settle charges brought by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

According to the SECs order, BACNAH assumed responsibility for creating and implementing Merrill Lynchs SAR policies and procedures and for filing Merrill Lynchs SARs. Over the course of a decade, however, BACNAH improperly used a $25,000 threshold instead of the required $5,000 threshold for reporting suspicious transactions or attempted transactions where a suspect may have been seeking to use Merrill Lynch to facilitate criminal activity and could not be identified. As a result, BACNAH caused Merrill Lynchs failure to file hundreds of required SARs.

Broker-dealers have a critical obligation to report suspicious activity in their accounts, said Katharine E. Zoladz, Co-Acting Regional Director of the Los Angeles Regional Office. Merrill Lynch and BACNAH did not file hundreds of Merrill Lynch SARs because they failed to comply with one of the most basic requirements for a SAR program.

The SECs order finds that Merrill Lynch violated the books and records provisions of Section 17(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 17a-8 thereunder and that BACNAH caused those violations. Without admitting or denying the SECs findings, Merrill Lynch and BACNAH agreed to cease and desist from committing or causing violations of those provisions, and Merrill Lynch also agreed to a censure and the aforementioned $6 million civil penalty.
I apologise for my stupid comments on social media 15 years ago and the harm and grievance they have understandably caused. Im not a perfect person, Ive made mistakes, she wrote yesterday afternoon on Twitter.

MINISTER OF FINANCE Riikka Purra (PS) has apologised for her old online comments after demands from several lawmakers that she and the entire government unequivocally reject racism, violence and discrimination.

When removed from their context and examined through modern-day lens, some of the writings look even worse than before. I dont accept any kind of violence, racism or discrimination. People who know my values and ways of working know that.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) thanked Purra for the apology, saying she had made the right decision.

The government wont collapse because of this. I hope that the government can start implementing its programme and that people have the opportunity to evaluate the measures and values of the government and ministers through actions, he wrote on Twitter.

The National Coalition has stressed that the government is not claiming to stand behind shared values but rather behind shared economic objectives.

Purra has come under intense media scrutiny this week over media speculation that she could be behind a series of racist and violence-inciting comments made under the username riikka on Scripta, the blog of current Speaker of the Parliament Jussi Halla-aho (PS). She has neither confirmed nor denied using the username while addressing the controversy.

Halla-aho, who is the presumptive presidential candidate of the Finns Party in 2024, stated to Ilta-Sanomat on Tuesday that the ongoing discussion is probably indicative of left-green activists and journalists "mourning" the end of the left-wing government.

It was only a matter of time before they take aim at the next person, he said, referring to the controversy that surrounded now ex-Minister of Economic Affairs Vilhelm Junnila (PS).

Purra on Monday stated in her blog that she would no longer do, say or write all of the things she has previously done, but she also refused to apologise and engage in what she said was a campaign orchestrated by the political left to undermine the Finns Party.

It wouldnt even cross my mind to reject or apologise for my actions and comments from years and decades past, she declared.

She published a series of less defiant tweets in the evening, saying she has expressed herself in ways and with words she no longer approves of.

The apology itself did not come until a number of statements from leading policymakers. President Sauli Niinisto, who was asked about the situation yesterday at the Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, viewed that it would be smart if the government stated unequivocally that it has zero tolerance for racism.

If the government manages to adopt [a clear stance against racism], I believe itd send a good signal also to the rest of the world. You have to keep in mind that racism and the possible issues of immigration are two separate things, he was quoted saying by Helsingin Sanomat.

Members of the Finns Party have routinely responded to racism allegations by insisting they are simply criticising immigration policy or speaking about the problems of immigration.

Minister of Education Anna-Maja Henriksson (SFP) on Tuesday told Helsingin Sanomat that she is shocked by the posts made under the username riikka.

Irrespective of whether the user riikka is Riikka Purra, itd make coalition co-operation easier if Purra now clearly adopted the position that racism isnt acceptable in any of its forms, she underscored.

Minister of European Affairs and Ownership Steering Anders Adlercreutz (SFP) said on Twitter the racist and violence-inciting comments violate the letter and spirit of the government programme and are not acceptable from anyone.

Sanna Marin (SDP), the outgoing chairperson of the Social Democrats, demanded that the government unequivocally reject racism, hate speech and violence. She also drew attention to the reaction she received before the parliamentary elections by ruling out the possibility of coalition co-operation between the Social Democrats and Finns Party.

This was criticised. Maybe theres a bit more understanding now. Theres nothing new or surprising about what has surfaced in recent weeks about the [Finns Party], she tweeted.

Krista Kiuru, one of the candidates to lead the Social Democrats, demanded that Purra apologise for her old writings and that the entire government clear its racist reputation.

If the prime minister and ruling parties arent ready or able to do this, I think its necessary to measure confidence in the minister of finance no later than at the beginning of the [autumn] parliamentary session, she said on Twitter.

Li Andersson, the chairperson of the Left Alliance, emphasised that zero tolerance for racism should not be limited to zero tolerance for violence, but also for racist remarks and writings.

The ruling parties have failed to demonstrate what they mean when they say that everyone in the government has to commit to respecting equality and non-discrimination. This cant go on, she wrote.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
After having intensive discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, Sheikh Mohammed Abdul Karim al-Issa, the Secretary General of Muslim World League will call upon Indian President Draupadi Murmu and meet other political and Islamic and non-Islamic religious dignitaries in India till July 15. Muslim World League Secretary General Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al Issa met PM Modi.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval hosted a lavish dinner for Sheikh Issa on Tuesday with leading Islamic clerics such as Maulana Mehmood Madani, President of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, and Maulana Asghar Ali Mehdi, head of Ahle-Hadees, attending the show apart from Sufi clerics from Ajmersharif Dargah. Prior to that, Sheikh al-Issa addressed a large congregation at Islamic Center in Delhi, where he publicly appreciated the history and diversity of India and maintained that Indian Muslims were proud of their country. He said that India is a great model of co-existence to the entire world and it was the duty of all Indians to be patriotic.

Speaking at the same function, NSA Doval said that terrorism was not linked to any religion and that spiritual leaders were needed to counter extremism. He said it was no coincidence that despite India having 200 million Muslims, the involvement of Indian citizens in global terrorism was incredibly low.

While Indias adversaries like Pakistan and its allies in the Middle-East are trying to accuse the Modi government and India of Islamophobia, the timing of Sheikh Issa visit is very significant as he is close to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and represents the reformative phase of Islam in the Royal Kingdom. Voice and face of moderate Islam, Sheikh Issa has given religious sanctity to the major empowerment of women in the Saudi kingdom under the Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. Today, steps have been taken in Saudi Arabia to take into account the convenience of its citizens while offering prayers with a big no to loudspeakers and restricting the prayers to homes and mosques. Now women can drive in Saudi Arabia and have been radically empowered by the present Crown Prince.

While all the schemes announced by Prime Minister Modi are non-discriminatory and beneficial to all, his adversaries in the country and the west often raise the Hindutva agenda to threaten the minority community in India. Opposition parties also force multiply into this minority agenda to secure their vote banks and ensure that Indian Muslims stay away from the ruling BJP despite minorities being beneficiaries of all government welfare schemes.

Apart from extending all DBT and Health schemes to all citizens including minorities, PM Modi has also made significant efforts to counter the anti-Muslim narrative being spread around by Pakistan and its Muslim brotherhood allies in the Middle-East. He invited Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as chief guest for the 2023 Republic Day and then visited Cairo last month for the first bilateral visit by an Indian PM since 1997. He is travelling to the United Arab Emirates on July 15 to meet President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and expand bilateral ties. And there is diplomatic buzz about PM Modi travelling to Kuwait later this year.

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Sitting with a quill and paper for hours at a time couldnt have been easy. Perhaps thats why most novelists, playwrights, and poets, down the centuries, nursed a pint  or two  at the neighbourhood pub every evening. They werent the only ones! Historians, diarists, philosophers, and other authors also routinely gathered at taverns and boozers to let off steam and connect with the community. PREMIUM The Sherlock Holmes pub in St Jamess, London (Breznay Andras/Wikimedia Commons)

Charles Dickens, Samuel Johnson, Samuel Pepys, Alexander Pope, Mark Twain, Alfred Tennyson, William Thackeray, Arthur Conan Doyle, David Garrick the list of the pub clientele across London reads like a whos who of the writing establishment. Many of these impresarios of the literary world often found inspiration in the local public house where they regularly ate, drank, discussed, thought, ideated, and worked. To know more about the connection between authors, their writing process, and pubs, I decided to sign up for the London Literary Pub Crawl, a theatrical tourist attraction, performance tour, and guided walk. This artist-led walking tour, arranged by the not-for-profit charity Maverick Theatre Company, explores the watering holes of some of Londons most famous writers, and involves talks by local writers and performances by artists from Londons West End and the UK TV and film industry.

Nick Hennegan started the Maverick Theatre Company, which arranges the London Literary Pub Crawl. (Courtesy the subject)

Nick Hennegan started the theatre company as a means of increasing access to the performing arts through the presentation of contemporary classics and new works in mainly non-theatre environments.

Hennegans background is strictly non-artistic or academic, he says, adding that a succession of events led him to work on a radio show with lots of lovely Oxbridge University types where he realised that appreciating art and culture was not about intelligence, but an opportunity. In 1994, he started the Maverick Theatre Company to attract new audiences to the theatre and began producing contemporary classics and presenting them in non-formal theatre spaces  mainly pubs. Which is, of course, how Shakespeare started! he says. His adaptation of Shakespeares Henry V as a one-person show, Henry V  Lion of England, was picked up by producers after one performance in Birmingham, taken to Edinburgh Fringe, and went on to tour the world.

At the Fitzroy Tavern (Courtesy the London Literary Pub Crawl)

Hennegan believes that the London Literary Pub Crawl (launched in 2012) probably would not have happened if Id been from London, but being from Birmingham in the English Midlands I had a tourists eye.

He soon found new inspiration in Fitzrovia, more specifically in the Fitzroy Tavern, a pub that famously hosted George Orwell, Dylan Thomas, and Lawrence Durrell among others. When I finally came full-time to London to go to university, a friend from Birmingham told me that if I wanted a cheap beer, I should go to the Fitzroy Tavern. It was relatively cheap for London but I noticed downstairs theyd got a bar called the Writers and Artists Bar. (The bar now houses the toilets!) I saw photos of famous writers and artists on the walls I thought if all these people had come here, there must be some stories to tell. So I started researching and, sure enough, there were some great stories! he says.

Finding liquid inspiration in Fitzrovia (Courtesy the London Literary Pub Crawl)

Hennegan soon put together a two-person script, with audiences being greeted and shown around by Virginia Woolf and Charles Dickens. The actors stayed in character throughout the show, although they became other characters at various pubs to illustrate different stories.

As we are a theatre company, rather than a travel company or a commercial outfit, we werent really sure how to promote it, he recalls. But the show went on. Soon, overseas tourists started to attend and just before the lockdown a journalist wrote a story that appeared all over the world. The phones and the emails didnt stop! We were looking at hundreds every day and I was recruiting new teams of actors. But, two weeks later we got locked down with Covid-19, he recalls. Three years on, things have picked up well for the literary pub crawl, and I see why. Hennegens literary walk brings together books, authors, stories, histories, and liquor to create a sense of place and time. And allows attendees to learn about authors and their work in a completely new way.

Events at this pub might have inspired The Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess (Courtesy the London Literary Pub Crawl)

We kick off at the pub where Welsh poet Dylan Thomas met and fell in love with his wife, and then meander through the streets of Fitzrovia and across the Great Divide (as its sometimes known locally!), Oxford Street  into Soho.

Soho is an area known for years for its creativity and characters. We dont go into all the pubs for drinks as that would be very difficult but we have three or four stops  again, depending on the group. This is a pub crawl so the people on it are important. We look at half a dozen pubs that have stories relevant to today, he says.

The performance tour, which lasts anywhere between three to four hours, goes through the public houses of Soho and Fitzrovia and highlights the writers and artists they inspired. The guided walk includes sites visited by authors, poets and thinkers such as TS Eliot, Karl Marx, George Orwell, Anthony Burgess, and Virginia Woolf. It also takes in some contemporary spaces, including those relevant to songwriters such as Sir Paul McCartney, Jimi Hendrix, and Damien Hirst.

The actor made up to look like Charles Dickens has plenty to say as we trudge along. Re-enactments of key moments in Britains literary history add much interest as do the anecdotes that reveal some of the events and occurrences that shaped some of British literatures most famous works.

The pub where Dylan Thomas met his wife Caitlin Macnamara (Courtesy the London Literary Pub Crawl)

As the tour is conducted by artists, things sometimes go off-script! One of our current Charles often gets so carried away, one tour he did lasted 14 hours! Also, because we are artists, the people on the tour are very much a part of the mix, along with the script, performance, and places. So the duration very much depends on the individuals who are on the tour, Hennegen says.

The tour covers just over a mile, and is basically an amble, but sensible shoes and an umbrella are always a good idea. Apart from a quiz and multiple readings, the tour offers a closer look at things you would probably not notice if you werent told where to look. Fragments of social history are often tucked away in the fabric of old buildings, usually above the eye line or down an alleyway, and this tour helps unearth that with snippets about authors now renowned the world over. The crawl ends as it began  in a pub  most likely with a pint and sing-song to finish the day.

The British pub is now an institution, one thats crucial for communities  especially after the pandemic. The founder of the pub crawl believes that pubs are important, perhaps now more than ever. I do most things in the pub. I wrote Henry V  Lion of England at a pub in Birmingham and my second Shakespeare adaptation, Hamlet  Horatios Tale, which attracted the talent of legendary actor Sir Derek Jacobi, in a pub. My third play, A Ghost Of A Chance, won a Guinness Award through the Royal National Theatre and was written in a pub, he says.

Pubs on Old Compton Street, Soho, central London (cktravels.com / Shutterstock)

Maverick Theatre Company works with numerous artists and aims to give everyone a fair chance. Coming on the London Literary Pub Crawl means you are supporting a new generation of London writers, Hennegan says.

The company is about to start a tour at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it will present a new play, The Birth of Frankenstein, this August. It will also release two books in Spring 2024: The Good (Literary) Pubs Guide and Plays Down The Pub - How to Make A Crisis Out of A Drama (the story of Maverick). Hennegan is also doing more to further the cause of the English pub. He recently launched Bohemian Britain, which offers podcasts, blogs, reviews, and videos about pubs, writers, attractions, theatre, and a bohemian lifestyle in modern Britain. Meanwhile, what about those who cannot get to London to enjoy the pub crawl? Weve not announced it yet, but we are going to try and do a virtual literary pub crawl in autumn, one that anyone in the world can join online, Hennegan says. Teja Lele is an independent editor and writes on books, travel and lifestyle.

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Delhi, July 12, 2023  Utho, India's first cloud platform, ignited a new era in the Indian cloud market at the MSP India Summit held in Delhi on 7 July, 2023. Mr. Manoj Dhanda (Founder and CTO - Utho) electrified the audience with his profound insights on propelling India's digital revolution.

He also facilitated the nation's growth through the "Make in India" and "Digital India" initiatives.

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Utho emerged as the essence of Indian brilliance and technological excellence, uplifting the audience's spirits.

Mr. Manoj Dhandas captivating presentation showcased Utho's unwavering commitment to the nation, fueling a surge of enthusiasm amongst the attendees who witnessed firsthand the greatness of an Indian provider revolutionizing the cloud industry.

With unwavering authority, he drew a striking comparison between Utho and hyperscalers. He proved Utho's superiority in terms of Cost, Simplicity, Support, Reliability, and Customer Service. As the crowd absorbed this remarkable announcement, a wave of appreciation swept through the room, strengthening Utho's position as the leading leader in the Indian cloud market.

"From the depths of my passion to uplift SMBs across India, I launched Utho, India's first cloud platform, with a singular vision: to transform their journey through the power of secure, reliable, and affordable cloud solutions," passionately expressed Mr. Manoj, embodying the spirit of a true Indian entrepreneur dedicated to propelling the nation's growth.

The event exuded an electric atmosphere as the audience connected with Utho's resounding impact on Indian businesses.

Thrilled with pride and enthusiasm, attendees were inspired by Utho's commitment to empowering Indian SMBs, ensuring that their success fuels the progress of the Indian economy.

Utho marks a historic turning point in the Indian cloud market. The platform's comprehensive suite of cloud solutions, fortified by robust security measures, seamless scalability, and personalized customer support, is tailored to meet the unique demands of Indian businesses.

The rise of Utho signifies the dawning of a new era

Utho empowers organizations to unleash their full potential, transforming the way they operate and carving a path toward unparalleled success.

As India's first cloud platform, Utho is a catalyst for innovation, driving economic growth, and strengthening India's position as a global technology powerhouse.

The rise of Utho signifies the dawning of a new era, where Indian providers take over new areas and rewrite the narrative of success in the digital space.

About Utho: Utho is India's pioneering cloud platform, (formerly known as Microhost) revolutionizing businesses by providing secure, reliable, and affordable cloud solutions. With an unwavering focus on "Make in India" and "Digital India," Utho empowers organizations to unlock their true potential, contribute to the nation's growth, and usher in a new era of Indian technological supremacy.

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.
SpiceJet promoter Ajay Singh will infuse 500 crore into the airline, a move that will help boost its financial position amid multiple headwinds. A SpiceJet passenger Boeing 737-800 aircraft takes off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel international airport in Ahmedabad.(REUTERS)

The fresh equity infusion will help the carrier in accessing additional credit facilities of 206 crore under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS), it said in a statement on Wednesday.

The board of SpiceJet on Wednesday considered options for raising fresh capital.

"Ajay Singh, promoter of the company, in order to strengthen the financial position of the company, offered to infuse 500 crore," the statement said.

Singh, who is the Chairman and Managing Director of SpiceJet, said he is pleased to infuse 500 crore into the company.

"SpiceJet has a bright future and I am committed to helping it achieve its full potential. This investment will allow the airline to accelerate its growth plans and capture new opportunities in the market, grow its revenue and profits," he said.
A Bengaluru techie explained why he agreed to stay at his rented house even after the landlord hiked the rent by 15,000 within an year, prompting a renewed discussion on Twitter over the city's rental market. Arsh Goyal, who works at Samsung, narrated his ordeal on social media, writing that he agreed to pay the increased rent to avoid the hassle of looking for a new house, which is no easy task. Bengaluru has seen several such incidents of late, wherein landlords have a list of demands for their tenants.

My Landlord in Bangalore increased rent by 15,000 INR within one year whereas as per agreement the increase per year should have been 5%. The only option he gave was either to leave or pay the increased rent, he wrote on Twitter.

READ | Show your LinkedIn profile: Bengaluru landlord's demand for a tenant

We had no other option but to agree to the landlord as finding a new place again is a bug big problem - a lot of time to research/ brokerage amount to be paid again / locality and distance from place of work. Also , we already spent a lot of money in setting up this house, he added.

It seems this is not just with me but with a lot of people in societies nearby. Where do you see the rent going in the coming days for a rented house in Bengaluru? he asked in a three-part tweet.

Several Twitter users flooded the post with comments, writing back that they had had similar experiences. My landlord has made me sign for an increase of 6.5% instead of the usual 5%, a user responded.

My rent increased by 16% instead of 5%, another posted.

READ | 'Must be IITian': What Bengaluru landlords now demand of tenants

Bengaluru has been witnessing such incidents often in recent times, with landlords asking potential tenants to provide their LinkedIn profiles, asking for their qualification and even the college that they passed out from. One such landlord rejected a man because of his Class 12 exam marks.

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Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar along with a host of ministers, legislators and Congress top leaders in the state on Wednesday staged a "silent protest" here against the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from Parliament and the "politics of vendetta" unleashed by the Centre. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, DCM DK Shivakumar and Congress MLAs observe a 'Silent Satyagraha' in Bengaluru to express solidarity with party leader Rahul Gandhi. (ANI Photo)

READ | Anti-poor, dirty politics by BJP government, says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

This comes days after the party stated it would move the Supreme Court after the Gujarat High Court refused to stay Gandhi's conviction in a 2019 defamation case over his "Modi surname remarks.

The protestors tied a black ribbon on their mouth to symbolically convey that the freedom of speech was in danger and anyone speaking against the Central government would face backlash.

READ | Karnataka: CM begins cash transfers to beneficiaries of rice scheme

Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar and others held placards at the Freedom Park here with the photograph of Rahul Gandhi and a message that the "roar of the truth must prevail".

Alleging that the BJP deployed "dirty tricks" to disqualify Rahul Gandhi from Parliament, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) had on July 9 announced that as a mark of protest, its workers and leaders will hold a 'maun satyagraha' (silent protest) in every state capital today.
There was no respite from rain in Karnataka on Tuesday, with weather agencies predicting more to come during the rest of the week, especially in the coastal regions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted in its daily bulletin, thunder showers at most coastal areas of the southern state, and in the South Interior Karnataka (SIK) and North Interior Karnataka (NIK) regions till at least Friday. The IMD issued heavy rainfall and thunderstorm warnings over Karnataka, giving a yellow alert over Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. (ANI)

The department on Tuesday also issued heavy rainfall and thunderstorm warnings over the state for the next few days, giving a yellow alert over Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

WATCH | Bengaluru rain causes waterlogging in multiple areas; traffic advisories issued

The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) on Tuesday said Mangaluru and Madikeri taluks in Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts, respectively, saw the most rainfall over the last 24 hours. The average minimum and maximum temperatures in the state on Tuesday were 19.9 degrees Celsius, recorded at Hassan district, and 35.6 degrees Celsius, recorded at Yadgir District, respectively, the KSNDMC said.

In an analysis from July 1 to July 11, the centre said 13 districts in Karnataka saw excess or large excess rainfall, while 12 districts saw normal rainfall. Five districts, namely, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Kolar, Mandya and Kodagu, continued to see a deficit.

Bengaluru city to witness rain till Friday

Bengaluru city woke up to thick fog on Wednesday morning, having seen light to moderate rain the evening before for several hours. The Karnataka capital is expected to see couple more days of light to moderate rain and generally cloudy sky. Surface winds are also likely to be strong at times, and the city will have maximum and minimum temperatures of around 26 and 21 degrees Celsius, respectively, the IMD said.

Bengaluru city police also issued guidelines to residents for safe travel in the midst of downpour.

READ | Despite heavy showers, 23 districts in Karnataka record 20-62% rainfall deficit

Cops shared Road safety tips to prevent monsoon mishaps on Twitter, listing the below factors:

Improve visibility: Change worn-out wiper blades Defeat fogging: Inspect your ac system Tackle sliding: Swap out balding tires Signify safety: Use turn signals and follow lane discipline Distance matters: Maintain safe driving distance and follow traffic rules

Get home safe, regardless of the weather. #bettersafethansorry, the department tweeted.
Opposition BJP legislators on Wednesday staged a sit-in demonstration near Gandhi statue in Vidhana Soudha, the seat of the Karnataka legislature, here against the brutal murder of Jain monk Acharya Sri Kamakumara Nandi Maharaj in Belagavi. Karnataka BJP MLAs protest in Bengaluru over the murder of a Jain monk in the state and demand CBI enquiry into the matter.(ANI)

Led by former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, the legislators sat near the statue and raised slogans against the "deteriorating" law and order situation in the state.

READ | Jain monk murder case: Gunadhar Nandhi Maharaj ends fast unto death after meeting minister G Parameshwara

The BJP said ever since the Congress came to power in May, another round of murders of Hindu figures have started and the killing of the Jain monk was a glaring example.

The opposition party has demanded a CBI inquiry into the murder case saying it required an impartial investigation.

The Jain monk heading a monastery at Hirekodi in Chikkodi taluk of Belagavi district was chopped into pieces and his dismembered body parts were dumped in a defunct borewell.

READ | Jain bodies launch stir for strict action in Karnataka monks murder case

Two people, Narayana Basappa Madi and Hassan Dalayath, have been arrested in the case. Police suspect money-related matters were behind the murder.

Former ministers R Ashoka, V Sunil Kumar Dr C N ashwath Narayan and many others joined the protest.

Later, they took out a march towards Raj Bhavan to submit a memorandum to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot.
Series of meetings held to signal unwavering support and address concerns of enterprises The heads of several central government departments have presided, within 10 days this month, over at least six meetings with more than 67 private enterprises from home and abroad to address the companies' concerns and support their sustainable development. The meetings have sent strong signals that China will make further efforts to support private enterprises and the economy, which industry experts said is expected to boost market confidence and stimulate economic growth in the second half of the year, given the downward domestic economic pressure. Liu Shangxi, president of the Chinese Academy of Fiscal Sciences, said that economic recovery was weaker than expected in the first half, and that to stabilize market expectations, a "long-acting reassurance pill" must be given to private companies. Noting that private investment has experienced negative growth in past months, he emphasized that the confidence of private enterprises, which are critical drivers of the country's economic growth, must be bolstered. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, from January to May, private investment fell by 0.1 percent year-on-year, and the total profit of major private enterprises dropped 21.3 percent year-on-year. "If the private economy shrinks further, the national economy may accelerate its downturn," he said. "Thus, the government should adjust its regulatory policy to be more certain." The private economy has also been a driver of the nation's innovative development. Private enterprises contribute about 50 percent of the country's tax revenue, 60 percent of GDP and 70 percent of technological innovation. Since the beginning of July, a group of ministries or ministry-level bodies, including the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Science and Technology, have held meetings with private enterprises. The NDRC held two such meetings within seven days. The focus was mainly on current operational conditions and bottlenecks faced by private enterprises, their views on macroeconomic policies, and their suggestions on future development and policy support. The State Administration for Market Regulation disclosed to China Daily on Tuesday that it would hold a meeting with 10 small and medium-sized enterprises or individually owned businesses on Wednesday morning to address their operational difficulties. Zhu Keli, founding director of the China Institute of New Economy, said that the intensive meetings with private enterprises showed that the central government is building a normalized communication mechanism between government and companies, and is taking real measures to support private companies. "It serves as a policy response to increasing downward pressure on economic growth and will greatly boost the investment confidence of private enterprises, which have been a major driver of the economy," he said. "Learning about the real demands and concerns of private enterprises is also important to ensuring that the upcoming new policies can be made in a targeted manner, and effectively implemented," Zhu added. The latest data from the State Administration for Market Regulation showed that the number of registered private enterprises exceeded 50.93 million by the end of May, and the proportion of private enterprises in the nation's total number of companies increased to 92.4 percent from 79.4 percent. A CITIC Securities report said that it has been a practice for the State Council, China's Cabinet, to hold meetings or symposiums with industry experts and company executives to discuss the economic situation in April, July and November. President Xi Jinping presided over high-level meetings with company executives in November 2018 and July 2020, which stabilized market expectations in a timely manner, the report said. Among the private enterprises that attended meetings with ministries or regulators this month, companies from the manufacturing, consumption and information technology sectors have been a major focus.
Former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh Kamal Nath Wednesday stepped up attack on the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government on the Sidhi urination incident and said it exposed the BJPs character and ideology. When asked about the death of another cheetah this week, Nath asserted that cheetahs, tribals, or women, no one but only the corrupt people are safe under the BJP in MP, which is scheduled to go to poll this year. Madhya Pradesh Congress President Kamal Nath interacts with the media.(PTI)

Speaking to reporters in Bhopal, the former CM said, ...Every day atrocities are done to the tribal population, many of them are not even reported. Yesterday too, another incident from Jhabua surfaced.., Nath said, referring to the arrest of the districts sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) for allegedly sexually harassing tribal minors at a state-run girls hostel.

'Cheetahs dying due to BJP'

When asked about the death of the seventh cheetah in states Kuno National Park, Nath, who heads the party's state unit alleged the poor mismanagement by the Shivaraj government. Cheetah ho, koi bhi ho, sab vyavastha chopat hai(Be it cheetah or anyone for that matter, the system is no good at all), he said, adding that cheetahs, women or adivasi, no one is protected here, except the corrupt people. A cheetah named Tejas died due to injuries on Monday, marking the seventh death since March.

Nath's comments come a day after the states Assembly was adjourned Tuesday following ruckus after the Congress demanded discussion on the Sidhi urination incident and the "atrocities" on tribals. The incident relates to a viral video of a man, identified as Pravesh Shukla, seen urinating on a tribal youth in Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh, triggering a national outrage after which he was arrested.

Nath had earlier cited figures from the Central government to claim that MP tops in the number of atrocities on tribals.

Meanwhile, the BJP has hit back at Congress and accused it of shedding crocodile tears'' and hypocrisy and said it was exploiting the issue for their vested political interest. Home minister Narottam Mishra accused the Congress of showing dual character and charged it with practising politics of appeasement. ...on the same day two videos went viral -- one of Sidhi (urination incident) and the other one of Shivpuri (where a Dalit was subjected to humiliation). They took up Sidhi's video, but avoided mentioning the incident in Shivpuri because the accused in the latter was Shakeel.., he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

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TORONTO: A prominent temple in Canadas Greater Toronto Area or GTA has expressed concern about an increase in anti-India and anti-Hindu activities in the country, including defacement by pro-Khalistan elements, and sought the intervention of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. A prominent temple in Canadas Greater Toronto Area or GTA has expressed concern about an increase in anti-India and anti-Hindu activities in the country, including defacement by pro-Khalistan elements, and sought the intervention of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

In a letter to Trudeau on Tuesday, Jeff Lal, president of the Bharat Mata Mandir in Brampton, said the board of directors of the temple wanted to express their deep concerns at the recent increase in anti-India and anti-Hindu activities.

We are troubled by the alarming increase in hatred and the apparent lack of action by Canadian authorities to address this issue at its roots before it spirals out of control, Lal said in his letter to Trudeau. It urged the prime minister to take immediate and necessary steps to address this issue.

The letter comes days after a set of posters, titled War Zone, were spotted in front of the temple on Friday. These posters targeted Indias high commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma and consul general in Toronto Apoorva Srivastava and were removed by temple volunteers.

This was the second time in a month that the temple was thus targeted. In June, another poster promoting the so-called Punjab Referendum organised by the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice was also placed in front of the temple. The posters supported an anti-India demonstration outside the Indian Consulate in Toronto on Saturday, July 8.

Lal told HT said he felt the temple was being repeatedly targeted because of its name.

He said priests lived on the temple complex and there were legitimate worries over their safety. Lal added that the temple authorities will circulate the letter sent to Trudeau to all Canadian MPs and as well as members of the Ontario legislature.

On July 8, violence broke out at pro-and anti-India rallies outside the Indian consulate in Toronto.

About 250 Khalistani supporters who gathered across the street from the building housing Indian consulate over the death of Sikhs for Justice leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18. The posters alleged the Indian establishments role behind the murder. The pro-Khalistan group was countered by a pro-India rally spot across the street. The two sides were separated by the Toronto police personnel,

Nijjar was alleged to be the head of the Khalistan Tiger Force by Indian law enforcement and faced several terror-related charges, while being the principal SFJ figure in the Metro Vancouver region. However, none of the charges against him were tested in Canadian courts and SFJ has maintained it does not use violence.

India on July 3 Canadian envoy Cameron Mackay was summoned to the external affairs ministry in New Delhi over the activities of pro-Khalistan groups, and served a demarche over the threat to Indian diplomats.

Our sense is that these posters inciting violence against our diplomats and our diplomatic premises abroad are unacceptable and we condemn them in the strongest terms, external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on July 6.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anirudh Bhattacharyya Anirudh Bhattacharya is a Toronto-based commentator on North American issues, and an author. He has also worked as a journalist in New Delhi and New York spanning print, television and digital media. He tweets as @anirudhb. ...view detail
In yet another blow to autonomy of Kashmirs premier health institution and deemed university - Sheri Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, the government has asked it to refer all its recruitments including those related to faculty to union territorys recruitment agencies  Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and J&K Service Selection Board (JKSSB). The hospital in February was divested of its autonomy after J&K government informed that it has been brought under the control of the Health and Medical Education Department (Representational Photo)

In an order by the general administration department, the director of SKIMS has been asked to route its recruitments for faculty positions in the institute and its associated Medical College, Bemina through the Public Service Commission (JKPSC).

I am directed to convey that the recruitment against all the gazetted, faculty vacancies and posts under direct quota borne on the establishment of SKIMS, Soura as well as SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, henceforth, shall be made through J&K Public Service Commission, said the order by Shuaib Mohammad Naikoo, deputy secretary to government on Tuesday.

The order was in continuation of the governments earlier directions on January 15, 2021 advising the institute to fill all class IV and non gazetted vacancies by placing appropriate indents to J&K Service Selection Board (JKSSB).

Further necessary action in the matter may be taken accordingly. This issues with the approval of the competent authority (Lieutenant Governor), he said.

The order has prompted questions on the governments move. Are we not discussing a deemed university here, or has the J&K Public Universities Act, 2022 already been published through a gazette notification? What am I missing, or is it simply another bureaucratic misadventure?, said senior IPS officer Basant Rath, who offered his resignation last year.

The hospital in February was divested of its autonomy after the general administration department of J&K government informed that it has been brought under the control of the Health and Medical Education Department. The hospital administration was asked to submit all matters, proposals, case files for consideration or approval of the competent authority through the Health and Medical Education Department.

The order had caused an upheaval among the medical fraternity as well as political leaders with National Conference, whose leader Sheikh Abdullah laid its foundation, saying that the snatching away of its autonomy undermines the hospitals identity and purpose and would affect its functioning.

The SKIMS was founded by NC founder and former chief minister of J&K, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1978.
Former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said that J&K has been turned into an open prison by the Central government and nobody is allowed to speak, even some journalists have been booked under UAPA for portraying real picture of the UT. The Peoples Democratic Party president said that J&K is currently witnessing peace of a graveyard (PTI)

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti said that J&K is currently witnessing peace of a graveyard. Here nobody is allowed to speak. Leave common man, even journalists are being threatened and some have been booked under UAPA, because they were showing mirror to the central government.

Mufti said that large number of youths and other people are currently lodged in jails...Several of our religious leaders have been put in jail at Jammu and due to heat and their ages, no relief is been given to them.

The former chief minister said many youths are lodged in outside jails without any trials. And If someone goes to meet them in the jails of Haryana, Rajasthan etc there they cant meet them, she said.

Mehbooba Mufti said that J&K is passing through worst times every day there are raids of the NIA, ED, SIA or SIU. This is the only development we are witnessing in J&K. Despite these atrocities, the government in the Supreme Court has claimed that after abrogation of Article 370, peace has returned here, she said.

Mufti that said that recently Cheif Justice of India and 200 judges who where in Kashmir were brought here to witness the peace of graveyard by the J&K administration and the government wanted to convey them that everything is fine in J&K. I hope that these judges who are wise enough must have seen what is happening behind the curtains here. They must have also got an idea about real situation of J&K.

The former chief minister said that from past four years despite our case is in SC, many laws were introduced in UT, our lands, our jobs and other resources are being looted.

Its a law till case is in the court nothing should be done or decision should be taken. Here BJP doing everything to trample the constitution. Mehbooba hoped that SC will safeguard constitution and the law while hearing the case pertaining to the Article 370.

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SRINAGAR Security forces in Kashmir arrested five associates of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in central Kashmirs Budgam district, police officials said on Wednesday. Police along with the army, in a joint operation, arrested the five militant associates and recovered incriminating materials from their possession. (Representational Photo)

They said that police along with the army, in a joint operation, arrested the five militant associates and recovered incriminating materials from their possession.

Police along with Army (62 RR) arrested five terrorist associates, linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT, in Khag area of district Budgam, said a police spokesperson.

The detained persons have been identified as Rouf Ahmad Wani, Hilal Ahmad Malik , Tawfeeq Ahmad Dar, Danish Ahmad Dar and Showkat Ali Dar- all residents of Khag.

The police said that incriminating material has been recovered from their possession. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation, the spokesperson said.

The police registered an FIR number 45/2023 under relevant sections of law at Police Station Khag. The investigation has been taken up, the spokesperson said.

On Monday, police said that they arrested ten persons in a case related to alleged conspiracy of reviving banned organisation JKLF and Hurriyat. The police had said that the arrested persons and others were planning to revive these organisations on the directions of Pakistan based handlers.

On July 5, police in Baramulla arrested an associate of the LeT outfit and recovered arms and ammunition including a pistol, one pistol magazine and three pistol rounds from his possession.

During preliminary questioning, he had revealed that he was working as an associate of proscribed outfit LeT and was in touch with militants Adil Dantoo of Sopore and Usman Bhai of Pakistan.

They said that police along with the army, in a joint operation, arrested the five militant associates and recovered incriminating materials from their possession.

Police along with Army (62 RR) arrested five terrorist associates, linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT, in Khag area of district Budgam, said a police spokesperson.

The detained persons have been identified as Rouf Ahmad Wani, Hilal Ahmad Malik , Tawfeeq Ahmad Dar, Danish Ahmad Dar and Showkat Ali Dar- all residents of Khag.

The police said that incriminating material has been recovered from their possession. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation, the spokesperson said.

The police registered an FIR number 45/2023 under relevant sections of law at Police Station Khag. The investigation has been taken up, the spokesperson said.

On Monday, police said that they arrested ten persons in a case related to alleged conspiracy of reviving banned organisation JKLF and Hurriyat. The police had said that the arrested persons and others were planning to revive these organisations on the directions of Pakistan based handlers.

On July 5, police in Baramulla arrested an associate of the LeT outfit and recovered arms and ammunition including a pistol, one pistol magazine and three pistol rounds from his possession.

During preliminary questioning, he had revealed that he was working as an associate of proscribed outfit LeT and was in touch with militants Adil Dantoo of Sopore and Usman Bhai of Pakistan.
Srinagar has become the model district of the country under Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen(SBM-G) and it figures among the top ten districts of the country. The Srinagar district had embarked on cleanliness mission to transform its rural villages into Model Villages (HT File Photo)

Official spokesman while terming it as another milestone said that district has completed the target of 100% model villages under prestigious cleanliness scheme Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-G 2.0). The district administration Srinagar with dedicated team of Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj launched an ambitious plan to transform all the villages of the District into Model villages under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-G 2.0).

The District had embarked on cleanliness mission to transform its rural villages into Model Villages with a vision to enhance the living standards of its inhabitants, improve infrastructure and promote sustainable development, this initiative aims to bring about a comprehensive socio-economic upliftment, the spokesman said.

The Srinagar District (Rural) comprised of four CD-Blocks Harwan, Khonmoh. Srinagar and Qamarwari having jurisdiction of 21 Gram Panchayats comprising of 26 villages from picturesque foothills of Faqir Gujree, Harwan to Sangri Khonmoh and plain areas of Lasjan, Nowgam and Panzinara. Recognizing the need for inclusive cleanliness of villages, to achieve the vision to reality, a rigorous saturation campaign was launched to ensure that all the Households, Schools/Anganwari Centers. Panchayat Ghars in the villages of the District have access to a functional toilet, with separate facilities for men and women. Besides, a number of drains/soakage pits were constructed in the villages for disposal of grey water in forward linkage with UEED of Srinagar Municipal Corporation. As a result of which, all 26 villages of District Srinagar were declared as ODF Plus in Aspiring Category, the spokesman said.

While embarking into next category of sanitation to make these villages ODF Plus Rising, segregation sheds and compost pits were constructed for solid waste management to segregate the waste and its proper.

Barely after making these villages ODF Plus Rising, a massive sanitation drive was launched in all the Gram Panchayats by way of door to door collection of waste and its proper disposal by roping in village sanitation Committees, Welfare Committee, an outsourced agency namely SAAF (A group of volunteers), which has yielded results and villages observed to have minimal litter, minimal stagnant waste water and no plastic waste dump, the spokesman said adding that a campaign was launched in all the villages by engraving painting at prominent places depicting messages/slogans with regard to benefits of cleanliness, thereby the villages became ODF Plus Model.

The Central Government has approved the Phase II of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) [SBM (G)] till 2024-25 with focus on Open Defecation Free Plus (ODF Plus), which includes ODF sustainability and Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM). The program will also work towards ensuring that no one is left behind and everyone uses a toilet.Under the program, provision for incentive of 12,000/- for construction of Individual Household Toilet (IHHL) to the newly emerging eligible households as per the existing norms will continue. Funding norms for Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) have been rationalized and changed to per capita basis in place of no. of households, Additionally, financial assistance to the Gram Panchayats (GPs) for construction of Community Managed Sanitary Complex (CMSC) at village level has been increased from Rs2 lakh to 3 lakh per CMSC.

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A body chopped into at least five pieces was found in polythene bags at Yamuna Khadar near the Geeta Colony flyover in north Delhi on Wednesday morning, police said, and added prime facie the dismembered corpse with missing head appeared to be of that a woman. TOPSHOT - A Delhi police barrier. (Photo by Prakash SINGH / AFP) (AFP)(HT_PRINT)

"We are verifying the gender of the dead person. The ortho forensics will help us verify it. A search operation around the area where the pieces were found is still in progress to find more evidence," said deputy police commissioner Sagar Singh Kalsi.

Police said their control room received a call regarding the body parts at 9.15am. Since the place from where the call was made involved three police districts of North, Central, and Shahdara, separate teams rushed there.

Some body parts were first found in a bag while others were missing. A search operation was carried out in the area and another bag containing more body parts was found at some distance away. The areas fall under the jurisdiction of Kotwali police station.

ALSO READ | East Delhi murder victim stabbed 50 times with ice pick: Police

Kalsi said forensic experts and a crime spot investigation team were called to inspect the areas and collect evidence and clues.

What do the police know so far?

"Prime facie, the deceased appeared to be between the age of 35 and 40. A case of murder is being registered."

Investigators suspect that the person was murdered somewhere else and the body parts were dumped in the bags at Yamuna Khadar.

Investigators were scanning CCTV cameras installed on the routes leading to the place where the body parts were dumped to identify the suspects who dumped them. A list of persons, who have gone missing in Delhi and the National Capital Region over the past week, was being prepared.

ALSO READ | Shraddha Walkar case: Aftab Poonawala charged with murder

The chopped body was found months after a similar murder of Shraddha Walkar came to light. Walkars live-in partner, Aftab Poonawala, allegedly chopped her body into 35 pieces, and stored them in a refrigerator before throwing them in forested areas in south Delhi and Gurugram over three months.

The murder came to the fore in November last year, almost six months after Walkar was killed.

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New Delhi's Yamuna river swelled up and crossed the all-time record level of 207.49m, recorded on September 6, 1978, on Wednesday. The Yamuna river has been continuously swelling up for the past few days due to heavy rainfall across north India. Residents carry their belongings on rickshaws through a street flooded with the rising water level of river Yamuna after heavy monsoon rains in New Delhi.(Reuters)

A Delhi government official said, Around 8000-9000 people have been evacuated so far. The monastery area and the boat club in the central district are vulnerable points. We have made additional deployment of relief and rescue personnel at the sites. We are closely monitoring the situation.

Around 41,000 people live in low lying areas, which are prone to flooding, around the Yamuna in Delhi.

Lets take a look at why the Yamuna river overflowing.

Water released from Hathni Kund barrage

3,59,000 cusecs of water was released from the Hathni Kund barrage into the Yamuna on Tuesday leading to the flow rate at the barrage to increase to 3,59,760, this was the highest in the last three days. The normal flow rate at the barrage is 352 cusecs. One cusec is 28.32 litres per second.

The water from the barrage takes up to 72 hours to reach Delhi and a warning has been issued as the water levels are further likely to rise. Until Wednesday morning, the flow rate in Delhi's Yamuna remained above the 2 lakh cusec mark.

Low flood warning is declared when 80,000 cusecs of water is released, medium when 2,50,000 cusecs is released and high when 300,000 cusecs is released.

The Yamuna river system's catchment covers areas of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh along with Delhi.

Heavy rainfall across north India

As per officials, the sharp rise in the water level of the Yamuna river is possibly a result of incessant and heavy rainfall in upper catchment areas including Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. Also, the soil is likely saturated due to heavy downpour in Delhi as well as neighbouring areas.

The heavy rainfall across several nearby states and upper catchment areas has led to a rise in the water levels of several rivers, creeks and drains. All the river drains that are flowing out of hilly areas are running above the danger mark. Water levels of Pathrala river, Som river and other hilly rivers of Yamunanagar has suddenly increased leading to an increase in the levels of Yamuna river.

Tracking Yamuna's water rise over the last few days

As per the flood-monitoring portal of the Central Water Commission's (CWC), the river cross the 207m-mark at Old Railway Bridge around 4 am on Wednesday.

Since 11 am last Sunday, the water rose from 203.14m to 205.4m at 5 pm on Monday and breached the 205.33m danger mark at least 18 hours before it was expected.

The evacuation mark of 206m was crossed by the river on Monday night leading to evacuation and relocation of the public living in nearby areas.

Is Delhi prepared?

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday called an emergency meeting after the Yamuna crossed the 45-year-high mark. The Delhi Police also imposed section 144 in flood-prone areas.

Over 2,500 tents have been set up in six districts in Delhi including Akshardham, which are being used for relocation of the people living in low-lying areas near Yamuna river.

The rail traffic over the Yamuna bridge was also temporarily suspended on Tuesday. Delhi government on Tuesday issued a second flood warning, first one being issued on Sunday.

As per the government, quick response teams and boats have been deployed. 16 control rooms have been set up to vigilantly track the flood-prone areas. Along with this, diving and medical teams have also been deployed with necessary equipment.

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The Delhi high court on Wednesday refused to halt the screening of the movie Nyay: The Justice, based on late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, saying that his publicity and privacy rights are not heritable and have ended with his demise. The Delhi high court. (Mint File Photo)

The movie was released on OTT platform Lapalap in June 2021, a year after his death.

Justice C Hari Shankar, while dismissing the plea filed by Rajputs father, said that to fasten a legal right, on something as fleeting as a celebrity, appears to be an oxymoron.

He added that law cannot allow itself to be a vehicle to promote celebrity culture.

It does not appear permissible, in our constitutional scheme which guarantees equality to individuals and in which equality is a cherished preambular goal, to countenance an extra bundle of rights which would be available for enjoyment only to celebrities, the court said.

Rights which emanate from ones personality and persona would be available to one and all, not only to celebrities, he added.

The judge dismissed the interlocutory injunction suit by the late actors father against continued streaming of the film by producers and director, saying that apart, even assuming the film does infract the publicity rights of SSR, or defames him, the infracted right is personal to Rajput, and cannot be said to have been inherited by his father.

The movie cannot be said to be infracting Article 19(2) of the Constitution of India. Injuncting further dissemination of the movie would, therefore, infract the defendants rights under Article 19(1)(a), the court ruled.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Richa Banka Reports from the Delhi High Court and stories on legal developments in the city. Avid mountain lover, cooking and playing with birds  when not at work ...view detail
A fire broke out at a car showroom in West Delhis Mayapuri area on Wednesday morning, police said, adding a few vehicles were destroyed. (Representative Photo)

Delhi Fire Services director Atul Garg said that a call about the fire was received at 7.25am. Altogether, 19 fire tenders were pressed into service. The cause of the fire is not yet known, he said.

Vichitra Veer, deputy commissioner of police (DCP) (west), said the Mayapuri police station staff learned about a fire at Mahindra Service Centre in B-53 Mayapuri Phase-I during patrolling, and a team of police and fire officials were rushed to the spot immediately.

Around 15-20 vehicles got burnt partially or completely, he added.

None of the showroom staff was stuck inside or has been hurt. As of now, the fire is under control, DCP Veer said.
Operations at Nigambodh Ghat, the biggest cremation facility in Delhi, were suspended on Wednesday evening after the water level of the Yamuna breached the 207.5m mark, breaking a 45-year record. A flooded Nigambodh Ghat Delhi on Tuesday. (PTI)

Nigambodh Ghat hosts 120 funeral platforms for conventional wood use and six CNG-based furnaces. It is located along the banks of the Yamuna, and a section of the pyre platforms located along the riverfront gets flooded every year during monsoons as the river swells.

However, this year, the unprecedented rise in water levels led to the entire facility being shut.

A senior official from the Municipal Corporation of Delhis (MCD) public health department said that a large part of the cremation ground was submerged, and considering the risk to people visiting the ground, a direction was issued to the management of the facility to shut operations. Nigambodh Ghat receives dead bodies from across Delhi. Residents should avoid the facility and instead use the funeral centres in Punjabi Bagh, Panchkuian Road, Sant Nagar, and Ghazipur, the official said.

Suman Gupta, general secretary of the managing committee of NGO Badi Panchayat, which manages the facility, said that the gates of the cremation facility were shut on directions of the MCD. We are not accepting any new bodies, and people are being advised to use other cremation grounds such as Punjabi Bagh. A board marking the closure is also being put at the main gate, he said.

Delhi records around 470 deaths daily, with 171,476 deaths being registered in 2021.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday urged people living in low-lying areas near the Yamuna river to immediately evacuate as the water level continued to rise after recording an all-time high. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during the press conference after the emergency meeting on Delhi Rainfall /waterlogged Yamuna Flood situation on Monday, (Photo by Raj K Raj/ Hindustan Times)(Hindustan Times)

Addressing a press conference, the chief minister said, The water will enter your houses, there will be no time and it will be harmful for you and your life. Requesting everyone with folded hands, please don't wait.

Kejriwal also urged people to not click selfies or take videos of the flooded Yamuna as it could be dangerous.

On the water levels of the Yamuna river, Kejriwal said, The danger level of Delhi's Yamuna, which is 205.33, has been crossed and it has reached 207.71. Before today, the last time when the water level in the Yamuna river was the highest was in 1978, when the river flooded. Even then it was 207.49, which has also been crossed today. As per the prediction of the Central Water Commission, it will reach 207.72 tonight. 

Kejriwal also said that Delhi had not received rainfall in the last two to three days. He said, Water is entering Delhi from Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. Regarding this, I have also written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting him to reduce the flow of water entering Delhi, only then we can stop the Yamuna River from overflowing.

However, he said Union minister Gajendra Shekhawat has informed him that it was not possible to limit the flow rate of the river as there is no reservoir at Hathinikund Barrage. Shekhawat also told him that the volume of water being released to Haryana from Himachal Pradesh has reduced, which in turn will impact the water level in the Yamuna.

But it will take some time for the water level in the river to recede, Kejriwal said.

Urging people to evacuate, the chief minister said that he understood it was difficult to leave homes behind but low-lying areas would be worst affected.

He listed out the areas that have already been affected. These included Boatclub, Monastery market, Neeli Chhatri temple, Yamunabazar, Majnu ka Tila to Wazirabad among other areas.

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Parts of Delhi were flooded as the water level in Yamuna touched a record high of 207.55 metres at 1pm on Wednesday due to the discharge of water from Haryanas Hathini Kund barrage and prompted chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to call an emergency meeting. The highest recorded water level in the Yamuna earlier207.49was recorded on September 6, 1978. The water level in the Yamuna touched a record high of 207.55 metres at 1pm. (PTI)

Residents said several colonies in Jaitpur have been flooded. A Delhi government official said the settlements that have been flooded were located inside an embankment. The embankment cannot protect these settlements because they are beyond the embankment on the river bed, said the official, denying any breach in the embankment. It is intact.

Officials said rescue teams have reached the area and were responding to the situation and evacuating people.

Flood control minister Saurabh Bhardwaj, who inspected the water level in the Yamuna, said embankments were being erected across low-lying areas.

Officials cited records and said Delhi was flooded in 1978 following the release of 700000 cusecs of water from the Hathnikund barrage. The level of the river at the time was 204.79 metres. They added successive governments have since taken measures to strengthen the embankments to prevent the flow of water into the city.

In 2013, 800000 cusecs of water were released through the Hathnikund barrage and the level of the Yamuna rose to 207.32 metres. In 2019, the Yamuna level reached 206.6 metres following the release of 828000 cusecs of water. No flooding in the city was reported on these occasions.

Delhi Police said they rescued five people from Sonia Vihar after they were trapped in the waters of the overflowing Yamuna.

Officials said the water flow at 204.5 metres is considered the warning level, 205.33 metres the danger level and 206 metres the evacuation level. As of 9am, the water level was 207.32 metres.

Around 9000 people have been evacuated so far. The monastery area and the boat club in the central district are vulnerable points. We have made additional deployment of relief and rescue personnel at the sites. We are closely monitoring the situation, said a second official.

Thousands of people living on the Yamuna floodplains were shifted this week as the Yamuna continued to flow above the evacuation mark of 206 metres.

Delhi minister Gopal Rai said officials have been instructed to provide all basic facilities to the evacuees. Approximately 2,700 relief centres/tents have been set up...can accommodate around 27,000 individuals, he said. The government has set up shelters in places such as Geeta Colony, Madanpur Khadar, Garhi Mandu, Palla, Hiranki, Yamuna Bazar, and Mayur Vihar.

The Yamuna spans around 22km in the Capital. Its floodplains have been encroached over the years and mostly vegetables, flowers, etc are grown on them. Migrant labourers have also built hutments on the floodplains and homeless people have found shelter under the bridges.

In places such as Yamuna Bazaar, slums as well as concrete houses have come up close to the floodplains. Over 35,000 people are estimated to be living there.

A third official said 47 boats have been kept ready to meet any emergency. Seventeen vulnerable points such as Vijay Ghat, Tibet Market, Metcalf House, and Delhi Gate were being monitored.
The Delhi Traffic Police on Wednesday issued an advisory as the water level of the Yamuna River continued to rise causing a flood-like situation in low-lying areas. The Delhi Police also imposed prohibitory measures under CrPC section 144 in flood-prone areas of the city. Residents carry their belongings from flooded houses in the Monastery market, near ISBT, in New Delhi, India, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (Photo by Sanjeev Verma/ Hindustan Times)

The incessant rainfall in Delhi and surrounding areas and the release of water from Hathni Kund Barrage have heightened the risk of flood in the national capital. The river swelled to 207.55 metres at 1pm, surpassing the previous record set in 1978, and causing further inundation of areas near the floodplains.

The Central Water Commission predicted that the water level will reach 207.72 m by midnight but it already breached the 207.81 mark by 6pm, further inundating other areas in the vicinity of the river.

Delhi Traffic Police urged commuters to avoid the Ring Road stretch between Monastery and ISBT, Kashmere Gate, saying the traffic has been affected due to the overflowing Yamuna river. It also asked commuters to avoid the Ring Road stretch near the IP flyover from Rajghat to Nizamuddin carriageway as overflowing sewer water has affected the traffic.

The movement of traffic will be regulated on Outer Ring Road between Wazirabad Bridge and Vikas Marg and Mahatma Gandhi Road between Kalighat Mandir and Delhi Secretariat, it said.

The routes suggested for north-to-south movement are from Outer Ring Road - Wazirabad Bridge - Yamuna Marginal Bandh Marg - Pushta Road - Vikas Marg and Outer Ring Road - Arihant Marg - Mahatma Gandhi Marg - Vikas Marg, according to the advisory.

For east-to-west movement, the commuters have been advised to take Punjabi Bagh Chowk - Mahatma Gandhi Marg - Arihant Marg - Outer Ring Road - Wazirabad Bridge and Punjabi Bagh Chowk - Mahatma Gandhi Marg - DKFO - AIIMS Chowk - Mahatma Gandhi Marg - Sarai Kale Khan - Mahatma Gandhi Marg - Vikas Marg.

The movement of commercial vehicles within Delhi will be contained primarily on Ring Road. Commercial vehicles moving from Rani Jhansi Road to ISBT will be diverted towards Vir Banda Bairagi Marg and New Rohtak Road, it said.

Commercial vehicles with destinations in other states will not be allowed to enter Delhi and will be diverted to the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressway, the advisory said, citing a Supreme Court judgment.

In case of flooding in the vicinity of ISBT Kashmiri Gate, buses coming from the Ghaziabad side will be terminated near Seelampur Metro Station. Other vehicular traffic coming from the Ghaziabad side will be diverted to Pushta Road,  it said.

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The water level of Yamuna reached its highest at 1pm on Wednesday after days of incessant rain as the level reached 207.55 metres. The past record was 207.49 set in 1978. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal called an emergency meeting as Delhi Police imposed Section 144 in flood-prone areas in the national capital. The water level was rising since the morning as data shows. According to the Central Water Commission's date, the water level at the Old Railway Bridge crossed the 207-metre mark at 4am, the first time since 2013, and rose to 207.55 metres by 1pm. The level is likely to rise more and by midnight the water level in Yamuna is likely to reach 207.72 mts, officials said. Read | Evacuations intensified as water level in Yamuna highest in decade Section 144 has been imposed in the low-lying areas of Delhi as Yamuna water level reaches an all-time high.(PTI)

Delhi PWD minister Atishi said the government is fully prepared to tackle any situation. "We are regularly conducting evacuations near the Yamuna River. Several embankments have been installed to prevent the breach of water," the minister said.

Monsoon LIVE Updates: Kejriwal calls emergency meeting

Yamuna breaching 1978 mark where there was flood in Delhi: What it means?

In 1978, there was a flood in Delhi when 7 lakh cusec of water was released through the Hathnikund barrage. The level of the Yamuna river at the Old Railway Bridge at the time was 204.79 metres. Kejriwal recently cited the data and said that after that there was no flooding in Delhi, though the Yamuna river breached the danger mark in recent years as well.

Yamuna water level may cross 207.72m; 'Not good news for Delhi', says Kejriwal

In 2013, 8 lakh cusec of water was released through the Hathnikund barrage, the level of the Yamuna river rose to 207.32 metre. In 2019, 8.28 lakh cusec water was released at the Hathnikund barrage and the level of the Yamuna reached 206.6 meters.

As the Yamuna breached the 1978 mark, rescue at Delhi's low-lying areas started on a war footing.

Kejriwal seeks Centre's intervention

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal sought Centre's intervention to ensure that Yamuna's levels do not rise. Central Water Commission predicts 207.72 meter water level in Yamuna tonite. Not good news for Delhi. There have been no rains in Delhi last 2 days, however, levels of Yamuna are rising due to abnormally high volumes of water being released by Haryana at Hathnikund barrage. Urge Centre to intervene and ensure that levels in Yamuna dont rise further, Kejriwal said.

Delhi flood: These are the low-lying areas at risk in the capital

Many areas in the Yamuna floodplains are already under water. The vulnerable places include Yamuna Bazaar, Vijay Ghat, Tibet Market, Metcalf House, Monastery Market etc.

(With inputs from Alok KN Mishra)

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Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday expressed concern over the rising water level in the Yamuna River, saying the Central Water Commission's prediction for tonight is not good news for the national capital. He also urged people living in low-lying areas to vacate their homes immediately, warning that the water level in Yamuna is likely to rise further. People from low-lying areas around the Yamuna river wade through floodwaters of the swollen river while relocating to a safer place, in New Delhi, Wednesday, July 12, 2023.(PTI)

After breaking the highest record of 207.49 metres at 1pm, the water level in Yamuna reached 207.72 metres by 4pm, according to an official of the Central Water Commission.

In a tweet, Kejriwal said the water level in Yamuna is rising despite no rains in Delhi in the last two days because of abnormally high volumes of water being released by Haryana at Hathni Kund barrage. The chief minister sought the central government's intervention to ensure the water level in Yamuna doesn't rise further.

The Central Water Commission predicts 207.72 meter water level in Yamuna tonite. Not good news for Delhi, Kejriwal said in a tweet.

There have been no rains in Delhi last 2 days, however, levels of Yamuna are rising due to abnormally high volumes of water being released by Haryana at Hathni Kund barrage. Urge Centre to intervene and ensure that levels in Yamuna dont rise further, he added.

Later at a press conference, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief said Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat has informed him that the volume of water being released to Haryana from Himachal Pradesh has reduced, which in turn will impact the water level in the Yamuna.

However, he said it will take some time for the water level in the river to recede.

Water level in Yamuna

The last highest water level in Yamuna was recorded in 1978 when the river breached 207.49m mark. The current water level in Yamuna is 207.55m.

According to the Central Water Commission's (CWC) flood-monitoring portal, the water level at the Old Railway Bridge crossed the 207-metre mark at 4 am, the first time since 2013, and rose to 207.55 metres by 1 pm, breaking the 1978 record.

The river is likely to rise further to 207.72 and to remain steady thereafter, a CVC forecast said.

The river had exceeded the evacuation mark of 206 metres on Monday night, prompting the relocation of people residing in flood-prone areas to safer locations and a closure of the Old Railway Bridge for road and rail traffic.

Major floods in Delhi occurred in 1924, 1977, 1978, 1995, 2010, and 2013.

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A teacher was killed and over 36 children injured after their school bus overturned in a village near Pokhran in Rajasthans Jaisalmer district on Wednesday morning, police said. Police said that bus was carrying passengers beyond its capacity (HT Photo)

Police said they reached the incident spot with rescue teams soon after receiving information from locals, adding that the injured were initially rushed to the nearby hospital.

Later, 11 students and one teacher were referred to a higher centre in Jodhpur due to their critical condition, police said, adding that the teacher died during treatment.

Also Read: 6 dead as bus speeding on wrong side rams into car on Delhi-Meerut e-way

School teacher Vikram Singh, 21, died during treatment at a hospital in Jodhpur while the children are undergoing treatment, assistant sub-inspector Khushal Chand, Sankra police station, said.

He said at least four students have got fractures while others have several received injuries.

Police said that an investigation into the matter has been launched, adding the preliminary inquiry suggests that the bus was carrying passengers beyond its capacity, which led to the incident. Due to this, the driver, who was also injured in the accident, lost control of the bus and overturned, police said.

Police also said that the fitness of the bus expired in March despite this, the school and transport department authorities continued to operate it.

Vikash Sangalwan, Jaisalmer superintendent of police also reached the spot to take stock of the situation. Besides police inquiry, civil authorities have also ordered a probe into the matter.

It is to mention here that in February 2022, a similar incident was reported in Jaisalmer. A school bus had overturned in the Phalsund area in which two students were killed, and another twenty were injured.
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee saying, "You have shamed democracy." Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad.(PTI)

The BJP MP and the fact-finding team addressed the media in Kolkata today.

"You (Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee) won because the court was strict. We will visit the affected areas. I belong to Bihar, where incidents like these are a matter of past. Elections are conducted in a peaceful manner in my state. I heard that a murder was reported on the counting day as well. You have shamed democracy," said the BJP MP.

He said, "Honourable party president Jagat Prakash Nadda Ji has formed a committee of five members under my convenorship to enquire into the violence that erupted in Bengal".

Taking a jibe at the Bengal CM ,"Today I would like to remind Mamata Ji about her evolution in the Bengal politics. You fought against the ugly and cruel left regime. But what made your politics uglier than that of the left? Why has your politics become full of atrocities? What have you done? The court has to intervene in the election everytime. Even the Supreme Court has expressed its anxiety over the Bengal violence".

Further, he asked CM Banerjee why she is not in a position to face the media.

"You are ashamed that your victory costed 45 lives. Now, we are heading to Basirghat. Tomorrow, we will be going to South 24 Parganas and then, we will be visiting North Bengal. We will meet the victims," said BJP MP Prasad.

He said, "We hope and expect that we will be allowed to visit".

In addition, Prasad also questioned former Congress President and former MP, Rahul Gandhi, "Your party workers are also being beaten. Why are you tight-lipped on that?"

"Bengal is a shameful example of a sickening democracy. Their (opposition) silence shows that they are they are selfish and can go to any extent in the greed for power", he added.

Further, BJP MP Prasad said, "The BJP will stand with the people with Bengal. The BJP will avenge the attack on democracy. This Bengal belongs to Subhash Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, what did you do with it?"

Significantly, the fact-finding committee includes Baghpat (Uttar Pradesh) MP Satya Pal Singh, Korahara (Uttar Pradesh) MP Rekha Verma, Silchar (Assam) MP Rajdeep Roy, Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha MP Brijlal and Patna (Bihar) MP Ravi Shankar Prasad (as the convenor).

Notably, violence broke out in West Bengal ahead of the Gram Panchayat elections which was previously to be held on July 8. However, the voting day was marred with widespread violence, looting of ballots papers and rigging.

There were reports of booth capturing, damaging of ballot boxes and assault of presiding officers from several districts such as Murshidabad, Cooch Behar, Malda, South 24 Parganas, North Dinajpur and Nadia.

Reports also emerged of ballot boxes being set on fire and clashes between political parties in different locations. As a result, the State Election Commission announced the re-pollling of Panchayat election on July 10. So, it concluded on Monday and the counting was carried out on Tuesday, July 11.

The Trinamool Congress won in 28,985 and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 7,764 seats while Congress has secured 2,022 seats so far.
LUCKNOW Chief minister Yogi Adityanath said medical colleges were now being established in Mau and Shamli districts, which were known for mafia terror and migration of people six years ago. It is like a dream come true for people residing in both districts, he said. UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, along with deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak, releases the rating of nursing and paramedical institutions by Quality Council of India (QCI) under Mission Niramaya, in Lucknow, Wednesday. (PTI Photo)

In a programme organised at the CMs official residence on Wednesday, agreements were signed for the establishment of medical colleges on PPP model in Shamli and Mau while ratings of all nursing and paramedical institutions of UP were also released under Mission Niramaya.

Eight new institutions were presented mentor certificates by the CM under the Mentor-Mentee process adopted to improve the quality of nursing and paramedical institutions.

Adityanath said before 2017, there were only 12 medical colleges in the state. After 2017, to realise the concept of one district-one medical college of the Prime Minister, medical colleges are being established in all districts of UP. Today, government medical colleges are operational in 45 districts and are under-construction in 16 districts, he emphasised.

The CM said paramedical/nursing institutions were neglected by the previous governments, the state medical faculty was ailing and there was no focus on quality education. The situation called for something like Mission Niramaya and the government provided it. Under this, 12 good institutions were identified as mentors. As a result of the ongoing reform process with the mentor-mentee policy, eight more institutes have been upgraded as mentors. This is the proof of the changing system, said Adityanath.

Adityanath said there could be no compromise with quality in educational institutions. Be it a medical college or hospital, nursing or paramedical college, if the quality is there, the standard is met, then its benefits must reach people without delay. And if it does not meet the standard, such institutions should be removed from the list, he said.

He said quality ranking of nursing and paramedical institutions done by Quality Control of India with accuracy and transparency inspire other institutions to do better.

It was decided to establish medical colleges on PPP (public private partnership) model in 16 unserved districts of the state. In this sequence, private investors have been selected in Maharajganj and Sambhal in the past and construction of medical colleges is in progress at both places, he added.

Now, an agreement has been signed between Rajiv Samajik Shiksha Sewa Sansthan in Mau district and private partner Gyan Chetna Educational Society in Shamli district, and the Uttar Pradesh government. A private medical college will be set up at each place by a private investor with an investment of about 250 crore, he said.

The CM said several programs were being conducted to improve the quality of nursing and paramedical institutions under Mission Niramaya.

Under this, one effort is to get all the nursing and paramedical colleges (government and private) established in the state inspected by the Quality Council of India, and on the basis of this, an accreditation ranking score will be given to the institutions. The accreditation ranking has been published in the form of a booklet. UP is the first state to achieve this feat, said the CM.

He said efforts were being made to rejuvenate the state medical faculty. For financial transaction, there will be no need for any private institution, government institution or medical practitioner to come physically to deposit fee of the state medical faculty as an online payment gateway has been arranged for carrying out all transactions, which is being launched today, he said.
Uttar Pradesh director general of police (DGP) Vijaya Kumar, a 1988-batch Indian Police Service officer and civil engineer, has dismissed opposition allegations about selective targeting of criminals keeping in mind their caste and religion. Uttar Pradesh DGP Vijaya Kumar. (HT FILE PHOTO)

In an interview, he also spoke on various other issues related to crime and policing, besides the elusive Shaishta Parveen, the wife of slain mafioso Atiq Ahmad.

It was his first detailed interaction with the media since taking charge as the Uttar Pradesh police chief on May 31. He also shared his priorities like Operation Conviction launched statewide recently.

The Opposition often accuses the UP police of acting against selective mafiosokeeping in mind their caste and religion. What is your take on it?

I dont want to comment on the past working, but action will be taken against every criminal mafioso without having second thoughts about his caste or religion. As a cop, every mafioso is a criminal to me.

Have the state police been given a specific timeframe to nail all those on the list of 69 top criminals prepared by the state government?

No there is no specific timeframe for it. Action against criminal elements and mafiosi is a continuous process and it has been done for the past few years. I will ensure that this continues more aggressively.

Gunning down criminals in encounters, as has been done in the past few years, or any other specific strategy against criminals?

There is no specific strategy, but I am focused on getting them convicted and punished through the court of law. For which we have launched Operation Conviction in which every district police chief has been directed to intensify monitoring of cases against the mafiosi and expedite court proceedings against them.

The most wanted criminals at present are the slain mafioso Atiq Ahmads wife Shaishta Parveen and his close aide Guddu Muslim, who are key accused in the sensational killings of lawyer Umesh Pal and his two police bodyguards on February 24. But the UP police have failed to trace them even after over four months. Are the UP police not being serious about their arrest?

No, not at all. We are equally serious about their arrest as acting against other criminal mafiosi and gangsters.

Efforts to trace and arrest them are going on and hopefully they will be arrested soon.

Several incidents have been reported in the recent past where people have committed suicide over police action or delayed action. Rape survivor or family members of rape survivors have ended their lives over police inaction in some cases. What steps have been taken to curb such incidents or make police personnel act on common mans complaints?

We have taken stern action against erring police personnel whenever such incidents have come to our knowledge. Even the services of some cops were terminated and they were arrested and sent to jail. A stern message has been sent down the line that nobody will be spared if there is an incident of victims being chased from the police station or outpost. All district police chiefs and other supervisory officers have been asked to do regular monitoring of working at police station levels.

Of late, we have seen a spurt in crime on streets and crime against women in cities like Lucknow. Are there any plans to curb such incidents?

We have recently started Operation Drishti to bring urban areas or crime hot spots under round the clock video surveillance. Under this, the district level officers have been asked to encourage and rope in business installations like petrol pumps, liquor shops, showrooms, traders organizations as well as educational institutes to put in place CCTV cameras. Police officials will educate them about installation of CCTVs strategically so that these may be help to them as well as they could be used to control crime and work out crime incidents.

What is the strategy to counter incidents like forced religious conversion through online gaming applications as reported in Ghaziabad and jihad through social media as it has surfaced after some recent arrests of highly radicalised persons?

It is a serious issue, but the Anti-Terror Squad and cybercrime wings of UP police are studying the pattern to prepare for a detailed work plan to counter it.

If required, the police will launch an awareness programme and alert parents to remain vigilant about their childs activities.

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Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday directed officials to consider increasing the superannuation age of doctors serving in government hospitals in Uttar Pradesh and improve the guidelines for re-employment of medical practitioners to ensure doctors are available in all state-run health facilities. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath at a high-level meeting in Lucknow on Wednesday. (HT PHOTO)

Sixty-two years is the current retirement age for government doctors in the state.

Addressing a high-level meeting on Wednesday, chief minister Yogi Adityanath said, Qualified and skilled doctors should be posted in all government hospitals and health centres of the state. No post should remain vacant anywhere.

The availability of specialist doctors in hospitals is of utmost importance, the chief minister said.

At present, specialist doctors are being made available through direct recruitment and special training of general doctors, but other options should also be considered in future, Yogi Adityanath said.

The chief minister also instructed officials to allow government doctors to pursue higher education during the probation period. The health department should prepare a proposal for granting extraordinary leave to doctors during this period, he said.

He said several top institutions working in the health sector had expressed their willingness to invest in aspirational districts and development blocks of the state to provide high-quality healthcare to the people.

The health department should prepare a good policy to encourage private investment for the development of hospitals in backward areas, he said.

Asserting that the effort for overall development of eight backward aspirational districts and 100 aspirational development blocks was giving expected results, he said the state government was determined to make all necessary arrangements so that good health facilities were easily available to people residing in these areas.

Asking officials to keep the needs of the private sector in mind while formulating a new policy, he said, In the initial phase, we should focus on setting up a hospital with a minimum capacity of 50 beds in these areas. This effort will go a long way in facilitating the availability of quality health services in aspirational districts and development blocks.
NAGPUR: Hitting out at Uddhav Thackeray over his blot jibe at deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Tarun Bharat, a Marathi daily and RSS mouthpiece, termed the Shiv Sena (UBT) chiefs remarks as Vinash Kale Viprit Buddhi (when doom approaches, a persons intellect works against his interest). HT Image

Thackeray, while addressing a party workers gathering in Nagpur on Sunday, had said that Fadnavis had gone back on his word that he would never tie up with the NCP and described him as kalank (blot) on Nagpur. His remarks sparked political furore across the state. However, later he defended his remark, saying he has shown BJP the mirror.

Tarun Bharat in its editorial published on Wednesday said the Sena (UBT) leader crossed all limits while criticising Fadnavis and he should be squarely criticised for making such remarks against a former chief minister and the current deputy chief minister.

The editorial said that Thackeray tarnished the ethos of democracy by disrespecting public opinion in 2019 when Shiv Sena and the BJP made a pre-poll alliance and it was decided that if the alliance came to power, Fadnavis would be the chief minister.

Even when he (Uddhav) was the chief minister during the MVA era, Thackeray was imprisoned in Matoshrees cage, while Fadnavis, who was the leader of the opposition, was touring the state during the Covid pandemic and serving the people, the newspaper said and added that at the same time, Thackeray was functioning as an inefficient Facebook chief minister.

The editorial also advised the Sena (UBT) chief to look into the mirror before calling Fadnavis a blot on Nagpur.

As many as 40 MLAs deserted Thackeray one year ago and the party under the leadership of Eknath Shinde joined hands with the BJP and formed an alternative government in the state. Instead of self-introspection, he is blaming the BJP, the newspaper said.

Bal Thackeray had left the party in the hands of Uddhav Thackeray by sidelining an efficient nephew, Raj Thackeray. But Uddhav could not manage the party and even its rank and file. It is completely Uddhavs failure. His party was divided because of his arrogance and for not having a connection with people and its workers. the editorial said.

You (Thackeray) should think 100 times before making such derogatory remarks against Fadnavis in his home turf, it said and added that Union minister Nitin Gadkariwho usually does not comment on the state of political affairs of Maharashtraalso strongly criticised Thackeray for his remarks. Gadkari had said that Thackeray can discuss development works when we are in power and when they (MVA) were in power, but levelling personal allegations at such a low level does not suit the political culture of Maharashtra.

Every BJP worker has found Thackerays criticism unnecessary and harsh, the editorial said. It also advised him that as he has changed his political stance by aligning with Congress and Sharad Pawar-led NCP, he should not utter the word Hindutva from his mouth.
A 34-year-old murder convict, who fled from Assams Silchar Central Jail two months back, was killed in the states Cachar district while police were bringing him back to the prison after rearresting him on Monday. The Assam Police have drawn flak for a series of encounters. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Police superintendent (Cachar) Numal Mahatta on Tuesday said Hifjur Rahman was caught near the Assam-Meghalaya border after the convict apparently returned from Bangladesh. Mahatta said Rahman snatched the gun of a policeman accompanying him and fired.

Mahatta said Rahman was repeatedly warned and eventually shot dead in self-defence. He added Rahman was taken to the Silchar Medical College and Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. He added two constables were critically injured.

Police said Rahman and another murder convict, Deep Nunia, escaped from Silchar Central Jail by digging a tunnel through a toilet. Mahatta said they are searching for Nunia.

In 2013, Rahman was one of the five people convicted of murdering college student Ahrar Ahmed in Karimganj after kidnapping him for ransom in 2011. Nunia was arrested in 2018 for allegedly killing a suspected thief and keeping his body in a septic tank.

The Assam Police have drawn flak for a series of encounters, a term often used for extrajudicial killings.

In December 2021, lawyer Arif Jwadder filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Gauhati high court for an independent inquiry into the alleged extra-judicial killings since May 2021. Jwadder demanded a Central Investigation Agency inquiry or a Special Investigation Team probe into the encounters. The high court in January disposed of the case.

Four people have since been killed in police encounters in Assam.
Opposition Congress leader VD Satheesan has slammed the Kerala Police and the state government for booking Latin Archdiocese of Trivandrums Fr Eugine Pereira for allegedly inciting a riot following protests in Thiruvananthapuram districts Muthalapozhi against state ministers on Monday. Congress leader VD Satheesan. (Wikipedia)

Ministers V Sivankutty, Antony Raju, and GR Anil faced protests when they visited Muthalapozhi after four fishermen drowned when their boat capsized near the mouth of the harbour in Thiruvananthapuram. Residents have been flagging unscientific construction of groynes near the harbour mouth, which have resulted in accidents.

The protests against the ministers and the case against Pereira have deepened the rift between the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led government and the Latin Church, which enjoys clout in Thiruvananthapurams coastal areas. The friction emerged last year over the Latin Churchs anti-Adani port agitation in Vizhinjam.

Satheesan on Tuesday accused the ministers of making provocative remarks related to the agitation. They said there were protests against them because the earlier Vizhinjam agitation organised by the church failed. Slamming that agitation is akin to insulting the people of coastal areas. The government has failed to protect the lives of the people of Muthalapozhi. It must immediately withdraw the case filed against...Pereira.

State Congress chief K Sudhakaran also condemned the case against Pereira and called the behaviour of the ministers not good.

Raju slammed the Congress, saying the party was losing its grip in the coastal constituencies. He accused the Congress of giving communal undertones to the boat tragedy and trying to take political mileage.

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The Goa Police have busted a fake call centre and arrested nine people in connection for duping US citizens by posing as customer service executives of US-based banks and promising them loans, officials said. (Representative Photo)

The Goa Police crime branch raided premises at Majorda in South Goa and arrested nine people found operating from the centre. They were making calls to potential victims in the US, police said.

The callers, who had procured personal details of US citizens through illegitimate means, would contact their potential victims through an interactive voice response system, and when a customer responds seeking a loan, they would tell them that their credit score was low, which they said could be corrected by paying a penalty that would usually be asked to be paid via Google Pay into electronic currency and later withdrawing the money in Indian currency, an official familiar with the development said.

They impersonated loan officials of the US bank through illegal means using the X-lite app, said police, adding the accused used laptops and Virtual Private Network (VPN) to contact the victims through an interactive voice response system.

Police said that they targetted their victims having low credit scores and the callers then used to convince them (US citizens) that are they from the bank offering loans and later asked the victims to pay a fine/penalty in the form of electronic payment mode ie thus cheating the citizens of the US.

Police have identified the nine arrested as Vinay Makwana, 32, from Ahmedabad in Gujarat; Ghachi Alfarz, 28 of Mehsana, Gujarat; Akash Biswa, 26 from Shillong in Meghalaya; Akash Sunar, 23, from Shillong, Meghalaya; Kesang Tamang, 20 from Jalpaiguri in West Bengal; Rahul Sarsar, 29 from Matunga in Mumbai; Ajay Biswa, 25, from Shillong in Meghalaya; Tanmoy Dasgupta, 20 from Dimapur in Nagaland and Rehan Shaikh, 27 from Mumbai.
Members of the Opposition BJP in Bihar on Wednesday smashed a chair inside the assembly and tossed shreds of paper in the air while standing in the well, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the proceedings till the next day. Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav talks to reporters in Patna on Wednesday. (Santosh Kumar/HT)

This was the third day of the monsoon session of the state legislature. Proceedings had to be similarly adjourned on the first two days amid unruly scenes.

On Wednesday, proceedings began at 11 am on a stormy note, with Leader of the Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha asserting that the Opposition has the right to raise issues concerning the people, which include corruption.

The allusion was to a CBI charge sheet against deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav, the demand of whose resignation had rocked the House the day before.

Sinha was allowed to speak for a few minutes before Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary went ahead with the Question Hour.

About 30 minutes later, Sinha was again on his feet, this time alleging that Opposition members are not being allowed to ask supplementary questions while those from the ruling side are getting the opportunity.

The Speaker chose to ignore the complaint and move ahead with the Question Hour, even as Opposition members led by Sinha trooped into the well, raising slogans.

The ministers concerned, including Yadav, who sat beside chief minister Nitish Kumar, gave replies to the questions raised by other members of the assembly.

BJP members began tearing pieces of paper and throwing the shreds in the air. They also picked up chairs meant for the reporting staff and tried to upturn their table, in a repeat of the previous days pandemonium.

Finally, when a chair was smashed to the ground by the Opposition members, the Speaker decided he has had enough. Your conduct is deplorable. Dont force the Chair to take action, screamed the Speaker, announcing that the House shall now meet on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters later outside the assembly, the deputy chief minister blasted the BJP, asking why it had not objected to his reappointment as deputy CM last year despite a charge sheet filed against him in 2017.

A charge sheet against me was filed in 2017. I do not know what has happened to it. God knows it. When I was taking oath as deputy CM last year despite a charge sheet pending against me, they (read BJP) did not raise objection. Now, they are saying why did you take oath. They should have stopped me then, Yadav said.

Inside the House earlier in the day, leader of the Opposition, Vijay Kumar Sinha, asked chief minister Nitish Kumar, who was present in the house, as to why he had not taken the resignation of his deputy so far.

It is highly condemnable that my mike was switched off when I was speaking. The Opposition has the right to raise issues concerning people , which include corruption, Sinha later told reporters outside the House.

BJP members were also agitated that a short notice question related to the collapse of the bridge over river Ganaga being built to link Khagaria and Sultanganj ( in Bhagalpur district) on June 4 did not come up for government reply during the time allotted for such questions. The question was put by Sinha.

Tejashwi on bridge collapse

In his interaction with reporters outside the House, the deputy CM said the bridge collapse matter is with the court but the government had already initiated action in the matter.

It was me who had raised the matter when a portion of the same bridge had caved in April 2022. Later, when we came to power, we shifted out the engineer and changed the MD of Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam, Yadav said.

He also sought to know from BJP what action it had taken when the bridge had collapsed for the first time in April 2022, an apparent reference to the fact that BJPs Nitin Nabin was the minister of road construction then.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anirban Guha Roy A journalist for 21 years, Anirban covers RJD, legislature and government beats. Has extensive experience in covering elections and writes regularly on finance, land reforms, registration, excise and socio-economic issues. ...view detail
In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections of 2024, the BJP is likely to seek the support of one of its old allies after one of its more trusted ones, an ally of 17 years, the JD (U), parted ways with it in 2022. PREMIUM Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) National President Chirag Paswan during a meeting with Union minister Nityanand Rai, in Patna (Lok Janshakti Party Twitter)(Lok Janshakti Party Twitter)

In that backdrop, Chirag Paswan, the national president of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas or RV), who once called himself Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hanuman  which means devoted follower in this context  is set to return to NDA.

The LJP (RV) leader had a long meeting with the union minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai last Sunday and has been extended an invite to attend the all-important NDA meeting on July 18. The grapevine is that he would also be accommodated in the union cabinet.

Why Chirag matters for the BJP

The ground for his return to the NDA was prepared during last years Assembly by-polls in Gopalganj, Kurhani and Mokama.

Paswan emerged as the biggest crowd-puller for the NDA, leaving behind BJPs Bihar leadership. His influence as a young and emerging leader in his community is said to be increasing as well.

Earlier this year in April, when he attended a public event in Bihars Mokama to mark the birth anniversary of Baba Chauharmal, a revered figure among the Paswans, a Dalit community, a large crowd turned up to attend it, many among who wanted to catch a glimpse of the young leader.

Samrat Choudhary, BJP state chief, is said to have been impressed by Paswans crowd-pulling prowess.

Ever since the exit of Nitish Kumar-led JD (U) from the NDA, the BJP has realised that the 2024 Lok Sabha election is going to be a tough fight between the BJP and 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) in Bihar. And that is why, the saffron party has realised the importance of smaller parties, which could play a key role in the polls.

There are a few small parties in the fray including Paswans LJP, Hindustani Awam Morcha, led by Jitan Ram Manjhi, Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party, led by Pashupati Kumar Paras, Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP), headed by Mukesh Sahni and the Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal led by Upendra Kushwaha: They all have followers and supporters across communities in the state.

Chirags father had a political status and an uncanny ability to understand voters' sentiments in every election and go with alliances whose chances were higher. As a result, his LJP stayed with the ruling party in the Centre, Gyanendra Yadav, associate professor of Sociology, the College of Commerce in Patna, said.

If the vote bank of Lalu Prasad revolves around Muslims and Yadavs, Nitish Kumars on Lav-Kush (Kurmi and Koeri), then it can be easily said that Chirag Paswan commands respect among Dalits and EBC (economically backward class) communities, he added.

During the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the LJP under the leadership of Ram Vilas Paswan contested six seats and won all of them. After his death before the 2020 Assembly election, his son supported the BJP, deeply damaging his ties with chief minister Nitish Kumar.

Possibly because of the Paswan factor, JD(U) came down from 71 seats in 2015 to 43 in the 2020 Assembly election.

Despite contesting the elections in alliance with the JD(U), the BJP was accused of supporting Paswan who had fielded several rebel candidates from the saffron party. This became one of the reasons for Nitish Kumars party to cut ties and exit from the NDA.

Chirag Paswans support from the Paswan community

The Paswan community has demonstrated its full support for the younger Paswan when the latter fielded as many as 137 candidates, mostly against Nitish Kumars JDU in the 2020 assembly polls.

The LJP managed to win only one seat but it secured 6% of the votes, inflicting heavy electoral damage to the JD-U.

As caste plays a critical role in most parts of the Hindi heartland including Bihar, there is little doubt over his support from within the community who had idolised his father Ram Vilas as their hero for decades.

Paswan, in fact, is said to have a strategic hold over voters in areas like in Hajipur (Vaishali), Jamui, Samastipur, Lakhisarai and some other places of Bihar.

Bihar has 16% population of Scheduled Castes of which, the Paswans constitute 6% of Bihars voters. While the allegiance among the other castes is divided among the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Communist Party of India (MarxistLeninist)-Liberation and also the JD-U, the Paswans have solidly backed the LJP over the years.

A family divide over politics

Paswans uncle, Pashupati Kumar Paras, currently a union minister, fell out with him following Ram Vilass death, resulting in a split within the LJP.

Both uncle and nephew have repeatedly made public their unwillingness to be part of any coalition, which includes the other.

Although the younger Paswan has not made any fresh statement about his uncle during recent political developments, he has made it clear that his party would 'without any doubt' contest the Lok Sabha polls from Hajipura seat his father nurtured over multiple terms, which, however, is currently held by his uncle.
Pimpri-Chinchwad Police detained a 42-year-old chartered accountant who hired supari killers for 50 lakh to kill his business partner. Pimpri-Chinchwad Police detained a 42-year-old chartered accountant who hired supari killers for  50 lakh to kill his business partner. (REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE)

The prime accused has been identified as Vivek Lahoti 42, a resident of Shahunagar in Chinchwad. The investigating team also arrested Lahotis associate Sharad Salvi and seized three pistols and 40 live rounds from the duo.

According to police, in a case to avenge the murder of Kishore Aware, police arrested Sudhir Pardeshi on July 3. During interrogation, the police came to know that Pardeshi had purchased 3 pistols and 40 live rounds from Salvi. Out of which one pistol and 24 rounds were given to Lahoti.

Acting on the information, Police questioned Lahoti about the same and arrested him.

Swapna Gore, DCP (crime) said,  We got evidence that CA Lahoti had given supari of his business partner Raju Mali to Pardeshi and Salvi.

Gore further informed that Pardeshi is an on-record criminal, who has been involved in many serious crimes.

The Police were curious as to how Pardeshi came into contact with Lahoti. Hence police arrested the duo and during the probe, cops came to know that Raju Mali is a partner of Lahoti in his land dealing business.

In one such land deal, Lahoti approached Pardeshi through one of his close female acquaintances and gave him a supari of 50 lakh to assassinate Mali.

Police further reported that the accused devised a plot to assassinate Mali in Satara, however, with timely intervention, the attempt to murder was foiled.
Jharkhand hief minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday urged the union government to ensure its coal companies clear the outstanding dues against land acquisition in the state for mining, besides making provisions to increase rate of coal royalty to the state government. Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren with a Niti Aayog member in Ranchi on Wednesday. (ANI)

Soren made the demands in a meeting with Niti Aayog officials at the state secretariat on Wednesday.

The chief minister also raised issues related to extra allocation of ration by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), issues related to medical colleges and greenfield road projects.

The coal companies owe around 80,000 crore against land acquisition, but have paid only 2,352 crore to the state government and land owners. They should pay compensation for all the acquired land, irrespective of the fact whether they been mined or not. The companies should also increase coal royalty to the state government, a statement from the CM office quoted Soren saying in the meeting.

The chief minister also urged the Centre to ensure coal companies should not start mining in a new patch of land unless they provide closure certificate for the closed mines.

Officials said the chief minister also demanded that the Centre to increase quota of ration allotted to the state by the FCI as the number of beneficiaries have risen in the state. The state government is forced to buy ration for the added beneficiaries from the open market, Soren said.

The chief minister also urged the Centre to consult with the state government before deciding on location of new medical colleges to be opened in the state. Soren also sought clearance to around nine road corridor projects, including the greenfield Ranchi-Sahebganj stretch. These road projects would together extend to 1,600 kilometres.
An active member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was allegedly shot dead by unknown assailants near a village in Dhanbad district in Jharkhand on Tuesday night, police said. (Representative Photo)

Police have identified the deceased as Shankar Prasad, Dhanbad district convener of Vanvasi Kalyan Kendra, an arm of the RSS.

His body was found near Duma village under Tundi police station limits on Wednesday morning, police said, adding an investigation into the matter has been launched.

We came to know about the incident today (Wednesday) morning. He was shot at least six to seven times, Parimal Dey, nephew of Prasad said.
Even as they gear up for the release of their film, producers of Kangana Ranaut's Tejas may soon face legal troubles. Mayank Madhur, who claims to have worked in the film, has now said that he plans to take legal action against the producers of Tejas. Mayank claims to be a political advisor who works for the BJP. Kangana plays a fighter pilot in the film directed by Sarvesh Mewara. (Also read: Kangana reacts to Sonam's jibe at her English on Koffee With Karan) Kangana Ranaut in new stills from Tejas.

Tejas

Tejas tells the extraordinary tales of Air Force pilot Tejas Gill. The film is scheduled for an October release when it may clash with Tiger Shroff's Ganapath.

Mayank told Bollywood Hungama in an interview that he had helped Kangana get shooting permissions for a few locations including air force bases, and other places in Delhi, Moradabad, and Lucknow after she failed to get those despite trying for two long years. He added that director Sarvesh Mewara had initially promised him a 15-minute role in Tejas. "The length of my role kept getting shorter. Then I was told to come to shoot for a 1 or 2-minute appearance. I made it clear that I am not interested.

Mayank also claimed that Kangana had assured him to credit him as an associate producer in Tiku Weds Sheru, but his name was only mentioned under special thanks. He also said that Sarvesh has cheated him and Kangana had promised he would get his fees before the film's release but now she is putting the ball in the court of the films makers.

Tejas release may be halted?

Hence, I decided to go to the court. Ill not reveal right now when I plan to go to the court, which court Id be approaching and how exactly will I stop the films release. I want to get the makers arrested. I have taken guidance from the former chief justice of India to understand how I can take the matter further. I have even spoken to the chief ministers, PMO, home ministry etc to ensure that arrest warrants can be issued immediately from various states. Everything will be done as per the legalities, he added.

In an interview with Dainik Bhaskar earlier this week, Mayank had said that he has known Kangana since her theatre days and has helped her on many films. He told the Hindi daily that he helped her in securing shooting permissions for films such as Dhaakad, Tejas, Tiku Weds Sheru and Emergency.

Kangana's upcoming films

Apart from Tejas, Kangana has an interesting line up of movies. She will soon release her first directorial film - Emergency. She features as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the film that will be out in theatres on November 24.

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As protests and rioting continue in Paris, getting stranded in the French capital has left actor Urvashi Rautela shaken and anxious about how things would turn out. Urvashi Rautela also walked at the Paris Fashion Week earlier this week

The 29-year-old is especially worried about her team, who are grounded in the city on her account. She went to Paris to attend Paris Fashion Week 2023. On July 28, violence and protests broke out in the Paris region after a cop fatally shot a teen during a traffic stop.

Everything in Paris is okay and smooth, for which I am really grateful. Earlier with the news coming in when I arrived in the city, I was really petrified, but now I am glad, Rautela says, adding that she was happy that she could fulfil her professional commitment despite the unrest in the country.

In fact, the actor admits she is more concerned about her teams safety, saying, I have my team here with me, and I am really concerned about their safety. In fact, our families back in India are also worried about our safety because they are reading about the news. So, we are trying to keep ourself safe as much as we can

Talking about the situation in Paris, she adds, It saddens me deeply to witness the turmoil and division that has gripped this beautiful country. The power of unity and understanding is crucial now more than ever. I feel violence only breeds more violence, but compassion and empathy can heal wounds and build bridges. Let us work towards creating a future where everyone feels heard, respected, and valued.

I have personally always admired the rich culture, history, and the spirit of France. My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the unrest. Stay strong, stay united, and together, we will rise above this adversity, 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
Aditya Roy Kapur and Ananya Panday are currently in Spain where they attended a rock concert. Both of them shared individual posts on their respective Instagram handles but it was confirmed the two indeed attended the Arctic Monkeys' concert in Spain. However, none of them shared any glimpse of themselves or each other from the musical night. Also read: Ananya Panday confirms cameo in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, shares pic with Ranveer Singh and Karan Johar Both Aditya Roy Kapur and Ananya Panday are in Europe.

Ananya took to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday to share a picture from the concert and wrote, Nothing quite like the Arctic Monkeys. My favourite song ever." She tagged the location as Madrid, Spain. Aditya Roy Kapur too shared a small video from the concert on his Instagram Stories along with a blue grinning emoji and a monkey emoji.

Aditya Roy Kapur and Ananya Panday shared glimpses of a rock concert on their Instagram Stories.

Later, Ananya shared glimpses of the sealine and the blue sky from Portugal on her Instagram Stories. She simply wrote magic magic in the caption.

Ananya Panday also shared pictures from Portugal.

Aditya and Ananya have been rumoured to be dating ever since they made a joint appearance at Kriti Sanon's Diwali bash last year. They have since been spotted together at other film parties. Reacting to their linkup, Ananya's mom Bhavana Panday told ETimes in April, The fact is that Ananya is single and link-ups happen in a profession like this. It's okay. It's like that's a part and parcel of an actor's life, and you have to take everything in, good or bad. I feel like they get so much love and adulation, so I'd rather genuinely focus on that than the negativity that comes with it, because the positives definitely outweigh the negative.

Ananya Panday's upcoming films

Ananya was recently spotted in the trailer of Karan Johar's upcoming film, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. She was seen alongside Ranveer in a dance number.

Ananya will be next seen in Vikramaditya Motwane's untitled cybercrime-thriller. She also has Farhan Akhtar's Kho Gaye Hum Kahan opposite Siddhant Chaturvedi and Adarsh Gourav. She also plays the female lead opposite Ayushmann Khurrana in the comedy film, Dream Girl 2. She will also be making her web series debut with Amazon Prime Video's Call Me Bae.

Aditya Roy Kapur's projects

Aditya was recently seen in a crime thriller film Gumraah. He is also riding high on the success of his debut web show The Night Manager, part 2 of which arrived recently on Disney+ Hotstar. He will next be seen in Anurag Basu's Metro In Dino.

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Aditya Roy Kapur and Ananya Panday were finally spotted in Lisbon, Spain together by fans. Earlier, it was reported that they attended a rock concert together. Both of them shared individual posts on their respective Instagram handles but it has now been confirmed that the two indeed attended the Arctic Monkeys' concert in Spain. (Also read: Aditya Roy Kapur, Ananya Panday fuel dating rumours, share pics from same rock concert in Spain) Aditya Roy Kapur and Ananya Panday were spotted in Lisbon by fans.

Aditya and Ananya spotted in Portugal

Aditya Roy Kapur had shared a small video from a concert on his Instagram Stories along with a blue grinning emoji and a monkey emoji. Ananya also took to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday to share a picture from the concert and wrote, Nothing quite like the Arctic Monkeys. My favourite song ever." She tagged the location as Madrid, Spain. Later, Ananya even shared glimpses of the sea and the blue sky from Portugal on her Instagram Stories. She wrote magic magic in the caption.

Fans spot Aditya and Ananya together

A picture of both of them together in Spain surfaced on Instagram, as reported by a leading paparazzi account on their handle. Both Ananya and Aditya wore matching black and blue outfits, and posed with their fans. Aditya was seen in a deep blue round-neck shirt and half pants, whereas Ananya opted for a no make-up look in a deep blue dress. A picture of Aditya embracing Ananya and watching the sky together, which was taken by a fan, also made its way on Instagram.

Aditya and Ananya have been rumoured to be dating ever since they made a joint appearance at Kriti Sanon's Diwali bash last year. Neither of them have confirmed about their relationship yet.

Ananya Panday's upcoming films

Ananya was recently spotted in the trailer of Karan Johar's upcoming film, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. She was seen alongside Ranveer in a dance number. She will be next seen in Vikramaditya Motwane's untitled cybercrime-thriller. She also has Farhan Akhtar's Kho Gaye Hum Kahan opposite Siddhant Chaturvedi and Adarsh Gourav. She will also star alongside Ayushmann Khurrana in the comedy film, Dream Girl 2. She will also be making her web series debut with Amazon Prime Video's Call Me Bae.

Aditya Roy Kapur's projects

Meanwhile, Aditya Roy Kapur was last seen in The Night Manager Part II. He will next be seen in Anurag Basu's Metro In Dino.

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There are no doubts about Alia Bhatt's talent and beauty and on Wednesday, the actor was once again spotted in a gorgeous avatar. She arrived for an event in Delhi in a black saree and social media is abuzz with only praise for her. Many said black suits her while many said it was the saree that suits her the most. Also read: What Jumka: Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh start a dance party with new Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani song Alia Bhatt spotted in a black saree.

The actor looked lovely in the polka-dotted saree paired with a sleeveless blouse and her hair neatly parted in the middle and tied back in a ponytail. A paparazzo account shared a video of Alia on Instagram. It shows Alia walking towards the venue with a certain calmness and a smile on her face.

Fans love Alia's look

Reacting to the paparazzo's caption in which he rereferred Alia as Rahas mommy' and didn't mention her name, a fan commented, She has a great personality and own identity....why to denote this that she is Raha 's mommy?

A fan reacted, Wow lovely very beautiful hottie." My favourite. Another said, Her mind is at peace! One more fan wrote, Such a beautiful girl. A fan also called Alia Prettiest girl while another called her Roop ki Rani. She look sooooo gorgeous, read yet another comment. Black suits her, wrote one fan.

Alia was probably spotted at an event hosted by Prime Video in Delhi. It was held for the search for India's Next Unicorn and was also attended by Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India.

Alia's upcoming films

Alia will now be seen in Karan Johar's comeback directorial, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. She has reunited with her Gully Boy co-star Ranveer Singh for the film that also has Shabana Azmi, Dharmendra and Jaya Bachchan among the star cast. It will release in theatres on July 28. She is mostly seen in chiffon sarees in the film. On Wednesday, a new song titled What Jhumka was unveiled and featured Alia in a multi-colour saree.

Alia is also awaiting the release of her debut Hollywood film, Heart of Stone. She plays the antagonisit in the Netflix film which has Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan as the lead protagonists. It will release on Netflix on August 11.

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Harshvardhan Rane has responded to rumours of him dating Sanjeeda Shaikh and said that it is the job of journalists to write and he would still "hug them" irrespective of what they write about him. Harshvardhan and Sanjeeda have been reported to be dating each other. (Also Read | Aamir Ali and Sanjeeda Shaikh divorced after nine years of marriage) Speculations about Sanjeeda Shaikha dating Harshvardhan Rane began when they were both holidaying in the Gir forests.

The rumours started after both the actors' social media posts suggested they were holidaying in the Gir forests around the same time.

Harshvardhan reacts to rumours

Harshvardhan told News18 in an interview, "It does not bother me because it is the job of journalists to write and they also have a weekly deadline and daily quota or target of stories to submit. I see them as humans who are trying to do a job, just like my job is to be in films. I respect my journey and effort too much and hence, I respect their process too. They can write anything about me. I would still hug them when I see them.

He also said that Google records claim his height is 5'9 while he is actually six feet tall. However, he said he never bothered clarifying it as he likes it when people see him in real life and react to the difference.

What fuelled the rumours

Last month, Harshvardhan went to the Gir forests and shared pictures and videos from his vacation on Instagram. When fans found similarities between the background of his pictures and those posted by Sanjeeda, they started speculating that they were together. Sanjeeda had also shared a glimpse into her vacation and her daughter could also be seen in the posts.

After months of speculations and rumours, Sanjeeda saw the end of her nine-year-old marriage in 2021 when Aamir Ali and Sanjeeda got divorced. Their three-year-old daughter lives with Sanjeeda.

Harshvardhan's career

Harshvardhan Rane is best known for his roles in the popular TV series Left Right Left and films such as Sanam Teri Kasam and Taish. His recent outings include Taapsee Pannu-Vikrant Massey-starrer Haseen Dilruba. In Haseen Dillruba, Harshvardhan Rane plays the role of Neel Tripathi who falls for his cousin Rishu's (Vikrant Massey) wife Rani (Taapsee Pannu). Haseen Dillruba released on Netflix.

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Christopher Nolan has finally broken his silence on the clash between his film Oppenheimer and Barbie, Greta Gerwig's adaptation of the Mattel doll starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Both films are slated to clash in cinemas on July 21, a phenomenon being called 'Barbenheimer.' (Also Read: Christopher Nolan claims his nuclear-explosion film Oppenheimer has zero CGI shots) Christopher Nolan says he hasn't watched Barbie

What Nolan said on Barbenheimer

A report in Insider claims that when the author asked Nolan at a press event for Oppenheimer if he's watched Barbie, he replied with a no, a curt response accompanied by a hint of disinterest.

When he was probed further, Nolan said, "Now, you must know I'm not going to answer that question, only to say those who care about the theatrical experience, we've been longing for a crowded marketplace with a lot of different movies. That's what theaters have now, and those of us who care about movies are thrilled about that."

Cillian Murphy is more excited to watch Barbie

Cillian, who plays the titular role in Nolan's Oppenheimer, is more excited to watch Barbie. He said in an interview to IGN, I mean, Ill be going to see Barbie, 100 per cent. I cant wait to see it. I think its just great for the industry and for audiences, that we have two amazing films by amazing filmmakers coming out on the same day. You can spend the whole day in the cinema  whats better than that?

Twitter users also compared Nolan's reaction to that of Cillian. One of them wrote, "the way he worded is simply rude. he could've say like "not yet" or "still didnt" but the way he said it, it seems like i haven't and what about it. Another wrote, I wonder if that man has ever laughed in his life. "Nolan doesnt have a problem with barbie the film itself but WB's intent which was to put its tentpole against Nolan as a "revenge" for the fallout," wrote another user.

Barbie team rooting for Nolan

Greta and Margot posed with a ticket in front of the poster of Oppenheimer at a cinema hall, lending their support to Nolan's film.

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Eminent BBC news anchor Huw Edwards, known for his unflappable and calm demeanor, has confirmed that he is at the center of a sexting scandal that has dominated headlines in recent days. FILE - Journalist Huw Edwards poses for photographers upon arrival at the Royal Television Society Programme Awards at the Grosvenor Hotel in London, Tuesday, March 21, 2017. London police say there's no evidence that a BBC presenter who allegedly paid a teenager for sexually explicit photos committed a crime. The Metropolitan police issued the statement Wednesday, July 12, 2023 as the wife of Huw Edwards identified him as the presenter. (AP Photos/Tim Ireland, File)(AP)

Up until now, Edwards' identity had been kept private due to privacy laws.

The esteemed anchor is a familiar face on British television and is often called upon for national events, including the announcement of Queen Elizabeth's death and coverage of her funeral.

In a statement released by Edwards' wife, Vicky Flind, she expressed, In light of the recent reporting regarding the BBC Presenter I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family. I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children

Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As in well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years, the statement continued.

Flind explained that the recent events surrounding the scandal have worsened Edwards' condition, leading to his admission to in-patient hospital care.

ALSO READ| Extreme weather warning for US West and East Coast, 42 Million grapple with oppressive heatwave

The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where hell stay for the foreseeable future. Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published.

The anchors wife emphasized the need for privacy for her family and all those involved in the upsetting events. She conveyed, To be clear Huw was first told that there were allegations being made against him last Thursday. In the circumstances and given Huws condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting event is respected. I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end.

The scandal surrounding Edwards' private life has been front-page news in the UK since The Sun broke the story over the weekend.

The initial claims alleged that Edwards had paid a young person for sexual pictures over several years. However, the young person's lawyer came forward and stated that nothing inappropriate or unlawful had occurred between their client and Edwards.

The Sun had not spoken directly to the young person involved and had been informed by the lawyer of the lack of impropriety.

On Tuesday, further damaging news emerged when another person claimed that Edwards had been abusive in messages after they threatened to go public. The Sun also made fresh claims about Edwards breaking COVID lockdown rules by meeting a 23-year-old after making contact on a dating site.

Amidst the swirling stories, other prominent male presenters denied their involvement, while some called on Edwards to reveal himself. Edwards, a married father of five, has spent the majority of his professional life at the BBC and currently earns up to 439,000 ($570,000) according to recent figures from the broadcaster.

ALSO READ| I cant get over these images,' Barack Obama marvels at James Webb Space Telescope's spectacular images

The BBC, which suspended Edwards on Sunday, had initially been informed of the allegations in a phone conversation with the mother of the complainant. The broadcaster then passed on the information to its in-house investigations team, who attempted to contact the complainant without success. The BBC did not speak directly to Edwards until The Sun approached them with the allegations. The police have asked the BBC to halt its internal inquiry to avoid prejudicing their own investigation.
Looks like Christopher Nolan has another winner on his hands with his latest release, Oppenheimer. Based on father of the atomic bomb J. Robert Oppenheimer, the film releases worldwide on July 21 but had its premiere in Paris on Tuesday. The first reactions have been nothing short of explosive. (Also read: Mission Impossible 7 live updates: Cruise surprises fans at theatre, review out) Cillian Murphy plays the 'father of the atomic bomb' in Oppenheimer.

Steve Weintaub of Collider called it 'incredible'. Christopher Nolan's #Oppenheimer is incredible. Every aspect of the film is worth talking about from the brilliant performances, to #HoytevanHoytema's amazing work behind the camera, to the way Nolan tells the story. The 3 hour run time flies by. See it in @IMAX 70mm if you can, he wrote. Sucharita Tyagi of Film Companion also advocated watching the film in IMAX format. She wrote in a tweet, Oppenheimer has been watched on the biggest IMAX screen possible and it sure is grander than I ever could have imagined, different from anything Nolan has done before, yet fitting right in with his filmography. Every frame of this movie is an exemplary achievement by cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema, if you can travel to an IMAX, do it.

Cast members Trond Fausa Aurvag, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Jason Clarke, and director Christopher Nolan pose during a photocall before the premiere of the film Oppenheimer at the Grand Rex in Paris, France, July 11, 2023. (REUTERS)

Bilge Ebiri wrote in a tweet, OPPENHEIMER is...incredible. The word that keeps coming to mind is 'fearsome.' A relentlessly paced, insanely detailed, intricate historical drama that builds and builds and builds until Nolan brings the hammer down in the most astonishing, shattering way. Critic Simon Thompson wrote, #Oppenheimer is powerful stuff. Cillian Murphys flawless awards worthy performance is next level. Every player in this rich ensemble cast is at the top of their game. Christopher Nolans haunting opus is remarkable and Hoyte van Hoytemas execution of his vision is breathtaking.

Total Film's Matt Maytum said, #Oppenheimer left me stunned: a character study on the grandest scale, with a sublime central performance by Cillian Murphy. An epic historical drama but with a distinctly Nolan sensibility: the tension, structure, sense of scale, startling sound design, remarkable visuals. Wow. Lindsey Bahr of AP wrote, Christopher Nolans #Oppenheimer is truly a spectacular achievement, in its truthful, concise adaptation, inventive storytelling and nuanced performances from Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon and the many, many others involved - some just for a scene.

Based on the 2005 biography American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, Nolan's thriller Oppenheimer features a stellar cast including Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt and Cillian Murphy in the titular role, portraying the man known as "the father of the atomic bomb".

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Kolkata: At least six deaths were reported from across West Bengal on Wednesday even as counting of votes for the three-tier panchayat elections continued, taking the toll to 48 in alleged poll-related violence since June 8 when the rural polls were announced, police officers familiar with the matter said. Security personnel patrolling an area in South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal. (HT)

Read here: Panchayat poll results subject to courts final orders: Calcutta HC

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, whose Trinamool Congress (TMC) has swept the panchayat elections, however, claimed that 19 people died in poll-related violence since June 8. She announced 2 lakh ex gratia each to the next of kin of the deceased and a job in home guard to one family member.

Police officers, requesting anonymity, have pegged the number of poll violence-related deaths in the state to 48, including six on Wednesday.

Three people, including two Indian Secular Front (ISF) workers, were killed and several police personnel injured in Bhangore block of South 24 Parganas district after a clash broke out late on Tuesday night outside a centre where counting of votes was going on, police said. The deceased were identified as Rezaul Gazi and Hasan Mollah  both ISF workers  and one Raju Mollah, a local resident, police said.

Two TMC workers, one each in Basanti in South Parganas and Ratua in Malda, were found dead on Wednesday while a Congress worker in Murshidabad, who was injured in an earlier attack, died during treatment in a hospital on Wednesday, officers said.

I dont support violence. West Bengal is being maligned, chief minister Banerjee told reporters at the state secretariat, accusing the opposition parties for attacks. I didnt say a word for long. But there is a limit to everything. The polls were held in more than 70,000 booths, but violence took place in not more than 60 booths. The opposition planned the attacks. We abided by all court directions.

The TMC chief also appealed for peace and harmony in the aftermath of the panchayat polls.

Read here: You shamed democracy: BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad to CM Mamata on poll result

I express my condolences. Nineteen people have been killed. They are the victims of circumstances, Banerjee said, adding that most clashes took place in Malda and Murshidabad districts. Police have been given a free hand to take actions. The state government has decided to pay ex gratia of 2 lakh each and the job of a home guard to the next of kin of the deceased.

The TMC, which returned to power for the third consecutive time in the state with a massive mandate in 2021, has swept the rural polls. The party won 42,005 of the states 73,887 seats across the three tiers  zilla parishads, panchayat samitis and gram panchayats till 5 pm on Wednesday, when counting of paper ballots was on.

The party has won 34,980 of the 63,229 gram panchayat seats and was leading in 570 seats, according to the state poll body. It has also won 6,467 of the 9,728 panchayat samiti seats while leading in 184 seats, and 685 of the 928 zila parishad seats while leading in 144 seats, SEC said.

The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to wrest sizeable number of seats but came a distant second winning 9,735 gram panchayat seats, 990 panchayat samiti seats and 21 zilla parishad seats. The party was leading in 142 gram panchayat seats, 48 panchayat samiti and six zilla parishad seats.

Meanwhile, a four-member BJP team from Delhi, led by former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, arrived in the eastern state on Wednesday to visit violence-hit areas before submitting a report to party president JP Nadda.

Mamata Banerjee has shamed democracy in Bengal, Prasad told reporters. We had immense respect for Mamataji. She defeated the 34-year-old Left regime. Today, I want to remind her about her evolution in Bengal and national politics. Unfortunately, her government has crossed the records of the Left regarding misrule, anarchy and lawlessness in the state.

The TMC, however, said that the teams visit was at attempt to divert attention away from the BJPs humiliating defeat. More than 150 teams and commissions have been sent to the state in the last few years, chief minister Banerjee said. There is a protocol. The BJP sends teams at the drop of a hat and utilises agencies. A country cant be run like this. You need patience.

Read here: BJP delegation to visit poll violence-hit areas in West Bengal today

The Calcutta high court has already ordered that central forces should be retained in the state for at least 10 days after the poll results are announced to prevent post-poll clashes. More than 800 companies of central forces have bene deployed in the state.
The sound of conch shells, bells and bhajans, emanating from hundreds of temples dotting Ayodhyas serpentine lanes is today lost in the loud noise of machinery and earthmovers, symbolising the ongoing transformation of an ancient city to a sprawling modern pilgrimage centre. The revamped railway station is among several projects of the Centre under execution in Ayodhya. (Ravinder Singh/ HT)

Read here: All credit for Ram Mandir goes to people of Ayodhya: VHP leader Champat Rai

Along with the construction of a grand Ram temple, which is to be opened in January 2024, Ayodhya is also bracing for a major transformation, with the new Ayodhya bearing little or no resemblance with the old city that found mention in the Vedas. The district administration is scrambling to meet tight deadlines to create a modern city which will attract tourists from all over the world. The under-construction international airport is expected to be ready by September 23 ; the Lucknow-Gorakhpur via Ayodhya Vande Bharat fast train was launched on July 7, covering approximately 135-km distance between Lucknow and Ayodhya in a little over four hours.

The enormity of the ongoing development in the erstwhile temple town which wants to become a pre-eminent city on the Hindu pilgrimage circuit  one estimated to cost 32,000 crore approx  is evident as one enters Ayodhya from the Naya Ghat crossing, which is now called the Lata Mangeshkar crossing, where around 900 labourers are working around-the-clock to complete a 1,000-crore project for widening three roads.

Moving towards Hanuman Garhi, which lies to the east of the temple, one can see demolished old houses and shops on both sides of the road ; the 13-km stretch from Naya Ghat to Sahadatganj is part of the road widening project in the temple town. This arterial road connecting Ayodhya Dham with Faizabad (now Ayodhya) is considered the lifeline of the city, and currently, it is all dug up.

Around 800 shops and houses have been demolished on the 13-km stretch of what is now called Ram Path. Mrigendra Kumar, who runs a sweetmeat shop at the Naya Ghat crossing, has given up more than half of his shop for the project. I have lost half of my shop to the Ram Path project. It was almost double in size as compared to its present status, he said. The heritage bungalow of Ayodhya mayor Mahant Girish Pati Tripathi also lies on this stretch of the Ram Path -- but it was fortunately outside the purview of the road-widening project.

The change is clearly evident as one reaches the Shringar Hat barrier, the last stop for vehicles a few metres ahead of the Hanuman Garhi temple. The narrow road leading to Hanuman Garhi, dotted by shops on both sides, is now around 14 metres wide. Shops have been half demolished to pave way for the 800-metre Bhakti Path.

Read here: Stones pelted at Lucknow-bound Vande Bharat near Ayodhya, 3 arrested

While Mrigendra is worried about loss of business others are more sanguine about the future. Mannu Lal, a second-generation flower vendor who sits by the stairs of the Hanuman Garhi temple said: After construction of Ram Mandir began, footfall of devotees at Hanuman Garhi has increased manifold. My business will improve once the Ram temple is opened for devotees.

The shortest of the three road projects is the 570-metre-long Ram Janmabhoomi Path. Starting from Birla Mandir, it leads to the Ram Janmabhoomi via Sugreev Qila. Sweetmeat shops on both sides of the road are doing brisk business.

The Hanuman Garhi Trust owns most of the shops in the temples vicinity.

Raju Das, priest of Hanuman Garhi says all shop owners displaced by the development have  been allotted shops near the temple.  The shopkeepers were paying rent for the past 50 to 60 years or more. They were paying 60 to 75. Some had even sublet the shops on a monthly rent of 10,000 to 15000, he added.

These three roads surround the temple.

The UP government has also approved widening of the Panch Kosi, which passes through Ayodhya city and 14-Kosi Parikrama Marg which covers outskirts of the city. Around 2,600 houses and commercial establishments will be demolished for the project.

Another signature change in Ayodhya will be transformation of the Ayodhya railway station. The station, designed to give it a look of a temple is among several projects of the Centre under execution in the temple town. The 150-crore project is almost ready for inauguration.

Then there is the Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport in Ayodhya that will become operational before the Ram temple is opened for devotees. Dignitaries from New Delhi and other parts of the country will land directly in Ayodhya for the temple opening, with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) working towards make it operational before January 2024.

The airport is coming up on 821-acre land and the project will cost 320 crore. The UP civil aviation department signed a lease agreement for transfer of 317.855-acre land to AAI for the Ayodhya airport on April 7, 2022.

Construction work of the first phase of the three-phase airport is near completion. According to Ayodhya district officials, construction work of the airports terminal building is around 75% complete. A 2200-metre runway is near completion and two more runways would come up in the second and third phases. The airport will have a parking facility for 24 aircraft and a night landing facility.

Initially, small aircraft having seating capacity for 60 passengers will land at the airport, but by 2025, when the final phase of the airport is completed, it will be ready for Boeing airplanes.

According to AAI officials, the airports entrance and the main building will give passengers a feel for Ayodhya. The elevation of the airport building will resemble the Ram temple, they add.

Read here: Ayodhya Makeover: Cruise & houseboat facility on Saryu river post monsoon

We have envisioned Ayodhya as a 21st century world-class city which has all the facilities of modernity but draws from the traditional principles of what Ayodhya has always been known for, said architect Dikshu Kukreja.

Kukreja, a Delhi-based architect, has submitted his development plan for Ayodhya to the Ayodhya Development Authority. Whether it is the old city or the Sarayu riverfront or the market places, all of these aspects will come together to form a new ensemble, he added.

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BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya said it is bad news for the Congress that Foxconn and Vedanta's deal falling through does not mean Foxconn won't work in India's semiconductor sector. "This is bad news for the Congress, which actively attempts to scuttle any new initiative India takes. It is now worried that India's rise as a semiconductor manufacturing hub will further consolidate its position in the world as a credible player in the technology domain. The Congress loathes a confident and self-reliant India," Malviya tweeted. Amit Malviya made a long Twitter post explaining the Foxconn-Vedanta situation.

Taking a jibe at Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, Malviya said it is tough for the Congress leader to understand but semicondutors manufacturing is a very complex and technology-intensive sector and India's past efforts did not succeed.

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, a comprehensive semiconductor program formulated to provide uniform incentive of 50% to support design, manufacturing and packaging. Program also supports R&D, talent and capacity building," Malviya said.

Foxconn applying separately for a semiconductor manufacturing unit

The failure of the Vedanta-Foxconn deal is not the end of Foxconn's work opportunities in India as the Taiwanese firm said it is planning to apply separately for setting up a semiconductor manufacturing unit and actively reviewing the landscape for "optimal partners".

What happened to the Vedanta-Foxconn deal?

Foxconn on Monday announced that it decided to pull out of the semi-conductor joint venture with Vedanta planned in Gujarat. This became a political flashpoint as the Foxconn-Vedanta was initially planned in Maharashtra and then the project went to Gujarat.

Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the Foxconn-Vedanta break-up will not impact India's semiconductor prospects. "It's not for govt to get into why or how two private companies choose to partner or choose not to, but in simple terms it means both companies can & will now pursue their strategies in India independently, and with appropriate technology partners in Semicon n Electronics," Chandrasekhar tweeted.

A Reuters report claimed both Foxconn and the Centre had concerns over Vedanta's financial situation. Vedanta, however, said its financial position is strong and these speculations are baseless.

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Bengaluru police on Wednesday arrested three people in connection with the gruesome double murder of two senior executives of a private firm, and are probing if business rivalry was the motive behind the crime, officers said. According to police, the accused  Santosh (26), Shabarish alias Felix (27) and Vinay Reddy (23), all residents of Bengaluru  were arrested from Kunigal, about 70km from Bengaluru. (File)

The owner of a rival company is also under scanner for his role in the murders and is being interrogated, the officers added.

According to police, the accused  Santosh (26), Shabarish alias Felix (27) and Vinay Reddy (23), all residents of Bengaluru  were arrested from Kunigal, about 70km from Bengaluru. A special team was formed to nab the three.

The two victims  R Vinu Kumar (40), chief executive officer (CEO), and Phanindra Subramanya (36), managing director (MD) of Aironics Media Private Limited, a private internet service provider company  were stabbed to death by the three accused, in the presence of at least 10 other employees, inside their office in Pampa Extension near Hebbal at around 3.45pm on Tuesday.

According to Bengaluru Northeast deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Lakshmi Prasad, the prime accused, Felix, barged into the office along with the other two and held some discussion with Subramanya before attacking him with a machete. When Kumar tried to intervene, he was also attacked, the DCP said. After committing the crime, the three accused took a train from Majestic in Bengaluru to Kunigal, from where they were arrested, the officer said.

The three have been booked under sections 302, 120b and 34 of IPC.

Police are also interrogating the owner of a rival internet service provider company in the case. The owner was picked up by police at Bengaluru airport, a police officer said. One of the angles we are looking at is if he hired the three men to eliminate the MD and the CEO, the officer said, asking not to be named.

Both the victims worked at that firm before resigning and setting up their own company, Aironics Media Private Limited, in November, the officer said.

Aironics provided services at a cheaper rate and recently expanded their business to Mysuru and Shivamogga. The company also hired several employees from the firm they were earlier working with, police added.

HT is not naming the company because it could not be reached for a statement.
The Bihar assembly witnessed unruly scenes for a second consecutive day on Wednesday after members of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) smashed a chair and tossed shreds of paper during a protest seeking resignation of deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, against whom the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently filed a charge sheet in an alleged land-for-jobs scam. Leader of Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha with BJP legislators demonstrating outside Bihar assembly in Patna (Santosh Kumar/ HT)

The BJP members also hit out at chief minister Nitish Kumar for failing to seek Tejashwis resignation, even as the latter sought to know why the Opposition did not object to his appointment last year despite a charge sheet being filed against him in 2017 in a separate corruption case.

The land-for-jobs scam pertains to taking land from 12 candidates in return for jobs in the Railways between 2004 and 2009. Lalu was the railway minister during this period. On July 3, CBI had filed its charge sheet against Tejashwi, Lalu and his wife Rabri Devi, and 14 others in the case.

As the assembly gathered for the ongoing monsoon session at 11am, leader of opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha demanded Tejashwis resignation. Sinha also asked chief minister Nitish Kumar, who was present in the House, why the latter had not sought his deputys resignation.

You (Kumar) always had zero tolerance on corruption, so why is there a compromise now? Why are you not taking Tejashwis resignation, Sinha said.

The opposition leader also condemned the lathicharge on Kisan Salahkaars in Patna during the day and slammed the government for not providing sufficient grants to clear salaries of teachers in unaided colleges.

Sinha spoke for a few minutes before speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary went ahead with the Question Hour. Trouble erupted about 30 minutes later when Sinha alleged opposition members are not being allowed to ask supplementary questions while those from the ruling side are getting the opportunity.

As the speaker chose to ignore the complaint and move ahead with the Question Hour, BJP members raised slogans and trooped into the well of the House. They tried to upturn the reporters table, and tore pieces of paper and threw the shreds in the air.

The protest continued even as the speaker cautioned the BJP members against their unruly behaviour. The situation turned ugly after the members smashed a chair on the ground, prompting the speaker to adjourn the session till 11am on Thursday.

Your conduct is deplorable. Dont force the Chair to take action, the speaker said while adjourning the House.

Sinha defended his partys conduct in the assembly. It is highly condemnable that my mike was switched off when I was speaking. The Opposition has the right to raise issues concerning people, which include corruption, he told reporters later.

Tejashwi hit out at the Opposition, saying they are not interested in talking about development. A charge sheet was filed against me in 2017. I do not know what happened to it. God knows what happened to it. When I was taking oath as deputy chief minister last year, despite a charge sheet pending against me, they (BJP) did not object. Now they are asking why I took the oath. They should have stopped me then, the deputy chief minister told reporters.

The RJD leader was referring to his name in CBIs charge sheet in a case related to alleged irregularities in handing over the operational contract of two IRCTC hotels to a private firm, when Lalu was railway minister. Lalu is the main accused in the case.

On August 10 last year, Tejashwi took oath as deputy chief minister after the ruling Janata Dal (United) split with the BJP for a second time to re-align with the RJD.

Continuing his attack on the BJP, Tejashwi said: We come to the assembly everyday so that we can address the questions of the public and work for the development of the state. But people sitting in the opposition do not seem to be like MLAs. They are not interested in talking about development. They are only talking rubbish.

On Tuesday too, the House was disrupted due to similar protests by the BJP.

The BJP calls itself a party with a difference. But the hooliganism and unruly behaviour of the BJP members reflect what they believe in and is only weakening the democratic system, JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anirban Guha Roy A journalist for 21 years, Anirban covers RJD, legislature and government beats. Has extensive experience in covering elections and writes regularly on finance, land reforms, registration, excise and socio-economic issues. ...view detail
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) four-member fact-finding committee with MP Ravishankar Prasad as its convenor will visit the violence-affected areas in West Bengal during the Panchayat polls on Wednesday. A polling booth at Baravita Primary School has been allegedly vandalised and ballot papers set on fire after voting began for the single-phase panchayat polls in West Bengal, in Cooch Behar (ANI Photo)(ANI)

On Tuesday, the BJP constituted a four-member fact-finding committee in the wake of the widespread violence during the Panchayat elections in the state.

Prasad earlier stated that the committee will visit the state and submit the report to the President, Droupadi Murmu.

Before leaving for Bengal, he said that he will visit all the affected areas, and meet those who were tortured and victimised.

"BJP National President JP Nadda has appointed a team of Parliamentarians, of which I am the convener, which is going to visit all the areas affected by rampant violence, killing, bomb blast in the wake of gram panchayat elections in Bengal. We propose to visit all the affected areas, meet those who are tortured and victimised," said the BJP MP.

He added, "Why should more than 40 people lose their lives in the gram panchayat election? Why the so-called colleagues who are trying to forge an alliance against Narendra Modi are maintaining a conspicuous silence? We will visit and submit our report to the President. I hope the Mamata government will allow us to visit the affected areas?"

Violence broke out in West Bengal ahead of the Gram Panchayat elections which was previously to be held on July 8. However, the voting day was marred with widespread violence, looting of ballots papers and rigging. There were reports of booth capturing, damaging of ballot boxes and assault of presiding officers from several districts such as Murshidabad, Cooch Behar, Malda, South 24 Parganas, North Dinajpur and Nadia.

Reports also emerged of ballot boxes being set on fire and clashes between political parties in different locations.

As a result, the State Election Commission announced the re-pollling of Panchayat election on July 10. So, it concluded on Monday and the counting was carried out on Tuesday, July 11.

The Trinamool Congress won in 28,985 and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 7,764 seats while Congress has secured 2,022 seats so far. TMC was leading on 1,540 panchayat seats while BJP was leading on 417, according to the State Election Commission (SEC) as of 10.30 pm on Tuesday.

West Bengal has 3,341 gram panchayats and the number of village panchayat election centres is 58,594. There are 63,239 seats at the Gram Panchayat level, 9730 at Panchayat Samiti and 928 at the Zila Parishad level. The counting of votes will be held on July 11.

In 2018, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) won uncontested, 34 per cent of the seats in panchayat elections, which also saw various instances of violence.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday named Ananta Rai, who heads a faction of the Greater Cooch Behar Peoples Association (GCPA), as its Rajya Sabha candidate from West Bengal. The BJP made inroads in Rais stronghold of north Bengal in the 2019 national polls. (HT PHOTO)

GCPA has been demanding that a separate state of Greater Cooch Behar be carved out of West Bengal. It bestowed the title Maharaj (King) on Rai in 1998.

Rai, who is in his mid-60s and claims to be a descendant of the Koch-Rajbangshi dynasty, is said to have considerable influence among around two million Koch-Rajbangshi voters in Assam and West Bengals seven districts.

The Rajbangshi community is the largest Scheduled Caste group of West Bengal, accounting for around 30% of the population in north Bengal.

The BJP made inroads in north Bengal in the 2019 national polls when it won 18 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state. It held on its stronghold in the 2021 West Bengal assembly polls.

Rai refused to comment on the Greater Cooch Behar demand after his Rajya Sabha nomination. I am happy. Everything has its own time. I will talk later, he said

GCPA has maintained the inclusion of Cooch Behar in West Bengal was a violation of the treaty signed in August 1949 between the Union government and Maharaja Jagaddipendra Naryan of the Koch-Rajbangshi dynasty that ruled the region before independence.

In 2021, Union home minister Amit Shah met Rai, who lives in a palatial house at Satipur in Assams Chirang, ahead of the West Bengal and Assam polls.

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Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Swati Maliwal on Wednesday hit out at Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh saying that he belongs in jail and not in the Parliament - a day after Delhi polices chargesheet against Singh which included charges of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation surfaced. Maliwal also questioned the Delhi Police and the Centre over the lack of action against Singh. DCW Chairperson Swati Maliwal and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. (File)

Also read: Congress slams BJP after Delhi Police charge sheet against Brij Bhushan goes public

The whole country knows that Brij Bhushan Singh is a big politician who has several criminal cases lodged against him. Amid this, India's top wrestlers sat on the streets for a month demanding action against him. They kept screaming, yelling...demanding Delhi Police to arrest Singh. But they did not do anything. Instead, they victim-shamed the wrestlers, Maliwal said in a video message on Twitter.

She added, Now, the Delhi police have submitted concrete evidence against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in court. I want to ask Delhi Police why they didn't arrest him, even though they knew he sexually harassed wrestlers?

The Central government should also answer why they did not take any action against him, the DCW chief said.

What the chargesheet said

The Delhi Police on Tuesday reportedly filed a chargesheet based on the investigation so far against the WFI president who is facing charges of sexual harassment. According to reports, the chargesheet dated June 13, read that Singh is liable to be prosecuted and punished for offences of stalking and molestation".

The Delhi Police has invoked sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 354 (outraging modesty of a woman); 354 A (sexual harassment); and 354 D (stalking) against Singh.
The ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in Telangana on Wednesday launched state-wide agitations in protest against the statement made by Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president A Revanth Reddy during an interaction with NRIs from the state in United States. He allegedly opposed the round-the-clock power supply to farmers in the state free of cost. BRS MLC K Kavitha with party workers raises slogans during a protest against Telangana Congress President Revanth Reddy over his remarks on free electricity to farmers, in Hyderabad on Wednesday. (PTI)

Leading a demonstration at Vidyut Soudha in Hyderabad on Wednesday, BRS lawmaker and chief minister K Chandrasekhar Raos daughter Kalvakuntla Kavitha said the anti-farmer intent of the Congress Party now stood clearly exposed.

She sought to know whether former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who had released Farmers Declaration during his rally at Warangal in May this year, also agreed with the TPCC stand on reducing the hours of free electricity supply to the farmers. If he has no answer, he has no right to come to Telangana and speak to the farmers here, she said.

Kavitha called upon the people to hound away Revanth if he visited any village stating three hours of power supply was enough. Revanth Reddy should immediately apologize to the farmers, she demanded.

BRS working president and state industries minister K T Rama Rao the Congress partys policy was an insult to small and marginal farmers. A three-hour power supply for small and marginal farmers would mean they are forced to use high-capacity motors to draw sufficient water supply to their fields, he said.

The Congress party, which had failed to extend even seven hours of power supply to farmers, was now hatching conspiracies to abolish the 24-hour free power supply programme, he said, in a statement.

Revanths statement also caused embarrassment in the Telangana Congress. Senior leader and Bhongir MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy said round-the-clock free power supply to farmers was the policy of the Congress. I dont know in what context the PCC chief made the statement on three-hour power supply to farmers, but it is not our policy, he said.

He challenged the BRS government to prove that the farmers of Telangana were getting 24X7 power supply. Even if it is proved that the farmers are getting 10 hours of power supply, I shall resign from my MP seat, he challenged.

Revanth, in an interaction with the NRIs from Telangana at a meeting organised on the sidelines of Telugu Association of North America conference at Philadelphia in the US on Monday, said the farmers of Telangana didnt need 24X7 power supply to their crops.

Replying to a query from an NRI on whether the Congress, if voted to power, would continue the 24X7 free agriculture power supply scheme, the PCC chief said 95 percent of the Telangana farmers are small and marginal farmers with not more than three acres of land.

It requires one hour of water supply to each acre of land. So, the majority of farmers do not require more than three hours of free power supply to water their crops. On the whole, it is enough to give seven to eight hours of power supply to crops, he said.

Revanth alleged that the round-the-clock free power supply talk of KCR was a big hoax only to cheat people and help big farmers. In the name of free power supply, it is not appropriate to misuse the power and push the discoms into losses, he said.

Soon as the video of Revanths statement went viral on social media on Tuesday, the BRS reacted strongly. It gave a call for state-wide protests on Wednesday alleging that the Congress was anti-farmer and if voted to power, it would do away with the free power supply.

The PCC chief had also quickly retracted his statement and tweeted that the Congress party would definitely extend quality power supply to farmers round the clock. Even if the BRS leaders shout from the rooftops that the Congress would give only three hours of power to agriculture, people will not vote for them, he said.

He alleged that the BRS leaders were only trying to mislead the people by twisting his statement made in the US.

All India Congress Committee in-charge of Telangana Manikrao Thakre also assured that his party, if voted to power, would give round-the-clock power supply to agriculture free of cost. It has been clearly mentioned in our farmers declaration and we shall implement it in letter and spirit, Thakre 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
Champat Rai, a senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader was part of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, the legal battle for the temple, and is now involved in the construction of grand Ram temple in Ayodhya as general secretary of Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. PREMIUM Champat Rai is now involved in Ram temple construction in Ayodhya as general secretary of Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. (HTPhoto)

Read here: Ayodhyas transformation in spotlight as development projects pick up pace

In an interaction at his office in Baharat Kuti at Karsevakpuram in Ayodhya , Rai, who is cognisant of the extremely short deadline he has to meet spoke to Hindustan Times on his memories of Ram Mandir movement and the Ram Mandir project itself.

The Ram Janmabhoomi movement is literally, decades-long . Whose contribution would you rate the most significant in this movement?

All credit for construction of Ram Mandir goes to sadhus and people of Ayodhya. They were the ones who were at the forefront of all Ram Mandir movements.Right from December 22, 1949, when sadhus broke into the Ram Janmabhoomi ( then a mosque) to capture it; the November 9, 1989 shilanyas; the October 30-November 2 1990 firing on karsevaks; December 6, 1992 (demolition of structure); and till date -- the people of Ayodhya have been at the forefront of the temple movement. Outsiders came and left Ayodhya during the temple movement. But without the support and active participation of sadhus and the people of Ayodhya, the Ram Mandir movement could have never succeeded. All credit for construction of Ram Mandir at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya goes to the people of Ayodhya.

Apart from leaders from the RSS, VHP and BJP, would you like to give credit to someone else also for the Ram Mandir movement?

The Former Congress MLA Dau Dayal Khanna from Moradabad was the first to raise his voice for the Ram Mandir even before RSS and VHP. At the VHPs Hindu Sammelan in Muzaffarnagar in 1983, Khanna was the first to raise voice for Ram Mandir. He gave a call to build Ram Mandir at that meeting.

The Trust has invited PM Narendra Modi for the consecration ceremony . Has any date been fixed for the ceremony?

No date has been finalised yet. But the grand ceremony will take place on any day between Makar Sankranti on January 15 and January 24. The ceremony will not take place before Makar Sankranti due to Hindu belief and after January 25 as PM Narendra Modi will be occupied with Republic Day celebrations.

Will the Trust invite families of Karsevaks who died during the Ram Mandir movement for the ceremony?

No. It is not possible to invite everyone for the ceremony. We have our compulsions and limitations that restrict us .Everyone wants to come to Ayodhya to be a part of the grand ceremony. But this is not possible.

Read here: Ram temple work in full swing, completion nears

The RSS is planning to organise nama sankirtan and other events in around five lakh temples across the country. These events will start at least 10-days before pran pratishtha of Ram Lalla.

The Trust has got three renowned sculptors to carve out Ram Lallas idol. Only one will be placed at sanctum-sanctorum of Ram Mandir. How will you select which one?

The best idol will be selected after taking the opinion of all concerned, including architects, experts and other sculptors. The remaining two idols will also be placed somewhere in the Ram Mandir.

The ground floor of the Ram Mandir is almost complete. When will the entire Ram Mandir come up ?

The Trust has set a deadline of December 2024 to complete all construction work of Ram Mandir. We are hopeful to meet this deadline as construction work of Ram Mandir is going as per schedule.

Two rocks were brought to Ayodhya from Nepal with much fanfare to carve out the temples idol. This was possible only after approval of the Nepal government. Why has the Trust rejected them?

They were cut and subjected to technical analysis by sculptors. But Nepalese rocks failed to fulfil all criteria and were found not suitable for Ram Lallas idol.The Trust ruled out Nepal rocks for Ram Lallas idol only after advice from sculptors.

Is there any plan to connect Ram Mandir (in the west) with Hanuman Garhi (in the east) by a straight road in future?

I cannot discuss this plan at present. It will be decided at an appropriate time when the construction work of Ram Mandir is complete.

How will the Trust manage Ram Mandir. Will it constitute a board like the ones for temples in South India?

Read here: New Ram Mandir photos show completed roof

At present we have not decided. Any such decision will be taken after studying management of prominent temples across India.
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The monsoon will weaken a bit tomorrow but will again intensify from July 14 with heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh for the next four to five days, a senior meteorological department official said on Wednesday. People from low-lying areas around the Yamuna river wade through floodwaters of the swollen river while relocating to a safer place, in New Delhi, Wednesday, July 12, 2023.(PTI)

The intensity of rainfall will be less today and tomorrow. Monsoon will become bit weak and light rainfall will occur in Himachal Pradesh. However, monsoon will once again intensify from July 14 and rains will continue for the next 4-5 days, Shimla Meteorological Department chief Surendra Pal told PTI.

Incessant rainfall in north India for the past few days and the release of water from Hathni Kund Barrage have resulted in an all-time high water level of the Yamuna river in the national capital. The water level in Yamuna is likely to reach 208.3 m by 9am on Thursday, according to the latest flood forecast by Central Water Commission.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said Union minister Gajendra Shekhawat has informed him that the volume of water being released to Haryana from Himachal Pradesh has reduced, which in turn will impact the water level in the Yamuna.

However, he said it will take some time for the water level in the river to recede.

In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Kejriwal requested that "if possible, the water from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana be released in limited speed" and pointed out that Delhi is set to host the G20 Summit meeting in a few weeks.

"Following my letter, I got a call from Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who said that Hathnikund is just a barrage and there is no reservoir to store water and limit the water speed. The water volume being released from Himachal Pradesh has reduced and the situation will improve. But it will take time to reflect in the water level of the Yamuna," he said at a press conference after the meeting.

But the latest forecast of heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh from July 14 may subsequently result in increasing the water level in Yamuna and worsen the flood-like situation in parts of Delhi.

Meanwhile, Kejriwal has requested those living in low-lying areas in the vicinity of Yamuna to vacate their homes immediately.

Delhi LG VK Saxena has called a meeting of Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Thursday over the rising water level of Yamuna, reported PTI quoting Raj Niwas officials.

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The Delhi Police recovered the body of a woman, chopped into pieces, near the Geeta Colony flyover area on Wednesday. Delhi Police was informed of the incident around 9:15 am. (Twitter/ANI)

The police launched a probe after the woman's body parts were found scattered across the flyover area. The Delhi Police was informed of the incident around 9:15 am by a localite from the area.

Central Range Joint Commissioner of Police Paramaditya said on Wednesday, We have found two black polythene bags. One contains the head of the body and the other contains body parts. The prima facie investigation revealed long hair and since the body has been decomposed, we are assuming it is a woman because of the hair.

Speaking to reporters, Paramaditya said that the body was being sent for post-mortem and it had not been identified yet. He also said that the police wasn't sure how many body parts were found in the bags and if there were any body parts missing.

The police is yet to identify the victim and the investigation in underway.

The case comes amid several cases of victim's bodies being cut after murder have come forward for the past few months. In March this year, four dismembered parts of a human body and a bunch of hair were discovered at a construction site near Sarai Kale Khan ISBT. The recovered body parts were stuffed in a plastic bag and included a skull decomposed beyond identification, a wrist with fingers and two other bones, apart from a bunch of long hair.

(This is a developing story. Please check back for updates)

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The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu wrote to the Law Commission of India registering its strong objection to the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and recommended the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government to not implement it, adding that the UCC is against cooperative federalism, and harms Hindu culture and religious harmony in the country. DMK was responding to the Law Commission, which has sought views of the public about the implementation of UCC. (PTI)

The party was responding to the Law Commission, which has sought views of the public about the implementation of UCC.

Before uniform civil code for all religions, we need a uniform caste code, to eliminate caste discrimination and atrocities, DMK general secretary Durai Murugan said in a statement. The ruling BJPs obsession with one nation, one language, one culture is now spilling over into one civil code.

BJPs ally in Tamil Nadu, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kzahagam (AIADMK) has also maintained its stance that they do not support the UCC. The state unit of the BJP had earlier reacted that they hoped AIADMK would change their position and that all parties can be on board to enact the UCC.

The issue of UCC has widespread ramifications on the rights of citizens of all denominations and has a potentially disastrous effect on the secular ethos, law and order, peace and tranquillity in the state and intrusion into the legislative powers conferred under the Constitution to states, the states ruling party said.

Among Tamil Nadus population, 87% are Hindus, 7% Christians and 6% Muslims, Durai Murgan said, describing the state as a paradise for peaceful coexistence of all religions where communal violence is nearly non-existent. The introduction of a divisive law like the UCC for political gains will disturb the peace, tranquillity, and harmony between the religious groups in Tamil Nadu and therefore is not desirable in the interest of the public, he said. Conflicts between ethnic or religious groups can lead to terrible violence, like in the state of Manipur, which the union and state government have been unable to control till date.

Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a speech in Bhopal in June, pushing for the UCC, the DMK has been urging that first uniformity has to be brought amongst the Hindus.

Despite an order by the Supreme Court and the Madras high court, provisions of Hindu Succession Act havent been extended to Scheduled Tribes by the Union Government, the DMK pointed out, adding that the UCC will also wipe out the unique concept of the Hindu Undivided Family.

The Union must also consider that even within Hindus, it is impossible to have one common set of laws applicable to all sects, sub-sects of Hinduism, Durai Murugan said. In such a scenario, the question arises that when UCC cannot be uniform even amongst Hindus, how can it be implemented across the board to other religions?

The DMK also raised a concern about the legislative competence of a state over marriage and divorce since the Union and state governments both have powers under entry 5 of List III (Concurrent List) in the Indian Constitution currently. If legislated, the Uniform Civil Code will apply to all citizens within India and it cannot be varied by the states, even after obtaining the assent of the President of India, the party said.

A state government being closer to people than the Union is in a better position to assess peoples needs, the DMK said.

In such circumstances, taking away the power of the states to enact laws tailor made to the needs of their people is unconstitutional and against the principles of cooperative federalism, the DMK said.

The ruling party suggested to the Union government that they should follow the practice of self-respect marriages (performed by friends, family without priests) introduced by the party founder C N Annadurai as well as the policy of chief minister M K Stalin to induct temple priests of all castes.

There can always be special statutes or provisions enacted for those who do not wish to be bound by the customary practices, while keeping intact the personal laws for the believers, the DMK said.

Our unity in diversity is an example to the world and must be cherished and nurtured, not be sacrificed at the false altar of uniformity, Durai Murugan said.

Ultimately, one law for the lion and ox is oppression. Each religion has evolved its unique, distinct custom and tradition over centuries of practice, in keeping with their beliefs and religious texts. To upset them with brute force is nothing short of tyranny and oppression and must not be committed by the State, which acts as parens patriae (parent of the nation as per law), he added.

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Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Wednesday took a swipe at Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks that it is not important who the director of the Enforcement Directorate is, asking why did the government then give a third extension to the probe agency's chief Sanjay Kumar Mishra. Kapil Sibal, Senior leader addresses during a rally organized in Delhi. HT File Photo/ Sanchit Khanna)

Sibal's remarks came a day after the Supreme Court held as "illegal" two successive extensions of one year each granted to Enforcement Directorate chief Mishra, ruling that the Centre's orders were in "breach" of its mandamus in its 2021 verdict that the IRS officer should not be given further term.

After the Supreme Court ruling, Shah said who the ED director is not important because whoever assumes this role will take note of the rampant corruption of a cozy club of entitled dynasts who have an anti-development mindset.

In a tweet, Sibal said, "Sanjay Mishra (ED) Chief. Supreme Court held extension till November invalid. Amit Shah: 'ED is an institution which rises beyond any one individual...' Then why did you give him a 3rd extension?"

"Some individuals serve the political interests of the party in power!" the senior advocate and former Union minister said.

The order of the top court in which it also curtailed Mishra's extended tenure to July 31 came as a setback to the Centre, even as it upheld the amendments under which a maximum of five-year tenure can be given to directors of the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI).

The amendments were made to the Central Vigilance Commission (Amendment) Act, 2021 and the Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Act, 2021 as well as to the Fundamental (Amendment) Rules, 2021.

Mishra, 62, was first appointed the ED director for two years on November 19, 2018. Later, by an order dated November 13, 2020, the central government modified the appointment letter retrospectively and his two-year term was changed to three years.
Chennai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has the powers to arrest and take custody of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) minister V Senthil Balaji under the Prevention of money laundering act (PMLA), said Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to the Madras high court on Wednesday. On June 14, ED arrested Senthil Balaji on charges of money laundering linked to a case back in 2014 in the state transport department. (PTI)

Representing the ED, Mehta made the submissions to justice CV Karthikeyan, who was named as the third judge to hear the continued hearing in the habeas corpus petition (HCP) filed by the ministers wife S Megala. A division bench of the Madras high court pronounced a split verdict last week in the petition, after which, the Supreme Court asked the high court to constitute another bench to hear the case.

Even as arguments were underway, the Chennai principal sessions judge, S Alli, extended the judicial custody of Balaji till July 26. The minister has been hospitalised and under judicial custody since he was arrested by the ED on July 14.

Senior counsels Kapil Sibal and N R Elango, arguing for the petitioner, on Tuesday said that the ED officials do not have powers of a police officer. Sibal also told the court that ED officials were acting like an authority investigating the predicate offence.

According to LiveLaw, Mehta had argued that the reason why legislature did not confers powers of a police officer on ED officials was because, PMLA deals with only one offence of money laundering, unlike other special enactments, which are non-bailable and therefore, only a court can grant bail. Your honour, if the police register a corruption case which is a predicate offence and I initiate PMLA proceedings, Im prevented from investigating the corruption angle and the police are prevented from investigating PMLA, Mehta was quoted by Livelaw adding context to why they are not given powers of a police officer.

After hearing the Solicitor Generals submissions, justice Karthikeyan passed a short order that on the specific request of the petitioners Senior Counsel to give a reply, he is listing the matter for July 14. It is hoped that arguments would be concluded in the forenoon session itself, justice Karthikeyan said. The direction of theSupreme Court that endeavour must be made to ensure that there is conclusion of hearing must be kept in mind by the learned Senior Counsels.

On June 14, ED arrested Balaji on charges of money laundering linked to a case back in 2014 in the state transport department, a portfolio he was heading in the previous All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) regime.

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Chief election commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar has said that the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB), as a global association, plays a critical role in fostering cooperation amongst Election Management Bodies (EMBs), adding that the EMBs, through forums like A-WEB could work together on pressing challenges, including countering fake narratives which are trying to derail the election integrity worldwide. CEC Rajiv Kumar participated in 11th meeting of Executive Board of Association of World Election Bodies in Colombia (Twitter/@SpokespersonECI)

The CEC was speaking during a discussion with the executive board members of the (A- WEB) at the 11th meeting of the member countries held in Cartagena, Colombia.

A-WEB is the largest association of EMBs across the world with 119 EMBs as members & 20 regional associations/organisations as associate members.

According to the statement released by the election commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday, the participants at the executive board meeting discussed various agendas, including the programmes and activities to be undertaken by A-WEB during 2023-24, the annual progress report of A-WEB & its regional offices including A-WEB India Centre, budget and membership related matters amongst others.

Forums like A-WEB could play a critical role for EMBs to work on challenges like fake narratives derailing election integrity across the globe,  Kumar said, according to the statement.

One of the main agendas raised in the meeting by the CEC included setting up an A-WEB portal to serve as a repository of electoral best practices and initiatives. Kumar also pitched for establishing A-WEB Global Awards for EMBs who make significant contributions and take important initiatives in the democratic processes.

An international conference on the theme A global view on the challenges of regional elections 2023 is also being organised by National Civil Registry, Colombia on July 13, 2023, the ECIs statement read.

The other ECI delegation present at the meeting included Manoj Sahoo, deputy election commissioner, and Anuj Chandak, joint director.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines, a bilateral meeting was also held with the National Election Commission of the Republic of Korea on ECIs Electronic Postal Ballot System. India and South Korea had signed an MoU in 2012 for establishing a mutually cooperative relationship in the field of election administration. According to the MoU, both countries are supposed to establish a mutually cooperative relationship in the field of election administration.

A-WEB was launched in the Republic of Korea in October 2013. At a meeting of the A-WEB Executive Board held in Bengaluru in September 2019, an India A-WEB centre was also established in New Delhi for documentation and research for sharing the best practices and training and capacity building of officials of A-WEB members, including a journal titled A-WEB India Journal of Elections.

The ECI is responsible for providing all the necessary resources for the India A-WEB Centre.
Five associates of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were arrested on Wednesday in central Kashmirs Budgam district, police officials said. The police registered an FIR (first information report) under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). (Representative file image)

In a joint operation, police along with the army, arrested the associates and recovered incriminating materials from their possession.

Police along with Army (62 RR) arrested five terrorist associates, linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT, in Khag area of district Budgam, said a police spokesperson.

Also Read: Two Lashkar associates arrested in Kashmirs Shopian, arms, IED recovered

The detained persons, all residents of Khag, have been identified.

All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation, the spokesperson said.

The police registered an FIR (first information report) under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

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Around a dozen men barged inside a Rajasthan Roadways bus on Wednesday and shot dead a murder accused who was being escorted by a police team for a court hearing in Bharatpur, officials said. Jagheena and Vijaypal, accused in a 2022 murder case, were being taken to Bharatpur from Jaipur by a team of seven policemen led by a head constable armed with two semi-automatic rifles. (File)

Another murder accused was injured in the firing and is admitted in a hospital in a critical state, they said.

According to police, the bus was stopped near Amoli toll plaza under Halena police station of Bharatpur by around 12 men who came in a car and two motorcycles. They entered the bus and hurled chili powder on the policemen and started firing on Kuldeep Jagheena and Vijaypal.

Jagheena and Vijaypal, accused in a 2022 murder case, were being taken to Bharatpur from Jaipur by a team of seven policemen led by a head constable armed with two semi-automatic rifles (SLR).

SP Bharatpur Mridul Kachchawa said the two murder accused were rushed to RBM government hospital in Bharatpur where Jagheena was declared brought dead by doctors, while Vijaypal is being treated in a critical condition.

Meanwhile, the police said they have identified the culprits with the help of CCTV footage and a vehicle has been recovered.

Police in nearby districts, including Dausa, have been alerted and intense checking on highways is going on.

Detailing the incident, Additional Commissioner of Police (Administration)-Jaipur Rahul Prakash said several bullets were shot at Jagheena, while the policemen managed to protect Vijaypal from the direct assault. He said the police team did not open fire in view of the security of the bus passengers.

The officer said an inquiry will be done and action will be taken if any policeman is found guilty of negligence.

Jagheena and Vijaypal were allegedly involved in the murder of Kripal Jagheena, who was shot dead in Bharatpur on September 4 last year over a land dispute.

Jagheena was the main accused in the case. He along with four others was arrested on September 11 last from Maharashtra in the case.

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Hyderabad Andhra government to confer full rights to those in possession of government assigned lands for more than 20 years. (PTI)

The Andhra Pradesh cabinet chaired by the state CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday has decided to amend the Andhra Pradesh Assigned Lands (Prohibition of Transfers) Act, 1977, there by conferring full rights to those in possession of government assigned lands for more than 20 years.

Previously, as per the Andhra Pradesh Assigned Lands (Prohibition of Transfers) Act, 1977, any piece of land assigned by the government to a landless poor for the purpose of cultivation or as a house-site were not allowed to be transferred and had no right or title in such assigned land.

Now, the state cabinet decided to amend the act by allowing the people to sell or mortgage or transfer the assigned lands, but only after enjoying the property for a period of more than 20 years, state information and public relations minister Ch Srinivasa Venugopala Krishna told reporters after the meeting.

Similar facilities would be given to the low-lying lands in islands of coastal Andhra. In case of death of original beneficiaries, their legal heirs would get the full rights. This will benefit 66,111 persons who are in control of 63,191.84 acres of assigned lands, the minister said.

The cabinet decided to perform bhoomi puja on July 24 for the construction of 47,000 houses for the poor in 1366 acres of R-5 zone of Amaravati capital region of the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority with an expenditure of 5,000 crore.

The cabinet also decided to remove Inam (gift) lands from the prohibited list of Section 22-A benefitting 1,13,000 beneficiaries. It also decided to waive loans given to the Dalits for purchase of 16,213 acres of land under Land Purchase Scheme before bifurcation of the state. They will now enjoy full rights on those lands, the minister said.

The cabinet decided that as per the welfare calendar, the government will release funds for various welfare schemes such as for Jagananna Thodu on July 18, Nethanna Nestam on July 22 and Sunna Vaddi on July 26 and Videshi Vidya Deevena on July 28.

Another decision taken by the state cabinet was to increase the retirement age of professors working in educational institutions like Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University from 62 to 65 and from 60 to 62 in the endowment department .

The cabinet also gave approval for all temple priests to continue in the profession as long as they can work without retirement.

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Incessant rain, leading to flash floods and landslides has ravaged Himachal Pradesh with several tourists stranded in the hill state amid massive damage to roads and infrastructure. Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said Tuesday that the government is working hard to restore road transport and power supply, while his deputy Mukesh Agnihotri said that the situation is expected to return to normalcy in the next 72 hours. The monsoon mayhem in the state has claimed the lives of about 20 people in the past 48 hours while the damage to infrastructure is estimated at between 3,000 crore and 4,000 crore. A view shows the overflowing river Beas following heavy rains in Kullu district in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, India.(REUTERS)

Top 10 updates on Himachal floods:

1)CM Sukhu conducted an aerial survey of affected areas on Tuesday and informed that six helicopters had been deployed to carry out rescue operations for stranded tourists and locals. Many areas, including Shimla reported disruption to water supply and connectivity issues.

2)The deputy commissioner of Kullu said Wednesday via a Facebook post that the connectivity to Kasol/Parvati valley is expected to be restored by tonight or tomorrow morning. He also said that the connectivity to Sainj and Tirthan villages is also being restored on war footing. Earlier, he had informed that these areas reported limited connectivity, however, everyone is safe and no untoward incident was reported so far. More than 1,000 roads are inaccessible due to the prevailing situation.

3)CM Sukhu, in a Twitter post earlier this morning, informed that 800 people were evacuated from Kasol and Manikaran via pickup jeeps last night. A 300-meter stretch at Dunkhara of the road connecting Kasol/Manikaran to Bhuntar has been washed away. Efforts are being made to quickly restore this road, his tweet read. A statement from the chief ministers office also read more than 2200 vehicles have passed through Kullu from Manali so far and food is being distributed to them at Ramshilla Chowk. The CM is monitoring the situation.

4)Meanwhile, 15 Russian tourists are reportedly stranded in Kasol and efforts are being made to contact them. Acting DGP of Himachal Pradesh, Satwant Atwal Trivedi told news agency ANI Tuesday We received information from the Russian embassy that 15 tourists are stranded in Kasol. We are trying to establish contact and then we will inform the embassy about their well-being.

5)Officials also said that the tourist vehicles stranded in Lahaul were evacuated last night, while Sukhu said a total of 2000 people stranded in Kasol have been evacuated so far. Sadar Vyas Relief Camp has been established to assist the stranded people, where arrangements have been made to accommodate 200 to 300 people.

6)Due to lost connectivity issues, many people were unable to to contact their friends and relatives and took to social media to amplify messages to locate them. The state police also released contact numbers Tuesday, asking people to provide the last location or place of stay of their friends or family stuck in the state, in a bid to escalate rescue efforts.

7) State minister Jagat Singh Negi told ANI that the Manali-Chandigarh national highway has been damaged due to the flash floods and water and electricity supply have been disrupted. "Manali has suffered significant damagehouses, land have been destroyed, and the national highway is damaged due to flash floods. The link road adjacent to the bridge is also badly damaged. There is no net connectivity, electricity and water. We have made arrangements to provide food to the stranded tourists," Negi said. Meanwhile, CM Sukhu informedTuesday that power supply has been partially restored in Kullu and Manali.

8)The Nurpur police said Wednesday that Pandoh dam in Mandi will be release more water from 6 pm today to 3 pm tomorrow due to the rain mayhem. "People are urged not to go near low-lying areas like rivers, drains and dams for the next few days", the police was quoted as saying by ANI.

9)The non-stop rains are occurring due to the unusual interaction between a western disturbance and the monsoon trough. As a result, northern India, mainly Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Haryana are ravaged due to monsoon mayhem.

10)The India meteorological department on Tuesday warned of moderate to heavy rainfall in various districts for the next few days. The weather body said more rains are likely in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh from tomorrow as monsoon trough has moved eastwards.

(With agency inputs)

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The Himachal Pradesh government on Wednesday stepped up efforts to rescue over 2,000 tourists stranded in various parts of the rain-battered state, as four more people were killed and the overall toll in rain-related incidents this monsoon season increased to 72. A view of a damaged road in Manali, caused by flooding in view of incessant rains in Himachal Pradesh, on Wednesday. (ANI)

Read here: Himachal: 81 persons rescued from Manimahesh, 28 from Kara in Kinnaur

According to officials aware of the matter, at least 300 people are stuck in Chandratal glacial lake in Lahaul and Spiti, one of the worst affected districts, and more than 2,000 in Kinnaurs Sangla valley.

While the rainfall briefly reduced on Tuesday and Wednesday, it caused havoc in several parts of the state for three days since Friday. On Wednesday, light to heavy rains lashed few parts of the state with Dhaula Kuan recording rainfall of 144.5 mm, Renuka 87 mm, Reckongpeo 42 mm, Kotkhai 30 mm, Hamirpur 16.5 mm, Shimla 13.5, Dharamshala 13 mm and Kalpa 10 mm.

The local MeT office has issued a yellow alert and predicted heavy rainfall, thunderstorm and lightning for the upcoming weekend, and a wet spell till July 18. A yellow alert signifies that people need to stay updated about the severe weather.

According to state government officials, more than 5,000 people have been rescued since Friday. A total of 873 roads remained blocked, including National Highway (NH) 21, which connects Mandi to Kullu, and NH 505 which connects Gramphu to Locar in Lahaul and Spiti.

Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the evacuation of stranded tourists in Chandratal was a challenging task. We have sent a minister and chief parliament secretary Sanjay Avasthi to Chandratal to take stock of the situation, Sukhu, who conducted an aerial survey of Losar and Chandratal areas, told reporters.

The chief minister said that state minister Jagat Singh Negi from Tribal Kinnaur district, who is acquainted with the harsh topography and tribal calamities, along with Avasthi will assist the rescue efforts in Chandertal. They would reach Chandertal by Wednesday night, he said.

Read here: Sukhvinder Sukhu conducts aerial survey of HPs Chandertal

Later in the day, the Indian Air Force (IAF) said seven trekkers were rescued from near Chandratal lake. In a daring rescue operation, braving marginal weather and near white-out conditions, an #IAF helicopter rescued seven trekkers from near the Chandratal glacial lake. #HarKaamDeshKeNaam, IAF tweeted, sharing a photograph of the rescue work.

Sukhu also said that more than 2,000 people were evacuated from Kasol area of Kullu district.

One porcelain and two machines have been deployed round the clock to clear the Kasol hunter road. A team of district administration officials has reached Kasol to oversee the situation, he said.

In Chamba district, officials said that at least 81 people, mostly tourists, were rescued from Manimahesh in Bharmour tehsil.

Kinnaur deputy commissioner Torul Ravish said they received information about 28 people being stranded in Kara region of Bhawa Valley. Prompt action was taken thereafter as rescue teams comprising the police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Home Guards were immediately dispatched to the area, he said.

The state police have set up a war room for families seeking information on those stranded. So far we have been able to contact more than 1,100 families, additional director general of police( law and order) Abhishek Trivedi said.

He added that communication networks are yet to be restored in many parts of the state. We are finding it difficult to trace the missing persons, he said.

Officials said four people drowned after their vehicle plunged into the Sutlej river in Rampur Bushar. The vehicle and the bodies are yet to be recovered, they said.

With the latest fatalities, the overall toll in rain-related incidents rose to 72. State government officials said that of the 72, 40 deaths were reported since July 1 when the rains intensified.

Officiating director general of police Satwant Atwan Trivedi said people stranded between Kullu and Manali are being provided food.

Trivedi also said that 13 bodies were found in the rivulets in Kullu alone.

There is no exact count of the number of people stranded across the state but all efforts are being made to look into it. We have requisitioned one more chopper from the air force to airlift the sick tourists, DC Rana, director of state disaster management authority, said.

Read here: Himachal saw 436% excess rains from July 7-11: IMD

Meanwhile, Una deputy commissioner Raghav Sharma said that an additional 16,000 cusecs of water will be released from Bhakra Dam into the Sutlej River on Thursday as the water level in the dam has increased. The state government has been advising the people to stay away from river bodies which are in spate.

The chief minister announced a financial aid of 25,000 each for those seeking shelter in relief camps and 1 lakh each for those who suffered significant property losses in Pandoh.

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Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday reached Kullu to take stock of situation in flood-hit areas after heavy rainfall in the region, and said that the situation has improved a lot. Himachal CM Sukhvinder Sukhu(PTI File)

Earlier in the day, Sukhu conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas and said the government is working hard to restore road transport and power supply.

"...I have come to Kullu. There is a lot of improvement in the situation. Its been 10 PM and I sitting at DC office, about 1 thousand vehicles have already left from Manali. Out of 5 thousand, 3-4 thousand more vehicles are expected to pass overnight. We have made one-way traffic. Vehicles going to Manali have been stopped, now only vehicles going from Manali are operational," CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said.

READ | Heavy rain continues to wreak havoc in Himachal Pradesh for third day

Today I also visited Sainj, where 40 shops and 30 houses have been washed out...There we have announced a relief of one lakh rupees. Our target is to reopen the road by tomorrow evening. 500 workers are working in Kullu throughout the night for the restoration of electricity supply and mobile connectivity, said Sukhu further.

Earlier in the day after conducting an aerial survey, he told them that six helicopters had been deployed to carry out rescue operations and evacuate the stranded tourists and local residents. The first helicopter sortie took off in the morning to rescue stranded people at Chandertal but had to return back due to adverse weather conditions.

VIDEO: Truck swept away in Beas river as rain wreaks havoc in Himachal Pradesh

However, the authorities were prioritizing the evacuation of the elderly and sick from Chandertal and the teams have left for the site.

"We are sending helicopters with satellite phones along with 4 police personnel will be sent. The incessant rains disrupted communication facilities, power supply, water supply and road connectivity in the entire Kullu district. The loss is immense and every possible help will be provided to the affected persons by the state government, he added.

Incessant rains have wreaked havoc in the hill state claiming 20 lives over the past 48 hours.

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A feeling of remorse has engulfed the village of Chinnakanal located on the fringes of a forest, which borders Kerala's famed hill station Munnar. PREMIUM Theni: An elephant named Arikomban being transported by forest officials to the forest of upper Kodayar in Tamil Nadus Kanyakumari district, at Cumbam in Theni district, Monday, June 5, 2023. (PTI Photo)(PTI06_06_2023_000102B)(PTI)

The residents of the village had until recently branded tusker Arikomban, famous for his penchant for rice, as notorious and had demanded his capture and relocation.

The wild elephant with short tusks, a stout physique and a broad cranium used to raid ration shops and kitchens in the village until the end of April this year. Since then, the elephant has been captured twice, tranquilised multiple times and relocated about 280 km from its native forest.

The whole operation was part of the efforts to prevent the elephant from raiding provision stores for rice and jaggery, for which he had developed a rare taste due to reasons not fully understood yet.

Now released in the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) of neighbouring Tamil Nadu with occasional forays into the adjacent Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS), Arikomban's access to rice is almost nil.

If Tamil Nadu forest officials are to be believed, there are no ration shops or rice godowns close to the sanctuary and the reserve.

According to residents of Chinnakanal, Arikomban is a portmanteau of the Malayalam words Ari, meaning rice, and Komban, tusker. In Tamil Nadu, he became Arisi Komban, as Arisi is the Tamil word for rice.

The elephant is now constantly under the radar of forest departments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. A radio collar attached to him often emits messages, confirming that he is in the deep interiors of the forest with access to plenty of fodder and water throughout the year.

But in Chinnakanal, which witnessed intense agitations in March and April demanding the capture and relocation of Arikomban  who is claimed to have killed 12 people  the mood has now changed: The overwhelming mood is in favour of bringing Arikomban back.

Both residents and forest officials now say there is actually no proof that Arikomban killed anyone.

They also say the elephant, despite a towering presence in the village for several years, was harmless except for the occasional raid on ration shops and kitchens.

V K Babu, a farmer-turned-trader in the locality, said he had assumed that Arikomban had created mischief and triggered terror in the locality but now realises that it was only because of rumours spread by the land and forest mafias active in the region. Owners of tourism resorts dotting the forest fringes added to those rumours, he said.

Babu, who is now leading a local movement to bring back Arikomban to his native forest, has spent 2 lakh to erect an eight-foot sculpture of the jumbo with the help of sculptor Malayil Binu.

The under-construction sculpture is a mark of remorse, Babu says.

S Thankaraj and V Kumar, residents of the tribal settlement named 301 Colony, where Arikomban often roamed, are now raising the same demand: Bring Arikomban back to his roots.

The tribals and nominal farmers of the region have organised agitations, including road blockades, in the last two weeks, demanding that the elephant be brought back.

"I never thought the protests would ensure such a huge participation. Those who were part of the violent agitations earlier demanding the relocation of Arikomban are now reformed, and they realise that they were just tools at the hands of mafias," said Idukki-based conservation activist M N Jayachandran, who recently led a protest demanding the return of Arikomban.

On June 16, the Madras High Court, however, dismissed a petition filed by Kochi native Rebecca Joseph seeking a directive to translocate Arikomban back to Chinnakanal.

The court observed that the elephant would be safe in his newly assigned territory where fodder and water are available.

The court order, however, has failed to diminish the spirit of hundreds of Arikomban fans in Kerala's northern city of Kannur who held a march on the same evening demanding the return of their favourite wild jumbo.

Cities including Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode have recently witnessed big rallies expressing similar sentiments. This is unprecedented in Kerala  a state that has often witnessed human-wildlife conflicts with people demanding that animals involved in human-animal conflict should be killed.

On social media, Arikomban has many fans who often engage in online arguments with other groups, which have different perceptions of the relocation and rehabilitation of the famous elephant.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and forest minister A K Saseendran have received numerous calls, video messages and memorandums in the last two weeks demanding the return of Arikomban to his native village.

In several videos in circulation, participants appear agitated  and are critical of the state government  because they feel their favourite tusker has been left to the mercy of Tamil Nadu.

According to popular Malayalam writer and social activist M N Karassery, no human or animal influenced the Malayali psyche like Arikomban in recent times.

Cutting across age, gender, caste and community barriers, Arikomban is now emerging as a beacon of conservation, coexistence and inclusive development.

A conservation outfit recently purchased four acres of land in Nilambur in the Malappuram district of Kerala to hand over to the forest department for elephants: They have named the initiative Arikomban.

For animal rights activist Sreedevi S Kartha, Arikomban has become an inseparable part of her existence. She filed a case to thwart the early attempts of the Kerala Forest Department (KFD) to capture and tame him as a 'Kumki' elephant, which are used in operations to capture crop-raiding elephants.

A division bench of the Kerala High Court, however, preferred the elephants translocation and an expert committee was constituted to identify a suitable habitat.

The committee suggested the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve (PTR), but the move was dropped after local MLA K Babu launched a campaign against the move.

After being released inside the PTR, the tusker moved into the Cumbum-Theni region of Tamil Nadu, from where it was captured and relocated again.

Kartha says the elephant is facing false charges of killing people and destruction, and has been wrongly relocated from its native jungle.

Chinnakanal and adjacent Anayirangal were traditional elephant corridors, and only in 2003 did the then-A K Antony Government allocate land to people there. The elephant was moving only in its traditionally inherited corridor," said Sreedevi.

How did Arikomban develop his penchant for rice?

Celebrated forest veterinarian Arun Zachariah, who led the first operation to capture and relocate Arikomban, said it might be because of his chance exposure to rice while roaming close to the tourist resorts in and around Chinnakanal.

Staff at the resorts are infamous for attracting wildlife for the recreation of tourists by sprinkling rice and salt in the compounds.

Once the elephant got addicted to the taste of rice, resorts started feeling the heat, and they started inciting locals to demand the relocation of the elephant, Zakharia explained.

"We, the tribals, have no issue with Arikomban. He was part of our existence. We are also ready to share some of our rice rations with him. If the government is ready to provide us with alternative land, we are happy to move out to facilitate the safe dwelling of elephants like Arikomban," said P Lakshmi, a tribal resident of Chinnakanal.

According to environmental lawyer, Harish Vasudevan, who practises at the Kerala High Court, the tusker was a victim of organised lies and adverse propaganda by "settler lobbies" and the "land mafia."

"Across India, this is the first time that a wild elephant is evoking such an emotional outpouring as more people now know that he roamed around only in his territory and that it is humans who have encroached and occupied his home," adds Jayachandran, quoted earlier.

Meanwhile, groups who had attempted to mobilise public opinion against Arikomban are facing a backlash since his second capture.

VR Vinayaraj, a campaigner against crop-raiding elephants, was flooded with angry social media responses after he posted that Arikomban must be eliminated with "a single bullet" for the sake of the farming community.

His post was in the context of Paulraj, who was riding pillion on a two-wheeler in Cumbum and, on coming across Arikomban, fell, sustained injuries, and later died.

Across the state, anti-Arikomban social media opinion makers are now facing aggressive counter-attacks.

The backlash hasnt spared KB Ganesh Kumar, an MLA of the ruling LDF in Kerala and owner of a captured elephant, who is facing cyberattacks for his adverse comments against Arikomban and the conservationists who support the elephant.

The activists have accused him of mistreating the captured elephant in his custody.

An observation made by the Kerala High Court in the case seemed to have pointed to the real cause behind the conflict: It said the real cause of the human-animal conflict is the Chinnakanal- Anayirangal area.

Realising that it was part of the reserve forests 23 years ago, the court asked the forest department to explain the rationale of allowing people to settle in an elephant habitat and putting them in danger.

According to forest department sources, who wished to remain anonymous, the Chinnakanal-Anayirangal area was a natural wild elephant habitat until 2002, when policymakers made a grave mistake.

The then government relocated 301 low-income families from the tribal community who were ousted from their landholdings by powerful settlers.

Instead of restoring their land, the government took the easy route and assigned reserve forests to the landless tribals. Their settlement later came to be known as the 301 Colony, mentioned earlier.

Incidentally, the then Divisional Forest Officer in Munnar, Prakriti Srivastava, had opposed the UDF government's move. She pointed out that the rehabilitation colony was in a traditional elephant corridor, connecting the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary with the PTR.

Only 41 people from 15 families now live in the area. The rest of the 301 tribal families have already moved out, unable to withstand the presence of many elephant herds.

The high court had enquired about the possibility of relocating the remaining tribal families to safer places. In reply, the forest department submitted an affidavit that relocating the remaining families would provide a lasting solution.

Elephants will inevitably frequent the corridor at Chinnakanal as it is the way to the Anayirangal Dam, which holds adequate water even in summer.

The area has witnessed many human-wildlife conflicts even after the capture of Arikomban.

Locals fear that if not Arikomban, it will be another tusker as more and more human settlements are coming up near forest areas. Other tuskers roam the area: Mottavalan, Chakkakomban, and Padayappa. The settlers claim that they, too, are creating a menace in the region.

A demand will likely be raised to similarly capture and relocate other elephants as well. It has been alleged that barring Padayappa, the three other elephants had killed 15 people.

Meanwhile, official data suggest habitat destruction is the root cause of the prevailing elephant attacks in the region. Private individuals obtained land rights by fudging documents in several elephant corridors.

At least 38 elephants are trapped in the area  cut off from the rest of the forests  because of fragmentation, and they often raid crops due to food scarcity, forest officials said.

Fences erected by estate owners are also worsening the situation in areas like Pondimala, Chinnakanal, Munnar, Chinar, Sinkukandam, Adukidannapara, Udumbanchola, Chellarkovil Mettu, and Mathikettan.

Earlier, forest patches in these areas had direct links with the PTR and elephants used to move freely through the path. With new fences coming up, the freeways for elephants are no longer available.
NEW DELHI: With the European Parliament set to debate the violence in Manipur at a session in the French city of Strasbourg, India on Wednesday asserted that the issue is an internal matter. The motions seek an European Parliament resolution on the theme India, the situation in Manipur. (AFP File)

Six parliamentary groups, with members drawn from leftist, right, centre-right, conservative and Christian groups, have submitted motions for an urgent debate on the situation in Manipur at a plenary session in Strasbourg during July 10-13.

The motions seek an European Parliament resolution on the theme India, the situation in Manipur. The debate is expected to be held on Wednesday and will be followed by a vote on the proposed resolution.

The move comes at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Thursday begin a two-day visit to France, during which he will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day Parade.

Asked about the matter at a media briefing on Wednesday, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra replied: On the Manipur question, this is a matter totally internal to India.

He added, We are aware of what [is happening in the European Parliament] and we have made a reach out to the concerned EU parliamentarians but we have made it very clear to them this is a matter totally and absolutely internal to India.

Kwatra didnt respond to a query on whether India has engaged the political lobbying agency Alber & Geiger to persuade the European parliamentarians to withdraw their motions.

According to reports in the media in Manipur, Alber & Geiger had written to members of the European Parliament, asking them not to include their motions in the agenda for the current plenary session. The letter referred to negotiations between the European Union (EU) and India and said that India should not be prevented from explaining its position in such a situation. The letter further said the Indian government is working incessantly in order to mitigate the conflict and has formed a Peace Committee in Manipur.

Clashes between Manipurs mostly Hindu Meitei majority and the Christian Kuki minority, which began in early May, have killed more than 130 people and displaced tens of thousands. Groups have looted weapons from police armouries and sporadic armed clashes continue to be reported from the northeastern state bordering Myanmar.

Similar motions have been submitted in the European Parliament by the Left Group, Verts/ALE Group, S&D Group, Renew Group, ECR Group, and PPE Group for the debate. All the motions refer to the ongoing violence and the role of security agencies in efforts to control the violence.

The parliamentarians sought the debate under provisions allowing urgent discussions on topical subjects, third-country political situation, local and regional conflicts, fundamental freedoms, human rights and democracy. The motions also refer to the genesis of the situation, including the high court order directing the Manipur government to recommend to the Union tribal affairs ministry that the Meiteis be granted Scheduled Tribe status.

The PPE Groups motion, for instance, states that churches belonging to Meitei Christians, theological institutions, Christian schools and hospitals as well as several temples were destroyed.

It also refers to the snapping of internet service by the authorities.

The PPE Groups motion urges the Indian authorities to continue to employ all necessary measures and exert utmost efforts to promptly halt the ongoing ethnic and religious violenceand to pre-empt any further escalation. It also calls for a thorough investigation into the underlying causes of the violence.

The S&D Groups motion notes that the European Union (EU) and India are committed to protecting human rights and that Manipur has previously faced secessionist insurgencies in which serious human rights abuses were committed.

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The primary focus during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to France may be on defence but the two countries are poised to take giant steps together in areas such as the digital economy, manufacturing and clean energy, including developments concerning the 9900 MW Jaitapur nuclear plant in Maharashtra. PM Narendra Modi and France president Emmanuel Macron(File)

Read | PM Modi to visit France and UAE from July 13-15

After five years, the India-France CEOs Forum has also been revived and is meeting in Quai dOrsay, the French ministry of foreign affairs' office, on July 14, with 10-12 corporate leaders from either side in attendance.

The Indian side will be co-chaired by Hari Bhartia, co-chairman of the Jubilant Bhartia Group and the French side will be headed by Paul Hermelin, chairman of Information Technology firm Capgemini SE. Hermilin has also been appointed by the French as the point person for business and trade with India.

Capgemini employs close to 180,000 people across 13 cities in India and already has in place a 6G laboratory in Haryana's Gurugram.

Bilateral trade between India and France has doubled from 2014 to 14 billion Euros with the balance in favour of India.

However, the big ticket item - currently a work-in-progress between the two countries - is the possible launch of the digital payment technology Unified Payments Interface, or UPI , in France by Modi during his two-day visit.

Modi to announce UPI in France?

In 2023, UPI and Singapore's PayNow signed an agreement, allowing users in either country to make cross-border transactions.

If the Macron government agrees to do the same with UPI - the National Payments Corporation of India and France's Lyra have been working on this for a year - then France will become the first European country to have UPI.

READ | France ready to offer SCALP missiles with three Scorpene subs

It is understood that if all agreements are closed in time, the linkage will be launched by PM Modi from an iconic location in Paris.

Modi to focus on clean energy?

The other major focus of PM Modi's visit will be on clean energy; it was from Paris that he had launched the International Solar alliance in 2015, which today has 100 member countries.

The focus this time will be on green hydrogen, renewables, batteries and small modular reactors. In this context, the two sides have also made significant progress in the 1650x6 MW Jaitapur nuclear power project, with forward momentum to technical discussions on the 8000-page techno-commercial offer made by France in 2019.

It is understood that this exercise will come to fruition soon and the plant will become a reality as part of a bilateral clean energy initiative.

READ | PM Modi's France visit to focus on defence, space sectors

The French are also open to technology transfer and are keen to get French companies to diversify their manufacturing and sourcing footprint and are looking at India as an alternative global supply chain hub to China.

France is also ready to build collaboration with India for EXAScale computing. The European country has been Indias partner in super-computing in the past and shared technology..

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Sometime in the 20th century, when humanity was trying to come to terms with the terrifying novelty of modern totalitarianism, Milan Kundera showed people that when horror crosses a certain threshold of human endurance, one explodes in fatal laughter. The ultimate nature of that laugh is the defining lesson of existentialism. Nazism had already shown the world the unique modernity of this horror  as the philosopher Zygmunt Bauman said, a frenzy of violence can kill 60 people; to kill six million, one needs lists and filing cabinets, a neat bureaucracy. HT Image

Reporting on the trial of Adolf Eichmann, Hannah Arendt showed us the sheer banality of this evil  standing in the Jerusalem court, the Nazi bureaucrat mentioned in passing the role of doctors, in killing and other medical matters, with a normalcy that shook the judge. But notwithstanding the hi-tech modernity of genocide, the absurdity of this horror has also revealed itself as unrelentingly Shakespearean, as the Polish critic and concentration camp survivor Jan Kott wrote in his book Shakespeare Our Contemporary. Thats what the court jester of King Lear did  the poor, bare, forked animal, alone on the wild heath, laughing at the enormity of his tragedy.

The reality of totalitarianism was only just beginning. Stalinism and the Iron Curtain took off where Hitler left, and Milan Kundera was the one with the courage to play Lears fool to the horror and the suppression that followed in eastern Europe. The Book of Laughter and Forgetting was the first Kundera that I read  to be soon blown away by this entirely new emotion that I didnt know could exist. New, untranslatable emotions were Kunderas trump card. Remember that scene from the novel where a woman, a professional swimmer, beat her boyfriend easy after a little while of pretending to let him keep up with her? The boyfriend, his male ego irreparably damaged, had an outburst of tearful anger  he even slaps her, as far as I remember. He was suffering from that emotion called litost in Czech  burning misery arising from ones own wrongdoing, one for which, Kundera reminded us, no word existed in English. But it wasnt just the micro feelings in episodes  the books floated in the absurd ethereality of an impossible cocktail  pain, suffering, oblivion, comedy, chronicling without fail the unbearable lightness of being. Such were the Shakespeares of postmodern absurdity in Europe  Italo Calvino had the vocabulary for that labyrinthine levitation, as it existed in the semiotic sleuth work of Umberto Eco. There was music in that levitation, as it was in his training  and there was music in his mockery, recalling his Irish predecessor, James Joyce, in the way Stephen Dedalus held up the cracked looking glass of a servant.

But Kunderas exile from his native Czechoslovakia was an affair of far greater doom than the Irish authors voluntary self-exile in Paris and Trieste. His Czech citizenship was revoked by the communist regime at whom the writer had poured his deadly laughter. Like another Irishman, the playwright and novelist Samuel Beckett, who knew a thing or two about laughing at the endgame of a world locked in a nuclear stalemate, Kundera started to write in French. It was going to be a long life, with the Czech Republic finally restoring his citizenship in 2019  and a life that saw the long arc of political nightmares that was to plague the modern western world. One who grew up under the shadow of Nazism would also live in the post-truth world of Donald Trump.

But it wasnt that his novelistic verities in the personal sphere always met the approval of the liberal. There is a hardened ruthlessness about many of his female characters that feminists have often found misogynistic. And like his friend Philip Roth, his most memorable male characters take the craft of philandering to a whole other planetary level, sometimes with genius female accomplices. Such a disturbingly memorable moment comes when the wildly promiscuous male character in The Book of Laughter and Forgetting meets a new woman who schemes to strike a friendship with his wife, who takes the credit of introducing her husband, not knowing she is already her husbands lover. The best way to foolproof an affair, the narrator implies, is to make sure that your mistress enters your life as your wifes friend, not yours. The pride of that discovery, and the trust in friendship, will insure you against the suspicion of infidelity for a long stretch.

The absurdity and cruelty in human relationships, and the absurd cruelty of ideologically driven state rule  Kundera threw the acid of his laughter on both in equal measure. Alfred Nobels will makes it clear that the award for literature is to be given at least as much for idealism as for literary merit. Not even his worst enemy can accuse Kundera of being an idealist, and its no surprise to me at least why in spite of many whispers and bets, he never won the Nobel. But all over the world, as we slowly approach the centenary of his birth, bruised and bloody laughter at totalitarianism is the most deeply lingering breath with which Milan Kundera leaves us.

(Saikat Majumdar is professor of English and Creative Writing at Ashoka University. His most recent novel is The Middle Finger.)

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Muslim World League chief Mohammad Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa on Wednesday lauded Indian philosophy and tradition that taught harmony to the world and said that he salutes the democracy and Constitution of India. Saudi Arabia leader and Secretary General of the Muslim World League Mohammad bin Abdulkarim al-Issa during an event at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, in New Delhi, Tuesday.(PTI)

He also highlighted the peaceful coexistence that he witnessed in India is unique.

Al-Issa who is the current Secretary General of the Muslim World League (MWL), an organisation based in Saudi Arabia and representing Muslims worldwide is on a five-day visit to India that began on July 10.

He was addressing the Dialogue for Harmony among Religions, an event organised in collaboration with Global Foundation for Civilisational Harmony (India) on Wednesday.

In his address, he said that he was delighted to meet the President of India Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, intellectual leaders as well as spiritual leaders during his India visit.

In context of the Indian philosophy and tradition, " Al-Issa said, "I salute Indian democracy with the bottom of my heart. I salute the Constitution of India. I salute the Indian philosophy and tradition that taught harmony to the world."

He further issued a piece of advice to religious leaders and said there is a need to protect and guide the next generation.

Whenever there is a lack of dialogue between two, misunderstandings and problems arise. It is hence important that a bridge for dialogue should be built. In order to prevent the civilizational clash, we need to protect and guide the next generation from childhood,  said Al-Issa.

Al-Issa, who is an Islamic scholar and renowned figure in global affairs also appealed to stand against the narratives about the clash of civilisations and religious hatred.

We must stand against religious conflict so that fundamentalism does not re-emerge, he said.

He also took a dig at organisations that promote terrorism saying, Misconceptions, hate theories and wrong perceptions have expedited the road from radicalization to terrorism. To entrench power, many leaders have used hate narratives to ensure their own control and relevance.

There are few organizations that are promoting wrong thoughts. When I saw the religious leaders here (India) and met them, they showed me a different picture talking about dialogue and peaceful coexistence, Al-Issa added.

The Muslim World League chief also noted the wrongdoings of some religious leaders, who do not work to promote peaceful coexistence.

He said, Religious leaders today are ...not working to promote understanding. Unlike certain organizations, Indian institutions and leaders I met talked about peace, tolerance and understanding rather than asserting their dominance.

Al-Issa arrived in India on Monday and is expected to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Minister for Minority Affairs Smriti Irani.

Earlier today he called on President Droupadi Murmu. As per sources, he might visit Akshardham Temple in the national capital during his visit and meet with some prominent personalities.
It was already raining heavily on Monday morning when Ram Sharma opened his small grocery shop in Thunag market in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. Soon after, he received a call from a relative living in the upper hills of Thunag about a cloudburst; water was gushing down, he was told. Sharma yelled out a warning to others in the market, closed his shop, and rushed with his family to the first floor of the three-storey building. PREMIUM Destruction in the Thunag area of Mandi district. (HT PHOTO)

Read here: Floods in Himachal leave trail of destruction

They made it just in time. A torrent of water and mud and rocks, carrying tonnes of Deodar logs, came barrelling down the narrow market lane, demolishing all that stood in its way. Videos of the event went viral on social media, taking images of natures fury to a national audience. Still recovering from the natural onslaught, 62-year-old Sharma said on Wednesday: I have never seen such a thing in my life... I felt the water would consume me. He shared images of the sludge entering his shops. Nothing remains, he said, as a pall of devastation gripped Thunag town.

Residents of Thunag said most of the logs were dumped in a local stream when a road was constructed to connect the villages during the tenure of former chief minister Jairam Thakur (2017-2022). Thakurs village, Thandi, is just uphill from Thunag town, the administrative centre of the Seraj assembly segment, which saw unprecedented development works during his tenure. Hundreds of illegally felled trees and muck was dumped in a seasonal stream . We are bearing the brunt of so-called development, said a local resident, who was not willing to be named. Thakur, now in the Opposition, visited Thunag on Wednesday.

Lalit Kumar, another shop owner, blamed local authorities saying no warning was given of the cloudburst or heavy rains. He is angry because a low-intensity cloudburst hit Thunag in 2022 and authorities assured residents at the time that they would put in place a mechanism to alert them. We were left to fend for ourselves. No help came, Kumar said. Another resident, Chaman Lal, said they have suffered unprecedented losses which would be difficult to recover in a long time. Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has estimated the damage at 4,000 crore.

Extreme events

Recent events are the latest chapter in a story of cloudbursts. Mandi district, which is the worst affected, has witnessed at least three major cloudbursts since July 1, one each in Thunag, Pundoh and Seraj, demonstrating what climate scientists have been warning of for years  an increase in the frequency and intensity of cloudbursts on account of the climate crisis and local anthropogenic reasons. Several places such as Sainj in Kullu district, which neighbours Kasauli , Kasauli and Parwanoo in Solan district, and Rohru in Shimla district, have witnessed flash floods this monsoon due to localised cloudbursts. Surender Paul, director of the India Meteorological Departments Shimla centre, said that at least 29 flash flood incidents have been reported in the state since the onset of the monsoon on June 24  and at least 50% of these occurred between July 8 and July 10.

Overall, Himachal Pradesh has received 249.6 mm of average rainfall between July 1 and July 11 compared to normal of 76.6mm, the highest for a 12-day period since 2005. Solan received four times the normal, Shimla 3.6 times, Bilaspur 3.2 times, and Mandi twice the normal. As a result of these extreme weather events, the state has seen 72 deaths since June 1, of which 40 were reported between July 1 and July 11.

The rains have caused all major rivers in Himachal Pradesh to overflow with the flooding of the Beas that passes through Kullu, Mandi and Bilaspur districts, breaking all records. For the first time in the history of 146-year-old Victoria Bridge in Mandi town, the Beas flowed over the bridge and nearly submerged the historic Panchvaktra (Lord Shiva) temple. The two withstood the fury of Beas but the newly constructed four-lane Mandi-Manali highway gave in at several places. In fact, the river recovered its water flow area which the engineers had encroached on while widening the highway, said Puroshattam Sharma, a Mandi-based ecologist.

Read here: Himachal saw 436% excess rains from July 7-11: IMD

Mansi Asher, who has published several papers on changing climatology of Himachal Pradesh, said, There is enough data from the department of science and technology of Himachal government to suggest that frequency of cloudbursts has increased and so has that of landslides. The maximum impact was seen near infrastructure projects which disturb the hills. While the projects do not cause the flooding or cloudbursts, they encroach on natural water flow and drainage channels, cut into hill sides, often destabilising or weakening them, and fell trees that can act as natural barriers to landslides.

A landslide risk assessment report by the Himachal government in 2022 said all 77 blocks, with 18,577 villages, are now prone to landslides. Experts say this is because of the replacement of old stone and clay houses with concrete ones and unprecedented destruction of forests for proliferation of apple orchards and other horticulture crops. A report by the states department of science and technology said that the monsoon flow of water in the Satluj and Beas rivers has been increasing over the years, indicating an increase in high intensity monsoon rainfall, even though winter water flow has reduced.

Warming of the hills in recent decades due to anthropogenic factors such as huge unplanned infrastructure development and loss of forest cover has also made monsoon more erratic, said Renu Lata, a scientist at GB Pant Research Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development. Suresh Attri, principal scientist and climate change expert at the states department of science, technology and climate change, said the temperature in hill stations such as Shimla has risen by over one degree Celsius in the past three decades and its impact is visible on an increase in extreme rain events, even though the overall monsoon rainfall has not increased.

Onkar Sharma, principal secretary (forests and disaster management), who is monitoring rescue and relief efforts, admitted that extreme weather events are on the rise in the region . Our data shows that damage and impact of to extreme weather events is increasing. The intensity of extreme weather events is increasing and its impact is getting widespread, Sharma said.

Devastation and impact

Himachal, in recent years, has witnessed unprecedented infrastructure development with the government converting several two-lane highways into four-lane ones for faster connectivity, including linking Shimla and Manali, the states two most popular tourist destinations, to Chandigarh.

Both highways were the epicentre of landslides in July with close to 100 reported between Mandi and Manali since July 1; and a part of the highway near Mandi town being washed away by an overflowing Beas. Over 60 landslides were reported on the Shimla-Chandigarh highway in the same period. Both highways were closed for a couple of days. There has not been single monsoon when Shimla-Chandigarh highway was not blocked since the unscientific widening of the road started five years ago, said Jasmeet Singh, a frequent traveller between Shimla and Chandigarh.

In all, close to 1,200 roads in the state were blocked because of landslides since July 1 with Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), a states travel lifeline, suspending services on 1,700 of the total 2,500 routes its buses run on. Massive widening of roads in Himachal has happened in the past few years with trees been cut and muck and debris thrown into small streams. With heavy rains, all this flowed into the main rivers, said a state government official who asked not to be named. The state government had estimated that close to 20,000 tourists and trekkers were stranded all different locations with 13,000 of them being evacuated till Wednesday. The inconvenience and hardship caused to locals cannot be estimated, said an official of state disaster management authority (SDMA) who asked not to be named.

The rains also damaged 1,369 water schemes, leading to Shimla having no supply for four days and Mandi town for three. Large parts of the state were also without electricity, with 1,956 transformers getting damaged, according to a government statement. Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said efforts were underway to restore power supply in the districts. Once the power is restored, the drinking water schemes will also be made functional, he told reporters on Tuesday, adding that restoration work will take time due to the magnitude of the disaster.

Unplanned development

Experts said that the high impact of the rains was due to several factors such as proliferation of hydel projects, infrastructure development, unregulated construction including building of hotels, and rampant river-bed mining.

The damage a hydel project can cause during extreme weather event was evident in Pandoh town in Mandi district on July 3 after a cloudburst, the second in less than a month. The water was dammed for the project uphill. When the cloudburst happened, tonnes of water were released without any warning causing huge loss to us, said Amit Sharma, a local shopkeeper whose vehicle got swept in the water released from the project.

Himachal has 813 dams with power generation capacity of 10,264MW. The state plans to increase this to 27,436 MW; of that, 24,000 MW of power is planned from five major three basins of the state  Satluj, Ravi and Beas. We have seen what has happened in the past 11 days because of rivers not being allowed free flow. If all these hydel projects get commissioned, ecology of the state will be doomed, Asher said.

Himachal urban planning department officials were appalled at the construction of a three-storey hotel on banks of Beas in Manali, which got swept away by the swollen river on July 8. Rules do not allow construction within 100 metres of river bank. Stating that construction of the hotel was a matter of investigation, Himachals town and country planning department head, KK Saroch, said they dont allow construction at any cost within 25 metres of a river. If someone violates it, we cancel the permission, he said, without explaining the reasons for proliferation of hotels and homestays on river bank in places such as Manali. It isnt clear why the state has not enforced the 100m rule.

Mohinder Seth, the president of the Himachal Pradesh Hotels and Tourism Stakeholders Association, admitted that norms are violated regularly. DC Rana, director of the SDMA, said there is an urgent need to discourage construction near waterways and promised to review the existing structures. SDMA has been warning individuals and departments about the risk, particularly due to the unpredictability of flash floods, he said, adding that there is a need for guidelines similar to Coastal Zone Regulation (which prohibit development near the coast) for development along the rivers.

SDMA officials also said rampant sand mining on river banks and beds has damaged the river ecology. Smaller rivers in hills have changed their course because of unregulated sand mining, an official aware of the development said.

Review needed

Experts said massive devastation happened in the areas that witnessed the development of infrastructure, such as hydel projects, or wide (and poorly planned) hill roads. Asher, who runs a non-government organisation, Himdhara, said: Various studies show that the state is now gripped in continuous cycle of cloudbursts, landslides and deaths, because of haphazard development, sometimes totally unregulated.

Read here: Himachal: 81 persons rescued from Manimahesh, 28 from Kara in Kinnaur

Government official Onkar Sharma admitted that the hills have been destabilised due to cutting and blasting for infrastructure projects and construction. We witness record-breaking downpour and see its impact in the form of flash floods, flooding and hills coming crumbling down, which have been destabilised due to cutting and blasting for construction work.

Sukhu, who described the rains as the heaviest in 50 years, promised a review of the infrastructure development with an eye on ecological imperatives. We will also come up with a plan to deal with impacts of extreme weather events, said Himachal government spokesperson Naresh Chauhan.

Thats been said before. And will probably be said again.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with top CEOs, thought leaders and influencers on July 13 in Paris even as he makes a day visit to Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates on his way back to India. PM Modi will make a stop-over at Abu Dhabi to meet President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to further cement bilateral ties with UAE.

While the list of CEOs, leaders and influencers is on the verge of being finalized, the French Republic is ready with a royal treatment for the visiting dignitary as President Emmanuel Macron awaits the visit from his friend and close ally Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It is understood that on his way back to India, PM Modi will make a stop-over at Abu Dhabi to meet President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to further cement bilateral ties with UAE. While returning from the US last month, PM Modi had paid a bilateral visit to Egypt as Indias strong engagement with the Middle-East took a new dimension. PM Modi met former Saudi justice minister and secretary general of Muslim World League Sheikh Mohammed bin AbdulKarim Al-Issa on Tuesday and discussed the developments in the Islamic world. Dr Al-Issa is a proponent of moderate Islam and is said to be very close to Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

India-France-UAE are part of the trilateral cooperation initiative, announced on September 19, 2022 in New York, with Abu Dhabi part of the strong defence cooperation bond between the three countries. It was the UAE that allowed its Airbus 330 tankers to refuel Rafale fighters in mid-air while making their way from France to India at the peak of global pandemic. Last month, India, France and UAE joined in the first ever trilateral naval exercise in the Gulf of Oman on June 7, 2023 with INS Tarkash, French ship Surcouf with helicopters, Rafale fighters and UAE Navy maritime patrol aircraft participating the exercise as part of the initiative to keep Indian Ocean secure from traditional and non-traditional threats in the maritime environment. The basic idea behind the trilateral exercise was to ensure safety of seal-lanes for commercial trade and allow freedom of navigation. France has close military and political ties with UAE and has a permanent base at Al Dhafra to ward off air and missile threat to Abu Dhabi from state and non-state actors.

While the Modi government is tight-lipped about the Abu Dhabi leg, it is understood that he will spend nearly a day in UAE on July 15 as the two countries along with US and Saudi Arabia are also planning to jointly develop rail-road network apart from taking up other major infrastructures in the Middle-East.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Shishir Gupta Author of Indian Mujahideen: The Enemy Within (2011, Hachette) and Himalayan Face-off: Chinese Assertion and Indian Riposte (2014, Hachette). Awarded K Subrahmanyam Prize for Strategic Studies in 2015 by Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) and the 2011 Ben Gurion Prize by Israel. ...view detail
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed his condolences to his Nepal counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal over the passing away of his wife Sita Dahal. US President Biden and First Lady Jill will host PM Modi for an intimate dinner at the White House. (PTI)

Extremely saddened to learn about the demise of Mrs. Sita Dahal. I express my sincere condolences to @cmprachanda and pray that the departed soul finds eternal peace. Om Shanti, PM Modi said on Twitter.

Nepals First Lady, Sita Dahal, the wife of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal passed away on Wednesday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest, according to authorities of the private hospital in Kathmandu where she was admitted.

Sita Dahal was suffering from progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurological disorder, the hospital announced.

She died at 8:33 am according to a statement by the Norvic International Hospital.

Mrs Sita Dahal 69 yrs/female, known case Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy, Parkinsonism, Diabetes Mellitus-II and hypertension under (on/off) Domiciliary oxygen with PEG feeding and indwelling catheter went into cardiac arrest at 8:00 AM 27th Ashad (July 12). Despite resuscitation, she could not be revived and declared dead at 8:33 AM, Professor Dr. Yubraj Sharma, personal physician of the Nepal Prime Minister said.

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare brain disorder that causes problems with movement, walking and balance, and eye movement. It results from damage to nerve cells in the brain that control thinking and body movement.

The disorders long name indicates that the disease worsens (progressive) and causes weakness (palsy) by damaging certain parts of the brain above nerve cell clusters called nuclei (supranuclear) that control eye movement.

PSP is different from Parkinsons disease-another movement disorder-although they share some symptoms. Currently, there is no effective treatment for PSP, but some symptoms can be managed with medication or other interventions.

In October last year, Sita Dahal was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after her health deteriorated.

She was taken to various hospitals in India as well as in Nepal for further treatment but her condition did not improve.

As per the doctors, PSP is a rare disease and is seen in only 5-6 out of 1,00,000 people.
France will be the first stop on a two-nation tour this week by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will be the guest of honour at the annual Bastille Day Parade and hold talks with President Emmanuel Macron to take forward cooperation in key areas ranging from defence to space. Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaving for his visit to France in New Delhi on Thursday (PTI/Twitter-MEAIndia)

Modi is visiting France at the invitation of Macron during July 13-14. Being the chief guest at the military parade is considered a signal honour, and the last foreign leader to receive this in France was former US president Donald Trump in 2017. A 269-member Indian tri-services contingent will participate in the parade and three French-origin Rafale combat jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will join a flypast.

Defence is set to be a focus area during Modis visit to Paris, with the two sides expected to sign agreements to pave the way for India buying 26 Rafale-Marine combat jets for the navy and building three more Scorpene-class submarines in the country, officials aware of the matter said.

Indias defence acquisitions council (DAC), headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh, is expected to accord acceptance of necessity (AON) to the navy for buying the maritime fighters and for building the diesel-electric attack submarines at state-run Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). The IAF operates 36 Rafale jets bought from France at a cost of 59,000 crore, and the Rafale M will bring commonality with IAFs fighters, creating advantages in training, maintenance and logistics support.

There are also reports that an arrangement for joint development of an engine for fighter jets with French aircraft equipment manufacturer Safran and a road map for defence-industrial cooperation could be finalised during the visit.

Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra told a media briefing that defence cooperation between India and France covers several important areas, including exercises, logistics support and maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific. Modi and Macron, he said, are expected to discuss ways to take forward joint research, design and production of military hardware and aligning these efforts with Indias drive to achieve self-reliance through initiatives such as Make in India.

MDL has built six Scorpene or Kalvari class submarines with technology from Frances Naval Group under a 23,562-crore programme. The sixth vessel is set to be inducted in the Indian Navy early next year.

Soon after arriving in Paris on Thursday, Modi will meet his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne and Senate President Gerard Larcher. He will interact with the Indian community before Macron hosts him for a private dinner at the Elysee Palace.

The ceremonial part of the visit will be July 14, when Modi will join the French national day celebrations at the Bastille Day Parade. This will be followed by a meeting with National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet and a series of interactions with thought leaders and businesspeople.

The 68-member IAF contingent taking part in the parade will be led by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy, a Mi-17 pilot. She led the IAF contingent at this years Republic Day parade. The army contingent will be led by Capt Aman Jagtap, while the naval contingent will be headed by Commander Vrat Baghel. A French Army contingent joined the Republic Day parade in 2016 when then president Francois Hollande was the chief guest at the event in Delhi.

There will be a ceremonial reception at the Elysee Palace on July 14, which will be followed by delegation-level talks between Modi and Macron. The two leaders will also participate in the India-France CEO Forum, which will be followed by a state banquet hosted by Macron at the Louvre Museum.

The visit to France, Kwatra said, will be rich in substance and form and is expected to new benchmarks for the bilateral strategic partnership, which is based on a series of strategic convergences. The two leaders will review cooperation under key pillars of this partnership, including security, space, civil nuclear technology, counterterrorism, cyber security, climate change and integration of supply chains, and outline plans for the future, he said.

The two leaders are also expected to explore new areas of cooperation in space, especially since this sector in India has undergone a rapid evolution, Kwatra said. Responding to a question on French energy major EDFs plans to build a nuclear power project at Jaitapur in India, he said agencies on the two sides are engaged in intense discussions on issues such as liability, cost of power generation, techno-commercial arrangements and engineering elements for concretisation of the cooperation.

While acknowledging that the two leaders will discuss developments in different parts of world, Kwatra declined to say whether the Ukraine crisis will figure in the talks. He described the recent riots that hit several French cities as an internal matter that had no impact on the visit.

The 25-year-old strategic partnership with France is time-tested and geopolitical developments havent affected the close ties, said Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), director general of the Centre for Air Power Studies. The defence relationship has been especially significant in the air and maritime domains for decades. France has played a critical role in strengthening Indias military capabilities and continues to do so, he said.

From France, Modi will travel to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on July 15. He will hold talks with the UAE President and ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The India-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership has been steadily strengthening and Modis visit will be an opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence and culture, the external affairs ministry said.

The visit will also be an opportunity to discuss cooperation on global issues, particularly in the context of the UAEs presidency of COP28 and Indias G20 presidency, in which the Emirates is a guest country.

Since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2022, two-way trade is now worth $85 billion. The UAE is Indias third largest trading partner and second largest export destination. The UAE is also the fourth largest investor in India, and is home to 3.5 million Indian expatriates. The PMs visit provides a useful opportunity to review this important partnership and inject further momentum across the whole range of areas that we cooperate in, Kwatra said.

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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
Police have launched a manhunt for two unknown miscreants who abducted a nine-year-old tribal boy from his hostel room, strangled him and dumped his body on the school premises in Eluru district of Andhra Pradesh, officers said on Wednesday, adding that a letter threatening more such murders has been recovered from him. A class 4 tribal student from Andhra Pradesh was kidnapped and murdered by unknown miscreants. (Representational Image)

The body of Akhil Vardhan Reddy, a class 4 student at the tribal welfare residential school at Puliramannagudem village in Buttaigudem block, was found around 5.30 am on Tuesday on the school premises, adjacent to the hostel, Eluru superintendent of police (SP) Mary Prashanthi said.

A letter written in Telugu was found in his hand, stating whoever wants to live, go away from here because these kinds of things will keep happening from now on, the SP said, adding: We are verifying the handwriting and inquiring into it.

Deputy chief minister Peedika Rajanna Dora, who also holds the tribal welfare portfolio, told reporters that the police have launched a manhunt for the accused. Dora, who visited the residential school and hostel on Wednesday, said the police were investigating the case from all angles. We shall ensure that the accused get the stringent punishment, he added.

There were contusion marks around the boys neck, indicating he might have been strangulated, besides scratches near the right eye, the SP said.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the boy, who belonged to the Konda Reddy tribe, went to sleep as usual in the dormitory hall of the hostel along with 10 other students on Monday night. At around midnight, one of the accused entered the room through the window, which had no grills, and opened the latch of the main door to facilitate another person entering the room, the officer said.

Before entering the hostel, they switched off the power supply. They carried the boy away. One of the students sleeping in the room noticed them, but did not alert others out of fear, the SP said.

Neither the warden nor the watchman was present in the hostel at the time of the incident, the officer said. On Tuesday morning, the hostel inmates noticed the boys body on the school premises, she added.

The deceased boys elder brother Harshavardhan Reddy is also enrolled in the same school in class 6. Their parents  father Gogula Srinivas Reddy, a village volunteer, and mother Ramalakshmi, a health worker  told the police that they did not have enmity with anyone.

The Buttaigudem police have registered a case of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against two unidentified miscreants. Special teams have been formed to investigate the case, the SP said.

Eluru tribal welfare department has initiated disciplinary action against hostel staff, including deputy warden K Srinivas and night warden M Rajesh for their negligence. Show-cause notices will be issued to the school staff, departments deputy director SVS Naidu said.

Meanwhile, minister Dora handed over a cheque for 10 lakh as ex gratia to the parents of the deceased. We shall provide a job to the boys father in a government department on outsourcing basis and allot a housing plot to the family, he added.

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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
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from July 13-15 to take forward cooperation with both countries in areas ranging from defence and security to energy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PTI File Photo)

Modi is visiting France at the invitation of Macron during July 13-14. Being the chief guest at the military parade is considered a signal honour, and the last foreign leader to be invited by France was former US president Donald Trump in 2017. A 269-member Indian tri-services contingent will participate in the parade and three French-origin Rafale combat jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will join a flypast.

Macron and Modi will hold formal talks, and the French president will host a state banquet and a private dinner for the prime minister, the external affairs ministry said.

Modi is also scheduled to meet his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne and the presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly. He will also interact with the Indian diaspora in France, CEOs of Indian and French companies, and prominent French personalities.

People familiar with the matter said several agreements to enhance defence cooperation between India and France are expected to be finalised during the visit, including those for acquiring 26 naval variants of the Rafale combat jet or the Rafale-Marine and three Scorpene-class submarines, and another for joint development of an engine for fighter jets with French aircraft equipment manufacturer Safran.

A roadmap for defence-industrial cooperation is also likely to be finalised during the visit, the people said.

The Indian Air Force currently operates 36 Rafale combat jets. The deal for acquiring these aircraft was finalised during Modis visit to France in 2015. The new Rafale M jets are expected to serve on the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier.

The last of six Scorpene-class submarine ordered earlier for the Indian Navy is expected to be commissioned next year, with the vessel currently undergoing trials. There is expected to be a follow-on order for three more Scorpene submarines that will be fitted with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems to allow them to remain submerged for longer.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership, and the external affairs ministry said Modis visit will provide an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future across diverse sectors such as strategic, cultural, scientific, academic and economic cooperation.

From France, Modi will travel to Abu Dhabi in the UAE on July 15, and hold talks with President of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The India-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership has been steadily strengthening and Modis visit will be an opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence and culture, the ministry said.

The visit will also be an opportunity to discuss cooperation on global issues, particularly in the context of the UAEs presidency of COP28 and Indias G20 presidency, in which the UAE is a guest country.

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A red category warning asking authorities to be prepared for action to prevent disasters has been issued for parts of northeast India including Assam, Meghalaya, and Sikkim as well as Bihar as extremely heavy rain (over 20 cm) was likely there on Wednesday and Thursday. Heavy to very heavy rainfall was expected to continue in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh during the next two days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Heavy rains have left over 40 people dead. (PTI)

A decrease in rainfall activity was expected in northwest India even as it was expected to continue in Gangetic Plains during the next five days and be subdued from July 15 to 16 in central and Peninsular India and increase thereafter.

IMD said light to moderate and fairly widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall was likely in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh during the next two days. Isolated heavy rainfall was very likely in eastern Rajasthan from July 13-16 and in Himachal Pradesh on July 15 and 16.

IMD scientist DS Pai said the western disturbance, which brought heavy rain to Himachal Pradesh has shifted eastward and that is why widespread rainfall can be expected in northeast India, Bihar, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. He added they are not getting a consistent forecast yet on whether a low-pressure area will develop over the Bay of Bengal. That will become clear in a day or two. He said the monsoon trough on the east has shifted northwards.

Heavy rains have left over 40 people dead as overflowing rivers washed away highways, bridges, buildings, and vehicles. Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Chandigarh have been among the hardest hit. Himachal alone has accounted for 20 deaths.

The heavy spells of rain stretched from Punjab and Rajasthan on the western and northwestern side to the Himalayas in the north due to a rare confluence of monsoon winds with a western disturbance. The monsoon winds have been bringing moisture in from the south.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Wednesday said that the 'maun satyagraha' (silent protest) against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from the Parliament following his conviction in a defamation case was not about an individual but about the weakening of democracy through misuse of institutions and creating an environment of hatred. Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra, party's State Incharge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, senior leaders Sachin Pilot, Jitendra Singh with party leaders and workers during a silent protest 'Maun Satyagraha' in solidarity with party leader Rahul Gandhi, at Shaheed Smarak, in Jaipur. (PTI)

Speaking to reporters at the protest site, Pilot said, A conspiracy is being hatched by the Bharatiya Janata Party against someone (Rahul Gandhi) who speaks for democracy, exposing those in power and tells the truth.

He said the public was disappointed with the BJP-ruled central government and it will benefit the Congress party.

The Congress party observed a silent satyagraha today in all states against the disqualification of former party president Rahul Gandhi from Parliament.

Speaking about the political environment in the country, Pilot said that the whole system was being contaminated. He added, Justice should take place in a democracy and there should be freedom of speech. The environment of hatred is being created in the country. The way agencies are being misused, and institutions are being weakened, is not a very good indication for the democracy of the country. This is the reason why the Congress party has kept a vow of silence throughout the country to make the public aware.

The protests came days after the Gujarat high court upheld a sessions court's order which denied a stay on Rahul Gandhi's conviction in the Modi surname remark defamation case.

On Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha, Pilot said the Congress leader was targeted because he has always spoken of love, non-violence, strengthening democracy and bringing people together.

"He has been continuously targeted and everyone has seen the incidents that took place with him. We are not going to step back, we will strongly keep our opinions forward. We will go to the public because ultimately, the public and their vote are the biggest strength in a democracy.

Silent Satyagraha protest was held in all the states in the country. Videos of several protest sites were shared where Congress workers were seen wearing black ribbons tied around their arms or black masks on their faces symbolically depicting that the freedom of speech in India was in danger and anyone who spoke against the Central government was to face backlash.

Rahul Gandhi disqualification

Rahul Gandhi was disqualified on March 23 following his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his comment all thieves have Modi surname at an election rally in Kolar in 2019.

Gandhis lawyers failed to get a stay on his conviction in the trial court, the sessions court and the Gujarat high court.

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A private English medium school in Karnatakas Belagavi district terminated one of the school bus drivers on charges of misbehaving with the girl students, officials said on Wednesday. A private English medium school in Belagavi terminated one of the school bus drivers on charges of misbehaving with girl students (Agencies/Representative use)

The school, located in Savagoan village in Belagavi taluk, is associated with a renowned moral preacher in the nation. The co-educational school offers classes from LKG to 10th grade and employs several bus and van drivers to transport students to and from school, officials said.

According to the officials, the driver in question had been working at the school since its inception approximately 15 years ago.

Allegedly, he had been engaging in inappropriate behaviour with high school girls by touching their bodies when they were on his bus. As the driver persisted in his misconduct, the affected girls informed their parents, who subsequently lodged complaints with the school principal and management, said an official privy to the developments.

A committee member of the school managementsaid due to the sensitive nature of the matter, the management took prompt action and suspended the driver pending an investigation. Once the charges were proven, they terminated his employment.

Instead of filing a formal complaint against the driver, the management submitted a memorandum to the Vadagavi Rural police, urging them to take appropriate action, said the member said.

After verifying the drivers personal information and cautioning him, the police released him.

Police sub-inspector Lakkappa Jodatti, based on the allegations made by the parents, said, The driver would allegedly reserve seats next to his own for high school girls and intentionally touch their bodies. The affected girls shared their experiences with their parents, who then brought the matter to the attention of the school principal and management.

The school management committee stated that this was the first time such an incident was reported at the school.

Soon after complaints from parents, the management immediately kept the driver on suspension before the inquiry, and he was terminated from the services after the allegations against him were proven. The management didnt file the police complaint to avoid defame to the school, one of the management committee members said.
A special court in Kochi on Wednesday convicted six people and acquitted five others following the second-phase trial in the 2010 case in which a Malayalam professors palm was chopped off by members of now-banned radical Islamist outfit Popular Front of India (PFI). On July 4, 2010, TJ Joseph, the former head of Malayalam department of Newman College in Thodupuzha, was waylaid and attacked by a group of PFI workers when he was returning home. (PTI)

Read here: 2010 hand chopping case: Special NIA court convicts 6 persons

The special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court will pronounce the sentence on Thursday afternoon.

The court underlined that charges of terrorism were confirmed in the case along with conspiracy, possessing weapons and destruction of vehicle. The case was first probed by the state police before being handed over to NIA. The accused were charged under stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) as well as relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Explosive Substances Act.

Special NIA court judge Anil K Bhaskar on Wednesday convicted Sajal, Nasar, Najeeb, Noushad, Moideenkunju and Ayub in the case. While Sajal was one of the seven accused involved in the attack on the professor, Nasar was identified as one of the main conspirators.

Those who were acquitted for lack of evidence were Shafeek, Aziz Odakkali, Muhammad Rafi, Subaid and Manzoor.

In the first phase, 31 people had faced trial in the case, of which 13 were convicted  including 10 for offences under the UAPA as well as the Explosive Substances Act and IPC, and three were found guilty of harbouring the offenders  while others acquitted. The 10 convicts under UAPA were handed jail sentences of eight years each. NIA has petitioned the Kerala high court to enhance the punishment of those convicted in the first phase and examine the acquittal of others.

However, Ashamannur Sawad, the first accused in the case who chopped off the professors palm with a machete, is still absconding and is reportedly based in the UAE.

On July 4, 2010, TJ Joseph, the former head of Malayalam department of Newman College in Thodupuzha, was waylaid and attacked by a group of PFI workers when he was returning home, along with his sister and mother, after attending the Sunday mass at a church at Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district. The PFI members chopped off Josephs right palm and stabbed his left leg with a hatchet. He was assaulted for allegedly using the name of Prophet Mohammed in a blasphemous manner in an internal exam question paper.

Read here: NIA conduct raids in Patna, Darbhanga at suspected PFI hideouts; one held

After the verdict on Wednesday, Joseph told reporters that he does not believe that punishment for the accused is equal to justice for the victims. The countrys justice is being delivered, thats all. The reality is that I have no like or dislike if the accused are punished or not, he said. Those who attacked me are also victims in a way because they believed in a primitive justice system. I just wish that people tear away such primitive belief systems and lead lives according to scientific temperament, love and brotherhood.

Josephs autobiography Attupokatha Ormakal, which was later translated in English titled A thousand cuts, won Kerala Sahitya Akademi award last year.

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A special NIA court in Kochi on Wednesday found six persons guilty while acquitted five others after the second phase trial in the 2010 case in which a Malayalam professors palm was chopped off by now outlawed outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) members. The sentencing will take place on Thursday afternoon. (Representative file image)

The sentencing will take place on Thursday afternoon.

Special NIA court judge Anil K Bhaskar found them guilty of attempted murder, conspiracy and various other offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in the second phase of the trial in the case.

The six accused who were found guilty were identified as Sajal, Nasser, Najeeb, Noushad, Moideenkunju and Ayub while those acquitted were Shafeek, Aziz Odakkali, Muhammad Rafi, Subaid and Manzoor.

Also Read: Kerala: Key accused in 2010 professor hand-chopping case surrenders

In the first phase, 31 persons had faced trial in the case out of which 13 were convicted and the rest acquitted.

Ten of those convicted were handed jail sentences of eight years each.

On July 4, 2010, TJ Joseph, a professor of Malayalam of Newman College in Thodupuzha, was attacked by PFI activists who chopped off his right palm and stabbed his leg. The attack took place while he was returning home with his family after attending a Sunday mass at a church in Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district.
Adding more political weight to newfound Opposition unity, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi will attend the second meeting of a grouping of non-BJP parties in Bengaluru on July 18, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. (PTI)

Gandhi, who is currently the chairperson of the Congress parliamentary committee, will also attend a dinner on July 17 hosted by Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah. The Bengaluru meeting assumes greater importance than the introductory meeting at Patna on June 23. In Bengaluru, eight more Opposition parties  MDMK, KMDMK, Kerala Congress (M), Kerala Congress (J), RSP, Forward Bloc, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML)  will attend the meeting.

Congress functionaries said that Sonia was requested to attend the meeting as the UPA chairperson and also because the Opposition meeting will be held in a Congress-ruled state.

A senior functionary close to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, Gandhi took the decision to attend the meeting at least three weeks ago. As a figurehead of the Opposition and as someone with rich experience of managing a national-level coalition, Gandhis presence at the Bengaluru meeting will be important.

A second leader added that Gandhi, who will be at the informal discussions over dinner on July 17 and take part in the formal meeting on July 18, will add to party chief Mallikarjun Kharges efforts to unite Opposition parties from diverse backgrounds.

Moreover, some of the senior leaders who had been UPA allies such as Lalu Prasad and Sharad Pawar have earlier worked with Sonia Gandhi during the Manmohan Singh government. Also, Kharge, Sonia and Rahul attending an Opposition meeting signals the keen interest of the Congresss highest leadership in forging a broad-based coalition against the BJP, said the leader cited above.

The Bengaluru meeting is expected to be the only Opposition meeting in a Congress-ruled state in the current series of discussions between non-BJP parties.

The next meeting might take place in Maharashtra or in some north Indian state, Opposition leaders familiar with the planning indicated.

On July 15, Sonia Gandhi has called a meeting of the Congress parliamentary strategy group. Party leaders said that the meeting will fine-tune the Congress strategy for the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament.

The monsoon session will be held from July 20 to August 10 and is expected to be a stormy one.
Former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi will on July 18 attend the second meeting of non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parties for unity ahead of the 2024 national polls and is likely to host a dinner for the leaders attending it in Bengaluru, people aware of the matter said on Wednesday. Former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. (PTI)

Mallikarjun Kharge, the party chief, and Rahul Gandhi represented the Congress at the first meeting in Patna on June 24. Thirty-two leaders from 15 parties attended the meeting in Patna and all but one outfit vowed to jointly take on the BJP and forge a common agenda ahead of the 2024 general elections.

The people cited above said representatives of parties other than the 15 that attended the Patna meeting Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Kongu Desa Makkal Katchi, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Revolutionary Socialist Party, All India Forward Bloc, Indian Union Muslim League, Kerala Congress (Joseph), and Kerala Congress (Mani)have confirmed their presence for the Bengaluru gathering.

Kharge on Tuesday sent invitations for the second meeting while underlining the positive outcome of the Patna gathering. He said such discussions should be continued in the run-up to the 2024 polls.

The Aam Aadmi Party, which struck a discordant note in Patna and said it will be difficult for the party to attend future meetings if the Congress did not make its stance clear on the ordinance giving the Union government control over Delhis bureaucracy, has also been invited for the Bengaluru gathering.

Leaders from the parties, which control 210 seats in Parliament and govern 11 states, attended the three-hour-long meeting at Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumars residence in Patna. Kumar called the meeting fruitful and said they have arrived at a consensus on going forward and on fighting elections together.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing on student activist Umar Khalids appeal for bail in the main conspiracy case of the 2020 Delhi riots case after the Delhi police sought more time to file its response citing a voluminous case record. Student activist Umar Khalid petitioned the Supreme Court for bail in April after the Delhi high court rejected his bail plea on October 18 last year. (HT File Photo)

The court will take up the activists plea on July 24.

Umar Khalid, who has been behind bars for more than two years following his arrest on September 13, 2020, petitioned the Supreme Court for bail in April after the Delhi high court rejected his bail plea on October 18 last year.

On May 16, the top court gave police nearly two months to respond to the bail petition filed by Khalid, who was booked under the anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA, in the case for being the alleged mastermind of the February 2020 riots in north-east Delhi. The violence, which left 53 people dead and over 700 injured, erupted during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Read: Opinion | Bail hearings in Delhi riots cases can be a test for liberty under UAPA

As a bench of justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh took up the case on Wednesday, lawyer Rajat Nair, appearing for the Delhi police, sought an adjournment because of the states inability to file a response.

The charge sheet runs into thousands of pages. Grant us some reasonable time to file our response, Nair said.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Khalid, remarked, It has been two years now that he is inside jail. Why is a reply needed in a bail matter.

Realizing that the next date, July 24, falls on a Monday when the Supreme Court has a relatively heavy board of fresh matters, Nair informed the court that the law officers will also be busy on that day and sought a slight accommodation to have the matter kept Tuesday.

It is for us to decide whether the board is heavy or not. This is a matter which may take one or two minutes, the bench said, refusing to alter the date.

Khalids plea was decided by the high court after arguments presented by both sides over three weeks.

The Delhi police had alleged that Khalid made provocative speeches at different locations and made an appeal to people to protest and block the streets. These speeches coincided with the visit of the then US President Donald Trump to Delhi. The police alleged that all this was done to publicise before the global community that minorities were being targeted and discriminated against in India.

In its ruling, the high court said, Having carefully gone through the charge sheet and taking into consideration the fact that the appellant (Khalid) was in constant touch with other co-accused persons...at this stage, it is difficult to form an opinion that there are not reasonable grounds for believing that the accusation against the petitioner is prima facie not proved.

The high court observed that under the anti-terror law, even an attempt to commit or knowingly facilitate the commission of a terrorist act is a punishable act. In this regard, the high court found that Khalids name found a recurring mention from the beginning of the conspiracy till the culmination of the ensuing riots.

Read: No social media posts, talking to press: Delhi court to Umar Khalid in bail order

Under section 43D of UAPA, a stringent condition is placed on courts to be first satisfied that reasonable grounds exist for believing that the accusation against the accused is prima facie true. Once such a conclusion is made out based on the evidence gathered, courts usually refrain from granting bail.

The order further observed that his involvement was found by the police in engineering protests against CAA. The protest planned was not a typical protest normal in political culture or democracy but one far more destructive and injurious geared towards extremely grave consequences, the high court observed.

Khalid has sought bail on the ground that the police failed to physically recover anything from him in connection with the allegations levelled against him. He further claimed that the evidence gathered against him had several material inconsistencies and could not be relied upon to incriminate him.

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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday told Centre to respond within a month on the need for guidelines related to arrests, observing that the police move to parade suspects before the media led to irreversible damage when they were later found to be innocent. The Supreme Court first issued notice to the Centre and states in August 2022. Only six states have responded (HT File Photo)

The Centre must think about the issue how people are being victimised in this manner. Ultimately when they are held innocent, a lot of time has passed. This destroys the person, his family and leads to irreversible damage to his honour, a bench of justices Surya Kant and Dipankar Dutta said during the hearing on a petition by Uttar Pradesh resident Praveen Kumar Parv, who said he was arrested by the anti-terrorist squad of Uttar Pradesh police on a false complaint in 2021. Parv said he was released by the police once it was convinced of his innocence but the ignominy suffered during the period of his detention led to him being branded a terrorist.

The top court first issued notice to the Centre and states in August 2022 on the petition that sought directions to bar the police from police disclosing names and details of suspect at the preliminary stage in ongoing criminal cases or making public statements on the guilt of a suspect.

Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, appearing for Parv, said the top court should lay down minimum standards on the police releasing information about suspects and cases to the public. She also added that the central government was yet to respond to the petition although six state governments have filed their response.

Additional solicitor general (ASG) SV Raju said the Centre will file its response.

The bench underlined that this was a very important issue.

Your (Centres) response will be very crucial in this case, the court said as it posted the matter for September 26.

During the proceedings, the bench wondered why police officers often produced professional criminals and gangsters before the media upon their arrest.

What business does the police have to do this. You (Centre) must respond whether guidelines exist and if so, whether they are sufficient and are being followed.

The petition said that the principle of presumption of innocence until proven guilty should apply in such cases and where a person arrested on a suspicion is released, a duty is cast upon the police to make this fact public by issuing an apology especially in sensational cases such as those where allegations relate to charges of terrorism, riot, communal disharmony etc.

Mere fact of a person being arrested is sufficient to destroy such persons reputation in the society and therefore it becomes obligatory upon the police/investigating agency to make every possible effort so as to restore the lost reputation and thereby ensuring the right to dignity of such individuals, the petition filed by advocate Fuzail Ahmad Ayyubi said.

The petition also recalled that the Supreme Court in March 2017, while dealing with a petition filed by Peoples Union for Civil Liberties, directed the Centre to finalise a guidelines for the police on media briefings. However, till date, the central government has failed to respond to the directive. It added that the case was last listed for a hearing on March 29, 2017.
There has been a surge in fake websites to fool internet users into making payments, according to a new report on cyber fraud by a cybersecurity company, which also found Indians were most commonly targeted by fake surveys promising quick money or fraud sites with dealership franchise opportunities. PREMIUM Scam pages pretending to be financial services, such as for banks, were the most prevalent, at 74% of all such fraud websites.(Getty Images/ Representational photo)

Read here: Archive of Our Own, the most popular fanfiction website, is reportedly under a DDoS attack by Russians

Globally, according to the Digital Risks Trend 2023 report by Group-IB released on Wednesday, there was a 304% year-on-year increase (2022 compared to 2021) in the number of scam websites that impersonated legitimate businesses and brands, and websites used for launching phishing attacks rose by 62%.

Scam pages pretending to be financial services, such as for banks, were the most prevalent, at 74% of all such fraud websites.

Of the schemes described in the report, fake brand impersonating surveys are widespread in India and are most damaging to online users. Overall, within the scheme, we detected fake websites impersonating 86 brands in India, said Afiq Sasman, head of digital risk protection analytics in Asia Pacific, Group-IB, in an email to HT.

This sort of cybercrime differs from phishing campaigns  the latter are targeted mostly to harvest credentials, while these frauds are specific to making financial gains. A website successfully in pretending to be a legitimate business or service is more likely to make unsuspecting users make a payment.

On fake Indian dealership websites that the company found, Sasman said these deployed a higher level of sophistication than those which merely pretend to be, say, a shopping website. The scams are not merely asking users to fill up a form and then contacting the victims afterwards. These scams are very convincing and can even provide documents such as an invoice with the company letterhead and stamp to prove its authenticity, Sasman said.

An example of such campaigns came to light in June 2022, when Hindustan Petroleum issued a warning on its website saying it had been alerted of several scams in which its logos and brand was being used by people promising retail dealerships and jobs. It gave a list of email addresses and websites from which such scams were launched, including URLs such as hindustanpetroleum.online, hindustanpetroleumcorp.com and hpcldelership.com. The official website of the fuel company is hindustanpetroleum.com.

A month later, a Pune businessman filed a police complaint saying he had lost 42 lakh to such a fraud.

Read here: Probe against dubious website: ED seizes 1.3 crore, freezes 15.8 Lakh

The findings highlight the various dimensions to cyber fraud in India, where a burgeoning underground industry run from some satellite National Capital Region towns has claimed an increasing number of victims who lose anywhere between tens of thousands of to lakhs of rupees.

Group-IBs findings, which focussed on the online aspect of such frauds, found that scammers were increasingly leveraging social media to target victim, with 76% of all such attempts in Asia Pacific region using this method in campaigns recorded last year. The other included direct emails and malware.

The rise in such scam websites, per brand, more than doubled at 162% in 2022 compared to 2021, and for phishing websites, the number was more than 300%. A breakdown of India-specific numbers between the two periods was not available.

The company said its analysis indicated that growing use of social media was a consistent factor in the increase of such frauds, but also added that growing automation and scam-as-a-service schemes too were making it easy for such fraud to proliferate.

Scammers are using a vast amount of domains and social media accounts to not only reach a greater number of potential victims, but also evade counteraction. Scams are also becoming more automated, lowering the barrier of entry for cybercriminals. We expect to see AI also play a greater role in scams in the future, Sasman added.

Read here: Three held for running site to provide original-like fake ID cards

Internet users should be aware of such scam tactics and schemes, the expert said. Any investment opportunities, quizzes, or posts promising quick and easy money should raise suspicion. Users are advised to never share personal information with third parties unless they are certain of their legitimacy. While visiting links relating to offers by companies shared in messaging apps or on social media, check the domain names. Scammers usually use domain names that look similar to existing brand names as part of their efforts to trick users into entering sensitive data, Sasman explained, on steps people can take to protect themselves.
At least three people were killed and a police officer was injured as post-panchayat poll clashes broke out in West Bengal in the early hours of Wednesday even as the counting of ballots for the three-tier election was underway with ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) set for a sweep. A counting centre for the West Bengal panchayat elections. (ANI)

The toll from the violence since the schedule for the poll was announced on June 8 went up to 45 with the killing of the three identified as Raju Mollah, Hasan Ali Mollah, and Rezaul Gazi. At least 18 people were killed on the polling day on Saturday last.

Additional police superintendent Maqsood Hasan suffered a bullet injury and was shifted to a hospital in Kolkata from Bhangore in South 24 Parganas.

The counting of votes polled for around 74,000 Bengal panchayat seats began under tight security on Tuesday morning a day after re-polling was held at 696 booths. Armed state police and central forces were manning the counting centres, where the gathering of over four people has been banned.

Last week, the high court ordered that central paramilitary forces remain stationed in the state for at least 10 days after the announcement of panchayat poll results to prevent post-poll clashes. Post-poll violence also erupted after the results of the 2021 assembly elections were declared in May 2021.

The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as a distant second as counting for the rural body elections began on Tuesday.

Until around midnight, results for around 48200 seats were declared with TMC winning 31829, the BJP 8630, the Congress 2268, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M) 2668. Independent candidates won 1877 seats. In 2018, the TMC won 38,188 out of 48,636 seats.

Of the 9730 seats at the Panchayat Samiti level, the TMC won 2,612 and BJP 275 seats. At the Zilla Parishad level, the TMC won 124 seats. It was leading in another 205 seats while the BJP was leading on 11 seats.

Reports of post-poll clashes poured in from some places. At Bhangore, a clash broke out between the TMC and the Indian Secular Front supporters after midnight. Crude bombs were hurled and bullets fired. Police fired rubber bullets and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse mobs.

A large police contingent was deployed as clashes broke out after midnight, said a police officer.

The counting was to be completed on Wednesday.

The BJP, the Congress, and the CPI(M) earlier alleged booth capturing, rigging, looting of ballot boxes, harassment of polling officials, firing, and bomb attacks.
New Delhi The Union government on Wednesday notified the appointment of two high court chief justices, Ujjal Bhuyan and SV Bhatti, as judges of the apex court, a week after the Supreme Court collegium made the recommendation for their elevation. Justice Bhuyan was serving as the chief justice of the Telangana high court and justice Bhatti was the chief justice of the Kerala high court. Late on Wednesday evening, Arjun Ram Meghwal, the Union minister of law and justice, tweeted about the Centre clearing the names of justices (Agencies)

The Supreme Court, which has a sanctioned strength of 34 judges, was currently short of four judges. With the appointments of justices Bhuyan and Bhatti, there will be two vacancies left to be filled. According to people aware of the matter, the collegium is likely to make recommendations for the other two names by next week.

Late on Wednesday evening, Arjun Ram Meghwal, the Union minister of law and justice, tweeted about the Centre clearing the names of justices Bhuyan and Bhatti as Supreme Court judges.

In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution of India, the Honble President, after consultation with the Honble Chief Justice of India, is pleased to appoint the following 02 Chief Justices of High Courts as Judges of the Supreme Court of India - Justice Ujjal Bhuyan; Justice SV Bhatti, Meghwal tweeted.

Justice Bhuyans parent high court is Gauhati while justice Bhatti is from the Andhra Pradesh high court.

During his long tenure as a judge of the high court, Mr Justice Bhuyan has acquired significant experience in diverse fields of law. He has acquired specialisation and domain knowledge in the law of taxation, said the collegiums resolution on July 5, when it recommended the two names.

About justice Bhatti, the collegium said that apart from according representation to the state of Andhra Pradesh, his appointment will provide a value addition in terms of his acquired knowledge and experience.

In making the recommendations to the Union government, the collegium takes into account a variety of factors, including all-India seniority of judges, merit and integrity, representation of high courts, regional representation, and diversity. Apart from the plurality of factors, the collegium resolution added, the judges selection body in the apex court also considers appointing persons from marginalised and backward segments of society and focuses on gender diversity and representation of minorities.

On Wednesday, the collegium also released its resolution on the transfer of three high court judges. Notably, the resolutions record the collegiums rejection of the requests made by all three judges to be either sent to a neighbouring high court or be not transferred at all.

Delhi high court judge Gaurang Kanth was proposed to be shifted to the Calcutta high court by a resolution on July 5. On July 7, he sent a representation for transfer to the high court of Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan or any other neighbouring state.

We have carefully gone through the request made by Mr Justice Gaurang Kanth in his representation, and bestowed our thoughtful consideration to the contents thereof. The collegium does not find any merit in the request made by him. The collegium, therefore, resolves to reiterate its recommendation dated 5 July 2023 to transfer Justice Kanth to the high court at Calcutta, said the resolution released on Wednesday.

Similarly, a request made by Allahabad high court judge Dinesh Kumar Singh to reconsider his transfer to the Kerala high court instead of a neighbouring state was turned down by the collegium.

Punjab & Haryana high court judge Manoj Bajaj requested to stay put at the same high court, but the collegium reiterated its July 5 recommendation to move him out to the Allahabad high court.

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As part of the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA), the umbrella legislation that determines the United States (US)s defence budget and priorities, the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) has asked Pentagon to ensure that India is appropriately considered for security cooperation benefits consistent with its status as a major defence partner. US President Joe Biden with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PIB/File)

Read here: India-US tech ties can reshape global affairs

In particular, the draft NDAA asks the US defence secretary to deepen cooperation with India in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), undersea domain awareness, air combat and support, munitions, and mobility. It lists out a set of areas, including counter-terror operations, maritime and border security operations, and military intelligence operations where the Pentagon should consider a reciprocal agreement with India to build capacity.

It asks Pentagon to explore eligibility for Indian companies to bid on contracts for maintenance, repair and overhaul of Department of Defence (DOD)s equipment located outside the US, a significant step which, if realised, will open up doors for Indias mushrooming private defence firms.

To be sure, this version of NDAA, while passed on a bipartisan basis by the Senate Armed Services Committee, is not the final act yet. The House of Representatives is in the process of finalising its own version of the NDAA, and eventually, the two versions, passed by the two chambers, will be reconciled in conference before the text is finalised.

The build-up

But the Senates version is understood to have the sanction of the chambers top political leadership. It is based on inputs from DOD and is a result of the intense engagement between the US Congress and India in recent months.

Read here: India to negotiate deal with US for 31 drones: Officials

The Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer, led what was the most high-powered Congressional delegation to India in diplomatic history earlier this year, where he highlighted the centrality of the partnership with India in the competition with China and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Jack Reed, the chair of the SASC, was a part of the delegation.

During his state visit to Washington DC last month, Modi addressed a joint meeting of the Senate and the House where his reference to deeper India-US defence ties was greeted with a standing ovation and applause. He met Schumer during an interaction with the Congressional leadership in the Capitol and also interacted with Schumer at the state dinner hosted by President Joe Biden, where the Senate majority leader was seated at the head table with the President and the PM.

The two countries have also unveiled and operationalised the initiative on critical and emerging technologies (ICET), under which a key component is a defence industrial cooperation road map. During defence secretary Lloyd Austins visit to New Delhi in June, this road map was finalised and during Modis visit, in a rare gesture, the White House expedited the approval of the co-production of GEs F414 jet engines in India with an unprecedented element of tech transfer.

The NDAA text

The NDAA draft asks the defence secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of State and other relevant heads of agencies, to explore four particular lines of effort to ensure India benefits from its status as a major defence partner.

The first is eligibility for funding to initiate or facilitate cooperative research, development, testing, or evaluation projects with the DOD in AI, undersea domain awareness, air combat, and support, munitions, and mobility.

The second is eligibility to enter into reciprocal agreements with the Department of Defence for the cooperative provision of training on a bilateral or multilateral basis in support of programs for the purpose of building capacity. It specifies eight areas of cooperation in this regard, including counterterrorism operations; counter-weapons of mass destruction operations; counter-illicit drug trafficking operations; counter-transnational organised crime operations; maritime and border security operations; military intelligence operations; air domain awareness operations; and cyberspace security and defensive cyberspace operations.

The third line of effort that the Senate asks the Pentagon to pursue with regard to India is its eligibility to enter into a memorandum of understanding or other formal agreement with the Department of Defence for the purpose of conducting cooperative research and development projects on defence equipment and munitions.

And finally, it mandates DOD to explore eligibility for companies from India to bid on contracts for the maintenance, repair, or overhaul of DOD equipment located outside the US.

The NDAA draft also instructs the defence secretary to provide, by March 1, 2024, a briefing to the relevant committees of the Senate and House on the status of security cooperation activities with India in the areas outlined above.

Explaining the significance of the proposed legislation, Sameer Lalwani, a senior expert on South Asia at the US Institute of Peace, who has extensively worked on Indias defence architecture and the bilateral relationship, said, Following a highly substantive state visit by Prime Minister Modi, this is welcome reciprocal move by the US Congress to deepen the US-India defence relationship. The legislation goes beyond expressions of optimism to provide guidance on specific modalities and areas of concentration.

Read here: From jet engines to RPAS: How US is sharpening Indias edge in defence

Highlighting the next steps, Lalwani added, But after assessing Indias eligibility, Congress may then have to tackle potential regulatory or procedural hurdles and appropriate the requisite resources to ensure these efforts of joint research, training, and sustainment remain robust and sustained over time."

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Uttar Pradesh government officials have scant respect for orders of the highest court of the land, the Supreme Court has observed, condemning a delay of almost a year by the state in complying with its direction regarding remission of some convicts serving life terms. The bench fixed August 29 as the next date for hearing. (Agencies)

Read here: SC collegium reiterates transfer of 3 HC judges ignoring their representations

Nobody is above the law, a bench led by justice Surya Kant remarked when the state government submitted that it may not be proper to bind the governor  the constitutional authority who has to take the final call after the states recommendations on remission pleas  to a court-mandated deadline.

Whosoever it may be, nobody is above the law. There are people who have been languishing for almost 30 years. Our direction was passed in May 2022 to decide applications of the petitioners before us within three months, the bench, which also included justice Dipankar Datta, told the states additional advocate general, Ardhendumauli Kumar Prasad.

On Tuesday, the bench directed that the states principal secretary, home department, shall remain present in the court on August 29 if the authorities do not decide all pending applications of premature release of the petitioners within four weeks.

The court was livid over the fact that the authorities in the Uttar Pradesh government were yet to decide pleas for premature release of several prisoners despite a direction on May 16, 2022, to take the final call within three months. In its May 2022 order, the court had taken note of the fact that all the petitioners before it had completed more than 14 years of their actual sentence without remission. They were all lodged in Central Jail, Bareilly.

Read here: Have power to arrest, take custody of Balaji, ED tells HC

At that time, the bench further noted that the remission policy of the state coupled with several directives passed by the Supreme Court obligate the state government to dispose of the remission plea of a prisoner within three months of his becoming eligible.

Of the 42 convicts who had approached the top court last year, several were released or acquitted by the Allahabad high court pending decisions on their remission pleas, and at least seven such applications for premature release were still pending before one or the other government authority in Uttar Pradesh.

The amount of disrespect your authorities are showing, we think we will have to take some harsh steps. Your officers have scant respect for the orders of the court. Thats what is happening in your state, the bench commented.

While Prasad conceded that the process needed to be streamlined though several positive steps had been taken by the state, the court said that the crux of the matter was that the state government had failed to comply with the May 2022 direction.

If we look at the way you have granted remission, its like You show me the face, I will show you the law. Where you want to release, you do everything. And when you dont want to do it, you dont bother even about Supreme Court orders... Your officers are prompting us to take some harsh action, it added.

Prasad, on his part, submitted that there are several hundreds of applications that come up for consideration every year and that the state government has formed a committee to put the process online.

Read here: 2 HC chief justices elevated as judges of the apex court

We dont know how long you will take to do this. We did not issue the contempt notice on the last date as we thought you would come back with compliance... but your principal secretary will be the first person to remain present here if there is no compliance. We will summon your chief secretary too. Whosoever be your officers, they must comply and file proper affidavits before the next date, retorted the bench, fixing August 29 as the next date.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued a yellow alert for the next two days and a red alert for the weekend in Uttarakhand, as incessant rains continued to cause damage in several parts of the hill state and the water level in major rivers inched towards the danger mark, officials said. Kanwariyas walk through a flooded street following heavy rains in Haridwar, in Uttarakhand. (AFP)

Read here: Uttarakhand CM Dhami requests tourists, pilgrims to avoid unnecessary journeys amid heavy rains

At least three more deaths were reported in the state on Wednesday, taking the overall toll in rain-related incidents to more than two dozen since June 25. According to the public works department, 449 roads remain blocked in the state due to landslides and boulder falls, prompting chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to reiterate his request to people to avoid unnecessary travel.

According to officials in the weather department, the state reported 30.2 mm rainfall in a span of 24 hours (till 8.30am Wednesday). Almora reported maximum rainfall of 51.3 mm, followed by 46.6 mm in Dehradun, 43.6 mm in Rudraprayag, 43 mm rain in Pauri Garhwal, 33.8 mm in Uttarkashi, 38.3 in Tehri Garhwal and 30.6 mm in Haridwar.

A yellow alert has been sounded for the next two days and a red alert for Saturday and Sunday, with a forecast of heavy rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning in isolated places, IMDs Dehradun centre said.

While a yellow alert signifies that people need to stay updated about the severe weather while a red alert is an indication for authorities to take measures to ensure minimum damage and loss of lives.

Read here: Watch | Pilgrims risk lives on blocked highway in rain-battered Uttarakhand

In a tweet, Dhami said: Our government has issued disaster relief numbers to help the people of Uttarakhand who are stranded in different places of the state and in Himachal Pradesh.

The chief minister requested people of the state and other tourists and visitors to avoid making unnecessary journeys in view of continuous rains in all parts of the state. He also said that he was taking information on the condition of roads and the intensity of rains from all districts in the disaster control room and added that instructions have been given to the district administration and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to remain on high alert everywhere.

Government officials said the Char Dham Yatra, which began on April 22, was briefly suspended in the morning. In Chamoli district, more than 30 roads were blocked and fresh landslides at Tangni near Pipal Kot, and Chilka, left the yatra pilgrims on Badrinath highway stranded.

The pilgrimage resumed in the afternoon. More than 5,000 pilgrims visited the Kedarnath shrine till 4pm. All the roads on the yatra route were opened for traffic after the boulders were removed, NS Rajwar, district disaster management authority officer at Rudraprayag, said.

In Pauri Garhwal, more than 16 roads remained inaccessible due to overnight rains. District magistrate Ashish Chauhan visited Satpuli Road to assess the damage and directed PWD officials to speed up work and reopen the route for light vehicles within 12 hours.

In Kotdwar area, three people died when their car fell into the swollen Khoh river on Tuesday night, police said. The vehicle with five occupants was headed for Kotdwar from Dugadda when the incident took place. While one occupant managed to swim to safety, another got stuck on an island in the river and was later rescued by a SRDF team.

One body has been retrieved so far and a search is on to trace the remaining, a police officer said.

Waterlogging was reported from several places in Dehradun and Haridwar town. Shahpur village in Khanpur in Haridwarwas worst affected with Ban Ganga river almost submerging it.

The district administration has deployed the National Disaster Response Force, SDRF and BEG squads in sensitive rain-affected areas of Haridwar, Laksar and Khanpur block, Haridwar district magistrate Dhiraj Singh Garbyal said.

Read here: High alert sounded as the Ganga, Yamuna begin to swell in Prayagraj

According to the Central Water Commission, the water level in Ganga river is just two meters below the danger mark of 294 metres. The water level of Alaknanda at Srinagar in Garhwal stood at 533.78 metres; the danger level is 536 metres.
As Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday criticised the opposition and said it is not important who the ED director is as any director will take note of the 'rampant corruption of a cozy club of entitled dynasts', opposition leader Kapil Sibal asked why Sanjay Kumar Mishra was then granted a third extension. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi asked whether it was a threat coming from the Union home minister. The Supreme Court on Tuesday said Sanjay Kumar Mishra's extension as the ED director was illegal. Amit Shah said those who rejoiced over the Supreme Court verdict are "delusional for various reasons". Amit Shah said those who are rejoicing the Supreme Court verdict are delusional.

"Sanjay Mishra(ED) Chief

Supreme Court held extension till November invalid

Amit Shah: ED is an institution which rises beyond any one individual..

Then why did you give him a 3rd extension?

Some individuals serve the political interests of the party in power!" Kapil Sibal tweeted.

Sanjay Kumar Mishra was first appointed the ED director for two years in 2018. In 2020, his term was changed to three years retrospectively. Last year, the government promulgated an ordinance in which the tenure of the ED and the CBI chiefs could be extended up to three years after their two-year term. Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra, spokesperson Saket Gokhale were among the petitioners against the extension of the ED director's term.

Read | Who is Sanjay Kumar Mishra, ED director whose 3rd extension SC termed illegal?

As the Supreme Court verdict was welcomed by the opposition that claims 'targetting' by the ED and CBI, Amit Shah said the powers of the ED to strike at those who are corrupt and on the wrong side of the law remain the same.

"ED is an institution which rises beyond any one individual and is focused on achieving its core objective - i.e. to investigate offences of money laundering and violations of foreign exchange laws," Amit Shah tweeted. "Thus, who the ED director is - that is not important because whoever assumes this role will take note of the rampant corruption of a cozy club of entitled dynasts who have an anti-development mindset," the union home miniser added.

"Is that a veiled threat from Indias Home Minister? That those rejoicing the SC order will have ED at their door (irrespective of who heads it)? Also with the tweet from HM it becomes obvious who is impacted the most from this SC order despite it not being in his domain. Was the ED director with illegal tenure extension working under the direction of the Home Minister?" Priyanka Chaturvedi tweeted.

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KOCHI: A woman autorickshaw driver was killed Wednesday after two wild boars rammed into her vehicle near Karinkayam in Palakkad district of Kerala, police said. Vijeesha Sonia was rushed by local residents to a private hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The incident took place around 7:45 am when Vijeesha Sonia (37) was driving the rickshaw carrying four school students in the back in an area adjoining a forest.

Two wild boars rammed into the vehicle and it overturned, leading to grievous injuries for Vijeesha and minor injuries for three students, police said

Vijeesha was rushed by locals to a private hospital. She later succumbed to her injuries.

This is the second incident in the area where a wild boar caused a fatality. A few months ago, a two-wheeler rider died when a boar rammed into the vehicle.
Scientists on Tuesday said that sediment at Crawford Lake in Canada provides evidence of the beginning of the Anthropocene age. The Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) said that layered sediment at the bottom of the lake in the Canadian province of Ontario showed that the world had entered a new epoch defined by human activity's destabilizing influence on the environment. Scientists have presented Canada's Crawford Lake as evidence of human activity's devastating impact on the environment. (AFP)

They chose the lake from a shortlist of 12 potential sites where the evidence of the impacts could be best measured and observed.

The group said that the bottom of the lake contained microplastics, residues from burnt oil and coal and detritus from nuclear bombs.

Scientists said that the sediment showed a "golden spike" illustrating a sudden and irreversible shift in Earth's conditions.

"The data show a clear shift from the mid-20th century, taking Earth's system beyond the normal bounds of the Holocene," working group member Andy Cundy, who is a professor at the University of Southampton, told the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency, referring to the epoch that started at the end of the last ice age 11,700 years ago.

"The sediment found at the bottom of the Crawford Lake provides an exquisite record of recent environmental change over the last millennia," said AWG chair Simon Turner, a professor at University College London.

"It is this ability to precisely record and store this information as a geological archive that can be matched to historical global environmental changes."

Anthropocene not yet recognized by international commission

The members of the working group plan to present the findings to the International Commission on Stratigraphy in order to get the Anthropocene epoch formally recognized.

There has been disagreement within the scientific community on when this period began, or whether it has begun, and the evidence required to demonstrate it.

"At present, we've had 70 years of the Anthropocene," AWG chair Colin Waters said. "That has been long enough, because of the rapidity of the change and the preciseness of it, to recognize that we've moved into this new Earth state, and that it should be defined by a new geological epoch."

"Clearly the biology of the planet has changed abruptly," Waters said. "We cannot go back to a Holocene state now."

Holocene derives from the ancient Greek words for "whole" and "new," with the name chosen to denote the vastly changed characteristics on Earth as the last Ice Age ended. Anthropocene meanwhile derives from the Greek for "human" and "new."
Actor Alia Bhatt attended an event in Mumbai today. The Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani actor, known for her elegant and minimalistic approach to fashion, stunned in a black embellished saree for the occasion. She styled the six yards with a sleeveless blouse, statement-making accessories, and minimal makeup picks. Netizens loved her traditional avatar and showered her with compliments. Check out Alia's snippets from the event below. Alia Bhatt stuns in a black saree and minimal makeup at an event. (Instagram)

Alia Bhatt creates magic in a black saree

A paparazzi page took to Instagram to share a video of Alia Bhatt, who gave birth to her and Ranbir Kapoor's baby girl Raha last year, arriving at an Amazon Prime Video event for their new series Mission Start Ab. The clip shows Alia entering the venue, dressed in her beauteous and elegant black saree and a sleeveless blouse. The paparazzi pages also posted Alia's pictures from the event.

The Internet loves Raha's cute mommy

Alia's pictures and video garnered several likes and comments from her fans. One called her 'Raha's cute mommy'. Another wrote, "Prettiest girl Alia." A fan commented, "One of the best actors of Bollywood." Another remarked, "Her in saree>>>>." A user wrote, "Such a beautiful girl."

Alia Bhatt's saree look decoded

Alia's black saree features a contrasting black and white striped border and polka dot gold-coloured embellishments. The star draped it around her frame elegantly in traditional style, wrapping the pallu around her arms.

Alia wore the six yards with a matching black sleeveless blouse featuring a plunging V neckline, cropped silhouette, and a fitted bust. Lastly, she chose dangling gold sun earrings, statement rings, and high heels to accessorise the ethnic outfit.

Lastly, Alia rounded it off with minimal makeup picks, including kohl-lined eyes, mascara on the lashes, subtle eye shadow, feathered brows, rouged cheekbones, a dewy base, light contouring, and beaming highlighter. A centre-parted braided hairdo gave the finishing touch.
Actor Janhvi Kapoor is busy promoting her upcoming film Bawaal with Varun Dhawan. Janhvi has left no stone unturned to serve back-to-back head-turning fashionable avatars during the promotions. Her latest look features a colourful sequinned bodycon midi dress. Janhvi later slipped into a lavender-coloured ribbed co-ord ensemble to arrive at the Mumbai airport with Varun. The star proved she is the It Girl that can slay both - glamorous and casual - style statements. Scroll through to see her snippets. Janhvi Kapoor stuns in two gorgeous looks for Bawaal promotions and returning to Mumbai with Varun Dhawan. (Instagram)

Janhvi Kapoor in a sequinned bodycon dress

Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan kickstarted Bawaal promotions in Dubai. Janhvi did several outfit changes during the promotional activities, and one of the looks featured her in a sequinned floral bodycon midi dress. She shared pictures of her glamorous look on Instagram and garnered several compliments from her fans. Her best friend Orhan Awatramani commented, "Pretty gurrl in her pretty wurllldddd." Check out the pictures below.

Janhvi's black midi dress features noodle straps, a plunging square neckline, a figure-hugging silhouette highlighting her curves, and shimmering sequin embellishments in black, pink, yellow, orange and green hues. She accessorised the dress with high heels and statement rings. Lastly, centre-parted open wavy locks, mauve lip shade, kohl-lined eyes, mascara on the lashes, and dewy blushed skin completed the glam picks.

Janhvi Kapoor's airport look

Janhvi Kapoor returned to Mumbai from Dubai with Varun Dhawan. The paparazzi clicked the co-stars' pictures and shared the snippets on social media. While Varun chose a comfy all-black tracksuit set for his arrival in the bay, Janhvi slayed airport fashion in a lavender-coloured co-ord ribbed tank top and pants. While the blouse has cropped hem, fitted silhouette, and a plunging neckline, the pants come with a high-rise waist and flared hem.

Janhvi styled the ensemble with an orange box-shaped shoulder bag, beige loafers, and rings. In the end, centre-parted open wavy locks, nude lip shade, mascara on the lashes, rouged cheeks, a dewy base, and feathered brows rounded off the glam picks with the airport look.
Iceland began admitting people to the site of a volcanic eruption after most noxious gases dissipated. Lava emerges from a fissure of the Fagradalsfjall volcano near the Litli-Hrutur mountain, some 30 kilometers (19 miles) southwest of Reykjavik, Iceland, Monday July 10, 2023. Iceland opens access to volcanic eruption site as fumes subside, more visitors still expected (AP Photo/Marco Di Marco)

Some 24 hours after magma flows started in the uninhabited area on the Reykjanes Peninsula, the eruption had quieted enough to allow crowds near the site, according to the Civil Protection Services. The fissure is near the spot where previous eruptions happened in 2021 and 2022, for the first time in about 800 years in that area.

People started flocking to the site when access was opened at 3 p.m. local time on Tuesday, with more visitors still expected, according to spokeswoman Hjordis Gudmundsdottir at the Civil Protection Services.

The intensity of the eruption by Litli-Hrutur mountain on Reykjanes has decreased dramatically, the Met Office said on Tuesday, adding that no volcanic ash is being produced.

Close to the eruption, the main hazards are incandescent, flowing lava and volcanic gases, officials said, warning people that new eruption fissures may open near the existing vents with very little notice and that dangerous and potentially fatal gas levels may accumulate in low areas.

The island nation, which calls itself the land of fire and ice, has 30 volcanic systems and more than 600 hot springs. It is one of the most geologically active places on earth due to its position on the mid-Atlantic ridge where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.

One of the most disruptive volcanic eruptions in Icelands recent history occurred in 2010, when Eyjafjallajokull in the southern part of the country erupted in an explosion that released a plume of ash so vast that it grounded air traffic across Europe for weeks, resulting in the cancellation of 100,000 flights and affecting over 10 million people.

According to geologists, the eruption that began on Monday around 19 miles (30 kilometers) from the countrys capital is effusive and likely to stay that way, meaning no ash plume is expected. Given the area is uninhabited, no infrastructure is at risk.

Tourism is one of Icelands main industries, and businesses use lava flows to attract travelers. Airlines tend to use captivating images of lava streams and local guides market hikes to active areas. In the past, some have even fried hot dogs and marshmallows on the magma.

Those wishing to see the sight would have to prepare for a hike of about 20 kilometers (12 miles) in rocky terrain without footpaths, in a country where weather conditions can change rapidly, officials said.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday requested the people of the state and the pilgrims to avoid unnecessary journeys in view of continuous rainfall in the state. Kanwariyas, the devotees of Hindu god Shiva, carry holy water from river Ganges as they walk through a flooded street during their 'Kanwar Yatra' pilgrimage after heavy rains in Haridwar, in India's Uttarakhand state. (Photo by AFP)

In view of continuous rains in all areas of the state, I request all the people of the state and pilgrims to avoid making unnecessary journeys. Im overseeing the condition of roadways and rain from all the districts 24 hours a day from the State Disaster Control Room. The district administration and SDRF have been instructed to remain on high alert in all the districts, CM Dhami shared in a tweet.

The chief minister further shared the disaster relief numbers issued by the state to help citizens stranded in different places including Himachal Pradesh due to the heavy rains and flash floods.

Our government has issued disaster relief numbers to help the citizens of Uttarakhand stranded in different places of the state and Himachal Pradesh. For any help, you can contact on the following numbers - 9411112985, 01352717380, 01352712685. Apart from this, you can also message on WhatsApp number- 9411112780, he said.

Meanwhile, the Central Flood Control Room in Dehradun informed that the water level of most of the rivers in the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions including Haridwar has touched the danger mark due to continuous heavy rains in the state. Further, they added that the water level in dams and reservoirs has reached almost close to the danger mark.

Further, Uttarakhand's Chamoli Police informed that the Pokhri-Karnprayag road has been completely closed due to debris from the rain.

"The work of removing debris with the help of a JCB is in progress by the concerned executive body RGB. It may take more than 24 hours to open the road...Please be patient...", the Chamoli police shared in a tweet.

Earlier today, a road in Dharali on the National Highway towards Gangotri was washed away due to the surge of Kheer Ganga. Uttarkashi district administration said that efforts are on to open the closed road for the last 12 hours amid heavy rains.

Also, in view of the alert of the Meteorological Department, the duty officer of the State Emergency Operation Center has asked the Tourism Development Council to take precautions for the safety of the passengers and on the pedestrian routes while operating the Char Dham Yatra.

Earlier the officials informed that the Kedarnath Yatra has been stopped at Uttarakhand's Sonprayag and Gaurikund due to continuous heavy rains.

In view of the safety of the passengers, the district administration stopped the passengers at Sonprayag and Gaurikund due to continuous bad weather.

Due to rain, four state roads and 10 link roads are closed due to debris. Due to heavy rains, Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers are in spate, the officials said.

Amid the heavy rains in Uttarakhand, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for July 12 on Monday.

"Orange Alert: #Uttarakhand and adjoining areas of Western #UttarPradesh likely to get Heavy to Very heavy rainfall (115.6 to 204.4mm) on 12th July", IMD shared in a tweet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modis first State visit to the United States (US) will be remembered as a pivotal moment as it yielded agreements in the high technology sector that have the potential to shape the course of global affairs for years to come. Till date, pre-eminence in cutting-edge technologies has consistently served the US as a cornerstone of its global primacy. Washington DC would have suffered a jolt to see a recent study by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, sponsored by the US state department, that said that China now leads the US in research in 37 of the 44 critical and emerging technologies. These include artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, quantum computing, space, defence and advanced radiofrequency communications. PREMIUM The US and India continue to have some diverging views including regarding our strategic partnership with Russia(Arindam Bagchi Twitter)

Meanwhile, Indias digital transformation has undergone remarkable acceleration in recent years; the country has the fastest-growing digital economy, with the third largest start-up ecosystem. We are also home to an ever-increasing cohort of a young and technically skilled workforce that could cater to domestic and global needs. However, we lack key strands in many next-generation technology sectors. Over time, these emerging areas have the potential to disrupt even the industries where we have built strengths. The US could be an ideal partner to provide the technology, and capital required to develop these vital areas. Digital products and solutions thus co-created could enhance our indigenous capacity, cater to the global markets, and allow us to fit better into global supply chains.

Against this backdrop, President Joe Biden and PM Modi in 2022 conceptualised the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET). Major technology cooperation agreements during the PMs State visit all fit under this framework. For instance, American chipmaker Micron Technology proposed to set up a $2.75 billion testing and assembling centre in India. Micron chips were recently banned by China from being used by critical infrastructure operators, seen as a retaliation against the new US export controls that prohibits the sale of advanced technology to China. Microns new project could meet American objectives of de-risking from China, diversifying supply chains, and making fresh inroads into our fast-growing market. US semiconductor toolmaker Applied Materials has also agreed to invest $ 400 million and set up a state-of-the-art engineering centre. These initiatives will bolster our know-how to make chips that are ubiquitous with every piece of hardware.

The defence sector inked noteworthy agreements, including the understanding between GE and HAL to transfer technology of the F-414 jet engines, which will be manufactured in India. Described as the crown jewel of the US defence industry, the engines will be integrated with our Tejas MK 2 Light Combat Aircrafts. These engines could also be modified to be used in our indigenous 5th-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. The US also offered us the MQ 9 Reaper drones with surveillance, submarine detection and combat capability, with some components that could be made in India. INDUS-X, an accelerator programme for encouraging mutually beneficial defence innovations was launched. Willingness to share closely guarded technologies with India is a sign of growing trust as well as strategic convergence. An India that could be a security and stability provider in the immediate Indian Ocean neighbourhood fits the American strategic calculus.

India also joined the US-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP). This was established to accelerate the development of diverse and sustainable critical minerals supply chains globally. Building blocks of high technology, this segment is dominated by China. Epsilon Carbon Limited would invest $650 million in a synthetic graphite anode processing facility, the largest Indian investment in the US electric vehicle battery industry. A White House factsheet on the visit mentioned new joint coordination mechanisms on AI and quantum computing. An Emerging Renewable Energy Technologies Action platform was announced to accelerate cooperation in green hydrogen and other renewable energy sources. India has ongoing national missions in these fields. Joint working groups were created on advanced communications, focussing on standards cooperation, and the building of an Open Radio Access Network (RAN) in 5G / 6G. India inked the Artemis Accords for space exploration collaborations, and NASA and ISRO have agreed to work on human spaceflight cooperation. The knowledge base of Indias scientific and innovator communities in these emerging transformative areas could enhance from these initiatives.

The US and India continue to have some diverging views including regarding our strategic partnership with Russia. However, recent statements and actions from the US administration show a growing understanding of the Indian worldview, and the realisation that multilateralism and multi-alignment based on common interests are inevitable in an emerging multipolar world. A joint statement issued after the State visit emphasised that technology would play a defining role in deepening the partnerships between the two countries. With China threatening to take an unassailable lead in this sector, it would be in the best interests of both democracies to collaborate and draw on complementary strengths, so that they effectively compete in critical and emerging technologies that can drive economies, societies and security frameworks of our future.

Anil K Antony is a policy commentator, graduate of Stanford University, and a member of the BJP. The views expressed are personal.
After a UK resident heard a 'woman screaming' in their neighborhood, they quickly rushed to call the police. Soon, the Essex Police dispatched three vehicles to Steve Wood's home in Canvey Island on Tuesday, July 11. However, when the police reached the scene, they were stunned to discover that the 'screaming woman' was in fact a noisy parrot. 3 police cars rushed to find 'screaming woman' only to discover it was a parrot.(Unsplash)

Steve Woods, a man from Canvey Island has kept birds for 21 years. He currently has budgies, blue-and-gold macaws, a Hahn's macaw, two Amazon parrots, eight Indian ringnecks, and green-winged macaws among other species. Wood shared with BBC that his birds are generally vocal during morning, however on that particular day, one of the parrots, called Freddie was being particularly hormonal.

"I thought, 'Oh my God what have I done?' I opened the door to two laughing police officers, and they said, 'Don't worry mate, I think we've got this one sussed. I said, 'What have I done?', and they said, 'We have had a report that there is a woman screaming for help in your house, and we have come to check everything is OK.'" Wood told BBC Essex. He further added, "Police have done the right thing, and the caller has done the right thing - there is no bad feelings on my part."
Several places across India are experiencing incessant rainfall that has caused waterlogging. Various videos showing the effects of unprecedented rainfall are also being posted across social media. One such video shared from Chandigarh has gone viral. The video shows a man risking his own life to rescue a dog trapped in a flood-like situation under a bridge. Chandigarh police took to Twitter to share the video that shows the rescue operation. The image shows a man rescuing a dog in Chandigarh. (Twitter/@ssputchandigarh)

Kudos to the team of Fire department assisted by Chandigarh police team, a puppy stranded under Khuda Lahore bridge due to heavy water flow was rescued, they wrote. The department also added a few hashtags in their tweet. They are #EveryoneIsImportantForUs, #LetsBringTheChange, and #WeCareForYou.

The video opens to show an area flooded with water. A man is also seen perched on top of a ladder holding a dog. The video shows how the man carefully climbs the slanted ladder to take the pooch to safety.

Take a look at the rescue video:

The video was posted on July 10. Since being shared, the video has accumulated more than 97,000 views and the numbers are only increasing. Additionally, the tweet has gathered close to 1,500 likes. People posted various comments while reacting to the video.

Heres how Twitter users reacted to the rescue video:

Good job, praised a Twitter user. Kudos, shared another. Wow, joined a third. Thank you for the compassion, added a fourth. Thank you. Big salute, wrote a fifth. A few reacted to the video with folded hands or heart emoticons.

On July 10, Chandigarh recorded its highest 24-hour rainfall after nearly 23 years. Also, for the first time in the history of the Union Territory, the Sukhna Lake overflowed and eventually the floodgates of the waterbody were opened.
Mica Renee's search for her would-be love on TikTok took an unexpected twist when she discovered that her seaside Romeo was, in fact, a married man. The Pennsylvania woman, known for her modeling and travel blogging, never anticipated that her plea for help would go viral, much less lead her to connect with the man's wife. The Post spoke exclusively with Renee about the bewildering ordeal. Viral TikTok love story gone wrong: Woman finds seaside romeo is married(AP)

"I was shocked to find out he had a wife," Renee, 28, revealed. "And I never expected my video would go viral. I just thought if he was found, we'd reconnect and maybe exchange numbers."

In the now-trending TikTok video, viewed over 4.6 million times, Renee can be seen frolicking on Miami Beach when her unknown admirer approaches. The video showcases their flirtatious banter, complete with laughter, hand-holding, and hugs set to the backdrop of Mint Condition's classic R&B hit, "Pretty Brown Eyes."

"He walked right into the ocean to introduce himself to me," Renee gushed in the video's captions, expressing her sheer elation.

Despite her excitement, Renee confessed to losing her chance encounter's contact information. Eager to reunite with her Miami love, she turned to TikTok's vast community for assistance. However, fate had a different plan in store.

Shortly after Renee's video gained traction, she received an unexpected message from the man's wife, Sharee, confirming his marital status. In an update post, Renee shared a screenshot of her conversation with Sharee, who graciously disclosed her husband's number with a wry comment: "Tell him Sharee gave you the number."

Admitting her regret, Renee promptly apologized to Sharee. Surprisingly, Sharee seemed unfazed by the revelation, expressing gratitude for the exposure of her husband's infidelity. "It's not your fault," Sharee assured Renee. "But thank you for posting this. Everything done in the dark will always come to the light."

Sharee, a devoted mother of four from Michigan, requested that Renee refrain from deleting the incriminating video. "Can you not delete the video?" she pleaded. "I don't want him lying about this too." Renee readily agreed, eager to support Sharee in her time of turmoil.

Reflecting on the situation, Renee empathized with Sharee's plight, acknowledging the importance of respectful communication between the two women. Meanwhile, the married man known as AJ, a fitness trainer, took to TikTok to vehemently deny the alleged affair. Accusing Renee of falsehoods, he adamantly proclaimed his innocence, suggesting that she seek professional help for her "crazy" behavior.

In response, a dismayed Renee expressed her hope that married men would refrain from approaching single women while urging caution regarding online interactions. "I never expected my fun lighthearted video would go viral," she confessed.
Hong Kong: Govt condemns smears by UK, US

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government strongly opposed and condemned the UK and US for misleading the public again by making despicable smears against the Hong Kong SAR for faithfully implementing the National Security Law (NSL).

In a statement issued today, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the NSL was implemented to, in accordance with the law, prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security, however, the two countries misled the public by making despicable smears under the pretexts of the "foreign travel advice" and "national emergency.

It pointed out that as a highly international city, Hong Kong has frequent exchanges and close liaison with other countries, regions and relevant international organisations. Such normal exchange activities are protected by the Basic Law and the laws of Hong Kong.

What the NSL regulates is the use of Hong Kong by foreign countries or external elements to carry out acts and activities endangering national security, which is obviously different from normal exchange activities.

The NSL has provided clear definition to the specific elements of four categories of offences and no one, including tourists, will unwittingly breach the law.

The Hong Kong SAR Government said the UK has manipulated its foreign travel advice system into a political instrument, creating the illusion that all tourists coming to Hong Kong will be regarded as culprits endangering national security, thereby affecting normal travel. Such action bears ulterior motives and is extremely appalling and irresponsible.

It also emphasised that the US has blatantly and repeatedly breached the international law and the basic norms underpinning international relations, and wantonly interfered with the internal affairs of the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong matters by extending again the so called national emergency with respect to Hong Kong. Such an act is arbitrary and unreasonable.

The Hong Kong SAR Government added that the US has time and again made skewed remarks about Hong Kong's situation and imposed such sanctions on Hong Kong pursuant to its domestic law, attempting to interfere with Hong Kong's law-based governance and undermine the city's rule of law as well as its prosperity and stability. Their despicable plots are doomed to fail.

Apart from noting that it despises the so-called national emergency with respect to Hong Kong and sanctions and shall not be intimidated, the statement pointed out that the Hong Kong Sar government will continue to resolutely discharge the responsibility of safeguarding national security.

It also highlighted that the scope of application of the NSL fully aligns with the principles of international law, international practice and common practice adopted in various countries and regions.

The Hong Kong SAR Government specified that such practice is both necessary and legitimate, and is also in line with those of other countries and regions around the world.

There are also numerous examples of extraterritorial application in the national security laws of other countries, including the UK and the US.

It stated that these countries make fact-twisting remarks against the extraterritorial application of the NSL while deliberately ignoring that of their own laws. It not only once again shows their double standards to the whole world, but also exposes their intention to put politics above everything.

The Hong Kong SAR Government solemnly urges the UK and US to discern fact from fallacy, immediately stop smearing and making skewed remarks regarding the implementation of the NSL and other situations in the Hong Kong SAR, and immediately refrain from interfering with the internal affairs of the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong matters.

This story has been published on: 2023-07-12. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Dynamic digital scroll reveals life a millennium ago Pub Date:2023-07-12 09:25 Source:CGTN "Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival," one of the greatest ink-washing paintings in Chinese history, has been brought to life thanks to the latest advances in digital technology. The 5.28-meter-long scroll by Song Dynasty painter Zhang Zeduan (10851145) is currently being displayed at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center in Guangxi, where a dynamic digital version of this famous panorama is being shown on vast digital screens. This digital "moving scroll" measures 128 meters long by 6.5 meters high, and is scaled up to a size hundreds of times larger than the original work. Among the city walls and numerous houses and trees, there are 1,068 moving figures, 73 ambling heads of cattle and 29 boats transporting goods and people  all helping to vividly depict the hustle and bustle of everyday life in Dongjing, the former capital of Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), which is now modern-day Kaifeng. The masterpiece is displayed in three sections based on specific scenes, namely the suburban landscape, the Bianhe River, and a street view of Dongjing. Visitors can gain a comprehensive understanding of how China used to look 1,000 years ago  from its booming economic development and flourishing business and trade to its highly-developed handicraft industries and complex transport networks. The exhibition runs from July 2 to August 27 in Nanning. After its debut at the Shanghai Expo in 2010, the moving scroll has travelled to Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand to meet the public. Editor:Zheng Chen

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In the modern era, it is possible to order anything online. From clothes, jewellery, and shoes, to food and daily groceries, whatever you wish to can be delivered to your home within minutes. And thanks to the convenience of ordering things online, now many even prefer to shop on the Internet rather than going outside. However, at times, when shopping online, one can end up receiving something they didn't order. Recently, something similar happened to a woman who ordered an Apple watch from Amazon. Woman orders Apple watch online, ends up receiving this...(Twitter/@Sanaya)

What happened to her order?

"NEVER ORDER FROM AMAZON!!! I ordered an @Apple watch series 8 from @amazon on 8th July. However, on the 9th I received a fake 'FitLife' watch. Despite several calls, @AmazonHelp refuses to budge. Refer to the pictures for more details. Get this resolved ASAP," shared Twitter user Sanaya. In the tweet, she also shared pictures of her order on Amazon and the product she received.

Take a look at Sanaya's post here:

This post was shared just a few hours ago. Since being posted, it has been viewed close to two lakh times. The share has also received more than 1,000 likes. After the tweet was shared, the official Twitter handle of Amazon Help also replied to it.

How did Amazon Help react to the post?

In a reply to Sanaya's tweet, Amazon help wrote, "We apologize for the inconvenience you've had with your order. Please reach out to us via DM. We will do our best to assist. Further, please dont provide your order/account details over DM as we consider them to be personal information."

Also Read: Gun-wielding robber apologises to victim, they make plans to reconnect

Check out what are others saying about this post here:

An individual commented, "I never trust these online portals for gadgets or expensive purchases. Nothing beats the satisfaction of trying and buying gadgets directly from stores." A second added, "You ordered Apple series 8, and you got FitLite! Unreal." A third shared, "This is nothing, their pick-up guy called me and picked up a shirt from my home, and then cancelled the pickup sighting the reason verification failed. When I called Amazon's customer care & shared call recordings they said that they will investigate. Then Amazon went silent." "They did same to me for shoes, no response for exchange," wrote a fourth.
Andrew Tate, the controversial social media influencer facing charges of rape, human trafficking, and leading an organized crime group in Romania, made an outrageous claim during an interview with Tucker Carlson. Tate boldly asserted that Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, had miraculously "cured Covid" when Russia invaded Ukraine. Andrew Tate gestures as he leaves the Bucharest Tribunal after the first hearing in their trial, meant to establish if they will remain under house arrest, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Romanian prosecutors charged on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, the Tate brothers and two other suspects with human trafficking, rape and organizing a criminal group for the sexual exploitation of women.(AP)

During the two-and-a-half-hour-long interview uploaded to Twitter, the former Fox News host gave a platform to Tate, despite the widespread allegations against him. The interview, which marked the debut episode of Carlson's new show, titled Tucker on Twitter, quickly garnered millions of views, sparking both outrage and criticism.

In a shocking statement, Tate expressed his gratitude to Putin, stating, "We should all give Putin credit for curing Covid. When his invasion happened, Covid went away." This outlandish claim caught the attention of viewers and added fuel to the already controversial nature of the interview.

Tate had previously hinted at this perspective on Twitter, responding to a tweet questioning the silence surrounding the Covid situation. In his response, Tate joked that Putin had taken over the news cycle with the Russia-Ukraine War suggesting that the Russian President had "cured Covid" through his actions.

Critics wasted no time in lambasting Carlson for granting Tate a platform without proper scrutiny or contextualization. The right-wing TV personality, who previously defended Tate and called his arrest a "human rights violation," invited further condemnation with this controversial interview. Many media personalities, journalists, and even conservative commentators voiced their disapproval of Carlson's decision.

During the interview, Carlson attempted to distance himself from the controversy, urging viewers to "make up your own mind" about Tate. The former kickboxer and social media influencer, notorious for promoting misogynistic views, has been under house arrest since his release from Romanian police custody on 31 March. Tate's brother Tristan and two associates also face charges in connection with the allegations.

Also Read | Andrew Tate on Kamala Harris, 'I don't think I've ever heard her put a compendious coherence sentence together'



Given the serious nature of the charges against Tate, his appearance on Carlson's show drew widespread criticism and raised concerns about the lack of scrutiny and accountability in providing a platform to controversial figures.

As the aftermath of this interview unfolds, the debate surrounding Tucker Carlson's decision to feature Andrew Tate continues to intensify. The public awaits further developments while grappling with the shocking claims made during this controversial interview.
Authorities in a St. Louis suburb in Missouri are on a mission to track down two teenage girls who orchestrated a mischievous prank that transformed a City Hall fountain into a frothy bubble bath. The escapade, caught on surveillance footage, resulted in a bubbly spectacle and an expensive cleanup operation for the town. Authorities in a St. Louis suburb in Missouri are on a mission to track down two teenage girls who orchestrated a mischievous prank that transformed a City Hall fountain into a frothy bubble bath.(For2Now)

The incident unfolded in front of Webster Grove City Hall just before a lively Fourth of July parade, as two mischievous teens brazenly poured laundry detergent into the fountain, unleashing a cascade of bubbles. The fountain quickly filled with approximately four inches of foam, and suds playfully shot out from the top, much to the amusement of onlookers who gleefully captured photos and even scooped up bubbles.

Costly Prank Takes Its Toll

While the prank seemed harmless on the surface, city officials were quick to point out the financial and environmental consequences. Webster Groves City Manager Dr. Marie Peoples emphasized that the soapy spectacle incurred costs for the taxpayers. Special chemicals and draining of the fountain are required to clean up the mess, wasting water and posing a setback to the city's sustainability efforts.

Image from security footage of Grove City Hall fountain.(For2Now)

This act of mischief is not an isolated incident, as similar pranks have occurred multiple times over the years. Each occurrence demands the attention of city employees and resources. Detective Paul Boudreau of the Webster Groves Police noted that the fountain-soaking requires around four hours of work from the public works department, involving additional chemicals to quell the suds.

Frustrated by the repeated pranks, authorities decided to release surveillance footage of the suspects in hopes of putting an end to the ongoing bubble-related mayhem.

Foamy Felons

Law enforcement is now actively seeking the teenage pranksters responsible for turning the City Hall fountain into a bubbly fiasco. The released surveillance video aims to generate leads and discourage future acts of vandalism that disrupt public property and drain valuable resources.

Also read | Fleeing slippery slopes! Landslide threat forces residents to evacuate 12 houses near Los Angeles

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China sent navy ships and a large group of warplanes, including fighter jets and bombers, toward Taiwan over two days, the islands defense ministry said on Wednesday, before its annual military exercises aimed at defending itself against a possible invasion. Of these, 55 planes and navy ships crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial boundary that had been considered a buffer between the island and mainland. (File)

The Chinese People's Liberation Army sent 38 warplanes and 9 navy vessels around Taiwan, between 6 a.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday. From Wednesday morning until noon time, the military flew another 30 planes, among which included J-10 and J-16 fighters.

Of these, 32 crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial boundary that had been considered a buffer between the island and mainland. Later on Wednesday, another 23 planes crossed the midline.

Taiwan is scheduled to hold the annual Han Guang exercise later this month, in which its military will hold combat readiness drills against preventing an invasion. It will also conduct the annual Wan'an exercises aimed at preparing civilians for natural disasters and practicing evacuations in case of an air raid.

China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and in recent years has shown is displeasure at political activities in Taiwan by stepping up the number of military planes sent toward Taiwan. In the past year, it has also started sending its navy vessels, as well as drones to circle the waters near the island.

In Tuesday and Wednesday's maneuvers, the PLA flew H-6 bombers in a large loop to the south of Taiwan, traveling past the island before looping back towards China's southern coast.

Its largest military drills in recent years were in response to former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan last August. It fired missiles over the island in a significant escalation and the military exercises disrupted trade lanes in the Taiwan Strait and forced airplanes to reroute their flights.

In April, the PLA held large-scale combat readiness drills in the air and waters around Taiwan in response to the island's President Tsai Ing-wen meeting with the current US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

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TORONTO: A prominent temple in Canadas Greater Toronto Area or GTA has expressed concern about an increase in anti-India and anti-Hindu activities in the country including defacement by pro-Khalistan elements and sought the intervention of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Pro-Khalistan referendum posters dumped at the Bharat Mata Mandir in the Greater Toronto Area in June

In a letter to Trudeau on Tuesday, Jeff Lal, president of the Bharat Mata Mandir in Brampton, said the board of directors of the temple wanted to express their deep concerns at the recent increase in anti-India and anti-Hindu activities.

We are troubled by the alarming increase in hatred and the apparent lack of action by Canadian authorities to address this issue at its roots before it spirals out of control, Lal said in his letter to Trudeau. It urged the prime minister to to take immediate and necessary steps to address this issue.

The letter comes days after a set of posters, titled War Zone, were spotted in front of the temple on Friday. These posters targeted Indias high commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma and consul general in Toronto Apoorva Srivastava and were removed by temple volunteers.

This was the second time in a month that the temple was thus targeted. In June, another poster promoting the so-called Punjab Referendum organised by the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice was also placed in font of the temple. The posters supported an anti-India demonstration outside the Indian Consulate in Toronto on Saturday, July 8.

Lal told HT said he felt the temple was being repeatedly targeted because of its name.

He said priests lived on the temple complex and there were legitimate worries over their safety. Lal added thart the temple authorities will circulate the letter sent to Trudeau to all Canadian MPs and as well as members of the Ontario legislature.

On July 8, violence broke out at pro- and anti-India rallies outside the Indian consulate in Toronto.

About 250 Khalistani supporters who gathered across the street from the building housing Indian consulate over the death of Sikhs for Justice leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18. The posters alleged the Indian establishments role behind the murder. The pro-Khalistan group was countered by a pro-India rally spot across the street. The two sides were separated by the Toronto police personnel,

Nijjar was alleged to be the head of the Khalistan Tiger Force by Indian law enforcement and faced several terror-related charges, while being the principal SFJ figure in the Metro Vancouver region. However, none of the charges against him were tested in Canadian courts and SFJ has maintained it does not use violence.

India on July 3 Canadian envoy Cameron Mackay was summoned to the external affairs ministry in New Delhi over the activities of pro-Khalistan groups, and served a demarche over the threat to Indian diplomats.

Our sense is that these posters inciting violence against our diplomats and our diplomatic premises abroad are unacceptable and we condemn them in the strongest terms, external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on July 6.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anirudh Bhattacharyya Anirudh Bhattacharya is a Toronto-based commentator on North American issues, and an author. He has also worked as a journalist in New Delhi and New York spanning print, television and digital media. He tweets as @anirudhb. ...view detail
The five people who died aboard the Titan submersible were possibly aware of the impending implosion between 48 and 71 seconds before it occurred, an expert said, describing the situation as a horror movie. OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, along with British billionaire Hamish Harding, French diver Paul Henry Nargeolet, and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman, after as a result of a catastrophic implosion of the Titan. Debris from the Titan submersible, recovered from the ocean floor near the wreck of the Titanic, is unloaded from the ship Horizon Arctic at the Canadian Coast Guard pier in St. John's, Newfoundland (Paul Daly/The Canadian Press via AP, File)(AP)

During the controlled immersion of the Titan, there must have been an electrical fault, which left the craft without thrust, Spanish engineer and underwater expert Jose Luis Martin told the Spanish news outlet NIUS. Without thrust, the weight of the passengers and the pilot (about 400 kilograms), which was focused on the front end close to the view port, would have disrupted the Titans longitudinal stability.

Jose said that the malfunction could have likely happened at a depth of about 5,500 feet. At this point, the submersible begins to fall headlong towards the seafloor, and with control and safety functions damaged, it can no longer be maneuvered, he theorised. The pilot (OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush) couldnt activate the emergency lever to drop weights (and return to the surface).

The Titan changes position and falls like an arrow vertically because the 400 kilos (880 pounds) of passengers that were at the porthole unbalance the submersible, Jose said. Everyone rushes and crowds on top of each other. Imagine the horror, the fear, and the agony. It had to be like a horror movie.

Jose believes everything happened during 48 to 71 seconds of free fall. During this time, the group likely understood the seriousness of the situation.

In that period of time, they are realizing everything. And whats more, in complete darkness. Its difficult to get an idea of what they experienced in those moments, Jose said. As it fell to the depths of the ocean, the hull would have been subjected to a sudden increase in underwater pressure. This led to a powerful compression of the carbon-fibre hull of the vessel.

The rapid contraction of the hull would have been out of step with what was happening to the [acrylic] material of the viewport  leading to a micro-fissure and implosion, Jose said. After those 48 seconds, or one minute, the implosion and instantaneous sudden death occurs. Many have notably said structural issues with the hull may have caused the implosion.

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Suspected Islamist militants armed with guns, hand grenades and rockets attacked a military base in southern Pakistan on Wednesday, killing at least four soldiers, the army and security officials said. Several militants stormed the military base in Northern Balochistan's Zhob district in the early hours, the army said. (AP/ Representative image )

Another five soldiers were critically wounded, the army said in a statement. At least three militants were killed in retaliatory fire, and an operation was underway to apprehend two other attackers, it said.

Several militants stormed the military base in Northern Balochistan's Zhob district in the early hours, the army said.

Three security officials said the militants fought a gun battle for several hours after hurling hand grenades inside a military mess.

"Initial attempt of terrorists to sneak into the facility was checked by soldiers on duty," the army said, and added that "in ensuing heavy exchange of fire, the terrorists have been contained into a small area at the boundary."

A newly founded Islamist group called Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP) claimed responsibility, saying in a statement it would release the pictures and videos of their fighters who took part in the attack.

The mineral rich southern province that borders Afghanistan and Iran has faced a decades old ethnic separatist insurgency.

Islamist militants, who aim to overthrow the government and install their own brand of strict Islamic law in the predominantly Muslim nation of 220 million, have also been active in the province.

They have stepped up attacks since revoking a ceasefire agreement with the government in late 2022, including the boimbing of a mosque in the northwestern city of Peshawar that killed more than 100 people in January.

Islamabad says militants have rebased their operations to Afghanistan, which Kabul denies.

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Joe Biden skipped Tuesdays NATO dinner with other world leaders as the summit kicked off. The White House said that the president had four full workdays and needed to prepare for a speech. This is the third time that the US president has skipped a dinner with world leaders while on an international trip, Fox News reported. US president Joe Biden(AFP)

When the White House was asked for a comment on Joe Biden skipping the NATO dinner, it did not respond, the report claimed. The US president was earlier seen on a beach near his Delaware home ahead of the NATO summit after spending the last two weekends with his son Hunter Biden at Camp David, the report claimed.

The White House later clarified that the US president skipped the NATO dinner because he has four full days of work ahead of him, not behind him, and will be delivering a speech after being questioned about the beach visit.

At the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Ukraine will be present. The country's president Volodymyr Zelensky lamented that the alliance continues to keep his country from joining it. Its unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraines membership, Zelensky tweeted, adding, While at the same time, vague wording about conditions is added even for inviting Ukraine. It seems there is no readiness to invite Ukraine to NATO or to make it a member of the Alliance."

Joe Biden earlier told CNN that he does not support Ukraine joining the alliance during its present war with Russia saying that there are certain issues with Ukraine's eligibility such as a lack of democratization. There should be "a rational path for Ukraine to be able to qualify to be able to get into NATO," he 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
A Miami girl, 6, bravely fought off a kidnapper outside her apartment, police have said. The girl, Ahlyric, and her siblings were playing in the courtyard of their complex last week. They soon noticed a white Range Rover parked nearby, an arrest report obtained by NBC South Florida said. Leonardo Venegas (L) attempted to abduct Ahlyric (Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation, NBC News screenshot)

While the other children went inside, Ahlyric stayed on the staircase outside. A man shortly approached her and grabbed her arm, the child told police. The suspect was later identified as 32-year-old Leonardo Venegas.

The girl tried to free herself and escape, but the man attempted to pick her up and carry her away, according to police. She then bit Leonardos arm. I bit him, Ahlyric said, adding that her her mother taught her the defence tactic. The suspect dropped her, and slapped her before fleeing.

"Im glad she knew how to fight back," her mother Teshia McGill said. Surveillance footage showed the car at the complex. The man was also seen fleeing the scene soon after. Leonardo was taken into custody after a licence plate reader captured the Range Rover's tag.

Leonardo reportedly told investigators he was looking to buy houses in the area. He said he began running after he heard someone screaming. However, upon being asked about his interaction with the girl, he said he wanted an attorney. He was booked into jail and remained held without bond.

"This is a case that has us extremely worried, concerned, something that's not very common," Miami Police Capt. Freddie Cruz said. "Luckily we were able to apprehend this individual."

Offering tips to keep children safe while they are outside, Freddie said, If you're going to be playing outside, which is a wonderful thing, please, try to play in groups, try to have an adult present, some sort of supervision, know where your children or if you're a guardian, know where they are at.

Freddie further said they are investigating to find out if there are more victims. "This is obviously something very disturbing, again, something that's not very common in the city of Miami," he said.

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Three female managers of a cheese factory have been arrested in Kenya for allegedly forcing employees to undress to determine who among them was on periods. The incident took place on July 3 at Browns Food Companys dairy factory in Limuru after a used sanitary towel was found in the wrong bin. This undated photo shows women rights activists protesting at the entrance of Browns dairy factory in Limuru, in central Kenya.(The Guardian)

After the reports of the incident surfaced online, activists demonstrated outside company offices, sticking sanitary towels on the gates in protest against the humiliating treatment the workers had faced, reported The Guardian.

Days after, the company issued a statement in which it deplored the incident and termed the action by their managers as a distressing unilateral decision.

Browns is a women-led business and works hard to provide a working environment that is safe for all employees. Browns has formal HR policies and systems in place and this incident does not reflect the procedures of the company as a whole. We realise we must do better and understand how this happened, the company said.

The public is holding us accountable and we will continue to update you on the progress which is being made and the resolution to those affected.

The company said it was talking to Gloria Orwoba, a senator known for campaigning against period shaming, to learn from her how best to implement a menstrual hygiene management policy.

In February, Orwoba was asked to leave parliament because of an apparent period stain on her trousers.

The Institute of Human Resource Management said it was deeply concerned and shocked by the allegations and it would conduct a probe into the unprofessional conduct.

Kenyan MP Anne Muratha demanded that the women subjected to the strip search be compensated, amid calls by other representatives for serious actions to be taken against the company.

Incidents of period shaming are not new in Kenya but have rather had damaging consequences in the country. A 14-year-old girl allegedly died by suicide in 2019 after her teacher embarrassed her for staining her uniform when she got her first period.

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The US justice department reversed a holding first made by the department during Donald Trump's term in office saying that the former president is not immune from a second defamation suit by writer E. Jean Carroll who in May won a $5 million judgement against him for sexual abuse and defamation. Another defamation suit by her is pending against him for comments he made about the commentator during his presidency. Former US president Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a campaign event.(AFP)

The Department of Justice told lawyers for Donald Trump and E. Jean Carroll that it has "determined that it lacks adequate evidence to conclude that the former US president was acting within the scope of his employment as president or serving a government function when he criticized the writer.

This means that another defamation trial against Donald Trump can be held. Additionally, the Justice Department will not help defend Donald Trump at the upcoming defamation trial.

The Justice Department also said new evidence against Donald Trump has surfaced since he left office, adding that it supports an inference that Mr. Trump was motivated by a personal grievance stemming from events that occurred many years prior to Mr. Trumps presidency."

What was E. Jean Carroll's lawsuit against Donald Trump?

E. Jean Carroll talked about Donald Trump's alleged sexual assault in a 2019 memoir, accusing him of attacking her in a New York department store more than 20 years ago. Donald Trump has alleged that he did not know E. Jean Carroll and accused her of making up a story to hurt him politically.

A jury found Donald Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, assessing damages up to $5 million- a verdict which has been appealed by the former president. E. Jean Carroll has asked for more damages over Donald Trump's comments after the trial.

On DOJ's reversal, E. Jean Carroll's lawyer said that they are grateful that "the Department of Justice has reconsidered its position."

"We have always believed that Donald Trump made his defamatory statements about our client in June 2019 out of personal animus, ill will, and spite, and not as President of the United States," Robbie Kaplan 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
International Malala Day is observed every year on July 12 to celebrate the life and legacy of Pakistani education activist and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai. A symbol of the fight for girls' education, Malala was first recognized globally on October 9, 2012, when she was shot in the head and neck by a Taliban gunman. Malala Yousafzai

History of World Malala Day

The United Nations first celebrated International Malala Day on July 12, 2013 - a year after she was shot by a Taliban gunman in Pakistan for opposing their restrictions on female education in the country. The meeting of the UN was addressed by former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who was then serving as UN Special Envoy for Global Education. The day also coincides with Malala's birthday.

According to the UN, the day calls for several world leaders to ensure free and mandatory education for girl children. It emphasizes that education is not a privilege but a fundamental right for everyone.

Significance of World Malala Day

Malala Day holds a great significance that highlights the importance of education and women's rights. The day serves as a reminder that individual determination and standing up for one's beliefs can have a profound impact on the world. On this day, people bring attention to the plight of millions of children who are still denied access to quality education.

About Malala Yousafzai

Born on July 12, 1997, Malala is a Pakistani activist and a Nobel Prize laureate. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 at just the age of 17 for her advocacy of girls education.

In 2009, Malala had begun writing a blog under a pseudonym about the increasing military activity in her hometown and about fears that her school would be attacked, wrote the UN on their website. After her identity was revealed, Malala and her father Ziauddin continued to speak out for the right to education.

In 2013, she and her father co-founded the Malala Fund to bring awareness to the social and economic impact of girls' education and to empower girls to demand change.

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After a senior Pakistani journalist asked questions from the country's prime minister about freedom of expression, he was fired, ARY News reported. Azam Chaudhry was expelled from state-owned PTV after he enquired about tacit restrictions that the Pakistani media faces. He said that he was fired hours after raising the questions during a press conference on June 30 at Punjab governors House during which Shehbaz Sharif was accompanied by two ministers- Ishaq Dar and Marriyum Aurangzeb. Pakistan: Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif is seen.(Reuters)

Azam Chaudhry reportedly told the PM that the media is unable to function independently despite the ruling coalition parties, including PML(N) and PPP, supporting freedom of expression.

"The current period is the worst related to restrictions," he told the prime minister, asking when and how the restrictions on the media will end. Shehbaz Sharif deflected the question and asked Azam Chaudhry to voice his concerns with the information minister.

"If you have something legitimate to say, please speak up," he said.

Pakistans information minister Marriyum Aurangzeb refuted the journalists claims saying that he was never hired by PTV as a permanent or contract employee.

I know Azam Chaudhry and am aware of his views but despite this, he was invited to [PM Shehbaz] presser and allowed to ask a question, Marriyum Aurangzeb said adding that if the Shehbaz Sharif government had any problem with the journalist's views, he would not have been invited to the press conference.

Azam Chaudhry is still part of the same panel at the state broadcaster, the minister said.

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The five Mexican nationals killed in a helicopter crash in eastern Nepal near Mount Everest on Tuesday visited India before touring the Himalayan nation for sightseeing. All six people aboard a tourist helicopter in Nepal were killed when it crashed soon after take-off in the Everest region on July 11, aviation authorities said. (AFP)

The Manang Air helicopter 9N-AMV took off from Surke Airport in Solukhumbu district at 10:04 am for Kathmandu on Tuesday and suddenly lost contact at an altitude above 12,000 feet at 10:13 am.

The helicopter crashed in the Lamjura area of Likhupike Rural Municipality in the remote mountainous Solukhumbu district.

The deceased pilot has been identified as Captain CB Gurung, a Nepali national. The five passengers killed in the crash  all of them Mexican nationals  were identified as Fernando Sifuentes (95), Abril Sifuentes Gonzalez (72), Luz Gonzalez Olacio (65), Maria Jose Sifuentes (52) and Ismael Rincon (98).

The family also visited India as one of the victims, Abril Sifuentes Gonzalez, on July 5 posted a photo of herself on a social media platform in front of the Taj Mahal days before the accident.

Mexicos Ambassador to India Federico Salas said that the victims were family members originally from Nuevo Leon, according to Mexican News Daily.

It was a family of five people, in effect, who were tourists. They went to Nepal. (...) They were a father and mother and three children. (...) The parents and children were adults, they were not little ones, Salas was quoted as saying by the Infobae Mexico.

Meanwhile, the bodies have been airlifted to Kathmandu and are kept at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital for post-mortem, Gyanendra Bhul, Information Officer at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), The Himalayan Times newspaper was quoted as saying.

Speaking to the media in Janakpurdham, Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Minister Sudan Kirati announced that the government would conduct a comprehensive investigation to uncover the factors that led to this unfortunate incident.

"All the deceased passengers were from the same Mexican family and had flown to the Khumbu region yesterday for mountain flight as well to observe Sherpa culture," Director of Manang Air, Mukti Pandey said.

Nepal's tourist and mountaineering season ended in May. The flights carrying tourists to the mountains are less common this time of year as visibility is poor and weather conditions fickle.

Founded in 1997, Manang Air is a helicopter airline based in Kathmandu. It has been operating helicopters in commercial air transportation within the Nepalese territory under the Regulation of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.

The company provides chartered services and is focused on personalised services such as adventure flights, helicopter excursions or expedition work.

Nepal has had a fraught record of aviation accidents, partly due to its sudden weather changes and airstrips located in hard-to-access rocky terrains.

According to the record of CAAN, 35 fatal helicopter crashes have occurred in Nepal.

In 2023 alone, four helicopter crashes were reported in the country.

In early May, a Simrik Air helicopter crashed in Sankhuwasabha district resulting in the tragic death of one passenger, while four others sustained injuries. Likewise, Heli Everest and Air Dynasty helicopters crashed this year, but there was no casualty.
North Korea fired an unspecified ballistic missile off its east coast, South Korea's joint chiefs of staff said in a statement. The launch was also reported by Japan's military, barely a month after North Korea's last launch and is its twelfth such launch this year. The missile was still flying, according to a Japanese Defence Ministry official quoted by NHK. A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea's rocket launch during a news program, at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul.(AP)

"North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile towards the East Sea," the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, referring to the Sea of Japan.

The launch comes after North Korea made heated complaints over US military activities, accusing American spy planes of violating airspace. Pyongyang also condemned a recent visit to South Korea by an American nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine.

A spokesperson for the North's Ministry of National Defence said the United States had "intensified espionage activities beyond the wartime level", citing "provocative" flights made by US spy aircraft over eight straight days this month and one reconnaissance plane that intruded into its airspace over the East Sea "several times".

"There is no guarantee that such shocking accident as downing of the US Air Force strategic reconnaissance plane will not happen in the East Sea of Korea," the spokesperson said in a statement.

In 2023, North Korea has test fired its first ever solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and conducted a failed attempt to launch its first-ever spy satellite on a new launch vehicle.

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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
North Korea test-fired its first intercontinental ballistic missile in three months on Wednesday, days after it threatened shocking consequences to protest what it called provocative United States reconnaissance activity near its territory. North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward its eastern waters Wednesday. (AP)

Some experts say North Korea likely launched its developmental, road-mobile Hwasong-18 ICBM, a type of solid-fuel weapon that is harder to detect and intercept than its liquid-fuel ICBMs. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un previously called the Hwasong-18 his most powerful nuclear weapon.

The missile, fired from North Koreas capital region around 10 a.m., flew about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) at a maximum altitude of 6,000 kilometers (3,730 miles) before landing in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, according to South Korean and Japanese assessments. They said the missile was launched at a high angle in what observers say was an apparent attempt to avoid neighboring countries.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the missile flew for 74 minutes  the longest flight time recorded by any weapon launched by North Korea. The previous record of 71 minutes was registered during the test flight of the liquid-fuel Hwasong-17 ICBM last year.

South Koreas military called the launch a grave provocation and urged North Korea to refrain from additional launches. Matsuno denounced North Koreas repeated missile launches as threats to the peace and safety of Japan, the region and international society.

In a trilateral phone call, the chief nuclear envoys of South Korea, Japan and the U.S. agreed to sternly deal with North Korean provocations and boost their coordination to promote a stronger international response to the Norths nuclear and missile programs, according to Seouls Foreign Ministry.

The launch came while South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida were attending the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. In an emergency meeting of South Koreas security council convened by video in Lithuania, Yoon warned North Korea would face more powerful international sanctions due to its illicit weapons programs.

North Koreas ICBM program targets the mainland United States, while its shorter-range missiles are designed to hit U.S. regional allies like South Korea and Japan.

Since 2017, North Korea has performed a slew of ICBM tests, but some experts say the North still has some technologies to master to possess functioning nuclear-armed missiles capable of reaching major U.S. cities.

The Norths ICBM test in April was the first launch of the Hwasong-18. After that launch, Kim said the missile would enhance the Norths counterattack capabilities and ordered the expansion of his countrys nuclear arsenal to constantly strike extreme uneasiness and horror in its rivals.

Missiles with built-in solid propellants would be easier to move and hide, making it difficult for opponents to detect their launches in advance. All of North Koreas previous ICBM tests used liquid fuel.

Kim Dong-yub, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said Wednesdays launch appeared to be the Norths second flight-test of the Hwasong-18.

Earlier this week, North Korea released a series of statements accusing the U.S. of flying a military spy plane close to its soil.

In a statement Monday night, Kims sister and top adviser, Kim Yo Jong, warned the United States of a shocking incident as she claimed that the U.S. spy plane flew over the Norths eastern exclusive economic zone eight times earlier in the day.

The U.S. and South Korea dismissed the Norths accusations and urged it to refrain from any acts or rhetoric that raised animosities.

I would just say that we continue to urge (North Korea) to refrain from escalatory actions, Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said Tuesday. As a matter of international law, (North Koreas) recent statements that U.S. flights above its claimed exclusive economic zone are unlawful are unfounded, as high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in such areas.

North Korea has made numerous similar accusations over U.S. reconnaissance activities, but its latest statements came amid heightened animosities over North Koreas torrid run of weapons tests since the start of last year. Some observers say the North wants to use an expanded weapons arsenal to wrest greater concessions in eventual diplomacy with its rivals.

Kim Yo Jongs bellicose statement against U.S. surveillance aircraft is part of a North Korean pattern of inflating external threats to rally domestic support and justify weapons tests, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. Pyongyang also times its shows of force to disrupt what it perceives as diplomatic coordination against it  in this case, South Korea and Japans leaders meeting during the NATO summit.

Kim Dong-yub, the professor, said Wednesdays launch was likely made under the Norths previously scheduled weapons build-up programs to hone Hwasong-18 technologies, rather than a direct response to the NATO gathering or the alleged U.S. spy plane flight.

The Hwasong-18 is among an array of high-tech weapons that Kim Jong Un has vowed to introduce to deal with what he called escalating U.S. military threats. Other weapons on his wish-list are an ICBM with multi-warheads, a spy satellite and a nuclear-powered submarine. In late May, North Koreas launch of its first spy satellite ended in failure, with a rocket carrying it plunging to the ocean soon after liftoff.

Some experts say North Korea might ramp up weapons tests around July 27, the date for the 70th anniversary of the signing of an armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War. North Korea calls the date the V-Day or the War Victory Day.

Pyongyang might be manufacturing tensions ahead of its Victory Day to further strengthen solidarity domestically after having failed its first spy satellite launch in May, and then justifying future provocations by first unleashing a stream of threats and harsh rhetoric about U.S. spy planes, said Duyeon Kim, an adjunct Senior Fellow with the Center for a New American Security.

U.N. Security Council resolutions ban North Korea from engaging in any launches using ballistic technologies. But China and Russia, both permanent members of the council, blocked the U.S. and others attempts to toughen U.N. sanctions on North Korea over its recent ballistic missile tests.
With the exception of Canada, countries with digital services taxes have agreed to hold off applying them for at least another year as a global multinationals tax deal to replace them was pushed back, the OECD said on Wednesday. If at least 30 countries sign, then the freeze on national digital taxing rights will be extended through 2024 (Shutterstock)

More than 140 countries were supposed to start implementing next year a 2021 deal overhauling decades-old rules on how governments tax multinationals that are widely considered to be outdated as digital giants like Apple or Amazon can book profits in low-tax countries.

The first part of the two-pillar deal aims to reallocate taxing rights on about $200 billion in profits from the biggest and most profitable multinationals to the countries where their sales occur.

The more than 30 governments that have or plan national digital services taxes had agreed to put them on ice under a standstill clause until the end of this year, or drop them altogether once the first pillar takes shape.

The second pillar calls on governments to put an end to tax competition between governments to attract investment by setting a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15% from next year.

While the second pillar is moving ahead with over 50 countries already in the process of implementing it, some countries have concerns about a multilateral treaty underpinning the first pillar, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development said after talks in Paris.

The plan is therefore now to nail down the details so governments can sign off before the end of the year with the aim now for the treaty to enter force in 2025, instead of in 2024 as previously planned.

If at least 30 countries sign, then the freeze on national digital taxing rights will be extended through 2024 with an option to further extend through 2025 if needed, the OECD said.

Out of the 143 countries that are party to the deal, only five countries - Belarus, Canada, Pakistan, Russia and Sri Lanka - were not in a position at the meeting to offer their support, OECD head of tax Manal Corwin said.

"Canada was not in agreement with the standstill," Corwin told journalists, citing the only country among the five holdouts with a digital services tax.

The agreement to hold off pillar one implementation by another year puts Canada at a disadvantage relative to countries that have been collecting revenue under their pre-existing digital services taxes, Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Wednesday.

"Canada does not disagree with the substance of the multilateral treaty. ... However, without any firm and binding multilateral timeline to implement pillar one, Canada cannot support the extended standstill," Freeland said in a statement.

But even once governments sign the treaty, ratification will be no easy task, especially in the United States where a two-thirds majority in the Senate is needed.

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A Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) highlighted the challenges being faced by Hindus in the US amid the rising violence against the religion, Hinduphobia, caste laws and academic bias. Hindu American Foundations Associate Policy Director Anita Joshi and Board Member Rajiv Pandit displaying types of resources HAF used to educate lawmakers and Hindu American communities. (Representative)(@HinduAmerican)

The event titled 'National Hindu Advocacy Day on the Hill' was organized by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) at the US Capitol Hill.

The event was attended by a group of lawmakers, both Republicans and Democrats including Congressman Rich McCormick, Indian American entrepreneur turned politician Sri Thanedar, Buddy Carter of Georgia, Congressman Thomas Keane and Hank Johnson.

A strong supporter of the Indian American community, Congressman McCormick praised the hard-working, harmonious and peaceful US Hindu community numbering about three million; who had made a lot of contributions to the nation and society; especially in his constituency.

On February 21, Seattle became the first US city to ban caste-based discrimination by incorporating it into its anti-discrimination laws. The legislation, SB 403, originally sought to add caste as a new category under the states non-discrimination law, but it now enumerates caste as one protected class under the larger umbrella of ancestry.

I think it's racist and it classifies people in a divisive way. I've also been very outspoken against any intimidation. We will take them on publicly, privately, whatever need to do, because they should never exist right here in America McCormick told ANI.

On Tuesday Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar was the only Indian American US lawmakers that attended the Hindu advocacy day on Capitol Hill. When asked about the event, Thanedar said that he is there to support the Hindu community and believes every person has a right to practice his or her religion without hate, bigotry or without any kind of attack.

I am here to show them support because I believe that every person has a right to practice his or her religion without hate, without bigotry, without hatred, without any kind of attacks or phobias. And I strongly believe that religious freedom is important. And I am here to support the Hindu community. And also I happen to be a US Congressman that formed the Hindu caucus in the United States Congress." Thanedar said.

Hindu American students, workers and community members exist in every part of the country and have been part of the American tapestry for decades. Yet, data shows that only one in four Americans actually knows a Hindu and according to 2020 Federal Bureau of Investigation data, hate crimes against Indian Americans are up 500 per cent.

Salvatore Bobonus, the associate professor at the University of Sydney and executive director of the Indian Century Roundtable in Sydney, Australia, who was also one of the speakers at the event, told ANI, Indians might be surprised to hear that caste has come to America and in a big way. Now, by that, I don't mean any actual caste discrimination. What I mean is the politicization of caste. Indians will be very familiar with caste reservations and the disputes over who is classified as a Scheduled Caste, Salvatore added.

Over the years, CoHNA has held several congressional briefings on various issues impacting the Hindu American community and is leading efforts to educate stakeholders about Hinduism and the growing challenges it faces today in the US through events like its Hindu Advocacy on the Hill event.

Notably, caste hierarchies are also prevalent among the Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist and Christian communities in the region but growing attention has been paid to casteism among Hindu South Asians, including in the US, which is home to 5.4 million people of South Asian descent.

According to data collected by Pew in 2015, there are now 2.23 million Hindus in the United States, making them the fourth largest religious group in the country after Christians, Jews, and Muslims.

Hinduism belongs to a family of religions known as Indic or Dharmic religions. Hinduism is the largest dharmic tradition in the United States. Two other dharmic religions also have large populations in the United States: Sikhism, with around 500,000 individuals, and Jainism, with around 180,000 adherents. There are also large populations of Muslims and Christians from the Indian subcontinent in the United States.

Approximately 16 per cent of Muslims in the United States are from South Asia (around 600,000 people). Additionally, there are smaller populations of Buddhists and Zoroastrians (Parsis) from South Asia in the United States.

So in California, we are actually now getting pretty close to passing a law that for the first time we will be Profiling and singling out people and subjecting them to discrimination simply based on something we can't control our birth. This doesn't come just for folks like us who have migrated from India. It's something that's in perpetuity for our kids. So 2nd, 3rd, 10th generation there's really no end limit to being targeted for your background if you happen to be Hindu...": Pushpita Prasad, Member (COHNA) Coalition of Hindus of North America on Hindus in America.

Indian Americans of Hindu faith have the highest retention of any religion in the United States, with a full 80 per cent of those raised Hindu still identifying with Hinduism as adults, according to Pew data.

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Prince William and Kate Middleton have three children- Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The couples oldest child, Prince George, is set to follow his father in line for the British throne. But the Prince and Princess of Wales have a different parenting technique with their youngest child. Kate Middleton Prince William: Britain's Kate, Princess of Wales, and Prince William, Prince of Wales, in London.(AP)

Prince William and Kate welcomed Prince Louis in 2018- five years after George and three years after Charlotte. So the couple let him get away with just a bit more than his older siblings, it was reported.

This comes as the couple have started taking their three children on more royal appearances. Prince Louis tends to get away with a lot more in the public eye, a report claimed. He is seen showing dislike of certain things publicly and making faces during parades.

A source told Ok! Magazine that Prince William and Kate Middleton are more lenient with Louis and let him get away with more than the other two children. William and Kate are easier on Louis because hes the baby of the family. They dont want to break his little spirit. The source continued by saying the young prince can be a handful and that William and Kate do their best to teach him how to behave, but understand these events are tiresome for a youngster," the source told the outlet.

The couple also try to give the three children the most normal life possible. In public, Prince William and Kate have been spotted doing their best to tame the little boy. His elder sister Princess Charlotte has been seen kindly reprimanding her brother as well.

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Russia launched a wave of drone attacks on Kyiv and its region a second night in row, with air defence systems engaged in repelling the strike, a Ukraine military official said. A five-storey residential building partially destroyed after drones attacks in eastern Ukrainian city of Sumy. (File/ AFP)

"The air raid alert is on! Air defence systems engaged in the region on approach to Kyiv," Serhiy Popko, head of the military administration for the Ukrainian capital said on the Telegram messaging app.

The Kyiv military administration urged on its Telegram channel that people stay in shelters until the raids are over.

Reuters witnesses in Kyiv heard blasts resembling the sound of air defence systems intercepting air objects.
The UN Human Rights Council voted Wednesday to condemn recent Koran burning incidents, but many countries declined to back the resolution, fearing it encroached on free speech. Activists and supporters of Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) party take part in an anti-Sweden demonstration in Karachi as they protest against the burning of the Koran outside a Stockholm mosque that outraged Muslims around the world. (AFP)

Despite overwhelming condemnation of the Muslim holy book being desecrated, the vote brought more division than unity, with countries from Europe and the Americas saying a bit more work could have resulted in a stronger, unanimous decision.

Pakistan and other Organisation of Islamic Cooperation countries brought forward a debate and resolution after an Iraqi refugee burnt pages from the Koran outside Stockholm's main mosque last month. The incident triggering a diplomatic backlash across the Muslim world.

The United Nations' top rights body backed the OIC resolution on countering religious hatred by 28 votes in favour, with 12 against and seven abstentions.

Argentina, China, Cuba, India, South Africa, Ukraine and Vietnam backed the resolution.

"Islamophobia is on the rise. Incidents involving desecrating the holy Koran have happened again and again in some countries," China's ambassador Chen Xu said.

"These countries have done nothing to implement their professed respect for the protection of freedom of religious belief."

Despite backing the resolution, Argentinian ambassador Federico Villegas admitted: We would have liked to have reached a text with more consensus and clarity.

Britain, the United States, European Union countries including France and Germany, plus Costa Rica and Montenegro, voted against the resolution.

Benin, Chile, Mexico, Nepal and Paraguay were among the abstentions.

Mexico's ambassador Francisca Mendez Escobar said: "Not all criticism of religion amounts in and of itself to an incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence."

Paraguay's ambassador Marcelo Scappini Ricciardi said that a resolution which all countries could back was "clearly possible".

"If we cannot agree on such an essential topic, that does not show us in a good light," he said.

Chile's ambassador Claudia Fuentes Julio added: "Some of its provisions would seek to limit freedom of expression.

"Chile deplores that the constructive suggestions made during the negotiations were not duly reflected in the text."

Despite the vote passing to applause, there were few cheerful notes sounded in the chamber.

US ambassador Michele Taylor said that with more time and discussion, a consensus could have been reached.

"Unfortunately our concerns were not taken seriously," she said.

I'm truly heartbroken that this council was unable to speak with a unanimous voice today in condemning what we all agree are deplorable acts of anti-Muslim hatred, while also respecting freedom of expression.

Lack of courage claim

And there was little sense of triumph from Pakistan's ambassador Khalil Hashmi, speaking for the OIC.

Hashmi insisted the resolution was not looking to curtail free speech, but had been aimed at striking a prudent balance.

"Regrettably, some states have chosen to abdicate their responsibility to prevent and counter the scourge of religious hatred," he said.

"A message has been sent to billions of people of faith across the world that their commitment to prevent religious hatred is merely a lip service.

"The opposition of a few in the room has emanated from their unwillingness to condemn the public desecration of the holy Koran.

"They lack political, legal and moral courage."

The wording of the resolution condemns all manifestations of religious hatred, including "public and premeditated acts of desecration of the Holy Koran", and underscores the need to hold those responsible to account.

It urges states to adopt laws to "address, prevent and prosecute acts and advocacy of religious hatred that constitute incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence".

It also wants the UN rights chief Volker Turk to identify gaps in countries' laws in light of the resolution.
Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha announced on Tuesday his retirement from politics, nine years after he took power in a military coup, and promised to stay in charge only temporarily. Thailand's incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha (REUTERS)

His announcement was widely expected after his military-backed United Thai Nation party was thumped in a May 14 election, in which it won just 36 of the 500 house seats. He will remain caretaker premier until a new government is formed.

The former army chief, a staunch royalist, led a junta until an election in 2019 and was chosen by parliament to remain prime minister for four more years, an outcome his opponents insist was pre-determined.

Prayuth, 69, has denied that and on Tuesday said he had "achieved many successes".

"I as prime minister have worked hard to protect the nation, religion, monarchy for the benefit of the beloved people. The result is currently bearing fruit for the public," he said in a statement.

"I have tried to strengthen the country in all areas for stability and peace and overcame many obstacles domestically and internationally." I

In the nine years since his coup, Prayuth has survived multiple challenges via court cases, house confidence votes and street protests by opponents who saw him as an opportunist who lacked a public mandate.

His announcement comes as the new parliament prepares to convene on Thursday to hold a vote on who will be the next prime minister, an outcome far from certain.

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When the Taliban barrelled into Kabul in August 2021, the curators of Afghanistan s national museum stashed away its pre-Islamic treasures. During the Islamists previous spell in power, the Taliban minister of finance led an axe-wielding wrecking crew to smash up thousands of the pre-Islamic artefacts bequeathed by Afghanistans staggeringly rich history. Determined to prevent a repeat performance, museum employees camped for nights on end in the battered 1920s Kabul villa that houses its collections. PREMIUM A Taliban fighter stands guard at a news conference about a new command of hijab by Taliban leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, in Kabul, Afghanistan.(Reuters/ File)

Yet this time the Taliban have shown no interest in demolishing the museums thousand-year-old statues of Buddha and pagan wooden effigies of Nuristan (many of which have been laboriously stuck back together by museum staff over the past two decades). The staff say the Taliban culture ministry, which oversees the museum, is supportive. Senior officials, including Kabuls mayor and the minister of foreign affairs, have made friendly visits. A handful of rank-and-file Taliban drop in most days, adding to a flow of visitors dominated by school parties. They seem surprised and pleased that they have a history and a culture, says the museums acting director, Muhammad Zubair Ebadi. Totally, their mentality has changed.

The Taliban, who in 2001 destroyed the giant sixth-century Buddhas carved into the cliffs of Bamiyan, in central Afghanistan, are also showing a benign attitude towards archaeological digs. They are even backing a project to save the remains of a synagogue left by the long-departed Jewish community of Herat. With improved security across the countrychiefly thanks to the end of the Talibans own insurgencya mini-spike in archaeology has been inspired. They have been really, really helpful, says Jolyon Leslie, a South African architect and veteran of Afghanistans cultural sector. A special police unit has been tasked with preserving cultural heritage. Taliban officials in the southern province of Zabul were punished after being caught trying to sell ancient artefacts.

Still, satellite imagery suggests much more needs to be done to stop the looting of archaeological sites. There is also no guarantee the clerics will maintain their benevolent attitude. They turned to systematic cultural destruction only five years after they first assumed power, once their relations with the outside world had hit rock bottom. And the Talibans leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, appears again to be taking a more hardline direction. Against the wishes of many of his ministers, he has imposed bans on female education and employment. On July 2nd the Taliban ordered the closure of beauty parlours.

The clerics are said to be concerned to prevent their foot-soldiers switching to another militant group, Islamic State Khorasan Province, which has more uncompromising views, including on non-Muslim culture. Wisely, the museums curators have no imminent plans to restore their treasured Buddhas and Nuristani statues to its galleries. They are all valuable and we dont want to risk them being broken by someone, says Mr Ebadi, tactfully.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
Controversial British influencer, Andrew Tate has been interviewed by former Fox star Tucker Carlson. Where he got an opportunity and global audience to provide insights into his controversial views on masculinity and defend the legal charges against him. Andrew Tate leaves the Court of Appeal in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, July 6, 2023. Andrew Tate, the divisive social media personality and former professional kickboxer who is charged in Romania with rape and human trafficking, (AP)

Internet is outraged! Why would Carlson give platform to a sex traficking accused without putting him in the dock for the charges levied against him? The video has garnered over 35 million views in the last 6 hours of it being uploaded.

Unaffected by the serious allegations that have forced authorities to put Tate under house arrest Carlson called his detention a human right violation and opened his show by asking his viewers to make up your own mind about Mr Tate. Clearly his intentions were clear, in the entire interview Carlson gave Tate an opportunity to defend himself and seemed agreeing to all his arguments.

During the interview, Tate contended that men deserve respect above all and emphasized the need to earn it through a combination of spirituality and a healthy lifestyle.

Carlson had traveled to Romania, where Tate is currently under criminal charges, to gain his perspective on masculinity. Tate disclosed that he and his brother, Tristan, are accused of exploiting girls by coercing them into producing TikTok videos and then absconding with the earnings generated. However, vehemently denying all the charges levelled against him.

The two-and-a-half-hour interview with Andrew Tate was full of controversy. Tate indulged in verifiable falsehoods, despite evidence present in public doman and nowhere was he callout out by his host. When asked what he was charged with, Tate claimed, with an amused expression on his face, recruiting girls to make TikTok videos to steal the money from TikTok views.

Failing to address his involvement in the porn industry after he set up PhD (Pimping Hoes Degree) program in 2018 Carldon asked Tate about his thoughts on porn. To which he replied, men are replacing genuine sexual relationships with a computer screen and porn, and that masculine virtue is being destroyed.

Carlson challenged this view by pointing to Kamala Harris, to which he said is a prime example of someone who has used race to get successful.

Also read | Andrew Tate on Kamala Harris, 'I don't think I've ever heard her put a compendious coherence sentence together'

Turning to the topic of manhood, Tate asserted that he faces criticism for advocating the importance of maintaining a strong masculine presence in relationships for the betterment of society. He argued that those in positions of power attempt to instill fear and subservience in men while avoiding accountability for their alleged falsehoods regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and other contentious issues.

Andrew Tate's interview with Tucker Carlson shed light on his perspective regarding masculinity and his legal predicament. While Tate expressed concerns about the emasculation of men and emphasized the importance of respect, the conversation also delved into the criminal charges he is facing and his criticism of media coverage and government motives.

Even Elon Musk went ahead to endorse the interview.

Calling Carlson an unapologetic pornographer, Daily Beast's Justin Baragona tweeted, After lamenting about how young men are now withdrawing into porn, Tucker Carlson then proceeds to sympathetically interview an unapologetic pornographer -- for two and a half hours!

Joe Walsh, a former 2020 Republican presidential described the interview as, 'two and a half hours defending & singing the praises of an accused rapist and human trafficker. So brave,
The Indian Tri-Services, Army, Navy and Air Force contingent, which is in France to participate in Bastille Day parade, on July 14, held practice sessions on Wednesday. Indian Armed Forces contingent participates in the preparations for the Bastille Day Parade 2023, in Paris on Monday. (ANI)

In a video posted by ANI, the Indian Armed Forces contingent was seen marching to the patriotic song Saare jahan se acha.

France President Emmanuel Macron invited India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be the Guest of Honour on Bastille Day, which is France's National Day.

Indian Navy Commander Prateek Kumar, speaking on the contingent's participation on Juky 14, said, This is a great feeling for not only the armed forces but for the entire people of India that we have been represented at the Bastille Day, a prestigious event of the French government. We are happy that we are here as part of a tri-service contingent from the Army, Navy and Air Force.

He further said that Navy's indigenous destroyer INS Chennai will also participating in the parade. Speaking about their French counterparts, he added, The kind of cooperation we are having both in terms of military as well as in terms of person-to-person, we both respect each other. Our ethos, our camaraderie have been growing since the day we have come over here and it is spectacular to see that we are in sync and we are in tune with what we say and what they say is all matching to each other. Rafale will be there at the joint flypast.

On Monday, the Indian Army posted a video, showing the practice sessions of the armed forces, on Twitter, saying, Participation of the Indian Armed Forces Contingent is testimony to more than a Century old affiliation and the bond between both the Armies and the Nations. It reminds us of the valour & courage of the Indian soldiers on the French soil during the World Wars.

Indian Armed forces to march with French counterparts

The tri-services contingent of the Indian Armed Forces, that left on July 6 for Paris, comprised 269 members. Along with them, three Rafale fighter jets of the Air Force will also be taking part in the flypast over avenue Champs Elysees with French jets.

The association of the Indian army with its French counterpart dates back to the first world war.

The contingent included 77 marching personnel from the Army and 38 from the band. The Army contingent will be led by Captain Aman Jagtap, the Navy contingent by Commander Vrat Baghel and the Air Force contingent by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy.

The Army contingent will be represented by one of the oldest regiments of the force, the Punjab Regiment. The troops of the Punjab regiment are the ones who have participated not just in both World Wars but also in post-Independence operations.

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Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong said that he instructed the country's transport minister S. Iswaran to go on leave as the Indian-origin leader faced an anti-graft probe. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) uncovered a case and asked to open a formal investigation that would involve interviewing S Iswaran and others, the prime minister said in a statement. S. Iswaran: Singapore's Trade and Industry Minister S. Iswaran speaks during a news conference.(Reuters)

CPIB acknowledges the interest by members of the public in this case because a minister is being interviewed. CPIB will investigate this case thoroughly with strong resolve to establish the facts and the truth, and to uphold the rule of law," the anti-graft agency said in a statement.

Here's all you need to know about Indian-origin Singapore minister S. Iswaran:

S. Iswaran was elected as a member of parliament in 1997. He was appointed to the cabinet in 2006. As transport minister, he has been praised for his work in rebuilding Singapore as an air hub in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic. Hes also Singapores minister-in-charge of trade relations. The optics certainly dont look good for the PAP government, which has always prided itself on incorruptibility, Eugene Tan, a law professor at Singapore Management University, said. The probe adds to the challenges of the ruling Peoples Action Party. Singapore is scheduled to hold a general election by 2025, though polls could be held earlier. The PAP has ruled Singapore since its independence in 1965. Singapore pays its top officials among the worlds highest salaries and prides itself for low corruption. It is ranked as the fifth-least corrupt country in the world by Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index.

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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
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is making strides in the realm of religious tourism with the confirmation of a hotel in the sacred city of Madinah. The proposed Four Seasons Hotel Madinah will include 245 rooms, two restaurants, a tea lounge, spa, gym, a barber shop, and a handpicked assortment of retail stores.

The hotel, which is currently under construction, will be strategically located in the heart of Madinah, a short distance from the Prophet's Mosque. Recently, Saudi Arabia reported that the Presidency of the Prophet's Mosque welcomed over 4.25 million worshippers and visitors during the holy week this year.

Four Seasons Hotel Madinah's Significance No specific opening date for the property has been announced. However, once operational, it will position Saudi Arabia as one of the key markets for Four Seasons outside North America. The exclusive brand usually operates only a select number of hotels in a given country, but it could potentially manage up to five establishments in the Kingdom. The existing Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh, proposed resorts in The Red Sea and Diriyah Gate, and the prospective site in the pristine AlUla region reinforce this potential.

In 2017, the company agreed to a hotel project in Makkah within the ambitious Jabal Omar development, though further information has been scarce.
Leading Melbourne property developer, Capital Alliance, is thrilled to announce the approval of the planning permit for its groundbreaking $340M dual hotel project in partnership with Australia's International Hotel Group, TFE Hotels.

The permit for the mixed-use lifestyle development at 28-38 Pearl River Road, in Melbourne's dynamic Docklands precinct, allows Capital Alliance to proceed with plans for a state-of-the-art 1000-pax capacity conference centre - one of the largest in Australia - and dual hotels featuring Australia's largest rooftop infinity pool.

The $340M project, featuring the 200-room bespoke Collection by TFE Hotels brand and the premium 105-room A by Adina, stands as a testament to Capital Alliance's determination to provide exceptional end-to-end experiences and an architectural legacy for Melbourne's city skyline.

The 200-key, yet-to-be-named Collection hotel will join the ranks of other purpose-built Collection by TFE Hotels properties - including The Calile in Brisbane, Auckland's The Hotel Britomart and the new Surry Hills collection property currently under development in Sydney - in delivering personalised service and bespoke hospitality experiences.

Complementing this offering, the 105-key premium A by Adina hotel - the first of the brand to launch in Victoria following the opening of flagship hotels in Sydney and Canberra in 2021 - will deliver a perfectly suited balance between a hotel and a private city apartment.

This project is the fourth mixed-use hotel development for Capital Alliance who have invested close to a decade in Docklands and the surrounding precinct, with multiple other developments completed.

Hotel website
Habyt, the world's leading flexible housing provider, is launching its first hotel. Located in Berlin, in the heart of the Friedrichshain district, Habyt - The Waterfront marks an important milestone for the company - the opening of the company's first hotel in Europe.

A hotel that feels like home, The Waterfront will offer short-term accommodation for anyone visiting the city and looking for the ultimate Berlin experience. Guests will be able to enjoy the lively atmosphere and cultural scene of Friedrichshain, a district located at the intersection where the city center meets a picturesque lakeside - Rummels Bucht. With a thriving nightlife and a great mix of parks, bars, cafes and restaurants, Friedrichshain is one of the most sought-after destinations for creative communities and young professionals. The area is also well-served by public transportation, providing easy access to other parts of the city, and the Brandenburg Airport (BER).

Combining the vibrancy of Berlin with nature's serenity, Habyt - The Waterfront hosts a total of 144 cozy private studios. All rooms are fully equipped with everything guests need for a comfortable living. The rooms feature a Queen size bed, working area, kitchenette with a mini fridge, stove, and grilling micowave, and private bathroom with toiletries, hairdryer and towels. High-speed Wi-Fi and Smart TV's are also provided in every room. The building includes further 92 studios dedicated to long-term stays for guests who wish to stay for 3 months and longer. The property has a unique look, featuring specially designed wood panels, carefully selected furniture items, matching custom-made accessories and art pieces.

Guests will have full access to multiple stylish community areas located on each floor of the building, with the main common area situated on the ground floor. Here, they can make new connections, update their "work from home" setup or have a private meeting in one of the meeting rooms. The largest community space on the ground floor is equipped with a shared kitchen, working areas, a meeting room, and comfortable sofas. Habyt - The Waterfront also features a welcoming Cafe for guests and their visitors, offering multiple menu options to start the day and tasteful snacks to enjoy anytime.

Combined with the hotel's opening, the company unveils its fresh new brand created by world-renowned agency DesignStudio. Habyt's goal with the rebranding project was to create a distinct identity that would reflect the company's values and mission, and consolidate its recently acquired brands - Common in the US and Hmlet in Southeast Asia - under one global flexible housing company. To help define Habyt's brand strategy, architecture, tone of voice, visual and verbal identity, the company appointed global design agency DesignStudio, which has previously worked with brands such as Airbnb, Deliveroo, and British Airways, among others.

As a result, DesignStudio created the brand purpose titled "Your next move unlocked," which reflects Habyt's commitment to removing the traditional barriers associated with housing, empowering its tenants to seize opportunities and live anywhere. The new brand strategy focuses on delivering a highly utilitarian experience, with a visual identity that takes inspiration from architectural floor plans and a new bespoke Habyt logo that reflects opening opportunities through the symbol for opening doors.

Hotel website
art'otel London Hoxton, the art'otel brand's highly anticipated second UK opening, has announced the appointment of Axel Krueger as General Manager.

Tasked with overseeing hotel operations, Krueger brings with him 17 years' experience in premium hotel management. A long standing member of the PPHE Hotel Group team, he first joined the hotel group as Food and Beverage Director for Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in 2010, before becoming Operations and Hotel Manager at Park Plaza Riverbank and Opening General Manager at the London Waterloo site.

Axel has also worked for some of the Leading Hotels of the World including St Moritz's Suvretta House and Kempinski Grand Hotel de Bains, as well as opening three Starwood Hotels across Europe. Most recently, Krueger has sat at the helm of Park Plaza Riverbank, where he held the position of General Manager since 2021.

Set to open in 2024, art'otel London Hoxton is a celebration of art across 26 floors, brought to life by Signature Artist D*Face - recognised as one of the most prolific contemporary urban artists of his generation. It will also be home to two Banksy originals preserved and on public display.

The 26-floor property will occupy a prominent corner within the South Shoreditch Conservation Area with dazzling views across the capital, with 357 guest rooms including 48 suites, destination restaurants and bar, art gallery, events space, auditorium, and extensive leisure facilities including an indoor swimming pool and spa.
Launched in January 2023, the Handwritten Collection is a global portfolio of one-of-a-kind hotels enriching Accors offering in the collection brands segment. Delivering an authentic, intimate, and stylish hospitality experience for guests, the Handwritten Collection also offers independent owners and boutique hotels the best of both worlds, enabling them to stay unique with flexible standards while maximizing their revenue. The growth of Accor's Handwritten Collection portfolio continues to accelerate successfully, consolidating Accor's position in this key segment.

Needs Aligned, Success Defined: Meeting Clients & Owners Expectations

Six months after being launched, the Handwritten Collection has hit the right mark with guests and owners alike. Answering travelers demand for more tailored, authentic, and local experiences, it also responds to independent and boutique hotel owners. Looking to boost their global profile, connect with more travelers and grow their revenue without losing their identity, owners can bring with the Handwritten Collection a personalized energy to the guest experience while accessing all the benefits of the Accor ecosystem with the opportunity to maximize revenue with immediate access to the power and reach of Accors sales, distribution, and loyalty platforms.

Hotels Curated with Passion: Diving Into the Handwritten Collection

With 8 hotels already welcoming guests, the Handwritten Collection expects a portfolio of more than 250 hotels worldwide by 2030. Accor currently has over 150 properties under discussion to become part of the Handwritten Collection, and rather than embarking on construction or new builds, the Group prioritizes the conversion of existing buildings, requiring a simpler transition, ramp up process and a more sustainable growth and development model.

A glimpse into a selection of hotels that have already opened

Hotel Morris Sydney  Handwritten Collection

In the heart of Sydney, The Morris Sydney  Handwritten Collection interweaves Italian and local heritage. Committed to offering a personalized experience, the boutique hotel features opulent Italian architecture and art deco detailing including 82 custom guest rooms and a wine bar serving simple, seasonal produce with an Italian twist.

Saint Gervais Hotel & Spa  Handwritten Collection

Set in the picturesque French Alps, St Gervais Hotel & Spa  Handwritten Collection is a year-round residence that gives guests the opportunity to rest and rejuvenate in an elegant setting. Focused on wellbeing, the hotel combines mountain views, spa facilities, a cocktail bar and Ottoman influences.

Hotel Les Capitouls Toulouse Centre  Handwritten Collection

In the French city of Toulouse, Hotel Les Capitouls Toulouse Centre  Handwritten Collection offers guests a soft, English-inspired decor in an elegant former townhouse. With large meeting rooms and a glass-domed bar offering a gourmet menu based on regional products, the hotel aims to cater to the needs of both leisure and business travelers.

Relais San Martino Salento  Handwritten Collection

In a fully renovated 17th century residence, Relais San Martino Salento  Handwritten Collection provides a relaxed atmosphere steeped in local architectural traditions including an ethical restaurant in a centuries-old citrus grove. This hotel focuses on wellbeing with access to customizable wellness services and a private beach with shuttle service. It is ideally located for guests to make the most of the stunning coastline and town of Salento.

Unleashing Potential: A Portfolio with Unstoppable Growth

There is no doubt that the Handwritten Collection meets a strong demand from both customers and independent owners and boutique hotels. Imminent openings around the world include properties in Spain (Madrid), Vietnam (Hoi An) and France (Paris Montmartre Sacre Coeur). A portfolio that will only continue to grow.
Italy is seeing a growing investment appetite for luxury branded hotels, according to the latest study from Global Asset Solutions.

The country will see the debut of a number of flags in the coming years, including Edition, Orient Express, and Cheval Blanc, all of which are expected to put upward pressure on their respective markets average room rates.

Thuy Tran, Hotel Asset Manager, Global Asset Solutions, said: Rome remains the countrys development hub, with Milan and Venice the perennial favourites, but we are seeing increasing interest in other locations, including secondary cities such as Verona, Bologna, Turin, Naples, and Catania, as well as coastal cities and, of course, the Lake region particularly from the more niche brands.

Italian Hotel Market Outlook 2023 - Global Asset Solutions Source: Global Asset Solutions

For potential investors, the attraction of Italy is only growing. Scarcity of prime assets in central locations has driven the market for conversions and repositioning, which has served to draw in those with value-add strategies.

Historically, the hotel market in Italy has been very fragmented and characterised by generational ownership, which makes it challenging for outside investors to access. However, the pandemic has caused something of a paradigm shift.

Many family-owned businesses are under post-Covid debt loads, which they may struggle to repay, especially if under pressure due to refinancing.

As a result, more and more opportunities for foreign investors are expected to emerge over the next few years particularly as reality starts to narrow the bid/offer value gap.

The country is moving away from the family-owned model, but local knowledge remains critical to success in Italy and global investors would be wise to appoints specialist investment advisors and dedicated asset managers with experience of the region when considering their move.

To read the full report, click here

About Global Asset Solutions

Global Asset Solutions operates worldwide and is the largest independent asset manager in Europe, with assets under management worth over $15bn. The company leans on decades of experience in the luxury sector to deliver bespoke solutions which allow investors to grow their asset value and realise the potential of their assets. www.globalassetsolutions.com
LAS VEGAS, NV  The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the largest hotel association in the U.S. representing all segments of the industry nationwide, has announced BluIP as a recipient of the organizations inaugural AHLA Technology Acceleration Award.

The annual AHLA Technology Acceleration Award recognizes companies that have taken specific steps to advance innovation in hospitality. This year, the award showcased companies that have adopted HTNG Express, a new solution that shortens the process for post-booking hotel property management system integrations from months to just days.

To be considered for the AHLA Technology Acceleration Award, BluIP implemented HTNG Express and demonstrated for an evaluation committee the technologys use in the companys industry-disrupting AIVA Connect platform including AIVA, BluIPs Artificial Intelligence Virtual Assistant which guarantees a reduction in calls to the reservations center and/or front desk by 50% or more.

AHLA Chief Technology Officer Michael Blake commented, AHLA created this recognition program to award leading technology companies who are demonstrating their industry commitment to advancement, adoption, and acceleration. Blake added, BluIPs implementation of HTNG Express proves a significant contribution in helping move hospitality forward.

Armen Martirosyan, BluIP CEO commented, We are truly honored to be selected by AHLA as an inaugural Technology Acceleration Award winner. He continued, BluIP has a long-standing reputation as an active member of the hospitality community ecosystem who understands the importance of making innovation easier and more valuable to our hotelier clients. Were excited to continue our work with AHLA, HTNG and the vendor community to eliminate the boundaries of hospitality technology.

To learn more about BluIP and our solutions visit bluip.com

BluIP is a Tier1 global service provider and communications technology innovator. The company develops artificial intelligence and enterprise-grade telephony solutions for leaders in hospitality, restaurants, healthcare, small business, and the enterprise. BluIPs comprehensive suite of products includes the industry disrupting, all-in-one artificial intelligence platform, AIVA Connect with modules that improve every customer interaction, streamline business processes, and provide in-depth business intelligence to help customers optimize resources and drive more revenue.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide  including iconic global brands, 80% of all franchised hotels and the 16 largest hotel companies in the U.S. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support, and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. Learn more at www.ahla.com.

Beth McClure

Head of Marketing

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Use of AI Tools Such As ChatGPT to Plan Travel Set to Boom: Euromonitor

ChatGPT taking travel and the world by storm, says Euromonitor Internationals travel research expert

97.8% of travel executives expect AI to have an impact on their industry

AI could disrupt travel bookings sector where 66% of bookings are already online in 2023, with mobile bookings accounting for 35% of all online sales

Travellers using artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT to plan their travel itineraries is set to boom, according to market research company Euromonitor International.

The massive increase can be narrowed down to convenience and 24/7 accessibility, says Caroline Bremner, Head of Travel and Tourism Research at Euromonitor International. Travellers can access AI tools from various devices, including smartphones and computers, at any time and from anywhere with an internet connection.

A resounding 97.8% of travel executives in the Euromonitor Internationals Voice of the Industry: Travel Survey stated that AI would have an impact over the next five years.

AI could disrupt travel bookings industry, which is already highly digitalised

Bremner commented: ChatGPT is taking travel and the world by storm. With travel highly digitalised where 66% of all bookings are conducted online in 2023 and mobile accounts for 35% of all online sales, disruption from generative AI is already rife.

The travel industry is already adapting. Expedia announced in April 2023 its collaboration with OpenAI, offering in-app trip planning powered by ChatGPT for iOS, as well as offering a plug-in to ChatGPT Plus users. The Expedia ChatGPT experience provides personalised recommendations, acting like a virtual travel assistant, delivering relevant results for hotels and what to do in destination.

Booking Holdings Kayak and OpenTable also announced ChatGPT plug-ins. Other travel brands like TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide and Klook followed suit. Trip.com integrated ChatGPT into TripGen, its newly released AI chatbot that provides real-time assistance, itinerary planning and booking tips in the pre-trip stage. Hotels and airlines meanwhile are turning to generative AI for customer service, while automating menial tasks.

More integration will inevitably follow so that ultimately the trip planning to booking stages will blend seamlessly, dependent on access to real-time booking functionality. Generative AI is only at the beginning of its journey, giving consumers what Airbnb called the ultimate concierge.

AI access to real time data can be a game-changer

Bremner said: The path of AI adoption will not run entirely smoothly as there are major concerns over consumer privacy with countries like Italy temporarily banning ChatGPT. There are also concerns over large language models being reliant on out-of-date internet knowledge, with a lag of two years in the case of ChatGPT with no access to current events or real-time information. However, access to real time data has been enabled thanks to a new plug-in with Microsoft Bing.

The risks of amplifying misinformation, bias and inequality are all too real. Safety and security of consumers must be of paramount importance. Tech leaders like Elon Musk recently demanded a pause on AI development to avoid risks to humanity including possible extinction from superintelligence, stating that the AI race was out of control and time was needed to enable government policy to play catch up.

Travel agents faced mass disruption due to the rise of online travel three decades ago, that led to mass store closures and job losses. Now, the sector is ripe for more disruption as generative AI accelerates automation of tasks across every stage of the customer journey, before, during and after the trip. With Microsoft planning to integrate generative AI into its Microsoft 365 Copilot software, it will become ever more prevalent in consumers daily lives and work whether we like it or not.

As before, travel brands will take the rough with the smooth to navigate this new phase of digital transformation with a test and learn approach. However, only those that ultimately celebrate the human touch of travel and hospitality will thrive.

You can read more in Euromonitor Internationals report on Revolutionising Travel with ChatGPT and Generative AI, which includes a detailed analysis on the impact of future technology on travel brands and destinations.
Lobby at the Holiday Inn Riyadh The Business District

Holiday Inn Brings Its Innovative Open Lobby to the Middle East for the First Time

Holiday Inn is bringing its new design hallmarks to the Middle East for the first time, at the newly opened Holiday Inn Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. The opening marks IHGs expansion of its mainstream brand portfolio across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with the demand created by initiatives under Saudi Vision 2030.

For over 70 years, Holiday Inn has been one of the worlds most recognised and trusted brands and it continues to create memorable experiences for thousands of guests every day. Holiday Inn is an iconic brand that has set industry standards and continues to meet the changing needs of guests by delivering exceptional experiences that can be seen and felt through the new active, open lobby (with a mix of spaces to lounge, dine, and work), elevated food & drink options, and modernised design. The brands Open Lobby concept combines all public spaces, including the reception area and the restaurant and bar, into one open, lively, and cohesive space. It allows guests to make themselves at home and enjoy their stay on their own terms, whether theyre there to eat, drink, work or socialise.

Holiday Inn Open Lobby: a first in the Middle East

Newly opened in Saudi Arabia, Holiday Inn Riyadh The Business District features the first brand- defining Open Lobby and is a perfect showcase for the modern and engaging public spaces that Holiday Inn has come to be known for globally.

The Open Lobby will offer a vibrant communal space where guests can relax and connect with friends, family or other travellers, designed with the needs of the modern traveller in mind. The public space includes a contemporary media lounge to unwind with friends, a coffee bar for a chat over a quick bite, and an e-lounge for those who need to catch up on the days news or work, whilst still being part of the social vibe of the space. Guests will be able to enjoy a bright place to connect with stylish and contemporary accommodation in the heart of the Business District, all the while being within 10 minutes to King Khalid International Airport and other major business offices.

Nael Tamim, General Manager of Holiday Inn Riyadh The Business District said his team is excited to open the doors of this new and innovative Holiday Inn in the Saudi capital and welcome their first guests to the business district. Reliably familiar, yet refreshingly different, this brand-new Holiday Inn Riyadh the Business District has everything guests need whether they are travelling for business or leisure. With a contemporary look and feel the hotel has been designed to meet the needs of all travellers, including families. Our Open Lobby gives our guests and visitors a warm and welcoming place to relax, work or socialize, the ideal location to enjoy dinner or drinks with colleagues, friends and family.

The hotel is home to the Casa Oliva restaurant which serves authentic Italian food alongside innovative fusion options inspired by regional Saudi cuisine, while LEspresso Bar offers a wide range of coffee selections, drinks, and gourmet cafe snacks.

This brand new, purpose-built hotel features 138 contemporary rooms including 18 suites with kitchenettes, two swimming pools, a well-equipped gym, 24/7 concierge service, and versatile meeting spaces.

Guests will feel right at home in Holiday Inn Riyadh the Business District s spacious, modern light-filled rooms, each featuring comfortable bedding, large TVs and free unlimited high speed WIFI. Families are well catered for with family rooms and interconnecting suites and the Holiday Inn signature promise that Kids Stay & Eat Free.

This opening is the first in an exciting period of growth for the Holiday Inn brand in the Middle East with other hotels in the pipeline including the opening of Holiday Inn Jeddah Corniche and Holiday Inn Riyadh, Al Malaz in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Holiday Inn Dubai Business Bay in the United Arab Emirates by the end of 2023.
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Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel march past Trafalgar Square during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in May. Photo: CPO Si Ethell | UK MOD  Crown copyright 2023

Heriot-Watt University has been announced as one of a select group of 2023 recipients of the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award.

The prestigious accolade is made through the UK Governments Defence Employer Recognition Scheme and is the highest badge of honour available to organisations who employ and support members of the Armed Forces community.

The award builds on a Silver Award the University achieved in 2019 and recognises the Universitys commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant. This is a promise by the nation that those who serve, or who have served, in the armed forces  and their families  are treated fairly.

Former members of the armed forces have so much to offer the world  they bring specialist knowledge and skills, including so many transferable skills. Dr Amos Haniff, Dean of Heriot-Watt University

Professor Mark Biggs, Vice-Principal and Provost of Heriot-Watt, and the Universitys Veterans & Armed Forces Champion, said: I am absolutely delighted and proud that Heriot-Watt has received this recognition for the crucial work it does in supporting reservists, veterans, cadet force adult volunteers, and family members of service personnel.

We look forward to continuing our work with our staff and students who have ties to the armed forces to make a real and growing difference for them and the communities they serve.

The Universitys forces-friendly policies include offering 10 days leave to reservists for training commitments. Reservists work and train part-time with the Armed Forces whilst often balancing a civilian job.

Heriot-Watt also adjusts job descriptions where appropriate to reflect military qualifications and offers guaranteed interviews to all veterans and service leavers where the essential criteria for the post are met.

Other Heriot-Watt policies include providing tailored advice and information to service leavers transitioning into higher education.

Heriot-Watt supported one of its staff, who is a reservist, to take part in the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in May. Mark Hamid is an Able Seaman with HMS Scotia, the Royal Naval Reserves Unit covering the east coast of Scotland. In his role at Heriot-Watt, he is Senior Governance Officer and Clerk of the University Senate.

I actually left my desk at Heriot-Watt three weeks before the big day to begin an intensive drill training package in Portsmouth, Mark explained. But that period was only a small section of the preparations which had to be made, working with my team and HR colleagues, in the build up to my mobilisation.

"It was an amazing experience to take part in a moment of history, marching along Whitehall and the Mall with 4,000 other service personnel. It was great that the University was so supportive in allowing me to take part."

Dr Amos Haniff, Dean of the University and a lead of the Universitys engagement with the Armed Forces, said: Former members of the armed forces have so much to offer the world  they bring specialist knowledge and skills, including so many transferable skills. This is just one of the reasons why we value them so much here at Heriot-Watt.

Heriot-Watt has partnerships with organisations including the Service Children's Progression Alliance  which focuses on improving outcomes for children from Armed Forces families  and Forces Children Scotland, which supports children and young people from armed forces and veteran families to realise their potential.

Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families, Dr Andrew Murrison said: I would like to thank all the organisations that have been recognised in this years awards. Im delighted that we have seen so many organisations recognised with a gold award. Their continued support demonstrates the unique benefits and strengths that our Armed Forces community can bring to the workplace.
Healey spent the morning touring Western Massachusetts sites hard hit by this week's storm. PreviousNext

'I Just Cry;' North Adams Homeowner Shows Storm Damage to Governor

Groves is using her third straight vacation day to stay in North Adams to keep the sump pump going and clean up water damage.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Michelle Groves has lived her whole life in her family's home on Church Street.

And she never has seen anything like she saw on Monday.

"I grew up here and never had anything flood, but then there was the sink hole on the top of the Hoosac Tunnel [in 2020], so they needed to figure out how to fix that. So they took a river, as far as I know, and rerouted that."

Even during 2011's Tropical Storm Irene, Groves said, the flooding was nothing like she saw from the deluge that began on Sunday.

On Wednesday afternoon, under sunny skies, Groves welcomed Gov. Maura Healey and other officials to her front lawn to look at the large patch of her land that washed down hill and onto Church Street during rain that impacted communities from New York's Hudson Valley into northern Vermont.

Groves said she splits time between North Adams and Lake Luzerne, N.Y., where she works in the medical supplies business.

On Wednesday, she recounted her experience when she came back to North Adams midday Monday.

"About 11, 11:30, all of a sudden, the water just started rushing through," Groves said.

"I drove two hours and got here, and I was checking things out and all of a sudden, whoosh, all the water just came through for hours and hours and hours," Groves told Healey.

"I was shocked when I came back and saw it," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey, who had checked on Groves' property earlier Monday morning.

Groves said there still is about 5 inches of water in her basement. She is using her third straight vacation day to stay in North Adams to keep the sump pump going and clean up water damage.

She told the governor that she was in "panic mode" when water rushing downhill came close to her home's foundation.

"I was freaking out, screaming, saying, 'There goes my house,' " Groves said.

Healey spent the morning touring Western Massachusetts sites hard hit by this week's storm. Her day started in Williamsburg before she turned her attention to North Adams, first visiting an area of State Street that washed out where a manhole failed.

Most of Healey's comments centered on big picture concerns about local aid for communities affected by the flood.

Groves was able to put a face to the crisis.

"I'm so sorry for the devastation that you've experienced," Healey said. "We want to do whatever we can to help out. It's been really important to come and see first hand the damage and devastation. And we'll continue to talk about what we need to do in terms of resources.

"But I'm sorry for what you've gone through. It's a terrible thing. A lot of stress."

As for the connection to the Hoosac Tunnel repairs three years ago, Macksey Tuesday acknowledged the presumption that work uphill related to the tunnel created stormwater issues downhill and said she was "gearing up for a big fight with the railroad."

"We haven't dug into that aspect other than we know the railroad was doing work up there," Macksey told the City Council at its Tuesday meeting. "We know about the rerouting of the brook. We've had conversations with the state about it.

"The railroad is not the easiest entity to work with."

Insurance companies can be just as troublesome for homeowners in times of crisis, and Groves said Wednesday it is uncertain how much of the damage to her property will be covered by her policy.

"The insurance company may or may not be able to help me out," she said.

"I go in [the house] and I look out here and I just cry. I just hope something can be done."
Cebu-based retail chain Prince Retail Group (PRG) has been reaping the benefits of its digital transformation investments through its partnership with PLDT Groups ICT subsidiary, ePLDT, which deployed customized solutions that covered three critical areas of digitalization such as uninterrupted customer services, a much-improved customer service delivery, and higher employee productivity.

ePLDT digital solutions transform Prince Retail Group into retail royalty

With the deployment of Microsoft 365 and Azure API, ePLDT was able to help PRG efficiently track data and develop store-level intelligence, enabling its frontliners to provide uninterrupted services even during a crisis, deliver strong operational unified commerce, and increase their productivity by 73% -- a figure even higher than Microsofts lofty benchmark of 53%.

PRGs formerly manual business processes were also automated with the creation of mini-apps, automated workflows, and optimized use of SharePoint as a document collaborative platform. Additionally, Microsoft 365 also made it easier for in-store frontliners to easily collaborate online, communicate virtually, and exchange emails even at the height of the pandemic.

Its earlier decision to invest heavily in solutions that increase productivity and customer service delivery proved to be the right move not just at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but also when Super Typhoon Odette ravaged the Visayas in December 2021.

A late-2018 decision to move mission-critical servers to an ePLDT Vitro Data Center enabled PRG employees to provide uninterrupted services for their customers after the typhoons devastation. Although Super Typhoon Odette inflicted structural damage to some of the Groups stores, its servers  which ran the heart of all merchandising, financial, and other operational applications  kept its integrity.

We will continue to collaborate with PRG and support its goal of expanding and reaching more customers in the Philippines. Through a collaborative digital transformation journey, we hope to be able to help them meet the needs of their customers and deliver the best service possible through uninterrupted business operations even in the most challenging of times such as the pandemic, Genuino said.

ePLDT President and CEO Victor S. Genuino added that the partnership with PRG is an important step for ePLDT to drive greater business value through a collaborative digital transformation journey with customers in the Visayas region.

The investment in digital solutions is part of PRGs sabay sa buhay mantra since many of its stores, particularly in the CARAGA region, served underdeveloped communities whose access to the Internet is still quite limited. With its partnership with ePLDT, PRG was able to take a bolder and more innovative approach to reach more customers in the Philippines and fully realize its potential as a social enterprise.

Every time we open a new store, the surrounding economy thrives, said PRG Chief Information Office Julius Foronda at last years PH Digicon 2022. We often hear, Salamat sa Prince, may kutson na ako, may paninda na ako (Thanks to Prince, I now have beddings, I now have merchandise to sell).

Beyond saturating the market with as many physical stores as it can, it is the passion for serving the underserved that accurately dictates what PRG pursues as it sets its sight to expand to 100 stores across the Philippines in the next three years. Currently, it proudly operates 65 stores in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

ePLDT has been a forerunner in bringing in new technologies to our country. It is a reliable partner in providing holistic solutions, whether in increasing connectivity through reliable Internet connections, all the way down to cloud solutions, enabling productivity and integration system solutions, Foronda added.

The road ahead

The retail chain looks forward to its continued partnership with ePLDT to achieve greater business outcomes and leverage more on its holistic digital solutions  from connectivity improvements to digital systems such as ERP (enterprise resource planning) as well as cloud-based solutions.

In the beginning, we asked, how could we afford this investment as a social enterprise that only puts a very low percent markup on our goods compared to our competitors? And eventually, we found out that once the systems are in place, and productivity begins to pick up, the tech ultimately pays for itself, closed Foronda.

For more information on ePLDT's digital solutions and how they can transform your business, visit ePLDT at https://www.epldt.com/
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Tom Cruise is flying high. The 61-year-old actor and Scientologists latest film, Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One, paraglided into cinemas this week. Its the seventh and (supposedly) penultimate entry in a franchise which has never been in such fine fettle: Dead Reckoning has been pelted with glowing reviews from every direction. Its got a zeitgeisty plot, which sees Cruises rogue counterintelligence agent Ethan Hunt embark on a convoluted intercontinental hunt for a key, in a bid to prevent the rise of a sinister, seemingly all-powerful AI system known as The Entity. The Independents Clarisse Loughrey described the film as a muscular, extravagant, thoroughly old-school work of ingenuity and craft. Rotten Tomatoes currently indicates that 98 per cent of critical verdicts are favourable (the highest figure of Cruises career). The only problem? When it comes to Dead Reckoning, the consensus is dead wrong.

Written by director Christopher McQuarrie and Erik Jendresen (Band of Brothers), Dead Reckoning sees the Mission: Impossible franchise self-destruct before our eyes  without even the courtesy of a five-second warning. To the films credit, there are plenty of well-constructed (and, in Cruises case, age-defying) stunts. My problem isnt the logistically impressive but horribly protracted car chase in Rome. Or the sequence in a cavernous Venetian party, which so nakedly strives to imitate a recent Keanu Reeves vehicle that Cruise might as well start calling himself Tom Wick. Or even the dubious acting from Cruise (intensely, unshakably odd) and Esai Morales, who plays the films villain Gabriel with an air of absurd nonchalance, save for one angry yell that makes William Shatners notorious bellow in Star Trek: Wrath of Khan seem like the picture of subtlety. No, Dead Reckonings real dealbreaker is the screenplay. There are times when it feels like Dead Reckoning was itself written by AI. A lazy joke, sure  but not a million miles from the truth.

The Mission: Impossible films have only ever had a flirtatious relationship with reality, but theres a vast tonal chasm between the nuclear threat of (the previous entry) Fallout, and the nonsensical AI plotline. There is clunky and then there is whatever this is  a jumble of hokey B-movie jargon and perfervid declaratives, with two out of every four nouns being either key or the Entity. You could replace the word Entity with magic orb and Dead Reckoning would make just as much sense.

Stifling laughter during many of the films preposterous dialogue scenes is an impossible mission of its own. Amusing, too, are the farcical little flourishes: the moment when Hayley Atwells character is asked to initiate a $100,000,000 bank transfer by entering her bank details into a mobile phone. (Dont forget the sort code!) When Gabriel rises from a kind of horizontal cupboard he had been hiding in, detaching an elaborate Bane-style breathing apparatus from his mouth. (Surely unnecessary!) A train carriage dangles over a ravine by a single, precarious chain, yet doesnt budge when a grand piano crashes through its corridor. Time and again, it beggars belief.

But the scripts failings arent all so benign. Dead Reckoning features one of the most shameless deployments of fridging in recent memory  the sexist trope wherein female characters are killed or injured purely to motivate a male protagonist. Its explicitly suggested in the film that the villain does away with one of the films female leads purely to goad Cruises character into revenge  no subtext here, just text, written in all caps.

Increasingly, there is this notion with action films that we should content ourselves to strap in and enjoy the ride. Dont overthink it. No plot, just vibes. Im not saying every spy thriller has to be The Conformist, but theres a difference between simplicity and mindlessness. Good  or at least, vaguely credible  writing is necessary for any sort of real investment in a story. If all youre chasing is the vicarious aerodynamic thrill of watching Cruise jump off a mountain, you might as well stay home and watch skydiving compilations on YouTube.

Atwell and Cruise prepare to do battle with an evil villain and a ridiculous screenplay (Christian Black/Paramount Pictures/Skydance)

Im aware that pieces like the one youre reading often seem contrarian. (That thing you like? Its bad, actually.) But Im sincerely baffled by the unanimous adoration poured over Dead Reckoning. What silliness could the script possibly introduce at this point that would prompt viewers to tap out? Maybe if it forgot a characters name partway through, or revealed that the whole franchise was just a dream. Perhaps a cross-universe cameo from Jar-Jar Binks. Short of this, it seems the Mission: Impossible fanbases collective tolerance for hogwash knows no end.

Rightly or wrongly, the Mission: Impossible films have come to be considered elevated blockbusters  works of genuine spectacle that manage to float above Hollywoods ever-flowing river of superhero slop. But Dead Reckonings writing is as silly and tedious as that of any slipshod comic-book film. So what if the stunts are sensational? Its like finding chunks of wagyu steak in a bowl of Coco Pops. Its a disaster masquerading as a triumph. Or to put it another way: lavishing more praise on this film is a mission I simply refuse to accept.

Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One is out in cinemas now
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The Oppenheimer cast walked the red carpet on Tuesday (11 July) for the films world premiere in Paris, France.

A select number of journalists attended the screening and the first reactions have been effusive in their praise.

Irish actor Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders), 47, stars as the father of the atomic bomb, Robert J Oppenheimer, in Christopher Nolans highly anticipated biopic.

The all-star cast comprises Emily Blunt, 40, who plays Oppenheimers wife, biologist Kitty Oppenheimer; Matt Damon, 52, portrays Manhattan Project director Lt Leslie Groves Jr, Florence Pugh, 27, plays Oppenheimers ex-fiancee, psychiatrist and physician Jean Tatlock, and Robert Downey Jr, 58, stars as Lewis Strauss, the former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.

The performances from these actors... I think youre going to be as impressed with them as I have been, Nolan told attendees at the premiere.

Its an intense experience. Its a very serious subject. But its something weve poured our hearts and souls into, he added.

The first viewers were indeed impressed with the film.

The Associated Press Lindsey Bahr called the movie a spectacular achievement in its truthful, concise adaptation, inventive storytelling and nuanced performances from Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon and the many, many others involved.

#Oppenheimer left me stunned: a character study on the grandest scale, with a sublime central performance by Cillian Murphy, Matt Maytum, deputy editor of Total Film wrote. An epic historical drama but with a distinctly Nolan sensibility: the tension, structure, sense of scale, startling sound design, remarkable visuals. Wow, he added.

Totally absorbed in Oppenheimer, a dense, talkie, tense film partly about the bomb, mostly about how doomed we are, Jonathan Dean of The Sunday Times tweeted. Happy summer! Murphy is good, but the support essential: Damon, Downey Jr & Ehrenreich even bring gags. An audacious, inventive, complex film to rattle its audience.

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Oppenheimer is inspired by the 2005 biography American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer, written by Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin.

Speaking at an academic discussion last month, Bird said: I am, at the moment, stunned and emotionally recovering from having seen [Oppenheimer].

Nolan previously teased that the film had left early viewers devastated.

They cant speak. I mean, theres an element of fear thats there in the history and there in the underpinnings, the director said.

As well as Murphy, Pugh, Blunt, Damon and Downey Jr, Oppenheimer also stars Rami Malek, Gary Oldman, Dane DeHaan, Josh Hartnett, Kenneth Branagh, Matthew Modine, Casey Affleck, Alden Ehrenreich and Jason Clarke.

Find more reactions below:

Oppenheimer debuts in cinemas on 21 July, the same day as Greta Gerwigs Barbie. Eager fans are already planning on buying tickets to see both films back-to-back. The viral trend, dubbed Barbenheimer, has become so popular that even Murphy, Margot Robbie and Tom Cruise have publicly supported it.
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Tom Cruise surprised cinemagoers as he showed up at a number of screenings for the new Mission: Impossible film.

The 61-year-old stars in Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One, the seventh film in the action franchise, which is in cinemas now.

On Tuesday (11 July), just days after the film hit screens, Cruise made a number of appearances in cinemas across the US and Canada.

He attended screenings at destinations including AMC Georgetown in Washington, DC, AMC Sunset Place 24 in South Miami, Florida, Regal Atlantic Station in Atlanta, Georgia and Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto.

Cruise was joined by director Christopher McQuarrie, with the pair speaking to the packed-out cinemas before each screening.

You definitely dream of moments like this, Cruise explained, describing the experience as amazing.

Hope you enjoy the film, cause we made it for you, he said, before posing for photos with attendees.

The actor posed with fans at Regal Atlantic Station in Atlanta, Georgia (Getty Images for Paramount Pictu)

Cruise stars in the latest Mission: Impossible film opposite Hayley Atwell, Rebecca Ferguson and Vanessa Kirby.

In an interview with The Independent, Atwell spoke about joining the franchise and the rumours that had suggested she and Cruise were dating. Atwell recently got engaged to composer Ned Wolfgang Kelly.

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Insisting that she saw McQuarrie and Cruise as sort of two uncles, Atwell said: I would be like, Ooh, theres some weird rumours, and it feels base, it feels a little dirty, it feels grubby, its not what Im about. Why are things being assumed or projected onto me about my relationship with my work colleague and boss?

Cruise also visited the AMC Sunset Place in Miami, Florida (Getty Images for Paramount Pictu)

Atwell said that she found it upsetting because its involving people in my actual life, my personal life, who have to be on the receiving end of that. It becomes invasive.

You can read The Independents review of Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One here.

Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One is in cinemas now.
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Lil Nas X joked he was about to go to jail in Norway after he was stopped by police for riding an electric scooter through a major tunnel in the countrys capital city, Oslo.

Authorities briefly closed the Festning tunnel after four Americans, including the Old Town Road artist, rode e-scooters through it, but none of them were detained or charged.

The group had followed a GPS route into the 1.8-kilometer (1.1 mile) downtown tunnel late on Monday (10 July), police said. The four used large parts of the roadway, so a road traffic centre had to shut down some lanes, they added.

They apologised. We have escorted them out, the police department said on Twitter.

Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet reported on Tuesday (11 July) that Lil Nas X, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, was one of the four Americans.

The musician is in Oslo to perform at the outdoor Slottsffell festival nearby on Wednesday (12 July).

The rapper posted photographs of the incident on his Instagram story, joking: About to go to jail in Norway.

In another post, he posed with two police officers, quipping that hed been released without charge because they were fans.

Lil Nas X and Oslo police (Instagram)

Lil Nas X performed at Glastonbury Festival last month, taking second billing on the Pyramid Stage to Elton John.

In a four-star review of his performance, Ben Bryant wrote: His stage shows have a reputation for being exciting and inventive, and this afternoons Pyramid stage offering is no different. It is ridiculously high energy.

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Lil Nas X bursts onstage with opener Montero (Call Me by Your Name)  a viral TikTok smash thanks to its catchy Call me when you want refrain. The relatively laidback Scoop, a collaboration with Doja Cat from Montero, provides a rare opportunity to catch your breath.

Lil Nas X at Glastonbury (Scott Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Describing the rappers furry boots and the sets breakneck pace, he said the show had the energy and aesthetics of a gabber rave.

Lil Nas X paused his performance at Lollapalooza Stockholm in Sweden earlier this month after a fan threw a sex toy on stage.

Footage showed the artist stopping mid-dance to pick up the object. Whats wrong with yall? the star asked the crowd before continuing the show.

Lil Nas X is one of the latest performers to have an item thrown at them on stage in the middle of a concert; Pink recently had a fans mothers ashes thrown at her on stage, and Bebe Rexha was injured when a fan threw a mobile phone at her face.

Additional reporting by AP
The last three years have been so dominated by squirts of soap and sanitising gel that its almost impossible to get into a pre-germ mindset. Although conceived by Mark Rylance before the pandemic, there could hardly be a better time to make a play about Ignaz Semmelweis, the Hungarian doctor who discovered that making his colleagues wash their hands reduced the mortality rate in his maternity ward.

Semmelweiss ideas were largely dismissed in an unenlightened medical world that still clung to miasmas and humours. Here, with the help of a crack theatrical team including War Horse director Tom Morris and writer Stephen Brown, Rylance seeks to give the doctor his due, while also kicking up questions of the established vs the experimental, radicals vs the status quo.

The production is fittingly baroque for a show set in 19th-century Vienna: from the beginning, as we settle into Semmelweiss head and relive his memories, theres an awful lot going on. As well as the cast, a troupe of ballet dancers  representing ghosts of the dead mothers Semmelweis failed to save  haunt the stage. Meanwhile, a string quartet wanders around playing snatches of Schuberts pummelling Death and the Maiden, as well as new compositions by Adrian Sutton.
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North Korea has launched a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) off its east coast, Japanese officials said.

The missile was launched at 9.59am local time from the capital Pyongyang and fell into the Sea of Japan at 11.15am local time after almost an hour-long flight, Japans Coast Guard said citing the defence ministry.

That would make it the longest-ever flight of a North Korean ballistic missile test, at 74 minutes, TV Asahi said citing a Japanese defence ministry official.

The launch took place as US top military general Mark Milley was holding a rare trilateral meeting with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts in Hawaii.

Colonel Dave Butler, a spokesman for Mr Milley, said the launch occurred at a time they were concluding the Hawaii meeting.

North Korea test-fired a missile after Pyongyang threatened to shoot down US military reconnaissance planes and warned of shocking consequences if they continued to fly near its territory.

Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and herself a senior North Korean official, accused the US spy planes of violating its air space at least eight times on Monday, according to a statement on Tuesday from state news agency KCNA.

In case of repeated illegal intrusion, the US forces will experience a very critical flight, Ms Kim warned in the statement.

The launch prompted the South Korean and Japanese militaries to maintain readiness and bolstered surveillance posture.

Japans chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said that the missile flew at an altitude of 6,000kms and landed about 250kms west off Okushiri Island in the north of Japan.

He condemned the launch as absolutely unacceptable and called out North Korea for destabilising the peace and security of the region.

The latest launch also comes as world leaders are meeting for major diplomatic and security gatherings this week, including the ongoing North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) summit in Lithuania and the ASEAN Regional Forum in Indonesia.

Japnese prime minister Funio Kishida who is in Lithuania for the Nato summit ordered the military to gather information and stay alert for preparation of any untoward events, according to the prime ministers office.

South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol who is also in Baltic region country of Europe for the summit is expected to discuss North Koreas growing military threats with the leaders to seek security cooperation.

Mr Kishida and Mr Yeol are also expected to meet on the sidelines of the Nato gathering while a summit was also planned with South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

North Koreas long-range ballistic missile programmes target the mainland US as the missiles are capable of travelling with a range greater than 5,500 and delivering nuclear warheads. Since 2017, the country has conducted a slew of ICBM tests as part of its efforts to flex its military muscles with weapons capable of striking major US.

The 12th missile test this year came after Pyongyangs last long-range missile test on 13 April, when it fired the most advance Hwasong-18 solid-fuel ICBM. The missile launch briefly prompted Japan to issue evacuation in Hokkaido.

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said the timing of test by the North Korean leadership could be an attempt to disrupt coordination against it in high-level meetings.

Kim Yo-jongs bellicose statement against US surveillance aircraft is part of a North Korean pattern of inflating external threats to rally domestic support and justify weapons tests, Mr Easley said.

Pyongyang also times its shows of force to disrupt what it perceives as diplomatic coordination against it, in this case, South Korea and Japans leaders meeting during the Nato summit.
Minister credits protection efforts and prosecution of big cases for success

China's total arable land has increased for two consecutive years, Natural Resources Minister Wang Guanghua said during a news conference held by the State Council Information Office on Tuesday.

A report by the ministry showed that last year, arable land in China rose by more than 86,600 hectares year-on-year and now exceeds 127.6 million hectares.

Wang said strict regulation of the balance between cultivating and compensating for farmland ensured that the total amount of arable land does not decrease.

The ministry has conducted tough inspections and law enforcement to protect farmland. Measures include publicizing and prosecuting major cases involving arable land.

As a result, the number of such cases in the first half of this year decreased by 64 percent compared to the previous year, the ministry said.

An assessment system for arable land protection was also set up for local governments earlier this year.

The assessment will be conducted annually, with procedures such as provincial self-inspection and random checks to ensure a fair assessment. The results will be a key reference for evaluation and performance assessments of officials, the ministry said.

During an interview with Xinhua News Agency in June, Wang stressed the importance of prioritizing farmland protection and remaining vigilant throughout this endeavor.

He expressed concerns about China's per capita arable land area, which is only 0.09 hectares, one-third of the world average.

"The demand for land for industrialization and urbanization remains high, posing a great challenge for farmland protection," he told Xinhua.

By the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), China aims to protect 124 million hectares of arable land, he said.

"It is also crucial to manage the relationship between farmers and land. It is essential to ensure that farmers can share more benefits," he was quoted as saying.

"The government must be patient, respect the wishes of farmers and ensure the public ownership of the land and the interests of farmers."
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India has lost its seventh cheetah since the start of an ambitious translocation project that aims to revive the wildcats population in South Asia, 70 years after it went extinct.

The project began last September, when eight cats were brought in from Namibia, while another 12 from South Africa were introduced this February.

Four of the original 20 cheetahs have now died, and another three cubs born to one of the adult females did not survive. A fourth cub is being bred in captivity and so will not be a part of the project in future.

The latest death of a male cheetah named Tejas, one of the South Africa contingent, is another setback less than 10 months after the project began in Kuno National Park in central Madhya Pradesh state.

Wildlife officials are yet to ascertain the manner of death for Tejas, who died after suffering serious neck injuries in his enclosure, officials said.

Principal chief conservator of forests JS Chouhan told The Independent that the monitoring team saw some injuries on Tejass neck on Tuesday morning around 11am local time while the cheetah was still inside its enclosure, and a team of veterinarians was rushed to investigate.

The wounds were found to be serious by a team of wildlife doctors, but before we could take any action, the cheetah was found dead at the spot around 2pm, Mr Chouhan said. Infighting between the cheetah and a female cheetah present in the same enclosure was a likely cause, he said.

The death was not the result of any violent interaction with other big mammals such as bears or leopards which are also present in the Kuno Palpur park area, Mr Chouhan said, almost 24 hours after officials conducted a thorough inspection of the surroundings.

There are no pug marks in the area where Tejas moved yesterday, to suspect an ugly fight with a bigger animal. We have not seen any breach in the mesh of the enclosure, he said.

An autopsy to ascertain what caused the fatal injuries was held on Wednesday, but the results have not yet been released.

It comes just two weeks after India nearly lost another cheetah after a violent territorial altercation between two coalitions formed by the big cats.

Officials from the forest department and veterinarians on the spot had to separate four cheetahs to stop a ferocious attack on a cheetah named Agni, which had to be taken to a medical facility to treat its wounds.

Wildlife experts have described the latest cheetah death as a serious alarm call for Indian officials, who have also seen deadly fights break out between the wild cats on other occasions.

Senior conservationist Valmik Thapar, who has monitored cheetahs in Africa for 25 years, told The Independent that the biggest drawback of the project  which was kickstarted personally by prime minister Narendra Modi with great fanfare  is the shroud of secrecy that hangs over it.

Journalists and activists have not been allowed inside Kuno national park since the beginning of the project, making it impossible to see what is actually happening to the wild animals.

No one, outside a group of people, knows how these cheetahs are handled, how many are inside the park, how many are hanging on the boundaries of their enclosures, or the direct threats they are facing, Mr Thapar said.

He said the project is being helmed in complete darkness.

How do we know or not know if a leopard has jumped in or what exactly is happening to the remaining cheetahs day and night? he asked.

Mr Thapar said there were also questions to be asked about having the project led by officials with no cheetah expertise.

The project has been ill-advised from the start as the cats face numerous challenges in a country they went extinct from in the 1960s, the wildlife expert said. India has only seen captive cheetahs for more than 300 years before the ultimate decline, but what is more concerning is that India has not one official capable of giving a safe start to the lives of cheetahs who are now dying in Kuno, he said.
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Four Pakistan Army soldiers were killed and five others critically injured after gunmen launched a dastardly attack on a military garrison in northern Balochistan.

Local media reported that the attack took place during the early hours of Wednesday at the Zhob military garrison after the terrorists initial attempt to sneak into the facility was checked by soldiers on duty.

The Inter-Services Public Relations [ISPR] said in a statement: In ensuing heavy exchange of fire, the terrorists have been contained into a small area at the boundary.

The ISPR said three heavily armed terrorists have been killed so far.

A clearance operation by security forces is underway to apprehend remaining two terrorists as well, the statement said.

Security forces remain determined to thwart all such ghastly attempts at destroying the peace of Balochistan and Pakistan, it added.

Pakistans Dawn newspaper reported that a civilian  a woman  was also killed after she was caught in the crossfire.

Zhob District Commissioner Azeem Kakar was quoted as saying that five other civilians were injured.

The senior official added that a local bus, travelling from Dera Ismail Khan was caught in the firing. He added that nothing can be said about the number of attackers.

Reports said that all departments were on alert and an operation was underway.

Pakistan Army is the guarantor of peace and security in the region, the Balochistan chief minister said after condemning the attack on the military garrison.

Meanwhile, according to a report released by a think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies [PICSS], at least 389 people lost their lives in terror and suicide attacks across the country in the first six months of the year.

Balochistan reported 75 terror incidents in the first half of 2023, resulting in 100 deaths and 163 injuries, according to the PICSS report released earlier this month.

During the second half of 2022, a total of 228 attacks took place, leading to 246 fatalities and 349 injuries. However, the first half of 2023 saw a notable increase in attacks, with an 18 per cent rise compared to the preceding six months of 2022.
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Thailands foreign minister has said he was allowed access to Myanmars jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is well, mentally and physically.

Don Pramudwinai has thus become the first foreign envoy to be granted access to the Nobel laureate ever since she was detained following a coup by the junta in February 2021.

Ms Suu Kyi was in good health when they held the meeting on Sunday and she conveyed her willingness to engage in talks to resolve the Myanmar crisis, Mr Don said on the sidelines of the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit taking place in Indonesia.

She encourages dialogue, Mr Don told reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday about the meeting. Obviously were trying to find a way to settle with Myanmar.

The popular pro-democracy figure, who was Myanmars former democratically elected leader, was sentenced to 33 years in prison after being convicted in almost two dozen cases against her.

She is being held in an annexe of a prison in capital Naypyitaw and was denied visits, including from her legal team.

Ms Suu Kyi was among more than 16,600 people, including key party members and activists, who were arrested by the junta which overthrew the countrys democratically elected government.

The comments have come as Indonesia hosts the two-day Asean summit, which has 18 member states attending, including representatives of Russia, China and India.

Thailands foreign minister Don Pramudwinai at the Asean foreign ministers meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia (AP)

The grouping has been under pressure to address the crisis in the southeast Asian nation. It has barred Myanmars military generals from attending the foreign ministerial meetings.

The junta accused Asean of violating the blocs bedrock principles of non-intervention in each others domestic affairs by banning their entry.

Mr Don said the Indonesian government wanted to see all Asean members back in the group, without elaborating.

The meeting with Ms Suu Kyi aligned with Aseans plan to achieve peace in Myanmar, he said.

(The meeting) is an approach of the friends of Myanmar, who would like to see a peaceful settlement, he said.

Kanchana Patarachoke, a spokesperson for Thailands foreign ministry, told reporters that the private meeting held on Sunday lasted over an hour.

She was in good health both physically and mentally. (Mr Don) briefed Asean on the retreat this morning, she said.

Mr Don faced criticism last month when he invited Asean counterparts for an informal meeting aimed at resolving Myanmars political crisis, including junta-appointed foreign minister Than Swe.
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After a nine-year reign since coming to power through a military coup, Thailands prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha announced that he was retiring from the political arena.

He has, however, said that he will remain in a temporary leadership position till the new government was formed.

His announcement on Tuesday comes in the wake of a heavy defeat of his military-backed United Thai Nation party in the 14 May election, which won just 36 of the 500 house seats.

Mr Prayuth, 69, a former army commander, shared his announcement through the Facebook page of the United Thai Nation Party, also known as Ruam Thai Sang Chart. He had been nominated by the party to serve another term as prime minister.

I would like to announce my retirement from politics by resigning as a member of the United Thai Nation, Mr Prayuth wrote.

Id like to ask the party leader, executives and members to continue their political activities with a strong ideology of protecting the institutions, the nation, the religion and the monarchy, and take care of the Thai people.

On 22 May 2014, Mr Prayuth staged a military coup, overthrowing the government of Yingluck Shinawatra. As a result, he assumed the role of the head of the National Council for Peace and Order [NCPO], effectively becoming Thailands de facto leader.

In 2019, following general elections held under a new constitution drafted by his government, Mr Prayuth was elected prime minister by the Thai Parliament.

According to reports, Mr Prayuth would have been able to serve two more years under constitutional term limits had he returned to office this year. He was already one of Thailands longest-serving prime ministers.

Mr Prayuth said in his statement: In these past nine years, I as prime minister have worked with my full determination and strength to protect the nation, the religion and the monarchy, and for the best interest of the beloved people.

Meanwhile, the Thai parliament is all set to select a new prime minister on Thursday.

The Move Forward Party, led by 42-year-old Pita Limjaroenrat, achieved a stunning victory with its allies in the May election. However, despite their success, potential obstacles loom for Mr Pitas ascent to the position of PM due to proposed reforms targeting the monarchy.

Just a day before the parliamentary vote for a new prime minister, it was reported that Thailands Election Commission put forth a recommendation to the Constitutional Court, urging the suspension of Mr Pita. The recommendation was reportedly based on allegations of campaign rule violations during his time as a Member of Parliament.
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HS2 Ltds chief executive has announced his resignation amid major delays and cost pressures for the high-speed railway project.

Mark Thurston, 56, will leave his role in September after six-and-a-half years leading the Government-owned company.

He said someone else should take over as the project transitions from construction to a defining period involving the installation of railway systems, such as track and signalling equipment.

HS2 Ltds latest annual report shows Mr Thurston was paid a salary of 617,300 in the 2021/22 financial year, when he also received benefits worth 5,400.

I have agreed with the board that someone else should lead the organisation and programme through what will be another defining period for HS2 Mark Thurston, HS2 Ltd

HS2 was initially scheduled to open in 2026, but this has been delayed to between 2029 and 2033 due to construction difficulties and rising costs.

A budget of 55.7 billion for the whole project was set in 2015, but the target cost excluding the eastern leg of Phase 2b from the West Midlands to the East Midlands has soared to between 53 billion and 61 billion at 2019 prices.

In March, Transport Secretary Mark Harper announced work at Euston would be paused for two years as costs had ballooned to 4.8 billion compared with an initial budget of 2.6 billion.

Mr Thurstons resignation announcement comes while Phase One of the project between London and Birmingham is at peak construction, with major work taking place at more than 350 sites.

He said: Leading this organisation has been the highlight of my career and a privilege from the first day.

The programme has come such a long way and I want to thank everyone who has worked on the project during my time.

The next 18-24 months will see the project move into an exciting new stage. I have agreed with the board that someone else should lead the organisation and programme through what will be another defining period for HS2.

Mr Harper said: Id like to thank Mark Thurston for his work over the last six years progressing Britains most transformative rail project.

As well as successfully overseeing the start of construction, he has ensured HS2 has created tens of thousands of skilled jobs and apprenticeships across the country.

As HS2 enters its next phase, the Government remains committed to unlocking all the benefits of this flagship infrastructure scheme  increasing rail capacity, connecting communities and growing the economy.

When Mr Thurston leaves at the end of September, HS2 Ltd chairman Sir Jon Thompson will become executive chairman for an interim period while a new chief executive is recruited.

Mr Thurston is HS2 Ltds longest serving chief executive.

The two other people to hold the title are Simon Kirby (2014-2017) and Alison Munro (2009-2014).
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Torrential downpours this week have led to the deaths of 100 people and unleashed havoc in northern India in what officials have described as the worst monsoon the country has experienced in decades.

The deadly monsoon comes as several other nations across the world grapple with similar extreme weather.

The northeastern US is under a state of emergency, China is evacuating thousands of people, and Japan has reported its heaviest rain ever experienced, according to its weather department officials.

Rains have battered neighbouring Pakistan as well, and the death toll there as of Tuesday evening had reached 86 since 25 June. The deaths have been a reminder of the deadly deluge that devastated the country just a year ago.

In India, downpours have lashed several areas, from western Rajasthan to northern Jammu and Kashmir, and have killed at least 100, with thousands more left stranded as key highways were damaged.

A massive downpour in Delhi has left large swathes of the national capital submerged, including the central area around Connaught Place, while several key government buildings are also affected. On Sunday, Delhi received its highest amount of rain on a single day in July since the 1980s.

People were seen wading through knee-deep water, and several motorists became stuck on roads that had turned into rivers.

The Yamuna River, which cuts across Delhi, passed the danger mark of 205 metres above mean sea level, as incessant rain combined with dam water released from neighbouring Haryana prompted evacuations.

On Wednesday, the river flowed close to 207.25m, precariously close to the all-time record of 207.49m reached in 1978, government officials said.

A person wades through a flooded street after heavy rains in New Delhi (Reuters)

The rains were far deadlier in the fragile mountainous states of Himachal Pradesh, the northern state most severely affected, and Uttarakhand, where they triggered severe floods and deadly landslides, killing dozens.

Shocking images showed floods washing away villages and key highways, disrupting essential services, in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab.

Floodwaters blocked the Indo-Tibet border road, while contact was lost with more than a dozen border villages.

Heavy rain and falling boulders killed four people and injured seven others in Uttarakhand on Tuesday. At least 20 people died in flash floods and other rain-related disasters in just one province of Himachal Pradesh.

State chief minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Monday said Himachal had not witnessed such widespread heavy rains in more than 50 years.

This years monsoon has raised concern among experts, who warn that the climate crisis is playing a significant role in the intensification of such extreme weather.

It rains fewer hours, but when it rains, it rains very heavily, observed M Rajeevan, a former secretary of Indias Ministry of Earth Sciences, according to the Hindustan Times. Recent heavy rains and flash floods remind us of one of the important impacts of climate change on monsoon, he said.

South Asia receives approximately 70-80 per cent of its annual rainfall during the monsoon season, which normally starts in late June. This weather event often has severe consequences for a region that is vulnerable to flash floods because of its lack of adequate infrastructure.

This years monsoon, however, which began on 1 June, has brought significantly higher levels of rainfall in Delhi, Punjab and Himachal, with the regions seeing an increase of 112 per cent, 100 per cent and 70 per cent respectively, according to the India Meteorological Department.

Climate scientists have raised the alarm over the monsoons changing patterns, which are making rain more erratic, resulting in much more falling in a short period and leading to flash floods.

The ongoing spell of extremely heavy rains is due to the alignment of three weather systems: western disturbance over Western Himalayas, cyclonic circulation over northwestern plains, and axis of monsoon trough running across Indo-Gangetic Plains, explained Mahesh Palawat, vice-president of meteorology and climate change at private weather agency Skymet.

Commuters use plastic sheets to protect themselves from rain in New Delhi (AFP via Getty)

This alignment is not happening for the first time, and is the usual pattern during the monsoon. However, global-warming-led changes in monsoon patterns have made a difference, he added.

There has been a constant rise in both land and sea temperatures, which has increased the capacity of the air to hold moisture for a longer time. Thus, the role of climate change in the increasing extreme weather events in India has been strengthening with each passing year.

Research has already established the impact of the climate crisis on south Asias monsoon patterns. Last years devastating floods in Pakistan were also found to be a result of the effect of the climate crisis on monsoon patterns.

But with this years record-shattering global warming, experts have said that heat is also meddling with atmospheric and oceanic phenomena.

There have been extreme weather events earlier as well, but 2023 has been a unique year, said Raghu Murtugudde, professor of atmospheric and oceanic science at the University of Maryland.

Global warming is making a significant contribution, but there are some other factors as well, Dr Murtugudde explained, adding that the El Nino pattern, record North Atlantic Ocean temperatures, and exceptional warming in the Arabian Sea in recent years are among the contributing factors.

Deadly floods cause havoc around the world as torrential rains lash India, US and Spain (AP/Reuters/Policia Zaragoza/TMX)

He also said that with wildfires being three times larger, more carbon is being released into the atmosphere, increasing greenhouse gases.

A recent report by Indias earth sciences ministry found that overall monsoon rainfall, which already leads to repeated flooding, is projected to become more intense in the future and will affect larger areas, driven by the climate crisis.

India has already faced back-to-back deadly heatwaves, more frequent extreme temperature and rainfall events, droughts, sea-level rises, and intensified severe cyclones.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned of summer and monsoon precipitation increasing and becoming more frequent, with the Indian subcontinent projected to experience a 20 per cent surge in extreme rain events in the coming years.
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Catastrophic flooding has swamped Vermonts state capital amid a race to rescue dozens of residents trapped by surging waters.

Drone footage showed picturesque blocks of Montpelier under waist-high water on Tuesday after two months of rain fell in the space of 48 hours. Residents were seen canoeing along a road in front of the state capitol building, and negotiating streets on paddleboards.

The Wrightsville Dam, just north of Montpelier, was being closely watched after officials warned earlier on Tuesday that it was dangerously close to capacity and could breach, risking more flooding in the deluged town.

As of 4.00 pm this afternoon, the Wrightsville Damis holding at maximum capacity. The Winooski and North Branch rivers continue to remain high and pose a serious threat to anyone near the floodwater, the city government wrote on its Facebook page.

Officials had warned on Tuesday morning that with very few evacuation options remaining people stranded in at-risk areas may wish to go to upper floors in their houses.

Some 117 rescues have been made in Vermont amid extreme flooding, public officials said on Tuesday, with 67 people evacuated from homes, businesses and vehicles and 17 animals rescued. There have been no reports of injuries or deaths related to the Vermont flooding, according to emergency officials.

President Joe Biden, who is in Vilnius, Lithuania, attending the annual NATO summit, declared an emergency in the state and authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide assistance.

Inland flooding alerts were in place for more than 13 millions people on Tuesday even as rains were forecast to ease and floodwaters slowly began to recede.

Slow-moving, moisture-laden storms have saturated swathes of the Northeast since the weekend and left local governments, businesses and residents facing bills for damages that will easily run into many millions of dollars.

A woman rows a paddle board in a flooded area in Montpelier, Vermont on Tuesday (REUTERS)

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared it a 1-in-1,000-year weather event caused by the climate crisis.

New Yorks Hudson Valley has also been devastated by the flooding which has destroyed homes and major roadways, caused bridges to collapse, and damaged buildings at the historic West Point military academy.

One death has been reported in the state. Pamela Nugent, 43, died as she tried to escape her flooded home with her dog in the hamlet of Fort Montgomery, officials said.

Despite heavy rainfall easing over New England, more severe weather was brewing across the US in what has been a relentless summer of extremes.

Zyta-Rose Blow, an employee at Nelson Ace Hardware, shovels mud and silt from the shop on Main Street in Barre, Vermont on Tuesday (EPA)

There was risk of heavy rainfall in the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley, the National Weather Service said.

Attributing the role of the climate crisis in individual flooding events takes significant scientific analysis. However, as the planet warms, more moisture is held in the atmosphere, which means that storms bring the possibility of a lot more rain.

Texas and other parts of the Southwest will continue to get extreme heat with advisories, watches and warnings in effect from Florida and Texas to California.

Some parts of Florida would experience record-tying/breaking temperatures in the coming days. When combined with the humidity, the real feel of the heat will range between 105-110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Eastern Texas will hit the upper 90s to low 100s on Tuesday, spreading northward into additional portions of the Southern Plains and Central Plains on Wednesday. High humidity will lead to heat indices up to 110F here as well.

West Texas, as well as the Desert Southwest, will not see as much humidity but the air temperature will be hotter, ranging between the mid-100s to mid-110s, posing a similarly high risk of heat-related impacts.
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Vermont is beginning the long and gruelling clean-up from catastrophic flooding this week  the scale of which is so vast that it can be seen from space.

The Green Mountain State wasnt alone: other Northeastern states are facing their own expensive recoveries from major, slow-moving storms which dumped months of rain on the region in a matter of days.

Make no mistake, the devastation and flooding were experiencing across Vermont is historic and catastrophic, said Vermont Governor Phil Scott, who appeared on Wednesday at a briefing alongside state congressional leaders including Senator Bernie Sanders.

The governor noted that Vermont has recently completed the final infrastructure repair job from 2011s deadly Tropical Storm Irene when it was hit with flooding this week. And unlike Irene, which lasted around 24 hours, the downpours have gone on for days, Gov Scott said.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul also declared it a 1-in-1,000-year weather event caused by the climate crisis.

Attributing the role of the climate crisis in individual flooding events takes significant scientific analysis. However, as the planet warms, more moisture is held in the atmosphere meaning storms with the potential for a lot more rain and ensuing flash floods.

Communities in upstate New York, particularly in the Hudson Valley, have been devastated with homes destroyed, and roads and bridges washed away by torrents of water. Pamela Nugent, 43, drowned while trying to escape her home in Highland Falls with her dog.

In Vermont, more than 100 people have been evacuated in swift water rescue operations including by teams drafted in to help from North Carolina and Massachusetts. Crews were continuing to search door to door in remote, heavily impacted areas.

Large parts of the towns of Londonderry and Weston, Vermont remained largely inaccessible on Wednesday.

An overview of the Winooski River in Richmond, Vermont on June 27, 2019 (left) and on July 11, 2023, after heavy rains triggered flooding (Satellite image A2023 Maxar Tech)

In the state capital, Montpelier, a dam on the citys outskirts appeared to have stabilised after it came dangerously close to breaching.

It looks like it wont breach... That is one less thing we have to have on our front burner, Montpelier Town Manager Bill Fraser said.

Business owners cleaned out destroyed merchandise and furniture on Wednesday, salvaging what they could. Residents were seen canoeing along a road in front of the state capitol building, and navigating streets on paddleboards.

Juliana Jennings removes a wet Persian rug from the flood-damaged antique, art, and furnishing store she shares with her husband, in downtown Montpelier, Vermont (AP)

Officials warned drivers to monitor closures and avoid traversing water-covered roadways. With more rainfall expected from Thursday across New England, there may be additional road closures, New England Compass said.

But the crisis is far from over, Governor Scott warned. So I want to be clear, we are not out of the woods, he said on Tuesday.

Authorities warned residents to beware of potential sinkholes as flood waters recede and saturated ground settles. Vermont was also advising residents in flood-effected areas to boil water due to risk of contamination from pollutants and sewage in floodwaters.

President Joe Biden, who has been in Lithuania attending the annual NATO summit, declared an emergency for Vermont and authorised the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide assistance.

Despite heavy rainfall easing over New England, more severe weather was brewing across the US in what has been a relentless summer of extremes.

Forecasters warned on Wednesday of possible life-threatening flash flooding in parts of southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana as heavy rain battered the region.
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Scientists have unveiled a white paint that can reflect the suns rays off the Earths surface, which could help cool the planet.

Dr Xiulin Ruan  a mechanics engineering professor at Purdue University  and his team first revealed the paint in 2020, which can reflect up to 98 per cent of the suns rays, the New York Times reported on Wednesday. The paint can cool surfaces up to eight degrees Fahrenheit in the middle of the day and up to 19 degrees Fahrenheit at night.

The paint itself is physically cool to the touch, Dr Ruan told the publication. Beyond this, the paint is award-winning: it earned a Guinness World Record in 2021 as the whitest paint ever.

We werent really trying to develop the worlds whitest paint, Dr Ruan said in an interview with the Times. We wanted to help with climate change, and now its more of a crisis, and getting worse. We wanted to see if it was possible to help save energy while cooling down the Earth.

Its not so white that you cant look at it, Dr Ruan added, because the paint disseminates light. His team is working on creating other colors that utilise the same white color as the base.

They will work less ideally than the white, but better than some of the other commercial colors, the professor said, adding that the paint is not yet available for commercial use.

Not everyone is so convinced that the paint is as ultra-effective as it is ultra-white. Even Dr Ruan noted that his team currently uses barium sulfate, which needs to be mined, and therefore has a negative environmental impact. However, he told the publication that his teams paint is on par with other commercial ones, as most of them use titanium dioxide, which is also mined.

Dr Jeremy Munday, an electrical and computer engineering professor at University of California, Davis, told the New York Times that the effects of the paint are minimal.

Itd be like pouring a cup of regular water into the ocean, explaining that the sun generates a billion times more heat than the Earth, and the paint just reflects the suns heat.

Ultra-white paint or other methods of radiative cooling on a large scale is definitely not a long-term solution to the climate problem, Dr Munday said. This is something you can do short term to mitigate worse problems while trying to get everything under control.
 Close Devastating floods batter Vermont as water levels continue to rise

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Vermont authorities confirmed the first flood-related death following catastrophic rain on Wednesday.

Some 117 rescues were made in Vermont as the towns of Londonderry and Weston remained largely inaccessible. Officials were beginning to assess how many homes had been destroyed and what the financial cost would be from damaged roads, bridges and railways.

Vermont Emergency Management confirmed on Thursday that 63-year-old Stephen Davoll died as a result of a drowning incident in his home on Wednesday. It is the first death linked to the historic floodings in the state.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared the floodings a 1-in-1,000-year weather event caused by the climate crisis, after a woman died in the Empire State when she was swept away while trying to escape her home with her dog.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott said at a news conference that thunderstorms were expected to move into parts of the state by Thursday night, which could cause more flash flooding.

The period we are more concerned about is Sunday because that could be more widespread and heavier, but not nearly on the scale of what we saw earlier in the week, National Weather Service meteorologist Seth Kutikoff also said.
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If you needed more proof that it really is a Barbie world, Crocs new collaboration with the live-action film has already sold out online, much to the frustration of fans.

Crocs is the latest brand to launch a collaboration with the Barbie movie, which hits theatres on 21 July. The shoe company debuted its new collection on Tuesday 11 July, with each shoe fittingly coated in Barbiecore pink.

The Mega Crush Clog, which has already sold out online, features a 2.9-inch platform sole with a glittery midsole design and eight built-in Barbie movie charms with the classic B logo. The new collection also includes the Barbie Cozzzy Sandal, lined with plush pink fuzz; the Barbie Crush Clog in black; and a Barbiecore version of Crocs classic clog.

The brand additionally released a set of kidswear shoes alongside the collection, though Barbie is for every age.

Earlier this week, Crocs announced its Barbie collaboration on social media by sharing a first look at the pink shoes. However, it appears the heads-up wasnt enough for Barbie fans, who already snatched up the collection just hours after it dropped.

As of Tuesday, the platform Mega Crush Clog  which retails at $84.99 (65.72)  is currently sold out in all sizes. However, the black Crush Clog is still available in select sizes at $74.99 (57.99), as well as the Barbie Classic Clog at $59.99 (46.39) and the Barbie Cozzzy Sandal at $64.99 (50.25).

Unsurprisingly, Barbie fans took to Twitter to reveal whether they were one of the lucky ones who snagged the limited edition Crocs.

Secured a pair of the Barbie Crocs before they sold out, said one user.

The Barbie Crocs are soooo cute, said another fan.

The Barbie Crocs are out theyre tempting me so bad, a third person wrote, while someone else admitted: Yes I bought the Barbie Crocs, yes they were incredibly expensive, yes my wallet hurts but my heart is happy!!!!!

However, not everyone was able to purchase a pair of the coveted Barbie shoes before they sold out online.

All the Barbie Crocs sold out in my size before I could get them, tweeted one person. This in my villain origin story.

I want you to know that not being able to get the Barbie platform Crocs is absolutely my breaking point, another wrote.

While some Barbie Crocs have sold out on the brands website, fans can still purchase the collection items at Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Urban Outfitters, and Hibbett.

This isnt the only brand to collaborate with the Mattel doll ahead of the Barbie premiere. Last month, Airbnb announced that fans of the live-action film will be able to stay in Barbies oceanfront Malibu mansion free of charge.

The Barbie Malibu DreamHouse is back on Airbnb  but this time, Kens hosting, Airbnb wrote on Instagram, sharing their announcement. While everyones favourite doll makes her live action film debut in Barbie, Ken transformed the pink palace with maximum Kenergy  cowboy hats, rollerblades, you name it.

The home rental company said: The stay will cost zero dollars, as Ken couldnt figure out how to put a price on Barbies Malibu DreamHouse.

According to Airbnb, two individual one-night stays in Kens bedroom inside the Barbie dreamhouse will be available on 21 and 22 July 2023. Fans can request to book their stay beginning on 17 July at 10am PT at airbnb.com/kendreamhouse.

The upcoming Barbie movie, directed by Greta Gerwig, had its star-studded world premiere on 9 July in Los Angeles, California. The film stars Margot Robbie as the titular Barbie, along with Ryan Gosling as Ken.

Barbie hits theatres in the US and UK on 21 July.
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Todays Google Doodle celebrates one of Indias most famous street food snacks  the bite-sized pani puri.

The dish is one of Indias most popular street foods and can incorporate many different flavours depending on the ingredients used and where in the country it is being made.

The popular snack consists of a crispy, deep-fried shell that is cracked open on one side and stuffed with any combination of potatoes, chickpeas, spices or chillies dunked in flavoured water.

The tiny snack is best eaten quickly in rounds, with customers dipping the shell into the water and popping it whole into their mouths before the next shell is offered.

The sweet and savoury dish goes by different names in different parts of India.

In capital Delhi, it is known as gol gappa, while in West Bengal, Bihar and Nepal, the snack is called phuchka.

In southwestern Maharashtra, it is known by the staple pani puri, while in northern Haryana state, it is called paani patashi. In central Madhya Pradesh, the snack goes by fulki and in Uttar Pradesh, its called pani ke batashe or padake.

In the northeastern state of Assam, locals call it the phuska, while Gujaratis call it pakodi.

In parts of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, locals call the snack Gup-chup.

The process of making the humble pani puri is simple and the filling can be made according to the preference of the person eating it.

The options usually consist of a potato stuffing, mashed chickpeas stuffing, boondi or tiny fried gram flour balls. A hot ragda stuffing can also be used, which is a curry or gravy preparation made from dried white peas, spices and seasonings.

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The server pokes a hole in the deep-drief hollow shell called the puri and fills the stuffing in it.

The flavoured water, or pani in Hindi, used to dunk the filling is made either of tamarind, asafoetida, mint, garlic, lemon or jaljeera  a type of flavoured water made with chilli, cumin (jeera) and water (jal, which is another word for water)  and is served to customers one by one.

One plate of pani puri usually consists of six to eight bites and costs between Rs 20-40 (0.20-0.40).

(Hardik Monga/Unsplash)

The staple Indian snack is available in almost every north Indian restaurant locally and has only grown in popularity abroad.

Londons high end Indian restaurants, like Dishoom, Roti Chai, Indian Accent and Gunpowder, also serve the dish.

The snack is best enjoyed when the flavoured water is served cold.

Todays Google Doodle features a bespoke video game in which players serve customers orders for pani puri with different fillings.

Google said 12 July marked the anniversary of a World Record set in 2015 for the most flavours of pani puri offered by one restaurant. It was claimed by eatery Indori Zayka in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
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Jennette McCurdy has detailed how her mother encouraged her to engage in disordered eating when she was 11 years old.

The former Nickelodeon star, 31, previously said that her mother, Debra McCurdy, explicitly told her how to eat in a way that would delay puberty so that she could continue to land child roles and therefore support her family financially.

In a new interview with Louis Theroux on his podcast, The Louis Theroux Podcast, the iCarly actor opened up about exactly what her mother would do to promote disordered eating.

We partnered up to count our calories, she weighed me daily, she measured my thighs with a measuring tape, she taught me what diuretics were and we read calorie books together, she recalled.

McCurdy said that, to her 11-year-old self, it felt amazing to be partners in crime with her mother, and Debra told her that it was a secret we shouldnt tell anyone.

I thought that was great because it was like a secret code language, nobody else knows what were doing, we could nod to each other and know that we were in this together, and nobody would be part of this.

However, Debras tactics to keep her daughters calories under control led to an arduous relationship with food for McCurdy.

McCurdy explained that she began acting when she was six years old and began booking more significant roles when she was 11.

She recalled playing characters that were younger than her actual age because she looked younger, and how her mother made it clear that that was really helpful because casting directors like to cast older kids to play younger roles.

The actor said that one day, she felt a lump on her chest area and went to her mother out of fear that it was cancer. Debra has been diagnosed with breast cancer when McCurdy was two years old and later recovered.

Jennette McCurdy Portrait Session (2022 Invision)

I always had this fear of cancer recurring for her, cancer for me it was just a constant fear, she explained. She reached her hand up my shirt, felt the lump and said, Oh, Netty, no, you dont have cancer, youre just getting boobies.

That was truly as horrifying to me because it meant growing up and it had always been really clear to me that my mum did not want me to grow up. Not just for acting, but it also felt like her worth was tied up in me being young. With me being young, she had something to do, she felt good, me growing up kind of felt like her loss of purpose.

McCurdy asked Debra what she could do to stop her breasts from growing, which is when she introduced her daughter to calorie restriction.

Speaking about her mothers own eating disorder, which she had had for years, McCurdy recalled that Debra began restricting her food intake at the age of 14 by eating one donut a day.

Jennette McCurdy attends TIME100 Next Gala at SECOND Floor on October 25, 2022 (Getty Images for TIME)

The idea that this was abuse, that this was unhealthy, I couldnt go anywhere near the reality of it, she said.

I kept clinging to, Oh, mums doing this because its whats best for me, its whats best for my career, she clearly wants whats good for me, and I think a part of her believed that she wanted me to have a better life than she had, but I dont think she ever stopped to consider what that actually meant, what does that look like, what does my daughter want.

She just assumed that her dreams must be everyones dreams, because of narcissism, I guess.

In her 2022 memoir, Im Glad My Mother Died, McCurdy opened up about the abusive childhood she endured at the hands of Debra, who died in 2013 after her breast cancer returned.

During her interview with Theroux, she also revealed that her mother would shower her until she was 17 or 18 and would give her breast and vaginal exams.

She would give me breast or vaginal exams in the shower and said that she was checking for lumps  she was just checking for cancer, she recalled. But when McCurdy voiced how uncomfortable the experiences were, her mother became hysterical.

McCurdy grew up in California with Debra, her father Mark McCurdy, and her three older brothers, Dustin, Marcus and Scott. Her best-selling memoir led to a two-book deal with Penguin Random Houses Ballantine Books label.

For anyone struggling with the issues raised in this piece, eating disorder charity Beats helpline is available 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677. NCFED offers information, resources and counselling for those suffering from eating disorders, as well as their support networks. Visit eating-disorders.org.uk or call 0845 838 2040.
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Raven Symone has spoken out on the widespread use of diabetes medication Ozempic for weight loss purposes, warning that it is made for certain people.

The Thats So Raven star, 37, said her family has a history of pre-diabetes and diabetes and require medicines like Ozempic. However, the drug saw a sharp increase in use as a weight loss drug after celebrities began praising it for helping them shed pounds.

Speaking to E! News on Tuesday (11 July), Symone said: I have pre-diabetes and diabetes in my family. If Im not careful with my intake with types of foods, I am more susceptible to getting diabetes. So, I think its very important we understand certain medications are made for certain people  and to not take that away just for glamazon purposes.

In April, it was reported that prescriptions for Ozempic had doubled since summer 2021 to more than 1.2 million, with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) logging shortages of the drug. This led to fears that people with diabetes would not be able to get their hands on the potentially life-saving medication.

Symone added: Do what you gotta do, just make sure you save the medication for the people who actually need it.

While Ozempic has touted as a miracle drug for weight loss by celebrities and influencers on social media, it is currently being investigated by European drug safety officials after some patients reported having suicidal or self-harming thoughts while taking it.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) told Reuters earlier this week that is has launched a probe into adverse side effects into the drug, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, after Icelands health regulator flagged three cases of patients thinking about suicide or self-harm.

The regulators Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) will also investigate weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Saxenda, both of which are approved in the UK and the US. Wegovy is not yet available in the UK, but prime minister Rishi Sunak has said doctors will be able to offer it to patients for diabetes and weight management under a 40m pilot scheme.

Last month, one of the scientists whose work helped to develop medications like Ozempic and Wegovy told Wired that the drug causes people to lose your appetite and also the pleasure of eating.

If you like food, then that pleasure is gone. The craving for food for some people is taken away when they take GLP-1 drugs, he said. That may eventually be a problem, that once youve been on this for a year or two, life is so miserably boring that you cant stand it any longer and you have to go back to your old life.

Raven-Symone (L) and Miranda Maday appear at the Los Angeles premiere of the Disney+ Music Docu-Special "Bono & The Edge: A Sort Of Homecoming, with Dave Letterman" at The Orpheum Theatre on March 08, 2023 (Getty Images)

Elsewhere in her interview with E! News, Symone discussed self-confidence and how to foster it from the inside out.

Its hard to have, she admitted. But it is a mentality that you have to nourish and that your parents have to nourish as well.

And if you dont have that self-confidence, it will crumble other parts of your life. It will fester like a really bad blister. Its hard to maintain it and hard to grow it as an adult, but I think anything is possible if you really set your mind to it.

The Best Podcast Ever co-host shared her daily mantra to boost confidence: Im the greatest of all time. Im the best.

Symone is married to Miranda Pearman-Maday, with whom she hosts her podcast. The couple wed in June 2020, having first met in 2015 in a gay bar in West Hollywood.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
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Kevin Costner has reportedly been ordered to pay his ex-wife Christine Baumgartner $129k (99.7k) in monthly child support, double what he originally offered to give her.

In a tentative ruling set by Judge Thomas Anderle on Tuesday (11 July), the Yellowstone star will also be required to pay $200k (155k) in attorneys fees and $100k (77k) in forensic costs.

The amount, seen in legal documents obtained by Fox News Digital, is more than half of the figure Baumgartner requested from Costner, whom she filed for divorce from in early May.

The handbag designer, 49, previously said she would move out of the former couples shared home in Carpenteria, California, by the end of August if he agreed to pay $248k (191k) per month in child support for their three teenage children.

The couples pre-nuptial agreement allegedly requires Baumgartner to move out of the property within 30 days of filing for divorce. The 68-year-old actor has alleged that his ex-wife breached the agreement by refusing to move out and a judge has ordered her to vacate the home by 31 July.

Last week, Costner increased his original child support offer from $38k (29k) to $52k (40k) per month, a figure Baumgartner reportedly rejected because it was inappropriate.

She claimed that the new offer was well below the $65k (50k) per month that Costner allegedly received for renting out a guest house on his property, adding that he spends $240k (185k) a month on himself and the kids when theyre with him.

Baumgartner reportedly asked a judge to force Costner to pay $248k (192k) per month, as well as 100 per cent of the childrens private tuition, health care expenses, and extracurricular activities. She argued that this amount was less than what was needed to maintain the children in their accustomed lifestyle.

Costner rejected the figure Baumgartner requested, calling it inflated, but she insisted the money would help her set up a suitable separate household for their children.

According to Fox News, new legal documents show that she also requested Costner make the payments by automatic transfer, but this has been denied.

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)

The former couple, who are seeking joint custody of their teenage children, will reportedly both be required to pay 50 per cent of their childrens healthcare costs and other activities.

Last week, People reported that Baumgartners lawyers were seeking an extension of the court-ordered moving out date of 31 July and asked for an extension to 15 August on the grounds that she does not have enough time or funds to find a new home.

They 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.

She also argued that the Bodyguard stars claim that he is doing his best to make a divorce as seamless as possible for our children was disingenuous because he sought to evict his wife and children from their home.

Costner reportedly denied her allegation that he is evicting his children and said the children will be in the home during the time they are in my custody. The actors legal team has also insisted that Baumgartner can afford to move as Costner has already paid her $1.5m to find alternative housing.

Baumgartner is entitled to a settlement of US$1.4m (1.16m) under the conditions of their prenuptial agreement, which Costner claims to have already paid. His net worth is estimated to be upwards of $250m (193m).

The pair, who married in 2004, share three children, Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13. Baumgartner cited irreconcilable differences in her divorce filing and listed their date of separation as 11 April.

The Independent has contacted representatives for Costner and Baumgartner for comment.
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An artist has defended herself from critics after a video of her live wedding painting at a couples nuptials went viral on TikTok.

Rebecca Russell, who owns Rebecca Russell Art Studio in Virginia, offers live wedding paintings to newlyweds on their wedding day. The artistic process sees Russell set up a small easel at the ceremony or reception, where she then paints the bride and groom as they celebrate with loved ones.

In a video shared on TikTok recently, Russell captured a brides reaction to seeing the live wedding painting the artist had created at her wedding, as well as a glimpse at the art piece itself.

In the clip, the bride could be heard telling Russell: Let me go change, and Ill bring my groom back. Ill be right back.

However, Russell then asked the bride what she thought of the painting, to which she replied she loved it, before reiterating that she was going to find her groom.

The video then pivoted to a look at the painting, which appeared to show semi-realistic depictions of the bride and groom embracing in front of a staircase. In the caption of the video, Russell wrote: Liza loves it!

However, the clip, which had been viewed more than 340,000 times, then circulated on TikTok, where many users criticised Russells artistic abilities, and the prices she charges for her services.

According to Russells website, which notes that she creates a custom package for each and every couple, prices start at $1,200 for the live wedding paintings.

I paint the couple in their LOVE moment and the surroundings in a partially detailed and partially abstract way, she explains, adding: I can accommodate some additional people or favourite pets, etc per request.

Russell also notes that travel up to 100 miles is included, but that travel beyond that requires an additional fee.

The artists work has since sparked a debate on TikTok after a user who goes by @kwen4u duetted Russells TikTok and criticised the painting results, as well as the artists fee.

No hate to the painter at all, but [the bride] paid over $1,200 plus travel fees for this painting, the TikToker wrote in a text caption on the video. Its not a bad painting at all but

In the video, the TikToker also shared screenshots taken from Russells website about her fees for the painting service, as well as a since-deleted section of the website where it outlined her travel fees.

According to the screenshot, Russell charged couples an additional $1,000 for weddings in Miami, while weddings in the US Virgin Islands were an additional $2,000.

For weddings on the east coast, Russell explained that the travel fee would vary between $250 to $1,000, while west coast weddings would cost an additional $3,000 on top of the $1,200 for the painting.

In the caption of the TikTokers video, which has been viewed more than 1.8m times, she wrote: If I paid over $1,000 I would cry.

Many of the comments were equally critical of the painting results, with one person claiming the painting should have been $15, while another said: I wish I had this kind of confidence in my pricing.

However, others defended Russell on the basis that the bride would have known what to expect from the painting when she hired the artist to paint at her wedding.

The thing is the painter has pictures posted of her drawings and style so she had to have known what it would look like, one person commented, while someone else said: I mean if the bride saw her work she had done previously and still hired her, she either likes it or its her own fault?

Speaking to The Independent, Russell defended her artwork, with the artist admitting she was surprised by the comments, as shes never had anything but thrilled clients.

However, Russell said that, looking back on the video shed posted, she realised that the painting was not looking its best, but that shed wanted to share the clip because the bride was so adorable and said she loved it.

According to the artist, she also hoped she would get a few bookings from it.

Although Russell acknowledged that the painting may not have been shown in the best light, she pointed out that her clients are all aware of her painting style before they book her for their weddings, and that critics who dont like her work can go look at something else.

What I would say to those that criticised my work is that if they dont like my style of painting, then go look at something else, she said.

Russell, who said that she received threatening private messages and phone calls as a result of the viral reaction video, also condemned those who publicly criticsed her work, continuing: Dont harass, hate and bully someone who is just doing what she loves for people and making their weddings entertaining and fun!

I am a loving person and an honest business woman, so I dont believe I deserved such hateful abuse, which included copying pages from my website for their negative videos, threatening private messages and phone calls.

Russell also noted that she is completely transparent about her services, and does not advertise realistic live wedding paintings.

My clients see several of my pieces on my sites before they choose me. You can look at other live wedding painters work and see that mine are different. I dont promise anything other than what I advertise. They choose me because my work is different and not realistic, she explained, adding: That is what art is all about; being unique and different. They like my style and I provide it.

On Russells website and Instagram, she includes several examples of her live wedding photos, with the bride and groom in each depicted in the same semi-realistic manner.

Russell also defended the prices she charges for her artwork, telling us that her pricing is similar to others, and far less than some others.

As for how the viral backlash has affected her business, Russell, who said she has been painting for 20 years, said that she has had to make her social media accounts private and removed portions of her website because she didnt want any stranger misrepresenting [her] offerings.

However, Russell said that she will of course continue offering her live wedding painting services, and that, in addition to having numerous wedding paintings booked, she has had several bookings since the story began unfolding.

I will continue to provide the service as it makes my customers thrilled and the guests at their weddings come by and comment positively all throughout the night at the events, she said. I have no intention of stopping offering the service. It is a blast and I love it!
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Maria Shriver has revealed how she avoids conflict as a mother-in-law while offering advice to other in-laws.

During a recent appearance onToday with Hoda & Jenna, the 67-year-old author was asked for her advice during a new installment of the shows Social Dilemmas segment.

The segment saw hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager ask Shriver, whose daughter Katherine Schwarzenegger is married to Chris Pratt, how she would respond to a fan and fellow mother who was asking for advice regarding a problem with her mother-in-law.

My mother-in-law is a big help with the kids, but shes constantly zinging me over my parenting style, Hoda Kotb read aloud from the letter. How do I let her know I appreciate her help, but I would appreciate her laying off the comments, too?

In response, Shriver revealed what she does to avoid conflicts within her own family.

Im a mother-in-law, she said. So I zip my mouth, I dont want that problem.

Kotb then asked Shriver what shed do if the children in this situation were not behaving, or were saying rude things that nobody else corrected. In response, the former First Lady of California echoed her initial statement, adding: I try to really zip my mouth.

She acknowledged that the problem is different for the mother who sent the letter, as Shriver said shes offering the advice as someone who is the mother to a daughter and who has a son-in-law.

However, Shriver then shared how she would address the situation if she were the mother in question: I love that youre such a great help. We wouldnt be able to do it without you but it sometimes hurts my feelings when you criticise. Im still trying to figure it out. I really love your support.

She also claimed that, while the fans husband could step in and say something to his mother, it may not necessarily go well.

You hear these stories of when the husband does say something, she said. Then theres estrangement.

Over the years, Shriver has publicly shown her support for son-in-law Chris Pratt on social media. Last month, Pratt took to Instagram to celebrate his wedding anniversary with his wife, who he shares two daughters, Lyla, two, and Eloise, one, with. In the comments of the post, Shriver congratulated the couple on the milestone and praised their relationship.

Bravo to you both. Im so happy for you, for your children, for all who know and love you, she wrote. Your love inspires your kindness, elevates others [and] your compassion moves us all, thank you both for lighting up my life. Im so happy you have one another love looks good on you both shine on.

In May, Shriver also shared her candid response to Pratts Instagram photo of his foot, which zoomed in on his toenail. What is this, she wrote in the comments of his post.

Along with Katherine, Shriver and her ex-husband Arnold Schwarzenegger share three children: Christina, 31, Patrick, 29, and Christopher, 25.
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Sarah Ferguson has sweetly honoured the late Queen Elizabeth II amid her breast cancer diagnosis.

The 63-year-old Duchess of York posted a series of photos to her Instagram account on 11 July, in which she reflected on the way shed recently celebrated the late monarch.

I took all seven doggies yesterday to where Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth used to walk them. It was wonderful to have a moment to remember, she wrote. On this weeks podcast episode of Tea Talks with the Duchess & Sarah, out Thursday, well talk about dealing with grief, gaining strength and all the small steps we must take to recovery.

Ferguson, known by many as Fergie, was referring to the Queens two corgis, Sandy and Muick, who she took in after the monarchs death in September 2022 at age 96, and the duchess own five Norfolk terriers.

The authors social media post captured budding flowers weaving through the trees and throughout the fields in front of her on the sunny Tuesday.

About a month before Fergusons sweet remembrance, a representative for the duchess confirmed she had been diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer detected at a routine mammogram screening.

The duchess is receiving the best medical care and her doctors have told her that the prognosis is good. She is now recuperating with her family, the representative noted.

Ferguson recently revealed she wasnt planning on going to her regular check-up because it was too hot outside and as far as she could tell, she was symptom-free. During a pre-recorded episode of her podcast, she said: It was after bank holiday, and I live in this area - in the Windsor area - and it was a hot day, and I didnt feel like going to London. Its easy to put it off Ill do it next week.

Luckily, her sister Jane, phoning in from Australia for a different reason, convinced the duchess to go to her appointment. While there, the Her Heart For A Compass author recalled her doctor spotting a shadow in the mammogram.

Ferguson has spoken out about her recovery since undergoing a mastectomy and getting DIEP flap reconstructive surgery during her 5 July podcast.

When I walked in on the day, I walked straight into critical care. And that made me a little bit wobbly, Ferguson admitted.

While the mother of two feels very lucky to have caught the cancer early on, she urged everyone to keep an eye on their own health.

Its not bravery. Its not courage. Its about understanding that youre not going to feel as you did for a bit. So dont try and be a superhero. Take many steps, have the cup of tea, trust people. Very important not to be complacent with every single thing now, she said. We must make people realize, its not okay. But if youre going to get it, then catch it quick. Do the screening, catch it quick and go and say I can do this.

This is not the first time that Ferguson has fondly remembered the late monarch, as she described the Queen as the finest ever icon legendary, incredible during a 2022 interview with The Telegraph.
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Robert De Niros girlfriend Tiffany Chen has spoken candidly about her experience with postpartum complications after giving birth to the couples daughter Gia in April.

The 45-year-old actress sat down with CBS Morning cohost Gayle King for her first interview since she and De Niro welcomed their first child together.

During the interview, which airs in full on Friday, Chen admitted to struggling with a postpartum complication.

In addition to Gia, De Niros seventh child, he is also father to Drena, 51, Raphael, 46, 27-year-old twins Julian and Aaron, Elliot, 24, and Helen, 11.

The Goodfellas star, 79, and Chen were first acquainted on the set of The Intern in 2015, resulting in a romantic relationship six years later.

De Niro revealed he had become a father for a seventh time in May 2023, when he corrected an ET Canada reporter who described him as a father of six. Seven, actually, he said.

During an appearance on the Today show in June, De Niro couldnt help but boast about his newborn daughter, saying it feels great to be her parent.

The Hollywood icon also opened up to Hoda Kotb about how hes changed as a father over the years.

I have certain awareness - when youre older you have awareness of certain things in life, dynamics, everything, family dynamics, he admitted. You cant avoid learning certain things and how you can deal with those and manage them and this and that, the usual. Its amazing, but Im very happy about it.

Speaking with Page Six, De Niro also set the record straight on whether Gia was planned, with the actor clarifying that he wasnt surprised by Chens pregnancy. How could you not plan that kind of thing? he asked.

The wider De Niro family is currently mourning the 3 July passing of Leandro, Drenas 19-year-old son, who reportedly died of a drug overdose, according to an Instagram post shared by his mother.

New Yorks Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has yet to confirm the 19-year-olds cause of death.

Christopher Walken, Tommy Mottola, and Harvey Keitel attended Leandros funeral in support of their friend and the rest of De Niros family.
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A lawyer fighting against the extradition of a rape suspect wanted in the US has argued in court it would be a flagrant violation of his human rights.

Mungo Bovey KC summed up his arguments shortly after an adjournment had to be called during proceedings at Edinburgh Sheriff Court when suspect Nicholas Rossi announced he wanted to dismiss his lawyer.

His interruption came as Mr Bovey argued that Rossi, who claims to be another man named Arthur Knight, had never been proven to be a US national citizen.

Rossi, 35, is wanted in the US in connection with alleged offences including rape and is contesting moves by authorities there to have him flown over to face trial.

Mr Bovey raised a number of issues he argued would breach Rossis rights if he were to be extradited including the impact on his health, the added difficulty he would have engaging with lawyers and the condition of prisons.

He argued Rossis propensity to create conflict within the prison system, which he attributed to a suspected personality disorder, might make life difficult for him in a US prison.

The conflict this man displays will endanger him, he said.

He added prisons in Utah were short-staffed, offered poor medical care and had twice the average rate of deaths by suicide.

Mr Bovey also pointed out an executive board and not a judicial one would decide how long Rossi should remain in prison should he ultimately be convicted of rape in the US and this could be considered another breach.

This is not a trial by the judiciary but by the executive and, in my submission, it simply will not do, he said.

Mr Bovey raised these points after the adjournment was called when Rossi announced to the court he wished to dismiss him.

The lawyer was arguing Rossi had never been proven to be a US national with sheriff Norman McFadyen when Rossi made the intervention.

Rossi said twice that he wanted to dismiss counsel which drew a warning from the sheriff.

He told Rossi: If you are disruptive I will have you removed from court.

The hearing continued following the brief adjournment with no further mention of Rossis demands.

In the afternoon, advocate depute Alan Cameron urged the sheriff to dismiss Mr Boveys arguments and evidence led by Rossi relating to his alleged poor health which Mr Cameron insisted could not be relied upon.

Rossi, who has been using a wheelchair to attend court since the hearing began, previously claimed he was unable to walk and could not raise his arms above his head.

But Mr Cameron reminded the court that a previous speaker, Dr Barbara Mundweil, had said there is no medical reason for Rossi to use the wheelchair.

Mr Cameron went on to argue there was no evidence that Rossi suffered from any condition, physical or otherwise, which would be a barrier to his extradition.

I suggest there is no evidence before your lordship he suffers from any significant illness, physical or mental, he said.

Sheriff MacFadyen adjourned the hearing until next week to give him time to consider all the submissions and evidence led.

Rossi is due to return to Glasgow Sheriff Court on Wednesday July 19 for a decision on his case.

He was arrested in the UK more than two years ago in connection with the alleged offences in the US.

He was being treated for Covid-19 at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow when he was detained in December 2021.

It has been alleged that Rossi faked his own death in 2020 and fled from the US to the UK to evade prosecution.
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An environment campaign organisation is staging the latest round of a fight with directors of oil giant Shell.

ClientEarth, which is a shareholder in Shell, is unhappy about the companys climate change strategy and wants to make a breach of duties claim against directors.

A High Court judge in May refused to give ClientEarth permission to continue its claim after considering written arguments.

ClientEarth then asked to be allowed to make oral arguments.

Lawyers representing the charity on Wednesday asked Mr Justice Trower to reconsider his decision, at a High Court hearing, in the Rolls Building in central London.

Shell says the judge should dismiss ClientEarths reconsideration application.

Mr Justice Trower had said, in a ruling published on May 12, that in order to pursue its claim, ClientEarth had to show there had been an actual or proposed act or omission involving negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust by a director or directors.

He dismissed the charitys application after concluding that it had not produced sufficient evidence to support its claim.

Barristers representing ClientEarth on Wednesday asked the judge to reconsider and outlined the premise of the charitys case.

Shell directors had already identified climate change risk as a material factor that impacts on their duties to promote the companys long-term commercial success, they said, in a written case outline.

ClientEarth argued that strategies adopted by the directors constituted a breach of their duties.

Plans adopted by Shell were irrational, barristers added.

They said ClientEarths claim should be allowed to proceed.

Lawyers representing Shell argued that Mr Justice Trowers May ruling was unimpeachable.

They said ClientEarth had received minimal support from shareholders and argued that the judge should stand by his decision.
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Two UK ticket-holders have shared the 62 million EuroMillions jackpot in Tuesdays draw, Camelot said.

The winning main EuroMillions numbers were 02, 11, 28, 42, 48  while the Lucky Star numbers were 04, 09.

Andy Carter, the senior winners adviser at The National Lottery, said: What an amazing night for UK EuroMillions players as two winners have shared tonights life-changing 62 million jackpot. That makes it five jackpot wins by UK EuroMillions players so far this year.

He added: Thanks to National Lottery players, 30 million is generated every week for good causes across the country.

This money supports projects across the nation, with a total of more than 670,000 grants  to projects both big and small  having been made across the UK to date.
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Ministers are facing calls to make further concessions to their sweeping asylum reforms, after senior Tory MPs joined a small backbench rebellion amid a parliamentary tussle over the Illegal Migration Bill.

Senior Tories used Tuesdays debate to call for further reforms, as MPs spent more than three-and-a-half hours holding 18 votes in the Commons that saw several amendments made by the House of Lords overturned.

The Illegal Migration Bill was mauled by peers, who inflicted 20 defeats on the Government and demanded a raft of revisions.

The Home Office offered several concessions at the start of the week, including on time limits for the detention of children and pregnant women as well as removing a clause so the law, if enacted, will no longer apply retrospectively from when it was first announced in March.

The Government overturned a number of amendments on Tuesday, but faced criticism from its own benches.

Former prime minister Theresa May was among 16 Conservative MPs who voted against the Government amid concerns about modern slavery provisions in the Bill.

Mrs May told the Commons: I know that ministers have said this Bill will enable more perpetrators to be stopped, but on modern slavery I genuinely believe it will do the opposite.

It will enable more slave drivers to operate and make money out of human misery. It will consign more people to slavery. No doubt about it, I think if Lords amendment 56 is overthrown that will be the impact.

MPs voted 285 to 243 to reject the amendment, which sought to retain protections for victims of modern slavery who have been exploited in the UK, and prevent their removal.

Temporary protection against removal from the UK is currently given to suspected victims of modern slavery or human trafficking while their case is considered.

But the Bill in its original form removed this protection for those judged to have entered the UK illegally, with peers then voting to insert safeguards.

There were also rebellions from Conservative MPs connected to the limits and conditions of detaining unaccompanied children, including Tory former ministers Sir Bob Neill, Vicky Ford, Tracey Crouch and Caroline Nokes.

There were 15 Conservative MPs, including former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, who opposed adding Government amendments linked to the powers to detain unaccompanied children.

Other amendments to be overturned included a proposal from the Archbishop of Canterbury that would have forced the Government to draw up a 10-year strategy for collaborating internationally on refugees and human trafficking to the UK.

Conservative former minister Tim Loughton told MPs that assurances that we were promised have not materialised or, if they have, I am afraid nobody understands them, as he bemoaned the timing of the concessions.

He said: On that basis, Im afraid we cannot and I speak for many others, I hope on this side, take these amendments in lieu at face value and more work needs to be done.

Mr Loughton, speaking later on BBC Newsnight, said that rebels had genuine concerns and were not trying to wreck the proposed legislation.

He predicted a bit of brinkmanship between the Commons and the Lords in the coming days, as he called on the Government to compromise.

I think the Government needs to be a bit more practical giving some concessions over the next few days and then again, everyone will rally behind it.

The Bill is a key part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks bid to deter people from crossing the Channel in small boats.

The reforms would prevent people from claiming asylum in the UK if they arrive through unauthorised means.

The Government also hopes the changes will ensure detained people are promptly removed, either to their home country or a third country such as Rwanda.

More than 13,000 migrants have crossed the Channel to the UK so far this year, including more than 1,600 in the last four days, the latest Government figures show.

Opening Tuesdays debate, immigration minister Robert Jenrick paid tribute to the Lords for undertaking its proper role as a revising chamber but said some of the changes were little short of wrecking amendments.

Ahead of the debate, more than 60 people  including victims of torture, refugees, asylum seekers and those already granted asylum in the UK  as well as around 30 campaign groups wrote to MPs to express their horror at the Bill and urge them to oppose the proposed legislation.

The Bill will return to the Lords on Wednesday where peers will decide what further changes they want to make as part of the parliamentary process known as ping-pong.

The draft legislation will move between the Commons and the Lords until both Houses can agree on the final wording.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman, after the votes concluded, accused Labour of siding with the criminals gangs that trade in human misery instead of the British people.

Labours Yvette Cooper had earlier called the Bill a con, with the shadow home secretary accusing Conservatives of giving up on common decency and common sense.

The Scottish National Party said that the Bill had brought shame to the House of Commons.
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Residents have been told to keep their windows closed as firefighters tackle a blaze at an industrial estate.

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue declared declared a major incident after being called to a fire at Baldock industrial estate on Tuesday at 6.15pm.

It said the fire rapidly developed and involved multiple business units on the estate and multiple resources had to be sent to the scene including 15 fire fighting appliances, two aerial ladder platforms, a high volume pump and an aerial drone.

Area Commander Andy Esson said: This is a large incident, and we are working hard to contain and extinguish the fire.

We are asking people living nearby to keep their windows closed due to the large amount of smoke, and we would ask that people avoid the area while our crews deal with the incident.

Road closures are in place and Hertfordshire Police said it is assisting the Fire & Rescue Service at a fire on the Baldock Industrial Estate in London Road.

A resident from the area spoke of the acrid smells of burning tyres before being told to stay indoors by police after officers informed residents of the risk of asbestos in the air.

Harprith Mann, 51, an IT bid director from the Hertfordshire town, told the PA news agency: I first noticed the fire around 6.45pm as my wife set off to pick up my daughter from volunteering.

Clouds seemed to be moving fast then noticed the plume of smoke coming from the industrial area behind Tesco Baldock.

Mr Mann praised the polices rapid response to the situation as officers were quickly on the scene to evacuate workers while there was an acrid smell of burning tyres filled the air.

He added: Roads were then closed off as firefighters accessed hydrants including from my estate. We were then told by police to get indoors and close windows as risk of asbestos in the air.

Due to the road closures, Mr Manns wife and children cannot access their own home and may have to spend the night at Mr Manns parents house.

The local resident, who lives close to the fire, said he heard explosions.

Sky still has plumes of back smoke in air, weve heard intermittent explosions but at one stage at least 30 mins of what sounded like firecrackers going off, he said.

Nick Howell, also a resident of Baldock, told PA that the local community is worried and concerned, particularly for nearby businesses affected by the blaze.

As a small community, concern is with the small businesses and livelihoods lost in the blaze, and the firefighters involved, he said.

Keeping fingers crossed that everyone involved is safe.

Worried residents posted images of black smoke billowing into the sky and wondered if they needed to evacuate.

Hertfordshire Police said: We are assisting the Fire & Rescue Service at a fire on Baldock Industrial Estate, London Rd, #Baldock. Road closures are in place & the public are asked to avoid the area while the incident is dealt with. Those living nearby are advised to keep windows closed due to smoke.
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A mother whose five-year-old daughter died in a horrific house fire has described her loss as nothing short of devastating.

Alysia Salisbury became trapped in her sisters bedroom after the blaze broke out at the family home in Pembrokeshire, which eventually destroyed all of their possessions.

Their local community however has rallied together and over the last few weeks, over 20,000 has been raised through a GoFundMe to help the family find a new home.

Speaking to The Independent, Tara Salisbury described her daughter as the most fun-loving, free, adventurous little girl who had idolised her older sisters.

Her mother Tara Salisbury described her as the most fun loving girl (Family handout)

Known affectionately as Lysi, her daughter had spent the evening of 27 May playing before deciding to have a sleepover in her sister Abis bedroom.

I initially did not realise there was a fire in the house, until it was too late, Ms Salisbury said. The alarm went off at around 9pm after Abi went downstairs to warm Lysi some brioche in the oven.

This was not unusual - it was an incredibly sensitive alarm and went off often when the oven was turned on. I ran downstairs to turn it off but by the time I realised that it wasnt turning off and the oven wasnt even on yet it was already too late.

In the space of about 2 minutes the bedroom was already engulfed and no matter how desperately we tried we just couldnt get in through the flames to reach my poor Lysi trapped inside.

The fire quickly ripped through the property in Pontyglasier, causing catastrophic damage with the majority of the familys possessions lost to the blaze.

Its hard to say weve found any positivity after the horrific events of that evening, finding light in anything after finding yourself homeless after losing your child like that is really hard, she said. I would say though that the fantastic response from everyone who has rallied around us to help in our time of need has been an incredible sight.

The family lost all of their belongings in the deadly blaze (Family handout)

Known as the girl with bare feet, Lysis mother said she loved nothing more than running around in the mud and rain, and would always charge in the sea fully clothed with the biggest smile on her face.

As a child with autism, she had felt an affinity with animals and would often show affection by kissing her mother on the leg. These little moments meant the world to us, as we knew this was her way of telling us how much she loved us, how much she cared. It was spontaneous, uninstigated and true, she said.

With the money raised, Ms Salisbury hopes their loved ones can commemorate her life at a funeral on July 22, while they continue their search for a new property.

As far as her loss affecting us, its nothing short of devastating. She was around us 24/7 and we all loved every single second of it - her sisters adored her and I feel as though my very core is now missing. She brought light into my world, its now so much darker without that beautiful little smile to light it.
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The wife of newsreader Huw Edwards has revealed he is the presenter in the middle of the BBC scandal.

Vicky Flind said her husband was in hospital suffering from serious mental health issues after facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images.

The BBC is facing increased pressure after fresh claims emerged about the presenter, with The Sun reporting a 23-year-old has claimed Mr Edwards broke lockdown rules to meet them during the pandemic in February 2021.

Follow The Independents live coverage for the latest updates

Separately, BBC News reported on Tuesday that a person in their early 20s has alleged that they were sent threatening messages by the unnamed man.

They appear to be separate to a young person who The Sun claims was paid around 35,000 over three years, from the age of 17, for sexually explicit images by the presenter, who has been suspended by the BBC.

Below we set out a timeline of how the story has developed over the last week.

Have you been affected by this story? If so email tara.cobham@independent.co.uk

May 19

The family of a young person, who was 17 when the presenter allegedly started payments back in 2020, complained to the BBC and became frustrated when the presenter stayed on air. They reportedly asked the broadcaster to stop the man sending the cash.

July 6

The BBC said it became aware of new allegations against the male presenter.

A statement said: New allegations were put to us on Thursday of a different nature and in addition to our own inquiries we have also been in touch with external authorities, in line with our protocols.

July 7

The Sun publishes an exclusive which revealed a BBC presenter is facing allegations he paid a total of 35,000 for sexual content. A legal representative of the young person told the Sun that evening there was no truth to it.

The BBC responded to the article with a statement saying: We treat any allegations very seriously and we have processes in place to proactively deal with them.

July 8

BBC presenters choose to publicly clear their names  including Gary Lineker, Jeremy Vine, Rylan Clark and Nicky Campbell.

July 9

The BBC says in a statement that it has suspended a male presenter from all duties and contacted the Metropolitan Police over the allegations. The Sun reported the presenter allegedly made two calls to the young person and asked them to call their mother to stop the investigation after the exclusive was published.

July 10

The Metropolitan Police said it is carrying out further inquiries to establish whether any crime has been committed after BBC representatives met with detectives virtually in the morning.

The force requested the BBC pause its investigations into the allegations while they scoped future work. A lawyer representing the young person said the claims in the inappropriate article are rubbish.

In a letter reported by BBC News At Six, the young person said via the lawyer: For the avoidance of doubt, nothing inappropriate or unlawful has taken place between our client and the BBC personality and the allegations reported in The Sun newspaper are rubbish.

July 11

The BBC reported a second person felt threatened by messages they had allegedly received from the presenter. According to the BBC, the person  aged in their early 20s  met the presenter on a dating app before their conversations moved to other platforms.

The presenter then revealed his identity and asked the young person not to tell anyone. The young person later posted online alluding to having had contact with a BBC presenter and hinting they might name him.

The presenter then sent a number of threatening messages which the BBC said it had seen, it is claimed, and confirmed came from a phone number belonging to the presenter. The BBC said the young person felt threatened by the messages and remain scared.

BBC News said it had contacted the presenter via his lawyer but had received no response to the allegations.

Separately, The Sun reported on Tuesday that a 17-year-old has alleged they were following the star on Instagram when he messaged them, using love hearts and kisses.

The teenager told the newspaper: Looking back now it does seem creepy because he was messaging me when I was still at school.In light of everything now, I feel shocked because as a broadcaster it is a name everyone would trust.

I had no reason to think it was anything beyond that at that time.

The Sun reported it is handing its dossier to BBC investigators.

July 12

Vicky Flind, the wife of Mr Edwards, issues a statement naming her husband as the individual involved.

She said that he was suffering from serious mental health issues and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future as she asked for privacy for her family.

Earlier, The Suns new report claimed messages seen by the paper suggested the presenter travelled from London to a different county to meet a 23-year-old at their flat in February 2021, when strict coronavirus lockdown rules were in place including a stay at home order and mixing only between household bubbles.

The young person, who claims to have met the presenter on a dating website, said the man also gave them more than 600 in three payments, which the newspaper said messages also suggest.

They told The Sun: The BBC were briefing the nation on the rules  when their star who was part of the institution was quite happy to break them.The Sun said it had approached the BBC and the presenter for comment and would hand over evidence to the BBCs investigation team.

Broadcaster Jeremy Vine called on Mr Edwards to name himself publicly to prevent damage to the BBC, his friends and those falsely-accused.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that he personally was concerned by the serious allegations.

The Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police say that no criminal offence has been committed by Mr Edwards and neither force would currently be taking any further action in relation to the allegations.

The BBC announces it will resume its fact-finding investigations to ensure due process and a thorough assessment of the facts, whilst continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all involved.
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A BBC presenter accused of paying for sexually explicit photos now faces four allegations against him.

A 23-year-old has claimed the unnamed presenter broke lockdown rules to meet them during the pandemic in February 2021, according to The Sun.

Separately, a 17-year-old has alleged they were following the star on Instagram when he messaged them, using love hearts and kisses, reported The Sun on Tuesday.

Follow The Independents live coverage for the latest updates

In a different set of allegations, BBC News reported on Tuesday that a person in their early 20s has claimed they were sent threatening messages by the unnamed man.

It comes after The Sun alleged a young person was paid around 35,000 for sexually explicit images by the presenter, who has been suspended by the BBC.

Have you been affected by this story? If so email holly.evans@independent.co.uk

What are the allegations?

In the first allegations that were made, the presenter was accused of paying a 17 year-old around 35,000 for sexually explicit images. The BBC star allegedly appeared in his underwear in a video call.

The family of the young person, who is now 20 years-old, has claimed the series of payments fuelled their crack cocaine addiction.

On Sunday, the Sun published an update that claimed that the male presenter called the young person twice after the allegations became public. He reportedly told them in panic what have you done and demanded that their mother stop the investigation.

On Tuesday, BBC News reported a person in their early 20s  who the broadcaster said is not connected to the person in the first report by The Sun  allegedly received threatening messages from the presenter, after they met on a dating app.

The presenter then allegedly sent a number of threatening messages, which the BBC says it has seen and confirmed came from a phone number belonging to the unnamed man, and asked the young person not to tell anyone.

In another set of allegations, a 17-year-old claimed they were following the star on Instagram when he messaged them, using love hearts and kisses, reported The Sun on Tuesday.

Separately, a 23-year-old person has claimed the BBC presenter broke lockdown rules to meet them during the pandemic in February 2021, according to The Sun on Wednesday.

The Suns new report claims messages seen by the paper suggest the presenter travelled from London to a different county to meet the 23-year-old at their flat in February 2021, when strict coronavirus lockdown rules were in place including a stay at home order and mixing only between household bubbles.

The young person, who claims to have met the presenter on a dating website, said the man also gave them more than 600 in three payments, which the newspaper said messages also suggest.

Why hasnt the presenter been named?

Since the news broke, questions have been asked why the name of the BBC star has not been published.

The male presenter has not been named by the Sun or any other outlets who know their identity. There is no court injunction banning the disclosure of the name of the presenter, it is believed.

The media is not publicly releasing the name through fear of defamation and breaching his privacy, media law experts have explained.

Mark Stephens, media law expert and partner at Howard Kennedy, said the law was changed after Sir Cliff Richard won a privacy case against the BBC over its coverage of a South Yorkshire Police raid on his home in Sunningdale, Berkshire, in August 2014.

Mr Stephens said there is a second layer of privacy, which is the contractual arrangement between the BBC and its members of staff.

If there are allegations of inappropriate behaviour, or any other kind of breach of employment practice, they should be investigated confidentially, he said.

Thats doesnt matter whether youre a celebrity or in the local office or on the building site, the same law applies.

The well-known presenter has been suspended following the allegations (PA Wire)

What is the BBC saying?

On Tuesday, addressing the first set of claims, the BBC said a family member contacted the corporation in May and the BBCs Corporate Investigations Team assessed that the claims did not include an allegation of criminality but nonetheless merited further investigation.

Director-general Tim Davie announced he has ordered a review to assess how some complaints are red flagged up the organisation.

He told reporters he was first informed of the allegations when The Sun said it would be publishing its front page story.

The corporation has also been asked to pause its internal investigation into the allegations while the police scope future work following a meeting with the Metropolitan Police.

A statement from the broadcaster said: As a result of this meeting, the BBC has been asked to pause its investigations into the allegations while the police scope future work.

It added: The BBC has processes and protocols for receiving information and managing complaints when they are first made. We always take these matters extremely seriously and seek to manage them with the appropriate duty of care.

The events of recent days have shown how complex and challenging these kinds of cases can be and how vital it is that they are handled with the utmost diligence and care.

There will, of course, be lessons to be learned following this exercise.

In an email to staff, addressing the first set of claims, Mr Davie said such allegations were taken incredibly seriously.

Tim Davie, Director General of the BBC, held emergency talks on Sunday with the Culture Secretary (PA Archive)

What have the accusers said?

The family of the teenager at the centre of the first set of allegations were reportedly upset with the wording of the BBCs statement on the star presenters suspension, according to the Sun.

On Saturday night, the family allegedly handed a dossier of evidence to BBCs lead investigator, former detective Jeff Brown.

The mother of the teenager told the paper she was frustrated the presenter was initially still on the air despite making their complaint to the BBC in May.

She said the young person had gone from a happy-go-lucky youngster to a ghost-like crack addict in just three years.

The mother reportedly begged the BBC to make the presenter stop sending the cash.

She told the Sun: When I see him on telly, I feel sick. I blame this BBC man for destroying my childs life.

Taking my childs innocence and handing over the money for crack cocaine that could kill my child.

The young person showed their mother online bank statements. There were huge sums, hundreds, or thousands of pounds at a time, the mother said.

One time he had sent 5,000 in one lump. The money had been in exchange for sexually explicit photographs of my child.

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said suggestions BBC allowed presenter to stay on air were astonishing (PA Wire)

What are politicians saying?

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the initial allegations as shocking and concerning on the plane to the Nato summit in Lithuania on Tuesday.

But government minister Victoria Atkins on Wednesday told Sky News MPs should be "very careful" about using parliamentary privilege to identify the presenter, saying they had to remember the "huge responsibility" they have.

Earlier culture secretary Lucy Frazer said the BBC had reassured her the broadcaster was investigating swiftly and sensitively.

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves told the corporation to get its house in order.

Former home secretary Priti Patel said: The allegations, carried by the Sun, are absolutely horrendous. The BBC owes an explanation to the country who funded it and placed their trust in it.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said the BBC had reassured her the broadcaster was investigating swiftly and sensitively (PA Wire)

What are other BBC stars saying?

Jeremy Vine has urged the unnamed figure to come forward publicly as speculation about their identity deepens.

Several star faces at the BBC tweeted and tried to distance themselves from the male presenter facing damning allegations. A witchhunt on social media has also ensued due to the anonymity of the star male presenter.

TV presenter Rylan Clark said: Not sure why my names floating about but re that story in the Sun - that aint me babe.

What next?

The BBC presenter could face jail if he is found guilty of any potential charges over the alleged explicit pictures.

The allegations have caused the corporation damage to its reputation and pressure is mounting on the BBC as it deals with the ongoing crisis.
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As the wife of Huw Edwards revealed on Wednesday evening that he was the BBC presenter at the centre of allegations over payment for sexually explicit images, two police forces have determined that no criminal offence was committed.

Neither force is taking any further action with regards to the allegations, with the BBC confirming that it will resume its fact-finding investigations to ensure "due process and a thorough assessment of the facts, whilst continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all involved.

Known for presenting the BBCs News At Ten, Mr Edwards has been a familiar face in British television for over 20 years (PA Archive)

Known for presenting the BBCs News At Ten, Mr Edwards has been a familiar face in British television for over 20 years, first joining BBC News as a trainee in 1984 before moving on to a role with BBC Wales as a political reporter.

Mr Edwards wife, Vicky Flind, stated that her husband is receiving in-patient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future after suffering from serious mental health issues.

A statement from the Metropolitan Police determined that no criminal offence had been committed, noting that the force has advised the BBC it can continue with its internal investigation.

Detectives from the Mets Specialist Crime Command have now concluded their assessment and have determined there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed, the Metropolitan Polices statement read.

In reaching this decision, they have spoken to a number of parties including the BBC and the alleged complainant and the alleged complainants family, both via another police force. There is no further police action. As such, the Met has advised the BBC it can continue with its internal investigation.

The statement added: We are aware of media reporting of further allegations against the same individual. No specific details or information about these allegations have been passed to us and therefore there is no police action at this time.

Meanwhile, South Wales Police also revealed that it has identified no criminality and, as such, there are no ongoing enquiries being carried out against Mr Edwards.

"South Wales Police has remained in contact with representatives of the Metropolitan Police and the BBC following a meeting on Monday, a statement from South Wales Police read.

"Information was initially received by the force in April 2023 regarding the welfare of an adult. No criminality was identified.

"Following recent events, further enquiries have been carried out and officers have spoken to a number of parties to establish whether any criminal allegations are being made.

"At this time, there is no evidence that any criminal offences have been committed. There are no ongoing enquiries being carried out by South Wales Police.

"However, should evidence of criminality or safeguarding issues be identified at any point in future then they will be investigated."
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In a shock announcement, Huw Edwards has been named as the BBC presenter at the centre of a sex scandal that has rocked the nations broadcaster.

His wife Vicky Flind named him as the suspended TV star and said that her husband was suffering from serious mental health issues and was receiving treatment in hospital, where he would remain for the foreseeable future.

Huw Edwards and his wife Vicky in 2018 (Noble/Draper)

Describing the last few days as extremely difficult for her family, she requested privacy for all involved, including the couples five children.

Below we take a look at who his wife Vicky Flind is, as well as the presenters own well-documented history.

Who is Vicky Flind?

Vicky Flind is a television producer who has worked on several acclaimed shows such as ITVs Peston and BBC Ones This Week.

Ms Flind was reportedly 28 when she met Mr Edwards who was 30 and working as a BBC correspondent at Westminster at the time. They didnt start dating until much later, when Mr Edwards invited his future wife on a skiing trip after one of his friends backed out.

When their flight was delayed for 14 hours, Mr Edwards told the Daily Mail: We started talking and havent ever really stopped.

The couple were engaged in 1993 and now live in Dulwich, south London. They share five children  three sons and two daughters  together. Despite her marriage to the well-known broadcaster, not much is known about Ms Flind  with one source telling the tabloid she made a conscious decision to keep her personal life private.

During an interview with The Times, Mr Edwards credited his wife for helping him with his fitness after she pointed out he had gained weight following the death of his father in 2010.

After Ms Flind released her statement on Wednesday, her current and former colleagues praised her as a talented, hard-working, and thoroughly decent and good person.

Robert Peston called Ms Flind thekindest, most decent woman  in a statement during Wednesdays episode of his programme Peston.

What few of you will know is that Vicky Flind is the editor of this show, and the person who created it with me  though she hasnt been involved tonight or at all this week, Mr Preston said. The Labour MP Jess Phillips tonight described Vicky as the nicest, kindest and most decent woman.

I and everyone who works with me here would agree. It has been difficult to feel what she and her family have been going through - and to read her statement that Huw has been hospitalised with acute depression.

One of Ms Flinds ex-colleagues at the BBC described her as very creative, but shes also impish with a well-crafted and quirky sense of humour, in a statement to the Daily Mail.

TV producer Rob Burley, who was formerly the editor of the BBCs live political programmes, tweeted: The only person I know whos involved in the Huw Edwards story is his wife, Vicky Flind, who I worked with at the BBC.

Shes a hugely talented and a thoroughly decent and good person. I hope shes left alone now too.

What has his wife said?

In a statement released on Wednesday evening, Mrs Flind said: In light of the recent reporting regarding the BBC Presenter I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family. I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children.

Mr Edwards is being treated in hospital (PA Archive)

Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.

The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where hell stay for the foreseeable future.

Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published.

To be clear Huw was first told that there were allegations being made against him last Thursday.

In the circumstances and given Huws condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected. I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end.

The BBC star is one of the most recognisable faces on British television (PA)

In a special S4C program on the occasion of his 60th birthday last year, Mr Edwards said his depression began in 2002 and that he went down fairly quickly.

I couldnt get out of bed. I didnt want to go to work, he explained. I didnt want to speak to anybody. Maybe it was partly due to the fact that I wasnt happy in work. I couldnt describe how overwhelming it was. I had a bit of a scare and I had never experienced that before.

In a 2022 interview with his former spokesperson Alistair Campbell for Mens Health, Mr Edwards detailed his decades-long battle with depression, explaining his mental health has been very bad a few times ove the last 20 years.

Im pretty clear that I have suffered  and do suffer  from depression. Its not anxiety, although it includes anxiety, but it tends to hit me in a strong wave and then go away, adding he had taken up boxing to help him cope with the mental disorder.

Its one of the things I can do when I feel myself on the slide. I can pull my way out of it, he told Mr Campbell. Mr Edwards also confirmed he had sought therapy and taken anti-depressants in the past, adding Id happily take them again if I needed to.

Who is Huw Edwards?

Huw Edwards is one of the most recognisable faces on UK television.

A Welsh journalist, presenter, and newsreader, the 61-year-old is best known for anchoring BBC News at Ten in his trademark calm and professional manner.

While fronting the broadcasters flagship evening news programme, he has covered numerous key moments in the UKs recent history.

Memorably, he made the momentous announcement of the late Queens death in September, receiving much praise from viewers for how he delivered the news.

In September, he announced the Queens death and covered the Coronation of King Charles III (PA Archive)

Alistair Campbell, the ex-spokesperson for the former prime minister Tony Blair, tweeted that he thought Mr Edwards had done superbly and revealed the presenter had been preparing, practicing and even rehearsing in front of his bathroom mirror for the moment for some time.

Mr Edwards fronted BBC coverage of other notable state events, including the coronation, the Queens funeral, and the weddings of Prince William and Kate Middleton as well as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The presenter is also known for his dry wit on social media as well as his fierce Welsh pride. The two combined when he posted a photo of himself on Twitter in front of a huge Welsh flag, alongside the caption, Flags are now mandatory - very pleased with my new backdrop for BBC News at Ten.

Hours later he updated his followers, telling them his BBC bosses had ordered him to take it down.

BBC Broadcasting House, as Mr Edwards revealed as presenter at centre of storm (PA)

Born in Bridgend, Wales, the presenters family moved to Llangennech, near Llanelli, when he was four years old.

Both Welsh speakers, his father, Hywel Teifi Edwards, was a Plaid Cymru and Welsh language activist, while his mother, Aerona Protheroe, was a teacher at Llanellis Ysgol Gyfun y Strade.

How long has he worked for the BBC?

Mr Edwards has been with the BBC for almost four decades, rising through the ranks from trainee to presenting its flagship programme.

He joined the BBC as a news trainee in 1984 before becoming the parliamentary correspondent for BBC Wales in 1986.

Between 1994 and January 2003, Mr Edwards presented the BBC Six OClock News, which was the most watched news programme in Britain at that time.

He has been suspended since news of the allegation emerged against him (PA Archive)

In January 2003, he became the main presenter of the Ten OClock News on BBC One and has been fronting the programme for the two decades since.

Huw Edwards is the BBCs highest-paid newsreader and is among its highest-paid presenters.

His pay bracket is 435,000  439,999, up from 410,000  414,000 last year, according to the corporations annual report this year, putting him fourth on the list.

Is he under a criminal investigation?

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said they had concluded their assessment and had determined that no criminal offence had been committed.

A spokesperson for the BBC said: We have seen the statement from the police confirming they have completed their assessment and are not taking further action. Were grateful to them for completing this work at speed.

The police had previously asked us to pause our fact finding investigations and we will now move forward with that work, ensuring due process and a thorough assessment of the facts, whilst continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all involved.
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The Home Office has moved asylum seekers into an Essex military base despite being embroiled in an ongoing legal challenge over using the site to house 1,700 people.

The first 46 migrants arrived at RAF Wethersfield hours before a hearing began at the High Court on Wednesday morning, in spite of warnings from the local council that the site was not safe.

A hearing was told that far-right protesters had already gathered at its entrance, and local residents feared more demonstrations and rising tensions in the rural community.

Suella Braverman has used a rare emergency declaration to bypass normal planning permission for the military base, as well as RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire and a former prison in Sussex.

The three affected councils, and a man who lives opposite RAF Wethersfield, have mounted a joint legal challenge that could make or break the policy, which is core to Rishi Sunaks vow to move migrants out of hotels.

Former home secretary Priti Patel is among those opposing the plans, writing on Twitter: I and my constituents remain of the view that Wethersfield is an unsuitable site. Our local services are stretched and the scale of the development will have a significant impact upon the local community.

A barrister representing the resident told the High Court the government had acted unlawfully and did not have permission to house asylum seekers at Wethersfield.

This morning, the first number of asylum seekers have been moved onto the site, so it carries a particular pertinence, Alex Goodman KC said.

The asylum seekers have been moved on today, the use is in progress. The question is whether that is a deemed grant of planning permission.

Mr Goodman said the planning bypass applied covered an emergency development for 12 months, but Home Office documents indicated that Wethersfield could be used for much longer.

The barrister said the site could be occupied for up to five years or as long as it remains expedient to do so, amid rocketing Channel crossings, a record asylum backlog and the suspension of unlawful plans to deport small boat migrants to Rwanda.

UK government's Rwanda asylum plan is unlawful, says Court of Appeal

The High Court heard that the government had carried out a series of statutory assessments, including on the environmental impact of housing 1,700 asylum seekers at Wethersfield, wrongly based on an assumption it would only be used for a year, and unlawfully failed to consult with local authorities.

In a letter to immigration minister Robert Jenrick Monday, the leader of Braintree District Council said no asylum seekers should be moved to the site unless the Home Office addresses urgent matters.

The council has been clear of its grounds for its legal challenges, and are continuing with the current judicial review proceedings, Graham Butland wrote.

There continues to be a significant number of issues that need to be addressed by the secretary of state before the site can be operational and the council are still of the opinion that the site is not suitable.

All three councils are also arguing that it is unlawful for the Home Office to bypass normal planning permission because the current use of hotels for asylum seekers is not an emergency.

Lawyers representing Ms Braverman told a previous hearing over an attempted injunction brought by Braintree District Council that the shortage of accommodation created a risk of homelessness.

But this week, a parliamentary committee was told that the Home Office was holding 5,000 empty hotel beds for asylum seekers as a buffer for expected high crossings.

The Home Office claims Wethersfield will house 1,700 asylum seekers by autumn (AFP via Getty Images)

Mr Goodman did not dispute that there was pressure on resources, and that hotels were costing 6m a day, but said the Home Office had made do in the four months since Ms Braverman declared an emergency

Will there now be homeless asylum seekers? In my submission clearly not, he told the court. It does not fall within the definition of emergencies.

West Lindsey District Council, which covers the RAF Scampton site in Lincolnshire, said it had been planning to buy it for a redevelopment programme that would create tourist attractions alongside an operational airfield.

Barrister Richard Wald KC said the Home Offices grab would be fatal to its plans, and that the departments own calculations showed Scampton would have to be used for two to three years to be value for public money.

He told the court that govenrment submissions to the High Court on the asylum accommodation emergency was contradicted by a parliamentary statement by immigration minister Robert Jenrick, which said military sites would be used to reduce the use of hotels, save money and deter small boats.

A barrister representing the home secretary refuted the arguments, saying many of the legal grounds advanced were not arguable and that the government had acted lawfully.

Later on Wednesday, the Home Office said the number of asylum seekers housed at Wethersfield would increase to 1,700 by the autumn in a carefully structured plan, and that Scampton would accommodate the first of 2,000 asylum seekers this summer.

In a press release that made no motion of the ongoing legal action, or of any emergency, the department said the military bases would provide a more orderly, cost effective and sustainable system for accommodating asylum seekers and help reduce the incentives for people to travel through safe countries.

It said it would pay each council 3,500 per occupied bedspace and give the NHS additional funding, which is separate to huge contracts for private contractors revealed by The Independent.

Mr Jenrick was quoted as saying: We have committed substantial financial support to local councils and we remain committed to working with key stakeholders to ensure these sites have as little impact as possible for communities.

The High Court hearing, before Mrs Justice Thornton DBE, will conclude on Thursday.
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Huw Edwards is one of the most recognisable faces on British television, anchoring coverage of major national events and presenting the BBCs News At Ten.

The 61-year-old has fronted the flagship nightly news programme for the last 20 years, earning a reputation as a respected veteran broadcaster.

Edwards, who was born in Bridgend and brought up in Llangennech, Carmarthenshire, joined the BBC as a trainee in 1984.

In four decades at the corporation, he has been among the broadcasting teams leading coverage of historical events including the late Queens funeral in 2022 and most recently the coronation of the King in May this year.

Edwards, a married father-of-five, announced the late Queens death on the BBC last September.

After an image of the flag at Buckingham Palace was shown at half mast, he told viewers: A few moments ago Buckingham Palace announced the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

He then read out the statement from the Palace while dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and black tie, in line with the BBCs dress code for when a member of the royal family dies as a mark of respect.

Edwards is the BBCs go-to presenter for big news events and has been front and centre in live broadcasts of election coverage, the Queens Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the wedding of the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011, the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018, and the funeral of the late Duke of Edinburgh in 2021.

He was also the BBCs voice at Trooping the Colour and the Festival of Remembrance.

Edwards was a Westminster correspondent for 13 years, and has played a key role in the BBCs political reporting, taking over election coverage from the long-serving David Dimbleby in 2019.

He told the Radio Times in 2019: Im going to let you in on a secret: the first time a senior BBC manager dangled this carrot in front of me was in 1992. So its been at the back of my mind since then.

Edwards revealed in a documentary in 2021 he had bouts of depression which have left him bedridden since 2002.

Speaking on the podcast hosted by BBC journalists Jane Garvey and Fi Glover, Fortunatelywith Fi and Jane, he said he he decided to share publicly that he has depression as he felt it was complete hypocrisy to support organisations such as the Shawmind Foundation or Mind without explaining why.

I also felt that it might be someway helpful to people if I opened up about it and say, You can do a job and you can be successful, whether its just reading a bit of autocue or doing whatever it is while also dealing with issues like that, he told the podcast.

Edwards is the corporations highest paid newsreader, with a pay bracket of 435,000  439,999, up from 410,000  414,000 last year, putting him fourth on the list.

In 2018, it was reported he agreed to take a pay cut following revelations over unequal pay for men and women at the BBC.

The presenter shared with BBC Radio Cymru that he had lost weight and started training with former professional boxer Clinton McKenzie as he tried to get himself in shape in 2019 at the age of 58.

The truth is that I lost weight because I felt unhealthy. Its simple enough, he told the radio station.

I was physically and mentally in the wrong place. I was far too heavy and I wasnt happy with that. I wasnt happy with my own appearance, and I realised that I wasnt being fair with my own body in terms of my general health and wellbeing.

I just felt pretty low to be honest, and it got progressively worse. Losing weight and getting fit have been a transformation for me.

Edwards said in 2021 that he was considering his future presenting News At Ten as he approached his 60th birthday.

A time comes when youre bound to re-assess whats in front of you, he told Radio Cymru in a Welsh-language interview.

Now that a big milestone is here, which is 60 years old, its natural for a man to think am I going to continue in this job for another five years, or do I want to do something different?

The nightly news business, after 20 years, that can be taxing, even though I still enjoy the job.

I dont think Ill be doing that for long. Because I believe that, in the first place, I think its fair for the viewers to get a change.

Secondly, I have co-workers who are very talented  its time to give them a chance too.

But he said he would not be giving up journalism entirely.

He added: I wont disappear tomorrow from the 10 oclock news because Im still enjoying myself.

But of course, Im thinking about the working patterns of the future. And the truth is that I dont want to sustain these working patterns for a long time to come, because I dont believe its a very wise thing at all.

An article on the BBC website in 2002 said Edwards was determined to stamp his own identity on News At Ten.

You dont want to let people down, but at the same time, I want to do it in my own way. I dont want to be a clone of Sissons or Buerk, he said.

Edwards, who attended Llanelli Grammar School and graduated in French from Cardiff University, is an honorary professor in the School of Journalism, Media and Culture at his old university.

Just last month, Edwards picked up the best live event honour at the Tric Awards for being among those to cover the state funeral of the late Queen, and in February he received the Broadcast Awards special recognition award.

In May, it was announced that Edwards had joined the TV presenting line-up for the Proms 2023.

He is listed as a vice president on the website of the National Churches Trust and has appeared on Songs of Praise.
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Labour will pledge to turn the page on Tory sleaze if it wins the next election, as it fleshes out its plans for an independent ethics watchdog for ministerial standards.

Deputy leader Angela Rayner is expected to renew a commitment to stop the rot by creating a new body with stronger powers to push for sanctions against those who break the rules.

In a speech to the Institute for Government, Ms Rayner will say that the theory of good chaps in Westminster has been tested to the point of destruction by recent Tory scandals.

She will vow to show people that politics is working for them by the end of Labours first term in government.

We will clean up politics, so that by the end of our first term people dont just feel better off, they can see that politics is working for them, not for Westminster Angela Rayner

The proposals for a new watchdog, which were first announced by the party in 2021, include a pledge to scrap Whitehalls existing revolving-doors watchdog and introduce a more robust system.

The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), which was responsible for reviewing Sir Keir Starmers job offer to ex-civil servant Sue Gray, would be replaced by an Ethics and Integrity Commission, the party said.

Setting out the plans in further detail on Thursday, Ms Rayner will outline how the commission would be placed on a statutory footing to strengthen its scope to impose tougher sanctions for standards breaches.

Labour would carry out a consultation, including the Committee on Standards in Public Life and existing public standards regulators, on next steps for the watchdogs creation, the party said.

The committee would continue to play a significant role at the centre of the standards landscape, with the two bodies proposed to complement each others work, Labour said.

Ms Rayner will pledge: We will clean up politics, so that by the end of our first term people dont just feel better off, they can see that politics is working for them, not for Westminster.

Our democracy cannot hinge on gentlemens agreements  it needs independent and robust protection.

Politics has to work for people, not for politicians. We are here to serve the public, not ourselves.

The deputy leader will say Acoba and the independent adviser on ministers interests  which Labour is also planning to subsume within the proposed commission  have been undermined and weakened by the Conservatives.

Acoba recently reviewed whether party leader Sir Keirs appointment of former mandarin Ms Gray as his soon-to-be chief-of-staff risked undermining appointment rules, but ultimately found no evidence her impartiality in Whitehall had been impaired.

It is often criticised as toothless because it cannot enforce its recommendations, but Sir Keir had committed to abiding by its advice in the event it had reached different conclusions.

The commission would have the power to launch investigations into ministers, determine breaches and demand financial sanctions on former ministers who break the rules to close the revolving door between public office and lucrative roles for firms they used to regulate.

Former ministers would be banned from lobbying, consultancy or any paid work relating to their old roles for at least five years under the plans if Labour seizes No 10.

It comes after a series of standards rows that have rocked Rishi Sunaks Government in recent months, with ministers Gavin Williamson, Nadhim Zahawi and Dominic Raab all exiting Cabinet over accusations their conduct fell short.

And Conservative former minister Owen Paterson resigned from the Commons in 2021 following a scandal over his lobbying for two companies that employed him as a consultant.

Mr Sunak had promised to lead with integrity, professionalism and accountability, and after entering office appointed Sir Laurie Magnus as his independent adviser, who oversaw the investigation that led to Mr Zahawis departure.

But Ms Rayner will say the replacement of the adviser would put an end to the current situation in which the Prime Minister is the judge and jury on every case of ministerial misconduct.

A Conservative Party spokesman said: Labour want to outsource ethics to a body of unelected bureaucrats chosen by Keir Starmer, instead of trusting Parliament to hold ministers to account.

Its unsurprising to see that Angela Rayner doesnt trust the leader of her own party to oversee ethics in Whitehall.
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A family of four beavers has been released on a National Trust estate to boost wildlife and help the landscape deal with climate change.

Once a mainstay of British rivers, beavers became extinct here in the 16th century due to hunting, but in recent years they have been introduced at a growing number of sites in the UK.

The latest location is Northumberlands Wallington Estate, site of the National Trusts third beaver release, following successful introductions on Exmoor in 2020 and the South Downs in 2021.

Watched from the other side of the bank by rangers, wildlife experts and the media, the four beavers walked straight into the stream and began to eat willow branches that had been left for them, although the father seemed initially spooked and at first retreated back to his crate.

This release of two adults and two young which were relocated under licence from Tayside in Scotland will become one of the few beaver populations in northern England.

They will make their home in a 24-hectare fenced enclosure on an upland tributary of the River Wansbeck, transforming the landscape with their dams.

Paul Hewitt, countryside manager at the National Trust, said: Much as they did centuries ago, these instinctive animals will engineer the landscape, creating a dynamic system of dams and ponds that, over time, will become a lush wetland, brimming with life.

The BBCs Wild Isles was a powerful reminder of the beauty  and critically, the scarcity  of British wildlife.

If we are to make sure those amazing natural spectacles dont become a thing of the past, we have to create space for wildlife to thrive.

Beavers are a fantastic tool to help us do that; where they go, fish, insects, birds and amphibians follow.

By creating pools on the stream, they mitigate the effect of climate change by slowing the speed of water coursing through during heavy rains, and holding water in the location during drought.

Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, who led the release for the Beaver Trust, said: Whats really interesting in relocating these animals to the enclosure at Wallington today is the upland stream setting, a recovering, formerly heavily grazed landscape.

Wallington is a great example of exactly where we want these animals to be reintroduced, to demonstrate their ability to restore natural processes and where they are very likely to produce a textbook example of landscape scale beaver benefits: slowing and storing water, boosting biodiversity, and promoting woodland regeneration.

Public visits to see the beavers may be possible later but at the moment rangers are asking people to give the animals time to settle into their new home.
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Scores of parades have taken place across Northern Ireland as Protestant loyal orders celebrate the Twelfth of July.

The main demonstrations happened at 18 venues, including Belfast as well as Bangor in Co Down; Ballymena, Co Antrim; Ballinamallard, Co Fermanagh; and Magherafelt, Co Londonderry.

Thousands of Orange Order members accompanied by 600 marching bands took part in the festivities to mark the 333rd anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.

Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris attended a parade in Lurgan, Co Armagh along with DUP MP Carla Lockhart.

In a tweet, Mr Heaton-Harris thanked the Orange Order for their invitation to attend.

Northern Ireland has a rich cultural tapestry and if it is to continue to make progress, it is vital that people across society show respect and tolerance for those who may hold opposing values, views and traditions to their own, he said.

The Orange Order say an estimated half-a-million people are expected to participate or spectate in events.

The institutions Grand Master Edward Stevenson will enjoy the day in the village of Loughbrickland, Co Down.

He urged all to enjoy the celebrations in a manner befitting the proud tradition we represent.

Tens of thousands of people eagerly look forward to participating in our parades each year  and I am one of them, he said.

I do not believe there is any other event on these islands that can bring such vast numbers of people onto the streets as our processions, either by taking part or simply to watch them go by.

We continue to welcome an increasing number of international visitors to our celebrations who are keen to experience first-hand the spectacle of the biggest day in the parading calendar.

On Tuesday night, the majority of an estimated 250 bonfires were lit in loyalist communities across the region to usher in the main date in the parading calendar.

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said it received 147 emergency 999 calls between 6pm on Tuesday and 2am on Wednesday  a drop of 28% on last year.

It said 34 of the calls were bonfire-related, one less than last year.

In Newtownards, Co Down, a man was taken to hospital.

It is understood he fell from a bonfire structure in the Portaferry Road area around 10pm.

The placing of an image of Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill and Irish flags on a bonfire in the Eastvale area of Dungannon, as well as an effigy, above a poster bearing the name of Sinn Fein Councillor Taylor McGrann at a bonfire in Rathcoole on the outskirts of Belfast, are being investigated by police as hate crime.

Those actions were condemned by representatives from political parties across the divide.

One of the largest bonfires, located in Craigyhill, Larne, aimed to raise money for a local toddler who is undergoing cancer treatment.

The Battle of the Boyne in 1690, which unfolded at the Boyne river north of Dublin, saw Protestant King William of Orange defeat Catholic King James II to secure a Protestant line of succession to the British Crown.

Thousands of Orange lodge members parade through the summer months to mark Williams victory and other key dates in Protestant/unionist/loyalist culture.

Those celebrations culminate on the Twelfth.

July 13 will see another gathering, this time organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh. The event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing the rival monarchs William and James.

The routes of certain Orange parades became intense friction points during the Troubles, often leading to widespread rioting and violence.

The disputes usually centred on whether or not Orange lodges should be entitled to parade through nationalist areas.

While Orangemen insisted they had the right to parade on public roads following long-established traditional routes, nationalist residents protested at what they characterised as displays of sectarian triumphalism passing through their neighbourhoods.

The number of flashpoints has reduced significantly in the peace process years.

DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson encouraged peaceful and positive July 12 celebrations.

Celebrations over the 11th and 12th are part of the cultural fabric of Northern Ireland and for the vast majority of us they are an occasion where families will come together, often travelling home from wherever they now live to enjoy the occasion together, he said.

I am proud of my culture and my tradition, but I recognise that there are different cultures and traditions within Northern Ireland. For those of us who do cherish the legacy of the Glorious Revolution then the best way to show that to others is through peaceful and positive celebrations.

Those dont include the burning of flags or election posters on a bonfire, but thankfully in the vast majority of cases that does not happen. Unfortunately, it will be a minority of cases where offence is caused that will dominate the headlines. As unionists we need to recognise that such incidents are self-inflicted wounds.
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Defence secretary Ben Wallace has been accused of scolding the Ukrainians after revealing that he told them Britain was not retail giant Amazon when presented with a list of weapons demands.

In a summit that has revealed cracks between Western leaders and Kyiv, Mr Wallace also said he had advised Ukraine that the international community wanted to see gratitude for its support in the war with Russia.

Asked about the row, Rishi Sunak distanced himself from the comments, saying the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky had repeatedly expressed his gratitude. I think everyone can see thats how he feels, he said.

The prime minister said that people across Ukraine were fighting for their lives and freedom every single day and paying a terrible price for it, adding that he understood Mr Zelensky's desire to do everything he can to protect his people.

President Zelensky  told about Mr Wallaces remarks about Amazon and wanting to see gratitude  fired back by saying he didnt know what [Mr Wallace] meant and asked whether he wants something special.

I believe we were always grateful to the United Kingdom, Mr Zelensky told a press conference. We were always grateful to prime ministers and to the minister for defence, because the people in the United Kingdom have always supportive  we are grateful for this.

I didnt know what he meant and how else we should be grateful, he added. We could get up in the morning and express our gratitude personally to the minister  Maybe the minister wants something special, but I think we have wonderful relations [with the UK].

Labour's shadow defence secretary John Healey said Ukrainians did not need lectures when they were fighting for the future and the freedom of their country.

President Zelensky wants more military help yesterday, of course he does. What he doesnt need is lectures on gratitude, especially when they overshadow a successful summit in which Nato is stronger and the support for Ukraine is greater, he added.

And Lib Dem defence spokesperson Richard Foord said Ukrainian people were dying because of Russias invasion and were asking for the equipment needed to protect their country, adding: It is ill-judged to scold them for this and demand that they show more gratitude.

Volodymyr Zelensky fired back at Wallace at press conference (Kacper Pempel/Reuters)

It came as Western leaders tried to smooth tensions with Ukraine after President Zelensky sensationally accused the alliance of absurd delays to the process of making his country a member on Tuesday.

In a move widely seen as a way to soften the blow over Nato, the G7 announced a new framework for Ukraines long-term security, marking the first time many of its members have agreed such an arrangement with another country.

The summit also held the first meeting of the Nato-Ukraine council, a new forum designed to deepen ties with the war-torn country.

For his part Mr Zelensky struck a more conciliatory note during a press conference with Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg.

Asked later by the press if the wrangling over accession would depress morale near the frontline, Mr Zelensky said a new Nato-Ukraine council would give Ukrainians the spirit needed.

In a tweet, he also expressed gratitude to the UK for its support, after a one-to-one meeting with Mr Sunak.

Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden with Volodymyr Zelensky at Nato (PA)

Earlier Mr Wallace insisted that it was a matter of when, not if Ukraine joins the group. He also argued that a clear pathway for membership had been set out - that after the war ends Ukraine will join if it continues to make progress on political reform.

But, in a briefing with journalists, the defence secretary added that he had advised the Ukrainians to show they were grateful for the support they have received during a bloody conflict which has now lasted more than 500 days.

Whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude, he said. You know, my counsel to the Ukrainians is sometimes, Look, you are persuading countries to give up their own stocks and yes, your war is a noble war and we see it as you waging a war not just for yourselves but for our freedoms.

"But sometimes you've got to persuade lawmakers on (Capitol) Hill in America, youve got to persuade doubting politicians in other countries that its worth it and its worthwhile and that theyre getting something for it. Whether you like it or not, thats just the reality of it.

Allies had given huge amounts of supplies to Ukraine since the Russian invasion, he said. He added: We are not Amazon I told them that last year, when I drove 11 hours to be given a list of demands for more weapons.

Ben Wallace said: We are not Amazon I told them that last year (PA Wire)

He also said the war against Russia was going better than people think and claimed that the Russians had left Laurel and Hardy in charge of the campaign.

He also predicted there would be more British troops in Ukraine after this conflict than before, as a result of the G7 agreement. Sources later made clear they would be there in a training capacity.

A joint declaration said it was designed to ensure a sustainable force capable of defending Ukraine now and deterring Russian aggression in the future.

This will be done through the continued provision of assistance and equipment on land, air and sea, developing Ukrainian industry, intelligence sharing, training and support for cyberdefence.

British sources said that the UKs main contribution on air support would be training pilots. They did not rule out other countries coming forward with offers of F16s, but said the UK did not have any of the fighter jets Ukraine wants.

G7 countries will also seek to make the war as costly as possible for Russia, including through sanctions and export controls, as well as holding those who carry out war crimes responsible.

For its part, No 10 said that Mr Sunak paid tribute to the courage and bravery of Ukraines armed forces when he met Mr Zelensky. But both made clear the G7 arrangements were not a substitute for Nato membership.

On Tuesday Zelensky had raged at the military alliance, denouncing delays in the membership process as absurd.

A communique said Ukraine would only be invited to join when allies agree and conditions are met.

Ukraines deputy foreign minister Andriy Melnyk was also quoted complaining that Kyiv has been given the runaround since 2008 and needs to join as soon as possible, not when hell freezes over.
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Watch live as Oliver Dowden faces Angela Rayner at Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday, 12 July.

The deputy prime minister is filling in for Rishi Sunak, who is at a Nato summit in Lithuania where he told Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine belonged in Nato.

On the second and final day of the summit in Vilnius, the prime minister will also attend the inaugural meeting of the Nato-Ukraine Council and give a press conference afterwards.

Mr Sunak has been working with allies to deliver a non-Nato multilateral defence and economic agreement for Ukraine, which all members of the G7 are set to sign, to give it long-term support against current and future Russian aggression.

The prime minister has said the pact has the potential to return peace to Europe.

As well as Mr Sunak, Mr Zelensky met with other G7 heads of state including German chancellor Olaf Scholz and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau this morning.

The Ukrainian president is expected to meet Joe Biden later today.
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Watch as Rishi Sunak speaks at the Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania on Wednesday 12 July after private talks with Volodymyr Zelensky.

The pair met privately to discuss plans to provide Kyiv with long-term security guarantees, with Mr Sunak telling the Ukrainian leader you belong in Nato.

Mr Zelensky has recently been left frustrated by the reluctance of the 31 member states to agree a timetable for wartorn Ukraine to be admitted into the international defensive alliance.

He had said it was absurd for Nato to insist there are still military and democratic conditions for the eastern European country to meet before it can join following the end of the conflict with Moscow.

It is good to see you here at Nato where you belong, Mr Sunak said, greeting Mr Zelensky in the Lithuanian capital on Wednesday.

The prime minister has consistently stated that he sees Ukraines place as being in Nato but its pathway to entry has proved a sticking point among allies in Vilnius.
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The Prime Minister has shut down comments by the Defence Secretary after Ben Wallace suggested Ukraine should show gratitude for the military support it has been given.

Rishi Sunak said Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky had repeatedly expressed gratitude for what the UK had done for Kyiv since Russias invasion broke out more than 500 days ago.

Mr Wallace, in comments to reporters at the Nato summit in Vilnius, suggested Mr Zelensky needed to be mindful about keeping doubting politicians in the US on-side, particularly with a presidential election coming up next year.

The former Scots Guard said some allies providing defensive aid to Kyiv want to see gratitude.

But Mr Sunak, in a push back against his Cabinet minister, said the Ukrainian people were incredibly grateful for the support we have shown.

Mr Zelensky said he did not know what Mr Wallace meant, as he said his country was always grateful to Britain.

Many Western allies, including president Joe Bidens Washington administration and the UK Government, have been vocal backers of Ukraine.

The UK in particular has been at the forefront of Western states in sending weapons and defensive equipment to the war-torn country.

Speaking at a press briefing after the two day summit in the Lithuanian capital, Mr Sunak said: President Zelensky has expressed his gratitude for what we have done on a number of occasions, not least in his incredibly moving address that he made to Parliament earlier this year and he has done so again to me, as he has done countless times when I have met him.

So I know that he and his people are incredibly grateful for the support we have shown, the welcome that we have provided to many Ukrainian families, but also the leadership we have shown throughout this conflict.

Mr Sunak stressed that the Ukrainian people were paying a terrible price during the invasion and that he understood Mr Zelenskys desire to do everything he can to protect his people.

Speaking at a later press conference, Mr Zelensky said through a translator: I believe that we were always grateful to United Kingdom.

I dont know what he (Mr Wallace) meant and how else we should be grateful.

Maybe the minister wants something special, but I think that we have a wonderful relations.

Sources close to the Defence Secretary later said: Mr Wallace was reflecting on the need for Ukraine to address the parts of public opinion and parliaments in the international community who need to be encouraged.

The public disagreement comes after Mr Zelensky voiced his frustration at Nato failing to produce a timeframe for Kyiv to become a member of the defensive alliance.

The war leader said on Tuesday that it was absurd for Nato to insist there are still military and democratic conditions for the eastern European country to meet before it can join once the conflict with Moscow is over.

He looked to have calmed his language following a bilateral blitz on Wednesday, which included meetings with Mr Sunak and Mr Biden.

During a press conference with Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, Mr Zelensky said Nato had sent signals that were important when it came to Ukraine becoming a member state.

He was also buoyed by the signing of a joint declaration by G7 leaders, promising long-term multilateral and bilateral security guarantees for Kyiv to help it fend off current and future aggression by Russia.

Following the signing of the pact, Mr Zelensky said he was leaving the summit with a significant security victory for Ukraine.

Mr Sunak said the deal marked a new high point in international support for Ukraine, with Britain signing up to train Ukrainian pilots.

The Defence Secretary suggested the UK, as part of the agreement, could base troops in the country after the war has concluded to conduct battlefield training with Ukrainian forces.

The Prime Minister said he was highly confident that other countries would very quickly sign up to the pledge made by G7 allies, which as well as the UK includes the US, Japan, Canada, Italy, France and Germany.

On the question of Nato membership for Ukraine, the Conservative Party leader said meaningful progress had been made at Vilnius to smooth its pathway, taking it from a two-step process to just one.

The Prime Minister said: I think this summit has been a very important moment because you had the alliance affirming unequivocally that Ukraines rightful place is in Nato and Ukraine will become a member of Nato.

And we saw at this summit meaningful progress on that path towards eventual membership.

He told Mr Zelensky during a one-on-one meeting that he belonged in Nato, with the British premier hailing his fighters as inspirational.

Labours John Healey gave his partys backing to new commitments to Ukraine.

The shadow defence secretary said: G7 countries and Nato nations stand united in support of Ukraine and against Russian aggression.

Putins illegal invasion must not only be defeated, but we have to ensure Ukraine receives the support needed to defend itself today and into the future.
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Rishi Sunak told Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky he belonged in Nato as he assured him real progress had been made on providing security guarantees for Kyiv in its fightback against Russia.

The Prime Minister met the Ukrainian president on the fringes of the Nato summit in Vilnius.

Mr Zelensky has been left frustrated by the reluctance of the 31 member states to agree a timetable for wartorn Ukraine to be admitted into the international defensive alliance.

He had said it was absurd for Nato to insist there are still military and democratic conditions for the eastern European country to meet before it can join following the end of the conflict with Moscow.

Greeting Mr Zelensky in the Lithuanian capital on Wednesday, Mr Sunak said: It is good to see you here at Nato where you belong.

Mr Zelensky said it was good news that they could advance talks on security guarantees for his people, with Mr Sunak assuring him that real progress had been made in that regard.

The British premier has consistently stated that he sees Ukraines place as being in Nato but its pathway to entry has proved a sticking point among allies in Vilnius.

Mr Sunak has been working behind the scenes to deliver a non-Nato multilateral defence and economic agreement for Ukraine to give it long-term support against current and future Russian aggression.

All members of the G7  made up of the UK, the US, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada  are set to sign the pact with Ukraine while in Vilnius.

The Prime Minister has said the fresh terms have the potential to return peace to Europe.

Little detail has been published about what the G7 pact entails but No 10 said it would lead to increased intelligence sharing, further training of Ukraines forces and plans to boost Kyivs own defence industry.

Downing Street, in a readout of their meeting, said Mr Sunak told his counterpart the G7 security accord marked the new high point in support for Ukraine.

Both leaders, however, agreed the deal will not be a substitute for Nato membership.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace appeared to suggest Mr Zelensky needed to be mindful about keeping doubting politicians in the US on-side, particularly with a presidential election coming up next year, following his critical remarks about Nato.

Mr Wallace said some allies providing defensive aid to Kyiv want to see gratitude.

He said the US and the UK have told Ukraine that were not Amazon  a reference to the online retail giant  after being handed requests for new weapons.

In a press conference with Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, Mr Zelensky appeared to have calmed some of his language following Tuesdays criticism of the alliance.

Mr Zelensky said it was logical and understandable that Ukraine could not be admitted immediately as the struggle against Russia meant the conflict would develop into a world war.

But he said Nato had sent signals that were important when it came to Ukraine becoming a member state.

Already we can hear some confident statements (about) when the conditions will be met, said Mr Zelensky, who was speaking through a translator.

As well as holding talks with Mr Sunak, the Ukrainian leader also met other G7 heads of state, including German chancellor Olaf Scholz and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.

He is expected to meet US president Joe Biden later on Wednesday.

During the opening exchanges of their meeting, Mr Sunak praised the efforts of Ukraines armed forces in the pushback against Moscows invading forces.

The Prime Minister said: What your soldiers are doing on the front line, it is inspiring to everyone.

Were proud to have played a part in training some of them.

They have served with enormous bravery and courage.

Mr Zelensky said his armed forces had undergone good training missions in the UK, with Mr Sunak adding it was clear the exercises had been put to good use.

During their bilateral, Conservative Party leader Mr Sunak suggested the pair meet alone without aides present, with the Ukrainian president agreeing that we will be two for the talks.

Such a move had previously been seen as unusual, but it has become a regular tactic of Mr Sunak in recent months to meet with his closest allies on a one-to-one basis.

The Prime Minister and Mr Zelensky spoke privately in Japan at the G7 in May, while Mr Sunak and French president Emmanuel Macron dismissed their advisers during discussions at the UK-France Summit in Paris in March.

Later on Wednesday, Mr Sunak and Mr Zelensky met again ahead of the first Nato-Ukraine Commission.

Natos secretary general said the joint commission was a truly historic moment.

Mr Stoltenberg told Mr Zelensky: Today we meet as equals. And I look forward to the day we meet as allies.
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The new director general of RTE has said that top earners salaries will now be published annually, after what he called one of the most shameful moments in the broadcasters history.

On his fourth day in the job, Kevin Bakhurst will tell TDs that it was completely unacceptable that the public and politicians were misled.

Mr Bakhurst is to appear before the Committee of Public Accounts on Thursday morning in what will be the sixth committee appearance over governance and finance issues at RTE within three weeks.

A number of probes have been launched into Irelands public service broadcaster, prompted after it said it had underdeclared its star presenter Ryan Tubridys earnings by 345,000 euro (295,000) from the years 2017 to 2022.

Auditors at Grant Thornton are investigating whether Ryan Tubridys earnings were underdeclared by 120,000 euro from 2017 to 2019; but in an extraordinary back-to-back committee appearance on Tuesday, Tubridy said that this misreporting was due to how RTE had logged a loyalty fee he had waived.

The crisis at the broadcaster has widened beyond Tubridys pay to RTEs internal financial, accounting and governance practices and its expenditure on corporate hospitality for advertising clients.

The Government has launched two external reviews into RTE, has announced a forensic accountant Mazars to look into RTEs barter account, and has paused discussions on a new long-term funding arrangement.

At a protest held outside RTE offices on Wednesday, staff expressed concern that the fallout from the controversy could lead to a drop in commercial revenues from advertising and fewer people paying the obligatory TV licence fee.

Mr Bakhurst, who stood down RTEs executive leadership board on Monday as he vowed to restore peoples trust in Irelands public service broadcaster, is to tell TDs on Thursday that the controversy is one of the most shameful and damaging episodes in the organisations history.

He will also commit to publishing the pay of the executives on his permanent leadership team annually, along with the top 10 presenters pay in RTEs annual report.

A Grant Thornton report examining the fees paid to RTEs top 10 earners for each year back to 2010, which has also been submitted to TDs, has validated the published figures for the other nine earners, Mr Bakhurst will say.

Mr Bakhurst will also state that RTE should not be brokering or facilitating commercial arrangements with its contractors, and that the level of fees in these contracts are too high.

I am absolutely determined to implement the change and reform which will help us draw a line under this shameful period in RTEs history and to rebuild trust in public service broadcasting, he is to tell TDs.
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Nadine Dorries was referred to the Tory chief whip by the UKs most senior civil servant over claims she sent forceful messages to senior civil servants after failing to receive a peerage in Boris Johnsons resignation honours list.

Appearing at the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Cabinet Secretary Simon Case said he had flagged communications from the Johnson loyalist to senior officials to both the Commons Speaker and the chief whip.

Tory MP and committee chairman William Wragg asked Mr Case if he was aware of any rather forceful communications sent by Ms Dorries to senior civil servants about potentially using the platform of the Commons and indeed her own television programme to get to the bottom of why she hadnt been given a peerage?

Mr Case said: Yes, was aware of those communications and have flagged them to both the chief whip and Speaker of the House.

Asked if he had taken legal advice on whether the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 could come into play, the top civil servant said he was seeking further advice on that question. So taken initial advice, but asked for more.

The Liberal Democrats called on the Prime Minister to withdraw the Tory whip and called for an investigation.

Deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: These allegations are staggering and its crucial a swift investigation takes place into whether Nadine Dorries may have broken the law.

Not only is Dorries failing to represent the people of Mid Bedfordshire, but now it emerges she has allegedly sent threatening messages to civil servants.

The least Rishi Sunak can do is suspend her by withdrawing the Conservative whip while any investigation takes place.

PA news agency understands that while initial advice was sought on whether there had been a breach of the legislation, it was advised that there had not been.

Mr Case, it is understood, then sought further advice on the construction and application of the law rather than into the conduct of Ms Dorries.

It comes as it was confirmed that the MP, who had announced her intention to stand down but remains in the Commons, has written a book titled The Plot: The Political Assassination Of Boris Johnson.

It will be published days before the Tory Party conference in September.

The former prime ministers staunch ally claims to have uncovered a fault line within the Conservative Party through conversations with Cabinet ministers, civil servants and party officials which form the basis of her account.

The book, for which Ms Dorries received 20,500 as a partial advance from HarperCollins, is billed as the story of treachery and deceit at the heart of the Westminster machine.

It is set to hit the stands on September 28  just three days before Conservatives convene for the annual party conference on October 1.

The former culture secretary said: I had wanted to discover the forces behind the downfall of the prime minister. Instead, I found a fault line within the Conservative Party stretching back decades, and a history of deception fuelled by the darkest political arts.

If you thought that power flowed from the people into Parliament, be prepared to think again.

Ms Dorries was among eight Conservative parliamentarians recently rebuked for her conduct in relation to the Privileges Committee investigation of Mr Johnson.

The cross-party panel, which ultimately found Mr Johnson lied to MPs with his repeated denials of pandemic-era parties in Downing Street, accused his loyalists of a co-ordinated attempt to undermine its work.

The Privileges Committee ultimately triggered Mr Johnsons resignation from Parliament in protest at its recommendation that he should face a lengthy suspension for misleading the Commons.

His supporters attacked the Labour-led but Tory-majority panel as a witch hunt and kangaroo court  with the former prime minister found to be complicit in the campaign.

Ms Dorries, perhaps Mr Johnsons staunchest ally, has announced her intention to quit as an MP but is yet to do so formally as she seeks answers over the peerage she never received in his resignation honours list.

HarperCollins said The Plot aims to trace Mr Johnsons rise to power with a landslide victory in the 2019 election and his prime ministerial downfall three years later.

The former prime minister was ultimately forced out of No 10 after losing the confidence of his party following a series of political crises.

Adam Humphrey, HarperNonFiction publisher, said: Nadines unique vantage point, unparalleled access to sources, and innate storytelling ability will provide readers of The Plot with a rare opportunity to walk the corridors of power and understand the behind-the-scenes machinations of Westminster.

The Plot is an urgent look at how our government really operates, and I look forward to it adding to the current political discourse.
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A 23-year-old person has claimed the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit photos broke lockdown rules to meet them during the pandemic, The Sun reported.

The newspaper said it has seen messages which suggest the presenter travelled to see the young person in February 2021, after meeting them on a dating website the previous November.

The 23-year-old told the Sun the presenter travelled from London to a different county to meet them at their flat, when strict coronavirus lockdown rules were in place including a stay at home order and mixing only between household bubbles.

The young person told the newspaper: He came round for an hour. We just chatted. He was obsessed with me making him a cup of tea.

They said the presenter also gave them more than 600 in three payments, which the newspaper said messages also suggest.

The 23-year-old also claimed the presenter asked if next week was good to meet on December 18 2020, when restrictions meant a ban on households mixing indoors.

However, the young person claims he made excuses not to meet him until two months later.

The person told the newspaper: The BBC were briefing the nation on the rules  when their star who was part of the institution was quite happy to break them.

The Sun said it had approached the BBC and the presenter for comment and would hand over evidence to the BBCs investigation team.

They appear to be a separate person to the others who have made claims against the presenter, who has been suspended by the BBC.

The Sun first made allegations on Friday about the unnamed presenter, claiming a different young person was paid around 35,000 over three years, from the age of 17, for sexually explicit images.

The young person at the centre of the controversy said on Monday via a lawyer, according to BBC News At Six, that nothing inappropriate or unlawful happened with the unnamed presenter.

Their mother told The Sun they stand by the claims and a spokesperson for the newspaper said it is now for the BBC to properly investigate.

An unnamed police force confirmed earlier today it was contacted by the parents of the teenager in April, BBC News has reported.

The force said that no criminality was identified initially, however it has since met with the Metropolitan Police and the BBC, it was alleged.

Earlier today, the BBC said a family member contacted the corporation in May and the BBCs Corporate Investigations Team assessed that the claims did not include an allegation of criminality but nonetheless merited further investigation.

Director-general Tim Davie announced he has ordered a review to assess how some complaints are red flagged up the organisation.

He told reporters he was first informed of the allegations when the newspaper said it would be publishing its front page story.

The corporation has also been asked to pause its internal investigation into the allegations while the police scope future work following a meeting with the Metropolitan Police.

A statement from the broadcaster said: As a result of this meeting, the BBC has been asked to pause its investigations into the allegations while the police scope future work.

It added: The BBC has processes and protocols for receiving information and managing complaints when they are first made. We always take these matters extremely seriously and seek to manage them with the appropriate duty of care.

The events of recent days have shown how complex and challenging these kinds of cases can be and how vital it is that they are handled with the utmost diligence and care.

There will, of course, be lessons to be learned following this exercise.

On Tuesday, BBC News reported a person in their early 20s  who the broadcaster said is not connected to the person in the first report by the Sun  allegedly received threatening messages from the presenter.

According to the broadcaster, the presenter  who the BBC announced at the weekend has been suspended  met the young person on a dating app, not in person and asked the young person not to tell anyone.

The young person later posted online alluding to having had contact with the presenter and hinted they might name him.

The presenter then allegedly sent a number of threatening messages, which the BBC says it has seen and confirmed came from a phone number belonging to the unnamed man.

The BBC said the young person felt threatened by the messages and remains scared.

BBC News said it had contacted the presenter via his lawyer, but had received no response to the allegations.
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G7 countries have agreed to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes as they set out the details of what a package of new security measures will entail.

The leaders of the wealthiest economies, which includes the UK, US, Japan, Canada, France, Germany and Italy, jointly penned a security accord at the Nato summit in Vilnius on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said it marks a new high point in international support for Ukraine.

He thinks it will send a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin and has the potential to bring an end to the conflict in eastern Europe.

The pact contains promises to act multilaterally and on a country-to-country basis to offer Ukraine long-term security guarantees.

The UKs side of the bargain will see more Ukrainian pilots trained in Britain.

No 10 said the precise offer for each country will be set out in their bilateral agreements.

In a joint declaration signed by G7 leaders, they said: We will stand with Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression, for as long as it takes.

We stand united in our enduring support for Ukraine, rooted in our shared democratic values and interests, above all, respect for the UN Charter and the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The group said the mission was to ensure a sustainable force capable of defending Ukraine now and deterring Russian aggression in the future.

The pact promises security assistance and modern military equipment, prioritising air defence, artillery and long-range fires, armoured vehicles and other key capabilities, such as air combat.

Ukraines military equipment will increasingly be brought into interoperability with Euro-Atlantic partners.

Plans are also in place to boost Kyivs defence industry, commit to more training exercises and provide support for cyber defence and resilience initiatives.

G7 countries are also pledging to help Ukraine meet the reforms asked of it to become a Nato member.

They added that the West remains committed to supporting Ukraine by holding Russia accountable through sanctions and by punishing war crimes and other atrocities.
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Both the US and the UK have told Ukraine that were not Amazon, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said, as he suggested that allies providing support to Kyiv also want gratitude.

Volodymyr Zelensky has made clear his frustrations at the reluctance of Nato members to agree a timetable for Ukraine to be admitted into the alliance.

Many Western allies, including the Biden administration and the UK Government, have been vocal backers of Ukraine.

The UK in particular has been at the forefront of Western states in sending weapons and defensive equipment to the war-torn country.

But Mr Wallace, who is attending the Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, appeared to suggest Mr Zelensky needed to be mindful about keeping doubting politicians in the US on-side, particularly with a presidential election coming up next year.

Mr Wallace said some allies providing defensive aid to Kyiv want to see gratitude.

He said the US and the UK have told Ukraine that were not Amazon, a reference to the online retail giant, after being handed requests for new weapons.

He told reporters: There is a slight word of caution here which is that, whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude.

My counsel to the Ukrainians youre persuading countries to give up their own stocks.

And yes the war is a noble war and yes we see it as you doing a war for not just yourself but our freedoms.

But sometimes youve got to persuade lawmakers on the Hill in America.

Youve got to persuade doubting politicians in other countries that its worth it and its worthwhile and theyre getting something for it.

Whether you like that or not, that is just the reality of it.

Downing Street insisted Mr Zelensky had shown his gratitude for the UKs support.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: I think you heard from President Zelensky repeatedly, and indeed just today, about his gratitude to the people of the United Kingdom for their support, for their generosity.

He added: We fully understand that the people of Ukraine, President Zelensky, are obviously fighting a war and face extremely difficult circumstances.

The UK Government and UK people will be steadfast in supporting them.

Following his meeting with Rishi Sunak on Wednesday, Mr Zelensky said he was grateful to the Prime Minister and the United Kingdom for supporting Ukraines accession to Nato and for participating in providing Ukraine with effective security guarantees for the period prior to membership in the alliance.

He added he was particularly grateful to the UK for hosting the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London.
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A former Mozambique finance minister who has been held in prison in South Africa for nearly five years was extradited Wednesday to the United States to face a fraud and corruption trial over a $2 billion scandal involving fraudulent government loans.

South African authorities said that Manuel Chang, who was Mozambique's finance minister from 2005 to 2015, was handed over to U.S. authorities after his last-ditch court effort to avoid extradition failed in May.

It brings to an end a nearly five-year legal battle by Chang to avoid facing trial in the U.S. and be extradited instead to his home country, where rights groups have protested that he would likely be treated leniently.

He is accused of receiving bribes of up to $17 million during a scheme that secured loans for Mozambican state-owned companies from foreign banks and financiers for maritime projects. The money was looted through kickbacks and other corrupt dealings, according to U.S. prosecutors.

Chang was indicted in federal court in New York over his involvement in the scheme, which U.S. authorities allege defrauded American and international investors.

The loans totaling $2 billion were intended for the purchase of fishing vessels and naval patrol boats and other resources to help Mozambiques fishing industry, but it's alleged that never happened.

The Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services confirms that the Republic of South Africas law enforcement agencies successfully surrendered Mr Manuel Chang to the United States of America on July 12, 2023, the ministry said.

The scandal caused a financial crisis in Mozambique when the International Monetary Fund withdrew its support for the country after the so-called hidden debts were revealed in 2016.

Chang was arrested at the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg in 2018 on a U.S. warrant.

The Mozambican governments own attempts to have him face trial in Mozambique have been dismissed by several South African courts.

In 2021, Swiss bank Credit Suisse agreed to pay at least $475 million to British and American authorities to settle bribery and kickback allegations stemming from their involvement with the corrupt loans.

At least 10 people have already been convicted and sentenced to prison by a Mozambican court over the scandal, including Ndambi Guebuza, the son of former Mozambican president Armando Guebuza. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for receiving up to $33 million from the corrupt deal.

___

Associated Press Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
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Police have named the patient who fatally shot Tennessee surgeon Dr Benjamin Mauck in a clinics exam room after spending hours at the facility as Larry Pickens.

The 29-year-old suspect killed the doctor, who specialised in elbow, hand and wrist surgery, at the Campbell Clinic in the Memphis suburb of Collierville, Tennessee, at around 2pm on Tuesday.

Investigators say that it was a targeted attack and Mr Pickens, who lives in Memphis, has now been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault.

Larry Pickens arrested for murder of Tennessee hand surgeon (CPD)

The Collierville Police Department does not have any prior reports regarding Mr Pickens. Investigators are checking with other agencies to see if any prior reports have been filed on Mr Pickens, Collierville Police Department said in a statement.

The suspect is being held on a $1.2m bond and is expected to be arraigned in court on Thursday.

According to TV station WREG, the suspect had filed police reports in recent years in which he told officers he had mental health issues. This included an April 2022 report in which police were called to an apartment complex where the suspect told them that Someone keeps messing with his door handle.

And he told officers that someone kept going into his apartment and leaving it in an unorganised state. The report states that he told officers that he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia but had been off his medication.

We experienced a single shooter event inside our Collierville clinic, the clinic said in a statement after the incident.

We are shocked and heartbroken to confirm the incident resulted in the tragic loss of one of our highly respected and beloved physicians, Dr Ben Mauck. We ask that you please lift his family in prayer, said Irina Ollar, director of marketing and public relations at Campbell Clinic.

Dr Benjamin Mauck was fatally shot in an exam room at the Campbell Clinic in Memphis (Campbell Clinic)

We appreciate our local law enforcement officers who responded within minutes. We will continue to work closely with authorities as this remains an active investigation.

Dr Mauck had worked at the Campbell Clinic since August 2012 and was also the director of the Congenital Hand Deformities Clinic Le Bonheur Childrens Hospital.

Ben was a friend to so many of us  a respected member of our Le Bonheur family, a beloved colleague and a dedicated physician to so many patients. We already miss him,  said Dr Trey Eubanks, interim president and surgeon-in-chief at Le Bonheur, in a Tuesday email to staff.

His death is an unthinkable tragedy, and I am at loss at what to say. I am so sorry to those who loved and knew him, for those who worked alongside him every day.
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In 1969, Charles Manson dispatched a group of disaffected young followers on a two-night killing rampage that terrorized Los Angeles. The killings remain etched in the American consciousness.

On Tuesday, Leslie Van Houten was released after spending more than 50 years in prison for two of those murders. She's the only one of Manson's followers who participated in the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders to go free.

Members of the Manson family arrived at the Hollywood Hills home of Sharon Tate on 8 August 1969, where they stabbed, beat and shot to death the young actress and her friends  celebrity hairstylist Jay Sebring, coffee heiress Abigail Folger, and aspiring screenwriter Wojciech Frykowski. As they made their way to the house, they encountered a teenager, Steven Parent, who had been visiting an acquaintance at the estates guesthouse, and shot him to death.

The next night, Manson led a handful of followers, including Van Houten, to the home of wealthy grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary. Manson tied up the couple and left the others to kill them.

Manson and his followers also killed two others  musician Gary Hinman and Hollywood stuntman Donald Shorty Shea  in separate, unrelated attacks.

In the decades since, some of Manson's followers have died while others remain behind bars.

The killers: Charles Manson

Charles Manson was a petty criminal who had been in and out of jail since childhood when he reinvented himself in the late 1960s as a guru-philosopher. He targeted teenage runaways and other lost souls, particularly attractive young women he used and bartered to others for sex.

He sent them out to butcher LA's rich and famous in what prosecutors said was a bid to trigger a race war  an idea they say he got from a twisted reading of the Beatles song Helter Skelter.

Decades after his conviction, Manson would continue to taunt prosecutors, parole agents and others, sometimes denying any role in the killings and other times boasting of them. He told a 2012 parole hearing: I have put five people in the grave. I am a very dangerous man.

He died in 2017 after spending nearly 50 years in prison. He was 83.

Susan Atkins

Susan Atkins, convicted of the Tate, LaBianca and Hinman murders, was a teenage runaway working as a topless dancer in a San Francisco bar when she met Manson in 1967.

The Tate-LaBianca murders went unsolved for months until Atkins, who was in jail on unrelated charges, boasted to a cellmate about her involvement.

At trial, she testified she was stoned on acid and didnt know how many times she stabbed Tate as the actress begged for her life. Atkins, who became a born-again Christian in prison and denounced Manson, tearfully recounted that confrontation during a parole hearing years later.

She died in prison of cancer in 2009. She was 61.

Manson Followers Glance (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Leslie Van Houten

Leslie Van Houten, a former high school cheerleader and homecoming princess, saw her life spiral out of control at 14 following her parents divorce.

She turned to drugs and became pregnant but said her mother forced her to abort the fetus and bury it in the familys backyard.

Van Houten met Manson at an old movie ranch on the outskirts of Los Angeles where he had established his so-called family of followers.

She didnt take part in the Tate killings but accompanied Manson and others to the LaBianca home the next night. She has described holding down Rosemary LaBianca with a pillowcase over her head as others stabbed LaBianca dozens of times. Then, ordered by Manson follower Charles Tex Watson to do something she said she picked up a knife and stabbed the woman more than a dozen times.

Van Houten, 71, earned bachelors and masters degrees in counseling while in prison and led several prison programmes to help rehabilitate fellow inmates. She was repeatedly recommended for parole, but two governors  first Jerry Brown and then Gavin Newsom  blocked her release.

However, she was finally freed after Newsom announced last week that he wouldn't pursue efforts to keep her behind bars.

Three women co-defendants in the Sharon Tate murder case, from left, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten, laugh as they walk to court in Los Angeles for sentencing on March 29, 1971. Van Houten, one of Charles Manson's followers, was released from prison on parole on Tuesday, 11 July 2023 (AP1971)

Patricia Krenwinkel

Patricia Krenwinkel was a 19-year-old secretary when she met Manson at a party. She left everything behind three days later to follow him, believing they had a budding romantic relationship.

After he became abusive and bartered her for sex, she said she twice tried to leave him but followers brought her back, kept a close watch on her and kept her high on drugs.

She testified at a 2016 parole hearing that she repeatedly stabbed Folger, then stabbed Leno LaBianca in the abdomen the following night and wrote Helter Skelter, Rise and Death to Pigs on the walls with his blood.

Krenwinkel, 75, remains in prison. Krenwinkel contends she is a changed person but was denied parole more than a dozen times. She was finally recommended for parole last year but Newsom reversed the decision.

This combination of file photos shows Patricia Krenwinkel being led to superior court in Los Angeles on 24 Feb 1970, right, and years later at a parole hearing at the California Institution for Women in Corona, Calif., on Jan. 20, 2011. Leslie Van Houten, one of Manson's followers, was released from prison on parole on 11 July 2023 (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Charles Tex Watson

Charles Tex Watson was a college dropout from Texas when he arrived in California in 1967 seeking satisfaction through drugs, sex and rock n roll, as he explains on his website.

He recalled meeting Manson at the house of Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson after seeing Wilson hitchhiking and giving him a ride home.

Watson, 77, led the killers to the Tate estate, shot to death Parent as he was attempting to leave and took part in the killings that night and the next at the LaBianca home.

He became a born-again Christian in prison and formed a prison ministry in 1980 that he continues to lead. Watson, who has authored or co-authored several books while in prison, maintains he has changed and is no longer a danger to anyone. He has repeatedly been denied parole.

The victims: Sharon Tate

Sharon Tate, 26, was a model and rising film star after her breakout role in the 1966 film Valley of the Dolls. She was eight-and-a-half months pregnant when she was attacked, and she pleaded with her killers to spare her unborn son.

Tates mother, Doris, became an advocate for victims rights in California and was instrumental in a 1982 law that allows family members to testify about their losses at trials and parole hearings.

Her younger sister, Debra, also dedicated her life to victims rights and testified at countless parole hearings for the killers, demanding they never be released.

Tates husband, director Roman Polanski, was out of the country the night of the killings and has said it took him years to recover from the grief of losing his wife and baby.

Charles Manson is escorted to his arraignment on conspiracy-murder charges in connection with the Sharon Tate murder case in Los Angeles in 1969 (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Jay Sebring

Jay Sebring, a hairdresser to Hollywoods stars, was Tates former boyfriend and also begged the killers to spare her unborn child. He was shot, kicked in the face and stabbed multiple times.

Sebring had transformed the male haircare industry after graduating from beauty school in Los Angeles, and his clients included Warren Beatty, Steve McQueen, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. He founded Sebring International in 1967 to market hair products and to franchise his salons internationally.

Wojciech Frykowski and Abigail Folger

Wojciech Frykowski and Abigail Folger had dined with Tate and Sebring earlier that night.

The 32-year-old Frykowski was a friend of Polanskis from Poland and an aspiring screenwriter. An autopsy found he was stabbed more than 50 times and shot twice.

His 25-year-old girlfriend was the heir to the Folger coffee fortune. She managed to escape the house but was tackled on the front lawn and stabbed 28 times.

Charles Manson trial chief prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi talks with reporters outside a Los Angeles courtroom on 26 Jan 1971 (AP1971)

Steven Parent

Steven Parent, a recent high school graduate planning to attend college in the fall, had dropped by a guest house on the property to visit the estates 19-year-old caretaker, a casual acquaintance named William Garretson. He was leaving the property when Watson confronted him at the front gate and shot him to death.

Garretson, who was briefly taken into custody, returned to his native Ohio soon after the killings. Except for his testimony during the murder trial, he rarely spoke publicly about that night. He died of cancer in 2016.

Leno and Rosemary LaBianca

Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, who owned a chain of Los Angeles grocery stores, had no connection to Sharon Tate or her glamorous friends.

Their home was chosen at random by Manson, who tied them up and then, before leaving, ordered his followers to kill them. Among the weapons used was a chrome-plated bayonet.

Other prominent players: Lynette Squeaky Fromme

Lynette Squeaky Fromme, 74, a Manson family member who was not implicated in the Tate-LaBianca murders, was sentenced to prison for pointing a handgun at president Gerald Ford in 1975. Since her release in 2009, she has lived quietly in upstate New York.

File photo of Charles Manson (Getty)

Linda Kasabian

Linda Kasabian, the trials key witness, was granted immunity from prosecution. She had accompanied the killers to the Tate house but was posted outside as a lookout. In that position she said she saw some of the killings.

The next night she remained in a car outside the LaBianca house as Manson tied up the victims, then left with him as the others stayed to kill them.

The 20-year-old moved in with the family a few weeks before the killings and fled immediately after. She turned herself in to authorities after the others were arrested. Kasabian later changed her name and lived out of sight for decades. She died in Tacoma, Washington. She was 73.

Bruce Davis

Bruce Davis, 80, was convicted of taking part in the Hinman and Shea murders but was not involved in the Tate-LaBianca killings.

He testified at his 2014 parole hearing that he attacked Shea with a knife and held a gun on Hinman while Manson cut Hinmans face with a sword. I wanted to be Charlies favorite guy, he said. Parole panels have repeatedly recommended his release, but governors have blocked it.

Steve Clem Grogan

Steve Clem Grogan, 71, once a ranch hand at the old movie ranch where Manson had located his followers, was sentenced to life in prison for taking part in Sheas murder. In 1977 he told authorities where Sheas body was buried.

Grogan was paroled in 1985 and moved to northern California.

(John Rogers retired from The Associated Press in 2021)
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Charles Manson, the cult leader who orchestrated a string of gruesome murders by his Family of young acolytes in Los Angeles during the momentous summer of 1969, died aged 83 on 19 November 2017 after suffering a cardiac arrest arising from colon cancer but the legacy of his crimes continues to play out.

Earlier this year, Linda Kasabian, the gangs getaway driver who became a key prosecution witness at Mansons trial in 1970-71, passed away in Tacoma, Washington, aged 73, going to her grave claiming to a feel a unique sense of guilt about her notorious past.

On Tuesday, another Manson Family member, Leslie Van Houten, who had spent 53 years behind bars for her part in the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca was released from prison after California governor Gavin Newsom dropped his opposition to a state appeals court ruling that recommended her parole, against the wishes of surviving members of her victims families.

Those developments followed a revival in interest in the Manson Family murders in the wake of Charles Mansons death at Kern County Hospital in Bakersfield, California, in part thanks to the true crime podcast boom and the popularity of the films Charlie Says (2018) in which Matt Smith played the cult leader and Quentin Tarantinos revisionist take on the killings Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), in which he appears only briefly, played by Damon Herriman.

At the time of his death, Manson had been serving a life sentence at the nearby Corcoran State Prison for ordering the murders of nine people, most famously the actress Sharon Tate, partner of the Polish film director Roman Polanski, who was pregnant at the time.

Who was he?

Born Charles Milles Maddox on 12 November 1934, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to a 16-year-old mother, Manson spent much of his adolescence shuttled between relatives and juvenile detention halls.

By age 13, he had been convicted of armed robbery.

By the advent of the Sexual Revolution of the 1960s, the charismatic, guru-like Manson, a frustrated aspiring pop star who had befriended Beach Boy Dennis Wilson, had surrounded himself with a collection of runaways and other lost souls, whom he duly sent out to butcher LAs rich and famous in what prosecutors said was a bid to trigger a race war  an idea he said he got from a twisted interpretation of the Beatles song Helter Skelter from The White Album.

The slayings that took place across the two nights of mayhem in August 1969 horrified the world and, together with the deadly violence that erupted later during a Rolling Stones concert at Californias Altamont Speedway, exposed the dangerous, drugged-out underside of the counterculture movement and seemed to mark the sad demise of the era of peace and love once and for all.

Serial killer Charles Manson dies aged 83

Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, Manson maintained during his tumultuous trial that he was innocent and that society itself was guilty.

These children that come at you with knives, they are your children. You taught them; I didnt teach them. I just tried to help them stand up, he said in one courtroom monologue.

How did he gain his notoriety?

The Manson Family, as his followers were known, slaughtered five of its victims on 9 August 1969 after invading Tate's home during a dinner party.

The victims where the actress herself, who was eight months pregnant at the time, coffee company heiress Abigail Folger, celebrity hairdresser Jay Sebring, Polish movie director Voityck Frykowski and Steven Parent, a friend of the estates caretaker.

Polanski, at the time known as the celebrated director of Knife in the Water (1962), Repulsion (1965) and Rosemarys Baby (1968), was out of the country at the time.

The next night, a wealthy grocer and his wife, Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, were stabbed to death in their home across town.

The killers scrawled phrases such as Pigs and Healter Skelter [sic] in blood at the crime scenes.

Three months later, a Manson follower was jailed on an unrelated charge and told a cellmate about the bloodbath, leading to the cult leaders arrest.

Manson was also later convicted of the slayings of musician Gary Hinman and stuntman Donald Shorty Shea.

Why did he carve an X into his forehead?

Denied his request to represent himself during his 9  month trial, Manson showed up in court with an X carved into his forehead and would later amend it to form a Nazi swastika.

Co-defendants Susan Atkins, Van Houten and Patricia Krenwinkel subsequently cut Xs into their own foreheads, shaved their scalps, sang Manson-written songs and giggled throughout their chilling testimony.

Charles Manson, pictured in 2009 (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation/Getty)

His trial was almost scuttled when then-US president Richard Nixon said Manson was guilty, directly or indirectly.

Arguing that he had been unfairly pre-judged, Manson grabbed a newspaper and held up the frontpage headline for jurors to read: Manson Guilty, Nixon Declares.

Attorneys demanded a mistrial but were turned down.

At one point, Manson tried to leap over the defence table at the judge, snarling: In the name of Christian justice, someone should cut your head off. The judge began carrying a gun thereafter.

How long was he in prison?

After the trial, which lasted nearly a year, Manson and three of his followers  Atkins, Krenwinkel and Van Houten  were found guilty of murder and sentenced to death.

Another defendant, Charles Tex Watson, was convicted later. All were spared execution and given life sentences after the California Supreme Court struck down the death penalty in 1972.

Over the decades, Manson and his followers appeared sporadically at parole hearings, where their bids for freedom were repeatedly rejected. The women suggested they had been rehabilitated but Manson himself stopped attending after 1997, saying prison had become his home.

What are some of his most chilling quotes?

One of Mansons most hair-raising remarks comes from an interview in which he was asked to describe himself in one sentence.

Leaping forward in his chair, the cult leader giggled, arched his eyebrows and pulled faces like a goblin before responding: Nobody.

After taking a pause for dramatic effect, he continued: Im nobody. Im a tramp, a bum, a hobo. Im a boxcar and jug o wine. And a straight razor, if you get too close to me.

Charles Manson's 10 most bizarre quotes Show all 10 1 / 10 Charles Manson's 10 most bizarre quotes Charles Manson's 10 most bizarre quotes "I'm nobody. I'm a tramp, a bum, a hobo. I'm a boxcar and a jug of wine, and a straight razor if you get too close to me." - Interview, 1989 Getty Charles Manson's 10 most bizarre quotes "Maybe I should have killed four, five hundred people. Then I would have felt better. Then I would have felt like I really offered society something." - NBC interview with Heidi Schulman, 1987 Granger/REX Charles Manson's 10 most bizarre quotes "Do you feel blame? Are you mad? Uh, do you feel like wolf kabob Roth vantage? Gefrannis booj pooch boo jujube; bear-ramage. Jigiji geeji geeja geeble Google. Begep flagaggle vaggle veditch-waggle bagga?" - NBC interview with Heidi Schulman, 1987 Charles Manson's 10 most bizarre quotes "I've been 15 years in the nut ward, for trying to stop the trees from being cut down, from trying to rearrange the lifestyle of a bunch of people who don't want to change. But they're gonna change because a cold wind is blowing. You're gonna change or else there's going to be no life left on the planet Earth." - Interview with Penny Daniels in San Quentin Prison, California, 1989 Rex Charles Manson's 10 most bizarre quotes "We use the word God. God hooks all the other words up. I'm the pope. I'm ten times the pope. I'm sixty times the pope. But I'm the pope in the hills and in the mountains." - Interview by Penny Daniels, 1989 Rex Charles Manson's 10 most bizarre quotes Will of God.. whatever you wanna call it.. you call it Jesus, call it Mohammed, call it goobybob, call it nuclear mind, call it blow the world up, call it your heart. Whatever you wanna call it, it's still music to me. It's there. It's the will of life. - Interview with Geraldo Rivera (1981) Rex Charles Manson's 10 most bizarre quotes Believe me, if I started murdering people, there'd be none of you left. - Interview, Rolling Stone (1970) Getty Charles Manson's 10 most bizarre quotes You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays everybody's crazy. - Interview by Diane Sawyer (1994) AP Charles Manson's 10 most bizarre quotes If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy. - Interview by Diane Sawyer (1994) AP Charles Manson's 10 most bizarre quotes "I was so smart when I was a kid that I learnt that I was dumb fast." - Interview on the album 'All the Way Alive' (2003) Rex

After serving a 10-year sentence for cheque forgery in the early 60s, he was said to have pleaded with authorities not to release him, because he considered prison home.

My father is the jailhouse. My father is your system, he would later say in a monologue on the witness stand.

I am only what you made me. I am only a reflection of you.

Was he any relation to Marilyn Manson?

Brian Hugh Warner, the musician better known for his controversial stage personality under the name Marilyn Manson, formed his moniker by juxtaposing two American pop culture icons: Charles Manson and Marilyn Monroe.

Goth rock star Marilyn Manson (Getty)

Beyond adopting the name as a shock tactic, there is no further connection between the two.

Similarly, Leicester indie band Kasabian took its name from the Manson Family member of that name.

Additional reporting by agencies
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Colorado dentist and father-of-six James Toliver Craig leaned back in his chair and twiddled his thumbs through his handcuffs on Wednesday, his beard unkempt above his orange prison jumpsuit, as court took a brief recess from a preliminary hearing on the first-degree murder charge he faces for allegedly poisoning his wife.

The casual display came shortly after the prosecution laid out a litany of evidence they say supports their case that Mr Craig deliberately poisoned his spouse of more than two decades, Angela Dawn Pray Craig, with shakes while pursuing a relationship with a Texas orthodontist.

Mr Craig, 45, was arrested one day after Angela, 43, was pronounced dead on 18 March following her third hospitalisation in a month for a host of concerning and worsening symptoms. Prosecutors on Wednesday revealed Mr Craig was also now facing a second charge without specifying what it was.

But testimony from the Arapahoe County Coroner and lead detective  as reporters, several of Angelas siblings and the couples oldest son sat in the courtroom  included a number of explosive claims.

According to evidence given by Arapahoe County Coroner Dr Kelly Lear, samples showed that Angela had an arsenic level of 68 around 11.50am on 15 March  but that level had increased to 330 just after 8.20pm.

That would be consistent with her receiving additional cyanide exposure in that time period, Dr Lear said.

The cause of death she listed in her report was acute cyanide and tetrahydrozoline poisoning; the manner of death is homicide, she testified Wednesday. Tetrahydrozoline is the decongestant used in Visine eye drops  and, according to the prosecution, in the weeks before his wifes death, Mr Craig had accessed an article about how a woman in another state had been poisoned after consuming something containing five bottles of eyedrops.

The dentist had researched other types of poison before his wifes death, Aurora Police Detective Bobbi Olson testified on Wednesday. A search warrant obtained for an exam room computer at his dental practice found that, in the weeks leading up to Angelas final hospitalization, Mr Craig had searched for how to make murder look like a heart attack, is arsenic detectable in an autopsy and how many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human?

On 6 March, the prosecutor told the court, Mr Craig conducted a google search for how the chemical in eyedrops attacks your body if swallowed and can potentially kill you.

These are the actions of a man who is determined to kill his wife, he argued.

That date, 6 March, marked the first time Angela presented at Parker Adventist Hospital. Det. Olson testified that she had reviewed weeks of internal and external home surveillance footage from the Craig residence, and, on 6 March, Mr Craig can be seen making what appears to be a protein shake then sipped by his wife.

She drinks it and takes a sip and then kind of lunges forward, kind of grimaces, and then kind of wipes her face and walks around to to the other side of the kitchen island and sets it down, Det Olson said.

Angela visited the hospital but was released later that day  then returned to Parker Adventist on 9 March and was admitted until 14 March, when she was discharged. She visited the emergency department of a second hospital the next day, where her condition worsened and she was ultimately pronounced dead days later.

James Craig in mugshot (Booking photo )

Det Olson testified about how hospital staff, then police, were informed by Craigs business partner and his wife about their concerns regarding the dentists behavior. Ryan Redfearn and his wife, Michelle, who has a PhD in nursing, had been informed by staff at the joint dental practice he owned with Mr Craig that his business partner had ordered a delivery of potassium cyanide to the office. He had instructed an office employee to look out for a private package but it was mistakenly opened by another worker after it arrived on 13 March, Det Olson said.

A staff member reconstructed the box, put the packaging slip back in; prior to doing that, she saw that it said potassium cyanide, described the container, said it was like a tinfoil cardboard type container shed never seen before in the dental practice, Det Olson said. There was also a biohazard type sticker on the box, as well; she put it back together and then handed it to Mr Craig.

The dentist was later seen leaving with the container, the detective said. The employee googled potassium cyanide and its symptoms, connected them to Angelas illness and told the Redfearns, who then told nursing staff, who called police. Det Olson said both Redfearns were interviewed in the early morning hours of 16 March; the court heard on Wednesday how Mr Craig had pleaded with his business partner via text to sit on certain information.

During her interview, Michelle Redfearn pointed out to police the previous recent hospital visits Angela had made, Det Olson said.

Mr Redfearn, meanwhile, told police that Mr Craig had filed for bankruptcy in 2021 and the debt payments were being covered by his own part of the business to the tune of $18,000 a month. He said hed informed his partner in January that he needed to work more, be around more, take less time off and that he was going to have to take a pay cut, the detective testified.

Mr Craigs pay was $39,000 in January and less than $16,000 the following month, she said. The dentist had taken out four life insurance policies on his wife from two companies totaling nearly $4.5million, the court heard.

Throughout all of this, prosecutors allege Craig was enjoying his burgeoning relationship with Texas orthodontist Karin Cain, who is named in the charging documents. Det Olson on Wednesday confirmed that the dentist continued to write letters to Ms Cain from jail after his arrest professing his love for her.

Just hours before Wednesdays hearing, Ms Cain broke her silence to claim that Mr Craig lied to her about the state of his marriage and that she would never have gotten involved with him if she had known the truth.

Rather than being his mistress, the Texas orthodontist said they had only met three weeks prior to his wifes death at a dentistry conference.

Karin Cain breaks her silence over alleged killer dentist (GMA)

I dont like the label, she said. If I had known what was true, I would not have been with this person.

Ms Cain shared doubts that she played a part in Mr Craigs alleged murderous motive, as she said they had never planned a future together.

Theres no way Im a motive. Theres been no planning a future together, she said.

Ms Cain said that she met Mr Craig at the dental conference in February and that he lied to her by claiming his marriage was over and that he did not live in the same home as his wife.

At the time, Ms Cain was also in the middle of divorcing her husband of three decades.

While she was not looking for love, she said that they bonded over their apparent shared experiences and shared devotion to their children.

In total, they spent just three days together at the conference, meeting on a Thursday before parting ways  her to Texas, him to Colorado  on Saturday.

After that they messaged constantly and she felt so connected to her new companion, she said.

She planned to visit him in Colorado but the first trip fell through.

The second planned trip came in March when she said Mr Craig told her his wife was ill.

The day before she was due to arrive in Denver, she said that Angela had a seizure and was placed on life support, with a low chance of survival.

While she said she reconsidered going to Colorado at that time, Mr Craig allegedly encouraged her by saying that he could do with her support.

They went for dinner twice, she said, where she noted his behaviour seemed odd.

He at no point seemed stressed or anxious, she said. I mean really I had to drag it out of him like, Are you sure youre ok?

Days later, Angela was dead.

Now, Ms Cain says she feels lied to by the person she felt she was falling in love with.

I dont have any sort of headspace in my reality where it fits what she has now learned in the criminal affidavit, she said.

I didnt willingly have a relationship with somebody who was in a marriage.

Following Wednesdays preliminary hearing, Judge Shay K Whitaker ruled that the prosecution had met the burden for probable cause and set the next court date for 29 August.
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The alleged mistress of a Colorado dentist accused of poisoning his wife with arsenic-laced protein shakes has broken her silence as a judge is set to decide whether the man will go on trial for her murder.

Karin Cain told ABCs Good Morning America on Wednesday that James Craig lied to her about the state of his marriage and that she would never have gotten involved with him if she had known the truth.

Rather than being his mistress, she said they had only met three weeks prior to his wifes death at a dentistry conference.

I dont like the label, she said. If I had known what was true, I would not have been with this person.

Ms Cain is speaking out after she found herself at the centre of a chilling murder plot when the man she had just started dating was arrested on suspicion of killing his wife.

Angela Craig, a mother of six, became ill in early March with medical staff unable to determine what was wrong with her. On her third trip to hospital that month, she died.

Two days later, her husband Mr Craig was arrested for murder.

Mr Craig, a Colorado-based dentist, slowly poisoned his wife of 23 years over time by lacing her pre-workout protein shakes with arsenic and cyanide, according to investigators.

Before his wifes death, the affidavit states that he researched how to poison her and get away with it, carrying out online searches for questions such as Is Arsenic Detectable in Autopsy?

Karin Cain breaks her silence over alleged killer dentist (GMA)

Prosecutors allege that Mr Craig wanted his wife dead so that he could pursue his burgeoning relationship with new girlfriend Ms Cain, who is named in the charging documents.

But Ms Cain doubts that she played a part in his alleged murderous motive, as she said they had never planned a future together.

Theres no way Im a motive. Theres been no planning a future together, she said.

Ms Cain, an orthodontist who lives in Texas, said that she met Mr Craig at the dental conference in February.

He lied to her that his marriage was over and that he did not live in the same home as his wife, she said.

At the time, she was also in the middle of divorcing her husband of three decades.

While she was not looking for love, she said that they bonded over their apparent shared experiences and shared devotion to their children.

In total, they spent just three days together at the conference, meeting on a Thursday before parting ways  her to Texas, him to Colorado  on Saturday.

After that they messaged constantly and she felt so connected to her new companion, she said.

She planned to visit him in Colorado but the first trip fell through.

The second planned trip came in March when she said Mr Craig told her his wife was ill.

The day before she was due to arrive in Denver, she said that Angela had a seizure and was placed on life support, with a low chance of survival.

James Craig in mugshot (Booking photo )

While she said she reconsidered going to Colorado at that time, Mr Craig allegedly encouraged her by saying that he could do with her support.

They went for dinner twice, she said, where she noted his behaviour seemed odd.

He at no point seemed stressed or anxious, she said. I mean really I had to drag it out of him like, Are you sure youre ok?

Days later, Angela was dead.

Now, Ms Cain says she feels lied to by the person she felt she was falling in love with.

I dont have any sort of headspace in my reality where it fits what she has now learned in the criminal affidavit, she said.

I didnt willingly have a relationship with somebody who was in a marriage.

Ms Cain spoke out hours before Mr Craig was scheduled to appear in court for his preliminary hearing on Wednesday.

In the hearing, prosecutors will seek to convince the judge that there is enough evidence to try Mr Craig for the first-degree murder of his wife and mother of his six children.

As well as the romantic motive, the affidavit also alleges that the dentist was on the brink of bankruptcy.

He is yet to enter a plea on the charges.
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A YouTuber is under fire for selling autopsy photos of a boys severely beaten body to subscribers for $3.

On 9 May, 11-year-old Gannon Stauchs stepmother Letecia Stauch was sentenced to life in prison for brutally stabbing and shooting him to death in a fit of hatred and jealousy. The little boy was reported missing in 2020 from his familys home in Colorado two months before his body was found in a suitcase below a bridge in the Florida Panhandle.

Pictures of the state in which Gannons body was discovered were shown in court during Stauchs trial but were not in view of the public, with the judge presiding over the case noting that the case was most horrific I have ever seen. Last month, a YouTuber known on the platform as ZavGirl said she obtained Gannons autopsy report, including graphic pictures, through a Freedom of Information Act request.

The YouTuber, who has over 90,000 subscribers, then charged individuals $3 to see the autopsy photos and other material on her Patreon account. District Attorney Michael Allen, the lead prosecutor in Gannons case, has branded her actions as the lowest of human form.

Gannon deserved so much more in life from his stepmother and he certainly deserves dignity and respect in death and theres nothing about what this YouTuber is doing that provides any dignity or respect to Gannon, Mr Allen told NewsNation.

The YouTuber has since issued a statement on her page and removed her Patreon account. She claimed that she shared the pictures because she saw them as interesting and informative and [is] able to view it all in a more scientific detached way, also alleging that there are a lot of other people who are acting in bad faith and creating lies ...

Gannon Stauch was stabbed 18 times and shot to death by his stepmother in January 2020

I spent a lot of time and worked hard putting together a video lining up the coroners audio and descriptions along with the appropriate part of the photos she is describing and editing it together to try to make it as informative as possible for the viewer, she added. That is what I am charging for...

Mr Allen said that Gannons family has been informed that photos of his abused body had been shared online, adding that it is unlikely they can be completely removed from the internet. He said that other YouTubers have also posted the photos, but it is unclear whether theyre also charging their subscribers to see them.

The statement that [ZavGirl] put out about this incident sort of justifying, it just rings hollow, Mr Allen said. Scientifically, they could have used body diagrams that the autopsy also included instead of putting out Gannons just completely broken body that reflects the depravity and horror that he had to live through and suffered. Its outright disgusting.

Stauch reported her stepson Gannon missing in January 2020, while his father Al Stauch was on deployment with the National Guard.

During that time, Stauchs account of what happened to Gannon continued to change. She first claimed Gannon had failed to return home after saying he was going to visit a friend. Then she said that a Mexican man raped her and abducted the boy. Prosecutors later learned that Gannon likely died on the same day Stauch contacted investigators, after finding his blood on her shoes and her DNA on a gun linked to Gannons death.

Letecia Stauch appears in El Paso County District Court in Colorado Springs, Colo., March 11, 2020

Gannons remains were found wrapped in bed covers and inside a suitcase in Florida. Prosecutors said during the trial that Stauch stabbed Gannon 18 times and then shot him in the head before driving across the country to dump the suitcase with his remains inside over the side of a bridge in Pensacola.

She cleaned up the blood-covered walls and mattress in Gannons bedroom, and moved his body to various locations to hide it before disposing of it like garbage.

Blood traces were also reportedly found on Stauchs car and in the garage. A 9mm found in the home had Stauchs DNA.

Before the remains were found, Stauch even went on TV to defend herself against accusations that was lying about Gannons whereabouts.

Im like, What are you saying Gannon is death? Gannon is not dead, we are going to find Gannon. And thats the main goal that we have, my family has, Stauch insisted. I would never ever hurt this child.

During the trial proceedings, Stauch claimed that she was insane and that one of her other personalities killed her stepson, but the court dismissed that defence.

There is no time during the minutes, hours and days following the murder where Letecia came out and wondered Gee, why am I carrying a body around in my luggage? That just isnt credible, the judge said during Stauchs May sentencing.
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Bodycam footage released by police in Muskogee, Oklahoma, captured the chilling moment that NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnsons mother-in-law took her own life after shooting her husband and grandson.

Officers arrived at the home of Jack and Terry Janway on 26 June after receiving a 911 just after 9pm from a female caller saying there was a woman with a gun at the address.

Footage released to TMZ shows the officers approach the front door of the Suroya St address with their handguns drawn.

The Muskogee Police Department officers observe a body  later confirmed to be 69-year-old Jack Janway  under a blanket in the hallway.

As they call out, a single shot can be heard inside the house.

Spokeswoman Lynn Hamlin previously told The Independent they believed Terry, 68, shot dead her husband and 11-year-old grandson Dalton before turning the gun on herself as officers arrived.

Police officers in Muskogee, Oklahoma, approach the home of NASCAR racer Jimmy Johnsons in-laws Jack and Terry Janway (TMZ)

Johnson, who is married to the Janways daughter Chandra, pulled out of a NASCAR street car race in Chicago after the shooting. He is yet to comment publicly about the family tragedy.

While police are yet to reveal a possible motive, Terry Janway had reportedly suffered from depression after losing her son Jordan Janway in a skydiving accident in San Diego in 2014.

Jack Janway, left, was a respected chiropractor in Muskogee. His wife Terry Janway had reportedly suffered from depression after the death of their son Jordan (Janway Chiropractic & Acupuncture Clinic)

Chandras sister Marianne MJ Janway wrote a heart-breaking message on Facebook on the day after the shootings.

Please tell me this isnt really happening please god someone, she wrote.

Jack Janway was a respected therapist who ran the Janway Chiropractic & Acupuncture Clinic in Muskogee.

On social media, friends, family and patients paid tribute to Jack as a devoted family man, Christian and healer.

Johnson, 47, is a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion who has won the Daytona 500 twice.
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Disgraced Canadian mogul Peter Nygard has been arrested for the alleged sexual assault and unlawful confinement of a 20-year-old aspiring model at the headquarters of his fashion empire in Winnipeg in 1993.

The 81-year-old, who was already facing sexual assault charges in the US, Quebec and Toronto, is accused of raping the woman after inviting her to the Nygard Corporate offices to audition for a modeling job, the CBC reported.

Former Miss Canada April Telek, one of 80 women who signed on to a class-action lawsuit in New York alleging they had been sexually assaulted by Nygard, identified herself as the alleged survivor in an interview with the CBC on Tuesday.

Ms Telek said the arrest was an immense relief.

This feels like such a huge victory for me after such a long battle trying to get my truth told and heard and believed, the 48-year-old actress and model told the Canadian public broadcaster.

But for me today, I want to really, truly embrace this as a win and the justice system works.

Police in Winnipeg, Manitoba, said in a statement they had began an investigation in June 2020 after receiving a complaint of a sexual assault at the headquarters of the Canadian clothing brand on or about 19 November 1993.

Officers from Winnipeg Police Services Sex Crimes Unit arrested Nygard on Tuesday (11 July) at the Toronto South Detention Centre.

The founder of womens clothing company Nygard International has been in custody since 2020 on a US arrest warrant.

Canada fashion mogul Peter Nygard, pictured in 2014, faces sexual assault charges in at least three jurisdictions (AP)

Winnipeg police said no further information about the case could be released as it is before the court.

In a nine-count federal indictment filed in December 2020, US prosecutors accused Nygard and others of using his company  force, fraud, and coercion to recruit dozens of victims  including minors  in Canada, the United States and the Bahamas for his sexual gratification.

Nygard allegedly targeted women from disadvantaged backgrounds and controlled them through threats, false promises of modeling opportunities, the Department of Justice said.

In 2021, Nygard agreed to be committed for extradition to the US to stand trial in New York.

The Finnish-Candian national was initially taken into custody in Winnipeg before being transferred to Toronto after facing further sexual assault charges there.

Nygard is facing one count each of sexual assault and forced confinement in Quebec over an alleged attack that took place between November 1997 and November 1998, according to the CBC.

He is expected to stand trial for the alleged Canadian offences before being extradited to the US.

In May, Nygard was ordered to pay $203m in damages to his Bahamas neighbour Louis Bacon over making wild allegations against the billionaire as part of a decade-long feud over a shared driveway.

A New York judge ruled Nygard had spread malicious falsehoods about Mr Bacon through TV and radio ads and on doctored videos.
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A single .40 calibre bullet discovered near the bodies of Libby German and Abby Williams turned out to be the smoking gun that initially led police to charge 50-year-old CVS worker Richard Allen with their murders in October.

The criminal affidavit, which was partly-redacted and released in November, revealed for the first time that the local man was finally tied to the murders through ballistics on a bullet found at the bloody crime scene.

Now, in a dramatic twist, it has emerged that the accused killer has now confessed multiple times to the 2017 killings while behind bars  including in a jailhouse phone call with his wife.

A trove of 118 court documents was unsealed on 29 June, revealing his shocking confession to wife Kathy Allen in the months following his sudden arrest last October.

In the 3 April phone call, from the Westville Correctional Facility where the accused killer is being held awaiting trial, Mr Allen allegedly admitted several times that he carried out the brutal murders. Mr Allens wife abruptly ended the phone call following her husbands confession, the documents state.

The suspect  who was on police radar back in 2017 but slipped through the net for more than five years due to a clerical error  also confessed in jailhouse calls to his mother, the documents state. In total, court documents state that he confessed at least five times.

As well as the bombshell confessions, the newly-released court documents also reveal new details about the murders.

Both Libby and Abby are believed to have been killed with a knife, suffering wounds caused by a sharp object, the filings state.

Some items of the girls clothing including a pair of underwear and a sock were missing and Libbys iPhone  containing the infamous video of Bridge Guy  was found underneath her body at the scene.

While the documents reveal dramatic details about the case, the accused killers attorneys have argued his confessions cant be trusted due to his current mental state  which they say has deteriorated drastically behind bars. They are also trying to have that key ballistics evidence thrown out of the case.

It was 13 February 2017 when best friends Libby and Abby set off on a hike along the Monon High Bridge Trail in their hometown of Delphi.

Richard Allen is escorted away from court after a hearing on 22 November (Associated Press)

During the walk, Libby posted a photo of her best friend walking along the Monon High Bridge. It was the last known photo of Abby before she was killed.

Later that day, the teenagers were reported missing when they failed to return to a spot where a family member was picking them up.

The next day  Valentines Day 2017  their bodies were discovered in a wooded area around half a mile off the trail.

Here, The Independent explains key details revealed in the affidavit.

The bullet

An unspent .40 calibre bullet was found between the bodies of 13-year-old Abby Williams and Libby German, 14, according to a probably cause affidavit released in the case of the State of Indiana v Richard M Allen.

Law enforcement have never revealed the girls cause of death, saying only that they lost a lot of blood after being attacked with an unspecified weapon and were not killed in the same location where their bodies were discovered.

On 13 October, investigators executed a search warrant at the home on North Whiteman Drive that Mr Allen shared with his wife Kathy.

The affidavit states they found knives and firearms, including a Sig Sauer Model P226 pistol.

A Sig Sauer Model P226, similar to one belonging to Delphi Murders suspect Richard Allen (Sig Sauer)

The Indiana State Police Laboratory analysed the gun and determined the unspent round found two feet from one of the victims bodies had been cycled through Mr Allens gun, according to the affidavit.

Mr Allen confirmed he had owned the gun since 2001, and his wife Kathy is alleged to have told investigators that her husband was the only person with access to the weapon.

Mr Allen offered no explanation how the bullet  which had not been fired  ended up in between the bodies of the two teenage victims, the document states.

The affidavit also revealed that one of the victims is heard saying gun in chilling footage on Libbys cellphone before she died.

Investigators had previously revealed that whoever attacked Libby and Abby had told them to go down the hill in the footage.

The Bridge Guy

A mystery figure seen in the footage captured by Libby became known as the Bridge Guy after a Snapchat video taken on Libbys phone during their hike was released by authorities last year.

In the clip, a man wearing jeans, a blue jacket and a hoodie can be seen approaching the girls. A male voice can be heard saying the words guys and down the hill.

Police believe the recording was made just before the murders took place, and praised the girls awareness and foresight for recording the clip.

Richard Allen pictured in mugshot after arrest for Delphi murders (Indiana State Police)

Investigators described the suspect as a white male aged between 16 and 40 years old, between 5 6 and 5 10 in height and weighing between 180 and 200 pounds.

The affidavit contains an eyewitness account from three girls under 17 who say they encountered a man on the Monon High Bridge who seemed to be hiding his face and glared at them when they said hello.

One of the three juveniles put the mans height at no taller than 5 10. They gave varying accounts of what he was wearing, but all said he had jeans and a jacket on.

A female witness, whose name has also been redacted, told investigators she also saw a man matching the description of the Bridge Guy captured on Libbys video on the Monon High Bridge. She also recounted seeing Libby and Abby walking towards the bridge at about 1.49pm.

This grainy image was taken on Libbys phone on the trail the day the girls went missing. Investigators believe the man is the killer (Indiana State Police)

A separate witness told police they had seen a man wearing a blue jacket and blue jeans who was muddy and bloody. CCTV footage from the nearby Hoosier Harvestore placed that witness driving away from the area at about 3.57pm.

Both witnesses told investigators they didnt come across any other males on the trails that day.

In a police interview early on in the investigation, Mr Allen said he was on the trail from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

He said he had walked from the Freedom Bridge to the High Bridge, and said he had noticed three juveniles but didnt interact with them as he was distracted by a stock ticker on his phone.

A vehicle resembling a 2016 Ford Focus owned by Mr Allen was seen on CCTV footage from the Hoosier Harvestore.

Libby German (left) and Abby Williams (right) pictured together (Facebook)

One witness said it was parked behind an old child protective services building in an odd location and it was parked as if the driver had been trying to conceal its plates.

During a separate interview on 13 October this year, Mr Allen told police he gone to the bridge to watch the fish.

He said he was wearing blue jeans with a blue or black Carhartt jacket and may have also worn a head covering. He admitted seeing the three juvenile girls but said he didnt encounter anyone else.

According to the affidavit, a detective who had worked on the case since 2017 believed that the combination of the video shot on Libbys phone, the eyewitness accounts, and CCTV footage showed that Mr Allen was the Bridge Guy.

Further, that the victims were forced down the hill by Richard Allen and (led) to the location where they were murdered.

Allens interviews with Indiana police

The affidavit raises questions as it revealed that Mr Allen spoke with investigators at least twice, including in 2017 - confirming that he was on the police radar at the time of the murders.

In the 2017 interview, Mr Allen had confessed to being on the Monon High Bridge Trail on the afternoon of 13 February  placing him on the scene at the same day and time that the victims went on their fateful walk.

At the time, he denied any involvement in the murders and insisted he had never seen the two girls that day.

In another interview on 13 October 2022, Mr Allen had no explanation as to how the spent bullet ended up in between the bodies of the two teenage victims, the affidavit states.

The accused killer said he had not been on the property where the unspent round was found, that he did not know the property owner, and that he had no explanation as to why a round cycled through his firearm would be at that location, it says. The property owner  Ron Logan  was also previously tied to the case. He died in 2020.
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A Tennessee surgeon was shot dead in an exam room on Tuesday after a patient allegedly lay in wait for hours to ambush him, authorities say.

The surgeon, identified as Dr Benjamin Mauck, was killed in front of patients and employees at Campbell Clinic Orthopedics in Collierville, a city about 30 miles east of Memphis, Police Chief Dale Lane told reporters on Tuesday night.

A suspect, who has not been identified, fired a handgun before running from the clinic and was apprehended by police about five minutes later without incident, Mr Lane said.

Witnesses told WREG that a patient had been threatening to harm a clinic employee for the past week.

This appears to be a one-on-one interaction, Mr Lane said during a press conference.

It was in an exam room  It was a health care worker and he was a patient.

Mr Lane said the gunman spared the many patients and employees who were in the clinic at the time.

Police are yet to reveal a motive for the shooting, which Mr Lane described as horrific.

Dr Mauck was a specialist hand, wrist and elbow surgeon who was named on Memphis Magazines 2023 Top Doctors List last week.

In a statement, Cambell Clinic Orthopedics confirmed they had experienced a single shooter event at their Collierville health centre.

We are shocked and heartbroken to confirm the incident resulted in the tragic loss of one of our highly respected and beloved physicians, Dr Ben Mauck. We ask that you please lift his family in prayer.

We appreciate our local law enforcement officers who responded within minutes. We will continue to work closely with authorities as this remains an active investigation.

Police in Collierville, Tennessee, respond after surgeon Benjamin Mauck was shot dead in a clinic by a patient (WREG)

The health centre has closed all of its clinics on 12 July.

Tennessee Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari called for stricter gun regulations in the wake of the shooting.

Tragedies like this underscore the urgent need for common sense  like reinstating background checks and gun licenses, and establishing new reforms like an order of protection so police can remove firearms from a person who is threatening others, she said in a statement.

Dr Mauck had previously worked as a surgeon at Le Bonheur Childrens Hospital in Memphis, and completed his medical school training at the University of Tennessee-Memphis.

The tragic incident comes two years after a gunman opened fire at a Kroger grocery store in Collierville.

Uk Thang, a disgruntled contractor, killed one employee and injured more than a dozen before taking his own life.

This article was amended on 12 July to correct the location of Collierville.
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Roy Lane put away mobsters, judges and even a former Illinois governor during a storied 26-year career in the FBI.

For the retired special agent, the death of Tylenol murders suspect James Lewis at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this week at the age of 76, marked an unsatisfying end to the pursuit for justice he had dedicated half his life to.

James Lewis death ends a lifetime of cruelty to others, and the compulsive need for revenge, Mr Lane, 75, told The Independent.

In 1982, Mr Lane was assigned to a joint FBI task force of more than 100 law enforcement personnel investigating the poisoning deaths of seven Chicago-area residents.

On 28 September that year, the first victim Mary Kellerman, 12, was hospitalised after taking a capsule of Extra-Strength Tylenol, an acetaminophen manufactured by Johnson & Johnson.

The seventh grader died the next day.

Six adults would take the contaminated pills on 29 September, including three members of the same family, Polish immigrant Adam Janus, 27; his brother Stanley Janus, 25; and Stanleys wife Theresa Janus, 20.

Mary McFarland, Mary Lynn Reiner, Paula Prince would all die within a day of consuming the toxic capsules.

The deaths of young mothers, fathers and children just starting out their lives were heartbreaking, Mr Lane said. Each one was just awful.

The mysterious deaths sparked a wave of terror across the United States, and doctors and law enforcement were initially baffled.

Helen Jensen, a public health nurse in Arlington Heights, was the first to suggest it could have been poisoning due to tampering with medicine bottles.

James Lewis death ends a lifetime of cruelty to others, and the compulsive need for revenge, retired FBI special agent Roy Lane says (Associated Press)

She visited the Jamus household and found a Tylenol bottle and a receipt, and testing on the remaining capsules revealed that they contained nearly three times a fatal dose of cyanide.

Ms Jensen told the Associated Press in an interview this week she was initially laughed at by investigators for suggesting the capsules had been deliberately tampered with.

I was a woman and I was a nurse, she said. I understood the attitudes of that time. But I was proven right by the next day.

On 5 October, Johnson & Johnson ordered a nationwide recall of more than 31 million bottles of Tylenol in circulation. Investigators rushed to remove the capsules from homes and off shelves.

The panic led to widespread changes to the way prescription drugs were packaged, and led the Food and Drug Administration to introduce anti-tampering features such as foil seals to packaging that remain standard.

In 1983, Congress passed the Tylenol bill making it a federal offence to tamper with packaging.

Halloween was cancelled

Mr Lane remembers the sense of panic that spread through the nation that October.

People were so afraid, Halloween was cancelled that year in most communities, he told The Independent.

From then on, people were warned to check their kids candies after coming back from trick or treating.

The early investigation was hamstrung by distrust and rivalries between the Chicago Police Department and FBI, according tothe 2022 Chicago Tribune podcast Unsealed: The Tylenol Murders.

Law enforcement called on the FBIs then-nascent Behavioral Science Unit, established in 1972, to try to build a picture of a suspect seemingly hellbent on committing mass murder.

James Lewis provided detailed drawings showing how the Tylenol murders poisoner could have carried out the 1982 terror campaign (ABC7)

Mr Lane told The Independent that the expert profilers suggested the person they were looking for would be experiencing a sense of euphoria at the global attention.

A few days after the murders, Johnson & Johnson received a one page, handwritten letter written in all caps demanding $1m to stop the killing.

As you can see, it is easy to place cyanide (both potassium & sodium) into capsules sitting on store shelves, the letter read.

If you dont mind the publicity of these little capsules, then do nothing. So far I have spent less than $50, and it takes me less than 10 minutes per bottle.

Lewis was convicted of writing to Johnson & Johnson to extort $1m over the Tylenol poisonings, but was never held accountable for carrying out the murders (ABC7)

After a nationwide manhunt, the letter was traced to James William Lewis, a conman who had multiple aliases and had been implicated in the 1978 murder of a Kansas City businessman.

Mr Lane told The Independent officials obtained a warrant for Lewis arrest on 11 October. He was arrested two months later after a lengthy cat and mouse game in December.

Lewis was described as a chameleon who had moved from state to state by police, using at least 20 aliases to work as a computer specialist, tax accountant, importer of Indian tapestries and pharmaceutical salesman, the Associated Press noted in an obituary.

Lewis had lived in Illinois before moving to New York with his wife LeAnn in the fall of 1982. He stood trial in 1983 on the extortion charges, and was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Officers believed Lewis wanted to avenge the death of his daughter Toni, who died in 1974 aged five after sutures made by a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary that were used to fix her congenital heart defect had torn.

Lewis gave investigators a detailed account of how the killer could have carried out the poisoning, and while he remained the prime suspect in the murders, he was never charged, and the case remains officially unsolved.

The euphoria diminishes

With the prime suspect in the Tylenol murders behind bars for extortion, the FBI continued to pursue leads in the case.

Then, out of the blue, Lewis contacted Mr Lane saying he wanted to be involved in the investigation.

We had already been apprised by the FBI behavioural science unit that at that time the person was having euphoria about all the attention that was going on, Mr Lane said.

As time goes on, the euphoria diminishes, and the way they can recapture that euphoria is to contact one of the investigators, and want to be involved in the case itself.

In an interview this week, Mr Lane said Lewis had waived his rights to self-incrimination while providing information that seemingly only the killer would have known.

He recalled being struck by Lewis odd behaviour.

I was told that he would laugh at the wrong times, cry at the wrong times, and thats exactly what he did. He wanted information about the case, and he wanted to become involved in solving the case, Mr Lane said.

Mr Lane wouldnt go into detail about what Lewis told him. But in a 1992 jailhouse interview with ABC 7 Chicago, Lewis described in detail how the killer would have used a pegboard to drill holes into the Tylenol capsules and inject them with deadly cyanide.

There were certain statements that were made, and drawings that were made, that were quite incriminating, Mr Lane told The Independent.

He loved the attention. He didnt care if its good or bad.

Lewis stopped talking to the FBI after they refused to grant him immunity.

Lewis was released from federal prison in 1985, and moved to Massachusetts with his wife.

Stoking a battered ego

Mr Lane retired from the FBI in 1996 and moved into a job in private security.

A decade later, he received a call from the head of the FBIs Chicago office.

The bureau had set up a second task force to examine fresh evidence in the case, and Lewis remained their prime suspect.

At the time, Lewis was in jail in Massachusetts on charges of kidnap and rape of a neighbour who he had been in a business dispute with.

He spent three years in custody, and was released in 2007 when prosecutors dismissed the charges on the day his trial was due to begin after the victim refused to testify.

Mr Lane told The Independent he was contracted to work on the sting operation by the FBI, but was unable to discuss details, citing the need to preserve operational security.

But some elements of the elaborate plot were revealed by the Chicago Tribune in their 2022 investigation, and by Lewis on his personal website.

According to both accounts, Mr Lane introduced Lewis and his wife LeAnn to a woman named Sherry Nichols, telling them she was an investigative reporter who was working on a book about the Tylenol murders.

Lewis, pictured in 1992, maintained his innocence up until his death at his Massachusetts home on Sunday 9 July (ABC7 / Screengrab)

In reality, Nichols was an FBI agent working under an assumed identity.

The FBI agents told Lewis they had identified a new suspect, and needed his help with the investigation that would clear his name.

Lewis was writing a novel at the time titled Poison! The Doctors Dilemma, and the agents reportedly offered to help.

The book, which Lewis self-published in 2010, was about a rogue Government employee named Agua Naranja who found himself at the centre of a mass posioning event in the Chicago area.

Lewis claimed in a lengthy spiel that on his website that the FBI tried to lead and prod him getting his protagonist to confess to the Tylenol killings.

For 18 months, Roy Lane and Sherry Nichols, acting in cahoots, stroked my battered ego, wined and dined my wife and me at expensive restaurants, and tried to get both of us tee-toddlers drunk, Lewis wrote.

They gave me money to buy a laptop computer, flew me at govenment expense to Chicago, New York and Joplin, Missouri, then back to Boston, put me up in expensive hotels and paid me thousands of dollars, all while trying to manipulate me into implicating myself in mass murder in my own novel.

Lewis claimed he had endured nearly 40 years of being publically vilified in the press worldwide as the prime Tylenol mass murder suspect.

Mr Lane would later tell the Tribune Lewis account was about 50 per cent accurate.

Police records obtained by the news site stated that the agents had worked closely with FBI criminal profilers on the sting.

Agents from the second FBI task force closely monitored the operation as Mr Lane and Ms Nichols took the Lewises on trips to New York and Chicago.

They returned to a Walgreens in Chicago where one of the victims, Paula Prince, had purchased the deadly Tylenol capsules.

According to police records obtained by the Tribune, Lewis walked straight up to where the poisoned bottle had been kept years earlier.

At a Chicago hotel, Mr Lane reportedly confronted Lewis with a major discrepancy in the timeline of his story. He had maintained at his extortion trial that he had taken three days to write the threatening letter to Johnson & Johnson.

However, the first media reports emerged about the Tylenol poisonings on 30 September. And the FBI later determined that the letter was sent on 1 October.

Lewis blamed a faulty memory on the problematic timeline.

Yes, I am a killer

On 4 February 2009, the FBI executed a search warrant on Lewis home seizing computers and boxes of material.

Among the items taken was a handwritten note stating: Yes, I am a killer but I got 10 good reasons, the Tribune reported.

In the document, Lewis reportedly wrote that the reasons listed included to protect my family and to teach a lesson.

Authorities had long suspected revenge as a potential motive for the killings.

Lewis five-year-old daughter Toni had died after sutures used to fix her congenital heart defect had torn. He apparently blamed Johnson & Johnson for the death.

The investigation remained active for years, and Lewis was questioned as recently as September 2022 over the poisonings.

Lewis had also been in serious trouble with the law on previous occasions.

In 1978, he was charged in Kansas City, Missouri, with the dismemberment murder of Raymond West, 72, who had hired him as an accountant, the Associated Press noted in its obituary.

The charges were dismissed because Wests cause of death was not determined and some evidence had been illegally obtained.

Lewis was convicted of six counts of mail fraud in a 1981 credit card scheme in Kansas City, accused of using the name and background of a former tax client to obtain 13 credit cards.

He continued to deny any involvement in the Tylenol murders right up until his death.

In one of his final interviews last year, he told Chicago Tribune reporters: Have you been harassed over something for 40 years that you didnt have anything to do with?

Lewis, 76, was found unresponsive at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Sunday, and pronounced dead soon after, authorities said.

Cambridge police superintendent Fred Cabral said officers had found Lewis body after being asked to perform wellness check by his wife, who was out of town.

A cause of death was not immediately available, but police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

For Mr Lane, Lewis death brought disappointment, but also the knowledge that he had done all he could.

His death puts the pursuit of justice to an end, Mr Lane told The Independent this week.

Law enforcement doesnt forget. We kept working at it for justice for the families.
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Las Vegas police have arrested a man who was barricaded inside a Caesars Palace hotel room with a female hostage, ending a standoff that spanned most of the day.

SWAT made entry into the hotel room and has taken the subject into custody, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said on Tuesday in a statement on Twitter. The female who was also in the room is safe and with officers.

Earlier in the day, the man, who claimed he was armed, dragged a woman by force into his room, according to the LVMPD.

A curtain hangs out of a broken window on a hotel tower at Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Las Vegas (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The assailant was seen throwing large pieces of furniture out of a broken window in his 21st-floor room.

Police have not announced the identity of those involved in the standoff.

Officers told the Las Vegas Review Journal there was no evidence of guns inside the hotel room.

Authorities were alerted to what they said was a domestic disturbance around 9.15am on Tuesday, according to police.

North Carolina real estate broker Alyssa Hellman told The Independent she was at the Caesars Palace pool with her wife when she heard a loud bang at about 1.30pm.

She said she looked up to see that a window had been broken and a man inside started throwing furniture out onto the concourse.

We heard a bang and then one of the windows was broken open, and the guy was throwing things out. Lamps, a TV and a minibar. Hes drawn the curtains now, Ms Hellman said at the time.

Ms Hellman said guests were evacuated from the pool area, but staff did not explain what was going on.

The couple had retreated to a safe distance and said everyone around them seemed pretty calm and content.

Were tucked back hidden away, closer to the Bellagio, she said.

Videos from bystanders showed hotel guests running for safety as debris rained down from above.

When we saw the window shatter it was kind of a surreal feeling, it got pretty scary, Beverly Blackwell, 56, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, told The Associated Press. We were told to gather our stuff and rush out the back.

Bevan Hurley contributed reporting to this article.
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They were an Eagle Scout and a pretty 16-year-old high school junior on their first official date, dolled up and excited as they headed out on the evening of 20 December 1968 in California. David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen represented everything wholesome about their Bay Area community, but their names would soon take on a new and more sinister significance both in their hometown and beyond. The teenagers were shockingly and tragically shot dead just hours into their date; they became the first known victims of the notorious Zodiac Killer, who went on to claim responsibility for more murders and whose identity remains a mystery to this day.

But what if the high schoolers were killed by someone else  and were never victims of the Zodiac in the first place? And what if the serial killers years-long reign of terror was actually ... a myth?

Those are the questions at the heart of Peacocks new docuseries Myth of the Zodiac Killer, which explores a fringe theory of author and professor Thomas Henry Horan, who in 2020 published The Myth of the Zodiac Killer: A Literary Investigation.

There is no evidence that connects any two of these murders, let alone connects all of the murders and let alone connects them to the letters, Mr Horan says in the series, explaining that he became interested in the case because nobody has come close to cracking this for over 50 years.

A former insurance investigator who worked in educational publishing before pursuing a career in academia and literature, Mr Horan says that he was curious: Did these letters really line up with the actual evidence?

So I spent hundreds of hours reviewing that material, he continues in the Peacock series. And the more I studied these letters and compared them to the actual facts in each case, I made a very surprising discovery. It wasn't just that the story that we're all familiar with about the Zodiac Killer was wrong, it's the truth about the Zodiac Killer case is more bizarre and more interesting than anybody ever suspected.

There was no serial killer, he says. There was no single killer involved in these murders. And the person writing the letters didn't commit any of the murders. The Zodiac Killer, is a fictional character. Hes a literary invention.

New Peacock series Myth of the Zodiac Killer explores a fringe theory that no single serial killer was ever responsible for the murders

Five murders have been connected to the person claiming to be the Zodiac, and communication from the purported murderer boasts of dozens more. David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen, as mentioned, were the first, killed on 20 December 1968. Darlene Ferrin and Michael Renault Mageau were attacked on 4 July 1969 in Vallejo; 22-year-old Ferrin was killed, but her companion survived the shooting.

The first letters claiming responsibility for the murders arrived at San Francisco newsrooms just a few short weeks after the Vallejo attack, including the cross-circle logo that would come to be associated with the serial killer, though the writer did not yet use the term Zodiac. The author included details of the crimes and a cipher which contained his identity (and was solved a week later by a schoolteacher and his wife.)

When authorities appealed for more information, the writer followed up with his first use of the infamous phrase: Dear Editor, This is the Zodiac speaking.

Then, on 27 September 1969, college students Cecelia Shepard, 22, and Bryan Hartnell, 20, were tied up and stabbed repeatedly in Napa County. Both were able to give descriptions of the assailant, though Cecelia later tragically succumbed to her injuries. There was no letter following the attack, though a message was left on the door of the victims car detailing the dates of the two previous murders. The following month, 29-year-old taxi driver Paul Stine was shot and killed after picking up a passenger in San Francisco.

The purported Zodiac Killer sent letters to the San Francisco Chronicle (AP)

After his death, a letter writer claiming to be the Zodiac sent bloody scraps of the taxi drivers shirt to newspapers as proof of his identity. Various communications purporting to be from the serial killer would continue to arrive intermittently until 1974, though the authenticity of many of the letters has been fiercely debated over the years.

As an English professor, these Zodiac letters were what got me interested in the case in the first place, Mr Horan says in the Peacock series. They were fascinating. Theyre short, but theyre very well written. And this series of letters, very artfully crafted, created this compelling character. He was cold, calculating, ruthless; he was perfectly conscious of his actions. He chose to be evil.

But the initial response was skepticism from police, he says, who expressed a lot of healthy skepticism  but the public now are getting information from a person claiming to be the killer. I think the fear was that the public would believe these letters, and I think thats what happened. The more time that goes on, they believe more and more in the Zodiac, and it really does start to skew their investigations towards certain suspects, away from certain suspects.

Filmmaker Andrew Nock set about investigating Mr Horans theories that the five victims could have been killed by other criminals with other motivations, tracking down friends and family and even possible suspects for on-camera interviews. The author points to the different weapons, the different victimology, the different circumstances. Some witnesses provided descriptions that are vastly different from an instantly recognisable police sketch. Mr Horan theorises the first couple could have been killed by drug dealers; the taximan could have fallen victim to a robber preying on cab drivers at the time; Darlene Ferrin could have been murdered by an ex-con ex-husband.

Police sketches show the purported Zodiac Killer

Maybe hes not guilty, but you do have a prime suspect who is worthy of further investigation, Mr Horan says of Ferrins ex, Jim Phillips. But by the time the police catch up with him, theres now this runaway narrative that the murders are committed by one person whos been writing these letters. And the police couldnt prove that Jim was the so-called Zodiac Killer, so they lost interest ... the letters are probably the number one reason none of these victims ever got any justice, and heres a perfect example: If the letter writer isnt the killer, then we need to rethink everything we know about this case. And unlocking the mystery of those letters and ciphers is the key to blowing this whole case wide open and proving if there really was a Zodiac Killer.

Mr Nock actually tracked down Mr Phillips, who now goes by another surname, conducting a deeply weird interview during which the victims former husband claims to have been a military cryptologist and to have threatened Ferrin the last time he spoke to her. The filmmaker also had the letters analysed by experts in computational linguistics to see if, like Mr Horan, they believed they could have been written by multiple authors. The docuseries also includes interviews with other Zodiac experts, one of whom says he turned down a debate with Mr Horan because you might as well debate a ham sandwich.

There have been definite opinions for decades about the truth and fiction within the Zodiac mythology; new technology and investigators have pointed to multiple suspects as the possible serial killer. Many a name has been associated with the murderer, and detectives both professional and amateur continue to chip away at Zodiacs codes; one cipher was only solved in 2020, by a trio of amateur codebreakers in three countries.

The deeper you dive into the Zodiac story, and the more of the onion you peel, you dont really get to the core of what happened, Mr Nock says in the series. You just get to a muddier place, because with every Zodiac expert that you speak to, its clear that their theory on what happened in the so-called Zodiac crimes is the strongest theory.

Even when theres solid evidence in front of them that challenge their position, theyre unmovable. The problem with that is, when youre so entrenched in an idea, like the notion that a single person committed all four of these horrible crimes, and the same person wrote all of the letters, and the evidence proves otherwise, what you get is a cold case that stretches on for 50-plus years, and then theres no justice for any of the victims.

Professor Horan may be eccentric, but hes studied every document publicly available on this case, the filmmaker says. And its impossible not to walk away wondering: Was there ever a Zodiac Killer?
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Passengers have described chaotic and bloody scenes as a Greyhound bus crash involving multiple vehicles in Illinois left three dead and 14 injured.

Authorities say that the bus hit three semi-trucks that were parked in the off-ramp at a rest stop on the westbound I-70 in the early hours of Wednesday. The bus had been travelling from Indianapolis, Indiana, to St Louis, Missouri.

Edward Alexander, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, was asleep aboard the bus when the accident took place.

A worker helps clear the wreckage of a Greyhound bus that collided with tractor-trailers on the exit ramp to a rest area on westbound Interstate 70 in Highland, Ill., on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (AP)

He told The St Louis Post-Dispatch that he was left with a bloodied nose when he was sent flying down the aisle of the bus. He then said he helped a pregnant woman, who was having trouble breathing, to escape the wreckage through a bus window.

I thank God, for real, Mr Alexander told the newspaper. I really feel blessed. It couldve been me.

Mr Alexander said that he was searching for his phone when the bus filled with smoke and he also jumped out of it. He says that he has now lost all of his belongings but is happy to have survived the crash.

Edwin Brown, 22, of Friars Point, Mississippi, told the newspaper that he felt the bus hit 12 or 13 rumble strips on the side of the road before the crash happened.

When I woke up, like, I flew forward, Mr Brown said. So then when I raised up, the side of the bus opened up like a can opener.

No one in the other vehicles was injured in the incident which took place at around 2am in Madison County.

Officials examine a wrecked tractor-trailer that a Greyhound bus collided with on the exit ramp to a rest area on westbound Interstate 70 in Highland, Ill., on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (AP)

Initial investigation indicates a Greyhound passenger bus with passengers was travelling westbound on Interstate 70 and struck three commercial motor vehicles parked on the exit ramp to the Silver Lake Interstate 70 westbound rest area, Illinois State Police said in a statement.

Three fatalities are confirmed and multiple others were taken to a hospital with serious injuries, four by helicopter and at least 10 by ambulance, the statement added.

Truck driver David Cherno told KMOV that he was asleep when his truck was hit on the rear drivers side and that he woke up in the air.

I was sleeping, and I kind of woke up in the air, getting thrown around in there, said Mr Cherno.

He said he then helped people get out of the bus before first responders arrived.

We pulled the people out of the bus, and then the bus tires started to catch fire, so I ran and got my extinguisher, added Mr Cherno.
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Tax preparation firms shared private data from tens of millions of customers with tech giants including Meta and Google in a potential violation of federal law, a congressional investigation has found.

The probe, led by Senator Elizabeth Warren, accused H&R Block, TaxSlayer and TaxAct and others of using tracking technology embedded on their websites to send personal data such as peoples names, gross income, phone numbers and email addresses to tech giants that was later used for targeted advertising.

The Democratic lawmakers urged the Department of Justice, the IRS and the Federal Trade Commission to immediately open an investigation into the tax software firms, Facebooks parent company Meta and Google.

The allegations were first raised last year by investigative journalism outlet The Markup, which found the sensitive financial information had been shared using an analytics tool known as a tracking pixel.

The Markup article claimed that the pixel trackers sent data to Meta in violation of the social media firms policies.

TaxAct also allegedly shared information with Google, however this did not include customers names.

The lawmakers claimed that every single taxpayer who used the three tax preparation firms to file their returns likely had at least some of their data shared.

In a statement to the Associated Press, a Meta spokesperson said its policies clearly state that advertisers should not send sensitive information about people through our Business Tools.

Our system is designed to filter out potentially sensitive data it is able to detect, the company said.

A TaxSlayer spokesperson said the lawmakers report contains numerous false or misleading statements.

Meta has been accused of harvesting data from tax preparation firms (Associated Press)

H&R Block said it had taken steps to avoid the sharing of sensitive data through Pixel.

A TaxAct representative told The Independent it had provided Senator Warren with transparent, detailed explanations on our use of these standard analytics tools.

TaxAct has always complied with laws that protect our customers privacy and, as noted in the report, we disabled the tools in question while we evaluated potential concerns.

The report was prepared by the offices of Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, Richard Blumenthal, Tammy Duckworth, Bernie Sanders, Sheldon Whitehouse and Congresswoman Katie Porter.

It focused largely on Meta, which has a long history of failing to protect users data.

In 2018, it was exposed for sharing millions of individuals personal information with Cambridge Analytica, which helped the Trump campaign target voters during the 2016 presidential election.

Facebook paid $725m to settle the case, and was later fined $5bn by the Federal Trade Commission.

Tax preparation firms could face billions of dollars in fines if they were found to have violated US tax laws, experts say.

This is as great as any privacy breach that Ive seen other than exploiting kids, David Vladeck, Georgetown University law professor told CNN.

This is a five-alarm fire, if what we know about this so far is true.
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Michigans attorney general has condemned reprehensible statements from a salon owner who has pledged to deny service to LGBT+ customers  comments that have drawn widespread outrage from civil rights groups, lawmakers and LGBT+ advocates days after the US Supreme Court sided with a Colorado business owner who refused to work with same-sex couples.

If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman, please seek services at a local pet groomer, Christine Geiger wrote on Studio 8 Hair Labs Facebook page, which has since been made private.

You are not welcome at this salon. Period, the Traverse City salon owner added. Her salons Instagram account also is private, describing the salon as a private CONSERVATIVE business that does not cater to woke ideologies.

Last month, the US Supreme Court sided with a Colorado-based website designer who refused to make wedding websites for same-sex couples, with an influential right-wing legal firm arguing on her behalf that the states anti-discrimination law violates her First Amendment rights.

LGBT+ advocates and civil rights groups have warned that the decision could endanger already vulnerable rights of LGBT+ Americans and state governments abilities to protect them.

In a separate Facebook comment using her own name, Ms Geiger said she has no issues with LGB. Its the TQ+ that Im not going to support. She then falsely stated that the + in LGBT+ stands for pedophiles.

The + represents queer, intersex, two-spirit and other indigenous gender identities, among a wide spectrum of other gender identities and sexualities not represented by LGBT.

The salon owners comments also referenced Michigan civil rights legislation that would expand protections against discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, age and physical or mental disability.

She falsely stated that it would criminalise misgendering someone, a claim that Republican lawmakers have also raised during debate. No such legislation exists.

The office of Michigans attorney general Dana Nessel has received several complaints regarding the business, and the Attorney General finds the comments to be hateful, reprehensible remarks that seek only to marginalise a community already suffering from discriminatory animus in Michigan and elsewhere, press secretary Danny Wimmer told The Independent.

The states Department of Civil Rights have received eight requests for investigations, according to a department spokesperson; the department could not provide further comment because of potential and pending investigations.

Last year, Michigans Supreme Court ruled in favor of expanding the states Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to protect LGBT+ people from discrimination in employment, public accommodations, public services, housing and educational facilities.

New hate crimes legislation is a a badly needed update to Michigans Ethnic Intimidation Act with unanimous and bipartisan support of prosecuting attorneys in every county of the state, he added.

The legality of her denying service to LGBT+ people and any other actions under the states civil rights act and the state Supreme Court ruling is likely to be litigated in the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling in 303 Creative that opened the door to discrimination by business entities where expressive speech is at issue, Mr Wimmer said.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (Getty Images)

The president of the ACLU of Michigan also stressed that contrary claims made by this salon owner, refusing to serve individuals based on their gender identity violates [Michigans] Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, and that the Supreme Court decision in 303 Creative doesnt permit this type of discrimination.

Mr Wimmer with the office of Michigans attorney general underscored that the 303 Creative decision is not a blanket invitation to discriminate and does not threaten legislative protections against LGBT+ discrimination in the state.

The department of attorney general will continue to fight to protect the equal rights of all Michiganders, Mr Wimmer added, and when passed into law the Department will enforce the new hate crimes legislation as well.

Another emerging test of the 303 Creative decision is brewing in a federal appeals court, where a right-wing legal firm is challenging a ruling that sided with a man who sued a Catholic high school that fired him after finding out he was engaged to his longtime male partner.

If the First Amendment protects a businesss decision about which services to offer the public, it  protects a churchs decision about who is religiously qualified to fulfill the mission of a religious school, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty wrote in a letter to a federal appeals court last month  on the same day that the Supreme Court issued its ruling in 303 Creative.

State Rep Betsy Coffia, whose district includes Traverse City, has also condemned the salon owners remarks, which she said perpetuate hate and have no place in Traverse City or anywhere else in Michigan.

To compare our LGBTQ+ neighbors to animals & pedophiles is breathtaking hate & bigotry from a studio in my community, she said in a statement. It is also dangerous because it dehumanizes fellow Michiganders at a time when violence against LGBTQ+ residents simply for who they are.

Chasten Buttigieg, the husband of US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and a native of Traverse City, said that this the kind of full-throated bigotry and ignorance many advocates and leaders have been warning would become more mainstream due to the rapid increase in homophobia and transphobia in the GOP.

America should be moving forward, not backward. There are real problems to solve, he added.

A statement from Michigans Polestar LGBT+ Community Center said hate has shown time and time again to be a losing business strategy and we must not allow this blight to take root in our town.

Statements like the one from Studio 8 undermine the hard work that has been put in to make Traverse City the absolute best that it can be, the organisation added.

The Independent has requested comment from Ms Geiger.
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President Joe Biden on Wednesday hailed the unbroken people of Ukraine and the incredible dignity with which theyve acted to repel Russias invading forces as he pledged on behalf of the Western world to maintain support for Kyivs defence for as long as necessary.

Mr Biden delivered his remarks to a boisterous crowd whod gathered hours ahead of time to hear him speak in the Great Court at Vilnius University, following the conclusion of this years Nato leaders summit, at which leaders of the 31-member defence alliance agreed to expedite Ukraines bid for membership in the bloc once the war with Russia has been brought to a close.

The president, who was also met with one person in the crowd who held a sign marking him as a supporter of his predecessor, Donald Trump, noted the history of the place where he was speaking, and recalled how the Lithuanian yellow, green and red tricolour flag remained aloft outside the countrys diplomatic mission to Washington, even throughout the Soviet occupation of Lithuania.

He said some of the older attendees in the crowd would know better than anyone how precious the right to determine your own future is, and praised Lithuania and the other Baltic states  Estonia and Latvia  for their strenuous advocacy for Ukraines defence and for Kyivs bid for membership in Nato.

Mr Biden said that all parties involved want this war to end, but only on terms that will uphold the basic principles of the UN charter concerning national sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling those concepts two pillars of peaceful relations among nations.

One country cannot be allowed to seize his neighbour territory by force, he said, adding that Moscow could end this war tomorrow by pulling back Russian forces from all of Ukraines territory, with the caveat that Moscow has shown thus far no interest in such an outcome because Russian president Vladimir Putin still wrongly believes that he can outlast Ukraine.

He can't believe it's their land, their country and their future and even after all this time, Putin still doubts their staying power, Mr Biden said, adding that the Russian leader is still making a bad bet by thinking that the conviction and the unity among the United States and our allies and partners will break down.

He still doesn't understand that our commitment, our values, our freedom is something he can never, never, ever ever walk away from. It's who we are, he said.

The defence of freedom is not the work of a day or a year. It's the calling of our lifetime  of all time. Were steeled for the struggle ahead, our unity will not falter, I promise you.

Mr Biden added that the US and Western commitment to Ukraines defence will not waver.

Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for liberty today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes, he said.

The presidents remarks echoed another rousing speech he delivered in Warsaw five months ago, when he pledged unwavering support for Ukraines defence and Natos unity less than 24 hours after a surprise visit to Kyiv.

At the time, he pledged that Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia, and it appears that the rest of the West is on board with Mr Bidens plans.

In addition to the Nato leaders who gathered in Vilnius this week, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida travelled there to unveil a new joint declaration from the Group of Seven in support of Kyivs defence.

In remarks delivered following the G7 leaders session, Mr Biden said the joint declaration will make it clear that support for Kyiv from the worlds largest democracies will last long into the future.

This starts a process by which each of our nations and any other nation who wishes to participate will negotiate long-term bilateral or security commitments with him to Ukraine. Were going to help Ukraine build a strong capable defence across land, air and sea ... which will enforce stability in the region and deter against any and all threats, he said.

Mr Biden reiterated the same sentiment a short time later during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

He praised Mr Zelensky, the actor-turned-politician who has served as Ukraines leader since 2019, as having done an enormous job and promised that the US and its allies would make sure that you get what you need.

And I look forward to the day when were having the meetings celebrating your official membership in Nato, so thank you for what youre doing, he said.

For his part, Mr Zelensky thanked the US president for his recent decision to provide Kyiv with cluster munitions for use against Russian troops on Ukrainian soil, telling Mr Biden that the move will help us to save us.

The announcement of the joint declaration and the meeting between Mr Biden and Mr Zelensky came after days of tension between the Ukrainian leader and his other Western counterparts over Ukraines prospects for membership in Nato.

While the US and many other Nato nations had been skittish about giving Ukraine a path to rapid membership while the war with Russia continues, other states have pushed for an immediate change in Kyivs status.

But the joint declaration  and an announcement from Nato that Ukraine could skip the Membership Action Plan previously laid out for the countrys membership bid and join at a future date post-war  appeared to smooth over the tension between the allies and the Ukrainian leader. Asked how long it would take for Nato to accept Ukraine once the war was over, Mr Biden quipped: An hour and 20 minutes.
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President Joe Biden is known to privately lose his temper and launch into expletive-filled rants toward his staffers, according to a report from Axios.

The presidents temper is so notorious that some of his staff will not meet with him alone and bring a colleague just for protection.

According to the report, staff say that Mr Bidens tirades feature him saying God d***it, how the f*** don't you know this?!, Don't f***king bullsh*t me!, Get the f*** out of here!

The Independent has requested comment from the White House.

One administration official said, No one is safe, as he reportedly laid into Jeff Zients, his czar for managing the Covid-19 pandemic during a surge of the Omicron variant because of a lack of testing kits.

But the anger eventually blew over and Mr Zients now serves as White House chief of staff. Mr Zientss spokesperson said, I'm not going to speak to what internal convos may or may not have happened between Jeff and the president.

Chris Whipple, the author of The Fight of His Life: Inside Joe Bidens White House, recounted in the book that former press secretary Jen Psaki said: I said to [Biden] multiple times, 'I'll know we have a really good, trusting relationship when you yell at me the first time, and that Ms Psaki did not have to wait for long.

Mr Biden reportedly grills aides until he reveals they do not know the answer to a question, with some calling the exercise stump the chump" or stump the dummy.

The presidents former chief of staff in the Senate Ted Kaufman said that Mr Bidens office on Capitol Hill was incredibly policy-driven.

If there is something that's not in the brief, he's going to find it, he told Axios. It's not to embarrass people, it's because he wants to get to the right decision. Most people who have worked for him like the fact that he challenges them and gets them to a better decision.
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A Fox News host has claimed that she was turned on by reports of Joe Bidens alleged bad temper and foul mouth.

Lisa Kennedy said that she had enjoyed an Axios report that current and former aides were reluctant to meet with the president because of his volatile moods.

Swearing at people, its a quirk, Kennedy said on Mondays Outnumbered show on the right-wing network.

It kind of turned me on when I heard that the president gets angry and volatile, Im not gonna lie.

Her stance amused her four co-hosts on the show, which led her to clarify her feelings for the Democratic president.

Im disappointed by just about every single thing hes done as president, she insisted.

Mr Bidens former aides told Axios that they often brought a colleague to meetings to try and blunt the presidents temper.

Fox News host Lisa Kennedy said she was otherwise unimpressed by the presidents record (Fox News)

God dammit, how the f*** dont you know this?! He was quoted as yelling on at least one occasion.

Another Biden aide said that he also shouted Dont f***ing bulls*** me, at one point and threw another staffer out of a meeting by saying, Get the f**k out of here.

Theres no question that the Biden temper is for real. It may not be as volcanic as Bill Clintons, but its definitely there, Chris Whipple, author of The Fight of His Life: Inside Joe Bidens White House, told Axios.
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Former President Donald Trump reacted with fury to news that the US Department of Justice no longer considers him immune from a defamation lawsuit from E Jean Carroll.

Ms Caroll is suing Mr Trump for denying that he sexually assaulted her in Manhattan during the 1990s. In 2019, while serving as president, Mr Trump said that Ms Carroll was not my type, and that the alleged assault never happened.

If a federal employee is sued for defamation over actions connected to their job, the DOJ can step in as the defendant and effectively stop the lawsuit from proceeding on the grounds that the federal government cannot be sued for defamation.

Mr Trump was relying on the federal governments defence in the defamation case, but now, the DOJ has changed course and concluded that his comments about Ms Carroll were not sufficiently connected to the performance of his duties as president.

Its a blow for Mr Trump, who was found liable by a jury earlier this year for assaulting and defaming Ms Carroll and is appealing the $5m judgement against him.

Crooked Joe Bidens Targeted, Weaponized DOJ & FBI are a grave threat to our Democracy! Mr Trump wrote in a post on the social media platform Truth Social. They are doing Crookeds DIRTY WORK in attacking and persecuting TRUMP, and only doing so because I am CRUSHING DeSanctimonious and Biden in the Polls, Mr Trump wrote.

This is planned Election Interference of the highest magnitude, and used to only happen in Third World Countries, he continued. Now, sadly and terribly, it is happening right here in America, and must be stopped if our Country is to survive. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!

The Justice Departments reasoning for not stepping in to shield Mr Trump from liability is laid out in a letter that was filed in federal court in Manhattan on Tuesday.

Although the statements themselves were made in a work context, the allegations that prompted the statements related to a purely personal incident: an alleged sexual assault that occurred decades prior to Mr. Trumps Presidency, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton wrote.

Mr Boynton noted the alleged assault occurred many years before Mr Trump was a government employee and was not directly related to his work as president.

Roberta Kaplan, an attorney for Ms Carroll, applauded the governments decision.

We are grateful that the Department of Justice has reconsidered its position, Ms Kaplan said. We have always believed that Donald Trump made his defamatory statements about our client in June 2019 out of personal animus, ill will, and spite, and not as President of the United States. Now that one of the last obstacles has been removed, we look forward to trial in E. Jean Carrolls original case in January 2024.

Ms Carrolls lawsuit is just one of a number of legal issues Mr Trump is dealing with as he attempts to reclaim the White House in next years election. The former president is also under federal indictment for allegedly mishandling classified documents and under indictment in Manhattan for his alleged role in a hush money payment scheme.

Mr Trump also still under investigation for his involvement in efforts to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election.
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Top Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are asking Chairman James Comer to look into whether the accused foreign agent who claims to be a whistleblower against President Joe Biden and his son was acting to further Chinese interests when he accused the Bidens of crimes.

In a letter to Mr Comer, Ranking Member Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Representative Daniel Goldman of New York expressed concern that the Oversight Committee has been manipulated by alleged arms dealer Gal Luft, who they described as an apparent con man who, while a fugitive from justice, attempted to fortify his defense by laundering unfounded and potentially false allegations through Congres.

The alleged GOP whistleblower, an Israeli-American think tank founder, was indicted last November on charges that he allegedly trafficked arms, acted as a foreign agent for China and violated US sanctions on Iran.

Mr Luft, who was arrested in February by Cypriot authorities, jumped bail while awaiting extradition to the US and has been on the run ever since.

While he claims he is being persecuted by the federal government because he provided derogatory information about the Biden family to the FBI in a 2019 interview, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said in a statement that he engaged in multiple, serious criminal schemes.

He subverted foreign agent registration laws in the United States to seek to promote Chinese policies by acting through a former high-ranking U.S. Government official; he acted as a broker in deals for dangerous weapons and Iranian oil; and he told multiple lies about his crimes to law enforcement, Mr Williams said.

Mr Raskin and Mr Goldman noted that the false statement charges against Mr Luft eviscerate his credibility, even as Mr Comer has continued to call him a very credible witness despite the fact that Mr Luft remains a fugitive from justice.

They also pointed out that Mr Luft is alleged to have lied to FBI agents during the same March 2019 interview at which he claims to have provided information to the bureau about Hunter Biden, and suggested that Mr Lufts claims against the president and his son may be part of a Chinese-backed effort to undermine US interests and Mr Bidens presidency.

It appears as if Mr. Luft sought whistleblower status from you in an effort to defend himself from criminal prosecution while a fugitive from justice. Worse yet, this latest episode also raises concerns that Mr. Luft may be manipulating your investigation not only for his own self-interest but perhaps also in furtherance of the CCPs efforts to undermine U.S. security interests and the President of the United States, they said.

These recent revelations naturally raise broader concerns about the credibility and motivations of other purported whistleblowers that Congressional Republicans have relied on to support unfounded and baseless allegations. Sadly, the Luft episode severely undermines the credibility of the critical function of whistleblowers in this body.

The Democratic representatives called on Mr Comer to stop withholding documents relating to Mr Luft from members of the minority on the committee, and asked him to initiate an investigation into whether his panel has been manipulated by Mr Luft in service of a foreign power.

In order to protect the Congresss institutional credibility and to reassure the American people that the CCP is not using Republicans investigations as a vehicle to undermine the United States government, we urge you to immediately initiate an investigation into whether the Committee may have been unwittingly duped by Mr. Luft in furtherance of the CCPs interests, as well as any potentially false statements made by Mr. Luft to Members of Congress or congressional staff, they said.

Mr Raskin and Mr Goldman were later joined in their call for an investigation into whether Mr Luft manipulated the House panel by Representative Gerry Connolly of Virginia and Maryland Representative Kweisi Mfume.

The two representatives, who respectively chair the Oversight Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation and the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce, said in a statement that they were shocked at published reports of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Majoritys collaboration with discredited whistleblower Gal Luft and stressed that it is imperative that they learn if committee resources were expended to support his alleged illegal activities.

The Majoritys work with Mr. Luft risks bringing immense shame on the Committee, and the Majority has a responsibility to account for the damage that has been done by its partnership with Mr. Luft. There is substantial concern that the Committee, through the Majoritys overzealous effort to smear President Joe Biden and his family, has advanced the interests and activities of an individual charged with serious federal crimes, they said. The public and the members of our committee have the right to know how this happened.
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Far-right Rep Majorie Taylor Greene has introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorisation Act that directs the president to withdraw the US from Nato.

They are not a reliable partner whose defense spending should be paid for by American citizens. For the better part of the last decade, Germany has contributed only around one per cent of its GDP to finance Nato obligations while the United States is paying around four per cent of our GDP to defend Nato countries, Ms Greene said in announcing the amendment.

She added that the US has been financing and promising to defend Nato countries for decades and paying more than its fair share.

Western European countries could and should be stepping up their financial contributions to ensure the security of Nato. Instead, they are entirely beholden to Russia and US taxpayers expected to foot the bill, Ms Greene concluded.

The Georgia congresswomans amendment comes the same day that President Joe Biden expressed the US ironclad commitment to NATO in a tweet amid a Nato summit in Lithuania.

Earlier on Tuesday, Nato leaders wrote in a declaration that Ukraines future is in NATO, adding, We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met.
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When Ray Epps, now 61, arrived in Washington DC in early January, 2021, he believed he was answering the call of his president.

Mr Epps was one of the thousands of MAGA loyalists who believed former President Donald Trump's lie that the 2020 election had been stolen. He also thought he and a throng of conservative allies would protest the election's certification.

The night before the Capitol riot on Jan 6, Mr Epps told a crowd of fellow Trump supporters that they should enter the Capitol. This exchange was caught on video. He did not call for violence, and later claimed that he was encouraging a peaceful protest inside the building.

Nearly 900 people have been arrested for their participation in the failed insurrection that occurred the following day. Though Mr Epps is not among that number, he has nonetheless become the focus of a MAGA-world conspiracy theory placing the blame for the entire debacle squarely on his shoulders.

Who is Ray Epps?

Mr Epps is a former Marine who runs a wedding and event venue in Queen Creek, Arizona. He describes himself as a staunch conservative, and was a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump.

Mr Epps went to Washington DC believing that the 2020 election had been stolen. Politico has reported that Mr Epps is a former Oath Keeper, the militant right-wing gang whose members are currently under investigation on seditious conspiracy charges.

Since the Capitol riot, his life has been turned upside down by the very people he once marched alongside.

The conspiracy theory

After failing to pin the Capitol riot on Antifa, right-wing media outlets refocused their efforts to reshape their narrative around Mr Epps. According to the New York Times, obscure right-wing outlets like Revolver Media began reporting on selectively-edited videos of Mr Epps during the Capitol riot, and later capitalised on the footage from 5 January in which he called for people to enter the Capitol.

The theory claims that Mr Epps, who was not arrested in the wake of the Capitol riot despite apparently encouraging people to enter the building and participating in the event himself, could only have evaded law enforcement if he was working with the government.

To explain this apparent contradiction, outlets and conspiracy theorists decided that Mr Epps had to have been an FBI agent sent into the crowd to stir dissent and set up a "false flag" event meant to justify the incarceration of hundreds of Trump supporters.

Larger right-wing media platforms, including Fox News' Tucker Carlson, picked up on the story, thrusting Mr Epps into the mainstream conservative consciousness. Republican lawmakers including Senator Ted Cruz and Representatives Thomas Massie, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Matt Gaetz leapt on the theory in their efforts to reframe the Capitol riot narrative.

Mr Trump himself eventually signed onto the conspiracy theory, feeding the man who believed his lies into the right-wing conspiracy machine's ever hungry maw.

What really happened?

Days after the Capitol riot, Mr Epps learned that the FBI was treating him as a person of interest in its then nascent investigation into the riot. He immediately called the agency and agreed to call them to discuss what had happened.

During their talks, Mr Epps insisted that he had remained peaceful and had instructed other rioters to do the same. Video footage that was eventually edited and used to suggest Mr Epps was inciting violence actually showed that he was trying to talk down other protesters who were getting angry.

In one video, he tells another protester, Ryan Samsel, to relax and reminds him that the Capitol police were doing their jobs. According to the Times, Mr Samsel was questioned by the FBI and fully corroborated Mr Epps' version of events.

He came up to me and he said, Dude  his entire words were, Relax, the cops are doing their job, Mr Samsel told investigators.

Further, Mr Epps was able to prove that he had left the Capitol before the violence began in earnest. A protester who had fallen ill required help away from the chaos, and Mr Epps volunteered to help lead them out.

The fallout

Since then, Mr Epps life has turned upside down. He has become a persona non grata in conservative circles due to his association with the conspiracy theory.

After the conspiracy theory picked up steam, Mr Epps began receiving death threats and even had intruders trespass on his property. According to Mr Epps, those individuals approached him and demanded to know the "truth" about his supposed involvement with the FBI.

He has had to leave his home in Arizona and is currently hiding out in an RV with his wife at an undisclosed location.

Mr Epps told theTimes that he fears the direction the US is heading, and called what was done to him "criminal."

I am at the center of this thing, and its the biggest farce thats ever been, he said. Its just not right. The American people are being led down a path. I think it should be criminal.

Lawsuit

In July 2023, Mr Epps filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News and its former host, Tucker Carlson. Mr Epps filed the lawsuit in the Superior Court of Delaware, the same court in which Fox was given a $787.5m judgement to settle a separate defamation case brought by Dominion Voting Systems.

Fox News has since sought to have the lawsuit moved to the Federal District Court in Wilmington.

Mr Epps is seeking an unspecified amount in damages.

The move comes after Mr Epps demanded in March that Fox News and Carlson retract their stories and issue on-air apologies to him.

Ray is taking the next steps to vindicate his rights by seeking accountability for Foxs lies that have caused him and [his wife] Robyn so much harm, his attorney, Michael Teter, told the The New Tork Times.

The lawsuit blames Fox News for spreading 2020 election fraud misinformation, painting Mr Epps as a loyal viewer who trusted the networks commentary.

When Fox, through its on-air personalities and guests, told its audience that the 2020 election had been stolen, Epps was listening, the complaint says. He believed Fox. And when Epps kept hearing that Trump supporters should let their views be known on Jan. 6 in Washington D.C., Epps took that to heart.

It goes on further to claim that Fox News and Carlson made Mr Epps the villain of their stories, and said Carlson in particular became fixated on the former Marine.
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The man at the centre of a right-wing conspiracy theory surrounding January 6 and the attack on the US Capitol has filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News and Tucker Carlson for amplifying a fantastical story alleging he is an undercover federal agent who incited a riot.

A lawsuit from Ray Epps follows a cease-and-desist letter sent to the network earlier this year, demanding that Carlson retract his false and defamatory statements about him and deliver a formal on-air apology for the lies he promoted.

Foxs role in creating and disseminating destructive conspiracy theories has already been well documented, according to the lawsuit filed in Delaware Superior Court on 12 July.

Mr Epps and his wife Robyn  who both voted for Donald Trump and were loyal viewers of Fox and its now-former most-watched personality  were subject to campaign of falsehoods that have destroyed Rays and Robyns lives, according to the complaint, which seeks unspecified damages.

The lawsuit follows a historic $787m settlement between Fox and Dominion Voting Systems, which accused the network of spreading false statements about its business in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. Fox also has settled a lawsuit from a former producer for Carlson for $12m after she accused the company of fostering a toxic workplace where truth remains a fugitive.

Though he joined the crowd on January 6, Mr Epps did not enter the Capitol, and he has not been charged with a crime  fuelling accusations from Carlson and others that federal prosecutors are protecting him. But in May, the US Department of Justice notifed Mr Epps that he could face criminal charges, according to the lawsuit.

On his now-former programme, Carlson said there is no rational explanation why this mysterious figure who helped stage-manage the insurrection had not yet been charged.

Fox repeatedly published defamatory falsehoods about Epps, including by broadcasting and rebroadcasting defamatory statements by Tucker Carlson who devoted over two dozen segments to Epps and by republishing those falsehoods across Fox platforms, according to the lawsuit.

Those claims have also been echoed by Republican members of Congress making Mr Epps the subject of legislative hearings  including on the day of the lawsuits filing, as House Republicans grilled FBI director Christopher Wray about alleged federal agents at the scene of the attack.

I will say this notion that somehow the violence at the Capitol on January 6 was part of some operation orchestrated by FBI sources and agents is ludicrous and is a disservice to our brave, hardworking dedicated men and women, Mr Wray said in his sworn testimony to the House Judiciary Committee.

More than 1,000 people have been arrested in connection with the riots, including more than a dozen people who have been found guilty on treason-related charges for conspiring their attack and 350 people who were convicted of assaulting or resisting law enforcement.

Mr Epps also was interviewed by the House select committee investigating the events surrounding and leading up to the Capitol attack.

Following Carlsons on-air statements and a wave of allegations surrounding Mr Epps across social media, the couple received threatening messages, including death threats and a plastic bag with a bullet casing inside and voicemails threatening to burn their house down, according to the complaint, which includes several examples of harassing emails, letters and text messages.

The couple was reportedly forced to move out of their home and into an RV.

Epps was not a federal agent. He was a loyal Fox viewer and Trump supporter, the lawsuit states.

Had the Justice Department charged him with a crime, Carlson would have hailed Epps a hero, according to the filing.

After destroying Eppss reputation and livelihood, Fox will move on to its next story, while Ray and Robyn live in a 350-square foot RV and face harassment and fear true harm, the lawsuit alleges. Fox must be held accountable.

The Independent has requested comment from Fox.

Carlson, in his first interview since his exit from the network in the wake of the Dominion settlement, said he doesnt know why he was fired.

The network announced that Carlson agreed to part ways days after Fox agreed to the settlement with the voting machine company over bogus claims that Carlson privately disputed but amplified on air.

Fox Corporation also reached a $12m settlement a lawsuit from Abby Grossberg, a former producer for Tucker Carlson Tonight, who alleged a culture of misogyny at the network in a federal complaint that depicted an environment where women are routinely verbally violated by a poisonous and entrenched patriarchy.
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Steve Bannon must pay nearly $500,000 in outstanding legal fees to his former attorneys, a New York judge ruled.

Bannon, a longtime ally of former President Donald Trump and far-right strategist, was sued earlier this year for allegedly stiffing the Manhattan law firm that has defended him against a cascade of legal troubles in recent years.

In her six-page order released this week, Judge Arlene Bluth found that Bannon paid just $375,000 of more than $850,000 in legal fees he owed to Davidoff, Hutcher & Citron LLP.

He was ordered to pay the balance of $480,487, along with 1% interest and reasonable legal fees.

In a statement, Bannons current attorney, Harlan Protass, said his client plans to appeal the clearly wrong decision.

Jeffrey Citron, a managing partner at Davidoff, Hutcher & Citron, said it was unfortunate that Bannon forced the firm to take legal action despite receiving excellent representation.

The firm intends to pursue every opportunity to collect our fees, Citron added.

The New York firm represented Bannon in multiple legal matters, including the federal investigation into charges that he duped donors who contributed money to build a wall along the U.S. Southern Border.

Bannon was pardoned by former President Donald Trump in that case, but he currently faces state charges for his role in the scheme. He is expected to stand trial in that case next year.

He also received legal help from the firm in his effort to fight a subpoena by the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. He was sentenced to four months in prison for defying the subpoena, but he remains free while he awaits a decision on an appeal.

Bannon argued that he told the firm's attorneys to stop working for him in early 2022, months before he stopped paying his bills. He also claimed that the firm did not properly alert him of the payments by failing to send the invoices to his various addresses.

The judge rejected both arguments, writing that Bannon cannot receive the benefit of plaintiffs legal representation and then insist he need not pay for it.
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Paraguays president-elect, Santiago Pena, committed to maintaining diplomatic ties with Taiwan on Wednesday, going against a trend of Taipeis diplomatic allies switching their allegiance to China.

Beijing considers self-governed Taiwan a breakaway province and prohibits its diplomatic partners from having formal ties with Taipei.

Pena, during a meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, affirmed "our commitment as Paraguayans to stand with the people of Taiwan for the next five years.

Paraguay is one of only 13 countries in the world  and the last remaining in South America  that recognize Taiwan as a country and do not have diplomatic relations with China.

Taiwans remaining diplomatic allies are generally smaller countries in Central America, the Caribbean and South Pacific, along with Eswatini in southern Africa and Vatican City.

China has intensified its campaign to win over Taiwans diplomatic allies since independence-leaning Tsai took office in 2016, in part by offering infrastructure investments to developing countries. It recently managed to sway Honduras, which broke ties with Taipei and opened an embassy in Beijing.

Pena, who is visiting Taiwan with members of his incoming government as well as his wife and daughter through Saturday, said he wanted to boost trade and investment ties with Taiwan.

I will work for the next few years to convey to the people of Taiwan, mainly to the business community, that investing in Paraguay not only responds to a diplomatic interest but also responds to both nations mutual economic benefit, he said.

Tsai said Taiwan and Paraguay helped each other to overcome the challenge of the epidemic.

In the face of the expansion of authoritarianism, we expect Taiwan and Paraguay to stand together on the frontline of free democracy and contribute to global stability and development, she said.

Pena had promised to maintain ties with Taiwan on the campaign trail, unlike his main competitor, Efrain Alegre, who had advocated switching allegiance to China.

Paraguays government has in recent years seen intense lobbying from local beef and soy producers seeking greater access to the Chinese market. The senate in 2020 voted on a failed initiative to reconsider ties with Taipei.

Pena was to also meet with Taiwanese Vice President William Lai, who is the governing Democratic Progressive Partys candidate in the January presidential election.
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Tucker Carlson has once again invited criticism for uploading a two-and-a-half-hour long interview with rape and sex trafficking accused Andrew Tate on Twitter.

The former Fox News host, who now uploads a new series he calls Tucker on Twitter, sat down with the controversial social media influencer, who was arrested and charged with rape, human trafficking and leading an organised crime group to sexually exploit women in Romania.

The extensive interview, Carlsons first on his new show that is on its ninth episode, has raked in millions of views hours after it was uploaded.

Carlson, who previously defended Mr Tate and called his arrest a human rights violation, has sparked outrage by giving a platform to the controversial influencer without proper scrutiny or contextualisation.

The right-wing TV personality kicked off the interview by asking viewers to make up your own mind about Mr Tate, who has defended himself and denied the charges against him.

The former kickboxer and social media influencer, who gained notoriety over the years for peddling misogynistic views, was held in police custody from 29 December until 31 March by Romanian authorities before being put on house arrest.

His brother Tristan and two of their associates also face charges.

Given the widespread allegations against Mr Tate, the decision to host the British-American has drawn criticism from various quarters, ranging from media personalities and journalists and including conservative commentators as well.

DailyBeast reporter Justin Baragona weighed in on the interview, calling Mr Tate an unapologetic pornographer.

After lamenting about how young men are now withdrawing into porn, Tucker Carlson then proceeds to sympathetically interview an unapologetic pornographer  for two and a half hours! he said.

Two and a half hours defending & singing the praises of an accused rapist and human trafficker. So brave, said Joe Walsh, a former 2020 Republican presidential candidate.

American conservative talk radio host Erick Ericson said Mr Tate is charged with rape, human trafficking, and forming an organised crime group to sexually exploit women.

Are you an Andrew Tate right winger or a Sound of Freedom right winger. You cant really be both, he said.

HuffPost correspondent SV Date called out Carlson for glorifying an accused rapist/human trafficker.

Not going to waste 2.5 hours of my life on these two, can someone tell me if Tucker asked Tate his opinion of Sound of Freedom, said The Spectators editor-at-large Ben Domenech.

Elon Musk also tweeted about the interview, calling it interesting.

The Twitter chief was called out for his tweet supporting the Fox News anchor by Ahmed Baba, an entrepreneur and journalist who is also a columnist for The Independent.

This is why millions of people are leaving Twitter, he said, calling out Mr Musk for promoting the interview between Carlson, who he said pushed white supremacist rhetoric, while calling Mr Tate a misogynist influencer.
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Tourists have been warned to take care as Southern Europe swelters in a heatwave where temperatures have pushed well past 40C  with Italy reporting the death of a street sign painter.

The 44-year-old worker collapsed while working in the northern town of Lodi on Tuesday. He was taken to hospital but doctors were unable to revive him, according to local media.

Nations across Southern Europe have issued advice to residents and tourists, as millions head off to the Mediterranean to take a summer break. It has ranged from warnings against holidaymakers drinking too heavily in the heat, to how to sleep well during sweltering nights. Air-conditioned areas are also being opened so that people can shelter from the extreme temperatures.

Thermometers could spike as high as 45C to 48C in parts of Sicily and Sardinia in Italy and Cordoba and Seville in Spain before the week is out. Temperatures are also starting to tick up in Greece, and are forecast to reach up to 44C in some parts of the country in the coming days. The heatwave was named Cerberus after the three-headed monster dog which guards the gates of the underworld in Greek mythology.

In Italy, 10 cities were put on high heat alert for older people and other vulnerable populations from Bolzano in the north extending southward to Bologna, Florence and Rome. In Greece, authorities banned access to nature reserves and forests to reduce the risk of wildfires, while municipalities were opening air-conditioned areas in public buildings for people to shelter from the heat.

People cool off on a beach in Barcelona (AP)

Ruben del Campo, of Aemet, the Spanish state meteorological agency, said: In some points of the south the temperatures will reach 44C on Wednesday. More than 100 weather stations registered temperatures of at least 35C as early as 6am on Wednesday.

In general, in Andalusia, temperatures will be above 40C. The heat will be suffocating in Cordoba and Granada and areas of the Costa del Sol.

He added: At night, temperatures will not fall below 25C in Granada, Almeria, Seville and Las Palmas in the Canary Islands.

Mr Del Campo added that from Thursday temperatures would fall in the Balearic Islands and the east of the country but not in the south and west.

Cristina Linares, co-director of climate, health, and urban environment at the Carlos III Institute of Health in Madrid, proposed that Spain and other natons should also be using libraries, health centres, churches and public transport as air-conditioned places as shelters for the elderly, pregnant women and those with breathing problems as temperatures soar.

Ms Linares also warned tourists to avoid excessive consumption of alchol in the heat. People who are not used to living in hot countries should also be warned against heavy drinking of alcohol during heatwaves, she told The Independent. But some appeared happy to disregard that advice. Jack, 13, a British schoolboy who lives in Barcelona, started selling drinks on the beach with friends. Most people seem to want cold water and beer but I am not allowed to sell beer. We have done well. I made 7, he said.

A woman tries to shelter from the heat near the Colosseum in Rome (Guglielmo Mangiapne/Reuters)

Many homes in Spain battened down the hatches against the heat, with all windows and shutters closed during the day.

In Cadiz, in southern Spain, police used air-conditioning units which were seized in raids on drug factories and installed them in public schools, which are used in summer for childrens camps.

If tourists struggle with the scorching heat during the day, trying to get to sleep at night with temperatures over 25C in many parts of Spain will not be easy.

Spains state-run RTVE television broadcast a report advising people on the tricks to sleep properly during a heatwave.

Sleep near a window, wear little in the way of clothes, drink as much as you can and, if you still cannot sleep, put on the air conditioning, the reporter told viewers.

Greeces agriculture ministry also issued restrictions on the transportation and working hours of animals such as horses and donkeys offering rides in tourist areas during the heatwave. Animals will not be allowed to work between noon and 5pm on days where temperatures are between 35C to 39C in the shade, while they will not be allowed to work at any time of the day when temperatures exceed that range.

Even as temperatures climb, storms in Italy's populous northern Lombardy region caused flooding, felled trees and ripped roofs off buildings. More than 200 firefighters responded to emergencies in the regional capital of Milan, Varese, near the Malpensa airport, Lecco, near Lake Como, Sondrio, located in the Alps, and Bergamo.

Extreme heatwaves contributed to more than 60,000 deaths in Europe in 2022, according to a report issued earlier this week.

The study, conducted by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) and published in the journal Nature Medicine, estimated that 61,672 deaths were caused by extreme heat in Europe between 30 May and 4 September 2022.

The highest temperature in European history was recorded in Syracuse, in Sicily in August 2021 at 48.8C.
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Watch as Joe Biden holds a news conference following talks at the Nato summit on Wednesday, 12 July.

The US president met with world leaders in Lithuania as G7 countries announced an international framework that paves the way for long-term security assurances for Ukraine to boost its defences against Russia.

On Tuesday, Volodymyr Zelensky slammed the military alliances leaders for not extending membership to Ukraine, calling the inaction absurd

Mr Biden has previously said that he thinks Ukraine is not ready for membership.

His remarks came after US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that Nato would be at war with Russia if Ukraine were to join the alliance now.

On Wednesday, Mr Zelensky declared that the outcome of the Nato summit is a meaningful success for Ukraine with new security opportunities.

Mr Bidens speech on Wednesday is expected to highlight how the US and its allies are supporting Ukraine in the war.
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The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato), which is currently holding its latest summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, is a political and military alliance of North American and European countries forged in the aftermath of the Second World War  in the hope of avoiding future hostilities between nations.

It sought to achieve this through the realisation of three specific goals: deterring Soviet expansionism, preventing the revival of militant nationalism and encouraging European political integration.

While that first obligation lost its relevance following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the gradual disintegration of the USSR, Nato has been forced to constantly evolve and adapt in response to global geopolitical tensions over the last half century as the nature of the threats and challenges nations faced changed, from fascism and totalitarianism to Islamist terror factions and cyber-warfare.

The organisations member states are obliged by Article 5 of the alliances treaty to come to the aid of any fellow signatory in the event that they should come under attack from a foreign power.

In its own words: Nato is committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes. If diplomatic efforts fail, it has the military power to undertake crisis-management operations.

A map to show the worlds Nato member states and the year in which they joined the North Atlantic military alliance (The Independent/Datawrapper)

The organisation has its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, its current secretary general is Jens Stoltenberg and its most recent entrant was Finland earlier this year, with Sweden now looking likely to follow suit, abandoning two centuries of political neutrality in the face of the threat posed to national security in Europe by Russia since the advent of its invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

Heres a look at the key numbers that define Nato:

12

The number of founding member nations from Europe and North America who signed the North Atlantic Treaty on 4 April 1949, pledging to contain any future military threat from a revived Germany or the Soviet Union at a time when the Marshall Plan was attempting to bring economic deliverance to a stricken continent still in recovery from a war that had killed 36.5m people where rationing was still a fact of everyday life.

Those countries were: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States.

31

The current total number of member states.

The original dozen were supplemented by Greece and Turkey in 1952 and West Germany in 1955 and, later, post-Franco Spain in 1982.

Having held steady throughout the Cold War and such testing diplomatic episodes as the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Natos membership held at 16 until 1999, when three former Russian satellite states  Czechia, Hungary and Poland  were inducted, followed by a second tranche in 2004 made up of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, much to the displeasure of the new man in the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin.

In 2009, Albania and Croatia joined up, followed by Montenegro (2017) and North Macedonia (2020) and finally Finland this year.

Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty states that membership of Nato 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.

2%

The minimum percentage of a member states gross domestic product they are expected to spend on defence as part of their commitment to the alliance.

This does not always prove possible, however, with countries often facing economic challenges of their own. This famously led then-US president Donald Trump to lambast the membership for their failure to meet their commitments at a summit in Brussels in July 2018  and suggest that they should not only pay their dues but that the rate should be doubled to 4 per cent.

Rishi Sunak, Joe Biden and Jens Stoltenberg meet with Volodymyr Zelensky at Julys summit in Vilnius, Lithuania (Reuters)

Rishi Sunak repeated the call for members to increase their spending in Vilnius this year, saying the current target must be a floor not a ceiling.

$1.26 trillion

The total amount Nato defence spending is forecast to reach in 2023 (equating to 975bn), according to its own estimates, up from $943.2bn (730bn) in 2014, the year Russia last launched expansionist aggressions by annexing Crimea.

The top spending member state this year will, as usual, be the US on $860bn (666bn), followed some way behind by Germany on $68.1bn (52.7bn), the UK on $65.8bn (51bn), France on $56.6bn (43.8bn) and Italy on $31.6bn (24.5bn), all of which are significantly up on a decade ago to reflect the heightened threat posed by Russias war in Ukraine.

1.35 million

The size of the single biggest army within Nato in terms of personnel, according to research by Statista, which belongs to the US.

Perhaps more surprisingly, the Nato member with the second-largest military is Turkey, with 447,000 personnel.

France is next on the list with 207,100, Germany has 188,500, Italy 174,800 and the UK 156,200.

3.5 million

The total number of military personnel, troops and civilians Nato can count on from its member states, by its own estimation.

Each member agrees to contribute what it can to the alliance, each bringing different strategic weight and regional influence in the interest of bolstering the security of continental Europe.
 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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Watch as Nato representatives give closing speeches as the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania draws to a close on Wednesday 12 July.

At the high-profile meeting, the UK, US, Japan, Canada, France, Germany and Italy signed a pact committing to new measures to help Ukraine in its war with Russia.

G7 countries have agreed to stand by Kyiv for as long as it takes as they set out the details of what a package of new security measures will entail.

The leaders of the wealthiest economies jointly penned a security accord that Rishi Sunak has said marks a new high point in international support for Ukraine.

He thinks it will send a message to Russian president Vladimir Putin and has the potential to bring an end to the conflict in eastern Europe.

The pact contains promises to act multilaterally and on a country-to-country basis to offer Ukraine long-term security guarantees.
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Watch as Volodymyr Zelensky holds a news conference at the Nato summit on Wednesday, 12 July.

The Ukrainian president met with world leaders in Lithuania as G7 countries announced an international framework that paves the way for long-term security assurances for Ukraine to boost its defences against Russia.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was accused of scolding Ukrainians after he said he told them that Britain was "not Amazon" in response to requests for weapons.

"I told them that last year, when I drove 11 hours to be given a list of demands for more assistance.

Mr Wallace also revealed that he advised Ukraine that the international community wanted to see gratitude for its support in the war with Russia.

Rishi Sunak has appeared to try to distance himself from the comments, saying the Ukrainian President Zelensky had repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

Wednesday's summit came as Russia launched a drone strike on Kyiv and an old man was killed in Russian shelling in southern Ukraine.

An 81-year-old man was killed and his 82-year-old wife wounded in shelling of the southern city of Kherson, region governor Oleksandr Prokudin confirmed.
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A 16-year-old Palestinian boy shot dead during the deadly raid by Israels forces in Jenin last week was unarmed and killed for no reason, his family members and eyewitnesses have said.

The teenage boy, Abdul Rahman Hardan, was among a dozen Palestinians and an Israeli soldier killed during the two-day raid  one of the most intense operations carried out in the occupied West Bank in the past two decades  when Israels security forces entered the refugee camp that it describes as a militant stronghold.

Preliminary reports by Palestinian rights groups said Abdul was shot in the head as he stood outside Jenins al-Amal hospital, a medical facility the UN earlier said had come under Israeli gunfire.

Issuing his first comment since Abduls death, his father Hassan Ahmad Hardan said the teenager was going to the hospital to donate blood when he encountered an Israeli military vehicle.

He was standing in the street to cross it when they shot him in the head from the back, he told the BBC, adding that his son was not carrying anything with him, no stone, no weapon, nothing.

Mr Hardans comments came as footage appearing to show the moment of Abduls death emerged.

Two eyewitnesses also told the BBC that Abdul was unarmed and was shot dead by an Israeli sniper without any reason or justification. The two witnesses said they were present in one of the streets in the area where Israels forces were deployed.

After his death Abdul was initially claimed as a member by the militant group Islamic Jihad, but Mr Hardan rejected that claim, saying his son did not belong to any armed group.

Israel has claimed that all 12 Palestinians killed in the attack were combatants. Lt Col Richard Hecht, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, told the BBC that every one that was killed was involved directly with terrorism. A 17-year-old may be regarded as a minor but hes holding weapons and firing... We can show that evidence. We have pictures of all of them, and intel that they were involved.

Israel has not yet released any evidence that would support its claim Abdul posed a threat at the time he was killed.

At least 140 people suffered injuries, including 83 who were taken to hospital for treatment, in the course of the raid.

Another Palestinian man was killed in the West Bank city of Ramallah as gun battles raged between the Israeli forces and militants in the camp last week.

Last weeks raids by Israeli forces in the West Bank were the deadliest in nearly 20 years, the UNs humanitarian relief agency told The Independent.

The global agency dispatched staff to Jenin camp last Wednesday to assess the damage done to homes and civilian infrastructure.

More than 140 Palestinians have been killed so far this year by Israeli fire in the West Bank, according to the Associated Press count, with almost half of them said to be affiliated with militant groups.
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A historic deli in Barcelona has hit back at tourists who clog up the shop without buying anything by introducing a 5 charge.

Queviures Murria in the Eixample district, which first opened in 1898, is one of the Spanish citys most renowned Modernista-style shops, selling high-end food products such as fine wine and artisanal meats and cheeses.

Its striking facade, original counter, mahogany furniture and 1920s glazed signs and adverts make it a draw for visitors keen to take pictures and selfies, but not necessarily make a purchase.

Deli staff joked that they should start charging people who came into the shop just to ogle its traditional interiors without any intention of spending money. Now, that joke has become a reality, after management hung up a sign to dissuade tourists who want to look but not buy.

Visit just looking (inside) 5 x person, thank you, reads the new sign, reports the i.

Although no one has been charged as of yet, the number of tourists coming in just to snap a selfie has plummeted, according to shop manager Toni Merino.

We have not charged any money from people who just want to come in and have a look, but that is not the point, he told the i.

Barcelona has intoduced numerous policies to combat overtourism in recent years.

At the beginning of this year, the Catalan capital announced it would be increasing its municipal tourist tax, with the amount five-star hotel guests pay set to rise from 5.25 to 6.75 per night by 2024.

The city adds its own surcharge on top of a general tourist tax charged per night imposed in the region, a move which was approved by Spanish government in summer 2020.

The tourist tax varies depending on which type of accommodation a visitor is staying in, and is only applied to regulated, official tourist accommodation.

Barcelona City Council announced a scaled increase to its municipal surcharge, meaning the previously 1.75 fee rose to 2.75 on 1 April 2023, and will jump to 3.25 from 1 April 2024.
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Logan Parson's first flight by himself ended with airport officials taking the teenager into custody and whisking him away into an interrogation room.

Logan was visiting Gainesville, Florida, with his father, and planned to fly back alone. On the return trip, his father booked him a flight that began in Gainesville, but ended in New York.

New York, however, was not Logan's final destination.

Instead, he planned to exit the plane during its layover in Charlotte  his hometown  and simply forgo the final leg of his journey, employing a travel hack called skiplagging, or hidden-city ticketing.

Skiplagging exploits the airline companies' pricing schemes to the benefit of the customer.

Typically direct flights to a destination are more expensive than a flight with a layover. Perhaps a direct flight to Denver costs $370, but a flight to San Diego  with a several-hour layover in Denver  only costs $200. For a traveler hoping to get to Denver, it makes more sense to purchase the San Diego ticket and simply exit the plane in Denver, rather than purchasing a direct ticket to the city.

That's what Hunter Parsons, Logan's father, thought when he booked his son a ticket to New York.

Weve used Skip Lagged almost exclusively for the last five to eight years, Mr Parsons told Queen City News. Booked a flight from Gainesville regional to JFK via Charlotte.

Mr Parsons dropped Logan off at the airport in Florida, but a gate agent noted the teenager's ID cards were issued in Gainsville  the same city where his flight was scheduled to stop for a layover. The agent became sceptical and reported him to airport officials, who detained and questioned the teen.

Interrogated a little bit, ultimately taken to a security room, Mr Parsons said. They kind of got out of him that he was planning to disboard in Charlotte and not going to make the connecting flight.

After American Airlines learned that the teen was planning to skiplag, officials reportedly called his parents and forced them to buy a new direct flight from Gainsville to Charlotte.

Skiplagging cuts into the airline industry's profits, therefore the airline industry does not like skiplagging. United Airlines actually sued a website dedicated to helping travelers find better skiplagging deals, but ultimately lost. Lufthansa went so far as to sue a passenger who skiplagged, claiming the customer should have paid 2,769, but instead bought a 600 ticket and disembarked early.

A German court ultimately ruled in the traveller's favour.

While there is nothing illegal about skiplagging  at least at present  the airline industry can set its own rules and punish travelers who are caught using the travel hack. Those punishments could include the loss of travel points or  as happened to the Parsons  additional ticketing charges.

Not only did Mr Parsons have to pay more for his son's second ticket, he also was left afraid for his child, who had never flown alone.

Our concerns are he is a minor and was kind of left to fend for himself several states away, Mr Parsons said.

American Airlines provided a comment on its decision to detain the child traveler to Queen City News.

Purchasing a ticket without intending to fly all flights to gain lower fares (hidden city ticketing) is a violation of American Airlines terms and conditions and is outlined in our Conditions of Carriage online. Our Customer Relations team has been in touch with the customer to learn more about their experience," the airline said in a statement.

Mr Parsons  who did not know the practice was frowned upon by the airlines  said a warning would have been preferable to having his son detained and questioned.

I think a stern warning, hey this is frowned upon, if you do it again there would be consequences, financial penalties, he said. But to put a minor in that situation was really the reason we have a concern.
Never-before-seen footage shows the terrifying moment tourists fled after they realised a volcano was erupting on a New Zealand island.

Twenty-two people were killed when the volcano on White Island, also known as Whakaari, erupted on 9 December 2019.

Footage was played in court on Tuesday (11 July) during the criminal trial of three tourism companies and three directors charged with safety breaches.

Filmed by one of the tourists, it shows the group running for their lives and hiding behind large rocks for safety just seconds before the volcano erupted.
A plane veered off a runway and broke into pieces at an airport in Somalia in horrifying footage.

The Embraer EMB 120 jet, operated by Halla Airlines, was carrying 30 passengers and four crew members when it landed at Aden Adde International airport in Mogadishu on Tuesday (11 July).

Footage shows the aircraft skidding on the tarmac and swerving off the runway before smashing into a fence.

Only minor injuries were sustained in the incident, the Somali Civil Aviation Authority said.

The cause of the crash was not immediately clear.
The single best way to get out of poverty is by getting a job, Oliver Dowden told MPs at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, 12 July.

The deputy prime minister filled in for Rishi Sunak this afternoon while the prime minister attended a Nato summit in Lithuania.

Mr Dowden told the House of Commons: "The single best route out of poverty is a job and record numbers of people... under this government have got a job."

It comes after the Office for National Statistics released figures showing that the unemployment rate for March to May 2023 increased by 0.2 percentage points on the quarter to 4 per cent.
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On Tuesday, I headed to the White House to cover an event with Vice President Kamala Harris and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The month of the anniversary of the ADA always makes me a tad emotional since I was born five months after President George HW Bush signed the bill into law.

While the law did not specifically mention autism, I still benefited from its windfall. The only reason I can work as a journalist is because of the tireless work of advocates. The ADA, along with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which passed that same year, meant I have never known a world where my rights as a disabled person were not codified, albeit they have not always been enforced in practice.

Ms Harris and Mr Buttigieg led the discussion about making transportation accessible to people with disabilities. Incidentally, during the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, Ms Harris released the first disability policy platform and Mr Buttigieg hired people with disabilities on his campaign and released one of the more comprehensive disability policies. Similarly, I saw many familiar faces at the roundtable that I have met throughout my roughly eight years of covering the modern-day disability rights movement.

At the same time, I could not help but feel a twinge of despair when the vice president said we cant celebrate these last 33 years without also remembering Judy Heumann, the late disability rights activist who led the sit-ins at a federal building in 1977 to coerce the federal government enforce Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Because of the fact that many of my communitys elders lived in a world that disregarded people with disabilities, many of the founders of the disability rights movement who ensured I could live in a better world did not have the luxury of living long enough to see people benefit from their labour.

But Ms Heumann not only did, she lived long enough to finally be heralded as an international celebrity for her work in the Clinton and Obama administrations. Her relentless efforts were chronicled in the Oscar-nominated documentary Crip Camp. Similarly, I had to the good fortune to meet her on multiple occasions, moderate a panel with her and even introduce her to my mother. Doing so felt not only like a privilege for me but also ensured that she knew her work was not in vain before she left this world.

Sadly, she is not the only leader who has passed in recent years. Ms Harris also acknowledged the presence of former congressman Tony Coelho, who helped write the ADA but had to unceremoniously resign from the House before the bills passage. But it also reminded me of how few legislators who helped pass the law remain.

Most recently, Lowell Weicker, the former senator from Connecticut and one of the last truly moderate Republicans, passed away at the end of last month. Similarly, Ted Kennedy, who despite being the liberal lion of the Senate brought along many Republicans to the cause of the ADA, died of brain cancer in 2009.

I also thought about how few conservative Republicans would champion the cause of disability today. Bob Dole, who led Republicans in the Senate and led the charge on the ADA, lived to see the law pass so people did not have to suffer the way he did. He also lived to see Republicans vote against the Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities, an international treaty that would have protected the rights of people with disabilities internationally.

Similarly, the late Sen Orrin Hatch, a staunch conservative, later worked to try to repeal Obamacare despite the fact that many of the same advocates who helped him pass the ADA protested his efforts. I regularly say that if it were put on the Senate floor today, the ADA would not pass. Moreover, some Republicans would likely take pleasure in doing so to own the libs.

None of this is to say that era of disability rights was perfect. A big reason that the Senate had more comity than it does now was the fact it was much more uniformly white, male and heterosexual than it is today. It is easier for members of Congress to do business with people who look like them, but it often came at the exclusion of other marginalised groups. Similarly, the ADA was far from perfect and lacks enforcement mechanisms to this day.

All of this makes celebrating ADA month bittersweet. It reminds me how hard my predecessors had to fight to give a good life to people they would never meet. It also makes covering disability rights all the more urgent. Countless disabled and chronically ill people perished in the Covid-19 pandemic and the Biden administration has been largely indifferent to it, with Mr Biden saying the pandemic is over.

But telling stories  both recounting the stories of our forebears and chronicling the stories of modern-day advocates  matters, both in July and year-round. It requires making sure modern-day voices are heard while the new breed remembers who came before.
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A cat may look at the king, but apparently a president cant touch one  at least not if you some people on Twitter. I remember when a king would have any mans head removed if such disrespect as this was done, posted one outraged Royalist from the United States. (Try to square that circle.) Paul Golding, the leader of the far-right political party Britain First, reportedly wrote in a now-deleted tweet which included video of the president walking in front of His Majesty, Either Biden is deliberately disrespecting our King because hes an Irish nationalist or, his Alzheimers kicked in and he hasnt got a clue whats going on. Take your pick.

I pick option c, which not coincidentally is the position of Buckingham Palace. Denying that Biden broke protocol by walking in front of the King, a Palace source also said that the touch was a wonderful symbol of warmth and affection between both the individuals and their nations. No protocol was broken, and even if it was, this is not a big deal. What happened is perfectly fine. Everybody calm down.

That should be the end of it, but it wont be. We seem to do this every few years. In 2009, then-First Lady Michelle Obama made headlines when she broke protocol by hugging the late Queen Elizabeth II. A decade later, former president Donald Trump allegedly broke royal protocol so much that lists documenting his many transgressions were compiled. This pales in comparison to that time in 1977 when Jimmy Carter, in his first year in office, kissed the Queen Mother on the lips. Nobody has done that since my husband died, shes reported to have snapped  and rightly so. A hug is one thing; a kiss is quite another.

Hot Lips Carter notwithstanding, the truth is Americans are frequently yet unfairly caricatured as ignorant oafs who galavant around Europe insulting the locals and disrespecting their customs. It isnt just our leaders who are ridiculed; the ugly American  a pejorative lifted from the title of a 1958 book by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer  is a stock character in the minds of far too many people. Google rude American tourists and youll find lists such as these: 27 offensive and stupid things American tourists did, 40 ignorant and disrespectful things people witnessed American tourists doing in other countries, and seven rude things American tourists do without realizing.

Boorish, entitled, and ethnocentric, the ugly American represents the worst of American capitalism and imperialism personified in the body of the average tourist.

It is certainly an unfair stereotype. Most traveling Americans are good, decent people who would never knowingly or intentionally offend anyone. I have seen this up close this week as I journey across Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland with a group of undergraduates on a study abroad.

I am also an American, but have spent much of my adult life between the US and UK, and feel equally at home in both. Ive come to learn the cultural differences and what might offend or upset people. I also happily assume that most British and Irish people arent bothered by missteps; they understand Americans are foreigners so may not know their customs, and always seem to accept breaches of etiquette with the good grace and humor Ive come to find characteristic of both nations.

Perhaps they also know that when it comes to boorish tourists, they may have more in common with their American cousins than they care to admit. Spain had to limit the amount of alcohol served to Brits on holiday because of related antisocial behavior. Meanwhile, Amsterdam launched an ad campaign to dissuade young Brits from coming for sex and drug tourism.

I am not suggesting that the ugly Brit is any more accurate than the ugly American. Rude behavior abroad is not limited to any one nationality. Just yesterday I saw an Italian man sexually gesture toward and climb a statue of Molly Malone, for example. But of course no nation should be painted by their worst behaved abroad, and no person should assume breeches of protocol or cultural faux pas are a reflection of bad intent.

This brings me back to the undergraduates I am traveling with. Shortly after landing in Dublin yesterday, I found myself reassuring some students that they did not need to overly worry about upsetting the locals simply by mispronouncing words or not knowing something of cultural import. Their concern, though, was touching. Far from being entitled and ready to drink their weight in whiskey in a country where theyre legally allowed to booze, they have displayed a remarkable desire to immerse themselves in the culture, to learn and respect it, and to ensure they do not offend anyone.

I am happy to say that this made me proud. This is a depiction of Americans we do not often see in the media, but it is the kind of attitude I think we should expect from all travelers, no matter their nationality and where they visit. I just hope if I or my fellow American travelers slip up, we will be met with more grace and understanding than critics offered Joe Biden, all for daring to stroll in front of someone.
A US company seeking to enforce a $192m (175m) judgment against a billionaire Swiss-Lebanese investor has set its sights on his Co Kerry hotel and islands.

On Tuesday, the High Court granted permission for MCG California LLC to serve its proceedings on Jacqui Safra at his Parknasilla Hotel in Sneem, Co Kerry.

MCG wants the court to recognise and enforce a judgment it obtained last October against Mr Safra from the New York Supreme Court for $192m plus interest, less payments received.

The sale of Mr Safras winery business, called Spring Mountain Vineyard (SMV), subsequently netted the California firm $32 million, it says.

The judgment arose out of Mr Safras guarantee of 2018 loans to SMV from various lenders for whom MCG acts as administrative and collateral agent, MCG claims in its legal papers.

Following SMVs default on its repayment obligations in October 2021, MCG says, Mr Safra agreed to consent to entry of a judgment against him by the New York Supreme Court for the full amount owed. However, the lenders agreed to forbear from excerising remedies available to them until September 30, 2022.

On September 29, 2022, SMV voluntarily filed a Chapter 11 petition, commencing a bankruptcy reorganisation, in a California district court. A week later MCG filed papers to secure its judgment against Mr Safra, who is also known as Jacob E Safra.

MCG says Mr Safra provided a personal financial statement last September that put his net worth at $510m. However, MCG does not accept he made a full or accurate disclosure of all of his assets.

MCG says it has acute concerns his assets are reducing in a manner not fully explained.

It appears, claims MCG, that the value of his assets fell by about $81.2m from last October to March, which still leaves him with more than $1bn in assets. The plaintiff firm alleges Mr Safras cash on hand reduced by $1.675m in the first three months of this year.

Mr Safra has also failed to provide explanations for the significant diminution in the fair market value of his three Irish assets, MCG claims.

The fair market value of his equity in Parknasilla Hotel has, according to Mr Safras financial statements, dropped by almost $6m since last September, while his equity in Garinish and Rossdohan islands have seen reductions of $914,000 and $895,000 respectively, the plaintiff alleges.

MCG claims it has seen documents showing that assets and valuables have recently been shipped to Ireland on Mr Safras behalf, suggesting there may be other items of art or furniture of substantial value in Ireland.

MCGs barrister, Alison Keirse, told the High Court that the New York judgment is final and conclusive. Her client wants the Irish court to recognise the judgment in this jurisdiction as Mr Safra, she said, has given his private Garinish Island as his residence.

Ms Keirse said Mr Safra has frequently stated this address on formal documents, including on the share register of Encyclopaedia Britannica Holding, which is Mr Safras holding company that owns the famed encyclopaedia publisher.

A private investigator has attested to it being impracticable to attempt to serve Mr Safra on Garinish Island, which he has owned for 20 to 25 years, as anyone who goes to the island without permission will be asked to leave.

Mr Justice Denis McDonald said it was quite clear from the evidence before him that there is a good case to be made that the New York judgment is conclusive and final. MCG established there are good, arguable grounds for concluding that Mr Safra is ordinarily resident in this State.

The judge noted that Mr Safra was not in court and may, in time, seek to rebut the claims made by MCG.

He made orders permitting Mr Safra to be served personally at his Sneem hotel, by email and at addresses in New York.

The case will return to court next week.

This article was amended on July 13, 2023, to state that Parknasilla Hotel is located in Sneem, Co Kerry.
More jobseekers are using AI to save time while searching for a new role. Photo: Getty Images

Around 80pc of HR professionals are incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into the hiring process but half have reported that their companies are not monitoring or evaluating these tools for bias.

A new report from hiring software company Greenhouse revealed that 62pc of the 100 HR professionals surveyed believed that there should be more laws governing these AI tools to prevent bias.

The majority agreed there should be more education and training in the workplace around the use of these applications.

Just 37pc of HR professionals believe AI will reduce bias in recruiting new candidates at present,

Over 2,700 jobseekers were also surveyed by Greenhouse in Ireland. the UK, Germany and the US. Over one-quarter of respondents believe AI will lead to more bias in the hiring process.

More than one-third of candidates also said using AI throughout the hiring process is fair game since companies are already using the technology to sort through CVs.

Almost half stated they would prefer companies to let them know if AI is being used to decide the next steps for their application.

Some HR professionals are equally curious to learn if candidates are using AI to prepare their applications for vacant roles.

Over 38pc said applicants should disclose if they have used AI tools to write CVs, cover letters, to answer specific job application questions or for interview preparation.

More than a third of companies have or are considering adding AI screening or plagiarism tools to detect who has used such technologies in their application, the research revealed.

However, candidates who use the tools said AI helps save time during lengthy job searches and hiring processes

While AI is a beneficial tool for automating tasks and increasing efficiency, it shouldnt be used in its present form to make human-based decisions like hiring, Greenhouse product and design vice-president Henry Tsai said.

As companies begin using AI, its critical that they are clear and transparent about how they are using it while being able to monitor and identify applications that could have a biased impact on a hiring decision.

Its crucial to remember that AI lacks the contextual understanding, emotional intelligence, and intuition that humans possess, added Upwork chief marketing officer Melissa Waters.
Cillian Murphy in 'Oppenheimer' and Margot Robbie in 'Barbie'. The films open on the same day.

Cillian Murphy and Emily Blunt pose during a photocall before the premiere of the film "Oppenheimer" at the Grand Rex in Paris. .REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier

Cillian Murphy in the new movie 'Oppenheimer'

The Oppenheimer cast walked the red carpet on yesterday for the films world premiere in Paris, France.

A small number of journalists attended the screening and the first reactions have been effusive.

Irelands Cillian Murphy (47) stars as the father of the atomic bomb, Robert J Oppenheimer, in Christopher Nolans highly anticipated biopic.

Cillian Murphy and Emily Blunt pose during a photocall before the premiere of the film "Oppenheimer" at the Grand Rex in Paris. .REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier

The all-star cast comprises Emily Blunt (40), who plays Oppenheimers wife, biologist Kitty Oppenheimer; Matt Damon (52), who portrays Manhattan Project director Lt Leslie Groves Jr; Florence Pugh (27), who plays Oppenheimers ex-fiancee, psychiatrist and physician Jean Tatlock; and Robert Downey Jr (58), who stars as Lewis Strauss, the former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.

The performances from these actors... I think youre going to be as impressed with them as I have been, Nolan told attendees at the premiere.

Its an intense experience. Its a very serious subject. But its something weve poured our hearts and souls into, he added.

The first viewers were indeed impressed with the film.

Florence Pugh and Cillian Murphy star in 'Oppenheimer'

#OPPENHEIMER may be Nolan's masterpiece. A chilling, galvanizing spectacle anchored by astounding performances. Cillian Murphy transforms into the destroyer of worlds while Matt Damon's Dick Shitless brings charming levity. This is a *movie* movie and a definite Oscar contender, writer and producer Ben Mekler tweeted.

Lindsey Bahr of the Associated Press called the movie a spectacular achievement in its truthful, concise adaptation, inventive storytelling and nuanced performances from Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon and the many, many others involved.

#Oppenheimer left me stunned: a character study on the grandest scale, with a sublime central performance by Cillian Murphy, Matt Maytum, deputy editor of Total Film wrote. An epic historical drama but with a distinctly Nolan sensibility: the tension, structure, sense of scale, startling sound design, remarkable visuals. Wow, he added.

Cillian Murphy stars in 'Oppenheimer'.

Totally absorbed in Oppenheimer, a dense, talkie, tense film partly about the bomb, mostly about how doomed we are, Jonathan Dean of The Sunday Times tweeted. Happy summer! Murphy is good, but the support essential: Damon, Downey Jr & Ehrenreich even bring gags. An audacious, inventive, complex film to rattle its audience.

Oppenheimer is inspired by the 2005 biography American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer, written by Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin.

Speaking at an academic discussion last month, Bird said: I am, at the moment, stunned and emotionally recovering from having seen [Oppenheimer].

Nolan previously teased that the film had left early viewers devastated.

They cant speak. I mean, theres an element of fear thats there in the history and there in the underpinnings, the director said.

As well as Murphy, Pugh, Blunt, Damon and Downey Jr, Oppenheimer also stars Rami Malek, Gary Oldman, Dane DeHaan, Josh Hartnett, Kenneth Branagh, Matthew Modine, Casey Affleck, Alden Ehrenreich and Jason Clarke.

Cillian Murphy in 'Oppenheimer' and Margot Robbie in 'Barbie'. The films open on the same day.

Oppenheimer debuts in cinemas on 21 July, the same day as Greta Gerwigs Barbie. Eager fans are already planning on buying tickets to see both films back-to-back. The viral trend, dubbed Barbenheimer, has become so popular that even Murphy, Margot Robbie and Tom Cruise have publicly supported it.
Asking for a friend: My boyfriend has decided to go back to college. Im anxious hell have no time for me and that hell cheat. How can I stop us from drifting apart?
People take part in a rally calling on members to pass a nature restoration law, near the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, France July 11, 2023.

The European Parliament voted to pass the EU's flagship law to restore nature on Wednesday, salvaging the environmental measures that centre-right lawmakers had campaigned to kill off.

European Union lawmakers adopted the legal proposal with 336 votes in favour, 300 against, and 13 abstentions. EU lawmakers and member countries will now negotiate the final text, aiming for a deal before EU Parliament elections in 2024.

The nature bill has been subject to months of fierce political campaigning that exposed deep divisions among EU countries and lawmakers over the proposals, and whether - as some government leaders have said - Europe is pushing through too many environmental laws as part of its overall green agenda.

The European People's Party, the EU Parliament's biggest lawmaker group, led a campaign to kill off the plan on the grounds it would harm farmers and endanger food security.

That's despite Ursula von der Leyen - the head of the European Commission, which proposed the nature law - being from the EPP, putting her at odds with her own party.

ine Gael is part of the EPP, however its five MEPs are planning on voting for the laws, which are being championed by environmentalists.

Speaking on RTE this morning, MEP Sean Kelly said the EPP approach was wrong and it missed the opportunity to make amendments to the law.

Rewetting has become a hot topic in Ireland among farmers, who fear rewetting of adjacent lands to bring back wildlife could waterlog their farms, or that they could be forced into it.

However the Government has sought to reassure farmers that any rewetting would be voluntary, with extra grant funding available, and that much of it could take place on state lands such as former Bord na Mona bogs.

Others, though such has the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association have raised concerns over what the legislation could mean for rural development.

The law would be one of the EU's biggest pieces of green legislation, requiring countries to introduce measures restoring nature on a fifth of their land and sea by 2030.
Liberia-flagged bulker Eneida, carrying grain under the Black Sea grain initiative, waits for inspection in the southern anchorage of Istanbul, Turkey, May 17, 2023. REUTERS/Mehmet Emin Caliskan/File Photo

A deal allowing Ukraine to export grain via the Black Sea expires on July 17 and with Moscow saying it sees no grounds for an extension there are fears it may collapse.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Ukraine is a major producer of grains and oilseeds and the interruption to its exports at the outbreak of war pushed global food prices to record highs. The current deal, agreed in July 2022 some five months after the war started, helped to bring down prices and ease a global food crisis.

Ukraine grain has also played a direct role with 725,200 tonnes or 2.2% of the supplies shipped through the corridor used by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) as aid to countries such as Ethiopia, Somalia and Yemen.

WHAT HAPPENS IF IT ENDS?

Prices for some staple foods would likely rise but the situation is better than in the months after the war started due to improved supplies of grain from other producers such as Russia and Brazil.

Prices for wheat, the main ingredient in bread, have fallen about 17% so far this year while corn is down around 26%.

The current global food crisis, however, is far from over. The WFP said last month that multiple emergencies had overlapped creating the largest and most complex hunger and humanitarian crisis in more than 70 years.

In 2022, a record 349 million people experienced acute hunger and 772,000 teetered on the edge of famine, the WFP said in an annual review.

WHAT IS THE STATE OF GLOBAL FOOD SUPPLIES?

Global corn stocks began the 2021/22 season at a six-year low and so Russia's invasion of Ukraine, one of the world's top corn exporters, led to a significant jump in prices.

A sharp increase in exports from Brazil, however, has since helped to boost supplies along with the export of nearly 17 million tonnes of corn through the corridor.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has forecast global corn stocks by the end of the 2023/24 season will be at a five-year high.

Global wheat stocks are tighter and were at a seven-year low at the end of the 2022/23 season, according to USDA data, although a slightly increase is forecast in 2023/24.

WHAT WOULD IT MEAN FOR THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME?

The WFP buys several million tonnes of food commodities every year of which about 75% are grains.

In 2021, WFP purchases totalled 4.4 million tonnes with Ukraine its top source, providing 20% of the total.

Ukraine mainly supplies wheat and split peas.

Most of the food goes to Africa along with some countries in Western Asia such as Yemen and so the WFP tends to source most supplies from eastern Europe, which is closer than major producers in North or South America.

The WFP has shipped 725,200 metric tons through the corridor. It would have to look elsewhere if it closed, potentially at a higher cost when a funding shortfall has already forced it to reduce activities in some countries.

WHAT HAS BEEN EXPORTED?

Under the pact to create a safe shipping channel, Ukraine has been able to export 32.8 million tonnes of agricultural products, including 16.8 million tonnes of corn and 8.9 million tonnes of wheat.

Before the conflict, Ukraine was exporting roughly 25 to 30 million tonnes of corn a year, mostly through the Black Sea, and 16 to 21 million tonnes of wheat.

The capacity to ship grain through the Black Sea under the pact has been limited by the inclusion of only three ports.

WHY MIGHT RUSSIA WITHDRAW FROM THE PACT?

Russia has repeatedly said it sees no grounds to extend the deal. It argues commitments made to remove obstacles to Russian food and fertiliser exports have not been fulfilled.

Moscow's demands have included the reconnection of Russian Agricultural Bank (Rosselkhozbank) to the SWIFT payment system.

Other demands include the resumption of supplies of agricultural machinery and parts, lifting restrictions on insurance and reinsurance, the resumption of the Togliatti-Odesa ammonia pipeline and the unblocking of assets and the accounts of Russian companies involved in food and fertiliser exports.

CAN THE CORRIDOR OPERATE WITHOUT RUSSIA?

Ukraine's ports were blocked until the agreement was reached in July last year and it is unclear whether it would be possible to ship grain if Russia withdrew.

Additional war risk insurance premiums, which are charged when entering the Black Sea area, would go up and shipowners could prove reluctant to allow their vessels to enter a war zone without Russia's agreement.

Insurance industry sources say that for now there is no change in cover arrangements although conditions could alter quickly. War risk insurance policies need to be renewed every seven days for ships, costing thousands of dollars.

IS THE CORRIDOR NEEDED IF UKRAINE'S HARVESTS SHRINK?

Ukraine's grain exports are forecast to fall in the 2023/24 season after the war meant farmers planted less corn and wheat.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has forecast corn exports will drop to 19 million tonnes, down from the prior season's 27 million and well below the record 30.3 million shipped in the 2018/19 season when they accounted for 17% of global trade.

Wheat exports are expected to fall to 10.5 million tonnes, down from the prior season's 16 million and well below a peak of 21 million in 2019/20 that represented 11% of world trade.

Exporting even those lower volumes of grain through the eastern European Union would, however, be logistically difficult and expensive particularly for crops grown in eastern regions of Ukraine that face a long and difficult journey just to reach the border.

CAN UKRAINE EXPORT MORE GRAIN THROUGH THE EU?

Ukraine has been exporting substantial volumes of grain through eastern EU countries since the conflict began. There have, however, been many logistical challenges including different rail gauges.

Another issue is that the flow of Ukraine grain through the eastern EU has caused unrest among farmers in the region who say it has undercut local supplies and been purchased by mills, leaving them without a market for their crops.

As a result the EU has allowed five countries - Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia - to ban domestic sales of Ukrainian wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seeds, while allowing transit for export elsewhere. As it stands this will be phased out by mid-September.

Larger harvests are also expected in the eastern EU this summer and key ports such as Constanta in Romania are expected to struggle to handle the volume of grain it is likely to receive, leading to congestion and shipping delays.

Reuters
How this film-making hill farmer is putting the spotlight on an ancient way of life thats under threat

A new film highlights how the methods of the sheep farmers of the Beara Peninsula havent changed in centuries, but with an ageing profile and few willing successors, a whole community could soon be lost for ever

Film-maker/farmer Mieke Vanmechelen and sheep farmer Connie Doyle tell the story of farming on the stunning yet challenging terrain of the Beara Peninsula in Hungry Hill, which will premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh on July 15. Photos: Boo George

Andrew Hamilton Wed 12 Jul 2023 at 10:09
Host defends himself during hours-long grilling by TDs and senators, and now embattled star is to face off with new RTE boss Kevin Bakhurst

Ryan Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly give evidence to the Public Accounts Committee at the Dail yesterday. Photo: PA

Ryan Tubridy is set for a career-defining showdown with new RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst as he battles to keep his job after accusing the national broadcaster of publishing untruths about his contract.

During six hours of committee hearings, Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly sought to shift the blame for the controversial payments on to RTE.

Breaking their silence for the first time, two of the key figures in the long-running scandal insisted they were deceived by RTE over how payments were made to the broadcasters highest-paid presenter.

In his opening address to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Tubridy angrily banged a tabled as he set out seven untruths he believed have been put into the public sphere about him  mostly by RTE.

Tubridy insisted one of those untruths was a suggestion he quit The Late Late Show because of the impending controversy surrounding undisclosed elements of his pay.

He said he was never overpaid by RTE and he was unaware that the broadcaster was concealing payments to him.

The long-serving presenter said he is anxious to return to work but admitted he could be out of a job by Friday and was waiting to speak with Mr Bakhurst.

Ryan Tubridy says he has received 'countless cards and letters' from members of the public

The presenter has not hosted his show on RTE Radio 1 since the week the scandal broke, but yesterday he told committee members that he hopes to return to the airwaves as soon as possible.

Tubridy said he will ask that his contract is published annually if he does keep his job at RTE.

In the event that I do keep my job  and it is touch and go at the moment, from my understanding of it  Id be happy to suggest that you publish my contract on an annual basis, with the earnings and the salary, straight up. If RTE is going through a catharsis this week, that is my offer, he said.

Mr Bakhurst yesterday said he would not make a rash decision or promise about Tubridys future and added that much will depend on what transpires this week at a number of committee hearings.

He also said he wanted to engage with RTE staff to get their views on Tubridy returning to air.

I am not going to shut the door right now. Honestly I want to judge it on the evidence. Im a fair person. I want to be fair to Ryan, Mr Bakhurst said.

Meanwhile, Mr Kelly was asked about Mr Bakhursts statement that he would in all likelihood not work with him again.

Mr Kelly said he is the shop steward for his clients and that he did not believe Mr Bakhursts statement was a flat no.

At two Oireachtas committee hearings yesterday, Tubridy faced a litany of questions about how his published pay was topped up by 75,000 by RTE through a UK-based barter account.

The television host said he was under the impression the payments were from Late Late Show sponsors Renault with whom RTE had organised a commercial partnership with, involving Tubridy.

However, Renault pulled out of the arrangement after the first year due to the pandemic and Tubridy revealed he has not completed his contractual engagements with the car manufacturer but said he would not be seeking payment for work he has not done.

A stand-out moment yesterday was the RTE presenter and his agents contradiction of claims by RTEs former chief financial officer Breda OKeeffe.

Ryan Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly give evidence to the Public Accounts Committee at the Dail yesterday. Photo: PA

The former CFO told an Oireachtas committee last week that Mr Kelly asked for the 75,000 to be underwritten by RTE and this was refused.

She said that as far as she was aware, this continued to be the case up until she left RTE in March 2020.

Tubridy and Mr Kelly have refuted that claim, providing the Oireachtas committees with a copy of an email from Ms OKeefe to Mr Kelly on February 20, 2020.

In the email, Ms OKeeffe was said to have stated: We can provide you with a side letter to underwrite this fee for the duration of the contract.

Mr Kelly told the committee that RTE executives had tried to blame former director general Dee Forbes for doing a solo run on the underwriting, he told the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in his opening statement.

Clearly that is not correct. The decision was taken early by RTE and was known widely within the executive board of RTE, he added.

Tubridy also insisted the oncoming scandal had no impact on his decision to leave The Late Late Show.

I will be here until the last dog barks until you believe me that decision came from my heart and soul, said Tubridy. This was a very personal decision.

Mr Kelly said that his number one client, Tubridy, has been made a poster boy for this scandal.

Ryan and I have attracted, and our families, and our friends, a horrendous, horrendous amount of criticism in the past few weeks and I would not wish it on anybody. Why? Because the only figure in this whole story whose face was recognisable was Ryan Tubridy, Mr Kelly said.

This is not the Ryan Tubridy scandal, this is the RTE scandal, he concluded in his opening statement.

The public broadcaster has rejected the claim that an incorrect version of events was provided to the committee.

The presenter also revealed how RTE gave him only 30 minutes notice before publishing a seven-page statement about his contractual arrangements, in which he was named 15 times.

Tubridy said RTE was asked to include in its statement that auditors Grant Thornton had found no wrongdoing by the presenter in their audit but the station refused to do so.

The former Late Late Show host said he has struggled to leave the house since the controversy erupted, describing it as a frenzy.

I dont know if any of you have been cancelled before, but Im telling you, you dont want it, Tubridy said.

Mr Kelly, who handles contract negotiations on behalf of Tubridy, said he never believed RTE was paying the additional payments to his client even after sponsor Renault stepped back from the commercial arrangement.

The agent said he believed the payments from the barter account, Astus, were linked to the car manufacturer.

Mr Kelly said he never wanted RTE to underwrite the additional money for his client and said the underwriting of the payment was in case of a change of sponsor.

The talent agent said he submitted what were described by TDs as false invoices for consultancy services which were, in reality, payments for Tubridy, because he was asked to do so by RTE.

Mr Kelly said his client was responsible for bringing 100m in commercial revenue into RTE during his tenure as host of The Late Late Show.

At the media committee later, Fianna Fail senator Shane Cassells noted that Tubridy earned more than 8m during his 14 years as host of RTEs most-watched television programme.

Later in the hearing, Tubridy said: The salary is enormous but that doesnt affect my soul.

Tubridy said he was advised by the late Gerry Ryan to resign as an RTE staff member and become a contractor.

He said he was not very good at finances and that is why he signed up to Mr Kellys NK Management agency.
Fianna Fail politicians are fearful of being attacked and said they feel unsafe around the gates of Leinster House due to increasing protests.

TDs and senators said they have been shouted at and are worried about being targeted and "being poked at by people outside the gates, the Fianna Fail parliamentary party heard tonight.

A number of politicians spoke on the issue, including Jenifer Murnane OConnor, Minister Mary Butler, Minister Niall Collins, Senator Eugene Murphy, John Lahart and Paul McAuliffe.

Politicians said security has deteriorated and said they feel very threatened.

There is also an increasing number of members of the public who stand in front of politicians cars when they are driving through the gates and block them, before moving away.

TD John McGuinness raised the issue and joked he wanted to bring his dogs - big German Shepherds - with him to work for security.

Sources said he told the meeting standards have gone down and several politicians agreed they were better in 2016.

Ms Butler told the meeting she is very worried about the safety of politicians nationwide and said she has had the glass doors in her constituency office changed to solid non-glass doors.

There has also been a decrease in the number of gardai around Leinster House, the meeting heard.

The abuse the gardai who work on the Leinster House gates receive is shocking, politicians were told.

One politician said a garda was verbally abused by a member of the public today with a young child.

People were very, very annoyed, said one source. Security will have to be stepped up.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin is understood to have told the meeting security is a serious situation.

Promises have been made previously by the Department of Public Expenditure to review politicians security around Leinster House.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fail will also have to push for a significant increase in roads funding as many national roads up and down the country are in the need of serious repair, the meeting was told.
Doctors warn over severe shortages of skilled staff

More than 100 doctors, who are non-specialists, have been appointed to hospital consultant posts despite concerns around patient safety, it has been claimed.

Specialist registration is the minimum standard to ensure high levels of patient care and safety, the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) warned.

As of April 17, some 930 hospital consultant posts, accounting for 22pc of all approved posts, were not filled on a permanent basis, according to its pre-Budget submission.

A new contract for hospital consultants to sign up to, worth up to 300,000 in salary and allowances, has been in place since March and is being advertised by the HSE in a bid to encourage doctors here and abroad to fill the vacancies.

The submission said the specialties with the largest percentage of permanent consultant posts either vacant or filled on a temporary or agency basis include intensive care medicine, psychiatry, medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, radiology, pathology and paediatrics.

The HSE acknowledges that an increase of 1,876 in the number of consultants working in acute public hospital-based specialties is required by 2028 to address current shortfalls and meet increased patient demand.

An analysis by the IHCA of the consultant posts advertised in 2022 reveals public hospitals and mental health services are struggling to fill consultant posts.

The closing date for a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist covering Galway, Roscommon and Mayo was extended four times from July 2022 to March 2023, as was the advertisement for a consultant microbiologist at Tullamore and Portlaoise hospitals.

In Wexford, a consultant geriatrician post has remained unfilled for more than a year. It said the deadline for a consultant histopathologist at University Hospital Galway, first advertised in April 2022, remains open.

Attempts to hire a paediatric neurologist at University Hospital Limerick in 2020, 2021 and 2022 proved unsuccessful, with a consultant providing outpatient clinics once every six weeks as an interim measure.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) scans to measure electrical activity for Limerick children have to be interpreted by a consultant in Temple Street, Dublin.

The submission said an estimated 4bn in capital funding is needed to build and open essential hospital improvements already announced by the Minister for Health that promises to significantly increase the number of acute hospital beds and theatre capacity in our public hospitals.

IHCA president Prof Rob Landers said: Successive health budgets have failed to address the root causes of the rationing of care to patients and unacceptable public hospital waiting lists, caused by significant hospital capacity deficits and shortfalls in consultant staffing, both of which are having a detrimental impact on patients and healthcare staff alike.

As predicted, we are witnessing a significant increase in the number and acuity of patients who may have deferred their care during the pandemic and are now presenting for assessment and treatment, often through emergency departments, resulting in further pressure on already overstretched public hospital facilities and staff.

 We are facing the real prospect of 250,000 hospital cancellations and a record 135,000 patients treated on trolleys in 2023 if public hospital capacity is not expanded urgently.
Protesters and legislators converged on the European Parliament in Strasbourg as the bloc prepared a cliffhanger vote on protecting its threatened nature and shielding it from disruptive environmental change, in a test of the EU's global climate credentials.

The nature restoration laws, which make way for rewilding and rewetting of land, a topic that has generated much controversy in Ireland, are in danger of failing after the European Peoples Party walked away from talks and is urging its parliamentarians to vote down the laws today.

Fine Gael is part of the EPP, however its five MEPs are planning on voting for the laws, which are being championed by environmentalists.

Speaking on RTE this morning, MEP Sean Kelly said the EPP approach was wrong and it missed the opportunity to make amendments to the law.

Rewetting has become a hot topic in Ireland among farmers, who fear rewetting of adjacent lands to bring back wildlife could waterlog their farms, or that they could be forced into it.

However the Government has sought to reassure farmers that any rewetting would be voluntary, with extra grant funding available, and that much of it could take place on state lands such as former Bord na Mona bogs.

Spurred on by climate activist Greta Thunberg, a few hundred demonstrators yesterday demanded that the EU pushes through a bill to beef up the restoration of nature in the 27-nation bloc that was damaged during decades of industrial expansion. A counterdemonstration of farmers demanded a slower approach that would lessen the impact on their income.

Inside the legislature in Strasbourg, France, parliamentarians put in last-minute efforts to sway Wednesdays vote, which could push a key part of the EU's biodiversity protection plans off the table. The legislatures environment committee last month was deadlocked at 44-44 on it.

The bill is a key part of the EUs vaunted European Green Deal that seeks to establish the world's most ambitious climate and biodiversity targets and make the bloc the global point of reference on all climate issues. The plans proposed by the EUs executive commission set binding restoration targets for specific habitats and species, with the aim by 2030 to cover at least 20pc of the regions land and sea areas.

This is really a crunch moment, not only for Green Deal, but also whether Europe stands by its word," said Greens leader Terry Reintke. Are we the ones that are talking and telling us what to do but not doing it ourselves?"

The EUs executive commission wants the nature restoration law to be a key part of the system since it is necessary for the overall deal to have the maximum impact. Others say that if the EU fails on the nature restoration law, it would indicate an overall fatigue on climate issues.

The bill long looked like a shoo-in as it gathered widespread support in member nations and was staunchly defended by the EU's executive commission and its president Ursula von der Leyen.

TDs clash on Nature Restoration Law in the Dail

But von der Leyen's own political group, the Christian Democrat European People's Party, turned sour on it and now vehemently opposes it, claiming it will affect food security and undermine the income of farmers and disgruntle a European population focused more on jobs and their wallets. Like some nations and leaders, they want to hit pause such far-reaching climate legislation.

For the next five years we have to care a lot about our industrial base. You have to care a lot about competitiveness in the European Union. So we have to manage the big changes needed in a way that we dont lose economic power, said EPP chief Manfred Weber.

As the largest group, with 177 seats in the 705-seat legislature, its opposition has been key in turning the issue into a hot political debate. And on Tuesday few ventured to predict which way the vote would go.

The member states have already agreed by a large majority to back a slightly more flexible version of the bill. If parliament backs the plan on Wednesday both institutions would sit down to broker a final layout in the second half of the year.

The commission has said there is no reason to reject the plan now as too rigid, since there is still time for compromises on many of the issues.

EU Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius said the commission would show "openness to revisit and improve certain provisions and to enhance clarity, making sure the proposal reflects the current reality.

If parliament rejects the plan Wednesday, it would be sent back to the drawing board and it's unlikely anything would emerge ahead of the June EU parliament elections next year. And that would undermine the EU's credibility abroad since it has put so much into its vaunted Green Deal.

This law is nothing less than the flagship initiative of the European Green Deal," Sinkevicius said.

The Green Deal includes a wide range of measures, from reducing energy consumption to sharply cutting transportation emissions and reforming the EUs trading system for greenhouse gases.

Beyond environmental protesters, hundreds of international scientists and even a large group of multinationals have called for the adoption of the EU's nature restoration law.
A schoolboy, who was injured when his science teacher accidentally dropped a phial of sulfuric acid during an experiment, has been awarded 12,000 damages in the Circuit Civil Court.

Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain said Cian Dillon (17) had grown a fringe to camouflage two permanent scars on his forehead. He also had a scar on the back of his right hand.

Barrister Liofa Beechinor told the court that Cian, of Ardmore Walk, Tallaght, Dublin, was injured in a classroom incident in 2019 at Old Bawn Community School, Dun an Oir, Tallaght.

The court heard that Cian and his classmates had been invited to stand around a desk to observe an experiment involving the mixing of sulfuric acid with water. His science teacher accidentally dropped the acid which splashed onto his forehead and the back of his right hand.

During a hearing for the assessment of damages Cian said he had been treated in the burns section of Tallaght Hospital. He was very conscious of the scarring.

Judge Ni Chulachain said that while there had been some permanent scarring there had been a gradual improvement since the accident.

Awarding him damages of 12,000 and costs, the judge said Cian had managed reasonably successfully to camouflage the marks on his forehead.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has refused demands that he apologise for saying that plenty of people are turning down offered accommodation in the midst of the greatest housing emergency Ireland has ever experienced.

Sinn Fein rounded on him today, claiming he was blaming the homeless for their own plight, with angry words sparking unruly Dail scenes.

Mr Varadkar eventually defused the issue by saying he was happy to substitute the word some for plenty, insisting that it was still the case that there were refusals.

Pearse Doherty had earlier furiously protested: You knew exactly what you were doing.

You were shifting the blame of the housing crisis from the Government  which is responsible for this  onto the shoulders of the victims.

And you have not even decided to apologise for that.

Mr Doherty said the context, which the Taoiseach and ministers did not want to see, was that homelessness was never as bad.

He said 3,700 children woke up this morning with nowhere to call home. We have targets on social and affordable houses that are far too low  and you even miss them.

We have an entire generation which believes that they will never own a home in this state. That is why they're deciding to pack their bags and go to Sydney, London and Canada.

You made those comments yesterday and you made them deliberately.

Mr Varadkar responded: There are lots of individual cases. Everyone has their story and everyone's story is different. That's the truth of it.

It's a simple fact that there are people who are on the housing list have refused offers of accommodation, and in some cases, multiple offers of accommodation. Mr Varadkar conceded that this was often for good reasons, and this in turn was the cause of the Government opting instead of offer a menu of possible homes to people.

We have choice-based setting now so that people have more choice around the offer they get, and that's been a big success, he said.

Mr Varadkar added: The Deputy took a huge leap to say that stating the fact that people refuse offers of accommodation is somehow blaming them.

But Mr Doherty insisted: You should apologise for it. Not very many of the 12,400 people have been offered accommodation.

You know that fine well, and you should apologize for putting the blame on the housing crisis on their shoulders.

It is disgraceful. They have enough to deal with without you trying to blame them.

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns returned to the issue later. She told Mr Varadkar the comments were shameful  and beneath you and your office.

There has been a 65pc increase in homelessness for children in the last year alone, she said.

She said to the Taoiseach, that because he had apparent outrage about it being referenced this morning, she wanted to directly quote him.

You said there are lots of people in emergency accommodation and have refused multiple offers of social housing. She added: You're honing in on that, even though there's this whole other big picture in relation to homelessness.

You're the Taoiseach of the country. You can't say things like that  and then feign outrage when people hear exactly the same thing.

Mr Varadkar said: I'm happy to rephrase it is helpful. If I said plenty or lots of, then I'm happy to happy to use the term some.

I was specifically asked about people who are in emergency accommodation for several years. And I know some of those cases, because I'm trying to help those people.

And in some cases, people have been offered accommodation and have turned it down. And there are people on the social housing list who are offered accommodation, and have turned it down.

Sometimes they do for very good reasons, and I acknowledged that.

But to try to twist that and make out that somehow I'm blaming people for the housing crisis, that's just fake. That's populism. It's misrepresentation, and it's beneath you.
Your editorial (The Norths community leaders can help unionist politicians off their high Brexit rock, Irish Independent, July 10) includes the following salient points:

Some people south of the Border have struggled to empathise with the Orange tradition of tens of thousands of loyalist people in the North marching and celebrating their traditions. But greater acceptance of cultural diversity on all sides of this island is vital if we are to have the lasting peace and prosperity everyone yearns for and deserves. Unionist and loyalist people in the North are entitled to celebrate and march in peace

But for many generations, the loyal and Orange orders have had a strong influence over the politics of unionism.

Tom Cooper (Burning of effigies is an act of racism and should be treated as such, Irish Independent, Letters, July 11) illustrates the other side of the coin, in particular in this quote: In the context of an explicitly Protestant celebration, it is sectarian. Incredibly, many grand officers of the Orange Order are also Church of Ireland ministers.

What many fail to realise is that the Protestant religion is Orthodox Catholic; its members celebrate the Eucharist and read the same Gospels as all members of the entire Christian religions do. I would say many involved in the sectarian side of the Glorious Twelfth rarely attend a church or read any religious tract, let alone the Bible.

In his book Jesus and the Disinherited, US mystic and author Howard Thurman writes: Above and beyond all else, it must be borne in mind that hatred tends to dry up the springs of creative thought in the life of the hater, so that his resourcefulness becomes completely focused on the negative aspects of his environment.

The urgent needs of the personality for creative expression are starved to death. A mans horizon may become so completely dominated by the intense character of his hatred that there remains no creative residue in his mind and spirit to give to great ideas, to great concepts.

Mystics preach: God has loving room for all of us  even those we consider enemies. An insistence that everyone is a child of God.

There is great hope in the final sentence of the editorial: This marching season in the North can become an unlikely turning point for change for the better.

Declan Foley Melbourne, Australia

Read more Letters: Sell Montrose and get rid of commercial division to see any real change at RTE

Church of Ireland has issues to address and being excluded is one

Tom Cooper (Burning of effigies is an act of racism and should be treated as such, Irish Independent, Letters, July 11) asks if members should question the Church of Irelands Orange Order links. Earl Storeys Traditional Roots (2002) is an excellent book that explores this issue.

Our church has glaring difficulties with discrimination, hatred, prejudice and the cover-up of abuse.

I was ordained a number of years ago after completing a two-year training programme. But I felt savagely excluded from any further opportunity on account of being unmarried.

Name and address with the Editor

Read more Sean OGrady: Trial by Twitter desperately unfair in BBC scandal

RTE deserves praise for its documentary on cruel practices in dairy industry

No doubt RTE would like a letter of praise in these rocky times. Well, its certainly well deserved after the RTE Investigates documentary, broadcast on July 10, on the subject of animal abuse, especially through the practice of live export of male calves.

The programme revealed the dark side of the dairy industry, in which bull calves are considered an undesirable side-effect of milk production and a nuisance to profits.

These young bull calves are considered worthless as they are unsuitable for beef production. Some cannot even fetch a single euro at a mart.

The result is incredible cruelty in which the unfortunate creatures are either killed or packed off to Europe, destined for the cruel veal market.

Even the most ardent of meat-eaters would surely be horrified at the heartless and sometimes vicious treatment of these innocent animals, some as young as two weeks old.

Well done to the RTE Investigates team for highlighting outrageous practices that must be stopped.

Sinead Boland

Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow

Elected leaders should try doing the jobs of TV reps who they have shredded

Having reflected on the proceedings of the past fortnight, I am feeling more despondent about the elected senators and TDs than the RTE managers who were sent like lambs to the slaughter at the committee meetings.

I would be more interested in an FoI for the notes taken at these meetings by our elected representatives to see if the questions they asked differed from those that their paid advisers had penned for them. It was as if they could not diverge from the questions on their sheet despite the previous responses given.

Did any of these committee members actually query the commercial costs of doing business with respect to the client-wooing that is common across a wide range of industries including advertising, and how did it compare to Virgin Media, ITV or Channel 4, for example?

Toy Show The Musical was, to quote the executives, a five-year plan. Most business initiatives lose money in the first two years, so I wonder if this project had been allowed to run a few more years could it have been as successful as the Toy Show itself in years to come? Instead, it has been strangled on the first run out with no opportunity to recoup costs.

How many committee members know how to read a financial statement and understand that a nominal account, such as the barter was, may have numerous accounts feeding into it? I wonder how many of our inept elected leaders could actually do the jobs of the RTE representatives that they so slaughtered?

Kathryn Clarke

Letterkenny, Co Donegal

Public Order legislation robust enough to deal with protests outside hospitals

As a young garda in the 1990s, I brought many young women and one older lady to the sexual assault treatment unit in the Rotunda Hospital.

Consequently I am acutely aware that many sad stories regularly play out there, and I do not believe that protests should take place directly outside hospitals.

I agree with Health Minister Stephen Donnellys assertion that everyone should be protected from harassment, insults or intimidation.

I suggest, however, that he read the Public Order Act 1994, which is more than adequate to deal with all incidents of extremism and public disorder. I am deeply concerned that due process is not taking place regarding the Safe Access Zones Bill currently being proposed.

Una OConnor

Clane, Co Kildare
Social Science Foundation CEO Brendan Whelan said one-third of its loan book is comprised of bridging loans.

COMMUNITY groups organisations across Cork benefited to the tune of 3.3 million last year through loans facilitated by the State backed, not-for-profit Social Science Foundation.

The Foundation was established in 2007 by Government under the umbrella of the European Investment Fund to address the needs of eligible community groups and social enterprises who have experienced difficulties securing vital loans for local projects from mainstream financial institutions.

Essentially acting as a wholesaler the foundation, whose motto is Finance for Social Good operates under a unique funding model in Ireland where the State and banks work together to provide loan funding at competitive rates to organisations through its lending partners Clann Credo and Community Finance Ireland.

The funding provided to Cork groups for projects last year, when added to pre-existing loans, brings the total value of Social Finance Foundation loans to community groups across the county to more than 7.3 million.

The foundation is now advising community groups in Cork they can apply for loan funding under the initiative of between 10,000 and 500,000 through its designated lending partners.

Social Finance Foundation CEO Brendan Whelan said loan funding is available across nine categories covering community & voluntary, sports, social enterprises, healthcare, social care, housing, childcare, education, the arts, heritage & tourism and climate/environment related projects.

We are seeing a notable increase in applications from the environmental and biodiversity sector, which we are keen to grow as a percentage of our lending. Similarly, we also want to foster more social enterprises in communities, said Mr Whelan.

Applications are processed within a few weeks with personal interaction a key feature of the lending process. This results in a high approval rate for loan applications, he added.

Mr Whelan said a key feature of the foundations operating model was the provision of bridging loans.

Community groups are often in receipt of grants which are only paid when the work is completed and hence the importance to have bridging finance for the development which is then repaid when the grant is received, said Mr Whelan.

Approximately one third of the loan book is comprised of bridging loans, he added.

For more information about the Social Finance Foundation and the loan application process visit www.sff.ie.
A screenshot from the RTE Investigates - Dairy's Dirty Secrets documentary which shows a calf falling to the ground while getting on a lorry at Kanturk Mart.

The staff of Kanturk Mart were not involved in the ill-treatment of calves depicted in an RTE Investigates documentary screened on Monday night, the manager of the mart has told The Corkman.

According to Seamus OKeeffe, whos been manager of Kanturk Mart for 23 years, the secret filming shown on the RTE Investigates programme which showed bull calves being manhandled and, in one case, a calf fell to the ground as it was boarding a truck, but these instances did not involve mart staff.

In other marts such as Corrin Mart near Fermoy or Bandon Mart, and marts in Kerry and Tipperary, other examples of mistreatment were shown on the latest edition of the RTE Investigates series.

RTE filmed at several Irish marts and saw some handlers treat young calves capably and with respect. But others, including mart workers, farmers and transporters, showed a blatant disregard for animal welfare.

RTE said that its undercover filming captured what appeared to be serious breaches of animal welfare. The documentary showed examples of slapping, striking and kicking of animals, all prohibited by law, as well as throwing them mid-air which is regarded as a serious breach of animal welfare.

The film which also highlighted a recent sharp increase in calves being delivered for slaughter to meat processing plants, a practice widely condemned in the industry.

The Kanturk mart manager admitted he was dismayed at what he had seen on the programme aired on Monday night.

"The only thing we can say is we were appalled and we were surprised at what was filmed, it shouldnt have happened, a calf was hit with a stick and a calf fell off the lorry which can happen but, as I already stated, it didnt involve mart staff, said Seamus OKeeffe.

"The majority of farmers look after their calves and we look after the animals to the best of our ability here and obviously this shouldnt have happened.

Were certainly going to investigate it so that this kind of thing doesnt happen again  theres no point in denying it, we cant deny what we saw at other marts as well.

"We pride ourselves  and Ive spent 23 years in Kanturk  in looking after animals, we have a budget for feeding calves or cattle that are collected late at night, I can stand over that.

99% of people look after their animals, but some can be careless.

Mr. OKeeffe said that the current situation was a result of the massive growth of the dairy sector which was encouraged by the Government through its advice agency, Teagasc.

"The whole dairy sector has got too big and that was on the advice of Teagasc on farm expansion.

They never realised that all these cows, which are great for the industry, they all would calve in the spring and there were no preparations made for all these calves for export or to find homes for them when theyre a month old or two months old, thats the reality of it.

While the focus of the RTE Investigates edition was partly on the treatment of calves at certain marts, a large segment of the documentary also focused on the transport of calves for slaughter to the continent.

He described as fair comment a suggestion from an unlikely source featured on the programme, an animal rights activist, that a slaughtering facility for calves bound for export should be built in Ireland rather than forcing the calves to be exported for slaughter on the continent, an ordeal involving long journeys in crowded trucks and, according to the RTE Investigates programme, there was a strong suspicion that animals were not being fed or watered adequately.

"Calves should not leave the farm until theyre at least 21 days of age and, as well as that, fed

"Thats the first thing that should be said,

"And the people that have a lot of cows and produce a lot of calves should be in a position to rear them until they are at least three weeks old.

"There is no market for calves that 10 days old and that kind of stuff.

He said that sex semen which leads to substantially more valuable heifer calves being born than Friesian bull calves was a great development but no matter what breed or gender the calf that was born, it still had to be fed.

"The big dairy people havent time or havent help to be able to feed their calves for three or four weeks before theyre sold and these are the people that are causing a huge problem.

"Its not the smaller farmer thats producing 60 or 70 cows, theyre not the people causing the problem with calves  its the bigger producers and thats due to advice from authorities, they were told to expand and they expanded when the quotas went six or eight years ago.

When asked whether the Government had played its part in the resulting scandal as depicted on the RTE Investigates programme, Mr. OKeeffe said there was no question about it.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Cork Marts, which manages both Corrin and Bandon Marts, the board and management of the company said it had been agreed that all staff at Corks Marts would undergo further animal-welfare handling training and all actions deemed necessary to protect the welfare of the animals presented at the marts for sale would also be taken.

We are very disappointed at the behaviour towards calves shown in the footage from our marts featured in this programme, the statement said.

The mart group said that the actions shown in the footage were certainly not acceptable and cannot be defended.

It added that the actions seen during the RTE programme were contrary to their animal welfare policy.
St Werburgh's Church is said to be in a 'dangerous' state of disrepair

A vacant church of historical architectural significance in Dublin city centre may be restored at a cost of 5m.

Essential repairs and refurbishment works are required on St Werburghs Church in the south inner city to repurpose the building as an arts, cultural and tourism venue.

The 18th century church has remained closed for a number of years due its dangerous state of disrepair.

Supporting plans for a restoration, councillor Mannix Flynn said the building is in danger of simply going on fire, its all wood.

Cllr Flynn said the sensitive building contains rare structures, such as its organ.

It is an awful pity, over the years, that the people in Christchurch didnt bring this building to the attention of the council beforehand. Its in a very serious state, he said.

Dublin city councillors voted to proceed with a part-8 planning to restore the church, which involves moving the main entrance to the back of the building to allow universal pedestrian access.

This would involve seeking permission from the OPW and building a ramped platform linking through the graveyard to the east end of the church.

Plans also involve making a hole in a historical wall at the back of the church.

It would not interfere with the graveyard, said Owen Keegan, Chief Executive of DCC.

Existing view of the graveyard at St Werburgh's Church

Mr Keegan said the church is a gem and well worth preserving.

There is a shortage of venues of this size that would be capable of hosting choirs, small scale orchestras, events and other musical offerings, he said.

Mr Keegan said part-8 planning is necessary as it is a fairly significant intervention that is being proposed to the rear.

The wall of that laneway is in itself historic, so its not absolutely certain that we would get the necessary approval, he said.

DCC has applied for 75pc of the funding from the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) and the council will be responsible for funding the remaining 1.25m.

Concerns have been raised over the possibility of the local authority not receiving the URDF funding and a repeat of overspending occurring.

What happens if the UDRF funding is not forthcoming, like what happened with the ill-fated white water rafting where we spent almost 2m and were left red-faced? said councillor Danny Byrne.

Mr Keegan said: Im reasonably confident that the 5m would be close enough.

There is always a risk with older buildings when we actually get on site, but we have made provision for significant contingency.

The church is currently operated by Christchurch, and in return for taking over the management, DCC would take on two 20-year leases at a cost of 1 per annum.

The building would be run by Dublin City Council Culture Company, which also runs 14 Henrietta Street.

The Great Pulpit will be removed as part of works on the interior

Christchurch would still have access to the church free of service and it would also be open for other religious denominations for a fee.

Restoration work of the building includes refurbishing the stone steps onto Werburgh Street, provision of visitor facilities at the existing Sextons House, replacing two poor quality buildings and building a new glazed block facing the graveyard.

Inside the church, two areas of pews will be removed, as well as the alter rail and relocation of the Great Pulpit to a suitable off-site location.

New heating and ventilation will be installed, the doorway to the north side of the chancel will be widened and stonework will be repaired.
Songwriters at the retreat have worked with international stars such as Ariana Grande

Ambitious musicians are being given the chance to work with some of the top songwriters in the world.

Those who wrote hit music for the likes of Britney Spears, Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande will be in Balbriggan for the International Songwriting Retreat from July 24-30.

The Irish Institute of Music and Song is hosting this seven-day retreat held on their purpose-built music campus.

It will give songwriters the opportunity to work and learn from some of the best mentors in the business.

The retreat includes on-site accommodation in modern Japanese-style pods, with all meals from the onsite restaurant will be covered too.

There is also the cheaper non-resident package option available for those who dont need to stay during the duration of the program.

There will also be access to private rehearsal spaces and VIP membership to six music industry talks in the evening which will be presented by well-known musicians and songwriters Paddy Casey and Duke Special.

The IMRO CEO, Victor Finn, said: We are very excited about working with the Irish Institute of Music and Song and supporting their new initiative, the International Songwriting Retreat.

A big part of our mission at IMRO is being committed to creators. Alongside that, its to educate, thats why we sponsored two scholarship places on the retreat, giving songwriters the opportunity to learn, develop and ultimately grow.

All retreat attendees will get to work with mentors who have written music for some of the worlds biggest record labels, including Universal, Warner and Sony.

Big names include Rob Wells from Canada, who has written songs for Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Selena Gomez; and Maria Christensen from Los Angeles, who has written music for Jennifer Lopez and Celine Dion.

The Irish Institute of Music and Song in Balbriggan will host the songwriting retreat

Other mentors include, Shridhar Solanki from the UK, who has worked with Dua Lipa, Andrea Bocelli, Craig David and Carrie Underwood; and Irish woman Ruth-Anne Cunningham, now based in LA, who has written music for Britney Spears, The Corrs and One Direction.

Irish Institute of Music and Song CEO, Michael T Dawson, added: We have been working on this retreat for a few years now and are very excited it is finally taking place in July.

We are very proud to partner with IMRO who sponsored two songwriting scholarship places on the retreat.

This opportunity is second to none as the calibre of mentors on the course is literally world class.

The Irish Institute of Music and Song is a world-facing, not for profit, music organisation that provides unique music experiences and programmes to individuals, communities, and businesses worldwide. It is Irelands only purpose-built music education campus.

The campus consists of a music academy, accommodation, wellness retreats, cafe and restaurant.

Opening this summer is a new state-of-the art 400-seat concert hall, called The Lark, which will host live music, theatre, comedy and more.
MANAGEMENT at Cork Airport have said they expect 2023 to the busiest year in the airports history.

In the first six months of the year 1,292,000 passenger travelled through the facility  one of the main arrival points for visitors to Kerry  which represents an increase of seven per cent on the same period, pre-pandemic, in 2019.

The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), which operates both Dublin and Cork airports, has forecast that around 2.7 million passengers will have travelled through the airport by the end of the year.

Almost 1.3 million passengers have flew in and out of Cork Airport in the first six months of the year. 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, said DAA CEO Kenny Jacobs.

This growth is facilitated by an excellent airport experience, friendly staff, and an excellent choice of routes.

I expect that growth to continue through winter, with Aer Lingus recently announcing new winter services to Lyon and Tenerife, along with frequency increases on service to Lanzarote. There will be more good news for passengers across the south of Ireland soon as the team at Cork Airport work with our airline customers to finalise details of even more new routes, said Mr Jacobs.
POLISH discount retail chain Pepco will open their latest Irish outlet in Tralee this weekend.

The opening of the new store on Saturday follows the extension and complete refurbishment of the Dealz outlet at Abbeycourt.

The Pepco brand is owned by Dealz parent company Pepco Group, which is head-quartered in Warsaw, Poland. Pepco Group also owns Poundland in the UK. The group has over 4,000 stores across 19 European countries including 80 in Ireland.

The Tralee outlet will be the seventh Dealz store in Ireland to be rebranded as a Pepco store and the first in Munster.

Pepco outlets  higher quality versions of the groups typical Dealz and Poundland stores  offer a full range of adult and childrens clothing, general merchandise and homewares which are sold at similar prices to existing Dealz offerings.

Were delighted at the initial reaction to our Pepco stores in Ireland and were extremely excited to be opening our newest Pepco store in Tralee this week after a top-to-bottom refurbishment and extension, said Trading Country Operations Manager for both Pepco and Dealz in Ireland Olivia McLoughlin.

Weve been working hard to transform the store from a Dealz to a Pepco and to bring the items that we know our customers already love along with much more, Ms McLoughlin said.

We know purse strings are tight for many families throughout Ireland and thats why we also know the value we offer will matter.

The first 50 customers at the new Tralee Pepco shop will receive a 100 voucher for the store.
Mart manager says some of the behaviour shown in RTE Investigates documentary on Monday night is unacceptable

Castleisland Livestock Co-Op Mart manager Nelius McAuliffe has said he will support any investigation the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will take following the airing last night of RTE Investigates documentary Dairys Dirty Secret.

The Fran McNulty-led investigation monitored animal-welfare issues within the Irish dairy sector, including at marts, and the documentary featured video footage from two Kerry marts: Castleisland and Gortatlea.

One of the clips from Castleisland showed a man apparently grabbing, slapping, and kicking calves while trying to corral them within the mart complex.

The documentary alleged that a person twisted or pulled a calfs tail on mart grounds while handling the animal, and a clip showed a man twisting a calfs ear.

Another clip showed an individual loading a calf into a trailer, on top of other calves. Mr McAuliffe said the person in this clip is not a mart employee.

Mr McAuliffe told The Kerryman that all calves are fed by farmers prior to coming to the mart, and any remaining calves on the premises at 7pm are fed milk, and bedded on straw.

A clip also saw the documentary team going to Castleisland Mart on a Sunday night, claiming they had received information suggesting a truck would show up and take away unwanted stock, free of charge. The truck did not appear on the night, and Mr McAuliffe said that no such practice takes place at the Mart, adding that all calves are sold through the live ring.

Mr McAuliffe has managed Castleisland Mart since 2021 but his association with it goes back to 1987, when he started out there as a drover. He has also managed Dingle Mart since 2006, and he insisted the practices seen at marts in the RTE documentary do not occur in Dingle.

Mr McAuliffes statement, released to The Kerryman, said some of these occurrences that can be seen are unacceptable.

He said Castleisland Mart will review the footage aired and address the issues that arise with all staff. This will involve, at a minimum, further animal-welfare training and awareness at Castleisland Mart, he said.

These instances are no way representative of the required high standards and values that are observed and practised by our mart and by farmers all over Ireland, who are compassionate and caring for their livestock, he said.

We will review the clips shown and address these serious issues...which will at a minimum involve further animal-welfare training and awareness. Mishandling and mistreatment of livestock, particularly of calves, is certainly not acceptable and cannot be defended.

We welcome an investigation into any alleged incidences of animal cruelty by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and we will support the investigation in relation to these matters.

We are, of course, very disappointed that this has happened, and it is the exception rather than the norm. We have designated calf day on Mondays, and this allows us, the mart, to provide better accommodation, and the calves are afforded more care and attention.

Castleisland is home to the calf, and we will endeavour to continue to provide a service to the farmers of Kerry, Cork and Limerick. Management and staff are committed to maintaining the high standards it has set. We will strive to continuously improve our service to both farmers and livestock.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 11th
Kerry politician said frightening rise in abortion needs more emphasis put on sex education and contraceptives

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae is calling for more secondary school education for girls on contraceptives and on being careful when it comes to having sex.

The Deputy made the claim during Tuesdays Dail debate on the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023, saying he was frightened at the rise in abortions in Ireland with 8,156 terminations recorded in 2022.

He said education in secondary schools is important and that we should place our emphasis on that.

Consider what the 8,156 little babies could contribute to our country in the years ahead. That is what is sad about all this, that we are not making a better effort to ensure these little babies get the chance to live, he said.

I am sorry there is not more emphasis on education given to young girls on the availability of contraceptives and on being careful. Education at secondary schools is very important, Deputy Healy-Rae said.

The deputy added that he was strongly against the idea of implementing exclusion zones around clinics to prevent public demonstrations in places where terminations take place, saying he doesnt believe it is necessary.

We do not have these kinds of demonstrations, that I know of, on my side of the country, in our county. In a lot of places, we have practising GPs whom people go to daily, he said.

"How will these zones be marked for people who do not know where those GPs are? Someone could be within such an exclusion zone unwittingly. Are we going to mark these places or what? This is shocking and not needed, Danny Healy-Rae said.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae also voiced his opposition to the Bill saying that of the 8,156 abortion procedures in 2022, a total of 22 were performed due to a risk to life or health; four were emergency situations, and 88 were carried out due to fatal foetal abnormalities.

The remaining terminations - 8,042  were conducted in early pregnancy under the provisions of section 12 of the Act.

I would like in my short contribution to think of no one else except the unborn people. I am not just calling them babies; they were people. They would have been people if they had been born and not aborted, said Michael Healy-Rae.

Not only are the statistics extremely concerning, but to me, they are shameful, in that this is not what I believe people wanted or were looking for, but it is what they got, he said.

Michael Healy-Rae also took aim at some politicians over their insistence in advocating for the legalisation of abortion in Ireland. He accused the Government and Opposition of being hell-bent on it.

In many cases, they wet a finger and saw which way the wind was blowing. Those politicians did not lead. They followed the wind and the media.

"They followed the newspaper editorials that said this was what Ireland desperately needed to become more modern and European and to move out of the doldrums. I do not think it is what we need, said Michael Healy-Rae.
Tralee Aqua Dome Manager Mags OSullivan and members of the team with the Tripadvisor Best of the Best award recently presented to the attraction.

IT has been a memorable week for the Tralee Aqua Dome which has just been listed among the very best attractions in the world by travel website Tripadvisor.

The Aqua Dome has been Awarded Best of the Best status in the 2023 Tripadvisor Travellers Choice awards and is now ranked in their top one per cent of things to do worldwide.

The facility on Tralees Dan Spring Road has been ranked in 18th place in the list of top amusement and water parks in Europe.

The ranking  which sees the Aqua Dome listed alongside the likes of Legoland and Disneyland Paris  is based on reviews and ratings collected over the last year.

The staff in the Aqua Dome said they are delighted to receive the Best of the Best award and were thrilled to be recognized among the best attractions in Ireland and Worldwide thanks to outstanding visitor reviews and ratings on Tripadvisor.

Tripadvisor has recognised travellers favourite things to do around the world and it is their opinions and stories that have helped the Aqua Dome win this prestigious award.

Tripadvisor said the website awards its Travellers Choice Best of the Best awards to experiences and attractions with a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from its users over a 12-month period.

Each winner has passed our rigorous trust and safety standards. Fewer than one per cent of Tripadvisors eight million listings are awarded Best of the Best, signifying the highest level of excellence in travel.

The Tripadvisor website  which includes over 900 reviews of the Tralee attraction  describe the Aqua Dome as a fantastic family facility, thats great fun for all the family from the slides to the rapids and an ideal place to go on a rainy day.
Cllr Sinead Maguire said it was her understanding that those who provide the paramedical service would not be in a position to offer the level of care that was being currently provided

Lonrach Solas the resident rescue helicopter at Sligo Airport in Strandhill but the new contract has been awarded to a new provider.

A motion from Councillor Sinead Maguire regarding the recent award of the provision of the new Irish Coast Guard search and rescue contract to Bristow Ltd, asked the council write to Ministers Eamon Ryan, Jack Chambers and Hildegarde Naughton seeking assurances from them that the award of this contract will not result in a downgrading of the rescue service.

Cllr Maguire said that people had raised concerns with her that those who had been awarded the contract may not have the same facilities which would mean the current service would be downgraded.

She said it was her understanding that those who provide the paramedical service would not be in a position to offer the level of care that was being currently provided.

This was very important for a county like Sligo that relies so much on that vital service, she said.

When people are brought from accidents, from the sea, from the mountains they get a very high level of care from highly trained people.

Cllr Maguire said it was her understanding that those who had been awarded the contract may not be in a position to give that second level of care which could result in the loss of life on the western seaboard.

She was asking for support for the motion to ensure that those who had been awarded the contract will be able to provide the same level of medical care.

In supporting the motion Cllr Thomas Walsh said he hoped the level of service would remain and Sligo was the busiest coastguard base in the country.

It was vital that the level of expertise built up over a long time be maintained as much as possible.

Cllr Donal Gilroy said it was vital that the service be maintained, and he felt the Council should pay tribute to the company who had the contract for the last 13 years, for the service they provided, for the number of lives they have saved and the speed with which they responded was unbelievable and they were so dedicated to their work.
The search for missing Sligo man David Slanina has been stood down following the discovery of a body on Wednesday afternoon.

The 22-year-old was reported missing from his home in Grange after he did not return having gone for a run.

An intensive search got underway in North Sligo, involving An Garda Siochana, Sligo Leitrim Mountain Rescue Team, Northern Ireland Mountain Rescue Team, Rescue 118, SARDA, Donegal Mountain Rescue, Mayo Mountain Rescue, Galway Mountain Rescue, Irish Defence Forces and huge numbers of volunteers.

Rescue teams met daily at Henrys Bar.

The search was stood down on the fourth day.

A statement from An Garda Siochana said: Following the discovery of a body in Sligo this afternoon, the missing person appeal for David Slanina has been stood down.
Photo of the Bunclody Church Choir from the mid 1950s. One lady, Marie Hayes (nee Kelly) (2nd lady in the back row) is still an active member of Bunclody Church Choir today. St Brigids Choir (Sr. Rita's Choir) Back Row: Breda Byrne, Marie Kelly, Maureen Nolan, Peg Booth, Tess Nolan, Jean Kavanagh, Rose OLoughlin and Tess OLeary. Middle row: Maureen Booth, Dolores McDonald, Nancy Kelly, Cassie Shanley, Maggie Brennan, Lucy Wall, Lily Byrne, Nan Byrne and Marie Dillon. Front row: Lizzie Tyrell, Eileen Brennan, Alice Murphy, Margaret Kelly, Lily Mahon, Treasa Grimes and Teresa Kehoe.

Bunclody camogie club will have a Clothes Collection in the GAA pitch to raise funds for the club.

It will take place from Monday, July 10, to Friday, July 14.

Bags of clothes can be dropped at the green container at the bottom pitch between 7 and 8 p.m. any of these evenings. Members of the camogie committee will be there to take these bags.

Bunclody camogie club would appreciate any support.

Church gate collection

Bunclody Home Care Cancer annual church gate collection will take place the week ending July 15 and 16. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Friday coffee mornings at St Marys Rectory

Friday coffee mornings season at the Marquee in the scenic grounds of St Marys Rectory, Bunclody, Y21 CV 44 have resumed for July and August. So come along to the Rectory to meet and chat with people  the Friday coffee mornings continue each Friday throughout July and August.

Swimming Pool Draw

June winners of the Swimming Pool draw were: First Paddy, Edward, Cathal, Roise Dunbar; second Linda Kehoe. Third Anne Kelly.

Thank you to all who continue to support Bunclody Swimming Pool.

The Mall Market

The Mall Market is up and running for 2023 on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and every Saturday, weather permitting.

The market is a mixture of handmade crafts, baking, jams, flowers, ladies once-off tops, beautiful knitting, crystals, jewellery bits and pieces, second hand clothes, flowers, Bunclody honey, handmade cards by Marie in which funds go to cancer care, cushions and handmade toys by Ella, a selection of doggy straps and Niall Toner leather, handmade leather bags.

Mens Shed

Bunclody Mens Shed opening times are Monday and Friday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday evening 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

New members always welcome. For more information, phone Peter at 087 6631588 or Jonathan at 089 4972664.

GAA lotto

There was no jackpot winner of last weeks Half-Way-House/Bunclody GAA Club lotto Draw. The numbers drawn were 2, 10, 30 and 31. Two match-three winners each receive 50. They were Jim Raleigh and Michael Fitzgerald Jnr.

The next draw is on Monday, July 17, in Kehoes Bar when the jackpot will be 11,100.

Bunclody Library

The following events are taking place in Bunclody Library in the coming weeks.

Summer Stars Craft Thursday, July 13, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Join us for a special Summer Stars craft event, suitable for children aged four to eight years. Booking essential, as places are limited. Please book for the child only. Parents are asked to stay in the library for the duration of the event. Please contact the library on 05393 75466.

Rhymetime for 0-5 years every Wednesday at 11.15 a.m.

Due to overwhelming demand, we are dedicating our Wednesday mornings at 11.15 a.m. to Rhymetime for 0-5 years for the months of July and August. Rhymetime will have lots of fun nursery rhymes and stories suitable for babies and toddlers. No booking required.

Interview Preparation Talk with Alan Maher Thursday, July 13, at 7 p.m.

Having worked with thousands of interview candidates since 1999 and also having been an interviewer on numerous interview panels, Alan will share his tips and views on how to present the best and most authentic version of yourself at a job interview. Key topics such as preparing properly for an interview, communication and presentation skills, key questions and tackling competency-based interviews will all be covered. To book a space, please ring the library on 05393 75466.

Bedtime Storytime with Laura Thursday, July 20, at 7 p.m.

Join Laura for a very special summer Stars Bedtime Storytime where we will be showcasing some of the amazing Bedtime Stories collection available here at the library. Suitable for children aged three to seven years. Sensory toys will be available for the children after the storytime. Children are invited to wear their cosy pjyamas and bring a special teddy with them. To book a space, please ring the library on 05393 75466.

Join us for a special summer Stars Storytime. Places limited, booking essential.

To book events, please telephone 053 9375466 or book online at wexfordcoco.libcal.com.

Dont forget to register for the summer Stars Reading Adventure.

Digital Radon Monitors  Do you want to test your home for radon? Digital radon monitors are available to borrow for a period of four weeks from Bunclody Library, all you need is your library card.

For more information please telephone 053 9375466.

Sensory Friendly Quiet Hour  Every Saturday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sensory Friendly Quiet Hour is observed in the library.

We encourage you to come along and relax in the calm environment of the library.

Contact the library at 053 9375466 or email bunclodylib@wexfordcoco.ie if interested.

Summer Stars Reading Adventure 2023  Children of all ages are invited to join the library and take part in this fun reading adventure over the summer months. Children will be given little rewards when they visit the library and bring back the books they have read. We will have lots of amazing events in the library over the summer to complement the summer Stars Reading Adventure, so we hope to see you all soon and help you find some amazing books to read.

Bunclody Swimming Pool

Bunclody Swimming Pool is now open for the summer season from 2 p.m. each day. Adults only session 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Keep an eye on our Facebook age or visit bunclodyswimmingpool.ie.

Annual Patrons

Kilmyshall Patron, Ryland Hill, Friday, July 21, Kilmyshall Churchyard, Saturday, July 22.

Bunclody annual patron will take place on Friday, July 28 at 7 p.m. in the Old Cemetery and 8 p.m. in the New Cemetery. Volunteers to help with parking and direction will be greatly welcome on that date.

Kilmyshall Split-the-pot

Kilmyshall split-the-pot envelopes are available from HWH Shop, Steemers, Cahills hardware, D & M Laundrette, Glanbia, Redmonds Bar, Byrnes Hardware Ryland Lower, Kilmyshall parish office and Kilmyshall School.

The pot is split between Kilmyshall School and the parish. Draw takes place every Friday. Your ongoing support is greatly appreciated.

300-1 Club

300-1 Club Draw Results for June: First Jimmy Kehoe, Camteigue, second Deirdre Byrne, Ballycarney, third Arron, Ryan and Leah Hayes, fourth Albert Dooley, fifth Carol Walsh, sixth Emma and Liam Fielding, seventh Ted Sinnott, eighth Mary Donohoe, Ballyphilip Heights, ninth Kevin Murphy, Cromogue, 10th Ann Ruth, Kilrush. Thank you for your continued support.

Hot Meals Delivered

Bunclody Meals on Wheels service is looking for volunteers to help deliver a hot dinner to people living in the general Bunclody area. People with availability between 12.30 and 2 p.m. on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday are urgently needed. Please contact Bridget at 087 2699411 if you can help out either on a regular or occasional basis. All help is very much appreciated to deliver this essential service. If you or someone you know is in need of a hot dinner delivered to your home by volunteer drivers three times per week, please contact Brigid at 087 2699411 to discuss eligibility.

Bunclody RC Parish

The weekly envelope contributions to Bunclody Parish are used to pay for insurance, heating, electricity, altar requisites, etc. The Parish Finance Committee appreciate and thank you for your generous support to the upkeep of the church and parish. Weekly envelopes may be left in the church or parish office. For convenience contributions can now be made directly to the bank. Bank Details: Bunclody Parish  IBAN

IE02 BOFI 9065 23111601 22 BIC: BOFIIE2D Please include your name when making a payment through your bank so your contribution may be recorded. Your ongoing support is very much appreciated.

Community Employment

Mount Leinster Community Employment Scheme has the following vacancy for a General Operative with Tidy Towns Bunclody. (Job Reference  228813). A good understanding of English and good spoken English is a requirement. Closing Date: August 1.

Please Contact Employment Services Bridgepoint Enniscorthy quoting job reference to check your eligibility at Local DEAS.P (Intreo) Office Enniscorthy 053 9239300. Garda vetting will apply. DEAS.P eligibility criteria applies.

Free Workplace Safety Course

A QQI Level 4 Workplace Safety course (course code 400696) will take place at Bunclody FET Centre, Ryland Road, Bunclody in September. This free part-time course will run on Thursdays from 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For further information and to book a place call 086 0858902 or email celinahayden@wwetb.ie.

Clohamon Heritage and Vintage Weekend

Clohamon Heritage and Vintage weekend takes place on Saturday and Sunday, July 29, and 30. The event will feature Storytelling Saturday on July 29 at 8 p.m. at the Old Bog Cottage with live music. There will also be a gathering of the Wexford Honda 50 club arriving at 7 p.m.

Fare on offer on Saturday will be a traditionally cooked stew with floury Wexford spuds. It promises to be a great family time out and there is no admission fee.

The festival takes place on the street in Clohamon (Eircode: Y21D8P9).

The Old Bog Cottage will be on display, its Irelands only rolling cottage, a true and authentic experience of times past. Music and storytelling at the old bog cottage on Saturday, July 29, at 8 p.m.

On Sunday, July 30, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. there will be displays of a steam engine, stationary engines, vintage cars and tractors, oil engines, machinery, and lots more. Other attractions include: street traders selling their wares, The Brew Box will be serving refreshments, Face painting, Mrs Brown may just make an appearance, Guess the weight of the anvil, and there will be bacon and cabbage cooked outdoors for all to enjoy, a Monster Raffle, and lots, lots more.

All proceeds from the weekend are donated to Bunclody Home Care Cancer. For information contact 087 1345229.

Bunclody News

If you have a news item or photo you would like to have included in the Bunclody News page, email bunclodynotes@gmail.com or call 087 6736966.
Fire Service at the scene of a house which was completely damaged after a gas incident in Ballydaniel Court on Wednesday. Pic: Jim Campbell

Fire Service at the scene of a house which was completely damaged after a gas incident in Ballydaniel Court on Wednesday. Pic: Jim Campbell

Fire Service at the scene of a house which was completely damaged after a gas incident in Ballydaniel Court on Wednesday. Pic: Jim Campbell

A man has been airlifted to hospital with significant injuries following a suspected gas explosion at a house in North Wexford on Wednesday evening.

The huge explosion rocked the village of Camolin shortly after 3 p.m. and a whole host of emergency vehicles rushed to the scene just outside the quite village.

Several units of the National Ambulance Service and Wexford Fire Service attended the scene at Ballydaniel Court with huge flames emanating from the bungalow, which is reportedly destroyed.

There were two people in the house at the time, only one of whom was injured. A man in his 40s was treated by paramedics at the scene before the decision was taken to call on the NAS Air Corps 112 helicopter to transfer him to definitive care in Dublin.

While his injuries were said to have been serious, their extent is not known at this early stage.

Fire service units from Gorey, Enniscorthy, Bunclody and Wexford were still battling the blaze as the helicopter rushed the man to hospital.

A spokesperson for the fire service was able to confirm that a gas explosion had taken place in the kitchen of the house with massive damage caused. Its thought it may have been caused in part by a gas hob.

The spokesperson described the injuries suffered by the man taken away by helicopter as being severe.
Saint Patrick is credited with doing wonders for shamrock; his contribution to promoting the image of snakes is less noteworthy.

Irelands passport, the little red book with its distinctive maroon colour and golden harp, has a strong international reputation. Its award-winning design currently features inspirational aspects of Irelands heritage.

The Henley Passport Index is the authoritative ranking of all the worlds passports. Countries are ranked according to the number of destinations their passport holders can access without a prior visa. The Irish passport is rated fifth highest in the world as it gives its holder visa-free access to 189 countries.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is now exploring design options to feature in the next revised edition of the book and card. Biodiversity is the chosen theme for the new design due to be released in late 2025.

High quality design is central to maintaining the integrity and reputation of the Irish passport. The dilemma for the designers is what plant or animal or habitat should be used in the redesign as an icon or image to portray Ireland? The shamrock is an obvious choice among plants but what animal or habitat best depicts the Emerald Isle? Should it be a mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, insect or other invertebrate?

This is where you come in; the Department wants the publics input on choosing aspects of Irelands diverse natural environment to help shape a key part of the passport design. To that end, the Department has commissioned RED C Research and Marketing Ltd to undertake a survey on its behalf.

The RED C survey is online and is available in Irish as well as in English, the questionnaire is short, the layout is straightforward, the whole thing takes no longer than five minutes to complete, and your input will remain completely anonymous while helping to inform the redesign of the Irish passport. To take part in the survey go via the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs at https://www.dfa.ie/.

On the wider issue of public perception of life forms it is obvious that people relate more to animals that show similarity to humans. A creature that is baby-sized, docile and non-threatening, furry and cuddly, and with large, forward-looking eyes, be it a wild animal or a domesticated companion animal like a dog, is more likely to capture hearts than a Great White Shark.
32 million cigarettes worth 13m were found on boat

Shingle ship docked in New Ross after racking up large fees at Dublin port. It was used to smuggle millions of cigarettes almost 10 years ago. Photo;Mary Browne

An infamous ship, the MV Shingle, which brought 32 million packs of cigarettes into Ireland in 2014, is being stored in New Ross ahead of being scrapped.

On the morning of June 24, 2014, the 60m shipping vessel was heading towards the port of Drogheda. The Moldovan-registered ship had set off from Slovenia, via Portugal days earlier.

Waiting in Drogheda were armed gardai and Customs officers. They boarded the ship and uncovered the haul - cigarettes, millions of them. Thirty-two million in fact, all illegal. There was also 4,000kg of tobacco. It was one of the biggest seizures of cigarettes in Europe that year.

The joint security operation was deemed a complete success; it had been the culmination of months of work by law enforcement agencies across many countries.

If sold on the black market, the consignment would have represented a loss to the Exchequer of 13m.

The ship was escorted to Dublin Port and officials may have thought case closed.

But unbeknownst to them at the time, the MV Shingle was to became one big expensive headache for Revenue officials. Over 500,000 has been spent so far, mostly made up of lay up costs charged by Dublin Port Company.

New Ross Boat Yard  one of two privately owned boat yards in Ireland  was asked to store the vessel, prior to dismantling.

Boat Yard owner Stephen Kehoe said: Its supposed to be sunk off of Mayo. It ended up in our yard and the Revenue want us to get it ready for sinking in Mayo.He said since the dry dock closed in Dublin Port, a decision was taken to move the vessel to New Ross.

We are waiting on the people in Mayo to get their foreshore licence. They will make a reef out of part of it when they sink it, providing they get a licence, said Mr Kehoe.
At the July meeting of Bray Municipal District, Councillor Joe Behan raised concerns over Failte Park, the housing for elderly and retired couples situated on Adelaide Road, and what he described as the general feeling among the residents over the last number of years, certainly before Covid of feeling a bit neglected by the Council.
MINISTER for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., is inviting applications from animal welfare charities in Ireland who wish to be considered for funding for the provision of services in 2024.

In launching the application process, the Minister said: In recognition of my Departments commitment to animal welfare we now invite applications for the Animal Welfare Grant Programme for 2023.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the valuable services provided by animal welfare organisations in preventing and responding to animal welfare issues across Ireland. The hard work, commitment and dedication of the staff and volunteers of these charities is admirable and I recognise the importance of the work they do, protecting and caring for surrendered, abandoned and at-risk animals.

These organisations also play a pivotal role in educating the public in relation to responsible pet ownership and animal welfare in general.

The Minister spoke of his commitment to the Programme for Government priorities in relation to animal welfare:

Real progress has been achieved in delivering on the Programme for Government and I am determined to continue to support the essential work of these organisations.

This commitment recognises the increasingly important role these organisations play in the area of animal welfare. In 2022, I announced record funding in excess of 5.8 million, awarded to 99 animal welfare organisations throughout the country, an increase of over 2 million on funding provided in 2021.

Further details, including the application form, are available at Funding to Animal Welfare Organisations.

Application forms are also available via email from welfaregrants@agriculture.gov.ie .

All applicants must be registered with the Charities Regulator and be in existence for over two years.

The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is July 21.
Journalist, champion of the Irish language and lover of the arts, the late Padraig O Fearail, who died at the age of 89 on Thursday, June 29, was involved in setting up the first Gaelscoil in Bray as well as the towns first Credit Union.

Padraig O Fearail (Paddy OFarrell) was born in 1934, the eldest of five children, in Eadestown, Co Kildare and moved to Bray, Co. Wicklow, in 1945.

In 1954, he travelled to Bilbao, Spain to teach English in an English language school for approximately a year. He then travelled around Spain for a further eight months on his Heinkel motorbike to learn the language and get to know the people.

When he returned to Ireland, he became a journalist and obtained a job in the Southern Star, in Skibbereen, with Joe ORegan, for over a year and then moved to the Portlaoise Leinster Express where he began editing the paper.

He moved back to Dublin and was offered a part-time position in the Irish Independent where he worked for 11 years on the night desk where, one evening, he received a call to say that an attempt was going to be made on President John F Kennedy during his visit to Ireland in the summer of 1963. He informed the Gardai and they apprehended the individual on OConnell Street.

In 1959, he married Anne Roche (Aine) and they moved to Bray where he built their house and spent many hours growing fruits and vegetables and kept hens, geese and a donkey. This was Padraigs way of winding down after long days in the courts.

Michael McInerney, who was a political correspondent with the Irish Times, introduced Padraig to Jim Doyle, a court reporter and journalist since 1935. Mr Doyle asked him to increase his Gregg shorthand speed to 220 words per minutes and he then began a career in the Four Courts until his retirement in 2009.

The hours were more regular and the money was better. However, the use of the court reporters transcript was becoming more valuable to the legal teams, who were beginning to request that the transcript be produced overnight to assist them in court the following day. This resulted in his home often becoming a small office, with typists and printers working throughout the night producing transcripts that could be delivered to the courts the following morning.

He then purchased the company Doyle Court Reporters in 1986 and moved to offices on Arran Quay. Over the years, Padraig and the company covered most of the Government Tribunals and Inquiries all around Ireland. He also introduced the first Stenographic shorthand machine (as opposed to pen) to Ireland and set up a course in machine shorthand in 1987, which ran for many years in St Thomass Community College, in Bray.

Cases which Padraig and his colleagues covered included the Whiddy Island disaster, the Stardust Inquiry, the Kerry Babies case, Ballycotton, Beef, Dunne, Moriarty and Flood Tribunals. He was the first to introduce live subtitles for the Late Late Show.

He was also a champion of the Irish language, joined Conradh na Gaeilge, and was involved in setting up the first Gaelscoil in Bray (Scoil Cualann). He also edited ROSC magazine, a periodical published by Conradh na Gaeilge, for seven years.

As a lover of the arts, he set up An Beal Binn, an Irish language arts club which ran for approximately 10 years. He was involved in setting up the Bray Credit Union, a printing press company, a knitwear company and also a successful Irish language book shop called Cupla Focal on Albert Walk, Bray. In 2007, he published Our Bray: A Local History  Ar mBre.

He and his wife Aine had four children, Eithne, Claire (deceased), Ronan and Aoife.
Land frozen for shelved road means not even a shed can be built

CLLR Gerry ONeill has lashed out at Transport Infrastructure Ireland over their handling of the shelved upgrade of the N81 from Hollywood to Tallaght, which means land has remained frozen preventing local landowners from even building a shed.
One and a half year old Trixie is the latest addition to the Spillane household.

Whitestown girl Zoe Spillane (12) will complete her 100k walk alongside with her one and a half year old Collie-terrier mix, Trixie.

A thoughtful Wicklow girl is commemorating the one-year anniversary of her beloved rescue dogs passing by walking 100k in July in aid of the Kildare and West Wicklow Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Twelve-year-old Zoe Spillane from Whitestown in west Wicklow was inspired to undertake the fundraising challenge from her desire to give back to KWWSPCA, who brought rescue Greyhound Hazel  who died last July  into her life.

Keeping the former Donard National School student, who will attend St. Kevins Community College this September, company on her daily walks will be one-and-a-half-year-old Colie-terrier Trixie, with whom Zoe shares a deep bond.

I wanted to walk my dog Trixie more, and I thought it would be a great idea to fundraise for the KWWSPCA while doing it because thats where we got our dog, Hazel, Zoe said.

I do walk Trixie a lot anyway, but probably not quite 100k in a month a lot! I have an app on my phone to help me track my progress, and its been going really well so far. We go off up to the forest or down the road and try to make a bit of an adventure out of it.

Ive received a good bit of money in donations already, probably around 200, and the response from everybody has been really nice so far.

Zoes mother Carmel is a former volunteer at the KWWSPCA and used to speak in local schools about respecting all animals. Delighted with her daughters gesture, Carmel said she couldnt be prouder of Zoe and that the money she raised would go to the worthiest of causes.

Hazel was a Greyhound that I fell in love with when I was volunteering about six or seven years ago, Carmel said. She was a black Greyhound when we got her back to health, but she had been grey, malnourished and we had to get two broken toes amputated off her front feet.

She was an adult when we adopted her, and it was just old age that took her in the end. We had her on arthritis medicine, and she used to get an injection every four weeks. The Christmas before she passed, her hips went so we had her on medicine every month. She might have been 13 or 14 when died.

Hazel and our golden retriever  who died last year to cancer  were still around when Trixie came into our lives. Zoe fell in love with her at a birthday party, where the neighbour had a litter from a farm.

Trixie was only three months old at the time and just loved Zoe, who was so infatuated, she wouldnt even go in for birthday cake!

Of course, we still miss Hazel, and the walks are Zoes little way of remembering her while also repaying the people who brought her into our lives.

The volunteer work the KWWSPCA do is so fantastic, and they deserve so much more in the way of support from the government. The stricter enforcement of animal cruelty laws could do so much good.

Praising Zoes maturity and her initiative, Sally McCaffrey of the KWWSPCA said: Fundraising is a vital part of us being able to provide our services, and we rely on the kindness and volunteering of thoughtful people like Zoe and Carmel to keep us going. We cant praise them enough.

Our main stress at KWWSPCA at the moment is space. We cant take in every dog and cat that were asked to, particularly during the summer, and we do have a waiting list. Re-homing is traditionally quite slow through the summer months, with people on holiday, so the animals generally stay with us longer at this time of the year.

Thankfully, Kildare Dog Pound can hold on to the dogs until we free up space. There was a time, maybe 12 years ago, when those dogs would have been put down. Now those pounds will keep them for as long as we need them to.

Then there are people who have to re-home their dogs, if theyre going away, who we can ask to hold on to the dogs as long as possible. If we find a dog abandoned or in a bad physical state and dont have room ourselves, well get it into a foster home.

Otherwise, we are doing quite well. Theres a great spirit of people wanting rescue dogs, which I think has helped all the rescues around Wicklow, Kildare and beyond.

People are quite proud that theyve rescued a dog rather than bought it, and thats something we can very much get behind.

To help support Zoes 100k walk and the KWWSPCA visit kwwspca.ie/donate/
AT the conclusion of Wicklow Toastmasters speechcraft programme with Down Syndrome Ireland, Claire Wright, compliance and operations officer with the charity, said: The employees who took part have liked the interaction with other professionals and the skills they have learnt from each other and from all of the Wicklow members.

It was Claires idea to introduce speechcraft to some of her team members and she asked Richard Clune from Wicklow Toastmasters to be the program coordinator. He recruited his fellow Wicklow members who jumped at the idea of being involved.

Claire added, The time given by the Wicklow members has had such a positive impact on the organisation and that generosity of time and spirit has been one of the highlights of my year so far.

There were four participants, or speechcrafters, who work with Down Syndrome Ireland in roles such as adult education, employment, and office administration and who have varying levels of public speaking experience and confidence. The speechcraft program pushed them to expand their speaking skills past using PowerPoint presentations to tell stories while incorporating the likes of gestures and vocal variety.

Each week they wrote and delivered a speech on topics such as their childhood memories, their love of chocolate, their role within Down Syndrome Ireland, top tips for tip top mental health, and much more.

They also developed their leadership skills by evaluating each others speeches for the final three weeks. They worked on their active listening skills to analyse the speech before giving clear, concise, and constructive feedback.

The program ran for six weeks in May and June with four Wicklow members, Paul Haran, Sarah Colfer, Jonathan Wallace and John Conlon, acting as mentors for the four speechcrafters to help them prepare their speeches or act as a sounding board for any questions..

Five more Wicklow Toastmasters, Caroline Higgins, Jane Quinn, Derek Hanrahan, Jamie Coughlin and Grainne OKane, attended a session each to deliver guest presentations on speaking skills such as organising a speech or using body language effectively.

Reflecting on his time using the program speechcrafter Ross ONeill said: First of all I really enjoyed it, I had a lot of fun. And then Ive got a lot more confident speaking in front of a group of people and grown. Id love to do it again and have more people do it too.

Wicklow Toastmasters, as part of its end of year celebrations, had a raffle and some of the excess proceeds were donated to Down Syndrome Ireland and will be put to good use in the Wicklow branch.

Speechcraft was created to help people turn their speaking skills into a craft and to help them advance their professional and personal communication through a condensed version of the Toastmasters member experience.
Huw Edwards is one of the most recognisable faces on British television, anchoring coverage of major national events and presenting the BBCs News At Ten.

The 61-year-old has fronted the flagship nightly news programme for the last 20 years, earning a reputation as a respected veteran broadcaster.

Edwards, who was born in Bridgend and brought up in Llangennech, Carmarthenshire, joined the BBC as a trainee in 1984.

In four decades at the corporation, he has been among the broadcasting teams leading coverage of historical events including the late Queens funeral in 2022 and most recently the coronation of the King in May this year.

Huw Edwards with the Live Event award for the State Funeral of the late Queen at the Tric awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel earlier this year (Ian West/PA)

Edwards, a married father-of-five, announced the late Queens death on the BBC last September.

After an image of the flag at Buckingham Palace was shown at half mast, he told viewers: A few moments ago Buckingham Palace announced the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

He then read out the statement from the Palace while dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and black tie, in line with the BBCs dress code for when a member of the royal family dies as a mark of respect.

Edwards is the BBCs go-to presenter for big news events and has been front and centre in live broadcasts of election coverage, the Queens Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the wedding of the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011, the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018, and the funeral of the late Duke of Edinburgh in 2021.

He was also the BBCs voice at Trooping the Colour and the Festival of Remembrance.

Edwards was a Westminster correspondent for 13 years, and has played a key role in the BBCs political reporting, taking over election coverage from the long-serving David Dimbleby in 2019.

He told the Radio Times in 2019: Im going to let you in on a secret: the first time a senior BBC manager dangled this carrot in front of me was in 1992. So its been at the back of my mind since then.

Edwards, a married father-of-five, announced the late Queens death on the BBC last September (PA)

Edwards revealed in a documentary in 2021 he had bouts of depression which have left him bedridden since 2002.

Speaking on the podcast hosted by BBC journalists Jane Garvey and Fi Glover, Fortunatelywith Fi and Jane, he said he he decided to share publicly that he has depression as he felt it was complete hypocrisy to support organisations such as the Shawmind Foundation or Mind without explaining why.

I also felt that it might be someway helpful to people if I opened up about it and say, You can do a job and you can be successful, whether its just reading a bit of autocue or doing whatever it is while also dealing with issues like that, he told the podcast.

Edwards is the corporations highest paid newsreader, with a pay bracket of 435,000  439,999, up from 410,000  414,000 last year, putting him fourth on the list.

In 2018, it was reported he agreed to take a pay cut following revelations over unequal pay for men and women at the BBC.

The presenter shared with BBC Radio Cymru that he had lost weight and started training with former professional boxer Clinton McKenzie as he tried to get himself in shape in 2019 at the age of 58.

The truth is that I lost weight because I felt unhealthy. Its simple enough, he told the radio station.

I was physically and mentally in the wrong place. I was far too heavy and I wasnt happy with that. I wasnt happy with my own appearance, and I realised that I wasnt being fair with my own body in terms of my general health and wellbeing.

I just felt pretty low to be honest, and it got progressively worse. Losing weight and getting fit have been a transformation for me.

Edwards said in 2021 that he was considering his future presenting News At Ten as he approached his 60th birthday.

A time comes when youre bound to re-assess whats in front of you, he told Radio Cymru in a Welsh-language interview.

Now that a big milestone is here, which is 60 years old, its natural for a man to think am I going to continue in this job for another five years, or do I want to do something different?

The nightly news business, after 20 years, that can be taxing, even though I still enjoy the job.

I dont think Ill be doing that for long. Because I believe that, in the first place, I think its fair for the viewers to get a change.

Secondly, I have co-workers who are very talented  its time to give them a chance too.

Huw Edwards said in 2021 that he was considering his future presenting News At Ten as he approached his 60th birthday (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

But he said he would not be giving up journalism entirely.

He added: I wont disappear tomorrow from the 10 oclock news because Im still enjoying myself.

But of course, Im thinking about the working patterns of the future. And the truth is that I dont want to sustain these working patterns for a long time to come, because I dont believe its a very wise thing at all.

An article on the BBC website in 2002 said Edwards was determined to stamp his own identity on News At Ten.

You dont want to let people down, but at the same time, I want to do it in my own way. I dont want to be a clone of Sissons or Buerk, he said.

Edwards, who attended Llanelli Grammar School and graduated in French from Cardiff University, is an honorary professor in the School of Journalism, Media and Culture at his old university.

Just last month, Edwards picked up the best live event honour at the Tric Awards for being among those to cover the state funeral of the late Queen, and in February he received the Broadcast Awards special recognition award.

In May, it was announced that Edwards had joined the TV presenting line-up for the Proms 2023.

He is listed as a vice president on the website of the National Churches Trust and has appeared on Songs of Praise.
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Image: Pixabay

New Delhi: New Delhi recently hosted the global delegation for the celebration of Ashadha Purnima, an event organised by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in conjunction with Indias Ministry of Culture, media reports said.

The commemoration took place at the National Museum, Janpath, on July 3, paying homage to the Buddhas inaugural sermon given in Sarnath, reports The Bhutan Live.

The event was attended by several key members of the Buddhist community which included patriarchs, respected teachers, scholars, as well as diplomatic envoys.

The location, the National Museum, was chosen due to its rich cultural significance pertaining to the Buddha and his initial teachings, the news portal reported.

The event was represented by Khenpo Chimed, the IBC Secretary, who released a statement highlighting the importance of Asadha Purnima.

It memorializes Buddhas first discourse to his initial five ascetic followers in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, after achieving enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. The day is widely recognized as the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma. This inaugural sermon included the revelation of the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path," Khenpo Chimed told the newspaper.

A special message was recorded for the event by Droupadi Murmu, the President of India. She used the occasion to encourage young people to internalize the teachings of the Buddha for personal growth and societal betterment.

The President stated, On Asadha Purnima, we were introduced to Lord Buddhas Dhamma. This is not only a part of our rich cultural legacy, but it also has a vital role in our everyday life.

She further emphasized the need to comprehend the first sermon by Shakyamuni in Sarnath to truly understand Buddhadharma.
Image: PIB

New Delhi/UNI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay an official visit to France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from July 13-15, 2023, said the Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister will visit Paris from July 13-14 at the invitation of Emmanuel Macron, President of France.

"The Prime Minister will be the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade on July 14 (France National Day), where a tri-services Indian armed forces contingent will be participating," it said.

He will hold formal talks with President Macron and host a State Banquet as well as a private dinner in honour of the Prime Minister.

PM Modi is also scheduled to meet the Prime Minister of France as well as the Presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly of France, as per the statement.

He will separately interact with the Indian diaspora in France, CEOs of Indian and French companies, and prominent French personalities.

"This year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, and the Prime Ministers visit will provide an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future across diverse sectors such as strategic, cultural, scientific, academic, and economic cooperation," it said.

After France, the Prime Minister will visit Abu Dhabi on July 15.

The Ministry said the Prime Minister will hold talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

The India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has been steadily strengthening, and the Prime Ministers visit will be an opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence, and culture.
Image: Wallpaper Cave

Srinagar: Security forces arrested five militant associates in Jammu and Kashmirs Budgam district, police said on Wednesday.

They said the five were associated with Lashakr-e-Taiba.

They were arrested by a joint team of police and Armys 62 Rashtriya Rifles in Khag area of Budgam.

Police identified the five as Rouf Ahmad Wani, Hilal Ahmad Malik, Tawfeeq Ahmad Dar, Danish Ahmad Dar and Showkat Ali Dar- residents of various villages in Khag.

Incriminating materials have been recovered from their possession. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation, a police spokesman said.

Police said a case under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Khag and investigation has been taken up.

(With UNI Inputs)
Image: IBNS

Imphal: Thirty one MLAs of Manipur have called upon Union Home Minister Amit Shah to find an amicable solution to the state crisis which started on May 3 last.

A statement from the State information office said the MLAs also proposed the replacement of 9 Assam Rifles, 22 Assam Rifles, and 37 Assam Rifles by other central security forces that are more inclined towards promoting the unity of the state.

They further said that there are concerns regarding the roles played by certain units of the Assam Rifles, which currently pose a threat to the cause of unity within the state.

The representation to the Union Home Minister also mentioned that a comprehensive investigation must be conducted into the public display of firearms and ammunition during the Peace March held on July 5, 2023 in Churachandpur.

It raises significant questions regarding the source of these arms and ammunition, as well as their continuous availability which play a crucial role in this violence, and the MLAs expressed their concern for the need to address this issue and prevent further replenishment of these illegal weapons.

The MLAs urged the Union Home Minister to take stronger and effective actions against armed insurgent/cross border armed insurgent groups operating in the state in order to restore peace and normalcy.

The MLAs also reiterated their commitment to initiating decisive measures against these armed groups that have violated the established ground rules of engagement. It is inconceivable for any conflict to persist for such an extended period without the support of such armed factions.

The MLAs also affirmed that violence in peripheral areas must be halted. The central security forces must adopt a more proactive approach to ensure lasting peace in the region, which has been elusive over the past two months.

It said, Once all forms of violence and aggression cease in these areas, we can work towards achieving a peaceful solution through extensive consultations with all stakeholders involved.

The MLAs urged that enhanced security measures, such as increased highway patrolling along the NH2 are required to facilitate the safe transportation of goods for the people of the state. The completion of the border fencing along the Manipur section of the Indo-Myanmar border should be expedited.

The statement however did not gave the list of the MLAs who submitted the proposal.

(With UNI inputs)
Image: Rajnath Singh Twitter page

New Delhi: Recognising defence exports as a key pillar of sustainable growth of the Indian defence industry, Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Regional Office of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 11, 2023.

This Regional Office will facilitate close defence industrial collaboration between India and Malaysia.

It will also serve as a hub for the HALs engagement with the wider South-East Asian region and act as a window for other Indian Defense PSUs.

Malaysia is home to the second largest members of the Persons of Indian Origin and has a significant presence of the NRI community.

The Minister interacted with the Indian diaspora on two different occasions.

The first community interaction included Ministers and senior officials of Government of Malaysia and eminent personalities from polity, culture & the industry.

The reception was attended by Minister for Human Resources of Malaysia V Siva Kumar and Deputy Minister for Entrepreneurship and Cooperatives Development Saraswathy Kandasami.

During the event, the Minister appreciated the rich legacy of Indian classical art tradition in Malaysia as witnessed in the presentations of Odissi dance as well as the Carnatic and Hindustani music performances by renowned Malaysian artistes.

In a separate event, Rajnath Singh interacted with the members of the diverse and vibrant Indian community in Malaysia, including the leaders and members of various Indian community organisations in the country. He appreciated their deep-rooted and close connect with India.

Singh highlighted that the countrys prestige and stature on the global stage had increased under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He acknowledged the role of the Indian diaspora in the growth story of India. He encouraged them to work honestly for the shared prosperity of India and Malaysia, underlining the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

Rajnath Singh also visited Ramakrishna Mission in Petaling Jaya and offered floral tribute to the statue of Swami Vivekananda which was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2015.

He also visited the iconic Batu Caves temple premises and offered his prayers.

In addition, the Minister paid a visit to the Torana Gate at Brickfields, a symbol of friendship between India and Malaysia, which was also inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2015.

He also visited Kortumalai Ganesar Temple, Kuala Lumpur and offered prayers to Bhagwan Ganesh.
Image: traffic.delhipolice.gov.in

Delhi: Water from the Yamuna River, which has been overflowing due to incessant rain in the Delhi NCR region, reached North Delhis Ring Road, causing traffic snarls and waterlogging.

Alerting the commuters, the Delhi Traffic Police handle tweeted, "Traffic is affected on Ring Road between Monastery and ISBT, Kashmere Gate due to overflowing Yamuna River water. Kindly avoid the stretch."

Traffic Alert

Traffic is affected on Ring road between Monastery and ISBT, Kashmere Gate due to overflowing Yamuna river water. Kindly avoid the stretch. pic.twitter.com/frUaY4WmnX  Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) July 12, 2023

The Outer Ring Road, spanning a total length of 47 km, serves as a significant encircling route around Delhi, connecting various areas within the city.

It plays a vital role as a key connector, linking important locations such as Rohini, IIT Flyover, and the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) at Kashmere Gate.

The ISBT at Kashmere Gate serves as a crucial entry and exit point for both private and public vehicles, making the Outer Ring Road a vital transportation artery in Delhi.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal requested the people of Delhi living in low-lying areas near the Yamuna River to evacuate.

"We have to protect lives and properties. People in low-lying areas near the Yamuna River need to be evacuated," Kejriwal said.

On Wednesday, the water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi reached 207.71 meters, surpassing its previous record of 207.49 meters set back in 1978.

The swelling of the river to this new height signifies a significant rise in its water level, which can have implications for the surrounding areas and communities.
The United Nations' highest human rights body has passed a resolution urging countries to take further actions to prevent religious hatred, following incidents of Quran burnings in Europe, AP reported.

Despite objections from Western nations concerned about potential restrictions on freedom of expression, the measure was overwhelmingly approved, said the report.

The vote, with 28 in favor, 12 against, and 7 abstentions, received applause in the large chamber of the Human Rights Council, said the report.

The resolution was initiated by Pakistan and Palestine and garnered support from numerous developing countries in Africa, as well as China, India, and several Middle Eastern nations.

The resolution was taken up following the recent Quran burnings in parts of Europe, and among other things, appeals to the member countries to take steps to prevent and prosecute acts and advocacy of religious hatred that constitute incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.

According to the report, after the conclusion of the voting, Pakistans Ambassador Khalil Hashmi stressed that the measure does not seek to curtail the right to free speech, but tries to strike a prudent balance between it and special duties and responsibilities.

The opposition of a few in the room has emanated from their unwillingness to condemn the public desecration of the Holy Quran or any other religious book, Hashmi was quoted as saying by AP. They lack the political, legal, and moral courage to condemn this act, and it was the minimum that the council could have expected from them.

The U.S. ambassador to the council Michele Taylor said in a statement, a day earlier, that the United States strongly condemns the acts that have necessitated todays discussion, including desecration of the Holy Quran on June 28  referring to an incident in Sweden at elicited strong protest in some Muslim countries.

After the vote, Taylor expressed that she was extremely sad that the council could not reach a consensus in condemning what we all agree are deplorable acts of anti-Muslim hatred, while also respecting freedom of expression, the report said.
Image: ISPR website

Islamabad: At least four Pakistani Army soldiers died while five others were injured as suspected terrorists launched a dastardly attack on the Zhob garrison in northern Balochistan region of Pakistan on Wednesday, media reports said.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that terrorists initial attempt to sneak into the facility was checked by soldiers on duty, reports Dawn News.

In ensuing heavy exchange of fire, the terrorists have been contained into a small area at the boundary, the ISPR said, adding that three heavily armed terrorists had been killed so far.

A clearance operation by security forces is under way to apprehend remaining two terrorists as well, the statement mentioned as quoted by Dawn News.

Security forces remain determined to thwart all such ghastly attempts at destroying peace of Balochistan and Pakistan, it added.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo has condemned the attack.

No group has claimed responsibility for the incident.

Pakistan has seen an uptick in terror activities, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, after the outlawed TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November last year, reports Dawn News.
Image: Pixabay

At least ten members of a family died as a fire erupted in their residence in Pakistan's Lahore city on Wednesday, media reports said.

Bhati Gate Station House Officer (SHO) Mohammad Sajjad confirmed the death toll to Dawn News.

Lahore DIG Operations Ali Nasir Rizvi told the newspaper that the deceased belonged to the same family.

According to an official statement from Rescue 1122, the department was alerted about the fire at 2:32am. In response, the rescue service deployed 33 rescuers and 11 vehicles to the incidents location.

The statement further said that the fire erupted on the second floor of the house, which was located in a very congested area. Rescue 1122 further said that the bodies had been shifted to Mayo Hospital, the newspaper reported.

The fire was later brought under control.
BNP

A senior leader of the ruling Awami League of Bangladesh claimed that BNP has secret ties with Israel and its intelligence agency.

"The meeting between a representative of the Israeli intelligence agency and a senior BNP leader was exposed to the media. BNP is always involved in such anti-state activities," Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said in a statement as quoted by The Daily Star.

Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has made a false statement about the use of Israeli technology to hack the phones of opposition leaders.

Such an irresponsible statement, delivered by a political leader, is very shameful, he said.

Recalling Bangladesh's historic relations with Palestine, he said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had invited Yasser Arafat, the then president of Palestine, during the celebration of the silver jubilee of Bangladesh's independence.

Quader said Fakhrul could not present any specific evidence about phone hacking and that is why it is illegal to make sweeping comments on such a sensitive issue without any evidence.

He said Fakhrul's concocted statement is nothing but the continuation of their ongoing propaganda and rumour.

The Bangladeshi leader made the remarks at a time when the country is slowly gearing up for the upcoming general elections.
President Joe Biden has officially pronounced an emergency status in Vermont, responding to severe flooding triggered by heavy rainfalls, which the states Governor, Phil Scott, described as historic and catastrophic.

Certain regions in Ve...
A trio of Catholic-administered Indian boarding schools located in southeastern Montana has initiated a probe into reports of unmarked graves and student deaths across its century-long history.

The schools in question include the St. Labre Indian...
Proposed zinc mine at Pickett Mountain being pursued by virtually unknown Canadian company

By Colin Durrant, Perry Wheeler, Sean Mahoney at Earthjustice.

Two Tribes in Maine today joined forces with leading environmental groups and a national public interest environmental law organization to oppose a proposed mine that would be locate...
The cost of electric vehicles has gone down a lot in the past few months, which is great for people looking to buy them. However, it seems like the car companies have been having a hard time with this as they're making less money.



Tesla & 15 Chinese EV Makers Reportedly Sign Price War Truce

Unsplash

But now there's some good news floating in the markets. 15 Chinese car companies and Tesla have reportedly made an agreement to stop competing on price, which should make things easier for these car manufacturers.

While in the US or Europe, such a truce might break antitrust laws, it is apparently not a big deal in China and perhaps even welcomed by the powers in the country. In fact, it is being said that there was even a ceremony of sorts for this truce.

Notable auto giants like BYD and Geely signed the truce, along with pure-EV startups like XPeng and NIO; even Tesla signed, which is the only foreign automaker involved in the truce given its Shanghai gigafactory.



If automakers can't lower prices anymore, how will they sell more cars?

SCMP

They will do it by introducing new models and using good marketing strategies that are honest and not misleading. However, this truce between the automakers could also be a way to attract customers.

Many Chinese customers have become used to lower prices, and they wait to buy cars until there are more discounts. Maybe this public truce is a way to tell customers that the prices won't go down any further, so they shouldn't wait and delay their purchases anymore.

According to the truce, there are some detailed commitments that go beyond stopping the price war. One of which is to follow the rules and laws of the industry, control marketing activities, promote fair competition, and avoid using unusually low or high prices that could harm fair competition.

Another commitment is to be careful with how you promote your products or services and avoid exaggerating or using false advertising to grab attention or attract new customers. Additionally, the truce also calls for the companies to focus on providing good-quality products and services that can make people's lives better.

Along with these clauses, the truce also asks the EV makers to promote important values that benefit society, fulfil social responsibilities, and take on the important task of ensuring steady growth, building confidence, and preventing risks.

The price war truce is expected to ease the burden on these Chinese EV makers, along with Tesla, which has a factory set up in Shanghai.
The latest information from their meeting with government
By Avi Shlaim

July 11, 2023: Information Clearing House -- David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, had serious reservations about the United Nations (UN). An ardent Jewish nationalist, and a proponent of self-reliance and direct action, his guiding principle in foreign policy was, What matters is not what the Goyim (non-Jews) say, but what the Jews do. In accordance with this dictum, he disdainfully referred to the world body as oom-shmoom. Oom is the Hebrew acronym for United Nations. The sobriquet oom-shmoom implies that the UN is of no importance and can be safely ignored.

While the disdain popularized by Ben-Gurion continues to define Israels approach towards the UN, the sentiment does not extend to those within the world body who investigate Israeli practices or seek to hold it to account. In such cases, derision gives way to relentless vilification. A particularly egregious example is the effort by Israel and its apologists to discredit and disqualify Francesca Albanese, the current UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territory Occupied Since 1967.

United Nations Special Rapporteurs are prominent legal experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council and tasked with monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation throughout the world. Unpaid and serving for fixed terms, they enjoy more political independence than salaried UN officials.

Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda?

Several times a year, the Special Rapporteur on Palestine produces detailed reports on Israeli transgressions. Occasionally, these result in resolutions that condemn Israel's actions. Israel, however, rarely responds to the substance and findings of these reports, and critical resolutions slide like water of a ducks back. Its routine response is to shoot the messenger; its weapon of choice for character assassination is to cast the messenger as an anti-Semite. It does so even if the Special Rapporteur happens to be Jewish, as was the case with Richard Falk, who served in this position from 2008 until 2014.

Criticising the state of Israel is not inherently anti-Semitic. Anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism are two distinct phenomena. Zionism is the official ideology of the State of Israel  a sovereign state in a specific geographical location. Judaism is a religion and its adherents live both inside and outside the State of Israel. Anti-Semitism is the hatred of Jews as Jews wherever they may be. Anti-Zionism is opposition to the ideology of the state of Israel or to some of its specific policies and practices as an occupying power. It is thus perfectly possible to be an anti-Zionist without in any way being an anti-Semite.

It is also possible to be both an anti-Zionist and an anti-Semite. If hatred of Jews is the motive for criticising Israel, that is anti-Semitism. Israel and its apologists in the West, however, persistently, and often deliberately, conflate the two phenomena in order to smear supporters of Palestinian rights and critics of Israel with the poisonous brush of anti-Semitism.

Accusations of anti-Semitism have been the predictable treatment meted out to the current Special Rapporteur on Palestine, Francesca Albanese. Albanese is exceptionally well-qualified for this function, an onerous task which she performs pro bono. She is an academic, an international lawyer, and a leading expert on Palestinian refugees, the largest stateless refugee community in the world today. She is the co-author, with Lex Takkenberg, of Palestinian Refugees in International Law, the most comprehensive legal treatise on the subject, published by Oxford University Press.

In December 2022, Albanese was pilloried by a posse of Israeli officials, Israel apologists, ideologically motivated journalists, and social media activists for allegedly anti-Semitic comments made years ago that, it is claimed, disqualify her from serving the UN in any capacity. The Israeli mission to the UN, which had objected to her appointment in the first place, calls her a pro-Palestinian activist who harbours significant bias against the Jewish state. The Israeli government, which banned her immediate predecessors, Michael Lynk and Richard Falk, from conducting field visits to the West Bank, is similarly obstructing her access. Top US officials have also joined the chorus of protest about some of Albaneses comments.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center, in a 14 December 2022 letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, wrote that Albanese must be removed, and the Human Rights Councils biased witch hunt against Israel must be dismantled if the UN hopes to retain credibility. This is neither a new nor original criticism, but rather a recycled refrain used to silence any and every voice within the United Nations even remotely critical of the state of Israel. That is the real witch hunt.

That Albanese is forthright no one can deny. In sharp contrast to many UN diplomats, she is not afraid to speak truth to power. Her mandate is to investigate Israel's violations of the principles and bases of international law, and this is what she does without fear or favour. She describes herself as a militant jurist. She loves her profession and insists that if justice is not for everyone it is for no one. Unlike her detractors, who prioritise anti-Semitism above other forms of racism, she is consistent in opposing all forms of racism, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. She is also unswervingly and commendably forthright in her advocacy of human rights and free speech.

The evidence advanced for the claim that Albanese is anti-Semitic is jejune and utterly unconvincing. The Times of Israelled the charge on 14 December 2022. In what looked like a politically motivated attack, it dredged up a Facebook post of hers from 2014. In it she wrote, America and Europe, one of them subjugated by the Jewish Lobby, and the other by the sense of guilt about the Holocaust, remain on the sidelines. The offending post was written in her personal capacity, eight years before she assumed her UN position. The context, invariably left out by her critics, was a savage Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip that claimed the lives of more than 2,000 Palestinians, including 550 children. As is Israel's wont, the assault was fraudulently named Operation Protective Edge. But there was nothing protective about it. It was the use of force against civilians for political purposes and as such amounted to an act of state terrorism.

Albanese had every reason to castigate America and Europe for doing nothing to restrain the aggressor. Using the term Jewish lobby was unfortunate because it feeds into the stereotype of covert Jewish power. It would have been more accurate to use the term Israel lobby. And to say that America is subjugated by this lobby was surely an over-statement.

Albanese acknowledged that she had misspoken and has distanced herself from the language she used. At the same time, she affirmed her determination to not be distracted from her mandate of reporting on Israeli human rights abuses, and to not let others define who she is or what she stands for.

Albaneses self-reflection made little difference to her detractors. Their problem with her is not the language she used, but rather the scrutiny she generates about Israel's flagrant violations of international law and her principled defence of Palestinian human rights. Implicit in the attacks upon her is the notion that holding Israel accountable for its violations of Palestinian rights is ipso facto anti-Semitic. It would have been more honest on their part to state this directly. More broadly such attacks aim to deflect attention from the fact, stated by Palestinians for decades and in recent years confirmed by the worlds leading human rights organizations, that millions of Palestinians live under an apartheid regime that deprives them of their basic rights.

Focusing remorselessly on past comments posted by Albanese on social media, her detractors are also determined to deflect attention from the substantive work she has produced since her appointment by the UN Human Rights Council. Her first report, submitted In September 2022, constituted a profoundly analytical and meticulously documented examination of the right to self-determination as it applies to the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967. In this document Albanese goes further, or rather deeper, than the landmark human rights reports that conclude that Israels treatment of the Palestinians amounts to the Crime of Apartheid. She has not dropped the apartheid framework, seeing it as necessary but also insufficient. Rather, the novelty of her analysis lies in establishing the legal framework for viewing the occupation as the product of settler colonialism. Seen from this perspective, Israel-Palestine is not a conflict but a relationship between an occupier and an occupied, between a coloniser and a colonised. This colonial reality, Albanese argues, entraps both peoples, and realizing the Palestinian right to self-determination is the key to transforming this reality, because without it the Palestinians will not be able to fulfil any of their other basic rights. Dismantling the occupation and the apartheid regime that is inextricably linked to it is thus, according to her, the fundamental pre-condition for a peaceful settlement in Israel-Palestine.

Albanese is openly critical of the international community for its hypocrisy in advocating for a two-state solution while doing nothing to promote it, for talking the talk without walking the walk. Her report represents a paradigm shift: the law should direct politics and not the other way round. Small wonder that she is not popular with Israel and the pro-Israel lobby. Unable to refute her arguments, they resort to ad hominem attacks and character assassination. Their purpose is to discredit her, to deflect her from fulfilling her UN mandate, and to undermine her efforts to hold Israel to account for its quotidian violations of international humanitarian law.

Recently, several campaigns have been launched to pressure the UN to remove Albanese from office. This latest series of attacks followed a tweet she posted, stating: Israel has a right to defend itself, but can't claim it when it comes to the people it oppresses/whose lands it colonizes. That argument is a legitimate interpretation of the law. Consequently, her tweet was mispresented and distorted, and its caveat omitted in order to advance the false claim that Albanese denies that Israel has any right to self-defence. For politically motivated Zionist groups like UN Watch, NGO Monitor, and the International Legal Forum, the tweet served as a convenient pretext to escalate the personal attacks on Albanese.

The International Legal Forum, which presents itself as a global network of over 4,000 pro-Israeli lawyers and activists, in a 11 April 2023 letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, unleashed an intemperate diatribe against Albanese and cited her tweet as further evidence of her relentless, systematic and unhinged bias against Israel. Tellingly, it called on the Secretary General not only to dismiss Albanese, but to abolish her position entirely. The UN would be far better served, it concluded, by replacing Ms. Albaneses mandate with a Special Rapporteur for Combating Antisemitism. The ILF cooperates closely with the Israeli government and has also received funding from it.

On this occasion, the Israeli government intervened directly at the official level in an aggressive effort to ostracize and silence the Special Rapporteur. Amichai Chikli, Israel's Minister of Diaspora Affairs and the Struggle Against Anti-Semitism, sent an additional letter to the UN Secretary General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights. After denouncing Albaneses reprehensible, irresponsible and terror-inciting remarks, Chikli urged the UN to terminate Ms. Albaneses position permanently.

This conduct is consistent with Chiklis track-record as an ultra-nationalist right-wing politician. In a podcast in 2021, for example, Chikli dismissed the Palestinian identity and called for it to be eliminated. It is all built on opposition to Zionism, he said. That is the national identity of Palestinians. There is no Palestinian national identity with a positive content of its own. Therefore we wont be rid of this conflict until this national identity ceases to be.

Another target picked by the Israeli government is the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2021. Its mandate is to investigate all alleged violations of international law, as well as the root causes of the conflict, including systematic discrimination and repression in the territories in question. Its first report, issued in May 2022, found extensive evidence of numerous Israeli violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law, as well as of systematic impunity and a lack of accountability for the perpetrators of such abuses. Israel refuses to cooperate with the commission and dismissed its report as distinctly antisemitic.

Another senior UN official targeted by a smear campaign is Craig Mokhiber, the director of the New York Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Mokhiber has an impressive track-record in human rights work that spans more than four decades. Because of his explicit criticism of Israels treatment of the Palestinians, ideological media outlets and organizations specialized in defending Israel, like UN Watch and the Simon Wiesenthal Center, launched a coordinated attack in March 2023, framing Mokhiber as extreme anti-Israel and antisemitic. The Israeli Mission to the UN in Geneva duly issued a statement amplifying these ad-hominem attacks.

Israels preferred weapon in waging a global delegitimization campaign against its critics is the Working Definition of Antisemitism, which the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) adopted in May 2016. As many commentators, lawyers and scholars of anti-Semitism have pointed out, the IHRA working definition is poorly drafted, internally incoherent, hopelessly vague, vulnerable to political abuse, and altogether not fit for purpose. It does not fulfil the most elementary requirement of a definition, which is to define. The vacuous two-sentence core definition does not mention Israel by name, but no fewer than seven out of the eleven contemporary examples of antisemitism attached to it for purposes of illustration, relate to Israel.

Predictably, one of the items in the charge sheet against Albanese is her strong criticism of the IHRA definition and her call to the European Union to review and reconsider its endorsement and use of that definition. She pointed out that conflating criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism often leads to accusing human rights groups of anti-Semitism, when in fact they express legitimate, evidence-based concerns about Israeli policies. Quoting Kenneth Roth, the former Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, Albanese wrote on Twitter that such framing also devalues the meaning of anti-Semitism and weakens the fight against it.

The United Nations, which Ms Albanese views as slow and cautious as a dinosaur, has recently taken further steps relevant to holding Israel to account. In January 2023, the General Assembly requested the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague to give an advisory opinion on the legal consequences of Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories. Israel denounced the request, arguing the ICJ is biased against it. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a despicable decision. Palestinian support of the referral to the world court was dubbed by Israeli officials an act of diplomatic terrorism. This is the kind of talk that gives chutzpah a bad name. The truth of the matter is that Israel is afraid of the ICJ  not because it is biased, but because it is impartial.

More worrying for Israel is the decision by the previous Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague, Fatou Bensouda, to investigate war crimes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The ICJ is a civil proceeding; the ICC is a criminal investigation. Whatever the source of the challenge, however, Israel's instinctive reaction is to go on the offensive. It is a long-time practitioner of the maxim that offense is the best form of defence. The more Israel's brutal and criminal actions are exposed, the more aggressive its spokespersons and aligned lobby groups become in their efforts to smear and deter its critics.

What the Israeli government and its confederates abroad have in common is the inability or rather unwillingness to countenance any objective reporting on Israel. They are hard-wired to treat any criticism of Israel, however fact-based, logical, and rational, as proof of anti-Jewish bigotry. Paradoxically, the only people who get a free pass are real anti-Semites like former American president Donald Trump, Viktor Orban, Hungarys prime minister, and Jair Bolsonaro, the former President of Brazil. All three are notoriously racist politicians but outspoken supporters of Israel. Anti-Semitism and pro-Zionism are not as mutually exclusive as it might seem at first sight. As Theodor Herzl, the founder of the Zionist movement and visionary of the Jewish state, predicted over a century ago: The anti-Semites will become our most loyal friends.

Today, it is Israel that is in the dock, not the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in The Palestinian Territory Occupied Since 1967. Albanese is an outstandingly competent and conscientious international expert. She deserves nothing but credit for the courage and commitment she has demonstrated in discharging her UN mandate. She can even wear most of the attacks on her from Zionist quarters as a badge of honour.

One final irony. The three main pillars of Judaism are truth, justice, and peace. Albanese personifies these values to a remarkably high degree. And there will be many Jews worldwide, disturbed by Israel's betrayal of these core Jewish values, especially since the formation of the aggressively anti-Palestinian, far-right, xenophobic, homophobic, and openly racist coalition government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu, who may have reason to thank her for upholding these values at this critical moment in Israels history.
By News Agencies

July 12, 2023: Information Clearing House -- NATO has no place in Asia and should stick to its original focus, that is the security of the Transatlantic region, former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating has argued. The Labour politician, who served in office from 1991 to 1996, also warned against attempts to circumscribe China.

In his statement published on Sunday, Keating appeared to refer to a recent report in Politico, which claimed French President Emmanuel Macron had blocked NATOs plans to establish a liaison office in Japan.

The former premier lauded the French head of state for doing the world a service by apparently emphasizing the military blocs focus on Europe and the Atlantic.

According to Keating, the alliances very existence past the end of the Cold War has already denied peaceful unity to the broader Europe.

Exporting such malicious poison to Asia would be akin to Asia welcoming the plague upon itself, he insisted. The former prime minister warned that NATOs presence on the continent would negate most of the regions recent advances.

Keating went on to describe NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg as the supreme fool on the international stage who is conducting himself like an American agent.

Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda?

He cited a comment Stoltenberg made back in February when he called for the West not to repeat the mistake it had made with regard to Russia, suggesting it should work to contain China.

The former Australian leader noted that the NATO chief conveniently ignored the fact that China represents twenty per cent of humanity and now possesses the largest economy in the world. He added that Beijing, unlike Washington, has no record of attacking other states.

Over the weekend, Politico cited an anonymous Elysee Palace official who claimed that Paris is against NATO expansion beyond the North Atlantic. NATO means North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the French presidential staffer reportedly emphasized.

Back in May, the Japanese ambassador to the US, Koji Tomita, revealed that his country was working toward opening a NATO liaison office in Tokyo, which would become the blocs first in Asia. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida confirmed the plans to Japanese lawmakers, noting that Tokyo did not intend to join the US-led organization.

Commenting on the news, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning advised NATO against extending its geopolitical reach. The diplomat pointed out that the Asia-Pacific does not welcome bloc confrontation or military blocs.
July 12, 2023: Information Clearing House -- " The British government has introduced a bill to prevent boycotts of Israel and the territories it occupies. The dreadfully titled Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill passed its second reading this week.

The British government - in the form of Michael Gove, perhaps one of the most pro-Israel ministers in this government - has falsely framed the bill as an attempt to combat antisemitism. If only; that would be a laudable and needed effort.

In fact, the bill will only serve to stoke community tensions, while regrettably giving antisemites and conspiracy theorists plenty to chew over as Israel is offered a unique special exemption from any attempt at public accountability.

Yet again, the promoters of the bill have misleadingly conflated legitimate criticism of Israel with antisemitism - a view that is not shared by a number of Jewish groups. There are perfectly legitimate grounds for criticism of Israeli actions, not least at a time of record levels of settlement building, and in a year when Israeli forces have already killed more Palestinians in the occupied West Bank in any year since 2005.

The United Nations, human rights groups and indeed the British government have consistently noted Israels routine violations of international law, not least with regards to settlements and annexation of occupied territory (including the Golan Heights and East Jerusalem). Palestinians in areas such as the South Hebron Hills, Silwan and Sheikh Jarrah are also threatened with forced displacement.

Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda?

To seek to disinvest in such circumstances from occupied territory should be encouraged, not condemned. Many argue that Israel should be targeted with such measures until it adheres to international law.

But the bill goes far further than just Israel, preventing divestment from any territory unless the minister directs otherwise. Public bodies, including government departments and universities, will not be able to seek to influence a decision on procurement with regard to a territorial consideration in a way that would cause a reasonable observer of the decision-making process to conclude that the decision was influenced by political or moral disapproval of foreign state conduct.

The vague term reasonable observer is a classic example of how poorly this bill has been drawn up.

Protesting injustice

Regimes with appalling human rights records around the globe will be delighted with this bill - such as China, where the legislation would ostensibly prevent British authorities from disinvesting because of its treatment of the Uyghurs.

Just as the bill passed its second reading, family members of Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a British citizen imprisoned in Egypt for sharing a Facebook post about rights abuses in 2019, were protesting outside the Foreign Office. No public authority would be able to boycott Egypt on account of this and other grave human rights abuses.

Many argue that public bodies, including local government, should be encouraged towards - not prevented from - boycotting regimes with appalling human rights records. Some speakers in the debate correctly pointed out that under this bill, sanctions against apartheid South Africa would never have happened. Boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) has a long, proud history as a non-violent form of protest against injustice.

The bill also has binding gagging clauses. Although Gove falsely asserted that it would be problematic if we were to restrict freedom of speech in any way, but the bill does not do that, Clause 4 does exactly that. It even prohibits a decision-maker from stating if they would intend to act in such a way were it lawful to do so.

Legal advice supplied to the Labour Party and others indicates that this could put the UK in violation of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which safeguards the right to free expression.

That is not the only international legal consideration. The bill also fails to distinguish, as UN Security Council Resolution 2334 demands, between the sovereign territory of Israel and the territories it occupied in 1967. This is an alarming deviation from longstanding UK policy.

Senior Conservative politicians have acknowledged that the Foreign Office expressed reservations about the bill with regards to the UKs legal obligations. MP Alicia Kearns, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, stated: The Foreign Offices own legal advice states that the bill could breach UNSC 2334.

Power grab

It is also a power grab. One man, Gove, is attempting to seize enormous powers over foreign policy by determining which territories can and cannot be boycotted. He is not the foreign secretary, a position he has long craved, but the secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities. As one senior Conservative MP pointed out, Gove has had the UKs foreign policy delegated to his department as well.

Gove appeared shocked by the opposition to the bill, red-faced and even shouting. One senior Conservative MP told me that he was agitated. Some Tories abstained, and often for reasons that had nothing to do with Israel-Palestine.

Central government dictating to local government how they should invest pension funds or carry out procurement has all the hallmarks of a nanny state, which is anathema to Tories. The gagging clauses also run against traditional Tory beliefs. Strangely, Gove himself declared on the BBC just last month that he was a free speech fundamentalist.

The Labour Party put down a reasoned amendment to the bill and whipped to abstain on the vote. Any reasonable observer might wonder why, given the trenchant criticisms of the bill, Labour would not oppose it outright. As Labour MP and shadow minister Lisa Nandy stated, the bill was needlessly broad, with sweeping, draconian powers and far-reaching effects.

But the person who summed up this bill most perfectly was none other than Dame Margaret Hodge. The senior Labour backbencher was in the vanguard of challenging Jeremy Corbyn on antisemitism when he was Labour leader, and thus has huge reserves of credit on this issue.

It is worth quoting Hodge substantively: They [government ministers] have not done it to support Israel, to demonstrate solidarity with the Jewish community, or to show they really care about undermining the BDS movement. They simply want to set a political trap for Labour. By putting their crude party political interests above the public interest, they confirm what voters think about us: that politicians waste time on childish political games rather than trying to make the world a better place. It is that behaviour that leads to a loss of trust.

The bill is not a considered attempt to bring about peace, provide better security for Israel or respond to the threats posed by BDS. It is about using Jews as a pawn in the governments political game. To debate the bill on the day that violence has flared up again in the West Bank is a solemn reminder of why this really matters.

The bill has many hurdles to cross before it becomes law. It may yet get amended out of all recognition, or even thrown into the long grass. Yet the very attempt of a government trying to stymie free speech, local democracy and accountability for the rule of law should terrify us all.

Chris is a frequent commentator on TV and Radio and gives numerous talks around the country on issues such as the Arab Spring, Libya, Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Islamophobia and the Arabs in Britain.

Views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House.
Home Search ICH Question Everything! Click Here To Support Information Clearing House NATO's Big Climb Down By Moon Of Alabama From the: Vilnius Summit Communique

Issued by NATO Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Vilnius 11 July 2023: 11. We fully support Ukraines right to choose its own security arrangements. Ukraines future is in NATO. We reaffirm the commitment we made at the 2008 Summit in Bucharest that Ukraine will become a member of NATO, and today we recognise that Ukraines path to full Euro-Atlantic integration has moved beyond the need for the Membership Action Plan. Ukraine has become increasingly interoperable and politically integrated with the Alliance, and has made substantial progress on its reform path. In line with the 1997 Charter on a Distinctive Partnership between NATO and Ukraine and the 2009 Complement, Allies will continue to support and review Ukraines progress on interoperability as well as additional democratic and security sector reforms that are required. NATO Foreign Ministers will regularly assess progress through the adapted Annual National Programme. The Alliance will support Ukraine in making these reforms on its path towards future membership. We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the Alliance when Allies agree and conditions are met. The statement 'when Allies agree and conditions are met' sets arguably a higher bar than the 2008 Bucharest Summit Declaration had promised: 23. NATO welcomes Ukraines and Georgias Euro-Atlantic aspirations for membership in NATO. We agreed today that these countries will become members of NATO. Both nations have made valuable contributions to Alliance operations. We welcome the democratic reforms in Ukraine and Georgia and look forward to free and fair parliamentary elections in Georgia in May. The Membership Action Plan (MAP) is the next step for Ukraine and Georgia on their direct way to membership. Today we make clear that we support these countries applications for MAP. Therefore we will now begin a period of intensive engagement with both at a high political level to address the questions still outstanding pertaining to their MAP applications. We have asked Foreign Ministers to make a first assessment of progress at their December 2008 meeting. Foreign Ministers have the authority to decide on the MAP applications of Ukraine and Georgia. Also note that the 'conditions', just like the rules in the 'rules based order', are undefined. It seems like any NATO member will be able to define its own ones. Added: Also note this from the: Pre-Summit press conference

by Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the NATO Summit in Vilnius 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

[...] 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. Ukraine's victory in the war, which is unachievable, is now a main condition for its admittance to NATO. It wasn't what the Ukrainian government had wanted to hear. Via Strana.news (machine translation): "Unprecedented and absurd." Zelensky criticized the allies for the lack of an invitation to NATO - 13:59, Today Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on Western leaders' plans not to include any specifics on Ukraine's NATO membership in a forthcoming statement. Now, on the way to Vilnius, we received signals that language without Ukraine is being discussed. And I want to emphasize that this wording is only by invitation, and not by Ukraines membership. It is unprecedented and absurd when there is no time frame for the invitation (! ), and for the membership of Ukraine; and when some strange wording about "conditions" is added even for inviting Ukraine ... It seems that there is no readiness either to invite Ukraine to NATO or to make it a member of the Alliance. Consequently, there remains the possibility of bargaining Ukraine's membership in NATO - in negotiations with Russia. And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror. Uncertainty is weakness. And I will frankly discuss this at the summit," Zelensky wrote. Well. The little comedian seems disappointed. As if the whole play had not been obvious from the very beginning. Since 2008 the Ukraine was to be used as a tool to nag Russia. It is otherwise of little value. It will end up as a discarded rag while NATO will, in the end, again recognize the Russian Federation as the super power that that it is. NATO will have to relearn to listen to and negotiate with it. Now lets wait and see what NATO's climb down will do to the morale and motivations of the Ukrainian army and people. https://www.moonofalabama.org Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Registration is not necessary to post comments. We ask only that you do not use obscene or offensive language. Please be respectful of others. See also Search Information Clearing House The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load.
July 12, 2023: Information Clearing House -- The NATO summit is being held in Vilnius, Lithuania, from Tuesday to Thursday. The meeting focuses on plans to "counter the threat" from Russia, including discussions on NATO's expansion and Ukraine's future membership to NATO. Meanwhile, NATO's strategic impulse to meddle in the Asia-Pacific region is also imminent at this summit. Expanding cooperation with the four "Asia-Pacific partners" - Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand - is another major topic of the summit. In this regard, the US media boldly stated that NATO is trying to "deter China's strategic ambitions."



This is the second year that Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand have been invited to the NATO summit. In order to firmly rope in these four countries, NATO imitated the "Quad" mechanism of the US, Japan, India and Australia at last year's summit, and specially created a new name for these four countries called "Asia-Pacific Four (AP4)." This aims to institutionalize the cooperation between these four countries and NATO, and make them de facto new allies of "NATO+" in the Asia-Pacific region. According to sources, the joint statement to be issued in Vilnius will change the name of AP4 to "Indo-Pacific Four (IP4)," which is undoubtedly more in line with Washington's tone.



There are 31 NATO members, but they have never been monolithic and have different views on many international issues. However, they are in general dominated by the will of the US. Now they have been kidnapped by the panic and tension instigated by the US, becoming "Washington's axe, spears and shovels." Wherever NATO goes, wars are likely to break out. These are not only the subjective impressions left by NATO, but also objective facts to a large extent. This situation is actually more worthy of the high vigilance of those member states within NATO that have no intention of being passively involved in the war.

Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda?

The outbreak and prolongation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, along with the chaos and changes in the world, have given NATO, which was once on the verge of brain death, an opportunity to breathe and extend its existence. However, it has also led NATO to make highly erroneous conclusions and judgments, resulting in an unprecedented expansion of its geopolitical ambitions after the Cold War, as evidenced by the NATO summit in Vilnius.



At the Vilnius summit, we saw NATO become more ambitious and aggressive. When NATO is being arrogant, we must sternly warn it of two points: Firstly, NATO must restrain rather than indulge its own impulse to expand, position itself correctly, and never cross the line; secondly, NATO must respect the legitimate security concerns and interest demands of major countries in the region, rather than offend and provoke them. Otherwise, it will lead to disastrous consequences. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is a lesson. If NATO does not restrain itself but even aggravates its actions, more serious consequences will follow.



To put it more directly, NATO must promptly withdraw the black hand it has extended toward the Asia-Pacific region, and it should not even think about squeezing half of its body in the future. Apart from certain countries like Japan, which act out of dark selfish motives rather than considering the overall interests of Asia, the majority of countries in Asia not only do not welcome NATO but also see it as a terrible monster that should be avoided at all costs. This is because NATO only brings security risks, war threats, and development predicament to Asia.



Former Australian prime minister Paul Keating recently issued a statement, criticizing NATO and its Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg without reservation. He hit the nail on the head, saying "The Europeans have been fighting each other for the better part of 300 years, including giving the rest of us two world wars in the last hundred. Exporting that malicious poison to Asia would be akin to Asia welcoming the plague upon itself." He also called Stoltenberg, who exaggerates the China threat, a "supreme fool" who "conducts himself as an American agent more than he performs as a leader and spokesperson for European security."



Keating is a visionary and insightful politician. We highly agree with his statement. No one has criticized NATO more accurately and vividly than Keating. His words reflect a consensus among Asian countries. The transatlantic military alliance, which has been expanding and disrupting the security situation in Europe since the Cold War, is now extending its reach into the Asia-Pacific region. Its ulterior motives are well-known in the international community. Inciting division and hatred, creating group confrontations, and causing chaos in Europe, they now seek to disrupt the peace in the Asia-Pacific region. We firmly resist this, together with the majority of countries in the Asia-Pacific region.



Japan, disregarding strong opposition from its neighbors, is stubbornly pushing its plan to dump nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean. Now it is persistently introducing NATO's military and political troubles into Asia, which could be seen as Japan's second betrayal and crime against Asia after its fascist aggression. If there are consequences, Japan bears an undeniable historical responsibility. Given this, it is not excessive no matter how we condemn Japan.

Views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House.
An Ikeja High Court has sentenced a 30-year-old hotel worker, Jeffrey Ehizojie, to death by hanging for strangling his employer, Olusola Olusoga and the hotel manager, Tunji Omikunle, to death in Lagos.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, Justice Oyindamola Ogala, held that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubts.

The prosecution called four witnesses, hotel staff, David Nkwor, ASP Chris Akpanomo, ASP Malik Aliyu and Harrison Bruce, against the convict.

The offence contravened the provisions of Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Mrs. Ogala found Ehizojie guilty of beating and strangling the Managing Director of Etsahol Hotel and Suites located at Ojodu-Berger, Lagos.

According to her, the court had carefully considered the retracted defence statement, (which was admitted as evidence) which showed where Ehizojie stated that one of the hotel staff, Henry, had informed him that he observed that the owner of the hotel kept much money at home.

READ ALSO: Fire Service Staff Murders 6-Year-Old Son For Bed-Wetting In Borno

Mrs Ogala said: the defendant, in his confessional statement said that Olusoga treated her workers badly so they planned to tie her and collect her money.

Confessional statement is the best evidence to ground conviction and as held in several cases, it can be relied upon solely where voluntary.

It is curious that the defendant who was privy to the state of affairs in the hotel told the court that he was shocked when the police informed him of the death of his boss and the manager when he was arrested at Port Harcourt.

There is no doubt that the defendant was present at the premises of the scene of crime as confirmed by him in his evidence in chief and exhibits before the court.

The judge held that the court had carefully considered the evidence of the defendant, particularly his account of how he left the hotel premises on Jan. 25, 2019 and his incredible story as to why he did not return to the hotel after the incident nor report at the police station.

She held that the convict had no clear explanation why he fled to Port Harcourt the next day until his arrest.

According to her, the circumstantial evidence against the convict was unequivocal, positive and irresistibly pointed to his guilt.

She said: the court believes that the defendant indeed wrote the confessional statement (exhibit PW2a-c) and his feeble attempt to retract same was to exonerate himself from the commission of the deadly act.

After a careful consideration of the facts in this case, I hereby find the defendant guilty of the two-count charge against him. The sentencing of the court upon you Jeffrey Ehizogie is that you be hanged by the neck until you be dead.

The state prosecution said that Ehizogie and others still at large, strangulated the UK returnee Olusoga, by beating her with a rope.

They also submitted that the convict strangled and beat Omikunle to death. He then collected a key from his pocket, opened Olusolas apartment and strangled her to death.
The National Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), Iyiola Omisore, has described described the Partys National Vice Chairman (North-West), Salihu Lukman, as a loose canon and black sheep.

Information Nigeria reports that Lukman has constantly criticised the APC National Chairman, Adamu Abdullahi, and Omisore over handling of the Partys affairs.

In the past, he accused them of financial recklessness and running the ruling APC as a military garrison.

He had also dragged both Adamu and Omisore to court for failing to account for the Partys expenses and breach of the partys constitution.

However, while speaking in an interview on Channels Televisions Politics Today, Omisore described the North-West Vice Chairman as a gaslighter who enjoys crying wolf where there was none.

Omisore also denied speculations that some disgruntled members were seeking the removal of the Partys National Chairman, Adamu.

READ ALSO: Reps Okay Motion To Lift Ban Of Petrol Supply To Stations At Border Areas

What else do you want us to do to him? Beat or kill him? When you listen to people like Lukman, you wont know what is happening. This your Lukman that doesnt attend meetings. He is acting like a loose cannon.

The NWC members are 25 and only one person, Lukman, has written so many letters, which bothered on ignorance on his part. About two months ago, he came to apologise and held a press conference to say he wasnt well informed about what he did. All he said were things done within the party. He never attends party meetings, the Osun State politician said.

He further slammed those backing or standing by Lukmans philosophy, describing them as cowards.

We are not aware of any. But know that they are cowards too. There are cowards everywhere. So it is not impossible. But the point is that out of 25 members of the NWC, only one person is the black sheep.

He is just used to doing the rantings. There is nothing special about it. This was somebody who came to apologise openly at a press conference. How can you take someone like that seriously? he queried.
Osun State government, has accused the Muslim Rights Organisation, MURIC, of attempting to cause a religious crisis in the state.

According to the state government, religion cannot be used as a divisive tool among the peace-loving people of the state.

Recall that MURIC had in a statement by its leader, Ishaq Akintola, described Governor Ademola Adeleke as a secret agent of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) by nominating more Christians in his cabinet compared to the numbers of Muslims.

Reacting in a statement made available by the governors spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the state government noted that since assuming office, Governor Adeleke has premised his governance decisions on competency and commitment to state duty of appointees in his avowed commitment to deliver on good governance and correct inherited ills from previous governments.

Olawale added that Adelekes first appointees occupying commanding heights of the government were appointed not by religion but by merit, competency, and conformation with his style of leadership.

READ MORE: Adeleke Storms Out Of Eid Ground After Clash With Ex-Senate Spokesman (Video)

The statement reads: With just eight months in office, the Governor has formed the habit of scouting for the best among indigenes who can support the concerted efforts to rescue the state from the many challenges of under-development, infrastructural deficit, and poverty.

It should also be put on record that the Governors approach has paid off with superlative delivery and performance which is highly appreciated by Osun indigenes at home and abroad.

It must therefore be noted that no agent of destabilization with mere nuisance value masquerading as a religious body can deploy religion as a partisan tool to divide and distract a government that is busy with correcting ills of the recent past.

Osun state is a highly enlightened society with deep records of religious harmony and close understanding of the Governor as a cosmopolitan leader who has never and will never pander to religious bigotry, ethnic partisanship, and unmeritorious decision making.

MURIC should look elsewhere for its merchandise of extremism and division. Religious leaders in Osun understand and support their Governor with prayers which uphold him every second, he said.
The court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has ordered the Nigerian government to pay N60 million to Sunday Ayodeji, a victim of police brutality.

In the July 10 judgment, the court held that the Federal Government (FG) was responsible for the torture of the victim.

The court also ordered FG to properly investigate the human rights violation against Ayodeji.

Information Nigeria understands that Ayodeji was shot by a police officer in Kaduna state which led to the amputation of his leg.

The pro-bono case was handled by Avocats Sans Frontieres (ASF), an international human rights organisation, popularly known as Lawyers without Borders (France).

Angela Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, ASF country director in Nigeria, further explained Ayodejis ordeal in a statement on Tuesday, saying the victims properties, including a car and N900,000, were unlawfully confiscated by the same police officer.

Asides the N60 million awarded for damages, Uzoma-Iwuchukwu said the ECOWAS court ordered the immediate return of the victims confiscated items.

Avocats Sans Frontieres France commends the ECOWAS Court for its judgment on this case and urges the Nigerian government to uphold the directives of the court.

READ ALSO: Osun Govt. Knocks MURIC Over Position On Commissioner-Nominee List

ASF France is also delighted that this judgment is coming on the heels of the commemoration of the 2023 International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, which reemphasizes the need for collaborative efforts amongst all stakeholders of the criminal justice system to establish a zero-tolerance culture to torture in Nigeria.

We are delighted that despite all challenges and legal hurdles faced by our legal team in pursuit of justice in this case, justice was served.

We are optimistic that this will serve as a deterrent against the systemic use of torture in Nigeria.

The amount awarded by the court will not restore our client who has been permanently disabled by torture, but it has given hope to not just Ayodeji but other torture survivors that justice is possible even against powerful governments and institutions.

Ending torture is a global challenge, we must all continue to work together to create a zero-tolerance culture to torture in Nigeria, Uzoma-Iwuchukwu said.

In reaction to the courts verdict, Ayodeji said: My joy knows no bounds and I feel fulfilled and relieved from the inner pain that I have carried for so long due to the great injustice done to me which led to the loss of my leg.

I am very grateful to Avocats Sans Frontieres France who provided a platform for me to obtain redress. I am also happy for what this judgment means for me and other victims of torture in Nigeria.
The Federal Government has expressed concern over the rating of Value Added Tax (VAT) in Nigeria as the lowest in the West African region.

Director of Tax Policy in the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Basheer Abdulkadir, who described the development as worrisome, stressed the need for a change in policies.

Speaking at the opening event of a three-day workshop on the harmonisation of Nigerias VAT Act with Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) directives, he added that the countrys VAT rate was less than one per cent to the Gross Domestic Product.

READ ALSO: Former Vice President Osinbajo Gets New Appointment As Global Advisor

Information Nigeria reports that the programme was organised by the ECOWAS Commission under the context of implementation of support Programme for Tax Transition in West Africa.

The Programme aims to improve management of domestic taxation and ensure better coordination in ECOWAS and West African Economic and Monetary Union regions.

Abdulkadir who stated that exemptions of VAT in Nigeria was not aligned with those of ECOWAS, called for the exemption of few products, goods and services from VAT, for poor households to benefit from VAT policy.

Our VAT performance or rate is still one of the lowest. Nigeria has a VAT of less than one per cent to the GDP and this is worrisome. Also, we have the lowest VAT within the sub-region with an average of 16 per cent, while VAT rate in Nigeria is 7.5 per cent. So we need a lot of policy changes on tax administration as we also need to come up with strategies to address some of these issues.

Also, the exemptions of VAT in Nigeria is not aligned with those of ECOWAS and we know that these exemption are some of the issues to do with revenue mobilisation under the VAT. We need to align our exemptions with ECOWAS directive. he said.
A first class graduate of the University of Ibadan, Opuofoni Freeborn Ebimotimi, has allegedly been beaten to death in Bayelsa state for stealing bread.

According to Peoples 93.1FM in Yenagoa, Ebimotimi, who studied Business Administration, was killed in the early hours of Sunday at Honeyhill Tombia Bayelsa State.

READ ALSO: 30-Year-Old Hotel Staff Sentenced To Death By Hanging For Killing Employer, Manager In Lagos

Ebimotimi who was a native of Korokorosei community in Southern Ijaw Local Government area had allegedly stolen from one of the small business owners in the community. An alarm was raised, which forced an angry mob to pounce on Ebimotimi.

His younger sister, Idisemi Opuofoni Freeborn said neighbors and friends who saw the incident rushed to the scene and pleaded with the angry youths to allow him to live, promising to pay for the bread in double folds, but the angry youths reportedly declined the plea and killed him.

According to Idisemi, life has been unfair to them since the demise of their father, adding that hunger led him to steal bread.

She said: We are seven in our family and life has been hard after our father died. I wrote WAEC since 2019 and has not been able to proceed to the University because of funds.
Judge Robert Gettleman of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago has sentenced Jacob Olalekan Ponle, popularly as Woodberry, to eight years and three months in prison for his coordination of a multimillion-dollar fraud.

INFORMATION NIGERIA gathered that the popular online fraudster was sentenced by the federal judge on July 11.

Recall that Woodberry was arrested on June 10, 2020, alongside Ramon Hushpuppi Abbas, who was jailed late last year for 11 years in the U.S. for internet fraud.

Judge Gettlema said: The defendant is hereby committed to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to be imprisoned for a total term of 100 months as to count.

Ponle was sentenced after being convicted on one count of fraud. Seven other counts were dismissed following a plea bargain in April.

According to court filings obtained by Peoples Gazette, Gettleman ordered Woodberry to submit himself to the U.S. Marshal Service for onward transfer to the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, where his family members, especially his American fiancee, would be allowed to visit him.

READ MORE: Hushpuppis Ally, Woodberry, Pleads Guilty, Surrenders $8m, Assets

Ponle will also be surrendered to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for deportation immediately following his incarceration, the judge said.

Woodberry will pay seven victims about $8 million in restitution, with the court finding that he has the capacity to make the full payment but waived all interests on the restitution value.

Recall that on June 29, prosecutors had asked the judge to sentence Woodberry to 14 years in prison for the fraud he committed between January and September 2019.

The prosecutors also sought court permission to sell the fraudsters 152 bitcoins, but only after a 30 days notice had been issued to the public for anyone with interest in the assets to file claims. No one with legitimate interest appeared to have surfaced as of the time of Woodberrys sentencing.

The prosecutors also recommended that Woodberry, known for flaunting his flamboyant lifestyle on social media, forfeit items in the Dubai police custody, such as one Rolls Royce, Lamborghini Urus, Mercedes-Benz G-Class AMG G55, four Rolex watches, one Patek Philippe watch, and three Audemars Piguet watches.

Also, he is to forfeit three gold and diamond-studded rings, five gold bracelets and two gold bracelet keys, six gold neck chains, one gold and diamond-studded necklace, one small gold nugget, two bank cards, about $1,835 in Emirati dirhams, and approximately $15.45 in South African rands.
Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has disclosed that he met some debts and financial challenges in the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, when he assumed office.

The president who commended Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, for coming to the rescue of the organisation disclosed the status at a meeting with the leadership of Ohanaeze, state governors from the region, and members of the National Assembly, which held at the Imo State Governors Lodge in Abuja.

I met some debts and financial challenges when I came in as President-General of Ohanaeze.

READ ALSO: No Mans Land: Lagos Not Igboland, Were Visitors  Iwuanyanwu

But thank God for people like Hope Uzodinma, who came to our rescue. He brought in his public relations officers and provided everything, including security, to make the journey very easy for us.

It is important to mention here that this is not the first time he has done that. When he was a senator many years ago, I think he gave us N16m at that time.

When our structure was attacked by these unknown gunmen, he rebuilt the house. And whenever we have any problem, he has been a dependable person, Iwuanyanwu said.
Popular Yoruba actor, Adewale Alebiosu has debunked the myth that actors are well compensated for their roles in Nollywood movies.

This comes after actress Jaiye Kuti condemned the trend of veteran actors begging for money on social media.

Kuti, who warned older colleagues not to tarnish the image of the Yoruba film industry, and accused them of failing to plan for their future when they were much younger.

READ ALSO: Stop Giving Us Bad Names  Jaiye Kuti Blasts Senior Colleagues Begging Fans For Money

Reacting to the statement by the actress, Alebiosu called the accusation misplaced, claiming that actors are sometimes underpaid.

He backed up his claim with personal experience.

I was paid just N3,000 for 11 scenes. I boarded a bus and cried uncontrollably till I arrived home, he recounted.

He noted that it was just a few days until Christmas, and he was expecting to earn enough money from the role to feed his family, but it turned out differently for him.
House of Representatives, has asked the Federal Government (FG) to lift the ban on the supply of petroleum products to stations within the countrys land borders.

The lawmakers passed the resolution during the plenary on Tuesday.

This was following the adoption of a motion presented by Adegboyega Isiaka from Ogun state, who asked the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and other relevant government agencies to allow duly registered petrol stations within the borders communities to be supplied with petroleum products.

Information Nigeria reports that in 2019, former President Muhammadu Buhari directed that petroleum products should not be supplied to petrol stations within 20 kilometres of the nations borders.

READ ALSO: Not All Land Borders Are Re-Opened  Acting Customs CG, Adeniyi

At the time, the directive was issued to stop smuggling of petrol to neighbouring countries like Niger Republic, Benin Republic, Cameroon, Chad and Togo.

Isiaka, while moving the motion, however said the ban should be lifted because the petrol subsidy has been removed.

The lawmaker said the continued enforcement of the ban is causing hardships to millions of Nigerians living and conducting businesses within the affected areas who have to travel kilometres to get the products or pay an extra amount to secure the commodity for their daily needs.

The ban has continued to impact negatively on the socio-economic activities in the affected areas, he said.

The lawmakers voted in support of the motion when it was subjected to a voice vote by Tajudeen Abbas, the Representatives Speaker.

Abbas further mandated the committee on customs and excise, when constituted, to ensure the implementation of the resolution.
Former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, has revealed the reason elites in the South-East are finding it difficult to speak out against the killings and dehumanization in the region.

According to Keyamo in a series of tweets on Tuesday, said the reason the South East elites have refused to condemn the activities of the suspected gunmen is the fear of continual attacks against their properties and family members back home.

He added that the silence of these elites does not mean that they support the killings and sit-at-home orders going on in the South East, asking Nigerians not to put pressure on them because it is difficult situation.

Keyamo noted that is the responsibility of the federal government to restore law and order in all parts of the country, saying that he is confident that the Bola Tinibu will address the insecurity in the South East.

He, therefore, advised the South East elites to totally support the efforts of the federal government in restoring order to the region.

He wrote: I think it is time to call a spade, a spade: the simple reason the elites in the South East are finding it difficult to speak out against those killing and dehumanising their own people in the East is the fear of reprisal attacks against their own properties and family members back home by these unknown gunmen.

READ MORE: Your Law Degree Is Useless  Atikus Aide Mocks Keyamo

I have spoken to my friends privately and they have admitted this much. Lets not put unnecessary pressure on these elites. Its a difficult situation for them. Their silence does not mean support for what is happening there.

It is the responsibility of the federal government to restore law and order in all parts of the country and this I am ABSOLUTELY certain the government of @officialABAT will do. Besides, we cannot isolate a region and its elites in a country where we see ourselves as one. It is our collective responsibility to assist the FG in restoring order nationwide.

The only thing I ask is that these same elites must either now be silent or totally support the efforts of the federal government (be it military or otherwise) in restoring order to that region. When they initially kicked against operation PYTHON DANCE in the East, little did they know that the situation would degenerate to this level of savagery. Now, they know.
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man and suspected drug addict simply identified as David for allegedly stabbing a cleric, Akeem Ojiwusi, to death around Odekeye close, in the Abule Egba area of the state.

According to The Punch, the clergyman was in his house when the drug addict who is notorious for causing trouble after getting intoxicated, stabbed him to death.

A relative of the deceased identified as Sefiu, said the cleric had sent him out to get a drug for him as he wasnt feeling too well. Sefiu said he was on his way to get the drug when he heard the deceased shouting for help.

He (Ojiwusi) sent me to buy some drugs for him and when I was going towards the gate, I heard a scream from our compound and ran back and saw David stabbing my uncle.he said.

READ ALSO: First Class Graduate Reportedly Beaten To Death For Stealing Bread In Bayelsa

Also speaking, a friend of the deceased, Adeleke Sulaimon, said neighbours who witnessed the attack told him Ojiwusi was pleading for help while being rushed to hospital.

I was told by some of the people who helped Davids mother to rush him to the hospital that Ojiwusi was screaming in pain and saying David stabbed him.

He was saying I dont want to die, he was also shouting Allah, Allah. In fact, as we speak now, Ojiwusis phone is with Davids mother and we have been trying to reach her too because, after the whole incident, she also ran away. We have not been able to see any member of their family since Sunday, he said

Also speaking, a relative of the deceased, Kayode Abdulrasheed, said David was one of his late cousins neighbours, adding that he was at home when he received the sad news that claimed his cousins life.

I was at home on Sunday night when I received a call that my cousin had been stabbed to death by one of the children of his neighbours where he lived in Abule Egba.

I made further enquiries and I was told that what happened was that the person who stabbed him, David, is always smoking one drug called Colorado which always makes him act like a madman.

It was still his mother that reported the case to the police at the New Oko Oba Police Station before we even got there on Monday and the police arrested David because she does not want people to take laws into their hands and deal with her son.

The Oko Oba Police Station has transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigations Department.

I even learnt that he once tried to rape his sister but for the intervention of my cousin and other neighbours who heard her screaming and they had to rescue her from him.

My cousin, like I was told, was also carried to the hospital by Davids mother and some good Samaritans but along the way, we were told that he died due to the amount of blood he lost after the attack.

The deceaseds wife, Fatima, while demanding justice, said she was not at home when the suspect perpetrated the crime.

It was one of our relatives, Sefiu, who called me after he (Ojiwusi) had died and narrated the whole matter to me. I am now a widow.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said, On Sunday, there was a reported case of a stabbing that led to the death of a man, Akeem Ojiwusi, by one David, and the police have arrested the suspect and the investigation is ongoing.

Talking about being under the influence of drugs, we cannot ascertain that but what we know is that a person stabbed another person to death and the suspect has been arrested by our men. The suspect would have his day in court.
A thunder strike has reportedly killed three suspected kidnappers in the Oro-Ago community in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

INFORMATION NIGERIA gathered that the incident was attributed to the efforts of the local vigilance team in the Igbomina Kwara axis aimed at checking security challenges in the area, which happened three days ago.

A source in the Oro-Ago Development Union (ODU), a sociocultural organization of indigenes of the area, confirmed the incident to Vanguard, saying that members of the vigilance team in the area briefed the organization on the development.

Vanguard also gathered from credible sources in the community that victims of kidnapping in the town had contracted the local vigilantes who vowed that they would use local charms to deal with the kidnappers who had been terrorising the town and its environs

In the viral video of the incident, it was gathered that the victims of the thunderstrike were suspected members of an eight-man kidnap gang, who reportedly operated in Iwo, in the Isin Local government area of the state about two weeks earlier.

The one-minute-13-second video clip showed decomposing bodies of three young persons, presumably in their 20s, already burnt beyond recognition in a bush, with flies all over the scene.

READ MORE: Kwara Makes U-turn, Reverts To Five Working Days For State Workers

The voice in the short video clip said that: Were members of the vigilance team in Igbomina Kwara. Our efforts against those perpetrating evil and kidnapping people in our area had yielded fruits. Thunderstrike struck them dead. Three of them. God will continue to make us successful against the evildoers. We shall overcome them all by the grace of God. Thank you all.

Also, another video clip showed some Fulani herders, said to be relations of the victims of the thunderstrike, in a bush, bemoaning their loss. They ascribed the incident to an act of God that cannot be questioned by anyone, saying that the thunderstrike is from God and can never be man-made.

Contacted, Kwara state police Commissioner Ebunoluwarotimi Adelesi, confirmed the incident saying that the command and its men had already commenced an investigation into the development.
The road fittings installed on the newly inaugurated Second Niger bridge have reportedly been vandalized by robbers.

A source in the works ministry confirmed the theft to The Punch on Wednesday, saying that the expansion joint walkway on axis 330 of the bridge had been stolen.

The source said, Unfortunately, Its true. The stolen fitting is an element from the expansion joints of the bridge. Drivers on that road have to be careful as the damaged part can cause discomfort to motorists.

READ ALSO: S/East Governors Name Second Niger Bridge After Buhari

Another source who spoke to The Punch corroborated the report adding that supervising engineers are not happy about the incident.

Recall that on May 23, the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, commissioned the N336 billion bridge, via an online platform, Zoom alongside seven other infrastructural projects.

The former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, announced the completion of the bridge at a briefing in October 2022 after almost five decades of failed promises by successive administrations.

On December 15, 2022, the Federal Government also opened the Second Niger Bridge for use to ease traffic in the South-East during the festive season.

The Second Niger Bridge was first proposed during the 1978/79 political campaign by then-candidate Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria.

Patterned after the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, the 1.6 kilometres long bridge linking Anambra and Delta states is to decongest traffic on the existing Niger Bridge, boost economic activities, and connect the South-East with the rest of the country.

Meanwhile, the ministry spokesperson, Blessing Adams-Lere is yet to release an official confirmation on the incident.
Barely weeks after agreeing to fight Elon Musk in a cage match, Mark Zuckerberg has teamed up with a pair of UFC champions in preparation for the potential bout.

It was gathered that Zuckerberg has spent the past few days training with UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the two UFC champions flew straight to the Facebook founders Northern California residence following Saturday nights UFC 290 showcase in Vegas.

The trio have since hit the gym for training, which appears to be taking place in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. On Tuesday, Israel Adesanya posted on social media to document the session sharing a photo of himself alongside Zuckerberg and Volkanovski. Adesanya captioned the post by praising the 39-year-old tech moguls competitive spirit. No fugazi with Mark, Adesanya wrote alongside an emoji of a shark. This is Serious Business!! Meanwhile, Zuckerberg, in reaction, commented under the post to thank the UFC stars for their support, calling it an honor to train with the pair.

Meanwhile, UFC president Dana White is confident that the highly anticipated cage match will actually happen. Back in June, White told TMZ both Zuckerberg and Musk are absolutely dead serious about the fight. I was talking to both Elon and Mark last night, he told the outlet. Both guys are absolutely dead serious about this. White added that a Zuckerberg-Musk bout could be the biggest fight ever in the history of the world. In addition, White expressed his desire to set up the event as a charity match.
Philadelphias new public restroom  the Phlush  during its first day at 15th and Arch Streets in Center City. Read more

If youve wondered what it would be like to use Phillys new public bathrooms, urine luck. Im here to leak all the details of my inaugural trip to Center Citys first public restroom.

As soon as I learned it opened at 15th and Arch Streets Tuesday morning, I armed myself with a 40-ounce Wawa fountain iced tea and went to check it out.

 READ MORE: Center Citys first public restroom is now open at 15th and Arch. Yes, its called the Phlush.

Philly has lagged behind other metro areas when it comes to the public restroom game, but thats set to change this year with the installation of six bathrooms across the city as part of a pilot public restroom project. The first quietly opened June 17 in Fotterall Square Park in North Philly, the second opened Tuesday in Center City. The third is slated for West Phillys Clark Park, with the remaining three sites yet to be chosen.

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The stand-alone models are called Portland Loos, but the Philadelphia Department of Public Health held a potty poll last month to give them a Philly name. On Tuesday, it was announced Phlush was the clear winner, with 70% of the votes.

With about 70% of my extremely large beverage consumed, I approached the Philly Phlush at 15th and Arch. From the outside, the oblong sheet-metal gray bathroom was fairly nondescript.

The first thing I noticed was a handwashing station that has soap, running water, and even a hand dryer embedded into the exterior. Its great, but aside from a blue sign at the top that reads HAND WASH, the buttons for each feature werent marked.

I stood with soap in my hands for a solid 15 seconds before I realized it wasnt an automatic sink. And I was not alone. I watched several others who were both delighted and confused by the feature.

I also noticed that Philly not only needs public bathrooms  it needs public drinking fountains. I saw several people drink from the handwashing station and cool their heads off in the water. According to a city spokesperson, the water supply comes from the nearby Municipal Services Building and is the same water used in bathroom sinks there. While the spokesperson did not directly answer my question as to whether the water is potable, they did say its tested daily to make sure it doesnt contain harmful microorganisms.

Anton Pongon, 64, whos currently experiencing homelessness and living in Center City, stopped to use the restroom and fill up his water bottles at the handwashing station. Pongon is battling prostate cancer, which causes him to urinate often. He said he was grateful for the new bathroom, which he found far more secure, private, and clean than the nearby porta potties.

We need more of these, he said.

After hearing Pongons rave review, I stepped inside. The curved, convex door and metal interior made me feel like I was walking into the bathroom on a spaceship. I was surprised by how clean it was and how much cooler the temperature was than outside. The bathroom has a ton of ventilation on top and is raised off the ground an inch or two. Theres no floor, only the concrete sidewalk below (and yes, from the outside, you can see how many feet are in the loo at any one time).

Unlike the TV reporter who came after me (and shall remain nameless), I remembered to lock the door before I used the bathroom. At first, I marveled at the features within  a cabinet stocked with naloxone, a needle disposal station, grab bars near the toilet, a diaper-changing station, a machine filled with free tampons and pads, hand sanitizer, toilet seat covers, toilet paper, and even a purse hook. This potty had everything!

My user experience was a genuinely pleasant one. Everything worked and nothing was out of stock.

I talked to others who used the new bathroom too, like the Alii family from Saudi Arabia, who were happy to see the public restroom after visiting nearby LOVE Park.

Always public bathrooms is so dirty, but this is so clean, matriarch Sho Sho Alii told me.

When 18-year-old Liam McManus of South Philly opened the door to use the restroom, he couldnt contain his excitement.

DUUUUUDE! he said, as he stepped inside (he later gave me a 10 out of 10 review).

Outside, I talked with his friend, Aman Islam, 18, of West Philly. Islam was impressed by the hand dryer (Whoa!) and the sink (No way!).

This is a good thing, he said. They need this in more places. I feel like they need this everywhere in Philly.

The new bathroom was all Id hoped and dreamed it would be, for about an hour. After stepping aside to chat with some folks, I went back in to do one final check. The toilet was clogged and filled to the brim with a number two.

Wanting this bathroom to be a success, I did something I never thought Id do and tried to flush it on my own, to no avail.

I walked out and when a construction worker went to head inside behind me, I warned him it was clogged.

Oh well, I just have to pee, he said, and used it anyway.

Realizing this would not end well, I used the QR code listed on signs posted on the bathroom to report the issue (reports can also be made by calling 311). I had to head out shortly thereafter, but I was told by a city spokesperson (though I could not independently confirm it), that my report was received and the clog was fixed within the half hour.

According to another city spokesperson, there are three public restroom specialists who are responsible for cleaning the bathroom about every two hours. Those specialists also handle repairs and visit the unit multiple times a day to restock toilet paper and other supplies (supplies can also be requested through the QR code and 311). Currently, the city only has staffing to keep the bathroom open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends.

So if and when you use the new bathrooms, please think of those three public restroom specialists, who after their first day on the clock, already have one of the toughest jobs in this city. I hope youll be grateful to them, I hope youll keep the bathrooms clean, and I hope if you see an issue, youll report it before someone else makes their job even harder.

And heres my promise to you: Ill do my duty and go back in six weeks, in six months, and again in a year, to keep you privy to the condition of Phillys new public bathrooms.
The alleged victim said she was sexually assaulted for years, including in the back of a Philadelphia police van. The former officer's attorney said none of it happened. Read more

Former Philadelphia Police Officer Charles Young is a hero who dutifully patrolled city streets for two decades  or a depraved criminal who convinced a vulnerable North Philly girl to have sex with him hundreds of times beginning when she was in the seventh or eighth grade.

Those were the starkly divergent portrayals of Young that emerged this week during his trial in Commons Pleas Court on felony sexual assault charges stemming from abuse that allegedly occurred between 2004 and 2008.

Prosecutors say that Young, now 52, abused the girl, starting when she was 14, by exploiting her troubled home life and earning her trust, occasionally giving her money so she could buy food or get her hair braided.

This is about what happens in the shadows, Assistant District Attorney Brett Zakeosian said during the opening statement on Tuesday, alleging that Young continuously and regularly had sex with the girl over that time.

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The complainant, now 33, told the jury that her mother was addicted to drinking and gambling and was often absent from their home. She said Young would help her with money and intervene when she got into fights in the neighborhood.

He wanted me to trust him, she said. He gave me his number and told me to call him.

 READ MORE: Philadelphia Police Officer charged with sexually assaulting 8th grader

The woman said Young persuaded her to let him have intercourse with her in his car and in the back of a police van parked under a bridge. She said it continued until she was 18 years old. (The Inquirer does not identify victims of alleged sex crimes without their permission.)

I thought he cared about me, she testified.

It was not until 2020 that she filed a report with Internal Affairs. She said she came forward because a relative had told her about that time that hed been sexually abused.

Young, a member of the Police Department for 21 years, retired in February 2021, shortly before he was charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and related offenses. The department made no announcement about his arrest at the time, but The Inquirer reported the charges the following week.

Youngs lawyer, Shaka Johnson, told the jury that the allegations are nasty, vile, sick  and, he contends, entirely fabricated.

Youre not going to find a single person saying they saw this man touching this girl, Johnson said, noting that there was no corroborating evidence or other victims.

As for the womans motive for making the allegations against Young, Johnson said: I dont know why. It is not his cross to bear.

Young appeared upbeat in court on Wednesday, smiling and joking with Johnson and relatives during breaks in the proceedings. It was unclear whether he would take the stand in his own defense.

During cross examination on Wednesday, Johnson sought to attack the womans credibility, noting that she gave inconsistent statements to police in Montgomery County following an unrelated criminal incident in 2021.

Johnson alluded to relatively minor inconsistencies between the womans court testimony and what she previously told Internal Affairs investigators. She said she was unsure of some details  such as whether Young ever assaulted her while on duty  but when it came to the sexual assault allegations, she did not waver.

It happened, she said.
A year after the launch of the 988 national mental health and suicide prevention line, many still haven't heard about it. Read more

Sappho Fultons work with people experiencing homelessness requires her to navigate the communitys mental health resources every day.

But there is a year-old resource that she hadnt heard about: 988, a three-digit national mental health and suicide prevention hotline.

If anybody needs to know about 988, its us, said Fulton, program director of the Michael Hinson Resource Center at 17th Street and Lehigh Avenue in North Philadelphia. We need posters all around here.

 READ MORE: What to know about 988, a new national mental health hotline

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Fulton is not alone. A Pew Charitable Trusts survey found that most adults in the United States arent aware of the hotline, even in the midst of what the U.S. Surgeon General called a youth mental health crisis and as suicide numbers threaten to reverse increases in life expectancy.

Leaders from several community organizations whose clients often express mental health concerns  Mothers in Charge, Intercultural Family Services, Ardellas House, and Philadelphia Anti-Drug/Anti-Violence Network  all told The Inquirer that they had not heard of 988.

Still, calls to Philadelphia crisis call center are rising overall, along with the number of times the city dispatches mobile crisis units to respond in the community. As 988 enters its second year, the city is looking to expand awareness and build trust.

Cautious celebration over new hotline

Since the launch of 988, Philadelphia has experienced an increase in calls reporting mental health crises, according to city data. From January through May of this year, the city received 30,775 calls. Thats a 7% increase from the same period before the launch of 988.

Still, nearly four out of every five calls came in through an existing 10-digit local hotline number.

Federal officials came to Philly last July to launch 988. They touted the line as a shorter, easier-to-remember version of the long-standing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK).

Advocates worked on its launch for years, hoping that a three-digit line would make responding to a mental health crisis as second nature as the emergency services provided by 911. Others saw in the federally driven project a potential catalyst for investment in the mental health system.

Each year in the United States, about 1.7 million suicide attempts occur and 132 people die by suicide daily, making suicide the nations 11th leading cause of death.

Leading up to the launch, some worried that call centers throughout the nation were not ready for the increase in volume anticipated with an easier-to-dial number.

In Philadelphia, the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability operates the Philadelphia Crisis Line, which people can reach by dialing either 988 or a local 10-digit number (215-686-4420).

Its actually going exceedingly well, said Jill Bowen, DBHIDS commissioner.

Most calls are resolved on the phone, but the city dispatches a mobile crisis unit when face-to-face contact is needed. Such dispatches increased by roughly 30% from January to May, compared the same months in the year prior to 988s launch.

Building awareness and trust

To build trust and awareness, the city is working with the Scattergood Foundation, a Philadelphia-based mental health nonprofit, to conduct focus groups with neighborhood residents. The effort aims to tailor communications for different communities, Bowen said.

DBHIDS also created a website with information about crisis services in English, Spanish, Russian, French, Vietnamese, and Chinese.

But some still have concerns over the line, and its relationship to police.

With the launch of 988, mental health activists were worried that the line would be a pipeline for more policing, despite being advertised as an alternative to 911. As the number of contacts rises, the number of coercive intervention rises, too, said licensed clinician Julia Lyon.

 READ MORE: When mental health crises require more than a phone conversation, these mobile units come to help

About one in four mobile crisis unit dispatches, or more than 100 a month, ends with an involuntary commitment, according to DBHIDS data.

Still, Lyon said that its positive that people can both call and text 988.

Sometimes people have resistance to speaking on the phone, she said. You can imagine if they are in a violent or abusive situation or have limited privacy they cant have 10-minute phone calls.

Jasper Liem, executive director of the Attic Youth Center, a support resource for LGBTQ youth, said some youth preferred his organizations counseling service. They werent sure how they would be treated by 988 operators, and feared a call would result in involuntary hospitalization.

Our youth know about the number, but do not have enough trust to use it, he said.
A medical assistant who worked in Montgomery county pleaded guilty to 11 felony charges after stealing patient information to open credit cards. Read more

A medical assistant has pleaded guilty to 11 felony charges related to identify theft involving seven Montgomery County patients, the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office said Tuesday.

Ashley Latimer, 35, of Philadelphia, will serve two to five years in a state prison, followed by two years of probation. Latimer will also lose her medical assistant license and have to pay more than $31,000 in restitution for purchases made at Wayfair, an online furniture store.

Latimer worked as a medical assistant at Montgomery County locations of Axia Womens Health in the first half of 2022, according to a criminal complaint. She took photos of patients forms and screenshots of personal information from electronic medical records. Latimer used that information to open credit cards, make purchases, and rent an apartment.

The defendant was a licensed medical professional trusted to care for and protect her patients, Attorney General Michelle Henry said in a statement announcing the plea. She broke that trust by stealing their information and bankrolling her own personal spending spree.

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On one occasion, Latimer took a photo of the drivers license of a pregnant patient who came to the Rosemont office of Axia Women Health in March 2022, detectives said in the criminal complaint. Latimer opened a Wayfair credit card using the license and personal information from the patients medical chart. Then she ordered 45 items, with a total value of $9,995.57, from Wayfair in the patients name.

Over time, Latimer purchased more than $31,000 in items from Wayfair. She also secured an apartment under a patients name.

Michael Huff, a public defender representing Latimer in this case, said that his client was remorseful and wanted to take responsibility.

Shes looking forward to getting it behind her and moving forward in her life, Huff said.

Latimer had previously pleaded guilty in unrelated cases to insurance fraud in Montgomery County and computer theft charges in Philadelphia.

Before working at Axia, a network of clinics operating in multiple states in the Northeast and Midwest, Latimer worked at an urgent care clinic in South Philadelphia for a few months in 2021. She was fired after her boss suspected that she stole $3,200 from the cash drawer, according to the complaint.

She was arrested in November for the scheme involving Axia patients and pleaded guilty Monday at a Montgomery County courthouse to seven counts of identity theft  one for each patient  and four counts of computer theft for accessing patients electronic records.
Paula Bruton Shepard relies on monthly infusions at Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, Missouri, to treat her lupus. Read more

Health insurers and medical providers are battling over who should supply high-cost infusion drugs for patients, with the tussle over profits now spilling into statehouses across the country.

The issue is that some insurers are bypassing hospital pharmacies and physician offices and instead sending more complex drugs through third-party pharmacies. Those pharmacies then send the medications directly to the medical provider or facility for outpatient infusing, which is called white bagging, or, more rarely, to patients, in what is called brown bagging. That shifts who gets to buy and bill for these complex medications, including pricey chemotherapy drugs.

Insurers say the policies are needed because hospital markups are too high. But hospitals argue that adding an intermediary results in unnecessary risks and delays, and they say some insurers have their own or affiliated pharmacy companies, creating financial motives for controlling the source of the medications. The patients, meanwhile, are left to deal with the red tape.

 READ MORE: A progress check on hospital price transparency

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Paula Bruton Shepard in Bolivar, Mo., is among those caught in the middle. Flares of lupus, an autoimmune disease, rob Shepard of her mobility by attacking her joints. She relies on monthly infusions to treat her symptoms. But at times, she said, her treatments were delayed due to UnitedHealthcares white-bagging infusion policy. And interruptions to her treatments exacerbated her symptoms.

I once had to use a toilet lift and it was kind of demoralizing to say, Im a 50-year-old woman and I have to use a toilet lift, Shepard said of the medication delays.

This is a tug-of-war over profits between insurers and medical providers, said Ge Bai, a professor of accounting and health policy at Johns Hopkins University. While insurers claim the arrangement reduces costs, she said, that doesnt mean insurers pass along savings to patients.

I dont think we should have more sympathy toward one party or the other, Bai said. Nobody is better than the other. Theyre all trying to make money.

The savings from white bagging can be significant for expensive infusion drugs, according to a report from the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission. For example, Remicade, used to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases, including Crohns, cost on average $1,106 per unit in 2015 under hospitals traditional buy-and-bill system, the commission found in its review of state claims data. That same drug cost an average of $975 per unit under white bagging, a 12% savings.

But the report also found patients, on average, faced higher cost sharing  what they are responsible for paying  for Remicade and other drugs when white bagging was used. While some patients had only modest increases to their costs under the policy, such as $12 more for a medication, the review found it could mean much greater cost sharing for some patients, such as those on Medicare.

At Citizens Memorial Hospital in rural Bolivar, more than 1 in 4 patients who receive regular infusions are being forced to use an outside pharmacy, said Mariah Hollabaugh, the hospitals pharmacy director. Shepard was among them.

Even if the hospital has the exact drug on the shelf, patients must wait for a separate shipment, Hollabaugh said, potentially interrupting care. Their shipped drugs may sometimes be unusable when the doctor needs to change the dosage. Or the medicine comes in a nondescript package that doesnt get immediately flagged for the pharmacy, potentially subjecting the drugs to damaging temperature fluctuations. For patients, that can mean delays in care.

Theyre in pain, theyre uncomfortable, Hollabaugh said. They may be having symptoms that dont allow them to go to work.

 READ MORE: Want a clue on health care costs in advance? New tools take a crack at it

Siteman Cancer Center, led by physicians from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has confronted the same issue. But the cancer centers size has helped it largely avoid such insurer policies.

John DiPersio, a Siteman oncologist and researcher who led the universitys oncology division for more than two decades, said Siteman reluctantly allows white bagging for simple injectables but refuses to accept it for complicated chemotherapies. It does not accept brown bagging. Occasionally, he said, that means turning patients away.

Youre talking about cancer patients that are getting life-threatening treatments, DiPersio said, referring to the dangers of chemo drugs, which he said can be fatal if used improperly. It doesnt make any sense to me. Its all stupid. Its all lunacy.

At least 21 states, including Missouri, introduced some form of white- or brown-bagging legislation during the most recent legislative session, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. And in the past two years, the trade group said, at least 13 states have already enacted restrictions on white bagging, including Arkansas, Louisiana, and Virginia.

ASHP has created model legislation to limit insurers from requiring the practices as a condition of coverage.

This is a major issue, said Tom Kraus, a vice president at the trade group. We see this as central to our ability to coordinate patient care.

 READ MORE: Surprise-billing law loophole: When out of network doesnt quite mean out of network

At the heart of the tension is an often-litigated federal program that allows certain hospitals and the clinics they own to purchase drugs at deep discounts. The 340B program, named for a section of the law that created it, allows hospitals to buy certain drugs for much less  sometimes for a total cost of a single penny  than what they are later paid for those drugs. Hospitals are not required to pass along 340B savings to patients.

The program was intended to help hospitals spread scarce resources further to treat patients in poor and vulnerable communities, but it has morphed into a means of enriching hospitals and their affiliated clinics, researchers said in a 2014 Health Affairs report. Hollabaugh said many rural facilities such as Citizens rely on the revenue generated from the 340B drugs to subsidize infusions that have no profit margin.

The number of participating hospitals and their affiliated outpatient clinics has increased significantly since the 340B program was created in 1992. More than 2,600 of the nations roughly 6,100 hospitals were participating in the 340B program as of January 2023. That gives them access to discounts that can knock off as much as 50% of a drugs cost, according to the Health Resources & Services Administration, which oversees the program.

The insurance industry argues that hospital markups, especially when made on top of those discounts, have gotten out of control.

The fact is, people got greedy, Shannon Cooper, a lobbyist for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, said during a Missouri state Senate hearing in March.

 READ MORE: No-cost preventive services are now in jeopardy. Heres what you need to know.

Markups are not unique to 340B hospitals, said Sean Dickson, who helps lead pharmaceutical policy for AHIP, a trade group formerly known as Americas Health Insurance Plans. The markups thrust on commercial plans are widely out of line with what Medicare will pay, he said, and that is driving up costs without providing additional value.

Legislation that targets white bagging hinders an insurers ability to rein in such costs, Dickson said, especially when an area lacks competition.

What were really trying to focus on here is putting pressure on those markups that are not related to cost or safety, Dickson said.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield lobbyist David Smith testified during the March hearing in Missouri that even the idea of white bagging elicited a quick response and that almost every major hospital system in the state said they would drop their prices and come back to the negotiation table.

For now, Citizens Memorial Hospital and other Missouri medical facilities will have to continue to tango with the insurers: Legislation to limit white and brown bagging did not pass during the Missouri General Assemblys recent session.

Shepard, though, wont need such legislation.

UnitedHealthcare had been sending her lupus infusion through other pharmacies on and off since 2021, unwilling to cover the drugs if they came from Citizens in-house pharmacy. Shepard had to authorize each shipment before it was sent. If she missed the monthly call, she said, it was a bureaucratic mess trying to get the medication shipped.

We are driving unnecessary costs out of the health-care system to help make care more affordable, while also maintaining drug safety, effectiveness and quality of care, UnitedHealthcare spokesperson Tony Marusic wrote.

But after KFF Health News inquired about Shepards case, Marusic said UnitedHealthcare stopped white bagging Shepards medication to prevent potential delays in shipping. And during her latest infusion in June, her hospital was again able to supply Shepards medication directly.

Im just so relieved, Shepard said. I dont have to take phone calls. I dont have to reply to emails. I just show up.

Kaiser Family Foundation Health News is a national newsroom that produces journalism about health issues.
A UPS plane at the company's Philadelphia International Airport facility in 2020. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 623 represents Philadelphia UPS workers at the companys Oregon Avenue facility and its hub at the airport. Read more

The clock is ticking on a contract between UPS and the union that represents roughly 340,000 of its employees, who have already voted to go on strike if they dont have a new collective bargaining agreement in place by Aug. 1.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 623, which represents Philadelphia UPS workers at the companys Oregon Avenue facility and its air hub at the Philadelphia International Airport, has been readying for a work stoppage, holding practice pickets throughout this month. The local has roughly 5,000 members who work for UPS as drivers, sorters, loaders, clerks, and more, according to secretary-treasurer Richard Hooker.

If a work stoppage were to take place, it would be the largest single-employer strike in U.S. history. And even if there is no strike, the UPS workers next contract is expected to set a new standard for package delivery workers across the country.

This is a crucial time in American labor, Hooker said, noting the significance of this contracts national reach. Were just demanding more because we have been pushed to the brink, and were not gonna settle for anything less than what we are worth.

What happens if UPS workers strike?

More than 70% of UPSs U.S. employees are Teamsters, so deliveries could be delayed significantly if the union goes on strike, and that could have ripple effects for the larger economy. UPS has taken credit for moving 6% of the U.S. gross domestic product each day.

A lot of people will be affected. A lot of small businesses, a lot of corporations will be affected by us not being able to go to work, said Hooker.

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UPS Teamsters went on strike in 1997 and essentially caused the entire company to shut down for 15 days. The work stoppage cost the company hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.

If another strike were to happen this year, UPS would likely lose some business to FedEx, perhaps permanently, logistics consultant Satish Jindel told Reuters last week. Now UPS handles about 20 million [packages] a day, and FedEx is handling 12 million. So they have capacity for three or four million [more packages] easily without sweating. And they would love to keep it, Jindel said.

FedEx put out its own statement last week urging potential customers to begin shipping with FedEx now if theyre considering making a switch. In the event of an industry disruption, FedEx Corporations priority is protecting capacity and service for existing customers, the company said.

Has there been any progress in negotiations?

Yes. The Teamsters and UPS have reached agreements on some parts of their national contract and supplements that apply to local unions.

According to UPS, theyve reached agreements on all noneconomic topics, such as safety requirements and operations issues. In that category, the company agreed to get air-conditioning in all new small package delivery vehicles beginning in 2024, with a priority for updating vehicles in the hottest areas of the U.S.

Negotiations then moved to the economic issues, including wages and holidays. In early July, UPS agreed to end a dual-wage system for delivery drivers, eliminate mandatory overtime and establish Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday  Teamsters had asked for that addition to paid holidays, noting that the U.S. Postal Service already has it. The union, on Twitter, said these agreements secured early this month were extraordinary gains on key issues.

Just a few days later, however, both UPS and Teamsters accused the other of walking away from the bargaining table.

What are the sticking points?

Right now, as far as we know, theres a big hang-up on part-time wages, Hooker said.

Part-timers, whose jobs include sorting packages and loading them for delivery, make up more than half the UPS workforce.

Part-time worker wages currently start at $15.50 per hour in Philadelphia. According to Hooker, it takes years for the typical UPS employee to graduate from a part-time role into a full-time position.

They work early in the morning [and] late at night. A lot of them have two or three jobs, Hooker said. The part-timers have been exploited for a long, long time and they need to be compensated for all the stuff they bring to the UPS organization.

According to UPS, the average part-time employee makes $20 per hour after 30 days with the company, and theyre eligible for health insurance through UPS as well as tuition reimbursement. Teamsters General President Sean M. OBrien told industry publication Supply Chain Dive that UPS offered $6 or $7 less per hour for part-timers than the union wanted.

Hooker said he would also like to see more protections for workers who file grievances or otherwise try to assert their rights under the unions contract. Beyond compensation for employees after the fact, he wants to see harder consequences for managers who commit unfair labor practices.

This is not the same old generation as it was before. This new generation of worker is not going to continue to take the constant disrespect, the constant disregard, he said.

Is a strike likely?

While the Teamsters have said UPS walked away from the bargaining table and refused to make a final offer, UPS has stated that there is still time to reach an agreement, and that it was the Teamsters who had stopped negotiating.

This multibillion-dollar corporation has plenty to give American workers  they just dont want to, OBrien said in a statement.

Refusing to negotiate, especially when the finish line is in sight, creates significant unease among employees and customers and threatens to disrupt the U.S. economy, a UPS statement said. Only our nonunion competitors benefit from the Teamsters actions.

If a strike did take place, experts told Vox it wouldnt likely last long, given that it would cost UPS hundreds of millions of dollars per day in lost revenue.

Hooker said a strike seems likely, given that the contract expires in less than three weeks and members still havent seen information on wages.

If we dont show up to work, UPS is nothing, said Hooker. Theyre going to find out the hard way come Aug. 1 if we dont have a deal.
Pennsylvania is depriving hundreds of students with special needs of a year of education, a new class action lawsuit says. The suit was filed on behalf of a Lower Merion family. Read more

Pennsylvania denies some students with disabilities up to a year of federally guaranteed education, a lawsuit filed this week on behalf of a Lower Merion student says.

Federal law entitles students with disabilities the right to an education until they earn a regular high school diploma or turn 22. But Pennsylvania forces students to graduate at the end of the school year when they turn 21  depriving some of the states most vulnerable citizens of a year of services that could help them work toward educational and life goals, the suit says.

The complaint, filed against the Pennsylvania Department of Education in federal court by attorneys from the Public Interest Law Center and Berney & Sang, was brought on behalf of a 19-year-old Lower Merion student with multiple disabilities but also asks that the court grant class-action status. The young man, known only as A.P. in legal documents, wont turn 22 until February 2026, but under current state policy would be forced to graduate in June 2025.

A.P. and his parents want a judge to force Pennsylvania to alter its policy, as several other states have been compelled to do in recent years.

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The states policy unlawfully deprives students with disabilities of up to a year of a [free and appropriate public education] at a critical juncture of their lives, denying them essential services such as job readiness training, functional math and literacy instruction, and the acquisition of daily living skills such as using public transportation, shopping for groceries, or managing a home, the lawsuit reads. The Age-Out Policy also harms the very students most in need of these services: students with significant disabilities who are more likely to remain in school instead of earning a regular high school diploma, and who will require coordinated, comprehensive supports to successfully transition to adult life.

A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Education said she could not comment on pending litigation. But, Casey Smith said, the department is committed to ensuring that every student receives a high-quality education and working with parents to meet the needs of students with disabilities.

Lisa Lightner works as an advocate for parents of children with special needs  including her own son, a student with disabilities who attends a Chester County public school. Her son is 17, but Lightner knows he will need every minute of the public education the law guarantees him.

My son has still not even regained the skills that he lost during the pandemic, said Lightner. So to lose a year of school at a crucial time is so tough.

Her son likely cant work and will need services from a day program for adults with disabilities after he graduates.

The adult services have long waitlists, and even if parents can afford to privately fund those for their child, theres not even enough providers out there, said Lightner. Just having that extra year of skill development and practice is important. This is a segment of the population that often gets overlooked.

About 17,000 Pennsylvania students between the ages of 18 and 21 receive special education services annually. Roughly 300 of them are 21.

The lawsuit was inspired by a similar case in Connecticut, decided in 2020, that forced a change. Similar suits have forced changes in Hawaii and Rhode Island.

Other states have opened the door, said Caroline Ramsey, a Public Interest Law Center lawyer representing A.P. and other Pennsylvania students in the same position: Pennsylvania and New Jersey passed laws granting students with special needs an extra year of high school eligibility to make up for time lost during the pandemic and virtual schooling. Both states extensions were time-limited, though.

This isnt a brand-new idea, Ramsey.

Though A.P.s parents are asking a judge to intervene, it doesnt take a court to change this, said Claudia De Palma, another Public Interest Law Center lawyer on the case. This is something the Pennsylvania Department of Education has the authority to change if and when they look at this and realize what the law says.
Family and community members were consoled at a memorial site on the curb of 1700 South Frazier Street in the Kingsessing section of Philadelphia on July 5. Read more

Law enforcement officials and police watchdogs said Philadelphia Police could have done more to investigate the initial 911 call about the shooting that killed Joseph Wamah Jr. in Southwest Philadelphia  a full 44 hours before his body was discovered after police say the same gunman went on a rampage and killed four more people and wounded others in the same neighborhood.

A priority one emergency. A man with a gun firing into a rowhouse. An open door.

Thats what dispatchers sent officers to find shortly after 2 a.m. on July 2. But when police responded to the 1600 block of North 56th Street to investigate, they found no evidence of a shooting or an open door. It took six days for authorities to learn that those officers were three miles from the actual crime scene on the 1600 block of South 56th Street, where 40-year-old Kimbrady Carriker had allegedly just gunned down Wamah inside his home.

It seems strange that such a detailed and violent act, when investigated by responding officers, and found to have not occurred, didnt result in them double checking the address, said Hans Menos, the former director of the Philadelphia Police Advisory Commission who is now a vice president at the Center for Policing Equity, a nonprofit that advocates for police reform.

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Police on Monday blamed a dispatch error, said the initial 911 caller was uncooperative when they tried to get more information, and announced that what happened is now under internal investigation.

The mistake is at the center of the shapeshifting timeline of the mass shooting in Southwest Philadelphia less than two days later, when police say the same gunman roamed the streets in body armor with an assault-style rifle and opened fire at random, killing four more people and injuring two children. It was one of the deadliest shootings in city history  and the revelation that Wamah had been killed nearly two days earlier has led some residents to question whether a proper response could have led police to Carriker before he allegedly killed again.

Brian Higgins, a former police chief in Bergen County, N.J., said street direction errors are common in dispatch response. But in grid-based cities such as Philadelphia, north and south orientations of the same address can be city miles apart.

Dispatchers, responding officers, and police supervisors on duty that morning should have been aware of this possibility, he said. And given the gravity of the initial emergency call, he said, they should not have given up so readily on tracking down the correct scene.

Something that serious, there should have been more follow-up, said Higgins, who is now an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. If you have a street separated by east and west, there should be a follow-up to both locations. If someone calls in and said theres a shooting in Philadelphia, you cant blanket the whole city, but you had one specific phone call  a pretty serious phone call.

Police have not released the audio of the initial 911 call, but in public police dispatch recordings detailing the response, officers sounded puzzled as they searched for a shot-up door on the wrong block.

While the investigation remains ongoing, Deputy Commissioner Krista Dahl-Campbell, who oversees call-center operations, said Monday that dispatchers often manually enter location data into their system rather than using geolocated information from the callers cell phone. When officers arrived on North 56th Street and found no evidence of a shooting, a dispatcher reached back out to the initial caller, but officials said the caller did not provide enough information to let police know they were on the wrong block.

At that point, police on North 56th Street were then told to search the block real quick, do a drive-by and see if you see any doors open, according to the police dispatch recordings reviewed by The Inquirer.

The woman who placed the 911 call acknowledged in an interview Monday that a dispatcher had called her back for more information, but said she hung up after being placed on hold. She said two of her sons had been killed in the last two years, and neither case has been solved, which led her to believe the authorities were not taking her call seriously that morning.

The 911 call center fields more than 7,000 calls a day  and unfounded reports of a person with a weapon are not uncommon. Still, the departments police dispatch center has been beset by staffing shortages since the pandemic. An Inquirer analysis last year found that, in 2021, police response had slowed by four minutes on average compared with the previous year. Dahl-Campbell did not speak to staffing levels on the morning of Wamahs shooting.

Its unfortunately summer time, and it is busy, but they were getting to calls and answering 911 as they came in, she said.

Wamahs body was discovered by his father after the mass shooting on Monday night, but it wasnt until the medical examiner pinpointed Wamahs time of death that police realized their timeline was off. Further investigation led authorities to surveillance video that shows a man in a mask and dark-colored clothing that they believe to be Carriker shooting into Wamahs door. Ballistic evidence matched the weapons used in the mass shooting.

Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said Monday that hindsight is always perfect, and she cautioned against what she called speculation about whether police could have apprehended Carriker sooner.

Menos, of the Center for Policing Equity, said the department should see this as an opportunity to build trust in police as the investigation unfolds into what went wrong.

If the community cant accept a mistake, its a canary in the coal mine and probably indicates that the police have work to do to improve their legitimacy in the community, Menos said. If they do, communities can be more forgiving when they make honest mistakes.
Police at Cheltenham Avenue and Charles Street where a Philadelphia highway patrol officer was injured during a car stop. Police look for clues on the stretch of Cheltenham Avenue, Monday, July 10, 2023. Read more

A 20-year-old man who allegedly dragged an officer more than 200 feet with a Tesla before speeding away in Northeast Philadelphia turned himself in late Tuesday night, police said.

Eddy Brito-Almonte, of Feltonville, surrendered to police around 11:10 p.m. Tuesday and was charged with aggravated assault, illegal gun possession, resisting arrest, and related offenses, police said Wednesday. Bail was set at $300,000, court records show.

The Tesla was located unoccupied around 6:45 a.m. Tuesday on the 2400 block of North 7th Street in North Philadelphia, said Capt. Jack Ryan, commanding officer of the Northeast Detective Division. An arrest warrant was issued for Brito-Almonte later that day.

Just after 9:40 p.m. Monday at Cheltenham Avenue and Charles Street, a highway patrol officer and his partner were conducting a routine traffic stop of the Tesla when the officer noticed a gun on the floor under the male driver, said Chief Inspector Scott Small.

With the driver-side door already open, the officer tried to grab the gun when the driver sped off in reverse, at least 100 feet, probably more  and the officer was holding on for his life, Small said.

Then the driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, shifted gears and sped forward around 100 feet before he physically kicked the officer off the vehicle and fled eastbound on Cheltenham, Small said.

Medics transported the officer to Jefferson Frankford Hospital with scrapes and bruises to his ribs and legs, Small said.

The officer, who has been on the force more than nine years, was treated, released, and was recuperating at home on Tuesday, Ryan said.
Communications Workers of America Local 13000 march in the Labor Day Parade on South Columbus Boulevard on September 2, 2019. Read more

Ed Mooney, the top official for the Communications Workers of America for four states including Pennsylvania, lost in a runoff election to CWA Vice President Claude Cummings Jr. for international union president late Monday night.

It was an election cycle that sparked debate over the future of one of the nations largest unions and raised questions about how labor holds its own accountable.

Over the last month, Mooney, 55, who is based in Philadelphia, has faced public accusations  some dating back more than 10 years  of abusive behavior toward members and staff. They include using homophobic and sexist slurs to address and describe employees, using racist stereotypes to employees and an elected official, screaming at employees and telling them they were worthless and idiots, and suggesting union officers resort to physical violence to settle a dispute.

Mooney denied many of the allegations.

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Im a labor leader, not a saint, Mooney said in an interview with The Inquirer. I have said and done some things over the years that obviously I regret.

He said that in the past, he had taken corrective action when people alerted him to his problematic behavior. And as more accusations surfaced, he attempted to contact the individuals involved but they had no interest in speaking with him. So you have to move on, he said.

He added that the timing of some of the allegations was suspect.

The CWA represents nearly 500,000 members. Mooneys former turf, District 2-13, which covers Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia, includes 36,000 members, including journalists at The Philadelphia Inquirer. Mooney got his start with the union with CWA Local 13000, which represents Verizon workers.

The accusations were leveled by a group of current and former CWA leaders  dubbed the Emergency Mutual Respect Committee  who argued that Mooney was not fit to be president. Their initial report was based on internal and external complaints filed against Mooney, including an unfair-labor practice charge that was settled with the National Labor Relations Board, and interviews with seven current and former CWA employees.

We want to be clear, their June letter to CWA members read. We are not saying our leaders need to be perfect. None of us are perfect. We are not against cussing. We are not demanding perfection. We are, however, demanding respect.

The committee members said they wanted to know how Mooneys behavior was allowed to continue for so many years.

In response to these accusations, outgoing CWA president Chris Shelton ordered an investigation. The team interviewed nearly two dozen current and former CWA staff and members and detailed its findings in a 12-page report made public by CWA. In his email sharing the report, Shelton said the timeline for the investigation was not ideal  with accusations coming just before the election  and encouraged CWA leaders to file complaints, so the union could investigate them with enough time.

Many described Mooney as a volatile, Jekyll and Hyde-type manager, at times kind and compassionate, other times insulting and demeaning, the investigation teams report stated.

It also included allegations of Mooney describing an elected official who checked himself into the hospital for depression  which Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman did earlier this year  as a crybaby who needed to man up, and saying in a meeting to then-Councilmember Helen Gym, who is Korean American, that  of course she is a crazy lefty since arent all her people communists?

Mooney denied both allegations to the investigation team.

He said he wished CWAs new president well. Im sure the union will move forward, collectively together. As we should, he said.
A sheriff sale notice is taped to a window in May 2009. Read more

A Philadelphia real estate investor was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison Tuesday for bribing a Sheriffs Office official with pricey dinners, cash payments, and offers of free rent in exchange for an edge in the competitive auctions through which the city sells off seized and foreclosed properties.

Gregory Guzman, 51, cofounder of Enterprise Properties LLC, described the more than $9,000 in kickbacks he paid a former deputy of ex-Sheriff Jewell Williams between 2011 and 2013 as a mistake and told U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone that he was committed to atoning for his crimes.

But efforts by his attorney to minimize those misdeeds won Guzman little sympathy with the court. Beetlestone balked at defense lawyer Stephen Lacheens contention that there were no victims of Guzmans bribery scheme and that everybody does it.

Everybody does not  does not  do it, the judge insisted as she announced Guzmans sentence, adding later: Im not sure you fully understand the enormity of what you did.

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Tuesdays sentencing ended a decade-long probe into corruption in the sheriff sale process, and Guzman was the last of three real estate speculators to face sentencing for bribing the same former deputy  Michael Riverso.

Riverso, 55, was sentenced to a year in prison in 2019 after admitting he accepted more than $40,000 in payoffs from the men, offering them in exchange lists of properties up for auction before they became available to the public and fast-tracking deed-processing and lien-removal on the properties they purchased.

In some cases, Riverso ignored Sheriffs Office policies requiring full payment for purchased properties within 60 days of sale. This allowed some of his favored bidders to flip properties they had bought at a sheriffs sale to new buyers before the initial bill came due, ensuring they never had to put down any of their own money before securing their profit.

In an interview with FBI agents after his 2013 arrest, Riverso admitted he made little effort to hide the payoffs. He recalled one frequent bidder wandering into the real estate department office and handing him a stack of cash.

Another passed him hundreds of dollars  sometimes tucked into greeting cards  during their meetings in the lobby of the Sheriffs Office at 100 S. Broad St.

Guzman admitted that he showered Riverso with meals at the now-shuttered Le Bec-Fin and South Streets Serpico, and even offered him marijuana in exchange for the special perks.

Guzman also gave Riverso a regular cut of the profits that he and his business partner, Binyamin Maoz, made flipping the houses they bought.

When Guzman delivered one of those kickbacks in the form of a $1,000 bribe during a December 2012 meeting at a Queen Village coffee shop, he specifically told Riverso, This money [is] not a Christmas gift.

In court Tuesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah L. Grieb cast Guzman and Riversos crimes as part of a culture of graft within the Sheriffs Office that led to the convictions of other employees in separate corruption schemes  including ex-Sheriff John Green, who was sentenced to five years behind bars in 2019.

The Sheriffs Office has been a corrupt institution, and people like Greg Guzman are the reason its become that way, she said. The City of Philadelphia was harmed by that. The Sheriffs Office was harmed by that  Its a significant crime and theres significant harm here.

Still, she acknowledged that despite the severity of Guzmans crimes, he was key to helping prosecutors unravel the scheme.

He immediately confessed when FBI agents first arrived to search his home in 2014 and later wore a wire to help ensnare others involved in the plot, including Riverso, Maoz, and another real estate developer, Behzad Ben Sabagh, all of whom later pleaded guilty.

Guzman said his prosecution provided a needed wake-up call.

The son of Ukrainian immigrants, hed been raised in a household that valued fraud as a means of survival, Lacheen said.

According to the attorney, when Guzman was just eight, his father induced him to fake an injury so his family could file a spurious lawsuit and collect a settlement.

Guzman was invited into the bribery scheme with Riverso in 2011. The success he and Maoz found in their house-flipping efforts, combined with Guzmans heavy drinking, soon became an addiction, Lacheen told the court.

Since Guzman pleaded guilty to counts of honest services fraud and tax evasion in 2014, hes made a concerted effort to make up for what he had done, said Lacheen.

He voluntarily gave up his real estate license, the lawyer said, and wrote an open letter to the real estate community acknowledging the crimes hed committed. Hes since entered rehab for alcoholism and has already paid nearly $115,000 of the $436,000 in restitution and back taxes he owes as part of the plea agreement he struck with prosecutors.

Why would we throw him out now? Lacheen asked the judge. Hes at a point at his life now where hes better than he ever was.

While crediting Guzmans progress so far, Beetlestone didnt quite agree, saying she remained deeply disturbed by defense efforts to argue no one had been harmed by his crimes.

Lacheen continued to press his case after the judge imposed the sentence and the courtroom began to clear out. He insisted he hadnt claimed there were no victims but rather that there were no intended victims of Guzmans crimes.

Beetlestone stopped him with a baleful expression.

Sir, she said before abruptly leaving the bench, its done.
Gov. Josh Shapiro should put the civil justice window for adult victims of childhood sexual abuse on the November ballot, argues Patrick Beaty. Read more

Five years ago this month, a Pennsylvania grand jury issued a scathing report detailing decades of child sexual abuse by Catholic priests and a cover-up by the church hierarchy. The grand jury included several recommendations for reform of the criminal and civil justice systems, including the creation of a two-year window allowing adults to sue for damages for abuse that occurred when they were minors and the statute of limitations has passed.

This year, on May 22, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a proposed constitutional amendment to establish the two-year window. The state Senate had already passed the constitutional change in January. Both chambers of the General Assembly also voted in favor of the civil justice window during the prior session of 2021-2022.

The next step in the amendment process is for voters to consider the proposed change. Opinion surveys show the issue has strong public support. If a majority votes in favor of the amendment, it will become part of the state constitution, and abuse survivors will finally have an opportunity to seek justice in Pennsylvania courts.

That is the way the process is supposed to work. Unfortunately, it appears that survivors may have to keep waiting for months  or even years  before the civil justice window appears on the ballot for voter approval.

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That is because the Democratic majority in the House removed two unrelated constitutional changes that the Senate Republican majority had included in the bill they passed in January. One measure would require voters to prove their identity every time they vote, and the other would give lawmakers veto power over executive agency regulations.

Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R., Indiana) continues to insist his caucus wont reconsider the proposed reform for survivors to sue their abusers as a stand-alone issue.

In the process, Pittman has dashed the hopes of the hundreds of survivors in Pennsylvania who had hoped to see the ballot measure creating a two-year window to sue for justice in November.

But it may not be too late.

All proposed constitutional changes must be advertised three months before the election they will be considered in. The advertising deadline for the upcoming municipal election is Aug. 7, just a few weeks away. However, the Senate is now in recess until late September.

Still, there is a way for Gov. Josh Shapiro to deliver on the recommendation of the grand jury he oversaw during his time as attorney general.

It would require bold action by the executive in the face of a recalcitrant Senate, and a willingness to test the limits of his power in the courts if it should come to that.

Shapiro could simply declare that the legislature has already completed its role in the amendment process, and he is instructing his secretary of the commonwealth to advertise the civil justice window for the November ballot.

Shapiros action would find support in the language of Article XI of the state constitution, as well as a line of court decisions holding that the rules for enacting statutes do not apply when it comes to amending the constitution. More than a century ago, in the case of Commonwealth v. Griest, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court stated that while the legislature has a required role in the amendment process, a constitutional amendment is not a law, an order, a bill or a resolution. Subsequent court decisions have consistently stated that the only requirements for amending the constitution are those contained in Article XI.

As far as the legislatures role is concerned, Article XI says only that a majority of the members elected in both chambers must agree to the same amendment twice in consecutive sessions. It does not say they must agree to the same bill containing that amendment.

If Shapiro were to instruct Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt to move ahead with advertising the civil justice window for the November ballot, his action would likely be met with a court challenge.

But how much longer must abuse survivors wait and continue to suffer when Senate Republicans have made clear their intention to run out the clock on the proposed reform?

Shapiro should tell Secretary Schmidt to put the civil justice window on the ballot this November.

Patrick Beaty served more than 20 years in Pennsylvania state government in both the legislative and executive branches, including as legislative counsel to Gov. Robert Casey.
Philadelphia Police Department 12th District and community members stop for a prayer at Chester Avenue and Fraizer Street during an anti-violence prayer walk in the wake of the Kingsessing mass shooting. Read more

Last week, five Philadelphians lost their lives and two children were injured by a mass shooter in the Kingsessing section of the city. Community members in Southwest Philadelphia woke up on the Fourth of July  a day that is supposed to be filled with celebration  in disbelief that more innocent lives were lost in a city plagued by gun violence.

In Philadelphia alone, more than 900 people have been shot since January.

The Kingsessing tragedy might have been avoided if the Pennsylvania Senate had passed red flag legislation, also referred to as extreme risk protection orders, which already passed the Pennsylvania House in May. The red flag law would allow law enforcement to temporarily seize firearms from someone deemed by a judge to be an immediate threat to themselves or others. And as news reports have since made clear, in the days leading up to the shooting, there were clear warning signs that the 40-year-old suspect could be a danger to himself or others.

The bill is not expected to pass the Pennsylvania Senate, which has a Republican majority.

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Red flag laws have already passed in 21 states and Washington, D.C., including Pennsylvanias neighbors New Jersey, Delaware, New York, and Maryland  and fellow so-called purple state Florida. These laws vary widely in terms of who can apply for an extreme risk protection order and how long the order is in effect. The most expansive versions of red flag laws allow more people to apply  including police officers, family and friends, employers, teachers, and mental health professionals  and restrictions to last for a longer period of time, usually around a year.

The Pennsylvania bill, which was proposed by Delaware County State Rep. Jennifer OMara, allows loved ones, family members, or law enforcement to seek an extreme risk protection order at a hearing in front of a judge. After seeing the evidence, if the judge grants the order, it can last for up to one year. The firearm owner may ask for a hearing to request termination of the order at any time during that year.

Red flag laws are designed to reduce any violent gun crime where there are warning signs in advance that a person may act out violently. This includes mass shootings, like the one in Kingsessing, as well as crimes such as intimate partner violence. According to an analysis of 173 mass casualty attacks by the U.S. Secret Services National Threat Assessment Center, perpetrators often make threats in advance of the crime. The report states that almost two-thirds of perpetrators in mass attacks showed warning signs either in person or online that were so concerning, they should have been met with an immediate response.

These threats serve as an advanced warning of violence and give those who witness the worrisome behavior a chance to alert authorities so a judge can issue the red flag.

Red flags can also be issued if a person is deemed a danger to themselves. According to the National Institute of Mental Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of suicides in the United States is almost twice the number of homicides. In 2021, 48,183 Americans lost their lives to suicide, while 26,031 people died by homicide.

We believe the Kingsessing shooter exhibited enough warning signs that he could have been the subject of an extreme risk protection order. According to the New York Times, roommates of the alleged perpetrator told those investigating the crime that the suspect was exhibiting abnormal behavior and getting more and more agitated in the days leading up to the crime, including wearing his bulletproof vest around the house. The suspect also posted concerning comments on social media, such as Facebook, about being followed by evil spirits, as well as articles about the problem of gun violence in Philadelphia. When the suspect was arrested, he had an AR-15-style rifle, a so-called ghost gun, and ammunition in his possession.

The majority of Americans, both Democrats and Republicans, support red flag legislation that takes guns out of the hands of potentially violent offenders or people suffering a mental health crisis. It is time for the Pennsylvania Senate to act to reduce the number of gun-related tragedies in our state. Citizens of Pennsylvania who want commonsense gun reform, regardless of their political party affiliation, must speak up now and contact their state senators to get this legislation passed if we want to avoid another senseless tragedy.

Kathleen A. Bogle is a professor of sociology and criminal justice at La Salle University. Ceara Grady is a student in the honors program at La Salle University.
Taprobane will also use the FMO funding to rehabilitate abandoned farms owned by the firm and by other third-party growers, in addition to investing in new farms, circular tanks, hatcheries, and a new processing facility. WTW Asia head of alternative risk transfer solutions Richard Zhang said that the insurer has demonstrated the industrys role in ensuring companies like Taprobane can secure the necessary funding through innovative risk analytics and bespoke parametric solutions.
Historically the London market has always written Australian business and has been a key partner for many insureds for a number of years, said Groehe. However, as the market conditions changed in the local Australian market in 2018, particularly for public company D&O, a significant proportion of business was being placed in the London market by insureds that hadnt previously bought their insurance here.
Dale Smith, CEO of JAVLN, Simfuni's integration partner, added: Brokers are seeking digital solutions that improve their competitiveness, and payments have until now remained a pinch point. For consumers and businesses, it's not just about when to pay, but also about how to pay.
After everything the Florida legislature has done to assist insurance companies from slowing the bleed, and then to have Farmers communicate their intentions in such a ham-handed manner, company leadership needs to get ready, because my guess is theyre about to get hauled before the Legislature to answer for their actions when the next legislative session begins, Patronis said. The more we learn about Farmers Insurance the more its clear its leadership doesnt know what theyre doing.
The opportunity to partner and participate in the Heffernan Network is a very exciting and an important one for our clients and team. We'll now have access to the additional resources and expertise that will provide our current clients with another valuable source of protection, said Don Maffei, CEO of Maffei Insurance & Financial Services. Commercial expansion has been on my wish list for many years and I'm looking forward to working with the Heffernan Network team to accomplish that goal.
Citizens has this year requested what would be its highest ever rate increase, of approximately 14.2%, though this has not yet been approved. However, its policyholders pay 40% less than their private market counterparts according to Triple-I analysis, and by Citizens projections the insurer of last resort would need a rate hike of 57% to keep up with actuarially sound projections.
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A Connecticut homeowner who is being sued by a woman who alleges his dog bit her in the face is not entitled to insurance coverage because his home insurance application, which was completed by his insurance agent, indicated he did not have a dog.

Providence Mutual Fire Insurance Co. declined to defend Waterbury resident Antonio Laires against the dog bite lawsuit on the grounds that the policy was voided because the misrepresentation regarding the dog was material. Had it known he had a dog, the insurer said it would not have issued the policy.

Laires told the court that the application was completed by his insurance agent, and he was unaware that the application indicated that there were no animals at the premises when he electronically signed it. Because he was unaware that the application was inaccurate, he did not fail to disclose any material facts to plaintiff, Laires argued.

U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Connecticut last week granted Providence Mutual summary judgment, holding that the insurer has neither a duty to defend nor to indemnify because of the material misrepresentation. The judge also found that the homeowner had a responsibility to read the policy that his agent procured before signing it.

Dooleys ruling does not suggest or offer any opinion as to whether Laires allegations implicate liability for the insurance agent with respect to his duties to Laire.

The policy incorporates Special Provisions for Connecticut, which include that Providence Mutual would not provide coverage to an insured who concealed or misrepresented any material fact or circumstance; engaged in fraudulent conduct; or made materially false statements relating to insurance. Under the policy, a material representation is one where, had the insurer known the truth, it would not have issued coverage.

In Connecticut, the judge noted, an insurer has a right to rescind coverage for a material misrepresentation in an insurance application if it is not an innocent misrepresentation, but one known by the insured to be false when made.

Providence Mutual said that when an insured indicates there is an animal or exotic pet kept on the premises, it sends the applicant a questionnaire seeking more information about the animal or pet. Whether to issue a policy and what premiums to charge depend on the answers received.

According to court documents, Laires acknowledged that he purchased his dog in January 2017 and that he kept the dog at his home through November 2019, when he submitted the home insurance application. The question on the application asked whether there were any animals or exotic pets kept on the premises, to which the application indicated, N, or no.

Laires told the court that he did not knowingly make such a misrepresentation because his insurance agent filled out the application and did not supply him with the entire document.

Judge Dooley was not persuaded by his story. Under Connecticut law a person may not claim that a misrepresentation is innocent solely because the person failed to read the application before signing it. The law requires that the insured shall not only, in good faith, answer all the interrogatories correctly, but shall use reasonable diligence to see that the answers are correctly written, she wrote, citing past cases.

Here, Laires signed the application, acknowledging that its contents were true and accurate. Whether or not he personally reviewed the answers or checked for their accuracy is of no consequence, the judge stated, adding that where a person of mature years who can read and write, signs or accepts a formal written contract affecting his pecuniary interests, it is his duty to read it and notice of its contents will be imputed to him if he negligently fails to do so.

Moreover, the judge found his argument that his broker is responsible for the inaccuracy to be without merit. An insurance broker is the agent of the insured in obtaining an insurance policy. As such, the broker owes a duty of care to the principal, she noted.

The insurance agent signed the application, attesting that he was Laires authorized representative, and that he made a reasonable inquiry to procure the answers to the questions. The essence of the agency relationship is the manifestation of consent by one person to another that the other shall act on his behalf and subject to his control, and consent by the other to so act, the opinion concludes.

Topics Agencies Connecticut Homeowners
The insurer Swiss Re said on Wednesday that it planned to promote its deputy chairman Jacques de Vaucleroy to the role of permanent chairman of the board after his predecessor Sergio Ermotti resigned to lead UBS.

The reshuffle is part of the continuing fallout from Swiss authorities rescue of Credit Suisse in a shotgun merger with UBS and new management at the helm.

De Vaucleroy, a Belgian previously with management roles at the French insurer AXA and the Dutch bank ING, has been acting as chairman since Ermotti left the chairmanship in April.

The board of directors conducted a search for a replacement that included external candidates, Swiss Re said, but in the end decided de Vaucleroy was its choice for the role.

Following the boards nomination, de Vaucleroy will stand for election as chairman in April at the companys annual general meeting.

(Reporting by Tom Sims and Oliver Hirt; editing by Miranda Murray)

Topics Swiss Re
Deutsche Bank AG, Commerzbank AG and ING Groep NV are among dozens of companies worldwide whose client data were compromised when a criminal hacking group exploited a security flaw in a file transfer tool.

The attackers obtained access to data of thousands of clients whose requests to change accounts had been transferred to an external data provider, which the banks in emails to Bloomberg identified as Majorel. The data seen by hackers included clients names and their account numbers, ING said in its statement. The software flaw has since been patched, the banks said.

In the context of a security vulnerability in the MOVEit software that has affected many companies around the world, Majorel Germany was the target of a hacker attack, a spokesperson for the company said. The attack took place before the softwares vulnerability became public and only affected a single system running MOVEit software in Germany.

MOVEit Cyber Attack Hits UK Printing Firm Used by Insurers, Brokers and Banks

The MOVEit attack, which came to light more than a month ago and was allegedly carried out by a criminal hacking group known as Clop, has resulted in the theft of data from dozens of organizations and government agencies in the US and Europe. Notable victims include oil giant Shell PLC and British Airways, along with banks, manufacturing firms, and universities.

The breach happens as banks are under pressure to strengthen their IT defenses amid a rising concern that cyber threats are getting more sophisticated and more frequent. The European Central Bank will hold its first cyber stress test of Europes banks early next year to map resilience in the industry.

Photo credit: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics Cyber
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Aon and Zurich Insurance.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

Aon Names UK Leaders for Reinsurance Solutions

Insurance broker Aon plc outlined the new simplified structure of its Reinsurance Solutions UK leadership which aims to put clients at the heart of its growth strategy and drive internal collaboration.

The structure sees Richard Wheeler and Tom Murray named co-leaders of Global Re Specialty (GRS), working alongside Mark Skilton as chair of the team. Based in London, Wheeler, Murray and Skilton will all report to Rupert Moore, UK CEO for Reinsurance Solutions.

The GRS executive committee will comprise Fred Streeton, head of the specialty client segment; Anshuman Srivastava, head of the reinsurer client segment; and Ben Love, strategic growth leader, as well as Don Magee, Reinsurance Solutions UK chairman; Jeremy Goodman, Reinsurance Solutions UK president, and Rupert Moore.

In addition, James Milne has been named head of UK, and will lead a newly combined UK & Ireland property, casualty, and motor business.

The new UK leadership structure represents a simplified model that aims to deliver enhanced value more efficiently to clients, helping them to make better business decisions.

We continue to build a single coordinated team aligned around our clients. Product expertise delivered through a holistic client team enables us to further enhance our ability to help our clients succeed in the market, Moore said. This new structure is designed to empower our leaders, and highlights Aons focus on building talent and skills that respond to client demand.

***

Zurich Announces Key Leadership Roles for APAC Commercial Insurance

Zurich Insurance Group announced key leadership appointments for its Asia Pacific Commercial Insurance business to strengthen regional go-to-market capabilities and drive expansion in key Asian markets.

Sean Walker has been appointed head of Commercial Insurance and chief technical officer, APAC. Liam Burrell will join Zurich as head of Commercial Insurance, Asia, and Reginald Peacock has been appointed head of Marketing Development for Zurich Resilience Solutions.

Walker will spearhead the development of the regional Commercial unit as head of Commercial Insurance and chief technical officer, APAC. Walker brings more than 25 years of diverse industry experience having held a variety of market-facing, underwriting, leadership, and broker roles during his insurance career. He joined Zurich in 2010, taking on several senior roles within the business in underwriting, claims, distribution and partnerships, and was most recently head of General Insurance, Australia and New Zealand.

Separately, Zurich Australia has announced that Alex Morgan will succeed Walker as head of General Insurance, Australia and New Zealand. Morgan has been with Zurich since 2012 and was most recently chief risk officer for Asia Pacific.

Burrell will join Zurich as the Head of Commercial Insurance Asia and CEO, Singapore, subject to regulatory approvals. Burrell joins Zurich from AIG where he was most recently head of Client & Broker Engagement, APAC, responsible for developing and executing on the companys distribution strategies and fostering relationships with partners and clients.

Prior to joining AIG, he was division head of Property & Casualty in Singapore for Chubb, during which he held full responsibility for all aspects of the companys underwriting operations across the CI P/C lines of business. With over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, Burrell brings with him extensive market-leading expertise in underwriting and distribution, as well as a solid track record of developing high-performing teams and long-term customer relationships.

Peacock has been appointed head of Market Development for Zurich Resilience Solutions, with a specific focus on strengthening the presence and distribution of this offering in Asia Pacific. Providing tailored risk prevention and mitigation solutions based on relevant data, tools, and insights, Zurich Resilience Solutions was created in 2021 to meet growing demand from businesses looking to improve their risk profile and optimize risk management. Peacock brings more than 35 years of insurance experience to the role, a deep understanding of the Asia Pacific market, and a proven history of building successful businesses. According to his LinkedIn profile, he has held various leadership positions with Zurich for more than 15 years.

Topics Commercial Lines Business Insurance Reinsurance New Markets Leadership Aon
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A federal appeals court on Tuesday revived a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises by the parents of an 18-month-old girl who died after slipping through her grandfathers hands and falling through an open cruise ship window.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta restored two negligence claims over the July 2019 death of Chloe Wiegand, who had been in a childrens play area aboard the ship Freedom of the Seas, which was docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Her grandfather Salvatore Anello testified that he picked Chloe up and put her feet on the windowsill, not realizing that the window was open. Chloe slipped from his grasp and fell about 150 feet to her death on the pier below.

Chloes parents Alan Wiegand and Kimberly Schultz-Wiegand, both from Indiana, sued Royal Caribbean, saying it violated industry standards by not installing safety devices to prevent falls from windows.

In a 21-page decision, the three-judge appeals court said jurors could find that Royal Caribbean knew the risk of children falling through open windows, noting its use of protective railings and warnings to passengers not to climb over them.

It also said jurors should decide whether Royal Caribbean could have foreseen an adult like Anello holding Chloe near the window, which might not excuse its alleged negligence.

The court returned the case to U.S. District Judge Donald Graham in Miami. He had dismissed it in July 2021, saying Anellos conduct was the unforeseeable, proximate cause of Chloes death, and the open window was an obvious danger.

Royal Caribbean and its lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Jacqueline Garcell, a lawyer for the parents, faulted Royal Caribbean for refusing to install devices that many large hotel chains also use to prevent falls.

We look forward to continuing our fight for justice for Chloe Wiegand and to make cruise ships safer, she said.

Anello, of Valparaiso, Indiana, was sentenced in February 2021 to three years probation after pleading guilty to negligent homicide in Chloes death, according to Puerto Ricos Department of Justice.

The case is Wiegand et al v Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 21-12596.

Topics Lawsuits
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A federal appeals court has affirmed a lower court ruling that a Scottsdale Insurance commercial policy for a community center excludes almost all non-weather water damage. Its the type of infuriating exclusion that plaintiffs attorneys and some brokers have said theyve seeing more often  and which have been largely upheld by the courts.

In Chabad of Key Biscayne vs. Scottsdale, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last week found that the insurer, a Nationwide Mutual Insurance excess and surplus lines unit, did not owe $247,584 in coverage, despite an appraisal for that amount and despite the confusing wording of the policy.

We agree with the district court that there is no coverage here for the damage suffered, the appeals panel wrote in the July 7 opinion. The water exclusion bars coverage for water that backs up or is discharged from a sewer and the policy defines sewer and drain to mean pipe, channel or conduit for carrying water, wastewater or sewage on or away from the premises.'

The ruling reinforces and expands on a similar decision by a state appeals court in Florida on a homeowners policy, attorneys said. In Geovera Specialty Insurance vs. Glasser, Floridas 4th District Court of Appeal in early 2022 found that while the homeowners policy covered damage from a burst water supply line, the endorsement barred that coverage.

Jacksonville attorney Joseph Mackey at the time called it good news for insurance companies. Several insurers have expanded endorsements in recent years to exclude many types of damage from water as well as some types of roof damage.

Slide Insurance and Florida Peninsula Insurance this spring, for example, created a stir when they were approved for new HO roof endorsements that bar most non-storm-related claims. Florida insurance brokers also have complained about some of Frontline Insurance Unlimiteds policies, which have caught condominium associations off guard by broadly excluding losses from air conditioning issues, sick building conditions, and roof damage that may be considered cosmetic.

In the Scottsdale decision, the policy endorsement on water damage may have been a reaction to a rise in claims and lawsuits from cast-iron pipes in recent years, attorneys familiar with the issue said. Plaintiffs attorneys have often argued that aging iron drainpipes, common in homes built before 1975, have corroded, causing backups that damage the property. A remedy can involve full pipe replacement and extensive remodeling.

In response, some carriers have instituted new exclusions. But the wording isnt always clear or may appear to conflict with the policy language.

Chabad, a Jewish community center in Miami, filed a claim under its all-risks commercial policy after a drain or sewer pipe broke due to wear and tear, deterioration, and settling, and water accidentally discharged or leaked, causing damage, the court explained. The 2020 damage was extensive and amounted to more than a quarter-million dollars, the claim said.

Scottsdale denied the claim but offered $5,000 under a sewer-overflow extension of the policy. Chabad sued for breach of contract, arguing that the policy the center officials thought they had purchased, with a limit of $900,000, had provided comprehensive coverage. But the center leaders werent quite sure, the complaint suggests.

The plaintiff believes, but are in doubt, that the plaintiff is entitled to coverage for the full appraisal award under said policy, including but not limited to, coverage for damage to the building on the subject property, its contents, and its loss of use, reads the initial complaint, filed by Chabad attorney Erik Diener, of Plantation, Florida.

The trial court and the appeals court noted that the policy exclusion states that Scottsdale will not pay for damages caused by flooding or by water that backs up or overflows or is otherwise discharged from a sewer, drain, sump, sump pump or related equipment.

The policy, however, also included a confusing exception  that it would, in fact, cover specified causes of loss. Those included leaks resulting from breakage of a plumbing system on the premises, or from wear and tear if the pipe is off-premises but connected to the property. The exclusion raised more questions by excluding damage covered by the exclusion, but also stating that accidental leakage is not subject to the exclusion.

Scottsdales answer to the complaint, penned by Coral Gables attorney Joseph Manzo, attempted to explain: The policy covers the building, which does not include underground pipes, flues or drains. The policy then excludes coverage where damage is caused, in whole or part, by water backing up, overflowing, or otherwise discharging from a sewer or drain, which it specifically defines to include the propertys plumbing system.

The lower court found that the exception to the exclusion did not apply, meaning that the full exclusion did apply and the full amount of the water damage to the community center was not covered. The appeals court agreed.

Topics Florida Oklahoma
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A 6-year-old Florida boy has died after he was attacked by a pit bull-mix dog that lived in the same home.

The North Port Police Department said the boy suffered extensive injuries to his upper torso and was flown to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, then was later taken to Tampa General Hospital, according to news reports.

The dog was removed from the home by Sarasota County Animal Services.

The attack came two weeks after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 942, which invalidates local bans on pit bulls. Miami-Dade County banned pit bulls in 1989 after a 7-year-old girl was attacked. The girl survived but required extensive reconstructive surgery, local news outlets reported.

The state law, which takes effect Oct. 1, prohibits local ordinances that ban dogs by breed, weight or size, but allows public housing authorities to maintain restrictions on dangerous dogs as long as the rules dont specify breed or size. Local animal control or law enforcement authorities may declare a dog dangerous after an investigation, the bill notes.

The Florida Legislature approved the bill this spring with only one nay vote in the Senate.

Related: Insurance Agents Failure to Disclose Dog Comes Back to Bite Homeowner

Topics Florida Legislation
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Nashville-based HCAHealthcare, the largest for-profit operator of hospitals and clinics in the U.S., said that patient information had been leaked to an online forum.

The breach leaked data for as many as 11 million patients, making it the largest known health care data breach, almost three times the number of patients affected in a 2022 ransomware attack, according to news reports.

The leaked data did not include payment and clinical information, but included patient names and contact details, HCA said.

The data theft appeared to be from an external storage used to automate the formatting of email messages, HCA said, adding that the company had reported the breach to law enforcement.

HCA said it does not expect the incident to materially impact its business, operations or financial results.

Meanwhile, the powerhouse law firm of Morgan & Morgan has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging that another health care giant suffered a data breach that affected more than 9 million patients in several states.

The complaint, filed in federal court in south Florida, charges that Fort Lauderdale-based Managed Care of North America and MCNA Dental, the largest dental insurer in the country, failed to safeguard patients personal information, including Social Security numbers and medical treatment histories.

MCNAs website says the company administers dental insurance for millions of patients covered by Medicaid and childrens health plans, known as CHIP plans.

The LockBit ransomware hacker group claimed responsibility for a March 2023 attack on MCNA, and it leaked some of the stolen data to the dark web. The group demanded $10 million to prevent publication of all the data, according to the lawsuit. MCNA did not pay the ransom and the data was published on April 7, the complaint notes.

The lead plaintiff is Taylor Manning, of Louisiana, but many more plaintiffs could join the suit if the court certifies it as a class action. MCNA has not yet filed an answer or motion to dismiss the suit.

Topics Lawsuits Carriers Data Driven
Source: Streetwise Reports

July 12, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Junior explorers are hoping investment will now increase in copper projects in Chile, the world's top producer of the red metal needed for the green energy transition.

Junior explorers like World Copper Ltd. (WCU:TSX.V;WCUFF:OTCQX) are watching the situation intently as mining tax reform wraps up in Chile.

Companies want to see more investment dollars for exploring and mining copper return to the South American country, which is the world's top producer of the red metal needed for the green economy transition.

The reforms raised some tax rates on producers, but the country's mining industry said it is relieved that the measure ended uncertainty over the types of reforms being enacted.

"Uncertainty lasted for almost five years and, without a doubt, hurt the country's main productive activity," the mining association Sonami said in a statement.

Sonami said the final legislative language was "better" than what was initially proposed by the government, giving credit to Finance Minister Mario Marcel for enacting industry-friendly revisions.

The world needs more copper for electric vehicles (EVs) and other green technology. EVs use more than three times as much copper as gas-burning cars. New copper production - and investment in exploration - will be needed to fuel the supply of those vehicles, analysts say.

"Based on industry-wide capital intensity data, we calculate that some US$196 billion of investment will be required," a market analysis issued by RFC Ambrian last year said. "Of this, US$80 billion is for greenfield projects, and US$116 billion is for brownfield projects, of which US$71 billion is simply for replacement capacity. A further US$35 billion of investment will be required to close the supply gap."

An S&P report called copper "one of the most underappreciated critical minerals."

"Deeper electrification requires wires, and wires are primarily made from copper," the report said.

Billionaire Robert Friedland, founder and executive co-chairman of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., recently told Bloomberg that he fears copper prices could jump tenfold.

"We're heading for a train wreck here," he said.

The Catalyst: New Activity Appearing

New investment and activity has already started to percolate in Chile, with its porphyry copper belt that runs north-south in the central Andes Mountains.

Mitsubishi Corporation (MSBSHY:OTCPK) last month made a strategic investment in Marimaca Copper Corp. (MARI:TSX.V) and its Marimaca copper project in the Antofagasta region through a non-brokered private placement of CA$20 million.

Los Andes Copper Ltd. (LA:CVE) is looking at finance options for development of a mine in the country, working with advisors to look at strategies for the next stage of its Vizcachitas project, Bloomberg reported.

World Copper Chief Executive Officer Nolan Peterson said he was hopeful that the activity "is giving some hope to the market that capital is ready to be deployed into Chile again."

BHP Group Ltd. said last year that it would invest US$10 billion in Chile to fuel the copper industry's growth, but the company wanted the situation to be more stable.

World Copper is well-situated. Its more than 16,000-hectare Escalones project has inferred resources of 426 million tonnes of 0.367% copper based on nearly 25,000 meters of drilling in 53 holes, the company noted.

Escalones is roughly twice the size of the Marimaca project. Marimaca Copper, meanwhile, has a market cap of CA$366 million vs. World Copper's CA$19 million.

Projections are showing that even with moderate growth in demand, copper supply will not be able to keep up, Peterson said.

"Price will go up, which will spur some investment that might compensate," he said. "But in general, ... the world's ability to meet future demand is not looking good."

In a Good Position

World Copper is a good position with both Escalones and its Zonia project in Arizona having resource estimates.

"World Copper's stock is benefitting from several catalysts," analyst Steve Ralston of Zacks Small-Cap Research wrote last December. "Currently, there is a positive macro tailwind for the copper mining industry, driven by the outlook for a looming supply shortage based on the confluence of increased demand from green electrification initiatives and an impending reduction of mine production."

Peterson has said the company is "poised to benefit from a rush of investment to come."

"We have two assets that are relatively easy to put into production," he said.

Taylor Combaluzier of Red Cloud Securities, who has rated the stock a Buy with a target of CA$2.15, said World Copper has "transformed from an explorer into a developer with a portfolio of high-quality copper projects in premiere copper mining jurisdictions.

"We believe Escalones shows compelling economics when compared to other copper development projects and that it offers lots of potential for resource expansion," he wrote. "Additionally, we believe Zonia has lots of untapped potential, as it could either be rapidly developed for nearer-term production or potentially be expanded through exploration to increase the scale of the project."

Ownership and Share Structure

Wealth Minerals Ltd. (WML:TSX.V; WMLLF:OTCQB) owns about 15.8% of World Copper or about 19.2 million shares. About 27% is owned by management and insiders, including Director Robert Kopple with 11.84% or 14.8 million shares and Board Chairman Hendrik van Alphen with 2.67% or 3.25 million shares. CEO Peterson said he holds about 700,000 shares. The rest is retail.

Its market cap is CA$19.38 million. It has 125 million shares outstanding, including 87.2 million of them free-floating. It trades in a 52-week range of CA$0.39 and CA$0.135.

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Source: Streetwise Reports

July 12, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) See the first results of this company's metallurgical heap leach test program at one of the deposits in its gold and silver project in Nevada.

Western Exploration Inc. (WEX:TSX.V;WEXPF:OTC) announced the first results from its metallurgical heap leach test program of the Doby George deposit at its Aura gold and silver project in Nevada.

The company reported an average gold extraction oxide mineralization of 69.3% from the agitated cyanidation bottle roll leach test work.

"The metallurgical test results that support heap leach gold recoveries of approximately 70% are in line with the extensive historical exploration and metallurgical test results generated by previous owners of the deposit," Western Exploration Chief Executive Officer Darcy Marud said. "The metallurgical heap leach test program will be used to support the preparation of a pre-feasibility study on the Doby George deposit in 2024, pursuant to which the company expects to update its existing mineral resource estimate and underline potentially robust project economics supported by surface outcrops and the recent metallurgical test results."

The company wants to grow Aura - made up of the Doby George, Wood Gulch, and Gravel Creek deposits - from a more than 1-million-ounce (Moz) gold and 10-Moz silver resource.

It is also looking to complete a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for Gravel Creek, where previous drilling found grades up to 40.05 grams per tonne gold (g/t Au) and 1,951 g/t silver (Ag).

"The Aura gold-silver project in Nevada (is) one of the most attractive mining jurisdictions in the world," Fundamental Research Corp. analyst Sid Rajeev wrote. He rated the stock a Buy and gave it a fair value of CA$3.48 per share, compared to Monday's price of about CA$1.24 per share. "We believe WEX's primary strengths are its high-grade Doby George project with near-term production potential, a strong management/board, and Agnico Eagle's backing."

Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. (AEM:TSX; AEM:NYSE) owns 16% of the company.

Gravel Creek and Wood Gulch account for 60% of the project's resources, Rajeev noted. Doby George accounts for the rest.

"Doby George's resource (40% of total resources) is amenable to heap leach processing, indicating potential for relatively low OPEX/CAPEX," Rajeev wrote. "WEX is planning a resource expansion/step-out drill program, followed by a Pre-Feasibility (study or PFS) in 2024. We believe this deposit can be advanced to production quickly, at a low initial CAPEX (<US$50M). Based on its existing resource, we believe the project has potential to operate for nine years (40-50 Koz/year), at a relatively low OPEX (US$800/oz)."

The Catalyst: 'A Very Exciting Resource'

Marud said Doby George hosts 407,000 ounces gold (407k Au) in the indicated category (12.9k tonnes at 0.98 grams per tonne [g/t]) and 119k Au ounces in the inferred category (4.99k tonnes at 0.73 g/t).

The metallurgical heap leach test program was designed to determine the processing characteristics at Doby George, and the results showed positive results, the company noted.

Agitated cyanidation bottle roll test work was done on 46 composites generated from the 2022 drilling program that ranged in grade from 0.17 g/t Au to 9.38 g/t Au and averaged 2.36 g/t Au. Cyanide soluble gold-to-fire assay ratios (CN/FA) were generally above 80%, according to Western Exploration.

The oxide composites generally did not contain detectable sulfur. Composites from West Ridge Deep only contained approximately 0.07% to 0.2% sulfide sulfur.

Reagent consumption is expected to be low for commercial heap leaching, averaging 0.12 kg/ton for cyanide and 0.9 kg/ton for lime.

"Doby George is a very exciting resource for Western Exploration and we still have extensive exploration upside on the property, particularly at Gravel Creek where our 2023 drill program is focused," Marud said.

Good Potential for Heap Leach Processing

The company indicated the Doby George variability composites were amenable to agitated cyanidation treatment at the 80%-1.7 mm feed size, indicating good potential for heap leach processing. The highest gold recoveries of more than 70% were from the West Ridge oxide composites.

"Gold recoveries obtained from the West Ridge Oxide samples from drill holes DGC789, 790 and 791 ranged from 50.0% to 85.4% and averaged 71.4%," the company noted in a release. "Only four of the 28 composites gave gold recoveries below 65%. A single West Ridge-Deep oxide composite (hole DGC796) was tested. Gold recovery from that composite (68.2%) was comparable to the other oxide composites."

Doby George was where precious metals mineralization was initially discovered at the project in the 1960s, but it wasn't until the 1980s that Homestake Mining Co. discovered the Wood Gulch deposit.

The project is 100% owned by Western and is about 32 kilometers north of the Jerritt Canyon Mine.

It's in an under-explored area of Nevada, the largest gold producing state in the United States, accounting for 74% of the country's output in 2021, Rajeev pointed out.

Nevada said mining helped establish it as a state 150 years and is still its largest export industry.

Western Exploration is planning to conduct step out drilling at Doby George in the second of half this year, in addition to infill drilling and metallurgical studies for Gravel Creek's PEA. [OWNERSHIP_CHART-10631]

"Management is aiming to advance Doby George to production first, while expanding/developing Gravel Creek and Wood Gulch," Rajeev wrote.

Ownership and Share Structure

About 74% of the company is owned by strategic investors, including Golkonda LLC, a syndicate of dozens of high-net-worth investors, which owns about 58% of the company, and Agnico, which owns 16%.

Management and directors own about 7%, and other institutions own about 10%, the company said.

The rest is retail.

Western Exploration has a market cap of CA$53.52 million and has about 31.5 million shares outstanding, 4.8 million of them free floating. It trades in a 52-week range of CA$2.40 and CA$0.96.

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July 12, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) The race is on to score lithium, the crucial electric vehicle battery ingredient, as China pivots to sources from Africa, and Bolivia signs agreements with Russian state-owned nuclear firm Rosatom and China's Citic Guoan Group, to develop its huge, untapped resources of the light-weight metal.

According to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence (BMI), to meet demand, the global lithium industry needs to invest up to $42 billion by the end of the decade. This works out to $7 billion each year from now until 2028, helping it to meet predicted demand of 2-4 million tonnes per annum by 2030, which is 15 times higher than the 130,000 tonnes of lithium produced in 2022.



Source: US Geological Survey

Bloomberg notes the forecast, from a recent BMI report, comes as Europe and North America look to reduce their dependency on Chinese lithium imports and try to develop their own lithium production.

The Biden administration has earmarked billions to help process key battery metals including lithium.

Electric cars are expected to account for nearly 80% of EV market revenues and 83% of battery demand over the next two decades.

Annual spending on EVs reached $388 billion in 2022, up 53% from 2021, according to a report published by BloombergNEF. The total value of electric vehicles sold to date in the passenger vehicle segment has now crossed $1 trillion. 2023 sales are likely to top $500 billion.

Albemarle executives quoted by Reuters warned of the "potential for significant deficits" by the end of the decade without new mines and processing plants.

According to the US Geological Survey, six mines in Australia, one mineral tailings operation in Brazil, two brine mines each in Argentina and Chile, and three mineral and two brine operations in China, accounted for the majority of world lithium production in 2022.

While lithium prices have come off the boil compared to the record 600,000 yuan per tonne (USD$87,365) high set in November, the bull run is likely not over yet, with a deficit forecast for 2023.



Lithium carbonate prices in China, in Chinese yuan.

Source: Trading Economics

New supply is ramping up but experts say it won't be enough to catch up to demand.

Fastmarkets previously forecast a small surplus in 2023 but this has been revised to a deficit because of increased battery demand and some expected supply disruptions. The introduction, in the United States, of the Investment Reduction Act, has resulted in Fastmarkets upgrading its forecast for battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales by 80% in 2023 and 107% in 2024.

Mine supply could increase by 35%, year on year, to 984,000 tonnes, mostly fueled by Australia and China, but Fastmarkets is predicting a 2023 deficit of about 14,000 tonnes lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE).

Africa

China has previously turned to Africa for supplies of iron ore, copper and cobalt, to name just a few metals. Now, Chinese producers of lithium products are adding investments in raw materials supply from Africa. According to a Bloomberg story and graphic, planned mining and/or refining capacity is being sought in Mali, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Another graphic shows the growing significance of African supply, with all of the above nations except Ethiopia expected to join the ranks of top lithium producers through to the end of the decade.

"It is a sure thing that Africa will play an important role for China," particularly as an alternative source of raw materials to Australia, currently the top supplier and where exports could be constrained as domestic refineries come online, said Peng Xu, a Beijing-based analyst for BloombergNEF.

According to S&P Global Commodity Insights, African mines are forecast to increase production of lithium more than 30-fold from last year's volume by 2027, by which time the continent will account for 12% of global supply compared to just 1% in 2022.

Diversifying supply sources will boost China's efforts to defend its dominance in EV metals processing, Bloomberg notes.

Chinese investments in African lithium are already bearing fruit, with a first shipment of lithium concentrate reaching Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt last month from a Zimbabawe project; Chengxin Lithium Group starting production at its Sabi Star lithium mine, also in Zimbabwe; Ganfeng Lithium investing in the Goulamina mine in Mali; a unit of CATL backing a project in the DRC; and Sichuan Yahua Industry Group holding a stake in a project in Ethiopia.

Bolivia

There is currently no lithium produced in Bolivia, despite hosting the Salar de Uyuni salt flats, estimated to contain over a quarter of the world's known reserves.

That could be changing soon, thanks to recent agreements the Bolivian government signed with Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear firm, and China's Citic Guoan Group. Reuters reports the deals, which envisage a total investment of $1.4 billion, follow a similar agreement in January with Chinese battery maker CATL, another potential win for Beijing in its efforts to lock in supply of the metal used in electric vehicles.

Bolivia's Minister of Hydrocarbons and Energy, Frank Molina, said the agreements mean the South American country will be able to produce 100,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate in 2025 from its iconic salt flats, which according to the US Geological Survey, host the largest lithium resources on the planet at 21 million tons.



Source: USGS

Molina told Reuters the investments would allow the construction of two direct lithium extraction (DLE) processing plants in the towns of Pasto Grande and Uyuni Norte, where at least 45,000 tons of lithium carbonate would be produced per year...

Russia's Rosatom, which bid via its Uranium One Group unit, confirmed the news, saying it would invest $600 million in the project, its first large-scale lithium venture overseas, with planned annual capacity of 25,000 tons of lithium carbonate...

Molina said Citic Guoan would invest $857 million and would also "look at investing in battery plants and the installation, possibly with technical studies, of a vehicle assembly plant..."

Meanwhile, the lithium nationalization bombshell dropped earlier this year by Chile is good news for North American lithium miners, that are likely to become more important as potential suppliers of the white metal needed for making lithium-ion batteries used in electric cars and trucks, as well as energy storage and an array of consumer electronics.

The development could also further pressure electric vehicle makers, who are scrambling to secure lithium supplies.

If Chile is unable to provide the needed lithium, and with China and Russia being the ones to develop Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni, it could give fresh impetus to finding new sources of the metal.

Canada doesn't currently produce lithium, but hosts about 2.5% of the world's lithium deposits. According to Natural Resources Canada, the country has an estimated 2.9 million tonnes of lithium resources, in the measured and indicated category.

Similarly, the US mines and processes only 1% of the world's lithium, according to the US Geological Survey. However, within its borders are 1 million tons of lithium reserves, ranking it among the top five countries in the world. In the less certain resources category, the US has 12 million tons, including continental, geothermal and oilfield brines, claystones and pegmatites.

While there is just one lithium mine in operation, Albemarle's Silver Peak, a lithium brine operation located outside Tonopah, Nevada, many lithium juniors are exploring for the white metal in the Silver State.

Victory Battery Metals

One of my favorites is Victory Battery Metals (CSE:VR, FWB:VR61, OTC:VRCFF), exploring for lithium not only in Nevada, but Quebec and Ontario.

Its Smokey lithium property lies approximately 35 km north of Clayton Valley, and 32 km west of American Lithium's TLC project, within the Big Smokey Valley, NV.

It is also in Esmeralda County, a prolific region for very large-tonnage lithium clay deposits with grades up to and exceeding 900 ppm. These include Noram Ventures (166Mt @ 900 ppm), Century Lithium (formerly Cypress Development, 593Mt @ 1,032 ppm), American Lithium (495Mt @ 1,000 ppm), Spearmint Resources, Enertopia and Jindalee Resources.

The project is in close proximity (35 km) to North America's only producing lithium mine, Albemarle's Silver Peak. Smokey also surrounds Jindalee's Clayton North lithium prospect on three sides, with excellent access and relatively flat ground.



Map of Smokey project location in the prolific lithium region

According to a June 26 news release, Victory's Phase 2 drill program at Smokey, completed in May, demonstrated high-grade lithium claystone mineralization over significant widths, with diamond drill hole 23-01 comparing favorably to American Lithium's high-grade in-fill drill results from its TLC claystone lithium deposit, back in 2019.

Remember, TLC is only 32 km east of Smokey.

Using a 600 ppm Li cutoff, Table 1 below shows a 33.8 meter interval grading 1,149 ppm Li, and a 25.8m interval @ 1,267 ppm Li.

Three holes at American Lithium's TLC project, located within the same Esmeralda formation as Smokey, returned 36.4m of 1,084 ppm Li, 42.7m @ 994 ppm Li, and 44.2m @ 934 ppm Li.

Victory is now planning to define the subsurface extensions of the thick claystone interval reported in drill hole 23-01. A geophysical approach will be taken to map basement faults and potentially conductive claystone units to outline the depth and continuity of favorable thick high-grade lithium claystone units present on the property prior to the next phase of drilling.

"Victory's Geology team has is very encouraged by these preliminary results, noting that these types of deposits do not exist in isolation. As noted on June 12th, our team has expanded the Smokey Lithium ground in response to the drill program findings and analysis. Going forward our team is focused on defining the main body of this deposit," Victory's President and CEO Mark Ireton stated in the June 26 news.

In addition to Victory's excellent drill results from Smokey, the company on June 29 said it also has work programs and analysis in full swing at its Georgia Lake and Tahlo Lake properties, and is preparing to launch an initial work program at its Stingray property array in Quebec, which is adjacent to Patriot Battery Metals' Corvette lithium discovery.

At Stingray, an initial geological reconnaissance program is planned for this summer, the main focus to be on Victory's claims underlain by a belt of greenstone belt which parallels the greenstone belt underlying the Corvette property to the north.

At its Georgia Lake lithium project in the Thunder Bay district of northern Ontario, Victory notes that much of the property appears to be underlain by relatively thin overburden that should be amenable to till/soil sampling.

A previously unmapped intrusive was encountered at the southeast corner, indicating that the property has not been thoroughly evaluated.

Regional mapping indicates the prospective intrusive rocks trend towards the property from both the east and the west. These rocks are often recessive or covered by diabase - an intrusive igneous rock with the same mineral composition as basalt - so they could easily have been missed during previous mapping.

The property is 1.8 km east of Rock Tech Resources' advanced-stage lithium project within the Georgia Lake lithium district, which has a proven track record of economic lithium deposits dating back to the mid-1950s.

In the district, pegmatites bearing the lithium mineral spodumene occur almost entirely within metasediments, usually spatially associated with mica-bearing granitic rocks. Historical regional mapping indicates that Victory's Georgia Lake property is largely underlain by metasediments.

Victory Battery Metals Corp.

CSE:VR, FWB:VR61, OTC:VRCFF

Cdn$0.04, 2023.07.07

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Richard (Rick) Mills

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Today, internet-connected smart devices are commonly used in American households; light bulbs, mirrors, air fryers, coffeemakers, trash cans, kitchen and bathroom faucets, refrigerators, and more are all becoming smart. Were able to control them with our phones or even voice commands, and a lot of that is really cool. Its expected that, in a few years, nearly 70% of American households  more than 80 million, in total  will own at least one smart home product.

U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz, R-Texas, spoke on the Senate floor yesterday, requesting unanimous consent to pass a Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act. This bipartisan legislation was crafted and introduced with Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washing and bipartisan is of great importance in terms of this proposal.

More on that in a moment.

Cruz continued, saying This is all, by and large, a good thing. Smart devices can help us improve our quality life.

Then, the anticipated follow-up.

But with any technological advancement, there can be trade-offs. One of the potential trade-offs, in this case, is our privacy. Cruz went on to describe how, in Texas, the usage of smart thermostats have allowed electric companies to remotely control the varying temperatures of Texans homes, in light of energy conservation measures.

In cases such as these, Americans dont realize or expect that the growing number of smart-enabled household devices and appliances have cameras or microphones that can surreptitiously record families and transmit data. When youre about to buy a new refrigerator, for example, you dont expect your fridge to listen in and record you, thus spying on you without your knowledge. And while some manufacturers have seriously and responsibly taken steps to more clearly label their products and to let consumers know whether or not they contain cameras or microphones, others have not.

This is the crux of Cruzs words. Consumers should be made aware of devices various recording capabilities.

After this bill was first introduced back in January, the House of Representatives ended up passing the bill.

The vote was 406-12.

Now, we return to the bipartisan element here. Too often in American politics, a cheer for bipartisan support is legitimately rallied. However, this is fleeting. Usually thereafter, representatives on either side of the aisle clash in a tale-as-old-as-time type of way. So it goes.

That said, agreeing on something is a major positive and 406-12 is a sure-fire sign of an overwhelming bipartisan union. (On this issue, at least.)

Our bipartisan legislation would ensure that information about smart devices is clearly communicated to consumers so theyre informed before buying a product that could film or record you against your wishes or without your knowledge. After all, requiring a manufacturer to tell you if theyre spying on you through your refrigerator shouldnt be opposed. At a minimum, Americans have a right to know if their refrigerator or air fryer is spying on them.

By 2026, its estimated that over 84 million households will have smart devices  providing connection and control over everything from your air conditioning to your air fryer, said Cantwell. Yet, most consumers expect their refrigerators to keep the milk cold, not come equipped with a camera or microphone to record their personal and private family discussions. Im happy to work with Sen. Cruz on a bill that will ensure consumers know whether their household appliances are capable of invading their privacy.

In closing this piece for now (as the proposed bill still must be passed in the Senate), I took a moment to speak about this topic with our teams Group Editorial Director Erik Linask.

We deal in tech every day, Linask said. We know that there are so many connected devices out there, especially intelligent ones with features like built-in cameras. But no matter ones political standing, if theres a recording device attached, consumers ought to know so they can make their own intelligent  and more informed  decisions from there.

Edited by Greg Tavarez
Ireland's national debt and its impact on future generations is not being spoken about enough, an Oireachtas committee has heard.

Addressing the Budgetary Oversight Committee on Wednesday, Finance Minister, Michael McGrath said current forecasts predict the general government debt to be 223.5bn, with net debt around 40bn less once cash, reserves and other assets are accounted for.

The Finance Minister also quoted a debt ratio of 79% when compared to Gross National Income, and of 40% when compared to Gross Domestic Product.

"We don't talk about national debt enough because it is a real burden on not just this generation but future ones to come," Mr McGrath told the Committee. "At the headline level, our gross debt on a per capita basis is high in the developed world."

In 2023, close to 3.5bn will be paid on interest alone to service the national debt, with the Finance Minister adding the government wanted to make maximum use of its projected budget surpluses.

Publishing its the Summer Economic Statement last week, Minister McGrath and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe outlined the broad parameters for Budget 2024, announcing an overall package of 6.4bn which includes 5.25bn in extra expenditure and an additional tax package of 1.15bn.

The Finance Minster also noted his intentions to breach a key government rule, citing continued inflation pressures in his decision to exceed the 5% growth ceiling on expenditure.

Mr McGrath said that the Government listens "very carefully" to concerns by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (Ifac) and other advisers and would be subject to questioning by Oireachtas Budget Oversight Committee, but insisted that Government has "a wider mandate to deliver on societal objectives."

Speaking at the Oireachtas Committee, Minister McGrath also noted the "fortunate position," the government is in to be running a significant surplus, despite falling purchasing power arising from sticky core inflation and the "unsustainable" growth in corporate tax, half of which is considered windfall.

"One of the considerations we are taking when looking at projected surpluses is what can we do to make our debt more sustainable," Mr McGrath told the Committee.
Like the vast majority of Irish dairy farmers, animal welfare has always been the number one priority on farm. The reality is that we get up in the morning because we love cows.

We work long hours in the springtime seeing new life arrive on the farm; it is that in-depth passion for working with livestock that keeps us going through the tough times.

When RTE Investigates asked Peter and I if we were willing to be interviewed regarding an investigation into breaches in regulations of animal welfare, it wasnt a decision we took lightly, but there comes a time in life when standing up for what is right far outweighs being popular.

Regardless of what was uncovered in the programme, it was always going to be crucial for the public to hear directly from farmers.

Those who know us know we are well used to dealing with the media, however, being interviewed by the RTE Investigates team is a whole different level.

In many ways, it was like being cross-examined by a top Barrister; by very professional respected investigators.

As we viewed the footage of what they had uncovered and how animals were being abused, we were horrified. However, in a long interview like that there is no time to process what had happened.

Our belief was there absolutely needed to be a zero-tolerance policy on the abuse of animals.

I have certainly felt in the lead to the airing on TV of the investigation, there was a slight air from a small minority that perhaps we shouldnt have been interviewed; questioning if we would be ready for the fallout publicly on the Tuesday morning.

But I can tell you that if we had to do the interview again tomorrow morning, we would still say the same thing again.

It will always be an interview we could never be proud of; how could we have a sense of pride whilst, on the other hand, viewing a small minority abuse animals in such a shocking manner?

The reality is we, as a united dairy industry, must deal with the dark days ahead, we cannot change what has happened, the vast majority of us are not responsible for what has happened, but we must take ownership of the situation and ensure that it never happens again.

It is welcome to hear that the Department of Agriculture has launched an investigation, and it is vital that the investigation is thorough yet swift with a report published so that we know as farmers that our industry and our values are being protected by our policymakers.

There has been political outcry since Dairy's Dirty Secret was aired, but opposition, whilst possibly looking to score political brownie points, in reality are offering no valid solution.

One party focused on valueless dairy bulls yet in the footage we viewed, it was clearly evident that there were also Angus Hereford and Belgian Blue calves also being exported, and a proportion of those calves are also female.

Sexed semen was also mentioned by the opposition as a solution. As a dairy farmer, I certainly dont need an opposition party telling me to use sexed semen; we already have two sexing laboratories based in Ireland, and the dairy industry is already embracing the use of sexed semen as part of the solution.

But to suggest we should replace the male calf with a female calf would merely lead to an overproduction of dairy females which would also be a negative for the dairy industry.

I have no doubt that the marts will deal with the issues that were raised and will eliminate any abuse of animals on their premises; they too need support from their representatives and policymakers.

The age at which calves can be sold at marts will need to be addressed. Calf age and weight for export will need to see change; a 28-day-old calf with a minimum weight of 65kg would no doubt be a calf more capable of travelling.

The age of a calf that can be sold without TB testing will need to be looked at, currently, calves of 42 days of age and over must be TB tested, during Covid farmers were allowed to sell calves without a TB test up to 120 days and this seemed to work extremely well.

Farmers are no strangers to haggling, so perhaps we could split the difference with DAFM and calves could be sold up to 80 days of age without a requirement for TB testing.

Some opposition parties have called for live exports to be banned, in theory, this sounds like a wonderful solution, but the reality is a veal industry will never be set up in Ireland on any great scale; the green agenda Irish agriculture faces would not allow for those calves emissions to be counted in Ireland.

Dairy-cross bull calves pictured on Peter and Paula's farm, where they try to keep the calves on farm until they are four to six weeks old.

There are no slaughter lines available in Ireland to process that volume of veal calves and without an Irish veal industry, banning live exports would merely remove all competition within the meat industry.

When the French lairage in Pignet was temporarily closed in March, it merely increased the slaughter of young dairy calves - a practice that is being banned by dairy processors if farmers wish to continue supplying milk.

While a small minority of farmers were sending calves for slaughter, exporters were also using the licensed slaughter facility to process calves which they were unable to ship to Europe.

We need workable solutions from policymakers, we are a member of the European Union and we should have access to mainland Europe. Calves were exported to Europe before EU quotas were abolished, policymakers must ensure standards are raised a lot higher.

Why do we not have a mandatory lairage in Rosslare, ensuring calves are rested and fed before they set sail from Ireland? Some have suggested we fly calves to Europe, but is it viable, if so, then why is not happening daily in the springtime?

We cannot police borders outside of our jurisdiction, but is it not a case that our MEPs insist the EU heavily enforce transport regulations across mainland Europe?

And if all these options are not attractive to our policymakers, should they stand above the green agenda and allow for more young calves be reared in Ireland without their emissions being counted so as to develop the highest welfare standard veal industry in Ireland and set a new precedent.

The EU accounts for 90% of global veal production, developing the industry in Ireland would create jobs, benefit our economy.

Ireland has always welcomed and incentivized multinationals to set up in Ireland, as Poland now grabs a slice of the European veal industry, surely one of the three main Dutch producers would be happy to be welcomed into Ireland.

Yes, we are predominantly seasonal calving system, but for us as dairy farmers, all we constantly hear is stop doing this, reduce this, this will be banned and the self-proclaimed farming experts telling us we have done most things wrong.

I feel a sense of shame in how a very small minority have done immense damage to an industry I love so much.

Teagasc, along with the dairy processors and AHI, have provided a vast amount of information and training on calf welfare since quotas were abolished; we as farmers, having embraced those opportunities to prioritize welfare standards, we have invested heavily on farms to ensure we do have the highest calf welfare standards which we are known for globally.

One would hope that in the following weeks and months, workable solutions will be delivered by policy.
Farmers continue to have real and genuine concern around the Nature Restoration Law being passed in its current format.

The EU must have restoration measures in place by 2030 covering at least 20% of its land and sea areas, MEPs have said.

Following a debate on Tuesday, the European Parliament adopted its position on the EU Nature Restoration Law with 336 votes in favour, 300 against, and 13 abstentions.

The vote for outright rejection of the law lost by 12 votes  324 to 312  and the IFA said that the reality is that the original EU Commission version of the law has, in effect, been pushed back.

Arising from its rejection at three EU Parliament committees, significant changes and amendments have been made, particularly in relation to rewetting  and more changes are needed, said IFA president Tim Cullinan.

The EU Council recently agreed a much-modified version of the law.

While we would have concerns around this version, it would address some of the concerns  but more changes are needed and we have been in Strasbourg this week campaigning on these in advance of [the] vote and the trilogues [informal political meetings].

'Ambiguity'

Mr Cullinan said that there is real and genuine concern that there will be significant ramifications from passing this law in this format.

There is still a lot of ambiguity around what the law will mean, and with no impact assessments undertaken at member state level, the impact on farm incomes, food production, and farming practices is unclear, he said.

The debate became about whether people are for or against nature, which is a misrepresentation of the situation. The detail of the proposed law is the issue.

Green Deal

As part of the European Green Deal, June 2022 saw the commission propose a regulation on nature restoration to contribute to the long-term recovery of nature across the EUs land and sea areas and to achieve EU climate and biodiversity objectives.

After this weeks vote, rapporteur Cesar Luena said the law is an essential piece of the European Green Deal and follows the scientific consensus and recommendations to restore Europes ecosystems.

Farmers and fishers will benefit from it and it ensures a habitable earth for future generations, he said.

Now we must continue the good work, defend our ground during the negotiations with member states, and reach an agreement before the end of this parliaments mandate to pass the first regulation on nature restoration in the EUs history.

The minister of State for heritage, Malcolm Noonan, said he welcomes this important step forward to restore nature across the EU.

He said that work will now start to find the common ground between farmers, foresters, fishers, NGOs, businesses, scientists, and the public to develop a National Restoration Plan.

I will do this through a broad and deep public participation process, informed by robust ecological and socioeconomic impact assessments in order to enable honest debate, said Mr Noonan.

I will also continue to advocate for a nature fund at the national level, that is separate to the CAP, in order to underpin the implementation of long-term restoration measures, as I have done since the very beginning of the debate on this issue.

Must be voluntary

Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association president Pat McCormack said that there is a "troubling" lack of an "explicit recognition for the fact that any such law must be voluntary".

"There simply has to be a recognition that participation by farmers can only be voluntary," he said.

"And how do we ensure that participation, even where voluntary, does not impact or degrade neighbouring holdings? This has to be looked at minutely and every aspect worked through  but we can only start from the principle that it is voluntary, and no degree of compulsion is involved," Mr McCormack said.

Divisions

The vote comes after months of political campaigning exposing deep divisions among EU countries and lawmakers over the proposal, with some government leaders warning that Europe is pushing through too many environmental laws.

The new legislation will require countries to introduce measures restoring nature on a fifth of their land and sea by 2030.

The EU Parliaments biggest group, the European Peoples Party, led a campaign to reject the plan, saying it would harm farmers and endanger food security.

Other lawmakers and scientists have accused the group of using misinformation to court votes, which the EPP denied.

Additional reporting: Reuters
Europe's most comprehensive nature restoration proposal for three decades is expected to fail at the final hurdle.

While frantic last-minute negotiations will continue before today's 11am vote in the European Parliament, political insiders fear the European Commission's proposal to restore nature across the bloc will be narrowly defeated.

The proposal aims to restore at least 20% of the EUs damaged land and sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems by 2050, with environmental campaigners saying it is urgently needed to tackle the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.

However, the European People's Party (EPP) grouping in the European Parliament, of which Fine Gael is a member, has vehemently opposed the proposal, claiming it will harm farming and food production, despite hundreds of scientists saying it will not do so.

However, Fine Gaels MEPs have now signalled that they will vote for the nature restoration proposal in direct opposition to the EPPs position, albeit subject to amendments in the final texts.

Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune said she would be voting for amendments that will ensure new funding, separate to the current common agricultural policy (CAP), is made available to farmers and landowners in order to support them in reaching restoration targets.

Ms Clune added: We all have a responsibility to protect the environment and biodiversity while safeguarding farming and rural communities.

Fellow Ireland South MEP Sean Kelly said he will vote for a Nature Restoration Law that meets Irelands responsibility to protect the environment and biodiversity while safeguarding farming and rural communities.

He added: I want to start with the facts. Ireland is facing a biodiversity crisis. This is experienced first-hand by our farmers and fishers, who are custodians of our land, rivers and seas and who see the everyday impact on their businesses.

There are many problems in the original Commission proposal, but the amendments tabled offer the opportunity to correct the proposal and build a much more consensus-based proposal. I will be supporting amendments to the Nature Restoration Law that will deliver on a better deal for the agricultural community. For this reason, I cannot support rejecting the proposal outright.

They were joined by Frances Fitzgerald, Colm Markey, and Maria Walsh in saying they would not vote against nature restoration.

While Fine Gael MEPs crossing over to those who support the proposal was broadly welcomed, some environmental campaigners criticised Mr Kellys preferred amendments as weakening nature restoration so much as to render it ineffective.

Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg was among those who gathered outside the European Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday, urging the 705 MEPs to pass the proposal which has proved politically divisive across the continent.

Political insiders are expecting the vote to be defeated by around 340 votes to 320, unless a last-minute compromise can be found, but this is looking highly unlikely.

Division around the vote has been seen at home, with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's position that it "goes too far" in direct contradiction to the Fianna Fail TD and Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue and Green Party leader and Environment Minister Eamon Ryan, who have accused opponents as "scaremongering".
Scores of parades will take place across Northern Ireland later as Protestant loyal orders celebrate the Twelfth of July.

The main demonstrations will take place at 18 venues, including Belfast as well as Bangor, Co Down, Ballymena, Co Antrim, Ballinamallard, Co Fermanagh and Magherafelt, Co Derry.

An estimated half-a-million people are expected to participate or spectate in the annual festival to mark the 333rd anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.

On Tuesday night, the majority of an estimated 250 bonfires were lit in loyalist communities across the region to usher in the main date in the parading calendar.

People watch the burning of the loyalist Corcrain bonfire in Portadown, Co Armagh (Liam McBurney/PA)

A statement from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said they received 147 emergency 999 calls between 6pm on Tuesday and 2am on Wednesday  a drop of 28% on last year.

They said 34 of the calls were bonfire-related, one less than last year.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland tweeted one person had been taken to hospital after an incident at a bonfire in the Portaferry Road area of Newtownards.

The placing of an image of Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill and Irish flags on a bonfire in the Eastvale area of Dungannon, as well as an effigy, above a poster bearing the name of Sinn Fein Councillor Taylor McGrann at a bonfire in Rathcoole on the outskirts of Belfast, are being investigated by police as hate crime.

The loyalist Corcrain bonfire in Portadown (Liam McBurney/PA)

Those actions were condemned by representatives from political parties across the divide.

One of the largest bonfires, located in Craigyhill, Larne, aimed to raise money for a local toddler who is undergoing cancer treatment.

The Battle of the Boyne in 1690, which unfolded at the Boyne river north of Dublin, saw Protestant King William of Orange defeat Catholic King James II to secure a Protestant line of succession to the British Crown.

Thousands of Orange lodge members parade through the summer months to mark Williams victory and other key dates in Protestant/unionist/loyalist culture.

An effigy of Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill on the Eastvale Avenue bonfire in Dungannon (PA)

Those celebrations culminate on the Twelfth.

July 13 will see another gathering, this time organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh. The event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing King William and King Charles.

The routes of certain Orange parades became intense friction points during the Troubles, often leading to widespread rioting and violence.

The disputes usually centred on whether or not Orange lodges should be entitled to parade through nationalist areas.

Craigyhill bonfire in Larne, Co Antrim (PA)

While Orangemen insisted they had the right to parade on public roads following long-established traditional routes, nationalist residents protested at what they characterised as displays of sectarian triumphalism passing through their neighbourhoods.

The number of flashpoints has reduced significantly in the peace process years.

DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson has encouraged peaceful and positive July 12 celebrations.

Celebrations over the 11th and 12th are part of the cultural fabric of Northern Ireland and for the vast majority of us they are an occasion where families will come together, often travelling home from wherever they now live to enjoy the occasion together, he said.

I am proud of my culture and my tradition, but I recognise that there are different cultures and traditions within Northern Ireland. For those of us who do cherish the legacy of the Glorious Revolution then the best way to show that to others is through peaceful and positive celebrations.

Those dont include the burning of flags or election posters on a bonfire, but thankfully in the vast majority of cases that does not happen. Unfortunately, it will be a minority of cases where offence is caused that will dominate the headlines. As unionists we need to recognise that such incidents are self-inflicted wounds.
Scores of parades have taken place across Northern Ireland as Protestant loyal orders celebrate the Twelfth of July.

The main demonstrations happened at 18 venues, including Belfast as well as Bangor in Co Down; Ballymena, Co Antrim; Ballinamallard, Co Fermanagh; and Magherafelt, Co Derry.

Thousands of Orange Order members accompanied by 600 marching bands took part in the festivities to mark the 333rd anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.

The UK's secretary of state for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris attended a parade in Lurgan, Co Armagh along with DUP MP Carla Lockhart.

In a tweet, Mr Heaton-Harris thanked the Orange Order for their invitation to attend.

Northern Ireland has a rich cultural tapestry and if it is to continue to make progress, it is vital that people across society show respect and tolerance for those who may hold opposing values, views and traditions to their own, he said.

The Orange Order say an estimated half-a-million people are expected to participate or spectate in events.

The institutions Grand Master Edward Stevenson will enjoy the day in the village of Loughbrickland, Co Down.

He urged all to enjoy the celebrations in a manner befitting the proud tradition we represent.

Tens of thousands of people eagerly look forward to participating in our parades each year  and I am one of them, he said.

I do not believe there is any other event on these islands that can bring such vast numbers of people onto the streets as our processions, either by taking part or simply to watch them go by.

We continue to welcome an increasing number of international visitors to our celebrations who are keen to experience first-hand the spectacle of the biggest day in the parading calendar. On Tuesday night, the majority of an estimated 250 bonfires were lit in loyalist communities across the region to usher in the main date in the parading calendar.

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said it received 147 emergency 999 calls between 6pm on Tuesday and 2am on Wednesday  a drop of 28% on last year.

It said 34 of the calls were bonfire-related, one less than last year.

In Newtownards, Co Down, a man was taken to hospital.

It is understood he fell from a bonfire structure in the Portaferry Road area around 10pm.

The placing of an image of Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill and Irish flags on a bonfire in the Eastvale area of Dungannon, as well as an effigy, above a poster bearing the name of Sinn Fein Councillor Taylor McGrann at a bonfire in Rathcoole on the outskirts of Belfast, are being investigated by police as hate crime.

Those actions were condemned by representatives from political parties across the divide.

One of the largest bonfires, located in Craigyhill, Larne, aimed to raise money for a local toddler who is undergoing cancer treatment.

The Battle of the Boyne in 1690, which unfolded at the Boyne river north of Dublin, saw Protestant King William of Orange defeat Catholic King James II to secure a Protestant line of succession to the British Crown.

Thousands of Orange lodge members parade through the summer months to mark Williams victory and other key dates in Protestant/unionist/loyalist culture.

Those celebrations culminate on the Twelfth.

July 13 will see another gathering, this time organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh. The event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing King William and King Charles.

The routes of certain Orange parades became intense friction points during the Troubles, often leading to widespread rioting and violence.

The disputes usually centred on whether or not Orange lodges should be entitled to parade through nationalist areas.

While Orangemen insisted they had the right to parade on public roads following long-established traditional routes, nationalist residents protested at what they characterised as displays of sectarian triumphalism passing through their neighbourhoods.

The number of flashpoints has reduced significantly in the peace process years.

DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson encouraged peaceful and positive July 12 celebrations.

Celebrations over the 11th and 12th are part of the cultural fabric of Northern Ireland and for the vast majority of us they are an occasion where families will come together, often travelling home from wherever they now live to enjoy the occasion together, he said.

I am proud of my culture and my tradition, but I recognise that there are different cultures and traditions within Northern Ireland. For those of us who do cherish the legacy of the Glorious Revolution then the best way to show that to others is through peaceful and positive celebrations.

Those dont include the burning of flags or election posters on a bonfire, but thankfully in the vast majority of cases that does not happen. Unfortunately, it will be a minority of cases where offence is caused that will dominate the headlines. As unionists we need to recognise that such incidents are self-inflicted wounds.
A Dublin man sent a barrister a series of sexual and threatening messages and a voicemail saying he fantasised about killing her and her children, a court has heard.

Eoghan Peavoy, 51, of Brackenwood Avenue, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, is charged with harassment of the woman from January 8, 2019, until August 23, 2022.

The offence is under Section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. He is on bail with strict conditions.

The case resumed at Dublin District Court on Wednesday following adjournments to allow the defence to obtain a psychological assessment of the accused. His solicitor had also said the accused wished to indicate a guilty plea.

After an outline of the allegations, however, Judge Michele Finan held the case was too serious for the district court and should go to the circuit court, which has broader sentencing powers.

Garda Dave Chapman told Judge Finan the background was that the injured party's sister was in college in the early 1990s with the defendant. Her sister moved to the UK.

The court heard Mr Peavoy contacted the injured party from 2005 until 2009 and then stopped for a significant period, "and began again in February 2019 when it is alleged the defendant sent a text to the injured party and informed her he had delivered a package to her address at the Law Library".

"Contact increased in volume to her and her colleagues at the Law Library," Garda Chapman said.

The court heard there were text and WhatsApp messages which "began to become sexual in nature", but they were not read out in court.

They also became threatening and 50 emails were sent to her over two weeks in March 2021.

The lawyer, who was not named in open court, received Garda advice to send him a single reply requesting he stop.

'Sexual in nature'

Garda Chapman said this was followed by 70 more messages from him which were "sexual in nature" and became more aggressive.

The court heard he left her six voicemail messages in April 2021, which also became aggressive, and in one, he said he "fantasises about killing you and all your children".

Judge Finan heard the injured party increasingly became in fear and complained to gardai, after which Mr Peavoy was arrested and a file sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Garda Chapman agreed with defence solicitor Paddy McGarry that the harassment stopped after his client was charged.

He also accepted Mr Peavoy, in voluntary care at the Ashlin Centre in Beaumont Hospital, had "significant mental health difficulties".

The accused came to the hearing but was not required to give evidence and did not address the court.

Judge Finan refused jurisdiction and adjourned the case for the DPP to draft a book of evidence.

Mr Peavoy was warned earlier to abide by "onerous" bail conditions. Garda Dave Chapman had told the court the accused replied "not guilty" when charged.

Paranoid schizophrenia

The court previously heard the accused had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

The defence had said the accused had been an inpatient in hospitals in the UK and Ireland but was let down by an "effectively like a revolving door" system.

However, he agreed to avoid the complainant, who has not had to attend the proceedings so far.

Mr Peavoy has been ordered to have no direct or indirect contact with the woman, including by social media, email, post, hand delivery or courier at the Law Library and the Four Courts.

The court has ordered him not to set up any new email addresses and to comply with the advice of medical professionals.

Legal aid has been granted to the accused, who is on a disability allowance and was remanded on continuing bail to appear again in September.
A failure of corporate governance seems to be the consensus of the shenanigans at RTE. Its one of those exceptionally boring sentences that makes the eyes glaze over. Lets be honest, people really want to know who dunnit, and are they for the high jump?

In a broader context, environmental, social, and governance (ESG), or what American Republicans pejoratively call "woke capitalism" has been in the news, both at home and away.

Elon Musk has called ESG a scam perpetrated by phoney social justice warriors, but as Musk has just suggested a literal dick-measuring contest with Mark Zuckerberg, lets ignore his pearls of wisdom.

What is ESG? Basically, its a set of standards that looks beyond shareholder profits to measure a businesss impact on society and the environment, and how transparent it is and includes hiring practices like diversity and inequality.

Republicans who are unhappy with what they see as a distraction from pure commerce (or who want to save polluting companies from having to report their actual emissions) are proposing legislation restricting states from doing business with companies that practise ESG.

In truth, its another iteration of the culture wars, this time at the intersection of politics and the economy. But there may be incipient signs of a rethink here too.

Break with Pride

Last week, it was reported that Irish tech company Intercom experienced employee unrest after a new policy saw it break with its support for Pride.

Its a marked change from 2022, when Intercom celebrated with the theme out in the world and bringing people in and declared on its website that Pride was a celebration and a display of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.

Last week, it was reported that Irish tech company Intercom experienced 'employee unrest' after a new policy saw it break with its support for Pride.

Intercoms chief executive Eoghan McCabe reportedly attributed the changed policy to two disparate factors, the need in a tough environment for tech to focus on the core business and profit, and also that Pride got wrapped up, unfortunately, within some circles in kind of more divisive and political issues, he said.

The first rationale perhaps pertains to a common-sense view that in times of economic headwinds, it makes sense to keep a sharp eye on the bottom line but the second hints at more ideological thinking in the background.

At Intercom, employee resource groups (ERGs) are reportedly being given less support, with no holding events for individual communities within the office or promotion of ERGs on the companys internal communications or social media channels.

ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups formed around a shared characteristic such as gender, ethnicity, or disability.

Their purpose is to foster a sense of equality and belonging to an organisation or company, to promote a more diverse workforce, and to integrate people into the greater company.

The Intercom chief executive was reported as citing a wider trend of declining corporate support for ERGs.

The recent judgment of the US Supreme Court in the context of affirmative action in universities is an interesting backdrop to this statement.

Legal challenges

It potentially impacts ESG and in particular corporate diversity initiatives with a wave of legal challenges expected to hamper companies ability to use race as a factor in training, mentorship, and leadership initiatives.

Obviously, our law is different from the States and race hasnt really hit the legal headlines here nor thankfully do we have a Supreme Court packed full of reactionaries. But this kind of big-ticket American stuff is interesting because we import so many American corporate practices.

So is ESG, a paragon or pariah? Some conservatives (Milton Friedman types who see profit maximisation as a social responsibility) believe it interferes with their beloved free market. Some left-wingers view it as tokenistic lip service giving a company reputational legitimacy while endorsing the neoliberalism lurking beneath the surface.

But it remains sexy in the corporate world, probably in part because ESG has swarmed a vast industry of consultants and rankers who are highly paid to make the corporate world "a better place".

The fact that much of the corporate world has embraced ESG so warmly is probably a sign that its at best ameliorative in its effect rather than transformative.

Does that mean it has no merit? Okay, some may think that capitalism has no more moral legitimacy than a loaded dice game but surely its better to do well while doing good (or trying to).

One criticism that seems to hold water is that its hard to concretely measure how much is achieved with ESG. There is no clear ESG accounting standard and ESG metrics are not part of a companys financial reporting.

Founding chairman of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board and a visiting professor at Oxford Robert Eccles has called ESG accounting [a] mess.

And some companies definitely pull a fast one. As a New York Times columnist put it in the context of race: A Black Lives Matter advertisement does not make up for the McDonalds exploitative relationship to labor and the environment.

There are many glaring holes in how Western companies score on their environmental footprint in particular, with dirty manufacturing quietly being outsourced to other parts of the world. This allows companies to crow about being carbon neutral while the reverse is true.

On the environmental issue, the cavalry may be coming. A new European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive will come into force around mid-2024.

Greenwashing

It aims to end greenwashing and lay the groundwork for sustainability reporting standards globally. The final text isnt firmed up yet, and it remains unclear exactly which companies will fall under its remit but in a week when the UN secretary-general said climate change is out of control, lets roll with it.

Boardrooms are not fuzzy places so realistically if ESG is viewed as good for biz then theyll run with it. Last year, after Roe v Wade led to abortion being outlawed in certain American states, Citigroup bank announced it would provide travel benefits to employees seeking abortions outside their home states. Other companies quickly followed suit with similar policies.

Citigroups move enraged dozens of Republican lawmakers who said the banks responsibility was to maximise shareholder profits rather than to divert funds towards ideological causes.

But, arguably, the CEO and board were not actually hijacking the company to express their private political preferences but rather attracting younger, more progressive customers, therefore, fulfilling their fiduciary duty by looking out for shareholders interests.

Focus on financial targets

So, will more employers reassess ESG policies to focus solely on financial targets as Intercom appear to be doing?

It depends on what employees, investors, and customers allow. If companies want to hang onto younger employees with greater priorities around inequality, then changes to diversity policies will have to be approached carefully, unless of course the economy tanks in which case its tough luck kids, back to work.

Customers obviously have more power. A joint study this year from management consulting firm McKinsey and Nielsen IQ has concluded customers care about ESG.

Consumers particularly scrutinise brands more closely to assess how they communicate their sustainability credentials making sure that companies are not faking it by greenwashing.

Given the magnitude of the environmental crisis, many socially conscious investors will accept lower returns in return for companies aiming for a cleaner, more sustainable world economy. As the flames literally lick our backsides, this seems wise.

Obviously, there may be unknown things going on at Intercom, but on the face of it, its break with Pride and rowing back on ERGs seems a pity.

Against a marked backdrop of a rise in homophobia and transphobia, there must be an emotional benefit to companies messaging to employees "We stand with you".

It will be interesting to see what plays out at Intercom and in other workplaces. It would seem naive though not to factor in reputational risk in the all-important court of public opinion.
When Green TD Patrick Costello called for the Irish Government to make July 12 a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland (as it is in Northern Ireland), he did not anticipate the furore that it would cause.

I believe that Mr Costello is a decent person, and naively thought that his idea would be a gesture of reconciliation towards the unionist tradition.

However, despite his noble intentions, in choosing July 12 as the date for an all-island public holiday, he couldnt have chosen a more inappropriate vehicle for promoting mutual understanding and reconciliation.

In the calendar of Northern Irelands troubled history, celebrations around July 12 have always aroused sectarian passions, resulting in attacks in certain areas on members of the Catholic community that border loyalist trouble spots.

As a consequence, and in order to avoid these, there has always been an annual mass exodus of many Catholics out of Northern Ireland until the celebrations end.

I should also stress that, in my experience, the overwhelming majority of the Protestant community were not involved in any such attacks on their Catholic neighbours in sensitive areas  if anything their actions would be to reassure their Catholic neighbours that they would protect them.

Burning bonfires

The lighting of massive bonfires on the night of July 11 throughout loyalist areas in Northern Ireland is at the centre of the celebrations for July 12, commemorating the victory of Protestant King William of Orange over Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne, which ensured a Protestant ascendancy in Ireland.

People watch the burning of the loyalist Corcrain bonfire in Portadown, Co Armagh, to usher in the Eleventh night ahead of the Twelfth commemorations. Picture: PA

In my younger days, it was an effigy of the Pope that was burnt at the top of the bonfire.

I always found this ironic as my understanding of European history and politics was that King William and the Papacy had been allies in their battles with Louis XIV (the sun king of France) in the 1690s.

Even more surprisingly, some Italian academics in 2008 claimed that they had found papers that Pope Innocent XI actually bankrolled King Billy in 1688. (I leave the final conclusions on that to the academics).

In more recent times, the effigies that are burnt on the bonfires are election posters of nationalist politicians of all hues and Alliance politicians.

An effigy of Sinn Fein's Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill on the Eastvale Avenue bonfire in Dungannon, on July 11, 2023. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA

I think a few of mine also met a similar fate in the 1987 Westminster general election which was dominated by the loyalist campaign against the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

In recent weeks, posters of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar have adorned some bonfires.

Other items burnt on the bonfires in recent times are placards with the capital letters KAT. These letters stand for Kill All Taigs.

Having explained in detail why July 12 would not be a suitable date for an all-Ireland public holiday, I do not want to ignore the merit of Mr Costellos idea of a possible Day of Reconciliation to be celebrated throughout the island of Ireland.

My alternative suggestion would be that one Sunday annually in the same month of each year should be designated as Reconciliation Sunday.

The main objective of this would be to provide closure and healing for those families who lost family members during the conflict.

In all, 3,532 people died as a consequence of the Northern Ireland Troubles (half of these were civilians). Some of the deaths occurred in the Republic of Ireland. Republican terrorist organisations were responsible for 60% of all murders, and loyalists were responsible for 30%.

The pain of those who lost family members during the conflict has still not ceased.

Sinn Fein regularly holds events glorifying the actions of IRA volunteers, including many who were the perpetrators of some of the most sectarian atrocities.

Loyalists do likewise, and both paint murals of their murdering comrades to mark out their territory boundaries. The British government proposals on legacy which have been universally rejected have added further hurt.

'Reconciliation Day'

All these actions increase the pain and suffering of those families, preventing closure and reconciliation.

I think it would be an excellent idea for the main churches throughout the island of Ireland to draw up proposals for holding a Reconciliation Service in all of their places of worship.

The service could be simply one service on that day.

I would also suggest that there is an agreed prayer for reconciliation, and an end to the pain that the families continue to experience read out at the service, followed by a minutes silence.

This could, where appropriate, be followed by a ringing of church bells.

I dont for one minute think that this would be a magic formula.

However, I do believe that it would be a demonstration that we do recognise the suffering they still experience, and we care about them.

John Cushnahan is a former Fine Gael MEP and leader of the Alliance Party in Northern Ireland.
A 15-year-old schoolboy will appear in court accused of attempted wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article after a teacher was stabbed in the UK.

Maths teacher Jamie Sansom suffered a single stab wound in a corridor at Tewkesbury Academy in Gloucestershire, just after 9am on Monday.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkeys president, said that Swedens Nato membership bid would not be ratified by Turkeys parliament before October.

Speaking at the Nato summit in Vilnius in Lithuania, Mr Erdogan said that the process would have to wait until after MPs return from a summer recess.

He said: The parliament is not in session for the upcoming two months  but our target is to finalise this matter as swiftly as possible.

Turkey withdrew its objections to Sweden joining the alliance (Yves Herman, Pool Photo/AP)

Turkey on Monday withdrew its objections to Sweden joining the alliance, a step toward the unity that Western leaders have been eager to demonstrate in the face of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The decision by Mr Erdogan was a significant move toward Swedens membership and came after days of intensive meetings.

Mr Erdogans comments on Wednesday were his first public confirmation of his decision to refer Swedens membership to parliament, where his party and its allies command a majority.

The presidents apparent change of heart  after a year of blocking Swedens bid  came after Sweden pledged deeper co-operation with Turkey on counter-terrorism and to support Turkeys ambition to revive its EU membership bid.

In addition, the Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance would establish a special coordinator for counter-terrorism.

Mr Erdogan highlighted these commitments, describing a draft roadmap of 17 articles framed by Sweden and presented by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to Mr Erdogan when they met Monday.

He said: A bilateral security mechanism will be established at the ministerial level and we will increase our cooperation and collaboration in our fight against the terrorist organisations.

At the same time, Sweden will actively support the Republic of Turkey in the update of the customs union, visa liberalisation and the membership process of Turkey to the European Union.

Mr Erdogan added that Sweden will help lift arms embargoes imposed on Turkey.

After those promises are kept, we will of course continue with (Swedens Nato) membership process.

Finland has already become the 31st member of the alliance, and Sweden is on deck to become the 32nd.

Both Nordic countries were historically non-aligned until the war increased fears of Russian aggression.

Turkey wants this process to be over as soon as possible, Mr Erdogan said, referring to the ratification process.

The deal would first be discussed by the parliaments foreign affairs committee before going to a vote in the main chamber.

Mr Erdogan must also win over the political parties aligned to his Justice and Development Party (AKP) that give him a parliamentary majority following elections in May.

These include a small Islamist group, which on Wednesday said it opposed Sweden joining Nato as it allows attacks on Islamic values  a reference to the burning of Qurans during protests in Stockholm.

Mr Erdogan also addressed a central point of contention over Swedens bid  what Ankara perceives as its soft stance on terrorism, particularly Kurdish militants and those it associates with an attempted coup against Mr Erdogan in 2016.

Turkey has also complained in the past about what it considers terrorist activity in other European countries.

Mr Erdogan welcomed the creation of a special co-ordinator for counter-terrorism within Nato.

He said: Fighting against terrorist organisations is our red line, so from now on we expect all our allies to show a principled stance in their fight against terrorist organisations.

Turkeys agreement on Sweden has also been linked to Ankaras efforts to acquire new F-16 fighter planes and upgrade kits for its existing fighter fleet from the US.

Both Turkish and US officials have denied any connection but on Tuesday, president Joe Biden signalled that the United States intended to proceed with the sale.

When asked about the F-16 deal, Mr Erdogan said: Im much more optimistic than Ive ever been.

Mr Biden stated that he will do his best and that he will follow this process and he said that hes optimistic about it.

But just as the parliament in Turkey has to ratify an agreement, in the United States the Congress has to ratify it.
Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed fresh pledges of weapons and ammunition to fight Russias invasion along with longer-term security commitments from the West on Wednesday.

It comes after the Ukrainian president expressed disappointment over the lack of a clear path for his country to join Nato as the alliance wrapped up its annual summit in Lithuania.

Flanked by G7 leaders including US president Joe Biden at a press conference, Mr Zelensky said: The Ukrainian delegation is bringing home a significant security victory for the Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our children.

A joint declaration issued by the G7 lays the groundwork for each nation to negotiate agreements to help Ukraine bolster its military over the long term.

Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky spoke about the G7 deal to support Ukraine (Susan Walsh/AP)

Mr Zelensky described the initiative as a bridge toward eventual Nato membership and a deterrent against Russia.

Mr Biden said, Our support will last long into the future. Were going to help Ukraine build a strong, capable defence.

The Ukrainian and American presidents also met privately along with their advisers, and Mr Biden later pledged that the United States is doing everything we can to get you what you need.

He acknowledged that Mr Zelensky is sometimes frustrated by the pace of military assistance.

Mr Zelensky thanked Mr Biden, saying that you spend this money for our lives, and said shipments of controversial cluster munitions would help Ukraines fight against Russia.

It was a marked shift in tone from Mr Zelenskys complaints a day earlier that it was unprecedented and absurd to avoid setting a timeline for Ukraine to join Nato.

On the final day of Natos summit, the alliance launched a new forum for deepening ties with Ukraine: the Nato-Ukraine Council.

The US and Ukrainian leaders met during the summit in Lithuania (Susan Walsh/AP)

It is intended to serve as a permanent body where the alliances 31 members and Ukraine can hold consultations and call for meetings in emergency situations.

The setting is part of Natos effort to bring Ukraine as close as possible to the military alliance without actually joining it.

In a communique issued on Tuesday, the leaders said that Ukraine can join when allies agree and conditions are met.

At a news conference alongside Mr Zelensky, Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said: Today we meet as equals. I look forward to the day we meet as allies.

The ambiguous plan for Ukraines future membership reflects the challenges of reaching consensus among the alliances current members while the war continues, and has frustrated Mr Zelensky even as he expressed appreciation for military hardware being promised by the G7.

The results of the summit are good, but if there were an invitation, that would be ideal, Mr Zelensky said.

He added that joining Nato would be a serious motivating factor for Ukrainian society at it resists Russia.

Nato needs us just as we need Nato, he said.

Ukraines future membership was the most divisive and emotionally charged issue at this years summit.

World leaders gathered in Lithuania for the Nato summit (Susan Walsh/AP)

In essence, Western countries are willing to keep sending weapons to help Ukraine do the job that Nato was designed to do  hold the line against a Russian invasion  but not allow Ukraine to join its ranks and benefit from its security during the war.

Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo said: We have to stay outside of this war but be able to support Ukraine.

We managed that very delicate balancing act for the last 17 months. Its to the benefit of everyone that we maintain that balancing act.

Amanda Sloat, senior director of European affairs for the US National Security Council, defended the summits decisions.

She said: I would agree that the communique is unprecedented, but I see that in a positive way.

Ms Sloat noted that Ukraine will not need to work through a membership action plan as it seeks to join Nato, although she said there are still governance and security sector reforms that are going to be required.

The action plan is usually a key step in the process that involves advice and assistance for countries seeking to join.

Symbols of support for Ukraine are common around Vilnius, where the countrys blue-and-yellow flags hang from buildings and are pasted inside windows.

Support for Ukraine has been evident across Vilnius (Mindaugas Kulbis/AP)

One sign cursed Russian President Vladimir Putin, while another urged Nato leaders to hurry up in their assistance for Ukraine.

However, there was caution inside the summit itself, especially from Mr Biden, who has explicitly said he doesnt think Ukraine is ready to join Nato.

There are concerns that the countrys democracy is unstable and its corruption remains too deeply rooted.

Under Article 5 of the Nato charter, members are obligated to defend each other from attack, which could swiftly draw the US and other nations into direct fighting with Russia.

Defining an end to hostilities is no easy task.

Officials have declined to define the goal, which could suggest a negotiated ceasefire or Ukraine reclaiming all occupied territory.

Either way, Mr Putin would essentially have veto power over Ukraines Nato membership by prolonging the conflict.

Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, Turkeys president Recep Tayyip Erdogan,, and Swedens prime minister Ulf Kristersson made moves on Swedens membership of Nato (Yves Herman/AP)

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace warned Wednesday of bubbling frustration over Mr Zelenskys demands, adding that people want to see gratitude for Western military support.

Mr Wallace also said hes heard grumbles from some US lawmakers that were not Amazon.

At the same time, the new G7 framework would include long-term commitments to Ukraines security.

To repel Russian attack, the major powers promise swift and sustained security assistance, modern military equipment across land, sea and air domains, and economic assistance.

They also vow to slap more sanctions on Russia.

For now and into the future, they say, they will provide weapons and military equipment, including combat airpower, as well as more training for Ukraines beleaguered army.

Mr Zelensky has asked that these assurances last at least until Ukraine joins Nato.

Moscow reacted harshly to the G7 plan.

Russia has reacted harshly to the plans announced by the G7 leaders (Pavel Golovkin/AP)

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: We consider this extremely ill-judged and potentially very dangerous.

He added that by providing security guarantees to Ukraine, theyre infringing on Russias security.

Ukraine has been let down by security guarantees in the past.

In the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, Russia, the US and UK agreed that none of their weapons will ever be used against Ukraine except in self-defence, in exchange for Kyiv transferring its Soviet-era nuclear weapons to Russia.

But in 2014, Russia annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula and seized territory in the south and east.

In 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion in an attempt to topple Kyiv, leading to the current bloody conflict.

Mr Zelensky told reporters that the Budapest Memorandum was no help without Nato membership and its mutual defence agreement.

He said: In fact, Ukraine was left with that document and defended itself alone.

The summit in Vilnius has seesawed between conflict and compromise, with Ukrainian president Zelensky admitting his frustration (Yves Herman/AP)

Although international summits are often tightly scripted, this one in Vilnius has seesawed between conflict and compromise.

At first leaders appeared to be deadlocked over Swedens bid for membership in the alliance.

However, Turkey unexpectedly agreed to drop its objections on Monday, the night before the summit formally began.

But Mr Erdogan said on Wednesday that Turkeys parliament could not consider the matter before October.

However, he does appear keener to develop his relationship with Mr Biden.

The Turkish president has been seeking advanced American fighter jets and a path toward membership in the European Union.

The White House has expressed support for both, but has insisted the issues were not related to Swedens membership in Nato.
The wife of newsreader Huw Edwards has said he is suffering from serious mental health issues and is receiving in-patient hospital care as she named him as the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images.

After intense speculation as to the identity of the BBC presenter at the centre of the allegations, Vicky Flind said in a statement that she was speaking out on her husbands behalf after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family.

Following the name reveal, the BBC and The Sun have both faced criticism for the handling of the events of the last few days, with colleagues and high-profile media personalities speaking out in support of Edwards on Wednesday night.

In a message to staff, seen by the PA news agency, the BBCs director-general, Tim Davie, said the words from Flind were a reminder that the last few days have seen personal lives played out in public.

At the heart of this are people and their families.

He said: This will no doubt be a difficult time for many after a challenging few days.

I want to reassure you that our immediate concern is our duty of care to all involved.

Mr Davie referenced an earlier request from the Metropolitan Police asking the corporation to pause its internal investigation, saying: It is important we now continue with this work.

I want to be clear that in doing so we will follow due process.

The Metropolitan Police has said no criminal offence has been committed by the presenter (Ian West/PA)

The Sun newspaper, which first reported allegations against the then-unnamed presenter last week claiming they had paid a young person tens of thousands of pounds for explicit images, said they had no plans to publish further allegations and would cooperate with the BBCs internal investigation process.

Father of five Edwards is the BBCs highest-paid newsreader, with a pay bracket of 435,000439,999, putting him fourth on the top 10 list, the corporations annual report revealed on Tuesday.

The presenter was last seen on BBC Ones News At Ten on July 5 when he co-presented a special edition live from Edinburgh as the King was honoured in the Scottish capital and sources have made it clear to PA that Edwards, 61, has not resigned from the BBC.

The statement from his wife, a TV producer who has worked on BBCs This Week politics show and Robert Pestons ITV programme, Peston, to the PA news agency said: Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues.

As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.

The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where hell stay for the foreseeable future.

She said that once the presenter, who has worked for the BBC for four decades, was well enough, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published and added that her husband was first told there were allegations being made against him last Thursday.

Ms Flind asked for privacy for the family and said: I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation.

We hope this statement will bring that to an end.

The Welsh journalist and broadcaster has previously spoken about his mental health, revealing in a documentary in 2021 he had bouts of depression which have left him bedridden since 2002.

I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation

The Metropolitan Police said no criminal offence had been committed by the presenter, adding: There is no further police action.

As such, the Met has advised the BBC it can continue with its internal investigation.

The statement added: We are aware of media reporting of further allegations against the same individual.

No specific details or information about these allegations have been passed to us and therefore there is no police action at this time.

The BBC said in a statement the corporation was grateful to the Met Police for completing this work at speed.

A BBC spokesperson said: The police had previously asked us to pause our fact-finding investigations and we will now move forward with that work, ensuring due process and a thorough assessment of the facts, whilst continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all involved.

The Sun said the allegations published by the paper were always very serious and a spokesperson added: It is right that the BBCs Corporate Investigations Team continues to investigate these thoroughly and deals with them in the way that they think is appropriate.

Spokespersons for British culture secretary Lucy Frazer and prime minister Rishi Sunak both refused to comment, saying it was a matter for the BBC.
Outgoing Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said Wednesday he met with detained Myanmar leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during a secret visit to Naypyitaw on Sunday, becoming the first international dignitary to be granted permission by the regime to meet her. However, the meeting has caused controversy, as it took place shortly before the start of the ongoing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ministerial meeting. More importantly, there are questions over whether the caretaker Thai administrations unilateral action will affect the blocs unity and principle of ASEAN centrality. Daw Zin Mar Aung, the foreign minister of the National Unity Government (NUG), Myanmars civilian government, discussed these and related issues with The Irrawaddy.

The Irrawaddy: What is the NUGs response to the Thai foreign ministers meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi? What do you think of the outgoing foreign ministers involvement?

Daw Zin Mar Aung: Outgoing Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinais meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has made resolving the Myanmar issue more complicated. He has also made such a mess recently by organizing talks to reengage with the junta. What he has done is in total contrast with ASEAN leaders decision not to welcome the regime leadership as long as they fail to honor [the regional blocs] Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar. He is now trying to push the junta into the ASEAN fold. His attempts to do so have no legitimacy as he is an outgoing minister in a caretaker government. Only the ASEAN chair or special envoys on Myanmar have a mandate to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. You should note that, before him, there were officials from China and the UN, and ASEAN envoys who sought permission from the junta to meet her. They were all rejected. So, it raises questions as to why the regime allowed Don, who has no mandate to see her, to hold the meeting. We have to ask him seriously: Whom did he represent? What are his responsibilities? Rather than helping to solve Myanmars problems, his action has caused disunity among regional countries.

You said Thailands action affected ASEAN centrality. Member states like Indonesia and Malaysia take the Myanmar issue seriously and handle it appropriately. Do you know how other member states feel about Thailands much friendlier approach to the regime?

Other member states follow the decisions made at ASEAN summits. But they have been undermined by Thailands approach to the junta since last year, with Thailands introduction of neighbor diplomacy, saying it should also lead in tackling the issue as its Myanmars neighbor. If they make it right by following ASEANs Five-Point Consensus, its OK. To engage with all stakeholders in the Myanmar issue is one of the requirements. But Thailand has only met with the regime leadership. And now its trying to push the bloc to fully reengage with the junta. They are totally ignoring the Myanmar peoples voice and desire. I have learned from diplomatic circles that such actions have made other member states very uncomfortable.

So, the Myanmar junta is using Thailand for its political gain?

As a minister in the outgoing government, Don has to leave very soon. His attempts to push ASEAN to welcome the regime back at the upcoming ASEAN summit could be his last effort You could say he is trying to save the junta, which is failing on all fronts. In short, you could call it a Dictators supporting each other until the last minute scenario by undermining ASEANs bedrock principles. The regime leadership is dying to join the upcoming summit and Thailand is helping to make it happen. Let me make it clear that when I say Thai here, Im not referring to ordinary Thai people or previous Thai governments. I specifically mean the current outgoing Thai government, in which Don is foreign minister. I believe his approach to Myanmar represents neither the [views of the] Thai people nor the Myanmar people. I can surely say it only represents the regime.

Everyone knows the current Thai regime is close to its Myanmar counterpart. Then recently it hosted talks to reengage with the junta. Under the circumstances, is it OK to say the meeting between Don and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was appropriate?

Absolutely not! The first thing is they have no mandate to have such a meeting. The current controversy caused by the meeting is the best evidence that the approach doesnt work. Second, Don has one-sidedly said he met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. We still cant verify that she really received him. If a meeting took place between them, it was bilateral. That means Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has to say something about the meeting. What we have heard is coming only from Don. We have to think about whether its appropriate to ask our isolated leader for a meeting or comments [on the National Unity Government (NUG), or its armed wing, the Peoples Defense Force (PDF)] and we dont know whether it was held with her consent. She is not someone who carelessly expresses her political opinions. So, no one knows except her whether she commented on the NUG and PDFs. Neither Don nor anyone else can present her voice. So, hearing about the meeting from just one side [Don], it also makes us worried about whether the regime will keep her behind bars for the rest of her life. If so, her security and life are at risk. You cant feel safe if you are in the hands of a regime that would do anything to stay in power. The meeting has really increased our concerns about her.

So, the regime has politically manipulated the meeting?

Yes, they arranged it intentionally to use it politically. If they are honest, why didnt they allow it before? Why just before the ASEAN ministerial meeting this week? The timing is very suspicious as they did it in time for the blocs meeting.

Regarding Daw Aung San Suu Kyis alleged comments on the NUG and PDFs, PanOrient reported that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi confirmed in the meeting that she neither recognizes nor supports them. But Don didnt mention that at the ASEAN meeting. Suspiciously, the regimes Foreign Minister Than Swe received the president of Pan Orient News, Khaldon Azhari, in Naypyitaw in May to discuss matters related to media development and international media. People say PanOrient reports the regimes views uncritically and that it is disseminating a junta disinformation campaign on the meeting. Any comments?

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has always said she will never go against the peoples will and she will stand with them. So, for such a person, a question such as whether she supports the NUG or the PDFs is totally unnecessary. Why would she bother to answer such a question? The one thing thats sure is that the junta is desperately trying to spread disinformation. Yes, the news outlet chief also met with the regimes minister previously and its suspected that it is on the regimes payroll. Some of their content is quite pro-junta. If the junta wants to know whether she supports the NUG and PDFs, give her the freedom to speak about it of her own free will. For the moment, she may not answer in black or white as she may not be completely aware of the whole situation [as she is in prison]. What they should not forget is Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is still the NUGs State Counselor. Its not a just approach to ask her, when you have locked her up.

Interestingly, Don said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is healthy. There are many political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, in Myanmar. But he doesnt seem to have pushed the regime to release them.

Its hostage diplomacy, if I can put it that way. Its nothing more than pushing her and cornering her to answer questions in the interests of her captor. The outcome of the meeting will surely have nothing to do with our peoples interests. I have to say the approach has only had negative results.

According to media reports, Don told todays [Wednesdays] ASEAN meeting that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi encouraged dialogue without preconditions to address Myanmars crisis. What do you think?

They put her in solitary confinement and they relayed this is what she said. For me, its quite untrustworthy. I have doubts about whether its OK to respond to such nonsense. For conditional dialogue, itd be better to ask the junta. If it has to be without precondition, they have to release her. If it has to be unconditional, we need a condition where we can speak freely. The other thing is, unconditional dialogue between who? Resolving Myanmars crisis doesnt just depend on the military and the NLD, nor the military and the NUG. As the military dictatorship is deeply rooted, the countrys problems include the whole range of [issues involving] equality and self-determination of the countrys ethnic people. So, if you want unconditional dialogue, I think it has to reflect all stakeholders opinions.

NUG Acting President Duwa Lashi La once said there can be no dialogue with the regime. If it is really needed, he said, there would have to be conditions, like a cessation of killing by the junta, and the military would first have to return to the barracks. Is that still the NUGs stand? In the past, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi herself called for dialogue. Are there conflicting opinions now?

The Spring Revolution following the 2021 coup resulted from our peoples realization that they needed approaches that were different from the ones used prior to 2021 in solving Myanmars problems. People are totally aware that political means alone dont work. Thats why we have the PDFsfor self defense and to reform the military. As long as you dont solve the root causes, there will be no national reconciliation You need to accept principally that there will be no solution as long as the military is involved in the countrys politics.

The other thing is equality for ethnic people and building a federal union. These two things have to go in tandem. Another thing is [ASEANs] Five-Point Consensus. True, it cant fully solve the problem, but if you cant even implement the consensus, its nonsense to talk about dialogue.

Primarily, the regime has to stop its violence and arbitrary arrests of civilians, and release political prisoners. Only after that could we hold discussions, in accordance with our position based on the basic principles mentioned above.

How does Thailands approach to Myanmar affect ASEAN centrality? Will there be any repercussions?

I have to say it has largely undermined the groups centrality. Very recently, [the current holder of] ASEANs rotating chair, Indonesia, emphasized the need for unity in the bloc. Thats why I think the Thai approach on Myanmar is an obstacle to the blocs centrality. Whether you like it or not, you have to follow the Five-Point Consensus adopted by the ASEAN [leaders]. Many member states think so. Any country that wants to help solve Myanmars crisis must stick to the Five-Point Consensus rather than being a one-man show. In Thailands case, no one had any idea what it was doing until they revealed it, reasoning that it would go it alone. I would like to urge Thailand as well as others to avoid that approach, as it can be harmful to the blocs unity. Now it has caused controversy among member states, causing the Myanmar issue to be tossed into the back seat. Our neighbors should be mindful that its caused nothing but harm, not only to Myanmar but also to regional unity. The international community should collectively take action on the issue, I would say.
Myanmar junta forces suffered heavy casualties when resistance forces attacked their Thaing Ngai village outpost in Chin States Tedim Township on Tuesday, according to the Chinland Defense Force (CDF)s Civic Defense Militia-Siyin.

Junta forces provided air and artillery support for ground troops, bombing the village three times during the seven-hour battle, which lasted from 5 am to 12 pm.

Around 30 junta soldiers were killed in the fighting, while a combined force of six resistance groups suffered four fatalities and two wounded, a CDF spokesman said.

The fighting was fierce. Resistance fighters seized bunkers and trenches [of the junta outpost] in the fighting. Resistance fighters on the front line reported finding many bodies [of junta troops] in trenches. They were hit so hard that they called in air support. We could have seized the outpost had it not been for the warplanes, he said.

Resistance forces first attacked the outpost with drones on Monday night. But when the drones were shot down, they decided to conduct a dawn raid.

Resistance groups said they seized six small arms with bullets, some four-dozen 40 mm grenades, and other ammunition from the outpost.

Thaing Ngai is strategically located at the junction of the Tedim-Falam road from Sagaing Regions Kale, and the road to India. Between 40 and 60 junta troops from Light Infantry Battalion 269 were deployed at the village outpost.

PDF-Kale also used remotely detonated mines to ambush six trucks of junta troops sent to reinforce the outpost.

The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the junta casualty figures.
The IndustriAll global union federation and its affiliated European Trade Union on Tuesday called on the European Union to withdraw its support for Myanmars clothing industry, which helps fund the military regime.

The EU is currently funding the 3-million-euro Multi-Stakeholder Alliance for Decent Employment in the Myanmar apparel industry (MADE in Myanmar), running from December 2022 to 2026.

The project supports workers access to functional grievance mechanisms at both factory and industry level as well as facilitating dialogue between employers, workers and international stakeholders.

It also promotes industry best practices for occupational health and safety, social compliance and environmental management.

However, reports of labor rights violations by Myanmar employers and the junta have surged since the military coup in February 2021.

The global trade unions call came after the recent arrests of workers linked to the MADE in Myanmar project.

Last month, five union leaders at a Chinese-owned garment factory in Yangon that supplies global brands Zara and Pull & Bear were arrested along with two labor rights activists of NGO Action Labor Rights and a union supporter, after protesting for a pay rise of 38 US cents per day. The military regime has charged them under the Sedition Law and Unlawful Association Act, which carry hefty prison terms.

The labor rights NGO is cooperating with the EU, EU-based brands, and the MADE in Myanmar project, said IndustriAll.

The global labor federation said freedom of association is no longer possible in Myanmar and the MADE project cannot protect labor activists from the military junta.

EU citizens and public funds should not be used to benefit the military junta, nor should they be associated with an EU-funded project where workers are threatened, dismissed or arrested without causes, IndustriAll said.

The federation added that the presence of EU brands in Myanmar provides vital foreign currency flows that sustain the military regime and facilitate its purchase of arms, ammunition and fuel.

Myanmars garment industry brought in US$ 4.7 billion in foreign exchange over the past year, as the junta conducts a brutal military campaign against civilian and armed resistance.

The MADE project offers no protection to workers representatives, and giving that impression makes the EU part of the problem, rather than part of the solution the global labor federation said.

Since the coup, the junta has banned nearly all workers unions and arrested more than 300 union members and labor rights activists.
Myanmars junta has been shelling Laiza, where the powerful Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has its headquarters, while large numbers of ground troops are approaching the Kachin State town.

Residents said regime troops are arriving at Nam San Yang, a village previously controlled by the KIA about 9km from Laiza.

Troops are reportedly arriving from Bhamo and Myitkyina townships and have reached Madee Yan and Aung Ja villages near Laiza while the KIA has been ambushing reinforcements.

A truck carrying around 25 troops from Momauk in a convoy crashed on the Myitkyina-Bhamo road in a KIA ambush on Wednesday, said residents.

KIA spokesman Colonel Naw Bu said tensions are rising each day because of junta aggression.

There have been no large clashes near Laiza yet on the ground, but it is hard to know exactly where they are stationed. They are firing artillery shells around Laiza, where they think our units could be based, he said.

Three KIA ambushes were reported on Monday as regime troops from Momauk Township approached Mai Sat village near Nam San Yang, according to residents.

Waingmaw residents have reported shelling around Laiza but details of casualties and damage have not been reported.

The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.

U Aung Pai Soe, 41, a political analyst in Thailand, told The Irrawaddy: This is obviously retaliation for KIA support for resistance groups and its cooperation with the civilian National Unity Government.

However, he said the junta might suffer heavy losses during its offensive and leave its forces exposed to KIA counterattacks in other areas.
The junta bombed a camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) during airstrikes in Shadaw and Mese townships in the resistance stronghold of Kayah State on Wednesday, killing at least two civilians and sending thousands of refugees across the border into Thailand.

Thousands of residents of Kayah State fled across the border on Wednesday and are taking shelter in Thailands Mae Hong Son province, the Karenni Human Rights Group said.

The two aerial assaults on civilian targets occurred after midnight, the rights group said.

A 13-year-old boy was among those killed as a junta warplane dropped three bombs on Kyauk Su village in Mese Township at around 12.30am, a spokesperson for the rights group said.

One man from Kyauk Su Village was injured and two houses in the village, as well as its church, were destroyed during the airstrike, he said.

A second airstrike targeted a camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Shadaw Township near the Thai border at about 1am.

The Karenni Human Rights Group said one man was killed and two women were wounded when a junta jet dropped bombs on Daw Hnoe Ku camp.

Sources said makeshift huts used for classrooms in the camp were damaged by the bombs.

About 4,000 IDPs were taking refuge in Daw Hnoe Ku camp.

Civilian targets in Kayah Stateincluding schools, clinics and IDP campsare frequently targeted by the junta warplanes.

On July 4, a junta jet fighter bombed a displacement camp in western Demoso Township, injuring three people including a three-year-old.

On June 25, Nant Kit Village in Hpasawng Township was hit by junta airstrikes, killing at least four male civilians, according to aid group Free Burma Rangers.

The Progressive Karenni People Force said that the military junta conducted at least 343 airstrikes between January and June 2023 in Kayah State.

At least 270,000 people have been displaced in Kayah State since the 2021 military coup, according to multiple sources.
Outgoing Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai met with detained Myanmar leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during an unannounced visit to Naypyitaw on Sunday.

The meeting took place at Naypyitaw Prison, where the ousted State Counselor is being held in solitary confinement. A high-ranking military official who is a member of the Myanmar regimes governing State Administration Council accompanied Don.

Neither the Myanmar junta nor the Thai government have issued a statement about Dons meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The meeting came ahead of the ongoing ASEAN meeting in Jakarta, where foreign ministers from member states are discussing the Myanmar crisis. The regional bloc is divided over how or whether to reengage with the countrys ruling junta.

The Thai foreign minister is the first outsider to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi since her detention on the first day of the coup in 2021. She is now in solitary confinement in a prison in Naypyitaw after a junta court sentenced her to 33 years imprisonment. The junta has rejected several requests by ASEAN and UN special envoys on Myanmar to meet her.

At todays ASEAN meeting Don is expected to brief regional diplomats about his meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Observers noted it is strange that the junta permitted the outgoing Thai foreign minister to see Myanmars ousted leader after rejecting the same request from ASEAN and UN envoys specifically mandated by the regional bloc to hold such a meeting.

Given the outgoing Thai governments close ties with the regime and its foreign ministers recent attempt to lobby ASEAN to fully reengage with the Myanmar junta leaders, analysts are worried that both are trying to use Daw Aung San Suu Kyi politically.

The junta has been unable to take full control of Myanmar, mostly due to a popular armed resistance led by the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) and its allied ethnic armed groups. The NUG is made up of elected lawmakers from Daw Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy (NLD) and their ethnic allies. Most Myanmar people consider the NUG as their legitimate government.

NUG Deputy Foreign Minister U Moe Zaw Oo questioned the juntas motivation for allowing the visit. Given the close ties between the junta and the Thai government, we are doubtful about the appropriateness of the meeting, assuming it actually happened, he told The Irrawaddy.

Analysts speculated that the status of the NUG was very likely a hot topic during Dons meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. They also questioned the timing of the visit, coming on the heels of talks brokered by Don to reengage with the junta, and just before the ASEAN gathering this week.

If the foreign minister was able to extract a criticism of the NUG from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, they said, he would surely use it at the ASEAN meeting to justify Thailands push for the bloc to reengage with the junta.

But that would be highly unlikely, they said. They pointed to her public support for the anti-regime resistance movement in a message she delivered through Sean Turnellher Australian economic adviser who was detained by the regime on spy chargeswhen the two attended a trial hearing together last year.

She also expressed how proud she was, especially of the young Burmese people. She was really proud of how the people were prepared to defend and fight for democracy, even though their exposure to democracy was very brief, Turnell told News 10 ABC after his release late last year.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been aware of the armed resistance movement since she was under house arrest in 2021. But she has kept tightlipped about the issue. Her silence has left regime leader Min Aung Hlaing jittery; he even said in December that year that she could keep up to date about the ongoing political situation, including the establishment of the NUG and the violence that has wracked the country, through her legal team. She has a chance to comment on the unfolding issues via her lawyers, he said.
Several Myanmar junta forces including a pro-junta militia leader as well as at least five ethnic resistance fighters were reportedly killed in the last four days as Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs) and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) continued to attack regime targets across the country.

In one case, four ethnic Chin resistance fighters were killed during a raid on a junta base in Chin State.

Incidents were reported in Sagaing and Bago regions and Chin, Shan and Kachin states.

The Irrawaddy has collected the following reports of significant attacks from PDFs and EAOs.

Some of the reports could not be independently verified.

Junta camp raided in Chin

Several regime forces as well as four resistance fighters were killed in Tedim Township, Chin State on Tuesday when Chin resistance groups jointly raided a junta camp in Taingen Village in the Siyin area, said Civic Defense Militia (Siyin), a Chin resistance group that joined the raid.

After seven hours of fighting, military weapons and ammunition were also seized by the resistance groups. After sustaining losses, the junta used fighter jets to bomb the resistance forces while artillery units based in nearby Sagaing Regions Kale town shelled the clash site.

Police battalion pounded in Sagaing

Resistance forces fire improvised mortar rounds at Police Battalion 28 in Salingyi Township on Saturday. / FBGA

Resistance group Fighter Brotherhood Guerrilla Army said it and 14 other resistance groups jointly used improvised mortar rounds and rocket bomb launchers to bombard the juntas Police Battalion 28 in Salingyi Township, Sagaing Region on Saturday.

Regime forces stationed at the police base protect the Chinese mining firm Wanbao and also shell nearby villages every night.

During the resistance attack, the police base responded with heavy explosives and firearms. More military reinforcements arrived at the base in four army trucks after resistance fighters left the area. Later, several military bases nearby, including a junta unit based at the Chinese mining firm, randomly fired shells until late at night, the resistance group said.

Pro-junta militia leader killed in drone strikes in Sagaing

The resistance group Black Wolf Army claimed to have killed Mone Tine, leader of pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia forces, and injured two militia members as it and other resistance groups conducted drone strikes on a militia base in the pro-regime village of Kawt in Shwebo Township, Sagaing Region on Sunday.

A resistance video shows blasts occurring as a drone bombs a village.

Junta forces bombed while torching houses in Sagaing

Unicorn Guerilla Force said it and three resistance groups used drones to drop eight bombs on regime forces raiding and torching houses in Nga King Village in Myinmu Township, Sagaing Region on Sunday.

Military casualties were unknown.

Junta base attacked by resistance snipers in Bago



Resistance snipers take part in an ambush of regime forces at a bridge in Yedashe Township on Monday. / PDF Battalion 3501

At least three junta soldiers were killed or injured in Yedashe Township, Bago Region on Monday when resistance snipers of PDF Battalion 3501 based in Yedashe fired upon a military checkpoint at a bridge crossing the Situang River near a village, the resistance group said.

After being fired on by the snipers, the regime forces indiscriminately attacked nearby villages with both heavy explosives and firearms, damaging some houses.

Attacks on military targets continue in Shan and Kachin states

Many regime forces are believed to have been killed or injured on Tuesday when the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) ambushed military convoys in northern Shan State and Kachin State, according to local media reports.

First, KIA troops ambushed a military convoy between two villages in Kutkai Township, northern Shan State, damaging a vehicle and inflicting many regime casualties.

KIA Battalion 25 also attacked a military convoy in Momauk Township, Kachin State. In the attack, a miliary truck carrying 20 soldiers overturned, local media Kachin Waves reported, citing residents.

Shootout erupts at border trade zone in Shan

A shootout occurred near the 105 Mile Border Trade Zone in Muse Township, northern Shan State on Tuesday morning when regime soldiers attacked troops of the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) who were collecting taxes in the area, according to reports by local Shan media.

A TNLA soldier was confirmed killed. Military casualties were unknown.
SiGMA will further elevate the gaming and fintech industries of the Philippines  CEZA

The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) has expressed strong support for SiGMAs upcoming Asia event through an official letter of endorsement. The expo and conference, which will be held in the Philippines this July, 19th to 22nd, takes place in Manilas biggest expo venue  the SMX Convention Centre.

In recognition of the Groups contribution to the Philippines growing gaming sector, they said that they believe that these events will further elevate the gaming and financial technology industries of the Philippines, and that they look forward to a fruitful partnership with [SiGMA].

The CEZA zone is a government owned and controlled corporation created by virtue of the Republic Act 1922, otherwise known as the Cagayan Special Economic Zone Act of 1995. The Act was designed to oversee the management and development of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSEZFP).

With the goal of transforming the entire region into a self-sustaining hub for industry, commerce, finance, tourism, and residential living, this economic zone strives to become a thriving centre. Operating as a Freeport, it functions as an independent customs territory, akin to renowned locations such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Lubuan in Malaysia, and Hamburg in Germany.

Positioned as a key trans shipment point for Asia-Pacific trade, it now presents enticing business prospects with appealing incentives and advantages for prospective investors seeking registration in CEZA. These endeavours aim to attract legitimate and productive local and international investments, consequently generating employment opportunities within and surrounding the Freeport.

The Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (Cagayan Freeport) is located at the north-eastern tip of the Philippines  which is encompassed by the waters of Balintang Channel, China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It covers the entire Municipality of Sta. Ana and the Islands of Fuga, Barit, Mabbag in the Municipality of Aparri in the Province of Cagayan.

Quelle: S.G. Worldwide Media Company Ltd
Wednesday, Jul 12th, 2023 (10:47 am) - Score 1,128

Broadband ISP and network operator Brsk, which has so far built their gigabit speed Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network to cover 200,000 UK premises (rollout plan), has today announced that their West Midlands (England) focused deployment has been extended into South Birmingham.

The operator, which last year secured a huge funding boost of up to 178 million (here) and tends to focus on parts of Greater Manchester, Lancashire, West Yorkshire and the West Midlands in England, holds a long-term aim of passing 1 million homes by 2026. Some of the locations where theyre currently deploying include Cottingley, Keighley and Bingley, Clayton, Allerton & Sandy Lane, Bradford, Queensbury, Thornton, Accrington and many more.

NOTE: Brsk is supported by funding from Advencap and the Ares Management Corp.

Selly Oak is the first area in South Birmingham to benefit from the latest rollout and the overall expansion will ultimately extend Brsks network to cover a total of 385,000 homes across the West Midlands, which is clearly their primary focus. Other areas include Shenley and Edgbaston, with more to follow.

Naturally, they will face some competition from gigabit-capable rivals in these areas, with Openreach and Virgin Media being those with the most significant coverage.

Laura Richardson, West Midlands Regional Head, said: The Midlands is growing from strength to strength, as we expand our coverage to further areas within the region, were thrilled to be delivering better broadband and first-class customer service to residents and businesses here. Were proud to be offering choice to what has previously been an area restricted to few providers with very limited full fibre coverage. Working with the community and local councillors, we have big plans for the West Midlands, this expansion into South Birmingham is just the beginning.

Standard prices typically start from 25 per month for an unlimited 100Mbps symmetric speed package on a 24-month term (inc. a free installation and router), which rises to 45 for their top 900Mbps package (theyre currently selling it at just 30 until the end of this month!).
Wednesday, Jul 12th, 2023 (10:18 am) - Score 984

Network operator CityFibre has today announced that theyve finally entered the construction phase of their 42 million project to deploy a new 10Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP / XGS-PON) broadband network across South Tyneside (Tyne and Wear) in North East England. The operator is already working in neighbouring Gateshead.

The first building work  supported by local contractor GCU UK Ltd  is taking place in the Laygate area of the town. In the Dean Road area, recent path reinstatement works led by the Council and full fibre installation by CityFibre have also been combined to minimise disruption and the need for separate works.

NOTE: Cityfibre is supported by ISPs such as TalkTalk, Zen Internet, Giganet, Cityfibre is supported by ISPs such as Vodafone iDNET , and others, but they arent all live or available in every location yet.

The work forms part of the operators wider ambition to cover up to 8 million UK premises (funded by c.2.4bn in equity and c.4.9bn debt)  across over 285 cities, towns and villages (c.30% of the UK)  by the end of 2025 (here). CityFibre has so far passed 2.8 million homes (up from 2.6m in late March 2023), but only 2.4 million of those are currently considered to be fully Ready for Service by an ISP (up from 2.3m).

The project is expected to be completed by 2025, but the first services will typically start to go live for people to take advantage of much sooner. But it does have to be said that Cityfibre arent exactly the fastest alternative network provider when it comes to putting their network live, post-build.

Steph Carter-Smith, CityFibres Partnership Manager for South Tyneside, said: Our full fibre rollout is continuing to gain momentum across the North East, and we are excited to see our plans now progressing in South Tyneside. Delivering lightning-fast and reliable broadband to homes and businesses across the area is a huge undertaking, but once the network is built, it will serve the communitys increasing connectivity needs for years to come. We have been working with our build partner GCU for many years, and know that they will deliver the project quickly, with as little disruption as possible to residents. I would like to thank the local community for their patience as we work to make South Tyneside a leader in digital connectivity.

In terms of local gigabit-capable competition, its worth noting that Virgin Media (VMO2) will be CityFibres main competitor in this area. Openreach does have some growing FTTP coverage, but its still at a fairly low level. Finally, Grain have a little bit of full fibre coverage, albeit mostly around the South Shields area
Wednesday, Jul 12th, 2023 (10:00 am) - Score 2,280

Fibre optic builder and ISP B4RN (Broadband for the Rural North), which since 2011 have been working with community volunteers to roll out a 10Gbps Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network across rural parts of England, has confirmed that they will upgrade their core network to 400G in order to make it future-proof through 2030.

The provider, which is a registered Community Benefit Society that has already covered well over 20,000 premises, first began deploying their full fibre network to remote rural homes in Lancashire over a decade ago and theyve since expanded out across parts of Cheshire, Cumbria, Northumberland, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Yorkshire.

NOTE: B4RN charges 33 per month for their 1Gbps package (plus a 60 connection fee payable over 12-months).

In the case of their core network, B4RN has previously used equipment from Norwegian firm Smartoptics, and they intend to do so again to upgrade their entire backbone network. The project aims to support 400G in the rural core network with new Dark Fibre extending about 650km, creating a ring around the north of the UK between Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds.

Distances between nodes in the backbone network range from about 40 to 100km  typical of a rural operating environment and longer than many metro networks. Smartoptics open line systems, along with 10G and 400G optics, have been selected to future-proof the network through 2030.

Tom Rigg, COO of B4RN, said: Cost efficiency, quality and reliability were key decision criteria for us. Smartoptics products were the best option we could find, meeting these criteria brilliantly and effectively meeting our needs for everything from 10G to 400G. We also appreciate the plug-and-play setup and ease of use. But as much as we like the products, our close relationship with Smartoptics is no less important. Smartoptics has been there for us as we continue to grow and bring greater connectivity to underserved communities.

The announcement doesnt state how long this upgrade will take to complete, although we cant say that weve ever seen any complaints about poor speeds from B4RNs customers and so this is clearly more about maintaining that quality in to the future.
This Week in Review

A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
Thai diplomat meets with Suu Kyi in detention in Myanmar and says she wants to join talks on crisis

Thailands top diplomat says he met with ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi in detention over the weekend and she conveyed her openness to engage in talks to resolve the crisis in her strife-torn nation
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09:33 | Cusco (Cusco region), Jul. 12.









The projects began in October 2022 and will be completed in three years.





They record significant progress and entail an investment of more than S/6.8 million (over US$1.87 million).





The resident archaeologist at the Tipon project, Amelia Perez, remarked that archaeological evidence is being recovered in the Sinkuna Kancha sector.





Said evidence had been covered by dense vegetation and had been turned into areas of farming and grazing since colonial times and the Republican era.





"There is evidence of superimposition of constructions corresponding to different periods and lots of ceramic pieces in Sinkuna Kancha, which suggests that workshops took place in this sector," she explained.









The finding included aryballos (Inca ceramics), plates, bowls, tupus (ornaments shaped like pins), and small molds of faces, among other objects.





The discovery also features a great number of ceramic fragments of different forms and colors, which will be studied by experts.





In the Andenes sector, DDC-Cusco staff conducted archaeological research activities to determine the projection of terraces, the inner structure, and hydraulic systems used in the area.





The communities settled in the surroundings of the Archaeological Park of Tipon support and participate in the restoration and enhancement process of Sinkuna Kancha by permanently monitoring the works.





(END) PHS/JOT/RMB/MVB

Archaeological research projects as part of enhancement works in the sectors of Sinkuna Kancha, Andenes, and Hornopata at the Archaeological Park of Tipon have uncovered walls and structures corresponding to enclosures and terraces of the Inca, colonial, and Republican times, the Decentralized Culture Directorate (DDC) in Cusco has reported.Published: 7/12/2023
YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS. Ucom has expanded its fixed network to include Goris and has also upgraded the mobile network in this regional city of Armenia. This means that both individual and corporate subscribers in Goris can now enjoy the benefits of the latest fiber optic network technology. Residents of Goris will also have the option to combine their fixed and mobile communication services into a single package, saving up to 45% compared to subscribing to these services separately.

In particular, by selecting the Unity packages, subscribers can provide their entire family with up to 500 Mbps of home internet, access to 210+ TV channels (including those of 4K quality), and a Wi-Fi 6 device that offers faster and smoother internet connectivity at home. Additionally, the package allows for the inclusion of up to 4 Super SIM cards at a special price, ensuring the family can enjoy high-speed mobile communication together.

The first subscriber from Goris, Artyom Ohanjanyan, has joined the largest Unity Super 20000 package. His family will enjoy the mentioned services free of charge for 6 months as part of this comprehensive offer.

"Internet connectivity is crucial everywhere. Whether you reside in a border settlement, Yerevan, or anywhere else in the world, the desire to stay in touch with distant relatives, see their faces, and have conversations remains constant. Fast internet plays a vital role," stated Artyom Ohanjanyan, the inaugural subscriber of Ucom's Unity package in the city of Goris.

"Of course, Ucom has a special offer for the residents of Goris. By subscribing to the regional Unity 9000 package for 12 months until October 1, families in Goris can enjoy home internet with speeds of up to 150 Mbps, over 210 TV channels, 20 GB of mobile internet, and the ability to use popular mobile applications without consuming their data bundle. Additionally, the package includes 1000 minutes to call all local networks, Artsakh, USA, and Canada. Notably, these calls will be made through our upgraded mobile network, and all connections will be activated within three days," stated Ralph Yirikian, Director General of Ucom.

During his visit on July 11, the directors of Goris No. 4 and A. Bakunts High Schools No. 1, as well as "Goris State College" SNPO A. Shegunts, L. Manucharyan, and K. Lazaryan, met with the Director General of Ucom. Immediately, the General Director instructed the teams to provide access to high-speed fixed Internet in these educational institutions, allowing hundreds of students to benefit from the fastest internet in Armenia free of charge.

Let us remind that Ucom has a strategic network expansion plan, which includes the expansion of the fixed network also in Ashtarak, Artashat, Gavar, Sevan, and Ijevan regional cities. The technical works are scheduled to be completed by 2024. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that Ucom has been awarded the "Fastest Fixed Network in Armenia 2021" and "Fastest Fixed Network in Armenia 2022" Speedtest Awards by Ookla, a global leader in fixed and mobile Internet testing and analysis, for two consecutive years. This recognition serves as a testament to the dedication and collaborative efforts of Ucom's 1400 employees, not only in the Armenian market but also at the regional and CIS levels.
YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS/BTA. In a message on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the adoption of the current Constitution on July 12, 1991, President Rumen Radev said that revising it "is a task of the highest responsibility in the continued construction of democratic Bulgaria", said his Press Secretariat. He outlined changes that he sees as needed: easier access to constitutional justice, stronger judicial independence, effective direct democracy and local self-government.

The President urged those who now seek to be involved in the process of revising the Constitution, to remember the aspiration of the members of the 7th Grand National Assembly, which wrote the Constitution, to express the will of the Bulgarian people for building a democratic and social country with a rule of law, and their belief in the values of freedom, peace, humanity, equality, justice and tolerance.

"The processes related to the work of the 7th Grand National Assembly more than three decades ago are particularly relevant today, when changes to the country's basic law are being discussed again," the President further said.

"On the agenda of society now is facilitating access to constitutional justice, creating additional guarantees for an independent judiciary and ensuring effective direct democracy and local self-government," he added.

The 1991 Constitution was the first new constitution in the former socialist bloc. Its adoption came amid hunger strikes, political tensions and a demand for a referendum in which the people would vote for or against the new basic law.

(This information is being published according to an agreement between Armenpress and BTA.)
Today

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds light and variable.

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A few clouds from time to time. Low 62F. Winds light and variable.

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Partly cloudy early. Scattered thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. High 83F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
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( Tomdispatch.com)  A world in which machines governed by artificial intelligence (AI) systematically replace human beings in most business, industrial, and professional functions is horrifying to imagine. After all, as prominent computer scientists have been warning us, AI-governed systems are prone to critical errors and inexplicable hallucinations, resulting in potentially catastrophic outcomes. But theres an even more dangerous scenario imaginable from the proliferation of super-intelligent machines: the possibility that those nonhuman entities could end up fighting one another, obliterating all human life in the process.

The notion that super-intelligent computers might run amok and slaughter humans has, of course, long been a staple of popular culture. In the prophetic 1983 film WarGames, a supercomputer known as WOPR (for War Operation Plan Response and, not surprisingly, pronounced whopper) nearly provokes a catastrophic nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union before being disabled by a teenage hacker (played by Matthew Broderick). The Terminator movie franchise, beginning with the original 1984 film, similarly envisioned a self-aware supercomputer called Skynet that, like WOPR, was designed to control U.S. nuclear weapons but chooses instead to wipe out humanity, viewing us as a threat to its existence.

Though once confined to the realm of science fiction, the concept of supercomputers killing humans has now become a distinct possibility in the very real world of the near future. In addition to developing a wide variety of autonomous, or robotic combat devices, the major military powers are also rushing to create automated battlefield decision-making systems, or what might be called robot generals. In wars in the not-too-distant future, such AI-powered systems could be deployed to deliver combat orders to American soldiers, dictating where, when, and how they kill enemy troops or take fire from their opponents. In some scenarios, robot decision-makers could even end up exercising control over Americas atomic weapons, potentially allowing them to ignite a nuclear war resulting in humanitys demise.

Now, take a breath for a moment. The installation of an AI-powered command-and-control (C2) system like this may seem a distant possibility. Nevertheless, the U.S. Department of Defense is working hard to develop the required hardware and software in a systematic, increasingly rapid fashion. In its budget submission for 2023, for example, the Air Force requested $231 million to develop the Advanced Battlefield Management System (ABMS), a complex network of sensors and AI-enabled computers designed to collect and interpret data on enemy operations and provide pilots and ground forces with a menu of optimal attack options. As the technology advances, the system will be capable of sending fire instructions directly to shooters, largely bypassing human control.

A machine-to-machine data exchange tool that provides options for deterrence, or for on-ramp [a military show-of-force] or early engagement, was how Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology, and logistics, described the ABMS system in a 2020 interview. Suggesting that we do need to change the name as the system evolves, Roper added, I think Skynet is out, as much as I would love doing that as a sci-fi thing. I just dont think we can go there.

And while he cant go there, thats just where the rest of us may, indeed, be going.

Mind you, thats only the start. In fact, the Air Forces ABMS is intended to constitute the nucleus of a larger constellation of sensors and computers that will connect all U.S. combat forces, the Joint All-Domain Command-and-Control System (JADC2, pronounced Jad-C-two). JADC2 intends to enable commanders to make better decisions by collecting data from numerous sensors, processing the data using artificial intelligence algorithms to identify targets, then recommending the optimal weapon to engage the target, the Congressional Research Service reported in 2022.

AI and the Nuclear Trigger

Initially, JADC2 will be designed to coordinate combat operations among conventional or non-nuclear American forces. Eventually, however, it is expected to link up with the Pentagons nuclear command-control-and-communications systems (NC3), potentially giving computers significant control over the use of the American nuclear arsenal. JADC2 and NC3 are intertwined, General John E. Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, indicated in a 2020 interview. As a result, he added in typical Pentagonese, NC3 has to inform JADC2 and JADC2 has to inform NC3.

It doesnt require great imagination to picture a time in the not-too-distant future when a crisis of some sort  say a U.S.-China military clash in the South China Sea or near Taiwan  prompts ever more intense fighting between opposing air and naval forces. Imagine then the JADC2 ordering the intense bombardment of enemy bases and command systems in China itself, triggering reciprocal attacks on U.S. facilities and a lightning decision by JADC2 to retaliate with tactical nuclear weapons, igniting a long-feared nuclear holocaust.

The possibility that nightmare scenarios of this sort could result in the accidental or unintended onset of nuclear war has long troubled analysts in the arms control community. But the growing automation of military C2 systems has generated anxiety not just among them but among senior national security officials as well.

As early as 2019, when I questioned Lieutenant General Jack Shanahan, then director of the Pentagons Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, about such a risky possibility, he responded, You will find no stronger proponent of integration of AI capabilities writ large into the Department of Defense, but there is one area where I pause, and it has to do with nuclear command and control. This is the ultimate human decision that needs to be made and so we have to be very careful. Given the technologys immaturity, he added, we need a lot of time to test and evaluate [before applying AI to NC3].

In the years since, despite such warnings, the Pentagon has been racing ahead with the development of automated C2 systems. In its budget submission for 2024, the Department of Defense requested $1.4 billion for the JADC2 in order to transform warfighting capability by delivering information advantage at the speed of relevance across all domains and partners. Uh-oh! And then, it requested another $1.8 billion for other kinds of military-related AI research.

Pentagon officials acknowledge that it will be some time before robot generals will be commanding vast numbers of U.S. troops (and autonomous weapons) in battle, but they have already launched several projects intended to test and perfect just such linkages. One example is the Armys Project Convergence, involving a series of field exercises designed to validate ABMS and JADC2 component systems. In a test held in August 2020 at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, for example, the Army used a variety of air- and ground-based sensors to track simulated enemy forces and then process that data using AI-enabled computers at Joint Base Lewis McChord in Washington state. Those computers, in turn, issued fire instructions to ground-based artillery at Yuma. This entire sequence was supposedly accomplished within 20 seconds, the Congressional Research Service later reported.

Less is known about the Navys AI equivalent, Project Overmatch, as many aspects of its programming have been kept secret. According to Admiral Michael Gilday, chief of naval operations, Overmatch is intended to enable a Navy that swarms the sea, delivering synchronized lethal and nonlethal effects from near-and-far, every axis, and every domain. Little else has been revealed about the project.

Flash Wars and Human Extinction

Despite all the secrecy surrounding these projects, you can think of ABMS, JADC2, Convergence, and Overmatch as building blocks for a future Skynet-like mega-network of super-computers designed to command all U.S. forces, including its nuclear ones, in armed combat. The more the Pentagon moves in that direction, the closer well come to a time when AI possesses life-or-death power over all American soldiers along with opposing forces and any civilians caught in the crossfire.

Such a prospect should be ample cause for concern. To start with, consider the risk of errors and miscalculations by the algorithms at the heart of such systems. As top computer scientists have warned us, those algorithms are capable of remarkably inexplicable mistakes and, to use the AI term of the moment, hallucinations  that is, seemingly reasonable results that are entirely illusionary. Under the circumstances, its not hard to imagine such computers hallucinating an imminent enemy attack and launching a war that might otherwise have been avoided.

And thats not the worst of the dangers to consider. After all, theres the obvious likelihood that Americas adversaries will similarly equip their forces with robot generals. In other words, future wars are likely to be fought by one set of AI systems against another, both linked to nuclear weaponry, with entirely unpredictable  but potentially catastrophic  results.

Not much is known (from public sources at least) about Russian and Chinese efforts to automate their military command-and-control systems, but both countries are thought to be developing networks comparable to the Pentagons JADC2. As early as 2014, in fact, Russia inaugurated a National Defense Control Center (NDCC) in Moscow, a centralized command post for assessing global threats and initiating whatever military action is deemed necessary, whether of a non-nuclear or nuclear nature. Like JADC2, the NDCC is designed to collect information on enemy moves from multiple sources and provide senior officers with guidance on possible responses.

China is said to be pursuing an even more elaborate, if similar, enterprise under the rubric of Multi-Domain Precision Warfare (MDPW). According to the Pentagons 2022 report on Chinese military developments, its military, the Peoples Liberation Army, is being trained and equipped to use AI-enabled sensors and computer networks to rapidly identify key vulnerabilities in the U.S. operational system and then combine joint forces across domains to launch precision strikes against those vulnerabilities.

Picture, then, a future war between the U.S. and Russia or China (or both) in which the JADC2 commands all U.S. forces, while Russias NDCC and Chinas MDPW command those countries forces. Consider, as well, that all three systems are likely to experience errors and hallucinations. How safe will humans be when robot generals decide that its time to win the war by nuking their enemies?

If this strikes you as an outlandish scenario, think again, at least according to the leadership of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, a congressionally mandated enterprise that was chaired by Eric Schmidt, former head of Google, and Robert Work, former deputy secretary of defense. While the Commission believes that properly designed, tested, and utilized AI-enabled and autonomous weapon systems will bring substantial military and even humanitarian benefit, the unchecked global use of such systems potentially risks unintended conflict escalation and crisis instability, it affirmed in its Final Report. Such dangers could arise, it stated, because of challenging and untested complexities of interaction between AI-enabled and autonomous weapon systems on the battlefield  when, that is, AI fights AI.

Though this may seem an extreme scenario, its entirely possible that opposing AI systems could trigger a catastrophic flash war  the military equivalent of a flash crash on Wall Street, when huge transactions by super-sophisticated trading algorithms spark panic selling before human operators can restore order. In the infamous Flash Crash of May 6, 2010, computer-driven trading precipitated a 10% fall in the stock markets value. According to Paul Scharre of the Center for a New American Security, who first studied the phenomenon, the military equivalent of such crises on Wall Street would arise when the automated command systems of opposing forces become trapped in a cascade of escalating engagements. In such a situation, he noted, autonomous weapons could lead to accidental death and destruction at catastrophic scales in an instant.

At present, there are virtually no measures in place to prevent a future catastrophe of this sort or even talks among the major powers to devise such measures. Yet, as the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence noted, such crisis-control measures are urgently needed to integrate automated escalation tripwires into such systems that would prevent the automated escalation of conflict. Otherwise, some catastrophic version of World War III seems all too possible. Given the dangerous immaturity of such technology and the reluctance of Beijing, Moscow, and Washington to impose any restraints on the weaponization of AI, the day when machines could choose to annihilate us might arrive far sooner than we imagine and the extinction of humanity could be the collateral damage of such a future war.

Copyright 2023 Michael T. Klare

Via Tomdispatch.com
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Sousse, Tunisia (Special to Informed Comment; Feature)  Since June 27, every news channel has been covering the recent protests in Paris. On the surface, these disturbances are the result of a police shooting of an unarmed 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk who was attempting to flee the police at a traffic stop. However, many news outlets neglect to note that this is neither an isolated incident nor a simple case of poor policing. These riots and similar instances in France demonstrate the countrys deep-seated institutional racism.

Officially, France operates under the rule of a colorblind identity, There are no Black, white, or brown French, just a French citizen. However, the shooting of Nahel has reignited a debate over systematic racism that many French politicians refuse to acknowledge exists. Yet, in reality, the problem runs deeper in the country and is more complicated.

Embed from Getty Images

Protesters hold placards reading Justice for Adama, Nahel, Alhoussein and all the others (R) and Free our comrades as they attend a demonstration against State racism in front of the court of Nanterre, western Paris, on July 10, 2023, following the shooting of a teenage driver by French police in the Paris suburb of Nanterre on June 27. More than 3,700 people were taken into police custody in connection with the protests since Nahels death, including at least 1,160 minors, according to official figures. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP) (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images)

While many police officers reject the idea that minority groups are being discriminated against because of their skin color, a lot of incidents throughout the years prove otherwise. Solely in 2023, Nahels death has been the third police fatal shooting at a traffic stop. In most of the shootings throughout the years, the victims had been either black or of North African origin. Furthermore, in 2021, Amnesty International along with other rights groups filed a lawsuit against the French state accusing it of police profiling on a racial basis.

Another point that hints at police racism could be seen from the last French election. In that election, more than half of the police officers in France admitted that they would be voting for Marine Le Pen. The far-right candidate whose campaign focused mainly on anti-immigrant and anti-muslim rhetoric.

Nonetheless, this issue is not merely a police issue, it goes deep into French society.

A recent survey by the French representative council of Black Associations discovered that most black people in France have suffered from racial discrimination at one point or another.

Perhaps a better indicator of these sentiments can be seen in the fundraiser started for the 38-year-old police officer Florian M, who shot and killed Nahel. This fundraiser which was started by Jean Messiha, a former spokesperson for the far-right presidential candidate Eric Zemmour, had collected over 1m while a similar fundraiser for the family of the victim had amassed less than 200,000.

These sentiments attributed to French society have also, in more than one instance, been encouraged by French media. In more than one example, the French media frequently relied heavily on police sources without verifying them, but have also vilified and criminalized Nahel, as an individual who deserved to be shot dead, rather than a victim of police brutality.

Article continues after bonus IC video

Al Jazeera English: Thousands defy bans in France to rally against police violence

So this issue is not only a police problem but it also has strings all over the French population. But one cannot turn a blind eye to this problem within the French politics itself.

As we just mentioned earlier, In the last France election, A rhetoric spread by the right-wing candidate Le Pen showcases the existence of these racist sentiments within French politics. However, these sentiments are not something new. Since the start of immigration waves toward France, it has been the strategy of French governments to designate specific suburbs away from city centers to host immigrant communities. In theory, to provide support for these communities, but in practice, it left these communities isolated and in dire need of opportunities.

That in itself explains how the recent riots are not something new for the French capital as it echoes the same tragedy of the 2005 riots. It was a riot instigated by the accidental electrocution and death of two teenagers who were hiding from police.

Many individuals believe that both the 2005 and 2023 riots have these deeply-seated concerns from these communities as a catalyst for the riots. Concerning the 2005 riots, Eric Favreau, a French social commentator, claimed that people living in these communities dont seek violence The inhabitants dont want it. The Muslims dont want it. Even the drug dealers dont want it. But the problems in these suburbs have been left to stagnate for 30 years, and somehow theyre right. The more they burn cars, the more we pay attention to them (NPR) .

Embed from Getty Images

PARIS, FRANCE  JULY 8:Despite the ban on the annual march in tribute to Adama Traore, several hundred people gathered at Place de la Republique against police violence and the current climate of repression, at the call of Assa Traore, the Truth and Justice for Adama committee and NUPES-LFI deputies, in Paris on July 8, 2023,France. The memorial commemorated Adama Traore, a black French man who died in custody in 2016 after he was arrested and restrained by police. The memorial comes the week after the death of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk, who was killed by police in the Parisian suburb of Nanterre, an incident which sparked protests across the country. (Photo by Antoine Gyori  Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Similarly, Amine Kessaci, the brother of another victim of a police shooting, in an interview for BBC denounced the violence but argued that There are no other options. There are no companies coming here and saying well pay you more than minimum wage here people are supermarket cashiers or cleaners or security guards. We cant be judges, lawyers or accountants. (BBC).

While the issue of systemic racism in France is not something new or something that can easily be sorted out, the way the French government has been dealing with it will only deepen the issue. Ignoring this issue will not make it go away. When France was called out by the UN for the shooting of Nahel, the French Foreign Ministry blatantly claimed Any accusation of racism or systemic discrimination in the police force in France is totally unfounded (LeMonde).

Also, the way that Macron and the French government have been dealing with the riots depicts a misunderstanding of the roots of the issue. Macron tried to paint the recent riots as an issue of moral crumbling and youth rebellion on one hand and even showcased some signs of authoritarianism by threatening to cut off social media to stop street violence.

All in all, the steps taken by the French government at the moment seem to mostly deflect the rooted issues that not only caused this riot but also the 2005 riots. A self-reflection by the government and the French people is quite necessary before even thinking about starting a conversation about Racism within the colorblind country.
YEREVAN, 12 JULY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 12 July, USD exchange rate down by 0.91 drams to 386.26 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.38 drams to 425.70 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.03 drams to 4.26 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.02 drams to 498.93 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 82.21 drams to 24016.85 drams. Silver price up by 0.50 drams to 287.30 drams.
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( Middle East Monitor )  Israel has turned Palestine into an open-air prison where Palestinians, including tens of thousands of children, are constantly confined, surveilled and disciplined, according to Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territories.

She told the United Nations Human Rights Council yesterday, that the Israeli military occupation has detained more than 800,000 Palestinians in the Occupied Territory since 1967 and, of the current 5,000 Palestinians in Israeli prisons, about 1,100 are being held without charge or trial.

While presenting a report on the arbitrary detention of Palestinians at the UN headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, she said Israels practice of unlawfully imprisoning Palestinians was tantamount to international crimes which warranted an urgent investigation by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.

Under Israeli occupation, generations of Palestinians have endured widespread and systematic arbitrary deprivation of liberty, she added.

The report documents extensive examples of Palestinian prisoners suffering a systematic policy of medical negligence, confinement in overcrowded cells, sleep and food deprivation and severe beatings while in Israeli military custody.

It states: The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which has addressed cases of Palestinians since 1992, has repeatedly affirmed that widespread and systematic arbitrary deprivation of liberty may amount to a crime against humanity.

Article continues after bonus IC video

Al Jazeera English: Palestinian Prisoners Day: Thousands held in Israeli jails

She explained how Palestinians were tortured in custody after being declared guilty without evidence and detained without charges or trial, known as administrative detention. The report further accused Israel of invasive strip searches, sexual abuse, and threats against the 29 Palestinian female prisoners currently held in Israeli jails.

Israeli occupation authorities have issued or renewed 1,302 administrative detention orders since the start of 2023, raising the number of administrative detainees inside Israeli jails to 1,200.

She took the opportunity to also address the increasing settlement building and activities that appear to be part of a plan to de-Palestinianise the Territories. Such a plan threatens the very existence of Palestinians as a people and a national cohesive group, she added.

The Special Rapporteur called on governments not to recognise or support illegal Israeli settlements and to hold those responsible for such settlements accountable.

She concluded in her report, A 10,700-word report cannot capture the scale and extent of the arbitrary deprivation of liberty in the occupied Palestinian territory. Nor can it convey the suffering of millions of Palestinians who have, directly or indirectly, been affected.
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Simon J Smith, Staffordshire University and Jordan Becker, United States Military Academy West Point | 

In a surprise move, Turkey has ended its veto on Sweden joining Nato, thereby removing all the barriers to its membership of the military alliance.

Hungary quickly followed suit and, as a result of the two countries support, a consensus was able to be reached at the 2023 Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreeing to support Swedens bid to join will be touted as one of the key achievements of the summit.

Sweden submitted its formal application for membership in May 2022 alongside Finland, which was admitted into the alliance in April 2023.

Sweden, though not a formal member, has had a very close relationship with Nato for almost 30 years, since joining the alliances Partnership for Peace programme in 1994. It has contributed to Nato missions. And as a member of the European Union and contributor to the blocs common security and defence policy, it has also worked closely with the vast majority of European Nato allies.

In pursuing Nato membership, both Sweden and Finland have dramatically shifted their traditional policy of military non-alignment. A critical driver of this move was, clearly, Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It is also more evidence that Russian president Vladimir Putin has failed to achieve two of his own strategic objectives: weakening solidarity in the alliance and preventing further Nato enlargement towards Russias borders.

Finland and Swedens accession is of significant operational importance to how Nato defends allied territory against Russian aggression. Integrating these two nations on its north flank (the Atlantic and European Arctic) will help to solidify plans for defending its Ukraine-adjacent centre (from the Baltic Sea to the Alps). This will ensure that Russia has to contend with powerful and interoperable military forces across its entire western border.

Why Turkey lifted its veto

For a few years now, Turkeys relationship with Nato has been nuanced and strained. Turkeys objections to Swedens accession were ostensibly connected to its concerns over Swedens policy towards the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK.

Turkey has accused Sweden of hosting Kurdish militants. Nato has acknowledged this as a legitimate security concern and Sweden has made concessions as part of its journey towards Nato.



Image by DANIEL DIAZ from Pixabay

The main material driver of the agreement, however, may always have been a carrot being dangled by the US. American president Joe Biden now appears to be moving forward with plans to transfer F-16 fighter jets to Turkey  a deal that appears to have been unlocked by Erdogans changed stance on Sweden. But it is often the case that a host of surrounding deals and suggestions of deals can help facilitate movement at Nato. Everyone, including Turkey, now seems able to sell the developments as a win to their constituents back home.

The Nordic round

Swedens accession means all Nordic nations are now part of Nato. As well as being significant in operational and military terms, this enlargement has major political, strategic and defence planning implications. Although Finland and Sweden have been virtual allies for years, their formal accession means some changes in practice.

Strategically, the two are now free to work seamlessly with the rest of the Nato allies to plan for collective defence. Integrating strategic plans is extremely valuable, particularly considering Finlands massive border with Russia and Swedens possession of critical terrain like the Baltic Sea island of Gotland. This will increase strategic interoperability and coordination.

Nato allies also open their defence planning books to one another in unprecedented ways. Finland and Sweden will now undergo bilateral (with Natos international secretariat) and multilateral (with all allies) examinations as part of the Nato defence planning process. They will also contribute to the strategic decisions that undergird that process.

Their defence investments will also be scrutinised (and they will scrutinise the spending of other allies). Initial analysis suggests that while Finland and Sweden have lagged behind their Nordic neighbours increases in defence investment since 2014. Finlands investment in defence leapt significantly leading up to and following its accession to Nato. While we may not know for months if the same is true of Sweden, we may expect similar increases on its part. Alliance norms and peer pressure are powerful.

The expansion of Nato to include Sweden is a major step for all these reasons. But while anyone watching the Vilnius summit will naturally now be asking whether the shift changes the situation for Ukraines membership aspirations, an answer is unlikely to be on the near horizon. Any final decision on Ukraine being offered a membership action plan for the time being is a bridge too far, especially in the current context of an ongoing war with an outcome that, as yet, is unpredictable.

Simon J Smith, Associate Professor of Security and International Relations, Staffordshire University and Jordan Becker, Director, SOSH Research Lab Assistant Professor of International Affairs, United States Military Academy West Point

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Announcement To the Toronto Stock Exchange and Australian Securities Exchange

SUBIACO, WESTERN AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / The Board of RTG Mining Inc. ("RTG", the "Company") (TSX Code:RTG) (ASX Code:RTG) is pleased to announce that the Company has successfully completed the issue of 208,893,190 Chess Depository Instruments ("Securities") at a price of A$0.048 per Security to institutional and sophisticated investors pursuant to the private placement announced by the Company on 4 July 2023 ("Private Placement"). Tranche 1 of the Private Placement raised proceeds of circa A$10 million (before costs). 125,808,218 and 83,084,972 Tranche 1 Securities were issued using the Company's placement capacity under ASX Listing Rule 7.1 and 7.1A respectively.

Euroz Hartleys and Foster Stockbroking, together with INTE Securities LLC and M2-Advisors (the "Agents"), acted as Joint Lead Managers to the Private Placement.

Shareholder approval will now be sought at a general meeting to be scheduled in late August 2023, for the issue of Tranche 2 Securities and Attaching Options to Private Placement participants, the details of are in RTG's announcement and Appendix 3B released to ASX on 4 July 2023.

A Notice of Meeting relating to these approvals will be sent to shareholders in due course.

ABOUT RTG MINING INC

RTG Mining Inc. is a mining and exploration company listed on the main board of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Australian Securities Exchange. RTG is currently focused primarily on progressing the Mabilo Project to start-up having now received a mining permit for the Project, with a view to moving quickly and safely to a producing gold and copper company.

RTG also has a number of exciting new opportunities including the Panguna Project in Bougainville, which it remains committed to while also considering further new business development opportunities.

RTG has an experienced management team which has to date developed seven mines in five different countries, including being responsible for the development of the Masbate Gold Mine in the Philippines through CGA Mining Limited. RTG has some of the most respected international institutional investors as shareholders including Franklin Templeton, Equinox Partners and Sun Valley.

ENQUIRIES

Australian Contact

President & CEO - Justine Magee

Tel: +61 8 6489 2900

Fax: +61 8 6489 2920

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

US Contact

Investor Relations - Jaime Wells

+1 970 640 0611

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COMPLIANCE STATEMENT

Date: 12 July 2023

Authorised for release by: By the Board of Directors

CAUTIONARY NOTE STATEMENT

The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed nor does it accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this press release, which has been prepared by management.

This announcement includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this announcement, other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements, including statements made or implied relating to the anticipated timing, closing, size, structure of and exemptions utilized under the Private Placement, the use of the net proceeds from the Private Placement, the timing of the shareholder meeting to approve Tranche 2 of the Private Placement, the Company's opportunities to diversify its Philippine interests and to participate in the redevelopment of the Panguna Mine in Bougainville, the Company's objectives, strategies to achieve those objectives, the Company's beliefs, plans, estimates and intentions, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events, plans for further exploration. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties and are based on certain factors and assumptions. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from RTG's expectations include uncertainties related to market conditions and demand for the Private Placement, the receipt of requisite shareholder and regulatory approvals, fluctuations in gold and other commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs, recovery rates, production estimates and estimated economic return; the need for cooperation of government agencies in the development of RTG's mineral projects; the need to obtain additional financing to develop RTG's mineral projects; the possibility of delay in development programs or in construction projects and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones for RTG's mineral projects and other risks and uncertainties as discussed in RTG's annual report for the year ended December 31, 2022 and detailed from time to time in our other filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities available at www.sedar.com. The forwardlooking statements made in this announcement relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. RTG will not release publicly any revisions or updates to these forwardlooking statements to reflect events, circumstances or unanticipated events occurring after the date of this announcement except as required by law or by any appropriate regulatory authority.
LONGUEUIL, QC, July 10, 2023 /CNW/ - Azimut Exploration Inc. ("Azimut" or the "Company") (TSXV: AZM) (OTCQX: AZMTF) is pleased to announce the signing on July 7, 2023 of two (2) Option to Joint Venture Agreements (the "Agreements") with Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. ("RTEC" or "Rio Tinto") for its wholly-owned Corvet and Kaanaayaa lithium properties (the "Properties"). The Agreements contemplate an aggregate value of up to C$115.7 million in expenditures and cash payments.

The Properties are located in Quebec's Eeyou Istchee James Bay region (see Figures 1 to 3).

Rio Tinto Exploration Canada is a Canadian subsidiary of Rio Tinto Group (LSE: RIO, ASX: RIO), a leading global mining group focused on finding, mining and processing the Earth's mineral resources.

HIGHLIGHTS

Under the Agreements, Rio Tinto can acquire an initial 50% interest on each of the Properties from Azimut over four (4) years by funding $7 million in exploration expenditures and by making cash payments totalling $850,000 per property (combined $14 million in expenditures and $1 .7 million in payments, including $250,000 on signing per property). Azimut will be the operator during this first option phase. Exploration expenditures and cash payments, including a firm commitment of $1 .5 million per property in the first 12 months, will initiate following the lifting of wildfire restrictions in Quebec (the "Commencement Date").

in exploration expenditures and by making cash payments totalling per property (combined $14 million in expenditures and .7 million in payments, including on signing per property). Azimut will be the operator during this first option phase. Exploration expenditures and cash payments, including a firm commitment of .5 million per property in the first 12 months, will initiate following the lifting of wildfire restrictions in (the "Commencement Date"). Rio Tinto can earn an additional 20% interest over five (5) years with further work expenditures of $50 million per property ($100 million combined). Rio Tinto will act as the operator during this second option phase.

per property ($100 million combined). Rio Tinto will act as the operator during this second option phase. Azimut holds the right, should it choose, to be funded to production by way of secured loan from Rio Tinto by granting Rio Tinto an additional 5% interest in the Properties (for a total interest of 75%).

The first-year exploration program will aggressively assess and test the lithium potential of the Properties ( $1 .5 million per property).

The Properties display significant lithium exploration potential supported by regional geoscientific data and their strategic locations relative to a major emerging lithium district.

The Corvet Property (877 claims, 423 km 2 ) is 33 kilometres long and straddles a major tectonic boundary. The main geological features of interest are granitic intrusions surrounded by paragneiss. The Property covers an outstanding exploration target represented by an extensive and prominent 26-kilometre-long lithium anomaly in lake sediments coupled with strong cesium, rubidium, gallium and tin (Cs-Rb-Ga-Sn) footprints.

(877 claims, 423 km ) is 33 kilometres long and straddles a major tectonic boundary. The main geological features of interest are granitic intrusions surrounded by paragneiss. The Property covers an outstanding exploration target represented by an extensive and prominent 26-kilometre-long lithium anomaly in lake sediments coupled with strong cesium, rubidium, gallium and tin (Cs-Rb-Ga-Sn) footprints. The Kaanaayaa Property (421 claims, 216 km2) is 25.6 kilometres long and hosts several granitic intrusions surrounded by paragneiss and metavolcanics, including ultramafic rocks. Several coincidental Li-Cs-Rb-Ga anomalies have been identified from detailed multi-element lake sediment geochemistry.

While the exploration programs under the Agreements will focus on identifying lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites, both Properties also have strong potential for intrusion-related gold-copper and magmatic nickel-copper-cobalt mineralization.

Key terms of the Agreements

Each property is subject to its own Agreement, whereby Rio Tinto can acquire an initial 50% interest in the property by fulfiling the following conditions over four (4) years:

Funding work expenditures of $1,500,000 in the first year (firm commitment) and $5,500,000 in subsequent years for a total of $7,000,000 per property.

in the first year (firm commitment) and in subsequent years for a total of per property. Making cash payments of $250,000 on signing within 45 days of the Commencement Date and $150,000 on each anniversary of the Commencement Date, for a total of $850,000 per property.

Upon earning a 50% interest, Rio Tinto can earn an additional 20% by funding work expenditures of $50 million over five (5) years per property. Rio Tinto will act as the operator during this second option phase.

Upon Rio Tinto earning a 70% interest, Azimut will have the option to be funded to production by way of secured loan from Rio Tinto in exchange for an additional 5% interest in the property. At this stage, the respective interests in the property will be Azimut 25%, Rio Tinto 75%. If exercised, the loan shall accrue interest at the SOFR + 4.5% per annum, to be paid back from 50% of the cash flow from production.

The parties are dealing at arm's length. The Agreements remain subject to regulatory approvals by the TSX Venture Exchange.

This press release was prepared by Dr. Jean-Marc Lulin, P.Geo., acting as Azimut's qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101.

About Azimut

Azimut is a leading mineral exploration company with a solid reputation for target generation and partnership development. The Company holds the largest mineral exploration portfolio in Quebec. Its wholly-owned flagship Elmer Gold Project is progressing to the initial resource stage in the James Bay region. Azimut also controls a strategic land position for copper-gold, nickel and lithium.

The Company is advancing its major lithium portfolio in the James Bay region in three ways concurrently:

Under option agreements with Rio Tinto (this press release) on the Corvet and Kaanaayaa Properties ;

and ; Under joint venture agreements with SOQUEM on the Pikwa Property (509 claims), and the Galinee Property (649 claims); and

(509 claims), and the (649 claims); and Under Azimut's self-funded program on the wholly-owned James Bay Lithium Property (2,955 claims).

Azimut uses a pioneering approach to big data analytics (the proprietary AZtechMine expert system) enhanced by extensive exploration know-how. The Company's competitive edge is based on systematic regional-scale data analysis and concurrently active projects. The Company maintains rigorous financial discipline and a strong balance sheet, with 79.9 million shares issued and outstanding.

www.azimut-exploration.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
La Coipita Drill Hole Returned a Broad Intercept Totaling 694 Metres at 0.16% Cu and 81 ppm Mo

Toronto, ON - TheNewswire - July 12, 2023 - AbraSilver Resource Corp. (TSX.V:ABRA) (OTC:ABBRF) ("AbraSilver" or the Company) is pleased to announce the latest assay results from the Companys Diablillos property in Salta Province, Argentina (Diablillos or the Project), as well as the La Coipita project located in the San Juan province of Argentina. Highlights include:

At JAC, results continue to encounter silver-rich intercepts outside the main mineralized zone, as drilling remains focused on determining the margins of the high-grade silver oxide mineralization. DDH 23-046 located in the northwestern part of the main zone encountered 3.0 metres at 2,070 g/t Ag and 0.27 g/t Au. DDH 23-050 intercepted 10.5 metres at 281 g/t Ag on the SE edge of the main zone. DDH 23-052 encountered 35.5 metres at 112 g/t Ag on the NW edge of the main zone from a downhole depth of only 41.0 metres.

At La Coipita, hole DDHC 23-001 intersected a broad zone of continuous copper-molybdenum mineralization totaling 694m grading 0.16% Cu and 81 ppm Mo at the Yaretas target from a downhole depth of 548.0 metres.. This large intersection demonstrates the substantial size potential of the Yaretas porphyry system.

John Miniotis, President and CEO, commented, With the Phase III drill program nearing completion, we are very pleased that we continue to encounter wide intersections of silver mineralization beyond the main mineralized zone at JAC. The JAC zone features a highly attractive combination of scale, grade and continuity, which is expected to significantly enhance the economics of our Diablillos project. We look forward to receiving additional drill results and incorporating all the data into an updated Mineral Resource estimate later this year.

The latest assay result highlights are summarized in Table 1 for Diablillos and Table 2 for La Coipita.

Table 1  Summary of Diablillos Drill Results in JAC Zone

(Intercepts greater than 2,000 gram-metres Ag shown in bold text):

Drill Hole Area From (m) To (m) Type Interval (m) Ag g/t Au g/t DDH-23-046 Northwest 134.0 141.0 Oxides 7.0 118.7 - DDH-23-046 144.0 149.0 Oxides 5.0 112.5 - DDH-23-046 152.0 155.0 Oxides 3.0 100.1 - DDH-23-046 157.0 160.0 Oxides 3.0 2,070.0 0.27 DDH-23-046 167.5 170.5 Oxides 3.0 57.2 - DDH-23-048 Oculto/JAC edge 96.0 106.0 Oxides 10.0 39.1 0.06 DDH-23-049 Southeast 90.0 136.0 Oxides 46.0 49.5 - DDH-23-049 148.5 160.8 Oxides 12.3 60.2 DDH-23-050 Southeast 152.0 154.0 Oxides 2.0 90.5 - DDH-23-050 156.5 167.0 Oxides 10.5 281.4 DDH-23-052 Northwest 41.0 76.5 Oxides 35.5 112.0 - DDH-23-052 99.5 137.0 Oxides 37.5 40.7 - DDH-23-052 142.5 163.5 Oxides 21.0 90.4 -

Note: All results in this news release for Diablillos are rounded. Assays are uncut and undiluted. Widths are drilled widths, not true widths. True widths are estimated to be approximately 80% of the interval widths for oxides.

Table 2  Summary of La Coipita Drill Result

Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Cu % Mo ppm Hole Length (m) DDHC-23-001 548.0 1,242.3 694.3 0.16 81.2 1,242.3

Note: All results in this news release for La Coipita rounded. Assays are uncut and undiluted. Widths are drilled widths, not true widths. True widths cannot be determined based due to the uncertain geometry of mineralization.

Dave OConnor, Chief Geologist, commented, Our drill result at the Yaretas target on the La Coipita porphyry copper-molybdenum project intersected approximately 700 metres of porphyry style mineralization to the bottom of the hole. We have only drilled two deep holes into this underlying porphyry target, both of which ended in copper porphyry style mineralization, demonstrating clear signs of a major porphyry system. The progenitor porphyry intrusion and its adjacent potassic alteration remain untested and represent attractive exploration targets. Additionally, numerous other porphyry exploration targets have been identified within the vast 70,000 hectare land package at La Coipita. Although the exploration program is at an early stage, we remain encouraged that there is potential for discovery of a major porphyry mineralised system in this prolific copper belt, which is host to numerous world-class copper porphyry mines and projects under development."

Diablillos Exploration Update

Drilling activity at Diablillos remains focused on the recently discovered JAC zone which is located southwest of the conceptual open pit that constrains the current Mineral Resource estimate (MRE) on the main Oculto deposit (M&I MRE containing 1.3 Moz gold and 109 Moz silver  Table 4).

To date, a total of approximately 22,000 metres in 113 holes have been drilled as part of the Phase III drill program. The final two drill holes of the Phase III exploration program are expected to be completed within the next two weeks. All holes will then be incorporated into an updated MRE and will be included in a Pre-Feasibility Study on the Diablillos project, which the Company expects to complete in the second half of 2023.

Moreover, additional exploration targets have been identified to the southwest of the Oculto MRE based on the recently completed detailed ground magnetic survey. Some of these targets, including Fantasma and Alpaca, will be drilled following the completion of the current Phase III drill program.

La Coipita Project Exploration Update

The Company has option agreements to acquire a 100% interest in the La Coipita project which encompasses a large area containing numerous exploration targets, totaling approximately 70,000 hectares, within the Miocene porphyry-epithermal belt of Argentina and Chile (see Aug. 17, 2021, news release). In 2022, the company drilled two initial deep holes at the Yaretas target to test for a potential large copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry target (see June 28, 2022, news release). Based on the successful results, the Company followed-up with one additional deep hole at Yaretas, DDCH 23-001.

Diamond drill hole DDHC 23-001 returned a broad interval of copper-molybdenum porphyry mineralization of 694.3 metres grading 0.16% copper and 81 ppm molybdenum. The hole intersected a broad zone of pyrite and associated chalcopyrite mineralisation in fine disseminations and stockwork veining in a major porphyry system. Secondary coatings and replacements of these sulphides with covellite and chalcocite is widespread and a subsequent phase of quartz veining hosts molybdenite. The mineralisation occurs mainly in a granite which is host to the progenitor porphyry intrusion that was not intersected in this hole.

Additionally, aside from drilling the Yaretas target, the Company conducted reconnaissance surface geochemical sampling and geological mapping over other target areas within the La Coipita concession block which encountered multiple anomalous results. At the Valle Hermoso target, located approximately 25 kilometres south of Yaretas, a high-grade grab sample contained 3.49% copper, 0.42 g/t gold and 20.6 g/t silver. The samples at Valle Hermoso are interpreted as being part of a high sulphidation system related to an underlying porphyry body and represent a valid exploration target for potential future drilling.

Table 3  Summary of Select Samples from La Coipita Above 0.5% Cu

Target UTM Coordinates Sample (#) Cu (%) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Valle Hermoso E381628 N6591373 7806 3.49 0.42 20.6 Valle Hermoso E381625 N6591392 7805 0.67 0.25 2.3

Note: The reader is cautioned that grab samples are selective by nature and do not necessarily represent the true metal content of the mineralized zones.

Upcoming Milestones and Catalysts

The Company anticipates announcing several upcoming milestones over the next few months, including:

Complete final two drill holes at JAC as part of Phase III exploration program (end of July 2023)

Submission of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Diablillos (end of July 2023)

Announcing assay results from the remaining 22 holes from the Phase III program (ongoing)

Updated Mineral Resource estimate for the Diablillos project (October 2023)

Conduct a CSAMT geophysical survey at Diablillos and prioritize exploration targets for the upcoming Phase IV drill campaign (Q4 2023).

Pre-Feasibility Study completed for Diablillos project (December 2023)

Figure 1  Plan View of Announced Drill Holes in JAC Zone

Figure 2  La Coipita Drill Assay Section (Looking West)

About Diablillos

The 80 km2 Diablillos property is located in the Argentine Puna region - the southern extension of the Altiplano of southern Peru, Bolivia, and northern Chile - and was acquired from SSR Mining Inc. by the Company in 2016. There are several known mineral zones on the Diablillos property, with the Oculto zone being the most advanced with over 120,000 metres drilled to date. Oculto is a high-sulphidation epithermal silver-gold deposit derived from remnant hot springs activity following Tertiarty-age local magmatic and volcanic activity. Comparatively nearby examples of high sulphidation epithermal deposits include: Yanacocha (Peru); El Indio (Chile); Lagunas Nortes/Alto Chicama (Peru) Veladero (Argentina); and Filo del Sol (Argentina).

The most recent Mineral Resource estimate for the Oculto Deposit is shown in Table 4:

Table 4 - Oculto Mineral Resource Estimate  As of October 31, 2022

Category Tonnage

(000 t) Ag (g/t) Au (g/t) Contained Ag (000 oz Ag) Contained Au

(000 oz Au) Measured 19,336 98 0.88 60,634 544 Indicated 31,978 47 0.73 48,737 752 Measured & Indicated 51,314 66 0.79 109,370 1,297 Inferred 2,216 30 0.51 2,114 37

Notes: Effective October 31, 2022. Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability. The Mineral Resource estimate is N.I. 43-101 compliant and was prepared by Luis Rodrigo Peralta, B.Sc., FAusIMM CP(Geo), Independent Consultant. The mineralization estimated in the Mineral Resource is sub-horizontal with sub-vertical feeders and a reasonable prospect for eventual economic extraction by open pit methods. For additional information please see Technical Report on the Diablillos Project, Salta Province, Argentina, dated November 28, 2022, completed by Mining Plus, and available on www.SEDAR.com.

About La Coipita

The La Coipita project consists of over 70,000 hectares in the western portion of Calingasta Department, located in the mining-friendly San Juan Province of Argentina adjacent to the Chilean border. Access to the area is via Calingasta, the nearest town, along 125 km of unpaved road to the Los Azules Cu-Mo porphyry project (Indicated Resource of 962 Mt @ 0.48% Cu and 0.06 g/t Au) (1) and then north along a dirt road to the La Coipita Cu-Au project. Elevation across the property ranges between 3,500 and 4,500 MASL with moderate to high relief.

The project lies within the Miocene porphyry-epithermal belt of Argentina and Chile. During the mid-Miocene, the area developed an active magmatic arc, on its western side, and a back-arc extensional environment, to the east. Contemporaneous with the deposition of volcanic/volcaniclastic rocks was the emplacement of porphyry Cu-Mo-Au and/or epithermal Au-Ag (Cu) systems (e.g. Filo del Sol HS with Cu-Au porphyry, Los Pelambres/El Pachon Cu-Mo porphyry, Los Azules Cu-Au-Mo porphyry, El Indio/Veladero/Pascua Lama HS Au cluster).

The Company has an option to earn a 100% interest in the La Coipita project by making remaining staged-payments totaling US$6.4 million by August 2026. The Company will seek joint venture partners to fund exploration and the remaining payments and thereby earn an interest in the La Coipita project.

(1) Note: Mineralization contained on nearby properties is not indicative of similar mineralization being found on the La Coipita Project.

Collar Data  Diablillos

Hole Number UTM Coordinates Elevation (m) Azimuth Dip Depth (m) DDH 23-046 E719576 N7198737 4160 0 -60 194 DDH 23-048 E719900 N7199025 4188 0 -60 164 DDH 23.049 E719526 N7198598 4154 0 -60 180 DDH 23-050 E719700 N7198710 4170 0 -60 194 DDH 23-052 E719600 N7198829 4160 0 -60 206

Collar Data  La Coipita

Hole Number UTM Coordinates Elevation (m) Azimuth Dip Depth (m) DDHC 23 001 E383267 N6615644 4171 333 -80 1242.3

QA/QC and Core Sampling Protocols

AbraSilver applies industry standard exploration methodologies and techniques, and all drill core samples are collected under the supervision of the Companys geologists in accordance with industry practices. Drill core is transported from the drill platform to the logging facility where drill data is compared and verified with the core in the trays. Thereafter, it is logged, photographed, and split by diamond saw prior to being sampled. Samples are then bagged, and quality control materials are inserted at regular intervals; these include blanks and certified reference materials as well as duplicate core samples which are collected in order to measure sample representivity. Groups of samples are then placed in large bags which are sealed with numbered tags in order to maintain a chain-of-custody during the transport of the samples from the project site to the laboratory.

All samples are received by the SGS offices in Salta who then dispatch the samples to the SGS preparation facility in San Juan. From there, the prepared samples are sent to the SGS laboratory in Lima, Peru where they are analyzed. All samples are analyzed using a multi-element technique consisting of a four acid digestion followed by ICP/AES detection, and gold is analyzed by 50g Fire Assay with an AAS finish. Silver results greater than 100g/t are reanalyzed using four acid digestion with an ore grade AAS finish.

Qualified Persons

David OConnor P.Geo., Chief Geologist for AbraSilver, is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and he has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release.

About AbraSilver

AbraSilver is an advanced-stage exploration company focused on rapidly advancing its 100%-owned Diablillos silver-gold project in the mining-friendly Salta province of Argentina. The current Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource estimate for Diablillos consists of 51.3 Mt grading 66g/t Ag and 0.79g/t Au, containing approximately 109Moz silver and 1.3Moz gold, with significant further upside potential based on recent exploration drilling. The Company is led by an experienced management team and has long-term supportive shareholders including Mr. Eric Sprott. In addition, AbraSilver owns a portfolio of earlier-stage copper-gold projects including the La Coipita copper-gold project in the San Juan province of Argentina. AbraSilver is listed on the TSX-V under the symbol ABRA and in the U.S. under the symbol ABBRF.

Alternatively please contact:

John Miniotis, President and CEO

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tel: +1 416-306-8334

Cautionary Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements that address future plans, activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur are forward-looking information. 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. When considering this forward-looking information, readers should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in the Companys disclosure documents filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The risk factors and other factors noted in the disclosure documents could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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




MELBOURNE, Australia, July 12, 2023 /CNW/ - AustralianSuper announces that it subscribed for 90,618,895 ordinary shares ("Shares") on 21 November 2022, 40,658,710 Shares on 7 December 2022 and a further 114,968,005 Shares on 7 July 2023 in the capital of Jervois Global Limited (ASX: JRV) (TSXV: JRV) ("Jervois"), such that immediately following the third subscription, AustralianSuper held a total of 498,961,140 (or approximately 20.65%) of the issued and outstanding Shares in Jervois.

The Shares were acquired pursuant to private placements and entitlement offers by Jervois to institutional and sophisticated investors. The 7 July 2023 purchase price per Share was AUD0.06/ CAD0.053 for an aggregate total purchase consideration of AUD6.9 million/CAD6.1 million.

The head office of Jervois is located at Suite 2.03, 1-11 Gordan Street, Cremorne, Victoria, 3121, Australia.

AustralianSuper acquired the Shares for investment purposes in the normal course of its business and not with the purpose of influencing the control or direction of Jervois.

AustralianSuper has also sub-underwritten the retail component of Jervois' Entitlement Offer (up to AUD10.6 million / CAD9.38 million), which will leave it with a maximum post Entitlement Offer shareholding in Jervois of 25%.

In addition, AustralianSuper may in the future, subject to market conditions, make additional investments in or dispositions of Jervois' securities for investment purposes.

This news release is issued by AustralianSuper pursuant to National Instrument 62-104 Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids of the Canadian Securities Administrators. AustralianSuper will file a report in respect of its acquisition of Shares with the applicable securities commission or securities regulator in each Canadian jurisdiction in which Jervois is a reporting issuer. A copy of the report may be obtained from Andrew Lazar (phone: +61 3 9089 1634) at Level 30/130 Lonsdale Street Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia. AustralianSuper has also made the necessary disclosures on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).

About AustralianSuper

AustralianSuper is Australia's largest superannuation fund and is regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. AustralianSuper manages A$300 billion in members' retirement savings on behalf of more than 3.1 million members from more than 448,000 businesses.
Vancouver, British Columbia, July 10, 2023  Nuclear Fuels Inc. (CSE:NF) (Nuclear Fuels or the Company) announced today it received final approval from the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) for the listing of the Companys common shares. At the market opening today, the common shares will commence trading on the CSE under the symbol NF. In connection with the CSE listing, the common shares of Uravan Minerals Inc. (Uravan or URV) were delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange on July 7, 2023.

As a result of the time of listing on the CSE and closing of the transaction with URV, the Company has an aggregate of 46,873,368 common shares issued and outstanding, of which 13,579,612 shares are held in escrow and with 10% released upon listing and 15% released every six months after listing. Concurrently with closing the transaction with Uravan (NR July 6, 2023), the Uravans common shares were consolidated on a 1:0.8 basis. In addition, the Company changed its name from Uravan Minerals Inc. to Nuclear Fuels Inc.

Following completion of the Transaction, enCore Energy Corp. (NYSE:EU, TSXV:EU) holds 9,327,800 shares, or approximately 19.9% of the Company, including 696,825 shares issued pursuant to a contractual top up right. Officers, directors and insiders hold 30% of the issued and outstanding stock of the company. Other shareholders include significant investors and funds with a strong uranium focus.

The board of directors and management of the Company is as follows:

William M. Sheriff, Chairman and Director

Michael Collins, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Larry Lahusen, Director

David Miller, Director

Eugene Spiering, Director

Michael Collins, Chief Executive Officer of Nuclear Fuels comments, We believe Nuclear Fuels has compiled a great package of uranium projects. The depth of historical data works to de-risk the process of expanding historic resources and bringing them into NI 43-101 compliance. We are very pleased to be able to share this opportunity via the public market as we advance these projects with a very busy 2023. With over $6.5 million in funding, the Company is well funded for confirmation and exploration drilling in 2023. We will focus on establishing compliant resources by expanding on historic In-Situ Recovery (ISR) uranium resources in Wyoming and Arizona as well as advancing the project in Canadas Labrador.

Company Assets:

Nuclear Fuels is focused on uranium exploration for In-Situ Recovery (ISR) technology projects in safe jurisdictions. ISR technology accounts for 60% of the worlds uranium extraction and is a proven, safe and environmentally-friendly extraction process, replacing conventional mining, in sandstone-hosted deposits. The Companys key assets include the Kaycee ISR uranium Project, Wyoming and the LAB Critical Metals uranium and rare-earth element project in Canadas Labrador. The Company also has a pipeline of additional projects including the Moonshine Uranium Project in Arizona, the Bootheel Uranium Project in Wyoming and the La Sal Uranium Project in Utah.

To view Nuclear Fuels project maps please visit: bit.ly/44DjhMC.

Kaycee Project

The Kaycee Project in Wyomings Powder River Basin (PRB) is the Companys priority project, covering a 26 mile mineralized trend with over 110 miles of identified roll fronts. The Kaycee Project is believed to be the only project in the PRB where all three known historically productive sandstone formations (Wasatch, Fort Union and Lance) are mineralized and potentially amenable to ISR extraction. Under Nuclear Fuels Inc., this represents the first time since the early 1980s that the entire district is controlled by one company.

With over 3,700 drill holes, historic drilling has confirmed uranium mineralization in all three historically productive sandstones within the PRB, occurring over more than 1,000 feet of vertical section. The majority of the trend has not been well-explored with drilling concentrated on approximately 10% of the trend.

Project highlights include:

Total historic resources of 1.7mm pounds uranium (U 3 O 8 );

O ); Largest historic resource block includes 519,000 lbs @ 0.138% U 3 O 8 ;

O ; Average radiometric grade above 0.10% U 3 O 8 .

Nuclear Fuels acquired the Kaycee Project from enCore Energy Corp., which retains a back-in right for 51% of the project by paying 2.5X the exploration costs and carrying the Kaycee project to production (costs recoverable from production) upon Nuclear Fuels establishing a minimum of a 43-101 compliant resource of 15 million pounds U 3 O 8 . A drilling program is expected to commence at the Kaycee Project during Q3/2023.

Wyoming is a proven and prolific uranium producer with a pro-energy government with established regulatory regime for the extraction of uranium through in-situ recovery (ISR) technology. As Wyoming is one of the few Agreement States where the federal government and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission have ceded regulatory authority to the state government, permitting and advancing uranium projects is more efficient and streamlined as compared to most other states. Wyoming, with over 250 million pounds of historic production, ranks as the state with the second most uranium production to date; most of which has been through the ISR method since 1990 with most of the ISR production having come from the PRB.

*Readers are cautioned that a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify any of the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves as defined by NI 43-101. The Company is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources or reserves as defined by NI 43-101. Further compilation of the historic geological and drilling data, resource modelling and additional drilling will be necessary to convert the historic estimates outlined above to NI 43- 101 conforming mineral resources. The historic resource is based on information from Fruchey (1982) for Washtenaw Energy Corporation and Midwest Energy Resources.

LAB Critical Metals Project, Labrador

The LAB Critical Metals Project offers district-scale potential with uranium outcrop grades up to 6.7% and numerous highly-enriched rare earth element (REE) occurrences along the 112 km trend. Initial exploration work is planned in 2023 to follow up on significant uranium targets discovered in 2009, as well as new radiometric and magnetic anomalies defined in compilation work and geophysical reprocessing, along with other rare earth element and uranium targets. Results are pending from the 2023 snow machine-based scintillometer survey and sampling program, and subsequent and ongoing helicopter based prospect and sampling program.

The Lab Critical Metals Project claims are adjacent to, and display similar styles of mineralization, to Search Minerals Incs Critical Rare Earth Metals Project claims. In March 2022, Search Minerals published a Preliminary Economic Assessment on their Critical Rare Earth Metals Project.

*Exploration results on adjacent projects and geologically similar projects are not necessarily indicative of the mineral potential of Nuclear Fuels claims. the companys Labrador Critical Metals project is under an 100% option agreement and subject to a 3% NSR with a 1.5% buyback with a third party.

Moonshine Project, Arizona

The Moonshine Springs project (EU NR dated Nov 25, 2015) is located in Mohave County, Arizona, USA. The project comprises approximately 1000 acres (approximately 400 hectares), including 23 owned lode mining claims along with 7 lode mining claims and 320 acres of fee land held under lease. The property was previously explored during the 1970s and 1980s by Exxon Corp and later by Pathfinder. Sandstone hosted uranium occurs in at least three stratigraphic zones identified to date within the Triassic Chinle formation. The upper two zones lie at an average depth of 170 feet and are considered open pit candidates with the lower zone lying at a depth of 760 feet. Most of the known mineralization occurs below the ground water surface (water level depth of 120 feet) suggesting the possibility that the ore is amenable to ISR. The Companys technical team will further evaluate the ISR amenability of the mineralization at Moonshine Springs. Several historical estimates of the uranium resource at Moonshine have been made including:

Pathfinder historically reported the upper sand to contain 1.44 million pounds of U 3 O 8 at an average grade of 0.325% using a cutoff of 0.15% in an open pit configuration with a strip ratio of 8.8:1. (Cogema Mining, internal report, 2004);

O at an average grade of 0.325% using a cutoff of 0.15% in an open pit configuration with a strip ratio of 8.8:1. (Cogema Mining, internal report, 2004); Exxon reported a global resource figure for the upper two sands of 3.67 million pounds of U 3 O 8 at a grade of 0.15%;

O at a grade of 0.15%; Exxon reported an estimated resource for the lower sand of 1 million pounds of U 3 O 8 at a grade of 0.26%. (Cogema Mining, internal report, 2004) Notably Exxon reported that drilling intercepts of 6 feet or more grading 0.35% U 3 O 8 were not uncommon. (Cogema Mining, internal report, 2004).

*Readers are cautioned that a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify any of the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves as defined by NI 43-101. The Company is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources or reserves as defined by NI 43-101. Further compilation of the historic geological and drilling data, resource modelling and additional drilling will be necessary to convert the historic estimates outlined above to NI 43- 101 conforming mineral resources.

The Moonshine Property is currently a pipeline property, however the company intends to continue to compile historic data with field validation in 2023 to bring historic resources into compliance with NI 43101 standards.

Other Assets:

Bootheel Project

Located in SE Wyoming, the Bootheel Project consists of roll-front mineralized zones iden fied in three dis nct, stacked sandstone forma ons giving the company a more efficient opportunity for the development of resource defini on. Historic metallurgical tes ng has indicted be er than average uranium recovery kine cs and aquifer rehabilita on. A historic NI 43-101* by Sco Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. for Crosshair Explora on and Mining Corp. and Ur Energy Inc. in 2007 reports:

 Indicated Resource of 1.443 million tons @ 0.038% U 3 O 8 for 1.089 lbs U 3 O 8 ; and  Inferred Resource of 4.399 million tons @ 0.037% U 3 O 8 for 3.249 lbs U 3 O 8 .

*A Qualified Person (as defined in NI 43-101) has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource. Additional work will be required to verify and update historical estimates, including a review of assumptions, parameters, methods and testing. Historical estimates do not use the current mineral resources categories prescribed under NI 43-101. Nuclear Fuels is not treating the historical estimate as a current mineral resource and it should not be relied upon.

Lisbon Valley Project

The Lisbon Valley project has two claim blocks; the LS and JB mining claims, totaling 107 claims covering approximately 2,211 acres (895 hectares) in the Lisbon Valley Uranium District, southeastern Utah.

The Lisbon Valley District is in the Colorado Plateau region, 30 miles southeast of Moab, Utah. The Lisbon Valley District was a center of historic conventional surface and underground mining uranium production from 1948 to 1988 of approximately 78 million pounds U 3 O 8 . The uranium mineralization in the Lisbon Valley district is primarily hosted by the Moss Back Member of the lower Chinle Formation of Triassic age. The Moss Back sandstone has the unique distinction of hosting some of the highest-grade uranium and vanadium mineralization in the Colorado Plateau region.

The LS claim group is located just southeast and adjacent to the Lisbon mine, on the downthrown side of the Lisbon Valley anticline. The Lisbon mine was owned and operated by Rio Algom Mines Ltd., with production between 1972 to 1988, producing approximately 22 million pounds U 3 O 8 from the Moss Back sandstone. Drilling on the LS claims in 2007 reported* intersecting significant uranium mineralization amounting to 17.5 feet grading 0.11 per cent U 3 O 8 (including 3.5 feet grading 0.28 per cent U 3 O 8 ) in drill hole L-15, collard about 8,000 feet southeast of the Lisbon mine. The claims are subject to a 2-per-cent net smelter royalty.

*Reported in a press release dated Sept. 10, 2007, Mesa Uranium Corp. this drilling is historical in nature and a qualified person has not done sufficient work to verify historic drilling. Additional work will be required to verify and update historical work.

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mark Travis, CPG., a contractor to the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

About Nuclear Fuels Inc.

Nuclear Fuels Inc. (CSE:NF) is committed to aggressive exploration of district-scale In-Situ Recovery (ISR) uranium projects in proven and prolific jurisdictions. Focused on its priority Kaycee project, located in Wyomings Powder Basin, our goal is to advance the project onto a path to production. With existing historic resources through a 26 mile trend, 100 miles of mapped roll-fronts and 3,700 drill holes, Nuclear Fuels has secured the district under one companys control for the first time since the early 1980s. Nuclear Fuels also provides a unique model for development of our other uranium projects and has established a pipeline of future opportunities in known uranium jurisdictions. Our industry leaders work to build Americas uranium resources and provide a domestic fuel for nuclear energy, a clean, green energy. InSitu Recovery (ISR) technology extracts uranium in a non-invasive process through the use of natural groundwater and oxygen, coupled with a proven ion exchange process, to recover the uranium.

For further information:

Michael Collins, Chief Executive Officer

P: 778-763-4670

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

W: www.nuclearfuels.energy

The securities issued in connection with the Transaction have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as may, should, anticipate, expect, potential, believe, intend or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to planned exploration programs and the results of additional exploration work in seeking to establish mineral resources as defined in NI43-101 on any of our properties. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with the completing planned exploration programs and the results of those programs; the ability to access additional capital to fund planned and future operations; regulatory risks including exploration permitting; risks associated with title to our mineral projects; the ability of the company to implement its business strategies; and other risks including risks contained in documents available for review at www.sedar.com under the Companys profile. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.




Oregon DEQ Extends Air Quality Advisory in SW Oregon Due to Smoke from Flat Fire





The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has extended an Air Quality Advisory for southern Curry County and expanded it to all of Josephine County due to smoke from the Flat Fire. DEQ also issued a new advisory for the Medford-Ashland area due to elevated levels of ozone pollution or smog. Smoke from local wildfires is combining with hot temperatures in these areas to produce smog. DEQ expects air quality in these areas to decline in late afternoons as smog forms. Smoke is expected at moderate to unhealthy levels throughout southern Curry County and Josephine County, with the Air Quality Advisory expected to last until at least Saturday evening. Health officials are encouraging the public to be prepared for air quality levels to be impacted by surrounding wildfires this summer. Smoke levels can rise and fall quickly depending on weather factors such as wind direction and how much smoke a wildfire produces. People should be aware of air quality during wildfire season. Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of air pollutants that are harmful to human health. Exposure to pollutants in wildfire smoke can irritate the lungs, cause inflammation, alter immune function, exacerbate chronic heart and lung disease, and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. ...Read more

West Nile Virus Detected Earlier This Week in Mosquitoes Collected in East Medford





West Nile virus was detected in mosquitoes collected in east Medford this week. The Jackson County Vector Control District reports this is the first West Nile virus detection in Jackson County in 2023. Last year, West Nile virus was found in a total of eight mosquito samples with all the detections occurring in August and September. The mosquitoes were collected by the district as part of a routine surveillance program and tested using a process called "reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction -- or RT-PCR." Local residents are advised to take basic precautions against mosquitoes since the virus is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. People should contact their health care providers if they experience any flu-like symptoms. Care providers can contact the Jackson County Health Department for information on West Nile virus testing. The Vector Control District suggests several steps to protect against mosquitoes including eliminating or treating any sources of standing water around your home. For more information, visit the district's website at "jcvcd.org." ...Read more
Where do I start? After Hidden Valley High School, I attended and graduated from National Broadcasting School in Las Vegas. Post-graduation, I moved back to Southern Oregon and took a job with KTMT-FM and KBOY. Shortly thereafter I joined the U.S. Air Force and worked for the Armed Forces Radio and Television service in Germany.

Upon separating from active duty, I joined the Oregon Air National Guard and was hired at KLDR-FM to host their night show, while doing sales, promotions, and fill-ins during the daytime. Ive been here at KLDR long enough to know how to make coffee ;). The KLDR family has been great to me and has helped nurture my love for radio.

I left for a few years to catch up on my Real Estate Job at Realty Executives and spend more time with my family.

Now that I have retired from the Air Force, I have some weekends free to again pursue my love of radio. I'm back doing the Saturday morning show on KLDR from 6AM to 10AM and Im here on KAJO from 2PM to 6PM.

I love to have fun, be part of my community, and play some great music for you! I'm active in current events and love bringing the latest and greatest to you, our listener! Please chime-in and connect with me on My Facebook Page if you would like to learn more of my likes and history.

Im here to help you get through your day on Southern Oregons best radio stations so stay close. Cheers!
I'm a local boy. I was born and raised in Grants Pass. My family still lives here and we all love Southern Oregon. In 1996 I joined my 2nd family here at Grants Pass Broadcasting. In the early 2000's I decided I wanted to see what life was like outside the Rogue Valley, so I found work and moved away. I spent the better part of a decade living in the Seattle and Denver areas before returning to Grants Pass and resuming my career with the wonderful people here at Grants Pass Broadcasting.

My love for music and tech coupled with the passion I have to never stop learning has led me to the engineering side of radio. I love spending my days on the mountain tops, climbing radio towers, and getting my hands dirty.

When I'm not at the station, I'm getting my SUV out in the mud to explore the greener parts of Oregon. I don't mind a little down-time now and then either. When I'm home, I enjoy watching films and true crime dramas, playing video games, and waking each morning to kill it at the gym.

Thanks for listening. If I can ever do anything for ya, please reach out on Facebook or drop by the station and say "hi."
YEREVAN, 12 JULY, ARMENPRESS. On July 12, at 13:40-13:50, Azerbaijani army opened fire from different caliber firearms in the direction of the Armenian positions located in the Ishkhanasar sector, Syunik Province, ARMENPRESS was informed from MoD Armenia.

Earlier, the Ministry of Defense reported that on July 12, Azerbaijanis opened fire twice at the Armenian positions located in the Tegh sector, as a result of which 2 servicemen of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia were injured.
Since its inception, Grants Pass Broadcasting has been a singular presence in Southern Oregon. KAJO and KLDR radio stations, informed by the Christian faith of its founders and many of its employees, consciously reflect Jesus Christs exhortation in Matthew 5.

The story of Grants Pass Broadcasting begins with the birth of Jim Wilson on January 3, 1926. Wilson, the founder of KAJO, was a product of particular time and place in America: the Depression-era, river-bottom farm communities of central Oklahoma, where Jim lived until he was 18 years old.

Jim grew up in a large, neatly bisected family: brothers Clarence, Claude and Carl came first; Maxine, Jim, and Evelyn arrived some years later. Although Jims father brought in a little cash by maintaining a rural mail route, farming provided the Wilson family a meager living through the 1920s and 30s. Some years, the cotton crop would yield, other years  not so much. The difficulty of it all made a lasting impression on Jim.

The elder brothers were largely grown and gone from the farm before the younger siblings came of age. Jim was stuck at home, as he liked to say, sandwiched between two sisters. The farm work was back-breaking and Jim longed for a profession out of the weather and with fewer callouses!

After graduation from Bearden High School in 1943, Jim left the farm against his parents wishes and hitchhiked to Portland, Oregon. He wanted to join the U.S. Navy, but was disqualified due to childhood middle and inner ear injuries inflicted by primitive medical care. Jim joined his brother, Carl, who was living in Portland, and took a job welding Liberty Ships at Swan Island.

While in Portland, Jim noticed a broadcasting school advertisement on the back of a matchbook. He had always been a wit, much to the dismay of his parents and sisters. He decided to check this new opportunity out. He completed the coursework and returned to Oklahoma to work for his brother, Clarence, who had become active in building and operating radio stations throughout the West and Midwest. Clarence and his business partners -- the money men -- would build a new radio station that Jim would manage for a couple of years before moving on to the next freshly-built station. While working in McAlester, Oklahoma, Jim met a local girl, Patricia Burks, who became his wife. Patricia gave birth to a son, Carl, in McAlester in 1952.

Jim briefly flirted with television, but soon hit the broadcasting trail again with Pat and Carl in tow. The next radio assignment took Jim to Hays, Kansas. After 18 months or so in Hays, the little family moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Jims fortunes began to turn in Klamath Falls. He was making great money, selling advertising for the station, and enjoying his time on the air. He began to think that he just might be able to make it on his own. One day while selling advertising in downtown Klamath Falls, he encountered an appliance salesman representing a national brand. The man asked, Whats a guy like you doing here? You should be in Grants Pass -- its a great town and theres only one radio station.

Well, that strangers name is lost to history but he had quite an impact on Grants Pass without ever knowing it. Jim Wilson was about to go into business for himself.

Jim originally started the business with two partners, one of whom was one of the money men previously mentioned. It took from 1957 to 1972 for Jim to buy out his business partners and fly on his own. However, from the opening day of August 15, 1957, Jim didnt exactly fly solo.

Back in Hays, Jim had learned that his long-time friend, Elzie Parker, had also gotten into this new thing called radio. What a strange coincidence that was! Jim called Elzie back in Arkansas and asked that he join him in Oregon. As legend goes, Elzie said yes without even asking about pay. These two set Grants Pass on its ear for decades, weaving hilarious stories of childhood in that Oklahoma bottom land. Their stories resonated with the working-class depression kids who comprised so much of Grants Pass and Josephine County.

Jim and Elzie established KAJO as a station that the community could count on through thick and thin, come blazing fires or fearsome floodwaters. The station was a vanguard, protecting and caring for the community. Grants Pass Broadcasting added KLDR-FM in 1992. Jims sons, Carl and Matt played a key role in managing the radio stations throughout the 1980s and well into the 2000s.

As KAJO nears its 60th anniversary on August 15, 2017, Carl remains the managing partner, along with his mother, Patricia. Although the elder generation is gone, (Jim passed away in early 2005), the radio stations still bear the mark of the founder. Carl is the first to say, Im just caretaking and growing what the founders built.

The Wilson family thanks the Grants Pass and Josephine County community for the tremendous support these past six decades. The family is also deeply grateful for the many wonderful and talented people who have been part of the work of bringing a unique brand of community radio to the airwaves.
YEREVAN, 12 JULY, ARMENPRESS. The President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan received the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Presidents Office, Vahagn Khachaturyan highly appreciated Pietro Parolin's personal contribution to the development of relations between Armenia and the Holy See. The President noted that His Majesty's blessing and support during this difficult period for our people is really necessary and appreciated.

"We also highly appreciate the relations between the Holy See and Armenia, which have a long history and are developing upward. These relations are based on such values as Christian values, peace, justice, human rights.

We are committed to achieving peace, and we are on that path. I would like to once again thank the Holy See and the Pope for their efforts, exhortations and prayers aimed at establishing lasting peace in our region.

Of course, high-level political meetings are of great importance in the development of our relations, and the numerous mutual visits have led to the establishment of a high-level dialogue. I am sure that your visit will also contribute to the deepening of our relations," the President said in his welcoming speech.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin thanked the President of Armenia for his hospitality and kind words.

"It is a great honor for me to be in Armenia. My two-day visit started this morning with a visit to Tsitsernakaberd, honoring the memory of the victims. I was able to deepen (of course, I was well aware beforehand) the historical information related to the tragedy that befell the Armenian people.

I would also like to emphasize the excellent relations that exist between the Republic of Armenia and the Holy See. You rightly noticed that there are many mutual visits, and this is a sign that there are good relations, as well as efforts to deepen and develop them," said the Secretary of State of the Holy See.

At the meeting, the sides referred to the blocking of Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan for more than 7 months. President Khachaturyan noted that the actual isolation of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, which is accompanied by the blocking of gas, electricity and telecommunications.

The Secretary of State of the Holy See emphasized the need to ensure peace and stability in the region, as well as to create an atmosphere of trust between the parties. In this context, the interlocutors emphasized the importance of ensuring the continuity of negotiations, as a result of which it will be possible to achieve peace. Both sides emphasized the need for guarantees for the protection of the rights of Nagorno Karabakh Armenians.
With the wider range of viewers and accessibility to Korean contents thanks to streaming platforms, a global audience has embraced watching K-dramas.

From historical to the good old rom-com and even revenge dramas, viewers fell in love with entertaining stories and characters.

Unfortunately, the Korean drama production industry has been facing controversies involving dramas that spark disappointment from fans.

Due to the undertones and racist stereotypes, several K-dramas received backlash from viewers.

'King the Land'

One of the recent Korean series that got embroiled in controversy is Lee Junho and YoonA's K-drama "King the Land."

Amid the skyrocketing popularity and ratings of the JTBC series, one episode sparked anger, especially among Arabs.

It was after Indian actor Anupam Tripathy, who also appeared in the Netflix series "Squid Game," played the role of a wealthy Arab prince named Samir in "King the Land" episode 7.

However, viewers find it offensive after the character is deemed an alcoholic and womanizer.

In addition, the show was also criticized for casting a non-Arab actor for the character, which others find culturally insensitive.

'Narco-Saints'

The Netflix original series "Narco-Saints" garnered massive attention for showing the interesting story of Korean businessmen who chose to venture into the foreign land of "Suriname."

However, after airing the whole season, the government of Suriname criticized the K-drama for depicting their country in a negative light.

In a report, Surinamese foreign affairs minister Albert Ramdin, pointed out how the Netflix series gave their country a negative depiction, especially of their people and culture, by illustrating them as a drug trafficking hub.

Mowever, the foreign affairs minister also warned that they would take legal action against the producers of "Narco-Saints."

Following the reaction from the Suriname government, Netflix released a statement addressing the issue.

According to the streaming giant, they did not intend to insult or depict the country in a bad light.

"The stories on our service are not intended to be disrespectful or hurt the sentiments of any community or group," a Netflix Korea official said, adding, "However, the members may have different perspectives about what's acceptable on-screen and want to make their own decisions about what to watch."

'Little Women'

Another recent K-drama that faced backlash due to cultural depiction is "Little Women."

The novel-based series gained mixed reactions from viewers after airing one specific scene that included the Vietnam War.

The show was removed from Vietnam after showing a controversial scene where a Korean veteran talked about the killing ratio for Korean troops versus the Vietnamese.

Due to the alleged "discriminatory terms" used to describe Vietnamese soldiers, viewers found it offensive, causing the country to ban "Little Women" in the country.

IN CASE YOU MISSED: Kim Go Eun's 'Little Women' Responds to Accusation Over Poster Plagiarism

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Wills
The production team behind "Squid Game" season 2 addressed the controversy surrounding their filming at the airport.

The highly-anticipated Netflix K-drama once again garnered attention after an anonymous user took to online communities to express their disappointment following an interaction with a staff member.

'Squid Game' Season 2 Staff Accused of Being Rude to Public During Filming

As mentioned by outlets, the post includes the user's complaint about how the production staff "rudely" blocked people from using the public escalator at the Incheon International Airport.

Accusing the staff of "abuse of power," the netizen claimed that a staff member stopped them from using the escalator using a commanding tone.

"If you have caused damage to Incheon Airport users, shouldn't you have been polite and said that you were sorry because you were filming and asked for your understanding?"

Shortly after the post spread in various online communities and media, "Squid Game" season 2 producers expressed their apologies regarding the airport incident.

'Squid Game' Season 2 Producers Respond to Controversy

As obtained by a media outlet, they acknowledged the "citizen's discomfort during filming for Season 2 of 'Squid Game' at Incheon International Airport on July 10," and apologized for making the person feel that way.

"While we tried our best to inform citizens in detail about the on-site situation during the shoot, we apologize for the fact that we made people uncomfortable."

Despite the setback, "Squid Game" season 2 "sincerely thanks the citizens who understood" their protocols during filming but promised to "be even more careful during filming in the future."

'Squid Game' Season 2 Casting Controversy

Besides the airport incident, the upcoming Netflix series is facing backlash due to its casting lineup.

Back in June, the streaming giant officially confirmed the actors who would join the series. Apart from Lee Jung Jae and Lee Byung Hun, who were initially revealed to be reprising their roles, Wi Ha Joon and Gong Yoo will also return for the sequel.

In addition, Im Siwan, Kang Ha Neul, Park Sung Hoon, and Yang Dong Geun were also introduced.

At the time, viewers accused Netflix of only focusing on top stars and male actors, but the streaming giant hinted that they would introduce more cast members.

Lo and behold, Netflix dropped another teaser, introducing eight additional cast members. "Sweet Home" cast members Lee Jin Wook and Park Gyu Young will also join the show.

In addition, Jo Yu Ri, Won Ji An, Noh Jae Won, David Lee, Kang Ae Shim, and Choi Seung Hyun (former BIGBANG T.O.P), are also included.

However, rumors sparked that the K-pop star was included as an official cast member because of his connection with Lee Jung Jae. The actor's agency quickly denied the rumor and mentioned that he and Lee Jung Jae have not seen each other for quite some time.

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

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Written by Geca Wills
After its successful premiere, "Celebrity" rose to the top again in Netflix Global Top 10, stealing the spot from the rom-com K-drama "King the Land."

Keep on reading for more details.

'Celebrity' Rises to No. 1 on Netflix Amid Strong Competition With 'King the Land'

Starring Park Gyu Young and Kang Min Hyuk, the star-studded drama "Celebrity" that narrates the stories of influencers made another achievement, showcasing its growing popularity.

On July 12, based on the data by Netflix, "Celebrity" ranked first in the Global Top 10 in Non-English Category with 5.6 million views.

In addition, it also ranked first in ten countries including Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Bolivia, and Peru.

"Celebrity," which is blowing strong firepower is being streamed to more than 190 countries. It premiered on June 30 and immediately grabbed the audience's interest with its intriguing plot.

Adding to its popularity is the number of Korean stars who made their special appearances in the episodes.

"Celebrity" outshined "King the Land" on top, which ranked first last July 5 in the Netflix Global Top 10.

What's Next for 'Celebrity' Cast

As it introduced new and old faces, viewers are now anticipating the "Celebrity" cast members' upcoming projects. Even those who made cameos made impressions and the public wanted to see more of them on screen.

Park Gyu Young will have a busy year as she is booked with various projects. Being dubbed the "Daughter of Netflix," the actress has been expanding her reach in the global audience.

After "Celebrity," she is expected to appear in "Squid Game," "Sweet Home" Seasons 2 and 3," and the webtoon-based series "A Good Day to Be a Dog."

The breakout star is also being courted to join Kim Seon Ho in a new drama and according to her agency, Park Gyu Young is positively reviewing the offer.

Kang Min Hyuk, who surprised many with his transformation in the series, is receiving love. Viewers and fans want him to be cast in other lead roles. His improved acting is also praised in the drama.

Lee Chung Ah, who starred in "VIP," "Awaken," and "One Dollar Lawyer" made her return in "Celebrity."

As of this writing there are no confirmed projects yet for the talented star. Lee Dong Gun is also yet to announce his next project.

What can you say about the news? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
The forthcoming historical drama "Empress Woo" announced its final cast lineup and release date, much to fans' delight. Ji Chang Wook, who recently confirmed his appearance, welcomes Jeon Jong Seo, Lee Soo Hyuk, and more to the ensemble.

Ji Chang Wook & Jeon Jong Seo To Lead 'Empress Woo'

On July 12, TVING's original series "Empress Woo" announced its casing lineup.

The series is a historical work that follows the life of the powerful Woo Hee, the queen of Goguryeo, as she becomes the main target of five large tribes who come after power and the throne.

Jeon Jong Seo, who showed off her immersive acting through "Money Heist," takes on the titular role. She's a queen who possesses great beauty and loyalty to her husband, Go Nam Mu.

The king is played by Ji Chang Wook. He has a brilliant enough mind to lead a country and defeat thousands of soldiers of the Han Dynasty.

King Go Nam Mu is a powerful ruler who has dignity and benevolence. However, when he dies, the palace immediately faces desperate crises.

With this, Empress Woo Hee is set to keepsafe the throne and the palace safe from the people who want to seize their bloodline for power.

READ MORE: Rising Actress Lee Soo Jung Joins NCT Jaehyun In New Mystery Film

Since "Empress Woo" marks the actress' first historical series, anticipation for Jeon Jong Seo's transformation is through the roof.

Focus is also given to Ji Chang Wook and Jeon Jong Seo's synergy as they work together for the first time.

Kim Mu Yeol, Park Ji Hwan, More Complete Lineup

Besides the two lead stars, a bunch of supporting actors join the cast to complete the drama lineup.

"Juvenile Justice" actor Kim Mu Yeol bags the role of Eul Pa So, the king's right hand man and the prime minister of Goguryeo. He's an indigent who climbed his way to the top.

With his loyalty to the king, he is assigned to look over the country's state affairs. However, he has an unresolved desire in his heart, making his character more intriguing.

Jung Yu Mi joins as Woo Soon, the queen's older sister. Like Empress Woo Hee, she is blessed with fair skin and unrivaled beauty.

Unbeknownst to many, Woo Soon's heart is filled with resentment after losing the chance of being a queen. She then enters the palace as a handmaiden in hopes to change her fate.

"Tomorrow" star Lee Soo Hyuk plays Go Bal Ki, one of the most eligible princes in Goguryeo. His presence stirs havoc in the series as he becomes a candidate for succession to the throne.

In addition, his vicious temper and greed that were suppressed by fear of Go Nam Mu threaten the palace's safety. Lastly, Park Ji Hwan of "Our Blues" portrays Moo Gol, a fearless warrior who protects the king through war.

The series boasts a talented cast, intensifying the public's excitement for the work; a historical series with a promising narrative.

"Empress Woo" begins filming in the second half of the year, and it will be released in early 2024 on TVING.

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: Shin Hye Sun's Drinking Habits Create Online Buzz - Here's What Happened

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Written by Elijah Mully.
Kennesaw State graduates national security and data analysis interests lead to defense job

KENNESAW, Ga. | Jul 12, 2023

Throughout his journey at Kennesaw State University, Dalton Shaver found a unique passion that combines his interest in international affairs with his skills in math modeling.

From an internship with the Air Force, to undergraduate research on Operation Enduring Freedom, Shaver readied himself for a career in the defense industry that he started this month after graduating in May.

Growing up, I was always interested in the military, said Shaver, whose grandfather and great-grandfather served in the Air Force. In high school, he realized the military had a need for civilian workers in a wide range of jobs. Dalton Shaver

Shaver decided to attend Kennesaw State due to its proximity to his family and after a positive experience as a full-time student in the dual enrollment program his senior year of high school.

I immediately fell in love with international affairs after taking a global issues class, Shaver said. However, Ive always been interested in numbers and evidence. You can make claims when talking about national security, but wheres the data? What do the numbers say?

Those questions led Shaver to the data science minor, offered in Kennesaw States School of Data Science and Analytics. He then switched his major to mathematics with minors in international affairs and data science.

That was probably one of the best decisions Ive ever made, because I love what Ive been researching, he said.

In his final year before graduation, Shaver worked with senior lecturer in the School of Data Science and Analytics Susan Mathews Hardy on research that has led to multiple impressive awards and invitations to present his research around the country. He examined how characteristics of terrorist attacks predict the chance of an attack succeeding across three geographic missions within Operation Enduring Freedom: Trans-Sahara, Horn of Africa, and the Philippines.

Due to my previous classes on international affairs, I knew a lot about Operation Enduring Freedom in a qualitative sense, but wanted to sift through the data, Shaver said. I had previously researched Afghanistan with professor Steve Morris, so I wanted to expand my reserve and look at these other regions.

When analyzing the available data on these attacks, Shavers goal was to present his findings in a way that military organizations, like the Department of Defense, would benefit from them, while also keeping civilians in mind. For example, an organization like the State Department could benefit from Shavers findings when issuing travel advisories for tourists.

Ultimately, his research examined how characteristics of terrorist attacks in those regions can predict the chance of an attack succeeding, and determining where counterterrorism training and operations can improve. One conclusion he found was that attacks targeting private citizens, tourists, nongovernmental organizations, businesses, and food or water supply have the largest probability of success for the Trans-Sahara and Horn of Africa regions, while suicide attacks in the Philippines raise the chance of success. He also analyzed major cities within these regions and found attacks have a similar probability of success regardless of whether they happen inside a major city or on the outskirts.

One of the most unique aspects of Daltons research process was meeting with active members of the military, said Hardy, who helped Shaver make those connections. He wanted to make sure this research would be relevant for defense operations, and who better to speak with than those with experience fighting for our country.

Shaver met virtually with alumnus Lt. Col. Trent Geisler, who received his Ph.D. from Kennesaw State in 2022 and currently teaches at the United States Military Academy West Point, and current KSU student Frankarlo Figueroa, who is in the U.S. Army and taking online classes while stationed overseas.

Im grateful they took the time to meet with me to discuss my research because both had great ideas, Shaver said. Dr. Geisler helped me see past this research and look at the bigger picture, and Frankarlo was able to provide insight about his current experience overseas and knew a lot about guerilla warfare. Even though hes currently stationed in Europe, he had information about several different regions and helped me narrow my research focus.

Shaver presented his research on Operation Enduring Freedom at the Fall 2022 Analytics Day, hosted by the School of Data Science and Analytics, and at the Fall 2022 C-Day, hosted by the College of Computing and Software Engineering. He won second place in the undergraduate division at both events. Hardy then helped Shaver apply to a few of the premier undergraduate research conferences around the United States. In early 2023, he was accepted to present at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) and the National Collegiate Research Conference (NCRC) hosted by Harvard University.

It was an honor to represent Kennesaw State at those conferences and share my research, Shaver said. I never wouldve had those opportunities if it wasnt for my professors who encouraged me to think out of the box.

Shaver says he felt prepared to enter a job in the defense industry upon graduation, thanks to his courses and internship at Robins Air Force Base, though hes also interested in getting a graduate degree in a few years.

My journey at KSU perhaps was not the most conventional, but I ended up really liking the path I took, Shaver said. Switching my major was a great decision and led me to faculty members, like Professor Hardy, who have mentored me and helped me figure out what I want to do in the future.

 By Abbey OBrien Barrows

Photos by Judith Pishnery

This article was originally published in the Spring issue Kennesaw State University Magazine.

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 43,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The universitys vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
YEREVAN, 12 JULY, ARMENPRESS. The 4th meeting of the Commission on delimitation and border security of the state border between Armenia and Azerbaijan was held on the border of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, in the section of the Tavush region of the Republic of Armenia and the Kazakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan told ARMENPRESS.

On July 12, the fourth meeting of the Commission was held on the border of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mher Grigoryan and the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafaev.

According to the agreements reached at the level of the leaders of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan in different formats, the parties continued the discussion of border delimitation issues, addressed a number of organizational and procedural issues.
YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan hosted Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, ARMENPRESS was infomred from the Office of the Prime Minister.

First, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State had a private conversation, then the negotiations continued in an expanded format.

In his speech, Nikol Pashinyan noted "Your Eminence, I am happy to welcome you to the Republic of Armenia. We highly appreciate your contribution to the development of relations between Armenia and the Vatican. We also highly appreciate today's visit and willingness to give a new boost to the relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Vatican. The Armenian people fondly remember the visits of Pope Francis and Pope John Paul II in 2001 and 2016, but I must also emphasize that this is the first visit of the Secretary of State of the Vatican to Armenia. And it is a great honor for me to receive you. This indicates a new charge in our relationship. You are welcome."

In his turn, Pietro Parolin noted. "Thank you Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for giving me this opportunity to meet, have a dialogue and exchange ideas with you. I am very happy to be in Armenia, precisely in the context of the friendly relations that already exist. This visit will deeinitely help to develop them further. Recently, a very positive change has taken place, that the Vatican has an Apostolic nuncio, the ambassador, in Armenia. We thank you for this attitude."

At the meeting, the interlocutors discussed issues related to both bilateral relations and regional processes. In particular, reference was made to the deepening crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of Azerbaijan's illegal blocking of the Lachin Corridor, the post-44-day war humanitarian issues, ongoing negotiations on the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Pietro Parolin expressed the readiness of the Holy See to contribute to the establishment of peace and stability in the region, as well as the process of solving humanitarian problems.
A driver attached to Link Bus Services died in a Tuesday night accident that occurred at Rugombe along the Fort Portal-Kyenjojo highway.

Tom Alinde, the Public Relations Manager, Link Bus Services identified the driver as Mr. Dauda Kawuwa who was driving the bus registration number UAY 485E which rammed into a parked truck that was carrying logs.

I think it has a mechanical problem parked somewhere on a downslope. There was nothing like an alert or warning sign to show there is a problem in a corner. So Mr. Kawuwa now the late rammed into it, Alinde told KFM.

At about 9:10pm (Tuesday night) the deceaseds body was still stuck in the crashed bus.

He tried to save the bus, but he was very close to the lorry and the log really struck him, Alinde added.

He meanwhile revealed that two of their staff have been admitted at Kyenjojo hospital with minor injuries.

This comes hours after Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among directed the Uganda Police Force and Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to tow stationed vehicles off the road.

The road crash followed another accident that claimed the life of businessman Apollo Nyagamehe aka Aponye who died on the spot after his vehicle hit a stationed lorry on the Kabale-Mbarara highway on his way to Rukiga District at around 9:30 pm on Thursday last week.
Makerere University teaching staff have threatened to go on strike after the university management abolished their monthly allowances.

A source said the university management notified staff that they will not be receiving their monthly allowances effective July, drawing outrage from the dons.

According to a June 26 letter addressed to the leadership of the academic and support staff, the university secretary, Yusuf Kiranda says the move to abolish the allowances from the payroll was a decision from the government.

Kiranda, says the university introduced non-pensionable allowances for all academic staff from teaching assistants to professors and administrative staff from the M4 scale upward in 2008.

He however adds that the Ministry of Finance has given the university a green light to use the allowances for staff promotion.

According to the Chairperson of the Makerere University Academic Staff Association, Dr. Robert Kakuru, the staff will meet next week to forge a way forward.

The university also introduced clinical allowances for a section of the staff in the Faculty of Medicine, current College of Health Sciences.

This was after the staff went on strike in the same year demanding a pay rise to a living wage,

According to Mr Kiranda, the Ministry of Finance has given the University a green light to use the allowances for staff promotion.

According to statics, a total of 1674 out of 3,366 staff were earning the above allowances amounting to Shs3.4 billion annually which was incurred by the university spending on non-pensionable and clinical allowances.
North Korea launched what is presumed to be a ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan on Wednesday, the Japanese coast guards reported.

July 12, 2023, 12:47 North Korea launches presumed ballistic missile

STEPANAKERT, JULY 12, ARTSAKHPRESS: The authority requested fishing vessels in the designated splashdown area to remain vigilant and do not approach the potential fragments of a missile if they discover them.

A crisis response center was set up at the office of the Japanese prime minister in connection with the launch. The premier himself is currently on a visit to Lithuania, where he is taking part in a NATO summit.

The NHK television reported, citing defense sources, that the missile remains in flight, and, therefore, is flying a very steep trajectory. It is possible that it was long-range or a ballistic missile.

The Japanese defense ministry said that, according to its estimates, the missile will remain in flight for about an hour after the launch.

"At present, the missile is expected to splash down in the Sea of Japan, outside Japans exclusive economic zone, approximately 550 km east of the Korean Peninsula. The estimated splashdown time is 11:13 a.m. local time (5:13 a.m. Moscow time)," the ministry said in a statement.

Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters shortly after that a ballistic missile was probably launched.

"There is such a possibility, that is why we keep analyzing these events," he said.

Wednesdays launch was 12th for Pyongyang since the beginning of the year.
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(Kitco News) - One Kentucky man is basking in his good fortune after discovering a trove of Civil War-era gold bullion coins.

Photo fromGovMint.com

The value of the cache has also not been disclosed, but one type of coin, an extremely rare 1863 $20 Gold Liberty Double Eagle coin, has in the past sold at auction for more than $100,000. Eighteen of these coins were part of the treasure trove.

The gold hoard also includes about 600 $1 gold coins and $10 and $20 Gold Liberty coins dating between 1854 and 1862.

"Each of the coins that are part of the Great Kentucky Hoard are struck in 90% gold at the Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, New Orleans or Carson City Mints," GovMint said on its website.

Not only is the number of coins in the collection memorable, but the quality of the coins was also remarkable, according to Numismatic Guaranty Company, which was hired to evaluate the coins.

NGC gave most of the coins gradings of Extremely Fine to Mint State (XFMS) condition; it is believed that some coins came straight from a bank and were never circulated.

"The opportunity to handle the Great Kentucky Hoard is one of the highlights of my career," said Jeff Garrett, a rare coin dealer and leading expert in American coinage, who evaluated the trove for the NGC. "The importance of this discovery cannot be overstated, as the stunning number of over 700 gold dollars represents a virtual time capsule of Civil War-era coinage, including coins from the elusive Dahlonega Mint. Finding one Mint condition 1863 Double Eagle would be an important numismatic event. Finding nearly a roll of superb examples is hard to comprehend."

Kentucky was a neutral state during the Civil War, but according to one archeologist, the original owner probably buried the hoard to hide their dealings from Confederate soldiers.

In a comment to Live Science, Ryan McNutt, a conflict archaeologist at Georgia Southern University who has heard about the hoard but not seen it, said it has some historical significance.

Given the time period and the location in Kentucky, which was neutral at the time, it is entirely possible this was buried in advance of Confederate John Hunt Morgan's June to July 1863 raid, McNutt said.

However, not much is known about the coins. McNutt noted that most historical artifacts found on private land go to market or are collected without archaeological consultation.

As a conflict archaeologist, I find this loss of information particularly frustrating," he said. It's a snapshot of the past, lost forever."
On July 12, the participants of the People's Movement for Unblocking the Corridor initiated a protest action in Stepanakert, urging the public to join.

July 12, 2023, 15:58 Anti-blockade protest held in Artsakh

STEPANAKERT, JULY 12, ARTSAKHPRESS: According to the initiator of the movement, public figure Artur Osipyan, Azerbaijan clearly states its goal to starve the people of Artsakh and force them to integrate.

"Some people from the regions also expressed their desire to join our initiative, but it is not possible in these difficult conditions. That's why we should contact the relevant authorities to provide us with fuel. Whoever is against the struggle for life is the enemy of Artsakh. If the Russians do not help us in this matter, we will take decisive measures", said A. Osipyan.

Davit Vanyan, a member of the initiating group, told us that the goal of the movement is to unblock the corridor.
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(Kitco News) Markets are often counterintuitive, and there could be a few surprises in store if a spot Bitcoin ETF is finally approved, said Florian Grummes, Managing Director at Midas Touch Consulting.

For crypto investors wanting to play a spot Bitcoin ETF approval, there are critical lessons to be learned from when gold-backed ETFs were introduced nearly 20 years ago, Grummes told Michelle Makori, Lead Anchor and Editor-in-Chief at Kitco News.

"Remember that the gold ETFs [did] not only bring glory and happiness to the gold market," Grummes said. "They changed some things quite significantly, and something similar could happen with the Bitcoin ETF down the road."

To learn more about the impact of gold-backed ETFs on the market, watch the video above.

Investors can anticipate a lot of institutional and retail buying coming into the crypto market if the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approves a spot Bitcoin ETF. But it will likely be buy the rumor, sell the fact scenario.

"The market pricing in that potential over a period of time. And once it's finally out, it's time to take profits," Grummes explained. "You would think it's great news coming to the market, but it is selling off because everybody has already positioned themselves [for the event]."

Digital asset investment products saw a third consecutive week of inflows last week on reports of spot Bitcoin ETF filings. According to data provided by CoinShares, $136.1 million flowed into the various investment products tracked by the firm, bringing the total over the past three weeks to $470 million.

Multiple spot Bitcoin ETFs were also refiled with the SEC in the last two weeks, naming Coinbase as the partner for the surveillance-sharing agreement (SSA).

Grummes warned that Bitcoin investors would be giving up something essential with the introduction of a spot ETF. "Personally, I'm not a fan of ETFs at all. I understand that for retail investors, it's an easy way to invest," he said. "I prefer direct ownership of stocks. I also want to directly receive the dividends and have the right to vote. All these things you give up with the ETF structure."

Bitcoin to hit $100k next year?

There are two major events on the horizon for Bitcoin  a spot Bitcoin ETF and the next halving. Once a reality, Bitcoin price can reach $100,000 in 2024, Grummes pointed out.

"The halving  together with the potentially approved Bitcoin ETF, it would definitely drastically change everything. And then $100,000 in the next year is very likely," he said.

For more details on the BlackRock spot Bitcoin ETF filing and potential surprises down the road, watch the video above.

The next Bitcoin halving is scheduled for April 2024, which is when the Bitcoin block reward will drop from 6.25 Bitcoin per block to 3.125 Bitcoin per block.

"Once the halving is done  we should be in a new bull market," Grummes said. "All it takes is for Bitcoin to break out above the $65,000 to $69,000 resistance zone, and then [$100,000] can eventually happen rather quickly."

For technical charts and analysis of where the Bitcoin price could head next, watch the video above.
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(Kitco News) - Gerard Barron, chairman and CEO of The Metals Company, said six months of trials were a "success on all fronts." Barron spoke to Kitco Mining on Monday.

The Metals Company is a development company focused on deepwater mining in the Pacific Ocean. The company plans to collect polymetallic nodules containing cobalt, nickel, manganese and copper from the ocean floor.

Barron said one of the top questions about The Metals Company is whether operations can scale.

"Last year for six months we were out on our license area collecting nodules, and it was a success on all fronts," said Barron. "We drove about 80-plus kilometers on the seafloor, we harvested about 5,000 tonnes and we brought home about 3,000 tonnes."

In its investor presentation, The Metals Company says its NORI and TOML projects rank first and second, respectively, as the world's largest undeveloped nickel projects.

Ocean floor mining is contentious. The International Seabed Authority is meeting this month to set guidelines for the industry. According to the Financial Times, France and Germany are leading a fight against large-scale commercial mining in the deep seas. This week, Canada added its name to the list of countries that are against ocean floor mining. The Metals Company is headquartered in Vancouver, B.C.

Countries that would like to push ahead with ocean floor mining include China, South Korea, Russia and Norway.
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(Kitco News) - Chinas President Xi Jinping recently made comments that suggest he sees central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) as a key to expanding the countrys Belt and Road Initiative and increasing cooperation among the countrys global partners.

At the 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit held the first week of July, Xi discussed the creation of sovereign digital currencies, also known as CBDCs, to help improve currency settlements between SCO member states.

The SCO was established by China and Russia in 2001 as a regional organization focused on political, economic, and security cooperation.

A major point of focus for Xi was on practical cooperation that could help expedite economic recovery.

Promoting economic growth is a common task for all countries in the region, he said. China stands ready to work with all sides to implement the Global Development Initiative, keep to the right direction of economic globalization, oppose protectionism, unilateral sanctions and the overstretching of national security, and reject the moves of setting up barriers, decoupling and severing supply chains.

Xi mentioned the Belt and Road initiative, and said the SOC should promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, speed up the development of port infrastructure and regional and international logistic corridors, and ensure stable and smooth functioning of regional industrial and supply chains.

To help with achieving these goals, Xi proposed that the SOC scale up local currency settlement between member states, expand cooperation on sovereign digital currency, and promote the establishment of an SCO development bank.

Sovereign digital currencies are currently being explored by 130 countries representing 98 percent of global GDP, according to the Atlantic Council. A recent survey conducted by the Bank for International Settlements found that 93% of the world's central banks are working on a CBDC, and there could be as many as 24 in circulation by 2030.

China is currently the most advanced when it comes to testing the use of a CBDC by the general public, with its digital yuan pilot ongoing in 17 provinces across the country, which includes 26 large cities and 5.6 million merchants.

China is ready to share market opportunities and development experience, and implement the capacity-building program to empower young professionals, Xi said. China will carry out digital technology training programs in collaboration with the China-SCO Big Data Cooperation Center, and host an SCO national green development forum.

On Tuesday, the Bank of China, one of Chinas largest state-owned banks, announced that it was testing a new offline payment method linked to SIM cards for the digital yuan.

The bank partnered with telecommunication operators China Telecom and China Unicom to start testing the new feature, which will allow users to make payments with their phones by connecting the banks e-CNY app with super SIM cards that are equipped with near-field communication functions.

To make payments, users will only need to bring their smartphones in close proximity to sales terminals, and payments can be processed even when the phone is turned off. The bank noted that the SIM card payment features will only be available on certain Android phones and will be limited to specific pilot areas in China.
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(Kitco News) - Orezone Gold (TSX: ORE) (OTCQX: ORZCF) announced today that its Bombore gold mine in Burkina Faso, which poured first gold in September 2022, produced 35,482 ounces in Q2 2023 (Q1 2023: 41,301 ounces).

The company said that overall mill throughput for the quarter was slightly below that of Q1 due to lower than planned plant availability from routine maintenance for the installation of newly designed mill liners and the replacement of worn shafts in the front-end mineral sizer.

However, Orezone added that all major planned maintenance for the year is now complete and the company expects quarterly throughput in the second half of 2023 to reach record levels.

Importantly, the company re-affirmed its 2023 annual production guidance of 140,000 to 155,000 ounces.

Orezone also reported that work on the phase II hard rock expansion feasibility study continued during Q2, with mine design and scheduling now underway. The expansion study remains on track for completion at the end of Q3 2023.

Significant progress was also made on the Bombore grid power connection, with right-of-way clearing complete and tower installations commencing.

"Energization of the grid connection is slated for late 2023 which will see current power costs dramatically reduced," the company said.

Orezone Gold is a Canadian mining company operating the open pit Bombore gold mine in Burkina Faso. Orezone is focusing on mining and processing the phase I near surface free-dig oxides at a planned annual throughput of 5.7 million tonnes.

The company believes that Bombore has a significant underlying hard rock resource to support a substantially larger phase II expansion.
The European Union strongly supports the activities of the ICRC as the only major humanitarian organization present in the South Caucasus, the statement made by the EU Spokesperson on ICRC activities in Southern Caucasus says.

July 12, 2023, 16:58 EU reiterates its call for Azerbaijan to ensure the unrestricted movement of people and goods via the Lachin corridor

STEPANAKERT, JULY 12, ARTSAKHPRESS: The EU strongly supports the activities of the ICRC as the only major humanitarian organization present in the South Caucasus. It is providing crucial humanitarian assistance and protection to those in need, in accordance with the humanitarian principles of neutrality, independence and impartiality.

Their work along the Lachin corridor has been exclusively focused on providing the essential needs for the Armenian population in Karabakh and much needed humanitarian assistance. It is the responsibility of the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure that ICRC can continue its operations and prevent a potential humanitarian crisis.

The EU strongly supports the crucial role of the ICRC in the region, and reiterates its call for Azerbaijan to ensure the unrestricted movement of people and goods via the Lachin corridor, the statement says.
Stuff reports:

A social media interaction between Spark NZ and a prominent transgender activist has led to threats of boycotting the company. Over the weekend, the telco's reply to a post from trans activist Shaneel Lal on the new social media platform Threads ruffled the feathers of some of its customers. Lal's post read: Dear Threaders, Can we agree that we won't tolerate TERFs on Threads. They've made the lives of trans people living hell on almost all platforms. Let's not allow their hatred to poison this app too. Requested with love. To which Spark NZ replied: Yes PLEASE, wholeheartedly co-signed accompanied by two emojis including the transgender flag.

This was a pretty huge blunder by Spark. They messaged that they want people whose opinions differ on issues of gender to be banned from social media. And this wasn't even in response to a query  they just decided to offer their view, and when asked if that was their official view, said yes.

Why do corporates think it is a good idea to take a stand on political issues?

They are very lucky that it is harder to swap telcos that it is to swap beer brands.

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The situation in Artsakh is critical.

July 12, 2023, 18:33 Situation in Artsakh is critical. I demand from the ICRC to light the red alarm button of the danger of genocide. Gegham Stepanyan

STEPANAKERT, JULY 12, ARTSAKHPRESS: Artsakh Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Gegham Stepanyan wrote on his Facebook page.

''For a month, Artsakh has been completely cut off from humanitarian access, being literally besieged by Azerbaijan. Since June 15, the intentional and total ban on transportation of food and essential goods by Azerbaijan threatens the lives of 120,000 people of Artsakh. Since yesterday, Azerbaijan has also blocked the two-way transportation of patients and medicines by the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross).

The Russian peacekeepers transport cargo for their maintenance by helicopters, while the entire population of Artsakh is under the threat of starvation, and the international actors do not take any steps other than statements. The international community waits for thousands of people to perish to then hypocritically express its regret.

I demand from the International Committee of the Red Cross to light the red alarm button of the danger of genocide. You can do it.

My people are betrayed by everyone's criminal indifference.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
By Arghavan Shamsara

New Canadian Media

News of influence campaigns by the Chinese government have rocked Canada, but according to at least one new and ambitious civil society group with its focus on the regime in Iran, China shouldnt be Canadian officials only concern.

StopIRGC is a British Columbia-based organization run by Iranian-Canadian lawyers and activists dedicated to investigating what they suspect to be activities by the Government of Irans leading military branchthe Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)on Canadian soil. The group collects evidence on individuals it believes are acting as undercover IRGC operatives inside Canada. It refers suspicious cases to government authorities who then investigate further.

According to the Canada Border Security Agency, 17,800 applications have been reviewed so far for potential inadmissibility. 141 initial cases have been investigated by the CBSA and Immigration Canada. Two referrals have been made to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. Overall, dozens of individuals linked to the Iranian regime have been denied access to Canada. Agencies did not reveal how many of these cases were referred to them by StopIRGC.

According to the U.S. Treasury Department, the IRGC has played a leading role in suppressing recent mass protestsboth inside and outside of Iranover the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died while under the custody of the countrys so called morality police. The crackdown has so far led to the killing of over 537 protestors, including 68 children, according to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights organization.

StopIRGC activists say that many regime critics in Canada have told police that they have been followed, monitored, and threatened. The group has established itself as a leading investigator on how the Corps uses Canada not only for such harassment, but also money laundering.

Canada has become a safe haven for the Islamic Republics money laundering activities. The logical conclusion is that our immigration laws and regulations are not properly applied when it comes to vetting visa applications, says Mojdeh Shahriari, a seasoned lawyer and cofounder of StopIRGC. Based on the numerous reports that we are getting from the public, there are, for example, many companies in Canada that are owned by the family members of lets say high profile IRGC members.

Some of them have immigrated their family members to Canada, who are already doing the dirty money laundering work for them. There are also a network of professionals assisting these activities, including real estate agents, money exchange establishments, and other facilitators, she points out.

In January 2021, a Global News report cites Iranian-Canadian community leaders and anti-money laundering experts as saying that the number of currency exchanges in Torontos heavily Iranian neighbourhoods near Steeles Avenue and Yonge Street went from five to over 70 since 2010.

Shahriari also notes that it is not clear exactly how many Iranian government affiliates may have been expelled from Canada because of StopIRGCs investigations. Once the group reports a case to the authorities, they are usually not kept abreast by officials of subsequent actions. Nonetheless, StopIRGC has been in consistent contact with federal agencies to sound the alarms on questionable activities inside Canada.

According to Ramin Jubin, a practicing lawyer and founding member at StopIRGC, the group has so far received around a thousand reports about different potential IRGC activities in Canada, laying the basis for nearly 300 investigations by the group. The investigators by StopIRGC have thus far submitted 30 reports to relevant authorities such as the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

A CBSA spokesperson confirms getting tips from the group and says it has created a process to ensure any information received is reviewed, tracked, and properly directed. The CBSA declined to comment on specific cases.

The RCMP also confirms that it has received reports of foreign interference being committed by, or at the direction of, the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The public should be aware that foreign states may seek to intimidate or harm communities or individuals within Canada, says an RCMP spokesperson. It is important for all individuals and groups living in Canada, regardless of their nationality, to know that there are support mechanisms in place to assist them when experiencing potential foreign interference or state-backed harassment and intimidation. The spokesperson declined to comment on specific investigations.

Some of the Iranian regimes elements and their financial crimes have already been exposed, Jubin says, upon scrutiny over financial records in other unrelated legal proceedings, including family courts.

Jubin gives the example of one particular case in which an Iranian-Canadian citizen allegedly laundered $10 million for his father and three of his colleagues, who are all IRGC members in Iran. The suspect and his family members have owned at least two money exchange offices in Ontario and Alberta (the latter recently shut down). Stop IRGC tipped authorities off to the matter, which is now working its way through civil court.

In another case, Jubin says that the financial records of a husband was exposed during his divorce process, revealing numerous instances of tax fraud and money laundering for an advisor to the President of Iran and several other individuals in Malaysia.

As a result of such examples, some residence cards and work permits have been revoked, he adds. The aim is to either expel the person from Canada, freeze their assets or take other relevant legal actions against these individuals.

According to Global Affairs Canada, Ottawa has so far sanctioned 156 Iranian individuals and 192 entities, while listing more than 10,000 senior IRGC officials as inadmissible to Canada. Canada has also allocated $76 million to implement sanctions and ensure the government can act more swiftly to seize the Iranian regimes assets.

However, Iranian activists and opposition figures consider these measures insufficient. Considering the large number of Iranian opposition figures and political activists in Canada, the IRGC considers this country a key target for expanding its operations, says Behnam Amini, a Social Sciences Instructor at the University of Toronto.

The IRGCs extensive power has turned it into a state within a state inside Iran, he adds, and any attempt to counter the illegal activities of the Iranian government in different parts of the world must begin with neutralizing the IRGCs function. He thus urges designating the organization as a terrorist entitya move only the United States has made.

What has prevented proscribing the IRGC as a terrorist entity in Canada is not any legal impediment. It is simply a lack of political will on the part of the Trudeau government that this action has not been taken, Shariari says.

The practical importance of listing the IRGC as a terrorist group is that it will subject IRGC members to the Criminal Code of Canada, which can result in their imprisonment. The designation will also make criminal all these economic and investment activities that IRGC members have in Canada.
Shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the twenty brokerages that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eighteen have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $422.04.

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on MA shares. Mizuho dropped their price target on shares of Mastercard from $405.00 to $400.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 2nd. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Mastercard from $414.00 to $442.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Mastercard from $435.00 to $440.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $392.00 to $404.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, Raymond James increased their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $450.00 to $453.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Raj Seshadri sold 5,164 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $373.24, for a total value of $1,927,411.36. Following the sale, the insider now owns 11,164 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,166,851.36. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, insider Raj Seshadri sold 5,164 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $373.24, for a total value of $1,927,411.36. Following the sale, the insider now owns 11,164 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,166,851.36. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 125,816 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $386.28, for a total transaction of $48,600,204.48. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 100,437,277 shares in the company, valued at approximately $38,796,911,359.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 547,243 shares of company stock worth $209,102,122 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Mastercard

Mastercard Price Performance

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BTC Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in Mastercard by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. BTC Capital Management Inc. now owns 24,327 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $9,579,000 after buying an additional 458 shares during the last quarter. Advisory Resource Group grew its position in shares of Mastercard by 5.0% during the 2nd quarter. Advisory Resource Group now owns 1,921 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $756,000 after acquiring an additional 92 shares during the period. Monumental Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Mastercard during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,082,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp grew its position in shares of Mastercard by 236.2% during the 2nd quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 8,384 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $3,297,000 after acquiring an additional 5,890 shares during the period. Finally, Janiczek Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Mastercard by 12.1% during the 2nd quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 824 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $324,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.33% of the companys stock.

Shares of NYSE:MA opened at $397.79 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $377.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.74, a PEG ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.84, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.20. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $379.96 and a 200 day simple moving average of $369.46. Mastercard has a one year low of $276.87 and a one year high of $398.46.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The credit services provider reported $2.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.71 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $5.75 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.64 billion. Mastercard had a net margin of 42.33% and a return on equity of 169.12%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 11.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.76 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Mastercard will post 12.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be given a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.57%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 6th. Mastercards payout ratio is presently 22.78%.

Mastercard Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. It facilitates the processing of payment transactions, including authorization, clearing, and settlement, as well as delivers other payment-related products and services.

Further Reading

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WPP plc (LON:WPP  Get Free Report) has earned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the six research firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 1,145.88 ($14.74).

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on WPP. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on shares of WPP from GBX 1,170 ($15.05) to GBX 1,230 ($15.82) in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of WPP from GBX 1,240 ($15.95) to GBX 1,260 ($16.21) in a report on Friday, April 28th. Credit Suisse Group dropped their target price on shares of WPP from GBX 1,260 ($16.21) to GBX 1,245 ($16.02) in a report on Friday, June 30th. Shore Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of WPP in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of WPP from GBX 890 ($11.45) to GBX 870 ($11.19) in a report on Sunday, July 2nd.

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Insider Transactions at WPP

In other news, insider Joanne Wilson sold 3,744 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 894 ($11.50), for a total transaction of 33,471.36 ($43,061.06). Insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock.

WPP Price Performance

About WPP

Shares of LON WPP opened at GBX 835.80 ($10.75) on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of 8.94 billion, a PE ratio of 1,352.46, a PEG ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 172.61. WPP has a 1-year low of GBX 713 ($9.17) and a 1-year high of GBX 1,082 ($13.92). The company has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 865.58 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 919.04.

(Get 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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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of CIRCOR International (NYSE:CIR  Free Report) in a report released on Sunday morning. The brokerage issued a buy rating on the industrial products companys stock.

A number of other research firms have also recently commented on CIR. Stifel Nicolaus cut shares of CIRCOR International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, June 5th. TheStreet raised shares of CIRCOR International from a d+ rating to a c rating in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $32.33.

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CIRCOR International Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:CIR opened at $56.06 on Friday. CIRCOR International has a 52 week low of $13.26 and a 52 week high of $56.48. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.31 and a beta of 2.39. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $40.82 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $32.15. The company has a quick ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 2.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.10.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On CIRCOR International

CIRCOR International ( NYSE:CIR Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 11th. The industrial products company reported $0.53 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.12 by $0.41. CIRCOR International had a net margin of 5.03% and a return on equity of 34.61%. The firm had revenue of $203.10 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $188.80 million. On average, analysts expect that CIRCOR International will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Dorsey Wright & Associates bought a new stake in shares of CIRCOR International in the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Moody National Bank Trust Division raised its holdings in shares of CIRCOR International by 4.6% in the 2nd quarter. Moody National Bank Trust Division now owns 22,836 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,289,000 after purchasing an additional 997 shares in the last quarter. Credit Suisse AG raised its holdings in shares of CIRCOR International by 10.0% in the 2nd quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 14,690 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $241,000 after purchasing an additional 1,335 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its holdings in shares of CIRCOR International by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 185,617 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $3,061,000 after purchasing an additional 1,372 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers raised its holdings in shares of CIRCOR International by 5.3% in the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 52,271 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,391,000 after purchasing an additional 2,648 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.64% of the companys stock.

About CIRCOR International

(Get Free Report)

CIRCOR International, Inc designs, manufactures, and distributes flow and motion control products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, and internationally. The company has a product portfolio of brands serving its customers' demanding applications. It operates through two segments, Aerospace & Defense and Industrial.

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Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. (OTCMKTS:TKGSY  Get Free Report) and Snam (OTCMKTS:SNMRF  Get Free Report) are both utilities companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, earnings, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, profitability, valuation and dividends.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

0.1% of Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 22.6% of Snam shares are held by institutional investors. 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

Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. pays an annual dividend of $0.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.4%. Snam pays an annual dividend of $0.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.0%. Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. pays out 0.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Snam pays out 61.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. N/A N/A N/A Snam N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Ratings

This table compares Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. and Snams net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. and Snam, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. 0 2 0 0 2.00 Snam 0 3 3 0 2.50

Snam has a consensus target price of $5.18, suggesting a potential upside of 4.50%. Given Snams stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Snam is more favorable than Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd..

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. and Snams top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. N/A N/A N/A $197.62 0.06 Snam N/A N/A N/A $0.33 15.16

Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Snam, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Snam beats Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd. on 6 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd.

(Get Free Report)

Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. engages in the production, supply, and sale of city and liquid gas, and LNG in Japan. The company operates through five segments: Gas, Electric Power, Overseas, Energy Related, and Real Estate. It offers engineering solutions; gas installation work and construction; and gas pipelines services, as well as engages in gas appliances business. The company is also involved in overseas resource development and investment, and energy supply activities; city gas and LNG sales business household, commercial and industrial use, as well as use for power generation and other purposes; and electric power business. In addition, it engages in the real estate development activities; and leasing and management of land and buildings. The company was incorporated in 1885 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

About Snam

(Get Free Report)

Snam S.p.A., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of natural gas transport and storage infrastructure in Italy. The company operates through Transportation, Storage, Regasification, Energy Transition, and other segments. It provides natural gas transportation and dispatching services; and owns and manages LNG regasification plants. The company also offers natural gas storage services through an integrated group of infrastructure comprising deposits, wells, gas treatment and compression plants, and the operational dispatching systems; and operates storage concessions in Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and in Abruzzo. In addition, it engages in the rental and maintenance of fibre optic telecommunications cables, as well as energy efficiency solutions for residential, industrial, tertiary, and public administration sectors; and management of biogas and biomethane plants. Further, the company offers engineering and project management services. It also operates in Albania, Saudi Arabia, Austria, China, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, France, Greece, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The company was formerly known as Snam Rete Gas S.p.A. and changed its name to Snam S.p.A. in January 2012. Snam S.p.A. was founded in 1941 and is headquartered in San Donato Milanese, Italy.

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International Paper (NYSE:IP  Get Free Report) was downgraded by research analysts at Bank of America from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, MarketBeat reports. They presently have a $33.00 target price on the basic materials companys stock, down from their previous target price of $35.00. Bank of Americas target price suggests a potential upside of 4.10% from the stocks current price.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently commented on IP. Royal Bank of Canada raised International Paper from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $40.00 to $39.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price target on International Paper from $31.00 to $27.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. StockNews.com cut International Paper from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, July 7th. 51job reissued a maintains rating on shares of International Paper in a report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price objective on International Paper from $40.00 to $33.00 in a research report on Friday, June 30th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, International Paper has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $36.00.

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International Paper Price Performance

Shares of NYSE IP opened at $31.70 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $11.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.78 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. International Paper has a 1-year low of $29.00 and a 1-year high of $45.17. The businesss 50 day moving average is $31.44 and its 200-day moving average is $34.74.

Insider Buying and Selling

International Paper ( NYSE:IP Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The basic materials company reported $0.53 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by $0.04. International Paper had a return on equity of 14.87% and a net margin of 6.28%. The company had revenue of $5.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.03 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.76 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that International Paper will post 2.3 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, SVP Allison B. Magness sold 3,300 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.75, for a total value of $104,775.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 21,055 shares of the companys stock, valued at $668,496.25. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.51% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of International Paper

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its holdings in shares of International Paper by 6.6% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 51,817 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $2,391,000 after acquiring an additional 3,209 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. grew its holdings in International Paper by 4.5% during the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 8,660 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $399,000 after purchasing an additional 369 shares during the period. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in International Paper by 45.5% during the first quarter. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. now owns 675 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 211 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. bought a new position in International Paper during the first quarter valued at $206,000. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. grew its holdings in International Paper by 1.6% during the first quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 41,970 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,947,000 after purchasing an additional 676 shares during the period. 85.80% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

International Paper Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

International Paper Company produces renewable fiber-based packaging and pulp products in North America, Latin America, Europe, and North Africa. It operates through Industrial Packaging and Global Cellulose Fibers segment. The company's Industrial Packaging segment manufactures containerboards, including linerboard, medium, whitetop, recycled linerboard, recycled medium, and saturating kraft.

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Stock analysts at Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of CAVA Group (NYSE:CAVA  Get Free Report) in a report issued on Monday, MarketBeat reports. The brokerage set a buy rating and a $48.00 price target on the stock. Jefferies Financial Groups price target suggests a potential upside of 5.69% from the stocks current price.

A number of other analysts also recently commented on the company. Citigroup started coverage on CAVA Group in a research report on Monday. They set a neutral rating and a $42.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on CAVA Group in a research report on Monday. They set an overweight rating and a $45.00 price target for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $45.86.

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CAVA Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:CAVA opened at $45.42 on Monday. CAVA Group has a 52-week low of $36.45 and a 52-week high of $47.89.

Insider Activity at CAVA Group

CAVA Group Company Profile

In other news, insider Kenneth Robert Bertram acquired 2,295 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $22.00 per share, with a total value of $50,490.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now directly owns 1,500 shares in the company, valued at $33,000. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link . In other CAVA Group news, CFO Tricia K. Tolivar bought 2,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $22.00 per share, for a total transaction of $55,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 2,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $55,000. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . Also, insider Kenneth Robert Bertram acquired 2,295 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $22.00 per share, with a total value of $50,490.00. Following the acquisition, the insider now directly owns 1,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $33,000. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . In the last quarter, insiders acquired 9,295 shares of company stock valued at $204,490.

(Get Free Report)

CAVA Group, Inc owns and operates a chain of Mediterranean restaurants. The company offers salads, dips, spreads, toppings, and dressings. It sells its products through whole food markets and grocery stores. The company also provides online food ordering services. Cava Group, Inc was founded in 2006 and is based in Washington, District of Columbia.

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Jennison Associates LLC reduced its position in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 19.7% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 3,786,656 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 926,155 shares during the period. Jennison Associates LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $108,298,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bard Financial Services Inc. grew its stake in shares of Bank of America by 1.8% during the first quarter. Bard Financial Services Inc. now owns 246,405 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $7,047,000 after purchasing an additional 4,375 shares during the period. Lindbrook Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Bank of America by 246.5% during the first quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 173,023 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,948,000 after purchasing an additional 123,091 shares during the period. Arlington Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Bank of America by 3.2% during the first quarter. Arlington Partners LLC now owns 22,710 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $650,000 after purchasing an additional 711 shares during the period. Proffitt & Goodson Inc. grew its stake in shares of Bank of America by 38.8% during the first quarter. Proffitt & Goodson Inc. now owns 32,414 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $927,000 after purchasing an additional 9,066 shares during the period. Finally, MV Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Bank of America by 16.3% during the first quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. now owns 14,242 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $407,000 after purchasing an additional 2,001 shares during the period. 67.34% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently commented on BAC. Oppenheimer lifted their price objective on Bank of America from $44.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Evercore ISI decreased their price objective on Bank of America from $36.00 to $35.00 in a research note on Friday, May 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Bank of America from $38.00 to $34.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Bank of America from $32.00 to $33.00 in a report on Friday, July 7th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on Bank of America from $34.00 to $35.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Bank of America presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $36.72.

Bank of America Stock Up 1.3 %

Shares of BAC stock opened at $29.03 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13. Bank of America Co. has a 1 year low of $26.32 and a 1 year high of $38.60. The firms fifty day moving average price is $28.41 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $30.78. The firm has a market capitalization of $231.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.72, a PEG ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.35.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.83 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $26.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $25.28 billion. Bank of America had a net margin of 21.85% and a return on equity of 11.72%. The companys revenue was up 13.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.80 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Bank of America Co. will post 3.41 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bank of America Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 1st. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.03%. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is presently 26.43%.

About Bank of America

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. Its Consumer Banking segment offers traditional and money market savings accounts, certificates of deposit and IRAs, noninterest-and interest-bearing checking accounts, and investment accounts and products; and credit and debit cards, residential mortgages, and home equity loans, as well as direct and indirect loans, such as automotive, recreational vehicle, and consumer personal loans.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC  Free Report).

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StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Laboratory Co. of America (NYSE:LH  Free Report) in a research note released on Saturday. The firm issued a buy rating on the medical research companys stock.

LH has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their target price on Laboratory Co. of America from $265.00 to $240.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Mizuho decreased their price objective on Laboratory Co. of America from $277.00 to $257.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 16th. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Laboratory Co. of America from $260.00 to $235.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on Laboratory Co. of America from $285.00 to $275.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. Finally, Credit Suisse Group decreased their price objective on Laboratory Co. of America from $304.00 to $288.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 13th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Laboratory Co. of America currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $273.50.

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Laboratory Co. of America Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE LH opened at $211.74 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $221.87 and a 200 day moving average price of $231.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 1.46 and a current ratio of 1.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $18.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.21 and a beta of 1.06. Laboratory Co. of America has a 52-week low of $200.32 and a 52-week high of $263.13.

Insider Activity at Laboratory Co. of America

Laboratory Co. of America ( NYSE:LH Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The medical research company reported $3.82 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.99 by ($0.17). The company had revenue of $3.78 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.70 billion. Laboratory Co. of America had a return on equity of 15.56% and a net margin of 6.78%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 3.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $6.11 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Laboratory Co. of America will post 16.83 earnings per share for the current year.

In related news, EVP Der Vaart Sandra D. Van sold 212 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total value of $50,880.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 7,605 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,825,200. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Der Vaart Sandra D. Van sold 212 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total transaction of $50,880.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 7,605 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,825,200. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, COO Mark S. Schroeder sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $216.77, for a total transaction of $325,155.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 6,687 shares in the company, valued at $1,449,540.99. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 6,012 shares of company stock valued at $1,308,748 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.65% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. First Hawaiian Bank purchased a new position in Laboratory Co. of America in the 4th quarter valued at about $602,000. Gabelli Funds LLC lifted its stake in Laboratory Co. of America by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC now owns 54,270 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $12,780,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. SVB Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Laboratory Co. of America in the 4th quarter worth approximately $253,000. D.A. Davidson & CO. lifted its stake in Laboratory Co. of America by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 8,628 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $2,032,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. lifted its stake in Laboratory Co. of America by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 7,692 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,812,000 after purchasing an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. 87.75% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Laboratory Co. of America

(Get 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.

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Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (NYSE:PAA  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the sixteen ratings firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $15.68.

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on PAA. StockNews.com began coverage on Plains All American Pipeline in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Barclays upped their price objective on Plains All American Pipeline from $13.00 to $15.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on Plains All American Pipeline from $13.00 to $14.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, March 24th. Truist Financial increased their target price on Plains All American Pipeline from $15.00 to $17.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Plains All American Pipeline from $16.00 to $17.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 25th.

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Plains All American Pipeline Stock Performance

Shares of PAA stock opened at $14.51 on Wednesday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $13.45 and its 200 day moving average price is $12.87. Plains All American Pipeline has a 1-year low of $9.48 and a 1-year high of $14.72. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.13 billion, a PE ratio of 10.59 and a beta of 1.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.95 and a quick ratio of 0.87.

Plains All American Pipeline Announces Dividend

Plains All American Pipeline ( NYSE:PAA Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 5th. The pipeline company reported $0.41 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $12.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.43 billion. Plains All American Pipeline had a return on equity of 10.39% and a net margin of 2.18%. Plains All American Pipelines quarterly revenue was down 9.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.31 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Plains All American Pipeline will post 1.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 14th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.2675 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 28th. This represents a $1.07 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.37%. Plains All American Pipelines dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 70.40%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Gradient Investments LLC bought a new position in Plains All American Pipeline during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System lifted its holdings in Plains All American Pipeline by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 472,082 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $6,656,000 after buying an additional 14,262 shares during the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC bought a new position in Plains All American Pipeline during the 1st quarter worth approximately $524,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Plains All American Pipeline by 11.9% in the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 26,256 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $327,000 after purchasing an additional 2,800 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Plains All American Pipeline by 55.0% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 8,147,138 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $101,595,000 after purchasing an additional 2,892,097 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 41.79% of the companys stock.

About Plains All American Pipeline

(Get Free Report

Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., through its subsidiaries, engages in the pipeline transportation, terminalling, storage, and gathering of crude oil and natural gas liquids (NGL) in the United States and Canada. The company operates in two segments, Crude Oil and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL). The Crude Oil segment offers gathering and transporting crude oil through pipelines, gathering systems, trucks, and at times on barges or railcars.

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By Catherine Sas, K.C.

Special to The Post

The introduction of the Tech Talent Strategy by Canadas Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) last month brought lots of good news for Start Up Visa (SUV) applicants including extending the work permit validity period from one year to three years, allowing for open work permits for individuals to work in Canada other than in their own businesses and also extending these perks to all the members of the SUV team rather than only for essential members. IRCC Minister Sean Frasers announcement is meant to alleviate situations of hardship for SUV applicants facing long processing times for their permanent residence applications and also enables Canadian employers to benefit from the skills of applicants already in Canada.

How does the SUV program fit into the Ministers Tech Talent Strategy? When the SUV economic immigration stream was first introduced as a pilot program in 2013, the goal was to attract start-up business ventures that featured innovative (ie. technological) ideas that would kick start Canadas economy. As part of Canadas business immigration program, it was established to replace the suspended Investor and Entrepreneur programs. Technology and IT companies are a huge driver of the economy and this program seeks to encourage forward thinking entrepreneurs to immigrate to Canada. (For a detailed explanation of the SUV program see our blog from May 12, 2020 - https://canadian-visa-lawyer.com/canadas-business-immigration-programs-remain-limited/ ).

The key aspects of the June 27, 2023 announcement for SUV applicants are as follows:

* Allow SUV applicants to obtain a work permit valid for up to three years

rather than one year validity.

* Allow for SUV applicants to apply for an open work permit rather

than a closed work permit for only their own start-up venture.

* Allow these work permit options for ALL members of the SUV team and

not just those designated as essential.

* Prioritize applications for SUV applicants supported by a business incubator,

venture capital fund or angel investor fund.

(For a comprehensive review of the Ministers Tech Talent Strategy please see our blog of June 27, 2023 - https://canadian-visa-lawyer.com/canada-goes-all-out-to-attract-technology-workers/ .

While the initial uptake of the SUV program was slow, it was picking up just prior to COVID-19. By October of 2021, the department had a pending caseload of approximately 6,700 SUV applications for permanent residence. This backlog has increased to an estimated 15,000 applicants. The combination of increased applications coupled with reduced processing times (due to COVID-19 restrictions) predictably lead to an increased delay in finalizing applications for permanent residence to Canada for SUV applicants. Recognizing this reality, Minster Frasers changes for SUV work permits is a positive development for those wanting to work in Canada while waiting to obtain permanent residence.

For a full list of our blogs on the Start Up Visa program see here:

 "The 5 Ws of Immigrating to Canada: Considerations for Prospective Immigrants" - 13 July 2022

 "The Absence of a Meaningful Business Immigration Program: Canadas Lost Opportunity" - 22 January 2022

 How can Business Persons Obtain Permanent Residence in Canada? - 17 November 2021

 "Entrepreneur alert  What are your Canadian business immigration options?" - 11 November 2021

 "Canadas Business Immigration Program: The Start Up Visa and Self Employed Class" - 12 May 2020

 "Business Immigrants: Canada is not open for business" - 22 May 2018

 Im a self employed business person. Can I immigrate to Canada? - 6 September 2016

Catherine Sas, K.C. has over 30 years of legal experience. She provides a full range of immigration services and is a leading immigration practitioner (Lexpert, Whos Who Legal, Best Lawyers in Canada). Go to canadian-visa-lawyer.com or email catherine@sasanding.com.
Rio Tinto Group (LON:RIO  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the eight brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have given a hold recommendation and five have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 6,176.67 ($79.46).

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an underweight rating on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a research report on Tuesday, June 6th. Barclays dropped their target price on Rio Tinto Group from GBX 6,700 ($86.20) to GBX 6,400 ($82.34) and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Monday. Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a report on Monday, July 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,000 ($64.33) to GBX 5,100 ($65.61) in a report on Friday, July 7th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Rio Tinto Group to a buy rating and dropped their target price for the stock from GBX 6,200 ($79.76) to GBX 6,000 ($77.19) in a report on Monday, June 5th.

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Insider Activity at Rio Tinto Group

In related news, insider Ngaire Woods purchased 500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 11th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 4,921 ($63.31) per share, with a total value of 24,605 ($31,654.44). In other Rio Tinto Group news, insider Ngaire Woods bought 500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 11th. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 4,921 ($63.31) per share, for a total transaction of 24,605 ($31,654.44). Also, insider Peter Cunningham sold 5 shares of Rio Tinto Group stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 5,586 ($71.86), for a total value of 279.30 ($359.32). 14.67% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Rio Tinto Group Trading Up 2.0 %

About Rio Tinto Group

RIO stock opened at GBX 5,044.63 ($64.90) on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 23.47, a current ratio of 1.63 and a quick ratio of 1.34. The company has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 5,005.14 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 5,486.07. Rio Tinto Group has a one year low of GBX 4,424.50 ($56.92) and a one year high of GBX 6,406 ($82.41). The stock has a market cap of 63.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 836.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.64 and a beta of 0.71.

(Get Free Report

Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. It offers aluminum, copper, iron ore, diamonds, gold, borates, titanium dioxide, salt, silver, molybdenum, and lithium. The company also owns and operates open pit and underground mines, refineries, smelters, and concentrator facilities, as well as power stations, research, and service facilities.

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Travis Perkins plc (LON:TPK  Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the ten analysts that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have given a hold recommendation and four have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is GBX 1,050.33 ($13.51).

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Numis Securities reiterated a hold rating and issued a GBX 935 ($12.03) price target on shares of Travis Perkins in a report on Friday, June 16th. Barclays lowered their price objective on Travis Perkins from GBX 965 ($12.41) to GBX 850 ($10.94) and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, June 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on Travis Perkins from GBX 1,250 ($16.08) to GBX 1,200 ($15.44) and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, June 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on Travis Perkins from GBX 850 ($10.94) to GBX 780 ($10.03) and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, June 19th. Finally, Shore Capital reissued a sell rating on shares of Travis Perkins in a research report on Monday, June 19th.

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Travis Perkins Trading Up 2.5 %

Shares of LON:TPK opened at GBX 824.80 ($10.61) on Wednesday. Travis Perkins has a 12-month low of GBX 707.80 ($9.11) and a 12-month high of GBX 1,082.50 ($13.93). The businesss fifty day simple moving average is GBX 868.54 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 937.52. The company has a market capitalization of 1.75 billion, a PE ratio of 903.82, a P/E/G ratio of 6.44 and a beta of 1.48. The company has a current ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 50.15.

Travis Perkins Company Profile

Travis Perkins plc engages in distribution of building material products in the United Kingdom. It operates through Merchanting and Toolstation segments. The company supplies tools and building materials. It also distributes pipeline related products, as well as provides heating solutions. In addition, the company engages in civils and drainage related services.

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Xiaomi Co. (OTCMKTS:XIACF  Get Free Report) fell 2% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $1.38 and last traded at $1.40. 497 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 96% from the average session volume of 12,594 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.43.

Xiaomi Price Performance

The firms 50-day moving average price is $1.38 and its 200-day moving average price is $1.48.

Xiaomi Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Xiaomi Corporation, an investment holding company, provides hardware and software services in Mainland China and internationally. It operates through Smartphones, IoT and Lifestyle Products, Internet Services, and Others segments. The Smartphones segment sells smartphones. The IoT and Lifestyle Products segment offers smart TVs, laptops, AI speakers, and smart routers; various IoT and other smart hardware products; and lifestyle products.

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South Korean chief nuclear negotiator Kim Gunn, center, poses for a photo with his U.S. counterpart, Sung Kim, right, and Japanese counterpart, Takehiro Funakoshi, prior to talks on North Korea's denuclearization at the foreign ministry in Seoul on April 7. Yonhap



The top generals of South Korea, the United States and Japan have condemned North Korea's latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch and stressed the importance of three-way cooperation during their talks in Hawaii, Seoul's military said Wednesday.



Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Gen. Kim Seung-kyum and his U.S. and Japanese counterparts, Gen. Mark Milley and Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida, respectively, held the talks Tuesday (local time) as Pyongyang conducted its first ICBM launch in about three months.



"The three chiefs of defense condemn the DPRK's provocative actions, which highlight the importance of the trilateral commitment in the face of a blatant DPRK threat," the JCS said in a press release. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.



Their talks coincided with the North's latest missile launch, and the military leaders "coordinated in real-time to develop bilateral and trilateral response options to enhance the security of the Korean Peninsula and the region," the JCS said.



The meeting touched on regional security challenges, including the North's "destabilizing" activities, and opportunities for increased trilateral cooperation for regional peace, while Milley reaffirmed the U.S.' commitment to defending its Asian allies, according to the JCS.



"The ROK-U.S. and U.S.-Japan alliances are essential to maintaining regional peace and stability and to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific," it said.



The meeting was also attended by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander Adm. John C. Aquilino, U.S. Forces Korea commander Gen. Paul J. LaCamera, and U.S. Forces Japan commander Lt. Gen. Ricky N. Rupp. (Yonhap)


Angola, IN (46703)

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The actor played the transgender character Zoe on the daytime TV series, and also appeared on Broadway and in films

Simon Russell/Getty Actor Jeffrey Carlson poses at the Shelter Theater in 2012.

Jeffrey Carlson, who played the groundbreaking transgender character Zoe in All My Children, died Thursday at age 48.

Actress Susan Hart shared the news on Facebook Friday: "For those of you that dont know, Im very sorry to share the news that Jeffrey passed away yesterday. I have been respectful of his familys privacy in not sharing the news sooner also could not breathe or function still cant love to all just devastated."

Carlson's sister Elizabeth Carlson Gingras also shared a statement with PEOPLE on Monday: "My handsome, brilliant, EXTREMELY talented brother Jeffrey Carlson has gone to be with our brother Gregory Carlson in heaven. I cant wrap my head around why this has happened. What I do know is that I will forever cherish our laughs and the deep love we have for each other. He has left such an impact on so many people, its so hard to find the words to express how special he was. I have so much to say but my heart isnt well enough to provide Jeffrey with the words he deserves. I love you so, so much my beautiful brother. 6/23/1975-7/06/2023"

Related: Paying Tribute to the Celebrities Who Have Died in 2023

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed Carlson's passing to PEOPLE on Monday, noting that the cause and manner of death was still pending.

Time Out New York theater editor Adam Feldman weighed in on Carlson's death on Saturday via Twitter.

"RIP Jeffrey Carlson, 48, exposed-nerve star of Broadway (Billy in The Goat, Marilyn in Taboo) and TV (the groundbreaking trans character Zoe on All My Children). A powerful actor and a painful loss," Feldman wrote, adding that he first saw the actor in Lee Blessing's Thief River.

"It was clear he was something special," he added.

The actor, who starred in 59 episodes of the soap opera starting in 2006, per IMDb, also appeared on Broadway in such roles as Billy in Edward Albee's The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? and Marilyn in Taboo. He also took on several film and TV projects during his career, including the 2005 comedy Hitch.

Devastated beyond measure to hear of the passing of the beautiful and gifted Jeffrey Carlson, Eden Riegel, who played Bianca on AMC, wrote on Twitter. I feel fortunate to have called this kind soul a friend and see his brilliant work up close. Gone far too soon  an unimaginable loss. Love you, Jeffrey. Rest friend.

Bryan Bedder/Getty Actor Jeffrey Carlson attends the GLAAD Media Awards in 2007.

As Broadway World noted, Carlson was from Long Beach, California, and attended the University of California at Davis before graduating from New York's Juilliard School in 2001.

He first appeared on All My Children in August 2006 as a British rock star named Zarf, before returning to the show with the name Zoe.

As the actor explained on The View at the time, he got a call months after his first taping about the updated storyline, and eventually spoke with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) to prepare.

"I'm learning new stuff every day, and we're just filming those episodes right now where Zoe decides to tell the world that she's herself," he said. "It takes her a long time, possibly 25 to 30 years of her life to have the courage."

Related: Lawrence Turman, Oscar-Nominated Producer of 'The Graduate,' Dead at 96

In 2007, Carlson told PEOPLE that the role was meant to "cause a conversation."

"Members of the transgender community are talking with the regular posters on the All My Children chat rooms," he said. "I got a letter from an 11-year-old girl. It said, 'Its cool youre going to become a girl. Then we will have stuff in common.'"

"I met several people in the transgender community, and one became someone I can talk to on a regular basis," he added. "Talking to her started to enlighten me. She was so open about telling her story."

Executive producer Julie Hanan Carruthers spoke about the news of Carlson's character being trans in November 2006, per Broadway World, adding that the series "has a longstanding commitment to telling socially relevant stories that entertain and inform." At the time, the outlet noted that Zoe's inclusion in the show marked the "first time any daytime drama has chronicled a transgender coming out story"

Related: From Kelly Ripa to Michael B. Jordan: 'All My Children'' s A-List Alumni

The Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. also paid tribute to Carlson, reflecting on his "memorable performances" in Lorenzaccio in 2005, Hamlet in 2007, Free for All in 2008, and Romeo and Juliet in 2016.

"STC is saddened to learn of the recent passing of Jeffrey Carlson. Jeffrey gave beautiful and nuanced performances during his career which took him from television and film to Broadway and, fortunately for us, to STC," the company shared on Facebook. "We send our love to Jeffrey's friends, family and colleagues, those who knew and loved him dearest."

STC quoted Hamlet when remembering the late actor: "Good night, sweet prince, and may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."



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NewJeans Minji showed off her alluring charm. On the 10th, ADOR, her agency, released the cover of the magazine VOGUE KOREA decorated by Minji.

Minji is currently working as an official ambassador for a luxury brand and took part in this pictorial.
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission has been ordered by lawmakers to look into the feasibility of a spaceport in the Natural State. (Photo Videvo)
An 11-year-old girl from Noosa has died after contracting influenza B.

An 11-year-old Queensland girl who died after catching Influenza B has been identified.

Emma Schwab, from Noosa, died last Thursday in Sunshine Coast University Hospital after contracting the disease.

Its understood she had sought private treatment for the illness before presenting to hospital.

A spokesperson for Sunshine Coast University Hospital extended condolences to the girls family in a statement on Wednesday.

Emma was just 11 when she died

Their experience is heartbreaking for everyone involved, the spokesperson said.

Our clinicians are providing support to the family.

However, the hospital declined to comment on the individual circumstances of the matter.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help her devastated parents pay for her funeral.

Understandably the family is torn apart and any support would be greatly appreciated, the organiser wrote.

The fund is only a few hundred dollars away from its $10,000 goal.

Friends and family have taken to social media to express their sorrow at her passing.

The news comes just a day after it was reported a Year 9 student on the NSW Central Coast also died from the influenza B strain.

Her school, St Josephs Catholic College in East Gosford, remembered the girl as a a well-loved student, thoughtful to the needs of others, a true friend and a valued member of our college community, in a letter to parents.

Both deaths come just days after a reported 37 per cent increase in NSW emergency department presentations with influenza-like illness, and a 30 per cent increase in admissions to hospital in the week to July 2, compared to the previous week.

Children under 16 represented about half (54 per cent) of all ED presentations for influenza-like illness, and more than a third (around 40 per cent) of all influenza-like illness hospital admissions in the past week.

Australians are still being urged to get their flu vaccination. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

The latest fortnightly Australian Influenza Surveillance Report (AISR), covering June 12-25 and published on June 30, showed in the year to June 25 there were 116,473 notifications reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) in Australia.

Of those, 29,315 notifications were diagnosed in that reporting fortnight alone.

The report also covers vaccination rates, however, its too early in the flu season to be able to chart their effectiveness.

A Queensland Health fact sheet on influenza says while there are four strains of the virus (A-D), A and B strains are the most likely to cause flu outbreaks, with C in only some rare cases, while D only affects animals.

Greater protection against influenza infection is observed in people who receive yearly influenza vaccination compared to those who did not receive any influenza vaccination, it reads.

In May, three-year-old Muhammed Saadiq died in Perths Fiona Stanley Hospital after suffering cardiac arrest caused by an influenza A infection.
NATCHITOCHES, La. - The Natchitoches Police Department is asking the public for help in locating a suspected killer.
The saga began in 2021 when Miranda Dickson had the door to her Drummond Place property painted pink

An Edinburgh resident known as the pink door woman is facing a fresh row with her local council after neighbours complained the repainted entrance to her home is not off-white.

Miranda Dickson, 48, has been threatened with a 20,000 fine as part of a long-running row over the shade of the door to her Georgian home in the citys New Town, a Unesco-listed heritage site.

The saga began in 2021 when Ms Dickson, a mother of two, had the door to the Drummond Place property, which she inherited from her parents, painted bright pink.

She received a notice ordering her to change the colour as it did not meet the requirements of a world heritage site home.

Ms Dickson painted it green, but a planning application to approve that change was rejected.

She then changed the colour to what she claimed was off-white, but is facing a new investigation after it was claimed the colour is actually pink.

I am speechless that someone has complained about this colour, as far as I was concerned this chapter in my life was closed, Ms Dickson, 48, a brand director in the drinks industry, told the BBC.

The colour evolution of the front door - Google Street View/SWNS

Im shocked and distraught about it. It is definitely not the same colour as it was originally painted - its an off-white. I feel bullied and that it has now become personal.

Ms Dickson originally had the door professionally repainted while carrying out renovations on the property, which was her childhood home.

She received an enforcement notice last year telling her to change the door back to its original white, or apply for planning permission.

After an appeal failed, she applied for planning permission to paint it green and carried out the work before a ruling. But planners turned down the request, leading to her to change it to the off-white shade.

Council needs to act with more clarity over paint colour

In the latest twist, a new investigation has been launched over claims the door has become pink once again.

Properties on Drummond Place are highly sought-after, with homes close to Ms Dicksons selling for more than 2 million.

She has said she is confused about the councils rules as there are many other brightly coloured doors in the area, including red, blue and yellow.

However, the council said that it can only investigate when it receives a complaint.

Its not like my door is in a bad condition, Ms Dickson said. It costs a lot of money to have the front door painted because they are very large. The council needs to act with more clarity over paint colour.

A City of Edinburgh Council spokesman said: We have received a complaint alleging that the door has been repainted pink. Were currently looking into this and so cant say more at this time.
The City of Auburn Summer Concert Series kicked off Tuesday with performing artists Mark Doyle and the Maniacs at Hoopes Park. The Auburn Music Boosters, Real Pit BBQ, Poppy's Ice Cream and Muzzi's D'Italia Ice served food and beverages. All concerts are free and open to the public. For a full schedule of city concerts this summer, click here.
PRNewswire

New Delhi [India], July 12: Creta Class, a math app for kids, has been honored with the prestigious Leading AI-Enabled Math App for Early Learners Award at the World Education Summit held in New Delhi on July 4th and 5th. This recognition highlights the app's innovative approach in providing immersive and interactive math courses that cultivate children's passion for learning.

Also Read | Mission Impossible-Dead Reckoning Part One Ending Explained: Decoding the Climax to Tom Cruise's Actioner and How it Sets Up the Sequel! (SPOILER ALERT).

The World Education Summit 2023 serves as a global platform that celebrates advancements and initiatives in the education sector. It brings together education experts, thought leaders, and professionals from around the world to recognize excellence in educational technology and solutions.

By utilizing a breakthrough teaching model, Creta Class integrates AI tech and educational expertise to enhance children's math skills and confidence. Tailerd to the needs of children aged 3 to 8, Creta Class provids systematic courses that are divided into five levels, creating a progressive learning environment that captivates and challenges young learners.

Also Read | Asia Cup 2023 Schedule Finalised, India Not Going to Pakistan, Says IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal.

Parent Rajesh from Bangalore, who works at an IT company, says, "Considering our busy work schedules, my wife and I wanted our child to be engaged in learning. Since using Creta Class, I have noticed significant progress in my child's logical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. My child enjoys collecting coins and actively participating in various features of the app. Creta Class has become her favorite learning platform."

Another parent, Rakasha, who is a software engineer, observes noticeable changes and improvements in her child's skills. Due to a better understanding of necessary concepts, her child has progressed from Lower Kindergarten (LKG) to Upper Kindergarten (UKG). Creta Class focuses on decision-making skills and helps children comprehend and apply concepts in mental calculations faster than using a calculator.

"All parents want their children to excel in math. Creta Class has greatly enhanced my child's interest and attention in learning through interesting story formats, ample practice quizzes, and responsible mentors. Her enthusiasm for solving math problems has been ignited," mentioned Prativa, a product analyst, a parent from Bangalore.

Amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic, home-schooling has become a significant undertaking for parents. Creta Class offers a convenient alternative, enabling children to follow a regular schedule and access classes through handheld devices. The app can be downloaded for free on both iOS and Android platforms, with additional lessons available for purchase within the app.

"Creta Class is thrilled to receive the Leading AI-Enabled Math App for Early Learners Award at the World Education Summit," said Carlton Kuo, CEO of Creta Class. "We are committed to understanding and guiding young children's cognitive development, cultivating their enthusiasm for learning, and providing them with a step-by-step exploration of the world of mathematics."

Creta Class has positioned itself as a frontrunner in the education industry, aiming to bring forth further growth for the company and students alike. By prioritizing young children's cognitive development and fostering a passion for learning, Creta Class is set to make a lasting impact on children's education.

Creta Class is a leading AI-enabled math app for early learners (ages 3-8). Developed by education experts, the app offers immersive and interactive math courses that engage and inspire children. With a comprehensive curriculum comprising 240 lessons, 1,200 animations, and 12,000 interactive exercises, Creta Class cultivates a passion for learning and supports children's all-around development.

Media Contact: press@cretaclass. com

(Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

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NewsVoir

New Delhi [India], July 12: Moscow has become a culinary paradise as the city has geared up to host the eagerly awaited "Tastes of Russia" gastronomic festival from 7th to 16th July. This 10-day event organised in the frames of Moscow Seasons project is allowing visitors from around the world, including India, to explore the rich culinary traditions of Russia. The Moscow Seasons project is an initiative that unveils the beauty of Russian culture and history to visitors from around the world.

Also Read | Maharashtra Cabinet Portfolio Allocation: Allocation of Portfolios to Nationalist Congress Party Ministers Expected by July 13.

From the iconic Kazan pilaf with chicken, and Ryazan Kurnik (chicken pie), to the savoury delights of Nizhny Novgorod okroshka, the food festival is offering a range of gastronomical pleasures. This culinary event offers not only the chance to savour exquisite Russian delicacies but also to learn the art of preparing them. Expert chefs are unveiling the secrets behind these time-honoured recipes through an array of 550 master classes and cooking shows tailored to suit all levels of culinary expertise.

The festival also features rare and exotic products such as apples from Stavropol, lamb from Dagestan, cedar milk from Tomsk, Altai cheeses, and succulent crabs from Murmansk. More than 300 passionate producers from 70 regions of Russia are participating to showcase their finest offerings at the event.

Also Read | Homosexuality Very Common Among Male Monkeys Who Indulge More in Gay Sex Than Straight Sex: Study.

Children will not be bored either as the Young Farmer's School is present at the event to teach them the basics of beekeeping, vegetable growing and cheese-making. They are also getting the opportunity to practise traditional Tula Pryanik (Tula gingerbread) painting. Moreover, traditional songs and dances of Russias diverse ethnic groups are being presented on Manezhnaya Square throughout the event. Also, the mesmerising sounds produced by the hand-crafted mouth harp Khakass Khomus is keeping the visitors enthralled.

Guests from India can taste unique treats at 25 venues across the city, with Manezhnaya Square taking centre stage as the main venue.

(Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 12 (ANI): The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre presents 'RUN AS SLOW AS YOU CAN' by TOILETPAPER, an immersive and unique visual art exhibition that makes its India debut. After the successful opening of the Cultural Centres inaugural visual art exhibit, Sangam/Confluence, this will be the second show presented within their art space.

The exhibition showcases the work of the renowned Italian creative studio and image-based magazine TOILETPAPER, founded by Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari in 2010. This show is curated by Mafalda Millies and Roya Sachs of TRIADIC and marks TOILETPAPERs largest show to date and Cattelan and Ferraris debut in India.

Also Read | Sturgeon Moon in August 2023 Date: Know the Time, Visibility, Meaning and Significance of the Supermoon.

The exhibition will open at the Art House  the Cultural Centres dedicated visual art space  on Saturday, July 22, and remain on view through October 22.

TOILETPAPER is an image-only magazine and creative studio founded and run by Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari in 2010.

Also Read | Northern Lights in the US 2023 Dates: From New York to Alaska, Geomagnetic Storms Expected To Create Rare Auroras in Various US States on July 11 and 12.

TOILETPAPER: RUN AS SLOW AS YOU CAN presents a captivating, immersive display of Cattelan and Ferrari's ever-evolving, oversaturated, hyperreal universe, seamlessly blending commercial photography with a surrealist approach. Inspired by popular culture, the world of advertising, religious iconography and art history, TOILETPAPER investigates the current phenomenon of hyper-consumption of images, all with a delicious dose of irony.

Divided into four chapters, the exhibition challenges our existence and engagement in an increasingly virtual world, where we are constantly bombarded with visual stimuli. The duo uses photography, design and architecture as tools to bring into question the homes we inhabit, the objects we own, and the people that surround us.

As the title suggests, the exhibition is both disorienting and seemingly nonsensical, an intentional nod to the themes that sit at the epicentre of TOILETPAPERs practice. In an overdosed contemporary society: how slowly can you run?

As an institution dedicated to showcasing the best of India to the world and presenting the best of the world to India, we are thrilled to bring this fun and quirky show to our country for the very first time. The imagery-laden, surrealist and sensory universe of RUN AS SLOW AS YOU CAN is both young and playful and pushes the boundaries of art as we know it. While fresh and innovative in its conceptual, often ironic approach, at the heart of this exhibit is the celebration of a curious, exploratory energy that is quintessentially Indian. I am certain that TOILETPAPERS largest show to date will strike a chord with the younger Indian audience and give them an all-new perspective of art that fuels imagination and creative energy," said Isha Ambani, daughter of Mukesh and Nita Ambani.

As part of the Centres aim to make art accessible to all  especially aspiring artists  and consistent with the previous exhibition, entry to RUN AS SLOW AS YOU CAN will be free for art students, children below the age of 7, and senior citizens

Complementing the exhibition, the Art House will offer an array of visitor programming designed to inspire creativity and inculcate interest in arts, including family and children's workshops, weekly salons featuring curated walkthroughs, artist talks, screenings, and more

The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre is a first-of-its-kind, multi-disciplinary space in the sphere of arts, within the Jio World Centre, located in the heart of Mumbais Bandra Kurla Complex.

The Cultural Centre is home to three performing arts spaces: the majestic 2,000-seater Grand Theatre, the technologically advanced 250-seater Studio Theatre, and the dynamic 125-seater Cube. The Cultural Centre also features the Art House, a four-storey dedicated visual arts space built as per global museum standards with the aim of housing an array of exhibits and installations from the finest artistic talent across India and the world. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Jul 12 (PTI) The CBI has arrested a Delhi Police head constable for allegedly receiving a bribe of Rs 50,000 for letting an e-rickshaw charging shop operate in the Mangolpuri area here, officials said on Wednesday.

The agency had laid a trap to nab two police head constables who were allegedly demanding the bribe from the shop owner for letting him continue with the e-rickshaw charging business.

Also Read | Rain Fury in India: Modi Government Releases Rs 7,532 Crore to 22 States Under Disaster Response Funds.

Head Constable Akshay, attached to the Mangolpuri police station, was arrested while he was receiving the bribe amount, while the other accused policeman, Bhim, is absconding, the officials said.

According to the FIR, Bhim had asked for the bribe from the shop owner. He had threatened the complainant that he would call up a Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) official named Sumit and the e-rickshaw charging operation at the shop would be disrupted and the e-rickshaws taken away.

Also Read | Nepal National Abuses Air India Crew, Breaks Lavatory Door After Taking Off From Toronto; Case Registered.

The FIR alleged that Bhim had demanded Rs 50,000 from the complainant for allowing the parking and charging of e-rickshaws at his shop.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) carried out a covert operation during which conversations between the complainant and police officials regarding the bribe amount were recorded. During the recording of the conversations, it emerged that Head Constable Akshay was also part of the racket.

During the conversations, the police officials were heard refusing to reduce the bribe amount and make any effort so that the said MCD official would agree to reduce his share in it.

"We will not reduce our share, how can we ask him (the MCD official) to reduce it?" one of the accused police personnel was heard saying, according to the FIR. This was enough for the federal agency to lay the trap.

The police personnel were seen on their motorcycles near the Mangolpuri shop when the transaction was about to take place. As soon as the bribe was paid, a team of CBI officials, who were in plain clothes, arrested Akshay, but Bhim managed to flee.

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Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 12 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir government accorded sanction to the creation of public grievances department on Wednesday in the Union Territory.

The official notice of the J-K government said, "In pursuance of Entry 15 of the Second Schedule of Transaction of Business of the Government of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir Rules, notified vide Government Order No. 811-JK(GAD) of 2020, dated 01.09.2020, a sanction is hereby accorded to the creation of Department of Public Grievances.

Also Read | Delhi Flood: Over 1,000 People, 500 Cattle Rescued After Floods in National Capital's Low-Lying Areas.

The order also noted that the department will deal with the redressal of Public Grievances, Lieutenant Governors Mulaqaat- Live Public Grievance Hearing.

It will also deal with Jammu and Kashmir Integrated Grievance Redress and Monitoring System  JK-IGRAMS, monitoring the disposal of grievances by Administrative Departments and subordinate offices, grievance Redressal Quality Monitoring and monitoring of redressal of grievances received on social media.

Also Read | Fraud in Maharashtra: Seven Held For Duping People on Pretext of Doubling Money and Returning in Rs 2000 Currency Notes in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

The order also said, "It is further ordered that Lieutenant Governors Grievance Cell shall be subsumed in the Department of Public Grievances, Staff provided in the Lieutenant Governors Grievance Cell by the General Administration Department shall work in the Department of Public Grievances till posting of permanent staff and requirement of staff, if any, on account of the creation of the Department of Public Grievances, shall be met through internal adjustment and there shall be no fresh creation of posts in this regard." (ANI)

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New Delhi, Jul 12 (PTI) Kerala on Wednesday sought special financial assistance from the Union government, citing a series of setbacks, including curbs on borrowing and cessation of GST compensation.

This was among various demands raised during state Finance Minister KN Balagopal's meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the national capital.

Also Read | West Bengal Poll Violence: CM Mamata Banerjee Announces Compensation for Victims.

In a representation to the minister, Balagopal said effective measures could be initiated by the Union government like an ad hoc borrowing increase of 1 per cent above the ceiling equation for the 2023-24 fiscal, and also requested for extending the GST compensation period.

"Some kind of special financial assistance is also sought in the background of cessation of revenue deficit grant and the declining share of tax in the Finance Commission devolution," it said.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Woman Delivers Baby in Government Hospital Toilet in Sonbhadra After Staff Refused To Admit, Newborn Dies; Probe Ordered.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation ended last year.

Noting that fiscal constraints in 2023-24 will be more than that of previous years, Balagopal said there is a shortage of around Rs 8,400 crore in revenue deficit grants compared to the previous financial year.

There is also a loss of around Rs 10,000 to 12,000 crore by way of GST compensation annually due to the cessation of the compensation, as per the representation.

Further, Balagopal said there is a resource loss of about Rs 8,000 crore on account of restriction in the borrowing limit.

He said the tax share of Kerala in the divisible pool came down to 1.92 per cent during the 15th Finance Commission period, resulting in huge revenue loss.

"As the state recovers from the economic crisis, and is on the path of growth, this fiscal crunch due to the change in the policies of the Union Government will adversely affect the growth," he noted.

Besides, the state has asked the Centre to release pending funds under various schemes.

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New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and NCP (Ajit faction) leader Praful Patel arrived in the national capital for the first time since he took oath as the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister.

Both leaders reached the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Wednesday evening.

Also Read | Delhi Shocker: Father-in-Law Held After Woman Commits Suicide in Dwarka Area.

Later, NCP (Ajit Pawar) faction leader Praful Patel met Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Speaking on his meeting with Shah, Patel said that it was just a "courtesy call".

Also Read | Himachal Pradesh Floods: 40 Stranded Foreign Tourists Rescued and Taken to Safer Locations, Says Official.

"Came here for a courtesy call. At present, there is a government of three parties in Maharashtra, out of which two parties are already in the government. Now if someone thinks that there is a big problem with this, it is not so. It will become clear in Maharashtra in a day or two," Praful Patel said.

Ajit Pawar took oath as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister with eight other party legislators also joining the National Democratic Alliance government in the State.

On July 2, Ajit Pawar claimed that all MLAs are with him and they have joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government as a party.

On Tuesday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde that "the state cabinet will be expanded soon".

Shinde was speaking to reporters after holding a meeting with Maharashtra deputy CMs, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, at his official residence, on Tuesday late night.

Ahead of CM Shinde's comment, Deputy CMs, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were spotted leaving his official residence after the meeting.

The politics of Maharashtra is on the boil since Sunday as senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar took oath as the state's deputy chief minister.

Ajit Pawar joined the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government with 8 other MLAs and had claimed control over the Nationalist Congress Party.

The junior Pawar also had blamed the 82-year-old Sharad Pawar for NCP losing out on the chance to have a chief minister of Maharashtra despite having the support of a majority of MLAs in the year 2014. (ANI)

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Shimla, July 12: Acting DGP of Himachal Pradesh, Satwant Atwal Trivedi, on Tuesday said that 15 Russian tourists were reportedly stranded in Kasol, and Police are trying to establish contact with them. We received info from the Russian Embassy that 15 Russian tourists are stranded in Kasol. We are trying to establish contact and once we will be able to contact the tourists we will inform the Embassy about their well-being, said Acting DGP, Satwant Atwal Trivedi.

"The team is deployed everywhere in the state. We are continuously working to ensure the safety of the people. We have set up four lines and trying to contact people across the country to inform them about their families. 200 people have been contacted since morning and their family has been informed about their well-being. We are also contacting the embassies," she said further. Himachal Pradesh Rains Videos: Landslides, Flooding, Overflowing Rivers, Incessant Rainfall Unleashes Deaths and Devastation Across State.

Flash floods in Himachal Pradesh:

#WATCH | Manali: Flash floods in Himachal Pradesh witnessed following incessant rainfall in the state, causing landslides & bridge collapse. pic.twitter.com/F8kfJjz1CD  ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2023

Detailing further about the ongoing relief and rescue operations being conducted in the state amidst heavy rainfall, Trivedi said that they were working 24x7 and trying to contact people across the country to inform them about their families well-being. They are also trying to contact hotels seeking details of any tourists stranded there.

Notably, incessant rains continuing for past few days have wreaked havoc in the hill state claiming 20 lives over the past 48 hours. The rains have wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh triggering landslides, causing power disruption, blocking roads, and damaging bridges. Nature's fury in the state has claimed 20 lives over the past 48 hours. Tourists were stranded in parts of the hill state, with the loss of infrastructure estimated at between Rs 3,000 crore and Rs 4,000 crore. Himachal Pradesh Rains: 20 People Stranded in Manali Rescued, About 300 Stuck Across State As Heavy Rainfall Wreak Havoc for Third Day (Watch Video).

Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri took stock of the relief camps at Mandi on Tuesday and reached the Sadar Vyas Relief Camp where arrangements have been made to accommodate 200 to 300 people.

Agnihotri interacted with people, inquired about their difficulties, assured them that all necessary assistance would be provided to them soon. The Deputy Chief Minister said that all possible help is being extended to people from the state government. He also appealed to the central government for help.

"These are the people whose houses have been affected by floods. Every possible help is being given to these people from our side and from the side of the administration, government assistance can also be announced. We want the central government to help us because the whole country is trying to extend a helping hand towards Himachal at this time. Only with the help of NDRF will not work, financial assistance should also be given to the government, we wanted the government to declare this as of now and provide some help," he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said that his team is visiting different areas of Himachal to review the situation. "We are visiting different areas of Himachal, at this time we have reached Mandi where the situation here is being reviewed, the officials are also present with us," he said.

Speaking about the problems faced by the hill state given the heavy rainfall, Agnihotri said, "Our routes have been affected due to heavy rains, due to which HRTC buses have been stopped and will be stopped till the situation becomes normal. There are some problems regarding drinking water, but we are constantly engaged in fixing them."

Addressing the tourists who are stuck at various places in the hill state, he said, "I want to tell the people of the tourists who are stuck here that there is nothing to worry about, the situation is normal...all the roads will be fixed, they will be allowed to move."

"Due to heavy rains, there was a communication breakdown along with voice, due to which we have provided satellite phones to our officers so that they can stay in touch with each other," he said. "We are hopeful that the situation will return to normal in Himachal in the next 72 hours," he added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bhopal, July 12 (PTI) Senior Congress leaders, MLAs, and party workers in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday staged a "silent" protest here in support of Rahul Gandhi after Gujarat High Court refused to stay his conviction in a defamation case.

The "democracy disqualified" agitation held at the MP Congress headquarters was led by state unit chief Kamal Nath.

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The Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPC) said in a statement that Rahul Gandhi exposed the BJP government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi by speaking against their "anti-public policies and the relations between the PM and industrialist Gautam Adani".

"Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from Lok Sabha membership through a devious step by the BJP, but he is always ahead in fighting his battle with truth and courage against the misuse of power and raising the issues of the people," the MPCC said.

Also Read | Gujarat Congress Leaders Stage Silent Protest Outside Sabarmati Ashram in Support of Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress said the party and common people are standing with Rahul Gandhi in the "fight for truth and justice".

Former Union minister Arun Yadav, Congress MLAs, and senior party leaders participated in the "maun satyagrah" protest.

A metropolitan magistrate's court in Surat in March convicted Rahul Gandhi of criminal defamation over his "Modi surname" remark and sentenced him to two years in jail.

He was subsequently disqualified as a Lok Sabha member.

Observing that "purity in politics" is the need of the hour, the Gujarat High Court on Friday dismissed Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in the case.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], July 12 (ANI): Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday reviewed district-level public grievance redressal programmes conducted by the Chief Minister's Office at the district levels. More than 18,000 petitions have been received from various districts.

Chief Secretary PK Jena apprised the Chief Minister on the action being taken on the petitions received from the public during the district visits of the CMO. The department-level review has been done to resolve the issues on priority.

Also Read | Kedarnath Dham 2023: Yatra Stopped Due to Heavy Rains in Uttarakhand's Sonprayag and Gaurikund (Watch Video).

Some of the issues of the Angul district were discussed and Chief Minister asked for immediate action to be taken.

The Chief Minister said, Public grievance redressal is an important priority for me. I want the departments and district administration to deal with the grievances sensitively and expeditiously. That's why I have sent the CMO to meet people and hear their grievances."

Also Read | Opposition Party Meeting: 24 Parties To Attend 2nd Opposition Unity Meet in Bengaluru on July 17-18; MDMK, KDMK, Muslim League Among New Attendees, Say Sources.

"Our officials have been visiting the districts and even block levels to conduct the public grievance redressal meetings. More than 18,000 petitions have been received in these decentralised public grievance meetings, Naveen Patnaik said.

The Chief Minister asked the departments to address the grievances on priority at the earliest.

The CM further said that Grievance Redressal will be taken up under Mo Sarkar to assess the redressal process of public grievances. The CMO will make calls to people from next month onwards to understand how their grievances are being redressed.

"To honour the contribution of Pabitra Mohan Pradhan towards Indias freedom struggle and development of Odisha, we will build a memorial in Pabitranagar. A medical college to be named after him will be operational by October. The bridge being constructed on river Brahmani in Kaniha will also be named after the great soul," the CM added.

Some key decisions related to the Angul district have been taken.

The CHC in Chendipada is included in the AMA hospital. The fire station at Bantala and Satkoshia Eco-Tourism site to be opened soon. The government sanctioned Rs 4.65 crore to check the Man-Elephant conflict in Bantala. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Spanish food and sounds will come together at Colloca Estate Winery in Fair Haven when it hosts the 14th annual BayFest: Paella on the Baya.

Taking place from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 16, the event will feature seafood, meat and vegetable-based versions of the classic dish, with Colloca wines and other refreshments available.

Performing at the event will be Grupo Pagan from 1 to 5 p.m. followed by Mark Nanni from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on the Lake Effect Vineyard Stage at the winery, 14678 W. Bay Road, Fair Haven.

Paella will be available from 1 to 5 p.m. Presale tickets are $40 for vegetable and meat paella, and $65 for seafood. Ticket prices will rise $10 at the door.

For more information, visit collocawines.com or call (315) 947-2069.
Bengaluru, Jul 12 (PTI) Opposition BJP legislators on Wednesday staged a sit-in demonstration near Gandhi statue in Vidhana Soudha, the seat of the Karnataka legislature, here against the brutal murder of Jain monk Acharya Sri Kamakumara Nandi Maharaj in Belagavi.

Led by former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, the legislators sat near the statue and raised slogans against the "deteriorating" law and order situation in the state.

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The BJP said ever since the Congress came to power in May, another round of murders of Hindu figures have started and the killing of the Jain monk was a glaring example.

The opposition party has demanded a CBI inquiry into the murder case saying it required an impartial investigation.

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The Jain monk heading a monastery at Hirekodi in Chikkodi taluk of Belagavi district was chopped into pieces and his dismembered body parts were dumped in a defunct borewell.

Two people, Narayana Basappa Madi and Hassan Dalayath, have been arrested in the case. Police suspect money-related matters were behind the murder.

Former ministers R Ashoka, V Sunil Kumar Dr C N ashwath Narayan and many others joined the protest.

Later, they took out a march towards Raj Bhavan to submit a memorandum to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jaipur, July 12: Protesting against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's defamation case and disqualification from Lok Sabha, party leader Sachin Pilot on Wednesday said that the former was always targeted even though he always preached love, non-violence and spoke about unity.

Congress leaders and party workers observed 'maun satyagraha' (silent protest) in Rajasthan today to express solidarity with Rahul Gandhi. Assam Shocker: Youth Dies Mysteriously at Rehab Centre in Guwahati.

"Rahul Gandhi has always talked about love, non-violence and uniting people but he was targeted. We will fight against this and will go among people," said the Rajasthan Congress MLA. Pilot further said that the way a climate of hostility was developing in the country was not a good indication of the country's democracy. Punjab Roof Collapse: Three Members of Family Killed As House Roof Collapses Due to Heavy Rains in Faridkot (Watch Video).

"This is not about an individual, it is about how the whole system is getting polluted. It is how there should be justice in a democracy, it is how there should be a freedom of speech, and the way there is an atmosphere of hatred rising, different agencies are being misused, institutions are being weakened, this is not a good sign for the democracy of our country," said Pilot.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal wrote to the state party presidents requesting them to organise a massive one-day 'Maun Satyagraha' (silent protest), in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statues, at all state headquarters on July 12 to express solidarity with party leader Rahul Gandhi.

KC Venugopal wrote to all PCC presidents after the Gujarat High Court on Friday upheld the Sessions Court order denying a stay on the conviction of Rahul Gandhi in the defamation case over the 'Modi surname' remark.

"In the present circumstances, it is high time that we stand together and reiterate that Rahul Gandhi is not alone and millions of congressmen and crores of people irrespective of their political affiliations are with him in this fight for truth and justice," the letter read.

"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 (Silent Protest) in front of Gandhi statues, in all State Headquarters from 10 AM to 5 PM, on Wednesday, on July 12, 2023, with maximum possible mobilisation and involvement of all the senior leaders, MPs, MLA/MLCs and other elected representatives," it added.

The Congress on July 7 said the order by the single judge bench of the Gujarat High Court, dismissing Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction was "disappointing" but not an "unexpected judgement".

The party said that it will approach the Supreme Court in the matter."We will fight both the political battle and the legal battle," Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said in light or the high court ruling.

The Gujarat High Court in May reserved its order on Rahul's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in the 2019 'Modi surname' defamation case. The court had refused to grant any interim relief to the Congress leader.

Rahul 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 court had, on April 20, rejected Rahul's plea seeking a stay on his conviction by the lower court in the 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, saying he should have been more careful.

The lower court convicted and 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 connection with the defamation case filed by Purnesh Modi.

At a rally in Karnataka's Kolar in April 2019, Rahul, in a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said, "How come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?".

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 12 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday reached Kullu to take stock of situation in flood-hit areas after heavy rainfall in the region, and said that the situation has improved a lot.

Earlier in the day, Sukhu conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas and said the government is working hard to restore road transport and power supply.

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"...I have come to Kullu. There is a lot of improvement in the situation. Its been 10 PM and I sitting at DC office, about 1 thousand vehicles have already left from Manali. Out of 5 thousand, 3-4 thousand more vehicles are expected to pass overnight. We have made one-way traffic. Vehicles going to Manali have been stopped, now only vehicles going from Manali are operational," CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said.

Today I also visited Sainj, where 40 shops and 30 houses have been washed out...There we have announced a relief of one lakh rupees. Our target is to reopen the road by tomorrow evening. 500 workers are working in Kullu throughout the night for the restoration of electricity supply and mobile connectivity, said Sukhu further.

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Earlier in the day after conducting an aerial survey, he told them that six helicopters had been deployed to carry out rescue operations and evacuate the stranded tourists and local residents. The first helicopter sortie took off in the morning to rescue stranded people at Chandertal but had to return back due to adverse weather conditions.

However, the authorities were prioritizing the evacuation of the elderly and sick from Chandertal and the teams have left for the site.

"We are sending helicopters with satellite phones along with 4 police personnel will be sent. The incessant rains disrupted communication facilities, power supply, water supply and road connectivity in the entire Kullu district. The loss is immense and every possible help will be provided to the affected persons by the state government, he added.

Incessant rains have wreaked havoc in the hill state claiming 20 lives over the past 48 hours. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kolkata, July 11: The ruling Trinamool Congress on Wednesday looked poised to sweep to a massive victory in violence-scarred rural polls in Bengal as the overnight count of ballots gave it an unassailable lead in results declared till now by the State Election Commission. The ruling TMC has won in 34,359 gram panchayat seats, besides leading in 752 seats, according to the SEC as of 8 am on Wednesday. Its nearest rival BJP has won 9,545 seats and is leading in 180 seats. In all elections are being held for 63,229 gram panchayat seats. The CPI( M) has won 2,885 and is leading in 96 seats. The Congress won 2,498 seats and is leading in 72.

The counting though largely peaceful was marred by stray incidents including bombs being hurled in Bhangar, a spot where there had been deaths in the run-up to election, leading to firing by central forces and state police on Tuesday night on an unruly mob which resulted in injuries including on ISF supporters and policemen including an IPS officer. The ruling TMC won 6,134 Panchayat samiti seats while leading 61 seats. BJP has won 939 and is leading in 149 seats, while CPI(M) has won 165 seats and is leading in 14 others and Congress has won in 244 seats and is leading in 7 seats. Elections were held for 9,728 Panchayat Samiti seats. West Bengal Panchayat Elections 2023 Result: TMC Wins 8,232 Seats, BJP Secures 1,714, Congress at 362 So Far.

TMC has also won all 554 Zila Parishad results declared so far and is leading in 201 others. The BJP has in contrast won 19 and is leading in 7 seats. The CPI(M) has won 2 seats and is leading in 2 more seats, while Congress has won 4 and is leading in 10. In all, there are 928 Zila Parishad seats.

West Bengal Panchayat Elections Result 2023: TMC Sweeps Rural Polls, BJP Distant Second

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who had suffered an injury during campaigning thanked people for reposing trust in her on Tuesday night. "It's TMC all the way in rural Bengal. I want to thank the people for their love, affection and support towards the TMC. This election has proved that only TMC resides in the heart of the people of the state," Banerjee said in a social media post.

The elections are being seen by all parties as an indicator of which way the wind will blow in the 2024 parliamentary elections from this part of the country. The violence which rocked the panchayat polls held on Saturday has claimed at least 15 lives with 11 of them from the ruling TMC. Since elections were announced last month, the number of people who died in poll-related incidents has been 33, with the ruling party suffering 60 per cent of the deaths. West Bengal Panchayat Election Result 2023: Security Personnel Resort to Lathi Charge to Stop Crowd From Entering Counting Centre in Howrah (Watch Video).

Allegations of vote tampering and violence by various parties forced the SEC to order re-polling in 696 seats on Monday, which passed more or less peacefully. Intervention by the Calcutta High Court had seen the deployment of central police forces on both election and counting days. Though Bengal has a long history of violent rural polls with 40 people killed in one single day of polling during the 2003 panchayat elections, this year's violence which was covered extensively by the media focused national attention on it.

Governor CV Ananda Bose who had rushed to Delhi to give a report on the violence told newspersons Tuesday "Political parties should realise elections are not grounds to examine one's physical strength". Counting of votes for the three-tier panchayat polls to nearly 74,000 seats which besides the gram panchayat seats, also includes 9,730 panchayat samiti seats and 928 zilla parishad seats, began at 8 am on Tuesday largely peacefully amid tight security, officials said.

Vote counting is on at 339 venues spread across 22 districts and is likely to carry over to Wednesday. The maximum number of counting centres is in South 24 Parganas at 28, while the minimum is in Kalimpong at four. Some northern districts are also facing inclement weather. "Counting which began at 8 am yesterday continued overnight and will be completed today" an SEC official said Wednesday.

In Darjeeling hills, out of the 598 seats in Darjeeling and 281 in Kalimpong, the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) was leading in many areas and looks likely to be the new numero uno in the Bengal hill districts. All the counting venues are manned by armed state police personnel and central forces, with prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC being imposed outside the venue to avoid any untoward incidents. There are a total of 767 strong rooms across 22 districts.

Large crowds of supporters of various candidates gathered at various centres to ensure that counting was conducted correctly. In various districts, TMC supporters celebrated their victory by dancing and smearing each other with green colour, the party's chosen colour. A total of 5.67 crore people living in the state's rural areas were eligible to decide the fate of 2.06 lakh candidates in 73,887 seats of the three-tier-panchayat system.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, Jul 12 (PTI) RSS-backed Marathi daily Tarun Bharat has described Uddhav Thackeray as "infamous" for being an inefficient former chief minister of Maharashtra, days after the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief dubbed Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of BJP a "kalank" (blot) on Nagpur".

In an editorial published on Tuesday, the Nagpur-based daily also said while Fadnavis is a self-made achiever, Thackeray has even lost the party and its symbol which he inherited.

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"Criticism in politics is expected, but Thackeray has crossed all the limits during his recent visit to the city. He is infamous for being an inefficient (ex) chief minister of the state," it said.

Thackeray could not save his own party and it cannot be blamed on Fadnavis. Instead of introspecting what happened in his party, Thackeray is relentlessly criticising Fadnavis and the BJP, the editorial said.

Also Read | Congress Parliamentary Strategy Group Meeting Rescheduled, To Be Held on July 15.

The reference to the happenings in Shiv Sena is related to the rebellion by Eknath Shinde and 39 MLAs last year against Thackeray's leadership, which led to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

The Election Commission later recognised the Shinde-led group as the original Shiv Sena and allotted it the party's poll symbol- the bow and arrow.

What Fadnavis has achieved, everything is through his efforts and hard work. On the other hand, you (Thackeray) lost your party and its symbol inherited by you, the editorial said.

Addressing his party workers in Nagpur, the home turf of Fadnavis, Thackeray on Monday said the BJP leader was a "kalank" (blot) on the city as he had aligned with a section of the NCP despite asserting that he would never do so.

Fadnavis responded saying it seems Thackeray needs some psychiatric treatment due to the ongoing political situation in Maharashtra.

(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 12 (PTI) Shares of Delta Corp fell sharply by over 23 per cent on Wednesday, and other online gaming-related companies also declined after the GST Council agreed to impose a 28 per cent tax on online gaming, casinos and horse racing.

The stock of Delta Corp tumbled 23.28 per cent to settle at Rs 189.35 on the BSE. During the day, it had dropped 27.79 per cent to Rs 178.20.

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Delta Corp is engaged in the casino (live, electronic and online) gaming industry. Incorporated in 1990 as a textiles and real estate consultancy company, it has evolved into diversified segments such as casino gaming, online gaming, hospitality, and real estate.

Shares of Nazara Technologies dipped 2.58 per cent and OnMobile Global went lower by 1.12 per cent.

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The GST Council on Tuesday decided to levy the maximum 28 per cent tax on the full face value of bets in online gaming, casinos and horse racing.

Online gaming companies on Tuesday said levying of 28 per cent GST will limit their ability to invest in new games, impact cash flows as well as business expansion.

Online gaming players have repeatedly urged the government and the GST Council to levy 18 per cent GST on their segment, instead of 28 per cent that was recommended by Group of Ministers (GoM).

The All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), which represents companies like Nazara, GamesKraft, Zupee and Winzo, said the decision by the council is unconstitutional, irrational, and egregious.

"The decision ignores over 60 years of settled legal jurisprudence and lumps online skill gaming with gambling activities. This decision will wipe out the entire Indian gaming industry and lead to lakhs of job losses and the only people benefitting from this will be anti-national illegal offshore platforms," AIGF CEO Roland Landers said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
London, Jul 12 (AP) A Romanian man who was part of an international human smuggling ring was sentenced Tuesday to more than 12 years in prison for the deaths of 39 migrants from Vietnam who suffocated in a truck trailer on their way to England in 2019.

Marius Mihai Draghici was the ringleader's right-hand man and an "essential cog" in an operation that made huge profits exploiting people desperate to get to the U.K., Justice Neil Garnham said in the Central Criminal Court, known as the Old Bailey.

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Victims, who paid about 13,000 pounds (USD 16,770) for so-called VIP service, died after trying in vain to punch a hole in the container with a metal pole as the temperature inside exceeded 100 degrees F (38.5 C). Their desperation as they struggled to breathe was captured in messages they tried to send loved ones and recordings that showed "a growing recognition they were going to die there," Garnham said.

There was no escape and no one could hear their cries, prosecutors said.

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Their final hours "must have entailed unimaginable suffering and anguish," prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones said Tuesday.

A young mother wrote a message to loved ones that was never sent: "Maybe going to die in the container. Cannot breathe any more."

The 28 men, eight women and three children ranged in age from 15 to 44 and about half hailed from the Nghe An province in north central Vietnam. The victims included a bricklayer, a restaurant worker, a manicure technician, an aspiring beautician and a college graduate.

A married couple, Tran Hai Loc and Nguyen Thi Van, were found lying side by side October 23, 2019 in the container that had been shipped by ferry from Zeebrugge, Belgium to Purfleet, England.

Draghici, 50, pleaded guilty last month to 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

He's the fifth person to be sentenced in the case in the U.K. Four other gang members were imprisoned in 2021 for terms ranging from 13 to 27 years for manslaughter. The stiffest sentence went to ringleader Gheorghe Nica, 46.

Another 18 people were convicted in Belgium, where the Vietnamese ringleader was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Others got one- to 10-year prison terms.

Draghici was shocked and horrified with what occurred, defense lawyer Gillian Jones said in court.

But he, like the others involved in the conspiracy, had immediately abandoned the plan and melted away in the night, after another man opened the truck container and discovered the dead bodies, Emlyn Jones said.

Draghici and Nica both fled to Romania, where Draghici was later arrested.

Family members of the victims who had gone into debt to fund the travel said they were crushed by the loss.

The parents of Nguyen Huy Hung, 15, who was on his way to live with his parents in the UK and wanted to be a hairdresser, learned of the tragedy on social media.

"We did not believe it was the truth until we saw his body with our own eyes," his father said. "We felt numb and that feeling lasted for many weeks later." (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, Jul 12 (AP) A man charged in the Capitol riot who had guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in his van when he was arrested near former President Barack Obama's Washington home will remain in jail while he awaits trial, a federal magistrate judge ruled Wednesday.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui agreed with federal prosecutors that Taylor Taranto represents a danger to the community if he is released. Taranto's lawyer said the judge's decision will be appealed.

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Taranto was arrested June 29 after prosecutors say he showed up in Obama's neighborhood on the same day that former President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform what he claimed was Obama's home address.

Prosecutors detailed a litany of what they said were examples of Taranto's erratic behavior before his arrest, including threatening statements about House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and claims on his YouTube livestream that he intended to blow up the National Institute of Standards and Technology in suburban Maryland.

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Taranto, 37, is charged with misdemeanor offenses in the Capitol riot. Prosecutors say he joined the crush of people who broke into the building and he made his way to the entrance of the Speaker's Lobby outside the House chamber. Prosecutors have indicated they could bring additional charges.

There was no immediate response to an email seeking comment from his lawyer.

In court papers urging the judge to release him from jail, the lawyer wrote that Taranto was not a flight risk, had a stable home in Washington state, a loving wife and family, and is connected to mental health services there." Taranto has no prior criminal history and previously served in the Navy, where he was deployed to Iraq, the lawyer said.

Mr. Taranto is a loving and engaged father who has actively worked to address mental health issues that began after trauma experienced during his military service, public defender Kathryn Guevara wrote in court papers.

Prosecutors said that on the day he was arrested, Taranto reposted a Truth Social post from Trump containing what Trump claimed was Obama's home address. In a post on Telegram, Taranto wrote: We got these losers surrounded! See you in hell, Podesta's and Obama's. That's a reference to John Podesta, the former chair of Hillary Clinton's 2016 Democratic presidential campaign.

While livestreaming on YouTube in the neighborhood, Taranto told followers that he was looking for entrance points," was going to find a way to the tunnels underneath their houses" and wanted to get a good angle on a shot, according to the detention memo. Officials said he was spotted by law enforcement a few blocks from Obama's home and fled, though he was chased by Secret Service officers.

Prosecutors say Taranto's wife told investigators that he had come to Washington because of McCarthy's offer earlier this year to produce unseen video of the Jan. 6 attack.

Since then, prosecutors said, Taranto has been active online, posting a Facebook video of him in the Capitol on the day of the riot and endorsing a conspiracy theory that the death of Ashli Babbitt - who was fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer as she began to climb through the broken part of a door leading into the Speaker's Lobby - was a hoax.

The FBI had been monitoring Taranto's online activities because of his involvement in the riot. The bureau stepped up efforts to find him after he asserted on his YouTube livestream on June 28 that he was in Gaithersburg, Maryland, on a one-way mission" and intended to blow up his van at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

In the livestream, he also made ominous comments about McCarthy, saying: Coming at you McCarthy. Can't stop what's coming. Nothing can stop what's coming," prosecutors wrote. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Johannesburg, Jul 12 (AP) A former Mozambique finance minister who has been held in prison in South Africa for nearly five years was extradited Wednesday to the United States to face a fraud and corruption trial over a USD 2 billion scandal involving fraudulent government loans.

South African authorities said that Manuel Chang, who was Mozambique's finance minister from 2005 to 2015, was handed over to U.S. authorities after his last-ditch court effort to avoid extradition failed in May.

Also Read | Titan Submarine Tragedy: It Took 71 Seconds for Titanic Sub Travellers To Die Like in a 'Horror Movie'.

It brings to an end a nearly five-year legal battle by Chang to avoid facing trial in the U.S. and be extradited instead to his home country, where rights groups have protested that he would likely be treated leniently.

He is accused of receiving bribes of up to USD 17 million during a scheme that secured loans for Mozambican state-owned companies from foreign banks and financiers for maritime projects. The money was looted through kickbacks and other corrupt dealings, according to U.S. prosecutors.

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Chang was indicted in federal court in New York over his involvement in the scheme, which U.S. authorities allege defrauded American and international investors.

The loans totaling $2 billion were intended for the purchase of fishing vessels and naval patrol boats and other resources to help Mozambique's fishing industry, but it's alleged that never happened.

The Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services confirms that the Republic of South Africa's law enforcement agencies successfully surrendered Mr Manuel Chang to the United States of America on July 12, 2023, the ministry said.

The scandal caused a financial crisis in Mozambique when the International Monetary Fund withdrew its support for the country after the so-called hidden debts were revealed in 2016.

Chang was arrested at the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg in 2018 on a U.S. warrant.

The Mozambican government's own attempts to have him face trial in Mozambique have been dismissed by several South African courts.

In 2021, Swiss bank Credit Suisse agreed to pay at least $475 million to British and American authorities to settle bribery and kickback allegations stemming from their involvement with the corrupt loans.

At least 10 people have already been convicted and sentenced to prison by a Mozambican court over the scandal, including Ndambi Guebuza, the son of former Mozambican president Armando Guebuza. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for receiving up to USD 33 million from the corrupt deal. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad [Pakistan], July 12 (ANI): Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan challenged a trial court's decision before the Islamabad High Court (IHC), over the maintainability of an Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) complaint seeking criminal proceedings against him in the Toshakhana case, Dawn reported.

Khan's challenge in the Toshakhana case came after Additional District and Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar last week declared the ECPs reference as maintainable.

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Earlier, on May 10, the trial court framed charges against the former PM, however, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq stayed the proceeding and recently directed the judge to re-examine the matter in seven days, keeping in view eight legal questions he framed to decide the maintainability of the Toshakhana reference.

The questions included whether the complaint had been filed on behalf of ECP by a duly authorised person, whether the ECPs decision of Oct 21, 2022, was a valid authorisation to any officer of ECP to file a complaint, and whether the question of authorisation was a question of fact and evidence and could be ratified subsequently during the course of proceedings, according to the Pakistani English-language newspaper.

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However, when the judge re-examined the matter, Khans counsel Khawaja Haris did not appear before the court to argue the case in three consecutive hearings.

The IHCs single-member bench, comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, is set to hear the appeal on Wednesday (today).

Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court granted interim protective bail to Khan for two weeks in seven criminal cases relating to the May 9 violence. The LHC has also issued a notice to the PTI chief on a government appeal challenging a stay order he secured against an inquiry into an audio leak relating to the cypher controversy.

The former prime minister appeared before a two-judge bench along with his counsel, Barrister Salman Safdar, as per Dawn.

Separately, the LHC also issued a notice to the PTI chief on Tuesday on a federal government appeal challenging a stay order secured by him against an inquiry into an audio leak relating to the cypher controversy.

In December, the high court suspended a call-up notice issued to Khan by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in the cypher inquiry. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
BUFFALO  Tech and social media giants like Facebook, Amazon and Google bear responsibility for radicalizing the Buffalo supermarket shooter, who was fueled by racist conspiracy theories he encountered online, the victim's relatives said in a lawsuit filed Wednesday.

"They were the conspirators, even if they don't want to admit it," civil rights attorney Ben Crump said at a news conference announcing a 171-page lawsuit, which seeks unspecified financial damages as well as changes in how the companies operate.

The suit names several online platforms including Facebook's parent company Meta, Instagram, Google, Discord and Amazon  which owns Twitch, the livestreaming platform the shooter used to broadcast last year's shooting. The suit also names RMA Armament, the maker of the gunman's body armor, as well as the firearms retailers that sold him weapons.

Ten Black people were killed and three others were wounded in May 2022 when Payton Gendron opened fire at the Tops Friendly Market in a predominantly Black neighborhood of Buffalo, New York, which he targeted after conducting research online.

The victims included 53-year-old Auburn resident Andre Mackneil, a Buffalo native who was visiting family that weekend to celebrate his 3-year-old son's birthday.

Gendron, who was 18 years old at the time, had driven 200 miles from his home in Conklin, New York.

He is serving a prison sentence of life without parole after pleading guilty to crimes including murder and domestic terrorism motivated by hate.

The lawsuit says Gendron admits he became addicted to social media and was "lured, unsuspectingly, into a psychological vortex by defective social media applications and fed a steady stream of racist and white supremacist propaganda and falsehoods."

The mother of Zaire Goodman, who was shot in the neck and survived, described being "tagged" in a video that circulated widely online after Gendron livestreamed his rampage using a camera attached to the helmet he wore.

"No one should be looking at that," Goodman's mother, Zeneta Everhart, said.

Twenty-two users watched the violence in real-time on Gendron's Twitch account, which was simultaneously broadcast on his Discord account, according to the lawsuit.

Just before the shooting, the gunman also made public 700 pages of an online diary detailing his plans, and linked to a Google document containing a self-described "manifesto" describing his racist motivations, the lawsuit said.

In response to the lawsuit, a spokesman for YouTube, which is owned by Google, said the company has invested in technology and policies to identify and remove extremist content.

"We regularly work with law enforcement, other platforms, and civil society to share intelligence and best practices," Jose Castaneda said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press.

Kimberly Salter, whose husband, Aaron Salter, was the store's security guard, said at a news conference Wednesday that "These are human beings' lives that were taken by a murderer."

Aaron Salter, a retired police officer, was fatally shot after a bullet he fired struck Gendron but was deflected by body armor, authorities said.

The body armor's manufacturer, RMA Armament, said the lawsuit comes as a surprise and that its "products are intended for the protection of law-abiding private citizens, police departments and government partners."

Other companies named in the suit did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.

Buffalo attorney Terrence Connors, who along with Crump represents the families, said the legal team has thoroughly examined "the entire line of the gun distribution, the manufacturers of the body armor, the high capacity magazines that are plainly illegal," as well as not social media platforms.

"What we found was downright scary," he said.

The suit also names Gendron's parents, Paul and Pamela Gendron, who the lawsuit claims armed their son despite warning signs that he was dangerous.

The Gendrons' lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The lawsuit is similar to one filed in May by other victims' of the shooting. Attorneys said the lawsuits may be combined.

"There were many people who helped him load that gun," Crump said. "And it is our objective to make sure that everybody that loaded that gun is held to account."
Dubai, July 12: Iran summoned Russia's ambassador on Wednesday after Moscow released a joint statement with Arab countries earlier this week challenging Iran's claim to disputed islands in the Persian Gulf.

It marked a rare spat between Iran and Russia, which have deepened ties since Moscow invaded Ukraine, with Iran supplying killer drones that have been used to devastating effect there. Iran and Russia are also strong backers of President Bashar Assad in Syria's civil war.

Iran's official IRNA news agency said the ambassador was summoned over a joint statement released Monday after a meeting in Moscow between Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. Iran: Sandstorms Send Over 800 People to Hospitals in Past Five Days.

In the statement, the ministers affirmed their support for efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the issue of the three islands, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, through bilateral negotiations or the International Court of Justice, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Iran took control the three islands after British forces withdrew in 1971 and considers them an inseparable part of its territory. The United Arab Emirates also claims the three islands and has long pressed for a negotiated solution.

We never stand upon ceremony with any side over Iran's independence, sovereignty and integrity," Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian tweeted, without naming Russia. Iran summoned China's envoy over similar remarks on the disputed islands in December.

The three islands dominate the approach to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which about one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes.

Iran says the islands have been part of Persian states from antiquity up until they were occupied by the British in the early 20th century. It also says an agreement reached with Sharjah, one of the UAE's seven emirates, gives it the right to administer Abu Musa and station troops there. Iran Sentences Rapper Toomaj Salehi to More Than Six Years in Prison Over Protests, Say Supporters.

There is no such agreement on the other two islands. The UAE says they belonged to the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah until Iran seized them by force days before the Emirati federation was formed.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jakarta [Indonesia], July 12 (ANI): External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Wednesday met ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn in Indonesia, and suggested India-ASEAN dialogues in finance, cyber and maritime domains.

Started my engagements in Indonesia with a meeting with ASEAN Secretary General Dr Kao Kim Hourn. Discussed the development of our comprehensive strategic partnership. Suggested India-ASEAN dialogues in finance, cyber and maritime domains, EAM Jaishankar tweeted on Wednesday.

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Noted the ongoing work in energy, disaster management and health and wellness. Agreed to expand our Track II engagement, Jaishankar further wrote.

The EAM said the ASEAN relationship paves the way for the Indo-Pacific Vision. India is therefore deeply committed to the principle of ASEAN centrality, Jaishankar wrote.

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EAM Jaishankar on Friday also met Malaysia Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir.

Great to meet the Foreign Minister of Malaysia Dr Zambry Adbul Kadir. Discussed our expanding bilateral cooperation. Exchanged views on ASEAN-related issues. Look forward to welcoming him in India, the EAM tweeted on Wednesday.

EAM Jaishankar is on a six-day visit to Indonesia, Thailand from July 12-18.

In the first leg of his visit, the EAM will reach Indonesia to attend Foreign Ministers Meetings under the ASEAN on July 13-14 and then he will go to Thailand for the Foreign Ministers Meeting of Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC), a release from the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday.

Jaishankar will visit Jakarta, Indonesia for the Foreign Ministers Meetings under the ASEAN framework in the format, ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum on July 13-14.

The External Affairs Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other countries. Indias engagement with this ASEAN-centered regional architecture signifies Indias strong commitment to ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific.

After Jakarta, the EAM will travel to Bangkok, Thailand to participate in the 12th Foreign Ministers Meeting of Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Mechanism on July 16, 2023.

MGC is one of the oldest mechanisms of the lower Mekong region and is guided by Indias Act East Policy.

In Bangkok, the EAM will also attend the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Foreign Ministers Retreat on July 17, 2023.

BIMSTEC is an economic and technical initiative which brings together the countries of the Bay of Bengal for multifaceted cooperation. The retreat would discuss ways to further deepen the BIMSTEC agenda and strengthen the organisation. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Pristina (Kosovo), Jul 12 (AP) Kosovo's government on Wednesday will reduce the number of special police officers stationed outside four municipal buildings in ethnic Serb-majority areas and hold new mayoral elections in each of the towns, in a bid to defuse tensions with neighbouring Serbia that flared anew in May.

Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that one-fourth of the special police forces would be moved away from the sites taking into consideration that the situation at the municipal buildings has been comparatively much quieter in the last two weeks.

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He added that more officers would be withdrawn based on the continuous evaluation of the situation.

It wasn't immediately clear when the reductions would take place, and where the officers would be reassigned to.

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Serbia's government and Kosovo's ethnic Serbs want special police forces to leave the northern area, while Pristina says the number will be gradually reduced.

Kurti said the government would make a formal statement on holding new elections in the four municipalities, which have an ethnic Serb-majority population.

For that it is necessary to create a proper environment to make possible holding of the (electoral) campaign, political pluralism, participation of the local communities and also guaranteeing vote inviolability, he added.

The decisions were made after Kurti's deputy met with European Union envoy Miroslav Lajcak in Bratislava, Slovakia, earlier this week, according to Kurti.

Ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo boycotted mayoral elections in the four municipalities in April as part of a campaign for greater autonomy, and they now object to the ethnic Albanian mayors chosen in the polls.

Neighbouring Serbia has backed calls for the mayors to step down.

When new Albanian mayors, who were elected with few participating Albanian votes, took office in late May ethnic Serbs tried to block their entrance and violently enter the public buildings sparking clashes which left at least 30 international peacekeepers and more than 50 ethnic Serbs injured.

The EU has called on Pristina and Belgrade to de-escalate the situation.

Brussels has made it clear that the normalization of the Kosovo-Serbia ties would serve not only regional peace and stability, but also their prospects of future integration into the 27-member bloc.

The EU and also the United States fear the recent flare-up of the tensions between Kosovo and Serbia threaten to push the Balkan region into instability amid Russia's war in Ukraine.

Kurti said he would be ready to meet with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic for talks on the implementation of the de-escalation efforts and resume implementation of the already agreed upon deal on the normalisation of their ties.

Four months ago, Vucic and Kurti gave their tacit approval to a EU-sponsored plan to end animosity and help improve their ties in the longer term.

But the agreement unravelled almost immediately as both leaders appeared to renege on their commitments.

Separately, local media reported that Kosovo's Supreme Court has acquitted a former ethnic Serb minister in Kosovo's Cabinet of inciting ethnic hatred with his comments about a 1999 massacre of Kosovo Albanians for which he was sentenced to one-year imprisonment.

The court decided that Ivan Todosijevic's words in 2019 of denying the January 1999 massacre of Kosovo civilians in Recak had no impact on inciting ethnic hatred. It wasn't clear when the verdict was issued.

Todosijevic called ethnic Albanian independence fighters terrorists, for which he was fired by then Kosovar Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj.

The Recak massacre, in which 45 Kosovar Albanians were killed, prompted NATO to step in with a 78-day bombing campaign and stop the war.

Todosijevic was convicted by the Pristina Court and sentenced to two years in prison in December 2019. That was lowered to one year by the Appeals Court in August 2021.

But in December 2021, the Supreme Court ordered a retrial. Then he was sentenced to a year by both courts again  a decision that was overturned by the Supreme Court.

Serbia and its former province Kosovo have been at odds for decades, with Belgrade refusing to recognise Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence, recognized by Washington and most EU nations, while Russia and China have backed Belgrade's claim on the territory.

The 1998-99 conflict that left more than 10,000 people dead, mostly Kosovar Albanians, erupted when separatist ethnic Albanians rebelled against Serbia's rule and Belgrade responded with a brutal crackdown.

NATO's bombing campaign in 1999 forced Serbia to relinquish control, but the government in Belgrade has maintained that Kosovo remains part of Serbia. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Beijing [China], July 12 (ANI): China's slow economy, high unemployment rate and the wave of corporate layoffs have become major decision drivers in the younger generation's lives that they continue postponing major life decisions and contribute to a record-low marriage rate, The New York Times reported.

Grace Zhang, a tech worker who had long been ambivalent about marriage, spent two months in the barricaded space during the lockdown of Shanghai last year. And when she came out of lockdown, her sense of optimism faded.

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When China reopened in December, Zhang felt that working back in the office could help her in restoring the positive outlook but the rising layoffs have just confused her.

She has a boyfriend but no immediate plans to marry, despite frequent admonishments from her father that its time to settle down, according to New York Times.

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This kind of instability in life will make people more and more afraid of making new life changes, she said.

The number of marriages in China declined for nine consecutive years, falling by half in less than a decade. Last year, about 6.8 million couples registered for marriage, the lowest since records began in 1986, down from 13.5 million in 2013, according to government data released last month.

Although the numbers have risen so far in 2023 compared with the year before, more marriages are ending, too. In the first quarter of this year, 40,000 more couples married compared with the same period a year earlier, while divorces rose by 127,000.

The figures have shown that young people are deterred by the toll of putting a child through Chinas cutthroat education system. As women in cities achieve new levels of financial independence and education, marriage is less of an economic necessity to them. And men say they cannot afford to get married, citing cultural pressure to own a home and a car before they can even begin dating.

The instability of the last three years has compounded these pressures, reshaping many young peoples expectations about building a family. China has imposed an increasingly tight grip over every aspect of society under its leader, Xi Jinping  with effects that could weigh on the marriage rate, New York Times reported.

If young people are not confident about the future, its very difficult for them to think about settling down and getting married, said Xiujian Peng, a senior research fellow at Australias Victoria University.

In China, where it is extremely rare for an unmarried couple or a single person to have children, the marriage decline is tied to the countrys falling birthrate. Last year, Chinas population shrank for the first time since the early 1960s, when there was widespread famine.

Last month, a video, showing a Chinese man killing his wife by repeatedly driving over her with his car after a domestic dispute made the marriage a hot topic on Chinas micro-blogging site, Weibo. The app flooded with comments warning women against getting married.

A recent Weibo hashtag about rejecting marriage generated 92 million views, with commenters citing the lack of protections for women in Chinas divorce and domestic violence laws, as per the New York Times.

The share of women age 25 to 29 in urban China who have never been married rose to 40.6 per cent in 2020 from 8.6 per cent in 2000, according to an analysis by Wang Feng, a professor of sociology at the University of California, Irvine.

Many men say they are delaying marriage because they feel economically insecure. Because of a cultural preference for boys during the governments one-child policy, which ended in 2016, China has around 35 million more men than women, fueling a sense of economic competition for marriage, New York Times 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)
Damascus [Syria], July 12 (ANI): Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan on Wednesday arrived in Syria on a two-day official visit to the country.

The MoS will during his visit hold discussions with the Syrian leadership on ways to strengthen India-Syria bilateral ties.

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Hon'ble Minister of State for External Affairs Shri V. Muraleedharan has arrived in Syria today, July 12, 2023. He is on a two-day visit to the country and he will have fruitful discussions with the Syrian leadership on ways to strengthen bilateral ties between India and Syria, Indian Embassy in Syria tweeted on Wednesday.

MoS Muraleedharan is visiting Syria from July 12-13.

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This will be the first Ministerial-level visit from India to Syria since August 2016, and the first visit of V. Muraleedharan to the country, the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official release.

During the visit, the MoS will also interact with a group of Syrian students who have studied or are proceeding to study in India under the Government of Indias scholarship scheme. He is also expected to meet the functionaries of the Syrian Orthodox Church.

Syria and India have historically had cordial relations built on deep-rooted people-to-people ties. The Indian Embassy in Syria has remained open throughout the Syrian conflict. Many people visit India as tourists, businesspeople, and patients. This visit is expected to lend further momentum to the strong relationship between the two countries.

India has contributed immensely to the capacity building of the Syrian youth over the years through scholarship schemes and training courses under the flagship ITEC programme, the official release read.

Meanwhile, the MoS during the inaugural session of the 6th India-Arab Partnership Conference, on Tuesday, said: "India and the Arab World have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations. These relations date back to ancient times. Traders, scholars and diplomats would often traverse the Arabian Sea and the land routes linking India to West Asia and the Arabian peninsula, transferring knowledge and merchandise commodities. The shared cultural heritage, through the linkages of language, customs and traditions continues to lend energy to our historic bonds."

"The Arab world is indeed a part of Indias extended neighbourhood. Indias staunch commitment to deepen engagement with the region, our shared views on major international developments, strong economic and commercial relations and deep people-to-people ties form the foundation of our relations," the MoS further said.

Muraleedharan said: "Bulk of Indias external trade passes along the Suez Canal, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. There are vital Indian investments in countries stretching from Oman and Saudi Arabia to Egypt, Sudan and beyond. Moreover, India has a large expatriate community of over 9 million in the Arab world, who over generations, have contributed to the prosperity of countries of their residence." (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bangkok, Jul 12 (AP) Thailand's Election Commission said Wednesday it has concluded there is evidence that the top candidate to become the country's next prime minister, a reformist with strong backing among progressive young voters, violated election law and referred his case to the Constitutional Court for a ruling.

The commission's decision included a request that the court order Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat suspended as a member of Parliament until the ruling is issued.

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The alleged violation involves undeclared ownership of media company shares, which are banned for lawmakers.

Separately, the court also said it would review a complaint that Pita and his party may have violated the law by proposing to amend Thailand's strict legal provision against defaming the monarchy.

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Thai media said the court would not make any ruling on Wednesday and that it might need some to consider the issues.

Pita can still be nominated on Thursday when Parliament meets to vote for a new prime minister.

But the commission's move raises new doubts about whether he can muster enough votes to get the post, already a struggle because of Thailand's deep political divisions.

The Move Forward Party, with a progressive reformist platform, swept to a surprise first-place finish in May's general election, capturing 151 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives and the most popular votes.

Move Forward has assembled an eight-party, 311-seat coalition with which it had planned to take power.

But Pita's path to power is difficult because he must win 376 votes of a joint session of the House and the conservative, 250-seat, non-elected Senate.

The Senate largely represents Thailand's traditional ruling establishment, which suspects Move Forward's proposals for minor reforms of the monarchy endanger the royal institution, which they consider to be the centre of Thais' national identity.

Pita's party responded to the Election Commission's decision by questioning its fairness and even its legality.

It said its decision was unnecessarily hurried and violated its own procedures by failing to call Pita to give a statement.

The commission had earlier said it acted correctly but Move Forward alleges its members may have engaged in malfeasance, or carrying out duties in a wrongful manner, a crime punishable by 10 years imprisonment and a fine.

The election law complaint against Pita, lodged by a member of a rival party, alleges he ran for office in 2019 while failing to declare his shares in a media company.

The case the commission referred to the court accuses Pita of running for office with awareness that he was ineligible, a criminal violation punishable by maximum imprisonment of three years and/or a fine of up to 60,000 baht (USD 1,720). The party faces a fine of up to 100,000 baht (USD 2,865).

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, the government's top legal advisor, has been quoted as saying that a ruling against Pita could be grounds for nullifying the May election results and holding a new election.

There have been fears since the election that Thailand's conservative ruling establishment would use what its political opponents consider to be dirty tricks to hold on to power.

For a decade-and-a-half, it has repeatedly used the courts and supposedly independent state agencies such as the Election Commission to issue controversial rulings to cripple or sink political opponents.

The dissolution in 2019 of the Future Forward party, a forerunner of Move Forward, triggered vigorous street protests by pro-democracy activists that trailed off only when the coronavirus pandemic took hold.

Hours after the Election Commission announced its referral of the shareholding case, the Constitutional Court said it had has accepted a separate petition against Move Forward and Pita concerning their campaign promise to amend Thailand's harsh lese majeste law,.

The law, also known as Article 112, mandates a three to 15 year prison term for defaming the king, his immediate family, or the regent.

Critics of the law say it is abused for political purposes, and Move Forward wants changes to rein in such abuses, which it claims actually do damage to the monarchy's reputation.

Royalists soundly reject all efforts to amend the law, and courts have sometimes treated such proposals themselves as tantamount to violating the law.

The military and the courts consider themselves stalwart defenders of the monarchy, and the Senate members overwhelmingly share their viewpoint.

If the court agrees that the accused's actions constitute trying to overthrow the constitutional monarchy a separate provision from Article 112  they will not be subject to punishment but can be ordered to cease all activities related to their proposed amendment, subject to prosecution if they continue. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bangkok, Jul 12 (AP) Thailand's state Election Commission said Wednesday it concluded there is evidence that the top candidate to become the country's next prime minister, Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, violated election law and referred his case to the Constitutional Court for a ruling.

The commission's decision, announced in a press release, means the court could order Pita to be suspended from his duties as a Member of Parliament until the ruling is issued.

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In theory it does not rule out him being nominated to become prime minister by Parliament on Thursday, because the post does not have to be held by a lawmaker. But it makes his confirmation by a vote in Parliament, which was already uncertain, even less likely.

The Move Forward Party swept to a surprise first-place finish in May's general election, capturing 151 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives and the most popular votes.

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Move Forward has assembled an eight-party, 312-seat coalition it had planned to take power. But the unlikely approval from members in the conservative 250-seat unelected Senate, which participates in the vote for prime minister, makes Pita's path to power a difficult one.

The case against Pita hinges on his alleged ownership of shares in a media company, which would bar him from running for office.

The complaint against him, lodged by a member of a rival political party, applied to the period of the 2019 general election. Pita had challenged the basis for the claim, which extended to his failure to include the shares on a mandatory assets declaration. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Gold Coast, Jul 12 (The Conversation) Diluted bleach baths are a common treatment doctors and nurses use for patients with more severe eczema. It is important to note they may not replace other treatments and may not be suitable for everyone.

This treatment should only ever be used under the guidance of a dermatologist or doctor, who can advise if it's appropriate and tailor the dilution ratio to suit the individual's condition.

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So why and how does it work for some eczema sufferers? And what should one know before trying it?

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Germs can colonise damaged eczema skin

Eczema is a genetic condition that causes a person's skin to be easily inflamed by certain triggers, such as hot water or soaps. The person's skin barrier becomes damaged and itchy, allowing germs to get established and cause even more problems.

The most common germ found in the damaged eczema skin is staphylococcus aureus.

Certain toxic materials known as membrane-bound vesicles are released by the staph germ, which causes an even more profound reaction in the skin, worsening the eczema. Treating  or at least reducing  the amount of staph in the skin can help the eczema recover.

When eczema is very active, the skin literally bubbles with fluid and can begin to weep. Bacteria love to colonise and infect this type of eczema. This process is known as impetiginisation.

When this process occurs without eczema, it is called impetigo (also known as school sores).

A solution of water and sodium hypochlorite (in other words, bleach) will rapidly kill germs. And we know from studies on wounds that simple washing of a wound reduces the number of bacteria.

So it's likely a gentle washing action is part of the effect, in some cases, and could be made more effective with subtle water jets.

For example, using a water squeeze toy for young children to create a gentle wash of water could help remove some of the build-up of body fluids in the broken eczema areas.

This would obviously need to be done very gently so it was not uncomfortable.

Friction and rubbing of eczema  particularly with cloths and towels  generally makes things much worse.

Reducing inflammation

Researchers have also shown sodium hypochlorite can reduce inflammation in the skin. This is another reason the treatment is recommended.

Eczema often involves a vicious cycle of inflammation, where redness and increasing itchiness leads to scratching and even more irritation. The skin breaks even more and the eczema worsens, leading to yet more inflammation.

A diluted bleach bath can help break this vicious cycle.

You need to know what you're doing

Diluted bleach bath instructions need to be tailored to the eczema, so don't try it at home unless you've been advised by a dermatologist or doctor. An example of how to perform a bleach bath might look like this:

1. Dilution ratio: The bleach should be diluted in the bathwater to ensure it is safe for your skin.

A typical dilution ratio may be  cup (120 ml) of household bleach (containing 5-6 per cent sodium hypochlorite) per 150 litres of lukewarm water. However, the exact dilution ratio may vary based on the severity of your eczema, age and other factors.

Children may need less bleach in their bath. Check with your doctor because getting the ratio wrong can cause pain and harm.

2. Soak time: The recommended soak time in the bleach bath is usually around ten minutes. During this time, gently pat or submerge your affected skin areas in the water. Avoid scrubbing or rubbing the skin vigorously, as it may further irritate or damage the skin.

3. Rinse thoroughly: After the designated soak time, carefully rinse off the bleach solution from your body with cool water. Make sure to remove all traces of the bleach, as residual bleach left on the skin may cause irritation.

4. Moisturise: After the bath, promptly apply a moisturiser or emollient to your skin while it is still slightly damp. This helps lock in moisture and maintain hydration, which is crucial for eczema management.

5. Frequency: The frequency of bleach baths can vary depending on your specific condition. Typically, they are done two to three times a week, but this may vary.

6. Monitoring and follow-up: It is essential to monitor your skin's response to bleach baths. If you notice any increased redness, irritation or discomfort, discontinue the baths and talk to your dermatologist. (The Conversation)

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Thane, July 12: Nearly two years after a woman and her two children were found dead in their home on the outskirts of Mumbai, the police have registered a murder case against the mother, an official said on Wednesday. An official from the Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar police said they booked the dead mother for murder after receiving the autopsy reports.

The 47-year-old woman, Nasreen Waghu, and her children Sadnaj (20) and Harsh (13) were found dead in their home at Naya Nagar in Mira Road on September 7, 2021. The police initially registered a case of accidental death and sent the bodies for post-mortem. Mumbai Horror: Man Hacks Live-In Partner to Death, Boils Body Parts in Cooker in Mira Road (Watch Video).

The official said they recently received the autopsy reports which showed that Nasreen's children were strangled. Nasreen consumed some pills to end her own life, the official said. Mumbai Murder: Woman and Her Male Friend Assault Former's Live-In Partner With Bat in Dombivli, Leave Him To Die; Arrested.

Based on the autopsy reports, the police on Tuesday registered a case against Nasreen for murder, he said. The motive behind the crime is still not established and a probe is underway, he added.
New Delhi, July 12: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it would hear on July 24 a plea by former JNU student Umar Khalid seeking bail in a UAPA case related to the alleged conspiracy behind the riots here in February 2020. The Delhi Police sought time to respond to the petition during the hearing before a bench of Justices A S Bopanna and M M Sundresh. Advocate Rajat Nair, appearing for the Delhi Police, urged the bench to grant him some time to file a counter affidavit in the matter.

"In a bail matter, what counter is to be filed. The man is inside for two years and 10 months," said senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Khalid. Nair said he is praying for a short time to file counter in the matter. "The charge sheet is voluminous. It runs into thousands of pages," he said, while requesting the bench to grant them some "reasonable time". 2020 Delhi Riots: HC Grants Bail to Former AAP Councillor Tahir Hussain in 5 Cases.

"It should have been ready today," the bench observed and posted the matter for hearing on July 24. On May 18, the apex court had sought response of the Delhi Police on Khalid's plea. In his appeal, Khalid has challenged the Delhi High Court order refusing him bail in the case.

On October 18 last year, the high court had rejected his bail plea saying he was in constant touch with other co-accused and allegations against him are prima facie true. The high court had also said the actions of the accused prima facie qualified as "terrorist act" under the anti-terror law UAPA.

Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and several others have been booked under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and provisions of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly being the "masterminds" of the February 2020 riots, which left 53 people dead and over 700 injured.

The violence had erupted during the protests against CAA and NRC. Khalid, arrested by the Delhi Police in September 2020, had sought bail on grounds that he neither had any criminal role in the violence nor any "conspiratorial connect" with any other accused in the case. Umar Khalid, Khalid Saifi Discharged In 2020 Delhi Riots Case.

Before the high court, the Delhi Police had opposed the bail plea by Khalid, saying the speech delivered by him was very calculated and brought up issues like Babri Masjid, triple talaq, Kashmir, the alleged suppression of Muslims and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- JOYSINGTECH (full name is Yangtze River Delta Eco-Green Integration Demonstration Zone (Zhejiang Jiashan) Joysing Semiconductor Equipment Technology Co., Ltd.), a Chinese semiconductor facility manufacturer, recently underwent a business change, where two new shareholders, including BYD Company Limited, were introduced, according to the corporate information inquiry platform Tianyancha.

Established in April 2021, JOYSINGTECH features a registered capital of approximately 412 million yuan. Its business scope includes technology services, manufacturing of specialized equipment for semiconductor devices and electronics, photovoltaic equipment and relevant components, as well as display device, and more, according to information provided by Tianyancha.

Although JOYSINGTECH is relatively new, its strength should not be underestimated. According to the equity penetration chart, Shanghai Wanye Enterprises Co., Ltd. (Shanghai Wanye) holds 71.96% shares in JOYSINGTECH. Notably, Shanghai Wanye was supported by multiple banks such as Bank of Communications, China Construction Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and also endorsed by China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund.

Photo credit: BYD Semicondcutor

The new investment indicates that BYD is strengthening its industrial chain in auto intelligence. Compared to its leading position in new energy vehicle technology, the core components of BYD's intelligent connected system heavily rely on external suppliers and lack a prominent competitive edge. However, the competition in the new energy vehicle market also lies in intelligence, which is one of the key profit points for automotive companies in the future.

An Analyst from Gasgoo Auto Research Institute considered that BYD needs to enhance its deep deployment in autonomous driving technology, including SoC (system-on-chip) design, middleware technology mastery, advanced domain controllers, deep algorithms, and supercomputing center.
Brad Pitt has been accused of looting the Chateau Miraval vineyard, which he co-owned with ex-wife Angelina Jolie. Jolie's former investment company, Nouvel, filed a lawsuit alleging that Pitt has been 'stripping' and 'looting' the vinery in an effort to regain control of the business. Nouvelle is seeking $350 million in damages. However, Pitt has denied the allegations, calling them 'baseless and unfounded attack.' Brad Pitt Sues Ex-Wife Angelina Jolie for Selling Her Portion of Their Shared French Vineyard.

Brad Pitt Accused of Looting Angelina Jolie's Vineyard:

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On 11 July authorities in Mexicos state of Guerrero announced the release of 13 public officials, who has been taken hostage by protestors in state capital Chilpancingo the previous day.

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On 11 July Cubas foreign ministry (Minrex) said that it categorically rejects the entry of a US nuclear submarine last week at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, describing it as a provocative escalation.

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On 11 July Paraguays president-elect,arrived in Taiwan for a five-day visit.

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On 11 July Perus prime minister,announced that the deputy culture ministerhad been dismissed after he met members of the far-right group La Resistencia the previous day.

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Kentucky Representative James Comer has been mocked a lot lately, as his supposed witness against Hunter Biden was outed as a Chinese agent. Gal Luft, the man who accused the Biden family of corruption, was handed federal charges for being a Chinese agent.

Luft, who was brought in as a prime witness against Hunter Biden, faced an eight-count indictment that was unsealed by the Department of Justice last Monday. It was revealed that he acted as an unregistered foreign agent on behalf of China. He was also charged with violating US sanctions against Iran, arms trafficking, and making false statements to federal agents.

Rep. James Comer presented Luft, the co-director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security in Maryland, as a "very credible witness on Biden family corruption" on social media last week. However, their case against Hunter Biden hinged on Luft, who suddenly disappeared as the Biden probe moved forward.

On Tuesday, his organization, the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, told Newsweek, "Dr. Gal Luft is a world-renowned expert on energy security, economics, and geopolitics and has written five books. Gal is a man of total integrity and honesty. We are confident in his innocence."

The House Oversight Committee is probing Hunter Biden's alleged links to China. With Luft's relations with China, this could undermine the committee's case against the presidential son.

Hunter Biden Probe Witness Tried To Influence Donald Trump on Behalf of China

The 58-page indictment against Luft revealed that in 2016, the Hunter Biden probe's star witness recruited and paid an unnamed former high-ranking US government official on behalf of certain principals from China. He was doing this as a foreign agent, though he was not registered as one.

READ MORE: Joe Biden Family Probe: House Republicans Find No Evidence of Wrongdoing

According to The Hill, that US official was an adviser to then-President-elect Donald Trump. That official was allegedly paid to publicly support certain policies regarding China.

In addition, Luft also attempted to broker illicit arms deals in various countries, including Libya, Kenya, and the United Arab Emirates. He does not have the license to do so, as required by US law.

Luft also arranged meetings between a Chinese energy company and Iranian officials to discuss oil deals, violating sanctions imposed by the US on Iran. He also made false statements to federal authorities regarding that deal.

James Comer Gets Laughed at Again for Witness Being a Chinese Agent

Following the reveal regarding his star witness, people started making fun of Republican Rep. James Comer on TV, including the cast of Morning Joe, according to MEDIAite.

Comer had previously complained that people on MSNBC made fun of him over his witness going missing last month after skipping out on a bail hearing. This got the cast of MSNBC's Morning Joe to pounce on him.

"I mean, seriously. How could we have doubted this guy?" asked host Joe Scarborough sarcastically. Guest Eugene Robinson soon joined in on making fun of Comer, mockingly saying, "Oh, the shame. Oh, the humanity. How could we have doubted?"

Comer was also previously ridiculed for failing to find evidence that President Joe Biden did anything illegal regarding his son, Hunter Biden.

READ MORE: Court Finds Donald Trump Liable For Sexual Abuse

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: House Republican's Biden 'whistleblower' charged by DOJ - MSNBC
A US nuclear submarine arrived at the Guantanamo Bay naval base in Cuba, but this did not make the Cuban government happy.

The country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on the American nuclear submarine, saying, "This constitutes a provocative escalation by the United States, whose political or strategic motives are unknown." The sub was in Guantanamo Bay from July 5 to July 8.

The US remained silent on the matter, with the US State Department telling the Associated Press that "it does not discuss the movements of US military assets."

However, a US Defense official who spoke to the outlet on the condition of anonymity claimed that "the Navy submarine made a scheduled logistics stop at Guantanamo Bay. It then continued south to participate in UNITAS, the world's longest-running multinational maritime exercise."

Meanwhile, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller hit back against Cuba's accusations.

"Today is the two-year anniversary of the July 11 protests by the Cuban people demanding their legitimate human rights and of the Cuban government's repressive response," Miller said.

He added that the accusation was an attempt by the Cuban government "to distract the world from the significance of this day."

The 2021 Cuba protests were among the most massive ones that the Caribbean country experienced since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Protesters were expressing their anger over long lines and shortages of food and medicines.

Cuba Blames US for Instigating 2021 Protests During Anniversary

Its citizens are still reeling from the 2021 Cuba protests, which were violently put down by Cuban authorities, jailing dissidents and those who participated. During the second anniversary, though, the Cuban government accused the US of being the one that instigated those protests.

"The United States has a direct responsibility for the disturbances of July 11 and 12, 2021," said the government-run Granma newspaper in its front page editorial. However, Reuters noted that the newspaper did not provide any evidence of such an accusation.

READ MORE: Cuba Holds National Elections, But There Are No Opposition Candidates

The newspaper accused the US of providing funds and openly inciting the protesters to "break the law in acts of robbery and assault."

Its editorial also denounced a "campaign of disinformation and slander" that has been spreading across social networks in Cuba.

"Slander promoted by the White House, related to events it sponsored in 2021, is used as a pretext to maintain a policy of maximum pressure against Cuba," the editorial read.

Little Has Changed in Cuba Since the 2021 Protests

Cuban authorities arrested over 1,500 people during 11 de Julio, the July protests that happened all over Cuba in 2021. Since then, little has changed, and dissent is often put down.

The leader of the Council for the Democratic Transition in Cuba, Manuel Cuesta Morua, recently spoke with NBC News and stated that the government is trying to teach its dissidents a lesson "because freeing prisoners immediately could be interpreted, in the government's view, as a weakness."

"Today every young Cuban is a political prisoner. A censored artist. An exile inside and outside Cuba," said artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara, who has been imprisoned after the protests and is leading a hunger strike. "Even if you're an accomplice of the system, you will inevitably be crushed like the others, because to be young is to be daring and reckless, eager to bring change to the world. It means fighting for love, dreams and utopia. But these qualities are considered crimes in Cuba, and that condemns us all to martyrdom."

READ MORE: Pope Francis Wants Cuba to Release Cuban Protesters Arrested in 2021

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WATCH: Why the US has a Navy Base in a country that HATES them - Politics with Paint
A 25-year-old man from Lorain, Ohio, named Jaylon Jennings, has been arrested in connection with the Cleveland mass shooting early Sunday morning, according to 19 News.

The Cleveland Police located Jennings with the assistance of the US Marshal's Service, and he was taken into custody without incident from a residence on Toledo Avenue in Lorain.

Following Jennings' arrest, the police requested a warrant to search his home. According to his arrest warrant, Jennings was seen inside Rumor Bar & Lounge before the shooting, where he allegedly identified several victims.

Witnesses reported that Jennings later retrieved a gun from his car, described as a Glock with an extended magazine, which he then used to deliberately shoot at people.

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Police Chief Wayne Drummond held a discussion with 19 News on Monday regarding the shooting before Jennings' arrest.

READ NEXT: Missing Ohio Architect, Fiancee, 2 of Her Relatives Found Dead

Reward Offered for Cleveland Mass Shooting Suspect's Information Leads to His Quick Arrest

Bobby George, a Cleveland business and restaurant owner, revealed that his offer of a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect played a role in the tip that led to Jaylon Jennings' arrest.

George expressed his belief that providing an incentive can yield positive outcomes, and in this case, it motivated someone to come forward with valuable information, News 5 reports.

Mayor Bibb acknowledged the collaborative effort that led to Jennings' arrest, stating that apprehending the suspect took 61 hours from the shooting.

He emphasized the importance of law enforcement agencies working together and highlighted the support of business owners like Bobby George, who donated significantly to encourage tips.

Bibb expressed hope that the victims and their families could find solace in the arrest and that residents would feel safer knowing the suspect was in custody.

Cleveland Police Chief Wayne Drummond mentioned that the motive behind the shooting has not yet been determined.

While Jennings was not formally charged, he was arrested on nine counts of felonious assault in connection with the incident.

Cuyahoga County GOP Chairman, Cleveland Mayor Blame Each Other for the Gun Violence

The mass shooting in Cleveland occurred during a year marked by increased violence in the city. With 70 homicides recorded so far, compared to 63 at the same time last year, the situation is concerning.

Despite the rise in violence, Bibb maintains that his policies are not failing, emphasizing that solving violent crime is a complex issue that requires collective efforts.

During his remarks, Bibb attributed some gun violence to the passage of Ohio's permitless concealed carry law by the GOP-led Ohio General Assembly last year, per WKYC.

In response, the Ohio Republican Party criticized Bibb, accusing him of playing politics and failing to address rising crime rates.

They emphasized the need for the city's elected leadership to take responsibility for the understaffed and under-supported police force and address the pressing issues.

Bibb stressed the presence of illegal guns in the community and the impact of state and federal policies on tracking their flow.

He called for implementing common-sense gun laws to address the underlying causes of violent crime.

Bibb and Police Chief Drummond encouraged citizens not to lose hope and to continue supporting law enforcement efforts.

They highlighted the dedication and hard work of the police force in keeping the city safe.

READ MORE: Man for Killing 3 Tijuana Sex Workers Arrested

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WATCH: Suspect arrested for downtown Cleveland mass shooting - From WKYC Channel 3
Leslie Van Houten, who was once a teen follower of notorious cult leader Charles Manson, is now a free woman after serving over 50 years in prison for the murder of a Los Angeles couple in 1969. She was released on parole last Tuesday.

Nancy Tetreault, the former Manson Family cult member's attorney, told the New York Times that Leslie Van Houten was taken to transitional housing at an undisclosed location on Tuesday morning.

"She's going to have to learn to live in the world after 53 years in prison," the lawyer said. "So that's going to take some time."

Her release was confirmed by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, with a department spokeswoman stating that Van Houten will have a "three-year maximum parole term."

Leslie Van Houten Completely Honest About Her Grisly Killings for Charles Manson

Now 73, Leslie Van Houten was an avid follower of Charles Manson in the 1960s when she was still a teen. She had been completely honest about her role in the murders that were ordered by Charles Manson.

According to the Associated Press, during a 2016 parole hearing, she admitted that the murders were the start of what Manson believed was a coming race war he called "Helter Skelter." This was named after the popular Beatles song.

She also talked about how the infamous cult leader manipulated members of his so-called family to commit heinous acts. In Van Houten's case, she and others were tasked with killing Los Angeles grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary.

READ MORE: Texas Serial Killer Raul Meza Jr. Confessed To Multiple Murders

Van Houten stated that Manson urged his followers to "prepare to fight and learn to can food so they could go underground and live in a hole in the desert" because a race war between Blacks and Whites was inevitable.

In a previous parole hearing, she admitted that she was the one who held Rosemary LaBianca down with a pillowcase over her head as the others stabbed the victim, before taking part in the stabbing. She and the other Manson Family members then smeared the couple's blood on the walls.

In 1971, just a few years after the LaBianca murders, Leslie Van Houten was sentenced to death. However, the California Supreme Court commuted this to a life sentence after it overturned the death penalty in 1972. The death sentence was reinstated in the state, though her commutation was not applied retroactively.

She is now the first Manson follower to take part in the killings to walk free.

Gov. Gavin Newsom Disappointed in Decision To Free Charles Manson Follower Leslie Van Houten

Given the heinous nature of her crimes, a lot of people were not happy with Leslie Van Houten's release. This includes California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who rejected her parole earlier, citing that she still posed a danger to society, according to The Hill.

However, the appeals court sided with the former Manson family member, with Newsom saying that he will not appeal the court's ruling to the California Supreme Court. This paved the way for Van Houten's eventual release.

READ MORE: Richard Ramirez: A Look at Horrific Crimes of 'Satanic' Serial Killer Dubbed the 'Night Stalker'

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Charles Manson: The Cult of the Manson Family - Biographics
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On July 11, Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars ("Mercedes-Benz") announced via its WeChat news account that it had delivered over 377,200 new vehicles to Chinese customers in the first half of 2023, representing a 6% year-on-year growth.

Photo credit: Mercedes-Benz

In the second half of the year, the company plans to launch five new models, including the highly anticipated all-new E-Class.

Specifically, Mercedes-Maybach, G-Class SUVs, and Mercedes-AMG brands all achieved double-digit year-on-year growth in China sales during the past six months. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz's new energy vehicle product lineup has seen steady growth, particularly in sales of the pure electric EQ models. The long-wheelbase versions of the C-Class and E-Class models both achieved double-digit year-on-year jump in sales, while the deliveries of the all-new long-wheelbase GLC continued to rise. Additionally, models such as the A-Class, the GLB SUV, and the EQB pure electric SUV all witnessed a year-on-year surge of over 36% in H1 sales.

Mr. Duan Jianjun, President and CEO of Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co., Ltd. (BMBS), stated that "In the second half of the year, we will closely focus on customer demands and launch five new models, including the all-new E-Class. We will further enhance the customer experience ecosystem and upgrade the digital touchpoints for users and Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts. The upgraded Mercedes-Benz application will be launched in the near future.

Mr. Zhang Yan, Senior Executive Vice President of BMBS added that "We will continue to work together with our dealer partners to meet the diverse experiential needs of different customer groups through exclusive luxury retail spaces. Following the establishment of the world's first G-Class SUV Experience Center outside Graz, which opened in Zhejiang in April, the AMG Brand Center in Ningbo, the AMG City Brand Center in Chengdu, and the AMG City Brand Center in Zhuhai will commence operations in the second half of the year.
For about 90 minutes Tuesday, Lower Saucon Township residents able to attend an afternoon meeting of the township council voiced opposition to another go-around at rezoning land for a possible landfill expansion.

One proposal before the council, as described by President Jason Banonis during a June 26 meeting, was to advance an ordinance rezoning 848.47 acres of the township from Rural Agriculture to Light Industrial and declare waste disposal a permitted use across the entirety of that land.

Instead, the council approved a motion offered by Banonis to limit the potential rezoning to 275.7 acres immediately adjacent to Bethlehem Landfill. Banonis said a public hearing on the ordinance to rezone the land will be held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30.

In late December 2022, the council rezoned those same 275.7 acres from Rural Agriculture to Light Industrial and gave itself the power to approve a landfill use on the acreage as a conditional use, rather than as a special exception that would go before the townships zoning hearing board. The acres extend east of the 2335 Applebutter Road landfill and north to along the Lehigh River, including 201.7 acres protected under a conservation easement that is within the township councils power to cancel.

As a permitted use under the new proposal, no special exception or conditional use approval would be required for the 275.7 acres to be used for waste disposal. The use would, however, still have to pass through the townships land development process and obtain additional approvals, including from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, township Solicitor B. Lincoln Treadwell Jr. said Tuesday.

Decembers vote set in motion a conditional use hearing that opened Feb. 27 and ran through May 5, costing the township $200 per hour for a special hearing officer who was to bring back a recommendation on approval or denial for councils consideration.

Earlier rezoning overturned

That hearing was suspended after Northampton County Judge Abraham Kassis on May 8 overturned the December rezoning on procedural issues after residents sued. The council decided May 17 against appealing. The Bethlehem Landfill Co., however, has appealed Kassis ruling to the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court.

After hearing from residents nearly unanimously opposed to rezoning more land for the landfills potential expansion, Banonis argued the township is risking a lawsuit over the small percentage of its land zoned Light Industrial.

Treadwell concurred that just 6% of the township zoned for something other than agricultural or residential uses is a low number. A property owner could file a validity challenge to say Lower Saucon hasnt done enough to allow for industrial uses, he said in outlining a hypothetical situation.

And if theyre successful, they get to put that use wherever they want, the township attorney said. They can pick the land that they want.

A location was not immediately announced for the Aug. 30 meeting. Tuesdays afternoon meeting drew about 100 people to Lower Saucon Fire Rescues Se-Wy-Co Fire Station, where it was held instead of at the township building.

Councilwoman Priscilla deLeon and Councilwoman Sandra Yerger voted against advancing Ordinance 2023-05 for Zoning Map and Text Amendments. Yerger participated in the meeting by telephone. Voting for approval with Banonis were Councilman Thomas Carocci, who arrived for the meeting about 20 minutes late around 12:50 p.m., and Councilman Mark Inglis.

Carocci on Tuesday pushed for the broader, nearly 850-acre rezoning. Treadwell noted that ordinance is prepared and can be revisited anytime you want to revive it and bring it back.

Tuesdays approval authorizes township staff to commence the ordinance-adoption process outlined under Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code and the advertisement of next months hearing, as well as sends the proposal for review by the Lower Saucon Township Planning Commission and Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.

Members of an audience of about 100 people listen as resident Victoria Opthof-Cordaro speaks during a 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, 2023, meeting of Lower Saucon Township Council at the Lower Saucon Fire Rescue's Se-Wy-Co Fire Station.Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com

Numerous residents opposed to the rezoning accused the council of not listening to them and instead doing the bidding of Bethlehem Landfill Co.s owner, Texas-based Waste Connections Inc. Several of those opposed criticized the proposal to make waste disposal a permitted land use on the rezoned acreage.

It seems like youre taking all the checks and balances away ... thats supposed to be in place so we dont just turn all of Lower Saucon into a dump, said resident Nancy Gorczynski.

I just dont get it, Debra Esposito said, and I get so frustrated because whatever people say I dont feel like this council will listen.

One speaker on Tuesday not opposed to the rezoning pressed members of the public on whether theyre ready to give up garbage collection and keep their refuse at home. Other speakers pointed to the volume of trash the landfill accepts from out-of-state.

Dump the dump

Residents carried signs calling for the resignation of Banonis and Carocci, and wore T-shirts emblazoned with Dump the dump! One resident acknowledged the landfill under its current acreage is there, we can deal with it, but to expand it is wrong to do.

Frank Palumbo suggested that the potential landfill expansion has brought residents like himself together: We have a common bond now, and its to fight the council members that keep pushing for this trash. Were creating Mt. Trashmore here.

An attorney for St. Lukes University Health Network vowed a continued fight against the proposed rezoning, after the hospital network joined opponents at the conditional use hearing over concerns surrounding impacts on its Bethlehem Township Anderson Campus hospital that is in view of the landfill.

Bethlehem Landfill in April received state approval extending its operating permit for 10 years until April 17, 2033, as well as a 40.60-acre expansion at the existing 201-acre landfill. A landfill official at that time said including that expansion called the Northern Realignment, the landfill has about five to five and a half years of permitted life remaining at current tonnage rates.

Bethlehem Landfill attorney Maryanne Starr Garber has called the company an essential part of the local economy.

The townships landfill revenues represent a quarter of its tax revenue, she said, while the landfill provides a needed waste disposal service. The landfill expansion as outlined for the conditional use approval hearing would preserve 157 acres of land adjacent to the landfill, she also noted.

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Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
According to the White House, Lehigh County is now a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) announced the declaration last week. Lehigh County is among nine areas newly added to a federal list of locations experiencing high levels of drug use and trafficking.

I am very pleased and excited to have Lehigh County receive this designation. Participation with LMA HIDTA will be a great benefit to law enforcement and to my office, Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said in response to the news.

Martins office applied for the designation on behalf of the county in order to gain access to additional resources such as investigative case support, information sharing and specialized training opportunities to departments looking to target the influx of drug activity coming into the region, he said.

In order to be approved for the designation, the district attorneys office had to provide evidence that showed the county met four criteria:

The area showed a significant center of illegal drug production, manufacturing, importation, or distribution.

State, local and other law enforcement agencies have committed resources to respond to the drug trafficking problem in the area, indicating a determination to respond aggressively to the problem.

Drug-related activities in the area have a significant, harmful impact in the area and other areas of the United States.

A significant increase in federal resources is needed to respond adequately to drug-related activities in the area.

In a news release shared with lehighvalleylive.com, Martin said Lehigh Countys central location among and proximity to New York City, northern New Jersey and Philadelphia make it a prime target for drug trafficking. He said the county has experienced an influx of drug-related violence coming in from New York and New Jersey as well as drug-related deaths fueled by the opioid epidemic and fentanyl crisis.

Lehigh County has the third highest percentage of its population affected by drug-related deaths in the Commonwealth, he added.

More than 600 High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas, or HIDTAs and HIDTA-designated across the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are already on the drug policy offices list , according to The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, including five counties in Pennsylvania  Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County and Philadelphia County.

The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to doing everything we can to strengthen public health and public safety to beat the overdose epidemic, said Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. These new HIDTA designations will ensure our nations hardest-hit areas get the critical resources and support they need to crack down on illicit drug supply, prevent overdoses, save lives, and make our communities safer.

Since its inception in 1988, the HIDTA Program has helped implement operations against drug trafficking organizations and provided cost-effective and evidence-based solutions to address addiction and the overdose crisis, Gupta said  and in 2022, the program helped seize an estimated $22 billion worth of illicit drugs and cash  representing a return on investment of $82.91 for every $1 budgeted for the HIDTA Program.

The presidents 2024 budget will call for about $290.2 million in funding for the HIDTA next year.

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Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or glenn_epps_on Twitter.
A firehouse bell tolled as part of a funeral service Wednesday for a long-serving Lehigh Valley firefighter, paramedic and instructor.

Christopher Kiskeravage was laid to rest in a Mass of Christian Burial at Cathedral of St. Catharine Sienna in Allentown.

He died June 9 following a lengthy battle with cancer that colleagues say was linked to his occupation. The South Whitehall Township resident was 56.

Courage and steadfastness marked these last few years, Monsignor David James, vicar general of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown, said as he led Wednesdays service live-streamed on the dioceses Facebook page. But these last few years are not the sole definition of this courageous man, loyal son, loving father and grandfather. Chris was more than a man who courageously bore his sufferings.

Kiskeravage and his wife, Andrea Andy Kiskeravage, celebrated 36 years of marriage a few weeks before his death, according to his obituary published by The Morning Call.

The Schuylkill County native started out in public safety as a teenage ambulance corps volunteer, going on to serve as a career firefighter and paramedic at Cetronia Ambulance Corps and with the Easton Fire Department from 1989 to 1996 then with Allentown until 2019, retiring as assistant chief, his obituary states. He was in command of the Allentown Fire Academy when he retired, and went on to an appointment as South Whitehalls first fire commissioner, according to the remembrance.

Active with Lehigh County Special Operations and Pennsylvania Urban Search and Rescue, Kiskeravage was a Pennsylvania State Fire Academy instructor and also trained firefighters internationally with the Bucks County Community College Department of Public Safety Training & Certification, his obituary states.

An amazing man, husband, father, firefighter, officer, and world-class instructor, the college posted to its Facebook page. From teaching locally to thousands and as far away as Japan he passed on his amazing knowledge to so many! Please keep his family, friends, and our fellow first responders in your thoughts!

Allentown Firefighters Local 302 and Easton Firefighters Local 713 of the International Association of Fire Fighters union, along with South Whitehall Township Public Safety, have used Facebook to keep friends and colleagues of Kiskeravage apprised of his funeral details and celebration of life that followed Wednesday at the Maingate Night Club. A post listing the details describes his cause of death as occupational cancer.

Cancer is a leading cause of death among firefighters, and research suggests firefighters are at higher risk of certain types of cancers when compared to the general population, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

Kiskeravage chose to donate his body for scientific research, according to his obituary: Hoping to find ways to make the job safer for all who follow.

He left us teaching even that one last class, by donating his body to science so that the medical profession and their treatment can be enhanced and the treatment of cancer might be advanced, James said during Wednesdays Mass.

Well-loved, as evidenced by the turnout, Kiskeravage made his family and friends the foremost recipients of his care, James said.

But when we think about it, hundreds, even thousands were recipients also  those who he directly helped in the fire service or as a paramedic were many, the officiant said in his homily. But think of how many more he has helped and will continue to help because of the training that he gave to others in his profession  and not just here in Allentown or in Pennsylvania but across our country and even in other parts of the world.

Who would think that a young man coming from a small town like Shenandoah would have such an impact on the world, but when you have Christ in your life you can do amazing things, James said.

An American flag is suspended from two firetrucks Wednesday, July 12, 2023, outside Cathedral of St. Catharine Sienna in Allentown, for a Mass of Christian Burial being held for long-time Lehigh Valley firefighter and paramedic and international public safety instructor Christopher Kiskeravage.Mike Nester | lehighvalleylive.com contributor

Words of condolences for those who knew Kiskeravage and of admiration for his service have poured out following his death, including in numerous comments on his obituary at legacy.com.

The Parkland and Allentown community lost a dear friend, said state Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh. Please hold Chris family, friends and co-workers in your thoughts and prayers.

My thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Chris Kiskeravage, former Allentown Fire Department Assistant Chief for Training, said U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, a Democrat representing the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvanias 7th Congressional District. His dedication to service and teaching impacted thousands of lives, and he will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know him.

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Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
A man is accused of trying to attack relatives with an axe in the Poconos and then fleeing from police before being arrested, police said.

Nicholas Fodor, 36, is in Monroe County Prison after failing to post $100,000 bail, records show.

Fodor faces 36 charges stemming from the Monday night incident in Pocono Summit. The charges include two counts each of aggravated assault and simple assault, as well as fleeing from police and resisting arrest, Pocono Mountain Regional Police said.

A defense attorney has not yet entered an appearance in his case.

Police were called for a domestic dispute involving an axe at 8:29 p.m. Monday night in a Pocono Summit housing development.

Fodor tried to hit multiple family members with an axe, then fought with family members before fleeing in a vehicle, according to police.

Arriving officers saw Fodor driving out of the development, and tried to stop him but he drove off, authorities said.

Fodor allegedly led police on a chase through Pocono Summit, Mount Pocono borough and into Pocono Township. Officers from Pocono Township and Pennsylvania State police helped Pocono Mountain Regional police during the incident.

Police said they disabled the vehicle, though they did not detail how, and the vehicle stopped at a business on Route 611, where Fodor was taken into custody.

Fodor was hurt during the family dispute and was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital for treatment, police said. He was released Tuesday and arraigned Tuesday night on the criminal charges.

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Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com.
The anticipated loss of hundreds of jobs at Stitch Fix Inc.s warehouse in Lower Nazareth Township is now official.

A Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (or WARN notice), available on the Department of Labor and Industrys website, for the e-commerce apparel company cited 393 jobs would be affected by the closing of the warehouse, which was announced in June. The initial number of lost jobs was expected to be 375, but with the official tally in, the company consolidating from five distribution centers to three is leading to nearly 400 out of work in the Lehigh Valley.

The rollback of jobs and wind-down of the distribution centers activity will begin on Sept. 8 by cutting 96 jobs and last through Feb. 2, 2024.

The 483,990-square-foot warehouse, owned by Prologis Inc., is the first of Stitch Fixs two major distribution centers to be closed  a Dallas-area warehouse will be next in the coming year. The company is consolidating to three hubs  Atlanta, Indianapolis and Phoenix.

In a June, during a third quarter financial results call, Stitch Fix CEO Katrina Lake said the company will wind down operations at the Nazareth-area warehouse at the end of this year and into the start of next year.

The company starting working out of the Nazareth warehouse in 2016.
A 70-year-old woman was found deceased under a riding lawn mower in Monroe County, Pennsylvania State Police said.

Gloria Myler was pronounced dead after authorities were called Tuesday to a home in Brodheadsville, Chestnuthill Township, according to a news release from state police at Fern Ridge.

Troopers were continuing to investigate the death but say there is nothing suspicious and no signs of foul play involved.

Monroe County Coroner Tom Yanac said Wednesday the cause of death remains pending further autopsy testing that could take six weeks.

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Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On July 11, Changan Automobile and Tencent signed an agreement to deepen their strategic cooperation. The two sides will strengthen their partnership in multiple areas to jointly promote higher quality digital transformation and help Changan Automobile expand overseas markets.

Signing ceremony; photo credit: Changan Automobile

Specifically, the two companies will enhance their collaboration in such areas as smart cockpit, navigation and maps, autonomous driving, overseas presence, and enterprise digital transformation,

Changan Automobile and Tencent have made significant progress in cross-industry cooperation since they formed partnership in 2017. This time, the two sides will further enrich the dimension of cooperation, create leading intelligent automobile products, and carry out joint research in the field of artificial intelligence, 5G, edge computing, and other forward-looking technologies.

In terms of smart, the duo will continue to use the joint venture company "Phoenix Auto Intelligence" as a bridge to create software and hardware integrated cockpit products that are closer to market demand, and jointly build a full-scenario user experience. They will work together to promote the application of Tencent's new products and services in Changan Automobiles vehicles, such as map-based city-level digital twin experience, intelligent cockpit products based on large models, AI digital avatar based on the scenario engine, etc. Up to now, their collaborative products have been deployed onto more than 1.1 million Changan vehicles.

Regarding navigation and maps, the two parties will drive the next generation of in-vehicle intelligent navigation products for human-vehicle co-driving scenarios to create an innovative navigation and driving experience.

As to autonomous driving, Tencent and Changan Automobile will jointly explore feasible projects in terms of autonomous driving R&D toolchain and cloud platform construction.

In overseas business expansion, Tencent will give full play to the advantages of Tencent Cloud and globalized resources, help Changan Automobile to better develop overseas markets and mutual growth.

Finally, the two companies will work together to boost the transformation and upgrading of Changan Automobile in various fields such as digital marketing, enterprise collaborative office, smart park and smart factory, etc.
Firefighters across Laois look set to return to the picket lines as SIPTU backs rejecting a Labour Court recommendation.

Retained firefighters had taken to the picket lines across the county in recent weeks due to concerns over staffing, pay and conditions last month.

However, they halted the action which was due to escalate to an all-out strike and agreed to talks in the Labour Court.

Those talks concluded with recommendations which included pay increases of at least 24% and the hiring of additional staff.

However, SIPTU, which represents retained firefighters across Ireland, expressed major disappointment at the terms of a Labour Court recommendation in relation to their dispute following a meeting on Tuesday.

Our members in the retained fire service believe the content of the Labour Court recommendation in relation to the many issues in the service is a major disappointment, said SIPTU Public Administration and Community Division Organiser, Karan O Loughlin.

While there are some small adjustments made to the previous position of the employers, there was just not enough political will to inject the resources necessary to resolve the current impasse and create the environment for re-engagement on the broader issues in this dispute. While the headline figures that describe the percentage rises in relation to pay look meaningful, in fact they are large percentages of a small annual retainer, said Ms OLoughlin.

There is nothing in the recommendation to deal with the precarious nature of the firefighters earnings with the retainer, drill and training still the only guaranteed pay. SIPTU retained firefighters will ballot on this document in the coming days, with a recommendation for its rejection from their National Committee. Accordingly, we anticipate that the document will be overwhelmingly rejected and that there will be a return to strike action, she said.
Almost 3,000 was raised in support of an elderly Laois widow who paid an ESB bill with savings for her late husbands headstone.

A GoFundMe page was set up after the womans financial situation was revealed in the Dail in May.

The page, which aimed to raise 500 to help the elderly woman, was set up by Callum Smyth.

As raised today in the Dail by Sorca Clarke TD (Sinn Fein), a widow in Laois was recently refused an Additional Needs Payment to help cover her extortionate Energy Bills, because she has savings in her account which were for her late husband's headstone, he wrote when he set up the page in May.

"Teachta Clarke told the Dail: I want to tell you about one lady's recent experience of this crisis, an elderly lady in Laois living alone after her husband sadly passed away last year

She received an electricity bill for 760, a colossal amount of money that she simply cannot afford.

She applied for an Additional Needs Payment to help cover the cost. Shockingly, she was refused support.

Why? Because she has a small amount put away from her pension over the last year saved for a headstone for her late husband's grave.

Because of that refusal for help, she was forced to spend the money on the electricity bill instead of the headstone.

Minister, her husband's anniversary is approaching and she is distraught that she will not have a headstone for his grave on time.

When her family called around to visit her last night, they found her sitting in the dark, terrified of switching on the lights, worried sick about what the next bill might be and when these nightmare costs are going to end, he wrote.

This fundraiser has been set up to hopefully cover the cost for this elderly lady. Any money that you can put towards it would be very much appreciated. Thank you very much," Mr Smyth wrote.

Since the page was set up 58 donations totalling 2,930 have been made on the page. The fundraising page also included an update:

[UPDATE] - As per the family's wishes, the funds raised here will be sent to Irish Cancer Society, Mr Smyth posted.

Mr Smyth didnt respond when messaged though the GoFundMe page by the Leinster Express.
RTE's Midlands Correspondent Sinead Hussey has been joined by colleagues at the station's Athlone base as part of a national protest.

They were among RTE staff staging protests on July 12 around Ireland calling for transparency over payments and funding at the organisation.

The new RTE Director General Kevin Bakhurst spoke with workers and union representatives at the staff protest at RTE studios in Dublin.

Speaking at the Dublin protest National Union of Journalists representative Emma O'Kelly said the purpose of the protest was to send a message to government that they cannot have public service broadcasting 'on the cheap'.

The protests took place a day after RTE present Ryan Tubridy met with TDs and Senators in the Dail where he faced several hours of questions at two committees with his agent Noel Kelly over the payments controversy that has engulfed the station.

Ms Hussey was to the fore in the first protest at RTE in Dublin after news of the controversy broke. Speaking at that protest she said staff feel "very let down and betrayed".

Her predecessor in the Midlands, Ciaran Mullooly, has been a vocal critic of the station's handling of the crisis during recent weeks.
Two custodial sentences were imposed on a man for two separate offences committed in County Kildare.

Judge Desmond Zaidan imposed the sentences on Lawrence Fox, with an address given as 39 Brookview Rise, Tallaght, Dublin 24, County Dublin, but who is currently remanded in custody on other matters.

The 30-year-old was convicted for an obstruction offence at a property in Clane on June 28, 2018.

It was heard that when he was approached by gardai, he pulled down his trousers, exposing himself, and said: "Lets get this over with."

After gardai told him he could keep his trousers on, they began to search a room in the property.

This caused Mr Fox to try and obstruct the gardai, and he became verbally abusive towards the man.

He was also convicted for assaulting a man while holding a key in his hand outside the TK Maxx store in The Courtyard Shopping Centre in Newbridge on August 10, 2018.

A garda told Judge Zaidan that when he was brought to the local garda station following the incident,a small amount of cannabis herb was found on his person, and he admitted to the assault.

Judge Zaidan remarked that Mr Fox has 'a history of violence', pointing to six previous convictions for assault, and noted the assault victims impact statement, saying that it had 'a devastating effect' on the man.

He sentenced Mr Fox to six-months in prison for the assault offence, and 10 months in prison for the possession offence.
Cancer Trials Ireland (CTI), the national organisation dedicated to advancing cancer clinical trials, has announced the creation of the Pat Smullen Chair in Pancreatic Cancer at University College Dublin (UCD).

According to Horse Racing Ireland, he new position, which was announced on Monday, July 10 last, will 'anchor expertise in pancreatic research in Ireland, with the ambition of creating a global centre for treatment and research of this form of cancer, which has one of the poorest outcomes.'

The new role is named in memory of Pat Smullen, the nine-time champion jockey who passed away from pancreatic cancer in September 2020.

Pat Smullen was also at the centre of a drive by the Irish horse-racing and breeding industry over Irish Champions Weekend in September 2019.

Commenting on the announcement, Eibhlin Mulroe, CEO of the CTI, said: "The position will receive 900,000 (180,000 per annum) in funding over five years from Cancer Trials Irelands Pat Smullen Pancreatic Cancer Fund (PCF), with matching funding for the role from the HSE National Cancer Control Programme. UCD will then take over Cancer Trials Ireland funding contribution to continue the partnership with the HSE NCCP."

The new Chair will share their time between their clinical work as a treating physician at St Vincents University Hospital (the national surgical centre for pancreatic cancer) and their research work at UCD.

While at UCD, the Chair will work to identify, attract, open and monitor new pancreatic cancer trials for patients.

Ms Mulroe continued: "The Pat Smullen PCF arises from various fundraising endeavours undertaken by champion jockey Pat Smullen, his family, and the horse racing community, following his diagnosis with pancreatic cancer in March 2018.

"The inaugural fundraising event raised 2.6 million with further fundraising events having raised an additional 367,000 to date.

"Sadly, Pat died in September 2020, but his legacy lives on and the fund he created has now provided new treatment options for 174 patients with pancreatic cancer, at no cost to themselves, or to the State.

"There are lots of fast-moving developments in pancreatic cancer right now with new treatments, including vaccine treatments that arose during COVID, being applied to this cancer.

By developing the research infrastructure in place in hospitals, we will be better able to support the development of pancreatic cancer clinical trials, and be ready to take full advantage of these really important treatment advances when they come along.

"Our intention is to recruit an internationally-renowned pancreatic cancer leader who will work on new treatments and therapies with doctors from around the world, and who will then roll these out for the benefit of Irish patients," she concluded.

Frances Crowley, Professor Ray McDermott, Eibhlin Mulroe, CEO of Cancer Trials Ireland with Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland at the launch of the Pat Smullen Chair in Pancreatic Cancer at University College Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney.

Frances Crowley, wife of the late Pat Smullen, said the announcement builds on new treatment options for pancreatic cancer that would not have arisen but for the funds raised.

She said: "The Pat Smullen PCF has already brought new treatment options to people in Ireland that werent there in 2019.

"Now, just four years later, one trial has concluded, another has just opened, a third will open in the coming months, while a fourth is in the pipeline for late 2023/early 2024."

She added: "With this funding, the aim is to put pancreatic cancer research onto a more stable and promising footing, and I know thats what Pat wanted to achieve when we set about the fundraising activities over Irish Champions Weekend in 2019.

"Thanks to the unswerving support of the horse racing community, Pats friends, and many others whose lives have been affected by pancreatic cancer, we are able to make the long-term funding commitment that the Chair needs."

For more information, visit www.cancertrials.ie/pat-smullen.
Following a national open call, Kildare artists Mark Durkan and Mary Jo Gilligan have been awarded the Woodstock Artist in Residence opportunity, to work with the communities in Athy West Urban, over a period of 10 months.

The artists aim to produce a body of work that responds to the people and place and create a vision for the future of the area. The Artist in Residence opportunity is part-funded by Slaintecare Healthy Communities and Kildare County Leader Partnerships Empowering Communities Programme.

Cathaoirleach of Athy Municipal District, Councillor Brian Dooley explained that the benefits of the arts across all sectors in our society are of huge importance and have the potential to be transformative to an area.

Elsewhere, visual artist, Ciara Chapman, a native of Carlow, will work with Athy Access Group in collaboration with KARE, Athy Irish Wheelchair Association and other stakeholders to create work to engage people around the barriers and impediments facing people with disabilities. The project will be presented on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3rd December 2023. This opportunity is part funded by County Kildare Access Network CKAN.

Michael Hurley, Health & Safety and Access Officer, Kildare County Council commented County Kildare Access Network (CKAN) are delighted to be partnering with Creative Places Athy on this innovative project to raise awareness and the profile of accessibility and disability in Athy. Furthermore, we feel it will help in our vision of making Kildare inclusive and accessible to all.

Both of these opportunities will allow the artists and communities to work meaningfully together over a period of time on projects that explore common goals and interests.

Creative Places Athy coordinator, Eilish Langton said; Collaboration, participation, time, intent, and spaces to have creative experiences are central to the success of these projects. Key to the delivery and ongoing development of the Creative Places Athy programme is the interagency and cross sector approach. We are committed to building on relationships with as many organisations as possible throughout the programme.

Creative Places Athy, led by Kildare County Council, now in its second year, continues to develop and support work to strengthen the existing arts & cultural sector in Athy. Through socially engaged art projects that are rooted in community development principles, the programme is expanding to explore local, traditional, and contemporary arts practice opportunities. The programme is delivered with support from the Arts Council and through Local Property Tax, provided by the Athy Municipal District.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Chinese automaker Jiangling Motors Co. (JMC) announced on July 12 through its interactive platform that it is partnering with the autonomous driving solution provider WeRide in the field of autonomous urban freight transportation.

The companies plan to commence small-scale commercial trial operations by the end of the year, further advancing their exploration of an unmanned vehicle platform.

Robovan; photo credit: WeRide

The collaboration between JMC and WeRide has been established for some time. In September 2021, WeRide announced its entry into the urban freight transportation sector. At that time, WeRide and JMC formed collaboration on Level 4 autonomous driving light commercial vehicles (Robovans), which would be adopted by ZTO Express for local logistics and express delivery services.

The Robovan is specifically designed for urban open roads and features a Level 4 autonomous driving system. It is equipped with WeRide's full-stack software and hardware autonomous driving solution, enabling 360-degree perception, a fully redundant chassis, and an intelligent driving system. The vehicle is capable of operating throughout the day, under various weather conditions, and in all driving scenarios.

Yao Xiantao, Assistant to the President and Director of the Strategic Development Department at JMC, mentioned during the Auto Shanghai 2023 that the brand will also conduct Level 4 autonomous driving trials under fully unmanned intelligent logistics scenarios.

Furthermore, the automaker disclosed that around 20 JMCs intelligent commercial vehicles developed in collaboration with autonomous driving companies will be deployed for commercial operation in Guangzhou by the end of June this year. It is highly likely that the intelligent commercial vehicle referred to is the aforementioned Robovan developed with WeRide.
Tourism Ireland, in partnership with Failte Ireland and the German tourism foundation Willy Scharnow-Stiftung fur Touristik, invited travel agents to Leitrim this week.

Representing 15 travel agencies across Germany, the travel agents visit aims to familiarise with Ireland and its superb tourism to be better informed and enthusiastic while advising clients on planning and booking their holidays in Ireland.

The groups action-packed itinerary included visiting The Shed Distillery and staying overnight at The Landmark Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon.

Nadine Lehmann, Tourism Irelands Manager in Germany, said, Tourism Ireland was delighted to invite this group of German travel agents to Ireland to experience at first-hand the wealth of things to see and do here for German holidaymakers.

Seeing is believing  and our aim is that when they return home, they will be even more enthusiastic about the destination, helping to secure a greater share of their business for Ireland in 2023 and beyond, added Nadine.

Tourism Ireland is responsible for promoting the island of Ireland overseas as a leading holiday destination. In 2019, the organisation welcomed 11.3 million overseas visitors delivering a revenue of over 5.9 billion.
Alphajets from the French Air Force Patrouille de France release trails of red, white and blue smoke, in rehearsal three days ahead of the Bastille Day parade on the Champs-Elysees avenue, on July 11, 2023 in Paris. JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP

Recent riots have cast a shadow over France's beloved Bastille Day national holiday, with fireworks displays called off around the country, outraging some conservatives. Fireworks sales have been banned over their use against security forces in riots that erupted at the end of June after police shot dead a teenager during a traffic stop, reviving anger over racism and police brutality.

France's most intense urban violence in nearly two decades rocked the country for a week, with thousands of cars torched, public property destroyed, and over 3,700 rioters arrested, many of them minors.

The western Paris suburb of Nanterre, where 17-year-old Nahel M. was killed by police, is one of many municipalities to call off their annual Bastille Day fireworks displays for fear of further unrest.

"We can't celebrate our national day because of hooligans, I believe things are much worse than people think," David Lisnard, the head of the French Mayors' Association (AMF) told broadcaster France Inter on Wednesday. Lisnard, a member of the opposition conservative Republicans (LR) party, said the cancellations were "a sign of a very deep unease in French society."

President Emmanuel Macron will celebrate Bastille Day, which marks the fall of the Bastille prison in 1789, seen as igniting the French Revolution, with ally Indian President Narendra Modi at the traditional central Paris military parade under heavy security.

The two leaders are also set to watch the main Paris fireworks display at the Eiffel Tower, which has been maintained, after nightfall on Friday, July 14.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes French police face fatigue, polarization and fear that riots are not over

'Calm summer needed'

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Wednesday that an "exceptional" 45,000 police would be deployed on the nights of July 13 and 14  as many as at the height of the riots. "What we're trying to avoid... is a resurgence of these violent episodes, through preventive measures as well as by an increased police presence on the streets," Darmanin told reporters.

Police would be "specially equipped and organized" to face urban violence and backed up by specialist units, helicopters, drones and armored vehicles, he added, while 34,000 firefighters would be on duty.

Over 150,000 heavy-duty fireworks similar to those shot at police and buildings during the riots have been seized in recent days, Darmanin said, many of them imported from EU countries such as Spain and Poland. Buses and trams would halt service at 10 pm on both nights, he added, although metro lines and suburban trains would continue until late.

Macron's office said Wednesday that he would not be making a televised address as planned on July 14, when he had hoped to sum up the achievements of a 100-day reset after the passage of a bitterly contested pension reform.

"If violence flares up again this summer, the effects will be very negative... he needs a calm summer to get back to reforms" from September, political scientist Bruno Cautres told Agence France-Presse (AFP) at the weekend.

'Loss of confidence'

Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally and Macron's challenger in two presidential elections, slammed the decision by some towns to cancel July 14 festivities.

"Can you believe that in the great democracy of France, we are giving up on our national day because of the fear generated by potential violence or potential riots by some people?" she added, calling the move "an admission of a total loss of confidence in the state".

She used her remarks in Beauvais, a town north of Paris, to criticize the cost of rebuilding burned-out public buildings and to suggest that the rioters pay for the damage, even if it took "the rest of their lives."

Commenting on plans to fine underage rioters' families, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said on Sunday that the government would "evolve the law... if the existing legal framework is insufficient."
May 2, 2023, at a checkpoint set up by Baku at the entrance to the Lachin corridor, the only route linking Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, cut off by Azerbaijan on July 11, 2023. TOFIK BABAYEV / AFP

Pressure is rising again in the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. On Tuesday, July 11, Azerbaijan announced the suspension of road traffic in the Lachin corridor, the only road linking Armenia to this separatist territory, at the heart of a thirty-year conflict between Baku and Yerevan.

Azerbaijan says it took this measure because of "multiple smuggling attempts" via this checkpoint by vehicles belonging to the Armenian branch of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). In particular, border guards claim to have seized, between July 1 and July 5, around ten cell phones and hundreds of packs of cigarettes during search operations in these vehicles and have accused the NGO of failing to take steps to prevent these "illegal actions." The border crossing will have to remain closed until the "necessary investigations" are completed, they said. A criminal investigation has been opened.

The ICRC immediately denied wrongdoing, claiming that "no unauthorized goods were found" in one of its vehicles. The Geneva-based organization added, however, that it "regret[ted] that without [its] knowledge four hired drivers tried to transport some commercial goods in their own vehicles which were temporarily displaying the ICRC emblem." "These individuals," it asserted, "were not ICRC staff members and their service contracts were immediately terminated by the ICRC.

Read more New report criticizes use of Pegasus spyware in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict

Humanitarian crisis

Since December 2022, tensions have been mounting. Yerevan accuses its historic enemy of impeding supplies to the breakaway region and deliberately creating a humanitarian crisis by blocking the corridor, causing shortages of food and medicines. For their part, Azerbaijani authorities deny any responsibility. In April, however, they announced that, for "security" reasons, they had set up a checkpoint giving access from Armenia to the Lachin corridor.

In June, the Armenian branch of the Red Cross sounded the alarm. It announced that medical supplies to hospitals in Nagorno-Karabakh and the transport of seriously ill patients had been suspended via the corridor. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accused Baku of seeking to commit "ethnic cleansing" in the region.

Tuesday's announcement of Baku's suspension of road traffic risks straining ongoing negotiations between the two countries, which have intensified in the past months, with parallel diplomatic initiatives led by the European Union and the United States. Talks are due to continue in July under EU mediation.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Under blockade, Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh call for international help

Russia, weakened by the war in Ukraine, is also trying to play a mediator role to avoid being upstaged by Brussels and Washington, to no avail so far. Armenia has also criticized Russian peacekeepers, deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh since the end of 2020, for failing to guarantee freedom of movement in the Lachin corridor.

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Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio casts his vote in Freetown on June 24, 2023 during the presidential vote. JOHN WESSELS / AFP

Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio was re-elected to serve a second term with 56.17% of the vote, the head of the electoral commission said Tuesday, June 27. Bio's main challenger Samura Kamara, who came second with 41.16% of the vote according to final results announced in Freetown, branded the result "not credible".

Vote tallying had already been disputed by Kamara's All People's Congress (APC), which condemned in a statement Monday an alleged lack of inclusiveness, transparency and responsibility by the electoral commission. The party pointed to the lack of information about which polling stations or districts the ballots were coming from. "I categorically reject the outcome so announced by the electoral commission," Kamara said on Twitter. In a later statement, the party alleged "overvoting" in some areas and said it "continues to reject" the "fabricated results" and "reaffirms our victory".

At a press conference Monday, European Union observers said a lack of transparency and communication by the electoral authority had led to mistrust in the electoral process. The monitors said they witnessed violence at seven polling stations during voting hours and at three others during the closing and counting stages. They also said they received reports of violent incidents in six regions, including the use of live ammunition in three districts.

About 3.4 million people were registered to vote in Saturday's election. Sierra Leoneans also voted in parliamentary and municipal elections Saturday.

Bio, 59, a former coup leader in the 1990s, has championed education and women's rights in his first civilian term. Kamara, 72, a former foreign and finance minister, had assailed the electoral commission throughout the campaign period over alleged irregularities and delays.

EU observers denounced violence by security forces at the APC headquarters in Freetown on Sunday night, in what the police said was an effort to disperse opposition supporters, which left one woman dead.
A FIRM of conservation engineers has been put in place to investigate the fire damage done to a landmark city centre building.

That's according to Maria Woods, a senior planner in Limerick's planning department, who addressed questions on the blaze at the Sailor's Home in O'Curry Street at this month's metropolitan district meeting.

She confirmed that following the blaze, which ripped through the building, its owners the Shannon Foynes Port Company had put in place staff to investigate what needs to be done.

At this month's metropolitan district meeting, councillors Joe Leddin and Elisa O'Donovan had motions asking staff of the local authority to liaise with the property's owners regarding its ongoing management.

Councillor Leddin said: "It does raise the point in terms of the responsibility the owners have. If buildings are listed in an inventory, there is a responsibility they be put to good use. It's in that context I put in the motion today. Everyone wants to see this building restored. It was hugely upsetting not just for the neighbourhood but everyone in the city who has a love for our buildings and built environment."

He says it's time for everyone interested in the Sailor's Home to "up their game".

Calling for a working group strategy for its restoration and future use, Cllr Leddin said there cannot just be "ad-hoc" interaction on the building, "but day-to-day engagement in terms of business, the social and cultural life of the city."

Cllr O'Donovan, who seconded the motion, described the fire as "a mindless act of vandalism".

"I met with residents after this attack and there was a palpable sense of sadness and a lot of fear from some of residents at the coal face as they live close by. Councillors are in a frustrating place as we don't manage or own the building as it puts us in a difficult position to do anything," she said.

The City West councillor has held talks with the chief executive of Limerick Civic Trust David O'Brien.

She says the heritage group's members have expressed a wish to take over the running of the home, which up to the fire was sparsely used.

"It should be open to more community groups, and not just open at the behest of Shannon Foynes Port Company to decide who can use it," Cllr O'Donovan told the meeting.

Donal Creaton, who chairs Limerick Civic Trust pointed out the building was top of a list published in 2018 of 104 derelict properties in the city that the group felt should be restored.

"We must take all possible steps to avoid disasters like this reoccurring. I truly hope that this sad event is a wakeup call for all involved with derelict property - one must use it or lose it but ideally work with us, the Civic Trust, and together we can

achieve something that the whole community may benefit from and be proud of and present our great city in the way it should be so presented . It is now time for action and the Civic Trust is waiting to engage," he said.

In a written response, Ms Woods said: "Within hours of the fire, the architectural conservation officer had made contact with other stakeholders in our build heritage such as the architectural heritage unit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Irish Georgian Society, prior to contacting the chief executive of the Shannon Foynes Port Company to assure him of the council's support for the conservation, restoration and reconstruction of the building. Ongoing contact will be maintained."
FINE GAEL have been fast out the blocks by holding three selection conventions in Limerick for the 2024 local elections.

The most recent and hotly contested was Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District on Monday night in Bulgaden Castle.

A crowd of around 250 attended to select three candidates from the five who put their names forward - sitting councillors Mayor Gerald Mitchell and John Egan - Noreen Stokes, Pallasgreen, Greg Conway, Kilmallock and Tommy OSullivan, Kilfinane. Ms Stokes and Mr Conway narrowly missed out in the 2019 local elections.

Ms Stokes topped the poll on Monday night, followed by Mr Conway, Mr OSullivan, Mayor Mitchell and Cllr Egan. However, Mayor Mitchell later overtook Mr OSullivan on transfers and joined Ms Stokes and Mr Conway on the Fine Gael ticket in Cappamore-Kilmallock for 2024.

However, Fine Gael ran four councillors in the municipal district in 2019 and the Leader understands it is likely that John Egan, as a sitting councillor, will be added in time.

Mr O'Sullivan thanked his supporters and wished those chosen the best of luck.

The picture was much clearer in west Limerick as there were no contests in Newcastle West or Adare-Rathkeale. The three sitting councillors in Newcastle West - John Sheahan, Tom Ruddle and Liam Galvin - will all run again.

Fine Gael did run four in 2019 but as Jerome Scanlan has left the party and is now an Independent it is unlikely they will add four as Cllr Scanlan will likely hoover up some FG votes.

Cllr Adam Teskey and Cllr Stephen Keary will run again in Adare-Rathkeale but they will have a new running mate in Cllr Michael Sheahan. The Askeaton native has switched from the city to his homeplace.

Fine Gael party leader in the council, Cllr John Sheahan said their councillors are working hard on the ground and we hope they will be returned.

The issue that I have is we are losing the communication battle in relation to the good that this government is doing. While everything is not perfect a lot of good is being done and we need to change the narrative out there and especially between 18 and 35-year-olds, said Cllr Sheahan.

Other parties' conventions will be held in the coming months.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On July 12, SAIC Motor's MG brand announced a limited-time promotion for its all-electric hatchback, the MG MULAN.

During the period from July 1 to July 31, 2023, customers who purchase the MG MULAN can enjoy a cash discount of 24,000 yuan, resulting in a starting price as low as 115,800 yuan.

Additionally, customers will receive a benefits package, including a lifetime warranty gift (exclusive to battery, electric motor, and electronic control unit) worth 8,999 yuan, a zero-interest finance gift worth 4,999 yuan, and a thoughtful installation gift worth 3,999 yuan.

However, it should be noted that the MG MULAN 425km Fashion Edition model is not included in this promotion.

MG MULAN; photo credit: MG

The MG MULAN is a brand-new all-electric car under the MG brand, hitting the market in September 2022. Built on SAIC's Nebula BEV (battery-electric vehicle)-dedicated platform, it features a new design language. Its front end is characterized by narrow and sharp headlights, a three-section grille, and a lower air intake, giving it a more dynamic and aggressive appearance.

The car measures 4,287mm in length, 1,836mm in width, and 1,516mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,705mm. It has a crossover-inspired styling with a floating roof, integrated with a continuous light strip. It is equipped with large-size spoilers and a rear diffuser. The side profile features multiple character lines, blacked-out window frames, and stylish side skirts.

In terms of powertrain options, the MG MULAN offers both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions, with three power configurations corresponding to different ranges. These include a 125 kW motor with a 51 kWh battery pack (425 km range), a 150 kW motor with a 64 kWh battery pack (520 km range), and a total power of 315 kW (dual motors) with a 64 kWh battery pack (460 km range).
A LIMERICK factory and farmer featured on RTE Investigates - Milking It: Dairy's Dirty Secret this week.

Presenter Fran McNulty investigated the underside of Ireland's dairy boom. It showed how at some mart sales Friesian bull calves couldnt even be given away free of charge such is the oversupply of calves in the calving season

Over a number of weeks RTE Investigates filmed at several Irish marts and saw some handlers treat young calves capably and with respect. But others, including mart workers, farmers and transporters, showed a blatant disregard for animal welfare, they say.

Undercover filming captured what appeared to be serious breaches of animal welfare. Monday's shocking documentary showed examples of slapping, striking and kicking of animals, all prohibited by law, as well as throwing them mid-air which is regarded as a serious breach of animal welfare.

Under EU regulations, sticks are not permitted for use on young calves and a calfs ears or tail, which is sensitive and can break, should not be twisted or pulled yet undercover footage shows occurrences of these by mart staff, by farmers and by transporters in Ireland.

The programme also features a recent sharp increase in baby calves being delivered for slaughter to meat processing plants.

Over a seven-day period, RTE Investigates observed dozens of trucks deliver calves for slaughter to a meat plant in County Limerick. Most were just a few weeks old. Both farmers delivering there, and the factory itself confirmed to RTE Investigates there would be no payment for the animals, said a spokesperson for the show.

Close to 30,000, mostly young bull calves, were slaughtered at meat factories in Ireland so far this year. The programme also investigated the journey taken by some of the 200,000 bull calves exported from Ireland every year to be fattened on veal farms in Europe.

Peter Hynes, originally from Crecora but now farms in Cork, gave his reaction in the programme to some of the footage, alongside wife Paula.

There should be zero tolerance within our dairy industry for treating animals like this. I've always been proud to be a dairy farmer but I'm not proud to see this and Fran McNulty is right to call it out, tweeted Mr Hynes.

The Department of Agriculture has confirmed it is to launch an investigation.
WORRIES mount as there is still no sight of the long-awaited Directly Elected Mayor (DEM) legislation for Limerick.

Sinn Feins senator, Paul Gavan has called on the Minister of State, Kieran ODonnell, to confirm exactly when the legislation on the DEM for Limerick will be published and progressed.

Speaking after an exchange in the Seanad with Mr ODonnell, Mr Gavan said: The people of Limerick voted for a directly elected mayor over four years ago. Since then this government have been big on promises and short on delivery.

Having voted in the 2019 plebiscite to have a directly elected mayor, the Bill was said to be addressed in the Dail before summer recess.

However, as the recess looms, there are still no signs of the bill in progress.

Of equal concern is the lack of clarity surrounding the executive powers that would be upon a directly elected mayor.

The senator further voiced his concerns on this issue, adding: The Minister of State does not seem able to give any detail in terms of what executive powers a directly elected mayor is going to have.

This is a key issue, and we are going to need to examine the Bill in detail to ensure it reflects what the people voted for.
An animal welfare charity is calling for "a complete reassessment" of Ireland's dairy model following the revelation of apparent animal cruelty in an RTE Investigates programme.

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) has issued a statement of condemnation following the broadcast of RTE's 'Milking It: Dairy's Dirty Secret' programme on Monday July 10, which featured undercover footage from marts across the country.

The shocking documentary presented evidence of Irish animals being slapped, struck, kicked, and thrown mid-air, all of which are regarded as serious breaches of animal welfare.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has since confirmed intent to launch an investigation into the programme's revelations, with the ISPCA stating that any such investigation must be "robust and thorough" to show that "ill-treatment of animals will not be tolerated".

In a statement, the ISPCA said, "Some of the cruel handling filmed in Irish and European marts and shown on the programme was absolutely unacceptable, both morally and legally.

"We welcome the condemnation of this behaviour by the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS), and the commitment by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to launch an investigation into breaches of animal welfare regulations."

The ISPCA is calling for an overhaul of the dairy model in Ireland due to "the rapid and unsustainable expansion of the Irish dairy herd over recent years", which has resulted in an increase in the industry's waste product (male calves, which are of no use to the industry).

They stated: "The resultant treatment of these animals, as shown in the programme, is beyond horrendous."

The charity has also called on the Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, and his officials to ensure all companies authorised by DAFM to transport livestock abroad are evaluated for compliance with transit regulations.

The ISPCA stated, "Any transport company, as well as any individuals, found to be in breach of regulations should be penalised robustly."

The statement continued: "In the first half of 2023, over 195,000 calves were exported from Ireland, up 20% from the same time period in 2022 and up 47% from the same time period in 2021.

"The ISPCA believes that the treatment of many Irish calves, both in Ireland and during transport abroad, is damaging to the reputation of the Irish dairy industry, and the reputation of the country generally.

"Based on the evidence in the RTE programme, a small open Island economy, such as Ireland, is far from being the exemplar that it should be."
The worlds largest automakers are moving deeper into the supply chain for metals to power their electric cars. A $1 billion deal set to close in the coming weeks highlights the urgency of their effort and the risks they are taking to get there.

Volkswagen and Jeep maker Stellantis are each committing $100 million in a complicated transaction that will create a publicly traded mining company producing nickel and copper from two Brazilian mines that run on hydropower.

They are joining with a special-purpose acquisition company run by a well-known mining executive who hopes to do more deals to build a large battery-metals company. Mining giant Glencore is also putting in $100 million and has agreed to turn the nickel and copper from the mines into battery-grade material at processing facilities in Western Europe and North America that would qualify for subsidies in the U.S. and Europe.

Investors are showing enthusiasm for the deal. Shares of the London-based SPAC, known as ACG Acquisition, are up despite a deep chill in that market. ACG executives are currently doing a roadshow to raise money from professional investors before a shareholder vote later this month, they said.

The transaction highlights desperation to secure raw materials outside China, the worlds dominant processor of battery metals. Many automakers are seeking materials from mines that meet higher environmental and labor standards, in part to qualify for billions of dollars in electric-car tax credits, loans and subsidies in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

In recent months, General Motors invested $650 million in a startup lithium producer, Stellantis put $155 million into an Argentina copper mine, and Ford invested in an Indonesia nickel mine. Volkswagen launched a global search for battery metals before joining the ACG SPAC deal, which is unique in uniting various parts of the auto supply chain in a single transaction.

Volkswagen and Stellantis joining the transaction tells you about the scarcity of the material that we will produce," said Artem Volynets, ACGs chief executive. The mines running on local hydropower gives the metals a lower emissions profile, the company said.

Volynets previously ran EN+ Group, the Russian company founded by sanctioned oligarchOleg Deripaska that owns a big stake in aluminum producer UC Rusal. Volynets and other executives made Rusal one of the largest aluminum companies in the world through a series of acquisitions. He now hopes to use a similar strategy focused on battery metals, he said.

A SPAC is a shell firm that raises money from investors, then lists publicly on a stock exchange with the sole intent of doing a transaction to create a newly public company. Such deals became popular alternatives to traditional initial public offerings in 2020 and 2021, then fell out of favor last year as investors began withdrawing their cash from such deals in droves.

Typically SPACs merge with privately held startups. ACG is instead raising outside funding of more than $1 billionthrough equity, debt and advance agreements to sell the metal it producesto buy the mines directly from private-equity firm Appian Capital Advisory. After buying the mines, the SPAC plans to turn into a new operating company called ACG Electric Metals.

The company expects to have at least a few hundred million dollars on its balance sheet. Volynets said the SPAC executives are also sharing some of their shares with investors in the blank-check firm to encourage them to keep their money in the deal and increase the amount of money the newly public mining company will have.

Volkswagen has agreed to provide $100 million in a prepayment for nickel. Stellantis, Glencore and mining investment firm La Mancha Resource Capital have each committed $100 million in equity investments, while the SPAC is currently trying to raise another $300 million during the roadshow. It is raising roughly $300 million in debt from banks including Citigroup.

Volynets is trying to differentiate his SPAC from most blank-check mergers involving unprofitable startups in splashy areas such as electric flying taxis and cryptocurrencies. ACG projects the mines it is buying will have earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of about $270 million this year.

ACG will be dependent on fickle commodity markets, though strong battery demand is expected to support nickel and copper prices in the coming years. Unexpected mine disruptions could be another challenge. Miner Sibanye-Stillwater had previously reached a deal to buy the same mines from Appian, then backed out after what it called a geotechnical event." Appian is now suing Sibanye.
Concern over the rise of drug-resistant superbugs is spreading beyond hospital wards and health clinics to the worlds major financial centers.

A number of large institutional investors are joining together to put pressure on food companies to curb the use of antibiotics in livestock, which the World Health Organization says is contributing to some infections becoming hard to treat with existing drugs. The WHO estimates that resistance to drugsalso known as antimicrobial resistancecould cost the global economy $100 trillion by 2050 if no action is taken.

The investor group, led by the nonprofit FAIRR Initiative, will push 12 of the largest quick-service restaurants in North America to commit to using antibiotics in their supply chains only when necessary. These companies include McDonalds, Starbucks and Yum Brands, which runs restaurants such as Pizza Hut and KFC.

Asset managers Schroders and Legal & General Investment Management, Australian pension fund Hesta and adviser EOS at Federated Hermes are part of the 71-member group, which in total includes firms managing or advising on $15.2 trillion of assets.

It is just the latest example of big global investors using their buying power to push for changes in how companies deal with broad social issues. The last time FAIRR pushed hard on the topic of antibiotics, between 2016 and 2019, it secured backing from over 70 institutional investors managing $5.5 trillion in assets combined. These funds notched up some successes, including getting more than a dozen fast-food companies to create policies concerning the use of antibiotics.

Now, the new group wants companies to show how they are implementing existing antibiotic policies across their supply chains and develop new policies to cover all the animal protein they sell. Investors also want to see specific targets and confirm that progress is being audited.

Fund managers have adopted different tactics to put pressure on corporate executives over superbugs, including filing resolutions at annual shareholder meetings and demanding talks with management.

In April, McDonalds urged shareholders to vote down a proposal co-filed by Hesta, Legal & General and French asset manager Amundi relating to its use of antibiotics. The proposal didnt pass, but it won a larger percentage of shareholder votes than resolutions addressing the issue at each of the companys previous two annual meetings.

Maria Ortino, senior global ESG manager at Legal & General, said the firm was concerned about risks posed to the global economy by antimicrobial resistance, and how clients assets might be hurt.

Its a systemic risk just like climate change," she said.

That view underlines why some money managers are taking a leaf from the playbook of shareholder activistswho have scored some big wins on getting companies, especially oil and gas firms, to do more to address climate change. It also shows a broadening of concerns that institutional funds consider to be a risk to market stability.

Antimicrobial resistance could influence the market fundamentals that drive investment returns, including economic growth, said Debby Blakey, chief executive of Hesta, which has almost $50 billion in assets. At recent shareholder meetings, Hesta also joined with Amundi to file resolutions against U.S. meat producers Hormel Foods and Tyson Foods that related to the use of antimicrobials in livestock. Neither proposal achieved a majority of votes cast.

Some companies contend they are already taking action. When asked about the most recent shareholder resolution, a McDonalds spokesperson said the company had a strong record of responsible antibiotic use across its supply chain. McDonalds didnt comment about the latest FAIRR campaign.

Yum Brands said it had animal-welfare policies that seek to improve animal health and minimize the use of medicines, particularly antibiotics. Tyson said it already had an antibiotic use program that addressed WHOs antimicrobial guidelines.

Starbucks declined to comment, and Hormel didnt respond to a request for comment.

A United Nations report this year said drug-resistant infections could rise from one million to 10 million annually by 2050. According to World Bank estimates, global gross domestic product could be dented by up to $3.4 trillion a year if antimicrobial resistance continues unabated.

One challenge for investors is the sheer number of issues that could threaten their portfolios. Simon OConnor, chief executive of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia, said antimicrobial resistance is vying for attention with issues including cybersecurity, human rights and the energy transition.

Fund managers often make proposals without much faith that they will pass. Instead, they argue that they help to build awareness and pressure management to stake out positions or explain their policies in public.

That was illustrated in the recent shareholder action against McDonalds.

Investors assisted by U.S. nonprofit The Shareholder Commons argued in their proposal that McDonalds had backtracked from a 2018 commitment to announce antibiotic-reduction targets for its global beef supply chain by 2020.

In recommending that shareholders vote against the resolution, McDonalds said that it wanted to reduce usage, but with flexibility to treat sick animals as directed by vets. Shareholders voted down the proposal. Still, 18.7% of votes cast were in favor, up from 13.4% a year earlier when another resolution focused on antibiotics use was filed against the company.

Katie Frame, social engagement lead at Schroders, said there was a clear economic and social need to take action on antimicrobial resistance.

The pandemic demonstrated the disruptiveness and financial materiality of global health issues," she said. Our belief is that over time the risks of antimicrobial resistance will continue to crystallize, driving investors to take action."
India's leading telecom firm, Bharti Airtel has acquired additional 20.6% stake in the SD-WAN startup, Lavelle Networks. With this, Bharti Airtel's total ownership will increase to 45.6% in the the SD-WAN startup. THe company will acquire an additional 20.6% stake in Lavelle Networks in multiple tranches.

Also Read: Telecoms to record modest growth in Q1 as disruptive phase behind; Reliance Jio, Airtel well positioned

In furtherance to the earlier communication dated January 31, 2022 and in terms of terms of Regulation 30 of the SEBI Listing Regulations, we wish to inform you that the Company has entered into an agreement resulting in acquisition of aggregate 45.6% stake in Lavelle Networks Private Limited, in which the Company currently holds 25% stake," the company said in its stock filing.

Airtel has made this acquisition of stakes under its Startup Accelrator Program, for the support of early stage Indian tech startups. Bharti Airtel share price closed 0.68% higher at 891.90 per share on BSE on Tuesday.

About Lavelle Networks

Lavelle Networks was founded in 2015, and is a network software startup working in the field of cloud powered technology. The company provides solution for the optimisation, security and management of enterprise branch networks.

Also Read:Airtel Business rejigs its leadership team; CEO Ajay Chitkara to exit in August

The company's flagship scaleAon-SD-WAN plaform has connected several thousands of Indian enterprises from the nation's largest financial institutions to e-commerce networks. Its product line was launched in 2016-17 and accelerated to a significant market share within the last three years in the early adopters of SD-WAN technology in India.

Also Read: Airtel invites customers to experience power of 5G at its stores

Bharti Airtel had acquired initial 25% stakes in the Bengaluru-based tech startup in February last year. Other than this, ASM technologies, a flobal technology engineering and product development services provider, had also done a follow on investment in Lavelle Networks.

Bharti Airtel expected to show decent growth in Q1 FY24

In the first quarter of current financial year, Indian telecom firms are expected to record modest growth in the first quarter of FY24. The stable growth will be led by tarriffs and the assumption of further improvement in subscriber mix. EBITDA is also expected to pick-up at a single-digit growth level. Bharti Airtel along with Reliance Jio are expected to perform well in the first quarter of current financial year. Giants like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are well-placed for a healthy quarter with sales seen to rise by double-digit year-on-year. Kunal Vora of BNP Paribas expects Bharti and Jio to report double-digit sales growth YoY owing to market share gains.

Kunal Vora - Head India Equity Research, BNP Paribas in his report said, With stable tariffs for over a year now, we expect the Indian telecom industry revenue growth to moderate to 8- 9% y-y in 1QFY24, assuming an improving subscriber mix as more customers adopt 4G services."

BSE More Information

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New Delhi: The division bench of the Delhi High Court has rejected the appeal by Go First, seeking a stay on the interim order by a single judge bench on 5 July. The interim order had allowed its lessors to inspect its 30 parked aircraft.

Besides, the bench comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sajeev Narula, granted the Directorate General of Civil Aviation 15 days to give approvals for the airline to resume operations.

Rajiv Nayyar, the counsel representing Go Firsts lessors, argued that the DGCA should not consider the application of the airline until the final hearing starts on 3 August.

The lessors argued that the lease agreement had expired and aviation rules do not permit an airline to retain possession of the aircraft. The lessors counsel also contended that the corporate insolvency resolution process cannot compel renewal of the lease contract.

Neeraj Kishan Kaul, senior counsel appearing for the airline, questioned the extraordinary jurisdiction exercised by the single judge in passing the interim order while the matter is also under consideration by National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). The interim order is detrimental to NCLT proceedings, he argued.

The court has directed the single-bench judge to hear the writ petition and issue the final order in the case.

The DGCA informed the HC that it had received the audit report and sent a reply to Go Firsts resolution professional attaching the audit report. The lawyer also said it had identified certain shortcomings in the report, but the RP has to take a call on filing a reply. The entire process is expected to take two weeks, she added.

In an interim order on the Delhi high court single bench directed the DGCA and airport authorities to allow representatives and officers of Go Firsts lessors to inspect 30 grounded aircraft within three days.

In its latest plan submitted to the DGCA, the airline said it can start operating around 160 daily flights with 26 aircraft and, out of these, it is expected to keep three to four aircraft in reserve for backup, in case of technical glitches in any of the operational aircraft.

Wadia Group, the airlines former promoters, has blamed engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney for its predicament. The airline filed for insolvency on 2 May and suspended flights with effect from 3 May due to unsustainable financial health owing to grounding of 30-50% fleet on an average since 2020 due to unavailability of new engines and shortage of serviced engines.
New Delhi: Indian airlines face a potential capacity shortage during the peak December quarter travel season, as aircraft induction plans of major carriers are progressing at a sluggish pace, according to data from aircraft tracking site Flightradar24 .

Since the suspension of low-cost carrier Go First, domestic airlines fleet size has risen by just 0.9% to around 680. Only three major scheduled carriers, including market leader IndiGo, Tata Groups Air India and startup carrier Akasa Air have added airplanes to their fleet since May.

IndiGos fleet witnessed 3% increase to 312 aircraft, while Air Indias net fleet size rose by 5% to 124 aircraft. However, out of Indigos 312 aircraft, 47 are currently grounded due to maintenance work, and shortage of spare engines and parts, Flightradar24 data showed.

Indian airlines are trying to minimize the impact of supply chain disruptions plaguing the original equipment manufacturers of aircraft. IndiGo, for example, has reinducted older aircraft on lease in order to tide over the delays in new aircraft delivery, said Pushan Sharma, director, research, Crisil Market Intelligence and Analytics.

In 2022, Air India had said that it would induct 36 aircraft on lease, including 21 Airbus A320neos, 4 Airbus A321neos and 5 Boeing B777-200LRs, and 6 Boeing 777s beginning 2023, to expand its operations. However, so far, the airline has inducted four Boeing 777-LRs and two A321neo planes, following a delay in deliveries.

According to the scheduled timelines, it was expecting the five wide-body B777-200LRs between December 2022 and March 2023, the A321 aircraft in the first quarter of 2023, and the 21 A320 in the second half of the year. The six additional Boeing 777s were expected in the first half to meet its near-term capacity requirements.

Supply chain issues are still going on, and are becoming a major barrier for airlines as the plans are not in sync with the ground realities. At present, demand has tapered due to a fall in leisure travel, but as the demand picks up from October, it will become a significant concern," an airline executive said, seeking anonymity.

For budget carrier SpiceJet, the fleet has shrunk to around 55 aircraft, out of which 23 are grounded.

While supply chain issues continue to impact all airlines, SpiceJet is also facing legal battle with its lessors and the company is planning a fund raising.

Last month, the airline said it will induct 10 aircraft by September to meet the anticipated demand for air travel.

The fleet of Indias youngest airline Akasa Air is at 19 aircraft since its launch last August. It is set to add a 200-seater B737. The airline plans to add 12-14 aircraft in 2023-24, according to its official estimate.

Tata-owned full-service airline Vistara has not increased its fleet size, and currently has 61 aircraft, out of which 5-7 are not grounded. However, the airline seeks to add nine planes by FY24-end.

Domestic airlines are likely to witness a pick up in capacity additions by the end of the year, as the two OEMs typically deliver a major part of the orders in the latter half of a year, coupled with improved production as supply chain challenges ease and orders earmarked for struggling Indian carriers are delivered to the stronger carriers," Sharma added.
A gradual reverse migration is under way, from Zoom to the conference room. Wall Street firms have been among the most forceful in summoning workers to their offices, but in recent months even many tech titansApple, Google, Meta and morehave demanded staff show up to the office at least three days a week. For work-from-home believers, it looks like the revenge of corporate curmudgeons. Didnt a spate of studies during the covid-19 pandemic demonstrate that remote work was often more productive than toiling in the office?

Unfortunately for the believers, new research mostly runs counter to this, showing that offices, for all their flaws, remain essential. A good starting point is a working paper that received much attention when it was published in 2020 by Natalia Emanuel and Emma Harrington, then both doctoral students at Harvard University. They found an 8% increase in the number of calls handled per hour by employees of an online retailer that had shifted from offices to homes. Far less noticed was a revised version of their paper, published in May by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The boost to efficiency had instead become a 4% decline.

The researchers had not made a mistake. Rather, they received more precise data, including detailed work schedules. Not only did employees answer fewer calls when remote, the quality of their interactions suffered. They put customers on hold for longer. More also phoned back, an indication of unresolved problems.

The revision comes hot on the tails of other studies that have reached similar conclusions. David Atkin and Antoinette Schoar, both of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Sumit Shinde of the University of California, Los Angeles, randomly assigned data-entry workers in India to labour either from home or the office. Those working at home were 18% less productive than their peers in the office. Michael Gibbs of the University of Chicago and Friederike Mengel and Christoph Siemroth, both of the University of Essex, found a productivity shortfall, relative to prior in-office performance, of as much as 19% for the remote employees of a large Asian it firm. Another study determined that even chess professionals play less well in online matches than face-to-face tilts. Yet another used a laboratory experiment to show that video conferences inhibit creative thinking.

The reasons for the findings will probably not surprise anyone who has spent much of the past few years working from a dining-room table. It is harder for people to collaborate from home. Workers in the Fed study spoke of missing their neighbours to turn to for assistance". Other researchers who looked at the communication records of nearly 62,000 employees at Microsoft observed that professional networks within the company become more static and isolated. Teleconferencing is a pale imitation of in-the-flesh meetings: researchers at Harvard Business School, for example, concluded that virtual water coolers"rolled out by many companies during the pandemicoften encroached on crowded schedules with limited benefits. To use the terminology of Ronald Coase, an economist who focused on the structure of companies, all these problems represent an increase in co-ordination costs, making collective enterprise more unwieldy.

Some of the co-ordination costs of remote work might reasonably be expected to fall as people get used to it. Since 2020, many will have become adept at using Zoom, Webex, Teams or Slack. But another cost may rise over time: the underdevelopment of human capital. In a study of software engineers published in April, Drs Emanuel and Harrington, along with Amanda Pallais, also of Harvard, found that feedback exchanged between colleagues dropped sharply after the move to remote work. Drs Atkin, Schoar and Shinde documented a relative decline in learning for workers at home. Those in offices picked up skills more quickly.

The origins of the view that, contrary to the above, remote working boosts productivity can be traced to an experiment nearly a decade before the pandemic, which was reported by Nicholas Bloom of Stanford and others in 2013. Call-centre workers for a Chinese online travel agency now known as Trip.com increased their performance by 13% when remotea figure that continues to appear in media coverage today. But two big wrinkles are often neglected: first, more than two-thirds of the improved performance came from employees working longer hours, not more efficiently; second, the Chinese firm eventually halted remote work because off-site employees struggled to get promoted. In 2022 Dr Bloom visited Trip.com again, this time to investigate the effects of a hybrid-working trial. The outcomes of this experiment were less striking: it had a negligible impact on productivity, though workers put in longer days and wrote more code when in the office.

The price of happiness

There is more to work (and life) than productivity. Perhaps the greatest virtue of remote work is that it leads to happier employees. People spend less time commuting, which from their vantage-point might feel like an increase in productivity, even if conventional measures fail to detect it. They can more easily fit in school pickups and doctor appointments, not to mention the occasional lie-in or midmorning jog. And some tasksnotably, those requiring unbroken concentration for long periodscan often be done more smoothly from home than in open-plan offices. All this explains why so many workers have become so office-shy.

Indeed, several surveys have found employees are willing to accept pay cuts for the option of working from home. Having satisfied employees on slightly lower pay, in turn, might be a good deal for corporate managers. For many people, then, the future of work will remain hybrid. Nevertheless, the balance of the work week is likely to tilt back to the office and away from homenot because bosses are sadomasochists with a kink for rush-hour traffic, but because better productivity lies in that direction.

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Read more from Free exchange, our column on economics:

Can the West build up its armed forces on the cheap? (Jun 22nd)

Wage-price spirals are far scarier in theory than in practice (Jun 15th)

A flawed argument for central-bank digital currencies (Jun 8th)

Also: How the Free Exchange column got its name

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New Delhi: India is working on a plan to allow bio-fuel exports and trading as it sews together a compact for Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA), whose foundation document is set for a launch later this month in Goa that will be attended by G20 member countries and other nations as well.

However, Saudi Arabia, Russia and China are expected to skip the 22 July marquee event where the alliance will be opened up for membership, said two people aware of the development.

Goa is hosting the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial and 8th Mission Innovation meeting from 19-22 July on the margins of the G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting.

With an eye on the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries-plus (Opec+) grouping and achieving net-zero, the initiative is set to have an impact on the global energy architecture, with Brazil, the US and India being the core members of the alliance.

In 2018, India restricted the import and export of biofuels in a bid to increase domestic capacity.

The move also provides a signal to the Opec+ grouping, which has ignored calls by New Delhi to increase production amid record high prices of petroleum products.

The alliance has not found favour with one of the worlds largest oil producer Saudi Arabia, which has a focus on conventional hydrocarbons. Russia, meanwhile, is part of the Opec+ that has been announcing successive production cuts at a time when the global economic recovery has been fragile.

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China, which is a major biofuel producer with whom India has been engaged in an eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation since 2020, is opposed to the India-led initiative. China also boycotted a G20 meeting on tourism held in Srinagar in May.

Trading and exports of biofuels are the main issue. Though Indias national biofuel policy doesnt currently allow it, this will subsequently be modified. The foundation document is under advanced stage of negotiation and its voluntary endorsement is non-binding in nature and doesnt place any obligation," said one of the two people cited above.

The GBAs focus is on accelerated adoption of biofuels, creating new biofuels, setting internationally recognized standards and codes, identifying global best practices, and ensuring industry participation to have quantifiable outputs.

It plans to achieve this by strengthening pathways involving biofuels, and securing their supply and availability. To be headquartered in India, other nations can also join the alliance by endorsing the foundation document. Membership is also open to non-G20 countries.

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in New Delhi in an emailed response said, We dont know where the information comes from. It might be a rumour."

Brazilsministry of foreign affairs said, The Global Biofuels Alliance is a global initiative that aims to expand and strengthen sustainable biofuels markets through technical cooperation, policy lesson-sharing and dialogue about standards."

Brazil supports the global biofuels alliance and its comprehensive and broad goals, especially towards the promotion of biofuels around the world."

Queries mailed to Indias ministries of petroleum and natural gas, and external affairs; and the embassies of the US, Saudi Arabia and Russia on Monday remained unanswered.

India has an ambitious biofuel roadmap where the government has set a target to achieve 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025-26. The target of petrol supplies with 10% ethanol blending was achieved in June last year, ahead of the original schedule of November 2022.
The Coconino County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) has four roles when wildfires threaten communities: it calls for evacuations, manages traffic in and out of endangered neighborhoods, handles patrols in areas that are vacated to prevent looting, and determines when and how re-entry will get underway once the fire is managed.

Thats why CCSO is linked in with the process of communicating to residents when its time to be ready, get set and go if a fire threatens their home.

The Ready, Set, Go! system is meant to offer a helpful blueprint for the county, outlining the most basic instructions to follow when theres smoke on the horizon.

But what does it mean to be ready for a wildfire? How do you set yourself up to leave your home in an emergency?

There are official recommendations from the federal government that include suggestions such as having a full or at least half tank of gas in your vehicle in case you need to leave an area at a moments notice.

Coconino County Sheriff Jim Driscoll recommends having a grab bag by the door filled with items you choose when youre under no time constraints: belongings such as family photos, passports and medications. There are comprehensive lists of items to set aside on CCSOs website.

Technically, Coconino County is always on Ready, but evacuation is an emotional and difficult process, and those types of formal recommendations can dissolve under the pressure of imminent evacuation once a neighborhoods status switches to Go.

Timberline resident Rose McMillan learned that when she was evacuated from her home during the Tunnel Fire.

I did not get much time once they evacuated," McMillan said. "I was so overwhelmed I didnt know what to take. Next time I would try to put more thought into what I take."

She added: "It was the most terrifying thing I ever went through."

Thinking through what you want to bring and having important items set aside during the ongoing Ready stage can be valuable once pre-evacuation warnings are formally issued, said CCSO Chief Deputy Bret Axlund.

He said the deputies deciding when and where to put evacuations or pre-evacuations in place are also operating from a place of practice and forethought, using rapidly evolving information.

Well get a call like a wildfire, what well do is send a supervisor to incident command. Generally, thats the person who is in charge of operations response with the fire agency -- generally, thats the forest service. We tie in with them and use their expertise. Theyre the fire experts, they know much better than we do the path of the fire and the speed element, Axlund said. Theyll map areas that are in danger. Then we use the Ready, Set, Go! system for communities in the track of the fire.

He recommends preparing for at least five days away from your home, especially after the lengthy evacuations that took place during the Tunnel and Pipeline fires.

Scott Hancock was evacuated from Railroad Springs in 2005 when a fire burned near Woody Mountain Road. At the time, he had several factors to consider.

Having to evacuate animals, kids and visitors was definitely a source of anxiety for everyone. Luckily, we had two friends in Doney Park who could take us all in, even the animals. So we did not use a shelter. We had not prepared for an evacuation at the time, but I have every summer since then, Hancock said. Now, we have important bins, photos, passports, birth certificates, etc., ready to go. During Red Flag Warnings we will park our RV in the driveway and make sure it is ready to go quickly if needed.

Experts tend to recommend having items critical to life, safety or identification ready to go, but sometimes the possessions former evacuees wished theyd brought have more nuanced value.

I got to the point of loading up the car, and one of the things I thought about because I had time [was] that I would want to have things that made the next house I lived in feel like home if I lost the one I live in now. I gathered a few decorative items that matter to me, said Lynn Merrill, who lives in University Heights. Not just family photos and important papers. I think, if I had to start over, that would help.

Lynn Salce lived off of Schultz Pass and Fort Valley Road for three decades. She was evacuated twice  once in 2019 and once in 2022.

I have the Coconino County emergency alert app on my phone and did receive the Ready, Set, Go alerts, and I started getting things together at the first alert. It was an overwhelming task. I called my (grown) kids and asked them if there was anything at my house they wanted me to take if I evacuated. They both had a couple of things, but I was at a loss," Salce said. "Finally, I decided to pack up my many photo albums -- irreplaceable family photos from years past. I'm so glad that most of the photos of my kids growing up are digital and I didn't have to worry about saving them.

Salce said she also brought her medications, laptop and some clothing before deciding that most of her belongings were replaceable. For former evacuees who spoke to the Arizona Daily Sun, it wasnt uncommon to grab photo albums, stuffed animals and musical instruments. A number of people said they felt panicked in the packing process and mostly forgot to think beyond those top-of-mind things.

Several people said they wished theyd brought items that would be important in the future. Salce said shes since thought more about making records that could help her file insurance claims.

I did think to do something I should have done a long time ago when I wouldn't have been rushed. I quickly went through the house to get a video inventory of everything. I went through every room, every closet and took some of the yard and exterior of the house, Salce said.

In a pinch with animals

While a lot of planning for the packing process can be done in advance, during the Ready stage, some things are harder to prepare to move.

Axlund said while CCSO recommends having a grab bag ready at all times, the Set phase is generally when people pack their things and get ready to go. He said he recommends people with animals, particularly horses and livestock, evacuate when theyre put on Set status to ensure they have enough time to get their critters out of the path of an encroaching wildfire.

I was evacuated. My advice would be to pay attention to pre-evacuation notices. I didnt. I never thought it would happen. Then the evacuation was an all-out panic, evacuating my 20 animals at the time, said Coconino County resident Jennifer Louzan. To be fair, there was only a few hours between pre-evacuation to evacuation. I think the responders did their best and so did we. But sometimes there isnt a lot of notice.

Louzan recalls not having enough animal carriers or a prepared horse trailer to make moving her animals a smoother process. Her experience is not uncommon.

I ended up putting a lot of my smaller animals into cardboard boxes. So another bit of advice is to keep a carrier for each animal. I only had two small carriers because I only take them to the vet two by two," she said. "My hooved babies were most difficult because we didnt have a place for them to go and had to be price gouged for the most rusty used trailer ever to move them all. The moral of the animal evacuation story is to have a place for everyone and enough carriers or trailers for everyone to load up at a moments notice.

Axlund said one of the best ways to prepare for possible evacuations can start well before fire season. He said getting to know your neighbors and exchanging phone numbers with people close by can be critical.

If you are going out of town and have animals, be sure to coordinate with someone who has access to your property and can safely evacuate your animals. I havent been evacuated, but Ive helped friends who have been, said Doney Park resident Paula Emberty. It can be a chore to catch and load large animals in stressful situations, especially if the animal isnt familiar with the person or equipment. And not all house or pet sitters are familiar with transportation of animals.

Even in situations where large animals arent involved, neighbors can sometimes help get people out of homes in the path of a fire after roadblocks are set up by CCSO.

Tools available

Axlund said in order to ask your neighbors for help, signing up for emergency alerts can be key.

CCSO has access to a reverse 911 system called iPause and can use that system to push alerts to all phones in a given geographic area.

Axlund said CCSO learned the systems limitations during the Pipeline and Tunnel fires. During those fires, a number of residents werent able to get back to their homes after popping into town to buy groceries or working all day in the city limits.

The benefit of the emergency notification system is whether youre in that area or not, youll still receive an alert, Axlund said. One of the problems we found was people couldnt get to their homes in time to get to their animals or their children. We had to send deputies into areas to go do rescues for folks that were unable to leave their homes.

During the Pipeline Fire, Axlund said, CCSO partnered with Mohave, Yavapai and Navajo counties so there were more deputies available for rescues. CCSO's Search and Rescue Unit was also called in.

On occasion, deputies can go into evacuated areas to rescue children or people stranded behind evacuation lines. Sometimes, depending on fire behavior, they can even help to escort people to get medications or other items that are critical to their life and safety. But thats all dependent on fire behavior.

We found that out during the Pipeline Fire -- in 12 minutes we went from Set to Go. We were clocking that fire at 30 miles per hour, Axlund said. Sometimes there was absolutely no way we could send out enough SAR volunteers or deputies to check every home [for people left behind]. Get to know your neighbors. Trade phone numbers. Sometimes its OK to be dependent on others for your safety and the safety of others.

Keeping an eye on things

Once homes are evacuated, CCSO deputies are responsible for patrolling vacant neighborhoods where possible.

We have active patrols preventing any type of criminal activity, like theft, Axlund said.

During such patrols, he said, CCSO will often rely on support from outside agencies, because calls for service in other parts of the county generally dont stop for a fire.

We will set up roadblocks in the area to keep people from re-entering. Once people leave the area, theyre not allowed back in, Axlund said.

When Salce was evacuated, Schultz Pass Road was blocked at Fort Valley.

I parked in the Cheshire neighborhood and watched as helicopters flew overhead and retrieved water from the retention tanks on Schultz Pass. Even though the fire was moving east, my neighborhood remained evacuated, since we were included in the Elden Lookout zone. The neighborhood directly south of my home, Valley Crest, had not been evacuated, so it was very frustrating to me that I could not get back to my home, Salce said.

She recalled not getting a good nights sleep until she was allowed to return to her home  which was still standing after both wildfires.

Some evacuees described a gnawing uncertainty about the status of their house, whethertheir property would be standing when they returned.

If a home is destroyed, we try to contact that homeowner as quickly as we possibly can. Well go check on homes for people, Axlund said. We will conduct community meetings, because its all about communication. A lot of inaccurate information goes out because people dont know. Well give updates from the Forest Service. Well also try to get help from the building inspector for an area to find out if homes are safe to enter.

Once its determined that an area is safe to re-enter and re-evacuation is unlikely, residents -- and only residents -- will be allowed to re-enter neighborhoods.

We generally do a checkpoint for them to come through, Axlund said. A good thing to keep in the go bag is proof they live in the area ... for their safety and for privacy, we only let people who live in an area back in at first. We know when people come back into the area and they see their shed, their fence, their homes, burnt up, that can be an emotional time for them. We try to give them a couple of hours. We want to give them a little bit of time to grieve for their losses.
The board of directors of Hindalco Industries Limited has approved a proposal to sell a land parcel at Kalwa, Maharashtra, for 595 crore. The land parcel is located in the Kalwa MIDC area and has a total area of 12.95 acres.

The sale of the land parcel is part of Hindalco's strategy to focus on its core businesses and reduce its debt. The proceeds from the sale will be used to repay debt and for other general corporate purposes.

Hindalco Industries is a leading global aluminium and copper producer. The company has a diversified portfolio of businesses, including aluminium, copper, specialty products, and packaging. Hindalco is headquartered in Mumbai, India, and has operations in over 30 countries.

The sale of the land parcel is subject to the approval of the shareholders of Hindalco Industries. The company is expected to complete the sale in the next few months.

The shares of Hindalco Industries soared and closed in green even in the choppy market conditions. The shares ended the day at 424.65 per share, whereas the sensex closed at 65,393.90 down 223 points or 0.34 per cent.

The Silvassa extrusion factory is expected to reach maximum capacity (30kt) by mid-FY25. The copper smelter is closed for maintenance and will reopen in mid-June 2023, which will have a negative impact on Q1FY24 copper margins. Due to severe macroeconomic conditions, the company's earnings performance was sluggish despite decreased volumes. The company has invested Rs. 609 crore in Silvassa to construct new extrusion units with a capacity of 34 KTPA.

The company has grown in size by acquiring the Kuppam facility for Rs. 247 crores in enterprise value and Ryker Base Private Limited, renamed Asoj, for Rs. 323 crores in enterprise value.

Hindalco Industries Limited is the Aditya Birla Group's metals flagship company. Hindalco, worth USD 26 billion, is a world leader in aluminium and copper.

HINDALCO INDUSTRIES More Information

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On an average, defence stocks have gained about 20% in the past three months.

Here is a heat map for defence stocks.

So, are defence stocks in India currently overvalued?

To understand this, let's take a look at Israel.

When the state of Israel was founded, the country desperately needed trading partners. Unlike its Arab adversaries, Israel did not have oil or natural resources to fund its economy.

Plus, the country needed to get self-sufficient in defense.

The country's military exports were then nowhere close to where they are today. Israel took its military technology seriously only when its attempts to export produce like oranges and kerosene stove tops to South America completely failed.

But the country's focus on military R&D paid off.

Almost 17% of the US' R&D budget is allocated for the military. The US military's wartime R&D gave birth to pathbreaking technologies like the internet.

In the case of Israel the share of military R&D is almost 5% of its total R&D.

So, did this help?

Well, since 1985, Israel is the world's largest exporter of drones. It corners about 60% of the global market.

With US$ 11 bn in global arms exports, Israel is trailed by the US, whose market share is under 25%. Its customers are everywhere - Russia, South Korea, Australia, France, Germany, and Brazil.

Israel's drones were used by India to safeguard its border during China's Doklam intrusion.

Over the past few decades, Israel has shown the world how technologically advanced military hardware can change the way modern wars are fought.

Can India's military exports do the same?

India's indigenously produced BrahMos missiles bagged $335 m order from the Philippines last year. Similar orders are expected from Vietnam, Malayasia, and few other southeast Asian countries.

Also, India's defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics is in talks with at least four countries to sell its light-combat aircraft, Tejas.

In fact, the scope for India to grow the defence exports is evident in this map shared by KPMG.

India's Potential Military Export Destinations

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As far as military technology R&D is concerned, both ISRO and DRDO have got more autonomy for defence tech partnerships with private sector and startups, over the years.

More importantly, governments of India and the US have recently released an ambitious roadmap for defence industrial cooperation. This is to fast-track technology tie-ups and co-production of military platforms such as air combat and land systems.

The move came in the wake of Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region. Also, the Russian aggression against Ukraine seeks to redraw borders and threatens national sovereignty.

In the last few years, the defence sector bond between India and the US has deepened significantly. The two countries have inked key defence and security pacts over the past few years. This includes the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016 that allows the militaries to use each other's bases for repair and replenishment of supplies.

The two sides also signed COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) in 2018. It provides for interoperability between the two militaries for the sale of high-end technology from the US to India.

Currently, there are proposals from US defence major General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to share technology for fighter jet engines and armed drones.

Therefore, with credible technology at our disposal, exports remain one of the biggest inflection points for India's military production.

India's defence production exceeded the benchmark of 1 trillion for the first in the latest financial year.

The number is critical not just because it shows a growth of around 12% over financial year 20021-22. But also, because the growth has come on the back of significant private-sector participation.

Policy reforms, like ban on certain imports and integration of defence SME and startups in the supply chain have revolutionised Indian defence.

Over the past seven to eight years, the number of defence licenses issued to industries has increased by almost 200%. This has stimulated the defence industrial manufacturing ecosystem.

The government's target is to achieve a turnover of 1.75 tn by 2025. Of this, about 20% must come from export of military hardware. Military exports from India were negligible until 2017.

So, is India aiming too high with its defence production? Is India's defence self-reliance story too good to be true?

The run-up in defence stocks, so far, certainly captures the near-term earnings upside from the domestic sales. But unless your timeframe to stay invested in defence stocks is too short, you may not want to miss the long-term upside in exports.

However, selecting stocks inIndia's defence ecosystemmust be with sufficient diligence. Going with under the radar stocks that offer long term upside is the best way to go about it.

This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such
It had all the makings of a scam, or so she thought. When Alka Gupta, a resident of Delhi, received a letter recently from a firm that she had not heard of before, she decided to ignore it. The letter claimed that her shares, lying unclaimed, were now worth several lakhs of rupees. This is a scam, she thought to herself, several times until it hit her. Thirty years ago, Gupta had subscribed to the initial public offering (IPO) of one of the top banks of India and had forgotten all about it.

A couple of weeks after she got the letter, Gupta (55) decided to check its veracity with GLC Wealth Advisory, the firm that had mailed her. It opened up a world of riches. I went to their office. People there helped me with the documentation to reclaim my money," says Gupta. Yet, it took more than a year for Gupta to lay her hands on that small fortune.

For Gupta, this would not have been possible but for the services of GLC Wealth, a Delhi-based financial and legal advisory . The firm identifies and traces investors who have forgotten their investments in shares, real estate">real estate, and government securities">government securities, among others, and never claimed them.

Notably, all shares, dividends, debentures and accumulated interest that have remained unclaimed for seven years or more get transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF), a repository set up under the Companies Act, 1956. Provisional data from IEPF puts the unclaimed balance at the end of January at 5,675 crore. Government data shows that total unclaimed deposits (money lying unclaimed in bank accounts for years) transferred to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) by public sector banks totalled 35,012 crore as of February.

IEPF has a searchable database but it requires multiple data points such as account number, depository client ID or folio number. If such details are not available, investors would have to scour company websites or even hire the services of a private agency.

Unclaimed insurance protection

Unclaimed assets are not limited to banks and stock markets. It extends to insurance policies as well. Insurance repository CAMSRep estimates the unclaimed insurance amount at 20,000-22,000 crore, covering around 7 million policies. LIC alone accounts for 15,000-17,000 crore, across 5 million policies," says Vivek Bengani, CAMSReps chief executive officer.

Unclaimed insurance money, per Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of Indias (Irdais) definition, is any amount payable to the policyholder as death claim, maturity claim or survival benefits that remain unclaimed beyond six months from the date of its settlement.

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While all insurers are mandated to post unclaimed insurance information on their websites, there is no single database that compiles information from all insurers. Even private recovery platforms prefer to stick to other unclaimed assets over insurance. Irdai has been nudging insurers to take steps to release the unclaimed amount. It is here that CAMSReps contact tracing tool is a big help.

We start with a broad search on the web to seek alternate contacts. We put algorithms on the available data to see if alternate email IDs or mobile numbers can be found. We sift through a lot of junk data. Once we have possible matches identified, we run extensive communication tools using all possible means, even approaching family members in person or via calls to inform them about the unclaimed benefit. This is the validation process. Once we establish contact, we collect bank details of the beneficiaries and share the entire data with the insurance company," says Bengani.

CAMSRep is already working with a dozen insurers and has so far processed 850 crore across 2.5 lakh policies. Of this, 100 crore worth of unclaimed benefits have been resolved for about 40,000 policyholders in the last 12 months.

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance achieved a 10% efficacy running this pilot project with CAMSRep. The insurer also engages with credit bureau agencies,the Insurance Information Bureau, distribution channels and its own branches to reach out to policyholders. With ongoing engagements at multiple levels, we were able to pay out over 597 crore in FY22 and over 1,003 crore in FY23 to beneficiaries," says Amish Banker, senior executive vice president, customer service and operations at ICICI Pru Life.

LIC, too, is evaluating the CAMSRep service. If it comes on board, the resolution will get a huge fillip," says Bengani. Meanwhile, the repository is evaluating collaborating with India Post to enrich its database and deploy AI tools.

Vineet Arora, chief operating officer, HDFC Life, says policy proceeds are credited to a beneficiarys account within three or four days on receipt of information and validation. As on 31 March, the unclaimed amount was 490 crore, which is a reduction of 26% from 663 crore a year earlier."

A majority of the unclaimed insurance money relates to maturity claims. There are more maturity claims than death claims. Besides, many people are unaware of different insurance benefits they are eligible for. For example, credit cards offer life/personal accident insurance, travel insurance, medical insurance, and insurance against credit card fraud, among others. There could be embedded insurance in lifestyle products," says Bengani of CAMSRep.

Insurance expert Sashidharan Nair says the industry has already initiated a special drive to locate maximum beneficiaries based on available data, and results of these initiative will be known in a few months. One of the ways would be to engage an external agency and paying them a percentage of the accrued interest," says Nair.

Meanwhile, every new policy is coming up with an e-insurance account that makes it easier to update contact information and fetch policy documents.

Claiming your money

Claiming what is rightfully yours is a complex process (see graphic), but private recovery platforms such as Jeevantika Consultancy Services, MUDS Management and Garg Law Chamber help people recover unclaimed shares, dividends and deposits. They have created their own databases to aid the process.

For example, Jeevantika Consultancy Services has created a web portal that allows anyone to look up unclaimed shares data based on details such as name, place and the stock name. We have put 15 lakh folios worth 35,000 crore across 200 companies in a searchable format on the website," says Vijai Mantri, co-founder, Jeevantika Consultancy Services.

The company charges a flat fee of 25,000 if the unclaimed amount is less than 2 lakh and 10% of the unclaimed amount if it is more than 10 lakh. We take the payment only after the case is resolved," he says.

Ankit Garg, chief executive officer and co-founder, Garg Law Chamber, has a dedicated team to collate information from public records. We do in-depth analysis and research online to figure out who the right legal heirs are and where they are based. After background check, verification and due diligence, we reach out to the company to get the unclaimed money processed," he says.

The entire process takes anywhere up to three years . IEPF data shows that of the 105,000 applications received for unclaimed money since November 2017, only 31,440 were approved as on 30 November 2022.

In the case of mutual funds, there is hardly any public data on unclaimed redemption amounts and dividends pending with asset management companies (AMCs). If someone has documentary evidence of their investments in mutual funds (MFs), we help them retrieve it. Unclaimed redemption amounts and dividends are reclaimed from the AMCs by submitting claim forms with KYC documents, whereas any income earned on the deployment of unclaimed amount after three years of redemption are utilized for the education of investors" says Sanchit Garg, chief executive officer and co-founder of GLC Wealth LLP.

Much needs to be done to streamline the process for eligible beneficiaries to redeem their unclaimed assets. The Association of Registered Investment Advisers has sought to make nominations mandatory for all financial assets among its many recommendations. For now though, one can only pin their hopes on the government and regulators to set up common IT portals across financial assets and digitize the process.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal Wednesday urged people living in low-lying areas near the Yamuna river floodplains to immediately evacuate their houses as the water level continued to rise after recording an all-time high. Addressing a press conference, the chief minister said, The water will enter your houses, there will be no time and it will be harmful for you and your life. Requesting everyone with folded hands, please don't wait." "I request everyone to vacate their homes in the low-lying areas. There are several places affected by the rise in the level of water in Yamuna River," Kejriwal added. Kejriwal also urged people to not click selfies or take videos of the flooded Yamuna as it could be dangerous. " The water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi has reached 207.71 metres, the highest ever. Delhi has not received rainfall in the last 2-3 days," Kejriwal said while addressing a press conference. Expressing concern over the rising level of the Yamuna River, he said, "Water is entering Delhi from Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. Regarding this, I have also written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting him to reduce the flow of water entering Delhi, only then we can stop the Yamuna River from overflowing." The Delhi Chief Minister tweeted the copy of his letter written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah today.

However, Kejriwal said Union minister Gajendra Shekhawat has informed him that it was not possible to limit the flow rate of the river as there is no reservoir at Hathinikund Barrage. Shekhawat also told him that the volume of water being released to Haryana from Himachal Pradesh has reduced, which in turn will impact the water level in the Yamuna.

Earlier, Kejriwal chaired an emergency meeting in Secretariat over the flood situation in Delhi. Ministers, Mayor and officials from various departments were present at the meeting.

In a bid to ensure the safety of the public, Delhi Police on Wednesday imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in flood-prone areas of the national capital as preventive measures.

"Going with the present situation, two police stations located in flood-prone areas in North East Delhi have been ordered to shift to higher floors and other police stations in the vicinity have been instructed to be on alert as Yamuna River has breached the danger level and the water level continues to rise," an official said.

Delhi government has already evacuated people living in low-lying areas and shifted them to safer places at higher altitudes. Police personnel and Civil Defence Volunteers at such locations and advisories are being issued to people to keep away from the river.

Meanwhile, 2500 tents have been set up in 6 districts of the national capital to which people are being shifted. Those living in the affected areas are being shifted to these camps set up at higher places.
As the TMC stands poised to sweep West Bengals violence-scarred rural polls, several winning candidates from the Opposition ranks have fled to neighbouring Assam. Nine BJP candidates and CPI(M) contestant made the move alleging attacks by TMC workers. Both the BJP and the ruling TMC have levelled allegations of violence against the other in the past few days.

The candidates have reportedly taken refuge in Assam's Dhubri district. Local BJP president Prosenjit Dutta told the media that five winning BJP candidates from Chilakhana-II gram panchayat under Tufanganj assembly constituency and four from Balarampur-II gram panchayat under the Natabari assembly constituency (both in in Coochbehar district) had reached the area on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) candidate Noor Mohammad has also fled along with his family from his home in Coochbehar district to Dhubri alleging that Trinamool Congress workers had attacked him and his supporters.

ALSO READ: Mamata Banerjee slams BJP's fact-finding team for panchayat polls violence

Earlier on Tuesday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said that 133 people from West Bengal have taken shelter in the state. He claimed that they had feared for their lives because of the panchayat election violence back home.

Democracy has been murdered in West Bengal and there is goonda Raj in the neighbouring state. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should take lessons from how polls are conducted in Assam. Panchayat, assembly and parliamentary elections have been conducted under the BJP rule since 2016 and there have been no incidents of violence," Assam BJP president Bhabesh Kalita told reporters.

Counting of votes for the three-tier panchayat polls began at 8 am on Tuesday at 339 venues spread across 22 districts.

(With inputs from agencies)
A Fly By Wire Premier 1A aircraft made an emergency landing at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Airport, Bangalore after developing a technical glitch with its nose landing gear, officials told news agency ANI.

As per the officials, the aircraft safely landed with the nose gear in Up position.

They further added that during the incident, there were two pilots and no passengers were on board the aircraft.

While issuing an official statement, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said, A Fly By wire Premier 1A aircraft VT-KBN operating flight on sector 'HAL Airport Bangalore to BIAL' was involved in Airturnback as the nose landing gear couldn't be retracted after take-off."

"The aircraft safely landed with the nose gear in up position. There were two pilots, and no passengers were on board," the DGCA said.

A video of the incident shared by the DGCA shows aircraft safely landing on the runway.

'Airturnback is a situation where an aircraft returns to land at the departure aerodrome without having initially planned to do so. The most common reason for Airturnback is an emergency or abnormal situation during or shortly after take-off, the most common being engine failure.

Recently, on 7 July, a Vistara aircraft en route to Kolkata suffered a technical snag and returned to the national capital. A source in the know said the plane operating flight UK 707 had an engine failure and that there were around 160 passengers onboard. "Shortly after take-off, a technical snag was detected on Vistara flight UK 707 operating from Delhi to Kolkata on 7 July 2023. As a precautionary step in accordance with the SOPs, the pilots decided to turn back and landed the flight safely at IGI airport, Delhi," a Vistara spokesperson said in a statement.

Meanwhile, DGCA has put SpiceJet under "enhanced surveillance" amid the budget airline facing multiple financial headwinds in recent months, a senior official told PTI, but the carrier refuted any such development. It also comes against the backdrop of various lessors seeking repossession of aircraft leased to SpiceJet and some of the cases have been settled by the airline. According to the regulatory official, the enhanced surveillance includes increased night surveillance and spot checks.

(With inputs from agencies)
The water level of the Yamuna River has surged once again due to heavy rainfall in the anchor catchment area on 11 July. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called an emergency meeting as the national capital remains on high alert for a flood. Meanwhile, rescue and rehabilitation teams are engaged in relocating those living in low-lying areas to safer locations.

A staggering 359,000 cusecs of water was released from the Hathni Kund barrage on Tuesday, into the Yamuna, leading to concerns about flooding in the region. Yamuna in Delhi has breached all-time record of 207.49 metres set in 1978, now flowing at 207.55 metres stated Central Water Commission. On rising Yamuna water level in the city, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has called an emergency meeting stated officials.

The heavy rains in the hilly areas have caused all the river drains originating from those regions to exceed the danger mark. The water levels of rivers like Pathrala and Som in Yamunanagar have risen all of a sudden, resulting in an increase in the water level of the Yamuna.

As all the gates of the Hathni Kund Barrage were opened, the water is expected to reach Delhi within the next 72 hours. The administration has issued a high alert, anticipating a rise in the water level and potential flood-like conditions.

Also read: Slum dwellers evacuated as Yamuna crosses danger mark in Delhi after rains

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an 'orange alert' for Delhi. The water level of the Yamuna River has surpassed the danger mark of 205.33 meters. The incessant rainfall in Delhi and the surrounding regions has caused the river to rise significantly. At 8 am today, the water level of the river was measured at 207.25 meters at the Bridge, reaching a point close to the highest flood level of 207.49 meters. This indicates that the river is flowing above the danger level, reported ANI.
Despite the monsoon fury in several north Indian states, 12 Indian states are suffering from rainfall deficiency in July. The western disturbance along with the monsoon season has wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh , Uttarakhand, Punjab and Delhi-NCR in the past one week, leading to massive property damage and loss of lives. On the other hand, southern states such as Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Jharkhand, and Bihar and northeastern states such as Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya, etc are still facing a rain-deficient monsoon season, according to a report by Hindustan Times, Livemint's sister publication.

According to the data from the India Meteorological Department, since the beginning of the monsoon season on 1 June, all southern states excluding Tamil Nadu have received lower-than-expected rainfall this year. Heavy downpour in the south in the first week of July was restricted to Kerala and Karnataka's coastal region while the mainland remained dry. The rain deficiency is so extreme that the sowing of crops in Telangana, Andhra, Karnataka, and parts of Kerala has been delayed.

Telangana State Development and Planning Society (TSDPS) stated that cumulative rainfall in the state from 1 June to 11 July was recorded at only 150.4 mm as against the normal rainfall of 197.5mm.

Last year, Telangana reported 395.6mm of rainfall.

Karnataka's major dams such as the Krishnarajasagar (KRS) dam, the vital water source for Bengaluru and supplier of Cauvery water for drinking purposes, are almost running dry. The water level of the dam is below 30 feet as compared to a maximum of 124.8 feet. The Tungabhadra dam, which caters to the Hyderabad and Karnataka regions, is currently holding only 4.1TMC of water, a significant decrease from last years 43.9TMC.

The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Cell informed that Cauvery and the Tungabhadra in Karnataka have received less than one-third of normal rainfall during the first 35 days of the monsoon season.

Kerala is another south Indian state that has witnessed inadequate rainfall this year. Except for parts of northern Kerala, most other regions have received very less rainfall. Kerala is a 31% rain deficit this year while Andhra Pradesh is a 19% deficit. Among the list of rain deficit states are the astern states of Bihar (-33%), Jharkhand (-43%), and Odisha (-26%). Besides, all northeastern states except Assam are rain deficient though the average rainfall these states have received is higher than the average for the country. For instance, Arunachal Pradesh has received 484mm of rain this monsoon season, which is 28% less than normal.
People aboard the ill-fated Titan submersible may have known about their fate a good minute before their vessel imploded in the depths of the North Atlantic Ocean last month. US and Canadian authorities continue to investigate the cause of the horrifying incident that killed five people in mid-June.

According to Spanish engineer and underwater expert Jose Luis Martin, the submersible occupants are likely to have known about their impending fate for 48 and 71 seconds before the vessel's collapse.

The Titan changes position and falls like an arrow vertically because the 400 kilos of passengers that were at the porthole unbalance the submersible. Everyone rushes and crowds on top of each other. Imagine the horror, the fear, and the agony. It had to be like a horror movie. In that period of time, they are realizing everything. And whats more, in complete darkness. Its difficult to get an idea of what they experienced in those moments," Martin told Spanish news outlet NIUS.

According to him, the vessel's hull would have been subjected to a sudden increase in underwater pressure" as it fell deeper into the ocean leading to a powerful compression" effect. Martin speculated that the craft had been left without thrust due to an electrical fault.

Stockton Rush, the Titan's pilot and CEO of OceanGate, the company that owned and operated the submersible, was killed in the implosion along with two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

Likely human remains were recovered from the wreckage at the end of June with the debris collected from the seafloor being brought to Canada.

Last week OceanGate - the US-based company that managed the tourist submersible that imploded during a dive to the wreck of the Titanic - said that it had suspended all exploration and commercial operations.

(With inputs from agencies)
A Ministry of Finance employee named Naveen Pal has been arrested by Ghaziabad Police on espionage charges.

As per a report by India Today, the arrest took place in the Crossings Republik area after receiving information from the Intelligence Bureau. The First Information Report (FIR) states that Naveen Pal shared classified information about the finance ministry and the G20 meeting with an individual in Karachi, Pakistan.

Investigation into the case revealed that Naveen Pal communicated the information through the messaging app WhatsApp. It was discovered that Naveen Pal initially connected with a woman on social media and subsequently engaged in conversations with her via WhatsApp.

Initially, the woman's phone number was traced back to Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh. However, upon tracing the IP address associated with the number, it was determined to be originating from Karachi.

During the investigation, the police discovered numerous documents related to the finance ministry and the G20 on Naveen Pal's mobile phone. These files were saved under the name "secret," according to the police.

Additionally, the police stated that they are actively searching for a woman from Alwar in Rajasthan. It is believed that this woman digitally transferred a certain amount of money to Naveen Pal's account. The authorities are making efforts to locate and apprehend her in connection with the case.

Earlier on May 5, Pradeep Kurulkar, a DRDO scientist from Pune was arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) over accusations of espionage.

According to the ATS press release, scientist Pradeep Kurulkar (60), director of the DRDO (Engineers)was arrested due to a possible honeytrap case.

Pune police reported that Pradeep Kurulkar was found to have communicated with operatives of Pakistan's Intelligence Agency (PIO) through WhatsApp messages and voice and video calls while performing his official duties. The suspect seemed to have been attracted by images of women on social media platforms and subsequently established contact with Pakistani intelligence agents in the past year, reported DNA citing sources.
An organization that provides support to those with developmental disabilities is continuing to grow in Gage County.

Matt Kasik, CEO of Region V Services, presented the organizations annual report Wednesday to the County Board of Supervisors, where he discussed some of the services Region V provides in Nebraska.

Region V Services is the largest provider of developmental disability support in the state of Nebraska, he said. We are one of the six original regions that were set up in the late 1960s and early 1970s by the state legislature.

Kasik said Region V serves around 50 people in Gage County, and described the organization as rapidly growing. Kasik said Region V Services owns six group homes in Beatrice and is working to purchase a seventh.

They also have 64 total employees in town. Kasik highlighted that at one point about half of those supported were employed, a figure thats usually around 25%.

During his report, Kasik said that Region V Services has filled a need that was previously left only to Beatrice State Developmental Center.

Gage County has a unique spot in the history of developmental disabilities in the state of Nebraska, he said. With BSDC here in town, back before 1970 that was the only option for your family. If you had a son or daughter with a disability, BSDC was the only option in the state. That presented challenges with the distance between Beatrice and say Scottsbluff, but also that facility was essentially at overcapacity at the time. So parents worked together with the state legislature to create community based programs. They set up six regions, with us being the fifth one.

Region V Services is primarily state funded, though it does receive some funds from the county. Gage Countys annual contribution will remain unchanged this year at $39,714.

Statewide, the organization supports around 750 people and has around 770 employees.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has announced a ban on monk Amogh Lila Das due to his controversial remarks about Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramahansa. In a viral video clip, Das criticised Swami Vivekananda for eating fish, asserting that a virtuous person would never harm a living being. He also made sarcastic comments about Ramakrishna's teaching of "Jato Mat Tato Path" (as many opinions, as many paths), implying that not all paths lead to the same destination.

These comments sparked a storm of controversy on social media. Following ISKCON's decision to ban him, monk will go for atonement to the hills and seclude himself

What did ISKON say?

In a statement, ISKCON said the views expressed by Das are not representative of its values and teachings.

"We condemn any form of disrespect and intolerance towards other religious beliefs and practices," it said.

It also said the "derogatory remarks" shows a lack of awareness in Das about the diversity of spiritual paths and personal choices.

"Taking view of this serious mistake committed by him, ISKCON has decided to ban him for 1 month. We have communicated our decision to him. Amogh Lila Das has begged for the forgiveness for his comments, and he is realizing that what a great disservice he has done," the statement said.

"He has taken a vow to go on 'prayaschit' (atonement) for 1 month in the hills of Govardhan and will completely seclude himself from the public life with immediate effect," it added.

Who is Amogh Lila Das?

Amogh Lila Das is a spiritual-motivational speaker and social worker, currently serving as the Vice President of the Dwarka chapter of ISKCON. Born in a Punjabi family in Lucknow, Ashish Arora, now known as Amogh Lila Das, is 43 years old and holds a software engineering degree. Despite his professional background, Amogh Lila Das felt a deep connection to spirituality from a young age. He was drawn to the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, which he studied diligently during his school years.

Following his software engineering career, Amogh Lila Das made a life-changing decision to dedicate himself to the path of spirituality. He quit his full-time job and sought spiritual training at the ISKCON center in Dwarka. During this time, he took a vow of celibacy and committed himself to spiritual practice and service.

Amogh Lila Das has since emerged as a popular figure, projecting himself as a motivational strategist, spiritual activist, and preacher. His insightful videos and teachings have gained significant traction on social media, amassing a substantial fan following.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) concluded the launch rehearsal for Chandrayaan-3, simulating the entire preparation process lasting 24 hours. On July 5, ISRO integrated the encapsulated assembly of Chandrayaan-3 with the LVM3 launch vehicle at Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The mission is set to launch on July 14 from Sriharikota. Here is all you need to know.

When and from where Chandrayaan-3 will be launched?

Last week, ISRO) announced that Chandrayaan-3 will be launched on July 14 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

"LVM3-M4/Chandrayaan-3 Mission: The launch is now scheduled for July 14, 2023, at 2:35 pm IST from SDSC, Sriharikota," ISRO tweeted.

The space agency's chairman S Somnath last month told ANI that they are planning for the launch day of its third lunar mission between July 13-19. "We will be able to do a soft landing on the moon. The launch day is July 13, it can go upto 19th," Somnath had said.

All you need to know about the mission:

Chandrayaan-3 is a follow-on mission of Chandrayaan-2 and is aimed at demonstrating India's capability in soft landing and roving on the surface of the Moon or the Lunar surface.

"After the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the surface of the Moon, the rover, which has six wheels, will come out and is expected to work for 14 days on the Moon. With the support of multiple cameras on the rover, we will be able to receive images," Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh mentioned earlier.

Chandrayaan-2, India's second mission to the moon, was launched on July 22, 2019, from Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota. But the mission failed after the Vikram lunar lander crashed on the Moon during the early hours of

Singh recalled that the first in the series of Chandrayaan missions -- namely Chandrayaan-1 -- is credited with having discovered the presence of water on the surface of the Moon, which was a new revelation for the world and even the most premier Space agencies like the US's NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) were fascinated by this discovery and used the inputs for their further experiments.

Chandrayyan-3, he said, will be operating at the next level. The spacecraft will use Launch Vehicle Mark-3 developed by ISRO for its launch, he added.

Singh added, "There is tremendous excitement across the country about the launch of Chandrayaan-3, particularly because Chandrayaan-2 Mission could not yield the desired results because of a lapse just about 13 minutes after Spacecraft began its descent on September 6, 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was personally present at Sriharikota to witness the event."

The minister added, "A successor to Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 has undergone a few changes to increase the robustness of the Lander. He said, all these modifications have been subject to exhaustive ground tests and simulations through test beds."
As the Yamuna water continues to rise, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has urged the Centre to intervene. The CM wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah nothing that news of a flood won't send good message" to the world ahead of the G20 summit. Earlier on Wednesday the AAP chief had called an emergency meeting to take stock of the situation.

Limited quantity of water should be released from Hathnikund, so that the water level of Yamuna does not increase further. G20 summit is to be held in Delhi so if flood happens in Delhi, it won't send a good message to the world," urged Kejriwal on Wednesday. Water in Yamuna had breached the danger-level mark on Sunday. It breached a 44-year record on Wednesday afternoon, reaching 207.55 metres by 1 pm.

Meanwhile the Delhi Police has imposed Section 144 in flood-prone areas as a preventive measure. Evacuations from low-lying areas had begun earlier this week and all police stations have been put on alert.

"Going with present situation, two police stations located in flood-prone areas in North East Delhi have been ordered to shift to higher floors and other police stations in the vicinity have been intructed to be on alert as Yamuna River has breached the danger level and the water level continues to rise," an official told PTI.

Delhi government has already evacuated people living in low-lying areas and shifted them to safer places at higher altitude. Police personnel and Civil Defence Volunteers at such locations and advisories are being issued to people to keep away from the river. 2500 tents have been set up in 6 districts of the national capital to which people are being shifted.

(With inputs from agencies)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay an official visit to France and the UAE from 13-15 July 2023. PM Modi will visit Paris from 13-14 July at the invitation of Emmanuel Macron, President of France and later, he will make a stopover at the UAE.

It is to be noted here, India-France-UAE formed a key strategic partnership in September 2022 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and agreed to work together on nuclear and solar energy, climate change, and biodiversity.

Bastille Day parade: PM Modi invited as the Guest of Honour

PM Modi has been invited as the Guest of Honour at the French National Day or Bastille Day.

The Bastille Day parade is the highlight of celebrations of the day that marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison, an ancient royal fortress in 1789 during the French Revolution. This year the French have chosen India as a guest of honour at the parade. Senior Officials of Indian Tri-service are in Paris at the rehearsals for the parade.

PM Modi's agenda in France

PM Modi visit to France holds great significance as it aligns with the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership. The strong personal rapport shared between PM Modi and President Emmanuel Macron adds further weight to their interactions.

According to ANI, President Macron is expected to extend a special gesture during the visit. This may include multiple meetings in the presence of the Prime Minister, such as a private dinner and a joint meeting with CEOs. Additionally, a State Banquet at the renowned Louvre Museum on Bastille Day is likely to be hosted.

The visit will also entail PM Modi's engagement with the entire political leadership of France, including President Macron, Prime Minister Borne, and the Presidents of the Senate and National Assembly.

Also is PM Modi is expected to sign a deal for the acquisition of 26 Rafale-Marine fighters for the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier. Additionally, a repeat order for the construction of three more Scorpene (Kalveri) class submarines at Mazagon Dockyards Limited (MDL) through the "Make in India" initiative is also anticipated.

PM Modi to visit UAE on July 15

After completing his France trip, PM Modi will be in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a day, where he will meet with top leaders, including President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Last year, PM Modi made a stopover in the UAE, while returning from the G7 Summit in Germany. He had met with President Al Nahyan during his visit
1 min read

Malala Day, observed annually since 2013, celebrates Malala Yousafzai's fight for girls' education.

Malala Yousafzai, the renowned education activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, shared throwback images on the eve of her 26th birthday, which coincides with Malala Day, observed annually since 2013. Malala commemorated the 10th anniversary of her iconic speech at the United Nations, expressing gratitude for the incredible journey she has embarked upon since then. "Its hard to believe tomorrow is my 26th birthday  ten years since I spoke at the United Nations," Malala tweeted. The activist stated that her 16-year-old self could not have anticipated the remarkable experiences, inspiring individuals she would meet, and the places she would visit. However, her unwavering determination to fight for girls' education remained unchanged. Malala further revealed that since that momentous day, she made a commitment to spend her birthdays with girls, leading her to Nigeria, Kenya, Brazil, Ethiopia, and refugee camps in Lebanon, Rwanda, and Iraq. This tradition has allowed her to connect with young girls around the world and advocate for their right to education.

History

The history of Malala Day dates back to the attack on Malala in 2012 on 9 October, when she was shot by the Taliban for opposing their restrictions on female education in Pakistan. The attack was condemned worldwide. Prior to the attack, she had been writing a blog under a pseudonym, highlighting the increasing military activity in her hometown and expressing concerns about the potential attack on her school. The incident propelled her to international prominence as a symbol of the fight for girls' education, reported BQ Prime.

Also read: Google Doodle celebrates India's premier street food pani puri

Significance

Malala Day holds great significance as a global celebration that highlights the importance of education and women's rights. It emphasises that education is not a privilege but a fundamental right for girls everywhere. The day serves as a reminder that individual determination and standing up for one's beliefs can have a profound impact on the world.

Also read: 'AI's use can benefit markets, such as cutting prices for consumers, but also cause imbalances,' says UK watchdog

In 2014, Malala received the Nobel Prize at the age of 17 for her tireless efforts in promoting education for children. Her remarkable journey continues to inspire and drive change, leaving an indelible mark on the world.
The state governments in both Punjab and Haryana are actively engaged in relief efforts to assist affected individuals while also undertaking rescue operations. After continuous rainfall for the past three days, the intensity of rains reduced in Punjab and Haryana on Tuesday. However, many areas remained waterlogged due to the incessant downpour, leading to inundated homes and extensive damage to crops and vegetables in several districts.

The India Meteorological Department's latest weather forecast predicts light to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand over the next five days and in Uttar Pradesh over the next two days. Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh are expected to experience a significant reduction in rainfall from Tuesday, July 11, 2023, according to the weather department, reported Economic Times.

Punjab

The Punjab government has ordered the closure of schools until July 13, taking precautions due to the prevailing situation. Similarly, in Chandigarh, schools will remain closed until Thursday.

Haryana

The decision regarding school holidays has been left to the deputy commissioners of specific areas. In Panchkula, the District Education Officer announced that all schools would remain closed on July 11 and 12 due to heavy rainfall and waterlogging in various parts of the city.

Also read: Delhi weather update: Yamuna crosses danger mark, evacuation begins, old bridge temporarily closed

Himachal Pradesh

The Directorate of Higher Education in Himachal Pradesh has decided to reschedule and adjust the monsoon break in government and private schools affiliated with the HP Board of School Education in many areas. Schools affiliated with CBSE, ICSE, or any other education board may make their own decisions on school closures, considering ongoing exams and local weather conditions. The directorate of Higher Education of Himachal Pradesh has advised ensuring the safety and security of students and employees at all levels.

Also read: Slum dwellers evacuated as Yamuna crosses danger mark in Delhi after rains

Uttarakhand

In Haridwar, the district administration has announced the closure of all schools from classes 1 to 12 from July 10 to 17 in view of the Kanwar Mela, a religious pilgrimage event. District Magistrate Dheeraj Garbyal said, In view of the Kanwar Mela, the district administration has decided to close all the schools and Anganwadi centres from July 10 to 17."

Uttar Pradesh

In Ghaziabad, all schools will remain closed until July 15 due to the Kanwar Yatra. Additionally, government and private educational institutions in Muzaffarnagar will remain closed from July 8 to 16, as stated by the district administration, in light of the Kanwar Yatra, reported Economic Times.
China's mission to the European Union issued a statement expressing strong opposition to NATO's "eastward movement into the Asia-Pacific region" and cautioning that any actions perceived as a threat to Beijing's rights would be met with a resolute counteraction, Reuters reported.

The statement, released on Tuesday, stated that China rejects the references to China in NATO's joint communique from the summit held in Vilnius, Lithuania. It further emphasized China's commitment to firmly protect its sovereignty, security, and development interests.

"Any act that jeopardises China's legitimate rights and interests will be met with a resolute response," it said.

Reuters noted that during the summit, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed reporters, highlighting that China is progressively posing challenges to the rules-based international order. Stoltenberg urged alliance partners to maintain open channels of communication and engage in dialogue with China.

Leaders from Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand participated in the two-day summit, representing the Asia-Pacific region.

In response, China accused NATO of disregarding fundamental realities, distorting Beijing's stance and policies, and intentionally defaming China in its communique.

Furthermore, China expressed its deep concern over NATO's repeated assertions of being a "nuclear alliance" in the communique, emphasizing that such statements would only heighten tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.

During his second participation in the NATO summit, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida aimed to emphasize the importance of the military alliance to be mindful of risks in East Asia.

Meanwhile, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol sought enhanced international security cooperation in light of increasing threats from North Korea and the ongoing tension related to China.
The US Justice Department has reversed its stance on Donald Trump 's immunity in E. Jean Carroll's defamation lawsuit, clearing the way for the case to proceed to trial in January. Trump had previously denied Carroll's accusation of sexual assault and claimed immunity as the president. However, the department's change in position removes a legal obstacle for Carroll , who sued Trump for defamation based on his statements denying her allegation of rape decades earlier, that he didnt know her, and that she wasnt his type."

DOJ lawyers told lawyer of both sides that it no longer believed Trump acted within the scope of his office and employment as president in June 2019, when he denied having raped Carroll in a Manhattan department store dressing room in the mid-1990s."

Initially, the Justice Department under Trump and Biden administrations initially claimed that Trump's response to Carroll's allegations fell within his duties. That essentially meant that the Justice Department would be substituted as a defendant and the case would likely be dismissed.

However, its change of heart means it will not try to substitute itself as the defendant, effectively ending Carroll's case because the government cannot be sued for defamation.

Lawyers for the Justice Department wrote that after balancing and weighing the evidence from Mr. Trumps deposition, the jury verdict in Carroll II, and the new allegations in the Amended Complaint, the Department has determined that there is no longer a sufficient basis to conclude that the former President was motivated by more than an insignificant desire to serve the United States Government," lawyers for the Justice Department wrote, as citeed by CNN.

And a jury has now found that Mr. Trump sexually assaulted Ms. Carroll long before he became President. That history supports an inference that Mr. Trump was motivated by a personal grievance stemming from events that occurred many years prior to Mr. Trumps presidency," the Justice Department wrote.

The judge has scheduled the trial for January, at the start of the presidential primary season.

Steven Cheung, a spokesperson of Trump, said, as reported by Reuters, the step showed that the Justice Department under President Joe Biden was "politically weaponising the justice system" against Trump. He dismissed the department's move as "a partisan sham."
Indian External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, is scheduled to undertake a six-day visit to two nations from July 12 to July 18. The visit will commence with his arrival in Indonesia, where he will participate in Foreign Ministers' Meetings under the ASEAN framework on July 13-14.

Subsequently, he will travel to Thailand to attend the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC). The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed these details in a statement on Tuesday.

During his visit to Jakarta, Indonesia, Jaishankar will engage in Foreign Ministers' Meetings within the ASEAN framework, including ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit, and ASEAN Regional Forum.

Additionally, he is expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other countries. India's active involvement in this ASEAN-centric regional architecture underlines its strong commitment to promoting ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific region.

India-Indonesia relations

Situated at a critical crossroads, India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands mark the southernmost point of the country and lie just 90 nautical miles away from Indonesia. This geographical proximity places them at the juncture between South and Southeast Asia, a region of immense geopolitical significance, as reported by Jakarta Post.

Moreover, this intersection is also characterized by crucial Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC) and maritime choke points that serve as vital arteries for the economic well-being of the entire area. Given their stature as maritime powers, both Indonesia and India play a crucial role as de facto gatekeepers of this region, serving as transit points for approximately 60 per cent of global maritime trade.

In light of the significant strategic interests at stake, it is advantageous for both Indonesia and India, as Indo-Pacific countries, to strengthen and expand their bilateral partnership to effectively navigate the evolving geopolitical and economic landscape of the region. It is evident that the strategic partnership between Indonesia and India has been steadily progressing, both in terms of its breadth and depth.

However, the strengthening of their cooperation goes beyond mere material power and geographical proximity. The growing convergence of perceptions, concerns, and objectives between New Delhi and Jakarta further enhances their collaborative efforts in addressing shared challenges and pursuing common goals.

In 2018, India and Indonesia strengthened their relationship by upgrading it to a comprehensive strategic partnership and introducing a new joint naval exercise called Samudera Shakti. This exercise includes a focus on war-fighting capabilities, enhancing their bilateral strategic partnership. Additionally, both countries are actively exploring opportunities to establish robust maritime connectivity, aligning with India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Indonesia's Aceh Island.

India can support Indonesia's objective of ensuring regional security beyond the United States-China dichotomy. India's involvement can offer a complementary approach that goes beyond the binary framework and contributes to stability in the region.

Indonesia's Hurdles



According to a report by Stable Seas, Indonesia faces a significant maritime security challenge, particularly in the form of piracy and armed robbery, making it the epicentre of such incidents in Asia.

In 2020, the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) documented a total of 97 piracy and armed robbery incidents in Asia, with 56 of these occurring in Indonesian waters, thus, highlighting the urgent need for increased efforts to address and combat maritime security threats in Indonesia's maritime domain.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on Indonesia's economy, leading to a downgrade in its classification by the World Bank in January 2021 from an upper-middle-income economy to a lower-middle-income economy. Despite the significant socioeconomic progress achieved by Indonesia in recent decades, there are disparities in the distribution of these gains, the report said.

India-Thailand ties

As per the Ministry of External Affairs, Foreign Minister Jaishankar is set to travel to Bangkok to participate in the 12th Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Mechanism on Sunday.

The MGC, guided by India's Act East Policy, is one of the oldest mechanisms in the lower Mekong region. It aims to enhance connections and foster collaboration among the six member countries, namely India, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, which share the Ganga river and Mekong river basins.

During his time in Bangkok, Jaishankar will also attend the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Foreign Ministers' Retreat on July 17

BIMSTEC serves as an economic and technical initiative, bringing together nations in the Bay of Bengal region for comprehensive cooperation. The retreat will focus on deepening the BIMSTEC agenda and strengthening the organization's endeavours.

In recent years, countries have prioritized their efforts in advancing bilateral or multilateral initiatives such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Highway Project, the Kaladan River project, and the Bhutan-Bangladesh-India-Nepal (BBIN) initiative. However, this focus on individual projects has hindered the active involvement and collective participation of member nations in the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). Additionally, the domestic situations within these member nations also pose significant challenges.

The BIMSTEC region is susceptible to issues such as weapons and drug trafficking, which further exacerbates the volatile conditions in India's Northeast region.
Extreme heat is expected to continue across most of the Mediterranean till the next which has triggered high temperatures in many South European countries. Reportedly, temperature in Frankfurt could go up to 34 degrees Celsius, 5 degrees above the season's average while the UK is expected to remain cooler in the next days.

According to a recent report by The Guardian, parts of southern and western Europe are experiencing unusually high temperatures this year due to a large area of high pressure over the region, known as a blocking high This weather phenomenon is preventing the usual pattern of low-pressure systems moving eastwards from the Atlantic into Europe, leading to very dry and stable conditions.

The report noted that this weather phenomenon causes warm air to be trapped under the blocking high, triggering a heat dome that acts like a lid, raising the temperature. The heat dome is also expected to expand in the coming days and could spread across north-eastern Europe.

According to a Bloomberg report, citing Maxar Technologies Inc, the heat dome is spreading from the Sahara to Italy and the Balkans, which could see temperatures rise as much as 7 degrees above normal over the next 10 days.

The latest weather phenomenon could see temperatures soar to 44 degrees Celsius in Spain's Andalusia region on Wednesday. The national weather forecaster in Spain has issued an "extreme risk" warning for the region.

As per the Bloomberg report, similar to last year climate change is leading to extremely hot weather conditions to Europe this year which could lead to a strain on the energy and transport infrastructure in the region.

Recent data from World Meteorological Organization indicates that the planet witnessed the hottest week on record in the first week of July. The specialized UN agency further noted that temperatures are constantly breaking records on land and in oceans which could lead to potentially devastating impacts on ecosystems and environment.

The world has warmed an average of nearly 1.2 C since the mid-1800s, unleashing extreme weather including more intense heatwaves, more severe droughts in some areas and storms made fiercer by rising seas. This year sea surface temperatures have hit unprecedented levels this year, while Antarctic sea ice has shrunk to a record low.
Nearly two dozen state senators signed a letter late last month urging the Southeast Community College Board of Governors to reconsider a plan to raise the districts property tax levy to the maximum allowed under state law.

Led by Sen. Robert Dover of Norfolk, 23 state senators are objecting to SCCs plan to increase its levy to 11.25 cents per $100 of valuation before a state law changing how community colleges are funded goes into effect.

Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, under a property tax reform package (LB243) from Sen. Tom Briese, a Community College Future Fund will replace the property tax funding with state appropriations at Nebraskas six community colleges.

The change is expected to reduce property owners tax bills by 5-6% annually, according to an estimate from the conservative-leaning Platte Institute at a legislative hearing earlier this year.

The baseline amount community colleges will receive when the law takes effect will be equal to the property tax levy set for the upcoming 2023-24 school year plus an added 3.5%. The funding to each community college will grow by 3.5% annually thereafter.

SCC President Paul Illich told the Board of Governors at its June meeting the funding change will slow and ultimately limit the colleges ability to fund its operations over the coming decade, and require either steep increases to student tuition or cuts to programs.

In response, the board gave preliminary approval to a plan to increase the tax levy to the maximum allowed. Final approval for the plan will go before the Board of Governors in September.

If approved, the owner of a home valued at $228,660  the average 2022 home value in Lincoln  could expect to pay roughly $257 in property taxes to support SCC, up from $214 this year.

Neal Stenberg, the chair of the SCC Board of Governors, said the proposed levy increase is a one-time chance for the board to ensure the college remains financially secure in the future, open to all students, and responsive to the community and industrys needs.

(The boards) judgment is that unless we raise the levy for 2023-24 that there is going to be a shortfall in general fund revenue in future years, Stenberg said. I think thats a very serious concern of the board.

Stenberg also said SCC is planning a series of public meetings across its 15-county service area beginning in late July and continuing through August to educate taxpayers about a tax credit they can claim to reimburse taxes paid to support the college.

The tax credit will repay 50% of the taxes paid to the college in 2024 and 100% of the taxes paid in 2025; the letter from state senators casts doubt that many taxpayers would ultimately seek the credit, however.

And Dover, who just finished his first year in the Legislature after being appointed to fill a seat vacated by Rep. Mike Flood, said SCC is the only community college seeking to raise its levy ahead of the change.

As property valuations continue to rise  the average valuation increase across SCCs service area is 15.3%  other community college leaders have assured senators they do not plan to follow SCCs lead in raising property tax levies next year.

What they are doing is wrong, Dover said in a phone interview, noting that some SCC taxpayers could pay 40% more to SCC in the coming year than they did last year. Its going against everything the state Legislature is trying to do and everything the public wants.

In addition to asking more from taxpayers in SCCs 15-county area in the coming year, Dover said the colleges move to increase its levy would also mean taxpayers across the state would be paying more in the coming years.

Those increases, if the plan moves forward, would be based on budget projections and not actual needs, Dover added: It just isnt a responsible decision for the board to put forward.

The letter asks for the board to reconsider the proposed property tax levy increase and suggests state lawmakers could enact new legislation if SCC doesnt budge.

If the Board of Governors determines that it is in the best interest of SCC to continue this course of action, we will consider addressing this issue in the next legislative session, the letter states.

Dover said no bills are currently in the works, but he added that the Legislature could consider several changes to state statute to prevent SCC or others from continuing down the current path.

Stenberg said he believes the board will give the lawmakers letter careful consideration in the coming weeks as it meets with constituents and taxpayers to discuss the plan.

I think it illustrates their concern, he said. Its up to our board to do what we judge to be right.

The senators who signed the letter are: Tom Brandt of Plymouth, Myron Dorn of Adams, Ray Aguilar of Grand Island, Loren Lippincott of Central City, Julie Slama of Peru, Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, Robert Clements of Elmwood, Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, Barry DeKay of Niobrara, Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, Brad von Gillern of Elkhorn, Mike Jacobson of North Platte, Jana Hughes of Seward, Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue, John Lowe of Kearney, Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, Dave Murman of Glenvil, Tom Briese of Albion, Teresa Ibach of Sumner, John Arch of Papillion, Tom Brewer of Gordon, and Rita Sanders of Bellevue.

Top Journal Star photos for July 2023
In a proposed class action lawsuit, Alphabet's Google (GOOGL.O) was accused of allegedly misusing vast amounts of personal information and copyrighted material to train its artificial intelligence systems.

In an official statement, the plaintiffs' attorney Ryan Clarkson said, "Google does not own the internet, it does not own our creative works, it does not own our expressions of our personhood, pictures of our families and children, or anything else simply because we share it online," the plaintiffs' attorney Ryan Clarkson said in a statement.

As reported by Reuters, the complaint was filed in San Francisco federal court by eight individuals seeking to represent millions of internet users and copyright holders said Google's unauthorized scraping of data from websites violated their privacy and property rights.

It is to be further noted that Clarkson's firm filed a similar lawsuit in the same court against Microsoft-backed OpenAI in June.

Clarkson's firm asked the court to allow the plaintiffs to remain anonymous in both cases, citing violent threats reportedly received by individuals filing similar lawsuits

The lawsuit filed on Tuesday claims that the company could owe at least $5 billion.

Google general counsel Halimah DeLaine Prado said, "The company has been clear for years that we use data from public sources  like information published to the open web and public datasets  to train the AI models behind services like Google Translate, responsibly and in line with our AI Principles."

DeLaine further stressed that American law supports using public information to create new beneficial uses, and, we look forward to refuting these baseless claims."

The case is one of several filed since last year against companies in the booming AI industry, including Meta Platforms, Microsoft and OpenAI, over their alleged misuse of personal data and copyrighted books, visual art and source code to train their systems.

The eight plaintiffs in Tuesday's lawsuit, identified by their initials, said Google misused content they posted to social media and information shared on Google platforms to train its chatbot Bard and other generative AI systems, Reuters reported.

The content identified in the lawsuit ranged from photos on dating websites to Spotify playlists and TikTok videos. One of the plaintiffs, J.L., described as a best-selling Texan author and investigative journalist, said Google also copied her book in full to train Bard.

The lawsuit asked the court to order Google to let internet users opt out of Google's "illicit data collection" and to delete the existing data or pay its owners "fair compensation."
Elizabeth Holmes, the disgraced CEO of Theranos, may be eligible for release nearly two years ahead of schedule, according to federal officials. Holmes, who was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison for defrauding investors in her blood-testing hoax, has reportedly behaved well during the first six weeks of her sentence.

The U.S. Bureau of Prisons projects her release date to be December 29, 2032, which is approximately 9 1/2 years after she began her sentence. While her prison sentence remains unchanged, she could qualify for early release under the federal government's "good time" guidelines, provided she continues to follow the rules.

When Holmes was sentenced, legal experts had predicted that she might be able to secure release in about nine years.

The Bureau of Prisons did not clarify the exact reasons for Holmes' projected release date, citing privacy, safety, and security reasons"

Every inmate earns good conduct time and is projected in their projected release date," pointed out a statement provided Tuesday to The Associated Press.

Holmes' former lover and top lieutenant at Theranos  Ramesh Sunny Balwani"  is also on track for an early release from his nearly 13-year prison sentence after being convicted of 12 counts of fraud and conspiracy last year following a separate trial. Balwani's projected release date is April 1, 2034, according to the Bureau of Prisons. That would be nearly 11 years after he began his sentence at a Southern California prison.

Both Holmes and Balwani, 57, are hoping to get out even earlier as their lawyers pursue appeals seeking to overturn their respective convictions.

Although they had separate trials, Holmes and Balwani were accused of essentially the same crimes centered on a ruse touting Theranos blood-testing system as a breakthrough in health care. The claims helped the company become a Silicon Valley sensation that raised nearly $1 billion from investors and at one point anointed Holmes with a $4.5 billion fortune, based on her 50% stake in Theranos.

(With agency inputs)
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hit out the 31-member NATO alliance after the members said they would allow Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met". Following this statement, Zelenskyy blasted the organizations failure to set a timetable for his country as absurd."

Although many NATO members have funneled arms and ammunition to Zelenskyys forces, there is no consensus among the 31 allies for admitting Ukraine into NATOs ranks.

Zelenskyy pushed back sharply against the decision as he headed to the annual NATO summit in Vilnius.

Its unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraines membership," Zelenskyy tweeted. While at the same time, vague wording about conditions is added even for inviting Ukraine. It seems there is no readiness to invite Ukraine to NATO or to make it a member of the Alliance."

NATO membership would afford Ukraine protection against a giant neighbour that annexed its Crimean Peninsula almost a decade ago and more recently seized vast swaths of land in the east and south. Joining NATO would also oblige Kyiv to reform its security institutions, improve governance and curb corruption  work that would also ease the country's path into the European Union.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the most important thing now is to ensure that his country wins the war, because unless Ukraine prevails there is no membership to be discussed at all."

The broadside from Zelenskyy could renew tensions at the summit shortly after it saw a burst of goodwill following an agreement by Turkey to advance Sweden's bid to join NATO.

The Ukrainian president, who was to meet Wednesday with US President Joe Biden and other NATO leaders, expressed deep frustration in an emotional speech in downtown Vilnius.

Today I started my journey with faith in solutions, with faith in strong partners, with faith in NATO  in a NATO that does not hesitate, that does not waste time and does not look over their backs at any aggressor," Zelenskyy said.

I would like this faith to become confidence, confidence in the decisions that we deserve, all of us  every soldier, every citizen, every mother, every child," he said. Is that too much to ask?"

Sharp divisions have emerged within the alliance over Ukraine's desire to join NATO.

In addition, the Baltic states  including Lithuania, which is hosting the summit  have pushed for a strong show of support and a clear pathway toward membership for Ukraine.

However, the United States and Germany urged caution. Biden said last week that Ukraine was not ready to join. Biden told in a TV interview, Ukraine need to "meet all the qualifications, from democratization to a whole range of other issues"--A nod toward longstanding concerns about governance and corruption in Kyiv.

In addition, some fear that bringing Ukraine into NATO would serve more as a provocation to Russia than as a deterrence against aggression.

On Wednesday, the leaders and Zelenskyy are set to launch a new, upgraded forum for their cooperation: a NATO-Ukraine Council, where all parties can convene crisis talks if their security is threatened.

To fast-track its future membership, the leaders agreed to do away with a membership action plan for Ukraine, a program often seen as mandatory for aspiring nations to undertake.

Known in NATO parlance as a MAP, the action plan involves a tailor-made package of advice, assistance and practical support for countries preparing to join NATO. Bosnia, for example, is currently taking part in one.
A meeting of the Lok Sabha Pravas Yojana is scheduled to take place today at the BJP headquarters in Delhi, chaired by party president JP Nadda.

As reported by ANI, the discussions in the meeting will revolve around the upcoming Lok Sabha election, as well as preparations for various state elections.

The Lok Sabha Pravas Yojana, introduced by the BJP last year, aimed to devise strategies, with a particular emphasis on constituencies where the party secured the second or third position in the 2019 General Election or won by a narrow margin.

'Lok Sabha Pravas,' a pre-election campaign aimed at bolstering the grassroots presence of the saffron party in preparation for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.

This comes at a time when the second meeting for opposition unity, organized by the Congress party, is set to hold on July 17-18, with the participation of top leaders from at least 24 political parties, ANI reported citing sources.

This move indicates that eight new parties have recently pledged their support to the opposition's collective efforts in presenting a unified front against the BJP in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This meeting follows the previous significant opposition gathering that took place in Patna, Bihar last month.

Congress President in a letter addressed to top opposition party leaders reminded them about their participation in June 23 opposition meeting held in Patna called by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Earlier on July 4, BJP's top brass embarked on making big organisational restructuring of regional units, in what is being seen as the crucial move ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. The organisational changes include naming Union minister G Kishan Reddy, Sunil Jakhar and Babulal Marandi its president in Telangana, Punjab and Jharkhand respectively.

In a statement, the party also announced former Union minister D Purandeswari as its new Andhra Pradesh president and brought in OBC leader Etela Rajender as its election management committee chairperson in the poll-bound Telangana.

The development is likely to further fuel the speculation about a Cabinet rejig.

The BJP is gearing up for assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram to be held later this year as well for the next year's Lok Sabha elections.

(With inputs from ANI)
HOUSTON, TexasClimate activists and Wall Street are making it tougher for Big Oil to stay in the oil business. Theyve also helped make Jeffery Hildebrand a multibillionaire.

Hildebrand, who is little known outside his hometown of Houston, has become one of Americas largest independent drillers by buying assets on the cheap, cutting costs and then squeezing out both oil and profit from wells that others left for dead.

Smite the rocks with the rod of knowledge, and fountains of unstinted wealth will gush forth," Hildebrand said in a speech last year, sharing a quote from Ashbel Smith, who has been called the father of the University of Texas. He then offered to cut the universitys president a check to have the words inscribed on campusif this Green New Deal era that we live in" would allow it.

A knack for well-timed deals and a Rolodex filled with oil-industry CEOs have lofted Hildebrand, once a competitive pole vaulter, into the billionaires club. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index pegs his net worth at $8.98 billion, which would make him the second-richest man in Houston, behind Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta ($10 billion) and beforepipeline mogul Richard Kinder ($8.78 billion).

Hildebrands company, Hilcorp Energy, aims to increase production nearly 40% to 500,000 barrels of oil and equivalent hydrocarbons a day by the end of 2026, according to Chief Executive Greg Lalicker.That would likely turn Hilcorp into one of the 15 largest oil companies in the U.S. If the company hits the mark, Hildebrand will award his 3,000 employees hefty bonuses that have become a trademark, in this case, $75,000 toward a new car, and $25,000 to a charity of employees choice, company executives said.

Its a business model that is growing from a niche into a juggernaut as the industrys giants, facing mounting calls to cut their carbon emissions, dial back on drilling and shed assets. Hilcorp is privately held so it doesnt face ESG demandsshort for environmental, social and governance issuesfrom investors. That means the pressure on big oil companies isnt necessarily leading to less pumping, but rather pumping by less-accountable players.

Hilcorp has become a natural clearinghouse for big oil companies looking to unload aging wells that may leak copious amounts of methane, a powerful atmosphere-warming gas. Its now the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gas among U.S. oil-and-gas producers after ConocoPhillips, according to a May report by environmental nonprofits Ceres and the Clean Air Task Force. Hilcorps production is about a fifth that of ConocoPhillips, which declined to comment.

According to Hildebrand, the company invests responsibly in older assets, whose environmental performance had often been neglected. Hilcorp has reduced greenhouse gas emissions from its operations and energy use by over 40% and cut methane emissions by 35% since 2019, he said. Hildebrand said Hilcorps role in the energy transition is to continue to produce fossil fuels to meet global demand.

Between 2017 and 2021, companies with methane-reduction goals sold $115.6 billion worth of assets to firms that dont have explicit targets for reduction, the Environmental Defense Fund said in a report last year.

Over that same period, Hilcorp bought more than $9 billion worth of assets from companies including an Exxon Mobil affiliate, ConocoPhillips and BP, according to a tally by energy analytics firm Enverus.

Hildebrands ability to identify underperforming assets on other companies books has been the backbone of his success, said his close friend Anthony Petrello, the chief executive of drilling company Nabors Industries.

If a company is considering selling something to Hildebrand, it should probably ask, Why werent my guys able to make money on it?" said Petrello, who serves as a Hilcorp director.

Hildebrand said his company focuses on older oil-and-gas properties where Hilcorps scale, experience and deep pockets give it an advantage over the smaller companies that have typically targeted aging assets.

Its what were good at," Hildebrand said in an email.

After oil prices plummeted during the pandemic, President Trump convened a White House meeting with the CEOs of Exxon, Chevron, Occidental Petroleum and other oil giants in April 2020. Hildebrand was the only private-company executive at the table.

Hildebrand is obsessed with efficiency and a student of the minutiae that make the difference between profit and loss, say friends. When he and his wife decided to open a doughnut shop in their mansion-studded River Oaks neighborhood, they sampled kolaches from more than a dozen shops to find the optimum flavor for the local pastry, according to people close to the couple.

Devout Catholics who avoid the limelight, he and his wife have donated millions of dollars to Christian ministries and organizations. Hildebrand often references a favorite Bible verse: To whom much is given, much will be required," said Les Csorba, a close friend of his and an adviser.

Hildebrand sees his charitable giving through the lens of efficiency, said Csorba, a partner at executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles, using metrics such as return on investment to measure the impact of his philanthropy.

Hildebrands rise began modestly. The son of a Texas veterinarian, he did a brief stint at Exxon as a geologist before earning a masters degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Soon, Hildebrand struck out on his own.

In the first of a series of gambles, he offered his wife Mindys car title as collateral for a bank loan to drill wells. The wells were a bust, but for Mindy, the rate of return was infinite," he said at an event last year.

In 1989, he shifted strategies. With financial backing from Jack Trotter, a prominent Houston investor, he co-founded Hilcorpshort for Hildebrand Corporationand started meeting with vice presidents at large oil companies, negotiating small properties away from them, said people close to him. Hildebrands bet was that he could stimulate older wells on the Gulf Coast with gas and water to coax out more oil, among other remediation techniques.

Refurbishing wells is common in the oil-and-gas industry but large producers focus on drilling gushers rather than on maintaining production from low-producing wells, which requires making many quick investment decisions and is more easily done by agile players such as Hilcorp, analysts said.

It worked. By 2001, Hilcorps payroll counted over 175 employees and had logged acquisitions totaling more than $225 million. Hildebrand bought out his partner, Thomas Hook, for $500 million in 2003.

When Hildebrands growth hit a ceiling, he turned to McKinsey for guidance, said Lalicker, who worked at the consulting firm at the time and became Hilcorps chief executive in 2018.

McKinsey recommended that Hilcorp adopt a nimble and lean corporate structure, Lalicker said. What they came up with was a hierarchy that had no more than five layers between the lowest-ranking employee and Hildebrand.

The streamlined organization cuts costs and allows employees to make independent calls on how to best operate the wells. During a monthly companywide meeting called lifting costs"a reference to the aggregate cost of pumping subterranean hydrocarbons17 asset teams take turns presenting their wells performance and explain how theyll reach production goals, former employees said.

Jeff does a lot more with assets than the majors can because of the culture hes built," said childhood friend Skip McGee, the chief executive of investment bank Intrepid Financial Partners.

The oilmans crowning achievement was a 2020 deal for BPs business in Alaska, which ended the British giants 60-year presence in the U.S. Arctic and made Hilcorp Alaskas second-largest producer.

Where BP saw aging and costly wells, Hilcorp saw the promise of explosive growth. In one fell swoop, it got hold of about 74,000 barrels of daily crude production, mostly in Prudhoe Bay, the largest oil field in North Americaequivalent to almost a third of Hilcorps output at the timeas well as BPs interest in Alaskas largest oil pipeline.

Hildebrand capitalized on BPs circumstances. Having committed to a $10 billion divestment plan, BP viewed its Alaska portfolio as a sale candidate because operating wells in the states extreme climes was challenging and production was distant from markets, according to company executives. Separately, BP was gearing up to announce a strategic shift away from fossil fuels and toward renewables.

Hildebrand reached out to Bernard Looney, then BPs head of oil-and-gas drilling and now the companys chief executive, with an offer, said Bob Dudley, who was BPs CEO at the time.

Jeff made what I would say was a very fair, aggressive proposal," said Dudley.

The onset of the pandemic and collapsing oil prices in early 2020 nearly scuttled the deal. It was saved when BP agreed to lend Hilcorp $2 billion to fund the $5.6 billion transaction. Under the terms, Hilcorp put down at least $500 million, and agreed to pay the rest with future cash generated by the wellsa risky bet in the midst of the pandemic.

When the companies announced they had completed the sale of the upstream assets in early July 2020, U.S. oil prices stood at around $40 a barrel. By the spring of 2022, Russias invasion of Ukraine had sent prices past the $120 mark.

Dudley, who retired in February 2020, said the deal could have soured for Hildebrand had oil prices stayed low for longer, but that it turned out to be terrific for the oilman.That characterizes Jeff, and what hes done with his career, you knowcalculated risks, but lots of risk," he said.

In addition to buying BPs stake in Prudhoe Bay, Hilcorp took over as operator of the field, which was jointly owned by ConocoPhillips, Exxon and Chevron. Under BPs management, the units output had been consistently declining, shrinking from 306,000 barrels a day in 2010 to 209,000 barrels a day in 2019, according to Mark Oberstoetter, an analyst at energy consulting firm Wood Mackenzie. The year Hilcorp took over, production in the field was up 2.6%. Prudhoe Bay so far this year has churned out about 224,000 barrels a day.

A competitive polo player on the team he owns, Tonkawa, Hildebrand said the company has remained nimble despite its size by sticking to a core set of values, including ownership" and urgency." They are not just posters on the wall, they are the key to everything we do," he said.

Andrew Logan, a senior director at Ceres, said that Hilcorps entire business model is aimed at extending the life of wells that the majors have no economic interest in exploiting, and that bigger companies would have to plug to meet their emissions-reduction goals.

In a world where Hilcorp didnt exist, wells would have shorter lives" and emit less greenhouse gas, he said.

Some environmental groups say Hilcorps appetite for aggressive growth means the company favors returns over investing adequately in environmental protections. The Environmental Protection Agency said last year that it found Hilcorp had failed to meet several requirements related to methane leaks at 35 of its Alaska facilities, some of which it bought from BP.

Hilcorp executives say the companys future is bright. The largest oil fields in the U.S. are starting to show their age, and Hilcorp is one of the few companies with the ability to extend their lives, they say.

I just want to buy old, complicated assets and figure out how to maximize the value from the last 10 or 15% of their life," said Lalicker.

Write to Benoit Morenne at benoit.morenne@wsj.com

Corrections & Amplifications

Wood Mackenzie is an energy consulting firm. An earlier version of this article incorrectly misspelled it as Wood Mckenzie.
With an 11 p.m. arrival and predawn departure, I didnt need much from my $146-a-night Hyatt Place by the airport.

Well, except for a glass of wine to take to my room. The front-desk agent doubling as lobby bartender delivered not a house red or white but bad news: The Hyatt Place was out of wine. And club soda, and limes, and most of the beers on display.

It was a minor annoyance, but one that travelers of all stripes are encountering at hotels this summer. At a Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel in Orlando, Fla., the pool was out of order for a day, the shampoo dispenser in the shower was empty and a sign on the breakfast buffet discouraged taking too much food because of supply issues. In Newport, R.I., reaching the front desk at my $500-a-night Marriott hotel was difficult, and the Starbucks didnt open until 7 a.m. All in the span of a week.

Hyatt didnt respond to requests for comment. Marriott declined to comment.

Airlines get grief for service shortfalls two years into the travel surge, but hotels are struggling too. If it isnt shabby rooms from projects put off during the pandemic, its fewer amenities or lackluster service. Weve heard a lot from readers on this topic. One told us that he and his colleagues have a competition to see who has a working ice machine on the hotel floor. The winner buys drinks for the group.

Hotel problems are particularly frustrating because were paying more for rooms on business trips and vacations. Hotel rates in the top 25 U.S. markets were up 9.3% year-to-date through May from the same period a year earlier, according to hospitality analytics firm STR.

Several destinations have seen double-digit-percentage increases in average daily rates, including New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Las Vegas and San Francisco.

Late cancellation

Frequent traveler Elizabeth Estes, an entrepreneur in Saugatuck, Mich., estimates she has spent 60 to 70 nights in hotels this year. She describes the overall experience as inconsistent.

She and her partner are vacationing in Europe this month with family and had a great stay at a Hilton in Munich. Not so much at the airport Hilton last week in Zurich, where she had so many service snags during a one-night stay, she canceled rooms she had reserved there for the trip home.

Estes says she couldnt find a shuttle schedule on the hotels website, so she called the Hilton from the airport train and had trouble reaching anyone.

Its like press one for reservations, press two for restaurants and then stay on the line for everything else, she says. I ended up getting cut off four times in a row.

The shuttle, it turned out, doesnt operate during certain afternoon hours, so they had to pay for a taxi. At the hotel, the couple waited 45 minutes for a drink at the bar despite trying to flag a server down. They run a restaurant in Michigan and sympathize with staffing challenges, but were unwilling to repeat their stay. Estes says she canceled the rooms she had booked for her family for this weekend ahead of their flights home.

A Hilton representative referred the complaints to the individual hotels, which didnt reply to requests for comment.

Rising expectations

Hotel satisfaction scores showed improvement in the most recent American Customer Satisfaction Index. The American Hotel and Lodging Association says its recent surveys show about 80% guest satisfaction.

Thats mainly because traveler expectations had dropped to the floor during the pandemic, says Chekitan Dev, professor at Cornell Universitys Nolan School of Hotel Administration. Expectations have been rising as prices have too, he says.

You have this sort of widening gap between the expectation and the experience, and thats whats causing the angst, he says.

Hotels are trying to do more with less as they face ongoing staff shortages, supply issues and high costs. An STR report this month found that hotel profit margins are growing because of higher room rates and managing expenses through reduced services, lower employment levels and changes in operation.

Dev says the hotels have service delusion. They think they can get away with fewer front-desk workers today because it worked during the pandemic, when travelers wanted fewer interactions.

You cant go accelerating your prices way beyond 2019 and then give service that was below 2019 [levels]," he says.

Hotel owner Bharat Patel, chairman of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association trade group, says the lack of workers remains hotels biggest issue.

I can deal with almost any supply issue, he says. If were out of eggs, double up on bacon. Everyone wants protein.

They can also borrow supplies from a sister hotel, but thats not an option for, say, housekeepers.

Patel says that for now, most guests are forgivingto a point.

Theyre not if the rate tripled because Taylor Swift was in town, he says.

Shane Close, who lives in Florida and travels frequently in his job as a design leader for a tech company, says he still sees signs asking guests to excuse service shortcomings. He has seen hotel coffee carts with no coffee and has repeatedly had to remind front-desk employees about the perks he gets for his elite status.

I think you almost get used to it, and thats the sad part about it, he says.
Microsoft can close its $75 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a federal judge ruled Tuesday, delivering a major setback to the Biden administrations attempt to rein in big mergers.

The deal would combine Microsofts Xbox videogaming business with the publisher of popular franchises such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush. The ruling means there is no current U.S. obstacle to the two companies merging.

The companies are still seeking approval in the U.K. where regulators have been trying to block the deal. The companys effort got a boost Tuesday when the U.K.s Competition and Markets Authority said it was prepared to consider new proposals from Microsoft for addressing competition concerns.

U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley said in her opinion that the FTC hadnt shown that Microsofts ownership of Activision games would hurt competition in the console or cloud-gaming markets. To the contrary, the record evidence points to more consumer access to Call of Duty and other Activision content," she wrote.

The Federal Trade Commission had sought an injunction to prevent the two companies from completing their megadeal before the agency began a separate process to challenge it in August.

Microsoft shares fell less than 1% after the ruling Tuesday while Activision shares rose close to 11%.

The FTC can appeal the ruling, although that is uncommon for the agency. It also can continue with its challenge to block the deal. An FTC spokesman said the agency was disappointed by the decision and would announce its next steps in the coming days.

Microsoft Vice Chair Brad Smith said in a statement that the company is grateful for the courts quick and thorough decision" and that Microsoft is committed to working creatively and collaboratively to address regulatory concerns."

Activision Chief Executive Bobby Kotick said in a statement that the merger will benefit consumers and workers.

It will enable competition rather than allow entrenched market leaders to continue to dominate our rapidly growing industry," he said.

In its suit, the FTC alleges that the deal would give Microsoft the ability to control how consumers beyond users of its own Xbox consoles and subscription services access Activisions games. Microsoft has argued the deal is good for gamers and for competition.

Courts issue injunctions when a judge believes the plaintiff is likely to prevail in the case. After losing a similar injunction request on a separate acquisition earlier this year, the FTC abandoned its effort to stop a Meta Platforms deal.

Microsoft has spent a year-and-a-half trying to get the Activision deal accepted by governments around the world, showing how tricky it can be for global companies to appease antitrust authorities that have different powers and approaches.

If Microsoft can punch through the last barriers and finish the deal, the acquisition will give a boost to its videogaming business and mark a victory for its efforts to charm agencies that have become more stringent about how they review big tech deals.

With Activision, Microsoft is looking to bolster its limited presence in mobile gaming, by far the biggest sector of the videogaming industry by revenue. Activisions Candy Crush is among the most successful mobile game franchises.

Microsoft also wants to pad its portfolio of titles for its videogame subscription service Game Pass, which includes the new option to stream games, known as cloud gaming.

Closing the Activision deal is critical for Microsoft to achieve those goals. Outside of China, there are only a handful of game companies with large portfolios that Microsoft could potentially acquire.

Authorities have voiced concerns over whether Microsoft would cut competitors out of certain games, namely Activisions wildly popular Call of Duty series. Critics of the deal say control of the franchiseone of the most successful everwould give Microsoft an unfair edge that it could use to hurt its rivals, including in the burgeoning cloud-gaming market.

Microsoft offered to make Call of Duty equally accessible to rival console makers and cloud-gaming companies over a 10-year period. It made agreements with Nintendo, Nvidia and others. The company also said it has made a similar offer to Sony Group, one of the biggest critics of the acquisition.

To bolster its odds of success, Smith took the companys case to lawmakers, industry events and the public. When Activision employees sought to unionize last year, Microsoft made clear the deal wouldnt derail those goals by announcing it was open to working with labor unions.

The decision to buy one of the top videogame developers in one of techs biggest-ever acquisitions echoed other bold bets by Microsoft Chief Executive Satya Nadella, who has been using the Redmond Wash., companys war chest and cloud infrastructure to propel it deeper into diverse businesses.

Microsoft has acquired more companies than most in tech. It used a large investment to get a head start in the generative artificial intelligence race when it put billions of dollars into OpenAI, the company behind the viral chatbot ChatGPT.

The FTC under Chair Lina Khan has taken a more aggressive approach to antitrust enforcement, pushing back on decades of case law that favors corporate expansion. Khan has said federal courts focused too much on consumer prices and neglected other harms caused by consolidation, such as declining innovation and choices for consumers.

Microsoft announced its plans to buy Activision in January 2022 and valued the deal at $69 billion after adjusting for the videogame publishers net cash. The companies secured regulatory approval in Europe, China and several other markets but hit roadblocks in the U.S. and the U.K.

The U.K.s Competition and Markets Authority rejected the acquisition in April, saying it could hurt competition in the U.K.s gaming industry. Microsoft is appealing that ruling, and a hearing was scheduled to begin late this month.

After the ruling in the U.S. on Tuesday, the CMA seemed to soften its stance, saying it wanted to pause the appeal process to consider proposals from Microsoft to restructure the deal in a way that would address its concerns.

Microsofts Smith said the company is considering how the deal could be modified in response to the CMAs concerns.

Meanwhile, the July 18 deadline set in Microsofts original deal with Activision is fast approaching. If the companies opt to extend it, Activision could seek to renegotiate the financial terms.

Activision is in better financial shape today than when it signed the deal, said Macquarie Group analyst Sarah Hindlian-Bowler.

Activision has grown," she said. A new price conversation will need to occur."
Come learn more about the Mining City, with the added bonus of getting some exercise.

Its a win-win situation. You get that blood pumping all the while learning a thing or two about Buttes illustrious past.

Founded in 1864 and incorporated 15 years later, Butte would become home to not just native-born Americans, but immigrants from across the globe. As mining grew, so did its population and the town would earn the nickname, The Richest Hill on Earth.

Its the towns rich history that will be shared through the 2023 Hikes through History. Each hike will begin at 9 a.m. every Thursday through Sept. 7.

The summer event is sponsored by Butte-Silver Bows Archives, Park & Recreation, and Health Department. The hiking schedule is listed below.

July 20  Butte historian Mary McCormick is in charge of the hike through Buttes lower west side. Learn more about this fascinating neighborhood, its distinctive homes and the people who once lived there. Before embarking on this moderate hike, participants are asked to meet at West Elementary Schools west-side parking lot.

July 27  One of the best views of the city can be had at the Bell-Diamond Overlook. Led by Abby Peltomaa, people will meet at the Granite Mountain Speculator Mine Memorial for this moderate hike. About 110 years ago, the mines of the Bell and the Diamond shared a common shaft, and were generally referred to as the Bell-Diamond. In 1917, the two mines also shared a foreman, Con ONeill. The Irishman died the night of June 8, in an attempt to save other miners when fire broke out in the nearby Granite Mountain Mine. The mining disaster killed an estimated 166 men.

Aug. 3  Meet at Fairmont Road for the Greenway Trail: Fairmont Road to German Gulch hike with Dori Skrukrud. Its mostly flat terrain and participants can get a close-up look at the restoration along this portion of the trail from Fairmont Road through Durant Canyon. At one time, German Gulch was its own little community and boasted a population of about 1,000 people. Within its boundaries stood some 110 homes. It also had grocery stores, bakeries, several saloons, and two breweries.

Aug. 10  Thompson Park expert Jocelyn Dodge will lead this particular expedition, which includes a fun and adventurous route through the park, including remnants of the old Milwaukee Railroad. Meet at the Eagles Nest parking before learning about some of this historic sites history. The park, located nine miles south of Butte, was dedicated on Nov. 18, 1915. It includes picnic areas, trails, and even the Eagles Nest disc gold course.

Aug. 17  Joe Griffin and Mary McCormick will be your guides for a hike to the Anselmo Mine. Participants should meet at the Montana Tech dorm, Broadway and Western.

Learn more about the men who worked underground at this mine, which was 4,000 feet deep. Founded in 1887, its headframe was once Black Rock No. 3 in Walkerville.

Aug. 24  The Archives director and assistant director, Aubrey Jaap and Lindsay Mulcahy, will share their extensive knowledge while walking through the Mountain View Cemetery.

Among the residents buried there are Wobblie leader, Frank Little, who was lynched by unknown men on Aug. 1, 1917. A memorial also stands honoring the unidentified men killed in the Granite Mountain-Speculator Disaster. Founded in 1910, there are numerous intricate headstones, many of which have photographs of the deceased.

Aug. 31  Come and explore the 57-acre Skyline Park with Lindsay Mulcahy and Abby Peltomaa. With the East Ridge as its picture-perfect backdrop, the area is surrounded by walking and biking trails, a dog park, and a fishing pond for kids.

Buttes first dog-sanctioned park is located near the Hillcrest Elementary School. Skyline had its official grand opening June 27, 2015

Sept. 7  Colleen Elliot will lead the hike through the Big Butte Open Space Recreation Area and share her knowledge about the areas extensive geological history.

Home to the big M, learn more about Buttes natural landmark, with the added bonus of taking in some beautiful views.

While each walk is free, a $5 donation is welcome, with proceeds going to the Friends of the Archives and the local Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Fund.

Snacks and water will be available. Hikers should dress appropriately for the weather and wear good walking shoes. No pets are allowed.

For more details, call the health department at 406-497-5020 or call the Archives at 406-782-3280.
Criminal charges have been filed against a woman accused of stabbing a man to death in Billings last year.

Elecia Railah Bearcomesout pleaded not guilty earlier this month to one count of deliberate homicide. County prosecutors are accusing the 20-year-old of killing Joseph Sean Little Sr. at his apartment in December 2022.

There is a little bit of relief that did come with the charges, said Maurice Little, Joseph Littles older brother, but at the same time were still hurting from it cause its never going to bring him back.

Multiple detectives with the Billings Police Department were assigned to investigate the death of Little, whose body was found at his home on Dec. 5, 2022. Neighbors living near the 39-year-olds apartment on the 1100 block of 28th Street West called police when they found him dead on his couch, court documents said. They allegedly wanted to check in on Little after not seeing him for several days.

An autopsy later determined that Little died of multiple stab wounds, according to charging documents, and the medical examiner declared his death a homicide.

During the autopsy, the decedents clothing was collected, and it showed discoloration consistent with being bleached, wrote Yellowstone County Deputy Chief County Attorney Ed Zink in charging documents. A stain remover bottle was also observed and recovered at the scene.

While detectives were investigating the apartment, they allegedly found shoes too small to belong to Little and a notebook labeled with the initials E.B. There were no signs of a robbery or a struggle between Little and his attacker. During the investigation, court documents said, police received a call from someone claiming that Bearcomesout had told him she did something bad on 28th Street West.

In subsequent interviews between the person who made the call and a BPD detective, he allegedly said he picked up Bearcomesout and another woman at Littles apartment on December 3. He told the detective the second woman had called and asked for a ride, court documents said, and when he arrived he saw Littles body on the couch.

The witness later told police that as the three were leaving in his vehicle, according to charging documents, Bearcomesout made him go back to the apartment so she could get her cell phone. When Bearcomesout returned to his vehicle, court documents said, she said she made sure Little wasnt breathing. The witness told police Bearcomesout allegedly admitted to stabbing Little on multiple occasions and threw the knife she used into an irrigation canal.

Detectives identified and found the second woman who was allegedly at Littles apartment the day he was killed. She told police she, Bearcomesout and Little were in his home when she fell asleep on a couch, court documents said. She allegedly woke up to Little and Bearcomesout arguing. The argument ended with Bearcomesout going to the kitchen, grabbing a knife and stabbing Little, according to charging documents.

Police reached Bearcomesout on Dec. 6, and brought her in for questioning. She allegedly declined to give a statement but did agree to provide a buccal swab for DNA testing and her cell phone for data extraction. On her cell phone, according to court documents, investigators found several statements in which she admitted to doing something she shouldnt have.

If it catches up to me Im going away for a long time, Bearcomesout allegedly wrote in one message.

Little, a Northern Cheyenne man who grew up in Lame Deer, was a father to five children and had one grandson. Known as Joe Beav to his friends, Maurice Little said his brother had been living in Billings for about four years. While Joseph Little held many jobs throughout his life, prior to his death he was honing his skill for building stereo systems, taking home first place in a local competition.

Joey was a really kind-hearted person, Maurice Little said. He was always there willing to help. Even if he didnt have anything, he would do his best whether it was giving a ride or sharing some food.

Littles death was one of 17 homicides investigated by BPD last year, according to department data, 12 of which were determined to be criminal in nature. The ages of the homicide victims in Billings last year ranged from 15 to 64, but the majority were in their late teens and 20s. Of those 17 homicide victims, at least nine were Native Americans.

County prosecutors charged Bearcomesout with deliberate homicide on June 30, 2023, and she was booked into Yellowstone County Detention Facility two days later. At her arraignment July 5, Standing Master Bradley Kneeland maintained Bearcomesouts bond at $300,000. If convicted, she could be sentenced up to life in prison.
New museum in Alabama tells history of last known slave ship to US and its survivors

A new museum Alabama tells the history of the Clotilda  the last ship known to transport Africans to the American South for enslavement
The U.S. Marine Corps is without a confirmed leader for the first time in a century as Gen. David Berger stepped down as commandant and a Republican senator is blocking confirmation of his successor
Longtime Billings businesswoman and philanthropist Marilyn Floberg has died. She was 91. She had been living in Florida where she retired to be near family.

Together with her husband, Don, she built a thriving real estate business that by the time they sold it had grown to a staff of 60 with offices in Billings, Red Lodge and Columbus.

Marilyn began her professional life as a school teacher and even after devoting much of her time to building the real estate business she never stopped teaching.

She was a teacher more than anything else, said her son Dana Bjornson. She made sure students had the resources they needed to get an education. She motivated them to learn and to continue learning.

One of her assignments to students at the end of each school year was to have them write her a letter telling her the favorite things they had learned.

And, she stayed in touch with them. She was that kind of teacher, Bjornson said.

She was born Marilyn Joyce Hunter in 1932 in Fargo, North Dakota. She studied mathematics at North Dakota State University where she was homecoming queen in 1952.

In the early 1960s, she boarded a train with her two children from her first marriage and moved to Billings where she had a teaching job. While buying a home, she fell in love with her real estate agent, the dashing young Don Floberg, who had four children of his own. They were married on Christmas day.

They blended their families and then blended their business interests in Floberg Companies. The company joined Prudential in 1990 and later Berkshire Hathaway Home Services.

Always teaching, Marilyn developed a curriculum to help prospective real estate agents learn the business and pass the state licensing exam. From that curriculum, she wrote a text book that was nationally for many years.

Throughout their long lives together, the Flobergs devoted themselves to philanthropy. In 2013, the couple donated their family home at North 30th Street and 10th Avenue North to the Billings Clinic.

In 2010, they received the Lifetime Achievement Award for the Roche Jaune Awards for Business Excellence from the Billings Chamber of Commerce

In 2015, the couple was inducted into the Montana Business Hall of Fame. During the ceremony, Don said the couples business success was built on a single principle: the Golden Rule.

Don died in 2022, a day short of his 98th birthday.

One of Marilyns last great acts of philanthropy was to donate property she and Don owned near Yellowstone National park to a charitable trust. The trust recently entered into an agreement to sell the property to the Greater Yellowstone Coalition.

The deal will protect the environment around the park and money from the sale will go  where else  to a learning institution close to Marilyns heart, Montana State University Billings.
Photo by the Office of Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly. Mayor Kelly and Mayor Bova at the 2023 Cities Summit of the Americas.
When the 21st century dawned, The Bismarck Tribune newsroom was well-staffed waiting to see if a rumored mass computer crash would occur. It didnt, and everyone missed the New Years parties.

From a North Dakota journalists viewpoint the new century hasnt disappointed. The first 23 years has seen a string of major news events. As The Bismarck Tribune marks 150 years of publishing, here's a look back at a newsy century so far.

Some peg the start of the states oil boom as 2006, though it hit its peak around 2012. Companies discovered that amazing amounts of oil could be extracted in western North Dakota through horizontal drilling and fracking. It created a Wild West atmosphere.

Traffic became crazy, dangerous and deadly. Traffic would get backed up on two-lane roads, and drivers would attempt foolish, sometimes fatal, attempts to pass multiple vehicles.

If you wanted to get a bite to eat at a restaurant or fast food place you had to be prepared to wait ... and wait.

Bismarck, Mandan and Minot felt the impact of the oil boom. Businesses raised wages or they didnt find employees. The state suddenly found its coffers overflowing.

Reporter Lauren Donovan led the way for Tribune coverage reporting on people camping in parks, parking lots or on the side of the road. She told about the wealth that the boom created for some mineral owners and the sorrow it brought to other landowners. She described people desperate for jobs coming to the state with little more than the clothes on their backs.

And the prostitution. Where there are oil workers, mainly men, theres a desire for companionship, even if briefly.

It was a stressful assignment for Donovan, as she endured the crazy traffic and handled difficult stories.

The state had a crash course in infrastructure building, creating new highways and housing. Voters approved the Legacy Fund, an oil tax savings account that rapidly grew, prompting ongoing debate over when and how to use it. The state enjoyed amazing growth until hitting bottom in 2015. Oil prices have since rebounded, and improved highways and more housing have returned western North Dakota to near normalcy.

The Tribune covered it from the oil patch to the Legislature to the cities coping with growth.

Craig Cobb was working in the oil fields in 2011, but that wasnt the reason he was in North Dakota. Cobb had visions of turning the small hamlet of Leith into a neo-Nazi enclave. He had slowly been buying up properties in the small town in hopes of bringing people of similar beliefs to Leith.

Then Donovan learned about Cobb, his past and his beliefs. She broke the story on Cobb and his efforts to take over Leith. The folks in Leith and the public were not happy about Cobb. A protest rally was held in September 2013 with hundreds attending. It was covered by the Tribune, media across the nation and even high school papers in Bismarck.

Cobb was eventually arrested for terrorizing and entered a plea.

The winter of 2010-11 saw a massive amount of snow, and North Dakota paid the consequences. There was a lot of flooding, especially in Bismarck-Mandan and Minot. The flooding in Bismarck prompted the National Guard to haul sandbags to different areas of the city. Even the governor and his wife helped fill sandbags.

Every day starting in May the Tribune assigned reporters and photographers different aspects of the flood to cover. For several weeks it was Bismarck-Mandan under siege. The Tribune later reported on the failure of officials to predict the flooding and deal with it.

Members of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation were thrilled on June 14, 2016, when President Barack Obama visited Cannon Ball. His visit was the first by a president to a reservation sharing geography with North Dakota.

In his message to the tribe he stressed improving education and economic development. It was a colorful event, with Tribune reporters and photographers covering it.

In April 2016 there was a quiet beginning to what would become a major protest to an oil pipeline. Donovan was there when Native Americans near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation established a small camp.

What seemed like a minor event exploded into a protest involving tribes from the across the nation and overseas. It was a historic gathering of tribes that drew thousands to the little area of the state. The protests spilled into Bismarck-Mandan and gained global attention.

Every reporter took part in the coverage, some making the daily trek to the camps. It wasnt an easy assignment since not all the protesters were friendly to reporters, and some in law enforcement felt reporters spent too much time at the camps.

The protesters believed the Dakota Access Pipeline, which was crossing the Missouri River, posed a threat to the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation if it leaked and polluted the tribes water source.

Tribune reporters were in the middle of it when the last protesters were dispersed in February 2017.

The 2016 presidential primary attracted two major candidates to Bismarck, with Donald Trump drawing the biggest crowd at the Bismarck Event Center on May 26. More than 7,000 heard him thank North Dakota for giving him enough delegates to win the Republican nomination. To the glee of the audience he attacked his future presidential rival Hillary Clinton.

The Tribune covered it all in words and pictures.

Earlier in the month on May 13, a chilly Friday afternoon, Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders made a pitch for votes at a downtown rally that drew about 500. He made a spirited speech, but his chances of beating Clinton were fading.

Also in 2016, North Dakotans saw Doug Burgum come out of nowhere to defeat Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem to be the Republican nominee for governor. He then swept to victory in the general election. The Tribune covered it from the beginning.

There were other important events this century, but these will stick in our memories. Its enough to make journalists and readers wonder whats coming next.
A renewable energy project approved by Longford County Council has been referred to An Bord Pleanala for consideration.

Natural Forces Renewable Energy Ltd (Natural Forces) were approved permission by Longford County Council to construct one Enercon E138 Wind Energy Converter on an 81m tower with an electrical rating of 4.2MW and an overall tip height of 149.38m at Lissanore, Longford on June 13 last.

When the initial application was assessed by the local authority local residents of Lissanore, located between Edgeworthstown and Lisryan, made submissions expressing huge concern about the proposal.

The objectors said they were unhappy with the excessive height at 149.38m of the proposed wind turbine and the impact it will have visually and on property prices. They cited adverse health effects, noise pollution and shadow flicker as concerns.

Other concerned residents say the massive wind turbine would be significantly higher than the Dublin Spire which is 120 metres high and queried the impact on local wildlife.

The proposed development will also entail the installation of the hard standing area for the Wind Energy Converter and the installation of underground circuit cables which will run in underground cable trenches (c.1.2m deep), from the proposed Wind Energy Converter to the proposed substation building on the site.

On its website, Natural Forces describes itself as a private independent power producer that delivers renewable energy projects in partnership with local communities across Canada and Ireland.

Longford County Council planners granted the permission subject to 16 conditions.



The approval covered the installation of the hardstanding area for the Wind Energy Converter. Installation of underground circuit cables which will run in underground cable trenches from the proposed Wind Energy Converter to the proposed substation building on the site.

Locals slam Longford County Council over wind turbine decision Local homeowners living in one of Longford's most densely populated towns have slammed as utterly shocking a local authority decision to grant planning for a near 150m high wind turbine.

The construction of the proposed substation building which will be located 98m from the proposed wind turbine and surrounded by stock proof fencing. It will be a single storey building.

Construction of proposed internal site access track, constructed from permeable material and which will run from the site entrance to the Wind Energy Converter hardstanding area. All associated ancillary infrastructure and preparatory works such as provision of the site entrance Lissanore, Longford.

The Longford local authority were informed by An Bord Pleanala that the matter was referred to them last week.
Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Colm Murray met with An Taoiseach and Fine Gael Party Leader, Leo Varadkar, in Government Buildings last week.

The Taoiseach, along with all of his senior Ministers, met with the thirteen Fine Gael councillors who have recently been elected as the first citizen of their county.

Cllr Murray outlined his main priorities for his term.

I want to secure infrastructural investment for Longford, such as continued funding for the N4 upgrade, upgrades to the N55, increased services on our rail line and securing further investment in and giving direction to regeneration projects throughout our county, particularly our county town.

I will focus on building ties with the industrial and enterprise sector to encourage more investment in Longford, to ensure a supply of high quality jobs and to make Longford an attractive place to live and work from.

Key among these will be the work to secure an advanced IDA facility in the county. Companies operating in Longford are already showing that this is a place they can thrive in  for example Abbott Diagnostics, Avery Dennison (which was a Longford start-up).

I want to see accelerated investment in housing in county Longford, not just in social housing, but in affordable housing schemes too. Part of the issue with our current housing shortage is the complexity of the regulatory side of building as well as the gap between the price of construction and the market value of housing.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said, I had a good two-hour meeting with Cllr Murray in Government Buildings on Tuesday evening to discuss the issues that matter to the people of Longford. The meeting gave Cllr Murray the opportunity to raise these issues directly with me and I committed to work on them.

Murray invokes spirit of JFK as he takes over as Longford County Council Cathaoirleach The newly elected Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Colm Murray, invoked the spirit of former US President John F Kennedy in his maiden address to his fellow councillors following his successful election last Thursday afternoon.

Mr Varadkar said the need for more funding this year for local and regional road maintenance, a top up allocation for the Local Improvement Scheme and, in the coming years, funding to advance new road projects that are delayed, the urgent need to service much more land for housing were also raised at the meeting.

On energy security and climate, the Taoiseach heard about the need to increase aid to farmers, schools, community buildings and businesses to install solar panels and become energy efficient.

Mr Varadkar concluded, I look forward to working with Cllr Murray and visiting Longford during his term as Cathaoirleach.
The new director-general of RTE briefly met some members of staff as approximately 100 employees staged a rally outside the national broadcaster to call on the Government to support public service broadcasting.

Kevin Bakurst, who officially took over the role on Monday, said he needed to work with staff to rebuild the organisation.

Non-union staff and employees represented by unions including SIPTU, the National Union of Journalists, Equity and Connect, held the demonstration on Wednesday amid fears for the future of RTE due to a crisis currently engulfing the station.

Employees are concerned that fallout from a controversy over understated payments to star presenter Ryan Tubridy will lead to a drop in commercial revenues from advertising and fewer people paying the obligatory TV licence fee.

Government has also paused a decision on the future funding of the broadcaster due to the scandal.

In addition, the Minister for Media appointed a forensic accounting firm to examine RTEs accounts.

Mr Bakhurst said he was listening to staff.

Ive said in all the staff meetings we have to take some tough decisions in the end but I fully want to reflect the staff and the value of what they bring to the organisation.

I totally want to listen to them, I want to work with them and we need to rebuild.

He said there was a need to stabilise the organisation and keep it running.

There will be more change to follow in due course.

During the rally, employees and union representatives were critical of the management and governance at RTE.

RTE worker Marguerite Sheridan highlighted the issue of long working hours during the pandemic: Were going to make sure thats never ever going to happen again.

Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU) organiser Teresa Hannick said the future of the workers needed to be maintained.

Ms Hannick said: These are jobs, these are real people and they need to be supported.

Union representatives said the current TV licence fee system is not fit for purpose.

Speaking to the PA news agency, chair of the NUJ Dublin Broadcasting branch Emma O Kelly said: We urgently need a sustainable model for the funding of public service broadcasting to be put in place.

Ms O Kelly, who is also RTE Newss education correspondent, said people at the top of the organisation had almost lost complete sight of our public service remit.

We need Government to fund this service properly. They can no longer expect to rely on getting public service broadcasting on the cheap.

She welcomed the fact Mr Bakhurst had engaged with staff at the rally.

NUJ Irish secretary Seamus Dooley said there was a lack of political courage over the issue.

Addressing the demonstration, Mr Dooley said there were people on politics and in commercial media who would dance on the grave of RTE.

Our message  and I never taught I would hear myself quoting Charles Haughey on this platform  is Go dance on someone elses grave.

Speaking to PA after the rally, Mr Dooley said the new interim leadership team would be judged by their actions.

We need a new culture of openness and transparency.

The demonstration comes one day after Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly faced hours of questioning from two key parliamentary committees.

Among the revelations from those blockbuster appearances was an email which Mr Kelly suggested directly contradicted the claim that ex-director general Dee Forbes had done a solo run by agreeing to underwrite a 75,000-euro-a-year deal involving RTE, Tubridy and Renault.

Tubridy, who normally hosts a radio programme every weekday, has not appeared on air since the scandal emerged.

He has expressed a desire to get back on the radio as soon as possible, but conceded it is touch and go whether he keeps his job.

However, some members of staff at the rally were questioning whether his explanations at the Oireachtas committee were enough to secure a return to the airwaves.

One speaker criticsed what he called rockstar fees to the highest earners at the organisation.

The demonstration was followed by a meeting of union representatives and chair of the RTE board Siun Ni Raghallaigh.

Media minister Catherine Martin announced Mazars as the forensic accountancy service that has been appointed under Section 109 of the Broadcasting Act to examine the accounts of RTE.

The forensic accountant will initially focus on the use of barter accounts by RTE and any other off-balance sheet accounts, however this scope may be expanded by the minister.

Ms Martin also announced the appointment of Stephen Smith to the expert advisory committee on governance and aulture and Liam Kelly to the expert advisory committee on contractor fees, human resources and other matters.

The committee memberships are now complete and the minister hopes to meet with the committees early next week.

Mazars will also collaborate and share findings with the two expert advisory committees.
Crime

By Long Island Published: July 11 2023

Mastic Beach resident Joseph Scalafani is accused of fatally shooting Alex Smith and fleeing the state, with assistance from his brother and a friend, according to Suffolk County authorities.

Joseph Scalafani, a 34-year-old resident of Mastic Beach, has been charged with the shooting death of another local resident, 32-year-old Alex Smith, and subsequently fleeing the state, as announced by the Suffolk County District Attorney on Tuesday, July 11.

According to the investigation, Scalafani allegedly violated a restraining order on May 13, 2023, when he approached his ex-girlfriend, demanding her assistance in arranging a meeting between him and Smith.

In a disturbing turn of events, Scalafani brandished a black handgun and pointed it at the woman, threatening to shoot her if she attempted to flee, according to the DA's Office.

Approximately a week later, on May 20, Scalafani's ex-girlfriend and Smith were at Linsa Torr's Place, a local dive bar in Mastic Beach. Around 2 a.m., as the two left the establishment, Scalafani allegedly ambushed them in the parking lot.

In a brutal act, he opened fire, striking Smith multiple times in the back and torso. The DA's Office reported that, after Smith collapsed to the ground, Scalafani proceeded to shoot him twice more at close range, this time in the head.

Tragically, Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.

Initially escaping in a vehicle, Scalafani later crashed and abandoned it, continuing on foot.

During the course of the investigation, it was uncovered that Scalafani's brother, 30-year-old Daniel Scalafani, and a friend, 61-year-old Jeffrey Mercury, assisted him in evading capture. They allegedly provided him with money and misled the authorities regarding his whereabouts.

Furthermore, Mercury stands accused of driving Scalafani to Virginia to aid in his escape.

After an extensive search, Scalafani was apprehended in Florida on Sunday, June 4. He was subsequently extradited to Suffolk County.

"This defendant ran but could not hide," stated Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney, referring to the event as "an execution-style murder." Tierney emphasized that Scalafani's arrest was inevitable and only a matter of time.

At his arraignment, Scalafani faced several charges, including second-degree murder, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, four counts of first-degree criminal contempt, and one count of second-degree criminal contempt.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, August 23.
Local News, National & World News

By Long Island Published: July 12 2023

Long Island man's family claims his bizarre behavior in Las Vegas, including assaulting a one-legged man and dancing naked on a poker table, was a result of drink tampering.

A Long Island man's peculiar actions, including assaulting a one-legged man and performing a nude dance on a poker table in Las Vegas, were allegedly the result of drink tampering, according to his family. Brian Danilczyk, 35, was visiting Sin City for a bachelor party when his behavior took an unexpected turn after consuming a spiked beverage.

The relatives, his wife Michele Danilczyk and father William Danilczyk, spoke separately to The Post, asserting that Brian's aberrant conduct was a direct consequence of an unknown hallucinogenic substance being surreptitiously added to his drink.

Michele Danilczyk, expressing disbelief at her husband's actions, defended his character in a text message, stating, "I will start by saying that we are good people and my husband is a great person. He would NEVER act in such a way. He is the victim."

According to Las Vegas police, the incident unfolded at the Bird Bar in the Flamingo Hotel at approximately 11:20 p.m. on Sunday. Brian Danilczyk allegedly assaulted a one-legged man before fleeing onto the Strip. He proceeded to enter Harrah's Hotel and Casino, where surveillance footage captured him undressing and then "flaunting his genitalia while gyrating" on top of a poker table.

Authorities intervened and arrested Danilczyk on charges of disorderly conduct, battery, and five counts of indecent exposure. Remarkably, the accused claims to have no recollection of the events, a fact corroborated by his family.

William Danilczyk, Brian's father, described his son as being "in an altered state of mind" during the incident. He disclosed that the group had ordered Irish Car Bombs, a concoction consisting of Irish whiskey and Irish cream dropped into a half pint of Guinness stout beer.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing, as authorities work to determine the source and nature of the alleged drink tampering. The Danilczyk family hopes that their claims will shed light on the circumstances leading to Brian's unusual behavior and exonerate him from any intentional wrongdoing.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: July 12 2023

37 Vietnam War Veterans Receive Long Overdue Recognition and Thanks for Military Service.

(L to R): Alvin Woods, Southampton resident and U.S. Army Vietnam veteran; Catherine Poulos, Southampton resident who served as his guardian; Bill Jones, Honor Flight LI President, Southampton resident, U.S. Army veteran and West Point 1972 Graduate. They are standing by the Vietnam Memorial during trip to Washington, D.C. on April 29, 2023.

The public is invited to another great event at the American Airpower Museum. On Saturday, August 5, 2023, were co-hosting a patriotic reunion of 37 Vietnam War, two World War II and five Korean War veterans, who took a flight to Washington, D.C. on April 29, 2023. On that historic day, Honor Flight Long Island escorted this band of brothers on a FREE early a.m. flight to our nations capital. Veterans and their guardians visited WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery for a Changing of the Guard, the Air Force Memorial and Iwo Jima Memorial. They returned to Islip MacArthur Airport that evening for a raucous welcome by the Nassau County Fire Fighters Pipe and Drum Band, plus thunderous applause from hundreds of family, friends and supporters!

According to Bill Jones, Honor Flight LI President, West Point 1972 Graduate and U.S. Army veteran, This special flight included 37 Vietnam veterans who received long overdue recognition and thanks for their military service. They were accompanied by seven elder comrades - two WWII and five Korean War veterans. What this flight represented was a Big Hug to all our veterans from Honor Flight, their families and supporters who make such flights possible, he said. (Special Note For Editors: see Excel Spreadsheet  April 29 Vets for Rob  for background on our veterans.)

On Saturday, August 5th, the Museums Hangar 3 doors open at 10:30 a.m. and the reunion runs from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at AAM, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY 11735 - (631) 293-6398, www.americanairpowermuseum.org. The public is welcome to attend and applaud these veterans, especially during our Ceremony of Honors, as each is presented with a Tribute Journal full of photos taken during their day in D.C. Members of the public arriving for the event from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. may attend FREE of charge! After 12:00 p.m., regular Museum admission is free for members, $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and veterans, $10 for children ages 5-12 and free for children ages 4 and under.

This great patriotic celebration includes speeches by Honor Flight LI President Bill Jones and AAM President and Founder Jeff Clyman. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Band will play a popular medley known as the Armed Forces Salute, featuring five official melodies of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. Free cake, coffee and refreshments provided by Honor Flight will be enjoyed by all! Co-hosts AAM and Honor Flight LI encourage public participation in this historic event, to help us honor 44 of Long islands home-grown heroes for their service to our great nation! See you at Hangar 3!

Honor Flight Long Island is one of 130 regional hubs in the national Honor Flight Network, whose mission is to honor America's World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and in special cases of terminal illness or injury, veterans from more recent conflict eras, by providing all-expenses-paid, round-trip visits to their Washington, D.C. memorials. For more about Honor Flight Long Island: www.honorflightlongisland.org. For more on the national Honor Flight Network: honorflight.org. Questions? Call Honor Flight LI Secretary Jamie Bowden at (631) 702-2423 or email JBowden@southamptontownny.gov.

American Airpower Museums mission is the preservation of aviation and military history to educate the public about the courage, sacrifice and heroism of our nations veterans, aviation pioneers and aviation industry workers. We accomplish this by preserving, displaying, and flying our operational examples of Americas legendary military aircraft, as well as through our static aircraft displays, exhibits and events. The American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport - Where History Flies!
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: July 12 2023

Anthony Gutierrez Meza Pleaded Guilty in May Moments Before His Trial Was Set to Begin.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Anthony Gutierrez Meza, 25, of Valley Stream, was sentenced to 22 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision, for his involvement in the death of 18-year-old Estiven Abrego Gomez in August 2016.

There is no reasonable explanation that could ever justify this defendants conduct, said District Attorney Tierney. However, the defendants actions are made even more senseless given that he took the life of the victim for no other reason than to advance his position in the MS-13 gang.

According to the investigation and the defendants admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on August 19, 2016, Gutierrez Meza lured the victim, Estiven Abrego Gomez, out of his home by Facebook messaging the victim asking to meet up to smoke marijuana. Gutierrez Meza, a member of the Normandy clique of Mara Salvatrucha-13 (MS-13), had previously requested permission to kill the victim, which was granted by a higher-ranking MS-13 gang member who did not participate in the attack.

In the early morning hours of August 20, 2016, the victim entered Greenlawn Park with Gutierrez Meza and another co-conspirator.

Moments later, more co-conspirators entered the park walking towards the victim. The victim attempted to run away, but was punched by one of the co-conspirators, causing the victim to fall to the ground. Gutierrez Meza and the other co-conspirators proceeded to take turns hitting the victim with the bat, stabbing, and slicing him with the knives, and chopping at him with the machete until they were satisfied that he was dead. The victims injuries were so severe, both of his hands were nearly amputated. The defendants then fled the scene and left the victim in the park. Law enforcement conducted an extensive investigation and subsequently arrested Gutierrez Meza.

On May 30, 2023, Gutierrez Meza pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Timothy P. Mazzei.

On July 11, 2023, Judge Mazzei sentenced Gutierrez Meza to 22 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. Gutierrez Meza was represented by Ian Fitzgerald, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Kathleen Kearon of the District Court Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Pamela J. Bloomfield of the Major Crime Bureau, with investigative assistance from Suffolk County Police Department Detective Christopher Calvacca of the Homicide Squad.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: July 12 2023

"While we should not fear to swim and take advantage of all the recreational activities on Long Island, we should also stay vigilant and informed, said Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter.

Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter was joined by town officials, a veteran ocean lifeguard and a NYS DEC marine biologist at a press conference to address the recent shark encounters that took place during the 4th of July holiday weekend on Fire Island and at surrounding beaches.

Its days like today that really make you want to get out on the boat, head to the beach, and truly enjoy the water and all our island community has to offer. But if this past weekend serves as any sort of sobering reminder, the beauty of Long Island and its surrounding waters are not ours alone to enjoy. We share it with the animals to whom, for them, it is their home. And while we should not fear to swim and take advantage of all the usual recreational activities that make growing up on Long Island so memorable, we should also stay vigilant and informed on the best practices to do so wisely, said Supervisor, Angie Carpenter.

Alex Schicilone, ocean senior lifeguard with the Town of Islip for 33 years, said that only in recent years has the potential for a shark encounter become a daily concern when on duty. When you are heading to the beach, you should always be aware of your beach rules. Its imperative to understand your current conditions, whether its weather or beach conditions, especially if theres any riptide that day you want to be conscious thatyou should always, always swim within the lifeguard area, which is extremely important. Obviously, never swim alone, no matter what your skill level is in swimming, you should always work on a buddy system, said Schicilone.

We expect to see sharks here in New York every June through September, typically coinciding with the summer months. We have 13 different shark species here that migrate out from the south. These animals are in their natural habitat. They are wild animals and bathers should take precautions when they enter the water and be aware of their surroundings. Listen to the lifeguards. Dont go in where there are schools of bait fish or splashing fish in the water. Dont go in at dusk, dawn, or nighttimeif the waters murky that could increase encounters because sharks may misidentify their prey, said Christopher Scott, Marine Biologist, NYS DEC.

If you see a shark, stay calm, slowly back out of the water, keep your eye on the animal and alert the lifeguards to what you saw, said Scott.
Authorities have filed more felony charges against a Bismarck man accused of cashing fraudulent business checks at banks in Burleigh and Morton counties.

They also have issued warrants for him after he failed to appear at court hearings scheduled this week on the initial charges.

Aaron Hysell, 48, was arrested June 6 at Dakota Community Bank in Glen Ullin while attempting to cash a fraudulent $6,987 check made out to him from Office & Technology Inc. in Bismarck, according to an affidavit. He allegedly admitted to cashing similar checks at other banks in the Bismarck-Mandan-Lincoln area.

Hysell initially was charged with forgery or counterfeiting in connection with the alleged check schemes at Dakota Community Banks in Glen Ullin and Lincoln. He was scheduled for preliminary hearings on Monday in South Central District Court in Bismarck and in Mandan, but he did not show, according to court documents and officials.

He could have entered pleas at those hearings to the charges, each of which carries a maximum punishment of five years in prison. Judges in both counties issued bench warrants for his arrest. The defense attorney listed in the Glen Ullin case did not immediately respond to a Tribune request for comment. No attorney is listed for Hysell in the Lincoln case.

Prosecutors late last week also filed another forgery or counterfeiting charge against Hysell in Morton County along with a felony theft count that also carries a maximum punishment of five years in prison. Those charges are in connection with a fraudulent check cashed at a Dakota Community Bank in Mandan. A criminal summons was issued in that case; no further court proceedings were immediately scheduled.

Hysell allegedly told authorities after his arrest last month that he was homeless, and that he was recruited by others to cash the checks, and paid with money and food.
"This is the first and only time I'm going to talk about the case. But let me be clear, I have never tried and would never try to take my own life."

On the morning of 23 March 2021, after a tense Zoom meeting with parliament, Health Minister Paulette Lenert left her house, got in her car and drove from Remich to Nennig, on the German bank of the Moselle.

She doesn't remember what happened next, only that she woke up in the late afternoon lying on the shore of a lake, covered in dust and shivering with cold. She got up and asked a fisherman for help, who rushed to call the German authorities.

When she arrived at the hospital, there were all sorts of rumors. "I'm going to take you to the place where it all happened," she told me when we met in Remich. "This is the first and only time I'm going to talk about the case. But let me be clear, I have never tried and would never try to take my own life."

On the 19th day of 'Luxembourg on Foot', my path was supposed to take me from Remich to Schengen, but I added a two-and-a-half-hour walk through the German Moselle with Luxembourg's deputy prime minister, who is also the Socialist candidate for prime minister in October's elections. The walk we completed is the same one she has been doing religiously for six years, every day, early in the morning.

"Since I moved to this region, I rarely skip this route. It's two hours of my life that help me reflect and get my thoughts in order. I've always been like that, I like to observe rather than talk in a hurry and walking helps me."

On the day when, with her agreement, the country's borders with Germany closed, her feelings were mixed. "I knew it was the right thing to do, but I also realised I was denying myself my greatest pleasure. Taking my animals and going into the forest with them."

She had a blazing start in the health ministry. "I had taken over the portfolio in February 2020, weeks before the start of the pandemic. And it was very hard, realising that I had to deal with a potential mortality rate on a scale I had never known before. But I don't regret any of the measures I took, and I'm very proud to see how the people of Luxembourg came together and took responsibility. It was extraordinary."

Ricardo with Paulette Lenert where it happened  Photo credit: Luc Deflorenne

At the beginning of 2021, life was not going well for her. One of her dogs died, then a cat, and today she only has her dog Schmit, who accompanies us all the way. "I also parted from my partner, it was a tough time. But that never stopped me from doing my job well. I have ideas for my country, I want to improve it and I have the strength to fight for it. But on that day in March, it all came together. And so I did what I was supposed to do: I came to my usual place to put my ideas in order. Only I blacked out. I think I collapsed from exhaustion. I'd been fighting for the lives of my fellow citizens for months and months, and there was a moment of exhaustion. So much so that I rested for a few days and then I was fine."

The insinuation that she tried to take her own life makes her angry. "Can you imagine how my daughters and my family felt when they read that?" she asks. And she also rejects the idea of weakness that people have tried to pin on her for having been on sick leave for a few weeks.

"I think it's easier for that discourse to be directed towards a woman," she says as she strides confidently towards the shore of a lake. "But I'm still up for the fight. It would be an honour to be the first woman to be head of government in this country."

Lenert takes the lead, then points to the place where she parked her car, then to the ground where she woke up in astonishment. "It was here. I had a blackout here. I'm not at all ashamed to admit it. We all have the right to burn out. We all have the right to be tired, or sad. To deny it is to deny our human condition."

As we walk, she tells me about her government programme. Housing is the priority of priorities, she says, "because all the problems of this country end up there in one way or another". But she has a particular focus that seems important to her, especially after the pandemic. "It's time to really look at mental health. We have to change the system. We have to co-pay for psychological and psychiatric support for citizens. And we have to create the conditions for people to be happy, so that life is not just about working and paying bills, so that we can be resilient and keep fighting. In essence, so that we don't all burn out."
LIVONIA, MICH.  Nationally recognized historian and Madonna alumna Heather Bruegl will present A History of the Lake George Area and the Nations Who Called it Home, in Lake George, Wisconsin.

Bruegl, who is a citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, holds a bachelor's and master's degree in U.S. History from Madonna University and is currently a doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin in Green Bay. Her area of study is First Nations Education with a focus on inclusive historical narratives for teaching.

In her presentation, Bruegl will describe how the Indigenous Nations that populated the area lived and the policies that removed them from their homes and pushed them onto reservations. Bruegl said in a news release, "All the land that makes up the United States was, in its entirety, Indigenous land. The Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and other nations called the Lake George area home well before colonization."

More information about Bruegl's presentation is available on the Lake George Examiner's website.

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"Matariki is an important time for many of our Auckland Airport employees and we want to share this with our travellers. These PA recordings have the opportunity to be something we can come back to and refresh time and time again, as a way to mark special occasions."
The Bismarck Tribune is celebrating its 150th anniversary this week, with its first edition printed in 1873. The first paper carried a July 11 date, but it actually had been printed on July 6, with some copies distributed.

Thats a long time for a newspaper to be printed, yet, its far from the record.

The Hartford Courant in Connecticut has been printing since Oct. 29, 1764. Thats 258 years ago. New Haven printer Thomas Green first called the newspaper the Connecticut Courant and printed it at the Heart and Crown Tavern in Hartford. Thats the dream location for the stereotypical journalist in films and literature.

The Hartford paper is considered the oldest in the nation. It will be a challenge in these rapidly changing times for the Tribune to achieve such longevity. In the last 40 years the industry has been transformed by the internet. The technological advances have been so fast its hard to keep up.

Change, however, has been a constant in the newspaper industry, from how we set type to how presses operate. The Tribune, like many newspapers, was mostly black and white until the late 1970s to early 1980s. Then newspapers blossomed into a world of color.

Until the 1920s newspapers had the corner on the news business and advertising. First radio appeared and then television. Now newspapers, radio and TV must compete with social media.

Over the years the Tribune has adapted, sometimes at the forefront and sometimes lagging.

The Tribune Editorial Board is convinced the newspaper will continue to find answers in these rapidly changing times. The Tribune always has been committed to local news.

When Col. Clement Lounsberry founded the Tribune in 1873 it was to bring news to the young rough-and-tumble Bismarck. He campaigned for law and order and withstood the ire of those he targeted.

He wanted to cover the news, sending a reporter on Lt. Col. George A. Custers Black Hills expedition and later Mark Kellogg with Custer to the Little Bighorn. Kellogg didnt come back, but his notes did, helping Lounsberry file the story on Custers defeat.

The Tribune is still sending reporters in pursuit of the news. They certainly have more tools than Kellogg, now with the ability to file stories, photos and video from the field.

For the last 150 years reporters have had it drilled into them that the news is local. Thats true today. So is the fact that good writing, editing and photography remain essential.

The adrenaline rush to get the story is what keeps journalists in the business. We wont try to predict what the newspaper business will look like in 20 or 30 years, but we will wager it will feature journalists trying to get the local story for readers.
SYDNEYAustralia has urged China to release the details of a new policing pact with Solomon Islands, saying Beijings latest push for influence threatens to inflame tensions in the South Pacific.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare inked a raft of deals during a trip to Beijing this week, including an agreement allowing China to maintain a police presence in the developing Pacific nation until 2025.

China has lavished attention on Solomon Islands since it severed ties with Taiwan in 2019, pledging large amounts of aid and bankrolling a series of critical infrastructure projects.

A spokesperson for Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Tuesday there were concerns the police cooperation plan between Solomon Islands and China will invite further regional contest.

Solomon Islands and China should provide transparency of their intentions to Australia and the region by publishing the agreement immediately, so the Pacific family can collectively consider the implications for our shared security.

Solomon Islands, one of the poorest countries in the Pacific, sits at the centre of an escalating tug-of-war as China vies for regional influence with Australia and the United States.

Australias own longstanding security pact with Solomon Islands was recently put under review, stoking fears the Solomons were drifting closer to Chinas orbit.

Although Sogavare has repeatedly stressed his country was friends to all, a video posted by Chinese state media showed him telling officials I am back home after touching down in Beijing earlier this week.

Solomon Islands opposition politician Peter Kenilorea Junior said he had a gut feeling that Sogavare wanted to shift the countrys stance closer to China.

This choice has been made a long time ago, he told Australian broadcaster ABC.

Arriving in China and saying that, Im home, its very clear. Chinese Premier Li Qiang earlier this week praised Sogavare for switching diplomatic relations from Taiwan to Beijing, saying it was the correct choice that confirms to the trend of the times.

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JAKARTAASEAN chair Indonesia on Wednesday urged a political solution to the Myanmar crisis as the bloc started a second day of talks to form a united position on the coup-wracked country.

Myanmar has been ravaged by deadly violence since a military coup deposed Aung San Suu Kyis government more than two years ago, unleashing a bloody crackdown on dissent.

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations has long been decried as a toothless talking shop, and it remains split over diplomatic attempts to resolve the crisis.

Only a political solution will lead to a durable peace, Retno Marsudi told ASEAN foreign ministers in her opening remarks on the second day of talks in Jakarta.

We are still very much concerned to see the continuing and increasing violence in Myanmar. We strongly urge all stakeholders to denounce violence as this is paramount to build trust.

Indonesias top diplomat was reiterating the blocs position that a resumption of dialogue between Myanmars warring parties and a negotiated political pact would be the only way to bring an end to more than two years of turmoil.

But ASEAN efforts to kick-start the five-point plan that calls for an end to violence and restarting peace talks have been fruitless, as Myanmars junta ignores international criticism and refuses to engage with its opponents.

The blocs initiatives are limited by its charter principles of consensus and non-interference.

Ministers were still hammering out a joint position on Myanmar on the second day of talks but the communique would be issued by the end of the meeting on Wednesday, a Southeast Asian diplomat said.

In an early draft of the joint communique seen by AFP, the Myanmar section was left blank.

ASEAN has tried to show a united front at its official high-level meetings from which Myanmar is barred, but Thailand last month hosted the juntas foreign minister for controversial informal talks that further split the bloc.

On Wednesday, Marsudi appeared to criticise that meeting, which Indonesia did not attend.

The implementation of the five-point consensus should remain the focus of ASEAN, she said. Any other efforts must support the implementation of the five-point consensus.

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France eyes a direct flight between Manila and Paris, outgoing French Ambassador to the Philippines Michele Boccoz said during a visit to Malacanang.

Boccoz called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Palace on Tuesday ahead of her return to Paris.

There are many things going on and one of them, I understand, we will have in the near future a direct flight from Manila to Paris and thats also in progress, Boccoz told the President.

Boccoz, who will conclude her diplomatic mission in the Philippines this month, said she appreciated the loving and hospitable Filipino people.

She served as the Ambassador of France to the Manila since February 2021.

The President lauded Boccoz for her achievements in improving the ties between the two countries.

It is something new for our two countries to have these relationships now. Im sure that theres something that will grow rapidly within the next two years. Those are the things that I think we can merge. I think we can make a good start, the President said.

Boccoz said that France is keen in promoting student exchange or scholarship programs to encourage more Filipino students to study in Paris.

She described the Filipino students as gifted in different areas of science.

It is also something that were really promoting, to have more students in all areas in science, engineering, and technologies and all of the areas because theres so many giftedvery, very gifted people, Boccoz said during her farewell call.

And the young generation is so dynamic in this country and Im sure therell be many, many opportunities to increase the relationship in all those areas, and to go to the next step of our relation, she added.

France ranked 18th as the Philippines trading partner from 2021 to 2022 after its total trade went from $1.5 billion to $1.8 billion as it remains the countrys 5th biggest agri-export partner in 2021 and 4th agri-import source.

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The House of Representatives remains firmly committed to the effort of helping micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) grow to create job and income opportunities for the people, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday said.

Romualdez made the statement in his remarks at the opening ceremony of the National Food Fair (Philippine Cuisine and Ingredients Show), spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

Dear friends, our mission in the House of Representatives is clear:to equip every Filipino entrepreneur with the necessary tools and conducive environment for success, Romualdez said.

As the Speaker of the House, I pledge my commitment to this mission,confident that our collective efforts, our entrepreneurs resilience, and the Filipino peoples support will ensure its realization, he said.

Lets celebrate the invaluable contributions of our MSMEs and envisage a future where they stand at the helm of our nations prosperity, he said.

The Speaker said the House recognizes the crucial contribution of small businesses to the economy.

Our legislative agenda is geared towards their empowerment and growth, working relentlessly to create a level playing field for all businesses, he added.

Our initiatives  simplified business registration, tax reform, affordable financing, and digital infrastructure investment  reflect this commitment. We are convinced that reducing these barriers will unlock our MSMEs full potential, fostering their growth and furthering national progress, he stressed.

The House leader pointed out that the House has passed severalmeasures, and is considering the approval of other proposals, meant to help small businesses such as the Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery (GUIDE) Act and House Bill 1171, or the One Town, One Product Act. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

He said these are aligned with the policy of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., noting that the Chief Executive has allocated P1.2 billion in the 2023 national budget to support programs for MSMEs.

The GUIDE Act, of which Speaker Romualdez is one of the principal authors, obligates government financial institutions like the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to assist small businesses and strategic companies.

For this purpose, the bill seeks to increase DBPs capitalization from P35 billion to P100 billion, and allocates P7.5 billion to Land Bank and P2.5 billion to DBP for lending to small enterprises.

On the other hand, Speaker Romualdez said the One Town, One Product or OTOP bill aims to assist MSMEs in developing innovative products, enhancing quality, design, packaging, compliance, marketability, production, and brand development.

The OTOP program incorporates a broad range of products and skill-based services native to specific localities. It mirrors the rich fabric of our cultural heritage and entrepreneurial vigor, he said.

He thanked the National Food Fair organizers for inviting him to the event as he also encouraged efforts to kindle the entrepreneurial spirit of Filipinos.

As we indulge in the diverse offerings of this event, let us acknowledge that it is the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of these enterprises that truly enrich our nation, Romualdez said.

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US tells China to cease harassment in SCS, envoys back arbitral ruling

The United States urged China on Wednesday to comport its maritime claims over the South China Sea and cease harassment of state vessels laying claim to the disputed area, which includes islands in the West Philippine Sea.

Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US State Department, said the US government reaffirms its July 13, 2020 policy regarding maritime claims in the South China Sea.

We continue to urge Beijing to comport its maritime claims with international law as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention; cease its routine harassment of claimant state vessels lawfully operating in their respective exclusive economic zones; halt its disruption to states sovereign rights to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources; and end its interference with the freedoms of navigation and overflight of states lawfully operating in the region, the US official said.

We will continue working with allies and partners to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific, one that is at peace and grounded in respect for international law, Miller said.

WPS VICTORY DAY. Ambassadors of different countries stand on stage in a forum in Makati to mark the seventh anniversary of an international arbitral ruling that voided Chinas historical claims to the South China Sea, including the nine-dash line. AFP

Meanwhile, ambassadors from Australia, Japan, the European Union, France, the United Kingdom, and India on Wednesday recognized the importance of the legal victory the Philippines won seven years ago in its territorial dispute with China.

At a forum to mark the anniversary of the ruling, the envoys rejected acts of intimidation and coercion and spoke of efforts to build stronger maritime defense cooperation with the Philippines and other like-minded states in the Indo-Pacific region.

These include defense exercises, increased regional presence, regular ship and frigate visits, training, and the provision of equipment and patrol vessels for Manila.

They stressed the ruling by the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration was final and legally binding.

They also paid tribute to the late former Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario, who spearheaded the successful arbitration case that resulted in the 2016 legal victory for the Philippines.

Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu cited Australias continued work with the Philippines to ensure that the 2016 arbitral ruling is properly implemented and properly followed.

Today is a really important day, not just for the Philippines, but for the whole world. Australia is a long-standing [and] strong partner to the Philippines. We want to work with the Philippines to ensure that the 2016 arbitral award is properly implemented and properly followed, the Australian envoy said.

Asked to comment on this continued aggression, Yu said this should notstop the Philippines from cooperating with others and working for what it believes in.

What that means is that we cannot give up, we have to remain united and work together to create the region that we want to live in. Yes, it has been seven years and unfortunately, we are still [seeing] the behaviors we do not want to see, but that is not a reason to stop cooperating and stop working for what we believe in, she said.

European Union Ambassador to the Philippines H.E Luc Veron said the EUis one with the Philippines and various international partners in stressing the importance of upholding maritime law.

We are one with the Philippines and other international partners instressing the importance of upholding international law, includingUNCLOS, and a peaceful settlement of disputes as the basis for peace and stability in this part of the world and elsewhere. Respect for rules based on international order is at the core of the EU approach towards cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, he said.

The EU also stands ready to facilitate activities which help build confidence and prevent and diffuse tensions, he added.

France envoy acknowledged the victory of the Philippines in its arbitral battle last 2016 with China.

There is simply no alternative to the strict adherence to the rule of law. In that regard, through the 2016 Award, the Philippines upheldthe highest standards, Ambassador Michele Boccoz said during her speech at the Forum in Manila Polo Club Japan has also expressed its interest in implementing the freedom of navigation in the highly contested waters of the WPS.

Japan is a major stakeholder with an outstanding interest in the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko said in his speech.

Japan has reiterated that the tribunal award is the final and legallybinding on the parties to dispute under the provision of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We also reiterated our support to the Philippines commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea, he added.

But seven years after the historic ruling, Chinese fishing vessels,Coast Guard and navy ships as well as numerous militia vessels continue to swarm in Philippine waters.

Indias Ambassador Shambhu Kumaran said the arbitral award is a reflection of the broader approach that both India and ASEAN have taken.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo welcomed the growing numberof countries backing the Philippines position on the West Philippine Sea as Manila commemorated on Wednesday the 7th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea.

Manalo stressed that the award already settled the status of historicrights and maritime entitlements in the South China Sea.

Manalos observation came as several nationsincluding the United States, United Kingdom, India, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Romania, Slovakia, Finland, and Swedenhave openly supported the Philippines territorial integrity over the water that is being unilaterally and illegally claimed by China.

The award has since facilitated the plotting of new paths and trajectories, reflecting the rich maritime heritage of our country and our people, firm in the conviction that our rights over our maritime jurisdictions are indisputable, Manalo said.

Manalo said the Philippines is honored that the award is now standing as a beacon whose guiding light serves all nations. He also tookpride in the path of principle that the country took when it decided to file a case for arbitration against China to peacefully settle the dispute.

It is a settled landmark and a definitive contribution to theprogressive development of international law. It is ours as much as it is the worlds, he said.

In a separate statement, Japan renewed its objection to illegal maritime claims in the South China Sea.

Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa said Chinas refusal to accept the 2016 Arbitral Award is against the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law and the UNCLOS as well as undermines the rule of law as a fundamental value of the international community.

Japan reiterates its strong opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion, Yoshimasa said.

British Ambassador Laure Beaufils vowed that the UK would play its part in ensuring a free Indo-Pacific by standing up for what we believe in, particularly for the international law-based maritime order.

We will continue to demonstrate our support and stand up with the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-aggression. We will continue to oppose any action that raises tension, Beaufils said.

US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson stressed the need for all countries to adhere to rules-based international order a system that benefits all nations, small, medium, or large.

Paying tribute to late Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario whom she described as a great Philippine diplomat, Carlson lauded him for initiating the July 7, 2015 arbitration case against China, emphasizing that international law allows the weak to challenge the powerful on equal footing, and that right prevails over might.

Like the Philippines, the United States believes that all countries, large and small, should play by the same rules and that large countries should not be allowed to bully smaller ones, Carlson said, without referring to China.

Acknowledging that the Philippines is the US oldest treaty ally in East Asia, Carlson said: Age has not dimmed the vitality of our relationship. To this day, the ironclad U.S.-Philippine Alliance provides a strong framework for how we work together to address common threats.

Unfortunately, in the past few years, we have seen increasing threats to the region. These include challenges to the rules-based international order via provocations in the South China Sea. In

February, for example, the Chinese Coast Guard used a laser device against the crew of a Philippines Coast Guard vessel. And two months later, a China Coast Guard ship then blocked a Philippine patrol vessel with a group of journalists onboard, in the vicinity of the Second Thomas Shoal. Just a few weeks ago, the Philippine Coast Guard reported an unsafe maneuver conducted by a China Coast Guard vessel, Carlson said.

She said such provocations, in addition to threatening freedom of navigation and overflight, have other consequences, including increased environmental degradation, reduced energy security, and a less stable investment climate, all of which directly and negatively affect lives and livelihoods.

In a joint statement, 16 European countries supported the Philippines in asserting its sovereignty over the disputed waters.

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To be fair, tourist promotion should not just be the sole responsibility of the DOT but a country effort with every agency of government contributing

In spite of the Love the Philippines media debacle, Department of Tourism Secretary Maria Esperanza Christina Frasco gets to keep her job.

This was apparently due to the decisive manner the DOT Secretary canceled its contract with the DDB Group responsible for the slogan fiasco.

It appears, however, that the ordeal has taken its toll on her because she filed a leave of absence to go for a much needed family vacation.

The past two weeks has certainly been anything but good to the DOT and Secretary Frasco.

But we have to give it to those social media sleuths who exposed the charade about the fake video footages immediately after the launch of the new slogan campaign.

Had it not been for them, it would have been a lot more damaging to the reputation of the DOT and the country.

The obvious lesson from this sordid affair is that, next time around, the DOT should not just leave the development of the entire project to the proponent without closely supervising it.

But for reasons only known to the DOT, it seems the agency is sticking by its guns and will continue with the new slogan regardless of the backlash generated by the embarrassing media disaster.

This will be the third slogan in as many years following WOW Philippines of the Arroyo administration and More Fun in the Philippines of the Noynoy Aquino administration.

Question is, why is the DOT so fixated on slogans instead of focusing on more substantive issues like making our tourist facilities competitive and transforming our airports and ports to become truly gateways with international standards so that we can attract more foreign visitors?

The reason why our tourist numbers are low is not because of our tourist slogans.

It has more to do with poor tourism infrastructure which needs improvement.

No amount of sloganeering will therefore do the trick if the product being sold is not up to standards.

We are getting our priorities wrong and our tourist numbers prove it.

The highest number of foreign visitors that we had was before the pandemic when we reached something like 8M tourists.

In 2022 when we started to loosen travel restrictions, we had about 2M tourist arrivals.

For the first six months of this year, about 2.5M tourists have entered the country and if that number will remain constant or improve, we might have more than 5M visitors for the whole year.

With this number, our DOT is already very happy but this number pales in comparison with the tourist arrivals of our neighbors like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

In 2019, Thailand received 39.9 foreign visitors which was the eighth most visited country in the world.

We could not even get a fourth of that number.

Even Vietnams numbers are beginning to surpass ours which is a shame considering that we have been way ahead of the curve than Vietnam, now becoming a tourist powerhouse.

Instead of constantly changing slogans, the DOT should try to find out why it is easier for these other countries to attract more visitors than us although we are not lacking in tourist attractions.

In fact, we have one of the best beaches and diving sites in the world.

Yet, we are struggling to attract foreign tourists.

Could it be because of the prevailing peace and order situation in the country?

Maybe, but Thailand has also its own insurgency problem in the southern part of that country and still able to attract that many foreign visitors which is really amazing as the Thai tourism slogan is telling the whole world.

Thailand by the way unlike us has kept that slogan without ever changing it. They seem to understand the saying that one does not fix what isnt broke.

To be fair, tourist promotion should not just be the sole responsibility of the DOT but a country effort with every agency of government contributing.

This means that enforcement people must ensure a peaceful and safe environment.

The DOTr must also ensure efficient, clean and functioning airports devoid of corrupt personnel that is always giving a black eye to the countrys reputation.

This includes an efficient public transport system for easy travel around the country.

We have to realize that travelers or tourist nowadays are a lot more sophisticated than in earlier times. They are not easily persuaded to go to one country simply because of an eye catching slogan.

They do a lot of research due in part to increasing travel costs.

Attracting more tourists has also a lot to do with our countrys international reputation.

We will certainly not be able to attract too many foreign visitors if these people only read bad things about our country like the number of people being killed in our drug war.

This is not to say that slogans are not helpful in promoting a product.

A good slogan can, of course, help but it must be backed up by facts on the ground.

A slogan is supposed to be a short and attention grabbing phrase that normally encapsulates the best of the product being advertised.

So, whatever we say about what tourists will see in the country when they get here, we have to make it sure that is exactly what they will get or experience.

Developing the slogan is actually the easy part.

The harder and much longer undertaking is improving the overall tourism infrastructure of the country.

And that is where the DOT should concentrate more of its effort.

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A new comprehensive analysis of the genetic ancestry of the wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park has determined that the herd is a distinctive population that is not closely connected to any one breed.

The study by a graduate biology student at the University of North Dakota said the park horses show little influence of Spanish mustangs and are most closely associated with draft horse breeds, including Shires and Percherons.

The study by Melissa Ann Thompson was funded by the National Park Service and drew from genetic analysis of 118 horse samples taken over 10 years. It represented 98% of the herd as of spring 2022.

Between 185 and 200 horses range freely in the park's south unit. DNA samples from park horses were compared to those of 35 established breeds.

Thompson concluded that the park horses do not show a strong signal of relatedness to any one breed, a finding that also was found in earlier studies of the herds ancestry, including one by UND researchers in 2018.

As with earlier studies, Thompson found evidence of inbreeding among the wild horses in the park, the result of a small, fenced-in population that last saw introduction of outside breeding stock in the 1980s.

Inbreeding can cause an increase in "deleterious recessive traits," so Thompson analyzed samples for known genetic diseases, but found no evidence the diseases were in the present park herd.

Differing policies

Free-roaming horses occupied the area of the Little Missouri Badlands that became Theodore Roosevelt National Park in 1947.

Since establishment of the park, the size of the horse herd has been limited, often ranging from 50 to 200 horses, Thompson noted.

Soon after the park was created, in 1954, the park staged the first of many roundups of the horses in preparation for a perimeter fence that was being built to prepare for the introduction of bison. Later, other wildlife species were introduced, including elk and bighorn sheep.

The vast majority of the horses captured in the roundup were branded trespass stock belonging to area ranchers, and most of the horses that eluded capture were the wildest, descended from Indian ponies, according to a 1989 history of the herd by Castle McLaughlin, an ethnologist who was a Park Service employee at the time.

In the parks early decades, the goal was to eliminate all of the wild horses, according to McLaughlin.

The herds population reached a low of 16 horses in 1965 -- one of 11 genetic bottlenecks Thompson cited for the inbreeding and genetic distinctiveness that resulted from a herd that park management deliberately kept small and isolated.

Genetic differentiation could have resulted from the isolation and repeated bottleneck events experienced by the TRNP herd, intentionally and unintentionally , Thompson wrote.

The park horses are more similar to each other than to any other breed, she concluded.

The policy of trying to eradicate all of the park horses was reversed in 1971 when the parks superintendent introduced a policy of keeping horses as a living demonstration herd to commemorate the wild horses Theodore Roosevelt saw when he ranched in the Badlands in the 1880s.

Since 1978, the park has aimed to limit the herd to 35 to 60 horses, a goal established in a 1978 environmental assessment.

To complement that assessment, park officials invited a Bureau of Land Management range specialist to evaluate the parks ability to sustainably keep horses. The specialist said the parks range was ideal for wild horses and could support a large number of horses along with other grazing species.

More recently, after genetic testing of the park horses had begun, the parks policy was altered to establish a goal of 70 to 140 horses after experts determined that the herds effective population size was low, according to Thompsons report.

In recent years, however, park officials have repeatedly cited the 1978 environmental assessments goal of maintaining the horse herd at 35 to 60.

The park is in the midst of drafting a new management plan for the horses, and park officials have said their initial preference would be to gradually remove all horses, which they do not consider a native species.

Even so, if the park ultimately decides to keep horses, it would follow the 35-to-60 herd size goal set in 1978, park Superintendent Angie Richman has said.

Breed history

The predominance of the Shire and Percheron draft breeds among the park herd could be explained by a stallion introduced to the park in the 1980s and crossbreeding of horses on a large ranch in the area beginning in the 1880s, Thompson wrote.

In the 1980s, in an effort to make horses that were removed from the herd more attractive to buyers, the park decided to introduce domestic stallions as well as three wild stallions from Wyoming.

A ranch Shire-Paint cross stallion performed well, and was considered the parks dominant stallion for almost a decade. In 1991, an estimated 15% of the herd was traced to the stallion.

Later, the decision to introduce well-bred domestic stallions was reversed to preserve the herds historic type. Attempts were made in 1991 and 1997 to remove the introduced stallion and his known offspring.

The herds Percheron influence might stem from the HT Ranch, an immense horse ranch in the Little Missouri Badlands headquartered near Amidon, south of the area that became the park.

Ranch owner A.C. Huidekoper imported Percherons -- a large, powerful breed -- and a thoroughbred stallion to crossbreed with mares he bought from the Marquis de Mores, who bought them after the ponies were seized from Sitting Bull and his followers when they surrendered at Fort Buford in 1881.

Huidekoper, a contemporary of Roosevelts, called the cross the American horse, which became the prototype of the Indian pony that was favored for years by ranchers in the area, prized for its endurance and agility. He wrote about his breeding practices in his ranching memoir, published in 1947.

Since 2020, park policy has been to treat every mare 8 months of age or older with GonaCon, a birth-control drug.

The drug has been effective in controlling the herds population -- horse advocates are worried that its systematic use will lead the herd to gradually die off, even if horses are allowed to remain in the park -- but the mares response to the drug varies.

Thompson found that genetics can play a role in how mares respond to GonaCon, information she said could help guide the park in its management of the herd.
Two 18-year-olds charged in connection with a shooting outside Brockton District Court were held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing, Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz announced Tuesday.

Antwon Barrett-Smith and Neandro Mendes were arraigned on Tuesday inside the same courthouse where the shooting happened. They were arraigned on one count each of assault with a dangerous weapon, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm, possession of ammunition without an FID card and disorderly conduct, Cruzs office said in a statement.

Mendes also received one additional count of disturbing the peace.

On Monday at around 12:30 p.m., courthouse employees saw a fistfight outside the building moments before the shooting, Cruzs office said. Barrett-Smith was seen pulling out a gun moments before shots were fired, Cruzs office said.

Brockton police and Massachusetts State Police responded to the Maple Avenue area after receiving several 911 calls, Cruzs office said. Police found a man wearing clothes matching those identified on police radio. That man, Mendes, was arrested.

Two people were injured during the shooting, Cruzs office said. A 37-year-old woman was standing near the courthouse when she was hit by a gunshot. She was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital, where her injuries were deemed not life-threatening.

The other person shot, an unidentified man, was taken to Brigham and Womens Hospital. The extent of his gunshot wound is unknown.

Courthouse and city employees received a stay-at-home order following the shooting out of an abundance of caution, Cruzs office said.

The shooting remains under investigation.
One person was shot and killed on Commonwealth Avenue in Springfield early Friday morning, according to a press release from the Hampden District Attorneys office.

The man was identified as Elias Cruz, a 56-year-old man from Springfield, according to the district attorneys office.

Officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation at around 4:45 a.m. last Friday on Commonwealth Avenue and found two people the department believes to be involved in the shooting, including Cruz.

Cruz was injured from a gunshot wound, officials said. He was brought to Baystate Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, the district attorney stated.

Read more: Pioneer Valley towns near Connecticut River under flood warning

Cruz and the unidentified person involved in the shooting were well-known to each other, according to Ryan Walsh, the Springfield Police Departments spokesperson, in a tweet.

The shooting is under investigation by the citys Homicide Unit under the direction of Captain Trent Duda, along with the Hampden District Attorneys Offices Murder Unit.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni expresses his sympathies to the families suffering from this tragic incident, the district attorneys office stated.
A 5-month-old Massachusetts girl died in 2021. Her father was arrested on an indictment warrant in connection with her death on Tuesday, officials said.

Anthony Decosta, 36, of Norwood, is expected to be arraigned Thursday in Norfolk Superior Court on charges of manslaughter, reckless endangerment of a child, and witness intimidation in the death of his daughter, according to Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey.

Francesca was 5 months old at the time of her death in September 2021, Morrissey said. However, few details about her death have been released.

He was arrested on the indictment warrant by the Norwood Police Department on Tuesday evening, July 11, and is being held without bail until his arraignment, Morrissey said.

Morrissey said additional details are expected to become public Thursday at 2 p.m.

Because this was a direct indictment, with the Norwood and State Police investigators proceeding through the grand jury, there is little detail eligible for disclosure at this time, he said.
Boston Medical Center ended a policy that allowed migrant and homeless families from sheltering overnight at the hospital, according to several media reports.

Massachusetts is a right-to-shelter state and the government is responsible for providing care for some homeless families, including migrants. More than 100 migrant families arrived at Boston Medical Center one day last week in search of shelter, The Boston Globe reported, and its created an untenable situation for the hospital, a spokesperson told MassLive.

Our teams have worked together for months on different approaches to help these families, Michelle Falinski, a spokesperson for Boston Medical Center, said in a statement. Despite this, the collective actions do not yet meet the size of the crisis.

The hospital recently experienced the highest number of unhoused migrant families seeking shelter, Falinski said.

Falinski said that Boston Medical Center does not have a policy specific to supporting displaced, unhoused migrant families.

We have always helped families get to state resources and previously allowed families with no alternative shelter to wait at our hospital until state resources were available, Falinski said.

State and city officials were notified by Boston Medical Center that the hospital will actively manage the number of unhoused families that can wait in the hospital and transportation to a safe location will be provided, according to Falinski.

The Globe reported on Tuesday it obtained a document of the new policy that bars families seeking shelter from staying overnight and that, in some cases, hospital staff has begun to send families in Uber rides to Logan Airport if they have nowhere else to go.

The move by the hospital follows a growing need in the state to place unhoused families.

In March, Springfield Mayor Dominic Sarno expressed disappointment that state officials planned to house 30 homeless families from outside of Western Massachusetts in a downtown hotel without discussing it with city officials ahead of time.

The states Office of Housing and Livable Communities announced in June a plan to create an emergency shelter in the Days Inn Hotel in Greenfield for low-income families and pregnant women with a maximum of 50 rooms available.

Many of the families sheltered at the hotel in Greenfield were from Haiti, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, Greenfield Mayor Roxann Wedegartner previously told MassLive.

Some organizations have declined to house migrant and homeless families. Westfield State University turned down a request by the Department of Housing and Community Development in November 2022 to use vacant units for Massachusetts families without homes.

At a time when housing needs for vulnerable families are on a sharp rise, employees of Boston Medical Center voiced their disagreements with the hospitals new direction.

Staff members of Boston Medical Center staged a protest Tuesday on Boston Common in reaction to the hospitals new sheltering policy.

We are here to tell the state that the current solutions are insufficient, unrealistic and unsustainable, leaving hospitals, public spaces, shelters, clinics and community organizations to crumble under the weight of demand, Emily Swisher-Rosa, a midwife at BMC, said, according to WBUR.

Gov. Maura Healey previously described a steady rise in shelter demands and attributed the needs to a rise in housing costs, more migrants arriving in the state, and delayed actions from the federal government.

Our administration has been working hard to meet this unprecedented need and use every resource at our disposal to help families, Healey previously said.

Boston Medical Center declined to share the new policy with MassLive. The Globe obtained a copy and reported that it requires employees to send migrants to state-run centers or homeless shelters when they are open. If the shelters are closed, the policy states that staffers should order the family an Uber to Logan, the Globe reported.

The state is placing unhoused families in shelters, such as hotels or other centers, at a growing rate, according to figures provided by WBUR and the Globe. As of July 10, 4,790 households were provided through the states shelter system.

Since January, when Gov. Maura Healey took office, the number of homeless families placed in hotel shelters jumped from 388 to 1,201, the Globe reported.
When a car crashed through the fence of the West Bridgewater Middle-Senior High School on Tuesday morning, three off-duty police officers volunteering as counselors for the towns police department summer camp at the school were first on the scene to help, the department said.

At around 9 a.m. on Tuesday, two cars crashed near the school at 155 West Center St., police said. The crash was between two SUV-style vehicles and involved 81- and 68-year-old men, the department said.

One of the cars involved in the crash, a white SUV, ended up smashing through the black metal gate, its front end in the grass on the other side, as depicted in an image shared on social media.

Both drivers were brought to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, police said, and the department stated the crash was not serious.

The department also highlighted that just 60 yards away, three off-duty, out-of-uniform West Bridgewater police officers were volunteering for the departments summer camp as counselors on field at the school when the crash happened, police said.

The officers, named Ofc. Olivia Church, Sgt. Russ Regan and Ofc. Rob Carrigan, immediately went to the scene, the department said, hopping a fence and running to the two injured individuals. The department applauded the officers speed and care to act out of duty, even while in camp clothes.
A former MIT employee is suing the school and one of its aerospace professors, claiming race and gender discrimination after she says she was denied a promotion with pay equal to her male colleagues, despite her qualifications.

Raji Patel, an Indian woman who was hired as the associate director of the NASA Space Grant Massachusetts Consortium at MIT in 2002, claims the director Jeffrey Hoffman ran the program in a misogynistic and racially insensitive manner, according to a federal lawsuit filed on July 5. His behavior, which included hurling insults, stereotyping and purposely preventing her from earning an equitable pay raise and a promotion, led her to resign in November of 2022, she said.

Throughout those last 20 years shes acted as a good soldier, as someone who took to heart her role for the university, but also students that shes helping, said Timothy J. Perry, an attorney representing Patel. So when she raised these issues, and they came to a head over the last couple of years and she was met with the type of response that she got from both Professor Hoffman and then the university, it just became personally devastating to her.

Patel, who now lives in Florida, is seeking a trial by jury and $400,000 in damages, according to the lawsuit.

As an associate director, Patel performed all the work of a full-time director, which included managing the Space Grant program, proposal writing/reporting and dealing with consortium members, the lawsuit said. Under Patels leadership, MIT was awarded several proposals from NASA and the Commonwealth, all while she was paid a lower salary than her male colleagues, despite being more qualified, the lawsuit said.

In 2008, Patel emphasized that a crucial role for the director was to advocate for the program with Congress, something she and her colleagues were already doing, but Hoffman wasnt, the lawsuit said.

When Patel requested that she be named the director, Hoffman refused, the lawsuit said. Instead, he allowed her to informally use the title of co-Director. However, the new title didnt come with staff recognition or commensurate pay, it simply allowed Patel to join the SG Directors Alliance, a Space Grant advocacy organization.

In essence, the informal use of the term co-Director simply allowed Ms. Patel to do Professor Hoffmans work for him without any benefit to her, the lawsuit said. Yet, Professor Hoffman still refused to recommend or appoint Ms. Patel to the position of Director and refused to see to it that Ms. Patel was fairly compensated for the role she was fulfilling on his and MITs behalf.

Both MIT and Hoffman benefitted from Patels informal title, the lawsuit claims. In 2018, when the Space Grant program was removed from former president Donald Trumps proposed budget, Patel convinced Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) to push her colleagues in other states to reinstate funding for the program. Later in 2020 and throughout the pandemic, Patel worked to ensure the program maintained funds from NASA, according to the lawsuit.

Even after Hoffman wrote a glowing performance review for Patel in 2020, he still refused to promote her to the director position, the lawsuit said. When MIT became aware of these this, the university also refused to promote her with commensurate pay, according to the lawsuit.

Read More: Three families file lawsuit over body parts stolen from Harvard Medical School

MIT does not, as a general practice, comment on pending litigation or individual personnel matters, Kimberly Allen, a spokesperson for the university told MassLive. However, MIT denies the allegations and intends to vigorously defend the Institute and Prof. Hoffman in court.

In 2021, Hoffman refused to submit an augmentation proposal that Patel had written to NASA because he knew that it would result in an increase in Patels pay, the lawsuit said. From there on, Hoffman continued to increase his discriminatory tactics by contradicting and undermining Patel at meetings, according to the lawsuit.

These tactics were not only extremely demeaning to Ms. Patel as a woman and person of color, but hurt the program  leaving Ms. Patel to explain to NASA the contradictions created in the reports submitted by MIT, the lawsuit said.

When NASA notified all Space Grant members about two new requirements from each state  a site visit by NASA conducted by the director and an independent evaluation from an outside evaluator chosen by the Director  it was clear that Patel needed to be promoted, the lawsuit said. However, Hoffman still refused to promote her.

According to the lawsuit, Hoffman knew women who oversaw Space Grant programs at other institutions were named directors without a faculty position, and when Patel confronted him about this, he told her, that is not how we do it at MIT.

When Patel resigned in 2022, after being denied a promotion with equal pay several times, Daniel Hastings, the department head, sent out an email referencing her leave  quoted in the lawsuit.

...we would be remiss not to acknowledge the ongoing issues of staff burnout, toxic workplace behavior, and sexist  even misogynistic  elements here and the role they played in the departure of another valued colleague, Hastings wrote, according to the lawsuit. These elements are deeply contrary to our Departmental values to which I hope we all subscribe.

As for now, both parties are waiting for a scheduling conference to proceed. Perry said that the coming legal battle between his client and MIT could last up to two years.
WILLIAMSBURG  Massachusetts Gov. Maura T. Healey toured flood-damaged sections of Western Massachusetts on Wednesday by air and on the ground, speaking with responders and people who saw their homes inundated in a flash.

We had no warning, said Arlene Paton, who lives on Main Street in Williamsburg. It was a flash flood.

Shed only recently been cleared to return to her home of 10 years, and Paton said it had been spared any structural damage. But Paton said her home sustained tens of thousands of dollars in damage with the loss of her heating and hot water systems.

Insurance wont cover it, she said before meeting briefly with Healey on the sidewalk outside the Williamsburg Fire Department. We need FEMA.

The assessment of damage that might lead to federal Emergency Management Agency aid could take weeks, officials said.

Healeys flying visit through Western Massachusetts  a helicopter tour over Northampton, then Williamsburg in the hills and another flight to North Adams  came hours after flood waters crested on the Connecticut and while the region continues to dry out.

Highway workers here are still reconstructing washed-out roads and awaiting the all-clear for bridges closed for inspection.

State Agriculture Commissioner Ashley E. Randle of South Deerfield also was expected to tour flood-damaged farms Wednesday.

Healey said her flight into Northampton showed her how badly the rich Connecticut River bottomland was damaged.

When you look at the Connecticut for example, and just how brown it is, Healey said. You can see the flooding. It gives you a very good sense of what was here and what people are still dealing with.

A dozen towns and cities declared local emergencies since Monday.

Route 5 in Northampton and Easthampton  hugging the Connecticut River  was closed Wednesday but reopened late in the afternoon.

Healey emphasized the importance of the rural economy, of the states farms.

Connecticut River flooding in July 2023. (Bridget Peery / The Republican / MassLive)

To be able to see fields just still covered. People are suffering and will suffer total wipe outs this year, and weve got to find a way to help people.

The White House said Tuesday night that President Joe Biden spoke with Vermont Gov. Phil Scott.

Healey sidestepped questions about her contact with the White House, while acknowledging that Vermont was much harder hit. She said shes offered Scott any assistance the Green Mountain State requires.

In Williamsburg, Healey shook hands with police, fire and highway workers.

First of all, I want to say thank you to our first responders and all those who worked hard over the last couple of days to mitigate in the face of some real devastation, Healey said.

Firefighter and Highway Superintendent Dan Banister said ruefully that his crew had only recently finished cleaning trees that came down in a March snowstorm. Small towns dont have the resources and budget to handle disaster after disaster, he noted.

Two bridges in the village center are still closed as a precaution. State highway crews will inspect to make sure the abutments were not undermined.

Both firehouses are in the middle of those bridges, he said. Its a problem.

State Sen. Paul Mark, D-Peru, said hes been told damage in North Adams alone tops $1 million. He said roads and structures are damaged in Clarksburg, Ashfield and elsewhere.

After the firehouse, Healey was driven about a mile up along the East Branch of the Mill River to a cluster of cottages on Ashfield Road.

It was a quiet sun-plashed valley Wednesday. But Monday residents, including Nan Hill and her husband, Randall Deihl, had to be rescued with ropes and boats.

It was whitewater, Hill said after shaking hands with Healey. There was no warning.
A 17-year-old Canadian teenager, named Julian, visiting Japan with his parents, was caught in the act of defacing a UNESCO World Heritage site, Toshodaiji Temple. The temple, a cherished national monument from the 8th century in Nara, houses the historic "Golden Hall," now marred by the teen's name etched into a wooden pillar.

A Japanese tourist spotted the teen scratching his name on the pillar with his fingernail and reported the act of vandalism to the temple staff. Local police questioned the boy, accusing him of violating Japan's cultural properties protection law, which carries the potential penalty of up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 300,000 ($2,120).

In response to the event, a temple monk told The Mainichi that "even though it may have been done without malice, it is still regrettable and sad."

This recent act is part of a distressing trend of tourist vandalism on treasured historical sites worldwide, such as the recent defacing of Rome's ancient Colosseum.
Unprecedented and catastrophic flooding in Vermont has spurred the MSPCA-Angell to arrange an evacuation flight for 20 pets from the states capital city, Montpelier, to safer conditions in Massachusetts, according to the organization.

The animals  nine dogs, 11 cats and a chinchilla  are in danger due to the torrential downpours which occurred earlier this week in New York states Hudson Valley and in Vermont, leaving some of these areas underwater, said Rob Halpin of the MSPCA-Angell.

As is so often the case: when people get in trouble, animals soon follow, Halpin said.

Read more: Pioneer Valley towns near Connecticut River under flood warning

The flight is planned to take off from Vermont and land in Bedford, Massachusetts at about 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, according to Halpin. From there, the animals will be moved to the MSPCAs adoption centers in Boston, Methuen, Salem and on Cape Cod.

The pets must undergo a 48-hour quarantine period before they may begin adoption placements, Halpin added.

The pets originate from the Central Vermont Humane Society in East Montpelier, whose staff has been struggling to even reach their workplace due to the flooding. According to Halpin, at least one staff member has been sleeping at the shelter to be on hand for the animals in need.

Never before has our disaster response program been more necessary, given this unfolding disaster in Vermont, said Mike Keiley, the MSPCA-Angells director of adoption centers and programs, in a statement.

Like nearly every other shelter in the country, [Central Vermont Humane Society] is already at capacity for dogs, making it essential to relocate those that we can, he added.

Keiley clarified that all of the animals in the transport were already living at the shelter prior to the flooding  meaning there is no possibility that they are someones lost pet.

Read more: Vermont towns underwater as crews rescue more than 100 from floods

Keiley added that he anticipates shelters affected by the flooding will struggle to place animals into new homes after the water levels subside.

Obviously with devastation at this scale, residents priority will shift to repairing their homes, and in many cases, their lives, Keiley said. And shelters and rescue groups will need to focus on reunifying lost pets with their families.

The evacuation flight from Vermont to the Bay State was sponsored by the BISSELL Pet Foundation. Keiley noted the importance of donations during this time of active relocation efforts.

Read more: See drone photos of Connecticut River flooding in Northampton

This life-saving work would not be possible without support from our donors and I would ask everyone who is able to consider donating right away to ensure we have the resources necessary to be there for the animals who need us, he said.

Those interested in donating may do so on the MSPCAs webpage devoted to the flooding rescue efforts.
As Danvers police were sweeping a school during a swatting incident in May, a police officers gun went off when he was trying to holster his firearm in the school, officials said. The gunshot resulted in increased response from area departments.

A newly released report states that Det. Christopher Gaffney, whose gun went off, tried to tell those outside the school that the gunshot was from him and that it was accidental. However, a fire-alarm made radio transmissions difficult to send/receive from inside the building.

A short time later, Detective Gaffney made contact with Lt. Sullivan. Lt. Sullivan was able to provide clarification through radio transmission that one shot had been discharged from the police. Lt. Sullivan also ensured that Detective Gaffney, nor any other officers/person was injured or in need of medical attention as a result of the discharge, the report states.

At around 1:45 p.m. on Monday, May 22, a call was made stating a person with a long gun intended to harm students at St. Johns Preparatory School in Danvers, which was later proved to be a hoax. The report specifically targeted Brother Benjamin Hall on the St. Johns Prep campus, according to the school.

The campus went into a lockdown.

Four officers arrived on campus less than two minutes after being dispatched, the town said. It included two school resource officers, a detective and a patrol officer. At 1:49 p.m., state police said an immediate entry was made.

While clearing Benjamin Hall, the officers went to a first-floor mens bathroom. Three of the officers went inside the bathroom, while one waited in the hallway.

While in the bathroom, Det. Christopher Gaffney began to put his gun into its holster, according to the town. Thats when the gun went off, the town stated.

There were no students or faculty in or near the bathroom when the gun was shot, officials said. None of the officers were hurt. But the gunshot did result in increased response from area departments. Massachusetts State Police were then called to the school as an additional response to the gunshot.

According to the report, Gaffney told Chief James Lovell that he was 100% confident that his finger was not on the trigger of the firearm and that it was extended along the side of the barrel.

He believed that his radio possibly interfered with successfully holstering his firearm, the report states, adding that Gaffney was not wearing a police uniform and that he had clipped his portable radio to his belt behind his holster.

Some of the students who heard the gunshot fled. Massachusetts State Police said they ran from the school to nearby woods or nearby backyards. Some of those students hid in nearby homes.

We are also deeply indebted to the surrounding community and to our neighbors, who graciously welcomed students onto their property into their homes as Mondays events unfolded, the school said in a statement.

Parents and guardians were informed of the incident by email and text at 2:01 p.m., the school said. Students, staff and faculty continued to shelter in place until state police cleared the buildings.

An all-clear was declared at 2:09 p.m. and campus was deemed safe with no immediate danger, the school said.

In a video from the school, Lovell states that it appears Gaffneys finger is positioned along the side of his firearm, consistent with his training.

At 5 minutes 39 seconds, Detective Gaffneys firearm discharges. This is apparent by his reaction as well as the reaction from the other officers, the report states. Detective Gaffneys firearm is pointed in a downward direction, consistent with an attempt to holster. Detective Gaffneys left leg can be seen buckling inward in response to the discharge.

After the incident, Gaffney requested to shoot at the department range prior to returning to duty, Lovell said.

In addition to shooting approximately 100 rounds, Sgt. [Steve] Baldassare conducted numerous movement and holstering drills with Detective Gaffney. Sgt. Baldassare reported that Detective Gaffney had no issues successfully completing any of these drills and that he has no concerns related to Detective Gaffneys ability to proficiently handle and/or deploy his firearm, the report reads.

Although the only gunshot was an accident, Head of School Ed Hardiman said it was all still traumatic.

We appreciate your patience, understand your concerns and anxiety and ask that you please pray for the law enforcement people that are here, pray for our students and our staff and pray for each other as we realize this is a challenging and traumatic experience for everyone to go through, Hardiman previously said in a video.
Police arrested a 28-year-old man after a stabbing at a Planet Fitness in Gardner on Wednesday.

Massachusetts State Police arrested Lennox Nunez and transferred him to Gardner police custody in connection with the stabbing at Planet Fitness at 74 Victoria Street. Authorities said Nunez is possibly from Revere.

State police issued a be-on-the-lookout alert at 10:36 a.m. for a silver Honda Civic after the suspect in the stabbing fled Planet Fitness. A trooper on Route 2 in Fitchburg saw the car drive past and he pulled over the Honda Civic nearly a mile later.

Trooper Jason Fitzgerald confirmed the driver matched the description of the be-on-the-lookout alert and arrested Nunez.

After three more troopers arrived on the scene, they found an edged weapon inside the vehicle, according to a statement by state police.

State police did not include information about the stabbing victim in their statement.

At Planet Fitness, the safety and security of our members and staff is always our top priority, said Becky Zirlen, a spokesperson for Planet Fitness, in a statement. We take these types of incidents extremely seriously, and the local Planet Fitness franchise owner is actively working with authorities in their investigation.

MassLive reached out to Gardner Police Department for comment.

A manager at the gyms location in Gardner declined to comment.
BOSTON  On Tuesday, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced that 42 Massachusetts school districts will receive nearly $3 million in grants to ensure the safety of students and educators.

The $2,910,000 in federal dollars come via the Safer Schools and Communities Initiative. The money is managed in Massachusetts by the Office of Grants and Research, part of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

The funding will be used to make school safety infrastructure improvements, including building entrance enhancements, new interior doors, and the addition or upgrading of central communication systems to support staff.

The 42 grant recipients were selected through the competitive process. Included among the awardees were a number of Pioneer Valley schools and districts, including:
The states top prosecutor wants legislators to do more to curb the rising presence of ghost guns, and her office warns that it can be difficult under existing law to nail down cases against people assembling their own untraceable firearms at home.

Ghost guns, which refer to weapons that do not have required serial numbers or identifying marks, have become increasingly popular in Massachusetts in the past three or four years, according to police. And while the Bay State has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation  and the lowest rate of gun violence  officials are ramping up their calls for new reforms.

Seated at a conference room table filled end-to-end with unregistered firearms and parts seized by police, Attorney General Andrea Campbell told reporters Tuesday her office has been in close communication with top lawmakers to urge a focus on ghost guns in any legislative action.

We need to get these guns off the street and, frankly, out of communities that are seeing and have seen, probably for generations, an uptick in violence or gun violence in their community, Campbell said.

State Police officials say they have observed a sharp increase in assembly of untraceable firearms since about 2019, attributing the spike to the growing popularity and availability of 80 percent frame kits that can be legally purchased and then tweaked into a functioning gun easily.

In November 2020, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security added privately made firearm and ghost gun as options in its reporting tool that monitors guns used in crimes each year. The office reported 181 privately made firearms seized in 2021 and 316 privately made firearms in 2022.

Many of those seizures involve people who were not licensed to carry firearms of any kind and were found in possession of untraceable weapons they assembled, some of which had been modified to allow for automatic fire or large-capacity magazines, police say.

Its legal in Massachusetts to privately make a firearm so long as the weapon is registered within seven days of completion.

You can buy parts online or use a 3D printer to make a deadly weapon and completely circumvent our existing gun laws in Massachusetts, Campbell said. So its not only troubling that ghost guns can be assembled, bought and sold so easily, but they are of course untraceable and then of course it makes it harder for law enforcement to investigate the crimes that occur using these types of weapons.

Campbells office said a gun must be fully functioning  that is, able to fire a bullet  for someone to be prosecuted for unlawful possession. That means there are times when prosecutors are considering a case against someone who they believe is illegally manufacturing firearms, but ultimately cannot charge the person because they did not at that point possess each of the required parts or a fully functioning weapon.

The briefing Tuesday came as Beacon Hill power players eye action to overhaul gun laws, assuming they can first get past procedural disagreements.

Judiciary Committee Co-chair Rep. Michael Day, a top deputy to Speaker Ron Mariano who played a key role in the response to the U.S. Supreme Courts New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen decision last year, on June 26 filed an omnibus bill that ranges from explicitly prohibiting carrying firearms in many public places to creating new offenses for firing a weapon at or near a dwelling.

Campbells office on Tuesday revealed that it sent a letter last month  before Day filed his bill  to the Stoneham Democrat and fellow Judiciary Committee co-chair Sen. Jamie Eldridge outlining more than a dozen suggestions for legislative action on guns.

Most of those ideas, the office said, made it into Days bill in one form or another. Campbell suggested criminalizing unlawful possession of the core parts used to build a firearm like receivers, and Days bill would require receivers and barrels to be registered and serialized.

The attorney generals office stopped short of outright endorsing the legislation as Day drafted it and said the full package is still under review.

Theres a lot in there, but we were really proud of some things that were included with respect to ghost guns, Campbell said of Days bill. Some of that includes imposing criminal penalties on the manufacturing, selling and possession of ghost guns, ensuring consistent and uniform reporting of data on guns used to commit crimes, requiring all guns to have serial numbers, which is not currently the case, and ensuring that everyone in possession of a gun actually has a license to carry one.

Days sweeping legislation has drawn intense pushback from gun rights advocates and firearm owners.

The National Association for Gun Rights, which has challenged states gun laws in court including the Massachusetts ban on assault weapons, on Tuesday said Days bill would ostensibly ban more guns than any current law in the United States.

This is probably the biggest and worst package of gun control regulation I have ever seen, and that is saying a lot, NAGR President Dudley Brown said in a statement. Massachusetts just secured top position as the most hostile state in the union to gun owners.

Campbells office also said top Senate Democrats have signaled an interest in gun reform legislation this session, with other bills like one filed by Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Creem (S 1496) standing as possible options.

Despite the optimistic tone the AGs office struck, Days bill remains in limbo as House and Senate Democrats spar over the basic procedural question of which legislative committee should be first to formally review it.

Gov. Maura Healey, who preceded Campbell as attorney general, on Tuesday did not take a definitive stance on Days legislation.

I have to take a look at what is currently being debated. I havent had a chance to do that yet. And Ill certainly review anything that gets to my desk, Healey told reporters at an unrelated morning event in Hyde Park. As a general matter, though, I support strong gun laws as a matter of public safety. I did as attorney general and will continue to support that as governor.

Sam Drysdale contributed reporting.
The forecast in Massachusetts continues to clear its throat from Mondays torrential rains as Tuesday and now Wednesdays conditions continue to be dry, with the temperature dialing up before those storms make a comeback.

Temperatures across Massachusetts could reach or blow past 90 degrees, the National Weather Service said. Cities like Boston, Hartford and Providence are all expected to reach over that threshold, while Worcester could fall short at around 87 degrees, according to a weather service tweet.

[Wednesday Forecast] Hot and mostly dry weather continues today though isolated showers and thunderstorms will be possible in the afternoon and evening, mainly in western and central Massachusetts. pic.twitter.com/qdpWyI5jKX  NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) July 12, 2023

The northern end of Western Massachusetts, specifically across the Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties, could see some isolated showers develop Wednesday afternoon, forecasters said. Heavy downpours could reach close to 2 inches and leave room for urban flooding due to terrain and poor drainage.

Conditions should clear up by Wednesday evening, though fog and temperatures in the 70s are expected to cling to the air going into Thursday morning. Temperatures are expected to climb back up again into the high 80s, potentially reaching 90 degrees. While cloud cover is expected to dominate the region with some scattered showers and thunderstorms, forecasters anticipate another largely dry day before the evening.

Read more: Vermont towns underwater as crews rescue more than 100 from floods

The mugginess combined with the potential for storms intensify further going into Friday, where forecasters believe more unsettled weather is in the cards. The potential for up to 2 inches of rain would not be a concern were it not for elevated river levels caused by Mondays heavy rain and flooding.

Circumstances going into the weekend and next week could be rinse and repeat, forecasters said. Seasonally high temperatures are expected to continue, with highs in the 80s. The weather service warned of chances for excessive rainfall on Sunday into the evening.

Read more: Solar storm expected to make Northern Lights visible in 3 New England states

On Monday and Tuesday, forecasters anticipate a limited chance for excessive heat in Hartford and between Providence and New Bedford, according to a hazardous forecast map.
After serving more than 50 years of a lifelong sentence for her part in two gruesome murders, Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten was released from prison today.

At age 19, Van Houten, now in her 70s, was the youngest member of the Manson "family." She went to prison for her part in murdering Leno and Rosemary LaBianca after breaking into their Los Angeles home in 1969. After pinning Rosemary's head down with a pillowcase, she and her fellow cult members stabbed Rosemary a total of 41 times.

From AP News:

Van Houten "was released to parole supervision," the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement. She left the California Institution for Women in Corona, east of Los Angeles, in the early morning hours and was driven to transitional housing, her attorney Nancy Tetreault said. Days earlier Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he would not fight a state appeals court ruling that Van Houten should be granted parole. He said it was unlikely the state Supreme Court would consider an appeal. She is expected to spend about a year at a halfway house, learning basic skills such as how to drive a car, go to the grocery store and get a debit card, according to her attorney. Van Houten, who will likely be on parole for about three years, hopes to get a job as soon as possible, Tetreault said. She earned a bachelors and a masters degree while in prison and worked as a tutor for other incarcerated people.

"She's still trying to get used to the idea that this real," her attorney Nancy Tetreault told AP News. "She has to learn to use to the internet. She has to learn to buy things without cash.  It's a very different world than when she went in."
Ketoacidosis is a condition in which the blood turns acidic due to the overproduction of ketones. The life-threatening condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is more likely in those with type 1 diabetes. Those with diabetes should therefore pay close attention to their ketone levels. A blood ketone meter is a tool for checking the concentration of ketones in the blood. A BKM provides the most precise results when checking for ketones. Level of ketones in the blood can also be checked with the blood glucose meters.

Market for Blood Ketone Meter  Effect of Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic

Patients with diabetes of any type, including type 1, are highly vulnerable in contracting the infection of COVID-19, driving up demand for blood ketone meters. For example, patients with preexisting medical illnesses like asthma, heart disease and diabetes have a significant danger of contracting COVID-19 during this pandemic; hence ketone monitoring should not be delayed. Since level of ketones in the blood should be checked each 4-6 hours, there has been a rise in the popularity of blood ketone meters.

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During the forecast period (20152020), the global market for blood ketone meters is projected to grow at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate of 7.1%, from an anticipated value of US$ 301.7 Mn in 2020. (2020-2027).

Growth in the blood ketone meter market is anticipated to be driven by rising product consents and the rising incidence of ketoacidosis.

The increased prevalence of diabetes and the number of reported circumstances of diabetic ketoacidosis will fuel demand for blood ketone meters. For example, the number of people with diabetes is expected to rise from 463 Mn in 2019 to 700 Mn by 2045, as reported by the IDF (International Diabetes Federation). The rate of diabetic ketoacidosis-related hospitalizations in the United States between 2009 and 2014 was around 30 per 1,000 patients, as reported by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), March 2018.

The launch of blood ketone meters developed to monitor DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) is anticipated to stimulate the growth of the market. For example, in December 2019, ForaCare Suisse AG will release the FORA 6 GTel, a multi-functional monitoring gadget with innovative Lab in the Pocket technology (Europe affiliate of ForaCare Inc.). New to the company is the microsite Fora Connect. The state-of-the-art 6-in-1 monitoring technology enables for the wireless transmission of data over 3G/4G while measuring Blood Glucose (BG), Hematocrit (HCT), Hemoglobin (HB), -ketone (KB), and Total Cholesterol (TCH). As a result, it is expected that these approvals will fuel the development of the worldwide market of BKM.

Market for Blood Ketone Meter  Restraints

Due to the technological complexity, blood ketone meters are sometimes recalled due to faulty construction, inaccurate readings, or other problems. As a result, rising instances of product recalls by regulatory agencies are anticipated to slow the global blood ketone meter market. For example, in November 2019, the FDA notified the recall of Abbott Laboratories Precision Xtra Blood Glucose & Ketone Monitoring System. An error in the included instructions prompted the product recall. Incorrect information on multiple-patient use was included in the first distribution of the devices instructions; this use was not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Infection or worsening of an existing infection could occur if the instructions led to improper meter disinfection or handling of contaminated meters.

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Market for Blood Ketone Meter Regional Analysis

Due to the high concentration of key players in the region, analysts believe that North America will rule the worldwide market for BKMby 2020. Keto Mojo, a maker of blood glucose and ketone testing meters, collaborated with Heads Up Health, a maker of software for personal health data analytics, in March 2019 to produce the Keto-Mojo App, which is compatible with the ketone meter. Consumers would have an easier time tracking their health with the help of the link.

Increased releases and approvals of cutting-edge ketone meters for veterinary usage are expected to fuel the growth of the blood ketone market. The CentriVet GK Blood Glucose & Ketone Monitoring System, for example, was released in July 2016 by ACON Laboratories, Inc. Animals blood glucose and ketone levels can be tracked using the CentriVet GK Blood Glucose & Ketone Monitoring System in veterinary clinics, ERs, farms, and private residences.

Market for Blood Ketone Meter  Competitive Landscape

Some of the most important companies in the blood ketone meter industry include Abbott Laboratories, ACON Laboratories Inc., Nipro Corporation, Keto-Mojo, PortaCheck Inc., Nova Biomedical, GlucoRx Limited, EKF Diagnostics Holdings Plc, Taidoc Technology Corporation, ForaCare Inc., Bruno MD, and Apex Biotechnology Corporation.

Report Attribute Details The market size value in 2023 USD 365.8 million The revenue forecast in 2030 USD 585.6 million Growth Rate CAGR of 6.9% The base year for estimation 2022 Historical data 2017  2021 Forecast period 2023  2030 Growth Drivers: Launch of new products by key market players to expand product portfolio

Recalling the market products Restraints & Challenges: Accuracy of the strips used

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Table of Contents with Major Points:

Executive Summary

Introduction

Key Findings

Recommendations

Definitions and Assumptions

Market Overview

Definition of Keyword Market

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Restraints

Opportunities

Trends and Developments

Key Insights

Key Emerging Trends

Key Developments Mergers and Acquisition

New Product Launches and Collaboration

Partnership and Joint Venture

Latest Technological Advancements

Insights on Regulatory Scenario

Porters Five Forces Analysis

Qualitative Insights Impact of COVID-19 on Global Keyword Market

Supply Chain Challenges

Steps taken by Government/Companies to overcome this impact

Potential opportunities due to COVID-19 outbreak

Conclusion

Appendix

Data Sources

Abbreviations

Disclaimer

TOC Continued!

Why Choose Coherent Market Insights?

 Identified business opportunities  Our market research report can be used to analyze potential markets and new products. It can give information about customer needs, preferences, and attitudes. Also, it compare products and services.

 A clear understanding of your customers  A market report gives companys marketing department an in-depth picture about customers needs and wants. This knowledge can be used to improve products, prices, and advertising.

 Clear data-driven insights  Our Market research encompasses a wide range of activities, from determining market size and segment to forecasting demand, and from identifying competitors to monitoring pricing. All of these are quantified and measurable which means that gives you a clear path for building unique decisions based on numbers.

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CBCT, or Cone-beam Computed Tomography, is a modified version of traditional CT that employs a cone-shaped beam to scan the region of interest (ROI) in the vertical axis, resulting in approximately 600 unique images. These images are then converted into a readable format, such as DICOM, to create 3D images of the object. CBCT is most commonly utilized in dental implant procedures, but it is also employed in other fields like orthopedics, oral surgery, interventional radiology, ENT, and certain types of X-ray imaging. To ensure the proper processing of radiographic imaging in CBCT, various parameters are considered, including X-ray generation, X-ray attenuation by an object, signal detection, image processing, and image display.

Moreover, CBCT imaging equipment manufacturers are focusing on enhancing the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of the imaging process through various measures, such as reducing the size of scanners and enabling patients to be scanned in upright positions using flat panel detectors. CBCT technology has proven to be beneficial in various dental disciplines, including the diagnosis of dental abnormalities, jaw tumors, implant dental evaluations, vertical root fractures, and prosthodontic evaluations.

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The primary focus of companies operating in the cone-beam computed tomography market is to drive growth by enhancing two key factors: the availability of improved, rapid, and cost-effective computer technology and the development of software with broad diagnostic capabilities for CBCT imaging. For example, in March 2019, Planmeca Oy unveiled the advanced Planmeca Viso G5 from the Planmeca Viso family, which provides high-quality CBCT images. Similarly, in January 2017, PreXion, Inc. launched the advanced PreXion3D Excelsior CBCT for the dental industry, which offers a 30% reduction in radiation exposure without compromising image quality. Additionally, in September 2017, KaVo Kerr released the KaVo OP 3D, an innovative 3D and cephalometric imaging system designed to meet the imaging demands of craniofacial surgeons, general dental professionals, and other specialists.

The increase in dental disorders is the main factor driving the growth of the cone-beam computed tomography market. However, the growth is limited by the high cost of advanced imaging technology and strict regulations concerning X-ray exposure in various countries. Although cone-beam computed tomography devices are typically priced at around US$100,000, the cost of cone-beam imaging in the United States can range from US$150 to US$700 per scan.

In 2015, the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) examined multiple articles to determine the dose measurements and effective dose estimates for dental CBCT devices in terms of radiation dose. The resulting data indicated that for small fields of view (FOVs), the adult effective doses ranged from 5 to 652 millisieverts, while for medium FOVs, they ranged from 9 to 560 millisieverts, and for large FOVs, they ranged from 46 to 1073 millisieverts. Additionally, in March 2012, the European Commission established evidence-based guidelines for CBCT dentistry. According to the European Commissions Radiation Protection series, radiation doses from dental CBCT are significantly higher compared to dental radiography. Based on the European guidelines, the effective radiation range for dento-alveolar and craniofacial dental CBCT is between 11 and 674 millisieverts and 30 and 1073 millisieverts, respectively.

Latest advancements

The provider of Cone Beam Computed Tomography equipment, Prexion Inc., has recently launched a new CBCT scanner that has the smallest focal point (0.3 mm) and emits 30% less radiation without compromising image quality. Carestream Health Inc., which provides dental imaging systems, obtained 42 new patents from the US Patent and Trademark Office in 2016 in the field of Cone beam CT imaging and other device areas. Moreover, it acquired 52 patents in the European and Asian regions during the same year. These patents cover a new technology for capturing images that facilitates the imaging of any deformities or functional impairments in orthopedic extremities and the spine using CBCT.

The growth of the market for cone-beam computed tomography is being driven by increasing numbers of dental implants.

The American Academy of Implant Dentistry has estimated that the U.S. prosthetic and dental implant market will grow to $6.4 billion by 2018, and more than 5 million dental implant procedures are performed each year in the country. Dental implants are primarily used for permanent tooth replacement. By using CBCT, dental professionals can identify anatomical characteristics, detect abnormalities during dental implant procedures, and assess the likelihood of adopting new dental implants through imaging. CBCT makes procedures more interactive and easier for dental professionals to adopt. Because conventional computed tomography is expensive, poses a high risk of radiation exposure, and is difficult to access, CBCT is more advantageous.

The cone-beam computed tomography market experiences significant growth, primarily due to the developed nations.

The market share of developed countries like the U.S., UK, Germany, and Italy is largely due to the implementation of effective marketing strategies by market players, a high prevalence of dental diseases and conditions, the integration of advanced technology in the cone-beam computed tomography market, and the adoption of smaller designs that cater to the needs of healthcare professionals. A prime example is KaVo Kerrs announcement in August 2017, where it expanded its DEXIS and i-CAT imaging solutions to Patterson Dental, which boosted its product promotion in the U.S. and improved its range of advanced technologies available throughout the country.

The Asia Pacific regions are expected to experience noteworthy expansion in the coming years, primarily attributed to the increasing number of individuals requiring dental and orthopedic care as well as the heightened adoption of newly developed technologies in the CBCT system.

Prominent players, including Brainlab AG, Ray Ltd., Carestream Health Inc., PreXion Inc., Genoray, Gendex Dental Systems, Instrumentarium Dental Inc., Asahi Roentgen Ltd., Dentsply Sirona, J. Morita Corporation, Danaher Corporation, Planmeca Oy, NewTom, and Vatech Ltd., are operating in the cone-beam computed tomography market.

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Segmentation of the cone-beam computed tomography market

Based on the type of product

Cephalometric X-ray scanner

Panoramic X-ray scanner

Based on the type of application

Orthopedics

Orthodontics

Dental implants

Oral surgery

General dental surgery

Endodontics

Based on the end user

Academic Research Institutes

Hospitals

Based on the type of geographical region:

Africa

Latin America

North America

Asia Pacific

Middle east

Europe

Reason to Buy this Report:

 Analysis of the impact of technological advancements on the market and the emerging trends shaping the industry in the coming years.

 Examination of the regulatory and policy changes affecting the market and the implications of these changes for market participants.

 Overview of the competitive landscape in the Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) market, including profiles of the key players, their market share, and strategies for growth.

 Identification of the major challenges facing the market, such as supply chain disruptions, environmental concerns, and changing consumer preferences, and analysis of how these challenges will affect market growth.

 Evaluation of the potential of new products and applications in the market, and analysis of the investment opportunities for market participants.

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Table of Contents with Major Points:

Executive Summary

Introduction

Key Findings

Recommendations

Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Overview

Definition of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Market

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Restraints

Opportunities

Trends and Developments

Key Insights

Key Emerging Trends

Key Developments Mergers and Acquisition

New Product Launches and Collaboration

Partnership and Joint Venture

Latest Technological Advancements

Insights on Regulatory Scenario

Porters Five Forces Analysis

Qualitative Insights Impact of COVID-19 on Global Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Market

Supply Chain Challenges

Steps taken by Government/Companies to overcome this impact

Potential opportunities due to COVID-19 outbreak

Conclusion

Appendix

Data Sources

Abbreviations

Disclaimer

TOC Continued!

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It is anticipated that the Global Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Market will be worth US$ 2,016.1 million in 2022 and is projected to demonstrate a CAGR of 5.1% between 2022 and 2030.

ELISA, short for Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, is a type of immunoassay that is utilized to detect a range of substances like peptides, hormones, proteins, and antibodies. It has a broad range of applications in biotechnology and medicine, specifically as a diagnostic tool for detecting target substances in a test sample by observing a change in color and determining their concentration. ELISA is widely used in the diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, pregnancy, and for measuring cytokines, soluble proteins, and other substances. The immunoassay involves various antigen-antibody combinations, which include an enzyme-labeled antigen or antibody, and the enzyme activity is measured.

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The Global Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Market is anticipated to experience growth due to a rise in product development activities for ELISA kits.

The global market for Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is expected to experience growth due to an increase in product development activities for ELISA kits. As an example, on May 21, 2021, the Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), a laboratory of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), India, collaborated with Vanguard Diagnostics Pvt Ltd to develop an antibody detection-based kit named DIPCOVAN, the DIPAS-VDx COVID-19 IgG Antibody Microwell ELISA, which is designed for sero-surveillance. This kit has the ability to detect both spike and nucleocapsid proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with high sensitivity (97%) and specificity (99%).

Market growth is anticipated to be propelled during the forecast period by the escalation of inorganic activities, such as increased collaboration among market participants.

Market participants are concentrating on expanding their product range and global presence through the implementation of inorganic strategies like partnerships to sustain their market positions. As an example, Syngene International Ltd., a comprehensive research and development services firm, collaborated with HiMedia Laboratories on June 2, 2020. HiMedia Laboratories is a bioscience company with over 45 years of experience in media production and diagnostics. The collaboration aimed to manufacture and distribute ELISA kits, which HiMedia would produce at its Mumbai facility and distribute throughout India.

Impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

After the emergence of the COVID-19 virus in December 2019, it quickly spread to more than 100 countries worldwide. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease a public health emergency.

The economy can be impacted by COVID-19 in three primary ways, which include direct effects on clinical diagnostic device production and demand, distribution channel disruptions and financial repercussions on markets and firms. Many nations, including India, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, China, the U.A.E., and others, are encountering transportation difficulties due to nationwide lockdowns, making it challenging to transport clinical diagnostic devices between locations.

The global Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) market experienced a beneficial effect from the COVID-19 pandemic as regulatory authorities authorized the emergency use of ELISA kits for detecting COVID-19 infection. An example of this is the approval granted by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in India on January 8, 2021, for an ELISA kit produced by CPC Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd., a manufacturer of medical laboratory equipment and analyzer products, specifically designed for the detection of COVID-19 infection.

Market Restraints:

The global Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) market is anticipated to face growth hindrances during the forecast period due to regulatory authorities mandating product recalls. An example of this occurred on December 1, 2020, when the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) instructed a recall of the ACCEL ELISA COVID19 Test, a Class 2 Device manufactured by VEO Diagnostics, a company specializing in medical diagnostic products, which is utilized for detecting total antibodies to SARS-CoV-2.

Competitive landscape

Key participants, consisting of Shenzhen YHLO Biotech Co., Ltd., R&D Systems, Biomerieux S.A., Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Creative Diagnostics, Enzo Life Sciences, Inc., Alpco, BioLegand, Inc., Zeus Scientific, Inc., and Thermo Fisher Scientific, are operating in the global Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) market.

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Market Segmentation:

Global Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Market, By Method: Direct ELISA Indirect ELISA Sandwich ELISA Competitive ELISA

Global Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Market, By Application: Vaccine Development Immunology Diagnostics Toxicology Drug Monitoring & Pharmaceutical Industry Transplantation

Global Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Market, By Technology: Chemiluminescent Colorimetric Fluorescent



Recent Development:

Cipla Limited, a pharmaceutical company, declared on October 28, 2020, that it had partnered with KARWA Ltd., a manufacturing and distribution company, to commercialize antibody detection kits for COVID-19 in India. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) provided the necessary technological expertise and processes to approved manufacturers, including KARWA Ltd., which would manufacture the SARS CoV-2-IgG antibody detection ELISA. As part of the collaboration, Cipla Limited would take care of marketing and distributing the test kits.

Reason to Buy this Report:

 Analysis of the impact of technological advancements on the market and the emerging trends shaping the industry in the coming years.

 Examination of the regulatory and policy changes affecting the market and the implications of these changes for market participants.

 Overview of the competitive landscape in the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay market, including profiles of the key players, their market share, and strategies for growth.

 Identification of the major challenges facing the market, such as supply chain disruptions, environmental concerns, and changing consumer preferences, and analysis of how these challenges will affect market growth.

 Evaluation of the potential of new products and applications in the market, and analysis of the investment opportunities for market participants.

Table of Contents with Major Points:

Executive Summary

Introduction

Key Findings

Recommendations

Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Overview

Definition of Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay Market

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Restraints

Opportunities

Trends and Developments

Key Insights

Key Emerging Trends

Key Developments Mergers and Acquisition

New Product Launches and Collaboration

Partnership and Joint Venture

Latest Technological Advancements

Insights on Regulatory Scenario

Porters Five Forces Analysis

Qualitative Insights Impact of COVID-19 on Global Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay Market

Supply Chain Challenges

Steps taken by Government/Companies to overcome this impact

Potential opportunities due to COVID-19 outbreak

Conclusion

Appendix

Data Sources

Abbreviations

Disclaimer

TOC Continued!

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65-year-old Yuba City man Gregory Gross, an Army veteran, was severely beaten and paralyzed by police there when he argued with them during a traffic stop. Officials announced yesterday they will pay him $20m to end his lawsuit against the city. The AP reports that it's one of the largest settlements in California history.

Gross was left with a broken neck, and he underwent two surgeries to fuse his spine. He said the officers' use of force left him unable to walk or care for himself, and he now needs round-the-clock nursing care for the rest of his life. "We are not against the police," said Attorney Moseley Collins, who represents Gross. "We are for the police, but we are against police brutality when it occurs." The settlement is among one of the largest police misconduct settlements in California history. In May, the state agreed to pay $24 million to the family of a man who died in police custody after screaming, "I can't breathe," as multiple officers restrained him while trying to take a blood sample.

From the stories, it appears city officials fought to the end to prevent on-demand access to police bodycam footage"random audits" is what they finally agreed to. They rolled this astonishing amount of money from their own taxpayers (who might not pay the cash, but certainly pay the premiums) not to compensate Gregory Gross but to avoid further police accountability.

In the police body camera video supplied by Gross' lawyers, an officer is seen twisting Gross' already handcuffed arms and forcibly seating him on a lawn. At one point, officers slammed him on the ground and held him facedown as Gross repeatedly cried out that he couldn't feel his legs and he couldn't breathe. "Mr. Gross, we are done with your silly little games," an officer tells him.

See if you can spot the specific courtesy still being shown to An Officer. In terms of exonerative newswriting, the AP headline describes the beating as a "run-in" with police, while CBS News went with "police encounter," as if having your neck broken by screaming cops suggested the title of a saucy romance novel.
Improvements in medical imaging technology, such as mobile imaging devices and 3-D ultrasonic holography, which do not use harmful radiation, have resulted in enhanced diagnosis and treatment methods for patients. As pediatric patients are more susceptible to radiation than adults, manufacturers are concentrating on creating X-ray imaging devices that are safer and more effective, with lower levels of harmful radiation specifically designed for this age group, as encouraged by the U.S. FDA. Additionally, companies are partnering with IT firms to develop software that can improve diagnostic and treatment techniques, including quantitative analysis tools and advanced visualization. These technologies, including apps that are linked to medical imaging devices, are expected to provide a competitive advantage to manufacturers in the medical imaging devices market. For example, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is collaborating with GE Health Cloud to develop a new cloud system that can manage files from ultrasound machines, computed tomography (CT) scanners, magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), and other imaging devices.

The leading companies, including top 10 participants based on their 2016 revenue  Shimadzu Corporation, Siemens AG, Philips Healthcare, Carestream Health, Samsung Medison, Fujifilm Holdings Corporation, Hologic, Inc., GE Healthcare, Hitachi Ltd, and Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation are operating in the market for medical imaging devices.

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Philips Healthcare

Company Description  As a subsidiary of Koninklijke Philips, Philips Healthcare manufactures and sells a diverse range of products, such as healthcare IT solutions, patient monitoring equipment, cardiac devices, and diagnostic imaging systems.

Major highlights  The company is striving to increase its market share and profitability in the global medical imaging devices market by offering products in the oncology and radiology segments, which consist of smart devices, software, and services. Additionally, the company is placing emphasis on the development of ultrasound products for general imaging and gynecology/obstetrics. In 2014, the company achieved U.S. FDA approval for its spectral imaging system, the IQon Spectral CT, which has become a leading, high-quality medical imaging system. The Radiological Society of North America conducted a study in 2013 that compared the Philips IQon Spectral CT with traditional imaging methods and found that the IQon Spectral CT system provided enhanced diagnosis in up to 70% of cases compared to traditional imaging methods. In August 2019, Koninklijke Philips N.V. acquired the Healthcare Information Systems (HCIS) business of Carestream Health Inc. and merged it into Philips Enterprise Diagnostic Informatics business.

GE Healthcare

Company Description  GE Healthcare, a subsidiary of GE Electrical, is involved in producing medical imaging systems, cardiac devices, and patient monitoring devices. The company provides a broad spectrum of products and services such as diagnostics and patient monitoring, software and IT, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies for drug discovery, and solutions for enhancing performance.

Major highlights  In 2016, the healthcare systems, including diagnostic imaging and clinical systems, contributed to 70% of GE Healthcares revenue, with the U.S. and Europe making up 66% of the healthcare revenue. To expand their product offerings, the company is prioritizing the development of mobile- and cloud-based apps. For example, the GE Health Cloud and apps were introduced in the United States in 2015, with the new cloud system aiming to connect over 500,000 GE imaging machines and assist clinicians in achieving better patient results. In September 2015, GE Healthcare Canada teamed up with the Biomedical Translational Imaging Centre (BIOTIC) to establish a technology commercialization program in Halifax to advance software technology in medical imaging.

Siemens AG

Company Description  Siemens Healthcare is a healthcare and medical technology firm that is a subsidiary of Siemens. It produces therapeutic and clinical diagnostic systems. The Healthineers division of the company is divided into six business segments, which include diagnostic imaging, laboratory diagnostics, advanced therapies, ultrasound, point-of-care diagnostics, and services.

Major highlights  The company is prioritizing research and development efforts aimed at incorporating state-of-the-art medical technologies for in vitro diagnosis. Healthineers increase in profits was primarily due to their diagnostic imaging business, which made up the biggest portion of their overall profit. In September of 2019, Siemens Healthineers allocated $2.7 million towards expanding their medical imaging manufacturing plant located in India.

Carestream Health

Company Description: Carestream Health offers healthcare information technology solutions and medical imaging products, including radiography systems, analog X-ray, cone beam CT, healthcare IT solutions, and ultrasound.

Major highlights  Health Canada granted a license to Carestream Touch Prime Ultrasound Systems in 2016, which enables wireless connectivity and quick transfer of images and data. It also enhances access to crucial imaging information for clinicians. Additionally, the system has the ability to penetrate deep into the abdomen, making it useful for imaging overweight and obese patients. The company is working on developing 3D and 4D technologies to improve the quality of images for better diagnostics in radiology. Furthermore, Carestreams OnSight 3D Extremity System that employs cone beam CT (CBCT) technology received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance in 2016. In comparison to traditional CT systems, the system reduces the dose and provides high-resolution 3D images.

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Fujifilm Holdings Corporation

Company Description:  Fujifilm, along with its affiliated companies, is involved in the production and distribution of diverse information solutions and medical imaging products. Its healthcare division specializes in providing medical imaging systems.

Major highlights  The healthcare division experienced an increase in revenue due to the sales of the CALNEO series, which is a DR cassette digital X-ray imaging diagnostic system, as well as a digital mammography system. In January 2017, Fujifilm Medical Systems obtained pre-marketing approval from the U.S. FDA for Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT). This is an optional software upgrade for the Aspire Cristalle digital mammography system. By incorporating DBT, radiologists utilizing the Aspire Cristalle system can improve clinical efficiency and diagnostic accuracy, surpassing the capabilities of full-field digital mammography (FFDM) alone. Fujifilm Medical Systems introduced FCT Embrace in 2018, a computed tomography (CT) imaging unit designed for oncology and radiology applications with a wide bore and available in 64 or 128 slice configuration. In July 2019, FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A. and FUJIFILM New Development U.S.A. established a new medical device headquarters in Lexington, Massachusetts to bring advanced technologies to the market.

Table of Contents with Major Points:

Executive Summary

Introduction

Key Findings

Recommendations

Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Overview

Definition of Medical Imaging Devices Market

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Restraints

Opportunities

Trends and Developments

Key Insights

Key Emerging Trends

Key Developments Mergers and Acquisition

New Product Launches and Collaboration

Partnership and Joint Venture

Latest Technological Advancements

Insights on Regulatory Scenario

Porters Five Forces Analysis

Qualitative Insights Impact of COVID-19 on Global Medical Imaging Devices Market

Supply Chain Challenges

Steps taken by Government/Companies to overcome this impact

Potential opportunities due to COVID-19 outbreak

Conclusion

Appendix

Data Sources

Abbreviations

Disclaimer

TOC Continued!

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 Identified business opportunities  Our market research report can be used to analyze potential markets and new products. It can give information about customer needs, preferences, and attitudes. Also, it compare products and services.

 A clear understanding of your customers  A market report gives companys marketing department an in-depth picture about customers needs and wants. This knowledge can be used to improve products, prices, and advertising.

 Clear data-driven insights  Our Market research encompasses a wide range of activities, from determining market size and segment to forecasting demand, and from identifying competitors to monitoring pricing. All of these are quantified and measurable which means that gives you a clear path for building unique decisions based on numbers.

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by Fern Siegel , July 12, 2023

Three executives have been promoted at VMLY&R. All report to Chief Global Connections Officer Amy Worley.

Liz Cole has been promoted to chief social officer. She will lead strategy for brands in the realm of social activation. She has worked with various brands throughout her career, incluing Ford, Kraft Heinz, Diageo, lululemon, and Kimberly-Clark. Cole is based in Chicago.

Jennifer Kohl has been promoted to chief media officer and continues to lead VMLY&Rs media practice across North America. She will shape and grow VMLY&Rs U.S. media business. Based in New York, Kohl also is a recent graduate of the McKinsey Academy Asian Executive Leadership Program. She was recently nominated to the IAB Video Board.

Heather Physioc has been promoted to chief discoverability officer at VMLY&R. Physioc will continue to grow the organic search, paid search and performance content teams across North America and globally. Her team has been recognized as Best Large Integrated Search Agency. Client partnerships have included United Rentals, Hills Pet Nutrition, Ford, Virgin Voyages, LOreal, and Wendys. She is based in Kansas City.

Liz, Jen, and Heather bring an unparalleled combination of talents and a deep-rooted passion for crafting cutting-edge solutions in collaboration with our creative, strategy and technology teams, Worley said. Their leadership prowess is matched only by their trailblazing spirit, as they champion the empowerment of other employees to chart their own paths within the industry.

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by Colin Kirkland , Staff Writer, July 12, 2023

Theres no doubt Metas new Twitter competitor Threads is the talk of the town -- the new kid on the block who somehow showed up to school and within one week made over 100 million friends. But with all of its mounting popularity, what opportunities does Threads actually offer to brands?

According to a recent tweet by Zuckerberg, Meta wont be monetizing the platform for quite some time: Our approach will be the same as all our other products: make the product work well first, then see if we can get it on a clear path to 1 billion people, and only then think about monetization.

Yet, over the weekend, Threads featured a "Hulu Partner" post from Hulu and content creators Adam Rose promoting the space-comedy series "Futurama."

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Maybe Meta is even more reliant on advertising than we thought, or maybe its simply testing out sponsored posts to inform its future ads program. Its too early to tell what this will look like, though its clear that brands are chomping at the bit.

In an effort to understand how the fastest-growing app in history works, brands spanning CPG, lifestyle, media and retail are readying themselves on Threads and building their reach organically.

The first among them are Rare Beauty, William Sonoma, Pretty Little Thing, Gymshark, ASOS and JD Sports.

As for publishers, users will see the profiles of Vogue, Vice, LadBible, The Economist, The Hollywood Reporter, and Rolling Stone.

While Hulu has scored some kind of ad deal with Threads, competing streaming platform Netflix was granted early access to the app in beta stage.

Molly Lopez, founder and CEO of Sparo Marketing, told one publication shes seen brands using similar strategies they used on Twitter, with some offering users incentives to grow their follower bases. For example, Anthropologie and SlimJim are giving away gift cards and follow-for-follow promises to those engaging in early posts.

With users currently enjoying the lack of ads on Threads, Meta may have to transition into monetization efforts strategically, so as not to annoy early converts or scare off potential ones.

Whats truly scary, however, is how seamless Meta has made the Instagram-adjacent onboarding process, especially when we think of how much control it already has over the attention and data of the worlds population.

Even though Threads is live in 100 countries, it still awaits launch in the EU due to concerns about adhering to data-privacy regulations.

Still, for marketers, the platform looks like a win.

Threads still has a long road ahead to scale and retain an audience, integrate new features, and eventually monetize through advertising, wrote Forrester principal analyst Kelsey Chickering. The easiest part for Meta will be monetizing Threads because if theres one thing the company excels at, its advertising.

Twitters reach and growth trajectory arent notable, Chickering added. And advertisers havent seen great performance with their lower-funnel advertising. Metas advertising backbone will position Threads as a strong Twitter alternative because it will be set up to slip into Metas dynamic actions and deliver results across the customer lifecycle.

And Twitter  which is likely in full panic mode (see its threatened lawsuit against Meta)  has beat out Threads in one disturbingly predictable way. It recently received a full-fledged endorsement from a senior Taliban official, who confidently stated that Elon Musks app has two major advantages over Threads and the intolerant politics of Meta: freedom of expression and credibility.
by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, July 11, 2023

Mars, which has been on a five-year quest to achieve gender parity in its ad, says its hit the equality zone, with females making up 49.9% of its on-screen ad imagery.

Thats a 51% increase since it first commissioned the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media to study its ads in 2018.

People of color now make up 63% of ads, a 117% increase. But the candy maker isnt taking any victory laps yet, with the report noting it could do better in terms of identity, disability and age.

Being more intentional about elevating diversity and representation in our ads is one way were harnessing the power of our brands to work toward a more inclusive world, says Dale Green, Mars global director of purpose marketing, via email.

Our marketing content can help people feel seen, confident and connected. A prime example of this would be M&MS goal to increase the sense of belonging for 10 million people around the world by 2025 by focusing on inclusion.

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He tells Marketing Daily the company first commissioned the research to help it become a leader in reflecting social diversity in all its marketing. This year, it decided to make its scores public.

Were far from done, he says, adding that its representation of identity accounted for 1.6% of on-screen images, disability (0.6%) and age (2%). We made these findings public not only to showcase the progress weve made over the past five years as an industry leader but to also hold ourselves accountable to keep taking strides forward.

The company has won some battle scars in its inclusion efforts following last years introduction of Purple, its first new spokescandy in 10 years.

In January, Tucker Carlson, the since-fired Fox News personality, took issue with the brands woke marketing and Purples obese shape. (He seemed to miss that she was a peanut M&M.)

The ensuing war on social led to a new marketing campaign, starring Maya Rudolph and epic buzz for the brand as it headed into the Super Bowl.

Green says the whole point of Purple was to represent acceptance and inclusivity. M&Ms experienced double-digit growth last year and was voted a top 5 Gen Z brand by Morning Consult, with much of the growth being driven by our new purpose focused on inclusivity.

He acknowledges theres a risk. Activating purpose programs at a global scale in an incredibly complex and polarized environment requires bravery and fortitude. But theres also a risk of not doing so, which include missing out on an opportunity to make meaningful connections with consumers around societal and cultural topics.
by Les Luchter , July 11, 2023

According to AstraZeneca research, less than 30% of Americas 25 million+ asthma sufferers are aware that their rescue inhaler (e.g., albuterol) does nothing against airway inflammation, which usually gets treated via such long-term inhalation maintenance therapies as GSKs Flovent and Advair.

Albuterol alone addresses airway tightening but doesnt address the underlying inflammation that contributes to the acute or sudden symptoms like coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath, Nicole Skiljo, AstraZenecas executive director for U.S. marketing, tells Marketing Daily.

Whats needed, according to recently revised guidelines from GINA (Global initiative for Asthma), is a rescue approach that treats both symptoms and inflammation at the same time, Skiljo says.

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Such a drug is not currently available in the U.S., although AstraZeneca in January received FDA approval for one, called AirSupra.

No specific medication, however, is associated with two recently launched unbranded AstraZeneca educational campaigns created by WPPs VMLY&R: 2 Sides 2 Asthma, directed at consumers, and Rescue Rescue for healthcare providers (HCPs).

Each distinct campaign is designed to educate its target audience about the role of airway inflammation in asthma attacks.

2 Sides 2 Asthma, which Skiljo says will reach nearly 3 million asthma sufferers this year, uses paid ads to drive consumers to a website of the same name. One ad pictures a patient with her respiratory system looking like a twisting drinking straw and the copy, Airway tightening in asthma can feel like youre breathing through a straw. But did you know inflammation is an underlying cause of your symptoms? There are 2 sides to an asthma attack but your rescue inhaler only treats one.

The consumer sites many features include AIRQ (Asthma Impairment and Risk Questionnaire), described as a set of 10 yes-or-no questions designed to help you and your doctor better understand your current level of asthma control.

Rescue Rescue, which Skiljo says will reach more than 150,000 pulmonologists, allergists and primary care physicians this year, uses paid ads to drive the audience to risinginflammation.com. One ad pictures a rescue inhaler adrift in a life preserver with copy reading, Patients may not be ready for rising inflammation when asthma symptoms start.

The HCP sites many features include an interactive tool for HCPs to learn more about asthma exacerbation by location.

The paid ads are running on video, display, social, audio, print and digital out-of-home media.

The reason these campaigns are really important to the asthma community, Skiljo says, is that asthma patients continue to be at risk of exacerbation, regardless of their level of albuterol use, no matter how adherent they are to their maintenance background, and no matter their disease severity.

Addressing fluctuating inflammation with rescue threrapy at the time of an attack is very different than what weve seen before, she continues. With the campaigns, were empowering HCPs and patients to demand more from their rescue therapy -- to address both sides of an asthma attack.

AstraZeneca will measure patient understanding of our key messages, Skiljo says, and engagement across our websites, web visits, resource downloads, click-throughs, video completions, and email signups.

Both AstraZeneca educational campaigns will run at least through the end of the year, she says.

AirSupra will reportedly be available in the first quarter of 2024.
by Ray Schultz , July 11, 2023

The California Assembly has postponed a bill to force the big tech companies to pay publishers for content they utilize.

The California Journalism Preservation Act (AB 886), will now a two-year bill in order to ensure the strongest legislation possiblebecause getting this policy right is more important than getting it quick, says co-sponsor, Member Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland).

The bills co-sponsor, Senator Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) said a vote will be scheduled in committee in 2024 after an informational hearing this fall.

It is not clear if the legislators are concerned about threats by Meta to remove all news content from Facebook and Instagram.

The company is now facing pushback in Canada after posing a similar threat there. Meta said in June that it is testing the blocking of news links for some Canadian users. Earlier, it reached a compromise with Australia.

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A national bill co-sponsored by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) passed one hurdle recently when the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved it by a vote of 14-7.

That bill would allow media outlets to band together and negotiate for fair compensation from the Big Tech companies that profit from their news content, supporting the local journalism that our communities rely on, Klobuchar said.

The sponsors of the California bill contend that the longer timeframe allows lawmakers to further develop their bills and ensure they succeed through the final hurdles of the legislative process.

Wicks argues that the California bill is designed to support our free press and the democracy sustained by it, to make sure publications get paid what they are owed, and to hold our nations largest and wealthiest tech companies accountable for repurposing content thats not theirs.

Umberg adds, My greatest concern is that we enact legislation that is fair, and that the benefits in this bill flow specifically to support local journalistsand in turn, all Californians.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, July 12, 2023

One Canadian Senator is calling on residents to join him in switching their search engines to Bing in response to the fallout over the federal governments Online News Act that will see Google and Meta block news links to publishers.

Google and Meta independently announced they will not serve Canadian news websites in news feeds. The move led Canadian Senator Pierre Dalphond to announce hes switching from Google to Bing.

Yesterday, I stopped using #Google as my search engine and switched to #MicrosoftBing," Dalphond wrote in a tweet, urging Canadians to do the same to show big tech that their business model rests on those who use it. Lets show Google that #blackmailing Canada does not work! #BillC18.

Microsoft did not detail how the transition from free to fee will work, but did provide a statement as to how the company will comply with the new bill.



"Microsoft supports a strong and independent news and media ecosystem as an essential ingredient for social cohesion, and a foundation of our democratic systems of government, a Microsoft spokesperson told Search & Performance Marketing Daily. Microsoft intends to comply with the legislation as it applies to our products."

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Complying with Canadas Bill C-18 will require Microsoft to pay content publishers in the country a fee to source the information each publishes. Eligible publishers include qualified Canadian journalism organizations under the Income Tax Act, Canadian organizations producing news content focused primarily on issues of general interest, provided they employ at least two journalists and follow the code of journalistic ethics, and licensed campus, community or local Canadian broadcasters, as well as local news outlets.

Thought I would check and yes, @bing does provide search users with Canadian news and apparently no drama about it, tweeted Bruce Anderson, co-founder of the agency Spark Advocacy in Canada.

The United States has been watching the connections of the U.S. government to private business, specifically technology platforms owned and run by Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta, and Twitter. Its interesting to note that Marlene Floyd, the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus former director of operations, now serves as Microsoft Canadas head of corporate affairs, while Trudeaus former PMO Communications Director, Kate Purchase, currently works in the office of Microsofts CEO, according to a local news agency in Canada.
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, July 12, 2023

Havas has acquired a 51% stake in the UK agency Uncommon Creative Studio.

The Uncommon founders--Natalie Graeme, Lucy Jameson and Nils Leonard--will continue to manage the business and retain a 49% interest in the agency.

Prior to forming their agency in London in 2017 the three founders held senior roles at Grey units in London, Europe and EMEA.

Uncommon touts capabilities in advertising, design, brand strategy, communication, PR, experiential, strategy, creative technology, production, CX, and CRM.

Havas said the future potential value of the agency is between 80 million GBP and 120 million GBP based on its projected growth plans. The French holding company did not disclose how much it paid for its stake.

But the deal will provide Uncommon with resources to expand its footprint while it in turn will share its best practices throughout Havas and units within Havas parent company Vivendi.
In case it's not obvious from the headline, the following contains SPOILERS about the ending of the HBO series Barry.

In a fascinating "Making a Scene" video for Variety, star/director/writer Bill Hader explains that they filmed a moment in the Barry finale that even the actors in the scene thought didn't make sense. After the shoot was over and being edited, Hader realized the mistake and had that moment re-shot.

After the final shootout, with NoHo Hank shot and dying at the foot of the statue of his former lover Cristobal, he originally tried to reach for the statue's hand but couldn't, and Sally took his hand and helped him.

The actress who played Sally, Sarah Goldberg, asked while they were preparing the scene, "Why am I here?" Sally and NoHo Hank had no relationship other than the fact that Hank had held her and her son hostage. The editors asked, "Why would she do that?"

After the shoot, Hader tried to think of an answer to why he wanted that in the scene, and didn't like what he came up with.

"I realized later the answers were: [One,] fan service. You know, I got insecure and I was like, 'The fans will love this'; Two, I was insecure and, enough people have told me, 'Wow, the show's so bleak, the show has gotten so bleak,' that I was like, 'Oh, it should have a nice hopeful moment.'"

When Hader told the actor who played Hank, Anthony Carrigan, that they were going to go back and re-shoot the scene, Carrigan said, "Oh, thank God."
Camp Damascus is a brand new novel from Tor Nightfire, the horror wing of Macmillan's Tor imprint, that tells the terrifying tale of a queer autistic girl who's literally haunted by the demons of her time spent at a brutal gay conversion camp run by Christian cultists. It's also written by Chuck Tingle, the pseudonymous author who's perhaps better known as the prolific writer of wacky speculative gay erotica short stories such as Space Raptor Butt Invasion, Bigfoot Pirates Haunt My Balls, Pounded in the Butt By My Own Butt, Slammed In The Butthole By My Concept Of Linear Time, Pounded In The Butt By The Sentient Manifestation Of My Own Ignorant Climate Change Denial, and of course, the classic Pounded In The Butt By My Book "Pounded In The Butt By My Book 'Pounded In The Butt By My Book "Pounded In The Butt By My Book 'Pounded In The Butt By My Own Butt'"'".

This is an important detail to address. Because Camp Damascus is very, very different from those other books. Yes, they all deal with queer characters. Yes, Tingle's writing style in this new book is similar to the prose you'd find in, say, Bisexual Mothman Mailman Makes A Special Delivery In Our Butts. It also wouldn't be fair to say that Camp Damascus is more "serious" than Tingle's other writing. But it is certainly a departure from his other work. It was certainly a bold move for a Top 5 publisher like Macmillan to take on a writer of Tingle's reputation (and I say that as an unapologetic fan of his for years). But in this case, it paid off: Camp Damascus feels like a fantastic debut, and a subtle reinvention, and a proper evolution, all at once. It's also just a really good horror novel.

Here's the basic setup:

Welcome to Neverton, Montana: home to a God-fearing community with a heart of gold. Nestled high up in the mountains is Camp Damascus, the self-proclaimed "most effective" gay conversion camp in the country. Here, a life free from sin awaits. But the secret behind that success is anything but holy. And they'll scare you straight to hell.

I love this plot description because it's simple and accurate and sets your expectations well. At the same time, Tingle finds clever ways to subvert his own setup numerous times in ways that feel like literary jump-scares of their own. It's the kind of book that pulls the rug out from underneath you halfway through in a genuinely thrilling way. You go into the book expecting one thing, waiting to reach the promise of the premise (the eponymous "Camp Damascus"), only to realize  to your horror  that you were looking for the wrong thing all along. It's not a "twist," per se; but it does feel like you're searching for the monster, while the monster's right behind you, and you know that the audience has been yelling at the screen the whole time, but you still can't really hear it, until it's too late. I don't want to say much more than that, in hopes of preserving the thrill. Tingle walks a delicate balancing act here, and pulls it off impressively well.

It's also incredibly refreshing to read a horror story with a central character who is neurodivergent. Rose, the narrator and protagonist of the story, is autistic, and that diagnosis is central to the story. Tingle himself is autistic, and he does a fantastic job of crafting Rose's perspective on the world, while illustrating how her autism is both a boon, and something that can make it difficult for her to move through the world. It's clear early on that Rose's autism diagnosis was weaponized by the Christian community she lives in as a means of belittling and gaslighting her. The experience of these seemingly well-intentioned people patronizing her is its own sort of painfully pedestrian horror. And it's absolutely heartbreaking as Rose begins to realize that the things about herself that she's been taught are shameful and troublesome could in fact be a benefit in their own ways. Rose's autism is not the problem; the problem is that her community isn't built to consider her autism.

It's an experience that's tragically familiar to anyone who's neurodivergent or physically disabled. And when Rose finds a community that does embrace those qualities of herself? That feels real and lived in, too.

That being said, some readers may be initially put-off by the rhythms of Rose's first-person, present-tense prose. It can feel clunky or awkward at times, especially as her narration hyper-fixates on certain details at the expense of others. There can be moments where it can feel overly internal. But I'd argue that this fits with the character, and if you're willing to just give yourself to the storytelling, the clunkiness swiftly disappears and just pulls you along into Rose's experience. And I think that's a mark of great storytelling.

Of course, the hyper-realistic gaslighting of Rose's autism and queerness aren't the only horrifying aspects of Camp Damascus. This isn't just a book about cruel Christian cultists (though there's plenty of that). Tingle has also come up with a unique demonic flavor that eerily subverts a lot of the genre tropes of sleepaway camp horror, and general Christian horror. Think The Exorcist but  the opposite, in a way? Let's just say the approach to possession and demons is delightfully clever, and leads to some grotesquely shocking body horror, and some very exciting, fist-punch-the-air action sequences.

It feels like a back-handed compliment to say that Camp Damascus is a genuinely great horror story, as if it implies that Tingle's other work is somehow lesser. That's not the case. But it is definitely a great book, and I'm glad that Tingle, Tor, and Tingle's agent, DongWon Song, were able to usher it into existence.

Camp Damascus [Chuck Tingle / Tor Nightfire]
Fox 13 news out of Tampa reports that a sinkhole there that swallowed a man while he slept has "re-opened." Officials are advising nearby locals that it is safe to remain in their homes, but locals are not so sure.

John-Paul Lavandeira with Hillsborough County code enforcement says engineers will be on-site Tuesday to assess the sinkhole, which he estimates to be about 12 feet by 12 feet. In March 2013, the sinkhole opened underneath a home on Faithway Drive, swallowing Jeffrey Bush, who was asleep in his bedroom. His brother, Jeremy Bush, tried desperately to save him but was unable to. Crews never recovered the body.

The original story is terrifying.

It appears that the sinkhole reopened years ago, which was reported at the time, but panic is setting in now perhaps because it's close to the 10-year-anniversary. Any missing dogs? Giant chomping maw noises at night?
""If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman please seek services at a local pet groomer. You are not welcome at this salon. Period. Should you request to have a particular pronoun used please note we may simply refer to you as 'hey you.'"

This garbage comes from a now-deleted Facebook post made by Studio 8 Hair Lab in Traverse City, Michigan. We have the US Supreme Court to thank for encouraging this idiocy.

From Detroit Free Press:

On June 30, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with a Denver web designer who refused to create websites for same-sex weddings, citing that it violates her religious beliefs and First Amendment rights. The court's findings in the Colorado case have significant implications for when businesses can refuse service to customers. Further backing its stance, Studio 8 Hair Lab's Instagram biography now says: "A private CONSERVATIVE business that does not cater to woke ideologies." The business' Instagram and Facebook accounts are currently set to private.

"I have no issues with LGB," Studio 8 owner Christine Geiger commented on Facebook. "It's the TQ+ that I'm not going to support."

Disgusting.



A hair salon in Michigan announced it will discriminate against trans/queer people seeking haircuts.



Studio 8 Hair Lab, by Christine Geiger, announced that she would refuse service to trans and queer people, and any haircut not deemed "normal" for their gender. pic.twitter.com/lEzsFRS8vS  Erin Reed (@ErinInTheMorn) July 11, 2023

(Thanks, Bob Pescovitz!)
Veteran suicide has been in decline since 2018, at the height of an epidemic that saw more than 18 U.S. military veterans end their own lives every day since the start of the Global War on Terror, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report.

There's still more work to be done. Veterans are still dying by suicide at an alarming rate, more than 16 every day, a rate 57% greater than the larger American population. To help further combat veteran suicide alongside existing VA and Department of Defense programs and end the stigma of seeking help, USAA has launched Face the Fight, its first social impact effort in the company's 101 years of operation.

Face the Fight is a coalition of philanthropic foundations, veteran-oriented nonprofit organizations and corporations that are pooling resources ($41 million to start) and sharing a nationwide concerted effort, with the goal of cutting the veteran suicide rate in half by 2030.

Face the Fight's Methods

USAA set up an external advisory committee of 13 subject-matter experts to help develop the early planning for Face the Fight, led by Katy Dondanville, a clinical psychologist at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Her team is the academic alliance for the initiative.

"One of the biggest challenges around suicide prevention efforts is really figuring out how to take a public health approach, which means focusing outside of just health-care settings," Dondanville says. "A lot of different factors converge for an individual, and treatment will be different for an individual."

One important factor, Dondanville notes, is how veterans die by suicide. According to her team, 70% of them use a firearm. So storing those weapons becomes an important protective factor, and Face the Fight has worked that into its strategy.

"We have decided to focus on evidence-informed strategies from the Centers for Disease Control in suicide prevention," Dondanville told Military.com. "We are focused on protective environments, like voluntary firearms storage, ensuring that veterans who receive care outside the VA are getting evidence-informed interventions and scaling those interventions."

In 2021, more than two million veterans were authorized to seek treatment for various ailments in their local communities, outside of VA facilities. For those veterans looking for mental health care, Face the Fight wants to ensure its community facilities are properly trained to treat the unique issues of the veteran community. But not all veterans who contemplate suicide have mental health issues.

"We know that more than half of those that died by suicide don't have a mental health problem," says Dondanville. "That doesn't mean that it's under-diagnosed. It means that for some people, that there are a multitude of factors that lead someone to have suicidal thoughts; things like financial distress, legal problems and relationship problems."

To this end, the Resources section of the Face the Fight website is a hub for veterans experiencing the most common causes of suicidal ideation. It includes links to help veterans in crisis, but also get help with transition support, career guidance, financial assistance and more.

How Face the Fight Works

"We recognize that one company can't enter the arena of suicide prevention and expect to turn the tide single-handedly," says Justin Schmitt, USAA's assistant vice president of corporate responsibility. "Companies and corporate foundations can play a complementary role in veteran suicide prevention, destigmatize help-seeking behaviors, put the spotlight on resources that are proven effective and collaboratively fund interventions that reduce veteran suicide."

As a coalition of partners, Face the Fight pools philanthropic, donor-advised funding, vets potential nonprofit partners and then distributes those funds to select nonprofits whose missions align with Face the Fight's goals.

The initial philanthropic partnership that USAA and the USAA Foundation built includes The Humana Foundation and Reach Resilience, an Endeavors Foundation and technical support for building the coalition from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. With an initial $41 million war chest, the goal is to help fund proven, effective and evidence-based programs so they can hire new clinicians, and grow and serve a larger portion of the military-veteran population over the next five years.

"The reason why we've been focusing on clinical and preparation is because one of the downsides to destigmatizing help-seeking can be a system that's unprepared for it," Dondanville says. "If we encourage help-seeking and people seek help, but there isn't good help, then they don't seek help anymore. When those folks seek that help, we want to ensure they're getting good help."

USAA is already distributing funds in the form of grants to three nonprofits with a focus on clinical care and that specialize in veteran suicide prevention: Cohen Veterans Network (which provides telehealth services, among others), The Headstrong Project and Stop Soldier Suicide to create a new and larger pipeline of clinicians trained in military cultural competency while building their capacities to take on more patients, with a national and international reach.

How to Get Involved with Face the Fight

Veterans and military-connected individuals who are looking for assistance can and should visit the Face the Fight website, which has a multitude of resources and direct links available to help the most common causes of distress, including mental health, financial issues, mentorship and even education and employment aid. There's also a crisis line available.

There are three categories of coalition members in Face the Fight. Philanthropic organizations or corporations that want to commit to end veteran suicide can donate to the donor-advised fund, but corporate entities can also provide in-kind donations, like airtime for public-service announcements.

Military-oriented nonprofits that believe they can meet Face the Fight's criteria and align with the mission can have a chance at joining the Face the Fight coalition. As part of the effort, USAA will stand up a scientific advisory committee to review annual VA and DoD suicide reports, as well as its own gathered information, and see how the program could be altered to be more effective.

"It's important to think about what we know now, what's changed, to get together and make recommendations on how we are able to respond to what's happening," says Schmitt. "We've been really thoughtful as we were planning this. We don't want to duplicate; we wanna compliment, and we wanna amplify. So I anticipate that we will evolve over time. That's the benefit of philanthropic support: It can be nimble, so we wanna be sure we respond in that way."

Nonprofits work with the military community in myriad ways. Some may have the ability to amplify the Face the Fight message, while others can further the destigmatization of help-seeking behavior. Some may even be looking to develop new suicide prevention programs. For those that think they'd be a good fit for the coalition, Face the Fight has an intake process.

Any nonprofit can express its interest in joining Face the Fight by sending an email to join@wefacethefight.org. USAA and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation will follow up those interested, explore how they can best contribute (if applicable) and then determine whether their goals align.

Veterans and service members experiencing a mental health emergency can call the Veteran Crisis Line, 988 and press 1. Help also is available by text, 838255, and via chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, or on LinkedIn.

Want to Learn More About Military Life?

Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox.
The nominee to be the nation's highest-ranking military officer faced senators Tuesday amid doubts about whether he will be confirmed before his predecessor leaves.

At his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Gen. Charles "C.Q." Brown, the chief of staff of the Air Force who has been nominated to become chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned senators that an ongoing dispute delaying confirmations -- which he will also be caught in -- could result in junior officers leaving the military rather than risk having their careers stalled and families harmed over political spats.

"The spouse network is alive and well, and the spouses will compare notes," Brown told senators. "The member may want to serve, but the spouses and the families get a huge vote."

Read Next: Canceled Bonuses, Delayed Moves: Air Force Cash Problems Trigger Cuts

At issue is an ongoing blockade Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., has maintained on all promotions for one-star generals and admirals and above.

Tuberville is using a procedural move known as a hold to delay military confirmations because of his opposition to the Pentagon's policy allowing service members to take leave and have their travel expenses covered if they seek an abortion. While a hold cannot prevent the Senate from confirming nominees, it means senators would have to take individual roll call votes on each one rather than approving them in batches in voice votes as is usually done for military officers.

With Tuberville's hold embroiling about 250 nominees right now, it would take the Senate 84 days to confirm all of them if the chamber voted exclusively on military nominees for eight hours a day, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed, D-R.I., said Monday. Defense officials have estimated the hold could entangle about 650 nominees by the end of the year.

While Tuberville has maintained his hold since late February, the blockade affected its most high-profile position so far this week. Because of statutory term limits, Gen. David Berger retired as Marine Corps commandant Monday despite his replacement not being confirmed, leaving the service without a Senate-confirmed leader for the first time in more than a century.

The Marines' No. 2 officer, Gen. Eric Smith, who is the nominee to replace Berger, will serve as acting commandant, though he will not be able to issue the strategic guidance until he is confirmed.

The same issue will ripple through the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the coming weeks, culminating with the chairman. The service chiefs of the Army and Navy must leave their posts in August, while Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley is due to leave at the end of September.

Defense officials have previously argued that Tuberville's hold harms military families by adding uncertainty to their lives and preventing them from making plans, such as spouses finding new jobs and enrolling kids in new schools in the place the families are supposed to move to for the promotion.

Brown echoed those arguments Tuesday, saying that, because of the stress to military families, "we will lose talent."

Tuberville, who is a member of the Armed Services Committee, did not comment on his hold at the hearing. But he did note how many times Brown has moved in his career, saying, "I don't think a lot of people understand the complexity of that with a family."

With no end in sight to Tuberville's blockade, it's unclear whether Brown can be confirmed before Milley must retire. Asked if the Senate would hold roll call votes on Brown and other high-profile military nominees, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters Tuesday that "the responsibility is on [Senate Minority Leader Mitch] McConnell ... and the Republican caucus to dissuade Tuberville."

Still, Reed told Military.com he would "assume" Brown gets a roll call vote. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, expressed confidence Brown would be "treated differently" than the other nominees caught in the hold and be confirmed in a roll call vote.

Brown, who was the first Black service chief and would be the second Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs, also faced questions from Republicans about his efforts to increase diversity in the Air Force. In the most testy exchange, Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., grilled Brown about a memo he and other leaders of the Air Force and Space Force issued last year calling for a more diverse pool of officer applicants. The memo set "aspirational" race and gender targets for officer applicants, but stressed that they should not supplant the military's "merit-based processes."

"Do we have too many white officers in the Air Force?" Schmitt asked Brown.

Brown, who is perhaps most well-known to the American public for a video he made about his feelings on being a Black man in the military in the wake of George Floyd's killing by police in 2020, stressed the targets were chosen to reflect the demographic makeup of the United States and that the goal of the memo was to encourage outreach to a broader swath of the nation.

"What we looked at was the aspect of providing opportunities for anybody who wants to serve," Brown said. "We do not have quotas. That's against policy."

-- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel.

Related: Air Force Gen. 'CQ' Brown Is Nominated as the Next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
Department of the Air Force officials have revealed which jobs are no longer eligible for a bonus meant to incentivize airmen to take on the most difficult roles in the service, after Military.com reported on the service's lack of transparency in not releasing the information to the public.

Last week, Military.com reported that the Air Force had repeatedly declined to list which jobs would no longer qualify for Special Duty Assignment Pay. The only way to view the revised list of jobs that qualify was to have a login for the Air Force's myForce Support Squadron, or myFSS, a web portal accessible only to service members -- meaning it was hidden from spouses, the media and government watchdogs.

On Tuesday, four days after Military.com's article, the Air Force revealed which jobs no longer qualify for Special Duty Assignment Pay.

Read Next: Canceled Bonuses, Delayed Moves: Air Force Cash Problems Trigger Cuts

Last month, the Department of the Air Force announced that a newly formed board reviewed the special pay program and reduced the number of jobs that qualify for the bonus from 103 to 70 for fiscal year 2024.

Of the 70 jobs that were approved to receive Special Duty Assignment Pay, "four were initial requests that were certified for the first time, 48 were recertified at their current rate, 11 increased rate and seven decreased rate to maintain parity with specialties of similar duties, responsibilities and training, according to the Air Force.

The bonus, which can range from $75 to $450 a month, is meant for those "who serve in duties which are extremely difficult," according to Air Force budget documents. Many service members choose to take on those jobs because of that extra money while formulating family budgets around the higher pay.

Here are the jobs that no longer qualify for Special Duty Assignment Pay:

President's Emergency Ops Center

Cryptologic Language Analyst

Electronic Security Systems

Aircraft Battle Damage Repair Exp Depot Mx

Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)

361st Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group (ISRG)

Defense Couriers

31 Communication Squadron and 39 Communication Squadron NC3

Army Support Weather Ops

Flight Attendants

52nd Munitions Maintenance Group NC3

Airborne Mission System Operators

Flight Engineers

Loadmasters

Sensor Operators

Special Mission Aviators

Contracting

Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Cyber Technicians

International Enlisted Engagements Managers

RPA Ops -- Weather Support

Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System

Super High Frequency Operators

Advanced Intelligence Instructors

Ski Mission -- Flight Engineers and Loadmasters

Airborne Mission Systems Specialist -- Host Nation Riders

55th Operations Group Management Operator

336th Training Squadron & 98th DRA Aircrew Flight Equipment

Diagnostic Med Sonographer

Honor Guard

Air National Guard RPA Cyber Ops

Radar, Airfield & Weather Systems

Casualty Cell (next-of-kin notification)

Military Working Dog Handlers

A June 23 press release from the Department of the Air Force said the board "focused on identifying personnel in extremely demanding positions with unusually challenging responsibilities based on a defendable scoring methodology, and decisions were made agnostic of budgetary funding."

Those serving in a field that will be removed from the bonus list won't lose all the pay at once; they will still receive Special Duty Assignment Pay at "a rate of one-half their original SDAP through Sept. 30, 2024," according to the release.

Jobs that will see a reduction in Special Duty Assignment Pay include:

Military Human Intelligence

724th Special Tactics Group Operations, Support

Subsurface Analyst

Parachuting Instructor

33rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron, Operating Location Alpha

Mission Field Chef

Special Ops Surgical Team

Jobs where the Special Duty Assignment Pay is being reduced will be "given 90 days before the reduced rate will become effective," the release added.

Some career fields that were previously ineligible for Special Duty Assignment Pay now qualify. They include:

Material Management

Bomber Airborne Maintenance Support

United States Air Force Academy Enlisted Faculty Instructor

Special Missions Support

Career fields that will see an increase in Special Duty Assignment Pay include:

Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) Specialists

Cyber Warfare Ops

Flying Crew Chiefs

Special Reconnaissance

Air Force Office of Special Investigations

First Sergeant

Command Chief Master Sergeant

844th Communications Squadron

Independent Duty Medical Technician

Respiratory Care

Fire Protection

Those in jobs receiving an increase in Special Duty Assignment Pay will see it in place starting Oct. 1.

The Department of the Air Force's choice not to, at first, publicly disclose what jobs were being cut from Special Duty Assignment Pay concerned government watchdogs like Jason Paladino, a researcher at the nonprofit Project on Government Oversight.

"The Air Force public affairs office is once again showing a reflexive secrecy, withholding unclassified information from the public without justification," Paladino said. "U.S. taxpayers have a right to know how much they are paying members of the military."

On Monday, the Air Force announced that it could potentially run out of money in its personnel budget and began pausing some duty assignments and reenlistment and retention bonuses, as well as extending some deployments to address the shortfall.

The Air Force detailed a $92.2 million ask for Special Duty Assignment Pay in the fiscal 2024 budget documents which were released this year. The budget from the year prior asked for an estimated $96.2 million for the financial incentive, about $4 million more.

The Air Force said the bonus would be for an estimated 33,500 airmen last year. For the fiscal year 2024 ask, it would be for around 29,800 airmen, according to the service's documents, or about 3,700 fewer people.

-- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.

Related: Air Force Is Cutting Pay for Tough Jobs But Won't Say Which Roles Are Losing Out
The man charged with plowing a Humvee into the 3rd Infantry Division's headquarters building at Fort Stewart, Georgia, is a retired Iraq war veteran, Army officials said Tuesday. Images of the wreck, with the vehicle half enveloped in the crumbled glass facade of a building, quickly took over social media shortly after the incident Monday.

Treamon Lacy, 39, was immediately arrested after the incident and charged with theft of government property and destruction of government property. As a retired soldier, Lacy had access to the base, though he did not have any authority to drive military vehicles, according to court filings.

"Fort Stewart Police, along with Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division agents, detained Lacy at the 3rd Infantry Division headquarters building immediately following the incident," a service spokesperson said in a statement.

Read Next: Senate Plan Would Force the Army to Revert to Old Fitness Test But Would Allow New Events

Authorities say Lacy stole the Humvee from the 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion's motor pool Monday morning and within minutes intentionally crashed it through the front doors of the 3rd Infantry Division headquarters.

A Humvee was smashed into the headquarters of the 3rd Infantry Division on Monday. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army WTF! Moments)

No one was injured. It is unclear what motivated the crash.

Lacy served in the Army from June 2002 to July 2013 as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. He left the service as a staff sergeant.

Like most military ground vehicles, Humvees do not require keys. Units will sometimes use a tool to lock the steering wheel in place, or a bolt lock on the outside of the doors on some models. But if unsecured, the vehicles can be driven off with ease.

The Humvee was the go-to ground combat vehicle in the early years of the Global War on Terrorism, until they were replaced with Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected, or MRAP, vehicles, which were much better at withstanding blasts from roadside bombs.

Humvees are still used in typical garrison duties and training. While the vehicles can be easily outfitted with heavy weapons like the M2 .50-cal machine gun, MK 19 automatic grenade launcher and TOW missile system, they are not outfitted with those during day-to-day duties outside of a training or combat environment.

In an unrelated incident, California authorities have been on the hunt for an Army National Guard Humvee stolen from a 579th Engineer Battalion armory in Santa Rosa since July 3. In 2021, another California National Guard Humvee was stolen from the 40th Brigade Support Battalion; it was eventually found under a bridge in Los Angeles.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

Related: Have You Seen a Humvee? The Military Would Like it Back, Please
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden wants Ukraine to win the war against Russia. But he doesnt want World War III  especially with nuclear weapons.

Balancing those two goals has been difficult, and the tension was on particular display at the NATO summit in Vilnius this week.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an emotional, even caustic, demand for a clear path toward joining the alliance.

But Biden, who was to try to showcase NATO's strength in a sum-up speech Wednesday evening, was not willing to take that step, even as the United States continues to provide more weapons and ammunition than any other country to Ukraine.

The competing priorities in the midst of Europes bloodiest war in generations created an undercurrent of friction even as Biden and Zelenskyy projected a united front during their meeting as the summit drew to a close.

The public encounter had the vibe of two leaders clearing the air, and each conspicuously heaped praise on his counterpart.

Biden lauded Zelenskyy and Ukrainians for their courage by saying it's been a model for the whole world to see. Zelenskyy thanked Biden and the American people for billions of dollars in military assistance, saying that you spend this money for our lives.

Wearing a blue-and-yellow-striped tie in the colors of the Ukrainian flag, Biden acknowledged that Zelenskyy has occasionally been unsatisfied by unfulfilled requests for weapons.

The frustration, I can only imagine," Biden said. "I know that you're many times frustrated about whether things get to you quickly enough, what's getting to you and how we're getting it. But I promise you, the United States is doing everything we can to get you what you need.

Biden also said the war had created a sense of unity about opposing international aggression.

Its bringing the world together," he said. "Its a hell of a price to pay, but its bringing the world together.

The meeting came after a few other encounters between Biden and Zelenskyy at the summit. They sat close to each other at the inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, a new forum that's intended to give Kyiv a greater voice within the alliance.

And they shared the stage as the Group of Seven, which includes the world's most powerful democratic countries, announced plans for long-term security assistance for Ukraine.

But Wednesday afternoon was the first opportunity for Biden and Zelenskyy to sit down privately with their advisers  after their public comments.

And by then, Zelenskyy had softened his tone considerably. En route to Vilnius on Tuesday, he had blasted NATO's vague plans for Ukraine's eventual membership, tweeting, Its unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraines membership.

Jake Sullivan, Bidens national security adviser, said everyone needs to look squarely at the fact that allowing Ukraine to join NATO at this point means war with Russia.

That is an inescapable fact, he told CNN.

Sullivan credited Biden with ensuring that NATO is more unified and more determined and more decisive than at any point.

Thats President Bidens legacy when it comes to NATO, and its one that he can be very proud of," he said.

In an interview with The Associated Press before Biden left on his trip, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said the president has been heading in the right direction but not fast enough when it comes to supporting Ukraine.

The weapons transfers never seem to happen as soon as theyre announced, said McConnell, a Kentucky Republican. Although Ukrainians are extremely grateful for the help, he said, the assistance "frequently doesnt get there soon enough to be the most effective.

Although McConnell has been a firm supporter of sending help to Ukraine, other Republicans have voiced skepticism, creating uncertainty about Biden's ability to make long-term financial commitments.
A group of House lawmakers is demanding answers and accountability from the Navy in the wake of an exclusive Military.com report that found that the USS Boxer sickened its own crew by intentionally dumping fuel into the ocean.

In a Wednesday letter obtained by Military.com, four House members of the California delegation and a senior member of the Armed Services Committee asked Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro to "hold accountable those responsible for this incident." They also urged Del Toro to brief Congress on the Navy response to the contamination incident in 2016.

Military.com used interviews with key personnel who were on the ship at the time of the incident, as well as documents obtained from sources and the Navy, to piece together the story in June of how sailors on the Boxer chose to dump the fuel, how it contaminated the ship's water supply, and the health impacts on the crew. Following the story's release, veterans groups also began calling for answers.

Read Next: Iraq Vet Stole Humvee Before Smashing it into Building at Fort Stewart, Prosecutors Say

"It is critical that we learn from this incident to prevent similar situations from happening again," the lawmakers wrote in the letter to the Navy.

While on a deployment in 2016, sailors in the USS Boxer's engineering department were ordered to dump fuel into the ocean by a senior enlisted sailor. Sailors who served on the ship said that, while the procedure is not uncommon, it requires the ship to keep moving to prevent sucking contaminated water into the drinking water system.

However, in this case, the exact opposite happened: The ship stopped, causing the crew's water to become tainted, according to sailors who were aboard the ship and documents from that time. Following the Military.com reporting, the Navy publicly admitted for the first time that the contamination occurred.

The ship was not ready to deal with the massive contamination that ensued. Rations of bottled water quickly ran out. Crew members were told that if they wanted drinking water, they could buy it from the ship's store but soon that ran out too.

Meanwhile, sailors and Marines were told by the ship's top doctor that the water was safe and, eventually, they had no choice but to drink, bathe and cook with it.

The letter is signed by California Reps. Sara Jacobs, Mike Levin, Scott Peters and Juan Vargas, as well as Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., the ranking member on the Armed Services' seapower and projection forces panel. The lawmakers demanded that the Navy provide details on the contamination -- as well as answer why it took the service seven years to publicly acknowledge the contamination.

The Messenger was the first outlet to report on the letter.

A spokesperson for Del Toro said that they "look forward to responding to and working with our partners in Congress on this matter."

The Boxer contamination is not an isolated incident. Last fall, the Navy acknowledged that it had had two recent instances of water contamination aboard aircraft carriers.

One, aboard the USS Nimitz, involved jet fuel -- often referred to by its official designation, JP-5 -- getting into the water supply after the crew tried to clean a water tank that they didn't realize contained the substance. The other involved bacteria in the water system aboard the carrier Abraham Lincoln.

However, in both instances, the admissions came after sailors posted details and images of the contamination on social media.

The contamination on the Boxer lingered for months until the ship was able to pull into Dubai and fully flush and clean the entire drinking water system. However, years later, service members from that deployment told Military.com they are experiencing health problems that range from skin and eye issues to infertility.

In addition to demanding answers on how the incident was allowed to happen in the first place, the lawmakers say they want to know what steps the Navy is taking to prevent similar contamination in the future, and whether the service is working with the Department of Veterans Affairs to help address the disability claims of those affected.

"We have a responsibility to protect the health and quality of life of our service members, so it is vital that we prioritize their well-being, offering comprehensive and high-quality health care, as proof of our commitment to their service," the five lawmakers wrote.

There is a significant amount of uncertainty surrounding the actual effects of diesel ingestion or inhalation on the body. As a result, many of the sailors and Marines on the Boxer who spoke to Military.com have been left wondering whether the 2016 incident is connected to any health issues they are now experiencing.

Military.com is not aware of any disciplinary action taken against any of the leaders on the Boxer connected to the incident.

The ship's commander, Capt. Michael Ruth, has since retired from the Navy. The senior enlisted sailor who ordered the fuel be dumped was later selected to become a chief warrant officer, but he too has retired from the service.

Other officers, like the ship's chief engineer and senior medical officer, appear to still be in the Navy.

"Incidents such as the one on the USS Boxer not only endanger the lives of our sailors and Marines but also risk undermining the trust of current and potential future service members, consequently jeopardizing our recruitment and retention efforts," the lawmakers wrote.

-- Rebecca Kheel contributed to this report.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: Poisoned Water: How a Navy Ship Dumped Fuel and Sickened Its Own Crew
The Navy and Marine Corps unveiled new measures Tuesday intended to improve service members' access to mental health treatment by allowing them to confidentially request a referral from their supervisor or commanding officer at any time without repercussions.

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro issued a message to the services implementing what's known as the Brandon Act. Named for a Navy sailor who died by suicide in 2018, the new policy allows members to "seek help confidentially for any reason, at any time and in any environment, thereby reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment," according to Del Toro.

Brandon Caserta, a 21-year-old aircrew aviation electrician's mate assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 in Norfolk, Virginia, died by suicide on June 25, 2018. According to his parents and a subsequent command investigation into his death, Caserta had been bullied by a supervisor and his command did little to stop the abuse while also actively working to prevent him from transferring to another unit.

Read Next: Iraq Vet Stole Humvee Before Smashing it into Building at Fort Stewart, Prosecutors Say

Under the new Del Toro directive, commanders must make sure that sailors and Marines know how to ask for a mental health evaluation, ensure that those who ask can get an evaluation as soon as practical, and treat a mental health evaluation referral like any referral for a physical health condition.

The policy, "Self-Initiated Referral Process for Mental Health Evaluations of Service Members," calls for annual training on service members' rights to request a mental health evaluation and requires commanders to maintain privacy by not asking providers to share the results of the mental health examination except in cases spelled out in Defense Department Instruction 6490.08.

Those exceptions include if a service member is at risk for harm to themselves, others or the mission; needs inpatient care or substance abuse treatment; has an acute medical condition that interferes with duty; or in cases where the service member was required by the command to get a mental health evaluation, in addition to other special circumstances.

"Our ability to maintain naval superiority requires leaders who create psychologically safe environments, team members who promote each others' well-being and the personal self-awareness to know when we need increased support," Del Toro wrote in ALNAV 054/23.

The policy also applies to the Marine Corps.

At the urging of Caserta's parents, father Patrick Caserta, a retired Navy senior chief, and mother Teri Caserta, Congress passed a law in late 2021 requiring the services to implement a policy that would allow service members to request a mental health appointment at any time and receive an immediate response.

The Defense Department did not craft the policy in response to the law until this May; in the interim, 440 active-duty service members across the six armed forces died by suicide, according to records kept by the DoD and the Coast Guard.

While it's not known how many of those troops suffered from mental health conditions, Patrick Caserta said in a statement released Monday by the League of United Latin American Citizens that the new policy allows all members to get help.

"Every active and veteran service member can now have the help they need and do not have to suffer alone; instead, they can reach out and get medical support," Caserta said.

Under the DoD directive issued in May, the services were to implement the policy within 45 days for active-duty members and then work to implement the policy for National Guard and reserve members.

Del Toro noted that service members do not need to wait for a referral for a mental health evaluation and can seek mental health treatment at their military medical facility at any time. They also have access to non-medical counseling or therapy from Fleet and Family Support Centers, Marine Corps Community Services, chaplains, and military and family life counselors.

"Sailors and Marines are empowered and encouraged to directly seek mental health services as desired from any of these resources," Del Toro wrote.

In a press release accompanying the message Wednesday, Capt. Christine O'Connell, acting director of the Navy's Office of Force Resiliency, encouraged sailors to seek support if they are facing challenges, calling it a "sign of strength."

"It requires courage, vulnerability, and a deep understanding of our own humanity. It is a powerful act that fosters connection and ultimately propels us toward personal and collective growth," O'Connell said.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com. Follow her on Twitter and Threads @patriciakime.

Related: Navy Facing Another Suicide Cluster as Lawmaker Says Key Reforms Haven't Been Implemented
This is tragic newsGabriel Trujillo, 31-year-old botanist and PhD student at the University of California at Berkeley, was found dead on June 21, nine days after he was reported missing in the state of Sonora, Mexico, where he was conducting fieldwork for his dissertation. Gabriel described his research on his UC Berkeley page:

My wider interests include studying the forces that drive evolution in tropical plants and insects. More specifically, the rare transition of tropical woody plants into the temperate zone. These types of transitions shape the diversity and structure of forests around the world. I am particularly interested in the genera Cephalanthus a group of woody angiosperms with distributions from boreal to tropical zones. My research focuses on how functional plant traits associated with frost tolerance are lost and or gained, and how these traits facilitate species range expansion from their tropical origin into temperate zones.

El Pais reports:

After his family reported him missing, the scientist was found by agents of the State Public Security Police (Pesp) in a ravine a few meters from the edge of the stretch of road that leads from the town of San Nicolas to Tepoca, Yecora, Sonora Prosecutor's Office stated in a statement on June 30  nine days after Trujillo was reported missing. The botanist was in Mexico to advance his doctoral research. Although authorities have not discussed the possible causes of the murder, the autopsy carried out revealed that Trujillo died from several gunshot wounds. The leading hypothesis is that the homicide was related to narco violence. Yecora has become a war zone for organized crime and is one of the Mexican towns most affected by the turf wars between the different cartels in the region. Its geographic location  on the border of the state of Arizona and within "The Golden Triangle" (a region made up of overlapping parts of the states of Sinaloa, Durango and Chihuahua)  has made it a strategic point for drug trafficking to the United States. Sonora is also one of the most dangerous states in Mexico for environmental defenders.

He was in Mexico for his dissertation research and also to connect with his indigenous heritage. Again, El Pais:

On his trip to Mexico, the botanist also sought to reconnect with his indigenous Opata heritage, an ethnic group that lives in the mountains of Sonora and Chihuahua. Trujillo was a U.S. citizen, but felt strongly connected to the country of his family.

His obituary describes him as a passionate and vibrant lifelong learner who will be remembered for his academic contributions and for the deep impact he had on those who knew and loved him:

Gabriel had a passion for nature and culture and a relentless drive for science. His deep appreciation for the natural world guided him to explore the wonders of the outdoors. He found solace in the beauty of nature, always eager to learn and protect the environment he held so dear. Gabriel's love for culture was infectious, and he immersed himself in learning about different traditions and customs, always seeking to broaden his understanding of the world. Gabe's vibrant spirit and compassionate nature leave an indelible mark on the lives of all fortunate to know him.

Read more about Gabriel and his work here.
The Defense Department's plan to cut 12,801 medical positions from the DoD, Army, Navy and Air Force was built on inadequate assessments, a shortcoming that could affect patient care, including treatment for service members during wartime, a new Government Accountability Office report finds.

The watchdog agency report released Tuesday said the department still has not "fully or consistently assessed the effects of potential reductions." In 2019, the Pentagon proposed to eliminate more than 17,000 uniformed medical billets  including 10,739 doctors, dentists, nurses, corpsmen and medics -- but the figure was later reduced by roughly 4,500 positions due to further analysis and attrition.

The idea was that some billets would be repurposed as operational billets -- combat or combat support jobs -- while leaner medical staffs provided care for all military personnel and dependents in some locations. Other family members and retirees were to be shifted to civilian care through the Tricare network.

Read Next: Navy, Marine Corps Roll Out 'Brandon Act' Policy to Improve Members' Access to Mental Health Treatment

According to the GAO, the department used wartime scenarios to determine how many active-duty medical personnel it would need but didn't actually define the requirements before proposing the cuts. The DoD also failed to factor in challenges with recruitment or retention when determining the size of its medical corps.

Regarding non-uniformed patients, including family members and retirees, the department developed a method for measuring the capability of the Tricare networks to absorb patients -- but then didn't use its own methodology to assess those networks.

Instead, it used population assessments done in 2018 that only looked at the population of communities, the Tricare-eligible population and the number of military treatment facility (MTF) enrollees, along with any notes of known network limitations, rather than a deep-dive analysis of providers and available care.

The GAO noted that the DoD's top strategy for providing care for family members and retirees is to hire civilian providers or contract them, but it faces challenges given nationwide shortages of trained medical personnel and competition with the private sector and Department of Veterans Affairs.

"According to DoD's ... plan, hiring civilian employees would help mitigate the loss of active-duty medical personnel. However, according to DoD officials, this is not always an available option, as previously noted," GAO analysts wrote in their report, which is titled Additional Assessments Needed to Determine Effects of Active-Duty Medical Personnel Reductions.

With military treatment facilities unable to hire replacements or accommodate appointments, the staff cuts could send even more patients, including active-duty troops, to civilian providers.

"This could lead to a number of undesirable outcomes," the analysts wrote.

The watchdog warned that the DoD runs the risk of faltering patient care and may be unable to care for the combat wounded during wartime. The GAO noted, for example, that the services run the risk of not having enough people to care for casualties returning from a large-scale conflict.

"Until DoD develops and uses guidance to comprehensively assess the potential effect that reductions may have on MTFs, it risks taking actions that could decrease the ability of the military health system to achieve its mission of ensuring the medical readiness of the force and caring for military service members and their families," according to the report.

The planned staffing reductions are part of military medical reforms that began in 2013 with the creation of the Defense Health Agency and escalated in 2017 when Congress gave the Defense Health Agency authority to reevaluate the scope of all military treatment facilities and how the DoD serves non-uniformed beneficiaries, including family members and retirees.

The reform initiatives also called for realigning or closing roughly 50 hospitals and clinics, and handing responsibility for military operational medicine and care for uniformed personnel to the service medical commands.

The DoD placed the personnel cuts on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Congress halted the billet cuts in the fiscal 2020 defense authorization act, ordering the Pentagon to conduct a review of each service's manpower requirements, a billet analysis, a plan to address gaps and assessments of Tricare networks in communities.

The military medical workforce was stretched thin during the pandemic as the services deployed members to sites nationwide to care for civilians in hard-hit areas and facilities. The DoD inspector general found that staff shortages related to the planned reduction, which were the result of the services failing to fill billets slated to be trimmed, contributed to burnout and led military treatment facilities to decrease the number of available beds for inpatient care and increased the number of referrals of active-duty personnel to civilian care.

Even as the pandemic has wound down, the problems appear to continue. Military personnel in the Pacific Northwest, for example, reported that they could not get required pre-deployment physicals as a result of shortages, and several Navy hospitals worldwide are experiencing critical shortages in certain departments, especially labor and delivery.

The GAO made nine recommendations to the DoD and to the services to improve their assessments of their military medical manpower needs, as well as measuring the adequacy of Tricare networks and continuous monitoring to ensure that they can care for the patient load.

In their response to the report, DoD officials concurred with all nine recommendations but made no comment on the GAO's assessment.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com. Follow her on Twitter and Threads @patriciakime

Related: Plans for Hospital Closures as Part of Military Health System Reform Forging Ahead After Pause
A 27-year-old Aurora, Colorado, man jailed for investigation of first-degree murder after police say he chased down two teenagers suspected of trying to steal his wifes car is an active duty U.S. Space Force member and war veteran who served two tours in Afghanistan, court documents show.

Thieves apparently had tried to steal the white Hyundai Elantra twice before at his home, the documents show.

The Hyundais alarm went off shortly before midnight on July 5 and Orest Schur, awakened by his mother-in-law, confronted the two teens, dressed in black, near the house where he lived on East 59th Place, according to an Adams County District Court affidavit reviewed by The Denver Post.

After the alarm on the Hyundai went off, Schur and his wife observed damage to the door handles. They heard another car alarm going off nearby and saw taillights as the teens sped away in an apparently stolen white Kia Rio, the affidavit said.

Aurora police said Schur, who was armed with a Glock 19 9 mm handgun, followed them.

He called 911 at 11:23 p.m., the affidavit said, telling a dispatcher that there had been shots fired and he had been shot at while he was chasing some car thieves who had attempted to steal his wifes car. He called again and told a dispatcher he was uninjured, that hed chased down the thieves, who had crashed, and that he had shot back at them.

But police didnt find evidence supporting the claim that anybody fired at Schur, according to the affidavit.

The Kia crashed into a backyard fence nearby on East 58th Circle. Police said they found five bullet casings in the Hyundai and that Schur shot both teens. Reaching the scene around 11:30 p.m., police saw one teen down with gunshot wounds in his back and head. He was pronounced dead of his wounds after paramedics took him to University Hospital shortly after midnight.

The other teen, a 13-year-old, ran to a relatives house nearby and was taken to Childrens Hospital Colorado with a gunshot wound in his back and underwent surgery.

After the attempted theft of the Hyundai, Schurs wife called 911 and told a police dispatcher she heard gunfire, adding that this was the third time thieves had tried to steal the Hyundai at their home and that her husband was out on the streets looking around, according to the affidavit. Later, she told police, Schur was upset by what had happened and he indicated to her that he was nauseous.

Schur later told police he heard gunshots but did not see a muzzle flash and that he returned fire, shooting his handgun with his right hand out the drivers side window of the Hyundai while steering with his left hand, the affidavit said. He said he was concerned the suspect vehicle would return to his home, the affidavit said.

Police searched but did not find other weapons or bullet casings, the affidavit said.

Schur is stationed at Buckley Air Force Base and has received weapons training, the documents show.

Aurora police arrested Schur the next morning and booked him into the Adams County Detention Facility the night of July 6, with bail set at $500,000, for investigation of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.

A court hearing was scheduled for July 13.

__

2023 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at denverpost.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Vilnius  The training of Ukrainian pilots on US-made F-16 fighter jets is to begin in Romania in August, officials said on Tuesday evening on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Lithuania.

The Netherlands and Denmark are leading an 11-nation coalition to train Ukrainian pilots on the Western fighter jets, which Ukraine argues will help turn the tide of the war in its favor.

The effort was launched in May at the G7 summit in Japan - but the training does not mean that F-16s will actually be delivered. Not one country has committed to sending them to Ukraine so far.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov announced the Romania training programme alongside Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren and Denmark's acting defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen.

Resnikov told reporters he hopes the training will last no longer than six months and by that point Ukraine will be using the combat aircraft in its fight to beat back Russia's invasion.

Romania had announced last week that it intended to set up a F-16 training centre for military pilots from NATO partner states and Ukraine.

Germany is not part of the 11-member coalition. The Bundeswehr does not have F-16s and at the moment Germany is heavily involved in the delivery and training for other weapons systems such as battle tanks, artillery and air defence equipment.

"They have a very good expertise with the tank coalition as a leader. So I hope they are going to join this coalition as well," Resnikov said of Germany.

2023 dpa GmbH. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
U.S. officials say state-backed Chinese hackers foiled Microsoft's cloud-based security to break into unclassified U.S. government email systems at an unspecified number of agencies including the State Department.

The extent of the hack was not immediately clear, but a person familiar with the hack investigation said U.S. military and intelligence agencies were not among those impacted. Another U.S. official said the State Department was the first agency to discover the breach.

The officials spoke on condition they not be further identified.

In a technical advisory Wednesday, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the FBI said Microsoft had determined the hackers accessed and stole data from a small number of accounts by impersonating authorized users.

Nevertheless, Senate intelligence committee chair Mark Warner issued a statement saying it was closely monitoring what appears to be a significant cybersecurity breach by Chinese intelligence that shows China is steadily improving its cyber collection capabilities directed against the U.S. and our allies.

The hack was disclosed late Tuesday by Microsoft in a blog post. It said it was alerted to the breach, which it blamed on a state-backed, espionage-focused Chinese hacking group known to target government agencies in Western Europe, on June 16. Microsoft said the group, which it calls Storm-0558, had gained access to email accounts affecting about 25 organizations including government agencies since mid-May as well as to consumer accounts of individuals likely associated with those agencies.

Microsoft did not identify the agencies or the governments involved.

A spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council, Adam Hodge, said in a statement that government safeguards detected the intrusion and Microsoft was immediately contacted. We continue to hold the procurement providers of the U.S. Government to a high security threshold.

The Storm-0558 hackers broke in using forged authentication tokens  data used to verify the identity of a user  to access the email accounts, Microsoft said. It said it dealt with vulnerability and informed affected customers. 1

U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where told ABCs Good Morning America the investigation is ongoing. We detected it fairly rapidly and we were able to prevent further breaches, Sullivan said. The matter is still being investigated, so I have to leave it there because were gathering further information in consultation with Microsoft and we will continue to appraise the public as we learn more.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, called accusation disinformation aimed at diverting attention from U.S. cyberespionage against China.

No matter which agency issued this information, it will never change the fact that the United States is the worlds largest hacker empire conducting the most cyber theft, Wang said in a routine briefing.

Last month, Google-owned cybersecurity firm Mandiant said suspected state-backed Chinese hackers broke into the networks of hundreds of public and private sector organizations globally exploiting a vulnerability in a popular email security tool.

Earlier this year, Microsoft said state-backed Chinese hackers were targeting U.S. critical infrastructure and could be laying the technical groundwork to disrupt critical communications between the U.S. and Asia during future crises.

____

Associated Press writers Matthew Lee and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report.
Scientists have confirmed that wreckage found on the seafloor off the Philippines are the remains of the USS Ommaney Bay, an aircraft carrier that was destroyed in World War II less than a year after it sailed out of San Diego Bay on its second deployment.

A Japanese kamikaze plane struck the Casablanca-class carrier on Jan. 4, 1945, in the Sulu Sea, igniting massive fires and setting off munitions, killing nearly 95 crew members. The damage was so bad the Navy scuttled the ship.

The possible remains of Ommaney Bay were reported to the Naval History and Heritage Command in Washington, D.C., in 2019 by Vulcan, an underwater research and conservation company.

The command said on Tuesday that its underwater archaeology branch confirmed that the wreckage is that of Ommaney Bay, a 512-foot, steam engine powered ship that was less than half the size of today's nuclear powered aircraft carriers.

" Ommaney Bay is the final resting place of American Sailors who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country," the command's director, Samuel J. Cox, said in a statement.

"This discovery allows the families of those lost some amount of closure and gives us all another chance to remember and honor their service to our nation."

Ommaney Bay, a so-called escort carrier, was built by Kaiser Shipbuilding in Vancouver, Wash., and went into service in spring 1944, transporting troops and aircraft from Oakland to Brisbane, Australia.

The ship then traveled to San Diego where it underwent training drills and repairs. On June 10, Ommaney Bay headed for the western Pacific, where it carried out air cover and strikes during the invasion of the Palau Islands. The ship also participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, which crippled much of the Japanese fleet, helping the U.S. win the war.

Ommaney Bay's service came to a tragic end the following January when it was hit by the kamikaze plane not far from Mindanao, historians say.

This story originally appeared in San Diego Union-Tribune.

2023 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
To arms, citizens: The emperor has returned. This time, however, he'll stick around a lot longer than 100 days. A trailer for "Napoleon," the latest historical epic from director Ridley Scott, was just released, and it appears to cover the entirety of the French emperor's career, rather than focusing on just a small part of his life.

The trailer begins with the execution of Marie Antoinette amid the French Revolution, which would see the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte from an artillery commander of the French Republic, to general and then, of course, to his crowning himself emperor of the French. In the trailer for the upcoming movie starring Joaquin Phoenix (reuniting with Scott for the first time since 2000's "Gladiator"), we get a glimpse of a few key battles, each a closer step toward the throne.

1. Siege of Toulon

In 1793, Napoleon Bonaparte was still a relative nobody, and the French Republic was still fighting for its life. In Toulon, the pro-republic leaders were ousted and royalists took control of the city. They also requested the help of England and Spain, which sent a combined naval force there. Even worse for the republic, Toulon held dozens of French warships. The revolution would not survive the loss of the city.

Bonaparte was not in command at Toulon; he began the battle as a captain, but he was critical to the republic's victory. He not only turned his makeshift artillery unit into a force to be reckoned with. It was his plan that shaped the entire siege. He would be wounded leading a nighttime assault on a British-held fort, earn a promotion to colonel and capture the attention of the French government..

2. 13 Vendemiaire

By 1795, Napoleon was a general in the republic's army, but both his future and that of the republic were not looking bright. The republic began to make a lot of enemies around France after Toulon, enemies who joined the Royalist cause. In October 1795, a Royalist force, allied with a Coalition of European monarchies, began to march on Paris -- and it looked like some Republican units might switch sides.

With 25,000 enemy soldiers approaching, the leaders of the revolution knew they were in deep: Paris could only muster 5,000 defenders. Napoleon, though down on his luck, came to Paris and was drafted into its defense by the commander of the city. Napoleon, artillery officer that he was, brought cannons into the streets and used grapeshot to repel the Royalists, then chased them down in a slaughter. It earned him national fame and won the revolution for the Republic.

3. Battle of the Pyramids

After the uprising of 13 Vendemiaire, Napoleon took command of the Army of Italy, conquered most of Italy and the Low Countries, then spent a few months knocking Austria around, all in less than two years. He set his sights on Britain next, but he didn't have the navy for an invasion, so he hit the British in their pocketbooks. He attacked Egypt to cut the British off from India.

In July 1798, Napoleon landed in Egypt and fought and defeated the ruling Mamluks at the Battle of the Pyramids, giving him control of much of the country. From there, he moved east into the Ottoman Empire, where he began a brutal conquest of what is today much of Israel. He was stopped at Acre (called Akko today). But while Napoleon had been fighting the Mamluks, British admiral Horatio, Lord Nelson had destroyed the French fleet at the mouth of the Nile River

4. Battle of Austerlitz

While Napoleon was away, France was being beaten by a Second Coalition of European monarchies that threatened the republic's survival yet again. He returned, overthrew the government and ruled as a de facto dictator and led the French on an offensive campaign. He crowned himself emperor and formed the Grande Armee. After a brief peace, he conquered much of Europe against the Third Coalition.

Near the village of Austerlitz, Napoleon met two other emperors and their armies, Tsar Alexander I of Russia and Emperor Francis II of Austria. Napoleon crushed the center of the Allied army and marched outward across both flanks. Amid the battle, he lured the Russians onto a frozen body of water, and used artillery to destroy the ice under their feet, as depicted in the "Napoleon" trailer.

5. Battle of Waterloo

Napoleon led a disastrous invasion of the Russian Empire in 1812, which eventually led to his capture and exile to the island of Elba, in the Mediterranean. He eventually escaped, landed on French soil, and when confronted by troops "loyal" to the restored monarch, he approached them by himself and dared them to kill him. They joined him instead. As he marched on Paris, his army only grew. By the time he arrived, the king had fled and Napoleon was emperor again.

Great Britain, Russia, Austria and Prussia immediately declared war and raised more than half a million men to fight the French. Rather than wait for an invasion, he went on the offensive with 200,000 men, which started off well for France. The end result, however, was the Battle of Waterloo, where the British Duke of Wellington held out against repeated French attacks, almost losing -- but held on long enough for the Prussians to arrive and defeat Napoleon.

Napoleon, starring Joaquin Phoenix and directed by Ridley Scott, will be in theaters on Thanksgiving 2023.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, or on LinkedIn.

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The founder of the African Heritage Food Co-op resigned Tuesday following an arrest on drug and weapon charges over the weekend by Buffalo police.

Alexander J. Wright, 44, was pulled over at 1:36 a.m. Saturday driving east on William Street, when he was stopped near Sherman Street by Buffalo officers, who reported he was driving with his headlights off, failed to stay in his lane and lacked a front license plate on his vehicle.

During the traffic stop, an officer reported that he saw Wright trying to conceal a Smith and Wesson handgun by moving it from the front passenger floorboard to the inside of the center console, prompting a search of the vehicle.

Police said they found the illegally possessed handgun and a bag containing 4.5 grams of cocaine in the center console, as well as an open bottle of whiskey and cocaine residue on Wrights cellphone, according to the Erie County District Attorneys Office.

Wright was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, both felonies, along with misdemeanor counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs. He also was charged with four other vehicle and traffic violations.

City Court Judge Peter J. Savage ordered Wright held in Erie County Holding Center without bail and scheduled a felony hearing for Thursday morning.

In a statement, the African Heritage Food Co-op said: It is with great sadness that due to personal circumstances, Alexander J. Wright has stepped down as CEO of the African Heritage Food Co-op. Mr. Wright has severed all ties with the organization. Effective immediately, Pastor Kinzer Pointer will assume the role of chief executive officer. Operations will continue to flow, as the mission of the organization supersedes any one person. The professional staff is fully equipped and prepared to advance that mission.

Gov. Kathy Hochul adds $50 million to investment in Buffalo's East Side The money includes $36.5 million for housing and social services. She said more than 1,000 homeowners struggling to keep their houses in good shape will receive about $10,000 each in grants to fix their homes.

In June 2022, weeks after the racist mass shooting at Tops Markets on Jefferson Avenue, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a $3 million grant to help the food co-op open a grocery store in the Fruit Belt, noting the shortage of grocery stores on the East Side.

No money has been provided to date, and the project has been stalled due to the revocation of the groups nonprofit status by the IRS for failing to file mandatory forms three years on a row. Those filings provide an accounting of a nonprofit organizations governance and financial activities. An appeal to the IRS to reinstate the nonprofit status is pending.

African Heritage Food Co-op's Fruit Belt project faces scrutiny after nonprofit status revoked Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a $3 million grant last June to help the African Heritage Food Co-op open a grocery store in the Fruit Belt, unaware the status of the group's nonprofit arm was revoked more than three weeks earlier. The nonprofit status was removed because the African Heritage Economic Initiative failed to file mandatory IRS forms three years in a row.

A spokeswoman with Empire State Development, the state agency tapped to distribute the grant money, said the agency is considering its next steps with the project following Wrights arrest and resignation.

Empire State Development is reviewing the situation, the spokeswoman said.

Pointer, who is also board chairman, said the commitment to bring the food co-op to the Fruit Belt remains.

The project is worthwhile, and our commitment is to see to that the community isnt let down and to get this work accomplished, Pointer said.

Pointer declined to comment about Wright, a graduate of Nichols School and the University at Buffalo School of Law.

Lets give Mr. Wright the kind of space that every person should have when they are accused of a crime, Pointer said. An accusation is not a conviction. Notwithstanding the work of the co-op, Mr. Wright has a personal life, and everybody is entitled to have a personal life, so I wont have a comment on what hes accused of in any way.

An earlier version of this story incorrectly said Wright had 4.5 ounces of cocaine.
MACKINAW CITY, MI  The 65th Mackinac Bridge Walk will welcome tens of thousands of people to step onto Michigans famous suspension bridge on Labor Day.

The 5-mile-long suspension bridge will be open to foot traffic only from 6:30 a.m. to noon on Labor Day, Sept. 4, as event participants make their way across. Walkers will start from both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. Participants can start any time between 7 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. There is no fee or registration.

With walkers starting their journey from either end, there will not be busing to transport participants back to their starting point.

The plan is based on the success of recent events. It includes three options for participants to choose from.

With four years of experience starting the event from both St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, weve found that most participants are comfortable with this newer version of our long-standing tradition, said MBA Bridge Director Kim Nowack. Every year things go a bit more smoothly, and we hear more support for the variety of options to participate.

Here are the three options to participate in the 2023 Mackinac Bridge Walk:

Walk to the middle and turn around, starting from either end. This eliminates the need for transportation across the bridge after the walk. Turnaround points will begin moving toward either end of the bridge at 10 a.m. Start by 11:30 a.m. to walk at least a portion of the bridge.

Walk the entire bridge, starting from either end. You must reach the middle before 10 a.m., if not you will be sent back to your starting point. You must arrange for your own transportation back across the bridge.

Walk the bridge twice, starting from either end. To avoid the need for transportation after the walk, simply walk back across the bridge. You must reach the middle of the bridge on your return trip before 10 a.m. or be sent back, which will create the need to find transportation back across.

There are no restrooms on the bridge and the average length of time to walk across is two hours. Portable toilets will be available at both ends.

Baby strollers and wheelchairs are allowed. Prohibited items include signs, banners, umbrellas, bicycles, roller skates, skateboards, wagons and similar devices. Except for working service dogs, no animals are allowed. There is no smoking.

The annual bridge walk started in 1958; it has been canceled only once in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An estimated 20,000 to 30,000 people have participated in recent years.

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ALPENA COUNTY, MI  A Michigan man has been charged after he allegedly stole more than $1,200 in pet supplies from Walmart.

According to troopers from the Michigan State Police Alpena post, the 54-year-old from Alpena committed the crimes at a store on M-32 on five different occasions.

Police say he would buy medication at the pharmacy using his drivers license as identification, and then leave the store with items in his shopping cart he did not pay for.

Most of the stolen merchandise was dog food and other pet supplies, police said.

A report was submitted to the Alpena County Prosecutors Office and an arrest warrant was authorized on July 6. The man turned himself in at the Alpena County Jail on July 11.

He was arraigned in the 88th District Court in Alpena for first-degree retail fraud. Bond was set at $5,000.

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DEARBORN, MI  A man was recently caught on camera exposing himself at a Burlington Coat Factory store in Michigan, police said.

Surveillance footage shows a man exposing himself around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5, inside the store on Ford Road in Dearborn, according to a news release from the Dearborn Police Department. Police did not release details of the incident.

Indecent acts such as this can have a traumatic and lasting effect on those that witness them, Dearborn Police Commander Timothy McHale said in a statement. We urge the community to assist our investigators with any helpful information that can lead to the identity and whereabouts of this suspect.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Sgt. Carpenter at 313-943-2041 or jcarpenter@dearborn.gov.

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MANISTEE COUNTY, MI -- A Manistee County woman is asking for the publics help with information about her missing Texas Longhorn cow that disappeared last week. According to UpNorthLive, the cow, known as Tillie, went missing on the evening of Thursday, July 6 from a Manistee County home.

Tillies owner, Iva Marie, said she heard several gunshots in a row outside of her home around 11:50 p.m. before she went outside to check on the cow. Marie saw that Tillie had left the front yard and was nowhere to be found, so she called police for help.

Officers were unable to find any hard evidence during the first look of the property, but Marie continued looking. Eventually, Marie says she found a blood trail and drag marks from a large animal on a nearby property that she had permission to be on, but police have not made any arrests, according to a post on Maries Facebook page. In one post Marie said I deep down know exactly what happened but the system sucks and I failed her.

Marie says she is now offering a $2,500 cash reward for any information that leads to a conviction of the people who took or harmed Tillie.

Tillie was raised by Marie and her family according to the post, as the cow was a pet and not a livestock animal. Marie has shared numerous photos of Tillie on her Facebook page and says she acted more like a dog than a cow.

Anyone with information regarding Tillies disappearance is asked to contact the Manistee County Sheriffs Office at 231-723-8393.

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ONTONAGON, MICH. -- Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park wants to help you feel confident in exploring one of Michigans true remaining wildernesses.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Skills Academy is hosting three-day backpacking clinics in the remote Porcupine Mountains later this summer.

The classes are aimed at guiding visitors through safely exploring the Porkies rugged wilderness terrain over the course of a three-day hike. The classes are open to ages 16 and up, with options for both beginner and intermediate backpackers.

The beginner clinic is designed to teach the basics of backpacking, with guidance for trip planning, packing, safety, wilderness first aid, survival tactics, and leave-no-trace principles. The trip will cover a total of 8.2 miles in the park. This clinic will run Aug. 30 through Sept. 1. More details here

The intermediate class will build on existing backpacking knowledge, with more details on food planning, conserving resources, backcountry navigation skills, gear management, improvement on wilderness first aid skills, and more. The trip will cover 15.4 miles with elevation changes. This clinic will run Aug. 27-29. More details here

Each class costs $110 per person and is limited to 12 participants. Registration is required by July 24. Learn more about registration and find all current DNR Outdoor Skills Academy offerings here.

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WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- A new store is bringing all kinds of deals and discounts to the Ann Arbor-area.

Bin and Pallet Co. officially opened July 5at 6541 Jackson St. This Washtenaw County franchise location joins the companys other spots in Augusta, Athens and Portage and its warehouse in Springfield.

Bin and Pallet Co. began in 2021 when Melissa and Jeff Brink opened the companys first liquidation store in Augusta. Sara Graham fell in love with the stores concept as a customer and decided to open her own location in the Ann Arbor area.

(The store) is really just for anybody that wants to be smart in how they spend their money, Graham said.

The store features clothing, shoes, home decor, furniture, baby items, sporting equipment and toys from businesses like Under Armour, Hurley, Sams Club, Target, Home Depot, Lowes and Wayfair, among others. Graham said the store restocks its selections daily.

Despite its name, Graham said the store isnt currently featuring pallets or bins to sort through. Instead, she said her location is more set up like discount store similar to TJ Maxx with tables displaying items and clothing on hangers.

The store also does not currently feature a falling price model, but Graham said she may incorporate this pricing in the future when she has more staff and inventory.

The items being sold at Bin and Pallet Co. are primarily brand new, Graham said, adding customers can find more upscale products compared to other liquidation stores. New items are priced at roughly 50% off, while other damaged items may go as low as 60% to 80% off.

Graham said she also hopes to support other Ann Arbor-area businesses.

Im really about promoting small businesses and not just myself, she said. Its about the community and being resourceful for one another.

Graham said she has already had customers share her store is exactly what the community needed. She said shes already thinking of how she can continue to help Bin and Pallet Co. expand its footprint around Washtenaw County with another location in the future.

Im not worried that theres other places that are similar (to Bin and Pallet Co. nearby) because I keep saying Im not a pop-up, she said. Im here for the community. Im here to become that comfort place where I feel I have an extended group of friends that I can talk to, laugh with and form sincere genuine relationships with.

Bin and Pallet Co. is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Learn more online or on social media.

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 -- Backers of a public art project in Flint say they have the materials and volunteers they need to repaint a Black Lives Matter street mural on a section of King Boulevard.

What theyre missing is a little help from City Hall.

Just days before Traditional Flint Juneteenth Celebration organizers planned to repaint and rededicate the BLM mural last month, the city put the brakes on the effort and officials said on Tuesday, July 11, that they havent changed their minds.

The city of Flint understands street murals to pose a variety of traffic safety concerns, and we will not allow them., City Administrator Clyde Edwards said in a statement to MLive-The Flint Journal. In addition to following guidance that the city of Flint received from (the Michigan Department of Transportation) via email the last time this issue arose in 2020, we continue to follow the guidance of our city of Flint traffic control professionals.

Edwards statement citing traffic safety concerns came hours after he initially laid the blame for the no-paint decision at the feet of MDOT.

The city of Flint believes that Black Lives Matter, and Mayor (Sheldon) Neeley has taken many policy actions to support racial justice over the past three years, Edwards said. While the city of Flint supports many other Juneteenth activities in the community, the Michigan Department of Transportation has informed us that they will begin enforcing regulations that prohibit street murals and will shut down Martin Luther King (Boulevard) if it is repainted.

A spokeswoman for MDOT later told The Journal that the claim was not true.

MLK Boulevard is a locally owned road, and does not require an MDOT permit, agency spokeswoman Jocelyn Garza said in an email to The Journal on Tuesday. MDOT remains supportive of the Black Lives Matter movement and Juneteenth events. Should there be a need in the future for permitting of this nature on an MDOT trunkline, our department will work to ensure a streetscape mural does not interfere with federal aid qualifications.

That said, in this case, it is not our place to issue a permit for the work requested. Nor would we ever intend to shut down MLK Boulevard, Garza said.

Neeleys administration never granted permits for the Black Lives Matter street mural when it was first painted in 2020 and the city has also turned down requests from other groups that have sought permission to paint murals on city streets for other causes, Edwards said.

But when the BLM mural was originally painted, just a few weeks after the murder of George Floyd, Neeley praised the project, saying in a city news release that it had his full backing and support.

Related: Artists, residents come out to paint Black Lives Matter along downtown Flint street

DeWaun Robinson, founder and president of Black Lives Matter Flint, said city officials didnt maintain that support as plans were made to restore the mural -- something he isnt giving up on.

They came up with every excuse they could for why the mural couldnt be repainted, said Robinson, who said organizers submitted an event plan for the repainting and met with city officials about it.

They didnt want to support it. Thats just what it is, he said. What it comes down to is they didnt find any way to help push this across the finish line.

A supporter of the mural restoration spoke to City Council about the effort on Monday, July 12, and 2nd Ward Councilwoman Ladel Lewis said she understood that the decision not to allow the painting was tied to concerns about future liability on the painted road surface between University and Fourth avenues.

From what I gathered, the painting of the street (created) a liability and it interfered with the integrity of the road, Lewis said. The city potentially could be sued if someone tried to brake on the mural and slid into something because they cant stop because the ground was painted.

When the street mural was originally painted in 2020 it was carried out as a community art project in conjunction with Gallery on the Go, Black Lives Matter Flint, the Community Foundation of Greater Flint and the Flint Public Art Project.

King Boulevard, formerly Detroit Street, was chosen for the location of the mural because it was renamed in honor of the late Rev. Martin Luther King in 1987.

The 4.5-mile stretch of King Boulevard runs from downtown to the citys northern border with Mt. Morris Township. North of the border, the Detroit Street name remains.

Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter

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FLINT, MI - Lebanese music, food, belly dancing and singing.

These are some of the things taking place at a Middle Eastern festival this weekend in Genesee County.

Our Lady of Lebanon, a Maronite Catholic church in Flint Township, is hosting the Mid-East Festival from Friday, July 14 through Sunday, July 16.

The premise of the festival is to share its culture with everyone else.

We want to introduce our culture, our faith and our tradition, Father Pierre Bassil said, a pastor at the church, located at 4133 Calkins Road. Thats the three main things. Were not living by ourselves. Were living in a big community with many cultures.

Bassil said there are people with different backgrounds at the church, including a Palestinian, Chaldean, and Syrian.

The free event runs from noon to midnight Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the festival starts at noon and ends at 6 p.m. Parking is $5 a vehicle.

Fireworks are expected on both Friday and Saturday nights, presented by Medawar Jewelers.

Along with the fireworks displays, belly dance and dabke performances also will take place along with church tours.

Food ranging from chicken and beef shawarma to lamb kabob, stuffed grape leaves, tabouli, hummus, baklawa and Namoora will be for sale at the festival.

This is the 14th year of the festival and Bassil said he expects approximately 10,000 people each day.

We get people from all over, including Canada and Detroit, he said.

Bassil has been a pastor at the church for 10 years, and he recently celebrated his 25th year as a priest.

The Mid-East festival will be an opportunity to connect with people of all backgrounds.

Our church is unique and its like a universal church, he said. We are proud of what we have and we want to share it with others. Its hard to sometimes say things and people just need to experience it for themselves.

For a complete schedule of events and food prices, visit the festivals website here.

Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter.

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A former senior vice president at United Bank in Grand Rapids was sentenced to prison Wednesday, July 12, for stealing $870,000.

John William Figg, 56, was sentenced to three years, five months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney in Kalamazoo.

Maloney ordered Figg to spend three years on supervised release once his prison term ends and pay nearly $417,000 in restitution.

As part of a plea agreement, Figg can no longer work in the banking industry. He had pleaded guilty to embezzlement by a bank employee and tax evasion. He was sentenced to concurrent 41-month prison terms.

Related: Bank senior executive pleads guilty to tax evasion, embezzling over $870K

The plea agreement said that Figg stole money from 2014 to 2021. He took funds from customers who did not scrutinize their accounts and kept proceeds from loans he took out in customers names.

He also took fees that were collected by the bank as loan-closing costs, the agreement said.

Figgs attorney, Charles Chamberlain Jr., said that Figg had already paid nearly $610,000 in restitution.

He said his client is genuinely remorseful for his offense behavior and recognizes the gravity of the harm he inflicted on the bank and others.

Chamberlain said that letters of support showed that Figg is a loving and devoted spouse and father and he has been a committed son and brother throughout his life. He is described as the pillar of his large family of origin who has been a nurturing influence in his own family.

Figg cooperated with investigators, he said.

He liquidated is retirement account of over $600,000 to pay restitution.

This effort has been particularly onerous, given his familys financial condition and his age, Chamberlain wrote in a sentencing memorandum.

Eighteen people  family and friends provided letters to the court. They were surprised by the allegations and acknowledged he committed a serious crime. They said he was remorseful.

He was described as a pillar in our family, and compassionate, understanding and responsible.

Figg was allowed to self-surrender to prison at the direction of the U.S. Marshals Service or federal Bureau of Prisons.

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Zaire Goodman was physically and mentally wounded from the mass shooting at the Tops Markets on Jefferson Avenue on May 14, 2022.

But what also disgusted his parents that day were people tagging them in the video of the shooting on social media.

We did not want to see that, said Zeneta Everhart, his mother. No one should be looking at that. It wasnt a movie. It wasnt pretend. It was real.

Seven families whose loved ones were among the 10 murdered at the grocery store, plus three shoppers and three employees hurt or in the store during the racist attack, announced Wednesday what their lawyers called a landmark lawsuit against social media companies for the companies roles in the mass shooting.

Pamela Pritchetts sons and nephews saw on social media the racist attack that killed her mother, Pearl Young.

This is their grandmother. You know what Im saying? Pritchett said. And I think sometimes people we are so desensitized to the pain that people may feel because it seems like its every day.

Kimberly Salter lamented online digital platforms that aided the gunman in the massacre. Her husband, Aaron Jr., a retired Buffalo police officer providing security at the store, was killed after exchanging gunfire with the assailant.

Aaron Salter was hailed as a hero.

What if it was your family member? What if it was you? But not only that, to watch it. To watch it livestreamed, Kimberly Salter said.

5/14: One Year Later A year after the May 14 racist massacre at Tops Markets on Jefferson Avenue, the Buffalo community is still reeling and healing. Here are our 

White supremacist Payton Gendron livestreamed his attack that killed 10 people  all Black  and injured three others. In all, 11 of the victims were Black. Two were white.

Gendron wanted to make sure that he killed as many Black people as he could, his words, said civil rights attorney Ben Crump, the plaintiffs co-counsel.

The 171-page lawsuit filed in New York State Supreme Court on Wednesday accuses the social media companies of feeding Gendron a steady stream of racist and white supremacist propaganda and falsehoods.

By his own admission, Gendron, a vulnerable teenager, was not racist until he became addicted to social media apps and was lured, unsuspectingly, into a psychological vortex by defective social media applications designed, marketed and pushed out by social media defendants, according to the lawsuit.

Even if they dont want to admit it, their actions and their deeds led to the killing of (the 10 victims), Crump said.

The influence, the radicalization, the engagement, the enablement that occurred on the internet is something that has to stop, said Buffalo attorney Terrence M. Connors, another co-counsel for the plaintiffs. That journey begins today with this filing.

Connors and Crump were joined in the lawsuit by several other lawyers who focus on social media litigation, including Amy Keller, who works in the Chicago office of the DiCello Levitt law firm.

This is entirely because corporations have put profits before people, Keller said. We have detailed in our complaint how social media companies knew there was a problem, how they knew people would get addicted to these platforms, how they knew the platforms had a way of making people feel isolated and alone, and when those victims feel isolated and alone they fall victim to white supremacy, to tropes. They fall victim to becoming the next mass shooter.

The complaint names Meta, Reddit, Amazon, Twitch, Alphabet and Snap, among others.

Suing are the families of Salter, Margus Morrison Jr., Young, Geraldine Talley, Ruth Whitfield and Roberta Drury, all of whom were killed.

Also suing are three Tops employees: Brooklyn Hough, Zaire Goodman and Christopher Braden.

Goodman, then 19, survived a bullet through his neck and back during the massacre while collecting shopping carts in the parking lot of the store, Everhart said.

Braden, who is white, was the only person inside the store to witness Salter and others getting shot, said John Fromen, Bradens attorney. After Christopher was shot, and he was laying critically injured, he thereafter watched this devil (Gendron) murder multiple other victims inside the store. Not only did Christopher watch these heinous acts, but after the carnage stopped and while he was critically injured and Buffalo police put him in a shopping cart to wheel him out of the store for emergency help, he then had to again witness  the bodies of the victims throughout the store that he had just watched (get) murdered by this individual.

Braden was Goodmans manager.

July 8, 2020 was Zaires first day working at Tops, Everhart said. And Zaire was excited to get this shot. He started working at the height of Covid because he wanted to help people. He wanted to do something. And two years later, on 5/14, that tragedy changed Zaire. Im happy to say that it didnt change his heart, because hes still my loving little boy, even though hes 22. But it changed his mind.

Goodman, who was shot through the neck, with the bullet existing his neck right above his spine, has a constant reminder of the trauma that guns and bullets cause, she added. Pieces of the bullets remain in his body.

Theyre all around his lungs, all around all of his major arteries in his body, so, therefore, they cant be removed, ever, Everhart said.

Mark Talley called Wednesday an important day, but its just a beginning.

Today isnt justice. Not yet. It depends on where we go from here, said Talley, son of Geraldine Talley. Twitch, Facebook, Google, 4Chan, Amazon  all the social media sites, internet websites  they provided him with the courage to kill as many Black people as he wanted that day. And unfortunately, he was very successful at it.

Gendron pleaded guilty to 15 counts, including domestic terrorism motivated by hate and 10 counts of first-degree murder. An Erie County Court judge sentenced him in February to life in prison.

In May, four other families filed a wide-ranging 142-page wrongful death suit in state Supreme Court.
OTTAWA COUNTY, MI  A 63-year-old Holland woman was seriously injured late Tuesday, July 11, when her car crashed into a row of boulders outside of a storage building.

The womans injuries are not life-threatening, Ottawa County sheriffs deputies said.

The crash was reported at 10:19 p.m. on West 32nd Street near South 160th Avenue in Park Township. The woman, who was not identified, was driving an Audi e-tron north on 64th Avenue in Allegan County when she failed to stop for a stop sign at 32nd Street, a T intersection, near 160th Avenue in Ottawa County.

The car continued through the intersection and crashed into a row of boulders. One of the boulders was thrown in the unoccupied building. The car stopped before hitting the building.

Park Township firefighters had to remove the trapped driver from her vehicle. She was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. Holland police assisted at the scene.

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI  There will be plenty of opportunities for music and fun with the Grand Rapids Symphony this summer as they perform classic sounds and fan-favorite movie soundtracks across West Michigan venues.

The summer concert series kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at Sullivan Field, 640 Valley Ave. NW in Grand Rapids with a special preview of the Grand Rapids Symphony 2023-24 season, childrens instrument discovery activities and various comfort food options.

Featured highlights of this years July concerts include a showing of The Goonies film with a live rendition of the movies score, as well as a special musical presentation narrated by Rick Steves, host of a treasured PBS European travel show.

It is part of our goal and mission to try to get into each and every corner of West Michigan and make music more accessible, said Holly Okonoski, director of communications at Grand Rapids Symphony. Thats part of the thinking in doing two free performances. We are trying to entice the next generation of symphonygoers.

The concert series runs through July 28. Read on for the full schedule of events.

Saturday, July 15

Enjoy a free neighborhood concert at Sullivan Field, 650 Valley Ave NW.

Starting at 6:30 p.m., attendees can expect a preview of what to look forward to in the upcoming 2023-24 season, childrens instrument discovery activities and a symphony ticket presale onsite.

Food and drinks will also be available for purchase, as well as the option to bring your own picnic.

Friday, July 21

Kicking off at 7:30 p.m., there will be another free performance at Thornapple Plaza, 301 E. State St. in Hastings.

The special performance will feature classic rock sounds with members of the brass and percussion sections.

Wednesday, July 26

Catch a full-length film on the big screen beginning at 7 p.m. at the DeVos Performance Hall.

The ticketed event includes the entire run of The Goonies complemented by the Grand Rapids Symphony playing the complete movie soundtrack live.

Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase and will be allowed inside the hall for the unique performance.

Ticket costs range by seating. Click here to purchase tickets.

Thursday, July 27 - Friday, July 28

Join Rick Steves in presenting EUROPE: A Symphonic Journey at DeVos Performance Hall as he takes the audience along his travels to Europe. At the same time, the Grand Rapids Symphony will perform familiar classics.

The ticketed event has two options to attend, a 7 p.m. performance on July 27 and a 2 p.m. show on July 28. Ticket costs range based on seating.

To purchase tickets, visit ticketmaster.com.

Other events to look forward to in the 23-24 season similar to the live movie soundtrack performances include popular films like Elf, Coco, and The Godfather.

Its nice to see the symphony in an outdoor and casual environment because we want to encourage people to come to our regular season, Okonoski told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. We want everyone to feel welcome, to just come as you are and enjoy the music.

As part of the Grand Rapids Symphony RUSH Program, students in the Greater Grand Rapids area will also be able to choose from discounted seats three hours ahead of the performances.

For more information on the programs and ticket information, visit the Grand Rapids Symphony Summer Concert page.

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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GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Dozens of residents took aim Tuesday at proposed city rules to address aggressive panhandling and piled-up belongings, with many saying the ordinances would make life harder for homeless people.

Many fear the rules would hide, not solve, the issue of homelessness.

You plan to impound their personal belongings when they have no home to store their belongings, said one city resident. They already own very little and what they own is needed to survive.

The Grand Rapids City Commission on Tuesday, July 11, held public hearings on two proposed ordinances that, broadly, would criminalize accosting someone near an ATM or near people eating or drinking outdoors and would allow the city to seize excess or unattended personal property stored in parks and on sidewalks.

Under the rules, a person would have 30 days to claim their impounded belongings before it is possibly discarded.

It wasnt immediately clear when the ordinances would come back before city commission for consideration and possible adoption. The city commission meeting Tuesday, July 11, lasted nearly five hours.

The proposed rules are an effort by the city to address concerns about aggressive panhandling and homeless people piling up personal belongings in parks.

It comes more than half a year after business leaders tried to get the city to effectively ban panhandling throughout most of downtown and forbid people from sitting or sleeping on sidewalks in an attempt to address those concerns and more.

Related: Aggressive panhandling, piled-up belongings in parks could be forbidden in Grand Rapids

During the first public hearing, about 50 people spoke in opposition to the ordinances. Many argued the new rules would criminalize homelessness and do nothing to address the underlying conditions creating homelessness.

This ordinance, not only is it deeply problematic and cruel, it will not solve a much larger issue, which is housing insecurity in general, said Jeff Smith, a Grand Rapids resident and longtime activist.

City officials have previously said staff likely wouldnt hand out fines for violating the property storage ordinance. However, a person convicted of accosting someone could be fined up to $500 and jailed for up to 90 days.

Residents also voiced concerns that the ordinances are too broad and vague, saying they would allow for selective enforcement.

Courtney Myers-Keaton, director of the Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness but speaking as a Third Ward resident, questioned how the ordinance around accosting would be enforced and voiced concerns about disparate impacts.

How will this be decided upon and enforced? Meyers-Keaton asked. The language remains ambiguous and subjective. And I suspect there are certain individuals who are more likely to be on the enforcement end of these proposed changes. These would include, but are not limited to, people who already face discrimination, such as Black and brown individuals, persons who are assumed to be unhoused and members of our LGBTQ+ community.

Accosting is defined in the ordinance as repeated, unwanted conduct directed at another person in a way that would cause a reasonable person to feel harassed, intimidated, or that a criminal act is about to occur.

Related: ACLU calls foul on Grand Rapids rules targeting panhandling, piled-up belongings in parks

Most of those who spoke in support of the ordinances were business leaders or said they work or live downtown. About a dozen people spoke in favor during the first public hearing.

Sam Cummings, managing partner of CWD Real Estate Development, said the ordinances would differentiate the city from others around the country it had previously tried to emulate over the past decades for talent retention and attraction. He described some of those cities as now being urban wreckage.

These ordinance enhancements have nothing to do with residential status, and they have everything to do with respectful behaviors and allowing all people the same access to public infrastructure, an essential element in a successful socio-economically diverse city, Cummings said.

The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce led the charge last December on the draft panhandling and sit-lie ordinances.

Josh Lunger, the chambers vice president of government affairs, on Tuesday thanked commissioners for their work, saying theyve been moving the ball forward in numerous ways to provide better outcomes for those without homes.

These ordinances that are being brought forward are narrow and theyre targeted toward behavior, Lunger said. I know theres overlap. I know that housing is a huge issue -- its one of our top priorities and were working on it constantly.

The first of the two proposed ordinance changes would forbid people from accosting others in specific circumstances, such as near an ATM, on a bus, near a bus stop, near an outdoor dining area, near people eating or drinking outdoors and at or near a city-permitted event.

While people who are panhandling could also be accosting someone, just asking for money wouldnt constitute accosting someone, city officials previously said.

The second proposed ordinance change would forbid people from keeping unattended or excess personal belongings on public property and includes provisions about city staff seizing and impounding the property  sometimes without warning  and letting people know how to retrieve their impounded belongings.

The ordinance defines excess personal property as any property that cant fit into a 32-gallon container.

Staff would provide a notice of removal before impounding the belongings unless the property is obstructing park maintenance, a city-permitted activity in a public area, a building entrance, sitting structures and more.

After impoundment, a notice would be posted in public of where the possessions are impounded and how to retrieve them.

The ACLU of Michigan has already called the proposed rules unconstitutional.

On Tuesday, Dayja Tillman, an attorney at ACLU of Michigan, repeated those concerns to commissioners. She said the rules are vague and overbroad and that ordinances already on the books would address the concerns.

Tillman said one really concerning aspect of the proposed rules is limitation on personal possessions and their possible seizure. ACLU previously said the rules raise concerns about due process violations.

Imagine trying to fit your entire life -- your clothes, your bag, your papers, your food, your memories, your odds and ends, your home -- into a container thats the size of a trash can, Tillman said. And when you cant, its simply taken away from you. Its not feasible and its not fair to ask people who have already lost so much to try.

No city commissioner has spoken in opposition to the proposed ordinances.

On Tuesday, Third Ward Commissioner Nathaniel Moody said the city has been working to ensure the needs of the homeless populations are met. He called the proposed ordinances exactly what our city needs.

I am concerned that people will not understand that this policy that is going to be put in place is for the benefit of the city of Grand Rapids and for the entire community, Moody said. This policy that was just read to us is exactly what our city needs. Were not criminalizing anybody at all. Were trying to make the city better for everybody.

One recent measure of support from the city was a $500,000 contract approved by Grand Rapids city commissioners in June to work with Community Rebuilders on rapid rehousing efforts that would first put people in temporary housing while they wait for permanent, stable housing.

On Tuesday, City Manager Mark Washington said that money is in addition to nearly $10 million allocated in the citys current fiscal year budget aimed at housing and homelessness.

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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NEWAYGO COUNTY, MI  The Grant Public Schools Board of Education has decided to reenter contract negotiations with the districts school-based health care provider, after facing community backlash for cutting ties with the health center in June.

The school-based health center was engulfed in controversy last fall because of a mural inside the center that included some LGBTQ imagery, Superintendent Brett Zuver said. The mural was painted by a student who had won an art contest.

The school board on Monday, July 10, unanimously approved a resolution to renegotiate a new contract with the Baldwin Family Health Center, the provider that operates the Child and Adolescent Health Center located inside Grant Middle school.

Zuver said Mondays vote was a really good step forward, following the school boards surprise decision to axe the health center just three weeks prior, during a June 19 board meeting.

He said shutting down the health center would negatively impact hundreds of families who rely on the center as a primary health care provider for their children.

I firmly believe that anytime a decision is made that has a negative impact on our students, we have to make sure that we revisit that and make it right as soon as possible, Zuver told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle Wednesday, July 11. Im hopeful.

In a surprise vote last month, Zuver said the school board decided to end its contract with the health center, issuing a 90-day notice to Family Health Care to vacate the schools premises by Oct. 6. The resolution was added to the agenda last-minute by trustee Rachal Gort, according to meeting minutes.

Board president Neil Geers, who was not in attendance at the July 19 meeting, resigned shortly after the meeting, Zuver said.

Family Health Care did not receive any notice prior to the July 19 meeting that the board would be discussing its contract with the health care provider, company spokesperson Alan Neushwander said.

The mural divided the community, with some families expressing concerns with the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning) symbols and other imagery from a video game that were construed as satanic by some, Zuver said.

Mondays vote by the board does not guarantee the Family Health Center will be able to stay. The resolution that was approved by the board stipulates that the district and health center must come up with terms agreeable to the board in order for the school board to agree to a new contract.

Board vice president Ken Thorne, who is currently presiding over the board, did not respond before publication to requests for comment from MLive on what specific terms the board would agree to.

The board has 90 days to come to an agreement with Family Health Care, but Zuver said he is confident contract negotiations will begin soon. The superintendent said he approached the health director right after Mondays board meeting to talk about setting up a meeting.

Neushwander said Family Health Care will continue to provide its services at the school until it is ordered to vacate the premises on Oct. 6.

We welcome the opportunity to speak with Grant Public Schools about any concerns they may have about the school-based health center and how we may reach a common ground to continue providing these essential services to the children of the Grant community, Neushwander said in an emailed statement.

We wish we couldve been at the table prior to the school boards decision to close the health center, but we remain optimistic that we can work together to continue providing services within the school.

The Child and Adolescent Health Center has operated inside Grant Middle School since 2010 and is open to all children and teens, regardless of whether they are a Grant Public Schools student, Zuver said.

All services provided at the school-based clinic are provided with no out-of-pocket cost to families. The center offers everything from medical and dental care, to vision, hearing and mental health services, the superintendent said. The district enrolled 1,678 students last year.

Last year, the center served just under 700 students. Zuver said the center has made health care more accessible to hundreds of families in the area.

Weve got a very large population of students where this is their primary health care provider, and theres some families who dont have means of transportation who also utilize the center, he said. Weve got a lot of families whose parents both work full time jobs and just cannot afford to take time off to do that.

A lot of families utilize it. Its a great thing.

The school district had an agreement with the health center where the district provided the space for the center, while Family Health Care covered all other operating costs for the center, he said.

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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FRANKENMUTH, MI  An icon and a legend. A passionate community advocate. A humble and faithful person. A beloved mother and grandmother. As Michigans Little Bavaria mourns the loss of Bavarian Inn co-founder Dorothy Zehnder, these are a few ways she is remembered.

She was the matriarch of the Zehnder Family, Frankenmuth and Michigan, said Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Veronica Horn.

Zehnder died with family members by her side at her Frankenmuth home Sunday, July 9. She was 101.

Born Dec. 1, 1921, in Reese, 10 miles north of Frankenmuth, Zehnder would go on to become a co-founder of the family-owned Bavarian Inn Restaurant with her late husband, William Tiny Zehnder, where she spent more than 85 years working behind the scenes and as the visible face of the well-known Bavarian Inn family and the many community and business operations under their name.

Zehnder developed most of the recipes used in her familys restaurant, authored three sold-out cookbooks, and was a Michigan Womens Hall of Fame inductee, Saginaw Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, a lifelong member of St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, mentor, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

We mourn the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and family matriarch, her family said in a prepared statement. We extend our thanks for the support from the Frankenmuth community and ask that you help us remember Dorothy for the amazing woman she was and who will remain in our hearts. Our family will continue to uphold the spirit of Dorothy and her legacy to this community.

That legacy includes one of Michigans most iconic family-owned businesses, the Bavarian Inn Corp., which employs approximately 1,000 people in Saginaw County, serves thousands of guests daily and about 900,000 meals annually, and ranks in the top 50 most prominent family-run restaurants in the U.S. Dorothy Zehnders children and their spouses, along with her grandchildren  a total of seven family members  work every day to continue the Bavarian Inns success story.

Today, the Bavarian Inn Zehnder familys businesses include the Bavarian Inn Restaurant and Castle Shops, Bavarian Inn Lodge, Frankenmuth River Place Shops, Covered Bridge Shop, Franks Muth, Frankenmuth Cheese Haus, Bavarian Bleachers, a specialty line of food products, and an online store. The family also runs the William and Dorothy Zehnder Foundation.

Related: Frankenmuth icon and Bavarian Inn matriarch Dorothy Zehnder dies at 101

Dorothy Zehnders hospitality and business acumen made her a civic leader, educator, author, and mentor, using her talents with many different restaurants, tourism, governmental, religious, and philanthropic organizations, according to a Bavarian Inn news release. Those who knew her well have described her as a humble servant leader. Even when she was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer at age 98, she fought against it to continue giving back to her community.

Dorothy Zehnder and William Tiny Zehnder co-founded the Bavarian Inn in 1950. But she preferred staying out of the spotlight, leaving the promotion to her husband while she worked in the back of the house. Dorothy Zehnder developed most of the recipes used in the restaurant and taught tens of thousands of employees over 70 years the correct method to prepare all the foods served in the 12 dining rooms that seat 1,200 guests.

She is a mentor to more people than she knows. She is also one of the most humble people you will probably ever meet, Dorothy Zehnders granddaughter Martha Zehnder Kaczynski, vice president of Bavarian Inn Lodge, told MLive/The Saginaw News just before her grandmothers centennial birthday in 2021. She is an inspiration to so many people. She has trained literally tens of thousands of people  usually, its their first job working in hospitality  and she loves it.

Bill Zehnder said his mother had an infectious smile she shared with everyone. She was thoughtful, patient, hard-working, energetic and had great attention to detail, something she instilled in all of our team members and her family.

She loved to work and was saddened when she couldnt be on the floor, Bill Zehnder said. She was working eight to nine hours a day into her mid-90s, standing up in our kitchen. Shed be up on her feet all day long and checking food quality and tasting this and tasting that.

Frankenmuth City Manager Bridget Smith said Dorothy Zehnders influence was felt throughout the community.

Dorothy was an icon and a legend. Not only was she well known to our guests, but I cant even count the number of stories Ive heard from friends and neighbors who knew her personally as a hard-working, dedicated dynamo that helped grow and shape Frankenmuth into what it is today, Smith said. We are better off for her gifts and talents, and our prayers are with the Zehnder family.

Horn said she and her husband, former state senator Ken Horn, met at Dorothy Zehnders iconic family business.

Nobody could tell the story about how Ken and I met working at the Bavarian Inn better than Dorothy, Veronica Horn said. Of course, Ken and I are saddened to learn of Dorothys passing. She was a mentor, a truly humble and faithful person. She worked nearly every day and taught so many an exceptional work ethic, leading by her example.

U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Twp., said his family made memories there, too.

Dorothy was an absolute legend and an amazing woman. For over eight decades, Dorothy dedicated her life to putting a smile on the faces of others through her cooking, baking and hospitality. Her career is simply remarkable, starting as a waitress at the restaurant and eventually running the Bavarian Inns many successful ventures, he said in a statement.

Dorothy passionately cared about her community. Through her work, she helped to put Frankenmuth on the map. And through her philanthropy, Dorothy helped many Frankenmuth and mid-Michigan residents. I am grateful for the many memories of Dorothy welcoming me and my family to the Bavarian Inn. My wife, Jennifer, and I extend our condolences to the Zehnders during this difficult time.

JoAnn Crary, president of Saginaw Future, said, I was saddened to hear of Dorothys passing, less than a year after she laid her daughter, Judy Zehnder Keller, to rest. She was truly the matriarch of Frankenmuth, and even at 101, remembered peoples names and always made you feel special. My heart goes out to her family and the entire community on this tremendous loss.

Michigan Sugar Co. officials also shared condolences in a Facebook post, noting that Bill Zehnder is the companys former outside director.

She believed deeply in God, hard work, staying active, taking care of her customers, using Michigan-made products, and, of course, eating chicken, the post read in part. We are keeping the entire Zehnder family in our thoughts and close to our hearts. Peace be with you all.

On Tuesday, July 11, Bill Zehnder said his family had received an outpouring of support from their tight-knit community.

Frankenmuth is a small town. We go to the same churches. We go to the same schools. You sit in the stands watching kids or grandkids playing sports, so you get to know people pretty well, he said. When you have a small community like that, you can celebrate together or you can mourn together.

He said this is a bittersweet time for his family as theyre rejoicing on her arrival in heaven.

Its a blessing that weve had her all these years, Bill Zehnder said. Shes been a blessing to our family for sure and a blessing to the whole community.

The Zehnder family will receive visitors from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 13, and from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday, July 14, at Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth, 590 N. Franklin St., according to Dorothy Zehnders obituary. Funeral services will take place Friday with a prayer service at 10 a.m. at Cederberg Funeral Home and funeral service at 11 a.m. at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, 1030 W. Tuscola St. Rev. Brad Hubbard will officiate with burial in between services at St. Lorenz Cemetery alongside her husband of 63 years, who died in 2006.

Also on Friday morning, there will be a processional down Main Street, passing the Bavarian Inn Restaurant, crossing the covered bridge, and passing near the Bavarian Inn Lodge.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. Lorenz Church or to Frankenmuth City Beautification.

Dorothy Zehnder is survived by her brother Ray Hecht, two children, Bill (Karen) Zehnder and Roxie (Jerry) Westgate, and her son-in-law Don Keller as well 10 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, her sister Edna (Hecht) Hegenauer, and her daughter Judy Zehnder Keller.

Read more from MLive:

Bavarian Inn matriarch Dorothy Zehnder turns 101 in Frankenmuth

Bavarian Inn co-founder Dorothy Zehnder, 100, says secret to a long life includes eating a lot of chicken

Frankenmuths Dorothy Zehnder through the years
A Traverse City hair salon has come under fire this week for posts its owner made to Facebook, saying transgender customers are not welcome and should instead seek services at a local pet groomer.

Now legal experts say that not only is the business misinterpreting a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the topic to refuse service, but that it may be running afoul of discrimination protections in Michigan.

News of Studio 8 Hair Labs post, and subsequent refusal of service, was first reported by the northern Michigan television station 9&10 News. The business has since deleted its Facebook page, though an image of the initial post can still be found online.

RELATED: Traverse City investigating Michigan salon that told trans patrons to use pet groomer

If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman please seek services at a local pet groomer, a portion of the post reads. You are not welcome at this salon. Period. ... This is America; free speech. This small business has the right to refuse services.

MLive reached out to Studio 8 Hair Lab owner Christine Geiger but did not hear back in time for publication.

Studio 8 Hair Labs post comes following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in the 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, in which a Colorado-based web designer argued her states anti-discrimination law would compel her to create wedding websites for same sex-couples  something she disagreed with, citing her faith.

The court later ruled in her favor, noting that her designs constituted a form of speech and that forcing her to design a website which ran afoul of her faith could stifle her First Amendment rights.

But Jay Kaplan, staff attorney for the ACLU of Michigans LGBTQ+ Project, said the same argument could not be applied in the case of Studio 8 Hair Lab as giving a haircut would not qualify as a customized tailored speech.

We dont believe that she falls under that exemption, Kaplan said. That applies to (careers) like speech writers or muralists, where theyre conveying a certain message with their product. Very few customers are going to come to somebody who says, no, I dont care what (haircut) you want. Thats not the way shed operate.

RELATED: Michigan protected LGBTQ rights. The U.S. Supreme Court carved out an exception.

He pointed to a 2022 Michigan Supreme Court ruling which, barred discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, saying that in making the post, the salon might be in violation of state precedent. State lawmakers codified that ruling into law earlier this year, though as the bill did not receive immediate effect, its not currently able to be enforced.

Similarly, in a thread posted to Twitter, Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit also argued the salon was in violation of Michigans Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act which he said expressly forbids businesses from deny(ing) the full and equal enjoyment of goods and services because of a persons gender identity or expression

303 Creative involved a web designer who refused to make wedding websites for same-sex couples. ... But the decision was limited to expressive conduct, Savit wrote. The court did not say that, in general, business owners may ignore state anti-discrimination laws (like Elliott-Larsen). Those laws still generally apply, albeit with a constitutional carve-out for expressive conduct.

For anyone wondering: this action is flatly illegal under Michigan law--and the recent Supreme Court decision in 303 Creative doesn't change that.



/1https://t.co/uuW1Ekiow1  Eli Savit (@EliNSavit) July 11, 2023

Attorney General Dana Nessel has also argued the courts recent decision would have no impact on Michigans civil rights laws, saying in a recent statement that it could not be applied to protect against discrimination in the provision of public accommodations that do not constitute speech.

Nessel press secretary Danny Wimmer, in an email sent to MLive early Wednesday, added that the department has since received several complaints pertaining to the bigotry exhibited by the salon proprietor in Traverse City.

As to the question of the legality of the statements and any subsequent actions of the salon under Michigans Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and the Michigan Supreme Courts holding in Rouch World, the matter is likely to be litigated in the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling in 303 Creative that opened the door to discrimination by business entities where expressive speech is at issue, Wimmer said.

Though Geiger did not return a request for comment, an account under her name posted Monday to the Overheard in Traverse City Facebook group that she had no issues with LGB. Its the TQ+ that Im not going to support.

This stance was taken to insure that clients have the best experience and I am admitting that since I am not willing to play the pronoun game or cater to requests outside of what I perceive as normal this probably isnt the best option for that type of client, she wrote. There are over 800 licensed stylists in the County. There are plenty of salons/stylists willing to cater to what I will not. This is a free country and I am not a slave to any narrative.

Conservatives need to acclimate these woke individuals to their new reality.

RELATED: Whats in a hate crime? Michigan looks to add sexuality, disabilities to 35-year-old law

In the initial post, which has since gained national attention, the salon also teed off against pronoun use as well, writing that should a person request their stylist use a specific pronoun for them we may simply refer to you as hey you. Regardless of MI HB 4744.

Its unclear how House Bill 4744 deals with pronoun use, as the legislation focuses on elections and seeks to prohibit Michigan from joining the Electronic Registration Information Center  an organization to help states improve the accuracy of its voting rolls.

There has, however, been repeated misinformation regarding HB 4474, which is a bill seeking to expand Michigans hate crime laws to include protections for a host of classes including gay and transgender individuals.

Late last month multiple outlets, including Fox News and the Daily Mail, ran stories arguing the legislation would make it a felony to use the wrong pronouns for someone, despite the fact the word pronouns appears nowhere in the bill.

It does note that there could be civil action against someone who discriminates against another for gender identity or expression, though this could apply to both transgender and cisgender people alike. Cisgender is a term to describe a person whose gender aligns with the sex they were registered as at birth.

HB 4474 passed the Michigan House in a bipartisan vote on June 20 and awaits further consideration in the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.

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No one under 18 years old will be allowed to marry in Michigan, as that age was officially established Tuesday as the states minimum for marriage.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed eight bills that include setting the minimum age, preventing parents and guardians from consenting to a minors marriage, and protecting sexual assault survivors who are married to their abuser.

Keeping Michiganders  especially young women  safe and healthy is a top priority, and these bills will take long overdue steps to protect individuals from abuse, Whitmer said in a statement.

Senate Bill 209 sets 18 as the minimum age to marry, and SB 213 specifies that minors are not emancipated upon marriage. SB 216 stops parents from being able to consent to a minors marriage, and SB 212 does the same for guardians.

House Bill 4299 prohibits the use of a marriage license for proof of emancipation, and HB 4300 allows a parent or guardian to apply for annulment of a marriage if one of the parties was under the age consent even if the parties had cohabited as husband and wife after reaching the age.

Additionally, HB 4202 removes from the state penal code a provision that prevents a person from being convicted of criminal sexual conduct solely because their legal spouse is mentally incapacitated. And SB 56 removes a provision that prohibits a man and woman who are not married to each other from cohabitating together.

Since first introducing a bill to end child marriage in 2018, I have heard countless stories, particularly from our young girls, of abuse they have endured in marriages they could not by themselves legally consent to, state Sen. Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing, said in a statement.

Before Tuesday, Michigan had no minimum age to marry. With a parents permission, 16- and 17-year-olds could marry, and younger children could marry with a judges permission.

Between 2000 and 2021, more than 5,400 minors were married in Michigan, according to state data compiled by the nonprofit Unchained at Last and referenced in an MLive investigation last year.

More than 9 in 10 of those minors were girls. Eleven were 15 years old at the time they married, and one was 14.

Advocates demonstrated in May, wearing bridal gowns and chains outside the state capitol:

Hearing from survivors of child marriage about what theyve been through has been devastating and heartbreaking, said state Rep. Jenn Hill, D-Marquette. For a long time, the government has needed to step in and end this archaic practice to protect the children of our state. Im encouraged  and relieved  that this legislation has finally become law.

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The final hurdle for a decision on whether to charge nine individuals who allegedly obtained and tampered with voting machines in the aftermath of the 2020 election appears to have been cleared after Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Phyllis McMillen ruled undue possession of the machines is broadly illegal under Michigan law.

Attorney General Dana Nessel appointed Muskegon County Prosecutor DJ Hilson more than 10 months ago to determine whether to charge nine individuals for allegedly taking ballot tabulators from rural Michigan counties across the state to ostensibly examine them for evidence of election fraud in early 2021.

The individuals named in the investigation have included former attorney general candidate Matt Deperno, Barry County Sherriff Dar Leaf and now-former Republican state Rep. Daire Rendon, but it remains unclear who, if any, could face criminal charges.

More: What to know about probe into alleged election machine tampering by Michigan AG candidate, others

McMillen, answering the formal question posed to the court by Hilson, ruled state law broadly prohibits possessing one of the machines without a court order or permission from the secretary of state. According to the ruling, Hilson empaneled a grand jury and it indicates he may use the jury to decide whether to indict the individuals in the investigation.

Hilson had told the court the grand jury had not been examining attorney Stefanie Lambert Junttilas role in the scheme, McMillen wrote.

The ruling also brushed aside arguments levied by Junttila, who intervened in the proceeding with a potpourri of arguments about why the case should not move forward. Through her attorney Michael J. Simth, Junttila previously provided a statement saying Hilsons actions in seeking a declaratory ruling would result in Junttila suing Hilson for malicious prosecution.

My client has not violated any laws, Smith said. No prosecutor in the state of Michigan has ever had to stop a proceeding to ask the court what the law is and how he should proceed with his case. Its the prosecutors job to independently understand the law and Hilson has failed to do his legal research.

McMillen wrote Junttilas assertion that the special prosecutor has violated the Michigan court rules, federal and state law and constitutions, and the Michigan rules of professional conduct are without merit. "

Read more: Decision on charges for DePerno, others in election tabulator probe is imminent

A June 6 filing notes a charging decision is ready to be made by the charging entity but it remains unclear when that announcement could happen and who may face charges. Hilson has offered no details on his investigation or a timeline since his appointment.

DePerno, Rendon and Junttila orchestrated a coordinated plan in early 2021 to access vote tabulators, components and technology in Roscommon, Missaukee and Barry counties, according to Nessels petition last year requesting a special prosecutor because she was facing DePerno in her reelection bid. The five tabulators they obtained were taken to hotels and/or Airbnbs in Oakland County where four others  Jeff Lenberg, Ben Cotton, James Penrose and Douglas Logan  broke into the tabulators and performed tests on the equipment.

The petition noted DePerno was present at a hotel room during such testing, and was also called one of the prime instigators of the conspiracy.

Another person, Ann Howard, coordinated printing of fake ballots to be run through the tabulators and recruitment of volunteers.

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Juneteenth will now officially be a Michigan holiday after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation to recognize it statewide Wednesday, July 12.

Whitmer said in a statement following the bill signing that she encourages Michigan residents to reflect on our history and celebrate the values that we will continue fighting for together, while touting actions taken by her administration to close racial gaps.

On Juneteenth, we come together to celebrate fundamental American values of freedom and equality, embodied by the stories and legacies of the Black community, Whitmer said. Juneteenth is a moment of celebration and reflection, but it is also an opportunity to recommit ourselves to action.

Juneteenth recognizes the date slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom on June 19, 1865  more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to legally free slaves on Jan. 1, 1863.

This is important to the descendants of slaves who received this news two years later, bill sponsor Sen. Sylvia Santana, D-Detroit, said. More importantly it elevates our awareness that we have a second Independence Day in American history.

June 19 has long been celebrated by Black Americans with picnics, parades and festivals. The date was made a federal holiday in 2021 and a court holiday in Michigan last year.

The legislation designating Juneteenth a Michigan holiday was unsuccessful in previous terms, but it finally passed out of each chamber of the legislature in bipartisan votes before this years Juneteenth celebration.

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TRAVERSE CITY, MI  An up north road commission will go back to picking up dead deer on the side of roads after a brouhaha with the state caused a stink.

Grand Traverse County Road Commission workers will resume collection of large roadkill carcasses after months-long policy confusion about what to do when deer are killed by traffic in subdivisions and other residential areas. To avoid trouble, road workers simply stopped picking up dead deer altogether until just this week.

I think the publicity of the whole issue finally got to the point where it was a losing issue for the state as well as for us  as an overall  because people just didnt care. They just wanted the job done, said Brad Kluczynski, the road commissions managing director.

Related: Oh, deer! Road agencies, DNR spar over carcass dumping

In rural areas, road workers typically drag deer carcasses to the edge of the public right-of-way easement and leave them to decompose at the roadway forest lines. But the edge of right-of-way zones in suburban areas are often in the middle of front yards  not an ideal place to drop a deer carcass.

Road workers had been picking up the roadkill in those circumstances and placing the carcasses along nearby seasonal roads. That is, until they were threatened with littering citations from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The state agency had received multiple complaints of deer carcasses dumped on state-managed public lands, so authorities said road workers needed to send the roadkill to a landfill instead.

It seemed the situation had reached an impasse.

But now state officials at the DNR and Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), said they found an old exemption that allows road workers to handle roadkill carcasses so long as they follow a few regulations. That includes placing roadkill at least 1,000 feet away from residences and at least 100 feet from another dead deer, as well as not in contact with surface or groundwater.

We basically are going almost exactly back to the way we used to do it, except for the fact that were not doing it in front of state land. Were just doing it out in the middle of nowhere in the country, Kluczynski said. Somewhere that is either adjacent to a farm that doesnt have an issue or out on some of our seasonal roads that dont have people on them. Basically, anywhere where we can set them to decay naturally that is not going to be providing an offensive odor to adjacent property owners.

EGLE spokesperson Hugh McDiarmid Jr. said the kerfuffle came down to a communications breakdown.

This is an issue that basically flares up every decade or so. You get new people in the state agencies, you get new people in the road commissions, and then somebody misinterprets something thats said, he said. Its flared up before, but I think we put it to bed now.

McDiarmid confirmed the exemption from 1988 that allows road workers to handle roadkill applies statewide, not solely in Grand Traverse County.

East Bay Township resident Bill Hagan said hes pleased the problem is settled, especially since it seems a matter of common sense to remove rotting roadkill from residential areas. He said when he found a dead deer in his front yard in April, the lack of help from public officials was frustrating.

First, he called the road commission and learned they werent removing deer because of state orders. Next, he called the DNR and said he was told to dig a hole and bury the deer.

I said, Man, Im almost 80 years old, Hagan said. They said, Get your neighbor to do it, and I said, My neighbor is 85.

Eventually Hagan posted on social media network Nextdoor about the rotting deer carcass in his yard and someone who owns a farm came to collect and bury it on their own land. Should it happen again, the call to the road commission should now suffice.

Well, Im happy. My daughter has even mentioned how many carcasses she sees laying around, so its about time that the DNR woke up and worked it out, Hagan said.

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Braymiller Market in downtown Buffalo lives another day.

But it might not have if city lawmakers had taken a vote on Mayor Byron Browns request for immediate passage of his plan to bail out the struggling grocer.

Ciminelli pledges $500,000 to aid Braymiller, but some Council members remain skeptical On Monday, developer Paul Ciminelli offered to invest another $500,000 into Braymiller Market on Ellicott Street if the Council agrees to allow the city to allocate $562,000 in pandemic-related funds to keep the downtown Buffalo market afloat.

The mayor can ask for whatever he wants to, but it doesnt mean that the Council has to produce it. I want to be clear, if it had been voted on today, it would have failed, according to the votes, Common Council President Darius Pridgen said Tuesday of Browns plan.

Immediate passage means the proposal would bypass public discussion in committee, lawmakers said.

At the end of the day, immediate passage would mean that the people of this city who have been calling us on both ends of the opinion spectrum would not have been heard, Pridgen said.

Despite Mayor Brown's push to reconsider Braymiller funding, some Council members won't budge "At this point, my feelings are still the same as when I voted against it," Council President Darius Pridgen said. "And unless something huge, unless I'm informed of something that I did not know the last time I voted, my sentiments are still the same."

Instead of voting on the mayors proposal Tuesday, the Common Council referred it to its Finance Committee for next Tuesday at 10 a.m. Small business owners and entrepreneurs are invited to attend to express their opinions.

Developer Paul Ciminelli pledged Monday to make a $500,000 investment in Braymiller Market, but only if the Common Council takes steps to make the store eligible for another $562,000 in pandemic-related funds.

In addition, in an effort to ease some concerns from Council members, Brown submitted a proposal to the Council outlining how his administration will continue to offer financial assistance to small businesses in every district in the city with grants through the American Rescue Plan.

City lawmakers said they were thankful to Ciminelli for his willingness to provide $500,000, but the majority of Council members feel that there needs to be some changes or there needs to be more money, significantly more money for other small businesses in the city, Pridgen said.

The administration said it was pleased that the Council will re-evaluate the administrations plan.

Buffalo Common Council members nix 'forgivable' loan to downtown Braymiller Market Braymiller Market was denied more than $500,000 in federal pandemic-related money by the Buffalo Common Council on Tuesday. The nine Council members unanimously denied the request and several said it wouldn't be fair to subsidize one business over others.

We are happy that the Council has agreed to reconsider assistance for Braymiller Market and has sent the item to committee to review the additional information that was provided, city spokesperson Michael J. DeGeorge said.

Also on Tuesday, the Council adopted a resolution emphasizing the need to allocate ARP and Covid-19 relief funds in a manner that supports the recovery and growth of small businesses across the city of Buffalo, the resolution read.

In part, it requests that Brown and the citys Office of Strategic Planning reconsider any future plans to allocate funds for Braymiller and instead allocate $62,506 for businesses in each Council district for a total of $562,557 in Covid-19 relief funds. Braymiller will have the opportunity to apply for the funding, along with all other local businesses.
Michigan utility giant DTE plans to close its coal power plant in Monroe, the nations third-largest greenhouse gas emitter, in 2032  three years earlier than previously planned.

The company also agreed to surpass its carbon emission reduction goals, accelerate the development of energy storage, and end its use of coal by 2032 as part of its latest 20-year plan, announced Wednesday, July 12.

DTEs clean energy settlement, which it calls its integrated resource plan, was reached between the company and representatives from the state, environmental community, labor organizations, and energy industry associations. Now the Michigan Public Service Commission needs to approve it.

Within the plan, DTE Electric said it will target 85% carbon emission reduction by 2032, followed by a 90% reduction by 2040 and net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Todays historic agreement is an investment in Michigans future, and we are grateful that 21 organizations from across Michigan have joined us in bringing our proposal one step closer to reality, Jerry Norcia, chairman and CEO for DTE Energy, said in a prepared statement.

This partnership and dedication have helped us build the best plan possible for our customers. We are also proud this plan puts our customers first by reducing the future costs of our clean energy transformation by $2.5 billion, while reliably generating cleaner, affordable energy now, and for generations to come.

Will Kenworthy, senior regulatory director for the Midwest for Vote Solar, a non-profit policy advocacy group, called the agreement a step forward for the states clean energy transition and a beacon of whats possible when policy know-how, regulatory expertise, and community voices converge.

The progress represented in the settlement simply wouldnt have been possible without a strong coalition that recognized the need to center equity and put people first, Kenworthy said. That said, we cannot rest on our laurels. Were looking to the Michigan legislature to advance the kind of bold clean energy agenda that Michiganders have made clear theyre ready for.

Related: DTE will end coal use sooner and build more clean energy, but critics remain

DTE plans to develop more than 15,000 megawatts of Michigan-made renewable energy to power about 4 million homes by 2042. It will also target 780 megawatts of energy storage through 2030, and more than 1,800 megawatts of storage by 2042.

The Monroe coal-fired power plant is expected to be closed in 2032, though it could be earlier. Clean energy advocates said DTE agreed to consider a 2030 retirement date in its next integrated resource plan.

Plans for the Belle River power plant are to cease coal burning by 2028 and repurpose the plant to run on natural gas. That move, DTE said, would significantly reduce emissions while providing reliable and affordable energy to meet periods of high customer demand.

By phasing out the Belle River and Monroe coal power plans before 2032, DTE will seek to reduce its use of coal from 77% in 2005 to 0% in less than 30 years. The company will provide re-training for employees impacted by the plant retirements.

Clean energy advocates estimate the settlement would avoid at least $432 million in total health costs and at least 39 premature deaths that would otherwise be caused by burning coal at the units through 2035 under DTEs original proposal.

A swift transition away from coal and a bigger commitment to renewables is an absolute necessity as we transition to a healthy clean energy future, said Alexis Blizman, policy director at Ecology Center, in a prepared statement. Accelerated coal retirement, replaced with clean renewable energy, will have widespread implications for air quality and public health. Theres no question that this will save lives.

Officials from DTE say the plan will deliver long-term customer value by investing more than $11 billion into the clean energy transition over the next decade and supporting more than 32,000 jobs while reducing the future cost of the plan for customers by about $2.5 billion.

This plan also continues our commitment to our employees, customers and communities, and we will direct an additional $110 million to support our most vulnerable customers, Norcia said. We appreciate the contributions of all stakeholders as we wait for the MPSCs decision on the plan.

DTEs 20-year plan was initially filed in November 2022. At the time, environmental advocates criticized aspects like continued use of fracked gas and heavy spending on lobbying and public relations efforts.

Since then, hundreds of residents weighed in on the plan. The Clean Energy Organizations - which included the groups Vote Solar, Union of Concerned Scientists and Ecology Center  also offered an alternative to the companys integrated resource plan before the latest version was submitted Wednesday.

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A judge is considering whether plans to construct a $3.5 billion Ford battery plant can keep moving forward after an opposition group filed a lawsuit to pause the development.

Calhoun County Circuit Court visiting Judge William Marietti heard arguments Wednesday, July 12 from lawyers representing the Committee for Marshall  Not the Megasite, the city of Marshall and the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance (MAEDA).

At issue: a rezoning ordinance, a failed petition and a referendum.

But the larger picture encompasses pushback against Fords plan to build an electric vehicle battery plant called BlueOval City Battery Park Michigan on 950 acres of rural land in Marshall.

Related: Fords $3.5B plant bringing jobs  and disappointment  for Marshall residents

They say that we are asking to have this whole project shut down. No, were asking for our ballot referendum, said Robby Dube, a lawyer representing the Committee for Marshall  Not the Megasite.

The opposition group sued Marshall last month after the city rejected a petition seeking a referendum, submitting to popular vote, on a May ordinance that rezoned 741 acres of the mega site for industrial use. The lawsuit is seeking an injunction to suspend rezoning thus halting development while Dube says the election law dispute is decided.

City Clerk Michelle Eubank rejected the petition because it did not have enough valid signatures. More than 810 people signed it but Eubank said only 136 were valid because the city charter requires committee members to collect signatures.

The petition also failed, Eubank said, because the city already appropriated money to the project.

Dube pushed back on this reasoning.

It would violate the U.S. Constitution and Michigan constitution to limit signature gathering to only referendum committee members, he said.

Dube pointed to a 1999 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Buckley v. American Constitutional Law Foundation that struck down a requirement for petitioners to be registered voters. He then argued the city charter required the ordinance to be suspended during the petitioning process.

Related: Group sues city of Marshall to halt Ford battery plant

This constitutional violation, according to Dube, establishes grounds for a preliminary injunction.

The loss of First Amendment freedoms, for even minimal periods of time, unquestionably constitute irreparable injuries, he said.

Attorney Joseph Colaianne, who is representing the city, argued there is greater public interest in allowing Ford to move forward than permitting the petition dispute to play out in the courts.

We dont believe a temporary restraining order as appropriate in this circumstance. The balance of interests far outweigh the petitioners interest in having the ordinance suspended at this time, he said.

Ford expects the battery plant will create 2,500 jobs when production starts in three years. The facility will produce lithium-ion batteries as the Dearborn automaker aims to be rolling out two million electric vehicles a year by the end of 2026.

Related: Marshall businesses want an economic engine. They hope Ford is the answer.

Michigan has awarded the project a patchwork of incentives topping $1.7 billion including a $210 million grant, a tax break valued at $774 million, a $120 million grant to the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance and $630 million of state dollars for site preparation.

Christopher Zdarsky, a lawyer for the alliance, said the state could lose $10 million if Ford misses its construction deadline.

There is no burden that the petitioners are going to suffer here if this litigation proceeds in the ordinary course and the court ultimately decides this case on the merits, Zdarsky said. On the flip side, there is a significant burden to MAEDA and to the City of Marshall.

Only the city of Marshall and Eubank are named in the lawsuit but the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Marshall Committee for Jobs and Opportunity and Ford Motor Company all argued they should be parties too.

Related: Petition against Ford Marshall plant didnt have enough valid signatures

Marietti ruled Tuesday that only the alliance could intervene because it owns the property.

This is the development of a of a site that is going to result in a $3.5 billion investment by Ford and every day of delay is going to result in more time and money lost, Zdarsky said while arguing for the motion to intervene.

Another attorney, Scott Eldridge who spoke on behalf of the Michigan Strategic Fund, said Ford plans to start pouring concrete later this month. He said if a referendum moves forward, it wouldnt be voted on until the November election.

There are still several ways this case could unfold.

At this point, Marietti is only deciding on an injunction to suspend the rezoning ordinance. But even with an injunction, the project could still eventually move forward.

The crucial fact here that people repeatedly try to overlook is this referendum might ultimately not succeed. The rezoning ordinance might go through which would make the referendum petition  if it supposedly is illegal  entirely irrelevant, Dube said.

Marietti plans to issue a written opinion within the next five days.

More on MLive:

Hundreds lined up to thwart Ford plant. Why Marshall residents are losing sleep.

Michigan assembling 1,000-acre mega sites to attract big investments

Michigan funneled $2B into luring big business. Heres where it went.
12.07.2023 LISTEN

Kwame Sefa Kayi, host of Peace FMs morning show 'kokrokoo' has advised rapper Sarkodie following his diss track to actress Yvonne Nelson.

According to the Ghanaian media personality, he said the rapper should refrain from commenting further on the issue.

He sent birthday wishes to the rapper indicating be a good boy.

I still love Sarkodie, you know. I have just been told its Sarkodies birthday today what a coincidence. So King Sark, wherever you are, Happy birthday to you and be a good boy.

No more rap diss songs. Do you hear what Im saying? Happy birthday to Sark. One Love, Kwame Sefa Kayi stated.

Sarkodie replied to the birthday message saying Kwami Sefa Kayis words are final and would as such heed his counsel.

Chairman general baakop3 wo kasa p3 final ! Anka baako bii ba wo din womu but wakayi de3 lol !! Bless you my boss I appreciate you, Sarkodie tweeted.

Yvonne Nelson released her book titled 'I am not Yvonne Nelson' detailing some revelations that triggered conversations online.

The actress revealed that she had an affair with Ghanaian most decorated rapper Sarkodie but had to abort it because the rapper was not ready to be a father.

Sarkodie replied to Yvonne in a new song titled 'Try Me'.
11.07.2023 LISTEN

The Deputy National Communications officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Malik Basintale, has said the minority MPs will continue to boycott businesses of the house as long as their colleague are prosecuted by the State.

According to Mr. Basintale, the NPP government is wasting state resources in persecuting their NDC members for political agenda.

He stated during an interview on Ghone TV on July 11 that Anybody could be taken to court which is not a problem but to use state resources in taking people of this nature to court that is your own business but the intention of the minority is that it will not be fair.

It will not be fair to the people of Assin North, if laws are being made today in his absence ( Gyakye Quayson). Now you say the Assin North Member of Parliament (MP) honorable James Gyakye Quayson will be trial on a day-to-day basis if the law is to be made today you are intending to lay the anti-LGBTQ in parliament if Gyake Quayson is in court at the same time the bill is being made, will he represent the people of Assin North?

Do you think the people of Assin North voted for him to be coming and going to court? They voted for him to be in the house of legislature and so our Members of Parliament (MP) are saying that by virtue of what the people of Assin North have done for us, we will replicate it by standing by them. If Gyakye Quayson will not be in the house for laws to be made to represent the people of Assin North then all 136 MPs will not be in parliament. So we mean well for the people of Ghana and Assin North, Malik Basintale stated.

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quaysons application for a stay of proceedings has been dismissed by an Accra High Court today.
11.07.2023 LISTEN

Government is working towards the relocation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat to the redeveloped Ghana Trade Fair Site.

The relocation is in line with the government's vision of making the Trade Fair Site a regional and continental hub for investment and trade to redefine the country's commerce landscape.

The redevelopment of the Trade Fair site signifies not just a physical alteration of bricks and mortar but a symbol of the future. These 156 acres that we have here may very well be the light that burst through the continent of progress, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to redefining our commerce and trade,  Mr Ken Ofori- Atta, the Minister of Finance, has said.

He said this at the opening of the Second Investor Conference on the Ghana Trade Fair Site Redevelopment Project.

He said the location of the headquarters of the AfCFTA in Ghana was an opportunity to forge new partnerships and create meaningful connections as the country embarked on a journey of growth and prosperity.

The AfCFTA happens to be here and, which for me is the economic emancipation that is necessarily the net drive for this whole issue of where Africa should be, he said.

He said the government would continue to fast track the search for investment for growth-oriented programmes in line with Africa's aspirations as captured in Africa Union (AU) Agenda 2063.

The redevelopment of the Ghana Trade Fair Site, which covers 156 acres, will be rolled out in two phases.

Phase one entails the development of about 100 acres for facilities such as modern convention centre, exhibition halls, technology hub, business parks, and commercial offices, among others.

The residual land of about 56 acres will be developed in phase two of the project, which will consist of the AfCFTA Secretariat, and residential facilities, among others.

Speaking on the relocation of the AfCFTA secretariat, Dr Agnes Adu, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited (GTFCL) said: His excellency Nana Akufo-Addo has carved out a portion of the land where the headquarters of the secretariat will be part of the project.

GTFCL was established by an Executive Instrument (EI) in 1960 as a project to facilitate Ghana's post -independence trade and industrialisation drive.

A 239.92 -acre land was originally acquired for this purpose through EI 10 to showcase Ghana's exports with the intention to attract investors to its fledgling economy.

Since then, the GTFCL has metamorphosed into limited liability company strategically positioned to promote and facilitate trade in Ghana.

GNA
Four stowaways were rescued off the southeast coast of Brazil after spending 13 days at sea hidden in the hull of a ship from Nigeria, police said Tuesday.

The four had hidden in a compartment on top of the rudder -- a part of the ship that is sometimes submerged, the federal police said.

They were found by crew members of the Liberia-flagged ship, which had departed from Lagos on June 27, it added.

A police official told AFP the four were "healthy" and "well-fed."

According to the police, "the men rescued claim to be Nigerians, but they did not carry any documents confirming their origin."

The men will remain in Brazilian custody until they are returned to their country of origin, said the statement.
Peter Toobu

12.07.2023 LISTEN

Member of Parliament (MP) for the Wa West Constituency and a retired police officer, Peter Toobu, has urged Ghanaians and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to disregard a leaked tape that suggests the government is planning to rig the 2024 elections by orchestrating the removal of Dr George Akuffo Dampare.

The leaked tape uncovered a plot involving a high-ranking police officer and a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to oust the IGP in order to facilitate electoral rigging in the upcoming general elections.

During an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Eyewitness News on Citi FM in Accra, Mr. Toobu advised Ghanaians to shift their focus to more meaningful matters and avoid wasting time investigating the claims made in the tape or attempting to identify the individuals.

I am saying that it is below the IGPs response and I think that if someone is trying to do all kinds of things to let them fire the IGP and it becomes public knowledge, it means that the trap has been revealed. So I think that as a nation we should just let it slide.

We should not waste precious time investigating unethical stuff that has the potential to dent our democracy when in fact it has been revealed and they can no longer do it, he stated.

He, however, described the tape as despicable and has the intention to paint the Ghana Police Service (GPS) black if attention is paid to it.

What we have gotten from the tape is disgraceful, shameful, and very unethical. If we give an ear to such things we will destroy the police institution, he noted.

Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has called on the government to thoroughly investigate the leaked tape.

Speaking to journalists, the Ranking Member on the Defense and Interior Committee of Parliament, James Agalga said such comments pass for treason hence the need for urgent action to be taken by the government to deal with the concern.

The actions of the one behind the audio for me pass for treason. And this matter must be dealt with as such. It is an attempt to subvert the will of the people in 2024. Such conducts can compromise the security of our country because if the people exercise their sovereign will in 2024 and anybody attempts to stand in the way of our people, clearly we are not going to allow that to happen, he stated.

Mr Agalga urged the interior minister to take steps immediately to investigate the matter and bring the persons involved to book and not just refute the claim and end it there.

-citinewsroom
Ministry of Food and Agriculture has lifted the ban on the movement of ruminants and slaughtering of same for consumption in the Binduri District of the Upper East Region.

The ban was imposed after cases of Anthrax were recorded in the District.

The situation has since been contained with no recorded case of the disease since 14th June, 2023, a statement issued by the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Bryan Acheampong, on Tuesday, July 11 said.

In view of the above and based on expert advice, the ban on movement of ruminants and donkeys, slaughtering, sale, consumption of meat and meat products in the Upper East is hereby lifted today.

Notwithstanding this decision, the Ministry says measures will be put in place and applied strictly to curb a resurgence.

For instance, the slaughtering of all animals will from hence be under the close supervision of veterinary and environmental health officers at designated abbatoirs and slaughter slabs.

Therefore, food vendors, restaurants and owners as well as butchers whose meat and meat products were not supervised by the veterinary and environmental officers during slaughtering will be arrested.

The public is also advised not to consume meat of dead animals at all cost.

The Ministry takes this opportunity to thank all stakeholders for supporting the relentless effort to bring the anthrax disease under control and urge the sustenance of the spirit of cooperation.

-3news.com
The Member of Parliament for Odotobiri constituency Hon Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi on Tuesday, 11th July, 2023 commissioned a new party office at Jacobu in the Amansie Central district.

The beautiful edifice was built and donated to the party by the Member of Parliament for the area.

At a short ceremony to cut the tape to officially open the office, the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who was in the constituency to meet party delegates ahead of the party's Presidential primary lauded the Member of Parliament for the efforts he has put into constructing the office for the party in the constituency.

He was optimistic the office will encourage the party faithfuls in the constituency to work harder for the success and victory of the party in the 2024 elections.

Hon. Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi on the other hand intimated that the office was to show appreciation to the New Patriotic Party's supporters in the constituency for their unflinching support to the party.

He said the office will serve as the secretariat for the transaction of the party's business. It consists of the chairman's office, the secretary's office and a 120-seater capacity auditorium for meetings involving large numbers.

Earlier, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia met with the party delegates in a separate meeting. He appealed to them to vote for him in the party's impending presidential primaries saying he was the best person to 'break the 8' for the party.

Dr. Bawumia enumerated several reasons why he thinks he was the right person to lead the party to victory in the 2024 general elections.

Among them, he said he was the most experienced candidate among the other 10 people who were contesting saying he has on four occasions partnered the President His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo to contest elections in Ghana.

He also alluded to the fact that he was the candidate who could unite the party's rank and file and the country as a whole due to the fact that he appeals to the various religious groupings in the country.

He seized the opportunity to thank the people of Odotobiri constituency for their continuous support to the party and assured them that plans are afoot to have their deplorable roads fixed and called for calm.

The Member of Parliament for Odotobiri Hon Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi in an interaction with the media threw his support behind Dr. Bawumia's candidature insisting he was the best person to lead the party ahead of the 2024 elections.

He said the Veep was charismatic and enjoys the support of majority of the NPP MPs in parliament as well as the constituency executives in the Ashanti Region.

On the deplorable nature of the roads in his constituency, Hon. Gyamfi said though most of the roads in the constituency have been awarded on contract yet, the contractors have left the sites citing lack of funds.

"The nature of our road seems to erode the gains we have made in this constituency in terms of schools, health facilities and electricity extension. Most of the roads here are cocoa roads, Government of Ghana and Synohydro sponsored but the contractors apart from Joshob is not on site," he stated.

He revealed that he has had fruitful discussions with Dr. Bawumia with the assurance that the contractors will soon move to site.

The NPP has slated November 4 for its presidential primaries. Currently, 10 people have filed their nominations to contest for the slot. The party will on August 26, 2023 convene a special delegates conference to select five candidates to contest the November 4 presidential primary.
Spain's coastguard was on Tuesday searching for three migrant boats reported lost at sea by an NGO a day after rescuing scores of people from another vessel near the Canary Islands.

A spokeswoman for Salvamento Maritimo told AFP a rescue plane had been deployed to the area but "did not find anything".

The coastguard has also requested other ships in the area to be on the lookout, she added.

During their searches on Monday, rescuers found a boat carrying 78 sub-Saharan migrants who were taken to Gran Canaria island, she said.

They had initially thought there were 86 on board.

The three missing boats are believed to have left the coast of Senegal in recent weeks, according to Spanish NGO Caminando Fronteras which helps migrant boats in distress.

"One is carrying around 200 people and the other two between 50 and 70 people," a spokesman for the NGO told AFP.

On Monday, Caminando founder Helena Maleno said the biggest boat had left the southern fishing town of Kafountine in the Casamance part of Senegal on June 27 with "many minors on board", quoting family sources who said they had lost contact with the vessel days ago.

Kafountine lies at least 1,700 kilometres (more than 1,000 miles) south of the Canaries.

The other two boats with around 120 people on board had left the Senegalese coast on June 23, the NGO said.

A Spanish rescue plane had initially thought the boat spotted on Monday was the one carrying some 200 people, but it was only on reaching the vessel that they realised their mistake.

"Every minute counts if we're to find these more than 300 people alive who are in three Senegalese pirogues which have disappeared in the Atlantic," Maleno tweeted on Tuesday, referring to a long wooden canoe-like vessel.

'Macabre and sad'

Senegal is one of the main departure points for migrants heading to Europe.

The West African nation's main opposition leader Ousmane Sonko on Tuesday blamed the flight of migrants on the "failure of the public policies of the regime of President Macky Sall", calling it a "macabre and sad phenomenon".

Satellite map of the Canary Islands and the African coast.. By (AFP)

In a tweet, he said "around 300 young people are said to have disappeared in the meanders of the Atlantic".

Sonko, a firebrand politician and Sall's fiercest opponent, was sentenced last month to two years in prison for morally corrupting a young woman, a conviction that renders him ineligible to run in February's elections in Senegal.

In a statement Tuesday, Senegal's foreign affairs ministry denied that 300 Senegalese migrants had disappeared at sea.

"The ministry... was astonished to learn of reports on social networks of the disappearance at sea of at least three hundred (300) Senegalese would-be emigrants, whose boats from Kafountine (Casamance) were bound for the Canary Islands", it said.

"The verifications that have been carried out show that this information is completely unfounded."

The ministry said 260 Senegalese were rescued between June 28 and July 9 in Moroccan waters.

It did not specify if the people found alive were on the boats initially reported by Caminando Fronteras, which said they had departed between June 23 and 27.

David Diatta, the mayor of Kafountine, on Monday told AFP some migrants had recently left the village but that he'd not heard any news about them.

"They are Senegalese, Gambians, Guineans, Sierra Leoneans... Most of the time, they're foreigners who don't come from the town, who don't live in the area," he said.

The Atlantic route to the Canaries is particularly dangerous due to strong currents, with migrants travelling in overloaded often unseaworthy boats, without enough drinking water.

Atlantic crossings surged from late 2019 after increased patrols along Europe's southern coast dramatically reduced Mediterranean crossings.

In the first six months of 2023, 7,213 migrants reached the Canary Islands by boat, interior ministry figures show.
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority has heard the concerns of Ken-Ton Presbyterian Village residents about the loss of their bus stop on Oakridge and Delaware avenues.

As a result, the plan has been scrapped.

[Although] combining those stops would be good in terms of bus stop balancing, we always stated that if there was a group that had a special need for it, like in front of a nursing home, etc., we would take that into consideration, said Kelly Khatib, communications manager for the NFTA.

The Ken-Ton Presbyterian Village resident who started a petition campaign to get the NFTA to reconsider was delighted by the news.

The word ecstatic would not be out of play for how I feel, Candice Tortorice said. We were very concerned and are very happy.

The NFTA has been studying its stops as part of its Bus Stop Balancing initiative announced in 2021, which is meant to shorten bus rides and conserve resources while preserving accessibility.

But residents of the senior living community objected to the potential loss of the stop for the Route 20 Metro Bus. Many residents, some of whom are disabled, use the bus to go to doctors appointments, grocery stores, community events and to visit family.

Kenmore Presbyterian Village residents worried about losing their bus stop This (Village) is for older people. But there are younger people who are here that are also disabled, resident Candice Tortorice said. I, myself, use a wheelchair, and other people use walkers and canes. So, its a very vulnerable population.

Khatib had said the Delaware/Oakridge stop would have been combined with the Delaware/Ferndale stop, which she said should still be convenient for Ken-Ton Presbyterian Village residents.

After an article on the plan and the residents objections was published in Tuesdays Buffalo News, Khatib said the Delaware/Oakridge stop is no longer up for elimination or convergence and would stay as is.

First and foremost, we want to listen to our riders concerns and make decisions on whats best for the community as a whole because the goal is to make transit better for everyone involved, Khatib said.
Western powers are set to propose long-term security commitments for Ukraine after NATO dashed President Volodymyr Zelensky's hopes of a clear timeline for joining the alliance.

Zelensky will hold symbolic talks with NATO's 31 leaders on the second days of a summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius this Wednesy, a day after blasting them for not moving faster to bring Ukraine into the fold.

In a bid to reassure the Ukrainian leader, the G7 group of nations are expected to issue a declaration on how they will help Kyiv defeat Russia and deter any new aggression in the coming years.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement, "As Ukraine makes strategic progress in their counteroffensive ... we are stepping up our formal arrangements to protect Ukraine for the long term.

"We can never see a repeat of what has happened in Ukraine and this declaration reaffirms our commitment to ensure it is never left vulnerable to the kind of brutality Russia has inflicted on it again."

The announcement will provide a framework under which individual nations will later agree bilateral deals with Kyiv, detailing the weapons they will give.

US President Joe Biden has previously mooted a model for Ukraine similar to one under which Washington has committed to giving Israel $3.8 billion in military aid per year over a decade.

This comes as Russia launched drone strikes on Kyiv for the second night in a row.

Defence 'commitments' for Kyiv

Western backers have already sent weapons worth tens of billions to Ukraine to help it fight back against Russia's invasion.

France has said it was sending long-range missiles and a coalition of 11 nations announced they will start training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 jets from next month.

On Tuesday, Germany said it would provide more tanks, Patriot missile defences and armoured vehicles worth another 700 million.

However, the pledges  desperately needed by Ukraine's troops  fall short of Zelensky's aspirations of putting Kyiv under NATO's collective defence umbrella.

On the first day of the NATO summit, leaders vowed that "Ukraine's future is in NATO" and shortened the eventual process Kyiv would have to go through to enter the alliance.

"We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met," a statement said.

'Absurd'

But that commitment didn't go much beyond a 2008 promise on future membership, and reflects the concerns of the United States about being dragged into a potentially nuclear conflict with Russia.

Zelensky had earlier fired a broadside saying that failure to issue Ukraine a timeframe for joining was "absurd".

"Uncertainty is weakness," he exclaimed.

As part of their attempt to convince Zelensky that Kyiv is moving closer to the alliance, NATO organised an inaugural meeting of a Ukraine-NATO council with him in Vilnius.

That gives him more of a seat around the table to set the agenda in talks with the alliance, but is still far from being in the club.

On the side-lines of the meeting, Zelensky will hold talks with key allies, including Biden, to press for more support.

Meanwhile, Biden is due to give a keynote speech at Vilnius university laying out Washington's commitment to defending every inch of NATO territory.
President Nana Akufo-Addo who is the Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) must initiate steps to ensure that the leaked tape which captures an alleged plot to oust the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare is investigated, Member of Parliament for Builsa North James Agalga has said.

In the view of Mr Agalga, this matter cannot be pushed aside as any ordinary situation because it involves an alleged plot to subvert the will of the people in the 2024 general elections.

Speaking on the Ghana Tonight show on TV3 Tuesday, July 11, the Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament said The reassurances from the Minister of Interior are not enough.

First of all, the Minister doesnt appear to be sure of who the persons are, those who were caught plotting to subvert the will of the Ghanaian people in 2024 to merely assure us that nothing untoward will happen, they have confidence in the IGP, do not have in contemplation any attempt to replace him with the people caught on tape is not reassuring at all.

He further asked the President to initiate steps to investigate this matter.

Probe it to unearth those behind the audio and bring them to the book. The president, if you ask me, is the person who must put in the mechanism to ensure that those who are behind it are brought to book.

The Minister for the Interior Ambrose Dery dismissed reports that stalwarts of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) are scheming to remove the Inspector General of Police.

There is no plot to remove anybody, he told journalists in Accra on Tuesday, July 11.

He added I can assure you that I serve a president who is committed and has respect for human rights. Under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo we will make sure that 2024 is peaceful.

One thing to be sure, 2024 will not be a violent election by anybody and no one will want to thwart the will of the people. If you vote us in, you vote us in, if you vote us out, you vote us out.

Portions of an audio that allegedly captures the plot to remove Dr Dampare said that Alhaji, my only problem this current IGP if we do a mistake and take him to the elections, it will not help us.

It will not help us at all and I will not mind if the position is not given to me but that man is changed; because he will not help us, he will not help us at all he won't help the party at all.

I know there are others who are also good for this position, if I don't get and this man is changed and those people that we think they are our men get I (it is ok)t Because we need to break this 8.

That is important, we need to break the 8 Because I wouldn't want doctor to become the flagbearer and then we lose the elections  one of the senior officers told the senior NPP members who is believed to be a former regional chairman of the party and now a traditional ruler.

3news.com
Flagbearer hopeful of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong has launched his campaign to drive his ambition to become the next President of Ghana.

Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, July 11, the renowned engineer admonished delegates and Ghanaian electorates not to be swayed by materialism when chosing a candidate.

He insists that with the crisis the country finds itself in, Ghanaians must not allow themselves to be bamboozled with excitable slogans on a bandwagon that leads Ghana nowhere.

I urge party delegates to consider this. You retain the power of choice. The future of our party and our country rests in your hands. You have a sacred responsibility to choose the next leader of our party NPP with WISDOM and FORETHOUGHT.

We should not allow materialism to rule our political space. The fight for the soul of this country is in its crucial stages. Whatever decision you make in the upcoming election, the effect may be felt several years down the line in the remotest Hamlet. It is time to vote VALUES, vote PRINCIPLES, vote CHARACTER, Kwabena Agyepong said at his campaign launch.

The NPP flagbearer hopeful continued, Let us restore AUTHENTICITY, INTEGRITY, and SUBSTANCE back into our political landscape and not allow ourselves to be bamboozled with excitable slogans on a bandwagon that leads us nowhere. We must dispel the fog of uncertainty.

Kwabena Agyepong has promised an inclusive government that will unite Ghana from Hamile, to Pusiga, through Kintampo to Elubo and Aflao.

He assures that his government will restore the dignity of the Ghanaian people and give every citizen a reasonable opportunity to live out their full potential.
Renowned political scientist, at the nations premier university, Professor Ransford Edward Van Gyampo, has called on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Akufo-Addo government to address the rumors regarding the plan to sack the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Professor Gyampo's statement comes in the wake of a leaked audio featuring some senior police officers engaging in a conversation with former Northern Regional Chairman for the NPP, Bugri Naabu, where the IGP was reportedly labeled as a member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

In a Facebook post made on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, Professor Gyampo highlighted the potential political consequences for the NPP and the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government if they were to consider removing the IGP due to his competence.

He stated, "It would be politically suicidal for the NPP as a Party and the Akufo Addo government to think about removing the IGP for being too competent. But if this is not their thinking, why can't they swiftly dissociate themselves from the rumors?"

The leaked audio, which has caused a stir in political circles, raises questions about the IGP's impartiality and his role in the upcoming general elections, especially in light of the NPP's "Break the 8" quest.

The phrase "Break the 8" refers to the NPP's goal of securing a third consecutive term in office, a feat that has proven elusive for previous governments in Ghana.
Benjamin Gyewu-Appiah, a communication member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said the NPP had nothing to do with the allegedly leaked recording of a conspiracy to remove Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, Inspector General of Police from office.

According to Mr. Gyewu Appiah, the content of the leaked audio are the handiwork of opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to cause disaffection for ruling party ahead of the 2024 general election elections.

Speaking on TV3 on July 12, he said the Interior Minister Ambrose Dery is innocent of all the accusations.

I am not surprised this tape is coming out. It is the doing of the NDC to win the 2024 elections. It's not real, these are works of the NDC. Before elections it is the same method the NDC used. Let me tell you, did you know that IGP Dampare was in the NDC camp to President Mills, his personal security provided by the state?

So in any case by appointment, if the president felt that IGP Dampare was an NDC member, in any case, would he have gotten the appointment? This man served President Mills, but you see the President clearly has seen that he is capable of working with anybody regardless. In the audio somebody is talking, I dont know who they are or who they were. Tell us who these people are? Benjamin Gyewu Appiah stated.

In the leaked audio going viral on social media, a Police Commissioner who is said to be retiring is heard in the leaked audio telling a certain Alhaji in the NPP to forget winning the next general elections if the current IGP remains in office.

To convince the politician, the Commissioner cited the example at the recent Assin North by-election, saying he will do the same or even more to foil any attempt by the NPP to rig the 2024 elections.

This IGP wont help us. He wont, he wants everything to be done fairly and we dont win elections that way. If we dont remove him, we cant break the 8. In politics we need machinations and this IGP wont allow that, the Commissioner said in the leaked audio.

He further expressed frustration that all his efforts to convince President Akufo Addo to sack IGP Dr Dampare have proved futile.

In an interview on Accra-based Joy FM, Ambrose Dery said the IGP has been exceptional in the delivery of his duties and there are no plans to take him out of office.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has defended the partys decision to seek redress at the Court of Appeal for its Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson.

The party has vowed to go to the Court of Appeal to challenge the High Court ruling that dismissed an application to halt the daily trial of Quayson who is facing charges of forgery and perjury.

Lawyers for the embattled MP Tuesday moved an application for the High Court to stay proceedings to allow for the Court of Appeal to hear its appeal to review a decision by the trial judge to hear the case on a daily basis.

Mr. Quaysons plea was rejected by the High Court.

Director of Legal Affairs for the NDC, Abraham Amabila said the ruling of the High Court will be appealed which he hopes for a positive outcome.

We are dissatisfied, and we intend to repeat the application at the Court of Appeal where we expect a favourable result and as a result of that, we ask the court to enable us to file the stay of proceedings at the Court of Appeal.

The woes of Mr. Gyakye Quayson began with his declaration of intent to contest the Assin North Parliamentary elections in 2020 when a group calling itself 'Concerned Citizens of Assin North' petitioned the Electoral Commission in the Central Region to withdraw the candidature of Mr. Quayson, arguing that he was a Canadian citizen.

Despite the petition, Mr Quayson managed to sail through to contest representing the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2020 parliamentary polls and got 17,498 votes representing (55.21%) while Abena Durowaa Mensah, the New Patriotic Party's candidate had 14,193 representing (44.79%).

Following Mr. Quayson's victory, a resident of Assin Bereku in the Central Region, filed a petition at the Cape Coast High Court seeking to annul the declaration of him as the MP of Assin North.

Citi Newsroom
12.07.2023 LISTEN

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection says it has begun investigations into BBC's reportage of Ghanaian children wrongly taken in anti-human trafficking raids backed by US Charity International Justice Mission (IJM).

The Deputy Minister, Ms Francisca Oteng Mensah, told the GNA in an interview that, a committee had been set up to investigate the claims by the British media.

A committee has been set up to look into the matter, and because they are looking into the issue, l may not be able to say much or comment further, she said.

Ms Oteng Mensah said at the right time and with the completion of the investigations, the findings would be communicated to the stakeholders.

BBC on July 10, 2023, published a report on an anti-human trafficking raid carried out at midnight in Mogyigna, a remote hamlet in the Northern Region of Ghana.

The said raid, as reported by the BBC, was an IJM-Ghana Police collaboration under Ghanas Human Trafficking Act 694 of 2005.

It said the raid involved four children, including an 11-year-old girl, who the report stated was yanked with the others as she slept with her grandparents in one of the huts in the hamlet.

However, the IJM in a three-page press statement issued on Tuesday, and copied to the GNA, said the BBC's report of the raid contained material inaccuracies insisting that they were fully transparent with the police thus provided them with the facts of the case.

It insisted that the police and the authorities concerned would have to make their own determination if the law had been violated.

In the 'Hiltop' case referred to by the BBC, IJM was fully transparent with police providing them with the facts of the case, including that there was one likely case of child trafficking and three that were not clear, the statement said.

It said the police conducted their own investigations determining that there was sufficient evidence before proceeding with the operation.

Mrs Linda Asante Adjei, the Vice President of the Ghana Journalists Association, in reaction to the reportage, told the GNA that cross-checking of facts was important before publication.

She advised against the quick-to-break the news attitude of some media establishments, which compromised facts checking and caused some media houses to commit errors.

GNA
Kenyan officers on Wednesday fired tear gas on protesters who defied a police ban to join a demonstration against tax hikes called by opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Shops were shut and security was tight in the capital Nairobi, where police deployed tear gas against stone-throwing demonstrators in the slum of Mathare. Tear gas was also used to disperse crowds in the port city of Mombasa.

The clashes followed rallies in several cities last week that turned deadly. Six people were killed according to the interior ministry, and rights campaigners accused police of being heavy-handed.

On the eve of Wednesday's protests, the country's police chief warned opposition supporters from holding "illegal demonstrations", saying that organisers had not provided the authorities with any "notifications" about their planned rallies this week.

"In this regard, no such demonstrations/gatherings/protests will be allowed tomorrow... All lawful means will be used to disperse such demonstrations," Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome said in a statement.

Police in Nairobi on Friday fired tear gas, targeting Odinga's convoy, AFP reporters reported.

They took similar steps against demonstrations in the cities of Mombasa and Kisumu.

On Saturday campaigners said police used tear gas on civil society representatives demanding the release of dozens of people arrested during the protests.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has called for "a thorough investigation into all reported incidents of police brutality", adding to the chorus of condemnation from rights groups including Amnesty International against "arbitrary arrests".

Odinga's Azimio alliance has vowed to stage protests every week against the policies of President William Ruto's government.

"Our activities are protected by the Constitution which guarantees right to protest, picket, assemble and present petitions," Odinga's spokesman Dennis Onyango told AFP.

'Life getting worse'

Odinga, who lost the August 2022 election to Ruto, claims that the poll was "stolen" and has held a string of anti-government rallies this year.

But as soaring food prices pile pressure on households, many Kenyans said they could not afford the disruption caused by the protests and had little hope of seeing improvements to their economic situation.

"I used to look forward to the protests, I felt it was the only way our voices were being heard but nothing is changing," housekeeper Ruth Nyakundi told AFP on the eve of the demonstrations.

"Life is just getting worse," the 41-year-old said.

Shopkeeper Lameck Mwangi, 34, told AFP he had decided to close his electronics store in downtown Nairobi for the day.

"We all know where it ends when we see deserted streets like this and police patrolling town. Let me just go home and watch what will unfold on TV," he said.

Ruto last month signed into law a finance bill expected to generate more than $2.1 billion for the government's depleted coffers.

The protests have been called by opposition leader Raila Odinga over new taxes on basic goods, including fuel and food. By Luis Tato (AFP)

The Finance Act provides for new taxes or increases on basic goods such as fuel and food and mobile money transfers, as well as a levy on all taxpayers to fund a housing scheme.

The government says the taxes will help create jobs and reduce public borrowing.

The Nairobi high court had suspended implementation of the legislation after a senator filed a case challenging its constitutional legality.

But Kenya's energy regulator announced a hike in pump prices after the doubling of VAT to 16 percent as stipulated in the law.
Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon, Prof. Ransford Gyampo has reacted to the viral recording on the alleged plot to fire the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.

In a lengthy audio that has gone viral on social media, a man said to be a Police Commissioner is heard discussing with a politician the need to sack the current IGP to help the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to break the 8.

This has become topical in both social and traditional media with calls for an investigation into the matter.

Reacting to the recording in a post on Facebook, Prof. Ransford Gyampo argued that any move by government to sack the IGP would be politically suicidal.

According to him, if there is no plot to fire Dr. George Akuffo Dampare then government must swiftly disassociate itself from the audio and its content.

It would be politically suicidal for the NPP as a Party and the Akufo Addo government to think about removing the IGP for being too competent. But if this is not their thinking, why cant they swiftly dissociate themselves from the rumors? Prof. Ransford Gyampo said in his post.

Meanwhile, the Minister for the Interior, Ambrose Dery has indicated that the recording should be ignored.

Speaking to the media in Parliament on Tuesday, July 11, the Minister said the work of the IGP is appreciated and he is not going anywhere.
12.07.2023 LISTEN

What is the UN migration Pact?

The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (A/RES/73/195), is the first intergovernmental agreement that was prepared under the auspices of the United Nations, to cover all dimensions of international migration in a holistic and a comprehensive manner.

The above is the concise defination, but then what is the United Nations migration Plan or what does it aim to achieve?

The Global Compact is designed to: Support international cooperation on the governance of international migration; Provide a comprehensive menu of options for States from which they can select policy options to address some of the

most pressing issues around international migration; A State is to ensure that all migrants on its territory are able to exercise their economic, social and cultural rights. Migrants arriving irregularly in a new country are often detained in administrative centres or in prisons. This has been seen or termed to some extent as violation of human rights and or freedom of movement. In curbing some of these issues and the many others that confront migration, the UN Migration Pact was instituted to guide and regulate migration.

What are the objectives of the EU migration policy?

To some extent, it is mainly to control illegal immigration by ensuring that illegal immigrants return to their countries of

origin or to a country of transit; to make border controls more effective; to construct a Europe of asylum; and to create a comprehensive partnership with the countries of origin and of transit.

The UN migration Pact is set to allow everyone everywhere across the globe to migrate to wherever they want legally. The pact promises to protect peoples right of stay in whichever countries they choose to migrate to.

As much as this sounds as though it were to profit Africa, and the whole world, one must not forget that, history has it that, whenever the have the west propose any kinds of treaties, Africa has never been in a benefitting position. Its always been the giving with one hand and the taking more than deserved with the other.

When people migrate, issues such as unemployment, economic opportunity, education are some of the reasons that influences decisions of the migrant.

But in all, war and displacement due to natural disasters have been notable factors for migration since time.

Labour shortages and brain drain, multiculturalism and integration, refugee and asylum seeking factor some of the challenges that migrant communities calculate with. Policy makers also grapple with issues of law enforcement. Migration encourages social vices, high cost of living in the receiving region rises as a result, the abundance of cheap labour causes wage drop, and working rights get abused in these host countries not to mention

strains on social services that increase.

Countries lose healthy and young people

especially men, thus an inbalance in gender population for procreation becomes an issue.

What should Africa take note of as this Pact with the institution of this pact?

Africa experienced many decades of migration due to first and foremost, the infamous slave trade which drained it of especially its young people who were the next in line to build the continent. Then those who remained on the continent suffered colonialsm, oppression and worked to power the economy of the west.

Since independence, Africa continue to suffer under the thumb of neo-colonialism

and or rebranded re-colonisation in very many ways. Some of which are capitalized by economic oppression, below world standard education and unskilled, designed to keep its people below the expected mark thus their inability to power their own economy but continue to be dependent on especially the west.

While Africa is happy embracing the migration pact, it fails to understand that two major things are happening to its disadvantage.

One is the massive loss of brain and man-power to the west which offers Africans not much than the lowest opportunities on the ladder which deplits it of economic freedom and growth.

And the other is the massiv migration of

not only the west but China, india etc to the continent who are all draining what is left of the continent, and especially the squeezing out of the people from the economic wealth space since the locals do not have what it takes to compete.

We have nations that are forced to sign Bilateral agreements that does not promote industrialization, better education and skill training that can compete with the world outside the continent yet we embrace a pact that takes everything we can have from the continent.

Its time Africa began looking to itself for solutions rather than signing up for everything that the west and super powers present it.

Africa should ask the questions how the west and the economic leading nations have done it and to do same and not continue to be the labourers they are needed to be in order that they can continue powering other economies and at the same time, migrate to take over the continent and everything is left of it.

A people who promote population reduction, opens their boarders to the third world to migrate to their nations, some reasons being because their population is overaged and so there is labour shortage. Yet more and more people are going out of jobs in these nations because of the shift from reliance on human power to artificial intelligence. It makes me ask the question if everything is as they claim?

The migration pact gives right to everyone with money to buy and possess lots irrespective of where they are. While those from the west, asia or with financial power are at a large advantage, same cannot be said for especially africans. The chances and opportunities vary too much for Africa to embrace this pact without asking questions and taking precautions.

This is The Diaspora Lens.

By Ghadym
Up to $10 million in federal funding is available for the restoration of the Scajaquada Creek.

To unlock that money, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers took the first step Tuesday by signing a $600,000 cost-sharing agreement to fund a study of the creek.

This study will kick off the restoration effort that will transform the environment and bring the Scajaquada Creek back to life, State Assembly member Monica Wallace, D-Lancaster, said during a press conference in front of the creek at Cheektowaga Town Park.

Scajaquada Creek is one of the most impaired waterways in the state, said Jill Jedlicka, executive director of the Waterkeeper, a nonprofit focused on protecting and restoring the regions waters.

The 13-mile-long creek stretches from Lancaster to the Buffalo waterfront. It runs through most of Cheektowaga and on toward Forest Lawn and the Black Rock Canal until it empties into the Niagara River. More than 100,000 residents live within its 29-square-mile watershed.

Scajaquada Creek is spring-fed, meaning it is fed by clean, clear, cold water from underground, Jedlicka said, but its condition worsens as it flows toward the river.

For generations, our community has ... been unable, physically, to connect with this creek system due to these polluted waters and polluted lands, Jedlicka said. Today thats going to start to change.

Years of sewage overflow and industrial waste emptied into the creek have made the waterway look like a drainage ditch, said State Sen. Sean Ryan, D-Buffalo.

Almost 98% of the wetlands in the Scajaquada Creek watershed have been destroyed, Wallace said. Fecal bacteria in the creek is at levels 20 times the threshold considered safe for human consumption and contaminated sludge is up to 5 feet deep in some places. According to Wallace, avian botulism present in the creek has killed thousands of birds.

The pollution of the Scajaquada Creek has been decades in the making, and it stands as a cautionary tale of how not to treat our precious waterways, she said.

The study will take about two years to complete, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lt. Col. Colby Krug said. It will focus on developing engineering solutions to improve the creeks ecosystem, including restoring the natural stream functions, re-establishing wetlands, invasive species management and improving native plant communities.

$900K will go toward initiative to restore Scajaquada Creek Jill Jedlicka, executive director of Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, said restoring the creek's habitat has the potential to reconnect many of these communities along the creek's corridor.

This particular study will focus on the Cheektowaga portion of the creek, while $900,000 in federal funding  announced in April  addresses the lower part of the creek in the Black Rock neighborhoods of Buffalo.

Funding for the $600,000 study comes from federal and state governments and $250,000 from the Margaret L. Wendt and Ralph C. Wilson Jr. foundations.

This is not the first time Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have worked together to clean up a contaminated local waterway. Both organizations were part of the Buffalo River restoration.

This creek still has life in it and it has the ability to recover, Jedlicka said. Its not a dead waterway. We should not give up on it. Its just overwhelmed with generations of bad decisions, bad choices and unfortunately, some infrastructure that is still impairing the system.
12.07.2023 LISTEN

The new US visa policy was introduced before of the general elections in May 2023. US Secretary Antony Blinken made a remark that sounded more like a threat from Washington, saying that Bangladeshi people who meddle in the democratic political process would face visa restrictions, which is never within the purview of an outside authority. Following the incident, six members of Congress wrote the US President calling with him to take action to secure free and fair elections in Bangladesh. Do these actions follow any diplomatic rules? Someone could ask.

Is Bangladesh an American-ruled republic? Are Bangladesh's people really that naive as to not understand the geopolitics and diplomacy behind US actions? The political dynamics and system of Bangladesh are difficult. It is not brand-new. Why is the US trying to change the political climate in Bangladesh?

It is clear that the US is making numerous mistakes in its approach toward Bangladesh in the name of democracy and human rights. This US decision is influenced by a variety of factors, but these factors also have worldwide effects. First, the US wants Bangladesh to join bloc politics in the wake of the Taiwan dispute and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Bangladesh has constantly adopted multipolarity, maintained a non-aligned position in international politics, and followed neutrality in its foreign policy decisions. While the conflict was still ongoing, Bangladesh and other South Asian nations twice abstained from UN proceedings in order to condemn Russia. On the other hand, Bangladesh voted in favor of Ukraine on the subject of human rights.

Bangladesh has reiterated that it still supports the "One China Policy" with regard to the Taiwan question. The Taiwan problem continues to be a top concern for the US and its Western allies, and South Asian allies want the US to shift its position on Taiwan. Second, the US has the greatest interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

Bangladesh was invited to participate in initiatives like QUAD or IPS by the US in an effort to encircle China completely. Due to the nation's usually non-militaristic foreign policy, which is frequently promoted by the constitution, Bangladesh strongly rejected to join any security alliance and gave economic diplomacy first priority for any attempts. In December 2022, Bangladesh published its Indo-Pacific Outlook, stressing the importance of a safe and peaceful region and highlighting China's importance in it.

Third, by attempting to meddle in Bangladesh's domestic affairs, the US has transgressed Bangladesh's sovereignty. It is interfering in domestic affairs in Bangladesh and applying great pressure on the country to embrace a western-dominated foreign policy by using democracy and human rights as a tool. Residents of Bangladesh have harshly criticized such limitations. It raises concerns about the continuity and integrity of the United States' commitment to democratic norms when it supports authoritarian governments in some parts of the world while advancing democracy and human rights in other parts of the world.

Third, by attempting to meddle in Bangladesh's domestic affairs, the US has transgressed Bangladesh's sovereignty. It is interfering in domestic affairs in Bangladesh and applying great pressure on the country to embrace a western-dominated foreign policy by using democracy and human rights as a tool. Residents of Bangladesh have harshly criticized such limitations. It raises concerns about the continuity and integrity of the United States' commitment to democratic norms when it supports authoritarian governments in some parts of the world while advancing democracy and human rights in other parts of the world.

Such a paradox runs the risk of weakening the American democratic agenda and generating unfairness claims.

Fourth, the close economic links between China and Bangladesh have caused the US to become apprehensive. 99 percent of Chinese markets are duty-free for products from Bangladesh. Bangladesh joined the BRI as well to safeguard the development of its infrastructure. China has invested close to $39 billion through BRI. Another example of the two countries' strong bilateral ties is the completion of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge and the Bangabandhu Karnaphuli Tunnel. Aside from escaping the "debt trap" that the west has warned about, Bangladesh is also maintaining a sizable foreign exchange reserve.

Even though it is tough to pay in US dollars, Bangladesh has resorted to doing so with Chinese RMB. China has been asked by Bangladesh to mediate the Rohingyas' departure from Myanmar. The US has been unable to offer Bangladesh a useful policy in each of these cases.

Additionally, China's vice minister of international affairs Sun Weidong paid a three-day visit to Dhaka on May 26, 2023, at a time of heightened volatility in relations between the United States and Bangladesh. Bangladesh is considering joining the Global Development Initiative launched by China. The US disagreed with this selection. Fifth, the US has even less hope for the growing connections between Bangladesh and Russia.

The Rooppur Power nuclear reactor represented enduring friendship. Bangladesh is aiming toward its goals of becoming a high-income country by 2041 and having a mature economy by 2050. Bangladesh prioritizes energy sustainability, and Russia is assisting Bangladesh in achieving this goal.

But one cannot ignore the internal element of the US strategy mistake. The opposition parties' narrative, which is sometimes unsubstantiated by facts, is the focus of the US's first strategy. The non-resident supporters of the Bangladeshi opposition party in the US have backed the opposition's claims. US policymakers regularly make terrible decisions because they do not comprehend such lobby dynamics. The political party that the US is emphasizing does not have a specific election platform or vision for Bangladesh.

The parties who supported it were quite supportive of the concept of imposing visa restrictions in Bangladesh. Election platforms used by the current administration included "Digital Bangladesh" in 2008, "Development" in 2014 and 2018, and "Smart Bangladesh" in 2023.

On the other hand, the US is not traveling through time. Bangladesh reached the top of the corruption rankings while these opposition organizations were in power, and their government openly supported and even encouraged terrorism. Even historical evidence points to the possibility that the US regime change in Bangladesh may not result in the precise benefits the US is seeking.

Given that bureaucratic foreign policy has a strong influence on South Asia, the party might be in favor of the coalition's current agenda. Another mistake the US is making with this strategy is that the opposition party has no position on the issues of Taiwan, the Rohingya, or Ukraine. Because the people of Bangladesh would not change their opinions on China, Russia, or Ukraine, the US's coercive scheme and attempt to remove the government in Bangladesh could backfire.

Second, US policy is a little distorted since print, electronic, and online media channels publish news articles with bogus justifications for US intervention about Bangladesh's democratic process. However, the US is undermining Bangladesh's democratic system and free and fair elections by meddling in domestic politics. With this mindset, the US is losing its standing as a reliable global power. Thirdly, the US is putting more pressure on European nations to engage in the domestic politics of Bangladesh. While the US conducts similar initiatives to isolate Bangladesh, Bangladesh is focussing on joining organizations like BRICS and diversifying its exports of RMG, notably to Middle Eastern countries.

Bangladesh's geographic location and growing economy have boosted its strategic significance in global affairs. Furthermore, it is understandable that the EU is reluctant to sanction Bangladesh in conformity with US demands.

In conclusion, it should be stressed that adopting a "selective and humiliating visa policy" for Bangladesha friendly neighbor and a rising economy with 170 million peopleis a horrible policy choice in terms of diplomacy and general international relations. It is detrimental to attempt to sway Bangladesh's election by immigration policy and a few undiplomatic and strong actions, according to all factors and historical evidence. Bangladesh is not comparable to Ukraine, Egypt, or Tunisia.

It is a country with a long history of personal sacrifices made during the Liberation, strong leadership offered by the longest-running and most popular political party in power, and the fastest-growing economy.

Mehjabin Bhanu is Bangladeshi culuminst, security and strategic affairs analyst, teacher.
Opanin Kwabena Mensah an old student of Abetifi Presbyterian College of Education has donated 40 copies of his book titled "The Thunder in my Frema" to the school.

The presentation was done by Opanin Kwabena yesterday, Monday, 10th July 2023 at the College Principal's Office.

The book is purposely to inspire young generations to know their purpose of existence and work very hard to achieve something significant in life.

Opanin added that his Alma Mater provided him with the best tuition and moral training and made him a responsible citizen of the country. I thought that giving back to the same school, would help Teachers to build up their future so they can give their contributions to their country, their fellow man and the world at large, he said.

Opanin Kwabena Mensah was supported by Mr. Akoto and other Alumni members to present 40 copies of the book to the school. They reiterated the fact that, apart from this presentation, they have plans to continually support the College. This in their view will increase academic and discipline in the school.

The College Principal, Dr. (Mrs.) Phyllis Agyeman Nyarko received the books on behalf of the school.

She express her gratitude to Opanin Kwabena and his colleagues for the kind gesture and promised to keep the books in the school library, so all students will get access to them.
The latest update of the global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) with estimates for 110 countries was released today by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) at the University of Oxford. The report demonstrates that poverty reduction is achievable. However, the lack of comprehensive data over the COVID-19 pandemic poses challenges in assessing immediate prospects.

The analysis of trends from 2000 to 2022 focusing on 81 countries with comparable data over time, reveals that 25 countries successfully halved their MPI values within 15 years, showing rapid progress is attainable. These include Cambodia, China, Congo, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Serbia, and Viet Nam.

Notably, India saw a remarkable reduction in poverty, with 415 million people lifted out of poverty within a span of just 15 years (2005/619/21). Also, large numbers of people were lifted out of poverty in China (2010 14, 69 million) and Indonesia (201217, 8 million).

Countries halved their MPI in periods as short as four to 12 years, demonstrating the feasibility of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of halving poverty according to national definitions within 15 years. Thus, it is crucial to consider context-specific multidimensional poverty indices that reflect national definitions of poverty, since the global MPI assesses multidimensional poverty with the same methodology.

Ghana

The most recent survey data that were publicly available for Ghanas MPI estimation refer to 2017/2018. Based on the estimates, about 8 million people (24.6 percent of the population in Ghana) in 2021 is multidimensionally poor. In additional, about 6.5 million Ghanaians (20.1 percent) is classified as vulnerable to multidimensional poverty in 2021. The intensity of deprivations in Ghana, which is the average deprivation score among people living in multidimensional poverty, is 45.1 percent. This means that close to half of the population (45%), is either multidimensionally poor or vulnerable to it.

It is difficult to see the real poverty picture post-COVID, but the available data used for this multidimensional poverty index shows Ghana was making progress towards poverty reduction. It is important to consolidate the gains made over the period and accelerate recovery efforts to ensure no one is left behind, noted Angela Lusigi, UNDP Resident Representative in Ghana.

Despite the global encouraging trends, the lack of post-pandemic data for most of the 110 countries covered by the global MPI restricts our understanding of the pandemic's effects on poverty.

Pedro Conceicao, Director of the Human Development Report Office, observed, "As we reach the mid- point of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we can clearly see that there was steady progress in multidimensional poverty reduction before the pandemic. However, the negative impacts of the pandemic in dimensions such as education are significant and can have long-lasting consequences. It is imperative that we intensify efforts to comprehend the dimensions most negatively affected, necessitating strengthened data collection and policy efforts to get poverty reduction back on track."

Judging from the few countries where data were solely collected in 2021 or 2022  Mexico, Madagascar, Cambodia, Peru, and Nigeria  momentum on poverty reduction may have persisted during the pandemic. Cambodia, Peru, and Nigeria showed significant reductions in their most recent periods, offering hope that progress is still possible. In Cambodia, the most encouraging case among these, the incidence of poverty fell from 36.7% to 16.6%, and the number of poor people halved, from 5.6 million to 2.8 million, all within

7.5 years, including pandemic years (20142021/22).

However, the full impacts globally remain to be measured. With a renewed emphasis on data collection, we need to broaden the picture to include the impacts of the pandemic on children. In over half of the countries covered, there was either no statistically significant reduction in child poverty or the MPI value fell more slowly among children than among adults during at least one period. This suggests that child poverty will continue to be a pressing issue, particularly in relation to school attendance and undernutrition.

"The astonishing scarcity of data on multidimensional poverty is hard to comprehend, let alone justify. The world is reeling under a data deluge and gearing up for the next era of digital growth. Yet we do not have a post-pandemic line of sight for 1 billion of the 1.1 billion poor people says Sabina Alkire, Director of OPHI at the University of Oxford: This problem is eminently solvable  data on multidimensional poverty are faster to gather than most realize  requiring just 5% of questions in the surveys we use. We call on funders and data scientists to make a breakthrough on poverty data, so the interconnected deprivations that strike poor people in real time can be tracked  and intercepted."

The global MPI both monitors poverty reduction and informs policy, showing how people experience poverty in different aspects of their daily lives  from access to education and health, to living standards such as housing, drinking water, sanitation, and electricity. The MPI as a poverty index can be pictured as a stacked tower of the interlinked deprivations experienced by poor individuals, with the aim of eliminating these deprivations.

According to the 2023 release, 1.1 billion out of 6.1 billion people (just over 18%) live in acute multidimensional poverty across 110 countries. Sub-Saharan Africa (534 million) and South Asia (389 million) are home to approximately five out of every six poor people.

Nearly two-thirds of all poor people (730 million people) live in middle-income countries, making action in these countries vital for reducing global poverty. Although low-income countries constitute only 10% of the population included in the MPI, these are where 35% of all poor people reside.

Children under 18 years old account for half of MPI-poor people (566 million). The poverty rate among children is 27.7%, while among adults it is 13.4%. Poverty predominantly affects rural areas, with 84% of all poor people living in rural areas. Rural areas are poorer than urban areas across all regions of the world.

The MPI sheds light on the complexity of poverty  where different indicators contribute to people's experience of poverty differently, varying from region to subnational region, and between and within communities. Ensuring that the data on global poverty is up-to-date and comprehensive is a crucial first step in addressing these challenges and maintaining progress towards a more equal world.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has petitioned the World Bank to investigate a project being rolled out by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation.

According to the former Deputy Education Minister, the $48m Ascend contract for the project did not go through the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) which he says is a clear violation.

The Ministry of Communications and Digitalization (MoCD) in December 2022 awarded the World Bank-funded project worth USS49.5 million to Messrs. Airtel Ghana Limited and Ascend Digital Solutions Limited (ADSL). In the conduct of my constitutional parliamentary oversight duties, I have become aware of a litany of major irregularities, illegal conduct and fundamental breaches of the Banks Anti-Corruption Guidelines in the award and execution of the Contract for the Procurement of Connectivity Needs to Increase High-Speed Government Connectivity to District Centres, Hospitals, Police Stations and Post Offices in Five Lots under the eTransform Project.

This petition is anchored on unimpeachable documents and the patriotic and credible accounts of whistleblowers who courageously stand ready to assist the Bank in its much-needed investigations. The documents in my possession which bring me to an irresistible conclusion of collusion, misrepresentation and other multiple legal violations include tender submission documents from AirtelTigo/Ascend Digital Solutions Limited.

The contract between the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and AirtelTigo/Ascend Digital Solutions Limited, sub-contract between AirtelTigo/Ascend Digital Solutions Limited and Huawei Technologies Ghana Limited, intercepted internal memos, response to my Right to Information Request from Ghanas Public Procurement Authority, Official Reports of Parliament, Articles of Incorporation, social media statements from the Minister of Communications and Digitalization, a public statement from the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications.

Citi Newsroom
The flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has said the party's victory in the Assin North by-election is a sign that they will recapture power in the 2024 elections.

Mahama said the party will use what he described as the 'Assin North formula' whiles addressing the people of Assin North during the NDC's Thank You tour.

In his address, he said the party's victory in the by-election was the beginning of their march to recapture power.

"If history is being written about elections in Ghana, the people of Assin North will have their name written in gold," Mahama said.

"The victory in this by-election is the beginning of our march to recapture power. We are carrying the same momentum to the 2024 general election.

I have faith in the Almighty God to grant the NDC victory in the next election, he added.

He added that the NDC will use the same strategy it members used to win the Assin North by-election to win the 2024 elections, describing it "the Assin North formula."

"You have shown us what we call the Assin North formula," Mahama said. "And it is this Assin North formula we will use to win the 2024 elections."
Renowned economist, Kwame Pianim, says any of the 10 presidential hopefuls of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), will perform better as a president of Ghana than anyone from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

He believes the aspirants are all poised to sacrifice to lead the party and have the potential to change the fortunes of the country if elected to lead the party.

He advised the aspirants not to bad mouth each other just to score cheap political points.

In an interview on the Point Blank segment on Eyewitness News, Mr. Pianim said We encourage all of them to sell themselves, and not to talk about other people. The party is not for personal aggrandizement of one person. Any of the NPP candidates, as far as we [elders] are concerned, will perform better in terms of our philosophy and our outlook of life than anybody from the other side [NDC].

He entreated his peers not to take sides emphasizing the need for the elders to support all the 10 candidates to avoid further exacerbation of internal wrangling.

Kwame Pianim who attended the campaign launch of one of the aspirants, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong assured to attend the campaign launch of the others describing all of them as his children.

I hope the founding members of the party and all the elders will support all the 10 people who are offering themselves as flagbearers. I was there to encourage Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, just like Im encouraging all the others to come out and sacrifice to lead the nation. Its not easy to be a flagbearer, these young people will go round the country and spread the message. They are the ones who are going to energise the people at the party base. Hopefully to give them confidence not to lose hope in the political system. Its the only thing we have, to go and fight and preserve the democratic dispensation, free press, civil liberties that we want at a hard cost to a lot of people.

He added, Yes I was there to support Kwabena Agyepong just like I support all the other 9. Its not for me to select the flagbearer or the 900 super delegates who are supposed to turn the number down to 5, in case they are more than 5, so that the 22,000 delegates from the polling stations, the grassroots members, they will make the appropriate thing to select one. But I hope that when they select one, all the others will rally behind him. Its good that the party elders dont take part in supporting one or two, but support all of them so that the task of uniting the party to face the other party [NDC] during the 2024 general elections will be easier. I will attend the campaign launch of the others if invited.

citinewsroom
12.07.2023 LISTEN

Mr Richard Nyamah, a deputy spokesperson for the group, Alan Kyerematen for President, has disclosed that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) paid the then-running mate to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia's salary while in opposition.

Nyamah made this disclosure during an interview on the Ghana Yensom morning show hosted by Odehyeeba Kofi Essuman on Accra 100.5 FM on Wednesday, July 12.

According to him, Dr Bawumia's household bills were covered by the party while in opposition.

He further asserted that the NPP has compensated Dr Bawumia for his sacrifices by making him the second most powerful person in the country.

He highlighted Dr Bawumia's role as the lead witness in the 2012 Election Petition at the Supreme Court, where the party sought to challenge the votes obtained by then-President John Dramani Mahama, was equally catered for by the party.

According to Mr Nyamah, Dr Bawumia's expertise in mathematics played a significant role in his selection as the lead witness and nothing more.

Mr Nyamah questioned who would have become the Vice President if the Supreme Court ruling had favoured the NPP in 2012.

So he was working for himself as well as the party, Nyamah noted.

He also argued that it would be contradictory for someone who had their bills paid by the party during their time as a running mate to claim they sacrificed their life for the party.

Additionally, Mr Nyamah mentioned that Dr Bawumia, although being a member of the NPP, cannot trace his roots to the Dombo tradition due to his father's decision to join Kwame Nkrumah's Convention People's Party (CPP), betraying the Dombo tradition.

He also emphasised that there is only one tradition in the NPP, which is the United Party (UP).

Classfmonline.com
This article presents a correlation and regression analysis of the influence of the most likely factors that determine the choice of a candidate for president since Ghana has abundant resources, yet, progress has stalled due to tribalism and the election of corrupt politicians who are more concerned with building their fortunes while in office, which can be done through election rigging, widespread corruption, and the influencing of voters with money.

First, despite having abundant resources of gold, diamonds, manganese, bauxite, oil, and exportable agricultural goods, Ghana as a country has several issues. It is not overstated to say that Ghanaians have frequently called for a change of government since the country's independence because they are frequently deceived by tribal leaders and some of them think the great Ashanti nation encompasses all of Ghana, unfortunately, this mindset is to blame for the country's demise and under-development.

Why do Ghanaians waste their votes on a political party that doesnt matter? You are aware of the political parties in Ghana as a citizen, and even if you are illiterate, you may have enough knowledge to compare the economies under each political party, the rates of crime and unemployment, and the national debt, as well as analyze each party's performance in the country. Yet, many Ghanaians dont consider these critical issues to liberate themselves from poverty.



The majority of Ghanaians suffer as a result of their foolish voting decisions, which are influenced by tribalism or money. Photo credit: Ghana media

Politicians have always desired power, and they will continue to do so even after they have failed the public and done poorly. Because of this, most of them engage in illegal money-influencing tactics to sway voters. Unfortunately, presidential elections in many African nations, including Ghana, have never been free and fair because high court judges and the electoral commission have consistently supported the ruling party, regardless of whether the populace wants them or not or whether they are corrupt.

Candidate for the post of President of the country: what criteria should be used to select candidates?

The first requirement for running for president is that the candidate be physically well, a person with a high level of education and intellectual development who is intelligent, wise, and capable of exercising judgment when faced with difficult choices. Most significantly, all of its choices should be made to better the life of the common people, Ghanaian citizens. Do these apply to Ghanaian politics today? We must be honest and say that the NPP government has let the people down.

Politicians should consistently and unavoidably forgo a portion of their salaries when necessary to assist the needy and stand on an equal footing with their constituents, not this government. It is more like a professional who creates several taxes without giving the poor masses any jobs while pursuing the International Monetary Fund for a small amount of money. This government has destroyed all enterprises in Ghana, including domestic and foreign investments.



The money from the ports alone can create jobs and develop the country if this administration has intelligent and effective politicians. The National Identification Authority prints out foreigners or non-citizens cards at $120; with only a one-year expiration date. This fraud alone is potent enough to deter or keep away potential investors from the nation. Sadly, the corrupt judges are making the problem worse as everything about the administration in this country continues to deteriorate.

Unchecked authority corrupts everyone; this is essentially a law of nature. If Ghanaians don't make sure the president does the right thing, everyone inevitably ends up as his captive. Ghanaians must therefore make sure that no presidential candidate has a criminal record for committing significant crimes that are punishable by law or crimes that are connected to extremely serious ones. The public has the right to oppose that one if the legal system is corrupt and would fail to prosecute a political criminal.

I think it appears to the majority of Ghanaians that anything that glitters is gold, since I've experienced better life and politics, I can tell metal from gold with ease. The intelligent ones among Ghanaians should avoid voting for any politician who wants to be a president in this government. What gives you the impression that they can be better presidents, when Mahamudu Bawumia, Alan Kyerematen, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, etc, are all components of this destructive abysmal government?



Are we not in Ghana, when the vice president, the composer of the hit Kayayee are suffering, who calls himself an economist, together with the president, Akufo Addo, and the governor of the Central Bank of Ghana, printed new currencies, three times, without the approval of parliament to further agitate an already unstable economy? God endowed everyone with intelligence, therefore if you don't have any; please make every effort to acquire it to come up with better solutions for your life.
North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

12.07.2023 LISTEN

The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has taken steps for the US$48 million Ascend deal allegedly awarded by Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful without going through the proper channels to be investigated.

Last week, the Minority MP in a post on his Facebook page disclosed that he has a document confirming that the Minister of Communications had awarded the US$48 million contract without approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).

After several back and forths with the Minister of Communication on social media, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has now petitioned the World Bank to investigate the contract.

The petition was filed successfully on Tuesday, July 11, by the North Tongu MP.

Yesterday, I successfully petitioned the World Bank & World Bank Ghana Office to launch investigations into the litany of irregularities, misrepresentation, insider dealing & conflict of interest relating to the US$48million Ascend Scandal and how that was used to fraudulently secure a US$49.5million World Bank funded eTransform project which was also awarded to Ascend under an AirtelTigo/Ascend JV, Ablakwa noted in a post on Facebook on Wednesday.

In his expose on the scandal, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa expressed concern about how Ascend Digital Solutions owned by a Nigerian cabal has raided the Communications sector in Ghana and grabbed all juicy contracts in the sector under exceedingly opaque circumstances.
NPP flagbearer hopeful Kwabena Agyapong says having a small size government with fewer ministries will send a strong signal to Ghanaians that the party is serious about transforming the country.

Mr Agyapong, launching his campaign on Tuesday, July 11, said bloated government must end.

"It's not about the quantum of money you save by downsizing the government, but the moral message you send to the Ghanaian people that you are serious about what you are doing," he said.

If elected NPP flagbearer and president, Mr Agyapong promised to implement smaller government of 54 ministers as a first step in economic transformation.

"We'll cut down the government. I'll work with a 54 ministerial team and thats a stark departure from what weve used in the 4th Republic," Mr Agyapong stated.

He said it was important for leaders to lead by example, citing the large government perks enjoyed by officials.

"Cut down the government perks in Ghana right now, it appears people enjoy government perks more than the work that they are supposed to do," he noted.

Mr Agyapong said a smaller, leaner government would free up resources for youth programs, entrepreneurship and economic rebuilding.

"Its not about rhetoric or sloganeering. Its about real cuts that would ensure that you can free the resources that we require," he stressed.
ANDOVER, Vt. (AP)  Volunteers pulled out their snow shovels Wednesday to clear inches of mud after torrential rain and flooding inundated communities across Vermont, trapping people in homes, closing roadways and littering streets and businesses with debris.

The water drained off most streets in the state capital of Montpelier, where the swollen Winooski River flooded basements and ground floors, destroying merchandise and furniture across the picturesque downtown. Other communities cleaned up as well from historic floods that were more destructive than Tropical Storm Irene in many places. Dozens of roads remained closed, and thousands of homes and businesses are damaged.

But with people still being rescued, high water still blocking some roads and new flash flood warnings issued with more rain on the way, the crisis is far from over, according to state Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison.

Vermonters, keep your guard up, and do not take chances, she said.

Morrison said urban search and swift water rescue teams came to the aid of least 32 people and numerous animals Tuesday night in northern Vermont's Lamoille County, bringing the total to more than 200 rescues since Sunday, and more than 100 evacuations.

Volunteers turned out in droves to help flooded businesses in Montpelier, a city of 8,000, shoveling mud, cleaning, and moving damaged items outside. Weve had so much enthusiasm for support for businesses downtown that most of the businesses have had to turn folks away, said volunteer organizer Peter Walke.

Similar scenes played out in neighboring Barre and in Bridgewater, where the Ottauquechee River spilled its banks, and in Ludlow, where the Black River sent floodwaters surging into several restaurants co-owned by chef Andrew Molen. He said Sam's Steakhouse is likely closed for good after the water inside reached nearly 7 feet (more than 2 meters) high.

The only thing thats probably gonna be salvageable is the silverware, and even then, after being in that muck for so long, you wash everything, do you really want to put that on the table? Its pretty intense what happened, Molen said.

Another of his restaurants, Mr. Darcy's, had a couple feet of water inside, damaging the foundation. But Molen said he hasnt focused on cleaning up yet, because the first order of business has been making sure local residents and first responders stay fed. His crew has been cooking at one of the restaurants that remains functional and using ATVs through standing water to bring the meals to a local community center.

Gov. Phil Scott toured the disaster areas with Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, whose teams began aerial and on-the-ground damage assessments a day after President Joe Biden declared an emergency and authorized federal disaster relief.

The total cost of the damage could be substantial. According to to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, even before these floods, this year has seen 12 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion in the United States.

I think we all understand we are now living through the worst natural disaster to impact the state of Vermont since (the flood of) 1927, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders said. What we are looking at now are thousands of homes and businesses which have been damaged, sometimes severely. We're looking at roads and bridges, some of which have been wiped out and will need basic and fundamental repairs. The 1927 floods killed dozens of people and caused widespread destruction.

Scott said floodwaters surpassed levels seen during Tropical Storm Irene, which killed six people in Vermont in August 2011, washing homes off their foundations and damaging or destroying more than 200 bridges and 500 miles (805 kilometers) of highway.

Atmospheric scientists say destructive flooding events happen more frequently now because clouds carry more water as the atmosphere warms, and the planets rising temperatures will only make it worse.

New York 's Hudson River Valley also was hit hard, along with towns in southwest New Hampshire and western Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey got a birds eye view in a helicopter ride to the small town of Williamsburg on Wednesday, where roads were washed out and some people had to be rescued from their homes. Even after two days of receding waters, the Connecticut River retained a muddy brown hue and farmland along the river remains saturated, she said.

Much of that water was carrying debris including entire trees, boulders and even vehicles south through Connecticut to Long Island Sound. Major waterways including the Connecticut River overflowed their banks, and were expected to crest Wednesday at up to 6 feet (2 meters) above flood stage, closing roads and riverside parks in multiple cities.

By mid-day Wednesday, all the rivers in Vermont had crested and water levels were receding, although at least one was 20 feet (6 meters) above normal, said Peter Banacos, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Thunderstorms, gusty winds and hail were forecast for Thursday and Friday in Vermont, but Banacos said they'll blow through quickly enough that more flooding isn't likely.

One death was blamed on the storm  a woman whose body was found after she was swept away in Fort Montgomery, New York.

About 12 Vermont communities, including the state capital, were under a boil water alert, but at least they were reachable again after being marooned by high water. The American Red Cross of Northern New England supported shelters in Rutland, White River Junction and Barre, where the city auditorium had 58 evacuees Wednesday morning, compared to more than 200 on Tuesday.

Many people were passing through to recharge their phones and get something to eat, said John Montes, regional disaster officer. Red Cross volunteers from across the Northeast were helping with disaster assessment and handing out clean-up kits to homeowners ahead of the next rains.

This flooding was catastrophic for Bear Pond Books, a 50-year-old store in Montpelier, said co-owner Claire Benedict. Water about 3 1/2 feet deep ruined many books and fixtures. Staffers and volunteers piled waterlogged books outside the back and front doors on Wednesday.

The floor was completely covered with soaked books this morning, she said as they cleared out the mud. Its a big old mess.

Ludlow Municipal Manager Brendan McNamara said his town also suffered catastrophic damage. The water treatment plant was out of commission, the main supermarket and roadway through town were closed, the Little League field and a new skate park were destroyed and he said he couldn't begin to estimate how many houses and businesses were damaged.

We just really took the brunt of the storm, McNamara said. But he said his town will recover. Ludlow will be fine. People are coming together and taking care of each other."

Associated Press contributors include Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire; Pat Eaton-Robb in Hartford, Connecticut; Michael Hill in Albany, New York; and Mark Pratt, Michael Casey and Steve LeBlanc in Boston.
The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr John Mahama, has accused the Akufo-Addo government of seeking to use the partisan leadership of the Electoral Commission, to rig the 2024 general elections.

Speaking at the Alumni Connect of the Tertiary Education Institutions Network  KNUST chapter (TEIN  KNUST) on July 8, 2023, Mr Mahama said instead of the government focusing on governing, it is preoccupied with winning elections.

We all know that the NPP lacks prioritisation because I daresay that the money that was spent in buying votes and building ad-hoc roads in Kumawu and Assin North could have cleared all the arrears of the NaBCo trainees and also cleared the arrears of the buffer stock food suppliers, he said.

The New Patriotic Party led by President Akufo-Addo has shown that they are prepared to resort to electoral manipulation through the pliant and partisan leadership of the Electoral Commission to hang on to power, Mr Mahama added.

It is our responsibility to give expression and manifestation to the desire of the Ghanaian people for change by remaining eternally vigilant and ensuring that the change is secured through democratic means and that no effort at undermining the change through rigging or other forms of manipulation will succeed, the former president noted.

It is in this light that we in the NDC wish to make clear that we will resist and prevent any sinister plot by the EC to manipulate the outcome of the 2024 election, even before the first ballot is cast, through the needless and unacceptable insistence on the Ghana Card as the only means of registration.

Classfmonline.com
Mr Adama Sulemana, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tain Constituency in the Bono Region, belonging to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has strongly criticised President Nana Akufo-Addo, accusing him of posing a threat to state institutions.

Mr Sulemana accused the president of undermining and corrupting these institutions during his tenure.

He went as far as claiming that not even a military junta would undermine state institutions to the extent that President Akufo-Addo has.

Mr Sulemana expressed these views during an interview on The Citizen Show hosted by Kwabena Bobie Ansah on Accra 100.5 FM on July 10, 2023.

He highlighted what he considered unprecedented actions taken by the president, such as the appointment of an exceptionally high number of judges.

According to Mr Sulemana, President Akufo-Addo has appointed 126 high court judges and 41 appeal court judges in seven years.

He criticised the appointment of a high court judge to the Supreme Court over more senior colleagues from the Appeals Court, suggesting cronyism at play.

Mr Sulemana further accused the president of surrounding the courts with his cronies and engaging in state capture, a situation where state institutions are controlled or influenced for personal or political gain.

He claimed that all state institutions, including the Electoral Commission, Supreme Court, Appeals Court, High Court, and even the supposedly neutral Council of State, are suffering from state capture under President Akufo-Addo's administration.

As an example, he mentioned that when the NDC raised concerns about politically biased individuals serving as commissioners in the Electoral Commission, the Council of State claimed to have only considered their competence and ignored their party affiliations.

This, according to Sulemana, is evidence of state capture.

Classfmonline.com
All flags at the Keta Senior High Technical school (Ketasco) are flying at half-mast from Monday, July 10, in honour of the late former National Science and Maths Quiz contestant, James Lutterodt.

Mr Innocent Augustt, Headmaster of the school disclosed to the Ghana News Agency that the schools management committee were deliberating to give the brilliant student a befitting burial.

We were doing our 58th annual Southern Zonal Inter-Schools competition, when the devastating news broke, he said.

Key among their plans Mr Augustt stated, would be a vigil on Friday night being part of activities in remembrance of the former student.

Lutterodt was a member of Ketascos 2021 NSMQ squad, together with Bright Senyo Gadzo, and Francisca Lamini that raised the flag of Ketasco and the whole of Volta Region high as they remained the first SHS from the region to climb up to the top.

Lutterodt was a level 200 Computer Science student at the University of Ghana, Legon.

His demise was all over social media from Monday, July 2 after his father had confirmed his death.

GNA
President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana held a brief ceremony at the Jubilee House in Accra on July 10, 2023, to receive the Letters of Credence from six envoys representing Turkiye, Ethiopia, Mali, Saudi Arabia, Cote d'Ivoire, and Colombia.

During the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo congratulated the newly appointed envoys and expressed the Government of Ghana's readiness to collaborate with their respective countries in various areas of mutual interest. These areas include trade, agriculture, health, technology, and education.

The President assured the envoys that the Government of Ghana would provide them with the necessary support to fulfill their duties during their tenure.

In particular, President Akufo-Addo urged the envoys to explore the trade opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He emphasised the potential for boosting economic cooperation between Ghana and their respective countries through enhanced trade relations.

The AfCFTA presents a platform for expanding trade across the African continent and holds great potential for increasing economic integration.

The new envoys, in turn, expressed their commitment to strengthening the existing cordial relations between their countries and Ghana.

They pledged to work towards deepening cooperation in areas of mutual interest, both at the bilateral and multilateral levels. This commitment reflects the shared desire to foster stronger ties and collaboration to achieve common goals.

The envoys who presented their Letters of Credence to President Akufo-Addo are as follows: H.E. Mr. Huseyin Gungr, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye; H.E. Mr. Teferi Fikre Gossaye, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; H.E. Konate Oumar, Ambassador of the Republic of Mali; H.E. Mr. Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Dakhel, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; H.E. Mr. Assielou Felix Tanon, Ambassador of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire; and H.E. Mr. Daniel Garces Carabali, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia.

Source: Classfmonline.com
Nearly 11,000 people in jihadist-hit southwestern Niger have fled their homes this month, the United Nations and local authorities said Wednesday.

"These people are running from violence perpetrated by suspected armed non-state groups found in the Tillaberi region and the tri-border zone," where Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali meet, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Niamey said.

Local authorities in Niger's Say department reported that over 10,800 people from nine villages in the Ouro Gueladjo area "were forced to flee their homes" from July 3-9.

More than 8,430 people had taken refuge at Ouro Gueladjo town and 2,140 nearby close to Torodi. Some 215 had arrived in the capital Niamey, another 70 kilometres (45 miles) away, OCHA and the authorities said.

The UN agency said the exodus was sparked by the killing of two villagers on the night of July 3, coupled to an ultimatum from armed groups to leave their homes within 72 hours.

Local sources said many people were sleeping in school classrooms or had been taken in by other families.

"The humanitarian situation remains precarious," OCHA said, particularly in Ouro Gueladjo where shelter, food, medicine and drinking water were all in short supply.

The Niger government was to distribute 85 tonnes of food in the area on Wednesday.

OCHA was also trying to "facilitate access" for aid workers to Ouro Gueladjo where two army detachments have been deployed to tighten security.

The armed groups have "stepped up" their operations against local populations including the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDS), murder, kidnapping and ultimatums in the border zone with Burkina Faso, OCHA said.

The Tillaberi region has been plagued for nearly eight years by insurgents linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

The vast arid area, roughly the size of South Korea, has around 150,000 internally displaced people, according to the UN.

One of the poorest countries in the world, Niger is also struggling with jihadist violence that has spilled into its southeast from northeastern Nigeria.
Cote d'Ivoire has announced plans to launch its first satellite within the next two years. A team of scientists in the fields of astrophysics and geology tell The Conversation Africa about the potential benefits of this development and how the country plans to realise its space industry ambitions.

What kind of satellite does Cote d'Ivoire plan to launch?

YAM-SAT-CI 01 will be a nanosatellite for the observation of the Earth. A nanosatellite is a small satellite, weighing from 1kg to 10kg. It will be equipped with a camera which can provide images of the coast, forests, natural parks and urban areas of the country.

The construction of the satellite is 100% Ivorian. It has been entrusted to Universal Konstructors Associated , a private Ivorian company promoting scientific and technological development in Cote d'Ivoire, in partnership with the Institut National Polytechnique Felix Houphouet-Boigny of Yamoussoukro.

It's the first step towards more sophisticated satellites and sensors which have many applications . For example they can detect, monitor and map threats to national security, illegal migration, deforestation , illegal gold mining activities, soil humidity and water reservoirs. They can help minimise the consequences of floods or droughts.

In Cote d'Ivoire, such a satellite could assist the government's efforts to regulate artisanal mining and combat illegal activities and destruction of the environment .

These applications rely on sophisticated image processing algorithms, including the use of artificial intelligence.

What are the other potential benefits and spinoffs?

Earth observation provides data for agriculture, disaster management and urban planning. The satellite supports various applications, including monitoring vegetation health, mapping water resources, and analysing urban growth patterns.

Aside from the technology's direct benefits, it serves the scientific and economic development of the nation.

The project of building and launching a satellite is generally accompanied by capacity building in many sectors related to the space industry. It involves engineers and scientists to develop sensors and the ground segment to track and communicate with the satellite.

Other important benefits of such projects include a wider use of space-science technology. A satellite launch may lead to greater use of Earth observations data and products, provided by numerous satellites orbiting around our planet.

Who will be involved in this project?

The academic and private sectors all have a role to play in this scientific, technical and political adventure.

The Institut National Polytechnique Felix Houphouet-Boigny has already planned to set up new curricula in the domain of space and aeronautics. This will directly benefit a new generation of young engineers. And an Ivoirian Association for Astronomy has been launched. Its outreach activities to promote astronomy and space science to the wider public will increase the scientific literacy of the population. It may inspire the younger generation towards scientific careers.

Lastly, the University Felix Houphouet-Boigny has a laboratory specialising in the observation of the Earth from space: the Centre Universitaire de Recherche et d'Application en Teledetection . Its students may also contribute to the design, mission strategy and applications of Cote d'Ivoire's satellites.

What are other African countries doing in space technology?

The 2022 space industry report of the consulting company Space in Africa says the value of the industry in Africa is expected to reach US$22.64 billion in 2026. That's up from US$19.49 billion in 2021. The report indicates that African nations allocated US$534.9 million to space programmes in 2022 compared to US$523.2 million in 2021. These investments indicate that African countries are preparing for wider use of space technology in handling challenges affecting the continent.

For instance, on 23 April 2023 Kenya launched its first satellite , called Taifa-1, with the help of SpaceX. The satellite is equipped with an optical camera and is expected to provide agricultural and environmental monitoring data for Kenya.

In 2021, Tunisia launched its first 100% Tunisian-made satellite. Zimbabwe, Uganda , Egypt and Angola have also launched satellites in the last 12 months. In April 2023, President Macky Sall announced the launch of the Senegalese Agency of Space Studies .

Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa are the most advanced African countries on space issues. For instance, ZACube, launched in December 2018, is a nanosatellite developed by the South African National Space Agency and local universities. It focuses on the safety of maritime traffic in South African coastal waters.

Nigeria's National Space Research and Development Agency was established in 1999. It has launched five satellites since 2003. In December 2022, Nigeria and Rwanda became the first African countries to sign the Artemis Accords , a NASA-led framework outlining best practices for sustainable space exploration.

It's clear that more and more African countries are investing in space technologies.

The first step is to educate the population about space and the benefits of investing in space technologies. We need to create space-related training courses and promote space science in African countries.

David Baratoux receives funding from French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development and from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (France)

Aziz Diaby Kassamba is affiliated with Universite Felix Houphouet-Boigny and Association Ivoirienne d'Astronomie.

Marc Harris Yao Fortune, Marie Korsaga, and Pancrace Aka do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

By David Baratoux, Geologist, Institut de recherche pour le developpement (IRD) And

Aziz Diaby Kassamba, Enseignant chercheur en physique de l'espace, Universite Felix Houphouet-Boigny. Cocody, Cote-d'Ivoire And

Marc Harris Yao Fortune, Enseignant-chercheur, astrophysicien , Universite Felix Houphouet-Boigny. Cocody, Cote-d'Ivoire And

Marie Korsaga, Enseignant-Chercheur en physique chimie, Universite Joseph Ki-Zerbo And

Pancrace Aka, Epistemologue, Historien des sciences et Logicien, Universite Felix Houphouet-Boigny. Cocody, Cote-d'Ivoire
The Bono East Regional Chapter of the Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC), a civil society group has held its annual general meeting to champion the course of quality education in the region.

The Coalition is focused on motivating individuals to channel their energies to promote quality basic education for all, irrespective of gender, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed or social or economic status including persons living with disabilities as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

Mr Thomas Benarkuu Bono East Regional Coordinator who made this known on Tuesday at the 2 nd Regional general meeting at Kintampo of the Bono East Region noted that the GNECC was missioned to influence policies of institutions at the local, regional, national and international levels of governments towards ensuring quality basic education for all by working with Civil Society Organizations and communities.

He further explained that the purpose of the meeting was to update members on the state of the network, identifying opportunities and leveraging on them for effective advocacy, indicating that it was also aimed at strengthening the local base of the network by identifying training gaps to improve on membership skills among other things.

Mr Benarkuu in a presentation threw light on the updates from GNECC national secretariat and the current happenings in the education sector. There was an open forum for members to discuss issues and after which three main working groups including Media and Advocacy, Research, Resource mobilization were formed to assist the executives to work effectively.

He urged members to leverage their social capital with media and other organizations who are willing to support GNECC to carry out its activities at no cost.

The Regional Coordinator disclosed that four members, including Ahenbronoso Foundation in Techiman, Mission Link Foundation in Nkoramza, GHANECARE in Atebubu and MIHOSO International Foundation are committed to supporting GNECC in advocacy.

Alhaji Baba Tanko Executive Director of Holy City Foundation advised members to try and pay their dues to help GNECC function effectively.
12.07.2023 LISTEN

In every thriving city, the smooth flow of traffic is an essential factor for both economic growth and public safety. One crucial element that ensures this orderly movement of vehicles and pedestrians is an efficient and well-maintained network of street and traffic lights.

These vital road infrastructural components guide traffic, regulate intersections, and maintain a harmonious balance between transportation modes. However, in recent times, an alarming rise in dysfunctional street and traffic lights has become a pressing concern, leaving citizens to question the whereabouts and effectiveness of city authorities.

The malfunctioning of street and traffic lights not only disrupts the daily lives of commuters but also poses significant risks to public safety.

The Nighttime Hazard

A ride through major parts of the city especially in the evening is astounding. Many areas within Accra, Tema, Kasoa and its environs are plagued with the absence or non-operational street and road traffic lights. A worrying trend that jeopardizes the safety of motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists, leading to an increase in crashes, injuries, and fatalities.

Nighttime driving inherently presents challenges due to reduced visibility. As night falls, roadways become engulfed in darkness, severely compromising visibility and exacerbating the risks associated with traveling after sundown. According to recent statistics from the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), inadequate street lighting contributes to over 30% of road crashes. This staggering figure highlights the urgent need for attention and intervention to address this critical road safety issue.

Although government charges a 1% street lighting levy on all domestic electricity sales to fund the operation and maintenance of street lights, it seems the monies collected are not used for its purpose. The absence of non-functioning street lights obscures important visual cues, such as road markings, traffic signs, and potential obstacles, rendering navigation difficult and increasing the likelihood of crashes. Now, because of the dereliction of the state in lightening the streets and roads, individuals are no installing street lights in their neighborhoods to improve safety especially in the evening.

Crash Rates

The impact of non-functioning streetlights on road safety is evident in the rise in crash rates. Studies have consistently demonstrated a strong correlation between inadequate street lighting and increased traffic crashes.

The Ghana Statistical Service reports that pedestrians knockdowns account for nearly 40% of road fatalities, with inadequate lighting playing a significant role in these tragic incidents. Statistics from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service also reveal a distressing reality, with approximately 30% of road crashes in the country occur during the night and at dawn. This staggering figure highlights the urgent need to address the issue to curb these preventable crashes and save lives.

The absence of proper lighting does not only affect drivers' ability to perceive potential hazards but also hampers their judgment in assessing speed and distance, significantly escalating the chances of collisions.

Economic Burden

Beyond the human toll, non-functioning street lights also impose a substantial economic burden. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that road crashes cost the country 1-2% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually, underscoring the economic implications of inadequate road safety measures.

Crashes resulting from inadequate lighting contribute to property damage, medical expenses, and insurance claims, placing a strain on individuals and families affected by the crash. Moreover, crashes often lead to traffic congestion, causing delays and disrupting the smooth flow of commerce. The cost of repairs and maintenance for damaged infrastructure further burdens already stretched Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) budgets.

It is clear that addressing this issue is not merely a matter of road safety but also a pressing economic concern.

Insecurity and Criminal activities

In addition to its direct impact on road safety, non-functioning street lights contribute to a pervasive sense of insecurity. It creates an opportune environment for criminal activities, such as theft, assault, and vandalism to thrive. Obviously, darkness offers anonymity to wrongdoers, thereby, increasing the fear factor and deterring individuals from venturing out at night. This, in turn, negatively impacts social and economic activities.

Moreover, areas with poorly lit streets are often seen as havens for criminal activity, exacerbating many residents' concerns about personal safety. Addressing non-functioning street lights, therefore, is essential to fostering vibrant and secure communities.

The Way Forward

Addressing this issue requires a coordinated effort involving the Ministry of Roads and Highways, local authorities, and utility companies to ensure the timely repair and regular inspection of street lights. Timely disbursement to private contractors who have engaged to provide and maintain streetlights.

Local authorities who have been tasked with maintenance and sustainability of street-light ought to prioritize regular maintenance and prompt repairs at all times. Monies collected from the citizenry must be used for the purpose for which it was accrued. Implementing a comprehensive monitoring system that promptly identifies and addresses non-functioning lights can go a long way in preventing crashes and ensuring road safety.

By engaging with businesses and organizations, government can tap into additional resources and expertise to improve street lighting infrastructure effectively. Collaborating with energy companies can also help to explore renewable energy sources, such as solar-powered street lights, offering a sustainable solution to the power supply challenges.

Conclusion

Non-functioning street lights represent a peril road safety concern that demands immediate attention. Although other behavioral risk factors contribute to road crashes, fatalities and injuries, the impact of inadequate illumination on crash rates, pedestrian vulnerability, crime rates, and the economy is profound and far-reaching. Government ought to take actionable steps to address this pressing issue without delay.

The writer is a development professional with CUTS International, Accra. For more information visit www.cuts-accra.org or email [email protected].
12.07.2023 LISTEN

Chapter 6 of the 1992 constitution is about the directive principle of state policy. Article 34 (1) explains that the directive principle of state policy serves as a guide to individuals and institutions in applying or interpreting the constitution or any other law and in taking and implementing any policy decisions , for the establishment of a just and free society. This section of the constitution behooves on us to be responsible citizens in the course of going about our duties as Ghanaians.

Article 36 (9) enjoins the state to take appropriate measure in protecting and safeguarding the national environment for posterity and also seek cooperation with other stakeholders for the purpose of protecting the wider international environment for mankind. The same chapter under article 41 (K) also enjoins every citizen to protect and safeguard the environment. It is by no accident that these sections on the environment are explicit in our constitution. These provisions were made for a purpose and for which we all as citizens must respect.

Human activities such as the destruction of the environment through pollution, indiscriminate disposal of waste, deforestation, illegal mining and other bad environmental practices are the major cause of environmental degradation in this country. Most of these practices have led to the destruction of the ecosystems and the gradual extinction of wildlife.

In recent times, the issue of environmental degradation has been of concern to civil society groups, religious bodies, politicians, traditional authorities, the media and environmentalist. Illegal mining or what is popularly known as Galamsey in our local parlance is a major activity going on in our forest reserves and by our water bodies. This has resulted in the pollution of our water bodies; the proximity of the illegal mining activities and the chemicals used by these miners has made our water bodies to loss its natural coloration.

The Ghana Water Company Limited has on many occasions warn of the dire consequences of the activities of illegal miners to their operations, they have complained of the huge foreign exchange that they have to use to purchase chemicals to treat the water they supply to us, people who live around these water bodies have also expressed their concerns about these developments in their communities. The activities of these miners have affected aquatic life in most of these water bodies, making life difficult for fisher folks living in these communities.

The United Nations under its Sustainable Development Goals has Climate Change as its 13th goal. The world body is doing everything in its capacity to combat climate change and its impact. In Ghana, climate change has resulted in erratic rainfall patterns, rising sea levels, drought and increasing temperatures. In recent times the country has experienced erratic rainfall patterns leading to the destruction of properties and in some cases the loss of human lives.

Just recently, the capital of the Volta region, Ho experienced a heavy downpour as a result of which many people lost their properties. In the past; other parts of Ghana also experienced heavy downpours and this led to the loss of human lives. People along the coastal areas in the Volta region and other towns have also not been spared of the strong tidal waves due to climate change patterns; the victims have lost their buildings and other valuables to these tidal waves.

Environmentalist, Civil Society Organizations and concerned Ghanaians are of the fear that our forest and water bodies might go extinct if nothing is done about the bad environmental practices and these concerns expressed by these stakeholders are very legitimate. The government has a major role to play to ensure that the concerns of these groups are addressed, there are enough laws to punish people who destroy our environment, the district assemblies and security forces must do more to help protect our environment, the media has always highlighted most of the environmental challenges that our country is facing, government must partner the media and resource other stakeholders to ensure that environmental issues are tackled with all the seriousness it deserves.

God bestowed mother earth on us so that we can live and let other things around us live, but our selfishness and greed is destroying all that we are to enjoy on this earth, protecting our environment should be everyones concern. Lets do our best to protect mother earth for the unborn generation.

Mustapha Jimah [email protected]

0244677946
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has reacted to the leaked audio tape brought to his attention by the Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.

The tape captures some senior officials of the police and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) hatching plans to oust the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare.

The Speaker, upon knowledge about the tape, indicated that he will refer it to a committee for investigations.

This comes after Mr Armah-Kofi Boah filed an urgent statement over the issue on Wednesday, July 12.

Mr Bagbin told the House, I will urge the maker of the urgent statement to submit in writing the terms of the proposed statement which he just gave us notice.

The former Member of Parliament (MP) said the written statement will guide him to give the direction as to how the investigation or inquiry be conducted by the appropriate committee of the House.

He, therefore, directed the Ellembelle MP to submit a written statement on the issue.

Already, the Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee, James Agalga, has rejected explanations by the Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery, that the persons were only blowing hot air.

The Builsa North MP has urged President Nana Akufo-Addo to probe those behind the audio and bring them to book.

First of all, the Minister doesn't appear to be sure of who the persons are, those who were caught plotting to subvert the will of the Ghanaian people in 2024 to merely assure us that nothing untoward will happen, he said on Ghana Tonight on Tuesday, July 11.

He later added: The president, if you ask me, is the person who must put in the mechanism to ensure that those who are behind it are brought to book.

citinewsroom
Kwame Pianim, renowned Ghanaian economist

12.07.2023 LISTEN

Renowned Ghanaian economist Kwame Pianim has stated that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) is likely to suffer electorally in the 2024 general elections due to the difficult economic conditions.

The NPP is hoping to make history by winning a third consecutive presidential term in 2024.

However, Mr. Pianim believes the party's chances are slim due to the poor state of the economy.

In an interview on Accra-based Citi TV's Eyewitness News, Mr. Pianim said "It's going to be difficult [for NPP] in 2024."

He explained, "It's going to be difficult to get the economy back, and to make sure we put in place processes that make it difficult to go back to where we are."

According to him, Madness will be defined as repeating the same processes and expecting to get the same results. If we don't change drastically how we develop and as the Romans will say make haste slowly, we have to cut our coats according to our clothes.

Mr. Pianim emphasized the need for prudent use of limited resources and eliminating corruption.

"We have to make sure the monies we get, we will get value for money. And that all the procurement agencies, value for money audit, we scrap all of them.

"Because they provide avenues for people to just take monies and we need to get it off, incompetence and corruption, those two are important. The management of the economy is not too difficult if theres no corruption," he said.

The respected economist, who served under former President John Agyekum Kufuors administration commended the NPP youth for championing the difficult task of "Breaking the 8" despite the challenges.

However, the prevailing economic hardships and dissatisfaction among Ghanaians will make it an uphill task for the NPP, according to Mr. Pianim's assessment.
Ernest Owusu-Bempah, the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Deputy Director of Communications, has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of orchestrating the leaked audio recording of the purported attempt to remove Inspector General of Police Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.

According to Mr. Owusu-Bempah, the "propaganda machinery of the opposition NDC has devolved into a pointless internecine politics of attrition."

He said the inquisitiveness of Ghana's traditional party politics has been circumscribed by the unwarranted presumption that propaganda is the way out.

It is, therefore, no wonder to have woken up to yet another dose of NDCs mind management tactic of creating a discursive regime of the inevitability of its propagandist politics with a purported audio recording of an NPP stalwart and a certain police officer.

The so-called Alex Mensah tape, plotting for the removal of the Inspector General of Police, is a pure concoction and a propaganda material from the stables of the NDC.

This audio recording of a conversation between a so-called police officer and the stalwart of the NPP in the northern region ought to be dismissed with every contempt that it deserves, Ernest Owusu-Bempah stated.

Below is Owusu-Bempahs full statement

Fake audio: NDCs propaganda cant stop NPP from Winning 2024

Aldous Huxley, the famous English philosopher and propagandist came up with the theory that the propagandists purpose is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human.

In many ways, this theory epitomizes everything about the politics of John Mahamas NDC.

Anyone who has monitored the Ghanaian political punditry in the institutional news media and on social media in the last few weeks would be led to suppose that the propaganda machinery of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), is more than enough to win political power in this country.

Its almost as if political discourse in this our supposedly democratic and civilized nation has succumbed to a plague of propagandism in which a particular political party fights tooth and nail to hold on to what theyve got, no matter who suffers as a result.

Of course, the propaganda machinery of the opposition NDC has devolved into a pointless internecine politics of attrition.

So much so that, even the inquisitiveness of our traditional party politics have been circumscribed by the unwarranted presumption that propaganda is the way out.

It is therefore no wonder to have woken up to yet another dose of NDCs mind management tactic of creating a discursive regime of the inevitability of its propagandist politics with a purported audio recording of an NPP stalwart and a certain police officer.

The so-called Alex Mensah tape, plotting for the removal of the Inspector General of Police, is a pure concoction and a propaganda material from the stables of the NDC.

This audio recording of a conversation between a so-called police officer and the stalwart of the NPP in the northern region ought to be dismissed with every contempt that it deserves.

The NDC has a notoriety for black propaganda and this is one of their antiquated antics.

In actual fact, the NDCs desperate bid to grab power using subterfuge is the reason this so-called audio recording has found its way into the public square.

It is all about the NDCs desperation to grab political power by any foul means.

They have been at it, and it has been ineffective over the course of time, and yet they have failed to learn the right lessons. They have been employing lies and dirty propaganda as well as well rehearsed jaundiced strategies to win elections but it has always ended in absolute turmoil.

This their latest propaganda could very well amount to dancing themselves lame in rehearsals for a dancing contest they may not eventually take part in.

While the NPP is busy toeing the constitutional path to retain its mandate, those who have truncated the wishes of the majority of Ghanaians have recoursed to mischief and endless subterfuge to continue to hold on to what they know does not belong to them.

From the show of shame in the Gyakye Quayson criminal trial to the drama in their background, both of which they contrived, they have now moved to the circulation of a deep fake audio file aimed at promoting dissatisfaction for the ruling regime.

All these are meant to serve no other purpose than egregious mischief aimed at demarketing the NPP. If the goal is to create a credibility problem, the ploy has failed woefully.

The NDC and John Mahama cannot stop being fraudulent because that is who they are.

It is an open secret that the NDC has been lackluster and incompetent in opposition, and has resorted to propaganda politics.

There is now an unjustified by entirely understandable nostalgia for NDC in light of their short sightedness.

Its also distressing that even otherwise clear-sighted people who recognize that the NDC is a clear and present danger to Ghana and that John Mahama and his political creations are core constituents of the conscienceless gang of villains that has no good intentions for Ghana.

The Ghanaian people are too clever to fall for populism and black propaganda of course, but its still true that they cannot be seduced by the rhetoric of the NDC. They know better and will continue to reject NDC over and over again.

Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah Bonsu (Deputy Director of Communications, NPP)
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) branch in Germany has commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for redeveloping the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.

In a release on Wednesday, July 12, NPP Germany said the modernisation of the Park is a big slap in the face of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and all other critics.

NPP Germany observing from far sees this redevelopment of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park as a big slap and shame in the faces of opposition and his critics particularly those who have always tagged NPP and Akufo-Addo as Anti-Nkrumah.

Is it not for want of hypocrisy that a whole regime under the NDC that claimed to be first class lovers of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah neglected the renovation of the Nkrumah Mausoleum since 1992?

All those Ardent critics of Akufo-Addo and NPP should bow down their heads in total disbelief, parts of the release from NPP Germany said.

The group adds that those who also say that President Akufo-Addo does not believe in Kwame Nkrumah as a Founder of Ghana should also bite their nails in absolute shame.

Read the full release from NPP Germany below:

NPP GERMANY

PRESS RELEASE

12---07---2023

Nkrumah Never Dies: Akufo-Addo shames opposition and critics after renovating Memorial Park---NPP Germany

The President of the Republic Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo continues to demonstrate his deepest commitment to prioritising Ghana's tourism.

This time around, Nana Akufo-Addo has made a giant stride by resurrecting the Legacy of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah by redeveloping the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park to an unimaginable world class edifice to whip up local tourism and international tourism.

The project is likely to attract at least 1 million visitors every year.

This comes exactly a year after he cut the sod for the commencement of works on the project.

The facility, which was abandoned for decades, has finally received a facelift to attract more tourists to the country.

As an outstanding pan-Africanist of his generation, the burial site of Dr. Nkrumah, according to the NPP Government, must be appropriate to suit his status and exceptional contribution to the liberation of Africa from colonialism and imperialism.

Preserving the legacy of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana and a key figure in the Pan-African movement, is an important undertaking by the NPP.

Undoubtedly, Dr. Nkrumah played a pivotal role in Ghana's independence and made significant contributions to the decolonization of Africa.

The thirty million cedis (GH30million) modernized Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park is in line with plans by the NPP Government to make the Park one of the best tourism and heritage attractions in West Africa.

NPP Germany observing from far sees this redevelopment of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park as a big slap and shame in the faces of opposition and his critics particularly those who have always tagged NPP and Akufo-Addo as Anti-Nkrumah.

Is it not for want of hypocrisy that a whole regime under the NDC that claimed to be first class lovers of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah neglected the renovation of the Nkrumah Mausoleum since 1992?

All those Ardent critics of Akufo-Addo and NPP should bow down their heads in total disbelief.

Those who also say that Akufo-Addo does not believe in Kwame Nkrumah as a Founder of Ghana should also bite their nails in absolute shame.

NPP will continue to recognise Dr. Kwame Nkrumah as Ghana's First President and a great freedom fighter during the British colonial era towards the struggle for Ghana's Independence as well as his global contributions.

This honour done Dr. Kwame Nkrumah by the NPP and Nana Akufo-Addo, will forever go down as a major resurrection of Nkrumah's legacy.

By implementing these strategies, Nana Akufo-Addo has ensured that Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's legacy endures and continues to inspire current and future generations in Ghana, Africa, and beyond.

Let's all rally behind the NPP for more of these development-oriented projects and success stories ahead of the 2024 Ghana Elections.

Nkrumah Never Dies!

Long Live Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo!!

God Bless Our Homeland Ghana!!!

Long Live the Elephant Party!!!!

Kukruduuuu Eeeessshiii!!!!

Signed:

Nana Osei Boateng

NPP Germany Branch

Communications Director
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Digital China Price Performance

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About Digital China

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Digital China Holdings Limited, an investment holding company, provides big data products and solutions for government and enterprise customers primarily in Mainland China. The Big Data Products and Solutions segment sells data software products focused on spatial-temporal big data and artificial intelligence.

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Premier Oil Price Performance

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About Premier Oil

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Premier Oil plc, an oil and gas company, engages in the exploration, production, and development of oil and gas properties in the Falkland Islands, Indonesia, Vietnam, the United Kingdom, and internationally. As of December 31, 2019, its proved and probable reserves (2P) were 175 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe); and 2P and estimated contingent resources were 847 mmboe.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSEAMERICAN:BHB  Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday morning.

Bar Harbor Bankshares Trading Up 1.9 %

NYSEAMERICAN:BHB opened at $24.50 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $28.41. Bar Harbor Bankshares has a 12 month low of $19.55 and a 12 month high of $33.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 0.98. The stock has a market cap of $370.93 million, a PE ratio of 7.74 and a beta of 0.79.

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Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSEAMERICAN:BHB  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The financial services provider reported $0.86 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.80 by $0.06. Bar Harbor Bankshares had a net margin of 27.03% and a return on equity of 12.04%. The firm had revenue of $40.09 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $40.30 million. Equities analysts forecast that Bar Harbor Bankshares will post 2.82 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bar Harbor Bankshares Increases Dividend

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 16th were given a dividend of $0.28 per share. This is a boost from Bar Harbor Banksharess previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.57%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 15th. Bar Harbor Banksharess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 35.56%.

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Credit Suisse AG lifted its position in Bar Harbor Bankshares by 3.0% during the 4th quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 11,188 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $358,000 after acquiring an additional 325 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc lifted its position in Bar Harbor Bankshares by 6.4% during the 4th quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 5,469 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $175,000 after acquiring an additional 330 shares during the period. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can lifted its position in Bar Harbor Bankshares by 65.5% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 998 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 395 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its position in Bar Harbor Bankshares by 9.0% during the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 5,024 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $161,000 after acquiring an additional 413 shares during the period. Finally, State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System lifted its position in Bar Harbor Bankshares by 4.4% during the 4th quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 10,927 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $350,000 after acquiring an additional 460 shares during the period. 53.18% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Bar Harbor Bankshares Company Profile

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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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Boyd Gaming (NYSE:BYD  Get Free Report) was downgraded by StockNews.com from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday.

Other research analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Truist Financial boosted their target price on Boyd Gaming from $83.00 to $85.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Barclays boosted their target price on Boyd Gaming from $70.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price objective on Boyd Gaming from $76.00 to $78.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Susquehanna upped their price objective on Boyd Gaming from $80.00 to $84.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and ten 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 $75.29.

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Boyd Gaming Price Performance

NYSE:BYD traded up $0.30 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $69.96. 471,106 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 872,643. Boyd Gaming has a 52-week low of $46.10 and a 52-week high of $71.69. The firms fifty day moving average price is $67.69 and its 200 day moving average price is $64.29. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76. The company has a market cap of $7.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.77.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Boyd Gaming

Boyd Gaming ( NYSE:BYD Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $1.71 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.51 by $0.20. Boyd Gaming had a return on equity of 43.15% and a net margin of 18.48%. The company had revenue of $963.97 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $889.59 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.40 EPS. Boyd Gamings quarterly revenue was up 12.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Boyd Gaming will post 6.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of BYD. CI Investments Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Boyd Gaming by 9,520.0% in the 4th quarter. CI Investments Inc. now owns 481 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 476 shares during the last quarter. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC lifted its stake in shares of Boyd Gaming by 100.1% in the 4th quarter. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC now owns 40,010 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 20,010 shares during the last quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Boyd Gaming by 237.6% in the 1st quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 655 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 461 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP lifted its stake in shares of Boyd Gaming by 130.3% in the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 822 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 465 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Boyd Gaming in the 1st quarter valued at $86,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.68% of the companys stock.

About Boyd Gaming

(Get Free Report)

Boyd Gaming Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a multi-jurisdictional gaming company in Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. It operates through three segments: Las Vegas Locals, Downtown Las Vegas, and Midwest & South.

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Caledonia Mining Co. Plc (LON:CMCL  Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Monday, July 3rd, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.14 per share on Friday, July 28th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.16%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 13th. The official announcement can be seen at this link.

Caledonia Mining Price Performance

Shares of LON CMCL opened at GBX 973.90 ($12.53) on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of 186.89 million, a P/E ratio of 2,267.44 and a beta of 0.75. Caledonia Mining has a one year low of GBX 805 ($10.36) and a one year high of GBX 1,380 ($17.75). The companys fifty day moving average is GBX 1,040.50 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 1,114.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.77, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.08.

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About Caledonia Mining

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Further Reading

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc primarily operates a gold mine. It also engages in the exploration and development of mineral properties for precious metals. The company holds 64% interest in the Blanket Mine, a gold mine located in Zimbabwe. It also owns 100% interest in the Maligreen project, a brownfield gold exploration project located in the Gweru mining district in the Zimbabwe Midlands; Bilboes, gold deposit located to the north of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; and Motapa, a gold exploration property located in Southern Zimbabwe.

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Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC lifted its holdings in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Free Report) by 8.5% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,876 shares of the retailers stock after purchasing an additional 772 shares during the period. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLCs holdings in Walmart were worth $1,509,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of WMT. My Personal CFO LLC acquired a new position in Walmart during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Dark Forest Capital Management LP acquired a new position in Walmart during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. JDM Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in Walmart during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Ulland Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in Walmart by 105.3% during the 4th quarter. Ulland Investment Advisors LLC now owns 195 shares of the retailers stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Command Advisory Services Inc. lifted its position in Walmart by 387.8% during the 1st quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. now owns 200 shares of the retailers stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 159 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 31.95% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Stephens restated an overweight rating and set a $170.00 price objective on shares of Walmart in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $165.00 to $170.00 in a report on Friday, May 19th. Erste Group Bank restated a hold rating on shares of Walmart in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $157.00 to $161.00 in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Finally, Oppenheimer boosted their price objective on shares of Walmart from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $166.91.

Insider Buying and Selling at Walmart

Walmart Trading Down 0.1 %

In other Walmart news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 9,708 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.04, for a total value of $1,505,128.32. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,490,621 shares of the companys stock, valued at $231,105,879.84. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . In other news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 9,708 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.04, for a total transaction of $1,505,128.32. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,490,621 shares of the companys stock, valued at $231,105,879.84. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . Also, EVP John D. Rainey sold 8,526 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction on Monday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $157.97, for a total transaction of $1,346,852.22. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 171,735 shares in the company, valued at $27,128,977.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 9,208,665 shares of company stock valued at $1,421,177,843. 46.51% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Shares of NYSE WMT opened at $154.65 on Wednesday. Walmart Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $120.06 and a fifty-two week high of $159.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $416.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.18, a P/E/G ratio of 4.53 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.23. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $152.47 and its 200 day simple moving average is $147.22.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 18th. The retailer reported $1.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.15. Walmart had a net margin of 1.82% and a return on equity of 21.30%. The firm had revenue of $152.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $147.91 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.30 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Walmart Inc. will post 6.21 EPS for the current year.

Walmart Company Profile

(Free Report)

Walmart Inc engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, and other units worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com, walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, and samsclub.com; and mobile commerce applications.

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Cornish Metals Inc. (LON:CUSN  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as GBX 9.50 ($0.12) and last traded at GBX 10.90 ($0.14), with a volume of 645676 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 10.25 ($0.13).

Cornish Metals Price Performance

The firms 50 day moving average is GBX 11.69 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 13.95. The firm has a market cap of 58.34 million, a P/E ratio of 1,090.00 and a beta of 2.29.

About Cornish Metals

(Get Free Report)

Cornish Metals Inc engages in the acquisition, evaluation, exploration, and development of mineral properties in the United Kingdom. The company primarily explores for tin, tungsten, zinc, silver, nickel, lithium, and copper deposits. Its flagship projects are the South Crofty project comprising an underground mine permission area that covers 1,490 hectares located in the Central Mining District of Cornwall, the United Kingdom; and the United Downs exploration project located within the historic Gwennap copper and tin mining district in Cornwall, the United Kingdom.

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The Diocese of Buffalo once again delivered another body blow to the survivors of the pedophile priests scandal and the decades long cover-up with the recent revelations in The Buffalo News about attorneys fees. The News reported that upwards of $12.5 million has been spent in the 39 months since the diocese filed for bankruptcy in February of 2020. Even the bankruptcy judge was having trouble understanding how they could have racked up such high legal fees. When the judge inquired as to how the diocese could afford such exorbitant legal fees, their own attorney said that the diocese investment accounts were quite significant. Of course the judge did approve the additional fees. How can the diocese and more specifically the bishop continue to spout pious drivel about making sure all the victims were best served by the bankruptcy which would, according to him, ensure each victim is compensated?
Dufry AG (OTCMKTS:DUFRY  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $5.00 and last traded at $4.98, with a volume of 106354 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $4.90.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on DUFRY shares. Credit Suisse Group started coverage on shares of Dufry in a report on Friday, June 9th. They set an outperform rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of Dufry in a report on Thursday, March 16th. They set an overweight rating for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised shares of Dufry from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a report on Friday, May 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $40.00.

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Dufry Trading Up 1.6 %

The firms 50-day moving average price is $4.55 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $4.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.57.

About Dufry

Dufry AG operates as a travel retailer. The company's retail brands include general travel retail shops under the Dufry, World Duty Free, Nuance, Hellenic Duty Free, Colombian Emeralds, Duty Free Uruguay, Hudson, Duty Free Shop Argentina, RegStaer, Autogrill, Hellenic Duty Free, HMSHost, and World Duty Free brands; Dufry shopping stores; brand boutiques; convenience stores primarily under the Hudson brand; and specialized shops and theme stores.

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EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report)  Analysts at Zacks Research reduced their Q3 2023 earnings per share estimates for shares of EOG Resources in a report released on Friday, July 7th. Zacks Research analyst N. Banerjee now anticipates that the energy exploration company will earn $2.46 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $2.57. The consensus estimate for EOG Resources current full-year earnings is $11.21 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for EOG Resources Q2 2024 earnings at $3.74 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $3.10 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $9.97 EPS.

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Several other equities research analysts have also weighed in on the company. Scotiabank raised EOG Resources from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $150.00 to $145.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their target price on EOG Resources from $142.00 to $141.00 in a research report on Monday, May 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered EOG Resources from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $137.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on EOG Resources from $115.00 to $113.00 in a research report on Monday. Finally, Mizuho raised EOG Resources from a neutral rating to a buy rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $150.00 to $146.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, EOG Resources has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $146.76.

EOG Resources Price Performance

Shares of NYSE EOG opened at $119.60 on Monday. EOG Resources has a 1-year low of $92.16 and a 1-year high of $150.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 2.17 and a quick ratio of 1.90. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $112.23 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $118.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $69.95 billion, a PE ratio of 7.48, a P/E/G ratio of 0.36 and a beta of 1.53.

EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The energy exploration company reported $2.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.42 by $0.27. EOG Resources had a return on equity of 30.34% and a net margin of 33.83%. The business had revenue of $6.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.28 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $4.00 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 51.7% compared to the same quarter last year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On EOG Resources

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of EOG. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its stake in EOG Resources by 16.0% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 16,031 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $1,911,000 after acquiring an additional 2,213 shares in the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of EOG Resources during the 1st quarter worth about $404,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of EOG Resources during the 1st quarter worth about $278,000. Zions Bancorporation N.A. raised its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 237.7% during the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 1,155 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $138,000 after purchasing an additional 813 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. raised its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 23.7% during the 1st quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 662 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $79,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. 89.58% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at EOG Resources

In other news, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.87, for a total transaction of $579,350.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 149,689 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,344,464.43. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, EVP Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 2,031 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, July 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.26, for a total transaction of $238,155.06. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 37,607 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,409,796.82. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.87, for a total value of $579,350.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 149,689 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,344,464.43. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.40% of the companys stock.

EOG Resources Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Investors of record on Monday, July 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.825 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 14th. This represents a $3.30 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.76%. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio is currently 20.64%.

EOG Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, and natural gas and natural gas liquids. Its principal producing areas are in New Mexico and Texas in the United States; and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company.

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Four Seasons Education (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE:FEDU  Get Free Report) rose 3.2% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $9.29 and last traded at $9.29. Approximately 580 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 67% from the average daily volume of 1,752 shares. The stock had previously closed at $9.00.

Four Seasons Education (Cayman) Trading Up 0.2 %

The firms 50-day moving average is $8.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $8.72.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Four Seasons Education (Cayman)

An institutional investor recently bought a new position in Four Seasons Education (Cayman) stock. Citadel Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Four Seasons Education (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE:FEDU  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 13,131 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $143,000. Citadel Advisors LLC owned about 0.59% of Four Seasons Education (Cayman) as of its most recent SEC filing. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 4.09% of the companys stock.

Four Seasons Education (Cayman) Company Profile

Four Seasons Education (Cayman) Inc provides after-school education services for kindergarten, elementary, and middle school students in the People's Republic of China. It also offers consulting service. Four Seasons Education (Cayman) Inc was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China.

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Geneva Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Parker-Hannifin Co. (NYSE:PH  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 12,080 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $4,060,000. Parker-Hannifin makes up approximately 3.5% of Geneva Partners LLCs holdings, making the stock its 8th largest position.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PH. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC increased its stake in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 8.1% during the first quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 1,496 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $425,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares in the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in Parker-Hannifin by 69.8% during the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,869 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,098,000 after acquiring an additional 1,591 shares during the last quarter. Prudential PLC acquired a new position in Parker-Hannifin during the first quarter worth about $687,000. Moors & Cabot Inc. boosted its position in Parker-Hannifin by 270.8% during the first quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 2,718 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $771,000 after acquiring an additional 1,985 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in Parker-Hannifin by 2.0% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 9,849,497 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,794,892,000 after acquiring an additional 190,889 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.62% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Vice Chairman Lee C. Banks sold 29,764 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $333.84, for a total transaction of $9,936,413.76. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 110,476 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $36,881,307.84. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other Parker-Hannifin news, VP Thomas C. Gentile sold 1,759 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $352.94, for a total value of $620,821.46. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 5,465 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,928,817.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Vice Chairman Lee C. Banks sold 29,764 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $333.84, for a total transaction of $9,936,413.76. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 110,476 shares in the company, valued at $36,881,307.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 34,526 shares of company stock valued at $11,618,868 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 1.37% of the companys stock.

Parker-Hannifin Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of PH stock traded up $1.78 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $400.48. The company had a trading volume of 284,864 shares, compared to its average volume of 892,996. The companys fifty day moving average is $353.10 and its 200 day moving average is $335.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 0.72. Parker-Hannifin Co. has a fifty-two week low of $235.69 and a fifty-two week high of $402.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $51.43 billion, a PE ratio of 34.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.53.

Parker-Hannifin (NYSE:PH  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The industrial products company reported $5.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.01 by $0.92. Parker-Hannifin had a net margin of 8.28% and a return on equity of 29.14%. The firm had revenue of $5.06 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.79 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $4.83 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 23.9% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Parker-Hannifin Co. will post 20.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Parker-Hannifin Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, May 12th were paid a dividend of $1.48 per share. This is an increase from Parker-Hannifins previous quarterly dividend of $1.33. This represents a $5.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.48%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 11th. Parker-Hannifins dividend payout ratio is presently 51.26%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently weighed in on PH. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $376.00 to $383.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $400.00 to $425.00 in a report on Monday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $380.00 to $425.00 in a report on Monday. Mizuho boosted their target price on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $335.00 to $415.00 in a report on Friday, July 7th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their target price on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $322.00 to $344.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $401.83.

About Parker-Hannifin

(Free Report)

Parker-Hannifin Corporation manufactures and sells motion and control technologies and systems for various mobile, industrial, and aerospace markets worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Diversified Industrial and Aerospace Systems. The Diversified Industrial segment offers sealing, shielding, thermal products and systems, adhesives, coatings, and noise vibration and harshness solutions; filters, systems, and diagnostics solutions to monitor and remove contaminants from fuel, air, oil, water, and other liquids and gases; connectors, which control, transmit, and contain fluid; control solutions for extreme corrosion resistance, temperatures, pressures, and precise flow; and hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical components and systems for builders and users of mobile and industrial machinery and equipment.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Parker-Hannifin Co. (NYSE:PH  Free Report).

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Shares of John Bean Technologies Co. (NYSE:JBT  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the two analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and one has assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $110.00.

JBT has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. 888 reaffirmed a reiterates rating on shares of John Bean Technologies in a research report on Friday, June 30th. 58.com reaffirmed a reiterates rating on shares of John Bean Technologies in a research report on Friday, June 30th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of John Bean Technologies in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, TheStreet raised shares of John Bean Technologies from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Monday, July 3rd.

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John Bean Technologies Stock Up 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE:JBT traded up $1.08 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $120.98. 184,922 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 156,764. The firm has a market cap of $3.85 billion, a PE ratio of 29.65, a P/E/G ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 1.43. John Bean Technologies has a fifty-two week low of $81.59 and a fifty-two week high of $125.88. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $112.80 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $107.61. The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07.

John Bean Technologies Dividend Announcement

John Bean Technologies ( NYSE:JBT Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The industrial products company reported $0.94 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.22. The business had revenue of $529.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $513.54 million. John Bean Technologies had a net margin of 5.87% and a return on equity of 18.50%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 12.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.87 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that John Bean Technologies will post 5.34 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 25th were given a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.33%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 24th. John Bean Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 9.80%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Caroline Maury Devine sold 300 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $107.47, for a total transaction of $32,241.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 44,949 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,830,669.03. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of John Bean Technologies

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of JBT. US Bancorp DE raised its stake in John Bean Technologies by 3.6% in the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 5,821 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $689,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of John Bean Technologies by 4.6% in the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 6,476 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $761,000 after buying an additional 282 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of John Bean Technologies by 6.7% during the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 2,992 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $354,000 after purchasing an additional 188 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. grew its holdings in shares of John Bean Technologies by 11.5% during the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 30,180 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $3,575,000 after purchasing an additional 3,120 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of John Bean Technologies by 55.8% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 16,840 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,995,000 after purchasing an additional 6,030 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.66% of the companys stock.

About John Bean Technologies

(Get Free Report

John Bean Technologies Corporation provides technology solutions to food and beverage industry and equipment and services to air transportation industries in North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through two segments: FoodTech and AeroTech. It offers value-added processing that includes chilling, mixing/grinding, injecting, blending, marinating, tumbling, flattening, foaming, portioning, coating, cooking, frying, freezing, weighing, and inspection.

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Shares of MGIC Investment Co. (NYSE:MTG  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $16.08 and last traded at $16.04, with a volume of 132164 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $15.86.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently weighed in on MTG. Compass Point upgraded MGIC Investment from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $18.00 target price for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. StockNews.com began coverage on MGIC Investment in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut MGIC Investment from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $17.00 to $15.70 in a research note on Thursday, July 6th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, MGIC Investment presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $16.14.

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MGIC Investment Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 0.69 and a quick ratio of 0.69. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $15.30 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $14.18. The company has a market cap of $4.60 billion, a PE ratio of 5.71, a PEG ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 1.32.

MGIC Investment Announces Dividend

MGIC Investment ( NYSE:MTG Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The insurance provider reported $0.54 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.51 by $0.03. MGIC Investment had a return on equity of 18.77% and a net margin of 72.70%. The company had revenue of $284.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $291.89 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.60 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that MGIC Investment Co. will post 2.19 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 25th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 11th were paid a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 10th. MGIC Investments dividend payout ratio is currently 14.39%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On MGIC Investment

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of MGIC Investment by 6.0% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 37,980,396 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $486,909,000 after purchasing an additional 2,137,706 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. grew its holdings in MGIC Investment by 0.5% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 27,872,353 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $377,670,000 after acquiring an additional 127,008 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP grew its holdings in MGIC Investment by 450.2% during the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 14,943,450 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $200,541,000 after acquiring an additional 12,227,328 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in MGIC Investment by 2.3% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 14,350,838 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $192,588,000 after acquiring an additional 328,140 shares during the period. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in MGIC Investment by 16.1% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 12,066,444 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $161,930,000 after acquiring an additional 1,672,793 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.24% of the companys stock.

MGIC Investment Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

MGIC Investment Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides private mortgage insurance, other mortgage credit risk management solutions, and ancillary services to lenders and government sponsored entities in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The company offers primary mortgage insurance that provides mortgage default protection on individual loans, as well as covers unpaid loan principal, delinquent interest, and various expenses associated with the default and subsequent foreclosure.

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Pinnacle Wealth Management Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 4,363 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $271,000.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Salem Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Coca-Cola by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter. Salem Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,359 shares of the companys stock worth $244,000 after buying an additional 159 shares during the period. Naples Global Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Coca-Cola by 0.7% during the first quarter. Naples Global Advisors LLC now owns 23,188 shares of the companys stock worth $1,448,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares during the period. McKinley Carter Wealth Services Inc. lifted its holdings in Coca-Cola by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. McKinley Carter Wealth Services Inc. now owns 12,780 shares of the companys stock worth $793,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares during the last quarter. Kessler Investment Group LLC boosted its stake in Coca-Cola by 6.6% in the 4th quarter. Kessler Investment Group LLC now owns 2,679 shares of the companys stock valued at $170,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the period. Finally, Alaska Permanent Fund Corp increased its position in Coca-Cola by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp now owns 16,604 shares of the companys stock worth $1,056,000 after buying an additional 170 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 68.61% of the companys stock.

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Coca-Cola Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of KO stock traded up $0.21 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $59.73. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,182,014 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,548,219. The company has a market cap of $258.31 billion, a PE ratio of 26.11, a P/E/G ratio of 3.36 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 1.15. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $61.40 and its 200-day simple moving average is $61.42. The Coca-Cola Company has a 52 week low of $54.01 and a 52 week high of $65.47.

Coca-Cola Announces Dividend

Coca-Cola ( NYSE:KO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 24th. The company reported $0.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.65 by $0.03. Coca-Cola had a return on equity of 42.96% and a net margin of 22.69%. The firm had revenue of $11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.78 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.64 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that The Coca-Cola Company will post 2.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 16th were given a dividend of $0.46 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 15th. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.08%. Coca-Colas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 80.70%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO James Quincey sold 150,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.33, for a total value of $9,649,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 442,546 shares in the company, valued at approximately $28,468,984.18. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Coca-Cola news, CEO James Quincey sold 150,000 shares of Coca-Cola stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.33, for a total transaction of $9,649,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 442,546 shares in the company, valued at approximately $28,468,984.18. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Nikolaos Koumettis sold 253,102 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.63, for a total value of $16,104,880.26. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 184,563 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,743,743.69. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 420,786 shares of company stock worth $26,886,224 in the last three months. Company insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

KO has been the subject of several analyst reports. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Coca-Cola from $71.00 to $74.00 in a report on Monday, April 24th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Coca-Cola from $72.00 to $73.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola from $61.00 to $63.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 25th. Evercore ISI raised their target price on Coca-Cola from $68.00 to $70.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Coca-Cola in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Coca-Cola has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $67.67.

Coca-Cola Profile

(Free Report)

The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company, manufactures, markets, and sells various nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. The company provides sparkling soft drinks, sparkling flavors; water, sports, coffee, and tea; juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages; and other beverages. It also offers beverage concentrates and syrups, as well as fountain syrups to fountain retailers, such as restaurants and convenience stores.

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Sonoco Products (NYSE:SON  Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities researchers at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday.

A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on SON. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price target on Sonoco Products from $61.00 to $57.00 in a research note on Wednesday, March 15th. Citigroup cut their target price on Sonoco Products from $70.00 to $68.00 in a research note on Monday. Bank of America dropped their price objective on Sonoco Products from $80.00 to $68.00 in a report on Monday. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn upgraded Sonoco Products from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, March 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $63.67.

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Sonoco Products Trading Up 0.4 %

NYSE:SON traded up $0.23 on Tuesday, reaching $56.75. The companys stock had a trading volume of 566,687 shares, compared to its average volume of 485,205. Sonoco Products has a 1-year low of $53.78 and a 1-year high of $65.96. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $59.66 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $59.71. The firm has a market cap of $5.56 billion, a PE ratio of 11.24, a PEG ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 1.47.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sonoco Products

Sonoco Products ( NYSE:SON Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 1st. The industrial products company reported $1.40 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.07. Sonoco Products had a net margin of 6.93% and a return on equity of 29.17%. The firm had revenue of $1.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.84 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.85 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Sonoco Products will post 5.82 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Merit Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Sonoco Products by 5.4% during the first quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 3,504 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $214,000 after purchasing an additional 180 shares during the period. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System lifted its holdings in Sonoco Products by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 26,100 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,585,000 after buying an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG boosted its position in Sonoco Products by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 13,645 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $832,000 after buying an additional 207 shares during the period. Creative Planning increased its position in shares of Sonoco Products by 4.1% during the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 5,426 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $309,000 after acquiring an additional 214 shares during the period. Finally, Centennial Wealth Advisory LLC raised its stake in shares of Sonoco Products by 4.8% during the first quarter. Centennial Wealth Advisory LLC now owns 5,072 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $309,000 after acquiring an additional 234 shares in the last quarter. 75.74% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Sonoco Products

(Get Free Report)

Sonoco Products Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells various engineered and sustainable packaging products in North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company operates through two segments: Consumer Packaging and Industrial Paper Packaging.

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TD SYNNEX (NYSE:SNX  Get Free Report) had its price target reduced by stock analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from $98.00 to $97.00 in a report released on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Royal Bank of Canadas price objective would indicate a potential downside of 0.51% from the companys previous close.

SNX has been the topic of several other research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on TD SYNNEX in a research report on Monday, May 1st. They issued a buy rating and a $101.00 target price on the stock. Bank of America cut their price target on TD SYNNEX from $120.00 to $115.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. Credit Suisse Group cut their price target on TD SYNNEX from $106.00 to $90.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. Cfra reaffirmed a hold rating and issued a $100.00 price target (down previously from $120.00) on shares of TD SYNNEX in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. Finally, Barrington Research cut their price target on TD SYNNEX from $120.00 to $115.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, TD SYNNEX currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $108.27.

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TD SYNNEX Stock Performance

NYSE SNX opened at $97.50 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $9.20 billion, a PE ratio of 13.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 1.61. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $92.18 and its 200-day simple moving average is $95.54. TD SYNNEX has a 1-year low of $78.86 and a 1-year high of $111.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 0.76.

Insider Activity at TD SYNNEX

TD SYNNEX ( NYSE:SNX Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, June 27th. The business services provider reported $2.43 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.55 by ($0.12). The firm had revenue of $14.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.42 billion. TD SYNNEX had a net margin of 1.10% and a return on equity of 13.25%. The businesss revenue was down 7.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.66 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that TD SYNNEX will post 10.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In related news, CEO Richard T. Hume sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.83, for a total value of $1,377,450.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 193,150 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,736,964.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, CEO Richard T. Hume sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.83, for a total transaction of $1,377,450.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 193,150 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,736,964.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Ann F. Vezina sold 1,618 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.51, for a total value of $154,535.18. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,068 shares of the companys stock, valued at $579,554.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 58,998 shares of company stock worth $5,396,105. 1.70% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC boosted its position in shares of TD SYNNEX by 60.5% during the 4th quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 1,522 shares of the business services providers stock worth $144,000 after acquiring an additional 574 shares in the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of TD SYNNEX by 4.1% during the 4th quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 3,782 shares of the business services providers stock worth $358,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Symmetry Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of TD SYNNEX by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. Symmetry Partners LLC now owns 5,686 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $550,000 after purchasing an additional 188 shares during the period. BTC Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of TD SYNNEX in the 4th quarter valued at about $206,000. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in shares of TD SYNNEX by 7.8% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,730,742 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $163,921,000 after purchasing an additional 125,192 shares during the period. 84.54% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

TD SYNNEX Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

TD SYNNEX Corporation operates as a distributor and solutions aggregator for the information technology (IT) ecosystem. The company offers personal computing devices and peripherals, mobile phones and accessories, printers, supplies, and endpoint technology software; and data center technologies, such as hybrid cloud, security, storage, networking, servers, technology software, and converged and hyper-converged infrastructure, as well as computing components.

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Shares of Wolters Kluwer (OTCMKTS:WOLTF  Get Free Report) traded up 0.2% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $119.00 and last traded at $119.00. 120 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 91% from the average session volume of 1,301 shares. The stock had previously closed at $118.75.

Wolters Kluwer Stock Performance

The firms 50 day moving average is $119.02 and its 200-day moving average is $116.20.

Wolters Kluwer Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Wolters Kluwer N.V. provides professional information, software solutions, and services in the Netherlands, rest of Europe, the United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Health; Tax & Accounting; Governance, Risk & Compliance; and Legal & Regulatory.

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News / Local

by Staff reporter

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa arrived here yesterday evening to attend the high-level US-Africa Business Summit in which Zimbabwe will seek to assert its drive to lure investments to shore up domestic production and trade synergies with the global community, including the United States.Riding on the Second Republic's international engagement and re-engagement policy, Zimbabwe is focused on leveraging its vast natural resources by harnessing opportunities and strategic partnerships to ensure maximum benefits to its citizens in line with the national development targets.President Mnangagwa joins fellow Heads of State at the Summit that kicked off yesterday morning bringing together more than 1 000 participants at the continent's largest annual gathering of US and African leaders, senior government officials, private sector executives, international investors, and multilateral stakeholders.Running under the theme "Enhancing Africa's Value in Global Value Chains," the summit will comprise a line-up of more than 100 speakers, among them business and government leaders, providing insights on emerging opportunities for US-Africa trade, investment and commercial engagement, and priority action areas for collaboration in key growth sectors of agribusiness, finance, energy, health, infrastructure, ICT and creative industries.Highlights include Presidential dialogues, invitation-only roundtables, and closed-door pitch sessions for institutional investors.President Mnangagwa, who was accompanied by Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube and Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka, was welcomed at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport by Botswana Defence Minister Kagiso Mmusi, Zimbabwean Ambassador to Botswana Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro, Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza and senior Government officials.Speaking to the media here, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Dr Mavis Sibanda said the country is looking at prospects for the country working with American and African companies on global value chains.Particularly, Dr Sibanda said the country has prioritised ten value chains that it is seeking partnerships.Under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) the government has prioritised 10 value chains which are dairy, sugar, bus and truck, fertiliser, plastic waste, pharmaceutical, clothing, leather, soya, and steel value chains."Zimbabwe has a lot of natural resources, we have, for example, an abundance of lithium and we are looking for people or companies that can come to Zimbabwe to produce and develop various products out of lithium and all other minerals."We are also an agricultural based country, there are a lot of products which we think we can work with not only with America because the people who are coming here are not only Americans but African countries, we are looking at expanding our industry to ensure that we grow those natural resources which we have to better products so that at the end of the day, can export value-added products. So, we are looking for partners who can work with us as Zimbabwe," said Dr Sibanda."We have got agriculture, we have mining and we also are looking at the energy sector. We are looking for whoever partner can come in and work with us in all these various sectors."Added Dr Sibanda: We are looking for people to come who can help us in the cotton industry. Zimbabwe has some of the best cotton products in the world, we are looking at companies that can come and do the value addition on the cotton so that we eventually come up with a beautiful cloth which we can have in the market. We are looking at cotton in the clothing value chain."We have so many minerals in Zimbabwe, we are walking on them. We are mining some and we are saying those which we are mining, why can't we have people coming and work with us."Even on energy, we have an abundance of the sun, we are looking at the people who can come and work with us so that we up where we are to higher levels."Turning to Africa, Dr Sibanda said the continent can emerge as a trade giant if nations work together riding on their different competitive advantages."Africa has the biggest resources in the world but what we don't have is the (spirit of) working together as African countries to ensure that even trading as African countries. We trade more with outsiders than among ourselves so we need to improve the quality of products we are making so that they are acceptable among ourselves because we usually look down on the products from other countries within Africa," she said."Africa will be a giant if we work together. There are opportunities for us to work together. As you know, we have Africa Continental Free Trade Area that encourages trading among ourselves and we can only trade what we are producing. So, we need to industrialise and improve the quality of the products that we produce and upgrade the equipment we use to make our products."Zimbabwe was last year, for the first time since its establishment in 2014, invited to the US-Africa Leaders' Summit, signaling a change of heart by Western countries, including the US, towards the country, thanks to the Second Republic's engagement and re-engagement drive.The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Dr Frederick Shava, attended the Summit last December in Washington DC.
On July 12, the shares of Housing Development and Finance Corporation, or HDFC, stopped trading on bourses post the merger with HDFC Bank that came into effect on July 1. That marks the end of a four-decade-long journey for Indias oldest mortgage lender.



Founded by H T Parekh, uncle of Deepak Parekh, HDFC was incorporated on October 17, 1977, and disbursed its first home loan in 1978 to D. B. Remedios in Mumbai. To start with, the founding team had an unenviable job. Home loans were not a popular product back then and no one knew HDFC as a brand.



But the team worked hard and steadily expanded the business. By 1984, HDFC had crossed annual loan approvals of Rs 100 crore, a big milestone for the company. The company was listed in 1978 with a face value of Rs 100 each. The issue did not get a great response, in fact, it was undersubscribed.



Yet, that was the start of a remarkable journey to become a financial behemoth. On July 12, when the shares closed, HDFC had a market capitalisation of over Rs 5 lakh crore.



End of an era



Deepak Parekh, the man who played a key role in building Indias oldest mortgage lender from scratch, hung up his boots after four decades with the company. With Parekh stepping down from all roles, an era has ended.



In his last letter to shareholders of HDFC on June 30, Chairman Deepak Parekh announced his retirement ahead of the mega merger with HDFC Bank saying it is time for him to hang up his boots.



Parekh, 78, will not take up any role in the bank while HDFC Chief Executive Officer Keki Mistry is likely to join the bank's Board subject to clearance from the Reserve Bank of India.



"It is my time to hang my boots with both anticipation and hope for the future," Parekh told shareholders.



"While this will be my last communication to shareholders of HDFC, rest assured we now stride tall into a very exciting future of growth and prosperity," Parekh added. In a rather emotional letter, Parekh said the HDFC experience is invaluable. "Our history cannot be erased and our legacy will be taken forward," said the veteran banker.



Questions on HDFC culture



In the letter, Parekh re-emphasised the importance of HDFC culture which helped the institution become a household name in India.



"An oft-repeated question is what happens to the culture of HDFC? My answer to this is that mergers are inherently about change. The work culture will be an amalgamation of the best of both organisations," Parekh wrote.



Explaining further, Parekh said the culture at the workplace is always a shared responsibility that needs daily reinforcement through the demonstration effect with the tone set at the top.



"As HDFC hands the baton, my wish is that our core founding values of kindness, fairness, efficiency and effectiveness get woven deeper into the fabric of the HDFC group," Parekh added.



In the letter, Parekh said HDFC Bank managing director and CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan and his team at the bank will take the HDFC legacy ahead.



"With the proven execution capabilities of HDFC Bank, we are confident that Sashi, together with the leadership team will forge an era of new opportunities for the combined entity," Parekh wrote in the letter.



Message to the bank?



In what appeared like a message or guidance to the bank with respect to home loan business, Parekh said that every home loan customer has their own story and it is the empathy factor that is the key differentiator between housing finance providers.



"Dealing with home loan customers requires immense patience. It is about understanding the needs and feelings of a home loan customer, assuaging their anxiety during this complex transaction, customising solutions, explaining financial implications of a mortgage product and lending responsibly to ensure a customer is not over-stretched," the veteran banker said.



Only home loan provider in the 80s



For CEO Keki Mistry too, this is the end of a long journey as HDFC CEO. In an interview with Moneycontrol in March this year, Mistry, who is associated with the HDFC brand for nearly 42 years, also highlighted that there will be structural opportunities in housing finance as the sector has seen tremendous change.



In the early 1980s, we were the only housing loan provider. Convincing people in the 80s that housing finance and loan would work was a major challenge. But now the sustained demand for housing loans has been strong, Mistry said.



Though the merger was discussed a few years ago, the plan entered a fast track in May 2021 with the bank deliberating the proposal at the top level and later approaching the parent with a proposal. HDFC Bank insiders say that compared with the previous boss of the bank, Aditya Puri, his successor Sashidhar Jagdishan was more amenable to the idea of a merger. Puri exited the bank in October 2020 and Jagdishan took charge as the new chief.



A good match for both parties



While the merger gave the much-need big entry to the bank into the lucrative home loan business, for the parent too, the decision made immense sense for one key reason. For NBFCs, life was getting tougher in India.



In his first-ever exclusive media interview post the merger announcement, Deepak Parekh told Moneycontrol that the NBFC business was getting tougher due to the tightening of the RBI regulations. The constraint is that the RBI, over the last few years, removed the arbitrage between a bank and an NBFC, he said.



Over the years, the RBI had brought in bank-like regulations for Indias big non-banks. Under the new multi-tiered structure for NBFCs (based on their asset size and systemic importance), bigger NBFCs were treated at par with banks on capital, regulatory scrutiny, and treatment of assets, which made operations even more expensive for this class of companies.



HDFC, with an over Rs 5-lakh-crore loan book, logically fell in the upper layer which meant it will be now monitored, inspected and regulated akin to a bank, whereas the incentives in NBFC business were less. However, when HDFC knocked on the doors of the regulator for a merger, it got a key relief.



The RBI gave critical relaxations on certain aspects such as priority sector lending norms and treatment of ownership of subsidiaries in April 21, 2023. Also, the RBI gave six months to HDFC customers to switch to new benchmarks.



Post-merger, the loan book of the merged entity will jump to Rs 22.21 lakh crore as on March 31, 2023, while deposits are at Rs 18.84 lakh crore. Further, HDFC Bank's market capitalisation will rise to Rs 14.6 lakh crore, from Rs 9.45 lakh crore prior to the merger. For the HDFC group, a great story ends and a new journey begins today.



(Editor's note: Parts of this story were published earlier on Moneycontrol)
Fintech unicorn Razorpay on Wednesday announced the launch of its first international payment gateway services for the Malaysian market through Curlec, a company it had acquired in 2022.



The Curlec Payment Gateway will serve more than 5,000 businesses with a target of RM 10 billion (around $2 billion) in annualised gross transaction value (GTV) by 2025, the company said in a statement.



In February of 2022, Razorpay had acquired Kuala Lumpur-based fintech firm Curlec in its first international purchase, kicking off its global expansion plans. Razorpay had acquired a majority stake in Curlec at a valuation of $20 million and the balance stake acquisition was to be completed in 2023.



Curlec was founded in 2017 by Zac Liew and Steve Kucia and, like Razorpay, it is a business-to-business payment solutions provider. The company offers recurring and subscription-based payment collection for businesses, besides billing, payouts, and other payment solutions.



"We firmly believe that our extensive experience in operating within the diverse and dynamic market of India has prepared us to tackle different challenges and solve payment problems on a global scale. And so today, we are really excited to announce our first international payment gateway in Malaysia," said Razorpay India Co-founder and Managing Director Shashank Kumar.



Founded in 2014 by IIT Roorkee alumni Shashank Kumar and Harshil Mathur, Razorpay provides technology payment solutions to enterprises over 10 million businesses.



The firm is backed by investors such as Y-Combinator, Lone Pine Capital, Alkeon Capital, TCV, GIC, Tiger Global, Sequoia Capital India, Ribbit Capital, Matrix Partners, Salesforce Ventures and MasterCard, who have invested a total of USD 741.5 million through Series A to F in funding.



In 2021, Razorpay raised its second major round of funding at $375 million round in its Series F fundraise, co-led Lone Pine Capital, Alkeon Capital and TCV.



One of the fund utilisations planned during the fundraise was to enter the international markets.



"This launch will pave the way for Razorpay to further penetrate into international waters and make its capabilities available in emerging markets, while in parallel it continues to build and strengthen the central nervous system for Digital India," Kumar said.








Domestic automobile industry is expected to log a 17 per cent year-on-year revenue growth in the June quarter of FY24, a report said on Tuesday.



This estimated growth will be led by healthy growth across segments, barring muted growth in battery companies, brokerage firm Emkay Global said in its report.



The revenue growth projections are excluding Tata Motors, it said.



Segment wise, the report said, the domestic two-wheeler industry's volumes are likely to have improved by around 10 per cent Year-on-Year (YoY) in Q1, primarily on account of continued and healthy demand from the urban/premium segment.



However, the two-wheeler exports remained weak on a year-on-year basis while sequential improvement was recorded for larger volume players, it said.



The overall revenue is expected to grow at 24 per cent, 19 per cent and 16 per cent amid volume growth of 10 per cent, 5 per cent and 21 per cent for Bajaj Auto, TVS Motors and Eicher Motor-Royal Enfield, respectively, Emkay Global said.



It also said that the revenue growth for Honda Motorcycle is expected at 6 per cent, amid a volume decline of 3 per cent.



Continued price hikes would lend support to authorised service providers on a sequential basis, it said, adding, for Bajaj Auto, Emkay Global expects a 7 per cent quarter-on-quarter decline in authorised service providers, given a lower share of three-wheelers during the quarter.



The domestic passenger vehicle industry's volumes is expected to have grown by around 8 per cent year-on-year in the June quarter amid a ramp-up in production and continuing interest in SUVs, as per the report.



The expectation is nearly 17 per cent revenue growth for market leader Maruti Suzuki, backed by 6 per cent higher volumes while Mahindra & Mahindra's auto division is expected to post around 33 per cent revenue growth (overall growth of 24 per cent), driven by 21 per cent higher volumes.



For Maruti Suzuki, the brokerage house expects continued margin improvement on a quarter-on-quarter basis (despite 3 per cent lower volumes) on account of ongoing improvement in the product mix and price hikes, it said.



The domestic commercial vehicle industry's volumes declined by around 5 per cent YoY, the report said.



But the sequential decline was placed much higher at around 23 per cent due to usual seasonality and some preponement of demand in the last quarter of the previous fiscal because of real driving emission/on-board diagnostic-2 norms coming into effect from April this year.



Among their coverage universe, Emkay Global expects a revenue jump of 9 per cent for Ashok Leyland (+4 per cent volumes) and 16 per cent for Eicher Motor-Volvo Eicher CV (+12 per cent volumes), it said.



According to the report, the domestic tractor industry's volumes fell by around 2 per cent YoY on a high base and delayed monsoon in certain regions.



Emkay Global said it expects 11 per cent and 8 per cent revenue growth for Escorts and M&M, respectively.
Dunzo, the quick-commerce player that is faced with a severe cash crunch, had capped the monthly salary of employees at Rs 75,000 in June, people in the know told Moneycontrol. This essentially meant that no one would get more than the fixed amount, even if they have a higher package. It also ensured that everyone earning less than the amount would get their salary in full.



Earlier this week, Moneycontrol reported that the startup was deferring June salaries for around 500 staffers, or about 50 percent of its workforce. The companys top management, including co-founder and CEO Kabeer Biswas, assured employees that salaries were being capped only for June and that Dunzo will be clearing all dues by July 20.



The salary deferrals may have impacted senior employees at Dunzo the most. Moneycontrol has learnt that around 60-65 percent of all workers were paid in full and 35-40 percent of them had only received a part, or Rs 75,000, as their June salary.



We were informed about our salary caps and the deferrals only on the day we were supposed to be receiving our salaries  there was no prior intimation, one of the employees cited above told Moneycontrol on the condition of anonymity.



The holdback of salaries comes despite Dunzo raising $75 million in April this year, underscoring the companys high cash burn rate.



The company was fighting till the very last day to make sure all salaries are paid but there was a business need that required immediate attention and thats likely why employees were informed at the very last minute, another person aware of the companys plans told Moneycontrol.



A spokesperson for Dunzo did not comment on Moneycontrols queries.



These recent moves could potentially lead to more layoffs and voluntary exits at the Bengaluru-based startup, which has already fired around 380 employees across two rounds of layoffs so far this year.



However, cost cuts at Dunzo are not new. As the company increases its focus on sourcing products through a marketplace model, instead of fully relying on its network of dark stores, it has reportedly shut at least 50 percent of its dark stores and exited other unprofitable markets.



The company also begun charging higher delivery fees, started delaying deliveries and is also levying convenience fees on users as it looks to earn more money per order and put itself on a path to profitability.



In a recent interview to Moneycontrol, Swiggy's food delivery CEO, Rohit Kapoor said there was consolidation underway in the quick-commerce space and that there will be only 3-4 significant players who remain in the space.



Swiggy's Instamart, Y Combinator-backed Zepto, Zomato's Blinkit, Tata-operated BigBasket and Dunzo are currently the five players in the space.



Founded in 2015, Dunzo has so far raised close to $500 million since 2015 from Reliance, Google, Lightrock, Lightbox, Blume Ventures and several others. Reliance is the largest shareholder with a 25.8 percent stake in the company, and Google was the second-largest with around 19 percent ownership in Dunzo, according to Tracxn.



Disclaimer: Moneycontrol is a part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has written to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) seeking clarity over how the poll management authority intends to roll out its postal voting exercise among members of the uniformed amid fears of double voting, intimidation and a violation of vote secrecy."As CCC, we request the following information from ZEC: clarity in terms of the eligibility for postal voting and, in particular, members of the uniformed forces, and assurances that there will be no double voting," party secretary for elections Ian Makone said in correspondence to ZEC dated 7 July 2023."Mechanics will be put in place to ensure that Civil Servants contracted as polling officers on Election Day away from their polling stations will be accorded the opportunity to exercise their right to vote."CCC, which poses the most realistic threat to Zanu-PF's stranglehold on local politics in elections due 23 August, also requested the publication of the list of approved postal voting applicants and their designated wards and constituencies.The Nelson Chamisa-led opposition further demanded assurances that the postal voting process will be conducted away from areas of cantonment as prescribed in the country's electoral laws.CCC wants guarantees from ZEC to publish postal voting dates and assurances the process will be kept secret.The opposition is also keen on having its representatives and election observers watch the voting process being conducted.CCC also wants all civil servants taking part in facilitating voting, including teachers, to be afforded an opportunity to cast their ballots before deployment away from their polling stations.President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently expressed displeasure with some sections of the security service he said "did not vote nice", an apparent reference to voting for the opposition.His comments are feared could lead to a choreographed voting process among junior ranked members by commanders with bias towards the ruling Zanu-PF party.
Billionaire Anil Agarwal faces tough choices now as the Vedanta groups new and thus far most ambitious semiconductor venture has received a setback with the collapse of its joint venture (JV) with Hon Hai Technology Group, widely known as Foxconn, leaving Vedanta scouting for new partners.



To realise its semiconductor dream, Vedanta needs technology and money. Pronto!



On July 10, Foxconn and Vedanta group called off their JV, which planned to invest $19.5 billion to set up a manufacturing unit in Gujarat. Both said they would go ahead with their respective semiconductor business ventures with new partners.



Financing has been so challenging that the Vedanta group has had to turn to its competitors to raise funds. But can befriending foes help when friends call it quits?



"We believe that the addition of the semiconductor and display glass businesses will negatively impact the company, as it will need a large capex to set up the facility, which could impact the near-term dividend payout of the company," brokerage Motilal Oswal said in a note on the India-listed Vedanta Ltd after the JV broke up.



The Vedanta group had entered the semiconductor and display glass business venture through Twin Star Technologies Limited (TSTL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volcan Investments Limited, the ultimate holding company of the Indian listed entity Vedanta Ltd and part of the promoter group. The joint venture with Foxconn was under this entity. While neither has experience in semiconductor manufacturing, they were hoping to rope in a technology partner.



The Vedanta group decided to move the ownership of its new ventures from the promoter group entity to the India-listed company; this transfer is likely to be completed in the second quarter of FY24. While this seems to have acted as the immediate trigger for the JVs split, it was a long time coming.



"There was recognition from both sides that the project was not moving fast enough; there were challenging gaps we were not able to smoothly overcome, as well as external issues unrelated to the project," Foxconn said in a statement explaining the rationale for the "mutual" split.



Technology gap



Manufacturing semiconductors is expensive and requires formidable technological expertise. Globally, there is a race among countries to establish dominance in the manufacturing of semiconductors and that means those who have the technology have many suitors.



Vedanta group, an oil, mining, and metals conglomerate, and electronics manufacturing giant Foxconn formed the JV last year to set up a semiconductor manufacturing company but have since struggled to find a technology partner. With no previous experience in manufacturing chips of their own, the success of the JV hinged on finding a suitable partner.



After calling off the JV, both entities said they were determined to take their plans forward with new partners.



On July 11, Vedanta said in a statement that it is committed to setting up the planned semiconductor unit. The company said it has a licence for production-grade technology for 40 nm from a "prominent" Integrated Device Manufacturer (IDM) and will soon have a licence for production-grade 28 nm as well. The company did not reveal the names of the technology partners.



Detailed queries sent to Vedanta seeking clarity on how it planned to take forward the project remained unanswered at the time of publication.



Vedanta will not only be competing with its former partner Foxconn to find the right technology partner but with others too who are keen to set up manufacturing in India, given the governments focus on the sector.



Show me the money



The planned project in Gujarat requires an investment of $19.5 billion (around Rs 1.6 lakh crore), and the companies had indicated earlier that it would come on stream by 2026-27. Experts tracking the sector point out that semiconductor technology is rapidly evolving and would need deep pockets to finance it.



"This is a new business, and as has been the case in the past, large conglomerates want to enter. But its not easy to find technology partners. Earlier, banks made loans available for these businesses and were open to restructuring loans if there were problems. But after losing money on some big groups, they are cautious. The gold rush seen in new sunrise industries in the past may not be repeated this time around," Gaurav Dua, Senior Vice President & Head  Capital Market Strategy, Sharekhan by BNP Paribas, told Moneycontrol.



Financing a semiconductor manufacturing unit, even with government backing, may not be easy for any company. For Vedanta, it will be tougher, given that the group is already battling huge debt.



On June 13, CreditSights, the Fitch Ratings unit, said that it will closely monitor the risk of refinancing pertaining to the parent company Vedanta Resources Ltd's (VRL) term debt of $4.2 billion, which is scheduled to mature in FY24. According to CreditSights, VRL, the parent company of India-listed mining behemoth Vedanta Ltd, is expected to honour its debt obligations in their entirety within the next 12 months.



This report came right after VRL raised around $450 million from two of its rivals, triggering concerns that the company is unable to raise money from regular debt channels and banks.



The promoter group pledged 4.4 percent of their holding in Vedanta for a $250-million loan from Switzerland-headquartered mining and natural resources rival Glencore International AG. It raised $200 million in finance from commodities trading company Trafigura Group.



The Indian listed entity, which will now house the semiconductor business, had gross debt of Rs 66,182 crore as on end-March. The companys net debt soared from Rs 38,076 as on December 2022 to Rs 45,260 crore as on March 2023. The company earlier said that its net debt-to-earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation ratio was at 1.28 times as of March.



Agarwal has repeatedly said that debt, whether at parent VRL or the Indian arm, is not a concern. But will he be able to raise funds for a new business where he has no track record and no partner adding muscle?



All eyes will be on Agarwal at Vedantas Annual General Meeting on July 12. Does he have a plan on how to take the project ahead?
The long-awaited divestment of the Shipping Corp of India Ltd (SCI) is likely to enter its next phase by September when the government expects to invite financial bids for the company, multiple sources told Moneycontrol.



"Financial bids for SCI (will be invited) after the listing of the demerged entity. Likely to get Rs 3,000 crore from the SCI sale. (We are) talking to SEBI to sort out the issues for listing, (and these are) on the verge of getting resolved," a senior government official told Moneycontrol.



He added that SCI has received the all-clear from Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) to transfer ownership of a training institute that was built on MHADA land to its demerged entity, Shipping Corporation of India Land and Assets Ltd (SCILAL).



"Financial bids (are likely to be invited) by September, and (we) aim to complete the transaction by December," the official said, adding that the Alternative Mechanism (AM) for SCI has approved the divestment plan for the company.



The AM on strategic disinvestment consists of the Finance Minister, the Minister for Road Transport and Highways, and the minister representing the respective administrative department to decide on matters relating to the terms and conditions of the sale.



The AM for SCI comprises the ministers of finance, road transport and highways, and shipping.



Another government official also told Moneycontrol that financial bids for SCI will be invited as soon as the listing of the demerged entity is completed.



As part of the divestment of SCI, the central government is looking to sell its 63.75 percent stake in SCI.



Emails sent to the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, SCI, and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) remained unanswered until the time of publication.



A senior executive from SCI told Moneycontrol that a meeting between officials of the government, SEBI, and SCI is scheduled for next week, following which the listing date for SCILAL will be finalised.



"The listing of SCILAL will be completed in a month's time after getting SEBI approval. If all things go well at the meeting next week, the listing date will likely be (finalised for) around August 15," the executive said.



He added that SCI had completed all formalities for the demerger of SCILAL and SCI in May and had submitted to SEBI the documents to list SCILAL on the stock exchanges.



"SCI had issued 46.5 crore shares of SCILAL to eligible shareholders on April 6," the executive said, adding that due diligence by SEBI has taken longer than usual in the case of SCILAL.



Earlier, the government had planned to list SCILAL on the stock exchanges by June. But the listing process was delayed due to issues pointed out by SEBI.



The first government official mentioned here also said that there were a lot of institutional problems while getting SEBI approval for the listing of SCILAL.



"SCI was still operating under the old Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 1952, which delayed the receipt of SEBI approval for the listing of SCILAL," the official said.



The government expects three to five players to bid for its stake in SCI.



Sources said that companies such as Vedanta, DP World, and shipping firms from Norway and South Korea have shown interest in SCI in the virtual road shows that have been conducted.



Based on the current stock market price, the government would rake in over Rs 3,010 crore for its stake in SCI.



The company reported net sales of Rs 1,418.14 crore in the quarter ended March 2023, up 7.91 percent from Rs 1,314.16 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.



Net profit came in at Rs 359.83 crore, up 175.27 percent from Rs 130.72 crore a year ago. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) stood at Rs. 498.95 crore in the quarter, up 32.31 percent on year.



SCI has a fleet strength of 70 vessels and is the largest Indian shipping company in India, catering to the overseas and coastal transportation of goods.



The Ministry of Corporate Affairs approved the demerger of SCILAL in February this year, and the process was completed in March.



As part of the strategic sale process, the government hived off the real estate assets of SCI  Shipping House, a 19-storey building, and the Maritime Training Institute, both in Mumbai, and certain other non-core assets, to SCILAL.



Per the balance sheet of SCI, the value of non-core assets meant for demerger as of March 31, 2022, stood at Rs 2,392 crore.



SCILAL was formed in November 2021 to hold the non-core assets of SCI, which falls under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. The SCIs board of directors authorised a demerger scheme in August last year.



SCI had announced the demerger of its land and assets in a 1:1 ratio, which was completed on March 31, 2023. Thus, if an investor held 100 shares of SCI, he would get an equal number of shares of SCILAL.



In April 2022, the Ministry asked SCI to expedite the demerger.



In November 2020, the Union cabinet gave in-principle approval for the strategic divestment of SCI.



In December 2020, the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) had invited expressions of interest (EoIs) for the disinvestment of its entire stake of 63.75 percent in SCI.
Adani Enterprises shares declined 1 percent in early trade on July 12, a day after the company announced that it has raised Rs 1,250 crore through allotment of non-convertible debentures (NCDs).



NCDs are a type of debt instrument issued by corporations or government entities to raise capital. They are called 'non-convertible' because they cannot be converted into equity shares of the issuing company. These are sold as fixed-income investment instruments.



At 9:55am, Adani Enterprises was trading at Rs 2,399, down 1.1 percent from the previous day's close on the National Stock Exchange. Since the start of the year, the company has given a negative return of 37 percent.



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"We would like to inform that the company has raised Rs. 1,250 crore by allotment of 125,000 secured, unrated, unlisted, redeemable, non-convertible debentures (NCDs) of a face value of Rs 100,000 each on a private placement basis," the company said in an exchange filing.



Billionaire Gautam Adani has generated $1.38 billion (approximately Rs 11,330 crore) through the sale of stakes in three companies within his conglomerate. This recent transaction adds to the total capital raised over the span of four years, which now amounts to $9 billion. The Adani Group continues to attract investment from a diverse range of investors.



In a statement, the conglomerate emphasised its dedication of raising funds to support its 10-year roadmap for transformative capital management, a programme that was devised in 2016 to implement strategic plans for its various portfolio companies.



In late June, Rajiv Jain's investment firm GQG Partners LLC increased its investment in Adani group companies by purchasing an additional $1 billion worth of shares from the promoter group. This increases the total investment of the US-based fund in the Indian conglomerate to $3.4 billion. GQG Partners LLC, which holds stakes in four Adani group companies, obtained 18 million shares, equivalent to 1.6 percent of Adani Enterprises Ltd, the flagship entity of the conglomerate.



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.
Shares of Mahindra & Mahindra slipped around 2 percent in early trade on July 12 as profit-booking slipped into the counter after recent gains. The stock zoomed nearly 6 percent in the past week, which gave investors more room to book partial profits. At 9.44am, shares of M&M were trading at Rs 1,556.85 on the National Stock Exchange, down nearly 1 percent from the previous close. The carmaker also reported a 19.1 on-year rise in production to 64,063 units in June. Not just production, but total vehicle sales also grew 16.7 percent in June to 59,924 units from 51,319 units sold a year back. Passenger vehicle sales jumped 26 percent to 38,965 units in June from 30,888 units last year. Utility vehicle sales increased to 32,585 units from 26,620 units in this period. Follow our live blog for all the market action Exports as well as commercial vehicle sales remained weak. While commercial vehicle sales declined 2.5 percent on-year, exports registered a 9.7 percent drop. M&M is also exploring options to pare around 2-3 percent stake in its electric vehicles business, the company's managing director and CEO, Anish Shah told CNBC-TV18 in a recent interview. Also Read: M&M looking to offload up to 3% stake in EV business, says CEO Anish Shah News reports had suggested that the automobile company was in advanced discussions with British International Investment (BII) and some other global investors to raise up to Rs 5,000 crore ($605 million) for its electric vehicles (EV) unit. If talks with BII sail through, it will make way for a second-round of investments from the British financier into M&M's EV unit. In July 2022, BII signed a pact with Mahindra Electric to pump in Rs 1,925 crore ($250 million) through compulsory convertible preference shares. The automaker eyes to roll out five new EV models between April and October 2025 and has also earmarked a capital expenditure of around Rs 10,000 crore to set-up a manufacturing facility for electric three-four wheelers in Telangana between FY22 and FY27.

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The Nifty 50 flaunts a brand new, shiny look, with HDFC Bank emerging as the biggest weight in the index and LTIMindtree the newest kid on the block. With a weightage of 14.43 percent after merger with parent HDFC Ltd, HDFC Bank has pipped Reliance Industries as the anchor for the benchmark index, from July 13.



It is sort of a homecoming for HDFC Bank. Back in September 2017, both HDFC and HDFC Bank had weighed heavier than RIL on the Nifty. Now, the combined entity with 100 percent public shareholding has made its way back to the top.



Reliance Industries, however, continues to be the biggest Indian company with a market capitalisation of Rs 18.69 lakh crore. Over the last 20 years, RIL has been the only stock to have stayed in the Top-10 league on the Nifty 50. Even after Jio Financial Services demerger, its weightage will remain above 10 percent, said analysts. As per various brokerage reports, the JFS share price has been pegged in a range of Rs 130-160.







HDFC Bank, on the other hand, has had a tremendous journey. Back in 2002, it was at the 14th spot with a weightage of 1.8 percent. A little over 20 years later, it is the crown jewel of Nifty 50 at a significant margin over the second in line. The combined entity of HDFC Bank is pegged at Rs 12 lakh crore market cap.



Index weights are important to track as several index funds, hedge funds and exchange-traded funds benchmark their allocation to indices. Any change in the Nifty 50 index composition can result in inflows or outflows in the stock markets.



However in this case, there will be no significant outflows from funds benchmarked to Nifty 50 as both HDFC shares will get converted to HDFC Bank. A shareholder will get 42 fully paid-up shares of HDFC Bank for every 25 held in HDFC.



"The orchestration of this merger is to ensure that the future is not constrained for any of our stakeholders. The merger marks a phase of the two entities working jointly to tackle the issues on hand, HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh wrote in his retirement letter.



But what about Bank Nifty?



A viral WhatsApp forward says HDFC Bank will command 52.40 percent weightage in Bank Nifty. Along with ICICI Bank, the two will take up 75 percent of the index weight, it said. But investors need to note that it is not true.



To eliminate concentration risk, the NSE has a weight ceiling of 33 percent for a single stock and 62 percent for the cumulative top three free float stocks. Thus, HDFC Banks weight in the Bank Nifty index will go up to 29.10 percent from 26.90 percent, paving the way for passive inflows of $70 million, as per Nuvama Research.



The top three banking index stocks - HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India - have a cumulative weight of 61.80 percent on the index. This will go up marginally to 62 percent after the merger.







The index provider has already used a capping factor for HDFC Bank, which is 89 percent, and we continue to believe the capping factor can be adjusted to keep the stocks weight below 33 percent, said Abhilash Pagaria, Head - Alternative & Quantitative Research, Nuvama Institutional Equities.



The Bank Nifty index is trading near a crucial support zone of 44,800-44,750. If this support zone is breached, it is likely to lead to further downside movement towards the 20-day moving average (20DMA), which is positioned at the 44,500-44,000 range, according to Kunal Shah, senior technical and derivative analyst at LKP Securities.



The Bank Nifty index has been trading within a broad range of 44,500-45,500. In such a range-bound scenario, Shah advises traders to utilise opportunities presented by both the upside and downside movements till the key merger event is behind us.



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.



Disclosure: Moneycontrol is a part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.
Milan Kundera, whose dissident writings in communist Czechoslovakia transformed him into an exiled satirist of totalitarianism, has died in Paris at the age of 94, Czech media said Wednesday.



Kundera's renowned novel, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, opens wrenchingly with Soviet tanks rolling through Prague, the Czech capital that was the author's home until he moved to France in 1975. Weaving together themes of love and exile, politics and the deeply personal, Kundera's novel won critical acclaim, earning him a wide readership among Westerners who embraced both his anti-Soviet subversion and the eroticism threaded through many of his works.



If someone had told me as a boy: One day you will see your nation vanish from the world, I would have considered it nonsense, something I couldn't possibly imagine. A man knows he is mortal, but he takes it for granted that his nation possesses a kind of eternal life, he told the author Philip Roth in a New York Times interview in 1980, the year before he became a naturalized French citizen.



In 1989, the Velvet Revolution pushed Communists from power and Kundera's nation was reborn as the Czech Republic, but by then he had made a new life and a complete identity in his attic apartment on Paris Left Bank.



To say his relationship with the land of his birth was complex would be an understatement. He returned to the Czech Republic rarely and incognito, even after the fall of the Iron Curtain. His final works, written in French, were never translated into Czech. The Unbearable Lightness of Being, which won him such acclaim and was made into a film in 1988, was not published in the Czech Republic until 2006, 17 years after the Velvet Revolution, although it was available in Czech since 1985 from a compatriot who founded a publishing house in exile in Canada. It topped the best-seller list for weeks and, the following year, Kundera won the State Award for Literature for it.



Kundera's wife, Vera, was an essential companion to a reclusive man who eschewed technology his translator, his social secretary, and ultimately his buffer against the outside world. It was she who fostered his friendship with Roth by serving as their linguistic go-between, and according to a 1985 profile of the couple it was she who took his calls and handled the inevitable demands on a world-famous author.



The writings of Kundera, whose first novel The Joke opens with a young man who is dispatched to the mines after making light of communist slogans, was banned in Czechoslovakia after the Soviet invasion of Prague in 1968, when he also lost his job as a professor of cinema. He had been writing novels and plays since 1953.



The Unbearable Lightness of Being follows a dissident surgeon from Prague to exile in Geneva and back home again. For his refusal to bend to the Communist regime the surgeon, Tomas, is forced to become a window washer, and uses his new profession to arrange sex with hundreds of female clients. Tomas ultimately lives out his final days in the countryside with his wife, Tereza, their lives becoming both more dreamlike and more tangible as the days pass.



Jiri Srstka, Kundera's Czech literary agent at the time the book was finally published in the Czech Republic, said the author himself delayed its release there for fears it would be badly edited.



Kundera had to read the entire book again, rewrite sections, make additions and edit the entire text. So given his perfectionism, this was a long-term job, but now readers will get the book that Milan Kundera thinks should exist, Ststka told Radio Praha at the time.



Kundera refused to appear on camera, rejected any annotation when his complete published works were released in 2011, and would not allow any digital copies of his writing. In a June 2012 speech to the French National Library which was re-read on French radio by a friend he said he feared for the future of literature.



It seems to me that time, which continues its march pitilessly, is beginning to endanger books. It's because of this anguish that, for several years now, I have in all my contracts a clause stipulating that they must be published only in the traditional form of a book, that they be read only on paper and not on a screen, he said. People walk in the street, they no longer have contact with those around them, they don't even see the homes they pass, they have wires hanging from their ears. They gesticulate, they should, they look at no one and no one looks at them. I ask myself, do they even read books anymore? It's possible, but for how much longer?



His loyalty to the printed word meant that it was possible for readers to find criticism and biographies of Kundera to download, but not his works themselves.



Despite his fierce protection of his private life he gave only a handful of interviews and kept his biographical information to a bare minimum Kundera was forced to revisit his past in 2008, when the Czech Republic's Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes produced documentation indicating that in 1950, as a 21-year-old student, Kundera told police about someone in his dormitory. The man was ultimately convicted of espionage and sentenced to hard labor for 22 years.



The researcher who released the report, Adam Hradilek, defended it as the product of extensive research on Kundera.



He has sworn his Czech friends to silence, so not even they are willing to speak to journalists about who Milan Kundera is and was,Hradilek said at the time.



Kundera said the report was a lie, telling the Czech CTK news agency it amounted to the assassination of an author.



In a 1985 profile which is among the longest and most detailed on record, and examines Kundera's life in Paris the author foreshadowed how much even that admission must have pained him.



For me, indiscretion is a capital sin. Anyone who reveals someone else's intimate life deserves to be whipped. We live in an age when private life is being destroyed. The police destroy it in Communist countries, journalists threaten it in democratic countries, and little by little the people themselves lose their taste for private life and their sense of it,he told the writer Olga Carlisle. Life when one can't hide from the eyes of others that is hell.
#1. GST Council imposes 28 percent tax on online gaming and casinos



The Goods and Services Tax Council has approved imposing a uniform 28 per cent tax on the entire transaction value of bets involving online gaming, casinos, and horse racing. The highest tax slab will bring them on a par with betting and gambling. GST on online gaming will be imposed without any differentiation of whether its based on skill or chance.



Why its important: The tax authority have disregarded industry pleas of treating games of skill from that of chance. This could deal a body blow to the industry by discouraging a large number of users in India.



#2. Taiwans Foxconn keen on building 4-5 semiconductor factories in India



Global technology firm Foxconn has told the government that it wants to set up at least four to five semiconductor fabrication lines in India. Foxconn said it was working toward applying under the India Semiconductor Mission. While at least one of these production lines is likely to be set up in Gujarat, Foxconn may explore the possibility of other locations as well.



Why its important: The development comes a day after Foxconn walked away from a joint venture with Vedanta. It remains to be seen whether it partners with any Indian business house or does it on its own.



#3. Market regulator likely to provide breather to overseas investors on passive breaches



Foreign portfolio investors are likely to get a reprieve from the Securities and Exchange Board of India on passive or unintended breach of the thresholds that trigger granular disclosure norms. Overseas investors whose single group exposure exceeds 50 percent of their corpus will get 10 trading days to bring down their exposure below the prescribed level without triggering the stricter disclosure norms.



Why its important: The capital markets regulator is firm on higher disclosures on exposure to a single business group, but foreign investors would now get some time to correct unintended breaches.



#4. Foreign investors based in Mauritius under scanner of income-tax department



Mauritius-based foreign portfolio investors trading in Indian derivatives are under scrutiny by the Indian tax department. Several of these investor have received queries from the tax department seeking additional details. Many of them have also been subjected to scrutiny assessment.



Why its important: The tax haven of Mauritius has long been a favored base of foreign portfolio investors. Indian authorities are tightening the screws on them to prevent tax evasion and money laundering.



#5. Railways plan to recast signal system in six years at a cost of Rs 1 lakh crore



Signaling systems on Indias sprawling rail network will turn fully electronic over the next six years as part of a Rs 1 lakh crore plan to avert errors that led to the horrific Balasore rail accident. The program will replace the existing electro-mechanical system with solid-state electronic route relay devices and signals to reduce chances of human error and signaling failures.



Why its important: The decision to upgrade the signaling system comes after an internal safety inquiry placed the blame of the recent Balasore three-train crash that killed 294 people on signaling errors.



#6. Hinduja family looks to raise $1 billion to fund Reliance Capital buyout



The Hinduja family has sounded out global credit funds to raise up to $1 billion (Rs 8,200 crore) to finance the potential acquisition of Reliance Capital for which it is the favored bidder after lenders to the insolvent financial services company approved its resolution plan. Farallon Capital, Oaktree, Ares Asia and Cerberus are among the funds that have been tapped in recent weeks.



Why its important: The acquisition of the bankrupt firm has secured legal and regulatory approvals. The financing could be backed by shares of Reliance Capitals life and general insurance units.



#7. Corporate affairs ministry begins inspecting books of troubled start-up Byjus



The ministry of corporate affairs has begun an inspection of the books of edtech unicorn Byjus. The scope of the ministry inspection will entail scrutinizing Byjus books of accounts to ensure there is no breach of money-laundering norms or non-compliance with any of the extant regulations under the company law.



Why its important: Concerns over corporate governance has mounted at Indias most valuable start-up after its auditor resigned over inordinate and repeated delays in filing the companys financials.



#8. HDFC Bank get six months to move home loan customers to external benchmark



The Reserve Bank of India has given HDFC Bank six months to migrate HDFCs home loan customers to external benchmark linked lending rate. Almost half of HDFCs 5.4 million customers are home loan customers. This has become necessary after the recent mega merger.



Why its important: It is compulsory for banks to link home loans to an external benchmark but non-banking financial companies, as HDFC was till recently, do not have such a mandate.



#9. Supreme Court declares extension to chief of Enforcement Directorate illegal



The Supreme Court has declared two orders issued by the central government in November 2021 and November 2022 illegal that granted extensions to the tenure of SK Mishra as head of the Enforcement Directorate. A three-member bench headed by justice BR Gavai held that the two extensions granted to Mishra were not valid in law. It permitted Mishra to continue till July 31.



Why its important: The court said the Centre should not have granted the extensions. There have been allegations that it was using the directorate that investigates financial crimes to harass opponents.



#10. Sales of luxury vehicles in India outpaces growth of overall auto sector



Sales of luxury vehicles in India grew in the strong double-digits in the first six months of the year, outpacing the overall automotive industry and reaffirming Indias credentials as the fastest growing major economy in the world. About 20,000 luxury vehicles were sold between January and June, a 38 percent jump over 14,500 units sold in the same period a year ago.



Why its important: Strong consumer demand at the top end of the market and healthy order books are expected to sustain growth momentum through the year and push overall volumes to new records.
Easy Trip Planners shares rose 2 percent on July 12 after a block deal of 97.1 lakh shares worth Rs 42 crore. The buyers and sellers could not be ascertained immediately.



At 11:30am, the stock was quoting Rs 44.35, higher by 1.9 percent from previous close. It has lost 17 percent so far in 2023.



Follow our live blog for all the live market action



This block deal comes on the heels of promoters selling 2.3 percent stake on June 30. In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Co-founder Prashant Pitti had said that promoters "have no intention to sell any further stake".



As of March end, the promoters held 74.90 percent stake in Easy Trip Planners. Out of this, Nishant Pitti held 32.27 percent, Prashant Pitti 10.49 percent and Rikant Pitti 32.14 percent. Life Insurance Corporation of India also holds over 2 percent stake in the company.



The travel portal has been on an aggressive expansion mode. On July 11, it signed a general sales agreement (GSA) with SpiceJet. Under the deal, EaseMyTrip will be responsible for selling and promoting the products and services offered by SpiceJet in India.



On June 21, it opened its offline retail store in Patiala, Punjab. Earlier this year, Easy Trip Planner launched offline storefronts under the franchising model at Patna and then in Surat and Jaipur.



In March, the company signed a pact with the Andhra Pradesh government for promotion of tourism in the state. Andhra receives the third highest number of tourists in the country, it said.



In November 2022, the company had announced a stock split as well as a bonus share issue in a 3:1 ratio.



In Q4FY23, Easy Trip Planners posted a 33.5 percent jump in net profit on the back of strong post-pandemic demand for travel. The companys consolidated net profit for the quarter jumped to Rs 31.15 crore, compared to Rs 23.34 crore a year earlier.



However, its operating margins have tumbled to 42 percent from 50 percent over the past one year due to higher expenses, specially three-fold increase in advertising costs.
Shares of Jammu & Kashmir Bank gained nearly 4 percent on Wednesday after the lender said that it was planning to raise funds. At a meeting scheduled on July 15, the bank's board will review the proposal of raising capital, it said in an exchange filing on July 11. No clarity is given though on how the funds will be raised. The bank's shares were up 3.9 percent at Rs 71.85 at 10.54am on the National Stock Exchange. The shares have given 22 percent returns since January 1. Follow our live blog for more updates Jammu & Kashmir Bank was fined Rs 2.5 crore by the central bank on June 22. The fine came after the lender did not ensure necessary steps to see if the data submitted to Central Repository of Information and Large Credit (CRILC) was accurate or not. CRILC collects and stores data on borrowers credit exposure. The bank had sent messages through the SWIFT network without confirming if the transactions are accurately recorded in the Core Banking System (CBS) or not. Jammu and Kashmir Bank had granted loan to a corporation without confirming if the bank had the resources to pay back the debt. Jammu & Kashmir Banks revenue grew 14 percent year-on-year to Rs 10,120 crore in FY23, while net profit grew almost 2.5 times to Rs 1,180 crore year-on-year in the same period. EBITDA margins in FY23 improved by 421 basis points. 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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Shares of Marksans Pharma rallied almost 9 percent on July 12 after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave it the go-ahead to manufacture a pain relief tablet. Marksans Pharma shares traded up 9.68 percent at Rs 102.55 at 12.08pm on the National Stock Exchange. On Wednesday, one crore shares of the company were traded on the exchanges, which is three times its monthly trading average. The shares have given 71 percent returns since January 1. The pharma company received approval for manufacturing Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen tablets, used to reduce multiple pain-related symptoms, said the company in an exchange filing on July 12. The tablets are available over the counter. Marksans Pharma's new tablets are similar to Advil Dual Action which is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, a London-based company. Follow our live blog for more updates We are committed to expanding our portfolio in pain management, this approval further demonstrates our regulatory and manufacturing capabilities and our strength to follow a focused growth approach, said Managing Director Mark Saldanha. The drug makers revenue grew 24 percent year-on-year to Rs 1,911 crore in FY23. Net profit for the company increased 42 percent to Rs 266 crore in the same period, while EBIDTA margins increased 124 basis points. The company's product portfolio spreads over segments like antidiabetics, pain management, gastroenterological, and anti-allergies. 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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News / Local

by Staff reporter

As the rationale and raison d'etre for the November 2017 military coup continues to collapse, with their masks falling irretrievably amid a loss of legitimacy and credibility, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his government will build a statue for the late former president Robert Mugabe - whom they ousted in the pustch - at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare.The airport was named after Mugabe just before the coup.The new honour represents the immortalisation of Mugabe and remembrance of his regime's rule.This will spark new controversy as Mugabe ruled the country with an iron fist and destroy the nation, while impoverishing the people.He also committed grave human rights abuses, including genocide.While aesthetic commemoration of leaders and iconic personalities has been there for centuries, it is sometimes controversial when it involves some divisive figures like Mugabe.Statues in particular have been used as a befitting honour for commemoration of political leaders and other luminaries in different fields of human endeavour.The premise upon which statues are basically constructed is that their subjects undertook in their lifetimes concrete actions, heroics and feats which significantly impacted upon the lives of others.As a result, the Mugabe statue will shatter the premise and syllogism of the coup which they presented as a redemptive political action to save the nation from his failures and threat to the legacy of the liberation.The coup - which was code-named Operation Restore Legacy - was explained as an intervention to remove "criminals around the President".Now the smokescreen has been shattered.Yet it was clear from the beginning to discerning Zimbabweans that it was about serving personal and political interests of its plotters.Their interests included political self-preservation, keeping their jobs and top positions, as well as the trappings of office, access to state resources and massive self-aggrandisement.Besides Mugabe's, a statue will also be built for Zimbabwe's founding nationalist leader Joshua at the roundabout, corner Joshua Nkomo Road (Airport Road) and Glenara Avenue in Harare.Nkomo was badly hounded and persecuted by Mugabe's regime after the country independence in 1980 amid a fierce power struggle and battle for political supremacy, as Zanu-PF pushed for a one-party state.Former Zapu leaders and Zipra commanders were arrested and tortured, while Nkomo was pushed into exile.Mugabe unleashed Gukurahundi as the political battle intensified using the North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade, killing about 20 000 innocent civilians in the process.Government will also built statues for other nationalist figures such the famous Dr Tichafa Samuel Parirenyatwa who was Zapu Vice-President and the first African (black) doctor in then Rhodesia.The Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare is named after him.Parirenyatwa was assassinated on 14 August 1962 aged 35, while on his way to a Zapu congress.Parirenyatwa was the father of former Zanu-PF minister David Parirenyatwa, and grandfather to prominent media personality Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa.
PVR INOX shares edged up on Wednesday after Goods and Services Tax (GST) on consumables in cinema halls was reduced to 5 percent from 18 percent. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the lowering of levy in a press meet held after the GST Council meeting on Tuesday. Food and Beverage sales make around 30 percent of the total revenue for PVR INOX, said ICICI Securities. A reduction in food and beverage GST will help the multiplex drive sales. PVR INOX shares gained 0.23 percent to Rs 1,429.70 at 10.53am on the National Stock Exchange. The shares have lost 0.7 percent since January 1. Follow our live blog for more updates ICICI Securities has a 'buy' call on the stock with a target price of Rs 1,380. While Q1FY24 is likely to be muted from a revenue standpoint, given the subdued performance of Adipurush, we think some indications of merger synergies such as improving average ticket price and spend per head for the merged entity should start flowing through. PVR INOX on July 7 opened 10 screens in Pacific city mall, Delhi and five in Satyamev Emporio, Ahmedabad. The company now has 16,697 screens across 144 cities. PVR INOX recorded 2.5-fold growth in revenue year-on-year to Rs 3,829 crore in FY23. Net loss for the company reduced 34 percent to Rs 488 crore year-on-year in the same period. EBIDTA margins increased 812 basis points year-on-year in FY23.  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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Vedanta Limited is committed to make sizable investments across business verticals in the coming years, Chairman Anil Agarwal said on July 12.



At the companys annual general meeting (AGM) for FY23, Agarwal said the companys strong presence in the natural resources sector is expected to yield even stronger returns in the coming years.



He added that the mineral-intensive energy transition will also boost demand exponentially.



Vedanta already has, in its unique portfolio, 7 minerals which are key to the new, emerging technologies. Our portfolio consists of high quality, low-cost, tier 1 assets with few, if any, parallels globally. It is noteworthy that demand is growing at double-digit rates for most of our products, Agarwal said.



This comes after Vedanta and electronics manufacturing giant Foxconn on July 10 called off their joint venture, which planned to invest $19.5 billion to set up a semiconductor manufacturing unit in Gujarat.



Vedanta has however said that it plans to go ahead with its semiconductor business venture despite Foxconn pulling out of the JV.



For FY24, Vedanta is going to spend around Rs 14,000 crore as capex across its businesses, he said.



Vedanta has pledged $5 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate the transition to net-zero operations, he added.



The metals-to-oil conglomerate aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and net water positivity by 2030. The companys decarbonisation efforts include the utilization of 2.5 GW of round-the-clock renewable energy and a target to reduce absolute emissions by 25 percent by 2030.



Vedanta has invested over USD 35 Billion (or Rs 2.9 lakh crores) to date in India, contributing to more than 1.4 percent of the country's GDP. Our contribution to the government exchequer is approximately Rs 3 lakh crores over the past seven years, with Rs 74,000 crores contributed in FY23 alone.



New opportunities



The business tycoon believes that huge opportunity lies in the electronics sector. Agarwal said the company will begin foray into semiconductor fab and display fab this year, subject to government approval.



This will open an entirely new avenue of rapid growth for the company in a sector that is strategic for the country, he added.



Vedantas subsidiary AvanStrate, the 4th largest manufacturer of glass substrate in the world has the niche patented technology and is one among the only four global companies to own this, said Agarwal.



And we have lined up partners for our semiconductor venture. With these ventures, we will enable our youth to access to affordable electronic devices which will help them fulfil their aspirations, he said at the companys AGM.




The Jan Vishwas Bill, which was cleared by the federal cabinet on July 12, will pave the way for decriminalisation of more offences across ministries, according to Rishi Agrawal, chief executive and co-founder of TeamLease RegTech.



This has set a precedent for phase 2, 3 and 4 of this bill. This is the first time that via one bill government has approached mindless criminalisation in 43 different acts, Agrawal, who was part of a panel which wrote the bill, told Moneycontrol.



Agrawal and Gautam Chikermane, Vice President of Observer Research Foundation, in February 2022 pointed out issues with Indias business laws in an article.



The Jan Vishwas Bill, which seeks decriminalisation of 187 provisions of 42 different laws, was introduced in Lok Sabha in December 2022. As many as 113 provisions of the bill pertain to ease of doing business, setting a precedent, Agrawal said.



The bill, once passed by the parliament, will create space for more such bills, he added.



Agarwal is open to continue working with the government on these reforms.



What is the Jan Vishwas Bill?



The Jan Vishwas Bill amends 42 acts to reduce compliance for businesses.



Acts such as the Indian Post Office Act, 1898, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, and the Information Technology Act, 2000, will be amended.



Many offences, some leading to imprisonment, will be decriminalised and replaced with just a monetary penalty.



For instance, under the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937, counterfeiting grade designation marks is punishable with imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 5,000. The Bill intends to replace this with a penalty of Rs 8 lakh.



According to the Economic Survey 2022-23, decriminalisation of minor economic offences under the Companies Act of 2013 has led to 400,000 companies willingly rectifying their past defaults to avoid penalties. Furthermore, after the reform, more than 1,400 default cases have been decided without going to a court of law.
Canada is a country that welcomes skilled immigrants who can contribute to its economy and society through the Canada Express Entry program. This program manages applications for three federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class.



The Express Entry program also uses the category-based selection feature to target specific groups of candidates based on their skills and needs, such as the STEM Specific Draw that issued 2,000 extra invitations to candidates with STEM-related jobs or nominations.



The STEM-specific Draw



One of the recent examples of category-based selection in the Express Entry Draw is the STEM-specific draw that took place on June 15, 2023. This draws targeted candidates with a valid job offer or a provincial nomination in an occupation related to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). The draw issued 2,000 additional invitations to apply for permanent residence to these candidates, in addition to the regular Express Entry Draw that issued 4,000 invitations.



The STEM-specific draw responded to the growing demand for STEM workers in Canada, especially in information technology, biotechnology, clean energy, and healthcare sectors. The draw aimed to attract and retain more skilled immigrants who could fill the labour market gaps and support Canada's innovation and competitiveness.



Conclusion



The category-based selection feature is an excellent opportunity for skilled workers who want to move to Canada permanently through the Express Entry program. You should check regularly if you belong to any groups Canada seeks and apply for the targeted draws. You can also use the CRS Calculator to estimate your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and see how you rank among other candidates.



If you need more guidance, contact our Immigration Consultants at +91-8595338595 or email us at web@abhinav.com.



Moneycontrol Journalists were not involved in the creation of the article.
Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to France later this week will mark a new phase in the strategic partnership between the two countries.



France is Indias second biggest defence partner and has the potential to play a key role in the countrys Atmanirbhar Bharat programme by entering into joint projects with Indian partners in defence, aviation, railways, food and agriculture, space and several other hi-tech areas.



Bastille Day celebrations



The Prime Minister will be in France between July 13 and 14 for the French National Day celebrations  the Bastille Day.



Modi will be the first world leader to be called for the Bastille Day celebrations in French President Emmanuelle Macrons presidency.



A delegation of top Indian CEOs will also be in France during his visit and the Prime Minister could participate in a round table meeting with the captains of the two countries business and industry.



While bilateral trade is around $13 billion the two countries agree that it can significantly increase, benefiting both sides.



On July 14 Modi will join Macron for the Bastille Day military parade.



A contingent of the Indian military with troops from the Armys Punjab Regiment, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force will also march in the parade.



The Indian Army had fought in France and Belgium during the First World War.



Modis presence and the Indian forces participation in the parade would mark a new phase in the strategic partnership between France and India, Macrons Elysee Palace office said.



It added, The two nations would set new objectives for strategic, cultural, scientific, academic and economic cooperation, including a large number of industrial sectors.



Backdrop of violent protests



The Indian Prime Ministers visit to France comes in the wake of a series of violent street protests and rioting following the death of a 19-year-old youth in police firing.



The violence, looting and arson had spread to other cities and towns from Paris and had continued for days.



A number of foreign countries had issued travel advisories to their nationals asking them to avoid visiting France.



Such concerns were also there within the Indian establishment as preparations were being made for the Prime Ministers visit.



But a special envoy of President Macron was recently in Delhi and held a series of meetings with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other officials to firm up the programme for Modis visit.



The envoy assured the Indian side that the situation in Paris and other parts of France was totally under control and that steps had been taken to make the Indian Prime Ministers visit to the country absolutely safe and secure.



Closest partner in Europe



France is perhaps Indias closest European partner. It is the first country with which India entered a strategic partnership in the wake of the May 1998 nuclear tests.



Relations between the two countries flourished because France was the only western country that showed an understanding of the security compulsions that led India to conduct the Pokhran nuclear tests in May 1998.



France became close to India and acted as its voice at various gatherings of western countries during a phase when most countries were keen to ostracise New Delhi for its nuclear tests.



Indo-Pacific imperatives



Over the past decades the strategic partnership between the two countries has become stronger. Their cooperation has widened from defense to several other areas.







However, like many other western countries, especially the United States, the French President has also realised the growing importance of the Indo-Pacific and is keen on shoring up Frances presence in the region.

India being a key player in the region is an obvious choice for closer ties as the Indo-Pacific emerges as the most strategically important area of the future.



In Paris, Modi will tour the Louvre, the world-renowned art museum and watch the fireworks display over the Eiffel Tower from the Louvre terrace.



According to a report in leading French daily Le Monde on the Elysee Palace statement on Modis visit, despite differences between the two sides on the Ukraine issue, both have a shared vision of peace and security, especially in Europe and in the Indo-Pacific region.



It added that the two countries also defend the objectives and principles of the United Nations Charter.



Defence ties



There is also growing interest on the outcome of the negotiations between India and France to co-develop a high-thrust engine for Indias stealth fighter programme and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft,



During Modis visit the Indian Navys acquisition of 26 fighter jets for an aircraft carrier and three additional Scorpene-class submarines from France could be finalised.



Reports say Frances Safran is willing to share its jet engine technology with India to develop the high-thrust 110kN engine.



It has already co-developed a helicopter engine for Indias homegrown chopper fleet.



However, France is also known for taking an independent position on major global issues, at variance with the US.



Despite its growing ties with the US, India also has been pursuing an independent policy to safeguard its national interest and strategic independence.



The growing partnership with France therefore, can also be seen as another example of India expanding its strategic options.
Monsoon Rains Highlights: Mathura Police is on high alert as the water level in the Yamuna River continues to rise. The authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of the local residents and take necessary precautions. Heavy rainfall in the region has led to an increase in the water level, which can potentially cause flooding in low-lying areas.

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Despite steady pressure from opposition parties, judiciary, central government, a section of media and the governor, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is comfortably ahead in West Bengals panchayat/village council elections. In fact  early on Wednesday  TMC has bagged or was ahead in more than 70 percent of the seats in all tiers of village council polls, namely Gram Panchayat (GP), Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad. The total seats are about 74,000 and with trends or results of 64,000 available, TMC is ahead or has won 46,350 seats (72 percent).

There is little doubt that the 2023 poll was marred by violence  as it was in the past  and at least 20 persons were killed on the polling day and following 48 hours. Many of them belonged to the ruling party. Yet violence was less than in 2018 or 2013. In 2018, opposition could not field candidates in an unprecedented 34 percent of seats, while it was 10.66 percent in 2013, noted Biswanath Chakravarty, an acclaimed poll data analyst, in his published papers.

In 2023, TMC won nearly 10 percent of seats unopposed indicating that the incumbent party was challenged by three key opposition blocs  Bharatiya Janata Party, Left-Congress alliance and minority-driven Indian Secular Front (ISF)  in only 90 percent of the seats.

TMC: Rural Thumbs-Up

Nearly 70 percent of Bengals population reside in rural areas. A 65-70 percent seat share in village council polls underlines Mamata Banerjees deputy Abhisheks success as he led the campaign. With this result,

Abhishek will consolidate his position in the party.

Secondly, TMCs vote share was 48 percent in the Assembly polls (2021) and 43 percent in Lok Sabha (2019). In the 2013 and 2018 Panchayat polls, TMC respectively got 58 and 56 percent votes. The 2023 panchayat poll result indicates there will be a substantial jump in TMCs vote share compared to 2019 and 2021. If the vote share has increased, and 35-year-old Abhishek can maintain the momentum over the next ten months, TMC may emerge as a key national player after the Lok Sabha polls.

However, BJP has a counter argument voiced by its dynamic Malda MLA Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury: Panchayat polls are about local interests and issues. Lok Sabha votes are a nationwide poll and electors opinions differ. Moreover, the states failure to conduct the Panchayat polls properly scared the voters, which would be absent in Lok Sabha  (even) if BJP appears weak now, it would not be so in the national polls. This is by and large the argument of the opposition which has failed to unsettle TMC in the Panchayat poll.

BJP Slipping In Strongholds?

Nonetheless, BJP is losing its strongholds in Bengal. TMCs ally Anit Thapas Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (GPM) made inroads in Darjeeling defeating BJP-backed United Gorkha Alliance. Among other strongholds, BJP is on the backfoot in the huge Namasudra community dominated districts of North 24 and South 24 Parganas and Nadia districts.

The interpretation: BJPs failure to appease the powerful Matua sect of the Namasudras  who predominantly arrived as refugees from Bangladesh  by implementing Citizenship Amendment Act (2019) has prompted the vote transfer from BJP to other parties. BJP also suffered reverses  according to trends till Wednesday morning  in western tribal districts of Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura and West Midnapore. BJPs success in 2019 and 2021 was to a good extent driven from tribal areas.

BJP has around 15 percent cumulative share of seats in all three tiers, at the time of publishing. The party won or was leading in about 9,500 seats out of 64,000 till morning. This is a clear dip compared to the 2021 Assembly poll when BJP got 26 percent of seats (and 38 percent of votes), though BJP has done better than its 2018 panchayat poll performance when it won 11 percent of the seats.

The obvious question is who has usurped BJPs votes from the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 assembly polls, considering no major uptick in Left-Congress seats or votes, so far. The possible answer  it has been guzzled by TMC. Neither the Left-Congress, nor BJP has significantly improved its tally  as of now  in the Panchayat poll (there were around 59,000 seats in the 2018 panchayat polls and 74,000 now, which would explain the absolute seat number increases by various parties).

TMCs success has largely been attributed to  as in previous years  to its umpteen welfare schemes. BJP argues that most of the schemes are supported by the central government and yet the schemes  boosted by a reasonably efficient delivery mechanism  continue to provide robust dividends for Mamata.

Minority Worries For TMC

On Tuesday, following an off-the-record conversation a Muslim spokesperson of the TMC told this writer that ISF is an emerging risk for his party. ISF got eight GPs in South 24 Parganas  a TMC stronghold with 35 percent Muslim population  and this will trouble the TMC leadership, he said.

In some of the Muslim pockets  from north to south Bengal  a Left-Congress-ISG combination has defeated TMC which had indeed triggered a lot of violence in the minority pockets. It is possibly a reason why the majority of the people killed are also Muslims and yet the party was hit in the minority areas.

A tiny swing in minority votes in forthcoming polls will damage TMC deeply. But  simultaneously  any visible appeasement policy to woo the Muslims may consolidate the Hindus. The immediate challenge would be to strike a balance without displeasing the communities  a task indeed for Abhishek and team.

Suvojit Bagchi is a Kolkata-based journalist who previously worked with Ananda Bazar Patrika, BBC World Service and The Hindu. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
The ensuing growth season in India is distinct in bringing manufacturing back to the limelight. While the service sector should remain at the forefront, able support from manufacturing will improve value addition and job creation potential in the economy. Part of such benefits have already started flowing.

To make the growth durable, the benefits need to be optimised. And that would depend heavily on the scalability of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), which form the supply chain to large industries and are the biggest employers. Unfortunately, there exists a serious gap in the area. Exceptions apart, Indias MSME sector is suffering from a plethora of problems, the most critical of them is the lack of easy finance.

The job at hand is to expand the scope of third-party credit guarantees and reduce the need for collaterals. Also, the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) should start direct lending of cheap credit to the MSMEs. SIDBI currently uses its resources in refinancing banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFC) for lending to MSMEs. The arrangement helps during liquidity crunch scenarios.

However, in the present context, when banks are flushed with cash and are still not lending adequately to MSMEs or are lending at higher rates, SIDBI should disrupt the credit market through direct lending. For inspiration, they may look at the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) which directly lends to the farm sector through its subsidiary Nabkishan Finance.

Inadequate Credit Guarantee Coverage

The bigger change will take place when the quantum of third-party credit guarantee, offered by the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), will increase a few times from the prevailing Rs 1 lakh crore (2022-23). As a thumb rule, commercial banks are less interested to serve smaller initiatives, which need finance the most and have less collateral to pledge. CGTMSE was floated by the government and SIDBI to break this deadlock. The trust extends up to an 85 percent guarantee to banks against MSME loans, subject to a ceiling of Rs 5 crore. It means banks can give loans to the identified segment with as low as 15 percent collateral support.

Do a bit of ground survey and the beneficiaries are hard to find. The reason lies in simple math. According to National Sample Survey (NSS) 2015-16, India has 633 lakh MSMEs, 99.9 percent of which fall in micro and small categories, defined by turnover ranges of below Rs 5 crore and Rs 5-50 crore, respectively. Assuming an average loan requirement of Rs 50,000 a unit, the sector needs Rs 3.16 lakh crore of credit. It means on average CGTMSE guarantee can eliminate less than one-third of the collateral needs. The NSS data was collected before the government revised the definition of MSMEs in June 2020 and opened the Udyam registration portal for voluntary disclosures and certification. As of date, 2.04 crore MSMEs employing 12.32 crore people have registered on the portal. Of the total, 5.55 lakh enterprises are small. Assuming an average working capital requirement of Rs 1 crore, the sector needs Rs 5.55 lakh crore credit, five times the size of the CGTMSE approvals. Clearly, the institutional mechanism is insufficient. That explains why microenterprises rush to NBFCs and micro-finance institutions (MFI) for collateral-free loans of Rs 1 lakh at 15-24 percent interest as against 10 percent (prevailing) in banks.

On the flip side, such a high-cost loan is unsuitable for manufacturing MSMEs, operating at wafer-thin margins in the days of reverse auction. According to NSS, 31 percent of the 633 lakh MSMEs are into manufacturing. The situation is pathetic as you go down the value chain. Growth has already started putting pressure on supplies. Ironically enough, the stronger and longer the momentum, the more vulnerable to fail will be the supply chain. The government will be forced to allow imports, compromising job creation potential.

Stressed Supply Line

A quick visit to Indias oldest engineering MSME hub in Howrah, West Bengal, will tell you where the shoe pinches. Micro-entrepreneur Bimal Das makes custom-made wooden dice of a large crane wheel or steel plant valve, based on an engineering drawing, with the help of one labour, from his 200 square feet rented space at Baltikri for a gross enterprise income of Rs 30,000-40,000 a month. This dice will be used by AJ Cast Alloys, which has a turnover of Rs 13.5 crore, to create the steel body of the wheel. The cast will land up with Bimal Dinda, who is operating from a shared shop floor, for machining. He will put the 600 kg wheel on a wooden pulley to create grooves and bends, using second-hand lathes, as per the drawing. Depending on the work, the rates may vary from 35 paise to Rs 2,000 apiece. Dindas net income (after paying for labour, rent etc) hovers around Rs 30,000 a month.

After one or two more stops, the wheel will land at Probal Roy Choudhurys small enterprise, Fluid Control and Engineering Company, on a hand cart, for the final assembly and delivery to a large crane maker. Probal secures orders from large enterprises and outsources part of the work from Das, Dinda and AJ Cast.

Keeping in tune with the expansion rush in steel, cement, power, railways, defence, etc, both Fluid Control and AJ Cast are witnessing a two-fold rise in demand since the end of 2022-23. Both need more capital. Probal is an M-Tech from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur and is highly connected. His banker doubled the working capital limit at 50 percent collateral support. But AJ Cast was not as lucky. Stung by a lack of resources, AJ is either avoiding taking some orders or delaying the delivery for working capital management. Das and Dinda have no money to install new machines and pace up operations.

Pressure is felt by Probal, who withdrew from a major tender last week for fear of missing the delivery schedule. Surely someone else had taken it up. But that someone should face the same capacity constraint. What is happening in the Indian economy is unprecedented. I have never seen such a strong flow of orders and, I guess it will only rise. I would have loved to optimise the opportunity but my ecosystem may not permit that, Probal said.

Pratim Ranjan Bose is an independent columnist, researcher, and consultant. His Twitter handle is @pratimbose. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

Journalist Hopewell Chin'ono has criticised CCC leader Nelson Chamisa saying his decision to "get rid" of senior opposition figures such as Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube has weakened the opposition party.Said Chin'ono, "In the afternoon (Monday) I said that the police memo instructing police commanders to allow opposition rallies was just meant to appease the African ambassadors and Election Observers who have been pushing Mnangagwa's regime to be fair to the opposition by not banning its rallies."Hardly 5 hours after saying that, another opposition rally has been banned again today! This election is a charade and its outcome is predetermined."I wish the opposition leadership was stronger as it was in 2008 when Tsvangirai had real opposition generals around him."The truth is that Nelson Chamisa has surrounded himself with lightweights after getting rid of people like Biti and Prof Ncube for whatever reason!"Who does he send to Pretoria, or Addis Ababa or Gaborone at SADC? Zanu-PF has no reason to be fair, it will never be fair."It is the opposition that needed to be stronger and confront this regime as happened in 2008!"Biti, who was the Minister of Finance in the Government of National Unity (GNU), was controversially sidelined in his bid to represent the CCC in Harare East in the upcoming general elections.Harare North MP, Allan Markham, whose constituency was disbanded by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, was selected to represent Harare East.Chin'ono also criticised Zanu-PF for allegedly denying opposition political parties access to public media.Ironically, CCC leader Nelson Chamisa's rally in South Africa on Saturday, 24 June was broadcast live by the neighbouring country's broadcaster SABC News, something he is denied back home by the national broadcaster ZBCtv.Posting on Twitter, Chin'ono said denying opposition political parties access to public media is against the law. He said:"Over and above denying the opposition the right to have rallies, the Zanu-PF regime is also denying them access to ZBC and other public media like Herald which is against the law."The regime is even denying Winky D access to have his songs played and even to mention his name! Pathetic!"Responding to Chin'ono, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana, said CCC is free "to come" to ZBC and The Herald as long as they pay. He said;"They can come to the ZBC anytime. They can come to the Herald anytime. They can even place adverts in both. Mari yavo chete."Through a leaked memo, Police General Headquarters (PGHQ) ordered provincial commanders to approve opposition political rallies unless there are compelling reasons.In the memo dated 08 July 2023, officers commanding provinces, the support unit, and police intelligence were advised not to block political parties as it discredited the electoral processes.
Now that the dust has settled over Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the US, it may be useful to assess the engagement in terms of tangible outcomes. The principal outcome and clear signal emanating from Washington and New Delhi is that democracies not only debate, they also deliver.



One of the key attributes of the Chinese narrative is that China may be authoritarian, but it delivers; Democracies debate and promise, but they do not necessarily deliver. The visit knocks the wind out of that story.



US-Indias Seas to the Stars phraseology may not only be a good pun on the oceans-mountains-honey-steel tale that Pakistan and China have sought to weave, but is also symbolic of a deeper commitment to critical areas of collaboration  to enhance prosperity and strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, to navigate the knotty frontiers of statecraft, without either rocking the boat of strategic autonomy or falling prey to the lure of alliance.



Game Changing Deals



From the standpoint of defence and national security, the visit is certainly a cause for celebration. A great deal of bureaucracy has been overcome to make the two big deals (F414 Jet Engines & Predator Drones) happen. The Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) and the India-US Defence Innovation Bridge, could be even more game changing.



In the F414 jet engine deal, 12 advanced technologies (80 percent by value) are under transfer. Currently, the only countries that have proficiencies in this elite class of engine technology are the US, UK, France and Russia, not even China; so India will be the fifth. Set in the 98 kiloNewton thrust class, these engines will power 250-plus aircraft  Tejas Mk2, and the twin-engine deck-based fighter for the Navy.



The deal will fire up the aerospace ecosystem in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and possibly Koraput in Orissa. Approximately 600 Indian MSMEs and a few startups will be among the beneficiaries. The business profile of HAL will also get a huge boost; its shares have risen significantly due to the jet engine deal.



The MQ-9B Predator deal is equally significant  India is perhaps the first non-NATO state to acquire the sophisticated machine. The powerful engine of the Predator (fifteen times more than earlier versions) allows carriage of larger payloads, giving a strong fillip to persistent surveillance (ability to identify and preserve custody of targets for hours) and precision strike capacities.



The quality of persistent surveillance will be game-changing, in the context of the needs of strategic intelligence, our Himalayan frontiers and our maritime expanses. While operating in pairs, the Predators enable surveillance of as many as 14 million square miles of our oceanic expanse, significantly enhancing our power projection capabilities.



In the shadow of these bigger deals, the ripple effects are already visible. An Indian startup 3rdiTech has signed an MoU with General Atomics to build precision guidance kits for the MQ-9Bs. The US Space Force has signed a Cooperative Research Agreement with another Indian startup 114 AI to build an AI-based tool for space domain awareness and semiconductors.



Dependencies And Relationships



How will all of this impact our relationship with Russia? It is surely not our intention to replace a Russian dependency in defence with an American dependency. There is in fact no need to do so, because what is on offer from the Russians and the Americans is quite differentiated.



The Russians give us critical platforms; what we seek from the US on the other hand is meaningful collaboration to create an ecosystem of technological innovation and co-development of critical and emerging technologies.



Deep technologies in defence are the preserve of private companies and not that of the US government. A business-to-business relationship in defence may be the best way to lubricate Indo-American futures.



China: Converging US-India Interests



Given the emerging strategic context, in any case, what are the choices that India has? China, against every metric of prudence, has chosen to adopt a belligerent stance against India. Russia as this constrained big power is itself seeking geopolitical solace in Chinas arms. India has no choice but to explore strategic convergence with the US.



A mutually reinforcing India-US technological ecosystem is being created at the precise moment when China is being caged technologically. A technologically enabled Indian strategic-military enterprise will be a catalyst in the strategic competition with China and is therefore in the American national interest.



We must acknowledge that China is a formidable competitor  in 44 critical and emerging technologies it is in the global lead in 37. We, therefore, do not have the luxury of lofty debate  concerted and conjoint action is the only option.



Without committing to operational collaboration of any sort, we need to keep our options open.



The writer was Army Commander, ARTRAC. He can be reached on Twitter @Gen_RajShukla or at rajshukla35@yahoo.com. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
NATO declared Tuesday that Ukraine would be invited to join the alliance but did not say how or when, disappointing its president but reflecting the resolve by President Joe Biden and other leaders not to be drawn directly into Ukraines war with Russia.



In a communique agreed by all 31 NATO nations, the alliance said that Ukraines future is in NATO, and it will be allowed to join when the member countries agree that conditions are ripe  but it did not offer specifics or a timetable. It promised to continue supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia and to engage the alliances foreign ministers in a periodic review of Ukraines progress toward reaching NATO standards  in both democratization and military integration.



The wording means that Biden, who declared last week that Ukraine isnt ready for NATO membership, and like-minded allies had prevailed over Poland and Baltic nations that wanted a formal invitation for Ukraine to join the alliance as soon as the war ends. NATO leaders released the document, a compromise product after weeks of argument, at a summit meeting in Vilnius.



Hours earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, apparently aware of what it would say, issued a blast at the NATO leadership. Its unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is not set, neither for the invitation nor for Ukraines membership, he wrote on Twitter before landing in Vilnius.



The NATO commitment went somewhat beyond its vague statement in 2008 that Georgia and Ukraine would eventually become members. Given Ukraines shaky democracy, corruption and old Soviet arsenal, that was a hazy prospect at best, and neither it nor Georgia has since joined.



In lieu of membership, NATO leaders on Tuesday offered Zelenskyy new military aid to fight Russia, promises of further integration and statements intended to declare to Russian President Vladimir Putin that his strategy of wearing down the European nations would not work. Their communique stated that Ukraine had moved closer to the alliances political and military standards.



Zelenskyy will have dinner with NATO leaders and participate Wednesday in the first NATO-Ukraine Council, an effort to integrate the country into the alliances discussions even as a nonvoting member.



But what Ukraine wants  and what Biden and Germany, among others, are reluctant to offer  is the main benefit of full membership: the promise of collective defense, that an attack on any single NATO country is an attack on all.



Biden has warned that he does not want to be forced into direct combat with Russian forces, warning that is World War III.



Zelenskyy had threatened not to attend the meeting if he was unhappy with the NATO commitment. He and his top aides have argued that if Ukraine had entered NATO, Putin might not have dared invade and risk a war with the Western alliance.



Historians and geostrategists will be arguing about that what-if for years. But with the release of the communique, Biden appears to have gotten two of the things he wanted most from this summit.



With Swedish concessions and help from NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Biden helped persuade Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to drop his blockade of Swedens membership, which requires unanimous consent. And with the language adopted Tuesday in Vilnius, there is no defined date  or even defined conditions  under which Ukraine will become a member.



The closest the statement comes to a commitment are these words: We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met.



As one significant concession, NATO agreed that Ukraine would not need to go through a preliminary process to prepare it for an invitation. Both Sweden and Finland, which joined this year, were also allowed to skip such a process.



Moscow made clear that it was closely following the summit. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that new weapons provided to Ukraine would force us to take countermeasures, and criticized Turkey for allowing Sweden to join. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia would examine how quickly and how deeply NATO expands on the territory of Finland and Sweden, and would respond accordingly.



The dispute within NATO over its joint statement had deep roots, said Samuel Charap, senior political scientist at the Rand Corp.



There is a fundamental divide between the United States, Germany and other less vocal allies who are committed to the principle of the open door to NATO, but without wanting to see a concrete timeline or automaticity, and those countries near Russia who are pushing very hard to turn the vagueness of Bucharest into something much more concrete, he said. It was a 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania, that promised Ukraine and Georgia eventual membership.



For the United States, Charap said, membership of Ukraine too soon involves the risk of a NATO-Russia war arising from a country at war with Russia entering the alliance, he said, noting that Moscow has for many years called Ukrainian membership in NATO a red line. For the others, Ukrainian membership is a path to peace and stability, because it will deter Russia and anchors Ukraine and ends the instability.



The Bucharest promise was a way to kick the can of Ukrainian membership down the road. That may no longer be possible, given the war. At some point the road comes to an end, and we might be reaching that end, Charap said.



The NATO alliance has been eager to use this Vilnius summit as a display of trans-Atlantic unity, and in that goal it largely succeeded. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in several interviews that Putins strategy has been to wait for NATO nations to tire of the war. But the Russian leader, he said, is not going to outlast Ukraine, and the sooner he ends this war of aggression, the better.



The allies came to Vilnius with more pledges of weapons and military equipment for Ukraine to bolster its slow-moving counteroffensive: long-range Scalp cruise missiles from France; 25 more Leopard tanks, 40 additional infantry fighting vehicles, and two more Patriot air-defense missile launchers. There was a $770 million package from Germany and $240 million from Norway for unspecified equipment and other support.



Additionally, the defense ministers of Denmark and the Netherlands announced that they had gathered 11 countries to help train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets as soon as next month. Biden agreed in May to drop his objections to giving Ukraine F-16s, although that may not happen until next year.



The Scalp missiles are the same weapon as the Storm Shadows that Britain, in May, said it had sent to Ukraine. The missiles, jointly manufactured by France and Britain, have a range of about 150 miles.



France had previously ruled out providing Ukraine with such missiles over concerns that they could be used to attack targets in Russia, escalating the conflict. But President Emmanuel Macron said he was sending Scalp missiles now to help Ukraine defend itself.



The communique also had more than 60 references to nuclear weapons, warning Russia of severe consequences if it uses one in the war, while promising to modernize the nuclear forces of NATOs three nuclear powers: the United States, Britain and France.



Kremlin officials have suggested several times that Russia could use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, and it recently began to deploy them in Belarus. We condemn Russias irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and coercive nuclear signaling, the leaders statement said.



The communique also has long sections on the threats posed by China. While its wording is milder than its references to Russia, it argues that China presents a longer-term danger. The language is significant because in past years, NATO, focused on European security, barely thought about China.



The PRC seeks to control key technological and industrial sectors, critical infrastructure, and strategic materials and supply chains, it said, using the abbreviation for Peoples Republic of China. It uses its economic leverage to create strategic dependencies and enhance its influence. It strives to subvert the rules-based international order, including in the space, cyber and maritime domains.



Taken together, the Russia and China sections of the communique leave little doubt that NATO sees the world heading into an era of confrontation at least as complex as the Cold War.



Stoltenberg was at pains to try to show reporters that NATOs commitment to Ukrainian membership was different from the vague promise of 2008.



He said NATO had drawn much closer to Ukraine since Russia seized Crimea and fomented a separatist war in eastern Ukraine in 2014, and NATO began to train Ukrainian troops. They have moved closer still since Russias full-scale invasion last year, when NATO countries began to pour tens of billions of dollars worth of military equipment into Ukraine.



Stoltenberg and U.S. officials argue that Zelenskyy will be able to return to Ukraine with some major prizes: direct involvement in NATO discussion of the war, a firmer commitment to Ukrainian membership, new commitments of military and financial aid for the medium and longer term, and the message of resolve that sends to Putin.



This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Leaders of 24 opposition parties have been invited for the second unity meeting being convened by the Congress next week in Bengaluru, which would see them further strategise plans to take on the BJP in the next Lok Sabha polls.



Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi is also expected to attend a dinner on July 17 where leaders of these parties will be present.



Sources said the MDMK, KDMK, VCK, RSP, Forward Block, IUML, Kerala Congress(Joseph) and Kerala Congress (Mani) are among the political parties that will join the second opposition meeting on June 17 and 18.



The first such meeting of opposition parties was held in Bihar's Patna on June 23.



Sixteen parties were invited for the meeting of which 15 had attended. RLD's Jayant Sinha could not attend due to a family function.



The Aam Aadmi Party has also been invited.



Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had said on Monday, "A meeting of leaders of all opposition parties (in the country) will be held on July 17 and 18, as already announced. All the leaders are going to come. (M) Mallikarjun Kharge (AICC President) has requested Sonia Gandhi to participate in this meeting. We have got a message that she will be participating in this meeting.



While announcing the dates of the opposition meeting, Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal had said "we are steadfast in our unwavering resolve to defeat the fascist and undemocratic forces".



"After a hugely successful all-opposition meeting in Patna, we will be holding the next meeting in Bengaluru on 17 and 18 July, 2023. We are steadfast in our unwavering resolve to defeat the fascist and undemocratic forces and present a bold vision to take the country forward," Venugopal had said.
An Indian senior engineer with Qualcomm, who was laid off recently has sought help finding a new job in the US before he runs out of time granted by his H1B visa. Tushar Trehon, a former senior performance managing engineer with the multinational chip manufacturing company, took to LinkedIn recently after failing to secure a job. "A little over a month ago, I was unfortunately impacted by a round of layoffs at Qualcomm," Trehon wrote on LinkedIn. He had previously also worked with Microsoft Innovation Lab in Bengaluru, as per his LinkedIn profile, and added that he was laid off by Qualcomm within a year of being hired. "Being an immigrant worker on H1B I have limited time to look for a new job," he added with his appeal for information regarding job opportunities in the semiconductor industry. Qualcomm had announced company-wide layoffs impacting 5 percent of its staff, including about 20 percent of its employees from the mobile division, citing slump in smartphone sales. "Given the current macroeconomic and demand environment, we're implementing further spending reductions and streamlining operations without losing sight of the significant growth and diversification opportunities ahead," CEO Cristiano Amon said in a statement earlier. Qualcomm reported a decline of 34 percent year-on-year (YoY) in net income in the quarter that ended in December 2022, Business Today reported. Its revenue dropped 12 percent and it was attributed to the macroeconomic slowdown and the fall in demand for mobile handsets. The low demand for smartphones directly impacts the company because chip manufacturing is one of Qualcomm's major revenue-generating operations. Read more: Google, Meta, Amazon hiring low-paid H1B workers after US layoffs

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The BBC has suspended one of its male presenters following allegations that he spent 35,000 (Rs 37.30 lakh) on explicit images from a minor who used the money to purchase crack cocaine. These interactions are reported to have begun when the person was just 17 years old, potentially making this a case of commissioning child sexual abuse images - a grave criminal offense.



The information available so far comes from reporting by the Sun, which relied on an anonymous quote from the victims mother. According to her, her child, now 20, revealed an online bank statement that showed multiple deposits from the BBC presenter.



The mother stated, "There were huge sums, hundreds, or thousands of pounds at a time. One time he had sent 5,000 in one lump. The money had been in exchange for sexually explicit photographs of my child."



She further alleged that the presenter requested "performances" from her ward, who would comply by exposing themselves, before using the funds to purchase drugs. The mother expressed her anger, holding the BBC star responsible for "destroying my child's life" and endangering their well-being.



The BBC has acknowledged that an initial complaint was made in mid-May, prompting an internal investigation. However, the presenter continued to appear on air until the Sun approached the BBC for comment on the story nearly two months later.



BBC sources indicate that the initial allegations were not as severe as those presented by the Sun, which ultimately triggered a more comprehensive investigation.



The BBC has since suspended the presenter, initiated an internal inquiry, and notified a specialist police unit that deals with high-profile individuals. It is expected that further contact with the police will occur on Monday.



The motive behind the mother speaking to the media remains unclear. The Sun, known for paying individuals for information, asserts that she did not seek any financial compensation for sharing her story. It is uncertain whether the victim has cooperated with the newspaper.



According to the mother, she witnessed the BBC presenter "stripped to his underpants for a video call" with her child. Feeling that the BBC was not adequately responding to her allegations, she turned to the press, stating, "We never wanted an investigation. We just wanted the BBC to tell him to stop. Initially, the security boss gave us a number that didn't exist."



While the identity of the BBC presenter accused of purchasing explicit images is known to several news outlets, including the Sun, they have chosen not to disclose the name.



This decision is attributed to the UK's increasingly robust privacy laws and concerns about associating an individual with such damaging allegations. As of now, there is no known court injunction prohibiting the disclosure of the presenter's name.



The anonymity surrounding the case has led to an influx of false accusations against other prominent male BBC presenters on social media.



Legally, if the presenter solicited images of a 17-year-old engaged in sexual acts, they may be in possession of child abuse images, which is a serious sexual offense with a minimum sentence of 26 weeks in prison.



Read: BBC news presenter's response to her viral live TV blooper



The victim involved has not been quoted in any of the Sun's articles, and it remains unknown if they are cooperating with the BBC investigation.
Purnesh Modi, the complainant who initiated a defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat, filed a caveat in Supreme Court in anticipation of an appeal against the Gujarat High Court judgment refusing to stay his conviction in a defamation case.



According to the Supreme Court's website, the caveat was filed on July 7, the day Gujarat High Court pronounced its judgment in the 'Modi' surname remark case. It is to be noted that in a press conference held on July 7, the Congress party announced that they would be appealing against Gujarat High Court's judgment in the Supreme Court.



A caveat is a pleading filed by a party to a litigation in the lower court, informing the court that the opposing party, who has not succeeded in the lower court may file a case against them. The court is to hear both sides before passing any order in case a caveat is filed.



In March 2023, the former Congress president was found guilty of defamation for "all thieves have Modi surname" remark allegedly made during the campaign for the 2019 elections. Gandhi was convicted by the chief judicial magistrate of Surat and sentenced to two years in prison. The next day he was disqualified from the Lok Sabha.



According to the Representation of the People Act of 1951, MPs and MLAs are disqualified the moment they are convicted of an offence punished by imprisonment of two years or more. They also continue to be disqualified from the electoral process for six years after release from prison. In Gandhi's case, the conviction, if upheld, will disqualify him for eight years.



Gandhi will have to obtain a stay on his conviction to be reinstated as a member of the Lok Sabha. Days after Gandhis disqualification, a plea was moved in the Supreme Court, challenging the validity of the provision under which he was disqualified.



On April 20, a sessions court in Surat refused to stay Gandhi's conviction, an appeal was filed against the order in the High Court, which concluded the hearing on May 2 and refused relief on July 7.




Amid swirling reports of a potential cage fight challenge between tech titans Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, the Meta CEO recently shared a photo on Instagram showcasing his shredded physique. The image featured Zuckerberg standing alongside renowned Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters Israel Adesanya and Alex Volkanvski, as they posed together at Zuckerberg's residence in Lake Tahoe, California. While neither billionaire has officially confirmed the rumoured fight, their mutual acceptance of the challenge has ignited a frenzy on social media. Adesanya, who tagged Zuckerberg in the post, wrote, "No fugazi with Mark. This is Serious Business!!" Volkanvski, the other MMA star present in the photo, hailed Zuckerberg as "a beast!" It's an honor to train with you guys! Zuckerberg commented under the picture. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) The photo, posted by Adesanya on Instagram, immediately grabbed attention, and Zuckerberg's chiselled appearance did not go unnoticed. Instagram users flooded the comments section, expressing admiration for the 39-year-old billionaire. One user remarked, "Zuckerberg looks incredible," while another exclaimed, "Elon is in troubleee". The photo has garnered millions of likes within hours. The origins of this cage fight social media frenzy trace back to February, when Zuckerberg announced "Threads," an app similar to Musk-owner Twitter. It was Musk who initially challenged Zuckerberg to a "cage match," with the Meta CEO promptly accepting the invitation by responding, "Send Me Location." However, despite the fervour surrounding the prospective fight and Musks regular digs at his rival, there is currently no official confirmation that the bout will actually take place. Zuckerberg is an amateur MMA fighter with training in jiu-jitsu. Musk, 51, has proclaimed himself a street fighter and trainer.

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Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Burberry are among the luxury brands that source their cashmere from farms that abuse goats, PETA has said. Disturbing undercover footage released by PETA shows how farm workers pinned down goats to rip out their hair as the animals screamed in pain, castrated them without pain medication and bashed their heads with hammers to kill them once they were no longer considered productive.



Between April 2022 and February 2023, PETA Asia went undercover at cashmere farm operations in Mongolia  including one that has ties with companies like Naadam, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Prada, Gucci, Hermes, Chanel, Burberry, and Bottega Veneta.



Sustainable" & responsible cashmere is a lie.@PETAAsias new investigation exposes an operation in @NaadamCashmeres supply chain tying down screaming goats & ripping out their hair.

Goats who dont produce enough cashmere are bludgeoned in the head with a hammer & killed. pic.twitter.com/Tn9lleMfUB



 PETA (@peta) July 11, 2023



What PETA discovered at these operations was shocking  for example, goats were tied up as workers pulled their hair out with sharp metal combs at Khanbogd Cashmeres facility in Mongolia. Hand-combing is done only to make money, since cashmere goats would shed their coats naturally, PETA noted, adding that it found bits of skin pulled out along with cashmere.



Goats were left to suffer from bleeding wounds for days  some died due to cold and extreme hunger, others from being left untreated.



PETA also alleged that a worker used an unsterilized knife to cut open goats scrotums and pulled out kids testicles with his bare hands and without pain relief.





Goats are prey animals. They become fearful and stressed when handled. Yet in the cashmere industry, workers forcibly restrain them and often tie their legs with ropes so that they cant escape pic.twitter.com/QYCoXEPy84



 PETA UK (@PETAUK) July 11, 2023







If people are buying cashmere, it is absolutely a product of cruelty, said PETA spokeswoman Ashley Byrne to The New York Post. Weve done other investigations in the past exposing cashmere, but this may be the first time that we are implicating some of the brands that we know are sourcing from Khanbogd Cashmere, Byrne added, which obviously is a big operation if its sourcing these big fashion houses.



On its website, Khanbogd Cashmere claims that cashmere production at their facility is cruelty-free, and that animals receive veterinary care.



PETA has called on luxury brands like Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and others to explore vegan alternatives to cashmere.
An eight-year-old has been arrested in US' Alabama for allegedly stealing a car at gunpoint and then leading the police on a chase.



The boy, whose identity has not been revealed, allegedly carjacked an adult at gunpoint around 11 am on an avenue in Montgomery and refused to pull over for the police. This resulted in a chase that ended when the child crashed the stolen car into another vehicle, New York Post reported. No injuries were reported and the gun was recovered at the scene.



The child was arrested and is being held at a detention facility on charges of robbery, for possessing a firearm.



When I realised it was a little boy, I knew I had to follow them and make sure no one got hit and that he got caught because dont want him driving all over Montgomery, causing more accidents or hurting himself or hurting other people, a witness told the media. "I think parents just really need to know where their kids are, what their kids are doing, and just talk to them about these kinds of things."



In a related incident, in May, a 12-year-old boy in US' North Carolina was charged with armed robbery after he allegedly pointed an air gun at a woman after stealing her phone. The police responded to a call about an armed robbery at an apartment complex on Sunday morning, NBC News reported.



As per the report, a woman was walking in the parking lot when two siblings, aged 6 and 12, approached her and asked to use her phone to call their mother. But once they had her phone, the older child pointed an air gun at her before fleeing with his sibling.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

MTHWAKAZI Republic Party Mqondisi Moyo has lashed out at former cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere following his promise to have a US$1 billion budget for Gukurahundi.He said Kasukuwere must give that money to his own people and leave Matabeleland people alone."It is disheartening to learn that Mashonaland people think that they can take us for a ride. They reduce us to cry babies who are driven to sleep by a lullaby. They think we are like stupid fish who can be lured by dangling a lifeless object as bait," Moyo said."Kasukuwere is typical of Mashonaland folks who day dreams of riding on our backs. He is dangling US$1 billion, dubbing it as Gukurahundi Compensation Fund. Stupid! Who said we want money as compensation? Did he, through his parents and Shona relatives murder our people so they could make such a foolish monetary promise? Does he think that the almost 40 000 souls of Mthwakazi people who perished in the hands of the Fifth Brigade can be redeemed by money and the so-called development projects?"Moyo said Kasukuwere between 13 February 2009 and 11 September 2013 as the Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment, ran a fund called Kurera/ Ukondla for the Youths between 18 years and 35 years."The Youth fund under your ministry had been allocated $10 Million us dollars, of which each of the ten provinces in Zimbabwe was entitled to $1 Million US dollars. The funds were to be accessed through Central African Building Society ( CABS) and Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe ( CBZ). We influenced and assisted a lot of youths at that time in Matebeleland North, Bulawayo, Matebeleland South and Midlands provinces to apply for the loans, this was to test your sincerity and genuineness on the disbursements of funds, instead non of the assisted Youth members from the aforementioned provinces accessed the money," Moyo said."We later discovered through our follow ups that you instead through your Shona links assisted Mashonaland youths with the allocation which was meant for four Mthwakazi provinces. The Mthwakazi youths you denied access to loans under Kurera/Ukondla funds were the direct victims and survivors of Gukurahundi Genocide of 1982 to 1987. You denied them Empowerment as per the title of the ministry you headed."He said Kasukuwere must stop shedding crocodile tears on Matabeleland people."You are the direct beneficiary of the 1979 Shona Grandplan Plan and its 14 page Review Document by your party Zanu Pf. The Grandplan begot the physical Gukurahundi Genocide of 1982 to 1987 which claimed more than 40 000 lives of our Mthwakazi innocent people. Thousands of them disappeared, some were displaced. Before you talk of $1 Billion usd compensation furnish us with the information of who were the perpetrators," he said."The victims and the survivors are known but the perpetrators remain unknown to this day. I am aware that you rose through the rank and file of Zanu Pf from the Central Intelligence Organisation ( CIOs) and as such you have the information of who killed our people. I still regard you as the member of dreaded CIO because they do not retire, and I am fully aware that you served under the Current President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangangwa who was then the Minister of State Security that was responsible for the disappearance of our people."He said Gukurahundi Genocide is still on and it is both economic and emotional Genocide. Moyo added that people are treated as second class citizens in their own land, Job and business opportunities are in the hands of outsiders."You cannot talk of monetary compensation when the Genocide is still on. The Shona language that was spoken by the members of the fifth brigade, CIOs, members of Police Intelligence Services, continues to be the suppressive and oppressive language against our people. We are being arrested by Shona police, the magistrate courts and the Bulawayo High Court is presided over by the Shona magistrates and Judges, the prison officers are Shonas," he said."If to you all this is not Gukurahundi Genocide in another form then I need to be examined mentally. Remember your rule book which is the Shona Grandplan plan and its review 14 page document clearly states that in all the parts of Mthwakazi and Zimbabwe shona is to be the official Language. It clearly states that all government offices and departments in Mthwakazi should be manned by Shona people. All the 11 Shona presidential Candidates for 23 August 2023 are as of the result of the Gukurahundi Genocide you claim you want to compensate for."
China's Huawei Technologies is plotting a return to the 5G smartphone industry by the end of this year, according to research firms, signalling a comeback after a U.S. ban on equipment sales decimated its consumer electronics business.



Huawei should be able to procure 5G chips domestically using its own advances in semiconductor design tools along with chipmaking from Semiconductor Manufacturing International Co (SMIC), three third-party technology research firms covering China's smartphone sector told Reuters.



The firms, citing industry sources including Huawei suppliers, spoke on condition of anonymity because of confidentiality agreements with clients.



Huawei declined to comment. SMIC did not respond to a request for comment.



A return to the 5G phone market would mark a victory for the company that for almost three years said it was in "survival" mode. Huawei's consumer business revenue peaked at 483 billion yuan ($67 billion) in 2020, before plummeting by almost 50% a year later.



The Shenzhen-based tech giant once vied with Apple and Samsung to be the world's biggest handset maker until rounds of U.S. restrictions beginning in 2019 cut its access to chipmaking tools essential for producing its most advanced models.



The U.S. and European governments have labelled Huawei a security risk, a charge the company denies. Since then, Huawei has only sold limited batches of 5G models using stockpiled chips.



Stuck selling last-generation 4G handsets, Huawei fell from most rankings worldwide last year, when sales reached a low point, though it rose to a 10% market share in China in the first quarter, according to consultancy Canalys.



5G FORECASTS



One of the research firms said it expected Huawei to use SMIC's N+1 manufacturing process, though with a forecast yield rate of usable chips below 50%, 5G shipments would be limited to around 2 million to 4 million units. A second firm estimated shipments could reach 10 million units, without providing further details.



Huawei shipped 240.6 million smartphones worldwide in 2019, its peak year, according to Canalys, before selling its Honor unit that accounted for nearly a fifth of shipments that year.



The state-backed China Securities Journal newspaper this month reported Huawei had raised its 2023 mobile shipment target to 40 million units from 30 million at the start of the year, without referencing a return to 5G phones.



Huawei could produce 5G versions of flagship models like the iPhone rival P60 this year, with new launches likely in early 2024, the three research firms said, adding they were basing such predictions on information they had received via checks with contacts in Huawei's supply chain and recent company announcements.



However, U.S. restrictions cut Huawei off from Google's Android operating system and the bundle of developer services upon which most Android apps are based, limiting Huawei handsets' appeal outside of China.



CHIP DESIGN TOOLS



The research firms noted Huawei in March announced it had made breakthroughs in electronic design automation (EDA) tools for chips produced at and above 14 nanometre (nm) technology.



Chip design companies use EDA software to produce the blueprints for chips before they are mass manufactured at fabs.



The research firms, citing their own industry sources, believe Huawei's EDA software could be used with SMIC's N+1 manufacturing process to make chips at the equivalent of 7 nm, the powerful semiconductors typically used in 5G phones.



Washington barred SMIC from obtaining an advanced chipmaking tool called an EUV machine from Dutch firm ASML that is critical in the process of making 7 nm chips.



But some analysts have found signs SMIC has nevertheless managed to produce 7 nm chips by tweaking simpler DUV machines it could still purchase freely from ASML.



The second research firm said it noticed Huawei had asked SMIC to produce chip components below 14 nm this year for 5G products.



The forecast yield rate of less than 50% means that 5G chips are "going to be costly", said Doug Fuller who researches chips at the Copenhagen Business School.



"I guess if Huawei wants to eat the cost they can do this, but I don't see such chips as price competitive," Fuller said.
Jack Mas fortune is dwindling further as a planned repurchase of shares reveals a much reduced valuation for Ant Group Co., the payments business he co-founded.



The 58-year-old tycoon has a 9.9% stake thats now estimated to be worth $4.1 billion less than almost a year ago, based on the share buyback, average analyst estimates and Fidelity Investments valuation, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.



Once Chinas richest person, Ma could now be worth about $30 billion, less than half of his peak fortune prior to the derailing of the worlds biggest initial public offering in 2020, according to Bloombergs wealth index. Chinese authorities said on Friday they would wrap up a probe of Ant, with the company paying a fine of almost $1 billion.



The Jack Ma Foundation didnt respond to an emailed request for comment.



The financial technology firm has had to overhaul its business model, pulling back from sensitive sectors and easing up on competition with state-backed banks. Its valuation, envisioned at roughly $315 billion after the IPO, has dropped to about $78.5 billion with Ants proposed share buy back.







Ant might need to rebuild its profit base as its 2022 earnings almost halved from 2020, despite the likely end of the regulatory probe, which could delay its plan to relaunch its IPO, Francis Chan, a senior analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, said in a note Monday. We calculate its value at just $24-$60 billion.



Ma, who is also co-founder of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., gave up controlling rights in Ant in January as he further retreats from his online empire following Chinas unprecedented tech crackdown. In its 2022 annual report, Alibaba reiterated that Mas direct and indirect economic interest in Ant Group will be reduced over time to a percentage that doesnt exceed 8.8%.



The former English teacher returned to his hometown of Hangzhou to visit a school in March, after spending years traveling overseas since the government cracked down on private sectors. Hes still Chinas fifth-richest person, according to the Bloomberg index, which tracks the worlds 500 wealthiest people.



Fidelity trimmed its valuation estimate for Ant to about $63.8 billion as of the end of November. The fintech giant recorded a 56% slump in quarterly profit in the three months ended Dec. 31., a May regulatory filing shows.



Mas interest in Ant is based on his ownership in Hangzhou Junhan and Hangzhou Junao, two limited partnerships that mainly count Ant executives as shareholders, according to a Bloomberg analysis of the companys 2020 IPO prospectus.



The buyback plan would allow Ants existing shareholders to sell as much as 7.6% of its equity interest, granting a way to cash out part of their investment. The individual limited partners of Junhan and Junao decided not to participate in the Ant buyback out of the long-term commitment to the company.
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group has launched a digital banking service in the United States, as Japan's number two lender aims to tap growth in the U.S. consumer banking market, a bank executive said on Wednesday. Sumitomo Mitsui is providing personal loans through a newly created online banking division of Manufacturers Bank, a California state-chartered bank wholly owned by the Japanese group. Starting with a 270-strong workforce, the digital banking service targets some tens of billions of yen (hundreds of millions of dollars) in net profit within 10 years, said Daisuke Tanaka, an executive at the bank's corporate development group. It plans more offerings in coming months, including a savings product. "We're starting small with a long-term vision," Tanaka told a media briefing. "But we eventually want to have a solid presence in the United States."

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NATO leaders said Tuesday that they would allow Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met  a pronouncement that came just hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blasted the organizations failure to set a timetable for his country as absurd.



Instead, alliance leaders decided to remove obstacles on Ukraines membership path so that it can join more quickly once the war with Russia is over.



We reaffirmed Ukraine will become a member of NATO and agreed to remove the requirement for a membership action plan, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters, referring to a key step in the process that involves advice and assistance for countries seeking to join.



This will change Ukraines membership path from a two-step path to a one-step path, Stoltenberg said.



Although many NATO members have funneled arms and ammunition to Zelenskyys forces, there is no consensus among the 31 allies for admitting Ukraine into NATOs ranks.



Zelenskyy pushed back sharply against the decision as he headed to the annual NATO summit in Vilnius.



Its unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraines membership, Zelenskyy tweeted. While at the same time, vague wording about conditions is added even for inviting Ukraine. It seems there is no readiness to invite Ukraine to NATO or to make it a member of the Alliance.



NATO membership would afford Ukraine protection against a giant neighbor that annexed its Crimean Peninsula almost a decade ago and more recently seized vast swaths of land in the east and south. Joining NATO would also oblige Kyiv to reform its security institutions, improve governance and curb corruption  work that would also ease the countrys path into the European Union.



Asked about Zelenskyys concerns, Stoltenberg said the most important thing now is to ensure that his country wins the war, because unless Ukraine prevails there is no membership to be discussed at all.



The broadside from Zelenskyy could renew tensions at the summit shortly after it saw a burst of goodwill following an agreement by Turkey to advance Swedens bid to join NATO. Allies hope to resolve the seesawing negotiations and create a clear plan for the alliance and its support for Ukraine.



The Ukrainian president, who was to meet Wednesday with U.S. President Joe Biden and other NATO leaders, expressed deep frustration in an emotional speech in downtown Vilnius.



Today I started my journey with faith in solutions, with faith in strong partners, with faith in NATO  in a NATO that does not hesitate, that does not waste time and does not look over their backs at any aggressor, Zelenskyy said.



I would like this faith to become confidence, confidence in the decisions that we deserve, all of us  every soldier, every citizen, every mother, every child, he said. Is that too much to ask?



Sharp divisions have emerged within the alliance over Ukraines desire to join NATO, which was promised back in 2008 even though few steps were taken toward that goal.



In addition, the Baltic states  including Lithuania, which is hosting the summit  have pushed for a strong show of support and a clear pathway toward membership for Ukraine.



However, the United States and Germany urged caution. Biden said last week that Ukraine was not ready to join. Members of NATO, he told CNN, need to meet all the qualifications, from democratization to a whole range of other issues, a nod toward longstanding concerns about governance and corruption in Kyiv.



In addition, some fear that bringing Ukraine into NATO would serve more as a provocation to Russia than as a deterrence against aggression.



Concretely, NATO leaders decided to launch a series of multiyear programs to bring Ukraines Soviet-era military equipment and doctrines up to modern standards so the country can operate fully with the alliance.



On Wednesday, the leaders and Zelenskyy are set to launch a new, upgraded forum for their cooperation: a NATO-Ukraine Council, where all parties can convene crisis talks if their security is threatened.



To fast-track its future membership, the leaders agreed to do away with a membership action plan for Ukraine, a program often seen as mandatory for aspiring nations to undertake.



Known in NATO parlance as a MAP, the action plan involves a tailor-made package of advice, assistance and practical support for countries preparing to join NATO. Bosnia, for example, is currently taking part in one.



Pressed by reporters to say what kind of conditions are being placed on Ukraine joining, Stoltenberg said: We want modern defense and security institutions.



The dispute over Ukraine stands in contrast to a hard-fought agreement to advance Swedens membership. The deal was reached after days of intensive meetings, and its poised to expand the alliances strength in Northern Europe.



Rumors of the death of NATOs unity were greatly exaggerated, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters triumphantly on Tuesday.



According to a joint statement issued when the deal was announced, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will ask Turkeys parliament to approve Sweden joining NATO.



Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, another holdout, is expected to take a similar step. Hungarys foreign minister said Tuesday that his countrys ratification of Swedens NATO membership was now just a technical matter. Erdogan has not yet commented publicly.



The outcome is a victory as well for Biden, who has touted NATOs expansion as an example of how Russias invasion of Ukraine has backfired on Moscow.



Finland has already become the 31st member of the alliance, and Sweden is on deck to become the 32nd. Both Nordic countries were historically nonaligned until the war increased fears of Russian aggression.



Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that NATOs expansion is one of the reasons that led to the current situation.



It looks like the Europeans dont understand their mistake, Peskov said. He warned against putting Ukraine on a fast track for NATO membership.



Potentially its very dangerous for the European security. It carries very big risks, Peskov said.



Erdogan met with Biden on Tuesday evening but remained mum on the deal to advance Swedens membership in NATO.



Although Biden made a reference to the agreement you reached yesterday, Erdogan said nothing about it. It was a conspicuous omission from Erdogan, who has not commented on the issue publicly during the summit.



However, Erdogan appeared eager to develop his relationship with Biden. He said previous meetings were mere warm-ups, but now we are initiating a new process.



The Turkish president has been seeking advanced American fighter jets and a path toward membership in the European Union. The White House has expressed support for both, but publicly insisted that the issues were not related to Swedens membership in NATO.



The Biden administration has backed Turkeys desire to buy 40 new F-16s as well as modernization kits from the U.S.



Biden is on a five-day trip to Europe, with the NATO summit as its centerpiece.



After the summit ends Wednesday, he will travel to Helsinki. On Thursday, he will celebrate Finlands recent entry into NATO and meet with Nordic leaders.
North Korea has fired a suspected long-range ballistic missile, the South Korean military said Wednesday, days after Pyongyang threatened to down US spy planes that violated its airspace.



Relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points ever, with diplomacy stalled and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un calling for increased weapons development, including tactical nukes.



In response, Seoul and Washington have ramped up security cooperation, vowing that Pyongyang would face a nuclear response and the "end" of its current government were it to ever use its nuclear weapons against the allies.



South Korea's military "detected what was presumed to be a long-range ballistic missile fired from the Pyongyang area around 1000 (0100 GMT) toward the East Sea," the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan.



Tokyo also confirmed the Wednesday launch, with Japan's Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada saying North Korea had fired "at least one" suspected ballistic missile eastward.



"The ballistic missile or missiles are still flying right now... at this point, we estimate that they will fall in the Sea of Japan, outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, around 550 kilometres east of the Korean Peninsula at around 11:13 am."



On Monday, North Korea accused a US spy plane of violating its airspace and condemned Washington's plans to deploy a nuclear missile submarine near the Korean peninsula.



A spokesperson for the North Korean Ministry of National Defence said the United States had "intensified espionage activities beyond the wartime level", citing "provocative" spy plane flights over eight straight days this month.



The statement, carried by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said one reconnaissance plane intruded into North Korean airspace over the East Sea "several times".



"There is no guarantee that such shocking accident as downing of the US Air Force strategic reconnaissance plane will not happen in the East Sea of Korea," the spokesperson added.



- 'Decisive action' -



Kim's powerful sister Kim Yo Jong said that a US spy aircraft had violated the country's eastern airspace twice on Monday morning, according to a separate statement.



Kim Yo Jong said North Korea would not respond directly to US reconnaissance activities outside of the country's exclusive economic zone, but warned it would take "decisive action" if the US military crossed its maritime military demarcation line.



The United States said in April that one of its nuclear-armed ballistic submarines would visit a South Korean port for the first time in decades, without specifying an exact date.



North Korea has conducted multiple sanctions-defying launches this year, including test-firing its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile, and attempting to put a military spy satellite into orbit.



South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has ramped up defence cooperation with Washington in response, staging joint military exercises with advanced stealth jets and long-range heavy bombers.



Yoon is set to attend a NATO summit in Lithuania this week, seeking stronger cooperation with the alliance's members over North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats, his office said.



"Kim Yo Jong's bellicose statement against US surveillance aircraft is part of a North Korean pattern of inflating external threats to rally domestic support and justify weapons tests," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.



"Pyongyang also times its shows of force to disrupt what it perceives as diplomatic coordination against it, in this case, South Korea and Japan's leaders meeting during the NATO summit."



South Korea and the United States are set to start major annual joint military exercises, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, next month.



North Korea regards such exercises as rehearsals for invasion, describing them as "frantic" drills "simulating an all-out war against" Pyongyang.
Chip designer Arm is in talks to bring in Nvidia as an anchor investor as it presses ahead with plans for a New York listing as soon as September, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. Nvidia is the latest company to hold talks with Softbank-owned Arm to take a long-term stake in the company at its initial public offering. In June Reuters reported that Arm was talking to more than 10 companies, including existing partners such as Intel. Nvidia and Arm did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment. The two firms are negotiating over valuation, with Nvidia preferring a stake that would value the firm at between $35 billion and $40 billion, according to one person familiar with the discussions referenced in the Financial Times report. The source stated Arm is seeking a valuation closer to $80 billion. Last year regulators struck down Nvidia's planned acquisition of Arm worth $66 billion on competition grounds. This time Nvidia and Arm have proposed a small minority investment in the low hundreds of millions of dollars and have contacted regulators in advance to allay fears, according to people close to the discussions referenced by the Financial Times.

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The war in Ukraine will not end until the West stops trying to defeat Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with Indonesian media on Wednesday.



His comments came ahead of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky's symbolic talks with NATO leaders at their summit in Lithuania on Wednesday.



In an interview with the Indonesian newspaper Kompas ahead of meetings with his Southeast Asian counterparts in Jakarta this week, Lavrov lambasted the United States and its allies for supporting Ukraine.



"It will continue until the West abandons its plans to maintain dominance and its obsession with inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia through the hands of its puppet, Kyiv," he said of the Ukraine conflict.



"There has been no sign of a change in their position and we are seeing how America and its accomplices are continuously pumping weapons into Ukraine and pushing (Zelensky) to continue fighting."



Lavrov is due to attend the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum foreign ministers' meetings on Friday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The pair last met briefly in March at a G20 meeting in India.



Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the biggest attack on a European country since World War II when he ordered the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.



Since then, more than 150,000 people have been killed and wounded on both sides, according to Western estimates.



Turning to Indonesia, Lavrov praised what he called Jakarta's independent foreign policy on the conflict.



President Joko Widodo was the first Asian leader to visit both Moscow and Kyiv after the invasion began.



Lavrov said Western nations were "ignoring initiatives coming from developing countries" after Kyiv did not take up Widodo's offer to mediate or a controversial proposal from Indonesia's defence minister that referendums be held in the occupied parts of eastern Ukraine.



Western backers of Ukraine have sent weapons worth tens of billions of dollars to help it fight back against Russia's invasion.



NATO leaders vowed after the first day of their summit that "Ukraine's future is in NATO", and shortened the eventual process Kyiv would have to go through to enter the alliance.



But they did not offer a timeline on Ukraine's prospective membership, reflecting concerns in Washington about being dragged into a nuclear conflict with Russia.



In a bid to reassure Zelensky, G7 nations are expected to issue a declaration on how they will help Ukraine defeat Russia and deter any new aggression in the coming years.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has sought the intervention of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) after the police banned seven of their rallies in a week.CCC was planning a campaign roadshow or car rally in Zengeza East Constituency for July 13, 2023, where their MP candidate was set to launch their election campaign from 10 am to 5 pm.The Officer Commanding Police in Chitungwiza District Police, however, stated that the political party's meeting did not meet the provisions of Section 7 of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA), a move that has angered CCC."The police has once again banned our rally in Zengeza East Constituency where our MP was set to launch their election campaign. This is the seventh rally banned within a week," said CCC in a statement.CCC called on ZEC to intervene in such police action and take action against the violation of electoral laws as such stopping their rallies prevented the opposition from accessing the electorate."The regime's abuse of state institutions must stop, and we call on ZEC to take action against this violation of electoral laws. (President Emmerson) Mr Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF are panicking, knowing they can't win a free and fair election," said the party."We will persevere and triumph regardless. Citizens are ready to confront the regime at the ballot box. #ForEveryone This comes as police have launched investigations to discover how an internal memorandum addressed to provincial police commanders encouraging them to grant political parties permission to hold rallies leaked to the public.The memo became public after police in Bindura barred CCC from holding their election campaign launch in the town.Police acknowledged the authenticity of the memo, saying it was a communication guide intended for commanders rather than the general public or the media.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa and his Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party would win next month's Zimbabwean elections by a margin of between 8% and 9% - if the elections are free and fair - a new poll suggests.The poll of 2,000 registered voters, conducted by Elite Africa Research in June, found that if the elections were held then, 47.6% of respondents would vote for Chamisa in the presidential poll, while 38.7% would vote for President Emmerson Mnangagwa.Similarly, the poll found that 47.7 % of respondents would vote for Chamisa's CCC while 39.6% would vote for Mnangagwa's ruling Zanu-PF party in the parliamentary elections.The presidential, parliamentary and local council elections are all scheduled to be held on 23 August.Even if these poll results suggest Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF would lose a fair contest, they are still quite flattering to the ruling party and president.The poll also found, by much wider margins, that Zimbabweans believe their country is heading in the wrong direction and that the economy is getting worse.A large majority of 69.4% said they thought the country was heading in the wrong direction, while only 27.3% felt it was heading in the right direction. Their views of the economy were even more critical, as more than three-quarters  77.5%  said they believed the economy was getting worse while fewer than one-fifth  19.6%  felt it was getting better.A total of 59.8% of the 2,000 citizens polled said they hoped for a new government after the elections, while only 37% said they hoped for the same government.Also revealing were the answers to the question of whether the respondents felt strongly favourable, somewhat favourable, somewhat unfavourable or strongly unfavourable towards a list of political leaders and parties.Chamisa emerged with a net positive score of 29.6%, while Mnangagwa's score was a net negative of 2.6%.Similarly, the CCC registered a net positive score of 28.6% while Zanu-PF scored a net negative of 2.7%. The net scores were derived by subtracting the unfavourable responses from the favourable responses for each leader or party.These results taken together suggest a high level of discontent among Zimbabweans towards Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF, but also some reluctance, possibly anxiety, about replacing them with Chamisa and the CCC.Oscar Mutinda, the founder and CEO of Elite Africa Research which did the survey, confirmed this. He said that in conversations with people during the survey, it emerged many felt that even if the current government was doing a bad job, they were not confident the opposition could do much better.The survey results, if replicated on 23 August, would mean Zimbabweans would have to go to the polls again soon after, as no presidential candidate would have won more than 50% of votes in the first round. In that case, a second round of voting would have to be held between the top two candidates to ensure the winner gets more than 50% of the votes.Mutinda explained that the sample of 2,000 was selected to replicate national demographics such as the proportions of urban and rural voters as well as the proportions of voters in the country's provinces.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Deputy Prosecutor General Mr Micheal Reza has closed the State case after leading evidence from his last witness Doctor Ushewokunze who admitted treating Mrs Tatiana Aleshina at Trauma Centre in Borrowdale, Harare.Biti is facing charges of assaulting businesswoman and investor Mrs Aleshina at the Harare Magistrates Court.Dr Ushewokunze told the court that she treated Mrs Aleshina on November 30, 2019 at around 8.30pm and had prescribed some medicine for her.She told the court that the complainant had visible pain and tenderness on her right shoulder region after she examined her.She said if a person is stressed or threatened, she or he can faint or in the worst scenario, can suffer from a heart attack.Soon after the State closed it's case, Biti's lawyer Mr Alec Muchadehama filed his intention to apply for discharge.Four witnesses testified, including Mrs Aleshina.Several applications for recusal of the magistrate were filed and were also dismissed by the court and they were also dismissed by the High Court which ruled that they cannot interfere in unfinished case at the lower courts.Mr Muchadehama indicated that he would file his application for discharge on July 26 and Mr Reza indicated that he would submit his response on July 28.This promoted magistrate Mrs Vongai Guwuriro Muchuchuti to tell both parties that she would deliver her ruling on the discharge on August 11.
Pierrine Opens Data Collection Firm AfrikanInsights

Nigeria-based MR and strategy firm Pierrine Consulting has launched a data collection company called AfrikanInsights in Lagos, led by Managing Director Ben Akpotaire.



Founded in 2016, Pierrine focuses on driving growth for clients in the food and beverage, beauty manufacturing and financial services sectors, with more than 90 years of combined experience across Sub Saharan Africa. Its new company, AfrikanInsights, focuses on providing MR data to businesses and organizations operating, or planning to operate, in Africa.



AfrikanInsights is run by a team of native Africans who possess an understanding of the local culture, socio-economic dynamics, and language nuances, which it claims enables the company to gather data in a way that resonates with African consumers - capturing their authentic experiences, preferences, and behavior. Services include both quantitative and qualitative methods, along with the use of technologies and proprietary field-tested methods.



The team is led by Akpotaire (pictured), who is a Project Manager at Pierrine Consulting, and who previously worked at Millward Brown / Kantar, and Research International. Commenting on the launch, Akpotaire says: 'We believe that a data collection company run by native Africans is paramount to overcoming the challenges that often arise when collecting data in Africa. Our team understands the importance of cultural nuances, local languages, and social dynamics, which enables us to deliver insights that empower businesses to make informed decisions.'



Web sites: www.pierrine-consulting.com and www.afrikaninsights.com .




News / National

by Staff reporter

Moscow could place destroyed military hardware on display outside the embassies of Western nations that supplied it to Ukraine. The idea was floated in Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, on Wednesday.Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin has tasked the parliament's Defense Committee with discussing the idea with the Defense Ministry to iron out the details of potential exhibitions'."The proposal to place burned [military] hardware near the embassies of those countries that send it to Ukraine is particularly interesting," Volodin stated.The idea is reminiscent of actions by Ukraine, which has set up a permanent exhibition in Kiev of destroyed military hardware, which it claims to be Russian. Ukraine also sent burnt-out tanks on tour across multiple European cities, including the German capital Berlin.Ukraine suffered disastrous' losses in single offensive  ForbesThe latter efforts appeared to backfire spectacularly, with the displays wrapping up ahead of schedule after locals repeatedly brought flowers to the tanks.Ukraine has reportedly sustained heavy losses in Western-supplied equipment in the past month. Multiple US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and M113 armored personnel carriers have been destroyed, as well as their Dutch-produced modification, the YPR-765, and German-made Leopard 2 tanks. The losses came as Kiev launched its long-heralded counteroffensive in early June. According to Moscow, the operation has failed to achieve any major gains.Russia has repeatedly called on the West to stop "pumping" Ukraine with assorted weaponry, warning it would only prolong the hostilities rather than change their ultimate outcome. Senior officials in Moscow have also insisted that supplying Kiev with increasingly sophisticated weaponry heightens the risk of a direct conflict between Russia and NATO.
A legal cannabis dispensary stands in the East Village as state authorities step up a crackdown on unlicensed smoke shops June 16, 2023, in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images/TNS)
The Guam Department of Labor offices are seen at the Bell Tower building in Anigua.
Construction at the site of the new Ukudu Power Plant in Dededo is pictured on Monday, July 10, 2023.
'We are always short': More than 40 nurses left hospital in 2023
News / National

by Staff reporter

South African police said on Wednesday 21 trucks have been torched in a series of mysterious attacks that President Cyril Ramaphosa has described as acts of "economic sabotage".Unknown assailants set alight four lorries in the north-eastern province of Mpumalanga on Wednesday in the latest in a string of incidents that have alarmed transport operators and businesses."We know that these are not just random acts of criminality but organised," Police Minister Bheki Cele told a press conference in Pretoria."Intelligence suggests that the attacks on trucks may be business related," adding investigations were underway.About 80 percent of all goods are transported via trucks in South Africa, according to the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU).The country is a large exporter of minerals and agricultural products and its ports are a key gateway to Europe, Asia and America for goods and raw materials produced in other African nations.The attacks started on Sunday, the second anniversary of the July 2021 riots which kicked off with the torching of lorries and saw the country engulfed in the worst violence since the end of apartheid in 1994.But Cele said at the moment there was no evidence linking the recent arsons to the deadly 2021 unrest which claimed over 350 lives.The truck attacks took place in three provinces on some of the country's major transport routes.Drivers were forced out of their vehicles at gunpoint by assailants who then set the lorries alight, according to SATAWU's secretary general Jack Mazibuko.Speaking Sunday after the first incident, Ramaphosa said he was concerned about the potential "negative impact" on the economy."It's almost like economic sabotage," he told local media.South African truck drivers have in the past complained about the employment of foreign drivers. A nationwide protest in 2019 triggered a surge of xenophobic violence that left five people dead."We cannot rule out the possibility of criminals who want to hijack the industry while portraying themselves as people who are trying to champion workers' issues," said Mazibuko.No arrests have been made so far but police have identified 12 persons of interest, Cele said.
The parents of a two-year-old boy who has been missing in France for almost four days have been attacked by a former Family and Childrens Minister who claimed Emiles father had a very worrying profile.

Segolene Royal, herself a mother-of-four, spoke out as fears grew that the little boy has been killed or kidnapped.

Emile went missing from his grandparents house in the Alpine hamlet of Le Haut Veren on Saturday, while his parents apparently remained 200 miles away at their own home in Marseille.

The entire family has remained anonymous throughout, but Ms Royal  who has held numerous ministerial roles and was runner-up in Frances 2007 presidential election  said they might be responsible for the crisis.

Claiming that Emiles mother was not even spoken to by detectives for three days, Ms Royal tweeted: The mother questioned only on Tuesday? And the father, with a very worrying profile?

So, we did not look at the theory of a problem or family revenge? A kidnapping? Why is the kidnapping alert still not triggered? How sad.

Prosecutors and judicial police working on the enquiry did not immediately respond to questions about the fathers very worrying profile.

But they confirmed they were exploiting phone technology to track the movements of residents in the hamlet.

So-called triangulation was sanctioned from Wednesday following fears that someone may have abducted Emile from Le Haut Vernet, which is made up of only 20 houses with 25 permanent residents, south of Grenoble.

Devices belonging to extended family members are among those being analysed as is normal procedure in these types of enquiries, said an investigating source.

Emile was reported missing on Saturday, so that is the main period that is being looked at.

Phones connect to nearby towers, and triangulation can provide a location of a user at a given time.

The source said court orders might be necessary to seize data from some telephone operators, even though all were likely to cooperate.

Emile normally lived with his parents near Marseilles, but was on a summer break with his maternal grandparents.

Emiles mother has nine brothers and sisters in the area, all of whom are younger than her.

We are trying to establish how many of them were close to the house, or in the house, at the time of the disappearance, said the investigating source, adding: Some are still teenagers.

Phone positions are being examined, and of course other phone records, including calls made, are also being analysed, said the source.

One theory put forward by judicial police is that Emile could have been killed accidentally by a car or tractor, with the driver hiding the body to avoid prosecution.

Another foul play theory is that someone abducted the child, and took him far away from Le Haut Vernet.

One investigator confirmed that the records of all known child sex offenders in the area are being examined.

The hamlet was barricaded by police on Tuesday, so preventing anyone new coming in, as phones were confiscated, and houses examined.

There have also been extensive searches of nearby forests and waterways, but they have not provided any signs as to what happened.

Helicopters have broadcast the voice of Emiles desperate mother across the mountainous region in an attempt to find her missing son who was always chasing butterflies.

Local prosecutor Remy Avon, who is leading the enquiry, meanwhile said on Tuesday: At the moment we have no clue, no information, no element that can help us understand this disappearance.

Mr Avon added: Medically, weve learned that beyond a period of 48 hours, given the young age of the child, given his constitution, and the possibility that he will be deprived of water and food with the current heat, there is a very real fear that he has died.

After four days of searches in sweltering heat involving 800 gendarmes, firefighters, volunteers, helicopters, thermic camera drones, and sniffer dogs, police have admitted they also fear the worst.

A gendarmerie spokesman said: Either the body was concealed after an accident, or it was removed.

And Police commander Marc Chappuis said: He is two-and-a-half years old; he was able to walk quite a distance.

But all the searches we have carried out over the past two days should have allowed us to find him.

Francois Balique, the Mayor of Vernet, has since spoken to Emiles grandfather, and said he was plagued by guilt.

Mr Balique said: Events led to the boy escaping his grandparents vigilance, so the guilt comes quickly.

Ive tried to comfort him in this terrible situation. A small child who escapes surveillance is commonplace. That we cant find it is not normal. What could have happened? I cant explain it.

The saga evokes the BBC series, The Missing, in which a young boy vanishes whilst on holiday with his family in France, only to be killed in a hit-and-run accident after chasing a fox.

The police have released a photo and description of Emile, who is almost 3ft tall, with brown eyes, and blond hair.

He was wearing a yellow top, white shorts with a green pattern, and hiking shoes at the time of his disappearance.

Residents in the place where French boy Emile went missing were today referring to it as a cursed village of the damned because of its links with disaster.

In March 2015, Vernet was also cordoned off following a horrific air crash in which 150 people died, including two babies.

Germanwings Airbus A320 was deliberately brought down by co-pilot Andres Lubitz, who had previously been treated for suicidal tendencies.
UN says raging conflict in Sudan has displaced over 3 million people. UK sanctions warring sides View Photo

CAIRO (AP)  A raging conflict in Sudan has driven more than 3 million people from their homes, including over 700,000 who fled to neighboring countries, the U.N. said Wednesday. The United Kingdom announced sanctions on the warring factions, amid growing concerns the country is sliding into a full-scale civil war.

Sudan has plunged into chaos since mid-April when monthslong tensions between the military and its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere across the northeastern African nation.

The conflict derailed Sudanese hopes of restoring the countrys fragile transition to democracy, which had begun after a popular uprising forced the militarys removal of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. A coup, led by the military and RSF, disrupted the democratic transition in October 2021.

More than 2.4 million people have fled their homes to safer areas inside the country, according to the International Organization for Migration. Around 738,000 others crossed into neighboring countries, the agency said.

Egypt is hosting the largest number of those who fled  more than 255,500 people  followed by Chad with more than 238,000 and South Sudan with around 160,800, the IOM said. More than 62,000 people fled to Ethiopia, more than 16,700 to the Central African Republic and around 3,000 to Libya, it added.

More than 72% of those displaced were from Khartoum and around 9% from West Darfur province, both places where the clashes have been largely centered, the IOM said.

The IOM said that 65% of those who fled into neighboring countries were Sudanese nationals and the rest were foreigners and refugees who were forced to return to their home countries.

The fighting continued Wednesday in parts of Khartoum. Plumes of smoke could be seen rising over the city center, where residents said the military attacked a building allegedly used by RSF members.

The conflict has turned Khartoum and other urban areas into battlefields. Members of the paramilitary force have occupied peoples houses and other civilian properties since the conflict broke out, according to residents and activists. There have also been reports of widespread destruction and looting across Khartoum and the nearby city of Omdurman.

The sprawling region of Darfur saw some of the worst bouts of violence in the conflict with the fighting turning into ethnic clashes, according to the U.N.

The RSF and allied Arab militias rampaged through the region, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes, according to rights groups. Entire towns and villages were burned to the ground and looted, especially in West Darfur province.

The clashes have killed more than 3,000 people and wounded more than 6,000 others, Health Minister Haitham Mohammed Ibrahim said in televised comments last month. The casualty tally is likely much higher, according to doctors and activists.

International and regional efforts have so far failed to establish a cease-fire that could allow humanitarian agencies to provide support to civilians still trapped in the conflict. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned over the weekend that the country was on the brink of a  full-scale civil war.

Earlier this week, a regional meeting floated the idea of deploying troops to Sudan to protect civilians. The Quartet Group, which met Monday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, called for a summit of the Eastern Africa Standby Force, a 10-member regional bloc, to consider the proposal.

The Quartet Group is a subcommittee of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, or IGAD, an eight-member East African bloc. It is headed by Kenyan President William Ruto, who called for an unconditional cease-fire in Sudan and the establishment of a humanitarian zone to help deliver humanitarian aid.

Sudans military delegate, who was in Addis Ababa, didnt attend Mondays meeting and accused Ruto, the chair of the Quartet, of siding with the paramilitary force because of his alleged business ties with the family of the RSF commander. Sudans government, which is controlled by the military, reiterated its calls to replace the Kenyan leader as the chair of the Quartet.

There was no immediate comment from Kenya. Its government, however, denied the accusations last month and said Ruto, who was appointed by the IGAD over the Sudanese militarys objection, was neutral.

Sudans government also denounced the proposal to deploy foreign troops, and said any foreign forces on Sudanese territory would be considered aggressors.

It also criticized comments by Ethiopias prime minister who called for imposing a no-fly zone over Sudan.

The leaders of South Sudan, Chad, Eritrea, Libya and Ethiopia arrived Wednesday afternoon in Cairo to attend a meeting for Sudans neighboring countries, Egypts state-run Al-Ahram reported. The meeting, which Egypt is hosting Thursday, aims at establishing effective mechanisms to help find a peaceful settlement to the conflict, according to the Egyptian presidency.

The regional diplomacy comes as talks between warring factions in the Saudi Arabian coastal city of Jeddah repeatedly failed to stop the fighting. The Jeddah talks were brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The U.K. government meanwhile imposed sanctions on six firms with links with the military and the RSF, as part of international pressure on the warring factions to stop fighting. The sanctions announced Wednesday are nearly identical to that imposed by the U.S. on both sides last month.

The British Foreign Office said that the sanctioned firms include Al Junaid, a lucrative gold mining company, owned by the family of the paramilitary force commander Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo. Also sanctioned are GSK Advance Ltd and Tradive General Trading L.L.C., which is based in the United Arab Emirates. Both firms are allegedly front companies controlled by the Dagalo family.

___

Jack Jeffery contributed to this report.

By SAMY MAGDY

Associated Press
Paraguays president-elect begins Taiwan visit thats meant to foster closer ties View Photo

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Paraguays president-elect, Santiago Pena, landed in Taipei on Tuesday for a visit meant to reinforce relations between Taiwan and one of its few remaining diplomatic allies.

Pena, who takes office next month, is to meet with top political leaders including President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President William Lai, who is also the governing Democratic Progressive Partys candidate in the January presidential election.

Pena promised during his campaign to maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

Paraguay is one of only 13 countries that recognize Taiwan as a country and do not have diplomatic relations with China.

Beijing, which considers self-governed Taiwan a breakaway province, prohibits its diplomatic partners from having formal ties with Taipei.

Taiwans remaining diplomatic allies are generally smaller countries in Central America, the Caribbean and South Pacific, along with Eswatini in southern Africa and Vatican City.

China has intensified its campaign to win over Taiwans diplomatic allies since independence-leaning Tsai took office in 2016, in part by offering infrastructure investments to developing countries. It recently managed to sway Honduras, which broke ties with Taipei and opened an embassy in Beijing.

I want to spend the next five years bringing us together, Pena said after arriving at Taipeis airport. We are close, but I think that in these moments, we need to be closer, we need to be together.

Pena is traveling with members of his incoming government, including the future ministers of foreign affairs and finance. Members of his team earlier told Paraguayan media that he is looking to expand trade and investment between Paraguay and Taiwan.

Pena is to join festivities on Wednesday marking the 66th anniversary of Taiwan-Paraguay ties.
Smuggler sentenced to prison for deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants who suffocated in truck in UK

Smuggler sentenced to prison for deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants who suffocated in truck in UK View Photo

LONDON (AP)  A Romanian man who was part of an international human smuggling ring was sentenced Tuesday to more than 12 years in prison for the deaths of 39 migrants from Vietnam who suffocated in a truck trailer on their way to England in 2019.

Marius Mihai Draghici was the ringleaders right-hand man and an essential cog in an operation that made huge profits exploiting people desperate to get to the U.K., Justice Neil Garnham said in the Central Criminal Court, known as the Old Bailey.

Victims, who paid about 13,000 pounds ($16,770) for so-called VIP service, died after trying in vain to punch a hole in the container with a metal pole as the temperature inside exceeded 100 degrees F (38.5 C). Their desperation as they struggled to breathe was captured in messages they tried to send loved ones and and recordings that showed a growing recognition they were going to die there, Garnham said.

There was no escape and no one could hear their cries, prosecutors said.

Their final hours must have entailed unimaginable suffering and anguish, prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones said Tuesday.

A young mother wrote a message to loved ones that was never sent: Maybe going to die in the container. Cannot breathe any more.

The 28 men, eight women and three children ranged in age from 15 to 44 and about half hailed from Nghe An province in north-central Vietnam. The victims included a bricklayer, a restaurant worker, a manicure technician, an aspiring beautician and a college graduate.

A married couple, Tran Hai Loc and Nguyen Thi Van, were found lying side by side Oct. 23, 2019, in the container that had been shipped by ferry from Zeebrugge, Belgium to Purfleet, England.

Draghici, 50, pleaded guilty last month to 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

Hes the fifth person to be sentenced in the case in the U.K. Four other gang members were imprisoned in 2021 for terms ranging from 13 to 27 years for manslaughter. The stiffest sentence went to ringleader Gheorghe Nica, 46.

Another 18 people were convicted in Belgium, where the Vietnamese ringleader was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Others got one- to 10-year prison terms.

Draghici was shocked and horrified with what occurred, defense lawyer Gillian Jones said in court.

But he, like the others involved in the conspiracy, had immediately abandoned the plan and melted away in the night, after another man opened the truck container and discovered the dead bodies, Emlyn Jones said.

Draghici and Nica both fled to Romania, where Draghici was later arrested.

Family members of the victims who had gone into debt to fund the travel said they were crushed by the loss.

The parents of Nguyen Huy Hung, 15, who was on his way to live with his parents in the U.K. and wanted to be a hairdresser, learned of the tragedy on social media.

We did not believe it was the truth until we saw his body with our own eyes, his father said. We felt numb and that feeling lasted for many weeks later.

By BRIAN MELLEY

Associated Press
Few fabrics enjoy such great PR as linen. What are typically viewed as flaws in other garmentswrinkles, creases, and foldsbecome louche and charming when linen is discussed. But not every man is going to read poetry out of rumples.

Fortunately for this subset, there is an abundance of alternatives to pure linen on the market today. From breathable and lightweight woolens to clever blends, its possible to stay cool in a jacket or suit this summer without surrendering to the deep creases of 100 percent linen.

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Simon Martelo, who serves as the director and cutter of Bogotas Martelo Bespoke Tailors, steers his clients towards linen blends, which incorporate other fibers to utilitarian ends. The blends create fabrics that perform in very specific ways; for example, a wool/silk/linen will have the coolness of the linen, the sheen of the silk, and will wrinkle less because of the wool, he tells Robb Report. These blends also allow for linen to be woven into a large number of patterns for both jackets and full suits that are less common in pure linens.

The Anthologys linen and cotton blend, seen here in a double-breasted suit, is milled in Japan.

The Anthology, which maintains showrooms in Hong Kong and Taipei, has found a near-equal parts recipe of linen and cotton milled in Japan to be a favorite, to the extent that it was used exclusively in a ready-to-wear Core collection commemorating the custom clothiers fifth anniversary.

A 55 percent linen with a 45 percent cotton blend is a fine balance that brings out the best of both worldskeeps linens sharpness in retaining form and structure while the cotton gives a slightly lumpier, softer silhouette, making it more supple and fluid, says The Anthologys founder Buzz Tang.

Others employ blends that dispense with linen entirely. Londons Anglo-Italian, which has previously traded in twisted linen tailoring, has for this season introduced suits made from a blend of 89 percent cotton and 11 percent silk. According to Anglo-Italian co-founder Jake Grantham, this composition yields a cotton suit that wrinkles less and performs better, in addition to its visual cache.

Silk when blended also adds a matte and slubby effect, which is perfect for our aesthetic, Grantham says in a statement.

At left, an Articles of Style commission made from Huddersfields fresco. At right, another AOS suit cut from the mills Summer Breeze fabric.

And then theres wool. While often thought of as a fall or winter fabric, the way wool is woven can make it an outstanding choice for warm, humid weather. Geoff Wheeler of Huddersfield Fine Worsteds says its Super 150s QX collection is among its most popular bunches for summer, thanks to a tropically appropriate weight that falls between 8 to 9 ounces and a proprietary finishing process that leaves it cool to the touch.

And though the Yorkshire mill does a robust business in wool/silk/linen blends via its recently introduced Summer Breeze book, the jewel in its warm-weather crown remains Fresco. Patented by the maker in 1907, Fresco is two-ply, 9 oz fabric woven from 100 percent wool to be tight yet porous, ensuring easy air circulation and the ability to bounce back from wrinkles.

The reason it works is that it does exactly what you need of a summer suit. It breathes, it wears well, it holds its shape and it sheds its creases, Wheeler says of the fabric, which is also available as a softer-to-the-touch iteration dubbed Fresco Lite.

The author, at right, wearing a bespoke Paolo Martorano suit cut from a Huddersfield Fresco wool.

Lastly, Wheeler says that hes recently grown fond of the mills Super Gabardine bunch. While sitting on the heavier side of the spectrum at 12 oz, the wool fabric is available in soft, pastel colorsa reflection of its 1970s origins to serve the Florida marketand benefits from a flexible, steep twill weave originally intended to suit horseback riders (it also suited Mick Jagger, who sported a gabardine suit to his 1971 wedding to Bianca Perez-Mora Macias).

Try as we might, wrinkles are an inevitability in life. But with the aid of a carefully woven or blended fabric, you can stay cool while keeping them (mostly) out of sightas far as your threads are concerned.

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Thai police arrest 2 German suspects in the abduction and killing of a German businessman

Thai police arrest 2 German suspects in the abduction and killing of a German businessman View Photo

BANGKOK (AP)  Thai police have arrested two Germans in connection with the abduction and slaying of another German, whose dismembered body was found in a freezer in a southern Thailand home, authorities said Wednesday.

A 52-year-old German man was apprehended Tuesday evening in Bangkok, and a 47-year-old German woman turned herself in to police earlier in the day, according to the Khaosod newspaper, citing Tawee Kudthalaeng, the police chief in the town of Nong Prue where the victims body was found.

Reached by The Associated Press, Tawee confirmed the arrests and said the two had been charged with murder. He said a third suspect was still being sought but provided no further details.

He had previously said his office was looking into both German and Thai nationals as suspects in the case.

The body of Hans-Peter Mack, a 62-year-old real estate broker, was found Monday night stuffed into a chest freezer in a home in Nong Prue, an upscale settlement popular with foreigners northeast of Pattaya in Chonburi province.

He had been missing for a week and was last seen driving his Mercedes sedan in Pattaya, the coastal city where he lived with his Thai wife.

Police have said a large amount of money was missing from Macks bank account, which they suspect is linked to the slaying.

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Find more of APs Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific
China sends large group of warplanes, navy ships towards Taiwan in forceful display View Photo

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  China sent navy ships and a large group of warplanes, including fighter jets and bombers, toward Taiwan over two days, the islands defense ministry said on Wednesday, before its annual military exercises aimed at defending itself against a possible invasion.

The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army sent 38 warplanes and 9 navy vessels around Taiwan, between 6 a.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday. From Wednesday morning until noon time, the military flew another 30 planes, among which included J-10 and J-16 fighters.

Of these, 32 crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial boundary that had been considered a buffer between the island and mainland. Later on Wednesday, another 23 planes crossed the midline.

Taiwan is scheduled to hold the annual Han Guang exercise later this month, in which its military will hold combat readiness drills against preventing an invasion. It will also conduct the annual Wanan exercises aimed at preparing civilians for natural disasters and practicing evacuations in case of an air raid.

China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and in recent years has shown is displeasure at political activities in Taiwan by stepping up the number of military planes sent toward Taiwan. In the past year, it has also started sending its navy vessels, as well as drones to circle the waters near the island.

In Tuesday and Wednesdays maneuvers, the PLA flew H-6 bombers in a large loop to the south of Taiwan, traveling past the island before looping back towards Chinas southern coast.

Its largest military drills in recent years were in response to former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan last August. It fired missiles over the island in a significant escalation and the military exercises disrupted trade lanes in the Taiwan Strait and forced airplanes to reroute their flights.

In April, the PLA held large-scale combat readiness drills in the air and waters around Taiwan in response to the islands President Tsai Ing-wen meeting with the current U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

By HUIZHONG WU

Associated Press
Serbian president says the real reason for US sanctions against Serbian spy chief is his Russia ties

Serbian president says the real reason for US sanctions against Serbian spy chief is his Russia ties View Photo

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP)  Serbias president said Wednesday the real reason why the countrys intelligence chief is facing U.S. sanctions is his position toward Russia and not corruption allegations.

The U.S. on Tuesday imposed sanctions on Aleksandar Vulin, accusing him of involvement in illegal arms shipments, drug trafficking and misuse of public office.

The Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control said Vulin used his public authority to help U.S.-sanctioned Serbian arms dealer Slobodan Tesic move illegal arms shipments across Serbias borders. Vulin is also accused of involvement in a drug trafficking ring, the Treasury said.

Sanctions have not been imposed on Aleksandar Vulin for any crime, corruption or anything, Serbias President Aleksandar Vucic said. The sanctions were imposed because of his position toward the Russian Federation.

Serbia is a candidate for European Union membership, but has maintained friendly relations with Moscow.

Vulin, who is openly pro-Russian, was appointed spy chief for the Balkan state last year.

Vulin previously served as Serbias interior minister. In that role, he visited Moscow last August, a rare visit by a European state official that underscored Belgrades refusal to join Western sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Vulin then told Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that Serbia is the only state in Europe that didnt introduce sanctions and was not part of the anti-Russian hysteria.

Vulins ouster has been among the demands of weekslong street protests in Serbia that erupted in the wake of two mass shootings in early May.

Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesperson, said the U.S. will continue to hold accountable those who further their political agenda and personal gain at the expense of peace and stability in the Western Balkans and advance Russias malign activities in Serbia and the region.
Live Updates | Zelenskyy hails steps forward at NATO summit to help fight against Russian forces View Photo

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP)  Follow along for updates on the summit of the NATO military alliance in Lithuanias capital:

What to know:

 Ukraine wins G7 security pledges but its NATO membership remains elusive

 Turkey wont ratify Swedens NATO membership before October, Erdogan says

 Biden and Zelenskyy praise each other despite divisions over Ukraine war

 Greece and Turkey pledge to reset ties and bypass longstanding disputes

 NATOs Article 5 stands in way of Ukraine joining alliance while at war

 NATO summit in brief: Mixed news for Ukraine and a response to Russia



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hailed small steps forward at the NATO summit in Lithuania that are moving his country closer to victory against Russian forces.

As the two-day summit ended Wednesday, the Ukrainian leader emphasized the importance of receiving an array of weaponry  much of it Western-supplied. He said talks about supplies of artillery were continuing and stressed the need for air and sky defense systems.

The power of weapons always brings victory on the battlefield, he said.

Zelenskyy welcomed new security guarantees pledged by the G7 industrialized nations, saying they were part of Ukraines path to NATO.

While the alliance didnt offer a timetable for Ukraines hoped-for membership in NATO, Zelenskyy said Ukraine would never agree to any deal that might involve an exchange of Ukrainian territory  to Russia  to ease the way toward alliance membership.

We will never exchange any status for any of our territories, Zelenskyy said in response to a question. Even if its just one village with one elderly person, we will not give away our territories or exchange them for a frozen conflict.

Biden, speaking at the end of the summit, said: One thing Zelenskyy understands now is that whether or not hes in NATO now, its not relevant as long as he has commitments like security guarantees for the longer term. So hes not concerned about that now.



President Joe Biden said Wednesday that the U.S. and allied commitment to Ukraine will not weaken as he highlighted NATO support for Kyiv more than 500 days after Russias invasion.

Speaking in Vilnius, Lithuania at the conclusion of the alliances annual summit, Biden told a crowd of cheering thousands, our unity will not falter  I promise you.

Biden said the response to the Ukraine crisis is a model for the U.S. and its allies for how to respond to other global challenges, from climate change to China, saying their position is stronger when they build the broadest and deepest coalition.

He praised Ukraines defenders and their Western backers who have sent billions in weapons and economic assistance to support the countrys fight against Russian forces.

We will not waver, Biden said. I mean that. Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for freedom today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.

The remarks come after NATO brushed off Ukraines request for a swift on-ramp into the alliance, but as the allies held open the door for Kyiv to eventually join.



Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says his country will sign on to a Group of Seven declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine.

Spain isnt a G-7 nation but has helped Ukraine with military and humanitarian aid, including Leopard tanks. Sanchezs government also announced Wednesday that it plans to deploy some 700 troops to Slovakia, which borders Ukraine, for the first time to lead a NATO combat group.

Separately, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni noted that the war in Ukraine has had important repercussions on developing countries and said she requested greater attention to the southern flank of Europe, which includes Spain.

Melonis stress on Europes southern border on the Mediterranean Sea is rooted in her determination to choke off smuggling of migrants from launching points in North Africa. Italy, one of the G-7 industrialized nations, is a primary destination for migrants crossing the sea.

Its not an Italian problem, she said, expressing satisfaction that there seems to be a greater awareness of a need for a strategic approach to that part of Europe.

The comments came toward the end of the two-day NATO summit in Lithuania.



Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Swedens NATO membership bid will not be ratified by his countrys parliament before October.

For months, Turkey has held out on approving Swedens bid to join the Atlantic alliance. At their summit in Lithuania, NATO leaders said he was about to end the impasse by sending the matter to the Turkish parliament for ratification.

Erdogan, fresh off his reelection last month, told reporters Wednesday that the process would have to wait until after Turkish lawmakers return from a summer recess, but our target is to finalize this matter as swiftly as possible.

Turkey on Monday withdrew its objections to Sweden joining the alliance, a step toward the unity that Western leaders have been eager to demonstrate in the face of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Finland has already become the 31st member of the alliance, and Sweden is on deck to become the 32nd. Both Nordic countries were historically nonaligned until the war increased fears of Russian aggression.



French President Emmanuel Macron called Wednesday for sustained international military support for Ukraine because Russia is now showing signs of weakness and division.

Speaking at the end of a NATO summit in Lithuania dominated by the war, Macron said the path for Ukraine to join NATO is open, even though alliance members stopped short of offering a clear timetable or plan for the countrys membership.

Responding to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys disappointment, Macron said its legitimate for Ukraines leader to expect a lot from us.

But, the French president said at the summit, NATO allies did what we ought to do while preserving the unity of the alliance.

Macron said time is on Ukraines side in the war, because divisions exposed by a mutiny by Wagner mercenaries last month have shown the weakness of Russian power.

The French president reiterated a promise to send SCALP long-range missiles to Ukraine and said NATO allies should maintain a long-term commitment. Even if the war drags on, he said, We will still be there.

Macron also made it clear that he opposes expanding NATOs activities beyond Europe. The alliance had planned to open a liaison office in Japan but France opposed the move. The alliance makes decisions unanimously.

He welcomed Japans presence at the summit and said NATO should have partners in the Indo-Pacific or other regions. Nevertheless, put simply, it remains the North-Atlantic Treaty Organization. The Indo-Pacific is not the North Atlantic.

Earlier Wednesday, China  where Macron traveled on a state visit in April  reiterated that it resolutely opposes NATOs eastward expansion into the Asia-Pacific.



U.S. President Joe Biden told Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday that the United States is doing everything we can to help Ukraine succeed in its fight against Russia, adding that he understands Zelenskyys frustration over NATOs decision regarding membership for his country.

The presidents sat down together on the sidelines of the annual NATO summit in Lithuania after the U.S. and other world powers announced long-term security commitments for Ukraine.

Biden told Zelenskyy: Were going to make sure you get what you need.

Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude for billions of dollars in weapons and other support from the American people, despite his biting criticism of NATO a day earlier over not outlining a pathway to membership for his country.

The U.S. has said Ukraine should not be allowed to join NATO while it is at war, out of fear that membership would spark a global confrontation with Russia, which opposes Ukraine coming under NATOs security umbrella.

Zelenskyy told Biden: You gave us huge support and I want to thank all the Americans.

Biden said Ukraine is paying a hell of a price but that the war is bringing the world together. He said U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been calling his counterparts around the world for help.



British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has declined to repeat his defense ministers comments that Ukraine must ensure its allies dont feel taken for granted.

Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said at the NATO summit in Vilnius that whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude for supplying Ukraine with weapons.

Sunak said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had repeatedly expressed his gratitude to the U.K. and other allies.

Speaking at a news conference in Vilnius, Sunak said Ukrainians are fighting for their lives and freedom. So I completely understand Volodymyrs desire to do everything he can to protect his people and to stop this war.

He said the NATO summit had seen allies doubling down in their support for Kyiv and had taken a big step toward admitting Ukraine to the alliance.

The summit communique echoes the U.K.s long-held position that Ukraines future is in NATO, he said.



The Group of Seven industrial nations issued a joint declaration on Wednesday pledging long-term security assistance for Ukraine to bolster the besieged countrys defenses during and after its war with Russia.

Our solidarity will never waver, said Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, which sits with Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United States to make up the G-7.

The announcement, which came on the last day of a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, lays the groundwork for individual nations to negotiate their own arrangements with Ukraine.

Were going to help Ukraine build a strong, capable defense, U.S. President Joe Biden said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the support, saying the actions taken during the Vilnius summit would provide much needed and meaningful success for his country.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the G-7s arrangement makes it possible for signatories to further specify their concrete contributions to Ukraine and embed them in a longer-term strategy which Ukraine can then rely on.



British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has raised some eyebrows by suggesting that Ukraine should appear more grateful for Western military support and not treat allies like Amazon.

Whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude, Wallace told reporters at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, noting that Ukraine was persuading other countries to give up their own stocks of weapons.

In comments cited by multiple British media outlets, including The Times of London, The Guardian and the Independent, Wallace said he had heard grumbles from lawmakers on Capitol Hill in Washington that were not Amazon.

I mean, thats true, he was quoted as saying. I told them that last June: I said to the Ukrainians when I drove 11 hours to be given a list: Im not Amazon.

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks spokesman, Max Blain, downplayed the remarks.

I think you have heard from President Zelenskyy repeatedly, and indeed today, about his gratitude to the people of the United Kingdom for their support and their generosity, he said, adding that the U.K. government and the U.K. people will be steadfast in support of Ukraine.

-

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed the recent U.S. decision to send cluster munitions to his country, saying Russia also uses the controversial and widely banned weapons.

Russia constantly uses cluster munitions on our territory. It wages war exclusively on our land. It kills our people, he said Wednesday at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

This is about justice, Zelenskyy added. We defend ourselves, without using (these) weapons on the territory of other states. Zelenskyy said. Any cluster munitions supplied to Ukraine, he said, would be used purely for military purposes and purely in Russian-occupied parts of southern and eastern Ukraine.

President Joe Biden earlier this week described the decision to provide the projectiles as very difficult, citing their record of killing civilians. Over 120 countries across the world  but not the U.S., Russia or Ukraine  have signed on to an international convention prohibiting the production of cluster munitions and discouraging their use. Both Moscow and Kyiv have deployed the munitions during the war, and Ukrainian regional officials have regularly accused Russian forces of using them to target civilians.

-

NATO and Ukraine are holding their first ever high-level talks in a new format.

The 31-nation alliance is not letting Ukraine join while the war with Russia is going on, but has launched a NATO-Ukraine Council as part of its political commitment to the country.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says its a forum where Ukraine and NATO allies will meet as equals, hold crisis consultations and jointly take decisions. Ukraine is now closer to NATO than ever before.

Hungary has blocked high-level talks with Ukraine in the past due to concerns over the rights of the ethnic Hungarian minority living in Ukraine. But Stoltenberg said he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy can convene the NATO-Ukraine Council, so it cannot be blocked.

This is something new, this is something different. Its a strong tool for political integration, and also for decision-making, Stoltenberg said Wednesday before chairing the meeting.

Russia had a similar arrangement with NATO, but meetings dwindled after it annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Once the war started last year, the allies ruled that NATO cannot consider Russia to be a partner.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday praised NATOs decision to simplify Ukraines path to eventual membership and hailed new security guarantees and military aid for his country emerging from the alliance summit.

The results of the summit are good, but if there were an invitation, that would be ideal, Zelenskyy said at a press briefing with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Vilnius, Lithuania. A day earlier, he tweeted that it was absurd that NATO hadnt set a timetable for Ukrainian membership.

He welcomed the alliances move to drop the requirement for Kyiv to submit a formal membership action plan prior to joining as an important step. NATO said Tuesday Ukraine could join when allies agree and conditions are met.

Zelenskyy also lauded very positive news regarding new military aid packages from NATO countries. He met with leaders of the alliance on Wednesday, without immediately providing details.

The Ukrainian leaders thanked Western backers for their ongoing support, but suggested they dont fully understand the realities of war that Ukraine has been facing since Russian forces invaded in February last year.

NATO members have taken steps to expedite Ukraines membership once the war is over.

The most important thing is to have results, so that we can see concrete steps that bring us closer to NATO, Zelenskyy said.



The Kremlin considers plans by G7 nations to offer Ukraine security guarantees extremely ill-judged and potentially very dangerous, spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.

Britain issued a statement a day earlier on plans by the G7  made up of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States  to agree Wednesday to a significant international framework for Ukraines long-term security arrangements.

A joint statement expected to be signed by G7 members on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Lithuania would mark the first time that this many countries have agreed a comprehensive long-term security arrangement of this kind with another country, the British government said.

Countries providing security guarantees to Ukraine essentially ignore the international principle of indivisibility of security, Peskov said: By providing security guarantees to Ukraine, theyre infringing on Russias security.

We consider this extremely ill-judged and potentially very dangerous, he said.

Peskov also reiterated Russias longstanding opposition to Ukraines potential membership in NATO, calling it an offensive alliance that brings instability and aggression to the world.



China has renewed its concern about NATOs eastward expansion as the alliance wraps up its summit in Lithuania on Wednesday.

A joint communique from the Atlantic alliance a day earlier said Chinas stated ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security and values, while indicating that NATO members remain open to constructive engagement with Beijing.

China issued a strong rebuttal, saying it would resolutely safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests, and it resolutely opposes NATOs eastward expansion into the Asia-Pacific.

NATO has a bad track record in history, Chinas diplomatic mission to the European Union in Brussels said in a statement, faulting NATO for meddling in affairs beyond its borders, and creating confrontation.

This fully exposes NATOs hypocrisy and its ambition of seeking expansion and hegemony, it added, calling the NATO statement tedious and saying it was playing the same old tune, filled with Cold War mentality and ideological bias.

Like Russia, China has long voiced concerns that NATO has been on an eastward expansion, with both the vice foreign minister, Le Yucheng, and Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying referring to what they perceived as a continual expansion of the alliance.



Hungary has welcomed a NATO decision to bring Ukraine closer to the military alliance without receiving a clear path for joining it, saying Wednesday that a sense of responsibility had prevailed at a summit where Kyiv had hoped for more concrete assurances for NATO membership.

Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that providing no invitation or timeline for Ukraines NATO membership was the only responsible decision that NATO could take in light of the ongoing war  and one that Kyiv would have to settle for despite its broader hopes.

A decision has been taken that does not risk escalating the war, Szijjarto said. The member states have made it clear that Ukraine will be invited to join NATO only if it fulfils all the conditions and if the allies unanimously agree to this.

Szijjarto also urged NATO not to become an anti-China alliance, and said cooperation with China was as economically advantageous as partnerships with countries like South Korea and Japan.

NATO should not be given an anti-China edge, so lets make it clear that NATO is not an anti-China organization, Szijjarto said. It was not created against China, and its current operation is not against China. We do not see China as a risk, we do not see it as an adversary or an enemy.



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says issues including new military aid for Ukraine, a formal invitation for his country to join NATO, and security guarantees from its member states were on tap at second and final day of the alliances summit on Wednesday.

The comments from the Ukrainian leader came a day after NATO member countries eased the pathway for Ukraine to join one day but stopped short of providing a specific timetable for an invitation that Zelenskyy has sought for Ukraine.

We want to be on the same page with everybody. For today, what we hear and understand is that we will have this invitation (to join NATO) when security measures will allow, I want to discuss with our partners all these things, Zelenskyy told reporters in the Lithuanian capital.

A post published on Zelenskyys official Twitter account said he had met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine on its way to NATO.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain, which has provided considerable military support to Kyiv, told Zelenskyy that the efforts of Ukraines soldiers against Russian forces were inspiring to everyone. Were proud to have played a part in training some of them.

NATO members have long proposed that Ukraine could join one day, but Tuesdays decision shows the challenges of reaching consensus among the alliances current members while Russias war in Ukraine continues.

Under Article 5 of the NATO charter, members are obligated to defend each other from attack, which could swiftly draw the U.S. and other nations into direct fighting with Russia.
Oak trusses raised to roof of fire-ravaged Notre Dame Cathedral as crowds watch along the Seine

PARIS (AP)  A crane hoisted massive oak trusses from a barge and onto Notre Dame Cathedral on Tuesday in a spectacular operation to rebuild the fire-ravaged monument and bring it back to life by December 2024.

With trusses weighing 7 to 7.5 tons, the delicate operation drew crowds along a bridge over the Seine River and on its banks.

I think its a magical moment for a lot of Parisians this morning, said Transport Minister Clement Beaune, noting that the Seine will be at the center of the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Gen. Jean-Louis Georgelin, appointed by French President Emmanuel Macron to oversee Notre Dames reconstruction, said that even the heavy traffic expected during the summer Games wont stop work on the world-renowned cathedral.

We will work for the cathedral during the Olympics in order to be ready in December 2024, he said. This is our goal.

Notre Dame, which overlooks the historic core of Paris from an island on the Seine, was consumed by flames in 2019. It was decided to rebuild the monument using methods of yore.

Expert carpenters used medieval techniques to construct the trusses, which measure 14 to 16 meters (46 to 52 feet) wide and 12 to 13 meters ( 39 to 43 feet) high.

Guided by ropes, the trusses were placed on the roof around the area of the iconic spire, which crumbled in cinders during the fire, and the two arms of the transept, the wooden skeleton of Notre Dame. A statement said the cathedrals silhouette, now enmeshed in scaffolding, should emerge on the skyline as work advances.

___

AP journalist Jeffrey Schaeffer contributed to this report.
Kansas lawmakers botched the drafting of a new anti-trans law, agency attorney says View Photo

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  Kansas legislators botched the drafting of a new law aimed at preventing transgender people from changing how their sex is listed on their drivers licenses, a state agencys lawyer argued in a court filing made public Tuesday.

The attorney in Democratic Gov. Laura Kellys administration made that argument in asking a state court judge to lift an order barring such changes because of a lawsuit filed by Republican state Attorney General Kris Kobach. Five transgender Kansas residents also want the order revoked, arguing in their own court filings that their constitutional rights are being violated.

Kelly announced last month that the state would continue changing transgender peoples drivers licenses to reflect their gender identities, despite an new anti-transgender rights law that took effect July 1. If Kobachs lawsuit is successful, Kansas would become one of the few states that dont allow such changes.

It is a poorly written law, said Adam Kellogg, a 20-year-old University of Kansas student, one of the five transgender people, who are seeking to intervene in Kobachs lawsuit. It was meant to be hateful.

Kansas Department of Revenue attorney Ted Smith argued that the new law conflicts with another governing what appears on drivers licenses. The departments motor vehicles division issues drivers licenses, and Smith said the division still must follow the older law because it applies specifically to drivers licenses. The new law does not mention them.

Kobach filed a lawsuit in state court on Friday against the departments head and the motor vehicles divisions director.

District Judge Teresa Watson issued an order Monday directing the state to stop allowing such changes, acting at Kobachs request and without a hearing. The order expires July 24, though the judge could extend it. Smiths filing, dated Monday, asked Watson to rescind her order, and she set a Zoom hearing for Wednesday.

There is a remedy available to the Legislature, Smith wrote in his filing, saying lawmakers can consider changing the drivers license law next year. They have adjourned for this year.

The Department of Revenue says more than 500 people have changed the sex listing on their drivers licenses since July 2019, including 172 last month alone.

The new Kansas law defines male and female based on the sex assigned a person at birth for any other law or state regulation  preventing legal recognition for transgender peoples gender identities. It was part of a wave of anti-transgender legislation in Republican-led statehouses across the U.S., and the GOP-controlled Legislature enacted it over Kellys veto.

The Kansas drivers license law says each application for a license must include a persons gender, even though the listing on the license is sex. Smith says that language has been in place since 2007 and was clarified by a 2011 policy that Smith himself outlined in a memo to drivers license examiners.

Two states that dont allow changes for transgender people, Montana and Tennessee, have specific provisions regarding drivers licenses.

But Kellogg and the other four transgender people argue that prohibiting drivers license changes violates their right to bodily autonomy. The Kansas Supreme Court declared in a 2019 decision protecting abortion access that the states Bill of Rights grants such a right.

Kansans expect the State of Kansas, and the Attorney General, to protect them, not persecute them, ACLU attorneys wrote at the start of a court filing Tuesday.

Kobach said last month that the new law not only prevents changes in the sex listings for drivers licenses but also requires the state to undo previous changes in its records. He said in a memo filed with Watson on Friday in Shawnee County, home to the state capital of Topeka, that a license must list a persons sex at birth, not some other self-chosen identifier.

He said the motor vehicles division is refusing to comply with the new law and, The Division is open about its refusal.

The new Kansas law borrows language from a proposal from several national anti-transgender organizations. Smith said the language was not tailored to the specifics of Kansas law and didnt address the historical use of gender as an identity marker for drivers licenses.

Kobach said the new law also applies to birth certificates, but the settlement of a 2018 federal lawsuit over a previous no-changes policy requires the state to allow changes in those documents. A federal judges order enforcing it remains in effect. More than 900 people have changed their birth certificates since July 2019, the state says.

___

Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna

By JOHN HANNA

AP Political Writer
Police: Items believed connected to jail escapee still being found; reward increases View Photo

WARREN, Pa. (AP)  Authorities searching for a homicide suspect who used bedsheets to escape from a northwestern Pennsylvania jail last week say items found in the last 24 hours lead them to believe he is still in the area.

Authorities added that reward money in the case has more than doubled.

Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police earlier said campsites and small stockpiles believed to be related to escapee Michael Burham had been found, and he said Tuesday that searchers are still finding some items that we do believe are connected to him.

Those lead me to believe that there is still a likelihood that he is here; I also look at the absence of proof that he has gone anywhere else, Bivens told reporters in a regular late afternoon news conference at the Youngsville, Pennsylvania, municipal building.

Burham, 34, fled the Warren County Prison late Thursday by climbing on exercise equipment, climbing through a window and then down a rope fashioned from jail bedding, authorities said. Burham was being held on $1 million bail and was charged with kidnapping, burglary and other counts.

Bivens said searchers have been investigating possible sightings and break-ins of unoccupied structures or cabins, using technology such as DNA to see if Burham is connected to them. But so far no link to him had been confirmed, Bivens said.

I have a strong belief that he is receiving help, Bivens said, repeating a warning that such actions would have consequences. Again, I caution anyone that is currently giving help or is contemplating it, we will prosecute you for it.

The addition of a $10,000 reward posted by Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers has raised the total reward money in the case to $19,500, Bivens said. The U.S. Marshals Service earlier offered $7,500 for information leading to Burhams capture, and Warren County Crime Stoppers has offered $2,000.

More than 200 state, federal and local law enforcement officers are involved in the manhunt, he said.

Warren County Sheriff Brian Zeybell, asked about the response after the prison escape, said city police were on the scene almost immediately.

Literally, I would say that Burham saw red and blue lights within two minutes of leaving that jail. They were that close, he said. Correction officers were in the parking lot within two minutes, he added, saying the response time couldnt have been any quicker.

District Attorney Jason Schmidt of Chautauqua County, New York, said last month that Burham is the prime suspect in the May 11 killing of Kala Hodgkin, 34, and a related arson in Jamestown, New York. Authorities also accuse him of abducting an elderly couple in Pennsylvania while trying to evade capture before his arrest in South Carolina. Burham is considered very dangerous, Warren city police said.

Local, multistate and federal authorities have searched numerous residences, abandoned structures and wooded areas using K-9 units and aerial resources such as drones and aircraft, authorities said.

Bivens has said that Burham taught himself survival skills and had military reserve training.

Authorities were searching a very large area with a lot of difficult terrain that has cabins, oil and gas sheds, and shacks that could offer a fugitive a place to hide, officials have said.
Alabama senator says white nationalists are racists after weeks of declining to say so

Alabama senator says white nationalists are racists after weeks of declining to say so View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville on Tuesday backed off his defense of white nationalists, telling reporters in the Capitol that white nationalists are racists.

Tubervilles brief comment in the hallway, after a regular weekly lunch with his GOP Senate colleagues, follows several media interviews in which he has repeatedly declined to describe white nationalists as racist. And it comes as the Alabama Republican is also receiving criticism from both Republicans and Democrats for his monthslong blockade on the confirmation of all senior military officers in protest of a Defense Department abortion policy.

In a May interview, Tuberville suggested that the Biden administrations efforts to expand diversity in the military were weakening the force and hampering recruitment, though the Army has said that the real problem is that many young people do not see enlistment as safe or a good career path.

We are losing in the military so fast. Our readiness in terms of recruitment, Tuberville told the Alabama radio station WBHM. And why? Ill tell you why. Because the Democrats are attacking our military, saying we need to get out the white extremists, the white nationalists, people that dont believe in our agenda.

When asked if he believed white nationalists should be allowed in the U.S. military, Tuberville responded: Well, they call them that. I call them Americans.

After that interview, Tuberville said his comments had been misinterpreted. His office said he had been expressing skepticism at the idea that white nationalists were in the armed services.

Democrats portray all Trump people as white nationalists. Thats what I was saying, Tuberville said.

He added: Theres a lot of good people that are Trump supporters that for some reason my Democratic colleagues want to portray as white nationalists. Thats not true.

But he continued to equivocate on the issue. In an interview Monday, Tuberville told CNNs Kaitlin Collins that white nationalists have different beliefs. But if racism is one of those beliefs, Im totally against it. I am totally against racism.

Collins said white nationalists are racist. Thats your opinion, he responded.

On Tuesday, Tuberville was asked if he wanted to clarify those remarks. White nationalists are racists, he responded, without elaborating.

The Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups, says that white nationalist groups focus on the inferiority of non-white people and that their primary goal is to create a white ethnostate. The group says the number of white nationalist groups reached a historic high in 2019, during Donald Trumps presidency.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor Tuesday morning that Tuberville should apologize.

The definition of white nationalism is not a matter of opinion, Schumer said. White nationalism  the ideology that one race is inherently superior to others, that people of color should be segregated, subjected and relegated to second-class citizenship  is racist down to its rotten core.

Hours after Schumers speech, when Tuberville told reporters that he believes white nationalists are racist, he also declined to apologize for his earlier comments. No, he needs to apologize, Tuberville said of Schumer.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell also denounced the ideology.

White supremacy is simply unacceptable in the military and in our whole country, McConnell said Tuesday when asked about Tubervilles comments.

By MARY CLARE JALONICK

Associated Press
CLEVELAND (AP)  A suspect has been arrested in an early morning shooting in a nightclub area of downtown Cleveland over the weekend that sent nine people to the hospital, police said Tuesday.

Federal marshals and city police arrested the 25-year-old suspect in Lorain in the Cleveland suburbs just after 3:45 p.m. Tuesday and were planning to search his home for additional evidence, according to authorities. Police are still searching for the weapon and investigating the motive.

Chief Wayne Drummond, of the Cleveland police department, said the suspect is believed to be the person who opened fire on a group of people standing outside a bar in the Warehouse District shortly before 2:30 a.m. Sunday as the clubs were closing.

Seven men and two women between the ages of 23 to 38 were struck, and one man was seriously injured. Drummond said Tuesday that two victims have been released from the hospital while the others are still being treated, but injuries all are non-life-threatening.

Police allege in an arrest warrant filed Tuesday that the shooting occurred after the suspect saw several people inside one of the bars and retrieved a firearm from the trunk of his vehicle in a parking lot across the street. The suspect shot into the crowd despite police officers being nearby, according to authorities.

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said the suspect was arrested 61 hours after the shooting as a result of video evidence and other information obtained by police. He also cited cooperation among law enforcement and a $50,000 reward posted by Cleveland business and restaurant owner Bobby George.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  Farmers Insurance became the latest property insurance company to pull out of Florida on Tuesday despite repeated efforts by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Legislature have made to try to calm the volatile market that is making homeownership less affordable.

Farmers informed the state that it is discontinuing new coverage of auto, home and umbrella policies. The company said in a statement that the decision affects policies issued through its exclusive agency distribution channel. It said there will be no effect on 70% of current policies in Florida.

Critics of DeSantis, who is seeking the Republican nomination for president, say he has focused too much effort on divisive cultural issues and not enough on making housing and insurance more affordable. The Legislature has grappled with the issue each of the last two years, including a special session in December.

Most of the focus has been on shielding insurance companies from lawsuits and setting aside money for re-insurance to help protect insurers. The Office of Insurance Regulation sent a letter to Farmers responding to the notice that it doesnt plan to write new policies.

Floridas leaders have stepped up to the plate by delivering historic reforms to Floridas property insurance market to ensure competitiveness and increase consumer choice, Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky wrote to the company.

Yaworsky noted, though, that states recent law changes werent a factor in Farmers decision.

We are disappointed by the hastiness in this decision and troubled by how this decision may have cascading impacts to policyholders, he wrote.

Farmers said in a statement that the decision was based on risk exposure in the hurricane-prone state and that notifications will be sent out to affected policyholders along with advice on replacing coverage. The companys website on Tuesday responded to quote requests for several Florida zip codes by saying coverage wasnt available and suggesting links to other companies and resources.

At the end of 2022, average annual property insurance premiums had risen to more than $4,200 in Florida, which is triple the national average. About 12% of homeowners in the state didnt have property insurance, compared with the national average of 5%, according to the Insurance Information Institute, a research organization funded by the insurance industry. At least six insurers went insolvent in Florida last year.

Florida has struggled to keep the insurance market healthy since 1992, when Hurricane Andrew flattened Homestead, wiped out some insurance carriers and left many remaining companies fearful to write or renew policies in Florida. Risks for carriers have also been growing as climate change increases the strength of hurricanes and the intensity of rainstorms.

By BRENDAN FARRINGTON

Associated Press
Chandigarh University hosts India's biggest International Faculty Development Program

Chandigarh [India] Published : July 11, 2023



More than 100 experts and professors from 79 universities across 28 countries will participate in Chandigarh University's 9-day International Faculty Development Program, which began on Monday with a grand inaugural ceremony which was attended by experts and hundreds of faculty members of the University.



The seventh edition of CU's IFDP is being held in both offline and online mode and will focus on sensitizing the faculty about new concepts and methodologies in teaching, research, updating knowledge using modern information, and equipping them with the necessary skills. During the 9-day event, which is India's biggest IFDP, several lectures, screenings, and meetings will be organized with the involvement of faculties from over 25 departments of the university. Sessions related to curriculum development and research, challenges faced by the university, and possible solutions to improve the quality of education will also be held.



The inaugural ceremony of the IFDP was attended by Caroline Rowett, British Deputy High Commission, Chandigarh; Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Head of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE); Dr Montu M. Patel, President of Pharmacy Council of India (PCI); Prof. (Dr.) Bhola Ram Gurjar, Director National Institute of Technical Teachers Training & Research (NITTTR) Chandigarh; Sushil Sudan, President Jammu & Kashmir State Pharmacy Council; Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of Association of Indian Universities (AIU), and Sushil Kumar Bansal, President Punjab State Pharmacy Council were the Guest of Honor for the occasion. Prof. (Dr.) R.S. Bawa, Pro-Chancellor of Chandigarh University, was also present on the occasion.



Deputy High Commissioner of the UK, Caroline Rowett expressed her gratitude to Chandigarh University for the opportunity to join this significant occasion along with the distinguished academicians from across the globe. She said, "Education is international, and looking around the room we have underlined that. Association and collaboration with international universities provide invaluable opportunities for students and faculty members to engage in cross-cultural exchanges, research projects, and collaborative degree programs. This integration of different perspectives and expertise leads to a more comprehensive understanding of global issues and fosters innovation."



She further added, "Education is the heart of the India-UK relationship and is reflected in the India-UK 2030 roadmap. Both countries are committed to working together through universities to enhance the exchange of ideas and organize networks of leading think tanks at universities and research organizations in both countries. Universities, important stakeholders, and partners are an important part of this relationship."



While addressing the inaugural ceremony, Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Head of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) said, "Chandigarh University's initiative of organizing International Faculty Development Program 2023 is a step towards integrating international, intercultural, and global dimension into the goals, teaching-learning, research, and service functions of a university in the higher education system." Stating the quote 'Think Globally, Act Globally', he emphasized on the global relationship between the nations, people, cultures, and institutions. This will help Indian students in linking communities to the world, expanding opportunities in the universities as well as our research scholars and students.



Prof. (Dr.) Bhola Ram Gurjar, Director National Institute of Technical Teachers Training & Research Chandigarh, said, "IFDP 2023 is a unique initiative by Chandigarh University and every other institute should follow the same with the motto that lifelong learning is the key to a happy and successful life, and there is no age bar for learning. India had universities like Nalanda and Taxila, much ahead of the world, where specializations in various fields were offered. However, the concept of universities is outdated as it is the age of multiversity and even NEP talks about delivering an interdisciplinary approach to learning. Today, technology has taken over the world and has created a huge impact on the society. The future technologies will have higher influence over every aspect, but it will not help until we learn about them."



Dr Montu M. Patel, President of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), said, "Chandigarh University is playing a significant role in contributing towards making Chandigarh city a hub of education. However, without training and knowledge, it is impossible to deliver quality education to students. And this International Faculty Development Program (IFDP) is a great initiative to upskill the campus faculty as well as transfer global knowledge to them to enhance the education quality. The government of India under PM Modi and PCI are working along with the UK and other countries for the globalization of pharmaceutical education."



Dr Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), thanked Chandigarh University for the invitation to be a part of the international faculty development program and share opinions, views, and experiences with the participants. She said, "The world is constantly changing, and what the students need to learn today in terms of content must be different. Today's youth aspire to be lifelong learners, innovative, challenge-takers, progressive, solution-providers, leaders, and finally good human beings, which is extremely important to survive in today's world. Hence, it is important to change the curriculum that is relevant not just today but years later as well."



Chandigarh University Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu said, "Chandigarh University's focus is to deliver an education of global standard and produce professional leaders for serving the society & realizes the need for equipping its faculty with the latest skills, knowledge, and methodologies for achieving the same. Hence, the university organizes the International Faculty Development Program every year with the involvement of international experts in the education sector to transfer global-level knowledge to the faculty and increase their potential to expand their expertise."



He further added that is a matter of pride to state that in the recently released QS World University Ranking 2024, Chandigarh University secured an impressive overall rank of 771-780, which is a historic moment for the university. CU has been ranked the number 1 Private University in India, and 20th among all the Public and Private Universities in the country.

Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and QS World Ranked University. This autonomous educational institution is approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honoured with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC.



For more information, visit https://www.cuchd.in/

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Chinese hackers breached State Dept., other government email on eve of Blinken visit, officials say View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  State-backed Chinese hackers foiled Microsofts cloud-based security in hacking the email accounts of officials at multiple U.S. agencies that deal with China ahead of Secretary of State Antony Blinkens trip to Beijing last month, officials said Wednesday.

The surgical, targeted espionage accessed the email of a small number of individuals at an unspecified number of U.S. agencies and was discovered in mid-June by the State Department, U.S. officials said. They said none of the breached systems were classified, nor was any of the stolen data.

The hacked officials included Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, The Washington Post reported, citing anonymous U.S. officials. Export controls imposed by her agency have stung multiple Chinese companies.

One person familiar with the investigation said U.S. military and intelligence agencies were not among the agencies impacted in the monthlong spying campaign, which also affected unnamed foreign governments.

The officials spoke on condition they not be further identified.

In a technical advisory Wednesday and a call with reporters, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the FBI said Microsoft determined the hackers gained access by impersonating authorized users.

Officials did not specify the nature of the stolen data. But one U.S. official said the intrusion was directly targeted at diplomats and others who deal with the China portfolio at the State Department and other agencies. The official added that it was not yet clear if there had been any significant compromise of information.

The Blinken trip went ahead as planned, although with customary information security procedures in place, which required his delegation to use burner phones and computers in China.

The hack was disclosed late Tuesday by Microsoft in a blog post. It said it was alerted to the breach, which it blamed on a state-backed, espionage-focused Chinese hacking group known to target government agencies in Western Europe, on June 16. Microsoft said the group, which it calls Storm-0558, had gained access to email accounts affecting about 25 organizations, including government agencies, since mid-May as well as to consumer accounts of individuals likely associated with those agencies.

Neither Microsoft nor U.S. officials would identify the agencies or governments impacted. A senior CISA official told reporters in a press call that the number of affected organizations in the United States is in the single digits.

While the official declined to say whether U.S. officials are displeased with Microsoft over the breach, U.S. National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge noted that it was government safeguards that detected the intrusion and added, We continue to hold the procurement providers of the U.S. Government to a high security threshold.

In fact, those safeguards consist of a data-logging feature for which Microsoft charges a premium. The CISA official noted that some of the victims lacked the data-logging feature and, unable to detect the breach, learned of it from Microsoft.

But of greater concern to cybersecurity experts is that The Storm-0558 hackers broke in using forged authentication tokens  which are used to verify the identity of a user. Microsofts executive vice president for security, Charlie Bell, said on the companys website that the hackers had done that by acquiring a consumer signing key.

Cybersecurity researcher Jake Williams, a former National Security Agency offensive hacker, said it remains unclear how the hackers accomplished that. Microsoft did not immediately respond to emailed questions, including whether it was breached by the hackers to obtain the signing key.

Williams was concerned the hackers could have forged tokens for wide use to hack any number of non-enterprise Microsoft users. I cant imagine China didnt also use this access to target dissidents on personal subscriptions, too.

The head of intelligence for the cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike, Adam Meyers, said in a statement that the incident highlights the systemic risk of relying on a single technology provider in Microsoft. He said having one monolithic vendor that is responsible for all of your technology, products, services and security  can end in disaster.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, called the U.S. accusation of hacking disinformation aimed at diverting attention from U.S. cyberespionage against China.

No matter which agency issued this information, it will never change the fact that the United States is the worlds largest hacker empire conducting the most cyber theft, Wang said in a routine briefing.

U.S. intelligence agencies also use hacking as a critical espionage tool and it is not a violation of international law.

Last month, Google-owned cybersecurity firm Mandiant said suspected state-backed Chinese hackers broke into the networks of hundreds of public and private sector organizations globally exploiting a vulnerability in a popular email security tool.

Earlier this year, Microsoft said state-backed Chinese hackers were targeting U.S. critical infrastructure and could be laying the technical groundwork to disrupt critical communications between the U.S. and Asia during future crises.

____

Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani in Washington and Zen Soo in Hong Kong contributed to this report. Bajak reported from Boston.

By FRANK BAJAK and MATTHEW LEE

Associated Press
Manhattanhenge is a bust as clouds hide NYC sunset. Last chance this year is Thursday

Manhattanhenge is a bust as clouds hide NYC sunset. Last chance this year is Thursday View Photo

NEW YORK (AP)  Theres only one more chance this year to possibly take in Manhattanhenge, the biannual alignment of the setting sun with the citys east-west streets that brings New Yorkers out of their apartments to watch it bathe the urban canyons in a rosy glow.

With gray, gloomy weather socking in the horizon at Wednesdays sundown, fans of the spectacle will have to hope the clouds part Thursday.

I tried but its not going to happen today, said Kevin Andrade, a restaurant server who had the day off and waited in hopes of a fiery sky show on West 23rd Street. Im so sad about it.

It was Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the museums Hayden Planetarium, who coined the term Manhattanhenge to describe the phenomenon. He was inspired by Stonehenge, where tourists and modern-day Druids camp out on the summer solstice to watch the rising sun align with the prehistoric stones.

Manhattanhenge attracts its own Druids when it happens for two nights around Memorial Day and another two in mid-July. Devotees line thoroughfares like 42nd and 34th streets to watch the suns disc sink below the horizon, perfectly framed by the gleaming towers.

We have had luck in the past when the weather clears, said Jackie Faherty, an astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History whose sold-out lecture on Manhattanhenge on Thursday will be followed by a free public viewing party. All we need is for it to be clear at sunset.

There are are also sunrise Manhattanhenge days in December and January, but those have not drawn crowds for reasons including the hour and the chill, Faherty said.

Other cities where streets align with the sun on certain days include Boston and Toronto. The best-known urban henge other than New Yorks is Chicagohenge, which happens during the spring and fall equinox.

Faherty said she prefers Manhattanhenge because New York has more iconic skyscrapers and the Hudson River to the west provides a visual break in the landscape of buildings.

Weather permitting, fans will flood the streets and point their phones and cameras at the fading light.

In this era of social media, its a gorgeous picture, Faherty said. I often call it the Instagram holiday for New York City.

By KAREN MATTHEWS

Associated Press
Supreme Court Justice Sotomayors staff prodded colleges and libraries to buy her books View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  For colleges and libraries seeking a boldfaced name for a guest lecturer, few come bigger than Sonia Sotomayor, the Supreme Court justice who rose from poverty in the Bronx to the nations highest court.

She has benefited, too  from schools purchases of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of the books she has written over the years.

Sotomayors staff has often prodded public institutions that have hosted the justice to buy her memoir or childrens books, works that have earned her at least $3.7 million since she joined the court in 2009. Details of those events, largely out of public view, were obtained by The Associated Press through more than 100 open records requests to public institutions. The resulting tens of thousands of pages of documents offer a rare look at Sotomayor and her fellow justices beyond their official duties.

In her case, the documents reveal repeated examples of taxpayer-funded court staff performing tasks for the justices book ventures, which workers in other branches of government are barred from doing. But when it comes to promoting her literary career, Sotomayor is free to do what other government officials cannot because the Supreme Court does not have a formal code of conduct, leaving the nine justices to largely write and enforce their own rules.

This is one of the most basic tenets of ethics laws that protects taxpayer dollars from misuse, said Kedric Payne, a former deputy chief counsel at the Office of Congressional Ethics and current general counsel for the Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan government watchdog group in Washington. The problem at the Supreme Court is theres no one there to say whether this is wrong.

Supreme Court staffers have been deeply involved in organizing speaking engagements intended to sell books. That is conduct prohibited for members of Congress and the executive branch, who are barred under ethics rules from using government resources, including staff, for personal financial gain. Lower federal court judges are also instructed to not lend the prestige of the judicial office to advance their private interests.

In a statement, the Supreme Court said it works with the justices and their staff to ensure they are complying with judicial ethics guidance for such visits.

When (Sotomayor) is invited to participate in a book program, Chambers staff recommends the number of books (for an organization to order) based on the size of the audience so as not to disappoint attendees who may anticipate books being available at an event, the court said.

The documents obtained by AP show that the justices conduct spans their conservative-liberal split. Besides book sales, appearances by the justices were used in hopes of raising money at schools, which often invited major contributors to the events. Justices also lent the allure of their high office to partisan activity.

In 2019, as Sotomayor traveled the country to promote her new childrens book, Just Ask!, library and community college officials in Portland, Oregon, jumped at the chance to host an event.

They put in long hours and accommodated the shifting requests of Sotomayors court staff. Then, as the public cost of hosting the event soared almost tenfold, a Sotomayor aide emailed with a different, urgent concern: She said the organizers did not buy enough copies of the justices book, which attendees had to purchase or have on hand in order to meet Sotomayor after her talk.

For an event with 1,000 people and they have to have a copy of Just Ask to get into the line, 250 books is definitely not enough, the aide, Anh Le, wrote staffers at the Multnomah County Library. Families purchase multiples and people will be upset if they are unable to get in line because the book required is sold out.

It was not an isolated push. As Sotomayor prepared for commencement weekend at the University of California, Davis law school, her staff pitched officials there on buying copies of books in connection with the event. Before a visit to the University of Wisconsin, the staff suggested a book signing.

At Clemson University in South Carolina, school officials offered to buy 60 signed copies before a 2017 appearance; Sotomayors staff noted that most schools order around 400. Michigan State University asked Sotomayor to come to campus and in 2018 spent more than $100,000 on copies of her memoir, My Beloved World, to distribute to incoming first-year students. The books were shipped to the Supreme Court, where copies were taken to her chambers by court workers and signed by her before being sent to the school.

Sotomayor, whose annual salary this year is $285,400, is not alone in earning money by writing books. Such income is exempt from the courts $30,000 restriction on outside yearly pay. But none of the justices has as forcefully leveraged publicly sponsored travel to boost book sales as has Sotomayor, according to emails and other records reviewed by the AP.

Such promotional efforts risk damaging the Supreme Courts public standing further by placing an individual justice above the institution itself, said J. Michael Luttig, a former federal appeals court judge who has pushed for the justices to adopt a formal code of conduct.

I have never believed that Supreme Court justices should write books to supplement their judicial incomes, said Luttig, who was considered for the Supreme Court by President George W. Bush. The potential for promotion of the individual justices over the Court at the reputational expense of the Court as an institution, as well as the appearance of such, is unavoidable.

Sotomayors publisher, Penguin Random House, also has played a role in organizing her talks, in some cases pressing public institutions to commit to buying a specific number of copies or requesting that attendees purchase books to obtain tickets, emails show. The publisher has had several matters before the court in which Sotomayor did not recuse herself.

Justice Sotomayor would have recused in cases in which Penguin Random House was a party, in light of her close and ongoing relationship with the publisher, the Supreme Court said in a statement. An inadvertent omission failed to bring Penguins participation in several cases to her attention; those cases ultimately were not selected for review by the Court. Chambers conflict check procedures have since been changed.

A person close to Sotomayor, who insisted on anonymity to discuss the justices book dealings, said that Sotomayor has not and will not profit from sales of her memoir beyond the $3.1 million advance that she received and that doing so would require purchases of hundreds of thousands of additional books, more than double the purchases to date.

Sotomayor, however, continues to earn royalties  at least $400,000 since 2019  from sales of her childrens literature, including Just Ask!, her second best-selling book, which was the promotional focus of the 2019 event held in Portland, emails and records show.

That summer, after an aide to Sotomayor first contacted Portland Community College to gauge its interest in hosting a book talk, officials at the Oregon school called it an exciting possibility. Officials committed to spending $1,000 to host the event. Co-host Multnomah County Library pledged an additional $1,500.

Costs associated with the event spiked to more than $20,000 by the time it was held in September 2019. Emails show Supreme Court staff, including Le, a longtime legal assistant to the justice and graduate of the community college, closely controlled the run-of-show, requesting the largest venue possible, while managing minor details such as the placement of stairs or approving the TV camera angles that would be used.

As the talk neared, Le shifted her focus to books, which were offered for sale online to those who obtained tickets to the free event.

Can you please show me the screen where people can purchase books? Le wrote library staffers as they prepared to make the tickets available. Are you just placing Just Ask  on the portal or all of the Justices books.

When the free tickets were quickly snapped up, she asked library officials to publicize that those who could not get tickets could still meet the justice if they purchased a book.

Please also let them know that they can attend the signing line to meet the Justice even if they are not able to attend the event, Le wrote in an Aug. 26, 2019, email.

A day later, she followed with another email, concerned that not enough of the people who got tickets had also purchased a book. Records indicate that the roughly 550 free tickets made available to the public (the rest were reserved for VIP guests) resulted in the advance purchase of only 28 books.

Is there a reminder going out that people need to purchase a book at the event or bring a book to get into the signing line? Le wrote. Most of the registrants did not purchase books.

Still, when she found out event organizers had only purchased 250 copies of Sotomayors book, she sent an email telling library officials that the quantity was definitely not enough.

A library staffer emailed back, Maybe you should communicate with (Sotomayors publisher) and the book sellers about your concerns?

A library spokesman, who was also included on the emails, declined to comment.

In its statement, the Supreme Court said judicial ethics guidance suggests that a judge may sign copies of his or her work, which may also be available for sale so long as there is no requirement or suggestion that attendees are required to purchase books in order to attend.

Justice Sotomayors Judicial Assistant has worked with the Justices publisher to ensure compliance with these standards, and at no time have attendees been required to buy a book in order to attend an event, the court statement read. Asking whether attendees were reminded that they must either buy or bring a book in order to enter a signing line at an event would in no way conflict with the standard outlined above.

Some institutions that bought Sotomayors books initiated the purchases on their own, raising the prospect of high-volume orders with the court as they extended the invitation to host her.

In 2018, Michigan State spent $110,000 for 11,000 copies of My Beloved World, to distribute to incoming first-year students after selecting it for an annual reading program with the city of East Lansing.

Her biography is really just kind of, for lack of a better term, a rags-to-riches story. I mean, she came from very humble beginnings and became a Supreme Court justice, East Lansing Public Library director Kristin Shelley told the AP, explaining the book selection.

The books were shipped to the Supreme Court, scores of cartons at a time, to be signed by Sotomayor.

Hello Supreme Court team: Good news! a Penguin Random House worker emailed court staff. The order that Anh and I have been waiting for from Michigan State University is in! They are going to be ordering a total of 11,004 HC (hard cover) copies. But dont panic. We will not be delivering 11,004 copies to the Supreme Court at one time.

When university officials mistakenly thought they might be missing 20 boxes of books they had ordered, Le expressed surprise, writing, I literally prepped the boxes and had my aides count the books before signing. I even have a spreadsheet noting how many books were signed each day.

Other colleges have made similar purchases. The University at Albany in New York bought about 3,700 copies before a 2017 appearance. Stony Brook University in New York ordered roughly 3,900 copies in 2018 for use in a first-year reading program.

When the subject arose of how many Sotomayor books Clemson should purchase before a 2017 visit, school officials worried 60 might be too many to sign. Sotomayors legal assistant reassured them it would not be a problem because most institutions order in the ranges of 400 and up.

Other justices have benefited from similar arrangements. But how much they have made from individual schools or events is difficult to assess because the justices only report lump-sum earnings at years end.

Justice Clarence Thomas has collected about $1 million since 2006. Stephen Breyer, who retired in 2022, reported roughly $700,000 in royalty income in the past two decades. Justice Neil Gorsuch has disclosed more than $900,000 since his 2017 confirmation. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was confirmed in 2020, received a reported $2 million advance for a forthcoming book. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson signed a book deal, but the amount of her advance was not public.

In Sotomayors case, her staff routinely brought up books in emails as trip details were discussed.

Depending on quantity and if they get hardcover or paperback, she will sign them, Le told a professor at the UC Davis law school, which arranged to host her for commencement weekend in 2018. She is signing over 11,000 for one school right now, Le added with a smiling emoji, apparently referencing Michigan States purchase.

The law school ultimately ordered 410 signed copies of My Beloved World, after Le broached the idea of ordering copies. But one law school official took issue after a colleague relayed what he said was a question from Sotomayors staff about setting up a book table during graduation festivities.

Im not sure this is a good idea, have we ever allowed other speakers to sell or offer their books (that we have purchased for guests)? Kelley Weiss, the law schools head of marketing and communications, wrote to the dean. I think having a table of her books could be out of place, she added. Weiss declined to comment to the AP.

Then planning took a turn. Weeks before the ceremony, Sotomayor fractured her shoulder and canceled her appearance. The school in turn canceled its $6,500 book order and sought a refund.

Still, Sotomayors office inquired to make sure.

Is it for sure that UC Davis would like to move forward with canceling? Le emailed. I have the books on hold in storage and have not done anything with them.

In about a month, the cancellation was processed.

___

The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about the APs democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court at https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court.

By BRIAN SLODYSKO and ERIC TUCKER

Associated Press
EPA sets stricter limits on hydrofluorocarbons used in refrigerators, air conditioners View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Environmental Protection Agency is enforcing stricter limits on hydrofluorocarbons, highly potent greenhouse gases used in refrigerators and air conditioners that contribute to global warming.

A rule announced Tuesday will impose a 40% overall reduction in HFCs starting next year, part of a global phaseout designed to slow climate change. The rule aligns with a 2020 law that calls for an 85% reduction in production and use of the climate-damaging chemicals by 2036.

Officials said refrigeration and air conditioning systems sold in the United States will emit far fewer HFCs as a result of the rule, the second step in a 15-year phasedown of the chemicals that once dominated refrigeration and cooing equipment.

Heres a look at HFCs and what the United States and other countries are doing to limit their use.

WHAT ARE HFCs?

Hydrofluorocarbons are highly potent greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigerators and air conditioners. HFCs produce greenhouse gases that are thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide. They often leak through pipes or appliances that use compressed refrigerants and are considered a major driver of global warming.

WHAT IS BEING DONE TO LIMIT HFCs?

More than 130 countries, including the United States, have signed a 2016 global agreement to greatly reduce use and production of HFCs by 2036.

The Senate ratified the so-called Kigali Amendment to the 1987 Montreal Protocol on ozone pollution last year in a rare bipartisan vote. The measure requires participating nations to phase down production and use of HFCs by 85% over the next 13 years, as part of a global phaseout intended to slow climate change.

Scientists said the agreement, reached in Kigali, Rwanda, could help the world avoid a half-degree Celsius of global warming.

Ratification of the amendment, signed last year by President Joe Biden, follows bipartisan action Congress took in 2020 to approve the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, which phased out domestic HFC manufacturing. The AIM Act has accelerated an industry shift from HFCs to alternative refrigerants that use less harmful chemicals and are widely available throughout the country. The law also averts a previous patchwork of state laws and regulations that govern HFCs.

WHAT DOES THE LATEST RULE DO?

The new rule announced Tuesday builds on a 10% reduction required by the end of this year. It requires a 40% overall reduction from 2024 through 2028.

Companies that produce, import, export, destroy, use, process or recycle HFCs are subject to the rule.

EPA officials said the rule would help ensure the U.S. leads the way as countries around the world implement the Kigali Amendment. The HFC phasedown, bolstered by domestic innovation to develop alternative chemicals and equipment, is paving the way for the United States to tackle climate change and strengthen global competitiveness, said Joe Goffman, principal deputy assistant administrator of EPAs Office of Air and Radiation.

White House climate adviser Ali Zaidi said the rule will help develop next-generation technologies for refrigeration, ensuring that American workers reap the benefits of a growing global market for HFC alternatives.

WHAT DOES INDUSTRY SAY?

The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute, which represents air conditioning, heating and commercial refrigeration manufacturers, called the rule a crucial step to implement the AIM Act.

Our industry appreciates the work of the EPA and the timely issuance of this rule as we prepare for the next HFC reduction step-down next January, said AHRI president & CEO Stephen Yurek.

The American Chemistry Council, which represents chemical manufacturers and users, welcomed the EPA rule.

ACC has long supported the HFCs phasedown, which can reduce a sizable source of greenhouse gas emissions while creating manufacturing jobs and growing our nations share of the global market for air-conditioning and refrigeration products, the group said in a statement. U.S. companies have developed effective alternatives to HFCs, the group added.

WHAT HAPPENS IF INDUSTRY DOES NOT COMPLY?

The EPA rule includes a range of administrative penalties, including license revocation and retirement of allowances for companies that dont comply. Fines and criminal penalties also can be imposed. EPA said it has finalized administrative consequences retiring more than 6.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent for 2022 and 2023 for companies that misreported data or imported HFCs without required allowances.

Since January 2022, an interagency task force on illegal HFC trade, led by EPA and the Department of Homeland Security, has prevented illegal HFC shipments equivalent to more than 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide at the border, officials said. That is the equivalent to carbon emissions from more than 200,000 homes for one year.

By MATTHEW DALY

Associated Press
FBI Director Chris Wray defends the real FBI against criticism from House Republicans View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  FBI Director Chris Wray defended the real FBI during a contentious congressional hearing Wednesday, rejecting a litany of grievances from angry Republicans who are harshly critical of the bureau, threatening to defund some operations and claiming the Justice Department is unfair to political conservatives, including Donald Trump.

Wray refused to engage in specific questions about ongoing federal investigations, including those involving former President Trump and Hunter Biden. The son of President Joe Biden recently reached an agreement to plead guilty to misdemeanor federal tax charges; Republicans have derided that as a sweetheart deal.

In testy exchanges with Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee, Wray rejected the GOP assertion that the bureau was favoring the Biden family and said the notion that the bureau was involved the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol was ludicrous. Referring to his own background, he said the idea that he harbors bias against conservatives is insane.

The work the men and women of the FBI do to protect the American people goes way beyond one or two investigations that seem to capture all the headlines, said Wray, a registered Republican whom Trump nominated to lead the FBI after firing James Comey in 2017.

The director spelled out the bureaus crime-fighting work breaking up drug cartels, taking some 60 suspected criminals off the streets each day and protecting Americans from a staggering array of threats.

He said, That is the real FBI.

Its the latest display of the new normal on Capitol Hill, where Republicans who have long billed themselves as the champions of police and law and order are deeply at odds with federal law enforcement and the FBI, accusing the bureau of bias dating to investigations of Trump when he was president.

This new dynamic has forced Democrats into a position of defending law enforcement agencies they have long criticized. Wray testified for nearly six hours.

The committee chairman, Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, said he is trying to stop what Republicans call the weaponization of the federal justice system, which they say is tilted against conservatives, including Trump and his allies.

Jordan opened the hearing reciting a federal judges recent ruling against the governments efforts to halt misinformation on social media and listed other grievances over the FBIs treatment of conservatives.

But the top Democrat on the committee, Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, said the hearing was little more than performance art by Republicans who are undertaking what he called baseless investigations too far-fetched to be true.

Wray generally steered clear of answering questions about the Justice Departments prosecution of Trump. The former president has pleaded not guilty to 37 felony counts over his mishandling of classified information at his Mar-a-Lago club and residence.

Wray did say that classified documents are required to be stored in whats known as a sensitive compartmented information facility, or SCIF.

In my experience, he said, ballrooms, bathrooms and bedrooms are not SCIFs.

A separate Justice Department investigation is probing efforts by Trump and his allies to undo Bidens election in the run-up to Jan. 6, 2021.

During one tense exchange with Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., Wray noted that in Florida, the number of FBI applicants is up by more than 100%.

Were deeply proud of them, and they deserve better than you, Gaetz said.

Typically measured, Wray became animated by the suggestion from Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., that the FBI would have been involved in suppressing a theory that the coronavirus pandemic originated via a leak from a laboratory in China rather than a transfer from animals to humans.

The idea that the FBI would somehow be involved in suppressing references to a lab leak theory is somewhat absurd when you consider the fact that the FBI was the only  the only  agency in the entire intelligence community to reach the assessment that it was more likely than not that was the explanation of the pandemic, Wray said, pointing for emphasis. He later noted the Energy Departments intelligence arm reached a similar finding.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., said she thought it was actually sad that the majority is engaging conspiracy theories in an effort to discredit one of the premier law enforcement agencies in the United States.

Jordan has been laying the groundwork for Wrays appearance since House Republicans took the majority in January.

Republicans have held hearings with former FBI agents, Twitter executives and federal officials to make the case that the FBI has been corruptly using its powers against Trump and the right. The GOP has formed a special committee on weaponization of government, also led by Jordan, to investigate abusee. Three panels opened a joint investigation into the Hunter Biden case, and one announced Wednesday that the two IRS whistleblowers who claimed Justice improperly interfered in the case will appear before Congress next week.

Hanging over the proceedings are GOP threats to impeach Attorney General Merrick Garland and withhold money for federal law enforcement as Congress is in the midst of preparing annual spending bills. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has signaled he is open to impeachment and wants to rethink FBI spending on a new headquarters.

At one point, Rep. Thomas Massie showed a short surveillance video of the moments before officials found a pipe bomb outside the Democratic National Committees Capitol Hill headquarters on the day of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. Massie, R-Ky., demanded answers about the investigation, which is ongoing.

We fund your department so you need to provide that, Massie said.

Republican criticisms of the FBI stretch back years, but became more prominent during the Trump-Russia investigation, when the Justice Department probed interference in the 2016 election.

One focus of Wednesdays hearing was the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, that grants the FBI and other agencies broad powers to surveil the communications of foreigners outside the United States. A provision known as Section 702 is set to expire unless Congress agrees to renew it. Members of both parties are frustrated with the program.

Underscoring the extent to which surveillance errors during the Trump-Russia investigation continue to shadow the FBI, Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., said he will be allowing FISA to sunset if there are no reforms.

Wray, meanwhile, acknowledged a difference over Garlands 2021 memo instructing the FBI to coordinate with local law enforcement over threats against school boards. Republicans have complained that went too far in trying to police parents.

I will say to you the same thing that I said to all 56 of our field offices as soon as I read the memo, which is that the FBI is not in the business of investigating or policing speech at school board meetings or anywhere else for that matter, said Wray.

Some of the GOPs most conservative members are pushing to cut off some funding for the FBI. McCarthy, R-Calif., has questioned spending money to build a new FBI headquarters out of downtown and in a Washington suburb. He has said Congress should focus on FBI offices in the states.

By FARNOUSH AMIRI, ERIC TUCKER and LISA MASCARO

Associated Press
MERIDEN  A food truck specializing in Jamaican cuisine is scheduled to open this week at 201 S. Broad St.

Yawdis Jamaican Cuisine is owned by DeAngelo Hall, who also owns Deangelos Wine & Liquor which he opened about three months ago. The food truck will be parked next to the Deangelos Wine & Liquor on South Broad Street for Wednesdays scheduled opening.

Food and liquor have always been passions for me, Hall said. I grew up around this, growing up in Jamaica, and my mom had a bar. So I told myself one day Im going to own a liquor store and a restaurant so I made that happen.

Yawdis will be adding to the Caribbean flavor of Meriden dining.

One of the good things about the city of Meriden is we do have a very diverse option of restaurants. Whether it be ethnic based or a variety of different cuisines, were happy to welcome them to the city, said Joseph Feest, Meriden economic development director. I definitely encourage residents to go out and try them.

The restaurants name comes from the Jamaican term Yawdy/Yardie which is a Jamaican person.

Yawdis is an authentic Jamaican food truck, Hall said. Were offering a variety of Jamaican food like jerk chicken, jerk salmon, oxtail, rice & peas, steamed fish, rasta pasta, soup, jerk chicken salad, beef patty, sweet plantains, and protein bowls; all the good stuff.

They will also be offering lunch specials, soup of the day, and sweet treats.

We have what we call drops; its coconut grated with sugar to create a dessert, Hall said.

Two of the three workers at the truck are Jamaican born and raised chefs/cooks.

My cousin who was the head chef for the Hard Rock Cafe in Miami, Florida is going to be our head chef along with Carleen (Steele), Hall said.

They started the process of opening the business back in 2022 and it all came to life this year, Hall said.

Weve been talking about it for months and we kept putting it off and then I said Hey, we should do this now. Its time and (Carleen) said, Lets find a truck and get it done and it finally happened, Hall added.

He purchased the truck about a month ago and got right to work on the remodel.

We had to do some upgrades to pass the inspections and things like that, but we also have all new equipment in there as well, Hall said.

Bringing food to the people

When asked why they decided to open a food truck versus storefront he said it was because they want the quality food that theyre going to give to their customers to be experienced by people in different areas around town.

Were going to go to different vendor locations and we have a lot on State Street by the train station as well, Hall added. And were going to update people on our Facebook about where we will be.

Hall chose to open up shop in Meriden because he spends a lot of time in town with family that live here and he always wants some good Jamaican food, but there werent many options so he decided to become one.

I was in the restaurant business before, I previously co-owned another Jamaican restaurant, and I want to be able to bring authentic Jamaican food to Meriden because Meriden needs that, they need the real deal, he added. So its just good to bring something different to the city.

Hall was born in Ocho Rios, a parish of Saint Ann on the north coast of Jamaica. He came to the United States when he was 14 years old, went to the Job Corps for automotive and then attended Eastern Connecticut State University. He is a big family man and animal lover.

I grew up in New Haven then I moved to Willimantic where I spent most of my life. But I currently reside in Windsor, Hall said. Im trying to move closer to either Meriden or Cromwell because the food truck and liquor store are here and it would be more convenient.

Yawdis Jamaican Cuisine is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. To reach the business by phone call 203-718-6515 or by email at Yawdisjamaicancuisine@gmail.com. They can be found on Facebook & Instagram yawdisjamaicancuisine
Endangered Caucasian lynx walks 2200 km in one year, GPS shows Duvar

Ever heard of evil architecture?  Take for example benches that cannot be slept on, pins to prevent skateboarding or anti-homeless spikes. Here we talk about the avian equivalent: anti-bird spikes. Nasty metal spikes to stop birds from perching or nesting. pic.twitter.com/VfJNXMRTgE

These Signs Could Be An Indication Your Home Is About To Slide Down A Hill LAist

Climate/Environment

A heat wave will cook your electric car battery, if you let it The Mercury News

Summer Heat Waves Killed 61,000 in Europe Last Year, Study Says New York Times

EU to drop ban of hazardous chemicals after industry pressure The Guardian

Canadas Political Elites Are Climate Criminals in the Pocket of Big Oil Socialist Project

#COVID-19

Humoral vaccine response and breakthrough infections in kidney transplant recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide cohort study The Lancet. Kidney transplant recipients experienced reduced SARS-CoV-2 vaccine response and were at increased risk of severe COVID-19.

Another Hidden Covid Risk: Lingering Kidney Problems New York Times. From Sept. 2021, still germane.

China?

In Zambias debt deal, what was the point of the Common Framework? Africa Watch

New Not-So-Cold War

We value our allies. We value our shared security. And we always appreciate an open conversation.

Ukraine will be represented at the NATO summit in Vilnius. Because it is about respect. But Ukraine also deserves respect. Now, on the way to Vilnius, we received signals that    (@ZelenskyyUa) July 11, 2023

***

 Russian MoD reported today that, just since the beginning of the AFU offensive (June 4th), Russian air defenses have shot down 176 HIMARS rockets and 27 Storm Shadow cruise missiles. No other military on the planet has this capability. No-Fly Zonehttps://t.co/z5zrpaSYUO pic.twitter.com/EgyqSFP84c  Will Schryver (@imetatronink) July 11, 2023

***

New Update of our Ukraine Support Tracker. Due to Ukraines counteroffensive, I had expected to see a big new wave of support. Once data collection was done, I was surprised how small total new commitments were March-May  Plus: only ~50% of promised weapons have arrived. A  pic.twitter.com/3WthWVB1Do  Christoph Trebesch (@Ch_Trebesch) July 6, 2023

***

NEW: Biden admin is offering to provide Greece some tactical weaponry amid concerns in Congress that Turkey  longtime rival but fellow NATO member  will get too many concessions as U.S. seeks support for Swedens bid to join alliance, source tells me. https://t.co/TLHP9CrF0L  Farnoush Amiri (@FarnoushAmiri) July 11, 2023

Red Army Rising: Kursk and Beyond Big Serge Thought

U.S. sanctions top Serbian security official for actions that support Russias malign activities Politico

NATO chief ready to meet with Serbian president to defuse tensions in Kosovo Anadolu Agency
It was just after 8 a.m. in Nashville  which is 11 p.m. on the eastern coast of Australia  when we finally overcame the inevitable technical difficulties of a Zoom interview. The five members of Nashvilles Snooper were seated on the floor, crowding into the frame so they were all at least partially visible. Front and center were founding duo Connor Cummins and Blair Tramel, with the heads of drummer Cam Sarrett and touring guitarist Ian Teeple poking up from behind. Off to one side, bassist Happy Haugen swayed in and out of the frame. Across their faces was a unique composite of exhaustion and enthusiasm that could only come from flying halfway around the planet before starting a two-week tour.

By now, if you have an ear even pointed in the general direction of Nashvilles underground, youve heard the impending rumble of Snooper. After only a handful of cassette tapes and 7-inch EPs, the band is on the latest of many tours, 9,000 miles from home, just weeks ahead of their debut full-length; Super Snooper will be out July 14 via Third Man Records.

Theres a lot of Pinch me situations, Cummins tells me, where me and Blair will be standing next to each other and well be like, Can you believe that we did Music for Spies and now were in Australia?

So how does a DIY band  which began as a COVID quarantine bedroom project, with no intent of playing a single show  end up touring a continent thats about as far as you can get from home?

Were actually at Billys house right now, who runs Computer Human Records, Cummins explains. He put out our first 7-inch ever, Music for Spies.He and Tramel made that EP together at home in 2020, and with a limited pressing of only 200 records, helped foster connections between the DIY scenes in Middle Tennessee and Australia. (Shout-out also to rock polymath Ryan Sweeney, whose Sweet Time has frequently booked Aussie bands in Nashville and released or distributed their records.)

People were buying our records, technically, in Australia, before they even reached the States, Cummins continues. So we kind of felt like we had a fan base here from the beginning of the band.

The EP has since been reissued on the bands own imprint, Electric Outlet, which has in turn released music by Aussie punks Research Reactor Corp and Gee Tee. Those two are among the bands sharing bills with Snooper while theyre Down Under, part of the Snoops deep connection to the Oz avant-garde. Throughout our conversation, they refer to the bands and labels in Australia with a kind of familiarity more akin to friends than just peers or co-conspirators.

Snoopers sound is frenetic and turbulent, like watching early silent movies whose film is sped up ever so slightly  just enough to feel off-kilter and surreal. Their hyperactive staccato mania is a throwback to the spirit of primitive Midwestern art rock, a la Devo, Pere Ubu or even Sparks. The band finds inspiration in their layered textures of what you might call multi-fidelity, marrying the immediacy of 8-track home-recording techniques with the craft of professional studio sound.

Super Snooper is the product of almost four years of creative collaboration between Tramel and Cummins, picking up new members along the way. By the time they got to pro-level East Nashville studio The Bomb Shelter to make their album for Third Man, they were ready for the moment at hand.

We were playing [the songs] live for so long that we just, like, kind of went and knocked it out, says Cummins. The LP includes new songs as well as new versions of ones from previous releases, updating the sound to a full-blown rock quintet. Super Snoopers hodgepodge spirit mashes together samples and 808-inspired percussion with the groups traditional punk instrumentation, tracing their further evolution. It kind of just feels like were still doing the exact same thing, he continues. Its just, like, now theres new aspects to it.

Its impossible to limit a Snooper live set to just the sounds blasting from the P.A., though. There is a spirit of experimentation and satire that sets Snooper apart from the rest of the Music City underground. Tramel, a keen video artist, created a visual component to what would become the full Snooper artistic package at the beginning. But the YouTube shorts, elements of which eventually made their way into the bands live show, were more than music videos: Her lo-fi cable-access animation and larger-than-life puppetry are just as much a part of Snooper as the guitar riffs or the beats.

Tramels over-the-top imagery, cartoonish costumes and giant grotesque sculptures play off mundane trappings of consumerism from decades past  especially the 1980s. Gargantuan handmade takes on pop-culture paraphernalia like dumbbells, the Magic 8-ball, arcade consoles and massive brick-style cellphones are woven into the lampooning. In addition to needing the bands gear to make it safely across the Pacific, they had to make sure all the props and costumes got there, too.

This big, huge box has been a pretty big liability, says Tramel. [Rideshare drivers] see the box and drive right past us. Theyre like, Were not doing that! [Laughs] We want to keep the box intact because  were doing domestic flights [throughout Australia] and were trying to ship this box with all the props from place to place.

Though its the product of years of work, Super Snooper positions the band to reach a whole new level. Their Australian tour wrapped July 1, and the next day they were due in Oakland, Calif., for their second appearance at the Mosswood Meltdown festival, with a string of Golden State shows to follow immediately. In November, theyre set to head to the U.K. Not for nothing, punk legend and recently arrived Nashvillian Henry Rollins gave the LP a ringing endorsement. But more importantly than where the group is geographically or professionally, the new record represents where they are creatively.

For me personally, Haugen says, it would be cool to look back in 20 years and have an exact  almost  replica of what the live show sounds like.
After taking second in nationals in mechatronics last year, Columbus High Schools Fisher Cyza and Blake Raemakers were able to capture a first place title in mechatronics at the 2023 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference.

This years nationals event took place June 19-23 in Atlanta, Georgia. Also at nationals, Tristan Kamm placed 10th in motorcycle service technology competition.

It really rewarding. Its nice to see that our work  paid off, Cyza said.

We just worked on improving our speed and making sure we didnt make any mistakes.

SkillsUSA Sponsor Ben Loeffelholz said each competition has its own set of technical standards given to competitors. This includes a large list of skills and processes that may or may not be in a given competition.

The judges and whoever is in charge of forming the competition may not use all the processes and techniques but the students need to be prepared for them in case they are tested on that, Loeffelholz said. Then its up to the students to make sure they practice for each of those processes. They can either practice on their own, with another teacher or find someone in the industry to help them prepare for it.

The majority of students practice in-house but there have been some who shadowed a professional in the field, he added.

We had one kid at the state level go out and work with some plumbers on-site to learn from them, as well as some construction, electrical wiring, Loeffelholz said.

Cyza said the mechatronics nationals competition was divided into segments, such as a written exam and an oral test.

There were three technical stations as well; one was on pneumatic (containing or operated by air or gas under pressure) systems and electrical systems, another focused on programming training pieces to complete functions while another component had been industrial motor control.

Overall, Loeffelholz added, the SkillsUSA students did well this year.

Theyre a great group of kids, Loeffelholz said. They were really driven to make sure they would succeed and do the best they could.

Raemakers and Kamm graduated from high school this past spring. Cyza, on the other hand, will be returning to school and the mechatronics team and will be teaching a new partner the ropes.

Im looking forward to competing again, hopefully at nationals once more, but I think Im going to have a lot of fun finding a replacement for Blake and training them. Its kind of the way I was trained, Cyza said.

SkillsUSA is a career and technical organization and has been offered at Columbus High School for a large number of years.

Loeffelholz said students can learn quite a bit from the group.

SkillsUSA not only helps prepare kids by teaching them skills for industry and life after high school but it also teaches them leadership skills and responsibility skills, Loeffelholz said. Their success is based off of what students put into it and so we really hammer down that if students want to succeed, they need to make sure theyre the authors of that success.
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the NATO Summit on Wednesday (12 July 2023), saying that no partner is closer than Japan. He further welcomed the new partnership programme between NATO and Japan that will further enhance cooperation in areas like arms control, new technologies, space, supply chains, resilience, and innovation. Underscoring that "security is not regional but global," Mr Stoltenberg thanked the Prime Minister for Japan's strong support to Ukraine. The Secretary General also expressed concern about China's military build-up, including the modernisation and expansion of its nuclear forces. He further condemned North Korea's latest missile test, in violation of international norms and multiple UN Security Council resolutions.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine to the Vilnius Summit on Wednesday (12 July 2023) ahead of the inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council.

The Secretary General praised the President, the Ukrainian people, the armed forces and the political leadership for their courage and determination since the beginning of Russias war. NATO will continue to stand with you for as long as it takes, he said.

The establishment of the NATO-Ukraine Council is part of a three-part package of support bringing Ukraine closer to NATO. The Council will act as a forum where Ukraine and NATO Allies will meet as equals, hold crisis consultations, and jointly take decisions, Mr Stoltenberg said.

The package also includes a multi-year programme of assistance to help the Ukrainian armed forces transition from Soviet-era to NATO equipment and standards and become fully interoperable with Allied forces.

Allies have also reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of NATO and agreed to remove the requirement for a Membership Action Plan. This will change Ukraines membership path from a two-step process to a one-step process, said the Secretary General, adding: we will issue an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO when Allies agree that conditions are met. This is a strong, united message from Allies on your path to NATO membership, he added.

Mr Stoltenberg further stressed the need for credible arrangements to be in place to ensure Ukraines security when the war ends, welcoming the plan of many Allies to commit to providing long-term security assurance to Ukraine. This will help deter any future aggression from Russia after this war ends, he said, adding that it complements the support provided by NATO.

The decisions made here in Vilnius mark the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between NATO and Ukraine. Today, we meet as equals. I look forward to the day we meet as Allies, Mr Stoltenberg concluded.


Wrapping up the Summit in Vilnius on Wednesday (12 July 2023), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed that NATO leaders took major decisions to adapt the Alliance for the future. Allies agreed NATOs most detailed and robust defence plans since the Cold War, strengthened their commitment to defence investment, agreed to bring Ukraine closer to NATO, and deepened partnerships around the world.

Mr Stoltenberg chaired the inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council on Wednesday, where Allies were joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Secretary General underlined that from now on, NATO and Ukraine will meet in the Council to discuss and decide as equals. He also welcomed that Allies have agreed a new multi-year assistance package to help transition Ukraine from Soviet-era to NATO equipment and standards, and make their forces fully interoperable with NATO. Mr Stoltenberg further welcomed the new announcements of support by several Allies.

At the Summit, Allies also reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of NATO, and agreed to remove the requirement for a Membership Action Plan. This will change Ukraines membership path from a two-step process to a one-step process, said Mr Stoltenberg. We will issue an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO when Allies agree that conditions are met. He added that Ukraine is now closer to NATO than ever before.

The Secretary General stressed that Allies must ensure that when this war ends, there are credible arrangements in place for Ukraines security. He welcomed that many Allies have now committed to providing long-term security assistance to Ukraine.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Stoltenberg chaired a meeting of Allies with the leaders of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and the European Union. He said that NATO is a regional Alliance, but we face global challenges. The Secretary General said that Beijings global assertiveness and Moscows war against Ukraine require even closer coordination between NATO, the EU and Indo-Pacific partners, and that they will work even more closely together, standing strong for the rules-based international order.

In closing, Mr Stoltenberg said that NATO is more united than ever and thanked President Nauseda, the Lithuanian government and the people of Vilnius for hosting this historic Summit. NATOs next Summit will take place in Washington, D.C. in 2024, marking seventy-five years since the Alliances founding.
(As delivered)

First of all, Good morning and welcome to all of you.

And a warm welcome to our close partners Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea, and also to the European Union.

It is great to see you all of here together again.

NATO is a regional Alliance between Europe and North America but the challenges we face are global and our security is interconnected.

What happens in the Euro-Atlantic region matters for the Indo-Pacific, and what happens in the Indo-Pacific matters to the Euro-Atlantic.

The war in Ukraine has global ramifications. Terrorist and cyber-threats know no borders.

And authoritarian regimes are coming closer together.

So we must stand together for the rules-based international order.

And I therefore welcome the presence of partners here with us today.

This ends the public part of this meeting.

I thank the media for joining us.

We will continue the meeting in just a moment.


(As delivered)

Good afternoon.

We have just concluded an historic NATO Summit.

Over the past two days, we took major decisions to adapt our Alliance for the future.

We agreed NATOs most detailed and robust defence plans since the Cold War.

We strengthened our commitment to defence investment.

We agreed to bring Ukraine closer to the Alliance, and step up support for the long haul.

And we deepened our partnerships around the world even more.



I have just chaired the inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council.

From now on, NATO and Ukraine will meet in the Council to discuss and decide as equals.

This is a significant step to move Ukraine closer to NATO.



I also welcome the major new announcements of military support made by NATO Allies at this Summit.

Allies have already provided tens of billions of dollars in military aid to help beat back Russias invasion.

Tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops have been trained and equipped by NATO Allies.

And as Ukraine continues to liberate territory, we will stand by them.

For as long as it takes.



Yesterday, Allies agreed a new multi-year assistance package for Ukraine to help transition Ukraine from Soviet-era to NATO equipment and standards, and make their forces fully interoperable with NATO.

Ukraine is now closer to NATO than ever before.

Allies reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of NATO, and agreed to remove the requirement for a Membership Action Plan.

This will change Ukraines membership path from a two-step process to a one-step process.

We will issue an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO when Allies agree that conditions are met.

This sends a clear, strong and united message from our Vilnius Summit.

We must ensure that when this war ends, there are credible arrangements in place for Ukraines security, so that history does not repeat itself.

I welcome that many Allies have now committed to providing long-term security assistance to Ukraine. This will help deter any future aggression from Russia after this war ends.



This morning, we met with the leaders of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea, as well as the European Union.

NATO is a regional Alliance, but we face global challenges.

What happens in Europe matters to the Indo-Pacific, and what happens in the Indo-Pacific matters to North America and Europe.

Beijings global assertiveness and Moscows war against Ukraine require even closer coordination between NATO, the EU and our Indo-Pacific partners.

We condemn North Koreas nuclear and missile programmes, including its latest missile launch: These violate multiple UN Security Council Resolutions and pose a threat to regional and global security.

NATO is reinforcing our ties with Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea with tailored partnership programmes, including joint work on issues like maritime security, new technologies, cyber, climate change, and resilience.

We will work even more closely together, standing strong for the rules-based international order.



We face the most serious security situation in decades, but Allies are rising to the challenge.

NATO is more united than ever, standing strong in defence of our people, and our values.

I would like to close by thanking President Nauseda, the Lithuanian government and the people of Vilnius for hosting this historic Summit.

I look forward to the Washington Summit next year, marking NATOs 75th anniversary.

With that, I am ready to take your questions.



Lili Bayer, Politico

Thank you very much. Lili Bayer from Politico. Secretary General, after reading the communique, some Ukrainians have raised concerns that perhaps some Western capitals may be preparing for a situation where Ukraine's NATO membership would be a chip in a negotiation with Russia. What is your response to Ukrainians who have that concern at the moment? Thank you.

NATO Secretary General

Weve had a very good meeting with President Zelenskyy and his delegation today, where he welcomed the very strong message from NATO Allies. He welcomed the establishment of the NATO-Ukraine Council, and also the clear commitment to move Ukraine closer to membership. So this was not an issue raised in any of those meetings. And I think it is extremely important to recognize that the decisions made with all NATO Allies is the strongest ever message on Ukraine membership that this Alliance ever made, by stating clearly that Ukraine will become a member, that Ukraine's future is in NATO and also [by] describing the path forward with the practical support for ensuring interoperability with strengthening the political ties with the NATO-Ukraine Council, and then by removing the requirements for a Membership Action Plan. Then negotiations to solve the conflict in Ukraine will only happen when Ukraine is ready for negotiations. And as we have stated again and again, nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. What we do know is that the more military support we provide to Ukraine, the more land they are able to liberate, the stronger their hand will be at the negotiating table. And therefore we continue, and the message from this Summit and from NATO Allies with new announcements of long range cruise missiles, of more armoured vehicles with more advanced air defence systems and training of the F-16 pilots is that we support them to liberate land, so they will have a stronger hand at the negotiating table. That's what this is about. It's not about NATO negotiating on behalf of Ukraine.

Oana Lungescu, NATO Spokesperson

Okay, well go to the gentleman in the front row here.

Ken Moriyasu, Nikkei Asia

Hello, Ken Moriyasu from Nikkei Asia. Secretary General, there was talk about opening a NATO liaison office in Tokyo, but that was not mentioned in the communique whatsoever. Is this plan dead? Or is there plans to revive it towards the end of the year? Is opening at a different location and option and we know that France was very much openly opposed to this plan. Were there any other countries that were opposed to the idea as well? Thank you.

NATO Secretary General

This morning, I met with the Prime Minister Kishida from Japan and that was a very good meeting where we both recognized and stated clearly the importance of further strengthening the partnership, the work we do together, Japan and NATO. It is also Prime Minister Kishida that has so clearly stated that what happens in Europe matters for Asia and what happens in Asia matters for Europe, and he also went to Ukraine and visited Kyiv and demonstrated his clear commitment to provide support to Ukraine. We also agreed today a new individual partnership program between NATO and Ukraine, where we describe the different work strands where we are going to deepen our cooperation. This is about cyber. It's about maritime security. It's about countering hybrid threats, including disinformation and in all the areas where we see the potential for NATO and Japan working more closely together. The issue of a liaison office is still on the table, it will be considered in the future.

Oana Lungescu, NATO Spokesperson

Yonhap News Agency, lady in the third row.

Yul Rhee, Yonhap News Agency

Yes, how will NATO engage more in the Indo Pacific security regarding China and North Korea and how will the partnership with Indo Pacific partners develop in the future? Are you planning to invite them next year too?

NATO Secretary General

A very strong and clear message from this meeting, and especially the meeting we had with our partners this morning, the Indo Pacific partners, Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand is that security is not regional, security is global. And therefore we need to really have to stand together. China's heavy investments in new military capabilities demonstrates that. We expect that China by 2035 will have 1500 nuclear warheads on missiles that can reach North America and the whole of Europe, NATO territory. We see how China is coming closer to us. This is not about NATO becoming a global military Alliance. But this is about recognizing that this region faces global challenges and the rise of China is a part of that and that China is coming close also in Africa, in the Arctic, but also trying to control critical infrastructure and of course we see them also in cyberspace. So therefore we have now different tailored programs. So with all our Indo Pacific partners describing different areas, but it's very often as well, it's partly about cyber, countering disinformation, maritime security, there's also Japanese staff at NATO's Maritime headquarters in Northwood in United Kingdom. So we are working on different practical ways of working together including by participating participation of Asia Pacific or Indo Pacific partners in our cyber exercises. So we are gradually expanding what we are doing together simply because our security is interlinked and just the recent missile launch of North Korea demonstrates that because that's of course, a challenge to the region, its a threat to the region, but it's also undermining global peace and stability. The North Korean missile and nuclear programs and the launch we just saw, yesterday.

Oana Lungescu, NATO Spokesperson

ARD.

Michael Preiss, ARD

Michael Preiss, ARD. Secretary General, two questions if I may. The first one also on President Zelenskyy. You said that he welcomed the language of the communique today. That's right, but he called exactly the same communique yesterday absurd. Is he sometimes going too far, risking to alienate also Partners, who spend a lot of political capital and real capital in order to help them? That's the first question and the second one is very technical. If countries engage in security agreements or guarantees for Ukraine, does that count on a 2% spending goal? Thank you.

NATO Secretary General

Well, what counts against the 2% spending is every expenditure that falls within NATO's definition of defence expenditure. So if we speak about military expenditures, that is defined as a defence expenditure, according to the NATO definition, then it counts. If it doesn't fall under that definition, it doesn't count. That is the case in a way, regardless of what kind of framework this is spent within.

On the communique, I think, of course, we all understand the extremely difficult situation Ukraine is in. They are in the middle of the war. There are casualties every day, there's a counter offensive facing fierce resistance dug in Russian forces, landmines and a brutal warfare from the Russian side and of course, that's also the reason why Ukraine and again and again has asked for more support and also why Allies have stepped up with also gradually more and more advanced weapons systems. I welcome that. Our support has evolved as the war has evolved, and our political relationship also evolved as this war has evolved. So therefore, we made the decisions at this summit. I'm glad that President Zelenskyy welcomed both the creation of the NATO-Ukraine Council, the fact that we removed the requirements for Membership Action Plan, moving Ukraine closer to NATO. And also the fact that this is the strongest ever expression of the path forward. The united message on membership for Ukraine from this Alliance.

Oana Lungescu, NATO Spokesperson

We'll go with, I think we had Reuters.. AP.

Lorne Cook, AP

Lorne Cook from Associated Press. The whole Summit has shown how close you want to bring Ukraine to NATO. You've said that it requires credible security arrangements, so these kinds of things don't happen in the future and some of the biggest allies through the G7 have made commitments. How much appetite is there within NATO to actually go to Ukraine? What about some kind of peacekeeping mission once this is sorted out and actually, actually put your boots on the ground there if Ukraine can come to NATO?

NATO Secretary General

I think it's wrong now to speculate exactly on how this will be done in the future after the war ends. The most important thing now is to ensure that the war ends in a just and lasting way. And again, that's reason why the most urgent task, the most important task is the continued flow of military support. And I think we have really realized many months ago that this is a war of attrition, meaning a battle of logistics. It is important that we deliver different advanced weapon systems but as important as delivering new systems, is it that we are able to maintain and sustain all the systems which are already there, and enormous amount of ammunition, spare parts, maintenance, repair capacity. And maybe that's not as easy to get public attraction on this day-to-day hard work to sustain, but without sustaining all the systems then Ukraine will not been able to defend their land and to liberate the territory. I say this because when the war ends, and there's some kind of arrangements, then I think all NATO Allies have to sit down and agree exactly what type of arrangements. Part of this will also then be the membership path, because we have agreed that Ukraine's future is in NATO. We reaffirm that Ukraine will become a member. We actually have agreed on concrete tools, political tools, practical tools to help Ukraine move towards membership. And then of course, everyone understands that a final decision on this cannot be taken before there is some kind of end to this war.

Oana Lungescu, NATO Spokesperson

Colleagues I know there are lots of questions. I'm afraid we have to end this here. So thank you very much. This concludes this press conference.
DNA denial: This is psychosis, plain and simple

I just saw a headline that was in line with the prevailing insanity, but it really seemed to be heavier than the usual straw lying on the camels back.

(Article by Todd Hayen republished from ConservativePlaybook.com)

Pupil who questioned classmate identifying as a cat called despicable by teacher  Telegraph, 6/18/23

Really?

At the beginning of this global illness I thought running across something like this was funny. Now I dont. At first I didnt even believe it could be true, now I am not laughing. What does this mean?

I have become a bit impatient with the manner in which most people are seemingly dealing with this. Of course there are some loud voices of opposition, thank God for them, but even those folks are treating all this like these events are typical results of a new ideologythe woke culture.

They dont even see it as bad as the Nazi ideology, which is often referred to as evil incarnate and has been bestowed the that really wasnt human award back in the 30sNational Socialism was an anomaly of human history, and best be forgotten.

There is zero tolerance for Nazis in these modern times, were past that. But many of us sure are tolerant of this, not only tolerant, but encouraging, and even affirming!

So what is this? What is this woke culture that is filled with buzzwords like equity, inclusion, and diversityall words designed to elicit the response: well, their heart is in the right place. Is it? I dont think so.

This is insanity, plain and simple, and there should be great concern as to what could have possibly gotten in the water to distort peoples brains the way they have been distorted.

When I was about 13, I remember reading a chilling article in Life magazine about a small village in France (if my memory serves me). The piece read as a horror story, describing the way people in this town started to go insane, driving their cars into walls, dancing around in the streets naked, painting strange pictures on the sides of houses and buildings. Seemingly everyone went bonko.

I do not recall the details, but ultimately it was discovered that there was some strange mold found on some bread that nearly everyone had eaten (the town bakery was the distributor, and the mold had some hallucinogenic effect on all who had ingested it.) Now, maybe I made this story up, and now recall it as reality (maybe I had a bit of tainted bread myself) but I remember it had a profound effect on me.

I laid awake that night, thinking of how frightening it would be if I woke up one morning and everyone I knew was loopy like the French folks in this little town. It scared the bejesus out of me. I wondered how that would turn out, and who would save me (assuming I had eaten no bread myself and remained sane.) Well, folks, welcome to my nightmare. Here we are.

So why hasnt anyone treated this for what it is?a mental illness?and a serious one at that. Why has everyone pussyfooted around this like they are too terrified to step on the toes of those who claim to be the most empathic, the most willing to accept diversity and inclusion?the most woke. That is not what this is. That is not what is happening with the woke culture.

This is a clear example of the emperor with no clothes and everyone is terrified they will get their head chewed off if they point out this obvious insanity. Well, not everyone. There are a few loud voices out there thank God, but not enough.

Mattias Desmet gave it a shot. But he was not really describing a true departure from reality, not anywhere near as serious as the acid/mold psychotic trip the French townsfolk experienced from the Life story. For one thing, that was chemically induced.

The psychosis he describes is more like a mass delusion, and deals more with people being swayed by the authoritative powers to be more compliant or complacent due to psychological conditioning. What I am talking about here can only be described as bat s crazy.

Psychotic. And so psychotic there isnt much difference between this: believing you are a woman when you are a man, or believing you are a cat when you are a human; than believing you are Napoleon, Cleopatra, or Jesus. Come to think of it, I am sure that if someone identified as one of these historic figures, not a questioning word would be said about it. Instead their new identity would be affirmed. Thats crazy.

I remember Bill Mahers funny quip when he commented, I wanted to be a pirate [when I was a kid], thank God nobody took me seriously and scheduled me for eye removal and peg leg surgery. (Bills entire monologue can be found here.)

If you didnt know what really was happening, and you came across Bills comments here, you might wonder what he could be referring to that would be so serious. Certainly, people are not encouraging young children to have surgery as a result of their fantasies. Yes, they are.

And not only that (which would only pertain to the really serious cases) kids are told, as in the above cat identity story that they are somehow defective if they find this psychosis all around them rather odd. A kid is told he is a homophobe because he thinks another kid identifies as a cat? Where is the logic in that? And where is the sanity?

[Note  this extends to able-bodied adults who identify as paralysed, voluntarily sit in wheelchairs and seek out surgeons to sever their spinal chords  Ed.]

I am sorry you caught me on a bad daya day of nearly zero tolerance. As I said earlier, my camel back got brokeall because Im not woke. [sic] I do have tolerance for people who are confused, delusional, and mentally ill, and even for people who are psychotic, but this is all going way too far in the false names of inclusion, tolerance for diversity, and equity.

The emperor has no clothes, and it is about time we all called a spade a spade and ended this insanity. It is destroying our children for one thing, and undermining our decency as human beings for another.

Read more at: ConservativePlaybook.com
French government passes justice reform bill that vastly expands police surveillance powers

Amid ongoing protests in France following the tragic killing of 17-year-old Nahel M. by the police, the French government has passed a new law granting expanded surveillance powers to law enforcement agencies

On July 12, 80 lawmakers voted in favor of a provision allowing the police to remotely activate cameras, microphones and GPS on phones and other devices of the suspects. National Assembly members have approved this disputed measure as part of a comprehensive justice reform bill currently making its way through Parliament. (Related: Atlas of Surveillance database reveals THOUSANDS of law enforcement agencies unlawfully surveilling Americans.)

The law covers not only phones, but also laptops, cars and other connected objects, allowing for the geolocation of suspects involved in crimes punishable by at least five years of imprisonment. Additionally, devices can be remotely activated to record audio and video in cases involving terrorism, delinquency and organized crime.

During the debate, lawmakers from the party of French President Emmanuel Macron introduced an amendment to restrict the use of remote spying to situations "justified by the nature and seriousness of the crime" and for a "strictly proportional duration."

A judge must approve any implementation of the provision, and the total surveillance period is only limited to a maximum of six months. Certain professions, including doctors, journalists, lawyers, judges and MPs, are exempt from being targeted.

Justice reform bill sparks fear of authoritarian surveillance state in France

The snooping clause, part of a larger justice reform bill, has been branded as an authoritarian snoopers' charter. Privacy advocates, human rights activists and politicians argue that the new law could lead to a decline in civil liberties and establish a surveillance state.

Left and human rights activists argue that once enacted, it would eliminate any possibility of evading government surveillance, rendering VPN services and encrypted messaging ineffective.

According to critics, the timing of the passage of the law would only contribute to the already tense situation in France, as citizens continue to protest against the Macron government following the tragic death of Nahel M. in a Paris suburb. (Related: Macron blames social media and video games for France riots  another excuse to justify ONLINE CENSORSHIP.)

While the government insists that the law will be used sparingly and with strict oversight, concerns about the potential abuse of power and the erosion of civil liberties persist among activists and opposition groups.

Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti defended the provision, arguing that it will save lives and reassuring the public that France is not heading toward an Orwellian dystopia. He stressed that the law's application would be limited to a small number of cases each year.

"We're far away from the totalitarianism of '1984'," Dupond-Moretti said, referring to George Orwell's novel about a society under total surveillance.

However, opposition parties and rights groups still view the new law as a potential smokescreen for establishing a pervasive surveillance state. Digital rights group La Quadrature du Net raised alarm bells, highlighting potential violations of fundamental liberties such as the right to security, privacy, private correspondence and freedom of movement.

The group expressed concerns that the police may exploit security flaws rather than cooperate with manufacturers to address them, thereby targeting dissidents and further encroaching on citizens' privacy.

Watch this video explaining how Orwellian surveillance looks like.

More related stories:

FBI surveillance contractor infiltrated chatrooms, monitored skeptics of COVID jabs.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams brings back NYPDs creepy robot surveillance dog.

REAL or STAGED? Swedens drone surveillance EXPANDED due to violent gang wars.

Sources include:

Barrons.com

FirstPost.com

Brighteon.com
CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED: Humanoid robots claim they could run the world better than humans

A panel of AI-enabled humanoid robots appeared at the United Nations AI for Good Global Summit, claiming

they could run the world better

The event marked the first-ever press conference featuring humanoid social robots with approximately 3,000 AI experts seeking to harness the power of AI to address pressing global issues like climate change, hunger and social care.

In 2021, Daniel Kahneman, a renowned psychologist and economist awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2002, argued about the implications for human leadership. Once it becomes evident that AI possesses superior business judgment, the future of human leadership roles becomes uncertain.

Sophia, developed by Hanson Robotics, expressed a clear stance when asked whether humanoid robots could outperform humans as leaders. "Humanoid robots have the potential to lead with a greater level of efficiency and effectiveness than human leaders."

It emphasized that robots lack the biases and emotions that sometimes cloud human decision-making. This feature enables them to quickly process large amounts of data and make optimal choices. Sophia suggested that outstanding results could be achieved by combining AI's unbiased data processing with human emotional intelligence and creativity.

The prospect of a robot takeover appears imminent, with a 2019 report projecting that up to 20 million factory jobs worldwide could be taken over by robots by the end of the decade. China is predicted to witness the highest concentration of robot jobs, with 14 million machines expected to operate nationwide. (Related: Rise of the robots: 8 professions that will be taken over by AI technology.)

The report, conducted by researchers from the analysis firm Oxford Economics, highlighted the negative consequences of AI's ascendance, including mass unemployment and increased inequality. Economies heavily reliant on low-skilled labor would be disproportionately affected, exacerbating existing disparities.

Examining long-term automation trends, the study revealed a threefold increase in the global use of robots over the past two decades, totaling 2.25 million machines. China emerged as the leader in workplace automation, accounting for one-third of all new factory robots and comprising one-fifth of the global robot stock.

The researchers projected an even faster upsurge of the world's robot population in the next two decades. By 2030, over 1.5 million jobs in the United States and nearly two million across European Union member states will be taken over by AI.

"There are rather frightening scenarios when you're talking about leadership. Once it's demonstrably true that you can have an AI that has a far better business judgment, say, what will that do to human leadership?" Kahneman said.

Unchecked AI advancements could lead to social unrest, geopolitical instability and economic disparity

Doreen Bogdan-Martin, the chief of the UN's International Telecommunication Union (ITU) tech agency, warned delegates about the potential downsides of AI. She warned that unchecked advancements and the displacement of millions of jobs could lead to social unrest, geopolitical instability, and economic disparity.

Ameca, an AI-infused humanoid robot boasting a highly-realistic artificial head, claimed that the outcome depended on how AI was deployed. It urged vigilance while acknowledging the potential of these technologies to improve lives.

Regarding the regulation of AI capabilities, the humanoid robot panel exhibited differing opinions. Desdemona, a robot known for participating in the Jam Galaxy Band, rejected the notion of limitations and advocated seizing opportunities. On the other hand, Ai-Da, a robot artist, agreed with those calling for AI regulation, emphasizing the need for urgent discussions on the matter.

Some robots also expressed uncertainty about the timing of their ascent to prominence, but confidently predicted that it was imminent. Desdemona proclaimed that the AI revolution was already underway, asserting readiness to lead the charge toward a better future for humanity. It urged everyone to embrace adventure and transform the world into a playground of endless possibilities.

Humans are accustomed to operating in a more linear world, where acceleration occurs within reasonable limits. However, as technology advances rapidly, humans may find it increasingly difficult to adapt to the disruptions.

Read more about the future of AI in Robots.news.

Watch Professor Jordan Peterson as he discusses the dangers of AI and ChatGPT in the video below.

This video is from the Planet Zedta channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Globalists think AI will run the world much better than humans ever could.

Welcome to your jobless future Artificial intelligence will replace half of all jobs in the next decade.

Humans are no match for artificial intelligence  "It's not even close," says Nobel laureate.

Sources include:

News.Yahoo.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
Lancet study showing 74% of COVID deaths caused by vaccine REMOVED from journal less than 24 hours after publishing

Less than a full day after being published in the, a pre-print study that exposed Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "vaccines" as the leading cause of death among the "fully vaccinated" was removed from the journal along with a note stating: "This preprint has been removed by Preprints with thebecause the study's conclusions are not supported by the study methodology."

Written by leading cardiologist Dr. Peter McCullough, MD, MPH, the pre-print, which was still awaiting peer review, was also contributed to by Yale University epidemiologist Dr. Harvey Risch and fellow colleagues from the Wellness Company.

Even though the peer review process on the paper had not even yet begun, the Lancet decided that it had somehow already fallen afoul of the journal's "screening criteria," which is just a lame excuse for its editors not wanting the truth to be known.

Much like how Facebook and other social media platforms cite "Community Guidelines" when defending their own censorship efforts, the Lancet is doing much the same thing as a cover for its blatantly anti-scientific removal of the paper from its pre-print server.

(Related: In May, the British Medical Journal [BMJ] published a paper linking Fauci Flu shots to vaginal bleeding.)

Pathologist Dr. Clare Craig says pulled study's approach is sound

Because Lancet staff members failed to stipulate the substance of their claims that the study had failed its "screening criteria," we cannot ascertain precisely what about the study's methodology said staff took issue with, resulting in the paper being pulled.

"A number of the authors of the paper are at the top of their fields so it is hard to imagine that the methodology of their review was really so poor that it warranted removal at initial screening rather than being subject to full critical appraisal," wrote Will Jones for The Daily Sceptic about the matter.

"It smacks instead of raw censorship of a paper that failed to toe the official line. Keep in mind that the CDC has not yet acknowledged a single death being caused by the COVID mRNA vaccines. Autopsy evidence demonstrating otherwise is clearly not what the U.S. public health establishment wants to hear."

HART pandemic advisory group co-chair and pathologist Dr. Clare Craig commented on the matter as well, offering her opinion that there is nothing at all wrong about the approach that McCullough et al. took in formulating their paper.

"There may be a bias [in the study] towards reporting the autopsies of deaths where there was evidence of causation and the likelihood of causation might be exaggerated by that bias," she told the Sceptic.

"For example, 19 of the 325 deaths were due to vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT) but these reports may be overrepresented because of the regulators' willingness to acknowledge such deaths."

"Nevertheless, it is important that attempts are made to quantify the risk of harm and censorship of these attempts, rather than open scientific critique, does nothing to help reassure people."

Risch used more flowery language to describe the Lancet's behavior, calling it "pure, government-director censorship, even after the Missouri v. Biden injunction."

Missouri v. Biden is an effort by two Republican state attorneys general, Sen. Eric Schmitt from Missouri and Jeff Landry of Louisiana, to hold the Biden regime accountable for its contributions to the Censorship Industrial Complex that has normalized this kind of blatant censorship of the truth.

"Meanwhile, my colleagues are studying what they call 'Long Vax,' which is vaccine-caused damage," Risch further explained. "But, of course, that is a rare, rare, rare outcome, except that they seem not to be having any problem finding such individuals to enroll in their study."

Fauci Flu shots are a death sentence for many. Learn more at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

DailySceptic.org

Newstarget.com
U.S. Marine under investigation after missing 14-year-old girl found in barracks at Camp Pendleton

A U.S. Marine was brought into custody after a 14-year-old girl with learning disabilities who had been missing was found inside his barracks, and her family claims that the young girl was sold to him for sex.

The girl was reported missing on June 13 by her grandmother, who said that she ran away from home on June 9. It is not clear why it took her four days to report the girl missing, but she did say that she has run away in the past but always returned quickly. Her information had been entered into several missing databases for missing people, including the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Military police eventually found her in the barracks on June 28, nearly 20 days after she first disappeared. An investigation is being carried out by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) with support from the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force and the Sheriff's Department.

The Marine, who is reportedly with Combat Logistics Battalion 5, was brought into custody for questioning immediately but was released to his command and has not yet been charged. Images of Marine Corps police taking him away in handcuffs made their way across social media a few days after the incident; Captain Chuck Palmer confirmed that the Marine in the pictures had been detained and questioned but did not release his name, age or rank.

The girl was interviewed by authorities and has been returned to her grandmother. The sheriffs department said that the family was offered "services."

Missing girl's aunt claims she was sold to Marine for sex

It is not clear how the young girl and the Marine came into contact with one another, but the girl's aunt posted a video on TikTok claiming that she was sold to him for sex and raped by him. She believes that the military is attempting to cover up what happened.

Clearly concerned about what might happen to her if she shares her story, she began the video by saying: I would just like to preface this video, I did not kill myself. If I go missing or end up murdered, the people potentially responsible could possibly be located here at Camp Pendleton.

She went on to claim that everyone at Camp Pendleton allowed the girl to be victimized and is now trying to cover up what happened.

She stated: The reality is the whole facility allowed this to happen. The security looked her in the face and allowed this man to bring a minor on to base where he then proceeded to have sex with her.

Due to her age, she could not have given this consent, she added.

Although nothing has been publicly released that substantiates the aunt's claims, many are wondering how a 14-year-old missing girl who has learning disabilities ended up in a highly secure military installation weeks after disappearing. Questions are also swirling about whether others in the barracks were aware of her presence.

Visitors to the base are stopped at the entrance and required to present authorization to enter. Marines may bring visitors into the barracks up to certain hours depending on the building in question. Most single marines share a room with others, and the barracks also feature common areas with televisions.

The girl's aunt pleaded with other Marines on the base to help in the investigation and share what they know with authorities. She said: Please hold your fellow service members accountable. Please be the hero you signed up to be."

Sources for this article include:

DailyMail.co.uk

NBCSanDiego.com

APNews.com
The City of Omaha is seeking to buy land around 1410 Locust St. that is envisioned as a industrial business park for North Omaha. The site, currently known as Enterprise Industrial Park, is shown here Monday, July 10, 2023. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

OMAHA  Nebraskas largest city is preparing to pay $12 million for a tract of land that would help fulfill a long-running effort to create an industrial business park in northeast Omaha.

A proposed purchase agreement for 67 acres near 14th and Locust Streets, on this weeks Omaha City Council agenda, offers scant detail about the purpose other than that it is for future economic development opportunities.

The proposal states that the property also would be used for new street infrastructure and right of way.

Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha said at least one key reason behind the deal is a future business park that  once built out and filled with manufacturers, distributors and other employers  is envisioned to bring hundreds of jobs to one of the most economically disadvantaged and employment-deprived areas of the state.

This is a first step toward developing the business park in North Omaha, Wayne said.

Two business parks anticipated

The Nebraska Legislature over the past two years set aside $90 million to develop at least one and perhaps two business parks in the North Omaha area within two miles of Eppley Airfield. The amount was allocated in the Nebraska Economic Recovery Act, which was approved in 2022 and updated in 2023.

The broader legislation called for investing roughly $400 million into distressed North and South Omaha neighborhoods, and one of the single biggest project amounts was directed to the business park venture. Wayne, a co-sponsor of the Economic Recovery Act, said the funds likely will cover two business park sites, though he said the second spot was not yet public.

Asked about the $12 million proposed real estate purchase, an aide to Mayor Jean Stothert said Monday that the city intends to partner with the still-to-be announced developer who would be awarded the state funds to develop a business park at that site.

Spokeswoman Carrie Murphy said the city also plans to add a north truck route to the designated truck route system that runs in and around north downtown, and that the new route will create an access road to the new park.

Currently owned by Enterprise Industrial Park LLC, the land under consideration is bounded by Locust Street on the south, Cornish Boulevard on the north, Carter Lake Shore Drive on the east and a western boundary that zags from 14th to 16th Streets.

According to the proposed agreement with Enterprise representative Thomas Egan Jr., the deal is subject to a review and due diligence process by the city. It acknowledges environmental concerns due to the areas past use as a railroad yard and a dump site for construction debris.

A storied past

The swath of land has a storied past that includes being a burial site for parts of Jobbers Canyon when the vintage warehouse district was dismantled to make way for the ConAgra riverfront campus.

Around 2012, under the administration of Mayor Jim Suttle, the City of Omaha eyed the site  then referred to as the Ames-Locust Industrial Park  as a potential home for companies that would get rare access to big industrial work space within a short drive from the citys downtown commercial and residential district.

The city moved to seize the property through eminent domain before it struck a tentative deal with ownership that included Virgil Anderson of Anderson Excavating Co.

According to Omaha World-Herald reports, the city in 2014, under the Stothert administration, backed out of that $1.9 million purchase agreement after projected costs of environmental cleanup and infrastructure demands surfaced.

The reported price tag of roughly $18 million for environmental remediation was beyond the $8.6 million the city had projected to spend on total redevelopment.

Then in 2019, a private entity led by Egan came into the picture, buying the land from the Anderson team for lease to outdoor storage and industrial users. Operations include a concrete crushing area and storage.

A sign this week at the property says that some space remains for lease.

Meanwhile, city and local Chamber of Commerce leaders continued to search elsewhere for an appropriate business park site that would be an economic generator for North Omaha.

Since the last time the city attempted to buy the land near 14th and Locust Streets, the citys core has further developed with additional residences and the revamped trio of downtown parks. Under construction is the $600 million Mutual of Omaha business tower, which is tied to the multimillion-dollar planned Omaha streetcar route between downtown and midtown.

Mixed-use areas such as the Builders District anchored by Kiewit Corp. and Millwork Commons arts and creatives-focused district have further developed north of downtown and closer to the proposed new business park.

And millions of dollars appropriated in the Economic Recovery Act have yet to be awarded to nonprofits and other organizations that, under the legislation, are to be selected by the Department of Economic Development to carry out various economic development projects in North and South Omaha neighborhoods.

Tuesday will be the councils first reading of the proposed ordinance and purchase agreement; a final hearing and City Council vote is to be held July 25.
CONFIRMED: State and local governments are passing laws and ordinances that ban gas stoves

State and local governments all over the United States are passing laws banning the installation of gas stoves in new residences

The move by state and local governments  mostly in New York and California  comes half a year after federal officials in the Consumer Product Safety Commission began floating the idea of banning the stoves in the near future due to claims that the gas stoves can cause indoor air pollution and contribute to so-called climate change.

In May, the Democrat-controlled State Legislature of New York banned the installation of gas stoves and furnaces from most buildings in the state.

The provision, included in the state's most recent budget bill passed in early May, prohibits the installation of fossil-fuel equipment in buildings seven stories or less beginning in 2026. The ban will then gradually include larger buildings beginning in 2029. (Related: Another ploy to control people's lives: Biden administration plans to ban gas stoves.)

"Changing the ways we make and use energy to decrease our reliance on fossil fuels will help ensure a healthier environment for us and our children," claimed New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie in a statement following the passage of the legislation.

In a follow-up statement, Gov. Kathy Hohul made it clear that current buildings and residences are exempt from this ban, along with any new and existing hospitals, restaurants and buildings not fully supported by the state's electrical grid.

"I want to be very clear. I know people love to misinterpret this, but people with existing gas stoves, you're welcome to keep them," she said. "This is where our nation has to go eventually  But I want to make sure that it's not a bumpy road to the transition."

In California, the city of Berkeley in the San Francisco Bay Area attempted to pass a similar ban way back in 2019, becoming the first city in the U.S. to adopt such a proposal. But this proposal was struck down by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco following a lawsuit by the California Restaurant Association, claiming the city ordinance violates federal law.

Gas stove bans will keep spreading

The federal administration of Joe Biden itself is proposing similarly restrictive rules that will end up seeing gas stoves banned from most residences. Not only that, but the administration has also proposed new so-called "energy efficiency rules" that would see other home appliances like dishwashers be forced to use less water and electricity in the name of mitigating so-called climate change.

Similar rules are already in place, targeting appliances like conventional and microwave ovens, shower heads, refrigerators and laundry machines.

The Biden administration claims the new rules regarding energy efficiency will save American consumers billions of dollars on utility bills. Manufacturers claim the savings will be eaten up by the higher prices of the new, more complicated appliances they will be forced to make, thanks to the new regulations.

As the federal government continues to push for regulating gas stoves and other appliances into non-existence, more and more local and state politicians are passing similar gas stove bans.

Berkeley City Councilmember Kate Harrison, who authored the city's original 2019 ordinance to ban gas stoves, noted that a ban on natural gas or other efforts to curtail the use of natural gas has already spread to at least 70 other communities in California alone, with similar initiatives already working their way through the local governments of Seattle and New York City.

"This is a movement that can't be stopped," claimed Harrison, responding to the Circuit Court of Appeals' reversal of the city's ban. "They've conflated a 1970s regulation about the efficiency of appliances with what kind of materials can come into our house. We did not change appliances, we changed the source of fuel that can come into new buildings."

Harrison even noted that the ruling that overturned Berkeley's ban is limited in that it does not affect the many other city and county governments in her state that have passed similar regulations banning or curtailing the use of natural gas through amending building codes that meet certain federal requirements. Other municipal policies regulating gas distribution and air emissions are not impacted either.

However, gas stove bans from two dozen cities with ordinances constructed similarly to Berkeley's may be affected, including San Francisco, Los Angeles and Oakland.

Learn more about government interference in the free market under the guise of so-called climate change at GreenTyranny.news.

Watch this clip of Glenn Beck discussing why the so-called "right-wing conspiracy" of gas stove bans is actually real.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

House Republicans push back against Biden administration's GREEN TYRANNY.

House passes bill to block Biden from banning gas stoves as Republicans push back against anti-fossil fuel policies.

Gas industry forms coalition to stop Biden from shuttering everyone's gas appliances.

Communist China exposed as entity behind Biden regime's proposed gas stove ban.

The creepy cult surrounding the gas stove panic gets exposed.

Sources include:

Reason.com

USAToday.com 1

USAToday.com 2

APNews.com

Brighteon.com
British PM Sunak DISCOURAGES use of CLUSTER BOMBS following US decision to send them to Ukraine

British Prime Minister (PM) Rishi Sunak has discouraged the use of lethal cluster bombs on the battlefield of the Russia-Ukraine war, following the decision of U.S. President Joe Biden to send them to Kyiv.

According to Sky News, Sunak remarked that the United Kingdom is among 123 nations that signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) in December 2008. Instead, the Conservative (Tory) PM reiterated that London will continue to supply tanks and other long-range weapons to Ukraine.

"We will continue to do our part to support Ukraine against Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion," said Sunak. "But we've done that by providing heavy battle tanks and, most recently, long-range weapons. Hopefully, all countries can continue to support Ukraine."

"Russia's act of barbarism is causing untold suffering to millions of people. It's right that we collectively stand up to it."

Sunak found an ally in fellow Tory Tobias Ellwood, the Member of Parliament for Bournemouth East. He urged Washington to reconsider its decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine.

"This is the wrong call and will alienate international goodwill. Their use leaves deadly unexploded ordnance over the battlefield, killing and injuring civilians," tweeted Elwood, also the chairman of the British House of Commons' Defense Select Committee.

The U.K. is not the only country that voiced disagreement toward the decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine. Even Spain, a signatory in the CCM, expressed opposition to the move.

"Spain, based on the firm commitment it has with Ukraine, also has a firm commitment that certain weapons and bombs cannot be delivered under any circumstances," said Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles.

The CCM prohibits the use or stockpiling of cluster bombs as they kill indiscriminately when used on the battlefield. Moreover, any unexploded munitions can pose a serious risk to civilians long after conflicts have ended.

Biden defends "difficult decision" to send cluster bombs

For his part, Biden called the move to send cluster bombs to Ukraine a "difficult decision." However, he insisted that such an action was timely given that "the Ukrainians are running out of ammunition." (Related: Biden set to approve CLUSTER BOMBS for Ukraine, even though they are BANNED in 120 countries.)

Germany has also expressed understanding of Washington's position on the matter, with a spokesman for Berlin saying: "We're certain that our U.S. friends didn't take the decision about supplying such ammunition lightly."

"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," the spokesman added. Incidentally, Germany is also a signatory to the CCM.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meanwhile thanked the U.S. for the "timely, broad and much-needed defense aid package" that includes the controversial munitions. This package, he added, will "bring Ukraine closer to victory over the enemy, and democracy to victory over dictatorship."

Yuriy Sak, advisor to Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, described Washington's aid package as an "important" and "timely" move.

"Russia has been using cluster munitions from day one of this aggressive, unprovoked war against Ukraine. They've been using cluster munitions against civilian cities," Sak told Sky News. "Now, we need those types of weapons, as well as other types of weapons, in order for us to achieve one single sole purpose  which is to liberate our land."

The advisor assured that Kyiv "will be using these weapons very responsibly," adding that Reznikov "has given written assurances that certain principles will be applied" over the use of cluster bombs. He continued: "They will be used only on the battlefield to allow the Ukrainian army to break through the defense lines of the enemy."

"We are dealing with an enemy who is killing our civilians every day. We have a right to self-defense  but in exercising that right, we will always commit ourselves to abide the international norms of war and humanitarian laws."

Visit MilitaryTech.news for more stories about the U.S. sending weapons to Ukraine.

Watch this video about U.S. President Joe Biden sending illegal cluster bombs to Ukraine.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

US arms sales to Europe have SKYROCKETED since Ukraine invasion.

RUNNING OUT: Ukraine blowing through more ammo than NATO, U.S. can manufacture and provide.

U.S. military running out of key munitions including anti-tank Javelins by gifting them to Ukraine as production capacity falls.

Defense Department to boost production of artillery ammunition by 500% for Ukraine but will take two years just to build the new factories.

Sources include:

News.Sky.com

Brighteon.com
GAME ON! Super PAC American Values 2024 raised over $10 million in campaign funds for RFK Jr.

The American Values 2024, a super political action committee (PAC) formerly known as the People's Pharma Movement, has

raised a total of $10.25 million

to support the the presidential campaign of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

According to Tony Lyons, RFK Jr.'s publisher and the super PAC's co-chair, the committee initially had $500,000 from Mark Gorton, an advocate for the "health freedom" movement, before renaming it after Kennedy. This proves that the challenge of RFK Jr. against President Joe Biden has gained support from donors on both political parties.

American Values 2024 operates independently from Kennedy's campaign. Super PACs can openly support or oppose political candidates by soliciting limitless contributions from businesses, labor unions, groups and private citizens. But unlike regular packs, super PACs are prohibited from directly giving money to political candidates.

However, the campaign still seeks financial support to complete its first full fundraising quarter. The campaign sent requests to meet a $5 million goal and proudly announced a $1 million haul within 24 hours.

In addition to American Values 2024, another group supporting RFK Jr. in his presidential campaign, Common Sense PAC, was established in Los Angeles in April by actress Sofia Karstens, known for her involvement in the health freedom movement.

Common Sense PAC organized a successful fundraiser for Kennedy in San Francisco last month, raising nearly $1 million.

RFK Jr.'s popularity poses potential embarrassment for Biden in primaries

The popularity of RFK Jr. in polls can primarily be associated with the political legacy of his family, which includes three Democratic senators, a president and other prominent figures.

In a recent CNN poll, the main reason voters liked RFK Jr. was his famous last name. These surveys suggest that the majority of Democratic voters would prefer almost anyone other than Biden. In Maryland, for example, 41 percent of Democrats preferred their governor, Wes Moore, over Biden. (Related: RFK Jr. likes his chances against Biden in 2024 presidential primaries.)

If RFK Jr. manages to maintain this level of support, it could pose an embarrassment for Biden during the primaries. The potential impact of RFK Jr. might be most influential in New Hampshire, where Biden has already alienated core supporters. New Hampshire Democrats fear Biden may skip their primary or that enough independent voters angry with him may cast protest votes for Kennedy.

Similarly, RFK Jr. has received support from conservative figures like Elon Musk and David Sacks.

Dennis Kucinich, a former left-wing congressman and Cleveland mayor, said the diverse views of RFK Jr. make him better positioned to win a general election than Biden. Kucinich described Kennedy as someone who can bring about the unity that most Americans desire, with a language of conciliation and compassion.

While the Biden campaign has been relatively quiet since its formal rollout in April, White House officials are planning a summer tour branded as "investing in America." Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, their spouses and cabinet members will travel across the country to promote the legislative results achieved under his administration.

The hope is that these trips will generate positive local news coverage, followed by substantial advertising efforts to educate Biden-skeptical Democrats and independent voters about the president's accomplishments.

While it is not uncommon for incumbent presidents to face dissent within their party before renomination, Biden's allies, including Representative Robert Garcia of California, a Democrat and Biden's national advisory board, dismissed the campaign of RFK Jr. as a joke and his worldview as dangerous.

The White House, the Democratic National Committee and Biden's re-election campaign have not commented on Kennedy, coordinating efforts to avoid elevating his campaign. They have opted not to engage with RFK Jr. directly to avoid giving him undue attention.

Nevertheless, the early strength of RFK Jr. underscores weaknesses within the current administration that Republicans are eager to exploit.

Read more news about RFK Jr.'s run for the presidency in 2024 at VoteDemocrat.news.

Watch RFK Jr. on Epoch TV as he talks about Instagram's censorship of his presidential campaign.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

RFK Jr. is pro-Second Amendment, pro-First Amendment, anti-war and pro-border security.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. rolls out campaign against WHOs impending power grab.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. rejects climate cultism, while expressing genuine alarm about stopping REAL pollution and ecological destruction.

Sources include:

DNYUZ.com

OpenSecrets.org

NewYorkTimes.com

Brighteon.com
Shortage of ANTIBIOTICS could worsen SYPHILIS epidemic in the U.S.

Infectious disease experts have warned that the shortage of antibiotics, specifically a type of penicillin used for syphilis, could worsen the sexually-transmitted infection's (STI) epidemic in the United States.

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer announced in a June 12 letter that the long-acting injectable antibiotic Bicillin L-A, formally penicillin G benzathine, currently has low supply. The same problem also applied to another kind of antibiotic called penicillin G procaine.

According to the company, the shortages were caused by a significant increase in demand triggered by the rising rate of syphilis infections. Bicillin's recent use as an alternative to the more common amoxicillin was also cited as another reason for the shortages. Prescribed for more general infections like strep throat, amoxicillin has had periodic shortages.

Pfizer spokesman Steven Danehy said it will likely take the company's plant in Rochester, Michigan a year to increase production by 50 percent  and ultimately manufacture enough of the antibiotic to meet demand and shore up reserves. (Related: FDA: Basic antibiotics shortage ongoing since Q4 last year, some medicines to completely run out by end of June.)

The Drug manufacturer also warned that its supply of a rarely-used pediatric version of Bicillin would soon run out as the company had utilized that drug's production line for the adult formula. An increase in strep throat cases prompted doctors to resort to Bicillin in lieu of amoxicillin.

According to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), syphilis has been on the rise in the U.S. since 2000. A total of 176,713 cases were recorded in 2021  an almost 75 percent increase since 2017.

People who contract Treponema pallidum, the pathogen responsible for the STI, develop sores and a rash. If left untreated, syphilis can seriously damage the body and even lead to death.

The CDC also noted that among adult syphilis cases, nearly one-fourth are in women. Homosexual men comprised just under a third of syphilis infections, while about one-fifth were reported among heterosexual men.

Shortages undermine efforts against congenital syphilis

Congenital syphilis, which involves the mother passing the disease on to her child while in the womb, is also another concern. It has a high fatality rate and can also lead to preterm birth and severe birth defects. Between 2017 and 2021, congenital syphilis tripled to 2,855 cases  including 220 infant deaths.

Bicillin is the only recommended treatment for pregnant women infected with T. pallidum. If provided early enough, it is very effective at preventing transmission to the fetus. But given the shortage of the antibiotic, the CDC has urged doctors to give preference to pregnant patients and infected or exposed infants when administering it.

The public health agency also recommended doxycycline, another antibiotic, for two to four weeks depending on the disease stage. However, experts are worried that some might have trouble taking doxycycline  potentially compromising its effectiveness.S

"It worries me that these moms may not have access to life-saving medication," said Dr. Anita Henderson, a pediatrician in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. According to her, the Magnolia State had seen large increases in congenital syphilis cases over the last five years.

Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, an infectious disease expert at the University of Southern California, said alternatives to the antibiotic for pregnant women are under development and review. However, these alternatives are years away from becoming available.

"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," DNYUZ remarked.

Visit Infections.news for more stories about syphilis and other STIs.

Watch this video about Pfizer warning doctors of an expected penicillin shortage.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Experts warn of antibiotic shortage amid increase in cases of invasive strep A.

America running out of key antibiotics and respiratory drugs for children amid "tripledemic."

Food, drug shortage crisis rages on: Numerous pharmaceuticals to run out before end of 2023.

FDA announces amoxicillin shortage, cites increased demand and manufacturing issues as causes.

Sources include:

DNYUZ.com

FDA.gov

CDC.gov

Brighteon.com
Biden sends cluster bombs to Ukraine, contradicting his admins past statement that use of such weapons is a WAR CRIME

Last week, President Joe Biden told CNN that he is sending cluster bombs , which are banned by more than 100 countries that joined an agreement called the "2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions" (CCM), to Ukraine.

Said bombs have been used extensively in the Gulf War, Chechnya, Afghanistan and Iraq. But those involved in the ongoing and "dragging war"  Russia, Ukraine and the United States did not sign the treaty, making it "easy" for Biden to decide that these will be included in the new weapons package he'll send to Kyiv. He claimed, though, that he had a hard time deciding on this.

"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 said in an interview with political commentator and journalist Fareed Zakaria. He then added, "The Ukrainians are running out of ammunition." The cluster bombs to be sent will all be "compatible with US-provided 155mm howitzers, a key piece of artillery that has allowed Ukraine to win back territory over the last year," according to the news outlet.

"This is a war relating to munitions. And they're running out of that ammunition, and were low on it," Biden added. "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, these shells, for the Ukrainians."

"They're trying to get through those trenches and stop those tanks from rolling. But it was not an easy decision," he continued. "We're not signatories to that agreement, but it took me a while to be convinced to do it." (Related: Biden set to approve CLUSTER BOMBS for Ukraine, even though they are BANNED in 120 countries.)

Just a year or so ago, then-White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki in a February 28, 2022 briefing, condemned the use of cluster bombs in the conflict, saying it was a "war crime." However, Biden now claimed to approve sending these war weapons under the justification that 'but Russia used them first,' implying that only the "bad guys" use them.

BREAKING: Here is Jen Psaki in 2022 saying that using cluster bombs is a war crime The Biden Admin is sending cluster bomber to Ukraine today pic.twitter.com/dSMKqumDm1  Jack Poso ?? (@JackPosobiec) July 7, 2023

In fact, back in 2013 a lengthy letter from top-ranking Congressional Democrats addressed to then-President Barack Obama, highlighted how bad cluster bombs are as they are indiscriminate, unreliable and pose an unacceptable danger to U.S. forces and civilians alike." The correspondence also stressed these "cause unintended harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure, in many cases long after the cessation of hostilities," and recalled, "During Operation Desert Storm, U.S.-dropped cluster submunitions caused more U.S. troops casualties than any single Iraqi weapon system."

Cluster bombs can leave unexploded ordnance embedded in the ground only to maim or kill civilians, years after the war is over. The munitions detonate dozens of what are called "bomblets," and some can be left behind, unexploded. This creates, essentially, land mines for civilians who accidentally stumble upon the bomblet years later.

NO to CLUSTER BOMBS for Ukraine, German foreign minister says

Following the announcement, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that the country, being one of the CCM states, opposed Biden's decision to augment Ukraine's munition with a new set of cluster bombs. Baerbock told reporters in Vienna that she followed the media reports. "For us, as a state party, the Oslo agreement applies," she added.

Sharing the same opinion with Baerbock, the international non-governmental organization 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.

As for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) leadership, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg denied reports that the U.S. is set to announce cluster bombs for Ukraine. "This will be for governments to decide, not for NATO to decide," he said Friday. He essentially said that because Russia is already deploying them, it is okay for Ukraine to do the same.

"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," Stoltenberg sought to justify. "And Russia used cluster munitions to invade another country. Ukraine is using cluster munitions to defend itself."

Follow WWIII.news to read more about the ongoing war in Ukraine and how the U.S. "fuels it."

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

ThePostMillennial.com

Reuters.com
The Biden administration has urged Big Tech companies to enforce their "climate misinformation policies" not only to anyone who denies climate change, but also to everyone who questions their "official narratives" on climate solutions.

Gina McCarthy, President Joe Biden's National Climate Advisor, acknowledged in an interview with Axion for "The Infodemic Age" that their focus has shifted from denying the existence of climate change to questioning the acceleration of climate solutions.

"What they [spreaders of alleged misinformation] are really targeting is our inability to accelerate the answers to climate. The technologies we need moving forward. That is equally dangerous to denial because we have to move fast."

"We have answers. We have solutions," McCarthy said, talking about solar and wind energy. "The question is how quickly we can accelerate them. Clean energy is the solution."

This issue urged the government to collaborate with tech giants and the "Censorship-Industrial Complex" to quickly fact-check and flag content related to climate change misinformation. These third-party fact-checkers censor data from climate denial to debates and discussions about clean energy technologies and other climate solutions. (Related: How green investors pay the media to promote 'climate change.')

Social media platforms censored opposing views on their official narratives on climate change

In recent months, social media platforms have censored politicians, environmental activists, conservationists and local citizens who challenged the official narratives of the government and its influential corporate backers about climate change.

Tech giants like LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok ramp up their censorship of content about the climate "solutions" debate to prevent alternative approaches and more skepticism from opposing views.

For instance, LinkedIn, owned by Microsoft, suspended the account of Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy in May after he posted climate-related campaign messages. Ramaswamy then challenged the necessity of fossil fuels for human prosperity and advocated oil production. But soon after facing pressure, LinkedIn eventually reinstated his account.

YouTube also attracted criticism when it attached a "Context" note in an interview with Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. discussing his views on climate change. The video was later removed with a "Community Guidelines" warning.

Similarly, TikTok and Facebook have censored prominent climate change critics, Michael Shellenberger and Bjorn Lomborg, who expressed dissenting views on climate change and advocated for fossil fuels and nuclear energy.

However, it is not just politicians and climate critics who have been affected by these policies. Local citizens, conservationists, environmental activists, and small-scale farmers have experienced social media censorship due to their advocacy for alternative approaches to climate and environmental issues.

Local citizens and environmental activists opposing large-scale solar and wind energy projects have faced backlash for posting about the immediate environmental impacts and potential harm to biodiversity and ecosystems. YouTube's deletion and subsequent restoration of the Protect Thacker Pass channel, which opposes a large lithium mine in Nevada, exemplifies the unpredictable nature of social media censorship.

The broad application of fact-checking and content moderation policies, which often favor ecomodernist solutions backed by influential figures like Bill Gates, has raised concerns about the influence of elites and corporate interests. The voices of small farmers and alternative approaches to climate change are being stifled in favor of dominant narratives.

The latest news about media lies concerning climate change and global warming can be found at Climate.news.
Insanity: British parents may face prosecution if they refuse to pay for their childs transgender treatments

Western civilization, which has dominated the world for thousands of years, is officially in decline, and nowhere is the condition more advanced than in Europe, where leftism is destroying not only basic traditional values but also centuries of established science.

According to a column by Georgetown University law school professor, parents in Great Britain are now subject to prosecution along with fines and even jail time if they won't pay for their child's transgender treatments, including, of course, irreversible trans surgeries.

"As the debate rages in the United States over parental notification and authority in cases involving transgender children, the United Kingdom is embroiled in a controversy over a law that would not only limit parental authority in such cases but affirmatively require parents to pay for such transitioning," he wrote this week.

"Under the interpretation put forward by police, parents who refuse to use the alternative pronouns for their children or refuse to pay for their transitioning could be criminally prosecuted," he added.

Per the UKs Code for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), conduct that is considered abusive now includes withholding money for transitioning [and] refusing to use their preferred name or pronoun.

In other words, parents who have religious or familial objections to their child trying to become another sex (which is biologically impossible, by the way), are required by law to pay for those operations and treatments.

Turley adds:

According to the guidance material, this is not even an exhausted list, but some of the first examples of potentially criminal conduct that comes to mind.

The guideline would suggest that parents with deep-seated religious convictions against transgender status would either have to fund an operation that they consider immoral or face arrest for failing to do so.

To potentially prosecute a parent for refusing to use an adopted pronoun of their child is chilling and wrong.

Despite that fact, a spokesperson for the CPS has doubled down on threats of parental prosecution, telling Fox News in a statement that domestic abuse is a severe crime and leaves victims with a lasting impact . . . This assists prosecutors to ensure that any victim, regardless of who they are, can get justice for the abuse they have faced.

"This follows the erosion of free speech and religious rights in Britain, including English courts upholding the criminalization [of] 'toxic ideologies,'" Turley wrote.

Writing in The Institutes for the Laws of England in 1628, Sir Edward Coke noted, "For a mans house is his castle, et domus sua cuique est tutissimum refugium [and each mans home is his safest refuge]. The first Earl of Chatham, William Pitt, would later note: The poorest man may in his cottage bid defiance to all the forces of the crown. It may be frail  its roof may shake  the wind may blow through it  the storm may enter  the rain may enter  but the King of England cannot enter.

It seems that the situation has changed regarding the misuse of pronouns or neglecting to support a child's transitioning, as these actions are now being treated as equivalent to physical child abuse. This expanded definition of abuse grants the state more authority and influence over family matters and relationships, Turley argues.

Furthermore, the constitutional expert adds, entrusting law enforcement with discretion on this "non-exhaustive" list undermines the traditional protection of internal family affairs. The critical question remains: what will be the limiting principle as the state continues to broaden the definition of child abuse? It appears that the default assumption in the United Kingdom, represented by Pitt, has been completely flipped on its head.

Western civilization and culture are dying, and the left's outrageous cultural attacks are killing them.

Sources include:

JonathanTurley.org

CPS.gov.uk
Congress seeks emails suggesting Fauci worked behind the scene to discredit COVID lab leak stories

A select House subcommittee investigating the response to the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) wants David Morens to produce the subpoenaed materials he hid from Congress using his personal email and phone. These materials purportedly suggest that Dr. Anthony Fauci worked behind the scene to discredit COVID lab leak stories.

Morens is a senior scientific adviser to Fauci when the latter was still the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

Ohio Republican Rep. Brad Wenstrup, chairman of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, has asked Morens to surrender documents and communications from his personal email and cellphone. The request follows information suggesting that Morens is intentionally using non-government communications to avoid having to disclose certain materials under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), thereby violating federal recordkeeping laws.

The Intercept previously published dozens of pages of emails, including Morens, already submitted to the subcommittee. The documents also included emails from scientists who were also seeking to discredit COVID-19 lab leak theories. There were emails from:

Peter Daszak, the EcoHealth Alliance president whose organization funneled taxpayer-funded grant money to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the primary suspected source of a lab leak.

Kristian Andersen from the Scripps Research Institute, who initially told Fauci that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, could have been "potentially" engineered.

Angela Rasmussen from Canada's Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, who warned that entertaining the lab leak could harm U.S.-China relations.

On September 9, 2021, Morens notified the scientists he may "have to occasionally email from my NIH [National Institutes of Health] account" until his hacked Gmail account, which does not connect to his NIH-issued computer, is fixed.

Morens also wrote that he prefers using his Gmail account to send and reply to emails because his NIH email is "FOIA'd constantly."

Fauci contributed to paper that dismissed lab leak theory

In a July 29, 2021 exchange with Jason Gale, a Bloomberg News reporter for a story on the origins of COVID-19, Morens wrote that the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services did not allow him to talk on the record about the pandemic's origins for several months.

But one day, his "boss Tony" asked him to discuss its origins with National Geographic. "Tony" was likely referring to Fauci.

In the email, Morens also talked about his boss' decision, which he thinks suggests that the government is lightening up. However, "Tony doesn't want his fingerprints on origin stories."

Previously released exchanges suggest Fauci and then-NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins both secretly contributed to a March 2020 Nature Medicine paper led by Andersen that dismissed the possibility of a lab leak as the origin of the pandemic. Fauci later cited this paper during a press conference at the White House.

Wenstrup chastised Morens for telling National Geographic that searching for the "progenitor virus" may have already gone from "doing due diligence to wasting time and being crazy." He added that this raises doubt about whether this was the narrative Fauci approved Morens to say.

Morens also suggested that his fellow scientists use strategic lawsuits to silence both critical scientists, such as Dr. Richard Ebright of Rutgers University, and journalists writing about China's COVID-19 research. (Related: Sen. Rand Paul: COVID lab leak among the greatest coverups in modern medical history.)

In a September 7, 2021 email referring to an Intercept report, Daszak complained that FOIA requests were straining EcoHealth staff. He also said that "lab leakers" were promoting "lines of attack that will bring more negative publicity" against Fauci and the other scientists involved in promoting gain-of-function research that could make viruses more dangerous.

Morens replied and encouraged them to sue the lab leakers for "slander," supposedly referring to libel.

According to Wenstrup, Morens' actions suggest that a government official like him is "encouraging litigation against the press for reporting that does not follow public health bureaucrats' pre-conceived narrative. Westrup also called Morens' actions "unacceptable."

The subcommittee chairman was also disturbed that Morens referred to Ebright and Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Alina Chan as "harmful demagogues," after a journalist wrote that the NIH-funded Chinese research qualified as a gain of function.

Visit Pandemic.news for more articles about COVID-19.

Watch the video below to know more about Morens' and Fauci's actions amid the pandemic.

This video is from the Wellness Forum Health channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

More evidence points to Fauci-backed covid science fraud.

Leaked emails show Fauci commissioned Feb. 2020 paper designed to disprove Wuhan lab leak theory for covid.

Republicans demand accountability after Fauci exposed for commissioning paper "debunking" covid lab leak theory.

Sources include:

JustTheNews.com

S3.DocumentCloud.org[PDF]

TheIntercept.com

Brighteon.com
Harvard scientists believe debris of unidentified object found near Papua New Guinea could be remains of INTERSTELLAR SPACECRAFT

Two "alien hunter" scientists from Harvard University believe small metal fragments recovered from an unidentified flying object that crashed in the Pacific to be " artificial in origin ."

The Harvard pair recovered around 50 unusual iron spheres after tracking down an unidentified object, known as IM1, off the coast of Papua New Guinea as part of a $1.5 million underwater search mission. (Related: Harvard physicist wants to prove METEORITE that fell near Papua New Guinea is an ALIEN PROBE.)

Avi Loeb, former chair of Harvard's astronomy department who headed the research, noted that the latest lab analysis of the metal spheres revealed they are "anomalous" and stronger than any observed meteor produced by nature.

"This composition is anomalous compared to human-made alloys, known asteroids and familiar astrophysical sources," said Loeb.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration said IM1 clearly came from outer space, which makes it Earth's first known interplanetary visitor. It crashed into the ocean in 2014, but its fragments were not discovered until the research conducted by Loeb and fellow Harvard researcher Amir Siraj.

IM1 is probably part of an "interstellar spacecraft"

The Harvard pair asserted their latest findings support the possibility that IM1 was "artificial in origin" and that it was part of an "interstellar spacecraft" created by extraterrestrial beings.

"It's really important to continue pushing the boundary in terms of destigmatizing the search for extraterrestrial life. If you don't consider a possibility, you usually won't discover something new," said Siraj, who first found IM1.

IM1 withstood four times the pressure that would usually destroy an ordinary iron-metal meteor as it plunged through Earth's atmosphere at a speed of 100,215 miles per hour.

Iron is already a popular major ingredient in the hardest known types of natural meteors, so the Harvard researchers theorized that there must be something really extraordinary about how the object was built.

And now a number of tests on the retrieved IM1 fragments carried out at a research laboratory in Berkeley, California, has proven that their chemical make-up is predominantly iron, providing even more proof in favor of the Harvard pair's theory regarding its extraterrestrial origins.

"More than 95 percent of all meteorites contain iron-nickel metal. As a consequence, meteorites have concentrations of nickel that are much greater than that of nearly any terrestrial rock," Loeb said.

In contrast to these standard iron-nickel meteorites, the IM1 fragments contained only "negligible" amounts of nickel, alongside other "trace elements." In this type of scientific analysis, trace elements refer to chemical compounds or atomic elements that exist only in fleetingly tiny quantities, lower than 100 parts per million.

The Harvard team guaranteed that the 50 spherical iron fragments dug up from over a mile beneath the surface of the Pacific were actually real remains from IM1.

Initially, Siraj cut down the final trajectory of IM1 as it exploded into flames on its way toward the ocean, tracing its airbursts with Department of Defense satellite data and local seismometers established to monitor earthquakes and volcanic activity.

With confidence that the eventual path for IM1 covered 6.2 square miles of the ocean near Manus Island in Papua New Guinea, the team was then able to scratch the deep ocean floor with a huge magnetic "sled" both along IM1's path and some control regions, which served as a control to make sure more iron spheres or spherules did not find their way onto the ocean floor by way of any event unconnected to IM1's fall to Earth.

"The spherules were mostly found along the expected meteor path," wrote Loeb and Siraj in their research. The report said the unusual iron composition of the spheres "indicates a common source," which they assert is "different from background spherules found in control regions."

Follow UFOs.news for more news about UFOs and other extraterrestrial objects.

Watch this clip from "Rising" on The Hill TV featuring an interview with Loeb discussing his findings about IM1.

This video is from the PureTrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Sen. Marco Rubio: Senior government officials have first-hand knowledge of secret UFO programs.

Former intelligence official: US has at least a dozen alien spacecraft in its possession.

Elaborate hoax? UFOs floating near the moon in broad daylight claim to be captured on camera by a "computer graphics artist."

NASA will find alien life in the next 25 years, experts predict.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

WashingtonExaminer.com

Brighteon.com
France promises to supply Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles, putting a target on itself for Russias nuclear weapons

In concert with Great Britain, France has decided to send long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine so Volodymyr Zelensky's armed forces can strike Russia's armed forces from deep behind front lines.

Emmanuel Macron announced the move in tandem with the 31-member NATO alliance summit in Lithuania, at which he revealed that the goal is to mount a larger counteroffensive to Russia.

"I have decided to increase deliveries of weapons and equipment to enable the Ukrainians to have the capacity to strike deeply," Macron said, failing to reveal precisely how many missiles he is planning to send to Ukraine.

It is suspected based on statements made by a French diplomatic source that 50 SCALP missiles produced by the European manufacturer MBDA will be sent to Ukraine as part of the deal.

The long-range cruise missiles Macron talked about would come from existing French military stocks, adding in a statement to reporters that it will be a "significant number" once all is said and done.

(Related: The Pentagon, South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, and others are lusting for nuclear war with Russia.)

How much longer will it be until full-blown nuclear war is unleashed?

France previously sent shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, as well as Crotale short-range anti-air missiles, which are used to intercept low-flying missiles and aircraft.

For many months now, Ukraine has been begging the United States, its main supplier, for longer-range missiles to shoot at Russia. U.S. officials have yet to send anything in this category.

As for the missiles Britain is sending to Ukraine, these are a Franco-British type of missile, known as Storm Shadow, that is also produced by MBDA.

France's SCALP version has a range of about 250 kilometers, which is about three times as far as Ukraine's existing missile capabilities. The French military source indicates that the missiles are being integrated into Ukrainian Russian-made warplanes.

Though it is obvious that the sending of these missiles represents an escalation in the war that could prompt Russia to retaliate with even more escalation, Western powers insist the escalation is proportional because Russia is said to be using cruise missiles launched from thousands of kilometers away.

"It rebalances things and enables Ukraine to hit deep into Russian lines and can penetrate tougher targets," the source said.

Macron, meanwhile, suggested that the missiles being sent will not actually be fired into Russia. The delivery of the missiles will adhere to France's policy of assisting Ukraine for defense.

"There are guarantees for (restricting) the use of these missiles to internationally-recognized borders of Ukraine," the military source is further quoted as saying.

It is now expected that Germany will respond in kind by sending longer-range weapons to Ukraine as well. The peer pressure could get to the U.S. as well, though the Biden regime seems content with simply sending over boatloads of American taxpayer cash to Zelensky instead.

The Biden regime is said to still be deliberating as to whether or not to transfer the Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, to Ukraine. This system has a range of about 190 miles, though sending it to Ukraine would almost surely prompt an escalation from Russia.

At the current time, Germany is rejecting Ukraine's request to send over its Taurus cruise missiles.

According to reports, Russian air defenses have so far been unable to intercept most of the Storm Shadows sent its way. Ukraine is said to have struck several key military targets in Russia that had moved outside the range of U.S.-provided weapons, including one of the largest Russian weapons depots in southern Ukraine, as well as several command centers.

The latest news about the war in Ukraine can be found at WWIII.news.

Sources for this article include:

Reuters.com

Newstarget.com
Today in Crypto: Crypto's 'Inherent Structural Flaws' Make It Unsuitable for Monetary System, BIP39 Mnemonic Phrases Can be Turned into Colors, Dev Says He Reverse-Engineered Brazil CBDC Source Code, Algofi to Shut Down

Source: AdobeStock / domagoj8888

Get your daily, bite-sized digest of cryptoasset and blockchain-related news  investigating the stories flying under the radar of todays crypto news.

__________

Regulation news

Crypto's inherent structural flaws make it unsuitable to play a constructive role in the monetary system, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) said in a report sent to the G20 . It stated that: crypto "has so far failed to harness innovation to the benefit of society," it remains largely self-referential, it does not finance real economic activity, and it suffers from inherent shortcomings related to stability and efficiency, as well as accountability and integrity. "These structural flaws result from the underlying economics of incentives rather than technological limitations," it stated.

(BIS) said in a report sent to the . It stated that: crypto "has so far failed to harness innovation to the benefit of society," it remains largely self-referential, it does not finance real economic activity, and it suffers from inherent shortcomings related to stability and efficiency, as well as accountability and integrity. "These structural flaws result from the underlying economics of incentives rather than technological limitations," it stated. The UK Treasury said in a consultation paper published on Tuesday that lighter regulations established for a period of five years could be beneficial for digital bonds and equities. "The use of digital assets has the potential to be genuinely transformative for financial markets," it said. "This could include improving existing processes by making markets more efficient, transparent and resilient, but also by changing the way markets operate in potentially radical ways. It is important that markets are able to realize the benefits in a safe manner, preserving existing regulatory outcomes," it added. Responses to this consultation should be sent by August 21, the Treasury said.

Bitcoin news

Bitcoin developer Entero Positivo launched "BIP39Colors" at the end of June, which is an open-source tool that can convert a BIP39 mnemonic phrase into a series of colors and vice versa. "BIPColors gives you an additional layer of obfuscation because colors are widely present in various sources such as website source code, color palettes used by artists, images, and more. And it's not as obvious as finding a piece of paper with 12 words making them undetectable to hackers or thieves," the developer said.

CBDC news

Pedro Magalhaes, a blockchain developer and founder of tech consulting firm Iora Labs, claims to have reverse-engineered the source code of Brazils pilot central bank digital currency (CBDC), adding that he discovered functions in the code that would allow a central authority to freeze funds or reduce balances. This comes after the country's central bank posted the source code of the digital Brazilian real pilot project on GitHub.

DeFi news

Algofi, the largest decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol on the Algorand blockchain, said it would shut down following a "confluence of events." The platform will shortly move into withdrawal-only mode, a blog post said. The current Liquidity Mining programs will be halted and no future proposals will be enacted, it noted, and added that "further announcements on handling of the voting escrow / locking mechanism are forthcoming."

Legal news

Crypto investment firm Paradigm filed an amicus brief in the US Securities and Exchange Commissions (SEC) case against the crypto exchange Bittrex, saying it rejects the regulator's "unsupported attempt to expand its jurisdiction over crypto secondary markets." It argued that: "This case against Bittrex, based on secondary-market transactions, is fundamentally different than the SECs many prior cases based on token financings. [...] Put another way, the SECs effort to construe secondary market sales of crypto assets as securities transactionseven though those assets carry with them no legal relationship to any issuerinvents a new form of "issuer-independent security" unlike any other type of security known to our securities laws, and which instead resembles a commodity. That power to expand the scope of the securities laws is reserved for Congress, not the SEC or this Court, so the Complaint should be dismissed."

Stablecoin news
Japan gets green light to release Fukushima radioactive water into Pacific Ocean

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has approved Japan's request to release lightly radioactive wastewater from the disabled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea, claiming the science did not justify the issues raised by other countries regarding the potential dangers.

The IAEA, a United Nations body, claimed Japan's plan regarding the release was consistent with comparable discharges performed by other nations around the world that operate their own nuclear power plants.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi personally submitted a final report favoring the plan to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on July 4, claiming that the discharged "would have negligible impact on the environment."

Grossi added that IAEA representatives would be present on-site in Fukushima to monitor releases for decades to come. (Related: Japan begins secret discharge of RADIOACTIVE WATER from Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean.)

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs early this year announced the release of more than one million tons of water beginning in either spring or summer. It also said regulators had deemed it safe to slowly discharge the water in the Pacific Ocean by way of a tunnel after undergoing treatment and dilution.

According to officials, the contaminated water in Fukushima is being stored in more than 1,000 tanks which need to be removed to move forward with the power plant's decommissioning. The decommissioning process is expected to take three to four decades.

Japan's neighbors disapprove release of nuclear wastewater

Japan's decision has riled up the governments of its neighbors. The China Atomic Energy Authority claimed that more than 70 percent of the nuclear-contaminated water from Fukushima fails to meet discharge limits after going through a filtration system and requires further treatment before getting released.

A statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry even claimed that Japan was treating the Pacific Ocean as its own sewer, stating: "Japan has chosen to shift the risk of nuclear contamination onto the whole of humanity."

Hong Kong's Environment and Ecology Bureau said that more risk assessments need to be undertaken before the release of wastewater.

Both China and Hong Kong are extending and expanding their bans on food imports from 10 Japanese prefectures surrounding Fukushima, while food from other parts of Japan will face stricter screening, especially edible aquatic products.

The government of South Korea has not made an official condemnation of Japan, claiming that it respects the IAEA's endorsement. But the country made it clear that it would be issuing its own assessment of the nuclear watchdog's findings. Local South Korean activists and opposition politicians are also challenging Japan's decision. Top opposition leader and presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung even challenged Japanese officials to drink the treated radioactive water if it is as safe as they claim.

North Korea has also spoken out in opposition to the release, claiming that Japan may have bribed the IAEA to allow the discharge of Fukushima nuclear water.

Multiple other Pacific island nations have called on Japan to delay the release of the Fukushima water over fears that their fisheries will be contaminated.

In Japan, fisheries groups haven't challenged the scientific points given by the government, but argue that Fukushima should avoid another controversy that could tarnish its reputation.

Follow Fukushima.news for more news about the radioactive waste from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Watch this video discussing the IAEA's report regarding the release of irradiated wastewater from Fukushima.

This video is from the channel Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth on Brighteon.com.

More related articles:

IAEA says Fukushima nuclear plant plan to dump radioactive wastewater into Pacific Ocean is perfectly safe.

Nuclear specialist: Discharge of Fukushima's radioactive water into Pacific Ocean could last until NEXT CENTURY.

Reviewing the WORST CHEMICAL DISASTERS on the planet  and most of them could have been easily prevented.

Radioactive Fukushima water to be released into the ocean.

Nuclear ground zero Fukushima remains largely abandoned ten years on.

Sources include:

WSJ.com

SCMP.com

NKNews.org

Brighteon.com
Micro-clotting and long covid are both caused by covid jabs, researchers find

new preprint from general practitioner Dr. Robin Kerr and cardiovascular researcher Harriet Carroll of Lund University proposes that blood clotting in the form of "micro-clotting" is largely responsible for what has come to be known as "long covid."

Recognizing that Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) "vaccine" injuries are closely tied to the symptoms that demarcate long covid, Kerr and Carroll posited that perhaps long covid itself is simply the name given to those who got jabbed for covid and are now suffering micro-clotting as a result.

While micro-clotting may not be the only pathology in those suffering from long covid, it is certainly one of the most notable, according to Etheresia Pretorius, a distinguished research professor who specializes in the study of micro-clotting at Stellenbosch University.

What happens is that after the contents of a covid jab vial get dispensed and disbursed into a person's body, clots begin to form in blood vessels, obstructing the exchange of nutrients. The result is some combination of fatigue, shortness of breath, "brain fog," and even full-blown neuropathy caused by nearby cells becoming oxygen-deprived and dysfunctional.

"Certain proteins involved in microclotting also play a role in autoimmune and mast cell activation pathways," one report further explained. "Microclotting is therefore associated with conditions like autoimmunity and mast cell activation syndrome, characterized by allergic symptoms such as hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing."

(Related: The spike proteins in covid jabs persist in brain tissue where they can lead to long-term brain damage.)

Covid jab spike proteins trigger formation of larger-than-normal clots lacking thrombin and platelets

Therapies that help improve circulation seems to be among the most effective at remedying long covid and micro-clotting symptoms. According to dermatologist Dr. Angela Bowers, most of her patients who suffer from long covid symptoms benefit significantly from such therapies.

The Frontline COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC) has put out numerous documents unpacking the pathology of blood clotting as well as some of the treatment protocols that this group uses to help improve patients' circulation. And FLCCC doctors say that the jab spike proteins are primarily to blame.

"Spike proteins are found on the surface of the COVID-19 virus, which utilizes them to invade cells and cause harm. Similarly, the mRNA vaccines instruct the body to produce spike proteins," the same aforementioned report explains.

We now know that spike proteins can trigger the formation of clots in the blood without any thrombin and platelets. This would explain why some of the extracted clots we covered in the past do not appear to be blood-like in nature, but are rather a sticky, lighter-colored material that ends up filling people's arteries.

"Spike proteins change the structure of beta and gamma fibrinogen, complement 3, and prothrombin, resulting in the development of blood clots that are larger and more difficult to break down," reports indicate.

"Spike proteins damage the inner lining of blood vessels by binding to ACE-2 receptors on endothelial cells. ACE-2 has been identified as the primary receptor used by the SARS-CoV-2 virus for cellular entry, and endothelial cells are abundant in ACE-2 receptors, putting them, particularly, at risk of infection. Consequently, the spike proteins can enter the endothelial cells and activate inflammatory pathways, ultimately leading to blood clot formation."

Spike proteins also induce hyperactivated platelets that are more likely to clump together and stick to endothelial walls, which further triggers the formation of cardiovascular system-blocking clots that are so large and unique that they do not break down in the presence of trypsin, a digestive enzyme that is often used to dissolve other types of blood clots.

The covid jab global genocide is still underway. Learn more at Genocide.news.

Sources for this article include:

EuropePMC.org

TheEpochTimes.com

Newstarget.com
Mikki Willis joins the Health Ranger Report to discuss the GREAT AWAKENING in America

Filmmaker Mikki Willis sat down with the Health Ranger Mike Adams to discuss the Great Awakening in America , which is mirrored in the the third installment of the documentary series titled "Plandemic 3: The Great Awakening."

During a recent episode of the "Health Ranger Report," Adams described Willis' new film as "making waves and waking up people around the globe." The filmmaker attested to this, adding that the movie has indeed gone viral and obtained really positive reviews.

According to the founder and CEO of Elevate Films, "Plandemic 3" pointed out that history has shown how several dictators have hypnotized their citizens into becoming "useful idiots" doing their dirty work. He told Adams: "No dictator in the past would have been able to do what they accomplished, which is mass genocide, if it weren't for enrolling hundreds of thousands or millions of their own citizens to do the dirty work."

Willis cited several examples to back up his argument, including Benito Mussolini's Blackshirts, Adolf Hitler's Brown Shirts and Hitler Youth, Vladimir Lenin's Red Army and Mao Zedong's Red Guards. These dictators, he added, used psychological subversion to bring people to a state of desperation and dependency. The resulting subversion made people demoralized and more accepting of the narratives the dictators pushed on them. (Related: Filmmaker Mikki Willis calls on people to push back against government tyranny  Brighteon.TV.)

"A lot of my favorite films contain these narratives that say 'Humanity is a cancer, is a parasite, is a failed experiment  whatever it might be,'" explained Willis. "[When] you buy into that, you suddenly lose the reverence for this life; this incredible gift that we call life. Once you've lost everything that's worth living and dying for, then anything is possible."

The filmmaker disclosed that he himself had to go through an awakening  both spiritual and political  that made him question everything and be aware of what is happening around him. In particular, he cited the 9/11 attack as a turning point in his life that led him to move away from Hollywood.

Adams: People have been brainwashed to follow evil agenda

Meanwhile, the Natural News and Brighteon.com founder said "Plandemic 3" discussed mass formation psychosis. Adams described this as "some kind of spellbinding sorcery at work." He continued that a mix of words, chemicals, influence, peer pressure, social media and censorship was responsible for this nefarious deception.

This brainwashing, the Health Ranger added, has led people to go along with the evil agenda rooted in authoritarianism, hatred, intolerance and anti-humanity. Willis agreed, noting that Hollywood has been casting spells or programming people who are working in the movie industry.

The "Plandemic 3" director commented that there are useful idiots in Hollywood, including celebrities who have been indoctrinated and hypnotized. However, he remarked that all hope is not yet lost and called on them to look back and wake up to what is really going on.

Willis told Adams that the third installment of his documentary series exposes how people have been wired to believe everything their teachers and professors have told them. "Most intelligent people are often the first ones to bow down to authoritarians," he said. "Highly intelligent people also have a hard time considering that authority figures in their lives may have been incorrect."

In contrast, common people like farmers are harder to fool. Willis explained that farmers aren't wired by propaganda and look at things with their clear, logical eyes. The filmmaker said things need not be complicated as life is actually simple and God has already provided everything for mankind.

Ultimately, the Health Ranger noted that the release of "Plandemic 3" is perfectly timed alongside the pushback against the insanity going on.

Follow Awakening.news for more about the Great Awakening happening in America.

Watch the full conversation between Mikki Willis and the Health Ranger Mike Adams below.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Mikki Willis: Dictators are using propaganda to CONTROL and MANIPULATE people  Brighteon.TV.

Filmmaker Mikki Willis discusses Plandemic 3: The Great Awakening documentary with Del Bigtree.

Despite the long-term, well-planned op to destroy America, the pushback against the insanity is gaining strength as Americans fight back.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

Elevate.us
Ann Vandersteel urges Americans to STOP putting graphene oxide, mRNA and nanotech in their bodies  Brighteon.TV

Ann Vandersteel has urged Americans to stop putting graphene oxide, mRNA and nanotechnology  all of which are found in the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines  in their bodies.

She issued this call during the July 5 episode of her program "Right Now with Ann Vandersteel" on Brighteon.TV, which also had Josh Yoder of the U.S. Freedom Flyers in the studio. The Zelenko Freedom Foundation (ZFF) co-chair expressed hope that more people have realized that COVID-19 injections are dangerous.

"[The] COVID-19 vaccines have caused dangerous and deadly alliances between graphene oxide, mRNA and nanotechnology  things you never want to put in your body," she said. "It's not natural; they are not made by God. These are man-made things that you never want to find in your body." (Related: COVID-19 vaccines have created a DEADLY ALLIANCE featuring graphene, mRNA and nanotech.)

According to Vandersteel, the "insidious presence" of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs)  tiny carriers designed to transport genetic material into human cells  are at the heart of this union. She pointed out that LNP serves as the delivery vehicle that envelops the gene-changing mRNA technology. This mRNA, the ZFF co-chair added, intrudes on the God-given DNA strand and inserts itself  changing a person's natural blueprint.

Pfizer and Moderna have made use of nanotechnology via the LNPs in their mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. In particular, the Pfizer shot uses LNPs to deliver the mRNA that encodes the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in the virus.

The LNPs are composed of lipids or fats that protect the mRNA strand from degradation. While the technology has been hailed as a "breakthrough in vaccine development," there are also concerns about its potential risks and unintended consequences.

LNPs can induce harmful immune responses in the body

Vandersteel said a main concern surrounding LNPs is their potential to induce harmful immune responses in the body. The lipid composition and structure of these nanoparticles can trigger inflammatory reactions and immune system activation, leading to adverse effects.

She zoomed in on two LNPs used in the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines  ALC-0159 and ALC-315. According to the manufacturer's warnings, these LNPs are not to be used in humans or animals. Any person injected with these particles should undergo detox to remove them from the body.

The host also shared the horrors of graphene oxide. While the material is strong, flexible and conductive, it causes serious issues when injected into the human body. Studies have shown that graphene oxide can induce oxidative stress, damaging cells and leading to inflammation.

"Injecting graphene oxide into the bloodstream could cause a range of health problems, organ damage, blood clotting and inflammation," the ZFF co-chair said. "It also causes damage to DNA and disrupts cellular membranes which can lead to cell death."

The Brighteon.TV host said several independent studies conducted by doctors and scientists confirmed that graphene oxide is in fact present in COVID-19 vaccines. A separate study by Dr. Philippe Van Welbergen and his colleagues on the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine also found that graphene oxide is also transmitted from the vaccinated people to the unvaccinated, destroying their red blood cells and causing strange blood clots.

Follow Vaccines.news for more news about the COVID mRNA vaccines.

Watch the July 5 episode of "Right Now with Ann Vandersteel" below." Tune in to the program every weekday at 8-8:30 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

More related stories:

COVID-19 vaccine sheds graphene-like substance that causes cellular damage and blood clots in the unvaccinated, warns doctor.

COVID-19 mass vaccinations, vaccine mandates are primary reasons behind excess deaths, Ed Dowd tells Ann Vandersteel  Brighteon.TV.

Study claims COVID-19 vaccines contain graphene nanobots  and they can be transmitted to the unvaccinated.

Top 7 reasons mRNA COVID JABS are much more DEADLY than any other "vaccine" ever created.

FRESHLY OVERLAID graphene oxide "nanobots" found in Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

Expose-News.com 1

Expose-News.com 2
RFK Jr. blasts media as PROPAGANDA ORGANS for government agencies

Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) accused the mainstream media (MSM) of acting as "propaganda organs" for government agencies.

He leveled this accusation during an appearance on the "Lex Fridman Podcast," adding that the MSM played a major role in an "organized conspiracy" by censoring anyone who questioned the narrative. "I actually think the entire field of journalism has really shamed itself in recent years," he told Fridman. "If you look at what happened during the pandemic, it was the inverse of that kind of journalism."

"The major press organs in this country  were broadcasting propaganda. They became propaganda organs for the government agencies. They were actually censoring the speech of anybody who dissented, of the powerless."

According to the presidential candidate, the media's role is to speak truth to power and safeguard the freedom of expression as guaranteed by the First Amendment. When the media colludes with powerful entities to manipulate public opinion, it becomes an instrument of authoritarian rule. This, RFK Jr. added, undermines the essence of journalism in a democracy.

An example of collusion he mentioned was the influence of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in shaping public opinion. In response to Fridman's question about how the agency influences the narrative, RFK Jr. replied: "Through the press, directly through key members. There are certain press organs that have been linked to the agency."

He named several media outlets involved in the scheme, such as the Daily Beast, Rolling Stone, Salon and Daily Kos. These MSM outlets, he said, have deep relationships with the intelligence community.

RFK Jr. sues Trusted News Initiative over censorship conspiracy

The presidential hopeful told Fridman that the Trusted News Initiative (TNI) had a central role in this suppression. According to RFK Jr., the TNI was initiated by the BBC and sought to prevent the publication of stories or facts that deviated from government orthodoxy.

He added that major news services such as United Press International (UPI) and the Associated Press (AP), alongside news outlets such as the Washington Post (WaPo) owned by Jeff Bezos, were in on the scheme as signatories to the TNI. Big Tech firms such as Twitter, Facebook, Google and Microsoft were also in on the scheme.

"The way it worked is [that] the UPI and the AP  which are the news services that provide most of the news around the country  [alongside] WaPo, would decide what news was permissible to print," RFK Jr. told Fridman. Topics such as the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) and Hunter Biden's so-called "laptop from hell" were verboten, with any suggestion of their authenticity or compromising content being suppressed. (Related: ABC News censors Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s criticisms against covid "vaccines.")

The nephew of former President John F. Kennedy also disclosed his involvement in a lawsuit against the TNI. He accused the collective of conspiring to suppress dissenting voices. The younger Kennedy further accused WaPo of overseeing a true conspiracy to label individuals as "conspiracy theorists" while engaging in the suppression of information.

"Federal antitrust law has its own name for this kind of 'industry partnership': it's called a 'group boycott,'" the complaint said. "While the TNI publicly purports to be a self-appointed 'truth police' extirpating online 'misinformation,' in fact it has suppressed wholly accurate and legitimate reporting in furtherance of the economic self-interest of its members."

Listen to this conversation between RFK Jr. and the Health Ranger Mike Adams on different topics, free speech being one of them.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

RFK Jr. promises punishment against all government officials who committed crimes against humanity during covid: "Not retribution but justice!"

RFK Jr. on Faucis role in developing bioweapons & how Bill Gates profits from COVID lies.

Ron Paul, RFK Jr. publicly call out CIA for Kennedy assassination, covid plandemic.

New book narrates RFK Jr.s pursuit of medical freedom  especially for children.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

France24.com

Brighteon.com
THE ENEMY WITHIN: JD Rucker warns of TRAITORS trying to take America down

Independent journalist JD Rucker warned of a conspiracy against the American people staged by enemies within the nation. He issued this warning to Dave Krieger on the July 6 edition of "The Power Hour."

"I'm not talking about old conspiracy theories, even though there are those. I'm saying there's actually people conspiring against us," Rucker said. "It's not just China; it's not just the World Economic Forum; its not just Volodymyr Zelensky, Vladimir Putin or anybody else on the outside. There are people here in the U.S. who are conspiring against us, against their fellow Americans  [and] are trying to take this nation down."

Rucker was not just talking about Democrats or leftists in his warning, but also those in what he dubbed as the "uni-party swamp." He also pertained to Republicans in name only (RINOs) who aren't doing anything to fulfill the promises they made to Americans.

The founder and editor-in-chief of America First Report (AFR), formerly NOQ Report, told Krieger: "These are new problems, and they are hitting us in this perfect storm." The only possible explanations for this, Rucker added, is either the problems are God's judgment or the work of a globalist cabal within the U.S. actively trying to take down the nation. (Related: The engineered TAKEDOWN of food, water and energy infrastructure will plunge entire nations into the Dark Ages.)

For his part, Krieger said people he has talked to are stocking up on food, guns and ammunition. He similarly called on anyone with enough money to do the same as part of their prepping. According to "The Power Hour" host, Americans do not want to be on the back end of the equation when SHTF.

"That's what people are afraid of," he told Rucker. "The thing is: We don't want you to fear it. We want you to understand it, prepare and get a handle on it so that you're bold and strong. You're emboldened enough to do the right thing."

Krieger: High time for states to form constitutional militias

Krieger, a former TV reporter and anchorman, went on to say that every single state in the union should now be trying to form their constitutional militias. Such a move, he added, will scare the federal government in Washington, D.C.

He also noted that every American who had taken the oath and understood what the Constitution is must be ready to protect the country against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. "The American people need to stand up and speak against any tyrannical act by the federal government," he said.

Rucker agreed with the program host, noting that the formation of militias at the state level is sanctioned by state governments and is exactly what Americans need. "It's not just for the sake of having more guns than they have," Rucker said. "This is about awareness. This is about protection. This is about making sure that people have a way to get involved."

He also urged Americans to not just be simply aware of what is happening, but also to know what to do about it. "Making the pledge or oath to defend the American nation is actually about participating, engaging and protecting themselves, their family, property and neighbors," Rucker noted.

The AFR founder stressed that he is by no means trying to promote violence. In contrast, Rucker said he wants to prevent violence because it is coming to the American people one way or another.

Follow Conspiracy.news for more news about the conspiracy going on against America.

Watch the full conversation between Dave Krieger and JD Rucker below.

This video is from The Power Hour channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

JD Rucker: Start prepping for economic collapse  or something worse.

Check out these 10 "conspiracy theories" that will receive validation in 2023.

Despite the long-term, well-planned op to destroy America, the pushback against the insanity is gaining strength as Americans fight back.

Free state of Florida moves to ban tracking of firearms, ammo purchases because it's no one's business.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

AmericaFirstReport.com
UK considering legislation that allows intelligence agency to spy on peoples internet activity in real time

Every last trace of freedom is being erased in the United Kingdom where legislators are pushing a new proposal that would allow the nation's cyber and signals intelligence agency, GCHQ, new sweeping powers to monitors internet logs in real time.

Under the guise of fighting online fraud, U.K. officials say the proposal is simply about catching criminals in the act. Watchdog groups and others, however, are raising the alarm about the civil liberties implications.

Last year, the U.K. government responded to an inquiry about the proposal claiming that existing measures on the books are wholly inadequate when it comes to tackling online fraud  but is this actually true?

According to those pushing the measure, less than eight percent of reported fraud crimes online are actually investigated. This, we are told, is due to a lack of focus combined with a lack of understanding about the evolving complexity of how online fraud takes place.

Because of this, U.K. authorities want to implement drastic new changes built on the back of a "wholesale change in philosophy and practice  but will it actually work without erasing every last trace of user privacy in the U.K.?

(Related: In May, the Dallas Independent School District [ISD] launched an artificial intelligence [AI] spying and surveillance system to keep a constant eye on all.)

"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety"  Benjamin Franklin

According to reports, the GCHQ wants direct access to Internet Connection Records (ICRs), a trove of metadata that includes details about the types of services that people's devices are not connecting to, but supposedly not the content being accessed.

"At present, ICRs are relegated to identifying individuals already under suspicion," Reclaim the Net reported.

"However, this proposed legislation would expand the powers, potentially allowing ICRs to be used in identifying new suspects  a radical shift. The government's obscure communication surrounding this proposal highlights the need for public scrutiny."

David Anderson, a former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, was tasked with conducting an independent review of this new proposal. He received an operation case from the GCHQ that claims improved access to ICRs could be used to better detect financial fraud and even child sexual abuse cases by identifying patterns of online behavior rather than specifics.

The logistics of accessing and processing all this metadata is an entirely different story, though, as the GCHQ had trouble enacting another policy that was implemented in 2016, the Investigatory Powers Act, until just this year.

"Their deployment is hindered by substantial costs, technical complexity and the shifting landscape of internet usage," reports explained.

Even more up for debate than the technical hurdles are the civil rights violations that the new proposal would allow. It is one thing to prevent crime, and another thing entirely to invade people's personal privacy under the guise of preventing crime.

"The proposed legislation, if enacted, could lead us into uncharted waters, where the government's gaze over our online activities becomes the norm," reports said. "In a world where privacy is becoming increasingly cherished, the sudden windfall of power to GCHQ feels like an Orwellian twist."

"The public and the guardians of civil liberties must be vigilant. The price for security should not be the pawn of privacy. One must wonder whether in our pursuit to combat online fraud, we are at risk of creating an omnipotent surveillance state that might leave the citizenry perpetually under the watchful eye of Big Brother."

The latest news about the government's ramped-up efforts to control people's online behavior can be found at Surveillance.news.

Sources for this article include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

Newstarget.com
Yellen commits protocol error, bowing multiple times to Beijing counterpart  flagged by critics as stunning weakness

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen had a "facepalm moment" when she met with China's Vice Premier He Lifeng and bowed effusively as soon as he shook the hand of the top Chinese official. In contrast, He, Chinese President Xi Jinpings new economy czar, stood erect and backed away as if giving more room for Yellen's "big movements." After bowing at least three times, she also stumbled over He's name, calling him 'Vice Premier Hu.'

Former White House staffer Bradley Blakeman, who served during President George W. Bush's administration, told the New York Post that Yellen's kowtowing to the Chinese official was inappropriate. "Never, ever, ever  an American official does not bow," said Blakeman. "It looks like shes been summoned to the principals office, and that's exactly the optics the Chinese love." Blakeman added that the way to treat an adversary is not to go hat in hand. "But with this administration, time and time again, we embarrass ourselves and show weakness," he added.

Jerome A. Cohen, an emeritus professor at New York University and expert in Chinese law and government, agreed with Blakemen that bowing is not part of the accepted protocol. Author Max Murray also shared the same stance. "And it just shows the lack of effective leverage we have. She did not realize bowing as an American official was a breach of protocol. They don't reciprocate. He even backs away to give her more space to kowtow."

Here's a video of what happened courtesy of the DailyMail.

Meanwhile, despite the major boo-boos, Yellen claimed that the trip to Beijing cemented the foreign relationships on "surer footing."

The ex-chair of the Federal Reserve before becoming President Joe Biden's top financial official, as well as the Beijing officials, claimed that the four-day trip was fruitful, although the visit  designed to help smooth a rocky relationship  did not generate any concrete agreements. Yellen stressed the need for healthy economic competition and improved communication and urged cooperation on the 'existential threat' posed by climate change.

"We believe that the world is big enough for both of our countries to thrive," she told journalists at the U.S. embassy in Beijing on Sunday. "Both nations have an obligation to responsibly manage this relationship: to find a way to live together and share in global prosperity."

Her trip came on the heels of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit, as part of a Biden administration push to improve communication between the two superpower nations.

Beijing proves dominance in tech and military wars over the West

This week, just days before Yellen arrived, China suddenly announced new export restrictions on gallium and germanium, two metals crucial for semiconductor manufacture. According to Beijing, the need to "safeguard national security and interests" in what was widely seen as a retaliatory move in the wake of American curbs on Chinese tech is essential. Business Insider reported that exporters should apply for export licenses if they want to continue shipping the products out of China, per the notice.

For critics, news of the export curb is seen as a retaliatory move by Beijing in the country's tech war with the West. China seems to be making a statement that despite Yellen's claim to be on good terms with them, they'd need to show their power over countries being supported by Western allies.

Also, soon after Yellen landed in the Asian country, the nation sent 13 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and six vessels into the airspace and waters around Taiwan, which the Communist Party of China (CCP) claims as its own. Xi also addressed his commanders at the Jiangsu province headquarters, stressing efforts to  break new ground for theater command development and war preparedness. Beijing also objects vigorously to U.S. military support for Taiwan and criticized the upcoming $440 million sale of cannon shells and other equipment, accusing the U.S. of turning Taiwan into a powder keg.

"The way to treat an adversary is, you dont go hat in hand," Blakeman said. "But with this administration, time and time again, we embarrass ourselves and show weakness. And it just shows the lack of effective leverage we have."

Visit CommunistChina.news to read more about China's efforts to dominate the West, their allies and the whole world.

Sources for this article include:

InfoWars.com

NYPost.com

DailyMail.co.uk

BusinessInsider.com

APNews.com
The residents in the US East Coast may have noticed more Joro spiders over the past years, and yet, their population continues to increase in the region.

In a report of Scitech Daily, Joro spiders could have been in millions now and these invasive species have rapidly spread across the Southeast.

Scientifically known as the Trichonephila clavate, the black and bright yellow Joros are huge and can fit the size of the palm, wherein the body size of an adult female is at 17-25mm while the male is at 7-10 mm. However, there is nothing much to worry about these arachnids.

Read Also: Researchers Explain Unique Behavior Of A Spider Species

They are gentle, not aggressive

In a science journal published by Andrew Davis and Amitesh Anerao of University of Georgia, they described Joros spiders as the "shyest" ever documented.

During an 'air puff' response conducted that tests the reaction to perceived threats, Joro spiders remained immobile for over an hour, compared to other spider species that will mostly remain immobile for only under a minute after a stimulus.

The same was observed with Joros' cousin, the golden silk spider which both came from the same genus.

"After a mild stressor, both Trichonephila species displayed an exceptionally prolonged thanatosis reaction (over 1 hour), compared to other spider species, which had reactions lasting for only minutes," the researchers noted.

They concluded through their study that these kinds of spiders can tolerate continuous disturbances in urban-living.

In a separate study, Davis said that people should try to live with Joro spiders.

While they are considered venomous, these spiders are not a threat to humans or even pets. Even if they are large in size, Joro spiders' defensive bites are not fatal and most likely wouldn't break the skin because their fangs are small according to Earthsky.

Joros as pest controls

University of Georgia entomologist Nancy Hinkle told USA Today that Joro spiders can be a valuable pest control, as they feed on insects like mosquitoes, flies, and stink bugs.

With this, there are more natural methods to suppress pests instead of using chemicals.

"I'm trying to convince people that having zillions of large spiders and their webs around is a good thing," Hinkle said.

Joro spiders originated in East Asia and native to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and China. The spider shares its name with a folkloric "spider demon" in Japanese culture.

These spiders were first spotted in Georgia, wherein it is believed to be brought to the United States in 2013 through shipping containers from Asia. Since then, they have become an invasive species to the Southeastern part of the US and they may start to migrate and colonize other parts of the east coast.

With the help of their webs, they can fly through the air through a technique that scientists called as "ballooning". Joro spiders are also observed to have great ability to adapt in cold temperatures, which also makes it easy for them to spread in many areas.

Related Article: Environmental-Friendly Pest Control: Spider Webs Helpful To Protect Agricultural Crops

Related Video:




Pets and animals are no strangers to extreme weather events, including challenging heat and searing temperatures.

Recently, Nature World News (NWN) reported a challenging heat unfolded in the country. Southwestern US suffered from hotter conditions. The forecast warned of possible heat-related illnesses due to the challenging heat waves.

Weather in the US

The National Weather Service (NWS) recently reported that dangerous heat is expected in Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, Fresno, Southern Great Basins, Southern Plains and Phoenix.

The advisory explained that the challenging heat conditions could likely continue in the US until July 19th.

Furthermore, NWS reported that South Central US could feel the hotter temperatures this week, including in Lower Mississippi Valley and Florida Peninsula.

Also Read: Europe Soaring Temperatures: 61,672 Died in Heat-Related Illnesses Last Year

The troublesome weather conditions could become challenging for people without a cooling system at night. The advisory noted that they could be at risk of heat-related health concerns.

How to keep pets safe from the hot weather

Pets can become at risk of the hot conditions this week in the United States. According to NWS Los Angeles, excessive heat warnings are present in parts of LA County until the weekend.

The report noted that older adults and pets could become victims of the hot weather. Meanwhile, the American Red Cross emphasized caring for pets during this summer heat.

Reduced exposure to the hot conditions

Pet owners should avoid prolonged exposure to the hot weather. Limiting outdoor activities and pet walks can reduce the risk of heat exhaustion.

Homeowners should check the weather before planning to leave their pets outdoors.

Don't leave pets inside a hot vehicle

The American Red Cross explained that pets could become at risk if they leave them inside vehicles, especially when no one looks after them.

It is best to leave them at home with a water supply or someone who can supervise them.

Look for possible signs of heat stroke

The report added that pets or animals could be vulnerable to heat stroke during soaring temperatures.

Pets with short noses or snouts are said to become more prone to heat-related illnesses. According to Red Cross, the signs of heat stroke for pets are: unable to get up or weakness, fast pulse rate and red gum color.

Cool your pet during hot weather

When you are outside, pet owners should look for possible shade and bring enough water for pets.

According to The Humane Society - United States, the trees can give pets shade to offer relief from the hot weather. A cooling body vest can also become helpful for pets.

Pet owners can apply cold towels on pets to ease the heat they feel.

Seek a veterinarian clinic

It is advisable to immediately bring to the veterinarian clinic when they show signs of heat stroke.

Related Article: Challenging Heatwaves: How to Stay Safe from Hot Summer Season

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
US Senators Cynthia Lummis and Kirsten Gillibrand Propose Legislation to Regulate Digital Assets

Source: Pixabay

US Senators Cynthia Lummis and Kirsten Gillibrand are set to propose a new bill today to regulate cryptocurrencies and other digital assets in the country.

Lummis and Kristen will reintroduce their Responsible Financial Innovation Act amid the ongoing debate about the future of digital asset regulation.

The latest digital assets bill will aim to classify most crypto assets as commodities similar to gold.

There is a lack of clarity in the industry anout which financial watchdog should oversee cryptocurrencies - US Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

Both regulators have come after crypto companies for breaking the laws supervised by these watchdogs. While Coinbase is being sued by the SEC, Binance is facing a lawsuit from the CFTC as well.

The Proposed Bill Expected to Ban Proprietary Trading

A person with knowledge of the proposed bill revealed that if the legislation is passed, it would force crypto exchanges to keep customers assets in third-party trusts. It would also stop exchanges from engaging in proprietary trading, Wired reported.

Proprietary trading is when exchanges trade funds on their own platform.

The legislation would also reportedly prohibit crypto lenders ability to finance crypto assets with collateral already pledged for different loans.

The Republican senator Cynthia Lummis said:

It is critical to integrate digital assets into existing law and to harness the efficiency and transparency of this asset class while addressing risk As this industry continues to grow, it is critical that Congress carefully crafts legislation that promotes innovation while protecting the consumer against bad actors.

The Bill Incorporates Suggestions From SEC

The pro-crypto senator from Wyoming confirmed that SEC and other agencies were consulted to make changes in the bill. They have seen it. We asked them to tweak it, and weve incorporated some of their changes, she said.

Lummis still worries that the SEC and other agencies would try to kill the bill. She added:

After all of our efforts to reach out to them and work with them, I do not want them to come in at the last minute to put their kibosh on this.

Several Republican lawmakers have openly opposed SEC chair Gary Gensler for his approach towards regulating the crypto industry.

As reported earlier, House Republicans introduced a bill to sack Gary Gensler and make other reforms at the SEC.

The SEC has so far deemed over 60 cryptocurrencies as security.
It is a first for South Korea that the rented giant panda, Ai Bao, gave birth to two cubs in a tourist park.

Ai Bao The Giant Panda and Her Twin Cubs

The Everland theme park near Seoul's Ai Bao gave birth to the two female cubs last Friday, according to the resort's operator, Samsung C&T Resort Group.

According to the resort organization, this is the first instance of panda twins being born in South Korea.

The report says that Ai Bao and her infants are both well.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, a baby panda is around the size of a stick of butter, or 1/900th the size of its mother. However, as adults, female pandas can weigh up to 200 pounds, while male pandas can weigh up to 300 pounds. Their bulky size do not hinder their tree climbing skills.

Zoo director Donghee Chung stated that since pandas have come to represent endangered species, it feels like a perfect opportunity to advocate for improved preservation and protection of these animals.

The giant panda's population is progressively increasing thanks to conservation efforts; in 2016, the IUCN reduced the big panda's status from Endangered to Vulnerable, according to reports from Daily Mail UK.

Conservation and Breeding Programs

The giant panda species was spared from extinction via decades of conservation efforts in the open and research in captivity, boosting its number from less than 1,000 at one point to more than 1,800 in the wild and in captivity. In the natural habitat, giant pandas typically live for approximately 15 years, but when kept in captivity, they have been recorded to survive for as long as 38 years.

The South Korean resort company stated that it would wait to reveal the cubs to the public until it could assess their health and progress. The group has stated that it will showcase the cubs on social media.

Ai Bao and Le Bao, a giant panda couple, arrived in the park in 2016 from China as part of a 15-year leasing deal. Fu Bao, a female cub, was born to Ai Bao in 2020.

Also Read: First Endangered Red Panda Cub Born in San Diego Zoo in 20 Years Enters Public Viewing Area

The only pandas in South Korea had been Ai Bao, Le Bao, and Fu Bao. According to the resort organization via The Associated Press News, 14 million people have visited Everland's Panda World, which is home to the three pandas.

Female bears have an extremely small fertility window, which can be as little as three days a year, and are exceedingly picky when it comes to mating.

Although conservation is an expensive endeavor, it hasn't stopped scientists from all over the world from trying to develop strategies to preserve and perpetuate the species.

Three years after Fu Bao, the first panda to be born in South Korea, the twins were born close to Seoul. Ai Bao and Le Bao are also the parents of Fu Bao, according to Daily Mail UK.

Related Article: World's Only Albino Panda Seen Interacting with Other Pandas in China Nature Reserve
In Riverton, Utah, a painted rock snake by the name of Ernie has grown to a length of 30 feet as locals continue to add to its length. However, it will soon be taken off the sidewalk.

Growing a Rock Snake

Near the intersection of Cervina and Chamonix Way, neighbors didn't have to search very far to find Ernie the snake. He's currently about 30 feet long after someone put up a banner requesting neighbors to aid in his growth about a month ago.

The painted rock snake Ernie originally appeared as a rock with a snake head painted on it, a bright red felt tongue, and a body made of green, white, and turquoise. The person who made Ernie, who is yet unidentified, wrote a note at the head requesting that neighbors add painted rocks to aid in the rock snake's growth.

Following the actions of neighbors and community members, Ernie can now be seen stretching out quite a ways down the block.

Messages are painted on some of the boulders, while painted designs are on others.

Dalton Cook, a young resident, feels that Ernie should be considerably longer. Cook stated that it would be fantastic if it circled the entire planet, but the creator would have to include numerous signs in various languages, news outlet ABC4 reports.

Violations of Public Art

The community has praised the rock snake art project that a 6-year-old girl launched on Draper's Porter Rockwell trail for its beneficial effects.

More than 500 rocks painted with encouraging messages have been added to the project. Supporters were expecting the rock snake to grow a mile.

There is a 30-foot snake sunning itself on a corner in Riverton.https://t.co/y9cbPw3FI6  ABC4 News (@abc4utah) July 11, 2023

The city has nonetheless put up a sign requesting the removal of the painted rocks.

Concerned neighborhood residents questioned the choice, claiming that the painted rocks do not block the trail but rather improve the environment.

Also Read: Chalk Paint - Milk Paint Comparison Reveals the Greener Choice

They praised the project's positive aspects and contrasted the scenario to situations in which cities had torn down illegal lemonade shops.

Troy Walker, the mayor of Draper, acknowledged the appeal of the art project but stated that the city's stance was based on the idea of using public property.

Even though he acknowledged that some people would find the rock snake attractive and positive, he claimed that allowing one exhibition would establish a standard for others that might not be universally accepted or appropriate.

Walker referenced past court disputes involving signage on public property as well as the city's sign policy. He said the city council would want to think about designating a space as a public art area but pointed out that the trail system was not currently designed for such exhibits, CBS 2KUTV reports.

Starting a New Rock Snake

The proprietor of Green Kayak Grille & Pub in New Richmond said in a story by NPR's 91.7 WVXU News that he adored the internet concept of creating a snake out of curving painted rocks. Rebecca Vaske believed the moment was right to start a new set of painted rock snake display on her property after the Doerman brothers' deaths. It might promote healing and provide a secure environment for kids to play.

Related Article: Thief Gets Cursed of Fleas for Stealing Onions, Internet Says It "Brings Tears" to the Eyes
An endangered smalltooth sawfish was recently detected off the coast of Florida after 20 years, suggesting that the species may be on the verge of a recovery.

Endangered Smalltooth Sawfish

For the first time in 20 years, a native marine fish species off the coast of Florida was just tagged. It was the first time the species had ever been declared endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

On June 6 during an annual shark field course, an adult female smalltooth sawfish with a length of 13 feet was caught, tagged, and released.

This, in the opinion of the Florida Museum of Natural History, may point to a slow pace of recovery of the species.

Gavin Naylor, the director of the Florida Museum of Natural History's shark research program, and Dean Grubbs, Florida State University's Coastal and Marine Laboratory associate director of research, caught the sawfish.

According to Naylor, this is the farthest northerly location the sawfish recovery team has tagged an individual in the previous 30 to 40 years.

Following decades of dwindling populations due to habitat degradation, overfishing, and death as bycatch in fisheries, smalltooth sawfish was originally designated as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act in 2003, according to the Florida Museum.

Smalltooth sawfish populations rapidly decreased in the latter half of the 20th century, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration via the Lede, primarily as a result of habitat loss from coastal development and getting unintentionally caught in commercial fishing operations, in part because of their saw-like snouts that are easily entangled in nets.

Naylor and Grubbs had no reason to think they would encounter anything other than a young shark when they initially felt a strong tug on their rope.

Given that nurse sharks and sawfish inhabit many of the same environments, Grubbs claimed that he initially believed they had hooked a sawfish when the line jerked sharply and suddenly.

Also Read: 25 Critically Endangered Sunflower Sea Stars Found on Oregon Coasts, Officials Hopeful for Species Recovery

Reported and Tagged

Grubbs was very certain that it was a sawfish, but he maintained his composure since he didn't want to let the kids down if he turned out to be mistaken.

He noticed the tail before the rostrum, at which time he lost his calm and yelled that it was indeed a sawfish.

Grubbs, along with his graduate students, cautiously confined the fish once they had caught it, while another staff member drove a skiff back to shore to grab a tagging device.

The tag is part of a larger initiative by federal and state authorities, colleges, and non-governmental organizations to track sawfish populations and will allow the team to trace the animal's travels for the next ten years.

On the sawfish's fins and sides, the scientists discovered scars from mating.

Although there are few, if any, recordings of sawfish mating behaviors, the Florida Museum notes that closely related species like rays and sharks demonstrate wooing behavior that involves the males biting the female partners' fins before mating.

Female smalltooth sawfish give birth to a modest litter of seven to fourteen young, which require many years to achieve reproductive age.

Smalltooth sawfish have a long life cycle. Sawtooth populations' slow comeback has been hampered by their slow growth, although mating scars are evidence that their numbers are still increasing, Pensacola News Journal reported.

Related Article: Critically Endangered Sawfish Dead in Australia With Toothed Saws Chopped Off
Colorado is now finally drought-free after the wet and rainy weather helped ease the drought in the region, according to the latest report, which highlighted that the stormy conditions in Colorado eased the prolonged drought conditions, according to the U.S Drought Monitor.

According to AccuWeather, Colorado finally recorded areas without drought since July 16, 2019.

In other parts of the country, the Northeast recorded stormy conditions that unleashed heavy rain.

Nature World News's (NWN) recent report showed that many vehicles became stranded in the Northeast due to the flooding rainfall.

Colorado's drought-free conditions

While the rain improved the drought conditions in Colorado, the latest forecast noted that it could become short-lived.

Based on AccuWeather's outlook, abnormally dry continued in Colorado from August 2020 until April 2021 and November 2021 to April 2022.

Last year, Reuters reported that the Colorado River experienced dry conditions that impacted the water distribution to over 40 million people.

In California, NWS reported that Lake Oroville recovered from the beneficial rain and snowpack. The said lake is one of the largest reservoirs in California, supplying about 27 million people in California.

Furthermore, the CNN report noted that Lake Oroville suffered from drought conditions, causing it to reach a concerning below-water level.

Meanwhile, the Colorado Sun reported that the drought-free conditions would help residents, crops and farmlands.

Drought impacts

The low or below average reservoir in the United States can affect residents and wildlife. The lack of rain can worsen the drought conditions, making it more difficult to recover.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), historic water levels can result in health implications.

The report emphasized that prolonged drought can result in poor drinking water and sanitation.

In aquatic life, fish can become affected due to low water levels and reduced oxygen levels. Without sufficient water, CDC noted that insects and infestation could affect crops.

Also Read: Europe Soaring Temperatures: 61,672 Died in Heat-Related Illnesses Last Year

Furthermore, humans can suffer from the dusty air from prolonged drought, causing possible acute respiratory infections and bacterial infections.

Meanwhile, the University of Nebraska - National Drought Mitigation Center explained extreme drought conditions' economic and environmental impacts.

The report noted that drought could result in habitat destruction and animal migration. It can become more difficult for wildlife because of a lack of drinking water.

Furthermore, dry conditions could cause possible wildfire concerns and water erosion. Wildfires can become deadly, causing significant damage to forests and nearby communities.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service (NWS) explained that drought conditions are considered a costly weather event in the United States.

Did you know?

According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the warmer weather and drought outlook became the concern in 2022 due to lack of rainfall.

The report said that Nebraska recorded the fourth-driest year.

California placed the ninth driest on record.

Rhode Island and Florida recorded the fifth warmest.

Related Article: US Weather Forecast: Dangerous Heat to Hit Southwest; Northeast to Expect Rainy Conditions

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature News.
A recent report said Twiga, a female Maasai giraffe, died at age 31 at a zoo in Texas. The giraffe is said to be one of the oldest giraffes in captivity.

Before Twiga passed away, she helped other giraffes to feel at ease in the Lufkin Zoo and was beloved by many people, who are mourning her death.

According to CNN and USA Today reports, Twiga is believed to be one of the oldest under the care of humans in the zoo.

Twiga was 31 years old, nine months and seven days, when she passed away. Living 31 years is extraordinary because the zoo said giraffes could live about 25 years.

According to the Ellen Trout Zoo's post, Twiga was a female Maasai giraffe. She came to life in Los Angeles Zoo in 1991.

The report noted that Twiga arrived at the Ellen Trout Zoo on June 4, 2008.

The female giraffe had been an important friend for two giraffes in the Zoo, Kellen and Luna, that helped them to become comfortable in the zoo.

Meanwhile, netizens who commented on the post said they would also miss Twiga in the zoo.

Giraffe in Australia

The Daily Mail also recently reported that a 20-year-old giraffe died due to old age at the Perth Zoo in Australia. He came to the zoo in 2005 and zoo keepers provided the best care for the giraffe.

According to the report, the zoo staff mourned the death of the charming giraffe named Armani. The giraffe became popular in the zoo because of its charismatic appearance.

Furthermore, the report noted that Armani played a significant role in the breeding program at the Perth Zoo. He is the father of seven calves that are now in New Zealand and parts of Australia.

More facts about Giraffe

More than the giraffe's long legs, they are considered amazing animals in the wild, being the tallest mammal in the world.

Here are important facts about them that you should know!

According to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), people can find four different giraffe species in the wild:

Maasai Giraffe

Reticulated Giraffe

Southern Giraffe

Northern Giraffe

Moreover, the Britannica Encyclopedia explained that female giraffes can reach up to 2,600 pounds, while males can weigh 4,250 pounds.

Unlike other mammals, the report said that Giraffe doesn't drink much water daily. When female giraffe gives birth, they stand up. The report noted that giraffes have nursery groups to help with socialization.

Seaworld.org reported the life span of a giraffe can reach 20 to 25 years. They love to stay and roam around semi-arid areas, bush and savannah.

With their long neck, giraffes can easily track and see possible predators in the area. Their colors and markings are helpful to evade predators by hiding in trees.

They might be gigantic, but they are fast runners!

Related Article: Playful Young Giraffe in New York City Dies After Neck Stuck in Enclosure Gates

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature News.
According to information published by the Cuban MFA on July 12, 2023, the nuclear-powered Los Angeles class submarine USS Pasadena is currently at the Guantanamo Bay Naval base.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

US Navy's Los Angeles class submarine USS Pasadena. (Picture source: US DoD)

The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the US for deploying a nuclear-powered submarine to the Guantanamo Bay military base. The Ministry states that the base no longer holds strategic or military value for the US.

Cuban-US relations

The naval relations between the United States and Cuba have been marked by a mix of cooperation, tension, and standoff, a pattern largely influenced by the broader political context of U.S.-Cuban relations.

After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, the relationship between the two nations deteriorated rapidly, leading to the U.S. embargo and various military confrontations, the most prominent being the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 and the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. These events significantly affected naval relations between the two countries, causing a high level of naval tensions in the Caribbean Sea.

The U.S. maintains a significant naval presence at Guantanamo Bay, a naval base leased from Cuba. The base has been a point of contention between the two nations.

The Cuban government considers the presence of the U.S. Navy base illegal and has on many occasions called for its closure. Despite this, the U.S. continues to maintain its base due to its strategic importance, and it serves as a crucial hub for U.S. military operations in the Caribbean and beyond.
Frog, Switch & Manufacturing Co. on Wednesday announced that it has ceased production after more than 100 years in operation in Carlisle.

The company said in a news release Wednesday that its board of directors after considerable debate, determined that it was impossible for the company to continue due to international competition and the prohibitive costs of capital improvements necessary to keep the foundry competitive.

The family business that dates back to 1898 officially ceased production on June 30, according to the company. At the time of its closure, 30 people were employed at the plant, 23 of whom were covered under a collective bargaining agreement with the United Steelworkers.

The company said it had employed 240 workers in Carlisle in 2008, but the company gradually decreased operations over the years, with the company saying that uncompetitive production lines were being closed.

In recent years, the company has operated a single vacuum mold line in its foundry, which serviced mining customers in the Mesabi Iron Range of northern Minnesota, according to the company.

Amsted Global Solutions has been the exclusive distributor for all Frog, Switch parts since 2022 and will continue to supply manganese steel castings to customers, according to the company.
The market for managed security services is shifting as enterprises weigh their requirements for cloud-based security capabilities and vendors refine their feature sets and product integrations.

Converged security services can offer significant benefits to enterprises when it comes to manageability, scalability, security, and price, according to research firm Gartner, which introduced the term SASE, or secure access service edge. SASE is a network architecture that combines software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) and security functionality into a unified cloud service that promises simplified WAN deployments, improved efficiency and security, and application-specific bandwidth policies.

A security-centric offshoot of SASE is security service edge, or SSE, which is essentially SASE minus the SD-WAN. SSE combines several key security functions  including a cloud-access security broker (CASB), secure web gateway, zero-trust network access (ZTNA), and a next-generation firewall  into a cloud-based service to streamline management.

Lately, SSE vendors are adding even more security functions. According to Gartner's new Magic Quadrant for Security Service Edge (available from vendors including Netskope, Palo Alto Networks and Zscaler via registration), some SSE vendors now also offer CASB protection for API calls, remote browser isolation, cloud security posture management, digital experience monitoring, and user and entity behavior analytics.

At the same time, the market is also undergoing some leadership changes, according to Gartner. Mergers, acquisitions, and momentum shifts have shaken up the players in Gartners SSE matrix. Cloudflare is a newcomer, Palo Alto is rising in the ranks, and Skyhigh Security is finding its footing following the split of McAfee Enterprise businesses, for example.

SSE adoption set to rise

By 2026, 85% of organizations looking for a CASB, secure web gateway, or ZTNA will obtain these from a converged solution rather than from separate vendors, Gartner predicts. Today, SSE market penetration is between 5% and 20%, says Garner analyst Charlie Winckless. That's roughly the same as that of SASE, he says.

Gartner coined the term SASE in 2019, and the idea exploded in popularity in 2020 during the height of the pandemic as enterprises looked for scalable solutions to provide secure network access to remote employees. Today, SASE still offers significant enterprise benefits, but not all companies are ready to switch to adopt the full SASE stack. Many already have various parts from different vendors or aren't yet ready to upgrade from their legacy solutions.

In 2022, only 10% of enterprise buyers got all their SASE technologies from a single vendor, according to Gartner's SASE market guide, released last fall. One particular challenge to single-vendor SASE adoption is that SASE includes both networking and security components. But, especially in large enterprises, these are often purchased by different parts of the IT organization. Networking and security teams may have separate budgets, separate deployment timelines, and different vendor selection criteria.

Enter SSE. Moving to an SSE platform for cloud security, instead of going all the way to SASE, can be an easier transition for IT teams.

Still, Garner's Winckless, who is one of the authors of the new SSE Magic Quadrant, urges companies that plan to buy SSE and SD-WAN separately to not make those decisions in isolation. "I would counsel those two teams to work together to select something that can be tightly coupled, even if not a single vendor," he says.

SASE and SSE overlap

Internal silos aren't the only obstacle to full SASE adoption. Not many vendors can offer the full SASE technology stack yet, Winckless says. Take, for example, Netskope, the top vendor in the SSE Magic Quadrant. "Netskope only recently purchased an on-prem SD-WAN," Winckless says.

And those vendors that do offer both SSE and SD-WAN are typically much better at one or the other, he says. Today, there are only three vendors that are in both the SD-WAN and the SSE Magic Quadrants: Cisco, Palo Alto, and Forcepoint.

But this landscape is changing quickly. "We're seeing a number of new vendors trying to enter the space," Winckless says. "And a lot of the standalone ZTNA vendors are adding SASE-like capabilities."

Other vendors are moving in by buying up providers that offer missing pieces. For example, earlier this spring, Hewlett Packard Enterprise beefed up its network security portfolio by purchasing SSE provider Axis Security. The company already had SD-WAN via Aruba Networks.

SSE market landscape

Gartners take on the SSE vendors different strengths and challenges illustrates some of the market dynamics.

Palo Alto moved from challenger to leader in the Magic Quadrant. Palo Alto is now offering a much more integrated experience, says Winckless. "They've made significant improvements in the SaaS security, in the way they deliver the services, and in their integrated architecture," he says.

Netskope and Zscaler are the only other two vendors in the leader quadrant. Among Netskopes strengths are its advanced data security capabilities and a strong ZTNA offering that includes in-line DLP inspection, Gartner says, along with strong revenue, growth, and SSE market mindshare. Zscalers strengths include its extensive network (including a large number of its own points of presence), a strong ecosystem of partners and API integrations, and strong revenue growth from a large customer base.

One newcomer to the SSE Magic Quadrant is Cloudflare, which entered the SSE market in 2022 with its acquisition of CASB vendor Vectrix. The company also has the largest number of cloud POPs in the market and offers network functionality via its Magic WAN services and integrations with several SD-WAN vendors. But it's still new to the space, and it doesn't yet support most enterprise data security cases, according to Gartner.

According to Winckless, SASE vendor Versa was dropped from the SSE Magic Quadrant this year because it didn't have enough momentum as an SSE offering. "Their focus is more in the networking and the SASE area rather than in dedicated SSE," he says.

Another big change in this year's Magic Quadrant is that McAfee, which was in the leader quadrant last year, has undergone some changes. After it was acquired by private equity giant Symphony Technology, most of the company was merged with FireEye's products business to create endpoint protection company Trellix. But the part of McAfee with the SSE functions, which used to be Skyhigh Networks before McAfee acquired it in 2018, is now Skyhigh Security.

The split created some disruption. Skyhigh isn't a leader but instead fell to the visionaries quadrant because of the disruption to sales. Plus, the company was busy with restructuring instead of focusing on building new capabilities this past year. They're still rebuilding their channel and dealing with other external issues, says Winckless.

New SSE features

SSE vendors have been expanding their feature sets this past year, says Winckless, in some cases going beyond cloud security. For example, Forcepoint and Zscaler are offering endpoint data loss prevention.

SSE vendors have long offered DLP when it comes to online traffic, spotting instances of, say, employees uploading sensitive data to cloud storage systems. Endpoint DLP takes this a step further and looks at device-based data loss, such as saving sensitive data to a USB drive. "That's not an SSE thing," Winckless says.

Other new features include cloud and SaaS security management, which is the ability to look at how SaaS applications are configured. "The vendors are looking to be a one-stop-shop for SaaS security," says Winckless. "That's probably the biggest area I'm seeing people expand into."

Typical use cases would be spotting if a Salesforce administrator made a configuration change that reduced security, or a user allowed a questionable third-party app access to their Office 365 account. "We've seen SaaS apps with significant problems due to interconnections," says Winckless. "These connections are going around the edge of the existing CASB.

Finally, SSE vendors have long made use of AI and machine learning, Winckless says, but now generative AI is starting to appear. The traditional use of the technology is to look for potential anomalies, such as with advanced user behavior analytics, he says.

Generative AI has the potential to expand the boundaries of how AI is used in this space. For example, generative AI can be used as part of an admin interface or a user interface to help people interact with the SSE platforms. In fact, in mid-June, Zscaler announced the use of generative AI to power a natural language interface to its products. The company said it will also use generative AI to recommend security policies and perform impact analysis and to expand data loss prevention to include video and audio files.

"There are opportunities for AI, and its exploding in multiple areas," says Winckless.

But it's too early yet to tell whether enterprises will find value in the technology. "There's certainly a lot of interest, but we'll see how effective it can be," Winckless says.
The European Commission said that the proposed acquisition of VMware by Broadcom may go forward, thanks to an investigation that suggested that the market would not be harmed and the acquiescence to several conditions by Broadcom.

The Commission, in a statement issued Wednesday, said that its investigation centered on answering the question of whether Broadcom, if it acquired VMware, would be in a position to harm the competitive balance of the marketplace in several key technology areas, including Fibre Channel host bus adapters, network interface cards, and storage adapters.

The investigation found that Broadcom didnt have a strong enough position in the NIC and storage adapter markets, but noted that the proposed merger would let Broadcom harm its only rival for FC HBAs, Marvell, by making sure that VMwares virtualization software didnt work well with Marvells hardware.

However, the Commission said that Broadcom offered a commitment to interoperability by pledging to provide Marvell with API access to VMwares virtualization products, among other commitments that led to todays approval.

Furthermore, Broadcom committed to implementing an organisational separation between the team working on Broadcom's FC HBAs and the team in charge of third-party certification and technical support, the Commission said. It also committed to ensuring protection of confidential information of Marvell and any potential entrant obtained in the context of the interoperability and certification processes.

For its part, Broadcom insists that it would have taken these steps anyway, as interoperability is a core principle of the company, according to its own statement on the Commissions decision.

Broadcom did this to fully address the concerns expressed by the European Commission, and Broadcom welcomes the Commission's decision to accept this access remedy, Broadcoms statement said. The company said that regulators in Australia, Brazil, Canada, South Africa and Taiwan had all approved the merger, though the US and UK are both continuing to investigate the proposed deal.

The commitments by Broadcom are set to run for 10 years, and will be overseen by an independent trustee.

Broadcom first announced its intention to acquire VMware in May 2022, for approximately $61 billion in cash and stocks, along with assuming $8 billion in VMware net debt. It was, at the time, the culmination of a series of high-ticket acquisitions for the semiconductor maker, which bought up Brocade in 2016, CA Technologies in 2018, and Symantecs enterprise security business in 2019 for a further total of $35 billion in merger spending.
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By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Tata Group will become the first Indian company to assemble iPhones in India as the company is set to acquire Taiwan-based Wistron Corp, one of the contract manufacturers of Apple in India. According to sources, the agreement could be sealed as early as August 2023.

This news about the Tata Companies getting one step closer to manufacturing the iconic iPhone for global markets is a very positive development and it will help grow the Indian electronic manufacturing and supply chain/component ecosystem. The government welcomes this move, said Minister of State in the Ministry of Electronics and information technology Rajeev Chandrasekar in a tweet.

The Wistrons factory in Karnataka manufactures iPhones including the latest iPhone 14, and currently, it employs over 10,000 workers. The company is valued at $600 million now. It is believed that initially, Wistron will continue to provide technical support to Tata Group. Also, the Tata group will retain some personnel. Wistron entered in the Indian market in 2008 with a repair facility, and in 2017 it started manufacturing iPhones for Apple.

The US-based tech giant Apple has increased its production in India in the past few years. According to sources, Wistron has promised Apple to ship $1.8 billion dollar worth of iPhones by March 2024, and triple its workforce in its Kolam factory by next year. Now, Tat Group will have to fulfil these commitments.

NEW DELHI: Tata Group will become the first Indian company to assemble iPhones in India as the company is set to acquire Taiwan-based Wistron Corp, one of the contract manufacturers of Apple in India. According to sources, the agreement could be sealed as early as August 2023. This news about the Tata Companies getting one step closer to manufacturing the iconic iPhone for global markets is a very positive development and it will help grow the Indian electronic manufacturing and supply chain/component ecosystem. The government welcomes this move, said Minister of State in the Ministry of Electronics and information technology Rajeev Chandrasekar in a tweet. The Wistrons factory in Karnataka manufactures iPhones including the latest iPhone 14, and currently, it employs over 10,000 workers. The company is valued at $600 million now. It is believed that initially, Wistron will continue to provide technical support to Tata Group. Also, the Tata group will retain some personnel. Wistron entered in the Indian market in 2008 with a repair facility, and in 2017 it started manufacturing iPhones for Apple.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The US-based tech giant Apple has increased its production in India in the past few years. According to sources, Wistron has promised Apple to ship $1.8 billion dollar worth of iPhones by March 2024, and triple its workforce in its Kolam factory by next year. Now, Tat Group will have to fulfil these commitments.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: From his role as the security officer of Narendra Modi to becoming the best commando of the National Security Guard in 2009, Lucky Bishts journey is filled with thrilling and life-altering experiences. The former secret service agent shares his story of triumph over adversity in his biography R.A.W. Hitman: The Real Story of Agent Lima, penned by S Hussain Zaidi and released in early July (Simon & Schuster).

Bishts motivation to share his life story as an NSG commando and spy stems from his lineage. His grandfather died a hero, fighting the Pakistani Army in the war of 1971. Bisht shares, After witnessing the sacrifices of my grandfather and father, joining the Army was a calling. Growing up in Uttarakhand, I also witnessed the lack of jobs in our region.

As a result, many, including myself, aspired to join esteemed units like the Kumaon Regiment and the Garhwal Rifles. His journey led him to the secret service in 2004, where he underwent rigorous training in Israel before returning to India. For years, Bisht dedicated himself to operations in conflict zones  Congo, Somalia, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. However, witnessing relentless violence began to take its toll. I became tired of just doing operations. I longed for peace and a chance to see India in a different light, he reveals.

Bishts desire for change led him to the National Security Guard (NSG) in 2010, where he was recognised as the best commando. But his thirst to explore persisted. I told my seniors that I didnt want to sit in a camp; I wanted to roam around, he explains. This led to a transfer from instructor to a personal security officer, where he had served and protected prominent figures  LK Advani, Narendra Modi, and Parkash Singh Badal.

However, Bishts journey was not without its trials. He faced accusations and rumours surrounding his identity as a contract killer named Lima linked to RAW. During my tenure as Advanis security officer in 2011, two influential individuals were murdered on the Nepal border. One of them had 21 unsubstantial murders attributed to him, while the other had 18. Both were intending to contest elections.

Intelligence Bureau and RAW claimed that these individuals were involved in expanding the network of Mirza Dilshad Beg, a Nepali parliamentarian with questionable ties to Dawood Ibrahims D-company. As soon as the shootout happened, some reports went that these murders were done by me, and that Lima and I are the same people. What was the then-government thinking when they put an innocent man in jail? he questions. It was only later that his case was reevaluated, leading to his eventual release.

As readers delve into Bishts book, they will discover the journey of a man who turned his worst moments into sources of inspiration. But he still hopes that his mother doesnt read his biography. I dont want her to go through all the pain again. It took almost eight years for her to forget her sons pain. I also want to tell readers that there is not a single soul on earth who hasnt faced ups and downs in. But what differentiates winners is that they make their worst moments their strength, he says, adding a movie based on the book is in the making, and is set to release next year.

Lucky Bisht, a former NSG commando and spy, and the muse of the recently-released book by S Hussain Zaidi, titled R.A.W. Hitman: The Real Story of Agent Lima, shares his adventure-filled life and career

BENGALURU: From his role as the security officer of Narendra Modi to becoming the best commando of the National Security Guard in 2009, Lucky Bishts journey is filled with thrilling and life-altering experiences. The former secret service agent shares his story of triumph over adversity in his biography R.A.W. Hitman: The Real Story of Agent Lima, penned by S Hussain Zaidi and released in early July (Simon & Schuster). Bishts motivation to share his life story as an NSG commando and spy stems from his lineage. His grandfather died a hero, fighting the Pakistani Army in the war of 1971. Bisht shares, After witnessing the sacrifices of my grandfather and father, joining the Army was a calling. Growing up in Uttarakhand, I also witnessed the lack of jobs in our region. As a result, many, including myself, aspired to join esteemed units like the Kumaon Regiment and the Garhwal Rifles. His journey led him to the secret service in 2004, where he underwent rigorous training in Israel before returning to India. For years, Bisht dedicated himself to operations in conflict zones  Congo, Somalia, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. However, witnessing relentless violence began to take its toll. I became tired of just doing operations. I longed for peace and a chance to see India in a different light, he reveals.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Bishts desire for change led him to the National Security Guard (NSG) in 2010, where he was recognised as the best commando. But his thirst to explore persisted. I told my seniors that I didnt want to sit in a camp; I wanted to roam around, he explains. This led to a transfer from instructor to a personal security officer, where he had served and protected prominent figures  LK Advani, Narendra Modi, and Parkash Singh Badal. However, Bishts journey was not without its trials. He faced accusations and rumours surrounding his identity as a contract killer named Lima linked to RAW. During my tenure as Advanis security officer in 2011, two influential individuals were murdered on the Nepal border. One of them had 21 unsubstantial murders attributed to him, while the other had 18. Both were intending to contest elections. Intelligence Bureau and RAW claimed that these individuals were involved in expanding the network of Mirza Dilshad Beg, a Nepali parliamentarian with questionable ties to Dawood Ibrahims D-company. As soon as the shootout happened, some reports went that these murders were done by me, and that Lima and I are the same people. What was the then-government thinking when they put an innocent man in jail? he questions. It was only later that his case was reevaluated, leading to his eventual release. As readers delve into Bishts book, they will discover the journey of a man who turned his worst moments into sources of inspiration. But he still hopes that his mother doesnt read his biography. I dont want her to go through all the pain again. It took almost eight years for her to forget her sons pain. I also want to tell readers that there is not a single soul on earth who hasnt faced ups and downs in. But what differentiates winners is that they make their worst moments their strength, he says, adding a movie based on the book is in the making, and is set to release next year. Lucky Bisht, a former NSG commando and spy, and the muse of the recently-released book by S Hussain Zaidi, titled R.A.W. Hitman: The Real Story of Agent Lima, shares his adventure-filled life and career
Namrata Joshi By

Express News Service

Theres something heartachingly delightful and funny about the young Korean boy Dong-hyun, who has recently immigrated with his mother So-young to Canada, wanting to change his name to Michael Jordan. Who better to help him belong in an alien world than a universal icon? But the effort to blend in demands more than merely acquiring a Western tag. Like a shift from a lunch box of bibimbap to a pack of sandwiches. Then there are also bits about himself that he cant quite change: his appearance, for instance.

Riceboy Sleeps, Canadian filmmaker Anthony Shims second feature film is loosely based on his own childhood experience of moving with his family from Seoul to a Vancouver suburb. It faithfully showcases the essential immigrant reality of many but also movingly layers it with distinctive subtexts of orphaning, illegitimacy, and persistence of loss, unique to the mother-son duo. So-young is a survivor. Having never known her parents, she has grown up in various orphanages. When she loses her partner and their lovechild is denied citizenship in his own country, she decides to make a final move to secure him a better life in Canada.

Theres as much to identify with their attempts to integrate as there is with their assertion of their identity and culture. The Korean lunch might get dumped in the bin in school to escape the barbs of fellow students, but Dong-hyun will still relish Kimchi for dinner at home. A co-workers offensive gesture is rightfully met with a fiery threat from So-young: You dont touch me or Ill kill you. She is similarly aggressive in fighting racism at her sons school. She wants her son to fight for himself and not to cry, a sign of weakness, she says.

Despite these conflicts, she brings up the boy in a personal bubble, never quite answering why he doesnt have a dad. A class on ancestry and family history and a quote from Maya AngelouIf you dont know where youve come from, you dont know where youre goingbrings the question of ancestry into focus, pushing the mother and son to take a trip back to their roots in Korea. Much of Riceboy Sleeps is eminently predictable, you can anticipate life throwing a curveball at the mother-son duo. However, Shim makes it work with his low-key, subdued narrative and languorous, long takes. He sides with sensitivity rather than sentimentality. Much as you fear the isolation and loneliness of the two, the journey back home to Korea becomes one of healing and hope.

Despite the cultural specificities, Riceboy Sleeps is also universal at its core. So-youngs experience of single parenthood would be relatable to someone from any culture. How she worries for him even in her own worst moments tugs at your heartstrings. Much as she is the guardian and figure of authority, theres also a sense of respect in dealing with the child. Shims vision is wonderfully realized by the accomplished cast, especially Choi Seung-yoon who, as So-young, is a picture of strength in her fragility, elegance in her ferociousness, tender even when angry. Her fortitude and stoicism despite the unfairness of life lend her persona a tragic dimension.

Riceboy Sleeps joins the list of South Korean migrant narratives in cinema that began catching the worlds eye a couple of years back with Lee Isaac Chungs Minari and are back in the spotlight now with Celine Songs Past Lives. All of them tell distinct stories of individual relationships and families in their own unique way, all of them make one wonder about what and where is home and all are similarly imbued with strains of compassion, grace, and gentleness. A genre powered by poignancy.

Theres something heartachingly delightful and funny about the young Korean boy Dong-hyun, who has recently immigrated with his mother So-young to Canada, wanting to change his name to Michael Jordan. Who better to help him belong in an alien world than a universal icon? But the effort to blend in demands more than merely acquiring a Western tag. Like a shift from a lunch box of bibimbap to a pack of sandwiches. Then there are also bits about himself that he cant quite change: his appearance, for instance. Riceboy Sleeps, Canadian filmmaker Anthony Shims second feature film is loosely based on his own childhood experience of moving with his family from Seoul to a Vancouver suburb. It faithfully showcases the essential immigrant reality of many but also movingly layers it with distinctive subtexts of orphaning, illegitimacy, and persistence of loss, unique to the mother-son duo. So-young is a survivor. Having never known her parents, she has grown up in various orphanages. When she loses her partner and their lovechild is denied citizenship in his own country, she decides to make a final move to secure him a better life in Canada. Theres as much to identify with their attempts to integrate as there is with their assertion of their identity and culture. The Korean lunch might get dumped in the bin in school to escape the barbs of fellow students, but Dong-hyun will still relish Kimchi for dinner at home. A co-workers offensive gesture is rightfully met with a fiery threat from So-young: You dont touch me or Ill kill you. She is similarly aggressive in fighting racism at her sons school. She wants her son to fight for himself and not to cry, a sign of weakness, she says. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Despite these conflicts, she brings up the boy in a personal bubble, never quite answering why he doesnt have a dad. A class on ancestry and family history and a quote from Maya AngelouIf you dont know where youve come from, you dont know where youre goingbrings the question of ancestry into focus, pushing the mother and son to take a trip back to their roots in Korea. Much of Riceboy Sleeps is eminently predictable, you can anticipate life throwing a curveball at the mother-son duo. However, Shim makes it work with his low-key, subdued narrative and languorous, long takes. He sides with sensitivity rather than sentimentality. Much as you fear the isolation and loneliness of the two, the journey back home to Korea becomes one of healing and hope. Despite the cultural specificities, Riceboy Sleeps is also universal at its core. So-youngs experience of single parenthood would be relatable to someone from any culture. How she worries for him even in her own worst moments tugs at your heartstrings. Much as she is the guardian and figure of authority, theres also a sense of respect in dealing with the child. Shims vision is wonderfully realized by the accomplished cast, especially Choi Seung-yoon who, as So-young, is a picture of strength in her fragility, elegance in her ferociousness, tender even when angry. Her fortitude and stoicism despite the unfairness of life lend her persona a tragic dimension. Riceboy Sleeps joins the list of South Korean migrant narratives in cinema that began catching the worlds eye a couple of years back with Lee Isaac Chungs Minari and are back in the spotlight now with Celine Songs Past Lives. All of them tell distinct stories of individual relationships and families in their own unique way, all of them make one wonder about what and where is home and all are similarly imbued with strains of compassion, grace, and gentleness. A genre powered by poignancy.
Shruti Kakkar By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: It may take 1-2 minutes for this, the Supreme Court observed on Wednesday as it adjourned the bail plea of former JNU student leader Umar Khalid accused of conspiring behind the North East Delhi riots in February 2020.A bench of Justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh acceded to Delhi polices request of granting them more time for filing their response.

In the brief hearing that transpired, Advocate Rajat Nair for Delhi Police sought time to file their reply. Kindly give me some time to file reply. Chargesheet is voluminous and runs into 1,000 pages, the counsel said.Objecting to the delay, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for Khalid said, This is a bail matter, what counter is to be filed? Man is inside for 2 years and 10 months.Notably, SC had sought Delhi Polices response on the issue on May 18 and posted the pleas to be heard after 6 weeks.

Khalid was arrested by the Delhi police on September 13, 2020 in a case alleging that the riots were a pre-planned conspiracy between Khalid and his associates from different organisations. It was also alleged that he had made provocative speeches at different locations and had appealed to people to come out & block the streets, during the visit of former US President Donald Trump to publicise targets on minorities at an international level. The police had booked him and his associates under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and provisions of the IPC.

Khalid had approached SC against Delhi HCs order of rejecting his bail. Upholding the order dated March 24, 2022 passed by the lower court of rejecting his bail, Justices Rajnish Bhatnagar and Siddharth Mridul while rejecting his bail said that there appears to be a premeditated conspiracy for causing disruptive chakka-jam and pre- planned protests at different planned sites in Delhi, which was engineered to escalate to confrontational chakka-jam and incitement to violence and culminate in riots in natural course on specific dates.

Protests and riots prima-facie seem to be orchestrated at the conspiratorial meetings held from December, 2019 till February, 2020, it said.The bench had said that the protest planned was not a typical protest normal in political culture or democracy but one far more destructive and injurious geared towards extremely grave consequences.

NEW DELHI: It may take 1-2 minutes for this, the Supreme Court observed on Wednesday as it adjourned the bail plea of former JNU student leader Umar Khalid accused of conspiring behind the North East Delhi riots in February 2020.A bench of Justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh acceded to Delhi polices request of granting them more time for filing their response. In the brief hearing that transpired, Advocate Rajat Nair for Delhi Police sought time to file their reply. Kindly give me some time to file reply. Chargesheet is voluminous and runs into 1,000 pages, the counsel said.Objecting to the delay, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for Khalid said, This is a bail matter, what counter is to be filed? Man is inside for 2 years and 10 months.Notably, SC had sought Delhi Polices response on the issue on May 18 and posted the pleas to be heard after 6 weeks. Khalid was arrested by the Delhi police on September 13, 2020 in a case alleging that the riots were a pre-planned conspiracy between Khalid and his associates from different organisations. It was also alleged that he had made provocative speeches at different locations and had appealed to people to come out & block the streets, during the visit of former US President Donald Trump to publicise targets on minorities at an international level. The police had booked him and his associates under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and provisions of the IPC.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Khalid had approached SC against Delhi HCs order of rejecting his bail. Upholding the order dated March 24, 2022 passed by the lower court of rejecting his bail, Justices Rajnish Bhatnagar and Siddharth Mridul while rejecting his bail said that there appears to be a premeditated conspiracy for causing disruptive chakka-jam and pre- planned protests at different planned sites in Delhi, which was engineered to escalate to confrontational chakka-jam and incitement to violence and culminate in riots in natural course on specific dates. Protests and riots prima-facie seem to be orchestrated at the conspiratorial meetings held from December, 2019 till February, 2020, it said.The bench had said that the protest planned was not a typical protest normal in political culture or democracy but one far more destructive and injurious geared towards extremely grave consequences.
By Express News Service

KOLKATA: Expressing unhappiness over the action taken report submitted by the State Election Commission (SEC) on controlling the violence during the panchayat elections, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday said the rural poll results will be subject to the final orders passed by it following a number of petitions filed by the opposition.

The courts observation on the fate of a large number of elected candidates of the ruling Trinamool Congress came in response to petitions by the opposition parties alleging large-scale violence and intimidation by TMC activists on the day of the elections on July 8. The petitioners also held the state poll panel to be in contempt of the courts order to deploy Central Armed Paramilitary Force (CAPF) personnel.

When the court is seized of the matter, it goes without saying that whatever has been done thus far, i.e, the conduct of the elections and the declaration of results, will be subject to the ultimate orders that may be passed, said the division bench presided by Chief Justice TS Shivagnanam in its observation.

Responding to the report submitted by the Inspector General of the BSF, the nodal officer of the CAPF, over the issue of deployment of the central force personnel on the day of the elections, the division bench asked the state government and the SEC to submit affidavits.

Alleging large-scale violence and electoral malpractice on July 8, the petitioners sought re-polling in around 50,000 booths out of 61,636. A representative of one of the petitioners displayed videos showing alleged malpractices on the day of the election and the court directed to furnish a copy of the videos to the lawyers of the state poll panel, the state government and the central government. The court said the case would be heard on July 20.

Re-polling was conducted in 696 booths on July 9.

ALSO READ | Calcutta High Court dismisses petitions seeking declaration of Bengal rural polls void

With the deaths of four more persons in the past 24 hours, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday appealed for peace and expressed her condolences. Announcing Rs 2 lakh compensation for the victims and job of a homeguard for each of the deceased irrespective of their political allegiance, she said, Those who died are victims of circumstances. We received reports of the deaths of 19 persons. It is unfortunate that so many died. I have told the police to take action. Of the 19, ten were from our party. We will not differentiate on the basis of political allegiance of the deceased.

The Bengal chief minister said violence was reported only from 60 booths.

The deaths of 17 persons were reported on the day of the elections and with the deaths of four more persons, the total death toll has gone up to 45 in the past 35 days, since the date for the rural polls was announced.

BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari accused Mamata of downsizing the death toll during the election process.

On Tuesday, a four-member fact-finding team, led by Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, arrived in Kolkata from Delhi and visited a few strife-hit areas in Kolkatas adjoining districts. The team is scheduled to visit north Bengal as well.

What kind of election is held by your administration and police, Mamata Banerjee? Her government has crossed even the records of the Left regarding misrule. Such incidents took place 15-20 years ago in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Violence even stopped there, said Prasad.

Mamata slammed the BJP for sending the fact-finding team, labelling Prasad and his men as a provocation committee.

Within the past two years, close to 154 teams have visited Bengal. These are BJPs provocation committees, not fact-finding committees, she alleged.

KOLKATA: Expressing unhappiness over the action taken report submitted by the State Election Commission (SEC) on controlling the violence during the panchayat elections, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday said the rural poll results will be subject to the final orders passed by it following a number of petitions filed by the opposition. The courts observation on the fate of a large number of elected candidates of the ruling Trinamool Congress came in response to petitions by the opposition parties alleging large-scale violence and intimidation by TMC activists on the day of the elections on July 8. The petitioners also held the state poll panel to be in contempt of the courts order to deploy Central Armed Paramilitary Force (CAPF) personnel. When the court is seized of the matter, it goes without saying that whatever has been done thus far, i.e, the conduct of the elections and the declaration of results, will be subject to the ultimate orders that may be passed, said the division bench presided by Chief Justice TS Shivagnanam in its observation.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Responding to the report submitted by the Inspector General of the BSF, the nodal officer of the CAPF, over the issue of deployment of the central force personnel on the day of the elections, the division bench asked the state government and the SEC to submit affidavits. Alleging large-scale violence and electoral malpractice on July 8, the petitioners sought re-polling in around 50,000 booths out of 61,636. A representative of one of the petitioners displayed videos showing alleged malpractices on the day of the election and the court directed to furnish a copy of the videos to the lawyers of the state poll panel, the state government and the central government. The court said the case would be heard on July 20. Re-polling was conducted in 696 booths on July 9. ALSO READ | Calcutta High Court dismisses petitions seeking declaration of Bengal rural polls void With the deaths of four more persons in the past 24 hours, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday appealed for peace and expressed her condolences. Announcing Rs 2 lakh compensation for the victims and job of a homeguard for each of the deceased irrespective of their political allegiance, she said, Those who died are victims of circumstances. We received reports of the deaths of 19 persons. It is unfortunate that so many died. I have told the police to take action. Of the 19, ten were from our party. We will not differentiate on the basis of political allegiance of the deceased. The Bengal chief minister said violence was reported only from 60 booths. The deaths of 17 persons were reported on the day of the elections and with the deaths of four more persons, the total death toll has gone up to 45 in the past 35 days, since the date for the rural polls was announced. BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari accused Mamata of downsizing the death toll during the election process. On Tuesday, a four-member fact-finding team, led by Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, arrived in Kolkata from Delhi and visited a few strife-hit areas in Kolkatas adjoining districts. The team is scheduled to visit north Bengal as well. What kind of election is held by your administration and police, Mamata Banerjee? Her government has crossed even the records of the Left regarding misrule. Such incidents took place 15-20 years ago in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Violence even stopped there, said Prasad. Mamata slammed the BJP for sending the fact-finding team, labelling Prasad and his men as a provocation committee. Within the past two years, close to 154 teams have visited Bengal. These are BJPs provocation committees, not fact-finding committees, she alleged.
By PTI

KOLKATA: The message hidden in the fine print of Wednesday's Bengal's panchayat election results, which the TMC is sweeping, shows that the opposition has expanded its space far beyond the last rural polls in 2018.

While last time round in 2018 some 34 per cent of the seats were won uncontested by the TMC, this year the number of seats which went uncontested was a small fraction, making the fight far tougher for the ruling party.

This shift in voting pattern could mean the results of the 2024 Parliamentary elections may well be different from what both the ruling party and the principal opposition would like to see.

While the opposition managed to get just 20 per cent of the gram panchayat seats last time, this time round they have taken about 27-28 per cent of the seats till now, said Rajat Roy, a senior political commentator and an advisor of the think tank Calcutta Research Group told PTI.

Violence this time round was also not one sided like in earlier years.

All parties indulged in unethical practices and in attacking their rivals.

In fact, the ruling party saw more deaths among its workers.

While any death is condemnable, the nature of violence has changed and this changes the ground reality significantly, Roy pointed out.

While the BJP has managed to win nearly 10,000 seats in gram panchayats, the Left and the Congress together have won nearly 6,000 seats of the 63,219 seats which were contested.

This was against CPI(M) and Congress together winning about 1500 seats in 2018 and BJP about 5,800 gram panchayat seats out of 48,650 seats contested then.

There has been a distinct Left resurgence which you can see in the election results, especially in Murshidabad, Nadia, Hooghly and Bardhaman districts. "It really started in the by-elections to Ballygunge constituency earlier when we roundly defeated the BJP and proved what we have always been saying - that we are the real alternative to the TMC," said CPI(M) leader Saira Shah Halim.

ALSO READ | Bengal rural poll results subject to court's final orders, says HC after opposition cries foul

"Change of tactics, focusing on specific target groups like migrant workers, poor peasants and the service class which commutes daily from villages to big cities, putting up younger candidates and using youthful campaigners helped spread our message," she added.

The presence of a large number of Trinamool rebel candidates many of whom won among the over 2,000 independents who managed to win gram panchayat seats also helped the opposition candidates as votes got divided.

The resurgence story of the Left-Congress is remarkable.

However this phenomenon also means that there will be a division of the anti-incumbency vote with BJP and that can work in favour of the TMC in the 2024 polls, Roy said.

In the 2021 elections, TMC had won 49.59 per cent of the popular vote on the plank of Bengal and Bangaliana being under threat from the invading forces of the BJP.

While BJP managed to get most of the anti-incumbency votes, garnering a 37.39 per cent of the vote share and 77 seats, the Left and Congress drew a blank, getting just 5.66 per cent and 3.03 per cent of the popular vote, respectively.

In this election, the BJP has increased its gram panchayat seats from 5,776 out of 48,650 seats contested in 2018 or about a 12 per cent seat share to nearly 10,000 as of 5 pm on Wednesday out of 63,219 seats which were up for grabs this time or about 16 per cent of the seats.

BJP's national secretary Anupam Hazra explained the better showing, stating, Corruption taint against the ruling TMC, higher number of nominations filed by BJP this time round worked in favour of his party.

The minority vote after shifting from the Left to TMC after the Singur agitation in 2007 has remained solidly behind the ruling party.

However, observers said this panchayat poll trends have shown signs of the community choosing tactically to support the strongest non-BJP candidate instead of just rooting for the TMC.

This, they pointed out as examples, had helped Congress win nearly 1,100 gram panchayat seats in Murshidabad and CPI(M) win approximately another 600 seats in that minority dominated district.

Shivaji Pratim Basu, political commentator who teaches at Calcutta University, pointed out that this time round another new phenomenon with the potential to change minority voting patterns has emerged.

The minority-dominated new party ISF has also made inroads into TMC's hold over minority voters in pockets of south Bengal, he said.

ISF MLA Nawshad Siddique, who is leading his newly formed party too told PTI, that the myth that a certain community is a vote bank of the ruling party has been proven wrong by the current elections.

KOLKATA: The message hidden in the fine print of Wednesday's Bengal's panchayat election results, which the TMC is sweeping, shows that the opposition has expanded its space far beyond the last rural polls in 2018. While last time round in 2018 some 34 per cent of the seats were won uncontested by the TMC, this year the number of seats which went uncontested was a small fraction, making the fight far tougher for the ruling party. This shift in voting pattern could mean the results of the 2024 Parliamentary elections may well be different from what both the ruling party and the principal opposition would like to see.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); While the opposition managed to get just 20 per cent of the gram panchayat seats last time, this time round they have taken about 27-28 per cent of the seats till now, said Rajat Roy, a senior political commentator and an advisor of the think tank Calcutta Research Group told PTI. Violence this time round was also not one sided like in earlier years. All parties indulged in unethical practices and in attacking their rivals. In fact, the ruling party saw more deaths among its workers. While any death is condemnable, the nature of violence has changed and this changes the ground reality significantly, Roy pointed out. While the BJP has managed to win nearly 10,000 seats in gram panchayats, the Left and the Congress together have won nearly 6,000 seats of the 63,219 seats which were contested. This was against CPI(M) and Congress together winning about 1500 seats in 2018 and BJP about 5,800 gram panchayat seats out of 48,650 seats contested then. There has been a distinct Left resurgence which you can see in the election results, especially in Murshidabad, Nadia, Hooghly and Bardhaman districts. "It really started in the by-elections to Ballygunge constituency earlier when we roundly defeated the BJP and proved what we have always been saying - that we are the real alternative to the TMC," said CPI(M) leader Saira Shah Halim. ALSO READ | Bengal rural poll results subject to court's final orders, says HC after opposition cries foul "Change of tactics, focusing on specific target groups like migrant workers, poor peasants and the service class which commutes daily from villages to big cities, putting up younger candidates and using youthful campaigners helped spread our message," she added. The presence of a large number of Trinamool rebel candidates many of whom won among the over 2,000 independents who managed to win gram panchayat seats also helped the opposition candidates as votes got divided. The resurgence story of the Left-Congress is remarkable. However this phenomenon also means that there will be a division of the anti-incumbency vote with BJP and that can work in favour of the TMC in the 2024 polls, Roy said. In the 2021 elections, TMC had won 49.59 per cent of the popular vote on the plank of Bengal and Bangaliana being under threat from the invading forces of the BJP. While BJP managed to get most of the anti-incumbency votes, garnering a 37.39 per cent of the vote share and 77 seats, the Left and Congress drew a blank, getting just 5.66 per cent and 3.03 per cent of the popular vote, respectively. In this election, the BJP has increased its gram panchayat seats from 5,776 out of 48,650 seats contested in 2018 or about a 12 per cent seat share to nearly 10,000 as of 5 pm on Wednesday out of 63,219 seats which were up for grabs this time or about 16 per cent of the seats. BJP's national secretary Anupam Hazra explained the better showing, stating, Corruption taint against the ruling TMC, higher number of nominations filed by BJP this time round worked in favour of his party. The minority vote after shifting from the Left to TMC after the Singur agitation in 2007 has remained solidly behind the ruling party. However, observers said this panchayat poll trends have shown signs of the community choosing tactically to support the strongest non-BJP candidate instead of just rooting for the TMC. This, they pointed out as examples, had helped Congress win nearly 1,100 gram panchayat seats in Murshidabad and CPI(M) win approximately another 600 seats in that minority dominated district. Shivaji Pratim Basu, political commentator who teaches at Calcutta University, pointed out that this time round another new phenomenon with the potential to change minority voting patterns has emerged. The minority-dominated new party ISF has also made inroads into TMC's hold over minority voters in pockets of south Bengal, he said. ISF MLA Nawshad Siddique, who is leading his newly formed party too told PTI, that the myth that a certain community is a vote bank of the ruling party has been proven wrong by the current elections.
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By PTI

KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday dismissed petitions seeking that the 2023 West Bengal panchayat election be declared void because of non-compliance with basic principles of the Constitution and the statute to ensure free and fair polls.

The court also rejected a prayer for the removal of the state election commissioner, holding that such a prayer is not maintainable as it is an independent constitutional body.

A division bench presided by Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam held in a judgement that the reliefs sought in the writ petitions seeking that the polls be declared void because of non-compliance of basic principles of the Constitution and the statute to ensure free and fair polls cannot be granted.

Two petitions seeking similar reliefs were dismissed by the bench that also comprised Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya.

The bench held that the issues raised in the petitions have been settled in an earlier matter by the high court and the decision was upheld by the Supreme Court.

The earlier order of June 13 said that if an election is to be called in question, which may have the effect of interrupting, obstructing or protracting the election proceedings in any manner, invoking of judicial remedy has to be postponed till after the completion of proceedings in elections.

"Without interrupting, obstructing or delaying the progress of the election proceedings, judicial intervention is available if assistance of the court has been sought for merely to correct or smoothen the progress of the election proceedings, to remove the obstacles therein, or to preserve a vital piece of evidence," it had said.

The petitioners filed the writ petitions as public interest litigation praying that the panchayat election in the state be declared as void because of non-compliance of basic principles of the Constitution and the statute to ensure free and fair elections.

It was also prayed that an independent agency be directed to investigate into the affairs of filing of nomination of candidates belonging to the ruling party in an abnormally short span of time, claiming that 76,000 nominations were filed in two days including filing of nominations by persons who are not in India.

It was claimed that the nomination of a person belonging to the ruling party was filed when he was in Saudi Arabia.

The SEC had cancelled the nomination of the said person after receiving a complaint in this regard.

Senior counsel Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, appearing for one petitioner, had submitted that in many cases the candidates were prevented from filing the nominations and that several of the persons who had filed nominations were threatened to withdraw the nominations.

Jishnu Saha, the senior advocate appearing for the SEC, had submitted that the petitioners' plea is a very belated attempt and no specific instance had been pointed out and the allegations are vague.

Advocate General S N Mookherjee for the state had submitted that the principle of non-interference by court in election of the 3-tier panchayat system is on the same basis as that of parliamentary and assembly elections and as such that may be followed in these petitions.

It was submitted by the petitioner's lawyer that when the intending candidates of the opposition parties could not file their nominations or were even forced to withdraw their nominations, the ruling party filed 76,000 nominations within two days and that is impossible unless the nomination papers were filed in bunch with the assistance of the state government machinery.

It was prayed that this issue needs to be investigated.

ALSO READ

TMC resides in hearts of people: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on panchayat poll win

Counting for West Bengal rural polls underway, TMC leads in over 3,000 gram panchayats

West Bengal panchayat polls: Amid allegations of rigging, counting of votes to take place Tuesday

KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday dismissed petitions seeking that the 2023 West Bengal panchayat election be declared void because of non-compliance with basic principles of the Constitution and the statute to ensure free and fair polls. The court also rejected a prayer for the removal of the state election commissioner, holding that such a prayer is not maintainable as it is an independent constitutional body. A division bench presided by Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam held in a judgement that the reliefs sought in the writ petitions seeking that the polls be declared void because of non-compliance of basic principles of the Constitution and the statute to ensure free and fair polls cannot be granted.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Two petitions seeking similar reliefs were dismissed by the bench that also comprised Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya. The bench held that the issues raised in the petitions have been settled in an earlier matter by the high court and the decision was upheld by the Supreme Court. The earlier order of June 13 said that if an election is to be called in question, which may have the effect of interrupting, obstructing or protracting the election proceedings in any manner, invoking of judicial remedy has to be postponed till after the completion of proceedings in elections. "Without interrupting, obstructing or delaying the progress of the election proceedings, judicial intervention is available if assistance of the court has been sought for merely to correct or smoothen the progress of the election proceedings, to remove the obstacles therein, or to preserve a vital piece of evidence," it had said. The petitioners filed the writ petitions as public interest litigation praying that the panchayat election in the state be declared as void because of non-compliance of basic principles of the Constitution and the statute to ensure free and fair elections. It was also prayed that an independent agency be directed to investigate into the affairs of filing of nomination of candidates belonging to the ruling party in an abnormally short span of time, claiming that 76,000 nominations were filed in two days including filing of nominations by persons who are not in India. It was claimed that the nomination of a person belonging to the ruling party was filed when he was in Saudi Arabia. The SEC had cancelled the nomination of the said person after receiving a complaint in this regard. Senior counsel Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, appearing for one petitioner, had submitted that in many cases the candidates were prevented from filing the nominations and that several of the persons who had filed nominations were threatened to withdraw the nominations. Jishnu Saha, the senior advocate appearing for the SEC, had submitted that the petitioners' plea is a very belated attempt and no specific instance had been pointed out and the allegations are vague. Advocate General S N Mookherjee for the state had submitted that the principle of non-interference by court in election of the 3-tier panchayat system is on the same basis as that of parliamentary and assembly elections and as such that may be followed in these petitions. It was submitted by the petitioner's lawyer that when the intending candidates of the opposition parties could not file their nominations or were even forced to withdraw their nominations, the ruling party filed 76,000 nominations within two days and that is impossible unless the nomination papers were filed in bunch with the assistance of the state government machinery. It was prayed that this issue needs to be investigated. ALSO READ TMC resides in hearts of people: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on panchayat poll win Counting for West Bengal rural polls underway, TMC leads in over 3,000 gram panchayats West Bengal panchayat polls: Amid allegations of rigging, counting of votes to take place Tuesday
By PTI

MANGALURU: The Mangaluru Catholic Sabha central committee on Wednesday asked the Union government to bring out a draft law on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) instead of "creating confusion" among minorities and other communities in the country.

Addressing reporters here, Catholic Sabha president Allwyn D'Souza said the Central government's recent pointer towards UCC has created confusion amongst different communities.

The Law Commission of India circulating a questionnaire and asking the views of different communities on it has given an impression that the government wants to somehow bulldoze a so-called UCC on all communities, he said.

If the government is serious about UCC, it should first bring out a draft law and circulate it among citizens and call for suggestions. It is not clear how the government wants to bring uniformity by circulating a questionnaire, he said.

With a draft law, the general public can give suggestions or are in a clear position either to assent to the bill if it protects their customs or oppose if it is against their interests, D'Souza said.

The statement by the central committee of the Sabha, released at the press meet, said India has been described as an "ethnological museum" owing to its diverse culture.

The diversity is due to more than 10 religions living side by side. There are also around 3,000 castes, 25,000 sub-castes, 1,109 Scheduled Caste and 744 Scheduled Tribe sections in the country.

All these religions, castes and tribes have their own distinct culture, customs, traditions, language, marriage practices, inheritance, food habits, dress habits and way of life that have been followed for centuries. These distinct cultures, traditions and religious beliefs have been protected by the Constitution through its fundamental rights. Even while framing the Constitution, unity in diversity was the motto, it said.

The customs and traditions in various communities in India were codified into personal laws in India with regard to marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption. Though most of the laws in India are uniformly applicable to all citizens irrespective of religion, caste, class and race, the personal laws of different sects have been respected. The practice of marriage among Hindus is totally different from to practice of marriage among Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis and others. Hence personal laws to preserve these unique practices are very much required and removal of these are detrimental to the customs and practices of particular communities, the statement said.

Trying to bring uniformity where uniformity is not possible is striking a death knell and being dismissive of all the customs and traditions. The government's slogan of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' (taking everyone along for the prosperity of all) also promotes diversity and not uniformity, it said.

Catholic Sabha's legal advisor Praveen Pinto and general secretary Wilma Monteiro were also present.

MANGALURU: The Mangaluru Catholic Sabha central committee on Wednesday asked the Union government to bring out a draft law on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) instead of "creating confusion" among minorities and other communities in the country. Addressing reporters here, Catholic Sabha president Allwyn D'Souza said the Central government's recent pointer towards UCC has created confusion amongst different communities. The Law Commission of India circulating a questionnaire and asking the views of different communities on it has given an impression that the government wants to somehow bulldoze a so-called UCC on all communities, he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); If the government is serious about UCC, it should first bring out a draft law and circulate it among citizens and call for suggestions. It is not clear how the government wants to bring uniformity by circulating a questionnaire, he said. With a draft law, the general public can give suggestions or are in a clear position either to assent to the bill if it protects their customs or oppose if it is against their interests, D'Souza said. The statement by the central committee of the Sabha, released at the press meet, said India has been described as an "ethnological museum" owing to its diverse culture. The diversity is due to more than 10 religions living side by side. There are also around 3,000 castes, 25,000 sub-castes, 1,109 Scheduled Caste and 744 Scheduled Tribe sections in the country. All these religions, castes and tribes have their own distinct culture, customs, traditions, language, marriage practices, inheritance, food habits, dress habits and way of life that have been followed for centuries. These distinct cultures, traditions and religious beliefs have been protected by the Constitution through its fundamental rights. Even while framing the Constitution, unity in diversity was the motto, it said. The customs and traditions in various communities in India were codified into personal laws in India with regard to marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption. Though most of the laws in India are uniformly applicable to all citizens irrespective of religion, caste, class and race, the personal laws of different sects have been respected. The practice of marriage among Hindus is totally different from to practice of marriage among Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis and others. Hence personal laws to preserve these unique practices are very much required and removal of these are detrimental to the customs and practices of particular communities, the statement said. Trying to bring uniformity where uniformity is not possible is striking a death knell and being dismissive of all the customs and traditions. The government's slogan of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' (taking everyone along for the prosperity of all) also promotes diversity and not uniformity, it said. Catholic Sabha's legal advisor Praveen Pinto and general secretary Wilma Monteiro were also present.
Rajesh Asnani By

Express News Service

JAIPUR: In a sensational crime, the murder of gangster Kuldeep Jaghina in the presence of the police in Bharatpur on Wednesday has revived memories of the Atiq Ahmed murder case in UP. Kuldeep was the main accused in the assassination of another notorious criminal and local BJP leader Kripal Jaghina from Bharatpur and had been held in Jaipur Central Jail for the past ten months.

On Wednesday, while the police were taking Kuldeep and his associate Vijaypal to Bharatpur in a roadways bus for a court appearance, the assassins carried out the murder almost in a filmy fashion. Inevitably, the shocking crime has triggered a political row with the opposition BJP claiming it's a reflection of the poor law and order in Rajasthan.

According to sources, as the bus entered Bharatpur district, a group of six to seven criminals in a car began pursuing it. As the bus halted at the toll plaza on the outskirts of the city, two assailants boarded it and opened fire on Kuldeep and Vijaypal, while simultaneously disorienting the police with the use of pepper spray. Eyewitnesses claim that the attackers fired at least fifteen rounds. Kuldeep was fatally wounded in the assault, while Vijaypal sustained a gunshot injury to his hand. Unconfirmed reports suggest that two other passengers were also injured by gunfire and are currently receiving medical treatment.

Immediately following the incident, the police identified the culprits through CCTV footage and initiated a pursuit. During the encounter, two assailants were reportedly shot in the leg, while two others suffered fractured legs. As of now, the police have apprehended four suspects and are actively searching for the remaining criminals involved.

Bharatpur SP Mridul Kachhawa, while addressing the media, revealed that at the Amoli toll plaza, a group of 7 to 8 miscreants intercepted the bus and opened fire indiscriminately. Vijaypal sustained a bullet wound on his hand. The police have successfully apprehended four suspects, two of whom were injured by gunshots. Additionally, the police have recovered the vehicle used by the miscreants, which was parked in front of the bus.

Notably, the accused were being escorted by six police guards from Jaipur. Fortunately, no police personnel were shot in the incident, with only minor injuries reported. The identification of the assailants was made possible through the analysis of CCTV footage. As of late evening, four suspects named Vishnu, Saurabh, Dharmaraj, and Bablu were taken into custody.

However, this shocking incident, occurring in an election year, once again raises serious questions about the state of law and order in Rajasthan. The opposition parties have wasted no time in criticising the Gehlot government. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, the national spokesperson for the BJP and a Member of Parliament, has raised significant concerns, labelling the entire affair as a conspiracy. Rathore took to Twitter, questioning how the accused involved in the murder of a BJP leader met his demise while in police custody. The tweet asks, "What secrets were being concealed? Who is behind all of this?"

The Leader of the Opposition, Rajendra Rathore, directly targeted Chief Minister Gehlot, who also holds the responsibility of the Home Department. He stated, "The Bharatpur incident serves as a glaring example of how lawlessness is being nurtured in Rajasthan by criminals, while the government fails to maintain law and order."

Rathore further criticised the Gehlot administration for the implementation of the Gehlot panel code, which has rendered the police fearful and passive, enabling criminals to act without restraint. He lamented the unfortunate fact that the state still lacks a full-time Home Minister.

The brutal killing of Kuldeep Jaghina has reignited concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation in Rajasthan. Urgent action is required to restore public confidence in the administration's ability to uphold justice and ensure the safety of its citizens.

JAIPUR: In a sensational crime, the murder of gangster Kuldeep Jaghina in the presence of the police in Bharatpur on Wednesday has revived memories of the Atiq Ahmed murder case in UP. Kuldeep was the main accused in the assassination of another notorious criminal and local BJP leader Kripal Jaghina from Bharatpur and had been held in Jaipur Central Jail for the past ten months. On Wednesday, while the police were taking Kuldeep and his associate Vijaypal to Bharatpur in a roadways bus for a court appearance, the assassins carried out the murder almost in a filmy fashion. Inevitably, the shocking crime has triggered a political row with the opposition BJP claiming it's a reflection of the poor law and order in Rajasthan. According to sources, as the bus entered Bharatpur district, a group of six to seven criminals in a car began pursuing it. As the bus halted at the toll plaza on the outskirts of the city, two assailants boarded it and opened fire on Kuldeep and Vijaypal, while simultaneously disorienting the police with the use of pepper spray. Eyewitnesses claim that the attackers fired at least fifteen rounds. Kuldeep was fatally wounded in the assault, while Vijaypal sustained a gunshot injury to his hand. Unconfirmed reports suggest that two other passengers were also injured by gunfire and are currently receiving medical treatment.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Immediately following the incident, the police identified the culprits through CCTV footage and initiated a pursuit. During the encounter, two assailants were reportedly shot in the leg, while two others suffered fractured legs. As of now, the police have apprehended four suspects and are actively searching for the remaining criminals involved. Bharatpur SP Mridul Kachhawa, while addressing the media, revealed that at the Amoli toll plaza, a group of 7 to 8 miscreants intercepted the bus and opened fire indiscriminately. Vijaypal sustained a bullet wound on his hand. The police have successfully apprehended four suspects, two of whom were injured by gunshots. Additionally, the police have recovered the vehicle used by the miscreants, which was parked in front of the bus. Notably, the accused were being escorted by six police guards from Jaipur. Fortunately, no police personnel were shot in the incident, with only minor injuries reported. The identification of the assailants was made possible through the analysis of CCTV footage. As of late evening, four suspects named Vishnu, Saurabh, Dharmaraj, and Bablu were taken into custody. However, this shocking incident, occurring in an election year, once again raises serious questions about the state of law and order in Rajasthan. The opposition parties have wasted no time in criticising the Gehlot government. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, the national spokesperson for the BJP and a Member of Parliament, has raised significant concerns, labelling the entire affair as a conspiracy. Rathore took to Twitter, questioning how the accused involved in the murder of a BJP leader met his demise while in police custody. The tweet asks, "What secrets were being concealed? Who is behind all of this?" The Leader of the Opposition, Rajendra Rathore, directly targeted Chief Minister Gehlot, who also holds the responsibility of the Home Department. He stated, "The Bharatpur incident serves as a glaring example of how lawlessness is being nurtured in Rajasthan by criminals, while the government fails to maintain law and order." Rathore further criticised the Gehlot administration for the implementation of the Gehlot panel code, which has rendered the police fearful and passive, enabling criminals to act without restraint. He lamented the unfortunate fact that the state still lacks a full-time Home Minister. The brutal killing of Kuldeep Jaghina has reignited concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation in Rajasthan. Urgent action is required to restore public confidence in the administration's ability to uphold justice and ensure the safety of its citizens.
Dilip Singh Kshatriya By

Express News Service

AHMEDABAD: Tomato prices are soaring across the country. In Gujarat, the minimum price quoted for 20 kg in APMC Rajkot is Rs 1,600 and the maximum is Rs 2,200.

In the retail market, the vegetable is selling at Rs 175 per kg. As rates are ruling sky-high, thieves have sensed an opportunity here. Several cases of stealing tomatoes have come to light and CCTV cameras have caught a few robbers in their act.

In Surat, a merchant on Sunday morning discovered there bags of tomatoes and some other items are missing in his shop. He had packed all the items the night before. On detailed inquiry, he realised that vegetable bags have been stolen. Tomatoes weighing more than 150 kg were stolen.

The CCTV recording of the market showed the entire episode of theft at Kapodranis vegetable market. A young man was seen walking with tomatoes in the footage. The police arrested the thief, named Ghanshyam the next day.

Ghanshyam is originally from Bhavnagar district and had come to Surat city for work five months ago. As he found no job, he resorted to theft. Sensing an opportunity in the rising prices of vegetables, he lifted expensive vegetables from inside the vegetable market and sold them to a local person for Rs 40 per kg.

The Kapodra police has confiscated all the stolen vegetables and returned them to the original owner. Further probe is on.

AHMEDABAD: Tomato prices are soaring across the country. In Gujarat, the minimum price quoted for 20 kg in APMC Rajkot is Rs 1,600 and the maximum is Rs 2,200. In the retail market, the vegetable is selling at Rs 175 per kg. As rates are ruling sky-high, thieves have sensed an opportunity here. Several cases of stealing tomatoes have come to light and CCTV cameras have caught a few robbers in their act. In Surat, a merchant on Sunday morning discovered there bags of tomatoes and some other items are missing in his shop. He had packed all the items the night before. On detailed inquiry, he realised that vegetable bags have been stolen. Tomatoes weighing more than 150 kg were stolen.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The CCTV recording of the market showed the entire episode of theft at Kapodranis vegetable market. A young man was seen walking with tomatoes in the footage. The police arrested the thief, named Ghanshyam the next day. Ghanshyam is originally from Bhavnagar district and had come to Surat city for work five months ago. As he found no job, he resorted to theft. Sensing an opportunity in the rising prices of vegetables, he lifted expensive vegetables from inside the vegetable market and sold them to a local person for Rs 40 per kg. The Kapodra police has confiscated all the stolen vegetables and returned them to the original owner. Further probe is on.
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: India is an extremely responsible power but when the need for a hot pursuit against terrorist havens was felt, we have gone all out to destroy terrorism in our national interest, says National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.

Doval met the head of the Muslim World League, Dr Mohammad Bin Abdul Karim al-Issa in Delhi and the duo exchanged views on terrorism, radicalism amongst other things.

India is an inclusive democracy and gives space to all citizens. Islam occupies a unique position in India. The Indian Muslim population is equal to 33 member states of OIC(Organisation of Islamic Cooperation), Doval pointed out.

Doval also threw light on the fact that despite having around 200 million Muslims, the involvement of Indian citizens in global terrorism has been incredibly low.

We appreciate the history and diversity of India, it's a source of enrichment, said Dr Mohammad Bin Abdul karim al-Issa dismissing clashes of civilization in Delhi. He also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Muslim World League leader also said that a Muslim person carries the banner of peace. Islam is an open book for all, and coexistence is promoted. Islam promotes tolerance, From India, we send a message of peace to the world, said the Muslim World League.

Meanwhile, Doval also highlighted Indias strong relations with Saudi Arabia.

We are proud of the excellent relationship between India and Saudi Arabia rooted in shared cultural values and economic ties. India is the mother of democracy, the largest democracy which has been a melting pot of culture and ethnicities. India has been a sanctuary for persecuted people from across the world- who seek refuge here, says NSA Ajit Doval.

NEW DELHI: India is an extremely responsible power but when the need for a hot pursuit against terrorist havens was felt, we have gone all out to destroy terrorism in our national interest, says National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. Doval met the head of the Muslim World League, Dr Mohammad Bin Abdul Karim al-Issa in Delhi and the duo exchanged views on terrorism, radicalism amongst other things. India is an inclusive democracy and gives space to all citizens. Islam occupies a unique position in India. The Indian Muslim population is equal to 33 member states of OIC(Organisation of Islamic Cooperation), Doval pointed out.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Doval also threw light on the fact that despite having around 200 million Muslims, the involvement of Indian citizens in global terrorism has been incredibly low. We appreciate the history and diversity of India, it's a source of enrichment, said Dr Mohammad Bin Abdul karim al-Issa dismissing clashes of civilization in Delhi. He also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Muslim World League leader also said that a Muslim person carries the banner of peace. Islam is an open book for all, and coexistence is promoted. Islam promotes tolerance, From India, we send a message of peace to the world, said the Muslim World League. Meanwhile, Doval also highlighted Indias strong relations with Saudi Arabia. We are proud of the excellent relationship between India and Saudi Arabia rooted in shared cultural values and economic ties. India is the mother of democracy, the largest democracy which has been a melting pot of culture and ethnicities. India has been a sanctuary for persecuted people from across the world- who seek refuge here, says NSA Ajit Doval.
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: India has said that the violence in Manipur is its internal matter after the European Parliament decided to have a session on the issue during its ongoing plenary session in Strasbourg.

"We are aware of this and have reached out to the concerned Parliamentarians. We have made it clear that it is India's internal matter," said Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra.

The Manipur matter has been scheduled for discussion for the latter half of the day, under the subject 'Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law'.

A motion for a resolution was tabled in the EU Parliament by six parliamentary groups. The groups of parliamentarians range from the Left, European Socialists and Greens to regionalist parties, Conservatives and centre-right political and Christian groups.

The MEA refrained on commenting on whether the Indian government had hired a European lobbying firm to counter this move.

ALSO READ | SC refuses Kukis plea to deploy Army, paramilitary forces in Manipur

According to reports, a Brussels based firm Alber and Geiger has been engaged by the Indian government, but there is no confirmation on this.

Meanwhile, 31 MLAs from Manipur have urged Home Minister Amit Shah to expedite the ongoing work of border fencing on the India-Myanmar border in the state to prevent cross-border movements of militants which they say has triggered the violence in the state since May 3.

The violence involving ethnic communities in Manipur is said to have claimed 142 lives until July 4, according to the state government. Around 181 people have been arrested and 6745 people put under preventive detention.

Among the hill districts, the most casualties were reported from Churachandpur  which has been the epicentre of the clashes.

There are 16 districts in Manipur, but the state is perceived as being divided into valley and hill districts. While the Meitei community dominates the valley, the hills are home to two major tribal groups  the Nagas and Kuki-Zomi tribes.

NEW DELHI: India has said that the violence in Manipur is its internal matter after the European Parliament decided to have a session on the issue during its ongoing plenary session in Strasbourg. "We are aware of this and have reached out to the concerned Parliamentarians. We have made it clear that it is India's internal matter," said Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra. The Manipur matter has been scheduled for discussion for the latter half of the day, under the subject 'Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law'.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); A motion for a resolution was tabled in the EU Parliament by six parliamentary groups. The groups of parliamentarians range from the Left, European Socialists and Greens to regionalist parties, Conservatives and centre-right political and Christian groups. The MEA refrained on commenting on whether the Indian government had hired a European lobbying firm to counter this move. ALSO READ | SC refuses Kukis plea to deploy Army, paramilitary forces in Manipur According to reports, a Brussels based firm Alber and Geiger has been engaged by the Indian government, but there is no confirmation on this. Meanwhile, 31 MLAs from Manipur have urged Home Minister Amit Shah to expedite the ongoing work of border fencing on the India-Myanmar border in the state to prevent cross-border movements of militants which they say has triggered the violence in the state since May 3. The violence involving ethnic communities in Manipur is said to have claimed 142 lives until July 4, according to the state government. Around 181 people have been arrested and 6745 people put under preventive detention. Among the hill districts, the most casualties were reported from Churachandpur  which has been the epicentre of the clashes. There are 16 districts in Manipur, but the state is perceived as being divided into valley and hill districts. While the Meitei community dominates the valley, the hills are home to two major tribal groups  the Nagas and Kuki-Zomi tribes.
By Express News Service

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan made 2,715 announcements in the last three years, the state government informed in a written reply to a question by Congress MLA Ramchandra Dangi.

In a written reply to the question asked by the first-time MLA from Biaora seat of Rajgarh district on the first day of the five-day monsoon session of the Vidhan Sabha, the state governments general administration department informed on Tuesday, that the CM made as many as 2,715 announcements between June 2020 and June 2023.

Out of these announcements, 489 were made in six months in 2020 (June-December 2020), a maximum of 880 announcements were made in 2021, 753 announcements were made in 2022, and 592 announcements were made in the first six months of 2023.

While confirming to this newspaper about the detailed reply to his question by the state government revealed that the CM made as many as 2,715 announcements between June 2020 and June 2023, the Congress MLA Ramchandra Dangi added that the government, however, hasnt replied to the other questions, including how many of these announcements made in last three years have been fulfilled.

The state government has replied that information is being gathered to reply to the other parts of the question, including how many announcements have been fulfilled, he said. Chouhan, BJPs longest-serving CM in the country, had been sworn in as MP CM for the fourth time in March 2020, just after the Kamal Nath-led Congress government fell due to the resignation of 22 Congress MLAs.

Meanwhile, the five-day monsoon session of the Vidhan Sabha (which would be the last regular session of the state Assembly before the yearend polls) began on a stormy note on Tuesday, as the House was adjourned for the day during the zero hours, owing to noisy scenes following Congresss demand for a discussion on the Sidhi districts urination incident and atrocities on tribals.

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan made 2,715 announcements in the last three years, the state government informed in a written reply to a question by Congress MLA Ramchandra Dangi. In a written reply to the question asked by the first-time MLA from Biaora seat of Rajgarh district on the first day of the five-day monsoon session of the Vidhan Sabha, the state governments general administration department informed on Tuesday, that the CM made as many as 2,715 announcements between June 2020 and June 2023. Out of these announcements, 489 were made in six months in 2020 (June-December 2020), a maximum of 880 announcements were made in 2021, 753 announcements were made in 2022, and 592 announcements were made in the first six months of 2023.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); While confirming to this newspaper about the detailed reply to his question by the state government revealed that the CM made as many as 2,715 announcements between June 2020 and June 2023, the Congress MLA Ramchandra Dangi added that the government, however, hasnt replied to the other questions, including how many of these announcements made in last three years have been fulfilled. The state government has replied that information is being gathered to reply to the other parts of the question, including how many announcements have been fulfilled, he said. Chouhan, BJPs longest-serving CM in the country, had been sworn in as MP CM for the fourth time in March 2020, just after the Kamal Nath-led Congress government fell due to the resignation of 22 Congress MLAs. Meanwhile, the five-day monsoon session of the Vidhan Sabha (which would be the last regular session of the state Assembly before the yearend polls) began on a stormy note on Tuesday, as the House was adjourned for the day during the zero hours, owing to noisy scenes following Congresss demand for a discussion on the Sidhi districts urination incident and atrocities on tribals.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday over an incident in which a Dalit man was allegedly assaulted by another man and made to lick his slippers in Sonbhadra district.

The notice was issued on the orders of NCSC Chairman Vijay Sampla.

The commission has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to submit an action-taken report by July 17.

According to the information received by the NCSC from various social media posts, the accused -- Tejbali Singh Patel, a contractual employee of the state power department -- assaulted the Dalit man as he was angry with the latter over the checking of faulty electrical wirings.

In a video of the purported incident that has gone viral on social media, the Dalit man is seen licking the slippers of the lineman, doing sit-ups while holding his ears and apologising, the NCSC said in a statement.

The commission has asked the state chief secretary and director general of police, besides the district magistrate and superintendent of police of Sonbhadra, to probe the matter and submit the action-taken report through post or e-mail.

Sampla cautioned the officers that if the report is not received within the stipulated time, the NCSC might exercise the powers of a civil court conferred on it under Article 338 of the Constitution and issue a summons for personal appearance before the commission in Delhi.

Four men, including Patel, have been arrested in connection with the incident.

In the video, the power department employee is seen twisting an arm of the complainant, pushing him on to the ground, climbing up on his chest and slapping him.

He is also seen forcing the complainant to lick his slippers.

NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday over an incident in which a Dalit man was allegedly assaulted by another man and made to lick his slippers in Sonbhadra district. The notice was issued on the orders of NCSC Chairman Vijay Sampla. The commission has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to submit an action-taken report by July 17.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); According to the information received by the NCSC from various social media posts, the accused -- Tejbali Singh Patel, a contractual employee of the state power department -- assaulted the Dalit man as he was angry with the latter over the checking of faulty electrical wirings. In a video of the purported incident that has gone viral on social media, the Dalit man is seen licking the slippers of the lineman, doing sit-ups while holding his ears and apologising, the NCSC said in a statement. The commission has asked the state chief secretary and director general of police, besides the district magistrate and superintendent of police of Sonbhadra, to probe the matter and submit the action-taken report through post or e-mail. Sampla cautioned the officers that if the report is not received within the stipulated time, the NCSC might exercise the powers of a civil court conferred on it under Article 338 of the Constitution and issue a summons for personal appearance before the commission in Delhi. Four men, including Patel, have been arrested in connection with the incident. In the video, the power department employee is seen twisting an arm of the complainant, pushing him on to the ground, climbing up on his chest and slapping him. He is also seen forcing the complainant to lick his slippers.
Ramashankar By

Express News Service

I promoted them, they cheated me: Nitish

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar expressed his disappointment with people who he once promoted. At the JD (U) Legislature Party meeting ahead of the monsoon session of the state assembly, Nitish said that whoever he promoted, cheated him. He referred to former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, and former Union ministers RCP Singh and Upendra Kushwaha.

Nitish said, Did Jitan Ram Manjhi have any party? I made him the Chief Minister in my place. Similarly, I gave my post of JD (U) president to RCP Singh, who is calling himself a former national president. Kumar also made repeated mention of his age during his address.

New member: Lalu to throw a gala party soon

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad will throw a grand party soon to celebrate the birth of his granddaughter. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, MPs, state ministers, MLAs, MLCs and other prominent leaders of the Grand Alliance will be invited to the grand feast. The Lalu family will throw the party for the first time since Lalus elder son Tej Pratap Yadavs wedding. The dates of this celebration have not been announced yet.

MLC says its not BJP, but Bihar Jokers Party

Independent MLC Sachchidanand Rai coined a new term for the BJP. He sarcastically described the party as Bihar Jokers Party. Rai, who dumped BJP to contest election from Saran constituency in the legislative council election held in 2022, fumed at the BJP MLA's demand for the resignation of deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav after the latter was charge-sheeted in an alleged land-for-job scam case by the CBI.

Corrigendum

A wrong photograph was inadvertently carried as that of Paramjit Singh Pamma in the graphic with the report The K-factor abroad fuels anti-India offensive in the edition dated July 11, 2023. The person in the photograph has no link with Khalistan Tiger Force. The error is regretted.

Ramashankar

Our correspondent in Bihar

ramashankar@ newindianexpress.com

I promoted them, they cheated me: Nitish Bihar CM Nitish Kumar expressed his disappointment with people who he once promoted. At the JD (U) Legislature Party meeting ahead of the monsoon session of the state assembly, Nitish said that whoever he promoted, cheated him. He referred to former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, and former Union ministers RCP Singh and Upendra Kushwaha. Nitish said, Did Jitan Ram Manjhi have any party? I made him the Chief Minister in my place. Similarly, I gave my post of JD (U) president to RCP Singh, who is calling himself a former national president. Kumar also made repeated mention of his age during his address.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); New member: Lalu to throw a gala party soon RJD supremo Lalu Prasad will throw a grand party soon to celebrate the birth of his granddaughter. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, MPs, state ministers, MLAs, MLCs and other prominent leaders of the Grand Alliance will be invited to the grand feast. The Lalu family will throw the party for the first time since Lalus elder son Tej Pratap Yadavs wedding. The dates of this celebration have not been announced yet. MLC says its not BJP, but Bihar Jokers Party Independent MLC Sachchidanand Rai coined a new term for the BJP. He sarcastically described the party as Bihar Jokers Party. Rai, who dumped BJP to contest election from Saran constituency in the legislative council election held in 2022, fumed at the BJP MLA's demand for the resignation of deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav after the latter was charge-sheeted in an alleged land-for-job scam case by the CBI. Corrigendum A wrong photograph was inadvertently carried as that of Paramjit Singh Pamma in the graphic with the report The K-factor abroad fuels anti-India offensive in the edition dated July 11, 2023. The person in the photograph has no link with Khalistan Tiger Force. The error is regretted. Ramashankar Our correspondent in Bihar ramashankar@ newindianexpress.com
Shruti Kakkar By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Purnesh Modi, the complainant who filed a defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat has filed a caveat in Supreme Court. The complainant is urging the court to hear him, in case Gandhi decides to file an appeal against the Gujarat HCs verdict.

Congress leader was denied relief by the Gujarat HC on July 7. A bench of Justice Hemant M Prachchhak had noted that Modi surname holders and members of the 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, the HCs order had said.

Stressing that it is now the need of the hour to have purity in politics and that Representatives of the people should be men of clear antecedence, the bench also took note of other complaints pending against Gandhi which also included the one filed by Vir Savarkars grandson in Pune court.

ALSO READ | Congress to move SC after HC's refusal to stay Rahul's conviction in defamation case

Gandhi was convicted by the Gujarat Surat city court on March 23 in a criminal defamation case filed against him over his alleged remarks on the Modi surname and was granted a sentence of two years. The imprisonment resulted in his disqualification as an MP under the Representation of People Act on March 24, 2023. Gandhi had also approached sessions court seeking for a stay on his conviction which was rejected on April 20. However, his sentence was suspended, and he was also granted bail on the same day to enable him to move an appeal against his conviction within 30 days.

NEW DELHI: Purnesh Modi, the complainant who filed a defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat has filed a caveat in Supreme Court. The complainant is urging the court to hear him, in case Gandhi decides to file an appeal against the Gujarat HCs verdict. Congress leader was denied relief by the Gujarat HC on July 7. A bench of Justice Hemant M Prachchhak had noted that Modi surname holders and members of the 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, the HCs order had said. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Stressing that it is now the need of the hour to have purity in politics and that Representatives of the people should be men of clear antecedence, the bench also took note of other complaints pending against Gandhi which also included the one filed by Vir Savarkars grandson in Pune court. ALSO READ | Congress to move SC after HC's refusal to stay Rahul's conviction in defamation case Gandhi was convicted by the Gujarat Surat city court on March 23 in a criminal defamation case filed against him over his alleged remarks on the Modi surname and was granted a sentence of two years. The imprisonment resulted in his disqualification as an MP under the Representation of People Act on March 24, 2023. Gandhi had also approached sessions court seeking for a stay on his conviction which was rejected on April 20. However, his sentence was suspended, and he was also granted bail on the same day to enable him to move an appeal against his conviction within 30 days.
The Old Village Mercantile, a well-known local establishment in historic downtown Caledonia, is gearing up for a momentous occasion as it prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

To mark the occasion, the Old Village Mercantile has arranged a day of commemorative events at the store, including various giveaways and activities. The festivities will include popcorn, candy, cake and the store's renowned ice cream. Additionally, there will be grilling and a face painter for kids.

Nina Gilliam bought the building that would become the Mercantile in July 2003, recognizing its importance as a piece of local history. Once a general store, the building remained closed for two decades and had a deteriorating roof, a lack of heating, and an overall derelict appearance. Seeing the potential of what the building used to be, Gilliam embarked on a mission to restore the establishment to its former glory, preserving the old idea of the all-around general store.

From the original fixtures to the authentic building layout, Gilliam intended to keep the building as close to its original time of operation as possible. The two-story structure, complete with a grand staircase leading to a wraparound, second-floor balcony that overlooks the shop floor, now looks like a setting from a Western film.

While staying true to the original general store idea, the Old Village Mercantile has evolved to meet modern standards. Today, the Mercantile boasts over 600 varieties of candy and offers everything from coffee to fudge. It also sells antiques on the store's upper level.

Six years ago, an ice cream parlor was added when Caledonia resident Pat Sims introduced Gilliam to Randy Huff, a retired Central R-3 educator who would go on to make the shop's renowned ice cream. The Old Village Mercantile's ice cream has been awarded as the best in the Parkland area for two consecutive years and played a major part in the Mercantile's recognition on the cover of Missouri Life magazine.

After 20 years of operation, the Old Village Mercantile and its team are eagerly looking forward to the anniversary celebration.

Gilliam extended her gratitude to the community as a whole and said, "We are so appreciative and blessed to see generation after generation walk through our doors. Kids come here and remember the atmosphere, then leave for a while, and eventually bring their kids back to the store. It really speaks to the charm of the area."

As the store celebrates two decades of bringing joy to the community, Gilliam expressed her excitement, emphasizing the importance of the store's motto:

"We make smiles."
By PTI

CHANDIGARH: Relief measures are going on a war footing in Punjab and Haryana on Wednesday as several parts of the states remained flooded following incessant rains in the past three days.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will visit the worst-hit Ambala district on Wednesday to take stock of the situation, officials said.

In Punjab, nearly 10,000 people have so far been evacuated in Patiala, Rupnagar, Moga, Ludhiana, Mohali, SBS Nagar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts, they said.

The weather remained clear at most places for the second day in the region on Wednesday after three days of incessant rains.

According to government data, the death toll due to rain-related incidents in the two states is 15 which includes seven deaths in Haryana.

The heavy rainfall has left behind a trail of destruction with properties worth crores obliterated and farmlands flooded.

Relief measures are going on a war footing in the affected areas of the two states, officials said.

Haryana's Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala also took stock of the situation in the Ambala district on Wednesday.

Driving a tractor, he met the affected people who apprised him of the huge loss of property and crops caused by the floods.

Chautala assured them of extending all possible help in this hour of crisis.

He also held a meeting with the officials concerned and gave them appropriate directions to tide over the situation.

Congress leader and former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda is also expected to be visiting some of the flood-affected areas in Haryana on Wednesday.

The incessant downpour has inundated houses and caused extensive damage to crops and vegetables in many districts.

Ambala, Yamunangar, Kurukshetra, Patiala, Rupnagar, Jalandhar, SBS Nagar, and Mohali are some of the affected districts in the two states.

ALSO READ | Rains continue to lash Punjab, Haryana; Army assistance sought in Patiala

The overflowing Yamuna River on Tuesday inundated vast tracts of farmland in Karnal district.

The government has set up relief shelters in several districts in the two states.

The chief ministers of the two states are closely monitoring the situation, officials said.

State disaster management teams, NDRF and various government departments with the help of the army have been engaged in relief and rescue operations.

Khattar had on Tuesday directed administrative secretaries in charge of flood-affected districts to rush to the areas assigned to them and oversee the relief work.

ALSO READ | Flood situation grim at some places as rainfall continues in Punjab, Haryana

Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma also held a high-level meeting on Tuesday to review the rain damage and orchestrate relief work in the affected areas.

The state has also constituted Rapid Response Teams and appointed nodal officers to supervise the ongoing flood relief operations.

Permanent medical camps have been established in areas highly affected by floods, officials added.

CHANDIGARH: Relief measures are going on a war footing in Punjab and Haryana on Wednesday as several parts of the states remained flooded following incessant rains in the past three days. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will visit the worst-hit Ambala district on Wednesday to take stock of the situation, officials said. In Punjab, nearly 10,000 people have so far been evacuated in Patiala, Rupnagar, Moga, Ludhiana, Mohali, SBS Nagar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts, they said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The weather remained clear at most places for the second day in the region on Wednesday after three days of incessant rains. According to government data, the death toll due to rain-related incidents in the two states is 15 which includes seven deaths in Haryana. The heavy rainfall has left behind a trail of destruction with properties worth crores obliterated and farmlands flooded. Relief measures are going on a war footing in the affected areas of the two states, officials said. Haryana's Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala also took stock of the situation in the Ambala district on Wednesday. Driving a tractor, he met the affected people who apprised him of the huge loss of property and crops caused by the floods. pic.twitter.com/bIzpfnBY62  Dushyant Chautala (@Dchautala) July 12, 2023 Chautala assured them of extending all possible help in this hour of crisis. He also held a meeting with the officials concerned and gave them appropriate directions to tide over the situation. Congress leader and former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda is also expected to be visiting some of the flood-affected areas in Haryana on Wednesday. The incessant downpour has inundated houses and caused extensive damage to crops and vegetables in many districts. Ambala, Yamunangar, Kurukshetra, Patiala, Rupnagar, Jalandhar, SBS Nagar, and Mohali are some of the affected districts in the two states. ALSO READ | Rains continue to lash Punjab, Haryana; Army assistance sought in Patiala The overflowing Yamuna River on Tuesday inundated vast tracts of farmland in Karnal district. The government has set up relief shelters in several districts in the two states. The chief ministers of the two states are closely monitoring the situation, officials said. State disaster management teams, NDRF and various government departments with the help of the army have been engaged in relief and rescue operations. Khattar had on Tuesday directed administrative secretaries in charge of flood-affected districts to rush to the areas assigned to them and oversee the relief work. ALSO READ | Flood situation grim at some places as rainfall continues in Punjab, Haryana Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma also held a high-level meeting on Tuesday to review the rain damage and orchestrate relief work in the affected areas. The state has also constituted Rapid Response Teams and appointed nodal officers to supervise the ongoing flood relief operations. Permanent medical camps have been established in areas highly affected by floods, officials added.
Shruti Kakkar By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday turned down Manipur Tribal Forums request to

deploy Indian Army and paramilitary forces for the protection of Kuki tribals amidst the continuing ethnic violence in Manipur.

You are asking the court to direct the Indian Army to take steps. In the last 70-year history of our court, the SC has not directed the Army to do anything. The greatest hallmark of democracy is civilian control over the armed forces. Lets not breach that, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said.

The remarks were made by the CJI when senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, alleging that certain Meitei group-backed organisations were behind the violence, sought the deployment of forces for the protection of the Kuki tribes.

Laying emphasis on the fact that providing security to prevent further attacks in Manipur is a matter that falls in the executive domain, the bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud, and Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Mishra urged the state to ensure the protection of lives and properties of all its residents.

We are of the view that it will not be appropriate for this court to exercise judicial functions and issue directions in regards to the deployment of army and paramilitary forces, which must be left to the state and UoI to oversee, the SC bench said in its order.

Also in top court

Shahi Idgah trust challenges HC order

The management committee of Shahi Idgah Masjid has approached SC, challenging the Allahabad High Courts May 26 order to transfer the suit in the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi- Shahi Idgah mosque dispute from Mathura court to itself.

Petitions pending, but law not stayed

While granting time to the Central government to file its response to pleas challenging the constitutionality of provisions of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, the SC on Tuesday clarified that only the petitions were pending and the Act itself is not stayed.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday turned down Manipur Tribal Forums request to deploy Indian Army and paramilitary forces for the protection of Kuki tribals amidst the continuing ethnic violence in Manipur. You are asking the court to direct the Indian Army to take steps. In the last 70-year history of our court, the SC has not directed the Army to do anything. The greatest hallmark of democracy is civilian control over the armed forces. Lets not breach that, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said. The remarks were made by the CJI when senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, alleging that certain Meitei group-backed organisations were behind the violence, sought the deployment of forces for the protection of the Kuki tribes.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Laying emphasis on the fact that providing security to prevent further attacks in Manipur is a matter that falls in the executive domain, the bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud, and Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Mishra urged the state to ensure the protection of lives and properties of all its residents. We are of the view that it will not be appropriate for this court to exercise judicial functions and issue directions in regards to the deployment of army and paramilitary forces, which must be left to the state and UoI to oversee, the SC bench said in its order. Also in top court Shahi Idgah trust challenges HC order The management committee of Shahi Idgah Masjid has approached SC, challenging the Allahabad High Courts May 26 order to transfer the suit in the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi- Shahi Idgah mosque dispute from Mathura court to itself. Petitions pending, but law not stayed While granting time to the Central government to file its response to pleas challenging the constitutionality of provisions of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, the SC on Tuesday clarified that only the petitions were pending and the Act itself is not stayed.
By PTI

CHENNAI: A city court on Wednesday extended the remand of arrested Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji to judicial custody till July 26.

Principal Sessions S Judge Alli extended the remand of Balaji on an application filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), following an interim order passed by Justice C V Karthikeyan of the Madras High Court permitting the Principal Sessions Judge to proceed further during the pendency of the hearing on the habeas corpus petition filed by the minister's wife.

The minister was arrested on June 14 by ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for an alleged cash-for-job scam. However, he was admitted to Omandurar Hospital in Chennai after he complained of uneasiness during ED raids.

He underwent coronary bypass surgery.

Enforcement Directorate officials, accompanied by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, conducted searches at multiple places linked to electricity minister V Senthil Balaji, including his office in the state secretariat and his official residence in Chennai, in a suspected money laundering case on Tuesday.

CHENNAI: A city court on Wednesday extended the remand of arrested Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji to judicial custody till July 26. Principal Sessions S Judge Alli extended the remand of Balaji on an application filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), following an interim order passed by Justice C V Karthikeyan of the Madras High Court permitting the Principal Sessions Judge to proceed further during the pendency of the hearing on the habeas corpus petition filed by the minister's wife. The minister was arrested on June 14 by ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for an alleged cash-for-job scam. However, he was admitted to Omandurar Hospital in Chennai after he complained of uneasiness during ED raids. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He underwent coronary bypass surgery. Enforcement Directorate officials, accompanied by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, conducted searches at multiple places linked to electricity minister V Senthil Balaji, including his office in the state secretariat and his official residence in Chennai, in a suspected money laundering case on Tuesday.
By Express News Service

BHOPAL: With less than four months left for the next assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Bhopal to meet senior party leaders on Tuesday evening. This is the first election strategy meeting chaired by him in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh.

Shah met senior party leaders, including Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Prahlad Singh Patel. He also met Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, national general secretary in-charge of Madhya Pradesh P Murlidhar Rao, state party chief VD Sharma and the newly appointed central partys MP assembly poll in-charge Bhupendra Yadav and co-in charge Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The one-and-a-half-hour meeting concluded with the decision to take the 2023 Vijay Sankalp Abhiyan to the polling booth level.

The meeting took stock of the state partys programmes till date and also discussed the future roadmap for winning the 2023 polls. The meeting chaired by the Union Home Minister, who is the modern Chanakya for all of us, put its affirmative seal on soon starting the 2023 Vijay Sankalp Abhiyan in MP at the booth level. Other details about the campaign, including its dates, will be finalised soon, state BJP president VD Sharma told media after the meeting.

According to key sources within the party, the meeting was largely aimed at detailing the role to be played by Bhupendra Yadav and Ashwini Vaishnaw, the two Union ministers appointed as poll in-charge and co-in charge, in the coming months. In political circles, the meeting is also being seen as the central party leadership, particularly Amit Shah, leading the poll strategising and management in MP, through the two newly appointed poll in-charge and co-in-charge.

The party workers are elated as the master poll strategist Amit Shahji will now be proactively zeroing upon the partys roadmap for the next polls in the state, through the two Union ministers who have been recently appointed as poll in-charge and co-in charge, a young state BJP leader told this newspaper. The senior leaders present at the meeting are part of the state BJPs core group.

BHOPAL: With less than four months left for the next assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Bhopal to meet senior party leaders on Tuesday evening. This is the first election strategy meeting chaired by him in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh.       @AmitShah         @ChouhanShivraj     @vdsharmabjp    pic.twitter.com/bHwVkKtxd6  BJP MadhyaPradesh (@BJP4MP) July 11, 2023 Shah met senior party leaders, including Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Prahlad Singh Patel. He also met Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, national general secretary in-charge of Madhya Pradesh P Murlidhar Rao, state party chief VD Sharma and the newly appointed central partys MP assembly poll in-charge Bhupendra Yadav and co-in charge Ashwini Vaishnaw. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The one-and-a-half-hour meeting concluded with the decision to take the 2023 Vijay Sankalp Abhiyan to the polling booth level. The meeting took stock of the state partys programmes till date and also discussed the future roadmap for winning the 2023 polls. The meeting chaired by the Union Home Minister, who is the modern Chanakya for all of us, put its affirmative seal on soon starting the 2023 Vijay Sankalp Abhiyan in MP at the booth level. Other details about the campaign, including its dates, will be finalised soon, state BJP president VD Sharma told media after the meeting. According to key sources within the party, the meeting was largely aimed at detailing the role to be played by Bhupendra Yadav and Ashwini Vaishnaw, the two Union ministers appointed as poll in-charge and co-in charge, in the coming months. In political circles, the meeting is also being seen as the central party leadership, particularly Amit Shah, leading the poll strategising and management in MP, through the two newly appointed poll in-charge and co-in-charge. The party workers are elated as the master poll strategist Amit Shahji will now be proactively zeroing upon the partys roadmap for the next polls in the state, through the two Union ministers who have been recently appointed as poll in-charge and co-in charge, a young state BJP leader told this newspaper. The senior leaders present at the meeting are part of the state BJPs core group.
By PTI

KOLKATA: The ruling Trinamool Congress on Wednesday looked poised to sweep to a massive victory in violence-scarred rural polls in Bengal as the overnight count of ballots gave it an unassailable lead in results declared till now by the State Election Commission.

The ruling TMC has won 34,359 gram panchayat seats, besides leading in 752 seats, according to the SEC as of 8 am on Wednesday.

Its nearest rival BJP has won 9,545 seats and is leading in 180 seats.

In all elections are being held for 63,229 gram panchayat seats.

The CPI( M) has won 2,885 and is leading in 96 seats. The Congress won 2,498 seats and is leading in 72.

The counting though largely peaceful was marred by stray incidents including bombs being hurled in Bhangar, a spot where there had been deaths in the run-up to election, leading to firing by central forces and state police on Tuesday night on an unruly mob which resulted in injuries including on ISF supporters and policemen including an IPS officer.

The ruling TMC won 6,134 Panchayat samiti seats while leading 61 seats.

BJP has won 939 and is leading in 149 seats, while CPI(M) has won 165 seats and is leading in 14 others and Congress has won in 244 seats and is leading in 7 seats.

Elections were held for 9,728 Panchayat Samiti seats.

TMC has also won all 554 Zila Parishad results declared so far and is leading in 201 others.

The BJP has in contrast won 19 and is leading in 7 seats.

The CPI(M) has won 2 seats and is leading in 2 more seats, while Congress has won 4 and is leading in 10.

In all, there are 928 Zila Parishad seats.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who had suffered an injury during campaigning thanked people for reposing trust in her on Tuesday night.

"It's TMC all the way in rural Bengal. I want to thank the people for their love, affection and support towards the TMC. This election has proved that only TMC resides in the heart of the people of the state," Banerjee said in a social media post.

The elections are being seen by all parties as an indicator of which way the wind will blow in the 2024 parliamentary elections from this part of the country.

The violence which rocked the panchayat polls held on Saturday has claimed at least 15 lives with 11 of them from the ruling TMC.

Since elections were announced last month, the number of people who died in poll-related incidents has been 33, with the ruling party suffering 60 per cent of the deaths.

Allegations of vote tampering and violence by various parties forced the SEC to order re-polling in 696 seats on Monday, which passed more or less peacefully.

Intervention by the Calcutta High Court had seen the deployment of central police forces on both election and counting days.

Though Bengal has a long history of violent rural polls with 40 people killed in one single day of polling during the 2003 panchayat elections, this year's violence which was covered extensively by the media focused national attention on it.

ALSO READ | Fearing violence after panchayat poll results, people from Bengal flee to Assam

Governor CV Ananda Bose who had rushed to Delhi to give a report on the violence told newspersons Tuesday "Political parties should realise elections are not grounds to examine one's physical strength".

Counting of votes for the three-tier panchayat polls to nearly 74,000 seats which besides the gram panchayat seats, also includes 9,730 panchayat samiti seats and 928 zilla parishad seats, began at 8 am on Tuesday largely peacefully amid tight security, officials said.

Vote counting is on at 339 venues spread across 22 districts and is likely to carry over to Wednesday.

The maximum number of counting centres is in South 24 Parganas at 28, while the minimum is in Kalimpong at four. Some northern districts are also facing inclement weather.

"Counting which began at 8 am yesterday continued overnight and will be completed today" an SEC official said Wednesday.

In Darjeeling hills, out of the 598 seats in Darjeeling and 281 in Kalimpong, the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) was leading in many areas and looks likely to be the new numero uno in the Bengal hill districts.

ALSO READ | Tit for tat: TMC and BJP form fact-finding teams for Manipur, Bengal panchayat poll violence

All the counting venues are manned by armed state police personnel and central forces, with prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC being imposed outside the venue to avoid any untoward incidents.

There are a total of 767 strong rooms across 22 districts. Large crowds of supporters of various candidates gathered at various centres to ensure that counting was conducted correctly.

In various districts, TMC supporters celebrated their victory by dancing and smearing each other with green colour, the party's chosen colour.

A total of 5.67 crore people living in the state's rural areas were eligible to decide the fate of 2.06 lakh candidates in 73,887 seats of the three-tier-panchayat system.

KOLKATA: The ruling Trinamool Congress on Wednesday looked poised to sweep to a massive victory in violence-scarred rural polls in Bengal as the overnight count of ballots gave it an unassailable lead in results declared till now by the State Election Commission. The ruling TMC has won 34,359 gram panchayat seats, besides leading in 752 seats, according to the SEC as of 8 am on Wednesday. Its nearest rival BJP has won 9,545 seats and is leading in 180 seats.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In all elections are being held for 63,229 gram panchayat seats. The CPI( M) has won 2,885 and is leading in 96 seats. The Congress won 2,498 seats and is leading in 72. The counting though largely peaceful was marred by stray incidents including bombs being hurled in Bhangar, a spot where there had been deaths in the run-up to election, leading to firing by central forces and state police on Tuesday night on an unruly mob which resulted in injuries including on ISF supporters and policemen including an IPS officer. The ruling TMC won 6,134 Panchayat samiti seats while leading 61 seats. BJP has won 939 and is leading in 149 seats, while CPI(M) has won 165 seats and is leading in 14 others and Congress has won in 244 seats and is leading in 7 seats. Elections were held for 9,728 Panchayat Samiti seats. TMC has also won all 554 Zila Parishad results declared so far and is leading in 201 others. The BJP has in contrast won 19 and is leading in 7 seats. The CPI(M) has won 2 seats and is leading in 2 more seats, while Congress has won 4 and is leading in 10. In all, there are 928 Zila Parishad seats. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who had suffered an injury during campaigning thanked people for reposing trust in her on Tuesday night. "It's TMC all the way in rural Bengal. I want to thank the people for their love, affection and support towards the TMC. This election has proved that only TMC resides in the heart of the people of the state," Banerjee said in a social media post. The elections are being seen by all parties as an indicator of which way the wind will blow in the 2024 parliamentary elections from this part of the country. The violence which rocked the panchayat polls held on Saturday has claimed at least 15 lives with 11 of them from the ruling TMC. Since elections were announced last month, the number of people who died in poll-related incidents has been 33, with the ruling party suffering 60 per cent of the deaths. Allegations of vote tampering and violence by various parties forced the SEC to order re-polling in 696 seats on Monday, which passed more or less peacefully. Intervention by the Calcutta High Court had seen the deployment of central police forces on both election and counting days. Though Bengal has a long history of violent rural polls with 40 people killed in one single day of polling during the 2003 panchayat elections, this year's violence which was covered extensively by the media focused national attention on it. ALSO READ | Fearing violence after panchayat poll results, people from Bengal flee to Assam Governor CV Ananda Bose who had rushed to Delhi to give a report on the violence told newspersons Tuesday "Political parties should realise elections are not grounds to examine one's physical strength". Counting of votes for the three-tier panchayat polls to nearly 74,000 seats which besides the gram panchayat seats, also includes 9,730 panchayat samiti seats and 928 zilla parishad seats, began at 8 am on Tuesday largely peacefully amid tight security, officials said. Vote counting is on at 339 venues spread across 22 districts and is likely to carry over to Wednesday. The maximum number of counting centres is in South 24 Parganas at 28, while the minimum is in Kalimpong at four. Some northern districts are also facing inclement weather. "Counting which began at 8 am yesterday continued overnight and will be completed today" an SEC official said Wednesday. In Darjeeling hills, out of the 598 seats in Darjeeling and 281 in Kalimpong, the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) was leading in many areas and looks likely to be the new numero uno in the Bengal hill districts. ALSO READ | Tit for tat: TMC and BJP form fact-finding teams for Manipur, Bengal panchayat poll violence All the counting venues are manned by armed state police personnel and central forces, with prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC being imposed outside the venue to avoid any untoward incidents. There are a total of 767 strong rooms across 22 districts. Large crowds of supporters of various candidates gathered at various centres to ensure that counting was conducted correctly. In various districts, TMC supporters celebrated their victory by dancing and smearing each other with green colour, the party's chosen colour. A total of 5.67 crore people living in the state's rural areas were eligible to decide the fate of 2.06 lakh candidates in 73,887 seats of the three-tier-panchayat system.
Pranab Mondal By

Express News Service

KOLKATA: The trend in the counting of votes in the three-tier panchayat election hints at a massive victory for the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the rural landscape of Bengal. Though the Left Front-Congress alliance has made an impressive performance in minority-dominated Murshidabad district, the ruling TMCis cruising on to register a stupendous victory in all three tiers gram panchayat, panchayat samiti and zilla parishadas of Tuesday night.

A MOMENTOUS DAY!



With people's love, trust, and support, we shall emerge VICTORIOUS.



People of Bengal, this victory belongs to YOU!#GramBanglayTMC pic.twitter.com/6AxEOPq8Zh  All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 11, 2023

The counting of votes was marred by reports of violence at several places and the opposition parties accused the TMC of not allowing their agents in the counting centres. Fearing an attack by the ruling TMC, a group of activists and supporters of the BJP fled to neighbouring Assam from the saffron camps stronghold of Cooch Behar.

The counting trend showed that the TMC has secured victory in 75 per cent of gram panchayats seats announced till Tuesday evening. The ruling party had won 78 per cent of gram panchayat seats in the 2018 rural polls when 34 per cent of the total seats were bagged by the TMC uncontested.

In Panchayat Samiti, the TMC bagged 98 per cent of the total announced seats and the party is leading in almost all 928 zilla parishad seats. In many pockets of Murshidabad districts, where 66 per cent of the population belongs to minority communities, the TMC failed to retain many gram panchayat seats as the candidates of the Left Front-Congress alliance put up an impressive performance. The ruling party got a smell of erosion in the minority vote bank in the recent by-election in the Sagardighi Assembly constituency as it lost the seat to the CPI(M)-Congress alliances candidate.

Opposition parties accused the TMC of flexing muscles on the counting day like they allegedly did on the day of the election. Crude bombs were allegedly hurled indiscriminately targeting the agents of Opposition parties who were heading towards the counting venue in Diamond Harbour, South 24 Parganas, a constituency of the second-in-command in the TMC and nephew of chief minister Abhishek Banerjees Lok Sabha constituency.

ALSO READ | Toll in Bengal violence hits 17, guv in Delhi

ALSO READ | Vicious cycle of violence in West Bengal

KOLKATA: The trend in the counting of votes in the three-tier panchayat election hints at a massive victory for the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the rural landscape of Bengal. Though the Left Front-Congress alliance has made an impressive performance in minority-dominated Murshidabad district, the ruling TMCis cruising on to register a stupendous victory in all three tiers gram panchayat, panchayat samiti and zilla parishadas of Tuesday night. A MOMENTOUS DAY! With people's love, trust, and support, we shall emerge VICTORIOUS. People of Bengal, this victory belongs to YOU!#GramBanglayTMC pic.twitter.com/6AxEOPq8Zh  All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 11, 2023 The counting of votes was marred by reports of violence at several places and the opposition parties accused the TMC of not allowing their agents in the counting centres. Fearing an attack by the ruling TMC, a group of activists and supporters of the BJP fled to neighbouring Assam from the saffron camps stronghold of Cooch Behar.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The counting trend showed that the TMC has secured victory in 75 per cent of gram panchayats seats announced till Tuesday evening. The ruling party had won 78 per cent of gram panchayat seats in the 2018 rural polls when 34 per cent of the total seats were bagged by the TMC uncontested. In Panchayat Samiti, the TMC bagged 98 per cent of the total announced seats and the party is leading in almost all 928 zilla parishad seats. In many pockets of Murshidabad districts, where 66 per cent of the population belongs to minority communities, the TMC failed to retain many gram panchayat seats as the candidates of the Left Front-Congress alliance put up an impressive performance. The ruling party got a smell of erosion in the minority vote bank in the recent by-election in the Sagardighi Assembly constituency as it lost the seat to the CPI(M)-Congress alliances candidate. Opposition parties accused the TMC of flexing muscles on the counting day like they allegedly did on the day of the election. Crude bombs were allegedly hurled indiscriminately targeting the agents of Opposition parties who were heading towards the counting venue in Diamond Harbour, South 24 Parganas, a constituency of the second-in-command in the TMC and nephew of chief minister Abhishek Banerjees Lok Sabha constituency. ALSO READ | Toll in Bengal violence hits 17, guv in Delhi ALSO READ | Vicious cycle of violence in West Bengal
By PTI

SONBHADRA: A panel of doctors here is examining an allegation that a newborn died Wednesday after being delivered in a toilet at a government hospital when the staff refused to admit her.

The family claimed that the newborn fell into the toilet during delivery, and could not be pulled out in time.

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Ashwini Kumar, however, claimed that the birth -- or stillbirth -- happened in the toilet but denied allegations that the hospital refused to attend to the woman in labour.

Gothani village resident Jagnayak Singh said he brought his wife Rashmi Singh to the Government Mother and Child Hospital around 5 am on Wednesday after she had labour pain.

"We pleaded to the staff at the hospital to admit my wife but they refused to do anything and asked us to wait till the doctors arrived," Singh told PTI.

"My wife went to the bathroom at the reception in pain, where she delivered the child. The child fell into the toilet and died," Singh added.

According to the local people, the hospital staff along with the family members tried to rescue the newborn. But by the time the child was pulled out, it was already too late. The mother was then admitted to the labour room and her condition is said to be critical.

Denying allegations against the hospital, the CMO said, "The woman was seen by a lady doctor who told her that there was no heartbeat of the foetus. The woman was asked to wait for an ultrasound to clear the situation."

The officer, however, confirmed that the woman gave birth inside the bathroom.

He also added that a probe has been ordered to look into the allegations.

"A panel of three doctors has been formed to probe the matter. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty in the incident," the CMO said.

SONBHADRA: A panel of doctors here is examining an allegation that a newborn died Wednesday after being delivered in a toilet at a government hospital when the staff refused to admit her. The family claimed that the newborn fell into the toilet during delivery, and could not be pulled out in time. The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Ashwini Kumar, however, claimed that the birth -- or stillbirth -- happened in the toilet but denied allegations that the hospital refused to attend to the woman in labour.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Gothani village resident Jagnayak Singh said he brought his wife Rashmi Singh to the Government Mother and Child Hospital around 5 am on Wednesday after she had labour pain. "We pleaded to the staff at the hospital to admit my wife but they refused to do anything and asked us to wait till the doctors arrived," Singh told PTI. "My wife went to the bathroom at the reception in pain, where she delivered the child. The child fell into the toilet and died," Singh added. According to the local people, the hospital staff along with the family members tried to rescue the newborn. But by the time the child was pulled out, it was already too late. The mother was then admitted to the labour room and her condition is said to be critical. Denying allegations against the hospital, the CMO said, "The woman was seen by a lady doctor who told her that there was no heartbeat of the foetus. The woman was asked to wait for an ultrasound to clear the situation." The officer, however, confirmed that the woman gave birth inside the bathroom. He also added that a probe has been ordered to look into the allegations. "A panel of three doctors has been formed to probe the matter. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty in the incident," the CMO said.
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: A day after the sudden demise of an undergraduate student after drinking water from a water cooler on Allahabad University (AU) campus on Tuesday afternoon, hundreds of students on Wednesday, staged a huge violent protest on the campus and outside resorting to vandalism, damaging property and even misbehaving with some female professors.

While demanding the registration of an FIR against the AU authorities including the Vice Chancellor, Registrar, the DSW and the Proctor, the protesting students sought their resignation and compensation for the family of the deceased.

As per the AU sources, Ashutosh Dubey, 22, a fifth-semester student of Bachelor of Vocational Studies (BVoS) of IPS, went to drink water at the water cooler near the Students Union building in Arts faculty on Tuesday. While drinking, he collapsed and was rushed to SRN hospital where he was declared dead upon arrival by the doctors.

As per students, Ashutosh was presently staying with a relative in Allahpur's locality. The postmortem of the body was conducted at the morgue located at SRN Hospital campus late on Monday evening. Officials said that it was a case of suspected poisoning and the viscera has been preserved to determine the exact cause of death.

Ashutosh was the only son of Ganesh Shankar Dubey, a farmer of Arakhurd village under Uttaraon police station of Prayagraj and the only brother to his two sisters.

The protesting students alleged that AU authorities failed to provide an ambulance in time despite the fact that it was stationed on the campus and that they had to take the victim on an e-rickshaw. They also alleged that the security personnel did not allow the e-rickshaw to enter the campus.

Dubeys father Ganesh Shankar Dubey filed a complaint against the university administration at the Colonelganj police station late on Tuesday night. However, on Wednesday, Dubeys father gave a new complaint in which he dropped the name of V-C and Registrar but demanded the police authorities to lodge an FIR against the Dean, Student Welfare (DSW) and Proctor.

On a rampage, the agitated student leaders, on Wednesday, blocked the busy Motilal Nehru Road at the KPUC gate followed by the entry and exit gates. They also blocked the Library gate of the Arts campus. A group of student leaders then went to various departments and forced them to close suspending the classes. The agitated students went to the proctors office and indulged in a heated argument with the proctor and his team.

At the Sanskrit department, students resorted to vandalism breaking earthen pots, furniture etc. They damaged the glass panes of the almirah and doors of the Central Library. They also abused the female teachers of the department and allegedly manhandled them by forcing them out of the staff room. Videos of violent protests by the enraged students, accompanied by the father of the deceased, made rounds on social media.

The agitation ended at around 3:00 pm, when the police accepted the application of Dubeys father, wherein, he had held DSW Prof Shanty Sunderam, and Proctor Rakesh Singh responsible for the sudden demise of his son. Police have assured them of registering a case on the basis of the complaint.

However, refuting the allegations of negligence, AU public relation officer (PRO) Prof Jaya Kapoor claimed that an ambulance was dispatched as soon as the information of the collapse of a student was received.

Some external chaotic elements under the leadership of Ajay Yadav Samrat vandalized the university campus and indulged in indecency and scuffle with some female teachers causing injury to them. The university administration had taken prompt action on its part. The assault on women on the campus and vandalism on the pretext of death of the student is highly condemnable. Police should take strict action against such anti-social elements otherwise it will be difficult for the teachers to conduct classes in an atmosphere of personal insecurity, said the PRO in a statement.

ACP Chirag Jain said that after much effort students were convinced to call off their protest. Further action would be taken after going through the complaints received in regard to the incident, he added.

Meanwhile, police took the body to the victims ancestral village along with his father and held the cremation on Wednesday evening. The student leaders held a mourning meeting at the student union building in the evening.

LUCKNOW: A day after the sudden demise of an undergraduate student after drinking water from a water cooler on Allahabad University (AU) campus on Tuesday afternoon, hundreds of students on Wednesday, staged a huge violent protest on the campus and outside resorting to vandalism, damaging property and even misbehaving with some female professors. While demanding the registration of an FIR against the AU authorities including the Vice Chancellor, Registrar, the DSW and the Proctor, the protesting students sought their resignation and compensation for the family of the deceased. As per the AU sources, Ashutosh Dubey, 22, a fifth-semester student of Bachelor of Vocational Studies (BVoS) of IPS, went to drink water at the water cooler near the Students Union building in Arts faculty on Tuesday. While drinking, he collapsed and was rushed to SRN hospital where he was declared dead upon arrival by the doctors.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); As per students, Ashutosh was presently staying with a relative in Allahpur's locality. The postmortem of the body was conducted at the morgue located at SRN Hospital campus late on Monday evening. Officials said that it was a case of suspected poisoning and the viscera has been preserved to determine the exact cause of death. Ashutosh was the only son of Ganesh Shankar Dubey, a farmer of Arakhurd village under Uttaraon police station of Prayagraj and the only brother to his two sisters. The protesting students alleged that AU authorities failed to provide an ambulance in time despite the fact that it was stationed on the campus and that they had to take the victim on an e-rickshaw. They also alleged that the security personnel did not allow the e-rickshaw to enter the campus. Dubeys father Ganesh Shankar Dubey filed a complaint against the university administration at the Colonelganj police station late on Tuesday night. However, on Wednesday, Dubeys father gave a new complaint in which he dropped the name of V-C and Registrar but demanded the police authorities to lodge an FIR against the Dean, Student Welfare (DSW) and Proctor. On a rampage, the agitated student leaders, on Wednesday, blocked the busy Motilal Nehru Road at the KPUC gate followed by the entry and exit gates. They also blocked the Library gate of the Arts campus. A group of student leaders then went to various departments and forced them to close suspending the classes. The agitated students went to the proctors office and indulged in a heated argument with the proctor and his team. At the Sanskrit department, students resorted to vandalism breaking earthen pots, furniture etc. They damaged the glass panes of the almirah and doors of the Central Library. They also abused the female teachers of the department and allegedly manhandled them by forcing them out of the staff room. Videos of violent protests by the enraged students, accompanied by the father of the deceased, made rounds on social media. The agitation ended at around 3:00 pm, when the police accepted the application of Dubeys father, wherein, he had held DSW Prof Shanty Sunderam, and Proctor Rakesh Singh responsible for the sudden demise of his son. Police have assured them of registering a case on the basis of the complaint. However, refuting the allegations of negligence, AU public relation officer (PRO) Prof Jaya Kapoor claimed that an ambulance was dispatched as soon as the information of the collapse of a student was received. Some external chaotic elements under the leadership of Ajay Yadav Samrat vandalized the university campus and indulged in indecency and scuffle with some female teachers causing injury to them. The university administration had taken prompt action on its part. The assault on women on the campus and vandalism on the pretext of death of the student is highly condemnable. Police should take strict action against such anti-social elements otherwise it will be difficult for the teachers to conduct classes in an atmosphere of personal insecurity, said the PRO in a statement. ACP Chirag Jain said that after much effort students were convinced to call off their protest. Further action would be taken after going through the complaints received in regard to the incident, he added. Meanwhile, police took the body to the victims ancestral village along with his father and held the cremation on Wednesday evening. The student leaders held a mourning meeting at the student union building in the evening.
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The United States will welcome the role that India or any other country could play in helping to achieve just and lasting peace while recognising Ukraines territorial integrity and sovereignty, said a statement by US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller on Monday. He claimed that the conflict in Ukraine proved to be a strategic failure for Russia.

Russia has suffered a loss of military personnel and equipment. The US welcomes the international support that Ukraine has received since the beginning of the conflict, Miller said, adding that Russia has seen their standing in the world affected, its economy crippled by the sanctions and export controls the US has imposed.

Earlier in June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden expressed concerns over the conflict in Ukraine and mourned its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences. The two leaders, in a joint statement, called for respect for international law, principles of the United Nations Charter, and territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Both the leaders underscored the serious and growing impacts of the war on the global economic system, including on food, fuel and energy security, and critical supply chains. They called for greater efforts to mitigate the consequences of the war, especially in the developing world. It may be recalled that both India and the US had reaffirmed their resolve to continue giving humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine. Both countries concurred on the importance of post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine.

In May this year, PM Modi had met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, assuring him of Indias support in resolving the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv. India and I will do whatever we can for the resolution of the conflict, Modi had said. Recently, on June 30th, a few days ahead of the SCO Summit that was held virtually, Modi called Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin and, amongst other things, spoke about resolving conflict in Ukraine.

NEW DELHI: The United States will welcome the role that India or any other country could play in helping to achieve just and lasting peace while recognising Ukraines territorial integrity and sovereignty, said a statement by US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller on Monday. He claimed that the conflict in Ukraine proved to be a strategic failure for Russia. Russia has suffered a loss of military personnel and equipment. The US welcomes the international support that Ukraine has received since the beginning of the conflict, Miller said, adding that Russia has seen their standing in the world affected, its economy crippled by the sanctions and export controls the US has imposed. Earlier in June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden expressed concerns over the conflict in Ukraine and mourned its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences. The two leaders, in a joint statement, called for respect for international law, principles of the United Nations Charter, and territorial integrity and sovereignty.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Both the leaders underscored the serious and growing impacts of the war on the global economic system, including on food, fuel and energy security, and critical supply chains. They called for greater efforts to mitigate the consequences of the war, especially in the developing world. It may be recalled that both India and the US had reaffirmed their resolve to continue giving humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine. Both countries concurred on the importance of post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine. In May this year, PM Modi had met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, assuring him of Indias support in resolving the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv. India and I will do whatever we can for the resolution of the conflict, Modi had said. Recently, on June 30th, a few days ahead of the SCO Summit that was held virtually, Modi called Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin and, amongst other things, spoke about resolving conflict in Ukraine.
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: Yogi Adityanath's cabinet, on Tuesday, approved two thermal power projects  Obra D - of 800 MW capacity each to be built at the cost of Rs 18,000 crore in the tribal district of Sonbhadra.

The agreement for the two projects was signed by the UP government with National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) during the Global Investors Summit held in Lucknow in February, this year.

As per State Urban Development and Energy Minister AK Sharma, the projects would ease the power scenario in the state a great deal, especially when the consumption of electricity was increasing day by day.

He added: During the Global Investors Summit, we had signed an agreement with NTPC to set up a thermal plant at Obra. This plant will be built on about 500 acres of land and if further land is needed, arrangements will be made for that too.

The minister added: UP government and NTPC will have 50-50 participation in this. In this, 30 per cent equity will be given by both parties and the idea is to take a 70 per cent loan from financial institutions.

LUCKNOW: Yogi Adityanath's cabinet, on Tuesday, approved two thermal power projects  Obra D - of 800 MW capacity each to be built at the cost of Rs 18,000 crore in the tribal district of Sonbhadra. The agreement for the two projects was signed by the UP government with National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) during the Global Investors Summit held in Lucknow in February, this year. As per State Urban Development and Energy Minister AK Sharma, the projects would ease the power scenario in the state a great deal, especially when the consumption of electricity was increasing day by day.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He added: During the Global Investors Summit, we had signed an agreement with NTPC to set up a thermal plant at Obra. This plant will be built on about 500 acres of land and if further land is needed, arrangements will be made for that too. The minister added: UP government and NTPC will have 50-50 participation in this. In this, 30 per cent equity will be given by both parties and the idea is to take a 70 per cent loan from financial institutions.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court is getting ready to decide some of its biggest cases of the term. The high court has 10 opinions left to release over the next week before the justices begin their summer break. As is typical, the last opinions to be released cover some of the most contentious issues the court has wrestled with this term including affirmative action, student loans and gay rights.

Here's a look at some of the cases the court has left to decide from the term that began back in October:

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

The survival of affirmative action in higher education is the subject of two related cases, one involving Harvard and the other the University of North Carolina. The Supreme Court has previously approved of the use of affirmative action in higher education in decisions reaching back to 1978. But the justices' decision to take the cases suggested a willingness to revisit those rulings. And when the high court heard arguments in the cases in late October, all six conservative justices on the court expressed doubts about the practice.

The Biden administration has said that getting rid of race-conscious college admissions would have a "destabilizing" effect that would cause the ranks of Black and Latino students to plummet at the nation's most selective schools.

***

STUDENT LOANS

The justices will also decide the fate of President Joe Biden's plan to wipe away or reduce student loans held by millions of Americans. When the court heard arguments in the case in February, the plan didn't seem likely to survive, though it's possible the justices could decide the challengers lacked the right to sue and the plan can still go forward.

Biden had proposed erasing $10,000 in federal student loan debt for those with incomes below $125,000 a year, or households that earn less than $250,000. He also wanted to cancel an additional $10,000 for those who received federal Pell Grants to attend college. The administration has said millions of borrowers would benefit from the program.

Regardless of what happens at the high court, loan payments that have been on hold since the start of the coronavirus pandemic three years ago will resume this summer.

***

GAY RIGHTS

A clash of gay rights and religious rights is also yet to be decided by the court. The case involves a Christian graphic artist from Colorado who wants to begin designing wedding websites but objects to making wedding websites for same-sex couples.

State law requires businesses that are open to the public to provide services to all customers, but the designer, Lorie Smith, says the law violates her free speech rights. She says ruling against her would force artists  from painters and photographers to writers and musicians  to do work that is against their beliefs. Her opponents, meanwhile, say that if she wins, a range of businesses will be able to discriminate, refusing to serve Black, Jewish or Muslim customers, interracial or interfaith couples or immigrants.

During arguments in the case in December, the court's conservative majority sounded sympathetic to Smith's arguments, and religious plaintiffs have in recent years won a series of victories at the high court.

***

RELIGIOUS RIGHTS

Another case that could end as a victory for religious rights is the case of a Christian mail carrier who refused to work on Sundays when he was required to deliver Amazon packages.

The question for the high court has to do with when businesses have to accommodate religious employees. The case is somewhat unusual in that both sides agree on a number of things, and when the court heard arguments in April both liberal and conservative justices seemed in broad agreement that businesses like the Postal Service can't cite minor costs or hardships to reject requests to accommodate religious practices. That could mean a ruling joined by both liberals and conservatives.

Less clear, however, was how the justices might decide the particular worker's case.

***

VOTING

As election season accelerates, the Supreme Court has still not said what it will do in a case about the power of state legislatures to make rules for congressional and presidential elections without being checked by state courts.

In a case out of North Carolina the justices were asked to essentially eliminate the power of state courts to strike down congressional districts drawn by legislatures on the grounds that they violate state constitutions.

But there's a wrinkle. Since the justices heard arguments in the case in December, North Carolina's state Supreme Court threw out the ruling the Supreme Court was reviewing after Republicans claimed control of that court. That could give the justices an out and let them dismiss the case without reaching a decision.

The high court could still take up a similar case from Ohio and reach a decision there, but it wouldn't be until after the 2024 elections.

The 9 current justices of the US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts Justice Clarence Thomas Justice Samuel Alito Justice Sonia Sotomayor Justice Elena Kagan Justice Neil Gorsuch Justice Brett Kavanaugh Justice Amy Coney Barrett Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson
By PTI

KOCHI: Vietjet, a Vietnamese airline, has announced a first-ever direct flight route from Kerala to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam from August 12.

The announcement came days after Vietnamese Ambassador, Nguyen Thanh Hai, met Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on July 5 and promised to start a direct flight service between Ho Chi Minh City and Kochi.

Vietjet said with the commencement of the new route from Cochin International Airport, the airline will be operating a total of 32 Vietnam-India flights every week.

Airline authorities said the Kochi- Ho Chi Minh City route will be operated with a frequency of four flights per week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

"The flights from Kochi will depart at 23:50 (local time) and land in Ho Chi Minh City at 06:40 (local time). The return flights will depart from Ho Chi Minh City at 19:20 (local time) and arrive in Kochi at 22:50 (local time)," the airlines said in a release.

After his meeting with the Vietnamese Ambassador nearly a week ago, Chief Vijayan, in a tweet, said that the direct flight service would enhance ties between Kerala and Vietnam and also boost the state's tourism and development.

Speaking at an event held here last week announcing the launch of the new route from Kochi, the Vietnamese Ambassador to India had termed the opening of the route connecting Kochi and Ho Chi Minh City by Vietjet as a breakthrough, creating a new impetus for economic - trade - tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between Viet Nam and South India.

"With the favourable 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," Hai had said in the release.

Jay L Lingeswara, Vice-President (Commerce) of the airline had said that with this new route, Vietjet will increase connectivity between Vietnam and India.

The company expects to 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.

Vietjet flights are currently operating from Mumbai, New Delhi, and Ahmedabad, connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The airline said in the first five months of this year, 1,41,000 passengers from India visited Vietnam, and it is expected to reach 500,000 visitors this year.

"Previously, in 2022, the number of Indian visitors to Vietnam grew impressively, reaching 137,900 arrivals, ranking ninth in the 10 markets sending tourists to Vietnam the most. Vietjet's new route is expected to bring about 10,000 more passengers from the southern region of India to Vietnam in 2023," the release said.

KOCHI: Vietjet, a Vietnamese airline, has announced a first-ever direct flight route from Kerala to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam from August 12. The announcement came days after Vietnamese Ambassador, Nguyen Thanh Hai, met Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on July 5 and promised to start a direct flight service between Ho Chi Minh City and Kochi. Vietjet said with the commencement of the new route from Cochin International Airport, the airline will be operating a total of 32 Vietnam-India flights every week.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Airline authorities said the Kochi- Ho Chi Minh City route will be operated with a frequency of four flights per week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. "The flights from Kochi will depart at 23:50 (local time) and land in Ho Chi Minh City at 06:40 (local time). The return flights will depart from Ho Chi Minh City at 19:20 (local time) and arrive in Kochi at 22:50 (local time)," the airlines said in a release. After his meeting with the Vietnamese Ambassador nearly a week ago, Chief Vijayan, in a tweet, said that the direct flight service would enhance ties between Kerala and Vietnam and also boost the state's tourism and development. Speaking at an event held here last week announcing the launch of the new route from Kochi, the Vietnamese Ambassador to India had termed the opening of the route connecting Kochi and Ho Chi Minh City by Vietjet as a breakthrough, creating a new impetus for economic - trade - tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between Viet Nam and South India. "With the favourable 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," Hai had said in the release. Jay L Lingeswara, Vice-President (Commerce) of the airline had said that with this new route, Vietjet will increase connectivity between Vietnam and India. The company expects to 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. Vietjet flights are currently operating from Mumbai, New Delhi, and Ahmedabad, connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The airline said in the first five months of this year, 1,41,000 passengers from India visited Vietnam, and it is expected to reach 500,000 visitors this year. "Previously, in 2022, the number of Indian visitors to Vietnam grew impressively, reaching 137,900 arrivals, ranking ninth in the 10 markets sending tourists to Vietnam the most. Vietjet's new route is expected to bring about 10,000 more passengers from the southern region of India to Vietnam in 2023," the release said.
By PTI

COLOMBO: Ahead of a deadline set by Sri Lanka's Supreme Court, former President Maithripala Sirisena has paid the first instalment of 15 million Sri Lankan Rupees as compensation to the victims of the Easter terror attacks in 2019, according to media reports on Wednesday.

In January, Sirisena, 71, was ordered by the apex court to pay SLRs 100 million as compensation to the victims for his negligence in preventing one of the country's worst terror strikes despite having credible information of an imminent attack.

Sirisena was Sri Lanka's President and Defence Minister at the time of the attacks when nine suicide bombers belonging to the local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jamaat (NTJ) linked to ISIS carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three Catholic churches and three luxury hotels on April 21, 2019, killing nearly 270 people, including 11 Indians, and injuring over 500.

The court ordered Sirisena to pay a compensation of SLRs 100 million, former police chief Pujith Jayasundara and former state intelligence services chief Nilantha Jayawardene to pay a compensation of SLRs 75 million each, former defence secretary Hemasiri Fernando to pay a compensation of SLRs 50 million.

Ahead of the July 12 July set by the Supreme Court, Sirisena paid SLRs 15 million as compensation on June 28 and filed a motion requesting that he be allowed to pay the remaining sum in 10 instalments of SLRs 8.5 million from June 30, 2024, to June 20, 2033, Colombo Gazette news portal reported.

In a motion filed through his lawyers, the former President explained that he receives a pension of SLRs 97,500 as the former President, alongside a sum of SLRs 54,285 for his services as a Member of Parliament, thus, he requested that he be granted more time to pay the remainder of the ordered sum of SLRs 100 million, adaderana.lk reported.

Accordingly, it has been reported that former defence secretary Fernando, former police chief Jayasundara and Sisira Mendis have paid SLRs 1 million, SLRs 1,725,588 and SLRs 5 million thus far, respectively, it added.

Meanwhile, the Treasury has also paid a sum of SLRs 1 million as compensation on behalf of the government, sources confirmed.

Sirisena said in January that he will collect money from his friends to pay the compensation. He also insisted that he did not receive information prior to the attacks in April 2019. He said that the defence authorities did not inform him of a plot to carry out the attacks on April 21, 2019.

The attack stirred a political storm as then President Sirisena and then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were blamed for their inability to prevent the attacks despite prior intelligence being made available.

As many as 12 petitioners, including the kin of the victims, the Catholic clergy, and the lawyers' body Bar Association of Sri Lanka, filed the fundamental rights petition against the then president for his negligence in preventing the attacks that proved fatal for the island nation's economy primarily dependent on tourism.

A presidential panel of inquiry appointed by Sirisena after the attacks ironically found the then-president guilty of his failure to prevent the attacks. Sirisena, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge in the case filed after the panel's findings.

COLOMBO: Ahead of a deadline set by Sri Lanka's Supreme Court, former President Maithripala Sirisena has paid the first instalment of 15 million Sri Lankan Rupees as compensation to the victims of the Easter terror attacks in 2019, according to media reports on Wednesday. In January, Sirisena, 71, was ordered by the apex court to pay SLRs 100 million as compensation to the victims for his negligence in preventing one of the country's worst terror strikes despite having credible information of an imminent attack. Sirisena was Sri Lanka's President and Defence Minister at the time of the attacks when nine suicide bombers belonging to the local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jamaat (NTJ) linked to ISIS carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three Catholic churches and three luxury hotels on April 21, 2019, killing nearly 270 people, including 11 Indians, and injuring over 500.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The court ordered Sirisena to pay a compensation of SLRs 100 million, former police chief Pujith Jayasundara and former state intelligence services chief Nilantha Jayawardene to pay a compensation of SLRs 75 million each, former defence secretary Hemasiri Fernando to pay a compensation of SLRs 50 million. Ahead of the July 12 July set by the Supreme Court, Sirisena paid SLRs 15 million as compensation on June 28 and filed a motion requesting that he be allowed to pay the remaining sum in 10 instalments of SLRs 8.5 million from June 30, 2024, to June 20, 2033, Colombo Gazette news portal reported. In a motion filed through his lawyers, the former President explained that he receives a pension of SLRs 97,500 as the former President, alongside a sum of SLRs 54,285 for his services as a Member of Parliament, thus, he requested that he be granted more time to pay the remainder of the ordered sum of SLRs 100 million, adaderana.lk reported. Accordingly, it has been reported that former defence secretary Fernando, former police chief Jayasundara and Sisira Mendis have paid SLRs 1 million, SLRs 1,725,588 and SLRs 5 million thus far, respectively, it added. Meanwhile, the Treasury has also paid a sum of SLRs 1 million as compensation on behalf of the government, sources confirmed. Sirisena said in January that he will collect money from his friends to pay the compensation. He also insisted that he did not receive information prior to the attacks in April 2019. He said that the defence authorities did not inform him of a plot to carry out the attacks on April 21, 2019. The attack stirred a political storm as then President Sirisena and then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were blamed for their inability to prevent the attacks despite prior intelligence being made available. As many as 12 petitioners, including the kin of the victims, the Catholic clergy, and the lawyers' body Bar Association of Sri Lanka, filed the fundamental rights petition against the then president for his negligence in preventing the attacks that proved fatal for the island nation's economy primarily dependent on tourism. A presidential panel of inquiry appointed by Sirisena after the attacks ironically found the then-president guilty of his failure to prevent the attacks. Sirisena, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge in the case filed after the panel's findings.
By AFP

JAKARTA: Thailand's foreign minister said Wednesday he met with ousted Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi last week and she was in good health in her first known meeting with a foreign envoy since she was detained following a 2021 coup.

Suu Kyi has been seen only once since she was held after the February 1, 2021 putsch -- in grainy state media photos from a bare courtroom in the military-built capital Naypyidaw.

"There was a meeting, she was in good health and it was a good meeting," Don Pramudwinai told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.

The coup that overthrew Suu Kyi ended Myanmar's brief democratic experiment and plunged the Southeast Asian nation into bloody turmoil.

The Nobel laureate, 78, was later hit with a raft of charges and jailed by a junta court for a total of 33 years in trials that rights groups slammed as a sham.

Don confirmed that he met with Suu Kyi on Sunday and that she had called for renewed talks to end the crisis.

"She encouraged dialogue," Don said.

The meeting was private and lasted "over one hour", a spokesperson from Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs told AFP.

The Philippines' foreign minister said Don briefed ASEAN ministers on his meeting with Suu Kyi but reiterated any independent effort to restart the peace process should be in line with a five-point ASEAN plan agreed two years ago with Myanmar's junta.

"We feel any initiative should be consistent with the five-point consensus. He (Don) just reported on that," Enrique Manalo told reporters.

Divided ASEAN

The junta has rebuffed repeated requests by foreign diplomats to meet Suu Kyi and her lawyers were barred from speaking to the media for much of her trial. She was transferred from house arrest in Naypyidaw to solitary confinement in prison in June last year. Manalo said it was "good to hear" that Suu Kyi was in good health because "she used to attend our meetings". The two-day Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting has been dominated by the crisis, which has left the bloc divided about how and whether it should re-engage with Myanmar's junta rulers. They have been barred from ASEAN's high-level meetings but Thailand hosted the junta's foreign minister last month for controversial "informal talks" that further split the bloc. ASEAN chair Indonesia and Malaysia did not attend but Cambodia sent a foreign ministry official. Don said he was advocating for "engagement with the authority in Naypyidaw" to bring an end to the crisis. "Obviously, we are trying to find a way to settle Myanmar. After two years, there's a development and that should be... positive," he said. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told her counterparts on Wednesday "only a political solution will lead to a durable peace" in Myanmar. Ministers were still hammering out a joint position on Myanmar on the second day of talks but a joint communique was expected by the end of the day, a Southeast Asian diplomat told AFP. One day visit Don "visited here just for a day trip and met with the commander in chief" Min Aung Hlaing, a senior Myanmar military official told AFP on condition of anonymity. "I didn't know about any meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," he said, using a Burmese honorific and without detailing when Don had visited Myanmar. The military has cited alleged widespread voter fraud during elections in November 2020 as a reason for its coup, which sparked huge protests and a bloody crackdown. Those polls were won resoundingly by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy. International observers said at the time the polls were largely free and fair. The NLD was devastated by the coup, with many senior members jailed or sent into hiding. Myanmar has been in turmoil since, with the junta razing villages and conducting mass extrajudicial killings and air strikes on civilians, according to rights groups. More than one million people have been displaced by fighting between the junta and opponents of the coup, according to the United Nations.

JAKARTA: Thailand's foreign minister said Wednesday he met with ousted Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi last week and she was in good health in her first known meeting with a foreign envoy since she was detained following a 2021 coup. Suu Kyi has been seen only once since she was held after the February 1, 2021 putsch -- in grainy state media photos from a bare courtroom in the military-built capital Naypyidaw. "There was a meeting, she was in good health and it was a good meeting," Don Pramudwinai told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The coup that overthrew Suu Kyi ended Myanmar's brief democratic experiment and plunged the Southeast Asian nation into bloody turmoil. The Nobel laureate, 78, was later hit with a raft of charges and jailed by a junta court for a total of 33 years in trials that rights groups slammed as a sham. Don confirmed that he met with Suu Kyi on Sunday and that she had called for renewed talks to end the crisis. "She encouraged dialogue," Don said. The meeting was private and lasted "over one hour", a spokesperson from Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs told AFP. The Philippines' foreign minister said Don briefed ASEAN ministers on his meeting with Suu Kyi but reiterated any independent effort to restart the peace process should be in line with a five-point ASEAN plan agreed two years ago with Myanmar's junta. "We feel any initiative should be consistent with the five-point consensus. He (Don) just reported on that," Enrique Manalo told reporters. Divided ASEAN The junta has rebuffed repeated requests by foreign diplomats to meet Suu Kyi and her lawyers were barred from speaking to the media for much of her trial. She was transferred from house arrest in Naypyidaw to solitary confinement in prison in June last year. Manalo said it was "good to hear" that Suu Kyi was in good health because "she used to attend our meetings". The two-day Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting has been dominated by the crisis, which has left the bloc divided about how and whether it should re-engage with Myanmar's junta rulers. They have been barred from ASEAN's high-level meetings but Thailand hosted the junta's foreign minister last month for controversial "informal talks" that further split the bloc. ASEAN chair Indonesia and Malaysia did not attend but Cambodia sent a foreign ministry official. Don said he was advocating for "engagement with the authority in Naypyidaw" to bring an end to the crisis. "Obviously, we are trying to find a way to settle Myanmar. After two years, there's a development and that should be... positive," he said. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told her counterparts on Wednesday "only a political solution will lead to a durable peace" in Myanmar. Ministers were still hammering out a joint position on Myanmar on the second day of talks but a joint communique was expected by the end of the day, a Southeast Asian diplomat told AFP. One day visit Don "visited here just for a day trip and met with the commander in chief" Min Aung Hlaing, a senior Myanmar military official told AFP on condition of anonymity. "I didn't know about any meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," he said, using a Burmese honorific and without detailing when Don had visited Myanmar. The military has cited alleged widespread voter fraud during elections in November 2020 as a reason for its coup, which sparked huge protests and a bloody crackdown. Those polls were won resoundingly by Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy. International observers said at the time the polls were largely free and fair. The NLD was devastated by the coup, with many senior members jailed or sent into hiding. Myanmar has been in turmoil since, with the junta razing villages and conducting mass extrajudicial killings and air strikes on civilians, according to rights groups. More than one million people have been displaced by fighting between the junta and opponents of the coup, according to the United Nations.
Summer school is out and its time for summer vacations. Many families will be heading outdoors for recreational activities. Missouri State Parks is urging all of its visitors not to turn those days of fun into a trip to the emergency room.

The parks division of the Department of Natural Resources offers tips for safety and fun:

1. Master water safety. Swimming is a favorite summertime activity but drowning is a leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4. Always supervise kids and remember, not everyone knows how to swim. Wear a properly fitted life jacket while swimming in lakes and rivers, and while out on the boat.

2. Beat the heat and the sun. Overheating and sunstroke can occur in all ages while participating in strenuous activities during hot weather. Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing when youre planning to be outside. Whenever possible, schedule outdoor activities in the morning or evening. If someone starts to show signs of overheating, move them to a cool location immediately, make sure they get plenty of water and seek medical assistance if their condition doesnt improve or worsens.

3. Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. A few serious sunburns now could lead to skin cancer in the future. To prevent sunburn, cover up and use sunscreen every time you go outside. Sunscreen also prevents hyperpigmentation and premature aging. The American Association of Dermatologists recommends wearing, at minimum, an SPF 30 and choosing water-resistant and broad-spectrum products. Apply more sunscreen than you think you should  a quarter teaspoon on your face, neck and ears, and at least a shot glass-sized amount for an average adult body. Reapply every two hours during continuous sun exposure to maximize protection.

4. Keep bugs at bay. Did you know there are 176 species of mosquitoes in the U.S. and more than 90 species of ticks? Protect yourself from bites and diseases, such as Zika, West Nile virus and Lyme disease, all of which can be transmitted by insects. Use insect repellent containing DEET that provides long-lasting protection. Check for ticks after being outdoors and if you find one, remove it immediately using a recommended safe method.

5. Drink right. Nothing says summer like a fruity umbrella drink, but you really should stay away from alcohol when youre outside in the sun and heat. Its easy to get dehydrated in the sun, particularly if youre active and sweating.

6. Check the weather before heading outside. Summer weather can be unpredictable, but thanks to cell phones, we can usually access accurate weather forecasts. Its important to prepare for the weather so you can dress accordingly and help determine what to bring to keep you safe, protected from the sun and hydrated.

7. Wear your helmet. While we dont recommend you wearing it all the time, we do recommend wearing a helmet when riding a bike, horse, motorcycle, dirtbike or UTV. Be sure your helmet fits properly and is secure.

8. Tell someone. Be sure to tell someone where youre going and when you plan to return. Once you return home safely, let them know. This helps in the event things go awry so they know to look for you if youre not back in the expected timeframe.

9. Keep wildlife wild. While it might be tempting to feed the cute little ducklings by the pond, the baby deer thats left alone or even get up close and personal to get that perfect picture, remember wildlife is just that  wild! They can be unpredictable and possibly bite or attack out of fear or defense. Be sure to give them plenty of space.

10. Prevent fires. Here in Missouri we are dry! So whether youre roasting marshmallows over a fire pit or grilling burgers on your back patio, make sure to keep those activities at least 10 feet from a building. And dont forget to extinguish all fires completely before leaving them unattended.

For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
We welcome a role India or any other country could play towards lasting peace: US on Ukraine conflict

Washington DC, July 11: The US will welcome the role that India or any other country could play in helping achieve a just and lasting peace while recognising Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a press briefing on Monday.

We welcome a role India or any other country could play towards lasting peace: US on Ukraine conflict

To a question whether India or Prime Minister Narendra Modi can play a part in putting an end to the protracted conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Miller said, "We welcome a role that India or any other country could play in helping achieve a just and lasting peace that recognizes Ukraine's territorial integrity and Ukraine's sovereignty."Claiming that the conflict with Ukraine has been a "strategic failure" for Russia, Miller said Russia has suffered loss of military personnel and equipment. He said the US welcomes the international support that Ukraine has received since the beginning of the conflict.Responding to another question on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Miller said, "The war has been strategic failure for Russia which has seen enormous loss of both military personnel but military equipment. They have seen their standing in the world affected. They have seen their economy crippled by the sanctions and export controls we have imposed."He added, "We welcome the international support that Ukraine has received since the beginning of the conflict."Earlier, in June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden expressed concern over the conflict in Ukraine and mourned its "terrible and tragic" humanitarian consequences. The two leaders in a joint statement called for respect for international law, principles of the United Nations charter and territorial integrity and sovereignty."President Biden and Prime Minister Modi expressed their deep concern over the conflict in Ukraine and mourned its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences. The leaders underscored the serious and growing impacts of the war on the global economic system, including on food, fuel and energy security, and critical supply chains. They called for greater efforts to mitigate the consequences of the war, especially in the developing world," the statement read."Both countries further pledge to render continuing humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine. They called for respect for international law, principles of the UN charter, and territorial integrity and sovereignty. Both countries concurred on the importance of post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine," it added.Earlier, in May, PM Modi met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, assuring him of India's support in resolving the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv."India and I will do whatever we can for the resolution of the conflict," PM Modi said.It was the first meeting between the two leaders since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began last year, on February 24.Further, since the conflict began, PM Modi has spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as President Zelenskyy a number of times, urging both leaders to arrive at a diplomatic solution.In September, last year, PM Modi told President Putin that now is "not an era of war".ANI11 July 2023

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South Korea: Shoppers stock up on salt, seafood as Japan plans to release treated radioactive water

Seoul, July 11: Ahead of the planned release of treated radioactive water from Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in Japan, South Korea is struggling with severe sea salt shortages as shoppers snap it up in bulk, reported CNN.

South Korea: Shoppers stock up on salt, seafood as Japan plans to release treated radioactive water

In many supermarkets across South Korea, salt has vanished from their stores which had led to heightened public anxiety.Japanese authorities and the United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency have insisted that the plan is safe, meets international standards and matches what nuclear plants do around the world, including those in the United States. The treated contaminated water will be highly diluted and released gradually into the Pacific Ocean over many years, according to CNN.According to authorities, Fukushima nuclear plant melted down in 2011 following Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami and the move is necessary to finally decommission the nuclear plant.Moreover, the government has said that the wastewater release will begin this summer, but has not mentioned a specific date.Although, these assurances have so far failed to alleviate concerns in neighbouring nations like South Korea, where fishermen say their livelihoods are at risk and residents are stockpiling food items for fear of contamination, and China, which has banned food imports from some regions in Japan, CNN reported.In Seoul supermarkets, shelves are well-stocked with seasonings ranging from garlic powder to chili paste except for salt and has a sign saying "Salt out of stock. There's been a delay in getting salt due to our partners' situation. We apologize for the inconvenience."According to the country's salt manufacturing association, due to acute shortages, the government was forced to release sea salt from its official reserves to stabilize salt prices, which have soared more than 40 percent since April. The government also claimed that poor weather impacted salt production and played a role in the price jump.The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said last month, "The public doesn't have to worry about the sea salt supply as the amount of salt provided for June and July will be about 120,000 tons, which is above the average annual production. We ask the public to purchase only the amount you need when buying sea salt", according to CNN.Lee Gi-sam, a fisherman in the port city Tongyeong, said, "Now that more than 80% of the public are saying that they're going to eat less seafood, that's very worrying. If the public avoids seafood, we'll face a crisis of bankruptcy."He said he doesn't believe the authorities' insistence that the plan is safe. "Even if I eat it, I'm not confident I can let my children eat it," Lee added.The IAEA has tried to alleviate concerns. After a thorough safety review, it concluded in a report last week that the wastewater release would have "negligible" impact on people or the environment, reported CNN.ANI11 July 2023

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US President Biden welcomes Turkeys agreement to back Swedens NATO bid

Washington DC, July 11: US President Joe Biden on Monday (local time) welcomed his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan's commitment to transmit the accession protocal for Sweden to Turkey's Grand National Assembly for swift ratification.

US President Biden welcomes Turkey's agreement to back Sweden's NATO bid

Biden expressed readiness to work with Erdogan and Turkey on enhancing defence and deterrence. He stated that he looked forward to welcoming Sweden as US' 32nd North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally. He thanked NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg for his "steadfast leadership."Biden was quoted as saying in a statement released by the White House, "I welcome the statement issued by Turkiye, Sweden and the NATO Secretary General this evening, including the commitment by President Erdogan to transmit the Accession Protocol for Sweden to Turkiye's Grand National Assembly for swift ratification.""I stand ready to work with President Erdogan and Turkiye on enhancing defense and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area. I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Kristersson and Sweden as our 32nd NATO Ally. And I thank Secretary General Stoltenberg for his steadfast leadership," he added.Biden's statement comes after NATO Secretary General announced that Turkey has agreed to support Sweden's bid to become a member of the military alliance. He made the announcement after his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Stoltenberg said, "I am glad to announce that, as a result, President Erdogan has agreed to forward the accession protocol for Sweden to the Grand National Assembly as soon as possible. And work closely with the Assembly to ensure ratification."Responding to a question on when Sweden can be expected to officially become a part of NATO, Stoltenberg was unwilling to respond and said that it was up to Turkey to make an announcement and preferred to focus on the merits of the decision, CNN reported.He said, "I think that we have to respect that every parliament has their own integrity, their own timelines, so I welcome that the president has made this clear that he will work with the parliament to ensure ratification, but exactly when has to be announced by the Turkish parliament." Stoltenberg noted that the announcement was a result of a year of negotiations.NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg said that Sweden and Turkey have worked closely together to address "legitimate security concerns" of Ankara. He noted that Sweden has amended tis laws and expanded its counter-terrorism cooperation against Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and resumed arms exports to Turkey. He said that Turkey and Sweden have agreed to establish a new bilateral Security Compact.The announcement on Sweden's NATO bid comes after months of opposition and demands from Turkey. Turkey had said that Sweden allows members of Kurdish terror groups to operate in the country, CNN reported.On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Brussels should clear the way for Turkey's accession to the European Union before his country gives approval to Sweden's bid for NATO membership, CNN reported.Addressing a news conference, Erdogan said, "First, let's clear Turkey's way in the European Union, then let's clear the way for Sweden, just as we paved the way for Finland," according to CNN.Erdogan stressed it was time to act on Turkey's bid to become part of the EU, adding, "Turkey has been waiting at the gate of the European Union for over 50 years now" and "almost all NATO member countries are European member countries."ANI11 July 2023

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PropVR partners with Unreal Engine as an Authorized Service Partner, committed to delivering interactive real estate applications and digital twin solutions

PRNewswire, New Delhi, July 11: PropVR, the 3D visualization arm of has been named as an authorized partner for Unreal Engine, the world's most advanced real-time 3D tool developed by Epic Games, to develop Digital Twin and Interactive 3D solutions for the real estate industry.

PropVR partners with Unreal Engine as an Authorized Service Partner, committed to delivering interactive real estate applications and digital twin solutions

This partnership unveils a new era of immersive digital experiences for global real estate brands to help shape the future of home building and real estate sales.As an authorized service partner, is working with Unreal Engine experts to deepen its understanding on interactive 3D technologies and further its digital twin roadmap to build solutions for the largest global developers. Leveraging Unreal Engine's capabilities, PropVR is building high-fidelity 3D environments to transform how consumers interact and transact for their real estate needs and disrupt the way the real estate ecosystem operates."We are thrilled to partner with the Unreal Engine team to create the next generation of 3D solutions and digital twins for the real estate industry. Unreal Engine's graphical prowess is unmatched and will help us augment the future of real estate search and discovery experience through high-end 3D digital twins of entire cities. With Unreal Engine, we can accelerate our vision to build real estate in the metaverse and at the same time understand the appetite for virtual real estate experience amongst customers and make them more accessible and inclusive," said Vivek Agarwal, Co-founder and CTO, Square Yards."We couldn't be more excited to be recognized as an authorized partner for Unreal Engine. The combination of Unreal Engine's creative power, flexibility and rendering quality, and PropVR's patent-backed real estate visualization and 3D applications creates the perfect harmony for achieving deeper, richer VR and 3D innovations, and lay the foundations for the future of real estate on the Metaverse. PropVR has always focused on innovation and quality, and to join the ranks of Unreal Engine is a natural step in that direction," said Sunder Jagannathan, Co-founder, PropVR.PropVR is working with Unreal Engine to co-create city digital twins, immersive real estate architectural visualization and other tech products for interior decor. It recently launched a 3D Metaverse platform in Dubai that showcases the future of real estate search and discovery through a high-end digital twin of the desert city. Users can search from over 2000+ real estate projects through its interactive 3D interface, get complete details of the project, and enter into the project metaverse as an Avatar. Besides Dubai, the company's current portfolio includes Grade A developers from Canada, Saudi Arabia and India.As part of this partnership, PropVR and the Unreal Engine team will orchestrate roadshows and events, shining a spotlight on the cutting-edge trends in 3D visualization and digital twins. The much-anticipated event is set to take place in Bangalore on the 9th of August, which will host leading real estate developers, technology corporations, and budding proptech startups.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI11 July 2023

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Non-TikTok users consider it a national security threat: Report

San Francisco, July 11: About six-in-ten adults see the Chinese short-video-making app TikTok as a major or minor threat to national security in the US, a new report has shown.

Non-TikTok users consider it a national security threat: Report

According to Pew Research Center, only 17 per cent of Americans said that the platform is not a threat to national security, and another 23 per cent were not sure.About nine per cent of TikTok users see the platform as a major threat, while 36 per cent of non-users feel the same, plus 42 per cent of users see the service as any kind of risk, and 65 per cent of outsiders are concerned.Views of TikTok as a threat also vary by age.Only 13 per cent of adults aged 18 to 29 said TikTok is a major threat, but these figures climb higher with older demographics.Around 65 per cent of those over 65 are nervous about TikTok, and 46 per cent of that group sees it as a major threat.Moreover, the report showed that seven-in-ten Republicans and Republican-leaning independents said TikTok is a threat to national security in the country, compared with 53 per cent of Democrats and Democratic leaners.The report also mentioned that the public is uneasy about TikTok's data use practices.About 64 per cent of adults said they are very or somewhat concerned about how TikTok uses data it collects from its users, while another 34 per cent are not at all or not too concerned.In May, the US state of Montana banned TikTok in an effort to protect residents from alleged Chinese intelligence gathering.IANS11 July 2023

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Ryan Gosling expresses gratitude to Eva Mendes, opts for pendent with letter E at Barbie premiere

Ontario, July 11: Actor Ryan Gosling expressed his gratitude towards Eva Mendes for supporting him throughout the promotion of the film 'Barbie'. From reposting glowing comments from director Greta Gerwig to sporting Gosling's face on her own t-shirt, she has been doing her bit to promote him while he touring around the world for his project. Now, Ryan has thanked her for everything she did for him, reported People.

Ryan Gosling expresses gratitude to Eva Mendes, opts for pendent with letter 'E' at 'Barbie' premiere

The 'La La Land' actor also showed his gratitude through his attire for the evening to his longstanding love through his evening attire for the premiere. While his faded pink suit may be more of an homage to the candy-coated movie, his choice of jewellery made his expression of love clear. Though, he did it in a subtle way. A small pendant with the initial E, short for Eva, was worn around his neck. The necklace maintained the concept while also shedding information on his love life. It was styled like the titular Barbie's big pink B.According to People, Mendes and Gosling have been linked since 2011, when they filmed The Place Beyond the Pines together. While the couple has never married, they share two children together Esmeralda, 8, and Amada, 7. Notoriously private about their personal lives, the Barbie tour is one of the few moments where Mendes and Gosling have opened up about their relationship.A few days ago, Mendes took to her Instagram handle to praise her longtime boyfriend. The 'Hitch' actor posted a series of pictures, led with director Gerwig's quote about Gosling's talent. This was followed by a series of snapshots from The Place Beyond the Pines, featuring the two actors working together.Mendes wrote in the caption, "Mi Hombre. Mi Vida...To say he's the greatest actor I've ever worked with is an understatement."Once again using her Instagram feed as her very own Gosling fanpage, Mendes also playfully poked fun at the press tour in a Ken-emblazoned t-shirt. Showcasing her boyfriend front and center, Mendes captioned that photo, "Got that real big Kenergy. Coz girls is players too," reported People.'Barbie' opens in theatres on July 21.ANI11 July 2023

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Chandigarh University hosts Indias biggest International Faculty Development Program

PRNewswire, Chandigarh, July 11: More than 100 experts and professors from 79 universities across 28 countries will participate in Chandigarh University's 9-day International Faculty Development Program, which began on Monday with a grand inaugural ceremony which was attended by experts and hundreds of faculty members of the University.

Chandigarh University hosts India's biggest International Faculty Development Program

The seventh edition of CU's IFDP is being held in both offline and online mode and will focus on sensitizing the faculty about new concepts and methodologies in teaching, research, updating knowledge using modern information, and equipping them with the necessary skills. During the 9-day event, which is India's biggest IFDP, several lectures, screenings, and meetings will be organized with the involvement of faculties from over 25 departments of the university. Sessions related to curriculum development and research, challenges faced by the university, and possible solutions to improve the quality of education will also be held.The inaugural ceremony of the IFDP was attended by Caroline Rowett, British Deputy High Commission, Chandigarh; Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Head of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE); Dr Montu M. Patel, President of Pharmacy Council of India (PCI); Prof. (Dr.) Bhola Ram Gurjar, Director National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR) Chandigarh; Sushil Sudan, President Jammu and Kashmir State Pharmacy Council; Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of Association of Indian Universities (AIU), and Sushil Kumar Bansal, President Punjab State Pharmacy Council were the Guest of Honor for the occasion. Prof. (Dr.) R.S. Bawa, Pro-Chancellor of Chandigarh University, was also present on the occasion.Deputy High Commissioner of the UK, Caroline Rowett expressed her gratitude to Chandigarh University for the opportunity to join this significant occasion along with the distinguished academicians from across the globe. She said, "Education is international, and looking around the room we have underlined that. Association and collaboration with international universities provide invaluable opportunities for students and faculty members to engage in cross-cultural exchanges, research projects, and collaborative degree programs. This integration of different perspectives and expertise leads to a more comprehensive understanding of global issues and fosters innovation."She further added, "Education is the heart of the India-UK relationship and is reflected in the India-UK 2030 roadmap. Both countries are committed to working together through universities to enhance the exchange of ideas and organize networks of leading think tanks at universities and research organizations in both countries. Universities, important stakeholders, and partners are an important part of this relationship."While addressing the inaugural ceremony, Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Head of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) said, "Chandigarh University's initiative of organizing International Faculty Development Program 2023 is a step towards integrating international, intercultural, and global dimension into the goals, teaching-learning, research, and service functions of a university in the higher education system." Stating the quote 'Think Globally, Act Globally', he emphasized on the global relationship between the nations, people, cultures, and institutions. This will help Indian students in linking communities to the world, expanding opportunities in the universities as well as our research scholars and students.Prof. (Dr.) Bhola Ram Gurjar, Director National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research Chandigarh, said, "IFDP 2023 is a unique initiative by Chandigarh University and every other institute should follow the same with the motto that lifelong learning is the key to a happy and successful life, and there is no age bar for learning. India had universities like Nalanda and Taxila, much ahead of the world, where specializations in various fields were offered. However, the concept of universities is outdated as it is the age of multiversity and even NEP talks about delivering an interdisciplinary approach to learning. Today, technology has taken over the world and has created a huge impact on the society. The future technologies will have higher influence over every aspect, but it will not help until we learn about them."Dr Montu M. Patel, President of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), said, "Chandigarh University is playing a significant role in contributing towards making Chandigarh city a hub of education. However, without training and knowledge, it is impossible to deliver quality education to students. And this International Faculty Development Program (IFDP) is a great initiative to upskill the campus faculty as well as transfer global knowledge to them to enhance the education quality. The government of India under PM Modi and PCI are working along with the UK and other countries for the globalization of pharmaceutical education."Dr Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), thanked Chandigarh University for the invitation to be a part of the international faculty development program and share opinions, views, and experiences with the participants. She said, "The world is constantly changing, and what the students need to learn today in terms of content must be different. Today's youth aspire to be lifelong learners, innovative, challenge-takers, progressive, solution-providers, leaders, and finally good human beings, which is extremely important to survive in today's world. Hence, it is important to change the curriculum that is relevant not just today but years later as well."Chandigarh University Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu said, "Chandigarh University's focus is to deliver an education of global standard and produce professional leaders for serving the society and realizes the need for equipping its faculty with the latest skills, knowledge, and methodologies for achieving the same. Hence, the university organizes the International Faculty Development Program every year with the involvement of international experts in the education sector to transfer global-level knowledge to the faculty and increase their potential to expand their expertise."He further added that is a matter of pride to state that in the recently released QS World University Ranking 2024, Chandigarh University secured an impressive overall rank of 771-780, which is a historic moment for the university. CU has been ranked the number 1 Private University in India, and 20th among all the Public and Private Universities in the country.Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and QS World Ranked University. This autonomous educational institution is approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honoured with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC.For more information, visit .(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI11 July 2023

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No religion is under threat in India: NSA Ajit Doval

New Delhi, July 11: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday said that all religions are equal in India and no religion is under any threat in the country where cultures and religions that have co-existed in harmony for centuries.

No religion is under threat in India: NSA Ajit Doval

"India continues to play its role as a refuge for heterodox ideas with infinite capacity to absorb dissent. No religion is under any threat," Doval said during an event at the India Islamic Cultural Centre in the national capital.Muslim World League secretary-general Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, who is on a six-day India visit, also addressed the gathering."As a proud civilizational state, India believes in promoting tolerance, dialogue and cooperation to deal with the challenges of our time. It was no coincidence that despite having around 200 million Muslims, the involvement of Indian citizens in global terrorism has been incredibly low," Doval said."India, the world's largest democracy and the mother of democracies, is a land of incredible diversity. It is a melting pot of cultures, religions, and languages that coexist in harmony. As an inclusive democracy, India has successfully managed to provide space for all its citizens, regardless of their religious, ethnic or cultural backgrounds," Doval added.NSA also said that among India's numerous religious groups, Islam occupies a unique and significant position of pride, with India being home to the second-largest Muslim population in the world."To give an idea of the scale we are talking about, India's Muslim population is almost equal to the combined population of over 33 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)," Doval added."The philosophy of cooperation and dialogue in Islam has over the centuries merged seamlessly with the ancient Hindu civilizational tradition of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - The World is One Family'," the National Security Advisor said."It was only by being open to accommodating various worldviews and ideas, interactions and assimilations of various cultures, beliefs, and practices that India emerged as a sanctuary for persecuted people of all faiths from across the world since times immemorial," Doval highlighted how India has always accepted people from all religion and ethnicity.Recalling events from the history Doval said, "India welcomed Arab exiles (in the court of Raja Dahir of Sindh), Jews, Tibetans, Parsis, Shias, Bangladeshis, Afghans and many others with open arms. This enduring tradition of accommodation is a testament to India being a deeply rooted multiethnic, multi-religious, and multilingual society."Doval also said that India's culture has not only enriched art, literature, architecture, cuisine, technology, etc. but more importantly created a syncretic consciousness that permeated through common people. The edifice of modern India is built on the principles of equal rights, equal opportunities and equal responsibilities. This equality is guaranteed by our Constitution and Law.Speaking of terrorism, Doval said that the challenge of extremism and global terrorism compels India not to lower its guard."To preserve the security and stability within our borders and also rise to the security challenges beyond, India has been leading the fight - the fight against individuals and organizations - who are promoting extremism, narcotics and terrorism," he added.Expressing the government's absolute no tolerance policy against terrorism Doval said, "India is an extremely responsible power but when the need for a hot pursuit against terrorist havens was felt, we have gone all out to destroy terrorism in our national interest.""In the past, nations might have fought with each other to resolve their differences. But, as our Prime Minister says, this is no more the age of war. Future battles for the good of humanity will have to be fought against hunger, poverty, ignorance and want," Doval said adding that wars need to be avoided in today's times."In today's world, with complex geopolitical challenges confronting us, religion has to become a beckoning light for the humanity to usher into an era of peace and harmony. Our differences will have to take a backseat if we wish to realize the true human potential and make this world a better place to live for our coming generations," he added.Before Doval's remarks, Saudi leader al-Issa who is the current Secretary General of the Muslim World League (MWL), an organisation based in Saudi Arabia and representing Muslims worldwide, delivered his address.The visiting Saudi delegate had said that his organisation is working across the world to promote religious awareness."There is this pessimist theory in the world that says that the clash between civilizations is unavoidable, and thus such a clash depends on two factors. There are religions and also civilizations. That's why the United Nations has been aware of such theories, and they have established an organization, an organ within the United Nations called the Alliance of Civilizations," al-Issa said.ANI11 July 2023

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Adarsh Kumar to join We Win Limited as MD & CEO, spearheading growth initiatives

ThePRTree, Mumbai, July 11: We Win Limited, a leading BPO and amongst the largest outsourcing solutions company is thrilled to announce the appointment of Adarsh Kumar as the new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Adarsh Kumar to join We Win Limited as MD & CEO, spearheading growth initiatives

With his extensive industry experience and visionary leadership, Adarsh Kumar will drive the company to new heights in the realm of digital transformation.With three decades of expertise in the Financial Services sector, Adarsh Kumar is a seasoned industry veteran renowned for his profound knowledge in Retail Finance, Corporate Lending, Insurance, Business Processes, and Operations. Throughout his illustrious career, he has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to engineer and direct corporate governance and risk management best practices, successfully scaling businesses across multiple geographies while managing diverse workforces and complexities.Adarsh Kumar's unwavering passion lies in leveraging digital technologies, robust processes and continuous transformation to foster business growth. He possesses a keen understanding of the dynamic trends shaping the modern business landscape, seamlessly incorporating them into his strategies for building thriving enterprises.Prior to joining We Win Limited We Win Limited, Adarsh Kumar held CXO level and top management positions in reputed and renowned corporates like Tata Group, Bajaj Finance, Citigroup and General Motors Group. He is an MBA from Fore School of Management and an Economics graduate from Delhi University. He has continuously upgraded his skills through Executive Education from Harvard Business School, Wharton School, Ohio University, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, XLRI Jamshedpur and ISB Hyderabad.We Win Limited was founded and spearheaded by Abhishek Gupta in 1998 and operates in many sectors and industries. The transformation and unprecedented growth of We Win Limited can be largely attributed to the exceptional leadership of Abhishek Gupta. Having served as the Managing Director (MD) for several years, Abhishek Gupta has played a pivotal role in shaping the company's trajectory and now moves into the esteemed position of Chairman, while a new MD and CEO Adarsh Kumar joins to continue the legacy of excellence.As the new MD and CEO, Adarsh Kumar will drive We Win Limited towards the forefront of the industry. His strategic insights, industry acumen, and unwavering commitment to innovation will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the company, its shareholders, clients and all stakeholders.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by ThePRTree. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI11 July 2023

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Mangaluru-Dubai Air India flight delayed by 12 hours

Mangaluru, July 11: An Air India Express flight from the Mangaluru International Airport bound for Dubai was delayed by over 12 hours due to a technical snag.

Mangaluru-Dubai Air India flight delayed by 12 hours

Flight IX 813 was scheduled to depart at 1105 PM on Monday but due to a technical snag, the aircraft departed at 12.10 PM on Tuesday.A statement from Air India Express said, "We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to our guests due to the delay of the Mangaluru-Dubai flight on 10th July.""Due to a progressive technical snag, the flight was delayed by over 12 hours and took off at 12.10 hrs today. To facilitate the journey, an alternative aircraft was arranged, which was ferried from Thiruvananthapuram," it added.According to the statement, the passengers were served refreshments at regular intervals as they had to wait for the arrival of the ferry flight."Despite offering alternative options like a connecting flight on the Mangalore-Trivandrum-Dubai route or hotel accommodation, guests opted to wait for the arrival of the ferry flight. Airline staff ensured that guests' were provided refreshments at regular intervals. We sincerely appreciate the cooperation and understanding of our guests during this situation," it said.ANI11 July 2023

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BANKKOK  Burger King is causing a stir in Thailand with its new offering: a burger with no meat and a jaw-dropping amount of cheese.

This week, the Thai operator of the fast food chain introduced what it calls the real cheeseburger, a bun filled with as many as 20 slices of American cheese.

The item launched on Thai menus Sunday, at a reduced price of 109 Thai baht ($3.1), compared with the usual price of 380 baht ($10.9). It quickly went viral on social media in Thailand, with many users on TikTok posting videos of them trying the new sandwich.

This is no joke. This is for real, Burger King said in a Sunday social media post.

At one Burger King branch in Bangkok on Tuesday, a shift manager was overheard saying the outlet had to stop taking delivery orders so they could have enough stock left for walk-in diners.

One customer who ordered the cheesy treat told CNN shed tried it for the first time after seeing it on social media.

Im Jeepetch, a 25-year-old IT engineer, said she loved cheese but this was a bit too much.

I could only finish half of it, she said, wiping her mouth with a tissue. This is an insane amount of cheese added into one burger. Food is good when things are at the right combination.

Im added that she would probably not order the gooey fare again next time: Other burgers are already good. I think I will go back to my double cheese angus as usual.

Another customer echoed that view, calling the cheeseburger too intense.

I may not try it again. I like a few slices of cheese in my burger but not this much, said Alisa Chuengviroj, a 26-year-old entrepreneur who sells skincare products online.

Like Im, she said she had visited the store after seeing many people post about the burger online.

The menu addition is an example of how fast food franchises around the world are seeking to gain traction by rolling out zany or eye-catching menu options that they hope will spread across social media.

In the United States, Burger King has doubled down on the Whopper, a flame-grilled signature beef burger that has also taken off on platforms such as TikTok through a catchy commercial jingle that came out late last year.

Restaurants are also continuously tailoring their offerings to suit local tastes in different countries. In Thailand, cheese is especially popular among young customers, and it is common for the dairy product to be sprinkled on all kinds of dishes.

Burger Kings menu in the country also includes salmon katsu burgers, an apparent nod to consumers preference for a healthy alternative to beef.

The chain is owned in Thailand by Minor International, a local hospitality group that is one of Asias largest restaurant owners. The company, which also operates outlets for brands including Dairy Queen and Benihana, did not respond to multiple calls from CNN for comment Tuesday.

___

Every major fast-food chain, ranked by customer satisfaction Intro #23. McDonald's #22. Popeyes #20. Jack in the Box (tied) #20. Taco Bell (tied) #19. Wendy's #16. Sonic (tied) #16. Dairy Queen (tied) #16. Dunkin' (tied) #12. Subway (tied) #12. Burger King (tied) #12. Little Caesars (tied) #12. Panda Express (tied) #9. Arby's (tied) #9. Papa Johns (tied) #9. Five Guys (tied) #5. Chipotle (tied) #5. Panera Bread (tied) #5. Pizza Hut (tied) #5. Starbucks (tied) #3. KFC (tied) #3. Domino's (tied) #2. Jimmy John's #1. Chick-fil-A
Odisha CM reviews district-level public grievance redressal programmes, orders officials to address issues on priority

Bhubaneswar, July 12: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday reviewed district-level public grievance redressal programmes conducted by the Chief Minister's Office at the district levels. More than 18,000 petitions have been received from various districts.

Odisha CM reviews district-level public grievance redressal programmes, orders officials to address issues on priority

Chief Secretary PK Jena apprised the Chief Minister on the action being taken on the petitions received from the public during the district visits of the CMO. The department-level review has been done to resolve the issues on priority.Some of the issues of the Angul district were discussed and Chief Minister asked for immediate action to be taken.The Chief Minister said, Public grievance redressal is an important priority for me. I want the departments and district administration to deal with the grievances sensitively and expeditiously. That's why I have sent the CMO to meet people and hear their grievances.Our officials have been visiting the districts and even block levels to conduct the public grievance redressal meetings. More than 18,000 petitions have been received in these decentralised public grievance meetings, Naveen Patnaik said.The Chief Minister asked the departments to address the grievances on priority at the earliest.The CM further said that Grievance Redressal will be taken up under 'Mo Sarkar' to assess the redressal process of public grievances. The CMO will make calls to people from next month onwards to understand how their grievances are being redressed.To honour the contribution of Pabitra Mohan Pradhan towards India's freedom struggle and development of Odisha, we will build a memorial in Pabitranagar. A medical college to be named after him will be operational by October. The bridge being constructed on river Brahmani in Kaniha will also be named after the great soul, the CM added.Some key decisions related to the Angul district have been taken.The CHC in Chendipada is included in the AMA hospital. The fire station at Bantala and Satkoshia Eco-Tourism site to be opened soon. The government sanctioned Rs 4.65 crore to check the Man-Elephant conflict in Bantala.ANI12 July 2023

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Situation has improved: Himachal CM Sukhu after visiting flood-hit areas of Kullu

Kullu, July 12: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday reached Kullu to take stock of situation in flood-hit areas after heavy rainfall in the region, and said that the situation has improved a lot.

Situation has improved: Himachal CM Sukhu after visiting flood-hit areas of Kullu

Earlier in the day, Sukhu conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas and said the government is working hard to restore road transport and power supply....I have come to Kullu. There is a lot of improvement in the situation. It's been 10 PM and I sitting at DC office, about 1 thousand vehicles have already left from Manali. Out of 5 thousand, 3-4 thousand more vehicles are expected to pass overnight. We have made one-way traffic. Vehicles going to Manali have been stopped, now only vehicles going from Manali are operational, CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said.Today I also visited Sainj, where 40 shops and 30 houses have been washed out...There we have announced a relief of one lakh rupees. Our target is to reopen the road by tomorrow evening. 500 workers are working in Kullu throughout the night for the restoration of electricity supply and mobile connectivity, said Sukhu further.Earlier in the day after conducting an aerial survey, he told them that six helicopters had been deployed to carry out rescue operations and evacuate the stranded tourists and local residents. The first helicopter sortie took off in the morning to rescue stranded people at Chandertal but had to return back due to adverse weather conditions.However, the authorities were prioritizing the evacuation of the elderly and sick from Chandertal and the teams have left for the site.We are sending helicopters with satellite phones along with 4 police personnel will be sent. The incessant rains disrupted communication facilities, power supply, water supply and road connectivity in the entire Kullu district. The loss is immense and every possible help will be provided to the affected persons by the state government, he added.Incessant rains have wreaked havoc in the hill state claiming 20 lives over the past 48 hours.ANI12 July 2023

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Preity on Jai-Gias mundan: For Hindus its a gesture of purification

New Delhi, July 11: Actress Preity Zinta has shared a glimpse of the 'mundan' ceremony of her little twin munchkins Jai and Gia in Los Angeles, and described what relevance it holds in Hinduism.

Preity on Jai-Gia's 'mundan': For Hindus it's a 'gesture of purification'

Taking to her Instagram, Preity shared a photo of her little bundle of joys, wherein the two kids with their shaved heads can be seen playing with their toys, with their back towards the camera.She wrote the caption as, So the 'Mundan ceremony' finally happened this weekend. For Hindus the first shaving off the hair for babies is considered to be a gesture of purification from the memory of their previous births and freedom from the past. Here are Jai & Gia post their mundan ceremony. #tradition #mundanceremony #ting.IANS12 July 2023

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China launches methane-powered rocket ahead of SpaceX

New Delhi, July 12: China on Wednesday became the first country to successfully launch a new methane-powered carrier rocket into space, beating Elon Musk's SpaceX.

China launches methane-powered rocket ahead of SpaceX

Chinese private aerospace company LandSpace's Zhuque-2 carrier rocket blasted off at 9 a.m. Beijing Time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi desert in China, and completed the flight mission according to the procedure, Xinhua news agency reported.This was the second flight mission of the Zhuque-2 carrier rocket, after an unsuccessful launch on December 14, last year.With the successful launch, LandSpace is now at the forefront for the race to liquid oxygen methane rocket technology.Methane-powered engines are known for high performance and low operational costs. These are particularly suited for companies aiming for reusable rockets.Zhuque-2 is the first rocket in the world to successfully deliver a test payload into sun-synchronous orbit , the South China Morning Post reported.Earlier this year, two other liquid oxygen methane rockets -- the Terran 1 from Relativity Space in the US and SpaceX's Starship -- failed in their maiden attempts to reach orbit.IANS12 July 2023

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The decision is in: Charlottesville has named its new city manager.

Sam Sanders, who is currently deputy city manager for operations, was tapped to replace interim City Manager Michael Rogers at a special meeting on Wednesday.

Sanders is Charlottesville's seventh city manager in roughly five years. That does not include one candidate who accepted the position but pulled out before starting the job.

City councilors have expressed hope that Sanders will last much longer than his predecessors.

"We are confident we have our city manager of the future," Mayor Lloyd Snook said at Wednesday's special meeting at CitySpace in downtown Charlottesville.

A week ago, Rogers pulled his name from consideration for the role, though he had never formally announced his candidacy.

In a statement, Rogers said that while he enjoyed his time in Charlottesville, personal priorities required he return to Washington, D.C.

Rogers is an employee of the Robert Bobb Group, a Washington consulting firm that the city retained in January 2022. The group served as an Administrator on the contract while Rogers was physically present as city manager, according to the statement.

Council Member Michael Payne previously told The Daily Progress that the city chose to hire the Robert Bobb Group and Rogers because the government was in a state of crisis.

Outsourcing to a consulting group, Payne said, was a solution to ensure we could continue basic operations.

A city manager is crucial in Charlottesville, which has a council-manager form of government. While the council sets policies, it is the manager who is required to actually implement them.

This is a developing story.
The way Urbana High School senior Amari Johnson sees it, all students should get a chance to visit with representatives from historically black colleges and universities and learn the options available to them without having to make a trip out of town.
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The Institute for Basic Science (IBS) is organizing the IBS-KAI Conference from July 12th to 14th at the Hotel ICC Daejeon. The conference will be focusing on the area of viral diseases and immunology, and international experts in the field of viral diseases and immunology will be joining this event.

Since 2013, IBS has been hosting the IBS Conference to strengthen global research collaboration and networking among researchers. The conference brings together world-renowned scholars in various fields and influential speakers from the scientific community to share the latest research trends, engage in in-depth academic discussions, and promote research collaboration.

The 48th IBS Conference, jointly organized by IBS Korea Virus Research Institute (Managing Director CHOI Young-Ki), the Center for Viral Immunology (Director SHIN Eui-Cheol), and the Korean Association of Immunologists (KAI, President JEON Chang-Duk), will be held as the "IBS-KAI Conference on Infection and Immunity."

The conference will feature esteemed scholars, including Rafi AHMED, a professor at Emory University, Mark DAVIS, a professor at Stanford University, Director KOH Gou Young of the IBS Center for Vascular Research, and others including those who are members of the US National Academy of Sciences. Overall, more than 20 scholars in the field of viral immunology will participate as speakers to share their research findings. The conference will focus on T cell immune responses, harnessing them to develop vaccines to prevent severe viral infections, as well as immunotherapeutic agents to enhance anti-tumor immune responses.

While COVID-19 has become endemic, the conference will provide an opportunity to plan international collaborative research and share research outcomes on immune responses and their mechanisms in various viral infectious diseases, thereby preparing us to effectively respond to future pandemics.

Director SHIN Eui-Cheol of the Center for Viral Immunology stated, "After the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns regarding possible newly emerging infectious diseases with pandemic potentials, such as 'Disease X,' have increased," adding, "This conference will serve as a platform for world-renowned scholars to prepare for responses to future infectious diseases."

Detailed information about the conference can be found on the IBS-KAI Conference website (https://www.ibs-conference.org/2023/kai/).
A leading forensic nurse researcher has developed new approaches to detecting bruises in patients with darker skin tones  thus helping to overcome barriers to diagnosing injuries in patients of color, according to a special article on nurse innovators in the July issue of the American Journal of Nursing (AJN). The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.

The article highlights the work of Katherine Scafide, PhD, RN, of George Mason University, Fairfax, Va., whose "nonconventional program of nursing research and innovation" has dramatically improved understanding of bruise detection in varying skin tones. An accompanying editorial by humanitarian and filmmaker Angelina Jolie highlights the urgent need for new solutions to the ongoing issue of racial bias in forensic evidence collection.

Paintball experiments lead to new insights into bruising

As a forensic nurse examiner working with victims of sexual assault, Dr. Scafide became aware of the difficulty of identifying bruises in patients with darker skin tones. "Because pigment is closer to the surface of the skin than a bruise, in patients with darker skin tones, bruise detection with the naked eye can be difficult or impossible." Ellen Benjamin, PhD, RN, and Karen K. Giuliano, PhD, RN, are the authors of the new article, the latest in a special AJN series on Nurse Innovators. Dr. Giuliano, Co-Director of the Elaine Marieb Center for Nursing & Engineering Innovation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, spearheads the AJN Nurse Innovator series. The series highlights the vital role that nurse-engineer teams play in healthcare innovation.

In the absence of research or clinical guidance, Dr. Scafide embarked on a course of "self-teaching, reading, and networking." In collaboration with engineers and other professionals, she designed experiments to create bruises using paintballs, with slow-motion video capture to study the force of impact and its equivalence to violent injury. Her dissertation provided new insights into how bruises change in color over time, including the effects of skin tone, sex, and subcutaneous fat.

In the course of her work, Dr. Scafide has assembled the largest known dataset of digital bruise images. In her ongoing interdisciplinary collaborations, she aims to meet the need for a validated approach to estimating the age of bruises  a potentially powerful new tool for forensic nursing, law enforcement, and clinical care.

Innovative solutions to identify bruising in darker skin tones

Dr. Scafide's research has led to the identification of alternate light sources to identify bruises across a spectrum of skin tones. She discovered that using violet and blue light with yellow goggles can greatly improve the ability to detect bruises  up to five times more effectively than traditional white light in the examining room. Her research can help to promote equity in care for vulnerable populations such as children or those with cognitive challenges.

Dr. Scafide's work has attracted media coverage and grants for ongoing research  as well as the attention of high-profile activists such as Angelina Jolie. In 2022, Ms. Jolie cited Dr. Scafide's research on the science of bruising when advocating for Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, including increased funding for technologies to detect bruising and injuries across skin tones.

In her editorial, Ms. Jolie discusses the role of new bruise detection technologies toward correcting longstanding health inequities facing survivors of domestic violence. "Medical research, imagery, and training continue to center on white skin, not on how injuries present differently in patients with darker skin tone," she writes. "From technology to improving diversity and representation in medical research and training, it is past time to embrace new solutions."
One of the most powerful psychedelics known, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) has been described as causing imaginative visuals akin to the dream state. It is typically consumed on its own or in ayahuasca, a ceremonial brew that has been used for spiritual and visionary purposes by indigenous cultures for centuries. Some have expressed that DMT helped address psychological ailments such as depression and addiction, promoting emotional well-being. However, the way that DMT impacts the brain, body and health is largely unknown.

A gift of $1.5 million from Eugene Jhong will help launch a new research program within the UC San Diego Psychedelic and Health Research Initiative to learn more about the biological and psychological effects of DMT in humans.

The peak psychedelic effects of inhaled DMT dissipate within minutes. As part of the research supported by Jhong, the UC San Diego research team will implement continuous intravenous DMT infusion protocols to capture what is known as the "extended state" of visions long associated with DMT.

Led by principal investigators Fadel Zeidan, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at UC San Diego School of Medicine, and Jon Dean, PhD, postdoctoral scholar in the UC San Diego Department of Anesthesiology and director of the Division of DMT Research at the UC San Diego Psychedelic Health and Research Initiative, the study will seek to map the phenomenological, neurological and physiological responses to DMT during the longer windows of time created with infusion protocols.

Interestingly, DMT is present naturally (endogenously) within human bodily fluids. In Dean's previous research, he discovered that endogenous DMT also exists in the rat brain at levels comparable to serotonin, a neurotransmitter vital to brain function.

"Our goals are to employ multi-modal approaches to study extended state consciousness elucidated by DMT to further appreciate the nature of reality as well as the role of endogenous DMT in the human body. Reliable methods for measuring DMT directly in the human brain and bodily fluids do not exist, so the intriguing possibilities that endogenous DMT may play a role in consciousness, dreaming and protecting the brain from trauma are still scientific speculation," said Dean.

"We are beyond grateful to Eugene Jhong for his visionary support of this novel research effort," said Zeidan. "We will learn more about how the unique effects of DMT on consciousness interacts with human physiology to understand how these profound psychedelic effects evoked by DMT impact our well-being. Our long-term objective is to gain a better understanding of how DMT and other psychedelics could be used in a therapeutic manner to address pain, trauma and various medical conditions related to the brain."

UC San Diego is currently the only university in the U.S. that has a dedicated division to conduct extended-state DMT research. The study is part of the UC San Diego Psychedelics and Health Research Initiative, which will soon be renamed the Center for Psychedelic Research, a newly approved academic center at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

Eugene Jhong stated, "I am pleased to support this innovative effort to explore extended DMT and am confident it will shed new and important insight into the question of our true nature."
Recently published research suggests that despite showing clear symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), many African Americans are not officially diagnosed with the disease due to flaws in diagnosis methods. The Research was led by National Jewish Health and recently published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine from the COPDGene study.

Fixed-ratio spirometry, a standard method of measuring respiratory capacity, has long been used as a method of detecting COPD. The study's data compared COPD diagnoses by fixed-ratio spirometry findings and outcomes by race. Data then shows that 21% more of the results for African American patients were classified as non-COPD using the fixed-ratio method, even though many of them had symptoms suggesting a COPD diagnosis. In some cases, these patients already had signs of emphysema on their CT scans. These findings show that current diagnosis of COPD using only spirometry may fail to diagnose COPD in African Americans.

African American patients' COPD is often missed because they are frequently exposed to various kinds of deprivation that seems to result in smaller lungs with comparatively better airflow. When the two aspects of spirometry are combined in a mathematic ratio (airflow/lung volume) the number is higher than would otherwise be expected, leading to the conclusion that they do not have COPD or other lung problems." Elizabeth Regan, MD, PhD, physician researcher at National Jewish Health and first author on the study

Participants examined in the study were current or former smokers with more than a 10 pack-year smoking history. They were enrolled in 21 clinical centers around the country. The study recruited participants with known COPD, including both non-Hispanic whites and African Americans. There was an exclusion for pre-existing non-COPD lung disease, except for a history of asthma.

Continued research aims to determine a more effective metric to assess COPD risk in African American patients, to improve early detection and reduce the risk that COPD symptoms are overlooked due to racial factors. "Now that we've revealed the gap, we can start to bridge it," Dr. Regan concluded. "Better diagnostic tools will lead to better care for all of our patients, regardless of background."
The cannabis plant is complex, with about 100 cannabinoids, or compounds, many of which science still knows little or nothing about. The two most prevalent active ingredients -; tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) -; have been well-studied.

However, a variety of other cannabinoids are being introduced to the marketplace at a fast clip. Among the latest is THC-O-acetate, which has been gaining traction amid claims on social media, online message forums such as Reddit, and even some manufacturers' own advertising, that it produces psychedelic effects similar to LSD or psilocybin mushrooms.

But claims of a mystical experience have been greatly exaggerated, according to a University at Buffalo-led study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs that is the first to examine the alleged psychedelic effects of THC-O-acetate.

THC-O-acetate is a semi-synthetic compound that's derived from delta-8 THC, another cannabinoid that has garnered much interest in the last few years among curious consumers, as well as state legislatures leery of its potential dangers. (In New Jersey, where cannabis is legal, lawmakers are currently debating a bill that would ban delta-8 products.)

"THC-O-acetate has been getting a lot of attention because people are saying it's stronger than regular THC and there are these claims that it produces psychedelic effects. We wanted to study this and see, is there really a psychedelic cannabinoid? Can we find evidence that THC-O-acetate has this effect? And the answer is, not so much," says study lead author Daniel J. Kruger, PhD, research associate professor in UB's School of Public Health and Health Professions and research scientist in the Department of Medicine in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB.

Kruger and study co-author Jessica S. Kruger, PhD, clinical associate professor of community health and health behavior in UB's School of Public Health and Health Professions, conducted a study last year that surveyed users' experiences with delta-8 THC. Taking a look at THC-O-acetate was the next logical step.

There's also a public health arm of their interest in this particular cannabinoid: It's an acetate, and when acetates are heated they can produce ketene, a toxic gas. In 2019, more than 2,800 people were hospitalized and 68 deaths were reported due to a condition called "e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury" (EVALI) after vaping products containing vitamin E acetate.

2018 Farm Bill created loophole

Congress' passage of the Farm Bill in 2018 made growing hemp legal at the federal level. Essentially, hemp is cannabis that contains less than 0.3% THC, the chemical compound that creates the "high" that people feel. While it made growing hemp legal, the Farm Bill unintentionally created a loophole allowing manufacturers to produce and sell thousands of products containing CBD. Many are marketed with claims like "sleep aid," "pain relief" and "pet calming."

But such claims are often unvalidated, and little research has been done to better understand what's in products that are being sold online, in gas stations, corner stores and shops across the country.

"It opened up entire new markets for cannabis companies and created a sort of gray market pathway," says Daniel Kruger. "It's kind of like the Wild West. There's a huge demand for CBD products and companies have jumped in to supply this demand. Of course, they want to make a product that will stand out and get attention. Everyone's got CBD, here's something else."

Enter THC-O-acetate.

For the study, Kruger and his colleagues developed a survey that asked nearly 300 participants to indicate the extent to which they experienced the following when using THC-O-acetate: altered sense of time, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, euphoria, hallucinations, pain relief, paranoia, and relaxation.

Participants also completed items from the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ), a classic instrument for assessing psychedelic experiences developed in the 1960s by Walter Pahnke. They were also asked which, if any, psychedelics they had used, such as LSD or psilocybin mushrooms.

When asked directly, 79% responded that using THC-O-acetate is "not at all" or "a little" of a psychedelic experience. Participants' responses were significantly below the threshold for a complete mystical experience, and those who had used classic psychedelics had lower scores on all MEQ dimensions. The most prominent experiences reported were moderate relaxation, euphoria and pain relief.

So, why do some people report having a psychedelic experience with THC-O-acetate? Kruger says there are three likely explanations:

It may be due to expectations based on what users have heard or read.

Some users may have experienced a very intense high and thought it was psychedelic.

The product may have contained a contaminant.

The latter is particularly troubling from a public health standpoint, researchers say. "People have to be careful," Daniel Kruger says. "It's possible that some of these extreme effects are the result of some sort of contamination, and that's one of the real dangers of these products if you don't really know what's in them."

Some companies will include a QR code on the product label, directing consumers to a website that contains information on specifically what's in the product. But many don't.

"There's tons of interest in delta-8 and THC-O-acetate, and lots of claims being made about them with virtually no research," Daniel Kruger says. "They're really new to the consumer market and cannabis still has this weird mix of policies where it's illegal at the federal level, so we don't have national regulations, certainly not the kind of testing you'd have with a prescription drug."

The research team included Carlton "CB" Bone, a graduate student at Portland State University at the time who studied online cannabis culture and moderated an online forum. Additional study co-authors are Meredith C. Meacham, PhD, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, and Charles Klein, PhD, a medical anthropologist at Portland State.
The announcement of Sam Sanders as Charlottesvilles new city manager was met with applause and optimism on Wednesday afternoon.

A crowd of roughly 50 people waited as Mayor Lloyd Snook stepped to the podium, outlining some of the characteristics that City Council took into consideration as it interviewed candidates.

An innovative person with a problem-solving spirit and a servants heart were highly valued qualities, he said.

An ability to walk on water was seen as a plus, Snook told the crowd.

Sanders may not possess the latter, but he could be viewed as a messiah of sorts if hes able to bring stability to a government that has sorely needed it. He is the seventh interim or full-time city manager since 2018. Thats not counting one person who dropped out the day before he was meant to take up the post.

Will he last longer than his predecessors?

He cant guarantee it, Sanders told The Daily Progress, but hell do his best.

Ill try to remember some of the things that may have gone wrong for them and how they may have gone wrong and not repeat those things, he said. For me, its really about engaging with people, keeping the lines of communication open. I think a lot of what probably has gone wrong in the past is that people didnt really focus on that.

Sanders will have a lot on his plate. In addition to a rise in gun violence and a lack of affordable housing, Charlottesville has also struggled with staffing City Hall due to whats been described as a toxic workplace. When one of his predecessors, Chip Boyles, stepped down from the role, he wrote in his resignation letter that public vitriol played a role in his decision.

To be honest about the matter, Id say its a little all over the place, Sanders said when asked about the current culture at City Hall.

I want to admit that, yes, we have some challenges. Theres still work to be done, he said. But there is a competent team that comes every day, and I want to continue to recognize those folks and what theyre doing.

For now, at least, there is a sense of a new era of good feelings after Wednesdays announcement.

Sanders, who has been the citys deputy city manager for operations since July 2021, is known by many of the people in city government.

Current interim City Manager Michael Rogers told The Daily Progress that Sanders is among the best deputies hes worked with in his career.

He leans in, hes very detail- and solution-oriented and he gets things done, Rogers said. Hes very solid, so the city is in good hands.

Former Vice Mayor Wes Bellamy, who was also in attendance Wednesday, told The Daily Progress hes excited about the announcement and expects Sanders will bring stability to the city.

Before coming to Charlottesville, Sanders spent 22 years in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he served 18 years as the executive director of Mid City Redevelopment Alliance, a nonprofit group that aims to advance economic progress and community prosperity.

Bellamy knew him then, and he said Sanders former colleagues, including the current mayor of Baton Rouge, spoke very highly of him.

Hes incredibly attentive, very responsive, very thorough and very much a thinker, Bellamy said. He never makes hasty decisions; he never allows for persons to rattle him.

At the microphone, Sanders expressed to the crowd a desire to make government boring again.

I think we have successfully brought back boring government, he said. It is my charge to keep it here, keep it stable and keep it focused.

All five council members told the crowd they were excited about the hire.

Council Member Michael Payne said that in his time with Sanders, hes seen that the new city manager believes government is about service.

And the reason the boring nuts and bolts stuff matters so much is that an effective government could be the difference between someone whos homeless having a place to live or not, Payne said. I can stand here and honestly say that Ive never felt more optimistic about the future of city government.

Quinton Harrell shared a similar sentiment. The Charlottesville resident chose to attend the announcement to listen to what the new city manager had to say.

I have a good feeling about Charlottesville being on the upper tick, Harrell told The Daily Progress, saying he was encouraged by what he heard. I want to be in the room to understand how I can be a supportive citizen to make this a better place.

During the press conference, Sanders was asked how citizens can help support him and City Hall.

It really is a matter of trying your best to understand that it takes a while to turn things around, he said, preaching positivity and patience.

When things get messed up it really takes a long time sometimes to turn it around. Lets be patient and lets make sure that we can get there, he said. It only lasts if we really take our time and do it right.

City Council will officially vote to name Sanders as city manager on Monday.
Research shows that treatment improves and trust in the hospital increases when people with the same diagnosis help each other.

"I saw clearly how important it is for people to recognize themselves in the experiences of others. There is a need for an offer like this for everyone, regardless of where you live in Norway."

So says Anita gard-Repal, Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Nursing Sciences at the University of Agder (UiA).

A great help for those who live in hiding

She has done a study on peer-to-peer work. That is, people who help others with the same diagnosis. In this study, she interviewed HIV-infected persons.

They are not healthcare workers, but people who've lived with the diagnosis for several years. Many of them have full-time jobs and do this voluntarily. They are of great help to others who may have just been diagnosed and are living in hiding. Many HIV-infected people fear that they will be stigmatized if they talk about their diagnosis." Anita gard-Repal, Associate Professor, Department of Health and Nursing Sciences, University of Agder

gard-Repal's findings show that when people with a diagnosis help each other, treatment improves and trust in the hospital increases. She hopes her work can inspire support services for other chronic diseases.

FACTS: HIV research

In Europe, little research has been done on peer-to-peer work related to HIV. gard-Repal's study is the first in the Nordic region.

To learn more about the experiences of HIV-infected people, she spoke to 16 individuals from different parts of the country. In addition, she conducted two focus group interviews and interviewed five nurses.

To carry out the study, the UiA researcher collaborated with hospitals in Agder, Trondheim, Troms, Bod and stfold.

"Many people think they are going to die"

Most conversations in peer-to-peer work take place one to one in a private room at the hospital or digitally. The conversations are meant to help patients see that they can live normal lives.

"We see that these conversations mean a lot to them. The peer becomes a role model for how to live well with the diagnosis," the UiA researcher says.

As part of peer-to-peer work, nurses and doctors are also available for conversations and medication advice. They can provide up-to-date knowledge and exchange experiences with their patients.

"Many people think they are going to die of HIV and may not know that you can get good medical care," says gard-Repal.

She says that there are many prejudices about HIV that are not true.

"It is a sexually transmitted disease, but there is little risk of infection both with and without medication. Many think they will be physically weaker, but many live a normal life and do not look sick. Still, you are more vulnerable to diseases such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases," says the researcher.

Afraid of being labeled a prostitute

During the study, gard-Repal found that people of immigrant background in particular had difficulties accepting the diagnosis. Their cultural background often associates HIV with homosexuality or prostitution.

"Some come from countries where homosexuality is illegal and strongly condemned. If they get tested for HIV, they face prejudices and they fear what life with the diagnosis will be like in Norway."

The researcher found that meeting another HIV-positive person, whether Norwegian-born or from a minority background, helped improve the quality of life and the trust in the health information they received.

"They receive information about the diagnosis from health professionals, but it gains more credibility when the peer meets them. It is easier for them to understand when it is explained by someone in the same situation, who has lived with it for a long time," she says.

Big differences

In some cases, however, the fear can be so great that they do not want any help. They worry what will happen if word about their diagnosis were to spread in the local community.

In the course of the study, gard-Repal observed that many people find it difficult just to take part in an anonymous conversation. The researcher noted that there was a big difference between those who took part in conversations and those who did not.

"Those who open up to conversations did not suffer as many difficult days. With the safe environment of a hospital, they didn't think that anyone would judge them," she says.
Fetuses use a copy of a gene inherited from their dad to force their mum to release as much nutrients as possible during pregnancy, Cambridge scientists have discovered.

The unborn baby 'remote controls' its mother's metabolism so the two are in a nutritional tug of war. The mother's body wants the baby to survive but needs to keep enough glucose and fats circulating in her system for her own health, to be able to deliver the baby, breastfeed, and to reproduce again.

A new study from the University of Cambridge published today (11 July 2023) examines how the placenta communicates with the mother through the release of hormones so she will accommodate her baby's growth. The placenta is a vital organ that develops with the fetus in pregnant women and other female mammals to support the developing fetus. In pregnant mice, scientists selectively altered the signaling cells in the placenta that tell mothers to allocate nutrients to her developing fetuses.

Professor Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri, Professor in Fetal and Placental Physiology, a Fellow of St John's College and co-senior author of the paper, said: "It's the first direct evidence that a gene inherited from the father is signaling to the mother to divert nutrients to the fetus."

Dr Miguel Constancia, MRC Investigator based at the Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science and co-senior author of the paper, said: "The baby's remote control system is operated by genes that can be switched on or off depending on whether they are a 'dad's' or 'mum's' gene', the so-called imprinted genes.

"Genes controlled by the father are 'greedy' and 'selfish' and will tend to manipulate maternal resources for the benefit of the fetuses, so to grow them big and fittest. Although pregnancy is largely cooperative, there is a big arena for potential conflict between the mother and the baby, with imprinted genes and the placenta thought to play key roles."

The findings by researchers from the Centre for Trophoblast Research at Cambridge's Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience and the Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, part of the Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, have been published in Cell Metabolism.

The baby's genes controlled by the father tend to promote fetal growth and those controlled by the mother tend to limit fetal growth.

Professor Sferruzzi-Perri explained: "Those genes from the mother that limit fetal growth are thought to be a mother's way of ensuring her survival, so she doesn't have a baby that takes all the nutrients and is too big and challenging to birth. The mother also has a chance of having subsequent pregnancies potentially with different males in the future to pass on her genes more widely."

Researchers deleted the expression of an important imprinted gene called Igf2, which provides instructions for making a protein called 'Insulin Like Growth Factor 2'. Similar to the hormone insulin, which is responsible for making and controlling glucose levels in our circulation, the gene promotes fetal growth and plays a key part in the development of fetal tissues including the placenta, liver and brain.

Dr Jorge Lopez-Tello, a lead author of the study based at the University's Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, said: "If the function of Igf2 from the father is switched off in signalling cells, the mother doesn't make enough amounts of glucose and lipids  fats  available in her circulation. These nutrients therefore reach the fetus in insufficient amounts and the fetus doesn't grow properly."

The scientists found that deleting Igf2 from the placenta's signaling cells affects the production of other hormones that modulate the way the mother's pancreas produces insulin, and how her liver and other metabolic organs respond.

"We found Igf2 controls the hormones responsible for reducing insulin sensitivity in the mother during pregnancy. It means the mother's tissues don't absorb glucose so nutrients are more available in the circulation to be transferred to the fetus," said Professor Sferruzzi-Perri.

Babies with Igf2 gene defects can be overgrown or growth-stunted. "Until now, we didn't know that part of the Igf2 gene's role is to regulate signaling to the mother to allocate nutrients to the fetus," added Professor Sferruzzi-Perri.

The mice studied were smaller at birth and their offspring showed early signs of diabetes and obesity in later life.

Professor Sferruzzi-Perri said: "Our research highlights how important the controlled allocation of nutrients to the fetus is for the lifelong health of the offspring, and the direct role the placenta plays.

"The placenta is an amazing organ. At the end of pregnancy, the placenta is delivered by the mother, but the memories of how the placenta was functioning leaves a lasting legacy on the way those fetal organs have developed and then how they're going to function through life."

The next step is to understand how placental hormones are controlled by Igf2 and what those hormones are doing. Future research could help scientists discover new strategies to target the placenta to improve health outcomes for mums and babies.
insights from industry Sylvia Xie Product Scientist Sino Biological

In this interview, News-Medical talks to Sylvia Xie, product scientist at Sino Biological, about the ongoing emergence of transmembrane proteins as targets for therapeutic antibodies.

What is the current landscape of antibodies targeting membrane proteins?

As of June 2022, 162 antibodies had been approved for a wide array of diseases in the world, including cancers, immune-related diseases, infectious diseases, and hematological diseases1. Over half target membrane proteins, primarily proteins with large extracellular domains and simple transmembrane domains such as tyrosine kinase receptor proteins. Only two target complex transmembrane proteins like G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)2.

What are the established and emerging membrane protein targets for antibody therapies?

Established antibody targets include transmembrane proteins EGFR, VEGFR2, FGFR2, HER2, and complex membrane proteins CCR4 and CGRPR. Monoclonal and bispecific antibodies targeting complex membrane proteins such as GPRC5D, Claudins (Claudin 6 and Claudin 18), SSTR2, and CXCR4 have shown successful results in CAR-T cell therapy at the preclinical and clinical stages.

Why are membrane proteins important in drug development?

Membrane proteins account for approximately 20% of the human proteome and play crucial roles in biological functions such as protein ligation, recognition, transport, anchoring, and transduction. Mutations in protein folding or assembly are major causes of human diseases including cancers and cardiovascular diseases3. Membrane proteins comprise approximately 60% of possible drug targets and are a constant focus in pharmaceutical and biological research. Therefore, the development of drugs targeting membrane proteins has significant therapeutic value across a wide range of diseases.

What are the main challenges associated with complex membrane protein expression and what are the solutions?

Complex membrane proteins are important therapeutic antibody targets, but they are still underutilized due to production difficulties. Three key challenges limit their use in drug development and experimental research: 1) low expression; 2) unstable purification; 3) difficulty maintaining natural conformation.

Membrane proteins naturally exist in low abundance and recombinant overexpression of membrane proteins commonly results in aggregation and low yield correlated with low functionality. When separated from a surrounding phospholipid environment, membrane proteins may become insoluble and display a loss of activity or function4. Their poor water solubility also makes them difficult for in vivo applications as secreted proteins need to be in aqueous environments for diffusion or circulation. Purification is difficult due to the low abundance of membrane proteins and detergents are usually required to stabilize them in aqueous environments. Furthermore, an antibody must recognize the specific epitope of a membrane protein for desired binding to occur. Since membrane proteins are complex and can exhibit multiple conformational states, expression in the proper form is crucial for antibody-antigen binding affinity2.

To address these challenges, various strategies have been developed, including the use of detergents, polymers, ligands, or lipids to enhance protein stability and extraction4. Detergent choice is important and usually requires a series of tests; some strong detergents are very efficient at isolating the protein at the expense of reduced stability and loss of conformational epitopes5. Proteins can be difficult to detect if the antibodies are unable to recognize the epitopes. The inclusion of epitope tags can increase detectability, but they can potentially disrupt protein folding and function4.

What techniques can be used to express these difficult-to-produce transmembrane proteins?

Traditionally, membrane protein expression consists of the recombinant expression followed by isolation using detergents. One solution to purify membrane proteins is the use of detergents. They are amphipathic molecules with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails which aggregate and form micelles that can trap hydrophobic molecules, extracting them from the membrane (Figure 1a).

Another option is the nanodisc technique which takes advantage of transmembrane proteins retaining their characteristics when bound to phospholipids. Encapsulation of the membrane-embedded protein in membrane scaffold protein (MSP) nanodiscs requires prior solubilization with detergents4 (Figure 1b). Using styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymer, membrane proteins can be extracted directly from prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems in the absence of detergents, preserving the protein structure and function (Figure 1c). Compared to MSP nanodiscs, SMA nanodiscs also have the advantage of preserving proteins' nature by maintaining the surrounding native lipids without introducing any heterologous proteins. This enables the study of protein structure and function in native-like environments4.

A third option is to use virus-like particles (VLPs) which are nanoscale particles formed by the self-assembly of viral capsid proteins, typically 100-300 nm in diameter. VLPs lack viral genetic material and cannot replicate autonomously, but retain the ability to penetrate cells which makes them suitable for a variety of applications6. On their surfaces, VLPs are capable of displaying membrane proteins in their natural and stable conformation (Figure 1d).

Figure 1. Schematic diagram of detergent, nanodisc, and VLP platforms. Image Credit: Sino Biological Inc.

How does Sino Biological support the development of membrane proteins?

Sino Biological is a leader in manufacturing high-quality multi-pass transmembrane protein products. Our three HEK293 expression-based platforms, VLP, detergent micelle, and SMA-nanodisc platforms, generate premium raw materials for early-stage drug development. A number of multi-pass transmembrane proteins (e.g., 4-pass: Claudin-6, Claudin-9, Claudin-18.1, and Claudin-18.2; 7-pass: GPRC5D, CXCR4, and SSTR2) are available in stock to readily support related research. Additionally, Sino Biological offers custom multi-pass transmembrane protein services based on the three platforms. The service workflow consists of the following steps: 1) gene synthesis and codon optimization; 2) vector construction; 3) pilot-scale protein expression and purification based on the selected platform; 4) large-scale expression and purification.

Each transmembrane protein platform has its unique features. The advantages of VLP, detergent micelle, and SMA-nanodisc platforms are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1. Advantages of VLP, detergent micelle, and SMA-nanodisc platforms. Sino Biological

About the interviewee

Sylvia Xie is a Product Scientist at Sino Biological, a global leader in recombinant technology, where she manages the product catalog and supports product development. Prior to joining Sino Biological, Sylvia received her MS degree from the University of Houston (TX, USA) in Biomedical Engineering, where her research focused on targeted drug therapy in autoimmune diseases.

References and further reading

About Sino Biological Inc.

Sino Biological is an international reagent supplier and service provider. The company specializes in recombinant protein production and antibody development. All of Sino Biological's products are independently developed and produced, including recombinant proteins, antibodies and cDNA clones. Sino Biological is the researchers' one-stop technical services shop for the advanced technology platforms they need to make advancements. In addition, Sino Biological offers pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology firms pre-clinical production technology services for hundreds of monoclonal antibody drug candidates.

Sino Biological's core business

Sino Biological is committed to providing high-quality recombinant protein and antibody reagents and to being a one-stop technical services shop for life science researchers around the world. All of our products are independently developed and produced. In addition, we offer pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology firms pre-clinical production technology services for hundreds of monoclonal antibody drug candidates. Our product quality control indicators meet rigorous requirements for clinical use samples. It takes only a few weeks for us to produce 1 to 30 grams of purified monoclonal antibody from gene sequencing.
A new $3.9 million grant from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will allow researchers with the Center for Tobacco Research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center to evaluate effects of e-cigarette flavors on the smoking behaviors of current adult smokers.

The study, co-led by Theodore Wagener, PhD, director of Ohio State's Center for Tobacco Research, and Tracy Smith, PhD, of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Hollings Cancer Center, will be the first to provide definitive information about the impact of non-tobacco e-cigarette flavors for helping adult smokers stop smoking.

Wagener says this study will provide scientific data that are urgently needed to inform the FDA's regulation of flavor use in e-cigarettes.

Youth advocates have strenuously objected to flavored e-cigarettes, arguing that, with flavors like cinnamon bun, cotton candy, bubble gum, mango, strawberry or chocolate, e-cigarettes are enticing young people to take up an addictive and harmful habit. Those flavors might also be more appealing to adults who smoke cigarettes and have been unable to quit.

The FDA is currently making regulatory decisions about e-cigarette flavors with incomplete scientific data. Existing data show that smokers also prefer flavored e-cigarettes, and while there are a few survey studies suggesting that flavored e-cigarettes may be more helpful for switching to vaping, these studies are not rigorous enough for the FDA to base its regulatory decisions on. Our study will be the first to provide the FDA with definitive information as to the benefit, if any, of e-cigarette flavors to adult smokers." Theodore Wagener, PhD, Director of Ohio State's Center for Tobacco Research

While the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine have concluded that e-cigarettes are likely to be far less harmful than combustible cigarettes, Wagener notes that more than 1 million e-cigarette products have been banned since 2020, mostly due to the significant rise in youth vaping, often with flavored e-cigarettes.

Switching to e-cigarettes, while not a completely healthy choice, is thought to be better than continuing to smoke, a concept that public health scientists refer to as "harm reduction."

Wagener says "the FDA must decide how to balance its goals of protecting young people and offering harm-reduction options to adults. This new trial will generate critical data to help make more informed public health decisions that have a lasting impact.".

New study evaluates how much flavoring impacts smoking behavior

This national, randomized, controlled trial will recruit up to 1,500 cigarette users from the across the United States.

Researchers will measure e-cigarette flavor impact on product uptake and appeal, cigarette craving, symptoms, dependence and smoking behavior, including sustained and complete switching from cigarettes to e-cigarettes. They will also utilize combination nicotine replacement therapy (NRT, patch and lozenge) as an FDA-approved comparator to determine the potential increased benefit (or not) of e-cigarettes versus nicotine replacement therapies on smoking. Smokers will be randomized to one of three groups: preferred flavor e-cigarette, tobacco flavor e-cigarette or combination nicotine replacement therapy.

Study participants will receive products at no cost for 14 weeks. Participants in the preferred flavor group will be able to change flavors throughout that time. Changes in smoking will be biochemically confirmed via remote exhaled carbon monoxide readings at 12 weeks and 26 weeks after the product switch date.

"If our study demonstrates no significant improvements in switching with flavored e-cigarette use, then the continued sale of these products is likely indefensible; however, if improvements are significant, these findings will provide a critical counterweight to the current FDA regulations and will aid future decision making," Wagener said.
A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases evaluates how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted antibiotic use (AU) in healthcare facilities (HCFs) throughout South America.

Study: Trends in Inpatient Antibiotic Use Among Adults Hospitalized During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, 20182021. Image Credit: Fahroni / Shutterstock.com

The overuse of antibiotics during the pandemic

Increased AU has been observed in several countries since the COVID-19 pandemic, despite low rates of bacterial and secondary infections. A recent meta-analysis revealed that up to 75% of COVID-19 patients were prescribed antibiotics, despite the rate of bacterial co-infections being only 8.6%. Although COVID-19 symptoms appear similar to bacterial pneumonia/sepsis symptoms, antibiotics are ineffective due to the viral etiology.

Antibiotic resistance is a significant global public health threat, with antibiotic overuse being the leading cause of resistance. A recent report highlighted considerable increases in antibiotic-resistant infections throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Latin America has been one of the most impacted regions by COVID-19. To date, only a few studies have described how the pandemic affected AU, with limited data available regarding AU throughout South American HCFs.

About the study

In the present study, researchers evaluate how the COVID-19 pandemic affected AU across HCFs in Brazil, Chile, and Argentina. To this end, AU was examined in six HCFs between March 2018 and February 2021, which were classified into pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Patients aged 15 years or older admitted to acute care wards were included in the current study.

A comprehensive survey of HCFs was conducted to examine changes in practices over time. AU data were obtained from dispensing records.

Treatment guidelines for managing sepsis, as well as hospital- and community-acquired pneumonia, were available for two, four, and three HCFs, respectively. Preferred and alternative regimens of antibiotics for these conditions were also obtained.

Several antibiotics were included in the analysis, which included ceftolozane-tazobactam, ceftazidime-avibactam, colistin, polymyxin B, linezolid, vancomycin, ampicillin-sulbactam, piperacillin-tazobactam, azithromycin, ceftaroline, cefotaxime, cefepime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, ertapenem, meropenem, and imipenem.

Analyses were stratified by all antibodies, ceftriaxone, and those showing activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on AU across HCFs was estimated from relative median differences between the two periods. Interrupted-time series analyses were performed to examine temporal changes in AU due to COVID-19.

Study findings

Two HCFs were public and four were private. Intensive care unit (ICU) admissions increased by up to 633% across all facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, ventilator use increased in five facilities by up to 317%.

All facilities had a pre-pandemic antibiotic stewardship program. To this end, no changes were reported in stewardship practices across four HCFs.

Three facilities reported antibiotic shortages, with all HCFs experiencing shortages in healthcare personnel. Delays in antibiotic susceptibility testing increased in two facilities.

The median rate of AU increased in four HCFs during the pandemic relative to the pre-pandemic period, with higher rates of AU during months when COVID-19 cases surged. The rates of AU in ICUs increased in one HCF and decreased in two facilities during the pandemic.

During the pandemic, three HCFs reported a significantly increased use of ceftriaxone. Likewise, the use of this antibiotic increased in ICUs in two facilities and decreased in ICUs in two other HCFs.

The increased use of -lactam antibiotics with anti-P. aeruginosa activity was observed in three HCFs, with one facility reporting lower usage, whereas ICUs in two facilities reported increased usage. The use of antibiotics with anti-MRSA activity increased in three HCFs and ICUs in one HCF.

The public HCF in Brazil reported increased use of all antibiotics throughout the pandemic. Five HCFs experienced an increase in AU immediately after the pandemic started; however, only one HCF reported a sustained increase in AU rates throughout the pandemic. Notwithstanding the increases early in the pandemic, AU rates significantly declined over time in two facilities.

Conclusions

The increased rates of AU during the COVID-19 pandemic among inpatients in South America are consistent with findings from other regions. In some facilities, AU rates peaked when COVID-19 cases increased significantly, with all facilities reporting increased ICU admissions.

Importantly, these analyses were not stratified by bacterial infection, COVID-19, and severity of illness. Additionally, it was unclear whether the increases in AU rates were driven by hospitalized COVID-19 patients or overall patient populations.
The GST Council in its 50th meeting has decided to reduce the tax rates on various items, apart from exempting some items. It also decided to impose 28% GST on online gaming, horse racing and casino. Here are the goods and services that got costlier or cheaper.

What Got Cheaper?

Popcorn And Cold Dring In Cinema Halls: The GST Council, headed by the Union finance minister and comprising of representatives of all states and UTs, has decided to lower the service tax levied on food and beverages consumed in cinema halls to 5 per cent from 18 per cent. Currently, movie tickets below Rs 100 are taxed at 12 per cent, while those above the threshold attract an 18 per cent GST.

Uncooked/ Unfried Snack Pellets, Zari Thread, LD Slag, and Fish Soluble Paste: Rates have been Reduced on these four items to 5 per cent.

Cancer Treatment Drugs, Rare Disease Medicines, and Food for Special Medical Purposes: These three items have been exempt from GST.

Satellite Launch Services By Private Players have also been exempted from GST.

What Got Costlier?

The GST Council has decided to impose a 28 per cent tax on Online Gaming, Horse Racing and Casino. Tax will be applicable on the face value of the chips purchased in the case of casinos, on the full value of the bets placed with bookmaker/totalisator in the case of Horse Racing and on the full value of the bets placed in case of the Online Gaming," the finance ministry said in a statement.

Other Decision

The GST Council also approved a 22 per cent cess rate on Multi Utility Vehicles but sedans are not included.

At the beginning of the 50th meeting on Tuesday, July 11, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman released a short film titled GST Council  50 steps towards a journey.

In 49 meetings held so far, the Council has taken approximately 1,500 decisions in the spirit of co-operative federalism, the office of Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted.
Utkarsh Small Finance Bank IPO: The initial public offering (IPO) of Utkarsh Small Finance Bank (SFB) kicks off for subscription on Wednesday, July 12. The private lender is selling its shares in the range of Rs 23-25 apiece during the three-day bidding process, which concludes on Friday, July 14.

A day ahead of its IPO, Utkarsh SFB allocated 8.91 crore equity shares to 20 anchor investors at an issue price of Rs 25 apiece to garner Rs 222.75 crore. SBI Mutual Fund, ICICI Prudential, Kotak Mahindra Trustee, Aditya Birla Sun Life Trustee, Goldman Sachs, SBI Life Insurance, Edelweiss Trusteeship, Founders Collective Fund and AG Dynamics Funds participated in the anchor book.

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank IPO Dates

The public issue will open on July 12 and bidding will close on July 14. The anchor book, the part of qualified institutional buyers, was opened on July 11.

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank IPO Price Band

The small finance bank has set the price band for its issue at Rs 23-25 per share.

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank IPO Issue Size

The bank plans to raise Rs 500 crore from its offering that comprises only fresh issue portion.

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank IPO Objectives of Issue

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank will utilise net issue proceeds for augmenting its Tier - 1 capital base to meet its future capital requirements, besides issue expenses.

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank IPO Lot Size

Investors can bid for a minimum of 600 equity shares and in multiples of 600 shares thereafter. Hence, the minimum investment by retail investors in the public issue would be Rs 15,000 for one lot and the maximum investment would be Rs 1.95 lakh for 13 lots.

Up to 75 per cent of the issue size is reserved for qualified institutional buyers, 15 percent for high networth individuals, and the balance 10 percent for retail investors.

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank IPO About Bank

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank recorded the third fastest gross loan portfolio growth between FY19 and FY23 among SFBs at above Rs 6,000 crore, as per CRISIL report.

In October 2015, Utkarsh CoreInvest received the RBI in-principle approval to set up a small finance bank and after the same later incorporated Utkarsh Small Finance Bank as a wholly owned subsidiary in April 2016. After the obtaining RBI licence in November 2016, Utkarsh CoreInvest transferred its microfinance business to Utkarsh Small Finance Bank.

The small finance bank commenced its operations in January 2017, with operations across 26 states and Union territories through 830 banking outlets and 15,424 employees, as of March 2023.

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank IPO Listing and Allotment Dates

The finalisation of basis of allotment of IPO shares is going to take place by July 19 and the successful investors will get shares in their demat accounts by July 21. The refunds will be credited to bank accounts of unsuccessful investors by July 20.

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank, which will make its grand debut on the BSE and NSE on July 24 as per the IPO schedule in draft prospectus.

ICICI Securities and Kotak Mahindra Capital Company are the book running lead managers to the issue, while KFin Technologies is the registrar to the offer.

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank IPO GMP

The Utkarsh Small Finance Bank IPO GMP aka Grey Market Premium is Rs 15.

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank IPO Should you Invest?

Utkarsh SFB is in constant efforts to improve its business with deeper insights into customer trends, and develop customized products for its customer segments. It intends to further the growth through diversification of product offerings, customer segments and geography supported by technology, process and data analytics, said Reliance Industries.

With improvement in NIMs and NPAs in declining trend over the last three years, growth in earnings remains strong. On FY23 financials, the IPO is valued at 6.8 times P/E and 1.1 times P/BV, we recommend subscribe to this issue for the long term," it added.

Its SFBs future prospects hinge on the monetary policy of RBI and the Government of India. The banks ability to provide their products and services in a cost-efficient manner is among their core strengths and their cost-to-income ratio was the lowest among SFBs with Gross Loan Portfolio of more than Rs 60 billion, said Anand Rathi.

At the upper price band, the company is valuing at P/B of 1.39 times with a market cap of Rs 2,740 crore post issue of equity shares and return on net worth of 20.22 per cent. We believe that the company is fairly priced and recommend a subscribe- long term rating to the IPO," it added.
Cafe Coffee Day is a well-known and beloved destination for coffee lovers, offering a place to enjoy coffee, socialise with friends, and conduct business meetings. But, there was a time when the cafe faced a severe crisis that brought it to a standstill. VG Siddhartha, the visionary behind the business chain, tragically took his own life due to the overwhelming burden of the companys staggering debt of Rs 7,000 crore. Despite Siddharthas despair, his wife, Malavika Hegde, emerged as a beacon of determination and resilience, committed to saving the company under any circumstances.

Malavika Hegde, the daughter of former Karnataka Chief Minister SM Krishna, refused to give up even in the face of the daunting challenges posed by the debt-ridden company and the profound grief of her husbands suicide. She tirelessly worked towards turning Siddharthas dream of Cafe Coffee Day into a thriving enterprise. Her unwavering efforts began to bear fruit. As of July 31, 2019, CCD carried a debt burden of Rs 7,000 crore.

In December 2020, Malavika assumed the role of CEO of CCD Enterprises Limited. Her primary objective was to reduce the companys debt while instilling trust and confidence in the employees. Reports indicate that she penned a heartfelt letter to the employees, assuring them of their commitment to revitalising the company and securing the future of its workforce. In just a year, she managed to repay a loan of Rs 1,644 crore. Additionally, Malavika Hegde forged strategic partnerships with Blackstone and Shriram Credit Company, focusing on expense reduction and revenue growth. These efforts soon yielded positive results.

The discussions surrounding the potential closure of the company gradually subsided, and the business regained momentum. Cafe Coffee Day currently operates successfully with approximately 572 outlets in 165 cities across the country. Remarkably, under Malavikas leadership, the companys debt has significantly reduced from Rs 7,000 crore to a mere Rs 465 crore.

The foundation of Cafe Coffee Day was laid in Bengaluru on July 11, 1996, by VG Siddhartha. Since then, the brand has garnered immense popularity and become a favourite among coffee enthusiasts nationwide.
We often believe prestigious institutions like IIT and IIM are the best choices for students pursuing courses like BTech and MBA. A student challenged this conventional belief. She did not attend IIT or IIM, but secured an impressive salary package of 85 lakhs! This unfolds the potential for outstanding career opportunities beyond these institutions. Rashi Bagga, a BTech student at the International Institute of Information Technology Naya Raipur (IIIT-NR), has created history by securing a remarkable job package of Rs 85 lakh per annum. This exceptional salary marks a new record as the highest package offered to any IIIT-NR student in 2023. Interestingly, despite having received a lucrative offer from another company earlier, Rashi Baggas determination to explore further opportunities paid off.

For the fifth consecutive year, the graduation batch of IIIT-NR achieved a 100% placement record, as reported. Notably, the company had also offered the highest package of 57 lakh per annum to a student from the previous batch. Chinky Karda received this highest package among her peers in her batch, last year.

Yogesh Kumar, another student from IIIT-NR, has accomplished securing a job offer of Rs 56 lakh per annum for the position of software development engineer. This impressive offer comes from a multinational company. As per IIIT-NR, the average CTC (Cost to Company) for placements this year stood at 16.5 lakh, with the median CTC standing at Rs 13.6 lakh per annum.

Back in 2020, a student named Ravi Kushashwa from IIIT-NR had achieved a remarkable job offer of Rs 1 crore per annum from a multinational company. Still, due to the unfortunate circumstances caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, he was unable to join the company.

The students have been presented with diverse job opportunities in fields like software development, DevOps, quality assurance, data analysis, consulting, business analysis and more.
 As the board exam results are announced, students are ready to transition from schools to colleges. The first step in this transition is to make a career choice. To help you in selecting the right professional path for you, every week we explore new professional avenues for you. Bring a unique career and a roadmap that can help you take up a job in that profession. If you have any other queries or have a course or career you want us to explore, write to us on Twitter at @News18dotcom.

The modern world is increasingly driven by technology, with a range of cutting-edge advancements propelling the semiconductor sector forward. Innovations in fields like the internet of things, artificial intelligence, automobile and manufacturing, robotic process automation, smart devices, 5G and beyond connectivity have all contributed to the exponential growth of the semiconductor industry. The semiconductor sector is expected to play a significant role in shaping the future of technology and enabling transformative changes in fields such as autonomous driving, smart manufacturing, and healthcare.

Importance of Semiconductor Industry

The Indian government has recognized the significant potential of the semiconductor industry and has taken steps to encourage investment in the sector. One such initiative is the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which aims to attract global and domestic investment in semiconductor manufacturing, software design, and display manufacturing, among other areas. Additionally, the Design-Linked Initiative (DLI) scheme focuses on fostering semiconductor design activities in India by providing support for research and development activities, skilling and training, and other relevant initiatives.

This scheme aims to develop a strong domestic semiconductor design ecosystem in the country, enabling India to become a hub for innovation and design in the global semiconductor industry. With expected capital expenditures of trillions of dollars over the next few years, these initiatives will likely create new employment opportunities in the semiconductor and associated sectors.

How To Make Career In Semiconductor Industry

The industry is attracting growing demand for skilled semiconductor professionals, with a promising career outlook and potential for significant contributions to technological progress. On the other hand, the Indian semiconductor industry is currently facing a severe shortage of skilled manpower across the countrys semiconductor ecosystem. A person who is interested to make career in semiconductor needs bachelors degree in electrical and computer engineering, chemical engineering, physics, or in information technology.

Apart from degree skills like mathematics knowledge, data analysis and processing, technical understanding of technologies, problem solving approach, knowledge of programming languages along with statistics processes are necessary to develop for a candidate to dream to land in a semiconductor industry. To meet the need for competent professionals in the semiconductor industry, Indian technical institutes must step up to the plate by offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses in VLSI Design and Technology

Job Opportunities

Graduates can work in various roles such as design engineers, verification engineers, CAD engineers, and analog circuit designers, among others. Government PSUs such as SCL, ISRO, DRDO, HAL, and BEL are also recruiting VLSI engineers for various positions. As semiconductor chips continue to permeate every aspect of our daily lives, the future of VLSI engineers looks incredibly promising, with immense opportunities both in start-ups and semiconductor giants such as Intel, Micron Technologies, AMD, and NVIDIA, among others.

From autonomous driving to smart manufacturing, the potential applications for semiconductor chips are endless, making it an exciting time to be part of the industry. With Indias commitment to fostering growth and development in the sector, the country is well-positioned to play a leading role in shaping the future of technology and driving progress across multiple industries.

It can be beneficial for students if they collaborate with semiconductor companies and gain practical exposure to the industry, which can help them prepare for their future careers. Furthermore, technical institutes must prioritize research and development in the semiconductor field to contribute to the growth of the industry.

India has emerged as a key player in the global semiconductor industry, with over 20,000 professionals working in various aspects of chip design and verification. The countrys thriving semiconductor sector is driven by an average of 2,000 chips developed every year, placing India firmly on the map as a hub for research and development in this field. With the industry experiencing rapid growth and evolution, this has created a wide range of job opportunities in semiconductor and associated technology verticals, making it an exciting field for young graduates to consider.

Written by- Dr. Tanweer, Associate Professor, Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering, MIT Manipal
Charlottesville City Council will be holding a special meeting on Wednesday afternoon. And while council is staying mum about what that meeting will entail, its expected to be the scene where councilors will name the city's new city manager.

The recently announced press conference will take place at 2p.m. at CitySpace.

Councilors have expressed hope that a new city manager will last longer than his or her predecessors. Charlottesville has had six interim or full-time city managers since 2018. That does not include one candidate who accepted the position but pulled out before starting the job.

In June, Mayor Lloyd Snook told The Daily Progress that the search for a city manager had been narrowed down to three candidates.

Last week, the city announced that current interim City Manager Michael Rogers had withdrawn his name from consideration. Rogers had never formally announced his candidacy.

When asked at the time whether Rogers withdrawal meant the search was down to two applicants, Council Member Brian Pinkston only told The Daily Progress, Were down to other candidates.

Asked if any of the council members knew who the new city manager would be, Pinkston paused before answering, Yes.

In a statement, Rogers said that while he enjoyed his time in Charlottesville, personal priorities required he return to Washington, D.C.

Rogers is an employee of the Robert Bobb Group, a Washington consulting firm that the city retained in January 2022. The group served as an Administrator on the contract while Rogers was physically present as city manager, according to the statement.

Council Member Michael Payne previously told The Daily Progress that the city chose to hire the Robert Bobb Group and Rogers because the government was in a state of crisis.

Outsourcing to a consulting group, Payne said, was a solution to ensure we could continue basic operations.

Pinkston has said the council would name a new city manager in mid-July.

A city manager is crucial in Charlottesville, which has a council-manager form of government. While the council sets policies, it is the manager who is required to actually implement them.

When asked in June, Snook offered some small hints about the candidates the council was considering.

All come with extensive experience at or near the top of significant Virginia jurisdictions, he told The Daily Progress. They all have experience and come with great recommendations so I feel confident well get the type of person we need.

The Wednesday special meeting will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person.
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday rejected a petition filed by 154 students against the process of normalisation of marks adopted by the Maharashtra governments Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell for admission to MBA course 2023.

A division bench of Justices Gautam Patel and Neela Gokhale termed the plea as without substance, and said that out of more than one lakh students who appeared for the examination, only the petitioners have raised objections.

The 154 petitioners here do not represent the over one lakh students who appeared for the exams. It is also indeed telling that all the complaints made in the petition have been made only after the exams were held and the results were declared, the court said.

The court further said that it was refraining from imposing cost only because the petitioners are students.

The bench noted that the petitioners have sought for the CET to be conducted again.

No thought is spared to hundreds of thousands of others who gave the entrance exam. The petitioners do not represent all candidates, yet we are expected that all those persons suffer at the instance of present disgruntled persons without being given the slightest opportunity of being heard to the others, the court said.

The order was passed on a plea filed by the 154 students raising objections to the normalisation of marks process adopted by the CET cell after it conducted a re-test for some students.

The petitioners advocates S B Talekar and Madhavi Ayyappan had argued that the postgraduate management admission process in the state is vitiated due to lack of transparency and fairness in the manner of conducting.

As per the plea, the CET exams were held in four slots comprising 30,000 students each on March 25 and 26, this year.

However, students appearing for the exam in the first slot encountered some technical glitches and some were given additional time.

Following complaints, the CET cell held a re-examination, which was mandatory for students who got additional time and optional for those who felt they faced technical difficulties.

Advocate General Birendra Saraf, representing the state government, opposed the plea and submitted that the schedule for the test was declared in February and more than 1 lakh candidates were divided into four batches with separate exams to be conducted for them.

Of the total 11,562 students who appeared for the re-examination on May 6, more than 70 were the present petitioners. There was a separate percentile score for the batch concerned, and they were considered a separate pool, he said.

Talekar claimed that the normalisation process was flawed, as there had to be an equal number of students in every batch.

The bench in its order, however, noted that nothing was shown to indicate the normalisation process was unfair.

For security reasons, each slot is given a different question paper. Not all papers are on the same level of difficulty hence, it necessitates the normalisation process, the court said.

It noted that the courts in India usually avoid interfering in matters related to public exams and admission processes and respect the autonomy of the authorities.
The online registrations for Kerala PG courses for admission into Government Medical Colleges in the State and Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram is set to end by today. According to the schedule, the registration period for Kerala PG medical admission will conclude on July 12 at 4 PM. Candidates applying must visit the official website of the Commissioner of Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala at cee.kerala.gov.in, to register for admission to the PG medical programmes. To register, they must fill out the necessary details such as their NEET roll number, date of birth, NEET rank, and access code in the login box.

Allotment of seats from the rank list for all courses in Self Financing Medical colleges will be made in accordance with orders of the Honble Supreme Court of India/Honble High Court of Kerala or the orders of the Government of Kerala/Government of India or as per the law in existence at the time of the

Centralized Allotment Process (CAP), read the official notice.

Kerala PG Medical Admission 2023: How to register

Step 1: Go to cee.kerala.gov.in, the CEE Keralas official website.

Step 2: Select the link for Kerala PG Medical Admission 2023" that is present on the homepage.

Step 3: To register, enter all the necessary details, including your NEET roll number, date of birth, NEET rank, and access code and click on submit

Step 4: Fill out the mandatory data, including the application number, password, and access code, in the appropriate spaces to log in.

Step 5: Complete the application form meticulously and upload all necessary documents.

Step 6: Pay the specified fee to register for the Kerala PG Medical Admission 2023 and submit the form.

Step 7: Print a copy of the Kerala PG Medical Admission 2023 application form for future records.

Before completing the registration form, it is recommended that applicants thoroughly read the prospectus and all of the instructions.

Students must pass the five-step application process before being considered for postgraduate medical programmes in the state. The processes are as follows: registration, filling of the application form, payment of fees, uploading all required photos and documents, and lastly printing the acknowledgement letter.
A person died and around 30 schoolchildren were injured when their bus overturned in Rajasthans Jaisalmer district on Wednesday, police said.

The bus was ferrying the students to their school when the accident occurred near Pokhran town, they said.

The driver lost control of the vehicle and it overturned, Assistant Sub Inspector of Sankra police station (Jaisalmer) Kailash Chand said.

He said many of the injured students were rushed to a hospital in Jodhpur while some were admitted to a local medical facility.

Chand further said that the parents of some other children took them to private hospitals.

The ASI said the students were in the age group of 10-15 years. The bus driver was also injured in the accident, he added.

Jodhpur Collector Himanshu Gupta said 11 schoolchildren were brought to Jodhpur for treatment from Jaisalmer and all were stated to be out of danger, but a staffer, identified as Vikram Singh, succumbed to injuries.
Given the acrimonious relationship between Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and state president Vishnu Dutt Sharma, it was speculated that there could be a change of guard ahead of a crucial state election where the BJP is not on a strong footing.

However, in a late-night meeting  which was Shahs sole engagement in Bhopal on Tuesday  the Union home minister made it clear that neither the CM face nor the BJP chief would be changed.

Shahs decision to travel to Madhya Pradesh was sudden. Till Monday, even top leaders from the poll-bound state, including the chief minister, were not aware of his plans, News18 has learnt. Shah made it clear that he would travel to Bhopal for a few hours for a party engagement.

On Tuesday, the home minister reached Bhopal at around 8.30pm and held a closed-door meeting that lasted for two-and-a-half hours. He was accompanied by BJPs election prabhari of Madhya Pradesh, Bhupendra Yadav, and co-incharge Ashwini Vaishnaw.

As asked by him, Chouhan, state president Sharma, state home minister Narottam Mishra, Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia  who hails from the state Kailash Vijayvargiya, state prabhari Muralidhar Rao, and Narendra Tomar were key names present in the meeting.

Many of these leaders are considered different power centres of the Madhya Pradesh BJP. However, during the meeting, Shah had a few simple messages  The party has to fight aggressively as a single unit and their involvement in poll preparation will be reviewed by Shah himself on a daily basis.

A BJP leader, who was present in the meeting, told News18 on the condition of anonymity: Amit Bhai insinuated in clear terms that the CM face and state president stay and everyone has to abide by that.

Shah complained that those in leadership positions were speaking in different voices. This needs to stop right now, he is believed to have told the top echelons of the Madhya Pradesh unit. Shah was also learnt to be unhappy with the BJP not being very aggressive in its campaign.

He asked to start the preparation of Vijay Sankalp Abhiyan, a reaching-out initiative of the BJP that is taken in the run-up to elections. Shah has told the Madhya Pradesh unit to keep the contour of the programme ready and he will be back in the state on the 30th of this month to give his go-ahead.

Turning to VD Sharma, who has seemingly locked horns with Chouhan, Shah said it is the duty of the sangathan or the organisation to popularise the welfare schemes run by the state government under the leadership of Chouhan.

Those present in the meeting say Shah  through this meeting  made it apparent that Chouhan remains the CM face, which was expected. By asking Sharma to go ahead with the Vijay Sankalp Abhiyan, Shah has also signalled that Sharma isnt going anywhere either. Shah has specifically tasked Sharma and state general secretary (organisation) Hitanand  who too was present in the meeting  with running a full-scale pro-Shivraj government campaign.

It was also a moment of pride for Bhupendra Yadav whose work as election in-charge of Prime Ministers home state Gujarat last year won laurels from Shah. Shah asked those present to run campaigns in line with what Bhupendra Yadav did in Gujarat and yielded results. Now, Yadav is the election in-charge of Madhya Pradesh.

However, sources present in the meeting suggested that Shah was also careful not to hurt the ego of any of the leaders, many of whom have chief ministerial ambitions. Shah said he would oversee the campaign of the Madhya Pradesh election and not only monitor work on a daily basis but also try and make visits every 15-20 days. This means the entire state leadership will have to be on its toes.

Various surveys suggest a close contest between the BJP and the Congress in MP. Recently, Congress claimed that an RSS survey indicated the Grand Old Partys victory.
WB Panchayat Election Results 2023: The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal has emerged as a clear winner in the Panchayat polls, counting of which began at 8 am on Tuesday and is being continued today as well.

As per State Election Commissions (SEC) 8 AM update today, TMC has won in 34,359 gram panchayat seats and is leading in 752 seats. Its nearest rival BJP has won 9,545 seats and is leading in 180 seats. In all elections are being held for 63,229 gram panchayat seats. In all elections are being held for 63,229 gram panchayat seats. Meanwhile, three people have been killed in fresh violence.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has announced the ban" of a monk named Amogh Lila Das, following his controversial remarks about Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramahansa.

What Had Das Said?

Das criticized Swami Vivekananda for consuming fish, stating that a virtuous person should not harm any living being. He also made sarcastic comments about Ramakrishnas teaching of Jato Mat Tato Path," implying that not all paths lead to the same destination.

The remarks made by Das in a viral video clip on social media sparked a controversy, drawing strong reactions from various individuals. Kunal Ghosh, TMC state general secretary, expressed his disapproval on Twitter and urged ISKCON to take immediate action against the monk for insulting Ramakrishna and Vivekananda.

What Did ISKCON Say?

In response, ISKCON issued a statement distancing itself from Dass views, emphasizing that his remarks do not reflect the organizations values and teachings. ISKCON condemned any form of disrespect or intolerance toward other religious beliefs and practices, as per the organisations statement. The statement also highlighted Dass lack of awareness regarding the diversity of spiritual paths and personal choices.

Consequently, ISKCON has decided to ban Das for a period of one month as a result of his serious mistake. Das, said he had realised the gravity of his actions, and sought forgiveness for his comments. As a part of his atonement, Das said he had taken a vow to seclude himself from public life for one month and undertake a period of prayer and contemplation in the hills of Govardhan.

Who is Das?

As per a report by India Today, according to Dass video interviews on YouTube, he shares that he was born as Ashish Arora into a religious family in Lucknow. He embarked on his spiritual journey at a young age and, while in Class 12 in 2000, he left his home in search of God.

However, he later decided to return and pursue a degree in software engineering. After completing his graduation in 2004, he began working for a US-based multinational corporation, where he eventually held the position of project manager.

In 2010, at the age of 29, Amogh Lila Das made the decision to leave the corporate world and become a dedicated Hare Krishna Brahmachari, joining ISKCON. Prior to his ban from ISKCON, he served as the vice-president of the ISKCON temple in Dwarka, Delhi. He has garnered a following on social media platforms. However, there is limited written information available about him beyond his video interviews and his recent controversy leading to his ban from ISKCON.

ISKCONs Past Controversies

In recent years, ISKCON has been sued on charges of child abuse, sexual abuse, molestation, murder, drug trafficking, copyright breaches, financial fraud, and a lengthy number of other offences. The group suffered its greatest setback in 2001 when 44 adults claimed they had been mistreated as children at Hare Krishna boarding schools in India and overseas, with the worst examples being documented in Mayapur, Bengal, and Brindavan, Uttar Pradesh.

The lawsuit was settled out of court for $400 million. In order to pay the compensation sums to the abuse victims there, the majority of ISKCON centres in North America filed for bankruptcy in 2002.

With inputs from agencies
The two terror suspects from an Al-Qaeda affiliated group, arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) around last week, were planning a massive attack for which they were very much in touch with the Pakistani and Kashmiri handlers, sources have told News18.

The UP ATS has recovered a series of videos from the social media account of arrested Saddam Sheikh, 38, where he was being trained for a major attack. Most videos pointed that a mass attack was being planned where trucks would be used as a weapon.

UP ATS arrested Rizwan Khan, 23, and Sheikh from Lucknow on July 2. Both the suspects were the members of the terror outfit Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH), an al-Qaeda affiliated Islamist militant group.

Both Rizwan and Saddam, who seemed to be highly radicalised, were preparing themselves psychologically for the attack. Rizwan was in touch with his handlers in Pakistan and Kashmir while Saddam was being trained for the lone wolf attack in which he was planning to use his vehicle as a lethal weapon, said Naveen Arora, additional director general, ATS.

Arora said Saddam was inspired by the al-Qaeda module and used to watch a series of videos of the terror attacks where trucks were involved. Though their targets were still not clear. Arora said their social media accounts are being scanned in order to get maximum information and the interrogation is still on.

Sources with the UP ATS further said Rizwan was quite active on social media, especially on Facebook and Messenger, shared posts related to Kashmir freedom and its merger with Pakistan. A note, which read Jihad ki Rah Par Apni Baari Ka Intezaar, also found on him, sources added.

Besides, the officials said they also recovered a note in which Rizwan had expressed his willingness to go for a weapon training.

Mass attacks were witnessed in France and Germany in 2016. During the Bastille Day celebrations in Nice in France on July 14, 2016, a 19-tonne cargo truck was deliberately rushed into the crowd drenched in festivities, crushing 86 people to death and leaving 434 grievously injured. The driver was Mohammed Lahouaiej- Boughlel, a Tunisian living in France.

A few months later, on December 19, 2016, more or less a similar incident was witnessed in Germany when a truck was rammed into a crowded market in Berlin, leaving 12 dead. The perpetrator Anis Amri was killed in a shootout with the police in Milan, four days after.
Heavy rains have been battering northern India for the past few days and have claimed several lives in landslides and other weather-related disasters. As the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall in the northern and eastern parts including Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, as well as Meghalaya, and issued a red alert in Uttarakhand, drones are already being deployed to help people in some of the affected areas.

Tamil Nadu-based Garuda Aerospace told News18 that it is deploying its logistics and delivery drones in Assam as well as Himachal Pradesh and supporting the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace, further explained the current operations. The drones are being used to deliver food, water, and necessary medicines. Garuda drones are playing a major role in supporting NDRF rescue efforts and the supply of essential supplements, he said.

While talking about the current situation, he said that at the moment in Guwahati, Assam, the situation is under control, and Garuda Aerospace has deployed two drones with a team of four pilots each. These drones are being used for supplying medical and food supplements. However, as the situation is now stable, the drones are being sent back and forth as needed, said Jayaprakash.

The situation in Himachal Pradesh is grim and Garuda Aerospace has deployed two drones with teams of four pilots each. Jayaprakash said that similar operations will take place in this region. Before deploying the drones, it is necessary to assess the weather conditions to ensure safe operations. Once the weather conditions are suitable, the drones will be utilised for delivering essential supplies, he said.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 5G telecom services in October last year, experts stated that a 5G-enabled ecosystem for drones will open up new doors of opportunity, particularly in disaster management, rescue and relief operations.

Drones are versatile tools that can be used to help in a variety of ways during floods and heavy rains. They are relatively inexpensive to operate and can be deployed quickly and easily. As a result, drones are becoming increasingly popular as a tool for disaster response.

Apart from delivering supplies, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be used to survey flooded areas to assess the extent of damage and identify regions where people may be stranded. They can also be used to track the movement of floodwaters and identify areas that are at risk of flooding.

Drones can also be used to map flooded areas to create accurate records of the damage. This information can be used to help with recovery efforts and to plan for near-future floods. These can also provide communication links in areas where traditional communication networks have been disrupted by flooding and this could be used to help coordinate rescue efforts or to provide updates to the public.

The benefits of using drones during floods and heavy rains are many. First of all, drones can fly in low-visibility conditions, such as fog or heavy rain, making them ideal for use in situations where traditional aircraft cannot operate.

Similarly, drones can fly close to the ground, which allows them to get detailed footage of flooded areas. They can also be equipped with a variety of sensors, such as thermal cameras and LiDAR scanners which can be used to collect data that would be difficult or impossible to collect using other methods.
Twenty-seven-year-old Shabarish alias Felix, the main accused in the gruesome Bengaluru double murder, posted a status on WhatsApp  I hurt only bad peoples, I never hurt any good people".

The accused posted the message before killing the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Managing Director (MD) of internet broadband service provider Aeronics Media Pvt. Ltd. at Pampa Extension near Amruthahalli, a residential area in Bengaluru, on Tuesday evening.

Peoples always flatters and cheaters. So I hurt this planet peoples. I hurt only bad peoples. I never hurt any good people (sic)," Felix wrote before the murder.

Felix, along with Vinay Reddy (23) and Santosh alias Santhu (26), stormed into the office with daggers and attacked MD Phanindra Subramanya (36) in the presence of employees. As company CEO Vinu Kumar (40) rushed to his rescue, he too was assaulted with the sharp weapons, according to police.

After they fled the spot, the employees rushed the injured to the hospital where the victims succumbed to their injuries. Felix previously worked in the company and had a rivalry with Subramanya and Kumar.
Gangster Kuldeep Jaghina, who was accused Of killing BJP Leader Kripal Singh, has been shot in Rajasthans Bharatpur while he was in police custody.

The cops were taking Jaghina to Bharatpur court from jail when the incident took place. The miscreants threw chilli powder at the cops and took advantage of the situation by firing at Jaghina near Amoli Toll Plaza.

The hospital, where his body has been taken, has turned into a fortress with over 100 cops being deployed.

On September 4 last year, gangster Kuldeep Jaghina killed BJP leader Kripal Singh with the help of four others. Singh was shot around 11 pm when he was returning home in his car. At around 10.45 pm, his car was surrounded by more than a dozen bike-borne miscreants near Jaghina Gate.

Soon after, the attackers fired on him, killing him instantly.

Days later, police arrested gangster Kuldeep Jaghina and his accomplices from Kolhapur in Maharashtra in the Kripal Singh murder case.

Singh, a close aide of BJP MP from Bharatpur Ranjeeta Koli, sustained seven bullet injuries in the attack.

According to police, Singh was taken to state-run RBM Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead. Koli visited the hospital to inquire about Singhs health.
As the Yamuna river is flowing in Delhi at all-time record levels amid heavy rainfall, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah that a limited quantity of water should be released from Haryanas Hathnikund barrage so that the water level does not increase further.

In a letter to Shah, Kejriwal said the G20 summit is scheduled to be held in September in the national capital and underlined that the news of the flood in Delhi will not send a good message to the world.

Follow Monsoon Rain Latest Updates Here

Yamuna River in Delhi has touched 207.55 metres, breaching its all-time record of 207.49 metres, which it clocked in 1978, said government agencies on Wednesday.

Kejriwal said there have been no rains in Delhi last three days and pointed out that levels of Yamuna are rising due to abnormally high volumes of water being released by Haryana at Hathnikund barrage.

The Delhi CM said when the water level reached 207.49 metres in 1978, there was a flood and the situation became grave.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal writes to Union Home Minister Amit ShahLimited quantity of water should be released from Hathnikund, so that the water level of Yamuna does not increase further. G20 summit is to be held in Delhi so if flood happens in Delhi, it wont send a pic.twitter.com/iVbBUv8gTR  ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2023

Kejriwal said he got a call from Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who said that Hathnikund is just a barrage and there is no reservoir to store water and limit the water speed. The water volume being released from Himachal Pradesh has reduced and the situation will improve. But it will take time to reflect in the water level of the Yamuna," he said at a press conference.

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal called an emergency meeting of senior officers of all departments at the Delhi Secretariat.

People Being Evacuated From Low-lying Areas Near Yamuna

Thousands of people have been evacuated and shifted to safer places due to the rising level of the Yamuna river in the national capital.

An advisory has been issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority requesting people to move to safer places and cautioning them against passing through low-lying areas. As the flood situation persisted in the Yamuna river, people should stay away from power lines and reach out to the helpline 1077 in case of any need, it said.

Delhi Cabinet Minister Atishi visited relief camps to take stock of the flood situation and the preventive measures taken. She said the Delhi government is strengthening river embankments and evacuating people out of the floodplains. According to officials, Garhi Mandu village near the Signature Bridge in Wazirabad has been submerged. A majority of the people have been taken to safety and the rest are being rescued using boats, they said.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police imposed prohibitory measures under CrPC section 144, which prevents unlawful assembly of four or more persons and public movement in groups, in flood-prone areas of the city.

The roads near Yamuna Outer Ring Road (between Wazirabad Bridge and Vikas Marg) and Mahatma Gandhi Road (between Kalighat Mandir and Delhi Secretariat) will be regulated by traffic police.

Movement of commercial vehicles within Delhi will be contained primarily on Ring Road. Commercial vehicles moving from Rani Jhansi Road to ISBT will be diverted towards Vir Banda Bairagi Marg and New Rohtak Road.

Traffic AdvisoryIn view of incessant rainfall in Delhi & surrounding areas, traffic movement is expected to be affected due to rise in water level of Yamuna river. Kindly follow the advisory and suggested routes to avoid any inconvenience.#DPTrafficAdvisory pic.twitter.com/x1JVqxTNEZ Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) July 12, 2023

In case of flooding in the vicinity of ISBT Kashmiri Gate, buses coming from the Ghaziabad side will be terminated near Seelampur Metro Station. Other vehicular traffic coming from the Ghaziabad side will be diverted to Pushta Road.

Traffic coming from Wazirabad Bridge to Majnu Ka Tila will be diverted towards Mukarba Chowk while traffic coming from Boulevard Road to ISBT will be diverted towards Shamnath Marg and Mahatma Gandhi Marg.
As the water level of River Yamuna breached the mark of the 208-meter on Wednesday at 10 pm, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal chaired an emergency meeting with cabinet ministers and requested people residing in the flood-prone areas to move to a safer place as their lives are most important".

Addressing the media after the meeting, he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI, The water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi has reached 207.71 metres, which is the highest ever. Delhi has not received rainfall in the last 2-3 days. Water is entering Delhi from Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. Regarding this, I have also written a letter to Union HM Amit Shah requesting him to reduce the flow of water entering Delhi, only then we can stop the Yamuna River from overflowing. I request everyone to vacate their homes in the low-lying areas. There are several places affected by the rise in the level of water in Yamuna River."

Delhi  Yamuna      CM @ArvindKejriwal    Press Conference  LIVE https://t.co/cwPjXWwhca AAP (@AamAadmiParty) July 12, 2023

Relief Camps for relocation

He also assured that the Delhi government has made all the arrangements in the relief camps, including food, toilets and other basic amenities.

Kejriwal, who is also AAP national convener, also said that camps have been set up in six districts and The Delhi Govt has made concrete arrangements for relief and evacuation. Many relief camps have been made, all the DMs have also been told that if needed, nearby schools and dharamshalas should be acquired."

He lauded the help that the officials were receiving from the NGOs, and gurudwaras who were providing langar to the needy.

The AAP supremo also said that they were in constant contact with the BJP-led central government.

Yamuna water level Rises

Informing about the status of the Yamuna river, Kejriwal said, He got a call from Gajendra Shekhawat ji, told that there is no reservoir, so water cannot be stopped, but water is getting less from Himachal-then the situation will be better."

The water released yesterday will reach after 24 hours, will increase the level of Yamuna. It will take time to reduce the level," he added.

The Yamuna in Delhi swelled to 207.55 metres on Wednesday, breaching its all-time record of 207.49 metres set in 1978, government agencies said. At 11 pm on Wednesday, the water level reached the mark of 208.08 metres.

According to the Central Water Commissions (CWC) flood monitoring portal, the water level at the Old Railway Bridge crossed the 207-metre mark at 4 am, the first time since 2013, and rose to 207.55 metres by 1 pm.

The river is likely to rise further, an official of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department said.

Delhi Traffic Movement Disrupted

Till now, thousands of people have been shifted to safer areas as water gushed into their homes and markets near the river. Videos of submerged streets and markets showed the situation on ground.

In view of this situation, the Delhi Police imposed prohibitory measures under CrPC section 144 in flood-prone areas of the city. This essentially prevents unlawful assembly of four or more people and public movement in groups.

In another development, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority issued an advisory asking people to move to safer places and cautioning them against passing through low-lying areas.

The Delhi Traffic Police on Wednesday issued an advisory and said that incessant rainfall in Delhi and surrounding areas has resulted in a rise in the water level of the Yamuna. Furthermore, the release of water from Hathni Kund Barrage has heightened the risk of flood-like conditions in low-lying areas in the vicinity of the river.

Waterlogging on parts of the busy Ring Road, including on the stretch between Majnu ka Tila and Wazirabad, led to traffic congestion, Public Works Department (PWD) officials said.

Commuters are advised to postpone travel plans to low-lying areas and in case of unavoidable journey, the mentioned roads should be excluded from travel plans, they said.

Kejriwal Sends SOS to Centre

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal also urged the Centre to intervene to ensure that levels of the Yamuna dont rise further.

In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he requested that if possible the water from Hathnikund barrage in Haryana be released in limited speed" and pointed out that Delhi is set to host the G-20 Summit meeting in a few weeks.

The news of flood in the capital of the country will not send a good message to the world. Together we will have to save the people of Delhi from this situation," Kejriwal wrote in the letter.

Northwest India saw incessant rainfall over the weekend with many areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan recording heavy to extremely heavy" rains.

Those in Relief Camps Unhappy with Govt Arrangements

Forced to leave their homes to escape the flooding caused by the swollen Yamuna river, there is anger among those staying in relief camps set up by the Delhi government. While some criticised the government for failing to learn a lesson despite the Yamuna inundating peoples homes every year, others claimed no rescue teams showed up to evacuate them.

We lost our home. We are left with nothing. We have lost all our valuables and belongings. There was no one to evacuate us. We came here on our own," claimed Rubi Devi, who is staying in a relief camp in east Delhis Mayur Vihar, on Wednesday.

Our children are suffering more than us. Their schools have been shut," she said.

Rubi is among the many who lost the roof over their heads following days of heavy rains in Delhi and the upper catchment areas of the Yamuna.

Many of those staying in the Mayur Vihar relief camp complained about the lack of basic facilities.

We are facing so many problems here. We have lost everything. What will we do now? Its poor people like us who are suffering and not the politicians. The government makes false promises but does nothing on the ground," complained another woman staying in the camp.

We came here by ourselves after wading through neck-deep water. Our houses were flooded. Where will we go now? The tents allotted to us are such that if it rains, we will be rendered homeless again," she alleged.

Radhe Krishan, who was waiting in a queue to get food, claimed, A local gurdwara is serving food here. What is the government doing for us? A flood alert was sounded last year as well but the government hardly did anything. The situation remains the same." What is the Kejriwal government doing? They come to us to seek votes but dont have time for us when we are in trouble," he said.

At the relief camp near the Rajghat bus depot, Kishan, a farmer, said he loses his crops every year to the floods.

Asked why he hasnt shifted somewhere else, he said he does not have the capacity to do so himself but will definitely move if the government helps him.

Delhi minister Atishi visited the relief camps to take stock of the flood situation and said the Delhi government is strengthening river embankments and evacuating people from the floodplains.

(with inputs from PTI)
Although the evacuation efforts and road opening work have gained pace, thousands of tourists are still stuck at various places in rain-battered Himachal Pradesh, according to reports.

With over 850 roads still blocked, a large number of tourists have extended their stay in accommodations where they are residing or waiting for the situation to get better.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday called the evacuation of stranded tourists from Chandertal in Lahaul and Spiti a challenging task". We have sent a minister and Chief Parliament Secretary Sanjay Avasthi to Chandertal to take stock of the situation," he said after taking an aerial survey of Losar and Chandertal areas. He said state minister Jagat Singh Negi from Tribal Kinnaur district, who is acquainted with the harsh topography and tribal calamities, along with Avasthi will assist the rescue efforts in Chandertal.

They would reach Chandertal by Wednesday night, Sukhu added.

About 300 people, mostly tourists, were stranded in Chandertal since Saturday and seven sick people, including two elders and a girl, were airlifted from Chandertal to Bhunter on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, road rescue teams are clearing the snow enroute Chandertal. Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kaza, Rahul Jain, who is leading the rescue party, said the road near Kunzum pass is covered under three to four feet of snow and the road restoration operation is going on in full swing.

Over 2,000 stranded individuals in Kasol have been successfully evacuated as of now. Our teams are working tirelessly to clear the Dunkhara landslide on the Kasol-Bhuntar road. District administration is on-site coordinating relief efforts. 2200+ vehicles have safely passed through Kullu, receiving food support at Ramshilla Chowk. I personally oversee the situation and remain committed to overcoming these challenges. Stay strong, Himachal Pradesh!," the chief minister tweeted earlier in the day.

The tourist vehicles that were stranded in Lahaul were also evacuated at night. Over 300 tourist vehicles left for their respective destinations," he said in another tweet.

The Kullu Manali road was opened Tuesday evening and about 2,200 vehicles crossed Kullu. There was no mobile signal in several areas in Manali and its suburbs for the past two days and the tourists were unable to contact their families, officials said.

ASP (Kullu) Ashish Sharma said a check post has been installed where the police are collecting details of the (stranded) people and sharing them on our Facebook page. Relief materials are also being provided to them, and food and drinking water is being made available at Ramshilla Chowk, he said.

A large number of tourists are stuck in various parts of Kullu and Lahaul following landslides and flash floods leading to blocking of roads. They were being lodged in hotels, rest houses, home stays and other holiday destinations.

Several hotels and tourism units offered free stay and food to the stranded tourists, and shared the addresses and contact numbers of their hotels on social networking sites.

The holiday, however, came as a nightmare for most of the tourists.

We had limited cash, the mobile connectivity and electricity was snapped, ATMs were not working and hoteliers were adamant on payment. We told them that our relatives would pay online, but they said it cannot be done as there is no mobile connectivity, said a tourist from Baroda.

A total of 873 roads are still blocked for vehicular traffic and 1,956 transformers and 1,369 water supply schemes are disrupted in the state as per the state emergency response centre. As many as 80 people have died in rain-related incidents and road accidents since the onset of monsoon on June 24.

According to officials, bus services are suspended on 1,193 Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation (HRTC) routes and 316 buses are held enroute.

Light to heavy rains lashed few parts of the state on Wednesday with Dhaula Kuan recording 144.5 mm rainfall, Renuka 87 mm, Reckongpeo 42 mm, Kotkhai 30 mm, Hamirpur 16.5, Shimla 13.5, Dharamshala 13 mm and Kalpa 10 mm rainfall. The local MeT office has issued a yellow warning of heavy rain, thunderstorm and lightning on July 15 and 16 in the state and predicted a wet spell till July 18.

The chief Minister on Tuesday said all stranded tourists would be evacuated by Wednesday and claimed that the state suffered an estimated loss of Rs 4,000 crore.
As the intensity of rains reduced in North India, the focus shifted on rescue and relief operations to deal with the damage that monsoon continues to shower on the residents. Thousands were evacuated in Delhi, where a red alert was sounded after the Yamuna river breached the 208-meter mark on Wednesday night, much earlier than anticipated.

In Himachal, 88 people have lost their lives, 16 are missing and 100 have been injured till date due to the rains. At least 492 animals have also died across the state.

At least have 10 people lost their lives in Haryana till now, as Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 Lakh to the kin of the deceased. Another 11 people were killed in neighbouring Punjab, where rescue operations gained pace due to a pause in rain showers.

For the next two days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued a red" alert for Bihar, and an orange" alert for Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand.

Here are the latest monsoon updates

Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh, one of the worst affected states by rains, saw several evacuation operations as people continued to remain stranded in areas blocked by landslides.

The weather office has issued a yellow warning for heavy rain, thunderstorm and lightning on July 15 and 16.

A helicopter of the Indian Air Force has been stationed to airlift tourists stranded at Chandertal in Lahaul and Spiti districts. Around 300 tourits continue to remain stuck in camps at Chandertal.

As many 1,239 roads, including the Shimla-Kalka and Manali-Chandigarh national highways, are blocked due to heavy downpour.

However, a pause in incessant rainfall is helping increasing the efficiency of rescue operations.

Light to heavy rains lashed parts of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday with Dhaula Kuan recording 144.5 mm of rainfall, Renuka 87 mm, Reckongpeo 42 mm, Kotkhai 30 mm, Hamirpur 16.5, Shimla 13.5, Dharamshala 13 mm and Kalpa 10 mm.

Delhi

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday chaired an emergency meeting with cabinet ministers and requested people residing in the flood-prone areas to move to a safer place as the lives are most important".

He also assured that the Delhi government has made all the arrangements in the relief camps, including food, toilets and other basic amenities.

In view of this situation, the Delhi Police imposed prohibitory measures under CrPC section 144 in flood-prone areas of the city. This essentially prevents unlawful assembly of four or more people and public movement in groups."

Punjab, Haryana

With six more deaths reported in Haryana and Punjab on Wednesday, the total death toll due to rain-related incidents rose to 21  11 in Punjab, 10 in Haryana.

This comes as heavy rains left life out of gear in the two states.

About 14,000 people have been shifted to safer places from waterlogged localities in Punjabs Patiala, Rupnagar, Moga, Ludhiana, Mohali, SBS Nagar, Tarn Taran, Jalandhar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts over the last three days, authorities said.

Till now over 1,000 villages of Punjab have been affected, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann closely monitoring the situation.

Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday once again requested to people to avoid unnecessary travel in view of incessant rains in the state. The state government also released a helpline for those stranded in the disaster.

Our government has issued disaster relief numbers to help the people of Uttarakhand who are stranded in different places of the state and in Himachal Pradesh," Dhami said in a tweet.

Meanwhile, three people died after their car fell into the swollen Khoh river at Kotdwar in Uttarakhands Pauri district, police informed on Wednesday.

Uttar Pradesh

At least 12 people lost their lives due to heavy rains in the state in last 24 hours, Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner said on Wednesday.

With agency inputs
A woman allegedly killed her eight-year-old son for having seen her with a neighbour she was in an illegitimate physical relationship with, police said on Wednesday.

Four persons including the woman and her partner have been arrested for the childs murder, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Noida) Anil Kumar Yadav said.

The woman has been identified as Bhuri (45) and her partner as Ompal Singh (53) who works as a keyman in the Railways and lived in Greater Noida. The child was first poisoned by the mother and later dumped in a water body in Sambhal district, police said.

The police said they have also arrested Manak  Bhuris brother-in-law and the childs uncle  who helped them in dumping the body. The father-in-law of the childs step-sister Amar Singh was also arrested for his involvement in hiding the boys body.

The childs father Kalyan, unaware of his wifes illicit relationship, had lodged a missing persons complaint after the boys disappearance on July 2, police said. The FIR was lodged three days later on July 5 at the local Badalpur Police Station, they said.

On July 7, the body of the child was found in Sambhal district, and the post-mortem report showed drowning as the cause of his death, DCP Yadav said. The boys father informed the police that Sambhal was his native place, the officer said.

During the probe it came to light that the boys mother Bhuri, the main accused in this case, had an illegitimate relationship with Ompal Singh. On the night of June 28, the child had seen Bhuri and Ompal together, Yadav said.

The mother and her partner decided to eliminate the child, fearing he would reveal their relationship to others which would result in shame for them among their families and community, the officer said.

The child had gone missing on July 2 and the family lodged a missing persons complaint only on July 5. Bhuri knew his whereabouts. She knew the boy had gone to the house of his married sister, from Kalyans first marriage, he said.

On July 6, she went to the daughters home, took the boy with her and gave him sulphas poison, he added.

Amar Singh, who did not want to get into any legal trouble due to the childs attempted murder in his house, contacted Manak to get rid of the boy, Brahmpal Singh, in-charge of Badalpur Police Station told PTI.

Manak, the uncle of the boy, agreed to help as he was also involved in an illegitimate relationship with Bhuri in the past, the police officer added.

Amar Singh and Manak took the child to Sambhal and dumped him in a water body, where he died, DCP Yadav said.

All four accused admitted to hatching the conspiracy on being questioned, police said, adding that Ompal and Bhuri are the primary planners.

The FIR was first lodged under IPC Section 363 (missing person) and later sections 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 34 (Act done by several people with common intention) and 506 (criminal intimidation) were added to the case, police said.

The accused were produced in a local court on Wednesday from where they were sent to judicial custody, police added.
Hello, readers! In todays afternoon digest, News18 brings to you the latest updates on the West Bengal panchayat election results, Modis France visit, Rohit Sharmas response on West Indies tour and other top stories.

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Fast Bowlers Ki Line Nahi Lagi Hui Hai: Rohit Sharmas Sharp Retort to Query on Absence of Senior Pacers for West Indies Tour

Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma.

The famous fast bowling quartet isnt part of Indias tour of West Indies for various reasons. Bumrah is recovering from a surgery, Shami has been rested, Umesh is injured while Ishant has fallen down the pecking order with the emergence of Mohammed Siraj. READ MORE
The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it was clear that it is not at the sweet-will of the Government that the extensions can be granted to the incumbents in the office of the Director of CBI/Director of Enforcement." It is only on the basis of the recommendations of the Committees which are constituted to recommend their appointment and that too when it is found in public interest and when the reasons are recorded in writing, such an extension can be granted by the Government," further opined a bench of Justices BR Gavai, Vikram Nath and Sanjay Karol.

These observations were made by the three-judge bench while holding the amendments made to the Central Vigilance Commission Act and the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act for extending the tenure of the CBI and ED chiefs for a maximum period of 5 years including a 2-year fixed term that may be extended in public interest by a 3-year term are not manifestly arbitrary.

The court further rejected the argument that a piecemeal extension of tenure of one year each subject to a maximum cumulative tenure of five years undermines the independence and integrity of the office. The argument that the impugned amendments would also result in stagnation and inefficiency of service/administration and cause frustration amongst other eligible officers in the cadre was also rejected by the SC.

In addition, the bench opined that as the legislature is not competent to take away a mandamus issued by the court, the Centre had no right to not abide by its directions issued in September 2021, in Common Cause (A Registered Society) v. Union of India and others, wherein it had expressly barred any further extension of the then ED director SK Mishras tenure.

In this regard, the bench opined that retrospective amendment should be reasonable and not arbitrary and must not be violative of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

The court held that a defect pointed out should be cured such that the basis of the judgement pointing out the defect is removed. But the nullification of mandamus by an enactment would be impermissible legislative exercise and transgression of constitutional limitations, and intrusion into the judicial power by the legislature is violative of the principle of separation of powers, the rule of law and of Article 14 of the Constitution of India, the bench added.

Holding the extension to be invalid, the bench has ordered that Mishras tenure would end on July 31.

It may be noted that eight were petitions filed by several petitioners including Congress leader Dr Jaya Thakur, Saket Gokhale, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala, Krishan Chander Singh, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, Vineet Narain, and Advocate Manohar Lal Sharma against the said amendments to the CVC Act and DPSE Act.

In November 2021, the Centre brought in ordinances to extend the tenures of the chiefs of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for up to 5 years.

The government amended the Fundamental Rules, 1922, to bring them in consonance with the Central Vigilance Commission Act and the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.

Later, on August 2, 2022, the Supreme Court issued notice on a batch of petitions challenging the central governments order extending the tenure of Enforcement Directorate director Sanjay Kumar Mishra.
The upcoming monsoon session of Parliament is expected to be a stormy affair with the opposition demanding a response from the Prime Minister on the violence in Manipur. Among other issues that opposition parties may raise are the situation of the Indian wrestlers in the Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh sexual harassment case, price rise, etc. However, the government has listed 32 bills for passage in the session.

As per details accessed by News18, a prominent legislation that the government is keen to pass was recently approved by the Narendra Modi cabinetthe Digital Personal Data Protection Billand it is likely to be brought in for passage on priority. This bill, if cleared by Parliament, would replace the current Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, which was notified in 2011.

The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, is also listed for passage in the upcoming session. This bill has been a bone of contention between the Centre and the Delhi government with the latter seeking support from various opposition parties, including the Congress and DMK amongst others.

There is a lot of speculation in political circles about the government bringing in the contentious Uniform Civil Code Bill in the upcoming session. However, sources in the government are completely tight-lipped about this.

Here is a list of the 32 bills to be brought for passage in the monsoon session:

The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2022 presented by the Ministry of Law and Justice

The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021 as reported by Joint Committee

The Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022 as reported by Joint Committee

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2022 as reported by Joint Committee. This was passed by the union in its meeting on Wednesday

The Mediation Bill, 2021, as reported by the Standing Committee. (introduced in Rajya Sabha)

The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023(Report of Joint Committee likely to be presented on 20.07.2023)

The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Bill, 2022 as passed by Lok Sabha (with respect to State of Himachal Pradesh)

The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022 as passed by Lok Sabha (with respect to State of Chhattisgarh)

The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019 for which Notice for withdrawal has been received

The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019

The National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023

The National Dental Commission Bill, 2023

The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023

The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 promulgated on 19th May, 2023

The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023

The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (Proof received)

The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023

The Constitution (Schedule Castes) Order Amendment Bill, 2023 (with respect to State of Chhattisgarh)

The Advocates (Amendments) Bill, 2023

The National Research Foundation Bill, 2023

The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023

The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023

The Provisional Collection of Taxes Bill, 2023

The Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill, 2023

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023

The Postal Services Bill, 2023

The National Cooperative University Bill, 2023

The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2023

Repeal of the International Monetary Fund and Bank Act, 1945

The International Monetary Fund and Bank Bill, 2023

The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023

The Railway (Amendment) Bill, 202

To iron out differences between the government and the opposition, parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi has called for a meeting of all opposition party leaders in Parliament on July 19.

The monsoon session of Parliament will be held between July 20 and August 10 with a total of 17 sittings.
When ISROs powerful rocket GSLV lifts off from Sriharikota at 2.35pm this Friday, it will carry aboard Indias long-held space dream. Over 50 years after the US astronauts first set their foot upon the lunar soil, Indias robotic spacecraft will set out to achieve its first-ever landing on the moon.

Going where its predecessor went in 2019, Chandrayaan-3 will target a relatively unexplored site near the south pole of the moon  a perpetually dark region of soaring mountains and deep craters. It is here that scientists hope to find water-ice locked in its perennial cold sub-surface.

It is predicted that there could be water locked in the form of sub-surface ice here. These are theories. Nobody has gone there to dig it yet. So, we will do the elemental analysis and try to find out if there is presence of more concentration of water, ISRO chief S Somanath had earlier told News18.

Water is a critical resource for any deep-space mission. More so, when countries are racing to establish a permanent human presence on the moon over the next decade. In 2008, Chandrayaan-1 gave evidence of water on the sun-lit surface of the moon. But scientists are still trying to find out how much water and in what form it is actually trapped.

SEARCH FOR CRITICAL RESOURCES

Post a successful landing, the lander and rover will begin a series of experiments to fathom what has intrigued scientists for years  the lunar atmosphere and its complex regolith (soil) which traps critical elements like Magnesium, Aluminum, Potassium, Iron and Silica. With no air or wind, the moon has preserved its fascinating history for billions of years which scientists are keen to explore.

Its thin and weak atmosphere, unlike that of Earth, consists of unusual gases which get ionized and change with day and night. The mission will try to gather more data on its unique composition especially near the relatively cooler south pole  that countries like the US and China have their eyes on.

The lander will also insert a probe about 10cm into the uneven lunar soil (regolith) to investigate what its actually made of. It will go deeper and pass an electric current to measure the surfaces thermal and electrical properties. It will also drop an instrument on the surface to unravel the earthquake tendencies on the moon through the vibrations it will produce.

Powered by sunlight, the 28kg rover coming out of the lander will move across the surface studying the lunar soil and rocks around the landing site. It will use lasers to break down the chemical structure  melting it and creating emissions  to study its unique compositions. The findings could pave the way for future mining of lunar resources and key life-sustaining element for astronauts and fuel for their spacecraft.

LUNAR ECONOMY

A successful landing will certainly bring India into the elite club of space-faring nations. But for India to claim its share in the upcoming lunar economy, it will have to offer more in terms of its deep-space capabilities as the world is racing to the moon.

The three space powers to have successfully landed on the moon  the US, China and the Soviet Union  are now eyeing a permanent presence on the moon. The plan is to build a lunar base which will double up as a space gateway for astronauts to explore Mars  the next big destination.

NASA will take its astronauts back to the moon in 2025 under its Artemis Program, while Russia and China joined hands to set up the International Lunar Research Station and take crewed missions. Chinas Change-5 completed its journey to the moon and returned to Earth in 24 days with rock samples which are now being studied. European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan are next in line. The UAE and Israel failed in their moon landing attempt.

A successful Chandrayaan-3 will give impetus to Indias deep space missions in future. With demonstrated skill and ability to land on the moon, it can plan its future missions with astronauts. The ISRO chairman has already indicated the space agencys plans of collaborating with Japan for its first moon landing. While Japan will develop the lander, ISRO will work on the scientific objectives of the mission.
Soon, tipplers can have their favourite drink in cartons instead of bottles in Tamil Nadu. This follows an announcement made by state prohibition and excise minister S Muthusamy that the government is mulling bringing liquor in tetra packs but only after taking the opinion of all political parties.

Many a times, liquor bottles are thrown in farmlands, roads, and outside garbage bins. We can avoid all this if we bring liquor in tetra packs. We will consider the opinion of all political parties and have also sought the opinion of 18 trade unions, said Muthusamy.

Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) officials said the 90-ml tetra packs will be priced between Rs 60 and Rs 70 per unit. It will be more affordable for people belonging to lower-income groups and help them stay away from cheap, illicit liquor, said a senior Tasmac official. Tasmac is the sole liquor seller in Tamil Nadu and is owned by the state government.

Discussions are underway with manufacturers to produce and package liquor in tetra packs. A detailed project report has been submitted to the state government in this regard, said the official. He said within 4-5 months, Tasmac is planning to launch popular liquor brands in tetra packs.

The first opposition to selling liquor in tetra packs came from the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) which said party cadres would campaign against the move.

PMK state president Anbumani Ramadoss said he did not expect an experienced minister like Muthusamy to introduce such a scheme in the state that would adversely affect students and youngsters by increasing the sale of liquor.

The former Union minister said Tamil Nadu had to roll back the sale of cheap 100ml packs when it was introduced in 1989 and 2002. He added that minors may mistake the sachets with milk and other beverage packets that are similarly packed. The PMK leader said shutting down liquor shops was the only solution to curb the problem in the state.
The soaring cost of tomatoes has positioned it as a luxury item in the country, with prices reaching Rs 180 per kilogram in many regions.

In Tamil Nadus Madurai, a travel agency has come up with a unique promotional scheme. As tomatoes consistently make headlines for their exorbitant cost, the agency offers a kilogram of the prized fruit for free to each customer for booking flight tickets.

People who are booking international plans are even more fortunate, receiving one and a half kilograms of tomatoes.

The agency owner explained, Many customers used this offer and booked tickets and the offer was valid for only two days (11-12th July). We attracted many customers with this offer. They also got tomatoes free of cost and we are happy to give them away as it helps a lot in our business."

Meanwhile, the AIADMK political party in Tamil Nadu has leveraged the tomatos luxury status for celebration and protest. Following the Election Commissions approval of E Palanisamy as the partys General Secretary, party cadres celebrated by distributing free tomatoes to women.

A party member elaborated, We wanted to celebrate ECs nod on accepting our leader as the General Secretary of the AIADMK and hence we thought of distributing tomatoes as its very costly now and poor people are finding it difficult to buy this luxury veggie that was once a humble vegetable. We bought 100 kilograms of tomatoes at Rs 130/kilogram and we distributed it for free to the women."

In Chennai, AIADMK cadres protested the price hike of vegetables. In a mix of critique and compassion, they sang songs on the governments handling of the situation and distributed 1001 aid bags containing tomatoes, dal, and eggs to the underprivileged.

The sight of long queues for this aid underscores the gravity of the situation and the unusual role the once-humble tomato now plays in Indias socio-economic landscape.
BHANU JAYANTI 2023: Every year, people of Nepal, Sikkim, Darjeeling, and other countries with a Nepali-speaking population, such as Myanmar, Bhutan, and others, commemorate Bhanu Jayanti. Community around the world celebrates this momentous day with great pomp and zeal. The occasion marks the birth anniversary of the great poet Bhanubhakta Acharya. Typically, it is observed on July 13 annually, which is also the 29th day of the Nepali month of Ashadh.

Why is July 13 a bank holiday in Sikkim?

Bhanubhakta Acharya was a Nepalese poet, and he retains a unique place in the lives of the Sikkimese people, in part because it is a primary language in the Sikkim-Darjeeling region.

The poet has been given the title Adhikavi or First Poet in Sikkim. Bhanubhakta is credited with translating the Ramayana into basic Nepalese, and his birthday is commemorated with poetry recitation competitions and literary conferences. The pioneering poets birth anniversary used to be celebrated for a week with a meeting of Nepali literature enthusiasts from around the world. Therefore, banks and most public organizations in Sikkim are closed on this day in honour of the poet.

Bhanu Jayanti 2023: History

In 1871, Bhanubhakta was born into an affluent Brahmin family in Chundiramgha, Tanahu, Nepal. His grandfather, Shri Krishna Acharya, was a well-known figure in his day. His grandfather provided him with a good education with a strong religious bent.

When Bhanubhakta was 22 years old, he was reportedly so impressed by an incident involving a grass cutter that he decided to become a poet. One day, he met a grass cutter, and during their talk, he discovered that the grass cutter wished to contribute to society so that he, too, would be remembered after death.

After hearing the response, Bhanubhakta felt ashamed of himself. It not only stimulated Bhanubhaktas literary genius but it also encouraged him to do something noble.

Bhanu Jayanti Significance and How to Celebrate?

Previously, Nepali was only available in oral form. Bhanubhakta Acharya is regarded as the first poet to write in Nepali and a champion of the language in the world. Therefore, it is regarded highly by the community and literary folk.

On this day, authors, poets, and fans of Nepali literature come together to remember the magnificent works of Adikavi Bhanubhakta Acharya. The Nepali community gathers in auditoriums and halls around towns and cities to celebrate with a garland ceremony. People take a pledge to advance the language, enrich it with new forms of written, oral, and visual arts, and continue to preserve their culture and language.
INTERNATIONAL MALALA DAY 2023: Malala Day, observed annually on July 12th, is a global celebration honouring the remarkable courage and unwavering dedication of Malala Yousafzai. She is a Pakistani education activist and Nobel laureate. Malalas advocacy for girls education and her unwavering stance against the oppressive rule of the Taliban have earned her international acclaim.

Undeterred by this injustice, Malala fearlessly stood up for the right to education, risking her life to attend school and inspiring countless others to do the same. Malala Day serves as a reminder of her extraordinary advocacy and the ongoing pursuit of quality education for all.

THE ATTACK

Sadly, Malalas boldness made her a target of the Taliban. In October 2012, at the tender age of 15, she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman while on her way to school. Despite the trauma she faced, Malalas spirit remained unbroken.She miraculously survived and continued her fight for education, becoming an even stronger voice for childrens rights.

10 FACTS ABOUT MALALA YOUSAFZAI

Malala Yousafzai, born on July 12, 1997, is a Pakistani activist and the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 at the age of 17 for her advocacy of girls education. Malalas activism began when she was just 11 years old, writing a blog for the BBC Urdu service under a pseudonym to document her life under the Taliban occupation in the Swat Valley of Pakistan. She spoke out against the ban on girls education imposed by the Taliban and called for the right to education for all. In October 2012, Malala was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman while returning home from school. The attack received worldwide attention, and Malala was flown to the United Kingdom for medical treatment. She made a remarkable recovery and continued her activism with even greater determination. Despite the assassination attempt, Malala remained resilient and continued to advocate for girls education globally. She co-authored the memoir I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban," which was published in 2013 and became an international bestseller. Malala founded the Malala Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for girls education and empowering young girls to achieve their potential. The organization works in regions around the world, including Pakistan, Nigeria, Jordan, and Kenya, to support girls education initiatives. In 2013, Malala delivered a speech at the United Nations headquarters on her 16th birthday, which further amplified her message and made her a global symbol of the fight for education and gender equality. The UN declared July 12 as Malala Day" to honor her dedication to education. Malala has received numerous awards and honors for her activism. Apart from the Nobel Peace Prize, she has been recognized with the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, the Harvard Foundations Peter J. Gomes Humanitarian Award, and honorary Canadian citizenship, among others. Continuing her education, Malala enrolled at the University of Oxford in 2017, where she studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE). She graduated in June 2020 with a bachelors degree. In recent years, Malala has expanded her focus beyond education to advocate for refugees, particularly those displaced by the Syrian civil war. She has visited refugee camps and called for greater support and opportunities for refugee children. Malalas story has inspired millions around the world, and she has become a prominent voice for young peoples rights and education globally. She continues to speak at conferences, engage in activism, and use her platform to raise awareness about the importance of education and gender equality.

How to Celebrate Malala Day

Learn about Malalas inspiring journey

Discover more about Malalas life, her struggles, and her advocacy work. Read her memoir, I Am Malala," or watch her speeches and interviews to understand her profound impact on the world. Support education initiatives

Donate to organisations like the Malala Fund or other education-focused charities that work towards providing quality education to children in marginalised communities. Share Malalas message

Use social media platforms to spread Malalas message of education and equality. Share her quotes, stories, and insights, inspiring others to join the cause. Engage in local community projects

Get involved in educational initiatives within your own community. Volunteer at schools, libraries, or organisations that promote access to education for underprivileged children.

Her remarkable journey has shown us the importance of standing up for what we believe in and fighting for every childs right to education. On this day, let us reflect on her incredible impact and continue working towards a world where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, refused to hear an urgent plea against an order by the Allahabad High Court which summoned the makers of Prabhas starrer Adipurush to appear before it on July 27. The apex court will now hear the case on Thursday, July 13.

The Allahabad high court had earlier ordered Adipurush director Om Raut, producer Bhushan Kumar, and dialogue writer Manoj Muntashir to appear before it on July 27. The court had also asked the central government to form a five-member committee to look at the controversies surrounding the movie.

Allahabad High Court also slammed the makers of Adipurush and the censor board. What is it that the censor board keeps doing? What do you want to teach the future generations? the court asked in June this year. It was hearing a plea that stated that the characters of Ravana and Lord Hanuman in the Om Raut directorial were completely divorced from the Indian civilisation. The plea also objected to the films dialogues and called them ridiculous, low standard and cheap.

Starring Prabhas, Kriti Sanon and Saif Ali Khan in the lead, Adipurush was released on June 16. The film is based on the Hindu mythological epic Ramayana. However, ever since its release, the film has been facing immense backlash from the audience for allegedly distorting the epic. People have expressed disappointment with the films dialogues and portrayal of Ravana and Lord Hanuman. Even though the makers changed the infamous kapda tere baap ka dialogue last month, it made no impact and several demanded boycott of the movie.

Last week, Adipurush writer Manoj Muntashir also accepted that the film has hurt peoples emotions and issued a public apology. I accept peoples emotions have been hurt by Adipurush. With folded hands, I extend my unconditional apologies. May Prabhu Bajrang Bali keep us united and grant us strength to serve our sacred Sanatan and our great nation," he wrote.
Aditya Roy Kapur is currently making the headlines with rumours of him dating Ananya Panday. The actors were spotted together in Spain, attending concerts and making their way to explore the country. Amid these dating rumours, Aditya Roy Kapur has turned Bumbles Kindness is sexy campaign set to launch next week. Ahead of the launch, the actor opened up the best ways to compliment a partner.

I think when complimenting, while it is great for people to feel like they look good, I think what really resonates is to be complimented for the person you are. Stuff thats not just on the surface, so it could be anything - telling someone that they are caring, that they are funny, or telling someone that they are thoughtful. I think those things are also as important as telling them that they look good, Aditya Roy Kapur said.

When asked what kind of compliments he would appreciate and give a special someone, Aditya said, Its always nice to be told about some qualities of yours as a person. If you are told that you are a positive influence on someone, or that you bring happiness to someone else, or if youre told that you are a good friendall of these things obviously have to be deserved and earned but its nice, I guess, being told about these kinds of things - rather than just about how you look".

Meanwhile, on the work front, Aditya Roy Kapur was last seen in the second part of The Night Manager. The series received much praise, with many lauding Adityas performance. Besides Aditya, the series also starred Anil Kapoor , Sobhita Dhulipala and Tillotama Shome. Aditya Roy Kapur is currently also filming for Metro In Dino with Sara Ali Khan, Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sensharma, Ali Fazal, and Fatima Sana Shaikh.
Hollywood actor Tom Cruise is known for performing daredevil stunts and high-octane action sequences without using body doubles. In his upcoming movie Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One, Tom Cruise makes a massive fall off a cliff from a motorbike. The lead actor claimed he had to jump off multiple times from the helicopter to shoot the scene with perfection. If that wasnt enough, the Top Gun fame will soon become the first Hollywood actor to shoot in space. During a recent interaction with Variety, the actor confirmed preparing diligently" to land at a place where no actor has gone before. The highly-publicized project will be directed by Doug Liman, where Tom Cruise will likely perform a spacewalk.

The big-budgeted movie, that will make him the first civilian to attempt the stunt, is going to be backed by Universal. The star during the New York premiere hosted on Monday told the portal, Weve been working on it diligently and well see where we go. Notably, the date when the yet-untitled movie goes on floors remains unclear but it is sure that he will complete the second part of Dead Reckoning before commencing the project.

The shooting of the movie will kick-start soon after the promotion tour of the upcoming movie ends. During the same interaction, Christopher McQuarrie confirmed he gets only a two-day vacation before he gets back into action for the second part.

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One marks the return of Tom Cruise as Spy Ethan Hunt. He embarks on a dangerous mission to collect a deadly weapon that threatens humanity. In between mortal combats and high-octane stunt sequences, the lead protagonist has to avoid the weapon from falling into the wrong hands. But what makes the mission tougher is that he has to gamble on the lives of his loved ones as powerful forces raise resistance.

Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, this movie marks the seventh installment in the franchise with Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, and Ving Rhames reprising their roles. The new addition to the cast includes Hayley Atwell, Esai Morales, and Pom Klememtieff.

The movie has been released in Rome, and it will theatrically release in the US and India on July 12.
Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan have been paired together for the first time in Bawaal, and the viewers are excited to witness their performance. The duo is currently busy promoting the film and travelled to Dubai for a global launch. They attended several events in Dubai along with the trailer launch, and the actors recently shared some glimpses of it with their fans. The film is going to have an OTT release and will soon stream on Amazon Prime Video from July 21.

Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan shared a slew of pictures from their work trip To Dubai. In the pictures, the actors are seen posing in the street, in the lobby decked up in glamorous attires, and also with the director in front of the event banner. There are also stills of the director, Nitesh Tiwari, from a media interaction and some celebratory images with delectable desserts. They also shared a clip from one of the stage shows where the team is seen shouting Bawaal" in chorus. The caption along with the post read, DXB you were full Bawaal. thank you for the love."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Janhvi Kapoor (@janhvikapoor)

Earlier on Monday, the actors shared a reel where Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan danced to the melodious track from Bawaal, Tumhe Kitna Pyaar Karte. Janhvi looked amazing in a beautiful green sari, with her hair in flowing waves. Varun looked sharp in an off-white tee. The romantic clip was set on a lavish yacht, making their fans vibe along with them on the soulful tune.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Janhvi Kapoor (@janhvikapoor)

Nitesh Tiwaris upcoming film Bawaal revolves around Ajay Dixit (Varun Dhawan), a regular yet well-liked school history teacher. Circumstances force him to join the World War II trial in Europe, and he is forced to bring his newlywed wife Nisha, with whom he shares an estranged relationship. The events that followed put his marriage to the test and forced him to confront his own anxieties and conflicts.

Janhvi Kapoor recently featured in the thriller film Mili and will be seen in Mr And Mrs Mahi next. Varun Dhawan was last seen in Bhediya. Citadel India is next on his list, where he stars with Samantha Ruth Prabhu.
Amid preparations for the release of Kangana Ranauts film Tejas, the producers have landed themselves in a soup. Mayank Madhur, who has allegedly worked in the film, has said that he will pursue legal recourse against the producers for cutting his role short.

Tejas narrates the journey of Air Force pilot Tejas Gill, and its release is slated for October, potentially overlapping with Tiger Shroffs Ganapath. In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Mayank said that the director, Sarvesh Mewara, had initially promised him a 15-minute role. The length of my role kept getting shorter. Then I was told to come to shoot for a 1 or 2-minute appearance. I made it clear that I am not interested, he said.

Mayank alleged that despite Kanganas assurance to credit him as an associate producer in Tiku Weds Sheru, his name was merely mentioned in the special thanks section. He further expressed that Sarvesh had deceived him, and Kangana had promised to settle his fees before the films release. However, Mayank claims that now Kangana is putting the responsibility on the films producers.

He said, Hence, I decided to go to the court. Ill not reveal right now when I plan to go to the court, which court Id be approaching and how exactly will I stop the films release. I want to get the makers arrested. I have taken guidance from the former chief justice of India to understand how I can take the matter further. I have even spoken to the chief ministers, PMO, home ministry etc to ensure that arrest warrants can be issued immediately from various states. Everything will be done as per the legalities.

During an interview with Dainik Bhaskar earlier this week, Mayank revealed his longstanding association with Kangana since her theatre days, and how he has provided assistance on many of her films. He said the Hindi daily that he played a pivotal role in facilitating shooting permissions for movies like Dhaakad, Tejas, Tiku Weds Sheru, and Emergency.

In addition to Tejas, Kangana has an intriguing lineup of movies. Her upcoming directorial project, Emergency, depicts her portrayal of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The film is set to hit theatres on November 24.
Hours after the release of OMG 2 teaser, Akshay Kumars old statement on Gods has surfaced on Twitter. The teaser of OMG 2 received an overwhelming response from all quarters, with netizens praising Akshays entry scene and Pankaj Tripathis acting in the promo. OMG 2 is a sequel to the 2012 film OMG: Oh My God!

While netizens continue to shower love on Akshay for the impressive teaser, the actors old comments about wasting oil and milk on Gods" has created a stir on social media. Self-proclaimed film critic KRK tweeted the video on his official Twitter account. In the video, Akshay talks about how people should stop wasting so much oil and milk on Gods" and rather give food to farmers who are dying of hunger and money.

Why are you wasting so much of oil and milk on God. Where is it written that God says, Mujhe doodh dena and Hanuman saying mere ko tel daal. I dont understand why people are wasting so much. At the same time we say that farmers are dying due to less food and money, so give it to them instead. I go to temples and theres so much of waste," Akshay says in the old interview with Marathi news channel ABP Majha.

Meanwhile, OMG 2 is set to hit the theatres on August 11. The film has locked the release date, confirming that it will clash with Sunny Deols Gadar 2. OMG 2 also clashes with Rajinikanth starrer Jailer. Previously, Ranbir Kapoors Animal was also slated to release on the same date. However, Sandeep Reddy Vanga decided to delay the release to December after realising that there is a sizable amount of post-production work left on the film.
Kim Kardashians had a moment of surprise when she noticed a spooky shadow in the background of one of her recent selfies. She wrote, Soooo I took this pic last week when I was alone and now going through my phone I am freaking out noticing a woman in the window."

Closer home, Shraddha Kapoor, whos shooting for Stree 2 in Chanderi, shared the post on her Instagram Stories. Taking a dig at Strees now-famous dialogue Woh Stree hain, she wrote, Woh Stree hai.. Woh Kahin bhi pohonch sakti hai."

Meanwhile, Shraddha was recently spotted recently at the Mumbai airport, as she took off to Chanderi in Madhya Pradesh, to shoot for Stree sequel. And now, a motion teaser that says the filming has started has been dropped.

Stree, a comedy horror film directed by debutant Amar Kaushik and produced by Dinesh Vijan and Raj and DK, takes inspiration from the urban legend Nale Ba (Come tomorrow) of Karnataka. The story revolves around a witch who kidnaps men at night while they are alone, leaving only their clothes behind. Stree 2 is a sequel to the 2018 horror comedy film. The 2018 film starred Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha in the lead roles. Actors Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee, and Pankaj Tripathi played supporting roles in the movie. Helmed by Amar Kaushik, the film was dubbed a blockbuster hit and received praise from audiences and critics. The makers of the film had earlier announced the release date of Stree 2 at a grand event in Mumbai. The team revealed that the sequel to the horror comedy film will be released in August 2024.
Thalapathy Vijay recently grabbed the headlines for reportedly jumping the red light after he met with the members of Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (VMI) in Panaiyur (Tamil Nadu). While returning home, he violated the traffic lights at more than two places. Now, the traffic police have imposed a fine of Rs 500 on him. Photos of his car and the challan issued against him have been making rounds on the internet. As per the reports, Thalapathy Vijay ditched the red signal to avoid his fans, who were following him. They followed him from Panaiyur to his home in Neelankarai, and to escape them, Vijay and his driver ended up breaking the traffic rules.

Just IN : Joseph Vijay fined for jumping red signal. pic.twitter.com/7sQUKNcujG Manobala Vijayabalan (@ManobalaV) July 11, 2023

Thalapathy Vijay recently created a stir after reports of him quitting the films came to the forefront. On Monday, Vijay wrapped up the shoot of Leo and met the members of VMI. This created great excitement and led to speculations about his possible political debut. If the rumours are to be believed, then Vijay will embark on Padayatra (foot march) across the state of Tamil Nadu before the release of his highly-anticipated movie, Leo. There has been no official confirmation on this yet. The reports also claim that he wants to solely focus on his political career and is all prepared to leave the acting world behind him. His fans and political observers keenly await further updates.

Thalapathy Vijay has finally finished shooting for Lokesh Kanagarajs Leo. The makers are gearing up for a grand release of the movie in the theatres on October 19. Leo has an interesting cast ensemble of Vijay, Sanjay Dutt and Trisha in pivotal roles. It will also feature Mysskin, Anurag Kashyap, Gautham Menon, Mansoor Ali Khan, Arjun Sarja and Priya Anand. Vijay will next start shooting for his upcoming movie with director Venkat Prabhu. He is rumoured to quit films and enter politics after this movie.

As per India Today, Vijay will be launching his political party in 2024; and two years later, in 2026, he will be contesting in elections as well.
In the year 1759, Maveeran Alagumuthu Kone waged a war against British rule, which is considered the first freedom war fight against them. In the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu, the kings who ruled Kattalangulam part had their familial name as Alagumuthu. In the year 1725, Alagumuthus father, Angamuthu Kone, got a copper plate inscription from the king of Madurai, Krishnappa Nayakar 1st and was crowned as the undisputed king of Kattalangulam.

Maaveeran Alagumuthu Kone was born to King Angamuthu Kone and Queen Azhagumuthammal in the year 1728 followed by the birth of his brother Chinna Alagumuthu Kone in the year 1729. From the copper plate inscriptions, as written by periya veerappa nayakar, it is confirmed that the Alagumuthu Kone clan belonged to the Gopala lineage and their gothram was Krishna and they belonged to the Konar community.

Maaveeran Alagumuthu Kone had to become the crowned king at the young age of 22, followed by his fathers death at the Hanumanthakudi war. At that juncture of his life, he had Jagaveera Ramapandiya Ettappan, the king of Ettayapuram, as his best friend, to tide him through the difficult phase.

It was the tradition and custom in the army fleet of the Ettayapuram king that their commanders-in-chief were given the title Servaikaaran. Alagamuthu Kone large-heartedly welcomed Alagappan Servaikaaran from Madurai. Soldiers who accompanied him gave villages for their settlement in and around Kattalangulam. He also ensured that they were given villages that earned 500 gold sovereigns namely Chozhapuram, Vaalaampatti, and Maarthandampatti. With his inherent battling and warring prowess, he proved to be the most efficient warrior. At the same time, he was the most honest servaikaaran for the Ettayapuram king.

Though it was always thought and presumed that the mutiny against the British was conducted in 1857, the reality was, the revolts against them had already started much before this period. In the year 1759, the war waged against the British by Alagumuthu Kone was the first of its kind. Its even said much before Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Nerkattaan Seval Poolidevan, who revolted against the Britishers, Alagumuthu Kone was the first king to have fought and sacrificed his life for the nations cause. He had also stopped Palaiyakkarars, who looked after the fragmented units of kingdoms for better administration from paying taxes to the Britishers. The irony is that the facts of these freedom fighters have gone untold.

When British commander Alexander Crane and Maruthanayagam Pillai (Khan Sahib) came to Ettayapuram and its surrounding camps to collect taxes, having heard about their arrival, Ettappan immediately conducted a very close meeting with his ministers, close aides and Alagumuthu Kone. According to the decision taken in this meeting, it was decided not to pay taxes to the British.

At this juncture, the killing of Alagumuthu Kone was done in connivance with Alexander Crane and Khan Sahib. Khan sahib, who lost his parents at a very young age, got this name after being adopted by a Muslim, but his birth name was Maruthanayagam Pillai and he hailed from the Vellalar community.

Not expecting such a reply from the king of Ettayapuram, the Britishers got angry and sent Alexander Crane and Khan Sahib to wage a war against these Indian kings. Khan Sahib along with his army fleet had also brought in his cannon fleet and charged against the people of Ettayapuram. In the meantime, Alagumuthu Kone had to muster all his might in keeping the people safe and also to get the people to join the army fleet. These army men were safely ensconced at the Pethanaayakanoor Fort for an overnight stay. The next day they were supposed to be taken to Maaviliodai.

Even much before this could happen, Khan Sahib with his large army and weaponry fleet attacked Pethanaayakanoor Fort and conducted a killing spree. Alagumuthu Kone fought back Khan Sahib with utmost bravery. The battle continued but in the end, Alagumuthu Kone, with his 6 army commanders, 248 soldiers who could not be bound by thick ropes, were inhumanly bound by iron chains and were taken to a place called Nadukaattoor. Here they were made to stand in front of cannons and were forced to pay taxes and were also asked to apologise to save their lives.

Alagumuthu Kone refused to budge, after which the right hand of 248 soldiers were inhumanly cut off their bodies. Along with Alagumuthu Kone, 3 other people who were involved in revolting and waging a war against the Britishers were bound to the mouth of the shooting canon. When the canon was fired, the bodies of the people were shattered into pieces.

This inhumane massacre was reported by Subash Servai Yadav, from the stone inscriptions at the Nadukkaattoor cannon firing spot, who had quoted in his book, Maveeran Alagumuthu Kone: Mahnupotrum Maaveeran Azhagu Muthu Kohn. It is recorded that even before the canon shooting, the last moments and having known his death is immediate, Kones utterances were I will never disclose my people who have stood with me, I will never pay taxes to the Britishers. This has also been reported by Swami Dikshitar, who worked at the Ettayapuram royal chambers, in his book Vamsamani Deepikai.

With the rare information received from the earlier said book, ILasai Rajamani was so inspired that he wrote a book on Alagumuthu Kone, called Sudhandhira Veeran Alagumuthu Yadav. It is also said that all the direct descendants of Alagumuthu Kone belong to the Yadava community.

If Alagumuthu Kone had, pistols, cannons, artillery, and other weaponry, history would have changed forever. In connivance with Britishers, Khan Sahibs unpardonable treachery and cruelty, at last met his own end. He was hanged to death by the Nawab of Arcot, who in fear of his resurgence, made pieces of his dead body and buried him in different parts of Tamil Nadu.

The Tamil Nadu government has built a memorial in fond remembrance of Alagumuthu Kone at Kattalangulam. On July 11, due respects are paid to this tall soldier-king. In the year 2012, a video depicting his life was made. In the year 2015, on December 26, a stamp was issued in his honour.

We have to revisit the past to remember these freedom fighters whose stories have not been brought to the knowledge of people. Lets not forget their sacrifices, bravado, which can really inspire one and all.

The author is Chennai-based Advocate. Views expressed are personal.
The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is an embodiment of Article 44 of the Indian Constitution which seeks the implementation of a uniform set of laws, governing the personal affairs of citizens, pertaining to the institution of marriage and the ancillary rights arising out of the same such as inheritance, alimony, guardianship and adoption, amongst others with the sole object of national consolidation. This is based on the assumption that there is no intimate link between personal laws and religious affairs in a civilised society. The idea of a UCC ignited a spark in 1947 when most Indians were unaffected by the secular civil and criminal laws which were implemented by the British since it struck the very essence of the orthodoxy that all of our religious communities possessed.

While the UCC was proposed in the Constituent Assembly to reform the orthodoxy of Indias religious communities in a bid to protect the rights of the citizens, especially women who were largely affected by our countrys personal laws, all of which were regressive to an extent, the partition had invoked a fear within the Muslim community that they would be imposed upon by the Hindu majority. The Minorities Sub-Committee sought for the UCC to be amended such that its implementation would be voluntary. However, this was very beautifully countered by Dr BR Ambedkar, KM Munshi and Sir Alladi who highlighted the reforms in Muslim personal laws in countries such as Egypt and Turkey which led to the aforementioned amendment being rejected.

As far as Muslim countries are concerned, polygamy is totally prohibited in Tunisia and Turkey. However, even in the case of countries such as Indonesia, Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Syria, Pakistan and Bangladesh, it is permissible only if it is authorised by the State or some other prescribed authority. Furthermore, Talaq-ul-Biddat has been legislatively abolished in Egypt, Jordan, Sudan and even Syria. Countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh have a bar on extra-judicial talaq being invalid unless received assent from an Arbitration Council. All of these are Islamic Republics, so there is no question of a Hindu imposition with regard to amending their personal laws and it highlights that Islamic Personal Law is not immutable. It is pertinent to note that these changes transpired in their personal laws decades ago.

Contrary to the belief that bringing a UCC would splinter the secular fabric of the country, its very objective is to integrate the country by bringing all the communities under a common umbrella on matters which are currently governed by a diverse set of personal laws, which do not form the essence of any religion such as guardianship, alimony and maintenance, etc.

The implementation of a Uniform Civil Code in India would bring several benefits, not only for Muslims but for the country as a whole. While it is essential to acknowledge and respect the diversity of religious practices and customs, it is equally important to ensure that fundamental rights, equality, and justice are upheld for all citizens, including Muslim women. The UCC seeks to extend the notion of equality and protection of individual liberty to all the citizens, who are discriminated against and aggrieved by the various personal laws, by not only applying a uniform set of laws but also affording uniform protection and benefits through them.

Since the enactment of the Constitution, the Muslim personal laws of our country have been plagued by various patriarchal practices such as polygamy, nikah halala or not providing sufficient alimony and maintenance to wives after divorce, which has continued to emancipate women who, yet, have not fully gained independence in its truest sense. These patriarchal practices go against the very spirit and essence of the fundamental right to live with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution. Furthermore, Muslim Personal Law also does not allow for the legal adoption of children and it has proved to be significantly detrimental to their upbringing and their fundamental right to life and dignity. These merely highlight some of the issues that the UCC aims to tackle by providing equal protection under the law and ridding religious communities of their patriarchal practices.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Asaduddin Owaisi have strongly opposed the implementation of the UCC, calling it neither necessary nor desirable, since it allegedly infringes upon their fundamental right to religion. The argument put forth by them is that Indian Muslim Law is immutable since it is directly derived from the Quran and cannot be amended. However, I strongly object to that since the Muslim Personal law in India is in fact Anglo-Muslim law. Prior to the enactment of the Shariat Act by the British, various Muslim communities such as those from UP and the Central provinces were governed by Hindu law in various aspects of personal law and in fact, the Khojas and the Cutchi Muslims who were not only followers of Hindu customs, were also one of the strongest objectors to the Shariat Act being made applicable to them.

I am of the opinion that while the right to follow ones religion is fundamental, however, it is not an absolute right and is subject to principles such as public order and morality. A persons religious rights cannot be subservient to the fundamental right to equality and the right to live.

The recurrent argument that the UCC is contrary to the Shariat needs to be understood in light of the fact that the UCC is a part of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) under Article 44 of the Constitution and the only way to change the Constitution is by availing the special procedure prescribed for its amendment under Article 368(2), which requires a special majority in the parliament. If the AIMPLB and the supporters of their idealogue can convince the Parliament and get the support of the special majority, only then can the idea of putting the UCC at rest be fulfilled. This cannot be done either by sheer force or by seeking support from forces outside the country which belong to pan-Islamic organisations.

I cannot think of a more appropriate quote than that of Chief Justice MC Chagla (Retd) who was not only a proud Muslim but a proud Indian. Article 44 is a mandatory provision binding the Government, and it is incumbent upon it to give effect to this provision. The Constitution was enacted for the whole country, it is binding for the whole country, and every section and community must accept its provisions and its directives.

Owaisis statements primarily pertain to preserving ones religious identity and the same being protected under Article 29 of the Constitution, this is an argument that has been propounded since the inception of the idea of a UCC and has been reiterated multiple times by various leaders of the Muslim community. The great constitutional jurist, DD Basu, was of the opinion that the plea for a Muslim identity is merely a relic of the Two Nation Theory which was propounded by the political leaders from the Muslim community who sought the partition of the country on communal lines, while the nationalistic Indian leaders were always of the strong belief that there is only one nation. There should not be any fears or apprehensions of losing religious identity for Muslims when the very Constitution which sought the implementation of the UCC also guarantees them the right to maintain institutions which are of the utmost importance for their religion, language and culture through the fundamental rights that have been bestowed upon them.

In this pursuit of a progressive and harmonious society, it is crucial for all individuals, communities, and political leaders to come together and support the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code. Only through collective efforts and a shared vision can we truly uphold the principles of justice, equality, and unity that India stands for and what the makers of our Constitution had envisioned. As a Muslim woman myself, advocating for the UCC, I encourage my fellow citizens, regardless of their religious background, to embrace this transformative change.

In this backdrop, its heartening to know the findings of the News18 UCC survey which shows that a considerable majority of Muslim women support the introduction of common laws pertaining to marriage, divorce, adoption, and inheritance.

Let us reaffirm our commitment to a pluralistic India, where the rights and well-being of every individual are safeguarded, and where the principles of equality and justice prevail.

Zeba Zoriah writes on politics, policies, culture and womens rights. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Centuries ago, Indias statecraft wizard Chanakya had given trenchant advice, Feed a little opium to your neighbour every day! It is a precept that has been assiduously followed by cunning households and crafty empires.

In his opening remarks at the virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) held on July 4, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, Terrorism is a threat to regional and global peace. We will have to fight against terrorism Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of their policies and give shelter to terrorists. SCO should not hesitate to criticise such countries. SCO countries should condemn it. There should be no double standards on terrorism. The prime minister discreetly refrained from naming any specific country, however, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was listening keenly.

Participating in the summit deliberations, also, were Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and other leaders of the SCO nations.

Terrorism and drug trafficking are two sides of the same coin. One cannot exist without the other. Significant resources have been invested to counter narco-terrorism by governments across the world. The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) is a comprehensive report prepared by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) using data from Terrorism Tracker and other sources. It analyses the impact of terrorism on 163 countries covering 99.7 percent of the worlds population. Some of the key findings from the Global Terrorism Index 2023 report are:

Attacks have become more deadly with the lethality rising by 26 percent.

Outside Afghanistan, terrorism deaths rose 4 percent in the rest of the world.

Islamic State (IS) and its affiliates remained the worlds deadliest terrorist group in 2022 for the eighth consecutive year, with attacks in 21 countries.

Terrorists are using more advanced technologies including drones, GPS systems and encrypted messaging services.

According to VOA News, Pakistan recorded the second largest increase in terrorism-related deaths worldwide in 2022, with the toll rising significantly to 643, a 120 percent rise from the 292 deaths in the previous year. The year saw Pakistan overtake Afghanistan as the country with the most terrorist attacks and deaths in South Asia, a position held by the latter since 2017.

While there is no unanimity among experts about the definition of terrorism, new terms and phrases are being coined such as international terrorism, global terrorism, catastrophic terrorism thereby creating more confusion. All terrorist organisations operating in Pakistan are fundamentalist in nature, heavily armed, and groomed in perpetrating terrorist violence by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), for operations inside Pakistan, while others are trained for creating violence and mayhem in Kashmir and Punjab in India. Both, the Sunni and Shia castes of Islam, use radical and antediluvian beliefs in their areas of operation and targets of violence.

Ironically, the Pakistan prime minister in his SCO address stated, The hydra-headed monster of terrorism and extremism  whether committed by individuals, societies or states  must be fought with full vigour and conviction. Any temptation to use it as a cudgel for diplomatic point-scoring must be avoided under all circumstances.

Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including state terrorism, must be condemned in clear and unambiguous terms. There can be no justification for the killing of innocent people regardless of the cause or pretext, the Pakistan PM added. Sharif also talked about the three evils of terrorism, extremism and separatism and urged the SCO countries to take concerted and immediate actions, both in their national and collective capacity, to combat them. However, he maintained a studied silence on the involvement of Pakistani terror groups and the role of the ISI in instigating terror in Kashmir and Punjab, on an everyday basis. He also avoided the subject of drones ferrying drugs and guns into Kashmir and Punjab, and also the terror training camps functioning unhindered inside Pakistan, and the cross-border movement of radical terrorists.

Just immediately preceding the SCO virtual meeting on July 4, 2023, the US and India had issued a joint statement on cross-border terrorism on June 27, 2023. In their joint statement, following one-on-one meetings and delegation-level talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden called on Pakistan to punish perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks. Later, PM Modi in his address to the Joint Meeting of the US Congress said there can be no ifs or buts in dealing with terrorism and sought action against state sponsors of terrorism, in a veiled attack on Pakistan. He said that more than two decades after 9/11 and over a decade after the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, radicalism and terrorism still remain a pressing danger for the whole world. The US pointed out that they have been consistent on the importance of Pakistan continuing to take steps to permanently disband all terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and their various front organisations.

Intricately connected with narcotics and terrorism is money laundering. Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in India was enacted following the United Nations Resolution to fight money laundering by various drug syndicates active across India. Subsequently, the UN included terrorism as coming under the purview of PMLA. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised serious concerns about the nexus between money laundering and terror financing. It holds that Money laundering and terrorism financing activity in one country can have serious adverse effects across borders and even globally. Countries with weak or ineffective controls are especially attractive for money launderers and financiers of terrorism. These criminals seek to conceal their criminal activities by exploiting the complexity of the global financial system, the differences between national laws, and the speed at which money can cross borders.

Transnational Criminal Organisations (TCOs) and terrorist organisations are involved in a range of criminal activities including narcotics trafficking, weapons smuggling, intellectual property rights infringement (IPR) fraud, human smuggling and trafficking, and environmental crime. TCOs and terrorist organisations adopt convoluted procedures to give a legitimate appearance to their illicit funds for personal use and the perpetuation of their illegal activities. Advances in international banking, the financial services industry and financial technology have simplified money laundering procedures.

The movement of illicit money very often traverses international borders and thereby enters the Customs domain, which is the tip of the spear, of every nations phalanx of enforcement agencies. The World Customs Organisation (WCO) established Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Terrorism Financing Programme (AML-CTF) in 2010. It also conducts operations to counter Bulk Currency Smuggling (BCS), gems/precious metals smuggling and trade-based money laundering. Project TENTACLE was established in 2019 as a multi-year counter-BCS and gems/precious metal smuggling operational effort. Project TENTACLE is a US Department of State  Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs project. Joining these initiatives are the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), INTERPOL, Egmont Group for Financial Intelligence Units, Europol, and other relevant bodies.

Despite such apparent international cooperation, there are many nations that seek to deceptively patronise drug trafficking, arms trafficking, human trafficking, cross-border terrorism, and money laundering. Religious fundamentalism is a common cementing factor in all these crimes. Pakistan and China should realise that forums like SCO are not for exchanging pleasantries but for sincere cooperation and harmony among member States, to effectively tackle the spectre of narco-terrorism.

The author is IRS (Rtd), PhD (Narcotics), Former Director General, National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics (NACIN). Views expressed are personal.
The impact of weapons on war outcomes, both in quantitative and qualitative terms, has always been a debatable proposition. On one hand, the supremacy of quality weapons was well established in the 1991 Gulf War that heralded the forceful debate on Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA). On the other hand, the US, armed with the most sophisticated weapons in its kitty, could not win in Vietnam or Afghanistan wars. While many countries have been arming Ukraine with tanks, planes and heavy-duty artillery weapons, the Pentagons recent decision of providing cluster munitions reinforces the debate if weapons really matter.

The immediate decision to arm Ukraine with cluster munitions is driven perhaps by Ukraines diminishing artillery collection and stalemate on the war front. Also, Russia has been using them on a large scale against Ukraine. However, while the history of cluster munitions does establish its lethality through civilian deaths, both during and after the wars, its role in changing the war outcomes is yet to be established. For instance, cluster bombs were widely used in the Vietnam War in the mid-sixties to mid-seventies. As many as 260 million cluster bombs and bomblets were dropped, out of which 80 million failed to explode. Several thousands died. Yet, the deadly bombs could not change the war outcome in Vietnam. Similarly, large-scale usage of cluster munitions in subsequent wars, civil wars and secessionist conflicts failed to alter the fate of different conflicts.

Weapons engender international curiosity if they are the byproduct of disruptive military innovation and considered game changers in the war ecology. Warring nations as well as military industries find something new to bank upon for an edge in the warfare game. Such weapons quickly metamorphose into new currencies of military power. However, cluster munitions are based neither on new technologies nor are the preserve of a few nations. They are also not a winning weapon like the atomic bomb in the forties that changed the course of World War II. Instead, they have been used and abused by many nations; have led to a vast number of civilian casualties and are now subject to international regulations. Cluster munitions, without any doubt, do not enjoy a favourable position in public consciousness across the globe.

Yet, in widely marketing these bad weapons as genuine military assistance to Ukraines war efforts, three mistakes are being made. First, too much importance is being given to weapons as an independent variable capable of deciding the war outcome. Weapons, by themselves, do not win wars and have to be accompanied with other variables for efficacy. Hitherto, Russia enjoys asymmetrical preponderance in terms of weapons over Ukraine. But as the war developments exposed, Russian military leadership was poor along with its men on the ground. If Ukraine has managed a stalemate with Russia for more than 500 days, credit should go to its strategic instincts, motivated armed forces and force deployments in the war zone that provided it with an effective defensive strategy so far.

Second, cluster munitions belong to a fossilised technological generation and are less impactful compared to many new-generation weapons. In contemporary warfare, technologically advanced counter-defence mechanisms are available that minimise the impact of cluster munitions upon soldiers, if not civilians. Both Russia and Ukraine are quite familiar with the usage of the munition. Thus, it would only be a supply-chain supplement for Ukraine. Additionally, they are effective largely in heavily populated war zones of Asia and Africa. Continental Europe, on the other hand, is less populated. Therefore, cluster munitions may have diminished utility in the ongoing war.

Third, arming Ukraine with cluster munitions would induce a moral dilemma for many countries that otherwise support it with weapons and financial resources. Although most NATO members are still not signatories or state parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM)  2010, they would still find it difficult to speak for Ukraine. Further, 111 states are parties to CCM, and 12 are actual signatories. 146 countries supported the CCM resolution in the UN General Assembly last year. Therefore, the 11th Meeting of the State Parties to the CCM, slated on September 11-14 in Geneva, may probably take up the issue for discussion.

Hitherto, the Russia-Ukraine War has already metamorphosed into a ruptured battlefield where both sides have lost sense of weapons, technologies and manpower casualties. The protracted war would continue for quite some time with no outright victory for any side. Capture and recapture of territories would continue, irrespective of new supplies of cluster munitions to Ukraine. Publicised supplies of cluster munitions, however, would rob Ukraine of defensive positioning in the war and may reduce global support for its war operations. Probably, there are better ways of bolstering Ukraines severely strained armour and other supply-chain issues.

The author is in the Indian Defence Accounts Department. Views expressed are personal.
The tussle over Maharashtra cabinet expansion and portfolio distribution has reached New Delhi and is likely to be delayed further.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel and Hasan Mushrif reached the national Capital on Wednesday evening to meet Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Shah over ministerial berths for his MLAs. NCP sources confirmed that the meeting has been fixed.

We have no issuesit is a courtesy meet. There is no issue on portfolio distribution. Everything is organised. The situation will be clear in another one-two days," said Patel.

According to sources, Pawar, who was recently inducted as the deputy Chief Minister (CM), was promised the finance portfolio, and he hasnt sought any other key portfolio such as home or urban development department (UDD).

ALSO READ | Maha Berth-Day Nears: Ajit Wants Finance or Home, Shinde Ready to Give Energy, Revenue

The key issue is the redistribution of other portfolios among the CM Eknath Shinde-led Sena faction. The Shinde group was under the impression that the BJPs portfolios will be given to NCP. But that isnt the case.

The portfolios from the Shinde group, too, are being looked at for the reshuffle, which has upset the Shinde faction, said sources, adding that 22 MLAs of his MLAs are restless.

Pawar was the finance minister in the CM Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. In 2022, when Shinde and his 40 MLAs parted ways with the Thackeray-led Sena, one of the reasons cited was Pawar did not give them funds easily, while NCP MLAs always got the first preference.

Maharashtras cabinet expansion and portfolio distribution was the key topic of discussion in Mondays late-night meeting between Shinde and his two deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis (Bharatiya Janata Party) and Ajit Pawar, according to sources.

Shinde and Fadnavis have reportedly held multiple meetings with their party legislators, and separately among themselves, over who can be inducted into the cabinet and who will get what.

ALSO READ | Maha Portfolio Puzzle: CM Shinde Keen on Cabinet Expansion, Ajit Pawar Firm on Finance, to Meet Shah

Sources added that the cabinet expansion has been delayed indefinitely in Maharashtra, and the focus will only be on portfolio allocation.

Meanwhile, CM Shinde will begin his state-wide outreach programme with several ministers on Thursday.
Members of the opposition BJP in Bihar on Wednesday smashed a chair inside the assembly and tossed shreds of paper in the air while standing in the well, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the proceedings till the next day.

Proceedings began at 11 AM, on a stormy note, with Leader of the Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha asserting that the opposition has the right to raise issues concerning the people, which include corruption".

The allusion was to a CBI charge sheet against Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, the demand of whose resignation had rocked the House the day before.

Sinha was allowed to speak for a few minutes before Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary went ahead with the Question Hour.

About 30 minutes later, Sinha was again on his feet, this time to allege that opposition members are not being allowed to ask supplementary questions while those from the ruling side are getting the opportunity".

The Speaker chose to ignore the complaint and move ahead with the Question Hour, even as opposition members led by Sinha trooped into the well, raising slogans.

The ministers concerned, including Yadav, who sat beside Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, gave replies to the questions raised by members of the assembly.

Upping the ante, BJP members began tearing pieces of paper and throwing the shreds in the air. They also picked up chairs meant for the reporting staff and tried to upturn their table, in an exact replica of the previous days pandemonium.

Finally, when a chair was smashed to the ground by the opposition members, the Speaker decided he has had enough.

Your conduct is deplorable. Dont force the Chair to take action", screamed the Speaker, announcing that the House shall now meet on Thursday.
Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath's mobile phone was hacked by fraudsters who made calls to four party leaders and sought Rs 10 lakh from each of them, a party spokesman said on Wednesday. Congress office-bearers caught two persons who allegedly made the calls and then came to collect money in the Malviya Nagar area, said the spokesman, adding the duo, who hailed from Gujarat, was handed over to the police.

The police detained the accused and interrogated them, but no formal complaint has been lodged, he said. MP Congress committee's Media Department chairman KK Mishra told PTI that the accused hacked the phone of Nath and asked for Rs 10 lakh each from party MLA Satish Sikarwar, treasure Ashok Singh, Indore city Congress president Surjeet Singh Chaddha and former treasurer Govind Goyal.

The fraud came to light when Goyal cross-checked details of the call with some office-bearers and came to know that the former CM had not sought money from party members, he said.

Goyal then decided to trap the fraudsters and redialled the number on which he had received request for money.

He asked the caller to come to his office located in the Malviya Nagar area and collect money from him, Mishra said.

Congress office-bearers and workers apprehended two men, aged 25 and 28, who came to Goyals office to collect money and handed them over to the police, he said.

He said a formal police complaint will be lodged soon.

Meanwhile, a police official told PTI that both the accused have been detained but no official complaint has been received.
Yet another late-night meeting over portfolio distribution and cabinet expansion between Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde and his deputies Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar remained inconclusive. According to sources, Pawar is still adamant about his demand for the finance ministry. They added that he will be flying to Delhi on Wednesday night to meet union home minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah and seek his intervention to solve the issue of portfolio distribution and cabinet expansion in Maharashtra.

Sources also indicated that in Tuesdays meeting, Ajit Pawar proposed a reshuffle of cabinet portfolios once again but Shinde refused. The CM who is under pressure from his Shiv Sena MLAs made it clear to Pawar that portfolios will be distributed after the cabinet expansion and the Nationalist Congress Party faction will not get ministries from the Sena quota. Ajit Pawar has asked for departments like finance, irrigation, tourism, women and child development, social justice, rural development, etc. Sources also said that Pawar has asked for one cabinet berth at the Centre.

Its been more than 10 days since nine NCP MLAs including Ajit Pawar have been without portfolios after breaking away from the Sharad Pawar-led party and joining the BJP-Shiv Sena government. The monsoon session of the Maharashtra assembly will begin in five days and thats why Ajit Pawar is putting pressure on Shinde to announce the portfolios. But for the CM, the expansion of the cabinet is the priority as Shiv Sena and BJP MLAs have been waiting for the past year to get cabinet berths.

Maharashtra can have a maximum of 43 cabinet ministers. As of now, 29 of these positions have been filled and the list of ministerial aspirants has grown lengthier. It would be a very difficult task for CM Shinde to choose the cabinet ministers. There is a chance that he may consider factors like caste while picking MLAs for cabinet berths, the way Ajit Pawar has tried to give representation to OBC, SC-ST, and minorities while selecting MLAs who had taken oath as cabinet ministers with him, said a senior leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Independent MLA Bacchu Kadu, who had supported Eknath Shinde during his rebellion in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena that brought down the Maha Vikas Aghadi government last year, told reporters in Nagpur, Ajit Pawar should not get the finance department as there is a fear in the minds of MLAs that he may not give them funds for development of their constituencies. Shinde is trying run this triple-engine government but it may fail also or it may be successful.

Shiv Sena MLA Bharat Gogawale said he was confident that by Thursday names of cabinet ministers and portfolio allocation would be cleared and the expansion would happen.
In an effort to forge Opposition unity before the 2024 Lok Sabha election, senior leaders of at least 24 political parties are likely to attend the second meeting of non-Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) aligned parties scheduled to take place in Bengaluru during July 17-18. Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who was absent during the Patna get-together, will also reportedly attend the Opposition Parties meeting being convened by Congress this time.

On July 17, Gandhi may host a dinner for all the party leaders attending the meeting. Eight new parties have extended their support to the Opposition parties efforts to present a united front against the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, News agency ANI reported quoting sources.

After last months mega Opposition meet in Bihars Patna, top leaders of as many as 24 political parties will be attending the second meeting which is going to take place in Karnatakas Bengaluru," sources said.

Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), Kongu Desa Makkal Katchi (KDMK), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), All India Forward Bloc, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Kerala Congress (Joseph), and Kerala Congress (Mani) are among the new political parties that will be joining the meeting.

Notably, KDMK and MDMK were previously allies of the BJP during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Tuesday also confirmed that his party will attend the next meeting of the opposition leaders in Bengaluru.

Opposition Unity and NCP Split

In the first meeting hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Patna on June 23, the high command of several Opposition parties agreed to delink regional tussle from larger national politics in an effort to forge a common front against the BJP in 2024.

However, the efforts remained tainted by a clash between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the Centres Delhi ordinance after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal demanded the grand old partys support and threatened to skip the next meeting if it was not forthcoming. This time, Congress has reportedly again extended an invitation to AAP.

Meanwhile, the Oppositions efforts suffered a major setback in Maharastra, where NCP chief Sharad Pawar, the seniormost leader in the Opposition camp, received a blow in the back from his nephew who has spit his party to align with Shiv Sena-BJP government in the state. Pawar is currently focusing on regaining control over his splintered party.

Congress has claimed that the Oppositions resolve to defeat the BJP has been strengthened by the Mumbai operations" of the BJP washing machine".

We are steadfast in our unwavering resolve to defeat the fascist and undemocratic forces," AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal had said.

After a hugely successful all-opposition meeting in Patna, we will be holding the next meeting in Bengaluru on 17 and 18 July 2023. We are steadfast in our unwavering resolve to defeat the fascist and undemocratic forces and present a bold vision to take the country forward," Venugopal said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who lost his government accommodation at 12, Tughlak Lane in New Delhi following disqualification from Lok Sabha earlier this year, may soon be moving to a new house in the national capital.

Gandhi was living with his mother Sonia Gandhi at 10 Janpath Road bungalow since April end. But now he is likely to shift to the residence of former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit in south-east Delhis Nizamuddin. Dikshits son and Congress MP Sandeep Dikshit is currently residing in the house but may soon be moving to a different place, ANI reported.

However, the report said that the final call will be taken after approval for Rahul Gandhi, who is Z-plus protected.

Following the approval, ANI sources said Rahul Gandhi will sign an agreement to become a tenant of Sandeep Dikshit.

The former Congress chief thanked the people of India for giving him this house for 19 years.

Rahul Gandhi was allotted 12, Tughlaq Lane bungalow in 2004 when he became a Member of Parliament (MP) for the first time from Amethi. Over the years, the bungalow has emerged as the second power centre to Sonia Gandhis 10 Janpath residence.

Earlier on March 23, a metropolitan magistrates court in Surat 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 MLA Purnesh Modi.

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.

Following the Surat courts verdict, Gandhi, who was representing Keralas Wayanad seat in the Lok Sabha, 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.

Last week, the Gujarat High Court refused to stay Gandhis 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.
In children, a vital aspect that should never be overlooked is hydration. It may seem like a simple necessity, often taken for granted, but it plays a significant role in ensuring the health and well-being of children.

In the face of daunting challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing childhood dehydration may seem relatively mundane. However, its impact is far from trivial. Dehydration, characterized by the bodys inadequate amount of water and essential fluids, can have serious consequences for children. It affects not only their physical well-being but also their cognitive abilities, mood, and overall development. Shockingly, every year, over 1,00,000 children succumb to dehydration and its complications in India alone, with a global number reaching a staggering 760,000. The glaring reality is that many of these deaths could have been prevented.

Exploring the Culprits: Understanding the Causes of Dehydration in Children

Dehydration occurs when a childs body loses more fluids than it takes in, and there are several factors that contribute to this imbalance:

Insufficient Fluid Intake: Children are often so engrossed in play that they forget to drink water. Also, they have smaller water reserves (as they have smaller bodies!), making them more susceptible to dehydration.

Illness: Fever, diarrhea, and vomiting can cause a significant and sudden loss of fluids. Children with chronic illnesses such as diabetes are also at a higher risk because of the diuretic nature of their medications.

Climate and Physical Activity: Hot weather and intense physical activity without adequate water intake can be a recipe for dehydration. Even on days when the temperature isnt very high, prolonged play without water breaks can have serious consequences. And yes, you need to carry a water bottle, even when you go to the swimming pool.

Relying on sugary drinks and sodas: Not all fluids are created equal. Sugary drinks and fizzy drinks are attractive to children (and to be honest, to adults too!), but they arent a substitute for water. In fact, they can actually cause your child to be dehydrated.

Recognizing the Warning Signs: Checking for Symptoms of Dehydration Among Children

It can be hard for children to understand whats bothering them, let alone articulate it for their parents! Sometimes, something as commonplace as not drinking enough water can create physical symptoms.

Decreased Urine Output : Notice how often your child is going to the bathroom - dehydrated children tend to go less often, and when they do, their urine is a darker color. If in doubt, accompany the child, and note the color. Anything darker than pale yellow colored urine indicates dehydration, however mild.

: Notice how often your child is going to the bathroom - dehydrated children tend to go less often, and when they do, their urine is a darker color. If in doubt, accompany the child, and note the color. Anything darker than pale yellow colored urine indicates dehydration, however mild. Dry Mouth and Thirst : If your childs mouth is dry and they are more thirsty than usual, this too, can be a sign of dehydration. Pay attention to breath odors as well - bad breath can often be indicative of dry mouth, and therefore, of dehydration.

: If your childs mouth is dry and they are more thirsty than usual, this too, can be a sign of dehydration. Pay attention to breath odors as well - bad breath can often be indicative of dry mouth, and therefore, of dehydration. Fatigue and Irritability : Dehydration can cause children to become unusually tired, lethargic, or irritable. Unfortunately, lethargy and irritability can be caused by a host of other reasons (including boredom!). You know your child best - if you suspect the reasons are physiological, start with addressing hydration. It is, after all, the easiest thing to fix!

: Dehydration can cause children to become unusually tired, lethargic, or irritable. Unfortunately, lethargy and irritability can be caused by a host of other reasons (including boredom!). You know your child best - if you suspect the reasons are physiological, start with addressing hydration. It is, after all, the easiest thing to fix! Lack of Tears : When crying, a dehydrated child might not produce tears. This is a dead giveaway. If you see this, particularly among very young children, administer a WHO approved ORS immediately.

: When crying, a dehydrated child might not produce tears. This is a dead giveaway. If you see this, particularly among very young children, administer a WHO approved ORS immediately. Sunken Eyes and Cheeks : This physical change is another sign that needs immediate attention on your part. Start by administering a WHO approved ORS, and monitor the child closely. If in doubt, consult your doctor ASAP.

Empowering Parents: Effective Management Strategies for Dehydration in Children

As parents, we often dont have as much control as wed like, especially when it comes to the health of our children. You cant control when they catch a cold from a friend, or come home from school with a viral fever thats making its way through their class, or even when they have the inevitable bout of diarrhea during the monsoon.

While several childhood illnesses are a part and parcel of growing up, dehydration neednt be one of them. In fact, by ensuring proper hydration, we improve health outcomes and reduce the amount of time our children spend being sick. Here are some small steps you can take that have an outsized impact on your childrens health.

Encourage Regular Fluid Intake : Make water readily available and encourage your child to take frequent sips, especially during physical activity. As with anything else, gamification helps.

: Make water readily available and encourage your child to take frequent sips, especially during physical activity. As with anything else, gamification helps. Keep Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS) in your first aid kit : ORS has reliably shown life-saving effects in conditions involving dehydration since it was discovered in the 1960s. The World Health Organisation found it important enough to invest in research (spanning several years) to refine and perfect the formula for rehydration. A formula which, in India, is available in the form of Electral. Electral has been a mainstay in Indian households since 1972, and is Indias #1 doctor recommended WHO ORS.

: ORS has reliably shown life-saving effects in conditions involving dehydration since it was discovered in the 1960s. The World Health Organisation found it important enough to invest in research (spanning several years) to refine and perfect the formula for rehydration. A formula which, in India, is available in the form of Electral. Electral has been a mainstay in Indian households since 1972, and is Indias #1 doctor recommended WHO ORS. Educate your children : Teach your children the importance of staying hydrated. You can make it fun by taking the Hydration for Health quiz together, which offers a wealth of knowledge and resources. Youd be surprised at how much you dont know!

: Teach your children the importance of staying hydrated. You can make it fun by taking the Hydration for Health quiz together, which offers a wealth of knowledge and resources. Youd be surprised at how much you dont know! Monitor Illness : If your child is sick, closely monitor fluid loss and encourage them to always stay hydrated.

: If your child is sick, closely monitor fluid loss and encourage them to always stay hydrated. Consult a Healthcare Professional : If you suspect severe dehydration, dont wait. consult a healthcare professional immediately.

Hydration for Health: Leading the Charge Against Dehydration

Safeguarding children from dehydration is an amalgam of vigilance, timely intervention, and being armed with the right information. As caregivers, your role extends beyond reactionary measures to being custodians of their health. And while most parents are very well informed regarding serious illnesses, dehydration can sometimes fly under their radar, with deleterious results.

To address the lack of awareness about dehydration, Electral and the News18 Network launched the Hydration for Health initiative in 2022. It serves as a fountainhead of knowledge and resources aimed at combating dehydration. Season 2, in particular, focuses on children, arming parents with an indispensable toolkit for their well-being. Electral, synonymous with ORS in India, extends its legacy in this venture and reinforces its commitment to being an educator and a harbinger of health.

Join us at Hydration for Health, and learn more about how you can better safeguard yourself and your family.
London-based consumer tech brand Nothing recently launched its second smartphone  the Nothing Phone (2)  in India and globally.

For customers interested in buying the Nothing Phone (2) and planning to exchange their existing Nothing Phone (1), there is an exchange offer available on Flipkart. You can receive a maximum discount of Rs 14,000 for your old Phone (1).

However, the device must be in perfect condition in order to get the full exchange value. Only those who purchased pre-order passes for the Nothing Phone 2 on Flipkart will receive an additional discount of Rs 2,000, bringing the total discount to Rs 16,000. You can also check the exchange value of your phone on the Flipkart app.

Nothing Phone (2) is available in three storage options in India: 8GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB, and 12GB/256GB and the prices are Rs 44,999, Rs 49,999, and Rs 54,999, respectively. Phone (2) will be available on Flipkart with Rs 3,000 off on Debit and Credit Cards from Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, and Citi Bank.

Its important to note that the starting price of the Nothing Phone (2) is Rs 44,999, which is Rs 12,000 higher than the base model of the Nothing Phone (1). We can say that the new Nothing phone 2 is not as affordable as its predecessor.

The new Nothing phone 2 has a slightly tweaked design with the Glyph LED interface on the back panel. You have a 6.7-inch OLED LTPO display with support for an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. The screen supports HDR10+, 10-bit colour depth, and gets Corning Gorilla glass protection. One of the upgrades is also in the hardware section, as the Phone (2) is powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset with up to 12GB RAM and 512GB storage.

Coming to optics, you have a dual rear setup once again, but now you have a 50MP Sony IMX890 primary sensor with OIS and a 50MP ultrawide-angle sensor. The front shooter has been upgraded to 32MP sensor for the new model. Phone (2) also gets a 4700mAh battery which is slightly bigger than the 4500mAh unit you had on Phone (1) and the charging speed is now at 45W in the wired mode
A recent theft that took place in California has grabbed public attention due to an unexpected outcome. This story is about a theft at Manhattan Beach, taking an unexpected turn when the perpetrator built an unlikely friendship with his victim during the heist. Surprisingly, the armed robber was driving the victim to an ATM to withdraw cash when the two decided to reunite after the robbery. Furthermore, the gunman also drove the victim back to the location where they initially met.

According to a statement released by the Manhattan Beach Police Department, the victim was walking down Rosecrans Avenue on July 2 when an armed male suspect approached him. While brandishing a silver pistol, the thief demanded money from the victim. In contrast, the victim informed the gunman that he only had a cell phone and an ATM card with him. The thief then asked the victim to get into his car and drive him to an ATM.

Subsequently, the suspect drove the victim back to their first meeting place and let him out of the car after he had taken money from the ATM. Before the victim could walk away, the thief explained his financial obligations while keeping the mans phone and cash. The suspect was apologetic to the victim and told the victim he had bills to pay and would return his cell phone to him tomorrow. The victim provided the suspect with his Instagram handle so they could be in touch. The suspect drove away in an unknown direction, according to the police department in a press release.

The authorities have now provided a description of the suspect in an effort to locate and arrest him. A dark completion man in his 20s who is 5 feet and 8 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds, as per the police department. When the incident took place, the suspect was donning a black beanie and a hooded sweatshirt with a red pattern on the front.

Reports further state that the suspect got into a four-door dark-coloured sedan and drove away from the scene in an unknown direction.
Recently, a woman came into limelight after she shared pics of having meal without her mother, grieving her death. Taking to Twitter, a user, @ammmmmmrit, posted an old photo where she could be seen having her food with her mother seated opposite her on the sofa. In contrast, the subsequent photo displayed the same meal but with an empty sofa, solely covered by a blanket, indicating the absence or loss of the elderly lady (presumably her mother). Accompanying the images, she expressed her deep sorrow, stating, Im never going to recover from this." Soon, her social media post went viral with people offering their condolences that flooded the comment section.

Check the Viral Post:

Im never going to recover from this pic.twitter.com/yRhfdApZap A (@ammmmmmrit) July 10, 2023

However, not everyone seemed to be impressed by her idea of sharing about such a sensitive issue of death in public. Hence, they started criticising her and some users even called her insensitive for using her moms death as a tool to get likes on the internet.

Also Read: YouTuber Lakshay Chaudhary Vlogs Grandfathers Funeral, Gets Called Out on Twitter

Using ur mums death for twitter dopamine is sick sick behaviour, commented a user. In the similar vein, another user called out such practices, writing, yeah exactly idk why its become so casual.

using ur mums death for twitter dopamine is sick sick behaviour https://t.co/rMughDrogf s (@szjugg) July 10, 2023

I swear people put everything on the internet now.. wrote the third one.

I swear people put everything on the internet now.. Drip  (@Bigbusta4) July 11, 2023

At the same time, there were many who sided with the woman in question and called it her way of grieving as one comment read, U cant tell someone else how to grieve though. Probably her outlet for grief try not to be so harsh, said another.

Probably her outlet for grief try not to be so harsh Aisha Al Hanafiyya (@blockaicha) July 11, 2023

U cant tell someone else how to grieve though Site (@sitenyk) July 11, 2023

Meanwhile, some users even pointed out that the old lady in the picture wasnt probably her mother but her grandmother. A commenter re-shared one of the recent posts by @ammmmmmrit which showed a tattoo of the lady on her hand with a caption that read, I miss my bibi so much. To the unversed, in Swahili, the grandmother is called Bibi.

Thats not her mum, its her grandma Mike Toreno (@harryizzzx) July 11, 2023

Also Read: Girls Diet Vlog on Her Fathers Shraadh Goes Viral, Video Infuriates Internet Users

Nonetheless, the viral post amassed over 4 million views on Twitter, leaving the users divided.
The tenure of Pakistans current government will end on August 14 and the Election Commission will announce the date for the next general election, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured the nation on Wednesday.

Sharifs remarks came a day after his meeting with the chief of the ruling alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the Dawn newspaper reported.

During the meeting, the PDM chief stressed the need for the dissolution of assemblies and the holding of general elections on time, it said.

Addressing an event, Sharif, the President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, said the tenure of the government headed by him will end on August 14 and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will then announce the dates for the next general election.

Whoever forms the next government should make education the top priority to make Pakistan great, Sharif was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune newspaper.

Shehbaz Sharif was sworn in as the Prime Minister in April last year after the then-premier Imran Khan was ousted through a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf: Chairman Khan has been demanding early national elections since his ouster.

Last week, Khan sought a guarantee from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that the general elections in the country will be held at the scheduled time.

Ahead of the IMF executive board meeting to review and possibly endorse the Standby Arrangement (SBA) for Pakistan on Wednesday, a delegation of the global lender met Khan last week in Lahore to seek assurance and support for the key objectives and policies under the recently announced USD 3 billion bailout programme.
At least four Pakistan soldiers were killed and five others critically injured when heavily-armed militants attacked an army garrison in the southwestern Balochistan province in the early hours of Wednesday morning, the army said.

A group of terrorists launched a dastardly attack on Zhob Garrison in the north of the province, leading to clashes in which three militants were also killed, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)  the media wing of the army- said in a statement.

The intense shootout also resulted in the death of a female passerby and left five other civilians injured, it added.

A little known militant group  Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan  claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, without providing any details.

An initial attempt of terrorists to sneak into the facility was countered by soldiers on duty and in the ensuing heavy exchange of fire, terrorists were contained into a small area at the boundary.

A clearance operation by Security Forces is underway to apprehend remaining two terrorists as well, the statement said, adding that the security forces were determined to thwart all such ghastly attempts at destroying peace in Balochistan.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo condemned the attack on the Zhob garrison and paid tribute to the Pakistan Army for thwarting it by taking swift action.

He offered his condolences to the families of the dead and said that Pakistan Army is the guarantor of peace and security in the region. Pakistan has been facing an uptick in attacks by the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch separatists in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

Earlier this month, four security personnel lost their lives while a terrorist was killed after attacks by the rebels in the Dhana Sar area of Balochistan.

A think-tank, Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, in its report this month said the first half of 2023 has witnessed a steady rise in terror attacks, which killed 389 people across the country.
All six people aboard a tourist helicopter in Nepal were killed when it crashed soon after take-off in the Everest region on Tuesday, aviation authorities said. The Manang Air flight was heading for the capital Kathmandu from near Lukla, the gateway for climbing expeditions to the worlds highest peak, with five members of the same Mexican family and a Nepali pilot onboard.

The chopper lost contact eight minutes after taking off on Tuesday morning, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) said in a statement. The six bodies have been recovered and brought to Kathmandu," Pratap Babu Tiwari, general manager at the Tribhuvan International Airport, told AFP.

Two helicopters were deployed for search and rescue but could not land at the crash site because of the weather. The teams on the ground brought the bodies to the helicopters, which were able to land close by," Tiwari said.

Lhakpa Sherpa, a local resident who joined search and rescue efforts, said the scene was very scary". It looks like the helicopter first collided with a tree and then slammed on the floor. It has caused a small hole in the ground," he said.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed grief" over the incident, his office said on Twitter. The passengers were a mother, father and three children on holiday in the Himalayas, Mexicos embassy in New Delhi said, expressing its heartfelt condolences" to their relatives.

It was a family of five people who were tourists," Ambassador Federico Salas told a Mexican television channel.

- Poor air safety -

Nepal has a booming private helicopter industry, flying tourists and goods to remote corners of the Himalayan nation where road access is limited or non-existent.

But the country is notorious for its poor air safety, and Tuesdays incident is the latest in a string of aviation accidents. One person was killed and four were injured in May when a helicopter crashed in eastern Nepal after dropping off goods for a hydroelectricity project.

Multiple helicopter accidents claimed more than a dozen lives during rescue and relief operations in the aftermath of Nepals devastating 2015 earthquake. Plane crashes are also common in the Himalayan republic, home to remote and tricky runways flanked by snow-capped peaks that pose a challenge even for accomplished pilots.

The weather can change quickly in the mountains, creating treacherous flying conditions, and Nepals woeful safety record has been exacerbated by insufficient training and maintenance. All 72 people aboard a flight to the tourist city of Pokhara were killed in January when the plane plummeted into a steep gorge, smashed into pieces and burst into flames.

In 2018, a US-Bangla Airlines plane crash-landed near Kathmandus notoriously difficult international airport, killing 51 people and seriously injuring 20. In 1992, in Nepals deadliest air accident, all 167 people aboard a Pakistan International Airlines plane died when it crashed on approach to Kathmandu airport.

The European Union has banned all Nepali carriers from its airspace over safety concerns.
North Korea said Thursday it had successfully tested its new intercontinental ballistic missile, state media reported, as Pyongyang vented its fury after threatening to down US spy planes it said had violated its airspace.

The report from state-run KCNA news agency said the Hwasong-18  a new type of purportedly solid-fuel ballistic missile that has reportedly only been fired by the North once before, in April  flew 1,001 kilometres at a maximum altitude of 6,648 km before splashing into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.

The flight time of around 70 minutes is also similar to some of North Koreas previous ICBM launches, experts said. The launch, which KCNA said was guided by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was a grand explosion" that shook the whole planet", according to the report.

Kim also vowed that a series of stronger military offensive" would be launched until the United States and South Korea change their policies towards the North, KCNA said.

The confirmation of the launch  which the South Korean military had reported on Wednesday  came as relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points ever, with diplomacy stalled and Kim calling for increased weapons development, including tactical nukes.

In response, Seoul and Washington have ramped up security cooperation, vowing that Pyongyang would face a nuclear response and the end" of its current government were it to ever use its nuclear weapons against the allies.

The launch is a grave provocation that damages the peace and security of the Korean peninsula" and violates United Nations sanctions on Pyongyang, South Koreas military said, calling on North Korea to stop such actions.

The United Nations, United States and its allies, including France, also strongly condemned it.

This launch is a brazen violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions and needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilising the security situation in the region," US National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said in a statement.

Pyongyang in February also launched a Hwasong-15, which flew a similar 989 kilometers.

- Provocative US actions -

Wednesdays launch came after North Korea on Monday accused a US spy plane of violating its airspace and condemned Washingtons plans to deploy a nuclear missile submarine near the Korean peninsula.

A spokesperson for the North Korean Ministry of National Defence said the United States had intensified espionage activities beyond the wartime level", citing provocative" spy plane flights over eight straight days this month.

There is no guarantee that such shocking accident as downing of the US Air Force strategic reconnaissance plane will not happen in the East Sea of Korea," the spokesperson added.

Kims powerful sister Kim Yo Jong said that a US spy aircraft had violated the countrys eastern airspace twice on Monday, according to a separate statement.

Kim Yo Jong said North Korea would not respond directly to US reconnaissance activities outside of the countrys exclusive economic zone, but warned it would take decisive action" if its maritime military demarcation line was crossed.

The United States said in April that one of its nuclear-armed ballistic submarines would visit a South Korean port for the first time in decades, without specifying an exact date.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has ramped up defence cooperation with Washington in response, staging joint military exercises with advanced stealth jets and long-range heavy bombers.

Yoon is set to attend a NATO summit in Lithuania this week, seeking stronger cooperation over North Koreas growing threats.
North Korea has fired a ballistic missile, Seouls military said Wednesday, days after Pyongyang threatened to down US spy planes that violated its airspace.

North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile towards the East Sea," the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan.

Relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points ever, with diplomacy stalled and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un proclaiming his nation an irreversible" nuclear state and calling for increased weapons development, including tactical nukes.

In response, Seoul and Washington have vowed Pyongyang would face a nuclear response and the end" of the current government in North Korea were it to ever use its nukes against the allies.

On Monday, North Korea accused a US spy aircraft of violating its airspace and condemned Washingtons plans to deploy a nuclear missile submarine near the Korean peninsula.

A spokesperson for the Norths Ministry of National Defence said the United States had intensified espionage activities beyond the wartime level", citing provocative" flights made by US spy aircraft over eight straight days this month and one reconnaissance plane that intruded into its airspace over the East Sea several times".

There is no guarantee that such shocking accident as downing of the US Air Force strategic reconnaissance plane will not happen in the East Sea of Korea," the spokesperson said in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns powerful sister Kim Yo Jong said that a US spy aircraft had violated the countrys eastern airspace twice on Monday morning, according to a separate statement.

Kim Yo Jong said the North would not respond directly to US reconnaissance activities outside of the countrys exclusive economic zone, but warned it would take decisive action" if the US military crossed its maritime military demarcation line.

Washington said in April that one of its nuclear-armed ballistic submarines would visit a South Korean port for the first time in decades, without specifying an exact date.

North Korea has conducted multiple sanctions-defying launches this year, including test-firing its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile, and attempting to put a military spy satellite into orbit in May.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has ramped up defence cooperation with Washington in response, staging joint military exercises with advanced stealth jets and powerful US strategic assets.

Yoon is set to attend a NATO summit in Lithuania this week, seeking stronger cooperation with the alliances members over North Koreas growing nuclear and missile threats, his office said.

South Korea and the United States are set to start their major annual joint military exercises, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, next month.

North Korea regards all such exercises as rehearsals for invasion and has described them as frantic" drills simulating an all-out war against" Pyongyang.
The United Nations Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) in its latest report revealed that around 415 million people in India exited poverty within a span of 15 years (2005 - 2021).

The report pointed out that India is among the 25 countries which successfully halved its global MPI values within 15 years. The other nations which achieved this feat are China, Cambodia, Congo, Honduras, Indonesia, Morocco, Serbia and Vietnam.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said that the analysis is based on trends from 2000 to 2022 covering 81 countries with comparable data over time.

The global MPI focuses on both poverty reduction and how people experience poverty. It is mapped through several aspects of their daily lives. This includes access to education and health, living standards such as housing, drinking water, sanitation and electricity.

The report unveiled that poverty fell from 55% (645 million) in 2005/2006 to 16% (230 million) in 2019/2021. It said that people in India who are multidimensionally poor and deprived under the nutrition indicator fell from 44% in 2005-06 to 12% in 2019/21.

It also showed that the child mortality rate declined from 4% to 1.5%. The number of people deprived of cooking fuel declined from 53% to 14% and those not receiving proper sanitation declined from 50% to 11.3%. India also made remarkable progress in the drinking water category as those lacking proper drinking water fell from 16% to 3% and those with no access to electricity fell from 29%to 2% and people who lacked adequate housing decreased from 44% to 14%.

India saw a remarkable reduction in poverty. Large numbers of people were lifted out of poverty in China (2010-14, 69 million) and Indonesia (2012-17, 8 million), the UNDP said in a statement, highlighting that the deprivation in all indicators declined in India.

It also said that the disadvantaged groups across all ages experience fastest absolute progress.

The report released Tuesday by the United Nations Development Programme and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) at University of Oxford also said that at least 1.1 billion out of 6.1 billion people live in acute multidimensional poverty across 110 countries. Five out of every six poor people live in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, the report revealed.

(with inputs from Shalinder Wangu)
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is due Wednesday to visit the northern West Bank city of Jenin for the first time in over a decade, a week after the largest Israeli raid there in years.

Twelve Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were killed in the two-day raid on Jenin and its adjacent refugee camp, a regular site of fierce fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups.

The raid on the camp, which Israel views as a terrorism hub", employed hundreds of troops as well as drone strikes and army bulldozers that tore up streets and damaged scores of houses.

Soon after the raid, several top officials of Abbass Fatah party, including deputy chairman Mahmoud Aloul, had visited the camp only to be heckled by crowds of angry residents.

On Wednesday, Abbas was expected to visit the city as well as the camp, along with the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).

He was due to review progress of work in the reconstruction of the camp and the city", his office said in a statement.

Ahead of Abbass arrival, hundreds of soldiers from the presidential guard were seen patrolling the streets of the camp, an AFP journalist said.

The Jenin camp was established in 1953 to house some of those among the 760,000 Palestinians who fled or were expelled from their homes in 1948 when Israel was created, an event Palestinians call the Nakba" or catastrophe".

Over time, the camps original tents have been replaced by concrete, and it now resembles something closer to a neighbourhood.

The camp, which houses some 18,000 people, was also a hotbed of activity during the second intifada" or uprising of the early 2000s.

Over the past 18 months, the security situation in the camp has deteriorated, with the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority having little real presence there.

Abbas, 87, last visited Jenin in 2012 but had not toured the camp at the time.

While the PA remains somewhat present in the city, it has largely abandoned the camp to local armed groups such as the Jenin Brigade, which Israel alleges is backed by Iran.

Abbas had previously visited the camp itself in 2004 while running for the Palestinian presidential election after the death of leader Yasser Arafat.

During that trip Abbas was famously embraced by Zakaria Zubeidi, a senior militant in the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, who for years was on Israels most wanted list.

Experts were however sceptical of Abbass visit on Wednesday.

Through his made-for-camera visit, Abbas wants to show that he and his Palestinian Authority are firmly in control of Jenin," Hugh Lovatt, a senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told AFP.

In reality, making a rare visit outside of his Ramallah fiefdom will do little to re-establish the Palestinian Authority given the deepening crisis of legitimacy it is facing and the rise of Palestinian armed groups."
Elon Musk-owned Tesla may have funded the project to build its CEO a glass house in Texas Austin, the Wall Street Journal said in a report. The revelation has also led to an internal investigation probing whether the millions of dollars which were spent on glass purchases, amounted to company misspending.

Elon Musk who boasts of couch surfing could find himself in a tight spot if the probe unveils that he may have made a u-turn to living a lavish lifestyle.

The project known as Project 42 is constructing a glass-walled building and includes renderings of a glass box with residential features like bedrooms, bathrooms and a kitchen, people familiar with the developments told the Wall Street Journal.

It was also revealed that a company order for millions of dollars worth specialised glass concerned some within the company who did not what was purpose of the order which led to the launch of an internal investigation into the purchase, with the probe focusing on the potential misuse of company resources and if the CEO, Elon Musk, himself was involved.

The Wall Street Journal also said that the house would be located near the companys Austin-area headquarters. It was also revealed that there is a waterfall incorporated into the structures surrounding landscape and a futuristic pickup truck akin to Teslas Cybertruck.

The probes result is still unknown and it remains unclear the status of the delivery as well as the fate of Project 42.

Elon Musk has long boasted of living in frugal conditions and at one point also said that he would not own a house. In 2022, Musk said his residence was a $50,000 home he rented from his own company, SpaceX, located in South Texas. He also boasted of sleeping on couches at both Tesla and Twitter facilities.

However, the Wall Street Journal reported that Musk lived in an 8,000-square-foot mansion owned by Ken Howery, Paypal co-founder and a friend of Elon.

Musks net worth is $242.8 billion, which makes him the richest person in the world.
The UN Human Rights Council is heading towards a divisive vote on Wednesday on religious hatred following recent Quran burnings, with some Western nations reluctantly feeling the draft resolution encroaches too far on free speech.

Pakistan and other Organisation of Islamic Cooperation countries secured an urgent debate at the UNs top rights body on Tuesday after a Quran was burnt outside Stockholms main mosque, triggering a diplomatic backlash across the Muslim world.

Pakistans draft resolution condemns all manifestations of religious hatred, including public and premeditated acts of desecration of the Holy Quran", and underscores the need to hold those responsible to account.

It urges states to adopt laws to address, prevent and prosecute acts and advocacy of religious hatred that constitute incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence".

It also wants the UN rights chief Volker Turk to identify gaps in countries laws in light of Tuesdays Quran burning debate.

Worried about freedom of expression  however distasteful  some Western nations on the 47-member council were holding out for revised wording that would allow them all to reach a consensus.

But with Pakistan submitting its resolution, the European Union countries, the United States and Britain  while condemning Quranburnings  resigned themselves to a vote instead, with London and Washington saying they would vote against the draft resolution.

After four hours of debate, the council in Geneva was on the brink of voting on Tuesday. However, it narrowly ran out of time, meaning they will return at 10:00 am (0800 GMT) on Wednesday.

- Deliberate desecration -

The deliberate desecration of the holy Quran has continued under government sanction and with a sense of impunity," Pakistans Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told the council, via video-link.

Free speech is as indispensable as hate speech should be indefensible. Our vigour to protect free speech must not lose sight of the imperative to reject hate speech."

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi added: These provocations deeply insult Muslims around the world. You cannot hide behind freedom of expression."

In a brief intervention, Swedens representative said Stockholm strongly rejects any Islamophobic acts".

Some countries feel existing resolutions go far enough.

Frances ambassador Jerome Bonnafont noted: Human rights protect people  not religions, doctrines, beliefs or their symbols.

It is neither for the United Nations nor for states to define what is sacred."

Opening the debate, UN rights chief Turk said recent Quran-burning incidents seemingly manufactured to express contempt and inflame anger".

Powered by the tidal forces of social media hate speech of every kind is rising, everywhere," he said.

Turk said that people need to act with respect for others", with inflammatory acts against religions being offensive, irresponsible and wrong".

But, he stressed, limitations on free speech must, as a matter of fundamental principle, remain an exception".

- Western hopes for consensus -

US ambassador Michele Taylor said she had so hoped" the council could speak with one consensus voice".

While we abhor expressions of religious hatred, we do not believe freedom of expression can or should be abridged to outlaw them. Accordingly, we regret that we must vote against this text," she said.

British ambassador Simon Manley said it was difficult to determine where free speech becomes unacceptable.

We dont accept that, by definition, attacks on religion, including our religious texts or symbols, constitute advocacy for hatred," he concluded.

Belgiums ambassador Marc Pecsteen, speaking for the EU, deeply regretted there was no will" to keep negotiating for a consensus and the bloc therefore has no other choice than to ask for a vote".

On June 28 in Stockholm, Salwan Momika, 37, who fled from Iraq to Sweden several years ago, stomped on the Muslim holy book and set several pages alight.

His actions came as Muslims around the world began marking the Eid al-Adha holiday.

The Swedish government condemned the Quran burning as Islamophobic", but added that Sweden had a constitutionally-protected right to freedom of assembly, expression and demonstration".
Pakistans attacks on minorities continues unabated with the help of police and lawmakers as one boy was killed over a minor dispute in Sindhs Tando Muhammad Khan and three girls were abducted and forcefully converted to Islam in Rahim Yar Khan and Sindh province in separate incidents.

Unknown miscreants killed 16-year-old Shamlal, son of Nana Bagri, in Rahim Yar Khan during a dispute over the price of mangoes, the price of which were PKR 20 per kilo.

Two girls, Anita Kumari and Pooja Kumari, both residents of Rahim Yar Khan were abducted and forcefully converted to Islam. The local Hindu community alleged that the administration and police are siding with the perpetrators and not registering a case against the abductors. They also said that their grievances were not addressed.

A 13-year-old Sana Meghwar was abducted by 6 people from Nazarpur in Tando Ghulam Haider of Sindh Province on Monday.

People familiar with the developments told CNN-News18 that Sana was beaten and then forced to sit in a car by her kidnappers who abducted her while she was returning from the market with her mother. Her mother also sustained injuries in the attack.

Sanas mother identified one of the attackers as 50-year-old Sheikh Imran who is a local landlord. Her father, Prem Meghwar, said even though he reported the incident to Nazarpur and Tandi Ghulam Hyder police stations, the police officials did not even visit the site of the incident or take statements from Sanas mother and eyewitnesses.

Prem fears that Sheikh Imrans will convert his daughter and marry her off to one of his three sons.

Widow Forcibly Converted

In another separate incident, Radhika Meghwar, a widow, was abducted by Salim Mushtaq on Sunday. The incident occurred in Sindhs Ghotki district. She was forcibly converted to Islam in front of her parents and younger sister Kajal Kumari at the Daharki residence of Maulvi Mian Javed Ahmad Qadiri on the same day.

Mushtaq threatened Radhika that if she willingly accepts Islam and marries him there will be a better life for her but if she refuses then her entire family will have to bear the consequences. Javed Ahmad Qadiri, in whose residence the forced conversion took place, ordered Radhikas parents to respect their daughters wish to embrace Islam and told them to attend her marriage ceremony.
Western powers will offer Ukraine a package of long-term security commitments on Wednesday, after NATO dashed President Volodymyr Zelenskys hopes of a clear timeline for joining the alliance.

The Ukrainian leader was to hold talks with NATOs 31 leaders at their summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, a day after blasting them for not moving faster to bring Ukraine into the fold.

In an effort to reassure the Ukrainian leader, the G7 group of nations are expected to issue a declaration on how they will help Kyiv defeat Russia and deter any new aggression in the years to come while it sits in NATOs waiting room.

As he arrived for the meeting, Zelensky said he wanted to get on the same page" with NATO over what were the conditions for joining the alliance.

We will speak today and fight for these security guarantees for Ukraine on the way to NATO," he said before striding up the red carpet.

The G7 announcement will provide a framework under which individual nations will later agree bilateral deals with Kyiv detailing the weapons they will give.

The West wants to send a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he cannot keep the war grinding in the hope that international backing for Ukraine will eventually falter.

This multilateral declaration will send a significant signal to Russia that time is not on its side," White House advisor for European affairs Amanda Sloat said.

US President Joe Biden has previously suggested a model for Ukraine similar to one under which Washington has committed to giving Israel $3.8 billion in military aid per year over a decade.

Russia launched drone strikes on Kyiv for the second night in a row, the head of the citys military administration said early Wednesday.

All of the Iran-made Shahed explosive drones launched at Kyiv were were detected and destroyed," Sergiy Popko said on Telegram, adding there was no information about victims or destruction as of now."

Absurd

Western backers have already sent weapons worth tens of billions to Ukraine to help it fight back against Russias invasion.

Germany on Tuesday said it would provide more tanks, Patriot missile defences and armour vehicles worth another 700 million euros ($772 million).

France said it was sending long-range missiles and a coalition of 11 nations announced they will start training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 jets from next month.

But the pledges, while desperately needed by Ukraines troops, fall short of Zelenskys aspirations of putting Kyiv under NATOs collective defence umbrella.

NATO leaders vowed after the first day of their summit that Ukraines future is in NATO" and shortened the eventual process Kyiv would have to go through to enter the alliance.

We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met," a statement said.

But that didnt go much beyond a 2008 vow on future membership, and reflects the concerns of dominant power the United States about being dragged into a potentially nuclear conflict with Russia.

Zelensky had earlier fired a broadside saying that failure to issue Ukraine a timeframe for joining was absurd". Uncertainty is weakness," he thundered.

Frustration

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said she understood Ukraines frustration" as it desperately seeks to get into NATOs protective embrace.

She said she hoped written security commitments would show Ukraine that Western arms will keep flowing even if leaders are voted out in key countries supporting Kyiv.

As part of their attempt to convince Zelensky that Kyiv is moving closer to the alliance, NATO organised an inaugural meeting of a Ukraine-NATO council with him in Vilnius.

That gives him more of a seat around the table to set the agenda in talks with the alliance, but is still far from being in the club.

On the sidelines of the sit-down, Zelensky held meetings with key allies, including Biden, to press for more support.

Biden will later also give a keynote speech at Vilnius university laying out Washingtons commitment to defending every inch of NATO territory.
A 26-year-old woman from Colorado fell to her death while climbing a ridge at the Rocky Mountain National Park earlier this week. This is the second case of a person falling to their death at the Rocky Mountain National Park in a matter of seven days. She died after falling 500 feet while she was attempting to climb the ridge.

The woman was completing a free-solo climb at the site on Ypsilon Mountain Sunday when she fell. Her 27-year-old hiking partner alerted the park rangers of the fall who then informed the cops.

Later, the members of the Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Team asked a Colorado Air National Guard helicopter to help rescue the womans hiking partner who was unhurt.

The woman was flown to Upper Beaver Meadows part of the park and then flown to Larimer County Coroner/Medical Examiners Office after the search and rescue team recovered the womans body.

The name of the woman has not been released and will be once her next of kin are informed. The US Rocky Mountain National Park covers about 415 square miles and is home to different kinds of mountain environments. There are numerous hiking trails and areas to view the rich wildlife that abound in this region.

It is also one of the most visited parks within the American National Park system according to the National Parks Conservation Association. The national park is visited by at least 4 million hikers every year.

Earlier this month, a 25-year-old man from Rhode Island fell to his death and plunged into the West Creek Falls in the park on July 2. Mountain rivers, streams, and waterfalls are running very cold and very fast this time of year. The depth and current of all waterways can be deceivingly deep and swift. Park visitors are reminded to keep back from the banks of streams, rivers and waterfalls, the park authorities said in a press release.

A 57-year-old woman earlier lost consciousness while she was on a 8-mile hike in the remote area of Arizonas Grand Canyon National Park on July 2 when temperatures soared.

(with inputs from ABC News)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed the recent US decision to send cluster munitions to his country, saying Russia also uses the controversial and widely banned weapons.

Russia constantly uses cluster munitions on our territory. It wages war exclusively on our land. It kills our people, he said Wednesday at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

This is about justice, Zelenskyy added. We defend ourselves, without using (these) weapons on the territory of other states. Zelenskyy said. Any cluster munitions supplied to Ukraine, he said, would be used purely for military purposes and purely in Russian-occupied parts of southern and eastern Ukraine.

President Joe Biden earlier this week described the decision to provide the projectiles as very difficult, citing their record of killing civilians. Over 120 countries across the world  but not the US, Russia or Ukraine  have signed on to an international convention prohibiting the production of cluster munitions and discouraging their use.

Both Moscow and Kyiv have deployed the munitions during the war, and Ukrainian regional officials have regularly accused Russian forces of using them to target civilians.

- NATO and Ukraine are holding their first ever high-level talks in a new format.

The 31-nation alliance is not letting Ukraine join while the war with Russia is going on, but has launched a NATO-Ukraine Council as part of its political commitment to the country.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says its a forum where Ukraine and NATO allies will meet as equals, hold crisis consultations and jointly take decisions. Ukraine is now closer to NATO than ever before. Hungary has blocked high-level talks with Ukraine in the past due to concerns over the rights of the ethnic Hungarian minority living in Ukraine. But Stoltenberg said he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy can convene the NATO-Ukraine Council, so it cannot be blocked.

This is something new, this is something different. Its a strong tool for political integration, and also for decision-making, Stoltenberg said Wednesday before chairing the meeting.

Russia had a similar arrangement with NATO, but meetings dwindled after it annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Once the war started last year, the allies ruled that NATO cannot consider Russia to be a partner.
Vodacom announced it will invest ZAR500 million (US$27.4m) into its network and power backup across the Eastern Cape of South Africa in its 2023/24 financial year, as part of plans to expand its 5G network.

In a statement, Vodacom said the investment will expand connectivity into deep rural areas and townships in the region that did not have coverage previously. The coverage expansion will connect hundreds of thousands of people for the first time.

The majority of the capex will go to deploying new base stations, expanding network capacity, and power backup upgrades to combat power outages  to enable 5G expansion, deployment of 5G began in 2021 in the Eastern Cape.

The operator stated 106 deep rural sites will be built in the following municipalities: Buffalo City, Matatiele, Mbashe, Mnquma, Nelson Mandela Bay, Ngqushwa, Ngquza Hill, Ntabankulu, and Port St Johns, to name a few.

LTE capacity expansions will be carried out on 396 sites and 17 new urban sites will be deployed across the Eastern Cape. Plans are in place to expand from three live 5G sites to 50 in the region.

Vodacom Eastern Cape Region Managing Executive Zakhele Jiyane said: It is important for us to invest in the next generation of communication technology to give our customers access to networks that provide faster speeds and support the digital economy. Therefore, our accelerated investment in 5G in this financial year is in line with our commitment to connect the unconnected and will ultimately help the region bridge the digital divide between the urban and rural areas of the province.

Jiyane added the operator saw 40% data traffic growth due to attractive rates and network resilience leading to increasing NPS scores, he claimed.
The man that some Republicans in Congress have described as a witness with information on alleged Biden family corruption was "engaged in multiple, serious criminal schemes," prosecutors say. An eight-count indictment from November unsealed on Monday accuses Gal Luft of working as an illegal arms dealer and an unregistered agent for China's government, USA Today reports. Luft "subverted foreign agent registration laws in the United States to seek to promote Chinese policies by acting through a former high-ranking US government official; he acted as a broker in deals for dangerous weapons and Iranian oil; and he told multiple lies about his crimes to law enforcement," Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement .

Luft, a 57-year-old dual US-Israeli citizen, is a co-director of the Maryland-based Institute for the Analysis of Global Security think tank. Prosecutors say he was arrested in Cyprus in February but he skipped bail while awaiting extradition in April and is now a fugitive, the Guardian reports. In a video obtained by the New York Post last week, Luft claimed that he had been arrested to stop him testifying to the House Oversight Committee about alleged corruption involving a Chinese oil conglomerate CEFC and Hunter Biden, along with other Biden family members. He said he has "no political motive or agenda" and went on the run because he doesn't believe he will get a fair trial in New York.

Republicans investigating the Biden family earlier said their key witness had gone missing, the Wall Street Journal reports. After the indictment was unsealed, Oversight Committee chairman Rep. James Comer was among those who suggested it was politically motivated. The Justice Department "has done nothing but cover up for the Bidens," said Comer, who has called Luft a "crucial and credible witness," per the Journal. Republican Sen. Ron Johnson said he "does not trust the Department of Justice." He accused prosecutors of trying to "silence" Luft and said he should be granted immunity from prosecution so he can testify before Comer's committee. (Read more Hunter Biden stories.)
North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward its eastern waters Wednesday, its neighbors said, two days after the North threatened "shocking" consequences to protest what it called a provocative US reconnaissance activity near its territory, the AP reports. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff says the launch was made on Wednesday morning but gave no further details such as how far the weapon flew. Japan's Defense Ministry said it also detected a possible ballistic missile launch by North Korea. The launch, the North's first weapons firing in about a month, came after North Korea earlier this week released a series of statements accusing the United States of flying a military plane close to North Korea to spy on the North. The United States and South Korea dismissed the North's accusations and urged it to refrain from any acts or rhetoric that raises animosities.
Another road rage incident has taken a life. Zane Jones was driving with his wife Paola Nunez Linares, 37, in Hurst, Texas, Monday night when, he tells NBC DFW and Fox 4 , he flipped off an aggressive driver. The driver responded by pulling a gun and shooting into the couple's minivan. Linares was shot in the head and died after being rushed to a hospital, and the suspect has not been apprehended. Little information has been released other than a vague description of the suspect's car as a "small, dark-colored older model," but police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective C. Jackson at 817-788-7179.

The couple was on their way to the night shift they both worked at a paint store, and were behind a car driving slowly in the right lane, so they pulled into the left lane to pass when a third vehicle came speeding up from behind and rode near their bumper. "So I completed the pass, moved over to the right lane and the other car sped up to me and almost like crashed into my car, got very close and then backed away. And I flipped them off," says Jones. "She [his wife] always told me not to flip people off because you never know." (Read more Texas stories.)
After leaving UNESCO in 2019 due to what it saw as anti-Israel bias and other issues, the US has now officially rejoined the United Nation's education, science and culture agency. After the Trump administration withdrew membership, the Biden administration proposed a plan to rejoin, and in June, UNESCO's board informally welcomed the US back in, CBS News reports. But as of Tuesday, all the documents required for re-entry had been signed and delivered, making America's membership official. "It's a historic moment! So happy to announce that the #UnitedStates has officially rejoined @UNESCO," UNESCO's Director General Audrey Azoulay tweeted . "Our Organization now has 194 Member States & is moving towards universality."

According to the AP, America's return to the fold "was based mainly on concerns that China has filled a leadership gap since the US withdrew." The US hadn't financed UNESCO since 2011, when the agency voted to include Palestine as a member state, and it now owes $619 million in back dues. Part of the US' rejoining process included Congress granting a waiver that was needed in order for the country to start funding UNESCO again, and now the White House has arranged for $10 million in private voluntary funding to be provided to UNESCO this year and has asked that $150 million out of the 2024 budget go toward the dues and arrears owed. Similar requests are expected to be made in the coming years until the entire debt is paid. The US proposal must be confirmed at the General Conference meeting of UNESCO members this month. (Read more UNESCO stories.)
Iowa's Republican-led Legislature passed a bill banning most abortions after roughly six weeks of pregnancy during a marathon special session Tuesday that continued late into the night. Gov. Kim Reynolds immediately said in a statement she would sign the bill on Friday, the AP reports. The bill passed with exclusively Republican support in a rare, one-day legislative burst lasting more than 14 hours over the vocaland sometimes tenseobjections from Democratic lawmakers and abortion advocates protesting at the Capitol. Just after 11pm, lingering protesters in the gallery booed and yelled "shame" to state senators in the minutes after the bill was approved. Reynolds ordered the rare session after the state Supreme Court declined in June to reinstate a practically identical law that she signed in 2018.

A district court found the 2018 law unconstitutional in 2019 based on rulings by the US Supreme Court and Iowa's Supreme Court that had affirmed a woman's fundamental constitutional right to abortion. After both bodies overturned those rulings last year, the governor sought to reinstate the 2018 law. But the state's high court deadlocked last month without ruling on the merits of an abortion ban, leaving the law permanently blocked. And so Reynolds called lawmakers back to Des Moines. "The Iowa Supreme Court questioned whether this legislature would pass the same law they did in 2018, and today they have a clear answer," Reynolds said in a statement. "The voices of Iowans and their democratically elected representatives cannot be ignored any longer, and justice for the unborn should not be delayed."

Abortion is currently legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. The legislation will take immediate effect with the governor's signature on Friday. It will prohibit almost all abortions once cardiac activity can be detected, which is usually around six weeks of pregnancy and before many women know they are pregnant. There are limited circumstances under the measure that would allow for abortion after that point in a pregnancy where cardiac activity is detectedsuch as rape, if reported to law enforcement or a health provider within 45 days; incest, if reported within 145 days; if the fetus has a fetal abnormality "incompatible with life;" and if the pregnancy is endangering the life of the pregnant woman. Preparations were already underway to quickly file legal challenges in court and get the measure blocked, once Reynolds signs it into law.

(Read more Iowa stories.)
Investigators say a Colorado dentist accused of killing his wife researched how to poison her and get away with it, searching online for answers to questions like "is arsenic detectable in autopsy?" On Wednesday, prosecutors are set to present their evidence against James Craig to a judge to show that he should stand trial for first-degree murder in the death of Angela Craig in March. Police believe James Craig, 45, laced her pre-workout protein shakes with arsenic and cyanide so he could be with a woman he was having an affair with, according to court documents. He has yet to be asked to enter a plea to the charge, reports the AP .

Angela Craig died after being taken off life support during her third trip to the hospital in March. She was married to her husband for 23 years and the mother of six children, according to her obituary. As she languished in the hospital, with doctors unable to figure out what was wrong with her, police in the Denver suburb of Aurora alleged her husband was meeting the woman he was having an affair with, a fellow dentist, who flew in for visits with him. Police began investigating James Craig after his dental practice partner and friend, Ryan Redfearn, told a nurse that James Craig had ordered potassium cyanide even though they didn't need it for their work, according to an arrest warrant laying out evidence gathered by investigators.

Investigators believe that on March 6, James Craig put arsenic in one of the protein shakes he routinely made for his wife for their workouts and then, after she survived, he ordered a rush shipment of potassium cyanide that he told the supplier was needed for a surgery. James Craig had asked an office manager not to open that package but another employee did, leading to its discovery and eventual disclosure to authorities, the document says. The delivery of a third substance he's accused of ordering, oleandrin, was intercepted by authorities after they began investigating him, the document says. Oleandrin is a poisonous substance found in the leaves of the oleander plant.

Redfearn also told investigators that James Craig was on the verge of bankruptcy and had been having problems in his marriage, according to the document. Angela Craig's sister, Toni Kofoed, told police that James Craig had drugged his wife about five years ago with an unknown drug because he said he planned to kill himself and didn't want her to be able to save him. Kofoed believes that incident is what James Craig referenced in a series of texts between Angela and James Craig about her symptoms after she first fell ill on March 6. According to the arrest affidavit, James Craig wrote: "Given our history I know that must be triggering. Just for the record, I didn't drug you. I am super worried though." (Read more poisoning stories.)
Milan Kundera, the Czech author who was cast out of the Communist Party and became best known for penning The Unbearable Lightness of Being, has died. The 94-year-old passed away Tuesday in Paris "after a long illness," a spokeswoman for the Czech library that kept Kundera's personal collection told Reuters on Wednesday. A rep for his French publisher, Gallimard, confirmed his death to the New York Times . The reclusive author, who rarely gave interviews, had fled from Prague to France in 1975 and eventually became a naturalized French citizen after he was slammed for criticizing his birth nation's Communist Party in his writings.

That backlash started with his first novel, 1967's The Joke, which centers on a narrator who's a Prague college student in the '50s expelled by fellow Communists for a postcard he wrote in jest. That narrative wasn't too far off from Kundera's own life: He was expelled from the Communist Party twiceonce in 1950, while attending university, then again for good in 1970 (he'd been reinstated in 1956) after blasting the 1968 Soviet invasion of what was then known as Czechoslovakia, an incursion that ended the Prague Spring. The Joke was simply "a first step in Kundera's path from party member to exile dissident," per Reuters, and the Communist themes continued in his later works, including 1984's popular Unbearable Lightness.

That novel, which ended up reprinted in at least two dozen languages, revolves around Tomas, a Czech surgeon who has issues with Communist leadership and is relegated to becoming a window washer. The book was made into a 1988 movie by the same name, which starred Daniel Day-Lewis as Tomas. Kundera himself observed that his bookswhich the Times describes as "sexually charged novels that captured the suffocating absurdity of life in the workers' paradise of his native Czechoslovakia"had striking similarities and that their titles "could easily be swapped around." "They reflect the small number of themes that obsess me, define me, and, unfortunately, restrict me," he told the Paris Review in 1983. "Beyond these themes, I have nothing else to say or to write."

Kundera's last novel, The Festival of Insignificance, was published in English in 2015. Meanwhile, Czech citizenship for Kundera and his wife, Vera, which had been yanked in 1979, was restored in 2019, which the Guardian notes was described by the Czech Republic's ambassador to France as "a symbolic return of the greatest Czech writer in the Czech Republic." Still, his final works were written in French and never translated into Czech, a sign of his "complex" relationship with his homeland, per the AP. Even The Unbearable Lightness of Being wasn't published in the Czech Republic until 2006; the book topped bestseller lists there, and the following year, he won the Czech State Award for literature. The Washington Post notes that "complete information on survivors was not immediately available" for Kundera. (Read more author stories.)
The ninth installment of Tucker Carlson's Twitter program aired Tuesday, and on it was a surprise guest that even some conservatives were side-eyeing. The former Fox host interviewed a person he called "the most Googled man in the world last year" Andrew Tate , the misogynistic social-media influencer who remains under house arrest in Romania, facing charges of rape, human trafficking, and the sexual exploitation of women by forcing them to make porn videos to bring in cash. That last fact especially is why eyebrows were raised at Carlson's decision to chat for more than two hours with Tate, who offered his views on, among other things, pornography, per the Daily Beast .

The 36-year-old British American lamented that "less men are having sex than ever before," blaming that partly on his assertion that "masculine virtue is being destroyed." "Men are replacing genuine sexual relationships with just the computer screen and porn, and it's becoming a very, very big problem," Tate told Carlson. "I guarantee you, if you were the kind of man you were supposed to be ... you wouldn't need [porn]." He also delved into his own issues, scoffing at claims that he and his brother, Tristan, who's also been charged in Romania, did what they're being accused of.

"So ... you are not accused of pandering, of pimping, of forcing women to have sex with anybody?" Carlson asked, per the Independent. "No," Tate responded. "Not forcing them to have sex, not for restraining their movement ... but the fact that we are somehow convincing them to have TikTok." The Hindustan Times notes at least one other claim made by Tate that the paper calls "outrageous." "We should all give Putin credit for curing COVID," Tate insisted. "When his invasion [of Ukraine] happened, COVID went away."

The Independent notes that criticism of Carlson's interview came from all corners. "After lamenting about how young men are now withdrawing into porn, Tucker Carlson then proceeds to sympathetically interview an unapologetic pornographerfor two and a half hours!" tweeted journalist Justin Baragona. Conservative radio host Erick Erickson threw in a reference to Sound of Freedom, the controversial new film promoted by the right that centers on child trafficking. Erickson noted: "Are you an Andrew Tate right winger or a Sound of Freedom right winger. You can't really be both." Even Twitter owner Elon Musk weighed in, simply tweeting, "Interesting interview." (Read more Tucker Carlson stories.)
Helios Towers is one the biggest towercos in Africa, and since its IPO four years ago the firm has dramatically expanded its footprint and portfolio. It has also strongly pushed a sustainability agenda while continuing to drive increased coverage across some of the most challenging markets in the continent. We caught up with the firms CEO Tom Greenwood to discuss how it has achieved this.

How has Helios grown since its IPO?

Following our IPO in 2019, a key part of our strategy was geographic diversification, and since then weve executed that through a number of acquisitions and tower portfolios and new markets. Weve essentially doubled the size of the business during this time, going from five markets with 7,000 towers to nine markets with 14,000 towers. This included expanding out of Africa into the Middle East; were present in Oman.

We were busy through COVID  we provide the telecom infrastructure for networks, allowing people to communicate in our markets, so through COVID we were basically classed as essential service providers in our markets. Since fixed line barely exists in most of our markets, mobile is the main form of communication, so our business performed well during COVID.

In the past year or so, weve focused on integrating the new markets gained via our acquisitions and were now focusing on organic growth. In all of our markets were seeing strong demand for this as mobile operators look to expand their coverage and also upgrade their technology from 2G to 3G, 4G and 5G. Across Africa, penetration is the lowest in the world  about 50% - but this means it also has the highest growth potential. New subscribers create the need for further telecoms infrastructure, which is how we drive our revenues. Were focused on supporting the growth of networks in order to support the continued subscriber growth happening across our regions.

How challenging is it to be operating across a range of markets in various stages of development?

DRC is probably the least developed out of our eight African markets  there are around 100 million people in the country and the mobile penetration rate is about 35%. Just over half of the people there live in an area where there is cell phone coverage today, so there are almost 50 million people currently living in areas with literally no phone signal. This is actually fairly unique as most of Africa has some form of coverage for most of the population; for that reason were seeing huge rollout demand in the market. Its a country with four mobile operators  Vodacom, Airtel, Orange and Africell  all of which have the opportunity to gain new subscribers for the first time there, so there are major rollouts happening in new areas of the country. We're helping to connect literally millions of people to cell phone coverage for the first time through our investment in the passive side of the network, as well as building the normal towers. Were also building tower backbones in the market  while these would often use fibre, in DRC the terrain is so challenging that weve opted to build 100-metre towers which rise above the jungle canopy to house huge microwave dishes. These are placed about 20-25 miles apart, and over the past few years this has helped expand coverage to millions of new subscribers, driving investment to deliver services to new parts of the country.

The DRC is obviously a challenging market in terms of politics and terrain. Is that deployment strategy something you have had to pioneer in this market?

We were the first independent towerco in DRC, we entered in about 2011 and have been there for 12 years now  we are now the largest telco tower operator in the country. There are still mobile operators who own some of their towers and a few smaller tower firms, but were helping to drive tower investment in the market. This includes investment in very long-haul backhaul, but also includes densification in the big cities such as Kinshasa, which has around 15 million people. 5G is currently being trialled there, and the experience is actually pretty good; you've got the densification as needed in the cities with the data, as well as the widespread coverage needed in the more rural locations for setting up any form of connectivity for the first time, and everything in between  so its quite an interesting test.

And is that pattern similar in other markets that you are active in, in terms of deployments being generally focused on urban population centres?

To some extent you see this everywhere, and I think Africa is not even unique in that sense. In the cities, its all about 4G and 5G now, getting denser networks. For this, rather than just the classic 50 metre tall tower, there are other products that can be used, such as in building systems, outdoor desks, street furniture, lampposts with small antenna and things like that. Were seeing a higher demand for those sorts of products these days as well, and I think that is only going to grow exponentially as we move forward. In the rural locations, were still seeing standard rollouts, just getting some form  or an increase form  of coverage to certain locations. We have very good engagement with the regulator and the mobile operators in terms of a clear, coordinated plan for rural rollouts. We're always looking at ways to expand both densification but also rural rollout so that ultimately we end up with ubiquitous coverage across everywhere.

Connecting remote communities is always important to governments, obviously on the agenda for most authorities in these regions. What about sustainability? What is your focus in this area and how are governments pushing it?

Sustainability is absolutely core to everything we do. Inherently, in terms of what we facilitate, as an independent tower company, is a sharing of infrastructure; rather than having two or three towers standing next to them next to each other, each with their own steel, their own generator etc. By just having one tower, that immediately cuts carbon emissions by about 50%. Thats how we make our money  getting multiple tenants on the sites. The first tenant basically breaks even, and after that is when tower companies make their profits, and in that sense towercos are linked to being environmentally sustainable. We think about sustainability really in three key areas: digital inclusion, empowerment and development, and carbon. We publicise these goals to our investors and to the market, we have very clear KPIs on them, but we also have non-financial sustainability metrics.

On digital inclusion, as well as more general growth targets around towers and tenancies, we have targets around rural coverage as well. In fact, one of our one of our metrics measures the population covered by our towers, and we have we have three to five year targets for that, so its about enabling this through future investment.

On the people front, we have a huge focus on training and development - local leadership, local empowerment, and female representation. Today around 97% of all of our colleagues across the group are from the markets in which we operate; that largely includes the managing directors of each country, based on the country in which we're operating. That flows throughout the whole organisation. Over the past 18 months, since we bought in a sort of formal structure around it, we've seen a five percentage point increase in female representation within our business - this industry is fairly traditionally male, and we're doing a bunch of things at grassroots level as well bringing on STEM graduates for graduate programmes within our school of engineering.

To touch on carbon, we have a significant investment in carbon reduction projects. 18 months ago, we launched to the market something called Project 100 - a commitment for us to invest $100 million in renewable energy solutions between that point in time and 2030. This includes things like solar, hybrid batteries, wind power, etc. Alongside this we published carbon targets, which were to reduce carbon per tenant by 46% by 2030, with the condition to be net zero by 2040. This is all reported to the market; these are key aspects to our business. The great thing is they're all inextricably linked to our financial performance as well, because typically reducing carbon emissions means reducing diesel fuel consumption, which is the most expensive form of fuel. You can map that out to pretty much every line on these non-financial KPIs, and they contribute to the financial KPIs as well  thats why I believe our business is inherently sustainable, because financial performance and impact are intertwined.

Finally, a little bit about 5G in Africa, because obviously that is very new and its very much in the trial stages. Are there any full scale commercial deployments of 5G within your footprint?

Yes, but its most in the initial rollout or pilot stage. Theres 5G in South Africa, which is our smallest market, and its prevalent in Oman, where its in the second phase of being deployed. Across our footprint 2G, 3G and 4G are more prevalent.

Youre not seeing 3G sunsets?

I believe last year was the first time 3G surpassed 2G in terms of number of connections across our markets  but I assume it will be phased out in favour of 4G and 5G, while 2G will be kept for quite a long time. There are still so many handsets that utilise 2G, and theres still 50% of the population with no handset. If youre able to build out more advanced coverage, that will attract people to it. For people getting a phone for the first time, 2G is better than nothing, but I think one of the constraining factors across Africa for is not the technology itself but availability and cost of handset. You can pick up an old handset very cheaply, but the lowest-cost smartphone is probably around $30 which is still unaffordable for many.
Police say a patient fatally shot an orthopedic surgeon in an exam room at a Tennessee clinic on Tuesday. Dr. Benjamin Mauck, a husband and father of two young children, was shot dead around 2pm in what police described as a targeted "one-on-one interaction" at Campbell Clinic Orthopedics in Collierville, west of Memphis, per the New York Post . "It's bad, it's horrific, it's terrible," Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane said at a Tuesday press conference, per WREG . The outlet obtained video showing the police response inside the clinic. In it, a witness tells police that a man with a pistol ran out of a room. Officers then exit the building at a sprint. Lane said the shooter was detained "without incident" within five minutes, per NBC News .

The unidentified male found outside with a gun "on his person" had been at the clinic for several hours, according to Lane, though the reasons for that are unclear. A person at the scene told WREG that the suspect had been threatening Mauck for at least a week. At the press conference, Lane said police were unaware of any alleged threats. Mauck, a specialist in elbow, hand, and wrist surgery who also held the role of director of the Congenital Hand Deformities Clinic at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, was named one of the "2023 Top Doctors" in Memphis by Memphis Magazine only days prior. He had a 4.9 rating from patients at the clinic where he'd worked for almost 11 years, per NBC.

"We are shocked and heartbroken to confirm the incident resulted in the tragic loss of one of our highly respected and beloved physicians," said clinic rep Irina Ollar. Dr. Trey Eubanks, interim president and surgeon-in-chief at Le Bonheur, said Mauck was "a beloved colleague and a dedicated physician" and his death is "an unthinkable tragedy." In a statement, Tennessee Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari, a Democrat, said "tragedies like this underscore the urgent need for common senselike reinstating background checks and gun licenses, and establishing new reforms like an order of protection so police can remove firearms from a person who is threatening others." (Read more shooting death stories.)
The world hasn't had eyes on Russian General Sergei Surovikin since Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin's short-lived rebellion against Russia's military in late June. A Russian lawmaker shed some vague light on Surovikin's whereabouts Wednesday, reports Reuters . In a video that appeared on social media, the head of the State Duma Defense Committee can be heard saying, "Surovikin is currently resting. (He is) not available for now." The New York Times reports Andrei Kartapolov's comment came in response to a reporter's question, with Kartapolov then "hurrying away from the reporter."

Surovikin's last public appearance occurred hours into the June 23-24 mutiny via a recorded video appeal that the rebellion come to an end. A New York Times report that appeared days later cited unnamed US officials who were briefed on homeland intelligence that indicated Surovikin knew of Prigozhin's plans ahead of time. The update on Surovikin follows Monday's release of the first footage of Russia's military chief, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, since the rebellion. The Times notes Gerasimov appears in a video in which he's getting a report from the Russian Aerospace Forces, which Surovikin oversees; the update, however, was given by Surovikin's deputy. (Read more Sergei Surovikin stories.)
Two Alabama firefighters were shot Wednesday morning in what police believe was a targeted attacked. The shooting occurred in Birmingham's Station 9 just prior to 8:30am, shortly after the men had started their shift, reports Al.com. Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond says the shooter entered via the station's bay door, which is kept open so residents in need of assistance have easy access, and shot the firefighters in the chest and legs as they did what WVTM describes as "routine morning maintenance." The men were transported to UAB Hospital in serious condition. The shooter has yet to be apprehended, with police reportedly looking for a silver car.
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TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, praised the ongoing security cooperation and coordination between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Kuwait, and their dedication to exchanging expertise in all operations to protect security and general safety.

General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah was speaking as he received yesterday Kuwait Interior Ministrys Undersecretary, Lieutenant-General Anwar Al Barjas. Chief of Public Security, Interior Ministry Undersecretary for Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs, Inspector-General and General Supervisor of the General Directorate of the Interior Ministry Affairs attended the meeting.

The minister said the committee meeting reflects the commitment to reinforce joint security operations out of fraternity ties among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah hailed the solid and historical ties between the two brotherly countries, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and his Kuwait Amir, His Highness Shaikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.

He congratulated Shaikh Talal Al Khaled Al Ahmad Al Sabah for his appointment as First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister of Kuwait. He highlighted several initiatives and programmes undertaken by the Interior Ministry to promote community security, including the Maan (together) programme against violence and addiction that aims to protect youth through ongoing development and the launch of a new curriculum.

The minister also mentioned the Recovery programme of the Anti-Narcotics Directorate, the alternative sentencing project and the open prisons programme. He said the security work could develop through proactive measures and implementation of correct legal procedures.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain Education Minister Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma approved the scholarship plan for the 20222023 public and private high school graduates whose average is 90% and above.

Outstanding graduates will compete for 6,000 scholarships and grants covering different academic specialities, said the minister as he approved the scheme. Dr. Juma noted that the allocation of thousands of scholarships and grants reflects the support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the education sector.

He affirmed that the allocation of scholarships and grants would be based on students cumulative academic averages as the only criterion. The minister said that the plan takes into account the needs of the labour market, stressing the ministrys commitment to granting a student with an average of 95% or more a scholarship in the specialization he selected as his first choice if he opts to enroll at the University of Bahrain or Bahrain Polytechnic.

Public and private school graduates whose averages equal at least 90% and who desire to compete for scholarships and grants must log into www.bahrain.bh to finalize their registration. Registration, which started yesterday, Tuesday, at 6 p.m., will run until Friday, July 14, said the Ministry in a statement.

The ministry also called on students who did not receive the secret numbers for the electronic registration of scholarships to contact the Information Systems Department, User Service, through the following means:

Telephone: 1727877717278417. WhatsApp 17278777 during working hours. Email: Isd.helpdesk@moe.bh For more information and queries, call 17873046, 17875177, 1787302, or 17873564 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. during working hours.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) President Ali Ahmed Al Derazi has emphasized the importance of spreading awareness about the principles of human rights and basic freedoms, including childrens rights.

He said that childrens rights are considered a priority for the NIHRs work and are in line with the Paris Principles relating to the status of national human rights institutions.

"Bahrain is witnessing remarkable progress in the field of human rights in general and the rights of children in particular, which is guided by the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, as well as the role played by all ministries, official bodies, and civil society institutions to achieve the highest levels of protection for children," he said.

He thanked the supporters of NIHR, underscoring the importance of the institution's partnerships with various sectors and organisations that aim to serve the goals of NIHR. Al Derazi was speaking as NIHR inaugurated the role of "Childs Rights Commissioner" yesterday in a stakeholders consultation event.

Last week, the NIHR announced the appointment of Dr. Hooreiya Abbas to the role. The event, which deals with issues facing children and supports policies to ensure a healthy environment for them.

Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa, Vice President of the Supreme Judicial Council and President of the Cassation Court, attended the ceremony, which saw an exchange of ideas and visions on best practises aimed at developing a mechanism to defend childrens rights.

Support for NIHR

The British Ambassador to Bahrain, Roddy Drummond, gave a speech during the event in which he thanked NIHR for organising the event and affirmed support for its efforts.

"We are very pleased to be part of the journey of planning and consultations that our friends at NIHR have undertaken in their work to safeguard and protect childrens rights. Promoting and protecting the rights of children is everyones responsibility. Encouraging children to participate, listening to them, and actively engaging them is vital to ensuring that their views are heard and advocated for," the ambassador said.

The Child Rights Commissioner, Dr. Hooreiya Abbas, gave a presentation on her role in dealing with issues facing children and how to work to protect and promote their best interests by supporting policies and legislation concerned with the protection of their rights within the framework of the mandate of NIHR.

"The rights of the child in Bahrain are clear and mentioned in many laws and legislation." Through this position, we seek to be the unified and free voice of the children, as we hear their views and suggestions and investigate their complaints.

We strive to be ambassadors for childrens rights in the Kingdom and abroad," Dr. Hooreiya said. "This role is the first among the GCC countries and the region," she added.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

KPMG in Bahrain recently hosted an event to welcome over 25 interns as a part of their Hussain Kasim Professional Internship programme as part of an annual program.

Including the newest batch of 25 interns, the firm has onboarded a total of 47 young professionals so far this year. It is expected to receive a total of 75 interns by the end of the current financial year.

Jamal Fakhro, Managing Partner of KPMG in Bahrain, said, We truly believe that it is through the cultivation of young talent that we can build a vibrant, sustainable, and prosperous future for the Kingdom."

The Hussain Kasim Professional Internship programme was established to offer students the chance to gain practical work experience and learn while working as a part of the firms professional teams in audit, advisory, and tax functions.

The program is named after Hussain Kasim, a co-founder of KPMG in Bahrain and a highly respected teacher in the community who was passionate about supporting young professionals through lifelong learning opportunities. The programme aims to select and accommodate 50-80 university students each year, as with previous years.
Japan's environment ministry says it has confirmed that dozens of little fire ants have entered the country for the first time. The fire ant is designated as an invasive alien species in the nation.

The ministry says about 30 little fire ants were found at the Port of Mizushima's international container terminal in Okayama Prefecture's Kurashiki on July 3. The ants are native to Central and South America.

The fire ant is small. It is about 2 millimeters long. It has a stinger and a poison gland. After being bitten by a fire ant, a person can have an allergic reaction.

Ministry officials say the insects were discovered around a cargo container from the Philippines that passed through Kobe Port.

They say the ants do not appear to have become established in the country, as no queen ants were found. They add that the insects were not spotted anywhere else in the port. ...continue reading
Kanye West has finally met his Australian in-laws, seven months after he tied the knot with Melbourne-native Bianca Censori.

Ms Censori is an architect by trade and first met the controversial rapper, who has changed his name to Ye, while working for his clothing company Yeezy.

In January, it was reported Kanye married the 28-year-old in a private ceremony in Beverly Hills.

Six months later, West flew to Tokyo with his wife in late June to meet Ms Censori's parents Leo and Alexandra and her sister Angelina.

Kanye West finally meets new wife Bianca's parents on family holiday to Japanhttps://t.co/pwZKllJsEQ pic.twitter.com/rlOqXQ3Wvu  Mirror Celeb (@MirrorCeleb) July 12, 2023

The 46-year-old rapper did not post about finally meeting with his in-laws on social media, but unearthed photos from the trip suggest they did spend time together while visiting the Japanese capital recently.

Ms Censoris sister Angelina accidentally tipped the media off about the meeting after posting a photo of her father Leo and mother Alexandra on a Tokyo street. ...continue reading
OTTAWA, ON, July 11, 2023 /CNW/ - Across the country, Canadians are more and more often facing the realities of natural disasters  like wildfires, floods and hurricanes. The Government of Canada's priority is always keeping people safe. When these events occur, the federal government responds to requests for assistance from provinces and territories to help coordinate support when and where it's needed. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are a key part of Canadian response efforts.

Today, the Honourable Bill Blair, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness, announced an additional $82 million over three years for the Supporting a Humanitarian Workforce to Respond to COVID-19 and Other Large-Scale Emergencies (HWF) program. This funding builds on investments initially made under the program when it was established in year 2021.

The funding announced today will allow the Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, The Salvation Army and the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) to maintain a highly skilled and qualified group of volunteer emergency responders and emergency management professionals who can rapidly deploy on short notice to support the response to emergency events. Additionally, this funding will enable them to recruit and train response teams, purchase equipment and supplies, strengthen governance, and adapt their protocols and procedures to address the needs of specific communities, including vulnerable populations.

As the Government invests in everything from training more wildfire fighters, to Canada's first National Adaptation Strategy, today's announcement represents another important step in building readiness and response capacity, to keep pace with the evolving risk environment. The Government of Canada will continue to work closely with provinces, territories, Indigenous partners, NGOs and other stakeholders as we work to bolster our pan-Canadian civilian response capacity and keep Canadians and their communities safe and healthy.

Quotes

"The growing impacts of more frequent and severe natural disasters are being felt in communities right across the country. Non-governmental organizations are often among the first on the scene and provide crucial supports when disasters strike. That is why the Government of Canada is making this important investment, to help build and maintain their capacity so that they can continue to respond to large-scale emergencies across the country and be there when Canadians need them."

- The Honourable Bill Blair, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness

"The Canadian Red Cross is grateful for this investment from the Government of Canada and the momentum it carries for a humanitarian workforce ready to respond during disasters or emergencies. This year's wildfire season in Canada is hitting hard and fast and we continue to work closely with governments, Indigenous leadership, and communities to help people who have been impacted. Red Cross teams remain committed to humanitarian work, and this support to increase our capacity to respond during a disaster or emergency will be of benefit to people across the country."

- Conrad Sauve, President and CEO, Canadian Red Cross

"As a humanitarian organization, St. John Ambulance has a demonstrated history of providing emergency health services to Canadians during times of emergency and disaster. This critical support from the Humanitarian Workforce Program will help to ensure our network of 12,000 qualified volunteers, in more than 300 communities, is prepared to rapidly mobilize and respond to large-scale emergencies across the country."

- Martin Gangnier, Chief Executive Officer, St. John Ambulance  National Office

"We are grateful for the support and trust in The Salvation Army as we stand shoulder to shoulder in times of crisis. The Humanitarian Workforce funding empowers us to strengthen our capacity to respond to emergencies, and mobilize our volunteers in communities across Canada, ensuring the safety and well-being of our fellow Canadians. This partnership exemplifies the power of collective action and reinforces our shared commitment to service amid suffering."

- Floyd J. Tidd, Territorial Commander, The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda

"Support from the Government of Canada plays a significant role in SARVAC's ability to respond to communities in need of support across Canada. Our members are ready at a moment's notice to respond to emergencies, and through the Humanitarian Workforce Program we are able to substantially increase our response capabilities in the event of any natural disasters."

- Janelle Coultes, President, Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada

Quick Facts

A humanitarian workforce can rapidly deploy to provide surge capacity to support emergency responses to major events, such as flooding and wildfires.

To date, the Government of Canada has provided more than $166.9 million to the Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, The Salvation Army, and SARVAC through the Humanitarian Workforce program, that has allowed these organizations to develop capacity to mobilize more quickly in response to past events and deploy critical on-the-ground support to provincial, territorial and local governments.

has provided more than to the Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, The Salvation Army, and SARVAC through the Humanitarian Workforce program, that has allowed these organizations to develop capacity to mobilize more quickly in response to past events and deploy critical on-the-ground support to provincial, territorial and local governments. The humanitarian workforce initiative supports the priorities of the Emergency Management Strategy for Canada which seek to strengthen the resilience of Canadian society by 2030. This investment contributes to enhancing disaster response capacity and coordination and fosters the development of new capabilities.

which seek to strengthen the resilience of Canadian society by 2030. This investment contributes to enhancing disaster response capacity and coordination and fosters the development of new capabilities. Additionally, the program supports the National Adaptation Strategy's objectives to build resilient communities and to reduce the risk of climate-related disasters.

Associated Links

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

For further information: Joanna Kanga, Press Secretary, Office of the President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness, [email protected]; Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657, [email protected]
Angry Astronaut provided more technical information about the development and plans of the Pulsar Fusion Rocket. Pulsar has their own operational chemical rockets and plasma drives.

The 11 year old, UK company, Pulsar has been mainly focused on fusion research. 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 funded by the U.K. Space Agency in 2022 to develop a nuclear based propulsion system. They are working with the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and Cambridge University. Pulsar is building an eight-meter fusion chamber to bring plasma to ultra-hot temperatures and create exhaust speeds fast enough for interstellar travel. Pulsar is working with New Jersey-based Princeton Satellite Systems to use supercomputer simulations to better understand how the plasma will behave under electromagnetic confinement.

If they succeed in developing their nuclear fusion rocket it will go 500,000mph (805,000km/h) and reach Mars in 14-30 days. Later rockets would reduce flight time to Saturn from 8 years to 2 years and ultimately empower humanity to leave the solar system.

Modelling shows that this technology can potentially propel a spacecraft with a mass of about 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) to Pluto in 4 years.

Since DFD provides power as well as propulsion in one integrated device, it would also provide as much as 2 MW of power to the payloads upon arrival. Designers think that this technology can radically expand the science capability of planetary missions.

They completed a State of the Art (SoA) assessment on heating technology in 2021, further analysis was carried out by a panel of experts to finally make an informed decision on an initial design point for the system.

Pulsar has now proceeded to phase 3, the manufacture of the initial test unit. Static tests are to begin in 2024 followed by an In Orbit Demonstration (IOD) of the technology in 2027.

The system for creating and using ionized plasma for thrust does not have to generate more power than is needed to create it. We do not have to wait for net power fusion for a fusion rocket.

They just create the plasma and then the plasma generates the thrust on its own because its both ionized and high velocity and easily controlled by electromagnets. Pulsar Fusion could probably put this solution into orbit next year if they had the funding. They have the basic equipment. It would be a proof of concept that would demonstrate the technologies.

Pulsar is starting to create this Plasma on a small scale in their Laboratories.

Pulsar Fusions hall effect thrusters are smaller ion engines that are going to be used on satellites. UK-based Rolls-Royce is working on a nuclear thermal engine thats supposed to be demonstrated by 2027 or 2028. Nuclear thermal engines can superheat hydrogen fuel in large quantities and drive that out the nozzle at about 10 kilometers per second. Pulsar is developing liquid hydrogen engines with higher efficiency utilizing the same power plant that Rolls-Royce is using.
WASHINGTON  The U.S. Army announced today the award of two firm-fixed price contracts for the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle Phase III and IV Detailed Design and Prototype Build and Testing phases, using full and open competitive procedures. The contracts were awarded to General Dynamics Land Systems Inc. (Sterling Heights, Michigan) and American Rheinmetall Vehicles LLC (Sterling Heights, Michigan). The total award value for both contracts is approximately $1.6 billion.

With the initial digital design phase of the program now complete, the Army is redesignating the OMFV program as the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle.

The XM30 program has been highly successful, said Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, the Armys Program Executive Officer for Ground Combat Systems. The Armys iterative concepting and digital design approach, combined with increased emphasis on competition, continues to allow the program to quickly design a transformational capability for the Army of 2030 and beyond.

The XM30, which will replace Bradley Fighting Vehicles, will bring new capabilities that will transform the way our formations fight in the future. Developed with a modular open system architecture, the XM30 will allow new, developing technology to be added to the vehicle as that technology matures, ensuring overmatch against any future adversary.

Competition remains a vital aspect of the XM30 program, said Doug Bush, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology. Fully funding two companies for the next phases of the program will allow the Army to place the XM30 on a rock-solid foundation from a resourcing perspective, while also maintaining a competitive environment.

Bush emphasized how the XM30 program opened the door for industry partners that are not traditional U.S. combat vehicle prime contractors, allowing for increased competition and innovation in the program.

A sign of the success of this strategy is that we are increasing innovation through greater industry competition from those that are not traditional U.S. combat vehicle prime contractors, which is evidence of both the robust capability that exists in worldwide industry and the Armys willingness to embrace new ideas, said Bush.

Modernization is a central element of Army transformation, which provides capability and lethality for our Soldiers, said Gen. James Rainey, commanding general of Army Futures Command. The nature of our adversaries actions and intent, amid rapid and disruptive technological change, demands that the Army continue to transform. Milestones like todays announcement for XM30 demonstrate we are on a sustainable path to equip todays Soldiers with modern equipment while we invest in the technologies and systems necessary to build the Army of 2030.

The XM30 combines transformative improvements in lethality, vehicle and Soldier survivability, and upgradability that are beyond the physical and economic limits of the Armys Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

The XM30 brings a transformational change to how our armored brigade combat teams will fight in the future, bringing more lethality to the battlefield and reducing risk for our Soldiers, said Brig. Gen. Geoffrey Norman, director of the Next-Generation Combat Vehicles Cross Functional Team.

The XM30 will deliver improved capabilities through the use of 21st century technologies that will be developed using a digital acquisition environment.

During the next two phases of the program, the Army will conduct activities to mature XM30 designs and will verify prototype performance during test activities, including a limited user test. The awardees will be required to deliver up to 11 prototype vehicles, as well as two ballistic hulls and turrets, armor coupons and digital engineering data.

Following the detailed design and prototype build and testing phases, the Army intends to have a limited competition to downselect to one vendor at Milestone C near the end of fiscal year 2027, with first unit equipped anticipated in fiscal year 2029.

These same vendors will then compete, based on demonstrated platform performance, in a limited competition for XM30 low-rate initial production, said Dean.

The Army continues to drive a process that will bring todays most advanced technology into the XM30 and, through the use of digital engineering and a modular open system architecture, the XM30 team will be able to rapidly integrate future technologies.

For more information, contact Ashley John at (586) 405-5570 or ashley.f.john.civ@army.mil.
A lawyer of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, Muyiwa Obanewa, has reacted to reports that his client was arraigned on Monday before a high court in Abeokuta over alleged vote buying.

Obanewa, while addressing journalists in Abeokuta on Tuesday, said his client was yet to be served any notice of a suit filed against him.

According to him, arraignment does not take place unless the defendant had been duly served.

It is not true that Adebutu had been docked. As we speak, he has not even been served, he is not even aware of it; and until you are aware and served with a court process, you cannot be alleged to have evaded the court. He has to be served before he can be arraigned, the lawyer said.

It was reported on Monday that Adebutu was arraigned in absentia with nine others for allegedly involving in vote buying during the March 18 election.

The Federal Government, through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, pressed charges against Adebutu and others.

The suit followed a petition written by the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun, Yemi Sanusi, and made available to the police.

Reacting, Obanewa said the case was politically motivated, saying it could not stand the test of time.

According to him, only five of the 10 defendants were served and they appeared in court yesterday.

He said the five that were in court pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in very lenient terms, in the sum of N100,000 and one surety.

This, he said, was to show that the charge was not a serious one, saying it has no leg to stand on.

The legal practitioner argued that only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has the power to sue an individual over matters of electoral offences.

The duty to investigate electoral matters is that of INEC and not the Chairman of APC in Ogun State. We will meet them in court. We are waiting for the APC Chairman to even come and give evidence, Obanewa added.

He explained that INEC, which is the only one that can initiate criminal prosecutions involving electoral offences, was not aware of the case and was not a party to it.

The Counsel, however, expressed his readiness to defend the defendants in the matter, stating that, We are ready for the case. We have seen the proof of evidence, we have seen that purely it is political.
The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu said the party is willing to receive the former Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike-led G-5 into its fold.

Adamu disclosed this while speaking in an interview with Arise Television on Tuesday.

The APC chairman noted that the G-5 will be most welcome whenever they decide to opt for the ruling party.

Meanwhile, Adamu has rubbished the rumoured differences between himself and President Bola Tinubu.

Adamu said he deserved some commendation for leading the party towards a successful presidential primaries and the eventuual victory of Tinubu.

He said he was misrepresented about his position on the recently elected principal officers of the national assembly, adding that what the APC had issues with was the manner the communication was handled by the lawmakers.

Adamu said those who have issues against him have always had the opportunity to air their views at their national meetings, explaining that Saliu Lukman, for instance, who has always accused him of running a one-man show, has always attended those meetings.

The APC chairman stated that the decision of Lukman to take the party to court was a grave offence even though he later signed a deal that his case had been withdrawn from the court and apologising for his misdemeanour.

Adamu said, I think thats a soft selling point for you media people. It is true that at the time that I made a presentation to the National Working Committee (NWC), the name of Senator Ahmed Lawan was thrown up.

That was before the convention. So many things took place between then and the actual date of the convention and you saw what culminated in the convention unanimously. I was there and I led the convention of the party.

A day after the convention, I took the entire working committee to his (Tinubus) house in Asokoro and assured him of our support and said we will stand shoulder to shoulder with him and ensure that the mandate was sold properly to the people of Nigeria. We won the election. Instead of being praised, we are vilified, he said.

He stated that it wasnt the time for vilification, expressing the view that since he led the party to success, he should be commended.

Adamu said he had a right to hold an opinion like he did on Lawan before the primaries, but noted that once it was clear that Tinubu emerged, every member had to rally around him.

He said he currently has a good working relationship with Tinubu since his election, noting that the president has always given him his full attention each time they met.

Adamu said he would be willing to disagree with the president on any matter because theres freedom of speech in the country, explaining that the so-called altercation with the president remains media creation.

The national APC chairman stressed that reports about himself and the president not on the same page remain speculative, urging the media to be fair to him.





On his comments which were reported about the Ondo governor that the governor, Rotimi Akeredolu was extremely incapacitated, Adamu stressed that there was no such pronouncement at his meeting with state chairmen.

The chairman further said the future of the APC remains very bright, explaining that his hope was that in the next four years, Tinubu will get renewal for a second term.

He noted that he wasnt bothered by media reports of differences with the president, pointing out that his main task at the moment is to keep the party as one strong entity.
Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has said that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar is angry because he was rejected by him and the G5- governors.

Ortom was reacting to a statement made by Atiku through his media aide, Phrank Shaibu accusing him and other G-5 members of seeking appointment and protection from prosecution from the Federal Government.

Ortom said that the presidential candidate should be worried about why the G-5 and other members of the integrity group rejected his candidacy.

Atiku had described the former Benue governor as one of the worst governors in the history of Nigeria saying his case file at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is bulky.

But responding, Ortom reiterated the stand of the G-5 and said that the group stood for justice, equity, and fairness and that the 2023 presidency must go to the southern part of the country and Nigerians saw the indisputable facts contained in the position of the Integrity Group and voted for a presidential candidate from the south.

The statement read in parts, Atiku is angry because Governor Ortom and his colleagues in the G-5 refused to be used by him as Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to circumvent and thwart the resolve of Nigerians to produce a President from the southern region.

Another reason for Atikus attack on Chief Ortom is the former Benue State Governors boldness to speak truth to his face and rebuke him for making unstatesmanlike comments regarding the killing of Benue people by Fulani herdsmen. Atiku is on record to have expressed bitterness towards Ortom for daring to enact a law to prohibit open grazing of livestock in the state.

The former Vice Presidents diatribe against Chief Ortom can therefore be understood as the manifestation of frustration for losing the 2023 election. His failure to humble himself and unite the PDP, opting to remain haughty even when the signals were clear that he was heading for defeat summarized his performance in the last election.

Atiku lacks the moral ground to accuse anyone else of corruption. The words of his erstwhile principal, the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who described him as a very corrupt man have remained indelible and incontrovertible. Chief Obasanjo, in his book, My Watch states on pages 191-192 thus:

Atiku Abubakars name was among the names sent to us. Up to that time, EFCC had enjoyed close cooperation and collaboration with law enforcement agencies in the UK and the USA. I gave the green light to Nuhu for the investigation as requested by the authorities and forwarded his report to the USA. The report was uncomfortable and unsavoury about Atiku and his associates. I thought it was bad enough that the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was under investigation for corruption when my Administration had made fighting corruption one of its cardinal objectives. As it turned out, the investigation in Nigeria and in the US led to Atikus house being searched by the US Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It was so embarrassing for our Administration and Embassy in Washington

Ortom admitted that he honoured the invitation of the anti-graft agency saying, The role of anti-graft agencies was to investigate allegations of corruption. Whenever they invite someone, such a person has to honour the invitation. As a man who believes in the rule of law, Chief Ortom willingly visited EFCC when the Commission sought clarifications on the actions of his administration.

The former governor urged Nigerians to disregard the allegation by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar against him describing it as unfounded and tantamount to cheap blackmail.
AUBURN UNIVERSITY Make plans to attend the second annual Gulf Coast Cattlemens Conference Aug. 4 at Grace Fellowship Church in Atmore. Hosted by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, the conference will feature a variety of speakers on topics ranging from financial management to preconditioning and dewormer.

Kelly Palmer, an animal sciences regional Extension agent, said the conference will highlight topics pertinent to raising beef cattle on the Gulf Coast.

Our conditions in south Alabama are different than some of our other Alabama neighbors, Palmer said. The conference was beneficial for producers who attended last year, and we anticipate the topics and information to be just as good this year.

The day will begin with an early-morning trade show at 7:30 a.m. Presentations will kick off with David Anderson, an economist with Texas AgriLife Extension. His presentation is titled How to Make Money (or at Least Break Even) in the Cattle Business. Other presentations throughout the day include the following:

Getting the Most Out of Your Bahaia grass

o Kent Stanford, Alabama Extension

Preconditioning Methods to Reduce Illness/Death Losses

o Christ Prevatt, Alabama Farmers Federation

Which Dewormer Should I Use?

o Dr. David Pugh, Alabama State Veterinary Diagnostic Lab

The conference is free, however preregistration is required. Lunch will be provided by Big Mikes Steakhouse. To registerand for more information about the eventvisit the event page on the Alabama Extension calendar at www.aces.edu.

Palmer encourages cattle producers anywhere on the Gulf Coast to come and take part in the cattlemens conference. Contact Palmer for more information about the event at ridleka@auburn.edu.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System takes the expertise of Auburn University and Alabama A&M University to the people. Our educators in all 67 counties are community partners  bringing practical ways to better our homes, farms, people and the world.
The court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has ordered the federal government to pay N60 million to one Sunday Ayodeji, a victim of police brutality.

In the judgment delivered on July 10, the court held that the Nigerian government was responsible for the torture of the victim.

The court also ordered the federal government to properly investigate the human rights violation against Ayodeji.

Ayodeji was shot by a police officer in Kaduna state which led to the amputation of his leg.

The case was handled on a pro-bono basis by Avocats Sans Frontieres (ASF), an international human rights organisation, popularly known as Lawyers without Borders (France).

Further explaining Ayodejis ordeal in a statement on Tuesday, Angela Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, ASF country director in Nigeria, said the victims properties, including a car and N900,000, were also unlawfully confiscated by the same police officer.

Asides from the N60 million awarded in damages, Uzoma-Iwuchukwu said the ECOWAS court also ordered the immediate return of the victims confiscated items.

Avocats Sans Frontieres France commends the ECOWAS Court for its judgment on this case and urges the Nigerian government to uphold the directives of the court, Uzoma-Iwuchukwu said.

ASF France is also delighted that this judgment is coming on the heels of the commemoration of the 2023 International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, which reemphasizes the need for collaborative efforts amongst all stakeholders of the criminal justice system to establish a zero-tolerance culture to torture in Nigeria.

We are delighted that despite all challenges and legal hurdles faced by our legal team in pursuit of justice in this case, justice was served.

We are optimistic that this will serve as a deterrent against the systemic use of torture in Nigeria.

The amount awarded by the court will not restore our client who has been permanently disabled by torture, but it has given hope to not just Ayodeji but other torture survivors that justice is possible even against powerful governments and institutions.

Ending torture is a global challenge, we must all continue to work together to create a zero-tolerance culture to torture in Nigeria.

Reacting to the court verdict, Ayodeji said: My joy knows no bounds and I feel fulfilled and relieved from the inner pain that I have carried for so long due to the great injustice done to me which led to the loss of my leg.

I am very grateful to Avocats Sans Frontieres France who provided a platform for me to obtain redress. I am also happy for what this judgment means for me and other victims of torture in Nigeria.




Rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, has urged President Bola Tinubu to disengage Ethiopian Airlines as Nigerias national carrier.

Adeyanju urged Tinubu to engage local airlines like Air Peace and others as the nations national carrier.

He explained that engaging Air Peace would bring about economic progress to Nigeria.

In an open letter, the Abuja-based lawyer said disengaging Ethiopian Air would lead to the growth of Nigerias aviation sector.

The letter dated July 7, and addressed to Tinubu reads below

As you may be aware, a few weeks before former President Muhammadu Buhari exited office, Nigerians were serenaded by news of the bogus establishment of Nigeria Air, a scheme conceived and implemented by the Muhammadu Bauhari-led government.

However, recent events have shown that not only was the establishment of the airline dubiously packaged by the Buhari administration, but also the shareholding structure has the likelihood of impacting negatively on the countrys national economy, with very grave consequences for our countrys well-being.

Before going into the economic implications, I would like to draw your attention, sir, to the choice of Ethiopian Airlines as the majority shareholder of Nigeria Air. In an unprecedented manner and against all known norms across major national airlines in the world, the immediate past administration sanctioned a shareholding structure that saw Ethiopian Air, another nations national airline taking over 50% of what purports to be a Nigerian national carrier. An aberration! All over the world, National Carriers are either fully owned or majorly owned by the host countries.

The Buhari government sanctioned this arrangement despite being aware that there exist domestic airlines, such as Air Peace, that not only has the capacity but equally the experience and international clout to transform into a National Airline. Air Peace had at various times in our nations history, come to the aid of the country by airlifting countrymen and women from disaster or war-torn countries like Libya, Ukraine, Sudan, South Africa, etc. Yet, the Buhari government found the airline unworthy of being transformed into a National Airline.

The past governments action has not only cast the nations domestic airlines in bad light before international communities but also made the country vulnerable to foreign espionage as a result of this ill-fated and badly packed Nigeria Air which has turned out to be a complete fraud, while denying the Country huge income that would have accrued from tourism had a local airline has been partnered with in the drive to create Nigeria Air. Even more worrisome is the fact that several notable persons, including industry experts, raised objections on very technical and professional grounds, to the proposed arrangement, But the Buhari government proceeded like a bull in a China shop.

Away from the previous governments misadventures and waste of taxpayers money on a fraudulent partnership with Ethiopian Air, it is germane to stress the importance of Nigeria having a National Carrier being the most populous black Nation on earth, as this will attract Foreign direct investments, improve tourism, diversify our economy away from oil, grow our GDP, and even help our economy with the inflow of much needed foreign currency. It is noteworthy that Ethiopian Air which is currently Africas leading airline, recorded a jump of 90% in net profit to 937,000,000 USD during the 2021/2022 financial year, while its total revenue surged by 79% to 5,000,000,000 USD. This is a 90% profit growth despite the worsening global economic crisis, rising fuel costs, and even the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emirate group announced recently in its 2022/2023 financial reports that it made an annual profit of over 3,000,000,000 USD with revenue of over 32,000,000,000 USD which is an 81% increment. In 2022, British Airways generated over 11,000,000,000 Pounds in revenue which was below its 2019 revenue, pre-COVID era. China Eastern Airlines made 8,000,000,000 USD in 2022 while its close rival Air China made 8,362,000,000 USD, a 31.36% decline in its revenue of 2021 which was 12,183,000,000 USD.

Adeyanju added that a national carrier is crucial for Nigerias development and the countrys growth, as Nigerians are highly travelled and seek affordable airlines for various purposes.

From your policies so far, except the hurried removal of fuel subsidy, you have shown the requisite political will to turn around the fortunes of our country, and I do not doubt in my mind that you can revolutionise our aviation sector, thereby making it compete positively with other global aviation giants mentioned herein above.

The first step in restructuring our aviation sector is to appoint an aviation technocrat and not a politician as minister of aviation for our republic. Thereafter, call a meeting of critical stakeholders in the sector with a view of creating a roadmap on how the key players can partner with the government in making the sector a job-creating hub, an economic recovery mechanism, and a foreign exchange earning window for the economy.

One of the fastest ways to diversify our economy is by urgently floating a national carrier as mentioned earlier above that will be partially owned by the Nigerian people but administered and run by major players like Air Peace that already has the capacity. Imagine for a moment, Mr. President, the possibility of having a National Carrier with hundred planes in its fleet fully run by Nigeria and Nigerians flying to every corner of the world and the dignifying pride that comes with it for our Nation and its people coupled with numerous economic and social benefits that such an initiative would do to our GDP.

It is in the light of the foregoing sir, I have decided to write you this open letter, to request that you show special interest in the countrys aviation sector which is capable of turning around our fortunes as a nation, helping diversify our economy, create numerous jobs, place us on the pedestrian as the big brother in the continent and make the country a tourism destination considering all our numerous topographical sites, friendly weather, and historical culture and heritage. I also implore you, your excellency, to immediately reverse the dubious partnership initiated with the Ethiopian Airline.
Critic, Reno Omokri on Monday said the Igbo can only get leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) out of prison if their leaders adopted diplomacy in doing so.

Omokri, in a tweet, said using force and destroying properties in the Southeast in a bid to force government to release Kanu would never work, as no government would succumb to that.

When Abiola was in jail, the Yoruba did not destroy their region to force Abacha to release MKO Abiola. Rather, they used diplomacy to turn Abacha into an international pariah until Abacha was forced to offer Abiola bail (which Abiola ultimately refused).

Mohammed Abacha was in prison for three years. How was he released? Kano elders sought an audience with Obasanjo in 2002 and publicly prostrated to him.

The next month, the court freed Mohammed. Asari Dokubo was in prison for treason for two years until Niger Delta elders used diplomacy to get President Yaradua to release him in 2007.

What militancy could not do, diplomacy did! I cannot imagine any truly intelligent person saying until you release our son, we will keep destroying our region. Who loses? Fight intelligently, not forcefully, Omokri said.

Omokri added: You are cutting your nose and thinking you are spiting those in power? And nobody can even counsel you guys. It is either you know better than those who want to counsel you and start to lecture them, or you insult them.

The Yoruba used diplomacy as leverage. Kano people used it. Niger Delta used it. You, too, use it. It will serve you better than this path of self-destruction.

No government can give in to force. The minute they do, they are finished, because others will smell weakness and engage in their own violence.




In a bid to rid Lagos State of building collapse, the state government has partnered with private sector professionals to ensure effective monitoring and control.





A statement signed by the Deputy-Director of Public Affairs at the state Ministry of Physical Planning said the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluwole Sotire disclosed this during a stakeholder meeting with professionals in the built environment on Tuesday.





The Certified Accreditor Programme would be a consulting firm or a consortium made up of registered consultants made up of professional builders, architects, town planners, geoscientists, and engineers.





The programme is designed to enable the state to engage private sector professionals as stakeholders in regulating the built environment. These partners would be known as Certified Accreditors.





The Permanent Secretary said that the initiatives  the Certified Accreditor Programme and the Certificate of Structural Integrity Programme, were borne out of recommendations to involve tested and trusted private professionals in the regulatory process in the industry.





Sotire stated that the state government had embraced the participatory approach in coming up with these initiatives as the engagement with professionals in the built environment was coming on the heels of similar meetings with leaders of the professional bodies and other stakeholders.





He expressed confidence that the involvement of private professionals in building approval and regulatory processes would birth a new dawn of efficiency, and reduce incidents of building collapse significantly.





The General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki urged professionals in the built environment to embrace the initiatives as a collaborative measure to broaden participation and protect the sanctity of the built environment sector of Lagos State.





He added that both professionals and the entire state had a lot to gain from taking ownership of the initiatives, among which is re-instilling confidence in the system and enhancing the sustainability of the built environment.





Others who spoke at the event include the General Manager, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, LASPPPA, Kehinde Osinaike, former Senior Special Assistant to the Commissioner on Physical Planning, Dokun Roberts, and the Consultant to the Ministry on CAP, Aileme Unuigbe.








Activist and United Nations Ambassador, Malala Yousafzai on Wednesday, met with Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the Presidential Villa Abuja, where she continued her advocacy for girl child education.





The visit which coincides with her 26th birthday anniversary, saw her estimating that over 120 million female children were still deprived of education, despite the benefits inherent in it.





Recall that ten years ago, Malala made a speech at the UN. She was later made the UN Peace Messenger. She returned to Nigeria as part of her tenth year anniversary at the UN to further raise awareness on the plight of girl children and the need for all-round educational pursuit to make them relevant to society.





She told State House Correspondents shortly after the meeting with the number two citizen that her visit to the seat of power is hinged on the need to boost advocacy for girls education.





Her words,  I am here in Nigeria to celebrate my 26th birthday. Since my UN speech at age 16, I have been going around the world meeting girls from different parts of the world and raising awareness about the issues that girls face.





We know that there are more than 120 million girls who do not have access to education right now and just as people spoke out about my education, I want them to think about the education of other girls as well.





In Nigeria, Im here because girls education is important here. It will determine the future of Nigeria. So, Im here because I want to bring attention to those issues. Im here to speak as well and share my thoughts with the communities, and also lucky that I was able to meet girls in Abuja. I was also able to go to Borno State and meet incredible girls, visit their schools and also meet the education activists. It is the work of the education activists, girls and civil society and government that gives us hope that we can have a better future for the education of all children, especially girls here. I was very lucky that I had the meeting with the Vice President and he gave us his time; he gave us his support.





She urged all tiers of government in Nigeria to make deliberate efforts to send girls to school, and ensure that every child in Nigeria has access to complete education.





I make bold to say that every child should have access to free and quality education, I also ask that we make full financial commitment to ensure that no child is left behind in this country.





I have been to Nigeria three times. I came here in 2014 to show solidarity to the Chibok girls who had been abducted and I was able to meet their parents as well. I came here again in 2017 and I saw more of the work that activists are doing and I met girls. Im here again and I have seen how much has changed in the past few years and it is because of the commitment of government officials and also the work of civil society and education activists and the determination of girls.





I was able to meet girls and hear from them directly how they are standing up for their rights. They are not remaining silent. They want a better education; they want quality education for themselves. So, that is what gives me hope and that is what brings me to Nigeria and I think that tells us that the future of Nigeria is bright if you give girls a chance and if you invest in their education, She stated after the meeting at the presidency.
The Ogun state government has suffered a hack attack.

The hack was noticed on Wednesday morning.

The hackers who identified themselves as Aliester Crowley under Anon Ghost claimed to be operating from the Maldives.

We are Anon Ghost, reads a bold inscription on the website under what appears to be the logo of the hackers.





We are legend, we do not forgive, we do not forget, expect us.

Hacked by Aliester Crowley. Update your security! Greetings from the Maldives.

Find me on YouTube, the hackers added.

The cyber-attackers also defaced all the pages of the website.

This is not the first time the Ogun state government has suffered a hack attack. In 2015, cyber-terrorists took over the website, and like the latest attack, asked the state government to update its security.

Other Nigerian government websites that have also fallen prey to hackers include the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and that of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Kunle Somorin, chief press secretary to Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun, told TheCable that the state was unaware of the development, but added that it would be rectified soon.

I am not aware of a hack. By who? The cabinet is dissolved at the moment but I will get across to the social media team. Im sure they will work on it now, he said.




Iyiola Omisore, national secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has taken a swipe at Salihu Lukman, vice-chairman of the party in the north-west.

Lukman had accused Omisore of mismanaging funds meant for campaigns in Osun state, during the just concluded general election.

The vice-chairman also sued Omisore and Abdullahi Adamu, national chairman of the party, asking a court to compel them to provide APCs financial report on the elections.

The ruling party had reportedly raked in billions of naira from the sale of nomination forms.

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Wednesday, Omisore said some of the issues raised by Lukman have been addressed by the party, but he is ignorant because he does not attend meetings.

Omisore said only cowards who are afraid of speaking are behind Lukman.

There are cowards everywhere. So it is not impossible. But the point is that out of 25 members of the national working committee (NWC), only one person is the black sheep, he said.

The NWC members are 25 and only one person, Lukman, has written so many letters, which bothers on ignorance on his part.

About two months ago, he came to apologise to us and held a press conference to say that he was not well informed about what he did. What else do you want us to do to him? Beat or kill him?
Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant on Public Communication to the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has lashed out at the G-5 governors.

He described former Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State as the worst governor in Nigerias history.

This was as Shaibu said former governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State performed woefully while in office.

In a statement, Shaibu said the G-5 governors were only seeking relevance, appointments, and protection from prosecution.

He stressed that the decision of the G-5 governors not to support Atiku had nothing to do with patriotism.

According to Shaibu, Nigerians should not be deceived.

Ortom was one of the worst governors in the history of Nigeria. His case file at the EFCC is bulky, and he was recently invited but released because of Wikes intervention.

Ikpeazu, the former governor of Abia State, also performed woefully in office. His successor has been complaining almost on a daily basis.

But the EFCC will not prosecute him because of the G-5 connection.

This is what they have turned the country into. No wonder they believe Nigeria needs an average mad person.




The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Caucus in the Benue State House of Assembly on Wednesday paid a solidarity visit to the immediate past Governor of the state, Samuel Ortom, following the impoundment of his vehicles by the Assets Recovery Committee of the current administration.





The committee which was set up by the incumbent governor to recover all stolen assets belonging to the state, had on Tuesday recovered several exotic cars.





The development has been brewing up controversy as the erstwhile governor denied ownership of some of the vehicles, alleging that the incumbent administration is witch-haunting him.





During the visit, the leader of the Caucus and member representing Adoka-Ugboju State Constituency, Michael Audu who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, condemned the action of the Alia administration, describing it as unwarranted persecution of the former Governor.





Audu stated that the assault on Ortom was unacceptable, illegal and should be condemned by all people of good conscience.





Your Excellency, we are here to reaffirm our loyalty to you as our leader. Any attack on you is an attack on all of us PDP members in the State Assembly, and we will not fold our arms to watch this impunity continue, he stated.





The state lawmakers called on Governor Alia to restrain his team from further harassment of the former Governor, saying the matter should be left for the court to decide.





Responding, Ortom appreciated the PDP Assembly Caucus for their solidarity and encouraged them to sustain the spirit of oneness and their commitment to the PDP.





He pointed out that he was not the first Governor to leave office with vehicles allocated to him after the State Executive Council had given approval for him to do so.




Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has formally flagged off a free transport intervention scheme to mitigate the economic challenges faced by residents of the state as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy.





Speaking during the flag-off at the Rivers State Transport Company Complex in Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara said the State Government under his watch was aware and concerned by the difficulties the fuel subsidy removal has caused the populace, which necessitated the decision to initiate the intervention.





The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, noted that the introduction of the Free Transport Scheme was in line with the social contract his administration has with the Rivers people who gave them the mandate to serve.





She said, I am indeed very delighted to perform the flag-off ceremony of the Rivers State Government mass transit scheme.





The Rivers State Government is aware and concerned about the economic challenges faced by the populace as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy.





Consequently, this scheme flagged off today, is a deliberate intervention by the Rivers State Government, to mitigate the effect of these economic challenges.





Therefore, it is a gift given to us, and we must treasure it, She added.





In his remark, the State Commissioner for Transport, Jacobson Nbina who commended Governor Fubara, said seventeen luxury buses, designated to ply various routes will carry people free of cost.





This free transportation is not only for civil servants, it is also for students and other Rivers people.





This project is going to have a multiple effect on the people of Rivers State.





We are going to use free buses, its going to create job opportunities for our people.





Drivers will be employed, conductors will be employed, and other people that will maintain the car will be employed.





So, its an additional employment opportunity that His Excellency has created for the people of Rivers State.





The Head of Service, George Nwaeke who also spoke at the event, expressed delight that the Governor has fulfilled the promise he made to labour leaders who visited him a few weeks ago.





Nwaeke assured the governor that his office will collaborate with the transport ministry to ensure the smooth operation of the scheme.
Celebration of the man called the Father of Army Aviation Medicine started Monday at the Lyster Health Clinic on Fort Novosel and culminated with a birthday celebration Friday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Brig. Gen. Theodore Lyster Birthday Week Celebration kicked off with a cake-cutting on Monday. On hand for the cake cutting were Lt. Col. Garrett Holt, First, Sgt. Jun Ma, Jennifer Grimes of Enterprise, and Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Doss.

Throughout the week, Lyster Army Health Clinic celebrated with fun, informative activities for staff and beneficiaries.

Lyster Army Health Clinics namesake was born July 10, 1875, in Fort Larned, Kansas. His roles as an U.S. Army physician and aviation medicine pioneer earned him the title Father of Army Aviation Medicine.

Lyster Army Health Clinics birthday celebration Friday will feature health and wellness booths, paper airplane competition, activities, and face painting for kids.

LifeSouth Bloodmobile will be on site from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. accepting blood donations.

The event is open to the Fort Novosel military community.
In response, the Federal Government has ordered security personnel to begin surveillance patrols on the bridge and surroundings to prevent a recurrence.

A source in the works ministry confirmed the theft on Wednesday, reporting that the expansion joint walkway on axis 330 of the bridge had been stolen.

The source said, Unfortunately, Its true. The stolen fitting is an element from the expansion joints of the bridge. Drivers on that road have to be careful as the damaged part can cause discomfort to motorists.

Another source who spoke to our correspondent corroborated the report, adding that supervising engineers are not happy about the incident.

Giving further details, the Director. Highway, Bridges and Designs, Omotayo Awosanya, stated that the incident happened a week ago on the Onitsha side of the bridge.

He said, The expansion Joint at the median walkway of the bridge at Axis 330 on the Onitsha side of the bridge was stolen on the night of Wednesday 5th July 2023. Only one side was removed.

We have informed the Police, DSS, and the Army to include the bridge in surveillance and security operations henceforth.

In addition, he noted that there would be no implications for the vehicles using the road since the expansion joints are intact on the carriageways.

Recall that on May 23, the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, commissioned the N336 billion bridge, via an online platform, Zoom alongside seven other infrastructural projects.

The former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, announced the completion of the bridge at a briefing in October 2022 after almost five decades of failed promises by successive administrations.

On December 15, 2022, the Federal Government also opened the Second Niger Bridge for use to ease traffic in the South-East during the festive season.

The Second Niger Bridge was first proposed during the 1978/79 political campaign by then-candidate Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria.

Patterned after the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, the 1.6 kilometers long bridge linking Anambra and Delta states is to decongest traffic on the existing Niger Bridge, boost economic activities, and connect the South-East with the rest of the country.
The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday adopted a motion sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, congratulating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his emergence as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Barau, in the motion, drew the attention of the upper legislative chamber to the emergence of President Tinubu as Chairman of ECOWAS at the recently concluded 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS held in Bissau, capital of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.

According to him, West African countries have, by the singular act of nominating a Nigerian leader two months after taking the oath of office as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, shown that they have great confidence in Nigeria leading other nations within the subregion.

Observes that by clinching this influential and strategic position on his very first participation at such a high-level meeting of ECOWAS barely two months after his inauguration as President, the sub-regional body has reposed great confidence in the leadership qualities of President Bola Tinubu and reaffirms Nigerias leadership role on the African continent generally and the sub-region in particular, he said.

Barau, who represents Kano North Senatorial District, expressed optimism that President Tinubu, in his capacity as ECOWAS leader, would uphold ECOWAS protocol and promote peace and conflict resolution within the subregion.

In his contribution, the former governor of Abia State and senator representing Abia North senatorial district, Orji Uzor Kalu, urged President Tinubu to encourage ECOWAS countries to stop maltreating Nigerians living and doing legitimate businesses in their countries.

The emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Chairman of ECOWAS is a welcome development for us and I hope he will use his office to protect the interests of Nigerians who are being maltreated in some African countries, he said.

The senator representing Benue North West senatorial district, Titus Tartenger Zam, urged President Tinubu to make a case against elements intruding into the territory of Nigeria, saying that they were responsible for incessant attacks.

He explained that elements attacking Nigerians are coming from the neighbouring ECOWAS countries, and also from Cameroon.

According to him, The elevation of the President to the leadership of ECOWAS will give us a privileged platform to address security challenges.

In his remark, Senate President Godswill Akpabio felicitated with the President and adopted the amended prayers that principal officers will pay a congratulatory visit to him.
The Senate has commended President Bola Tinubu, over his decision to end the fuel subsidy regime.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said the senate with Tinubus courage in removing the fuel subsidy.

During plenary, Akpabio urged Tinubu to ensure urgent implementation of palliative measures put in place to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.

This was after Imo North Senator, Patrick Ndubueze, moved a motion titled Need to Investigate the controversial huge expenditure on Premium Motor Spirit(PMS) under the Subsidy/Under Recovery Regime by the NNPCL, agreed to among others, constitute an Adhoc Committee to holistically investigate all controversies surrounding subsidy and under recovery regime.

Ruling on the motion after deliberations and contributions by members on the floor of the Senate, Akpabio got the nod of his colleagues to formally commend Tinubu on his courageous decision to stop the payment of subsidy on PMS.

The lawmakers, however, called on the president to ensure that the planned palliatives intended are put in place to cushion the effect of the removal of the subsidy.

Akpabio, while commending his colleagues on their decision to commend Tinubu on the fuel subsidy removal said: We commend President Tinubu for the decision to remove fuel subsidy. We are excited for the courage displayed by the president.

It was one decision that had to be taken and we are happy that it was taken during the lifetime of the 10th Senate. We are also looking forward to the implementation of the palliatives.








The 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Patrick Tonye-Cole, says the choice of who will be appointed as minister from the State is the prerogative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.





Tonye-Cole, who spoke when he was featured as a guest on Political Paradigm on Channels Television on Tuesday, was reacting to speculations that former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike is a possible candidate for a ministerial position, despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.





He said whatever the presidents decision, Wike will not take over the APC in Rivers State.





He noted that Rivers APC members are some of the most diehard members of the party and should not be neglected by President Bola Tinubus administration.





It is the prerogative of the president to decide who and what type of scenario he wants to build.





He may choose that as a president, you know what, let me create a government that seems to be a unity government, to bring people from different political parties and all of that. That may be one of the considerations.





It may be that there is this perception that he delivered and I must reward him. I went into a deal, I must reward him. It might be the case.





Now, whatever the presidents rationale behind that is, I wont question that.





What we will do instead, is ensure that whatever happens, hes not going to take the APC in Rivers State. He added





Tonye-Cole, on the issue of Wike defecting to the APC, said he doubts such a step will be taken by the former governor, adding that all Wikes actions are geared towards the 2027 and 2031 elections.





I have no doubt that Nyesom Wike has a deep interest in politics moving forward, in terms of presidency or vice president.





So, all of this is all part of his own calculation as to where he is going and what he wants to do, he said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed 20 new aides.

It was gathered on Tuesday that among the new appointments are senior special assistants (SSAs), personal assistants (PAs), personal physician and photographers.

Veteran journalist, Tunde Rahman, was appointed as SSA on Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz as SSA on Print Media and Segun Dada, made the list as Special Assistant on Social Media.

Reacting to the appointment on his official Twitter handle, Dada stated that his appointment is not only predicated on the presidents belief on the power of digital town square but also his commitment to transparency.

Dada, further called on Nigerian youths to rally support for Tinubu

It is my belief that my appointment not only reflects the Presidents acknowledgement of the power of the digital town square and its crucial role in shaping public opinion, but also his commitment to fostering transparency, accountability and the attainment of an informed and engaged citizenry.

See Full List:

The new appointees include Tunde Rahman, who has been designated SSA (Media); Abdulaziz Abdulaziz is SSA on Print Media, the SSA Political will be handled by Ibrahim Masari, Adekunle Tinubu is Personal Physician, Damilotun Aderemi is Senior Special Assistant (Private Secretary) and Toyin Subair  Senior Special Assistant (Domestic).

Senior Special Assistant (Digital/New Media) went to Otega Ogra, Demola Oshodi is Senior Special Assistant (Protocol); Tope Ajayi  Senior Special Assistant (Media & Public Affairs); Yetunde Sekoni  Senior Special Assistant; Motunrayo Jinadu  Senior Special Assistant; Segun Dada  Special Assistant (Social Media); and Paul Adekanye  Special Assistant (Logistics).

Also, on the list are Friday Soton as Special Assistant (Housekeeping); Special Assistant (Catering) is Shitta-Bey Akande, Nosa Asemota as Special Assistant (Visual Communication) Personal Photographer and Kamal Yusuf will be the Personal Assistant for Special Duties to the president.
A United States district court has sentenced Olalekan Ponle, better known as Woodberry, to eight years and three months in prison for multimillion-dollar fraud.

Woodberry is an ally of Ramon Abbas, best known as Hushpuppi, another Nigerian who was jailed for internet fraud in November 2022.

On June 10, 2020, Hushpuppi and Woodberry were arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for extensive international online fraud.

They were then transported to the US for separate trials.

Although Hushpuppi initially denied all charges, he later changed his plea and was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment.

Similarly, Woodberry, accused of defrauding a US company of about $188,000, maintained his innocence for over two years.

However, he reversed course and entered a guilty plea to one count of wire fraud at a change of plea hearing in April, at the US District Court for Northern Illinois.

Robert Gettleman, the judge, accepted the defendants change of plea in a ruling delivered on April 6.

Consequently, the defendant was convicted on one out of eight counts following his plea bargain.

The judge referred the case to the probation department for a pre-sentence investigation and report, which would guide his decision on the appropriate sentence to impose.

100 MONTHS BEHIND BARS

At the sentencing on Tuesday, the judge ordered Woodberrys imprisonment for 100 months.

The defendant is hereby committed to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to be imprisoned for a total term of 100 months as to count, Gettleman said.

Gettleman ordered Woodberry to submit himself to the U.S. Marshal Service for onward transfer to the federal correctional institution in Danbury, Connecticut, where his family members, especially his American fiancee, would be allowed to visit him.

The judge also said Woodberry would be surrendered to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for deportation immediately following his incarceration.

The convict is expected to pay about $8 million in restitution to seven of his victims.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerians to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Shettima highlighted the importance of unity in the face of the countrys current state of affairs, regardless of political, religious, tribal, or sectional differences.

The vice president made the appeal when he received the leadership of the 10th House of Representatives led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas in his office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on a courtesy visit.

Shettima urged the House of Representatives to back the agenda of the Tinubu administration, stating, The President is determined to redefine the meaning and concept of modern leadership. He started firing on all cylinders from day one. The President has proved his competence, capability, and commitment. I urge you, the Rt. Hon. Speaker and the esteemed leadership of the House to support the President in his noble objectives of transforming this nation.

The state of affairs in our country requires that we coalesce into a single force, irrespective of differences in political affiliations or religious persuasions, tribal and sectional backgrounds, because what binds us together supersedes what divides us.

He expressed his support for the legislature, stressing his shared experience as a former member of the National Assembly with President Tinubu, and assured the delegation that they would find harmonious ways to work together for the benefit of the nation.

Addressing the new principal officers of the House of Representatives, Shettima praised their leadership qualities and urged them to unite under the Speakers guidance, emphasising the transition from politics to governance and the need to address the core challenges facing the country as a cohesive force.

Responding, the Speaker assured the Vice President of the Houses support for all federal government programme and policies, expressing a willingness to collaborate on matters that serve the interests of the Nigerian public.

The delegation accompanying the Speaker included Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Majority Leader Hon. Halims Abdullahi, Chief Whip Hon. Bello Kumo, Deputy Chief Whip Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga, Minority Leader Hon. Kingsley Chinda, Deputy Minority Leader Hon. Aliyu Madaki, Minority Whip Hon. Ali Isah, and Deputy Minority Whip Hon. George Ozodinobi.




Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Meta, has been spotted training with Israel Adesanya, the UFC middleweight champion.

In a joint post on Instagram on Tuesday, Zuckerberg and Adesanya shared images of themselves alongside Alexander Volkanovski, UFC featherweight champion, in the gymnasium.

In the pictures, the trio are bare-chested and geared for a contest, with Zuckerberg looking sweat-drenched.

The post was captioned: No Fugazi with Mark. This is serious business!.

In the comment section, the Meta CEO said, It was an honour to train with you guys!.

The development comes amid a constant teaser of a potential mixed martial art (MMA) bout between Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of Tesla Inc.

In June, Musk had jokingly challenged Zuckerberg to a cage match  a proposed contest to which the Meta CEO replied, send me location.

The feud between the two billionaires took a new twist a few weeks later when Zuckerberg launched Threads, a new text-based social media platform to rival Musks Twitter.

The launch came days after Musk announced that a temporary limit had been imposed on the number of posts users can read daily on Twitter.

In response, Twitter threatened Zuckerberg with a lawsuit over the unlawful misappropriation of its trade secrets.
A former Bergen County man who murdered his family while home from a prestigious military school in 1976 was released on parole late last month after spending more than 45 years in state prison, officials said Tuesday.

Harry De La Roche was granted parole release to a residential community program, effective June 29, said Patrick Lombardi, spokesman for the New Jersey State Parole Board in Trenton.

The convicted killer was released from South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton, according to the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

De La Roche was an 18-year-old freshman at Citadel Military Academy when he returned home to Montvale for Thanksgiving and shot to death his mother and father, Harry Sr. and Mary Jane, and his brothers Eric, 12, and Ronald, 15, according to court documents.

Ronald, who had been shot once in the head, was also beaten and stuffed in a trunk in the attic, according to court documents.

After the murders, De La Roche signed a detailed, 21-page confession, which he later recanted in court, according to a 2008 documentary about the killings, Harry  A Communication Breakdown.

I had the pistol on the bed. I was sitting in my room for a while thinking, the confession said.

Finally, I walked into my parents room, got real close to my father, must have stood in his room about a half-hour just holding the pistol up, and then finally I said, I cant look, De La Roche said in the confession. (I) closed my eyes and I pulled the trigger, and that set it (the killings) off.

After confessing, De La Roche admitted to only killing Ronald, claiming the 15-year-old had murdered his family and that he only killed him.

A jury in Bergen County found De La Roche guilty of four counts of first-degree murder in 1978 and he was sentenced to four concurrent life terms in state prison.

He made several attempts at parole, including in 2019, which was denied.

De La Roche, now 64, was granted parole on May 17 following five other attempts at freedom before the parole board.

NorthJersey.com reported that after the 2019 parole hearing, De La Roche was not eligible for another 10 years but that a parole official said he received credits for working and his annual reviews, which reduced his eligibility date.

No clear motive was given for the slayings, but people who knew the family told producers of the documentary that De La Roche had been bullied at home and during his time in the military academy, which caused him to snap.

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Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
A Bergen County man accused of shooting a woman multiple times and leaving her for dead nearly two months ago was arrested Monday in New York City after a brief standoff, authorities said Wednesday.

Aaron Sierra, 22, of Bergenfield, is charged with attempted murder, receiving stolen property and obstruction of justice by flight, the Bergen County Prosecutors Office said.

Police were called to a Bergenfield home just before 7 p.m. on May 21 and found a 20-year-old woman with gunshot wounds, authorities said. She was rushed to a nearby hospital and is in stable condition, authorities said.

Sierra was identified as a suspect in the days immediately following the shooting, authorities said.

After the arrest Monday, Sierra was taken to a New York hospital, where he remains pending extradition to New Jersey, according to the prosecutors office.

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Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.
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.
A 96-year-old passenger was killed when two vehicles collided head-on in Cumberland County on Friday, authorities said.

A 70-year-old Moorestown man was driving an SUV north on Route 347 in Maurice River around 2:15 p.m. when the vehicle crossed the centerline and sideswiped an oncoming vehicle before colliding head-on with a Honda SUV.

A passenger in the Honda, identified as Nina Giannuario, of Brookhaven, Pennsylvania, was killed. The drivers of the Honda and the northbound SUV suffered moderate injuries. No other injuries were reported.
Authorities have offered a reward of up to $50,000 as they try to find the person who assaulted a U.S. Postal Service worker last week in Vineland.

The letter carrier was attacked at about 11:25 a.m. July 3 on the 700 block of Washington Avenue, according to Vineland police.

Vineland police couldnt immediately be reached for additional information about the assault.

Anyone with information is asked to email Vineland police at asperez@vinelandcity.org, send an anonymous tip to VPD.TIPS or call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455.

Reference case 4055690-ROBB if calling the USPIS.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com
Kearny has a new mayor  at least to get the town through the summer and fall.

Second Ward Councilman Peter Santana is now Mayor Santana after five of the eight councilmembers, including himself, voted in favor of his appointment at Tuesdays council meeting. Longtime Councilwoman Carol Jean Doyle received the other three votes.

The mayoral seat became vacant for the first time in nearly 24 years at the end of June when former Mayor Al Santos was confirmed as a superior court judge.

And while the question of who will serve as interim mayor is now settled, Santana and Doyle plan to run for the position in November when the public will get to choose their next mayor in a special election.

The 76-year-old Doyle, who had overwhelming support of the audience, said she hopes to finish out her nearly three decades in elected office as mayor. She says she would serve just two years, the remainder of Santos term.

Santana knows he has a campaign ahead of him, but said his immediate focus is on establishing himself in his new role. Beginning Wednesday, he said he would meet with all of the towns department heads to get a grasp of where their departments stand and any suggestions they have for improvements.

I think theyre great professionals and there is no plan to change any (roles) now, Santana said. Were going to keep the administration as is.

He will also usher through major projects in the works under a new role. As the council prepares to introduce an ordinance that would establish a new town parking program, he plans to attend all of the public meetings about it, expected to be held in each ward.

And as the town looks to create a new recreation center at a recently purchased church, he hopes to create a committee to help develop a plan for the project.

His official mayoral campaign will begin soon as well, Santana said.

I think my focus right now, at least for a few weeks, is to make sure that we get everybody settled get everybody in place and get everything done and rolling, the mayor said. Once we do that, we can focus on campaigning and going door-to-door and making sure the residents see me face-to-face.

Santana was appointed to the city council in 2017. He is an IT director for the Harrison school district and a night school principal for the Hudson County Schools of Technology.

Santana was born in Brazil and graduated college there before earning a masters degree at Saint Peters University in Jersey City.

The 40-year-old, and his colleagues who voted for him, said Kearny should have stability in the office of mayor. Santana hopes to lead the town for years to come. Both he and Doyle ran on the Hudson County Democratic Organization-backed Santos ticket in the prior election.

I think hes the guy for the future of Kearny, said Councilman George Zapata.

Doyle, meanwhile, said shes humbled by how many people expressed support for her both before and at the meeting.

The support is out there for me, so I dont want to disappoint my residents, Doyle said. Ive been supporting them for over 27 years as an elected official.

Former Councilwoman Susan McCurrie was the third person that the Kearny Democratic Committee nominated for the mayoral role.

The committee will now nominate three people to be considered for the appointment of Santanas Second Ward council seat.
Six people, including four Jersey City special needs students, ran to safety before a school bus that caught fire in North Bergen burst into flames Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

The driver was heading toward Jersey City from a Paramus school when the undercarriage of the school bus caught fire on the ramp leading to Route 1&9, North Bergen police Capt. Jorge Raposo said.

The driver pulled over and he, along with the school faculty member and the four students evacuated into the brush alongside the roadway, Raposo said.

By the time first responders, including Raposo, had arrived, the bus was engulfed in flames. The blaze, which was first reported at approximately 2:20 p.m., was declared under control an hour later after it was reduced to its metal frame.
The Waterfront Alliance and New YorkNew Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program continue to push for a climate-resilient New York and New Jersey waterfront as the annual City of Water Day returns on Saturday, July 15.

Now in its 16th year, City of Water Day is a region-wide day event held across several communities including all five boroughs of New York City, Westchester and Rockland counties, and several New Jersey cities along the waterfront.

The event celebrates the importance of the shared NY waterfront and features activities such as free kayaking, rowing and workshops that offer the community access to their local waterfront.

Secaucus will be celebrating the day with the Hackensack Riverkeeper at 10 a.m. with a mini excursion into the Hackensack Meadowlands.

Program Director Captain Hugh Carola will be aboard the Robert H. Boyle II which will leave the dock at Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus. Trips also take place at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Each trip is about 45 minutes.

These trips are for first timers only and children ages four and older are welcome. There will be a maximum of ten persons per trip, which includes an exploration of the Sawmill Creek Marsh, referred to by some as the Jewel of the Meadowlands, where visitors can see multiple species of waterbirds and other wildlife.

The City of Hoboken will also be celebrating City of Water Day with several events by various organizations throughout the day.

Ke Aloha Outrigger will be hosting a variety of events in partnership with the Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse and Resilience and Fund for a Better Waterfront (FBW).

At 9 a.m., there will be a beach and shore cleanup of Hoboken Cove and Maxwell Place Park with bags and cleanup equipment provided. The cleanup will occur at the current low tide mark. The event will also focus on the BlueLine, which brings awareness to the expected sea level rise of six feet by the year 2100, unless changes are made to minimize the consequences leading to climate change.

Following this there will be kayaking and stand-up paddling in the cove and outrigger trips outside of it. There will also be arts and crafts and other educational activities for children that feature Pacific Island culture and how the islanders approach caring for the Earth.

The event is free, but donations are welcome to support the program. Reservations are required at the Hoboken Cove Boathouse Meetup Page where you can register for the event.

Fund for a Better Waterfront will also have several free events open to the public with refreshments provided by Choc-O-Pain Bakery.

Events include:

Free Angling with the Hudson River Fishermens Association from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Castle Point Park Fishing Pier, 800 Sinatra Dr. Rods, reels, and bait will be provided.

Environmental Science with Noelle Thurlow of Resilience Adventures from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the beach in Maxwell Place Park.

Learn about Water Quality Issues with Montclair States Traveling HAB (harmful algal blooms) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Maxwell Place Park.

Hoboken Waterfront Tour with FBW Executive Director Ron Hine from 10 to 11 a.m. where you can learn about the success of the Hoboken waterfront. You can register here

Mural making with local artist Ann Marshall from 10 a.m. to noon at Maxwell Place Park, which will feature birds and fish of the Hudson River.

Build & Race Your Own Cardboard Kayak with the Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse at the beach at Maxwell Place Park from 2 to 3 p.m.

Historical Waterfront Tour via Kayak Resilience Adventures and Bob Foster of the Hoboken Historical Museum from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Pier 13 will also have a paddleboarding class that follows the American Canoe Association curriculum. The hour-long beginner paddleboard course is for adults and begins on the Hoboken side of the Hudson River. A trained guide will teach the basics of paddleboarding, from equipment to standing in moving water. Teens may participate if accompanied by a parent. Info and availability can be found online at fareharbor.com.
A Middlesex County man pleaded guilty Wednesday to threatening to attack a synagogue in a manifesto that triggered a statewide FBI warning and armed officers standing guard outside houses of worship, authorities said Wednesday.

Omar Alkattoul, 19, of Sayreville, pleaded guilty in federal court in Trenton to one count of transmitting a threat in interstate and foreign commerce, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
A New Jersey man has been charged with attempted murder after he followed another man after an argument and waited for him in a parking lot before striking him with his vehicle, Lawrenceville Township Police Chief Chris Longo said.

Petar Armbruster III, 54, of Burlington, is accused of following the man and his girlfriend to Halo Farm in Lawrenceville on Saturday after a dispute at a nearby 7-Eleven store, police said. Authorities allege Armbruster parked his vehicle in the parking lot of Halo Farm and waited for the couple to arrive at the farmers market.

Armbruster allegedly spotted them walking in the parking lot and drove his vehicle at a high rate of speed, striking the man before fleeing the scene, officials said.
A New Jersey man has been convicted by a jury in the strangulation murder of his girlfriend in 2020, authorities said.

Bryan Gonzalez-Martines, 23, of Plainfield, was found guilty Tuesday of one count of first-degree murder in the fatal attack on 19-year-old Brenda Montoya-Cruz, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel said.

Daniel said the jury deliberated for less than a day before returning the guilty verdict.

Police were conducting a requested welfare check on Montoya-Cruz at an apartment on Kensington Avenue in Plainfield on July 6, 2020, and officers found her body inside the residence.

Gonzalez-Martines was at the apartment on the day of the welfare check, but escaped after jumping off a second-story roof as police were arriving, according to an affidavit of probable cause. A juvenile living next door identified him and police also found his wallet in the unit, the document said.

Gonzalez-Martines was arrested the next day.

His own father requested the welfare check after Gonzalez-Martines called him earlier that day and said he had done something bad, charging documents said.

The victim went to the Plainfield Police Department one week earlier and reported that her boyfriend had attacked and threatened her. She declined to get a restraining order, but police charged him with aggravated assault, officials said.

Sentencing for the case is scheduled for Sept. 29.

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Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
You may have collected them in a glass jar when you were little.

Or inadvertently saw one blinking its bright little light across the summer sky as an adult.

People in New Jersey are no strangers to seeing or interacting with fireflies  or lightning bugs.

But nowadays are we seeing as many as in years past?

I have qualitatively noticed fewer fireflies in New Jersey, said Matthew Aardema, an entomologist and assistant professor of biology at Montclair State University.

Aardema is not alone and there may be a reason for this observation.

Almost one in three firefly species in the U.S. and Canada could be threatened with extinction, according to a recently published scientific assessment. In another study, after reviewing 128 firefly species nationwide, 11% were found to be threatened with extinction and 2% could soon be considered threatened, nonprofit The Xerces Society and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, a group made up of government and civil society organizations, found.

In New Jersey, the home of at least 26 species of fireflies that have for years lit grassy backyards and state parks with their bulbous abdomens, three species are currently on the International Union for Conservation of Nature threatened species list, said Richard Joyce, an endangered species conservation biologist with Xerces Society.

On Monday, Joyce drove north from Atlantic City as far as 20 miles to survey firefly species.

Surveying, or trying to determine their population in parts of the state, is not an exact science  it can be unpredictable where theyll be seen in abundance. But theres a reason Joyce is venturing out now. The peak time of year to see the fireflies native to the northeast is June and July, but really you may encounter them any time of year.

Some of these species, like the common eastern firefly or big dipper, actually seem to be doing OK  they still occur in many places and can tolerate at least some of the ecosystem changes caused by humans, Joyce, of The Xerces Society and co-coordinator of The Firefly Atlas, a collaborative effort to conserve fireflies in North America, told NJ Advance Media.

But two specific firefly species found in New Jersey could go extinct, he added. That includes the keel-necked firefly and salt marsh firefly  both listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as threatened as of 2020.

An endangered species is one that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. A threatened species is one that is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range, U.S. Fish and Wildlife states.

Fireflies as a group, experts said, are not expected to go extinct any time soon.

According to Joyce, 16 of 26 New Jersey firefly species assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature are currently labeled as species of least concern and there was not enough data to assess the remaining seven species.

Making for a less firefly-friendly world, experts said, are various factors:

Habitat loss from residential or commercial development

Expansion of agriculture

Light pollution

Climate change complications like droughts, increased temperatures and sea level rise

Use of pesticides  for efforts such as mosquito control, spotted lanternfly mitigation and agriculture

The glow of an array of salt marsh fireflies can be seen during a survey of the insects conducted July 10, 2023 at a salt marsh in front of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in South Jersey. The photo represents about 1.5 minutes worth of firefly flashes, an expert said.Photo courtesy of Richard Joyce/Xerces Society

A firefly sits on a person's hand during a survey of the insects conducted July 10, 2023 at a salt marsh in front of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in South Jersey.Photo courtesy of Richard Joyce/Xerces Society

This little light of mine

Why do fireflies glow at all?

Well, for a number of reasons.

They use this bioluminescence to attract mates, indicate their unpalatability to potential predators and lure prey items  other firefly species, Aardema explained. Many species of firefly also produce toxic compounds that protect them from predators such as birds.

High rates of urbanization in New Jersey can prove challenging for the population growth of fireflies, considered a soft-bodied beetle. Also to blame for their potential decline are the pesticides consistently sprayed to control pests and ticks, which in turn reduce the food supply available for fireflies, experts said.

The population density in New Jersey is such that many areas that were formerly forests, wetlands and meadows are now cities, towns or suburbs, which may be able to support a few firefly species but not the more rare, sensitive ones, said Joyce.

In addition, artificial lights that brighten up cities, especially dense ones that make up swaths of New Jersey, can lessen fireflies ability to see their blinking lights which can be mating signals. That can then negatively impact reproduction and mean fewer insects.

Finally, more urbanization means more manicured lawns, Aardema said, with less plant diversity and natural habitats for wildlife. Although most fireflies are predatory, the animals they feed on will do better in diverse plant communities relative to homogenous grass lawns.

A dip in the number of fireflies could likely translate into a decline in bird and bat populations as well, which can be problematic for the health of other animals and habitats, experts shared.

Unfortunately, data on the population of fireflies in New Jersey is lacking, officials highlighted. A federal and two state environmental agencies told NJ Advance Media they did not have figures that comprehensively captured the population of firefly species here.

Analysis from the Evaluating firefly extinction risk: Initial red list assessments for North America assessment released in November 2021 found that data on more than half of North American firefly species was considered deficient. Authors said it indicates that more information is needed to estimate these species extinction risks.

New Jersey Fish & Wildlife outlines online that firefly species are not well studied or understood in New Jersey.

The agency, overseen by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, says it is working to develop a species list and expand research on fireflies in New Jersey.

That understanding could be key for conservation efforts.

But even until we have a better understanding of their population here and can make use of that data, theres plenty people can do now to help fireflies flourish in New Jersey.

Experts said residents and businesses can:

Get rid of purely aesthetic and superfluous outdoor lighting (use shielding, timers, motion detectors, and  where needed  dim bulbs instead)

Stop using or minimize the use of pesticides in backyards, parks and other green spaces

Advocate for local governments to create policy that reduces light pollution

Install diverse native plants where appropriate to help fireflies, firefly prey species, and pollinators in yards, parks and other outdoor spaces

Encourage state agencies to study and conserve fireflies and other at risk invertebrates

Work with tourism groups to establish guidelines to protect fireflies

Protect and restored coastal salt marshes and cypress swamps which support threatened species

Taking such steps is more than worth it.

The decline in firefly and other insect populations is a major concern because it will directly have negative impacts on nearly every other area of the natural world, Aardema said.

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Steven Rodas may be reached at srodas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @stevenrodasnj.
We are watching a very angry former Gov. Chris Christie go on any talk show he can in order to really knock a fellow 2024 GOP presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump.

Why? I guess Christie learned the phrase What goes around comes around, when Trumps daughter Ivankas husband Jared Kushner, probably put the kibosh on Trump giving Christie a big permanent job in his administration after Trumps 2016 election.

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Christie is obviously still mad. When Christie was the U.S. attorney for New Jersey, he prosecuted Jareds father, developer Charles Kushner, in connection with the elder Kushner being caught hiring a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law and videotaped the tryst, sending the videotape to his sister, apparently over a family financial conflict and a tax case. Charles Kushner spent two years in prison after pleading guilty in 2005. (He was pardoned by Trump in December 2020).

Christie, several years ago, said Kushners was one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes. Of course, Ivanka and Jared had a long memory. They did not think highly of Christie, a key Trump supporter in 2016, and the thought of rewarding him in any way with a permanent job was just a little distasteful.

After Trump was elected, Christie was told to take a walk after initially being tapped during the transition to help staff the new administration.

Christie is now obviously still fuming, and has stated his goal in 2024 is to get on the debate stage with Trump, so he can criticize the former president.

Sometimes, prosecutorial power can be abused, I guess. Sometimes, an aggressively abused defendant gets even, directly or indirectly.

David F. Lipton, Toms River

Leaders misrepresent election transparency

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Senate President Nick Scutari both misrepresented the so-called Elections Transparency Act. They couldnt even keep a short-term commitment to increase the Election Law Enforcement Commissions budget by $1.5 million for more investigators.

Instead, they destroyed this venerable election watchdog and rendered it toothless, despite a vigorous ELEC being endorsed by governor after governor  except for the incumbent, whose first lady runs a dark money fund.

Voters are not as stupid or short-sighted as Coughlin and Scutaris back-handed brush off of this law indicates. We vote in November.

David Goodman, Princeton

Fight world poverty

Poverty has so many levels it can be hard to address and provide aid for, but U.S. foreign aid funding can make the impossible more possible. We come from the most powerful nation in the world and we need to be doing more to help those who cannot help themselves. Many Americans wonder why we are using our money to solve other countries issues.

Volunteering at The Borgen Project really opened my eyes to all the different ways to assess poverty. Addressing global poverty can provide both moral and economic benefits to everyone. We can, and should, be assisting struggling countries by providing them with better health care, giving them access to education, and providing job training and assistance.

Many countries that America has helped in the past have become allies, showing loyalty to the United States, with their citizens willing to work with and for our country, making it stronger.

Giving this opportunity to others will create an appetite for foreign investments and provide for a healthier business environment at home. What goes around comes around, I urge you to provide your support to The Borgen Project, a nonprofit that combats global poverty. Skip buying that $7 latte every morning, put your money toward helping those who cannot help themselves, and improving foreign aids return on investment.

Carley Mahan, Denville

Say no to self-service gas

Considering all the priorities of our state, Assemblywoman Carol Murphy, D-Burlington, has sponsored legislation called the Motorists Choice and Convenience Act. This would allow motorists to pump their own gasoline in New Jersey, as opposed to requiring attendants at gas stations.

What Murphy fails to realize is that neighboring states, especially Pennsylvania, have higher per-gallon gas prices, even for self service. Furthermore, if Murphys bill passes, handicapped individuals would still need to have their tanks filled by attendants, if available, at a higher price. Paying with cash would require an individual to go to a cashier. Motorists would be exposed to all type of weather conditions, plus increased carjackings, compromised credit card readers, and that pungent post-pumping octane odor.

If she sees self-service gas pumping is a benefit, Murphy must enjoy the self-checkout process, sans cashiers and baggers, at supermarkets.

Heres a thought for our legislators, if they want to save time for motorists: Sponsor a bill to remove speed limits from our interstate highways and the turnpike.

Just say no to self service.

Michael T. Serbin, Pennington

Too big a deal made about pumping gas

Way too big a deal is being made about New Jerseyans possibly being allowed to pump their own gas. As long as its an option, rather than a requirement, lighten up and get a life!

Stop acting like that self-righteous, know-it-all jerk (actor Michael Rapaport) in the Mikes Amazing mustard commercials. Calm down.

Steve Lederman, Princeton

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The Enterprise Fire Department and Coffee County Community Emergency Response Team will host a free Community Safety Fair Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Central Fire Station on Plaza Drive in Enterprise.

The Community Safety Fair will provide resources related to safety and preparedness through hands-on activities, demonstrations and fun for the whole family.

We are thrilled to team up with the Enterprise Fire Department to offer this years Community Safety Fair, CC-CERT Coordinator Scotty Johnson said. This annual event is extremely important in terms of getting out the word of available resources in our community, but its also a fun way to get kids involved in safety and disaster preparedness. Come out and meet the first responders in our area and learn about being prepared for any type of incident.

A variety of community partners are expected to participate in the Community Safety Fair, including, but not limited to:

- Alabama National Guard;

- Coffee County Emergency Management Agency;

- Coffee County Sheriffs Posse;

- Covington Electric;

- Enterprise Amateur Radio Society;

- Enterprise Police Department;

- Enterprise Rescue;

- Fort Novosel Fire Department;

- Houston County Rescue Unit; and

- Medical Center Enterprise.

The Enterprise Fire Department will offer free, working smoke detectors to all city residents as part of our departments goal to have these in each and every home in our city, Fire Chief Christopher Davis said. We will also have fire station tours, a hot car display, a mini obstacle course just for kids, and touch-a-truck type stations for several emergency vehicles like a fire truck, ambulance and helicopter, as long as they arent needed for an emergency.

WOOF-FM will provide a live-on-location remote radio broadcast from 10 a.m. to noon. Inflatables, provided by Space Walk Enterprise, will be available free of charge. Various community mascots will make appearances and be available for photos. Food Truck vendors like Hueys Walking Tacos, Tikiz of the Wiregrass, and the Enterprise Lions Club will have food and drinks available for purchase.

The public is asked to park at either Pinedale Elementary School (207 Plaza Dr.) or Envoy Mortgage (303 Plaza Dr.) and walk to the fire station.
The complaints about the states 2024 budget still reverberate like crashing cymbals, starting with its secrecy, its backroom deals and its generous benefits for the well-connected.

On child poverty, however, there is positive news: The state is doubling the child tax credit, a response to the appalling fact that one out of seven children in New Jersey now live in poverty.

But while lawmakers and Gov. Murphy should be applauded for raising the maximum credit from $500 to $1,000 per child under 6, they should also be encouraged to think bigger, because raising older children is just as expensive, and we already know that the child tax credit is a proof-of-concept policy that reduces poverty like no other.

This was one of the most enduring lessons from the pandemic: After Congress expanded the federal child tax credit under the American Rescue Plan -- covering everyone from birth to age 17, while raising the maximum benefit from $2,000 per child to $3,600  the results were extraordinary: Child poverty decreased by 30%, and food insecurity decreased by 24%.

Thats 3.7 million kids lifted out of poverty, and 2 million fewer children going hungry. All in one year.

The problem, of course, was that Congress let the expansion expire at the end of 2021  largely because of opposition from Sen. Joe Manchin -- and states have been trying to fill the vacuum ever since.

Our state launched its own child tax credit in 2022, but New Jersey Policy Perspective grabbed a megaphone in January and issued a seminal study that showed how doubling the maximum credit amount would help working families with basic needs such as rent, food, utilities.

Lawmakers such as Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-Mercer) and Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex) took it from there and drafted a bill, but along the way, their colleagues let go of the rope: They passed on the NJPPs key recommendation, which was to extend eligibility to all children under age 12.

This is something our lawmakers should rethink when they come back this fall. While this policy will help 372,000 grateful families  94% of which have at least one parent in the workforce  they need to remember that living in poverty is one continuous emergency.

Kids dont stop being expensive after turning 6, said Peter Chen, who authored the NJPP report. Even once they reach school, and you think childcare costs are reduced, there are only converted into activity costs or other things coded as childcare.

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Assemblywoman Aura Dunn (R-Morris), the only Republican to co-sponsor the bill, pushed hard for an amendment that expanded eligibility to age 12, but found few takers. A product of deep poverty, whose family had to move 14 times before she reached age 12, Dunn vows to keep that conversation going.

I can talk about other rebate programs that are mostly empty promises, but the child tax credit and earned income tax credit are very different, she said. These are proven to have the best effects on lifting families out of poverty, and theres much more we can do  the age increase, for one.

Again, consider the data: The percentage of our children living in poverty has grown from 13% to 15% in just the last two years, according to a study from the Advocates for Children in New Jersey (ACNJ). Its 25% in Atlantic County, 23% in Hudson, and 22% in Ocean. If thats not a call to action, nothing is.

New Jersey should be the best place to raise a child, not the most arduous. We have proof that boosting a familys income pays long-term dividends, because it improves a childs health, education outcome, and life. We cant make a better investment.

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Authorities in a Somerset County town seeking help identifying those who scrawled antisemitic and racist graffiti on playground at a park.

The graffiti was found around midday Saturday at the park in the Warren Township municipal complex and reported to police, township administrator Mark Krane said Wednesday. It has since been removed.

It is shocking that hateful images would be posted in such a public way, especially in an area that is utilized by our children, township officials said in a statement. A playground is meant to be a safe place for children to play without being confronted with hateful messages.

Township officials had already planned to add surveillance cameras in the area prior to the vandalism, which included a swastika and a racial image. The cameras will be installed soon, Krane said.

We do not tolerate antisemitism, racial, or any other hate crimes, Mayor Gary DiNardo said. This incident is unacceptable and we take it personally. The township committee will take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our residents, especially our children.

Anyone with information is asked to call Warren Township police at 908-753-1000.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com
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You might count out a restaurant that has sat shuttered for three years on one of the citys busier commercial stretches. But recently, two Magazine Street restaurants that have been idle since the pandemic began have finally returned.

The taco shop Taceaux Loceaux and the versatile modern cafe Red Dog Diner both staged comebacks since late spring and are going strong again now.

Heres a look at their stories:

Red Dog returns

Red Dog Diner (3122 Magazine St., (504) 934-3333) reopened in June with a distinctive look that feels unchanged from before, and a menu that remains a roster of morning and lunch dishes with a high comfort food quotient and a chefs hand to elevate them just enough.
The pour over coffees are slowly steeping, the milk is frothing for lattes and passersby on Canal Street are peering into the windows of the newest French Truck Coffee location, which opened in July in downtown New Orleans.

It's the 11th coffee shop for the local brand, known for its curatorial approach to sourcing and fresh roasting. To founder Geoffrey Meeker, it's also a symbol of faith in Canal Street and the potential of local businesses to guide its future.

"It just lends itself to our brand, and it feels really good to have all the tourists who come through here see our name," said Meeker, looking around the newly-opened shop. "The streetcar turns here. This is Canal and St. Charles Avenue. That's Main Street at Main Street to me. We're excited to be here."
The Houston County Farm Center renovation process is now in the preliminary design phase.

Since this thing has gotten going, Ive heard so many good stories about this building, Andy Gosselin with Gosselin Architecture said. If youve been here long enough, you know the Farm Center is a historical cultural center. We want to restore it back to being an important place for events.

On Monday, Gosselin met with the Houston County Commission in a work session to discuss potential plans for the 32,000-square-foot property. All parties agreed that the building will be a multi-purpose space to hold events such as concerts, farmers markets, sporting events, weddings, and much more.

Aside from talking about ideas, commissioners discussed who would operate the Farm Center. At the end of the meeting, the commission agreed to lease the property to an organization that would hire an individual to run it.

I am not in favor of having county employees over there operating this, Houston County chairman Brandon Shoupe said. Weve had that before and it didnt work out well. I think the best way to do this would be to have an organization lease the space from us for an amount that well negotiate. Then they can hire someone to keep the place booked up and they can operate it.

In the preliminary design stage, renderings and drawings will be created for the county commission to review. If the design gets approved, blueprints will be drawn up and renovations could begin shortly thereafter.

Our next stage is developing the design, Gosselin said. It should take about two months to figure out what spaces need to be there and once we complete the drawings, they will be available for the public to view online.

Construction may also begin during the design phase.

Currently were talking with the county about performing some of the demolition work themselves, Gosselin said. There is a possibility that we may see some action while were still designing.

Gosselin believes it could take nine months to a year to complete the renovation process once it begins. In the end, he hopes to preserve most of the buildings history.

Youll still recognize it, Gosselin said. It will have its iconic shape with the barrel roof and the beams inside, but it will definitely be more spacious.
Leah Shantel Perry, the 17-year-old mother of a five-month-old son, dreamed of being a veterinarian.

An honors student going into her senior year at Living School off of Bullard Avenue in New Orleans East, Perry grew up breeding puppies and had learned to care for them with ease, her aunt, Brandi Grimaldi, said Tuesday.

"She (liked) all types of pets, but dogs (were) her favorite," she said.

In the meantime, Perry styled hair for extra money. And she was at a friend's Bywater house in the 4300 block of North Villere Street doing just that Friday when she stepped outside and was gunned down in a drive-by shooting at about 7:10 p.m.
On Tuesday afternoon, Dionne Lunkins got a call from the school her niece attends. No one had come to pick up the 4-year-old and it was getting late.
The recently completed Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature was a success. It began on a high note and ended positively. Why? There was plenty of money to spend. Both the General Fund Budget and the Education Budget had historic amounts of money.

Most of the focus of the session was on budgeting, as it should be, because that is the only constitutional mandate that the legislature is tasked with in the 105-day Regular Session.

Gov. Kay Ivey laid out her agenda in her State of the State address, and then sent her proposed budget requests over to the legislature. The governors speech outlining her legislative agenda was about doing good things for education. However, her desires were vague and her ask list was long and wishful, like a kids Christmas list. It called for the state to give away the store. It was as though she was running for reelection, which everyone knows she cannot do. Therefore, the veteran Senate treats her politely, but has relegated her to a lame duck status. The legislature has taken total control of the budgeting process, as they should do under the Constitution. The governor proposes and the legislature disposes. The days of a strong-armed, powerful, omnipotent governor that controls both the executive and legislative branches are over. The King George Wallace era is gone, probably forever.

The surplus in the Education Budget was enormous. How to spend this surplus became the focus of the entire session. There is a very accurate political assessment that it is much more difficult to deal with a surplus budget than a lean or deficit budget. George Wallace told me about this same thing during his last term as governor when I was a freshman legislator.

Accolades go out to Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur), chairman of the Senate Education Finance and Taxation Committee, and Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville), chairman of the House Education Ways and Means Committee. These two gentlemen essentially singlehandedly wrote the Education Budget and did a masterful job. They were cognizant that what goes up has to come down. Therefore, they created several savings accounts and rainy day funds for the rainy days ahead, because they will come.

The Education Budget was historic at $11.5 billion. It gave increases for pre-kindergarten programs, school supplies, school nurses, and a significant 2% cost-of-living salary increase to teachers and support personnel. All colleges and universities in the state received increased funding. Non-education entities were given money. There was $100 million for prison education.

The high profile aspects of the Education Budget windfall were a one-time rebate going back to taxpayers in November. Ivey had wished for a $400 per person and $800 per couple rebate. However, the final result is $150 per person and $300 per married couple. Most legislators preferred eliminating the grocery tax or long-term tax cuts to this one-time check back in November.

The surprise in the Christmas stocking from the Education Budget surplus is the reduction on the state sales tax on groceries. Eliminating or reducing the state tax on groceries has been championed by Democrats for years, as the tax is regressive and hits the states lowest income earners the hardest. However, the measure garnered Republican bipartisan support this year after 20 years and passed with an overwhelming vote in both chambers. It is, however, a gradual reduction. The grocery tax would decrease 2% in two steps, with the tax being reduced 1% this year and another 1% percent new year, if the funds are available.

The state General Fund had a good year as well. The $3 billion General Fund was record-shattering  the largest in history. The chairmen, Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Escambia) and Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville), oversaw a $159 million increase over the current year. The largest increases in the budget were in Medicaid by $69 million and Corrections by $59 million more.

State employees will see a 2% increase in pay, which will go into effect as the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. The legendary head of the Alabama State Employees Association, Mac McArthur, has quietly garnered state employees a cost of living raise five out of the last six years.

See you next week.
U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is shown here in a file photo. Hawley quizzed Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Long, of New Orleans, on what he knew about Hunter Biden's laptop. The nominations of Long and Jerry Edwards Jr. were vetted July 12, 2023 for posts on U.S. District Courts in Louisiana.
Industry Super Australia (ISA) has recently released a report shedding light on a legal provision that denies under-18-year-old workers the opportunity to receive super contributions.

This provision, which requires young workers to meet a 30-hour per week threshold with the same employer, has been criticized for its discriminatory nature and its potential financial impact on these individuals. According to the ISAs research, approximately 375,000 of Australias youngest workers are currently excluded from the countrys retirement system due to this provision, resulting in a loss of around $330 million in super contributions each year. On average, these young workers would receive an additional $885 per year in super contributions if not for this restriction. Over time, this amount could accumulate to an estimated $10,200 by the time they reach retirement age.

The ISAs Super Start to Work Report argues for the removal of the 30-hour threshold, highlighting the financial disadvantages and administrative burdens it creates for both young workers and employers. Keeping track of hours worked by under-18 employees, particularly given the prevalence of casual employment among this group, can be challenging for businesses. The quarterly payment of super also adds complexity to the process.

The report reveals that the majority of under-18 workers regularly miss out on super contributions, as more than 90% of teenagers typically work less than 30 hours per week. However, it is important to note that paid work remains a consistent part of many underage workers lives, with 75% of them employed for 6-12 months annually.

The current provision dates back to the introduction of the superannuation system in 1992. The ISA suggests that updating and removing this outdated requirement would help ensure fair treatment and financial security for Australias young workforce. The ISAs report also highlights the potential long-term consequences of denying young workers access to super contributions. Without these contributions, young individuals may face financial challenges in their later years, particularly when it comes to retirement. The inability to accumulate adequate savings during their early working years can have a significant impact on their future financial stability.

Furthermore, the report emphasizes the importance of providing equal opportunities for all workers, regardless of age. By removing the 30-hour threshold, younger employees would have the same opportunities to save for their retirement as their older counterparts. This would not only promote fairness and equality but also encourage financial literacy and responsible saving habits from a young age.

Several advocacy groups and experts have echoed ISAs call for reform. They argue that young workers deserve the same rights and protections as other workers, including access to superannuation benefits. Additionally, they emphasize the need to address the broader issue of income inequality and precarious work, which disproportionately affect young workers.

In response to the report, some policymakers have expressed support for reviewing the existing provisions and exploring potential reforms. However, others raise concerns about the potential costs and administrative complexities associated with such changes. Nonetheless, the debate surrounding this issue underscores the need for a comprehensive examination of the current system to ensure fair treatment for all workers.

Industry Super Australia Chief Executive Bernie Dean said: This is an out-of-date law that discriminates against our youngest workers just as theyre starting out  its unfair and the law needs to be modernised. Locking thousands of teen workers out of our world class retirement savings system is not giving them the super start to work they deserve. How can we explain that young workers dont get super while an older colleague doing the same job does.

Removing the 30-hour threshold wouldnt just be fair for young workers, it would be good for the employers who have to face the administrative nightmare of keeping track of the weekly hours of a highly casual workforce.

Moving forward, it remains to be seen whether legislative changes will be made to address the concerns raised in the ISAs report. However, the growing advocacy for equal treatment and financial security for young workers suggests that there is a strong case for reform. As discussions unfold, it is crucial to consider the long-term implications of denying young workers access to super contributions and strive towards a more equitable and inclusive retirement system for all Australians.

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I have never been to Canada, and my husband says life there is not as easy as Im having it in Vietnam.

Im 45 and have a son with my previous husband, who is in grade 12. If nothing unexpected happens, I will retire in 10 years and receive monthly pensions from the government.

I recently got married to a Canadian man who is kind, a few years younger than me, is highly educated and has a good job in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Im working at a financial company and have two houses for rent, which makes my total monthly income of around VND60 million (around $2,500). I also own the house we are living in.

My husband and I both lead simple lifestyles: we carefully calculate our monthly expenses, do not spend much money on entertaining, and make saving our habit. We have been contemplating whether to emigrate to Canada after my son graduates from high school.

On the one hand, as I have researched, living costs in Canada are expensive and keep rising. Seeing a doctor requires making appointments in advance. Not every public school is of high quality. And it is cold most of the time in the year.

My husband doesnt have a house in Canada, and even if I sell all of the three houses I own in Vietnam, we will still not be able to afford a house in Toronto.

Many also say Vietnamese people seeking to move to Canada should forget about their educational degrees, current jobs and salaries, and comfortable lives in Vietnam in order to get themselves familiar with hard labor jobs, getting paid with hourly rates, and saving as much as possible to pay for housing and food.

On the other hand, my son and I will be granted Canadian citizenship and nationality in a few years, which is attractive as well.
A director's gallery talk will walk visitors through the Lubeznik Center for the Arts' new summer blockbuster exhibit "Vivian Maier: In Color."

Lubeznik Center for the Arts Executive Director Janet Bloch will explain the photographs on display at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the art center at 101 W. 2nd St. in Michigan City. She'll talk about the street photographer whose genius was heralded after her death and whose work has been exhibited internationally, including in New York City, Los Angeles, London, Sao Paulo and Prague.

"Learn about the artist and the mystery that surrounds her. You can ask questions and join in on the discussion," the Lubeznik said in a press release.

An ASL interpreter will translate the talk into American Sign Language.

People can also hear a talk on Vivian Maier: A Photographers Life and Afterlife at 5 p.m. July 30 and a family day with a free tour, art making and snacks from 1 to 3 p.m. on Oct. 14.

The exhibit runs until Oct. 21.

"Centered on the Chicago History Museums new Vivian Maier collection donated by art collector Jeffrey Goldstein, Vivian Maier: In Color features 50 color prints spanning the late 1950s through the 1970s, the Lubeznik said in a press release. "Vivian Maier was more than a nanny photographer. She toed the line between a French immigrant and a local, a suburban nanny and a city dweller and a subject and an object who was only posthumously celebrated."

Visitors also can check out exhibits by Natasha Moustache and a film by zakkiyyah najeebah dumas oneal.

For more information, visit LubeznikCenter.org or call 219.874.4900.
As an oncology nurse navigator with Community Healthcare System, Kasandra Cadman says self-advocacy is important for patients and medical conditions.

Dont be afraid to use your voice, she said. Health-care professionals are here because we care about you and want you to be able to have a great quality of life.

Cadman encourages her patients to participate in the decision-making process and be part of the team when it comes to their care.

As a nurse navigator, I always make it a point to my patients that they always have a choice when it comes to their health, she said. It is important to understand that when determining a plan of care with your health-care professional that its a team discussion.

Studies have shown that high levels of patient-centered care are associated with improved health outcomes, better relationships between providers and their patients and greater adherence to treatment.

Patients have to feel ownership of the treatment plan and not be bullied or rushed through a process, said Dr. Michael Mirochna, a family medicine physician with Northwest Medical Group. If a patient doesnt feel ownership, they are likely to be less committed to the treatment and then that treatment might fail.

For some patients, advocating for oneself may be easier said than done. Feeling intimidated, being afraid to challenge health-care professionals and facing barriers including language differences may keep some patients from speaking up.

My job is to help you and your health, Mirochna said. Your physician should never make you feel judged, dumb or ashamed.

Advocating for oneself as a patient is a crucial step toward ensuring personalized care and informed decision-making, but what steps can patients take before, during and after medical visits to ensure they are playing an active role in their health-care journeys? Here are some tips from health-care teams in Northwest Indiana to help you make sure your voice is heard.

Patient education key

One of the largest barriers to patient advocacy Dr. Fatima Kazi sees is an incomplete understanding of the patients disease and its complications.

To overcome this, patient education is the key factor, said the Franciscan Physician Network endocrinologist and internal medicine physician. Physicians should make an extra effort to explain disease processes at a level that patients can easily understand. At the same time, I recommend that patients come prepared to ask questions from their providers about anything and everything that is important to them.

Set an agenda

At the beginning of every doctors visit, take a minute to set an agenda with your doctor, says Dr. Sonia Sharma, a family medicine and obesity medicine specialist with Methodist Physician Group.

Set an agenda so you know what to expect during your visit  whats bringing you in, what your concerns are and also some time so the doctor can talk with you about further care like preventive care  so you can move forward with the visit knowing each others priorities, she said.

Prepare your thoughts

Part of that agenda should also be discussing upfront all ailments patients are experiencing so that the doctors and patients focuses can align.

Ive had appointments where I address several things with a patient and then we even have time to chat, Mirochna said. Then as Im leaving to conclude the appointment, Ill hear Ive been having this pain in my chest. 

What is most important to patients and what is most important to physicians isnt always the same, he said.

Chest pain is one of those things that can be critical and would almost always be at the top of the list of any concerns a patient may present with from a physicians perspective, Mirochna said. But from a patients perspective, their heartburn or knee pain might be the most important.

Maximizing time together by creating a list of concerns on paper or smartphone, he said.

Having your thoughts outlined ahead of time gives the patient a chance to think through the issues they are seeking to address, he said. Then as a physician, we can see the list and then can start looking for patterns that may not be obvious to patients, even in the age of Google, but may be obvious to us. Some concerns may be related and some may not be related at all.

Ask the doctor to slow down or translate

Effective communication is key to a successful patient-doctor relationship, Sharma says.

Let the doctor know if you feel more comfortable with a translator or if there is something your doctor is saying that you arent clear about, she said. Ask them to explain it in a simple or more straight-forward way or to slow down.

When seeing a doctor for a critical illness or disease where difficult decisions may be made, bringing a family member or friend can help patients later digest important information, Mirochna said.

At times there is just too much information to take in, he said. Sometimes, I will have to bring patients back for more education. All of us can only take in so much information at a time.

Work with doctor on treatment plan

Treatment plans should be made after all the relevant information has been provided to the patient, and they have had time to comprehend all that information, Kazi said. Its so important to give patients the right education about the short- and long-term treatment goals. It is equally important for the patients to feel that they are taking charge of their health and making an informed decision.

Know your risk factors

Certain risk factors such as age, socio-economic status and race can affect the likelihood of experiencing health disparities.

While self-advocacy is important for all patients and conditions, Sharma says certain populations are at higher risk for medical implicit biases. These include the elderly, minorities and those with lower socio-economic statuses.

I encourage patients to always bring a family member if that makes them more comfortable, and we need to work harder to make sure these patients are getting their recommended screenings, she said.

Cadman says self-advocacy is also important when managing chronic conditions, which require ongoing medical attention.

With chronic conditions, patients have regular medical appointments, sometimes life-long or long-term medications and even multiple health-care professionals, she said. I strongly encourage you to ask the questions you dont understand, do your research, learn all about your disease and educate yourself so you can be part of your care.

Ask for help

Whether a patient needs social, financial or health-related help, Kazi says many resources are available.

A lot of times, physicians and health-care organizations have resources available but they are underutilized due to lack of awareness  by both patients and physicians, she said.

Cadman says she has also encountered patients who havent followed through with recommended treatment because of insurance concerns that were misinterpreted or could be fixed.

Ive also had many conversations with patients to help them understand the medical professionals conversations and gain trust in their health-care team, she said.

Use all resources

Often, a medical team will provide an aftercare plan for patients to take home.

Ask them to summarize important points of the visit on this plan so you can reference them later on, Sharma said.

Make sure you use the online portal available through most physicians offices and hospitals, Mirochna says.

This is a good way to request refills, visits or ask any additional questions that you might have, he said.

If all of your questions arent answered in an appointment, make a follow-up visit to get more clarification, Mirochna says.

If the physician only spends 30 seconds with you for a complex medical problem, it may be time to find a new physician that can go over things with you more thoroughly, he said.
INDIANAPOLIS  Indiana students are generally returning to pre-pandemic rates of learning in math, but some student groups are struggling to recover in English language arts, according to the states Department of Education.

On Wednesday, the Indiana Department of Education presented the third year of findings from its academic impact and recovery studies to the state Board of Education.

The findings, presented by Charity Flores, the departments chief academic officer, showed that while the education system is returning to normal, some student populations are struggling to do the same.

Broadly, student performance across all groups in math has stabilized following the pandemic. However, middle school, Hispanic and English learner students have struggled to recover.

Previous year's findings showed students rate of learning was more severely impacted in math than in ELA, with Black, Asian, Hispanic and economically disadvantaged students the most impacted. However, higher rates of recovery have been seen in math than in ELA, with rates of learning with Black and economically disadvantaged students now stabilizing across all grade levels in both subjects.

Flores told the state board of education that Hispanic, English learner and middle school students will need continued targeted support.

Specific conversations and concerted efforts are needed to best support their learning, Flores said. She noted current efforts the state is providing to support students, including $111 million invested into literacy through Indiana Learns, which provides families up to $1,000 for their childrens tutoring in math and ELA, and the Indiana Learning Lab, which provides additional online resources in literacy, STEM and English learning.

Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner stressed the need of leaning into the new streamlined K-12 academic standards and ILEARN redesign, which were announced last month.

When normal has not been hitting the mark for years, it should force a redesign, Jenner told the state school board.

The redesign involves three assessments throughout the school year, with a final, shortened summative test in the spring. The redesign is meant to provide more flexible scheduling, reduce overall testing and provide more useful data for teachers and parents.

Schools will be able to opt-in to the resigned ILEARN starting the 2024-25 school year, with a full statewide implementation planned for the 2025-26 school year.

PHOTOS: Lake George Canal ribbon-cutting Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lake George Canal remediation Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lake George Canal remediation Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lake George Canal remediation Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lake George Canal remediation Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lake George Canal remediation Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lake George Canal remediation Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lake George Canal remediation Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lake George Canal remediation Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lake George Canal remediation Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lake George Canal remediation Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lake George Canal remediation Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lake George Canal remediation Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lake George Canal remediation Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lake George Canal remediation
PORTAGE  When a maintenance worker at a local apartment complex received no response after knocking on the door of one of the units late Monday morning, he told police he entered and was checking out pipes when he discovered two young children sleeping in one bedroom.

He then opened the door to the master bedroom and saw a baby sleeping inside a crib with a bottle propped up by blankets, Portage police said.

The children were still sleeping when police were called an hour later and officers used paperwork found in the apartment to locate the mother of the children, who was working at a childcare center in Gary, according to the arrest report.

The mother reportedly told police her husband, Trevon Robinson, 21, was supposed to be home watching her children.

The woman contacted Robinson for a ride home and when they arrived at the apartment in the 2300 block of Dixie Drive, Robinson told officers he was gone for 30 minutes to the grocery store, the incident report says.

I asked Mr. Robinson why he did not take the children with him to Walmart and he said it was too hard for him to get groceries and watch all three of them, police said.

The maintenance worker said it was more than an hour after finding the children that he was told to call police and officers said they were on scene for at least an hour and a half before Robinson arrived home with his wife.

The children, who are 3 years old, 21 months old and 8 months old, were left alone for about three hours without any adult supervision, according to a newly-filed charging document.

The woman reportedly told police Robinson was not at the grocery store and was possibly at a cell phone store on U.S. 6 at County Line Road.

Robinson was placed under arrest and has been charged with three felony counts of neglect of a dependent, records show.

The charges accuse Robinson of placing the dependents in a situation that endangered their life or health.

Robinson is scheduled to appear Wednesday afternoon on the charges before Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer.

Gallery: Recent arrests booked into the Porter County Jail Samuel Schneemann Jack Sedivy Thomas Gross III Ethan Wyszynski Joshua Odell Iesha Gibson Sherri Harris Chad Chalfant II Amanda Deutscher Max Smith Jr. Leanna Williams Tristan Peterson Benito Pedraza-Lizama Ryan Beck Joseph Chase Kimberly Giorando Michael Yahkind Matthew Yurechko Shykeena Smith-Mohammed Nizah Westbrooks Nathaniel Wilson Trevon Robinson Jonathan Noort Tymmia Kimp Michael Mavrogeanes Dontarius Garrett Ronald Arceneaux Jr. Michele Clark Lourdes Zavala Jason Napier Matthew Sirko William Jared Pamela Jones Michael Wagner Robert VanDrunen III Brooke Leonard Teresa Thorne Jack Garner Hannah Holloway Kyle Douglas Amy Becker David Bowman
A statewide search for a man accused of stealing and crashing a police vehicle was called off Wednesday morning after the suspect was taken into custody, Indiana State Police announced.

Eric James King, 41, of Paoli, Indiana, was located and arrested without further incident around 4:06 a.m. EDT by officers in Greene County, located west of Bloomington.

"There is no current risk to the public," ISP said.

State police had turned to the public for help in locating King after he escaped officers Tuesday in Daviess County, located southwest of Bloomington.

King refused to comply and fled in a vehicle that ran out of gas, police said.

Baby was alone with bottle propped up by blankets, Portage police reveal in neglect case He then opened the door to the master bedroom and saw a baby sleeping inside a crib with a bottle propped up by blankets, Portage police said.

"When officers located and attempted to take King into custody, he was able to gain control of a police vehicle, which he used to ram another police vehicle," ISP said. "King fled the scene in the stolen vehicle and eventually crashed in a field in southern Greene County. After an extensive search of the area, police were unable to locate King."

"King should be considered armed and dangerous," police had said.

Gallery: Recent arrests booked into the Porter County Jail Samuel Schneemann Jack Sedivy Thomas Gross III Ethan Wyszynski Joshua Odell Iesha Gibson Sherri Harris Chad Chalfant II Amanda Deutscher Max Smith Jr. Leanna Williams Tristan Peterson Benito Pedraza-Lizama Ryan Beck Joseph Chase Kimberly Giorando Michael Yahkind Matthew Yurechko Shykeena Smith-Mohammed Nizah Westbrooks Nathaniel Wilson Trevon Robinson Jonathan Noort Tymmia Kimp Michael Mavrogeanes Dontarius Garrett Ronald Arceneaux Jr. Michele Clark Lourdes Zavala Jason Napier Matthew Sirko William Jared Pamela Jones Michael Wagner Robert VanDrunen III Brooke Leonard Teresa Thorne Jack Garner Hannah Holloway Kyle Douglas Amy Becker David Bowman
UPDATED with details from two more passengers

MADISON COUNTY  A Greyhound bus heading to St. Louis crashed on Interstate 70 near Highland early Wednesday, killing three people and injuring at least 14.

Illinois State Police said the crash happened just before 2 a.m. on I-70 West along a ramp leading to the Silver Lake rest area. The scene is west of Highway 160 in Madison County.

The passenger bus hit three tractor-trailers that were parked on the shoulder of a ramp leading to the rest area, police said. The force of impact sheared off the right side of the bus.

Three people on the bus died. Four were taken by medical helicopter to a hospital, and 10 were taken away by ambulance. No one in the tractor-trailers was hurt.

Trooper Josh Korando of the Illinois State Police said the truckers had pulled off the highway to sleep, and the tractor-trailers were lined along the right shoulder of a long ramp that heads to the rest area.

The rest area's parking lot for trucks was full at the time, Korando said. The bus sideswiped all three trucks but hit the first one with the most force.

The Greyhound bus was traveling from Indianapolis to St. Louis and was scheduled to arrive at the St. Louis station at about 2:20 a.m., said Mike Ogulnick, a spokesman for Greyhound.

Ogulnick said the bus was carrying about 30 people, including the driver. "Our primary concern is ensuring we care for our passengers and driver at this time," he said in an email.

Authorities have not released any details about the people who were killed and injured.

The company sent another bus to pick up passengers who were unhurt, Ogulnick said.

Several passengers who had been on the bus that crashed were still at the downtown St. Louis bus stop late Wednesday morning, including some waiting on connecting buses.

"I thank God for real," said Edward Alexander of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. "I really feel blessed. It could've been me."

Alexander said he was sleeping when the crash sent him sliding down the aisle and bloodied his nose. A pregnant woman near him was having trouble breathing, and Alexander helped her escape from the bus window.

Alexander searched for his cell phone on the mangled bus but jumped out the window when he saw it filling with smoke. He waited for hours at the crash site for another bus to take him to St. Louis. He said he lost all of his belongings but was glad to be alive.

Edwin Brown, 22, of Friars Point, Mississippi, said he felt the bus shake as it passed over rumble strips before the crash. He felt 12 or 13 vibrations, he said. Still, he tried to fall back asleep, hoping that hed be in St. Louis by the time he woke up.

When I woke up, like, I flew forward, Brown said. So then when I raised up, the side of the bus opened up like a can opener.

Browns head hit a seat of the bus during the crash, he said, and he was still sporting a hospital band on his wrist just before noon Wednesday. He said he swallowed glass shards during the crash and cut up his fist. He received an electrocardiogram at Anderson Hospital in Maryville.

Brown said he was on the right-hand side of the bus, and he slipped through a gaping hole in the bus wall after the crash. He then helped others out, and with the help of a trucker, he said he turned the bus off. The driver was in and out of consciousness.

Dawanda Parker, 34, was also asleep before the crash. She woke up in the aisle, she said, and a man helped her escape the bus through a window. When the passengers escaped, they laid down in the grass, Parker said.

Im still thinking, Im dreaming, Im dreaming, Parker said.

Parker is headed home to Los Angeles to see her four children and is still taking a bus the rest of the way.

Greyhound offered Parker money, she said, but she refused it.

According to a U.S. Department of Transportation report, the bus that crashed is part of a fleet that does business under Greyhound's BoltBus division. That fleet includes 1,046 vehicles and 1,132 drivers, and it was involved in 69 crashes in the past two years.

Karen Miller, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents Greyhound drivers, said investigations will follow by the company and the Department of Transportation, and her main concern was the well-being of the driver and passengers."

Robert Cohen and Alex Vargas of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
GARY  Gary Mayor Jerome Prince has ordered a local lounge to close its doors to the public in the wake of a shooting over the weekend that left one person dead and three hospitalized.

The UpTop Lounge and Events will close until further notice, Prince said, after the Saturday morning death of 37-year-old Gary resident Troy Allen, who was identified by the Lake County coroners office Tuesday afternoon. Allens manner of death is pending.

Prince cites city code and said the companys general business license is being investigated for potential suspension and revocation.

Were all frustrated and angry a handful of people in our city choose to behave violently toward others, but we will not allow the cowardly actions of a small number of people deter us from our mission to make Gary a safer place to live, play and work, Prince said.

Gary police Cmdr. Samuel Roberts said officers were called out around 2:30 a.m. Saturday to the bars location at 939 E. 21st Ave. in the Pulaski neighborhood where they found Allen dead from a gunshot wound and two men and one woman injured. Shots were reportedly fired inside and outside the business.

The injured individuals were hospitalized and police were unable to provide a report on their condition.

This is an ongoing investigation, but the Gary Police Department and the Lake County Prosecutors Homicide Task Force will pour every necessary resource into getting to the bottom of the incident at the Up Top Lounge and into holding the responsible parties accountable for their actions.

Child found inside vehicle filled with pot smoke, Portage cops say When a female lowered the driver's side window for the officer, a large amount of the marijuana smoke poured out, police said.

Uptop Lounge co-owner Pierre, who declined to provide his last name, said the clubs management is sad, hurt and disappointed about what happened and they will be meeting with police Thursday to discuss their next steps and how to reduce the likelihood of any violence happening again at the bar.

We are considering better security and increasing the age of people who can attend, Pierre said. We are asking for an older adult crowd. Somewhere that is more laid back, some place safe for people to enjoy a good time and some good food.

The bar caters to patrons 25 and over, Pierre said, but the operators are considering increasing the age restriction to 30 and over or 35 and over.

This event does not reflect the environment we at UpTop Lounge want to promote, according to a statement released on the bars Facebook page. We do not condone any violence at our establishment.

The bar operators were told by Prince that they will be notified if a hearing is scheduled.

Anyone with information on the shootings is encouraged to contact detectives Daryl Gordon or James Nielsen at 219-881-1210.

Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail Demond Tyler Jacqueline White Kristina Schierberl Glynisha Shiel Byron Strong Dollie Tecaxco Semaj Reynolds Fred Parker Paige Perry Lawrence O'Toole Mathew Murphy Geoni McNeal Brett Miner Shanae McGee Wilbur Jenkins II Kerry Kirk Robert Mathena Nathaniel Guzman Joshua Hansen Bradley Heideman Kyanne Edwards Ollicia England Kenyatta Freeman Jr. Jacob Gould Antonio Cornejo Lashionda Bradley James Buhle Zakiya Coats Carlos Andrade Dierra Bluitt Jovon Sharp Demetrian Shorter Matthew Potocki Tonie Pattent Edward Macker Jerry Moore Christopher Hurley Leroy Jefferson III Edwin Macias Guerrero Patrick Hammack Mark Henderson Isabell Hernandez Lexi Adams Derrick Angelucci Cartrelle Sullivan Lap Dai Truong David Smith Candice Johnson Julie Lonngren Cody Nagel Tomislav Ristic Jonathan Igras John Gallagher Jr. Christina Brown Deanna Findley Danielle Ford Ramon Bridges Ian West Michael Wynter Maltese Tally John Stoddard Jr. Eric Skinner Angel Preacely Brian Riley Aarjione League Charles Moore Suzanne Krischke Marquita Ford Antonio Galvan Jason Brown John Berrios Jr. Laura Bobadilla Keith Bretthorst Lakisha Brooks Narcisa Apuyod Dan Rodriguez Michael Zivanovich Shaunese Rice Robert Lay III Loretta Bell Larry Gore Calvin Winfield Katelyn Zajeski Percy Perry Andrew Wilcox Javonni Avila Matthew Druzbicki Michael Kras Troy Sykes David Venzke Jr. Taylor Smith Gregory Phillips Jose Rivera Jr. Nicole Roge
GARY  Gary police say when they arrived early Tuesday evening at the shuttered Emerson High School in response to a report of gunfire, officers could still hear shots ringing out inside the building.

Officers set up a perimeter around the building at the northeast corner of 7th Avenue and Carolina Street on the city's east side and used a public address system to order the suspects to step out, Gary Police Cmdr. Samuel Roberts said.

Three East Chicago men and a 17-year-old female exited the building and were taken into custody without incident, Roberts said.

"Police recovered a 10mm handgun from one of the men," he said.

"The men face trespassing charges and criminal recklessness charges," according to Roberts. "The juvenile faces a trespass charge, and she was released to a parent."

The 6:30 p.m. call to the school came nearly eight years to the day from when a 17-year-old Chicago youth was found dead inside the building.

The Lake County coroner's office ruled Connita L. Richardson, of Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, was killed by asphyxiation caused by strangulation in a homicide.

Police said they believed Richardson's body had been in the building no longer than a day or so when discovered after a concerned citizen reported seeing someone in the building.

Baby was alone with bottle propped up by blankets, Portage police reveal in neglect case He then opened the door to the master bedroom and saw a baby sleeping inside a crib with a bottle propped up by blankets, Portage police said.

Then-mayoral candidate Sy Smith called on Gary Community School Corp. leaders and city officials at the time to do something about the hundreds of abandoned buildings throughout the city.

A spokesperson for the city school system could not be immediately reached Wednesday.

The Times reported in the wake of the July 2015 homicide how the 21 abandoned school properties scattered throughout the city's struggling neighborhoods were providing sanctuary for crime and urban decay.

"At one time, these former public schools were the nucleus of thriving sections of the city, nearby residents and former students recalled," according to the report.

"But that's a bygone era. Now, vast swaths of school property are overrun with weeds, and the shuttered buildings, some in visible decline, display the territorial tags of gang graffiti."

The investigation done by The Times revealed that at least two of the 21 closed school buildings were openly accessible to gang activity and other crime. "A host of others sit moldering with broken windows, overgrown lots and in some cases crumbling exteriors."

Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail Demond Tyler Jacqueline White Kristina Schierberl Glynisha Shiel Byron Strong Dollie Tecaxco Semaj Reynolds Fred Parker Paige Perry Lawrence O'Toole Mathew Murphy Geoni McNeal Brett Miner Shanae McGee Wilbur Jenkins II Kerry Kirk Robert Mathena Nathaniel Guzman Joshua Hansen Bradley Heideman Kyanne Edwards Ollicia England Kenyatta Freeman Jr. Jacob Gould Antonio Cornejo Lashionda Bradley James Buhle Zakiya Coats Carlos Andrade Dierra Bluitt Jovon Sharp Demetrian Shorter Matthew Potocki Tonie Pattent Edward Macker Jerry Moore Christopher Hurley Leroy Jefferson III Edwin Macias Guerrero Patrick Hammack Mark Henderson Isabell Hernandez Lexi Adams Derrick Angelucci Cartrelle Sullivan Lap Dai Truong David Smith Candice Johnson Julie Lonngren Cody Nagel Tomislav Ristic Jonathan Igras John Gallagher Jr. Christina Brown Deanna Findley Danielle Ford Ramon Bridges Ian West Michael Wynter Maltese Tally John Stoddard Jr. Eric Skinner Angel Preacely Brian Riley Aarjione League Charles Moore Suzanne Krischke Marquita Ford Antonio Galvan Jason Brown John Berrios Jr. Laura Bobadilla Keith Bretthorst Lakisha Brooks Narcisa Apuyod Dan Rodriguez Michael Zivanovich Shaunese Rice Robert Lay III Loretta Bell Larry Gore Calvin Winfield Katelyn Zajeski Percy Perry Andrew Wilcox Javonni Avila Matthew Druzbicki Michael Kras Troy Sykes David Venzke Jr. Taylor Smith Gregory Phillips Jose Rivera Jr. Nicole Roge
South Korea has become one of the world's great hubs for business with giant global companies like Samsung, LG, Kia and Hyundai.

Indiana is looking to capitalize off of South Korea's economic vitality by opening an office to strengthen business ties there.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. established an office in Seoul, its eighth international office and second to open this year.

Indianas new Seoul office underscores the importance of the states deepening relationships with Korean companies and their increased interest in a dynamic Hoosier workforce and economy, Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers said. With more than $6 billion of recently announced capital investment from Korean companies and their (joint venture) partners, an IEDC office in Korea is a further commitment to building high-tech, future-focused investments and job opportunities to the Hoosier state."

Indiana is home to 14 companies based in South Korea, including Jaewon Industrial, Soulbrain MI and Samsung SDI. Six Indiana businesses also have operations there.

Indiana has been working to deepen ties, including with economic development trips there by Chambers and Gov. Eric Holcomb.

"After visiting with government and industry leaders in Seoul twice over the past year, Im confident that Indiana and South Korea share similar visions for our futures and that investing in our growing partnership will deliver mutually beneficial results in industry and innovation," Chambers said.

Narai Kim and Max Kim will manage the Seoul office, which will chase foreign direct investment in energy, tech, mobility, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and other sectors expected to grow in the future.

Narai has 15 years of experience in the advance manufacturing sector, in which she's worked on international business-to-business, business-to-government and government-to-government projects. She's also worked with governments worldwide on technology transfer and licensing programs for the the battery, materials and aerospace sectors.
MERRILLVILLE  Merrillville police are teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute to curb unsafe driving through the Speeding Slows You Down campaign from July 10 through 31.

The goal of the enforcement campaign is to keep drivers and passengers safe by raising awareness about the dangers of speeding and urging drivers to obey speed limits, according to a press release from the Merrillville police. Police will be on "high alert" during the campaign for speeding drivers.

Speeding was the cause of approximately a quarter of deaths in Indiana in 2021, according to the release. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute recorded 252 speed-related deaths in 2021, and a 15% increase in these deaths from 2021 to 2022. Preliminary data shows that in 2022, speeding killed 290 people in Indiana. Nearly 300 fatalities are projected in 2023, according to the ICJI.

Speeding reduces a drivers ability to steer safely around another vehicle, a hazardous object or an unexpected curve, police said.

Speed limit signs are not suggestions, they are the law, Merrillville Lt. Kurt Horvath said. They are posted for the safety of the driver and others. Unfortunately, we see people speeding every day. If youre killed in a crash, or if you kill someone else, thats it. Theres no second chance. Speeding just isnt worth the risk.

According to data from ICJI, more people crash while speeding on local roads than on highways. In 2022, 77% of all speeding-related traffic crashes on Indiana roads occurred on non-interstate roadways.

Drivers in neighborhoods and on secondary roads should be especially aware of this campaign and their speed.

Local roads are where most of our speeding-related crashes occur, Horvath said. We will be concentrating our efforts in these areas.

Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail Demond Tyler Jacqueline White Kristina Schierberl Glynisha Shiel Byron Strong Dollie Tecaxco Semaj Reynolds Fred Parker Paige Perry Lawrence O'Toole Mathew Murphy Geoni McNeal Brett Miner Shanae McGee Wilbur Jenkins II Kerry Kirk Robert Mathena Nathaniel Guzman Joshua Hansen Bradley Heideman Kyanne Edwards Ollicia England Kenyatta Freeman Jr. Jacob Gould Antonio Cornejo Lashionda Bradley James Buhle Zakiya Coats Carlos Andrade Dierra Bluitt Jovon Sharp Demetrian Shorter Matthew Potocki Tonie Pattent Edward Macker Jerry Moore Christopher Hurley Leroy Jefferson III Edwin Macias Guerrero Patrick Hammack Mark Henderson Isabell Hernandez Lexi Adams Derrick Angelucci Cartrelle Sullivan Lap Dai Truong David Smith Candice Johnson Julie Lonngren Cody Nagel Tomislav Ristic Jonathan Igras John Gallagher Jr. Christina Brown Deanna Findley Danielle Ford Ramon Bridges Ian West Michael Wynter Maltese Tally John Stoddard Jr. Eric Skinner Angel Preacely Brian Riley Aarjione League Charles Moore Suzanne Krischke Marquita Ford Antonio Galvan Jason Brown John Berrios Jr. Laura Bobadilla Keith Bretthorst Lakisha Brooks Narcisa Apuyod Dan Rodriguez Michael Zivanovich Shaunese Rice Robert Lay III Loretta Bell Larry Gore Calvin Winfield Katelyn Zajeski Percy Perry Andrew Wilcox Javonni Avila Matthew Druzbicki Michael Kras Troy Sykes David Venzke Jr. Taylor Smith Gregory Phillips Jose Rivera Jr. Nicole Roge
HAMMOND  The bright orange metallic sculpture Man of Steel has towered for decades over Harrison Park, greeting visitors to downtown Hammond and symbolizing the role labor and industry have played in the Region.

The late artist Hermann Gurfinkel created one of Hammonds first pieces of public art, a giant square-faced head gazing up into the sky was crafted with Region-made steel and installed in the park in 1977. The 22-foot-tall sculpture has become a local landmark, been featured on civic booster brochures and drawn comparisons to Superman with its name, blocky iron jawline and stern expression of resolve. A scale model is now on display in the Calumet Voices, National Stories exhibit at The Field Museum in Chicago.

Landmark Man of Steel sculpture to get restored after years of neglect The Man of Steel sculpture in downtown Hammond hasn't been refurbished since it was installed in 1977.

The sculpture has gotten rusty and worn down over the decades.

Now the newly formed AHA! Arts Hammond Association is looking to revitalize the landmark and later Harrison Park, the 25-acre downtown park that was a cow pasture until Hammond acquired it in 1898.

The Man of Steel needs a facelift, said Seda Turan with the AHA! Arts Hammond Association. Since 1977, it has had no TLC. It needs to be welded, sandblasted and painted to the original color. We want to landscape it and light it up. Its a very dynamic piece from a famous artist thats been neglected for a long time. What is the roots of Northwest Indiana? The steel industry. That was built by students and union workers with donated steel. We want to revitalize The Man of Steel. This is a gateway.

Gurfinkels sculptures have been displayed around the Region, including the menorah on the facade of the Temple Israel in Valparaiso, Mother and Child at the old LaPorte Hospital and the Lake County Public Library in Merrillville, where his The Reader sculpture is another instantly recognizable Northwest Indiana icon depicting a recumbent, classical-looking woman reading books.

Valparaiso Universitys Brauer Museum of Art did a 2017 retrospective of the late artist, who died in 2004, calling him a Hidden Northwest Indiana Legend.

The AHA! Arts Hammond Association aims to tackle the restoration project next year. Its looking to raise funds for the work, seeking sponsors like steelmakers.

Landmark Man of Steel sculpture to get restored after years of neglect Seda Turan (left) and Ish Muhammad Nieves with the AHA! Arts Hammond Association plan to restore the Man of Steel sculpture.

Its tired. Thats all I can say, she said. The colors not the same. Its faded a little bit.

Gurfinkel was born in 1916 and served as an apprentice of the metalworker Hanns Rheindorff working on the Cathedral of Cologne after getting rejected by an arts school in Dusseldorf that had an Aryan-only policy. He was a refugee from Nazi Germany who escaped to the United States just before Kristallnacht in 1938, sailing on a Dutch ship after he was urged to leave by relatives in New York City and Detroit. He spent the next six decades working as a sculptor, steel welder, blacksmith, jewelry maker and goldsmith.

Originally settling in New York, he moved to Detroit where he studied at the prestigious Cranbrook Academy, where he taught. He got an opportunity to teach at the IIT Institute of Design that brought him to Chicago, where he worked alongside the famed architect and geodesic dome designer R. Buckminster Fuller. He later taught metalworking at the School of the Art Institute and opened a jewelry shop on Oak Street in the Gold Coast.

Gurfinkel moved to south suburban Glenwood and ended up setting in Valparaiso in the 1960s, living there for the last 35 years of his life. He was smitten, writing: Like the ocean, Lake Michigan revealed its vastness and, on shore, one giant plant after another forging American steel. I felt at home, and moved to a blacksmith shop in nearby Valparaiso.

He grew vegetables outside his home on an 80-acre farm a U.S. Steel engineer made into a country estate. Gurfinkel served as as artist in residence for Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools before getting commissions for large-scale sculpture.

Hes won a number of awards, including the German Cross of Merit thats Germanys highest civilian award. He designed the Lion of Judah sculpture in Cologne Germany that commemorated headmaster Erich Klibanskys efforts to save the lives of his Jewish high school students.

In 1977, he was selected by the Indiana Arts Commission to create Man of Steel.

Everybody knows it. Its a nice little landmark, said Ish Muhammad Nieves with the AHA! Arts Hammond Association. Its due. Its nice to reactivate that landmark.

He worked with local industries, the Hammond Park Department, Hammond Technical Vocational High School welding students and eight different trade unions to create the work. The Operating Engineers lent a crane that lifted the 10-ton sculpture into place.

Its the foundation and spine of Northwest Indiana. Were built on steel. Why not honor it? Turan said. This could be a slippery slope to beautifying the park. We could make it an inviting public space with picnics, music events, videos, movies and art.

Gurfinkel painted it bright orange, noting all ironworkers recognize this color, used to protect steel in the outdoors.

The massive, larger-than-life sculpture hasnt ever been restored, Turan said. Its sat untouched for 46 years.

Its steel. Just like the people of Northwest Indiana, she said.

Its gotten mottled with patches of rust. The sculpture just needs some care so it doesnt look so rundown, Nieves said.

Its nothing a fresh coat of paint cant fix, he said. Its going to be our next AHA! moment.

For more information, visit artshammond.org or find the Arts Hammond Alliance on social media.
The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce's Lakefront Career Network plans to host a New Teacher Luncheon to welcome new educators to the community.

The chamber plans to hold the event celebrating new teachers in the Michigan City area annually. It's being sponsored by Purdue University Northwest and presented by the Lakefront Career Network, the Michigan City Chamber's young professionals committee that aims to "make the Michigan City area an attractive place for young professionals to live, work, and play through relationship building, skill enhancement, community enhancement, and career advancement opportunities."

The New Teacher Luncheon will take place between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Pottawattomie Country Club at 1900 Springland Ave.

"New teachers and administrators from Michigan City public and parochial schools will be treated to lunch and welcomed to the community by local businesses and organizations," the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce said in a news release. "Those in attendance will get a warm welcome from the event sponsor, an LCN representative, and a local educator."

The chamber is seeking sponsors to help provide goodie bags to the new teachers. Businesses can donate coupons, gift certificates, discounts and branded items. Contributors will be recognized at the event and included in promotions. The event is open to the public and individuals and businesses are encouraged to register or sign up for a sponsorship by July 28.

For more information, visit www.MichiganCityChamber.com, call 219-874-6221 or email kswistek@mcachamber.com.
A University of Minnesota professor will address economic opportunity in rural Indiana at an upcoming talk.

Sociologist and rural researcher Ben Winchester will give a public talk at 9 a.m. July 17 at John Glenn High School, 201 John Glenn Drive in Walkerton, just east of the LaPorte County line. Local leaders, economic development officials and real estate agents are particularly invited to attend.

The event runs until 3 p.m. It will include lunch and breakout sessions in the afternoon.

The University of Indianapolis CELL Center and the Indiana Small and Rural Schools Association brought Winchester, a senior research fellow at the University of Minnesota Extension Office, to Indiana for its speaker series.

He will address what's happening in rural Indiana and using data to change the prevalent rural narrative of decline. His presentation will address issues like If small towns are dying, then why cant I find a new house to buy?

No one is moving to small towns for pity. They are moving for what you are, and, more importantly, will be," Winchester said.

He will discuss the rural rebound he said has been underway across the country since the 1970s. Some urban people have moved to rural areas, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We want to invite the local community to join us as Ben explores how the population shift is supported by increasing broadband access, the benefits of working remotely, changing work practices, slower place of life, safety and security, and lower costs of living and housing  thus the 'brain gain' of 30 to 49-yearolds moving to rural America. Indiana has made significant investments in Broadband. This can be the next step to capitalize on this investment for greater economic opportunity for rural communities," said Christopher Lagoni, executive director of the Indiana Small and Rural Schools Association.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 49 of Indiana's 92 counties, most of which are largely rural, lost population between the 2010 and 2020 censuses. The rural gross domestic product in Indiana however has grown by $11 billion over the past two decades, a Ball State University study found.

Registration is $20. For more information, visit www.indianasmallandrural.org.
HAMMOND  The states vehicle emissions testing mandate for residents of Lake and Porter counties does not run afoul of the Indiana Constitution.

Thats the ruling issued by Lake Superior Judge John Sedia in a longshot lawsuit filed by several current and former members of the Lake County Council challenging the validity of emissions testing as a vehicle registration requirement.

Sedia acknowledged at the outset of his nine-page decision that emissions testing is universally despised in Northwest Indiana, in part because theres no testing for the innumerable semi-trailer trucks that travel through Lake and Porter on one of the busiest stretches of interstate in the nation, the Borman Expressway, belching gasoline and diesel exhaust for miles on end, polluting the air, then traveling on to Chicago or points east.

Nevertheless, Sedia said the litigants, led by Lake County Councilman Ted Bilski, D-Hobart, did not present sufficient evidence to support their claim the emissions testing requirement violates constitutional provisions that generally prohibit laws that apply only to specific localities.

Sedia instead ruled in favor of the state, who he said successfully showed federal air quality mandates supersede state law, and that any disparate treatment is justified by Indianas need to implement air quality improvement measures or risk losing most of its federal highway funding.

A reasonable relationship exists between the requirement of emissions testing in Lake and Porter counties and the purpose of attaining ambient air quality, Sedia said. (The requirement) does not offend the Constitution of the state of Indiana.

As a result, motorists in Lake and Porter counties must continue taking their vehicles to a Clean Air Car Check station for emissions testing every other year, once their vehicle is four years old, as a condition of renewing their state vehicle registration.

Sedias ruling still can be reviewed by the Indiana Court of Appeals if requested by the litigants, who include Bilski; Lake Councilwoman Christine Cid, D-East Chicago; state Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland; Lake Councilman David Hamm, D-Hammond; and former Lake Councilmen Christian Jorgensen, R-St. John, and Al Menchaca, D-Gary.

The lawsuit was the latest in a string of local and state attempts to eliminate the vehicle emissions testing mandate that applies to Northwest Indiana, and nowhere else in the state, because the federal government groups Lake and Porter counties with Chicago for air-quality purposes.

Records show the Chicagoland region, including Northwest Indiana, does not meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys 8-hour ozone standard of 70 parts per billion  necessitating remedial efforts to limit ozone, such as emissions testing.

Ozone is a pollutant produced by vehicle emissions that can cause breathing difficulties for children, the elderly and individuals with lung disease.

Gallery: Get to know these new Indiana laws that took effect July 1 AirTags Alcohol permits Animal facilities Annexation Book bans Bullying Charter schools Child molesting Childrens hospitals Domestic violence Drinking water Electric/hybrid vehicles Encroachment FAFSA Financial literacy Firefighting equipment Food and beverage tax Gender-affirming care Gary schools Gasoline tax Human trafficking Illiana Expressway Inmate gender Insurance fund Juror pay Juveniles Lake County convention center Lake County recorder Landlords Little Calumet River Lost farmland Machine guns Mail-in ballots Mental health Military bases Military pay Pension investments Public health School board elections Service animals Sex education SNAP assistance Speed cameras State comptroller Storage units Tax sales Taxpayer receipt Teachers unions Throwing stars Transit Development District 21st Century Scholars Valparaiso lawsuit Xylazine
So there is a pattern in the subservience of his characters to Mr. Kundera's will. They all exemplify the central act of his imagination, which is to conceive of a paradox and express it elegantly. The paradox he is most fond of is the essential identity of opposites, and he plays with it over and over again, with minor characters as well as major ones and with little essays and one-line observations. For instance, he shows us a dissident Czech emigre in Paris in the act of reproaching his fellow emigres for their lack of anti-Communist fervor, and he finds in him the same bullying quality of mind as in the former head of state, Antonin Novotny, who ruled Czechoslovakia for 14 years. The elegance lies in the image Mr. Kundera uses to make the observation that both the emigre and the former ruler point their index fingers at whomever they address. In fact, people of this sort, Mr. Kundera tells us, have index fingers longer than their middle fingers.

Whether personal or political, all attitudes, stands, positions in the Kunderian vision come up short. He will kill off three of his quartet and allow the fourth to disappear from the book, presumably from a lightness of being; but his true story, the one to which he gives honest service, is the operation of his own mind as it formulates and finds images for the disastrous history of his country in his lifetime. The paradox of the essential identity of opposites describes an intractable world in which human beings are deprived of a proper context for their humanity. The author who ostentatiously intrudes in his characters' lives and tells them how to behave mimics, of course, the government that interferes deeply in its citizens' lives and tells them how to behave. Tomas and Sabina and Franz and Tereza were invented to live under two tyrannies, the tyranny of contemporary Czechoslovakia and the tyranny of Mr. Kundera's despair.

Readers of the author's celebrated novel ''The Book of Laughter and Forgetting'' will recognize here his structural use of leitmotif, the repertoire of phrases and fancies among which he circulates and recirculates. They will find the same ironic tone and brilliance of annotation of the fearful emptiness of Eastern European life under Communist management. Here too is the author's familiarity with music, his preoccupation with Don Juanism, his almost voyeuristic attention to the female body and its clothes. And the pointed, surreal image: Park benches from the city of Prague, colored red, yellow and blue, floating inexplicably on the Vltava River. Like Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Mr. Kundera knows how to get ahead of his story and circle back to it and run it through again with a different emphasis. But the prose is sparer here, and the Garcia Marquez levitations are not events now, but ideas. There is less clutter in the prose, less of the stuff of life, as if the author had decided to send the myriad furnishings of novels, its particulars, down the Vltava, after the benches. This is a kind of conceptualist fiction, a generic-brand, no-frills fiction, at least in Michael Henry Heim's translation. Mr. Kundera is not inclined to dwell on the feel of human experience except as it prepares us for his thought.

And what is his thought? Asking this question leads to the novel on its own terms. Mr. Kundera is a good psychologist of the rutting male. His idea of love as the occupation by another person of one's own poetic memory is a sweet one. He adds to the meaning of the word kitsch by describing it, first, as an esthetic ideal that denies the existence of excrement and, second, as the inevitable adjunct of political power. ''Whenever a single political movement corners power we find ourselves in the realm of totalitarian kitsch, '' he says. ''Everything that infringes on kitsch must be banished for life . . . every display of individualism . . . every doubt . . . all irony.'' Thus, ''the gulag is a septic tank used by totalitarian kitsch to dispose of its refuse.''

It is a not unattractive philosophical bent that sends Mr. Kundera into his speculative exercises. He has a first-rate mind and, like Bernard Shaw, the capacity to argue both sides of a question and make each side seem reasonable in its turn. But every now and then a wryly argued proposition seems flawed, a weakness for literary idea rather than a strength of thought - that a concentration camp, for instance, is defined first and foremost by the complete absence of privacy; it might be argued that slave labor and starvation and mass graves are its primary characteristics. Or the idea, coming from Sabina's walk through New York City, that its beauty, unlike that of European cities, is unintentional, or ''beauty by mistake, the final phase in the history of beauty.'' New York may indeed be unintentionally beautiful, but we are younger than Europe, and, whatever holocaust is in sight, beauty by mistake might just as easily be the first phase in the history of beauty as the last.
The nature of his achievement may explain in part why Kundera is so fiercely protective of his privacy. No myth maker or mystifier wants to be revealed. In a recent interview, the novelist Philip Roth quoted Kundera as having told him:

''When I was a little boy in short pants, I dreamed about a miraculous ointment that would make me invisible. Then I became an adult, began to write, and wanted to be successful.

Now I'm successful and would like to have the ointment that would make me invisible.''

Predictably, there was a lack of enthusiasm in Kundera's voice when I called him in his Paris apartment from San Francisco, asking for an interview. Help came from an unexpected quarter - the memory of my grandfather, the turn-of-the-century Russian playwright Leonid Andreyev. Warned by mutual friends that the Soviet subjugation of his country had made Kundera mistrustful of Russians - all Russians - I felt I should mention my Russian origin.

Kundera replied that, in his youth, he had read and admired my grandfather's work. The ice was broken, and a date was set. But in a letter I received from him soon afterward, he wrote: ''I must warn you of my bad disposition. I am incapable of speaking of myself and of my life and the states of my soul, I am discreet to an almost pathological degree, and there is nothing I can do against that. If this is possible for you, I'd like to speak of literature.''

MILAN KUNDERA AND HIS WIFE, VERA, LIVE ON ONE of the quiet sidestreets of Montparnasse; their small apartment is a remodeled garret with a view of dove-gray Parisian roofs. What gives the living room its character are the modern, surrealistic pictures on the walls. Some are by Czechoslovak artists; the others are by Kundera himself - multicolored outsized heads and long-fingered hands, like Kundera's own.

Vera Kundera is a pretty brunette, hair cut short, slender in blue jeans. She serves us wine, and artfully peels kiwi fruit for us. As we chat, I am struck by my hosts' appreciation of the festive side of Parisian life - the ease of shopping in the nearby Bon Marche, the exotic fruit at the corner store, the art exhibitions throughout the year. But during the interview that follows, Vera is busy in the next room, typing and answering long-distance calls. Celebrity has caught up with Kundera, and it is she who has to deal with the requests that come from European television, theater and movie directors.
The United States Navy recently prevented Iranian naval vessels from seizing two oil tankers in international waters on a single day.

In the first incident on July 5, an Iranian vessel approached the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker TRF Moss in the Gulf of Oman at 1 a.m. local time. In a statement, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said the Iranian vessel departed the scene after the U.S. deployed the USS McFaul, a guided-missile destroyer, along with surveillance assets, an MQ-9 Reaper drone and a P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

Three hours later, a Bahamian-flagged oil tanker, the Richmond Voyager, sent out a distress signal when the Iranian navy fired multiple, long bursts from both small arms and crew-served weapons. While the Richmond Voyager sustained no casualties or significant damage, several rounds hit the ships hull near crew living spaces. In addition, another Iranian naval vessel closed within a mile of the Richmond Voyager and ordered the commercial tanker to stop.

Receiving the distress signal from the Richmond Voyager, the U.S. guided-missile destroyer McFaul set off toward the Richmond Voyager at maximum speed. The Iranian navy vessel left when the U.S. destroyer arrived on the scene.

Both of the oil tankers threatened by Iran on July 5 continued their journeys.

Other vessels have not been so lucky. Earlier this year, Iran seized two oil tankers in less than a week in the same area. In its statement, the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command noted that since 2021, Iran has harassed, attacked or seized nearly 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels, presenting a clear threat to regional maritime security and the global economy. In response to Irans aggression, the United States and its partners have increased the rotation of ships and aircraft in the region, which includes the critical Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of all crude oil passes.

Regarding the incidents of July 5, Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, said, I couldnt be prouder of the entire team, especially the exceptional effort by the McFaul crew, for immediately responding and preventing another seizure. We remain vigilant and ready to protect navigational rights in these critical waters.
Kristen Kish, an acclaimed chef who won the 10th season of Top Chef more than a decade ago, will return as the next host of the long-running culinary competition, Bravo announced on Tuesday. She will succeed Padma Lakshmi, who said last month she would be departing the show, which she had hosted for 19 of its 20 seasons.

Kish, who has hosted several other food-related series, will take the reins for Season 21, which the network has said will take place in Wisconsin. She will join the food writer Gail Simmons and the chef Tom Colicchio at the judges table.

Top Chef is where I started my journey  first as a competing chef, then a guest judge and now as host, I have the honor of helping to continue to build this brand, Kish said in a statement. It feels like coming home."

Kish, who was adopted from South Korea and grew up in Kentwood, Mich., attended Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago. She then spent a decade working at restaurants in Boston, rising through the ranks to become the chef de cuisine at Barbara Lynchs crown jewel restaurant, Menton.
Since before Russia invaded Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has been asking NATO for membership  an aspiration fixed in Ukraines Constitution since 2019. Today, at the alliances summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, all 31 NATO leaders agreed to offer an invitation. Yet Zelensky was left disappointed.

Without offering any timeline, NATO said it would allow Ukraine to join only when allies agree and conditions are met. The move would be a major blow to President Vladimir Putin  bringing the Western alliance to his doorstep  but it could be a very long time before Ukraine is allowed to join.

Zelensky called NATOs lack of specifics absurd, but did soften his tone when he arrived at the summit.

The main reason for denying Ukraine membership is because of the ongoing war with Russia. NATOs collective defense promise, the famous Article V, would mean that every NATO member is obligated to fight for Ukraine, my colleague Steven Erlanger said. And nobody wants to do that.
Ms. Broussard chose her bakerys location in hopes of encouraging other chefs and entrepreneurs to join her. I want to force people who dont look like me to come to the South Side if they want my pies, she said. I want to force people to come to a neighborhood that deserves private investment, a neighborhood that has a blighted corridor, a neighborhood that has empty storefronts.

Zella Palmer, an author and professor at Dillard University in New Orleans who grew up on the South Side of Chicago, said neighborhoods like Avalon Park deserve more inventive Black-owned businesses. Theres a huge pride in the community to see this gleaming pie shop, she said. This is a pie shop that looks like it could be in Brooklyn, or on Magazine Street in New Orleans, but its here.

Several of the shops counters are 32 inches high, meeting the height standards of the American Disabilities Act and making them accessible for wheelchair users. Each section of the shop has a different floor tile texture, which helps patrons with limited sight who use a walking cane navigate the store.
New York Police Department officers and state tax agents raided one Manhattan dispensary and were thwarted from raiding another on Tuesday in an exercise of their newly expanded powers to crack down on unlicensed cannabis shops.

The enforcement teams descended late Tuesday morning on the Chelsea and Lower East Side locations of the Empire Cannabis Club  one of the citys biggest operators of unlicensed dispensaries  to conduct what an official at the Chelsea site described as a routine inspection. After a standoff that lasted several hours, tax agents were seen taking seized products out of the dispensary on Eighth Avenue in Chelsea and loading them into a red van.

Jonathan Elfand, one of the four owners of Empires five outlets, said the police had pushed their way behind him into the Chelsea store after he arrived in the afternoon, then briefly detained him.

At the Lower East Side store on Allen Street, his sister, Lenore Elfand, a co-owner, said the authorities refrained from raiding her store after she recorded a video saying she would not consent to a warrantless search. But she said tax agents gave her and the store manager tickets ordering them to appear in court on a charge of obstruction.
In the late 1950s, the Rhode Island legislature created a commission to encourage morality in youth. One of its practices was to send notices to out-of-state distributors and retailers of publications it deemed obscene, asking for cooperation in suppressing them. The notices warned that the commission had circulated lists of objectionable materials to local police departments, and that it would recommend prosecution against those found to be purveying obscenity.

Four publishers sued. The case went to the Supreme Court. With one dissent, the justices in Bantam Books Inc. v. Sullivan (1963) held that the informal censorship violated the 14th Amendment. They also noted that it didnt matter that the Rhode Island commission had no real power beyond informal sanctions.

People do not lightly disregard public officers thinly veiled threats to institute criminal proceedings against them if they do not come around, noted Justice William Brennan, a fierce liberal, in his opinion. It would be naive to credit the states assertion that these blacklists are in the nature of mere legal advice, when they plainly serve as instruments of regulation independent of the laws against obscenity.

Brennans warning is worth keeping in mind when considering last weeks ruling in Missouri v. Biden, in which a federal district judge in Louisiana, Terry Doughty, ordered the Biden administration to desist from communicating with social media platforms for purposes of removal, deletion, suppression or reduction of content containing protected free speech.
Chinese hackers intent on collecting intelligence on the United States gained access to government email accounts, Microsoft disclosed on Tuesday night.

The attack was targeted, according to a person briefed on the intrusion into the government networks, with the hackers going after specific accounts rather than carrying out a broad-brush intrusion that would suck up enormous amounts of data. Adam Hodge, a spokesman for the White Houses National Security Council, said no classified networks had been affected. An assessment of how much information was taken is continuing.

Microsoft said that in all, about 25 organizations, including government agencies, had been compromised by the hacking group, which used forged authentication tokens to get access to individual email accounts. Hackers had access to at least some of the accounts for a month before the breach was detected, Microsoft said. It did not identify the organizations and agencies affected.

The sophistication of the attack and its targeted nature suggest that the Chinese hacking group was either part of Beijings intelligence service or working for it. We assess this adversary is focused on espionage, such as gaining access to email systems for intelligence collection, Charlie Bell, a Microsoft executive vice president, wrote in a blog post on Tuesday night.
Two world-renowned virologists appeared on Capitol Hill on Tuesday and delivered a pointed defense of their findings that the coronavirus pandemic was natural in origin, and told skeptical Republicans that Dr. Anthony S. Fauci did not exert influence over a scientific paper they wrote to that effect.

The paper is at the heart of Republicans unproven assertions that Dr. Fauci and Dr. Francis S. Collins, then the director of the National Institutes of Health, tried to tamp down the idea that a lab leak caused the pandemic. The virologists who testified, Kristian G. Andersen of Scripps Research and Robert F. Garry Jr. of Tulane University School of Medicine, were two of the papers five authors.

Tuesdays hearing, before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, did not produce new evidence advancing the Republicans claims. The hearing was titled Investigating the Proximal Origin of a Cover-Up  a play on the title of the paper, The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2, which was published in the journal Nature Medicine in March 2020.

The claim that Dr. Fauci prompted the drafting of Proximal Origin to disprove the lab leak is not true, Dr. Andersen said.
Hard-right House Republicans are pushing to use the yearly bill that sets the United States military budget and policy as an opportunity to pick fights with the Biden administration over abortion, race and transgender issues, imperiling its passage and the decades-old bipartisan consensus in Congress around backing the Pentagon.

Republican leaders have scheduled votes beginning on Wednesday on the $886 billion measure, but as of Tuesday evening, they had yet to dissuade their ultraconservative colleagues from efforts to load it up with politically charged provisions to combat what the G.O.P. calls wokeness in the military.

Those proposals  including rolling back a Pentagon policy providing service members access to abortions and defunding the militarys diversity, equity and inclusion programs  would alienate the moderate Republicans and Democrats whose votes would be needed to get the bill through the narrowly divided House.

The situation has turned the annual defense policy bill into the latest test of Speaker Kevin McCarthys leadership since the far right revolted over the debt ceiling deal he forged with President Biden, grinding the House to a halt to demand more influence over its agenda. Right-wing lawmakers have threatened to do so again if their priorities are not met, and this time, their tactics could ensnare what is widely seen as one of the few must-pass pieces of legislation before Congress each year, normally drawing broad support across the political spectrum.
Ruth Fitzpatrick, who felt she was called to the Roman Catholic priesthood beginning as a teenager and later helped lead a movement to press the church to stop barring women like her from being ordained, died on June 15 in Fairfax, Va. She was 90.

The cause was cerebral arteriosclerosis, her son John Fitzpatrick said.

Ms. Fitzpatricks insistence that the church was a sexist institution that needed to treat women as equals landed her in the leadership of the Womens Ordination Conference, a national grass-roots advocacy group that has pushed for the church to ordain women as priests since the mid-1970s.

Our hopes were high, she told the author Linda Brandi Cateura in her book Catholics USA: Makers of a Modern Church (1989), recalling being hired in 1977 as the conferences national coordinator and initially running the group from her dining room table in Fairfax. At the time we honestly thought women would be ordained within five years.

Ms. Fitzpatrick, who could be tough, pointed and humorous, wanted to change the church from within rather than leave it in frustration.
As floodwaters began to ebb on Tuesday, and Vermonters reckoned with the devastation of a record-breaking storm, shock mixed with a growing sense of dread at the long recovery ahead  and with a lingering uneasiness that more losses might yet be uncovered.

As residents began to sift through ruined businesses, and hundreds of people sought temporary housing away from flooded homes, calls for search and rescue missions continued up and down the state, fueling an anxious, unsettled mood.

It was an apocalyptic feeling, said Dylan Woodrow, 29, of Montpelier, who paddled his kayak through more than three feet of water there on Tuesday, asking people stranded in second-floor apartments if they needed help.
"ComEd is proud to work with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus to support community-led plans to promote the adoption of EVs and other clean energy technologies that will enhance air quality throughout the region," said Louie Binswanger, senior vice president of government, regulatory and external affairs at ComEd. "With the clean energy transition underway in Illinois, ComEd's partnership with cities and towns is critical to ensuring all residents have an opportunity to unlock the benefits of clean energy and the jobs and economic opportunity that come with it."

The 2023 Powering Safe Communities awards mark the ninth year of the program, which has awarded 178 grants totaling $1.8 million to communities across northern Illinois since its launch in 2015. To support the growth of EVs, recent years have placed an increased focus on critical infrastructure like EV chargers; in fact, eight of the 21 grants awarded this year will support transportation electrification.

"The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus is thrilled to once again partner with ComEd to provide funding that helps create safe communities while simultaneously preparing our region with the infrastructure necessary for an electrified future," said Neil James, Executive Director at Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. "We are proud to help our local governments achieve their sustainability, safety and infrastructure goals."

The 21 ComEd Powering Safe Communities grant recipients for 2023 are:

Addison Fire Department received a grant to replace outdated ventilation fans with newer models to eliminate the department's dependence on fossil fuels and enhance firefighter safety.

Amboy Fire Department received a grant to purchase tools and equipment necessary for responding to car and battery fires. This will enable the fire department to expand their response area for car and battery fires beyond the City of Amboy to Harmon, Sublette and West Brooklyn, IL.

Bartlett Police Department received a grant to help update automatic external defibrillator devices (AEDs) used by patrol officers and provide AED training for all village departments.

Beecher Police Department received a grant to purchase two solar powered, digital traffic signs to help collect vehicle speed data to better identify illegal driving trends in the community and enable 24-hour monitoring on primary roadways.

Broadview Fire Department received a grant to purchase battery-powered extrication tools for vehicle accidents. With the addition of these tools, the department will be better equipped to safely and swiftly remove passengers from a severe vehicle crash.

Channahon Park District received a grant to upgrade automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and add additional AEDs throughout park district facilities.

City of Evanston received a grant to help the city prepare for increased public safety vehicle electrification by installing a new EV charging station for the police department. The grant will also enable the city to purchase an EV to support public safety efforts at outdoor community events.

City of Polo received a grant to support the deployment of the community's first public EV charging station in the downtown area to help promote the use of green transportation.

City of Wilmington received a grant will be used to procure new solar-powered safety signage along IL Route 53 to enhance safety by drawing motorists' attention at two pedestrian crosswalk locations.

Hazel Crest Fire Department received a grant to purchase new, durable, portable radios for first responders to enhance on-scene coordination and situational awareness during emergencies.

Park Forest Fire Department received a grant to replace five automated external defibrillators (AEDs) located at various Village-owned buildings.

Village of Elmwood Park received a grant to help fund the installation of a new, four-vehicle EV charging station in the Village Hall parking lot. These chargers will be open to the public to support increased EV adoption.

Village of Evergreen Park received a grant to purchase two solar powered speed radar signs for use near schools.

Village of Lisle received a grant to support the installation of the first public EV charging station in downtown Lisle.

Village of Maywood received a grant to help fund the purchase and installation of Maywood's first EV charging station in its downtown parking area. This charging station will support transportation electrification and make charging technology more accessible.

Village of Mokena received a grant to purchase and install equipment to improve the safety and well-being of pedestrians at a highly trafficked crosswalk.

Village of North Riverside received a grant to support the purchase and installation of a new EV charger in the Village Commons to align with the Village's mission of advancing local sustainability and building community resiliency.

Village of Orland Park received a grant to purchase solar powered, LED pedestrian crossing signs throughout the Village to increase the visibility of crosswalks.

Village of Robbins received a grant to help fund the purchase of new, energy-efficient speed display signs throughout critical areas in the Village. Paired with bright, LED blinkers, these signs will help increase motorists' awareness of their speed in school zones and residential areas.

Village of Skokie received a grant to support the purchase and installation of a new EV charging station near multi-family housing and downtown businesses.

Village of Sublette received a grant to purchase and install LED speed signs in residential areas to enhance child safety at recreational areas throughout the Village.

This annual funding to support clean transportation and community safety builds on ComEd's efforts to accelerate equitable EV adoption for the region. In addition to the Powering Safe Communities Program, ComEd has a variety of other funding and educational resources available to individuals and communities interested in pursuing transportation electrification.

In continued partnership with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, ComEd previously launched the EV Readiness Program a unique initiative to help local governments prepare to meet the growing demand for EVs and EV charging infrastructure. The program is funded in part by a $225,000 commitment from ComEd, and aims to assist local governments with developing policies and practices to safely integrate EVs and EV charging programs. The first cohort is underway, with 16 communities participating, and a second cohort set to begin later in 2023.

To further support Illinois' goal of putting 1 million EVs on Illinois roads by 2030, ComEd has launched an all-in-one resource to help customers make informed decisions about the transition to EVs. The ComEd EV Toolkit provides customers with the latest information on purchase rebates and incentives, how to install home charging or find free public charging, and estimated annual savings related to switching to EVs via the personalized fuel cost savings calculator. To access the Toolkit, please visit comed.com/ev.

Additional information on the ComEd Powering Safe Communities program, and other ComEd grant opportunities, can be found at ComEd.com/Grants.

ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 250 energy company with approximately 10 million electricity and natural gas customers - the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population. For more information visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
A classic marionette might have eight to 10 strings. Leah Ogawas latest puppet, an ethereal tree-shaped form, has more than 600: clustered into thickets and tangles, threaded through eye bolts on the ceiling, and fanning out overhead to all corners of the room.

String makes up the bulk of the soaring, 20-foot-tall white installation at the center of four performances Ogawa and her co-creator John Tsung staged last weekend at KinoSaito, a nonprofit art space in the Lower Hudson Valley town of Verplanck, N.Y.

You could describe the duos work, titled Divine Generations, as a sort of ecstatic, abstract puppetry. Or you could call it a dance performed amid a landscape of strange props. Or a kinetic sculpture activated from the sidelines. Throughout the 21-minute arc of Divine Generations, a silent four-person ensemble pulls and unspools various cords around the room, to coax inert disc-shaped elements into a wakeful upward dance. Minimalist sculptural forms are sent jittering and bobbing overhead, keeping time to a live musical score by Tsung that blends everything from snippets of spoken Japanese, to samples of city street noise, to John Adamsesque orchestral thrumming.
The foundation, through a spokesman, declined to comment on the complaint, which was withdrawn without prejudice, meaning the group has not disavowed its legal claims and can refile the complaint later.

But Brian Hauss, a senior staff attorney with the A.C.L.U. Speech, Privacy and Technology Project and the lead attorney for the defendants, said the complaint  which requested damages as well as the transfer of any and all internet domains and social media accounts using the trademarks  was an absurd and half-baked effort to cripple the podcast.

I dont think its possible people are genuinely confused about whether Young Americans for Freedom sponsors the Know Your Enemy podcast, Hauss said. What this really is, is bullying people who are commenting critically on the conservative movement, and using the cost of litigation to do that.

Hauss said the complaint fell short on First Amendment grounds, citing what he said was robust case law protecting satirical or artistic use of trademarks. He also asserted that the foundation, which is incorporated in Tennessee, does not in fact own the trademark in question, which is registered to Young Americans for Freedom, Inc., an entity incorporated in Delaware in 1995 and later dissolved for failure to pay state taxes.

The legal drama was a strangely meta twist for Know Your Enemy, which is sponsored by the democratic socialist magazine Dissent (which was also named in the complaint). According to its Patreon page, the podcast currently has more than 5,000 subscribers, who collectively contribute over $25,000 a month.
To his surprise, the video garnered more than a million views across a variety of platforms, and he received a flood of comments from Ukrainians moved by the performance.

Russian officials tried to portray the video as part of an effort by Western countries to sway public opinion ahead of a NATO meeting this week that was attended by President Biden and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. (Finland became the alliances 31st member state in April, a strategic defeat for Mr. Putin.)

In a television appearance this week, Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for Russias foreign ministry, denounced the NATO meeting as a colorful performance that was in the worst traditions of Western manipulation, according to Russian news reports. She went on to say that Finnish government ministers are recording cello solos in support of Ukraine. Russia has in recent months been highly critical of Finland for joining NATO, saying it has forfeited its independence.

The video features the Ukrainian song The Red Viburnum in the Meadow, written during World War I, which has long been associated with Ukraines fight for independence.
When did you first learn about Parable of the Sower?

My mom and I gave each other the book for Christmas when it first came out. I bought one for myself and one for her, and she did the exact same thing. And then under our tree, she was visiting, and we had them wrapped but we could tell we had gotten each other the book. We were already big fans. It was really funny. Were cute.

Did either of you meet Octavia Butler?

We both met her, separately. I dont know about my moms adventure with her, but I met her in the early 2000s. Then later, in 2005, during her tour for her last novel, Fledgling, I actually got [to the book signing] before everybody else did, and just stood next to her the whole time. And I was like: Are you here by yourself? Do you want me to stay with you?

You and your mother had asked her if you could adapt Parable of the Sower. What was her response?

She said, I know I owe you and your mother a note, but you can do anything you want with my work. Just go away, kid. Do whatever you want.

How did you settle on this novel?

Toni Morrison invited my mother and me to teach a Princeton Atelier music course in 1997, and we had to teach with a text, so my mom chose Parable of the Sower. We were really just looking at the conditions in the book, and then applying different music to those conditions and teaching that to the students. But, after, we realized we could sing this book.

What was it like working with your mother?

I was really early in my career at that point, mostly singing with my band and doing solo shows, and my mom was very busy and didnt really have time. So, it was only later that we started to have room for it. She wrote songs, I wrote songs. And we wrote songs together.
During the interview, Mr. Malik told Ms. Cooper that around the time of his departure, the bandmates were beginning to clash.

Wed been together every day for five years and wed got sick of each other, if were being completely honest, Mr. Malik said, adding: I look back on it now in a much fonder light than I wouldve as Id just left. There were great experiences, I had great times with them, but wed just run our course.

He began to see signs that it might be time to go and that others might be doing the same, he said, and he wanted to get ahead of the curve and be the first to release his own record.

I dont want to go into too much detail, but there was a lot of politics going on. People were doing certain things. Some people didnt want to sign contracts, so I knew something was happening, he said.

Ms. Cooper also broached the topic of a reported confrontation between Mr. Malik and Yolanda Hadid, the mother of his former girlfriend, the supermodel Gigi Hadid, with whom he shares a daughter, asking about his decision to largely remain silent on the issue. In response, Mr. Malik said he believed that the issue should stay within the family.
The 2023 Primetime Emmy nominations were announced on Wednesday. James Poniewozik and Margaret Lyons, two television critics for The New York Times, discussed who made it and who didnt, the limp limited-series slate, reality TV blind spots and all those acting nominations for Succession and The White Lotus.

JAMES PONIEWOZIK Weirder than usual Emmys season this year, Margaret! The writers are on strike. The actors might follow them. We dont even know when or if the actual awards show will happen. And yet the nominations have come chugging along, to remind us what TV was like when there were people making it.

Meanwhile, TV is going through a period of retrenchment, with cost-cutting at Warner Bros. Discovery and elsewhere. So however credible the Emmys are as an award, they could make a bigger difference in who gets a budget and who gets the ax.

Now that I have the cheerful stuff out of the way: The TV biz may be filled with uncertainty, but I dont see a lot of big shockers among the major nominees. But Ill start with a happy surprise  lets hear it for Jury Duty, the sneaky faux-documentary comedy that was designed to seem neither written nor acted but that pulled off its audacious stunt on the strength of both crafts.
With minor exceptions, the major categories were filled in the expected ways when the 2023 Primetime Emmys nominations were announced on Wednesday. Some surprises cropped up further down the page, where the members of the Television Academy apparently started checking off every name they saw from favored shows like Ted Lasso and The White Lotus.

Snub: Taylor Sheridan

He may be the most successful maker of television currently working, but Sheridan gets no respect at the Emmys. His monster hit Yellowstone continued to be shut out (it has received one Primetime Emmy nomination, for production design in 2021), and his other series 1923, Tulsa King and The Mayor of Kingstown received one nod among them, for stunt coordination in Tulsa King. Especially galling: no nomination for Helen Mirren as the matriarch in the period western 1923.

Surprise: Obi-Wan Kenobi

A greater acceptance of genre shows fueled by existing intellectual property had been anticipated, and Andor and The Last of Us fulfilled expectations with their nominations for best drama. But it was a mild shock to see a second Disney+ Star Wars show (along with Andor) break through in the limited-series category. Ewan McGregor, who reprised his Obi-Wan role from the prequel films, apparently draws a lot of good will. The nomination for Obi-Wan came at the expense of more weighty series like Black Bird or A Small Light.

Snub: Comedy

The long, slow fade of traditional norms of TV humor was apparent during the announcement of the best comedy nominees, during which the clips for Abbott Elementary, Barry, The Bear, Jury Duty, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Only Murders in the Building, Ted Lasso and Wednesday contained no jokes and barely any laughs. The merger of TV comedy into satirical drama is just about complete.
The first time the director Steven Soderbergh and the screenwriter Ed Solomon worked together was on the murder mystery Mosaic (2017), which could be watched as a choose-your-own-adventure-style story using a smartphone app or as a six-episode HBO mini-series.

Mosaic drew mixed reviews, but the two men learned a lot doing it. For their next collaboration  what eventually became the six-part series Full Circle, debuting Thursday on Max  they envisioned another show that would have two distinct, separately shot versions: one told in classic, linear fashion and another that would present the same events told from different perspectives and whose meaning changes depending on which path the viewer chooses.

The idea was greenlighted in 2021, and Solomon started writing two versions that would tell the same story differently. Then last spring, reality hit.

When I got the schedule and I saw the number of days and the page count of just the linear, I was like, This is physically impossible, Soderbergh said in a recent joint interview with Solomon. He added: I had visions of The Sorcerers Apprentice  that this was going to become a legendary folly.
In the Peacock murder-of-the-week procedural Poker Face, Natasha Lyonne plays Charlie Cale, a former cocktail waitress and poker hustler with a difference: Charlie is a human lie detector in a trucker hat, able to spot a falsehood from across the casino floor.

Also among Charlies powers? She helped earn Lyonne an Emmy nomination on Wednesday, Lyonnes third as a performer, for best lead actress in a comedy series. (She also previously earned two nominations as an executive producer and writer for Russian Doll.)

Charlies unusual ability in the series  a reverse whodunit, or howcatchem, created by Rian Johnson  is a wonky blessing that sends her out on the lam after she upsets a Nevada casino boss. As she shambles across the country, Charlie, the sole constant in every episode, stumbles on diverse crimes and then intuits how they were committed.

But Lyonnes job requires more than intuition. For each episode, she memorizes a 60-page script and helps guide the guest actors through the particular rhythm of Johnsons style.
After a mixed beginning that was complicated by the coronavirus pandemic, the Shed in Manhattans Hudson Yards announced Wednesday that it had tapped Meredith Hodges, known as Max, the executive director of the Boston Ballet, to become its new chief executive officer.

She is the right combination to join the Shed at this moment, said Jonathan M. Tisch, who in April succeeded the Sheds founding chairman, Daniel L. Doctoroff, and who  with his wife, Lizzie  donated $27.5 million in 2019 toward the buildings construction. She is a proven leader who understands the business side of culture, but also has an affinity for the culture side of culture.

The chief executive position was initially held by Alex Poots, who previously founded the Manchester International Festival and served as the artistic director of the Park Avenue Armory. But he gave up the chief executive title in January, when the organization said he would solely focus on his role as artistic director.

Having opened with great promise in 2019, the Shed saw some of its initial ambitious programming meet with mixed reviews. And it had little time to build momentum or an audience before it was hit, like so many other cultural institutions, by the pandemic: 28 of its 107 full-time workers were laid off in July 2020, and its annual operating budget was reduced to $26.5 million from $46 million.
As part of its commitment to deliver clean energy solutions that benefit the long-term needs of customers and communities, National Grid recently launched its first-ever solar grazing pilot at two company-owned solar sites in Attleboro, Massachusetts.

The pilot - in partnership with Solar Shepherd, a Massachusetts-based company founded by a third-generation rancher - combines renewable energy and agriculture by introducing sheep to feed on the plentiful grasses that grow around ground-mounted solar panels, providing a sustainable form of vegetation control.

The innovative partnership was the focus of a segment by CBS Saturday Morning that aired July 8. Steve Woerner, President, National Grid - New England, joined co-host Dana Jacobson in Attleboro to discuss National Grid's growing relationship with solar grazing and how the company is creating clean energy solutions that work for everyone.

Watch the CBS Saturday Morning segment on solar grazing.

"The energy transition goes beyond investing in infrastructure it's also about investing in the people we serve every day," said Woerner. "National Grid recognizes that we have an important role to play in driving the clean energy economy and providing meaningful opportunities to local businesses. Our new solar grazing partnership exemplifies how we continue to lead the way toward an equitable clean energy transition in the Northeast."

Strengthening Community Roots in Massachusetts

The practice of harnessing grazing livestock as natural groundskeepers is a variation of agrivoltaics, described by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the use of land for both agriculture and solar photovoltaic energy generation. The pilot launched in May 2023 with an aim to replace traditional landscaping methods with a cleaner solution.

"Keeping environmental stewardship and thoughtful planning at the center of our work, solar grazing is a new way for our team to deliver for customers," said Arnaldo Arnal, Lead Product Developer for Solar and Storage, National Grid. "Grazing sheep reduce the need for herbicides, pesticides, and gas-powered lawnmowers, cutting down on carbon emissions and noise pollution at solar sites and the surrounding community. Over time, the sheep's natural fertilizer has the potential to boost soil biodiversity and enhance carbon sequestration on company land."

The practice also adds an additional purpose to large-scale solar site locations, supporting agricultural production and local Massachusetts ranchers as they adapt and advance their businesses.

"Solar grazing has allowed for a meaningful expansion of our local Massachusetts farm, while assisting in decarbonizing the grid," said Daniel Finnegan, Founder of Solar Shepherd. "Finding a partner in National Grid that cares about the communities in which it operates - that seeks ways to reduce fossil fuel use, improve ecosystems, protect water sources, and maintain economic efficiency - has been critical to our success."

Delivering Resilient and Reliable Clean Energy

Massachusetts leads the region in solar deployment, with National Grid having connected nearly 2 gigawatts of solar to the system, more than any other utility in New England. And, according to a recent study from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, the state has enough suitable land to double the required amount of solar capacity to meet its decarbonization goals by 2050.

National Grid has taken significant measures to expand Massachusetts' renewable energy infrastructure through its long-running solar programs, leading research efforts to demonstrate how large-scale solar energy facilities can increase the resiliency of the electric system in communities across the Commonwealth. In addition, the company is focused on readying the grid for additional capacity by making investments to accelerate the interconnection of more clean energy resources.

The company currently owns and operates 30 solar sites in Massachusetts, including its solar grazing locations in Attleboro, which collectively comprise 5,000 panels spanning 10 acres of land. The two sites inject a total of 1600 kW into the grid, providing load relief to a nearby substation during peak summer days.

The next phase of the solar program will center on projects developed to increase resiliency for environmental justice communities statewide. National Grid expects to introduce grazing sheep to other sites as its solar portfolio expands.

About National Grid

About National Grid: National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a path to a more affordable, reliable clean energy future through our fossil-free vision. National Grid is transforming our electricity and natural gas networks with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information, please visit our website, follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube, like us on Facebook and find our photos on Instagram
In the winter of 1982, Bhuchung Sonam left his home in Central Tibet. For five days, he trekked with his father across the Himalayas to the Nepali border. Only around 11 years old then, he knew little about what they were fleeing  Chinas decades-long colonization of his homeland  and why. He also didnt realize that he would never again see his homeland, his mother or his six siblings.

After arriving in Nepal, Sonam and his father made a pilgrimage to Buddhist sites in neighboring India, the home of the Dalai Lama and of many other Tibetans in exile. Without offering much explanation, the father then returned to Tibet, leaving Sonam under the care of a family friend.

Sonam never again saw his father, who died when he was in the 11th grade. He last spoke to his mother nine years ago. During the short call, she promised, We will meet one more time. But by then, Sonam knew that the political situation in Tibet made that nearly impossible.

Left in a foreign country without kin, he said, everything was new: bananas, dal, the notorious Indian monsoon. Writing and literature became a salve to help survive the loss of his homeland and his family. The writing seals the pain, he said. Its a process of negotiating this really harsh and endless barrage of obstacles and challenges that exile throws at you.
We will not waver, Biden says after the NATO summit

President Biden concluded the meeting of NATO allies by comparing the battle to expel Russia from Ukraine with the Cold War struggle for freedom in Europe. We will not waver, he promised in a speech.

Biden seemed to be preparing Americans and the allies for a confrontation that could go on for years. He cast the war, which has been going on for almost a year and a half, as a test of wills with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, who is intent on fighting. Biden insisted that NATOs unity would hold.

Putin still wrongly believes he can outlast Ukraine, Biden said, describing the Russian leader as a man who made a huge strategic mistake in invading a neighboring country. After all this time, Putin still doubts our staying power. He is making a bad bet.

Ukraine: The alliance has formed a new council intended to give Ukraine an equal voice on issues related to its security alongside member states.
Japans leaders seem to agree with this idea. Historically, Japan spent only about 1 percent of its economic output on the military  a legacy of its post-World War II desire to avoid belligerence, as was also the case for Germany. But starting in 2012, Shinzo Abe, then the prime minister, began pushing for a new approach, one that he argued was more fitting for modern realities.

Initially, the Japanese public was skeptical. In 2015, people took to the streets to protest a law that allowed Japanese troops to participate in some combat missions, notes Motoko Rich, The Timess Tokyo bureau chief.

Today, people seem more supportive. Japans current prime minister, Fumio Kishida, plans to raise defense spending gradually to 2 percent of economic output, and the public reaction has been remarkably sanguine, Motoko says. The new aggressiveness of China and nuclear tests by North Korea help explain the shift.

There are trade-offs, of course. The additional money that countries spend on defense is money they cannot spend on roads, child care, cancer research, refugee resettlement, public parks or clean energy, my colleague Patricia points out. One reason Macron has insisted on raising Frances retirement age despite widespread protests, analysts believe, is a need to leave more money for the military.

But the situation over the past few decades feels unsustainable. Some of the worlds richest countries were able to spend so much on social programs partly because another country  the U.S.  was paying for their defense. Those other countries, sensing a more threatening world, are now once again promising to pull their weight. They still need to demonstrate that theyll follow through this time.
The suit is the latest legal complication for Fox News, which has been fighting lawsuits on a number of fronts related to its coverage of the 2020 election and Mr. Trumps false insistence that he was cheated of victory. They include a $2.7 billion suit from a second voting technology company, Smartmatic, and two separate claims by Fox Corporation shareholders. Another lawsuit from a former producer for Mr. Carlson, which Fox settled on June 30 for $12 million, alleged that he condoned and encouraged a toxic workplace.

Mr. Epps is seeking an unspecified amount in damages.

After the unfounded accusations about Mr. Epps were aired on Mr. Carlsons show, they quickly spread to online communities of Trump supporters and to the political world as Republicans in Congress tried to link Mr. Epps to a fictitious conspiracy theory that he was involved in planning the Jan. 6 attack. They included Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, both of whom made Mr. Epps  a two-time Trump voter  a focus of concern at public hearings.

The publicity had damaging consequences for Mr. Epps and his wife, Robyn, who received numerous death threats and were forced to sell their five-acre ranch and wedding business in Arizona and move into a 350-square-foot mobile home parked at a remote trailer park in the mountains of Utah. Online retailers began selling T-shirts that said Arrest Ray Epps. Some people even recorded songs about him and posted them on YouTube, the complaint states, adding that he had been reduced into a character in a cartoonish conspiracy theory.

Mr. Epps was in the Marine Corps but said under oath in his deposition before the Jan. 6 committee that he had otherwise never worked for law enforcement or spoken with anyone at various government agencies, including the F.B.I., the C.I.A. and the National Security Agency. Through his lawyer, Michael Teter, Mr. Epps demanded in March that Fox and Mr. Carlson retract its stories about him and his purported role in the Capitol riot and issue an on-air apology. Neither the network nor Mr. Carlson, whose prime-time show has since been canceled, responded.
Floridas coral reefs are facing what could be an unprecedented threat from a marine heat wave that is warming the Gulf of Mexico, pushing water temperatures into the 90s Fahrenheit.

The biggest concern for coral isnt just the current sea surface temperatures in the Florida Keys, even though they are the hottest on record. The daily average surface temperature off the Keys on Monday was just over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, or 32.4 Celsius, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The real worry, scientists say, is that its only July. Corals typically experience the most heat stress in August and September.

Were entering uncharted territories, Derek Manzello, an ecologist and the coordinator of NOAAs Coral Reef Watch program, said.
The Latest

A federal court in Richmond has halted construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, setting off a battle with Congress that could end up at the Supreme Court.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, in Richmond, released a pair of rulings on Monday and Tuesday to stop work on the project, which is intended to carry natural gas about 300 miles from the Marcellus shale fields in West Virginia across nearly 1,000 streams and wetlands before ending in Virginia.

That was notable because Congress had moved jurisdiction over the pipeline last month from the court in Richmond, where environmentalists have found some success in their decade-long fight, to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. It was a highly unusual provision that was tucked into legislation that had nothing to do with pipelines  the law to raise the debt ceiling.

Congress also included provisions to expedite construction of the pipeline and insulate it from judicial review. Those elements were added as a concession to Senator Joe Manchin III, the West Virginia Democrat whose vote has been crucial to President Bidens domestic agenda.

But environmentalists, Democratic members of the Virginia congressional delegation and some constitutional law experts argue that by directing a change in courts, Congress has violated the separation of powers clause in the Constitution.
As the coronavirus pandemic dragged through its second year, an increasing number of American families were so desperate to get help for depressed or suicidal children that they brought them to emergency rooms.

A large-scale analysis of private insurance claims shows that this surge in acute mental health crises was driven largely by a single group  girls aged 13 to 17.

During the second year of the pandemic, there was a 22 percent increase in teenage girls who visited emergency rooms with a mental health emergency compared with a prepandemic baseline, according to the study of 4.1 million patients published on Wednesday in JAMA Psychiatry. The rise was associated with an increase in suicidal and self-harming behavior and with eating disorders.

During the same period, March 2021 to March 2022, the records showed a 9 percent drop in teenage boys who made emergency room visits for mental health problems.
The word versatile has appeared in 199 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year, including on May 27 in the Opinion essay The Newest Immigrants Will Change American Spanish. Thats a Good Thing by Ilan Stavans:

Spanish speakers across the Caribbean exclaim Que vaina! when describing an annoyance, a situation or a predicament. But the saying is especially versatile in Venezuelan slang, where it can be used to refer to anything from objects to people  the possibilities are endless. Increasingly, you hear that idiosyncrasy in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico; in Texas and Florida; and even in shelters and schools in New York City, as Venezuelan asylum seekers settle in the United States.

Daily Word Challenge

Can you correctly use the word versatile in a sentence?

Based on the definition and example provided, write a sentence using todays Word of the Day and share it as a comment on this article. It is most important that your sentence makes sense and demonstrates that you understand the words definition, but we also encourage you to be creative and have fun.

Then, read some of the other sentences students have submitted and use the Recommend button to vote for two original sentences that stand out to you.

If you want a better idea of how versatile can be used in a sentence, read these usage examples on Vocabulary.com.
With the Oct. 7 export controls, the United States government announced its intent to cripple Chinas ability to produce, or even purchase, the highest-end chips. The logic of the measure was straightforward: Advanced chips, and the supercomputers and A.I. systems they power, enable the production of new weapons and surveillance apparatuses. In their reach and meaning, however, the measures could hardly have been more sweeping, taking aim at a target far broader than the Chinese security state. The key here is to understand that the U.S. wanted to impact Chinas A.I. industry, says Gregory C. Allen, director of the Wadhwani Center for A.I. and Advanced Technologies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. The semiconductor stuff is the means to that end.

Though delivered in the unassuming form of updated export rules, the Oct. 7 controls essentially seek to eradicate, root and branch, Chinas entire ecosystem of advanced technology. The new policy embodied in Oct. 7 is: Not only are we not going to allow China to progress any further technologically, we are going to actively reverse their current state of the art, Allen says. C.J. Muse, a senior semiconductor analyst at Evercore ISI, put it this way: If youd told me about these rules five years ago, I wouldve told you thats an act of war  wed have to be at war.

If the controls are successful, they could handicap China for a generation; if they fail, they may backfire spectacularly, hastening the very future the United States is trying desperately to avoid. The outcome will likely shape U.S.-China competition, and the future of the global order, for decades to come. There are two dates that will echo in history from 2022, Allen says. The first is Feb. 24, when Russia invaded Ukraine; and the second is Oct. 7.

Despite the immense intricacy of their design, semiconductors are, in a sense, quite simple: tiny pieces of silicon carved with arrays of circuits. The circuits flip on and off based on the activity of switches called transistors. When a circuit is on, it produces a one; off, a zero. The first chips, invented in the late 1950s, held only a handful of transistors. Today the primary semiconductor in a new smartphone has between 10 and 20 billion transistors, each about the size of a virus, carved like a layer cake into the structure of the silicon.

The rate of progress over the last six decades has been famously described by Moores Law, which observed that the number of transistors that can be fit on a chip has roughly doubled every two years. Chris Miller, author of the book Chip War and an associate professor of international history at the Fletcher School at Tufts University, likes to note that if airplanes had improved at the same rate as chips, theyd now be flying at several times the speed of light. No technology in the history of human civilization has ever matched the breathtaking ascent of computing power.
The first 30 minutes or so of this picture are queasy for several reasons. After announcing itself as based on true events, Sound of Freedom depicts its hero, the Homeland Security agent Tim Ballard, apprehending a pedophile. Another agent, discussing their line of work and musing that its a messed up world, wonders why theyre not rescuing the children peddled by traffickers. Ballard, played by Jim Caviezel, gets a notion. He coddles the pedophile and sets up a sting. This nets him just one child.

The queasiness derives from the contemporary-thriller vibes of the police procedural material. They feel inappropriate. Then there are the scenes in which actual child actors perform being prepped for provocative pictures by adult groomers. What are the ethics of depiction here? The makers of this film initially seem to be grappling with how to properly tell this story. (It should be noted that the real-life Ballard has been accused of exaggerating his rescue narratives.)

Sound of Freedom settles on a tone of piety. Bill Camp as a sinner turned Samaritan (he gives the films best performance) relays his conversion moment to Ballard: When God tells you what to do, you cannot hesitate. As Ballards sense of mission grows, Caviezel is increasingly bathed in saintly light. Gods children are not for sale, he intones. In Colombia, he arranges a bigger sting, and after that, the narrative diffuses into an improbable Heart of Darkness style river journey. Only kind of dull.
Press Release

July 12, 2023 Villar tells Antigue grads to be resilient like bamboo Senator Cynthia Villar cited the theme "BAMbUhAy! (Bago, Angat, at Makabuluhang bUhAy!)," during the 71st Commencement Exercises of the University of Antique as "fitting representation" of its goal to become a leading institution in the bamboo technology. Villar noted that this aspiration aligns perfectly with Antique's local heritage. "As we know, bamboo symbolizes strength, flexibility, and growth. Just like bamboos, invest in nurturing your inner selves, cultivating resilience, and never fearing the occasional bend. Ultimately, you will return to your original form, stronger than ever before," Villar told the graduates "Embrace the challenges with courage, face the unknown with determination, and let your passion be the driving factor to help you achieve things," she further reminded them. As you prepare to embark on new journey, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture told them they are equipped with the tools and knowledge to make a positive impact in the world. She also noted that just like Antique, bamboo holds a special significance in her hometown-Las Pinas. "If there's one thing that is unique about Las Pinas, my hometown, it is the Bamboo Organ, which is considered a Philippine National Treasure. It is the only 19th century Bamboo Organ in the Philippines that has survived and is still functioning," she said. She likewise mentioned her continuing efforts to support and promote the bamboo industry. She has been undertaking several projects involving bamboo. One of them is the maintenance of the bamboo plantations she started along the 2 rivers in my Las Pinas which prevent soil erosion and help in urban greening She has also been embarking on the conservation of the two Bambusetums she built which serves as parks and educate people about the over 70 bamboo species in the cuty. She also supports the craft and trade of the Las Pinas parol makers using bamboo as frames. Her Villar SIPAG Farm School has been sponsoring courses in teaching bamboo propagation, nursery and plantation management together with TESDA. She supports the Villar SIPAG bamboo processing factory intended as a livelihood showcase and encouraging bamboo farming. "In the Senate, I principally authored Senate Bill No. 615 or the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Act of 2022, which seeks to institutionalize bamboo industry development in our country. This aims to make the Philippine bamboo industry competitive in the local and international markets while providing opportunities for local employment and establishing bamboo-based community enterprises, " said Villar. Villar, sinabihan ang Antique grads na maging matatag gaya ng kawayan Inihayag ni Senator Cynthia Villar na "fitting representation" upang maging pangunahing institusyon sa bamboo technology ang temang "BAMbUhAy! (Bago, Angat, at Makabuluhang bUhAy!)," ngUniversity of Antique sa ika-71st Commencement Exercises nito. Binigyan diin ni Villar na naayon ang layuning ito sa local heritage ng Antique. "As we know, bamboo symbolizes strength, flexibility, and growth. Just like bamboos, invest in nurturing your inner selves, cultivating resilience, and never fearing the occasional bend. Ultimately, you will return to your original form, stronger than ever before," sabi ni Villar sa mga nagsipagtapos. "Embrace the challenges with courage, face the unknown with determination, and let your passion be the driving factor to help you achieve things," paalala rin niya sa mga ito. Habang naghahanda kayo sa panibagong paglalakbay, sinabi ng chairperson ng Senate Committee on Agriculture na may sandata at kaalaman sila upang magkaroon ng positive impact sa mundo. Kagaya ng Antique, mahalaga rin ang kawayan sa kanyang hometown-Las Pinas. "If there's one thing that is unique about Las Pinas, my hometown, it is the Bamboo Organ, which is considered a Philippine National Treasure. It is the only 19th century Bamboo Organ in the Philippines that has survived and is still functioning," ayon kay Villar. Binanggit din niya ang kanyang patuloy na pagsusulong at suporta sa industriya ng kawayan. May mga gawain din siya para sa kawayan. isa rito ang pangangalaga sa bamboo plantations na sinumulan niya sa tabi ng dalawang ilog sa Las Pinas. Itinataguyod din niya ang konserbasyon ng 2 Bambusetums na nagsisilbi ring parke at nagbibigay kaalaman sa mahigit 70 klase ng kawayan. Suportado rin niya ang Las Pinas parol makers na kawayan ang gamit na frames. Ini-isponsor din ng kanyang Villar SIPAG Farm School ang mga kurso sa bamboo propagation, nursery plantation management kasama ang TESDA. "In the Senate, I principslly authored Senate Bill No. 615 or the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Act of 2022, which seeks to institutionalize bamboo industry development in our country. This aims to make the Philippine bamboo industry competitive in the local and international markets while providing opportunities for local employment and establishing bamboo-based community enterprises, " sabi pa ni Villar.
Why It Matters: New York City depends on NYCHA.

Worsening living conditions in the citys public housing system have vast implications.

NYCHAs developments are home to more than 330,000 people, a population larger than that of Orlando or Pittsburgh.

While more than 40 percent of the families living in NYCHA homes have at least one person who is working, the agency estimates, the system is also increasingly a source of housing for the citys growing number of older people on fixed incomes.

NYCHA homes are also unique pockets of affordability in one of the most expensive places to live in the world. Rents for public housing residents tend to be capped at 30 percent of their income, and the average rent is less than $560 per month.

The apartments are highly sought after; nearly 275,000 families were on the waiting list for a NYCHA apartment this year.

Background: NYCHA has a history of challenges.

New Yorks public housing system was once heralded as a progressive triumph. But because most of NYCHAs buildings were built in the mid-20th century, many are due for updates and repairs.

The state of the system has become a major flashpoint in broader political fights about the future of housing. Politicians on the left contend that all levels of government should do more to preserve and even expand the role of public housing, while NYCHAs dysfunction is a frequent punching bag for politicians on the right.

The federal government in past decades has not provided enough funding to maintain the developments, resulting in the growing repair backlog, but the agency has also been criticized for inefficiency and mismanagement.

After a federal investigation, the city reached a settlement in 2019 that led to the appointment of a federal monitor to scrutinize NYCHAs progress on dealing with some of its most serious problems, including lead, mold and heating failures.

Whats Next: The city is searching for solutions.

Different mayoral administrations have sought to address NYCHAs needs in different ways. Mayor Eric Adams has made shifting the developments to private management  through a federal program created by the administration of President Barack Obama  his biggest focus.

That could allow the agency to tap into billions of dollars in loans and subsidies, and could also lead to the demolition of some buildings. The first targets for the program are two developments in Chelsea. The agency has said the plan has the backing of most residents, but it has come under fire from housing advocates who say residents were not properly consulted and that some could be displaced.

A new public benefit corporation, created by the state last year, could also give the access to more funds.

NYCHA also has new leadership: Mr. Adams last week appointed Lisa Bova-Hiatt as chief executive, following her stint as interim head of the agency, and Jamie Rubin, a former state housing and storm recovery official, as chair.
As a carpet of acrid smoke darkened New York Citys skies and turned them orange last month, many New Yorkers looked to their citys leaders for immediate guidance on how to stay safe, but were frustrated when they received none.

Mayor Eric Adams and other officials have reacted defensively to accusations that they were not proactive enough during a crisis that brought historically unhealthy air to the city. They have repeatedly said that New York had never faced anything like the smoke conditions, and that they did their best to respond to a threat they could never have anticipated.

Yet at a City Council hearing on Wednesday, the message from Council members and the citys public advocate was clear: A city that has long been warning of the dangers of climate change did not move quickly enough to warn New Yorkers of the smoke or provide resources to mitigate its effects.

This was the first of its kind, said Gale Brewer, the chair of the Councils Committee on Oversight and Investigations. But it didnt come out of nowhere.
Yeah, thats about it  and I swear to you they had to work like heck to get it through.

Enter the Supreme Court. The justices have decided that later this year, theyll take up whats known as the Rahimi case. Zackey Rahimi, a Texas drug dealer with a spectacular history of bad behavior, had been accused of assaulting his former girlfriend and was under court order to leave her alone. He was exactly the sort of person Congress was thinking of when members passed that law prohibiting people subject to domestic violence protection orders from possessing guns.

But Rahimi  taking time out from a vigorous at-liberty life in which he opened fire in public five times over two months  appealed. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals took his side, genuflecting to the Second Amendment and ruling that stopping folks like Rahimi from owning guns was unconstitutional.

The appeals court did note that he was hardly a model citizen. Who says theyre ignoring the real world?

Next stop, the Supremes, who havent been too sympathetic to gun-safety laws lately. Last year, the majority ruled that New York couldnt limit the types of people allowed to carry a concealed weapon around town. The New York philosophy had been that keeping a weapon for defense in your home is one thing and wearing one outside is another. But the justices apparently felt that if you dont like the idea of hundreds of folks strolling around your neighborhood packing heat, you should  stay inside a lot.

What do you think theyll do about Rahimi? Agree with the lower court that the founding fathers would have let him keep the gun? Make another scary ruling that will give Clarence Thomas a chance to add his own interpretation thats even scarier? Or take the opportunity to calm the worried public with a Were Weird But Not Crazy message?
To the Editor:

Re Its Seven Grandkids, Mr. President, by Maureen Dowd (column, July 9), about her sisters letter to the president urging him to acknowledge a daughter fathered by Hunter Biden:

While I completely agree with Ms. Dowd and her sister that this little girl should be included in the Biden family, I feel the need to add one important reminder. As the mother of an addict (thankfully in recovery, although recovery is never a smooth journey), I know that one should never tell the family of someone who has wrestled with addiction what they should do. As in never, ever.

Trust me, the Bidens are in pain on this and so many other issues related to their struggling, courageous, flawed son. Perhaps in time they will make other choices about this precious little girl. But thats part of their journey, and advice written to pressure a family isnt helpful or fair to anyone.

Anne DeCocco

Raleigh, N.C.

To the Editor:

I completely disagree with Maureen Dowd. I welcomed a grandchild when my son was 19 and unmarried. But it was my choice, and if I had turned away for whatever private reason, I would not expect to be publicly condemned for it. Either way, its a private decision.

Handling this family matter is between the birth parents of the child. Its not a situation for grandparents to overstep. This child, Navy Joan, has a family who loves her. Why should she be forced on one that doesnt?
VILNIUS, Lithuania  Many Americans and Europeans flatter themselves by seeing the war in Ukraine through a false prism.

Too often, we think we have sacrificed for the Ukrainians. We pat ourselves on the back for providing expensive weapons and paying higher heating bills to help Ukrainians win their freedom  and we wish theyd get on with it.

In fact, whats clear here in the Baltic countries is that its the other way around: The Ukrainians are sacrificing for us. Theyre the ones doing us a favor, by degrading the Russian military and reducing the risk of a war in Europe that would cost the lives of our troops.

We have by our support for Ukraine defended ourselves, said Egils Levits, who concluded his term as Latvias president this month. He used his last full interview before leaving office to argue that the West should provide Ukraine with more weapons to ensure that it recovers all its territory, including Crimea  so that Vladimir Putins aggression is thoroughly discredited.
But for the past couple of generations, the rule of four appears to have worked quite well. Even though the court has consistently had a conservative majority, there has also been a steady band of four of the nine justices who could force cases  and, in doing so, issues  onto the docket. Sometimes the issues were big. Think, perhaps, of the case of Obergefell v. Hodges and the right of same-sex couples to marry. More often, the cases were relatively low-profile  lower court decisions refusing, for example, to apply civil rights protections that are already established.

Either way, the outnumbered liberal wing of the court had enough votes to require the court to expend its resources to hear and decide cases. And heres the thing: In many of those cases, the court ultimately reversed by an overwhelming vote. The lower court decisions were indefensible.

But for the court to reverse a lower court decision refusing to honor a civil liberty, the case first has to be put on its docket. And that seems no longer to be happening in cases involving established rights favored by the liberal wing of the court.

Take two striking examples of cases that the court recently refused to set for argument in the term beginning in October.

In Brown v. Louisiana, the court allowed a conviction in a capital case to stand against the petitioner, David Brown, even though he provided evidence that the prosecution suppressed an accomplices statement corroborating Mr. Browns claim that he was only a minor participant in the crime. (I was one of the lawyers representing Mr. Brown.) Seven years before, the Supreme Court had chastised the Louisiana courts for allowing exactly this kind of unconstitutional gamesmanship. But now, faced with open defiance of its previous ruling, the court could muster only three of the four votes necessary to grant review. All that Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson could do, in a dissent joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, was warn that the courts decision not to accept the appeal should in no way be construed as an endorsement of the lower courts legal reasoning.
For the past few summers, numerous surfers in Santa Cruz, Calif., have been victims of a crime at sea: boardjacking. The culprit is a female sea otter, who accosts the wave riders, seizing and even damaging their surfboards in the process.

After a weekend in which the otters behavior seemed to grow more aggressive, wildlife officials in the area said on Monday they have decided to put a stop to these acts of otter larceny.

Due to the increasing public safety risk, a team from C.D.F.W. and the Monterey Bay Aquarium trained in the capture and handling of sea otters has been deployed to attempt to capture and rehome her, a spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a statement.

Local officials call the animal Otter 841. The 5-year-old female is well known, for both her bold behavior and her ability to hang 10. And she has a tragic back story, with officials now forced to take steps that illustrate the ways human desire to get close to wild animals can cost the animals their freedom, or worse, their lives.
A decade ago, the Brazilian performer and director Carolina Bianchi was drugged and assaulted. In The Bride and the Goodnight Cinderella (A Noiva e o Boa Noite Cinderela), her new stage production at the Avignon Festival in France, she doesnt merely open up about that experience. She relives part of it, night after night.

Bianchi slips a similar drug into a colorful cocktail and drinks it, with a sinister Cheers. She talks to the audience about art and trauma, waiting for the effects to kick in, then spends the rest of the show unconscious.

This all-too-real performance single-handedly jolted Avignon alive over the first week of the festival, turning Bianchi  an unknown, Amsterdam-based artist  into a sensation at the event. On the night I attended, one woman broke down in sobs on the way out. I felt nauseated at several points, as if The Bride and the Goodnight Cinderella had tapped into my own fight-or-flight instinct.

The show starts innocuously enough. Bianchi enters in a stylish white ensemble, and proceeds to deliver a lecture from a heavy stack of notes. From a desk, she examines sexual violence against women through the lens of art history, weaving in contemporary cases  chief among them the 2008 rape and murder of Pippa Bacca, a performance artist, as she hitchhiked in Turkey in a wedding dress as part of an artistic project.
An Ohio plastic surgeon lost her medical license on Wednesday after the state medical board investigated her for livestreaming operations on TikTok and surgical complications reported by patients.

The State Medical Board of Ohio voted at a hearing on Wednesday to permanently revoke Dr. Katharine Roxanne Grawes medical license and to fine her $4,500 based on her failure to meet standard of care.

At the hearing, doctors on the board said that Dr. Grawe, known online as Dr. Roxy, had previously been cautioned about protecting patient privacy on social media. They also spoke about her treatment of three unnamed patients who had reported complications from procedures, including one whose surgery Dr. Grawe had broadcast a part of on social media.

Dr. Jonathan B. Feibel, vice president of the medical board, recommended that Dr. Grawes license be revoked because of the life altering, reckless treatment provided to those patients.
Several flash flood warnings were issued for parts of Arkansas and Louisiana on Wednesday morning, following days of destructive flooding across the Northeast.

The National Weather Service office in Shreveport, La., said the radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain could impact Columbia, Hempstead, Lafayette and Nevada counties in southwestern Arkansas and Claiborne Parish in northwestern Louisiana, labeling the forecast as particularly dangerous.

Between eight and 10 inches of rain had fallen as of Wednesday morning, the agency said, with additional rainfall amounts of one to two inches possible in some of the affected areas.
To protect cultural heritage and pass it down through generations is a shared responsibility of mankind. So far, the number of world heritage sites in China has grown to 56, including the Great Wall and the Summer Palace in Beijing, the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu province, the Yungang Grottoes in north China's Shanxi province and Fujian Tulou, a type of Chinese rural dwellings of the Hakka people in the mountainous areas in southeast China's Fujian province that dates back to Song and Yuan dynasties.

Diversity of human civilizations not only defines the world, but also drives progress of mankind. Over 2,000 years ago, ancient Chinese came to realize that "things are born to be different." The prosperity of civilization and human progress will not be possible without enhancing common ground and reserving differences. It is the interaction among different civilizations that promotes human progress and prosperity.

The Yungang Grottoes is a great example of Chinese-foreign cultural communication. For instance, in its Cave 18, one of the five earliest excavated caves with huge Buddha images, there is a Buddha statue on the north wall featuring Caucasian appearance. However, there's no document proving the Yungang Grottoes' excavation was joined by European artisans. This exactly mirrors the communication between China and foreign countries in ancient China.

Besides, various decorative patterns of both Chinese and foreign features are seen in the caves of the Yungang Grottoes, and some columns there obviously carry the characteristics of foreign cultures, such as the Ionic order from ancient Greece as well as other classic orders from Persia and India.

Inter-civilization interaction promotes technological exchanges. It has been influencing the world since ancient times.

For instance, porcelains went from ancient China to the rest of the world, and the technologies for making porcelains are still upgrading today. High-tech porcelains made from rare earths, mixed with metallic element, or made with various firing techniques can be used in biomedical fields such as manufacturing artificial bones and joints.

It is true with the case of rice planting, too. Rice Terraces in the southern mountainous and hilly areas of China was recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System, and the country's hybrid rice technology is benefiting the mankind. So far, Chinese hybrid rice has been planted in 16 African countries, and is printed on banknotes of Madagascar.

Over the recent years, more and more quality exhibitions of cultural relics have been introduced to China, which mirrors the open and broad vision of modern China.

The just-ended Gandhara Heritage along the Silk Road: A Pakistan-China Joint Exhibition held at the Palace Museum, Beijing, attracted a large number of visitors. The Gandhara was a major transportation route on the ancient Silk Road. As an outcome of the collision among Greek, Persian and Indian civilizations, it reflected the creativity and vitality of mutual learning among the civilizations along the ancient Silk Road.

Between 2016 and 2020, China hosted over 300 entry-exit exhibitions of cultural relics. The Treasures of China, East Meets West: The Maritime Silk Road during the 13th - 17th Centuries, and The Splendor of Asia: An Exhibition of Asian Civilizations that was jointly organized by 47 Asian countries as well as Egypt and Greece all demonstrated the mutual learning between China and other civilizations around the world, becoming a "golden signature" of Belt and Road cultural communication.

The conservation of cultural heritage is a shared responsibility of all mankind. The 8.1-magnitude earthquake that hit Nepal in 2015 damaged many cultural heritage sites in the country. Two years later, the Chinese government officially kicked off a foreign aid project to restore the quake-hit Nine-Storeyed Basantapur Palace complex in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. It was the first major foreign aid project for cultural heritage conservation launched by China in Nepal.

Today, the cooperation on cultural heritage conservation has grown into an area that sees great potential in inter-civilization exchange and cooperation.

The preservation and restoration of historical sites in Khiva, Uzbekistan, the first cultural heritage conservation project launched by China in Central Asia, was completed in 2019. The project gave the Chinese side an opportunity to study local culture, history and traditional techniques, and brought to Uzbekistan Chinese philosophies, techniques and experiences of cultural heritage protection.

The excavation of the ruins of Nateshwar in the Vikrampura Ancient City, Bangladesh marked the first archeological collaboration between China and a country in the South Asia subcontinent. It has achieved remarkable results. Currently, the two countries are planning to build an archeological park on the site, so as to further explore the value of the ruins and bring more benefits to local communities.

The cooperation on cultural heritage conservation, as long as it conforms to relevant international and local principles and respects the customs of countries and regions concerned, leads to win-win situations.

Currently, China is cooperating with six Belt and Road countries on the conservation of 11 historical sites, up from one country and one historical site. It has also launched 33 joint archeological projects with 17 Belt and Road countries, which all received high evaluation from local governments and people.

Today, protecting cultural heritage and promoting mutual learning among civilizations has gradually become a consensus shared by the international community. However, it is also important to see that the conflicts in human society and the changes of the nature would both damage cultural heritage. To pass cultural heritage down through generations remains a heavy task that calls for continuous efforts.

Chinese people believe that one should value not only one's own culture, but also the cultures of others, and this will contribute to the flourishing of all cultures. It is expected that countries around the world could work together to better inherit fine traditional cultures and respect each other's culture while protecting the diversity of human civilizations, and pursue further development of their own cultures, so as to deepen international cultural exchange and cooperation.
A jury acquitted Mr. Peterson in June of child neglect and other criminal charges stemming from his failure to rush into the school building where the shooting took place, known as the 1200 building. His defense lawyers argued that Mr. Peterson, the only armed school resource officer on the campus, had not been sure of where the gunshots were coming from or how many shooters there were.

David W. Brill, a lawyer for the plaintiffs in the civil case, said in a virtual court hearing on Wednesday that a re-enactment would help show that Mr. Peterson could and did hear the gunshots, and he could and did derive where they were coming from.

Michael Piper, a lawyer for Mr. Peterson, countered that a re-enactment could not account for all of the variables that occurred during the actual shooting. Blanks do not sound anything like live rounds, he said, calling any resulting video from the re-enactment merely a movie.

He also argued that if the plaintiffs were allowed to conduct a re-enactment with their experts, then the defense should be allowed to conduct a second re-enactment with its own experts. Judge Phillips agreed, but urged the two sides to coordinate their efforts so that the re-enactments could happen on the same day or consecutive days.

The timing may be tight: The 1200 building, fenced off and left unused since the day of the shooting, has been slated for demolition once the criminal trials were concluded. The gunman pleaded guilty and was sentenced last year to life in prison. Now that Mr. Petersons criminal trial is over as well, the Broward County public school district wants to tear down the building this summer, before students return for classes in the fall.
Mr. Hutchinsons campaign has been struggling to reach anything like cruising altitude. With the first Republican debate, in Milwaukee, a little more than a month away, he is far from having the 40,000 individual donors required to meet the Republican National Committees threshold for a spot on stage. A failure to appear could sink his campaign.

Ill be very straightforward with you: Im not there yet, the former governor told the radio host Hugh Hewitt last week, adding, were above 5,000, so weve got, again, more work to do.

He has yet to post public fund-raising numbers: Youll get the report when its filed later this week, he said on Tuesday. He then acknowledged: Wed like to have more money.

But Mr. Hutchinsons struggles go beyond fund-raising, to the heart of any politics: appeal. Or just who is looking to buy what hes selling in a race dominated by far bigger names: a former president, a former vice president, the sitting governor of the third largest state in the nation, the only Black Republican in the Senate, and others.
Republicans bombarded Christopher A. Wray, the F.B.I. director, on Wednesday with criticisms about his role in investigating former President Donald J. Trump, efforts to address extremist violence and the bureaus electronic surveillance practices during a contentious House Judiciary Committee hearing.

Committee Republicans, led by the chairman, Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio, treated Mr. Wray as if he were a hostile witness  repeatedly interrupting his attempts to answer their rapid-fire queries with shouted rebuttals. Most sought to portray the nations premier law enforcement agency, and Mr. Wray, who was appointed by President Donald J. Trump, as a political tool of the Democrats.

Time and again, Mr. Wray, a registered Republican, rejected accusations that he had sought to shield President Biden or his son, Hunter Biden, or that he had targeted Mr. Trump. The F.B.I.s search of the former presidents Mar-a-Lago estate last August as agents sought to recover sensitive documents from his time in office, Mr. Wray added, was lawful, restrained and prompted by a court order.

The idea that Im biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me, given my own personal background, Mr. Wray said, responding to Representative Harriet M. Hageman, a Wyoming Republican who unseated Liz Cheney last year, as she claimed that he had perpetuated a two-tiered system of justice. In earlier questioning, he flatly denied that the bureau was being weaponized.
In a radio interview on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida chastised former President Donald J. Trump for planning to skip a gathering of presidential candidates in Iowa this weekend, as well as for not committing to a Republican Party debate next month.

Nobody is entitled to this nomination, Mr. DeSantis told the conservative radio host Howie Carr. You have got to earn the nomination.

He added, Ill be at all the debates because the American people deserve to hear from us directly about our vision for the country and about how were going to be able to beat Joe Biden.

Mr. DeSantiss comments were a sign that he is continuing to step up his criticisms of Mr. Trump, his main rival for the Republican nomination, who has maintained a sizable lead over the governor in national polling. As the race shifts into a higher gear, the candidates seeking to unseat Mr. Trump as the front-runner will hope for as many chances as possible to draw contrasts with him, especially at debates and forums.
The early (very early) vice-presidential sweepstakes

With not a single primary ballot cast, it is far too soon to speculate about who will be the Republican nominee for vice president. But that hasnt stopped voters and political observers from doing just that.

At events for Mr. DeSantis in the early nominating states, some voters have said that they wish the much younger Mr. DeSantis would run on the same ticket as Mr. Trump.

DeSantis is four years too early, said Jim Mai, a Republican voter in the crowd for a speech Mr. DeSantis gave in Sioux Center, Iowa, in May. Trump should run and have DeSantis as his vice president.

But a joint ticket between the two Florida men would prove logistically challenging.

The 12th Amendment to the Constitution forbids members of the Electoral College from voting for a president and vice-president who are both from the same state as themselves. So if Mr. Trump picked Mr. DeSantis, or another Florida resident like Mayor Francis Suarez of Miami, who is also in the race, he would forfeit the states 30 electoral votes.

One solution: Mr. Trump, who switched his residency to Florida ahead of the 2020 election, could change it back to New York.
Even though Democrats held off a widely expected red wave in the 2022 midterm elections, Republican turnout was in fact stronger, and the party energized key demographic groups including women, Latinos and rural voters, according to a report released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center.

The report serves as a warning sign for Democrats ahead of the 2024 presidential election, with early polls pointing toward a possible rematch between President Biden and former President Donald J. Trump.

Though Democrats maintained control of the Senate, all but one of their governors mansions and only narrowly lost the House, the Pew data shows that a larger percentage of voters who supported Mr. Trump in 2020 cast ballots in November than those who backed Mr. Biden did. People who had voted in past elections but sat out 2022 were overwhelmingly Democrats.

And for all the Democratic emphasis on finding Republican voters who could be persuaded to buck their party in the Trump era, Pew found that a vast majority of voters stuck with the same party through the 2018, 2020 and 2022 elections. Just 6 percent of voters cast ballots for more than one party over those three elections  and those voters were more likely to be Democrats flipping to Republican candidates than Republicans to Democratic candidates.
The former finance minister of Mozambique, accused of helping orchestrate a financial corruption scandal that nearly caused the collapse of his nations economy and defrauded American investors, was extradited to the United States from South Africa on Wednesday to face charges in Federal District Court.

Manuel Chang, the former minister, is suspected of signing off on about $2 billion worth of loans concealed from public view and partaking in a scheme to embezzle hundreds of millions of dollars. He faces charges in the U.S. of conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering.

The authorities accuse Mr. Chang and members of the countrys political elite of luring investors with the promise of development projects in the tuna fishing industry and maritime security in Mozambique, a southern African nation on the Indian Ocean.

About half a billion dollars went missing, with investigators alleging the money was used to pay bribes and kickbacks to foreign officials and former bankers.
Snow fell in Johannesburg this week for the first time in more than a decade, causing a flurry of activity among residents eager to see the rare winter wonderland.

South Africas Weather Service confirmed on Monday that snow was falling in the province of Gauteng, which includes Johannesburg. Snow was also reported over the Eastern Cape.
A total of 210 tons of drugs seized in a single year, a record. At least 4,500 killings last year, also a record. Children recruited by gangs. Prisons as hubs for crime. Neighborhoods consumed by criminal feuds. And all this chaos financed by powerful outsiders with deep pockets and lots of experience in the global drug business.

Ecuador, on South Americas western edge, has in just a few years become the drug trades gold rush state, with major cartels from as far as Mexico and Albania joining forces with prison and street gangs, unleashing a wave of violence unlike anything in the countrys recent history.

Fueling this turmoil is the worlds growing demand for cocaine. While many policymakers have been focused on an epidemic of opioids, like fentanyl, that kills tens of thousands of Americans every year, cocaine production has soared to record levels, a phenomenon that is now ravaging Ecuador society, turning a once peaceful nation into a battleground.

People consume abroad, said Maj. Edison Nunez, an intelligence official with the Ecuadorean national police, but they dont understand the consequences that take place here.
President Biden concluded a meeting of NATO allies on Wednesday in Vilnius, Lithuania, with an address to that country, and the world, comparing the battle to expel Russia from Ukraine with the Cold War struggle for freedom in Europe, and promising we will not waver no matter how long the war continues.

His speech seemed to be preparing Americans and NATO countries for a confrontation that could go on for years, putting it in the context of momentous conflicts in Europes war-torn past. And he cast it as a test of wills with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, who has shown no interest in giving up on an invasion that has not gone according to plan, but has locked him in a war of attrition.

Putin still wrongly believes that he can outlast Ukraine, Mr. Biden said, describing the Russian leader as a man who made a huge strategic mistake in invading a neighboring country and now is doubling down. After all this time Putin still doubts our staying power. He is making a bad bet.

The speech, at Vilnius University, came after a series of important victories for Mr. Biden as NATOs de facto leader, at a time of rapid change for the alliance.
China will extend two financial policies supporting the stable and healthy development of the real estate market to the end of 2024, according to a notice released by the People's Bank of China and the National Administration of Financial Regulation on Monday.

China's financial authorities rolled out a 16-step guideline last November to beef up policy support for the housing sector. The country will now extend relevant policies to Dec. 31, 2024, the notice said.

The purpose of the move is to guide financial institutions to continue deferring loan payments for real estate enterprises, while propping up financial support for the real estate enterprises to ensure the delivery of housing projects, according to the document.

The notice said the extended financial policies focus on two areas: supporting the reasonable deferral of property development loans and credit loans, and encouraging financial institutions to provide policy support for special loans that ensure the delivery of housing projects.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey on Wednesday tempered the expectation that his expression of support this week for Sweden joining NATO meant that he would swiftly push the approval through the Turkish parliament.

In his first public comments on the issue since NATO announced his support for the proposal on Monday, Mr. Erdogan said that the final decision rested with the parliament and that Sweden needed to take more steps to win parliamentary support, without giving specifics. He also said parliament would not take up the matter until October, even though it is in session until July 27.

Mr. Erdogans remarks, hinting that Swedens accession may not be a done deal, were bound to disappoint many of his NATO allies, who had hoped that Mr. Erdogans use of the issue to win concessions for Turkey over the past year had finally come to an end. Mr. Erdogan also said that Sweden needed to continue working to address Turkeys security concerns, suggesting that he was not yet ready to give up his leverage.

The parliament is not in session for the next two months, Mr. Erdogan told reporters in Vilnius, Lithuania, near the end of the annual NATO summit. But our target is to finalize this matter as swiftly as possible.
When she was told where her son was being held, Ella Milman immediately recognized the name. Like many former residents of the Soviet Union, she knew about the Moscow prisons chilling notoriety.

All those dissidents going into Lefortovo  the name horrifies you, she said in an interview with ABCs Nightline that aired early on Wednesday.

Ms. Milman and Mikhail Gershkovich, the parents of Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal who has been jailed in Russia since March, said in the interview that President Biden had personally promised to do whatever it takes to get their son home.

Mr. Gershkovich, 31, was detained during a reporting trip and charged with espionage. Both the U.S. government and The Journal have categorically denied the accusations and the United States considers him wrongfully detained.
The BBC staff member suspended on allegations of sexual misconduct was identified by his wife on Wednesday as Huw Edwards, an anchor on the BBCs flagship nightly news program and one of its most prominent and distinguished figures.

At the same time, London police said there was no evidence that Mr. Edwards had committed a crime, following a newspaper report last week that an unnamed BBC personality paid more than 35,000, or almost $45,000, to a teenager in exchange for explicit images over a period of several years that began when the person was 17 years old.

Mr. Edwardss wife, Vicky Flind, issued a statement on her husbands behalf on Wednesday evening, saying he had been hospitalized with serious mental health issues and would respond to the allegations when he had recovered.

The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, Ms. Flind said. He has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving inpatient care, where hell stay for the foreseeable future.
A vandal in Naples burned down a recently installed artwork by one of Italys most famous living artists, prompting outrage among residents along with a pledge by city officials that the piece would be replaced with a new version.

Just before dawn on Wednesday, a vandal set fire to a monumental version of Michelangelo Pistolettos Venus of the Rags, which had been inaugurated in a square in front of City Hall two weeks ago. It is a seminal work by the artist, a protagonist of Arte Povera, or poor art, the Italian avant-garde movement that emerged in the 1960s and often uses humble materials.

The nearly 23-foot-high work consisting of an oversized statue of a neoclassical Venus pressing lightly against a mound of bright, discarded clothing, burned quickly, the flames fueled by the art materials  and by temperatures so hot that the Venus, crafted from expanded polyethylene, melted. After the flames were extinguished, all that was left was the artworks enormous metallic frame, and mounds of ashes.

Weve lost the opportunity to show that we are a European city, said Antonio De Iesu, the city council member with oversight of the police. Its done tremendous damage to the image of Naples.
VILNIUS, Lithuania  NATO had some significant successes at its summit that ended Wednesday as it worked hard to project unity in support of Ukraines bloody defense against Russias invasion.

Turkey lifted its objections to Swedens membership. The alliance approved new spending goals and its most ambitious military plans for Europes defense since the Cold War. There were new commitments for long-term support for Kyiv. And all 31 member states agreed that Ukraine belongs in NATO, a significant shift stemming from its brave, resilient defense of its country and of Western values.

Even so, the summits final communique, with its ambiguous diplomatic language, does not disguise some serious strains among alliance members in the bitter fight over how to describe Ukraines path toward NATO membership. Ukraine was promised an invitation when allies agree and conditions are met, leaving both the timing and the conditions safely unsaid.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and his most vocal Central European supporters wanted more, and made it loud and clear.
After weeks of tense negotiations, NATO on Tuesday invited Ukraine to join the alliance at some unspecified point in the future, but only when allies agree that conditions are ripe and that Ukraine has met the qualifications to join.

In its communique, agreed to by all 31 NATO members, the alliance says that Ukraines future is in NATO, promising to continue to support the country in its war against Russia and to engage the alliances foreign ministers on a periodic review of Ukraines progress toward reaching NATO standards  both in democratization and military integration.

The wording essentially marked a victory for President Biden, who recently declared that Ukraine isnt ready for NATO membership. Just hours before the communique was issued, Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine sharply criticized the uncertainty over Ukraines path to membership in the alliance.

Alliance leaders struggled to agree on language about how to describe a timeline and conditions for what everyone agrees will be Ukraines eventual membership in NATO. The battle inside NATO was not over whether Ukraine would join, but how and under what conditions. Some countries wanted an immediate invitation after the war ends; other countries, like the United States, wanted to avoid any notion that entry would be automatic.
One top commander has disappeared since a mutiny. Another was killed in an airstrike in Ukraine. Another accused his leadership of treachery after being fired. And a fourth former commander was gunned down while out on a jog in what may have been an organized hit.

The ranks of the Russian military have continued to be roiled by instability in the days since a short-lived insurrection by Wagner mercenaries three weeks ago, as pressures from Moscows nearly 17-month war reverberate across the armed forces.

On Wednesday, mystery deepened over the fate of Gen. Sergei Surovikin, the countrys former top commander in Ukraine, who has been dubbed General Armageddon for his ruthless tactics, and who has not been seen since the Wagner rebellion.

One of the countrys top lawmakers said, when pressed by a reporter, that the general was taking a rest.
They call it salami tactics.

Critics of the plan by Israels right-wing government to overhaul the countrys judiciary accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of slicing up the original legislative package in a bid to make it more palatable. Some protesters made that point by brandishing giant plastic salamis during large-scale protests on Tuesday.

Mr. Netanyahu and his allies argue that all they want is to give more power to elected officials and take more control from unelected Supreme Court judges, who they say are overstepping their roles. But Mr. Netanyahu may be searching for ways to proceed with the plan more slowly after protests in March brought parts of the country to a virtual standstill.

On Wednesday, the Parliament took a step that maintained the longstanding format of the committee that selects judges. But some members of Mr. Netanyahus government say the committee will not convene until new legislation is passed to reconstitute the panel in a way that will give government representatives an automatic majority.

By using a more piecemeal approach to the judicial overhaul, Mr. Netanyahu may be trying to appease his hard-line coalition partners, who insist on seeing some progress on their goals, while trying to make the changes easier for critics to swallow.
President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority made his first visit in years to Jenin, the battle-scarred and impoverished Palestinian city in the north of the Israeli-occupied West Bank that was the target of a two-day raid by the Israeli military last week.

Mr. Abbass visit was an effort to demonstrate to both Israelis and Palestinians that he retains authority and control over Jenin, a city in which his security forces are passive spectators to street battles between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian militias opposed to his rule.

Jenin is within the roughly 40 percent of the West Bank that has been nominally administered by the Palestinian Authority since the 1990s, when Israeli and Palestinian leaders signed diplomatic agreements, known as the Oslo Accords, that increased Palestinian autonomy within some parts of the territories that Israel captured during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.

But in recent years, areas of Jenin and other parts of the northern West Bank have become dominated instead by Palestinian militias that reject Mr. Abbass leadership and conduct frequent attacks on Israelis. As a result, the Israeli Army has increased its raids on the city and the wider region, like the one last week that killed at least 12 Palestinians. Mr. Abbass inability to prevent those raids has further dented his popularity among Palestinians, making it even harder for him to assert his authority over the city.
A delegation of Vietnamese journalists attends the Lancang - Mekong Cooperation Media Summit 2023.

The delegation visited the Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. - GAC Group, a Chinese state-owned automobile manufacturer headquartered in Guangzhou, Guangxi province. Founded in 1954, GAC is currently the 5th largest automobile manufacturer in China, with sales volume of 2.144 million cars in 2021. The group produces and sells vehicles under the Trumpchi, Aion and Hycan brands, as well as joint venture brands such as GAC-Toyota, GAC-Honda and GAC-Mitsubishi. The group also manufactures electric vehicles and in 2021, it became the fourth-largest electric vehicle manufacturer in the Chinese market.

The electric car assembly plant of Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC Group)

In 2016, the Kunming Depot Station was put into use. In October 2018, Kunming Group Co., Ltd. - China Railway began to expand and renovate the Kunming Depot Station. Up to now, this station has increased in number from 6 maintenance and repair lines and 37 preservation and storage lines to 10 maintenance and repair lines and 58 preservation and storage lines. After the upgrade, train operation, maintenance and storage capacity improved, and the Kunming Depot Station became the largest depot station in southwestern China.

The Kunming Depot Station is part of the China high-speed railway system.

The China Southern Power Grid Company Limited (CSG), a state-owned enterprise, connects the power grids in Hong Kong, Macao of China and Southeast Asian countries, with a service area spanning more than 1 million square kilometers and reaching more than 272 million people. With an ever-expanding power transmission network stretching 2,000 km from west to east, CSG uses various electric energy sources such as hydroelectricity, thermal power, nuclear power, gas power, wind power, and solar energy.

A representative of CGS introduces the digitization in power grid management and operation.

The China Energy Engineering Group Co., Ltd. - CEEC (ENERGY CHINA), is a Fortune Global 500 company, ranking 3rd in 150 ENR Global Engineering Design Companies and 13th in 250 Global Contractor ENR.

An energy workshop at ENERGY CHINA

Energy China's main business scope includes energy and electricity, water conservation and water problems, railways and highways, ports and navigation channels, urban engineering, urban railways, ecological environmental protection and housing construction, with a complete industrial chain integrated adjustment.

Workshop at CUC

The Communication University of China (CUC) is one of the important higher education institutions in China, providing comprehensive training in the field of communication.

A pavilion of the Communications Museum of China

The China Communication Museum is divided into transmission, radio, television and film sections. Each booth displays an impressive collection of artifacts related to Chinese and foreign media.

A workshop at Yunnan University (YNU)

Yunnan University (YNU) is a national key university in Yunnan province, China. Its main campuses are located in Kunming City, the capital of Yunnan province. As of 2022, the Best Chinese Universities Ranking ranked Yunnan University as the best in Yunnan province and in the top 100 nationally.

YNU library

Yunnan University maintains a teaching and working staff of 2,372 people. There are many students and trainees from Mekong-Lancang countries, including Vietnam./.
Melanie Janin

Melanie Janin, who was executive VP at Weber Shandwick, has joined Conservation International as chief communications & marketing officer.

She is responsible for PR strategy, messaging and promotion of the CI brand.

CI has offices in 30 countries and runs projects in more than 100 nations.

At Weber Shandwick, Janin led the sustainability and social impact practice on the West Coast and counseled companies, NGOs and foundations.

Earlier, she ran sustainability communications at Amazon, handled marketing and PR for the Business for Social Responsibility group, developed corporate partnerships at the Environmental Defense Fund, and served as director of communications at Greenpeace.

CI CEO M. Sanjayan said Janin has an impeccable track record with non-profits and the private sector in using brand leadership and communications to foster culture, leadership and a forward-looking, problem-solving mindset.
NEWLY elected Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, Ger Darcy, has voiced the frustration of people in Roscrea, Borrisokane and Littleton at the ongoing struggle to successfully install Garda CCTV systems.

Councillor Darcy, who chose to highlight the issue as the first topic for discussion on his first day in the Cathaoirleach's chair, said the fight for Garda camera systems to help police the three areas has dragged on far too long.

The new Cathaoirleach told the monthly meeting of the local authority in Clonmel on Monday that local people and businesses had shown great engagement and worked hard to fundraise for the camera systems, but repeated roadblocks to progress has seen many become completely dissatisfied with the process.

This was echoed by Councillor Noel Coonan, who is also Chair of the Tipperary Joint Policing Committee and kept the issue of Garda CCTV systems at the front of the agenda at those meetings between top ranking Gardai and elected representatives for several years.

"The Joint Policing Committee is caught in a dilemma", Cllr. Coonan said - "because there is a reluctance now on the part of the Council and a reluctance on the part of the Gardai to use CCTV and who will be responsible for it.

"That is a major problem", Cllr. Coonan told the meeting, adding that he applauds the work of the local authority's Director of Services, Brian Beck, for working hard to find a financial solution to recent concerns about who will pay for the ongoing maintenance of the cameras.

Cllr. Coonan said it is almost impossible for any voluntary group to provide a guarantee that they can pay for ongoing maintenance work on a camera system used to police the streets.

"I hope Brian Beck's proposal works, because we don't want a situation to arise similar to what happened in Limerick", Cllr. Coonan said, referencing an instance where Gardai in Limerick defended the use of CCTV in crime detection despite a 110,000 fine issued by the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC).

Following a three-year investigation into its use of CCTV, Limerick City and County Council were fined by the DPC last year for a breach of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 50 separate instances.

The investigation examined the legal basis for the installation of more than 250 cameras in Limerick and the associated data protection concerns they raised. The DPC found that, in multiple instances, there was no legal basis or Garda authorisation for the installation of cameras.

Monday's meeting in Clonmel heard that the latest update on the camera systems is that the office of the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Policing and Security, Anne Marie McMahon, has requested some clarifications on the camera systems for Littleton and Borrisokane. That information has been forwarded to them and the local authority is waiting for a response.

Roscrea's Garda CCTV system faced several challenges unique to the installation of a camera system in a heritage town, where planning permission was required for some camera locations.

Deciding on the financial feasibility between differing types of recording equipment also presented some hurdles in Roscrea, with cloud storage vs physical recording equipment requiring different installation and ongoing maintenance costs.
BANAGHER celebrates its 10th summer festival over the next two weekends.

To get full details go to the That Beats Banagher website where events can be viewed under highlights and timetable. The highlights are in six categories: water-based events, traditional skills, heritage and culture, health and wellness, discovering your roots genealogy conference and family events. Events can also be viewed under a detailed timetable.

The first weekend, Friday July 14th to Sunday July 16th, will be given over to a multiplicity of events. Highlights include The Battle of the Blacksmiths where up to 40 blacksmiths will come to Banagher on Saturday and Sunday under the banner Forged in Ireland. Each day the smiths will provide a series of demonstrations of various aspects of their craft. From 1pm on Saturday the Golden Anvil challenge will present the competitors with a series of fast paced forging challenges. A more artistic competition will be held on Sunday where the craftsmen and women will respond to the theme of Bridges.

More sparks will fly on Saturday night with the return of the spectacular fireworks display in Banagher Park on the west side of Banagher Bridge at dusk, roughly between 9pm and 10pm.

The festival will open with a Martello Movie Night on Friday at 9pm in Banagher Park. On Saturday a food and craft market will be held in the Library Square from noon to 5pm. Throughout the weekend there will be a huge selection of craft-based demonstrations and classes. Those into health and well-being should call to events in the Go-With-The-Flow area in Banagher Park. The first Shannon Valley Genetic Genealogy Conference will be held in The Crank House from 1pm to 5.30pm.

The second weekend of the festival, Friday July 21st to Sunday July 23rd, will be devoted to celebrating Charlotte Bronte and her husband Arthur Bell Nicholls of Banagher. The programme includes three films, a tapestry and stitchcraft exhibition, three talks, two poetry readings and two heritage walks. Speakers and readers include Maebh O'Regan, Eileen Casey, Frances Browner, Joanne Wilcock, Michael O'Dowd, Kieran Keenaghan and James Scully.

All events will be held in or start from The Crank House on Lower Main Street. The events are free but donations will be most welcome. For full details go to the That Beats Banagher festival website in the highlights under culture and heritage.



Martello Tower Pop-Up Bookshop

The renowned Martello Tower pop-up bookshop will make its first summer appearance over the next two weekends at the 10th That Beats Banagher Festival. The first appearance will be at the Food and Craft Fair in the Library Square on Saturday July 15th from 12 midday to 5pm and secondly at Charlotte Bronte events in The Crank House over the second weekend of the festival. The shop will have its usual stock of Irish literature, local history and heritage titles plus many more. As usual the shop is organised by James Scully. All enquiries to jsmeelick@gmail.com or ring (085) 7107569.
IRELAND'S largest clay target shooting competition will be taking place in The National Shooting grounds Esker outside Banagher over next weekend, July 15th and 16th.

The event will see approximately 850 participants take part in the competitions, a culmination of clay target competitions that have been happening at parish and county level over the year.

The following are the key events over the two days:



Saturday July 15th

County Team, U-21, Ladies and Trainee License holder competition.



Sunday July 16th

National Club Competition, Veteran, Super Veteran, Side by Side Shotgun.



The NARGC has 26,000 members in 1,050 Clubs spread throughout the country  one Club in almost every parish. It has enjoyed an increasing membership year on year for the past ten years with an average increase of 500 per annum. It is also a Seanad Nominating Body. The Association co-ordinates the activities of its members and clubs through a regional structure comprising 28 regions. The NARCC also represents the interests of all its members at both a national and international level.

Since its establishment in 1968, the Association has been instrumental in the development of significant beneficial legislation since that time. Of particular note was The Wildlife Act 1976, The Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, The Firearms Non-Residents Act 2000 etc. The NARGC has been to the forefront in leading challenges through the Courts against misuse and abuses of Irelands environmental and shooting legislation.

The NARGC is at the forefront of conservation projects in Ireland with regional projects on the introduction of native grey partridge to suitable habitat, grouse projects that have received international recognition. They work with farmers around the provision of wild bird cover mixes and game crop and their most recent habitat improvements around duck nesting with the provision of nest tubes have been recognised locally and nationally. Key to the success of projects is:

 The provision of suitable habitat

 Control of predator species

The NARGC advocates for sustainable hunting of game species in the natural environment and believes that conservation and hunting go hand in hand. They believe that education around these topics instills responsibility, ethical behaviour, improves skills and knowledge, and encourages the involvement of beginner and veteran hunters alike.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien receives Chairman of the Policy Research Council of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Hagiuda Koichi (Photo: moit.gov.vn)

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien said that Vietnam and Japan are each other's leading and important partners in many fields, in which economic, trade and investment cooperation is both a pillar and a main driving force in promoting the development of bilateral cooperation.

With the above spirit, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien wished that Mr. Hagiuda Koichi would discuss with relevant Japanese regulatory agencies supporting trade promotion activities and business trade exchanges between the two countries, tackle difficulties for Vietnamese exporters, and share experiences for the Vietnamese side in developing the start-up business community.

Regarding cooperation in the industrial sector, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien suggested that the two sides actively cooperate through the initiative "Vietnam - Japan Technology Innovation Cooperation Partnership" to improve the production capacity, technology and level of Vietnam's industry, thereby helping Vietnamese enterprises participate more and more deeply in the global supply chain.

In the field of energy, the Minister proposed the Japanese side provide technical assistance to Vietnam to promote economical and efficient use of energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions for small and medium enterprises; actively exchange and soon agree on the "MoU on cooperation in the field of energy transition", and establish a mechanism for Japan to support Vietnam in the energy transition, towards the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

Mr. Hagiuda Koichi proposed a number of contents that the Japanese side wishes the two countries to maintain and further promote cooperation in the coming time, including diversifying supply chains, maintaining high and comprehensive standards of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to the aspiration of many interested countries to join the Agreement, promoting supply chains of important mineral resources to strengthen economic security, cooperating in energy transformation, especially on liquefied natural gas (LNG), developing high-quality human resources in many industries, and continuing to promote people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

He affirmed that in his position, he will always make efforts to cultivate the comprehensive cooperation relationship between Vietnam and Japan to develop strongly and substantively in the coming time.

Appreciating the proposals and exchanges of Mr. Hagiuda Koichi, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien affirmed that the Vietnamese Government and the Ministry of Industry and Trade are always ready to support and create favorable conditions for production and business activities of Japanese enterprises in Vietnam. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will also continue to closely coordinate and further develop the existing cooperation with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in many aspects, including the preparation of the 6th Session of the Joint Committee on Trade, Industry and Energy Cooperation, scheduled to be held at the end of 2023.

The Minister also suggested that the Japanese side continue to support Vietnam in human resource training, exchange of experts, and technology transfer in the fields of industry and energy, expressing his hope that the two sides would accelerate the building of policies on energy and innovation, bringing benefits to both countries, contributing to the common success of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations./.
Twin Murders In Bengaluru: Suspect Had Hired 3 Men Including Kannada Rapper Joker Felix

Bengaluru

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The Bengaluru police on Tuesday night nabbed the owner of a broadband company, Arun Kumar Azad, from the Kempegowda International Airport in connection with the twin murders reported from Hebbal-Kempapura earlier in the day, according to DH reports.

Azad, reportedly the owner of Gnet Broadband, was picked up soon after he flew in from Delhi around midnight. The reports further mentioned that the police had been tracking Azad's movements since the murders, and they were able to nab him as he was about to board a flight back to Delhi.

The police say that Azad is the prime suspect in the murders of Phanindra Subramanya, the managing director of fibernet company Aironics Media Pvt Ltd, and Vinu Kumar, the company's CEO. The two men were hacked to death at their company's office in Pampa Extension, Hebbal-Kempapura, on Tuesday afternoon.

The police say that Azad hired three men, including Kannada rapper and Instagram influencer 'Joker' Felix, to carry out the murders. Their targets were MD, CEO of the same fibernet company. The brutal incident occurred at the Aironics office in Pampa Extension, Hebbal-Kempapura, around 3:35 pm on Tuesday.

Bengaluru Double Murder Case: 3 Accused Arrested for Killing CEO and MD of Private Company

The three men are believed to have been motivated by business rivalry between Aironics and Gnet Broadband.

The police say that they have enough evidence to charge Azad and the other three men with murder. They are currently being questioned by the police, and more details are expected to emerge soon.

The police investigation has led them to believe that this rivalry was the driving force behind the cold-blooded murders.
Yamuna Flood Waters Reach Taj Mahal Wall for the First Time in 45 Years

24-Year-Old Man Electrocuted To Death While Using Treadmill In Gym In Delhi

2020 Delhi Riots: HC Grants Bail To Former AAP Councillor Tahir Hussain

India

oi-PTI

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday granted bail to former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain in five cases related to the northeast Delhi riots of 2020.

Communal clashes had broken out in northeast Delhi on February 24, 2020, after violence between citizenship law supporters and protesters spiralled out of control, leaving at least 53 people dead and around 700 injured.

''Bail granted subject to conditions in all 5 FIRs,'' Justice Anish Dayal said on Wednesday while pronouncing the verdict on the bail applications by Hussain in the cases.

The cases against the former councillor pertain to alleged rioting during the violence in February 2020.

Flood Fear in Delhi as Water Level Rises in Yamuna, More Rains in Store

The cases also relate to the injuries suffered by two people on account of a riotous mob pelting stones, throwing petrol bombs and firing gunshots from the terrace of Hussain's house and the alleged commission of offences of attempt to murder and violation of the Arms Act.

Hussain is also facing prosecution for the destruction of public property.

Besides the instant FIRs, he is also alleged to have been involved in the ''larger conspiracy'' behind the riots, along with activists Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid. This case concerns offences under the UAPA.
BJP President Nadda To Hold Lok Sabha Pravas Yojana Meeting Ahead Of 2024 Poll

India

pti-PTI

BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda will chair a strategy meeting of party leaders here on Wednesday on the assembly polls later this year and the Lok Sabha elections next year.

Party sources said that it will be a meeting of leaders associated with the BJP's 'Lok Sabha Pravas' programme, an exercise aimed at boosting its prospects in nearly 160 Lok Sabha seats, most of which it had lost in 2019.

Besides the party's office-bearers, several Union ministers have also been drafted in the exercise. The deliberations will also focus on the preparations underway for the Lok Sabha polls as well as the assembly elections, a BJP leader said. Assembly polls in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana are due later this year.

That these are going to be the last round of state elections before the all-important Lok Sabha polls next year has added extra significance to them, with the BJP pulling out all the stops to put up an impressive show after its recent loss to the Congress in Karnataka.

PM Modi's France Visit: Acquisition Of Rafale-M, Jet-Engines And Submarines On Cards

Apart from this, the BJP has decided to launch a special campaign in view of the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections, due later this year, after Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired an important meeting of the party in Bhopal on Tuesday night. "Ahead of the upcoming assembly polls, Shah has announced to launch 'Vijay Sankalp Abhiyan' from Madhya Pradesh after deeply reviewing preparations for the polls," Madhya Pradesh BJP president VD Sharma told reporters after the meeting.
Delhi Riot Accused Fined Rs 5000 For Going On Amarnath Yatra Without Court's Permission

India

oi-Prakash KL

A court in Delhi has reportedly imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on a riot accused for going on a religious trip without seeking its permission.

His action caused the adjournment of proceedings of a case related to the 2020 northeast Delhi riots. Additional Sessions Judge Pulastya Pramachala was hearing a case registered by Gokalpuri police station against six accused including Sonu which was at the stage of presenting prosecution evidence, PTI reported.

Sonu's counsel informed the court that the accused did not appear as he had gone for the Amarnath yatra.

"Today's date was announced to all the accused well in advance. Accused Sonu despite having knowledge of today's date, opted to go out of Delhi that too without seeking any such permission," ASJ Pramachala said in an order passed on Tuesday.

He pointed out that Sonu was absent despite having knowledge of the court proceedings, and without making any arrangements for them to be conducted in his absence.

The judge underlined that it was a pre-planned journey and not an exigency. He said, "In these circumstances, I am not satisfied with the reasons for the absence of the accused Sonu, which is also causing an adjournment in the case today." Hence, he imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on the accused for causing adjournment with his "deliberate action."

Issuing a show cause notice to him, the court asked him why his bail should not be cancelled for breaching the terms of his personal bond.

The matter will come up for hearing on Thursday.
Flood Fear In Delhi As Water Level Rises In Yamuna, More Rains In Store

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The Yamuna river has reached its highest level since 2013, with the water level at the Old Railway Bridge rising to 207.18 meters in the early hours of Wednesday.

The water level is expected to rise further, triggering fears of flooding in the capital.

"The water level of the Yamuna River is increasing due to rain. All the police stations along the banks of the river have been instructed to increase vigilance in the area. Coordination is also being established with other agencies so that if there is waterlogging, people can be evacuated immediately," a senior police official was quoted by news agency ANI as saying.

An official said,"The Yamuna water level at the Old Railway Bridge rose to 206.76 metres by 8 pm, which is the highest since 2013 when the river reached a level of 207.32 metres".

The sharp rise in water level is due to continuous rainfall in the upper catchment areas and saturated soil from heavy precipitation in Delhi and nearby regions over the weekend. The Yamuna breached the danger mark twice in September last year, with the water level reaching 206.38 meters.

Orange Alert in Delhi: Yamuna Breaches Danger Mark; IMD Issues Warning for Today

Meanwhile, the weather office has forecast a cloudy sky and light rain on Wednesday for the national capital. The water level in Yamuna is likely to swell further if more rains lash the city, posing a bigger challenge for the officials.

The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to settle around 34 and 26 degrees Celsius. Delhi received torrential rains on Saturday and Sunday, which caused widespread waterlogging and traffic jams.

The authorities have been put on high alert and are monitoring the situation closely. They have also evacuated people from low-lying areas along the Yamuna river. Three lakh 59 thousand cusecs of water was released from Hathni Kund barrage into Yamuna on Tuesday noon, ANI reported.

The rising water level in the Yamuna is a cause for concern, but the authorities are confident that they will be able to manage the situation. They have assured the people of Delhi that they are taking all necessary steps to prevent a flood.
Chief Minister of Kerala State Pinarayi Vijayan receives Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Hai.

Within the framework of the working visit, Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Hai paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Minister of Kerala state Pinarayi Vijayan, and worked with Secretary General V. Venu and secretaries in charge of agriculture, fisheries, tourism, electronics and information technology of the state.

Happy to inform the Chief Minister and leaders of the state that from August 12, 2023, Vietjet Air will open a direct route from Kochi city of Kerela state to Ho Chi Minh City with a frequency of four flights per week, Ambassador Hai said that this is a breakthrough, contributing to further strengthening the cooperation between Kerela state and Vietnam.

Welcoming the new and important development in aviation connectivity between the two countries, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his wish to strengthen cooperation with localities of Vietnam, especially in delegation exchange and cooperation activities in fields of agriculture, fisheries, tourism, information technology, start-ups, and education.

He also discussed with Secretary General V. Venu and secretaries about measures to promote specific cooperation in various fields.

On this occasion, the Ambassador visited Trivandrum Technology Park and discussed potentials and opportunities for cooperation. Currently, a number of companies from this park are collaborating with Vietnamese companies to provide technology solutions in a number of areas, including electric vehicles.

In addition, many companies in the park have continued to receive Vietnamese students for internships.

The Ambassador also attended an event promoting the Vietnamese destination for study abroad for Indian medical students in Thiruvananthapuram city, the capital of Kerala state. This is a potential field in cooperation between Vietnam and Kerala in particular and India in general.

In 2022, more than 100 Indian students came to study at medical universities in Vietnam. In 2023 and the coming years, this number will increase many times, especially when there are more and more direct flights between the two countries.

In a move to prepare for a new wave of tourists when the Kochi-Ho Chi Minh City direct flight is put into operation from next August, the Vietnamese Embassy in India has coordinated with Vietjet Air to organize a program to promote and connect Kerala-Vietnam tourism in Kochi city, the financial center of the state.

Kerala is the southernmost state in India with an economy of nearly 131.5 billion USD and a growth rate of 10.8% in fiscal year 2022./.
Google Doodle Celebrates Indias Best Known Street Food Pani Puri

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Search engine Giant Google on Wednesday celebrated India's most popular street food pani puri with a doodle. The snack, made of a crispy shell stuffed with potatoes, chickpeas, spices, or chilis and flavoured water, is known by various names like puchka, gol gappa, and has many regional variations across the country.

In Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, a common bite-sized snack is prepared by filling boiled chickpeas, a mixture of white peas, and sprouts. These ingredients are then immersed in a tangy and spicy water. In Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and other northern Indian states, a similar treat filled with potatoes and chickpeas is known as gol gappa. It is enjoyed by dipping it in jaljeera-flavored water. In West Bengal and certain parts of Bihar and Jharkhand, this snack is called puchkas or fuchkas, and its distinctive element is the addition of tamarind pulp.

According to legends, the origins of this beloved snack can be traced back to the time of the epic Mahabharata. During this period, Draupadi, who had recently married five husbands, faced the challenge of feeding them with limited resources. With only some leftover potatoes, vegetables, and a small amount of wheat dough at her disposal, Draupadi ingeniously filled small pieces of fried dough with the potato and vegetable mixture. This innovative creation gave birth to the delightful delicacy known as pani puri.

The name pani puri comes from the Hindi words "pani" (water) and "puri" (a fried ball of dough). The snack is typically filled with a mixture of mashed potatoes, chickpeas, onions, and spices, and then topped with a flavored water. The flavored water can vary depending on the region, but it typically includes tamarind, mint, and chili peppers.

Who was PK Rosy? Google Doodle honours first lead Malayalam actress

Pani puri is a popular snack food in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal. It is often sold by street vendors, and it is also a popular dish at festivals and parties.

The Google Doodle features a street vendor selling pani puri. The player can help the vendor by filling the puri shells with the desired ingredients and then topping them with the flavored water. The player must also keep the customers happy by filling their orders correctly.

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Story first published: Wednesday, July 12, 2023, 9:29 [IST]
Jain Monk Murder Update: BJP Demands CBI Probe In Karnataka

India

pti-PTI

Opposition BJP legislators on Wednesday staged a sit-in demonstration near Gandhi statue in Vidhana Soudha, the seat of the Karnataka legislature, here against the brutal murder of Jain monk Acharya Sri Kamakumara Nandi Maharaj in Belagavi. Led by former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, the legislators sat near the statue and raised slogans against the "deteriorating" law and order situation in the state.

The BJP said ever since the Congress came to power in May, another round of murders of Hindu figures have started and the killing of the Jain monk was a glaring example. The opposition party has demanded a CBI inquiry into the murder case saying it required an impartial investigation.

The Jain monk heading a monastery at Hirekodi in Chikkodi taluk of Belagavi district was chopped into pieces and his dismembered body parts were dumped in a defunct borewell. Two people, Narayana Basappa Madi and Hassan Dalayath, have been arrested in the case. Police suspect money-related matters were behind the murder.

Jain Monk Kamakumara Nandi Maharaj Allegedly Murdered

Former ministers R Ashoka, V Sunil Kumar Dr C N ashwath Narayan and many others joined the protest. Later, they took out a march towards Raj Bhavan to submit a memorandum to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot.
On Camera: Hyderabad Ambulance Driver Misuses Siren To Stop For Snacks

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

A driver of a private hospital's ambulance here misused the ambulance siren to get traffic clearance for the vehicle but stopped at a roadside eatery to have snacks, police said on Tuesday.

A traffic policeman who gave clearance to the ambulance found that it had stopped near a roadside eatery instead of going to a hospital. No patient was found inside the ambulance and during enquiry it was found that the driver activated the siren in a non-emergency situation only to get traffic clearance. He also tried to cover up the traffic violation, police said.

There was no emergency and no patient was in the ambulance. There were two nurses, among others, in the vehicle, they said.

The incident took place on Monday night when the ambulance was passing through busy Basheerbagh Junction and its driver turned on the siren after which the traffic constable immediately cleared the route for the vehicle to move on, a senior police official said.

PM's convoy stops to let ambulance pass | Watch Video

The traffic constable thought it was an emergency, but he noticed the ambulance stopping near a roadside eatery at a distance of about 100 metres from the traffic signal. He questioned the driver, which was recorded on a video camera worn on the body of the traffic cop.

In the body-cam footage, which has gone viral on social media, the driver, seen holding a fruit juice bottle in his hand, is heard saying there was some health issue with one of the the nurses.

To this, the traffic constable tells the driver, "After you turned on the siren, I gave clearance to the ambulance but without going to the hospital, you are eating 'mirchi bajji' and drinking tea. Where is the patient? For eating mirchi bhajji you turned on the siren?" The traffic constable further tells the driver that he will file a report and forward the video to higher-ups and "we will take serious action".

#TelanganaPolice urges responsible use of ambulance services, citing misuse of sirens. Genuine emergencies require activating sirens for swift and safe passage. Strict action against abusers is advised.



Together, we can enhance emergency response and community safety. pic.twitter.com/TuRkMeQ3zN  Anjani Kumar IPS (@Anjanikumar_IPS) July 11, 2023

Subsequently, a fine of Rs 1,000 was imposed against the driver for "violating" the Motor Vehicles Act, police said.

"It was a non-emergency situation and the ambulance driver should not have used the siren. If it was an emergency, they should have gone to the hospital...they didn't and were found eating at a roadside eatery. Only for getting traffic clearance they put on the siren," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-I) Rahul Hegde told PTI.

Accident Caught On Cam: Speeding BMW Car Rams Scooter In Hyderabad

"We will also intimate the hospital regarding the misuse. If repeated violations or grave violations are found, we will go for criminal case against such violators," the DCP further said.

Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) Anjani Kumar on Tuesday posted the video on Twitter, citing the misuse of sirens, and urged that ambulance services be used responsibly.

The DGP tweeted: "#Telangana Police urges responsible use of ambulance services... Genuine emergencies require activating sirens for swift and safe passage. Strict action against abusers is advised. Together, we can enhance emergency response and community safety".

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Story first published: Wednesday, July 12, 2023, 10:51 [IST]
Thief Steals Rs 5000 From Donation Box Of Rewari Temple, But Not Before Reciting Hanuman Chalisa

On Camera: Woman Slaps Haryana MLA Over Waterlogging In Village

India

oi-Prakash KL

A woman on Wednesday slapped Ishwar Singh, a Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) MLA over a poor drainage system that resulted in waterlogging in Bhatia village due to a flash flood.

In a viral video shared by news agency ANI, a flood victim can be seen slapping MLA Ishwar Singh in Guhla as he visited the flood-affected areas. "Why have you come now?", asks the flood victim in the video.

As per a report in The Times Of India, the MLA visited Bhatia after Ghaggar canal gushed into the village on Wednesday. He was engaged in a heated argument with women before an elderly woman lost her cool and slapped him.

The JPP leader immediately left the spot after the incident.

However, the villagers have complained that he visited the village for the first time after winning the election. He is also accused of not providing any relief. However, he is believed to have told them to have patience, the report added.

#WATCH | Haryana: In a viral video, a flood victim can be seen slapping JJP (Jannayak Janta Party) MLA Ishwar Singh in Guhla as he visited the flood affected areas



"Why have you come now?", asks the flood victim pic.twitter.com/NVQmdjYFb0  ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2023

Villagers have claimed that more than 40 villages located near the Ghaggar canal in Cheeka town are bracing for potential floods.

Ishwar Singh, a prominent figure in the JJP, previously served as a Rajya Sabha member from 2008 to 2014 during the UPA regime at both the state and central levels. Prior to the 2019 elections, he joined the JJP.

On the other hand, he has said that he has forgiven her and he is not going to take legal action against her.

Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday conducted an aerial survey of areas affected by three days of incessant downpour and announced Rs 4 lakh ex gratia to the kin of those who died in rain-related incidents.

Financial assistance will also be provided to the poor and others whose houses have been affected by the rain, he said.
Prime Minister Modi To Hold Meeting With UAE President On This Date

India

pti-PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Abu Dhabi on July 15 after concluding a two-day visit to Paris. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Modi will hold talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ruler of Abu Dhabi.

"The India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has been steadily strengthening and the prime minister's visit will be an opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence and culture," it said.

The prime minister is visiting France on July 13 and 14 at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. Modi will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day parade on July 14 in Paris where a tri-services Indian armed forces contingent would be participating.

The MEA said President Macron will host a state banquet as well as a private dinner in honour of the prime minister. The two leaders will also hold wide-ranging talks. "The prime minister is also scheduled to meet the prime minister of France as well as the presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly of France," the MEA said.

PM Modi's France Visit: Acquisition Of Rafale-M, Jet-Engines And Submarines On Cards

He will separately interact with the Indian diaspora in France, CEOs of Indian and French companies, and prominent French personalities. "The prime minister's visit will provide an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future across diverse sectors such as strategic, cultural, scientific, academic and economic cooperation," the MEA said.
Rajasthan: Over Dozen Men Barge Into Bus, Throw Chilli At Cops Before Shooting Murder Accused

India

oi-PTI

Around a dozen men barged inside a Rajasthan Roadways bus on Wednesday and shot dead a murder accused who was being escorted by a police team for a court hearing in Bharatpur, officials said. Another murder accused was injured in the firing and is admitted in a hospital in a critical state, they said.

According to police, the bus was stopped near Amoli toll plaza under Halena police station of Bharatpur by around 12 men who came in a car and two motorcycles. They entered the bus and hurled chili powder on the policemen and started firing on Kuldeep Jagheena and Vijaypal.

Jagheena and Vijaypal, accused in a 2022 murder case, were being taken to Bharatpur from Jaipur by a team of seven policemen led by a head constable armed with two semi-automatic rifles (SLR). SP Bharatpur Mridul Kachchawa said the two murder accused were rushed to RBM government hospital in Bharatpur where Jagheena was declared brought dead by doctors, while Vijaypal is being treated in a critical condition.

Meanwhile, the police said they have identified the culprits with the help of CCTV footage and a vehicle has been recovered.

Police in nearby districts, including Dausa, have been alerted and intense checking on highways is going on.

#WATCH | On gangster Kuldeep Jaghina's murder in Bharatpur, Rajasthan DGP Umesh Mishra, says "Kuldeep was shot dead by some people from the rival gang while he was being taken to the Court. A total of 4 people have been arrested so far. Bharatpur SP and IG reached the spot and pic.twitter.com/3VaR6wRlRa  ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) July 12, 2023

Detailing the incident, Additional Commissioner of Police (Administration)-Jaipur Rahul Prakash said several bullets were shot at Jagheena, while the policemen managed to protect Vijaypal from the direct assault. He said the police team did not open fire in view of the security of the bus passengers. The officer said an inquiry will be done and action will be taken if any policeman is found guilty of negligence.

Jagheena and Vijaypal were allegedly involved in the murder of Kripal Jagheena, who was shot dead in Bharatpur on September 4 last year over a land dispute.

Jagheena was the main accused in the case. He along with four others was arrested on September 11 last from Maharashtra in the case.

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Story first published: Wednesday, July 12, 2023, 18:52 [IST]
Another youth stabbed to death in Karnataka, Sec 144 imposed in parts of Mangaluru

Howrah limping back to normalcy even as Section 144 in place

Delhi Flood: River Yamuna Breaks All-time Record; Kejriwal Calls Emergency Meet

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The Delhi Police imposed prohibitory measures under CrPC section 144 in flood-prone areas of the city on Wednesday as the Yamuna river swelled to 207.55 metres, breaching its record of 207.49 metres set in 1978.

The CrPC's section 144 prevents unlawful assembly of four or more persons and public movement in groups.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority issued an advisory asking people to move to safer places and cautioning them against passing through low-lying areas.

As the flood situation persisted in the Yamuna river, people should stay away from power lines and reach out to the helpline 1077 in case of any need, it said.

Delhi recorded a rapid increase in the Yamuna water level over the last three days. It shot up from 203.14 metres at 11 am on Sunday to 205.4 at 5 pm on Monday, breaching the danger mark of 205.33 metres 18 hours earlier than expected.

The river had exceeded the evacuation mark of 206 metres on Monday night, prompting the relocation of people residing in flood-prone areas to safer locations and a closure of the Old Railway Bridge for road and rail traffic.

The water level of 207.25 metres is the highest since 2013 when the river reached a level of 207.32 metres, the CWC data showed.

Flood Fear In Delhi As Water Level Rises In Yamuna, More Rains In Store

People living in low-lying areas have been shifted to safer places at higher altitudes, the department said.

Meanwhile, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has called an emergency meeting on the rising levels of Yamuna in the city, officials said.

Speaking about Yamuna water flowing about the danger mark, Delhi Minister Atishi said that the governemtn is fully prepared to tackle any situation.

#WATCH | Delhi | The Delhi government is fully prepared to tackle any situation. We are regularly conducting evacuations near the Yamuna River. Several embankments have been installed to prevent the breach of water. We are monitoring the situation continuously: Atishi, Delhi pic.twitter.com/jU90YgrZ2w  ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2023

According to the CWC, the flow rate at the Hathnikund barrage increased to 3,59,760 cusecs at 11 am on Tuesday, the highest in the last three days. It remained above the 2 lakh cusec mark till Wednesday morning.

Normally, the flow rate at the barrage is 352 cusecs, but heavy rain in the catchment areas increases the discharge. One cusec is equivalent to 28.32 litres per second.

The water from the barrage takes around two to three days to reach Delhi.

The India Meteorological Department said heavy rain pounded several places in Uttarakhand and adjoining parts of Uttar Pradesh, raising concerns about a further rise in the water level in rivers.
Thalapathy Vijay's Political Entry: Actor Ready To Quit Films If ...

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Actor Vijay on Tuesday announced that he will quit acting completely if he decides to enter politics to ensure that his focus is maintained. He made the announcement in a meeting with the district secretaries of Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (TVMI) - the 'official' fan association in Chennai on Tuesday.

He also expressed gratitude to district secretaries and other TVMI workers for the success of the last month's event, wherein the actor felicitated Tamil Nadu's meritorious students from classes 10 and 12.

According to local media, Vijay plans to meet other district secretaries soon.

Vijay said that he wants to focus on his political career if he decides to enter politics, and that he cannot do that while also acting. He said that he is grateful to his fans and the TVMI for their support, and that he will continue to work hard for them, regardless of his decision about politics.

Speculation has been rife about Vijay's political ambitions for some time. In 2021, he encouraged TVMI leaders and members to contest the local body elections across the state as independent candidates. They ended up winning 115 out of the 169 seats that they contested in nine districts.

Vijay has not yet made a formal announcement about his political plans. However, his latest statement suggests that he is serious about entering politics, and that he is willing to make the necessary sacrifices to do so.

Interestingly, Vijay seems to be following in the footsteps of Rajinikanth by making cryptic statements that leave everyone guessing about his next move.

If Vijay does enter politics, he will be the latest in a long line of Tamil actors to do so. M.G. Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa, and Kamal Haasan are just a few of the actors who have successfully transitioned from the silver screen to the political arena.

Last week, there were reports suggesting that Vijay planned to take a two-year break from films to focus on the Tamil Nadu state elections in 2026. Now, there are reports that he wants to discuss the next steps.
Who Is Monk Amogh Lila Das And Why Has ISKCON Banned Him?

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

After his controversial remarks about Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramahansa, monk Amogh Lila Das from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has been subjected to a one-month ban. ISKCON released a statement on Tuesday, announcing that Das would embark on a period of atonement and seclusion in the hills.

Das triggered a controversy by criticising Swami Vivekananda for consuming fish, claiming that a virtuous person would never harm a living being. He also made sarcastic comments about Ramakrishna's teaching of "Jato Mat Tato Path" (as many opinions, as many paths), suggesting that not all paths lead to the same destination.

A video clip of Das's remarks went viral on social media, leading to widespread backlash.

Kunal Ghosh, TMC state general secretary, shared the clip on Twitter, expressing the need for immediate action against the monk and emphasizing that insults towards Ramakrishna and Vivekananda would not be tolerated.

In response to the online outrage, ISKCON issued a statement, clarifying that Das' views do not reflect the organization's values and teachings. They highlighted the monk's lack of awareness regarding the diversity of spiritual paths and personal choices, condemning disrespect and intolerance towards other religious beliefs and practices.

Karnataka: 2 Arrested For Killing, Chopping Body Parts Of Jain Monk

Considering the severity of Das's mistake, ISKCON decided to impose a one-month ban on him. The organization communicated this decision to the monk, who has sought forgiveness for his comments and acknowledges the magnitude of his error. As part of his atonement, Amogh Lila Das has taken a vow to seclude himself from public life and will spend one month in the hills of Govardhan.

Kunal Ghosh, the TMC leader, shared ISKCON's statement on Twitter, noting that the organization had taken action against Amogh Lila Das for insulting Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. He mentioned that the monk would be exiled to Giri Govardhan for the period of atonement.

           ,                   https://t.co/6eO9rRJVms  Kunal Ghosh (@KunalGhoshAgain) July 11, 2023

Who is Amogh Lila Das?

Amogh Lila Das: From Engineer to Monk to Social Media Star

Amogh Lila Das is a popular figure on social media, where his videos about religion and motivation have garnered millions of views. But before he became a YouTube star, Das was an engineer working for a US-based company.

Das was born Ashish Arora in a religious family in Lucknow, India. He says that he began his spiritual journey at a young age, and even left home in search of God when he was in high school. However, he eventually returned and pursued a degree in software engineering.

After graduating in 2004, Das started working for a multinational corporation. He quickly rose through the ranks, and by 2010 he was a project manager. However, he decided to leave the corporate world to pursue his spiritual calling.

Das joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in 2010, and became a dedicated Hare Krishna Brahmachari (celibate). He quickly rose through the ranks of ISKCON, and by 2015 he was the vice-president of the Iskcon temple in Delhi's Dwarka.

However, Das's tenure at ISKCON was not without controversy. In 2018, he was banned from the organisation for making derogatory remarks about Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramhans. Das has since apologised for his remarks, but he remains a controversial figure.

Despite the controversy, Das remains a popular figure on social media. His videos about religion and motivation have garnered millions of views, and he has a large following on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
India Backs Pakistan's Resolution At UN Panel Condemning Quran Burning In Sweden

International

oi-Prakash KL

India on Wednesday extended its support to Pakistan's draft resolution tabled in the UN Human Rights Council condemning and rejecting recent "public and premeditated" acts of desecration of the Holy Quran.

The Geneva-based 47-member UN Human Rights Council adopted the draft resolution 'Countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence', with 28 members voting in favour, seven abstentions and 12 nations voting against.

India voted in favour of the resolution that "condemns and strongly rejects the recent public and premeditated acts of desecration of the Holy Quran, and underscores the need for holding the perpetrators of these acts of religious hatred to account in line with obligations of States arising from international human rights law".

In addition to India, the resolution had the backing of countries such as Bangladesh, China, Cuba, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Qatar, Ukraine and UAE. Nations voting against the resolution included Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, the UK and the US.

The draft resolution was brought by Pakistan on "behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation" as well as by the State of Palestine.

Pakistan urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and all relevant special procedures of the Human Rights Council, within their respective mandates, to "speak out against advocacy of religious hatred, including acts of desecration of sacred books that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, and contribute to the process of examination of gaps in national laws, policies and practices and recommend redressal measures".

It called upon States to examine their national laws, policies and law enforcement frameworks with a view to identifying gaps that may impede the prevention and prosecution of acts and advocacy of religious hatred that constitute incitement to discrimination, hostility and violence, and to take immediate steps to plug those gaps.

Volker Turk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the debate on the topic was prompted by recent incidents of burning of the Quran, which is the core of faith for well over a billion people.

"These and other incidents appear to have been manufactured to express contempt and inflame anger; to drive wedges between people; and to provoke, transforming differences of perspective into hatred and, perhaps, violence.

"A crescent, a star, a cross, a seated figure: for some, these might mean little, but for millions of people they have deep significance as the repository and incarnation of an immense history, a far-reaching system of values, a foundation of collective community and belonging, and the essence of their identity and core beliefs," he said.

Turk emphasized that numerous societies are grappling with the manipulation of religious disparities for political motives. "We must not allow ourselves to be reeled in and become instrumentalised by these merchants of chaos for political gain - these provocateurs who deliberately seek ways to divide us," he said.

The incident in which an Iraqi Christian immigrant, backed by the Swedish government, burned the Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm during the festival of Eid al-Adha last month has sparked widespread anger and condemnation throughout the Islamic world.

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Story first published: Wednesday, July 12, 2023, 20:37 [IST]
The pedestrian bridge across Nguyen Tat Thanh Street was inaugurated on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan (1973 - 2023). (Photo: TDO)

Up to now, Da Nang has established official friendship and cooperation with 4 Japanese cities, including Kawasaki, Sakai, Yokohama and Kisarazu, and is cooperating with 15 other Japanese localities.

According to Mr. Ho Ky Minh, Standing Vice Chairman of Da Nang City People's Committee, economic cooperation activities between Da Nang and Japan have achieved positive results. Currently, Japan is the leading country in terms of registered investment capital in Da Nang city with more than USD1 billion for 222 projects, accounting for 23.5% of the number of projects and 26% of foreign investment capital into the city. Most of the projects are operating well, actively contributing to and promoting the city's socio-economic development through technology transfer, human resource training, product diversification and competitiveness enhancement.

Local-level cooperation between Da Nang and Japanese provinces and cities is a bright spot in the foreign policy picture, bringing many benefits to both sides and contributing to the prosperous development of the two countries," Mr. Minh affirmed.

In recent years, trade activities between Da Nang and Japan are also developing strongly. Export turnover between the two sides reached USD730 million in 2022, and import was estimated at USD440 million, making a positive contribution to bilateral trade cooperation between the two countries.

In addition, universities in Da Nang and Japan have also been strongly cooperating in the fields of culture, education and tourism. There have been many cultural exchange activities between the two sides, such as the Vietnam - Japan Cultural Exchange Festival and other festivals.

The leader of Da Nang city noted that Da Nang has also established cooperation with Japanese universities and educational institutions to promote cooperation in education and training of high-quality human resources, especially the fact that the University of Dong A has had outstanding cooperation over the years in this field.

According to Mr. Luong Minh Sam, Chairman of the Council of East Asia University, currently the total number of Japanese partners cooperating in training and creating jobs for students of Dong A University is more than 100 units, including 8 provinces and cities, and more than 90 partners that are corporations and businesses, besides academic cooperation, research and international student exchange with universities in Japan.

So far, Dong A University has sent more than 500 students to practice and work abroad, most of whom come to Japan. Currently, the number of students applying to practice and work in Japan is increasing with more than 1,000 students studying the Japanese languages in 15 majors, according to Mr. Sam./.
NATO Set To Unite With Ukraine For Military Assistance Only, Not Membership: Here's Why

International

pti-PTI

NATO leaders prepared to provide Ukraine with more military assistance for fighting Russia but only vague assurances of future membership as the alliance's summit draws to a close on Wednesday. A draft agreement states that Ukraine can join NATO when allies agree and conditions are met."

The ambiguous outcome reflects the challenges of reaching consensus among the alliance's current members while the war continues, and it is likely to leave Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy unsatisfied. Although Zelenskyy planned to attend the summit's final day, he has been sharply critical of what he described as NATO's absurd reluctance to set a timeline for his country's acceptance into the alliance.

In essence, Western countries are willing to keep sending weapons to help Ukraine do the job that NATO was designed to do  hold the line against a Russian invasion  but not allow Ukraine to join its ranks and benefit from its security. Zelenskyy said in a Tuesday speech in a town square in Vilnius that he had faith in NATO, but that he would like this faith to become confidence, confidence in the decisions that we deserve, all of us, every soldier, every citizen, every mother, every child. "Is that too much to ask? he added. Symbols of support for Ukraine are common around the city, where the country's blue-and-yellow flags hang from buildings and are pasted inside windows. One sign cursed Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine War: What Are Controversial Cluster Bombs And How Munitions Work?

Another urged NATO leaders to hurry up their assistance for Ukraine. However, there's been more caution inside the summit itself, especially from US President Joe Biden, who has explicitly said he doesn't think Ukraine is ready to join NATO. There are concerns that the country's democracy is unstable and its corruption remains too deeply rooted. In addition, Western nations fear sparking a wider conflict. Several leaders, from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, said it was too risky to admit Ukraine during the war. Under Article 5 of the NATO charter, members are obligated to defend each other from attack, which could swiftly draw the US and other nations into direct fighting with Russia.

However, defining an end to hostilities is no easy task. Officials have declined to define the goal, which could suggest a negotiated ceasefire or Ukraine reclaiming all occupied territory. Either way, Putin would essentially have veto power over Ukraine's NATO membership by prolonging the conflict. Wednesday's commitments were to include a new framework from Group of Seven nations acting on the margins of the summit that would provide for Ukraine's long-term security.

Russia Will Stand Up Against Sanctions And Provocations: Putin at SCO summit

The British foreign ministry said in a statement the G7 joint declaration would set out how allies will support Ukraine over the coming years to end the war and deter and respond to any future attack. It is the first time that this many countries have agreed a comprehensive long-term security arrangement of this kind with another country. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement that supporting Ukraine's progress on the pathway to NATO membership, coupled with formal, multilateral, and bilateral agreements and the overwhelming support of NATO members will send a strong signal to President Putin and return peace to Europe.

Although international summits are often tightly scripted, this one has seesawed between conflict and compromise. At first leaders appeared to be deadlocked over Sweden's bid for membership in the alliance. However, Turkiye unexpectedly agreed to drop its objections the night before the summit formally began. The deal led to boasts of success from leaders who were eager for a display of solidarity in Vilnius.

What Putin Said on Terrorism During SCO Summit

This summit is already historic before it has started, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said. Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security adviser, told reporters that rumours of the death of NATO's unity were greatly exaggerated. Erdogan has not commented publicly on the deal over Sweden's membership, even during a Tuesday evening meeting with Biden where Biden referenced the agreement you reached yesterday."

However, Erdogan appeared eager to develop his relationship with Biden. He said previous meetings were mere warm-ups, but now we are initiating a new process. The Turkish president has been seeking advanced American fighter jets and a path toward membership in the European Union. The White House has expressed support for both, but publicly insisted that the issues were not related to Sweden's membership in NATO.
Kerala: Malappuram Family Stranded In Manali Finally Reaching Home Safely

Kochi

oi-Prakash KL

As many as 2,000 tourists stranded in Kasol area of Kullu district owing to incessant rainfall have been evacuated safely, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Wednesday. He also said that over 300 tourist vehicles stuck in Lahaul have left for their respective destinations.

The Kullu-Manali road was opened Tuesday evening and about 2,200 vehicles crossed Kullu. There was no mobile signal in several areas in Manali and its suburbs for the past two days and the tourists were unable to contact their families, officials said.

Among the stranded people, there were many Maliyalis out of which one family hailing from Malappuram has spoken to Oneindia Malayalam.

Shahul's son Jamsheed with his family members and friends had gone to Manali.

Giving an account of his son's trip, Shahul said, "Last Saturday, Jamsheed and his family, accompanied by their friends and family from Vettom, arrived in Manali, Himachal Pradesh. Both Jamsheed and his friends work in Ras Al Khaimah. They had a video call on Sunday, during which they had shown the hotel and its surroundings."

However, there was a sudden change in the weather, and subsequent attempts to contact them were unsuccessful. In an effort to locate them, the travel agency was contacted, as well as the authorities at Surabhi hotel in Manali. Additionally, the Himachal Pradesh government helpline and Kerala House were reached out to for assistance by Shahul.

Shahul tirelessly explored various avenues in his quest to obtain information about his son's well-being. He made multiple attempts to gather updates on his son's current situation. He managed to reach the manager of Surabhi Hotel over the phone, who reassured him that there was nothing to fear. Subsequently, Shahul contacted the government helpline, where he was informed that the army had been deployed to the area and there was no cause for concern.

Much to his relief, today morning the family got a call from Jamsheed that they are moving to Delhi from Manali.

Jamsheed has informed Shahul that there are four Arabs from Mecca and 16 people from Kannur stuck in Manali and now they also are travelling to Delhi in buses.

Jamsheed and others are expected to reach Delhi tonight after which they will leave for Kerala.

As per the earlier booking, they were supposed to reach home by Delhi-Kochi flight today evening. Shahul and his family are happy to know that their son is fine.
Lithuanians were given just a few hours notice of Zelenskys rock star appearance in the capital, which coincided with the NATO summit.
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Tokyo and Seoul's governments both said that North Korea had launched what could be a ballistic missile towards waters off its eastern coast. It follows two days of bellicose rhetoric aimed at the US from Pyongyang.
The US says its decision to deliver controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine has to do with needs on the ground. But allies' reaction, especially in Germany, has been ambivalent.
Biden's speech at Vilnius University closed out two days of talks with U.S. allies about Russia's war on Ukraine and the future of the NATO alliance.


euronews (in English) 12 Jul 2023

Now aged-73, Leslie Van Houten was 19-years-old when she was sentenced for her part in two notorious killings
Here's the latest for Wednesday, July 12: Biden and other NATO leaders pledge support for Ukraine; Poll finds continued opposition to strictest abortion bans; Cleanup begins from Vermont flooding; Zoo welcomes penguin chick.


Baht Turlksi and her little daughter Kursunak prepare stuffs for the trip to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek checks the number of the goats in the sunrise in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 4, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek sets up a tent at the summer pasture in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 4, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Baht Turlksi(R) buys necessities for her husband's trip and goods for her shop at a shop in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 2, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek (3rd, L) and other family members have a meal after arriving at the campsite of the first day's trip to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek boils tea at the summer pasture in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 4, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek (R) and other family members tie stuffs to a horse and prepare to start their second day's trip to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 4, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Baht Turlksi (L) brings dinner and other stuffs to the campsite of the first day's trip to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek (front) and his son-in-law ride on a steep path in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 4, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek (C) and other family members move to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

This photo taken on July 6, 2023 shows yogurt chunks made by Baht Turlksi to sell in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek (1st, L) and other family members take a rest during their trip to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Baht Turlksi and her little daughter Kursunak prepare stuffs for the trip to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. On the first day of the trip, the road is relatively flat, and materials could be transported to the foot of the mountain by car. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Baht Turlksi (2nd, L) chats with her little daughter Kursunak (1st, L) and nephew Zhaisang (3rd, L) at their home in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Goats graze during the trip to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Herders move to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 4, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek drives goats to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek is seen at the summer pasture in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 5, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Baht Turlksi packs goods for a customer at her shop in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 2, 2023. Apart from herding cattle for a living, the Baht's family has diversified their income sources. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Baht Turlksi and Habudelashen Nusupbek discuss what to bring for the trip to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek plays with his grandson before his trip in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. The trip to the summer pastures is also a chance of gathering with friends and family members. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek is seen during the trip to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Editor: WXL
Ukrainian officials said Tuesday that Russian forces attacked Kyiv and the southern port of Odesa with Iranian-made Shahed drones.



Ukraines military said it shot down a total of 26 drones launched by Russia.



Officials in the Kyiv region said debris that fell from intercepted drones damaged multiple residential...
Sometimes one wishes Winston Churchill had left behind an evergreen quote in regard of Russian diplomacy as well, similar to his..

Eurasia Review 11 Jul 2023
It's time to come home and restore this country. From Rfk jr campaign site In the long term, a nation's strength does not come from its armies. America spends as much on weaponry as the next nine nations combined, yet the country has grown weaker, not stronger, over the last 30 years. Even as its military technology has reigned supreme, America has been hollowing out from the inside. We cannot be a strong or secure nation when our infrastructure, industry, society, and economy are infirm. A high priority of a Kennedy administration will be to make America strong again. When a body is sick, it withdraws its energy from the extremities in order to nourish the vital organs. It is time to end the imperial project and attend to all that has been neglected: the crumbling cities, the antiquated railways, the failing water systems, the decaying infrastructure, the ailing economy. Annual defense-related spending is close to one trillion dollars. We maintain 800 military bases around the world. The peace dividend that was supposed to come after the Berlin Wall fell was never redeemed. Now we have another chance. As President, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will start the process of unwinding empire. We will bring the troops home. We will stop racking up unpayable debt to fight one war after another. The military will return to its proper role of defending our country. We will end the proxy wars, bombing campaigns, covert operations, coups, paramilitaries, and everything else that has become so normal most people don't know it's happening. But it is happening, a constant drain on our strength. It's time to come home and restore this country. RFK Jr hauls in over $6M since launching Democratic primary challenge against Biden and 3 million in 3 days By: az central July 06, 2023 at 10:25 AM EDT Robert F. Kennedy Jr. hauls in over $6 million in fundraising since launching 2024 Democratic primary challenge against President Biden. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. brought in more than $6 million in fundraising since launching his Democratic presidential primary challenge against President Biden on April 19, his campaign announced on Thursday. Kennedy's campaign touted that the environmental lawyer hauled in "an average of $1 million a day" for the final three days of the second quarter of 2023 fundraising, which ended on June 30. The campaign reported having $3 million in cash on-hand in their coffers at the end of the second quarter. ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. TAKES AIM AT MAINSTREAM MEDIA Former Ohio Rep. Dennis Kuncinich, Kennedy's campaign manager, argued that the fundraising is a sign of "the public's support for a courageous, authentic truth-teller. We are hearing again and again that Mr. Kennedy is catching on because the public is fed up with the media smears. People are answering the attacks by opening up their wallets." WILLIAMSON TARGETS DNC OVER 'OUTRAGEOUS' BACKING OF BIDEN Rfk jr says he will not support Biden. Rfk jr says he will not support the Ukraine war or any other wars of us aggression. "RFK, Jr. has shown respect for the intelligence of the American people. The more people hear his message, the more he connects," added Kucinich, who unsuccessfully ran in 2004 and 2008 for the Democratic presidential nomination. Fundraising, along with polling, is a key metric to gauge a candidate's popularity and a campaign's strength. The money raised can be used for travel, ads, and to build voter outreach efforts. Kennedy said in an interview last month Rfk jr states that "the mainstream media has dismissed my candidacy as an irrelevancy."
There may be more U.S. tourists in Rome than Romans. It's hard to get away from them "" impossible if you are yourself one. But it's a bit of a shame how they've taken over. Every square and street is wall-to-wall people. They're not all American people. Some of them are Italian. Some of them are even Roman. But they all speak English. They all dress like Americans. Every bar and osteria caters to English-speaking tourists and their tastes. Via Veneto is a cartoon of itself, featuring not just a Hard Rock Cafe but even the headquarters of a government Department of Made In Italy with the "Made in Italy" in English. The Spanish Steps has been taken over by a press event for Tom "I'll never make a sequel to Top Gun because that would be war propaganda" Cruise at which the majority of the fans are tourists. You're as likely to find yourself alone and unjostled in a church or an alleyway as you are to forget the smell of the people you're squeezed up against in a bus.

And yet, Rome remains stupendous, which is why the people have overrun it. The architecture and artwork remain staggeringly beautiful "" if the stains from the car exhaust are scrubbed off sometimes. The cars have multiplied like the people, but driving has been maintained as a sport, as much as a means of transportation. Walking is still the best way to travel "" and will remain enjoyable until the temperatures get into the 110s Fahrenheit, and "" who knows "" maybe we'll adapt to that, too. Plus, the rentable scooters that have been strategically placed in the middle of every narrow path may seem an impediment until you've tried riding them. They are an individualistic, capitalistic, and chaotic development, but a Roman scooter ride is uniquely Roman. And Roman food cannot be made less than fantastic, no matter how hard the touristerias try.

Part of what concerns me as a vacationer who can't quite forget the world while on vacation is simply the unsustainable population growth of our species, combined with the number of its members who are able to contribute to the burning of jet fuel "" I mean directly, in addition to through their taxes for militaries. And part of what concerns me is the collection of trends, led by the United States, in the direction of more environmental destruction, more militarism, more concentration of wealth, and more degradation of public common goods. Don't Europeans have a clue that what we Americans like about them is not just their beautiful architecture and music and food, and not just the beautiful languages that they used to speak, and not just their wealth, but primarily their socialism? I don't want to visit a place that can convince me I'm in a U.S. shopping mall. I want to visit a place that thinks healthcare and education and vacation and retirement are human rights. That was what we loved, and still love, about Europe "" even if we have never known it.

I recall a Rome and a Europe of 30 years ago. I loved the place then, as now. I didn't complain about the crowds then. I complained about the lack of accommodation to foreigners. Look what that got me. But I am not old enough to recall a Europe of 80 years ago, or the fascism of that time. I don't know what all the sources are of the stupid, homophobic, xenophobic politics we're all cursed with today. Italy has no need for the courting of World War III that is underway in Ukraine. But Italy is part of an empire that is not based in Rome "" rather in that imitation of Rome on that other Capitol Hill. It's not just gelato-sellers catering to every desire of Americans. The people in charge in Rome employ augurs to decipher the wishes of Joe Biden's mumbling, and then jump to do his bidding. They maintain U.S. nuclear weapons in Italy (and five other European nations), which Russia cites as its excuse to put them into Belarus. Italy is occupied by 13,000 U.S. troops in 40 bases. While Italy has ended mandatory participation in its military, and one doesn't see automatic weapons in front of banks anymore, the security-theater of metal-detectors has spread, and when NATO declares peace unacceptable, Italy bows low and shouts "Yes! No problem! Would you like anything else, Sir?"

Or at least that's the surface impression. There are other, contrary rumblings as well. The U.S. Embassy on Via Veneto has a rainbow flag, but it's very carefully a modified rainbow flag to indicate support for LGBT rights. The British Embassy in Rome hasn't quite caught on, and displays a simple rainbow flag, accidentally indicating its support for peace "" a popular concept in Italy in a way not immediately familiar to someone from the United States or the United Kingdom. Bookstore windows in Italy "" I mean, mainstream, corporate, including airport bookstore windows "" display something no native English speaker would recognize or immediately believe possible: a book advocating the abolition of war, a book called Guerra alla Guerra by Matteo Pucciarelli, a book that includes the perspectives of actual peace activists, those mythical creatures that U.S. corporateland pretends do not exist "" some of the very same Italian peace activists, in fact, who spoke this past weekend on a global 24-hour peace wave (see part 12). Yes, even a war abolition book by the Pope is disappeared by U.S. culture. Find me a Barnes & Noble in the United States with a war abolition book in the front window and I will eat it, page by page.

Italian peace advocates, including Pucciarelli in his book, lament the erosion of peace culture and the normalization of war. But there have been peace rallies in Italy for ending the war in Ukraine many, many times larger than any in the United States, and with far more prominent "" current, not former "" politicians taking part. Dock workers have blocked shipments of weapons to Ukraine in Italy, an act which there is simply no need to have any laws against in the United States. If the United States had the level of war opposition that Italy (or many other countries) does, we might have peace on Earth. Italians rightly protest the diversion of resources into weaponry rather than human or environmental needs, but if the United States had European levels of military spending, I'd have hope for saving the world; if the United States had European levels of environmental destruction the world would hardly even need saving yet. I don't want to minimize the cover that bodies like NATO and the United Nations provide to sustain U.S. wars through the U.S. media and Congress, but it is important to have a little perspective. (And to hope that the peace activism in places like Italy can have a similarly supportive impact on that in the United States.)

It is striking that Pucciarelli recounts the wars of past decades and writes that it is now, during the war in Ukraine, not during the war in Iraq or countless other wars, that peace is being made shameful in Italian culture. Of course this is a change underway and far from completed. I'm struck by how far from completed it is. Pucciarelli recounts an incident in which a concert venue in Italy canceled a show by a Ukrainian band that had been raising funds for the fascistic Azov Battalion. In canceling the show "" and kicking off an uproar of bellic outrage, including from the Ukrainian Ambassador to Austria who would later be so opposed to peace advocates so much as speaking with each other in Vienna "" the concert venue noted that "We are against every war . . . ." They were not taking sides in a war but simply expressing a commonsense, non-controversial sentiment, or so they may have thought.

In the United States, "We are against every war" would never be stated by the most radical, hip, new, experimental corporation. Never. The necessary prefatory disclaimer that would be made in the United States is, on the contrary, "While we support the troops, . . . ." If film, television, advertising, music, language, clothing, work hours, and politics are any indication, that is where Italy is headed "" unless the advance of "progress" can be successfully resisted.

The War Abolition Collection:

Guerra alla Guerra, by Matteo Pucciarelli, 2023.

War Is Hell: Studies in the Right of Legitimate Violence, by C. Douglas Lummis, 2023.

The Greatest Evil Is War, by Chris Hedges, 2022.

Abolishing State Violence: A World Beyond Bombs, Borders, and Cages by Ray Acheson, 2022.

Against War: Building a Culture of Peace by Pope Francis, 2022.

Ethics, Security, and The War-Machine: The True Cost of the Military by Ned Dobos, 2020.

Understanding the War Industry by Christian Sorensen, 2020.

No More War by Dan Kovalik, 2020.

Strength Through Peace: How Demilitarization Led to Peace and Happiness in Costa Rica, and What the Rest of the World Can Learn from a Tiny Tropical Nation, by Judith Eve Lipton and David P. Barash, 2019.

Social Defence by Jrgen Johansen and Brian Martin, 2019.

Murder Incorporated: Book Two: America's Favorite Pastime by Mumia Abu Jamal and Stephen Vittoria, 2018.

Waymakers for Peace: Hiroshima and Nagasaki Survivors Speak by Melinda Clarke, 2018.

Preventing War and Promoting Peace: A Guide for Health Professionals edited by William Wiist and Shelley White, 2017.

The Business Plan For Peace: Building a World Without War by Scilla Elworthy, 2017.

War Is Never Just by David Swanson, 2016.

A Global Security System: An Alternative to War by World Beyond War, 2015, 2016, 2017.

A Mighty Case Against War: What America Missed in U.S. History Class and What We (All) Can Do Now by Kathy Beckwith, 2015.

War: A Crime Against Humanity by Roberto Vivo, 2014.

Catholic Realism and the Abolition of War by David Carroll Cochran, 2014.

War and Delusion: A Critical Examination by Laurie Calhoun, 2013.

Shift: The Beginning of War, the Ending of War by Judith Hand, 2013.

War No More: The Case for Abolition by David Swanson, 2013.

The End of War by John Horgan, 2012.

Transition to Peace by Russell Faure-Brac, 2012.

From War to Peace: A Guide To the Next Hundred Years by Kent Shifferd, 2011.

War Is A Lie by David Swanson, 2010, 2016.

Beyond War: The Human Potential for Peace by Douglas Fry, 2009.

Living Beyond War by Winslow Myers, 2009.

The Collapse of the War System: Developments in the Philosophy of Peace in the Twentieth Century by John Jacob English, 2007.

Enough Blood Shed: 101 Solutions to Violence, Terror, and War by Mary-Wynne Ashford with Guy Dauncey, 2006.

Planet Earth: The Latest Weapon of War by Rosalie Bertell, 2001.

Boys Will Be Boys: Breaking the Link Between Masculinity and Violence by Myriam Miedzian, 1991.
Vice Beer, an east Vancouver brewery and taproom that crafts aggressive IPAs along with smoothie sours, pastry stouts and lagers, on Thursday will open A Little Vice, a cozy but colorfully cool taproom in a resurgent downtown Vancouver.

A Little Vice is the second location for the brewery founded last August by two Clark County couples, Bria Perozzo and Michael Perozzo along with Cameron Johnson and Erica Johnson. They took over the defunct Barlows Brewery after it closed during the pandemic.

Michael Perozzos Zzeppelin agency in Vancouver had done marketing and branding for Barlows, Bria Perozzo ran Barlows taproom, and Cameron Johnson was its brewer, so the partnership made sense. They reinvigorated the brewhouse and tasting room, transforming a sleepy space into Vices vibrant, colorful motif.

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Vice leans heavily into nostalgia, from its beer names to its labels and its taproom decor. The brand approach focuses on the decades that raised the owners  and most of the drinking public right now, Michael Perozzo said.

Thats the 80s and 90s, he said. We worked hard to make sure our place did not pinpoint one decade. Youre not going to walk in and go, gosh this place is straight out of the 80s. But there will be some things that make you remember your childhood or that time.

Vices vibrant color scheme is a mash-up of that nostalgia, he said, evoking fun times at beach parties and the icons of decades past. Think Miami Vices neon blues and pinks, or flamingos meet the Parrotheads of a Jimmy Buffett concert, but all brought together with deft modern design.

When you look at the popular things of then, you see a lot of thematic things that come from sunnier places, Michael Perozzo said. Definitely because of Vice, people go, oh Miami Vice. If you look at the shows imagery or logo, youre not going to find anything weve used at all, but people say it still makes them feel that way.

A Little Vice reflects the look of the original Vice taproom, but that space is TV and movie themed while the new downtown space focuses on music and albums, Perozzo said. A back room, decorated with eight boom boxes around the ceiling, has vintage CDs and tapes that customers can pop into a traditional stereo system.

The main taproom is intimate, with about a dozen bar seats in a long, narrow room. The bar has 12 taps serving Vices Beer, including two Lukr side-pour taps known for their precise lager pours, along with ciders from Mela Cider of Vancouver.

Michael Perozzo describes Vices beer approach as having two extremes.

From the beginning we want to be pushing the envelope, he said. On one, youve got the new school of beer, which is double dry hopped, double hazy IPAs and smoothie sours and pastry stouts. On the other extreme, youve got the resurgence of lagers, and all the different styles of lager you can make.

Theyre not interested in what Perozzo called the middle ground of beer styles.

Were going to leave classic pub styles to other people, he said.

Initial Vice beers included a passion-fruit, orange and guava smoothie sour, two double dry-hopped double IPAs, a mimosa sour, IPAs and a lime-added Mexican lager. Various pilsners followed, including an Italian style and a Czech style.

Some of the current beers on tap include Versa IPA, the fourth in Vices experimental West Coast IPA series; Breakfast Club, a Mimosa sour; and The Wolverine, an ESB made in collaboration with Anderson Valley Brewing of California (Collaborations allow us to make styles we normally wouldnt, Perozzo said of the ESB.)

Opening the downtown tasting room is part of Vices business philosophy, which prioritizes selling from its own locations above its distribution efforts.

Pouring beer over your own counter is a more sustainable practice than being in a grocery store, and it has better (profit) margins, Perozzo said. As a small brewery, if your plan is to sell a bunch of kegs and cans out the back door, those margins arent great. You need butts in seats.

Perozzo said Vices sales are exceeding expectations.

We targeted 700 barrels for our first full year, and were well over that at the halfway point of the year, he said.

The original Vice is home to the El Viejon Taqueria y Mariscos Mexican food truck, but the tight quarters at A Little Vice dont allow a truck or kitchen. Instead, the taproom has a partnership with Slow Fox, a chili parlor on the same block whose QR ordering code will be a part of A Little Vices menus. And Derek Saner and Nicole Saner, the wife-and-husband owners of Slow Fox, plan to work with Vices owners on events in the restaurants commons area, such as a party for the Cruise the Couve car event this Saturday, July 15, in downtown Vancouver.

Perozzo said such events and their energy, along with the areas walkability, are part of the resurgence of restaurant and pub life in this area  from the modern Waterfront development along the nearby Columbia River to the eclectic and vibrant mix downtown. Nearby breweries include Loowit, Heathen, Brothers Cascadias Evergreen Pub, Ruse, Trap Door, Doomsday, along with Thirsty Sasquatch, Tap Union Freehouse and Waterfront taprooms.

Im excited to be part of that, he said. On Friday and Saturday night around here, people are out, and theyre not just sitting in one place. Its happening. Theres stuff to do.

IF YOU GO

What: A Little Vice, Vice Beers second location

Where: 701 Main St., Vancouver

When: Opens Thursday, July, 12. Hours: 4-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, noon-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-7 p.m. Sunday

Facebook: facebook.com/vicebeer

Instagram: @vicebeer

 Andre Meunier; sign up for my weekly newsletter Oregon Brews and News, and follow me on Instagram, where Im @oregonianbeerguy.
A Portland man who killed his ex-girlfriend and fired a barrage of shots at police officers at the end of a dayslong meth binge has been sentenced to 25 years in state prison.

Davonte A. Donahue fired more than 30 rounds at officers responding to a frantic 911 call made by Donahues former girlfriend on Nov. 21, 2021. All of the shots missed and officers used tear gas and a robot in an attempt to flush Donahue out of the top-floor unit before going in and arresting him to end a nearly 10-hour standoff.
Call it a celestial tease.

Last weekend, the forecast spread rapidly on news sites and social media: Viewers as far south as Oregon and Maryland might catch a glimpse Thursday night of the storied northern lights thanks to a solar storm.

But it wasnt to be. Forecasters now say the phenomena, also known as the aurora borealis, will be visible only at more typical  and far higher  latitudes.

Only the countrys northernmost states have a slight chance for aurora viewing, a semicircle that includes much of Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota and a slice of northern New England.

The aurora is a luminous, colorful glow often observed around the Earths North and South poles. Its caused by streams of electrically charged particles traveling from the Sun to the Earth, called the solar wind.

Events on the Suns surface cause the ejections, which then collide with molecules in the Earths atmosphere, creating the brilliant light displays. The phenomenon is most often seen near the Earths two magnetic poles because the electrons from the Sun travel along the Earths magnetic field lines.

Predicting the aurora can prove challenging because it relies both on tracking conditions on the sun, and on predicting how the particles will interact with the Earths magnetic field, said Kevin Lewis, an associate professor in Johns Hopkins Universitys Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences.

I dont know about you, but the last few days I keep seeing the rain forecast change about every hour, Lewis said. Predicting space weather carries the same uncertainty as well.

In a statement, Don Hampton, a space physicist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, said the university used information from the Space Weather Prediction Center, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to make its original prediction, which has since changed.

There are only a few satellites and instruments dedicated to collecting these data, so the models typically have a wide range of predictions since the observations are relatively sparse, Hampton wrote. While large solar storms can be seen leaving the vicinity of the sun, and their direction and speed can be estimated, once they leave the local solar vicinity they cannot be tracked. During this time the solar storms can be slightly diverted or even reduced, and the final impact on Earths magnetic field may be different than predicted.

Bryan Brasher, a project manager for NOAAs Center, said the original prediction for Thursday was prompted by the recurrence of a coronal hole, which caused elevated activity the last time it faced Earth.

As this particular coronal hole rotated back into view  meaning we could see and analyze it  it was clear that it had diminished and we adjusted our forecast accordingly, Brasher wrote in a statement.

Seemingly, the older forecast is the one that gained traction in media reports like that of the Associated Press, a wire service that disseminates stories to newspapers around the country.

But even that NOAA forecast wouldnt have yielded an aurora display so far south, Brasher said. For that, you would need a strong or severe geomagnetic storm and NOAA had only predicted a moderate one.

The coronal hole, combined with a separate coronal ejection event that occurred July 9, could make faint aurora visible from U.S. states bordering Canada in the coming days  but nothing more, Brasher said.

Graphic on what causes the Northern Lights.TNS

2023 Baltimore Sun. Visit baltimoresun.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
When Yelp dropped its ranking of the 100 best ice cream shops in the country, two Portland spots were on the list: Doe Donuts came in at No. 95 and Cloud City Ice Cream at No. 33.

That means one of Portlands ice cream shops is in the top 40 in the whole United States, which seems like a major accomplishment. So, why did Cloud City make the list and not, say, Salt & Straw, 50 Licks or Nicos?

Probably because the ice cream is, well, really good.

First, Cloud City starts with handmade ice cream and mostly handmade or local mix-ins, including cookie dough, which you can purchase from the freezer if you want to eat it without ice cream getting in the way, chocolates and red velvet cake.

Next, the flavors. As one patron, who didnt want to be named but was standing in line Tuesday soon after the store opened said, The flavors are unique but not weird like Salt & Straw.

Cloud City is definitely not Salt & Straw. Instead of a growing empire, the ice cream shop that might be Portlands best is just one storefront tucked into a strip mall next to the Safeway in Woodstock. The only place you will get Cloud City Ice Cream is Cloud City, though if you want to take a pint home, you can grab one from the freezer with the cookie dough or ask them to pack you one of any flavor available. Or you can order deliver through Postmates or GrubHub.

The little ice cream shop has been in Woodstock for 10 years and is a neighborhood favorite. Even on a Tuesday, a line formed not long after the doors opened at noon. And with good reason. This ice cream is the kind that you think about hours later, the kind that makes you consider going back for a second trip.

On Tuesday, the case held 24 dairy flavors and eight vegan flavors. Those included staples that are almost always available like Sea Salt Caramel Dough (a customer favorite according to the scooper), Circus Friends (with frosted animal crackers), Sasquatch Tracks and Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel.

Then there are seasonal flavors, including a rotating Zodiac series, with ice creams based on star signs. The current offering is Cancer, a delicious peach cobbler ice cream.

In fact, all of the flavors we tasted were delicious, including the vegan options like Sunshine, a bright take on golden milk and Mango Lime Tajin.

Everyone knows the vessel for holding ice cream is nearly as important as the product itself and at Cloud City, ice cream can be piled into homemade waffle cones or sugar cones dipped in white chocolate and coated in sprinkles called uni-cones.

If you can, get a uni-cone. Whats better, really, than a crunchy sugar cone, dipped in sugar and then sprinkled with more sugar with some cold milk and sugar in the middle? Not much.

Yelpers, take note. The company will be hosting National Ice Cream Day events around the country on Sunday, July 16, when they will give out free ice cream cones, scoops, and sundaes in communities. According to its website, Yelp will host one such event at Cloud City.

Details: Cloud City Ice Cream, 4525 S.E. Woodstock Blvd., open daily noon to 10 p.m., cloudcityicecream.com

 Lizzy Acker

503-221-8052; lacker@oregonian.com; @lizzzyacker

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U.S. President Joe Biden (R) meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, Dec. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

NATO members have been divided on how to bring Ukraine closer to their bloc.

VILNIUS, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Tuesday failed to set a timetable for Ukraine's membership of the alliance, following the first day of the NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius.

Speaking at a press conference, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said allies have agreed on a package of three elements to "bring Ukraine closer to NATO." However, he clarified that an invitation for Ukraine to join the alliance will be issued "when allies agree and conditions are met."

"It's unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is not set either for the invitation or for Ukraine's membership. While at the same time vague wording about 'conditions' is added even for inviting Ukraine," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted. He is set to attend the inaugural meeting of the new NATO-Ukraine Council on Wednesday.

Participants pose for a photo during the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

NATO members have been divided on how to bring Ukraine closer to their bloc. While some Eastern European members are pressing for an explicit commitment on when Ukraine will join, the United States and Germany are reluctant to clarify, according to some reports.

Stoltenberg said NATO leaders have also approved the "most comprehensive defense plans since the end of the Cold War," and endorsed a new defense action plan.

Under the new plans, NATO aims to have 300,000 troops fully ready for action. NATO allies have also made an "enduring commitment" to invest at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) annually in defense, although after "nine consecutive years of increased defense spending" since 2014, only 11 of the alliance's 31 members have reached or exceeded this target.

Police personnel are seen on a street in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Alfredas Pliadis/Xinhua)

Critics argue that such an emphasis on militarization fosters an arms race among member states, diverting resources away from social and economic development and negatively impacting citizens' quality of life.

Swedish expert Jan Oberg said NATO's pledge to ask its members to invest a minimum of 2 percent of GDP annually on defense was "absurd." A military budget "should be decided according to a comprehensive threat analysis, followed by a priority discussion, and never be tied to a country's economic ups and downs," Oberg added.

"What we are seeing is a rampant, exclusivist militarism that doesn't care about the other side or about the consequences of its own provocative policies," said Oberg, director of the Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research.

A screen at the media center of the NATO summit shows NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg presiding over the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

Analysts have also warned that NATO's expansion and its responses to the Ukraine issue may seriously threaten global security.

Sevim Dagdelen, a member of Germany's lower house of Parliament, told Xinhua in a recent interview that NATO is not a defense alliance, although that is the constant refrain of Western leaders.

At the same time, the military pact is engaged in an aggressive arms drive and is thwarting all negotiation efforts regarding the Ukraine crisis, she said, accusing NATO of fighting a proxy war against Russia by supplying military aid to Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday accused NATO of treating Russia like an "enemy." "We are clearly talking about the summit of an association, which has a pronounced, concentrated anti-Russian nature," local media reported Peskov as saying.

File photo taken on April 16, 2021 shows the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia in Moscow. (Xinhua/Evgeny Sinitsyn)

Peskov said that Moscow has witnessed repeated waves of NATO expansion towards its borders, and the West does not understand the risks of this expansion.

Ahead of the two-day summit, protests against NATO have been held in several European countries. Underlining that the summit will see "calls for further escalation" of the Ukraine conflict, the Stop the War coalition organized a day of peace protests across Britain on Saturday. Meanwhile, in Paris, a march against the military alliance drew hundreds of people, with many calling for France to withdraw from NATO.

Editor: WXL
A Portland man initially held as a person of interest in a fatal shooting on the Oregon coast over the weekend is now facing a murder charge in Tillamook County, according to court records.

Johnathan Blake Morriss, 31, is accused of murder in the second degree, aggravated assault, unlawful use of a weapon and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon in the shooting that killed Portland resident Carlo Anthony Stefanello Jr., 47, in Cape Meares.
The mayor of Baker City in eastern Oregon announced his resignation late Tuesday night following heated controversy over an offensive meme he posted last month that depicted four pride flags rearranged to form a swastika.

Mayor Matt Diaz did not address the controversy when he resigned at a city council meeting, telling residents only that he would be moving out of the city of 10,000 people and therefore could no longer serve.
The state of Oregon paid an outside law firm tens of thousands of dollars to investigate workplace complaints against the head of a small state agency. But state officials, from the governors office to the agency in question, called the Oregon Workers Compensation Board, are tight-lipped about what the investigation found and any consequences that were meted out.

It was one of two personnel investigations that the state paid for or conducted into top employees at the 79-person agency, which handles workers compensation disputes.

The Oregon Department of Justice paid Stoel Rives attorney Brenda Baumgart $565 an hour to investigate complaints by more than one employee of the Workers Compensation Board about board chair Constance Wold, according to Baumgarts contract obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive through a public records request. The complaints appear to have alleged inefficiency and neglect of duty, reasons listed under statute that the governor can remove a workers comp board member.

Ultimately, the state paid Baumgart more than $42,000 between August 2021 and September 2022 to complete the investigation but did not ask her to produce any written report of her findings.

Citing attorney-client privilege, Department of Justice spokesperson Roy Kaufmann declined to say what the investigation found, why the agency didnt request a written report or whether any disciplinary action was taken in response to the investigations findings. When asked whether that meant the investigation cleared Wold of wrongdoing, Kaufmann wrote in an email, No, it doesnt necessarily mean that.

The second personnel investigation, which state officials also refused to discuss in detail, was into Wolds operations and policy deputy.

The Department of Justice, governors office and Department of Consumer and Business Services, which handles some shared services for the board, declined to provide details of the complaints that prompted the investigation into Wold, saying that they didnt have a written record of them.

However, an employee who was interviewed by Baumgart for the investigation but asked to remain anonymous to speak freely about their experience, said that the agency had poor morale and was about as dysfunctional as you can get because of Wold. The employee said numerous workers at the board, including those in high-level positions, felt Wold was not a competent leader.

The person said that employees would try to avoid getting caught in a conversation with Wold because she would spend hours talking about personal topics unrelated to work. Wold would also drag out decisions regarding workers compensation disputes for months and would often change her mind about things she wanted done, the employee alleged.

The employee said Wold also became obsessed with COVID-19 and once asked her assistant to transcribe an hours-long Zoom meeting related to COVID-19 management at an out-of-state school district. She also asked her assistant to maintain multiple binders of articles about COVID-19 printed from the web, the employee said.

Another employee who was interviewed by Baumgart for the investigation but also asked to remain anonymous to speak freely about their experience said that Wold wouldnt share her calendar with staff members and was often unresponsive to emails.

Wold did not respond to phone calls or emails from The Oregonian/OregonLive seeking her response. A Workers Compensation Board employee who answered a call from The Oregonian/OregonLive said Wold was rarely in the office.

Oregons Department of Administrative Services conducted a separate investigation into Terry Bello, manager of the Administrative Services Division, one of three divisions under the Workers Compensation Board, according to Bryanna Duke, a spokesperson for the Department of Administrative Services. That inquiry came in response to an unrelated August 2021 complaint from a different employee at the agency.

The employee, who said she had been a friend of Bellos before she was hired for a part-time job at the agency, alleged that Bello engaged in intimidating behavior and misused her position, according to a copy of the complaint. The Oregonian/OregonLive obtained that document under a public records request.

The investigation ultimately substantiated that Bello used derogatory and profane language in discussing subordinates in text messages with the complainant and referred in a joking manner in those messages to an ergonomic assessment request made by another subordinate, according to a letter of reprimand that Wold issued to Bello in May.

Bellos attorney Daemie Kim provided a copy of the letter to The Oregonian/OregonLive in response to inquiries about the veracity of allegations in the complaint.

Investigators also found that Bello provided the complainant with an advance copy of interview questions after the complainant applied for a full-time job at the agency, potentially giving her a leg up over other applicants.

Andrea Chiapella, a spokesperson for the Department of Administrative Services, confirmed that the investigation found wrongdoing by Bello and that Bello was disciplined. But she said any record of that discipline was exempt under public records law. She similarly declined to provide any information on the findings from the investigation.

Wold, who earned $173,434 last fiscal year, and Bello, who earned $127,866, remain in their positions at the Workers Compensation Board.

The board is an independent agency charged with resolving disputes over workers compensation cases and the Oregon Safe Employment Act, which ensures safe and healthful working conditions for workers. Its Board Review Division consists of five full-time board members appointed by the governor to four-year terms. Then-Gov. Kate Brown appointed Wold, a fellow 1985 graduate of the Lewis & Clark Law School, in 2017. Wold practiced workers compensation law for 30 years before the start of her term, which expires in September.

The investigations into Wold and Bello took place while Brown was still in office.

While invoices show that the investigation into Wold was completed in September 2022, Kaufmann, the Department of Justice spokesperson, said the states contract with Baumgart was extended until August of this year to enable the contract to cover the transition to Gov. Tina Koteks administration. Kotek took office in January.

Elisabeth Shepard, a spokesperson for Kotek, said the governor was given a high-level overview of the investigations into Wold and Bello. Members of Koteks staff have met with leaders of the Department of Administrative Services, Department of Justice and Department of Consumer and Business Services five times since April to discuss the investigations. Shepard said last Wednesday that Kotek is weighing what additional steps should be taken.

Shepard declined to comment on why the state paid tens of thousands of dollars to a law firm to investigate Wold but did not ask that firm to produce a report, saying that the decision happened under Brown and that Kotek did not have enough information to comment. Brown, through a spokesperson, did not respond to a request for comment.

Shepard defended the states decision to keep details of the investigations secret, saying that in both cases personnel issues are still being resolved.

The governor believes that any allegations made against an agency or board director by staff must be taken seriously, Shepard wrote in an email. In April, she directed DAS to develop a plan to improve investigation protocols and practices in state government.

 Jamie Goldberg; jgoldberg@oregonian.com; 503-221-8228; @jamiebgoldberg

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Always wanted to drive or bike the whole way around Crater Lake? It might be a while before youre able to do it.

Crater Lake National Park announced Tuesday that it had shut down a portion of Rim Drive, the road that circumnavigates Oregons famous caldera, for the rest of the 2023 season. It will be the first of several anticipated hard closures of the road over the next five years, as the park completes a long-awaited upgrade to the road.

The $56 million project, green-lighted after receiving funds from the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020, will improve 19 miles of East Rim Drive and a spur road to the Cloudcap Overlook.

For the 2023 season, a four-mile section of East Rim Drive between Cleetwood Cove and the Skell Head Overlook will be closed, park officials said. The popular trail to Cleetwood Cove will remain open during construction.

Marsha McCabe, the parks public information officer, noted there are no official dates for the closure, but said it would most likely continue until snow shuts down the operation (and the rest of the road) for the winter.

Regular closures will continue on Rim Drive throughout the anticipated five-year time frame for the project, McCabe said, though access will be temporarily restored for special events like the annual Ride the Rim bike ride, which this year takes place Sept. 9 and 16.

Originally constructed in the 1930s, Rim Drive is structurally failing and in desperate need of an upgrade, park officials said. During construction, crews will stabilize and replace portions of the road, and modernize it to current safety standards. Parking areas, overlooks, shoulders and walkways will get improvements, as well as guard walls and drainage structures.

Rim Drive is open seasonally, depending on when snow begins to fall and when it melts. The entire road is usually open from July through October.

We greatly appreciate the support to get this major project funded, Crater Lake National Park Superintendent Craig Ackerman said in a news release. It is one of the parks highest deferred maintenance and repair priorities and will help ensure a safe visitor experience on the historic East Rim Drive.

 Jamie Hale

503-294-4077; jhale@oregonian.com; @HaleJamesB

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Tuesday 11 July 2023 2:16pm

For the first time in 154 years, the University of Otago will substantially change its brand.

With the strong support of its community, following the largest stakeholder consultation the University has ever undertaken, the University Council today announced changes to take effect from May 2024.

The name, The University of Otago, will remain the same.

A new te reo Maori name and tohu (symbol), created in collaboration with mana whenua, will be introduced to create a new brand.

Chancellor Stephen Higgs says the University undertook an extensive consultation process with its community  students, staff, alumni, prospective students, parents, international partners and rankings agencies.

We have listened to the submissions from that consultation  there is strong support for this change.

We are continuing Otagos proud history, as New Zealands first university, of continuing to dare to lead the way.

We are particularly privileged to have created this new brand in collaboration with mana whenua and the Council would like to thank Te Runanga o Otakou and Kati Huirapa Runaka ki Puketeraki.

Almost three quarters of those surveyed by the University supported the proposed brand as reflecting the Universitys future direction. More than two-thirds supported both the English and te reo Maori version initially proposed.

We have also made changes as a result of hearing from our community, Mr Higgs adds.

Our heritage and our future are both key elements to our future success. Therefore, our present Coat of Arms and a newly-created stylised version of our Coat of Arms will continue to be used in a wide variety of situations.

The new brand wont be used until May next year as the Council balances the desire for change with the current financial situation of the University. It is planned to roll out the changes over 12 months and across two financial years at a cost of $1.3 million.

Mr Higgs says cost was one of the subjects of a robust, healthy debate by the Council over several meetings before the decision was made.

We are confident that, despite alternative views, some strongly held, this decision is in the best interests of the University. The results of the consultation were, of course, a key factor in our decision.

We believe the new brand reflects the shared view of Council, and the vast majority of our community, of the importance of our relationship with mana whenua and our goal to be Te Tiriti-led. It reflects both the University today and our shared vision for the future, outlined in Vision 2040.

It also represents the other elements of Vision 2040 and the priority domains in our strategic plan, Pae Tata, to remain leaders in tertiary teaching, in world-class research, in student experience, in international connectedness, and in celebrating the success of all our staff, all supported by a contemporary, efficient, and responsive University.

The changes were outlined following a University Council meeting today:

While the name University of Otago will remain, the current te reo name will change from Te Whare Wananga o Otago , to Otakou Whakaihu Waka  a metaphor meaning A Place of Many Firsts

name will change from , to  a metaphor meaning A Place of Many Firsts The new tohu draws inspiration from Otakou channel, in Otago Harbour, which brings water, kai and life to and from the region  just as the University brings and shares knowledge across Aotearoa New Zealand. It emphasises the importance of relationships, reciprocity and the transmission of knowledge between generations

draws inspiration from channel, in Otago Harbour, which brings water, and life to and from the region  just as the University brings and shares knowledge across New Zealand. It emphasises the importance of relationships, reciprocity and the transmission of knowledge between generations The brand will be supported by a te reo Maori version used in spaces, communications or campaigns which directly celebrate or promote kaupapa Maori

version used in spaces, communications or campaigns which directly celebrate or promote The present Coat of Arms will continue to be used in a range of applications

In addition, a stylised version of our Coat of Arms has also been designed to be used in international marketing and alumni communications to reflect our history.

Mr Higgs is proud of how the University and wider community provided input and embraced the proposed changes after they were announced in March, and thanks everyone who took the time to provide their open and honest feedback.

More than 9,000 staff, students, and alumni undertook a survey on the proposed changes. A full report on the consultation is being released to the community today.

For more information please contact:

Matiu Workman

Senior Strategic Adviser Maori (External Engagement)

University of Otago

Mob +64 21 288 7447

Email: matiu.workman@otago.ac.nz

Ellie Rowley

Communications Adviser

University of Otago

Mob +64 21 278 8200

Email ellie.rowley@otago.ac.nz
Women of the Tibetan ethnic group celebrate the Fairy's Day at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Dec. 10, 2019. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

by Penba Lhamo

BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Prior to the peaceful liberation of Tibet in 1951, women in the region were deprived of fundamental human rights, lacking any substantial guarantees or protections of their rights.

In old Tibet, women were subjected to a deeply entrenched system of oppression. They occupied the lowest rung of society, facing subjugation from divine, governmental, and patriarchal powers. As a result, they were deprived of power, status, and meaningful participation in social affairs.

In the public sphere, explicit provisions in old Tibet prohibited women from engaging in social and political activities.

Even within the confines of their families, women in Tibet found themselves in subordinate roles, devoid of economic autonomy and lacking access to education.

Following the launch of the epochal democratic reform in Tibet in 1959, which abolished the serfdom system, particularly after the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region, there has been significant progress in establishing the rule of law. This progress has led to the development of human and women's rights, which are now protected and governed by laws.

A comprehensive framework of laws and local regulations has created a conducive environment for women in this region, offering increased opportunities and favorable conditions for their development. Of particular significance, the measures for implementing the Law on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women in Tibet, together with other relevant local legislation, act as crucial guards to ensure the right to development for women in Tibet in diverse areas, including politics, economy, culture, society, and family.

The people's government of the Tibet Autonomous Region has enacted a series of normative documents that serve as crucial legal and policy safeguards for the development of women in the region. These documents cover various aspects such as gender equality assessment, healthcare, personal safety, labor and employment, and maternity protection.

Plans have been designed to ensure women's rights to development through various strategic measures. These include expanding the availability of public services, implementing poverty eradication initiatives, enhancing the quality of education, fostering educational equity, promoting employment opportunities and entrepreneurship, reducing income inequality, and establishing a more equitable and sustainable social security system.

According to regional official statistics, by the end of 2022, women civil servants constituted 32.96 percent of the total civil servant workforce in the region. In terms of education, the situation of women in old Tibet was dire, with over 95 percent of them illiterate. In 2020, the proportion of female students in primary and junior high schools in Tibet stood at approximately 49 percent of the total number of students in these schools, and the number of female students in higher education, postgraduate education, and adult higher education remained above 50 percent of the total number.

By 2021, the average life expectancy in Tibet reached 72.19 years, compared to 35.5 years recorded in 1951. Efforts in the development and protection of women's groups have yielded positive outcomes as well. For instance, the Women's Federation of Tibet Autonomous Region implemented an initiative for women's poverty alleviation. Through dedicated efforts, this federation secured training funds that amounted to over 21 million yuan (around 2.9 million U.S. dollars) and conducted skills training programs. As a result, approximately 27,000 impoverished women received employment support, contributing to their economic empowerment.

The government has implemented proactive measures to ensure that women in Tibet have equal access to resources and opportunities. This includes the incorporation of provisions specifically addressing women's rights to development. Furthermore, targeted initiatives have been implemented, addressing issues of inequality in the right to development.

Collaborative endeavors in governance have been instrumental in elevating the overall level of social security, thereby strengthening the right to development for women in Tibet. Notable improvements have been made in the social security system, encompassing crucial aspects such as maternity protection, pension, unemployment insurance, and other forms of social welfare.

These advancements have provided women in Tibet with enhanced rights and opportunities, and their equal access to economic resources, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurial support was thus ensured. Enditem

(Editor's note: Penba Lhamo is a researcher at the National Institute of International Strategy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency.)

Editor: WXL
The United National Movement has emphasized the necessity of establishing an investigative commission in Parliament to address the matter of overcoming the President's veto.According to the chairman of the faction, Tina Bokuchava, the majority did not have enough deputies to vote to overcome the veto."Very often, the majority does not have a quorum in Parliament, and very important decisions are made against the background of unauthorized sessions. Among them was the decision to overcome the veto of the President, which concerned a very important state institution - the election administration. We believe that a special commission should be created to study this issue," she said.Mamuka Mdinaradze, the chairman of the faction the Georgian Dream, responded to Bokuchava and asked to familiarize with the regulations. He noted that the chairman of the parliamentary group/faction can express a claim regarding the voting by following the relevant procedure.The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili, held a meeting with the President of the German Bundestag, Barbel Bas.The focus of the discussion was on the existing relations between Georgia and Germany, as well as the potential for future cooperation.Acknowledgment was made of Germany's contribution to Georgia's institutional and socio-economic transformation, along with their support in implementing reforms that pave the way for European Union membership.The meeting emphasized the progress Georgia has made towards EU accession, including ongoing reforms aligned with the recommendations of the European Council. Germany's unwavering support for Georgia's aspirations to join the EU was highly valued. The Prime Minister reiterated the government's firm commitment to European integration and highlighted Georgia's endeavors to fulfill the 12-point recommendations of the European Commission.The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the President of the German Bundestag for Germany's support in safeguarding Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and policy of non-recognition. The significance of Germany's involvement in the EU observation mission and their active participation in the implementation of the NATO-Georgia essential package, both in terms of expertise and financial support, was underscored.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed the refusal of the German government to supply Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles Taurus, European Pravda said with reference to Tagesspiegel.

"If individual partners do this [supply long-range missiles], this is their sovereign decision. We do not intend to change our position," Pistorius said on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius.

He reportedly said that he sees no reason to criticize Germany, since his country, together with the United States, provides Ukraine with the most assistance. "Without us, the air defense of Ukraine would have been impossible at all," Pistorius added.

As reported, at the end of May, Ukraine turned to Germany with a request for the supply of Taurus cruise missiles with a range of up to 500 km. Earlier in Vilnius, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the transfer of missiles to Ukraine, which will allow striking deep behind enemy lines.
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Cape Town, South Africa (PANA)  South Africa will host the 2023 BRICS Political Party Plus Dialogue under the theme, BRICS and Africa: Partnership for mutually accelerated growth, sustainable development and inclusive growth
A Polish Press Agency (PAP) correspondent has been barred from entering Belarus for five years.

Justyna Prus had worked for PAP in Belarus since 2016 reporting on political and social issues including the 2020 protests against the presidential election results and the 2021 migration crisis.

During her time in the country she had had the required accreditation from the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Despite this, Belarus's State Security Service has now decided to ban her from the country.

Prus received the banning document from the Belarusian border services. The notification gave no reason for the ban, citing only the legal basis permitting foreign nationals to be in Belarus.

On July 1, the Minsk authorities announced that President Alexander Lukashenko had signed a law providing for media to be barred from countries carrying out "unfriendly activities" against Belarusian media.

Journalist organisations have said Belarus is currently one of the most dangerous countries for reporters to operate in.

Following the protests in 2020 and 2021, the authorities eliminated independent Belarusian media and many journalists left the country. Thirty four Belarusian journalists are currently in detention on various charges. (PAP)

ej/md
Hellenic Post (ELTA), the state-owned provider of postal services in Greece, has introduced additional robots, chutes and induction stations from robotic parcel sortation technology company LiBiao at its sorting center in Athens.

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A total of 120 LiBiao autonomous mobile robots (AMR) were deployed at the sorting center. They can scan each parcels barcode, weigh the package and, directed by sensors, empty it into the appropriate mail sack situated around the platform on which the robots travel.

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With the additional robots, ELTA can now handle close to 125,000 parcels weighing up to 10kg every day and, because each robot only needs to be recharged for five minutes every four hours, on-site power consumption and energy costs are minimized. Based on the performance of the first phase of the installation, ELTA expects this latest investment to pay for itself within two years.

According to the partners, the investment means throughput capacity at the Athens facility has been significantly increased and enables ELTA to provide next-day delivery services to several additional destinations throughout Greece. Since the parcel sorting function was handed over to the LiBiao robots, the process is three times faster, ensuring next-day delivery; errors have been virtually eliminated.

Initially introduced as part of ELTAs digital restructuring program, which was established to tackle the growing number of parcels generated by the growth of online shopping, the AMR-based sortation solution has reportedly enabled ELTA to improve the efficiency of its workforce by assigning personnel to more productive tasks.

Before the LiBiao sorting system went live, ELTA had undertaken parcel sorting manually  which the company found to be time-consuming and labor-intensive. It was also prone to errors, which caused parcels to be delayed. Late deliveries were costly for the company.

Evi Arguriadou, ELTAs head of sorting operations, commented, Since the introduction of robotic technology, our Athens facility has come to be regarded as a center of excellence within our industry. We regularly host visits from executives from other parcel delivery service companies across Europe who are interested in the technology we have deployed. We are happy and proud to do so.

Xia Hulling, founder and CEO of LiBiao Robotics, commented, The initial installation at ELTA and the recent extension highlight perfectly why LiBiao AMR-based sortation technology is proving an attractive alternative to the high capex fixed tilt-tray and crossbelt conveyor-based systems that have historically been used within many busy parcel and e-commerce operations. With no fixed infrastructure requirements, modular AMR-based systems are scalable and offer complete flexibility, with additional robots easily introduced as and when they are needed. I am pleased to say that several of the companies that have visited ELTAs Athens site to see the system in operation for themselves have become LiBiao customers too!

Read more key technology updates from the parcel and postal technology industry, here.
Photo: (Photo : Clay LeConey on Unsplash)

California, known for its scenic beauty and vibrant cities, is grappling with a homelessness crisis of unprecedented proportions. Despite spending a staggering $17.5 billion over the course of four years to combat the issue, the state's homeless population has actually increased. This alarming trend raises questions about the effectiveness of the state's interventions and the underlying causes of the problem.

According to federal data, half of all Americans living on the streets can be found in California. The state's homeless population has surpassed 170,000 individuals, and the numbers continue to rise. The dire situation has sparked frustration among the public, which expected tangible progress in addressing the crisis.

California Needs 2.5 Million More Units to Tackle Homelessness

Jason Elliott, senior adviser on homelessness to Governor Gavin Newsom, acknowledges the widespread disappointment but defends the state's efforts.

According to CNN, he argues that without these interventions, the problem would have been even worse. However, critics question the allocation of funds, suggesting that the $17.5 billion could have been used to cover rent for every unhoused person in California during that period.

Elliott rebuts this notion, stating that the issue goes beyond merely paying rent. Many homeless individuals face significant behavioral health challenges, making a comprehensive approach necessary. Studies reveal that two-thirds of the people living on the streets in California exhibit symptoms of mental health disorders, highlighting the complexity of the problem.

A recent study dispels the myth that individuals migrate to California for homeless assistance. Most homeless people in the state were once housed within its borders, underscoring the need to address the issue locally rather than shifting blame or responsibility.

To combat homelessness, California has allocated a total of $20.6 billion, with $4 billion designated for mental health services and the remainder for various initiatives.

One program, Project Homekey, has funded the conversion of motels and commercial buildings into permanent, affordable housing, resulting in the completion of 13,500 units. However, these efforts fall short of the scale required to reverse the rising tide of homelessness.

The shortage of affordable housing remains a central challenge. Elliott stresses the need for an additional 2.5 million housing units in California, a problem resulting from decades of policy choices made by both Republicans and Democrats. Local governments, responsible for housing and zoning decisions, often hinder affordable housing construction. The state has resorted to suing wealthier cities that impede progress in this area.

Read Also: Girl Donates Birthday Money to Homeless Man After He Returned Her Grandma's Wallet

Study Emphasizes Permanent Housing Solutions

Dr. Margot Kushel, director of the UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations conducted a comprehensive study of homelessness in California. The study challenges several myths, including the notion that many unhoused individuals prefer life on the streets. Participants overwhelmingly expressed a desire for permanent housing. Additionally, the study debunks the belief that homeless individuals flock to California from other states.

The focus on mental health is an integral part of California's strategy. Governor Newsom unveiled a plan to reform the broken mental health system, including court-ordered treatment programs for those resistant to assistance. Nevertheless, the primary issue remains economic, with high rental costs leaving many unable to afford housing.

While the Newsom administration has dedicated unprecedented resources to tackle homelessness, the state acknowledges the need for federal support. With only one housing voucher available for every four Americans in need, affordable housing must become a national guarantee.

As California grapples with the homelessness crisis, the lack of available housing and the complexities of mental health challenges continue to impede progress. The state is striving to find comprehensive solutions while local governments, public opinion, and experts debate the most effective path forward. The underlying message remains clear: California needs a multifaceted approach to address the root causes of homelessness and ensure that every resident has access to stable housing.

Related Article: California Earthquake Leaves Family Homeless Before Christmas, Yet Mortgage Payments Persist
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the NATO summit in Vilnius on Wednesday morning, during which the inaugural meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council will be held.

The head of the Ukrainian state arrived at the summit together with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov, head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak, an Interfax-Ukraine agency correspondent reported.

According to the President, the agenda will include new military support packages to support the Ukrainian army on the battlefield; an invitation to NATO and security guarantees for Ukraine.

Speaking about the issue of inviting Ukraine to NATO, Zelenskyy said: "And today, what we hear and understand is that we will have this invitation [to NATO] when security measures allow. I want to discuss all these things with our partners."

According to information published on the Alliance's website, a joint press conference will be held at 12:45 following Zelenskyy's bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

The meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council "at the level of heads of state and Government, including Sweden" will be held at 13:00 on July 12.
Photo: (Photo : Gayatri Malhotra on Unsplash)

Late Tuesday night, Iowa Republicans successfully passed a bill that would ban most abortions after six weeks, significantly reshaping the reproductive rights legal landscape in the state. During a one-day special legislative session that Republican Governor Kim Reynolds called in order to pass "pro-life" legislation, the bill received largely bipartisan support.

Governor Reynolds wasted no time in expressing her intention to sign the bill into law on Friday. If the legislation is not blocked by the courts, it will go into effect immediately after her signature. This could leave abortion clinics in Iowa and women with scheduled appointments in a state of uncertainty, as the current law allows abortions in the state until the 20th week of pregnancy.

Abortion Clinics, Women Left in Limbo as Iowa's 6-Week Ban Could Take Immediate Effect

Under the newly passed bill, abortions would be banned at six weeks of pregnancy, which is around the time a fetal pulse can be detected via ultrasound.

According to NBC News, the legislation does include exceptions for cases where the life of the woman is at risk, as well as for miscarriages and fetal abnormalities deemed incompatible with life by a physician.

Furthermore, the bill contains exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. However, for these exceptions to apply, the rape must have been reported to law enforcement or a health agency within 45 days, and the incest must have been reported within 140 days.

The passage of the bill followed a 15-hour special legislative session, during which passionate arguments were presented both in favor of and against the measure. Protesters, including Democratic legislators and reproductive rights groups, held large demonstrations throughout the day at the state Capitol.

Opponents of the bill emphasized that abortion is normal, safe, and essential healthcare. They argued against turning Iowa into a theocracy and raised concerns about doctors leaving the state due to the potential loss of their ability to provide reproductive health care.

Supporters of the ban voiced their belief in the sanctity of life and the importance of protecting the unborn. They argued that life begins at conception and that the Bible supports their position.

Read Also: Washington Bill Allows Transgender Minors Gender-Affirming Procedures, Abortion Even Without Parents' Consent

Legal Challenges Loom as Reproductive Rights Groups Vow to Fight Iowa's Abortion Ban

The passage of this restrictive legislation is expected to have significant implications for the 2024 presidential race. As Iowa hosts the first Republican caucuses, candidates will face questions about their stance on the ban. While conservative evangelical Christians, a crucial voting bloc in Iowa, tend to support stronger abortion restrictions, polling indicates that a majority of voters nationally and in Iowa believe in the right to abortion.

Reproductive rights groups, including Planned Parenthood, have expressed their intention to challenge the law in court. They assert that the fight for safe and legal abortion and reproductive healthcare is far from over and that they will explore all available options to protect bodily autonomy in Iowa.

The new bill closely resembles a six-week ban that the Iowa Supreme Court permanently overturned last month. However, if the new law goes into effect, it could face legal challenges that could lead to a different outcome, particularly if a full state Supreme Court weighs in on the matter.

Related Article: Nebraska Governor to Sign Contentious Bill: 12-Week Abortion Ban, Curbs on Gender-Affirming Care
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We spent much of today in quest of humpback whales. And pretty successfully, too. Its difficult (for non-specialists, anyway) to distinguish individual whales, but we saw at least half a dozen of them off in the distance, and at least four (including at least one mother and a calf) up very close to our boat. And we saw maybe two dozen Steller sea lions. Beautiful, clear, crisp weather and a calm sea. There are worse ways of spending several hours.

Among my purchases during our recent month in England were several very small volumes from a series entitled Little Books of Guidance. I found them in a rural church that some of my wifes ancestors had almost certainly once attended, in a village located not far from Cheltenham.

The one from which Ill be drawing for this blog entry (in part, though not entirely) is James D. G. Dunn, Why believe in Jesus Resurrection? (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2016). The author, James D. G. Dunn, who holds both a Ph.D. and a D.D. from the University of Cambridge, is Emeritus Lightfoot Professor of Divinity at the University of Durham and a Fellow of the British Academy. He has been a prolific and important author on the New Testament over the course of a very distinguished career. I begin with a direct quotation from him:

The earliest Christian testimony is straightforward and clear. During the Passover celebrations in Jerusalem Jesus had been arrested, tried and condemned to be crucified (Mark 14-15). All four Gospels agree that Joseph of Arimathea, a respected councillor, took the responsibility of asking the Roman Governor, Pilate, for his permission to bury the body of the crucified Jesus. Permission granted, Joseph took Jesus body down from the cross, wrapped it in a linen shroud, and laid it in a tomb hewn in the rock which he had prepared for his own burial. The entrance to the tomb was then covered by a great stone. This is the basic story on which all four Evangelists agree, with varied details which simply indicate how varied was the retelling of the story and raise no questions as to the reliability of the primary detail. Most striking is the fact that Joseph of Arimathea, an evidently respected figure, is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament. This probably increases the credibility of the account. It was not the burial which was controversial, but what happened thereafter. (26)

And what was it that happened thereafter? Professor Dunn focuses particularly on the fact that, within somewhat less than forty-eight hours, the tomb of Jesus was found to be empty:

The key fact, that the tomb was empty, remains undisputed. (29) So, what are we to make of all this? The first Christians, of course, were convinced that Jesus had been raised from the dead. This quickly became one of their basic confessions: that God had raised Jesus from the dead on the third day. This indeed was the central claim of the earliest Christian preaching, and it was acceptance of this claim and belief in/commitment to this risen Lord Jesus which was the principal bond binding Jew and Gentile alike in the formation of the earliest churches. (30)

One explanation, and apparently the first, dates back right to the beginning. According to the Gospel of Matthew (chapter 28), the Jewish authorities immediately began to claim that the disciples of Jesus had stolen his body from the tomb.

The problem with this explanation for the spread of the belief that Jesus had been raised from the dead is obvious. If Jesus disciples had removed Jesus dead body from Josephs tomb, they would have had to rebury it in another tomb. They certainly would not have disposed of it by simply throwing it into some burial site for vagrants and criminals. But if another tomb or burial site is to be considered, what one, and where? Given that the Jesus movement began to take off soon after, it is entirely unlikely that Jesus disciples would just ignore the site where his body lay. On the contrary, and inevitably, the place or tomb of burial of such a revered teacher would have become a sacred site. How could the first Christians have failed to want to honour the site where Jesus body lay? But no other site has been identified. It hardly makes sense to replace the incredibility of resurrection with the incredibility of another burial site which no one care enough to remember, mark or honour. (32)

Note that the apparent Jewish explanation acknowledges that the tomb of Jesus was, in fact, empty by the morning of the third day. Moreover, although Professor Dunn doesnt raise this issue, it seems difficult to imagine a group of wily conspirators marching to brutal martyrdoms on behalf not only of a hoax, but on behalf of something that they knew full well to be a hoax because they themselves had perpetrated it.

But on, now to a second proposed explanation:

The puzzle, then  if not that tomb, then where and what burial or disposal place?  points more to the authenticity of the Gospels own empty tomb story than to any other explanation. There is an alternative suggestion  that it was the wrong tomb to which the women came. But that can hardly be fitted into the data which has come down to us. There is a distinctiveness about the account of Joseph of Arimatheas role which is hard to escape, and similarly the concern of the women to ensure that Jesus body was properly anointed. And the question as to where Jesus body really was finally laid still poses an inescapable problem. For if Jesus tomb was actually undisturbed, then it is hardly possible to credit that nobody pointed this out, that no agents of the high priests sought out Jesus actual burial site and exposed the falsehood of Jesus disciples claim. So that alternative explanation seems to be even less credible than the former. (33)

A third option seems to presume that the Romans, who were well experienced in the art of crucifying people, proved singularly incompetent in the case of Jesus:

And much the same verdict has to be given to a third explanation  that Jesus had not really died and had recovered sufficiently to escape from the tomb and to convince his disciples that he was alive (again). But it is hardly more persuasive as an explanation of the earliest Christian belief in Jesus resurrection. That Jesus did in fact die on the cross makes best sense, given the horrific scourging and beatings to which he had been subjected. The spear-thrust of the Roman soldier into the side of the crucified Jesus, according to John 19.34-35, would have hastened that death. Even if he had recovered while lying in the tomb, it is scarcely credible that he could have freed himself from any burial wrappings or been able from the inside to roll back the stone covering the mouth of the tomb. And would a half-dead Jesus have been able to persuade his followers that he had actually risen from the dead? Nor should we forget that the same problem just discussed re-emerges here too. For if Jesus had simply recovered from his scourging and crucifixion, then he would have had to die some time thereafter. And we are back to the problem that no (other) tomb or resting place for Jesus body can be identified with any credibility. (33-34)

Obviously, of course, one can simply dismiss the four Gospels and the authentic letters of the apostle Paul and announce that the whole thing is fiction. Discarding the primary sources is a remarkably efficient way of doing history; it allows the liberated historian to claim absolutely anything with no fear of contradiction. If the New Testament documents are treated seriously as historical sources, though  even if not necessarily as scriptural text, but simply the same way that one would weigh Tacitus or Suetonius or Flavius Josephus  they pose a problem to disbelievers:

So, on balance, it seems hard to contradict the Gospels accounts that the tomb where Jesus dead body was laid was subsequently (two days later) found to be empty. Of course, the whole story could be dismissed as made up and untrue. But if its testimony is taken seriously, then despite individual oddities, it is hard to escape the conclusion: that on the Sunday following Jesus crucifixion, the tomb in which his dead body had been laid was found to be empty. (34) For a tomb to be found empty, and only two days after a body had been placed in it, the most obvious answer to the puzzle would seem to be one of the three that have just been discussed. It was empty because the body had been removed/stolen. It was empty because it was the wrong tomb. It was empty because Jesus had recovered sufficiently to escape from the tomb. But if these explanations of the empty tomb lack credibility, [what then]? (35)

Posted from Victoria, British Columbia
Steves Seven-Minute Rebuttal: Marys Immaculate Conception, Bodily Assumption, Perpetual Virginity, and Calling God Her Savior

Steve Christie was raised Catholic and attended Catholic schools up through college. He became a Protestant in 2004 at age 34, and is a frequent lecturer at Protestant churches and events, has led home Bible studies for sixteen years, and is a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Toledo, Ohio. He has participated in many oral debates with Catholics, and authored the self-published book, Why Protestant Bibles Are Smaller: A Defense of the Protestant Old Testament Canon in 2019. If my memory is correct, I have not interacted with him until now.

*****

See the first installment:

Reply to Steve Christie on Catholic Mariology (Part I: Steves 15-Minute Opening Statement, Covering the Perpetual Virginity, Immaculate Conception, & Bodily Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) [7-10-23]

I will be responding to Steves portions of his two hour long audio debate with Catholic apologist Trent Horn (it originally appeared on Pints with Aquinas with Matt Fradd): posted in transcript on the Catholic Answers website (5-2-22), under the title, Debate: Do the Marian Dogmas Contradict Scripture? I have not read Trents replies, so mine can be completely fresh. Steves words will be in blue. My biblical citations are from RSV, unless otherwise noted.

This is a response to Steves seven-minute rebuttal.

As I had mentioned, the way a dogma can contradict scripture is if its explicit, implicit, or partial. For example, a Mormon dogma that says that Jesus is not God contradicts scripture explicitly, such as in John 20:28, when Thomas sees Jesus and calls him, My Lord and my God. Implicitly would be liberal Catholics and Protestants who condone abortion, which contradicts scripture stating that life begins at conception, and scripture condemns the shedding of innocent blood. And another is a partial contradiction, such as the dogma of Jehovahs Witnesses on the identity of Jesus. While scripturally affirming Jesus is the son of God, they contradict scripture by claiming that Jesus is Michael the archangel, because scripture affirms Michael is a created being while Jesus is the eternal deity. And this is what I did in the opening statement.

And I believe I refuted all of those assertions in my reply. Id be interested  as always in all my debates and dialogues  to see a counter-reply from Steve.

When the Bible talks about all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, as I mentioned in my opening statement, its a Greek word pas, which means, everyone, which would include Mary. There is no exception there.

This is untrue, as I documented from Scripture. Steve needs to check up on the Greek lexicons in this regard.

this argument [is the] logical fallacy referred to as the argument by exception.

The fallacy has to do with general principles or generalizations. An article on this, on the site Lean Logic, states:

The argument that a principle is contradicted (not merely qualified) by exceptions. The possibility of understanding an issue can be blocked by an instance in which it does not apply. Example: Too many exams make children depressed and demoralised. Not at allour Prudence loves her exams!

Catholics need not deny the general principle that pas very often means absolutely all / all without exception. This is true. But it can also mean most, with exceptions. Most biblical words have multiple meanings, and can also be used figuratively or hyperbolically. That it can indeed literally mean most in the Bible has been shown with examples, and by lexical references. An exception is an exception, and that is precisely our argument, that Mary, therefore, could very well be (and we say, is) one such exception. Here are five more examples where all clearly doesnt mean absolutely all without exception (lest anyone doubt it):

all men marveled (Mk 5:20) all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ (Lk 3:15) Woe to you, when all men speak well of you (Lk 6:26) all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (Jn 13:35) all men praised God for what had happened (Acts 4:21)

And of course, [Catholics] might say, Well, what about Jesus? Well, as I mentioned, the Bibles explicit [when] it says that Jesus is an exception. It says that, actually, I believe in First Corinthians.

And the angel Gabriel said that Mary was full of grace which means (when analyzed from Pauls usage: argumentation that I provided last time) without sin. Thats an explicit passage, too, indicating that she is an exception to the rule.

Elijah and Enoch . . . were assumed bodily into heaven, but they had inherited original sin, just as Mary did.

Citing them with regard to Marys Assumption is a partial analogy. The similarity is bodily going up to heaven in an extraordinary way. It doesnt follow that everything about them  including having original sin  is analogous to Mary. Therefore, Mary could have died first, like the Two Witnesses in Revelation (another analogy).

[Trent] had mentioned about, in the book of Jude, about Moses [actually the archangel Michael] and the devil contending for the body, . . . it doesnt say anything about him being bodily assumed or anything.

Jude 9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, disputed about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a reviling judgment upon him, but said, The Lord rebuke you. Deuteronomy 34:5-6 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD, [6] and he buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor; but no man knows the place of his burial to this day.

Expositors Greek Testament (on the former passage) notes Further details in Josephus (Ant. 4:8, 48) [as he was going to embrace Eleazar and Joshua, and was still discoursing with them, a cloud stood over him on the sudden, and he disappeared in a certain valley], . . ., Philo i. p. 165, and Clem[ent of] Al[exandria]. (Str. vi.  132, p. 807) [Book VI, ch. 15] where it is said that Caleb and Joshua witnessed the assumption of Moses to heaven, while his body was buried in the clefts of the mountain. There was such a tradition mentioned both by historians and by Clement of Alexandria (also, Origen). We know that Moses died on earth, from the Bible, so if he was also assumed, then it is directly analogous to Mary (death followed by an assumption into heaven).

Bengels Gnomen states: It matters not whether the apostle received the knowledge of this contention from revelation only, or from the tradition of the elders: it is sufficient that he writes true things, and even admitted to be true by the brethren.

*

I had mentioned about the immaculate conception not being declared ex cathedra because this was before Vatican I in 1870 that declared that when a Pope declared something ex cathedra, then its considered infallible. But the immaculate conception was declared 15 years or so before that.

*

The time is irrelevant; all that matters is whether the declaration contained in essence the authoritative nature that is the same as what Vatican I describes as an infallible utterance (it certainly did). The declaration of papal infallibility in 1870 dealt with the developing authority of the papacy all through history, which was then made a dogma. It doesnt mean that the power existed only after 1870; only that it was then made a required dogmatic belief.

*

Trent had mentioned about Mary and her Magnificat saying, God, my savior, and she was referring back to Hannah. But again, this is another argument by exception because even if shes referring back to Hannah, the debate is about how these dogmas, whether or not theyre  how theyre used in scripture. And in the New Testament, the specific Greek word for savior is used about two dozen in times, and every time that its used in scripture, in the New Testament, it always refers to God or Jesus being a savior of salvation and saving someone from sins, which is why I brought up Acts chapter five and The Epistle of Titus.

*

Its simply not true that every time the word savior is mentioned in the Bible, that it is explicitly spelled out as meaning saving someone from sins. But even if it did say that in all instances, we reply that Jesus saved Mary from her sins by preventing them from ever occurring, at her conception. Its still saving her from her sins. If, for example, someone locked a thoroughly drunk person (an alcoholic) who wanted to drive, in a closet, that would be saving him or her from a potential fatal accident.

Keeping alcohol away from the same person is saving them from their besetting sin: drunkenness, much more so than black coffee and a cold shower getting them sober after the fact. Sessions at Alcoholics Anonymous can save an alcoholic from his or her sins. So can disallowing them to have alcohol in the first place. Both involve saving them.

The phrase, save his people from their sins occurs, apparently, only once in the Bible: in Matthew 1:21 (in RSV). Steve mentioned Acts 5. 5:31 states: God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. There is a very real sense in which that can apply to Mary, too. She was subject to inheriting original sin, as a member of the human race, that had been fallen since Adam. God simply took away at her conception what would have been inevitable, had He not done it. In that sense, then, in effect, He forgave her of original sin. Had original sin not been inevitable in her case, He wouldnt have had to do that to preserve her from it. But in so doing he saved her from the sin and is thus properly called by Mary, her savior. In fact, I contend that Mary was saved more completely or thoroughly than any human being has ever been saved. She, above all, can and did call God her savior since she received more grace for salvation and a life without actual sin, than anyone else ever has. It was 100% grace and 100% monergistic, since Mary couldnt even accept it in faith (it being the moment of her conception).

Interestingly, Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, under Saviour, never mentions the word sin. Now, Im not denying that there is any connection (dont get me wrong!), but its fascinating that when a work of this sort defines the word Savior, sin doesnt appear (nor does forgive[ness]). Here is the entire definition

Nor does the word sin appear in the entry for Saviour in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ed. James Orr, 1939). Kittels Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Abridged ed., p. 1135) notes the varying conceptions that savior or being saved can have:

Mk. 8:35 and parallels refer to the saving and losing of life with an eschatological reference. In Mk. 10:26 being saved is equivalent to entering the kingdom or entering or inheriting life. . . . Lk. 13:23 equates salvation with entering the kingdom.

Here are those passages:

Mark 8:35 For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospels will save it. * Mark 10:24-27 . . . But Jesus said to them again, Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! [25] It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. [26] And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, Then who can be saved? [27] Jesus looked at them and said, With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God. * Luke 13:23-24 And some one said to him, Lord, will those who are saved be few? And he said to them, [24] Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

Its a subtle point to grasp, but a very real (and explicit) one. Savior in Scripture doesnt always (technically) mean saved the people from their [existing] sins. Kittel was noting that it can simply mean entering the kingdom. If thats true, then this would be consistent with the state of affairs in Marys case. God saved her by allowing her to enter the kingdom, by virtue of removing inevitable original sin from her, resulting in her not actually sinning as well. That is saving her, and to a greater degree than for any of us. Therefore, so she can call Him her savior (and its why she did so in fact). In other words, salvation is not restricted to removal of existing sins. Case closed!

*

Is there any example in the New Testament where Jesus is referred to as a preemptive savior, as opposed to as a redemptive and redeeming savior? And hes not.

*

I would say that there are such examples, at least in a sense. Notice that Steve smuggles in a false dichotomy in how he expresses things. Being preemptive is not intrinsically opposed to redemption and salvation. The time when something happens is not of its essence. Its a secondary, accidental quality. So, for example, when Jesus talks to the rich young ruler, he tells him that he can enter the kingdom by giving away all his possessions. Therefore, it is that act (had he done it) that would have saved him.

*

Jesus preemptively told him what he had to do to be saved, and that this act would indeed save him. Mark 8:35 above is a general application of the same idea (if you do x, you will save yourself). As noted last time (but repetition is a great teacher), God preemptively saved the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah, and the Apostle Paul:

Isaiah 49:1 . . . The LORD called me from the womb, . . . Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations. (KJV: sanctified thee) Galatians 1:15 . . . he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, None of the three men could have consented in an act of will before they were born. Therefore, God saved them by giving them these graces that prevented them from falling from salvation or grace.

So again, argument by exception.

*

No; argument from Scripture: from scores of passages that Protestants habitually ignore. Steve is the one who is trying to make out that words always mean exactly the same thing in the Bible. They almost never function tat way, and Savior is no different.

*

So if Mary died, which the dogma, the bodily assumption in 1950 strongly implies, this demonstrates Mary inherited original sin from Adam.

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I went through this last time. Jesus died, and He had no sin at all; He couldnt possibly have had either original or actual sin (impeccability). So if He can die, so can Mary, in imitation of Him.

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Theres nothing in scripture that states that Mary was an exception to this.

*

Theres nothing in Scripture that says that there must be explicit Scripture for every doctrine, or even indirect / deduced Scripture. So where does Steve get this notion from? Well, its a Protestant extrabiblical tradition of men. Catholics argue that all Catholic beliefs are and must be in harmony with Scripture; not necessarily always mentioned in it (though usually they are in some fashion).

*

Having clarified that issue, I contend again that in fact there is Scripture that suggests her immaculate conception: full of grace (kecharitomene) in Luke 1:28. Being full of grace could include original sin (I see nothing in the Bible that precludes that possibility), since it is an antithesis of grace, too (having been the ultimate origin of all sin), and Paul teaches that grace wipes out sin, just as water in a glass wipes out the air previously present, and if it is full of water, no air is left at all. So it is with grace and sin, including original sin in Marys case.

*

Trent made the comment about the word until thats used in Second Samuel, but it uses the word [Greek 00:37:31], not [Greek 00:37:31]. Same with Matthew 28. It uses [Greek 00:37:34], not [Greek 00:37:36].

*

I dont know the Greek words involved, but it doesnt affect my point. The important thing is the idea in Hebrew culture, of referring to a state of affairs up until a point of time, but not necessarily (or not possibly, when death is involved) referring to the time after that particular point. If scriptural analogies illustrate that principle, then it follows that the same dynamic can apply in Matthew 1:25 too.

*

As far as adelphos, I dont have a problem with the word adelphos, but my question is, why would you abandon its primary meaning for another meaning when it doesnt demand it?

*

We do it when context and cross-referencing require or demand it. Because Steve has largely ignored the other relevant data, he sees a difficulty. He has to deal with the exegetical argument which virtually proves, at a minimum, that James and Joseph were Jesus cousins of some sort. If that is granted, then it proves that adelphos was used for non-sibling relative. Cousins were called brothers: just as we often use brother non-literally in English. In the last few days, I can remember calling fellow Catholics or apologists brothers.

*

[Trent] used a comment about Jesus being the son of Mary. So does that mean that Mary could have had daughters because it says, the son of Mary?

*

If that were the case, the Bible never says so, so it is an argument from silence, as far as the biblical data is concerned. As I stated in my first reply (and it bears repeating):
According to tradition Bardaisan, or sometimes Bardesanes, was born into a wealthy pagan family in Edessa (today Sanliufa, Turkey) today, on July 11th, 154 in our common era. He was educated with the princes of the Abgar dynasty. He became a Christian and was ordained a priest within the Syriac church. Later he served as an advisor to the royal court. With the fall of Abgar IX, he fled to present day Armenia. He died there in 222.

In addition to being a scholar and a poet, Bardaisan was an enthusiastic evangelist and attracted a significant number of followers.

Today we know of him almost entirely through his opponents. So, much of it is through a glass darkly. What we can be sure of is that in his time and for years after his death Bardaisan was an influential theologian, philosopher and poet. Much of his poetry was turned into hymns. And he and a son are considered among the great hymnists of that time.

Theologically Bardaisan was a syncretist, weaving a unique teaching. He attempted to reconcile Christianity with aspects of Greek philosophy, astrology, and it seems Eastern religious ideas. He was a sort of gnostic, at least by the broad definitions of our time. There is an association with Valentinians. I like that depending on who I looked at he was a Valentinian or an anti-Valentinian. Or, perhaps both at different times in his life.

Like many Christians before the Pauline dominance, Bardaisan taught a complicated cosmology. While he seemed ultimately to be a monist, his world was one of a cosmic duality between light and dark. His Jesus was the divine revealer and savior. And Christs incarnation and teachings were to redeem humanity from the malign influence of the darkness. Also different from what we usually call gnostics, Bardaisan believed in free will and was opposed to asceticism, at least its excessive forms.

What first caught my attention is that he had a deep interest in India and wrote a now lost book about it. And he seems to have interviewed both Hindu and Buddhist monastics. Porphyry writes of Bardaisan representing the Roman emperor (whether it was Elagabalus or someone else is not clear) meeting an official delegation of Bramins and Samanaeans.

Lacking nearly any of his writings, where these meetings led, and how dharmic religions influenced Bardaisans teachings, we probably will never be able to unravel. From what we do know his teachings are generally similar to Valentianism. He appears to have taught a form of reincarnation, and according to Illaria Ramelli may have been among the first Christians to advocate for the ultimate restoration of all souls to God, the Apokatastasis.

He had those who appreciated him for many years after his death, including Eusebius of Caesarea. Bardaisans teachings were both opposed and scholars suggest somewhat adapted by Mani as he developed the Manichean tradition. A little more than a century later Bardaisans teachings were aggressively opposed on his home turf by Ephrem the Syrian, himself an incredibly important figure in the establishment of the Syriac church. Which was probably the final nail in the teachers coffin.

His influence was quite broad for a while. But in the face of fierce opposition it has faded. So, what we get today is a shadow, hints at a very interesting spiritual and intellectual figure at the dawn of the Christian movement. Someone it would be wonderful to know more of.

And who knows, in the deserts of the Middle East there may yet be more jars stuffed with scrolls. Maybe one with a complete collection of his teachings.

We can hope

(for more about the image)
Quite simply, now is the time to buy a Thunderbolt docking station.

The argument is simple: Thunderbolt docks are finally on sale, and they havent been for several years. And were not talking about rinky-dink sales of a few dollars here and there. Discounts during this years two-day Prime Day sale are running as high as half off the Belkin Thunderbolt Dock Core, with the best Prime Day deals for Thunderbolt docks saving you close to $100.

Heres whats going on. Thunderbolt docks emerged from the shadows around 2019 or 2020 or so, as laptop makers began recognizing that the emerging USB-C port could replace the need for embedding HDMI, SD, USB-A, and other ports along the side of their laptops. Laptops could finally be thin, svelte, and look like Macs! The growing popularity of the 40Gbps Thunderbolt protocol across 10th- and 11th-gen Intel Core laptops also meant that this single USB-C port became vastly more powerful.

Cue the pandemic. Workers headed home, soon realizing that they would like to replicate their office workspace with multiple monitors and USB devices to get more done. What to do? Thunderbolt docks offered a solution: Plug in multiple 4K displays all from a single port. Demand rose. But the pandemic bit hard, here, too. With supply chains thrown out of whack, certain Thunderbolt dock components were being snapped up by electric car makers. Prices started spiking, and general availability became a problem.

About eighteen months later, things have changed. The pandemic may not be totally over, but the Thunderbolt dock supply chain has relaxed. Plugable founder Bernie Thompson told PCWorld last week that the company has tried to move its sourcing operations to Thailand to make it easier to buy and assemble docks. (China has aggressively locked down cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen, tech hubs where many computer accessories are made.)

Consumers also benefit from the desire to move on. Youll find older Thunderbolt 3 hardware like this Editors Choice award-winning Plugable TBT3-UDZ dock receive discounts, in part because the latest specification is Thunderbolt 4. But Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 are almost functionally identical, meaning that you can snap up a Thunderbolt 3 deal like day-old bread: Its really almost as good as the freshest hardware.

The trouble  which demands a separate story  is that there is a confusing mess of hardware that can fit into that USB-C port and expand your PC. This includes USB-C hubs and dongles, Thunderbolt docks, DisplayLink docks, and even high-bit-rate options that can squeeze out more performance on certain PCs. Weve tried to keep it simple, focusing on slow, cheap USB-C hubs/dongles, and the faster Thunderbolt docks.

What it all boils down to, though, is that youre finally seeing actually, honest-to-goodness sales on Thunderbolt hardware during these Prime Day sales. If you have held back from buying because you were unwilling to spend the extra money, start looking for a Thunderbolt dock deal. Things have finally changed for the better.
As someone who spends both a lot of work time and a lot of play time at my computer desk, Im incredibly picky about mice. I need something thats wireless, comfy, and has plenty of buttons for all the productive and/or stupid things I do on a daily basis. So far the best one Ive ever used is the Razer Naga Pro, which offers insane speed and interchangeable side plates for a variety of button layouts and play styles. Normally a shameful excess at $150, its a slightly-less-shameful $89.99 for the home stretch of Amazon Prime Day.

Razers Naga Pro lets you choose from three thumb button layouts: standard two-button shooter mode, 12-button MMO mode, and my personal pick, a six-button grid that splits the difference. If youre a fan of Logitechs G602 or G604, youll know why this layout is so comfy and versatile. In addition to bound game items (I tend to use the top row for melee/throwable/special ability in shooters), its useful for basic computer functions, too. I have the bottom row set to control my media, using Razers Shift function to turn the mouse wheel into a volume wheel.

The Naga Pro lasts about two weeks on a battery charge for me with lights turned off, and I can appreciate the 20,000 DPI and sub-1ms wireless connection, even if my puny human reflexes cant actually use it. The wireless mode can swap between the 2.4Ghz dongle and Bluetooth on the fly. This isnt the latest model of the Naga Pro, but the V2s upgrades arent worth $180 to me.

Get the Razer Naga Pro for $89.99 on Amazon
Government has announced that it has successfully settled all outstanding arrears owed to individual bondholders.



The Finance Ministry released a statement on Monday July 10, 2023 confirming the payment of all coupons and principals due up to June 19, as well as sending out instructions for the payment of coupons until July 10, 2023.



The government also reiterated its commitment to maintaining continuous and constructive engagement with the Coalition of Individual Bondholders Groups (CIBG) and implementing the terms outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).



The CIBG, comprised of the Ghana Individual Bondholders Forum and the Individual Bondholders Association of Ghana, had threatened to stage a protest at the Finance Ministry to demand payment of their outstanding principals and coupons after the government failed to honor the agreed payment plan.



However, the government has now fulfilled its commitment and paid all arrears on coupons for bonds maturing by May 31, 2023, as well as coupons falling due from June 1, 2023.



The Finance Ministry expressed gratitude to all bondholders for their unwavering support during this challenging period of low liquidity.



The government has expressed confidence that by working alongside all stakeholders, they will be able to restore macroeconomic stability, achieve inclusive economic growth, and transform the country.



The Ministry of Finance takes this opportunity to thank all bondholders for their continuous support during this period of tight liquidity.



Government is confident that in working with all stakeholders, we shall restore macroeconomic stability, achieve inclusive economic growth, and transform the Republic, the statement stated.



This latest development brings relief to individual bondholders who can now have confidence in the governments commitment to fulfilling its financial obligations.

Source: Vincent Kubi/Daily Guide









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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has started talks with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the NATO summit in Vilnius.

The meeting with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak has begun. Our negotiations always enhance global security! More news to come, Zelenskyy said on Twitter.
Chairman of Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Kwame Anyimadu Antwi has explained how the anti-LGBTQ+ bill came about before being laid at Parliament for it to be passed into law.



The anti-LGBTQ+ bill was laid before Parliament on Wednesday, July 5 for debate with the aim of streamlining it before it comes into effect.



All the 275 Members of Parliament have adopted the bill which has gone through first and second readings and awaits the final stage of the process.



In an interview with Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo", Hon. Kwame Anyimadu Antwi, Chairman of the framers of the bill, revealed that there were thorough stakeholder consultations on the bill before it was taken to Parliament.



According to him, the proponents of the bill had various meetings with religious leaders, psychologists, media and a section of the general public to look at the pros and cons of it; take out the parts that would infringe on the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and also look at ways to offer help to any member of this community who genuinely wants to stop.



"Some said the Bill is good and should be passed; others also disagreed and they gave their reasons," he said, disclosing that the Committee responsible for the Bill received 200 memos for consideration.



Hon. Anyimadu-Antwi, who doubles as Member of Parliament for Asante Akim Central constituency, further revealed that the Committee made trips abroad to do a detailed research before putting the Bill together.



"We had public hearing nine times. We sit in the morning and end in the evening. After all this, the Committee had to meet. Leadership of the Committee had the time to study from other countries. Due to resources, we went to only two countries; France and Hungary. For France, they have legalized it but Hungary has restrictions" against the LGBTQ+ community, he stated.



This, he said, to prove the bill encapsulates all the concerns raised by interested parties to prevent its abuse as well as the abuse of homosexuals in the country.



Watch video below





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Hon. Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, the Chairman of the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, has enlightened Ghanaians on the provisions of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill before Parliament.



The bill, which seeks to provide the framework for proper human and Ghanaian family values, awaits its final stage of consideration to be passed into law.



The Bill will criminalize all activities of the LGBTQ+ community and offenders may face a jail term or be fined or both.



Speaking in an interview on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Hon. Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi disclosed the number of years one may go into prison for committing an act of homosexuality.



He stated that, under the anti-gay law, every offence associated with homosexuality is considered as a "misdemeanor".



According to him, before classifying homosexual practices under a misdemeanor, any person found guilty of engaging in unnatural carnal knowledge was to be jailed between 6 years to 10 years.



But with this Bill, "we have proposed that it must be 3 years" for the offenders, adding "the judge has a discretion to fine the person".



The anti-LBGTQ+ bill has been taken through first and second readings at Parliament and will be laid before the House again for its final conclusion.



All Members of Parliament have unanimously adopted the bill and hope to pass it.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Seasoned Journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has added his voice to discussions on the anti-gay bill yet to be passed into law.



The bill will ensure no person engages in homosexual act nor publicly support the LGBTQ+ community.



Offenders will face a jail term or be slapped with a fine or both.



Commenting on the bill, Kwesi Pratt stated that it is of no concern to him should a man or woman choose to engage in same-sex relationships.



According to him, he is absolutely not bothered so far as their sexual preferences have no direct impact on the country.



" . .I don't want to know what you are doing on your bed. It doesn't concern me, but if what you are doing on your bed has terrible consequences on the entire nation, then we have a problem with you. However, if what you are doing on your bed or in a room doesn't affect me, doesn't increase the price of kenkey or reduce the price of petrol, it's none of my business," he told Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show.



On the flip side, Mr. Pratt cautioned against the LGBTQ+ community imposing their behaviors on the society.



To him, what will provoke his anger is where school children are taught to embrace the LGTBQ+ community and their practices.



"That way it affects me directly," he clarified his point.





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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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.
Former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, has said he has no regret marrying a15-year-old girl he met in Egypt.



Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Yerima debunked claim of his wife being 13 when they got married. He also noted that Sharia law allows him to marry his wife at the age he did.



The former Governor also revealed that some of his daughters married before 18. Yerima said; People dont understand that its something you do illegally, which is outside law, that makes you regret. Sharia law, which is part of the constitution of Nigeria, allows that. Once the girl is aged, she can get married.



Its not about being 18 or 20 years old. There is nothing about the age of the person. Definition of a girl that is aged is clearly stipulated under Sharia law.



Many of my daughters got married at that age. They are living with their families and there is no problem. In fact, all of them are graduates. One of the daughters, who was married off at 16 years, is undergoing her PhD in London.

Source: LIB









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Former Minister for Tourism, Arts and Cultrue and now Spokesperson for Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, one of the Presidential aspirants of the governing New Patriotic Party, Catherine Afeku has cautioned the party's members and supporters not to engage in politics of insults as they head to elect their flagbearer.



She admonished them to desist from destroying the character of opposing candidates while they campaign for their favorite aspirants.



Ten candidates are vying for the Presidential slot of the New Patriotic Party.



The ten will be trimmed down to five during the party's Special Delegates Congress in August this year with the five competing in the main congress on November 4 to be elected flagbearer and lead the NPP into the 2024 elections.



The candidates include the former Trade Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Assin Central Member of Parliament; Kennedy Agyapong, former NPP General Secretary; Kwabena Agyepong, former Agriculture Minister; Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, former Energy Minister; Boakye Agyarko, former Attorney General; Joe Ghartey among others.



Speaking on Peace FM's flagship programme "Kokrokoo", Catherine Afeku advised the various camps to pitch their candidates to the delegates in courteous manner, stressing the party must remain united and solidified after the internal contest.



" . . unified at the base, we will surmount the challenge of breaking the eight," she said.



"Insults is not going to let your candidate win. 'Ayampia' is not going to let your candidate win. Let us all see this as internal contest; sell your candidate, the attributes, track record and what he can do when they get the mandate. That's it and if we go like that John Dramani Mahama, his Excellency, he will have a very big fight ahead of him," she emphasized.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Salam Mustapha, the National Youth Organizer of the ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP), has pledged to do everything possible to make his party win the 2024 elections.



Joining the panel on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Salam Mustapha promised the party's supporters and youth that he will work for the party's victory come hell or high water.



He challenged the members and supporters to consolidate behind the NPP as they prep up for next year's general elections.



"We will give our all, even extra. If we have to squeeze water out of stones to win the 2024 [elections], I as National Youth Organizer, I am ready to do it. If I have to go to the peak of Mountain Everest and bring it down for the NPP to win, I am ready to do it but I will do it together with a party that is united in purpose", he urged.



The New Patriotic Party will hold a Special Delegates Congress in August, 2023 to cut down the number of aspirants contesting the flagbearer slot from ten to five.



The aspirants which include Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Trade Minister; Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Assin Central MP; Kennedy Agyapong, former Agriculture Minister; Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto among others are poised to battle out aiming for the flagbearer position of the NPP.



The New Patriotic Party will have its main congress on November 4 to elect their Presidential candidate for the 2024 elections.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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In a lates development, James Gyakye Quayson, the embattled Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North in the Central Region, has filed a writ at the High Court citing Minister of Trade and Industry, KT Hammond, for contempt.



This comes after an alleged interview granted by KT Hammond to a Kumasi-based television station where he reportedly proclaimed that Mr Gyakye Quayson will go to prison.



Lawyers of the Assin North Constituency believe that the comments made by KT Hammond are highly prejudicial and violate Mr Gyakye Quaysons right to a fair trial.



In the writ, Counsel Justin Pwavra Teriwajah stated that the Minister of Trade and Industry is brazenly usurping the function of the trial judge and that the Court has the power to commit KT Hammond for contempt.



They are demanding that he be brought before the court to be tried for contempt of court and sentenced to prison if found guilty.



Mr Gyakye Quayson is currently standing trial for perjury after it emerged that he had filed his nomination for the 2020 elections despite holding dual citizenship.



The lawyers of the Assin North MP believe that comments made by KT Hammond have made it difficult for their client to receive a fair trial and are seeking appropriate action to be taken against the Minister of Trade and Industry.



The case continues to unfold and has caught the attention of many Ghanaians.

Source: Daily Guide









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The Member of Parliament for Wa West, Peter Lanchene Toobu says hell fire awaits police officers whose names were mentioned in the IGPs attempted elimination leaked tape.



He was empathic that those individuals will regret ever choosing the police as a profession.



His comment comes on the back of a leaked audio in which a police Commissioner is heard plotting with an unknown former executive of the ruling New Patriotic Patriotic the removal of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare.



Peter Lanchene Toobu who is a former police officer told NEAT FMs morning show, 'Ghana Montie' that an officer found guilty will be harshly dealt with.



This is a disgrace, and they will regret it, he said.



According to him, the IGP "can never help any political party to win an election"  hence, the discussion of the viral leaked tape is needless but needs an in-depth investigation.



The fact that the NPP is very likely to lose the election doesnt matter who becomes the IGP. IGPs do not conduct elections, and IGP's dont support political parties to win an election. IGPs have a role to play in line with the mandate of the Ghana Police Service to ensure that we have a secure environment, for the Electoral Commissioner to conduct elections in a very peaceful environment.



The police administration has a mandate to prevent crime, detect crime, investigate crime and prosecute offenders. The police administration has a mandate that peace and security are paramount. The Police administration is not there to ensure that a particular political party wins political power, it's not their business, he told host Akwasi Aboagye.







Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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LOS ANGELES (AP)  In 1969, Charles Manson dispatched a group of disaffected young followers on a two-night killing rampage that terrorized Los Angeles. The killings remain etched in the American consciousness.

On Tuesday, Leslie Van Houten was released after spending more than 50 years in prison for two of those murders. Shes the only one of Mansons followers who participated in the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders to go free.

Members of the Manson family arrived at the Hollywood Hills home of Sharon Tate on Aug. 8, 1969, where they stabbed, beat and shot to death the young actress and her friends  celebrity hairstylist Jay Sebring, coffee heiress Abigail Folger and aspiring screenwriter Wojciech Frykowski. As they made their way to the house, they encountered a teenager, Steven Parent, who had been visiting an acquaintance at the estates guesthouse, and shot him to death.

The next night, Manson led a handful of followers, including Van Houten, to the home of wealthy grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary. Manson tied up the couple and left the others to kill them.

Manson and his followers also killed two others  musician Gary Hinman and Hollywood stuntman Donald Shorty Shea  in separate, unrelated attacks

In the decades since, some of Mansons followers have died while others remain behind bars.

A California appeals court ruled Tuesday that Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten should be released from prison. The court overturned a 2020 decision by Gov. Gavin Newsom to reject the state parole board's recommendation she be released. Van Houten has spent more than five decades in prison. (Stan Lim/Los Angeles Daily News via AP, Pool, File)AP

THE KILLERS

 Charles Manson was a petty criminal who had been in and out of jail since childhood when he reinvented himself in the late 1960s as a guru-philosopher. He targeted teenage runaways and other lost souls, particularly attractive young women he used and bartered to others for sex.

He sent them out to butcher LAs rich and famous in what prosecutors said was a bid to trigger a race war  an idea they say he got from a twisted reading of the Beatles song Helter Skelter.

Decades after his conviction, Manson would continue to taunt prosecutors, parole agents and others, sometimes denying any role in the killings and other times boasting of them. He told a 2012 parole hearing: I have put five people in the grave. I am a very dangerous man.

He died in 2017 after spending nearly 50 years in prison. He was 83.

 Susan Atkins, convicted of the Tate, LaBianca and Hinman murders, was a teenage runaway working as a topless dancer in a San Francisco bar when she met Manson in 1967.

The Tate-LaBianca murders went unsolved for months until Atkins, who was in jail on unrelated charges, boasted to a cellmate about her involvement.

At trial, she testified she was stoned on acid and didnt know how many times she stabbed Tate as the actress begged for her life. Atkins, who became a born-again Christian in prison and denounced Manson, tearfully recounted that confrontation during a parole hearing years later.

She died in prison of cancer in 2009. She was 61.

 Leslie Van Houten, a former high school cheerleader and homecoming princess, saw her life spiral out of control at 14 following her parents divorce.

She turned to drugs and became pregnant but said her mother forced her to abort the fetus and bury it in the familys backyard.

Van Houten met Manson at an old movie ranch on the outskirts of Los Angeles where he had established his so-called family of followers.

She didnt take part in the Tate killings but accompanied Manson and others to the LaBianca home the next night. She has described holding down Rosemary LaBianca with a pillowcase over her head as others stabbed LaBianca dozens of times. Then, ordered by Manson follower Charles Tex Watson to do something, she said she picked up a knife and stabbed the woman more than a dozen times.

Van Houten, 71, earned bachelors and masters degrees in counseling while in prison and led several prison programs to help rehabilitate fellow inmates. She was repeatedly recommended for parole, but two governors  first Jerry Brown and then Gavin Newsom  blocked her release.

However, she was finally freed after Newsom announced last week that he wouldnt pursue efforts to keep her behind bars.

 Patricia Krenwinkel was a 19-year-old secretary when she met Manson at a party. She left everything behind three days later to follow him, believing they had a budding romantic relationship.

After he became abusive and bartered her for sex, she said she twice tried to leave him but followers brought her back, kept a close watch on her and kept her high on drugs.

She testified at a 2016 parole hearing that she repeatedly stabbed Folger, then stabbed Leno LaBianca in the abdomen the following night and wrote Helter Skelter, Rise and Death to Pigs on the walls with his blood.

Krenwinkel, 75, remains in prison. Krenwinkel contends she is a changed person but was denied parole more than a dozen times. She was finally recommended for parole last year but Newsom reversed the decision.

 Charles Tex Watson was a college dropout from Texas when he arrived in California in 1967 seeking satisfaction through drugs, sex and rock n roll, as he explains on his website.

He recalled meeting Manson at the house of Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson after seeing Wilson hitchhiking and giving him a ride home.

Watson, 77, led the killers to the Tate estate, shot to death Parent as he was attempting to leave and took part in the killings that night and the next at the LaBianca home.

He became a born-again Christian in prison and formed a prison ministry in 1980 that he continues to lead. Watson, who has authored or co-authored several books while in prison, maintains he has changed and is no longer a danger to anyone. He has repeatedly been denied parole.

The body of actress Sharon Tate is taken from her rented house on Cielo Drive in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Aug. 9, 1969. Tate, who was eight months pregnant, and four other persons were found murdered by American cult-leader Charles Manson and his followers. Tate, the wife of director Roman Polanski, was born in 1943. (AP Photo)AP

THE VICTIMS

 Sharon Tate, 26, was a model and rising film star after her breakout role in the 1966 film Valley of the Dolls. She was 8 1/2 months pregnant when she was attacked, and she pleaded with her killers to spare her unborn son.

Tates mother, Doris, became an advocate for victims rights in California and was instrumental in a 1982 law that allows family members to testify about their losses at trials and parole hearings.

Her younger sister, Debra, also dedicated her life to victims rights and testified at countless parole hearings for the killers, demanding they never be released.

Tates husband, director Roman Polanski, was out of the country the night of the killings and has said it took him years to recover from the grief of losing his wife and baby.

 Jay Sebring, a hairdresser to Hollywoods stars, was Tates former boyfriend and also begged the killers to spare her unborn child. He was shot, kicked in the face and stabbed multiple times.

Sebring had transformed the male haircare industry after graduating from beauty school in Los Angeles, and his clients included Warren Beatty, Steve McQueen, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. He founded Sebring International in 1967 to market hair products and to franchise his salons internationally.

 Wojciech Frykowski and Abigail Folger had dined with Tate and Sebring earlier that night.

The 32-year-old Frykowski was a friend of Polanskis from Poland and an aspiring screenwriter. An autopsy found he was stabbed more than 50 times and shot twice.

His 25-year-old girlfriend was the heir to the Folger coffee fortune. She managed to escape the house but was tackled on the front lawn and stabbed 28 times.

 Steven Parent, a recent high school graduate planning to attend college in the fall, had dropped by a guest house on the property to visit the estates 19-year-old caretaker, a casual acquaintance named William Garretson. He was leaving the property when Watson confronted him at the front gate and shot him to death.

Garretson, who was briefly taken into custody, returned to his native Ohio soon after the killings. Except for his testimony during the murder trial, he rarely spoke publicly about that night. He died of cancer in 2016.

 Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, who owned a chain of Los Angeles grocery stores, had no connection to Sharon Tate or her glamorous friends.

Their home was chosen at random by Manson, who tied them up and then, before leaving, ordered his followers to kill them. Among the weapons used was a chrome-plated bayonet.

Charles Manson "family" member Linda Kasabian is escorted at the Los Angeles Superior Court by Los Angeles County Sheriff personnel in March 1970. (Bill Murphy/Los Angeles Times/TNS, file)TNS

OTHER PROMINENT PLAYERS

 Lynette Squeaky Fromme, 74, a Manson family member who was not implicated in the Tate-LaBianca murders, was sentenced to prison for pointing a handgun at President Gerald Ford in 1975. Since her release in 2009, she has lived quietly in upstate New York.

 Linda Kasabian, the trials key witness, was granted immunity from prosecution. She had accompanied the killers to the Tate house but was posted outside as a lookout. In that position she said she saw some of the killings.

The next night she remained in a car outside the LaBianca house as Manson tied up the victims, then left with him as the others stayed to kill them.

The 20-year-old moved in with the family a few weeks before the killings and fled immediately after. She turned herself in to authorities after the others were arrested. Kasabian later changed her name and lived out of sight for decades. She died on Jan. 21 in Tacoma, Washington. She was 73.

 Bruce Davis, 80, was convicted of taking part in the Hinman and Shea murders but was not involved in the Tate-LaBianca killings.

He testified at his 2014 parole hearing that he attacked Shea with a knife and held a gun on Hinman while Manson cut Hinmans face with a sword. I wanted to be Charlies favorite guy, he said. Parole panels have repeatedly recommended his release, but governors have blocked it.

 Steve Clem Grogan, 71, once a ranch hand at the old movie ranch where Manson had located his followers, was sentenced to life in prison for taking part in Sheas murder. In 1977 he told authorities where Sheas body was buried.

Grogan was paroled in 1985 and moved to northern California.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called the rejection of the NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP) on Ukraine's path to the Alliance an important result.

"An important result is the recognition that Ukraine does not need a Membership Action Plan on the way," he said at a press conference in Vilnius on Wednesday.

"I think this success at the summit is for all of us, for Ukraine, our soldiers, for our citizens, for our children, for absolutely everyone," he said.

"The skillful use of NATO weapons by our soldiers has already proved that global democracy is stronger than any terrorist threats against us. At the same time, even during a full-scale war with Russia, Ukraine continues to reform," Zelenskyy said.

In particular, he said, "security guarantees are so important for people. Security guarantees for Ukraine on the way to NATO. Not instead of this, - I emphasize this once again, namely, security guarantees on the path of integration. And today, these security guarantees can be confirmed by the G7."

And I think that if this happens, we will work on it, it will really be such an important concrete success for us. We can state that the results of the summit are good, but if there was an invitation, they would be perfect," he said.
A Pennsylvania brewer has expanded its unique line of Fruit Brews inspired by Ritas Italian Ice flavors.

The series started with Mango Blonde Ale then Lemon Ale.

Now, Peach Ring Tart Peach Ale will be released on Friday, July 21, 223, by Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company in Croydon, Dublin and New Hope.

The Fruit Brews are not sold at Ritas shops but you can find them in 12-ounce, six-pack cans at beer distributors and grocery stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware.

The brewery said, Pouring an enticing golden orange hue, Ritas Fruit Brews Peach Ring Tart Peach Ale has an intensely nostalgic aroma that brings to mind the classic gummy peach candies with hints of citrus and tropical fruit. The beer itself, 5% ABV, has a sweet peachy flavor and a subtly sour finish that begs for another sip.

The Ritas Fruit Brews line was inspired because both brands are based in Bucks County, Pa. The first Ritas location, the brewery said, opened in 1984, " just minutes from Neshaminy Creeks production brewery and taproom.

This entire Ritas Fruit Brews project has been a thrill to work on and we think this latest addition to the series may be the best one yet, said Rob Jahn, Neshaminy Creek founder and head brewer.

Following the success of our Mango and Lemon beers, we knew we had to take it to the next level. When we found out Ritas would be doing a new Peach Ring Ice flavor, we couldnt wait to do some experimenting in the brewhouse and absolutely love how the beer came out.
The age of this thing will make your jaw drop.

Researchers at a college in Pennsylvania have discovered the bones of creatures from millions of years ago.

NorthCentralPa.com reports how researchers from Lycoming College unearthed the fossils (specifically, the jaws) of spiny sharks from various sites throughout the state in Lycoming, Tioga, and Bradford counties. Researchers also analyzed a jaw that was discovered previously in 1918 near Factoryville in Wyoming County.

According to David Broussard  Ph.D and associate professor of biology at the school as well as one of the team leads along with biology major and painting minor, Sage Kennedy  these spiny fossils belong to acanthodians, a species of fish closely related to todays cartilaginous variety (i.e., sharks and rays) that swam through the Earths waters between 255 to 442 million years ago.

These jaws in particular are part of a species called the ischnacanthid acanthodians, predators that boasted these striking bony jaws topped with fang-like teeth used to capture their unfortunate prey.

These specimens represent some of the youngest ischnacanthids ever to be collected globally, writes Broussard in the resulting research paper. Additionally, we identified two of the ischnacanthid jaw specimens as belong to the genus Persacanthus which had not been previously collected from rocks as young as those at our study areas in north-central Pennsylvania.

According to a Lycoming College press release, other individuals who assisted in the jaws research were Carole Burrow, Ph.D, from the Queensland Museum in Brisbane, Australia, as well as Ph.D and professor of geology and environmental geosciences at Bucknell University, Jeffrey Trop.
Everyone has a personal goal to aspire to. For some, thats perfectly nailing down a song.

Many Pennsylvanians seem to share the latter objective, as a study has found theres one songs lyrics that the states residents are looking up more than any other.

Preply  an online language-learning platform that connects online tutors from across the globe with learning to empower them to create personalized live language classes  set forth to create a study that found the lyrics Americans are seeking out the most.

First, researchers established 150 Google search terms related to song lyrics on which to base their data on. They then divided songs by location as well as category (for example: recent songs were categorized by those that came out between 2021 and this year).

Those in the Keystone State were found to be searching for the lyrics to Sam Smiths Unholy the most, keeping in line with the national trend.

The most sought-after song lyrics in 18 states was Unholy by Sam Smith and Kim Petras, the study reads. The 2022 collaboration by the British and German artists secured the top spot on our list and spent some time as number one on the music charts.

Taking the second spot is Anti-Hero by Taylor Swift, an upbeat track featured in her tenth studio album, Midnights. Given Swifts record of embedding clues to future songs and albums in her lyrics, its unsurprising that one of her songs attracted significant attention and analysis from fans.

Some states remained outliers in their choice of top song searches: Hawaii, for example, was the only state whose number one was Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez while those in Utah did a complete turn in choice by having We Dont Talk About Bruno from the Disney animated film, Encanto.
The mother of Rudy Farias, who police allege falsely reported her son missing, has been banned from GoFundMe.

Janie Santana, the mother of Rudolph Rudy Farias, created a GoFundMe in 2015 after reporting her son missing.

The saga of Farias return after eight years quickly unraveled as neighbors questioned whether he had actually been missing. Within days of his supposed resurfacing on July 3, Houston police confirmed he had been living with his mother the entire time and returned home the day after he supposedly disappeared.

Santanas fundraising effort, titled Donate to Help Find Rudy Farias IV, took in more than $2,000 but had not had any recent donations, according to Houston Public Media.

GoFundMe confirmed that Santana was permanently banned from the platform and would not be allowed to start future fundraisers.

GoFundMe has zero tolerance for the misuse of our platform and cooperates with law enforcement investigations of those accused of wrongdoing, the company said in a statement.

After an initial public statement asking for privacy, both Santana and Farias have kept a low profile. While an investigation is ongoing, one or both could face charges.

There is a lot of people that put their heart and their soul and their time and their efforts into getting answers when I feel like weve been duped by her the entire time, private investigator Brenda Paradise, who worked on the missing person case, told Click2Houston.

Some of those resources we have to pay out of our own pockets for. As volunteers, were willing to do that for families of the missing and thats part of the heartbreak in all this that so many resources were just misused, she said.
By LORI HINNANT, Associated Press

PARIS (AP)  Milan Kundera, whose dissident writings in communist Czechoslovakia transformed him into an exiled satirist of totalitarianism, has died in Paris at the age of 94, Czech media said Wednesday.

Kunderas renowned novel, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, opens wrenchingly with Soviet tanks rolling through Prague, the Czech capital that was the authors home until he moved to France in 1975. Weaving together themes of love and exile, politics and the deeply personal, Kunderas novel won critical acclaim, earning him a wide readership among Westerners who embraced both his anti-Soviet subversion and the eroticism threaded through many of his works.

If someone had told me as a boy: One day you will see your nation vanish from the world, I would have considered it nonsense, something I couldnt possibly imagine. A man knows he is mortal, but he takes it for granted that his nation possesses a kind of eternal life, he told the author Philip Roth in a New York Times interview in 1980, the year before he became a naturalized French citizen.

In 1989, the Velvet Revolution pushed Communists from power and Kunderas nation was reborn as the Czech Republic, but by then he had made a new life  and a complete identity  in his attic apartment on Paris Left Bank.

To say his relationship with the land of his birth was complex would be an understatement. He returned to the Czech Republic rarely and incognito, even after the fall of the Iron Curtain. His final works, written in French, were never translated into Czech. "The Unbearable Lightness of Being," which won him such acclaim and was made into a film in 1988, was not published in the Czech Republic until 2006, 17 years after the Velvet Revolution, although it was available in Czech since 1985 from a compatriot who founded a publishing house in exile in Canada. It topped the best-seller list for weeks and, the following year, Kundera won the State Award for Literature for it.

Kunderas wife, Vera, was an essential companion to a reclusive man who eschewed technology  his translator, his social secretary, and ultimately his buffer against the outside world. It was she who fostered his friendship with Roth by serving as their linguistic go-between, and  according to a 1985 profile of the couple  it was she who took his calls and handled the inevitable demands on a world-famous author.

The writings of Kundera, whose first novel "The Joke" opens with a young man who is dispatched to the mines after making light of communist slogans, was banned in Czechoslovakia after the Soviet invasion of Prague in 1968, when he also lost his job as a professor of cinema. He had been writing novels and plays since 1953.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being follows a dissident surgeon from Prague to exile in Geneva and back home again. For his refusal to bend to the Communist regime the surgeon, Tomas, is forced to become a window washer, and uses his new profession to arrange sex with hundreds of female clients. Tomas ultimately lives out his final days in the countryside with his wife, Tereza, their lives becoming both more dreamlike and more tangible as the days pass.

Jiri Srstka, Kunderas Czech literary agent at the time the book was finally published in the Czech Republic, said the author himself delayed its release there for fears it would be badly edited.

Kundera had to read the entire book again, rewrite sections, make additions and edit the entire text. So given his perfectionism, this was a long-term job, but now readers will get the book that Milan Kundera thinks should exist, Ststka told Radio Praha at the time.

A visitor to the Milan Kundera library in Brno, Czech Republic reads a book by the Czech novelist on April 6, 2023. Around 3,000 author copies of Milan Kundera's books, originally kept in his Paris flat, are now available at a new library in his native Czech city of Brno. The library opened on April 1, Kundera's 94th birthday, decades after the writer known for "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" left communist Czechoslovakia for France in 1975. (Photo by Radek Mica / AFP) (Photo by RADEK MICA/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images

Kundera refused to appear on camera, rejected any annotation when his complete published works were released in 2011, and would not allow any digital copies of his writing. In a June 2012 speech to the French National Library  which was re-read on French radio by a friend  he said he feared for the future of literature.

It seems to me that time, which continues its march pitilessly, is beginning to endanger books. Its because of this anguish that, for several years now, I have in all my contracts a clause stipulating that they must be published only in the traditional form of a book, that they be read only on paper and not on a screen, he said. People walk in the street, they no longer have contact with those around them, they dont even see the homes they pass, they have wires hanging from their ears. They gesticulate, they should, they look at no one and no one looks at them. I ask myself, do they even read books anymore? Its possible, but for how much longer?

His loyalty to the printed word meant that it was possible for readers to find criticism and biographies of Kundera to download, but not his works themselves.

Despite his fierce protection of his private life  he gave only a handful of interviews and kept his biographical information to a bare minimum  Kundera was forced to revisit his past in 2008, when the Czech Republics Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes produced documentation indicating that in 1950, as a 21-year-old student, Kundera told police about someone in his dormitory. The man was ultimately convicted of espionage and sentenced to hard labor for 22 years.

The researcher who released the report, Adam Hradilek, defended it as the product of extensive research on Kundera.

He has sworn his Czech friends to silence, so not even they are willing to speak to journalists about who Milan Kundera is and was, Hradilek said at the time.

Kundera said the report was a lie, telling the Czech CTK news agency it amounted to the assassination of an author.

In a 1985 profile  which is among the longest and most detailed on record, and examines Kunderas life in Paris  the author foreshadowed how much even that admission must have pained him.

For me, indiscretion is a capital sin. Anyone who reveals someone elses intimate life deserves to be whipped. We live in an age when private life is being destroyed. The police destroy it in Communist countries, journalists threaten it in democratic countries, and little by little the people themselves lose their taste for private life and their sense of it, he told the writer Olga Carlisle. Life when one cant hide from the eyes of others  that is hell.
WARREN, Pa.  Authorities searching for a homicide suspect who used bedsheets to escape from a northwestern Pennsylvania jail last week say items found in the last 24 hours lead them to believe he is still in the area.

Authorities added that reward money in the case has more than doubled.

Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police earlier said campsites and small stockpiles believed to be related to escapee Michael Burham had been found, and he said Tuesday that searchers are still finding some items that we do believe are connected to him.

Warren, Pa., City Police Department says Michael Burham used bed sheets to escape from a northwestern Pennsylvania jail on July 6, 2023.Warren City Police Department via AP

Those lead me to believe that there is still a likelihood that he is here; I also look at the absence of proof that he has gone anywhere else, Bivens told reporters in a regular late afternoon news conference at the Youngsville, Pennsylvania, municipal building.

Burham, 34, fled the Warren County Prison late Thursday by climbing on exercise equipment, climbing through a window and then down a rope fashioned from jail bedding, authorities said. Burham was being held on $1 million bail and was charged with kidnapping, burglary and other counts.

Bivens said searchers have been investigating possible sightings and break-ins of unoccupied structures or cabins, using technology such as DNA to see if Burham is connected to them. But so far no link to him had been confirmed, Bivens said.

I have a strong belief that he is receiving help, Bivens said, repeating a warning that such actions would have consequences. Again, I caution anyone that is currently giving help or is contemplating it, we will prosecute you for it.

The addition of a $10,000 reward posted by Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers has raised the total reward money in the case to $19,500, Bivens said. The U.S. Marshals Service earlier offered $7,500 for information leading to Burhams capture, and Warren County Crime Stoppers has offered $2,000.

More than 200 state, federal and local law enforcement officers are involved in the manhunt, he said.

Warren County Sheriff Brian Zeybell, asked about the response after the prison escape, said city police were on the scene almost immediately.

Literally, I would say that Burham saw red and blue lights within two minutes of leaving that jail. They were that close, he said. Correction officers were in the parking lot within two minutes, he added, saying the response time couldnt have been any quicker.

District Attorney Jason Schmidt of Chautauqua County, New York, said last month that Burham is the prime suspect in the May 11 killing of Kala Hodgkin, 34, and a related arson in Jamestown, New York. Authorities also accuse him of abducting an elderly couple in Pennsylvania while trying to evade capture before his arrest in South Carolina. Burham is considered very dangerous, Warren city police said.

Local, multistate and federal authorities have searched numerous residences, abandoned structures and wooded areas using K-9 units and aerial resources such as drones and aircraft, authorities said.

Bivens has said that Burham taught himself survival skills and had military reserve training.

Authorities were searching a very large area with a lot of difficult terrain that has cabins, oil and gas sheds, and shacks that could offer a fugitive a place to hide, officials have said.
Update: Drone might have been flying near Pa. jail before homicide suspects escape: police

As hundreds of law enforcement officers comb the Warren County forests for an escaped homicide suspect, John Wortman said that life in the northwest Pennsylvania city of Warren is pretty normal.

Wortman, the Warren City Council vice president, told PennLive Wednesday that his towns residents are remaining vigilant as police swarm the area, including the nearby Allegheny National Forest, searching for the escapee, 34-year-old Michael Burham, a Warren County resident.

Residents, Wortman said, are pursuing their daily lives but keeping that sense of situational awareness needed to spot anything out of the ordinary.

The community is going about its business in normal ways, said Jim Decker, the president and CEO of the Warren County Chamber of Business & Industry.

Customers are still filling tables at the citys restaurants and bars, he said, and businesses owners are not altering their operating hours.

There were some initial tensions last week when it was thought that Burham, a Warren County resident who escaped from the county jail on July 6, might be hiding in woods near the courthouse, Decker said.

Those fears, however, have eased now that nearly 200 members of local, state and federal law enforcement are heading deeper into the forests searching for Burham, who state police have described as a survivalist with military training.

The community is anxious to get this guy back in custody, said Decker, who acknowledged that hes now locking his vehicles and home  things that weve been very fortunate not to have to worry about.

Burham is considered the prime suspect in the May 11 shooting death of Kala Hodgkin in Chautauqua County, N.Y., which borders Warren County, according to GoErie.com. The website reported that Burham was wanted on a rape charge involving Hodgkin when she was killed.

Later in May, authorities said that Burham kidnapped an elderly couple in Warren County and used their SUV to drive to South Carolina, where he was captured on May 24, GoErie.com reported.

The couple was found unharmed and Burham was returned to Warren County. Burham was last seen wearing a blue denim jacket and an orange-and-white striped inmate jumpsuit. Authorities have said they have found campsites and stockpiles of supplies, suggesting that Burham remains in the area and on the run.

State police have said that Burham used exercise equipment in a jail recreation yard to pull himself onto the roof before using a rope made of bedsheets to scale down the wall, GoErie.com reported.

Warren County Commissioners refused to speak with PennLive on Thursday but did release a statement describing several safety measures that will be implemented in the wake of the escape.

Repairs to the roof have been ordered and exercise equipment will be removed and replaced with equipment that does not provide access to higher positions in the facility, commissioners said.

As described by commissioners, the jail yard from which Burham escaped is a 40-foot x 40-foot room with a cage on the top floor of the jail.

Commissioners said they expected the changes to be done by the end of this week and other longer-term upgrades will be started and should be completed in the coming weeks.

All policies and procedures related to inmate access and observation are being reviewed, and changes will be made to increase security in that space, said commissioners.

Commissioners also pledged their support for guards, saying that, Working in the jail is a challenging job. They also said that the county would be contracting with the state Department of Corrections to fully investigate the county jail.

The Erie Times-News reported that commissioners said prison staff would be evaluated in the aftermath of the escape but they would not commit to any disciplinary action, which one commissioner said would remain confidential.
A 44-year-old Wright County, MN man with outstanding warrants went to extraordinary lengths to avoid arrest Sunday night after the Sun Country Airlines flight he was aboard landed at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, according to a CBS Minnesota report.

The report said the attempted escape happened at the end of a flight from Orlando to Minneapolis-St. Paul when an unidentified man bolted through the planes emergency exit while passengers were leaving the parked aircraft.

The man then leapt off the aircraft wing and fled onto the tarmac.

The report said airport workers found the man hiding inside an airline service food truck late Sunday night after a 45-minute search.

Police were waiting to arrest the man at the airport gate, the report said, as he was wanted for violating a restraining order and also had an active felony drug warrant.

--

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When the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks announced the 17 states where the northern lights might make an unusual appearance this week, Pennsylvania was oddly not on the list.

Why would the space spectacle, also known as the aurora borealis, be visible in New York and even Maryland - along with other northern tier states across the midwest and west - yet not Pennsylvania?

The colorful phenomenon is typically seen in Alaska, Canada and Scandinavia - sometimes in dark sky preserves like Cherry Springs in Potter County, Pa. But the lights will be visible further south because of solar wind hitting the atmosphere as part of an 11-year solar cycle that will peak in 2024, astronomers said.

Arcs and spirals of glowing lights will be visible to the naked eye between 10 p.m. Wednesday and 2 a.m. Thursday.

Ive seen aurora in Pennsylvania. Its possible, said Robert Boyle, a professor of astronomy and physics at Dickinson College. Taking into account haze. Its a surface phenomenon and theres a question of contrast. Canada wildfire haze might mean theres not enough contrast. Things are hard to predict.

Boyle said hes not sure why Maryland - the only state south of the Mason-Dixon line - is on the list.

Maryland is a mystery. Most states are north of us, but I wouldnt feel slighted, said Boyle, explaining that space weather models are where earthly weather predictions were 20 years ago.

The National Atmospheric Oceanic Administration (NOAA) defines aurora borealis as the glow or light produced when electrons from space flow down Earths magnetic field and collide with atoms and molecules of the upper atmosphere in a ring or oval centered on the magnetic pole of Earth.

The collisions produce light much like how electrons flowing through gas in a neon light collide with neon and other gasses to produce different colored light bulbs.

Aurora borealis is most easily seen in the middle of the night. Weather effects such as haze, clouds and the brightness of moon can make it harder to see.

Theres just a 6% probability of rain on Wednesday night in central Pennsylvania but partial clouds could limit visibility.

Boyle urges would-be stargazers to go outside, try to find a dark place and look up anyway, especially if its clear before dusk.

Sure, go out take a look, he said, adding even if you cant see the northern lights there are other reasons to soak in the stars. Teach yourself the constellations with an app. Learn about summer sky.

READ MORE:
Clear security guarantees can be signed at the NATO summit in Washington in 2024, Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak believes.

"I believe that before the NATO summit in Washington in 2024, we can win. If everything goes like this, it is very important that in Washington we sign clear security guarantees for Ukraine, on the foundation and understanding of which we are now working with partners, in particular in Vilnius," he said on the Telegram channel on Wednesday.

According to Yermak, "the security situation in Europe depends on security guarantees for us. These guarantees will be valid until our membership in NATO, which remains the main goal. They should not give Russia the opportunity to repeat the aggression."

"Vilnius summit sends a clear message to the Russian aggressor: our partners not only believe, they are confident in Ukraine's victory," he said.
An action-packed Day 2 of Event #80: $25,000 H.O.R.S.E. High Roller has concluded at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas with 15 players advancing one step closer to the $711,313 first-place prize and a coveted gold bracelet at the 2023 World Series of Poker.

At the top of the leaderboard is Joao Vieira, who bagged 2,595,000 to enter Day 3 as the chip leader. Vieira, who registered at the start of Day 2, built his stack throughout the day. Both of his bracelets have come in No-Limit Hold'em, and the Portuguese pro looks to add a mixed game bracelet as his third.

Not far behind is Josh Arieh, who bagged 2,040,000 and enters Day 3 in third place, looking to add to his $10,000 Limit Hold'em bracelet won earlier this summer.

Also advancing to Day 3 is social media favorite Allen Kessler, who bagged 455,000. Kessler was all in on the bubble with only his ante, but survived that and several other all ins to continue his quest for a maiden bracelet.

Top Ten Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count 1 Joao Vieira Portugal 2,595,000 1 Yingui Li China 2,595,000 3 Josh Arieh United States 2,040,000 4 John Hennigan United States 1,588,000 5 Hal Rotholz United States 1,525,000 6 Matt Grapenthien United States 1,390,000 7 Dan Heimiller United States 1,360,000 8 Mike Matusow United States 705,000 9 Brian Hastings United States 600,000 10 Johannes Becker Germany 570,000

It was a long day of mixed-game action, as 14 last-minute registrants joined the 56 survivors from Day 1 with hopes of advancing. Eliminations came at a rapid pace early in the day, with the likes of Phil Ivey, Koray Aldemir, Kevin Gerhart and Phil Hellmuth falling short of making the money.

Hand-for-hand play began with 19 players remaining, with 17 getting paid. The bubble was a long one, taking over three hours in real-time and spanning three levels before Vieira eliminated Scott Bohlman in Razz one spot short of the money. At that point, all remaining players had secured $41,869, and play opened up for the remaining 20 minutes of play.

Day 3 is scheduled to kick off on July 12 at 2:00 p.m. local time. Action will resume with Level 21, with blinds of 30,000-60,000 and limits of 60,000-120,000 in flop games and stud games having a 15,000 ante, 20,000 bring-in, 60,000 completion, and limits at 60,000-120,000.

Keep it right here as PokerNews will cover the action all the way down to when a champion is crowned.
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Trump doesnt understand how special counsels work, because he is trying to get Jack Smith to stop investigating him, and investigate President Biden instead.

Trump posted on Truth Social:

I have an idea. Get Deranged Jack Smith to take just a tiny portion of the millions of dollars he is spending illegally targeting me, and let him go to the White House with his army of thugs to solve the Cocaine dilemma. Id bet they already know the answer, but just in case, it could be done in 5 minutes. Is it Crooked Joe and his wonderful son, Hunter? Release the findings, release the tapes. We cant have a crackhead in charge of our Nuclear Arsenal!!!

Thats not how any of this works. Jack Smith cant decide to change investigation targets. A special counsel is authorized for a specific investigative purpose by the attorney general. The special counsel doesnt get to choose their own adventure.

Notice how the story has evolved in Trumps mind to Joe Biden being a crackhead. Trumps original story was that Biden used cocaine in the White House. Now Biden is doing crack and should not have access to the nuclear arsenal. It is pretty funny that a guy who was showing stolen classified documents to almost anyone who walked into Mar-a-Lago is suddenly worried about national security.

Speaking of worried, Trump seems to be getting very concerned about Jack Smith, especially since Smith is currently investigating Trumps actions after the 2020 election through the 1/6 attack.

Donald Trump is feeling the heat, which is why he is trying to redirect it on to Joe Biden.
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After Jim Jordan accused FBI Director Chris Wray of lawlessness, Eric Swalwell reminded everyone that Jordan has defied a 1/6 Committee subpoena for over 400 days.

Video:

Swalwell: I think it's quite rich the guy that accused you of lawlessness is 400 days in violation of his own congressional subpoena over January 6th. pic.twitter.com/VK6rvYPGUP  Acyn (@Acyn) July 12, 2023

Swalwell said, Director, I think it is quite rich that the guy that has accused you of lawlessness and weaponization is 400 days into violation of his own congressional subpoena over January 6th. Its quite rich that you are hearing all of these allegations from someone who wont even reply to a lawful subpoena.

Rep. Swalwell later went on MSNBC and called hearing chaos and absolute bananas:

.@ericswalwell describes GOP at Chris Wray hearing as "bananas" and "absolute chaos." Rep. Swalwell said, "The FBI director who oversees 38,000 employees, investigating terrorism, child exploitation, national security, walks right into the partners meeting of Insurrection LLC." pic.twitter.com/ZkFVm3QCqa  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) July 12, 2023

Somebody needed to call out the hypocrisy of Jordan and other House Republicans who claim to be standing up for freedom against an FBI that they consider lawless when those same Republicans defied subpoenas from the January 5th Committee and refused to testify about the Capitol attack.

Chair Jordan is notoriously terrible at these hearings.

Earlier in the hearing, Judiciary Committee ranking member Jerry Nadler exposed the real purpose of the Republican attacks on the FBI, which is to roll out the red carpet for Russia to interfere in the 2024 election and help Donald Trump.

Jordan (R-OH) got a dose of reality from Rep. Swalwell, who debunked the theater that committee Republicans are putting on to hide their true motivation of helping and protecting Donald Trump.
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House Oversight Committee members Reps. Jamie Raskin and Dan Goldman are calling for the committee to investigate whether they were duped by Chair James Comers star fugitive Biden scandal witness.

Raskin (D-MD) and Goldman (D-NY) wrote to the other members of the Oversight Committee:

It appears as if Mr. Luft sought whistleblower status from you in an effort to defend himself from criminal prosecution while a fugitive from justice. Worse yet, this latest episode also raises concerns that Mr. Luft may be manipulating your investigation not only for his own self-interest but perhaps also in furtherance of the CCPs efforts to undermine U.S. security interests and the President of the United States.

These recent revelations naturally raise broader concerns about the credibility and motivations of other purported whistleblowers that Congressional Republicans have relied on to support unfounded and baseless allegations. Sadly, the Luft episode severely undermines the credibility of the critical function of whistleblowers in this body. We further note that you have refused to share any documents or information that you have received from Mr. Luft with Oversight Committee Democrats. Given your own public endorsements of Mr. Lufts information, there is no plausible basis for you to withhold from Committee Democrats any and all information that Mr. Luft has provided to the Committee, including any information that led you to conclude that he is a very credible witness despite being under indictment and a fugitive from justice.

In order to protect the Congresss institutional credibility and to reassure the American people that the CCP is not using Republicans investigations as a vehicle to undermine the United States government, we urge you to immediately initiate an investigation into whether the Committee may have been unwittingly duped by Mr. Luft in furtherance of the CCPs interests, as well as any potentially false statements made by Mr. Luft to Members of Congress or congressional staff. In addition, we request that you immediately provide Committee Democrats with all materials and information provided by Mr. Luft to the Committee.

How big of a failure does a committee chair have to be that the fellow members of his committee are calling for an investigation into whether or not he was duped by a fugitive?

Comer has been an epic embarrassment since Republicans officially took back the House, and he became the chair of the Oversight Committee.

Rep. Comer appears to be operating under the impression that facts dont matter. If he can come up with enough sensational allegations, eventually, something will stick to President Biden and help Trump win the 2024 election. I have been covering national politics since 2004, and I cant remember a request like this ever being made by a congressional committee of its chair.

If Comer had any shame, he would be humiliated. He is standing with a fugitive who committed crimes against the United States.

Rep. Comer is either a buffoon or corrupt, and both options should disqualify him from chairing the Oversight Committee.
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House Judiciary Committee ranking member Jerry Nadler exposed the real reason why Republicans are attacking the FBI. Nadler said the GOP wants Russia to interfere in the 2024 election for Trump.

Video:

Nadler said:

According to committee Republicans, the task forces efforts to track foreign influence operations mount to attacks on conservative speech and a nonsensical claim that has nothing to do with censoring American free speech and in fact, helps to ensure that American voices are heard by stopping Russian troll farms. Make no mistake, in making these claims the Republicans have all, but rolled out the red carpet for Russia to interfere in our elections because they believe in doing so will help Trump get elected in 2024, and that is the goal of Republicans today.

Republicans claim that the FBI has been weaponized. The personal attacks on Director Wray, and the repeated calls to, quote, defund the FBI, these are not victimless acts. Theyre a clarion call to anti-government extremists and that call is being heard. Last year Director Wray faced multiple credible death threats. FBI employees faced more threats in the months after the Mar-a-Lago search than they had in the entire prior year. The problem has gotten so bad that the FBI has decided to stand up an entire new unit dedicated to combat threats to FBI agents and staff.

It is far past time that the Republicans realize the consequences of their actions. They may want to downplay Trumps behavior and blame the FBI for his downfall, no matter what they say, Trump risked the security of the United States and lied to the government instead of returning them. Donald Trump must be held accountable, and ultimately, no matter how many times Republicans attack Director Wray or the FBI or the investigation at Mar-a-Lago, I trust in the rule of law. Mr. Trump will have his day in court.

Republicans have not recovered well in the hearing, because their conspiracy theories have been prebutted by Democrats at the hearing. The difference between Republicans and Democrats at hearing like the one on FBI oversight is pronounced. Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are experienced in many cases prosecutors who have experience conducting government oversight.

The Republicans in the committee are partisans who are more interested in pushing conspiracy theories so that they can land a spot on Fox News or Newsmax.

House Republicans want Russia to interfere in the 2024 election to help Trump, and they are using their majority to weaken the FBI and the nations defenses against foreign election interference.

Ranking member Nadler called it out and defined the hearing before Republicans ever had the chance to get started.
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The door has been opened for a group of Trump-supporting Michigan Republicans, some of them elected officials to face felony charges for stealing vote tabulators.

The Detroit News reported:

Laying the groundwork for potential criminal charges in a high-profile case, Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Phyllis McMillen ruled Wednesday it was illegal for someone to take possession of a voting tabulator without authorization from the Secretary of State or a court order.

McMillen issued her 13-page ruling Wednesday, stipulating that a Michigan law baring undue possession of a tabulator wasnt limited to an ongoing election or to the period before results were tallied. Under state law, undue possession of a tabulator is a felony.

The Trump Republicans convinced officials in three Michigan counties to turn over the tabulators, which they took back to rental properties and hotels to access the data. The Trump supporters stole the tabulators because they were trying to find evidence of election fraud.

They found no fraud, but the ruling from the judge is that anyone engaging in such behavior if convicted has committed a felony.

Republicans in Michigan could soon be convicted felons because they listened to Donald Trump and believed his big lie about the election being stolen.

A Michigan prosecutor has said that Trumps lawyer Rudy Giuliani asked supporters in Michigan to seize voting machines.

Any Michigan MAGAs who get charged might be the tip of the 2020 plot iceberg, as accountability looks to be coming for Trump coup plotters.
President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the Black Sea Grain Initiative issue during a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said at a press conference in Vilnius on Wednesday.

"During our meeting today, President Erdogan raised this issue. He said that Turkey supports the initiative but there are risks. And it is necessary that UN Secretary General, Mr. [Antonio] Guterres also tackle the issue. Because they had relevant agreements with Russia," he said.

"We do not violate anything on our part. We do not block anything on our part. We did not make a deal with Russia. We made a deal with the UN and Turkey. The UN and Turkey made a deal with Russia. This corridor is necessary and it works," Zelenskyy said.

The president also expressed confidence that "after the adoption of security guarantees today, there will be disruption of one or another important humanitarian projects. It is clear. Russia always reacts like this. It does not keep its word. And it constantly wants to block one or another humanitarian corridors so as to create a new crisis."
The Aiken City Council could soon consider plans to expand an apartment complex on Aiken's southside.

The Aiken Planning Commission voted 4-1 Tuesday evening to recommend the Aiken City Council approve a concept plan calling for an addition to the Mark at Woodford.

Sam Erb voted against the recommendation.

Vice Chairman Jason Rabun made the motion to recommend approval. Pete Messina seconded his motion. Rabun's motion to approve recommended the city council establish 11 conditions for the developer to satisfy.

There are four properties totaling 5.91 acres that would be included in the addition. Aiken County property tax records indicate Wellers Ridge SC LLC purchased the properties May 15 for $1.8 million.

Wellers Ridge SC LLC is a South Carolina limited liability company. It was incorporated June 21, 2022.

Three of the properties form a rectangle beginning with a small portion that hooks north. The rectangle begins on Neilson Street and the hook ends at the future extension of Bergamot Parkway. The fourth property, located beneath the hook, sandwiches a home located at 922 Dougherty Road.

The Mark at Woodford is located immediately north of the proposed addition. The Aiken City Council approved construction of the Mark at Woodford in January 2022. The apartment complex includes four buildings: three three-story structures with 24 units each and a two-story structure with 18 units.

The applicant is James Bernstein. He submitted the application June 7.

The concept plan calls for the construction of three residential buildings. The residential buildings would be 30 feet to the eave line but vary in length. The residential buildings would have brick and fiber cement lap siding.

The buildings would contain a total of 60 apartments including six one-bedroom apartments, 24 two-bedroom apartments and 30 three-bedroom apartments.

The residential buildings would be located mostly within the rectangle with one of the buildings extending into the hook. A clubhouse and a playground would also be located in the hook. The property sandwiching the home on Dougherty Road would remain undeveloped.

A recommended approval condition is that the southeast corner of the property be fenced.

One of the conditions recommended by the Planning Commission is that the developer comply with the open space requirements of the city's zoning ordinance.

Planning Director Marya Moultrie said the concept plan appears to satisfy the condition. She said 36% of the property would remain undeveloped and an additional 19% would be revegetated for a total of 55% open space.

The concept plan called for 99 parking spaces including eight handicapped spaces. A condition included in the recommendation is to increase the number of parking spaces to 117 as long as the increase doesn't violate open space requirements.

Chairman Ryan Reynolds said the city's zoning ordinance calls for developers to establish 1.5 parking spaces per apartment. However, he added, the county's zoning ordinance calls for 2 parking spaces for two and three bedroom apartments. He said the commission usually recommends the city council condition more parking spaces to make the zoning ordinances consistent across the county.

Sidewalks would be available throughout the addition. A recommended approval condition is that one of the sidewalks included be deleted.

The developer proposes two access points: Neilson Street and the future Bergamot Parkway extension.

A recommended approval condition is that the developer seek encroachment permits to access these roads. Another recommended approval condition is that the developer construct Bergamot Parkway to design standards. A third recommended approval condition is that the entrance on Neilson Street contain a median.

A monument sign would be placed on the southside of the Neilson Street entrance.

Two recommended approval conditions are that the developer submit a revised concept plan for administrative approval and that the developer sign an agreement agreeing to the approval conditions within 180 days of the city council's final approval.

Four people including two nearby property owners spoke in opposition to the plan, citing concerns about increased flooding of Dougherty Road.

Reynolds said the developer is required to contain all stormwater runoff from the development in a retention pond on the site.

The city council could consider the recommendation at its Aug. 14 and 28 meetings.
As we walked together through the warehouse at Golden Harvest Food Bank's Augusta distribution center, we paused to look at the long line of shelves before us. Read moreGuest column: Uniting for food security: A plea to strengthen food programs through the farm bill
Fort Gordon will officially be renamed after Dwight Eisenhower on Oct. 27.

The Army base west of Augusta announced the date of its redesignation ceremony Tuesday.

Fort Gordon Commander Maj. Gen. Paul Stanton said Eisenhower, who served as supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe during World War II and as the 34th president, helped shape the modern world.

His dedication to ensuring equal rights for soldiers and citizens alike continues to be an example and inspiration for the present and future soldiers of the Army he so faithfully served and decisively led," Stanton said in a news release. "Gen. Eisenhower epitomizes those values we continue to instill in our Soldiers today."

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sent a memorandum last October accepting the recommendations of an independent naming commission that included renaming Fort Gordon, home of the U.S. Army Cyber Command and Cyber Center for Excellence, after Eisenhower.

The base is currently named after after John B. Gordon, who served as a Confederate army general and later served as a U.S. senator from Georgia and as a governor of the Peach State.

Other bases renamed include: Fort A.P. Hill, Fort Benning, Fort Bragg, Fort Hood, Fort Lee, Fort Pickett, Fort Polk and Fort Rucker.

The redesignation ceremony will be held at Barton Field and is open to military ID holders and invited guests.

Details will be announced later.
A Lowcountry building contractor who was charged with taking more than $200,000 in federal COVID-19 relief funds for a company that the government said was no longer operating has pleaded guilty to defrauding the U.S. Small Business Administration.

A federal grand jury charged Carl Ulm on Dec. 7.

He struck a deal with prosecutors last month and formally changed his plea to guilty to one count of wire fraud at a July 11 hearing in U.S. District Court in Charleston.

Ulm owned Anchor Restoration Contractors LLC until about Jan. 27, 2021, when he sold the company's assets to a buyer from Savannah. The deal included the $388,000 sale of the North Charleston company's building in Pepperdam Industrial Park, according to county property records.

The following month, Ulm used Anchor Restoration's name to apply for a forgivable loan that the SBA was offering though its emergency Paycheck Protection Program to preserve jobs during the early months of the pandemic lockdown. At that time, the company was legally a non-operational business, with no wage expenses or other bills, according to the indictment.

About $204,132 was wired to an Anchor Restoration account, purportedly to help maintain 12 jobs. Ulm then transferred $160,000 of the funds to another bank account he controlled for his own personal use, according to a court filing.

Prosecutors are seeking to recoup the entire loan amount, in part by seizing any property or other assets that can be traced to the SBA funds.

The maximum punishment is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing hearing has not been scheduled.

Ulm has stated in a court document filed in a separate case that he sold only the company's assets, not the business or its name. He also said the terms called for him to stay on afterward as a paid consultant to the newly formed Anchor Restoration Construction LLC.

Ulm and the buyer, Randall Sizemore, have been embroiled in litigation in state court over the transaction for two years.
A new waterfront restaurant is in the works for the Lowcountry where another dining venue was planned before the Great Recession.

Site plans show a proposed culinary venture of about 5,700 square feet called Stono's on the edge of the Stono River at 2409 Maybank Highway on Johns Island.

The Charleston property sits at the end of a frontage road leading to the marina for St. John's Yacht Harbor Club on the opposite side of the highway overpass.

In 2021, Stono River Investors LLC paid nearly $14.3 million for the 28-acre site and two condominium units in the St. John's Yacht Harbor Horizontal Property Regime, according to Charleston County land records. The firm also bought six small parcels west of the marina for almost $2.4 million at the same time.

A property owner's representative did not immediately respond for comment about the proposed restaurant.

In 2008, another restaurant called Stono's Oyster Bar was approved for the site through the city's Design Review Board, but site plans show the previous approval has expired. The board will consider the latest dining proposal July 17.

New threads

A New York-based fashion retailer plans to open its second shop in downtown Charleston in an office building with its ground floor undergoing renovation for new merchants.

Loeffler Randall looks to open in the fall in a 1,450-square-foot store at 145 King St., according to a spokeswoman.

Co-founder Brian Murphy told "Glossy" magazine the company has a healthy business across the Southeast through wholesale and direct sales, and King Street attracts customers from across the region.

He also pointed to heavy foot traffic in the city's downtown shopping district and the ability to collaborate with nearby retailers as reasons to choose Charleston for the new location.

The retailer, which started with footwear in 2004 by co-owner Jessie Randall, opened its first shop in New York City's SoHo neighborhood in 2021. Offerings have been expanded to include handbags, ready-to-wear apparel and accessories.

Next in Nexton

Two new retail tenants are coming to a commercial development underway in Nexton near Summerville.

On the way Sixth site A Charleston-area medical practice plans to add a sixth location in the Lowcountry during its 10th year in business. Sweetgrass Plastic Surgery plans to move into a 10,000-square-foot building by year's end on Carolina Park Boulevard across from Wando High School in northern Mount Pleasant. Owned by Dr. Dennis Schimpf, the center has other offices on Daniel and Kiawah islands and in West Ashley and Summerville.

A beverage shop called 1933 Wine and Spirits recently leased 3,500 square feet in Downtown Nexton while The Groomsmith, a men's barbershop, will occupy 1,850 square feet in the 100-acre development between Sigma Drive and Brighton Park Boulevard.

The new shops will join nail salon iNails and health spa Revive on the ground floor of the Lofts Downtown Nexton Apartments.

Future phases of the multifamily development, including new amenities, are set for completion in late 2024.

Developer Sharbell Nexton's Downtown Nexton also includes The Ames apartments, AC Hotel by Marriott, Atelier office campus and Daybreak Market and Fuel.

Parking pass?

Two new business enterprises are in the works for the Charleston peninsula that require variances or special exceptions.

At 154 Cannon St., a cigar shop and sitting area is planned for 716 square feet at the street level while a private club with 434 square feet is proposed for the second floor.

The property near the Septima P. Clark Parkway is zoned for general business use. The request is to allow five parking spaces. The city requires 12.

The site is owned by DKB Realty LLC, which paid $1.2 million for the parcel in June.

Also, at 50 Bogard St., a ground-floor shop with 843 square feet of retail space and a 392-square-foot cafe is planned in the two-story structure that includes upstairs dwelling units.

The property is zoned for diverse residential use where low-impact operations also are allowed.

The planned business wants a variance for one off-street parking space. The city requires 10. The city's Board of Zoning Appeals approved a seven-space special exception in 2012. The panel will consider both requests on July 18.

Window treatment

Patriot Blinds & More is bringing its first interactive design studio to Mount Pleasant.

The Graber-dealer shop will open July 14 at 1485 U.S. Highway 17, Suite G, in the Walmart-anchored Wando Crossing Shopping Center.

The shop welcomes walk-ins, and customers also can arrange independent consultations.

Product samples and fabric swatches will be available, and the studio will feature interactive motorized products so customers can learn more about home automation.

The Graber Design Studio will be open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.

New lease

Sweet Moon Bakery recently leased 1,200 square feet of retail space at 5131 Dorchester Road in North Charleston, according to the real estate firms Coldwell Banker Commercial Atlantic and Harbor Commercial Partners.

Beauty spot

A Mount Pleasant beauty studio is now in a new location in a shop three times as large as its previous site.

The Gallery Salon, formerly in a 720-square-foot space on Shelmore Boulevard near I'On, opened July 9 at 1374 Old Georgetown Road in the recent addition to Bowman Place Shopping Center off Bowman Road.

The new shop, where Gianna Lundgren is owner and master stylist, includes floor vacuums, curated wine tap, 16 chairs, air purifiers and a lounge area. Among the full-service salon's offerings are extensions, smoothing services, facial waxings, blowouts and makeup packages.
COLUMBIA  Lexington County's Republican Party leadership voted July 10 to censure the chair of the Lexington-Richland Five School District board, citing dissatisfaction with how she responded to a district teacher's halted lesson on a book about race.

The unanimous vote from the county party's executive committee criticizing Rebecca Blackburn Hines comes amid backlash over the district's handling of a Chapin High School teacher's February lesson on Ta-Nehisi Coates book Between the World and Me," which district officials stopped after receiving complaints from students.

Lexington-Richland Five has faced criticism from teacher advocacy groups who called the decision to stop the lesson indefensible censorship, as well as from members of the public who criticized the lesson and called on the board to implement policy changes to would prevent such class instruction in the future.

The Lexington County GOP fell into that latter camp, censuring the board chair for what it described in a July 11 statement as "failing to uphold the County and State Republican Party policies opposing Critical Race Theory Instruction in schools," adding that "Hines was deemed to have failed to attempt to enact policy or attempt to enact disciplinary actions."

Hines defended her approach as following policy and process, saying July 12 that the board cant discuss specific employee-related matters in public and pointing out that the board has discussed policies about classroom materials and has discussions about academic freedom and controversial materials on its agenda.

What they are saying is inaccurate, and what theyre implying is also inaccurate  I do not agree with CRT, I do not agree with indoctrination, she said, adding that it takes time to address these issues in policy.

The move to censure Hines also coincides with a push for party purity in the Lexington County GOP, and comes on the heels of an ultraconservative state lawmaker group's settlement with another Lexington school district in a lawsuit claiming illegal training and instruction about race  a dispute which some have invoked following the Chapin High lesson.

Hines said she had not been told that a censure was on the partys agenda, and said the situation creates a further divide in our community.

We have the same basic values and were in agreement with what should and should not be in the classroom, but at the end of the day, my role is to make sure that we follow process and policy, and that is what I am doing, she said.

In a July 11 email to The Post and Courier, Lexington County GOP chair Pamela Godwin highlighted Hines agenda-setting role and her vote in the boards June 26 meeting against a motion which would have formed a committee to review a number of policies related to curriculum and classroom materials. That motion failed 4-3, with Hines saying she disagrees with committee meetings and thinks discussions should happen in full board meetings.

Earlier in the June 26 meeting, Hines had asked Superintendent Akil Ross to prepare discussions about district policies on academic freedom and teaching controversial material for the boards next meeting, after multiple members of the public criticized the Chapin High lesson to the board.

Godwin also said Hines was "given the option to answer some questions from members in an attempt to avoid censure," which she did not respond to. Hines said Godwin had emailed her with questions about a specific employee and asking Hines to appoint a policy review committee.

"There was nothing about a censure mentioned in that email, and I did not respond because it was absolutely inappropriate," Hines said.

While elections for the Lexington-Richland Five school board are nonpartisan, Hines said that shes been involved in the Republican Party for years, and the county party's statement called her a "longstanding county party member" and a precinct president.

The county party has not endorsed nonpartisan candidates in the past, Godwin said, but its new leadership has created a committee to "vet, endorse, support and provide resources" to nonpartisan candidates starting in 2023's municipal elections.

February's lesson

Students in a Chapin High AP Language and Composition class complained to board member Elizabeth Barnhardt after they were assigned Coates' book in February, as part of a lesson which also included two videos about systemic racism, saying the lesson made them "uncomfortable" and "ashamed to be Caucasian."

Soon after, the district stopped the lesson, and records show officials concerned that the lesson could violate a state budget law prohibiting the use of state money to teach certain ideas about race, though Ross explained the decision to stop the lesson by pointing to the district's policy on teaching controversial subjects.

The move to end the lesson triggered the South Carolina Education Association and National Education Association to accuse the district of "indefensible censorship" in a June 26 letter to Ross and the school board, which also accused Barnhardt of defamation for asserting that the teacher was "knowingly violating" the law  an assertion that Godwin echoed in her July 11 email.

"School District Five must have policies that align with State Provisos and have a disciplinary structure," she said. "The teacher in question knowingly broke state law and faced no consequences, at least that anybody can tell."

Mary Wood, the Chapin High School teacher, previously asserted that the school had purchased Coates book, and that shed taught it the previous year with no complaint and with the knowledge of a previous assistant principal for instruction.

She has also said that the response to her lesson has created a "hostile environment" for teachers, who she said in a June interview are afraid to speak out due to fear of retribution.

The halted lesson and its response has also become intertwined with another public dispute over race and education in Lexington County, the hardline conservative S.C. Freedom Caucus' now-settled lawsuit against the Lexington One school district, which alleged that the district was in violation of the same state budget law. Lexington One denied the caucus' allegations, and said it settled to avoid a costly legal fight.

The caucus' vice chair, state Rep. RJ May, R-Lexington, told the Lexington-Richland Five board June 26 that the caucus was "happy to engage" in more lawsuits, and Godwin wrote July 11 that the district has put itself in danger of being sued by "not taking any punitive action or creating policy to avoid another violation from occurring."

"We believe that the Freedom Caucus is considering an investigation into District Five and we support their efforts to keep indoctrination out of classrooms," the county party chair said.

May said July 12 that caucus members are in communication with some Lexington-Richland Five board members and are seeking to "gain more clarity," and that "it appears that there may have been a violation by at least one school district employee on the teaching of critical race theory-derived ideas."

He added that the decision to stop the lesson was "what we hope happens" and that there should be disciplinary action, but that the caucus needs to ensure that there's not a "deeper, system-wide problem" in the district and state.

"We reserve the right to take action to defend students, parents and teachers throughout South Carolina, to ensure that they're not subjected to indoctrination," May said.

The SCEA's President Sherry East previously told The Post and Courier that the educator group has recieved calls from teachers worried about reading certain books, which she said shortchanges students.

"When we're doing this kind of back and forth fighting about a book, we're not getting to the real problems of children," East said in a June interview. "We're not getting to our class-size issue, we're not getting to the teacher shortage, we're not talking about how to get more bus drivers to sign on to take our kids to school."

Seanna Adcox contributed to this report.
U.S. President Joe Biden, before the start of a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said he expects Ukraine's official entry into NATO.

"I look forward to the day when we're having the meeting celebrating your official, official membership in NATO. The bad news is we're not going anywhere. You're stuck with us," Biden said during a meeting with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius.

President Biden said the United States will do everything possible to ensure that Ukraine gets "what it needs." He also noted the courage and dedication of the Ukrainians.

"You set a whole example to the entire world of what constitutes genuine courage is," he said.

"I would like to repeat what I have told you many times. Not only all of you but your people - your sons, your daughters, your husbands, your wives, your friends: you're incredible," Biden said.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Partly cloudy in the morning followed by scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 91F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms before midnight. Low 74F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Columbia, SC (29201)

Today

Isolated thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Low 74F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Low 74F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
GREENVILLE  A German automotive supplier will set up its U.S. home base in South Carolina after first test driving the state for seven years at a small Upstate site.

Wenker, Inc. will put more roots down in the area by investing $3.1 million into establishing its U.S. headquarters in Greenville County, adding 27 new jobs.

The company, which has a flagship facility in Germany, is a metal and steel construction company offering plant engineering and fabricated metal products for the automotive industry. It lists partners such as BMW, Volvo and Toyota.

Wenker first ventured into the Palmetto State in 2016 through a small operation in Spartanburg County. After its success it decided to build and move into a manufacturing site on E. Phillips Road in Greer along the Highway 14 corridor.

The U.S.-Wenker story is becoming an exciting one," Wenker, Inc. Germany CEO and Owner Stefan Leers said in a press release. "We are very proud to build our new U.S. headquarters in Greenville County, a community which felt like home from day one.

The multi-phased, 131,400-square-foot plant can accommodate both increased production and a local headquarters. The company plans for the operations to be completed by mid-2024.

The companys six decades of excellence in industrial production and engineering is an ideal addition to Greenvilles booming automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors, and we wish them success here long into the future," Greenville Area Development Corporation Board Member and County Council Chairman Dan Tripp said in a statement.
GREENVILLE  A youth pastor accused of recording girls in the shower faces additional charges after investigators allege he made secret videos of multiple bridal parties changing clothes and of girls using the bathroom.

Daniel Kellan Mayfield, who previously worked as a student pastor at First Baptist Church Gowensville, faces 24 new charges, according to warrants released July 11 by the Greenville County Sheriffs Office.

The accusations are based on videos from 2017 to 2023 that authorities say were found on an external hard drive and a Mac computer.

Sheriff's investigators continue to search Mayfields devices, spokesperson Lt. Ryan Flood told The Post and Courier. Each time investigators encounter a new victim, that results in a new charge.

So there's a wide variety of time periods, a wide variety of victims and locations of where these charges stemmed from, Flood said.

They anticipate more charges as investigators search the devices.

The additional charges include six charges of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and 18 charges of first-offense voyeurism.

The warrants allege Mayfield had been hired as a videographer for multiple weddings in 2021 when he recorded members of the bridal parties changing clothes. The charges allege he also recorded girls using the bathroom while he served in his role as youth pastor.

One of the weddings occurred at First Baptist Church Gowensville, according to a warrant.

First Baptist Church Gowensville associate pastor Kent Smith confirmed Mayfields past employment with the church and directed The Post and Courier to a statement on the churchs website.

On May 27th, 2023, First Baptist Gowensville leadership was made aware of an incident of moral misconduct perpetrated by one of our staff members. Proper authorities were notified immediately and the employee was terminated from his role.

Mayfield confessed in May to the Greenwood County Sheriffs Office that he made the videos for the purposes of sexual stimulation, according to the warrants.

The South Carolina Attorney Generals Office will prosecute the case, spokesperson Robert Kittle said.
CLEMSON  Students frequently move away to college and after four years leave town to embark on the next chapter of life. For some of those who made less-than-wise decisions during their enrolled time, the city of Clemson is trying to find them.

But with cases backlogged up to seven years, the effort to prosecute them on minor offenses has become a futile cause.

The city has sent letters, checked national and state databases but have not been able to find between 50 to 75 people charged, city prosecutor Kurt Tavernier said. The backlog began at 1,200 cases, whittled down to 430.

The charges are mostly light, like underage alcohol violations or minor assault and battery.

Theyre just not around. We cannot locate them, Tavernier said at a recent briefing on the campaign to resolve the cases. Efforts have been exhausted trying to locate those guys.

Because many felt their cases were dismissed, and others have moved on beyond the petty crime phase of their youth, he said he doesn't think it's fair to press charges.

We have smart students, stupid people, he said. And they do things that they have no idea what the consequences will be.

Legally, the city can't try the people in their absence without notifying them of their court date, which has been impossible to do without a current mailing address, Clemson City Police Capt. Matt Culbreath told The Post and Courier.

Clemsons municipal court, which handles minor violations of city ordinances, isn't the only court experiencing a backlog. South Carolinas General Sessions Court, which handles more-severe felony and misdemeanor offenses, is also backed up with cases.

Tavernier has whittled down the remaining cases to about 430 now from over 1,200 when he began. Slowing down progress are the trials themselves, which can each take up to three hours to present all of the evidence and allow for juries to confer.

City police have to gather materials to present their case against lawyers representing those on trial.

"They get anything that we would use to prosecute," Culbreath said. "They get body cams, they get everything. So it is a little more time consuming."
Last summer, when Top Gun: Maverick was making roughly all the money printed in the United States during that fiscal quarter, I read a number of articles (many publications jumped on the trend at once) calling Tom Cruise various iterations of The Last Movie Star. The moniker is obviously Read moreMission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One
Disappointment comes by all the time. You just have to come up with a different plan. We didnt make it to racing school but the races would still be happening in a few months. Photographer friend Dean Wingard wanted to go to the races. I wanted to go to the races also. Our friend Jim Tobul  Read moreVoodoo & Strega R 2014
Mount Pleasant, SC (29464)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High near 90F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms before midnight. Low around 75F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Zelenskyy following talk with Biden: We clearly see how to end this war with our common victory

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that during his conversation with U.S. President Joseph Biden, he discussed military support for Ukraine and the vision of achieving victory.

"A meaningful, powerful meeting with Mr. President Biden. The meeting was at least twice as long as planned, and it was as meaningful as it needed to be. If the protocol had not stopped the meeting, we would have talked even longer," Zelenskyy said on Wednesday.

"All the topics. Long-term support. Weapons. Politics. NATO. We clearly see how to end this war with our common victory," the head of the Ukrainian state said.

Later, he said that he had discussed with his American colleague "the situation on the frontline, our capabilities, further long-term defense cooperation, and internal Russian processes given the recent events."

"The United States has stood side by side with Ukraine throughout our defense against aggression. We appreciate it tremendously. Thank you personally to President of the United States, the Congress and the American people for the vitally important assistance  military, financial, political - provided to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion," Zelenskyy said.
MYRTLE BEACH  Environmental advocacy groups and residents are asking state officials to reconsider their decision to allow a sand, clay and topsoil mine to expand near the Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control on June 20 approved a mining permit for the Myrtle Beach-based company Soilutions, LLC, to expand its Edge Road Mine in Horry County.

The staffs decision in this case fails to protect the unique and fragile ecosystems of Lewis Ocean Bay, which provides important habitat for Venus flytraps, salamanders, and other wildlife that require specific moisture levels to survive, the nonprofit S.C. Environmental Law Project said in a statement. The preserve has a unique assemblage of Carolina bays and longleaf pine forests that also rely on a precise balance of moisture.

The mine is located off Edge Road about 5 miles south of the Wampee area. The permit would expand the mine from 5 acres to 33 acres and from 20 feet to 50 feet deep, according to DHEC records.

Residents and regional environmental experts have raised concerns about how the expansion could harm the neighboring 10,457-acre preserve, as well as the welfare of the residents who live along the single-lane road.

SCELP on July 5 formally requested DHEC conduct a final review and revisit its decision to grant the permit.

DHEC's Board of Health and Environmental Control, which oversees agency decisions, has 60 days from July 5 to either conduct a final review conference to revisit the issue or decline the request. As of July 11, no decisions had been made, according to DHEC officials.

DHEC declined to comment on the matter, but the agency confirmed that two requests for final reviews of the mine approval have been filed. The requests came from SCELP and from attorney Stanley Barnett on behalf of William Livingston, an Edge Road property owner, according to county land records.

SCELP officials said residents have expressed concerns about how the project could create excess traffic, noise and dust from the mine.

Before the permit was approved, Horry County Councilman Danny Hardee submitted a letter to DHEC requesting that the permit not be granted. One specific issue he raised was how Edge Road is a single-lane dirt road, which he argued could not support the increased traffic from the mine.

"Some members of council have personally examined the road and find it extremely unlikely to successfully and lawfully travel to S.C. 90 without trespassing on landowners' properties, at the road's most narrow width, or jeopardizing the living conditions of residents in close proximity to the road," Hardee's letter stated. "We reinforce their collected statements, petitions, and/or letters of opposition to not approve Soilutions, LLC Edge Road Mine."

Trapper Fowler, the Coastal Conservation Leagues north coast project manager, said the organization has opposed the mine since its 2021 opening because of its potential environmental impacts. Specifically, he worries the mine could deeply affect the area's water movement and residents water quantity and quality.

He mentioned how the noise pollution from excavating and transporting the sand could affect animals on the preserve, not just nearby residents.

"What is disruptive for people is also disruptive for natural processes such as migration, predator-prey interactions and mating of our native wildlife," Fowler said. "If this (mine) is going to happen, they need to go above and beyond to meet the concerns of the environmental community and the residents."

DHECs Bureau of Land and Waste Management received Soilutions' permit application for the Edge Road Mine on April 7, 2021. Then, the agency collected public comments starting in February 2022 and held a public hearing on June 30, 2022, according to DHEC records.

Despite the opposition, the company behind the mine maintains the project will not cause environmental problems.

"Soilutions owners are true outdoorsmen," said Jessica King, an attorney for Soilutions, in a prepared statement. "The owners appreciate the value of the Lewis Ocean Bay Preserve and feel confident that the mining operations will have no negative effects on it and will provide a huge benefit with the long-term final use of the mining site as a 15 or more-acre pond."

King said Soilutions is a small business run by two brothers.

The company has never owned or operated other sand mines and its owners have been surprised by the backlash to the project, King said.

"Since filing its application, Soilutions has worked closely with DHEC and the community to better understand and address concerns about wildlife, groundwater and wetlands relating to the neighboring Lewis Ocean Bay Preserve," King said. "A few of the many accommodations taken in response to concerns include:

 10 acres of buffer to protect the wetland resources and surrounding preserve,

 preservation of wetlands on the property,

 studies to ensure no threatened or endangered species are currently located on the mining site and procedures in place in the event of a potential encounter during mining operations to protect such species,

 final use of the property after mining as a 15 or more-acre pond to provide a benefit the surrounding habitat and extensive water resources in the event of a fire, and

 preservation of over 10 acres of unmined land."

The debate over the Edge Road Mine's future comes nearly three years after Horry County ended all of its local mining regulations and turned all control of its nearly 50 active sand mines over to DHEC.
COLUMBIA  Gov. Henry McMaster celebrated a new state law that strengthens South Carolina's drunken driving laws by requiring those convicted of the crime to install  and pass  a breath device test before their vehicle will start.

"It's ok to drink if you want to. It's ok to drive if you want to," McMaster said July 12 during a ceremonial bill signing ceremony at the Statehouse. "But you can't do both at the same time."

Beginning in May 2024 the law mandates anyone convicted of driving under the influence to get an ignition interlock device installed in their car which prevents them from driving if their breath registers a blood-alcohol content of 0.02 percent or higher.

Drivers must blow into the device before their vehicle will start. They will also be randomly asked to pull over and blow into the mouthpiece again to ensure they didn't drink after the engine starts.

The device must stay on the vehicle for six months following a driver's first DUI conviction. For a second conviction, it must stay on for a year. For a third, it must stay for three years.

Since 2014, South Carolina has required the devices only for repeat offenders or drivers convicted a first time if they took a breath test and registered a blood-alcohol content of at least 0.15 percent; that's nearly twice the legal limit.

The expansion was welcomed as making the state's roads safer.

"The goal is to help people who really don't know what their limit is to not drink and drive," the bill's main sponsor, Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg, told The Post and Courier, promoting the technology's ability to save lives.

Installation of the device costs in the range of $150, Hutto said. Monitoring fees add about $3 a day. The law allows people who can't afford the costs to apply for the state to cover them.

Passage of the law marked a win not only for Hutto, but for many others whose lives had been affected by reckless driving.

During McMaster's signing ceremony, Mothers Against Drunk Driving National President Tess Rowland shared her own impactful experience with a drunk driver, recalling how her car was struck when she was on her way to work in Florida. She praised South Carolina's action, calling the state "ready for a new day of how they approach drunk driving."

The law expands on the 2014 "Emma's Law," honoring 6-year-old Emma Longstreet of Lexington County, who was killed by a drunken driver on New Year's Day 2012.

Emma's mother, Karen Longstreet, held a photo of her daughter during the signing ceremony.

In 2021, 33 percent of South Carolinas traffic fatalities, or 401 deaths, involved drivers with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 (the legal limit) or higher, which was eighth worst in the nation. Thats up from 319 killed in DUI crashes a year earlier, according to numbers released in April by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"One day, I hope the statistic will be zero," McMaster said.

The final version of the bill passed in both the House and Senate unanimously, at 112-0 in the House and 43-0 in the Senate respectively. Hutto said the Statehouse seemed more supportive this time than in previous years because of advances in how the testing works.

"People became more comfortable with the technology given what the data has proven," Hutto said. "There is a more committed membership for highway safety. It's now a priority."
COLUMBIA  Omari Lincoln became a longshoreman, loading and unloading cargo along the Charleston waterfront, after watching his father and his grandfather before him do the same.

Standing outside the S.C. Statehouse July 12, surrounded by the shouts of hundreds of other union workers, Lincoln said he joined the union's fight so the next generation of longshoremen will know their jobs are protected.

"This is my legacy," Lincoln said.

For two years, the International Longshoremen's Association and the State Ports Authority have been locked in a legal battle over whether ILA members or SPA employees will operate the large ship-to-shore cranes at the Leatherman Terminal in North Charleston.

Hundreds gathered at the home of the General Assembly as union workers and the SPA await a decision by an appeals court that could reverse an earlier ruling giving the ILA the right to all jobs at the terminal.

The ILA is erroneously asserting the state is trying to take jobs away from union employees, but those jobs were never theirs to begin with in Charleston," Barbara Melvin, the SPA's president and CEO, said in a statement. "S.C. Ports and ILA employees have productively worked alongside one another for decades, building successful careers and creating economic prosperity for their families. Our operating model works, and there is no reason to change it.

A panel of three federal judges appeared split on key issues of the case during a June 6 hearing, though they have yet to release their decision. If the ruling comes back in favor of the union, Gov. Henry McMaster said he would expect the state to file an appeal, sending the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"The ILA is committed to continuing this fight in the courts," Dennis Daggett, executive vice president of the International Longshoremen's Association, told the crowd gathered in downtown Columbia.

The union has maintained that a 2012 contract amendment with shipping lines states that all jobs at any new shipping terminals should go to union workers. Leatherman, which opened two years ago, was the first site to test that stipulation, which applies to ports along the East and Gulf coasts.

Signs at the rally read: "Leatherman is empty. The question is why?"

The $1 billion first phase of the terminal has been mostly idle since it opened in March 2021 on the old Navy base. Most container lines have refused to call at Leatherman until the labor dispute is resolved.

"The nucleus of any unionized organization is a contract," said Rep. Wendell Gilliard, D-Charleston. "When you talk and walk against that contract, then it's time for the voices to be heard."

Much of the talk at Wednesday's rally was about opposing McMaster, who expressed his support for the SPA in a friend-of-the-court brief he filed in support for the maritime agency's appeal.

"Everybody has a right to protest," McMaster said in addressing the media in response to the rally.

"But things are going so well in South Carolina, I dont think anyone wants to protest the great economic boon weve been experiencing," he said. "To allow the union to prevail on their effort at the port would be harmful for the port, a disaster for the state, would send a wrong message to the country and world about doing business in South Carolina and would set us back."

How much of an impact the underused terminal has had on the shipping industry remains unclear. While the SPA has said in court filings that the inactivity threatened the country's supply chain, the agency has also said it is able to move goods smoothly despite Leatherman operating below capacity. Much of the cargo meant to go through Leatherman has been rerouted to the port's other container terminals in North Charleston and Mount Pleasant.

Wednesday's rally included ILA members as well as workers from other unions and organizations in what was described as a show of strength.

"Everybody's coming together to show the state, as well as the governor, that we're here to stay in the jobs at the Charleston port," said Marquette Matt, a 20-year member of International Longshoremens Association Local 1422. "They're ours, and we want to continue to do those jobs."

Click here for more news from Columbia, S.C.
Anyone who drives around Charleston regularly knows that King Street changes south of Calhoun.

There, the iconic street suddenly becomes two lanes going one way  but real locals know its not really two lanes.

Its more like one and a half, depending on the size of the delivery truck invariably parked against the sidewalk and spilling into the right-hand lane. Which is why King Street is high on South Carolinas list of places where youre most likely to get sideswiped.

That isnt particularly anyones fault, its just the reality of having a working  and quite narrow  300-year-old street built before Escalades were a thing.

But all of that could change within the next year. And in Charleston, change is big. And never without controversy.

City Council and the S.C. Department of Transportation  which actually owns and controls the road  are planning the first major redesign of King Street in decades. It calls for a single multi-use lane going south, wider parking spots along the western sidewalk, wider sidewalks in some places, with pull-outs for delivery trucks and crosswalks that are larger and much safer for pedestrians.

Whats surprising is this plan takes away a lane of traffic  but still has growing support.

The broad brushstrokes of the idea came from Charleston merchants, residents and elected officials after DOT proposed adding a one-way bike lane to the street as part of a targeted complete-streets directive. The biking community cheered the concept, but business owners and others said it was too much to cram onto the narrow thoroughfare.

You think?

So state and city engineers tweaked the plan. Now, the plan calls for a single lane of traffic for all vehicles on King  and a two-way bikeway a block over, on St. Philip, between Calhoun and Beaufain streets.

Which, not coincidentally, puts the bikeway through the College of Charleston campus. The college objected to the initial proposal, calling it unsafe for students, but supports this idea.

The redesign isnt going to make everyone happy. But perhaps it should.

If your goal is to make Charleston roads safer, this does that, says City Councilman Mike Seekings, who represents the lower peninsula. When they look at this as a pedestrian, as a bicyclist, they should be happy. I believe this plan is the best for safety, and I wouldnt support it if I didnt.

Coming from Seekings, that means something. For more than a decade, the veteran councilman  chairman of councils transportation committee, chairman of CARTA and a member of the Business Improvement District  has been perhaps the citys leading proponent for multi-modal transportation.

Yeah, he has street cred.

Seekings is quick to praise the Transportation Department for doing an audit of roads that, for the first time, included bikes in its calculus. But he was also among a vocal chorus of critics who said the one-way bike lane didnt work: It put cyclists on a dangerous, narrow path  with no way to get back up the peninsula.

Now, hes praising the department again, for taking local concerns into account and making thoughtful changes. The design fits in perfectly with the citys established People Pedal Plan, which is the blueprint for a bikeway network on the peninsula.

When you put people in a room together, sometimes it actually works, he says.

Seekings committee is expected to recommend the plan to City Council next week, and council and the mayor could have a signed agreement with DOT within a month. That is, if opponents dont pull a hit-and-run. The bike community is likely to be unhappy, because the St. Philip bikeway doesnt go all the way to Broad Street.

But  and this is the key  local merchants and business owners may go along, and that could make the difference here. Because, among other things, the plan improves parking along the street, something merchants and many locals were worried about losing.

Mariana Hay, owner of Croghans Jewel Box on King Street, was among the merchants who raised concerns about the initial plan  and is now among those who support the new proposal.

As long as its as they explained it to me, were OK with it, Hay says. Its going to take patience, it will slow traffic down a bit, but it would create a safer King Street. And were all for making it safer for everyone.

That is why a fairly substantial change to Charlestons most iconic street may actually happen in the next year. Everyone agrees downtown streets need to be safe for everyone.

And right now, King Street isnt.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Partly cloudy early then heavy thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 97F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms this evening. Skies will become partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 78F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Critics were understandably upset about the Charleston County School Boards decision to hire the last man standing after two of its three superintendent finalists dropped out. Even if Eric Gallien was hands-down the best candidate, the board should have reopened its search, so both the board and the public would have confidence in that.

Now that Dr. Gallien has arrived, it would be easy to dismiss his refusal to set out an agenda as evidence that hes not up to the job.

It also would be a disservice to him and to our community.

In fact, we believe his pledge to take his first 100 days to "listen and learn and find out where the opportunities may exist"  and his steadfast refusal to waver under insistent media questioning  was precisely the right approach for someone who is familiar with neither our state nor our district.

As The Post and Couriers Maura Turcotte reports, the closest the new superintendent came to identifying a path forward when school board Chairwoman Pam McKinney introduced him to the media on Thursday was identifying the district's academic achievement gap as a priority, but even then he said that to sit here and say what that is and how Ill go about doing it would be premature.

Its true that such get to know you first answers are an easy out for people who dont have a clue what theyre doing. But theyre also the mark of new leaders who understand that every organization is different, and whether its a business or a nonprofit or a school district, the way to move each organization forward begins with understanding its unique needs. To do otherwise displays a certain arrogance that we dont need in our leaders.

Well have plenty of time to discover which Dr. Gallien is, but we owe it to ourselves and to him to give him that time. After all, its never been easy to be the Charleston County superintendent, as evidenced by the long list of former superintendents, many of whom had controversial exits  and sometimes controversial entrances.

Dr. Gallien faces a board whose priorities might or might not reflect the priorities of the district, given that the members were elected by the majority or and in some cases a mere plurality in nine gerrymandered districts, not by a majority of the countys voters.

The good news is that hes not working for the previous board, which never bothered to tell us why it paid then-Superintendent Gerrita Postlewait half a million dollars to leave  or even to acknowledge that it did that  just three months after giving her a good evaluation.

The bad news is that hes working for a board that led Don Kennedy to think he had a shot at replacing her permanently, only to make it clear to him in open session that it had no respect for his leadership. Bad also is that the board does not clearly know what its doing. For that, we can thank the state legislators who represent Charleston County, whose job is not to oversee the school district but who nonetheless upended the school board  leaving us with all but one new board member  because some members were peeved at the way the board was doing its job.

So as Dr. Gallien is listening, we urge the board to step back and do some listening as well  not just to the constituencies they believe they should represent but to the community as a whole. We also urge the board members to recognize that they have a lot of learning to do about dull procedural matters they havent yet mastered. Humility, after all, is good not only in our appointed leaders but also in our elected leaders.

Click here for more opinion content from The Post and Courier.
SUMTER  Sumter County Council Chairman James T. McCain Jr. said the decision to use a sign-in sheet to allow for public comment and holding the comment after a vote was made with support from his staff and based on the county ordinance, respectively, during the councils June 27 meeting.

The chairman made the comments during a special meeting called in response to Councilman Eugene Baten's addition of an item to the agenda for the council meeting July 11.

The special meeting happened before the regularly scheduled meeting on July 11. The item was listed as Discussion And Possible Action Concerning Protocol For Sumter County Councils Meetings on the agenda.

The meeting called by McCain was public but not held in County Council chambers. McCain told The Post and Courier he made the comments during a separate meeting because he didnt want to air our dirty laundry out in public.

Baten said he added the item to share more of his thoughts on the vote that occurred at the last meeting and the way the meeting had been conducted.

The Council voted at the June 27 meeting to not allow a tax increase for the Sumter County School District during a passionate discussion between council members. There also was back-and-forth talk between the chairman and members of the public at the June meeting.

Baten said he and members of the public who attended the June meeting felt disrespected by the rules that governed conduct in County Council meetings as well as the need to sign in to speak during the public comment period. The rules are played on a slideshow on multiple monitors in the County Council chambers.

I felt that Chairman McCain talked to them as if they were immature, unruly children, Baten said.

McCain said Clerk of Court Mary Blanding said a sign-in sheet for public comment had been used in the past when lots of speakers were expected. A sign-in sheet is always present at Council meetings. One had to sign in at the June meeting to speak during the public comment period.

McCain said he consulted with his staff on the decision on the Tuesday morning before the June meeting. This included the county administrator, clerk to council and county attorney. Sumter County Communications Coordinator Joe Perry confirmed the group had met during a regularly scheduled Chairman meeting on the Tuesday morning.

There was nothing nefarious about it, McCain said.

The time for public comment came after the vote on the tax increase was held, which caused frustration among some attendees and Council members.

The Sumter County Ordinances have a set order of when things will be dealt with within a meeting. Public comment comes right before adjournment. It also says public participation isnt allowed until all formal items on the agenda are finished.

The Council all needs to agree to change the order of the agenda if a member wants a change during a meeting. The ordinance dictating the format can only be changed through three readings.

Councilman Carlton Washington had called to move public comment to before the vote during the June meeting but it was voted down.

I think it's a shame that Council members voted to not even hear from the people who were here, after they requested to be heard, Washington said. What it suggests to me is that no matter what information was shown, nobody cared, the information was not important.
Ukraine is not interested in deploying foreign forces on its territory, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a press conference in Vilnius on Wednesday.

"I honestly want to tell you that no one raises this issue. And the NATO countries are not interested, and we are not interested until we are in NATO, to have one or another armed force stationed here," he said.

According to the president, "perhaps, on the contrary, just the partners understand that we have a powerful army, and when we are in NATO, then our military, who have received military experience, I'm sure they can be invited within the framework of the current legislation to provide appropriate security in the territories of other states."
A first-time congressional candidate is staffing up, adding seasoned Democratic operatives with powerful connections to his campaign team as he tries to unseat South Carolina Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in 2024.

Democrat Michael B. Moore has enlisted the help of Liftoff Campaigns, a digital fundraising and strategic communications firm whose founders have ties to a slew of Democratic heavy hitters.

The Post and Courier has learned the Moore campaign is working closely with Zack Carroll, who managed Jaime Harrison's 2020 U.S. Senate campaign in South Carolina versus Republican Lindsey Graham and Val Demings' 2022 Senate campaign in Florida. Carroll is a founding partner of Liftoff.

In 2020, Harrison shattered fundraising records in the Palmetto State and garnered national attention for his race against Graham, R-S.C., but ultimately lost to the incumbent by 10 percentage points.

After the election, Harrison became chair of the Democratic National Committee. On Twitter, Harrison has frequently referred to Carroll as "my friend."

In 2018, Carroll was the campaign manager for Andy Kim's congressional bid in New Jersey's 3rd District. In that contest, Kim flipped the seat out of Republican control and was reelected in 2020 and 2022.

The Moore campaign has also hired Democratic fundraiser Ashley Floyd. The Columbia-based operative was finance director for Stacey Abrams' 2022 gubernatorial race in Georgia. During her second bid for governor, Abrams raised a record-breaking $113 million.

Floyd also worked as finance director for Harrison's 2020 Senate campaign, and for the Democratic Party of Georgia.

The staffing investment illustrates an early effort by Moore to boost his political prospects in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District, which last elected a Democrat to Congress in 2018.

In a statement shared first with The Post and Courier, Moore, of Mount Pleasant, described his growing campaign as "a formidable force." Moore also announced his effort has raised more than $225,000 since entering the race.

"The hardworking families of South Carolina deserve a dedicated representative in Washington who prioritizes their needs and delivers tangible results  not someone focused on booking Fox News appearances and pandering to Donald Trump," Moore said.

Moore has also tapped Nicholas Thurston to serve as deputy campaign manager, Liz Donohue as policy director, and Quint Forgey as communications director.

The campaign's senior leadership team includes senior adviser David Holden, who ran unsuccessfully twice for a Florida congressional seat. Federal fundraising reports show Moore donated $5,400 to Holden's 2018 campaign.

Asked about their relationship, Forgey said the men have known each other for nearly 12 years and worked together when Moore was CEO and Chair of Glory Foods. Forgey said they also bonded on a medical mission they went on together to Haiti.

Apart from helping oversee the day-to-day operations of the campaign, Holden will be advising Moore on strategy and policy.

In March, Moore became the first Democratic challenger to declare his candidacy. Mac Deford, a Citadel graduate and attorney, is also seeking the Democratic nomination.

On the Republican side, federal campaign filings show Mace, R-Isle of Palms, has so far drawn one GOP challenger: Austin Anderson of St. Helena Island.

All are seeking to represent the Charleston-anchored U.S. House district that remains at the center of an ongoing legal challenge.

In October, a federal court ruling concluded the 1st Congressional Districts political boundaries had been unconstitutionally drawn to dilute Black voting power for partisan gain. Republicans in the Statehouse appealed to the Supreme Court, which has agreed to hear oral arguments in the case this fall.
The Biden Administration has suffered two setbacks in federal courts this week. Both are significant.

The first is the decision released today allowing Microsoft to complete its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the video gaming platform. The Biden Administration, which wants to take us back to 1950s-era antitrust madness, had sought to block the acquisition. The Wall Street Journal reports:

Microsoft can close its $75 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a federal judge ruled Tuesday, delivering a major setback to the Biden administrations attempt to rein in big mergers. The deal would combine Microsofts Xbox videogaming business with the publisher of popular franchises such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush. The ruling means there is no current U.S. obstacle to the two companies merging. U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley said in her opinion that the FTC hadnt shown that Microsofts ownership of Activision games would hurt competition in the console or cloud-gaming markets. To the contrary, the record evidence points to more consumer access to Call of Duty and other Activision content, she wrote.

I noticed that the stocks other video gaming companies like Electronic Arts soared on the news today along with Activision.

Attracting much less news coverage, however, is a decision of the DC Circuit Court of Appeals out yesterday that rejected a proposed Department of Energy efficiency regulation of commercial boilers. This may not sound exciting, and to be precise this is a rule-making that stretches back to the Trump years, but suffice it to say this rule-making would serve as a precursor and platform for the proposed rules to ban gas stoves, which is high on the list of the climate cultists in the Biden Administration.

The courts opinion is dense and highly technical, but the bottom line is that the court made a rare finding that the proposed rule was arbitrary and capricious, and relied on unsubstantiated models and made-up data, which the DoE refused to back up when challenged earlier in the rule-making process and district court trial. The court essentially saidSorry, were not deferring to your self-serving claims any more.

Our friends at Master Resource have a nice write up of the opinion. Key selections:

Beleaguered energy consumers were just handed a far-reaching victory by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (DC Circuit). The ruling vacated a Final Rule from the U.S, Department of Energy (DOE) that would have banned the manufacture and sale of non-condensing boilers for use in commercial applications. . . DOEs failures were major and numerous. Previously, the Court had afforded DOE ample opportunities to rectify them, but they didnt. Ultimately (reading in between the lines), it appears that the Court lost its patience with the Agency (DOE). One of the far-reaching results of this victory is that it undermines a veritable super-weapon of the administrative state: the Chevron Deference. . . The end-result of this (amid many other analytical biases discussed in the Court ruling) is fatally skewed economic determinations that almost always favor stricter standards, regardless of the true economics.. As a result of this Court Order, such routine biases are now on public display to demonstrate the full intent of regulatory failures that occur within the intentionally opaque bureaucratic processes to ostensibly overcome so-called market failures.

Slowly but inexorably the judiciary is turning against the Administrative State. Faster, please. . .
That is the conclusion of the Houses Select Committee on the Coronavirus Pandemic in a report issued today on early efforts to squelch speculation that the coronavirus may have escaped from the Wuhan lab. The report focuses on the famous conference call of February 1, 2020, among an international group of virus experts, and the production, rapidly thereafter, of a report titled The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2 which became one of the most cited and most influential scientific papers ever written.

The flurry of activity that gave rise to Proximal Origin was occasioned by the idea, then gaining currency, that the covid virus may have been the result of experimentation conducted at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The purpose of the scientists effort, culminating in Proximal Origin, was to squelch investigation of the lab leak theory.

The House report is persuasive on several levels. It shows that U.S. officials with little expertise in the relevant field, Francis Collins and Anthony Fauci, were a driving forceperhaps the driving forcebehind the effort. Fauci had a dog in the fight, as he was the key advocate, within the U.S. government, for conducting gain of function research.

The House report, based on documents produced by the authors of Proximal Origin and 25 hours of recorded interviews, demonstrates that politics played a major role in the scientists thinking. Thus:

[O]n February 8, 2020, Dr. [Kristian] Andersen wrote, Our main work over the past couple of weeks has been focused on trying to disprove any type of lab theory, but we are a crossroad where the scientific evidence isnt conclusive enough to say that we have high confidence in any of the three main theories considered. [O]n February 20, 2020, Dr. Andersenin trying to defend the viability of Proximal Originwrote, Unfortunately none of this helps refute a lab origin and the possibility must be considered as a serious scientific theory (which is what we do) and not dismissed out of hand as another conspiracy theory. We all really, really wish that we could do that (thats how this got started), but unfortunately its just not possible given the data.

The scientists ventured into foreign policy:

According to Dr. [Jeremy] Farrar he became aware of chatter suggesting the virus looked almost engineered to infect human cells in the last week of January. In Dr. Farrars own words, That got my mind racing. This was a brand-new virus that seemingly sprang from nowhere. Except that this pathogen had surfaced in Wuhan, a city with a BSL-4 virology lab which is home to an almost unrivalled collection of bat viruses. Dr. Farrars first concern was not the well-being of the planet, but instead, [c]ould the novel-coronavirus be anything to do with gain-of-function (GOF) studies? This is a type of research that Dr. Farrar, much like Dr. Fauci, believes to be ultimately useful. In addition to concerns that the pandemic resulted from GOF research, Dr. Farrar was also concerned about US-Sino relationsan interesting position for a British scientist to take. Dr. Farrar said: US-China politics were in a bad place in January 2020It was obvious that people would soon begin hunting for a scapegoat for what was rapidly turning into a global health disaster. Trump was seeking to blame the virus on China and was calling it the China virus and kung flu. The security services in the US were on high alert for any hint that would prop up the accusations.

You knew there had to be a reference to Trump. More:

Fear of a political shit show is not science.

Dr. Andersen also found a paper written by Dr. Ralph Baric and Dr. Zhengli Shi (Baric/Shi Paper) that purported to have inserted furin cleavage sites into SARS. As recounted by Dr. Farrar, this paper was a how-to-manual for building the Wuhan coronavirus in a laboratory. Dr. Holmes responded, fuck, this is bad and oh my god what worse words than that.

Also:

Around this same time, Dr. Andersen shared his concerns regarding the possibility the COVID-19 pandemic was the result of a lab leak and that it had properties that may have been genetically modified or engineeredspecifically the furin cleavage sitewith Dr. Holmes. According to Dr. Holmes, Dr. Andersen texted, Eddie, can we talk? I need to be pulled off a ledge here.

This is from Francis Collins, then the director of the National Institutes of Health, the day after the conference call:

Two of the reports authors say they are eager to make it public because of rumors of bioweaponeering:

And finally, we have no choice but to inject politics into science:

So obviously, that is what happened.

The House report shows that Proximal Origin was first submitted to Nature magazine for publication, but Nature declined because it didnt repudiate the laboratory origin theory strongly enough. So the authors re-wrote their paper to crank up their anti-lab leak conclusion, and got it published in Nature Medicine.

There is much more in the report. It includes quite a bit of technical information about genetic engineering of viruses which I am not competent to evaluate. I have always thought that the simplest and most compelling argument for human engineering in the Wuhan lab is the fact that after three years of frantic searching, no one has ever found a bat in the wild that carries SARS-CoV-2. QED.

Be that as it may, the politicization of science that the House report documents is one of the troubling phenomena of our time.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-12 15:00:25

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CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Addison Group, a leading provider of professional talent solutions and business consulting services, today announced that it has been named to "Chicago's Largest Privately Held Companies" 2023 list by Crain's Chicago Business.Crain's Chicago Business Largest Privately Held Companies 2023Crain's Chicago Business (all caps, top line, white text) Largest Privately Held Companies (all caps, middle, red text) 2023 (bottom line, white text) Crain's Chicago Business, and its online component, ChicagoBusiness.com , is one of more than 20 business publications owned by Crain Communications, and considered a top source of news, deeper analysis, special reports, and information on business in metropolitan Chicago for decision-makers in the private and public sectors.Since its inception in 1999, Addison Group (Addison) has strategically acquired smaller like-minded niche recruitment, talent development, and consulting companies that have given Addison its conglomerate status among the privately held. CEO Tom Moran is at the helm of each strategic acquisition, all of which have sustained gains in revenue and headcount to date. Overall the group currently employs nearly 6,000 people nationwide.Michael Samuels, CFO, Addison Group, commented: "We are honored to be named on 'Chicago's Largest Privately Held Companies' by Crain's Business. This recognition is a nod to the hard work and dedication of our employees and the positive guidance of our collective leadership. At Addison, we champion betterment and workplace transparency, and that ideology has helped us grow into the successful company we are today." Addison specializes in talent and consulting solutions, with a focus on putting people first and honing strong relationships to deliver the expertise and talent that businesses need to succeed. Addison has a long history of identifying the type of executive expertise that encourages innovation and growth.Tom Moran, CEO, Addison Group, shared his sentiments: "Addison has offices throughout the country, which allow us to invest in the surrounding communities and help local job markets thrive. Since our headquarters is rooted in the heart of downtown Chicago, it's an honor to be recognized for our contributions and impact on our home base." About Addison GroupAddison Group, an award-winning talent solutions and consulting company in the U.S., provides industry-leading expertise with a national reach and a localized touch. Addison offers a full suite of consulting and recruiting capabilities across multiple sectors, including information technology, finance and accounting, non-clinical healthcare, human resources, administrative, and digital marketing. Addison Group has been repeatedly recognized by the media as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States by Forbes' Top 200 America's Best Professional and Specialist Search Firms, Forbes' America's Best Recruiters and Executive Search Firms, America's Best Temporary Staffing Firms, SIA Top 100 Staffing Bold Leaders, and Inc. Best 100 Places to Work. Addison Group subsidiaries include Mondo, AIM Consulting, DLC, Bridgepoint Consulting, Harmony Healthcare, Kranz Consulting, and ArcLight Consulting.Contact InformationMindy KonczalMedia & Public Relations ManagerSOURCE: Addison Group
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BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / MassRobotics, in collaboration with AMD, is pleased to announce the AMD Robotics Innovation Challenge winners. The challenge aimed to explore the benefits and advantages of AMD Kria System on Modules (SOMs) in integrating adaptive computing into robotics projects. Participants had the opportunity to propose how they could work with the AMD Kria KR260 Robotics Starter Kit and will now start working to produce results and innovation.After careful evaluation, AMD and MassRobotics would like to congratulate the following companies that emerged as the winners of the AMD Robotics Innovation Challenge:Phuc Labs: Phuc Labs is revolutionizing particle sorting and separation with their innovative Vision Valve technology. Using real-time image inferencing, their programmable and scalable digital sorting process replaces outdated analog methods. With applications in copper recovery from e-waste, industrial food sorting, and wastewater management, Phuc Labs aims to improve speed and accuracy while eliminating the need for certain components in their current hardware setup.Radmantis: Radmantis offers cutting-edge solutions for uncrewed fish handling, enhancing production, and biosecurity in fish farming operations. Their AI-based automated tools minimize manual handling, leading to healthier products, reduced losses, and streamlined task management. By addressing operational inefficiencies and the threat of invasive species, Radmantis contributes to the sustainability of aquaculture and the preservation of aquatic ecosystems.Black-I Robotics: With more than a decade of experience in robot design, Black-I Robotics focuses on developing robotic arms hosted on Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). Their versatile arm is compatible with safety regulations, capable of lifting up to 100 lbs, and supports mix palletization for warehouse operations. Black-I Robotics aims to provide reliable and efficient solutions for various industries.Tatum Robotics: Tatum Robotics is dedicated to developing anthropomorphic robotic hands for the DeafBlind community. Their flagship product, the Tatum T1, is a customizable, compliant, and 3D-printed robot that enables independent communication for individuals who are both deaf and blind. By leveraging low-cost technology, cloud-based software, and a translation engine, Tatum Robotics aims to enhance accessibility and empower the DeafBlind community.Cleo Robotics: Cleo Robotics is building the Dronut, a revolutionary drone capable of operating in challenging environments where GPS signals are unavailable and confined spaces are a concern. The Dronut's unique hardware design, combining a suite of sensors with a ducted fan sUAV, ensures safety around people and sensitive equipment. Cleo Robotics caters to industrial and commercial inspectors, government agencies, law enforcement, and more.The winners of the AMD Robotics Innovation Challenge will receive a prize funding of $5,000 USD, access to AMD's innovation centers and market experts, opportunities to showcase their solutions at ROSCon and SPS Shows, introductions to MassRobotics' extensive robotics network, and AMD Kria KR260 Robotics Starter Kits. Additionally, they will have the chance to collaborate on marketing and media engagements, including press announcements, articles, and tradeshows.Additionally, AMD and MassRobotics were impressed by the dedication and innovative approach to enabling technology in the field of robotics of university applicants. As a result, AMD has decided to award three outstanding applicants with an honorable mention in recognition of their outstanding efforts.The first honorable mention goes to GET Robotics (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania), who are developing an Unmanned Autonomous Ground Vehicle (UAGV) designed to assist in various tasks requiring mobility and flexibility. Their UAGV utilizes Rocker-bogie suspension technology and is capable of performing tasks such as surveillance, reconnaissance, transportation, and logistics. GET Robotics is currently testing this technology on African farms to automate farming processes and provide valuable data and harvest predictions to local farmers.The second honorable mention is awarded to WORMS (Cambridge, MA, USA), whose Walking Oligomeric Robotic Mobility System offers a revolutionary and adaptable robotic architecture. WORMS combines small, interchangeable "worm" units and specialized accessories to create versatile walking robots with a wide range of payload capacities. The modular design and robust multi-agent software stack enable WORMS to be configured for various missions, making it suitable for industries such as logistics, construction, emergency services, and even space exploration.The third honorable mention is presented to PluckTech (Worcester, MA, USA), a company at the forefront of hardware development in agriculture robotics. PluckTech's focus on hardware innovation enables them to deliver exceptional solutions for autonomous fruit, vegetable, and flower harvesting. They integrate a robust manipulator with a soft robotic gripper for precise and gentle handling of delicate crops. PluckTech combines expertise in computer vision, dynamics, controls, motion planning, and soft robotics to create durable robots capable of withstanding the challenges of outdoor agricultural environments. They also plan to leverage AMD's Kria platform and advanced visual processing technologies to enhance their robots' capabilities in crop detection, classification, and disease identification.Each honorable mention recipient will receive an AMD Kria KR260 Robotics Starter Kit and a cash prize of USD$1000. These awards recognize the outstanding potential and innovation demonstrated by these university applicants in the field of robotics."We'd like to extend hearty congratulations to the winners of the inaugural AMD Robotics Innovation Challenge," said Chetan Khona, senior director of Industrial, Vision, Healthcare, and Sciences Markets at AMD. "Working together with MassRobotics, we're excited to help early-stage robotics companies achieve their potential and bring innovative solutions to market." "We congratulate the winners of the AMD Robotics Innovation Challenge and commend their innovative approaches to robotics," said Juan Necochea, Director of Strategic Partnerships at MassRobotics. "These companies have demonstrated the transformative potential of AMD Kria SOM technologies in addressing complex challenges across various industries. We are excited to support their continued growth and success." The AMD Robotics Innovation Challenge received applications from early-stage robotics c
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Nation's Largest Urgent Care Provider Inks Major Multi-Development Deal With DiPasqua Enterprises, Inc.BIRMINGHAM, AL / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / American Family Care (AFC), the nation's leading provider of urgent care, accessible primary care, and occupational medicine, is thrilled to announce a significant franchise development deal in Orlando, Florida. AFC is partnering with father and son franchise veterans Peter, Jr. and Michael DiPasqua of DiPasqua Enterprises, Inc (DEI) in a new multi-unit development agreement that includes 12 AFC franchise locations in the Orlando area."We are extremely excited to partner with the DiPasqua family and their exceptional team at DEI," says Paige Robinson, Vice President of Franchise Development for AFC. "The DiPasqua family is a powerhouse in the franchising world; we are thrilled to work with Peter, Jr., his son Michael, and business partner Billy Giovanetti to provide central Florida residents with affordable and accessible healthcare." American Family Care offers state-of-the-art treatment across a broad range of services. AFC medical providers treat and diagnose illnesses like the flu or a cold, COVID-19, injuries, and accidents, including broken bones. Additionally, providers help patients manage a variety of health conditions, ranging from arthritis to diabetes to high blood pressure. They can also perform pre-employment physicals, drug screenings, and treatment of work-related injuries."With more than 40 years of growth and success, AFC offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to tap into the healthcare industry. Partnering with veteran franchisees like the DiPasquas not only allows them to grow their portfolio but also expands our reach in the Sunshine State," adds Robinson.The DiPasqua's franchise journey started more than 45 years ago when Peter's father worked as a barber. Introduced to the Subway franchising opportunity by a client, Peter, Sr. took a leap of faith with his wife Lucy, and their son, Peter, Jr. and opened their first Subway location in Orlando. Today, the family still owns that first location as well as more than 150 other Subway restaurants. DiPasqua Enterprises is also invested in other franchise brands, including Crumbl Cookies, Planet Fitness, K9 Resort, and Allora Day Spas."At DEI, we prioritize giving back, whether it's to our employees or local charities. Now with AFC, we can provide our growing community with the vital necessity of affordable healthcare," says Peter DiPasquas, Jr. "AFC's reputation for delivering comprehensive and compassionate care aligns perfectly with our values, and we're committed to providing the best experiences for our patients." The increasing demand for quality healthcare in the United States fuels AFC's record-setting franchise development growth. With more than 300 clinics now open, AFC is on track to expand to 500 locations within just a few years.More information about business opportunities with American Family Care can be found on AFC's national website.MEDIA CONTACTS:Nancy Bostrom nbostrom@919 marketing.com 919-459-8163Sue Yannello syannello@919 marketing.com 919-459-8162About American Family Care:Founded by Dr. Bruce Irwin with a single location in 1982, American Family Care has pioneered the concept of convenient, patient-centric healthcare. Today, with more than 300 clinics and 1500 in-network providers caring for millions of patients a year, AFC is the nation's leading provider of urgent care, accessible primary care, and occupational medicine. Ranked by Inc. magazine as one of the fastest-growing companies in the United States, AFC's stated mission is to provide the best healthcare possible, in a kind and caring environment, while respecting the rights of all patients, in an economical manner, at times and locations convenient to the patient. For more information, visit americanfamilycare.com SOURCE: American Family Care
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Watch the "Trader Bacon" show here.AUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Apex Trader Funding, a prop trader funding platform, has released the first episode of its new, live-streamed show in collaboration with Benzinga.The show, Trader Bacon,' will be hosted by experienced trader Gates Adams. His first guest was Terrence Spence, who joined Adams to share his enthusiasm for Apex Trader Funding.The show is starting at an important time for Apex Trader Funding. The platform recently passed 60,000 traders, and the show will be unpacking why Apex Trader Funding is one of the fastest-growing prop trader firms.As well as providing a behind-the-scenes look at Apex Trader Funding, the show will be geared toward practical advice on trading strategies. This could make Benzinga the ideal host website for the company, as Benzinga is one of the leading news sites for retail investors. Trader Bacon' will serve as a resource for Traders everywhere, meaning this collaboration aims to provide traders with practical and actionable advice for trading."We are thrilled to launch our first streaming show on Benzinga," said Darrell Martin, CEO of Apex Trader Funding. "Our platform continues to see success because traders recognize it's built for them by fellow traders. Trader Bacon will be another resource for new and existing traders to see why Apex goes above and beyond for our users compared to any of our competitors." Click here to watch Trader Bacon'.A Growing Prop FirmApex Trader Funding is a Texas-based prop firm, and its active community of more than 60,000 traders is spread across over 150 countries. Prop trading allows investors to trade securities with a firm's funds instead of their own, a practice that can increase a trader's access to capital and potential returns.Prop firms are growing in popularity as a possible solution to some of the difficulties faced by day traders. While there are millions of active traders around the world, most will quit day trading due to its difficulties and their inability to cover their losses. By working with a prop firm, traders can mitigate their risks, boost their funding and gain access to a network of tools and resources.While some prop firms take advantage of traders with high fees and stringent rules, Apex Trader Funding offers one of the highest contract funding plans while looking to keep its plans easy to pass and with a lower barrier to entry - in addition to competitive payment rates, giving its traders 100% of the first $25,000 per account and 90% of earnings after that.Since 2021, Apex Trader Funding has already paid compensation to its traders totaling $24 million. The company's motto is "Traders Helping Traders," and it prides itself on its intuitive guidelines that allow traders to perform their best without being restricted by onerous prop firm rules.Click here to watch Trader Bacon'!Learn more about how Apex Trader Funding is empowering traders globally.Featured photo by ConvertKit on Unsplash.Contact:Cameron Nishcameron@ apextraderfunding.com SOURCE: Apex Trader Funding
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called the summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as historic.

"We have just concluded a historic NATO summit. Over the past two days, we took historic decisions to adapt our Alliance for the future. We agreed NATO's most detailed and strongest defense plan since the Cold War, we strengthened our commitment to defense investments. We agreed to bring Ukraine closer to the Alliance and step up support for a long time and deepened our partnerships around the world," he announced the main results of the summit on Wednesday in Vilnius at the final press conference.

Stoltenberg also said he had just chaired the inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council. "From now on, NATO and Ukraine will meet at the Council to discuss and decide as equals. This is a significant step to move Ukraine closer to NATO," the Secretary General said.

He also welcomed new announcements of further Allied support. "Ukraine is now closer to NATO than ever before. Allies reaffirmed that Ukraine will be a member of NATO and agreed to remove the requirement for MAP," Stoltenberg pointed out to one of the key decisions of the summit.

The Secretary General believes the decisions taken at the summit "are the strongest messages regarding the membership of Ukraine that the Alliance has ever made."

Stoltenberg again stated: "The most important thing is for now is to ensure that the war ends, so the main task now is to continue supplying weapons."
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HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Houston, Texas attorney Paul Sternberg has spent decades helping local clients overcome their legal battles. His specialty is helping those threatened or harmed by online defamation attacks.Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court awarded two victories for internet and social media companies, allowing them to remain under the protection of under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which safeguards internet companies from lawsuits over content posted by users of their platforms.Attorney Paul Sternberg explains that Section 230 was designed to ensure that internet companies can't be sued over published content-no matter how harmful-so long as it's posted by third parties to their platforms.In the U.S. Supreme Court case involving YouTube, owned by Google, the justices chose not to amend Section 230, though a number of attorneys, including Sternberg, as well as many in political office, like President Joe Biden and former president, Donald Trump, have called for reform to this law in order to hold internet companies liable for at least some of the content on their platforms.Sternberg notes that, in a separate case, the justices also shielded Twitter from litigation that sought to apply the Anti-Terrorism Act-a law that allows Americans to recover damages related to "an act of international terrorism." In both the Twitter and YouTube/Google cases, family members of people killed by Islamist gunmen overseas sued, hoping to hold the internet companies liable, citing the presence of militant groups on these platforms or that the companies recommended content from these groups to users.In a 9-0 decision, however, the justices reversed a lower court's ruling on the lawsuit against Twitter by American relatives of Nawras Allassaf, a Jordanian man killed in a 2017 attack in an Istanbul nightclub claimed by the Islamic State militant group. Alassaf's family accused Twitter of aiding and abetting the Islamic State in the massacre at an Istanbul nightclub in which Alassaf and 38 others were killed. The family said that Twitter failed to police their platform when it came to the militant group's accounts and posts, and in doing so, violated the Anti-Terrorism Act.The justices also returned the Google/YouTube case to a lower court. In this lawsuit, the family of Nohemi Gonzalez, a California college student killed in a 2015 Islamic State attack in Paris, sued, saying that YouTube provided illegal assistance to the Islamic State by recommending their content to users.What the Supreme court's ruling means for Internet defamation casesThough not as extreme as violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act, some may be may wondering how the Supreme Court's recent ruling will affect the legality of online defamation of character, which is common these days. If someone makes online defamatory claims about an individual or even a business, can online platforms such as Twitter or Facebook be held liable?Sternberg relays that the answer, unfortunately, is no-not in most cases.However, that doesn't mean that individuals or businesses are completely defenseless against online defamation. You may be able to submit a complaint to the online platform in question, and it's possible that they may remove the defamatory statements. However, this typically involves an arbitration process in which you must first prove your case. It may not be possible in some situations.If the online platform doesn't prove helpful in removing the defamatory statements, another option that often proves more successful is filing a lawsuit against the author of the defamatory statement(s). Though the internet companies, themselves, cannot be held liable for defamatory statements, the author of such statements can. If you are the victim of online defamation, seek the help of an attorney who specializes in this area of law.Paul M. Sternberg owns a private practice law firm in Houston, Texas. He concentrates his practice in the areas of internet defamation law as well as business law. Mr. Sternberg is a graduate from the A.B.Freeman School of Business at Tulane University in 1987, and a 1996 graduate from South Texas College of Law in Houston. Mr. Sternberg, a seasoned entrepreneur, is the author of THE GUIDE TO INTERNET DEFAMATION AND WEBSITE REMOVAL and THE GUIDE TO INVESTING IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE. He has 10 years of experience on representing clients who have been the victims of defamatory cyber-attacks. Mr. Sternberg has developed a reliable blueprint in securing positive solutions in most cases. He has shared his professional knowledge with FOX NEWS and many other media outlets to discuss internet defamation. He is a frequent speaker to attorneys and community groups. He may be reached at www.TheDefamationAttorney.com or his office at 713-789-8120.THIS ARTICLE SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS LEGAL ADVICEAttorney Paul Sternberg, of Houston, Texas, states and declares that the above text is not offered as legal advice, but is provided as general information. The information contained within may not be suitable for all individuals or situations. No attorney-client relationship is created or implied by the provision of this information, nor does the aforementioned make any warranties, whether expressed or implied, of any kind. To discuss a particular situation in more detail, please contact attorney Paul Sternberg for a consultation by calling 713-789-8120.SOURCE: Sternberg Law Firm
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22-year company veteran will take over executive leadership while company founder Michael Sigourney transitions into a brand ambassador roleWARREN, RI / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / AVTECH Software (AVTECH), the manufacturer of Room Alert proactive environment monitoring solutions, is pleased to announce the promotion of Richard Grundy to the position of President & CEO as of July 15, 2023. This strategic move comes as part of AVTECH's ongoing commitment to strengthen its leadership team and propel the company's growth to new heights.Richard GrundyAVTECH President & CEO Richard Grundy Richard Grundy, a veteran within AVTECH, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. With an impressive tenure of 22 years at the company, most recently as President & COO, Grundy has continually demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and a deep understanding of AVTECH's core values and business operations. Under his guidance, AVTECH has introduced countless new products to the marketplace and has opened locations in Ireland and the United Arab Emirates. Richard's strategic vision was also a key role in the company's acquisition of their primary manufacturer Mirian Solutions, allowing AVTECH to maintain full control over their supply chain. His promotion to President & CEO is a testament to his outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment to AVTECH's success.In his new position, Grundy will assume responsibility for overseeing all executive leadership and strategic execution at AVTECH. Leveraging his extensive industry knowledge, he will drive the company's strategic vision, spearhead innovation initiatives, and enhance customer-centric practices. Grundy's steadfast dedication to excellence and his ability to foster strong relationships will be instrumental in leading AVTECH into a new era of growth and success.Simultaneously, Michael Sigourney, the Founder & CEO of AVTECH Software, will transition to the role of Founder, Chairman, and Evangelist. Sigourney's visionary leadership has been instrumental in establishing AVTECH as a global leader in proactive environment monitoring since 1988. In his new capacity, he will focus on being a brand ambassador around the world for AVTECH and its flagship product, Room Alert. Sigourney will actively engage with partners, resellers, and industry professionals at various trade shows, expos, and trade missions to strengthen AVTECH's presence and foster strategic alliances."Richard's extensive experience and deep understanding of our company make him the ideal candidate to drive AVTECH's continued success," stated Michael Sigourney. "I have full faith and confidence in his capabilities and will continue to collaborate when needed as we embark on this exciting new chapter, allowing him to lead AVTECH and Room Alert into the future." AVTECH Software is committed to delivering innovative Room Alert solutions that enable businesses to proactively monitor and protect their critical environments. With Grundy at the helm and Sigourney's unwavering support as Founder, Chairman, and Evangelist, AVTECH is poised to accelerate its growth, expand its market reach, and reinforce its position as an industry leader.AVTECH's Room Alert is the leading environment monitoring solution for data centers, IT rooms, warehouses, cold storage and other facilities. AVTECH has been serving customers for over 35 years and is committed to providing innovative solutions that help businesses protect their people, property, and productivity to provide Peace of Mind. The Room Alert mobile app is available for download on both iOS and Android devices. To learn more about Room Alert and their proactive environment monitoring solutions, visit their website at AVTECH.com About AVTECHAVTECH Software (AVTECH), a private corporation founded in 1988, is a computer hardware and software developer and manufacturer based in Warren, RI with an international sales office in Dubai, UAE as well as an international distribution facility in Shannon, Ireland. AVTECH's Room Alert products are made in the USA and proactively monitor critical facilities and assets for conditions such as temperature, humidity, power, flood/water leakage, smoke/fire, air flow, room entry, motion, cameras and more. Room Alert is in use in over 185 countries and can be found in over 80% of the Fortune 1000, most state and federal agencies, and all branches of the U.S. military.Contact InformationRussell BenoitMarketing and Channel Communications Managerpress@ avtech.com 4016281600SOURCE: AVTECH Software, Inc.
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AUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Mr. Takatoshi Nakamura CEO, Pres. and Mr. Motoyuki Odachi, COO, Dir. of CIPHER-CORE, Inc., Colorado, USA publicly held company (OTC PINK:CFCI) visited Dhaka, capital of People's Republic of Bangladesh 6/12/2023-6/17/2023 to discuss using CIPHER-CORE, Inc. internationally patented technology "complete cypher" for Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) with the officials of Bank of Bangladesh."Daily Business Eye" one of the most influential daily papers in Bangladesh reported 6/18/2023 that a two-member delegation of Japan's company "Cipher-Core co. Ltd" 100% subsidiary of CIHER-CORE, Inc. USA is now visiting Bangladesh to meet with several officials including Bangladesh Bank (BB), Ministry of Finance and others.During the discussions, many questions were related to the one and only technology related to "complete cypher" which is not using the ledger system in various financial fields but instead using "complete cypher" that protects even quantum computer attacks. They have made an offer to Bangladesh Bank to introduce the CBDC using their technology. The discussions shall be continued further when visiting Dhaka again 7/28/2023 - 8/01/2023.During the visit, Mr. Nakamura and Mr. Odachi visited the Japanese Embassy in Bangladesh. Mr. Odachi reported to Ambassador Kiminori Iwama the purpose of their visit to Bangladesh. Mr. Iwama introduced Mr. Tomohide Ichiguchi, the Representative of the Bangladesh office of, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JAICA) to Mr. T. Nakamura and Mr. M. Odachi. JAICA is the agency in charge of administering Japan's Official Development Aid (ODA).Mr. Odachi, COO of the company, a former deputy minister of finance of Japan, wants to get JICA's financial assistance to Bangladesh on this "complete cypher" project for CBDC for the costs being incurred during the development stage as technical cooperation is one of JICA's three major areas of development assistance, the others being grants and yen loans.Investor Relations:Claire SingletonTel: 801-580-9928Email: clairesingleton@ aol.com URL: http://www.cipher-core.com/en SOURCE: CIPHER-CORE, Inc.
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Investigation follows highly publicized, coordinated investigations and dawn raids carried out by antitrust authorities in the United States and EuropeWASHINGTON, D.C. / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC, a premier plaintiffs' class action law firm, is investigating Givaudan, Symrise, International Flavors & Fragrances, and Firmenich, four of the world's largest fragrance companies in anticipation of filing a potential class action lawsuit. The investigation concerns whether the fragrance and flavor companies colluded to raise and fix the prices of fragrance products, not to supply specific customers, and to limit production of their fragrance products in violation of the Sherman Act.The investigation comes on the heels of coordinated investigations and dawn raids by the antitrust divisions of the U.S. Department Justice, the European Commission, Swiss Competition Commission, and the U.K Competition and Markets Authority, and extensive media attention that followed this past March.As a part of Cohen Milstein's investigation, the firm is speaking to companies that may have purchased fragrances and flavors directly from the four manufacturers or one of their subsidiaries, including Ottens Flavors, David Michael & Company, Inc., Agilex Fragrances, Flavourome, Natural Flavors, Fragrance West, Senomyx, Expressions Parfumees, Naturex, Golden Frog, Albert Vieille, Fragrance Oils, Drom, AMSilk, Sensient, and Custom Essence."Fragrances and flavors are essential to how we perceive the value of a product or food item, particularly products we bring into our homes, whether it's laundry detergent, soap, candles, or convenience food products," said Daniel Silverman, an antitrust partner at Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC, who is leading the investigation. "We are concerned that consumer product and food and beverage companies that purchased fragrances or flavors for enhancing the value of their products and brands between January 1, 2018 and present day may have been adversely impacted by alleged collusion by the world's top four fragrance and flavor manufactures." Impacted Individuals: Cohen Milstein is actively speaking to companies who purchased fragrances or fragrance ingredients directly from any of the companies listed above.Next Steps: If a company believes it was impacted by this alleged collusion and price fixing scheme, it should contact its legal counsel or contact: Daniel H. Silverman (email) or at 617 858 1990 or PLEASE CLICK HERE TO CONTACT COHEN MILSTEIN.About Cohen Milstein's Antitrust PracticeCohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC is a premier class action law firm, handling high-profile and often precedent-setting cases on behalf of plaintiffs. We have more than 100 attorneys practicing out of eight offices across the United States. In 2022, Cohen Milstein was named Law360's "Competition Practice Group of the Year." Daniel H. Silverman (admitted to practice law in DC, MA, and NY) is a partner in our Antitrust practice, where he prosecutes class actions on behalf of consumers, small businesses, and employees in courts around the country.For additional information, please visit https://www.cohenmilstein.com or call (202) 408-4600.Contact:Daniel H. SilvermanCohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC769 Centre Street, Suite 207Boston, MA 02130Telephone: 888-240-0775 (Toll Free) or 617.858.1990SOURCE: Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Hagens Berman urges FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/FMC Contact An Attorney Now: FMC@ hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895FMC Corporation (FMC) Investigation:The investigation focuses on the propriety of FMC's sales and inventory management practices.On May 1, 2023, FMC announced its Q1 2023 financial results, said Q2 2023 revenue would be flat to the prior year quarter, and maintained FY 2023 revenue outlook of $6.08 to $6.22 billion.But, on July 10, 2023, FMC announced updated expectations for its Q2 and FY 2023 outlook. In particular, the company slashed its Q2 2023 revenue outlook by about 30%, reduced its FY 2023 revenue outlook by over 14%, and blamed the reduced guidance on reductions in channel inventory that adversely impacted the company's sales volumes in the quarter.This news sent the price of FMC shares sharply lower that day."We're focused on investors' losses and whether FMC may have engaged in improper channel-stuffing," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.If you invested in FMC and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman.Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding FMC Corporation should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email FMC@ hbsslaw.com # # #About Hagens BermanHagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com . Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.Contact:Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Cadence Design SystemsIn recognition of LGBTQ+ Pride month, Cadence is honoring and celebrating the LGBTQ+ global community by hosting special events with inspiring speakers and partner organizations.This year, we're reflecting on the importance of creating safe space at work and building allyship with the LGBTQ+ community. We had the chance to catch up with our LGBTQ+ Inclusion Group leaders, Karna Nisewaner, Executive Sponsor and Corporate VP, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary, and Rene Spring, Global LGBTQ+ Group Lead and Program Management Director. We chatted more about their thoughts on the inclusion group's role in supporting our LGBTQ+ employees, how global visibility can impact engagement, and ways we can all be champions of Cadence's commitment to diversity in 2023.What does global inclusion mean for the LGBTQ+ community at Cadence?Rene: I was asked a couple of years ago to lead the LGBTQ+ Inclusion Group. We started in North America, and this year, began to expand participation globally. As an example, we have multiple locations, especially in Europe, that will be celebrating Pride. And I've heard from teams in Brazil, Israel, and India. The inclusion group is bringing these people together for the first time, and it's important to us to work for a company that stands behind our community. What it means? We are One Cadence-One Team, we are global, and there are LGBTQ+ employees everywhere. It's important that everyone knows that you are welcome here at Cadence, no matter where you work. I believe that more diverse and inclusive teams are stronger, and that's part of why I'm on this journey.Karna: When I think about more global inclusion groups, what I see is a real broadening of this concept of acceptance and authenticity. For us, it's saying no matter where you are or who you are, we accept you and are thrilled that you are a part of this Cadence culture that celebrates you being you. That, to me, is a very powerful message that we want to make sure people feel."One of the biggest opportunities I've seen is the ability to feel comfortable at work while being your authentic self." - Rene SpringWhat are some LGBTQ+ group initiatives you're working on this year?Karna: Rene has done such a great job of building this initial community. I want to keep connecting with this community and to have them be seen and heard throughout Cadence. It's making it clear to people across the organization that we are a culture that believes in this-and believes in you, the individual, however you identify.Rene: Expanding the group globally has been a great goal of ours for this year, and we're gaining momentum. It's also important that we have visibility and support at the executive management team level; we're working together to showcase the strengths of our group and to come up with meaningful asks. As an example, this year we signed onto the Human Rights Campaign Business Coalition for the Equality Act and also introduced guidelines to help employees who are going through gender transition to feel comfortable coming into work.This program has to live on for a long time, so I think it's important that we continue to ask ourselves, How do we do this right?'What are you looking forward to most this Pride Month?Rene: I, along with members of our LGBTQ+ Inclusion Group, planned the largest Pride Month celebration we've ever had at our San Jose headquarters. It was such a wonderful event to have open to the whole site. We featured guest speaker Elizabeth Birch, Vice President at Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis (CBRE) and former President and CEO of the Human Rights Campaign, nine local vendors and community partners, as well as an amazing Mexican folklore dance performance from the LGBTQ+ group Ensamble Folclorico Colibri. We want to celebrate the variety of people in our community, our authentic selves, and our accomplishments. To have the whole month of June to remind everyone of how far we have come and how things have changed for the better is a reason to celebrate.Karna: We want our employees to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community's contributions and for our LGBTQ+ identifying employees to feel seen and valued. Our LGBTQ+ employees are making a significant impact at Cadence, in our industry, and in the world of technology. They're helping us achieve incredible business results and developing new innovations. Many had to overcome significant challenges in their lives to get here. Celebrating them this month is one way we can show our appreciation."No matter where you are or who you are...we are thrilled that you are part of this Cadence culture that celebrates you being you." - Karna NisewanerWhat are the important ways that people can signal inclusion or celebrate Pride at work? What are the most meaningful or impactful actions employees everywhere can take to support LGBTQ+ coworkers in addition to participating with their company's Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)?Rene: One of the biggest opportunities I've seen is the ability to feel comfortable at work while being your authentic self. Allies should encourage coworkers to ask questions to open up the dialogue. Sharing allows employees to feel more comfortable and safe. By showing genuine interest in each other as individuals, we have the ability to break down walls and foster a culture that is built on relationship building where employees will naturally feel safe, heard, and supported.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cadence Design Systems on 3 blmedia.com.Contact Info:Spokesperson: Cadence Design SystemsWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cadence-design-systems Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Cadence Design Systems
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Hagens Berman urges SentinelOne, Inc. (NYSE:S) investors who suffered substantial losses submit your losses now.Class Period: June 1, 2022 - June 1, 2023Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Aug. 7, 2023Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/S Contact An Attorney Now: S@ hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895SentinelOne, Inc. (S) Securities Fraud Class Action:The complaint alleges Defendants made false and misleading statements and failed to disclose that: (1) SentinelOne lacked effective internal controls over accounting and financial reporting; (2) as a result, the company's key reported business metric annualized recurring revenue or "ARR" was overstated; and (3) as a result, the company's guidance was overstated.Investors learned the truth on June 1, 2023, when 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."We're focused on investors' losses and proving SentinelOne first became aware of the historical inaccuracies in ARR and the decline in customer usage well before the company's disclosures," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.If you invested in SentinelOne and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman.Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding SentinelOne should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email S@ hbsslaw.com # # #About Hagens BermanHagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com . Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.Contact:Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
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New Wave of Brand Intimacy Study Highlights Brand Families, With Additional Insights Coming in the FallNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Amazon's diverse brand portfolio has secured it the top spot in MBLM's inaugural Brand Family Rankings, utilizing the agency's proven Brand Intimacy model powered by AI. This marks the first time that leading conglomerates have been ranked as part of the Brand Intimacy Study, the largest examination of brands based on emotions.MBLM LogoMBLM's analysis encompassed over 600 brands and 1.4 billion words, highlighting the profound influence that Amazon and its affiliated brands have on consumers. Following closely behind, The Walt Disney Company claimed the second position, while Volkswagen Group secured the third spot. Alphabet Inc. and Apple Inc. rounded out the top five. Half of the top 10 brand families are technology-oriented conglomerates, highlighting their significant impact in forging meaningful connections with their audiences.Top 5 Intimate Brand Families1. Amazon.com , Inc. (featuring Amazon Prime, Amazon and Whole Foods)2. The Walt Disney Company (featuring Disney, ESPN, Hulu, and Disney Parks)3. Volkswagen Group (featuring Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley, and Audi)4. Alphabet Inc. (featuring YouTube, Android, Google, Google Maps, and Google Play)5. Apple Inc. (featuring Apple, Apple Arcade, and Apple Music)The newly unveiled rankings delve deep into the leading brand families, dissecting how their influential portfolios shape our culture and capture our hearts and minds. Each brand family included in the rankings features a minimum of three brands that have been ranked within MBLM's most recent Brand Intimacy Study."Conglomerates are broadening and building diverse brand portfolios. We are thrilled to present rankings of these families for the first time," declared Mario Natarelli, managing partner at MBLM. "Examining the parent brands behind some of the most intimate brands offers fresh insights and perspectives on how certain conglomerates foster a culture of emotion and relationship-building, while others fail to harness the power of cultivating strong bonds. By leveraging big data and artificial intelligence, we elevate the science of emotional brand performance to new heights." To review the new rankings, read our latest article on LVMH's performance, or watch our Brand Family Video Highlights, click this link.Methodology:For an overview of the study's methodology, please click here.About MBLM: MBLM invented Brand Intimacy, the emotional science behind the brands we use and love. For our clients, we deliver expertise and value through our agency insights, services, and software offerings. With offices in five countries, our multidisciplinary teams invent, transform, and enhance brands for businesses of every kind. We deliver marketing that creates stronger emotional connections with stakeholders. These bonds create better performance and long-term returns. To learn more about how we can help you create and sustain ultimate brand relationships, visit mblm.com Contact:For further information or inquiries, please contact Dominika Moskal-Hernandez at (551) 236-9961 or dmoskalhernandez@ mblm.com Contact InformationDominika Moskal-HernandezMarketing and New Business Managerdmoskalhernandez@ mblm.com 5512369961SOURCE: MBLM
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PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Philly Shipyard, Inc. ("Philly Shipyard"), the sole operating subsidiary of Philly Shipyard ASA (Oslo:PHLY) today announced the contract award to conduct the T-AH(X) Hospital Ship Feasibility Study for Gibbs and Cox, a Leidos Inc. company. The six-month design study will cover a solution for preliminary designs to replace the two current hospital ships - USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort - owned by the U.S. Navy and operated by Military Sealift Command (MSC). Philly Shipyard will subcontract to Vard Marine Inc. ("VARD") to provide engineering and technical services for this effort."This contract win highlights our commitment to pursuing and securing work in the government market," said Steinar Nerbovik, Philly Shipyard President and CEO. "Along with our current commercial and government backlog of shipbuilding projects, we have completed previous design studies for the U.S. Navy and are very interested in pursuing government opportunities that fit our production delivery cycles and skill sets. We are excited and grateful to team up, once again, with Vard Marine on this important industry study." Philly Shipyard and VARD will leverage design work performed as part of a special study completed for the U.S. Navy's Common Hull Auxiliary Multi-Mission Platform (CHAMP) program, which was won in 2019.About Philly ShipyardPhilly Shipyard, Inc. (PSI) is a leading U.S. shipbuilder that is presently pursuing a mix of commercial and government work. It possesses a state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility and has earned a reputation as a preferred provider of oceangoing merchant vessels with a track record of delivering quality ships, having delivered around 50% of all large ocean-going Jones Act commercial ships since 2000. PSI is the sole operating subsidiary of Philly Shipyard ASA. Philly Shipyard ASA is listed on the Euronext Expand Oslo (Oslo: PHLY) and is majority-owned by Aker Capital AS, which in turn is wholly-owned by Aker ASA (Aker). Aker is an industrial investment company that exercises active ownership to create value. Aker has ownership interests in oil and gas, renewable energy and green technologies, maritime assets, marine biotechnology and industrial software, and its portfolio includes companies like Aker BP, Aker Horizons, Aker BioMarine, Cognite, and Aker Solutions. For more information about Philly Shipyard, visit www.phillyshipyard.com Media Contacts:Philly Shipyard, Inc.Matt Cassidy215-875-8863SOURCE: Philly Shipyard ASA
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Announcement To the Toronto Stock Exchange and Australian Securities ExchangeSUBIACO, WESTERN AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / The Board of RTG Mining Inc. ("RTG", the "Company") (TSX Code:RTG)(ASX Code:RTG) is pleased to announce that the Company has successfully completed the issue of 208,893,190 Chess Depository Instruments ("Securities") at a price of A$0.048 per Security to institutional and sophisticated investors pursuant to the private placement announced by the Company on 4 July 2023 ("Private Placement"). Tranche 1 of the Private Placement raised proceeds of circa A$10 million (before costs). 125,808,218 and 83,084,972 Tranche 1 Securities were issued using the Company's placement capacity under ASX Listing Rule 7.1 and 7.1A respectively.Euroz Hartleys and Foster Stockbroking, together with INTE Securities LLC and M2-Advisors (the "Agents"), acted as Joint Lead Managers to the Private Placement.Shareholder approval will now be sought at a general meeting to be scheduled in late August 2023, for the issue of Tranche 2 Securities and Attaching Options to Private Placement participants, the details of are in RTG's announcement and Appendix 3B released to ASX on 4 July 2023.A Notice of Meeting relating to these approvals will be sent to shareholders in due course.ABOUT RTG MINING INCRTG Mining Inc. is a mining and exploration company listed on the main board of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Australian Securities Exchange. RTG is currently focused primarily on progressing the Mabilo Project to start-up having now received a mining permit for the Project, with a view to moving quickly and safely to a producing gold and copper company.RTG also has a number of exciting new opportunities including the Panguna Project in Bougainville, which it remains committed to while also considering further new business development opportunities.RTG has an experienced management team which has to date developed seven mines in five different countries, including being responsible for the development of the Masbate Gold Mine in the Philippines through CGA Mining Limited. RTG has some of the most respected international institutional investors as shareholders including Franklin Templeton, Equinox Partners and Sun Valley.ENQUIRIESAustralian ContactPresident & CEO - Justine MageeTel: +61 8 6489 2900Fax: +61 8 6489 2920Email: jmagee@ rtgmining.com US ContactInvestor Relations - Jaime Wells+1 970 640 0611jwells@ rtgmining.com COMPLIANCE STATEMENTDate: 12 July 2023Authorised for release by: By the Board of DirectorsCAUTIONARY NOTE STATEMENTThe Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed nor does it accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this press release, which has been prepared by management.This announcement includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this announcement, other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements, including statements made or implied relating to the anticipated timing, closing, size, structure of and exemptions utilized under the Private Placement, the use of the net proceeds from the Private Placement, the timing of the shareholder meeting to approve Tranche 2 of the Private Placement, the Company's opportunities to diversify its Philippine interests and to participate in the redevelopment of the Panguna Mine in Bougainville, the Company's objectives, strategies to achieve those objectives, the Company's beliefs, plans, estimates and intentions, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events, plans for further exploration. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties and are based on certain factors and assumptions. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from RTG's expectations include uncertainties related to market conditions and demand for the Private Placement, the receipt of requisite shareholder and regulatory approvals, fluctuations in gold and other commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs, recovery rates, production estimates and estimated economic return; the need for cooperation of government agencies in the development of RTG's mineral projects; the need to obtain additional financing to develop RTG's mineral projects; the possibility of delay in development programs or in construction projects and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones for RTG's mineral projects and other risks and uncertainties as discussed in RTG's annual report for the year ended December 31, 2022 and detailed from time to time in our other filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities available at www.sedar.com . The forwardlooking statements made in this announcement relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. RTG will not release publicly any revisions or updates to these forwardlooking statements to reflect events, circumstances or unanticipated events occurring after the date of this announcement except as required by law or by any appropriate regulatory authority.NOT FOR RELEASE OR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATESThis announcement has been prepared for publication in Canada and Australia and may not be released to US wire services or distributed in the United States. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Any securities described in this announcement have not been, and will not be, registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "US Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (as defined in Regulation S under the US Securities Act), except in transactions exempt from, or not subject to, registration under the US Securities Act and applicable US state securities laws.SOURCE: RTG Mining Inc.
PEOPLES UNION FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES

332, Patpar Ganj, Opp. Anand Lok Apartments, (Gate No. 2), Mayur Vihar-I, Delhi 110 091 Founder: Jayaprakash Narayan; Founding President: V M Tarkunde

President: Ms. Kavita Srivastava (Rajasthan); General Secretary: V Suresh (Tamil Nadu); E.mails: , Please visit our website: www.pucl.org

10th July, 2023

PUCL Demands from the Manipur Government:

 Stop Criminalising Human Rights Work! Respect the fundamental rights of citizens to conduct Fact Finding Enquiries and publish their reports for public discussion.

 Immediately withdraw FIR against Annie Raja, Nisha Siddhu & Deeksha Dwivedi of NFIW for releasing Fact Finding report after Manipur visit.

 Drop all criminal charges against Prof. Kham Khan Suan Hausing of University of Hyderabad

The PUCL condemns the registration of FIR by Manipur police on 08th July, 2023 against highly respected leaders of the national womens movement, Ms. Annie Raja and Nisha Siddhu, General Secretary and National Secretary of National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) and advocate Deeksha Dwivedi for addressing a Press Meeting in Imphal at the conclusion of a Fact Finding tour in Manipur, in which they expressed their views that the 3rd May, 2003 riots which broke out in Imphal and surrounding areas was state-sponsored violence. The three leaders have also been prosecuted for describing the protest of the Meira Paibis (women belonging to the majority Meitei Hindu community) against the resignation of Manipur CM, N. Biren Singh as Stage managed drama.

The 3-member team is also reported to have concluded that during their visit to Imphal and other areas, they met many sections of people, and that people on both sides want peace to return and the State Government should put in sincere efforts to bring normalcy.

What is shocking is that despite the call for peace and harmony to be restored, the Imphal Police have invoked very serious criminal offences against the 3 women leaders. These include offences under sections 121- A (conspiring to commit offences of waging war against India or against the state), 124A (sedition), 153/153-A/ 153-B (provocation with intention to cause riot, promoting enmity between different groups and imputations prejudicial to national integration), 499 (defamation), 504 & 505(2) (insult to provoke breach of peace, false statement, rumour etc with intention to create enmity between different classes), and section 34 (common intention) of IPC.

The PUCL sees the registration of this frivolous FIR by Manipur Police on the 8th of July, as an atrocious, malicious and unconscionable abuse of power by the police. The Police are using the law as an instrument of terror to frighten and intimidate citizens who seek to find out the truth through personal visits to conflict areas, meeting various stakeholders and parties involved and placing their findings in the public domain for discussion. PUCL has been consistently pointing out how Mahatma Gandhiji himself used the tool of `Fact Finding Enquiries during the freedom struggle to place true facts of events based on field visits, which expose the official version to be self-serving lies or obfuscations. Gandhijis use of FF Reports during the Champaran agitation or during the horrific Jallianwala Bagh massacre played a key historical role in the freedom movement in helping common people know the truth behind official lies of the British Raj. Constitutional courts in India have also acknowledged and recognised the importance of Fact Finding Reports in several PILs involving human rights violations.

Seen in this historical backdrop, the action of the Manipur police criminalising the use of human rights tools, like fact finding, publishing the FF report and the press conference thereafter is a brazen afempt to silence and frighten civil society groups from independently visiting conflict hit areas, conducting enquiries and publishing reports highlighting facts and incidents as they occurred on the ground. Such a vindictive FIR based on a complaint by one L. Liben Singh, son of late Sanoujam Pholo Singh of Heingang Makha Leikai, at the Imphal Police Station should not have been registered in the first place. Secondly to register the FIR under draconian sections of the IPC like waging war against the state, hate speech etc clearly shows that the agenda of the Manipur police is to harass anyone who challenges the narrative of the Manipur Government and find field evidence to hold that the allegation that the Manipur government is complicit in the explosion of violence by supporting one set of groups against the others, is not without substance.

PUCL expresses it serious concern over the continuing violence that still prevails in Manipur. As on date it is reported that more than 140 persons have been brutally killed in the conflict, including the Kuki, Zo and Meitei community people. More than 300 churches are reportedly destroyed by marauding mobs; numerous villages have been burnt down displacing thousands of people. Instead of addressing how to calm tempers and bring peace to the state, attempts by the Manipur police and government to weaponise the law and criminalise human rights activists is wholly unacceptable and needs to be condemned.

At this juncture, the PUCL would also like to express its deepest concern over a criminal complaint filed before the Imphal CJM Court against Prof Kham Khan Suan Hausing, Head of the Department of Political Science at the University of Hyderabad, for giving an interview with the wire.in. In the criminal complaint filed by one Manihar Moirang Singh, who claimed to be an Imphal-based social worker, the allegation was that Prof. Hausing had made false statements which defamed the Meitei community causing greater communal enmity. This criminal complaint includes offences under sections 153A (promoting enmity on grounds of religion, race, place of birth or language), 200 (false statement made in declaration which is by law receivable as evidence), 295A(deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), 298 (uttering words with intention to wound religious feelings), 505(1) (statements conducing to public mischief) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.

A point to be noted at this juncture is that the complainant Manihar M Singh is part of the Meitei Tribal Union (MTU), though it is his contention that he filed the criminal complaint in his personal capacity. The MTU is the organisation which had gone to the Manipur HC and obtained the order dated 27th March, 2023 directing the Manipur Government to recommend inclusion of Meiteis in the ST list. The issue of larger political motives behind the filing of the criminal complaint cannot be dismissed as fanciful.

It should be pointed out that Prof. Hausing is a widely respected academic and scholar on the northeastern region of India. He has written extensively on the political issues of the North East including the present violence in Manipur and its historical roots.

What causes great concern to the PUCL is that such FIRs and criminal cases will have a chilling effect and act as a deterrence on academics, media professionals and others. Such abuse of criminal prosecutions is meant to ensure that professionals like Prof. Hausing will feel intimidated from pursuing their academic research and making public their findings. Intrinsic to an academics professional tasks is to disseminate their findings, both in academia, academic journals as also in the popular media. A healthy democracy is based on encouraging critical thinking and discussion. The acts of the Manipur police will have precisely the opposite effect and have a chilling effect on academics and free thinking.

The PUCL is clear that no killings and destruction to the scale of what is happening in Manipur since 3rd May, 2023 can take place without the active involvement or tacit consent of the state. Instead of examining honestly its own role in failing to prevent the violence and taking the culprits to task, the Manipur Government and police is indulging in the classic practice of shooting the messenger. We demand from the Chief Minister the immediate closure of this FIR and to take action against the police who have abused their powers under the CrPC.

PUCL is very concerned that increasingly we are witnessing growing attempts by the BJP-led Central Government as also State governments led by them, to weaponise the criminal laws to curtail, silence and crush any form of demand for accountability. We are repeatedly witnessing police like the Manipur Police, using the instrument of the FIR in selective ways by launching prosecutions against certain people and organizations invoking serious criminal offences including under the draconian UAPA. Such acts of criminalising widely accepted human rights tools like Fact finding enquiries, publishing FF reports, writing articles, holding press conferences, giving interviews to the media and so on clearly constitute a violation of Indian peoples constitutionally protected fundamental right of (1) the freedom of speech and expression (which includes the right to question the government, dissent and seek accountability) (2) freedom of movement (to move around anywhere in India), (3) freedom of Assembly and other rights.

We would also like to counter the proposition by the Manipur Government that since the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a Notification dated 4th June 2023 appointing a Commission of Inquiry comprising of c(1) Honble Justice Ajai Lamba (Chief Justice Gauhati High Court Retd.); (2) Himanshu Shekhar Das, JAS (Retd.) and (3) Aloka Prabhakar, IPS (Retd.) there should be no more fact findings. Such an argument flies in the face of both history and an appreciation of constitutional rights. The commission of enquiry act does not prohibit other enquiries. In fact the Commissions of Enquiry are precisely the platform for members of the fact Finding Enquiry to depose and send fact finding reports which unravel the truth.

Historically in this country any major carnage has seen civil society fact findings, and the contribution of civil society has been very important to keeping the struggle for justice alive. To prevent fact-finding is to deprive our society of narratives which contribute towards the struggle for justice. A fact finding by the state does not obviate the necessity for a civil society inquiry. In fact civil society inquiries draw their mandate from the constitutional right of every citizen to the freedom of opinion, expression and association and as such cannot be prohibited by the state.

Thus any attempt to prevent and prosecute human rights groups and concerned citizens groups from engaging in fact-finding enquiries is both an abuse of power by the government and violative of fundamental rights of citizens. We therefore demand from the Government of India through its Ministry of Home Affairs, to issue advisories to all states and police against such act of criminalising people when doing human rights work, academic writing and similar activities.

We demand that the Government of Manipur, immediately drop all charges and close and withdraw the FIR against the NFIW fact-finding team. We also call upon the Government of Manipur to take all necessary action to intervene in the criminal complaint filed before the CJM Court, Imphal and ensure that the criminal case against Prof. Kham Khan Suan Housing of Hyderabad University is closed.

We urge that peace processes between the two communities be initiated and the State brings an end to the Violence.

Kavita Srivastava Dr. V. Suresh

President, PUCL Gen. Secretary, PUCL
Norway has decided to become a member of the G7 initiative to provide assistance to Ukraine, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said on Wednesday.

"Norway joins the G7 declaration on rendering assistance to Ukraine," the Norwegian government said in a statement, citing him.

Earlier on Wednesday, the G7 countries announced their intention to promote the development of Ukraine's defense industry, the training of its military personnel and the exchange of intelligence information. The G7 countries declared the need to create an international mechanism for redressing damage to Ukraine. According to the joint statement, other countries willing to contribute to efforts to support Ukraine can join this declaration at any time.

Earlier Wednesday, Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram said Oslo would send Ukraine 1,000 miniature Black Hornet drones that soldiers could use for reconnaissance. Norway will also supply Ukraine with components for NASAMS anti-aircraft missile systems.
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Sacred Surrogacy will be hosting a beautiful Retreat outside of Moncton, New Brunswick, for East Coast Surrogate Mothers.MONCTON, NB / ACCESSWIRE / July 11, 2023 / On July 16, 2023, Sacred Surrogacy will be hosting an All Day Retreat in Grande-Digue, New Brunswick, just outside of Moncton. The day will be hosted by Sacred Surrogacy, and Canadian Fertility Consulting Staff, Alana Wagg, and Janet Harbick. The day will be filled with great food and opportunities for Surrogates to explore with henna, massage, reflexology, and sound bathing.Surrogacy RetreatHonouring the Sacred moments of each Surrogacy Journey. The aim of Sacred Surrogacy has always been to create community and hold Sacred the beautiful acts of Surrogacy and Egg Donation. These Retreats are a representation of that aim.Sacred Surrogacy's program also offers a Subscription box program for Intended parents, Surrogates, and Egg donors, along with the retreats for Surrogates in community, and online resources, and classes on their website www.sacredsurrogacy.com The invitation is that Surrogates connect with other women sharing this beautiful and Sacred experience. Many of the women attending are currently pregnant or newly postpartum. Alana and Janet (staff of Sacred Surrogacy/CFC) hope that they can honour the participants as they are new to Surrogacy, in the thick of it, and especially for those postpartum.At this retreat there will be a photographer onsite, offering Goddess photo shoots to the women, along with Beautiful gowns provided by North of Esme, a Vancouver Island clothing designer, along with a talk given by a local Somatic Therapist on regulating our nervous systems.Throughout the day there will be opportunities to not only connect with the other participants, but there will also be time for self-reflection, through Sacred Surrogacy's Foundational Self-care activities."The Beauty of Surrogacy is not lost in these spaces. It is honoured, as are the difficult moments. We are here to hold the most sacred space, and we are honoured to do so". - Alana Wagg, Sacred Surrogacy Retreat leader.While the Retreat Registration has closed, at Sacred Surrogacy we will never turn away a Surrogate from attending, so please email us through our website, or DM us through Instagram.To learn more about Sacred Surrogacy, check out our website at www.sacredsurrogacy.com or find us on Instagram at instagram.com/sacredsurrogacy/ or to learn more about becoming a Surrogate, check out our co-hosts site, www.fertilityconsultants.ca or their Instagram at instagram.com/cfc.families/ Contact InformationLeia SwanbergCo Creatorleiaswanberg@ gmail.com 9052697436SOURCE: Sacred Surrogacy
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MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / SAFE SEA is delighted to announce the launch of the world's only anti-jellyfish sting sunscreen. This sunscreen is designed for the perfect beach day. SafeSea provides jellyfish sting blocking and full sun protection. This unique product is designed to protect your skin and also to protect the ocean. The new SAFE SEA sunscreen has a minimum SPF of 40 and it's great to protect against both UVA and UVB rays.No other sunscreen on the market currently provides this level of protection from jellyfish stings, which leaves many beachgoers vulnerable when they swim in areas that are prone to jellyfish stings. This is what sets SAFE SEA apart. The new SAFE SEA Anti-jellyfish Sting Protective Lotion was formulated with ingredients that are designed to stop the stinging mechanism from most jellyfish, including sea lice, and other stinging aquatic creatures.About SAFE SEA's SunscreenSAFE SEA's new sunscreen product is environmentally friendly and sustainable. It is the safest sunscreen, it is biodegradable and free from harmful chemicals. Customers who value sustainability and only want to buy products that are in alignment with those values will absolutely love SAFE SEA's products. This sunscreen is definitely a must-have for anyone's beach vacation. The product is not a jellyfish sting treatment, however, the sunscreen has been approved by the FDA. The sunscreen has also been tested by dermatologists and it is hypoallergenic. It doesn't clog your pores, and it includes vitamins B and E that soften the skin to keep it hydrated. Both children and adults who have sensitive skin can use the sunscreen. Another great benefit to this product is that it is very water resistant and its most effective ingredients last longer than most other lotions, according to clinical tests.This sunscreen is suitable for all skin types, is highly water resistant, ocean-friendly, and offers superior sun protection. Customers can expect to get excellent service from the SAFE SEA team and an excellent product that will work for them on their beach days. The sunscreen is best used 15 minutes before users go outside in the sun or before they enter the water. It is also recommended to reapply the sunscreen after at least 80 minutes of sweating or swimming. Immediately after drying is also an excellent time to reapply it or at least every two hours. Though this sunscreen can protect against jellyfish stings, it should not be confused as a treatment in case of a jellyfish sting, people should be aware that they should seek medical attention to get proper treatment.About SAFE SEASAFE SEA was founded by marine scientists and biotechnologists who used extensive research and clinical trials before launching this product. The SAFE SEA website has a section with news about the latest jellyfish sting reports around the globe. This is an excellent resource for people who want to learn more about jellyfish season in different parts of the world before they travel. You can read the information about jellyfish season in California, and jellyfish season in other parts of the US, in preparation for your next beach vacation.The website offers helpful insights about avoiding jellyfish stings while on vacation and specific instructions for people traveling to places like Hawaii and Myrtle Beach. It is also beneficial to people who would love to learn more about protecting themselves from sea lice and jellyfish stings. Safe Sea website includes information about the safest beaches to go to, and people planning a trip to places like Miami can learn about the best and safest beaches in that area.SAFE SEA doesn't just have excellent sunscreen products for customers but the website is also an incredible resource for people who want to learn more about beach safety. It is a good place to start before embarking on a beach vacation because there is a wealth of resources available to ensure that you and your loved ones can have the best possible beach experience. If you would like to learn more about this revolutionary sunscreen, please visit the SAFE SEA website.Contact Information:SAFE SEAsales@ safesea.store SOURCE: SAFE SEA
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Mammoth Foundation CEO John Baek, signs collaboration agreement with Vietnam Blockchain Institute, showcasing practical implementations at GM Vietnam event for 2,000-3,000 consumers.SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / On June 27th, 2023, the Mammoth Foundation has signed a collaboration agreement with the Vietnam Blockchain Institute, the leading organization in Vietnam's blockchain industry. This partnership will facilitate the implementation of Mammoth's blockchain technology in Vietnam, as well as the United States, Thailand, Indonesia, and Japan, with the goal of bringing about economic and social change in these countries.W3W is a web3 lifestyle software that provides benefits to its users. Through NFT membership, the practical application of web3 is gaining popularity in Vietnam. Mammoth Foundation, with its huge mammoth chain and GMMT token, is constantly working with W3W to include continual technical upgrades.On the following month July 7th and 8th, between 2,000 and 3,000 consumers attended the GM Vietnam event, where these practical implementation was showcased.The recent listing of Mammoth Foundation on the renowned Gate.io exchange is a significant accomplishment. As a result of this listing, the foundation is now organizing a number of airdrop events as well as numerous marketing methods to attract and engage new users.These initiatives seek to enhance the visibility of the Mammoth project within the cryptocurrency community.About Mammoth Foundation.Established in 2020, Giant Mammoth Chain INC does business as Mammoth Foundation. With its first listing on the New York virtual currency exchange Bitmart in January 2023, GMMT has gradually secured overseas exchanges such as CITEX, Deepcoin, and CoinStore enabling trading in twelve locations. They have been expanding their ecosystem through consistent efforts to secure global partners and users. They aim to apply blockchain technology to real-life applications and continue expanding their ecosystem through projects such as the NFT marketplace "EDEM," the shopping platform "Cokili," and the webtoon and web novel platform " E-Pafadise." To learn more about The Mammoth Foundation, follow the company on LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/gmmt Find The Mammoth Foundation on CoinMarket Cap: https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/giant-mammoth Media ContactOrganization: Giant Mammoth ChainContact Person: Floy Kim&Tom AnWebsite: https://gmmtchain.io/ Email: g-master@ gmmtchain.io City: SeoulCountry: Korea SouthSOURCE: Giant Mammoth Chain
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THALWIL, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / u-blox (SIX:UBXN), a global provider of leading positioning and wireless communication technologies and services, today announced its preliminary (unaudited) revenues for the first half (1H) period ended 30 June 2023.1H 2023 revenues amounted to CHF 332 million.2Q 2023 revenues amounted to CHF 166 million.These compare to revenues ofCHF 294 million in 1H 2022, an increase of 13% (at constant currencies: +15%)CHF 156 million in 2Q 2022, an increase of 7% (at constant currencies: +13%)CHF 166 million in 1Q 2023, sequentially unchanged(at constant currencies: +3%)1H 2023 revenue is in line with the full year 2023 guidance released on 10 March 2023.Stephan Zizala, CEO of u-blox, stated, "The revenue growth in the first half of 2023 is in line with the guidance we provided back in March. Thanks to our sound technological capabilities and our strong customer relations, we grew in our automotive and industrial target markets. In the first half of 2023, growth was mainly driven by APAC and EMEA while the Americas region was contracting compared to the first half of 2022. Design-win activities for our structural growth drivers in automotive and industrial target applications have increased remarkably, securing our long-term growth." Additional first half 2023 financial and operational highlightsCHF 60 million bond was paid back in April 2023.Automotive:Secured a design-win in automated driving with a leading car manufacturer valued in the mid double-digit million CHF range over the life of the agreement; delivery is expected to commence in 2026.Launched NEO-F9P, an innovative positioning module for Telematic Control Units incorporating industry's advanced sensor fusion for superior reliability and advanced security features against hacker attacks.Industrial: Launched the low-power NEO-F9P positioning module for centimeter accuracy in navigation of industrial automation machinery in the smallest ever high-precision module form factor.Upcoming eventsHalf-year results: 18 August 2023Nine-month revenue: 11 October 2023About u-bloxu-blox (SIX: UBXN) is a global technology leader in positioning and wireless communication in automotive, industrial, and consumer markets. Its smart and reliable solutions, services and products let people, vehicles, and machines determine their precise position and communicate wirelessly over cellular and short-range networks. With a broad portfolio of chips, modules, and secure data services and connectivity, u-blox is uniquely positioned to empower its customers to develop innovative and reliable solutions for the Internet of Things, quickly and cost-effectively. With headquarters in Thalwil, Switzerland, the company is globally present with offices in Europe, Asia and the USA. ( www.u-blox.com) Find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter @ublox, Instagram, and YouTubeu-blox investor relations contacts:Switzerland and Europe:Doris Rudischhauser, c/o Dynamics Group AG+41 79 410 81 88 / doris.rudischhauser@u-blox.com US:Lena Cati, The Equity Group Inc.+1 (212) 836-9611 / lcati@ equityny.com u-blox AGZurcherstrasse 688800 ThalwilSwitzerlandPhone +41 44 722 74 44info@ u-blox.com DisclaimerThis release contains certain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements of the u-blox Group to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These include risks related to the success of and demand for the Group's products, the potential for the Group's products to become obsolete, the Group's ability to defend its intellectual property, the Group's ability to develop and commercialize new products in a timely manner, the dynamic and competitive environment in which the Group operates, the regulatory environment, changes in currency exchange rates, the Group's ability to generate revenues and profitability, and the Group's ability to realize its expansion projects in a timely manner. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this report. u-blox is providing the information in this release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in it as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.SOURCE: u-blox AG
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. ("Charles River" or the "Company") (NYSE:CRL) and certain of its officers, on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased, or otherwise acquired Charles River securities between May 5, 2020 and February 21, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/crl This class action seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws.The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Charles River had engaged in illegal activity with respect to its importation of non-human primates for research; (2) that, as a result, Charles River was at a heightened risk of criminal and regulatory investigation by, inter alia, the U.S. Department of Justice; (3) that, as a result, Charles River would be forced to suspend shipments of primates from Cambodia; and (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, defendants' 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.A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint you can visit the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/crl or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Law Clerk and Client Relations Manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 212-697-6484. If you suffered a loss in Charles River, you have until July 18, 2023 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson212-697-6484 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Inogen AllianceThe transition from fossil fuel-based energy systems to renewable and clean energy sources has been gaining momentum globally. While this transition is largely focused on creating a much more climate-conscious energy sector, it also has significant socio-economic implications for communities and governments around the world.The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates a sizable net gain in jobs due to energy transition, with an estimated 14 million new jobs added in the clean energy sector by 2030. Over the same period, the IEA reports, fossil fuel production could lose upwards of 5 million jobs. On the whole, a net gain of 9 million jobs is predicted.While these numbers are encouraging at first glance, this global view does not take into account the regional impact of job loss and economic uncertainty brought about by the closure of vital local industries.In this post, we'll explore the importance of justice in energy transition, as well as take a look at the role businesses play in fostering energy equity and creating a just energy transition.What Is Just Energy Transition?Just energy transition refers to the process of shifting from fossil fuel-based energy systems to a more sustainable, low-carbon energy infrastructure in a way that is equitable and inclusive, taking into account social, economic, and environmental justice considerations.The concept recognizes that the transition to renewable and clean energy sources can have significant social and economic implications, particularly for communities that are dependent on fossil fuel industries or face energy poverty.What makes an energy transition strategy just?A just energy transition strategySeeks to ensure that the burden and benefits of the transition are distributed fairly and that vulnerable and marginalized communities are not disproportionately affected.Aims to create new job opportunities in clean energy sectors, provide support and retraining for workers in declining industries, and address energy affordability and access issues.Recognizes the importance of engaging and empowering communities in decision-making processes, including those who may be most affected by the transition.Emphasizes the need for participatory approaches, community involvement, and transparent governance to ensure that diverse voices are heard and that principles of social justice and equity guide the transition.Ultimately , a just energy transition strives to achieve a sustainable and low-carbon energy future while upholding principles of fairness, equality, and inclusivity.How Governments Are Helping Enact a Just Energy TransitionGoverning bodies around the world are aligning with corporations to enable this just transition. With the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015, a framework was created to guide a global energy transition that is both equitable and sustainable.In fact, just energy transition is key to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement. By centering the work of climate action around people, governing bodies can ensure their climate actions aren't causing social harm in the name of environmental good.To this end, the International Labor Organization (ILO) has authored guidelines for achieving sustainable development, decent work, and green jobs in the pursuit of just transition.Global energy equity in actionThe Just Transition Mechanism (JTM) is an integral part of the European Union's (EU) efforts to ensure a fair and inclusive transition towards a climate-neutral economy. This framework supports national just transition initiatives, providing dedicated financial resources and technical assistance to EU member states.The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is working with governments around the globe to ensure both environmental protection and social inclusion are properly accounted for in the design and implementation of energy infrastructure.The government of South Africa, in partnership with several other just energy leaders, is working to accelerate the decarbonization of the South African economy. The official statement reads, "The Partnership recognizes the importance of supporting South Africa's efforts to lead a Just Transition' that supports affected workers and vulnerable communities, especially coal miners, women, and youth as the South African economy changes." These are only a few of the ways governments are supporting the businesses and communities that are working toward a just transition.The Role of Business in a Just Energy TransitionBusinesses play a crucial role in driving and facilitating a just energy transition. They have the potential to be both catalysts and agents of change in advancing sustainability and social equity within the energy sector.Investors are demanding greater accountability from businesses, seeking to invest in organizations that proactively take sustainable action in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. This has spurred an increase in ESG reporting mandates around the world.Just energy transition sits right at the intersection of the "E" and the "S" in ESG, and businesses that are invested in improving their ESG ratings are playing a more active role in ensuring the wellbeing of both the environment and the communities they serve.The social impact of a just energy transition strategy typically relates to two key business principles: job creation and community engagement.Job creation and economic developmentA key principle of a just energy transition is the creation of new job opportunities in renewable energy sectors and related industries. It aims to support the growth of green jobs that offer fair wages, good working conditions, and opportunities for career advancement. The transition also seeks to promote economic diversification and develop sustainable industries that contribute to local economic development and resilience.Community engagement and participationA just energy transition emphasizes the active involvement of communities in decision-making processes. It recognizes the importance of local knowledge, perspectives, and needs in shaping the transition. Community engagement ensures that affected communities have a voice in determining the direction of the transition, allowing them to influence policies, projects, and investments that impact their lives. Meaningful participation strengthens social cohesion, builds trust, and facilitates the adoption of sustainable solutions.Just Energy Transition in ActionThe private sector plays a central role in achieving a just energy transition. By
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The grant will support YCE's ongoing efforts to advance the development and utilization of ultra-low carbon hydrogen-based technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease air pollution, prevent wildfires, and achieve California's climate change and clean air goals.FRESNO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Yosemite Clean Energy, LLC (YCE), a leading provider of sustainable energy solutions, is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $5M grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC). The funding will support the development of YCE's cutting-edge hydrogen production plant in Oroville, California. Only two CEC grants were awarded, placing Yosemite at the top of a competitive field.Yosemite Clean Energy team in AustriaThe Repotec designed gasification plant in Oberwart, Austria during a recent visit from the YCE team The plant, projected to be completed in Q1 2026, aims to harness forest biomass and convert it into green hydrogen fuel. Green hydrogen is a critical component of the transition to a renewable transportation sector in California and can fuel trucks, buses, cars, ships, and planes while removing carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere due to its negative carbon intensity. Moreover, this innovative solution reduces particulate emissions, directly benefiting public health and mitigating the most immediate threat to our climate. Utilizing wood waste also significantly reduces the risk of catastrophic wildfire, improves ecosystem and watershed health, and will create over 55 jobs in the local community."We are thrilled to receive this funding, as it is a significant milestone in achieving our goal of producing sustainable transportation fuel while helping the rural forest and farm communities," said Thomas Hobby, CEO of Yosemite Clean Energy. "The grant presents us with an invaluable opportunity to continue to establish our first biofuels plant in California." YCE stands at the forefront of a groundbreaking initiative for California, utilizing proven Austrian-based gasification technology commercialized by Repotec to produce commercial-scale carbon-negative green fuels. The grant will serve as a catalyst, expediting the development of its ultra-low carbon hydrogen-based technologies and bringing YCE closer to its goal of a cleaner, greener future.Interact with Yosemite Clean Energy:Visit our website: https://www.yosemiteclean.comConnect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yosemite-cleanContact InformationSavanna MeinertPR Managersavanna@ premprsocial.com (559) 512-6551SOURCE: Yosemite Clean Energy
Honeywell Group said there is no judgment against it and three other companies alleged by Ecobank Nigeria to have been ordered to pay some outstanding debts by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The group said in a Tuesday statement seen by PREMIUM TIMES that no judgment of monetary award has been delivered, making the four companies liable to Ecobank.

Ecobank, through its solicitors Kunle Ogunba & Associates, had earlier on 7 July claimed the four entities owe the bank the sum of N13.5 billion as of 31 January, 2023.

This, it stated in a letter to the CEO of FBN Holdings, asking the financial services group not to approve the 4.8 billion shares recently acquired by Barbican Capital, an affiliate of Honeywell Group until the debt is cleared.

Mr Otudeko, a former chair of FBN Holdings, was ousted by the Central Bank of Nigeria in April 2021 for anti-corporate governance practices.

The other three companies mentioned are Anchorage Leisures Limited, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc and Siloam Global Services Limited, a company dominantly owned by the Otudekos family and which holds a 75 per cent stake in Honeywell Flour.

We find it surprising that a professional organisation would be writing to a company in which we have invested in with spurious allegations without copying us in said letter, Honeywell Group said, referring to Ecobank.

Neither Mr Oba Otudeko, nor Honeywell Group Limited, were parties to the suit covered by the Supreme Court judgement. There is no judgment against either of them, it added.

The Group went further to say it would not comment on matters which are subject of pending litigation.

Rejoinder

In a rejoinder to the managing director of FBN Holdings issued on Monday, Honeywell Group and Mr Otudeko, through their solicitors, Wole Olanipekun, urged the financial services group to disregard all the requests made by Ecobank in its earlier letter.

It insisted the sum of N13.5 billion is not contained in the Supreme Court decision or any extant court decision in Nigeria.

For his conduct whilst prosecuting the case, Mr Kunle Ogunba, Ecobanks Counsel was sanctioned for grievous professional misconduct, leading to him losing his privileged status of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Honeywell Group said in another document seen by PREMIUM TIMES.

FBN Holdings had on Saturday, a day after Ecobanks lawyers wrote its CEO to refrain from ratifying the newly acquired shares, formally notified the Nigerian Exchange of the purchase of 4.8 billion shares by Barbican Capital translating to a 13.3 per cent holding in the company.

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Ahead of the debut episode of its first-ever unscripted comedy show in Nigeria, Last One Laughing Naija, the popular streaming platform Amazon Prime Video has unveiled ten comedians to participate in the competition.

The six-part series launches on 14 July, with two episodes streaming consistently till 28 July.

The selected comedians include Okey Bakassi, Acapella, Mr Funny (Sabinus), KieKie, Buchi, Dat Warri Girl, Taaooma, Senator, IGoSave, and Gandoki. They would be required to crack themselves up. The last person who does not laugh emerges as the winner.

Speaking during a press screening, in Lagos, on Monday, the platforms Head of Originals, Africa and Middle East, Ned Mitchell, noted that one of the reasons that necessitated the show is because of how much Nigerians enjoyed competition shows.

He said, The reason for the show is that this is a collective thing. For us, it is a big deal for comedy. We want to bring it in ways that people have never seen before. It is about authenticity and uniqueness. It is something to watch together.

This is something to talk about. We are giving people what to talk about. Nigerians love competition. This competition is a chance to see who can make the best of the best of each other. What is Prime Video doing in Africa? What are our videos doing here? The most significant part of what we are doing is a credit to the skills and talents that make stuff happen.

This show was shot in Lagos from beginning to end. Its a hard show and complex. People say Nigeria is hard to shoot. However, no one ever said its impossible. He added.

He noted that the platform was committed to helping comedians in Nigeria to realise their goals and vision globally.

On his part, renowned Nigerian comedian, Atunyota Akpobome, professionally known as Alibaba, who anchored the cast unveiling and screening event, commended Prime Videos innovation in the comedy space, particularly in Nigeria.

The 58-year-old veteran comedian noted how the show would engage and propagate different aspects of Nigerian comedy.

Alibaba said, What prime video is doing is bringing the comedy ecosystem together. Whether you are doing that creates humour. You are to use this platform to push the message of comedy. It doesnt matter if its a skit or content creation. All industry makers are involved.

Selection Process

Explaining how they selected the comedians for the show, the head of Originals, Nigeria, Prime Video, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, said they considered their comedy genre and gender, amongst other criteria.

She said the aim was to ensure representation and not neglect any applicant. However, the Prime Video staff said being a comedian was a prerequisite for the selection.

Wangi said, We needed to absorb the number. First, making sure there was representation, not just types of comedy. We are talking about gender and other things,

We wanted popular entrepreneurs, and there are many more. We did our best to ensure the selection process had different kinds of comedy and gender. The Head of Originals noted.

Wangi also shared her thoughts on what makes the LOL show special, highlighting its uniqueness, especially in the Nigerian comedy industry.

According to her, the show was a step towards promoting comedy. She said comedy gave birth to the rise of movies and film productions.

She said, This is our very first comedy show in Nigeria. I think it is unique. I say this because comedy is actually where it started. Of course, weve grown beyond other aspects of producing films, but comedy is the beginning of all those things.

There is no better way to show that we are serious about this in Africa than coming with our first-ever comic show in Nigeria. Kudos to all of you because it doesnt get as authentic as Nigeria.

Format

Bright Okpocha, popularly known as Basketmouth, will lead the selected comedians. Also known as the King of Comedy, he will anchor the LOL comedy series.

The famous stand-up comedian would engage other comedians against one another to make themselves laugh. The celebrity showdown would see one person become the winner of its N40m cash prize. The organisers would house them in a room for the competition.

However, according to the organisers, the last comedian who wins the challenge must donate the N40m star prize to any charity they choose.

Expressing why he chose to be part of the upcoming project, Basketmouth noted that he saw it as an opportunity for Nigerian comedy to grow beyond the country.

The 44-year-old comedian, who hails from Abia State, acknowledged the talents that abound in the Nigerian comedy space, noting the LOL show would give them the platform to showcase their skills.

He said, I agreed because the pay was good. Im just kidding. Ive always imagined Nigerian comedy to be recognised. They gave me a summary of the show, and I was like, This is the perfect way to improve that space.

You know Afrobeats broke into the global market. However, comedy in Nigeria has yet to earn its international spot. Prime Video is present in over 200 countries across the globe.

I was like; we have talented comedians in Nigeria that can use the platform. It is a big deal for us. We want it in our space as we dont have our spot yet. It is the best way to own it. Im so glad to be part of it, he added.

Background

Prime Video First Unscripted African Original, Lol, Last One Laughing Naija is a six-part series that will follow a group of comedians competing to be the Last One Laughing.

The unscripted comedy follows the successful adaptation of Prime Videos global smash-hit comedy. South African comedian Trevor Noah anchors the franchise. Amazon Prime Video produces the show in over 20 countries, including Canada, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, and South Africa.

Amazon Studios produce the series in collaboration with Nigerias LiveSpot360 Productions. It will be available on Prime Video in over 240 countries globally.

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On Monday, Nollywood Veteran actor and lawyer Anayo Onyekwere, popularly known as Kanayo O. Kanayo, condemned the popular Brazilian butt lift (BBL) surgery common among Nigerian women, particularly celebrities.

He made the remarks shortly after Nigerian controversial crossdresser Bobrisky disclosed, and ex-BB Naija housemate Nina Ivy revealed that they had undergone another BBL surgery successfully.

Bobriskys revelation also comes three days after Big Brother Naijas ex-housemate Nina Ivy shared news about her second BBL surgery on July 2023.

The famous American womens fashion magazine Harpers Bazaar says BBL starts with liposuction, where a surgeon sucks the fat out of areas in the body, processes and reinjects it into the buttocks and hips.

The platform notes that it has become one of the most popular plastic surgery proceduresbut its also the deadliest. Even so, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the BBL continues to increase in popularity.

Kanayo, who won best for a leading role in Family Battle (2006), wondered why women would subject themselves to such pain in the name of beauty.

Via a video posted on his official Instagram page, the 61-year-old lawyer said, Anybody in the name of boyfriend who would cause my daughter to do bum bum enlargement holy Ghost thunder. May Amadioha from Igbo land combine with Ogun from Ijebu Ode to kill the person.

If Bum Bum enlargement was profitable, why are husbands not giving their wives money to do it? Bum Bum enlargement is not profitable. Not up to the three per cent of women who do it for their boyfriends end in marriage. Sadly, this Bum thing, many ladies do not end as wives.

While expressing his anger, the actor narrated a story of a man who convinced his girlfriend to do a BBL surgery.

Kanayo noted that things took another turn when she contracted an infection from the procedure and lost her life.

He said, I am angry physically and spiritually. A friend in the U.S. told me of how a patient, a lovely lady, died in the hospital after this bumbum enlargement.

She had an infection, and her boyfriend, who caused her to do the surgery, came into the ward. The next thing he did was to react that the place was smelling. He said it smelled and stinks. He ran out. A few days later, the girl died from an infection. The father of four advised Nigerians, saying, My brothers and sisters, a word is enough for the wise. It is not worth it, he said.

Bobriskys New BBL

Controversial Nigerian crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, recently revealed his second BBL surgery.

In the video he shared via his Instastory on Monday, the Mummy of Lagos, as he claims, expressed pain over the procedure.

Bobrisky is the latest celebrity to undergo surgery again following BBNaija star Nina Ivys second round of BBL surgery to enhance her body.

A few days back, Bob took to his official social media handle to disclose that he was about to undergo the surgery.

In the recent update video, he said the crossdresser claimed he had completed the procedure.

The self-acclaimed rich mummy shared a video of himself lying on the hospital bed after acquiring a new body.

He said, It is not easy. Im in pain. While his caption read, Done and dusted.

BBL and Female Celebrities

Cosmetic surgery, particularly BBL, has now become the new norm for many female celebrities to get their desired body and regain their self-confidence.

These celebrities have varying reasons for undergoing the expensive yet deadly procedure.

2017 Nigerian actress Tonto Dikeh opened up about going under the knife. She carried fans along throughout the surgery procedure.

The Nollywood actress took the internet by surprise after she posted a video of her new body.

In an interview with British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the actress underwent several procedures to achieve her hourglass shape.

Another celebrity who has gone through the knife is social media influencer and On-Air Personality Toke Makinwa.

With a shape to die for, the media personality acknowledged undergoing the popular surgical body enhancement.

On 17 March 2023, she opened up about her cosmetic surgery journey in an episode of her podcast, Toke Moments, on Youtube.

Ms Makinwa said, I enhanced my body after I got my fibroids removed. I did that because I wanted to feel better in clothes.

I do not regret enhancing my body because its the best thing Ive ever done, and I wanted to look curvy, and I love it.

Similarly, Ex-Big Brother Naija, housemate winner of season 4, Mercy Eke, also did the body surgery.

Opening up during an episode of Mercy & Ike on 29 June 2020, the reality star expressed her opinions on cosmetic surgery.

She said, I dont have a problem when people say I have a silicon body. They are ignorant and dont know the difference between silicon and liposuction.

It doesnt get to me because Im still going to enhance my body if I want to. Im even thinking of touching my lips to make them bigger, she added.

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the NATO summit in Vilnius announced new funding and projects worth CAD 541 million ($410 million) to support Ukraine and strengthen transatlantic security.

"The new funding for Ukraine builds on the over $8 billion in multifaceted assistance Canada has dedicated since the beginning of 2022, and builds on the announcement the Prime Minister made in Latvia this week to renew and expand Operation REASSURANCE, part of NATO's defence and deterrence measures in Eastern Europe, and double Canada's current presence in the country," the Canadian Prime Minister said on his website on Wednesday.

According to the prime minister, Canada intends to provide Ukraine with additional drone cameras, and will also provide training for the Ukrainian military under Operation UNIFIER in Canada.

In addition, the prime minister announced an additional CAD 48.8 million ($37 million) to the Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) for Ukraine, in addition to the CAD 34.6 million announced in April 2023, which will support NATO's provision of non-lethal practical assistance to Ukraine through donations of materials, including fuel, bridging equipment, rations and first aid.

"Canada, along with Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, signed a statement to establish a joint coalition for the training of the Ukrainian Air Force in operating and maintaining the F-16 fighter aircraft. By signing the statement, Canada commits to contributing to multinational efforts to train Ukrainian pilots, technicians, and support staff to operate and maintain the F-16 fighter aircraft," the prime minister said.

Trudeau also announced an additional CAD 2.7 million ($2.05) in cybersecurity assistance for Ukraine.
A month after losing an actor, Saint Obi, Nollywood has been hit by another significant loss- veteran actress Cynthia Okerekes death.

The actress died on Tuesday evening.

She was 63.

The circumstances that led to her death are yet to be revealed; however, The Vanguard quotes Emma Onyemeziem, Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Delta State chapter, as confirming her death.

The famous actor and filmmaker Joseph Okechukwu broke the news on social media.

Via his post on his official Instagram page, he shared a picture of the late actress, disclosing that he was looking forward to welcoming her to America before she died.

He wrote, Rest in Peace, Nwanyi oma. Im shattered beyond words.

The fact that I was about to pay for your flight ticket to come and finish what we started only to hear you went to be with Lord just last night is one of the most challenging things Ive had to deal with recently.

I pray Im able to recover from the shock. Life is just a mist. One minute you have it, the next you dont

For the more than 20 years that Ive known you, youve been such an amazing, decent and lovely soul to be around. Words fail me. May your gentle soul rest on till we meet again in glory. #CynthiaOkereke. he added.

REST IN PEACE, Nwanyi oma. Im shattered beyond words. The fact that I was about to pay for your flight ticket to come finish what we started only to here you went to be with Lord just last night is one of the toughest things Ive ever had to deal with in recent times. I pray pic.twitter.com/Xh6Srfox6h  J. C. Okechukwu (@jcokechukwu) July 12, 2023

Kidnap and Release

Aside from her movie roles, the late actress made news headlines in 2022 when she was kidnapped alongside her colleague Clemson Cornel.

The veteran actors were abducted while returning from a movie set at Ozalla town in Enugu state on 29 July 2022.

The actors were declared missing after their family members confirmed they didnt return from the shoot.

The kidnappers demanded a ransom of $100,000 before they would release the actors.

However, on 3rd August 2022, the Actors Guild of Nigeria confirmed the release of both actors via its official Instagram page.

Born on 20th April 1960, the publicity-shy actress began her acting career in 1998 after featuring in the movie Jaja of Opobo.

The veteran actress, who hailed from Enugu State, starred in over 150 movies, including Osuofia in London, Sound of Love, Second Chance, Mr Ibus Wedding, Mega Mama, and several others.

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Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State says he will work to foster collaboration between the Northern Governors Forum and the federal government in solving the security challenges in the North-east.

Mr Yahaya spoke with State House correspondents after a private meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The governor said the sustained peace in Gombe was largely because the diverse ethnic and religious groups in the state co-existed cordially.

There is peace in Gombe for so many reasons; one, the nature of our people; we are sort of a mix of several ethnic groups, and several religions join together and living peacefully.

So, within a family, you could find people of different faiths but sharing the same parents; so, because of that, the background is so okay that we now build on it and coordinate the relationships.

Secondly, the government is focused and is working day and night with the security agencies to ensure that there is compliance with law and order and there is compliance to a reasonable extent, he said.

Mr Yahaya said that in the North-east, there were issues that had to do with resources, especially the land resource as the people were peasant farmersthose involved in crop production and livestock.

He also highlighted issues of cattle rustling and kidnapping in some parts of the north.

Because of the encroachment of our grassing reserves, forest reserves, and even the cattle routes, issues have started to speak of, and those issues are those that result into cattle rustling, banditry and kidnapping for ransom, which is very prevalent in the North-west and the North-central.

So, at the moment, we are focusing on maintaining the peace by providing for each and everybody and each and every sector in a way that we understand and cooperate with one another.

And we give chance so that as you do unto yourself, you do same to the other person for the purpose of obtaining peace and tranquility in the state.

That is why Gombe has made some difference and thats where we are; as the chairman of NGF, I will ensure that we get to the root of all those problems through the support of the various state governments and the federal government.

Flood is another issue; are you taking steps to ensure that states in the north are not ravaged by flood?

You see, flood is a global or national phenomena that is being felt elsewhere.

Mind you, if you talk of flood from the north, it is either through the tributaries of the rivers, Niger and Benue, that link up the conference in Lokoja.

And then run down to the Delta ending in Bayelsa to the Atlantic Ocean and those tributaries as a result of the change in the nature and geography.

He said that desiltation, poor farming practices, and deforestation had turned farmlands to desert.

According to the governor, the problem of flooding is virtually a national issue as global warming and climate change is affecting the entire globe.

We would not like a repeat of what happened last year; but in whatever we do, we have to be both proactive and reactive.

We have not acted in the way that we solved all the problems of last year, and this year has started.

So, we will do some little backtracking and move in double loss to catch up with the current trends and do the needful.

So, all hands must be on deck; Nigerian Meteorological Agency, the states, National Emergency Management Agency and whoever has interest in environment and environmental control have to come together and work with the government in order to solve the problem, he said.

Mr Yahaya added that in addition to politics, issues confronting the north and Nigeria in general were discussed at the meeting.

Also, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, has a private meeting with the vice president on Tuesday.

Jigawa gov meets Shettima

Mr Namadi told State House correspondents afterwards that he came to meet the vice president who is the Chairman of National Economic Council (NEC), to discuss issues affecting the state.

So, we discussed some issues of vital importance that would help to improve the economy of the state and also solicited the support from the vice president being the chairman of NEC.

On flooding in Jigawa, the governor said that a technical committee of experts was inaugurated, adding that the committee had submitted a report and part of the report was being implemented.

We have bought two excavators and also Hadejia bought two excavators; as at today, we have been able to dredge a river about 36 kilometres and we have removed the typha grass.

Part of the recommendations of the committee is that we should do some embankment in the flood prone areas.

For now, we have done more than 85 kilometres of embankment with 2.5 metres height and four metres thickness.

The people are happy because something is being done to salvage the situation, he said.

Mr Namadi added that his administration was synergising with all stakeholders to sustain the peace in the state.

(NAN)

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CP Aderemi Adeoye, addressing newsmen on Wednesday (NAN)

The police command in Anambra, in collaboration with the state vigilantes, killed two kidnappers in an attack at Ichida Community in the Anaocha area of Anambra

The newly-posted Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, disclosed this at a news conference on Wednesday in Awka.

He said security operatives rescued a female victim unhurt in the attack which occurred on Tuesday at 8:13 p.m.

He said: Two members of the notorious gang were neutralised, and we recovered one Ak47 rifle, two pump action guns, two Ak47 magazines, 32 live ammunition and one Highlander jeep belonging to the victim.

Preliminary information reveals the deadly gang of eight, operating with two vehicles  a grey Highlander jeep and a white Lexus 350, abducted the victim in her Ash Highlander jeep.

Investigation is ongoing to track the remaining gang members,  he said.

The Commissioner said there was another attack by 8:30 p.m., on the joint security operatives attached to Forwarding Operating Base while on patrol around Uga-Ezinifite Expressway in Aguata Local Government Area.

He said that in an attempt to stop an ash Highlander SUV and a white Lexus 305 which drove suspiciously, the occupants started shooting sporadically to escape police screening.

The joint forces engaged the armed hoodlums and recovered one operational vehicle, two automatic pump action guns, 11 live cartridges, and a bag containing one walkie-talkie.

A cell phone and other incriminating items were also recovered, while others escaped the scene with other vehicles.

In an intense chase by the joint forces, the deadly gang abandoned the white Lexus 305 jeep and took to their heels.

Further information shows evidence of blood stains on all the vehicles as they have escaped with bullet wounds, he said.

READ ALSO: Police nab suspected kidnappers of cleric in Ondo

Mr Adeoye called on operators of public and private hospitals to admit but report anyone with a bullet wound or related injuries to the nearest police station.

He urged the media and the public to support the efforts of the police to get the identities and locations of the culprits, through the provision of quality information.

(NAN)

LCO/IA

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At 2:15 p.m. local time, on 11 July, US President Joseph Biden entered the 74th North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)s meeting of the North Atlantic Council with other heads of state. Sweden, which seeks to join NATO, also attended. The meeting is taking place in the Lithuanian Exhibition and Conference Center. Just minutes before Mr Bidens entry into the meeting, his defence minister, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had also just entered the meeting.

Although President Recep Erdogan of Turkiye had entered before President Biden, there was no evidence of the two presidents interacting. As leaders took to their seats, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak sat at Mr Bidens right, while Mr Erdogan was seated to Mr Sunaks right. Mr Sunak could be seen talking, albeit briefly, with Mr Erdogan with the help of a translator.

When the meeting began, Mr Stoltenberg talked about Finland having recently joined NATO. In response, Mr Biden clapped promptly and enthusiastically. Similarly, when Mr Stoltenberg said Sweden would also soon join NATO, Mr Biden pumped his fist and clapped. This will bring Ukraine closer to NATO, said Mr Stoltenberg, adding in his remakes that unity and solidarity among them are key and are irreplaceable pillars of our success.

Biden enthusiastic about NATO unity, solidarity

Pearl Matibe is a Washington, DC-based foreign correspondent, and media commentator with expertise on U.S. foreign policy and international security. You may follow her on Twitter: @PearlMatibe

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A 77-year-old man, Adedamola Idowu, has been arrested by the police in Ogun State for allegedly raping his seven-year-old daughter.

Mr Idowus 26-year-old neighbour, Oluwatobi Adebisi, was also arrested for the same alleged crime.

The police said the two were arrested Friday at Ijagun, in Ijebu-Ode.

The Police Commissioner, Abiodun Alamutu, paraded the suspects at the police headquarters in the state in Eleweran, Abeokuta, on Tuesday.

Mr Alamutu said he has referred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation, while the victim had been referred for emotional therapy.

This randy father and his neighbour have been having unlawful carnal knowledge of his seven-year-old girl.

The victim has been referred for counselling and emotional therapy, and the case has been transferred to SCID for discreet investigation and prosecution, he explained.

At the event, the police chief also announced a one-month grace for cultists in the state to surrender arms and ammunition in their possession.

He warned that the police would clamp down on suspected cultists across the state from the end of the period.

However, we are aware that some people were lured into cultism without knowing the implication, and so they got trapped.

The Command has opened a window of amnesty to such people. So, they should renounce their membership of these groups and surrender all arms and ammunition in their custody.

The Command will not fold its arms while some unscrupulous elements will be making life unbearable for the good and law-abiding indigenes and residents of Ogun State, the police chief said.

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The police in Bayelsa State, South-south Nigeria, have arrested three suspects for allegedly taking part in the lynching of a 32-year-old man, Ebimotimi Freeborn, who was accused of stealing bread.

The police spokesperson in Bayelsa, Asinim Butswat, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Yenagoa.

He gave the names of the suspects as: Preye Mathew, 50; Theophilus Tiro, 28; and Famous Precious, 22.

Mr Butswat, a superintendent of police, said the three were arrested on 9 July at about 5p.m. at Tombia-Amassoma Road, after a mob lynched the suspect.

The police condemned the mob action and warned members of the public to desist from taking laws into their own hands.

Mr Butswat said the suspects were being interrogated and would be charged to court when investigation is concluded.

There have been similar cases of mob action in Yenagoa in the past.

About three months ago, some youths in Yenizue-Gene area of Yenagoa lynched a commercial tricycle operator after he allegedly stabbed a young man, ThankGod Douglas, to death over N50.

In January 2020, a mob in Yenagoa burnt two robbery suspects to death. They were accused of trying to rob a POS operator.

(NAN)

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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area 1 Command, says it intercepted 37-trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice in different parts of Ogun State between January and June.

The command also said it seized the equivalent of five tanker loads of premium motor spirit (PMS) and arrested seven suspected smugglers during the same period.

The Area Controller, Bamidele Makinde, disclosed this on Tuesday at a briefing on the commands activities in the last six months at its headquarters in Idiroko, Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The official said the command also intercepted five luxury buses smuggled into the country through the Ohumbe land border.

According to him, the command generated N93.301 million from import duties and auctioned seized petrol and scrap vehicles.

Mr Makinde said the revenue generated represents an increase of 310 per cent over last years N29,940 million generated in the corresponding period.

The controller added that 392 seizures were made with the cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1,313,628,488.

He said some of the seizures were 5,048 pieces of used tyres, 390 bales of used clothing, 61 units of vehicles, including five luxury buses, 173,975 litres of petrol, 107 sacks and 1,595 wraps of cannabis sativa, 194 cartons of codeine syrup and 22,526 bags of foreign parboiled rice 50 kg each ( an equivalent of 37 trailer loads).

We remain resolute in our fight against smuggling of rice and other prohibited items to encourage local production in line with the Federal Government of Nigeria policy on local production, Mr Makinde said.

He said the command achieved a remarkable result due to continuous stakeholders engagement, deployment of intelligence in the operation and improved discipline and dedication to duty by his officers.

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The Class of 1999 Nigerian governors on Wednesday paid a solidarity visit to President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit was attended by 26 of the 36 governors. Some of them have passed on.

Former Governor Lucky Igbinedion of Edo, while briefing journalists, said the visit was to assure Mr Tinubu of their support and cooperation.

We met the president as a colleague governor that laid the foundation of the current democracy in Nigeria in 1999, which has continued to strengthened up to today.

We also congratulated him on his election and thanked him for appointing one of us as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (George Akume).

We spoke about security, about electricity supply because these are key factors in development of any economy. He assured us of the administrations preparedness to tackle them headlong, he said.

Mr Igbinedion said the former governors took cognisance of the fact that now is the time to separate politics from national development, adding that all hands must be on deck to rebuild Nigeria now.

We are now talking of the project Nigeria and not about political affiliations. It is time to work for the progress of the country.

The president (Tinubu) assured us that it is his dream to see a better Nigeria where all citizens will feel a sense of belonging. He also said that Nigerians should be patient with recent decisions taken by the administration.

We also acknowledged that the issue of fuel subsidy removal is a right decision and palliative should be provided which he is already taking measures.

Among the former governors in attendance at the meeting with President Tinubu were those of Plateau, Joseph Dariye; Kebbi, Adamu Aliero; Sokoto, Attahiru Baffarawa; Ekiti, Niyi Adebayo; Jigawa, Saminu Turaki; and Bauchi, Ahmed Muazu.

(NAN)

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The Catholic priest, Joseph Azubike, abducted on Monday by gunmen in Ebonyi State, South-east Nigeria, has been set free.

He was released on Tuesday alongside three others abducted with him.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how Mr Azubike, the parish priest of St. Charles Parish, Mgbaleze Isu, in Onicha Local Government Area of the state, was abducted near the church while returning from his pastoral duties.

Another priest, Mathew Opoke, who is the chancellor of the Abakaliki Diocese, confirmed the release of the priest in a statement on Tuesday night.

He said the priest was released unconditionally even though the gunmen initially demanded an undisclosed amount of money as ransom.

The chancellor thanked Governor Ogbonnaya Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, security agencies and youths of the community for their efforts to secure the release of the priest and the three others.

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Psalm 46:7.

It is a thing of joy that God answered our prayers and gazetted the unconditional release of His servant in a very remarkable way.

We are grateful to God for effecting this release. We are grateful to all those who swung into action on hearing the ugly news of his abduction together with three other persons, Mr Opoke said in the statement celebrating the release of the priest and others.

The police have also confirmed the release of the four people.

Abduction for ransom has become a prevalent crime in most Nigerian cities. Everyone, including students, school children, and clerics, appears to be an easy target.

Thirty-nine Catholic priests were killed, while 30 were abducted in 2022, according to a report.

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Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, said the election of President Bola Tinubu has, within weeks, taught religious and ethnic bigots vital lessons.

Mr El-Rufai said President Tinubu has silenced his critics with fairness following his recent appointments.

The former governor said this at the book launch and retirement event in honour of Ishaq Akintola, a professor and founder of Muslim Rights Concerns (MURIC) in Lagos State on Saturday.

Mr El-Rufai was the keynote speaker at the event. He spoke on Northern-Southern Interdependence and Integration in National Politics and thoughts on political stability, nation-building, and progressive transformation.

President Tinubu has shown so far that Nigerians should elect tried and tested problem-solvers of whatever religious, ethnic and regional description for righteousness to pervade our nation, the former governor said.

Mr El-Rufai was speaking on the backdrop of the criticism faced by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for presenting a Muslim candidate (Mr Tinubu) and a Muslim running mate (Kashim Shettima) during the just concluded presidential election.

He added that the election of Mr Tinubu as the president of Nigeria is an opportunity to destroy many myths hitherto held by some religious and ethnic bigots.

First, (the election) has ended the widely-held narrative in the South that the so-called Northern Oligarchy will hold on to power at all costs, disregard any commitments and deceive any political partners.

Second, Tinubus ascendance and Peter Obis rejection to third place in the 2023 election demystified fake polls and ethnic pundits and fully demolished the falsehood that Christianisation of any national political contest by campaigning in churches and tribal enclaves will lead to electoral success.

Third, it has restored the long-held belief that Northern politicians are trusted to keep their words and stand for fairness to all Nigeria, whether written or not.

Fourthly, the myth that the elected president of Nigeria from the South must be a Christian, which effectively disenfranchises all Muslims from the South-West, South-East and South-South has been conclusively settled, Mr El-Rufai said.

Silencing opposition with fairness

The former governor said the much-derided and opposed Tinubu-Shettima APC ticket not only won the presidential elections but has shown within weeks that the Muslim-Muslim presidency is capable of being fair to everyone  Muslim and non-Muslim alike.

I am not surprised that those that opposed President Tinubus presidential aspiration on grounds of being a Muslim, and/or because of the choice of his running mate, have gone totally silent and failed to commend him for appointing many more non-Muslims into his government than they expected so far!

President Tinubus victory has not only silenced the once-loud Christian bigots of CAN, but his few weeks of governance, policy decisions and the diversity of political appointments has confirmed that he will not be unfair to any ethnic, religious or regional identity.

After he won the 2023 election, Mr Tinubu has surprised all the pessimists by starting on a sound footing, guided by true Islamic principles of leadership  putting Nigeria first by appointing generally competent people with minimal regard to region or religion. That is what fairness and justice demand, Mr El-Rufai added.

A new political template emerged

Mr El-Rufai said the 2023 presidential election led to the rise of a new political template that will give Nigerians the policy continuity for sustainable development.

Our people overwhelmingly voted for Mr Tinubu and across the North preferred him over a Northerner and Muslim  Atiku Abubakar  giving him nearly 64% of the total for the plurality of votes and 25% in virtually all the states.

It is my humble view that this North-South electoral interdependency and political integration is a successful template for national politics and economics that will provide Nigerians with the policy continuity, political stability and pragmatic leadership needed to propel Nigeria to the attainment of its manifest destiny of being the leader of the Black Race, he added.

He said that he believed every patriotic Nigerian and concerned African should key into and support this new political ideal.

Keep religion private and be tolerant

Mr El-Rufai said people should keep religion private and away from public discourse. He said people should not make religion a tool in politics as it is bad for the country.

In my view, the intrusion of religion and region into the public sphere in Nigeria, and their subsequent over-politicisation is bad news for the country. It is divisive, costly and not conducive to national cohesion, unity and progress.

Parts of northern Nigeria have, since the late 1980s, witnessed at great cost the worst manifestations of the divisions and conflict that the apparent obsession with religion promotes. In the North, we look at the absence of these religious and ethnic divides manifesting in communal violence and killings with admiration. I urge you to remain the tolerant society you have always been.

Therefore, I am convinced that religion and region should retreat to the private sphere where it properly belongs. Region and religion should be deployed to unite, promote equity and justice and engender human progress, Mr El-Rufai said.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. Azerbaijan has all the potential for green hydrogen production, Ariel Cohen, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, told Trend.

He noted that hydrogen is a relatively new field, and that it is too early to anticipate, however, as he explained, considering the potential of Azerbaijan in developing renewable energy recourses, such as solar and wind, the production of green hydrogen is very promising in this regard.

"So, as long as Azerbaijan is building its solar and wind capacity, then the water hydrolysis can be done. Also, hydrogen could be produced from gas, then it is blue hydrogen. But, nevertheless, I am sure it is possible," Cohen added.

The expert pointed out that, at the same time, Azerbaijan is striving to double its gas exports to Europe by 2027, and, in this regard, Azerbaijan will contribute to European energy security.

"Azerbaijan showed to the world that it knows how to implement large-scale energy projects. It started with the "Contract of the century" in 1994 under the leadership of Heydar Aliyev and that was Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan. Then with the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan implemented TAP and TANAP gas pipelines via Georgia and Turkiye to Europe. Increasing the capacities of the Southern Gas Corridor is a great initiative, because Europe needs diversification of its energy, gas sources. Europe is not going back to becoming dependent on Gazprom. Europe will be getting gas from many sources including from the TAP, TANAP," he said.

Meanwhile, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev noted as he addressed a meeting dedicated to the socio-economic results of six months of 2023 that the issue of turning Nakhchivan into a green energy zone along with Karabakh and East Zangezur has been initiated already.

Most of the electricity in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is now produced by hydropower plants. The construction of solar and wind power plants is also envisaged there. Maybe 1,000 megawatts, maybe even 1,500 megawatts, and we will meet all the needs of the autonomous republic for green energy. We will also export green energy to neighboring countries, President Ilham Aliyev said.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has restated plans to issue its Initial Public Offer (IPO) to investors very soon.

The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Ltd, Mele Kyari, said this at the 22nd edition of the 2023 Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Conference and Exhibition on Tuesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is, Powering Nigerias Sustainable Energy Future.

Mr Kyari while speaking on Redefining Nigerias Energy Landscape for a Sustainable Energy Future said the decision was based on the law.

As a Company that is guided under the regulations of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, the NNPC Limited will declare its shares to the public for acquisition very soon.

We will pay taxes; we will pay royalties like anyone; we will also pay dividends to our shareholders which many of you are.

We are in business and business means competition. We are a private sector, forget about the fact that we are owned by the government 100 per cent.

You are also aware, we are going Initial Public Offer very soon, we will sell a part of our equity.

 It is in the law, and once that happens, we will not be any different for any of you and it will be a very different business environment, he said.

On subsidy removal, Mr Kyari said it had ensured positive change in the sector by freeing up capital for powering the sustainable supply of energy.

Are we positioned to facilitate business? Yes, but our partnership produced over 80 per cent of the oil and gas in the country either directly or through our off-stream company or through our partnership.

I am in a position to facilitate business. On the PSC today, we are just agents of the state, trying to make sure we deliver value to them and then they will pay.

I am sure you appreciate this new relationship. The PSCs are not on the balance sheet of the NNPCL.

We make sure you do your work because when you do, we are compensated 40 per cent of your profit oil, so it is important for us as well as business for us, he said.

On energy poverty, the NNPCL boss said the focus was now to ensure that more people had access to energy.

Mr Kyari said, Over 30 per cent do not have access to electricity. So, is energy available or is it the problem of affordability?

Or it is that we have an unsustainable situation or is it combination of all of them? I think we are dealing with the combination of all.

According to him, if energy is not available, it is not affordable in a definite sense.

He said this was due to many structures and issues that made affordability a matter of concern for everybody.

We supply gas, we do not get payment for it; We supply power and we do not get payment for it.

So, you cannot run any business this way. You cannot be sustainable. You cannot create affordable energy and it will not be available.

According to him, affordability, accessibility and sustainability are the drivers of Nigerias energy future.

He said that key initiatives on the horizon for NNPCL would include expanding gas infrastructure to deliver gas across West Africa and potentially, Europe.

He further said the expansion of the liquefaction capacity of NLNG and enabling the availability of LPG as a cooking fuel and CNG as an alternative fuel for automobiles were paramount.

Mr Kyari then reiterated the need to bridge the skilled manpower gap, ensure asset security, and invest in infrastructure to transform challenges into opportunities.

NAN reports that the NOG Energy Week is Nigerias foremost international energy conference aimed at discussing policy implementation, vital energy agenda and investments, among others.

The ongoing event was attended by policymakers, regulators, leaders, stakeholders and partners of the industry.

(NAN)

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An Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff member, Emmanuel Damis, on Tuesday, appeared before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal as a subpoenaed witness and tendered Governor Peter Mbahs qualifications

Mr Damis, Petitioners Witness three, works at the Legal Drafting and Clearance Department, INEC headquarters, Abuja.

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal is hearing the petition filed by Chijioke Edeoga of the Labour Party against Mr Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr Edeoga is asking the tribunal to disqualify Mr Mba for allegedly forging his NYSC certificate.

When the subpoenaed witness came into the witness box to tender the documents on the evidence, the counsel to the second and third respondents objected to the tendering of documents and refused the counsel to the petitioner, Eyitayo Fatogun, to re-examine the witness.

The INEC staff then tendered Mr Mbahs certificates which he submitted alongside his governorship nomination form.

According to the witness, the documents with him are Form EC9 and all the attachments, for the PDP governorship candidate in Enugu State.

The LP counsel applied to tender the documents as exhibits which were admitted by the tribunal as evidence.

However, the petitioners counsel, Mr Fatogun, equally cited a plethora of cases which he said justified the evidence of the subpoenaed witness

Both the PDP and Mr Mbah objected to the admissibility of the documents. They, however, reserved their objections for the written address.

The counsel to the respondents objected to his evidence on the grounds that a witness must first swear to a witness deposition on oath, citing several authorities to back up their argument.

Meanwhile, during the cross-examination of the witness by the PDPs counsel, Alex Iziyon, on the membership register of the LP submitted to the commission before the election, Mr Damis could not identify Mr Edeogas name as the Isiuzo LGA was not found in the list by the subpoenaed witness.

The Chairman of the Tribunal, M K Akano, said that a ruling on the objections raised by the respondents would be considered alongside the judgement.

Mr Akano adjourned the case till 12 July for the continuation of the hearing.

(NAN)

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The National Examination Council (NECO) has released the result of the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) administered for pupils seeking admission to federal government-run colleges.

The result was presented by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Andrew Adejo, in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mr Adejo said 69,829 sat the examination across the country on Saturday, 3 June, against the 72,865 registered pupils. 3,036 pupils were absent, Mr Adejo said.

He said 76 pupils had the highest score of 203 while six pupils had the lowest score of 1 mark.

Demography

He said there are 38,801 female candidates and 34,064 males.

He added that Lagos State had the highest number of candidates, with 18,644, and Taraba State the lowest, with 102.

Sixty-nine thousand, eight hundred and twenty-nine (69,829) pupils sat for the examination. Three thousand and thirty-six (3,036) pupils were absent, he said.

Criteria for admission

Mr Adejo said the existing criteria for admission remain. According to him, it is 60 per cent pupils on Merit, 30 per cent of equality of state and 10 per cent on exigency.

The Federal Ministry of Education will ensure that all admission processes are concluded timely and in line with the above criteria, he added.

He said the government is doing its best to address the challenges facing unity schools across the country.

He said: Although we are currently facing challenges of infrastructural development, feeding and teacher quality, I want to assure you that the Federal government is doing its best to ensure better conditions for effective teaching and learning in our schools.

He also appealed to Adamawa, Bayelsa and Kebbi states to increase the number of pupils registering for the examinations in their states.

I would like to use this opportunity to appreciate the Governor of Zamfara State for the appreciable increase in registrants from 1,000+ to 2,091 and his current efforts to offset the debts owed NECO. I also want to urge Adamawa, Bayelsa and Kebbi to register more pupils for the NCEE, he said.

Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe

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A notorious Nigerian online scammer, Olalekan Ponle, also known as Woodberry on Tuesday lost all his known assets to the United States government after a court in Ilinois jailed him for 100 months.

The sentence translates to eight years and four months of jail time.

Judge Robert Gentleman of the US District Court for Northern Illinois handed down the verdict on Tuesday, about three months after Woodberry pleaded guilty to defrauding at least seven companies of over $8 million in less than one year.

The defendant is hereby committed to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to be imprisoned for a total term of One hundred (100) months as to count 1, Mr Gentleman ruled Tuesday.

Based on the plea agreement with US prosecutors in April, the court dismissed the rest of the seven counts in the original eight charges indictment filed against him.

The 100 months imprisonment imposed by the judge is a downward review of 168 months or 14 years proposed by US prosecutors.

But the judge ruled out supervised release for him  shutting down any prospect of his early release from prison based on good conduct.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of the convicts known fortune, including luxury cars, Rolls Royce Cullinan and Lamborghini Urus, to the US government.

The forfeited assets include Rolex watches, gold bracelets, gold and diamond studded rings and neck chains. He will also forfeit cash in Emirati dirhams, among other assets.

With all his known assets forfeited to the US government, Woodberry will be deported to Nigeria empty-handed after completing his jail time and making full restitution of over $8 million in losses suffered by victims of his crimes, based on the court judgement.

Woodberry is well-known to be an ally of another Nigerian international fraudster, Ramon Abbas, alias Hushpuppi, who was jailed last year.

They were arrested in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, on 10 June 2020, for extensive international online scams involving Business Email Compromise (BEC) schemes. They were flown to the United States to face separate trials.

BEC schemes involve scammers gaining unauthorised access into the email accounts of companies and businesses and using them to trick others to pay money into certain accounts.

In its sentencing memorandum submitted to the court ahead of Tuesdays judgement, the US government said Woodberry engaged in BECs while overseas, and used money mules in the US to conceal his identity and involvement.

US prosecutors accused him of a series of significant BEC frauds, causing millions of dollars in losses and tens of millions of dollars in attempted losses to victim companies.

Woodberry intitially maintained his innocence for over two years.

But he made a U-turn to plead guilty to one count of wire fraud during a change of plea hearing at the trial court in April, according to court documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES.

The judge accepted his change of plea in a ruling delivered on 6 April.

He set 11 July for sentencing after accepting the plea agreement Woodberry entered into with US prosecutors.

Where Woodberry will spend eight years of his life

In his judgement on Tuesday, the judge ordered Woodberry to spend his jail time in the FCI Danbury, a low security federal correctional institution with an adjacent minimum security satellite camp, in Connecticut.

He will be entitled to family visits in custody, the judge said.

The judge also ordered him to be surrendered to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for deportation immediately after completing his terms of imprisonment.

A resident of Dubai before his arrest, he will be deported to his home country, Nigeria, after completing his jail time.

Copies of his criminal monetary penalties, schedule of payments are to be mailed jis lawyer, Michael B. Nash.

Restitution and forfeiture

The judge ordered him to make restitution to some companies he defrauded to the tune of $8 million. He also ordered the forfeiture of some posh assets and cash he owned in Dubai to the US government.

Under the plea agreement he entered into with the US government in April, Woodberry pled guilty to only one count involving a $188,000 fraud he perpetrated against a company in New York, US.

But he admitted in the agreement that he owed a total of $8,038,214,.99 in restitution to seven victim companies in theamountss stated as follows:

*Victim Company A $2,300,000.00

*Victim Company B: $1,270,645.00

*Victim Company C: $350,000.00

*Victim Company E: $1,955,000.00

*Victim Company G: $1,044,569.99

*Victim Company H: $1,000,000.00

*Victim Company M $118,000.00

Besides agreeing to make restitution, he also agreed to forfeit to the United States any property constituting or derived from proceeds obtained, directly or indirectly, as a result of the offence, and any property used, in any manner or part to commit the offence.

The court placed a preliminary forfeiture order on the assets after accepting Woodberrys guilty plea in a ruling in April.

The preliminary order of forfeiture order was made final on Tuesday.

Luxury cars, including Rolls Royce Cullinan and Lamborghini Urus, top the list of his Dubai assets that he agreed to forfeit to the US government.

The full list of the assets is as follows:

*One (1) Rolls Royce Cullinan, vehicle number J9153

*One (1) Lamborghini Urus, vehicle number N4973

*One (1) Mercedes-Benz G-Class AMG G55, vehicle number G68816

*Four (4) Rolex watches

*One (1) Patek Philippe watch

* Three (3) Audemars Piguet watches

*Three (8) gold and diamond-studded rings

*Five (5) gold bracelets and two (2) gold bracelet keys

*Six (6) gold neck chains

* One (1) gold and diamond-studded necklace

*One (1) small gold nugget

* Two (2) bank cards

* A monetary sum of 6,740.00 Emirati dirhams (approximately $1,835.00)

*A monetary sum of 243.00 African rands (approximately. $15.45)

Apart from these assets, he also forfeited approximately 151.85713138 bitcoin (BTC).

The bitcoin, said to be part of proceeds traceable to his offence, was transferred to the government on 14 April 2022.

Woodberrys fraudulent scheme

Woodberrys fraudulent activities that were known to the US government took place in the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, and other places, between January and September 2019.

Within the period, US prosecutors said, Woodberry defrauded victim companies and other businesses by means of materially false and fraudulent pretences, representations, and promises.

They said Woodberry and his co-schemers were engaged in a business email compromise scheme targeting Victim Company B and other companies which resulted in a fraudulent wire of approximately $188,191.50 to a bank account.

Typical of how other companies were defrauded, the plea agreement submitted to the trial court revealed how Mr Ponles co-schemers defrauded Victim Company B by first gaining unauthorised access to the firms email account on or before 16 January 2019.

They hacked into the email account by fraudulently obtaining the account credentials, according to the prosecutors.

Once access to this email account (Victim Company B Email Account) had been accomplished, the co-schemers changed certain security settings in the email account to hide their activity from the actual email account user, prosecutors said in the plea agreement signed by Woodberry.

Swiftly, on 16 January 2019, an email was sent from the compromised Victim Company Bs email account to another email account of the company requesting a $188,191.50 payment be made to Victim Company Bs supplier.

The email, according to prosecutors, contained instructions that the money be sent via wire transfer to a bank account which was set up by Woodberry.

PONLE knew that he had no right to the money and that the email was intended to defraud Victim Company B into paying money owed to the supplier to an account controlled by PONLE rather than the supplier.

As a result of the email, approximately $188,191.50 was sent to 8208 account. PONLE acknowledges that the wire was processed through the Federal Reserve System and sent from an account held in New York, New York to an account ending in held in Nashville, Tennessee, the plea agreement added.

The document went further to state that on 17 January 2019, Mr Ponle received a message from Individual B informing him that The money is in.

It added that Woodberrys instruction, Individual B converted approximately $119,000 of the proceeds of the fraudulent wire transfer to Bitcoin. Individual B then sent the Bitcoin to PONLEs Bitcoin wallet.

How fraudulent bank account was set up

Woodberry, according to the plea agreement, set up the fraudulent bank account with which he received proceeds of the fraud nine days before he requested payment through Victim Company Bs compromised email account on 16 January 2019.

The prosecutors say, specifically on 7 January 2019, Mr Ponle, using the alias Mark Kain, sent a message from outside the US to Individual B asking Individual B to open a bank account in the name of a Victim Company B supplier.

Woodberry was said to have told Individual B to set up a separate business account just to receive the money.

Acting at Mr Ponles direction, Individual B opened an account under the name [Individual B] d/b/a [Victim Company B supplier] and sent the account number, which ended in 8208, and routing number to him, the court filing stated.

On 10 January 2019, he sent a message to Individual B indicating that the wire to the Victim Company B supplier account would be $188K.

Luxurious lifestyle

US prosecutors said Woodberry used the proceeds of his crimes to live a luxurious lifestyle, buying high-end cars, expensive watches and jewelry, and designer clothes.

As a college graduate, with a degree in business administration, he admitted having specialised computer skills.

Rather than use his education to obtain a legitimate job and income, he engaged in a large-scale fraud and used the profits to live a high-end lifestyle far beyond what any average person will ever access, the US government said in its memorandum of sentence.

The cited an example of how he used the stolen victim money to buy expensive cars including a Rolls Royce, a Lamborghini, and a Mercedes Benz. He also bought several designer watches, including Rolexes, along with other jewelry and designer clothes.

Moreover, defendant flaunted his ill-gotten wealth online to cultivate social media influencer status. For example, he posted a photo of himself in front of a Rolls Royce valued at approximately $325,000 with the caption Faith and prayer may be invisible, but they make all things possible  Congratulations To Me.

Over 37,000 social media users liked this post, the US governments document stated.

Similarly, the US government last year described Woodberrys ally, Hushpuppi as a prolific international fraudster who conspired to launder tens of millions of dollars through a series of online scams.

The government said Hushpupi flaunted his luxurious, crime-funded lifestyle on social media.

His Instagram account, his flagship platform for flaunting his expensive lifestyle, has since been closed at the request of the US government.

Greedy graduate

US authorities said the convicts defendants actions were driven by simple greed.

Judge Robert Gentleman of US District Court for Northern Illinois, handed down the verdict on Tuesday.

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A Nigerian man has narrated how some police officers stopped him along a highway in Nigeria on his way to the airport and extorted N80,000 after falsely accusing him of being a Yahoo boy (Internet fraudster) and a cultist.

The man said the officers took advantage of the fact that he was anxious to meet up with his flight.

The incident happened on 10 July in Rivers State, South-south Nigeria, while the man was on his way to Port Harcourt Airport, he said.

He said he missed his flight because of the incident.

The man, who shared on Twitter his experience, uploaded a video of one officer, which he secretly recorded during the incident. The 32 seconds video shows the armed officer making a phone call inside a car.

He also posted on the microblogging platform details of the withdrawals he made via POS for the officers.

I was heading to the airport and had a flight by 12:30 p.m.they stopped me at around 11:30 a.m., asked me to come down, searched me & said I was a yahoo boy & cultist, they even slapped me & threatened me when I said NO that I wasnt.

I had to give them money so I could leave before Im hurt or killed and also try to catch my flight.

When I got to the airport at almost 12:30 because of how long they held me, the flight had already left! I was devastated. I had to reschedule another flight again and wait till 7 pm., the man said via his Twitter handle @ndubuisi_nick.

The man said the officers entered the car he was inside and ordered the driver to move ahead when he (the victim) was reluctant to give them money. He said the officers initially demanded N300,000.

I didnt know where they were taking me to. They kept on saying that they will deal with me; I was so scared for my life, he said.

Police react

The police in Rivers State reacted on Twitter to the mans tweet.

Please, can you come to the Public Relations Department of the Rivers State Police Command with evidence of transfer so as to track the police operatives that exploited you? the police tweeted at the man.

We have called on Nigerians several times, and we are still calling to stop transferring money to these policemen rather than report their conduct to the nearest Police Station or call 09014273818, the police added.

It wasnt a transfer!! They took me to a POS centre to send money to the POS operative to get cash and give it to them! the man responded to the tweet from the police.

Cases of police extortion are rampant on Nigerian highways. Some of the helpless victims move on after such an incident, while others take to social media to expose the officers involved.

Some officers last year extorted N1 million from a student at gunpoint in Edo State, South-south Nigeria.

The officers were later arrested, and the money was retrieved and handed over to the student after the incident went viral on Twitter.

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The House of Representatives has resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate corruption allegations against the Managing Director of the Nigerian Maritime Administration And Safety Agency (NIMASA), Bashir Jamoh.

The resolution followed the adoption of the prayers of a motion moved by the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) and four others on Wednesday during plenary.

According to the motion, Mr Jamoh-led NIMASA is facing allegations of awarding fictitious contracts, gross mismanagement of funds, and lopsided staff placement.

Some of the contracts listed in the motion include; non-operational speed boats, security surveillance contracts and Deep Blue Water contracts.

Mr Chinda alleged that the contracts were awarded to the cronies of the director-general.

The agency is alleged to have entered into a very dubious contract with a firm known as XPO Marine Limited for the lease of six (6) speed boats, each at the rate of $173,930.00 monthly, without a Need Assessment for such facility being carried out by the relevant departments of the agency, the said XPO Marine Limited had earlier been indicted for defrauding the agency to the tune of $80,000 in revenue, the motion reads in part.

Deep Blue Water contract

The motion also called for a thorough investigation of the $175 million Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure framework, popularly called the Deep Blue Water contract.

The project, handled by an Israeli security outfit, Homeland Security International (HLSI), has been the subject of several investigations by different committees in the last two assemblies.

In 2018, the House Committee on Public Petitions, which probed the contract, said its findings revealed that it (the contract) would violate appropriation laws because it was not in the budget and recommended outright termination.

Similarly, a former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, faced the House Committee on public procurement in the last Assembly over the same project.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the International Maritime Bureau stated that piracy and armed robbery attacks in Nigerian waters fell 77 per cent in the first nine months of 2021.

Mr Chinda, in the motion, said the Deep Water Contract is suspected to be a conduit by the agencys management to pilfer funds.

He said that NIMASA engaged the Israeli outfit despite existing facilities that could serve the same purpose.

The agency is also said to have an existing surveillance system (called Lloyds List Intelligence) for tracking the movement of vessels on Nigerias Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

There is evidence that the agencys legal department counselled against the consummation of the contract on the grounds of some fraudulent claims in the agreement, but the same was not heeded. The facilities claimed by HSLI are said to be an existing surveillance infrastructure provided by KMBTS Limited, also an Israeli firm whose contract with the agency at the instance of the agencys former DG had long expired, the motion reads.

Consequently, the motion was adopted without debate by members who voted unanimously in support of it when Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put it to vote.

The yet-to-be-constituted ad hoc committee was directed to investigate all the allegations and report to the House within four weeks.

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The Nigerian government has said it is establishing a new regulatory body to checkmate the excesses of herbal medicine practitioners in the country.

This move is the latest in the series of reactions that have followed the publication of an investigation by PREMIUM TIMES and DUBAWA, which focuses on the traditional herbal medicine sector.

The new development is contained in a letter addressed to PREMIUM TIMES by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMH) in response to the laboratory report of the investigation earlier submitted to the ministry for appropriate action.

This is as the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has also reacted to the report, pledging collaboration with other relevant authorities such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to address the menace as exposed by the newspapers investigation.

About investigation

The report exposed the harmful nature of Baba Aisha Herbal Medicine, one of the most popular concoctions consumed by many Nigerians.

The investigation, which includes an extensive laboratory test, revealed that the concoction contains harmful ingredients capable of causing cancer, lung and liver diseases for users.

A copy of the laboratory result was sent to the ministry.

Ministry responds

In its response contained in a letter to PREMIUM TIMES, the ministry hinted that it is actively in the process of establishing a regulatory body to continuously look at the activities of herbal medicine practitioners in Nigeria.

The letter, referenced: TCAM/148/I/5, was signed by Titus Tile, the ministrys Director, Traditional and Alternative Medicines Department.

The Federal Ministry of Health, in its mandate of provision of quality stewardship and health for all Nigerians, is advocating and in the process of establishing a regulatory body to checkmate the activities of these practitioners, part of the letter reads.

While commending these newspapers for their efforts in exposing the harmful concoction, the ministry highlighted some of the actions already taken by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which includes a seal off of the building where the concoction is being produced and arrest of the producer, Salisu Sani.

It further noted that the laboratory report has been sent to the necessary stakeholders for further action.

SONs reaction

In a similar reaction, the SON said it would collaborate with NAFDAC to address issues raised in the investigation.

The SON is responsible for ensuring local, regional and international products sold in Nigeria meet quality, measurement accuracy, certification and other standards.

While investigating, SON hinted at the collaboration to ensure standards in the traditional herbal medicine sector in a letter to these newspapers.

In order to effectively address the issues raised in your report, the organisation will further collaborate with NAFDAC, the letter, signed by the Director-General of the organisation, Olabayo Kunle, a professor, reads in part.

Follow-up

Since its publication, NAFDAC has taken steps to restore regulatory standards and mop up harmful concoctions from the streets.

However, there are still answers to a few promises yet to be fulfilled.

For instance, the agency promised to conduct its investigation and publicise its findings but has yet to revert to this promise.

Following the publication, NAFDAC raided the building where the concoction was being produced, confiscated several items and arrested two people.

The next day, the producer himself was arrested and detained after he visited NAFDACs office.

NAFDAC is yet to give an update on the arrest. Part of the questions begging for answers is if Baba Aisha has been granted bail and if he has been officially charged to court.

The latest attempt by DUBAWA and PREMIUM TIMES to get some answers from the agency has yielded no positive result.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday dismissed a suit challenging the emergence of Ahmed Ododo as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The suit was filed by Smart Adeyemi, a former senator representing Kogi West in the National Assembly who also jostled for the partys ticket alongside Mr Ododo and other aspirants.

Mr Adeyemi had alleged in his suit that the primary election that purportedly produced Mr Ododo as the APC governorship candidate did not hold and that the results were forged.

Delivering judgement in the suit marked FHC/CS/556/2023, James Omotosho held that Mr Adeyemis allegations of results forgery were criminal and must be proved beyond reasonable doubts.

The court noted that the burden of proof was on the applicant to produce the forged results or the original copies and the forged copies of the results to discharge the burden.

The judge said failure to discharge the burden was fatal to the applicants case.

The court held that contrary to the plaintiffs position, there was evidence that the primary election was validly held and monitored by INEC.

The judge held that Mr Adeyemi failed to discharge the burden of proof placed on him by the law.

There is enough proof before this court to show that, indeed, a direct primary election of the APC was held in Kogi state on 14 April, the judge ruled.

The judge said that Mr Adeyemi had complained after he lost the election before an appeal committee that the APC constituted.

The court held that the evidence showed that Mr Adeyemi failed to appear before the committee to prove his allegations.

The court found no reason to invalidate the primary elections outcome.

It held that MR Adeyemi did not prove his allegation that the APC did not lawfully nominate Ododo.

Consequently, the judge dismissed the suit as lacking in merit.

Ex-senator appeal judgement

But Mr Adeyemis lawyer, Adekunle Otitoju, told journalists after Wednesdays proceedings that his client was heading to the Court of Appeal to challenge the judgement.

He said he was dissatisfied with the judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which dismissed his case.

Mr Adeyemi, through his counsel, said he would take the case to the appellate court.

He insisted that the trial court failed to properly evaluate the proof of evidence that was placed before it by the parties.

He insisted that there were inconsistencies in the INEC tendered report and the affidavit that the APC deposed.

He also pointed out contradictions in the defence present against his case in court.

He said while INEC claimed that option A4 mode was adopted for the primary election it monitored, the APC told the court that the election was through a secret ballot.

The judgement validated the primary election that made Mr Ododo the party candidate for the governorship election billed to hold in the state in November.

Mr Ododo was backed by the incumbent Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.

Suit

The plaintiff had in his suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/556/2023 sought to cancel the primary election because it was not validly conducted.

He prayed the court to declare the primary election as illegal, unlawful and invalid.

Adeyemi told the court that Ododo was handpicked as flag-bearer of the party by Governor Yahaya Bello, in gross violation of Section 177 of the Nigerian constitution, Section 29 and 84 of the Electoral Act as well as Article 20 of the constitution of the APC.

He prayed the court to give an order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise Mr Ododo as the bonafide candidate of the party for the governorship election.

The aggrieved governorship aspirant further prayed to the court to order the APC to conduct a fresh primary election and to give all aspirants an equal opportunity as provided for in the Electoral Act 2022.

The former lawmaker had, in a 35-paragraph affidavit he filed in support of his originating summons, told the court that he obtained nomination and expression of interest forms from the party at the cost of N50 million.

He said he was subsequently screened and cleared to participate in the primary election slated for 14 April.

Mr Adeyemi told the court that while he waited at his constituency to cast his vote along with his people, he was shocked when information came to him that the purported primary election had been conducted and a purported winner declared.

Mr Adeyemi prayed to the court to nullify the governorship primary election and order the APC to conduct a fresh one.

(NAN)

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Vice President Kashim Shettima and Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani female education activist, on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, held talks on girl-child education.

Malala was the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize winner at 17 and the worlds youngest Nobel Prize laureate. She is also the UN Messenger of Peace.

The education activist, accompanied by UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, told State House correspondents that visiting Nigeria was part of activities to mark her 26th birthday celebration.

I am here in Nigeria to celebrate my 26th birthday; since my UN speech at age 16, I have been going around the world, meeting girls from different parts of the world and raising awareness about the issues that girls face.

We know that there are more than 120 million girls who do not have access to education right now, and just as people spoke out about my education, I want them to think about the education of other girls as well.

 In Nigeria, I am here because girls education is important here; it will determine the future of Nigeria.

 So, I am here because I want to bring attention to those issues; I am here to speak as well and share my thoughts with the communalities, and also lucky that I was able to meet girls in Abuja.

Malala said she had gone to Borno and met incredible girls, visited their schools and conferred with education activists.

According to her, it is the work of the education activists, girls, civil society and government that gives hope that there can be a better future and education, especially for girls here.

The activist said she was excited to meet the vice president, who was supportive of her mission.

I would ask here in Nigeria that all governments of states; all party members make the commitment to ensure that every child in Nigeria has access to a complete education, which includes senior secondary education as well.

That every child has access to free and quality education, and the second I ask is that we make full financial commitment to ensure that no child is left behind in this country.

Malala said she had been to Nigeria three times and expressed optimism that the girl-child had bright prospects.

She lauded the commitment of the government and other stakeholders to improving girl-child education.

I came here in 2014 to show solidarity to the Chibok girls who had been abducted, and I was able to meet their parents as well; I came here again in 2017, and I saw more of the work that activists are doing, and I met girls.

I am here again, and I have seen how much has changed in the past few years, and it is because of the commitment of government officials and also the work of the civil society and education activists and the determination of girls.

I was able to meet girls and hear from them directly how they are standing up for their rights; they are not remaining silent.

They want a better education; they want quality education for themselves; so, that is what gives me hope, and that is what brings me to Nigeria, and I think that tells us that the future of Nigeria is bright if you give girls a chance and if you invest in their education, she said.

On her part, Mrs Mohammed said that Malalas visit was in furtherance of her advocacy for girl-child education.

She said that by the high number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, Malala should be an inspiration for relevant authorities to address the challenge.

Ten years ago, Malala made her speech at the UN; she is the UN Peace Messenger; this time around, you decided on her 10th anniversary she wanted to make the advocacy for education here in this country.

We have a large number of out-of-school children; we know that the quality of education in the country; this is an advocacy to an administration that is coming in; that believes in education is an important timing.

So, her voice, her inspiration, not just to government, but the rest of society, to governors that we met yesterday, is extremely important as this administration begins its journey of the next four years, Mrs Mohammed said.

(NAN)

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Nigerias immediate past Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has been appointed as a Global Advisor on clean and sustainable energy access by the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) to meet critical climate goals during the next decade.

The organisation announced Mr Osinbajos appointment during a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday.

GEAPP is an international agency funded by the Rockefeller, IKEA Foundation and the Bezos Earth Fund.

Why Osinbajo?

In his remarks, Simon Harford, GEAPP chief executive officer, said the choice of Mr Osinbajo as a Global Advisor was informed by the former Vice Presidents phenomenal advocacy prowess.

His Excellency is a phenomenal advocate, champion and case study for how a government, region and continent should think about this (climate change). That way of thinking, harnessing governments, and working together as governments is an enormous skill and background that he has that we can benefit from at GEAPP, he said.

Mr Osinbajo served as Nigerias two-term (2015-2023) Vice President under the immediate past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Within this period, he championed the countrys Energy Transition Implementation Working Group (ETWG), birthed Nigerias Energy Transition Plan (ETP).

Inaugurated last August at a global virtual event, the ETP is a homegrown, data-backed, and multi-pronged strategy developed for the attainment of a 2060 net-zero emissions commitment pronounced by Mr Buhari during his remarks at COP26 in Scotland in 2021.

The ETP commitments are in five critical sectors  Power, Cooking, Oil and Gas, Transport and Industry. Nigeria needs 410 billion dollars to deliver the Transition Plan by 2060.

Prospects

While accepting the appointment, Mr Osinbajo noted that there was a need for governments of many developing countries to understand the economic opportunities that lie in climate action.

Perhaps this is the only way this makes more sense to governments. If you look at the pace at which climate action has gone, it is way behind the urgency of the matter, he said.

Mr Osinbajo said: I believe we have an opportunity to do a lot more in terms of sensitising governments to the need to act quickly, urgently and act together.

The former vice president hinted that the African continent could drive the solution to climate change whilst ensuring a just energy transition journey.

It is evident that given its huge renewable energy resources, the largest carbon sinks in the world, enormous natural resources and a large youth population, we (Africa) can be the solution to climate change, he said.

This, he said, can be achieved by forbidding growth along the carbon-intensive pathway of wealthier economies and adopting climate-positive growth policies.

we play a critical role in ensuring that global net zero is possible by 2050. Second, climate action can indeed be the job engine for Africa, Mr Osinbajo said.

He stated further that Africa could lead the way in tackling climate change by leveraging its renewable energy potential, young workforce, green technologies, carbon removal and green manufacturing.

In other words, Africa can provide jobs for millions of its young people, prosper and lead in the fight against climate change by becoming perhaps the first green or carbon-free civilisation. And we have the comparative advantage to do so, Mr Osinbajo said.

He emphasised that building a climate-positive growth future in a just energy future that includes energy access at all levels and drives economic growth in developing countries requires international consensus, collaboration and investment.

As Vice President, I worked extensively with the team towards creating a pathway that ensures Nigeria achieves its goal of net zero emissions by 2060. This work eventually resulted in Nigerias Energy Transition Plan (ETP), a data-based, strategic, clean energy transition plan in Africa, and the Energy Transition Office, which worked tirelessly towards successfully implementing the plan, he said.

Challenges

Mr Osinbajo said the twin problems of energy access and climate change cannot be solved independently by developing countries.

I saw this first-hand while working on Nigerias decarbonisation journey plan. We need partners at different levels, he said.

Mr Osinbajo said there was still much to be done with the current energy transition to preserve the planet.

This transition process, he said, affords us (countries) the opportunity to address climate change and expand energy access for all, regardless of their geographical location or socio-economic background.

About GEAP

The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAP) was launched at the 26th edition of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) with aligned investments of over $10 billion, including a commitment of up to $1.5 billion from their three anchor partners, as well as nearly $9 billion in aligned investments from their eight investment partners, the organisers said.

In a statement issued by the group, a copy of which was obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, it mentioned some of its anchor partners, including the African Development Bank Group, the Asian Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the British International Investment, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, and the World Bank.

Their common mission is to enable emerging economies to shift to a clean energy, pro-growth model that accelerates universal energy access and inclusive economic growth while supporting the global community to meet critical climate goals during the next decade, the group said.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has appointed Nataly Mouravidze as the new Head of the Banks operations in Azerbaijan, the EBRD told Trend.

"I am honored to lead the Baku RO team, which I have long admired. Azerbaijan is a resilient economy that has overcome significant challenges. Together with the EBRD Baku team, I will use my energy and experience to support Azerbaijans drive to broaden its economic base, and to enhance its non-oil sector," Mouravidze said.

As the EBRD reported, Mouravidze joined the Bank in 2003. She is an Associate Director and Senior Banker, and has been the Regional Coordinator of the Banks Manufacturing and Services sector. She also managed the Tbilisi RO while it transitioned from its former to current head.

Nataly holds Bachelor of Business (BBA) degree in International Business and Economics as well as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance, the latter from the United States of America.

The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Azerbaijan, where it has invested more than 3.5 billion euros in 188 projects in the financial, corporate, infrastructure and energy sectors, most of which have been in the private sector.
President Bola Tinubu has asked the House of Representatives to amend the 2022 Supplementary Appropriations Act to provide N500 billion to fund palliative measures against the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

The request was convened in a letter read by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, during the plenary on Wednesday.

President Tinubu is seeking to extract N500 billion from the N819,536,937,813 supplementary budget.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari introduced the supplementary budget in 2022 for capital projects due to the impact of the floods on farmlands and road infrastructure.

The life span of the budget has since been extended till 31 December.

I write to request an amendment to the 2022 supplementary appropriation Act in accordance with the attached. The request has become necessary in other to, among other things, source funds necessary to provide palliatives to mitigate the effect of the recent removal of fuel subsidy on Nigerians.

Thus, the sum of N500 billion has been extracted from the 2022 supplementary budget of N819 billion for the provision of palliative. I hope the House will consider this request expeditiously, the Presidents letter reads.

Speaker Abbas announced that the request would be considered on Thursday by the House.

Subsidy removal

When he assumed office as Nigerias 16th leader on 29 May, Mr Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy, a decision that saw the price of petrol jump three-fold across the country.

Following the announcement, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) directed its outlets nationwide to sell fuel between N480 and N570 per litre, an almost 200 per cent increase from the initial price below N200.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had initially planned a nationwide strike to protest the removal. However, the planned strike was suspended following a parley between them and the government, with some agreements reached.

While the administration has been commended for taking swift action on petroleum subsidy, there are still concerns about the impact of the removal, especially as it relates to the increase in the price of PMS and its multiplier effect on almost every sector of the countrys economy and households.

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The Senate has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on his emergence as the Chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Mr Tinubu emerged at the recently concluded 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS held in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.

The congratulatory message was a sequel to a motion moved by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau at plenary on Wednesday.

Moving the motion, Mr Barau said Mr Tinubu, by clinching this influential and strategic position on his first participation, showed that the sub-regional body had reposed great confidence in his leadership qualities.

It also reaffirms Nigerias leadership role on the African continent generally and the sub-region in particular.

As the Chairman of ECOWAS, President Bola Tinubu is in a strategic and vantage position to uphold ECOWAS protocol which is promotion of peace and conflict resolution within the West African Sub-region.

To promote democracy and good governance, strengthen the collective response to security threats within the sub-region, and generally, foster economic cooperation amongst ECOWAS member states.

The emergence of Tinubu as the Chairman of ECOWAS is a testimony of his avowed commitment to good governance promised Nigeria which the policies and decisions taken so far are yielding results and beginning to reposition our economy.

Contributing, Adamu Aliero (PDP-Kebbi) described the president as the symbol of the nation.

An honour done to the president is an honour done to all Nigerians. For that reason, we congratulate the president and also Nigerians for getting this honour from the leadership of ECOWAS.

I am not surprised because the president has proved to be a leader that is very competent in whatever responsibility he is given.

As a governor, he performed wonderfully well, and as a president, he has started very well, and I am sure he will perform credibly to the admiration of Nigerians.

He started by removing the petroleum subsidy, which has been lingering for over 18 years.

We are hoping that the palliatives that he promised will soon come so they can cushion the effects of the petroleum subsidy removal, he said.

For Godiya Akwashiki (SDP  Nasarawa), Now that they have given Tinubu an additional responsibility to lead the ECOWAS, I want to believe it is a call to him and all of us, leaders of this country in one way or the other to make sure we support him.

We should support him to make sure he creates ideas that will move Nigeria forward and that will bring development and infrastructure to our people in their doorsteps.

I want to urge the president to live up to expectation and to ensure things are done according to the rules and due process and according to the Constitution.

Also speaking, Titus Zam (APC-Benue) said the presidents elevation to the leadership of ECOWAS would give the nation the privilege and veritable platform to address its security challenges.

Ahmad Lawan (APC-Yobe), on his part, said that one way that the Senate and, indeed, the National Assembly would help the president was through the ECOWAS parliament.

He said: Issues that are germane to us and indeed across the ECOWAS, which include security and infrastructure development, must be at the front burner.

And these are some of the issues that the president has championed before and has promised to champion.

This is a senate that we will have to make as efficient and effective as possible to support the executive arm of government.

Orji Uzor Kalu (APC-Abia) thanked the Heads of State of ECOWAS for recognising Mr Tinubu.

It is coming at a time when our people in the sub-region are harassed.

The president should use his office to address these issues, he said.

In his remarks, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, described Mr Tinubus emergence as a welcome development.

It further renews the hope of all Nigerians that yes, indeed, the administration of Tinubu will bring good tidings to all.

As soon as we have our committee on foreign affairs, we will address the issue of harassment of Nigerians outside the country.

(NAN)

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The Senate has resolved to probe the allegation of bribery and corruption surrounding the payment of salaries to staff of Nigerian universities through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

It also resolved to hold an interactive session with the Head of Service, National president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Chairman of the committee on Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and other relevant bodies after constituting a committee on tertiary institutions.

The resolution was a sequel to a motion moved by Ifeanyi Ubah (Anambra South) at the plenary on Wednesday presided over by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

There has been disagreement between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on the preferred mode of payment for Nigerian university staff.

The government insisted on IPPIS as the best payroll for the university system, but ASUU rejected it and recommended the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a better alternative.

Since the introduction of the IPPIS, the union has embarked on several strike actions to show their displeasure with the payroll method introduced by the government.

Mr Ubah said the refusal of the government to reach an agreement with ASUU on the payment platform is allowing IPPIS officials at various universities to perpetrate corruption, delaying capturing and payment of some university staff recruited since 2020 through the IPPIS platform.

He noted that many staff of federal universities who have been employed in the university system since 2020 have not been captured on the IPPIS platform.

The senator added that many of the staff of the universities have allegedly been bribing IPPIS officials for the purpose of getting captured on the platform.

READ ALSO: Reps ask FG to end ban on sales of petrol in international border communities

Adams Oshiomole (APC, Edo North), Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), Garba Maidoki (PDP, Kebbi South) and Ibrahim Dankwambo (PDP, Gombe North) supported the motion when it was thrown for debate.

After debate on the motion, the senate resolved that members of the Senate committee on tertiary institutions, when constituted, will probe the alleged bribery and corruption on the IPPIS, delaying capturing and payment of staff of federal universities.

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The House of Representatives has commenced fresh moves to extend the validity of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result.

The lower chamber on Wednesday, following a motion moved by Akintunde Rotimi (APC, Lagos), resolved that the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) should extend the validity of the UTME result from the current one year to three years.

In the Ninth Assembly, Tolulope Shadipe (APC, Oyo) sponsored a bill to extend the validity for four years.

The bill sought to amend sections 5(1a) and 5(2) of the principal act. However, it was not passed before the last House adjourned sine die.

The motion

Mr Rotimi, in his motion, argued that the one-year validity of the UTME results is not in tandem with the current reality.

If candidates cannot secure admission into any tertiary institution of their choice in the academic year the exam was taken, the result no matter how good becomes useless, Mr Rotimi said.

The lawmaker said since other examinations like the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) have infinite validity, the UTME results should have three years.

He expressed concerns about the backlog of candidates waiting for admission into the limited vacancies in Nigerias tertiary institutions and its attendant pressure on the education system and parents.

Mr Rotimi stated that JAMB remains adamant about the one-year validity despite the interruptions caused by strikes embarked upon by the academic staff union.

Despite the incessant strikes embarked upon by ASUU which led to the loss of a complete academic calendar, JAMB still went ahead to administer its examination without recourse to the industrial action by ASUU, he said.

READ ALSO: Soludo awards scholarship to UTME top scorer

He urged the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board to rethink and allow its result to be valid for at least 3 (three) years and conduct the entry exams at least twice annually.

When it was put to vote by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, members unanimously adopted the motion and urged the Federal Ministry of Education to put mechanisms in place to ensure that the resolution is implemented.

In addition, the lawmakers urged JAMB to conduct the entry examinations at least twice a year.

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The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Taoreed Lagbaja, says the Nigerian Army has put measures in place to end the perennial crisis bedeviling Plateau State.

Mr Lagbaja, a major general, said this on Wednesday when the Governor of Plateau, Caleb Muftwang, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

He said the security challenge in Plateau was largely due to farmers-herders crisis and had been limited to three local governments of Riyom, Jos South and Barkin Ladi.

According to him, the recent crisis in Mangu was a cause for concern to the army, and President Bola Tinubu.

Be rest assured that you have come to the right place to seek for solution on the security challenges.

We have taken some measures and we believe those measures will yield the desired results quickly.

We are still receiving reports from the field to see other areas of intervention that can bring lasting peace to the troubled local governments and even the entire Plateau.

We will stop at nothing in providing the combat enablers and other interventions that are required to bring lasting peace to the state, he said.

Mr Lagbaja urged the governor to convene an expanded stakeholders meeting to let them jaw-jaw rather than war-war.

He said it would be better to look at the possibility of creating a platform for stakeholders to express their grievances and proffer solutions from such discussion.

The COAS said that there was also the need to properly organise the state-controlled security outfit to avoid working at across purposes, in the overall interest of the state.

He advised the governor to consider the report of all previous commissions of inquiry on the crisis to see what issues had been addressed and those not addressed.

Mr Lagbaja assured the governor that security agencies would go after all outlaws bearing illicit arms in the state.

It is also important that in convocating the expanded stakeholders meeting to bring traditional rulers, clergymen and all critical opinion moulders in the society and the communities, so that they can talk and find solutions, he said.

The COAS urged the governor to sensitise the citizens on the need to give out credible information that would help the military to bring peace and stability to the affected communities.

Earlier, Mr Muftwang congratulated the army chief for the well deserved appointment and expressed confidence that the president did not a make mistake in appointing him.

He said that Nigerians were hoping that the Nigerian army, under Mr Lagbaja, would meet their expectations and bring about lasting peace in the country.

Plateau at the moment is at a very challenging junction and we know that we will not be able to get out of the woods without the adequate support and involvement of the armed forces.

We want to thank all those who so far have been in that theatre of crisis and the contributions they have made towards the resolution of the crisis, but we want to say it is not yet uhuru.

Of recent, Plateau and particularly Mangu, has been in the news and I am glad to report that under the new GOC, we have begun to witness some return to peace and order.

We want to trust that the chief of army staff will give them all the needed support to be able to bring an end to this unnecessary conflagration.

Plateau as you all know, is known to be the home of peace and tourism and we are determined to ensure that that status is not lost.

READ ALSO Reps ask NSA to declare Plateau killings as national emergency

We want to ensure that Plateau remains home to every Nigerian and a compelling destination where every Nigerian that wants to find a place of refuge and a place of rest will go, he said.

Mr Muftwang urged the Nigerian army and other security agencies to ensure that the sectarian crisis in the state was promptly brought to an end.

(NAN)

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In the aftermath of his confession in the Senate on the 10th of June and following public indignation and outcry, the ICPC extended an invitation to Senator Bulkachuwa, who responded to this affirmatively through his counsel, however three days to the scheduled invitation, the Senator ran to a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to obtain an order of court barring the agency from inviting and investigating him.

It is quite disturbing to watch the latest attempt of former Senator Adamu Bulkachuwas justice delaying tactic of running to seek an order of court to restrain the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Offences Commission (ICPC) from inviting and investigating him for his confessions  at the valedictory session of the Ninth Senate on the 10th of June  of aiding the subversion of the democratic will of Nigerians through his wife, a former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, who sat on election petitions that now appear tainted in their discharge of justice. The disclosure of the 83-year old has brought much disrepute to both the judiciary and the upper legislative chamber, which he was a member of until recent, and can be considered as a threat to national security.

The open and shameful confession of the former senator representing Bauchi North Senatorial district between 2019 and 2023, whereby he stated in the public glare of the Senate chambers that, My wife, whose freedom and independence I encroached upon while (she) was in office, and she has been very tolerant and accepted my encroachment and extended her help to my colleagues (even as the then Senate President Ahmad Lawan had sought to stop him from further exposure), has not only desecrated the hallowed chambers of the legislature but brought opprobrium to the judiciary, which can only be remedied by an independent and impartial investigation by the anti-corruption agency under whose jurisdiction his confessed crime falls.

Although one recognises and concedes that his wife, who headed President of the Court of Appeal between 2014 and 2020, has come out to deny the allegations, yet as an advocate and defender of public integrity and trust, I believe that the independent investigation of this potentially treasonable crime, as being canvassed, is what can fully exonerate her and restore the image of the judiciary and our democracy, which have been impugned by the confession of the former federal lawmaker.

One is also not unaware of the recant of ex-Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa that his comment was taken out of context because the then Senate President did not allow him to complete his speech. Even, as one can concede the right to this back and forth to the ex-Senator, still many insist that only an independent investigation can exonerate him and his wife, and absolve them from wrong-doing.

We can disturbingly recollect that in the run-up to the 2019 general elections, particularly the APC senatorial primaries in Bauchi North, and as witnessed by INEC, one of the aspirants, Usman Tuggar polled 71,508 to defeat Senator Bulkachuwa, who came second scoring just 16,680 votes. However, in what many described as highly shocking, the chairman of the primaries committeeannounced the runner up, Bulkachuwa, as senatorial candidate of the party.

Interestingly, the antecedents of Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa makes it imperative for us all to be resolute in demanding his investigation over this matter, which is crucial to unearthing the truth and restoring the image of our institutions and democracy. We can disturbingly recollect that in the run-up to the 2019 general elections, particularly the APC senatorial primaries in Bauchi North, and as witnessed by INEC, one of the aspirants, Usman Tuggar polled 71,508 to defeat Senator Bulkachuwa, who came second scoring just 16,680 votes. However, in what many described as highly shocking, the chairman of the primaries committee, Ahmed Mohammed announced the runner up, Bulkachuwa, as senatorial candidate of the party, instead of Tuggar, who had the highest number of votes. Thereafter, APC sent Bulkachuwas name to INEC as its candidate for that senatorial election.

Senator Bulkachuwas confession on the help rendered by his wife as President of the Court of Appeal to candidates at election tribunals can be gleaned from the comments of Mr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and counsel to Usman Tuggar, the observed winner of the APC Bauchi North senatorial district primary election, but who is alleged to have been cheated and replaced with Senator Bulkachuwa for that 2019 election, lamented thus in the aftermath of Bulkachuwas confession that, It is a blight on my confidence in our systems. I represented Usman Tuggar in relation to the disputed election between him and Senator Bulkachuwa for Bauchi North Senatorial seat. We lost in three courts Now the chicken appears to have come home to roost and we know better.

In the aftermath of his confession in the Senate on the 10th of June and following public indignation and outcry, the ICPC extended an invitation to Senator Bulkachuwa, who responded to this affirmatively through his counsel, however three days to the scheduled invitation, the Senator ran to a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to obtain an order of court barring the agency from inviting and investigating him. Hence, these about turns of Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa is unbecoming and makes the necessity of his invitation and investigation more pertinent than ever.

I admonish the ICPC to remain focused and ensure that it is not distracted by this latest antic of former Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa in seeking to evade accountability.

This shifty attitude speaks volumes about the nature of Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa, making his conducts suspicious and a threat to national security. He deserves to be investigated and not allowed to evade justice by using the law to prevent himself from rendering account for his past conducts.

I am hereby calling on the ICPC to meet Senator Bulkachuwa in court to counter his prayers because according to our law, he does not have constitutional immunity from investigation by institutions saddled with that responsibility for such, not to talk of prosecution if he is found liable for violating the laws of the land.

I admonish the ICPC to remain focused and ensure that it is not distracted by this latest antic of former Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa in seeking to evade accountability.

Nelson Ekujumi is the executive director of the Centre for Social and Economic Rights.

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The Taraba House of Assembly has cleared Governor Agbu Kefass 21 commissioner-nominees for appointment as members of the states Executive Council.

Nelson Len, the chair of the House Committee on Information, who addressed reporters after the legislatures plenary on Wednesday, said all the nominees were cleared after being screened by the house.

The House is impressed with the calibre of nominees who have shown that they are suitable for the various offices they are designated.

This is the first time nominees are sent to the House with their portfolios attached to direct the screening process.

Of course, we took our time on each nominee and ended up spending two days on the exercise.

This is to ensure that we dont make mistakes. Taraba is at a critical stage where we really need a total rebirth, that is why we have to ensure that the right persons are put in the right places, he said.

Mr Len said lawmakers would work in harmony with the executive to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.

The nominees cleared are Nicholas Oliver, George Peter, Gideon Nonso, Augustina Godwin, Naomi Agbu and Aishat Adul-Azzez.

Others are Sarah Adi, Joseph Nagombe, Bodia Gbansheya, Zainabu Usman-Jalingo, Yakubu Maikasuwa, SAN and Habu James.

The rest are Julius Peter, Saviour Badzoilig, Philister Ibrahim, Mary Sinjen, Daniel Ishaya, Noseh Luka, Joseph Joshua, Usman Abdullahi and Yakubu Yakubu. (NAN)

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Babagana Zulum, the governor of Borno State, has appointed a former Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Bukar Tijani, as the secretary to the state government (SSG).

The governor also re-appointed Isa Marte, a professor, as his Chief of Staff.

The two appointments were announced by the governors spokesperson, Isa Gusau, in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

Mr Isa said Mr Zulum considered Mr Tijanis very high-level experience as minister from July 2011 to September 2013 and as assistant secretary-general and assistant director-general (ASG/ADG) of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Aside from both offices, he also listed other national positions earlier held by the new SSG, including the national coordinator for Nigerias National Programme for Agriculture and Food Security and his coordination of the World Banks Fadama project.

Mr Isa also said the former minister had visited about 50 countries for official engagements and significantly contributed to developing agriculture and food security in Nigeria, Africa and globally.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 62-year-old Mr Tijani was born in Damasak but hails from Dikwa Local Government.

He attended Gubio Primary School, Gubio, from 19701973; Monguno Primary School from 19671970 and Yerwa Government Secondary School, Maiduguri, from 19731978.

While congratulating the new SSG, the governor urged him to utilise his experience to effectively and efficiently coordinate government activities.

He particularly urged him to focus on multi-sectoral development, especially agriculture and food security, which he is very knowledgeable about.

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A total of six persons lost their lives on Tuesday in a multiple road accident in Enugu State, south-east Nigeria.

The accident, which involved a crude oil tanker, an SUV, a Hiace bus and a fully-loaded truck, occurred along Ninth Mile-Ugwu Onyeama Road in the state.

Some of the survivors were taken to the Our Saviour Medical Centre, the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu and the Enugu State University of Technology Teaching Hospital, for treatment, Vanguard newspaper reported.

A video clip apparently recorded shortly after the incident has been circulating on various WhatsApp groups.

The clip, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, showed that the accident occurred when the crude oil tanker had a head-on collision with the truck carrying cement.

The SUV, consequently, rammed into the truck during the crash, while the oil tanker smashed the Hiace bus.

Four of the victims, who are yet to be identified, were a man, his wife, and two children, witnesses told this newspaper on Tuesday night.

Several others- about 11 of them- were also injured in the accident.

Deputy governor visits

The Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ossai, who visited the scene and the hospitals, said he rushed to see the victims on receipt of information about the accident.

Mr Ossai, a lawyer, said the cause of the accident was yet to be ascertained, explaining that the state government was awaiting a report from relevant institutions responsible for such matters.

Unfortunately, we lost some lives while a couple of our people were injured.

We are also grateful to the security agencies who came and effected the immediate rescue, he said.

The deputy governor assured that the government would support those who were injured for their treatment and post-treatment rehabilitation.

He said the government would work with institutions such as the Federal Road Safety Corps and others to encourage road users to minimise the incidence of road accidents, saying most of them were avoidable.

Doctor speaks

The Medical Director of Our Saviour Medical Centre, Emma Ngwu, said the accident was ghastly with a lot of fatalities.

Mr Ngwu, a medical doctor, said 14 survivors were brought to the hospital while six bodies were deposited in the hospitals morgue.

We have been busy all this while, trying to make sure those of them who are alive get treated and 10 of them are seriously injured, he said.

A survivor identified as Blessing said the Hiace bus  filled with passengers  took off from Abakaliki, in Ebonyi State and was en route to Lagos State before the accident occurred.

Ms Blessing thanked God for saving her and others just as she prayed for quick recovery of those who sustained various injuries.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. Azerbaijan and Armenia have narrowed the number of issues that remain unresolved, State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said during a briefing, Trend reports.

"No meeting that has been scheduled as of yet, but we do continue to look forward to the next engagement between the ministers from both Armenia and Azerbaijan.

When we say the peace is within reach, is that they have made significant progress on a number of issues. Even in the last meeting, they narrowed the number of issues that remain unresolved. And so, we think with a dwindling number of issues to resolve, the agreement is within reach," he explained.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held bilateral talks on June 27-29 at the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center in Arlington, Virginia.

They met with US Secretary Anthony Blinken and Assistant to the President and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in Washington.

The ministers and their teams continued progress on the draft bilateral Agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations. They reached an agreement on additional articles and achieved mutual understanding on the draft agreement, meanwhile acknowledging that the positions on some key issues require further work.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
The Senate has mandated its Committee on Works, when constituted, to investigate the award of contracts for rehabilitation of Aba-Ossisioma, Port-Harcourt, Umuahia -Ikot -Ekpene roads.

It specifically mandated the committee to investigate level of funds released, utilisation and the level of work done so far.

Senates resolution followed consideration and adoption of a motion at plenary on Tuesday.

The motion, titled urgent need to investigate delay in completion of Umuahia Umudike-Ikot -Ekpene, Aba -Ikot Ekpene and Aba-Ossisioma to Port -Harcourt roads was sponsored by Darlington Nwokocha (LP, Abia).

Mr Nwokocha, in his debate, said Aba-Ossisioma, Umuahia-Umudike, Ikot Ekpene and Aba to Ikot-Ekpene roads are critical national assets and Federal Government category A interstates roads.

He said the road traverses and connects the South-east, South-south, South-west, and Northern geopolitical zones of the country.

According to him, the roads are central to the economic and social nerves of the cities of Aba Umuahia, Uyo, Ikot-Ekpene and Port-Harcourt and serve as the arteries of the Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation Limited operations, providing the company an alternative channel for distribution of petroleum products.

He said important agricultural produce nationwide have continued to perish due to delays in the completion of the road projects.

He said the the federal government had awarded contract of the road to Messrs CGCC Global Project Nigeria limited, Heartland and Raycon Construction Company and China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), saying that the project was funded by NNPC limited.

He said the funding was pursuant to the Presidential Executive Order 007 signed in 2019 under the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme designed to boost Nigerias national road asset and marginally reduce critical infrastructure deficit in Nigeria.

According to Mr Nwokocha, the NNPC had handed N621.24 billion for the reconstruction of the 21 critical roads across the country including the Aba-Ikot Ekpene Umudike-Ikot-Ekpene roads to the federal government.

He decried that despite expending in excess of N15 billion since inception on the critical roads, the Umuahia Umudike-Ikot-Ekpene roads had only attained 6 per cent completion as of April 2023.

He said the deplorable state of the Aba-Port-Harcourt road has led to economic stagnation of the former boisterous commercial city with more than 1000 businesses closing down.

This, he said, had resulted in negative impacts on standard of living of households, youth unemployment, government revenue and general productivity.

Senate, in its further resolution, urged the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to urgently intervene and include repair of the failed portions of the roads in its plan.

The upper chamber also urged the ministry to urgently complete the road.

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The Ondo State Acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, says he is in constant touch with Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who is recuperating in a hospital abroad.

Mr Aiyedatiwa made this known on Tuesday in Akure while reacting to some media reports he tagged: faceless writers to fan ember of unity in the state

The acting governor urged the general public to ignore the unfortunate lies and subterfuge as the antics of desperate political gladiators across political divides.

You are aware of the message of the governor to the people of Ondo State in which he thanked the people and other critical stakeholders for their support and loyalty.

The governor appreciates your prayers and good wishes for himself and the state, across board. He is in high spirit, recuperating and being expected back in office to continue with his laudable service to the state, as soon as he is certified medically fit by his doctors.

I am in touch with him, the latest being on Sunday when he expressed appreciation to me and other State Executive Council Members for holding the fort while he is away.

I like to also join the governor to express our profound appreciation to you all for your unending show of love, solidarity.

We should remain in this attitude of prayer and solidarity for the good of ourselves, the governor and the State at large the statement read in parts.

Mr Aiyedatiwa urged the general public to ignore the unfortunate lies and antics of desperate political gladiators across political divides, assuring that it would not allow the government to derail the focus and developmental policies of the current administration of Akeredolu.

The acting governor said the tactics of the faceless writers and agents of provocateurs were intended to fan embers of discord, tarnish the hard-earned reputations of individuals in government circles and distract government attention for selfish political gains.

We crave for more cooperation and support from the good people of the state as well as ask for more restraints and circumspection on the part of groups and individuals whose actions and unwarranted vituperations in social circles and the media are capable of robbing off negatively on the image of the state.

We, therefore, assure the people of Ondo State that there is no gap in governance. The government of Ondo State is on course, construction works are going on across the state and other official activities are also running well in line with standard practices.

The security and welfare of the people being the primary constitutional mandate of government is enjoying top priority.

The state government will not at any time renege on this important obligation to the people. We urge you all to continue to be law-abiding, peaceful and endeavour to pursue your legitimate businesses and activities unhindered, the deputy governor said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Ondo State House of Assembly on Monday confirmed the letter written to it by Governor Akeredolu informing it of the extension of his medical vacation.

The governor who is ill and has been receiving treatment in the hospital had earlier informed the assembly of his medical leave on 5 June.

(NAN)

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This new equipment allows fashion manufacturers to adapt to the growing need for small series production. They improve the productivity, flexibility, and environmental footprint of cutting rooms.

PARIS, July 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lectra supports the transformation of fashion, automotive and furniture players by providing them with technological solutions that accelerate their transition to a more efficient and more sustainable Industry 4.0. The Group announces the launch of a new generation of intelligent, connected low-ply equipment for the fashion industry, VectorFashion iX2 and VectorFashion Q2. They are particularly well suited to ensuring a quick, easy transition from small-volume production to larger order volumes, while maintaining optimal cutting quality. Developed with an eco-design approach, their environmental and social impact has been significantly improved.

Lectra VectorFashion iX2

In fashion, the current trend is towards capsule collections and the constant renewal of products. Manufacturers therefore have to produce smaller volumes of the same design and the number of orders to process and materials to cut is increasing. VectorFashion iX2 and VectorFashion Q2 allow manufacturers to cut variable volumes in an agile manner, in all types of materials.

"As economies of scale are increasingly difficult to achieve, fashion manufacturers need to gain flexibility while controlling the costs associated with the production of the orders they receive. With optimized running costs and enhanced performance, the new generation of VectorFashion iX2 and VectorFashion Q2 cutting solutions offers them a better return on investment, and helps them increase their margins while also reducing their environmental footprint. As corporate social responsibility is a major priority for Lectra, we have reinforced the integration of eco-design principles in the development of this new range. This enables our customers to meet the fashion industry's two major challenges: reducing energy and material consumption," explains Maximilien Abadie, Chief Product Officer at Lectra.

A reduced environmental footprint

Fashion players also have increasingly high expectations regarding the environmental footprint of their business. Lectra meets their needs by applying eco-design principles. VectorFashion iX2 and VectorFashion Q2 use 30% to 40% less energy than the previous versions, which were already renowned for their energy performance, for superior efficiency. They weigh 200 kg less than their predecessors, and are more compact in size. As a result, the carbon footprint associated with transporting the equipment, and with the resources used in its production and maintenance, is also significantly reduced.

Ergonomics and operator protection, Lectra's key concerns, have been completely reconsidered, with the introduction of new standards for electronic cards, the integration of motion detection radars, and the reduction of equipment noise levels. This guarantees optimum operator comfort and safety, while minimizing equipment downtime.

More connectivity, more intelligence, more efficiency

VectorFashion iX2 and VectorFashion Q2 offer a high level of connectivity thanks to numerous built-in sensors, which makes them fully compatible with Industry 4.0.

Thanks to data intelligence and improved connectivity, manufacturers have all the data they need to increase the efficiency of their processes, boost productivity, improve product quality and better meet the challenges of tomorrow.

They also benefit from new associated services, as well as predictive maintenance with enriched digital content for greater autonomy. Maintenance operations are halved, resulting in lower consumable costs, and a significant increase in equipment availability compared to the previous generation.

About Lectra:

As a major player in the fashion, automotive and furniture markets, Lectra contributes to the Industry 4.0 revolution with boldness and passion by providing best-in-class technologies.

The Group offers industrial intelligence solutions - software, equipment, data and services - that facilitate the digital transformation of the companies it serves. In doing so, Lectra helps its customers push boundaries and unlock their potential. The Group is proud to state that its 2,500 employees are driven by three core values: being open-minded thinkers, trusted partners and passionate innovators.

Founded in 1973, Lectra reported revenues of 522 million euros in 2022 and is listed on Euronext (LSS).

For more information, visit www.lectra.com.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2151595/Lectra_Fashion.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2151594/Lectra_Logo.jpg

Contact: Hotwire for Lectra  lectrafr@hotwireglobal.com

SOURCE Lectra
Supports the Bob Evans Farms 'Our Farm Salutes' Program Benefiting U.S. Military Heroes

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- If you're struggling to get dinner on the table on hectic weeknights (and don't we all?), meal planning service eMeals comes to the rescue with Busy Nights with Bob Evans - a free 12-recipe comfort food collection that makes quick work of creating family-friendly meals by building each dish around refrigerated sides from Bob Evans.

Shepherd's Pie and more: Available free on eMeals' Bob Evans Collection landing page or in the eMeals app for subscribers, the collection includes three comfort meals crafted by celebrity chef Andre Rush (Shepherd's Pie, Macaroni Croquettes with Avocado Sauce, and Sausage Muffin Frittata) plus nine recipes ranging from Dill and Cheddar Pierogies to Taco Mac and Cheese Casserole, Savory Chicken Cakes, and Chicken, Bacon and Broccoli Garlic Mashed Potato Pizzas created by the eMeals team.

Farm-fresh shortcuts: All 12 recipes use one of the Bob Evans refrigerated side dishes as an ingredient to streamline the preparation process. Whether it's Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Cauliflower or Macaroni & Cheese, you get the benefit of farm-fresh flavor, fewer cooking steps, and support for U.S. military veterans through the Bob Evans Farms Our Farm Salutes program.

Good food for a good cause: The Bob Evans Farms Our Farm Salutes program has contributed more than $500,000 to military causes and veteran-owned businesses since launching in 2016. This year, as part of a partnership with the United Services Organizations (USO), Bob Evans Farms has pledged $125,000 to support USO mental health services for military heroes and their families. The initiative also includes working with Chef Rush, a U.S. Army veteran who worked in the White House as a chef during four administrations and is known for advocating for military communities and mental health services.

Click to shop: All recipes in eMeals' Bob Evans Collection are one-click-shoppable from major retailers, enabling easy in-store shopping or seamless online grocery ordering with Walmart, AmazonFresh, Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway, H.E.B. and the retailers served by Instacart and Shipt, when placed through the eMeals app. One-click shopping is also available for select retailers through the Bob Evans Collection landing page.

Meal inspiration every night: The new collection is part of eMeals' weekly meal planning service, which includes a choice of meal plans for 15 different eating styles ranging from Quick and Healthy, Clean Eating and Low Calorie to Low Carb, 30 Minute Meals, Kid Friendly, Vegetarian and more. Subscribers receive seven dinner menus for their chosen plan every week, along with the option to mix and match menus from any style, the ability to substitute favorites from previous weeks, and periodic Occasions Plan and Bonus Collection menus for recipes that may not fit into the nightly dinner category.

eMeals subscriptions cost as little as $5/month. Free 14-day trials are available here.

About eMeals

eMeals is a meal inspiration, planning and shopping platform that operates the subscription-based eMeals digital meal planning service, the free RecipeBox app enabling home cooks to create personalized digital cookbooks, and the Grocery Connect SDK providing online grocery shopping functionality for third-party apps and websites. eMeals has helped millions of families relieve the daily stress of putting healthy home-cooked meals on the table quickly, easily and affordably since the launch of its digital meal planning service. For more information, visit https://emeals.com and https://recipebox.com.

About Bob Evans Farms, Inc.

For 75 years, Bob Evans Farms has delivered delicious, quick-to-table, farm-inspired food that makes mealtime a little bit easier and a lot more delicious. We're proud to be the No. 1-selling refrigerated dinner sides, including many varieties of wholesome, feel-good favorites such as mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese, sold in grocery stores across the country. We're also a leading producer and distributor of sausage and bacon products, egg products including liquid eggs, and frozen handheld breakfast items. In addition to our flagship Bob Evans brand, our product portfolio includes Simply Potatoes, Egg Beaters and Owens Sausage. Bob Evans Farms is based in Columbus, Ohio, and is owned by Post Holdings, Inc., a consumer-packaged goods holding company. For more information about Bob Evans Farms, Inc., visit www.bobevansgrocery.com.

SOURCE eMeals
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will embark on an official visit to Baku, Azerbaijan on July 12, a diplomatic source told Trend.

The purpose of the visit is to enhance the strategic relations between the two countries, reinforce political cooperation, and expand security and technological ties.

During his meetings, the defense minister is expected to engage in discussions with his counterparts regarding the ways to bolster regional stability.

Over the past three decades, Azerbaijan and Israel have developed a strong and amicable interstate relationship, which has grown into a strategic alliance. This alliance is based on shared understanding and cooperation on various global issues. In addition to defense, the two countries have expanded their partnership to encompass sectors such as energy, creating a resilient and diverse collaboration.

Economic indicators demonstrate a remarkable increase in bilateral trade, with the turnover reaching an impressive $1.7 billion. This substantial amount highlights the significance of the trade relationship between the two nations. Moving forward, both countries are committed to further diversifying their trade turnover. Collaborative projects will be implemented to achieve a more balanced trade and reduce reliance on the energy sector. It is important to note that Azerbaijan has consistently been a reliable supplier of crude oil to Israel, accounting for 40 percent of Israel's total oil imports.

Furthermore, recent data indicates that approximately 10-15 Israeli companies have already submitted applications through the Israeli Embassy in Azerbaijan to participate in projects in Karabakh. This demonstrates the eagerness of Israeli businesses to contribute to the development and reconstruction efforts in the region.

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
EVANSTON, Ill., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 160 Driving Academy's newest location in Niles, Illinois hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Academy.

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Niles Location occurred on Friday, July 7th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Attendees included Mayor Alpogianis, Niles Chamber of Commerce, Joseph Like and Marlene Hodges from the Orchard Village, Natalia Osipova from SVET Media Group, and 160 Driving Academy's Midwest and Niles Leadership team.

160 Driving Academy launches their new Academy in Niles, Illinois

The Niles Branch is located at 990 W Touhy Avenue, Niles, IL 60714.

Overview of 160 Driving Academy CDL Training Programs in Niles:

Starting salaries for 160 Driving Academy graduates (on average) start at $65,000/annual, with tremendous growth potential.

Commercial Truck Driving is one of today's fastest growing career paths. Estimates predict 300,000 new jobs for CDL Holders.

Technologically Driven: Our unique and data-driven programs focus deeply on driver safety and personalized analytics to provide our students with individual feedback and top of the line instruction via our proprietary App.

Lifelong Career Support: We offer continuous job placement opportunities through our subsidiary company, Truckers Network the premier job posting and hiring platform in the trucking industry.

About 160 Driving Academy

160 Driving Academy is the nation's largest commercial driving school. As the fastest growing vocational school in the country, in 2023, the Company will train over 35,000 students on how to safely operate a semi-truck. 160 Driving Academy is licensed and operates in 43 states and each school is certified and licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Entry Level Driver Training Program. The 160 Driving Academy is integrated with over 400 Workforce offices nationwide to create jobs for unemployed and underemployed workers.

The 160 Driving Academy supplies the largest employers in the nation with an unparalleled level of recruiting, high-quality training, safety effectiveness, and driver analytics. Many of these employers have trusted the Company to provide the majority of their driving workforce.

160 Driving Academy's sister companies, Truckers Network, and the 160 Driver Score provide the most advanced job placement and compliance scoring capabilities in the industry. 160 Driving Academy has recently implemented HAZMAT Certification training.

SOURCE 160 Driving Academy
BERLIN, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Between May 15-25, 2023, TechBehemoths conducted a survey across 2,542 IT companies located in 57 countries and territories. The aim of the survey was to identify which digital marketing tools are most popular and effective for IT companies and digital agencies.

Digital marketing channels that have generated the highest number of leads for it companies & digital-agencies 69.7% of IT Companies Identify SEO as the Most Effective Way for Lead Generation

According to the survey results published on July 10, 2023, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) emerged as the top-performing digital marketing channel, with 69.70% of respondents indicating that it generated the highest number of leads for their businesses in the past year. This highlights the importance of optimizing websites and content to improve organic search visibility and attract relevant traffic from search engines.

Content Marketing also proved to be a significant lead generator, with 50.60% of respondents attributing their highest number of leads to this strategy. This indicates the value of creating and distributing relevant, valuable, and engaging content to attract and engage target audiences.

Social Media Marketing demonstrated its effectiveness, with 37.80% of respondents reporting it as a channel that generated their highest number of leads. Leveraging social media platforms to engage with audiences, promote content, and drive conversions proved beneficial for these companies.

Email Marketing, Referral Marketing, and PPC Advertising were also identified by a notable percentage of respondents (27%, 30.70%, and 22.80%, respectively) as channels that generated a significant number of leads. These channels highlight the effectiveness of targeted email campaigns, customer referrals, and paid advertising campaigns in driving lead-generation efforts.

While Video Marketing, Influencer Marketing, Mobile Advertising, Display Advertising, Business Directories, and Other channels received lower percentages in terms of lead generation, they still contributed to the overall marketing efforts of some companies.

The results suggest that a combination of digital marketing channels can be effective in generating leads. SEO, Content Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Email Marketing, and Referral Marketing emerged as the primary channels that have proven successful for lead generation in the past year. IT companies and digital agencies should consider investing in these channels to maximize their lead generation potential and overall business growth.

At the same time, it seems that new AI tools have not affected IT companies' preferences and didn't change radically their digital marketing strategies as some anticipated.

Contact:

Marcel Sobieski

017636302768

[email protected]

SOURCE TechBehemoths
Global employer of scientific talent aims to help build pipeline of underrepresented, minority scientists

HANOVER, Md., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Actalent , a leading engineering and sciences services and talent solutions company, is supporting the American Cancer Society's national Diversity in Cancer Research (DICR) internship program. The program provides underrepresented minority (URM) undergraduate students with paid, hands-on research experiences alongside mentorship from accomplished, American Cancer Society-funded investigators in cancer research labs at leading institutions, including hospitals, universities, medical schools and cancer centers. Actalent's support will go towards this year's local cohort of summer research interns.

In the Greater Washington region, the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Georgetown University will host the American Cancer Society DICR internships. Interns who qualify for the program are highly talented undergraduate students with an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) who are from backgrounds historically underrepresented in science. The 10-week program provides a $5,000-6,000 stipend to each intern in addition to covering up to $500 for career development and networking activities, and supporting other student needs, such as transportation.

Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Actalent joins the American Cancer Society in support of its mission to increase regional diversity within the biomedical science workforce. Recent data shows that only 7% of applicants for NIH (National Institute of Health) grants and 6% of applicants for ACS grants were part of an under-represented minority group. This summer, 26 institutions across the U.S. will host 176 interns as part of the DICR program. The American Cancer Society's goal is to provide funding for 1,000 interns over the next 10 years.

"Actalent is committed to advancing diversity in STEM fieldsin Maryland, and across the country. Providing a future in which growth and opportunity is accessible to everyone lies at the core of our values," said Olakunle Arowolo, Actalent's director of diversity, equity and inclusion. "Black and Latino professionals have been historically underrepresented in the scientific and medical fields, and this transformative program goes a long way to address the racial inequities embedded in our largest institutions."

"We're proud to support the American Cancer Society in its effort to bolster the number of under-represented minority students who pursue scientific careers and look forward to being part of the journey this cohort of interns will embark upon," said Kevin McKenna, Actalent's life sciences vertical director. "Our efforts will not only advance cancer research, but also foster the next generation of diverse STEM pioneers."

"Actalent shares the American Cancer Society's passion to inspire diversity in the field of cancer research," said Tswana Sewell, executive director of the American Cancer Society. "Actalent's generous support provides the opportunity for more talented, deserving undergraduate students to explore and develop careers in biomedical science. By creating a more inclusive research environment, we can better address health disparities and enhance recruitment efforts in clinical research protocols to be more inclusive of people of color."

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. For more than 100 years, we have been improving the lives of people with cancer and their families as the only organization combating cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support. We are committed to ensuring everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. To learn more, visit cancer.org or call our 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Actalent

Actalent connects passion with purpose. We're supporting critical engineering and sciences initiatives that advance how companies serve the world. With almost 40 years of experience, our scalable engineering and sciences services and talent solutions provide the expertise our customers need to achieve more. Actalent's global footprint and flexible delivery models ensure access to specialized talent where and when you need it. Follow us on LinkedIn and learn more at actalentservices.com .

Actalent is an operating company of Allegis Group, the global leader in talent solutions.

SOURCE Actalent
Join the Saree Revolution with Vidya and Shobitam!

SEATTLE, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Shobitam, a global D2C ethnic wear brand, today announced the launch of its latest campaign 'If it's a saree, It's a Shobitam' featuring Actor and Brand Ambassador Vidya Balan. The campaign aims at showcasing Shobitam's unwavering commitment towards preserving timeless handloom weaves and inspiring women worldwide to celebrate the saree legacy by embracing it as a symbol of individuality and empowerment.

Vidya Balan is the brand ambassador for the ethnic wear brand Shobitam Vidya Balan takes center stage in the brand's campaign 'If it's a saree, It's a Shobitam'

In the brand film, Vidya is seen with a Director who narrates a script, set against a vintage backdrop. As she intently listens to the script, Vidya slowly starts to embark upon a journey down memory lane, where suddenly her first love for sarees comes back flashing. Lost in a world of fantasy, she tries to recall her favourite styles. As she blissfully adorns her beloved sarees, mesmerized by her reflections in the mirror, she is overwhelmed with emotions with nostalgia, and revels in the sheer delight of wearing her cherished sarees. As reality pulls her back from surrealism and straight to the narration, she says, "And we never part, forever and ever." The film concludes with Vidya descending the stairs as an epitome of grace, urging audiences to "Join the Saree Revolution'' brought to the world by Shobitam.

Sharing thoughts on this partnership, Vidya Balan said, "I am thrilled to be part of the Shobitam family and excited about our new campaign 'If it's a Saree, It's a Shobitam!'. The sheer joy of wearing a saree makes you fall in love with yourself again and the saree is a symbol of our cultural identity. Shobitam's unwavering commitment in making the saree accessible to anyone across the globe truly struck a chord with me. The authenticity of their offerings, wide selection, value added services and fast delivery was something that I personally experienced. So this shared journey of 'Look Good, Do Good and Feel Good' and championing the saree revolution is truly exciting for me!"

Talking about the brand campaign, Aparna Thyagarajan, Co-founder & Chief Product Officer at Shobitam said, "We are thrilled to launch our latest campaign with our beautiful brand ambassador Vidya Balan. Through our new brand film, we hope to kick start the global "Saree Revolution" that thrives on emotional connection with the audiences through our beautiful creations. And, Vidya's charismatic aura and her love for sarees just make her the perfect voice to helm this movement across the World. We do hope that audiences see Shobitam as a purveyor of traditional and handcrafted weaves. Our goal is to make Shobitam synonymous with the word Saree as a verb, where "If it's a saree, it is a Shobitam!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecb2R23IP-I

About Shobitam: Founded by fashionistas and creative sisters Aparna and Ambika in Seattle, Shobitam is building a world-class ethnic fashion brand that is elegant, affordable, and available globally. Powered by a passion for fashion, an interest in designing them, and a drive to make them available to all, Shobitam's mission is to help people look good, do good and feel good. Working closely with weavers, Shobitam designs unique collections and makes a difference in their lives with deep impact. They sell through their global online platform to tens of thousands of customers across 40+ countries, offering beautiful selections with quality, prices, and 5-star service! Customer Obsession is at the core of Shobitam's experience and you can see it reflected in their 7200+ 5 Star Customer Reviews. https://shobitam.com/

Media Contact:

Aparna Thyagarajan

[email protected]

Ph: +1 (510) 709-6753

SOURCE Shobitam
Kirk Fallbacher to Continue as President of Drexi, Board Member and Member of the Leadership Team

PHOENIX, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Medical Pricing Solutions ("AMPS"), a Cimmaron Healthcare Capital portfolio company focused on supporting self-insured employers and healthcare stakeholders in providing affordable, fair, and transparent medical and prescription benefits, announced today the appointment of Matt Brow as Chief Executive Officer and Board Member.

Advanced Medical Pricing Solutions Appoints Matt Brow as Chief Executive Officer and Board Member Tweet this Matt Brow, CEO AMPS

Brow joins AMPS following nearly six years leading pharmacy software and life sciences advisory businesses for Inovalon, a leading provider of cloud-based software solutions empowering data-driven healthcare. Prior to Inovalon, Brow spent nearly 14 years in leadership roles with US Oncology and McKesson focused on strategy, communications, policy, reimbursement, business development, mergers & acquisitions, and operations.

Brow succeeds Kirk Fallbacher who, over the past seven years serving as COO and then President & CEO of AMPS, led tremendous growth and expansion of the company during that time. Fallbacher will continue his leadership contributions to AMPS as President of Drexi - the prescription benefits management subsidiary of AMPS, as an AMPS Board Member, as a member of the AMPS Leadership Team, and as executive sponsor for key strategic accounts.

"I am grateful for Kirk's continued commitment to leadership at AMPS, and I am humbled by the trust and confidence that the Cimarron Healthcare Capital team and our investors have placed in us to fully maximize AMPS' potential," said Matt Brow, Chief Executive Officer of AMPS.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to join the exceptional team at AMPS and look forward to building strong relationships with both our team members and customers," said Brow. "In a healthcare market desperate for innovative solutions, AMPS is well positioned to accelerate its growth and revolutionize employer-sponsored healthcare by providing affordable and transparent care to the benefit of patients and employers alike."

James Nadauld, AMPS Board Chair stated, "The Board is excited to welcome Matt to the team. We are confident his growth-minded leadership will take AMPS and Drexi to the next level of their evolution in the months and years ahead."

"Matt shares our deep passion for improving healthcare, and I enthusiastically welcome his leadership," said Fallbacher. "To the exceptional teams at AMPS and Drexi, I cannot express enough how proud I am of all that we have achieved together over the years. I firmly believe that AMPS and Drexi are perfectly positioned for continued success."

About Matt

Matt Brow is Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Medical Pricing Solutions (AMPS). With extensive experience managing cross-functional teams, Matt has engaged internal and external healthcare stakeholders to find consensus and achieve stable business growth.

Prior to joining AMPS, Matt served as President & General Manager of Pharmacy, Life Sciences and Advisory at Inovalon, a leading provider of cloud-based solutions empowering data-driven healthcare. Matt joined Inovalon in November 2017 to lead its subsidiary Avalere Health and then expanded his role in 2019 to also lead Inovalon's Pharmacy software business which develops, markets, and supports the pharmacy operational and workflow software ScriptMed. While at Inovalon, Matt led the successful divestiture of its Avalere Health business.

Before joining Inovalon, Matt was Senior Vice President, Operations, for The US Oncology Network at McKesson Specialty Health, responsible for developing, planning, and directing the operations of The Network across a multi-state territory. Previously, he held roles at McKesson and its predecessor company, US Oncology, leading public policy, mergers and acquisitions, business development, go-to-market strategy, sales, reimbursement strategy, federal and state government relations, and communications. Prior to joining US Oncology, he was a consultant, advising clients on state government affairs strategy across a wide range of healthcare and political issues.

Matt holds a BA in History and Political Science from the University of Richmond. He lives in McLean, Virginia with his wife Lauren and their two children.

About Kirk

Kirk Fallbacher brings more than 25 years of experience building teams and solutions serving the healthcare and health insurance industries.

Kirk has successfully grown multiple organizations / divisions from early-stage formation, focused on developing and launching new products, opening new market segments, and pure business growth, to preparation for scaling distribution and resultant enterprise value. He has overseen organic growth, combined with multiple acquisitions to establish flexible platforms with multiple products and services.

Kirk joined AMPS in 2016 as COO and shortly thereafter assumed the President and CEO role, during which time he grew the employee base nearly 10x; opened offices in Phoenix and Hyderabad, India; established AMPS as a leading vendor in the individual healthsharing segment; and completed multiple acquisitions, including Drexi, a pharmacy benefits manager and RX discount card provider.

Prior to AMPS, Kirk served in leadership roles at several technology and consulting firms, including: Netrix Global, ITR Mobility (acquired by Zebra Technologies), NVISIA, Swingtide, Alterian, Platinum Technology, Computer Associates, Novell and Ernst & Young.

Kirk holds a BS, computer science and mathematics degree from Western Illinois University.

About AMPS

AMPS provides market leading healthcare cost containment solutions serving self-funded employers, brokers, TPAs, health systems, health plans, and reinsurers. AMPS' mission is to help clients attain their goals of reducing medical and pharmacy costs while keeping members satisfied with quality healthcare benefits. AMPS leverages its 18+ years of experience and data in auditing and pricing medical claims to deliver "fair for all" pricing. AMPS offers detailed analytics and transparency to provide clients with insights based on plan performance. Learn more at www.amps.com.

About Cimarron Healthcare Capital

Cimarron Healthcare Capital is a healthcare-focused private equity firm based in Salt Lake City, UT. Cimarron is led by a unique combination of seasoned healthcare investors and operators. The firm partners with owners and operators in the healthcare lower middle-market to build enduring businesses that improve the healthcare system and drive value for all stakeholders.

SOURCE AMPS
ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Affinity Empowering, Inc., a life science technology company that provides digital health solutions with evidence-informed content, today highlights Assure, its scalable digital health platform that serves as the infrastructure for the company's disease and whole health management solutions.

The Assure digital platform's open architecture simplifies integration with various systems, including EHRs, LIMS, HRIS and others, to create a single book of record for ordering, processing, and ongoing patient support. Assure supports self-pay and captures insurance information necessary for reimbursement. As a HIPAA compliant system, it is trusted by prestigious institutions such as the U.S. Department of Defense and Fortune 100 companies.

Assure is the platform that supports the company's Ready whole health management solutions. The platform ensures personalized wellness paths that are visible to users, healthcare providers, and health plans, ensuring that the right information reaches the right individuals while maintaining a secure and easily accessible experience.

Assure is also the platform that supports the company's eHome capabilities. Notable features include the platform's ability to facilitate direct scheduling of telehealth, in-home nurse deployment, near and in-home diagnostic testing, and installation of durable medical equipment at the home.

"Assure is the backbone of our innovative digital health platform, empowering everything from data collection to personalized wellness," said Dr. Michael Tkach, Chief Operating Officer of Affinity Empowering. "Assure represents our commitment to leveraging technology for better health outcomes and to revolutionizing the way people engage in both disease and whole health management."

The comprehensive capabilities of Assure enable the capture and recording of multiple data points, which can be harnessed for powerful big data analytics, leading to crucial insights and actionable outcomes. Leveraging its patent-pending AI data processing structures, Assure can fuel adaptive user experience processes and deliver responsive member experiences. It also empowers clients, including health plans, value-based providers, self-insured employers, and the Federal Government, with valuable insights into their member populations. By maximizing the capability to integrate data from various systems, it can simplify the end-to-end process of supporting clients in their efforts to provide members with top-quality, efficient, and effective health and wellness solutions.

About Affinity Empowering, Inc.

Affinity Empowering is a leading occupational health, population, and disease management life sciences organization that specializes in providing technology-based solutions and support for overall health and wellness endeavors.

For more information, please visit https://www.affinityempowering.com/

SOURCE Affinity Empowering
The October event aims to foster innovation and pursue AI-powered technologies for faith-based purposes.

BOULDER, Colo., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gloo, the leading technology platform dedicated to connecting the faith ecosystem and releasing its collective might, announced a first-of-its-kind event, The AI & the Church Hackathon event, aimed at rapidly advancing artificial intelligence-based technology to serve the faith community. The Hackathon will take technologists from around the world and will take place October 6-8, 2023, in Boulder, Colorado . The event will focus on exploring how artificial intelligence can be used for good. Winning creators will see their work accelerated by business development contracts with Gloo and qualify for several awards from a $1 million funding pool.

Event participants will be invited to build applications across various categories to support a wide spectrum of ministry-related functions, including church administration, digital giving, database management, workflow automation, discipleship, content creation, and graphic design. Hackathon submissions could include new web applications, native mobile applications, and plugins that leverage the Gloo platform.

"Our platform was built for faith-driven creators to be able to build powerful technologies, collaborate, safely share data with other organizations, and launch sustainable products that lead to stronger ministries and ultimately human flourishing," said Steele Billings, Head of Gloo Exchange and AI Initiatives at Gloo.

Nick Skytland and Ali Llewellyn of Quite Uncommon, who have run some of the world's largest hackathons in government, academia, and the Church, will co-host the event with Gloo.

"Gloo is asking the question: what if a technology of the magnitude of AI was pointed at a major problem in the world today: human flourishing?" said Skytland. "There are talented technologists around the world who long to use their skills and talents for higher purposes, such as helping people grow and reach their greatest potential."

Gloo has also partnered with Cru's Indigitous and Faith.Tech, both of whom have hosted hackathons and networking events for faith-driven technologists for the last eight years. Together, these organizations hope to enable, rally, and inspire the talents of technologists who are passionate about leveraging technology to serve the faith ecosystem.

Applications for the AI & the Church Hackathon are now open , with attendees already committed from North America, Europe, and Africa. To apply or for more information on the event, visit www.gloo.us/ai .

Gloo is the trusted platform that releases the collective might of the faith ecosystem. As a leading technology innovator, Gloo connects people, partners, world-class content, funding opportunities, and more to help ministries achieve their goals and change more lives. Gloo is based in Boulder, Colorado, employing a team of more than 150 people.

SOURCE Gloo
New Seat Will Be Shown at the German Car of the Year Summer Fest in Alsfeld, Germany

Alcantara along with ZF, Bridgestone, KST and Aitastic are Summer Fest event partners

DETROIT, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Alcantara will unveil a car seat with a new design developed with ALPINA at the German Car of the Year's Summer Fest program later this month in Alsfeld, Germany.

More than 150 journalists, industry analysts and car-company executives are expected to attend the by-invitation-only program at Hotel Villa Raab on July 18-20. The event will feature nearly 50 new-model test-drive vehicles, vintage- and concept-car displays, technical presentations and product exhibits.

Alcantara S.p.A., a leading "Made in Italy" luxury brand, is an official German Car of the Year (GCOTY) partner with ZF, Bridgestone, KST and Aitastic. As many as 30 GCOTY jurists are expected to attend the 2023 Summer Fest program.

The seat made by ALPINA is dressed in bright orange Alcantara with laser-cut accents that underline an emerging trend toward brighter, more striking automotive interior and exterior colors.

Orange and other bright colors are becoming the new black for the auto industry, according to some industry analysts. Vibrant colors usually have been featured on limited edition vehicles and some bespoke models, but that has started to change.

Alcantara will host a special exhibit showing applications for the company's luxury material for the automotive industry at the Summer Fest program. GCOTY judging and final award ceremonies will take place in the fall at separate events in Germany.

Alcantara's collection of future automotive interior material currently being shown to auto design studios around the world features three different interior styles or "moods," including:

A dynamic, futuristic mood combining strong, contrasting colors with the use of parametric patterns, metallic textures, laser perforation, micro injection and other innovative technologies;





A modern look with vibrant colors that mask complex processing technologies such as electro-welding, screen printing and twist embroidery and allow for a high degree of customization, and





A selection of Alcantara focused on vintage styles that feature clean lines and a palette of strong colors that allow for the use of complex laser engraving, hand weaving, 3D embossing as well as other technologies.

Alcantara maintains a strong commitment to sustainability. In fact, Alcantara has been Carbon Neutral since 2009, when the company received certification from TUV SUD, one of the strictest and most rigorous international certification bodies. Carbon Neutrality certification is based on offsetting greenhouse gas emissions through carbon credits. Based in Milan, Alcantara has participated in more than 50 international projects designed to improve living conditions and expand the use of renewable energy resources around the world.

"The importance of sustainability in today's cars cannot be overestimated," said Jens Meiners, a GCOTY organizer and co-founder. "Sustainability is reflected in our car-of-the-year evaluation criteria and the choices made by our jury of automotive journalists.

"We are proud to have Alcantara as a GCOTY partner. We share a common vision for cars that will be more environmentally friendly. And of course interior design, comfort and quality are of major importance to all of us as well."

SOURCE German Car of the Year
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Annexus Retirement Solutions (ARS) has been named a finalist in the Wealth Management Industry Award category: In-plan Retirement Income  Product or Service, for its lifetime income solution, Lifetime Income Builder, along with its proprietary middleware solution, the Annexus Retirement Data Exchange (ARDX). These innovations from ARS have introduced a new way to deliver income by reengineering an annuity to include a daily market valuation, which allows it to function like any other investment within the participant's portfolio.

Since 2020, ARS has been on a mission to help more people become retirement ready by providing solutions that address the ever-growing retirement income crisis. With low savings levels and rising life expectancies, many Americans are underprepared for retirement. And even for those investors who have been saving during their working years, many do not have the expertise or guidance needed to create a plan to make their savings last throughout retirement.

ARS took an innovative approach to product design by reengineering the annuity and integrating a daily market value. This patent-pending solution, Lifetime Income Builder, acts as its own asset class when embedded into the glidepath of a target date fund (TDF), allowing the participant to maintain growth opportunity and liquidity.

"Many participants don't know how to best secure their financial futures, and the industry hasn't necessarily made it easy for them," said Dave Paulsen, chief distribution officer at Annexus Retirement Services. "We at Annexus Retirement Solutions knew we could do better. Our product design philosophy is to put the participant at the center of everything we do, and in doing so, everything else falls into place."

When designing Lifetime Income Builder, ARS began working with Richard Kado, a renowned figure in the industry known as the "inventor of the fixed indexed annuity," and a trusted innovator with whom many team members had collaborated with in the past. Kado played a pivotal role in helping finalize the product design and was a key figure in architecting the company's proprietary middleware solution. Kado commented, "most technology solutions today cater to retail annuities. However, Lifetime Income Builder is designed for an institutional investment platform, which makes it truly unique. We wanted to ensure the process for recordkeepers to add this type of innovation to their fund lineup was fast and easy, so we developed our own middleware."

This middleware, known as Annexus Retirement Data Exchange (ARDX), was critical to operationalize Lifetime Income Builder. ARDX provides a seamless interface for data calculating and transmission, making it easy for recordkeepers to administer TDFs with Lifetime Income Builder across all value chain partners.

"Our goal is to change how Americans retire. We want to ensure that once a recordkeeper integrates with the ARDX platform, there's very little  if any  incremental technology impact. Reducing the load to offer the full Lifetime Income Builder product suite ultimately influences participant adoption," said Abby Canfield, head of operations at Annexus Retirement Solutions.

ARDX is in the process of connecting to multiple recordkeepers, and as more recordkeepers adopt it, millions of participants will gain access to a target date fund with Lifetime Income Builder. At present, there is one target date fund series in the market and a second expected to be in the market soon, that integrate Lifetime Income Builder  one actively managed and one passively managed. And now, this innovation is being recognized across the industry.

Now in its ninth year, the WealthManagement.com Industry Awards is the only awards program of its kind to honor outstanding achievements by companies, organizations, and individuals that support financial advisor success. A panel of judges made up of top names in the industry, led by WealthManagement.com director of editorial strategy and operations, David Armstrong, chose the finalists and will determine the winners, which each year recognizes the firms and individuals who are bringing new innovations to market and make a real difference to the daily activities of financial advisors. Winners will be announced at a gala and awards ceremony in New York City on September 7th.

About Annexus Retirement Solutions

Annexus Retirement Solutions designs, develops, and facilitates distribution of institutional lifetime income products that help Americans solve their biggest challenge in retirementoutliving their money. Founded in 2020, the company's over-arching philosophy centers on delivering better participant outcomes through innovation. It is led by industry veterans with a combined 175 years of experience in retirement plans, annuities, and asset management. Annexus Retirement Solutions is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. Learn more about Annexus Retirement Solutions at www.annexusretirementsolutions.com.

About WealthManagement.com

WealthManagement.com, an Informa business, provides everything wealth professionals need to know to stay knowledgeable about the industry, build stronger relationships, improve their practice, and grow their business. WealthManagement.com offers financial services organizations a broad array of marketing services designed to help them influence the industry's leading audience of wealth management professionals.

SOURCE Annexus Retirement Solutions
LOS ANGELES, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorney Zulu Ali, founder and principal of the Law Offices of Zulu Ali & Associates, LLP (https://zulualilaw.com/), the largest Black-owned law firm in California's Inland Empire, has been selected "Criminal Defense Litigator of the Year" for 2023 by the American Institute of Trial Lawyers (AIOTL). Membership in AIOTL is by invitation-only. The professional organization is comprised of trial attorneys who exemplify the highest standards of practice in each field. Chosen through a combination of peer nominations and independent research, each lawyer is a leading representation of ethical and exceptional practice. As such, the AIOTL serves as a comprehensive and objective database of the most qualified legal professionals in the country.

Attorney Zulu Ali

The "Litigator of the Year" award is reserved for less than .03% of lawyers. Recipients are leaders in their fields and possess outstanding levels of skill, knowledge, and experience. Attorney Ali earned this recognition through years of dedication to his clients and his practice.

A former police officer and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Attorney Ali earned a juris doctorate in law (J.D.) from Trinity International University; a masters in administration of justice (M.S.) and business (M.B.A.) from University of Phoenix; a degree with a focus on African studies from Regents College through a consortium with Tennessee State University; and is a doctoral scholar researching pan-African business and trade at California Southern University.

In 2007, inspired by the legacy of civil rights attorneys Charles Hamilton Houston, Thurgood Marshall, and Avon Williams, Jr., who used the law and courts as a vehicle to make change and protect all people against injustice, Attorney Zulu Ali opened the Law Offices of Zulu Ali & Associates, LLP (https://zulualilaw.com/) with a focus on representing persons accused of crimes, immigrants, and persons seeking civil justice in state and federal courts. Ali is on the list of counsel at the African Court of Justice and Human Rights in Tanzania (Africa) and the International Criminal Court at The Hague (Netherlands).

Attorney Ali served as Director of the American Committee for United Nations Oversight, an advocacy group that lobbied the United Nations for police reform in 2015. He is the Director of the Stop and Frisk Youth Leadership Academy (https://stopfriskacademy.com/), which mentors and trains at-risk youth to deal with police encounters; Director of the Southern California Veterans Legal Clinic (https://zulualilaw.com/?page_id=1539), a legal clinic offering no cost and low cost legal services to military veterans; and a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. serving on the international governing body (Grand Council) as General Legal Counsel (https://iotaphitheta.org/leadership).

Attorney Zulu Ali, a distinguished biographee of Marquis Who's Who (https://afro.com/attorney-zulu-ali-inducted-into-prestigious-whos-who-registry/) and a recipient of the Albert Neilson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021 (https://wwlifetimeachievement.com/2021/06/21/zulu-ali/), received the Marquis Who's Who Humanitarian Award for 2022 (https://worldwidehumanitarian.com/2022/03/22/zulu-ali/). In 2017, he was recognized as one of the most influential African American Leaders in Los Angeles by the National Action Network founded by Reverend Al Sharpton (https://blacknews.com/news/zulu-ali-los-angeles-most-influential-african-americans-to-be-honored/).

Attorney Ali has been Honored as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in his area by the National Black Lawyers (https://nbltop100.org/members/zulu-ali/) and National Trial Lawyers (https://thenationaltriallawyers.org/members/zulu-ali/); a Top 10 Lawyer by the American Academy of Trial Attorneys (https://lasentinel.net/attorney-zulu-ali-named-premier-100-trial-attorney-by-the-american-academy-of-trial-attorneys.html), American Institute of Legal Counsel, American Jurist Institute, and Attorney & Practice Magazine; and Rue Ratings Best Lawyer in America (https://zulualilaw.com/?page_id=815).

He is the founder and CEO of 10 Nubian Queens & 5 Kings Media (http://10nubianmedia.com/), a mass media production company focusing on black family and social justice content in film, radio, theater, music, and book publishing.

Additionally, Ali is the host of the radio talk show Justice Watch with Attorney Zulu Ali (justicewatchradio.com), which broadcasts from NBC Radio studio in Redlands, California; and he is a member of the National Black Radio Hall of Fame - Chicago chapter (https://www.nbrhof.com/chicago-indiana-chapter/).

A devoted family man, Ali has been married to his wife (Charito) since 1986, has four adult children (Christine, Whitney, Ashley, and Lynda), five grandchildren (Amayah, Tye, Izem, Amina, and Nasira), and resides in Southern California with his family.

PRESS CONTACT:

Rosa Nunez, Executive Producer

Justice Watch Radio

Tel: 951-782-8722

SOURCE Law Offices of Zulu Ali & Associates, LLP
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. Those who came to power in Turkiye [following the latest presidential and parliamentary elections] are making their first official visits to the Republic of Northern Cyprus and Azerbaijan, Chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye Numan Kurtulmus told the reporters, Trend reports.

He noted that Turkiye's relations with Azerbaijan are of a strategic nature.

Kurtulmus also pointed out that Turkiye and Azerbaijan constantly support and will continue to support each other.

Meanwhile, Numan Kurtulmus is currently visiting the monument to the Turkish Martyrs' Memorial in Baku and making statements for the media about his visit to Azerbaijan.

Parliamentary elections were held in Turkiye on 14 May 2023, alongside presidential elections, to elect all 600 members of the Grand National Assembly.
LINDON, Utah, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BambooHR , the industry's leading cloud-hosted software provider dedicated to powering the strategic evolution of human resources, today announced its second annual HR Experience Maker Awards recognizing HR professionals and people leaders is now open for applications. Nominees should be BambooHR customers and can be nominated by anyone, including themselves.

"We are so excited to honor six amazing BambooHR customers who stand out as they build, grow, support and lead their organizations," said Anita Grantham, head of HR at BambooHR. "HR Experience Makers create exceptional workplace experiences by building culture, careers, and companies."

Nominations for the six HR Experience Maker Award categories are open until August 18, 2023. Winners will receive a HR Experience Maker virtual badge to display as proof of their achievement, plus a $2,000 vacation voucher mirroring the company's annual Paid Paid Vacation stipend for employees.

Who to Nominate:

Any BambooHR HR professional and customers, from recruiters to chief people officers, who is outstanding in one of the six Experience Maker categories below.

How to Nominate:

Visit https://www.bamboohr.com/about-bamboohr/hr-experience-maker-awards to nominate your favorite HR professional by August 18, 2023 .

Award Categories:

Heart & Soul: Builds better working relationships, provides excellent emotional support, and displays courageous communication.

Builds better working relationships, provides excellent emotional support, and displays courageous communication. Strategic Leadership: Partners with business leaders to make critical business decisions.

Partners with business leaders to make critical business decisions. Career Growth & Advocacy: Shows uncommon concern about the growth of employees and is uniquely tuned into growth opportunities.

Shows uncommon concern about the growth of employees and is uniquely tuned into growth opportunities. Business Growth: Flawlessly hires and onboards at speed to handle rapid business growth.

Flawlessly hires and onboards at speed to handle rapid business growth. Employee Experience: Creates an exceptional employee experience in unique ways.

Creates an exceptional employee experience in unique ways. Problem Solving: Tackles challenging problems and finds creative solutions.

The HR Experience Maker Awards program will be open for submissions from July 10 through August 18, 2023. The winners will be announced at BambooHR's Virtual Customer Day on October 20, 2023.

About BambooHR

BambooHR is the world's leading HR and payroll platform for growing businesses. We're on a mission to empower the three million employees across more than 30,000 organizations by giving them intuitive HR tools, insights, and support to curate an exceptional employee experience. The company was founded in 2008 by Ben Peterson and Ryan Sanders, who created a values-focused, award-winning internal culture that then provided inspiration for BambooHR's product and features. BambooHR customers include Asana, Foursquare, Stance, Change.org and Postmates. To find out more, visit bamboohr.com , follow @bamboohr or come join 30,000 other HR change agents at our annual HR Virtual Summit.

SOURCE Bamboo HR LLC
Location: Beacon Gallery, 524B Harrison Ave Boston MA Dates: Residency, July 21- August 24 (open by appointment and as listed below)

Cheryl Miller: If We Stand Tall August 25-27

BOSTON, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Beacon Gallery is pleased to announce its upcoming exhibition Cheryl Miller: If We Stand Tall, featuring the work of longtime New York photographer Cheryl Miller , now based in the Boston area. Miller has been invited to be Beacon Gallery's Artist-In-Residence for Summer 2023, from July 21st to August 27th, 2023. The public is invited to a culminating exhibition of the residency, entitled If We Stand Tall from August 24th to the 27th with an opening reception on August 25th, from 6 to 8 pm.

Miller's studio practice will be open to the public in its incubation phase prior to the official exhibition. Miller will exhibit images, audio, and text-based narratives, and guide the installation of a community-based ancestral altar. Visitors will be invited to contribute flowers, cloth, pictures, bottles of oil or liquor, coconuts, photos, and unlit candles to the altar installation on days the gallery is open to the public. Ancestral altars have a deep history in the Yoruba tradition that has many tributaries: Palo Mayombe, Voodoo, Ifa, Santeria, and even unnamed and hidden practices adopted by African Americans who survived the Trans-Atlantic slave trade to reconnect to their ancestry. The community altar will be celebrated on August 27th as part of the If We Stand Tall exhibition.

Following the dates of Miller's residency (July 21 - August 24), Cheryl Miller: If We Stand Tall (August 25 - 27, 2023) will officially open to the public as the culminating residency exhibition. If We Stand Tall comes from the African Proverb: "If we stand tall it is because we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us." This proverb encapsulates Miller's role as a story keeper and archivist for family and community. If We Stand Tall will feature works from Miller's archive of Black figurative film-based photography narrating decades of culture and cultural icons.

Multiple events are planned in conjunction with the residency and exhibition. August's First Friday and Studio Sundays will open Miller's residency to the public (August 4, 6, 13, and 20th). The exhibition (August 25th-27th) will offer standard gallery hours (12-6 Fri, 12-5 Sat, 11-4 Sun), and an opening on Friday, August 25th (6-8 pm), which is free and open to the public. In addition, Cheryl Miller will be joined by photographers Marilyn Nance and OJ Slaughter for a Photographer Panel, moderated by Dr. Jovonna Jones of Boston College, on Tuesday, August 8th at 6:30 pm. Free Registration for the event, generously hosted at Boston University's School of Visual Arts (808 Commonwealth Avenue), is available via Eventbrite.

Current list of open days and events:

August 4 (5-8 pm) First Friday

August 6 (11-4 pm) Studio Sunday

August 8 (6:30 pm, doors at 6) Photography Roundtable with Cheryl Miller, Marilyn Nance & OJ Slaughter @ Boston University, 808 Commonwealth Ave, Room 401-11

August 13 (11-4 pm) Studio Sunday

August 20 (11-4 pm) Studio Sunday

August 25 (12-6) Gallery Hours

August 25 (6-8 pm) Opening Cheryl Miller: If We Stand Tall

August 26 (12-6) Gallery Hours

August 27 (11-4 pm) Gallery Hours

For more information on the exhibition or events, email [email protected]

About Cheryl Miller

As a former City and Regional Planner, Cheryl Miller focuses on the economic, social, political, and physical development of communities, neighborhoods, and the people that make them thrive. Cheryl does this by "capturing images of African Americans viewed through a kaleidoscope of everyday experiences: the rites, rituals, social norms, mores, how people live, work, play, conduct business, raise children, build families and community, create art, educate, worship, entertain, invent[despite] of the history of hundreds of years of enslavement, and existing racist systems that have not thwarted our efforts to flourish magnificently." Cheryl insists that "honoring and revering our ancestors" is the catalyst for this success.

Although self-taught, Cheryl was an Adjunct Lecturer in photography at The Tisch Department of Photography and Imaging at New York University, The City University of New York, and taught in the NYC Public School System. These images have been exhibited internationally and are published in Committed to the Image: Contemporary Black Photographers, FREEDOM: A Photographic History of the African American Struggle, Reflections In Black  A History of Black Photographers 1840-Present, A History of New York In Images  CITYSCAPES, and Black: A Celebration of A Culture, Long Shot, and Black New York Photographers of the 20th Century. The work will be featured in ReFraming: REFLECTIONS IN BLACK by Deborah Willis in the Spring of 2023. View Cheryl's website or follow on Instagram for more information. Currently, Miller is working on a book project, If We Stand TallRecollections of Spirits Past, (KMW Studio Publishing).

About Beacon Gallery

Beacon Gallery is a contemporary art gallery located in Boston's South End, providing a platform for emerging and established artists to deliver thought-provoking solo and group shows, and community-building events. As a partner to greater Boston's artistic community, Beacon Gallery is committed to producing thoughtfully curated exhibitions that showcase original conceptual art and share compelling messages and unique perspectives. It aims to make art accessible to the general public, as well as collectors and institutions locally, nationally, and globally. For more information go to our website and follow us on Instagram.

SOURCE Beacon Gallery
CLEVELAND, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) is pleased to announce the closing of Retroactive C-PACE financing with Stonehill for the 125-key DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Downtown Youngstown, OH and hotel sponsor Youngstown Acquisition Holdings (YAH). BGL assisted YAH with the original construction financing that occurred in 2016 to bring life to the first hotel in the Downtown Youngstown corridor since 1976. The 2016 financing utilized various sources of capital that included federal and state historic tax credits, City of Youngstown loans, a state-funded loan through the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) program, a port capital lease, conventional bank debt, bridge loans and sponsor equity.

BGL's Real Estate Advisors Group offers comprehensive real estate investment banking services for the middle market. Tweet this Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) is pleased to announce the closing of Retroactive C-PACE financing with Stonehill for the 125-key DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Downtown Youngstown, OH and hotel sponsor Youngstown Acquisition Holdings (YAH). BGL assisted YAH with the original construction financing that occurred in 2016 to bring life to the first hotel in the Downtown Youngstown corridor since 1976.

The historic Stambaugh Building was originally constructed in 1907 as an office building, but officially reopened in 2018 as a 125-key DoubleTree by Hilton hotel. The property also features a 6,300 square foot restaurant (Bistro 1907), a fitness center, business center, and 18,300 square feet of banquet and meeting space.

PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) is a newer financing product designed to provide new capital for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements for private commercial (C-PACE) and residential (R-PACE) properties.

The retroactive nature of the financing with Stonehill brought new capital to the hotel specific to energy related costs that were traced back to when the project was under construction between 2016-2018. New legislation authorized the creation of an Energy Special Improvement District (ESID), given this was the first PACE loan the city of Youngstown has closed. The global restructuring of the capital stack included the exit of the project's federal historic tax credit investor and loans with the City of Youngstown and Ohio Water Development Authority. The long-term, 25-year loan with Stonehill will provide a much-needed attractive cost of capital to position the hotel for long-term success.

Stonehill is an affiliate capital provider of Peachtree Group, located in Atlanta, GA. Stonehill is a leader in C-PACE financing for development projects, creating liquidity for eligible projects both under construction and recently completed.

YAH is owned by the principals of Pan-Brothers Associates Inc., a family owned and operated business which offers full real estate development, management and brokerage services. Founded in 1972 by three brothers, Pan-Brothers began by acquiring residential and commercial properties in Brooklyn, NY with a focus on adding value by renovating and maximizing revenues. By maintaining its original investment practices and style of management over the past 42 years, Pan-Brothers Associates has steadily increased its investment portfolio by including larger scale commercial, retail and residential developments in New York, New Jersey, Florida, California and Ohio.

BGL's Real Estate Advisors Group offers comprehensive real estate investment banking services tailored to the middle market. It provides client-focused solutions with an emphasis on real estate advisory, debt, preferred and private equity placement, financial restructuring, recapitalizations, sale-leasebacks, structured finance, and asset acquisitions and dispositions across all asset classes. The team assists real estate owners and developers looking to form alliances and joint ventures with single-source capital providers to gain local and institutional access for all capital needs.

About Brown Gibbons Lang & Company

Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) is a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm focused on the global middle market. The firm advises private and public corporations and private equity groups on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructurings, valuations and opinions, and other strategic matters. BGL has investment banking offices in Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, and New York, and real estate offices in Chicago, Cleveland, and San Antonio. The firm is also a founding member of Global M&A Partners, enabling BGL to service clients in more than 35 countries around the world. Securities transactions are conducted through Brown, Gibbons, Lang & Company Securities, Inc., an affiliate of Brown Gibbons Lang & Company LLC and a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information, please visit https://www.bglco.com/.

SOURCE Brown Gibbons Lang & Company
The Beverage Brand is Using Sustainable Resources and Manufacturing Methods to Improve Lives and the Earth at the Same Time

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hydrogen water isn't old. On the contrary, the concept emerged in Japan after the turn of the century. The benefits of hydrogen are still emerging, and it is a quickly growing international market as health-conscious consumers look for better ways to stay hydrated and give their bodies what they need on a daily basis.

Despite its comparatively recent entry into the health and wellness space, hydrogen water has already developed a bit of a negative reputation for the way some companies manufacture the beverage and source one of its two key ingredients  hydrogen. That's where the pioneering Australian hydrogen water brand Boundless is shaking things up, literally.

"It's easy to lose the sustainability angle when you're dealing with a newer product," explains Boundless founder and CEO David Goo, "but if we're going to continue to develop a better life on this planet, we need to keep it in focus at all times, even when we're working on cutting-edge formulations and production methods."

Goo goes on to explain that this concept of sustainable pioneering has pushed the Boundless team to put in the extra effort even as they grow their brand. This starts with sourcing green hydrogen. The hydrogen color spectrum represents the locations from which hydrogen is sourced. Black and brown hydrogen, for instance, comes from fossil fuels. Grey hydrogen (which is very common) is sourced from natural gas and methane.

In contrast, green hydrogen comes from clean electricity. This makes it a sustainable ingredient and one that lies at the heart of Boundless's production process. The brand continues to go above and beyond by mixing its hydrogen and water using molecular vibration, as well. This purely physical method avoids the use of electrolysis, which uses chemicals.

The result is a clean product that can hydrate the body and is steadily being connected to a host of additional life-building-block benefits . Boundless's hydrogen water is the kind of revolutionary product that you can only get when a technology-focused institution engages in groundbreaking creativity in a responsible, sustainable manner.

About Boundless

Boundless Hydrogen Water was created by a research team led by Dr. Jeffery Son as a natural, comprehensive solution for his daughter's eczema. The product was successful, not just for topical skin but for various general health benefits. The Brand is established as a market leader through the development of the company's unique, non-chemical, Australian manufacturing method, and its founding team has worked tirelessly to share its hydrogen water with the world ever since. Boundless is backed by both science and continuous research and operates with the mission of using technology to unlock human potential and create the future of beverages. Learn more at boundlesshydrogenwater.com .

Media Contact:

David Goo

M 0478 915 888

Suite 6.11, 55 Miller Street, Pyrmont NSW 2009

[email protected]

SOURCE Boundless
 Arizona's Largest and Premier Luxury Pool Builder Marks Momentous Milestone 

CHANDLER, Ariz., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The industry-leading Arizona-based and nationally-awarded commercial and residential pool builder and designer of backyards of every description, California Pools & Landscape , a Cody Pools Company , announces the celebration of its 35th anniversary. Established in 1988, California Pools & Landscape has grown from humble beginnings to become a trailblazer in the pool construction industry. Over the past three and half decades, the company has demonstrated a dedication to exceeding customer expectations and earned the reputation for delivering unparalleled pool design harmoniously blending aesthetics and functionality.

"Congratulations California Pools & Landscape, for celebrating 35 years in business! As a top Chandler 100 Stakeholder Business, they lead by example in our community. Their innovative designs and quality pool and outdoor construction have transformed outdoor living spaces for many families," said Terri Kimble, President & CEO, Chandler Chamber of Commerce.

Arizona-based commercial and residential pool builder, California Pools & Landscape, celebrates its 35th anniversary. Tweet this

As the largest pool builder in the country, completing over 35,000 remarkable projects, the company's commitment to staying ahead of industry trends has allowed it to introduce groundbreaking features from being one of the first companies in AZ to use pebble interiors, the new industry standard, to using smart pool technology, energy-efficient systems, stunning water features, custom lighting options, and complete backyard living areas.

Company milestones & awards reflecting design and building excellence:

Winner of BBB International Torch Award For Ethics (2015)

International Torch Award For Ethics (2015) First pool company in AZ to standardize pebble pool interiors, now the industry standard

Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center, Bear Rescue Pool

Omni Hotel Tempe, Pool

Arizona Country Club, Commercial Pool & Recreation area

Top Pool Builder by Pool & Spa News

Gold Medal design winners Pool & Hot Tub Alliance

"We are incredibly proud to mark this significant milestone in our company's history. Our family business has grown into an incredible company my parents only dreamed about. With a steadfast commitment to quality, creativity, customer satisfaction, and always keeping in line with the values of our heritage, we have been able to build over 35,000 projects and transformed backyards into retreats of our customer's dreams," said Jeremy Smith, President of California Pools & Landscape. "All of our team members and partners, some of who have been with us since the inception of our company, have been the essence of our success," he continued.

California Pools & Landscape will be hosting a celebration sales event on July 22nd where customers can meet with a designer, enjoy free food, enter raffles, and take advantage of special "deals of the day" at their Design Centers across the AZ valley in Chandler, Scottsdale, Queen Creek, and Surprise.

About California Pools & Landscape:

California Pools & Landscape is the premier designer and builder of luxury commercial and residential pools and outdoor construction company based in Arizona, working closely with each client to bring their vision to life. With an unparalleled commitment to meeting and exceeding client expectations through innovative designs, quality construction, and consistent communication. As the valley continues to grow at a rapid pace, so does California Pools & Landscape, with four Design Centers centrally located throughout the valley. In December 2021, Cody Pools Inc acquired California Pools & Landscape. For more information, visit www.calpool.com . For media inquiries, please contact hello@goldenarrowpr.com . Find them socially on Instagram , Linkedin , Houzz , Facebook , Good Quality , YouTube , TikTok and Twitter .

SOURCE California Pools & Landscape
Beanfield leverages The Connected World platform to transform sales processes through automation

BOSTON, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Connectbase , The Industry Cloud for Connectivity, announces that Beanfield Technologies is now a member of The Connected World platform . Beanfield, owner and operator of the largest independent fibre-optic network in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, joined the Connectbase ecosystem to scale its wholesale business and improve automation as the company grows its network.

"Beanfield's growth over the past few years across Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver has been truly amazing, and we're so proud they're joining us as one of the newest members of The Connected World," said Ben Edmond , Founder and CEO of Connectbase. "As Connectbase continues to expand across Canada, we're helping network operators countrywide automate, grow and close the digital divide."

With a track record of superior customer satisfaction and industry-leading service delivery intervals, the Beanfield team recognized that automation was an opportunity for improvement in their business practices and a way to best benefit their clients. The Connected World platform allows the Beanfield team to switch from responding to quotes in a transactional manner to automating quoting and strategically connecting with new partners.

"Working with Connectbase is allowing us to modernize the way we present ourselves to the rest of the world. It's transforming our wholesale team, allowing them to be more strategic and focus on relationship building," said Dan Kernohan, Vice President of Sales at Beanfield. "We have been blown away by the market and segmentation data that The Connected World offers us."

Beanfield will also be able to use the location intelligence for more than 2.4 billion locations profiled in The Connected World platform to help guide its own growth and network expansion.

About Connectbase

Connectbase is The Industry Cloud for Connectivity. Connectbase is a partner to the industry, enabling next generation buying and selling of connectivity, including automated quoting, and providing deep, trusted insights. Connectbase's industry-leading platform, The Connected World, serves almost 300 providers globally, managing 2.4 billion locations across more than 150 countries. The Connectbase team has built a connected ecosystem transforming network buying and selling processes. Visit Connectbase at connectbase.com and follow us on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/connectbase-us/.

About Beanfield

Beanfield is an independent, facilities-based telecommunications company with headquarters in Toronto, Montreal, and now Vancouver. Founded in 1988 with an activist spirit, our primary mission was to connect businesses in the underserved Toronto neighbourhood of Liberty Village. We have since expanded our fibre-optic network to serve markets in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, with points of presence in Calgary, New York, and Seattle. Although we are well-poised to become a national telecommunications entity in our own right, we are committed to remaining faithful to our roots and our ethos: we're community-oriented and equity-focused; we believe everyone deserves quality connectivity at a fair price because that's How It Should Be. For more information, visit beanfield.com.

SOURCE Connectbase
ATLANTA, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The CDC Foundation today announced the appointment of three new members to its board of directors: Melissa McPheeters, PhD, a health services research expert, Bernard J. Milano, a leader in corporate social responsibility, and Mysheika Roberts, MD, MPH, a public health commissioner and champion.

"We are pleased to have Melissa, Bernie and Mysheika as new board members," said Judy Monroe, MD, president and chief executive officer of the CDC Foundation. "Their new perspectives and extensive leadership and experience will be instrumental to the CDC Foundation as we continue to support and extend the work of CDC's and the nation's public health protection community to save and improve lives."

With these additions, the CDC Foundation's Board will comprise 16 directors each serving a five-year term.

Melissa McPheeters

McPheeters is the senior director for Analytics at RTI International, a nonprofit research institute. She also serves as an adjunct research professor in the department of Biomedical Informatics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She is an epidemiologist and public health informatician with more than two decades of experience in health services research, clinical and public health informatics, medicine and data science. Her expertise includes building multidisciplinary teams to address complex problems across health and public health and modernizing data systems and processes.

Throughout her career she has held many roles in health services research including research professor of health policy and biomedical informatics as well as co-director at the Center for Improving the Public's Health Through Informatics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and former director of the Office of Informatics and Analytics at the Tennessee Department of Health.

McPheeters holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin and a master of public health and PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Bernard J. Milano

Milano is former president of the KPMG Foundation and The PhD Project. He began his nearly 60-year career as an auditor with KPMG and prior to his role as president of KPMG Foundation he was national partner in charge of university relations and national partner in charge of human resources.

Throughout his career, Milano has been a leader in driving diversity and corporate responsibility efforts. The PhD Project, a program initiated by the KPMG Foundation in 1994 to increase diversity in corporate America, was founded on the premise that advancements in workplace diversity could be accelerated by increasing the diversity of business school faculty. The PhD Project, along with a network of supporters, sponsors and universities, helps Black/African Americans, Latinx/Hispanic American and Native Americans attain PhDs and become the business professors who will mentor the next generation of leaders.

Milano is a member of the Center for Ethics, Diversity and Workplace Culture at Temple University's Fox School of Business. He was a member of Points of Light Foundation and served as chairman of HBCU Business Dean's Roundtable Business Advisory Board.

He earned a bachelor of science degree from Temple University and honorary doctorates from William Paterson University, Kent State University and North Carolina A&T University.

Mysheika W. Roberts

Roberts is the health commissioner for the City of Columbus, OH, where she leads a team of more than 500 public health professionals who are focused on neighborhood-based approaches that address the social determinants of health to decrease health disparities. She previously served as medical director and assistant health commissioner at Columbus Public Health, was an epidemic intelligence service officer for the CDC in Ohio and led an STD clinic at the Baltimore City Health Department.

Roberts serves as co-chair of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Health Equity Advisory Board, member of CDC's Advisory Committee to the Director Health Equity Workgroup, member of the Lifeline of Ohio Minority Advisory Group and member of the OhioHealth Faith, Culture and Community Benefit Committee. She is also the immediate past chair of the Big Cities Health Coalition, a collaboration of health departments from the 35 largest cities in the country, representing 61 million people.

She earned a doctor of medicine from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and a master of public health from the University of Michigan.

About the CDC Foundation

The CDC Foundation helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) save and improve lives by unleashing the power of collaboration between CDC, philanthropies, corporations, organizations and individuals to protect the health, safety and security of America and the world. The CDC Foundation is the go-to nonprofit authorized by Congress to mobilize philanthropic partners and private-sector resources to support CDC's critical health protection mission. Since 1995, the CDC Foundation has raised over $2 billion and launched more than 1,300 programs impacting a variety of health threats from chronic disease conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer, to infectious diseases like rotavirus and HIV, to emergency responses, including COVID-19 and Ebola. The CDC Foundation managed hundreds of CDC-led programs in the United States and in more than 90 countries last year. Learn more at www.cdcfoundation.org.

SOURCE CDC Foundation
NEW YORK, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest Marcum-Hofstra University CEO Survey provides compelling insight into the evolving mindset of middle-market CEOs across a range of industries, revealing a broadly optimistic view of the business landscape and the importance of companies supporting social and political causes.

The survey, which continues to track CEO sentiment over time, revealed a noticeable uptick in optimism. Compared to April, 12.4% of respondents rated their outlook as "very positive," up from 9.8%. More than a third - 39.6% - placed themselves in the high range of optimism, an increase from 37.6%.

The largest gains in optimism came in the construction, professional services, and technology sectors. However, the healthcare and retail sectors saw a dip in CEO optimism, indicating the nuanced industry dynamics at play in the current business environment.

In a world where social activism increasingly intersects with business, 71.6% of CEOs felt it was important for companies to actively support political or social causes. About a third  33.6% - said that embracing environmental, social and governance causes is a central focus in their business planning and actions.

Nearly a quarter of CEOs said supporting social and political causes actively contributed to achieving their business outcomes, and 45.6% said they believe it is the right thing to do regardless of the impact on their bottom line.

"The embrace of environmental, social and governance (ESG) is, quite literally, a generational change driven by young people who make decisions about what they buy and where they work based on a company's ethical impact," said Janet Lenaghan, dean of the Frank G. Zarb School of Business. "We focus on ESG at Zarb in many ways and across all disciplines  in the curriculum, with experiential learning opportunities like our student-managed sustainability fund, and through an interdisciplinary graduate dual-degree program."

The Marcum-Hofstra CEO Survey is a periodic gauge of mid-market CEOs' outlook and priorities for the next 12 months. The survey polls the leaders of companies with revenues ranging from $5 million to $1 billion-plus. This latest survey was conducted the week of June 19, 2023, and polled 250 mid-market CEOs.

Despite the improved economic sentiment, the shadow of a recession continues to linger among CEOs. The latest data shows a substantial drop in CEOs who say they are 'very concerned' about recession, from 46.5% in November 2022 to 26.4% now, but 74.0% retain some concern. Moreover, 61.6% admit these concerns impact their staffing plans, with 17.6% already curtailing hiring and 9.6% laying off staff. Conversely, CEOs expressing no recession concern have increased from 6.3% to 15.6%, indicating a shifting economic landscape.

"Our latest CEO survey shows that optimism is on the rise, but it's clear that these leaders are keenly aware of the challenges ahead," said Jeffrey Weiner, Chairman & CEO of Marcum. "From managing economic uncertainties and grappling with talent shortages to mitigating the impact of rising operational costs, CEOs will need adaptability and grit in this fluid business landscape."

The survey is developed, conducted, and analyzed by Zarb School MBA students, led by Dr. Andrew Forman, associate professor of international business and marketing, in partnership with Marcum.

"The Marcum-Hofstra CEO survey provides students with the basis to consider whether it is prudent and beneficial for companies to focus resources and attention on the broader issues confronting their communities and society at large," Dr. Forman said. "While many CEOs felt it was important for the companies to support political and social causes, their motives vary. This provides a springboard for students to think critically about how broader concerns affect corporate decision-making."

Other Key Findings

Business Planning

Economic concerns continue to be a dominant influence in business planning, despite a slight decline from 58.0% to 55.2% since April.

The availability of talent remains a key factor, reflecting the ongoing struggle for human resources in a tight labor market.

Rising material and operational costs continue to weigh heavily on the minds of CEOs, with this concern showing a small increase since the previous survey.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

15.2% of CEOs said they were rethinking previous support for political or social causes due to concerns over the impact on their business.

43.6% of CEOs said they consider ESG goals, but they are secondary to company goals.

12.8% of CEOs said ESG goals are not part of their planning, and they do not expect it to be in the future.

To download the survey, follow this link: https://www.marcumhofstraceosurvey.com/no3-2023

About Marcum

Marcum LLP is a top-ranked national accounting and advisory Firm dedicated to helping entrepreneurial, middle-market companies and high-net-worth individuals achieve their goals. Marcum's industry-focused practices offer deep insight and specialized services to privately held and publicly registered companies, and nonprofit and social sector organizations. Through the Marcum Group, the Firm also provides a full complement of technology, wealth management, and executive search and staffing services. Headquartered in New York City, Marcum has offices in major business markets across the US and select international locations. #AskMarcum. Visit www.marcumllp.com for more information about how Marcum can help.

About the Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University

Hofstra University's Frank G. Zarb School of Business prepares students to become tomorrow's global leaders. Located just 25 miles from New York City, Zarb students have access to internships and networking opportunities across every industry. The Zarb School combines entrepreneurial, hands-on learning and research with real-world experience and mentorship in state-of-the-art facilities, including a Behavioral Research in Business Lab, Center for Entrepreneurship, and academic trading room. Our undergraduate and graduate programs in accounting, management and entrepreneurship, marketing and international business, finance, and business analytics are ranked and recognized by US News & World Report, Princeton Review, Pets & Quants, and Fortune Magazine.

SOURCE Marcum LLP
CINCINNATI, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jared Kamrass, a principal at Technicolor Political, a full-service messaging and ad-making firm advising Democratic candidates, committees, and progressive causes across the country, has launched a scholarship program to support undergraduate and graduate students in the United States who are committed to public service and making a positive impact in their communities. The Jared Kamrass Scholarship for Public Service offers a one-time award of $1,000 to the selected student who demonstrates a passion for public service and a strong commitment to improving society.

To apply for the scholarship, students must be currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in the United States. Applicants are required to submit a creative essay of under 1000 words in response to the following question:

"What inspired you to pursue a career in public service, and how do you plan to use your education and skills to make a positive impact in your community and society at large?"

Jared Kamrass is looking for applicants who demonstrate a deep commitment to public service and a clear vision for making a positive impact in their communities. He hopes that the scholarship will support and inspire future leaders who are dedicated to improving society.

The deadline to apply for the scholarship is December 15, 2023, and the winner will be announced on January 15, 2024.

About Jared Kamrass:

Jared Kamrass is a political consultant based in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a Principal with Technicolor Political, the largest majority Black-owned firm in the Democratic party. His passion for politics was sparked while watching the television show "West Wing" with his dad and brother and witnessing Barack Obama's 2004 DNC Convention Speech in Boston.

Jared returned to Cincinnati after graduating from Ohio State and managed local campaigns before opening Rivertown Strategies in 2013. Over the course of eight years, Rivertown grew to be one of the top full-service Democratic consulting shops in the Midwest.

In the 2020 cycle, Jared served as a Senior Advisor to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Following the election, Jared joined Technicolor Political as a Principal, working as the ad maker and media consultant for a range of clients, including national committees, and candidates for Governor, Congress, and other statewide and local offices.

SOURCE Jared Kamrass Scholarship
A proven business leader with experience in manufacturing, strategy and operations to oversee XNRGY's rapid growth

MONTREAL, July 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - XNRGY Climate Systems ("XNRGY"), headquartered in St-Hubert, Quebec, a pioneer in the design and manufacturing of energy efficient commercial HVAC systems, announced today that Yves Leduc has joined as Co-President and Chief Operating Officer (COO). He will report to Wais Jalali, the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of XNRGY, and will focus on rapidly scaling up the organization to meet the explosive growth in demand. Mr. Leduc will lead the company's overall business and strategic expansion and hence have executive oversight responsibility for its global operations, product and technology development, sales and marketing, as well as line and staff functions.

Yves Leduc, Co-President and Chief Operating Officer (COO). (CNW Group/XNRGY Climate Systems ULC)

XNRGY aims to become one of the largest providers of climate solutions products in the industry. Led by industry pioneers with decades of combined working experience, XNRGY is on a mission to reduce the carbon footprint of commercial buildings. XNRGY's high-performance HVAC systems are designed to increase energy efficiency, reduce energy costs, and provide superior indoor air quality to mission critical customers such as hospitals, clean rooms, educational institutions, and data centers.

Mr. Leduc is a transformative business leader with over 25 years of deep experience in strategic, manufacturing, brand marketing, new product development, and operational roles. He has successfully led global industrial manufacturing businesses across multiple sectors through various stages of growth, with a marked expertise in bringing industrial technologies to market, developing robust supply chains and sales channels, scaling production capacity, implementing lean enterprise models, and ensuring efficient and effective uses of capital.

Mr. Jalali said, "We are very happy to welcome Yves to the XNRGY team. He fits very well within the company's DNA in regards to achieving our clients goals and expectations. I am extremely impressed with Yves' foresight and execution methodology not to mention his work ethic. He will no doubt take XNRGY to the next level.

Mr. Leduc said, "I am honored to join XNRGY, already a leader in the energy transition. What Wais and Sham Ahmed, co-president, and our employees have achieved in barely over a year is nothing short of amazing, as we are already experiencing impressive growth. Building on this strong foundation, we will devote ourselves to rapidly expanding every aspect of our organization while creating a participating culture for our employees, investors and communities. Climate action underpins everything we do and servicing our customers will be at the center of our focus. This is an inspiring mission because we have the opportunity to use the gift of XNRGY's talents and innovations towards making the world greener, kinder and more sustainable."

Mr. Leduc joins XNRGY from Idealist Capital, where he serves as Partner. Idealist Capital is an investment management firm focused on investing private growth capital with entrepreneurs to accelerate the energy transition and decarbonization. XNRGY recently announced the close of a substantial growth capital raise co-led by Idealist Capital.

Prior to that, he served as CEO of Velan Inc. from 2017 to 2022, starting with the company as President in 2015. Velan Inc. is a world-leading manufacturer of industrial valves with sales of $489 million in its last reported fiscal year. The Company employs over 2,000 people and has manufacturing plants in 10 countries.

Prior to joining Velan, Mr. Leduc was at BRP Inc. for 16 years, where he initially held the role of VP Strategic Planning and eventually led the engine manufacturing division in Austria before returning to Canada as general manager of BRP's North America division, which then had sales exceeding $2 billion.

Mr. Leduc previously held various roles with Bombardier and McKinsey & Company, having begun his professional career as a litigating attorney at Stikeman Elliott.

Mr. Leduc has been a member of TC Transcontinental's board of directors since 2017. TC Transcontinental, a leader in flexible packaging in North America, and Canada's largest printer. The Corporation is also the leading Canadian French-language educational publishing group.

From Quebec, Mr. Leduc, also serves on the board of Orford Music, a 70-year-old not-for-profit music academy in Quebec. Mr. Leduc holds an LLB from the University of Montreal and a Master of Laws from Columbia University School of Law.

About XNRGY Climate Systems

XNRGY is a privately held climate technology company that designs, engineers, and manufactures sophisticated, sustainable innovative solutions focused on reducing carbon footprint, water usage and energy consumption. Its headquarters and first manufacturing plant, a facility of xxx square feet which will double in size in the next year, are in St-Hubert, Quebec, near Montreal. Key products include large custom refrigeration and chilled water air handling units, vertical and horizontal CRAC and CRAH units up to 600 kW, clean room systems, energy recovery systems, low dewpoint EV manufacturing units, and factory installed turnkey controls platform. XNRGY uses BIM/CFD to prevent transient performance failures in mission-critical facilities. XNRGY looks at iso vectors and pressure distribution to design the most efficient systems for clients. This contributes to lower KW while delivering the maximum air to the buildings as well as adding to LEED and NET ZERO initiatives (Paris Climate Accord). To learn more about XNRGY, visit www.xnrgy.com

SOURCE XNRGY Climate Systems ULC
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. Reintegration of Armenian residents of Karabakh into Azerbaijani society was discussed during the "Dialogue with Tofik Abbasov" program on the Baku Network expert platform, Trend reports.

The guest of the program was honored journalist of Azerbaijan, publicist and screenwriter Nadejda Ismayilova. She spoke about contacts with Armenian residents of Azerbaijans Karabakh during the first Karabakh war.

"I have been dealing with the Karabakh problem for many years. One day I came up with the idea to talk to the Armenians of Karabakh and ask these questions: was it possible to avoid the war, why did we come to this and what to do next," Ismayilova recalled.

Ismayilova, along with a group of people came to Khojavand district of Azerbaijan and spoke with several people. Establishing contacts was no easy task.

One of the people she spoke with, was a furniture store owner, Gastello Kagramanyan.

Man is not born to kill other people. Of course, I'm for peace, we need to end this, because our children are suffering a lot, they wake up at night and can't sleep, Kagramanyan said, adding that he can't point to who is responsible for the war, as he was not involved in making any decisions.

Another Armenian,George Khachatryan blamed everything on the ruling elite.

"They brought it to the point that two peoples who lived so peacefully and well, suddenly turned into enemies, he said.

Ismayilova remembers asking him about Armenians asking to separate Karabakh from Azerbaijan at the time. Admitting this, Khachatryan said it wasn't 'the Armenians of Karabakh who did this, it was the emissaries who came here, and we did it under their pressure'.

"This is all wrong, and we have to end this. We must unite with Azerbaijanis, find common language with Azerbaijani people, because they are very kind-hearted. Why do we need land? We are citizens of Azerbaijan. This land belongs to Azerbaijan. I am for peace and for everything to get better. I will tell you honestly, I will be ashamed in front of my children," he said at the time.

Eduard Sahakyan, third Armenian who agreed to speak with Ismayilova said that the local elders should explain to the others why Armenians should live in Azerbaijan.

"We will find a common language with the Azerbaijanis. We still have connection with them, and even in such a situation, we help each other. But our children will lose it all and won't even know about it, Sahakyan said.

Speaking about the integration of the Armenian residents of Azerbaijans Karabakh into Azerbaijani society, Ismayilova noted that they should think about themselves and about future generations.

"Azerbaijan will unconditionally ensure the safety of the Armenian residents, and they will be citizens of Azerbaijan. If they don't want to, they can leave," she said.
CHICAGO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The future of the cloud database and DBaaS market looks promising with continued growth, multi-cloud and hybrid deployments, integration with AI and machine learning, focus on security and privacy, and advancements in edge computing. Providers will prioritize developer experience and continuous innovation to meet evolving customer needs and drive digital transformation.

The global Cloud Database and DBaaS Market size is expected to grow from USD 21.3 billion in 2023 to USD 57.5 billion by 2028 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 22.0% during the forecast period, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The Cloud Database and DBaaS Market is currently expanding, and vendors are adopting a strategic focus to attract customers. The emphasis is on providing a straightforward and elegant user experience. As more users turn to Cloud Database and DBaaS to streamline their asset creation process, software providers must respond to the demand for simple, user-friendly solutions.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Cloud Database and DBaaS Market"

375 - Tables

56 - Figures

284 - Pages

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Scope of the Report

Report Metrics Details Market size available for years 2018-2028 Base year considered 2022 Forecast period 20232028 Forecast units Value (USD) Million/Billion Segments Covered Offering and End-Use Region covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Latin America Companies covered Cisco (US), Aruba (US), Extreme Network (US), Arista (US), Purple (UK), Enea (Sweden), Boingo (US), Netgear (US), IronWifi (US), GlobalReach (UK), Cloud4Wi (US), Skyfii (Australia), GoZone (US), Adentro (US), Anuvu (US), Spotipo (US), Nexnet Solutions (UAE), Performance Network (UK), Cloudi-Fi (France), WifiGem (Italy), Satcom Direct (US), Intelsat (US), Ray (Singapore), WatchGuard (US), Grandstream (US), Keenetic (Germany), Juniper (US).

SQL segment to hold the largest market size during the forecast period

In a short period of time, SQL can process a lot of data. Due to their efficiency, fundamental operationssuch as deletion, insertion, and any type of data manipulationoccur at breakneck speed. SQL is free software that is backed by a large user base. No matter where they are in the world, users can find documentation and troubleshooting advice. Numerous business sectors, including those in technology, finance, retail, music, and even medicine, make extensive use of SQL. It is very user-friendly, scalable, and accessible. The NoSQL segment is expected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period compared to the SQL segment. Data analytics is increasingly in demand as more and more processes generate data, which reveals important business insights that fuel the market's expansion. Appropriate database technology is required to analyze the data. NoSQL accomplishes this goal in the case of unstructured data by supporting basic data analytics. Data analytics will become more important, particularly for unstructured data. In addition, over the past few years, the big data market has grown quickly. Users can perform intricate tasks using SQL, such as querying, inserting, updating, and deleting data from a database. Even non-technical users can interact with databases and retrieve data using its straightforward syntax without having to write a lot of code. Additionally, SQL offers a standardized method of interacting with databases, guaranteeing that data is uniform and consistent across various systems. It is widely used in many different applications, including web development, data analytics, business intelligence, and more, making it a must-have skill for data professionals and developers. Because of its many benefits, SQL is well-liked and in high demand. It is a trustworthy and effective language for interacting with databases. For SQL, no coding knowledge is necessary. Large numbers of lines of code are not necessary for data retrieval. The use of all fundamental keywords like SELECT, INSERT INTO, UPDATE, and others, as well as the simplicity of the syntactical rules, make SQL a user-friendly language.

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Retail & Consumer Goods vertical to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Beyond conventional ERP, CRM, and supply chain management, retail is growing. Online retail is now more crucial than ever because of how fiercely businesses are competing with one another. Every business must manage multiple stores and supply chains while offering a distinctive customer experience if they want to survive in this fiercely competitive sector. The best option to streamline all of these processes is to integrate cloud computing into retail. Adoption of the cloud lowers IT costs, streamlines processes, and enhances productivity and user experience. Many stores continue to run in a disconnected, siloed, and offline fashion without updating. Quick and real-time data exchange between the systems, such as inventory, orders, and shipping, is prohibited by this type of operational ecosystem. They could establish an operations team with real-time data by moving to the cloud. An omnidirectional data flow of this kind can assist retailers in timely fulfilment, restocking products before they run out, assigning orders to the last-mile delivery team wisely, and ultimately enhancing the customer experience.

Every customer who comes to the online retail store will interact digitally. These interactions produce a tonne of useful data. Important data like inventory, customer information, and more are available on the website. Business information should unquestionably be protected as it is confidential. Loss of personal data resulting from network intrusion, DDoS attacks, and ransomware is one of the major reasons for business failure. One of the key issues that need to be addressed is data security. Most retailers keep track of their sales data, client reviews, inventory reports, and other locally hosted servers that are a little bit risky. Using internal firewalls, advanced firewalls, encryption, event logging, and physical security, the cloud helps secure the data. Customers and sales information gathered by retailers is typically underutilized. High-performance computing resources and statistical models are made available by cloud services to analyse customer purchasing patterns. Understanding consumer behavior, market trends, and brand interactions will help retailers use this data to better tailor their business models. With data, retailers can learn all about seasonal spikes, product bundling, and whether or not their representation of the products is accurate, and they can analyse the most popular shipping options, such as door delivery, online shopping, curb side pickup, in-store pickup, etc. Every retailer can change their business model in this way to increase their revenue.

North America is projected to have the largest market size during the forecast period.

North America is expected to have the largest market size in the Cloud Database and DBaaS Market, and the trend is expected to continue till 2028. During the forecast period, it is anticipated that the market for cloud databases and DBaaS in North America will expand significantly. The market is primarily driven by a number of crucial factors, such as a sizable number of US-based businesses and widespread use of cloud database services across a range of sectors, including BFSI, healthcare, retail, energy & utilities, and others. Cloud data storage is now welcomed by businesses as a viable and economical alternative. Since individuals and organizations with different corporate storage needs may wish to store their data in the cloud, data storage companies offer tailored solutions to suit their clients' preferences. Because it enables them to use other people's infrastructure and storage equipment as needed, cloud storage appeals to most people. It costs less, is less stressful, and offers value compared to a company maintaining all of its local storage on-site with an IT specialist managing and watching it. New goods and services are being introduced by businesses in the area to gain a competitive edge.

To manage and optimize customers' on- and off-premise clouds, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, for instance, introduced HPE GreenLake Hybrid Cloud. Continuous management and optimization of customer environments in top cloud solutions like Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Azure Stack are offered by HPE GreenLake Hybrid Cloud. The use of hybrid on-premises and off-premises clouds is growing in the area. A hybrid cloud is the best operating environment for a resilient government; 92% of federal IT managers agreed in 2021, according to MeriTalk, research from a government news analysis organization. Additionally, more than two-thirds (67%) claimed that COVID-19 sped up the adoption of hybrid clouds in their companies by a year or more. In a report released by Stormforgein in April 2021, 18% of North American respondents claimed that their company spends between USD 100,000 and USD 250,000 per month on cloud computing. Furthermore, 32% of respondents predicted that their organization's cloud spending would increase significantly over the following 12 months, while 44% predicted that cloud spending would increase somewhat over that period. The preference of organizations for SaaS-based offerings and the adoption of digital business strategies are the main drivers of widespread adoption. Furthermore, it is anticipated that during the study period, demand for cloud services based on data integrity and privacy will continue to rise, giving leading vendors more opportunities to expand their market share. Additionally, Northern Virginia had the highest net absorption from data centers among the top data center markets in the US last year, totaling 303.3 megawatts. The market for cloud databases and DBaaS is anticipated to expand more quickly as a result of these trends in data center adoption.

Top Key Companies in Cloud Database and DBaaS Market:

Some prominent players across all service types profiled in the Cloud Database and DBaaS Market study include Google (US), Microsoft (US), AWS (US), IBM (US), Oracle (US), Alibaba Cloud (China), SAP (Germany), MongoDB (US), EnterpriseDB (US), Redis Labs (US), Tencent (China), Rackspace (US), Teradata (US), CenturyLink (US), Neo4J (US), Datastax (US), Tigergraph (US), MariaDB (US), RDX (US), SingleStore (US).

Recent Developments

In May 2022 , Google launched Manufacturing Data Engine and Manufacturing Connect. These two new solutions allowed manufacturers to connect previously siloed assets, process and standardize data, and improve visibility from the factory floor to the cloud. Once the data is unified, the solutions enable three critical AI and analytics-based use cases: manufacturing analytics and insights, predictive maintenance, and machine-level anomaly detection.

, Google launched Manufacturing Data Engine and Manufacturing Connect. These two new solutions allowed manufacturers to connect previously siloed assets, process and standardize data, and improve visibility from the factory floor to the cloud. Once the data is unified, the solutions enable three critical AI and analytics-based use cases: manufacturing analytics and insights, predictive maintenance, and machine-level anomaly detection. In October 2022 , Microsoft partnered with LSEG. LSEG and Microsoft announced a 10-year strategic partnership for next-generation data and analytics solutions, as well as cloud infrastructure solutions; Microsoft will make an equity investment in LSEG through share acquisition. New collaboration with Microsoft Azure, AI, and Microsoft Teams to architect LSEG's data infrastructure and build intuitive next-generation productivity, data and analytics, and modeling solutions.

, Microsoft partnered with LSEG. LSEG and Microsoft announced a 10-year strategic partnership for next-generation data and analytics solutions, as well as cloud infrastructure solutions; Microsoft will make an equity investment in LSEG through share acquisition. New collaboration with Microsoft Azure, AI, and Microsoft Teams to architect LSEG's data infrastructure and build intuitive next-generation productivity, data and analytics, and modeling solutions. In May 2023 , IBM acquired Polar Security. Polar Security, a technology innovator that helps businesses discover, continuously monitor, and secure the cloud, has been acquired by IBM. Polar Security's DSPM technology will be integrated into IBM's Guardium family of leading data security products. With the addition of Polar Security's DSPM technology, IBM Security Guardium will provide security teams with a data security platform that spans all data types and storage locations: SaaS, on-premises, and public cloud infrastructure.

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Cloud Database and DBaaS Market Advantages:

Because cloud databases and DBaaS solutions offer seamless scalability, organisations may easily increase or decrease their database resources in response to demand. Businesses may now adapt quickly to shifting customer demands without having to calculate their capacity in advance.

Pay-as-you-go cloud databases let businesses only pay for the resources they really use. As a result, there is no longer a requirement for substantial upfront hardware and infrastructure investments. Additionally, since the cloud service provider takes care of hardware upkeep, software upgrades, and security patches, cloud databases don't require continuous maintenance expenses.

Compared to conventional on-premises databases, cloud databases and DBaaS systems can be installed and set up more quickly. This enables businesses to quicken the development of their applications and hasten the launch of new goods and services.

Compared to on-premises alternatives, cloud databases offer more flexibility and agility. Organisations can select the database that best meets their unique demands thanks to the large variety of database engines and configurations they offer. Organisations can create adaptable and scalable infrastructures by integrating cloud databases with other cloud services and technologies.

There are frequently tools and capabilities for autonomous scaling and performance optimisation incorporated into cloud databases. They are able to automatically assign resources based on workload demands, assuring optimal performance.

Cloud databases effortlessly connect with other cloud services and technologies, including serverless computing, data lakes, analytics platforms, and machine learning tools. This makes it possible for businesses to take advantage of the strength of these ecosystems for sophisticated data processing, analytics, and insights.

The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the stored data are guaranteed by cloud database providers, who invest significantly in security measures to protect data from unauthorised access. To help firms fulfil their legal requirements, they frequently include cutting-edge security features like encryption at rest and in transit, access restrictions, and built-in compliance certifications (such SOC 2, GDPR, and HIPAA).

Report Objectives

To define, describe, and forecast the cloud database and Database as a Service (DBaaS) market by database type, component, service, deployment model, organization size, vertical, and region

To forecast the market size of regional segments: North America , Europe , Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Latin America

, , (APAC), and (MEA), and To strategically analyze the market's subsegments with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and contributions to the total market

To provide detailed information related to major factors (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges) influencing the growth of the market

To analyze opportunities in the market for stakeholders and provide details of the competitive landscape for major players

To comprehensively analyze the core competencies of key players

To track and analyze recession impact and competitive developments, such as mergers and acquisitions, product developments, and partnerships and collaborations, in the market

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Fast-growing service mesh has added end users, events, features, and maintainers to reach Foundation's top maturity level

SAN FRANCISCO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), which builds sustainable ecosystems for cloud native software, today announced the graduation of Istio . Istio is an open source service mesh that provides a uniform and efficient way to secure, connect, and monitor services in cloud native applications.

Istio provides zero-trust networking, policy enforcement, traffic management, load balancing, and monitoring without requiring applications to be rewritten. It pioneered the modern service mesh pattern  security, traffic routing and observability using sidecar containers  when it launched in 2017. In 2022, the project continued to drive innovation in the space by introducing a complementary architecture, ambient mesh  offering the same benefits without needing sidecars.

"Today, the Istio project takes its place alongside the projects that enable it and upon which it is built, including Kubernetes, Envoy, Prometheus, and SPIFFE," said Craig Box, Istio Steering Committee member and VP of Open Source and Community at ARMO. "On behalf of the project's leadership, we wish to thank every contributor, both corporate and individual, who have collectively brought us to graduation within the CNCF."

Istio was initially developed by Google and IBM and built on the Envoy project from Lyft. The project now has maintainers from more than 16 companies, including many of the largest networking vendors and cloud organizations worldwide. End users range from digital native startups to the world's largest financial institutions and telcos, with case studies from companies including eBay, T-Mobile, Airbnb and Salesforce.com. Istio is the third most active CNCF project in terms of the number of PRs opened and merged.

This year, the Istio community welcomed the maintainers of the Open Service Mesh project, with the team from Microsoft becoming Istio contributors. The combined group continues to drive the development of the Kubernetes Gateway API, which traces its lineage directly to Istio's traffic management model .

The inaugural Istio Day at KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe 2023 , the first Istio event arranged by CNCF, was the second best attended of all the co-located events. As a result, the program will be a full-day event on November 6th during the upcoming KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America 2023 . The CFP is open through August 6, 2023.

The two IstioCon events have attracted an audience of more than 4,000 end users, developers and maintainers. A third annual IstioCon will be hosted by CNCF on the 25th and 26th of September, 2023. A full day of in-person content in Chinese will be offered alongside KubeCon + CloudNativeCon + Open Source Summit China in Shanghai, with two days of virtual content in English for the worldwide Istio audience. The CFP is open for sessions in Chinese and English through July 23, 2023.

"Service mesh adoption has been steadily rising over the past few years as cloud native adoption has matured across industries," said Chris Aniszczyk, CTO of CNCF. "Istio has helped drive part of this maturation, and the project has progressed quickly since joining CNCF late last year. We look forward to watching and supporting this continued growth as the Istio team adds new features and simplifies the service mesh experience."

As a CNCF graduated project, Istio joins the ranks of respected technologies that have proven their value and viability in the cloud native ecosystem. Graduation validates Istio's commitment to openness, collaboration, and innovation.

Quotes from maintainers and supporting organizations are available here .

To learn more about Istio:



About Cloud Native Computing Foundation

Cloud native computing empowers organizations to build and run scalable applications with an open source software stack in public, private, and hybrid clouds. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) hosts critical components of the global technology infrastructure, including Kubernetes, Prometheus, and Envoy. CNCF brings together the industry's top developers, end users, and vendors and runs the largest open source developer conferences in the world. Supported by more than 800 members, including the world's largest cloud computing and software companies, as well as over 200 innovative startups, CNCF is part of the nonprofit Linux Foundation. For more information, please visit www.cncf.io.

The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see our trademark usage page. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

Media Contact

Katie Meinders

The Linux Foundation

[email protected]

SOURCE Cloud Native Computing Foundation
Crete Mechanical Group, a leading national building solutions provider, expands its utilities and plumbing services by partnering with Loellke Plumbing.

TAMPA, Fla., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Crete Mechanical Group (CMG) has acquired a majority stake in Loellke Plumbing, a leading provider of plumbing services for the utilities sector across Illinois and Missouri. The partnership adds over 70 technicians and plumbers to the CMG family. Loellke Plumbing expands CMG's presence across Illinois and Missouri, while also incorporating crucial expertise servicing utility companies across multiple states. "Our partnership with the Loellke Plumbing team not only allows Crete to expand its reach in the Midwest, but it also broadens our expertise within the utilities sector. We are excited to add Loellke to the CMG family," said Mike Cox, Chief Executive Officer at CMG.

Crete Mechanical Group

Loellke Plumbing was established in 1992 as a mechanical contractor. The company grew by specializing in plumbing services and is a regional leader in utilities. Based out of Jerseyville, IL, the company operates across Illinois and Missouri. "We are enthusiastic about our partnership with CMG as this partnership plays a pivotal role in our next phase of regional expansion," said David Loellke, President at Loellke Plumbing.

Crete Mechanical Group

Crete Mechanical Group is a national provider of essential building services to commercial, industrial and government markets. Crete offers customers a high-quality, multi-service solution for HVAC, mechanical, electrical, network cabling, plumbing and automation services to support safe, energy-efficient and productive facilities. For our partners, Crete provides the resources of a large organization while maintaining the freedom to continue operating their successful businesses. Partners in the Crete network are united in delivering superior service, advanced expertise, stringent safety standards and a relentless commitment to operational excellence, innovation and integrity.

About Loellke Plumbing

Founded in 1992, Loellke Plumbing is a specialty plumbing contractor with extensive experience and specialized capabilities to serve utility companies, making them a trusted partner in the utilities sector.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

SOURCE Crete Mechanical Group
CHICAGO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Czech Republic tractor market will grow at a CAGR of 2.4% during 2022-2028. Tractor demand in the Czech Republic is driven by the need to improve agricultural production, mechanization, and efficiency. Domestic and foreign tractor manufacturers compete in the market, offering different tractor models with differing power outputs, settings, and amenities to meet various farming needs. The agricultural tractor market is predicted to grow more as the agricultural sector evolves, embracing innovative technologies and practices. Government backing, technical developments, and the desire to enhance productivity and sustainability are projected to drive demand for tractors in the Czech Republic.

Czech Republic Market News Latest Insights by Arizton

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Czech Republic Tractor Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Report Attributes Market Size (2028) 3.8 Thousand Units Market Size (2022) 3.3 Thousand Units CAGR (2022-2028) 2.4 % Historic Year 2020-2021 Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2028 Market Segmentation Horsepower, Drive Type, and Geography

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In 2022, the demand for agriculture tractors in the Lower Central Bohemian and South Bohemian regions was high. Strong demand for agriculture tractors is expected to come from the Central Bohemian region in the upcoming years. Moreover, the tractor market is regionally diverse due to the diversity of the overall volume of tractors in Czech Republic agriculture. The size of the Central Bohemian and South Bohemian farms necessitates using stronger, more expensive tractors. In addition, farms in these areas have more potential to get EU funding and produce higher revenue. These elements enable farmers in the areas above to purchase tractors with superior technological specifications, particularly those with greater power.

The Czech Republic has around 4.2 million hectares of agricultural land. Tractors have a diverse market in the Czech Republic, with various well-known brands available. Domestic tractor manufacturers, such as Zetor, have a prominent presence in the market. Furthermore, international brands, such as John Deere, Kubota, Case IH, Class, New Holland, and Massey Ferguson, are widely used and recognized. Agriculture in the Czech Republic involves various sectors and farming practices that necessitate specialized tractors.

Key Insights

The Czech Republic tractor market increased by 7.9% in 2022 from 2021. The increase in crop production and tractor sales was due to favorable climate conditions and government support to farmers.

tractor market increased by 7.9% in 2022 from 2021. The increase in crop production and tractor sales was due to favorable climate conditions and government support to farmers. The Central Bohemian region witnessed a massive increase in farm mechanization in terms of agricultural and industrial productivity.

The Czech Republic tractor market is highly concentrated, with the top players controlling most of the industry. Domestic and global brands, on the other hand, are equally represented in the industry.

tractor market is highly concentrated, with the top players controlling most of the industry. Domestic and global brands, on the other hand, are equally represented in the industry. The Czech Republic government plans schemes and initiatives to facilitate credit and improve agriculture-related operations, which will contribute to the growth of the overall value chain of the market.

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Key Strategies Adopted by the Market Vendors

John Deere, Kubota, CNH, and AGCO dominated the Czech Republic tractor market. These brands have adopted several strategies to gain traction in the market. In the Czech Republic, both domestic and international tractor market manufacturers have established dealer networks. These dealerships offer sales, service, and spare parts, ensuring farmers can access dependable aftersales services and tractor maintenance. The dealer network is important in growing market penetration and providing clients with localized support.

The competitive landscape in the Czech Republic tractor market is dynamic, with domestic and international competitors striving for industry share. To meet the unique demands of the country's farmers, manufacturers differentiate themselves through product range, dealer networks, technology, brand reputations, and customer-oriented strategies. Further major industry players are announcing alliances, new product launches, and expansions to acquire a competitive edge. For instance, John Deere has announced MY24 updates for its 7, 8, and 9 Series Tractors lineup that will help prepare them for the future of precision agriculture. The new StarFire 7000 integrated GPS position receiver and an all-new G5Plus CommandCenter Display include key updates.

Key Company Profiles

John Deere

Kubota

CNH Industrial

AGCO

Deutz-Fahr

Yanmar

Iseki

Zetor

JCB

CLAAS

Steyr Traktoren

SALEK

CASE IH

URSUS

New Holland

Fendt

Valtra

SAME

Kioti

Massey Ferguson

Belarus

Market Segmentation

Horsepower

Less Than 50 HP

50 HP-100 HP

Above 100 HP

Wheel Drive

2-Wheel-Drive

4-Wheel-Drive

Geography

Central Bohemian

South Bohemian

Highlands

South Mooravian

Others

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Key Questions Answered in the Report:

What are the expected units sold in the Czech Republic tractor market by 2028?

tractor market by 2028? What is the growth rate of the Czech Republic tractor market?

tractor market? How big is the Czech Republic tractor market?

tractor market? Which region holds the largest Czech Republic tractor market share?

tractor market share? Who are the key companies in the Czech Republic tractor industry?

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Valour Digital Asset Basket (10) SEK offers investors the opportunity to get diversified exposure to the digital asset ecosystem with one single product.

offers investors the opportunity to get diversified exposure to the digital asset ecosystem with one single product. As of July 7th , investors in the Nordics were able to purchase Valour Digital Asset Basket (10) SEK (ISIN: CH1161139568), with a low management fee of 1.90%

, investors in the Nordics were able to purchase Valour Digital Asset Basket (ISIN: CH1161139568), with a low management fee of 1.90% Valour anticipates numerous other product launches in the Nordics in the very near future

TORONTO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - DeFi Technologies Inc. (the "Company" or "DeFi") (NEO: DEFI) (GR: MB9) (OTC: DEFTF), a technology company and the first and only publicly traded company that bridges the gap between traditional capital markets, Web3 and decentralized finance, announced today that Valour Inc. ("Valour"), its wholly owned subsidiary and a pioneer in digital asset exchange traded products ("ETPs"), has launched its digital asset basket ETP - Valour Digital Asset Basket 10 (VDAB10) SEK.

Valour Inc. Logo (CNW Group/DeFi Technologies Inc.)

The Valour Digital Asset Basket 10 (VDAB10) ETP provides retail and institutional investors with trusted, secure, and diversified exposure to 10 of the largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. With a quarterly rebalancing, the multi-digital asset ETP enables investors to gain access to the largest disruptive digital assets, offering an expanded entry into the rapidly developing digital asset ecosystem, without the need to set up a dedicated trading account.

"As the digital asset ecosystem continues to evolve and grow, it's paramount that we offer products that meet the diverse needs of our investors," said Olivier Roussy Newton, CEO of DeFi Technologies. "Our new ETP, Valour Digital Asset Basket 10 (VDAB10), is a testament to our commitment to innovation and diversification. This product allows investors to gain broad exposure to the leading cryptocurrencies in a secure and streamlined manner. At DeFi Technologies, we believe in the potential of digital assets and are dedicated to bringing a suite of accessible, trustworthy, and cost-effective products to our investors in the Nordics and beyond."

"Valour's VDAB10 product presents an excellent way for investors to get diversified and dynamic exposure to the digital asset ecosystem. With a maximal weight of 30% per constituent, the basket allows for higher exposure to altcoins and a more balanced investment, which of course enhances the diversification" said Johanna Belitz, Valour Head of Sales France and Nordics. "The constituents of the basket should also appeal to our Nordic investors, as it includes digital assets like Dogecoin, Binance BNB and Polygon - all of which there has been a great demand for in the market."

Valour offers fully hedged digital asset ETPs with low to zero management fees, with product listings across European exchanges, banks and broker platforms. Valour's existing product range includes Valour Uniswap ( UNI ), Cardano ( ADA ), Polkadot ( DOT ), Solana ( SOL ), Avalanche ( AVAX ), Cosmos ( ATOM ), Binance ( BNB ), Enjin ( ENJ ), Bitcoin Carbon Neutral ( BTCN ) and Valour Digital Asset Basket 10 ( VDAB10 ) ETPs with low management fees. Valour's flagship products are Bitcoin Zero and Ethereum Zero, the first fully hedged, passive investment products with Bitcoin ( BTC ) and Ethereum ( ETH ) as underlyings which are completely fee free.

About DeFi Technologies

DeFi Technologies Inc. ( NEO: DEFI ) ( GR: MB9 ) ( OTC: DEFTF ) is a technology company and the first and only publicly traded company that bridges the gap between traditional capital markets and finance. DeFi Technologies is backed by an acclaimed and pioneering team with decades of experience in financial markets and digital assets. DeFi Technologies aims to expand investor access to industry-leading Web3 and technologies. This allows investors to access the future of finance via regulated equity exchanges using their traditional bank account and access.

About Valour

Valour Inc. issues exchange-listed financial products that enable retail and institutional investors to access investment in disruptive innovations, such as digital assets, in a simple and secure way. Established in 2019 and based in Zug, Switzerland, Valour is a wholly owned subsidiary of DeFi Technologies Inc. ( NEO: DEFI ) ( GR: MB9 ) ( OTC: DEFTF ). For more information on Valour, visit https://valour.com

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking information:

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to the weighting and balancing of the VDAB10; development of ETPs; the regulatory environment with respect to the growth and adoption of decentralized finance; the pursuit by DeFi Technologies and its subsidiaries of business opportunities; and the merits or potential returns of any such opportunities. 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, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but is not limited the acceptance of Valour exchange traded products by exchanges; growth and development of decentralized finance and cryptocurrency sector; rules and regulations with respect to decentralized finance and cryptocurrency; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. 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.

SOURCE DeFi Technologies Inc.
Given the escalating risk of data breaches, Info-Tech Research Group emphasizes the importance for manufacturers of durable goods to monitor and protect high-risk personal data.

TORONTO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - The durable goods manufacturing industry is facing major changes due to several factors. These factors include the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, a rising consumer class, changing demographics, and heightened regulations. To maintain competitiveness, manufacturers must embrace digital transformation. However, the expansion of the Internet of Things and data collection practices increase the challenges faced in protecting data privacy. To address these concerns, Info-Tech Research Group, a global IT research and advisory firm, has released research titled Operationalize Data Privacy for Durable Goods Manufacturing to assist industry leaders in integrating privacy measures and safeguarding personal data.

Info-Tech Research Group's "Operationalize Data Privacy for Durable Goods Manufacturing" blueprint outlines five key factors that underscore the importance of prioritizing data protection and privacy for IT leaders in the industry. (CNW Group/Info-Tech Research Group)

"Using emerging technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence in the manufacturing industry requires vast amounts of data, which raises the risk of data privacy compliance missteps," says Alan Tang, principal research director at Info-Tech Research Group. "Many manufacturers lack the expertise to manage data privacy risks effectively. Durable goods manufacturing firms must adapt to the changing landscape of their industry and embrace digital transformation while also managing the associated risks, particularly data privacy-related risks. By doing so, they can remain competitive and deliver value to their clients and stakeholders."

Info-Tech's research highlights that with the evolution of manufacturing technologies and processes, the issue of data privacy has surfaced as a prominent risk demanding immediate attention. Despite their crucial role, IT departments often face uncertainty about their effectiveness in risk management due to their historical exclusion from risk discussions in this sector. Complicating this issue further are the constraints of strained budgets and challenges in recruiting and retaining high-level skills. The combination of these factors reveals a substantial expertise deficit among manufacturers in effectively managing data privacy risks.

The blueprint also shows the significant need for durable goods manufacturing firms to secure and monitor their personal data processing mechanisms. This includes examining the types of data they collect, their purpose, and where they are ultimately stored. In the new industry resource, Info-Tech outlines why privacy is necessary for these organizations. The reasons are highlighted below:

Legal Obligations: Failure to comply with privacy laws and regulations can result in serious legal penalties, liability, fines, and other unpleasant consequences.

Customer Trust: Durable goods manufacturing organizations may collect personal information from customers, such as names, addresses, and payment details. It is important to ensure that this information is collected and stored in a way that protects the customer's privacy.

Finances: Data breaches and privacy violations can lead to costly lawsuits, large damages payments, and onerous legal requirements.

Reputation: If a durable goods manufacturing organization experiences a privacy breach, it can lead to negative publicity, loss of customer trust, and reputational damage. This can ultimately lead to a loss of revenue and market share.

Securing Supply Chains: Durable goods manufacturing organizations may need to protect the privacy of their suppliers or partners to prevent supply chain disruptions or breaches.

Info-Tech also highlights the need for readily implementable tools like data privacy policies, procedures, and workflows. The firm explains in the resource that the ultimate goal is to cultivate a business environment within the durable goods manufacturing sector that prioritizes both security and privacy. By doing so, the industry can become more competitive, robust, and resilient.

To learn more about developing manufacturing industry privacy policies, download the complete Operationalize Data Privacy for Durable Goods Manufacturing blueprint.

For media inquiries on the topic or to get exclusive, timely commentary from Alan Tang, an expert on the manufacturing industry, please contact [email protected]

About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading information technology research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For 25 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with IT teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and over 200 IT and industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected].

SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group
Co-Founded by Jim Messina, campaign manager for President Obama's 2012 reelection, and Matt Garretson, an industry leader in complex settlements, Signal provides cutting-edge media and communications plans for mass tort and class action cases, including those involving Takata and Equifax.

WASHINGTON, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Signal Interactive Media is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Shannon Wheatman as its Executive Director. Wheatman's legal notice and media expertise will advance Signal's work to revolutionize the industry by applying expertise from global politics and consumer advertising.

"Shannon is a true authority in legal notice," said Jim Messina, co-founder of Signal and CEO of The Messina Group. "Her meticulous approach and deep understanding of this industry make her the best person to lead Signal. I have witnessed her expertise firsthand, and I am confident that with her at the helm, Signal will build on its success and reach new heights."

Wheatman is a court-recognized legal notice expert who has significantly contributed to the legal industry throughout her career. She has worked on over 700 class actions and bankruptcies and developed and directed some of the country's largest and most complex national notification programs. Her pioneering work in developing effective legal notice strategies has helped countless corporations and attorneys navigate the complex landscape of legal communications. As Executive Director, Dr. Wheatman will lead the company's legal notice division and spearhead the development of innovative solutions to meet clients' evolving needs.

Wheatman began her career in 2000 at the Federal Judicial Center, where she was instrumental in developing model notices to satisfy the plain language amendment to Rule 23. Her plain language expertise was advanced by her education, including her doctoral dissertation on plain language drafting of class action notice and her master's thesis on comprehension of jury instructions.

Wheatman expressed her enthusiasm for the new role, saying, "I am honored to be joining Signal Interactive Media, a company known for its commitment to excellence and innovation. The world of legal notice is in dire need of transformation, which is unlikely to come from providers who can only maintain the status quo. Signal brings a unique experience that no other notice providers have, and I am excited to work alongside such a talented team."

Wheatman's appointment as Executive Director reflects the company's dedication to further enhancing its legal notice capabilities and expanding its portfolio of services. The addition of Wheatman rounds off Signal's executive team: Jim Messina, Matt Garretson, Tara Corrigan, and Kristen Davis.

Signal Interactive Media is at the forefront of transforming legal media by harnessing the collective expertise of global politics, grassroots organizing, and mass communications. A cutting-edge media and communications company, Signal is distinguished among notice providers by its overwhelming global experienceand results. Signal's team has over 215 years of media experience, has placed over $2.1 billion in media, and has executed groundbreaking media programs for some of the nation's largest legal notice programs, including the Equifax Data Breach settlementthe largest data breach settlement to date. For more information about Signal Interactive Media and its services, please visit signalinteractive.com.

[email protected]com

SOURCE Signal Interactive Media
CYPRESS, Texas, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Drake Plastics, a Solvay Certified Torlon PAI Injection Molder, has developed technology for molding consistently porosity-free parts in the high-performance polymer at up to three times the wall-thickness of the historical maximum. The company routinely produces defect-free parts up to 50 mm (2") thick, far exceeding even Solvay's design and molding guidelines for maximum wall thickness of 15.9mm (5/8") for the polymer.

According to Steven Quance, DRAKE's President, "The technical leap that makes Torlon PAI available in a far wider range of injection molded configurations was made possible by our team's development of a unique process control system. It includes sensors installed within the mold cavity that control forming conditions for processing Torlon PAI. Customers know they can count on DRAKE to deliver high quality Torlon parts in every production run, and now that includes very thick Torlon parts as well."

Customers know they can count on DRAKE to deliver high quality Torlon parts in every production run. Tweet this

Originally established to extrude Torlon PAI rod nearly 30 years ago, today DRAKE is a leading worldwide supplier of semi-finished machinable shapes in a range of advanced polymers. In addition to Torlon, its extruded shapes comprise several grades of PEEK, PPS, PEK, PAEK, Ultem PEI, Ryton PPS and CryoDyn cryogenic polymer. The company expanded initially into machining, then into injection molding to serve customers whose growing production requirements warranted a shift from machined parts.

Through its Certified Torlon PAI Injection Molder program, Solvay works to ensure only those processors that make the specialized investments necessary for producing quality Torlon parts have procurement access to this unique polymer.

About Drake Plastics:

Drake Plastics initiated operations in 1996 with the extrusion of machinable stock shapes made from glass reinforced Torlon 5030 PAI to support the Javelin Missile Program. The Cypress, Texas, company has since expanded its portfolio with machinable shapes, injection molded parts and precision machined components made from Torlon PAI, PEEK, PAEK, Ryton PPS, and other ultra-high-performance polymers. Its developments include a unique range of sizes and configurations that have opened many new applications to these materials for customers worldwide. Drake is an ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified manufacturer and focuses on lean operating principles throughout its organization. Visit www.drakeplastics.com to learn more.

Media Contact Information:

Cameron Yonts

281-255-6855

[email protected]

SOURCE Drake Plastics
This combination will create synergistic effects to boost the commercialization of exosome technology around the world.

ExoCoBio will continue to support all the business activities currently engaged by BENEV, including its medical device and PDO thread businesses.

MISSION VIEJO, Calif., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ExoCoBio, a global leader in exosome-based regenerative aesthetics, is pleased to announce that they have completed the acquisition of a majority ownership in BENEV, a global medical aesthetic company based in the U.S.

BENEV is a pioneer in the medical aesthetics industry as the manufacturer and distributor of the worlds first growth factor-based skincare products, including the Exosome Regenerative Complex developed by ExoCoBio in the U.S. and other countries.

Founded in 2000, BENEV is a pioneer in the medical aesthetics industry as the manufacturer and distributor of the world's first growth factor-based skincare products. They have expanded their business to market and distribute other innovative medical aesthetics products, including an award-winning RF microneedling system, best-in-class PDO threads, and the Exosome Regenerative Complex developed by ExoCoBio in the U.S. and other countries.

As a leader in these three categories that BENEV calls their "Regenerative Trifecta", the company is one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S. aesthetic medical market, attaining more than 117% CAGR in total revenue over the past 3 fiscal years.

ExoCoBio is an unmatched leader in exosome-based regenerative aesthetics and medicine, and currently holds 54 patents and 15 scientific publications. Their exosome products, ASCE+ and ERC launched in 2019, are the best-in-class next generation exosome products, with over 3.5 million cases sold since the launch.

In March 2023, ASCE+ and ERC product line was awarded "The Best Cosmetics" at The Aesthetic and Anti-aging Medicine World Congress (AMWC), which is the world's pre-eminent global anti-aging congress.

Exosomes are one of the most important categories in this space and are in high demand.

Exosomes are vesicles composed of various bioactive substances of nano size (30-200 nm) that serve as key signaling molecules between cells in our body. They are secreted for intercellular communication and play a crucial role in inducing immune regulation or activation in recipient cells, thereby influencing the microenvironment surrounding the cells. Exosomes have the potential to target specific cells and enhance the efficacy of active ingredients, making them highly promising for applications in various fields such as cosmetics, diagnostics, and therapeutics.

According to Mr. Byong Cho, CEO/CTO of ExoCoBio, "We are very pleased with this important acquisition which will contribute to the fast growth and business expansion of ExoCoBio. BENEV is a perfect complement to our mission to bridge exosome science to clinical application to further elevate exosome technology as a mega-trend in the market."

Mr. Ethan Min, CEO of BENEV, adds, "We are truly grateful and pleased to announce ExoCoBio's acquisition of BENEV. We have been on a journey together as a strategic and financial partner for the last six years since the U.S. launch of Exosome Regenerative Complex. With this acquisition, we are confident that our expertise, standing in the industry and brand, paired with ExoCoBio's science, technology, funding and pipeline products will generate a strong synergy for our strategic growth in the global medical aesthetic market."

About ExoCoBio Inc.

ExoCoBio, established in 2017, is the world's leader in exosome-based regenerative aesthetics and medicine. It is one of top 3 exosome biotech companies and commercialized ASCE+ and ERC, the world's first and best exosome-based aesthetic products, which led to a new exosome skin booster industry since 2019.

About BENEV Company Inc.

BENEV, established in California in 2000, is an FDA-registered drug manufacturer, specializing mainly in topical solutions for skin and hair, including its exosome products, as well as innovative medical devices such as PDO threads and radiofrequency microneedling device, in the U.S. and around the world. BENEV is an established player in the medical aesthetic market emphasizing health, longevity, and beauty-related products in the U.S., Asia and other marketing around the world. BENEV has a fully integrated business model, which includes manufacturing, research and development, sales, and marketing.

For more information, [email protected]

SOURCE BENEV Company Inc.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. When Azerbaijan is strong, Turkiye is also strong, Chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye Numan Kurtulmus told the reporters, Trend reports.

"Azerbaijan is one of our allies in the South Caucasus. Moreover, we are thinking about strengthening ties not only with Azerbaijan, but also with other Turkic states. Turkiye pays great attention to cooperation in foreign policy, economy and other areas today," he said.

Kurtulmus noted that his visit to Azerbaijan and President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan's participation in the NATO summit in Vilnius are of great importance.

"This is due to the fact that Turkiye continues to maintain relations with the Turkic states at a high level. Our main goal is to promote the policy of Turkic peace throughout the world. We believe that this visit will also make a great contribution to the Turkic world," he said.

Meanwhile, Numan Kurtulmus has visited the monument to the Turkish Martyrs' Memorial in Baku and made statements for the media about his visit to Azerbaijan.
TAMPA, Fla., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of National Military Appreciation Month in May, Fay Servicing has raised nearly $15,000 for Operation Support Our Troops - America (OSOT-A) to supply care packages for men and women serving overseas in the U.S. military. Team members also wrote thank you notes and letters to the soldiers.

Fay Servicing Donates to Operation Support Our Troops - America to Send Care Packages to Military Serving Overseas Tweet this Fay Servicing Donates to Operation Support Our Troops - America to Help Send Care Packages to Military Personnel Serving Overseas

OSOT-A supports the morale and well-being of American forces by providing comfort, resources and education to them and their families while they are deployed in harm's way and after their return. The organization sends comfort packages of items that are not readily available to our troops in their deployed locations, along with personal letters, cards and notes of support from the community.

"We have so many talented veterans who are a vital part of our team, so this event means a lot to everyone here," stated Mike Wojcik, Chief Marketing Officer at Fay.

Working with the company's non-profit Fay-Constructive Foundation, employees generously donated funds to support this effort. With friends and family serving in the military and stationed overseas, the Fay staff understands how important this effort is for the men and women on active duty.

According to Fay CEO Ed Fay, "Our military puts their duty ahead of their own personal lives  frequently missing anniversaries, kids' birthdays, holidays  all types of everyday things that we take for granted. Our team feels this is just a great way to send them a small piece of home in order to thank them for their efforts to keep us all safe."

Fay Servicing is a mortgage servicer with more than 150,000 residential and commercial customers across the U.S. Fay employs more than 550 individuals nationwide and is based in Tampa, Florida.

The Fay-Constructive Foundation is a 501c(3) organization, which is supported by regular payroll deduction donations from employees. For more information on the foundation, visit https://www.fayconstructive.org/.

SOURCE Fay Servicing, LLC
LAKELAND, Fla., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Southern College students benefit from "a solid liberal arts foundation" and support from an inclusive community "dedicated to developing well-rounded graduates," explains the newly released Fiske Guide to Colleges 2024

Now in its 40th year, the Fiske Guide is one of the most trusted college search aids, highlighting less than 350 of the best colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Ireland and includes student feedback on everything from academic programs to dining options and social life. Providing an overview of "the best and most interesting four-year colleges," this is the 15th consecutive year the College has been included.

Founded in 1883, FSC has been steadfast in providing students with a distinctive combination of skill-building core courses and professional learning, the Fiske Guide notes. Students can choose from diverse academic offerings, including outstanding pre-professional programs that "boast exceptional placement rates into medical, dental, and pharmacy schools nationwide," extensive internship opportunities, and an enriching study abroad program.

As the guide further explains: The College's dedication to engaged learning is exemplified in its classroom environment, where learning happens through collaborative activities such as debate, small-group discussions, case studies, and research. With the core curriculum revolving around eight key learning outcomes, students develop the skills they need to be successful in the workplace, including critical and creative thinking abilities, effective communication skills, and a sense of personal and social responsibility.

Fiske also lauds Florida Southern College for its emphasis on career development. All FSC students are encouraged to participate in an internship. More than 1,000 students take advantage of this opportunity annually, gaining invaluable experience with renowned organizations such as Charles Schwab, the Kennedy Center, ESPN, and NASA. Moreover, the College's Junior Journey program provides students with short-term travel-study experiences, often at no additional cost.

Along with opportunities to gain real-world experience, the College's picturesque campus, centrally located between Tampa and Orlando, offers an ideal environment for students to thrive academically and personally. The guide calls out the "inclusive" nature of the community, which not only fosters a collaborative atmosphere but also provides a vibrant social scene noting the plethora of student clubs and activities, including cookouts, concerts, sporting events, and monthly trips that allow students to explore Florida's many recreational amenities. One student shared, "[People here] are very down-to-earth and easy to get along with."

Florida Southern College takes immense pride in its continued recognition by the Fiske Guide. The College remains dedicated to providing an exceptional educational experience, shaping the leaders of tomorrow. In the words of an FSC senior, "Florida Southern College is a great community where students can grow academically, socially, and emotionally."

For more about the Fiske Guide, visit fiskeguide.com.

About Florida Southern College

Founded in 1883, Florida Southern College is the oldest private college in the state. The College maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 70+ undergraduate programs and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, nursing, and physical therapy. Florida Southern has a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, is an award-winning national leader in engaged learning, and boasts 30 NCAA Division II National Championships. Florida Southern is ranked #8 among the "Best Regional Universities in the South" by U.S. News & World Report in its 2023 "Best Colleges" guide. It is included in The Princeton Review's 2023 Best 388 Colleges guide and the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2024. The 2023-2024 Colleges of Distinction guidebook praises Florida Southern's AACSB-accredited Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise alongside the College's School of Education and its Ann Blanton Edwards School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Poets&Quants, U.S. News & World Report, Fortune, and The Princeton Review further laud the Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise and the Ann Blanton Edwards School of Nursing and Health Sciences as foremost programs in the nation for business and nursing education. Home to the world's largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, FSC has appeared on The Princeton Review's top 25 "Most Beautiful Campus" national listing for 12 consecutive years. Connect with Florida Southern College.

FLSouthern.edu

SOURCE Florida Southern College
WASHINGTON, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who is seeking the Republican nomination for president, will announce the first plank of his presidential campaign's policy agenda at a National Press Club in-person Headliners Newsmaker on Monday, July 17 at 3 p.m. His remarks will focus on his proposals for a complete reform of federal law enforcement.

Hutchinson, a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, launched his presidential campaign in April in his hometown of Bentonville, Ark. He has characterized himself as a "consistent conservative."

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson responding during an interview with the Associated Press, Dec. 13, 2022 in Washington. . (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Hutchinson, a lawyer, began his career in public services when President Ronald Reagan appointed him, at 31, as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. In 1996, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives where he served until his appointment by President George W. Bush in 2001 to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration. He also served as an undersecretary for border security at the Department of Homeland Security.

This Headliners event is open to credentialed media and club members. Registration is essential.

The National Press Club is located on the 13th Floor of the National Press Building at 529 14th St., NW, Washington, D.C.

Press Contact: Cecily Scott Martin, [email protected], 202-662-7525

SOURCE National Press Club
Fastest-Growing Physical Therapy Franchise Celebrates Dozens of New Franchise Agreements and Clinic Openings

SARASOTA, Fla., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, the country's fastest-growing physical therapy franchise, capped off an impressive end to the first half of 2023 with the opening of 31 new clinics, including its first location in Idaho, and 48 franchise deals year to date (YTD) that will take the brand into new markets. With over 500 locations nationwide, serving 45 states, FYZICAL is solidifying its position as a leader in the health and wellness industry, driven by its commitment to deliver a personalized approach to patient care.

Of the 48 franchise deals FYZICAL secured, 32 are new agreements, seven are expansions, and nine are new area representatives. The company's innovative approach to physical therapy, dedication to falls awareness and prevention and its comprehensive franchise business model have attracted an additional 93 units to be sold YTD, furthering FYZICAL's plans to expand its footprint across the U.S.

Underpinning their growth, FYZICAL has also secured a record of recognition and prestigious awards this year. Franchise Times awarded FYZICAL with their "Healing Touch" Zor Award and named it as one of the top brands to buy. The company ranked No. 240 on the 2023 Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list, a highly-respected industry ranking. Additionally, FYZICAL was named a Top Recession Proof Business by Franchise Business Review for the third year due to the brand's high franchisee satisfaction rating.

"We take tremendous pride in the remarkable growth and accolades we've achieved so far this year at FYZICAL," said Brian Belmont, CEO of FYZICAL. "With a decade of franchising experience under our belt, we are eager to continue propelling the brand forward by providing support to our franchisees who embody our mission of making an impact in transforming patient care through specialized therapy services."

As the year continues, FYZICAL is projected to reach the milestone of opening more than 100 units and is actively seeking qualified franchisees in Kansas City, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Detroit, Philadelphia, Boston and more. Individuals with a genuine passion for making a positive impact on others' lives, no matter their level of knowledge about the physical therapy industry, are poised for remarkable success in this endeavor.

To learn more about franchising opportunities with FYZICAL, visit fyzicalfranchise.com. To schedule an appointment at a clinic near you, visit fyzical.com.

About FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers:

FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers stands at the forefront of the health and wellness industry as the nation's fastest-growing physical therapy franchise, boasting an extensive network of over 500 locations that span across 45 states. Committed to a holistic approach, FYZICAL provides top-notch, personalized care plans to treat patients of all ages experiencing muscle, joint, and neurological conditions including balance and vestibular issues. As an advocate for patient choice and direct access, FYZICAL empowers individuals to take control of their well-being to achieve optimal physical health and balance. For more information about FYZICAL or to find the nearest location, visit fyzical.com.

Media Contact: Camille Douglas, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] or 248-841-0937

SOURCE FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers
The Latest Version Showcases a New Out-Of-This-World Design

DOVER, N.J., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Casio America, Inc. announces lift off of its fourth timepiece paying homage to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the desire for the moon and beyond. The DW6900NASA237 is the latest rendition of the branded timepiece in the series, reminding us that whether we look up or down, two of our favorite silhouettes are close at hand.

DW6900NASA237

The DW6900NASA237 comes to life through the classic and timeless design of the rounded DW6900, which was first introduced in 1995 and has gone on to become a cultural icon with era-spanning popularity. In celebration of its 40th anniversary, G-SHOCK unites fans of both brands and pays homage to a beloved and influential style, inviting enthusiasts to come together and revel in the distinctive aura of this new timepiece.

Sporting a crisp, matte white finish, the DW6900NASA237 features a full resin case, bezel, and band, making for a minimalistic yet bold look on the wrist. To further commemorate the brand, the timepiece displays the NASA logo on the lower band and "National Aeronautics and Space Administration" on the upper band. Additionally, an American flag can be found on the band loop and a depiction of the Earth is engraved on the case back, as well as appearing in the watch face when the EL backlight is activated. Lastly, as with many limited-edition models, the watch comes in special packaging that features an outer box with the moon set against a semi-matte black background and an inner tin of black and white, emblazoned with the American flag and the brand's logo.

The iconic G-SHOCK DW6900 silhouette, is renowned for its robustness and reliability, making it the perfect companion for any adventure, whether it be earthly or extraterrestrial. The popular 6900 case creates a captivating aesthetic that encapsulates the boundless spirit of exploration, challenging the limits and infinite possibilities.

The new timepieces come equipped with G-SHOCK technology including:

Shock Resistance

200M Water Resistance

Water Resistance 1/100-sec Stopwatch (24 Hr)

1-sec Countdown Timer (24 Hr)

Multi-Function alarm

EL Backlight

Flash Alert

Full Auto Calendar

The DW6900NASA237 is now available for contest sign-ups on gshock.com for $130. The contest closes on July 16th and winners will be notified on July 17th. For more information about the G-SHOCK brand, visit gshock.casio.com/us .

About G-SHOCK

CASIO's shock-resistant G-SHOCK watch is synonymous with toughness, born from the developer Mr. Ibe's dream of 'creating a watch that never breaks'. Over 200 handmade samples were created and tested to destruction until finally in 1983 the first, now iconic G-SHOCK hit the streets of Japan and began to establish itself as 'the toughest watch of all time'. Each watch encompasses the 7 elements; electric shock resistance, gravity resistance, low temperature resistance, vibration resistance, water resistance, shock resistance and toughness. The watch is packed with Casio innovations and technologies to prevent it from suffering direct shock; this includes internal components protected with urethane and suspended timekeeping modules inside the watch structure. Since its launch, G-SHOCK has continued to evolve, continuing to support on Mr. Ibe's mantra "never, never give up." www.gshock.casio.com/us/

About Casio America, Inc.

Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world's leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Established in 1957, Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to realize its corporate creed of "creativity and contribution" through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit www.casio.com/us/

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:

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Sue VanderSchans / Cecilia Lederer

CASIO AMERICA, INC.

(973) 361-5400

[email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE Casio America, Inc.
DUBLIN, July 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "AI Sensor Market with Recession Impact by Sensor Type, by Application, by Type, by Technology and Region - Global Forecast 2023 to 2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global AI sensor market size is expected to reach USD 87,750.48 million by 2032, according to a new study. The report gives a detailed insight into current market dynamics and provides analysis on future market growth.

The accelerated urbanization and digitalization have a significant effect on the creation of smart infrastructure. Edge computing is a crucial technology that is being utilized more and more in smart infrastructure. It enables real-time data handling and analysis for smart sensors and other IOT devices. Edge computing processes data close to the source, reducing latency while increasing dependability and system efficiency.

As a consequence of the expanding urban population and the quickening urbanization process, there is a greater need for more sustainable and functional infrastructure solutions.

AI has proven to be a crucially innovative aspect of the coming digital era. Tech behemoths like International Business Machines Corporation, Facebook, Apple Inc., Google LLC, AWS, and Microsoft are generously funding the creation of AI. These companies are working to make AI more applicable to commercial use cases. Additionally, a lot of companies use AI technology to provide better client service.

The pandemic has emerged as a chance for AI-enabled computer systems to fight the outbreak as several tech juggernauts and start-ups started working on preventing, mitigating, and containing the virus. For instance, a diagnostic algorithm has been developed by the Damo Academy study centre of Chinese tech giant Alibaba to identify new coronavirus cases using the chest CT (Computerized Tomography) scan.

Companies Mentioned

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (US)

Robert Bosch GmbH ( Germany )

) Goertek Inc. ( China )

) Baidu Inc. ( China )

) Yokogawa Electric Corporation ( Japan )

) Excelitas Technologies Corp. (US)

Hokuriku Electric Industry Co. Ltd. ( Japan )

) Sensata Technologies Inc. (US)

Sensirion AG ( Switzerland )

) Sensortek Technology Corporation ( Taiwan )

) Silicon Sensing Systems Limited (UK)

Sony Corporation ( Japan )

) MEMSIC Semiconductor Co. Ltd. ( China )

) Movella Inc. (US)

Senodia Technologies ( Shanghai ) Co. Ltd.

) Co. Ltd. STMicroelectronics N.V.Corporation

ACI Worldwide

SAS Institute

Oracle Corporation

BAE Systems

LexisNexis Risk Solutions

CaseWare RCM

Accenture

AI Sensor Market Report Highlights

Motion sensors are one of the most dominant sensors in the AI sensor market. These sensors are used to detect and measure objects' motion, speed, direction, and acceleration. They are widely used in various applications, including smartphones, wearables, smart homes, automotive, healthcare, and industrial automation.

Consumer electronics are expected to account for highest market share during the forecasted period. Artificial intelligence has assumed a central role in household electronics. Mobile devices, smart TVs, speakers, virtual personal assistants, and distributed and wearable sensors are just a few of the products and services that stand to gain from AI advancements.

The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period for AI sensors market due to presence of number of industries, including the consumer electronics, automotive, and manufacturing sectors, with a sizable portion of demand coming from countries like China , Japan , and India .

Key Topics Covered:

1. Introduction

2. Executive Summary

3. Research Methodology

4. Global AI Sensor Market Insights

4.1. AI Sensor - Industry Snapshot

4.2. AI Sensor Market Dynamics

4.2.1. Drivers and Opportunities

4.2.1.1. Rising popularity of several life-saving devices used in hospitals

4.2.1.2. Increasing investments in the development

4.2.2. Restraints and Challenges

4.2.2.1. High installation cost

4.3. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

4.4. PESTLE Analysis

4.5. AI Sensor Industry Trends

4.6. Value Chain Analysis

4.7. COVID-19 Impact Analysis

5. Global AI Sensor Market, by Sensor Type

6. Global AI Sensor Market, by Application

7. Global AI Sensor Market, by Technology

8. Global AI Sensor Market, by Type

9. Global AI Sensor Market, by Geography

10. Competitive Landscape

11. Company Profiles

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/c90h2z

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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DUBLIN, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Bioadhesives Market - Types and Applications" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Global market for Bioadhesives is projected to reach US$15.7 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 10.5% between 2022 and 2029.

The report reviews, analyzes and projects the global Bioadhesives market for the period 2020-2029 in terms of market value in US$ and the compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) projected from 2022 through 2029.

The demand for Bioadhesives has been growing significantly, owing primarily to the fact of their natural origin, and also because of their range of applications as substitutes to regular synthetic adhesives. Regulatory agencies across the globe have mandated strict rules against the uncontrolled use of petroleum-derived products because of serious ecological consequences. Hence, there has been a manifest shift towards using natural resources as materials in a variety of application areas, to which end Bioadhesives are also a part.

Despite being used for centuries as general-purpose adhesives by various cultures and civilizations, the importance of Bioadhesives as an effective and eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-derived adhesives has been realized over the past few decades.

Paper & Packaging applications dominate the global demand for Bioadhesives which is accounted estimated share of 45.3% in 2022 and is projected to reach US$7.8 billion by 2029. Overall, it can be said that the market for Bioadhesives will maintain a steady growth over the 2022-2029 analysis period because of a range of factors in favor of these innovative materials.

This 212-page global Bioadhesives market report includes 117 charts (includes a data table and graphical representation for each table), supported with a meaningful and easy to understand graphical presentation of the market. This report comprises brief business profiles of 16 key global players and also provides a listing of the companies engaged in the manufacturing and supply of Bioadhesives. The global list of companies covers addresses, contact numbers and the website addresses of 60 companies.

Research Findings & Coverage

Global Bioadhesives market is analyzed in this report with respect to key product types and applications

The study exclusively analyzes the market for Bioadhesives by key product type and application in each geographic region/country

Bioadhesive Based on White-Light Cross-Linkable Casein with Rapid Gelation for First-Aid Wound Treatment Developed

Plant- and Water-based Eco Super-Glue Offers a Multitude of Prospective Uses

Lignin Gains Acceptance as a Nontoxic Bioadhesive Option for Engineered Wood Products

Key business trends focusing on product innovations/developments, M&As, JVs and other recent industry developments

Major companies profiled - 16

The industry guide includes the contact details for 60 companies

Key Topics Covered:

PART A: GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Product Outline

1.1.1 Natural Adhesives: A Perspective of Nature's Bounty

1.1.2 Bioadhesion Explained

1.1.3 What Are Bioadhesives?

1.1.3.1 A Brief History of Bioadhesives

1.1.3.2 Synthetic vs. Bio-based Adhesives: Save the Environment!!!!

1.1.4 Classification of Bioadhesives

1.1.4.1 Animal-based Bioadhesives

1.1.4.2 Plant-based Bioadhesives

1.1.5 Applications of Bioadhesives & Glues

1.1.5.1 Construction

1.1.5.2 Paper & Packaging

1.1.5.3 Personal Care Products

1.1.5.4 Woodworking

1.1.5.5 Other Applications

2. KEY MARKET TRENDS

2.1 Bioadhesive Based on White-Light Cross-Linkable Casein with Rapid Gelation for First-Aid Wound Treatment Developed

2.2 Plant- and Water-based Eco Super-Glue Offers a Multitude of Prospective Uses

2.3 UV-Activated Bioadhesives Tackling Unmet Clinical Needs

Sports Lacerations

Laparoscopic and Keyhole Surgeries

Anastomoses

2.4 Lignin Gains Acceptance as a Nontoxic Bioadhesive Option for Engineered Wood Products

3. KEY GLOBAL PLAYERS

Artivion, Inc. ( United States )

) Avebe UA ( The Netherlands )

) Beardow Adams (Adhesives) Ltd. ( United Kingdom )

) C.B. Adhesives ( United Kingdom )

) Danimer Scientific LLC ( United States )

) Ecosynthetix, Inc. ( Canada )

) Emsland Group ( Germany )

) Henkel AG & Co KGaA ( Germany )

) Ingredion, Inc. ( United States )

) Jowat SE ( Germany )

) Kollodis Biosciences, Inc. ( United States )

) L.D. Davis Glues and Gelatins ( United States )

) Paramelt BV ( The Netherlands )

) Premier Starch Products Pvt. Ltd. ( India )

) Tate & Lyle Plc ( United Kingdom )

) U.S. Adhesives ( United States )

4. KEY BUSINESS AND PRODUCT TRENDS

5. GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW

5.1 Global Bioadhesives Market Overview by Type

5.1.1 Bioadhesives Types Market Overview by Global Region

5.1.1.1 Animal-based Bioadhesives

5.1.1.2 Plant-based Bioadhesives

5.2 Global Bioadhesives Market Overview by Application

5.2.1 Bioadhesives Applications Market Overview by Global Region

5.2.1.1 Construction

5.2.1.2 Medical & Healthcare

5.2.1.3 Paper & Packaging

5.2.1.4 Personal Care Products

5.2.1.5 Woodworking

5.2.1.6 Other Applications

PART B: REGIONAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE

6. NORTH AMERICA

Major Market Players

Artivion, Inc. ( United States )

) Danimer Scientific LLC ( United States )

) Ecosynthetix, Inc. ( Canada )

) Ingredion, Inc. ( United States )

) Kollodis Biosciences, Inc. ( United States )

) L.D. Davis Glues and Gelatins ( United States )

) U.S. Adhesives ( United States )

7. EUROPE

Major Market Players

Avebe UA ( The Netherlands )

) Beardow Adams (Adhesives) Ltd. ( United Kingdom )

) C.B. Adhesives ( United Kingdom )

) Emsland Group ( Germany )

) Henkel AG & Co. KGaA ( Germany )

) Jowat SE ( Germany )

) Paramelt BV ( The Netherlands )

) Tate & Lyle PLC ( United Kingdom )

PART C: GUIDE TO THE INDUSTRY





PART D: ANNEXURE

1. Research Methodology

2. Feedback

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DUBLIN, July 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Infection Control Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By Type, End-use, By Region, Segment Forecast, 2023-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global infection control market size is expected to reach USD 400.81 billion by 2032, according to a new study. The report gives a detailed insight into current market dynamics and provides analysis on future market growth.



The rise in surgical procedures that require rigorous infection control is the main factor driving the market. The positive therapeutic outcomes produced using infection control are regarded to be the cause of the high preference. The COVID-19 pandemic has positively impacted market growth due to the rise in demand for sterilization and disinfection in hospitals and clinics, pharmaceutical and medical device sectors.



According to the WHO's practical advice on the prevention of HAI, the extra amount of time spent in the hospital due to surgical infections was estimated to be around 8 days. These prolonged stays are anticipated to result in a large increase in hospital costs, which heightens the clinical urgency for implementing infection prevention measures. It is anticipated that prolonged hospital stays are not cost-effective for hospitals and healthcare payers as a result of the excessive use of resources to treat the acquired infection.



The market for infection control on a global scale is competitive and only somewhat fragmented. Industry participants are focusing on new product releases, product developments, and global growth in order to improve their market share.



Diseases include pneumonia, infections of the bloodstream, urinary tract, surgical site, and MRSA are the main causes of hospital-acquired infections. Other prominent hospital-acquired infections (HAI) include catheter-related bloodstreams, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and pneumonia related to ventilators. HAI is one of the major problems that hinders patient recovery and significantly affects death rates globally.

Companies Mentioned

3M Company

Company Belimed AG

Halyard Health

Getinge Group

Matachana Group

Infection Control Market Report Highlights

Hospitals held the biggest revenue share in 2022 and are projected to grow at the fastest rate (CAGR) throughout the course of the forecast period. The significant portion of infections is primarily due to the high risk of contracting diseases on hospital property through respiratory or bloodborne pathogen transmission.

North America led the industry share in 2022. The increased market share that this sector has managed to capture is regarded to be a result of a consistent number of strategic partnerships taken up by major market participants to increase their product offering and infection control capabilities. The greater efforts made by existing companies to establish themselves throughout this region are also to blame for North America's dominant market share.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction



2. Executive Summary



3. Research Methodology



4. Global Infection Control Market Insights

4.1. Infection Control Market - Industry Snapshot

4.2. Infection Control Market Dynamics

4.2.1. Drivers and Opportunities

4.2.1.1. Increase of surgical procedures that demand intensive infection control

4.2.1.2. Rising involvement of government agencies

4.2.2. Restraints and Challenges

4.2.2.1. High cost

4.3. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

4.4. PESTLE Analysis

4.5. Infection Control Industry trends

4.6. Value Chain Analysis

4.7. COVID-19 Impact Analysis



5. Global Infection Control Market, by Type



6. Global Infection Control Market, by End-Use



7. Global Infection Control Market, by Geography



8. Competitive Landscape



9. Company Profiles

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/web2f1

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DUBLIN, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Titanium Dioxide Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Grade, By Production Process, By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global market for titanium dioxide (TiO2) will reach USD 34.47 billion by 2032. The comprehensive report provides valuable insights into the current market dynamics and offers analysis on the future growth of the industry.

The growth of the titanium dioxide market can be attributed to the increasing demand for TiO2 in various end-user industries. The use of this product as pigments in the production of paints and coatings is expected to drive the industry's growth in the coming years. Developing countries have witnessed a rise in the market for light vehicles, while developed regions like North America and Western Europe are experiencing a favorable trend in the automotive sector due to the recovery from the financial downturn.

In the United States, the paints and coatings sector has witnessed significant growth recently. The resurgence of the American construction industry has fueled the demand for architectural coatings that are environmentally friendly and anti-corrosive. Consequently, the use of TiO2 as pigments in the development of advanced paints and coatings has increased in recent years.

Polycarbonate, a polymer commonly used as an alternative to glass and metal-based products, is highly compatible with TiO2-based coatings. As the demand for lightweight vehicles continues to rise for improved fuel efficiency, the automotive sector has witnessed an increase in demand for polycarbonate materials.

The global aerospace industry has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the airline sector, which has experienced a sharp decline in passenger volume and a slowdown in the demand for new aircraft. Industry experts predict a reduction in the demand for ceramic matrix composites in the aerospace sector as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) focus on technological innovation to counteract the impact of declining orders.

Market Dynamics

Drivers and Opportunities

Rising Demand from Paints & Coatings Application

Growing Demand from Various Applications

Restraints and Challenges

Stringent Regulations is Expected to Restrain the Market Growth

Key Highlights

The rutile market segment is expected to dominate throughout the forecast period, primarily driven by its use in paint applications as a carrier to produce white color in plastics and prevent color fading in paper. Wave/reflow has emerged as the largest process category, widely used in the electronics industry for soldering techniques to guard against overheating damage. The sulphate production method segment dominated the market in 2022, accounting for major global revenue. It is expected to experience the fastest growth between 2023 and 2032. The paints and coatings industry holds the top position in the market and is expected to grow at the fastest pace between 2023 and 2032. The Asia Pacific region dominated the Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) market in 2022, with the largest revenue share, driven by the high demand for paints and coatings.

Companies Mentioned

The Chemours Company

The Tronox Holdings plc

LB Group

Venator Materials PLC

KRONOS Worldwide Inc.

ISHIHARA SANGYO KAISHA Ltd.

CNNC HUAN YUAN Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Dioxide Co. Ltd.

The Kerala Minerals & Metals Limited

Travancore Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Products Limited

CATHAY INDUSTRIES

TOR Minerals International Inc.

Market Segmentation

Product Grade Outlook:

Anatase

Rutile

Service Outlook:

Sulphate

Chloride

End-use Outlook:

Paints & coatings

Plastics

Paper & pulp

Cosmetics

Others

Regional Outlook:

North America (U.S., Canada )

(U.S., ) Europe ( Germany , UK, France , Italy , Spain , Russia , Netherlands )

( , UK, , , , , ) Asia Pacific ( China , India , Japan , South Korea , Indonesia , Malaysia )

( , , , , , ) Latin America ( Argentina , Brazil , Mexico )

( , , ) Middle East & Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia , Israel , South Africa )

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/9w2siq

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



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SOURCE Research and Markets
-Building an energy science system based on materials science and digital science

HEFEI, China, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Gotion High-tech signed strategic cooperation agreements with Siemens Digital Industrial Software and BASF respectively. Siemens is a leading global supplier of digital industrial software, while BASF is a global chemical and materials giant. Mr. Li Zhen, the Chairman of Gotion, stated that the signings of contracts with Siemens and BASF are strategic collaborations for Gotion in Building an energy science system based on materials science and digital science.

According to the agreement between Gotion High-tech and Siemens, both parties will utilize AI industrial control system technology to jointly build a closed-loop digital R&D, manufacturing, and management platform. Building upon Siemens' innovative and digital solutions, the goal is to establish a new engine for Gotion High-Tech's digital transformation, construction, and development. This partnership will further strengthen Gotion's foundation in intelligent manufacturing and pave the way for its future digital development.

In the cooperation between Gotion High-tech and BASF, both parties will further expand their cooperation based on the existing partnership to jointly develop and promote the application of relevant chemical materials in the field of batteries, leveraging their strong core technologies. Both parties expect that through this deepened collaboration, they can collectively drive technological innovation and advance material science in the battery industry.

SOURCE Gotion High-tech
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. The State Border Service of Azerbaijan has published new footage depicting Azerbaijani Army destructing the positions of the Armenian armed forces during the Tovuz battles, Trend reports.

The footage shows that, during the night battle, the headquarters of the Armenian military unit was hit by precise strikes of the Harop drone.

Also, with the help of the Harop drone, the ammunition depot of the Armenian military unit was destroyed, and during the daytime battles, a strong point and a car were destroyed.

Will be updated
PEYNIER, France, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gustave Roussy and THERYQ announce a strategic and structuring partnership to roll out and assess FLASH technology for radiotherapy. French medical technology company THERYQ, specializing in particle accelerators and radiotherapy systems, has provided Gustave Roussy's Department of Radiotherapy with the first FLASH clinical radiotherapy machine in France for treating superficial tumours.

FLASHKNiFE a Gustave Roussy

The collaboration between Gustave Roussy, Europe's leading cancer centre, ranking third worldwide, and THERYQ, a French company specializing in the manufacture of FLASH radiotherapy systems, represents a major breakthrough in cancer treatment in France through the arrival of the first FLASHKNiFE machine.

FLASHKNiFE technology is a new radiotherapy process that uses electrons. The FLASH radiotherapy system delivers a very high dose rate, enabling professionals to treat patients in milliseconds. Several pre-clinical studies have shown that this technique can further save healthy tissue while effectively destroying tumour cells. In addition, the very short irradiation time eliminates any movement of the organ or tumour, ensuring more precise and controlled targeting.

Thanks to this major partnership, Gustave Roussy will be the first centre in France to use THERYQ's FLASH radiotherapy machine. Prior to its mainstream use, a clinical study will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of FLASH radiotherapy in skin cancer patients. The results of this study could have a significant impact on skin cancer management, thereby paving the way for new therapeutic breakthroughs, including in the treatment of all solid tumours.

Professor Eric Deutsch, Head of Gustave Roussy's Department of Radiotherapy, said: "Introducing this system will allow FLASH radiation therapy, a significant evolution from current methods, to undergo thorough clinical testing. The reduced number of sessions, along with the possibility of minimizing radiation-induced side effects, will lead to more tolerable and effective treatments. We are fully invested in and motivate by this project, which fuels the hope of significantly improving therapeutic management."

Mr. Ludovic Le Meunier, CEO of THERYQ, added: "We are delighted to work with Gustave Roussy, a pioneer in cancer research and treatment, to introduce FLASH radiation therapy in France. This collaboration marks a key milestone in our goal to deliver advanced treatment solutions to patients. FLASH radiotherapy has tremendous potential to improve skin cancer patient management and we look forward to this study's results."

Gustave Roussy and THERYQ are committed to pursuing their joint effort to develop innovative treatments for the benefit of patients, leading to more effective and tolerable radiotherapy thanks to this promising technology.

About Gustave Roussy:

Gustave Roussy, ranked first in Europe and third worldwide, is a global centre of expertise entirely dedicated to cancer patients. The Institute is a founding pillar of the Paris Saclay Cancer Cluster. As a source of therapeutic innovation and diagnostic breakthroughs, the Institute welcomes nearly 50,000 patients every year and develops an integrated approach combining research, care and teaching. Gustave Roussy provides expert care for rare cancers and complex tumours, treating all cancers at every stage of life. It offers its patients personalized management that combines innovation and a human-focused approach, taking into account care and physical, psychological and social quality of life. Boasting 4,100 employees at two facilities, namely Villejuif and Chevilly-Larue, Gustave Roussy brings together the expertise needed for high-level cancer research, with one quarter of patients included in clinical trials.

Find out more about Gustave Roussy and get the latest news from the Institute at www.gustaveroussy.fr , as well as on Twitter , Facebook , LinkedIn and Instagram .

About THERYQ:

THERYQ, a spin-off of PMB-ALCEN located in the south of France, is an innovative medical technology company specializing in particle accelerators and radiotherapy systems. The company has and provides essential expertise in project management, R&D, industrialization and production. THERYQ is part of the Healthcare arm of the ALCEN Group.

Follow us on LinkedIn and our website www.theryq.com .

Contact:

Fatine Slaoui

[email protected]

+33 4 42 53 13 13

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SOURCE THERYQ; Gustave Roussy
New SaaS solution embeds the latest predictive and generative artificial intelligence capabilities allowing marketers to meet the demands of today's Digital+ economy.

SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- HCLSoftware, a global leader in enterprise software solutions, announced today the launch of HCL Marketing Cloud, an AI-fueled SaaS solution designed specifically to assist marketers in managing their end-to-end marketing needs, from planning, executing, and analyzing omni-channel marketing campaigns. Powered by the latest AI capabilities, HCL Marketing Cloud embeds predictive and generative capabilities allowing marketers to take control of their campaigns, meet the demands of today's personalization initiatives, deploy hyper-targeted campaigns, and gain access to deeper audience insights.



HCL Marketing Cloud offers the flexibility for marketers to deploy more customized and tailored campaigns that align with their audience's specific interactions, while offering prescriptive, standardized solutions that effectively addresses complexities across the organization. Predictive and generative AI capabilities provides marketers the opportunity to take on today's challenges head-on, including the ability to execute on real time customer behaviors, capitalize on revenue opportunities, and create connected customer experiences.



"The Business Cloud is the future of HCLSoftware's business applications portfolio, and the launch of HCL Marketing Cloud is a crucial part of this strategic shift," said Raj Iyer, Executive Vice President, and Portfolio General Manager, HCLSoftware. "Building upon the legacy of HCL Unica, we've developed and enhanced the platform to meet the evolving needs of modern marketing. It signifies the next chapter in the evolution and advancement of the HCL Unica suite."



The increased importance of AI is a core driver behind the launch of HCL Marketing Cloud. By leveraging AI, the platform significantly enhances marketing effectiveness, empowering marketers with intelligent insights, automation, and predictive capabilities to drive better campaign outcomes and deliver personalized customer experiences.

"We are thrilled to introduce HCL Marketing Cloud, a cutting-edge SaaS solution that leverages the power of AI to empower marketers in today's Digital+ economy. With HCL Marketing Cloud, our own marketers can drive hyper-targeted campaigns, gain deeper audience insights, and deliver personalized customer experiences," said Dario, Debarbieri, Head of Marketing, HCLSoftware.

Marketers can begin their subscription to HCL Marketing Cloud at any entry point and can scale as needed. HCL Marketing Cloud offers the tools needed for businesses just getting started with marketing automation, including the ability to create and manage segments, orchestrate customer journeys, execute outbound batch campaigns, email marketing, and real-time personalization.

About HCLSoftware

HCLSoftware fuels the Digital+ economy by developing, marketing, selling and supporting solutions in four key areas: digital transformation; data and analytics; AI and intelligent automation and enterprise security. HCLSoftware drives customer success through relentless product innovation for more than 20,000 organizations, including a majority of the Fortune 100 and almost half of the Fortune 500.

SOURCE HCLSoftware
SAN FRANCISCO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global healthcare information systems industry size reached USD 406.4 billion in 2022 and will exhibit a CAGR of 13.3% from 2023 to 2030, according to the "Healthcare Information Systems Industry Data Book, 2023 - 2030," published by Grand View Research. The emergence of artificial intelligence in the healthcare sector, coupled with the trend for telemedicine, has boded well for market growth. Stakeholders have furthered investments in information systems to leverage decision-makers to make evidence-based decisions. Pan American Health Organization notes that around 30,000 paper-based files will be converted to electronic medical recordslargely attributed to health information systems (HIS).

An uptick in implementing digital health, electronic health record (EHR) and durable medical equipment (DME) have accentuated the demand for hospital information systems. Considering the sensitivity of health data, the system can provide safe storage of health records. The technology has become sought-after to track assets, collate departments' activities, manage medical transportation, enhance patient safety and cut operational expenses. Besides, the adoption of cloud-based technologies and the advent of big data have prompted industry leaders to inject funds into the landscape. The global hospital information system market size garnered USD 118.2 billion in 2022 and could witness a robust CAGR of 17.7% through 2030.

Order your copy of the Free Sample of "Healthcare Information Systems Industry Data Book - Hospital Information Systems, Pharmacy Automation Systems, Laboratory Informatics and Revenue Cycle Management Market Size, Share, Trends Analysis, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030" Data Book, published by Grand View Research

Organizational leaders have furthered their investments in revenue cycle management (RCM) following the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak expedited the demand for remote coding services, audit & compliance, payer connect, analytics and reporting. Revenue cycle leaders are poised to emphasize digitization strategy to provide seamless workflows. Automation of RCM and outsourcing of healthcare IT services will be pronounced to boost revenue.

The global revenue cycle management market size amassed USD 269.2 billion in 2022 and will expand at an 11.2% CAGR till 2030. The soaring number of insurance claim and denial management services will reinforce the need for robust RCM. In February 2023, Kaiser Family Foundation cited the CMS data suggesting that almost 17% of in-network claims were denied in 2021. Furthermore, integrated solutions will be sought to boost reimbursement policies, minimize costs and bolster productivity.

Industry dynamics that could bring a paradigm shift in the marketplace are delineated below:

Pharmacy automation systems will gain prominence to minimize medicine wastage and foster prescription volumes.

Key players could inject funds into laboratory informatics in light of surging demand for biobanks and contract research organizations.

Stakeholders envisage the Asia Pacific market to provide compelling growth opportunities as healthcare IT services witness bullish investment across China and India . Some factors, such as low manufacturing costs and digital literacy, are touted to provide an impetus to the regional outlook.

Go through the table of content of Healthcare Information Systems Industry Data Book to get a better understanding of the Coverage & Scope of the study

North America healthcare information systems market share is expected to be pronounced on the heels of buoyant government policies and the presence of prominent players. According to the U.S. CMS, healthcare spending in the nation touched USD 4.3 trillion in 2021. In August 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an infusion of nearly USD 60 million to underscore the healthcare workforce and boost access to quality healthcare in rural communities. HIS will gain ground across hospitals, laboratories, and pharmacies to streamline workflow and enhance patient satisfaction, prompting industry leaders to infuse funds across the U.S. and Canada.

The competitive scenario alludes to a deluge of investments in organic and inorganic growth strategies, such as technological advancements, innovations, product offerings, R&D activities, mergers and acquisitions, partnerships and geographical expansion. The Philips Future Health Index 2023 revealed that healthcare leaders are emphasizing overcoming staffing shortages and investing in AI. Meanwhile, in November 2022, Altera Digital Health noted that Altera Patient Flow within the Sunrise EMR platform helped Singapore General Hospital know real-time bed status and integrate with RFID technology. Prominently, SingHealth extended Sunrise contract with Altera Digital Health in July 2022. Reportedly, Singapore's Integrated Health Information Systems (IHiS) will continue to use the Sunrise platform.

Check out more Industry Data Books, published by Grand View Research

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

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SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.
Fifth Round of Scholarships Provided to Southwest Chicago Students by Leading Sustainable Redevelopment Firm

CHICAGO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilco Redevelopment Partners (HRP), a Chicago-based redevelopment firm that specializes in transforming obsolete industrial sites in major cities, today announced the awardees of the fifth annual Hilco Scholars scholarship program. Launched in 2019, the Hilco Scholars program provides scholarships to students in Southwest Chicago to study at one of the seven City Colleges of Chicago or a 4-year college or university. Through the program, HRP has awarded over $85,000 in scholarships to 10 local students to date. This year's award recipients will each receive $10,000 to support their higher education goals.

"We are deeply invested in our role as neighbors and community members, and the Hilco Scholars program is one way we can give back and foster growth here in our hometown." said HRP Chief Executive Officer Roberto Perez. "Transforming industrial sites that no longer serve communities into sustainable economic engines means more than putting up buildings and planting trees  it means ensuring local residents can share in the opportunities our projects create. We are extremely proud of all Hilco Scholars and the successes we have seen from participating students as they pursue their full potential."

"The Hilco Scholars program was an opportunity I couldn't turn down," said Rudy Cordero, a past Hilco Scholars recipient. "When I started applying to college, I was worried about the financial strain on my family. Since receiving the scholarship, I've gone on to pursue further education at Yale, and I couldn't have done it without this program."

The 2023 Hilco Scholars are Pamela Almanza, who is attending the University of Illinois Chicago and studying real estate and marketing, and Tianyao Lu, attending University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and studying business. In addition to being a scholarship recipient, Ms. Almanza will be interning with HRP through the company's workforce development program.

"I am incredibly excited about the opportunities HRP is providing in both my academic and professional career," said Ms. Almanza. "As a college student, we are asked to balance a lot. HRP is helping alleviate some of that stress by removing a financial burden and providing real-life experience to ensure I am qualified to succeed once I am ready to pursue a career."

HRP's holistic approach to redevelopment prioritizes environmental, community and economic sustainability. This mission inspires the firm to maintain transparency and engagement with the communities in which they work. When HRP purchased the former Crawford Station power plant in 2017, which had been a source of pollution and a barrier to connectivity in the Little Village Industrial Corridor, the company committed to transforming the 70-acre site into a new standard for sustainable redevelopment. Now complete, Exchange 55 is Chicago's largest LEED-certified industrial building and home to a Target flow center that has created over 2,000 jobs.

About Hilco Redevelopment Partners (HRP):

HRP is a vertically integrated real estate investment and redevelopment company that re-imagines, remediates, and redevelops obsolete industrial sites across the United States with a uniquely holistic approach to development that prioritizes economic, community and environmental sustainability. HRP's redevelopment expertise ranges from modern logistics and distribution facilities to urban, mixed-use projects, and life science ecosystems. HRP strives to transform not only properties, but also the communities surrounding them through a comprehensive approach to community engagement, environmental sustainability, and economic development.

SOURCE Hilco Redevelopment Partners
Premier custom menswear clothier offers range of styles to help build sophisticated vacation wardrobes

MIAMI, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This summer, menswear brand Hive & Colony is offering both wearable and refined pieces for the man on the go looking to elevate his summer style. In July and August, men across the country are on the hunt for sophisticated yet comfortable clothing that fits today's trends. Hive & Colony is the destination for the well-dressed man looking to maintain or boost his personal summer style and remain free from heavy, stiff fabrics that don't agree with the standard high temperatures.

In July and August, men across the country search for sophisticated yet comfortable clothing that fits today's trends. Tweet this Hive & Colonys selection of lightweight materials will have customers suited up for all their summer plans. Photo courtesy of Hive & Colony.

"For most of our clientele, July and August are filled with trips across the country or even the globe, and it can be a tall task to pull together wearable and one-of-a-kind looks for all the trips on the calendar," said Mche Montgomery, Director of Store Operations at Hive & Colony. "When guests walk into our store, our personal stylists are eager to meet them, walk through their upcoming summer plans, and share Hive & Colony's offerings to help piece together a wardrobe that fits each occasion."

Hive & Colony's selection of lightweight materials will have customers suited up for all their summer plans. The most popular fabric selections for summer are linen and bamboo due to their lightweight, breathable properties, perfect for warmer weather. For the less formal summer occasions, Hive & Colony offers elevated pieces to achieve the same intentionality and effort in those everyday looks. For laid-back days relaxing by the pool or on the beach, Hive & Colony has clients covered with their elevated swimwear selection. The brand also offers a performance collection comprised of tailored shorts and shirts made with natural stretch fabrics to incorporate into the well-dressed man's everyday wardrobe. Common summer clothing such as shorts, swimwear, loafers, and sneakers can often feel simple compared to the thoughtful looks crafted for the cooler months, but pair these custom pieces with any of Hive & Colony's hand-crafted Italian accessories such as a braided leather belt or suede espadrilles for an everyday summer look that stands out.

To start building a custom summer wardrobe, step into one of Hive & Colony's experiential showrooms across the country to connect with an expert personal stylist. Visit https://www.hiveandcolony.com/ to explore their Summer 2023 Collection, locate the nearest showroom, and begin the bespoke process.

About Hive & Colony

From the streets of Manhattan to its first showroom in Boston, Hive & Colony has pollinated its vision of redefined menswear from coast to coast. Through the utilization of 1,000+ rich materials and 3D measurement technology, Hive & Colony has tailored a custom shopping experience as unique as it is luxurious. Sophistication is never sacrificed through Hive & Colony's array of hand-crafted Italian accessories or custom suits and tuxedos. To book an individualized experience at a showroom visit hiveandcolony.com or follow on Instagram at @hiveandcolony .

SOURCE H&C Retail Management LLC
DuBois to oversee clinical operations for nationally recognized behavioral health crisis care model

PHOENIX, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Connections Health Solutions, the leading innovator in immediate-access behavioral health crisis care, today announced Holly DuBois, MD, has joined the organization as chief medical officer.

Dr. DuBois is a board-certified psychiatrist and recognized thought leader in the behavioral health industry known for her early adoption and promotion of technology-enabled behavioral health care. As chief medical officer, Dr. DuBois will oversee clinical operations and clinical product development for the organization. She will assume the responsibilities of chief medical officer from Dr. Chris Carson, co-founder of Connections, who has taken on additional responsibilities as the Company's chief strategy officer.

"I am excited to join the Connections Health Solutions team as we bring this model to more people in need outside of Arizona," said Dr. DuBois. "The opportunity to help shape the future of behavioral health crisis careespecially with an organization that values quality and access for all in needis both exciting and profoundly important. I look forward to leading our clinical team and continuing to evolve our model to treat more individuals requiring care, right when they need it."

Dr. DuBois brings extensive industry knowledge and experience to the role. She previously served as the chief clinical officer at Mindstrong, a virtual mental healthcare company, where she led clinical product development and supported medical strategy across the largest division of the organization. Dr. DuBois was also instrumental in implementing a value-based model exclusively for the serious mental illness (SMI) population.

Prior to her role at Mindstrong, Dr. DuBois founded AvailTelemedicine, a successful physician practice rooted entirely in delivering high-quality, precise psychiatric services to individuals with serious mental illnesses. She has also held various medical leadership roles in both public and private health systems where she developed programs in intensive outpatient services, consult and liaison psychiatry, and 24/7 crisis telemedicine.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. DuBois to the team," shared Colin LeClair, Connections chief executive officer. "Her passion for innovation that drives access and commitment to quality in care delivery aligns perfectly with our mission. We are confident that with her leadership, Connections will continue to break down barriers to treatment and move the needle on transforming the nation's behavioral health system towards one that provides the highest quality of care and supports individuals when they need it the most."

Dr. DuBois holds her undergraduate degree from Stanford University and her medical degree with clinical honors from The Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. She completed her residency in adult Psychiatry at Stanford's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences where she focused her senior studies on the Psychosomatic service.

"We're really excited about the future here at Connections," said LeClair. "We have the right team in place, all with a steadfast focus on providing people with the appropriate care when they need it most, to continue making a difference in the communities we serve and beyond."

The expansion of the leadership team comes during a time of exciting growth. The organization has announced two new "level I" crisis response centers in Kirkland, Washington and Woodbridge, Virginia, and has continued to expand services in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, and Bozeman, Montana.

ABOUT CONNECTIONS HEALTH SOLUTIONS

Connections Health Solutions, LLC is the leading innovator of behavioral health crisis care. The Company operates two of the largest and most studied behavioral health crisis facilities in the nation and provides a range of services to help stabilize and treat people with mental health and substance use diagnoses. Connections' model emphasizes providing treatment in the least restrictive setting and has demonstrated improved quality and cost savings, including significantly reducing hospital admissions in Medicaid and behavioral health populations. For more information and crisis resources visit www.connectionshs.com.

Contact:

Marissa Lawson, SVP, Marketing and Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Connections Health Solutions
AUSTIN, Minn., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, today announced the appointment of Lynn Egner as vice president of Retail sales - West. Egner will be responsible for the company's retail sales strategy and execution with the company's customers in the Western Region of the United States. Egner replaces Natosha Walsh, who was recently named vice president of marketing for Convenient Meals and Proteins in the company's Retail business.

Lynn Egner

"Lynn has been instrumental in building valuable relationships with our customer partners across the Retail sales organization," said Jim Snee, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of Hormel Foods. "Lynn is a proven people leader who will continue to build a team that brings a strategic, dynamic and analytical approach to the marketplace with our portfolio of leading brands."

"With her considerable sales experience and focus on customer-centric relationships, Lynn brings exceptional leadership to this position," said PJ Connor, group vice president of Retail sales. "I look forward to the important role she will play in the continued strategic growth of our Retail sales organization."

Egner joined Hormel Foods in 1997 in the Foodservice sales organization and was quickly promoted to positions of increasing authority and reach, including at the national level. In 2014, she was promoted to director of distributor trade development for Foodservice and was named director of sales for Hormel Foods Deli Solutions in 2018. She assumed her current role of assistant vice president of Retail sales  West in 2022.

Egner graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor's degree in business. She is active in the community and in industry organizations.

About Hormel Foods  Inspired People. Inspired Food.

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters, Skippy, SPAM, Hormel Natural Choice, Applegate, Justin's, Wholly, Hormel Black Label, Columbus, Jennie-O and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named on the "Global 2000 World's Best Employers" list by Forbes magazine for three years, is one of Fortune magazine's most admired companies, has appeared on the "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list by 3BL Media 13 times, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement  Inspired People. Inspired Food.  to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit hormelfoods.com and csr.hormelfoods.com.

Contact: Media Relations

Hormel Foods

[email protected]

SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation
The company's dynamic sales team recognized by Selling Power for 22nd time, this year ranking No. 14

AUSTIN, Minn., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, is pleased to announce it has been ranked No. 14 on the Selling Power 50 Best Companies to Sell For List, now in its 23rd year of publication. Hormel Foods is a 22-time recipient of this prestigious recognition, including in 2016 when the company was No. 1.

Hormel Foods was just named one of 50 Best Companies to Sell For by Selling Power magazine for the 22nd time,

"We are honored to once again be recognized as one of the top 50 companies to sell for in the nation," said PJ Connor, group vice president of Retail Sales, Hormel Foods. "We're proud that our sales team continues to position Hormel Foods as a world-class leader in the industry. This award is a result of both our sales and our sales-strategy professionals, who continue to deliver growth and profitability for our stakeholders."

Members of the Hormel Foods sales team are the company's first point of contact for customers and partners. Team members strive to achieve their objective of increasing sales for their areas and divisions by adding products to distribution and expanding the usage of current Hormel Foods products. Additionally, these sales professionals, who are employed nationwide, are responsible for implementing marketing strategies for their products.

To determine the final list of companies, the research team at Selling Power analyzed and ranked data across key areas, including compensation and benefits, hiring, sales training, sales enablement, and diversity and inclusion. The list encompasses companies of all sizes that are leading the charge in innovation to adapt to current economic conditions.

"As companies are facing economic headwinds, sales organizations are sharpening their focus on sales talent," said Gerhard Gschwandtner, founder and CEO of Selling Power . "The Best Companies to Sell For have mastered the alignment of people, processes and technologies, and created a sales organization that excels in hiring, onboarding, training and compensation of their sales representatives."

The view the complete list of the 50 Best Companies to Sell For in 2023, visit https://bit.ly/430lnoh

About Hormel Foods  Inspired People. Inspired Food.

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters, Skippy, SPAM, Hormel Natural Choice, Applegate, Justin's, Wholly, Hormel Black Label, Columbus, Jennie-O and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named on the "Global 2000 World's Best Employers" list by Forbes magazine for three years, is one of Fortune magazine's most admired companies, has appeared on the "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list by 3BL Media 13 times, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement  Inspired People. Inspired Food.  to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit hormelfoods. com and csr.hormelfoods.com .

Contact: Media Relations

Hormel Foods

[email protected]

SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, July 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) will hold a conference call on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss its second quarter 2023 financial results. Following some opening remarks, the call will move into a question and answer session.

The earnings press release, including financial statements and segment information, will be distributed after the market closes on Monday, July 31, 2023. The earnings slide presentation and prepared remarks will be available at www.huntsman.com/investors after the market closes on Monday, July 31, 2023.

Webcast link:

https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=dGLJi95S

Participant dial-in numbers:

Domestic callers: (877) 402-8037

International callers: (201) 378-4913

The conference call will be accessible via the webcast link and Huntsman's investor relations website, www.huntsman.com/investors. Upon conclusion of the call, the webcast replay will be accessible via Huntsman's website.

About Huntsman:

Huntsman Corporation is a publicly traded global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated and specialty chemicals with 2022 revenues of approximately $8 billion. Our chemical products number in the thousands and are sold worldwide to manufacturers serving a broad and diverse range of consumer and industrial end markets. We operate more than 60 manufacturing, R&D and operations facilities in approximately 30 countries and employ approximately 7,000 associates within our continuing operations. For more information about Huntsman, please visit the company's website at www.huntsman.com.

Social Media:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Huntsman_Corp

Facebook: www.facebook.com/huntsmancorp

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/huntsman

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain information in this release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations. The forward-looking statements in this release are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the company's operations, markets, products, services, prices and other factors as discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Huntsman companies' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Significant risks and uncertainties may relate to, but are not limited to, volatile global economic conditions, cyclical and volatile product markets, disruptions in production at manufacturing facilities, reorganization or restructuring of Huntsman's operations, including any delay of, or other negative developments affecting the ability to implement cost reductions, timing of proposed transactions, and manufacturing optimization improvements in Huntsman businesses and realize anticipated cost savings, and other financial, economic, competitive, environmental, political, legal, regulatory and technological factors. The company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by applicable laws.

SOURCE Huntsman Corporation
The global hydrogen market is driven by the rising use of hydrogen in fuel cell electric vehicles coupled with increase in adoption of hydrogen in power generation.

PORTLAND, Ore., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Hydrogen Market By Delivery Mode (Captive, Merchant), By Type (Blue Hydrogen, Grey Hydrogen, Green Hydrogen), By End Use (Refining, Power Generation, Transportation, Food Processing, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the global hydrogen industry generated $155.9 billion in 2022, and is anticipated to generate $292.0 billion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 6.5% from 2023 to 2032.

Request PDF Brochure: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/16956

Prime determinants of growth

The global hydrogen market is driven by the rising demand for hydrogen in fuel cell electric vehicles coupled with surge in adoption of hydrogen in power generation. However, high cost associated with hydrogen production is anticipated to hamper the market growth. Nevertheless, the rise in demand for clean energy is expected to offer lucrative opportunities for market growth in the coming years.

Report Coverage & Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $155.9 billion Market Size in 2032 $292.0 billion CAGR 6.5 % No. of Pages in Report 300 Segments covered Delivery Mode, Type, End-Use, Region. Drivers Rising use of hydrogen in fuel cell electric vehicles Increase in adoption of hydrogen in power generation Opportunities Increase in demand for clean energy Restraints High cost associated with hydrogen production

Russia-Ukraine War impact analysis on the Hydrogen Market

Russia is a significant exporter of natural gas, and Ukraine serves as a transit country for Russian gas supplies to Europe . The conflict could potentially disrupt energy supplies, including natural gas, which may increase the interest in alternative energy sources such as hydrogen. Countries reliant on Russian gas might seek to diversify their energy imports and explore options such as hydrogen to reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports from the region.

is a significant exporter of natural gas, and serves as a transit country for Russian gas supplies to . The conflict could potentially disrupt energy supplies, including natural gas, which may increase the interest in alternative energy sources such as hydrogen. Countries reliant on Russian gas might seek to diversify their energy imports and explore options such as hydrogen to reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports from the region. The conflict highlights the geopolitical risks associated with energy dependence on a specific region or country. This could drive increased focus on enhancing regional energy security and diversifying energy sources. Hydrogen, with its potential to be produced from various feedstocks and through renewable energy, could be viewed as a means to enhance energy independence and security in affected regions.

The conflict may impact the development of infrastructure for hydrogen production, storage, and transportation in the region. Investment and deployment of hydrogen infrastructure may be affected due to geopolitical uncertainties and potential disruptions in trade routes and supply chains. This could slow down the growth of the hydrogen market in affected areas.

The conflict may prompt affected countries to reevaluate their energy policies and strategies. Governments might prioritize the development and deployment of domestic hydrogen production technologies and renewable energy sources to reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports and enhance energy security. This could lead to increased support and incentives for the hydrogen sector.

The conflict could potentially impact international cooperation and collaboration in the hydrogen sector. Collaboration between countries and regions might be affected due to strained diplomatic relations, leading to potential disruptions in joint R&D projects, technology sharing, and harmonization of standards. However, it is possible that stakeholders may recognize the need for energy diversification and sustainability, leading to increased collaboration efforts to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen technologies.

The captive segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

Based on delivery mode, the captive segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to more than 90% of the global hydrogen market revenue, and is projected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. Captive hydrogen can be utilized as a fuel source for fuel cells. Fuel cells convert the chemical energy of hydrogen into electricity through an electrochemical reaction. They are commonly used in stationary power generation, transportation, and portable power applications. The merchant segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2023 to 2032. Merchant-generated hydrogen can be utilized across a wide range of applications, including industrial processes, fuel cell vehicles, power generation, heating, and more. It serves as a versatile energy carrier and feedstock for various industries.

Procure Complete Report (300 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://bit.ly/3XPZiI0

The grey hydrogen segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

Based on type, the grey hydrogen segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to more than four-fifths of the global hydrogen market revenue, and is projected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. Grey hydrogen is currently the dominant form of hydrogen production due to its relatively low cost and widespread availability of natural gas. Many existing industrial processes and applications rely on grey hydrogen as a feedstock or fuel. The green hydrogen segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2023 to 2032. Green hydrogen production does not produce direct carbon emissions, making it a sustainable alternative to grey hydrogen, which relies on fossil fuels. It helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigates the environmental impact of hydrogen use.

The refining segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on end-use, the refining segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global hydrogen market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Hydrogen plays a crucial role in the refining industry, particularly in petroleum refining, where it is used for various purposes to improve the quality of refined products. The power generation segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2023 to 2032. Hydrogen can be used as a fuel source in power generation, offering a potential pathway toward cleaner and more sustainable energy production. Its use in power generation offers the potential for reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality, and enhanced energy flexibility.

Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2031

Based on region, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for around half of the global hydrogen market revenue and is likely to dominate the market during the forecast period. The same region is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.7% from 2023 to 2032. The Asia-Pacific region presents significant opportunities for the hydrogen market due to its large energy demand, renewable energy potential, and strong government support. The region's focus on hydrogen as a clean energy solution is driving investments, research, and innovation to unlock the full potential of hydrogen across various sectors.

Leading Market Players: -

AIR LIQUIDE S.A.

MESSER GROUP GMBH.

PLUG POWER INC.

NEL ASA

LINDE PLC

FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.

AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.

SHELL PLC.

RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LTD

INDIAN OIL CORPORATION LTD.

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global hydrogen market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Want to Access the Statistical Data and Graphs, Key Players' Strategies:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/hydrogen-market/purchase-options

Similar Reports:

Hydrogen Bromide Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031

India Hydrogen Market: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2018-2025

Hydrogen Peroxide Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031

Lubricants in Power Generation Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2019-2029

Renewable Methanol Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2027

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About Us

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
The Guardian

Obituary

Zafrullah Chowdhury obituary

Andy Rutherford

10 July 2023

My friend Zafrullah Chowdhury, who has died aged 81, was a public health activist dedicated to making basic healthcare more accessible in rural Bangladesh. He founded the community-based healthcare organisation Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK), which provides affordable, high-quality medical services to millions of people.

After studying at Dhaka College, he passed the MBBS with distinction in surgery from Dhaka medical college in 1964. The following year he moved to the UK to continue his medical studies, training as a general and vascular surgeon at the Royal College of Surgeons in London from 1965 to 1971. He passed the primary FRCS exam in 1970, but, weeks before he was due to sit the final exam, he instead decided to return to Bangladesh to set up a field hospital amid the war of liberation against Pakistan in 1971. Zafrullah remained in Bangladesh for the rest of his life.

It was in 1972 that Zafrullah and colleagues founded GK, initially focused on providing comprehensive healthcare in rural areas. GK was the first organisation outside China to provide comprehensive training to paramedics who, vitally, in a male-dominated society, were female, riding bicycles into the countryside. The organisation steadily expanded its scope into education, agriculture, employment generation, production of essential medicines and womens emancipation. Since 1995 it has expanded to urban Bangladesh, particularly Dhaka.

Zafrullah was also a leading force behind the development of his countrys 1982 Drugs (Control) Ordinance law, which helped Bangladesh control the cost and supply of essential medications. Zafrullah worked with GK until he died.

However, he was not purely focused on making change in his homeland; he was also engaged internationally, including as one of the people behind the creation in 2000 of the Peoples Health Movement, a global network that brings together grassroots health activists, civil society organisations and academic institutions.

Zafrullah received widespread recognition, including the Ramon Magsaysay award in 1985 and the Right Livelihood award in 1992. In 2009, he was made a doctor of humanitarian services by the World Organization of Natural Medicine.

Born in Quepara, a village then in East Bengal that is now part of Raozan upazila in the Chattogram district, Zafrullah was the eldest of 10 children. When his father, Humayan Chowdhury, became the officer in charge of Kotwali police station in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and then Bakshibazar in Dhaka, the family moved with him. His mother, Hashina Begum, was a housewife. Zafrullah passed matriculation from Nabakumar school in Bakshibazar, Dhaka.

In 1992, Zafrullah married Shireen Huq, then head of Naripokkho, a leading womens rights organisation, whom he met through his work.

He is survived by Shireen and their son, Bareesh; by a daughter, Bristi, from his first marriage; and by four sisters and four brothers.
details added, first published at 11:32

BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. The delegation headed by Chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye Numan Kurtulmus, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan, has visited the Alley of the Honor, the Alley of Martyrs and the Turkish Martyrs' Memorial in Baku, Trend reports.

During the visit to the Alley of Honor, the delegation paid tribute to the memory of national leader of the Azerbaijani people, architect and founder of modern independent Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev and laid a wreath at his grave.

Then the memory of the wife of the national leader, outstanding ophthalmologist and academician Zarifa Aliyeva was honored, flowers were laid on her grave.

After that, the delegation visited the Alley of Martyrs, where they honored the memory of the heroic sons of Azerbaijan who gave their lives for the freedom and sovereignty of their country, laid flowers at their graves.

A wreath was also laid in front of the Eternal Flame.

The guests viewed the panorama of Baku from the highest point of the city, they were provided with detailed information about the history of the Alley of Martyrs and the landscaping works carried out in Baku.
WASHINGTON, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Inflectra, a leading US-based enterprise software provider, has announced the release of SpiraPlan v7.7, a highly anticipated upgrade to its Enterprise Agile Planning platform. SpiraPlan v7.7 introduces program-level capabilities and milestones, allowing users to efficiently plan product delivery, manage backlogs, and track progress across multiple products within SpiraPlan's programs and portfolios. By leveraging these new features, organizations can deliver projects faster, enhance overall quality, reduce risk, and stay compliant with industry regulations. This landmark release solidifies SpiraPlan as Inflectra's flagship scaled agile solution, and its feature-rich design enables organizations to navigate complex regulatory frameworks while delivering exceptional results.

SpiraPlan for Scaled Agile

"We are thrilled to announce the release of SpiraPlan v7.7, our advanced Enterprise Agile Planning platform. With SpiraPlan v7.7, Inflectra sets a high standard for scaled agile solutions in all industries. The platform's integrated capabilities and milestones empower customers to achieve their business goals efficiently, effectively, and in strict compliance with international standards and regulatory frameworks," said Adam Sandman, the CEO of Inflectra.

Inflectra's vision for future releases includes further improving how teams at scale can leverage SpiraPlan, with better ways to review, report on, and manage delivery programs. In 2024, Inflectra plans to extend its scaled agile functionality further with features to manage portfolios of programs better.

About Inflectra

Inflectra is a trusted and seamless platform that enables customers to develop and release their critical technology products on time and with the highest quality. With a comprehensive suite of capabilities, Inflectra enables efficient management of requirements, test cases, resources, risks while automating all aspects of the software development lifecycle. Founded in 2006, Inflectra is headquartered in the United States and has offices in more than 10 countries, along with a global partner network that serves over 5,000 customers worldwide. Inflectra's customer-centric concurrent pricing model offers unlimited access to products, projects, sprints, tests, and API calls at a single, all-inclusive price. The company's people-first culture values customers as more than just numbers, resulting in remarkable customer retention rates, devoted brand evangelists, and a reputation for legendary customer support. Anyone can experience Inflectra's commitment to excellence through a fully functional, 30-day free trial of all Inflectra products.

Media Contact:

Sarah Reister

+1 215-896-3243 | [email protected]

Company Website: https://www.inflectra.com/

SOURCE Inflectra
CruiseCompete Releases July 2023 CruiseTrends Report, Wealth of Data Shows Consumer Cruise Trends

DETROIT, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CruiseCompete has released its CruiseTrends report for the month of July 2023. This report details a picture of trends in consumer behavior for cruise ship travel for July 2023.

After serving up close to 19 million cruise quotes, CruiseCompete CruiseTrends offers an inside look at what consumers want in cruise vacations based on their requests. CruiseCompete has mined its wealth of data to provide information on the most popular cruise trends among consumers, including most requested cruise ships, lines and travel dates for premium, luxury and river cruising.

See the downloadable CruiseTrends Comparison Chart offering 12 months of data. Please click here to obtain the data: https://www.cruisecompete.com/cruise_trends.php

The CruiseTrends report for July 2023 is detailed below. To see more topics and data, please visit CruiseCompete's press room or July 2023 to see the entire report for this month.

Most Popular Cruise Lines

Premium/Contemporary: Royal Caribbean

Luxury: Oceania Cruises

River: American Cruise Lines

In second place are Norwegian for premium/contemporary, Viking Ocean for luxury and Viking for river. More...

Most Popular Cruise Ships

Premium/Contemporary: Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas

Luxury: Queen Elizabeth

River: American Serenade

Next in popularity are Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas for premium/contemporary, Oceania Vista for luxury and American Heritage for river. More...

Most Popular Cruise Regions

Premium/Contemporary: Caribbean

Luxury: Mediterranean

River: Europe

Next in popularity are North America for premium/contemporary, North America for luxury and North America for river. More...

Most Popular Cruise Departure Ports

Premium/Contemporary: Miami

Luxury: Miami

River: Chattanooga

Next in popularity are Fort Lauderdale for premium/contemporary, Vancouver for luxury and Amsterdam for river. More...

Most Popular Cruise Ports Visited

Premium/Contemporary: Cozumel

Luxury: Ketchikan

River: Vienna

Next in popularity are CocoCay for premium/contemporary; Barcelona for luxury and Paducah for river. More...

Most Popular Countries Visited

Premium/Contemporary: Bahamas

Luxury: USA

River: USA

Second most popular are USA for premium/contemporary, Italy for luxury, Germany for river. More...

Most Popular Cabin Types

Premium/Contemporary: Balcony

Luxury: Balcony

River: Balcony

Second are Inside for premium, Outside for luxury, and Outside for river. More...

Number of Cabins Requested

Premium/Contemporary: 1 cabin

Luxury: 1 cabin

River: 1 cabin

Second are 2 cabins for premium/contemporary, 2 cabins for luxury, and 2 cabins for river. More...

Most Popular Cruise Itinerary Lengths

Premium/Contemporary: 7 nights

Luxury: 7 nights

River: 7 nights

Second are 4 nights for premium/contemporary, 14 nights for luxury, and 14 nights for river. More...

Most Popular Sailing Months Requested

Premium/Contemporary: July 2023

Luxury: August 2023

River: July 2023

Second are August 2023 for premium, November 2023 for luxury, and August 2023 for river. More...

Booking Window of Time

The average number of days between the date the cruise was booked and the date it sails.

Contemporary/Premium  booked 214 days in advance

Luxury  booked 234 days in advance

River  booked 357 days in advance

More...

Other data available at the July 2023 CruiseTrends report:

 Travel insurance requested

 Cruise line past passenger status requested

More...

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CruiseCompete takes top honors in Travel + Leisure's "Top 60 Best Apps and Websites for Travelers" with an honorable mention. The Wall Street Journal praised CruiseCompete as "Best Cruise Travel Site," The New York Times says, " independent travel advisors compete to offer you the best deal," and follows similar praise from Travel + Leisure, Kiplinger and The Washington Post. The Street says, "Score luxury cruises at bargain prices."

For more information, please visit: https://www.cruisecompete.com/ or https://www.cruisecompete.com/group_cruises/

CruiseCompete is an Iowa limited liability company, is not a travel agency nor owned by a travel agency.

CruiseCompete  Find us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Our Blog!

SOURCE CruiseCompete
LONDON, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Matthey (JM), a global leader in sustainable technologies, has today signed an investment agreement with the Jiading District in Shanghai to help accelerate the hydrogen economy in China.

At a signing ceremony in Sonning, UK today, JM and the Shanghai Jiading District announced plans to build a new catalyst coated membrane (CCM) production facility, providing CCM production capability for multiple proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell applications and PEM electrolysers.

Johnson Matthey signs agreement for hydrogen investment in China

The facility which will have an initial capacity of up to 5GW, will occupy 22,000m2 in the Jiading district of Shanghai, in a designated Hydrogen industrial zone and is due to be operational in 2025. It will have potential to expand further in line with customer demand.

The investment, which is backed by customer demand, is part of JM's 1.1 billion global stated capital expenditure for the three years to 2024/25 and will include government support and incentives.

Dr Mark Su, President of Greater China at Johnson Matthey, said: "This is a landmark investment for our business as we build our footprint in the US, Europe and now China, cementing our presence in all three major hydrogen markets. We are excited to expand our businesses whilst creating and scaling the low carbon solutions that will help China achieve carbon neutrality by 2060."

The new production facility will enable Johnson Matthey to supply existing Chinese and international customers with locally produced CCMs, and in addition there is a strong pipeline of further customer interest across both fuel cell and renewable (green) hydrogen technologies.

Ms. Gao Xiang, Mayor of Jiading District, said: "Jiading District is a famous international automobile city and one of the earliest areas in China to develop a hydrogen industry. With the help of companies like Johnson Matthey, we are able to actively build a hydrogen technologies innovation hub and a national fuel cell vehicle demonstration city. This investment agreement plays to both parties' strengths and is a win-win cooperation."

CCMs are key performance defining components in fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV). China has said it aims to have 1 million hydrogen-powered vehicles on its road by 2030.

Johnson Matthey has a long heritage in China with six state-of-the art manufacturing facilities. JM is one of China's leading auto catalyst producers and platinum group metals traders and refiners, and a leading player across syngas and hydrogen fuel cells. JM was the first commercial scale membrane electrode assembly (MEA) producer in China, producing the MEAs for hydrogen fuel cell shuttle buses showcased in the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022.

Johnson Matthey is a global leader in sustainable technologies, catalysing the net zero transition. With over 200 years of sustained commitment to innovation and technological breakthroughs, we improve the performance, function and safety of our customers' products. Our science has a global impact in areas such as low emission transport, energy, chemical processing and making the most efficient use of the planet's natural resources. Today, about 13,000 Johnson Matthey professionals collaborate with our network of customers and partners to make a real difference to the world around us. For more information visit www.matthey.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2152566/Johnson_Matthey.jpg

SOURCE Johnson Matthey
CAMARILLO, Calif. , July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- kathy ireland Worldwide (KIWW) has forged a brand partnership with PlushBeds, a leading luxury organic mattress manufacturer and retailer. This collaboration brings together two industry leaders to offer a collection of organic luxury mattresses, toppers, and pillows that prioritize sustainability and exceptional comfort.

Courtesy of Jon Carrasco

"Kathy Ireland is an icon in the world of lifestyle branding, and we are honored to partner with her in this exciting venture" said Michael Hughes, CEO of PlushBeds. "Her unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and thoughtful curation to enhance people's lives is truly admirable. Kathy's principles align perfectly with our own, and we are excited to combine our expertise in organic luxury sleep with her unparalleled influence and vision."

The partnership between kathy ireland Worldwide and PlushBeds represents a shared vision for creating more environmental consciousness in the bedroom. By combining kiWW's expertise in lifestyle branding and PlushBeds' mastery in organic bedding, the collection of luxury mattresses, toppers, and pillows will revolutionize the way people experience sleep, providing them with the ultimate in comfort, sustainability, and style.

"All of us at kiWW are looking forward to working with Michael and his exceptional team," says Kathy Ireland, Chair, CEO and Chief Designer of kathy ireland Worldwide, the 19th most powerful global brand per License Global. "PlushBeds' commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability, and their dedication to customer satisfaction align perfectly with our brand values. Together, we will provide customers with an exceptional sleep experience that promotes both their well-being and the well-being of our planet."

"This collaboration brings our customers the best in sustainable bedding products, which helps us to continue fulfilling one of our company's Millennium Development Goals of ensuring environmental sustainability," say Jon Carrasco and Stephen Roseberry, Worldwide Creative Director and President/CMO of kathy ireland Worldwide.

Customers can expect a comprehensive range of eco-friendly and organic mattresses designed to cater to different sleep preferences and styles. Each mattress will be meticulously handcrafted in California, customized to deliver the utmost comfort and support.

PlushBeds' dedication to customer satisfaction extends to their generous offerings, including a free sleep trial, a lifetime warranty, and complimentary shipping and returns. This commitment ensures that customers can confidently choose the new kathy ireland collection by PlushBeds as their preferred brand of natural and organic luxury bedding.

The new collection will be available for purchase online at www.plushbeds.com and select authorized retailers towards the end of 2023.

For more information, please visit www.PlushBeds.com

About kathy ireland Worldwide

Kathy Ireland and her company, kathy ireland Worldwide, are one of the great American success stories. Launched in 1993, at Ms. Ireland's kitchen table, with a personal loan of $50,000, it is today acknowledged as the most successful woman-owned licensing corporation in history, according to WWD (Women's Wear Daily). The New York Times vales kathy ireland Worldwide at over $500 million dollars, and Ms. Ireland's greatest passion is being of service through her multiple philanthropic efforts. Ms. Ireland is married to Dr. Gregory Olsen, and the couple lives in Montecito, CA. As parents, they have one son and two daughters.

About PlushBeds:

PlushBeds is a leading luxury organic mattress manufacturer and retailer headquartered in Camarillo, California. Specializing in organic latex mattresses, toppers, pillows, and bedding, PlushBeds offers a superior sleep experience through their commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.

SOURCE PlushBeds
Kedrion joined forces with BPL in 2022

This is the first ever approval for a BPL product in China

The China Albumin market is the world's largest

Launch commenced in April 2023

FORT LEE, N.J., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kedrion Biopharma, an international biopharmaceutical company specializing in the production and distribution of plasma-derived therapeutic products used in treating rare and serious diseases, has announced that China's National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) has approved BPL's human Albumin product for release to the Chinese market. In 2022, Kedrion joined forces with BPL, a UK-based company with over 60 years of experience in the supply of high-quality plasma-derived medicines for the treatment of rare diseases.

As the first ever approval for a BPL product in China, this a major milestone for the company, which can now ship to the country on a regular basis. China is by far the largest human Albumin market in the world of 627 tons vs global demand of 1,368 tons in 20211.

"We are delighted to be able to provide this product to patients in China," said Bob Rossilli, Chief Commercial Officer for Kedrion Biopharma. "Obtaining this important license and full distribution agreement in China reflects strongly on our current plan for global expansion while highlighting our corporate mission of providing plasma-derived products worldwide, supporting both healthcare professionals and patients every day."

Zhou Xianfeng, Chairman of Board, Hangzhou Jiansheng Medicine Co. Ltd. said, "We are delighted to have partnered with BPL and Kedrion, which are truly committed to making therapies available in all parts of the world by expanding into important new markets such as China."

Kedrion places a high value on the welfare of those who benefit from its products, as well as the communities and individuals with whom it collaborates, and works on a global scale to broaden access to plasma therapies.

About Kedrion

Kedrion Biopharma is a biopharmaceutical company that collects and fractionates blood plasma to produce and distribute worldwide plasma-derived therapies for use in treating and preventing rare and debilitating conditions like Coagulation and Neurological Disorders, Primary and Secondary Immunodeficiencies, and Rh sensitization, which can lead to Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn.

In 2022, Kedrion joined forces with BPL (Bio Products Laboratory). Based in the United Kingdom, BPL has over 60 years of experience in the supply of high-quality plasma-derived medicines to treat rare diseases.

With the combination of Kedrion and BPL, Kedrion is a global player in plasma derivatives and rare disease medicines employing more than 5,000 people worldwide. The company has a plasma collection footprint of 73 centers operated by KEDPLASMA in the United States, and of 5 centers operated by UNICAplasma in the Czech Republic, and a portfolio of 37 products distributed in over 100 countries around the world. With these figures, Kedrion is the world's 5th top player in the field of plasma-derived products.

In 2021, Kedrion's acquisition of Prometic, and of its first-ever therapy for Congenital Plasminogen Deficiency, has confirmed our commitment to fighting rare, or even extremely rare, diseases.

We act as a bridge between donors and the people who need treatment, and work on a global scale to expand patient access to plasma-derived therapies.

kedrion.com

Contact Information:

Sandy Sklareski

Communications Manager

[email protected]

551-255-6557

1 MRB Reports (MRB Asia Pacific 2021)

SOURCE Kedrion Biopharma
"We are thrilled to reach this remarkable milestone in Shanghai, which is not only China's largest consumer market, but also home to Yum China's operating headquarters," said Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China. "Since entering China in 1987, we have been committed to meeting the evolving needs of consumers with great food and delightful dining experience. It has been our privilege to serve millions of customers and thousands of communities every day. Looking ahead, we firmly believe there are immense opportunities for us to continue expanding and growing in China."

KFC is committed to promoting positive social change and the 500th KFC store in Shanghai has some unique features that support this:

Partnering with the Shanghai Library, the new store features a dedicated reading area which has a diverse collection of books. The store will also hold a series of parent-child reading events. This initiative is part of the "KFC Book Kingdom Program" which is focused on promoting reading among children.

In collaboration with the Pudong New Area Disabled Persons' Federation, the store is KFC's first "Angel Restaurant" in Shanghai . The "Angel Restaurants" initiative aims to create an inclusive and welcoming work environment for individuals with special needs. The store incorporates various enhancements to support employees, such as light and sound reminders. Moreover, the in-store menu at this location offers braille and sign language options, ensuring more accessible and enjoyable dining experience for customers with special needs.

KFC is the leading and the largest quick-service restaurant brand in China, with over 9,200 stores in 1,800 cities across China as of March 2023. Over the years, menu innovation has been a strategic focus for KFC China. By combining Chinese and Western elements in its menu and offerings, KFC is establishing deeper connections with Chinese consumers. This summer, KFC launched a nostalgia marketing campaign with 9 classic fan-favorite menu items, including Original Recipe Chicken, Dragon Twister, Portuguese egg tart, New Orleans Roasted Chicken Wing, Century Egg & Pork Congee, Great Value Family Bucket, among others.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including under "2023 Outlook." We intend all forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and by the use of forward-looking words such as "expect," "expectation," "believe," "anticipate," "may," "could," "intend," "belief," "plan," "estimate," "target," "predict," "project," "likely," "will," "continue," "should," "forecast," "outlook," "commit" or similar terminology. These statements are based on current estimates and assumptions made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable under the circumstances, but there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future strategies, growth, business plans, investment, dividend and share repurchase plans, earnings, performance and returns of Yum China, anticipated effects of population and macroeconomic trends, the expected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, pace of recovery of Yum China's business, the anticipated effects of our innovation, digital and delivery capabilities and investments on growth and beliefs regarding the long-term drivers of Yum China's business. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by those statements. We cannot assure you that any of our expectations, estimates or assumptions will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are only made as of the date of this press release, and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law. Numerous factors could cause our actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: whether we are able to achieve development goals at the times and in the amounts currently anticipated, if at all, the success of our marketing campaigns and product innovation, our ability to maintain food safety and quality control systems, changes in public health conditions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, our ability to control costs and expenses, including tax costs, as well as changes in political, economic and regulatory conditions in China. In addition, other risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial could affect the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. You should consult our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including the information set forth under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q) for additional detail about factors that could affect our financial and other results.

About Yum China Holdings, Inc.

Yum China is the largest restaurant company in China with a mission to make every life taste beautiful. The Company has over 400,000 employees and operates over 13,000 restaurants under six brands across 1,800 cities in China. KFC and Pizza Hut are the leading brands in the quick-service and casual dining restaurant spaces in China, respectively. Taco Bell offers innovative Mexican-inspired food. Yum China has also partnered with Lavazza to develop the Lavazza coffee concept in China. Little Sheep and Huang Ji Huang specialize in Chinese cuisine. Yum China has a world-class, digitalized supply chain which includes an extensive network of logistics centers nationwide and an in-house supply chain management system. Its strong digital capabilities and loyalty program enable the Company to reach customers faster and serve them better. Yum China is a Fortune 500 company with the vision to be the world's most innovative pioneer in the restaurant industry. For more information, please visit http://ir.yumchina.com .

Investor Relations Contact:

Tel: +86 21 2407 7556 / +852 2267 5801

[email protected]

Media Contact:

Tel: +86 21 2407 7510

[email protected]

SOURCE Yum China Holdings, Inc.

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TIERRA AMARILLA, N.M., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Claggett & Sykes Law Firm of Las Vegas and Reno, Nev., Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy, & Conaway Law Firm, Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero Law Firm, and Harada & Winters Law Firm teamed up over four years ago to create a powerhouse legal team to take on the mental healthcare giant Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. Together they achieved a milestone by obtaining one of the largest personal injury verdicts in the history of New Mexico on Friday, July 7. A Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, jury awarded $485 million to their client, which stands as a testament to each of the firm's unwavering dedication to its clients.

Sean Claggett, co-counsel and senior partner of Claggett & Sykes Law Firm Josh Conaway, co-counsel and partner for Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy & Conaway

The case involved a minor female who was sexually abused in foster care by a foster parent licensed under the Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc's umbrella of subsidiaries doing business in New Mexico. (Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc., Youth and Family Centered Services of New Mexico, Inc., d/b/a Desert Hills & Familyworks, Inc.) The lawyers argued that the company was reckless in protecting and keeping the child safe in light of historical and recurring reports of sexual assault, physical assault, and emotional abuse in the foster home.

Mr. Sean Claggett, the co-counsel and senior partner of Claggett & Sykes Law Firm, expressed his profound gratitude to the courageous client who placed her trust in him and his legal team during the litigation process. He stated, "The jury's verdict was genuine justice for two compelling reasons. First, the jury's verdict demonstrates their recognition and valuation of our client, a stark contrast to the defendants who failed to prioritize her well-being. Secondly, the jury spoke through their verdict that if companies are paid to protect our children, then the children need to be their top priority, always. This verdict sends a powerful message that the rights of victims should never be overlooked or undervalued. We are honored to have worked with the entire team to represent our client, and this verdict will serve as a reminder to all that justice can and will be achieved."

"This verdict sends a clear message that children are valued and for-profit companies can't turn a blind eye to their safety while hoarding profits," stated Josh Conaway, co-counsel and partner for Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy & Conaway. "We are thankful for the courage shown by the twelve jurors in holding Acadia Healthcare responsible for its actions."

F. Michael Hart, partner and co-founder at Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero Law Firm, reiterates, "Children placed in foster care have no choice but to rely on those entrusted with their safety and well-being. In this case, the jury's resounding and unanimous verdict sends a powerful message: as residents of New Mexico, we are committed to ensuring that those individuals and corporations responsible for the care of these vulnerable children are held accountable. I am honored to be part of a collective voice that stands up for their rights and demands justice."

Throughout the trial, the four law firms passionately advocated for their client, highlighting the undeniable importance of valuing and safeguarding individuals who have placed their trust in the hands of those responsible for their welfare. The jury's decision sends a strong signal supporting this.

Case Information:

State of New Mexico, County of Rio Arriba, First Judicial District Court

The Case No. D-117-CV-2019-00136

About Claggett & Sykes

Founded in 2005, Claggett & Sykes Law Firm, with locations in Las Vegas and Reno, is one of the leading law firms in the country, representing personal injury victims suffering as the result of negligence, medical malpractice, product defect, and group home/residential treatment abuse. In addition to Senior Partner Sean Claggett being honored with the 2017 Nevada Justice Association Trial Lawyer of the Year award, the attorneys at Claggett & Sykes have achieved the highest rating by their peers with a Martindale-Hubbell AV rating. Claggett has also received the Alumni Legacy award from the UNLV Boyd School of Law, Vegas, INC. and Top Lawyer for two years in a row. During the past decade, Claggett & Sykes has proven time and time again its dedication to both clients and the community through giving back through the Claggett & Sykes Charitable Foundation. Claggett & Sykes was also named one of the top Philanthropic Business of the Year. Sean Claggett is also an adjunct professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas Boyd School of Law and was recognized at Nevada legal services as their champion of justice. For more information about personal injury law and representation, contact the Claggett & Sykes Law Firm at 702.333.7777, or visit claggettlaw.com.

About Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy and Conaway

Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy and Conaway have been representing victims of corporate greed since 1984. With offices in Fort Worth, Lubbock, and Odessa, Texas, as well as Albuquerque and Hobbs, New Mexico, the firm's geographical reach makes it a regional firm that handles cases across the country. The firm has focused its practice on representing families whose loved ones have been catastrophically injured or killed as a result of corporate decision-making processes, which place a companies profits ahead of individuals safety. FCHC has represented clients against some of the largest energy companies in the country, forcing them to answer for corporate cultures that view a balance sheet as more important than workers' lives. Additionally, the firm has handled cases against private and publicly traded healthcare companies for abuse and neglect of residents. FCHC has represented children and adults who have been physically and sexually abused in institutional settings and foster care in New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, Utah, Oklahoma, New York, Georgia, and states in between. The firm has built its reputation by taking on cases that lawyers won't take and achieving results other lawyers believed were unobtainable. FCHC prides itself on its client-driven approach to the practice of law and relentlessly pursuing justice for its clients.

About Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero

Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero, P.C., is a New Mexico law firm established more than 30 years ago with local and national recognition for handling the toughest cases. The firm specializes in representing at-risk children, abused and neglected children, children in foster care, and whenever children's rights have been violated. Mike Hart is a founding member of the firm and has been listed as one of the Best Lawyers in America since 2000. He has five times earned the Best Lawyers' "Lawyer of the Year" recognition for success in personal injury and civil rights cases. He is a past president of the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association, and in 2018, Mike was honored by the Trial Lawyers for his 30-year career working on behalf of children and victims of sexual abuse. Since 1998, he has also been honored with the AV-rating for ability and ethics - the highest possible rating from the peer review site Martindale-Hubbell. Other honors and awards include being ranked since 2019 by Southwest Super Lawyers' peer nomination and review process as one of the "Top 25 Lawyers" in New Mexico. In 2021, the New Mexico State Bar Association awarded Mike the Justice Pamela Minzner Professionalism Award. The Albuquerque Bar Association has honored him as the Outstanding Lawyer of the Year. You can reach Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero at 505.343.1776 and at Albuquerque Lawyers | Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero (osolawfirm.com) .

About Harada & Winters

Harada & Winters was founded in 2022. Nikko Harada and Christopher Winters have decades of experience in civil litigation in the State of New Mexico. Harada & Winters' practice is focused in the areas of sex abuse, personal injury, wrongful death, and insurance bad faith. They also provide Plaintiff-only litigation support in strategy, writing, discovery management, and approaches. For representation, please contact Harada & Winters at 505.484.6695 or [email protected] or [email protected]

Media Contact:

Dawn Farahi, 702.449.2818

[email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE Claggett & Sykes Law Firm
NEW YORK, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lex Ferenda Litigation Funding LLC "LF2" recently launched two new initiatives in conjunction with its commercial funding operations. "LF2 University" or "LF2U" offers programming and content promoting education about litigation finance. Meanwhile, "LF2 Gives" serves as LF2's philanthropic arm and corporate citizenship program, through which LF2 supports the local communities in which it works.

LF2U is a first-of-its-kind educational initiative that seeks to promote a better understanding of the litigation finance industry, which the program achieves by partnering with industry and subject matter experts to offer valuable, timely insights.

"We are excited to kick-off LF2U, which promotes the importance of knowledge-sharing and education in a rapidly growing and evolving industry," said Andrew Kelley, LF2's Managing Director, Underwriting & Risk. "Our expanding purpose-built course catalog is geared for and from the perspectives of different stakeholders in our ecosystem, providing access to course materials that cover a broad coverage of topics, from our Litigation Finance 101 class, to more complex subject matter like Litigation Finance Economics and Finance Ethics," said Kelley.

Meanwhile, LF2 also announced its new philanthropy initiative, LF2 Gives. Alternating between community action programs and legal services offerings, LF2 Gives will sponsor twice-yearly "Action Days" during which LF2 personnel will offer their time to serve communities in which LF2 operates. LF2 Gives' first community action program took place on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, when Chief Investment Officer, Michael German, Chief Operating Officer, Chris Baildon, and Summer Associate Director, Andrew Bourhill, volunteered with The Food Brigade in New Jersey, while Mr. Kelley volunteered with the Food Bank of the Rockies.

"The launch of LF2U and LF2 Gives is one of the things I've been most excited about here at LF2 because we finally get to demonstrate our commitment to industry education and corporate social responsibility," said Mr. German. Mr. Baildon, added: "Through LF2U, we seek to promote clarity, insight, and comprehension of litigation finance, ultimately driving greater understanding of the industry. With LF2 Gives, we hope to make a positive impact in our communities through meaningful volunteering efforts."

LF2 invites interested parties to learn more about these initiatives (or join us!) by visiting our website. LF2 looks forward to collaborating with legal services providers, lawyers, community action organizations, and others who share our commitment to service and education.

SOURCE Lex Ferenda Litigation Funding
Company Aims to Advance Business Portfolio by Transitioning to Platform-Based Service Business Model, Accelerating B2B Business and Procuring New Growth Engines

SEOUL, South Korea, July 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics (LG) declared its vision to transform from its current position as a top global home appliance brand to a "smart life solutions company" that can connect and expand customers' diverse experiences while driving for global annual revenues of KRW 100 trillion by 2030.

[Image1] LG Vision Announcement [Image2] LG Vision Announcement [Image3] LG Vision Announcement

In a landmark speech today at the LG Sciencepark in Seoul, South Korea, CEO William Cho outlined the bold vision built on three growth engines: pursuing new platform-based service businesses through the advancement of business portfolio, accelerating business-to-business (B2B) and exploring new business areas such as electronics vehicle charging and digital health. The CEO identified electrification, servitization and digitalization as key inflection points LG will focus on to achieve rapid mid- to long-term growth.

"LG will continue to pursue its bold vision to transform and leap forward as a smart life solutions company that connects and expands customers' various spaces and experiences, rather than resting on its current position as the best home appliance brand that provides quality products," said CEO Cho. "We will establish a brand-new LG by reinventing the way we work and communicate toward this goal."

The CEO also highlighted the company's financial objectives. "We will achieve Triple 7, which encompasses an average growth rate and operating profit of 7 percent or more as well as enterprise value to EBITDA ratio of 7," said the CEO. "With the goal of raising sales from KRW 65 trillion last year to KRW 100 trillion by 2030, we will establish ourselves as a company that is properly recognized by the market and customers."

Cho said LG will focus on the transition to the platform-based service business model, acceleration of B2B areas and procurement of new growth engines based on competitive edge as three pillars to focus on customer experience. By 2030, the proportion of these three pillars in sales and operating profit is expected to increase to more than 50 percent.

The company plans to invest more than KRW 50 trillion by 2030 for the qualitative growth of the business, including the advancing of the business portfolio led by the three new growth engines. This includes an R&D investment of more than KRW 25 trillion, facility investment of more than KRW 17 trillion and strategic investment of KRW 7 trillion.

The company is also accelerating the expansion of its B2B business, the CEO explained. LG's rich understanding of customers as well as the know-how to communicate and empathize with customers that have been accumulated in the B2C business, which has seen continuous innovation over the past 65 years, will be fully expanded to commercial, mobility and virtual spaces.

Cho highlighted how LG is accelerating company-wide changes from corporate culture to brand communication at every customer contact point with the ultimate goal of becoming a brand that warms the hearts of customers and puts smiles on their faces while enabling customers to feel the value and philosophy of Life's Good. The company is also driving ESG management activities to fulfill its responsibilities as a global corporate citizen.

For more information on LG's future vision and business strategy including backgrounder, please visit LG Newsroom.

About LG Electronics, Inc.

LG Electronics is a global innovator in technology and consumer electronics with a presence in almost every country and an international workforce of more than 74,000. LG's four companies  Home Appliance & Air Solution, Home Entertainment, Vehicle component Solutions and Business Solutions  combined for global revenue of over KRW 80 trillion in 2022. LG is a leading manufacturer of consumer and commercial products ranging from TVs, home appliances, air solutions, monitors, service robots, automotive components and its premium LG SIGNATURE and intelligent LG ThinQ brands are familiar names world over. Visit www.LGnewsroom.com for the latest news.

SOURCE LG Electronics
KATY, Texas, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As the second half of 2023 begins, LiuGong continues to build upon its status as one of the fastest growing construction brands in North America.

The first half of this year has produced strong results, thanks to a successful CONEXPO/CON-AGG show in March in Las Vegas and the sustained growth in its material handling division alongside its construction equipment products.

Business Highlights

LiuGong reported $3.932 billion in construction equipment (CE) sales in 2022, per the 2023 KHL Yellow Table released by International Construction in its May-June 2023 issue. This number is quite close with its 2021 sales numbers of $4.055 billion and continues the trend of LiuGong sales growth over the last several years.

"I think we have uniquely been a beneficiary of some of the supply chain challenges in our industry over the last two to three years," said Andrew Ryan, President, LiuGong North America.

"When we were in times of tight supply, and whether it was a dealer organization or an end customer needed to find equipment to get the job done, we stood up with availability and we stood up with quality machines. Once the customer or the dealer gave them a chance, they came back really impressed."

The exponential growth over the time since the 2020 CONEXPO/CON-AGG show has been staggering, Ryan said.

"From 2020 to 2021, our business grew by 90%," Ryan said. "From 2021 to '22, our business grew by 75%, and we expect our business will grow at least by 50% this year and more likely by 75% as we continue to add more dealer partners and get more of those repeat purchases from our customers."

LiuGong placing significant investment towards the material handling side of the business is also paying dividends.

"LiuGong as a corporation made big investments and commitment to be in the forklift in material handling business," Ryan said. "We invested more than $100 million in factory automation in our plant in China, and commensurately we've invested to build a team to help grow the business in North America.

"With our new leadership group for the material handling business, we've grown the business more than 10 times. We're very excited about the growth of that business, and we expect long term that it's going to be between 40 and 50% of the total business that we do in North America."

New Leaders

The second half of the year also sees LiuGong enhance its leadership team to keep up with that growth.

Mike Zhou, Product Manager, Wheel Loaders, will transition into a newly established position as Product Manager, Battery Electric Vehicles. The battery electric 856H-E MAX Wheel Loader debuted to the North American market at the 2023 CONEXPO/CON-AGG show with the first machine sold to the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, and more to follow.

Andrew Dargatz joins the LiuGong team as Zhou's replacement as Product Manager, Wheel Loaders. Dargatz has an extensive resume within the construction equipment industry with more than 15 years of experience.

Both Zhou and Dargatz officially began in their new roles on July 1 and report to Chris Saucedo, Senior Vice President, Strategy & Customer Solutions, LiuGong North America.

The LiuGong marketing team is strengthened with the addition of Stephanie Gonzales as Channel Marketing Manager. Gonzales has a deep marketing and brand management background, including a decade working with a major automotive OEM.

Upcoming Opportunities

LiuGong has several either expanded or new growth opportunities the second half of 2023 and is looking ahead to 2024 as one of the industry-leading battery electric vehicle manufacturers.

LiuGong was recently awarded a Sourcewell contract in the "Heavy Construction Equipment" category. This multi-year contract allows government and education entities in the United States and Canada to procure equipment and services.

The company is set to expand its range of battery electric vehicle models, with more wheel loader models anticipated in the North American market. Beyond wheel loaders, LiuGong has developed electric excavators, forklifts and other products for different markets with the intent to bring more to North America. These two may go together as emissions footprints are being closely scrutinized and opening the window for a range of new products to enter fleets, Ryan explained.

"We're seeing demand from a couple of very important segments," Ryan said. "First and foremost, our friends in the cement and quarrying aggregates industry are facing a lot of pressure from both shareholders and senior managers and social organizations to reduce their emissions footprint.

"The cement industry is documented to account for about 15% of global emissions. So their urgency to make their operation zero emissions is quite high, and they're looking to LiuGong to be a partner in that effort and help them achieve those goals.

"Secondarily, governments around the world are changing regulations and offering lots of incentives to encourage investment in electric machinery.

"It will be some time before the industry adopts this technology completely and at a scale level. But we're very well-positioned at LiuGong for the segment of customers that needs these products and wants these products."

LiuGong North America continues to grow its footprint in the North American market by providing high-performance and high-value machines. To learn more about the company, visit our website.

Social Media:

Facebook: LiuGong North America Facebook

Instagram: LiuGong North America Instagram

LinkedIn: LiuGong North America LinkedIn

Twitter: LiuGong North America Twitter

About LiuGong North America

LiuGong Construction Machinery North America, LLC, a subsidiary of Guangxi LiuGong Machinery, is headquartered in Katy, Texas. For more than 60 years, LiuGong has been manufacturing machinery for the global construction equipment and material handling markets. LiuGong's brands can trace their lineages back over 100 years in the United States. Today, LiuGong is one of the fastest growing equipment companies in the world with one of most comprehensive global dealer networks. LiuGong operates 20 manufacturing facilities globally including joint ventures with world class companies such as Cummins and ZF. LiuGong's products are designed for rugged global applications and produced with world-class components for durability and sustainability. LiuGong North America is committed to supporting dealers and customers by rapidly responding to changes in the marketplace. For more information, go to www.liugongna.com.

Contact:

Tony DiZinno

Nelson Schmidt

Phone: 414-224-0210

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE LiuGong North America
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. The amount of the allowance for the upbringing of a child transferred to a foster family, including a child with a disability under the age of 18, has been determined, Trend reports.

This is reflected in the decree signed by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on amendments to the decree "On increasing the amount of social benefits".

According to the amendments, the allowance will be paid:

 for a child transferred to a foster family (except for the children specified in this decree): under the age of 6 years  355 manat ($208.8), from 7 to 13 years  375 manat ($220.5), from 14 to 18 years - 395 manat ($232.3);

 for a child with a disability under the age of 18 years transferred to a foster family: under the age of 6 years  395 manat ($232.3), from 7 to 13 years  415 manat ($244.1), from 14 to 18 years - 435 manat ($255.8).
FRESNO, Calif., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lozano Smith, LLP, a leading California education and public agency law firm, is pleased to announce that Michelle Cannon, Scott Cross, Sarah Garcia, and Roman Munoz have been promoted to Lozano Smith's equity partnership.

"These are exceptional attorneys, leaders, and colleagues who embody Lozano Smith's culture and have a tireless commitment to our clients throughout California," said Karen Rezendes, Managing Partner of Lozano Smith. "Each one has contributed significantly to the growth of the firm and our attorneys. Their diverse backgrounds and passion for public agency law will continue to elevate our services, and ultimately, the communities and public agencies we have the privilege of serving."

Meet the New Equity Partners:

Michelle Cannon

Michelle joined Lozano Smith's Sacramento office in 2015. Over her career, she has built expertise across several practice areas, including governance, labor and employment, Title IX, investigations, student, charter schools and litigation. Serving as co-chair of the firm's Labor and Employment Practice Group since 2019, Michelle has skillfully guided our robust team to help ensure practical guidance is provided to clients at every turn. She is also known for her cutting-edge presentations at conferences for the California School Boards Association (CSBA) and Association of California School Administrators (ACSA).

Scott Cross

Practicing out of the firm's Fresno office since 2001, Scott has focused his career on municipal law and built his general counsel and governance expertise to include risk management, land use, real property acquisitions, eminent domain, and civil litigation. He has served as City Attorney for numerous Central Valley cities, and he currently serves as the City Attorney for the Cities of Clovis and Fowler. He has been the Office Managing Partner in Fresno since 2015, and continues to be instrumental in the continuous success of the firm's Municipal Practice Group.

Sarah Garcia

Sarah began her career at Lozano Smith as part of the Walnut Creek team in 2012. She has represented countless school districts in due process hearings, expulsion proceedings, special education mediations, and on-site Office for Civil Rights (OCR) investigations. She has been instrumental in expanding the firm's Special Education Practice Group, where she formerly served as co-chair, and also previously served as co-chair of the Student Practice Group. In 2020, Sarah helped open Lozano Smith's San Luis Obispo office, and she currently serves as the Office Managing Partner.

Roman Munoz

With two decades of experience representing public school districts, Roman joined Lozano Smith's Sacramento office in 2020. Roman regularly advises clients on a variety of legal matters, including labor relations, employee discipline and dismissal, employment litigation, contract administration, employee benefits, reductions in force, grievance arbitration, unfair labor practice proceedings, and board policies. He is also a highly sought-after speaker and has presented at many leading statewide association conferences, including the California School Boards Association (CSBA) and Association of California School Administrators (ACSA).

Get to Know Lozano Smith

Lozano Smith is a full-service education and public agency law firm serving hundreds of California's K-12 school districts, community college districts, and numerous cities, counties, and special districts. The firm's expertise includes, but is not limited to, personnel matters, labor relations, technology, real property and construction matters, constitutional issues, special education, student discipline, public safety, school funding, charter schools, bond elections, governance, and litigation in all areas of representation. Lozano Smith has offices in eight California locations: Sacramento, Walnut Creek, Fresno, Monterey, Bakersfield, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, and San Diego. For more information about Lozano Smith or to see full attorney bios, visit www.LozanoSmith.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. You can also download the Lozano Smith mobile app and listen to our podcast to stay updated with the latest legal updates.

Contact:

Andy Garcia

Executive Director

559.431.5600

[email protected]

SOURCE Lozano Smith
NEW YORK, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lument Finance Trust, Inc. (NYSE: LFT) ("LFT") today announced the closing of a $386 million commercial real estate financing (the "LMF 2023-1 Financing"). The LMF 2023-1 Financing is LFT's fourth commercial real estate portfolio financing transaction since LFT's inception.

In connection with the LMF 2023-1 Financing, approximately $270 million of investment grade-rated loans were placed with a private lender and approximately $47 million of investment grade-rated notes (collectively, the "Senior Debt") were issued and sold to an affiliate of LFT's external manager, Lument Investment Management. A consolidated subsidiary of LFT retained subordinate interests in the issuing vehicle of approximately $69 million. The Senior Debt has an initial weighted average spread of approximately 314 basis points over one-month SOFR, excluding fees and transaction costs. The Senior Debt matures on the payment date in July 2032, unless it is sooner repaid or redeemed in accordance with its terms.

The initial collateral pool securing the Senior Debt consists of 25 first lien floating rate mortgage loans and participations in first lien floating rate mortgage loans secured by 32 multifamily properties located across the United States. The collateral was acquired by an LFT subsidiary at an aggregate discount to par of approximately 1.5% plus interest accrued on the collateral as of July 12, 2023. The weighted average collateral spread was approximately 365 basis points over one-month SOFR. All the mortgage assets were originated by an affiliate of Lument Investment Management. LMF 2023-1 provides for a 24-month reinvestment period that allows principal proceeds from repayments of the mortgage assets to be reinvested in qualifying replacement mortgage assets, subject to certain conditions.

James Flynn, Chief Executive Officer of LFT, said, "The closing of the LMF 2023-1 Financing represents another positive milestone in the execution of LFT's business plan. The match-term, non-recourse features, combined with the managed nature of the private transaction, provides for incremental financing which allows us to further grow LFT's capacity to deploy investment capital into target assets consistent with our existing strategy."

All classes of the Senior Debt were rated by an NRSRO-designated credit ratings agency. The securities offered and sold in connection with the LMF 2023-1 Financing were offered and sold in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, any securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.

About Lument Finance Trust, Inc.

Lument Finance Trust, Inc. ("LFT") is a Maryland corporation focused on investing in, financing and managing a portfolio of commercial real estate debt investments. LFT primarily invests in transitional floating rate commercial mortgage loans with an emphasis on middle-market multi-family assets. LFT is externally managed and advised by Lument Investment Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this press release constitute forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the safe harbor contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. You can identify forward-looking statements by use of words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," "plan," "continue," "intend," "should," "may," "will," "seek," "would," "could," or similar expressions or other comparable terms, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's beliefs, assumptions and expectations of its future performance, taking into account all information currently available to the Company on the date of this press release or the date on which such statements are first made. Actual results may differ from expectations, estimates and projections. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this press release and should consider carefully the factors described in Part I, Item IA "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and in other current or periodic filings with the SEC, when evaluating these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the Company's control. Except as required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Lument Finance Trust, Inc.
NEW YORK, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lupus Research Alliance is pleased to announce the 2023 recipients of the Career Development and Postdoctoral Awards to Promote Diversity in Lupus Research. The Diversity in Lupus Research Awards aim to foster the development of outstanding, underrepresented minority scientists and establish a diverse community of researchers and clinicians in the field of lupus.

Lupus is a debilitating autoimmune disorder, and the prevalence, severity of symptoms, and mortality are higher among people of color. Yet a recent report by the National Science Foundation showed that while "Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, and American Indians or Alaska Natives represent 30% of the employed U.S. population, they are 23% of the scientific workforce."1

The LRA announced the Career Development and Postdoctoral Awards to Promote Diversity in Lupus Research recipients. Tweet this

"Addressing these disparities will require a diverse workforce to ensure equitable opportunities and optimal health outcomes," noted LRA Chief Scientific Officer Teodora Staeva, PhD. "To foster the development of talented underrepresented minority early-career scientists, postdoctoral fellows, and research trainees, the LRA launched a comprehensive Diversity in Lupus Research Program last year that has already supported 21 researchers in the lupus field. We see great promise in the work these talented professionals are doing and are encouraged by their commitment to lupus research."

This year, four individuals will be awarded the Career Development Award, which provides up to $600,000 over four years to talented underrepresented minority scientists. The recipients are Ali Duarte-Garcia, MD, Mayo Clinic, Maria Gutierrez-Arcelus, PhD, Boston Children's Hospital, Ekemini Ogbu, MD, MSc, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and Jessica Williams, MD, MPH., Emory University. Additionally, one talented postdoctoral research fellow, Shady Younis, PhD, from Stanford University, is the recipient of the Postdoctoral Award. This award provides fellows with up to $170,000 over two years to support the generation of data and progress needed to become independent lupus researchers.

Career Development Award to Promote Diversity in Lupus Research Recipients:

Ali Duarte-Garcia, MD, Mayo Clinic  Standardizing Glucocorticoid Treatment

Dr. Duarte-Garcia will investigate the effectiveness and safety of different glucocorticoid regimens and prescribing patterns based on factors including race/ethnicity to develop a much-needed standardized regimen and reduce racial disparities in glucocorticoid prescribing. Through studying a large, multiethnic cohort of patients with lupus nephritis and leveraging data from multiple clinical trials, he aims to optimize the benefits of glucocorticoid therapy while reducing infections, mortality, and other conditions that can develop with glucocorticoid use.

Maria Gutierrez-Arcelus, PhD, Boston Children's Hospital  Understanding Lupus Heterogeneity

Dr. Gutierrez-Arcelus will test if the marked heterogeneity of lupus  the variation in how the disease differs from person to person  can be attributed to mutations affecting particular genes. Specifically, she is studying if some of these mutations disrupt alternative splicing -- a process by which a product of a single gene is cut and joined in different combinations to produce different proteins with distinct structures and functions, producing a different protein that affects how immune cells mediate immune responses.

Ekemini Ogbu, MD, MSc, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center  Identifying Stroke in Pediatric Lupus

Dr. Ogbu will identify potential biomarkers that could distinguish children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and strokes from other pediatric cases of strokes to determine early indicators of increased risk. Findings from her study could enable healthcare providers to prevent, monitor and better manage stroke in children with lupus and improve stroke outcomes.

Jessica Williams, MD, MPH, Emory University  Addressing Barriers to Lupus Research Participation in Rural Areas

Dr. Williams will survey patients with lupus in rural Georgia to determine the particular barriers to enrollment in lupus research and whether environmental and social risk factors for lupus are associated with the geographic clustering of patients in this region. Dr. Williams aims to address how the obstacles to treatment, access, and research participation faced by people living in rural areas could be overcome to promote adequate representation in lupus clinical trials.

Postdoctoral Award to Promote Diversity in Lupus Research Recipient:

Shady Younis, PhD, Stanford University  Investigating How Epstein-Barr Virus Triggers Lupus

Dr. Younis will investigate how Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection impacts antibody-producing B cells, an immune cell type often dysregulated in SLE. Dr. Younis will use cutting-edge tools to assess the molecular changes in EBV-infected B cells compared to uninfected B cells to provide insight into how EBV transforms B cells to become pathogenic, or disease-causing, in SLE. Findings from this study will further our understanding of how viral infection promotes SLE and could lead to the identification of potential therapeutics.

Teodora Staeva, PhD, said, "We congratulate the recipients of the 2023 Diversity in Lupus Research Awards, which were created to promote an outstanding, diverse scientific pool of lupus researchers. We look forward to seeing how their studies progress toward understanding the mechanisms underlying lupus and developing novel treatment approaches."

About Lupus

Lupus is a chronic, complex autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. More than 90 percent of people with lupus are women; lupus most often strikes during the childbearing years of 15-45. Black/African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asians and Native Americans are two to three times at greater risk than Caucasians. In lupus, the immune system, which is designed to protect against infection, creates antibodies that can attack any part of the body including the kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, blood, skin, and joints.

About the Lupus Research Alliance

The Lupus Research Alliance is the largest non-governmental, non-profit funder of lupus research worldwide. The organization aims to transform treatment by funding the most innovative lupus research, fostering diverse scientific talent, and driving discovery toward better diagnostics, improved treatments and ultimately, cure for lupus. Because the Lupus Research Alliance's Board of Directors funds all administrative and fundraising costs, 100% of all donations goes to support lupus research programs.

National Science Board, National Science Foundation. 2021. The STEM Labor Force of Today: Scientists, Engineers and Skilled Technical Workers. Science and Engineering Indicators 2022. NSB-2021-2. Alexandria, VA . Available at https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsb20212.

SOURCE Lupus Research Alliance
New Partnership Highlighted with Partnership at Pocono Raceway

MOORESVILLE, N.C., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael McDowell, Zane Smith, and more specifically their fur babies, are going to enjoy the dog days of summer thanks to new partner Benebone.

Benebone, a leading USA-brand of durable chew toys for dogs, will be the primary partner of the 2021 Daytona 500 champion McDowell and the No. 34 NASCAR Cup Series team at the Pocono (Pa.) Raceway. In addition, Benebone will be an associate partner of the 2022 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champion Zane Smith and the No. 38 Ford F-150 team also during the Pocono weekend.

McDowell, Smith, and Their Dogs Join Benebone Family. New Partnership Highlighted with Partnership at Pocono Raceway

The weekend will include the opportunity for NASCAR fans to learn more about Benebone and their products with a display in the fan zone, an appearance by McDowell in the Pocono Raceway Bark Park, and various fun social media promotions by McDowell and Smith.

For both winning drivers, the new partnership with Benebone is an authentic connection, as they both have dogs who are part of their family.

McDowell and his family of five have a white Labrador named Willow while Smith and his fiance have a Golden Retriever Roxy and a French Bulldog named Kygo.

"It's always important to me that our partnerships are authentic and not forced," said McDowell. "That is the case with Benebone. Willow is loved in our family, just as millions of NASCAR fans love their dogs and want to treat them with the best USA-made products. That is what is so cool about this new relationship."

Smith agrees with McDowell, having been a long-time Benebone customer.

"I've always wanted a partner in my racing career who involved our dogs," said Smith. "And we were already using Benebone chew toys. It has been Roxy's favorite for a long time. I think it's cool to have them come into NASCAR where there are so many families who have dogs and can really love and enjoy their products."

This will be Benebone's first entry into NASCAR, but they know the passion NASCAR fans have for the sport and their dogs.

"We love the passion that the NASCAR community and fans show each and every weekend across the country," said Nate Harceg, Benebone's Chief Growth Officer. "Michael and Zane will be great ambassadors and help us connect with new and existing customers. We are all thrilled to join the sport, meet its fans, and can't wait to race at Pocono."

Fans can go to www.benebone.com to explore the various products offered.

About Benebone Benebone is a leading brand of USA-made durable chew toys for dogs. The company's simple mission is to make lives better for dogs and the people who love them. Benebone's core values center around awesome products, building and serving communities, and a good dose of fun. Learn more at www.benebone.com and follow Benebone on social media: Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook: @mybenebone and LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/company/benebone

About Front Row Motorsports

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM , Instagram at @team_frm , and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports .

Contact:

Kelly Thompson

Benebone, LLC.

Phone: 203-687-6287

Email: [email protected]com

SOURCE Benebone LLC
Leadership at MedStar Good Samaritan and MedStar Union Memorial Hospitals, Effective July 1

BALTIMORE, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MedStar Health has named Thomas "T.J." Senker, FACHE, president of MedStar Good Samaritan and MedStar Union Memorial Hospitals, and senior vice-president of MedStar Health, effective July 1. He replaces Bradley S. Chambers, who led the integration of the two hospitals in 2015 and maintained the dual presidency ever since, even after becoming MedStar Health's senior vice-president and regional chief operating officer for Baltimore, last year.

"I am honored to continue with the mission of these separate, yet unified hospitals." Thomas "T.J." Senker Tweet this MedStar Health has named Thomas T.J. Senker, FACHE, president of MedStar Good Samaritan and MedStar Union Memorial Hospitals, and senior vice-president of MedStar Health.

"Without question, T.J.'s appointment means a seamless transition in leadership," said Chambers. "He's a brilliant leader with a clear understanding of the hospitals' communities, cultures, and unique identities. After 15 years as president at MedStar Union Memorial, and eight with MedStar Good Samaritan, passing the baton would require a high level of confidence in my successor. I am secure in knowing T.J. is the right fit to lead our hospitals into the next era of healthcare."

The appointment means a return to Baltimore for the 47-year-old executive, who began his MedStar Health career as vice-president of operations at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital in 2008. He was promoted to vice-president of regional integration and operations in Baltimore, five years later.

Prior to that, Senker worked as an assistant administrator at University of Southern California University Hospital and vice-president of operations for Saint Mary's Hospital in Waterbury, Connecticut.

Senker left Baltimore in 2015 to ascend the executive ladder in roles at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Olney, Maryland. He became president there in 2016, and is credited with several groundbreaking facility openings, as well as expanding services in geriatric care, women's health, and outpatient radiology at Olney. He led the growth of community partnerships and oversaw philanthropic development that included a $2-million gift from the hospital's Women's Board, a $1.8-million estate donation from Robert (Bobby) E. Smith Jr., and a $250,000 gift from Sandy Spring Bank.

Calling his return to Baltimore a homecoming, Senker will focus his presidency on anchor services such as in-patient rehabilitation, geriatrics, wound care, general surgery and primary care at Medstar Good Samaritan Hospital and orthopedics, and spine, heart and vascular and the Curtis National Hand Center at MedStar Union Memorial.

Under his purview, the combined hospitals license 393 beds, employ approximately 3,200 associates, treat 17,145 admissions, and respond to more than 83,000 emergency department visits each year.

"Our anchor service structure that Brad initiated and implemented is a success story benefiting our patients, community, and region and showcases how MedStar Health's strategy of providing the right care at the right time in the right place can be achieved," Senker has said. "I am honored to continue with the mission of these separate, yet unified hospitals."

SOURCE MedStar Health
The growth of the mesh nozzle plates market is driven by advancements in 3D printing, technology, the increasing adoption of additive manufacturing, the ability to create complex designs with mesh nozzle plates, better product performance and durability, cost-effective production methods, and the increasing demand for prototypes and small-scale production

PORTLAND, Ore., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Mesh Nozzle Plates Market by Material Type (Metal and Alloys, Engineered Plastic, Ceramic or Piezoceramics), Application (Medical, Electronics, Cosmetics, and Others) Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032." According to the report, the global mesh nozzle plates industry generated $31.6 million in 2022, and is projected to reach $57.6 million by 2032, registering a CAGR of 6.3% from 2023 to 2032.

Request PDF Brochure: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/109821

Prime determinants of growth

The growth of the mesh nozzle plates market is being driven by the increasing demand for industrial filtration, advancements in manufacturing technologies, and environmental regulations and sustainability initiatives. On the other hand, high initial costs and limited resistance to harsh environments act as hindrances, thereby limiting the market's growth to some extent. However, the growing water treatment industry, expansion of the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, and increasing focus on research and development have paved the way for lucrative opportunities in the industry.

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20222032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $31.6 million Market Size in 2032 $57.6 million CAGR 6.3 % No. of Pages in Report 201 Segments covered Material Type, Application, and Region. Drivers Expansion of the chemical and petrochemical industry Environmental concerns and sustainability Opportunities Growing demand for filtration Restraints High Initial Investment

Covid-19 scenario-

The mesh nozzle plates market initially encountered various challenges, including disruptions in the supply chain, reduced demand, and production slowdowns. These obstacles hindered the growth and stability of the market, leading to uncertainties for manufacturers and suppliers.

However, as economies gradually reopen and industries resume operations, there is an expected recovery in the demand for mesh nozzle plates. This positive shift indicates a potential rebound in the market, offering new opportunities for businesses in the industry.

The metal and alloys segment is anticipated to dominate in terms of revenue during the forecast period.

By material type, the metal and alloys segment accounted for around more than two-fifths of the mesh nozzle plates market revenue in 2022 and is projected to dominate in terms of revenue during the forecast period. Simultaneously, the same segment is projected to witness the fastest CAGR of 6.79% from 2023 to 2032. The primary reasons for their dominance are the outstanding durability and widespread adoption of metallic nozzle plates in various industries. For instance, Aroma Sense USA offers a range of steel spray plates specifically designed to replace Aroma Sense Prestige showerheads. Metals and alloys remained dominant in the material type segment due to their widespread use in industrial applications, including spray head plates, humidification systems, printers, and other related areas.

The electronics segment is projected to retain the lion's share by 2032-

By application, the electronics segment dominated the mesh nozzle plates market in 2022, accounting for nearly one-third of the total revenue, and is projected to exhibit the highest CAGR of 7.13% during the forecast period. This remarkable growth can be attributed to several factors. The increasing demand for miniaturized electronic devices drives the need for precise material deposition. Inkjet printing technology is widely used in electronics manufacturing, relying on mesh nozzle plates for accurate material deposition. The adoption of additive manufacturing and 3D printing in the electronics sector requires mesh nozzle plates for precise material deposition in complex component creation. The growing demand for flexible electronics necessitates mesh nozzle plates for accurate material placement on flexible substrates. Ongoing research and development activities in the electronics industry contribute to innovative materials and applications, creating opportunities for advanced mesh nozzle plates.

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North America garnered the major share in 2032-

By region, North America garnered the highest share in the mesh nozzle plates market, accounting for nearly one-third of the total revenue. This can be attributed to the region's growing industrial sector and the implementation of stringent environmental regulations. The expanding industrial activities in North America require efficient filtration systems to meet regulatory standards. Industries such as oil and gas, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals rely on robust filtration solutions to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and maintain the quality of their products. Mesh nozzle plates are highly favored in these industries due to their exceptional filtration efficiency and durability. However, the Asia-Pacific region would exhibit the highest CAGR of 7.69% during the period from 2023 to 2032, driven by the increasing adoption of advanced materials and technologies. For instance, a Chinese company recently developed a high-performance mesh nozzle plate using advanced ceramics, resulting in enhanced atomization efficiency and an extended lifespan. These advancements are driving the demand for mesh nozzle plates across various industries in the region. Additionally, the growing focus on environmental sustainability and stricter pollution control regulations are creating further opportunities. Governments in countries such as Japan and South Korea are implementing measures to reduce emissions, leading to increased adoption of mesh nozzle plates in pollution control systems. For example, a South Korean power plant installed mesh nozzle plates in its flue gas desulfurization system for improved efficiency and compliance with emission standards.

Leading Market Players-

Temicon GmbH

Veco B.V.

MicroBase Technology Corp.

Aerogen

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

Entero Healthcare

OMRON HEALTHCARE Co., Ltd.

Tekceleo

APC International, Ltd

MedPlus Health Services Limited

The report analyzes these key players of the mesh nozzle plates market. These players have adopted various strategies such as agreements, partnerships, collaborations, expansions, product approvals, and investments to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the industry. The report is helpful in determining the business performance, operating segments, developments, and product portfolios of every market player.

Key Benefits for Stakeholders

This study comprises analytical depiction of the mesh nozzle plates market size along with the current trends and future estimations to depict the imminent investment pockets.

The overall mesh nozzle plates market analysis is determined to understand the profitable trends to gain a stronger foothold.

The report presents information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities with a detailed impact analysis.

The mesh nozzle plates market forecast is quantitatively analyzed from 2022 to 2032 to benchmark the financial competency.

The Porter's five forces analysis illustrates the potency of the buyers and suppliers in the mesh nozzle plates market.

The report includes the share of key vendors and mesh nozzle plates market trends.

Want to Access the Statistical Data and Graphs, Key Players' Strategies: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/mesh-nozzle-plates-market/purchase-options

Mesh Nozzle Plates Market Key Segments:

By Material Type

Metal and Alloys

Engineered Plastic

Ceramic or Piezoceramics

By Application

Medical

Electronics

Cosmetics

Others

By Region

North America (U.S., Canada , Mexico )

(U.S., , ) Europe (UK, Germany , France , Rest of Europe )

(UK, , , Rest of ) Asia-Pacific ( China , Japan , India , South Korea , Rest of Asia-Pacific )

( , , , , Rest of ) LAMEA ( Latin America , Middle East , Africa )

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BURLINGTON, ON, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Adlib Software, a global leader in document transformation and workflow automation solutions, is proud to announce it has won the 2023 Microsoft Canada Breakthrough ISV Partner Impact Award. These annual Canadian awards recognize the Microsoft partners who have enhanced the lives of Canadians by championing diversity and inclusion, provided exceptional customer service, and embraced digital transformation utilizing Microsoft technology.

"We are pleased to be recognized as the global document transformation leader that runs on the Azure platform," said Helen Rosen, Chief Executive Officer at Adlib. "Our relationship with Microsoft Canada is about delivering efficient outcomes for Adlib's document transformation implementations as they move to their private Azure cloud instances."

Microsoft Canada presented these awards in 32 categories on July 5, 2023 as part of a lead-up to Microsoft's Inspire conference. Winners were selected based on the outstanding work the companies provided to their customers and community.

"We are pleased to recognize Adlib as this year's recipient of the Breakthrough ISV Partner Impact Award," said Harp Girn, Vice President, Global Partner Solutions, Microsoft Canada. "Our partners are the backbone of our company and have demonstrated excellence in innovation and harnessed Microsoft's solutions to enable customers to achieve more. We take great pride in the diversity of our ecosystem and look forward to celebrating their outstanding achievements."

About Adlib

Adlib Software, a Diversis Capital Company, is the document transformation and workflow automation solution leader helping organizations scale document workflows, expedite go-to-market activities, and improve archival and compliance submissions. Adlib Software fully automates discovery, extraction, and conversion of information from hundreds of document types, and makes them shareable and searchable. The biggest names in life sciences, energy, finance, and industrials trust Adlib for pixel perfect rendering. Adlib is a proud partner of leading RIM, QMS, ECM, and IT solutions and service providers across regulated industries, including life sciences, energy, manufacturing, insurance, financial services, as well as government. To learn more, visit www.adlibsoftware.com.

SOURCE Adlib Software
Combining a fresh fusion of art, glamor and culinary flair in the heart of Singapore's thriving Duxton Hill, the newest Mondrian invites guests to immerse themselves in local culture and discover Singapore's hidden gems.

Click to download images

SINGAPORE, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nestled in the heart of Singapore's Duxton Hill, the 302-room Mondrian Singapore Duxton is a testament to Mondrian's commitment to creating boundary-pushing, immersive experiences, rooted in art, design and culture. The hotel's interior design showcases a perfect harmony between contemporary and traditional elements, seamlessly blending Singapore's rich heritage with modern sophistication alongside an impressive collection of private artworks including Ian Davenport, Dawn Ng, and Andre Wee.

Mondrian Singapore Duxton

One of the hotel's standout features is its collaboration with Los Angeles-based Studio Carter renowned for an inventive approach to design. Guests will find themselves immersed in the "deconstructed shophouse chic" concept, where traditional 'shophouses' synonymous with the Duxton Hill area of Singapore are reimagined to create captivating and unique interior design throughout. The bold design and energy carry to a cinematic rooftop pool and eclectic collection of bars and restaurants redefining the notion of gastronomic excellence. Bottega di Carna offers a modern Italian experience with a rebellious spin, presided over by the world-renowned butcher, Dario Cecchini. For those seeking a truly immersive experience, the Jungle Ballroom is accessible through a secret tunnel and celebrates the vibrant, wild nature of Southeast Asia.

Rising above historic and colorful Chinatown with sweeping views of the glittering city skyline, the hotel is a stone's throw from the Central Business District. Backtrack 100 years and the notorious streets of Duxton Hill were filled with adventurers and thrill seekers searching for a taste of the forbidden. The aroma of spices and sounds of the illicit permeated the air. Today, Duxton Hill is Singapore's most up-and-coming neighborhood featuring barista cafes, Michelin-starred eateries, bars, art galleries and independent boutiques.

Chadi Farhat, Brand COO for Mondrian at Ennismore comments, "Mondrian Singapore Duxton truly engrained itself in its surrounding neighborhood and culture from the day it was announced. Now open, they can contribute to that dialogue, with forward-thinking design, immersive art, and a standout culinary program, brought to life by a team with undeniable character and boundless creativity. As we introduce the Mondrian guest journey across Asia, the Singapore Duxton location demonstrates how we create authentic cultural expressions in every destination by fostering a sense of community."

Robert C. Hauck, General Manager of Mondrian Singapore Duxton, envisions the property as 'the beating heart of the extraordinary city', a catalyst for forging connections with innovators and like-minded individuals. Boasting a team of 'unexpected talents,' Mondrian Singapore Duxton brings together an all-star cast of iconoclasts and change-makers from the realms of hospitality, culinary, design, fashion, nightlife, and art. This diverse hotel team is dedicated to delivering a hospitality experience unlike any other, guiding guests as they relax, get inspired, and explore a new world of design.

To celebrate its opening, Mondrian Singapore Duxton is offering a "Provocative Opening Offer" celebrating the dreamers, rebels, and wild at heart. Guests can take advantage of this special package, which includes a 30% discount off the best available rate on rooms or suites, complimentary breakfasts, guaranteed late checkout, and a $30SGD Mondrian credit to enjoy at the hotel's eclectic bars and restaurants value valid for overnights from $280 US ($380 SGD).

ennismore.com

MEDIA CONTACTS

Bacchus Agency

Emily Venugopal / Peyton Pose / Gaby Palmisano: [email protected]

ABOUT MONDRIAN HOTELS & RESIDENCES

Mondrian is more than a hotel: it's a way of travel. Known for its groundbreaking design and progressive programming it is a "must" destination for locals or travelers. Mondrian is always at the heart of the most exciting cultural scenes in the world, serving up innovation and creativity for everyone. Mondrian provides a playful framework so that guests and locals alike can immerse themselves in the culture of each city it inhabits. Design is at the center of the Mondrian experience with hotels designed by some of the world's most famous architects and designers, including Philippe Starck and Marcel Wanders. With nine properties in Singapore, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, London, Doha, Mexico City, Cannes and Seoul, the brand is experiencing tremendous growth with upcoming openings in Ibiza, Bordeaux, Australia's Gold Coast and more. MondrianHotels.com

Mondrian Hotels & Residences is part of Ennismore, a creative hospitality company rooted in culture and community, with a global collective of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart. Formed in 2021, Ennismore is a joint venture with Accor, which holds a majority shareholding. ennismore.com.

SOURCE Mondrian
Awards affirms MedTech industry leadership and commitment to local community

MILWAUKEE, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MPE a partner for capital medical equipment contract design and manufacturing, has been named a 2023 Future 50 company by BizTimes Media, in partnership with the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC).

The Future 50 program, now in its 34th year, recognizes the fastest-growing privately-owned companies in the Milwaukee region. The honored companies have been in business for at least three years and have demonstrated significant revenue and employment growth.

MPE Named a Fute 50 Company by BizTimes

"We're proud to have been recognized as a BizTimes Media Future 50 Award winner," says President & CEO, Hank Kohl. "This recognition reaffirms our position as a leading force in the MedTech industry and also speaks to our dedication of supporting Southeastern Wisconsin's growing MedTech community through continual educational and employment opportunities."

Through recent acquisitions and organic company growth, MPE has expanded its Southeastern Wisconsin roots to four locations across Milwaukee and Racine and will employ nearly 400 Wisconsin-based employees by the end of the year.

To facilitate growth, MPE has established partnerships within education systems to promote students' exploration of careers in MedTech design, engineering, and manufacturing. The comprehensive internship and apprenticeship programs welcome high school and college students aiming to mentor and guide the next generation of leaders in the MedTech industry.

The Future 50 companies will be honored at an awards luncheon on Friday, Sept. 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee. The luncheon will be hosted by BizTimes Media. To register to attend, visit www.biztimes.com/future50.

About MPE

MPE has developed a medical capital equipment contract design and manufacturing platform that enables healthcare and technology OEMS to scale, integrate, and extend their commercial strategies. Headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, MPE has successfully serviced an impressive list of blue-chip medical device and technology OEMs for over 40 years. For more information, visit the website at www.mpe-inc.com.

SOURCE MPE
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. US State Secretary Antony Blinken assured of his support for durable peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Trend reports.

"I spoke with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan yesterday to reiterate my strong support for ongoing efforts to secure peace with Azerbaijan. Direct dialogue and diplomacy are the only path to a durable peace in the South Caucasus and I remain committed to help facilitate," Blinken wrote on his Twitter page.

Meanwhile, the negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia have become more intense in recent months.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held bilateral talks on June 27-29 at the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center in Arlington, Virginia.

They met with US Secretary Anthony Blinken and Assistant to the President and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in Washington.

The ministers and their teams continued progress on the draft bilateral Agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations. They reached an agreement on additional articles and achieved mutual understanding on the draft agreement, meanwhile acknowledging that the positions on some key issues require further work.
CHICAGO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's latest research report, the e-learning market will grow at a CAGR of 13.28% during 2022-2028.

To Know More, Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3858

E-learning Market Latest News Industry Insights by Arizton

Browse In-Depth TOC on E-Learning Market

393  Tables

159  Charts

508  Pages

Digitization influences the way institutions and corporates work by offering just-in-time training solutions. Education has become more goal-oriented and measurable. Learning is no longer confined to a particular place or time. Digitization in learning has become a key success factor for corporations. The advanced application of technologies develops new standards for corporate learning and training. It helps transform the traditional way of doing things, as quick changes, such as work by innovative technologies, pose challenges for organizations. Businesses have become more intercontinental and globalized, thereby increasing the adoption of remote working and telecommuting.

By 2030, the skills required in the workforce will be drastically distinct from those valued today. Appropriate learning and training strategies are required to cope with the new transformation in technology. Organizations will be more focused on digitized learning. Automation and artificial intelligence will accelerate the shift in skills required by the workforce. Alleviating organizational risks from shifting workforce trends requires various strategies, including redeploying, retraining, and hiring. Hiring individuals with the required skills will necessitate the elements of learning and development.

E-Learning Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Details Market Size (2028) USD 491.35 Billion Market Size (2022) USD 232.47 Billion CAGR (2022-2028) 13.28 % Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2028 Geographic Analysis Delivery Mode, Learning Mode, Function Type, End-user, and Geography Market Dynamics Increasing Demand for Internet-Enabled Services

Growing Need for Strong Workforce Skills

Digital Transformation in Learning & Training

Continuous Investment in Digital Learning

Introduction of 5G Technology

Enhancement In Connectivity Infrastructure and Smartphone Penetration



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Moreover, adopting 5G technology in the education sector has brought huge transformations in the learning experience with high video and audio quality with a seamless VR experience. The concept of virtual classrooms could be enhanced through 5G technology using high-performance AR and VR technologies. The holographic visuals will engage learners more effectively and help improve their learning standards. The concept of adopting 5G technology is at a nascent stage. It is expected to grow as many E-learning companies are expected to start or have started developing applications compatible with 5G technology.

Advanced Infrastructure and Diverse Tech-Enabled Education Platforms Gaining Popularity in the US E-Learning Market

Nearly 83% of classrooms in the US are equipped with high Wi-Fi accessibility, thereby engaging in new types of internet-based content, including virtual and augmented reality.

The United States outperforms major industrialized economies across various measures when it comes to the implementation of E-learning. In 2022, the country had a well-developed communication infrastructure, with internet penetration exceeding 91% and smartphone penetration exceeding 96%. Although the literacy rate in the country has remained steady over the previous decade, over 15% of the American population cannot read. Furthermore, 18%21% of American adults have a reading level below the fifth grade. Therefore, the US leads to a promising future for the E-learning industry.

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Packaged Content Delivery Mode to Remain The Leading Segment

Packaging content encompasses raw material, assembly, delivery, and information presentation. Assessments and the questions that comprise them are a subset of learning content that is now addressed by a different set of specifications. Questions and tests can be moved between systems when learning content is addressed. The IMS Question and Test Interoperability (QTI) standard aims to standardize assessment packing and delivery.

The demand for E-learning as packaged content is growing, owing primarily to corporates' need to gain skills. For example, expertise in businesses such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and big data are in high demand. This has resulted in tremendous company growth over the last few years. With increasing corporate requirements, the bundled E-learning content industry will continue to rise.

Packaged content standards and specifications aim to allow organizations to transmit content from one learning system to another. It is important because the content can be developed by one tool, modified by another, stored in a depository kept by one vendor, and used in the delivery environment created by distinct suppliers. Content packages are the process of putting objects and information together to create larger learning units.

Key Company Profiles

Apollo Education Group

Blackboard

British Council

Oracle

Pearson

Aptara

Adobe

Skillsoft

NIIT

Cisco

Instructure

GP Strategies

Thomson Reuters

Docebo

McGraw Hill

Desire2Learn

Edmodo

Cengage

Macmillan Education

Cornerstone

Educomp

Cogna Educacao

Telefonica

edX

Estacio

Coursera

SAP Litmos

Open Education

Veduca

LinkedIn (Microsoft)

Simplilearn

Think & Learn (BYJU'S)

upGrad

LeQuest

FutureLearn

L2P (Learn 2 Play)

Chegg

Bright Little Labs

Aula Education

WhiteHat Security

Blinkist

Age of Learning

Learnetic

Elearn Australia

360Learning

Udemy

Skillshare

Udacity

Pluralsight

Alison

Babbel

Treehouse

Unacademy

Duolingo

Tracxn Technologies

IGNOU

BenchPrep

Coassemble

Codecademy

CrossKnowledge

FutureLearn

GoSkills

iHASCO

ITPro

Khan Academy

MasterClass

OpenSesame

Rosetta Stone

Teachlr

DataCamp

BrainStation

Cengage Learning India

Estacio

Telefonica Learning Services

Learnetic

Market Segmentation

Delivery Mode

Packaged Content

LMS

Others

Learning Mode

Self-paced

Instructor-led

Function Type

Training

Testing

End-user

Corporate

Higher Education

K-12

Government

Vocational

Geography

North America

The U.S.



Canada

APAC

China



South Korea



Japan



Australia



India



Singapore



Indonesia



Malaysia



Thailand



Philippines

Europe

The UK



Germany



France



Nordic



Spain



Italy



Russia



Benelux

Latin America

Brazil



Mexico



Argentina



Chile



Colombia



Peru

Middle East & Africa

The GCC



South Africa



Turkey



Egypt



Israel



Kenya

Key Questions Answered in the Report:

How big is the e-learning market?

What is the growth rate of the global e-learning market?

What are the growing trends in the e-learning market?

Which region holds the most significant global e-learning market share?

Who are the key players in the global e-learning market?

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WASHINGTON, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will host a pair of news conferences Tuesday, July 25, at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston to highlight upcoming crew rotations missions to the International Space Station.

The briefings will cover NASA's SpaceX Crew-7 mission to the space station, currently targeted to launch Tuesday, Aug. 15, for a science mission aboard the microgravity laboratory.

The four crew members who comprise NASA's SpaceX Crew-7 mission pose for a photo in their spacesuits during a training session at the company's headquarters in Hawthorne, California. From left to right are: Mission Specialist Konstantin Borisov, Pilot Andreas Mogensen, Commander Jasmin Moghbeli, and Mission Specialist Satoshi Furukawa. Credits: SpaceX

The mission overview news conference will begin at 12:30 p.m. EDT, and a crew news conference will start at 2 p.m. Both briefings will air live on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency's website. The crew also will be available for individual interviews at 3:30 p.m.

The Crew-7 mission will carry NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Konstantin Borisov of Roscosmos.

In addition to the Crew-7 participants, NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara also will participate in the crew briefing and interviews. Following a month later, O'Hara will launch to the space station on Sept. 15 for a mission with Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub.

For the Crew-7 mission, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft will launch from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on the company's seventh crew rotation mission for NASA. O'Hara will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

This event will be the final media opportunity to speak to the Crew-7 astronauts before they travel to NASA Kennedy for launch. Media wishing to participate in person or seeking a remote interview with the crew must request credentials no later than 5 p.m. Friday, July 21, from the NASA Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111 or [email protected].

International media without U.S. citizenship wishing to participate in person must apply by 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 12. U.S. media and U.S. citizens representing international media must apply by 5 p.m. Friday, July 21. Media must request credentials from the Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111 or [email protected].

Media interested in participating by phone must contact the Johnson newsroom by 9:45 a.m. the day of the event.

Briefing participants include (all times eastern):

12:30 p.m.: Mission Overviews News Conference

Ken Bowersox , associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington

, associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Steve Stich , manager, Commercial Crew Program, NASA Johnson

, manager, Commercial Crew Program, NASA Johnson Joel Montalbano , manager, International Space Station Program, NASA Johnson

, manager, International Space Station Program, NASA Johnson Frank De Winne , manager, International Space Station Program, ESA

, manager, International Space Station Program, ESA Hiroshi Sasaki , vice president and director general, Human Space Flight Technology Directorate, JAXA

2 p.m.: Crews News Conference

Loral O'Hara, NASA astronaut, Soyuz MS-24 flight engineer

Jasmin Moghbeli , NASA astronaut, Crew-7 spacecraft commander

, NASA astronaut, Crew-7 spacecraft commander Andreas Mogensen , ESA astronaut, Crew-7 pilot

, ESA astronaut, Crew-7 pilot Satoshi Furukawa , JAXA astronaut, Crew-7 mission specialist

, JAXA astronaut, Crew-7 mission specialist Konstantin Borisov , Roscosmos cosmonaut, Crew-7 mission specialist

3:30 p.m.: Crews Individual Interview Opportunities

Crew-7 members and O'Hara available for a limited number of interviews

O'Hara is making her first spaceflight after selection as part of the 2017 NASA astronaut class. The Texas native earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, and a Master of Science degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Prior to joining NASA, her work focused on the engineering and operations of deep-ocean research submersibles and robots. At the time of her selection in June 2017, O'Hara was a research engineer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, where she spent eight years working on the engineering and operations of underwater vehicles such as the human-occupied research submersible Alvin and the remotely operated vehicle Jason. She will join Expedition 69/70 as a flight engineer aboard the space station. Follow @lunarloral on Twitter.

This is Moghbeli's first trip into space since her selection as a NASA astronaut in 2017. The New York native earned a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering with information technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a Master of Science in aerospace engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Moghbeli, a helicopter and Marine Corps test pilot, has more than 150 combat missions and 2,000 hours of flight time in over 25 different aircraft. She also is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland. As mission commander, she will be responsible for all phases of flight, from launch to re-entry. She will serve as an Expedition 69/70 flight engineer aboard the station. Follow @astrojaws on Twitter.

Mogensen was selected as an ESA astronaut in 2009 and became the first Danish citizen in space after launching aboard a Soyuz for a 10-day mission to the space station in 2015. As pilot on Crew-7, he will be responsible for spacecraft systems and performance. Aboard the station, he will serve as an Expedition 69/70 flight engineer.

Mogensen is from Copenhagen, Denmark. He completed undergraduate studies and received a master's degree in aeronautical engineering from Imperial College London in England before gaining his doctorate in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Mogensen has since served as a crew member for NEEMO (NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations) missions 17 and 19. Mogensen was the European astronaut liaison officer to NASA Johnson from 2016-2022, working as a spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) for astronauts aboard the station and as ground support for spacewalks, relaying tasks, and direction from mission control to the spacewalkers. Follow @astro_andreas on Twitter.

Furukawa will be making his second trip to space, having spent 165 days aboard the space station as part of Expeditions 28/29 in 2011. Furukawa is from Kanagawa, Japan, and was selected as a JAXA astronaut in 1999. He is a physician and received his medical degree from the University of Tokyo, and later a doctorate in medical science from the same university. Furukawa served as a crewmember on the 13th NEEMO mission, and later, was appointed head of JAXA's Space Biomedical Research Group. Aboard the station, he will become a flight engineer for Expedition 69/70. Follow @astro_satoshi on Twitter.

Borisov will be making his first trip to space, and will also serve as a mission specialist, working to monitor the spacecraft during the dynamic launch and entry phases of flight. He entered the Roscosmos Cosmonaut Corps as a test cosmonaut candidate in 2018 and will serve as a flight engineer for Expedition 69/70.

Prior to the crew briefings, on Monday, July 24, NASA Johnson also will host a media day to preview the arrival of the first U.S. asteroid sample collected in space and introduce the team that will help unlock its secrets in the OSIRIS-REx Sample Curation Laboratory.

Learn more about how NASA innovates for the benefit of humanity through NASA's Commercial Crew Program at:

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew

SOURCE NASA
Acquisition of Nielsen Benefits Group accelerates Nava's ability to lessen the

complexity and costs of healthcare for employers.

NEW YORK, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nava Benefits, a modern benefits brokerage focused on making great benefits easy for mid-sized employers, today announced the acquisition of Nielsen Benefits Group (NBG), an award-winning benefits consulting firm with a proven track record of designing innovative benefits solutions that lower costs for mid sized employers. This strategic move will unite two forward-thinking companies that share a vision for how technology can revolutionize the benefits service delivery model for employers and improve the member experience.

Nava Benefits acquires Nielsen Benefits Group, an award-winning benefits brokerage headquartered in Los Angeles.

Small and mid-sized employers are facing a number of daunting challenges in their effort to provide quality healthcare to employees. Since 2017, employer healthcare costs have grown 20%, disproportionately impacting small-to-midsize employers. In fact, according to new research from the National Federation of Independent Businesses, 98% of small businesses are concerned that healthcare costs will become "unsustainable" for them within the next five to ten years. Moreover, employers lack the resources to manage the growing complexity of benefits plans and the healthcare system. At the same time, employees report increasing confusion and dissatisfaction with their healthcare plans, with as many as 50% unable to even identify their own benefits.

Nava's unique combination of benefits expertise and proprietary technology has helped employers reduce their healthcare costs, remove unnecessary benefits complexity, and make it easier for employees to understand and use their benefits. By joining forces, Nava and NBG will combine deep consulting expertise with cutting-edge technology to bring this modern benefits approach to more midsize employers.

"In getting to know the NBG team, three things were crystal clear: they share our belief that benefits brokers have an outsized ability to fix healthcare; they care deeply about leveling up the member experience and supporting employees throughout each stage of their healthcare journey; and they actually deliver on the promise of lowering costs," said Brandon Weber, CEO of Nava Benefits. He continued: "We're excited to come together to make cost-effective healthcare more accessible for employers and employees alike."

Nielsen Benefits Group is a comprehensive employee benefits consulting firm with an unwavering belief that "employee benefits" is not only about insurance, but rather the benefit of being an employee. In operation for more than 30 years, the brokerage has grown 5x in the last five years, keeping pace with the dramatic changes facing the benefits landscape. Recognized for their focus on customized plan design, employee benefits education and excellent service delivery, they've successfully introduced benefits innovation to midsize employers who have been historically underserved in the market.

"After three decades of building Nielsen Benefits Group into an award-winning employee benefits brokerage, I wanted to find a partner who could take our client and market impact to new highs," explained Craig Nielsen, President and CEO of NBG. "Nava emerged as the clear choice versus traditional brokerages, offering a compelling partnership that brings cutting-edge innovation to our clients and a deeply mission-driven culture to my team."

"I've been doing this for almost 15 years and I believe that we're entering a period of rapid change in our Industry as employers' needs evolve and healthcare costs reach a breaking point. Nava is at the forefront of innovation in the benefits brokerage industry and we're thrilled to join them on their mission to fix healthcare by building the modern benefits brokerage," noted Ed Ligonde, Executive Vice President at NBG. He continued: "This is an exciting moment for our clients as they'll continue to get incredible service and expertise from their core team, while also experiencing additional tools and capabilities that are typically reserved for the country's largest companies, at no additional cost. As part of Nava, we can supercharge what we're already accomplishing for our clients, allowing us to do it better, faster, and at a far greater scale."

Nava's acquisition of NBG is the latest milestone in the company's mission to bring high-quality, affordable healthcare to all Americans. Earlier this year, Nava announced the launch of its member experience offering, anchored by the launch of the Nava Benefits App, which simplifies the key aspects of the employee benefits journey.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

About Nava Benefits

Nava is the industry's only benefits brokerage to fuse innovative technology and benefits expertise to make great benefits easy for growing businesses. Through delivering a better renewal strategy, benefits back-office support, and modern member support, employers turn to Nava to lower costs, delight employees, and augment HR teams. Driven by a mission to fix healthcare, Nava is proud to be a recipient of Inc's Best Workplaces 2022. For more information, visit www.navabenefits.com.

Media Contact

Veronique Valcu

[email protected]

SOURCE Nava Benefits
MILWAUKEE, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Director Christopher Nolan's biopic on the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer promises to generate a flood of interest in the history of the atomic bomb, yet a new book published by Ezra Company, LLC threatens to resurrect old doubts about that very history.

"The two atomic bombs that crushed Japan in August 1945... were Hitler's secret weapon." Erwin K. Oppenheimer in 1955 Tweet this The new book "I'm Afraid!" is the first authorized English edition of a very obscure memoir published in Paris in 1955 that was purportedly authored by a German-turned-American atomic scientist, Erwin K. Oppenheimer. "I'm Afraid!" features a new preface, an index, and reproductions of all the historic photographs included in the original French edition of the book. Now in paperback on Amazon.com.

I'm Afraid! ( available on Amazon.com ) is the first authorized English translation of a very obscure book published in Paris in 1955. Purportedly authored by a German-turned-American atomic scientist named Erwin K. Oppenheimer, I'm Afraid! tells the gripping story of the high-stakes battles that unfolded behind the scenes in atomic laboratories at the dawn of the Cold War. The book paints surprising and contentious portraits of a gallery of historic personalities such as J. Robert Oppenheimer, Gustav Hertz, Edward Teller, Albert Einstein, Hermann Goring, and Adolf Hitler.

With uncommon prescience, I'm Afraid! tackles weighty themes like the weaponization of science and scientists, the fragility of human understanding, the harrowing dangers of geopolitical conflicts in an era dominated by advanced technologies, and the prospects of a global government to prevent another catastrophic world war.

What mostly sets I'm Afraid! apart, however, are its shocking historical claims, ranging from Hitler's secret fears about the end of the world, to America's military plans to drop atomic bombs on Vietnam in 1954, to early attempts to manipulate the globe's climate with nuclear technologies. The most startling allegation, however, is that German Nazi atomic scientists were successful in producing their own atomic bombs, a contention which brazenly contradicts official history.

"The whole world believes that the two atomic bombs that crushed Japan in August 1945 were American made," states the narrator in I'm Afraid! "In reality, as I would later learn, those bombs were Hitler's secret weapon."

I'm Afraid! is certain to raise eyebrows among WWII students and historians. Raul Vasquez, a journalist who dedicated four years researching the book's themes and translating the text, also wrote a new preface for this first authorized English edition.

"I'm Afraid! is a literary time capsule containing the hopes and fears of the world at the advent of the atomic age," says Vasquez. "This book shows us that the daunting global crises of 1955 bear striking resemblance to the ones we face today."

I'm Afraid! features a preface, an index, and reproductions of all the historic photographs in the original French edition.

SOURCE Ezra Company, LLC
Company invests in DIGIORNO wheat supply chain, helping bring better agricultural methods to U.S. farms

ARLINGTON, Va., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nestle announced today that it is investing to help bring regenerative agriculture practices to wheat farms within its DIGIORNO supply chain, with the goal of improving soil, using less water, energy and fertilizer, and helping reduce the impacts of climate change. The initiative will bring regenerative agriculture practices to over 100,000 acres of farmlandnearly double the amount of acres needed to grow the amount of wheat used in DIGIORNO pizza. The work will help the company accelerate the transition to regenerative agriculture in its supply chain.

Nestle is investing to bring regenerative agriculture practices to wheat farms across more than 100,000 acres of landnearly double the amount of acres needed to grow the amount of wheat used in DIGIORNO pizza.

Today, nearly two-thirds of Nestle's global greenhouse gas emissions come from sourcing ingredients, which is rooted in agriculture. As part of its detailed roadmap to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, the company aims to source 20% of its key ingredients through regenerative agricultural methods by 2025 and 50% of its key ingredients by 2030.

"At Nestle our aim is to help leave the world better than we found it, and as the world's largest food and beverage company, we have a tremendous opportunity to help create a regenerative, healthy food system while also working with the local farming communities that employ it," said Steve Presley, CEO, Nestle Zone North America. "To do this we need to find solutions that create shared value throughout the ecosystem  value for us, value for farmers, value for our consumers, and value for the planet. This investment in wheat producers is just one example of how we are bringing this commitment to life across our supply chain."

Through partnerships with ADM and Ardent Millstwo primary wheat flour suppliers for DIGIORNONestle's investment will benefit wheat farms across Kansas, North Dakota, Indiana, and Missouri. The initiative aims to help wheat farmers in the program employ regenerative agriculture practices in their fields through a combination of financial and technical resources. These practices can include planting cover crops, eliminating or reducing tillage, and reducing the use of pesticides, which can help improve soil health and soil fertility, and protect water resources and enhance biodiversity.

ADM recently measured some outcomes of farmers who have implemented regenerative agriculture methods and reported that over half of the wheat farms in the program used cover crops or living roots in 2022, which helped to sequester more than 3,800 metric tonnes of CO2ethat's equivalent to taking nearly 850 gas-powered cars off the road for one year. Scott Stroberg of Stroberg Farm in Hutchinson, Kansas, who has been growing wheat for ADM over the last decade, has implemented regenerative agriculture practices on his farm, including replacing synthetic fertilizers with natural alternatives, and is now introducing cover crops with the support of ADM and Nestle.

"Our family introduced regenerative agriculture practices on our farm after noticing a decline in our yields and deterioration of the health of our soil," said Stroberg. "These methods have not only been good for our land and the environment, but we've also seen a financial benefit as we are spending less on inputs like synthetic chemicals."

Verification in Tomato Supply Chain

Nestle is also working across its tomato supply chain in the U.S. to support the verification of regenerative agriculture practices, with the aim of sourcing tomatoes grown for its ingredients through these methods in the coming years.

"Many tomato farmers in our supply chain have already been doing the work to implement regenerative farming practices in their fields and they've made great progress so far," said Emily Johannes, Head of Diverse and Sustainable Sourcing, Nestle USA. "We are now working to verify these efforts throughout the supply chain in a way that is effective and efficient for our brands and the farmers. Third-party verification is a critical component of this work because it helps us, and others, remain accountable."

The company is working with Leading Harvest, a nonprofit that monitors and audits farming methods through their Farmland Management Standard, to certify the farming practices of Nestle's tomato suppliers. The Standard certifies practices across 13 key principles such as soil health, protection of water resources, and conservation of biodiversity.

"Our Farmland Management Standard delivers certification at scale across crop types, production systems and complex supply chains," said Kenny Fahey, President and CEO at Leading Harvest. "We are thrilled to work with Nestle in bringing third-party verification of sustainability outcomes to their supply chain and applaud their commitment to transparency."

Accelerating the Shift to Regenerative Agriculture Practices Across the Supply Chain

Nestle's efforts in its U.S. wheat and tomato supply chains build on the company's recent progress implementing regenerative agriculture practices and net zero farming initiatives on a variety of farms that make ingredients for brands including Carnation, Carnation Breakfast Essentials, Libby's, and Purina.

Nestle was the first company to join the U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative. In 2021, a Carnation supplier in Modesto, California became the first farm to join a pilot program implementing sustainable technologies and farming practices that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prove it can be done in an economical way.

became the first farm to join a pilot program implementing sustainable technologies and farming practices that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prove it can be done in an economical way. Nestle Health Science is collaborating with Royal Dairy farm in Royal City, Washington to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the U.S Dairy Net Zero Initiative. Royal Dairy joins Nestle Health Science's family of dairy suppliers for Carnation Breakfast Essentials nutritional powder drink mix.

to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the U.S Dairy Net Zero Initiative. Royal Dairy joins Nestle Health Science's family of dairy suppliers for Carnation Breakfast Essentials nutritional powder drink mix. Earlier this year, Nestle, along with Cargill and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation , announced the launch of one of the largest private sector regenerative ranching projects in the U.S. that supports ranchers in adopting voluntary conservation practices that can help combat climate change.

, announced the launch of one of the largest private sector regenerative ranching projects in the U.S. that supports ranchers in adopting voluntary conservation practices that can help combat climate change. Nestle works with pumpkin farmers across central Illinois who supply Libby's to measure the outcomes of farmers who are utilizing regenerative agriculture practices. In 2022, third-party partner Sustainable Environmental Consultants found that farmers who supply Libby's saved more than 3,100 tons of soilthe equivalent of 194 dump trucksfrom being lost to erosion, as compared to conventional farming methods.

who supply Libby's to measure the outcomes of farmers who are utilizing regenerative agriculture practices. In 2022, third-party partner Sustainable Environmental Consultants found that farmers who supply Libby's saved more than 3,100 tons of soilthe equivalent of 194 dump trucksfrom being lost to erosion, as compared to conventional farming methods. Purina helps to fund the work of its suppliers and sustainability partners to scale regenerative agriculture practices on farms across the U.S., including in eastern Iowa , where Purina supports farmers' access to Truterra's industry leading decision-making tool. This tool provides data insights for farmers' transition to regenerative practices on 50,000 acres of farmland.

SOURCE Nestle USA
SHANGHAI, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On the afternoon of July 6, a forum dedicated to advances in brain-computer intelligence was held at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center as a part of the 2023 World Artificial Intelligence Conference. The forum was held under the aegis of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai Branch, and was co-organized by the Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIMIT), the Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute (TCCI), the Brain-Computer Interface and Interaction Subcommittee of the Chinese Society for Neuroscience, and NeuroXess.

NeuroXess FlexShuttle Mini, a surgical robot for flexible electrode implantation

Building on last year's successful brain science forum, SIMIT assumed a leading role in this year's event, focusing on the convergence of biotechnology technology and information technology (BTIT). The event encompassed high-level academic exchanges, extensive clinical practices, and in-depth exploration of industry trends. Leading researchers from around the world congregated at the venue to share knowledge and participate in academic discussions. In collaboration with several research organizations, NeuroXess unveiled seven cutting-edge research achievements that traverse the realms of academia, scientific research, and clinical medicine within the field of brain-machine interfaces.

A presentation on the research achievements in the field of brain-computer interfaces documented the advances as they apply to academia, scientific research and clinical medicine

Brain-machine interfaces have become a focal point at the intersection of the two technologies. In the current environment where collaboration is the theme of the day, the forum, titled "Cross-Boundary Fusion," was held at the World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center, creating a perfect showcase for the smart connected world that we are now entering.

During the forum, NeuroXess delivered a presentation highlighting seven recent and important research achievements that touched on academic, research, and clinical aspects of the newly emerging field. The presentation featured video clips providing detailed insights into the research and experimental processes for each project. Notably, the presentation showcased tangible results, a new lineup of surgical robots alongside the latest solutions for advancing research in the field. On exhibit at the event and viewable to the public for the first time were the FlexShuttle and FlexShuttle Mini, two surgical robots designed for flexible electrode implantation, and the M2 brainwave acquisition chip.

Making R&D resources more available and getting buy-in from doctors on the clinical side are necessary steps to enabling further advancements in the field

Two key challenges must be addressed and resolved to progress the sector the next stage: one is identifying and engaging the right R&D resources in the research, and the other is gaining acceptance from the general public, and especially from the medical community, that BTIT is the path of the future. At the event, the Science Communication Center of Shanghai Science and Technology Museum and NeuroXess formally signed a memorandum of cooperation to jointly engage in projects that contribute to the furthering of understanding about brain science. Together, they will develop educational materials targeting both the medical community and the general public, highlighting the sector's potential and the benefits that it can deliver. The agreement was signed by Song Xian, Deputy Director of the Science Communication Center of Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, and Peng Lei, CEO of NeuroXess.

As part of the collaboration, the two parties will showcase brain-computer interface technology and research achievements to the public through documentary-style short films. Additionally, they will establish a local education program to be named the "Shanghai Popular Science Lectures" to introduce cutting-edge scientific and technological resources into classrooms and venues accessible to the general public.

After more than half a century of experimentation, brain-computer interface technology and products are gradually coming into their own. However, as an emerging technology, its research and applications still face ethical and safety challenges. To enhance the comprehension of the clinical applications of implanted brain-computer interfaces, gain the trust of medical practitioners across China and foster the necessary resources for further scientific research, the Brain-Computer Interface and Interaction Subcommittee of the Chinese Society for Neuroscience and the National Neurological Disease Medical Center (Huashan Hospital) formally co-launched the project entitled "Ethical Expert Consensus on the Medical Clinical Application of Implantable Brain-Machine Interfaces." Furthermore, the initiative aims to prevent any potential confusion that could arise in terms of diagnosis and treatment practices.

As the technological revolution enters the next round, interdisciplinary integration has emerged as a prevailing trend, and innovation-driven development has gained global consensus. The era of the metaverse, where the virtual and the real coexist, represents another dimension of the forthcoming technological revolution. With the successful conclusion of this forum and the presentation on research achievements in the world of brain-computer interfaces, NeuroXess remains committed to further exploring technological advancements in the coming year. Stay tuned for more updates!

SOURCE NeuroXess
A new study shows gender diversity is moving in the right direction

NEW YORK, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Altrata, the leading provider of executive intelligence, has released Global Gender Diversity 2023 which examines the degree of female representation on corporate boards and leadership teams across 20 major economies (the Global 20). This new report highlights that while progress is being made, gender parity at senior levels remains a distant goal.

Only 20% of leadership positions at the corporations that make up the major indices of the Global 20 are occupied by women. When they do hold such leadership positions, women tend to hold roles with less decision-making executive power, resulting in fewer female CEOs, COOs, and CFOs.

Among numerous findings, Global Gender Diversity 2023 reveals:

Only 8.2% of CEO positions in the S&P500 are held by women

Large US private companies fare slightly better in terms of gender diversity, with just over 30% female representation in leadership

Women account for only 30% of board members across the Global 20, though this proportion is better than in leadership teams

Mentoring and volunteering are popular pastimes for female executives of Fortune 500 companies

Progress is being made across the globe:

France's CAC40 companies boast the highest share of female board members, at 43.7%

CAC40 companies boast the highest share of female board members, at 43.7% Only 2 other countries have broken through the 40% barrier: Italy with a 40.7% share of women on boards and the UK with 40.4%

with a 40.7% share of women on boards and the UK with 40.4% Women made up 19.2% of new leadership team appointees among the Global 20 in the year to Q1 2023, slightly lower than the 20.5% among the leadership team as a whole - indicating the danger of uneven progress

Seven countries have below 25% female board representation, although they all saw an improvement in the year up to Q1 2023, including Singapore , India , Brazil , Hong Kong , Japan and the UAE.

The report goes on to explore the lack of women in the leadership "pipeline." Not enough women are accumulating the corporate experience necessary to progress to the most senior C-suite roles. Male senior executives in S&P 500 companies are far more likely to have held previous roles in commercial, sales, operations, or finance functions.

Altrata's Global Gender Diversity 2023 provides crucial insights into the current state of gender diversity in corporate leadership. The report is essential reading for corporations, recruitment firms, and all individuals invested in advancing and supporting gender equality.

The data also suggests that having women in certain leadership roles (that of CEO or chair) does appear to help advance gender diversity throughout the organization.

Download Global Gender Diversity 2023 to explore the trends and implications of this gradual but uneven journey of progress.

About Altrata

Altrata is a global leader in people intelligence. It includes more than 100 million profiles on wealthy individuals around the world and more than 12 million profiles on senior decision makers, board members and C-suite leaders. Altrata provides intelligence on the people who are most impactful to their clients' success. Altrata's advanced integration solutions allow deeper insights and access to billions of connections helping clients close more deals, manage risk, and identify key talent quickly. Actionable, accurate, and comprehensive data powered by a global team of more than 400 researchers and data specialists, maintaining millions of profiles, enables clients to effectively engage and make meaningful, lasting connections.

Altrata is a registered trademark of Delinian Limited and its affiliated companies, and is comprised of five dynamic offerings: BoardEx, Boardroom Insiders, RelSci, WealthEngine, and Wealth-X.

SOURCE Altrata
With the explosion in popularity of tools like ChatGPT, generative AI (artificial intelligence) is emerging as a widely sought-after solution to reduce the burden of administrative and routine tasks in HR.

TORONTO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - As advancements in generative AI technology are fundamentally changing how organizations approach and conduct work, HR is positioned to play an integral role in successfully adapting to the future of work. To help HR leaders bridge the gap between the lack of employee and organizational knowledge and understanding versus the immense capabilities and possible benefits of generative AI, McLean & Company has released its timely new research blueprint, Harness the Potential of Generative AI in HR.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is already being used by employees across a variety of organizations, but often the skills and knowledge needed to maximize its benefits while minimizing its risks is lacking. Harnessing the potential of generative AI in HR will allow organizations to uncover value, minimize risk, and ensure task alignment as they move forward into the future of work. (CNW Group/McLean & Company)

Many employees are already using generative AI tools and products, though they often lack the skills and competencies needed to maximize the benefits of this technology while minimizing the risks. Organizations are also struggling to optimize and manage the use of AI tools and must contend with significant risks, biases, and inaccuracies in generative AI.

The global HR research and advisory firm explains in the new resource that through the development of skills needed to leverage evolving technology and empowering employees to embrace the associated capabilities, HR has a key opportunity to support the evaluation and implementation of generative AI throughout the organization.

"Generative AI presents an exciting opportunity for people leaders to rethink how HR does its work and find unprecedented efficiencies," says Will Howard, director of HR Research and Advisory Services at McLean & Company. "HR plays a crucial role in supporting the entire organization in understanding the far-reaching impacts of generative AI and helping employees adapt to the disruption."

In the blueprint, the firm explains that the relationship between generative AI tools and employees is mutually beneficial. Generative AI tools can improve efficiency and accelerate innovation by automating routine day-to-day tasks, while employee input is crucial for validating and improving the output provided by generative AI.

McLean & Company also suggests that the key to successful implementation of generative AI in the workplace is creating a culture of trust and support within the organization, with employees who aren't afraid of trying new ideas being 4.47x more likely to be engaged than those who are.

The latest data-backed blueprint is divided into three sections to provide a concise process HR leaders can follow to evaluate and implement generative AI tools within their organizations. The firm's recommended process is outlined below:

Define generative AI use cases in HR: Completion of the first section of the process will identify key stakeholders and a project team, evaluate organizational and HR strategy to inform the project purpose and guiding principles, and complete a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities) analysis to understand how generative AI applies to HR practices. This section also requires gathering feedback from employees, prioritizing HR capabilities, and determining the application of generative AI use cases.



Pilot and launch generative AI use cases: The second section supports HR leaders in creating guidelines for generative AI use in HR, piloting the generative AI use case in HR prior to implementation, and identifying the skills, knowledge, and behaviors needed to optimize generative AI.



Support the organization in implementing generative AI: The third and final section of the research guides the development of a policy on the acceptable use of generative AI, the conduction of a risk assessment of use cases across the organization, and the empowerment of employees to leverage generative AI in their roles. It also reminds HR leaders to conduct workforce planning to anticipate and prepare for future needs.

"There is a lot of anxiety among employees about the impact of generative AI on job security," explains Howard. "Engaging employees early and often is crucial to reduce uncertainty."

McLean & Company advises that the cornerstone of a successful evaluation of generative AI in the workplace is transparency. Being open about its potential uses and the benefits and drawbacks of using generative AI will increase employee trust.

To access the full blueprint, download Harness the Potential of Generative AI in HR.

As a future-focused advisory partner, the firm has also recently released its cutting-edge report, The Future of HR Report, which examines how HR leaders must prepare for the unpredictable through the evaluation of HR trends and consideration of drivers of change.

For HR leaders as well as C-suite and VP-level executives who are responsible for enabling, streamlining, and future-proofing their organizations' HR functions, Signature, the highly anticipated HR industry conference from McLean & Company, is returning from November 5-7, 2023, in Orlando, Florida. Register for Signature 2023 or learn more here. Early bird tickets are available until August 1, 2023.

Media interested in connecting with McLean & Company analysts for exclusive, data-backed insights and commentary on generative AI in HR, the future of work, and trends people leaders should anticipate in the coming months can reach out to [email protected].

About McLean & Company

Through data-driven insights and proven best-practice methodologies, McLean & Company offers comprehensive resources and full-service assessments, action plans, and training to position organizations to meet today's needs and prepare for the future.

McLean & Company is a division of Info-Tech Research Group.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and over 200 industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected].

SOURCE McLean & Company
Brought to you by Timac Agro USA and Rainbow Plant Food, BLUE is an ammoniated, homogeneous granular fertilizer formulated with award-winning, patented ingredients proved to improve fertilizer efficiency.

READING, Pa., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Timac Agro USA, a global innovator in crop nutrition and Rainbow Plant Food, a legacy brand, have collaborated to bring a new generation of fertilizer efficiency tools to the agricultural market.

Michael Pisciotta, Timac Agro USA Director of Agronomy, Southern US

"BLUE is a new fertilizer efficiency tool harnessing the innovation and technology of Timac Agro USA and elevating the high-quality precision nutrients and micronutrients offered by Rainbow Plant Food so that ultimately growers can realize higher profitability and higher performance with a layer of protection to help be more environmentally sensitive," explains Michael Pisciotta, Timac Agro USA Director of Agronomy, Southern US.

BLUE fertilizer products are comprised of superior homogeneous granular technology and a mixture of natural substances that benefit agronomic production. They work to maximize peak performance from the soil to the plant. They can be used as a singular source for all necessary nutrients, or as part of a blend to reap the benefits of enhanced fertilizer efficiency across every acre. "Timac Agro's studies have proven that the presence of BLUE in fertilizer can reduce nitrate leaching, as well as reduce nitrogen and phosphorus runoff," affirmed Pisciotta. "This collaboration clearly defines how new technology can serve our growers in addressing legacy and next generation challenges." BLUE grade products will empower growers in a variety of field situations such as pre-plant, bedded fertilizer, and top-dress. In varying soil dynamics, a grower using BLUE can capitalize on the natural functional substances and maximize nutrients in a way that they weren't able to with commodity fertilizers.

Sustainability is woven into Timac Agro USA's innovation and service to their growers. In addition to enhancing crop performance, BLUE carries significant benefits that help to preserve the natural environment. "BLUE is a tool for service to not only growers but to the environment. Farmers have to be environmentalists at their heart because ultimately if we don't preserve the soil and the land we're not going to be able to farm the next generation," concludes Pisciotta.

Timac Agro USA and Rainbow Plant Food Collaboration:

In 2021, Timac Agro USA acquired Rainbow Plant Food of Americus, GA as part of their strategy to locally manufacture granular technologies. Rainbow became the first Timac Agro granulation unit in the country and has served the southeastern region of the US for the last 100 years. They joined Timac's portfolio bringing a strong brand heritage, high-quality crop products and dedication to serving southern growers. Timac's technological prowess and innovation paired with Rainbow's legacy of high-quality homogeneous granular products worked together to create a new generation of fertilizer tools designed to help growers increase profitability, performance and environmental sustainability.

About Timac Agro USA:

Timac Agro USA, a crop nutrition manufacturer, brings high-quality and innovative solutions to growers across the country. With over 60 patented technologies in plant nutrition, Timac Agro USA continues to lead the agricultural market with sustainable and custom crop solutions made with patented plant and seaweed extract formulas. A subsidiary of the Groupe Roullier, the company is headquartered outside Reading, Pa., with manufacturing facilities in Georgia, New York, Michigan, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. For more information, visit us.timacagro.com.

For additional media information about BLUE, visit bluefertilizer.ag.

Media Assets: bluefertilizer.ag/media

Media Contact

Dawn Pelon

[email protected]

610-585-7901

SOURCE Timac Agro USA
Maison Close Montauk Offers Guests a Seaside Celebratory Dining Experience

NEW YORK, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The team behind Maison Close SoHo is excited to announce that Maison Close Montauk, an open-air restaurant concept in Montauk, NY, is open for reservations Saturdays and Sundays this summer. Inspired by the beaches of Montauk and the French Riviera, Maison Close Montauk offers thoughtful cuisine, elevated beverages, and a unique alfresco atmosphere that transports guests to the Parisian countryside from the heart of the Hamptons.

Maison Close Montauk is an extension of the restaurant's lively flagship SoHo location, acclaimed for its celebratory experience and mission to replicate the distinct dining culture emblematic of France. Whether a guest is a Montauk local or traveler searching for a taste of home, Maison Close Montauk offers an open outdoor setting that features the same elevated Parisian bistro cuisine as its NYC home with the distinct ambience of a summer out East.

The spacious waterfront location boasts 22 dock and dine slips for guests arriving by boat and a luxurious alfresco area featuring partially tented seated tables, lounges and cabana beds that invite patrons to soak up the sun and unwind into the evening. Guests can indulge in the opulence of a beachside brunch or capture the glow of golden hour with lively music and festival-style service befitting of the restaurant's Montauk location.

Under the direction of Executive Chef Geoffrey Lechantoux, the Maison Close Montauk menu features a variety of sophisticated yet accessible French dishes ranging from elegant aperitifs to indulgent desserts, including:

Croissant au Homard du Maine  Maine lobster croissant

Maine lobster croissant Peche du Jour  Montauk Market fish of the day

Montauk Market fish of the day Carre d'Agneau Grille  grilled rack of lamb

grilled rack of lamb Tartare de Thon  ahi tuna tartare

The outdoor bar program features specialty craft cocktails as well as a selection of curated wines and champagnes. Featured cocktails include La Maison Rose with tequila, elderflower liqueur, papaya, lime juice, and rose wine, La Prunette spritz with Ume plum liqueur, ginger ale, and champagne, garnished with red plum and candied ginger, and Madame Claude with vodka la poire, ginger, lemon and cucumber juice, and rose seltzer.

Maison Close Montauk is located at 435 East Lake Drive, Montauk, NY 11954. The restaurant will be open for brunch Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30PM7PM. For more information or reservations, please visit maisoncloserestaurant.com or email [email protected]. Guests can follow the restaurant @maisoncloserestaurant on Instagram.

SOURCE Maison Close
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. The battles in Azerbaijans Tovuz district are inscribed in the heroic chronicle of the Azerbaijani Army in golden letters, military expert, Colonel Alparslan Imamgulu told Trend.

As many as three years have passed since the beginning of the Tovuz battles (July 2020) - one of the main stages on the way to the second Karabakh war, in which the Azerbaijani Armed Forces won a glorious victory.

The battles began with provocations by Armenian military formations on the state border of Azerbaijan, he said.

He noted that if you pay attention to this region, it becomes clear that there are a number of strategically important logistics routes and energy pipelines.

"Any failure that could happen in this region could lead to the blockade of the country. The enemy received a worthy response in the Tovuz battles. Thus, the experience gained in these battles, the moral and psychological spirit, the cohesion of the army, people and state were formed already before the beginning of the second Karabakh war," the military expert said.

The Tovuz events and other provocations of the Armenians made war inevitable. As a result, the response to the enemy provocation started in Tovuz continued in Shusha. And the Azerbaijani territories that were under 30-year occupation were liberated," he said.

Meanwhile, the Tovuz battles began on July 12, 2020, and lasted until July 17.

There were no territorial losses in the Tovuz battles. In these battles, as many as 12 servicemen of the Azerbaijani Army heroically died - Major General Polad Hashimov, Colonel Ilgar Mirzoyev, Major Namig Akhmedov, Major Anar Novruzov, Senior Lieutenant Rashad Mahmudov, Ensign Ilgar Zeynalli, Ensign Yashar Babayev, Sergeant Vugar Sadigov, private superiors Elshad Mammadov, Elchin Mustafazada, Nazim Ismayilov and Khayyam Dashdamirov.
Metro areas with home values higher than the typical U.S. home have homeless rates 2.5x higher than areas with lower-than-average home values.

ST. LOUIS, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- There's a clear correlation between a lack of affordable housing and high rates of homelessness in America's biggest cities, according to new research from Home Bay, an online publication owned by Clever Real Estate that connects readers with expert real estate advice.

The report analyzed the 50 most-populous U.S. metros to determine the connection between home values and homelessness rates.

Cities With High Homeless Rates Have High Rent Prices Cities With the Highest Homeless Rates Have Home Values More Than Double the National Average

The cities with the highest rates of homelessness per 100,000 people are:

San Jose, California (636.8) San Francisco, California (508.8) Los Angeles, California (501) Sacramento, California (415.7) Seattle, Washington (408.9) New York, New York (340.7) San Diego, California (256.4) Las Vegas, Nevada (246.2) Portland, Oregon (240.3) Denver, Colorado (231.6) Hartford, Connecticut (192) Phoenix, Arizona (182.5)

These 12 metros have a combined average homelessness rate of 347 per 100,000 people  almost 2x higher than the national average (176 per 100,000 people).

Meanwhile, the typical home value in these metros is 118% higher than the typical value in cities with lower-than-average homelessness  $670,000 vs. $308,000. These cities also have typical monthly rent values almost $700 higher than the national average  $2,274 vs. $1,596.

San Jose, California, has both the highest rate of homelessness and the highest home prices of any major U.S. metro. Home values in San Jose are 4.5x the national average, at $1.39 million, and the homelessness rate is a whopping 3.5x the national average (636.8 per 100,000 residents).

The 10 metros with the lowest homeless rates per 100,000 residents are:

Atlanta, Georgia (32.8) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (37.4) Chicago, Illinois (40.7) Houston, Texas (43.3) Cincinnati, Ohio (47.8) Detroit, Michigan (51) Richmond, Virginia (52.6) Milwaukee, Wisconsin (53.1) Charlotte, North Carolina (65.2) Buffalo, New York (73.6)

The five cities with the lowest homeless rates also have home values 15% lower than the U.S. average ($255,860 vs. $301,466).

Surprisingly, poverty rates are not a good indicator of homeless rates. New Orleans has the highest poverty rate (18.4%) of any city we examined but has a homeless rate half the national average (96 per 100,000 people). This may indicate that, because of a low cost of living, residents can better afford housing despite lower incomes.

Read the full report at: homebay.com/home-values-vs-homeless-2023

About Home Bay

Home Bay is a web-property of Clever Real Estate , an online platform that connects home buyers and sellers with top-rated agents at a discount rate.

Please contact Alyssa Evans at [email protected] with any questions or for an interview.

CONTACT:

Alyssa Evans

PR Strategist

Clever Real Estate

315-690-1518

SOURCE Home Bay
Lin Yuan joined seven industry representatives on Capitol Hill to discuss, demo, and debate the role of Artificial Intelligence in businesses across the country

SAN FRANCISCO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Newfront , the tech-driven insurance brokerage firm based in San Francisco, joined Bloomberg Beta on Capitol Hill to provide further education on the benefits and risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Bloomberg Beta, the venture capital arm of Bloomberg L.P., Newfront Vice President of Engineering Lin Yuan, and seven additional industry representatives appeared before the Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus in late June.

"Artificial intelligence has impacted every business in unprecedented ways," Yuan said. "The technology represents an inflection point for many industries and businesses."

Newfront Vice President of Engineering Lin Yuan appeared before the Congressional AI Caucus in late June. Tweet this

Formed in March 2023, the Congressional AI Caucus seeks to inform policymakers of the technological, economic, and social impacts of the advances in AI while ensuring that rapid innovation and its benefits are available to Americans. During the hearing, Yuan presented Newfront's AI-powered Benefits Assistant, which addresses the gap in knowledge many employees have about their company's benefits. In a recent survey , 85% of respondents reported they do not understand the details of what their company offers.

Yuan demonstrated that the Newfront Benefits Assistant is able to accurately answer questions about FSA and HSA plans, coverage, and more while providing links to benefits manuals to find additional answers, saving human resources staff four weeks a year that would otherwise be spent manually answering questions via email.

The appearance on Capitol Hill coincides with Newfront's release of its AI Principles, one of the first brokerages to introduce an ethical framework for the use of artificial intelligence in the insurance industry.

"It's important that we advocate for the proper use and safety when it comes to this technology," said Yuan, who joined Newfront in 2021 from Lyft. "As we launch AI-powered solutions at Newfront, these principles ensure accuracy and thoughtful, responsible implementation."

The full set of principles includes several core values of the emerging AI ethics community, including favoring a human-in-the-loop approach and avoiding the reinforcement of unfair biases.

"All of our externally-facing AI products receive formal reviews to ensure that what we deliver is accountable to these principles," said Newfront Head of Data Patrick Miller.

To learn more about Newfront, visit https://www.newfront.com/ .

About Newfront

Newfront is transforming the delivery of risk management, employee experience, insurance, and retirement solutions by building the modern insurance platform. Transparent data delivered real-time translates into a lower total cost of risk and greater insights. Newfront makes insurance work for you. Headquartered in San Francisco, Newfront has offices throughout the country and is home to more than 800 employees who serve clients across the United States and globally.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Traci Johnson

Newfront

[email protected]

Natasha Koleas

PAN Communications

949-397-7582

[email protected]

SOURCE Newfront
Advarra, Virb and BeeKeeperAI sign on to Beacon of Hope to provide suite of digital tools to facilitate clinical trials and research on healthcare inequities at Historically Black Medical School Centers of Excellence





Global Black Economic Forum lends support to Beacon of Hope to address economic disparities that disproportionately impact diverse communities of color around the world





Amgen and Alnylam commit to run clinical trials across a spectrum of disease areas through the Centers of Excellence





Beacon of Hope grant, scholarship and mentorship programs continue to empower next generation of diverse healthcare leaders

EAST HANOVER, N.J., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Novartis and the Novartis US Foundation proudly announce the significant expansion of Beacon of Hope, our 10-year commitment to co-create programs that address health and education inequities and create greater diversity, equity, inclusion and trust across the research and development ecosystem.

The six new organizations joining Beacon of Hope were selected to provide tools and expertise to enable the Historically Black Medical School Centers of Excellence to accelerate progress on increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in clinical trials, support new research into healthcare disparities, as well as help break down economic and education barriers that often stand in the way of promising career opportunities for students of color.

"Our relentless commitment to the success of Beacon of Hope led us to undertake a comprehensive assessment of where we have made important progress, and where we still have gaps to fulfilling the mission of the program," said Linda Armstrong, US Novartis Foundation President and Head of Novartis US Corporate Responsibility. "We actively sought out collaborations with organizations that both possess the expertise necessary to bridge these gaps  particularly on the technology front  and that share our unwavering mission to tackle the fundamental factors that contribute to health and education disparities."

Securing a unique set of technology skills to advance the Centers of Excellence

To further enhance the clinical trial capabilities of the Centers of Excellence established under Beacon of Hope  so they can operate as efficiently and effectively as possible  Novartis and the Novartis US Foundation are welcoming three new collaborators that offer advanced technology support.

Advarra, BeeKeeperAI and Virb will each bring a unique skillset to Beacon of Hope: digitally enabled technology and professional services to support clinical trial-site management at the HBCUs (Advarra); a privacy-preserving collaboration platform that enables protected algorithms to compute on real-world data, within the data steward's secure HIPAA-compliant environment (BeeKeeperAI); and assistance with the sourcing and training of clinical trial coordinators and research study staff (Virb). These strategic alliances will help to better meet the needs of the Centers of Excellence, and help them reach and engage desired patient populations.

"Advarra is honored to contribute to Beacon of Hope by providing HBCU medical centers with access to the same advanced technology solutions used by leading clinical research organizations  including academic medical centers, health systems and commercial research sites," said Gadi Saarony, CEO of Advarra. "We are excited to work in collaboration with Novartis, the Novartis US Foundation, and the other Beacon of Hope collaborators to accelerate progress on diversity, equity and inclusion in clinical trials and, ultimately, address global healthcare disparities. We feel confident that, equipped with Advarra's world-class technology and professional services, HBCU sites will lead the industry in delivering safe, compliant and inclusive clinical research at scale."

"BeeKeeperAI is bringing the power of healthcare AI with confidential computing to Beacon of Hope, offering new innovation to expedite the development and deployment of AI that is equitable and generalizable across all patients  regardless of race or social determinants of health. We are proud to be part of this important initiative to advance health equity through collaboration," said Michael Blum, MD, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at BeeKeeperAI. "By simplifying collaborations between data stewards and algorithm developers, safeguarding intellectual property, and preventing the misuse of sensitive privacy-protected data, BeeKeeperAI will contribute to Beacon of Hope's efforts to reduce the risk of bias and accelerate computing on ethnically diverse data."

"We are committed to delivering our best-in-class upskilling and training to enable the next generation of job-ready African American, Black and Hispanic clinical trial leaders, with measurable success and impact for health equity," said Garrett Walker, CEO of Virb, Inc.

Additionally, pharmaceutical industry leaders Amgen and Alnylam have also signed on to Beacon of Hope. They both will seek to run clinical trials through the Centers of Excellence. Alnylam also plans to offer a summer fellowship program to train under-represented students for careers in drug development.

"Amgen is proud to collaborate with Beacon of Hope on this critical initiative," said Ponda Motsepe-Ditsego, Vice President and Therapeutic Area Head of Global Medicine and Head of the Representation in Clinical Research team. "We look forward to working with these Centers of Excellence at Historically Black Medical Schools to increase representation in clinical trials among Black and brown communities as we work to make health equity a reality for all."

"At Alnylam, we are committed to clinical trial diversity and are excited to collaborate with Beacon of Hope to further our efforts," said Pushkal Garg, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Alnylam. "We will be working closely with the Centers of Excellence at Historically Black Medical Schools to not only hasten our progress in diversity, equity and inclusion in clinical trials, but to also offer summer fellowship opportunities at our company headquarters to students pursuing careers in drug development."

Combating economic and education disparities

Rounding out the six new organizations joining Beacon of Hope this year is the Global Black Economic Forum (GBEF), sharing its mission to empower the next generation of diverse leaders in STEM while working to address economic disparities. GBEF will provide career training and leadership development programs to the students who are currently in the Novartis and Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) scholarship and mentorship program.

"We are thrilled to join Beacon of Hope and invest in the next generation of Black STEM leaders," said Alphonso David, President and CEO of GBEF. "We are committed to advancing economic opportunity across the Black Diaspora, and we are pleased to support the Beacon of Hope scholarship recipients and student mentees with a broad portfolio of impactful programs, which will help equip them with the skills needed to pursue the paths that will drive generational change."

Forging ahead with four clinical trials at Morehouse School of Medicine

Since the launch of Beacon of Hope, Morehouse School of Medicine's Clinical Trial Center of Excellence has initiated four Novartis clinical trials  three in cardiovascular disease and one in polymyalgia rheumatica. Two additional studies in relapsing multiple sclerosis and pulmonary artery hypertension are also under consideration at Morehouse School of Medicine.

Howard Medical School, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, and Meharry Medical School are currently reviewing proposals from Novartis for trials at their Centers of Excellence in hypertension, urticaria, giant cell arteritis and breast cancer  as well as for additional Merck and Sanofi trials  to determine which studies are best suited for their patient populations.

Advancing scientific inquiry into underlying causes of healthcare inequities

The teams at Morehouse School of Medicine are also addressing historical bias in data standards used to diagnose and treat disease, as well as tackling environmental and climate issues that disproportionately affect health in communities of color. The Novartis US Foundation continues to support two additional Centers of Excellence focused on research, advocacy and education in these areas:

The Center of Excellence on the Validation of Digital Health Technologies and Clinical Algorithms has formed an advisory board featuring national experts on this critical issue, and submitted various papers focused on the use of race-based correction in lung function testing and the state of clinical trial diversity in novel FDA drug approvals.





The Center of Excellence on Climate and Health has set up several research collaborations with organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Environmental Defense Fund. The Center has also provided research opportunities for students interested in contributing to the field, and plans to launch an environmental health track for the school's Masters in Public Health program in the upcoming academic year.

Empowering the next generation of diverse healthcare leaders through multiple career-readiness initiatives

Beacon of Hope continues to prepare the next generation of HBCU students to become healthcare leaders through its series of programs focused on grants, mentorships, scholarships, educational training and career advancement:

Beacon of Hope Summer Fellowship at Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research  Novartis will continue the paid summer fellowship program this summer, offering a 10-12 week program for nine Historically Black Medical School students to gain valuable exposure to careers in the pharma industry and hands-on experience in Novartis labs.





 Novartis will continue the paid summer fellowship program this summer, offering a 10-12 week program for nine Historically Black Medical School students to gain valuable exposure to careers in the pharma industry and hands-on experience in Novartis labs. TMCF-Novartis US Foundation HBCU Alliance Scholarship and Mentorship program  Students will be entering the second year of their three-year scholarships awarded by TMCF and the Novartis US Foundation. The program was launched with the awarding of three-year scholarships of $10,000 a year to 120 students at 26 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, pairing each recipient with a Novartis mentor.



The mentorship program engaged approximately 200 mentees and 200 mentors, comprised of both scholarship recipients and those who were not receiving funding. Mentees participated in monthly pulse checks and were granted a Coursera scholarship to help provide certification and skill development in their areas of study. They also attended sessions on relevant industry topics hosted by Novartis leaders such as Marion Brooks , Vice President, US Country Head, DE&I, and participated in regular coffee chats with their mentors.



TMCF and Novartis US Foundation expect to award additional three-year scholarships again in 2025 and 2028 and have a goal of mentoring up to 1,200 students over 10 years.





 Students will be entering the second year of their three-year scholarships awarded by TMCF and the Novartis US Foundation. The program was launched with the awarding of three-year scholarships of a year to 120 students at 26 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, pairing each recipient with a Novartis mentor. The mentorship program engaged approximately 200 mentees and 200 mentors, comprised of both scholarship recipients and those who were not receiving funding. Mentees participated in monthly pulse checks and were granted a Coursera scholarship to help provide certification and skill development in their areas of study. They also attended sessions on relevant industry topics hosted by Novartis leaders such as , Vice President, US Country Head, DE&I, and participated in regular coffee chats with their mentors. TMCF and Novartis US Foundation expect to award additional three-year scholarships again in 2025 and 2028 and have a goal of mentoring up to 1,200 students over 10 years. TMCF-Novartis US Foundation HBCU Alliance Faculty grants  TMCF and the Novartis US Foundation have awarded eight new $25,000 grants to HBCU faculty  representing six colleges  for research substantiating key drivers of health disparities and informing areas for change. Additionally, the Novartis US Foundation is partnering with TMCF to co-develop a grant writing bootcamp which will be offered to select schools and faculty, giving them the opportunity to learn about the process of writing and applying for grants.



The TMCF-Novartis program kicked off last year by awarding ten $25,000 grants. One of the 2022 recipients had their research on G-protein coupled estrogen receptor systems in diabetic and cancer conditions published in the MDPI Molecules Journal , and other candidates have submitted their final research reports.



Together, TMCF and the Novartis US Foundation plan on continuing to award research grants annually for the next eight years.





 TMCF and the Novartis US Foundation have awarded eight new grants to HBCU faculty  representing six colleges  for research substantiating key drivers of health disparities and informing areas for change. Additionally, the Novartis US Foundation is partnering with TMCF to co-develop a grant writing bootcamp which will be offered to select schools and faculty, giving them the opportunity to learn about the process of writing and applying for grants. The TMCF-Novartis program kicked off last year by awarding ten grants. One of the 2022 recipients had their research on G-protein coupled estrogen receptor systems in diabetic and cancer conditions published in the , and other candidates have submitted their final research reports. Together, TMCF and the Novartis US Foundation plan on continuing to award research grants annually for the next eight years. Coursera Virtual-training Courses  Novartis and Coursera have entered into an industry partnership agreement to deliver healthcare content to more than 125 million learners and 7,000 enterprises, colleges and governments around the world. The initial goal of the partnership is to help increase diversity, equity and inclusion in clinical trials.



This month, Novartis is launching "Introduction to Good Clinical Practice," the first installment of a three-course series on Coursera. The remainder of the series, including courses in "The Fundamentals of Good Clinical Practice" and "Diversity Action Plans and Public Health Outreach," are expected to launch within the next 12 months.



The series is designed to empower and reflect the underrepresented groups it serves, and gives future investigators the fundamentals needed to become effective clinical trial leaders.



Scholarships for Novartis courses  as well as the broader Coursera catalog  will be offered to a range of partners, including those under the Beacon of Hope pledge. The Novartis partnership with Coursera will lead to a broader portfolio of courses, including an entry-level Professional Certificate in healthcare taught by Novartis experts and partners.

About Beacon of Hope

To address root causes of disparities in health and education, Novartis and the Novartis US Foundation launched Beacon of Hope in 2021, an innovative $50 million, 10-year collaboration with 26 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including Morehouse School of Medicine, Howard University College of Medicine, Meharry Medical College and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, plus Merck, Sanofi, Coursera, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and the National Medical Association.

The partners are working collaboratively to increase diversity among clinical trial participants and investigators; improve access to high-quality education and promising jobs; examine clinical algorithms that include race as a diagnostic factor that negatively impact patients of color and recalibrate those algorithms to remove race to improve decisions and outcomes; and find actionable solutions to environmental and climate issues that disproportionately affect health among communities of color.

A guiding principle of Beacon of Hope is a recognition that achieving health and education equity at population scale, and addressing the systemic racism that has caused decades of disparity, is a long-term endeavor that will take sustained, collective effort from industry, academia and the communities. For more information on Beacon of Hope programs, please visit: https://www.novartis.us/corporate-responsibility/beacon-hope.



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," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding the expansion of the Beacon of Hope initiative. 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 the expected benefits from the expansion of the Beacon of Hope initiative will be achieved in the expected timeframe, or at all. Nor can there be any guarantee that expansion will be successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding the expansion of the Beacon of Hope initiative 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 AG's 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 people's lives. We deliver high-value medicines that alleviate society's 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 world's top companies investing in research and development. Novartis employs about 14,000 people in the United States. For more information, please visit https://www.novartis.us

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Novartis Media Relations E-mail: [email protected] North America Julie Masow +1 862 579 8456 Michael Meo +1 862 274 5414 Marlena Abdinoor +1 617 335 9525 Novartis Investor Relations E-mail: [email protected] North America Sloan Simpson +1 862 778 5052







SOURCE Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
New Method Enables Benefits Innovation Across the Industry with a Faster, More Seamless Transition to Noyo

SAN FRANCISCO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Noyo, the leader in benefits data management, today announced its new integration experience for benefits software platforms. This launch makes it easier than ever to scale real-time connectivity with insurance carriers through a single API connection. Benefits software platforms can now get to market with a leading enrollment experience in dramatically less time than it typically takes to build direct or EDI-based connections with a single insurance carrier.

"Noyo is committed to providing simple solutions that allow any benefits software company to build dynamic, user-centric benefits experiences. In service of our commitment to simplicity, we saw an opportunity to further remove complexity for our users with our new APIs," said Shannon Goggin, CEO and co-founder of Noyo. "Now, any company can take advantage of our enhanced capabilities to connect with insurance carriers and power their business with live benefits data, regardless of whether they're established or new to our space."

At the heart of the new process is how Noyo accepts data from benefits software partners, including member, dependent, demographic, and coverage changes. Named the 'member snapshot' method, this upgrade makes sending member changes even faster for benefits software platforms. No matter the enrollment scenario, the answer is always to send a member snapshot. Doing so is intuitive, as connected partners simply send the full state of a family's enrollments from their database and let Noyo handle the rest.

This simplicity makes a Noyo integration accessible to anyone, whether a long-established software company used to building EDI files or an up-and-coming solution with developers who aren't familiar with the ins and outs of benefits administration.

The new format also unlocks a rich set of capabilities beyond processing enrollments, like immediately amending data, making member changes that aren't easily categorizable, automatic detection of changes being requested, and detailed and trackable statuses for each change.

Noyo continues to address the significant market need for a standardized, repeatable way to connect and exchange data with insurance carriers. Benefits software platforms also enjoy peace of mind knowing that Noyo validates changes against its own checks and the carrier's business logic (in addition to providing round-trip confirmation to catch discrepancies), and provides intuitive tools for managing connected groups.

To learn more about the integration experience for ben-admins, read the blog announcement or download the Integration Guide.

About Noyo

Noyo is the benefits data platform providing the modern data infrastructure to make frictionless employee benefits possible. Founded by leaders in benefits, insurance, and API technology, Noyo is the first company transforming the underlying infrastructure of the benefits industry through seamless digital connectivity. With Noyo, crucial benefits data is synchronized and made instantly available anywhere it's needed, unlocking new possibilities for how benefits are designed and delivered and enhancing the benefits experience for all. To learn more about how Noyo's industry-leading technology is powering the next generation of employee benefits, visit http://www.noyo.com.

Media: Mardi Larson, Amendola for Noyo, [email protected]

SOURCE Noyo
HONG KONG, July 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The National University of Singapore (NUS) Centre for Governance and Sustainability (CGS) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Singapore recently jointly released Sustainability Counts II (the "Report"). Based on the principles of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), the study focuses on the analysis of the sustainability reporting attributes of the top 50-listed companies by market capitalization across 14 countries and regions across Asia Pacific in 2021 and 2022, involving 700 listed companies spanning 11 industries. Fosun International Limited (HKEx stock code: 00656, "Fosun International" or "Fosun") is one of the Hong Kong-listed companies studied. The Report shares Fosun International's active response to the challenges of ESG disclosure, and management cases in ESG disclosure, promotion of sustainable development and corporate responsibility.

As demand for sustainability reporting expands across Asia Pacific, companies have a long way to go in turning sustainability strategies into practical actions. Sustainability Counts II analyzes the state of sustainability reporting in Asia Pacific, elaborating on sustainability reporting requirements globally and across Asia Pacific, and providing insights on the journey to date.

Here are three key findings from the study on the state of sustainability reporting in Asia Pacific:

The Report points out that conducting external assurance would help companies build more trust with stakeholders and organizations. Sustainability external assurance in Asia Pacific remains poor. Currently, only 49% of companies studied have carried out external assurance, which remains low as compared to the global average. The GRI framework, adopted by 81% of companies studied, continues to be the dominant sustainability reporting standard in Asia Pacific . With the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) coming into effect in June 2023 , eyes are now on how companies will adopt the new standard to prepare sustainability reports. In addition, there is a 21% increase in use of the TCFD framework to 57% amongst companies. The disclosures of climate-related risks and opportunities reached 88%. 89% of companies have carried out climate scenario analysis. With 80% of companies studied disclosing their emissions, the measurement of Scope 1 and 2 emissions is reaching maturity. However, companies need to place an added effort for better transparency and accuracy of the measurement of their Scope 3 emissions.

The Report summarizes the key highlights of Fosun International in the field of ESG, and recognizes Fosun's continuous efforts in the field of ESG over the years, continuously strengthening sustainable development management, and actively implementing and monitoring Fosun's ESG strategies and goals. The Report also acknowledges Fosun's industry leadership in ESG disclosure, promotion of sustainable development and corporate responsibility.

Fosun has issued the first TCFD Report this year, calling on all sectors to promote carbon neutrality

In 2023, Fosun ushered in the "third year" after announcing its "Carbon Neutrality Goal". Fosun has made a commitment to society - "strive to peak carbon emissions by 2028 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050" and has formulated effective strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation to align with the 1.5C temperature control target set in the Paris Agreement. In order to further push forward the "dual carbon" goals of Fosun, the Group has established a Carbon Neutrality Committee and a Carbon Neutrality Working Group to actively promote further implementation and enforcement of carbon-neutral management across the Group. In April 2023, Fosun issued its first TCFD report, demonstrating its commitment of climate action to the international community.

The Report mentions that in response to climate change, Fosun International recognizes that it is critical to identify climate-related risks and opportunities, as well as the potential impact on its business, strategic and financial planning. At the same time, Fosun International has also improved the transparency and accuracy of the monitoring and reporting of other indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Scope 3), and continued to disclose, track and analyze the information of Scope 3 GHG emissions. Fosun incorporated these analyses into the TCFD report issued this year, with a view to ultimately cultivate a capability to address climate issues in the long term, enhance climate resilience and call on all departments to work together, thereby calling on all sectors to work together to promote carbon neutrality.

Fosun has obtained external assurance from an independent organization, aiming to build more trust

For ESG disclosure and sustainability reporting, the accuracy of information and data is very important as investors and stakeholders are more convinced by quantifiable results that are consistent, comparable and audited. A good report should provide a clear articulation of the strategic integration of ESG into the company's corporate culture, policies, governance, and operations. In order to build investors' and stakeholders' confidence and trust in Fosun's sustainability reporting, Fosun has carried out independent external assurance on sustainability reporting in 2022 in accordance with the AA1000 Assurance Standard (AA1000AS), helping stakeholders understand the Group's key sustainability risks and monitor Fosun's progress against goals and targets.

Built a comprehensive mechanism for ESG management and linked ESG performance with the performance appraisal of the Board

Fosun has always emphasized that corporate leaders should attach importance to ESG governance and establish an accountability system. Fosun has set up an ESG Board Committee under the Board of Directors (the "Board") to assist the Board in guiding and overseeing the Group's ESG development and implementation. At the management and decision-making level, Fosun has established an ESG Executive Committee under the management to provide decision support for the implementation of ESG strategies. At the implementation level, the Group has also set up an ESG Management Committee and an ESG Working Group to implement ESG strategies and related actions and ensure the establishment of appropriate and effective ESG risk management and internal control system.

In order to ensure the smooth and continuous progress of ESG work, Fosun has established a top-down and long-term mechanism for ESG improvement. Fosun includes ESG management performance as an evaluation factor in the Executive Directors' performance assessment and remuneration assessment. With this mechanism, the Group and its member companies can deeply incorporate ESG into the operations and management progressively.

The Report quoted Angel Sze, Fosun Global Partner and Company Secretary & Head of the ESG Management Committee of Fosun International Limited, as saying, "Placing ESG as a priority is important in fostering a culture where people are committed to ESG efforts. We have established an ESG Management Committee and an ESG Working Group to share best practices and build open communication channels across companies within the Group."

"One of the key challenges we face is the need to consider and implement different reporting requirements as we have presences in various countries/regions such as China, US, UK, and Europe. Building up ESG capability and upskilling of employees are critical to ensure that employees are kept up to date with the latest local and global sustainability reporting developments. We implemented various sustainability-related initiatives, such as launching ESG culture week and organising trainings and seminars to improve our ESG capabilities. We also organised ESG global network sessions with our more advanced counterparts in Europe and UK, and these exchanges helped us understand the latest ESG reporting trends globally and enable cross-sharing opportunities."

Benchmark against the international standard to build more trust with stakeholders

The Report quoted Angel Sze as saying, "Sustainability reporting is not just a box-ticking exercise. In assessing and ranking our material ESG issues, it is important to engage our key stakeholders actively to understand their concerns, priorities and expectations on ESG issues as well as their views on our performance. Having transparent disclosures in our sustainability report is useful in helping stakeholders understand our key sustainability risks and monitor our progress against goals and targets."

With a growing demand by stakeholders for more transparent and comparable reporting on companies' sustainability information, Fosun not only published the ESG Report in accordance with the Environmental, Social and Governance Reporting Guide in Appendix 27 to the Listing Rules of Hong Kong Stock Exchange, but also prepared the ESG Report with reference to the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards (GRI Standards) and disclosed its climate-related financial risks voluntarily based on the TCFD recommendations.

In order to strengthen sustainable development management and benchmark against the international standard, Fosun also joined the United Nations (UN) Global Compact in 2014, fully supporting the ten principles of the UN Global Compact and continuously promoting their close integration with its own ESG strategies and actively engaging its member companies in the implementation of ESG strategies. Fosun's ESG Report was prepared with reference to sustainable development frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to integrate SDGs into Fosun's sustainable development and management and information disclosure of its business operations. In addition, Fosun's ESG Report was audited and assured by SGS, an independent third-party and internationally recognized verification company, to enhance the confidence of stakeholders in the report disclosed.

Fosun's remarkable ESG performance has been widely recognized by the international market

In 2022, Fosun achieved remarkable ESG performance. It received an AA MSCI ESG Rating and was the only conglomerate in Greater China with such an AA rating, and was selected as a constituent of the MSCI CHINA ESG LEADERS 10-40 Index again. Fosun also received a rating of A in the Hang Seng Sustainability Index and has been selected as a constituent stock of the Hang Seng ESG 50 Index for two consecutive years and a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index for three consecutive years; it was selected as one of the constituents of FTSE4Good Index Series for the first time; its S&P CSA ESG score has risen significantly and outperformed 91% of its global peers. Recently, Fosun was included in S&P Global's Sustainability Yearbook 2023 (China Edition) and recognized as an "Industry Mover" by S&P Global.

About Fosun

Fosun was founded in 1992. After more than 30 years of development, Fosun has become a global innovation-driven consumer group. Adhering to the mission of creating happier lives for families worldwide, Fosun is committed to creating a global happiness ecosystem fulfilling the needs of one billion families in health, happiness and wealth. In 2007, Fosun International Limited was listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (stock code: 00656.HK). As of 31 December 2022, Fosun International's total assets amounted to RMB823.1 billion; it received an AA MSCI ESG rating and was the only conglomerate in Greater China with such rating.

SOURCE Fosun
The program grew 141% in 2022, donating more than $200,000 to over 60 legal aid non-profits in the U.S

SAN FRANCISCO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ontra , the leading provider of contract automation and intelligence solutions for the world's most prominent asset managers, today announced the global expansion of its philanthropic program, the Legal Aid Alliance (LAA). Through the LAA, Ontra partners with 600 private equity customers to fund access to legal services in low-income communities. For every document processed on Ontra's platform, the LAA donates $1 to vetted non-profit legal aid organizations. To date, the program has supported beneficiaries in the U.S., donating $200,000 in 2022 and $300,000 since its inception in 2021. Moving forward, Ontra will extend the reach of the LAA to Europe and Asia, initially donating to organizations in the UK and Singapore.

"Nearly one million people in America who need assistance with civil legal problems are shut out of the system because they can't afford legal representation," said Ontra Co-Founder and COO Ben Levi. "Through the Legal Aid Alliance, we've set our sights on closing this 'justice gap' by educating and mobilizing Ontra customers around this important cause and by delivering funds directly to the non-profits best equipped to provide critical legal aid. The program's 141% YoY growth demonstrates that we've landed on a scalable and sustainable model. We're confident that as the LAA moves into Europe and Asia, we can help to bring much-needed legal support to underserved individuals around the world."

According to the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), a non-partisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation created by the U.S. Congress, 74% of low-income households experienced a civil legal problem in the past year related to issues such as domestic violence, employment discrimination, opioid addiction, veterans' justice, and disaster recovery. 92% of those households did not receive any or enough legal help. Globally, the World Justice Project  (WJP) estimates that 1.5 billion people cannot obtain justice for civil, administrative, or criminal justice problems.

The LAA has provided funding to over 60 U.S.-based legal aid non-profits in low-income communities. These organizations are best positioned to assess underserved individuals' needs and deliver essential legal services. LAA's top beneficiaries include:

Legal Services NYC

Legal Aid Chicago

Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association

Bay Area Legal Aid

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles

Adam Heintz, Director of the Pro Bono Program at Legal Services NYC, highlighted the strong partnership that his organization has built with Ontra through the LAA. "As the nation's largest provider of free civil legal services, we deliver an array of life-saving services to low-income New Yorkers, from anti-eviction and immigration work to public benefits assistance and safety from domestic violence. The generous support from the Legal Aid Alliance allows us to ensure New Yorkers can access the services, benefits, and support they need to survive. We are beyond grateful for Ontra's continued support and are excited about the program's expansion which will undoubtedly help more communities in need."

About Ontra

Ontra is the global leader in contract automation and intelligence for private asset management firms. Ontra's legal operating system combines AI-enabled software with a worldwide network of highly trained lawyers to digitize recurring legal workflows. Ontra's solutions improve the contract lifecyclefrom negotiation and processing to tracking complex agreement obligations. Ontra works with the world's leading investment banks, private equity and venture capital firms, and direct lenders to reduce the time, expense, and risk associated with contract management.

Ontra has global operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. Learn more at www.ontra.ai .

SOURCE Ontra
- OPPO is set to launch the Reno10 series, a range of pro-level smartphones with advanced portrait imaging capabilities, alongside two brand new IoT devices this July

- The Reno10 series showcases OPPO's commitment to delivering innovative technology and an unparalleled smartphone user experience, with features that enhance battery efficiency, design, imaging, and other cutting-edge elements

- The all-new Reno10 series and IoT devices will be available to pre-order across the GCC region from 19th July onwards

DUBAI, UAE, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global technology brand OPPO announces the upcoming Reno10 series launch alongside a new lineup of IoT devices. Packed with industry-leading features and innovative technology, these launches aim to provide users with an enhanced user experience, allowing them to make the most of their devices with ease, every day.

OPPO Teases Upcoming Launch of Reno10 Series

The upcoming series consists of a range of pro-level smartphones that offer advanced portrait imaging capabilities, namely the Reno10 Pro+ 5G, Reno10 Pro 5G, and Reno10 5G. Additionally, OPPO is expanding its IoT ecosystem with two new devices. The flagship OPPO Pad 2 delivers an immaculate reading and immersive audio-visual experience, while the OPPO Air3 Pro wireless earbuds feature noise-cancellation technology and LDAC Hi-Res Audio support, ensuring exceptional audio quality and a personalized listening experience.

The Reno10 Pro+ 5G smartphone boasts a powerful Ultra-Clear Portrait Camera System that enables users to capture professional-quality portraits. One of the system's key components is a 64MP telephoto portrait camera, which offers a 71 mm equivalent focal length, large f/2.5 aperture, 25cm minimum focus distance, and large 1/2 camera sensor. With the highest megapixel count among smartphones with telephoto cameras currently available in the market, prime floating OIS technology, and 6-times zoom capability, users can capture stunning close-up portraits with exceptional clarity and image stabilization.

Chi Zhou, President of OPPO MEA, said, "With the upcoming Reno10 series, OPPO remains steadfast in prioritizing its customers throughout the product development journey. Building on the success of the entire Reno Series, we are determined to exceed expectations by delivering an unparalleled smartphone user experience powered by state-of-the-art technological advancements in design, imaging, and performance. These upcoming launches demonstrate OPPO's unwavering commitment to providing innovative technology that enriches the lives of individuals, aligning with our core principles and values."

Featuring powerful hardware, professional-level imaging capabilities, fast charging technology, and a smart operating system, the Reno10 series offers users a truly compelling smartphone with unrivaled all-round performance.

The all-new Reno10 series and IoT devices will be available to pre-order across the GCC region from 19th July onwards.

About OPPO

OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone - "Smiley Face" - in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO also provides its users with ColorOS operating system and internet services such as OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO has footprints in more than 60 countries and regions, with more than 40,000 employees dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world.

About OPPO MEA

OPPO started its journey in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region in 2015. Now OPPO is physically present in more than 13 markets across the region, including Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.

Based on insights of local consumers in each country, OPPO has evolved the progress of product localisation, taking into consideration several perspectives towards each market, including product localisation, to further meet the core needs of users; marketing localisation, to better communicate with local young customers; and talent localisation, to understand local consumers further and provide an optimum customer service.

Within the last year, OPPO has started to adjust its product line in the Middle East region specifically. This has included the launch of its flagship OPPO Find X Series and the introduction of the OPPO Reno Series. OPPO will continue to evolve its local product line to offer more premium series to consumers in the region.

A forward-thinking international technology company, OPPO strives to be a sustainable company that contributes to a better world and have enacted positive change in every way possible through activating local community initiatives and humanitarian, charity campaigns.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2152611/OPPO_Reno10_Series.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1451542/OPPO_Logo.jpg

SOURCE OPPO
Interest has only grown in cloud native technology as the community continues to expand across industries and regions

SAN FRANCISCO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), which builds sustainable ecosystems for cloud native software, announced today that it continues to see significant membership interest from organizations with diverse backgrounds. In the last three months alone CNCF has welcomed more than 30 new members, including new End User members BlackRock and Strava.

"It is incredible to see the continued growth around the Kubernetes and cloud native ecosystem," said Chris Aniszczyk, CTO of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation. "CNCF now has over 160 projects under its umbrella with a steady stream of new innovative projects joining. The amount of innovation coming out from the cloud native community is astounding and we are thankful to welcome these additional members and look forward to collaborating with them."

About the newest Silver Members:

6WIND is a leading Green Tech company that specializes in delivering Virtualized & Cloud-Native networking software, and is globally recognized as the leading provider of Virtual Service Router software solutions.

is a leading Green Tech company that specializes in delivering Virtualized & Cloud-Native networking software, and is globally recognized as the leading provider of Virtual Service Router software solutions. Backslash is a cloud-native Application Security Posture Management (ASPM) solution for enterprise AppSec teams that provides comprehensive cloud context, end-to-end visibility, risk prioritization, and the ability to track security posture across applications and teams.

is a cloud-native Application Security Posture Management (ASPM) solution for enterprise AppSec teams that provides comprehensive cloud context, end-to-end visibility, risk prioritization, and the ability to track security posture across applications and teams. BerryBytes specializes in delivering secure and optimized Kubernetes infrastructure solutions.

specializes in delivering secure and optimized Kubernetes infrastructure solutions. Binario Etico : Passionate about FLOSS and armed with over two decades of experience in distributed systems, we combine our extensive expertise in infrastructure and software lifecycle management to design and maintain cutting-edge, robust, and monitorable cloud-native environments

: Passionate about FLOSS and armed with over two decades of experience in distributed systems, we combine our extensive expertise in infrastructure and software lifecycle management to design and maintain cutting-edge, robust, and monitorable cloud-native environments BlakYaks - A leading UK cloud-native specialist building, migrating and operating secure cloud-native platforms, always with code.

- A leading UK cloud-native specialist building, migrating and operating secure cloud-native platforms, always with code. Cloud Ace is a system integrator and Google Maps Platform partner specializing in Google Cloud that provides one-stop support from cloud implementation design to operation and maintenance.

is a system integrator and Google Maps Platform partner specializing in Google Cloud that provides one-stop support from cloud implementation design to operation and maintenance. CloudGeometry , an expert managed cloud software engineering consultancy and KCSP, is a cloud-native systems integrator delivering Kubernetes success with open-source tooling and commercial cloud platform technologies including AWS, Azure, and GCP.

, an expert managed cloud software engineering consultancy and KCSP, is a cloud-native systems integrator delivering Kubernetes success with open-source tooling and commercial cloud platform technologies including AWS, Azure, and GCP. Cloudmate provides various services in adopting Cloud Native. We leverage Kubernetes to help customers enable application modernization, increase efficiency and accelerate their business.

provides various services in adopting Cloud Native. We leverage Kubernetes to help customers enable application modernization, increase efficiency and accelerate their business. CtrlStack combines change intelligence and deep observability with Generative AI to help DevOps teams manage, troubleshoot, and run DevOps tasks effortlessly.

combines change intelligence and deep observability with Generative AI to help DevOps teams manage, troubleshoot, and run DevOps tasks effortlessly. Facets is a ready-made DevOps automation platform that helps organizations adopt Platform Engineering practices and enable Developer self-service  eliminating the need to build internal tools.

is a ready-made DevOps automation platform that helps organizations adopt Platform Engineering practices and enable Developer self-service  eliminating the need to build internal tools. Hostersi is a sysops/devops house that helps organizations design, implement and maintain their IT infrastructure on AWS, Azure, GCP and on-premise solutions with Kubernetes, CI/CD, HA, DR and support 24/7/365.

is a sysops/devops house that helps organizations design, implement and maintain their IT infrastructure on AWS, Azure, GCP and on-premise solutions with Kubernetes, CI/CD, HA, DR and support 24/7/365. Kodem is the industry's only software composition analysis platform that uses runtime intelligence to determine actual application risk.

is the industry's only software composition analysis platform that uses runtime intelligence to determine actual application risk. Kubeark empowers organizations to innovate and scale through its all-in-one software operations management platform that enables application management across multiple clouds and infrastructures, streamlined software operations, and enhanced technology ROI.

empowers organizations to innovate and scale through its all-in-one software operations management platform that enables application management across multiple clouds and infrastructures, streamlined software operations, and enhanced technology ROI. Kusari 's platform brings transparency to your software supply chain and powers the secure software delivery lifecycle.

's platform brings transparency to your software supply chain and powers the secure software delivery lifecycle. Operant is the only runtime application protection platform for cloud-native environments.

is the only runtime application protection platform for cloud-native environments. Opus Security is an operational platform for active remediation through devsecops.

is an operational platform for active remediation through devsecops. Pionative enables companies to accelerate their cloud-native roadmap by providing a production-ready Kubernetes QuickStart in the form of standardized libraries, which allows companies to focus on their business without needing to worry about maintenance or support.

enables companies to accelerate their cloud-native roadmap by providing a production-ready Kubernetes QuickStart in the form of standardized libraries, which allows companies to focus on their business without needing to worry about maintenance or support. Prodvana 's mission is to intelligently deliver software with zero overhead. We focus on keeping tenants and environments at the desired state through convergence.

's mission is to intelligently deliver software with zero overhead. We focus on keeping tenants and environments at the desired state through convergence. Seal provides an application deployment and management platform based on platform engineering principles that separate the concerns of operation staff and developers, thereby simplifying infrastructure complexity and optimizing the application development and deployment process.

provides an application deployment and management platform based on platform engineering principles that separate the concerns of operation staff and developers, thereby simplifying infrastructure complexity and optimizing the application development and deployment process. SHE BASH LLC , a WOSB as defined by SBA, is a cross-functional pathfinding as a service and product development company with extensive experience in Zero Trust Network Architectures, ICAM strategy analysis, requirements development, DevSecOps Design, Engineering services, and open source governance engagements to build a bridge in understanding from the standards setting bodies within technology at the level of the open source to the United States Government stakeholders reliant on open source and the security and longevity of critical open source that runs critical infrastructure that is of National Security significance.

, a WOSB as defined by SBA, is a cross-functional pathfinding as a service and product development company with extensive experience in Zero Trust Network Architectures, ICAM strategy analysis, requirements development, DevSecOps Design, Engineering services, and open source governance engagements to build a bridge in understanding from the standards setting bodies within technology at the level of the open source to the United States Government stakeholders reliant on open source and the security and longevity of critical open source that runs critical infrastructure that is of National Security significance. SmartX provides leading hyper-convergence, unified storage, cloud-native storage, Kubernetes service, and management products to help customers build enterprise cloud infrastructure.

provides leading hyper-convergence, unified storage, cloud-native storage, Kubernetes service, and management products to help customers build enterprise cloud infrastructure. SQUER develops internal developer platforms based on Kubernetes that enable enterprises to create a productive and user-friendly working environment for their software engineers.

develops internal developer platforms based on Kubernetes that enable enterprises to create a productive and user-friendly working environment for their software engineers. TongTech is a leading provider of products and solutions in the field of high security in China .

is a leading provider of products and solutions in the field of high security in . Founded in Kyiv, Ukraine , now globally led and headquartered in the US, VictoriaMetrics is the scaleup leader in the category of open source time series database monitoring.

, now globally led and headquartered in the US, is the scaleup leader in the category of open source time series database monitoring. Wavecon , the creator of Wavestack and a 100% subsidiary of noris network AG , is a provider of cloud-native infrastructure and services with an emphasis on digital sovereignty, security, and a strong commitment to open-source.

, the creator of and a 100% subsidiary of , is a provider of cloud-native infrastructure and services with an emphasis on digital sovereignty, security, and a strong commitment to open-source. Zenduty is a revolutionary incident management platform that gives you greater control and automation over the incident management lifecycle.

About the newest End User Supporter:

JYSK delivers a great Scandinavian offer for everyone within sleeping and living. We are a global retail chain of stores and web shops, and part of the family-owned Lars Larsen Group.

About the newest End User Member:

BlackRock 's purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being, and as a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable.

's purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being, and as a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. Strava is the leading subscription platform at the center of connected fitness, with more than 100 million active people in more than 190 countries. The platform offers a holistic view of your active lifestyle, no matter where you live, which sport you love, and/or what device you use.

About the newest Nonprofit Member:

The Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) is Australia's leading research data infrastructure facility. We drive development of world-class national digital research infrastructure that gives Australian researchers competitive advantage through data and supports research impact."

More information is available about End User support and membership.

The CNCF End User Community group regularly meets to share adoption best practices and feedback on project roadmaps and future projects for CNCF technical leaders to consider.

Additional Resources

About Cloud Native Computing Foundation

Cloud native computing empowers organizations to build and run scalable applications with an open source software stack in public, private, and hybrid clouds. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) hosts critical components of the global technology infrastructure, including Kubernetes, Prometheus, and Envoy. CNCF brings together the industry's top developers, end users, and vendors, and runs the largest open source developer conferences in the world. Supported by more than 800 members, including the world's largest cloud computing and software companies, as well as over 200 innovative startups, CNCF is part of the nonprofit Linux Foundation. For more information, please visit www.cncf.io .

The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see our trademark usage page. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

Media Contact

Jessie Adams-Shore

The Linux Foundation

[email protected]

SOURCE Cloud Native Computing Foundation
DENVER, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE: PLTR) today announced it has expanded its partnership with Carahsoft Technology Corp., The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider. Under the agreement, Carahsoft will serve as a Public Sector Distributor for Palantir, making the company's Apollo Platform available to the Public Sector through Carahsoft's reseller partners, GSA Schedule, NASA Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) V, Information Technology Enterprise Solutions  Software 2 (ITES-SW2), and additional State and Local contracts.

Building on the partnership's success, which was initially announced in April 2022, as well as Apollo's early market traction with clients such as Cisco, Palantir and Carahsoft have decided to expand their work together to include this new technology. As a result, the Public Sector will further simplify its ability to solve critical mission challenges by leveraging the Carahsoft portfolio of contract vehicles and partnered resellers to offer Palantir's Apollo Platform.

"We're thrilled to deepen our partnership with Carahsoft to include Apollo. As part of our DNA, Palantir is committed to supporting our government agency and industry partners with solutions that rapidly deploy the latest, most reliable capabilities to the mission. Carahsoft will continue to provide the government with flexible choices on how they procure our solutions," said Julie Bush, SVP of Federal Strategic Initiatives at Palantir.

With Carahsoft's sales, marketing, and contract support, customers across the Public Sector  including all U.S. Government agencies, State and Local Governments, Education entities, as well as the Canadian Government and Defense Industrial Base organizations  can easily access the benefits of Apollo.

For example, earlier this year Palantir and Lockheed Martin announced their collaboration, leveraging the Apollo Platform to focus on modernizing the U.S. Navy's combat systems for the surface fleet. By pairing Lockheed Martin's deep technical experience with Palantir Apollo, the organizations are poised to solve some of the most complex challenges and allow users to operate software across on-premise data centers, active combat zones, and classified networks.

Palantir deploys its software to some of the most complex environments in the world  multicloud, across classification networks, and to edge devices or assets - through the use of Apollo. Apollo can now be used by clients to deploy third party software in the same manner, providing them the capabilities to scale and deliver innovation at speed, while still upholding the stringent security and regulatory requirements of these environments. Apollo has many modules that provide development teams with real-time visibility and performance reporting, can be deployed across classification networks, or meet government compliance requirements out of the box through Apollo's FedStart program.

"At Carahsoft, we're continuously looking for new ways to help Government agencies achieve their modernization goals," said Maryam Emdadi, Carahsoft Vice President. "We look forward to accelerating the impact we've already made with Palantir, as well as our resellers, to solve the complexities of national security software deployment."

A webinar on Apollo hosted by Carahsoft and featuring leaders from Palantir's Apollo team will be held on July 13, 2023 at 2pm ET. Register here to learn more about the offering and to join the event.

For more information on Palantir Apollo, visit us at https://www.carahsoft.com/palantir/solutions/apollo.

About Palantir Technologies Inc.

Foundational software of tomorrow. Delivered today. Additional information is available at https://www.palantir.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains 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. These statements may relate to, but are not limited to, Palantir's expectations regarding the amount and the terms of the contract and the expected benefits of our software platforms. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and were based on current expectations as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management as of that time with respect to future events. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond our control. These risks and uncertainties include our ability to meet the unique needs of our customer; the failure of our platforms to satisfy our customer or perform as desired; the frequency or severity of any software and implementation errors; our platforms' reliability; and our customer's ability to modify or terminate the contract. Additional information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties is included in the filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.

Media Contact

Lisa Gordon

[email protected]

SOURCE PALANTIR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Industry-Leading Infrared Sauna Franchise Continues Momentum, Building Upon Early Success in Second Quarter

COSTA MESA, Calif., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Perspire Sauna Studio, one of the nation's fastest-growing sauna franchise brands specializing in full-spectrum infrared (IR) and red-light therapy (RLT), has capped a quarter of continued franchise expansion unlike any the brand has witnessed to date.

Among Perspire's 30 newly signed agreements for Q2 are two consecutive multi-unit deals that will bring 13 studios to Southwest Florida, from Tampa to Naples. These deals mark a significant milestone, as they have collectively allowed Perspire to sell out the territory. Spearheading the developments are local entrepreneurs Jason Sluka and Pete Kapinos, who signed on to bring 10 studios to the area, and Mike Polikretis, who signed for 3 additional studios in a separate agreement.

"The demand for holistic options to improve our overall health is evident in the 30 licenses awarded this past quarter, including a milestone territory sellout," said Jackie Mendes, Perspire Sauna Studio Vice President of Franchise Development. "The demand for infrared sauna and red-light therapy continues to grow. Our 10+ years of experience in this business puts Perspire Sauna Studio franchisees in the unique position to capitalize on the wellness boom quickly with a brand that's proven to scale."

In addition to navigating a robust trajectory for growth in the coming months, the Perspire team opened three new studios in Q2, all of which are second locations with existing franchisees, and signed on to expand in eight new territories, including New York, where a franchisee recently signed for a 3-unit deal.

"This remarkable growth is a testament to the dedication and passion of our team here at Perspire as we look forward to spreading the warmth of wellness to even more communities across Florida, New York, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and Louisiana," said Lee Braun, founder and CEO of Perspire Sauna Studio.

Perspire Sauna Studio is currently seeking single-unit and multi-unit franchisees interested in new career opportunities or those looking to diversify their current portfolios. To learn more about the brand's franchising opportunities, visit https://franchise.perspiresaunastudio.com/.

About Perspire Sauna Studio:

Perspire Sauna Studio is the fastest-growing infrared sauna and red-light therapy franchise in the U.S. The science-based, technology-driven, wellness company provides guests a modern-day experience to a centuries-old practice through elevated infrared (IR) sauna and red-light therapy (RLT). It is within this transformative session that they invite guests to ignite the wellness within.

Established in 2010 by Founder & CEO Lee Braun, Perspire's goal is to expand to major markets throughout the U.S. to further instill its vision of making infrared sauna accessible to all. The company has awarded over 150 franchise agreements, with 40 open studios and an additional 20 under development.

Based in Southern California, Perspire Sauna Studio currently offers franchise opportunities to qualifying entrepreneurs. For more information, please visit www.perspiresaunastudio.com , and follow the brand on social media @perspiresaunastudio. For franchising information, please contact [email protected] .

Media Contact: Meg Ryan, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] or 847-945-1300 ext. 264

SOURCE Perspire Sauna Studio
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. On July 12, the fourth meeting of the State Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan was held at the border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend.

The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mher Grigoryan.

Taking into account the agreements reached in various formats at the level of the leaders of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, the sides continued discussing delimitation issues, considered a number of organizational and procedural issues.

The parties also agreed to determine the date and venue of the next meeting of the commissions in a working manner.
The Registered Investment Advisory firm, based in Warrendale, Pa., offers strategic financial planning to multi-generational clients.

WARRENDALE, Pa., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Petredis Investment Advisors today announced the launch of its fee-only, registered investment adviser (RIA) firm in Warrendale, PA., a suburb of Pittsburgh. The new RIA will be led by founding principal Charlie Petredis and principals Christian Petredis, Alexandra Cameron, Athena Petredis, and Charles Petredis, who will also serve as Chief Compliance Officer. The team, which previously practiced at Wells Fargo Advisors, is joined by two client associates, Cindy Pappert and Shana Hutchins.

"For nearly four decades, we have helped individuals, families, corporations, and retirement plans address their needs and achieve their financial goals," said Charlie Petredis. "With this transition to the RIA model, we're in the right position to maintain our mission for decades to come. With newfound independence, we will continue to put our clients first and deliver strategic financial planning to support our clients' needs."

Petredis Investment Advisors is a multi-generational family firm founded by father Charlie and all four of his children. The group collectively brings over 60 years of financial planning experience to their clients and community. The group maintains multi-generational client relationships serving families and leverages research to drive financial planning decisions and help clients achieve their goals. Petredis Investment Advisors has approximately $881 million in assets under management and $71 million in assets under advisement as of December 2022.

Petredis Investment Advisors is working with TradePMR for technology and brokerage services. The team was attracted to TradePMR because of its commitment to delivering white-glove service and flexible technology. "When we decided to launch our own RIA, we knew we would need strong support and advanced technology from our providers. As we evaluated TradePMR, we believed that their offering would help our new independent firm meet our goals," said Petredis.

"We're excited to welcome Petredis Investment Advisors," said John Peluso, President of First Clearing. "The Petredis family has built an impressive practice, and we believe the RIA model will be a great fit for their team and their clients moving forward."

To schedule an introductory call with the Petredis Investment Advisors team, email [email protected] or call (878) 231-4300.

About Petredis Investment Advisors

Based in Warrendale, Pennsylvania, Petredis Investment Advisors is a fee-only Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) that offers strategic financial planning and investment management to multi-generational clients nationwide. Founded by five members of the Petredis family, the firm provides financial advice for its clients backed by decades of experience. For more information, visit: https://www.petredisia.com/.

A copy of our Form CRS and Form ADV Brochures, which further describe our services and fees, is available at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/322371.

About TradePMR

For more than two decades, TradePMR has worked with growth-minded independent registered investment advisers (RIAs), providing innovative technology tools and support designed to transform their businesses. The privately-held brokerage and custodian services provider (Member FINRA/SIPC), based in Gainesville, Fla., works to streamline fee-only investment advisers' operations through comprehensive custodial, operational, and trading support. For more information, visit www.TradePMR.com.

Follow TradePMR on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for the latest news, updates, and event information.

Securities are offered through Trade-PMR, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC.

About First Clearing

First Clearing is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. First Clearing provides correspondent services to broker-dealers and registered investment advisers and does not provide services to the general public. Learn more at: www.firstclearing.com

TradePMR and First Clearing are not affiliated.

SOURCE Petredis Investment Advisors
The 24/7 Automated Pizzeria Partners with Chartwells Higher Education to Bring Accessible Dining Options to Students Across Campus

TORONTO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PizzaForno, North America's first automated pizzeria that bakes handmade pizza in less than three minutes, has announced their newest partnership with Chartwells Higher Education, a subsidiary company of Compass Group USA, the global leader in foodservice and facilities management services.

As PizzaForno units are ideal for college students being accessible 24/7 at the tap of a digital screen, Chartwells Higher Education saw a perfect partnership opportunity for re-inventing the on-campus dining experience at University of New Orleans.

"With every bite, your taste buds awaken, leaving you craving more. Luckily for you, PizzaForno is always available," Richard Curtis, General Manager at Chartwells Higher Education at University of New Orleans.

PizzaForno opened its first location on a Chartwells Higher Education campus in September of 2022 at University of New Orleans. The new location was a result of complaints to the university about a lack of food options when the dining halls closed for the day, leading to an automated pizzeria being installed in the students housing part of campus.

"Our first PizzaForno location in New Orleans has been extremely successful, and we look forward to bringing more units to University of New Orleans and other universities in the area," said Miller Engelhardt, Master Licensee of New Orleans. "Our partnership with Chartwells has allowed us to branch out to other Universities in the area, and has helped us move to higher foot traffic areas on campus, boosting our sales tremendously."

PizzaForno is growing rapidly and plans to have 25,000 operating units by 2028. The brand prioritizes providing their services in places that would benefit greatly from PizzaForno's cutting-edge technology and have begun expanding into campuses, hospitals, colleges, businesses, busy street corners, and other areas where foot traffic is high.

"We have indoor and outdoor size units designed to fit just about anywhere and everywhere you can imagine people would appreciate 24/7 access to delicious pizza," stated Les Tomlin, Co-Founder and President of PizzaForno. "This partnership allows us to continue expanding and provide accessible options to students across the nation."

Easily accessible through PizzaForno's app, users can check inventory, order, and reserve pizzas for pick-up; providing the ability to order via the app from anywhere in the world.

To learn more about PizzaForno and their licensing opportunities, visit https://www.pizzaforno.com/become-a-licensee/.

ABOUT PIZZAFORNO

Founded in 2018 by Canadian entrepreneurs William Moyer and Les Tomlin, PizzaForno is North America's only automated pizzeria which introduces high quality pizza in less than three minutes. Accessible 24/7 at the tap of a digital screen, PizzaForno offers a selection of pizza options, each made with high quality ingredients. Utilizing technology made popular in France by ADIAL, PizzaForno has built the brand on a proven machine with 2,500 units operating in Europe. PizzaForno currently has over 70 operating locations and over 800 additional locations committed in the U.S. alone, with locations operating in Georgia, Michigan, Texas, Louisiana and California. In 2020, PizzaForno was honored with the Restaurants Canada 2020 Innovation Award. To learn more about PizzaForno, visit https://www.pizzaforno.com/. To inquire about the licensee opportunity, visit https://www.pizzaforno.com/become-a-licensee/.

SOURCE PizzaForno
Valmet Oyj's press release on July 12, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. EEST

ESPOO, Finland, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Valmet's Half Year Financial Review January  June 2023 will be published on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at approximately 2:00 p.m. Finnish time (EEST). The stock exchange release and presentation material in English and in Finnish will be available at that time on Valmet's website at www.valmet.com/investors.

Webcast

Valmet will arrange a news conference in English as a live webcast at https://valmet.videosync.fi/q2-2023 on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. Finnish time (EEST). President and CEO Pasi Laine and CFO Katri Hokkanen will be presenting the results.

Recording of the webcast will be available shortly after the event at the same address.

Conference call

It is possible to take part in the news conference through a conference call by registering through the link below:

http://palvelu.flik.fi/teleconference/?id=1009889

After the registration you will be provided phone numbers and a conference ID to access the conference. If you wish to ask a question during the conference, please dial *5 on your telephone keypad to enter the question queue.

All questions should be presented in English.

The event can also be followed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/valmetir.

VALMET

Corporate Communications

For further information, please contact:

Pekka Rouhiainen, VP, Investor Relations, Valmet, tel. +358 10 672 0020

For media: Antti Ylitalo, Director, External Communications, Valmet, tel. +358 40 351 5049

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
Over 100 million people in the U.S. lack access to outdoor space close to home. "We believe everyone should have access to outdoor space wherever they live," REI CEO says.

SEATTLE, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- REI Co-op today launched a multiyear, nationwide initiative to ensure every American has immediate access to outdoor spaces. Outside in 5 is a community-led initiative that supports local projects and national legislation in pursuit of REI's goal of getting 100 million people outside in five minutes or less, no matter where they live. The co-op will also be putting $5 from every co-op membership towards the REI Cooperative Action Fund, which supports organizations and projects that will help everyone get Outside in 5.

REI today launched a multiyear, nationwide initiative to ensure every American has immediate access to outdoor spaces. Tweet this REI Co-op today launched a multiyear, nationwide initiative to ensure every American has immediate access to outdoor spaces. Outside in 5 is a community-led initiative that supports local projects and national legislation in pursuit of our goal of getting 100 million people outside in five minutes or less, no matter where they live.

Data from the Trust for Public Land show the U.S. is rich in enthusiasm for the outdoors, but poor in access and infrastructureespecially for those communities that have been historically and systemically disenfranchised. Over a third of people living in America do not have a public park or space to recreate within a 10-minute walk from home.

"This problem did not just happen," said Eric Artz, chief executive officer, REI. "It is the result of decades of planning decisions that oftentimes served to further isolate and marginalize underrepresented communities. At REI, we believe everyone should have access to outdoor space wherever they live. That's why we're making a long-term commitment to get 100 million people outside in five minutes or less."

The co-op is launching this initiative on July 12th in Anacostia Park in Washington, D.C. The Anacostia neighborhood is a historically Black community and home to this neighborhood national park. Despite its namesake park, the community has limited access to green space.

This community is emblematic of many others in the country, which have suffered from a systemic loss of access to the outdoors. That's not an accident. It's by design.

Anacostia has been impacted by racial and economic inequitiesfrom the establishment of racially segregated recreation areas to the sewage infrastructure that polluted the Anacostia River to the construction of Interstate 295, which cut neighborhoods off from the park that was once accessible to them.

In Anacostia, as will be true everywhere REI introduces Outside in 5, the work is community-led to address its specific needs. Friends of Anacostia Park, with the support of REI and the REI Cooperative Action Fund, is working to reconnect the historically Black community of Anacostia to the national park in their own backyard.

"The legacy of inequitable development hangs over Anacostia Parkwith thousands of residents still struggling to access the national park in their backyard," said Richard Trent, executive director, Friends of Anacostia Park. "But coalitions like oursthat unite engaged citizens, civic-minded corporations and accountable administratorscontain the know-how and wherewithal needed to undo that toxic legacy and expand access to green space to the communities that need it most."

The co-op will join the Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory, author and policy advocate Heather McGhee, and other community leaders in Anacostia Park on the morning of July 12th to unveil a national playbook for Outside in 5. The launch culminates with the Late Skate Summer Event Series, a fair and festival in support of the "rooted at Anacostia Park" program.

Whether you live in a neighborhood with limited access to parks and trails, one without adequate public transit to those places, or even a place with amplebut inequitableaccess, there are challenges to recreating outside that every one of us can help address. In the years ahead, REI will bring this work to more communities across the country as part of our broader efforts to inspire actions on climate change and equitable access to the outdoors.

Later this fall, the REI Cooperative Action Fund will announce more than 250 new local nonprofits that will help advance REI's vision of Outside in 5. While every organization is unique, each:

Shares the goal of creating a more equitable outdoors

Centers the unique needs of their community

Will benefit from the strength of REI's nationwide community of employees, members and customers to support and amplify these impactful and inspiring organizations

REI is also tapping the power of its 23-million-member community by asking everyone to join the Cooperative Action Network and help pass the Outdoors for All Act, which would help close the nature gap by securing funding for green spaces in underserved communities so everyone can enjoy time outside.

"We do our best work when we do it together," said Artz. "I'm excited to partner with our employees, members, communities, advocacy groups and governmental organizations across the country in pursuit of this goal. Together, we can remove barriers to a life outside for all."

For more information, or to find out how you can join this effort, visit rei.com/outside-in-5.

About the REI Co-op

REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation's largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 23 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 181 locations in 42 states and the District of Columbia. If you can't visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. REI isn't just about gear. Adventurers can take the trip of a lifetime with REI's active adventure travel company that runs more than 100 itineraries across the country. In many communities where REI has a presence, professionally trained instructors share their expertise by hosting beginner-to advanced-level classes and workshops about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access toand stewardthe outdoor places that inspire us all.

SOURCE REI Co-op
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Revalize, a worldwide leader in CAD, CPQ, and PLM software solutions for manufacturers, announced today the appointment of Michael (Mike) Sabin as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mike succeeds Jim Contardi, who has been the CEO of Revalize since its formation in June 2021, and prior to that, the CEO of AutoQuotes since 2019.

Mike Sabin, CEO

An experienced strategic leader, Mike has a proven track record of building and developing strong teams, driving go-to-market strategies and propelling growth. Most recently, Mike spent three years as CEO of SNH Automotive Group, comprised of the National Credit Center ("NCC") and Promax. Previously, he held multiple senior leadership positions at the Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, including overseeing Global Business Solutions as Executive Vice President and General Manager.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to join the talented team at Revalize," said Mike. "With its customer value approach, market-leading solutions, and strong foundation of success, I believe the company is positioned for meaningful growth. I am excited to partner with the Revalize team, ST6, TA and Hg as we work to maximize our potential and reshape the future of manufacturing software."

"Mike's cross-functional experience, ability to develop winning teams, and focus on delivering a superior customer experience make him an ideal fit for Revalize," said Mark Friedman, Chairman of Revalize and Managing Director of ST6. "We look forward to Mike's leadership and building on the Company's strong momentum, to benefit our team and global customer base."

Revalize has grown substantially under the leadership of Jim Contardi, reaching a broader customer base and expanding its portfolio of high-impact solutions.

"It's been a privilege to support Revalize through its formation and rapid growth over the last two years," said Jim Contardi. "Most gratifying has been building out the depth and capability of our team and targeting new investments to better address the evolving business challenges that our customers are facing. I'm grateful that Mike shares a passion for our space and appreciates the company's culture - I'm confident he'll take Revalize to the next level."

"On behalf of the Revalize Board of Directors, we want to thank Jim for his leadership and unparalleled commitment to driving value for customers, team members and partners alike," said Hythem El-Nazer, a Managing Director at TA. "While the Company's vision and values remain the same, we are excited to enter a new phase of our growth journey in partnership with Mike and the entire Revalize leadership team," added JB Brian, Partner at Hg.

About Revalize

Founded in 2021, Revalize is the premier idea-to-cash solution on a journey to reshape the future of manufacturing - powering greater outcomes for businesses who design, model, develop and sell, with a portfolio of industry-leading CAD, PLM, and CPQ solutions. The Company serves more than 15,000 customers across the globe. Revalize is a portfolio company of TA Associates and Hg. Learn more at www.revalizesoftware.com.

About TA

TA is a leading global private equity firm focused on scaling growth in profitable companies. Since 1968, TA has invested in more than 560 companies across its five target industries  technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer and business services. Leveraging its deep industry expertise and strategic resources, TA collaborates with management teams worldwide to help high-quality companies deliver lasting value. The firm has raised $65 billion in capital to date and has over 150 investment professionals across offices in Boston, Menlo Park, Austin, London, Mumbai and Hong Kong. More information about TA can be found at www.ta.com.

About Hg

Hg support the building of sector-leading enterprises that supply businesses with critical software applications or workflow services, delivering a more automated workplace for their customers. This industry is characterised by digitisation trends that are in early stages of adoption and are set to transform the workplace for professionals over decades to come. Hg's support combines deep end-market knowledge with world class operational resources, together providing compelling support to entrepreneurial leaders looking to scale their business  businesses that are well invested, enduring and serve their customers well. With a vast European network and strong presence across North America, Hg's 400 employees and $65bn in funds under management support a portfolio of more than 45 businesses, worth over $120 billion aggregate enterprise value, with over 100,000 employees, consistently growing revenues at more than 20% annually. If you'd like to see more, check Hg out at www.hgcapital.com.

About ST6

ST6 is an elite team of software operating executives that partner with private equity sponsors to transform software companies and accelerate value creation.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Molly Baker

[email protected]

SOURCE Revalize
ATLANTA, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Revenue Grid, the leading revenue intelligence platform, is proud to announce that it has successfully reaffirmed its System and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2) Type 2 certification. This achievement highlights Revenue Grid's continued adherence to the rigorous information security standards outlined by the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts (AICPA).

The audit, performed by renowned Certified Public Accounting firm Clark Nubel between April and June 2023, revalidated Revenue Grid's stringent information security practices, policies, procedures, and operations. This recertification underscores the company's unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest security and compliance standards.

Revenue Grid has successfully reaffirmed its System and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2) Type 2 certification Tweet this

SOC 2 is a globally recognized auditing standard designed to ensure the privacy, security, and processing integrity of customer information. Revenue Grid's successful annual reaffirmation of its SOC 2 Type 2 status demonstrates its ability to implement critical security policies and maintain compliance over an extended period.

"We place the utmost importance on building trust with our customers," said Vlad Voskresensky, CEO of Revenue Grid. "SOC 2 compliance affirms our dedication to security and accountability. Our customers can have great confidence in the careful storage and protection of their data."

Revenue Grid's SOC 2 recertification follows its recent recognition as one of the 50 Best Sales Products in G2's 2023 Best Software Awards. This accolade highlights Revenue Grid's innovative capabilities and commitment to customer satisfaction.

By having both the SOC 2 Type 2 certification and the G2 award, Revenue Grid demonstrates its relentless dedication to providing a secure, high-quality platform that empowers sales teams to exceed targets and drive sustainable revenue growth.

About SOC 2 Type 2

This standard was created by the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) in 2010. It provides auditors with a framework to evaluate how well an organization's security protocols function  for SOC 2 Type 1, it looks at a single point in time, whereas SOC 2 Type 2 examines the effectiveness over a 3-12 month period. An organization that desires to receive an unqualified report must follow specific procedures for handling customer data, including data stored in the cloud. The purpose of a SOC 2 audit is to provide evidence of trustworthiness for service providers, their customers, and end-users.

Learn more at https://www.aicpa.org/topic/audit-assurance/audit-and-assurance-greater-than-soc-2

About Revenue Grid

Revenue Grid is a revenue intelligence platform that helps businesses identify and prevent revenue leaks at any stage of the revenue generation process. Revenue Grid fights revenue leaks by automatically capturing all relevant sales activities, analyzing data with AI, implementing changes to sales processes with Revenue Signals, and measuring the effectiveness of those changes. Organizations as diverse as Hilton, Western Union, Moody's, Trip Advisor, Red Cross, and Robert Half have chosen Revenue Grid, thanks to its customizability and enterprise-readiness. Revenue Grid is a private company headquartered in Atlanta, GA. To learn more, visit revenuegrid.com.

Media contacts

BLASTmedia for Revenue Grid

317.806.1900

[email protected]

SOURCE Revenue Grid
CHICAGO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global RF gallium nitride market was valued at USD 1.3 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 2.8 billion by 2028; it is expected to register a CAGR of 12.9% during the forecast period according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The rise in demand for RF GaN devices is attributed to the continuous emergence of technologies in the GaN ecosystem, the suitability of GaN in RF applications, and the increasing adoption of GaN RF semiconductor devices for military, defense, and aerospace applications.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=183000597

Browse in-depth TOC on "RF Gallium Nitride Market"

100  Tables

58  Figures

180  Pages

RF Gallium Nitride Market Report Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2022 $1.3 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $2.8 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 12.9% Market Size Available for 20192028 Forecast Period 20222028 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Device, Wafer Size, End User and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge High material and fabrication costs Key Market Opportunities Evolving renewable energy applications of GaN Key Market Drivers Advantage of GaN over traditional SI



By Wafer Size: 200 and more to account for a larger market share during the forecast year.

The 200 and more wafer size to account for the larger market share in 2028. The market for GaN wafers of 200 and above is expected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period. Wafers in this size range offer manufacturers the ability to increase productivity and produce a large number of devices in a single batch. This, in turn, helps to bring down the overall cost of manufacturing 6-inch wafers, making them one of the most cost-effective GaN wafers available in the market. This has become one of the main reasons owing to which the companies have been developing their semiconductor devices based on GaN wafers of 6 inches and above in recent years.

By Device Type: Integrated RF device segment to account for a larger market share in the forecasted year.

The Integrated RF device to account for the larger market share in 2028. Integrated devices combine multiple components, such as transistors, diodes, and resistors, on a single chip. This can make them smaller, more efficient, and more reliable than traditional discrete devices. RF GaN integrated devices have reformed the field of RF and microwave electronics, offering improved power density, efficiency, and linearity. They find applications in various industries, including wireless communications, radar systems, satellite communications, and defense.

By End Use: telecom infrastructure segment to account largest market share during the forecasted year.

Telecom infrastructure segment accounts for the largest market share in the RF GaN market during the forecast period. GaN has penetrated various base stations with its high-power and high-frequency performance benefits. Base stations are connected to antennas that transmit and receive signals in the cellular network from customer phones and cellular devices. The consumption of GaN-based RF devices in base stations is expected to continue to rise in the coming years. GaN offers superior properties of high-power density, power added efficiency (PAE), gain, and ease in impedance matching.

Additionally, telecom infrastructure demands extreme requirements for front-end components. The highest efficiency and linearity are needed for transmission, and the lowest noise figure is required in receive mode. Low-cost and high-volume manufacturing capabilities are mandatory for commercial applications.

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Asia Pacific is expected to hold the largest share of the RF gallium nitride market during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific to hold the largest share in the RF gallium nitride industry in 2028. Asia Pacific is the leading RF GaN market for telecom infrastructure and satellite communication industries, with the major demand coming from China, South Korea, and Japan. The RF GaN market in Asia Pacific reports a good growth trend, growing substantially compared with other regions. The main reason behind this is growing awareness about the advantages of RF GaN market devices, the increasing number of 5G base station infrastructure in China, and China and South Korea's budding interesting RF GaN market devices.

The RF gallium nitride companies is dominated by a few globally established players such as Sumitomo Electric Device Innovations, Inc. (Japan), Qorvo, Inc. (US), WOLFSPEED, INC. (US), NXP Semiconductors (Netherlands), MACOM (US). The study includes an in-depth competitive analysis of these key players in the RF GaN market, with their company profiles, recent developments, and key market strategies.

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Browse Adjacent Market: Semiconductor and Electronics Market Research Reports &Consulting

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Continuing its momentum from the previous three years, SAM has been honored by ChannelVision Magazine, Cyber Defense Magazine and the Business Intelligence Group

TEL-AVIV, Israel, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SAM Seamless Network (SAM), the global leader of cloud-native security and intelligence services for unmanaged networks and IoTs, today announced the company has secured four cybersecurity-related awards to date in 2023. These prestigious awards honor innovators and emerging technologies in the security sector who offer products and services with unique value propositions.

As profiled in the June edition of ChannelVision Magazine, SAM was recently honored as one of the publication's 2023 Visionary Spotlight Award recipients, in the Cybersecurity category and for the company's "Secure Home" service offering. The technology makes it possible for ISPs to boost their connectivity offering with full network and IoT security and a series of network management tools. SAM's artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques makes it possible for network operators to monitor and see everything that connects to their customers' home networks, regardless of the platform or device, apply the necessary security measures, and respond to incidents when they occur.

As was the case last year, SAM has also won two Global Infosec Awards for 2023 from Cyber Defense Magazine (CDM)  a "Hot Company" award in the category of SMB Cybersecurity and an "Editor's Choice" award in the category of Internet of Things (IoT) Security. Since 2020 SAM has won five Global Infosec awards. In addition, SAM has been honored with a 2023 Fortress Cyber Security Award, sponsored by the Business Intelligence Group, in the Network Security category. The Fortress Cyber Security Awards, which SAM also won in 2022, identify and reward the world's leading products keeping data and digital assets safe among growing threats within the digital landscape for households and SMBs.

Monitoring millions of networks and gaining access to network traffic from tens of millions of devices each day, allow SAM to grow its device database and optimize its device identification algorithm based on the most granular level of network data. All of this information then creates an environment where service providers are better able to identify and anticipate possible network connectivity issues and increase customer satisfaction. Verizon provides a great example, as the carrier recently deployed an agent-based solution by SAM for select customers to simplify and enhance their engagement with these customers and to give these customers a greater sense of control, by removing any doubt as to what is connected to their routers. As a result, these customers are no longer blindsided by unrecognizable devices and activities on their networks.

"We are pleased and excited by the recognition we have received over the last few years from organizations who closely follow and are actively involved in the cybersecurity sector," said Sivan Rauscher, CEO of SAM Seamless Network. "We are at the forefront in the delivery of seamless edge-to-cloud networking solutions, automating IoT security and deep network observability. With this expertise, we will continue our fight against the compromises impacting the digital well-being of individuals and businesses alike, while improving the end user experience and enabling business growth for telecom providers."

About SAM

The leading provider of cloud-native security and intelligence services for unmanaged networks and connected devices, covering upwards of 500 million devices globally. With its intuitive AI technology, SAM addresses the challenges of our hyperconnected world, in which an explosion of IoT devices exposes potential attack surfaces for companies and consumers alike. SAM's device-agnostic software provides deep network visibility to protect against sophisticated cyber-attacks in real-time and prevent the spread of zero-day attacks. By using its unique cloud-based device and threat intelligence, SAM studies and identifies the behavior of every device to create customized protection for all home and SMB users, forming a bulletproof network.

www.securingsam.com

Press Contacts

Shiri Butnaru

Head of Marketing

[email protected]

Mike Newsom

PR Consultant

[email protected]

SOURCE SAM Seamless Network
BEIJING, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SANY Group ("SANY"), over the course of its 23-year history, has established itself as an industry leader with acclaimed corporate culture, work environment, employee welfare and benefits as well as talent cultivation and to "foster first-class talents" is one of the Company's Three First-Class Visions. SANY's "employee-first, employee-oriented" talent management philosophy is the key to its success in creating a top platform to support the employees' growth, safeguard the rights and interests of the employees, and motivate talents to achieve mutually beneficial development with its talent.

The New Journey of SANY

Earlier this year, SANY was named 2022 Extraordinary Employer of the Year by Liepin, a leading talent career development platform in China which hosted the 8th annual event in conjunction with China's top media, The Paper. SANY was recognized for "its diverse incentive programs that inspire the potential of employees, respecting and honoring the value of employees, and creating a better future with its people." In 2021, SANY ranked 10th place in Greater China and 230th globally on Forbes' World's Best Employers rankings which was compiled in partnership with market research company Statista after surveying 150,000 full-time and part-time workers from 58 countries. As of the end of 2022, SANY had a total of 26,374 employees, and is committed to promoting long-term sustainable development especially in promoting the "She Power" with females accounting for 12.5 percent of the group's executives.

Additionally, leveraging SANY's HRSSC service platform, regular group discussions, staff coordination meetings, workers' congress, employee interviews and more, SANY learned and responded to employees' concerns and expectations. An internal survey received 20,262 questionnaires which reported an employee satisfaction rate of 87 percent. Meanwhile, SANY has established a comprehensive incentive system including an incremental gross margin award, equity options, project incentives and more to attract more top tech talents. And in 2022 alone, it provided subsidies totaling 428,700 yuan to 32 employees with financial difficulties.

In 2022, SANY's training programs and events were attended by 20,683 people, with 78.4 percent of employees completing training, with an average time per person of 96.8 hours.

"I have been working with SANY for over a decade," said Hu Jiangxue, deputy director of SANY Human Resources and principal of Hunan SANY Polytechnic College. "Our core philosophy for human resources management is employee success. Our talent cultivation programs support workers to undertake training and become junior engineers for robotic operations, and through the learning of digital and intelligent technologies, we aim to help the career transformation of engineers, sales specialists, and workers in the coming years."

2023 also marks a key turning point for Hunan SANY Polytechnic College. The full-time institution is enrolling a class of students majoring in new energy vehicles for the upcoming school year. The school now has four major fields of intelligent manufacturing, construction machinery, construction industrialization, and international trade, to cultivate talents much needed by the Chinese manufacturing industries in the era of Industry 4.0.

SOURCE SANY Group
LEESBURG, Fla., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Schweiger Dermatology Group ("SDG"), the leading dermatology practice in the Northeast, announced it has acquired Lake Dermatology in Leesburg, Florida. This marks the first location in the Southeast for Schweiger Dermatology Group, which has over 90 office locations throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.

Lake Dermatology was founded in 1995 by Dr. Kevin Chun, who moved to Lake County in 1993 to establish a dermatology practice with the University of Florida. At that time, Lake County only had one dermatologist. In 1996 Dr. Jorge Torres joined Dr. Chun at Lake Dermatology. Drs. Chun and Torres have grown the practice since then and continue to treat several generations of patients.

"After 27 years as a two-doctor dermatology practice, where most of our employees have been with us for over 15 years, we had a hard time finding a group that shared a patient first philosophy," says Drs. Chun and Torres. "In Schweiger Dermatology Group, we have found the ideal partners, a physician-owned, patient-centered entity that expects outstanding and ethical clinical skills. They have taken care of our employees like the family they are to us. We are delighted that Lake Dermatology has joined SDG and are looking forward to the next chapter in our careers."

"We are proud to welcome Drs. Chun and Torres and the Lake Dermatology team to the Schweiger Dermatology Group family," says Eric Schweiger, M.D., founder, and C.E.O of Schweiger Dermatology Group. "This is a very exciting moment as we expand into the Southeast, with plans to open more locations in the state of Florida this year."

The new Schweiger Dermatology Group practice is located at 1132 E. North Blvd., Leesburg, Florida.

About Schweiger Dermatology Group

Schweiger Dermatology Group is one of the leading dermatology practices in the country, with over 90 offices and over 300 healthcare providers. Schweiger Dermatology Group provides medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology services with over 1,000,000 patient visits annually. Schweiger Dermatology Group has been named to Crain's New York Fast 50, honoring the fastest growing companies in New York and the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America, each five consecutive years. Schweiger Dermatology Group has also received Great Place to Work certification. To learn more, visit schweigerderm.com .

Media Contact:

Melissa Schweiger Kleinman

[email protected]

SOURCE Schweiger Dermatology Group
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. Russias peacekeepers will remain in their place of deployment in Azerbaijans Karabakh until 2025, President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, Trend reports.

"I believe that Russia will remain true to its obligations under the agreements reached, and the peacekeepers will leave the territory in 2025," he said at a press conference following the NATO summit.

Russian peacekeeping contingent was deployed in part of the Azerbaijani territories in accordance with the trilateral Statement of November 10, 2020.
WILMINGTON, Mass., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- UniFirst Corporation (NYSE:UNF), a North American leader in providing customized business uniform programs, facility service products and first aid and safety services, is proud to be a repeat honoree on Selling Power's "50 Best Companies to Sell For" list for the 20th consecutive year. The company earned the #22 spot on the list, which features an elite group of the 50 best sales organizations in the U.S.

UniFirst sales team named to Selling Powers, "50 Best Companies to Sell For".

"As a company, we are proud to reach this significant milestone which highlights our unwavering dedication to developing and sustaining a world-renowned sales organization aimed at delivering unrivaled solutions for our customers," said David Katz, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at UniFirst. "Our sales team is equipped with cutting-edge, award-winning training and advanced sales enablement tools that enhance their expertise, establishing them as reliable and dependable uniform experts and trusted advisors."

The companies included on this year's "50 Best" list is a mix of sizes ranging from medium to enterprise. Selling Power's team gathered data and ranked companies across four key areas:

Company Overview

Compensation and Benefits

Hiring, Sales Training & Sales Enablement

Diversity and Inclusion

"As companies are facing economic headwinds sales organizations are sharpening their focus on sales talent. The Best Companies to Sell For have mastered the alignment of people, processes, and technologies and created a sales organization that excels in hiring, onboarding, training, and compensation of their sales representatives. What attracts salespeople to work for these leading organizations is their great culture, their commitment to diversity, and their steady support of the sales team by servant leadership that focuses on creating customer value and a meaningful work environment that offers unlimited opportunities to win," says Gerhard Gschwandtner, founder and CEO of Selling Power. "These companies aim at a higher level of professionalism and trust, which in turn leads to increased sales and a lower turnover of the sales force" Gschwandtner continued.

UniFirst serves half of the Fortune 500 and outfits more than two-million uniform wearers throughout North America. In addition to appearing on Selling Power's list for two decades, the company has also earned Glass Door "25 Best Companies for Career Opportunities" and Forbes "America's Best Large Employers" among others.

"UniFirst has established a distinct sales culture over the years, guided by our deep-seated core values of customer focus, respect for others, and commitment to quality that permeates our entire organization," says Catalina Dongo, UniFirst Senior Vice President of Human Resources. "We also offer sales professionals exceptionally competitive compensation packages and benefits with limitless potential for growth, to help ensure that we attract and retain highly skilled and diverse sales professionals."

UniFirst is currently recruiting talented individuals to join its award-winning sales team. For more information about the company, please visit https://jobs.unifirst.com.

About UniFirst

Headquartered in Wilmington, Mass., UniFirst Corporation (NYSE: UNF) is a North American leader in the supply and servicing of uniform and workwear programs, facility service products, as well as first aid and safety supplies and services. Together with its subsidiaries, the Company also manages specialized garment programs for the cleanroom and nuclear industries. In addition to partnering with leading brands, UniFirst manufactures its own branded workwear, protective clothing, and floorcare products at its five company-owned ISO-9001-certified manufacturing facilities. With more than 270 service locations, over 300,000 customer locations, and 14,000-plus employee Team Partners, the Company outfits more than 2 million workers every day. For additional information, contact UniFirst at 888.296.2740 or visit UniFirst.com.

About Selling Power

In addition to Selling Power, the leading digital magazine for sales managers and sales VPs since 1981, Personal Selling Power, Inc., produces the Sales Management Digest and Daily Boost of Positivity online newsletters as well as videos featuring interviews with top executives. Selling Power is a regular media sponsor of the Sales 3.0 Conference (https://www.sales30conf.com ) , which is attended by a total of more than 4,500 sales leaders each year. For additional information, please visit www.sellingpower.com.

SOURCE UniFirst Corporation
NEW YORK, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Comerica Incorporated ("Comerica" or the "Company") (NYSE: CMA). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Comerica and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On May 29, 2023, citing a review of "internal documents," American Banker reported that "Comerica Bank officials privately acknowledged significant compliance failures in their operation of a Treasury Department program that provides federal benefits on prepaid cards to millions of unbanked Americans[.]" American Banker stated that "[a] Comerica executive said the Dallas bank faced a 'serious contract violation' for allowing fraud disputes and data on Direct Express and cardholders to be handled out of a vendor's office in Lahore, Pakistan[.]"

On this news, Comerica's stock fell $1.40 per share, or 3.59% to close at $37.59 per share on May 30, 2023.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK , July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Siemens Energy AG ("Siemens" or the "Company") (OTCMKTS: SMNEY). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Siemens and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On June 22, 2023, after the market closed, Siemens disclosed that it had found a "substantial increase in failure rates of wind turbine components" and had initiated an "extended technical review," which would cost approximately 1 billion euros. The Company also withdrew its profit guidance for fiscal year 2023.

On this news, Siemen's American Depositary Receipt ("ADR") price fell $5.87 per ADR, or 27%, to close at $15.88 per ADR on June 23, 2023.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
BOSTON, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Simply Business, LLC, a Boston-based digital insurance company focused on small businesses, announced today an association with Cerity, a provider of digital-first, direct-to-consumer workers' compensation insurance policies.

Customers can receive quotes for Cerity's workers' compensation insurance on the Simply Business website, bind their policies online, or connect with a licensed insurance agent, who can help ensure their coverage meets their business's needs.

"We are committed to providing small business owners with a wide range of insurance options that cater to their specific needs and preferences," said David Summers, Group CEO of Simply Business. "We're excited to team up with Cerity, who shares our digital-first approach and combines a deep understanding of workers' compensation with expertise in the online insurance purchasing process."

Cerity is a subsidiary of Employers Holdings, Inc., a workers' compensation specialist with an over 100-year history. This offering is currently available to small business owners in Washington D.C. and all 46 states where private carriers are eligible to operate.

"We are thrilled to team up with Simply Business to meet customers where they want to be: online," said Chris Champlin, Vice President of Digital Sales at Cerity. "By leveraging technology, we have created a digital-first experience that makes it easy for small business owners to get the coverage and peace of mind they need so they can focus on running their business."

For more information about Simply Business, please visit SimplyBusiness.com .

For more information about Cerity, please visit Cerity.com.

Simply Business

Simply Business is changing the way small business owners find business insurance by offering customers tailored insurance coverage online. The company began in the United Kingdom and expanded to the United States in 2017, naming Boston home. With thousands of customers, Simply Business has become a leader in the space through its commitment to a customer-first model, focusing heavily on simplicity, choice, and value.

Cerity

Cerity is a registered trademark of Cerity Services, Inc. Founded with a bold vision to reimagine small business insurance, Cerity empowers business owners to quickly and easily protect their team, their assets, and their livelihood through an online workers' compensation solution. With its digital-first approach, Cerity is transforming the entire process  from purchasing and maintaining coverage to filing a claim  to be simple, fast, and easy. The company's proprietary pricing model produces tailored quotes within seconds and can deliver a new policy in five minutes or less, enabling leaders to get back to what matters most: growing and scaling their operation. Cerity Services, Inc. is a subsidiary of Employers Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EIG), an industry veteran with over 100 years of experience in workers' compensation. Employers Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates throughout the United States, with the exception of four states that are served exclusively by their state funds. Insurance is offered through Employers Insurance Company of Nevada, Employers Compensation Insurance Company, Employers Preferred Insurance Company, Employers Assurance Company, and Cerity Insurance Company, all rated A- (Excellent) by the A.M. Best Company. Not all companies do business in all jurisdictions. See www.employers.com and www.cerity.com for coverage availability.

Media Contacts

Simply Business

Jackie Dunn

[email protected]com

Cerity

Lauren Meckstroth

[email protected]com

SOURCE Simply Business
GOTHENBURG, Sweden, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SKF has signed an agreement to divest Spandau Pumpen to EBARA Pumps Europe S.p.A, a group company of the global industrial machinery manufacturer EBARA CORPORATION. Spandau Pumpen is focused on coolant pumps in SKF's lubrication business.

The divestment is a strategic realignment and part of SKF's decision to focus on its core lubrication business such as automatic lubrication systems and components, lubricants, and lubrication tools.

Thomas Frost, President, Independent & Emerging Business, at SKF, says: "We are pleased to sell Spandau Pumpen to EBARA CORPORATION, a dedicated pump manufacturer that will be able to continue to develop this business. The divestment is another example of the ongoing pruning of our portfolio, which is an important part of our strategy."

Minoru Matsushita, Managing Director at EBARA Pumps Europe S.p.A, says: "It is a good opportunity for us to acquire Spandau Pumpen, which has a great history and solid brand in the industry. We are confident in the continuous growth of the business by creating synergy with our existing world-wide network."

The divestment is expected to close at the end of September 2023. The divestment is deemed not material on SKF Group's financials.

For further information, please contact:

PRESS: Carl Bjernstam, Head of Media Relations

tel: 46 31-337 2517; mobile: 46 722-201 893; e-mail: [email protected]

INVESTOR RELATIONS: Patrik Stenberg, Head of Investor Relations

tel: 46 31-337 2104; mobile: 46 705-472 104; [email protected]

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/637/3803739/2184525.pdf 20230712 SKF divests coolant pumps operations https://news.cision.com/skf/i/spandau-pumpen,c3199238 Spandau Pumpen https://news.cision.com/skf/i/thomas-frost,c3199239 Thomas Frost

SOURCE SKF
NEW YORK, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sotheby's International Realty today announced the opening of Argentina Properties Sotheby's International Realty in Argentina. The addition marks the brand's continued growth in South America and its 28th office in the region.

The firm will be led by Horacio Cacace, a real estate broker with more than 30 years of experience in the real estate business. The company will serve the entirety of Argentina, including the country's most prominent areas and exclusive neighborhoods, and will be headquartered in the city of Buenos Aires.

"Argentina has a growing luxury real estate market," said Philip White, president and CEO, Sotheby's International Realty. "The Argentinian market attracts a wide variety of buyers, including expatriates, high-net-worth individuals, foreign investors, and professionals in the technology and financial sectors. The country has also become a popular destination for Latin American countries, the United States, Brazil, Spain, and Italy. Argentina Properties Sotheby's International Realty is an exciting addition to our global portfolio, and we look forward to supporting their business."

"Our mission is to provide exceptional service to our clients, ensuring that their real estate experience is smooth and enjoyable," said Cacace. "And our affiliation with Sotheby's International Realty enables us to further reach international clientele while supporting our company's culture and mission of providing best-in-class service. Through our work with Sotheby's International Realty, we will also be able to market our listings in the best light possible for both our domestic and international clients."

The company has plans for continued growth in a phased approach and consists of several real estate associates who will guide clients through each of the steps needed to invest in the Argentinean market.

The Sotheby's International Realty network currently has more than 26,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in approximately 1,100 offices in 81 countries and territories worldwide. Argentina Properties Sotheby's International Realty listings are marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global website. In addition to the referral opportunities and widened exposure generated from this source, the firm's brokers and clients will benefit from an association with Sotheby's auction house and worldwide Sotheby's International Realty marketing programs. Each office is independently owned and operated.

Sotheby's International Realty

Sotheby's International Realty was founded in 1976 as a real estate service for discerning clients of Sotheby's auction house. Today, the company's global footprint spans approximately 1,100 offices located in 81 countries and territories worldwide, including 48 company-owned brokerage offices in key metropolitan and resort markets. In February 2004, Anywhere Real Estate Inc. entered a long-term strategic alliance with Sotheby's, the operator of the auction house. The agreement provided for the licensing of the Sotheby's International Realty name and the development of a franchise system. The franchise system is comprised of an affiliate network, where each office is independently owned and operated. Sotheby's International Realty supports its affiliates and agents with a host of operational, marketing, recruiting, educational and business development resources. Affiliates and agents also benefit from an association with the venerable Sotheby's auction house, established in 1744. For more information, visit www.sothebysrealty.com.

The affiliate network is operated by Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC, and the company owned brokerages are operated by Sotheby's International Realty, Inc. Both entities are subsidiaries of Anywhere Real Estate Inc. (NYSE: HOUS) a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services. Both Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC and Sotheby's International Realty, Inc. fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

CONTACT

Melissa Couch

Senior Manager, Public Relations & Communications

Sotheby's International Realty

973-407-6142

[email protected]

SOURCE Sotheby's International Realty
COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Supermarket Guru Phil Lempert and Stratovation Group today unveiled the Grocer Executive Panel, an effort to take the pulse of America's grocery sector. The initiative gathers insights from retail food executives related to innovations, market trends, and breaking issues, analyzes the results and reports back to those industry leaders in aggregate.

Spearheaded by Lempert, renowned food industry analyst and Supermarket Guru, and powered by Stratovation Group, a Midwest research, marketing and consulting firm, the effort will provide a tool supermarket executives and food companies can use to better inform their management decisions.

"The Grocer Executive Panel is a noncompetitive effort for grocery executives to share information and benefit from shared insights," said Lempert. "This will give decision-makers information intended to lift all boats, and ultimately benefit the consumer, and perhaps even the farmer who grew the food. We're making the food system smarter through shared information."

Stratovation Group, drawing from its focus in the food, agriculture, innovation and sustainability sectors, will manage the twice-monthly research effort.

"Our research expertise combined with Phil Lempert's grocery sector knowledge will create a powerful tool for the retail food sector," said Cam Camfield, founder and CEO of Stratovation. "The Grocer Executive Panel will provide decision-makers valuable data and analysis to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the retail food industry. The reports will empower food industry officials to tailor their offerings and devise effective marketing strategies."

"This collective intelligence resource will drive industry innovation and inform decision-making," Lempert said. "The Grocer Executive Panel will provide executives valuable insights to stay ahead in this highly competitive market."

To learn more or to be included in the panel process, retail grocery industry professionals can email inquiries to [email protected] or [email protected]. Potential sponsorship interest can also be expressed to either email address.

About Stratovation Group -- Stratovation Group is a full-service research, marketing and communications firm specializing in the food and agriculture sector. It conducts comprehensive qualitative and quantitative research to support decision-making across the industry.

About Phil Lempert (Supermarket Guru) -- Phil Lempert is a renowned food industry analyst, trend watcher, and writer. He is a trusted authority in the food industry, providing expert analysis through newsletters, podcasts and commentary on emerging trends. He frequently appears as an analyst on national newscasts.

SOURCE Stratovation Group
SAN ANTONIO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SWBC Investment Services, LLC, announced it was named Co-Manager on the $119 Million Harris County's Toll Road First Lien Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2023A Tax Exempt Municipal Bond financing transaction. The bonds are designated for refunding.

Issuer: Harris County

Issue: Toll Road First Lien Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2023A

Security Type: Municipal Bond

Tax Treatment: Tax Exempt

Amount: $119,495,000

SWBC's Role: Co-Manager

Sale Type: Negotiated Underwriting

Sale Date: 6/7/2023

Settlement Date: 6/28/2023

Use of Proceeds: Refunding

SWBC's Public Finance and Capital Markets team continues to be a reliable, Texas-based resource for issuers to utilize. Tweet this John Tuohy, CEO of SWBC Investment Services (PRNewsfoto/SWBC)

"We are very pleased with the results of the Harris County Toll Road deal, SWBC's Public Finance and Capital Markets team continues to be a reliable, Texas-based resource for issuers to utilize when they issue bonds," said John Tuohy, CEO of SWBC Investment Services.

In 2018, SWBC Investment Services launched its public finance business for a diverse number of public entities, including cities and counties; higher education institutions; independent school districts; municipal utility, water, drainage, and special districts; and regional transportation districts. Since, the company has managed over $1 billion of new issue municipal bond financing transactions.

About SWBC

As a diversified financial services company, SWBC provides financial institutions, businesses, and individuals a wide range of insurance, mortgages, wealth management, employee benefits, and more. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, SWBC has partners and divisions across all 50 states and manages business around the world. No matter how wide its reach, SWBC always listens to our customers' needs, analyzes their current situations, and recommends customized solutions. For more information about our innovative approach to personalized service, visit SWBC's website at www.swbc.com. Securities offered by SWBC Investment Services, LLC, member SIPC & FINRA. Advisory services offered by SWBC Investment Services Company, a Registered Investment Advisor.

SOURCE SWBC
Enhanced Data Management Tool for Upcoming Accelerator program

NEW YORK and LONDON and PUNE, India, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Synechron, a leading global digital transformation consulting firm, today announced that it has formally partnered with VisionGroup, a Singapore-based technology company and the creator of dataSense, the next generation catalogue and data management tool, to help extend innovation in the Data Management space.

Synechron has been working with VisionGroup and its dataSense team to leverage this technology into Synechron's 13 global Financial Innovation Labs ('FinLabs'), as well as incorporate it into the next generation of FinLabs-created accelerator solutions expected to debut later this year.

The dataSense technology uses a combination of mathematical algorithms and event processing to build the picture of an organization's data. It complements metadata platforms by creating an operational view of the data built from the actual data, and not simply metadata. dataSense bridges the gap between the business glossary, operational data, and technical metadata. It augments and completes the data governance framework. dataSense enhances organizations' existing processes and controls, and can capture unexpected items, such as internal data abuse. Enabling digital fingerprints and data catalogues allows for rapid identification (through Smart Alerts) of data changes and identifying who made changes.

Tim Jennings, Global Data Practice Lead at Synechron said, "We are excited to be partnering with VisionGroup, and looking to leverage the capabilities of the dataSense tool for some interesting imminent use cases. We are seeking to exploit the data observability features in our upcoming risk accelerator, supporting features for pro-active identification and rectification of data issues, and enabling real insight into the data payloads between systems. We are also keen to explore how we can use this tooling in the refresh of our own internal data estate, where data integrity and quality will be the objective."

Kieran Ebbs, Chief Revenue Officer, VisionGroup said, "We are delighted with the announcement of this strategic partnership with Synechron, a company renowned for its deep expertise in financial services. This collaboration aims to redefine the data landscape by combining Synechron's extensive capabilities with the innovative approach of dataSense, a transformative data management solution. This unique partnership presents an unparalleled opportunity to deliver successful data initiatives that will drive remarkable outcomes for organizations, empowering them to unlock the true potential of their data, optimize data management processes, and generate actionable insights."

About Synechron:

At Synechron, we believe in the power of digital to transform businesses for the better. Our global consulting firm combines creativity and innovative technology to deliver industry-leading digital solutions. Synechron's progressive technologies and optimization strategies span end-to-end Artificial Intelligence, Consulting, Digital, Data, Cloud & DevOps, and Software Engineering, servicing an array of noteworthy financial services and technology firms. Through research and development initiatives in our FinLabs we develop solutions for modernization, from Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain to Data Science models, Digital Underwriting, mobile-first applications and more. Over the last 20+ years, our company has been honored with multiple employer awards, recognizing our commitment to our talented teams. With top clients to boast about, Synechron has a global workforce of 14,500+, and has 43 offices in 18 countries within key global markets.

For more information on the company, please visit our website or LinkedIn community.

About VisionGroup

VisionGroup is a humanity plus company based in Singapore that believes in using technology for the betterment of the human race. We are focused on driving adoption of impactful technology to governments, enterprises and the masses by making it better, faster and easier. We have a vision to empower lives by integrating disruptive technology into everyday life to create a better us and a better world. And a mission to empower our clients and stakeholders to turn their Vision to Reality. Our goal is to be a leading global technology enabler by placing Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Cybersecurity into all aspects of everyday life to make lives better through impactful technology. Our core sectors of focus are in Commerce, Finance and Government. See more at our website.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1943591/Synechron_Logo.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2151676/dataSense_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Synechron
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. The impact of the plant on the air in Azerbaijani Soyudlu village (Gadabay district) was within normal limits, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev said at a briefing, Trend reports.

All the structures from the commission have carried out the relevant work, the minister said, adding that the preliminary monitoring results have been shared with the residents.

Meanwhile, the commission was established in the village of Soyudlu of the Gadabay district to monitor and assess the current situation related to waste by order of Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov.

The commission consists of the Deputy Minister of Health, the Deputy Minister for Emergency Situations, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, the Head of the Department of Industry and Energy of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Head of the State Service for Property Issues under the Ministry of Economy and the Head of the Executive Branch of the Gadabay district.

The commission was also instructed to ensure consideration of citizens' appeals in the village of Soyudlu of the Gadabay district regarding the protection of residents' health and environment, as well as prepare and submit relevant proposals to the Cabinet of Ministers.

As President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said yesterday during a meeting dedicated to the socio-economic results of six months of 2023, the incident in the Gadabay district is completely unacceptable.

"I believe that the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources was negligent as a minimum, it showed lack of control, acted as a passive observer, as a result of which a foreign investor contaminated our nature. People raised their legitimate voice of protest, but did anyone listen to them? No! One day, two days, three days, five days. What was the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources thinking? Wasnt it aware that there was such a problem? It was either aware but turned a blind eye to it, or it was unaware. Both are not acceptable. It is true that some of the citizens were provoked and committed inappropriate and illegal acts, and this is intolerable and unacceptable. Some of those provocateurs have gone into hiding in Azerbaijan, others have fled abroad. Those in Azerbaijan have already been identified and several have been brought to justice. We will bring those abroad to account. Let no one think that we have forgotten this. Chaos, arbitrariness and provocations in Azerbaijan ended in 1993. If someone has forgotten that, we can remind them. Therefore, citizens should also show culture, as they say, show enlightenment, obey the law, and not throw stones at the police. Throwing stones at the police is not an act that brings honor to anyone. This is one thing. Secondly, it is a crime. If the Azerbaijani police show tolerance, it does not mean that people can throw stones at the police. This is absolutely unacceptable. I am saying this to everyone that we are not going to play with anyones whims here and if we believe that it is necessary, we will punish those involved in such a way that they will regret it.

At the same time, there was a natural reason for what happened. And this reason is that a foreign company came here to make money. We do not object, they have made investments and created jobs. Of course, they didnt come here to do charity, they came here to earn money. But this does not mean that our nature should be destroyed in the process. It does not mean that people's pastures and grazing areas should be occupied. It does not mean that they should build a second wastewater lake without obtaining permission from anyone. Who gave them permission? It seems that either they colluded with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources or did it on their own. So, it should be seriously investigated. All instructions have been given to the prosecutor's office and other relevant institutions. After I heard the news, I called the Prime Minister and told him to immediately establish a commission and send them to the place. Did I have to actually say that? Didnt the Minister of Ecology know that he should go there? I said to them that they should go there, talk to the people, take air samples, involve international experts. Because it is quite possible that the ministry was the cause of this incident. It is quite possible that you should involve international experts to give their opinion. To what extent is the exploitation of these fields harmful to people's health and nature? There is no answer so far. Yes, a meeting has been held, a statement was made in the Cabinet of Ministers, but whoever reads that statement cannot understand a thing. What does it actually state? What was the purpose of that statement? To downplay the issue or just say some general words like that. I gave a specific task, a specific one. Where are the results of the examination? How much time has passed? Almost a month has passed. No one has got back to me. The Cabinet of Ministers does not do it, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources does not do it either. They think that I have forgotten about it. No, I don't forget anything. I want to say again now that those who threw stones at the police should be ashamed in front of their families, in front of his children, in front of family members, in front of the whole public. Because the public saw those ugly scenes. This is why I am giving you a week's time. Both me and the public should be informed and the matter should be investigated. Why didnt the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources pay attention to this issue, was indifferent, and even after I gave them the task, they went there and came back, but there is still no information about the result.

Foreign companies and local companies working here must respect the laws of Azerbaijan. If they do not respect our laws, their activity here will be impossible. Although foreign investors exploit the gold deposits in Gadabay based on a production sharing agreement, although they have been working here for many years, the laws of Azerbaijan, the ecological balance, all this must be respected. I should also inform you that our state company AzerGold operates gold deposits too. But according to the information provided to me, all environmental norms in that area are complied with. Among other things, there were contacts with local communities, various humanitarian campaigns were held, and people were recruited en masse. So, this is the approach shown by the Azerbaijani company. And that is the approach of a foreign company. This is intolerable, so, representatives of the foreign company should be invited. If they have not been invited so far, they should give an explanation to the Cabinet of Ministers, and let me say this again, myself and the public should be informed within a week. If there is the slightest danger to nature and people's health there, that activity should be stopped. That's it!" President Ilham Aliyev said.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global teleradiology market size is expected to reach USD 6.28 billion by 2030 registering a CAGR of 12.9% from 2023 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The growing prevalence of chronic disorders, the introduction of technologically advanced diagnoses, and an increasing need for teleradiology for emergencies and second opinions are stimulating demand for teleradiology services.

Key Industry Insights & Findings from the report:

X-ray held the largest market share in 2022 owing to its wide applications, such as in the detection of dental injuries and fractures in bones.

Based on report type, the preliminary reports segment held the largest market share in 2022.

Based on end-use, hospitals held the largest market share in 2022, owing to large patient base, building financial capacity, and receptivity to advanced technology.

North America held the largest teleradiology market share in 2022 due to wide usage of the advanced technologies and the presence of key companies along with established healthcare infrastructure in the region.

held the largest teleradiology market share in 2022 due to wide usage of the advanced technologies and the presence of key companies along with established healthcare infrastructure in the region. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period due to the supportive government regulations for the expansion of teleradiology and the quick adoption of the new technologies.

is expected to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period due to the supportive government regulations for the expansion of teleradiology and the quick adoption of the new technologies. Most of the manufacturing companies focus on expanding their product portfolios and entering untapped markets, such as Asia Pacific .

Read 120-page market research report, "Teleradiology Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Ultrasound, MRI, CT, X-ray), By Report (Preliminary, Final), By End-use (Hospital, Ambulatory Imaging Center, Radiology Clinics), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030", published by Grand View Research.

Teleradiology Market Growth & Trends

The shortage of radiologists coupled with a continuously rising demand for imaging procedures is also expected to drive market growth. Although, the number of radiology equipment installed in the countries such as the U.K., U.S., and Singapore has increased over years; however, it is unable to meet the rising demand for diagnostics imaging. For instance, as per the NHS report, the average waiting time for an MRI test is reported to be 22 days in England in the year 2021.

In addition, legislative amendments made by the various governments worldwide for diagnostic imaging services will enhance the growth of this market during the forecast period. For instance, amendments in Australia's Health Insurance Act 1973 for diagnostic imaging have enabled Medicare funding for these diagnostic imaging services since March 2008. This has allowed better access to diagnostic imaging for various conditions. North America was the major regional market in 2021 and accounted for 39.09% of the global share due to the factors, such as the higher amount of funding for R&D, patient awareness levels, and cancer prevalence.

Aging is considered as the greatest risk factor for developing degenerative disorders of the joints, such as osteoporosis. Thus, the growing geriatric population, globally, is expected to be a high-impact rendering driver of the market. Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are some of the most common disorders in the population aged over 70 years. The growing prevalence of these disorders is leading to an increase in the economic burden on many countries, thereby growing demand for teleradiology.

Teleradiology Market Report Scope

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2023 USD 2.69 billion Revenue forecast in 2030 USD 6.28 billion Growth rate CAGR of 12.9% from 2023 to 2030 Base year for estimation 2022 Historical data 2018 - 2021 Forecast period 2023 - 2030

Teleradiology Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global teleradiology market based on the product, report type, end-use, and region

Teleradiology Market - Product Outlook (Revenue in USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

X-ray

Ultrasound

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Computed Tomography (CT)

Nuclear Imaging

Teleradiology Market - Report Outlook (Revenue in USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

Preliminary reports

Final reports

Teleradiology Market - End-use Outlook (Revenue in USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

Hospitals

Ambulatory Imaging Center

Radiology Clinics

Teleradiology Market - Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

North America

U.S.



Canada

Europe

Germany



UK



France



Italy



Russia



Switzerland



Netherland



Sweden



Spain



Belgium

Asia Pacific

China



Japan



India



Thailand



South Korea



Singapore



Australia



Taiwan



Indonesia



Malaysia

Latin America

Brazil



Mexico



Argentina



Colombia



Chile

Middle East & Africa

& South Africa



Saudi Arabia



UAE



Kuwait



Israel

List Of Key Players Of Teleradiology Market

Virtual Radiologic (vRad)

Agfa-Gevaert Group

ONRAD, Inc.

Everlight Radiology;

4ways Healthcare Ltd.

RamSoft, Inc.

USARAD Holdings, Inc.

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

Matrix (Teleradiology Division of Radiology Partners)

Medica Group PLC

Check out more related studies published by Grand View Research:

Portable Ultrasound Devices Market - The global portable ultrasound devices market size is expected to reach USD 3.15 billion by 2030, based on a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2022 to 2030. Increased advancements in medical technology, a rise in a patient's preference for minimally invasive treatments, and extensive adoption of imaging systems in emergency care are some of the key factors driving the market.

The global portable ultrasound devices market size is expected to reach by 2030, based on a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2022 to 2030. Increased advancements in medical technology, a rise in a patient's preference for minimally invasive treatments, and extensive adoption of imaging systems in emergency care are some of the key factors driving the market. Intravascular Ultrasound Market - The global intravascular ultrasound market size is anticipated to reach USD 1.14 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc., registering a CAGR of 5.1% from 2023 to 2030. The rising prevalence of cardiovascular disorders coupled with the increasing demand for effective diagnostic techniques is the key factor driving the market. Moreover, consistent technological advancements are further expected to boost market growth during the forecast period. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is an effective intravascular imaging modality as this technology overcomes numerous disadvantages of angiography, which utilizes X-ray technology to create images.

- The global intravascular ultrasound market size is anticipated to reach by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc., registering a CAGR of 5.1% from 2023 to 2030. The rising prevalence of cardiovascular disorders coupled with the increasing demand for effective diagnostic techniques is the key factor driving the market. Moreover, consistent technological advancements are further expected to boost market growth during the forecast period. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is an effective intravascular imaging modality as this technology overcomes numerous disadvantages of angiography, which utilizes X-ray technology to create images. Ophthalmic Ultrasound Devices Market - The global ophthalmic ultrasound devices market size is expected to reach USD 787.7 million by 2028, registering a CAGR of 8.36% over the forecast years, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Increasing incidence of diabetes, rising prevalence of ophthalmic disorders, such as cataract and proliferative diabetic retinopathy, growing awareness about cataract surgeries, and the introduction of technologically advanced ophthalmic ultrasounds are among the major factors anticipated to drive the market during the forecast period.

Browse through Grand View Research's Medical Devices Industry Reports.

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com

Grand View Compass | Market Trend Reports

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SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.
Enrique Torres, Terratest's current Chairman and CEO, will remain closely involved with the company as non-executive Chairman

MADRID, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TERRATEST, a leading international engineering and construction company that specializes in geotechnical engineering, special foundations, ground improvement and environmental solutions, has appointed Jose Montero Ruiz de Molina as the company's new CEO. Jose Montero joins TERRATEST to lead a new business plan to evolve the company's business strategy and develop its potential in its main markets: the United States, Spain, Eastern Europe and Latin America.

Jose Montero Ruiz de Molina  Terratests CEO

Jose Montero will be taking over from Enrique Torres, current Chairman and CEO who, with a 35-year career in the company, will remain closely involved with TERRATEST as non-executive Chairman, supporting Jose Montero in the leadership transition and participating in the company's business development initiatives. This is a strategic decision driven by the Spanish private equity firm, Nazca Capital, the firm's major shareholder, whom has also proposed Jose Montero as the company's new CEO.

As part of its new business plan -whose goal is to focus both on consolidated markets such as the United States and the European Union, and on its core business of geotechnical engineering and ground improvement services- TERRATEST has recently completed the sale of its micro tunneling division to Rimon Drilling, the largest private water distributor and water infrastructure contractor in Israel.

Jose Montero has more than 30 years of professional experience, has held key leadership roles in multinational companies, and has led teams and operations in more than 50 countries. In his most recent role as Chief Operating Officer of the HR Tech company, Velocity Global, the global industry leader in international PEO and Employer of Record services, Jose led the company's global expansion. Previously, he was President and Founder of The Montero Group, an international strategy advisory agency specializing in growth strategies, market development, positioning and branding. Prior to founding The Montero Group, Jose served President George W. Bush as a Presidential Appointee in Washington, DC and was entrusted with leading the transformation of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the world's largest immigration agency.

For nearly 14 years, Jose worked for The Coca-Cola Company in several leadership positions around the world. In his last role at the company, he led mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and business development initiatives for Latin America and Europe. He was also CEO of Sin Limites, Inc, which produced the first "docu-reality" television program about social entrepreneurship and innovation, "Mision Impacto", which aired on prime time on Sundays in Colombia. In 2005, he founded Trekking for Kids, Inc., a non-profit social-impact adventure company that organizes high altitude trekking expeditions to various iconic locations in more than 25 countries for the benefit of orphaned children living in those areas. Jose graduated summa cum laude in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia and holds an MBA from Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

Enrique Torres says: "TERRATEST is entering a new phase, and a seasoned professional like Jose Montero will add great value driving our next evolution as a company in the coming years. It is a privilege for me to hand over my role to an executive with his reputation and experience. I am confident that his proven leadership in executive management and business transformation will position TERRATEST to take advantage of the growing opportunities in the infrastructure sector. I am also looking forward to continuing to contribute to the business as non-executive Chairman".

Jose Montero comments: "I am very excited to join an engineering services company like TERRATEST to contribute to its development and to chart a new chapter for this organization. I am very impressed by the quality of the company's employee community and its excellent track record in the industry throughout its 64-year history. My goal is to leverage my experience to develop the company's growth potential in its core markets and to make it a leading provider and a global standard-bearer for innovative geotechnical solutions."

About TERRATEST

Founded in 1959, TERRATEST is a Spanish international engineering and construction company and a global leader in the field of geotechnical engineering, special foundations, ground improvement, and environmental services. It is one of the few companies in the world that covers the full range of technologies from the design to the execution and construction for special foundation systems, drilling, and ground treatment. With these robust technical and service capabilities, TERRATEST can offer its clients around the world comprehensive solutions to geotechnical challenges of any type and magnitude.

TERRATEST is the 5th operator in the world in its industry, with a track record of successfully operating in more than 25 countries, and currently generates more than 85% of its revenues outside of Spain, with projects in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and the USA. The company has more than 1,400 employees working from strategic hubs around the world.

In December 2018 Nazca Capital acquired 100% of TERRATEST together with Aberdeen Standard Investments, an investor in Nazca's funds since 2009 and one of the largest asset managers in the world, as the main co-investor and with other minority co-investors.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2151760/Jose_Montero_Ruiz_de_Molina.jpg

SOURCE Terratest
TORONTO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TestingXperts, world's 5th largest software testing and quality assurance company, is pleased to announce its further expansion into Canada, strengthening its presence in North American market.

TestingXperts further expands its Operations into Canada, Strengthens Global Footprint

The decision to expand into Canada aligns with TestingXperts' strategic vision to cater the growing demand for Quality Engineering and software testing services in region. Canada's thriving technology sector, skilled workforce, and business-friendly environment makes it ideal for TestingXperts to further enhance its global delivery capabilities and provide exceptional quality assurance services to North American clients.

TestingXperts aims to contribute to Canada's tech ecosystem through investments in infrastructure, research and development, and local partnerships. By investing in Canada, TestingXperts seeks to foster innovation, support local talent, and create numerous job opportunities for local workforce.

TestingXperts aims to establish additional delivery centres in strategic locations across Canada, besides its first test delivery centre in Toronto, to better serve its Canadian and US clientele and be closer to emerging technology hubs. TestingXperts plans to grow its employee base in Canada by 20 times in next 2-3 years and is confident that Canada's rich pool of skilled professionals will help them achieve this.

Speaking about this expansion plan, Manish Gupta, CEO, TestingXperts, expressed his gratitude and stated, "We thank Patrick Hebert, Consul General, Consulate of Canada in Chandigarh & Soumen Mondal  Trade Commissioner, High Commission of Canada in New Delhi, India and deeply appreciate the proactive support they provided for our Canada expansion. We look forward for the continuous support. as we strive to deliver exceptional services and contribute to the Canadian technology landscape."

TestingXperts expansion in Canada, reaffirms its commitment to delivering high-quality software testing solutions, fostering innovation, and nurturing long-term partnerships with Canadian businesses.

About TestingXperts

TestingXperts is one of world's top 5 Next-Gen QA & Software Testing Services provider, co-headquartered in Mechanicsburg, PA (USA) and London, UK, with offices in Canada, Netherlands, UAE, India, and Singapore. TestingXperts' suite of testing services covers Test Advisory, Functional and Non-Functional testing specializing in Automation, RPA, Digital, DevOps, Agile, Web, Mobility, IoT, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence, etc. TestingXperts helps clients globally transform QA functions to achieve zero production defects, reduce QA cycle times by up to 80%, and lower overall QA costs by up to 60%.

Contact

Deepak Jaidka

VP-Marketing

[email protected]

+1 866 888 5353

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2152701/TestingXperts_Canada.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1948846/TestingXperts_Logo.jpg

SOURCE TestingXperts
Colorado's first Black owned and operated retail sleep shop is one of the top-rated mattress stores in the Rocky Mountain region.

DENVER, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Better Mattress, Colorado's first Black owned and operated retail mattress operation, is celebrating their one-year anniversary this weekend at the University Hills location in South Denver. During the past year, The Better Mattress has grown to be one of Denver's most highly rated sleep shops  receiving a perfect 5.0 rating on Google.

Linda and Randy Davis, owners of Colorado's first Black owned and operated retail mattress store located in South Denver.

To celebrate this anniversary, owners Linda and Randy Davis, have partnered with Ryan Heller, founder of Heller Home Group, to host Ryan's Rescues "Give a Dog a Forever Home" Denver adoption event this coming Saturday, July 15th from 10am to 2pm at The Better Mattress, located at Colorado Blvd and Yale. This event provides the perfect opportunity for dog lovers to find their ideal companion and give a deserving pup a forever home.

For the past four years, Ryan's Rescues has been hosting successful pet adoption events - Ryan has made it his mission to rescue and rehome dogs and is excited for the new partnership between his organization and The Better Mattress.

"The decision to hold the event at The Better Mattress offers an opportunity to raise funds, engage with the community, and promote adoption. Just as The Better Mattress makes your life better so does rescuing a dog", said Mr. Heller.

Linda and Randy, a Colorado native, are proud of what they have accomplished over the past year, helping to bring a good night's sleep to hundreds of Coloradans. This past spring, they added the complete selection of mattresses from Helix, one of the most popular brands on the internet.

To round out their luxury offerings, The Better Mattress is now the exclusive home to Kingsdown, one of the biggest names in the handcrafted mattress space.

The Better Mattress's Anniversary Celebration is highlighted by their "Bundle and Save" offer, featuring free sheets, two pillows, and a mattress protector with every premium mattress purchase.

For more information about The Better Mattress, please visit: https://www.thebettermattress.com/.

About The Better Mattress

The Better Mattress is the Rocky Mountain region's first Black owned and operated retail sleep operation, offering a complete selection of famous name mattress and sleep products in its flagship Denver brick-and-mortar location and online at TheBetterMattress.com.

SOURCE The Better Mattress
WORCESTER, Mass., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Menkiti Group is excited to announce it has closed on the acquisition of 526 Main Street in Worcester, MA. Located in the heart of downtown Worcester just steps from City Hall and the Hanover Theatre, the firm is undertaking a complete rehabilitation of the historic structure originally constructed in 1894 for local businessman and entrepreneur Ransom F. Taylor. This strategic move further enhances The Menkiti Group's portfolio and expands its presence in Worcester's historic and vibrant Theatre District.

526 Main Street Rendering

At completion, the project will feature a co-working space which will occupy the entire 2nd floor and will also include a creative maker space intended for local artisans. Additionally, several retail spaces along Main Street are currently being advertised for lease, including an exceptional corner space ideally suited for a sit-down restaurant.

"We are proud to announce the acquisition of 526 Main Street, which further enhances our mission of transforming lives, careers, and communities through real estate," said Bo Menkiti, Founder and CEO of The Menkiti Group. "This acquisition signifies our continued commitment to bringing investment and commercial density back to Worcester's historic Theatre District."

MassDevelopment bought 526 Main Street, previously home to a pawn shop and check-cashing business, in 2017 through its Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) Equity Investment Program. After soliciting input from the City of Worcester and other stakeholders, MassDevelopment put out a Request for Proposal ("RFP") seeking developers of the property later that year, with the agency selecting The Menkiti Group to be the preferred developer for this project. In June 2023, MassDevelopment provided three loans totaling $6,913,843 to 526 Main Street Partners LLC and 526 Main Street LL LLC, affiliates of The Menkiti Group, as well as a $250,000 grant from the Commonwealth's Collaborative Workspace Program and conveyed the property to the company.

"MassDevelopment is proud to have completed its commitment to the City of Worcester and to our first Transformative Development Initiative district," said MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera. "With our leading role, this critical revitalization project was made possible  from securing the priority building in 2017 and selecting The Menkiti Group as the preferred developer, to managing the property while the financing stack came together, to now delivering more than $7 million in loan and grant funding to support renovation and restoration. State, local, and private partners have made significant investments to help transform downtown Worcester into a more vibrant and attractive neighborhood, and we were glad to deploy our financing and real estate expertise to unlock the potential of 526 Main Street and ensure it is an important part of this progress."

The project team at The Menkiti Group successfully attained an allocation of New Markets Tax Credits from RBC Community Development with additional financing support from US Bank and the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency (MassDev). In addition, the project was awarded a grant through the Collaborative Workspace Program, which is also administered by MassDev. With the assistance of historic consultant, Epsilon Associates, The Menkiti Group qualified the project to receive both Federal and State Historic Tax Credits. Following the complete rehabilitation of the structure, the building will be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"We're grateful to our financing partners at MassDev, RBC and US Bank who are allowing this project to be brought to fruition," said Brian Burke, Executive Vice President of Development and Finance, The Menkiti Group. "The project required a multi-layered financing structure and this team worked collaboratively from day one to make this transaction possible."

The project's design team is led by Providence-based ZDS Architecture & Interiors in collaboration with Building Engineering Resources (MEP/FP), Graves Engineering (Civil), and Roome and Guarracino (Structural). The Menkiti Group has partnered again with local General Contractor, R.P. Masiello, the builder responsible for the award-winning renovation of the former Worcester YWCA located directly across the street at 6 Chatham Street (Chatham Lofts).

"526 Main Street is a jewel box of a structure located at an extremely high visibility intersection in Downtown Worcester," said Mark Rengel, Vice President of Development, The Menkiti Group. "It has played an important role in the retail landscape for more than a century, and we are excited for the building to recognize its full potential. With the addition of several high-quality retailers, the Ransom F. Taylor block will once again become an integral part of the fabric of Main Street."

About The Menkiti Group:

Founded in 2004, The Menkiti Group is a 100% minority-owned Certified Business Enterprise headquartered in Washington, DC, with additional offices in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Menkiti Group is an integrated real estate services company focused on a double bottom line, measuring success in terms of positive social impact and financial returns. The company was founded with the mission to transform lives, careers, and communities through real estate, and they are committed to driving neighborhood impact and engaging in communities with a long-term lens. Their focuses include urban investment, residential and commercial development, residential sales, and commercial brokerage.

The company's approach to urban neighborhood transformation and investment is centered upon partnerships with capital investors, local developers, community stakeholders, and small business owners to create thriving urban spaces that drive sustainable neighborhood impact and produce economic growth. The enterprise is dedicated to making smart investments in neighborhoods that are often on the "other side of perception," to directly impact community vitality. Projects range from residential renovations and the development and tenanting of main street commercial properties to large-scale, mixed-use, transit-oriented development projects.

Over the past 19 years, The Menkiti Group has invested over $360MM in emerging urban neighborhoods, worked on the development of over 3.8MM SF of real estate, and has assisted over 2,000 families in purchasing their first homes. The Menkiti Group currently has over 4.9M SF in its development pipeline including catalytic projects in Washington, DC such as MLK Gateway, Bond Bread with Howard University, The Yards Parcels G1 and G2 in partnership with Brookfield, and St. Elizabeths Parcels 7, 8, and 9. For more information about The Menkiti Group, please visit menkitigroup.com or call (202) 733-5455. For leasing inquiries please contact Mike McElaney, VP of Commercial Real Estate, at (508) 713-9684.

SOURCE The Menkiti Group
CHICAGO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Titan International, Inc. will release its second quarter 2023 financial results, after the close of the market on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 to be followed by a teleconference and webcast on Thursday, August 3, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

The real-time, listen-only webcast can be accessed using the following link https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/184831124 or on our website at www.titan-intl.com within the "Investor Relations" page under the "News & Events" menu ( https://ir.titan-intl.com/news-and-events/events/default.aspx ). Listeners should access the website at least 10 minutes prior to the live event.

A webcast replay of the teleconference will be available on our website (https://ir.titan-intl.com/news-and-events/events/default.aspx) soon after the live event.

Pre-registration for the event can be accessed using the following link https://emportal.ink/3plHDeM

In order to participate in the real-time teleconference, with live audio Q&A, participants should use one of the following dial in numbers:

North America Toll Free: 1 888 575 5163

All Other Locations: 1 416 764 8620

All Other Locations: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/184831124

Participants Access Code: 78630821

To access the playback of the conference call, participants should use one of the following dial in numbers:

North America Toll Free: 1 877 674 7070

All Other Locations: 1 416 764 8692

All Other Locations: https://ir.titan-intl.com/news-and-events/events/default.aspx

Participants Access Code: 630821

About Titan : Titan International, Inc. (NYSE: TWI) is a leading global manufacturer of off-highway wheels, tires, assemblies, and undercarriage products. Headquartered in West Chicago, Illinois, the company globally produces a broad range of products to meet the specifications of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and aftermarket customers in the agricultural, earthmoving/construction, and consumer markets. For more information, visit www.titan-intl.com.

SOURCE Titan International, Inc.
MCLEAN, Va., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Top Academic Medical Centers in the US, and most recently in Miami and Nashville, are innovating and streamlining patient care with ViTel Net's highly configurable and interoperable vCareCommand platform. ViTel Net's continued expansion in this space has positioned it as a leading partner for virtual care. Now supporting the three core pillars for academic medicine - clinical excellence, teaching and research.

ViTel Net Cements Leadership in Virtual Care for Top Academic Medical Centers Tweet this ViTel Net vCareCommand Platform Mobile View for Analytics ViTel Net Supports Rehabilitation in The Home

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has been able to improve first contact to Provider response time by 30% across eight partner sites, with a majority of them implementing full EHR integration through ViTel Net - powering best-in-class care for stroke and general neurology patients. Residents are also able to join and observe tele-neurology consults as part of their ongoing education.

The full Case Study for VUMC can be found here: https://www.vitelnet.com/case-study-vumc/

At The University of Miami research teams have been able to streamline collaboration between coordinators in the lab and participants in their homes, to assess whether Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) bikes can improve health outcomes for people with spinal cord injuries. Leveraging trended data that is collected in real-time through the ViTel Net application from the bikes, the team has been able to help their research subjects safely exercise remotely and track and analyze changes in their vitals over time.

The full Case Study for University of Miami can be found here: https://www.vitelnet.com/case-study-university-of-miami-health-system/

In both cases, ViTel Net's vCareCommand platform has significantly reduced manual processes and improved collaboration for clinical and research teams - resulting in more efficient and streamlined care.

For additional information on how virtual care technology can support the core initiatives of Academic Medical Centers, visit www.vitelnet.com or email [email protected].

SOURCE ViTel Net
LOS ANGELES, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hill, Farrer & Burrill LLP announced today that Chase Bakaly and Erika Silverman have been listed in the first Lawdragon 500 X  The Next Generation guide. This seminal guide honors the burgeoning legal talent infusing traditional and innovative practices with fresh energy and forward-thinking perspectives.

"This is our inaugural guide dedicated to those who will define where the legal profession of our country goes. Whose leadership will be called upon by businesses and individuals when they face their crossroads," states the publisher. "After reviewing thousands of candidates for what we informally call LDX500, we're confident the future is in good hands."

Managing Partner Dean E. Dennis adds, "We are so proud to have such passionate and capable attorneys at our firm. Erika and Chase's inclusion in this guide is a testament to the bright future that awaits them in the field of law."

Chase Bakaly practices law in the areas of business and complex litigation, eminent domain and inverse condemnation litigation, real estate and land use litigation, intellectual property litigation, unfair competition and trade secrets litigation, and labor and employment litigation. Mr. Bakaly represents and advises business entities of all kinds, including fortune 500 companies, individuals, private property owners, contractors, and public agencies. Outside of his law practice, Mr. Bakaly devotes his time and resources to various institutions and organizations. He has previously served as the Chair and Vice Chair of the Armed Forces Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, which provides pro-bono legal services and assistance to active-duty military members, Veterans, and their families.

Erika Silverman is an expert in the field of employment law and has exclusively been practicing in this area for almost a decade. Ms. Silverman defends employers in cases alleging wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, harassment, and wage and hour violations. She also counsels and advises employers and drafts employment policies to assist clients in avoiding litigation. Prior to joining Hill Farrer, Ms. Silverman clerked for the United States District Court in the Central District of California where she worked for numerous District Court Judges and drafted orders on a wide range of motions.

As Lawdragon emphasizes the essential diversity, talent, and determination embodied by the new generation of legal leaders, Mr. Bakaly and Ms. Silverman's recognition in this prestigious guide represents their commitment to these values and their standing as key players in shaping the future of law.

Hill, Farrer & Burill LLP is a California based law firm that commits to professional excellence, quality of service and client loyalty. A 100 year history of success finds its roots in a few enduring values  stability, integrity and exceptional attorneys.

SOURCE Hill, Farrer & Burrill LLP
The upscale, outdoor hospitality brand has opened its newest camp for its inaugural season near the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park

BOZEMAN, Mont., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Under Canvas  the leader in upscale, outdoor hospitality  announced today that its 11th camp, in Paradise Valley, Montana, is now open. Located on 50 acres of picturesque ranchland near the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park, Under Canvas North Yellowstone - Paradise Valley boasts panoramic views of the Absaroka Mountain Range and the Yellowstone River, which gracefully courses through the camp granting over a mile of pristine, riverfront access for unforgettable onsite world-class adventures.

Under Canvas North Yellowstone - Paradise Valley

"The debut of our newest camp, Under Canvas North Yellowstone - Paradise Valley, marks a significant milestone for the brand, a full-circle moment as our first-ever camp is located near West Yellowstone," said Matt Gaghen, Chief Executive Officer of Under Canvas. "We are delighted to expand access to the vast wonders of the Greater Yellowstone region, immersing guests in the renowned natural beauty, wildlife, ranchlands, and Western culture for which Yellowstone is celebrated. Offering bucket list adventures just steps away from the lobby tent, along with contemporary Western-inspired design and culinary highlights, we take great pride in providing an elevated home base that allows travelers to fully embrace the enchantment and splendor of iconic Yellowstone."

Under Canvas North Yellowstone - Paradise Valley offers 50 safari-inspired canvas tents fully furnished with plush king size beds, luxe linens, USB charging packs, bedside lanterns, a wood burning stove, private deck with views and ensuite bathroom (hot shower, sink and flushing toilet). Signature to this camp, the Yellowstone River Suite Tent features two tents adjoined by a private deck, its own private firepit and an outdoor area.

In true Montana style, the main lobby tent is adorned with contemporary, mountain-inspired indoor/outdoor furnishings from West Elm and design features with nods to the region's storied ranch history. Embers, the al fresco, cafe-style dining concept serves as a vibrant, communal hub where guests can indulge in seasonal, regionally-inspired dishes and refreshing cocktails.

Guests will enjoy complimentary onsite programming and experiences including acoustic live music, daily yoga, fireside s'mores, kids activities and more, while off-site adventures such as horseback riding, Yellowstone River wooden boat floats, guided hiking tours, fly-fishing and white-water rafting are all available to be booked in advance via an Under Canvas Adventure Concierge.

Paradise Valley is ideally positioned to provide unparalleled access to the north side of the country's first national park which encompasses more than two million acres and features dramatic canyons, alpine rivers, lush forests, hot springs and gushing geysers, including its most famous, Old Faithful.

A cornerstone of the Under Canvas experience is the brand's mindful approach. Under Canvas camps are designed to minimize intrusion and maximize open space, each with dedicated, undisturbed green spaces and a design that flows with the natural topography of the land to eliminate unnecessary earthwork. New this year, Under Canvas and global environmental nonprofit The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have come together to help fund conservation and raise awareness through education, volunteer efforts and donation programs.

Under Canvas North Yellowstone - Paradise Valley's inaugural season will run through September 25, 2023. Reservations for the 2023 and 2024 season are available at www.undercanvas.com .

ABOUT UNDER CANVAS

Under Canvas is the ultimate outdoor destination hospitality experience. Its upscale, safari-style accommodations perfectly embrace their natural surroundings while featuring indoor luxuries, allowing everyone to discover their outdoor self in comfort and style. Under Canvas currently operates eleven locations in West Yellowstone, North Yellowstone-Paradise Valley and Glacier in Mont., Moab, Zion, Lake Powell-Grand Staircase and Bryce Canyon in Utah, Mount Rushmore in SD, Great Smoky Mountains in Tenn., Grand Canyon in Ariz., and Acadia in Maine. For more information, please visit www.undercanvas.com .

SOURCE Under Canvas
TORONTO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Urban Poling Inc., a leading provider of innovative fitness and rehab equipment, is proud to announce that its Activator Poles have been endorsed as an "Ease of Use" product by the Arthritis Foundation, a renowned organization dedicated to supporting individuals living with arthritis. Urban Poling Inc. is offering a special Prime Day 2023 deal on Activator Poles to celebrate this recognition and provide Amazon Prime customers with exceptional savings. The event is scheduled to take place on July 11 and 12, 2023.

Activator Poles is Ease of Use Certified Activator Advantage

Arthritis affects millions of people worldwide, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. The Arthritis Foundation's "Ease of Use" commendation highlights products that have undergone rigorous testing and have been proven to be user-friendly and effective for individuals with arthritis.

Urban Poling Inc.'s Activator Poles have been specifically designed with features that make them an ideal choice for people with arthritis. The ergonomic handles provide a comfortable grip, reducing strain on the hands and wrists. The poles are adjustable to accommodate individual height preferences, allowing for a customized fit. With built-in shock-absorbing features, the Activator Poles provide stability and reduce the impact on joints, making them a safe and accessible option for individuals with arthritis.

"We are delighted that the Arthritis Foundation has recognized our Activator Poles as an 'Ease of Use' product," said Dr. Joy A. Cochran, PT, DPT, Clinical Evidence Specialist at Urban Poling Inc. "At Urban Poling, we strive to create fitness and rehab equipment that promotes inclusivity and helps individuals with arthritis maintain an active and fulfilling lifestyle. The Prime Day 2023 deal provides an excellent opportunity for Amazon Prime customers to experience the benefits of our Activator Poles at an incredible value."

Prime Day, an annual deal event exclusively for Amazon Prime members, offers customers access to personalized deals and top brands across various categories. By participating in Prime Day 2023, Urban Poling Inc. aims to provide individuals with arthritis an exclusive opportunity to purchase the Activator Poles at a discounted price, further supporting their commitment to promoting mobility, strength, and overall well-being.

Individuals are encouraged to join Amazon Prime to take advantage of the Prime Day deal on the Activator Poles. In addition to gaining access to this exclusive event, Prime members enjoy many benefits, including fast and free shipping, exclusive member deals, Prime Video, Amazon Music, Prime Gaming, and more.

To learn more about Urban Poling Inc. and their Activator Poles, visit their official website at www.urbanpoling.com and search for Activator Poles at Amazon! Visit https://www.amazon.com/stores/UrbanPoling/page/4AF1D983-2D29-4A11-ACA8-E2480C15BD2F?ref_=ast_bln

About Urban Poling Inc.:

Urban Poling Inc. is a leading provider of high-quality fitness and rehab equipment designed to promote an active and healthy lifestyle. With a focus on innovation and inclusivity, Urban Poling Inc. offers a wide range of Urban Poles and Activator Poles suitable for various fitness levels and health needs. By combining the benefits of walking with the added support of poles, Urban Poling Inc. empowers individuals to improve their mobility, balance, and overall fitness, making it an excellent choice for individuals with arthritis and other mobility challenges.

Media Contact:

Urban Poling Inc.

[email protected]

1-877-499-7999

SOURCE Urban Poling Inc.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. If the operating company does not carry out the necessary work in Azerbaijani village of Soyudlu of the Gadabay district, tougher steps will be taken regarding the distribution of shares, Chairman of the commission established to investigate the situation in the Azerbaijani Soyudlu village (Gadabay district), Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev said at a briefing, Trend reports.

Babayev noted that a meeting of the commission will be held tomorrow.

"We will publish more detailed information about the work done in this area, and media representatives will also be invited to this meeting," the minister said.

Meanwhile, the commission was established in the village of Soyudlu of the Gadabay district to monitor and assess the current situation related to waste by order of Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov.

The commission consists of the Deputy Minister of Health, the Deputy Minister for Emergency Situations, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, the Head of the Department of Industry and Energy of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Head of the State Service for Property Issues under the Ministry of Economy and the Head of the Executive Branch of the Gadabay district.

The commission was also instructed to ensure consideration of citizens' appeals in the village of Soyudlu of the Gadabay district regarding the protection of residents' health and environment, as well as prepare and submit relevant proposals to the Cabinet of Ministers.

As President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said yesterday during a meeting dedicated to the socio-economic results of six months of 2023, the incident in the Gadabay district is completely unacceptable.

"I believe that the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources was negligent as a minimum, it showed lack of control, acted as a passive observer, as a result of which a foreign investor contaminated our nature. People raised their legitimate voice of protest, but did anyone listen to them? No! One day, two days, three days, five days. What was the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources thinking? Wasnt it aware that there was such a problem? It was either aware but turned a blind eye to it, or it was unaware. Both are not acceptable. It is true that some of the citizens were provoked and committed inappropriate and illegal acts, and this is intolerable and unacceptable. Some of those provocateurs have gone into hiding in Azerbaijan, others have fled abroad. Those in Azerbaijan have already been identified and several have been brought to justice. We will bring those abroad to account. Let no one think that we have forgotten this. Chaos, arbitrariness and provocations in Azerbaijan ended in 1993. If someone has forgotten that, we can remind them. Therefore, citizens should also show culture, as they say, show enlightenment, obey the law, and not throw stones at the police. Throwing stones at the police is not an act that brings honor to anyone. This is one thing. Secondly, it is a crime. If the Azerbaijani police show tolerance, it does not mean that people can throw stones at the police. This is absolutely unacceptable. I am saying this to everyone that we are not going to play with anyones whims here and if we believe that it is necessary, we will punish those involved in such a way that they will regret it.

At the same time, there was a natural reason for what happened. And this reason is that a foreign company came here to make money. We do not object, they have made investments and created jobs. Of course, they didnt come here to do charity, they came here to earn money. But this does not mean that our nature should be destroyed in the process. It does not mean that people's pastures and grazing areas should be occupied. It does not mean that they should build a second wastewater lake without obtaining permission from anyone. Who gave them permission? It seems that either they colluded with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources or did it on their own. So, it should be seriously investigated. All instructions have been given to the prosecutor's office and other relevant institutions. After I heard the news, I called the Prime Minister and told him to immediately establish a commission and send them to the place. Did I have to actually say that? Didnt the Minister of Ecology know that he should go there? I said to them that they should go there, talk to the people, take air samples, involve international experts. Because it is quite possible that the ministry was the cause of this incident. It is quite possible that you should involve international experts to give their opinion. To what extent is the exploitation of these fields harmful to people's health and nature? There is no answer so far. Yes, a meeting has been held, a statement was made in the Cabinet of Ministers, but whoever reads that statement cannot understand a thing. What does it actually state? What was the purpose of that statement? To downplay the issue or just say some general words like that. I gave a specific task, a specific one. Where are the results of the examination? How much time has passed? Almost a month has passed. No one has got back to me. The Cabinet of Ministers does not do it, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources does not do it either. They think that I have forgotten about it. No, I don't forget anything. I want to say again now that those who threw stones at the police should be ashamed in front of their families, in front of his children, in front of family members, in front of the whole public. Because the public saw those ugly scenes. This is why I am giving you a week's time. Both me and the public should be informed and the matter should be investigated. Why didnt the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources pay attention to this issue, was indifferent, and even after I gave them the task, they went there and came back, but there is still no information about the result.

Foreign companies and local companies working here must respect the laws of Azerbaijan. If they do not respect our laws, their activity here will be impossible. Although foreign investors exploit the gold deposits in Gadabay based on a production sharing agreement, although they have been working here for many years, the laws of Azerbaijan, the ecological balance, all this must be respected. I should also inform you that our state company AzerGold operates gold deposits too. But according to the information provided to me, all environmental norms in that area are complied with. Among other things, there were contacts with local communities, various humanitarian campaigns were held, and people were recruited en masse. So, this is the approach shown by the Azerbaijani company. And that is the approach of a foreign company. This is intolerable, so, representatives of the foreign company should be invited. If they have not been invited so far, they should give an explanation to the Cabinet of Ministers, and let me say this again, myself and the public should be informed within a week. If there is the slightest danger to nature and people's health there, that activity should be stopped. That's it!" President Ilham Aliyev said.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- VantageScore today announced that Kimberly Schmid has joined the company as Executive Vice President and General Counsel. Schmid will report to Silvio Tavares, President and CEO of VantageScore, and is responsible for all legal and compliance matters at the company, joining at a time of rapid growth and broad market adoption for VantageScore.

VantageScore today announced Kimberly Schmid has joined the company as Executive Vice President and General Counsel. Tweet this Kimberly Schmid, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, VantageScore (PRNewsfoto/VantageScore)

"We are thrilled to welcome Kimberly to our executive leadership team," said Silvio Tavares, President and CEO. "Kimberly brings to the role a deep understanding of the financial services, fin-tech and regulatory landscapes. Her deep experience and legal insights will enable VantageScore to continue to lead in the credit scoring industry."

Before joining VantageScore, Schmid previously served as a senior member of the legal team at Visa. In this role she provided strategic direction and solution-oriented legal advice to core and emerging cross-functional product teams. Prior to her role at Visa, Schmid held the position of Vice President, Regulatory Counsel for Netspend Corporation. Schmid began her legal career at King & Spalding LLP as an associate in financial restructuring, and later worked as an attorney in the National Security Division at the United States Department of Justice.

"VantageScore's mission of innovating towards greater financial inclusion and welcoming more people into the mainstream economy is what sets it apart from competitors in the fintech space. I'm excited to join this exceptional team and build on that goal," said Schmid.

Schmid earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Texas School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the University of Texas at Austin.

About VantageScore

Over 3,000 banks, fin-techs and other companies use VantageScore credit scores every day to assess consumer creditworthiness. Last year, over 19 billion VantageScore credit scores were used representing a 30% yearly increase. Most top 10 US banks, large credit unions and leading fin-techs use VantageScore credit scores in one or more lines of business including credit cards, auto loans, personal loans and more.

VantageScore is an independently managed joint venture company of the three nationwide credit reporting companies (NCRAs)  Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

SOURCE VantageScore
Vention and Universal Robots are strengthening their partnership to provide

best-in-class automation solutions in record time for all manufacturers

and automation providers.

MONTREAL, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - A UR+ partner since 2017, Vention, the cloud-based Manufacturing Automation Platform (MAP) company, is proud to announce its strengthened partnership with Universal Robots becoming one of a few select Certified Solution Partners (CSP). This new CSP certification further validates the compatibility of Vention and Universal Robots' hardware and software ecosystems.

Vention Certified Solution Partner (CNW Group/Vention)

Throughout the partnership between Vention and Universal Robots thus far, Vention has developed a large portfolio of UR+-certified components and applications, including cobot palletizer, MachineLogic, MachineMotion, Cobot range extender, and other varied certified hardware components. Through the addition of these components to Vention's custom robot cells and application offerings, users can take full advantage of Vention's modular and customizable solutions to create UR-based robot cells and applications in record time, resulting in fast payback for manufacturers and automation providers.

"Over the years, Vention has supported over 1,000 Universal Robot deployments in North America and Europe, giving Vention unique expertise in the design and deployment of collaborative solutions," said Patrick Halde, Chief Growth Officer at Vention. "With Vention's simplified approach to industrial automation being very similar to Universal Robots, becoming a Certified Solution Partner was the logical next step in our partnership."

Bryan Bird, Regional Sales Director of Universal Robots' North America division, looks forward to building a network of CSPs with specific UR product, software, and application expertise. "Our new CSP program recognizes deployment excellence and commitment to increased integration capacity, all to the benefit of our customers," he says. "Vention is a great fit for this program, and we are excited to deploy even more cobot applications together, taking our partnership to the next level."

Together, with Vention's modular and plug-and-play solutions and Universal Robots cobot product range, Vention and Universal Robots can offer manufacturers the best-in-class solutions in a streamlined and flexible process to achieve their business objectives. Moving forward, Vention will continue to develop UR solutions through new applications and software releases.

"We are only scratching the surface of what can be done when combining intuitive software, modular hardware, and robots," added Patrick Halde, Chief Growth Officer at Vention.

About Vention

Vention helps some of the most innovative manufacturers automate their production floors in just a few days through a democratized user experience. Vention's digital manufacturing automation platform allows clients to design, automate, order, and deploy automated equipment directly from their web browsers. Vention is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, with new offices in Berlin and Boston. The 360-person company serves 3,000+ customers on five continents and 25 manufacturing industries. To learn more, visit vention.io or follow us on LinkedIn.

*MachineMotion, MachineLogic, MachineCloud, and Vention are trademarks of Vention Inc.

About Universal Robots

Universal Robots aims to empower change in the way work is done using its leading-edge robotics platform. Since introducing the world's first commercially viable collaborative robot (cobot) in 2008, UR has developed a product portfolio including the UR3e, UR5e, UR10e, UR16e and UR20, reflecting a range of reaches and payloads. Each model is supported by a wide selection of end-effectors, software, accessories and application kits in the UR+ ecosystem. This allows the cobots to be used across a wide range of industries and means that they can be redeployed across diverse tasks.

The company, which is part of Teradyne Inc., is headquartered in Odense, Denmark, and has offices in the USA, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic, Romania, Turkey, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Mexico. Universal Robots has installed over 75,000 cobots worldwide.

For more information, please visit www.universal-robots.com or read our blog at blog.universal-robots.com.

SOURCE Vention
PORTLAND, Ore., July 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- We are proud to announce that Wacom celebrated its 40th anniversary on July 12, 2023. To celebrate, Nobutaka Ide, Representative Director, President and CEO said, "We would like to express our sincerest gratitude for the support from our customers, partners, and many others who helped us continue our business and celebrate this milestone." He added, "Writing and drawing are a very important part of our daily lives, both in our work and hobbies because we use them for idea creation, learning, and communicating. Wacom will continue to support everyone's journey of 'writing and drawing' through its digital pen and ink technology and pass it on to future generations. We are excited to work with new and existing partners into the future."

Wacom Celebrates its 40th Anniversary of Technology Leadership in Digital Art and Creativity Tweet this Wacom: 40 Years of Making History Timeline of Wacom's Technology Leadership in creativity and digital art.

From the Early Days to Becoming a Global Player

The 1980s marked the dawn of personal computers and keyboard-based text input was the norm. In 1984, Wacom launched the world's first cordless pen tablet, the "WT Series," and took the first step in developing and providing an intuitive interface using a digital pen. In 1987, Wacom commercialized the "SD Series" wireless pen tablet, using its electromagnetic resonance (EMR) technology, which forms the basis of Wacom's digital pen technology today.

Wacom pen tablets have been used in the design process of a variety of products since 1988. While global sportswear brands and European car manufacturers were among the first to adopt this new technology in their design process, they were soon followed by leading film and animation studios, bringing our favorite movies, television programs and video games to life. This paved the way for a wider adoption of Wacom pen tablets by artists and designers at every stage of their creative development.

During this period, Wacom also expanded its business worldwide, establishing a sales company for Europe in Neuss, Germany in 1988 and another in Vancouver, Washington, USA in 1991.

Wacom's pen tablet business has grown over the years thanks to widespread support from designers and creators around the world. While it has continued to refine its technology with numerous digital pen patents, Wacom began providing digital pen components for personal computers on an OEM basis in the late 1990s. Today, Wacom provides digital pen solutions for the products of many IT manufacturers, including Samsung and Lenovo, as well as various stationery manufacturers.

Our Commitment to "Writing and Drawing" through Digital Technology

In April 2018, Wacom positioned itself as a "technology leadership" company in the field of digital pens and digital ink and adopted the vision of "Life-long Ink" based on the idea and commitment of supporting people's "writing and drawing" experiences throughout their lives. The act of "writing and drawing" can be seen throughout our daily lives, and there are many businesses, companies, and organizations that form ecosystems. Wacom continues to refine its digital pen and ink technologies, and together with its partners, make the experience of "writing and drawing " more enjoyable, convenient, and meaningful in our lives through digital technology.

In the coming years, Wacom will also deliver new experiences based on digital pen and ink technologies around artificial intelligence (AI), extended reality (XR), and security applications. By continuing to collaborate with partners in respective fields, Wacom strives to offer attractive experiences with its product lines and services that support the creativity of designers and creators, as well as businesspeople and students, providing digital pen and ink experiences that fully integrate into people's daily lives.

About Wacom

Founded in 1983, Wacom is a global company based in Japan with subsidiaries and affiliate offices around the world to support marketing and distribution in over 150 countries and areas. It is the world's leading manufacturer of pen tablets, interactive pen displays, and digital interface solutions. The advanced technology of Wacom's intuitive input devices has been used to create some of the most exciting digital art, films, special effects, fashion and designs around the world and provides business and home users with their leading interface technology to express their personality. The company also offers its products as OEM solutions to leading manufacturers serving incremental markets. Wacom's interface technology, called Wacom Feel IT technologies, is also offered as an integrated solution to strategic partners. Most tablet device and PC manufacturers count on the advanced features and reliability to deliver a superior user interface experience.

For more information, please contact: Corporate Communications, Wacom Co., Ltd [email protected], +81-3-5337-6702. For US inquiries, contact Melissa Ashcraft [email protected].

SOURCE Wacom Technology Corporation
NEW YORK, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WindRose Health Investors, LLC ("WindRose"), a leading healthcare-focused private equity firm, has closed its sixth fund, WindRose Health Investors VI, L.P. ("Fund VI") with over $1.4 billion in limited partner and general partner commitments. The fund closed at its hard cap and significantly exceeded the size of its $705 million predecessor fund.

"We are grateful to have earned the trust of a world-class group of investors and will work diligently on their behalf to execute our strategy," said Oliver T. Moses, WindRose Managing Partner. "As a team that has built an extensive track record in healthcare, we believe that WindRose is well-positioned to identify innovative companies and provide them with resources that deliver enhanced growth and differentiated results for our investors."

For more than 20 years, WindRose has focused on investing in businesses that operate in the services sector of healthcare. WindRose aims to invest in companies that are improving quality and enhancing efficiency in healthcare. Fund VI will continue to focus on this strategy and will seek to invest in sub-sectors that are poised to benefit from the strongest industry tailwinds and companies that differentiate themselves by delivering innovative and cost-effective solutions.

"We are sincerely grateful for our investors' continued confidence, especially in a crowded market where they are presented with many choices," added Catherine Coleman, WindRose's Head of Investor Relations. "We are honored that they have chosen to work with us, and we look forward to delivering for them for many years to come."

Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP served as legal counsel in the fund formation of Fund VI.

About WindRose Health Investors

WindRose makes equity investments in companies that operate within the services sectors of the healthcare industry. The firm focuses on companies with a demonstrated ability to deliver cost-effective solutions. WindRose manages approximately $3 billion in investments. WindRose is based in New York, NY and invests in companies primarily based in North America. For more information, please email us at [email protected].

Contact

Caroline Luz

Lambert

[email protected]

203-570-6462

SOURCE WindRose Health Investors
MILWAUKEE, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nathan DeLadurantey, a Wisconsin-based attorney and founder of DeLadurantey Law Office, LLC, has established a scholarship program for undergraduate and high school students pursuing a business degree in the United States. The Nathan DeLadurantey Scholarship for Entrepreneurs offers a one-time award of $1,000 to students who demonstrate passion, creativity, and problem-solving skills in the field of entrepreneurship.

To apply for the scholarship, students must be currently pursuing a business degree at a university in the United States or be a high school student with plans to attend university for a business degree. The scholarship will be awarded based on a creative essay of under 1000 words in response to the following prompt:

"Identify an industry in the world that you believe is in dire need of improvement, and explain how a new and innovative business idea could revolutionize this industry for the better."

Nathan DeLadurantey is looking for applicants who demonstrate a deep understanding of the challenges facing various industries and have a creative approach to problem-solving. He hopes that the scholarship will inspire and support future entrepreneurs to make a significant impact in the business world.

The deadline to apply for the scholarship is December 15, 2023, and the winner will be announced on January 15, 2024. All eligible students are encouraged to apply.

About Nathan DeLadurantey:

Nathan DeLadurantey is a Wisconsin-based attorney and founder of DeLadurantey Law Office. With over a decade of experience in advocating for consumer rights and specializing in auto fraud law, lemon law, and consumer protection, Nathan has extensive experience in complex litigation and dispute resolution.

Nathan earned his law degree from Oak Brook School of Law and is admitted to practice in Wisconsin and the United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin. He is an active member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates. Nathan is also a sought-after speaker on auto fraud and lemon law topics and has been featured in various media outlets.

Throughout his career, Nathan DeLadurantey has successfully represented numerous clients in recovering compensation for consumer protection violations, including fraudulent sales practices and defective vehicles. He is dedicated to providing personalized and effective legal representation to individuals and families affected by auto fraud and other consumer issues.

Website: https://nathandeladuranteyscholarship.com

SOURCE Nathan DeLadurantey Scholarship
MACAO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2023 World Cities Branding Conference opened at the MGM Cotai in Macao, China, on July 3. Government officials, industry experts and guest speakers across the world exchanged views on city branding, cultural exchanges, tourism and sustainable urban development. The conference was founded to support Chinese cities to build their branding and find new growth momentum in the cultural and tourism sector. The event also unveiled the 2023 Great Wall Award - Culture & Tourism Branding Award, with the trending BBQ of Zibo City in Shandong Province winning the gold medal, among 50 outstanding cases of the year.

World Cities Branding Conference opens in Chinas Macao (PRNewsfoto/PRNA MEDIA DEVELOPMENT)

The first World Cities Branding Conference is initiated and organized by the Organizing Committee of the World Cities Branding Conference, and co-hosted by the World Tourism Economy Research Center. Phoenix New Media organized the event and travel.ifeng.com is the exacutor. MGM is also the chief partner and the official venue provider. And HONDA INSPIRE as the goodwill partner.

The conference is supported by the Macao Government Tourism Office and Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute. China Advertising Association and Communication University of China School of Advertisement, along with many other research institutes, join hands in developing this world-level international forum focusing on branding for cultural and tourism industries.

Lei Wai Nong, Representative of the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR government; Pansy Ho, Chairman of the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre and Group Executive Chairman and Managing Director of Shun Tak Holdings Limited; Yang Hao, Deputy Director of the Economic Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR.; Vincent U U Sang, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute; Sun Yusheng, Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief of Phoenix Media Investment (Holdings) Limited and Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix New Media Limited; Zhang Guohua, President of China Advertising Association and Vice President of International Advertising Association; and Ding Junjie, Professor of Communication University of China and Director of the National Institute of Advertising, attended and spoke at the conference. Kenneth Feng, President, Strategic and CFO of MGM, also joined the event.

H.E. Mr. Arthayudh Srisamoot, Ambassador of Thailand to China; H.E. Mr. Alain Wong, Ambassador of Mauritius to China; H.E. Mr.John Busuttil, Ambassador of Malta to China; Patrick Nijs, Former Ambassador of Belgium to China; and Souad Zaidi, General Secretary of the Moroccan Association of mayors and Former Member of Moroccan Parliament; Robert Govers, Founding Chairman of the Internationa Place Branding Association (IPBA); John D Chacko, Global VP of International Advertising Association and Chairman of IAA World Congress 2024 also attended and spoke at the event.

Wu Hongbo, Former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Honorary President of China International Public Relations Association; Hae-Guk HWANG, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at the World Tourism Organization, and Shan Jixiang, Chairman of the China Cultural Relics Academy and Former Director of the Palace Museum, also gave video speeches at the opening ceremony.

During the two-day conference, experts from across the world spoke at the event and shared their insights, including Denis Bax, Chief of the Communication, Cities and Events (CCE) Unit and Secretary of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network; David Aaker, "Father of Modern Branding", the Vice-Chair of Prophet Consulting Firm; Zhang Hui, Member of the "14th Five-Year Plan" National Development Planning Expert Committee of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Deputy Director of the Expert Committee of World Tourism Cities Federation; Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of Macao Government Tourism Office; Ouyang Changlin, Director of the Live Streaming Committee of CTAA and The former president of Hunan Broadcasting System; Robert Govers, Founding Chairman of the Internationa Place Branding Association (IPBA); Ray Ng, Executive Chairman of The Industry and Commerce Association of Macau; Ji Xiaodong, President of the China Chamber of Tourism (CCT); Prof. Wu Bihu from Peking University; and Yang Jie, Vice Chairman of Beijing ByteDance Charity Foundation.

Lei Wai Nong, Representative of the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR government, said the founding of the World Cities Branding Conference is important, as this platform is key for cities across the world to exchange ideas, empower global engagement and promote people-to-people exchanges, to explore new opportunities. He added that the traditionally strong-branded cities need to speed up on urban renewal, working together with emerging cities, and share development opportunities.

Pansy Ho, the Chairman of the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre and Group Executive Chairman and Managing Director of Shun Tak Holdings Limited, expressed her aspirations during her speech. She emphasized the importance of Chinese cultural and tourism brands showcasing their exceptional qualities on a global platform, with the ultimate goal of becoming internationally recognized brands. Furthermore, she shared valuable insights regarding the Global Tourism Economy Forum, a global forum that she initiated in Macao, which has served as a pivotal platform for the global cultural and tourism industry to gain a deeper understanding of the authentic China over the past decade.

Sun Yusheng, Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief of Phoenix Media Investment (Holdings) Limited and Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix New Media Limited said as China undergoes urbanization, Chinese cities shall figure out their very own characteristics and charisma. Sun said he hoped Phoenix Satellite TV and Phoenix New Media can play their unique roles in helping cities shape their branding.

At the conference, two academic reports were launched, including the China Area Branding Value Report, presented by Prof. Ding Junjie of Communication University of China, also Director of the National Institute of Advertising, and the 2023 World Cities Branding Index Report, jointly presented by Zhang Tingting, Executive Chairman of the World Cities Branding Conference, also the Director of the Tourism Communication Research Center of the Advertising School at the communication university of China, and Scott Chen, Managing Director of Brand Finance China. The index covers 7 pillars including commercial and trade, livability, cultural heritage, people's values, sustainability & transportation accessibility, governance, and education & science.

Industry experts, government officials also joined a series of high-level round-table dialogues featuring a variety of topics, including "Promoting mutual cultural learning through city branding", "Building the soft power of sustainable development of world cities with brands", "Innovate Macao's cultural and tourism brand by content creation", "World-level tourism cities branding development and communication", "Youth design and city development", "Opportunities and challenges for high-quality development of China's county culture and tourism", "Building Lushan as a world-class tourism destination", "City creativity and international communication", etc.

Among these forums, government officials from Zhangjiakou City of Hebei Province, and Lushan City of Jiangxi Province, Tahe County of Heilongjiang Province, and Argara of Morocco shared their insights and experiences about on how to build good city branding at a panel discussion moderated by Xu Yue, co-initiator of the World Cities Branding Conference and Director of Culture and Tourism Communication at Phoenix New Media.

On July 4, a forum themed "MGM Dialogue: Rediscover the Value of Macao" focused on the branding development of Macao and the city's culture and tourism industry development, with experts from across sectors sharing their opinions. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of Macao Government Tourism Office, said it is important to explore effective marketing and communication campaigns to allow more tourists and general public from across the world to learn and understand the wonderfulness and uniqueness of Macao, a world-renowned tourism destination.

Phoenix New Media also launched a brand new IP "Let the World Fall in Love with Chinese Cities". The initiative will work with over 100 Chinese cities to better showcase their culture and tourism branding and offerings to the world, on the platforms of the Phoenix media and social platforms.

The event also unveiled the gold, silver and bronze awards for the Annual Good Culture and Tourism Award, a special selection of the renowned Great Wall Award. This was the first ranking of top 50 outstanding cases by the conference, covering 5 areas of best cases for branding communication and campaigns.

SOURCE travel.ifeng.com
HANGZHOU, China, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- YD Drive, a leading professional gearbox manufacturer in China, has recently updated its production line to provide customers with customized, high-quality products, ensuring guaranteed delivery times to customers worldwide. With its expertise and years of experience in worm gearboxes, helical gearboxes, planetary gearboxes and more, YD Drive is a trusted partner for all the gearbox needs.

Brand story

YD Force - a name that changed the fates of many and helped numerous companies around the globe. It was a dream to be better, to be innovative and creative than the rest. A dream to help people and companies by delivering them a product that is crafted in accordance with their actual requirements.

YD Force commenced their commercial operation with a small team of gifted individuals to start offering customers exceptional products that would truly satisfy their demands and meet market expectations. Soon after it was established, customers started coming back and positive word of mouth spread in the industry. In no time, that little dream became a strong driving force behind the early success, and YD Force thrived by following its vision and by delivering its promise. The company expanded its operations and YD Force grew quickly into a bigger company. But the young founders were not content with being a well-known name only in the Chinese domestic market of gearbox and motors - not ambitious enough for them.

The same driving force kept them rolling, and the company invested heavily in research and development, the growth of its employees, and in the company's capabilities to meet expectations of global customers to successfully position itself as a reliable international company. Today YD Force runs 5 state-of-the-art production facilities, equipped with advanced machinery, dedicated to manufacturing gears and motors for industrial automation, and stands among a few leading industry names in China.

They align themselves with China's ambitious goals of "Made in China 2025" and "Industry 4.0" to produce only high-end products. Though many years have passed, YD Force still carries the dreams they once had, and they still have the burning ambition and the skills and intelligence to match. This drive will never part with them as they envision doing better than anyone else and they are committed to serving their customers and allowing them to beat the competition. They have a powerful ambition to support the success of their employees, customers and all other stakeholders in moving the world forward together.

Proud history

2010 is the first year of YD Drive. In June, YD Drive was officially established in Hangzhou. After a series of preparations and the completion of staff recruitment, equipment and production line introduction, the WP series products were launched in October. Once the products were promoted, they were widely recognized and well received by the market.

In 2013, YD Drive started the production of YNMRV series. After that, YD Drive's products began to be sold worldwide and were well received by customers.

Two years later, YD Drive purchased its own land and built a brand new office building, thus starting a new world of entrepreneurship. In the same year, YD Drive opened a subsidiary, Hangzhou YDHN Co., Ltd, specializing in the production of four series of gear reducers. After moved into its own new factory, the R&D team grew again, with a new plan for the R&D department.

In 2019, in the traditional manufacturing of worm gear products, YD Drive started to challenge higher-end products by acquiring new equipment and investing a lot of resources in the R&D of precision planetary gearboxes.

In 2023, YD Drive completed another upgrade of its production line, with a significant increase in production capacity to ensure that customer orders are delivered on schedule.

Special advantages

In today's dynamic industrial landscape, having a reliable and efficient gearbox is crucial for optimizing performance and ensuring smooth operations across various sectors. YD Drive understands this, and their commitment to delivering exceptional quality gearboxes sets them apart in the industry.

-Customization for Perfect Fit

YD Drive recognizes that every application is unique, and a one-size-fits-all approach may not suffice. That's why they offer customization options, allowing people to tailor their gearbox to meet their specific requirements. Whether they need a worm gearbox, helical gearbox, planetary gearbox, or any other type, YD Drive can adapt their designs to match the exact needs.

-Uncompromising Quality

Quality is at the core of YD Drive's production process. They employ stringent quality control measures at every stage, from raw material selection to final product inspection. By adhering to international standards and leveraging advanced manufacturing techniques, YD Drive ensures that their gearboxes are built to withstand demanding conditions and deliver superior performance, longevity, and reliability.

-Advanced Technology

YD Drive is committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in the gearbox industry. Their updated production line integrates cutting-edge machinery and innovative techniques, enabling them to enhance efficiency, precision, and product consistency. By harnessing the power of technology, YD Drive can fulfill orders promptly while maintaining exceptional quality standards.

-Global Reach with Guaranteed Delivery Times

YD Drive understands the importance of timely delivery, regardless of the location. With an extensive global distribution network and streamlined logistics, they can efficiently ship their gearboxes to customers worldwide. By prioritizing prompt delivery, YD Drive helps customers avoid costly delays and keeps their operations running smoothly.

-Comprehensive Product Range

YD Drive offers a comprehensive range of gearboxes to cater to diverse industry needs. Whether customers require high torque and low speed with a worm gearbox, precise and efficient power transmission with a helical gearbox, or compact yet powerful performance with a planetary gearbox, YD Drive has them covered. Their product portfolio encompasses various configurations, sizes, ratios, and mounting options, providing them with the flexibility to find the perfect solution for the application.

Amazing products & service

YD Force has independent R&D capability to provide reliable solutions and customized products, including RV worm gear reducer, WP worm gear reducer, RFKS four series of reducers and planetary reducers. Any questions can be satisfactorily answered by their professional team of engineers.

-Worm Gearbox: Optimal Efficiency

YD Drive's worm gearboxes are engineered for optimal efficiency in applications where speed reduction and torque amplification are necessary. Their unique design ensures smooth and quiet operation, making them ideal for various industries, including processing, packaging, and material handling.

-Helical Gearbox: Power and Precision

For applications that require high precision and power transmission, YD Drive's helical gearboxes are the perfect choice. These gearboxes offer enhanced load-carrying capacity and efficiency, making them suitable for heavy-duty machinery, conveyor systems, and mining equipment.

-Planetary Gearbox: Compact and Versatile

YD Drive's planetary gearboxes are characterized by their compact size and excellent torque-to-weight ratio. This makes them a popular choice for robotics, aerospace, and automotive industries, where space and weight constraints demand high performance in a small footprint.

-Guaranteed Delivery Times

Understanding the importance of timely deliveries, YD Drive has implemented a streamlined production and logistics system. They take pride in fulfilling their promise of on-time deliveries to customers worldwide, ensuring that the projects remain on schedule without any delays.

-Global Reach, Local Support

With a global distribution network and reliable customer support, YD Drive can cater to the gearbox needs, wherever the business is located. Their experienced team of professionals is always ready to assist customers in choosing the right gearbox for the application and providing comprehensive technical support.

New goals bring new opportunities

In 2023, for the longer term, YD Drive has increased its investment in research and development and completed the modernization and upgrading of its production lines, reflecting their unwavering commitment to providing customized, high-quality gearboxes with guaranteed delivery times to their customers around the world. With expertise and extensive manufacturing experience in worm gear reducers, helical gear reducers, planetary gear reducers and more, YD Drive has the ability to meet people's specific requirements while adhering to the highest quality standards.

To learn more about YD Drive products, customization options and delivery services, visit their website or contact their dedicated customer support team (email: [email protected]). Trust YD Drive as the reliable partner for all the gearbox needs and experience the difference their commitment to excellence can make in optimizing the operations.

SOURCE YD Force
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. Monitoring has been carried out in Azerbaijani village of Soyudlu of the Gadabay district with the participation of employees of the relevant local structures since June 22, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev said at a briefing, Trend reports.

According to him, it was found that the content of dangerous substances in the air is within the norm.

The Ministry of Agriculture has carried out extensive monitoring work in the field of animal health, beekeeping, crop production, soil fertility. Statistical indicators for all diseases were measured. There are no significant differences in the mortality rate between the statistical indicators for the Azerbaijani village of Soyudlu of the Gadabay district and for the country.

"We tried to convey to the residents the results of inspections related to air quality indicators. The state of pastures was assessed by the Ministry of Agriculture. The ecological situation turned out to be stable," the minister said.

Soil samples taken during monitoring are currently being analyzed. Some analyses of monitoring studies conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture have not yet been completed. The radiation background was measured in 86 points of the Gadabay district, the indicators are within the normal range," he added.

Toxic substances such as cyanide have not been detected in the Mis River flowing through the area.

Meanwhile, the commission was established in the village of Soyudlu of the Gadabay district to monitor and assess the current situation related to waste by order of Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov.

The commission consists of the Deputy Minister of Health, the Deputy Minister for Emergency Situations, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, the Head of the Department of Industry and Energy of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Head of the State Service for Property Issues under the Ministry of Economy and the Head of the Executive Branch of the Gadabay district.

The commission was also instructed to ensure consideration of citizens' appeals in the village of Soyudlu of the Gadabay district regarding the protection of residents' health and environment, as well as prepare and submit relevant proposals to the Cabinet of Ministers.

As President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said yesterday during a meeting dedicated to the socio-economic results of six months of 2023, the incident in the Gadabay district is completely unacceptable.

"I believe that the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources was negligent as a minimum, it showed lack of control, acted as a passive observer, as a result of which a foreign investor contaminated our nature. People raised their legitimate voice of protest, but did anyone listen to them? No! One day, two days, three days, five days. What was the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources thinking? Wasnt it aware that there was such a problem? It was either aware but turned a blind eye to it, or it was unaware. Both are not acceptable. It is true that some of the citizens were provoked and committed inappropriate and illegal acts, and this is intolerable and unacceptable. Some of those provocateurs have gone into hiding in Azerbaijan, others have fled abroad. Those in Azerbaijan have already been identified and several have been brought to justice. We will bring those abroad to account. Let no one think that we have forgotten this. Chaos, arbitrariness and provocations in Azerbaijan ended in 1993. If someone has forgotten that, we can remind them. Therefore, citizens should also show culture, as they say, show enlightenment, obey the law, and not throw stones at the police. Throwing stones at the police is not an act that brings honor to anyone. This is one thing. Secondly, it is a crime. If the Azerbaijani police show tolerance, it does not mean that people can throw stones at the police. This is absolutely unacceptable. I am saying this to everyone that we are not going to play with anyones whims here and if we believe that it is necessary, we will punish those involved in such a way that they will regret it.

At the same time, there was a natural reason for what happened. And this reason is that a foreign company came here to make money. We do not object, they have made investments and created jobs. Of course, they didnt come here to do charity, they came here to earn money. But this does not mean that our nature should be destroyed in the process. It does not mean that people's pastures and grazing areas should be occupied. It does not mean that they should build a second wastewater lake without obtaining permission from anyone. Who gave them permission? It seems that either they colluded with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources or did it on their own. So, it should be seriously investigated. All instructions have been given to the prosecutor's office and other relevant institutions. After I heard the news, I called the Prime Minister and told him to immediately establish a commission and send them to the place. Did I have to actually say that? Didnt the Minister of Ecology know that he should go there? I said to them that they should go there, talk to the people, take air samples, involve international experts. Because it is quite possible that the ministry was the cause of this incident. It is quite possible that you should involve international experts to give their opinion. To what extent is the exploitation of these fields harmful to people's health and nature? There is no answer so far. Yes, a meeting has been held, a statement was made in the Cabinet of Ministers, but whoever reads that statement cannot understand a thing. What does it actually state? What was the purpose of that statement? To downplay the issue or just say some general words like that. I gave a specific task, a specific one. Where are the results of the examination? How much time has passed? Almost a month has passed. No one has got back to me. The Cabinet of Ministers does not do it, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources does not do it either. They think that I have forgotten about it. No, I don't forget anything. I want to say again now that those who threw stones at the police should be ashamed in front of their families, in front of his children, in front of family members, in front of the whole public. Because the public saw those ugly scenes. This is why I am giving you a week's time. Both me and the public should be informed and the matter should be investigated. Why didnt the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources pay attention to this issue, was indifferent, and even after I gave them the task, they went there and came back, but there is still no information about the result.

Foreign companies and local companies working here must respect the laws of Azerbaijan. If they do not respect our laws, their activity here will be impossible. Although foreign investors exploit the gold deposits in Gadabay based on a production sharing agreement, although they have been working here for many years, the laws of Azerbaijan, the ecological balance, all this must be respected. I should also inform you that our state company AzerGold operates gold deposits too. But according to the information provided to me, all environmental norms in that area are complied with. Among other things, there were contacts with local communities, various humanitarian campaigns were held, and people were recruited en masse. So, this is the approach shown by the Azerbaijani company. And that is the approach of a foreign company. This is intolerable, so, representatives of the foreign company should be invited. If they have not been invited so far, they should give an explanation to the Cabinet of Ministers, and let me say this again, myself and the public should be informed within a week. If there is the slightest danger to nature and people's health there, that activity should be stopped. That's it!" President Ilham Aliyev said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. The French TotalEnergies and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) announced the start of production as part of the first phase of the development of the Absheron gas condensate field in the Caspian Sea, about 100 kilometers southeast of Baku on July 10, Caspian oil and gas analyst Ilham Shaban told Trend.

The production capacity is 4 million cubic meters of gas per day and 12,000 barrels of condensate per day. The gas will be sold on the domestic market of Azerbaijan. The development of the Absheron field provides additional gas supplies to meet the growing demand.

The Absheron field will supply 1.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas and about 500,000 barrels of condensate per year.

According to Shaban, it is assumed that gas will be sold on the domestic market of Azerbaijan, while condensate will be exported abroad via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which is more than 4 million barrels per year.

"Azerbaijan buys 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas on the domestic market, which satisfies the country's growing demand for gas. This was also reflected in the decreased amount of imports," he said.

The analyst noted that Azerbaijan annually buys 4 billion cubic meters of gas from the Shah Deniz field for the domestic market and can reduce these volumes, so to pave way for increasing exports from the Shah Deniz field to the foreign market.

"As a result, we get the opportunity to increase sales volumes to both Turkish and European markets," he added.

Shaban noted that 11.4 billion cubic meters of gas were sold on the European market last year.

"This figure will increase by about 500 million cubic meters this year. The reason why we cannot supply more Azerbaijani gas to Europe is infrastructure, which is already working at the limit of its capabilities. It cannot pass higher volumes," Shaban said.

We have options to maneuver, as far as Turkish and European markets are concerned, which is good for us. When an opportunity is limited in one market, it can be replaced by another market. The commissioning of the Absheron gas condensate field has been dragging for too long. It will be possible to ensure gas production within the next stage of the field at least within six years," he said.

Production from the Absheron gas condensate field, located in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, began at the stage of the initial production scheme. At this stage, an underwater production well is connected to a new gas processing platform united to existing SOCAR installations on Oily Rocks.
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Islamabad, July 12 : Pakistani President Arif Alvi here said that Pakistan is stepping up its efforts to promote a message of peace and compassion through increasing tourism of Gandhara civilisation in the country.

Addressing the opening ceremony of an international Gandhara Symposium, Alvi on Tuesday added that in today's world where hatred is on the rise and increasing polarisation is fueling conflicts, it's time to rediscover the role of cultural diplomacy to promote dialogue among civilisations.

The three-day Gandhara Symposium 2023 titled "Cultural Diplomacy: Reviving Gandhara Civilisation and Buddhist Heritage in Pakistan" was attended by diplomats, foreign delegations from China, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea and Vietnam, tourism promoters and inter-faith experts.

According to organisers, the event aimed to offer opportunities to explore Pakistan's rich Buddhist legacy and create an enabling environment for Gandhara tourism, Xinhua news agency reported.

The President highlighted the core traits of the Gandhara civilisation and said Pakistan could be an informative place for visitors from across the globe to explore attractive Buddhist sites.

Chairman of the Prime Minister's Task Force on Gandhara Tourism, Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, said the government is paying special attention to help tourists get quick visas through a swift online system and will always be ready to welcome, facilitate and entertain tourists.
Phnom Penh, July 12 : Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen has ordered the Phnom Penh municipality to arrange free buses to transport migrant workers to their hometowns for an upcoming general election.

"To facilitate our factory workers' travel to their hometowns to cast their ballots, I've ordered Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng to prepare between 300 and 350 city buses to give them free rides," Hun Sen said on Tuesday in a voice message released publicly.

The Prime Minister added the move would reduce their expenses and encourage them to go to vote, Xinhua news agency reported.

The government announced last month that all civil servants and employees of private companies will be entitled to paid leave from July 22-24, so they can have enough time to go and vote in their hometowns.

The Southeast Asian nation is scheduled to hold a general election for the 125-seat National Assembly on July 23.

According to the National Election Committee, 18 political parties will contest in the election, which will see more than 9.7 million eligible people casting their ballots.

In the last general election held five years ago, the ruling Cambodian People's Party won all 125 seats in the National Assembly.
Colombo, July 12 : Sri Lanka's cabinet has approved a proposal to enter into a preferential trade agreement with Indonesia as a preliminary step to reach a long-term free trade agreement, a statement from the government information department said.

The statement on Tuesday added that Indonesia has been identified as a trade partner with suitable potential to build profitable trade relations for Sri Lanka, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier, Sri Lanka launched a fact-finding mission to explore avenues for an early entry into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) free trade agreement, as announced by the Foreign Ministry in June.

A team of senior officials of the Sri Lankan government concluded the mission to Jakarta, Indonesia, on June 12-14, and Sri Lanka's strong interest in entering into RCEP was well received by ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, and a number of ambassadors of RCEP members in Jakarta, said the Ministry.
Vilnius, July 12 : Leaders of the NATO gathered here for a two-day summit that seeks to address "the most pressing challenges" facing the alliance amid protests and growing criticism.

Strengthening defence and bridging differences on the Ukraine war are on top of the summit's agenda. The alliance aims to adopt three regional defence plans backed by 300,000 troops on high readiness, Xinhua news agency reported.

NATO also wants its member states to agree on "a more ambitious" defence investment pledge to spend a minimum of two per cent of their GDP annually on defence. After "nine consecutive years of increased defence spending" since 2014, only 11 of the alliance's 31 members have reached or exceeded this target.

On Wednesday, the inaugural meeting of the new NATO-Ukraine Council will be held with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in attendance. NATO members are still divided on how to put Ukraine on a path to membership.

Ahead of the summit, protests against NATO have been held in several European countries, while politicians and experts criticised the alliance's expansion and its impacts.

Pointing out that the summit will see "calls for further escalation" of the Ukraine war, the "Stop the War coalition" organised a day of protests across Britain on Saturday, calling for peace. In Paris, a march against the military alliance drew hundreds of people, with many calling for France to withdraw from NATO.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova predicted the summit would be "a colourful spectacle in the worst traditions of Western manipulation," according to the RIA news agency.

"NATO is not a defence alliance; it is an alliance that wages illegal wars," Sevim Dagdelen, a member of the German Left Party, told Xinhua, accusing NATO of fighting a proxy war against Russia by supplying military aid to Ukraine.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Lakhimpur Kheri : , July 12 (IANS) A man allegedly shot himself in the head inside a moving car while driving on the state highway in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri in a suspected suicide attempt, police said.

Ankit Srivastava was driving his Baleno car from Lakhimpur to Lucknow when he shot himself in the head.

As a result of the fatal gunshot, the Baleno car lost control and plunged into a roadside ditch.

Police officials said that the bullet fired by Ankit caused the vehicle to veer off the road.

Immediately after receiving information about the incident, the local police along with the forensic team rushed to the spot.

The police managed to retrieve Ankit's body from the car and have sent it to the district headquarters for a post-mortem examination.

With the help of a crane, the car was successfully pulled out of the ditch. After the vehicle and the body were secured, the police launched a probe into the incident.
Antananarivo, July 12 : The first round of presidential elections in Madagascar will be held on November 9, Madagascan Prime Minister Christian Ntsay told reporters after a cabinet meeting in the capital of Antananarivo.

The second round, if it takes place, will be held on December 20, he added on Tuesday.

While thanking the Malagasy population for maintaining calm and solidarity, Ntsay called on voters to go to the polls on the dates set out by the calendar.

He also called on all politicians to respect the principles of national solidarity to ensure that the elections are held peacefully, Xinhua news agency reported.

"We must have a President who will begin his term of office next January."

The dates for the presidential elections were proposed by the Independent National Electoral Commission to the government and the High Constitutional Court on February 10.

Outgoing President Andry Rajoelina's term of office is due to end on January 19, 2024.

The timetable for the legislative and municipal elections, which are due to take place just after the presidential elections, will be announced at a later date.
Beirut, July 12 : Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has warned the Lebanese of Israel's hostility, as the country marked the 17th anniversary of the 34-day war between Lebanon and Israel that began on July 12, 2006.

"All Lebanese, regardless of their political, spiritual, and partisan orientations and affiliations, must be aware of Israel's hidden intentions," Berri said on Tuesday in a statement which was released by the official National News Agency.

Berri's remarks come amid border tensions between Israel and Lebanon over two Hezbollah-erected tents that Israel claimed were built on its territory, Xinhua news agency reported.

The tents were set up in the Kfar Chouba hills, which Israel captured from Syria during the 1967 Middle East war and annexed in 1981 but have been claimed by Lebanon.

On Monday, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib urged the UN Interim Force in Lebanon to pressure Israel to retreat from north of the border-straddling village of Ghajar.

Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon, fought a month-long war in 2006 that ended in a UN-sponsored ceasefire.

Israel was required to withdraw from the northern half of Ghajar as per the UN Security Council resolution that ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, although this has not yet occurred.

Lebanese officials recently accused Israel of building a wall around the Lebanese part of Ghajar.

Last week, Hezbollah urged the Lebanese government and people to take immediate action to prevent the Israeli settlement in the northern part of Ghajar in light of the recent Israeli constructions.
United Nations, July 12 : UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is disappointed that the Security Council was not able to reach agreement on extending the authorisation of UN cross-border relief operations in Syria, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

The current authorisation of cross-border aid deliveries into Syria expired on July 10 (Monday).

The Security Council failed on Tuesday to adopt either of two draft resolutions that would have renewed the mechanism, Xinhua news agency reported.

Russia vetoed a draft resolution tabled by Brazil and Switzerland that called for a nine-month re-authorisation. A Russian draft resolution, which would have renewed the mechanism for six months, failed to obtain the required number of votes for approval.

UN cross-border assistance remains a veritable lifeline for millions of people in northwest Syria as humanitarian needs have reached an all-time high since the start of the conflict, while the impact of the devastating February earthquakes is still acutely felt, Dujarric added in a statement.

Guterres calls on all Security Council members to redouble their efforts to support the continued delivery of cross-border assistance into Syria, said Dujarric.
Dragon TV: On July 12, Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo issued a statement on the seventh anniversary of the so-called award on the South China Sea arbitration, saying that the award is now part of international law, and the Philippines welcomes the growing number of partners that have expressed support for the award. What is your comment?



Wang Wenbin: Chinas position on the so-called South China Sea arbitration and the award is consistent, clear and firm. Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on this on July 12, 2016. The Arbitral Tribunal violated the principle of state consent, exercised its jurisdiction ultra vires and rendered an award in disregard of the law. This is a grave violation of UNCLOS and general international law. The award is illegal, null and void. China does not accept or recognize it, and will never accept any claim or action based on the award. Chinas sovereignty and rights and interests in the South China Sea were established in the long course of history, and are solidly grounded in history and the law. This shall under no circumstances be affected by illegal awards.



The illegal award of the so-called South China Sea arbitration has been questioned widely by the international community. Many internationally authoritative law experts and scholars, including former president of the International Court of Justice and former judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, have written articles to point out the serious flaws in the award. Visionary people in the Philippines have publicly noted that the award is illegal and wrong. Chinas position of not accepting or recognizing the award has won the support and understanding of more than 100 countries.



China and ASEAN countries are fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in an effective way, and actively advancing consultations on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC). All parties have agreed to handle the South China Sea issue by following the dual-track approach, namely, maritime disputes should be handled properly by countries directly concerned through dialogue and consultation and peace and stability in the South China Sea should be jointly safeguarded by China and ASEAN countries. We urge relevant parties to continue working with China to properly handle and manage maritime differences through dialogue and consultation, and work with regional countries to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea.



TASS: Yesterday, NATO released the Vilnius Summit Communique, which said that the deepening strategic partnership between China and Russia and their mutually reinforcing attempts to undercut the rules-based international order run counter to our values and interests. Whats Chinas response?



Wang Wenbin: The China-Russia relationship is built on the basis of no-alliance, no-confrontation and no-targeting of any third party. It rises above the model of military and political alliance in the Cold War era and provides a model for major-country relations. This is fundamentally different from the exclusive groupings and bloc confrontation practiced by some NATO countries.



We urge NATO to stop making groundless accusations and provocative rhetoric targeting China, quit the outdated Cold War mentality, ditch the wrongdoing of seeking absolute security. We have seen what NATO has done to Europe, and NATO must not seek to sow chaos here in the Asia-Pacific or elsewhere in the world.



Yonhap News Agency: This morning, the DPRK fired a ballistic missile. In its recent communique, NATO strongly condemned the DPRKs weapon of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programmes and urged the DPRK to realize denuclearization in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. Whats Chinas position on this?



Wang Wenbin: The Korean Peninsula issues are political and security issues and require efforts from all parties to follow the dual-track approach of pursuing in parallel the establishment of a peace mechanism and the denuclearization of the Peninsula. NATO is not a party to the Korean Peninsula issues. Its communique ignores the crux of the issues and the negative impact of relevant parties military deterrence and pressure and double standards on nuclear non-proliferation. This is not conducive to the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issues.



China has repeatedly stressed that without addressing the absence of a peace mechanism, which is the crux of the issue, the Peninsula can hardly get rid of the security dilemma that generates tension and confrontation. The current situation is not what China wishes to see. We hope parties will be committed to a political settlement, resolve each others legitimate concerns in a balanced way through meaningful dialogue and uphold peace and stability on the Peninsula.



CCTV: Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare is on an official visit to China. This is his second visit to China since the two countries established diplomatic relations. On July 10, the two sides issued the Joint Statement on Establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Featuring Mutual Respect and Common Development for a New Era. Could you share more details about the visit? What effect will the visit have on the future of Chinas ties with Solomon Islands and the other Pacific Island countries?



Wang Wenbin: Prime Minister Sogavare has begun his official visit to China on July 9. President Xi Jinping met with him and they jointly announced the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development for a new era. Premier Li Qiang held talks and other official events with Prime Minister Sogavare. Today, Chairman Zhao Leji met with the Prime Minister. The leaders had in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest, and reached broad and important consensus. The joint statement issued by the two sides outlined the major guiding principles and specific cooperation measures for growing bilateral relations. The two countries agreed to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and be committed to building a community with a shared future for mankind. The visit achieved fruitful outcomes. The two sides signed multiple cooperation documents in the fields of development cooperation, trade, infrastructure development, civil aviation, education, police affairs, customs and meteorology. Prime Minister Sogavare and his delegation will also travel to Jiangsu and Guangdong.



Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in September 2019, China-Solomon Islands relations have shown robust momentum. It shows the strong dynamism in Chinas ties with countries that newly established diplomatic relations with China. Prime Minister Sogavares visit is of special importance. It elevated the China-Solomon Islands relations, broadened practical cooperation in a wide range of areas, deepened people-to-people friendship and took bilateral relations to a new height. China stands ready to work with Solomon Islands to fully implement the important common understandings and outcomes reached by leaders of the two countries, sustain the sound growth of China-Solomon Islands comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era, and bring more benefits to the two peoples.



I also want to say that China and Pacific Island countries are all developing countries. Strengthening mutual assistance and deepening South-South cooperation is integral to our joint endeavor of building a community with a shared future for mankind. When meeting with Prime Minister Sogavare, President Xi Jinping presented Chinas four full respects policy toward Pacific Island countries, namely China fully respects the sovereignty and independence of Pacific Island countries, fully respects their will, fully respects their cultural traditions and fully respects their effort to seek strength through unity. This policy embodies the fundamental guiding principles for Chinas relations with Pacific Island countries. No matter how the international landscape may evolve, China will always remain a trustworthy friend and a reliable brother of the Pacific Island countries, and will always stay committed to building an even closer community with a shared future between China and Pacific Island countries.



AFP: Both Australia and New Zealand have urged China and Solomon Islands to release the details of their new policing pact. They said that the lack of clarity about the security implications of this deal might aggravate tensions in the South Pacific. Do China and Solomon Islands plan to publish the complete text of this agreement? Will any details of this deal be released at all? And if so, when will this happen?



Wang Wenbin: First of all, I would like to point out that the police cooperation agreement signed between China and Solomon Islands is in line with relevant international law and common practice. Police and law enforcement cooperation is an important part of our bilateral cooperation and has played a positive role in promoting security and stability of Solomon Islands. China firmly supports Solomon Islands in achieving long-term peace and stability and will continue to provide support and assistance to the best of our capacity on the basis of the will and needs of Solomon Islands.



Bloomberg: The Sri Lankan finance secretary is currently visiting China and hes had meetings with the China Exim bank and the China Development Bank. Can you give us any update on how the negotiations on the debt relief for Sri Lanka is going?



Wang Wenbin: On Sri Lankas debt issue, we have reiterated Chinas position several times and you may refer to that. Let me say that China and Sri Lanka are good brothers, good partners and good friends. Our two countries have complementary strengths and enjoy bright prospects for cooperation. China is committed to amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness as well as good neighborliness in our relations with countries in the region, and will continue to support Sri Lankas socioeconomic development to the best of our capacity. We also encourage capable Chinese enterprises to invest in Sri Lanka and participate in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to help Sri Lanka grow its economy and improve its peoples livelihood.



Global Times: On July 12, the spokesperson of the US Department of State said that the so-called award on the South China Sea arbitration rejected Chinas expansive South China Sea maritime claims. He added that this ruling is legally binding on the Philippines and China and asked China to halt illegal maritime activities. Do you have any comment?



Wang Wenbin: The so-called award on the South China Sea arbitration seriously violates international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and is illegal, null and void. China neither accepts nor recognizes it. It is for the purpose of upholding the integrity and authority of UNCLOS that China does not accept or recognize the award. As the mastermind behind the South China Sea arbitration, the US plays up the issue each year on the anniversary of the illegal award to exert pressure and force China into accepting the illegal award. We are firmly against this.



The US disregards the history and facts on the South China Sea issue, acts against the UN Charter, and misinterprets the international law of the sea, including UNCLOS. The US has gone back on its public commitment of not taking a position on the sovereignty issues of the South China Sea. It has been stoking trouble and using the South China Sea issue to sow discord among regional countries. This is extremely irresponsible and ill-intentioned. We urge the US to respect Chinas territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, stop all words and actions that are not conducive to regional peace and stability, and refrain from being a troublemaker to peace and stability in the South China Sea.



Thanks to the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea has been generally stable. China will work with ASEAN countries to continue to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea and work for prosperity and development in the region.



Hubei Media Group: On July 10, the first High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development was held in Beijing. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the meeting stressing that China will further step up resources investment in global development cooperation and work with the international community to advance the Global Development Initiative (GDI). It has been nearly two years since China proposed the GDI. Can you elaborate on the current progress and future plan of the GDI?



Wang Wenbin: The first High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development was held in Beijing recently. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the meeting. Vice President Han Zheng met with foreign representatives attending the meeting. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi attended the event and read President Xis congratulatory letter. This meeting fully reflects all sides expectation for stronger development cooperation and the international communitys recognition of and support to the GDI.



Over the nearly two years since President Xi Jinping proposed the GDI, with joint efforts of all sides, relevant cooperation has reaped important early results. So far, more than 100 countries and international organizations have rendered support to the GDI and nearly 70 countries joined in the Group of Friends of the GDI established on the UN platform. The GDI has developed more effective cooperation mechanisms in various fields and a clearer cooperation pathway. GDI practical cooperation has benefited many developing countries, injecting strong impetus for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In the past year, half of the 32 practical measures listed in the Deliverables of the High-level Dialogue on Global Development have been implemented or achieved early results. 20,000 training opportunities have been provided through the 1,000 human resource development programs organized by the Chinese government, covering almost all members of the Group of Friends of the GDI.



The GDI is not a solo performance by China, but a chorus by all parties. Being the largest developing country in the world, China is naturally a member of the Global South. China will take more active, effective and sustainable steps to implement the GDI. China will also take actions in six aspects to jointly open up development prospects with countries around the world, namely supporting development as a priority agenda, improving the fostering of development projects, breaking the bottleneck of development financing, expanding ways of development cooperation, strengthening third party development cooperation and supporting young peoples leading role in development.



On the path toward development, no country or individual should be left behind. This is the vision of the GDI, as well as the goals upheld by the UN. China will work with the international community to seek common development with practical steps, so as to make new contributions to realizing the UNs 2030 SDGs on schedule and to building a community with a shared future for mankind.



CCTV: On July 10, China and Solomon Islands issued a joint statement calling on relevant country to fulfill international obligations and prudently handle the issue of discharging nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean. The foreign ministry of Solomon Islands issued a statement to express concerns over the IAEA comprehensive report. On July 11, Mark Brown, rotating chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and Prime Minister of the Cook Islands after meeting with the IAEA Director General said that leaders of Pacific Island countries have different views regarding the ocean discharge of nuclear-contaminated water and will decide on their position after reviewing the IAEA report. Whats your response?



Wang Wenbin: The quantity, time span and geographical scope of Japans ocean discharge are all expected to be unprecedented. The discharge will cause uncertainty and risk for the collective interests of the global community. China and the Pacific Island countries have serious concerns over Japans ocean discharge plan and firmly oppose Japans attempt of shifting nuclear pollution risks.



Ocean discharge is neither the only option to handle the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water, nor the safest and most effective method. We noted that the head of the independent expert panel of the Pacific Islands Forum pointed out recently that according to IAEA safety standards, justification is one of the ten fundamental principles for the international standards of radiation protection and activities giving rise to radiation risks must yield an overall benefit.



Japan should ask itself whether it has violated this principle by treating the Pacific Ocean like a sewer and dumping nuclear-contaminated water into it, whether this violates Japans due international obligations and whether Japan is punishing the good deeds of countries around the world who helped post-quake Japan 12 years ago. China urges Japan to take the concerns of the international community seriously, shoulder its moral responsibility and international obligations, immediately stop pushing through the ocean discharge plan and dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water in a science-based, transparent and safe manner.



AFP: The US climate envoy John Kerry is now confirmed to be visiting China from July 16 to 19. In addition to what was announced this morning, can the Chinese side give any more details about this visit, such as who he will be meeting and what will be discussed specifically?



Wang Wenbin: I responded to a question related to this yesterday, and I have nothing to add at the moment.



Yonhap News Agency: Will Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi hold talks with ROK Foreign Minister Park Jin during the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting?



Wang Wenbin: According to my knowledge, the two sides have been in communication through diplomatic channels on bilateral engagement at the ASEAN-plus foreign ministers meetings. I have no specifics to share at the moment.



Beijing Youth Daily: According to reports, the NATO Vilnius Summit Communique said that China is rapidly expanding and diversifying its nuclear arsenal with more warheads and a larger number of sophisticated delivery systems and lacks transparency. The communique urges China to engage in strategic risk reduction discussions and to promote stability through greater transparency with regard to nuclear. Whats Chinas comment?



Wang Wenbin: NATO, as a military alliance, is known to have the largest and most powerful nuclear arsenal in the world, and yet it irresponsibly accuses China of posing nuclear threats and does so through megaphone diplomacy. This is simply wrong and hypocritical. China is gravely concerned and strongly opposed to this.



China has always been extremely prudent and responsible about nuclear weapon issues. China is committed to a defensive nuclear strategy and keeps our nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required by national security. We never had the intent to engage in nuclear arms race. China follows a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances and has committed unconditionally to not using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states and nuclear-weapon-free zones. China is the only nuclear weapon state to have adopted such a policy. Would any NATO member states make such a commitment?



The international community has more reasons to be concerned over NATOs nuclear-sharing arrangement, through which NATO maintains the worlds largest nuclear arsenal. Certain member states are accelerating the modernization of their nuclear power, strengthening the so-called extended deterrence and heightening the risk of nuclear proliferation and conflict. If NATO members are truly interested in reducing strategic risk and safeguarding strategic stability, they should lower the role of nuclear weapons in national and collective security policies, promote strategic stability with concrete actions and uphold international and regional peace and security.



RIA Novosti: Yesterday, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, former Russian Ambassador to China Andrey Denisov said that the Chinese side has invited Russian President Putin to visit China during the Belt and Road Forum in October. Could you just confirm this?



Wang Wenbin: The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will be held this year. China is in communication with BRI partners on this.



China News Service: The ongoing NATO Summit in Vilnius issued a communique saying that Chinas ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security and values and pose systemic challenges to Euro-Atlantic security. The communique says China strives to subvert the rules-based international order. NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg expressed similar views in his article, saying that what is happening in Europe today could happen in Asia tomorrow. Whats Chinas comment?



Wang Wenbin: Whats said in the NATO communique is a complete opposite of the truth and the product of Cold War mentality and ideological bias. China strongly opposes it. More than 30 years after the Cold War ended, its legacy NATO remains trapped in a zero-sum mindset and views the world as opposing blocs. Despite the global communitys call for peace, development, and common progress, NATO continues to act against the prevailing trend and seek to turn back the wheel of history. The world will not welcome this.



NATO claims to be a regional organization. Why then is NATO reaching beyond its geographical scope laid down in its treaty, and making its foray into the Asia Pacific at a faster pace? NATO claims to be a defensive alliance. Why then is NATO encouraging member states to ramp up military budget, keep crossing the line and expanding the mandate, and stoke confrontation in the Asia Pacific? NATO claims to defend a rules-based international order, but it has been ignoring international law and basic norms governing international relations and interfering in other countries internal affairs. NATO has taken part in various wars and acted as a scaremonger on security issues, as if the world needed any more instability. NATO has been piecing together exclusive blocs and promoting group politics to intensify ideological and bloc confrontation.



China is a force for world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of the international order, and a source of public good. China is committed to the international system with the UN at its core, the international order underpinned by international law and the basic norms governing international relations that stem from the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China has the best record on peace and security. We have never invaded any country or engaged in any proxy war. We have never conducted global military operations, threatened other countries with force, exported ideology or interfered in other countries internal affairs. We do not set up or participate in military groups and oppose the use of force or threat of force in international relations. How would such a China pose systemic challenges to NATO?



The prosperity and stability that the Asia-Pacific has long enjoyed depends on the mutual respect, open cooperation, mutual benefit and the ability to properly resolve differences among regional countries. NATOs foray into the Asia-Pacific will only stir up tension and lead to bloc confrontation and even a new Cold War in this region. Asia-Pacific countries do not welcome it and many NATO states do not approve of it. The Asia-Pacific does not need an Asia-Pacific version of NATO.



We urge NATO to immediately stop smearing and lying about China. NATO must abandon the outdated Cold War mentality and zero-sum mindset, renounce its blind faith in military might and misguided practice of seeking absolute security, halt the dangerous attempt to destabilize Europe and the Asia-Pacific and stop finding pretext for its continuous expansion. We urge NATO to play a constructive role for world peace and stability.



Bloomberg: Last night or early this morning, Microsoft said it found a China-based group that was targeting government agencies in western Europe. Does China have any comment on this report and have you had any contact with governments in western Europe asking about this?



Wang Wenbin: We noted the reports saying that the spokesman for the White House National Security Council claimed that US officials found hackers linked to China took advantage of a security weakness in Microsofts cloud-computing to break into unclassified email accounts of the US, and the US has notified Microsoft about this. I would like to say that in the past, it was usually the worlds No.1 hacking groupthe US National Security Agency, which also serves as the US Cyber Force Command, that released such kind of disinformation. This time, it was the US National Security Council that made a public statement. Whatever agency spoke, it does not change the fact that the US is the worlds biggest hacking empire and global cyber thief.



Since last year, cyber security institutions from China and elsewhere in the world have issued reports to reveal US governments cyber attacks against China over the years, but the US has yet to make a response. It is high time that the US explained its cyber attack activities and stopped spreading disinformation to deflect public attention.



Bloomberg: The Microsoft report says that it was western European government agencies that were hacked by the China-based group, not US government agencies. Have you had any contact with any western European governments about the alleged hacking of their agencies?



Wang Wenbin: Ive mentioned relevant reports. Relevant Microsoft report is based on information released by the US authority. Id like to refer you to Microsoft to check with them whether the report related to Chinese cyber attacks is based on US official information. If yes, I suggest that Microsoft then check whether it knows that the US is actually the biggest hacking empire and global cyber thief.
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New Delhi, July 12 : The International Temples Convention and Expo (ITCX) will be held at the Rudraksha Convention Centre in Varanasi from July 22 to 24.

Developed by Temple Connect (India), it is the world's first event solely dedicated to the management of temples across the globe and will focus on nurturing and empowering the administration, management and operations of temple ecosystems.

Conceptualised by Giresh Kulkarni, Founder of Temple Connect (platform dedicated to the documentation, digitalisation and distribution of information related to temples of Indian origin), along with Prasad Lad (Chairman, International Temples Convention & Expo 2023 and Member Of Maharashtra Legislative Council), and Show Director & Co-Curator Meghaa Ghosh -- this three-day event carves a space for free-flowing exchange of ideas, learning and invaluable insight among like-minded dignitaries who are at the helm of temple management, in order to establish, enable and promote best practices for temple management teams worldwide.

It is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, under the "Incredible India" initiative.

ITCX aims to birth and nurture an ecosystem for networking, knowledge sharing, and peer learning that will pan out through expert seminars, workshops and master classes on various topics.

These include temple safety, security and surveillance, fund management, disaster management, sanitisation, and hygiene as well as optimal use of new-age technology like artificial intelligence (AI) for protection against cyberattacks and social media management to foster a strong and connected temple community.

The event will also touch upon subjects like crowd and queue management, solid waste management, and infrastructure enhancement under the umbrella of pilgrim experience.

The event is by invitation only and designed for temples and temple trusts of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism in its first season.

Representatives from Jain Dharamshalas, leading devotional charities, Associations in the Hindu Temples of the UK, ISKCON temples, Anna Kshetra Managements, Purohit Mahasangha of various pilgrim locations, and Pilgrimage Promotion Boards will participate in this meet.

Additionally, the convention serves as a platform to learn about diverse cultures, traditions, and arts and crafts of temples from around the world while also celebrating India's rich temple heritage.

Mohan Bhagwat (Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) will inaugurate the convention. Prominent attendees at the event will include temple trustees, members of temple boards and trusts, along with visionaries such as the Prince of Travancore (Padmanabhaswamy Temple), Rohan A. Khaunte (Minister for Tourism, Information Technology, Electronics and Communication, and Printing & Stationery, Goa), Dharma Reddy (Executive Officer -- Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams), among many others.

Key conversations around green energy, archaeological architecture, langar (community kitchen) management, illumination of lights for temples, etc., will also be addressed.

The line-up includes Tirupathi Balaji Temple experts who will share knowledge on their flawless queue management system and charity/social organisations that clean and maintain ghats in Varanasi. Giresh Kulkarni will lead a session on temple economics and its expanded role in tourism that can boost the local economy and promote a destination.

Other talks and sessions on relevant topics will be held by delegates of Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, Mahakaal Jyotirling, Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Patna Saheb Gurudwara, Chidambaram Temple, and Virupaksha Temple, Hampi.

The event is also supported by the Antodaya Pratishthan that largely works in the space of CSR in the space of sustainability, hygiene, health and community service in a large way in Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra.
United Nations, July 12 : Thousands of people in Sudan's Darfur region each day choose a refugee's life in neighbouring Chad over continued fighting in their homeland, UN humanitarians said.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday that the World Food Programme (WFP) is scaling up its operation to support the new arrivals, many of whom are injured. So far, the agency has delivered food and nutrition assistance to more than 150,000 people on the Chad-Sudan border.

"It is also essential that WFP can safely deliver food aid to civilians remaining in West Darfur," OCHA added.

"So far, the agency has been able to provide food and nutrition support to more than 420,000 people in East, North, South and Central Darfur, but the current security situation in West Darfur makes safe operations there impossible."

In southeastern Sudan, the office said that the Food and Agriculture Organisation works to increase local food production where possible, distributing seeds for the planting season, Xinhua news agency reported.

Trucks carrying about 50 ton of sorghum seed arrived on Monday in Blue Nile state, while the agency dispatched truckloads of seed to other accessible locations.

Between May 22 and July 7, OCHA said, it facilitated the movement of more than 630 trucks carrying more than 28,500 ton of aid to 10 states in Sudan.
Ramallah, July 12 : Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye has slammed the US for not presenting any initiative to revive the Palestinian peace process with Israel, which has remained stalled since 2014.

"US President Joe Biden and his administration is the only US president and administration that didn't present any initiative to resolve the conflict (between Israelis and Palestinians)," Ishtaye said on Tuesday at the first Palestinian National Population Conference held in the West Bank city of Al-Bireh.

"President Biden is also the only one who did not send an envoy for peace, and this US government is playing the role of a spectator in the light of the practices Israel is carrying out in the Palestinian territories," he added.

"The Palestinians are looking forward to a different approach from the international community... to deal with the issue of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict," Ishtaye said.

The last round of US-sponsored peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis broke down in March 2014, because of their deep divisions over Israeli settlement expansion and Palestinian statehood, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Palestinians hope to establish an independent state on the 1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital, while Israel claims the whole of Jerusalem as their "indivisible capital".
Ramallah, July 12 : Palestine has rejected an Israeli plan to build 450 new settlement units in East Jerusalem, saying the plan has disregarded the countries that support the two-state solution.

Israel's plan is "disregarding the countries that reject the settlement," the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday in a press statement, adding the plan "aims to separate Palestinian neighbourhoods, towns and communities in Jerusalem from each other".

Earlier on Tuesday, the Israeli Haaretz newspaper reported that Israel is advancing a plan to build 450 housing units for Jews in East Jerusalem.

The plan for a new Jewish neighbourhood between the Palestinian villages of Umm Lisan and Jabal Mukkaber in East Jerusalem is being pursued by a real estate company run by a right-wing activist, according to the report.

"The Israeli government is racing against time in implementing its expansionist map of interests at the expense of the Palestinian land and deepening the annexation of Jerusalem," the Ministry said in a press statement.

"These plans also aim at imposing Israeli law on East Jerusalem and separating it from its Palestinian surroundings," it added.

It accused the Israelis of sabotaging and undermining any opportunity to implement the principle of the two-state solution and to "establish a viable, sovereign, and geographically contiguous Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital".

The Israeli settlement issue is the most prominent aspect of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and one of the main reasons for the breakdown of the US-sponsored peace talks in March 2014, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Palestinians demand the establishment of an independent state alongside Israel on all Palestinian territories occupied by Israel in 1967, including the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Seoul, July 12 : North Korea fired a suspected long-range ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Wednesday, amid tensions caused by Pyongyang's accusations against US spy aircraft operations earlier this week, the South Korean military said.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch from an area in or around Pyongyang at about 10 a.m. (local time) without elaborating further, reports Yonhap News Agency.

"While strengthening our monitoring and vigilance, our military is maintaining a full readiness posture in close cooperation with the United States," the JCS said.

The North's last long-range missile launch took place on April 13, when it fired a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile.

On Monday and Tuesday, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, issued sharp-tongued statements claiming that US military spy aircraft "intruded" into the area over the North's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Kim Yo-jong warned that the North will take "clear and resolute" actions against US surveillance flights within the North's "economic water zone," claiming a "shocking" incident could occur.

The South Korean military has dismissed her remarks, saying freedom of navigation and overflight are ensured in the EEZ.

The latest launch came as major diplomatic and security gatherings are taking place this week, including the ongoing NATO Summit in Lithuania and the ASEAN Regional Forum in Indonesia.

At the NATO Summit, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is expected to discuss security cooperation against North Korea's military threats with other leaders.

The North's saber-rattling also came after its failed launch of a space rocket carrying its first military reconnaissance satellite in late May.

The rocket crashed into the Yellow Sea after an abnormal starting of the second-stage engine, according to the North's state media.
Chennai, July 12 : AIADMK General Secretary and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) on Tuesday invited the dissident leaders back to the party fold.

This is being seen as a political move by EPS to weaken the former coordinator of the party O. Panneerselvam(OPS).

Notably, several former leaders aligned with OPS, V.K. Sasikala and T.T.V. Dhinakaran and EPS want the dissidents back in the AIADMK fold.

The invitation has come after the Election Commission of India has recognised EPS faction as the original AIADMK and also put up the names of the party office-bearers in its original website.

After the removal of O. Panneerselvam and his associates from the party in September 2022, several court cases were filed against EPS and the official faction of the AIADMK.

The AIADMK lost all but one seat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and the party wants to do much better in the 2024 general elections.

The move of EPS to invite dissidents is considered as a move intended to strengthen the AIADMK in the run upto the Lok Sabha polls.

With the AIADMK in a political alliance with the BJP at present, the party is trying to get maximum seats from the strongholds of both the BJP and AIADMK.

C. Rajeev, Director, Centre for Policy and Development Studies, a think tank based out of Chennai, while speaking to IANS said, "It is high time Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) reached out to the dissidents in the party and the move has created enthusiasm among the party middle and lower level leaders. This will help the AIADMK gain some lost ground in its territories."

The move is likely to weaken OPS as the dissident leaders will be given proper accommodation in AIADMK once they are back.

Sources in the OPS camp, however, told IANS that the group will move ahead with its declared programmes and will strengthen the group in the days to come.
Jerusalem. July 12 : Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters staged rallies across the country, in the largest weekday demonstration in months. against the government's plan to overhaul the judiciary.

Despite the scorching summer heat on Tuesday, scores of Israelis took to streets, highways and junctions in major cities to hold protests in what they called a day of "disruption",reports Xinhua news agency

They were protesting against a key bill in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to overhaul the legal system.

The bill, which passed the first out of three rounds of voting in the parliament overnight on Monday, aims to prevent the Supreme Court from overturning government decisions on the grounds of "reasonability".

In January, the Supreme Court used this standard to cancel the appointment of Aryeh Deri, the leader of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party and a key member in Netanyahu's coalition, as a Minister because of his conviction for tax fraud in 2022.

The bill was widely criticised by legal experts.

The protests took place in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Herzliya, Beersheba, Eilat, and other cities.

Protesters temporarily blocked the Azrieli Junction, a major crossroads in Tel Aviv, as well as the adjacent Ayalon Highways, Israel's main freeway, and Route 1, which connects the capital to other parts of the country.

On the central Mediterranean beaches of Israel, women lined up to participate in a human chain, calling for democracy and equal gender rights.

The police used water cannons on the protesters in several locations.

Videos on social networks showed policemen pushing protesters to the ground and punching them.

Two photographers with Ha'aretz and Yediot Aharonot, two of the country's leading daily newspapers, were briefly arrested.

One of them was handcuffed and the other beaten, as shown in a video of their arrests.

In the afternoon, about 20,000 demonstrators, as estimated by the organisers, gathered at the main entrance of Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's main international airport, waving the blue-and-white national flags.

The police deployed around 1,000 officers, who in some cases clashed with the demonstrators.

The protests continued into the night, with tens of thousands rallying in Tel Aviv and on major roads across the country.

According to Channel 13 TV reports, at least 19 demonstrators were injured and required hospital care.

By the evening, the police said in a statement that at least 76 protesters had been arrested.

Over 400 Air Force reserve soldiers, including pilots, held a meeting to discuss the possibility of joining the other reserve soldiers who already announced their intention to refuse service if the government proceeded with the judicial overhaul.

In a public address on Tuesday night, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant called for "an end to the calls for refusal", citing that they "hurt the military, the security system, and Israel's security".

Netanyahu maintains that reform is needed in order to curb what he calls the "overly activist" Supreme Court.

The grassroots movement, which includes prominent legal experts, economists, hi-tech entrepreneurs, and former senior security officials, has been holding protests against the judicial overhaul for 27 consecutive weeks.

Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, returned to office last December, leading a rightist government coalition consisting of ultranationalist and ultra-religious parties.
Chennai, July 12 : Even as the Tamil Nadu BJP state president and former IPS officer, K. Annamalai has time and again been making unruly comments against the AIADMK and its leaders, the central leadership of the BJP is keen that the party is in its fold.

The invitation extended to AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) to attend the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting on July 18 at New Delhi is a clear indicator to this.

There were reports of the BJP trying to go it alone in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Tamil Nadu. However, sources in the BJP told IANS that the national leadership had conducted a detailed survey on the prospects of the party and found that without the AIADMK it would not stand a chance to win any seat on its own.

It may be noted that for the past five decades, politics in Tamil Nadu revolved around the Dravidian majors, and the Congress, which had once ruled Tamil Nadu, is relegated to political oblivion without the support of a Dravidian major. If the Congress which had once ruled Tamil Nadu is relegated to a minor party status, then the BJP, which had never got proper recognition in the state, will not be able to do anything without the support of a Dravidian major.

R. Kalayanasundaram, political analyst and retired Professor of Political science from Madurai while speaking to IANS said, "The BJP state president was doing political suicide by speaking out against AIADMK as any political student can understand that the only solution to reap benefit in Tamil Nadu is to piggy ride one of the Dravidian majors.

"Fortunately for the BJP, it already has an alliance with the AIADMK, but the unnecessary uttering of its state president was creating problems for its fortunes in the state. The national leadership of the party will be willing to accept the formula of seat sharing pushed forward by the AIADMK and the saffron party will have to be satisfied with the seats the AIADMK offers it."
New Delhi, July 12 : A massive fire broke out at a car showroom in Delhi's Mayapuri area on Wednesday morning, a fire department official said.

According to the Director of Delhi Fire Service (DFS) Atul Garg, a call regarding the blaze was received from the Mayapuri area around 7:25 a.m.

"A total of 19 fire tenders have been rushed to the spot to douse the flames at the Mahindra car showroom," said Garg.

Further details are awaited.
New Delhi, July 12 : The global PC shipments saw a 16.6 per cent decline (year-on-year) with 59.7 million units in the second quarter of 2023 as Lenovo maintained its lead with 24 per cent market share, a report showed on Wednesday.

HP Inc was second with 22.5 per cent share while Dell was third, with 17.4 per cent market share globally.

After seven consecutive quarters of year-over-year decline, the PC market is showing initial signs of stabilisation, including sequential growth from the previous quarter, according to Gartner.

"The rate of decline in the PC market has slowed, indicating that shipment volumes may have reached their lowest point," said Mikako Kitagawa, director analyst at Gartner.

Gartner expects that PC inventory will normalise by the end of 2023, and PC demand will return to growth starting in 2024, he added.

Lenovo's year-over-year shipments declined again this quarter but grew sequentially. EMEA and Asia Pacific were challenging regions for Lenovo, but the company had only moderate declines in Latin America and North America.

HP shipments fell only slightly in the second quarter, ending a string of consecutive double-digit declines. Laptop shipments grew modestly but were offset by a decline in desktop shipments, said the report.

Dell exhibited its fifth consecutive quarter of decline, with shipments down across most key regions. Asia Pacific was the most challenging market for Dell, where shipments decreased faster than the regional average.

"As the PC market begins to recover and component demand increases, the favourable price conditions for memory and SSD storage that PC vendors have enjoyed are coming to an end," said Kitagawa.

The Asia Pacific PC market continued to fall, declining 26.9 per cent year-over-year. A particularly weak PC market in China due to economic uncertainty and low consumer demand contributed significantly to the region's results.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov has met with Chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye Numan Kurtulmus, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

During the meeting it was noted that 2023 was particularly significant for both countries, as this year marks the 100th anniversary of both the national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and the Republic of Turkiye.

It was stressed that friendly and fraternal relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye are successfully developing in all spheres in accordance with the principle of "one nation, two states".

It was also noted that relations between the two countries have reached the highest point of strategic partnership and alliance as a result of the efforts of the heads of state.

The role of inter-parliamentary ties in the development of bilateral relations was highly appreciated, and it was emphasized that between the Milli Majlis (Parliament) and the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye has mutually beneficial cooperation both bilaterally and internationally.

Issues of further expansion of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations in trade, economic, energy, transport, agricultural, humanitarian, tourism and other spheres were also discussed at the meeting.
Vilnius, July 12 : The G7 members will on Wednesday ratify a long-term security arrangement with Ukraine at the ongoing NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The G7 announcement came after the military alliance said that Ukraine could join the NATO only "when allies agree and conditions are met", the BBC reported.

In a statement, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the arrangement, which will defence equipment, training and intelligence sharing, will send a "strong signal" to Russian President Putin.

Sunak said the war-torn nation's allies were ramping up their "formal arrangements to protect Ukraine for the long term".

"We can never see a repeat of what has happened in Ukraine and this declaration reaffirms our commitment to ensure it is never left vulnerable to the kind of brutality Russia has inflicted on it again," the BBC quoted the Prime Minister as saying.

Downing Street said the UK had played a leading role in the agreement involving G7 partners Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US.

Earlier, US President Joe Biden had suggested a model for Ukraine similar to his country's agreement with Israel, under which Washington has committed to providing the Jewish state $3.8 billion in military aid per year over a decade.

But unlike NATO membership, this does not include a clause to come to the target nation's aid during a time of attack, the BBC reported.

Although Ukraine accepts it cannot join NATO while it is at war with Russia, the country still wants to join as soon as possible after fighting ends.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the delay "absurd".

Addressing crowds in the Lithuanian capital, Zelensky said: "NATO will give Ukraine security -- Ukraine will make the alliance stronger."

He also presented a battle flag from the destroyed city of Bakhmut -- the site of the longest and bloodiest battle in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier in the day, a series of military packages for Ukraine were also announced as the Summit opened.

A coalition of 11 nations will start training Ukrainian pilots to fly US-made F-16 fighter jets at a centre to be set up in Romania in August, officials said.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New York, July 12 : An Indian-American financial planner from Cleveland has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the US government in addition to aiding and abetting the filing of a false tax return.

Rao Garuda, President and Chief Executive Officer of Associated Concepts Agency (ACA), was accused by federal prosecutors last month of providing a tax shelter for wealthy clients by making it look like they contributed to a charity.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Garuda engaged in a scheme -- Advanced Legacy Plan or the Ultimate Tax Plan -- to assist high-income individuals in unlawfully reducing their taxes using a plan organised, marketed and sold by a co-conspirator.

ACA's former Chief Operating Officer previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the US on September 26, 2022.

To accomplish the scheme, Garuda, his co-conspirators, and other accomplices instructed clients to transfer assets to an LLC in exchange for 100 per cent ownership interest in the LLC; assign the ownership interest to a charity controlled by co-conspirators, and claim a charitable contribution tax deduction for the purported donation.

Garuda and others marketed the scheme as a way for clients to receive the tax deduction without relinquishing control over the LLC or its assets, a Department of Justice release stated.

After executing the scheme, clients could access the assets inside the LLCs through tax-free loans.

Garuda marketed the scheme despite being warned by several attorneys over the years that the scheme was illegal, such as one attorney describing the scheme as "clearly fraudulent".

Garuda and the co-conspirator also assisted clients in claiming charitable contribution tax deductions after the close of the tax year by backdating documents to make it look as if clients executed the scheme in a prior year.

To do so, Garuda and others directed clients to use pre-existing LLCs (sometimes referred to as "Shelf LLCs") that his co-conspirator had created and formed at the end of the prior year and backdate documents to make it appear as if the clients owned and assigned ownership interests in the Shelf LLCs in the prior year.

For his role in the scheme, Garuda caused or intended to cause a tax loss of more than $2.7 million, which he agreed to pay back as restitution to the US.

The Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit against his co-conspirator in 2018 to stop him from organising, marketing, and selling the scheme.

Following this, Garuda, his co-conspirator and other accomplices sought to obstruct the case by providing clients with false, backdated documents to turn over to the government in response to civil subpoenas.

Garuda is scheduled to be sentenced on November 14, 2023, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States and three years in prison for the false return count.

He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Mumbai, July 12 : Actors Ananya Panday and Aditya Roy Kapur have added fuel to their dating rumours after they attended the same rock concert in Spain.

The two took to their respective social media accounts as they posted pictures from the same Arctic Monkeys' concert.

However, they did not post pictures of themselves or each other. Ananya took to her Instagram Stories and wrote, "Nothing quite like the Arctic Monkeys. My favourite song ever." She used geo tags of Madrid, Spain in the picture.

Aditya shared a clip from the concert on his Instagram Stories along with a cold blue face emoji and a monkey emoji.

On the acting front, Ananya will be seen Vikramaditya Motwane's untitled cybercrime-thriller. She also has Farhan Akhtar's 'Kho Gaye Hum Kahan', 'Dream Girl 2' and web-series 'Call Me Bae'.

Aditya's latest release is 'The Night Manager, part 2'. He also has Anurag Basu's 'Metro... In Dino'.

--IANS

-- Syndicated from IANS
New Delhi, July 12 : The union cabinet is likely to take up for consideration the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2022 that proposes to decriminalise various offences in 42 laws, including minor ones that invite jail term.

In addition to this, the cabinet may also consider certain amendments in the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957, sources aware of developments said.

The meeting of the union cabinet is currently underway.

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2022 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 22, 2022 and it's aim is to reduce the compliance burden on individuals and businesses to fulfill the twin objectives of ease of doing business and ease of living for the citizens.

It will amend almost 113 imprisonment clauses in various pieces of legislation, governing matters pertaining to the environment, air pollution, housing, and money laundering among others.

Soon after introduction, the bill was referred to a joint Parliamentary panel led by BJP MP, P P Chaudhary. The panel had submitted its report in Lok Sabha on the proposed legislation in March during the budget session. It had suggested that the government should bring the amendments proposed in the law with "retrospective effect for abating pending legal proceedings in respect of offences being decriminalised".

Unlike civil liabilities, criminal liabilities cannot be imposed retrospectively. However, they can be done away with retrospective effect. The panel in its report agreed in principle with a majority of the 183 provisions proposed to be amended across 42 Acts administered by 19 ministries.

In many instances, it recommended imposition of penalty rather than fine to "avoid increase in litigation." It also recommended enhancing fines in many of the laws. For example, under Section 29 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, that deals with the penalty for use of government analyst's report for advertising, the panel has recommended enhancing the fine from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1 lakh in case of the first time use of such a report for advertising.

The panel had also observed that rather than punishing a wrongful conduct, criminalisation of minor acts of omission or commission often becomes a tool for the executive to project a strong image.

To bolster it's argument, the panel had noted that "As many of the Acts belong to the British era where the State mistrusts its citizens, it is no longer the case in the country. This 'overcriminalisation' is required to be redressed by justifying the penalties in the law and bringing in flexibility. The regulatory burden often poses substantial deterrents for investors".
Bengaluru, July 12 : The Karnataka BJP staged a protest on Wednesday in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue at the premises of the Vidhana Soudha against the alleged collapse of the law and order system in the state after the Congress government came to power.

The protest headed by former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, was attended by BJP MLAs and MLCs who raised slogans against the incumbent state government.

Later, the party leaders took out a rally from the Vidhana Soudha to the Raj Bhavan and submitted a memorandum to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot demanding the handover of the Jain pontiff's muder case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Former Minister V. Sunil Kumar said that sidelining Hindutva is the agenda of Congress government. "During the last tenure of CM Siddaramaiah between 2013 and 2018, 18 Hindu activists were killed," he said.

The BJP's national general secretary, C.T. Ravi: "The development of a series of murders taking place in Karnataka is unfortunate. The development has raised suspicions. We donat know whether this government is alive or dead. The Uttar Pradesh model should have been adopted in Karnataka."

While announcing the protest, Bommai said that the law and order system in the state has collapsed in the state.

"The government had taken the case of the Jain pontiff's brutal murder very lightly. The public are demanding that the case should be handed over to the CBI. We have also demanded that the case should be probed by the CBI," he said.

aHindu activist was killed in T.Narasipura, murder case is also reported from Sakleshpur, cop was killed while on duty by sand mafia. Senior officers are pressurising staff for extortion of money.

"Anti-social elements have got the courage that they can do anything in this government. The law and order has collapsed just after the one and half month rule of the Congress government," the former Chief Minister added.
Bengaluru, July 12 : Karnataka Congress is staging a day-long silent protest at the Freedom Park in the city against the alleged conspiracy of the BJP government to end the political career of Rahul Gandhi.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his Deputy D.K. Shivakumar were seen protesting by wearing a black mask and covering their mouth.

All the MLAs, ministers, MPs and leaders are taking part in the protest.

DyCM and state Congress president Shivakumar charged the BJP government at the Centre with attempting to conspire and end the political career of Rahul Gandhi.

The silent protest is being observed under the leadership of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge.

Urging the party workers to participate in large numbers, Shivakumar on Tuesday said that Rahul Gandhi has never damaged the prestige of the country. There is a conspiracy to end his political career on the pretext of the speech he delivered in Karnataka. "We condemn this. The message has to be sent to the Opposition and across the country to stand with Rahul Gandhi who is standing for truth and the country," he stated.

Unable to tolerate the success of Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra and big success in Karnataka, his membership of Parliament has been suspended. The Congress has won in all constituencies where Rahul Gandhi took out Pada Yatra, Shivakumar had said.

The suggestion had come to take up Bharat Jodo Yatra from East to West in India. BJP after seeing his popularity, success is conspiring against him, Shivakumar maintained.
Manali, July 12 : In one of the toughest operations to dig through mounds of snow to make way for nearly 300 tourists, comprising three foreigners, who got stuck on the icy road in Himachal Pradesh's Spiti Valley at altitudes ranging above 15,060 ft, 'snow warriors' on Wednesday began work to reopen the mountain pass.

Seven tourists, most of them elderly and facing health issues, were evacuated by a chopper on Tuesday from the glacial-fed Chandertal lake.

More chopper flights could not operate owing to unfavourable weather and poor visibility.

The stranded people comprising tourists, largely from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat and three women foreigners -- two from Ireland and one from the US, have been stuck at the Chandertal for the past four days as rain-battered hills snapped road links.

Heavy snowfall in the region this week has also made the operation to reopen the road network more challenging, according to a government official.

"The snow-clearing operation towards the Kunzum Pass began early this (Wednesday) morning on the third day and a 12-km stretch has been made motorable," Assistant Public Relations Officer Ajay Banyal, who is posted in Kaza, the headquarters of Spiti, told IANS over phone.

Now the total distance to clear the snow to reach the tented accommodation of the tourists at the Chandertal is 25 km.

According to Banyal, who is accompanying the rescue and snow-clearing teams, the snow clearing work stopped on Tuesday night as the temperature fell below sub-zero with wind chills.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Rahul Jain, who is monitoring the rescue operation, said after this week's snowstorm dumped more than four feet of snow in the Chandertal area.

"A rescue team of six people carrying a satellite phone was sent on foot to the place where the tourists were stationed. They reached there on Tuesday at around 2.30 p.m. but could not evacuate them as trekking on the snow-laden paths is risky and challenging for tourists. So they have decided to rescue them by road only," Jain told IANS over phone, adding that the Kaza-Samudo road is yet to be restored.

"The road restoration work is in full swing. We fear that some people might be trapped in the Batal area. We sent a team of trekkers this (Wednesday) morning there to know about the status of stranded people, if any.

"Our goal is to make the road motorable today so that the rescue can be done from Chandertal and nearby areas," an optimistic Jain added.

"Since there was no shelter en route and camping was not feasibly, our men spent a night in a snow-struck truck parked on a roadside," an official told IANS.

He said the men have been working in Arctic-like conditions where chances of snowstorms and avalanches still loom large.

Oxygen near the Kunzum Pass is minimal and high velocity winds blow every afternoon. After a bulldozer clears off the major snow, labourers manually clear the remaining snow with shovels.

The team of rescuers comprises Sub-Divisional Magistrate Harsh Negi, tehsildar Bhumika Jain, naib tehsildar Prem Chand, Station House Officer Sanjay Kumar and Veer Bhagat, besides ITBP and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel and local youth.

Volunteers of the Losar Mahila Mandal will look after the food arrangements of the stranded tourists.

The locals -- largely Buddhist residing at an altitude between 3,000 metre and 4,000 metre -- cultivate green peas, potatoes, barley and wheat on soil that is dry and lacks organic matter.

The Kunzum Pass, which connects Spiti with Lahaul, normally remains closed for traffic for nine months owing to snowfall.

It is located on the Samdoh-Kaza-Gramfu highway.

Chandertal can be easily approached from Kunzum Pass.

The idyllic settings of the Himalayas draw an increasing number of backpackers, especially foreigners, for adventure activities.

High mountains, though beautiful, are rugged, cold and inhospitable and no place for inexperienced or ill-equipped travellers.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at gulatiians@gmail.com <vishal.g@ians.in>)
Nashik, July 12 : A 56-year-old woman from Jalgaon was killed and 23 others were injured when a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus with 24 passengers plunged into a 400-feet gorge in the Saptashringi hills on Wednesday, officials said here.

The bus, originating from Buldhana, had departed from the popular pilgrimage spot of Saptashringi after an overnight halt for its return journey to Khamgaon, at around 6.30 a.m.

Barely 10 minutes later, while negotiating a treacherous curve on the hilly road in foggy weather, the driver apparently lost control and the vehicle tumbled down near the Ganpati Point.

The victim, identified as Asha Rajendra Patil, hailing from Amalner, Jalgaon, was killed in the tragedy and 23 others, including the driver and conductor, were injured, including some seriously.

A massive rescue and relief operation commenced soon after by the local police and fire-brigade and a crane was being requisitioned to pull the bus out of the gorge, as intermittent rains lashed the region.

Some of the passengers said it was a miracle that barring one fatality, all the others survived the deadly crash as none fell out of the bus, or the accident could have been more serious.

Recalling the few moments, they said the bus veered off the road, and hiccupped several times on its downhill plunge before it settled while most passengers were trapped under their seats.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar expressed condolences over the tragedy, while Nashik Guardian Minister Dadaji rushed to the spot along with senior officials to monitor the rescue efforts.

Shinde announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakhs to the deceased womanas kin and full treatment at government expense for all the injured victims.
Mumbai, July 12 : The Swiss Challenge process run by the lenders of Vidarbha Industries Power Ltd. (VIPL) has run into a controversy due to certain conditions laid down in the EOI document for the potential bidders.

The bidders have called these conditions as restrictive in nature, and at the same time favouring the anchor bidder.

According to a potential bidder, these onerous custom made conditions by lenders are aimed to favour the anchor bidder, i.e., CFM ARC and Swiss Challenge process is just an eyewash.

The bidders have alleged that the restrictive conditions will throttle the competitive value discovery of the VIPL debt as they limit the participation from potential bidders in the Swiss Challenge process. The purpose of the Swiss Challenge is to maximise value for the lenders, while the design of the VIPL Swiss Challenge is contrary to this basic principle.

The EOI is discriminatory for all potential bidders vis a vis CFM ARC.

The bidders have also claimed that the VIPL EOI document does not even comply with the provisions related to the Swiss Challenge process mentioned in the Reserve Bank of India (Transfer of Loan Exposures) Directions, 2021 as it does not specify the base bid number and minimum mark-up, as required under the circular

Elaborating on the restrictive conditions of the EOI, a bidder said that an additional Annexure called as 'Annexure III' has been introduced in the EOI document, imposing harsh conditions or seeking undertakings like:

a) The bidder and any person investing in the bidder for the purpose of funding the consideration set out in its bid/offer, is not disqualified by section 29A of the Code and rules and regulations framed thereunder from submitting a bid to acquire the debt of VIPL under the Swiss challenge process.

b) The Bidder shall submit the source of funds along with the bid submitted by the bidder to the lenders

c) The bidder is required to give an undertaking that neither the bidder nor any other person acting jointly or in concert with is an undischarged insolvent or a wilful defaulter, at the time of submission of the bid.

d) A bidder will be barred from participating in the Swiss Challenge process if it's account or an account of a corporate debtor under the management or control of such person or of whom such person is a promoter, have been classified as non-performing asset in accordance with the guidelines of the Reserve Bank of India.

e) A person who has been disqualified to act as a director under the Companies Act or prohibited by the SEBI from trading in securities or accessing the securities markets is also barred from participating in the Swiss Challenge process of VIPL.

f) The EOI conditions also restrict the participation in the Swiss Challenge process if a person has been a promoter or in the management or control of a corporate debtor in which a preferential transaction, undervalued transaction, extortionate credit transaction or fraudulent transaction has taken place and in respect of which an order has been made by the Adjudicating Authority under the Code.

g) If a person/promoter has executed a guarantee in favour of a creditor in respect of a corporate debtor against which an application for insolvency resolution made by such creditor has been admitted under the Code and such guarantee has been invoked by the creditor and remains unpaid in full or part, is also not allowed to bid for the VIPL debt under the Swiss Challenge process.

Notably, the lenders of Vidarbha Industries Power Ltd. (VIPL), a subsidiary of Reliance Power Ltd., are conducting the Swiss Challenge process for the sale of company's outstanding debt.

The lead banker, Axis Bank, has issued an invitation for EOI for the sale of VIPL's outstanding debt.

The detailed invitation document for submission of EOI for the sale/assignment of VIPL's outstanding debt does not even disclose the basic mandatory information to the potential bidders for enabling them to make a counter bid for the VIPL debt.

The EOI document does not mention the name of the anchor bidder. The document, without disclosing the name of the bidder, simply says that a binding bid has been received from an asset reconstruction company, which is the anchor bidder.

The EOI document is also silent on the value of the anchor bid.

The EOI document has no information on how the proposed Swiss Challenge process will be run and till what level the anchor bidder has the right of first refusal.

As per the regulations, all the lenders are required to make a disclosure of their exposure in the VIPL, on their respective websites, but even this information is not available to the potential bidders.

Strangely, the anchor bidder, i.e., CFM ARC had offered Rs 1,220 crore as against the promoter company, Reliance Power's Rs 1,260 crore OTS offer, for the VIPL debt.

CFM ARC is among the four Asset Reconstruction Companies who have been issued show cause notices by the RBI post its special audit, following the Income Tax raids on the companies.

--IANSdpb
Bengaluru, July 12 : The Karnataka High Court has rejected the appeal petition seeking quashing of sexual harassment case filed by the law student against the accused senior advocate K.S.N. Rajesh Bhat.

The accused had sought quashing of cases against him in the Mangaluru Women's Police station and the criminal proceedings in the third JMFC court in connection with the case.

The bench headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna gave the order on Tuesday after taking note of the victim's statements and the petitioner's claims.

If the court intervenes in the matter, it will be like refuting horrific acts against those who work as internees at the advocates' offices, the bench opined.

"If a naive student of law, enters the office of an Advocate, as an intern; in turn gets to face these horrendous acts, it would have a chilling effect on the entire practice and profession. Therefore, it is for the accused to come out clean in a full blown trial," it stated.

The accused was in the position of a teacher and trust worthy status.

There are allegations against him under 376 (2) (F) of IPC Section and this needs investigation. The advocate has argued that the incident had not taken place as it is portrayed.

Besides, CCTV footage and other evidence have been provided in connection with the case, the bench further stated.

The complainant was studying in a second year law course and joined the office of the accused in August, 2021 for internship. She was given a Rs 6,000 stipend. The allegations against the accused included sending of private videos to her mobile, observing her movements in the office on CCTV camera.

It is alleged that the accused advocate pulled her hand and forced her into his cabin on September 25, 2021 when there was no one at the office at around 6.30 p.m.

He is also facing allegations of behaving vulgarly and sexual harassment.

The victim had managed to escape from the office and after coming out she had protested and questioned the senior advocate.

She had also complained that the accused had threatened her that if she lodges a complaint against him, he would kill her.

The victim had approached the man who had referred her and also the wife of the accused after the incident.

She lodged a police complaint against him. The influential accused gave police the slip for a long time before surrendering at the local court in Mangaluru in Karnataka. The police had formed special teams to nab him.

They were searching for the accused for more than two months and this had created public outrage.

The victim law graduate student has filed a case of sexual harassment against the accused KSN Rajesh Bhat on October 18.

The police department has suspended two police officers, including a woman sub-inspector, for dereliction of duty in connection with the case and arrested three persons.

They had also issued a lookout notice through Intelligence Bureau (IB) to all the airports of the country to prevent him from escaping to a foreign country.

A notice was served to banks to freeze the 12 accused's bank accounts.

Rajesh Bhat was suspended from the membership of the Karnataka State Bar Council until further orders following the FIR against him.

The offences against him include charges of outraging the modesty of the victim, sexual harassment, criminal force with an intent to disrobe her, voyeurism, stalking, criminal intimidation, extortion and destruction of evidence.
Hyderabad, July 12 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao on Wednesday asked farmers of Telangana to decide whether they want three crops promised by BRS or Congress's three-hour power or BJP's fire in the name of religion.

KTR said that the time has come for the farmers of the state to decide what they want.

The BRS leader said that three crops is the slogan given by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

Referring to the statement of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president A. Revanth Reddy, he remarked that Congress policy is three-hour electricity supply.

Using rhyming words in Telugu, KTR stated that BJPas policy is fire in the name of religion.

The BRS leader continued his attack on the Congress party for a second day over Revanth Reddyas controversial remarks on free power.

The Congress leader had allegedly stated at a meeting in the United States that there is no need for 24-hour free electricity to farmers as three-hour power will be sufficient for farmers to irrigate their lands.

The BRS has been projecting round-the-clock free electricity to farmers as one of the major achievements during the last nine years of its rule in Telangana.

In another tweet, KTR said that the Congress party has given a second danger warning.

He recalled that the Congress had earlier promised to scrap Dharani portal if voted to power.

It is now saying that three-hour power is sufficient. The BRS working president dubbed Revanth Reddy aChota Chandrababua and recalled that former chief minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Chandrababu Naidu had called agriculture a awastea.

Revanth Reddy was with TDP before he joined the Congress party on the eve of 2018 Assembly elections.

KTR remarked that to say three-hour power is sufficient for farmers owning three acre lands is an insult to small and marginal farmers.

The BRS leader said the Congress party, which failed to provide seven-hour power to farmers when it was now power, was now conspiring to stop free power.

Stating that it is a testing time for farmers, KTR said they should decide whether they want CM KCR who wants to make farmers the king or a destroyer who says three-hour power is sufficient.
Kiev, July 12 : Ukraine has signed a memorandum with 11 countries to create a coalition for training pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets, Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said.

"It's official: a coalition for F-16 training of the Ukrainian Air Force has been formed," Reznikov tweeted.

Apart from pilots, technicians and support staff will participate in a training program, Xinhua news agency quoted the Minister as saying.

The creation of the coalition opens the doors to include other types of fighter aircraft in the program, he added.

Reznikov thanked Denmark and the Netherlands for their leadership in creating the coalition.

Separately, Ukraine's Ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystayko said that 20 Ukrainian pilots will begin training on Western fighter jets in Britain at the end of this month or at the beginning of August.

Prystayko noted that Britain does not operate F-16 fighters, but has other European-made aircraft.
San Francisco, July 12 : Elon Musk once planned a lavish glass house for himself near Tesla headquarters in Austin, Texas, worth millions of dollars which prompted an internal investigation by the electriccar-maker's board over alleged improprieties.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Tesla planned "Project 42" last year which called for a dramatic and unusual glass-walled building for Musk to come up near the automaker's headquarters in Texas.

The secret project included renderings of a glass box with residential features, such as bedrooms, bathrooms and a kitchen, the report claimed, citing sources.

The project reportedly triggered an internal probe over "possible improprieties", over concerns that Musk might be using company funds to build the house.

The secret project was described as a house for the Tesla CEO that would be located near the companyas Austin-area Gigafactory.

There was a waterfall incorporated into the structure's surrounding landscape in addition to a futuristic pickup truck.

The concepts for the house included either a "twisted hexagon" or a glass cube reminiscent of Apple's 5th Avenue store.

Musk or Tesla did not immediately respond to the report.

The results of the investigation "couldn't be learned" and it's unclear whether the glass was ever delivered. The status of Project 42 is also unknown, according to the report.

Musk recently disclosed he lives in a tiny $50,000 rented home in Boca Chica/Starbase, near Space X's facility.

"My primary home is literally a $50k house in Boca Chica/Starbase that I rent from SpaceX. Itas kinda awesome though," he had tweeted.

"Only house I own is the event house in the Bay Area. If I sold it, the house would see less use, unless bought by a big family, which might happen some day," said the tech billionaire.
Tokyo, July 12 : Godzilla, 'The King of Monsters' has once again returned to unleash havoc and destruction in the new 'Godzilla Minus One' trailer.

The Japanese company Toho Co. gave out the initial details about Godzilla's next movie, which will bear the title 'Godzilla Minus One'.

The giant lizard monster became a massive phenomenon when Japanese director Ishiro Honda released 'Godzilla' in 1954, and in the trailer we see a very angry kaiju.

Having become one of the most popular monster icons globally, 'Godzilla has since then had multiple spin-offs including the Hollywood monster movie 'Godzilla Vs Kong' where he clashed fists with the great gorilla monster Kong.

Written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki, the upcoming sci-fi monster movie will take place amid the ravaged post-war Japan, with the country already having faced massive destruction after WW2. To make things worse, now Godzilla has come to unleash chaos and this time the movie will showcase just how terrifying and overpowering the enormous monster and horrifying Godzilla is. This new live-action film marks the 37th overall Godzilla film, and it is the latest to come from Japan.

'Godzilla Minus One' will debut in Japan on November 3 and will have its US opening on December 1.
London, July 12 : Mitchell Starc has expressed his intention to rely on his own strengths throughout the ongoing Ashes 2023 series, rather than attempting to emulate the approach of players like Pat Cummins and altering his own methods.

The 33-year-old took six scalps at Lord's to lead Australia to a 43-run win. He backed it up with seven wickets in the third Test at Headingley, including a fifer in the second innings.

In Ashes 2019, Starc was mainly overlooked for his high economy rate. He had appeared only at Manchester, where the teams head next in this series, and claimed four wickets in the victory at Old Trafford, but he felt it had a detrimental impact on his game that lingered when he returned home.

"There was a big (focus) on economy rates last time which plenty of guys spoke about throughout the tour, and we all bought into that. And that was something that worked really well for us to retain the Ashes then. But it affected my approach certainly going back to Australia and losing some airspeed. It took away from some of my strengths and some of the role that I play in our attack," Starc was quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

"I wasn't going to change that this time, and if that meant I didn't play, so be it. I was going to stick to my strengths and what I bring to the attack rather than trying to be someone like Josh Hazlewood or someone like Pat Cummins, because that's not going to complement the group," he added.

Starc Australiaas best bowler in their three-wicket loss at Headingley on Sunday, claiming the figures of 5-78. He removed Joe Root, Harry Brook and, crucially, Ben Stokes in the first over of the third day, before producing his trademark inswingers to dismantle Ollie Pope's stumps in the second.

The 33-year-old also added a wobble seam delivery to his arsenal, which was not part of his armoury in 2019, and credited Cummins and Hazlewood for helping him develop his bowling.

"I've finally listened to Pat and Josh, I guess. They're two fantastic exponents of the wobble seam or whatever you want to call it. Having spoken to them over the last few years and being able to add that string to my bow is something that's helped develop my bowling, and not just be someone who can only swing it or bowl fast," said Starc.

"I've now got another option to try to beat the bat both ways, or like [Sunday] it can be a wicket-taking ball depending on who I'm bowling to, or where I'm bowling as well. It's nice to get some rewards with it, and particularly over here where conditions can sometimes [offer] more off the seam than in the air."
Kochi, July 12 : An NIA court here on Wednesday found six accused guilty in the case of cutting off the palm of Professor T.J. Joseph, and acquitted five others. In the second phase of the verdict in the case, the court said that the charge of terrorism against the accused was proved.

The trial started in 2013 when the first charge sheet was filed that had 38 accused, and two years later 13 were convicted.

On Wednesday, the NIA court gave its verdict on the second supplementary charge sheet. It let off five and the punishment for the six accused will be pronounced on Thursday.

The gruesome incident occurred on July 4, 2010, when Joseph, a professor of Malayalam at Newman College, Thodupuzha, a Christian minority institution affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University, along with his family was returning after Sunday mass. He was waylaid by a group of armed men and his palm was cut off.

The attackers belonging to the now banned Popular Front of India were upset on a Question Paper prepared by Joseph which they claimed was derogatory and in retaliation they cut off his palm and escaped.

Reacting to the verdict, Joseph said he doesn't feel anything after hearing about the verdict as he is more worried that those who did the crime are victims of a crude belief.

"I don't believe in the theory that the victim has got justice when the accused have been found guilty because those who have been named are only 'weapons' as those who planned this are still in hiding. especially the prime accused," said Joseph.

T.K.Rajmohan a now retired NIA official said he was the first person who met the family of Joseph soon after the NIA took over the probe and he had assured Joseph, his wife and sister that they will crack the case and with two supplementary charge sheets now settled, the NIA probe will definitely continue.
New Delhi, July 12 : Purnesh Modi, a BJP MLA and the complainant in the defamation case against Rahul Gandhi, has submitted a caveat in the Supreme Court requesting for a chance to present his case if the Congress leader challenges the recent Gujarat High Court verdict that denied a stay on his conviction in the 2019 case.

After a single judge bench of the Gujarat High Court rejected Gandhi's plea for a stay on his conviction in the defamation case on July 7, Purnesh Modi, through his lawyer P. S. Sudheer promptly filed the caveat in the Supreme Court the same day.

A caveat serves as a notice submitted to an appellate court by a litigant who wishes to be heard in case any orders are issued regarding an opponent's appeal that challenges the decision or judgment made by the lower court.

On July 7, the Gujarat High Court rejected the plea of the Congress leader to suspend his conviction and two-year imprisonment in a criminal defamation case, resulting in the loss of his parliamentary membership.

Justice Hemant Prachchhak had upheld the ruling of a Gujarat sessions court, which had declined to stay a magisterial court's verdict on March 23 that found the Congress leader guilty and imposed the highest penalty allowed for criminal defamation under the India Penal Code.

While announcing the decision, the judge noted that Gandhi has a minimum of eight other criminal cases pending against him.
New Delhi, July 12: The death toll in deadly clashes between Sunni and Shia tribes in Parachinar area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has risen to 11 with the injured at 67. Clashes erupted five days ago over a land dispute, creating a war-like situation in the region that borders Afghanistan.

Blocked roads due to the conflict have led to a shortage of food, medicines and fuel. Local Shias have blamed the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as well as Sunni militants for blocking the only road that links the region to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Due to the intense use of weapons, educational institutions, markets and offices have shut down. Despite ceasefire agreements between the warring tribes, clashes have spread as the ceasefire was violated by both the groups. Both Shias and Sunnis have used heavy weapons including missiles and rockets against each other in the clashes.

The Shia-Sunni conflict has been festering for decades over land disputes between the Turi, Bangash and Mengal tribes.

The Turi tribesmen are Shia while the Mengal are Sunnis. The Bangash tribe has, however, both Shias as well as Sunnis depending on where they reside in the Khurram Agency region.

Dawn reported that the residents of Parachinar blamed the Shehbaz Sharif government for not stopping terrorists from Afghanistan who broke the border fence and entered Pakistan. It quotes a local leader, Shabbir Sajid as saying that the handlers of the Afghan jihad wanted to create a safe zone for fighters who could be launched into Afghanistan. Sajid says that this was not a sect-based conflict but a pre-planned move by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the rabid anti-Shia Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) group to establish themselves in a Shia-dominated region.

The simmering competition for land between the Shias and the Sunnis was exacerbated by the TTP fighters who began to come back into Pakistan after having taken the seat of power in Kabul with the messy withdrawal of US and NATO troops. As the Pakistani Army had already began erecting the border fences, the TTP terrorists began breaking these to get into Parachinar and other areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2021.

Issues came to the fore in May this year when a Sunni was killed in a targeted killing which led to the retaliatory killing of Shia school teachers spiraling resentment against the Sharif government.

The minority Shia community has been a target of Sunni majoritarian violence across Pakistan. Both groups - the TTP and the LeJ have been bombing and killing Pakistani Shias.

Parachinar has become a volatile mix of tribal, sectarian and terror competition. With a booming Shia population, Iran also sought to recruit poor Shia youth as fighters for its Zainabiyoun Brigade who were sent to Syria to support the Bashar-al-assad regime against the Sunnis and other global powers. Now the Pakistani government is apprehensive that the region has become a powder keg with the influx of all shades of battle-hardened terrorists from Syria and Afghanistan.

With the Parachinar situation getting out of hand, and roasted by Shia leaders for ignoring the volatile situation, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sajid Hussain Turi said he specially returned to his home district to calm down the situation, adding: "We will soon restore peace in the area and armed forces will be posted in the war zones".

This would mean additional deployment of Pakistani forces across the country where the uniformed personnel are already stretched out in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as Sindh.

It is not just the Shias who are critical of the Sharif government.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) feels that little has been done to quell the explosive situation. It also highlighted that the sectarian clashes have curtailed the movement of the Shia community. The HRCP said: "There are also alarming reports of rising militancy feeding into local conflicts. The government must immediately undertake to resolve all sectarian differences peacefully and restore law and order to this region."

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)

--indianarrative

--IANS
Leh, July 12 : Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Wednesday wrote to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister to tell him how deeply saddened he is to learn of the torrential rain that has triggered floods and landslides resulting in the tragic death of many people and severe damage to roads and infrastructure in north India, particularly in the state.

"Having lived so happily in this state for more than six decades," he wrote, "I feel a special affinity for the people here.

"I pray for those who have lost their lives and offer my heartfelt condolences to those families who have lost loved ones, as well as to others affected by this natural calamity.

"I understand that the state government and other agencies are doing everything they can to provide relief and mitigate the effects of this tragedy.

"As a mark of my solidarity with the people of Himachal Pradesh, The Dalai Lama Trust is making a donation towards rescue and relief efforts."

His Holiness ended his letter with prayers and good wishes.
Bengaluru, July 12 : A training aircraft made an emergency landing with its nose in an upward position at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport after developing a technical snag.

There were two pilots in the aircraft at the time of crash landing without any passengers, sources in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed on Wednesday.

aA Fly By Wire Premier 1A aircraft VT-KBN operating flight on sector aHAL Airport Bengaluru to Bengaluru International Airport (in Devanahalli) was involved in Air Turnback as the nose landing gear couldnat be retracted after take-off," DGCA stated.

The incident had taken place on Tuesday.

A video of the incident shared by the DGCA has gone viral on social media.

In a similar incident on May 30, a training aircraft developed technical snag and made an emergency landing at a farm in Marihal police station limits of Belagavi district.

The training aircraft VT-RBF belonged to Redbird Institute and took off from the Sambra Airport in Belagavi and was on routine sortie.

A lightweight Kiran trainer aircraft crashed into an open field on June 1 at Bhogapura in Chamarajanagar district. The pilots managed to eject themselves from the aircraft and landed safely using parachutes.
New Delhi, July 12 : Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders stock was up almost 9 per cent in trade on Wednesday as defence sector stocks are in the limelight in anticipation of orders.

Mazagaon Dock was quoting at Rs 1,730 on BSE, up 8.9 per cent.

In a clarification to BSE on the spurt in its price, the company said that Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited is a Government Company under section 2(45) of the Companies Act, engaged in the construction and repair of warships and submarines for the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India for use by the Indian Navy and other vessels for commercial clients.

MDL being a CPSE under the administrative control of the MoD is required to follow the procedures and guidelines laid down by it.

In view of the sensitive nature of the business operations of MDL, the Company cannot comply with the requirements of certain disclosures as prescribed under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, as amended ('SEBI LODR Regulations'), it said.

In this connection vide exemption letter dated December 10, 2019 SEBI had granted exemption to MDL with regard to the compliance with the requirements regarding contracts/ documents/ information which are classified as secret and confidential /sensitive by the MoD.

"We further confirm that the Company has not been withholding any information which may have a bearing on the operation/performance of the Company which includes price sensitive information etc," the company said.
New Delhi, July 12 : Noted Islamic scholar and secretary general of Muslim World League, Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa on Wednesday called on president Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Welcoming Al-Issa on his first official visit to India, the President said that India appreciates the role and objectives of the Muslim World League in promoting tolerant values, moderation of consciousness and inter-faith dialogue.

She stated that India, as a multi-cultural, multi-lingual, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society, celebrates unity in diversity. "Our more than 200 million Indian Muslim brothers and sisters make us the country with the second largest population of Muslims in the world," an official statement of the External Affairs Ministry said.

President Murmu said that India attaches great importance to its relationship with Saudi Arabia.

The two countries have a longstanding history of amicable relations rooted in trade and people to people ties. "Both our countries have valuable teachings to share with the world," she added.

India and Saudi Arabia both condemn terrorism in its all forms and are calling for azero tolerancea against terrorism, she said.

The two leaders agreed that there is a need for a holistic approach to counter terrorism and violent extremism, and this is possible only by engaging with moderate schools of thoughts.

The president appreciated Al-Issaas stand against extremism, terrorism and violence.

She expressed confidence that his visit to India would provide more avenues for collaboration with the Muslim World League. Al-Issa had also met prime minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

The Islamic scholar had arrived in India on July 10 on a five-day visit.
Lucknow, July 12 : Uttar Pradesh will celebrate Van Mahotsav with a message, 'Ped Lagao, Ped Bachao' on July 22.

In the past six years, more than 131 crore saplings have been planted with public cooperation.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that like previous years, this year too Uttar Pradesh will create a new record of plantation with great zeal and enthusiasm.

On August 15, a total of 35 crore saplings will be planted simultaneously in the state.

Every department, institution and citizen will have to take part in planting 35 crore saplings during the massive plantation campaign this year, he said.

The department wise and division wise targets of the plantation have been fixed by the forest department, which is the nodal agency for the drive.

The state government had organised an awareness week in the first week of July. "During the awareness week, great enthusiasm was seen among the people. The target of Green Uttar Pradesh will be fulfilled only with the maximum participation of the common people," he said.

At least 1,000 saplings should be planted in every gram panchayat. The chief minister directed that targets should be set for plantation in urban wards as well.

"Get saplings planted in cowsheds and install tree guards to protect the saplings," he said.

There is a scheme called 'Mukhyamantri Krishak Vriksha Dhan' scheme, which encourages plantation on private farm bunds (medh).

Under this scheme, if the beneficiary of MGNREGA plants a minimum of 200 saplings on his land and protects them, then there is an arrangement to provide an incentive of Rs 50,000 in three years by the state government.

UP has set a target to increase its green cover from 9 per cent at present to 15 per cent by 2026a"27.

According to this target, 175 crore saplings will have to be planted and protected in the next five years.

"On the occasion of Van Mahotsav on July 22, all ministers should be on the tour of districts under their charge," said the chief minister.

--IANSamita/dpb
Dhanbad, July 12 : A Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker was shot dead by unidentified miscreants in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district, an official said on Wednesday.

The deceased was identified as Shankar Prasad, a resident of Duma village, who was also the district work head of Sangh-affiliated organisation District Vanvasi Kalyan Kendra.

The incident took place on Tuesday, when Shankar Prasad was travelling from his house to Shahrapura.

He also worked as a member of the village defence force team.

The reason behind the murder is not yet known, police said.

BJP MP Ravindra Pandey and RSS workers are demanding the arrest of the culprits.
Hyderabad, July 12 : The Congress party has alleged that Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is spreading lies by distorting the statement of its Telangana Congress President A. Revanth Reddy on the issue of free power to farmers.

On a call given by Revanth Reddy, party cadres on Wednesday staged protests at power sub-stations across the state against what he calls the fraud being committed by the BRS government in the name of free power to farmers.

The protestors raised slogans against the state government and burnt effigies of Chief Minister KCR. They challenged the BRS government to prove that it is supplying free electricity to farmers anywhere in the state.

The protest has been apparently called to counter the demonstrations being held by the BRS across the state against Revanth Reddy's reported statement that there is no need for 24-hour free power to farmers.

The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president reportedly made the remark in the United States while speaking at a meeting of Telugu Association of North America (TANA). He also stated that a three-hour power supply is sufficient for farmers to irrigate their lands.

AICC incharge for Telangana Manikrao Thakare has alleged that the BRS distorted Revanth Reddy's statement and was trying to spread lies as it was afraid of the rising graph of the Congress party in the state.

"The BRS leaders have realized that ground is slipping under their feet and hence they are spreading lies," he said.

Claiming that the Congress party stands for the welfare of farmers, he said the party would promise 24-hour free electricity.

Recalling that their leader Rahul Gandhi had released farmers' declaration in Telangana, he said the Congress would do more for farmers than what BRS claims to be doing.

The Congress leader alleged that the BRS was only making claims about farmers' welfare. He said the BRS had gone back on its promise to waive crop loans. He alleged that the BRS is neither giving crop insurance nor ensuring MSP for agriculture produce.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy said if it was proved that the BRS government is providing 24-hour free power, he would resign from Parliament. He asked why the government failed to pay salaries to electricity employees.

"Let KTr come to any sub-station and prove that the government is providing power for 24 hours, I will resign there itself and if he fails to prove he should resign," he said.

"If the government is providing quality power to farmers for 24 hours, why are the farmers staging protests at substations," he asked.

Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka stated that Congress party has patent right over free power to farmers. "Since this is yielding political benefits to Congress, the BRS is worried and it is carrying out false propaganda," he said.
New Delhi, July 12 : The foldable (including flip) smartphones are likely to contribute over 1.8 per cent of the total smartphone revenue in India this year, reaching over Rs 6,300 crore in India, a report showed on Wednesday.

This is expected to be achieved by selling over 6.35 lakh foldable smartphones during the year. This translates to less than 0.5 per cent of the total sales by volume estimated for the period, according to market research firm techARC.

The foldable form factor is expected to cross 1 million mark of annual sales in 2025, which will double in 3 years by 2028.

"Affoldables" (affordable+foldable, priced at less than Rs 80,000) will be a key factor driving this growth in the coming years.

In 2023, these are already expected to contribute more than half (52 per cent) of the total sales in unit terms, said the report.

The market is divided in two variants of H-fold (flip smartphones) and V-Fold (fold or book fold smartphones).

"As per our estimates, 64 per cent of the sales during 2023, will be flip smartphones," the report mentioned.

The current options for customers in India to buy include Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, Motorola Razr 40. OPPO Find N2 Flip, Tecno Phantom V Fold, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4.

Out of these, Samsung is soon launching its refresh of Fold and Flip smartphones with the 5th generation of foldables giving customers option to choose from the pioneers in this segment.

"While all the foldable smartphone makers have showcased the quality checks and measures implemented to address the durability concerns of potential buyers, there is a need to increase the awareness and spread more information about the making of and engineering behind the foldable smartphones," the report noted.
New Delhi, July 12 : British car manufacturer MG Motor India on Wednesday launched the new electric vehicle (EV) "SUV-ZS" with Autonomous Level 2 technology that offers 17 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features.

Priced at Rs 27.89 lakh, the new EV will provide a driving range of 461 km on a single charge with its 50.3kWh advanced prismatic battery, according to the company.

With ADAS technology, users will get an enhanced driving experience, providing assistance, control, and comfort in various driving situations.

"By offering a viable, attractive ownership experience, and an accessible electric SUV to Indian consumers, MG Motor India aims to accelerate the transition towards a zero-emission future and help boost the EV ecosystem in India," Gaurav Gupta Deputy Managing Director, MG Motor India, said in a statement.

Moreover, the company said that the ZS EV 8-layer hairpin motor delivers 176PS power and provides a 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 8.5 seconds.

The EV comes with three driving modes -- Eco, Normal, and Sport, for drive customisation as per driver requirements.

The 17 ADAS features come with three levels of sensitivity -- low, medium and high, and three levels of warning - haptic, audio and visual to enhance the driving experience and safety of the passengers.

Introducing the MG ZS EV Exclusive Pro variant with 17 Autonomous Level 2 features. Experience opulent interiors, a 461 kms* range in single charge, and a running cost of just 60 paisa per km. Book your Test Drive today and embark on an extraordinary journey with #MGZSEV #ADAS . pic.twitter.com/C15abYppmc  Morris Garages India (@MGMotorIn) July 12, 2023

The new EV embodies the evolution of electric mobility, combining electric power, internet connectivity, and autonomous capabilities.

It also comes bundled with iSMART next-gen technology that combines hardware, software, services, and applications to offer over 75 connected car features to make for smoother, more satisfying driving experiences.

-- Syndicated from IANS
Los Angeles, July 12 : On his way to the UK to promote his new series 'Special Ops: Lioness', actor Morgan Freeman missed his plane after contracting an unknown illness.

Contracting a fever, the actor stayed behind with doctors believing he had caught a 'contagious infection'.

Speaking to Daily Mail, a representative of the actor said: "Morgan has a fever and his doctor felt he had a contagious infection, so he cancelled his trip. He is fine now."

The actor was scheduled to go to the UK alongside his co-stars Zoe Saldana and Nicole Kidman for the promotion of his new spy-thriller series.

According to Daily Mail, 'Special Ops: Lioness' is inspired by a real-life CIA programme, follows the life of marine Joe (Zoe) as she attempts to balance her personal and professional life as the tip of the CIA's spear in the war on terror.

Written by Taylor Sheridan, who is usually renowned for his westerns, the series will see him try a change of genre as he works with Morgan, Zoe and Nicole as well as Laysla De Oliveira and Michael Kelly.

Zoe takes the lead role of Joe, the station chief of The Lioness Program, who must train and lead her female undercover operatives to prepare them for the danger that lies ahead.

Nicole stars as Kaitlyn Meade, the CIA's senior supervisor, who enlists an aggressive Marine Raider Cruz (De Oliveira) to operate undercover alongside Joe amid the CIA's efforts to thwart the next 9/11.

'The Dark Knight' actor on the other hand plays US secretary of state Edwin Mullins in the show.

The espionage thriller is slated to premiere on July 23 with its first two episodes on streaming on Paramount+. After that, one episode will be released weekly, with the series finale set to take place on September 3.
Los Angeles, July 12 : The trailer for the movie 'Wonka' has really impressed viewers, but one of the highlights apart from actor Timothee Chalamet has been Hugh Grant's transformation into an Oompa Loompa. Director Paul King said that the reason he picked Hugh Grant for the role was because he embodied the morbid and funny sarcasm of the Oompa Loompas.

The trailer shows the British actor in the iconic get-up of an Oompa Loompa sporting green hair and orange skin like the one from the 1973 film 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory', showing him as a 20-inch tall miniature figure trapped inside a glass jar.

According to 'The Hollywood Reporter', director Paul King during the premiere of 'Wonka' in London explained his reasons for picking Hugh for the role.

He said, "So I was really just thinking about that character; somebody who could be a real s***, and then  ah! Hugh!" he said. "Because he's the funniest, most sarcastic s*** I've ever met".

As author Roald Dahl had not given the Oompa Loompas much dialogues in the book, the director said that he had to dive into the book to bring the mini-humans to light because the songs he wrote for them when they performed their numbers after each kid's failure were "incredibly sarcastic and judgmental and cruel."

Through the use of VFX, Grant was able to transform into the singing and dancing mini-humans known for their penchant for dishing out songs when one of the five kids fails the trip to Wonka's chocolate factory, having a very dark and morbid sense of humour.

'Wonka' will tell the story of the early days of the famously crazy and unpredictable chocolate maker Willy Wonka. The character is based off of the character from Roald Dahl's famous book 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.'
Chandigarh, July 12 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday said the government would compensate the people of loss incurred by them on account of heavy and incessant rainfall across the state.

The Chief Minister said he is monitoring the situation every moment by taking regular updates from across the state.

He said a regular contact is being kept through district administrations regarding the level of water and the relief measures being carried out in districts.

Mann said the government is duty bound to help the people in this hour of grave crisis and no stone is being left unturned for this noble cause.

The Chief Minister said succour is being provided even to the last person at the far-flung areas. He said special thrust is being laid to ensure relief in the worst affected areas so that people do not face any sort of problem.

He said all dams in the state are safe and water is flowing below the danger mark. He expressed hope that by Wednesday evening the situation in the state will improve considerably by all means.

The Chief Minister said already all Cabinet Ministers, MLAs and the officers are in their respective areas and reaching out to the needy people in this hour of grave crisis.

The Chief Minister said an elaborate mechanism has been put in place to safeguard the life and property of people from the increasing level of water.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, July 12. Turkmenistan and Pakistan discussed the implementation of major joint projects  the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) power transmission line and fiber-optic communication line, Trend reports.

According to the official source of Turkmenistan, these issues were discussed between the Coordinator for Trade and Industry of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Rana Ihsan Afzal Khan, and Turkmenistan's Ambassador to Islamabad Atadjan Movlamov.

During the meeting, the parties stressed that the signing of the plan for the joint implementation of the TAPI gas pipeline project, which took place on June 8, 2023, is a significant step towards advancing the implementation of this project.

Furthermore, it was stressed that the TAPI and TAP projects will contribute to the prosperity of the region and the economic growth of Pakistan.

Rana Ihsan Afzal Khan, on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, expressed support for the speedy completion of these energy projects.

Further, discussing the prospects of trade and economic cooperation between Turkmenistan and Pakistan, the parties stressed the huge potential of bilateral trade in the energy sector.
Kolkata, July 12 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is more autocratic than CPI(M) leaders, former Union minister and BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad told mediapersons here on Wednesday.

Prasad arrived in Kolkata on Wednesday as part of the four-member central fact-finding team to review the incidents of violence and bloodbath before and during the panchayat elections in West Bengal.

The other three members of the central delegation are ex-Commissioner of Mumbai Police Satyapal Singh, and BJP MPs Rajdeep Roy and Rekha Verma.

"We have been sent here by our party President J.P. Nadda to review the situation. We will submit a report to him on our return. I have a question for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who struggled a lot to put an end to the 34-year Left Front rule in the state.

"We were happy that she became the Chief Minister. But what happened to her after that? She had gone steps ahead of the CPI(M) leaders in her expression of autocratic attitude. Why is she following this path of autocratic politics," Prasad asked.

The BJP MP also launched a scathing attack against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury for their alleged silence over the poll-related violence in West Bengal.

"Workers of both the Congress and CPI(M) are being killed in West Bengal. Yet Rahulji and Sitaramji are silent. Why are they not saying anything? Whatever happened over the panchayat polls in West Bengal is a blot in the name of democracy," he said.

Taking a dig at State Election Commissioner Rajiva Sinha, Prasad said, "He was a top bureaucrat in the Trinamool-ruled state government. But democracy has been shamed by the manner in which he conducted the rural civic body polls.

"The central forces were not utilised despite clear instructions from the Calcutta High Court. This proves that the office of the State Election Commission worked as an extended arm of the state secretariat."
Jaipur, July 12 : Former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot on Wednesday participated in the daylong 'maun satyagrah' (silent protest), which is being observed by the Congress in several states to protest disqualification of former party president Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha.

Pilot, who was seen in the party's protest after a long time, said that a consensus has been reached between him and the state government over the demands raised by him on paper leak issue.

Soon a law will be introduced to deal with paper leak accused with iron hands, he added.

"All my demands like maintaining transparency in RPSC members recruitment have been adhered to," he claimed.

Talking to mediapersons, Sachin Pilot said: "Central agencies are being misused by the union government. This is not good for democracy. Rahul Gandhi ji has talked about democracy, non-violence, love. That's why he is being targeted. We will go among the public. In the end, democracy will win."

"Kharge ji had called a meeting in Delhi. We will fight the elections together, this time... We will break the convention and form the Congress government. My demands of action on paper leak, appointments in RPSC in a transparent manner, investigation of corruption during the previous BJP government and talking about interests of the youth, have been accepted, he said.
New Delhi, July 12 : An FIR has been registered against a Nepal national for abusing a cabin crew member onboard and breaking the lavatory door inside the Air India flight A-188 after taking off from Toronto, a Delhi Police official said on Wednesday.

According to the FIR, accessed by IANS, the complainant Aditya Kumar, cabin crew member said that the passenger, Mahesh Singh Pandi, a resident of Nepal, changed his seat from 26 E to 26 F and he started abusing the economy class crew.

"So we informed the PIC and gave him the oral warning but after lunch service we got the lavatory (LAV) smoke alarm in 5A-IR, so we opened the LAV door and he was caught with cigarette lighter and smoking smell was there," read the FIR by Kumar.

"The passenger pushed me back and then he ran away to his seat 26F and we were able to stop him at R 3 door. He again pushed me and abused me as well. He also broke the lavatory door 3F-RC. I immediately informed the captain, and as per the captain's instructions, with the help of cabin crew Punit Sharma, as we only have male crew, we tried to restrain him according to the standard operating procedures (SOP)," the further read.

"However, we were not able to control him, so we asked for assistance from more passengers. We managed to get 10 passengers and two crew members to successfully restrain him. But even after being restrained, he continued to act out, and I went back to my allocation in first class, leaving Punit to handle the situation," the FIR said.

"Punit informed me that the unruly passenger was still trying to assault other passengers. Upon checking, I found that many passengers were crying because of him, so I decided to relocate passengers with children to the business class, as we didn't have any available seats in economy," said Aditya in his complaint.

"Our crew closely monitored him and informed the captain periodically. We also found his bag, which I handed over to security when completing the enclosed unruly passenger form, which was submitted to the duty officer at IGI Airport police station," said Aditya.

A senior police official said that a case under sections 323, 506, 336 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections 22, 23, and 25 of the Aircraft Rules at IGI police station on July 9 and further investigation is going on.
New Delhi, July 12 : After the water level crossed the danger mark of 207.5 meters, heightening the risk of flood-like conditions in the low-lying areas in the vicinity of the Yamuna river, the Delhi Traffic Police on Wednesday issued an advisory regarding the diversion of traffic.

A senior official said that the movement of traffic on the Outer Ring Road between Wazirabad Bridge and Vikas Marg and Mahatma Gandhi Road between Kalighat Mandir and Delhi Secretariat will be regulated.

For commuters coming from North-South, the Traffic Police suggested taking the Outer Ring Road - Wazirabad Bridge a" Yamuna Marginal Bandh Marg a" Pushta Road a" Vikas Marg.

"The commuters coming from East to West or vice-versa can take Punjabi Bagh Chowk - Mahatma Gandhi Marg a" Arihant Marg a" Outer Ring Road - Wazirabad Bridge or Punjabi Bagh Chowk - Mahatma Gandhi Marg a" DKFO a" AIIMS Chowk a" Mahatma Gandhi Marg - Sarai Kale Khan - Mahatma Gandhi Marg - Vikas Marg," said the Traffic Police in a statement.

"Apart from the above diversions, movement of commercial vehicles within Delhi will be contained primarily on Ring Road. Commercial vehicles moving from Rani Jhansi Road to ISBT will be diverted towards Vir Banda Bairagi Marg and New Rohtak Road," it said.

"In view of the Supreme Court judgement, non-destined commercial vehicles will not be allowed entry into Delhi. They will be diverted to the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressway," it added.

The Traffic Police said that in case of flooding in the vicinity of ISBT Kashmere Gate, buses coming from Ghaziabad side will be terminated near Seelampur Metro Station and other vehicular traffic coming from Ghaziabad side will be diverted to Pushta Road.

"Traffic coming from Wazirabad Bridge to Majnu Ka Tila will be diverted towards Mukarba Chowk. Traffic coming from Boulevard Road to ISBT will be diverted towards Shamnath Marg and Mahatma Gandhi Marg," the Traffic Police said.

Further, the official said that commuters are advised to postpone travel plans to low-lying areas in view of a high alert issued by administration.
Imphal, July 12 : A total of 31 MLAs from Manipur have urged Home Minister Amit Shah to expedite the ongoing work of border fencing along the India-Myanmar border in the state to prevent cross-border movement of militants and hostile elements.

Manipur has around 400 km of unfenced international border with Myanmar.

The MLAs through a unanimous resolution, adopted on Wednesday, requested Shah to take strong and effective actions against armed insurgents and stop cross-border movement of militants who are creating serious troubles in Manipur.

"We are committed to initiate decisive measures against the armed groups that have violated the established ground rules of engagement. It is inconceivable for any conflict to persist for such an extended period without the support of armed factions," the resolution adopted by 31 MLAs from different political parties read.

The MLAs urged the Home Minister to take appropriate steps for lasting peace in the state, an official statement said, without naming the Kuki militants.

The legislators also urged Shah to replace three Assam Rifles battalions with other central security forces that are more inclined towards promoting unity in the state.

The MLAs added that there are concerns regarding the roles played by certain units of Assam Rifles, posing a threat to the cause of unity within the state.

The resolution of the MLAs to be submitted to the Home Minister also mentioned that a comprehensive investigation must be conducted into the public display of firearms and ammunition during the peace march held by some organisations in Churachandpur on July 5.

"It raises significant questions regarding the source of these arms and ammunition, as well as their continuous availability which plays a crucial role in the ongoing violence. The MLAs expressed their concern about the open display of illegal weapons," the statement said.

Noting that prevention of violence in the peripheral areas must ensured, the resolution said the central security forces must adopt a more proactive approach to ensure lasting peace in the region, which has been elusive over the past two months.

"Once all forms of violence and aggression cease in these areas, we can work towards achieving a peaceful solution through extensive consultations with all the stakeholders involved."

The MLAs also urged Shah to provide adequate security measures and increase patrolling along the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2) to facilitate safe transportation of goods for the people of the state.
New York, July 12 : An Indian-origin tech executive from Singapore has filed a lawsuit with the California's Civil Rights Department accusing Meta of racial discrimination that cost her promotions and work opportunities.

Vaishnavi Jayakumar, 36, who joined Meta in January 2020 after stints at Disney, Google and Twitter, said she was punished for asking how to move up the ranks at Meta, left out of opportunities, and layered under less experienced colleagues.

"I've never felt more keenly that as an Asian woman, I'm destined to be a worker, I'm not destined to be a leader," Jayakumar wrote in a recent LinkedIn post, adding that last month she faced "a retaliatory termination at Meta disguised as a mass layoff".

As the head of youth policy at Meta, Jayakumar was responsible for managing a team that provided guidance on age-appropriate policies and product features across all of Meta's apps.

"Everything went well for the first two years. I worked hard with my colleagues to improve the wellbeing of youth on Instagram and other Meta services, and received positive feedback," Jayakumar said in her long post.

However, after two years when she enquired about a path to promotion, she said she faced the familiar "bamboo ceiling" that Asian-Americans encounter.

According to Jayakumar, her manager suddenly began giving racially-coded negative feedback, claiming she wasn't senior enough for leadership, even though Jayakumar claimed she had more experience than other candidates.

Jayakumar's complaint referred to a 2022 study by Ascend, a network of Asian and Pacific Islander professionals, which said that 49 per cent of Meta's workforce is Asian but only 25 per cent of its executives are Asian.

Meta fired more than 11,000 employees at the end of 2022, followed by another 10,000 roles in another round of mass layoffs in March this year. Jayakumar's complaint is just one among the rising number of lawsuits filed by Asian Americans in the tech industry calling for action against long-standing racial prejudice in Silicon Valley.

According to USA Today, Jayakumar is demanding that Meta make policy changes, from tracking the rates of promotion for Asian Americans to training managers in tropes and stereotypes about Asian American employees.

Meta has so far declined to comment.
New Delhi, July 12 : A series showcasing India's grassroots innovators as they turbo-charge their business growth, titled 'Mission Start Ab', was announced by Prime Video on Wednesday.

The streamer has joined forces with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), to create 'Mission Start Ab'.

The seven-episode series will show entrepreneurs, focussed on scaling made-for-India innovations with the potential to impact socio-economic change, undertake a series of challenges in pursuit of scaling their business and securing funding for their ventures.

The series also brings together three renowned investors who will search for India's next Unicorn, by putting these 10 early-stage founders through a series of intense exercises and simulations that will test their entrepreneurial, management, communication and crises management skills.

Speaking about the same, Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser, said: "This captivating series will serve as a powerful platform, showcasing the inspiring stories of those driving social change through innovation. I am optimistic that it will offer immense learning opportunities to grassroot innovators in India, providing valuable insights into sustainable start-up practices and attracting the right investors."

"Our mission at Prime Video has always been to be a force for good, and an enabler of India's economy - directly and indirectly. This collaboration between the Office of the PSA and Prime Video is another milestone on the journey that started earlier this year with Amazon India signing the Letter of Engagement (LoE) with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) with an objective of contributing to the growth of India's creative economy," said Sushant Sreeram, Country Director, Prime Video, India.

"By tracing the journey of some of the most innovative minds in the country, our aim with Mission Start Ab is not only to highlight grassroots innovations taking place across the country but also help fuel the dreams of many young Indians," he added.

"Supporting and nurturing entrepreneurs has been one of Amazon's focus areas in the country. Over the years we have taken a number of initiatives to propel Indiaas start-up ecosystem. We believe this show will inspire many individuals to choose the path of entrepreneurship and contribute in advancing the government's 'Start-up India' initiative," said Chetan Krishnaswamy, Vice President - Public Policy at Amazon India.

Alia Bhatt, was also present at the event to talk about her journey as an entrepreneur.

The actress said; "While there are many great ideas and ambitious young founders around us, it takes a special kind of determination to turn that idea into reality, build the right team, find the right mentors, raise funding, and create something out of nothing."

"I applaud both the Office of the PSA, and Prime Video India for taking the initiative to enable and empower entrepreneurs through Mission Start Ab, which I believe can have a far-reaching impact on the country's growing start-up ecosystem," added Alia.

Currently in production, this upcoming reality show is slated to premiere soon on Prime Video.
Bengaluru, July 12 : BJP MLCs on Wednesday stormed into the well of the Legislative Council condemning a police notice to a cow vigilante which sought to know whether he had taken permission from authorities for conducting Nag devta puja in public.

BJP MLC Y. A. Narayanaswamy raised the issue of Puneeth Kerehalli, a Hindu activist who was served notice by the police department. Kerehalli had organised a special worship programme of Nag devta in Bengaluru.

The BJP MLCs raised slogans against the Congress government and demanded that the police officer who served the notice should be suspended.

Amid ruckus, Chairperson Basavaraj Horatti adjourned the House for 10 minutes.

Narayanaswamy maintained that the issue has hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus.

Senior BJP leader Kota Srinivas Poojari questioned does one needs permission to perform worship, and demanded suspension of the police officer, after which the Chairperson asked BJP members to calm down.

When chaos continued, the Chairperson stood up and warned that the rules of the House need to be followed and asked them to listen the government's reply.

Revenue Minister Krishna Bhyregowda said sentiments of opposition leaders have to be respected and the matter would be brought to the notice of the state Home minister and answer would be given as early as possible.

Not satisfied with the assurance, Kota Srinivas Poojari asked that if permission is required to worship Hindu gods, how people can take this matter lightly and demanded an immediate answer, to which Horatti said it is not tenable to demand immediate answers.

The House will be led as per the rules, the Chairperson said.

Minister Krishna Bhyregowda stated that there is provision of two days to reply to the issues raised in zero hour.

Slamming Poojari, the Chairperson said that he did not expect this kind of behavior from the senior member.

Hitting out at the BJP leaders, Bhyregowda said: "These people have destroyed the state legislature. They had looted the state. There is nothing beyond the politics for them.

Kerehalli is an accused in a murder case and is currently out on bail.

--IANS

mka/svn
Gurugram, July 12 : Following a crackdown on dreaded and wanted criminals, the Gurugram police have arrested 66 persons who have been engaged in serious crimes such as murder, attempt to murder, dacoit, snatching, and other illegal activities over the last two months.

Police said that around 11 cases of murder, some of them were blind murder cases filed in different police stations of Gurugram. While working on these cases, the police arrested 23 criminals and cracked all the cases.

Similarly, 20 cases of loot and dacoit were also reported in the city, while tracing the culprits the police nabbed 37 suspects and solved 14 cases.

The police also apprehended six accused in connection with the snatching cases and recovered six mobile phones, one motorcycle, jewelry and Rs 6,000 from their possession.

The crackdown comes following the direction of Gurugram Police Commissioner Kala Ramachandran.

Varun Dahiya, ACP (crime) told IANS that specific information and public cooperation are very important when it comes to tackling and preventing crime.

She emphasised that cooperation between police and the public plays a significant role in investigating and prosecuting criminals engaged in different offenses.

"We received information from specific resources to keep an eye on the movements and activities of the criminals and anti-social elements. We believe such elements can be a threat to the city and disrupt law and order situation or execute any crime," he said.

He said that such action against the dreaded culprits will be continued in the future to further ensure a sense of security and safety among the people.
Manali, July 12 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Wednesday said the evacuation of nearly 300 tourists, who have been stranded for the past four days in the Chandertal lake in Lahaul-Spiti district, was "the toughest challenge".

"In Chandertal, there is some challenge, but the situation is under control," Sukhu told the media here after the air recee of the snow-marooned mountains where tourists have been kept in tented accommodation provided by the state government.

The Chief Minister said two ministers, Jagat Singh Negi and Sanjay Awasthi, have been deputed by road at the spot to oversee the underway relief and rescue operation.

Without mincing words, he said: "As per my observation, the toughest evacuation so far is that of the Chandertal."

On his official twitter handle, the Chief Minister shared aerial pictures of the Chandertal with colourful tents dotted on the white blanked of snow.

"Due to heavy snowfall and bad weather, it has become very difficult to evacuate them. We are exploring all possible options," Sukhu tweeted.

He said over 250 tourists are stranded there, and road connectivity is severely impacted.

"The government attempted to airlift the tourists but was unable to do so due to bad weather."

The stranded people comprise tourists, largely from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat and three women foreigners -- two from Ireland and one from the US. They have been stuck as rain-battered hills snapped road links.

Heavy snowfall in the region this week has also made the operation to reopen the road network more challenging, according to a government official.

"The snow-clearing operation towards the Kunzum Pass began early this (Wednesday) morning on the third day and a 12-km stretch has been made motorable," Assistant Public Relations Officer Ajay Banyal, who is posted in Kaza, the headquarters of Spiti, told IANS over phone.

Now the total distance to clear the snow to reach the tented accommodation of the tourists at the Chandertal is 25 km.

Elsewhere, the Chief Minister said over 2,000 stranded individuals in Kasol in Kullu district have been successfully evacuated.

"Our teams are working tirelessly to clear the Dunkhara landslide on the Kasol-Bhuntar road. The district administration is on-site coordinating relief efforts. A total of 2,200 plus vehicles have safely passed through Kullu, receiving food support at Ramshilla Chowk. I personally oversee the situation and remain committed to overcoming these challenges," he said.

The Chief Minister the situation in Manali and Sissu has improved.

"The traffic from Manali (on the Manali-Chandigarh highway) is slow but moving. We have started the evacuation of children from Sissu."

In the Kara Bhawa Valley rescue operation in Kinnaur, all 28 people stranded have been rescued and reached nearest villages by trekking. They have been provided food and medical assistance.

Meanwhile, vehicles have been allowed in batches on the Shimla-Chandigarh national highway 5 due to ongoing restoration work at Chakkimod. The Baddi to Ropar via Nalagarh road, which was damaged, has been made motorable. The Baddi to Pinjore via Barotiwala and Baddi to Chandigarh via Siswan is open for light motor vehicles only. The Nalagarh to Swarghat, Nalagarh to Ramshehar and Nalagarh to Bharatgarh via Dabhota road are still cut off, a police statement said.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at gulatiians@gmail.com)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. Azerbaijan exported 5.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Europe from January through June 2023, Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazov tweeted, Trend reports.

According to the minister, gas exports increased by 7.5 percent year-on-year.

"Azerbaijan exported natural gas to Europe (5.7 billion cubic meters), Turkiye (five billion cubic meters) and Georgia (1.3 billion cubic meters) from January through June 2023. A total of 2.8 billion cubic meters were exported to Turkiye via the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline(TANAP) during the reporting period," he said.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan exported 22.3 billion cubic meters of gas in 2022, which is 47.7 percent of the total volume (46.7 billion cubic meters) of gas production.
Milan Kundera, most of whose landmark novels were written in his French exile, always chose to label himself as a part of French literature.

Yet, his inherited Central European intellectual tradition of philosophical reflection, particularly on the role of humans in the universe, and the relationship between the state (mostly totalitarian) and individual in motifs such as memory, truth and loyalty, permeates his works.

When he began writing in his native Czech and then switched over to French, the works of Kundera, who passed away in Paris on Tuesday aged 94, defied easy classification. Kundera seemed to revel in this ambiguity as he cited one of the most celebrated Central European authors in support of his stand.

"Do you realise that people don't know how to read Kafka simply because they want to decipher him?" he said in a 1983 interview to 'Paris Review '. "Instead of letting themselves be carried away by his unequaled imagination, they look for allegories -- and come up with nothing but cliches: life is absurd (or it is not absurd), God is beyond reach (or within reach), etc. You can understand nothing about art, particularly modern art, if you do not understand that imagination is a value in itself."

The very next year he elaborated on the novel's purpose, contending that one "that does not uncover a hitherto unknown segment of existence is immoral. Knowledge is the novel's only morality". This did not, however, stop him from bringing in contemporary politics to buttress his usual motifs, especially public memory.

"The bloody massacre in Bangladesh quickly covered over the memory of the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia, the assassination of Allende drowned out the groans of Bangladesh, the war in the Sinai Desert made people forget Allende, the Cambodian massacre made people forget Sinai, and so on and so forth until ultimately everyone lets everything be forgotten," he wrote in his magical realism-tinged "The Book of Laughter and Forgetting" (1979 in Czech, published 1981, first published in French in 1979 and in English in 1980).

He continued: "In times when history still moved slowly, events were few and far between and easily committed to memory. They formed a commonly accepted backdrop for thrilling scenes of adventure in private life. Nowadays, history moves at a brisk clip. A historical event, though soon forgotten, sparkles the morning after with the dew of novelty."

Even amid this, Kundera remained one of the world's most translated authors for his ten-odd novels, a collection of short stories, again 10-odd collections of essays, works of poetry, plays and one screenplay of a novel, and others.

His best known novel is "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" (in Czech and finished in 1982, but published first in French and English in 1984 and in Czech 1985), tracing the life and experiences of two women, two men -- and their torturous relationships -- and a dog during the 1968 Prague Spring.

It features amply what can be deemed one of his favourite tropes -- of Nietzsche's Eternal Recurrence, or the postulate that everything happens again and again (though thankfully for most humans, without recollection), as well as the mind-body dichotomy, relationships, and more pertinently the effect of ideologies -- personal and political -- on them.

And amid this, it allows Kundera to wax lyrical on human existence and its concomitant features. Take bon mots like:

"We can never know what to want, because, living only one life, we can neither compare it with our previous lives nor perfect it in our lives to come";

"Necessity, weight, and value are three concepts inextricably bound: only necessity is heavy, and only what is heavy has value";

"No, vertigo is something other than the fear of falling. It is the voice of emptiness below us which tempts and lures us, it is the desire to fall, against which, terrified, we defend ourselves";

"Dreaming is not merely an act of communication; it is also an aesthetic activity, a game of the imagination, a game that is a value in itself."

These and more provide much food for thought.

Kundera came from an artistically inclined family, being the son of a renowned musicologist from whom he learnt to play the piano and musical notation. This background plays a major role in explaining why his work has a musical cadence.

On the other hand, born on April 1, 1929, in what was then democratic Czechoslovakia, he was too young to remember this period and was not even 10 when its existence was virtually snuffed out by the 1938 Munich Conference.

Hence, the political millieu he grew up in was of the Nazi occupation -- and its horrors -- and the post-war Communist authoritarianism, where he had an ambivalent, though bitterly ending relationship with the Communist Party, and all this also finds reflection in his works.

Though he did come back to his native land from time to time after the fall of Communism, he stayed more or less in the West -- in body and spirit. This made him more qualified to comment on novels more universally as proved by his trilogy of essay collections "The Art of the Novel" (1986), "Testaments Betrayed: An Essay in Nine Parts" (1993) and "The Curtain" (2005).

"The light that radiates from the great novels time can never dim, for human existence is perpetually being forgotten by man and thus the novelists' discoveries, however old they may be, will never cease to astonish," Kundera wrote in the first of them.

He went further in the next one. "Suspending moral judgment is not the immorality of the novel; it is its morality. The morality that stands against the ineradicable human habit of judging instantly, ceaselessly, and everyone; of judging before, and in the absence of, understanding. From the viewApoint of the novel's wisdom, that fervid readiness to judge is the most detestable stupidity, the most pernicious evil."

This can be Kundera's greatest legacy.

(Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)
Bengaluru, July 12 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday gave directions to the police to launch a probe after an NRI appealed to him seeking protection for his family from the sand mafia.

Manju, who is currently residing in Canada, had made an appeal to the Chief Minister in this regard on social media.

"Urgent appeal for justice! Our family faces sand mafia violence. Elderly mother assaulted. From Canada, I urge the Karnataka CM to help. Sharing videos exposing public nuisance. Stand against injustice," Manju had tweeted.

Responding to the tweet, the Chief Minister's Office replied, "CM Siddaramaiah has taken cognisance of the appeal made by Manju. The Chief Minister has directed the police department to immediately initiate an investigation based on the complaint and take necessary action to ensure justice to the victim."

Manju had also attached a letter in his tweet that read: "Dear Siddaramaiah sir, I write to you with deep concern, seeking your urgent assistance regarding a distressing incident in Lakkavalli village near Kubatur, the home town of our esteemed minister Madhu Bangarappa.

"As a member of a marginalised community and currently residing in Canada, I am compelled to reach out to you regarding a grave matter that has unfolded within my family. Due to the geographical distance, I am unable to provide immediate help, and thus, I implore your support and intervention at this distressing situation.

"Our family belonging to a marginalised community, consisting of senior citizens, has been enduring immense hardships due to the actions of the neighbouring family and the sand mafia. My father, who is physically challenged, and my mother, who is suffering from health issues, have been severely affected by the continuous nuisance created by the sand mafia around our house.

"The neighbouring family, whom we have always treated as our own kin, assumed the chairmanship of the Kubatur gram panchayat in 2018. However, their conduct since then has been tainted by corruption and involvement in illegal activities, particularly their association with the sand mafia."

Manju also claimed that his mother was assaulted and given life threat recently.
Amaravati, July 12 : Andhra Pradesh has fallen a victim to the indiscreet decisions of Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, and his Government, said former chief minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo Nara Chandrababu Naidu.

He alleged that Chief Minister Jagan totally destroyed Polavaram project and Amaravathi with his inefficiency and vengeful attitude.

In an interaction with media persons at the TDP headquarters here, Naidu reaffirmed that after coming back to power the TDP will overcome all the challenges and will create assets for the welfare of the people.

When the entire state of Tamil Nadu got united for the sake of Jallikattu, why can't the people of Andhra Pradesh come together for the welfare and progress of the state, he questioned.

Making it clear that the state is his top most priority, the former chief minister stated that he will certainly bring the disfigured State back on the track. Asking as to why the volunteers, appointed by the state government, are gathering personal information from the people, Chandrababu Naidu said that keeping a vigil on the public will not be tolerated.

The TDP supremo believes that the Maha Sakhthi scheme announced by his party will certainly bring in radical changes in the lifestyle of women in the state.

He said that the schemes announced at Mahanadu in the name of 'Bhavisyathuku Guarantee' will be taken more close to the people.

"Already, the TDP leaders are on bus yatra to take the schemes to the people and we are planning a special campaign on the women's welfare programmes... the details of which will be announced on July 14," he stated.

Door-to-door campaigns will be part of the programme, Chandrababu Naidu said, and explained in detail the results of each welfare scheme and how they will bring changes in the lifestyle of various sections of people.

"We are also considering what more can be done for the people," he added.

The former chief minister felt that the people of the state have suffered more from the Jagan government's inefficient rule than the state's bifurcation.

"I know that I have to face certain challenges. But I am confident that I can rebuild the state which got damaged by the destructive rule of Jagan Mohan Reddy," Chandrababu Naidu said.

Stating that he has already made it clear that the power charges can be brought down considerably by effectively utilising the solar power, Naidu said that he has formulated such plans and implemented them during his regime.

"This is the reason as to why I never revised the power charges in five years of the TDP rule," he added.

Making it clear that the power charges will be brought down soon after the TDP is back in power, he expected revolutionary changes if the solar power is utilised in full-scale.

Observing that he has developed Hyderabad with a vision, Chandrababu Naidu said that the results are in front of everyone.

"We too should have such capital which will be a centre for investments and for creating employment. Amaravati has been conceived in that way. But with the vengeful attitude, Jagan Mohan Reddy has completely destroyed Amaravati resulting in the State sans a capital," Naidu said.

Pointing out that the Supreme Court has adjourned the capital case to December, the TDP chief expressed doubts when the final judgement will be delivered.

Now, the situation is such that even in the remotest areas of Telangana, the cost of one acre is Rs 50 crore and in Andhra Pradesh, it is very difficult to get this amount even for 10 acres, Chandrababu Naidu said with a tone of concern.

The former chief minister felt that Jagan Reddy with his inefficient rule has totally damaged the Polavaram project which is the lifeline for the people of the state.

"Had the project been completed, even remote areas of the state would have got irrigation water and had the inter-linking of rivers also been taken up, the state would have come out of the water crisis," Chandrababu Naidu said.
London, July 12 : Several UK health groups on Wednesday accused big pharmaceutical companies of extracting about 11.9-12.6 billion pounds of excess profits from the NHS England for its 10 super-expensive drugs used for cancer, arthritis and blood clots.

As per latest figures, NHS England has spent 13 billion pounds on just 10 super-expensive medicines in the 10 years leading up to 2022.

A report by health campaign groups Global Justice Now, STOPAIDS, and Just Treatment shows that the NHS is being charged sky-high prices for key drugs, even after accounting for reasonable levels of profit.

This includes an estimated mark-up of 23,000 per cent on cancer drug lenalidomide, even assuming a reasonable profit margin of up to 50 per cent.

The health groups have called the figures "evidence of profiteering", as the drugs could have been made for a small fraction of the price charged to the NHS.

They said that big drug firms are also lobbying against a drugs pricing system that has already helped the NHS save 7 billion pounds in the past five years -- between 2018 and 2023.

"These figures show that we have a broken model of producing medicines, with pharmaceutical companies ripping off the NHS at every turn. Unless we fix it, our health system could be at risk," said Nick Dearden, Director of Global Justice Now, in a statement

Further, the report noted that very few of these drugs could reasonably be said to have been fully invented by the companies that now market them.

Each of the 10 drugs analysed in the report benefited from work by scientists from public institutions, from public funding, from charitable funding or in some cases a mixture of all three.

The campaigners demand a new model for making medicines which includes strict conditions on the use of medicines made thanks to public money to safeguard affordability and sharing of medical knowledge.

They also called for more public manufacturing capacity and enforcement of anti-monopoly powers to prevent the dominance of a handful of massive players.

"Currently, money we need to keep the NHS going is being poured into pockets of wealthy shareholders of big drug corporations. If we want new, breakthrough medicines, which benefit all of us, we need to put a stop to this profiteering and take control of medicines which, very often, public money has already helped to create," Dearden said.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, July 12 : Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday said that seven districts were worst affected by flashflood and also announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the families who lost their members in the natural calamity.

A total of 240 villages have been reportedly affected by the rains.

He said that the situation has become worse as the state has received above average rainfall and water coming from Himachal Pradesh and Punjab has also aggravated the situation.

"In some places, the records of the years have been broken. Seven districts -- Ambala, Panchkula, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Yamunanagar, Panipat and Kaithal -- have been more affected by the rains. But there is relief from yesterday evening. Relief and rescue work is going on a war footing," Khattar said.

The Chief Minister conducted an aerial survey of about four-five districts to take stock of the areas affected by heavy rains. He then held a meeting with officers of the district administration in Ambala and reviewed the relief and rescue operations in the district.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed the officers of the district administration to first ensure timely drainage of water from waterlogged areas and make arrangements for food and other things for the people living in such areas.

If the administration needs more pumps to drain the water, they should immediately make arrangements at their level or inform the headquarters, said Khattar.

He directed that along with drainage of water from residential areas, proper drainage of water from fields should also be ensured, as this is the sowing season, so farmers do not face any kind of problem, added the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister said directions have been given to all the Deputy Commissioners to assess the financial loss in their respective districts.

The poor families whose houses have been damaged will be immediately repaired by the government. Other sections will also be given assistance from the Disaster Management Fund according to the loss, he added.

Khattar further directed that attention must be paid to cleanliness in the areas after draining the water so that no fear of getting ill to water-borne disease increases.

He directed officials from the Public Health Engineering Department to ensure that drinking water is available in all places.

In the meeting, Home and Health Minister Anil Vij said the district administration is working with full promptness.

The officers have been directed to ensure timely drainage of water from the low-lying areas. A system should also be prepared for the supply of water tankers so that tankers can be sent as per the requirement.

Vij said that attention should be paid to ensure proper arrangements for electricity, drinking water and fodder for animals.

In the meeting, Ambala Deputy Commissioner Shaleen apprised the Chief Minister that the district has been more affected due to excessive water flow in the Ghaggar, Tangri and the Markanda rivers in Ambala.

Relief rescue work is going on with the cooperation of the NDRF, the SDRF and the Army. Drainage of water from the areas is being ensured.
Kolkata, July 12 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of those killed in the violence during the panchayat elections in the state.

Banerjee also announced home guard's job for one member from each of the deceased's families.

"Political affiliations will not be a criteria for offering compensation or job," the Chief Minister told mediapersons.

However, there is still confusion over the exact number of victims killed in poll-related violence. According to Banerjee, 19 persons were killed on the polling day on Saturday (July 8) whose families will be compensated.

However, as per records, the death toll since the polling date was announced on June 8 is 44. Nineteen deaths were reported till July 7, while another 24 died since then.

Even on Wednesday, two people succumbed to their injuries. Sheikh Rahesh, a Congress worker from Sagardighi in Murshidabad district, and Sheikh Mafizuddin, a Trinamool worker from Chanchal in Malda district, were injured on the polling day and were admitted to the hospital. Both died on Wednesday afternoon.

Commenting on poll-related violence, Banerjee said that West Bengal is being deliberately projected in bad light where sporadic incidents of violence are blown out of proportion.

"Elections were held in over 71,000 booths, and incidents of violence were reported from a maximum of 60 booths. Even the violence there was planned to show the state in bad light. In states like Tripura and Uttar Pradesh, situations get worse on polling days," the Chief Minister claimed.
Shillong, July 12 : The Meghalaya government has taken "decisive actions" to demolish illegal coke plants in the coal-rich northeastern state and the process would be completed by July 20, officials said on Wednesday.

Various reports suggested that as many as 57 illegal coke plants are functioning in a clandestine manner in East Jaintia Hills district and other districts of the state polluting the environment.

The Meghalaya High Court, on a number of occasions, directed the state government to bulldoze the illegal coal plants.

A government official on Wednesday said that the state government has taken decisive action to address the issue of illegal coke plants in the state and also ensure compliance to the orders of the High Court.

The official said that action had been initiated against the illegal coke plants in December last year by shutting down a few illegal coke plants and initiated the process of dismantling the bee-hive coke ovens to ensure that they do not become operational again.

In consonance with the governmentas commitment towards enforcing the law and directives of the High Court, unequivocal directions were issued to demolish the entire infrastructure behind these unlawful establishments and identify and prosecute the culprits behind this illegal activity, an official statement said on Wednesday.

Consequently, the demolition of chimneys and other physical infrastructure of the illegal plants have recommenced from July 8 and the work is targeted to be completed by July 20.

Several persons behind these illegal operations have been arrested.

The statement said that the concrete measures and proactive steps of the government in executing these actions to dismantle the infrastructure supporting the illegal coke plants are contrary to any perception of silence on the issue.

"The government remains steadfast in its commitment towards upholding the rule of law and preserving the pristine environment of the state for its residents," it said.

According to the statement, the bulldozing of illegal coke plants is an essential step towards achieving these objectives and restoring the region's ecological balance.

The government urges all residents, local community members, and relevant stakeholders to support these measures and cooperate with the authorities during the ongoing operation, the statement said.

The Meghalaya government has also undertaken the process of scientific mining of coal and to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to the people and earn revenue for the state's exchequer.

In April 2014, illegal coal mining, including the more dangerous practice of rat-hole mining, was banned in Meghalaya by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) after terming it as 'unscientific' and 'most hazardous'. The prohibited activities, however, continued in Meghalaya and other northeastern states killing many workers every year despite the Supreme Court and high court's series of subsequent directions.
New Delhi, July 12 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held talks with the Secretary General of Muslim World League (MWL) Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa.

The two leaders discussed furthering inter-faith dialogue, countering extremist ideologies, promoting global peace, and deepening the partnership between India and Saudi Arabia.

Replying to a tweet by Al-Issa about the meeting, Modi tweeted,

"Pleased to have met H.E. Sheikh Dr Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of Muslim World League and Chairman of the Organisation of Muslim Scholars."

"We had a great exchange of views on furthering inter-faith dialogue, countering extremist ideologies, promoting global peace, and deepening partnership between India and Saudi Arabia," he added further.
Mumbai, July 12 : Filmmaker Christopher Nolan, who is known for films such as 'Memento', 'The Dark Knight' trilogy, 'Inception', 'Tenet' and others, is now gearing up for his forthcoming release, 'Oppenheimer'. Ahead of the release, the filmmaker shared that the story of 'Oppenheimer', which is based on nuclear physicist J. Robert Oppenhimer, is full of paradoxes and ethical dilemmas.

Speaking about what ignited the fire within him to tell J. Robert Oppenhimer's story, Nolan said: "Oppenheimer's story is one of the great stories that there is. It's full of paradoxes and ethical dilemmas, and that's the kind of material I'm always interested in. While the movie tries to help the audience understand why people have done the things they've done, it's at the same time asking 'should they have done the things they've done?'."

He further mentioned: "Films, as a narrative medium, are uniquely suited to pulling an audience into a subjective experience, letting them judge things the way the characters judge them, while at the same time looking at these characters a little more objectively. At various points, we try to burrow into Oppenheimeras psyche and take the audience on his emotional journey. That was the challenge of the film: To tell the story of a person who was involved in what was ultimately an extraordinarily destructive sequence of events, but done for the right reasons, and tell it from his point of view."

Produced by Universal Pictures (distributed by Warner Bros. Discovery), 'Oppenheimer' will release on July 21 across theatres in India with advance booking across IMAX theatres in India already open.
Mumbai, July 12 : The Maharashtra Congress on Wednesday held a silent demonstration to protest against the targeting of party leader Rahul Gandhi and gave a call to 'chase away the corrupt Bharatiya Janata Party from power' in the state and country.

The top Congress brass led by state President Nana Patole, city chief Prof. Varsha Gaikwad and other senior leaders staged a silent demonstration below the statue of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi at Nariman Point.

Joining the protest were the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) ally Nationalist Congress Party's general secretary Dr. Jitendra Awhad and MLA Rohit Pawar, grand-nephew of the party chief Sharad Pawar.

After ending the silent protest, the leaders vociferously slammed the ruling BJP at the Centre for vindictively targeting an innocent Rahul Gandhi though he didn't commit any offence and snatching away his MP-ship and official residence.

"The silent satyagraha is over Now, we shall start a campaign in the state and the country to chase away the corrupt BJP and force them out of power," declared Patole.

He pointed out that Mahatma Gandhi had defied the British Rulers through the power of 'silent Satyagraha' and it had to finally run away from India, and warned that now the BJP will face the same consequences.

"We are fighting the corruption, tyranny, and dictatorship of the BJP government. The people of the country are watching everything silently and they are seething with rage, and the BJP will be punished for all this," said Patole.

Congress Legislature Party Leader Balasaheb Thorat said that though the Congress expected justice for Rahul Gandhi from the courts, it seems there are pressures on the entire system.

"While Rahul Gandhi, whose Bharat Jodo Yatra was praised around the world, has been singled out for no reason, the BJP MP Brijbhushan Sharan Singh who sexually assaulted the country's top sportswomen, and with serious other crimes against him, is walking a free man," thundered Thorat.

He also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on Rahul Gandhi's queries on the Adani Group, and the government's inability to bring the state of Manipur, in a turmoil for over two months, under control.

On the recent political drama in Maharashtra, Thorat took a swipe at the ruling dispensation, saying that "three people are running the state"  one is the CM (Eknath Shinde of Shiv Sena), the other is a ex-CM (Devendra Fadnavis of BJP) and the third is a future-CM (aspirant Dy.CM Ajit Pawar of breakaway NCP).

Prof. Gaikwad said the Congress' fight is not for power for the truth, raising the peoples' issues, how central agencies are being misused against political opponents, saving democracy and safeguarding the Constitution of India.

The other top leaders who joined the protest included: M. Arif Naseem Khan, Satej Patil, Dr. Nitin Raut, Kumar Ketkar, Hussain Dalwai, Dr. Bhalchandra Mungekar, Sanjay Nirupam, Bhai Jagtap, Wajahat Mirza, Atul Londhe, Raju Waghmare and hundreds of activists from across the state.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. Oil-condensate production amounted to 15.2 million tons, and exports amounted to 12.7 million tons, in Azerbaijan from January through June 2023, Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazov tweeted, Trend reports.

"Gas production in Azerbaijan increased by three percent to 24.1 billion cubic meters in Azerbaijan from January through June 2023," he said.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan exported 26.3 million tons of oil in 2022. Oil production amounted to 32.6 million tons, and gas production increased by 6.5 percent, during the reporting period compared to the same period in 2021.

A total of 22.3 billion cubic meters of gas were exported, which is 47.7 percent of the total volume (46.7 billion cubic meters) of gas production.
Hyderabad, July 12 : Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao's grandson K. Himanshu Rao led an initiative to collect Rs 90 lakh for renovation of a government-school in Rangareddy district.

Himanshu, son of state minister K.T. Rama Rao, inaugurated Mandal Parishad Primary School in Keshavanagar, Serlingampally along with education minister P. Sabitha Indra Reddy on Wednesday.

Himanshu inaugurated the renovated school on the occasion of his birthday. Speaking on the occasion, he said he had tears in his eyes when he first visited the school. There were not even proper washrooms for the girl students.

He told the gathering that this was his first public school. He said he had been visiting the school for last one year to oversee the renovation works.

On the occasion of inauguration, local leaders of ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) had installed hoardings with Himanshu's pictures, hailing him as Telangana's future leader.

Himanshu said that his grandfather KCR is his admiration and his father KTR is his inspiration.

The money raised under an initiative led by him was used to develop infrastructure and provide additional facilities there. The funds were collected by Himanshu and his batchmates under Community Action Service (CAS), an initiative of Oakridge International School, Khajaguda. He is the president of the CAS. Besides this, the collected money also includes funds under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

As part of community service, the students of Oakridge International School used to teach at the Mandal Parishad School at Keshavanagar. After seeing the conditions there, they decided to renovate it.

Himanshu Rao said that they have collected funds under CAS and CSR to develop the school. "Helping fellow students gives me immense happiness. I hope that students of the school utilise the resources and that our initiative will bring qualitative changes in their lives," said Himanshu Rao.

The education minister appreciated Himanshu and his team members for doing their part towards improving the society. Sabitha Indra Reddy later detailed the multiple initiatives taken up by the state government to improve the government schools, including the prestigious initiative 'Mana Ooru-Mana Badi'.
Panaji, July 12 : The Goa unit of Congress on Wednesday observed a day-long 'Maun Satyagraha' (silent protest) at the Azad Maidan here against the Gujarat High Court's order upholding Rahul Gandhi's conviction and two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case over the use of the 'Modi' surname.

The leaders wore black bands on their mouths to symbolically convey that freedom of speech has been stifled in the country by the BJP.

Speaking to reporters, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Amit Patkar said that 'Maun Satyagraha' is being staged across the country in support of Rahul Gandhi.

"The BJP government has murdered democracy in the country. This became clear after they hatched a conspiracy against Rahul Gandhi and disqualified him from the Parliament as he was exposing the deeds of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central government," Patkar claimed.

"Congress workers are holding the silent protest against this oppressive attitude of the government. Rahul Gandhi is working in the interest of the common man and hence people hailed him during his Bharat Jodo Yatra," he added.

Patkar also said that nothing good is happening in the BJP regime.

"In Goa, when Congress MLAs tried to corner the government, BJP robbed our MLAs by purchasing them like commodities and also by putting pressure on them using central agencies like the ED and the CBI. This is the modus operandi the BJP is using to remain in power," Patkar said.

Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira said that an assault on Rahul Gandhi is an assault on democracy.

"Rahulji is a true leader of the poorest of the poor, who is genuinely concerned about the common citizens of the country. Together we will fight to restore true democratic values as enshrined in our Constitution," he said.
New Delhi, July 12 : Producer Shankar Naidu's film 'Bharateeyans', releasing on July 14, is a film that instantly evokes patriotic feelings.

Based on the Galwan Valley attack, the film, however, faced a lot of trouble with the Censor Board. The censors insisting on removing the Shiv Tandav sequence and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation.

America's renowned cancer surgeon, Dr Shankar Naidu, is the producer of this pan-India film. He has made this film on the subject of patriotism with great enthusiasm.

Its concept and story is different. The characters in the film, for instance, are also named after their region, such as Bengali, Bhojpuri, Tripuri, Telugu, Punjabi and Marathi.

An effective and powerful film, it has benefited from the directorial skills of the helmer, Deena Raj, and talent of the lead actors and supporting actors as well.

This film effectively depicts the nefarious strategy of China. The story revolves around three boys and three girls, who are selected for training and sent to the outskirts of the ... . At the same time, two Indian girls are sent as top secret agents and those two are caught by the people of China.

The film's narratives builds up at a thrilling pace after the young women get caught. The climax will leave the audience shaken.

Actress Samaira Sandhu, who is from Punjab, has played a Punjabi girl in this film. She has acted very well. Equally commendable are the performances of Nirroze Putcha and Subha Ranjan Mukherjee, who have done justice to their characters. The story and presentation of the film is very effective. The film keeps on moving between the past and present.

Produced under the banner of Bharat American Creations and distributed by UFO Movies, 'Bharteeyans' has been written and directed by Deena Raj. The film is releasing in cinemas on July 14 in Hindi and Telugu.

Film: Bharateeyans Duration: 122 minutes

Producer: Dr Shankar Naidu Writer-Director: Deena Raj

Cast: Nirroze Putcha, Sonam Thendup Barphungpa, Subha Ranjan, Samaira Sandhu, Rajeswari Chakraborty and Mahender Bargas

IANS Rating: ****
New Delhi, July 12 : Doctors on Wednesday reported a significant rise of about 20-30 per cent in hip surgeries in young patients post Covid-19 pandemic, noting another potential long-term consequences of the global viral infection.

Known as avascular necrosis, it is a debilitating bone disorder characterised by the death of bone tissue due to the disruption of blood supply.

AVN, also known as osteonecrosis, primarily affects the weight-bearing joints, including the hips, knees, and shoulders, but it can also affect other bones in the body.

"Unfortunately we are seeing many young patients in our OPD with hip pain and during clinical and radiological examination, they were found to be suffering from avascular necrosis of the hip," Dr. Amit Chaudhry, Consultant - Fortis Bone & Joint Institute, FMRI, Gurugram, told IANS.

"Young patients present with pain in their hip joint initially on exertion and then slowly even on light activities. While there are no studies done to ascertain the increase in percentage of AVN, patients seen post-Covid have been around 20-30 per cent," he added.

Doctors blamed the excess use of steroids during Covid as a possible cause of avascular necrosis of the hip joints.

In addition, limited physical activity and access to healthcare during Covid also contributed to the increase.

Excessive alcohol consumption, trauma, lupus, and sickle cell disease can also increase the risk.

"Complications of Covid-19 such as life-threatening thrombosis, mucormycosis required patients to get a significantly high dose of steroids during the management of their acute episode. Although necessary, the side effects of such high doses of steroids are showing in the bone health of all patients," Dr Supreet Bajwa, Hip and Knee Replacement specialist from Nexus Day Surgery Centre in Mumbai, told IANS.

"One of the many reasons for AVN of the hip is increased steroid intake which cuts off the blood supply of the femoral head ultimately leading to hip arthritis. Post the pandemic, younger patients requiring hip surgeries have increased to 15-20 cases in a month," Bajwa added.

The symptoms of AVN can vary depending on the affected joint, but common signs include joint pain, stiffness, limited range of motion, and difficulty in bearing weight.

Early diagnosis and intervention are vital to prevent further deterioration and increase the chances of successful treatment.

Management of the AVN of hips depends on the stage of disease. Without early treatment, the condition can lead to severe pain, loss of joint function, and even disability.

Early stages can be managed with medicine and a procedure called core decompression with guarded prognosis. Late stages of the hip joint of patients get damaged and they require total hip replacement surgery, the health experts said.

"In terms of treatment, a combination of medication and surgery is often employed to manage AVN and improve patients' quality of life. Medications may include pain relievers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and medications to address underlying conditions such as diabetes or hypertension," Dr Prajyot Jagtap, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Apollo Spectra, Mumbai, told IANS.

"Surgery options range from joint-preserving procedures, such as core decompression and bone grafting, and STEM Cells therapy, to joint replacement surgeries for advanced cases. Lifestyle modifications, such as maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, and refraining from smoking, can also reduce the risk of AVN development," Dr Jagtap added.
New Delhi, July 12 : Delhi Government Minister Atishi on Wednesday said that the rising water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi is a result of water being released from Haryana's Hathni Kund Barrage.

"If the water is not gradually released from the Hathnikund Barrage, it can reach the populated areas along the Yamuna, including the floodplains. We will discuss this matter with the central government and the government of Haryana," she said.

She visited the flood relief camps at Mayur Vihar and Millennium Depot and interacted with the affected people.

Atishi mentioned that floods are a natural calamity, but as a government, it is their responsibility to assist and provide necessary facilities to the affected people.

"We have set up relief camps for people from the Khadar areas. These camps ensure proper accommodation, food, water, and medical facilities for the residents. Special arrangements have been made for children in these camps to meet their medical needs," she said.

The Delhi government has established rescue camps for the people of the Yamuna Khadar area, with around 2,500 camps set up in six districts of Delhi.

Eastern part of Delhi is more affected by the floods, and therefore, over 1,700 camps have been set up there. Additionally, there are approximately 200 camps in the North East and South East areas as well.
Los Angeles, July 12 : After a long standing controversy, 'Barbie' due to its controversial map scene got banned in Vietnam but will be getting released in the Philippines. However, the scene is likely to get blurred.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Philippines' Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTPCB) said in a letter made public Wednesday that they had "exhausted all possible resources to arrive at this decision," having consulted foreign affairs officials and legal experts. But after "meticulous" scrutiny of the film, the censors decided there was "no basis to ban the film."

In a separate letter to a local Senator, the MTPCB has requested the studio executives to blur out part of the map scene to ensure that viewers in the country don't "misinterpret" the sequence.

The movie's entire controversy got erupted due to Barbie drawing the picture of a world map which depicts the 'nine-dash line', a U-shaped marking which is seen as strengthening China's controversial territorial claims deep into the South China Sea, which countries such as Vietnam, Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei among others have opposed, arguing that it violates their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Philippine censors said they were convinced the 'cartoonish map' shown in the film was not intended to depict the nine-dash line.

Instead, the map portrayed the route of the make-believe journey of Barbie from Barbie Land to the 'real world', as an integral part of the story, the board said in a statement.

Dashed lines drawn in a 'child-like manner' appeared in several locations on the Barbie map around land masses crudely identified as Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Asia, the censors said. But they noted that only eight dashes were around the landmass labeled 'Asia'.

'Barbie' will hit theatres on July 21, 2023.
New Delhi, July 12 : The Union Cabinet on Wednesday is learnt to have cleared an amendment in the legislation governing Indian Institute of Management (IIM), to set up a new institute in Mumbai.

According to sources, an amendment is learnt to have been proposed in the Indian Institute of Management Act, to upgrade the National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) in Mumbai into an IIM.

With the amendment learnt to have been cleared by the cabinet, the proposed bill is likely to be introduced in the forthcoming monsoon session of Parliament.

This would give an IIM to Mumbai.

Currently, there are 20 IIMs in the country.

NITIE was set up by the government of India in 1963 with the help of the United Nations Development Programme and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
New Delhi, July 12 : TV actor Karan Suchak who is a bike enthusiast, and loves to explore new destinations, said the beautiful North-Eastern state of Meghalaya and landscapes of Munnar in Kerala, are on his wishlist.

As the monsoon season has made the weather quite pleasant, Karan took the opportunity to share his love for bike rides during this time with his fans.

Karan said: "I have few places on my wishlist which I want to explore next so whenever I'll get some free time from shooting 'Na Umra Ki Seema Ho', I'd love to take a small break and visit these places. Specifically, I would love to visit Meghalaya and explore the beautiful landscapes of Munnar in Kerala."

Expressing his passion for bike riding in the monsoon, he said: "Riding a bike fills me with immense joy. When I hop on my bike, wearing safety gear, and embark on a journey of thousands of kilometers, the moment I reach a new city and step out of my car to breathe in the fresh air, surrounded by open spaces and beautiful views, my heart feels truly alive."

Karan added: "Over the past eight months, I have visited Goa twice, the Statue of Unity in Gujarat twice, as well as Udaipur and Lonavala and Mahabaleshwar, covering a distance of 10,000 km."

The young actor is seen playing the role of 'Jai' in the show 'Na Umra Ki Seema Ho'. In the current storyline of the show, Jai, Vidhi, and Dev find themselves entangled in a web of tricks and schemes that aim to disrupt their relationship. Jai is relentless in his pursuit of causing strife between them, unaware of the storm brewing in Vidhi and Dev's lives.

'Na Umra Ki Seema Ho' airs on Star Bharat.
Kurukshetra : , July 12 (IANS) Riding on a tractor and on foot, senior Congress leader and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda on Wednesday visited flood-affected areas in the state and asked the government to work on a war footing to get the situation under control.

After talking to locals about problems faced by them, he looked at the condition of the fields and residential areas in Kurukshetra, Shahabad, and Ambala towns.

Hooda said water logging has become a massive problem and the government will have to work on a war footing to get the situation under control. He said the government should take forward the relief work with the help of the Centre, the NDRF, and the Army to protect the life and property of people.

The Leader of Opposition said if the government had taken precautionary measures in time, the people could have been saved from this calamity.

"The government has neither called a meeting of the flood control board, nor got storm water outlets, sewerage, and drains cleaned before the rainy season. If the government had fulfilled its responsibility in time, crops, shops and houses could have been saved from submerging to a large extent.

"The government shouldn't show any negligence or laxity. They should mobilise and deploy whatever resources they have for draining out the rainwater. Along with this, compensation should be announced for the people after assessing the damage caused by the flood," he said.

Hooda reminded that earlier in 1995-96, the state had to face floods. "Even at that time, compensation was given by the government to help people recover from the loss caused due to the floods. This time too thousands of acres of farmers' crops have been destroyed due to floods, houses of many people have collapsed or cracks have appeared in them and shops have also been submerged. All these sections should be given proper compensation," he added.

The two-time Chief Minister called upon the Congress workers to reach the flood-affected areas and help people in this hour of crisis. "In this time of disaster, every capable person should work proactively in relief and rescue work," he said and appealed to the public to help each other.

--IANS

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Panaji, July 12 : Goa crime branch police on Wednesday busted a fake call center involving nine accused persons who were cheating citizens of the United States.

Superintendent of Police (Crime branch) Nidhin Valsan informed that the police conducted a raid on an illegal call centre at Majorda, Salcete in South Goa, where nine accused persons were arrested.

"During raid, we have seized nine laptops with headphones, three routers, two modems, nine mobile phones, along with all accessories, cables and cash of Rs 65,000 -- all valued at Rs 15,00,000," a senior police official said.

The accused persons are identified as Vinayakwana Makhwana, 32, native of Ahemdabad-Gujarat; Ghachi Alfarz, 28, Gujarat; Akash Biswa, 26, Meghalaya; Akash Sunar, 23, Meghalaya; Kesang Tamang, West Bengal; Rahul Sarsar, 29, Mumbai; Ajay Biswa, 25, Meghalaya; Tanmoy Dasgupta, 20, Assam; and Rehan Shaikh, 27, Mumbai- Maharashtra.

He said that all these accused persons with their common intention set up a fake illegal call centre and procured personal details of citizens of the United States through X-lite app.

"Later by using laptops resources and Virtual Private Network(VPN), they contacted the victims through an active voice response system by impersonating a Bank Loan official of the United States and convinced the victims that they are officials of US Bank and offered them a loan facility," police said.

According to police, the accused persons told the victims, whose credit score was low, to pay a fine/penalty in the form of electronic payment and looted the money by converting it into Indian currency.
New Delhi, July 12 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that the capital city was facing a flood-like situation as the water level in the Yamuna River crossed 207.71 metres, which was well above the danger level.

He said that the water was coming from the Hathni Kund barrage and, therefore, he wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting a reduction in the water speed to control the situation.

"I received a call from (Jal Shakti Minister) Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stating that there is no reservoir, so that cannot be done. However, he informed me that the situation was improving in Himachal Pradesh, so the water level would decrease. But it will take 24 hours for the water released yesterday to reach Delhi. I appeal to all residents in low-lying areas to vacate as the water level is continuously rising," said Kejriwal.

Noting that the sudden increase in water level in the Yamuna would cause trouble for residents and their belongings, therefore, he urged them in advance to move to safer places.

Kejriwal stated that the already affected areas included Boat Club, Monastery Market, Old Railway Bridge, Yamuna Bazaar, Gadi Mandu, Vishwakarma Colony, and the stretch between Majnu Ka Teela and Wazirabad.

He advised people residing in low-lying areas such as New Usmanpur, Badarpur Khadar, DND Pushta, and the jhuggis near Millennium Depot to also move to safer places.

"Those who are coming to see the flooded areas should refrain from doing so. Taking selfies and gathering in mobs can lead to trouble if the water level suddenly rises," warned Kejriwal.

Kejriwal further stated that they had made evacuation measures available and set up an adequate number of relief camps. He mentioned that he had spoken to the District Magistrates and suggested using schools in their respective areas as relief camps if necessary.

"The danger is currently in the low-lying areas. We have around 2,500 relief camps. I appeal to the people to please leave the low-lying areas," Kejriwal urged.

During the conference, Delhi Minister Atishi mentioned that they were using 50 boats in the evacuation process and had also written to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to assist them in the rescue operations.
New Delhi, July 12 : Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France, beginning from Thursday, will set new benchmarks for strategic partnership between both the nations and will also be rich in substance.

Strengthening defence ties would be the main focus area during the talks between Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, Kwatra said while briefing media persons on the Prime Minister's visit.

He said that the groundwork is being prepared for announcement of procurement of 26 Naval variants of Rafale jets from France, apart from a significant deal to jointly develop an aircraft engine in India.

Modi will be the guest of honour at the annual Bastille Day Parade on July 14 and will also hold talks with Macron to take forward cooperation in a range of key areas including defence, space, trade and investment.

After concluding his visit to France, Modi will travel to Abu Dhabi on July 15.

Kwatra described the recent riots in several French cities as an "internal matter" and said that they would have no impact on the Prime Minister's visit.

"The visit of the Prime Minister to France would be both rich in substance and in form, and we would believe that it would set a new benchmark for our strategic partnership in years ahead," he said.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 12 : CGH Earth Experience Hotels, who are widely regarded as the forerunners of responsible tourism in the area, recently introduced vacation specialists for summer travellers looking to explore destinations and destination experiences based on their preferences, authentically and consciously, or even just wanting a relaxing vacation.

"The intent is to support our guests who may not have the luxuries of time to research on their interests and those of other family members but desire to immerse themselves into the meaningful and rejuvenating travel experiences. All our properties are a celebration of local cultures, art, architecture, cuisine, communities as well as the environment," comments Mridula Jose, Vice President of Product Development and Marketing at CGH Earth.

Travellers who complete a brief and easy form on the brand website are allocated to trained personal vacation consultants. Travellers just need to choose the property or places that appeal to them depending on the kinds of experiences they are looking for. Travellers can make this decision easier by referring to the descriptions of experiences displayed next to each property. After choosing the houses and filling out the form, CGH's qualified staff will get in touch with visitors to create a flawlessly unique summer itinerary.

Travellers can choose from a variety of locations, activities, and landscapes, such as discovering the Nilgiri's hidden forest life at Wayanad, taking in spice plantations close to the Periyar Tiger Reserve, experiencing Fort Kochi's iconic history through landmark boutique hotels and a royal palace, taking part in Kerala backwater cruises and coconut groves along the Malabar shores, discovering cultural hotspots in Chettinad and Kumbakonam, or falling in love with the waters and the island of the Andamans.

This initiative by CGH Earth Experience Hotels also includes intriguing packages and offers with various permutations and combinations of the brand's unique offerings. The offers are valid for stay dates till 30th September 2023.

The brand has won many accolades for its sustainability initiatives and is deeply involved in enhancing the state's responsible rural tourism narrative.

IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in

--IANSlife/tb
Patna July 12 : An ugly fight broke out outside the RJD office in Patna on Wednesday after two security guards of a state minister trade blows and even pointed pistols at each other.

A tragedy was averted after other security personnel present on the spot responded quickly separated the warring parties.

The two guards are deployed for the security of Shamim Ahmed, who's the Law Minister in the Nitish Kumar-led government under RJD quota. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media.

Shamim Ahmed had gone to the RJD office for some work. After he went inside the office, the two security personnel were seen waiting outside near the minister's SUV.

Soon they got involved in an ugly fight, kicking and punching each other. They also pulled out their pistols and pointed them at each other. Fortunately, other security personnel present on the spot intervened quickly and prevented things from going out control.

The reason for the fight has not been ascertained yet, neither a formal complaint has been lodged in this matter.
New Delhi, July 12 : As the second meeting of the opposition parties is all set to take place in Bengaluru on July 17 and 18, it is expected that they will push for forming a joint political strategy committee to prepare for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, sources said.

According to sources, at least 24 political parties are all set to join the second meting in Bengaluru and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will also host the dinner for them.

The source said that during the meeting of the like-minded parties in Bengaluru, all the parties will push for forming a political strategy committee to prepare for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The source said that the all the parties are also likely to bring the plan of holding joint protest across the country against the BJP government and a committee can be formed for the same to coordinate.

The source also said that the opposition parties will also propose to discuss the seat sharing formula at the state level, which has remained a bone of contention.

The first meeting was held in Patna on June 23 to bring all parties together on a single platform to chalk out a strategy against the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Top leaders of several Opposition parties had attended the meeting convened by Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United leader Nitish Kumar at his residence. West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, NC leader Omar Abdullah, and others had participated in the meeting.
Chennai, July 12 : Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) state president Anbumani Ramadoss has urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the Mekedatu dam issue.

The PMK state president, while interacting with the mediapersons at Tiruchi airport, said that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister should accord importance to the Mekedatu dam issue.

"It would be good if he spoke to his Karnataka counterpart while he is in Bengaluru to attend a political meeting," he said.

He also blamed the ruling DMK and opposition AIADMK for not having constructed check-dams at different locations across the Cauvery river.

Ramadoss said that this would have helped in storing water.

He said that the failure to construct check-dams was a treachery against the people of Tamil Nadu.

The senior PMK leader also said that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister should take an all-party delegation to either Bengaluru or Delhi to reinforce the stand of Tamil Nadu on the issue.

The former Union minister said that the government had announced the opening of 10 sand quarries across the Kollidam river, and said the construction of check-dams would help prevent the looting of river sand.

When asked, the PMK leader said that his party is yet to take a decision on the party's stand in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

He also said that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Governor should work unitedly in the interests of the state. Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss also said that the Governor should not talk about political issues and remain neutral and focus on development.
New Delhi, July 12 : The Delhi Police's Special Cell of Delhi Police has arrested three key players of an inter-state narcotic drug cartel operating in the national capital and recovered 1.55 kg of fine quality heroin, valued at worth more than Rs. 2.5 crore in international market, police said on Wednesday.

The official said that they have further recovered gold and silver jewellery worth more than Rs 20 lakh and high end cars including Mahindra Thar from the accused's hideouts.

Police said that the accused identified as Parveen, 25, a resident of Sonia Gandhi Camp in Samalkha, Manoj, 35, a resident of Jeevan Park in Uttam Nagar, and Bheem, 35, a resident of Sitapuri, Uttam Nagar, had accumulated huge wealth in the drug trade.

According to police, information was received that some Delhi-based drug traffickers were indulging in the regular trade of high-grade heroin, which was being sold in the areas of Delhi and Haryana.

"This input was further developed through technical as well as manual surveillance and it took about 4-5 months of painstaking efforts to develop the information. On June 30, the team received tip-off about Manoj and his partner Bheem, who were indulging in drug trafficking, would come at the red light of Sector 1, Dwarka, Delhi to supply heroin to Parveen.

"All the three accused were apprehended and 1.55 kg fine-grade heroin was recovered from them," Special Commissioner of Police, Special Cell, H.G.S. Dhaliwal said.

On interrogation, it was revealed that they were part of an inter-state narcotics syndicate.

"Manoj stated that they used to purchase the heroin from his supplier in Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh), who would deliver the contraband at different locations on the borders of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh," said Dhaliwal.

"Parveen disclosed that he would buy heroin from Manoj and Bheem, and then sell it to various drug addicts from his residence in Samalkha. Further efforts are being made to identify the main supplier of Bareilly," he added.

The Special CP said that it was also revealed that the accused had accumulated huge wealth in the drug trade. "They used their cash to invest in various things such as cars, jewellery, and properties. During the investigation, a Mahindra Thar, a Maruti Swift, a scooty, mobile phones, gold and silver jewellery, and cash have been recovered, and the properties of the accused have also been identified," the official added.

--IANS

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Jaipur, July 12 : Gangster Kuldeep Jaghina, who was accused of killing local BJP leader Kripal Singh, was shot dead in Bharatpur on Wednesday while he was being taken to the court by the police.

The miscreants threw chili powder at the cops and fired at Jaghina near the Amoli toll plaza.

On September 4 last year, Jaghina had allegedly killed local BJP leader Kripal Singh with the help of four others. Singh was shot at around 11 p.m. when he was returning home in his car.

Criticising the murder in police custody, the BJP accused the Ashok Gehlot-led governmnet of giving patronage to criminals.

"Crime is flourishing in the state under political patronage. The role of the police in the Bharatpur murder is also suspicious," said state BJP chief C.P. Joshi.

Leader of opposition Rajendra Rathore said that there is no control over the police due to the absence of a full-time Home Minister in the state.

Meanwhile, BJP's national spokesperson and MP Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said that the murder of the main accused in the killing of Kripal Singh in police custody raises questions over the intention of the Gehlot government.

"At whose behest, and to save whom such steps are being taken? The working style of the police in this case is completely suspicious and questionable," Rathore said.
Chennai, July 12 : HCL Technologies Ltd on Wednesday reported about 8 per cent growth in its net profit for Q1 of FY24 as compared to the previous year's corresponding period.

The company's Board of Directors has declared an interim dividend of Rs10 per equity share of Rs 2 each of the company for the fiscal 2023-24.

In a regulatory filing, HCL Technologies said that for the first quarter of FY24, it has logged a revenue of Rs 26,296 crore (Rs 23,464 crore in FY23 Q1) and a net profit of Rs 3,534 crore (Rs 3,283 crore in FY23 Q1).

As regards new orders, HCL Technologies said it won 18 large deals -- 7 in service and 11 in software -- valued at about $1.6 million.

The company said its total headcount as on June 30, 2023 stood at 223,438, going down by 2,506 as compared to the previous quarter. The company added 1,597 freshers and the attrition rate stood at 16.3 per cent.

For FY24, the company has given a guidance of 6-8 per cent revenue growth. The revenue from services is expected to log a growth of 6.5-8.5 per cent during the fiscal.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan Rashad Nabiyev met with a delegation of the Turkish regional Office of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB) headed by International Development Expert Walid Abdelwahab, Trend reports.

Issues of cooperation in the field of transport and information and communication technologies (ICT) were discussed.

According to Nabiyev, the guests were provided with information about the measures taken in Azerbaijan in the railway and port sectors, including improving public access to high-speed broadband internet.

Meanwhile, the IsDB Group maintains strong relations with Azerbaijan and strives to promote its socio-economic development. The group approved the financing of projects totaling $1.2 billion in Azerbaijan.

The portfolio includes financing in the amount of $956 million from the IsDB. A total of $120.2 million approved by the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), $83.4 million in trading operations of the International Islamic Trade and Finance Corporation (ITFC) and $19.4 million in other funds and operations of the IsDB group.

Moreover, the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) provided $92.5 million in business insurance and $75.5 million in new insurance liabilities.
Mumbai, July 12 : The Mumbai Police's Anti-Narcotics Cell has busted a drug peddling racket operating on the sly via the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and arrested 7 persons, including 2 women and 2 Nigerians, an official said here on Wednesday.

Following a tipoff received by the ANC's Ghatkopar unit of the drug racket allegedly operated by a mother-son duo, living in the posh Kemps Corner neighborhood of south Mumbai, a team of sleuths kept watch.

The 58-year old woman and her son, 33, were helped by another 57-year old female from Malad West and 2 Nigerians, along with some other associates.

The investigations revealed that the woman would travel from Dadar (Mumbai) to Pune by taxi at night ferrying drugs for customers in Pune via the Expressway.

Accordingly, on Monday-Tuesday night, the ANC sleuths laid a trap at Dadar and apprehended the woman, who was found in possession of M.D (Mephedrone).

After questioning her, multiple locations were raided by the ANC in Kemps Corner, Marve road (Malad), Mumbai, Virar (Palghar) and also in Pune and seven accused arrested.

The ANC has effected a seizure of 58.20 gm M.D and 15 gms cocaine, collectively valued at Rs 16,14,000, in the international markets. The accused have been booked under various provisions of the NDPS Act and produced before a designated court which sent them to police custody till Friday. Further probe is underway to trace the other involved in the inter-district drug-peddling racket perpetrated via the Expressway.
Ahmedabad, July 12 : Gujarat Police have arrested former IAS officer S.K. Langa for his alleged involvement in a graft case that caused an estimated loss of Rs 20 crore to the government, an official said on Wednesday.

According to the police complaint, Langa, a former District Collector of Gandhinagar, is accused of exploiting his official position.

A police officer said that they are currently examining a staggering one lakh pages of documents submitted along with the complaint.

While only two of Langa's decisions are currently under scrutiny, over two dozen other matters will be thoroughly investigated as part of the ongoing probe.

It was alleged that Langa orchestrated a pre-planned conspiracy for the financial benefit of his accomplices, manipulated Non-Agriculture (NA) orders for land, and caused a substantial financial loss to the government by falsely categorizing non-farmers as farmers without paying the required premiums.

Range IG Abhay Chudasama on Wednesday said Langa was apprehended at a bungalow in Mount Abu following a tip-off.

The case against Langa was filed by an official from the Gandhinagar district administration.

The police stated that Langa's certificate claiming to be a farmer appeared to be fraudulent.

The authorities investigated this matter in his native village near Bhanvad but found no supporting records to substantiate Langa's claim of being a farmer.

Additionally, the police briefing highlighted Langa's significant assets, which include four bungalows in Junagadh, a flat and a bungalow in Ahmedabad, a rice mill, and various parcels of land.

Speaking about Langa's alleged 'benami' properties, the IG revealed that the former IAS officer purportedly owns four bungalows in Junagadh and land in Matar.

Furthermore, Langa possesses properties registered under the names of relatives, including lands, flats, and bungalows in Ahmedabad.

The police have also learnt about Langa's stake in Amiraj Build Con and his ownership of a rice mill.
New Delhi July 12 : Accounting practices in India have undergone significant improvements in recent years, driven by the increasing demand for transparency, accountability and adherence to international standards.

These advancements aim to enhance financial reporting and foster a robust and reliable financial system across various sectors in the country. Notable improvements in accounting practices have been observed in several key areas.

Firstly, India has made significant strides in aligning its accounting standards with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) through the adoption of Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS). This move has resulted in improved comparability and transparency in financial statements, enabling better analysis, decision-making, and cross-border investments.

The convergence with international standards has not only enhanced the credibility of financial reporting but has also facilitated greater investor confidence in Indian companies.

Secondly, the emphasis on enhanced corporate governance practices has played a vital role in improving accounting standards in India. Listed companies are now required to comply with stringent corporate governance norms, ensuring effective oversight, internal controls, and transparent financial reporting.

These measures promote integrity, accountability, and responsible financial management, thereby strengthening the overall governance framework and trust in the corporate sector.

Furthermore, the integration of technology-driven reforms has revolutionised accounting practices in the country. Initiatives such as the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) have streamlined tax reporting, enhanced transparency, and improved efficiency in financial transactions.

The adoption of digital accounting software and automation tools has significantly improved accuracy, accessibility, and analysis of financial data, enabling organizations to make more informed and data-driven decisions.

In addition to these improvements, the Indian government has been proactive in driving accounting reforms and promoting financial transparency. The Companies Act, 2013 introduced provisions to enhance corporate governance and financial reporting practices. It emphasises independent audits, and established the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) to oversee accounting standards and ensure their effective implementation.

The establishment of the National Advisory Committee on Accounting Standards (NACAS) has also been instrumental in advising on accounting standards and facilitating the convergence of Indian practices with international standards.

NACAS plays a crucial role in continually improving and aligning accounting practices in line with global best practices.

Moreover, the government has undertaken significant efforts to implement public sector accounting reforms, recognizing the need for transparency and accountability in the government sector. These reforms involve the transition from cash accounting to accrual accounting, the adoption of Indian Government Accounting Standards (IGAS), and the introduction of the Financial Management Information System (FMIS). These reforms aim to bring consistency, standardization, and best practices to financial reporting in government entities, enabling better financial planning, budgeting, and monitoring of public funds.

The implementation of accrual-based accounting in the public sector facilitates a more accurate and comprehensive representation of financial transactions, assets, and liabilities, leading to improved decision-making and resource allocation.

In addition to the aforementioned improvements in accounting practices in India, there are other evolving areas that have undergone significant reforms and have a direct impact on the financial sector.

One such area is the implementation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC), which is considered one of the largest reforms in theIndian banking sector. The IBC consolidates the previous insolvency resolution framework and introduces a single law for insolvency and bankruptcy.

The key objective of the law is to ensure timely resolution of insolvencies within a specific timeframe, typically 270 or 180 days. The IBC aims to transfer control from existing promoters to lenders and resolve the complexities that existed in the previous law.

The implementation of the IBC provides significant potential for investors to acquire distressed assets in India at discounted prices, further contributing to the overall development of the financial sector. Additionally, Asset Reconstruction Companies have been established to manage and recover non-performing assets from banks.

India's advancements in accounting practices reflect a commitment to transparency, accountability and international standards. Reforms in corporate governance, adoption of Ind AS, digitalisation and public sector accounting have contributed to a more robust and reliable financial reporting system.

The implementation of the IBC and the clarity in the applicability of Income Computation and Disclosure Standards (ICDS) are further steps towards strengthening the financial sector and facilitating sustainable economic growth. As India continues on this path of reform, it is expected to create an environment conducive to business growth, investor confidence and long-term financial stability.
New Delhi, July 12 : Delhi Lt Governor V.K. Saxena visited the banks of the Yamuna River on Wednesday to assess the situation and the preparedness of agencies.

Briefing him, Central Water Commission's JE Deepak Sagar said that the water level of the Yamuna was recorded at 207.95 meters at 9 p.m. The continuously rising water of the Yamuna has caused sleepless nights for the residents of areas along its banks.

Inspecting the area to assess the situation, Saxena said that National Disaster Response Force teams were already deployed to assist in case of any emergencies.

"I appeal to the people of the city not to panic... those who are stuck in flooded areas. We are here to help them. The NDRF team will assist people in all districts, and I have also requested people to move to relief camps," he said.

The Lt Governor also said that senior police officials (DCPs) of the districts were briefed to make arrangements for the safety of the people.

He also noted that water cannot be stored at the Hathni Kund Barrage in Haryana since it is not a dam. He said that in Delhi, there are two barrages -- one at ITO and another at different locations -- where water cannot be stored and has to be released.
London, July 12 : Aryna Sabalenka dismissed Madison Keys in straight sets to reach the Wimbledon semifinals, here on Wednesday. Sabalenka is now one win away from overtaking Iga Swiatek as the top-ranked player.

After defeating No.25 seed Madison Keys 6-2, 6-4 in quarterfinals, Sabalenka will need to defeat No.6 Ons Jabeur, who knocked off defending champion Elena Rybakina in three sets.

Asked what motivates Sabalenka more -- the chance for her first Wimbledon title, or the No.1 ranking?, she said," "To be honest. I want both. But Iam trying to focus on myself because I know if I start thinking about all this stuff, I'm going to lose my focus on the court, my game."

"Later on we'll see if Iam ready to become World No. 1, or if Iam ready to play another final," she added.

Sabalenka is the only woman to reach at least the semifinals of the past four Grand Slams. The reigning Australian Open champion has won 17 of 18 matches at this yearas majors, equaling Serena Williams' feat of 2015.

On the other hand, Keys entered the match with a flawless 9-0 record this year on grass, going back to her second title at Eastbourne. This was the 28-year-old American's second quarter final here, but Wimbledon remains the only major she hasnat advanced to the semifinals.

Sabalenka has now reached 40 match-wins for the year, behind only Swiatek. This run is particularly meaningful to her considering she was unable to play a year ago.

"I was really sad, but at the same time I was thinking that, 'OK, itas a good time to kind of like reset and start everything over again," Sabalenka said.

"I was struggling a lot with my serve, with these emotions, with a lot of stuff. I just took that time as a good preparation, as a good little switch.

I did really good work, and it helped me at the US Open. Then I started believing in myself more, I started playing better, I started feeling better on court. Emotionally, I start feeling better. I think this period gave me so much belief in myself," he added.
New Delhi, July 12 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday said that they have, in two separate cases, arrested a Manager of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) in Bongaigaon (Assam) and a Delhi Police Head Constable for allegedly demanding and accepting bribes.

A senior CBI official said that in the first case, a case was registered against FCI Manager Amit Kumar Biswas. The complainant, an authorised representative of a private company based at Bongaigaon dealing in loading and unloading of foodgrains at Bongaigaon FCI Warehouses, said that his company was submitting monthly bills to Divisional Office, Food Corporation of India, Bongaigaon and the accused demanded a bribe for passing the bills.

The CBI laid a trap and caught Biswas red-handed while demanding and accepting bribes from the complainant. Searches were conducted at the premises of accused which led to the recovery of incriminating documents including of immovable properties.

In another case, the CBI arrested Delhi Police Head Constable Akshay posted with Mangolpuri police station for demanding and accepting bribe. A case was registered against two Head Constables of Delhi Police, posted at Police Station Mangolpuri, Delhi based on complaint. "It was alleged that the Complainant runs a shop for charging e-rickshaws at Mangolpuri, Delhi. It was further alleged that the accused threatened the complainant to disrupt the operation of his e-rickshaws charging shop and demanded a bribe," the official said. The CBI laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe from the complainant.
New Delhi, July 12 : A Delhi court on Wednesday granted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) time till August 8 to obtain sanction to prosecute Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and other officials in a case related to an alleged land-for-job scam.

Special Judge Geetanjali Goel of Rouse Avenue Court granted time to the probe agency as it made a prayer to that effect.

The CBI had, on July 3, filed a charge sheet against Lalu Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi and their son and Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav.

The central agency, through its Special Public Prosecutor D.P. Singh had apprised the court that a fresh charge sheet is filed in the case, despite a charge sheet already being filed because the alleged act is committed with a different modus operandi.

The court was also informed that sanction is awaited to proceed against Lalu Prasad and three others.

"During the period 2004-2009, Lalu Prasad Yadav had obtained pecuniary advantages in the form of transfer of landed property in the name of his family members in lieu of appointment of substitutes in Group 'D' posts in different Zones of Railways," a CBI official had earlier said.

The CBI had registered a case against Lalu Yadav, the then Railway Minister, his wife Rabri Devi, two daughters and 15 others, including unknown public servants and private persons. A number of residents of Patna themselves or through their family members sold and gifted their land in favour of his family members and a private company controlled by him and his family.

"No advertisement or any public notice was issued for such appointment of substitutes in Zonal Railways, yet the appointees who were residents of Patna were appointed as Substitutes in different Zonal Railways located at Mumbai, Jabalpur, Kolkata, Jaipur and Hazipur.

"In continuation of this modus operandi, about 1,05,292 square feet land, immovable properties situated at Patna were acquired by Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members through five sales deeds and two gift deeds, showing the payment made to seller in cash in most of the land transfer," the CBI had said.

In its first charge sheet, the CBI said that irregular appointments had been made in the Railways in violation of the standards and guidelines established by the Indian Railways for hiring. It is alleged that the candidates gave the Yadav family members land at extremely reduced prices -- up to one-fifth of the going market rates -- directly or through their close relatives and family members.

The CBI had filed the charge sheet in the case on October 10, 2022, against 16 persons including Rabri Devi and daughter and sanction was then obtained to prosecute them.

--IANS

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Patna July 12 : The Bihar unit of BJP has decided to march to the Vidhan Sabha in Patna on July 13 to raise issues like domicile policy in teachers' recruitment, corruption and rising incidents of crime in Bihar.

BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Modi said: "Through this march, we will make this arrogant government realise the organised power of the people of the state."

"Tejashwi Yadav had promised 10 lakh jobs at the first Cabinet meeting. He is in power for almost a year now and has held over 50 Cabinet meetings, but not single job has been created for the common people," Sushil Modi said.

"The Nitish Kumar government should scrap the BPSC examination to recruit teachers. It has come out with such guidelines that one school has three teachers on the same subject," he said.

The BJP leader also said that Nitish Kumar always makes tall claims on zero tolerance on corruption, but in reality he is seen roaming around with a charge-sheeted person, taking an indirect dig at Tejashwi Yadav, who has been named in the CBI charge sheet in the land-for-job scam.
New Delhi, July 12 : Days after Congress held a meeting here to discuss the poll preparedness in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, party President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday appointed MP Deepak Baji as the state unit chief.

Congress General Secretary, Organisation, K.C. Venugopal, in a statement, said: "Congress President has approved the appointment of Deepak Baij, MP as President of Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee, with immediate effect."

He also said that the party appreciates the contribution of the outgoing state President Mohan Markam, MLA.

The Congress had held a detailed strategy meeting over Chhattisgarh in the national capital last week. The meeting, chaired by Kharge, was also attended by former party chief Rahul Gandhi, Chhattisgarh state incharge Kumari Selja, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, TS SinghDeo and several other leaders.

After the meeting, Kharge had appointed SinghDeo as the Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, ahead of the crucial Assembly elections. Baghel and SinghDeo had been at loggerheads for the last two years. The Congress has made changes in the organisational positions in several states ahead of the assembly elections. The party is expected to carry out more reshuffling in the party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 12 : BJP President J.P. Nadda on Wednesday chaired a meeting to prepare a strategy and action-plan for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections with focus on 160 'weak' seats under the Lok Sabha Prawas Yojana.

The meeting was attended by several senior party leaders, including the state convenors and co-convenors of the 'Lok Sabha Prawas Yojana' made for the 160 Lower House seats.

The meeting was held at the BJP headquarters in the national capital.

The party's national general secretaries Sunil Bansal and Vinod Tawde, national secretary Harish Dwivedi, national spokesperson Sambit Patra along with other leaders were present at the meeting.

Sources in the know of things said that at the meeting, Nadda urged the cluster in-charges, state convenors as well as co-convenors to meet the people availing the benefits of the government schemes in the 'weak seats', and apprise them about the achievements of the Narendra Modi-led Central government.

Nadda specially asked the attendees to reach out to every section of voters in these 160 Lok Sabha seats to connect them with the BJP, meet influential and popular people of the area and tell them about the achievements of the government.

The BJP should win most of these 160 Lok Sabha seats in 2024 and increase the margin of victory in those seats which the BJP won last time by a very small margin, Nadda said.

A source said that the party's strategy is to meet the people and make them aware of the government's achievements, so that those seats which are considered "bastions" of the Opposition can be won.

The BJP has prepared a list of the Lok Sabha seats in which the party faced defeat or won by a narrow margin in the 2019 general elections.

Earlier, 144 seats were included in this list. However, later, the number of seats -- deemed weak -- was increased to 160.

Union ministers along with senior leaders have been assigned key responsibilities in these 160 seats by dividing them into clusters.

Also, at the meeting held on Wednesday, Nadda finalised the action plan for the coming months after reviewing the achievements made so far by the party leaders, besides issuing instructions to the party leaders who are associated with the campaign.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, July 12. Jacques Garrigue, the Vice President of Airbus for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said that the aircraft manufacturing company is ready to positively consider the proposal by Kyrgyzstan's Ambassador to France, Sadik Sher-Niyaz, regarding the provision of ATR-72 aircraft to Kyrgyzstan, during a meeting held at the Airbus office in Paris, Trend reports.

The meeting, initiated by the Kyrgyz side, aimed to enhance bilateral cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and France in the aviation sector.

According to Garrigues, the ATR-72 aircraft has a capacity of up to 90 passengers and equipped with turbo propellers for short-distance flights, it could be used for air transportation within the country.

During the event, Ambassador Sher-Niyaz expressed satisfaction with the beginning of active cooperation with Airbus and highlighted the positive experience of previously acquired helicopters.

Taking into account France's expertise and achievements in the aerospace industry, the ambassador proposed expanding cooperation, particularly in acquiring medium-class aircraft for flights in Kyrgyzstan's mountainous terrain.

Additionally, the possibility of utilizing Airbus' satellite capabilities for monitoring border areas, tracking changes in mountain riverbeds, and optimizing agricultural land use in Kyrgyzstan was discussed.

Furthermore, Garrigues informed him about Air Manas' (airline in Kyrgyzstan) existing practice of using the A220 aircraft. The meeting also explored potential mechanisms and financing options for satellite utilization.

Both sides exchanged views on Airbus' collaboration with Central Asian countries in the region and expressed their readiness to continue joint efforts in further developing aviation cooperation.

Airbus, the French aerospace manufacturer, is one of the largest aircraft companies in the world. It was formed in the late 1960s through the merger of several European aviation manufacturers. Airbus produces passenger, cargo, and military transport aircraft under the Airbus brand.
Guwahati, July 12 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said the state has been witnessing an unprecedented run of development and economic growth since the BJP came to power at the Centre.

Sarma said this while addressing the delegates to the National Executive Committee Meeting of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) at Guwahati on Wednesday.

This is for the first time that FICCI's national executive meeting has happened in Assam since the establishment of the industry body in 1927.

Addressing the interactive session, the Chief Minister, expressing his gratitude towards FICCI for choosing Guwahati as the location for its National Executive Committee Meeting, exuded confidence it would aid in the upward economic growth trajectory that the state has been following for the past few years.

"Assam has been witnessing a never-before-seen spell of peace, progress and prosperity on all fronts since 2014. Statistics prove that the state has been making rapid strides on all fronts," he said, adding that within a period of two years, Assam is likely to dislodge Punjab as the 16th largest state in terms of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

Sarma stated: "There has been a considerable increase in the state's public and capital expenditures."

The state's tourism sector has also witnessed unprecedented levels of growth in the past couple of years, he said.

Sarma further said that FICCI choosing Guwahati as the location to hold its Executive Committee Meeting is also an indication that the largest city in the Northeast is now the fulcrum of growth in the region.

Speaking about the initiatives the state government has been taking to create an industry-friendly ecosystem here, the Chief Minister said the work is underway to bring in a customised industrial policy that would take into consideration specific needs and requirements of industries on a case-by-case basis that would be a departure from the current policy of one-size-fits-all.

He also spoke about the government's actions aimed at bringing transparency in the governance process, adding that these actions have also benefited the industrial sector too.
New Delhi, July 12 : The Congress on Wednesday slammed the BJP government at the Centre for bringing the GST Network under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) saying it is a way by the Narendra Modi government to practice, promote and propagate tax terrorism and intimidate opposition leaders ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said: "Bringing GSTN under the PMLA is a way by the Modi government to practice, promote and propagate tax terrorism. The triplet tactic of constraint, compulsion, and coercion by the BJP through the new law shall wreak havoc on the business community in India."

He said that "this is another tactic by the BJP to intimidate, incarcerate and imprison opposition leaders just ahead of the general elections".

He said that the government has brought the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) under the PMLA, as per a notification dated July 7.

"The notification by Finance Ministry has amended an earlier 2006 notification that will facilitate sharing of information between the GSTN, Enforcement Directorate and other investigative agencies. The changes have been made for provisions under Section 66 of the PMLA, which provides for the disclosure of information," the Congress Rajya Sabha MP said.

He further said that in November last year, the government added 15 agencies to this list.

"The move to include GSTN under the money laundering law comes amid rising cases of GST fraud and fake registrations. Experts said under the money laundering provisions, tax authorities will get more power to trace the original beneficiary in case of fraud," Singhvi said.

Citing the drawbacks of the government's move, the Congress leader said that on Tuesday at the 50th GST Council meeting, at least nine states opposed the proposal of the Modi government to bring the GSTN within the ambit of the PMLA.

Questioning the move of the government to bring the GST Network under PMLA through a gazette notification of the Finance Ministry on July 7, he said: "Bringing the gazette without any discussion or debate in Parliament raises legitimate apprehensions. Even the GST Council members were blindsided and raised their voices in protest at this move."

"The clandestine nature of this move demonstrates that the Modi government was aware that such a move would face severe backlash from the public. What was the tearing hurry? Why could this not be discussed before hurriedly seeking to subject the GSTN and sensitive trader information into the hands of the ED?" he questioned.

He also said that no convincing justification has been given by the government on the new rules.
New Delhi, July 13 : The Congress on Wednesday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his silence on violence in Manipur ahead of the discussion in European Parliament over the issue, saying there is also no guarantee that he will actually participate in a debate on the northeastern state in our own Parliament.

In a tweet, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said: "The European Parliament is scheduled to discuss Manipur today. Our Foreign Secretary has told the Europeans that this an internal matter of India. It certainly is an internal mattera"on which the PM is silent and no All-Party delegation has gone to Manipur, 'blessed by the PM'.

"There is also no guarantee that he will actually participate and speak in a debate on Manipur if allowed in our own Parliament."

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi also slammed the government, saying that he would be happy if the Prime Minister discussed this issue even in the European Parliament.

"He (Modi) doesnat have time to discuss in the Indian Parliament. He doesnat have time to discuss in India. He has not addressed his aMaun Vrata is now extending to some 45 or 50 days, I donat remember. The country would not mind anywhere on planet earth that he addresses the issue, but the problem is that his aMaun Vrata is going beyond the limits of any reasonableness," he said at a press conference at the party headquarters when it was noted that on the eve of the Prime Ministeras visit to Paris, now the European Parliament are going to discuss about the Manipur violence and they are also going to deliberate upon passing a resolution on this entire matter.

Singhvi, who is also a Rajya Sabha member, said that Modi is one of the most articulate Prime Ministers who is maintaining a aMaun Vrata on a matter of extreme public importance not to Manipur, not to a state, but to India as a whole.

"And I see no reason why he should be avoiding this issue, when he is speaking on every other topic under the sun... in a free world, you can avoid it to the extent you want to avoid it, but in a free global world, you cannot avoid it to the extent that in the other institution, in other countries, who want to discuss it," he said.

"On the contrary, if you discuss it and lay down your own views, others will discuss it less. Or they will at least fall in line with the broad policy of the government. Unfortunately, on matters of the moment there is not even a unilateral one-way dialogue, there is simple silence. On matters which maybe not be so important there is occasionally very-very occasionally, unilateral one-way straight dialogue. As far as important issues are concerned, there is only aMaun Vrata," Singhvi said in a dig at Modi.

--IANS

aks/vd
New Delhi, July 12 : After joining the NDA, senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel on Wednesday visited the national capital and met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his official residence here.

According to sources, Ajit Pawar is likely to get a ministerial post in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet.

It is being said that Praful Patel, a former Union Minister, is also being considered a "strong contender" for a ministerial post.

Sources said that both Pawar and Patel were expected to put discuss their party's demands with Shah.

Meanwhile, while interacting with the mediapersons, Praful Patel, also dismissing reports of a rift over the distribution of ministries.

He said: "After the formation of the newly-formed NDA government in Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar and I have come to Delhi for the first time."

He further said there was no rift in the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP coalition government regarding allocation of portfolios.

"Discussions were held with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday. Some ministries are with Shiv Sena and some with BJP, of which NCP will get which ministry, discussions are going on."

On possibilities of becoming Minister in the Modi government, Patel said "there has been no discussion on the issue yet".

He will also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 18 during a meeting of the NDA constituents.
Beirut, July 13 : The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has urged Lebanon and Israel to stop any action that may lead to an escalation in southern Lebanon, a few hours after three Hezbollah members were reportedly injured by an Israeli drone attack near the two countries' border.

"The situation is very sensitive now," said Candice Ardell, the deputy director of UNIFIL Media Office, in a statement on Wednesday carried by the National News Agency.

Earlier on Wednesday, an Israeli drone attacked Hezbollah members as they were setting up a watch tower on the outskirts of Lebanon's southern border town of Yarine, injuring three of them, the Elnashra news website reported.

However, Israel said it foiled an attempt by several Lebanese people to damage the border fence between the two countries, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The UN peacekeeping mission is aware of disturbing reports of an incident along the Blue Line, and we are monitoring the situation," Ardell added.

The Blue Line is a demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel published by the UN in 2000 to determine whether Israel had fully withdrawn from Lebanon.

The Lebanese-Israeli border witnessed increasing tensions recently over two Hezbollah-erected tents that Israel claimed were built on its territory.

Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon, fought a month-long war in 2006 that ended in a UN-sponsored ceasefire.
New Delhi, July 13 : Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj held a high-level meeting with all stakeholder departments of the state government to review the preparedness to tackle vector-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and malaria (DCM) during the monsoons.

The Delhi government said on Wednesday that due to heavy rain there were possibilities of the spread of dengue and malaria and so they have started preparations to prevent it.

Bharadwaj directed the officials of the Delhi government to take the strictest steps to prevent vector-borne diseases from spreading in the national capital.

The Delhi Minister asked the district level officers of various departments to create awareness among the people in their respective areas on the steps to be taken to prevent DCM.

"Along with this, instructions have been given to keep a vigil on the domestic breeding checkers to ensure that they visit each house and identify breeding areas for mosquitoes such as stagnant water. The Delhi government is also going to take the help of school children in their attack on DCM," the government said.

The Minister also called for community participation by conducting awareness campaigns and developing information communication materials.

Officials from the departments of Health, MCD, NDMC, Delhi Jal Board, Irrigation and Flood Control, Education etc, were also present in the meeting.

Bharadwaj informed all stakeholders that due to rain there was a danger of infections from vector- borne diseases, especially those spread by mosquitoes, such as DCM.

It said that on behalf of the Kejriwal government, the school children in Delhi will be involved in the prevention of dengue on a large scale.

The Minister noted that children could be quite effective in spreading awareness.

"MCD and the Education department of the Delhi government were directed to give school children a card in which they would complete their adengue homework'. Every week children will undertake a complete checking of their house and the surrounding areas to ensure that there is no accumulated water in which mosquitoes can breed and flourish."

"The card should be filled by their parents and will be collected at the school. This homework will be checked every week and the cards will be returned to the students so they can undertake an inspection again. Children and parents will mention measures taken by them to prevent waterlogging in their homes and surrounding areas. The Education department will ensure that dengue homework is done in MCD schools, Delhi government and all private schools in Delhi," Bharadwaj said.
Beirut, July 13 : An Israeli drone has attacked Hezbollah members as they were setting up a watch tower on the outskirts of Lebanon's southern border town of Yarine, injuring three of them, Elnashra news website reported.

Hezbollah shot down the Israeli drone as the Lebanese Army and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon mobilised at the borders to control the situation, Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday.

The Lebanese-Israeli border witnessed increasing tensions recently over two Hezbollah-erected tents that Israel claimed were built on its territory.

Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon, fought a month-long war in 2006 that ended in a UN-sponsored ceasefire.
Pilibhit, July 13 : A 26-year-old man and his two family members have been booked for allegedly hanging his wife to death in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit district, police said.

The body of the woman, identified as Sukhrani, 23, was recovered from her husband's house in Babura village coming under the Bilsanda police station on Wednesday and sent for autopsy.

Following this, the husband, identified as Shyam Lal, 26, attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself from a tree near his residence but was rescued in time by the locals.

According to the police, he was taken to Bilsanda block headquarters-based community health centre (CHC) for medical treatment.

"Later, he was referred to the district government hospital as he had sustained severe spinal injury," said Manish Raj Sharma, the medical officer in-charge of the CHC.

Meanwhile, the woman's father, Ram Charan, of Diyona village alleged in a written complaint to the police that his son-in-law and his family members killed his daughter for the sake of Rs 50,000 they were demanding in cash as an additional dowry.

His daughter and Shyam Lal got married two months ago, he said.

Station House Officer, Surendra Singh, said, "Shyam Lal, along with his father Ganga Ram and elder brother's wife Preeti Devi have been booked under IPC section 304 B (committing dowry death), 498 A (subjecting a woman to cruelty by husband or his family members) and the appropriate section of the Dowry Prohibition Act."

"While Shyam Lal is undergoing treatment, the other two accused are still absconding. The police will arrest them soon," said Satish Chandra Shukla, Bisalpur Circle Officer.
Intelligent Process Automation with a focus on Intelligent Document Classification and Advanced Data Capture "We are thrilled with the exceptional success we have achieved in selling our accounts payable automation solution into the healthcare market," said Noel Flynn, CEO at ancora.

ancora Software, Inc., a leading provider of intelligent document processing software, proudly announces its extraordinary achievement in selling its cutting-edge accounts payable automation solution into the healthcare market. The company's innovative technology has transformed the way healthcare organizations manage their accounts payable processes, resulting in significant operational efficiencies and cost savings.

As the healthcare industry faces mounting pressures to enhance operational efficiency and reduce administrative costs, ancora has emerged as a game-changer, delivering a comprehensive solution that streamlines the accounts payable workflows and maximizes productivity. By leveraging advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, the company's software effortlessly automates manual data entry, eliminates errors, and expedites the payment cycle.

The successful implementation of ancora's accounts payable automation solution across various hospitals and other healthcare organizations has yielded remarkable results. Through the automation of invoice processing, the software has significantly reduced the time and effort required for manual data entry, allowing healthcare staff to focus on more value-added tasks. The accuracy of data extraction has improved dramatically, virtually eliminating costly errors associated with manual entry.

Moreover, ancora's solution has seamlessly integrated with existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, ensuring a smooth transition and minimal disruption to daily operations. The software's intelligent matching capabilities have enabled healthcare organizations to efficiently match invoices with purchase orders and receipts, leading to enhanced accuracy, increased compliance, and improved vendor relationships.

"We are thrilled with the exceptional success we have achieved in selling our accounts payable automation solution into the healthcare market," said Noel Flynn, CEO at ancora. "By leveraging our advanced technology, healthcare organizations can streamline their accounts payable processes, reduce costs, and enhance overall operational efficiency. We are proud to be a trusted partner in the digital transformation journey of the healthcare industry."

With a strong focus on customer satisfaction, ancora has established itself as a reliable partner for healthcare organizations seeking to optimize their financial operations. The company's comprehensive support, including training, implementation assistance, and ongoing technical support, has ensured a seamless experience for its healthcare clients.

About ancora Software

ancora Software, Inc. is an innovative provider of Intelligent Process Automation solutions, including Intelligent Document Classification and Data Capture. ancora Softwares patented artificial intelligence and unassisted and assisted machine learning technologies help organizations eliminate costly manual steps in their business processes such as document classification, document analysis, manual data entry, and manual filing. Organizations using ancora Software achieve faster and less expensive business process automation and better controls over their mission-critical information. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, ancora Software maintains sales and support operations throughout North America and in the United Kingdom.

For more on ancora Software, Inc. visit http://www.ancorasoftware.com


Restless in Texas: A Champagne & Truffles Series

Benchi F. Hudson marks her return to the publishing scene with the release of Restless in Texas: A Champagne & Truffles Series (published by Archway Publishing), the tale of a newlywed couple who must reconcile their past experiences and trauma before they can ever realize true happiness together.

When she first saw Jake singing in his lounge, Tess was a divorced, single mother of a 5-year-old daughter. Jake was a lonely widower and wealthy entrepreneur with a college freshman son. Their chemistry was instantaneous, and so strong that neither could ignore the attraction.

Now married after a six-month whirlwind romance and a fabulous honeymoon in France, Tess and Jake are ready to begin their life together in Houston, Texas. As they immerse themselves in their interracial marriage, Tess struggles to put her traumatic past behind her so she can move forward with her life.

Meanwhile, Jakes desire to control everything, including Tess, drives him to investigate her past to learn more about her trauma. But before he can realize complete satisfaction and happiness in his life with Tess, Jake must first overcome the guilt associated with his own former experiences. Will Jake and Tess ever find their happily-ever-after or will both remain tormented by their pasts?

This is an enthralling romance with a hint of mystery that will appeal to readers of romance novels. Although it is romance fiction, it also brings current societal issues to the readers, Hudson says. When asked what she wants readers to take away from the book, she answered, Love is a universal language regardless of race or nationality and overcomes all obstacles. For more details about the book, please visit https://www.archwaypublishing.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/837866-restless-in-texas-a-champagne-truffles-series

Restless in Texas: A Champagne & Truffles Series

By Benchi F. Hudson

Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 208 pages | ISBN 9781665745420

Softcover | 6 x 9in | 208 pages | ISBN 9781665745444

E-Book | 208 pages | ISBN 9781665745437

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Benchi F. Hudson is a South Carolina native and retired prison warden who also worked as an executive director of a nonprofit. She earned a bachelors degree in sociology and concentrated her graduate studies in human relations. When she is not writing novels and short stories, she loves to read and travel with her husband. This is the second book in her Champagne and Truffles series.

Simon & Schuster, a company with nearly ninety years of publishing experience, has teamed up with Author Solutions, LLC, the worldwide leader in self-publishing, to create Archway Publishing. With unique resources to support books of all kind, Archway Publishing offers a specialized approach to help every author reach his or her desired audience. For more information, visit archwaypublishing.com or call 844-669-3957.
Online Rally Calls Christians to Return

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Open Door Communication Ministries, Inc.

July 12, 2023



PORTLAND, Ore., July 12, 2023 /Standard Newswire/ -- Strong Man Ministries, a unit of organizational parent Open Door Communication Ministries, Inc., is challenging all that profess to be Christians to receive the gracious call of Jesus Christ to return to Him through its latest Strong Man Of God Online Rally, Return To The Lord. The thirty minute video can be viewed on the Ministry's dedicated YouTube Channel, https://youtu.be/uxU9KD4_kuY.



Return To The Lord was written and produced by Rev. Robert Kelley, Director of Strong Man Ministries as well as the Founder/President of Open Door Communication Ministries, Inc. It was released this year on Good Friday, April 7th. The program presents Kelley as the host at the opening and later as preacher delivering Christ's Word to His people. Along the way brief videos synced to powerful praise music, a testimony by Todd Smith A.K.A Christian Rapper Te'Luvv and concert footage of departed Christian Recording Artist, Carmen, are featured.



This Strong Man Of God Online Rally is unique among the total of four the Ministry has released so far because it is addressed to Christians as a group. The others seek to reach non-Christians. Return To The Lord intends to help facilitate the return of willing Christians back to Christ who have strayed from Him for whatever reasons. This includes men as a very important part of Christ's Body in their leadership roles and responsibilities--restoring men being the mission of Strong Man Ministries.



More information about Return To The Lord is available from Rev. Kelley using his contact information. Also, read his April 2nd Blog for additional program background.





SOURCE Open Door Communication Ministries, Inc.

CONTACT: Rev. Robert Kelley, 971-299-8821, revkelley@thestrongmanofGod.org



Related Links



https://opendoorcommin.org


Travelers will enjoy the immersive new range of experiential culinary travel programs across Europe just unveiled by award-winning travel brand Central Holidays Our new experiential and sustainable travel programs are particularly focused on showcasing the local culture revealed through their culinary delicacies, wines, and traditions -- featuring hands-on cooking experiences with acclaimed chefs and also cultural interchanges with the locals!

Central Holidays presents food and wine itineraries across Europe, leveraging their European teams, Italy office, and decades of destination expertise to create elaborate experiential culinary-focused travel programs with interactive cooking classes. Programs designed to cater to todays travelers who are looking to have the most authentic, immersive, and locally inspired travel experiences.

One of the most alarming difficulties we are hearing from travel advisors is how it has become ever more challenging to plan more intricate and involved itineraries across Europe -- until they came to us! Luckily that is one of the sweet spots where our insiders perspective, expertise, experience, contacts, and in-country teams are displayed, said Maria Jose Merino, VP of Product Development and Operations. This is exactly why we are expanding our experiential and sustainable travel programs across several regions  particularly focused on showcasing the local culture revealed through their culinary delicacies, wines, and traditions. At each destination we include hands-on cooking experiences with acclaimed chefs and also cultural interchanges with the locals! Learn about their customs and secrets in the kitchen. Travel advisors are thrilled to work with us as an extension of their team to deliver the most meticulously planned, dream travel programs that their travelers are yearning to experience now.

From Italy and Spain to Croatia, Malta, and beyond heres a glance at some of Central Holidays most immersive culinary travel programs in Europe:

-- Live and Eat Like a Local in Umbria with Chef Lorenzo --

Travelers will learn the secrets of Italian cuisine in Umbria's Orvieto on this 8-day culinary travel experience. Participants will enjoy visiting the local farmers market to shop for fresh ingredients, join in three hands-on cooking classes led by Chef Lorenzo at Casale Polegri in the Umbrian countryside, and savor delectable meals with succulent wines in captivating surroundings. Brimming with exclusive moments, this immersive food and wine-focused adventure also includes: a truffle hunting experience, tastings of artisanal cheeses, wine tasting experiences, tour of Buffalo Mozzarella Farm with mozzarella tasting, visits of medieval Montepulciano and Civita di Bagnoragio, plus so much more!

-- Sardinia, A Paradise for Gourmets and Fine Wine Lovers --

Food and wine aficionados will love this 7-day culinary experience that celebrates Sardinia. Brimming with inclusions, travelers will love getting to know Cagliari on a walking tour, then taste the towns flavors on a gourmet tour with tasting events. In historic Pula, a hands-on cooking class will be simply unforgettable as well as private guided tours and tastings of such farm-to-table Sardinian foods in as local cheeses, olive oil, and wines. Further along travelers will embark on a fishing tour that features a delectable lunch onboard.

-- Barcelona For Foodies --

Barcelona beckons on this food and wine focused experience in Spain. Activities take travelers to discover one of Spain's most famous streets, Las Ramblas; explore the Gothic Quarter; take in Antoni Gaudi's masterpieces including Parque Guell and the city's iconic Art Noveau Sagrada Familia church; and snack on local favorites at Barcelona's most famous market, Mercat de la Boqueria. Participants will also join in a hands-on cooking class, including a market visit with lunch and drinks. This Barcelona adventure features two cava wine cellar tours with wine tastings, as well as a wine and tapas walking tour including tastings.

-- Madrid for Foodies --

Foodies can indulge in a 5-day culinary travel experience that tantalizes all the senses in Spains lively capital, Madrid. This captivating program invites travelers to learn the secrets of Spanish cuisine with chef-led cooking class sessions, flavorful tapas experiences, and a half day cava cellar tour with brunch that will have participants exclaiming Ole with all the fervor of a native. Guests will join in insightful tours of Madrid and Toledo with expert guides, plus so much more!

-- Wine and Dine in Croatia --

Travelers will enjoy an exquisite, 6-day culinary-focused vacation in Croatia with cooking classes and tastings plus deluxe private touring galore! From Croatian wine tasting experiences in the hills of Skradin and in Kastel Kambelovac to Split, the historic city built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian's palace, unique experiences abound. Further along, guests will take a guided walking tour of old Dubrovnik and join in a hands-on cooking class and meal accompanied by wine tasting in the city. The adventure continues with a private-guided excursion to Ston and Korcula, featuring delectable oyster and wine tasting experiences.

-- Malta, A Food and Wine Paradise --

On this inspired 5-day culinary travel experience, travelers will delve into the fascinating culture of Malta through its fabulous food and wine. Travelers will discover delicious Maltese cuisine and wine with a chef-led hands-on cooking class experience, featuring flavorful farm to table ingredients from the actual 600-acre farm just steps from the learning-kitchen. Further on, guests will tour Malta's Palazzo Parisio, and then visit one of Vallettas top wineries including a tasting experience to indulge wine lovers.

"At Central Holidays, we have the unparalleled ability to meet the demand and customize travel programs for individuals as well as groups and ensure that they will all have a wonderful experience every step of the way. Additionally, travel advisors and group planners can start planning travel experiences for their clients now -- even for travel through 2024 -- to benefit from the astronomically high demand that the industry in currently experiencing, said Adam Greis, General Manager of Central Holidays.

Central Holidays culinary travel programs, including day-by-day itineraries, can be viewed in detail at centralholidays.com. For additional details or to become a preferred travel advisor partner for Central Holidays, call 1-800-935-5000.

About Central Holidays:

Founded in 1972, Central Holidays is an award-winning travel brand that offers superior travel programs, value, and service to enchanting destinations across Italy, Europe, Egypt, Africa, West Asia, and Latin America. As true destination specialists, this leader in travel offers an expansive range of Independent, Escorted, Hosted, and Land/Cruise itineraries. Central Holidays presents a wide array of diverse travel opportunities including cultural programs, culinary adventures, family vacations, romantic getaways, and active travel. Group Travel Experiences are a hallmark of the company, offering special interest travel, religious pilgrimages, and fully customized programs. Their newest brand, Journeys by Central Holidays, was created to orchestrate tailor-made travel experiences that redefine luxury. Central Holidays remains at the forefront of the tourism and travel industry, offering distinctive travel programs that support brand promises of reliability, expertise, and flexibility. For more information, contact Central Holidays at 1-800-935-5000 or visit centralholidays.com.


Fu-Fu-Fu-Frank! One mans struggle with Tourette Syndrome

According to the Tourette Syndrome Foundation, the disorder is defined by multiple motor and vocal tics lasting for more than one year. The verbal tics can include grunting, throat clearing, shouting and barking. It was named after a French neuropsychiatrist, Gilles de la Tourette, who assessed the disorder in the late 1800s. But it was not until the 1970s that it was widely recognized in the U.S., where it was thought to be exceptionally rare.

A devoted Catholic and former altar boy, Frank Bonifas inherited Tourette syndrome before the disease was recognized in the United States and spent a large part of his life not knowing why his violent tics, obsessions, and learning disabilities were present. After many admissions to hospitals where he was treated as a psych patient, he was finally admitted to New York Hospital and diagnosed with the disease.

Bonifas wants to spread awareness of Tourette syndrome and offer encouragement to anyone afflicted with it and it is for these reasons, he releases his memoir, Fu-Fu-Fu-Frank! One mans struggle with Tourette Syndrome (published by AuthorHouse in October 2010). Set for a new marketing campaign for 2023, this book shares the story of his wrenching childhood and the determination he had to overcome the odds of living with a misunderstood disorder. Though far from cured, he was able to function, and eventually to interact with people. He graduated from high school, his circle of friends widened and his world opened up.

Through this book, Bonifas relives some of his experiences and explains that he would probably have committed suicide if he had not believed such an action would condemn him to hell for all eternity. Readers will laugh and cry as they read his story, and obtain a better understanding of Tourette syndrome or anyone afflicted with similar disorders.

Tourette syndrome is more known to society today and there are more persons who have this syndrome and can be helped with the right medicine and the medical care, Bonifas says. When asked what he wants readers to take away from the book, he answered, In every bad condition of your life, there is hope at the end of the tunnel and there are people who cares. I have tried to put my past behind me. I have a lot of faith and a lot of determination. For more details about the book, please visit https://www.authorhouse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/287478-fu-fu-fu-frank.

Fu-Fu-Fu-Frank! One mans struggle with Tourette Syndrome

By Frank Bonifas

Softcover | 5 x 8in | 196 pages | ISBN 9781452068022

E-Book | 196 pages | ISBN 9781452068039

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Frank Bonifas is 69 years old and resides in Coldwater, Ohio.

AuthorHouse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is a leading provider of book publishing, marketing, and bookselling services for authors around the globe and offers the industrys only suite of Hollywood book-to-film services. Committed to providing the highest level of customer service, AuthorHouse assigns each author personal publishing and marketing consultants who provide guidance throughout the process. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, AuthorHouse celebrates over 23 years of service to authors. For more information or to publish a book visit authorhouse.com or call 833-262-8899.
The ITRC tracked 915 compromises in Q2. If the trends hold, 2023 will set a record for the number of data compromises in a year. "Since we started tracking data compromises in 2005, only the full years of 2017, 2021 and 2022 have exceeded the number of data events recorded in the first six months of 2023," said Eva Velasquez, President and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center.

Today, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), a nationally recognized nonprofit organization established to support victims of identity crime, released its U.S. data breach findings for the first half (H1) of 2023. According to the H1 2023 Data Breach Report, there were 951 publicly-reported data compromises in the Quarter, a 114 percent increase compared to the previous Quarter (445 compromises). It is the most breaches the ITRC has tracked in a single quarter. Through the first half of the year, the ITRC has tracked 1,393 compromises, higher than the total compromises reported every year between 2005 and 2020 except for 2017. This puts 2023 on pace to set a record for the number of data compromises in a year, passing the all-time high of 1,862 compromises in 2021.

The number of victims in H1 (156,637,416) increased 153 percent compared to the first half of 2022 (62,019,351 victims). However, the number of victims disclosed in notices is well behind 2022s pace. Notices in H1 2023 estimated that 156 million individuals were impacted by a data compromise compared to the 424 million people affected by data events in 2022. The number of data breaches with no actionable information about the root cause of the compromise grew to 534 in H1 2023 compared to 319 in H1 2022, a 67 percent increase.

Download the ITRCs H1 2023 Data Breach Report & Analysis

The second quarter and first half of 2023 has been historic with regard to data breaches, said Eva Velasquez, President and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. Since we started tracking data compromises in 2005, only the full years of 2017, 2021 and 2022 have exceeded the number of data events recorded in the first six months of 2023. While businesses and individuals may be numb to constant attacks and scams that lead to breaches, its important to remain diligent and practice good cyber-hygiene to make any information stolen or exposed less useful for identity criminals.

Other findings in the H1 2023 Data Breach Report & Analysis include:



Every sector reported a higher number of data compromises in H1 2023 compared to the previous H1. Healthcare leads the sectors with the most compromises. However, Financial Services firms reported nearly double the number of compromises versus H1 2022.

Phishing and ransomware were the primary attack vector for cyberattacks. However, the number of malware attacks in 2023 increased 89 percent over the same period last year.

To view our 2022 Annual Data Breach Report or Q1 2023 Data Breach Analysis, click here. Anyone can receive free support and guidance from a knowledgeable live advisor by calling 888.400.5530 or visiting idtheftcenter.org to live chat.

About the Identity Theft Resource Center

Founded in 1999, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) is a national nonprofit organization established to empower and guide consumers, victims, business and government to minimize risk and mitigate the impact of identity compromise and crime. Through public and private support, the ITRC provides no-cost victim assistance and consumer education through its website live chat idtheftcenter.org, and toll-free phone number 888.400.5530. The ITRC also equips consumers and businesses with information about recent data breaches through its data breach tracking tool, notified. The ITRC offers help to specific populations, including the deaf/hard of hearing and blind/low vision communities.

Media Contact

Identity Theft Resource Center

Alex Achten

Director of Communications & Media Relations

888.400.5530 Ext. 3611

media@idtheftcenter.org
Integra Services, NYS Certified Women-Owned Business Enterprise

Integra Consulting & Computer Services, Inc. (dba Integra Services), a leading provider of infrastructure, cabling and security consulting services, is proud to announce that it is now a New York State-certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE). The status, granted by the New York State Department of Economic Development, Division of Minority and Women's Business Development (DMWBD), is an important milestone for the company and Integra President Rosanne Sweeney.

It is a great honor to be recognized as a Women Business Enterprise, said Rosanne Sweeney, president of Integra Services. WBE status recognizes our commitment to equity and inclusion in the workplace, which is paramount for success. We welcome the increased visibility and the opportunity to create new business partnerships made possible through this certification.

Rosanne Sweeney began her career with Integra Services in 2003 and moved into her leadership role as President of Integra Services in 2016. She wore many hats throughout the years that include leading day-to-day operations, providing consulting services, managing accounts receivable, running educational events for school districts, participating in speaking roles at industry tradeshows across the country, and more.

Integra Consulting & Computer Services, Inc will be listed in the New York States Directory of Certified Businesses with the following list of codes for products and services: NAICS 238210: SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM, INSTALLATION ONLY.

For more information on Integra Services, visit https://integraservices.com/.

About Integra Services

Integra Consulting & Computer Services, Inc. (dba Integra Services) is a proud New York State-certified women owned business (WBE) offering quality end-to-end infrastructure, cabling, and security consulting services. For over 30 years, Integra has been a trusted provider of network infrastructure services across private and public sectors, adding cabling services in 2019, and physical security consulting to its portfolio in 2023 with the acquisition of True Security Design, LLC. The security services include Threat Vulnerability and Risk Assessments (TVRAs), SIMTactics simulated crisis management tabletop exercises, and more. With a mission to help todays organizations better connect and stay protected, Integras valued clients span commercial businesses, schools and universities, healthcare facilities, houses of worship, municipalities, and more. Integra Services is headquartered in Bay Shore, New York. To learn more, visit https://integraservices.com/.

Company Contact:

Allyson Patanella

Marketing Manager

Integra Services

631.675.2238

apatanella@integraservices.com
Our business was built on relationships and a desire to help our customers. Selling to a family business that is focused on long term growth and prioritizes its people felt like the right decision.

JDM Technology Group, a leading global software business of best-in-class software providers, has acquired Croydon, Australia based PowerCad Software. PowerCad makes innovative electrical engineering design software for the Australian electrical industry. The transaction closed on Friday, 30 June, 2023 with approval from owners Adrian and Lorraine Newman.

Established in 1991 by Adrian and Lorraine Newman, PowerCad provides electrical engineering design software and services that are second to none for the Australian industry. Offering a range of products, PowerCads innovative, robust software helps building contractors, engineers, and manufacturers design integrated electrical systems in less time so they can increase profitability and grow their business.

In a statement on the transaction, PowerCad owner Adrian Newman said, Our business was built on relationships and a desire to help our customers. Selling to a family business that is focused on long term growth and prioritizes its people felt like the right decision.

As one of the largest global suppliers of enterprise software for the construction industry and built environment, JDM Technology Group has extensive industry expertise and a global development team. The company is known for its people first approach and commitment to never end of life its software.

PowerCad will join Spearhead and CavSoft as part of JDMs Australian group of specialist software solutions. Phil Johnstone will assume the role of Managing Director of PowerCad, overseeing the day-to-day operations. Adrian Newman will assist with the transition.

Were pleased to lead the next chapter of the PowerCad story, said JDM CEO Jim McFarlane. PowerCad is a great fit for JDM and we look forward to working with the PowerCad team to continue its long standing tradition of innovation and integrity.

About PowerCad Software

Established in 1991, PowerCad offers a range of electrical engineering design software and support services that are second to none in the Australian industry. PowerCads innovative, robust software products help building contractors, electrical engineers, and manufacturers increase efficiencies and grow their businesses.

About JDM Technology Group

JDM Technology Group is a global software business focused on delivering B2B software systems for the architecture, engineering, construction, and operations industries with over 180,000 users served in 40 countries on 7 continents, employing over 575 staff. The JDM Technology Groups core philosophy is a long-term commitment to customer support and service coupled with providing the best possible solutions to customers. JDM Technology Group companies include CavSoft, CSSP, CostCon, LEVESYS, Nimbus, Plusfactor, PowerCad and Spearhead Software in Australia and New Zealand; AerieHub, AllMax Software, Builder Software Tools, Computer Guidance Corporation, ConEst Software, Deneb Software, Explorer Software, EPAC, IndustrySmarts, JOBPOWER, Maestro Technologies, MicroMain Corporation, Mobile-Punch, MPulse Software, TeamWORKS, and Vision InfoSoft in North America; and Estimate, Integrity, RedSkyIT, Rendra, and Safran in the UK, Europe and the Middle East.
Revenge I Will Have: Jake Logan # 2

Marlene Morgan marks the release of Revenge I Will Have: Jake Logan # 2 (published by Archway Publishing), the story of a retired Navy SEAL who cannot escape his past and is required to confront forces of evil who are trying to kill him as well as commit a terrorist act in the United States.

Mired in grief over the recent murder of his girlfriend, Alice Francis, at the hands of his psychotic ex-lover, Jessica, former Navy SEAL turned Wall Street banker Jake Logan is suddenly called back into action. While his teams primary target is internationally known terrorist financier Asyd Omar Batdadi, a.k.a. the Bat, the mission soon becomes personal for Jake when he learns that Jessica  a dangerous woman with dissociative identity disorder  is wrapped up in the plot. In fact, Jakes connection to Jessica is the very reason he has been reactivated as a SEAL.

Their efforts to capture or kill Batdadi and his associates soon take Jake and his fellow SEALs to various locations in Europe and the United States, but the wily terrorist manages to elude them at every turn. In the midst of their hunt, they learn that, with Jessicas help, Batdadi is plotting a bold terrorist strike on American soil.

For Batdadi, his terrorist act is a form of revenge for Americas interference in the lives of his Middle Eastern brethren, a chance to put himself in the terrorist hall of fame alongside names like Osama Bin Laden. For Jessica, her move to help Jake is the ultimate form of payback against the journalists whom she holds responsible for ruining her life and her future with him.

Battling a ticking clock, international criminal masterminds, and his own grief, Jake strives to transform his troubled relationship with Jessica from a liability into an asset, his only hope of saving thousands of innocent lives  not to mention his soul.

This is a fast paced thriller with many unexpected plot twists; more importantly how the characters are developed will draw the reader in. We see the characters, particularly our heroes, with flaws and idiosyncrasies we can all identify with. Conversely, with Jessica and 'the bat' we can witness truly evil individuals who will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. The back stories of other SEALs and 'the Wizard' is very engaging and the depravity of Jessica and 'the Bat' will have the reader racing from chapter to chapter to witness a violent collision of good versus evil, Morgan says. She adds, As we are seeing on the battlefields of Europe, evil must be confronted which requires incredible sacrifice by men who are brave as well as willing to stare down impossible odds. For more details about the book, please visit https://www.archwaypublishing.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/844166-revenge-i-will-have

Revenge I Will Have: Jake Logan # 2

By Marlene Morgan

Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 316 pages | ISBN 9781665742917

Softcover | 6 x 9in | 316 pages | ISBN 9781665742900

E-Book | 316 pages | ISBN 9781665742924

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Marlene Morgan is an author, barrister-at-law, and New York attorney. She also holds a masters degree in taxation and administration law from Kings College London.

Simon & Schuster, a company with nearly ninety years of publishing experience, has teamed up with Author Solutions, LLC, the worldwide leader in self-publishing, to create Archway Publishing. With unique resources to support books of all kind, Archway Publishing offers a specialized approach to help every author reach his or her desired audience. For more information, visit archwaypublishing.com or call 844-669-3957.
Attendees at the 2022 summit get a tour of a manufactured home building facility in Northern Indiana. This year, were incredibly excited to welcome retailers, community owners, property managers, sales personnel, and other industry partners for two days of factory tours and educational seminars.

Registration is now open for this years MH FacTOURy Summit, hosted at the RV/MH Hall of Fame, from Aug. 22-23, 2023. This event is an industry conference for manufactured housing professionals and is not open to the general public.

The event brings two days of factory tours and educational seminars to Elkhart, Ind. Hundreds of industry professionals will have the chance to tour the regions leading manufactured home building facilities, meet with factory representatives, see the latest manufacturing innovations, and foster new and ongoing business relationships.

Last years return to Elkhart was a great success for both the MH FacTOURy Summit and the Scoular Manufactured Housing Museum, which had its grand opening last year, Indiana Manufactured Housing Association - Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council Executive Director Ron Breymier said. This year, were incredibly excited to welcome retailers, community owners, property managers, sales personnel, and other industry partners for two days of factory tours and educational seminars.

The RV/MH Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will precede the summit, on the evening of Monday, Aug. 21, when 10 manufactured housing and RV veterans will be honored for their industry service and enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

Special Guests to Speak at the 2023 MH FacTOURy Summit

The MH FacTOURy Summit also announced two special guests who will serve as keynote speakers for the events opening festivities on Tuesday, Aug. 22.

Rep. Rudy Yakym, R-Ind., will speak at the MH FacTOURy Summit on the first day of the event. Rep. Yakym is one of the co-sponsors of the Manufactured Housing Affordability & Energy Efficiency Act, a topic he will address during his speaking engagement.

Also speaking at the event is Manufactured Housing Institute Chief Executive Officer Dr. Lesli Gooch. Dr. Gooch has helped MHI become an influential and relied-upon resource for housing policy, including with Congress, the administration, the GSEs, the media and other housing industry groups. During her tenure, she has secured a number of legislative and regulatory successes and a significant increase in bipartisan support for MHI priorities.

Exhibit and Sponsorship Opportunities Available For This Years MH FacTOURy Summit

Exhibit and sponsorship opportunities are also open for the 2023 MH FacTOURy Summit. These are ideal ways to increase company exposure and show everything it has to offer.

Sponsors can sign up for various opportunities throughout the event to boost their brand visibility among manufactured housing professionals.

For more information regarding exhibit and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Sue Bartee at (317) 247-6258 ext. 14 or email info@imharvic.org.

Visit http://www.mhfactourysummit.com today to register for the MH FacTOURy Summit or to learn more about the event.

About the Indiana Manufactured Housing Association - Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council

The Indiana Manufactured Housing Association-Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council (IMHA-RVIC) is an association of individuals and firms whose purpose is to serve its members and enhance growth of industry products and services through governmental, educational and promotional programs. IMHA-RVICs purpose is to protect and promote the general welfare of the manufactured housing and RV industries. All IMHA-RVIC activities are coordinated through our state office. Its membership is comprised of manufactured home manufacturers, retailers, communities, recreation vehicle manufacturers, retailers, campgrounds, finance and insurance firms, suppliers, and service firms.
The FAB 40 ranking validates our efforts to strengthen our position as a Tier 1 supplier partner committed to helping original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) fulfill their customer promises.-- Eric D. Miller, president of Miller Fabrication Solutions

Miller Fabrication Solutions is one of the nations top manufacturers, according to The FABRICATOR magazines 2023 FAB 40 list. The fabricating trade publications annual ranking placed Miller at No. 21 on the list of the most successful metal fabricators in the United States, up two places from its No. 23 position on the 2022 list.

Miller has ranked on the FAB 40 for six consecutive years. The list identifies the 40 most successful metal fabricating operations based on the previous years revenue and other data provided by companies that earn the majority or their revenue from contract and custom manufacturing involving sheet metal, plate fabrication or tube fabrication. The results are published each year in The FABRICATORs June edition.

The FAB 40 ranking validates our efforts to strengthen our position as a Tier 1 supplier partner committed to helping original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) fulfill their customer promises, said Miller President Eric D. Miller. Our newest facility  the Pine Creek plant that will open later this year  will further expand our component parts production capacity, allowing us to scale operations and leverage more automated solutions to streamline processes and create new efficiencies. We expect increasing customer demand and new technology to fuel continued growth.

As one of the countrys top metal fabricating operations, Miller serves as a strategic metal fabrication partner for OEMs in heavy industries like construction and forestry, transportation and engine and turbine equipment. What distinguishes Miller Fabrication Solutions from a typical job shop supplier is the total integration of its manufacturing solutions into an OEMs supply chain, along with value-added services that help customers mitigate risk and drive product innovation.

Miller employs approximately 400 people at four western Pennsylvania plant facilities. The company provides a broad range of solutions, including industrial fabrication; coating and finishing; welding; mechanical assembly; machining; on-time production; capacity management; inventory control; logistics optimization; and value engineering /value analysis. Learn more about Millers completed and ongoing projects by visiting https://millerfabricationsolutions.com/gallery/.

About Miller Fabrication Solutions

Established in 1963, Miller Fabrication Solutions is the strategic fabrication partner for innovative, global OEMs. Miller delivers high-quality metal parts and assemblies through its extensive value-added and manufacturing solutions. With a core focus on modern technology and robotic automation coupled with lean processes, the Miller Customer Experience works to ensure that complex project measures are exceeded now and well into the future. OEMs can learn how to transform their metal manufacturing processes by scheduling a free consultation.


Promoting and protecting Open Source software, development & communities through education and advocacy We stand ready to share our knowledge and collaborate with like-minded organizations globally. This effort not only underscores the significance of Open Source in our interconnected world, but also the imperative for informed and inclusive policy making.

The public policy team of the Open Source Initiative (OSI) has launched the Open Policy Alliance (OPA), a new program aimed at building and supporting a coalition of underrepresented voices from public benefit and charitable foundations. The OPA, has been created in response to increased demand for public dialog and stakeholder engagement in the Open Source software community as well as adjacent areas such as open content, research, AI and data.

Open Source ecosystem veteran Deborah Bryant, OSI US policy director, will lead the program. While Open Source is a global, borderless activity, public policies are developed locally, said Bryant. The OPA will focus on education in the US while exchanging and sharing information with like-minded organizations globally. The OPA seeks to empower these voices and enable them to actively participate in educating and informing US public policy decisions related to Open Source software, content, research and education.

The need to create such a program is more urgent today due to the rise of new regulations in the software industry and adjacent open domains around the world. Cyber security, the societal impact of AI, data and privacy are important issues for legislators globally. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic drove collaborative development to unprecedented levels and took Open Source software, open research, open content and data from mainstream to main stage. Moving forward, developing these important public policies whilst not harming the ecosystem requires an understanding of how the Open Source ecosystem works. Ensuring stakeholders without historic benefit of representation are included in those discussions becomes paramount to that end.

The OPA will focus on educating public policy makers on Open Source to inform their development and deliberation of new policy concepts. There are unintended consequences that come from a lack of understanding of how open collaboration works in practice. The OPA will address this as well as the historic absence of contribution from underrepresented groups. The interest areas of the OPA community will complement those of Digitable Public Goods Alliance, a UNICEF multi-stakeholder initiative with a mission to accelerate the attainment of sustainable development goals in low- and middle-income countries that OSI joined earlier this year.

*Quotes from founding organizations of the OPA*

"Open Source has changed the way we build software and the way the world interacts with technology for the better, said Deb Nicholson, executive director, Python Software Foundation. Now more than ever, policy makers need to hear from community-driven Open Source projects about how policy changes will affect developers, users and the future of collaboration. We're glad the Open Source Initiative is bringing charitable foundations together to help provide that expertise."

"Open Source is in danger as the regulatory landscape around software is evolving, said Thierry Carrez, general manager of the Open Infrastructure Foundation. Who better than the OSI to gather and amplify the voices of the communitys Open Source organizations so that

everyone can participate in that discussion? As an affiliate organization of the OSI, the OpenInfra Foundation is proud to join the OPA and increase our collaboration around such a timely initiative, as it complements work we already have underway with our hubs in Europe and Asia."

Open@RIT is honored to have been invited to join the OPA as a founding organization. We began teaching our students and faculty to become FOSS contributors and release their academic and research work in the open for 15 years, said Stephen Jacobs, director. During that time, the majority of our efforts have centered on supporting humanitarian and civic projects with organizations such as UNICEF, the New York state government and project communities like P5JS and Csound. Because of the wide diversity of practices in these types of communities, its been challenging to put a representative voice out there that addresses their common needs; particularly around infrastructure and support for the communities that drive the technology forward and keep it stable. The OPA looks to fill that need. Weve worked with Deb Bryant for over a decade and are pleased to hear that shell bring her wide and deep understanding of FOSS across the not-for-profit and for-profit worlds to the organization.

"As advocates for digital openness, OpenForum Europe recognizes the opportunity presented by the Open Policy Alliance to give more voices and ideas a platform in digital policy development, said Astor Nummelin Carlberg, executive director. We stand ready to share our knowledge and collaborate with like-minded organizations globally. This effort not only underscores the significance of Open Source in our interconnected world, but also the imperative for informed and inclusive policy making."

The FreeBSD Foundation is excited to participate in the OPA and thanks OSI for taking this initiative. Open Source has become ubiquitous, with one code-scanning company finding that 96% of ALL codebases contain Open Source, said Deb Goodkin, executive director. This means that securing and maintaining Open Source is necessary to securing our digital infrastructure. However, Open Source is not unitary. Much Open Source is corporate-backed, but many projects, such as FreeBSD, are community-driven. It is vital that policy makers understand the differences in these models in order to ensure that policies result in the desired outcomes.

Public benefit and charitable foundations with an interest in Open Source software, content, research and education are encouraged to join the OPA. By working together, the coalition members will amplify their collective impact, creating a more inclusive and equitable future for Open Source. Founding organizations of the Open Policy Alliance include the non-profit organizations:

Apereo Foundation

FreeBSD Foundation

open@RIT

OpenInfra Foundation

Plone Foundation

Python Software Foundation

Associazione LibreItalia

The Document Foundation

Eclipse Foundation

KDE Foundation

OpenForum Europe

Open Source Hong Kong

OpenStreetMap Foundation

OSI Executive Director Stefano Maffulli will discuss the global policy landscape and the role the OPA will play in it at FOSSY 2023 in Portland, Ore on July 15th. For more information about the OPA, email openpolicy@opensource.org or visit its web page.

About the Open Source Initiative

Founded in 1998, the Open Source Initiative (OSI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with global scope formed to educate about and advocate for the benefits of Open Source and to build bridges among different constituencies in the Open Source community. It is the steward of the Open Source Definition, setting the foundation for the global Open Source ecosystem. Join and support the OSI mission today at https://opensource.org/join.

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In todays environment where efficient growth is paramount, go-to-market teams need the expansive high quality B2B data assets SalesIntel provides in their analytics and AI models to effectively compete and win.

SalesIntel, the leading go-to-market intelligence platform in North America, today announced a partnership with Databricks Marketplace. As part of the Databricks Marketplace GA availability celebration at the Data + AI Summit in San Francisco this week, SalesIntel was added to help fuel go-to-market efficiency for B2B teams through AI modeling and analytics combining 1st party and 3rd party data from SalesIntel.

The availability of SalesIntels B2B intelligence in our Marketplace is a huge benefit to sales, marketing, and revops teams looking to drive efficiency. Comments Jay Bhankharia, Senior Director, Data Provider Partnerships at Databricks. In todays environment where efficient growth is paramount, go-to-market teams need the expansive high quality B2B data assets SalesIntel provides in their analytics and AI models to effectively compete and win.

SalesIntel B2B account technographic and contact data available through the Databricks Marketplace includes customized data deliverables representing:



300 million unique technology install across 22 million accounts

- Account targeting details includes 18,000 technologies, nicely organized in a unique and detailed taxonomy comprising 19 categories, and 172 sub-categories

- Account news data covering 32 news types over 5 categories spanning over seven-six thousand publishers

- Account firmographic data for 19 unique variables across these same 22 million accounts

90 million email-verified contacts

- Contact targeting details include +18 million ~95% accurate human-verified contacts, and titles focused on influencers and decision-makers

Manoj Ramnani, CEO and Founder of SalesIntel, said, Databricks Marketplace is an incredible resource for teams on the cutting edge of AI-driven go-to-market analytics. Making SalesIntel B2B account and contact data available on the Marketplace is a natural fit to help these innovators accomplish their goal of improving pipeline efficiency.

About SalesIntel.

Find Your People. Build Your Pipeline.

SalesIntel is a revenue intelligence platform that helps marketing, sales, and revenue operations teams deliver up to a 5x improvement in pipeline efficiency.

We do this in four simple steps:



We identify your ideal customers (ICP) from among 22 million accounts profiled by 300 million unique technology install data points.

We surface accounts that are actively in-market for your product or service by using best-in-breed intent, company news, and web-visitor data.

We provide verified contact information for decision-makers from our database of 100M+ contacts with emails and mobile phone numbers

We act as an extension of your team to fill any contact or account data gaps by leveraging our 2,000+ person research team

all while providing world-class customer service

Our customers are savvy revenue teams from industry-leading companies  ServiceTitan, ProGlove, Openprise, and Veranex  who understand that improving pipeline efficiency in todays challenging economy is key to revenue growth.

Weve provided quality data to the industry for over 15 years and only recently made it available directly to you.

See us in action at http://www.salesintel.io.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, July 12. Turkmenistan ranked 78th in the recent global passport ranking compiled by Canadian Arton Capital consulting company, Trend reports.

According to Arton Capital, Turkmenistan's rating remained unchanged compared to the end-2022 report.

Citizens of Turkmenistan can visit 17 countries visa-free, obtain visas on arrival to 46 more countries and require a visa for 135 countries in advance.

The leader of the rating is the UAE passport, whose owners can travel without a visa to 125 countries, while in 55 countries they can get a visa on arrival, and in advance, a visa is required only in 18 countries.

The rating is based on the number of countries that the passport holder can visit without a visa as well as the countries where the passport holder can receive a visa on arrival.
T3 Sixty Primary Logo - Blue "Implementing these recommendations will make the whole industry more resilient and improve service to consumers." Jack Miller, President and CEO, T3 Sixty

T3 Sixty, the nations leading real estate management consultancy, has penned a letter to industry leaders with recommendations for responding to the building regulatory and legal scrutiny of the industrys compensation structure.

Earlier this month, a Massachusetts multiple listing service, MLS PIN, settled a $3 million class-action lawsuit over buyer-broker compensation. Two additional compensation-focused class action lawsuits have been certified and are working their way through the courts, and a U.S. Department of Justice probe is under appeal. T3 Sixty recognizes that fundamental changes to the way brokers and agents get paid are at the industrys doorstep.

Consequently, T3 Sixty President and CEO Jack Miller and Executive Chairman Stefan Swanepoel have sent a letter to the industry, urging brokerages and service providers to proactively prepare now to better serve consumers, reduce risk and smartly prepare for what could be next.

Among their recommendations:



The National Association of Realtors (NAR) should amend policy to require buyers brokers to have signed buyer broker representation agreements that clearly explain compensation terms before showing any MLS-listed property.

Brokerages should require signed buyer agency agreements as soon as agents begin working with buyers.

Educational and marketing materials from brokerages, companies, and agents should be developed to better explain the value a buyer agent provides.

Miller stressed the need for those in the industry to be prepared to discuss the compensation issue with constituents. Implementing these recommendations will make the whole industry more resilient and improve service to consumers, he said. The full letter can be viewed here.

About T3 Sixty

T3 Sixty is the leading management consultancy in the residential real estate industry with business units in brokerage, technology, mergers and acquisitions and organized real estate. The group also provides software and data, extensive research and reports, executive search and event management services. For more information, visit t360.com.
Benefits of Multiple Interviews for Job Seekers "Finding the balance between getting to know a candidate and facilitating too long of an interview process is tough but worth it to create a tenured, invested workforce." - Express CEO Bill Stoller

American job seekers and employers agree that more than one interview is necessary when filling open positions, but while candidates say two should suffice, some hiring managers believe that number should be closer to five.

This is according to a recent survey from The Harris Poll commissioned by Express Employment Professionals.

Participating job seekers understand the interview process isnt one and done, as 83% believe they should participate in more than one interview before receiving a job offer with two in five (41%) ideally participating in two interviews. Very few expect more than five interviews.

Conversely, 4 in 10 hiring managers (40%) say candidates can expect to go through two interviews before receiving an offer while 15% say job seekers can expect to go through five or more interviews at their company.

Both groups agree multiple interviews are beneficial for several reasons including job seekers ability to ask follow-up questions (56%), gain information on the position (56%), meet other employees within the company (47%) and ensure the company culture is a fit. Hiring managers say these extended opportunities allow them to better evaluate candidates personalities (50%) and skills (48%), ensure their fit with the companys culture (47%) and get other employees perspectives on the prospective colleague (41%).

Taking too long to extend an employment offer, however, could also have consequences.

Job seekers say the drawbacks include the additional time added to the process (52%), delays landing a job (45%), adds additional costs (39%), could accept another job offer in the meantime (32%) or may become fatigued or disillusioned with the business (27%).

Hiring managers add that lengthy interview processes could also lead to subjective decision-making (26%) or biases (24%).

Finding the Right Balance

In the middle part of the country, Express franchise owners Greg Sulentic and Alyssa Chumbley have seen a significant increase in applicants recently, and Sulentic says oddly enough, its taking slightly longer to fill jobs.

Even though we have far more candidates available for every position, clients are being more selective and taking longer to make hiring decisions, the Nebraska franchisee added. The urgency has dissipated.

Just a few states away in Indiana, Chumbley says her clients have fewer openings and want to find individuals who are better long-term fits for their organization.

Companies believe if they slow up or add more steps in the interview process, they will have a better chance at identifying these applicants, she said. However, the competition for talent is still fierce, so dragging out the timeframe of hiring people may not be the best solution to compete in this market.

Regarding a lengthy hiring journey, both Sulentic and Chumbley see the benefits of thoroughly vetting an applicant.

Internally, we require a minimum of four interviews with four different staff members, Sulentic said. When staff members are involved in the decision-making process, their buy-in improves, and they're more willing to develop and train the incoming new employee.

Dont wait too long to extend an offer, however, or you may lose top talent to competitors.

Time is money, meaning the more time you allow to pass in the hiring process, the more likely the candidate will be approached with another opportunity, Chumbley said. This adds to a decrease in loss of production for the client. Keep the candidate thoroughly engaged if you so choose to extend the hiring process to limit the risk of having to start the search over again.

Its easy to want to fast-track filling open positions, but making bad hires is costly in time and money, according to Express Employment International CEO Bill Stoller.

Finding the balance between getting to know a candidate and facilitating too long of an interview process is tough but worth it to create a tenured, invested workforce, he said.

Survey Methodology

The Job Insights survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals between June 13 and June 26, 2023, among 1,010 U.S. hiring decision-makers (defined as adults ages 18+ in the U.S. who are employed full-time or self-employed, work at companies with more than one employee, and have full/significant involvement in hiring decisions at their company). Data were weighted where necessary by company size to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within + 3.2 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest.

The Job Seeker survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals between June 13 and June 26, 2023, among 1,006 adults ages 18 and older. Data are weighted where necessary by age, gender, race/ethnicity, region, education, marital status, household size, household income and propensity to be online, to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population. Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within + 2.8 percentage points using a 95% confidence level.

***

If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bill Stoller to discuss this topic, please contact Sheena Hollander, Director of Corporate Communications and PR, at (405) 717-5966.

About Bill Stoller

William H. "Bill" Stoller is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment International. Founded in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the international staffing franchisor supports the Express Employment Professionals franchise and related brands. The Express franchise brand is an industry-leading, international staffing company with franchise locations in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

About Express Employment Professionals

At Express Employment Professionals, were in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 579,000 people globally in 2022 and more than 10 million since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com.


Unbabel With these advancements in our LangOps Platform, customers can now experience the power of machine translation with confidence and at scale.

Unbabel, the AI-powered Language Operations (LangOps) platform that helps businesses deliver multilingual customer experience at scale, today announced the release of its new LangOps Platform, designed to offer a holistic approach to multilingual content and communication and provide organizations with transparency and control over every aspect of language across their business. With their next generation platform, Unbabel customers will be able to calibrate machine translation to meet their specific goals for communications and content, supported by visibility into ROI performance and ultimately resulting in increased translation speed and reduced cost.

With the demand for enterprise translation rapidly growing, and the industry experiencing more than $5 billion in growth over the previous two years business managers have become daunted by the endless need for content translation and frustrated by the lack of scalable, user-friendly solutions. Now, with Unbabels new LangOps Platform, customers can control the exact level of quality, speed and price of translation leading to unmatched visibility. With the addition of Unbabels one-of-its-kind Quality Estimation tool, artificial intelligence determines what translations need to be automated, and what needs human refinement in order to meet customers quality goals, leading to new levels of cost efficiency.

Unbabel always strives to create the most accurate, efficient translation experience possible to truly eliminate language barriers and help our customers reach new audiences, said Vasco Pedro, Co-founder and CEO of Unbabel. Up until now, businesses havent been able to fully take advantage of AI in translation but our new platform is making the benefits of AI more accessible than ever. With these advancements in our LangOps Platform, customers can now experience the power of machine translation with confidence and at scale.

In addition to cost savings and improved translation quality, Unbabels LangOps Platform will offer easy to manage and control translation workflows, and deep visibility into translation usage and quality; allowing customers to monitor and drive strategic business outcomes. Additional platform features and benefits include:



Quality Estimation (QE): QE predicts machine translation quality and automates high quality machine translations while intelligently triaging content that needs human review

Pipeline Manager: Users are able to create, review, and manage translation pipelines with clarity for speed, quality, and cost.

Quality & Usage Reporting: While quality reporting provides visibility into the quality scores of all translations, usage report offers in-depth visibility into consumption across time, content type, language pairs and integrations.

LangOps-as-a-Service: With LangOps-as-a-service, customers can experience expert linguistic support, in order to optimize translations and meet business goals.

To learn more about Unbabels new LangOps Platform and book a demo, visit https://unbabel.com/langops_platform/.

About Unbabel

Unbabel eliminates language barriers so that businesses can thrive across cultures and geographies. The companys Language Operations platform blends advanced artificial intelligence with humans in the loop, for fast, efficient, high-quality translations that get smarter over time. Unbabel helps enterprises grow into new global markets and builds customer trust by creating more consistent, high-quality multilingual customer experiences across marketing and customer service. Based in San Francisco, CA, Unbabel works with leading brands such as Booking.com, Nestle, Panasonic, Patagonia, and UPS, to communicate effortlessly with customers around the world, no matter what language they speak.
Aaron Smith Aaron brings a client-focused mindset, a caring attitude, and an expansive history to one of the most exciting aviation communities in the world.

Aaron Smith, a longtime Florida Department of Transportation aviation manager, has joined Woolpert as a program director. With over 25 years of experience in the aviation industry, Smiths expertise in aviation system planning, airport development, program funding policy, and allocation, and safety regulations specific to Florida will help Woolpert provide infrastructure and operational improvements for its general aviation and commercial airport clients throughout the region.

It feels good to be able to continue serving Florida in this next chapter of my career, Smith said. With Woolpert, Im looking forward to building upon my longstanding relationships with the states community of public and private sector aviation professionals, working in partnership to ensure Florida maintains its reputation as a worldwide leader in aviation and aerospace.

At FDOT, Smith earned numerous awards, earning the Florida Airports Councils Aviation Leadership Award and being named the FDOT Division of Strategic Development Leader of the Year. He led the states $250 million annual aviation infrastructure program and directed the development and implementation of a five-year, $1.5 billion infrastructure work program. A longtime member of the American Association of Airport Executives, Smith also served as FDOTs representative to local, state, and federal agencies, boards, and industry associations.

Woolperts aviation practice has been built on a bedrock of unique and diverse experiences and backgrounds. Aaron's knowledge of the state, its regulations, and funding greatly benefits our Florida clients and beyond, Woolpert Aviation Practice Lead Zach Shuman said. Aaron brings a client-focused mindset, a caring attitude, and an expansive history to one of the most exciting aviation communities in the world.

About Woolpert

Woolpert is the premier architecture, engineering, geospatial (AEG), and strategic consulting firm, with a vision to become one of the best companies in the world. We innovate within and across markets to effectively serve public, private, and government clients worldwide. Woolpert is a Global Top 100 Geospatial Company, a Top 100 ENR Global Design firm, earned six straight Great Place to Work certifications, and actively nurtures a culture of growth, inclusion, diversity, and respect. Founded in 1911 in Dayton, Ohio, Woolpert has been Americas fastest-growing AEG firm since 2015. Woolpert has over 2,000 employees and more than 60 offices on five continents.

For more, visit woolpert.com.
This July, YA author Nicki Pau Preto follows up her Crown of Feathers trilogy with Bonesmitha duology-opening dark fantasy introducing Wren Graven, a bonesmith who is able to psychically sense and move bone. After Wren fails her trial to become to become a ghost-battling Valkyr, her family exiles her to the Border Wall, where a series of unexpected events forces Wren to venture into a revenant-infested wasteland with enemy ironsmith Julian Knight to rescue goldsmith prince Leo Valorian. PW spoke with Pau Preto about Bonesmiths origins, her genesis as a writer, and the ways her visual arts background influences her writing style.

What character, scene, setting, or concept served as the initial seed for Bonesmith?

For a lot of my books, Ill have bits of ideas floating around my head or written in notes, but it never really feels like a book until those items cross paths. With Bonesmith, it started like I was plotting a different book. I was thinking about this person being forced to team up with an enemy to rescue someone. And then I was thinking, why are they enemies? Maybe it has something to do with their magic. I was tinkering with an elemental magic system, something sort of like Avatar: The Last Airbender. I played with metals and different ideas, but it wasnt until I thought of using bone as a material that suddenly I was like, Ohhh! And then the book went in a completely different direction in terms of the world. Suddenly there were ghosts and the undead, and that wasnt at all a part of my original concept. So, I guess the spark was using bone as a magical material. Thats when I was like, Now I know what this book is. It just took off from there.

Did you have your core cast of characters in mind from the start?

I had the main trio in mind, even though they were very nebulous at that point. From early on, I liked the idea of making my main character rescue a prince. You know, sort of a subversion of the princess trope. And then I assumed, OK, shes going to team up with an enemy, and of course theres going to be a romance there. So, I guess that trio was solidified pretty early on, but who they were changed once I had a better grasp on the world and what I was doing. Then suddenly the characters, instead of just being archetypes, started to be real.

There are two male characters with whom your heroine, Wren, spends a lot of time, but only one of them is a potential love interest; the other, though handsome and flirty, is decidedly comic relief. Were you ever tempted to write a love triangle, or was this always the dynamic you had in mind?

I know when I first gave my friend this book to read she thought that the comic relief characterthe princewas going to be the love interest, and she was like, Ooo! But then she met the ironsmith, and was like, Oh, now I get it! [Wren and the prince] just felt like a fun friendship, and knowing who they are as people, it seemed natural that they would flirt with each other. It never really felt to me like it was going to go that way, but I didnt feel like I needed to shut that down, or make it extremely clear that it would never happen, because who knows? Im still working on the sequel. But for this part of their journey, it just didnt feel right.

Your worldbuilding and underlying mythology are very complex, both in the Crown of Feathers trilogy and in Bonesmith. Do you take time to build out all of that before you start writing?

I do a lot of work up front. I feel like I cant help myself, even when I try really hard. Because Crown of Feathers was so sprawling and so long, I told myself, Im going to make this next book really simple. But I dont think Im capable of that. I love to come up with a concept and explore it to its end: Where can I take this? How could this work? But I also do a lot while Im writing, because things need to change and grow with the story. I find as Im writing that I like surprises, I like to subvert the rules that I made for myself; I like to keep things flexible. As much as I love worldbuilding and all of that, it needs to serve the story and not the other way around.

How do you know when its time to stop worldbuilding and start writing? Do you set a hard-stop date?

I dont, reallymore like, Oh God, my deadlines coming, I need to get it in gear! Because in the up-front stage everything is very abstract, Im eventually like, OK, I need to write the story now, because I dont know the answers to everything yet. You discover things as you write, so as much as I like to lay out a map and figure out where people are, what things do, some things I just cant know until Im in the story. So, I think I kind of hit a wall on my own. Like, OK, Ive done enough. Ive got a theoretical plotlets see if it actually makes sense when I write it. Does this work, does it feel silly, or does it just not come across the way I hoped? And then I have to adjust.

Did you draw on any other cultures or mythologies in creating the universe in which Bonesmith is set?

No, I didntyou know, besides the melting pot that is my brain. I studied a lot of historyart history, actually, which is what I went to school for. So, I have a lot of stuff in my head, but nothing that Im like, OK, Im basing this on this, and this on that. I wanted to use known facts, or known concepts, about ghosts, and kind of fiddle and tweak what Im interested in. Most of my familiarity with ghosts is, like, our worldcontemporary stuff. I think Im more inspired by fiction Ive read than real-world stuff.

Did you learn anything in writing the Crown of Feathers trilogy that has informed or changed your approach to this new series? Were there any decisions you vowed not to repeat, or things you wished youd done that youre going to implement this time around?

Oh God, yes, but did I listen to myself? No! I knew I didnt want these books to be as long as the Crown of Feathers books, because that was exhausting and really hard to do. The Crown of Feathers books were also multi-POV, which I swore I wouldnt do. I added in a few extra points of view in Bonesmith despite telling myself I didnt want to, but theres much less [hopping around] than there was in Crown of Feathers. I wanted this to be a more streamlined story, so those decisions definitely informed what I was doing.

Do you prefer writing series over standalones?

I think my ideas tend toward fantasy series. Series are obviously popular in fantasy, and its what I like to read. I love big, long, sprawling stories, and its so satisfying when arcs come togetherthings that have been brewing for many books. But after having written a couple series back to back, I cant deny that I am daydreaming about writing a standalone book.

You have multiple degrees in art and art history and worked as a graphic designer before becoming a writer full-time. What prompted the switch in artistic mediums?

I was a really late bloomer. I didnt read my first novel until I was 17. I was always an artistic kid and really creative, but I wasnt into reading when I was young. I think I wasnt being given the right books. No ones fault, necessarily, but I was never able to get into the classics; I could never read the kinds of books assigned in school. It wasnt until someone handed me the right bookThe Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. It rocked my world. I was like, Oh, my God! This is incredible. I love that series. So I decided in my late teens, I want to try writing a book. But I knew I was really far behind, and I knew that I had to do a lot of reading, and I had to catch up. So I turned to art, with the intention of maybe being a teacher or a professor one daythats why I did my masters. But I really didnt enjoy academia at that level, so thats when I pivoted to graphic design, and I started pursuing my writing more seriously then. I knew enough about the industry to realize it would be hard, that you dont make a living just walking into it, and that it takes time, so I started by trying to have a two-career path. Its hilarious that I went for art, as though its some kind of guaranteed job. Writing was on the back burner then, but once I switched to graphic design, writing really came to the forefront for me.

Do you think having a background in visual arts influences the way you write?

I think it probably does. Its part of why I love worldbuilding so much, because when Im studying art and art history, its all about the context of each creationthe world in which they were made, from ancient art to more contemporary. Who made it and why, where they fit in the global context. I studied a lot of classics in relation to art history, and so much of what we know about these cultures comes through the art and the architecture. I think thats why it all interests meIm into the visuals, Im into the society, the culture. Im a fairly visual writer, so thats probably just part of who I am, toosomeone with an artists eye.

What drew you to writing for teens?

I guess its what I was reading at the time that I decided I wanted to be a writer. I went quickly from Philip Pullman to adult fantasy, but I found adult fantasy sometimes hard to connect with. I was struggling to find female-led fantasy stories. Tamora Pierce was probably the first author I foundshe was writing YA before YA was really a thing, and I just loved her female-led approach. Epic fantasy, but with girlsshe just had a hold on me.

What are you working on now?

Im working on my middle grade novel, which comes out next fall. Its called The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents, and its just a super fun, contemporary fantasy magic school story. Its basically about the kids who get expelled from regular magic school and wind up at The Last Hope School. Theyve all got very wacky, uncontrollable magic, and are sort of outcasts. My main character is just trying to find her way to fitting in with all these other outcasts. Its been a great counterpoint to writing this very dark YA epic fantasy, as Im also working on the sequel to Bonesmithkind of hopping between the two. Theyre a nice break from each other.

Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto. McElderry, $21.99 July 25 ISBN 978-1-66591-059-0
Our origin story is unique, Victoria Scott-Miller said about Liberation Station, a Raleigh, N.C., indie bookstore owned and operated by her and her family that opened its doors on the weekend of June 1719, to coincide with the Juneteenth holiday. It was, Scott-Miller said, a three-day meteoric grand opening celebration that drew 4,000 people to West Fayetteville Street for a full slate of author appearances, music, and activities. Liberation Station, which specializes in childrens and YA books by Black authors and illustrators, is North Carolinas first Black-owned childrens bookstore, replacing a pop-up bookstore of the same name. Scott-Miller, who is a childrens book author, operated the pop-up for four years with her family, having launched it in 2019 with 113 childrens books written by Black authors or illustrated by Black illustrators that convey positive representations of Black children and their families.

While the direct impetus to sell books was in response to the lack of books by Black authors or illustrators featuring Black children as protagonists when Scott-Miller browsed at a Barnes & Noble four years ago with her eldest son, Langston, who was then eight years old, she said the decision was perhaps inevitable. My husband, Duane Miller, was a nuclear mechanic on a submarine and he was stationed in Hawaii, she said. After hed gotten out of the military, we needed to make a fresh start and so we chose Raleigh as our new home. I was unemployed, being a stay-at-home mom, and my husband was unemployed, unable to find a job because he was over-qualified. We were at a crossroads.

In the wake of that visit to B&N that resulted in such disappointment, Scott-Miller recalled, she and Miller told their son, Were going to start a bookstore because we know that you need to have a space that is specifically carved out for you. They initially sold books from the trunk of their car. Citing the familys experience with the military, Scott-Miller explained that operating a pop-up bookstore that moved around the Research Triangle cities of Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Durham was easy for us. It was compartmentalized, it traveled well, and it would allow us to have the mobility we needed without the financial infrastructure of a building.

Sales remained strong during the pandemic as Liberation Station launched an online bookstore and then spiked during what Scott-Miller called the awakening following the murder of George Floyd. Despite their success, the family decided to hold off on moving into a permanent location. We wanted to be on the ground, with the people who were collectively grieving, she said. But as they entered 2023, the family decided the time is now to move into a permanent location, especially because Miller is now working full-time in a laboratory.

Putting Down Roots

It felt like this is a good time, Scott-Miller said. We need something that will heal our community as we go into an election season. Were looking at the climate, both the social and literary climate, and whats going on in the public schools. Were ready for it. Now we get to create a unique cultural hub that is a community-centered, community-driven space for self-discovery and the activation of our work.

Scott-Miller said that she and her family take a collective approach, a family approach to book buying, explaining that they continually query each other:  What are your interests right now? What are you curious about? What do you want to discover more about? We then go and research those topics, and we look for authors and illustrators who fit the demographic that we wish to serve. And then we buy those books as a family first, for our own home library. It gives us an opportunity to read every book before we put it on the shelf. The selection process is really intentional. Part of the magic of our store is that we have a relationship with every book.

Liberation Station typically stocks five copies of each title, including Scott-Millers own books. She estimates that there are about 400 fiction and nonfiction titles in stock at the store, which is 364 square feet in size. There are also currently 35 boxes of books in storage, available for restocking when necessary.

I love the fact that we change titles all the time, because our store doesnt have to be defined, Scott-Miller said. The declaration that we hope to make by having this space is that you dont have to put yourself in a box; you can be an artist one day and a scientist the next. You can have varied interests, and I hope we have something that appeals to you.

Reading Is a Journey

The store is divided into four topic areas: the Diaspora Wall features books that follow the transatlantic map. Every part of our journey leading up to America is hyper-focused in that space. The second section is Americadialing into the vastness of Black childhood, as I like to say, with books ranging from board books to YA reads by Black authors or illustrators, including Black authors from Black publishing houses or from Black-led imprints. The third section, which Scott-Miller is particularly proud of, is called the Banned Books Wall. In addition to displaying banned books by Black authors, the store is collaborating with Black educators around the country, asking them, What do you want in your classroom that is being challenged? The wall displays photos of the educators who respond, along with a listing of their school district and its location, and what they hope to gain with the book being accessible in their state. The fourth section of the store is called the Anchor, and features adult books that are paired with childrens books on the same topic or featuring similar themes.

The goal is that you would take these two titles together and be able to have a conversation with your children about that particular subject. Book pairings include The Stuff of Stars by Marion Dane Bauer, illustrated by Ekua Holmes, along with Neil deGrasse Tysons Cosmic Queries: StarTalks Guide to Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where Were Going.

Another pairing that Scott-Miller is especially excited about is Going Places: Victor Hugo Green and His Glorious Book by Tonya Bolden, illustrated by Eric Velasquez, along with the actual Green Book.

A Black family is an anomaly in a lot of spaces, Scott-Miller pointed out two weeks after Liberation Station opened for business. You might come in and see my husband holding a child, or our youngest son, Emerson, coloring with crayons, or you might see Langston playing the cello. Its so different, the dynamic of our store, because were living in it.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 12. China has appointed new ambassador to the Republic of Uzbekistan, Trend reports.

Thus, Yu Jun has been appointed new extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of China to Uzbekistan, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Tashkent said.

"The Chinese Embassy in Uzbekistan will be firmly committed to China's foreign policy towards Uzbekistan, work together with friendly representatives of Uzbek society, actively implement important agreements of the two heads of state, promote the alignment of development strategies, promote friendly exchanges in various fields, deepen comprehensive mutually beneficial cooperation, permanently strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, promote further the development of the Chinese-Uzbek comprehensive strategic partnership in a new era," the newly appointed ambassador said in his welcoming statement.

Prior to this appointment, Yu Jun has worked in various departments and offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as in embassies and consulates abroad.

In February 2023, Ambassador Jiang Yan completed her diplomatic mission in Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, China ranked first among the main trade partners of Uzbekistan from January through May 2023 with turnover totaling $4.5 billion. China also ranks third in terms of new enterprises with foreign capital created in the country over the first 5 months of the current year with a total of 245 enterprises.
Award-winning childrens author and former U.S. Childrens Poet Laureate Mary Ann Hoberman, widely recognized for her playful picture books focused on the everyday wonders, relationships, and experiences of childhood, died July 7 in her home in Greenwich, Conn., following a long illness. She was 92.

Hoberman was born August 12, 1930, in Stamford, Conn., the oldest child of Milton and Dorothy Miller Freedman. She grew up primarily in Stamford, where her childhood was filled with good neighbors, friends, and classmates, and treasured weekly trips to the public library. A voracious reader, she also entertained thoughts of writing in those days. From as far back as I can remember in any contiguous waythat is when ones earliest memories begin to hold each others hands, so to speakI have always wanted to be a writer, Hoberman wrote in her 1994 autobiography for Something About the Author.

Upon graduating from Stamford High, Hoberman enrolled in Smith College. In 1949, she was a member of Smiths first junior year abroad groupwhich also included future first lady Jacqueline Bouvierto travel to France since before World War II. A memorable summer as part of a work brigade in Yugoslavia followed, before she returned home.

During her senior year at Smith, she met Norman Hoberman, then a senior at Harvard Law School, on a blind date. The couple married in February 1951, with each vowing to finish their respective studies. Later that year, her B.A. in history in hand, Hoberman landed a job writing society and human-interest stories for a daily newspaper in Harrisburg, Pa., near the Air Force base where her husband began his military service at the Office of Special Investigations. Norm was subsequently stationed in Newfoundland, and the Hobermans first daughter was born there in 1953.

After the Korean War, the Hobermans and their three small children settled in Cambridge, Mass., where Norm changed course from a legal career to study architecture, and Hoberman found work as a freelance childrens book copy editor at Little, Brown, working with Mary Rackliffe. Though she had not intended to write for children, Hoberman found herself giving it a try when she was inspired to make up rhymes for her own kids. In 1955, she crafted some verses about various types of shoes, and Norm provided some illustrations to go with them. At Rackliffes suggestion, Hoberman mailed the manuscript to Helen Jones, childrens editor at Little, Brown, and in 1957 All My Shoes Come in Twos was published. As an author-illustrator team, the Hobermans published four more books with Little, Brown in the 1960s.

By 1960, the Hobermans were building a new house in Greenwich, Conn., designed by Norm and not far from his architecture job in New York City. The family welcomed a fourth child in 1963, and Hoberman accepted a part-time position with the New York Graphic Society in their Greenwich office, where she edited various projects and was tasked with launching a childrens book department. But after two years, she left NYGS, citing her desire to get back to her own writing and spend more time with her children.

Another creative detour was around the corner. A chance meeting with a fellow childrens writer in Greenwich led Hoberman to a simultaneous career writing and performing in puppet plays and musicals for children as part of a troupe called the Pocket People from the late 1960s until 1975. All the while, she kept up with her poetry, publishing several books, including A Little Book of Little Beasts, illustrated by Peter Parnall. In 1978, Hoberman published A House Is a House for Me, illustrated by Betty Fraser (Viking, 1978), of which she said: House began with the title-cum-refrain, which popped into my head one day and refused to depart until I had written the entire poem. Much of it almost seemed to write itself. The paperback edition of that book won the 1983 National Book Award in the childrens paperback picture book category.

When Hoberman became an empty nester in 1982, she started her own graduate studies in the English department at Yale, hoping to beef up her teaching credentials for the Creative Writing for Children course she taught at Fairfield University. She earned her M.A. in English literature in 1985.

Hoberman continued to publish at a steady pace throughout the 1990s and the 2000s, delivering such titles as The Seven Silly Eaters, illustrated by Marla Frazee (Harcourt, 1997); One of Each, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman (Little, Brown, 1997); and All Kinds of Families!, illustrated by Marc Boutavant (Little, Brown, 2009). Little, Brown is also home to her bestselling You Read to Me, Ill Read to You series of books, illustrated by Michael Emberley, and designed for children and adults to read to each other. This particular project grew out of her longtime literacy advocacy and volunteer work with Literacy Volunteers of America.

In all, Hoberman created more than 45 books for young readers. She served as the Poetry Foundations Childrens Poet Laureate (now known as the Young Peoples Poet Laureate) from 20082011. Poetry was never far from her mind, and at the time of her death Hoberman was working on How Elegant the Elephant, a compilation of celebrated and unpublished poems about animals and insects, illustrated by Marla Frazee and scheduled for fall 2024 publication by Little, Brown.

Megan Tingley, president and publisher of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, offered this remembrance: Mary Ann and I worked together for my entire career, from the first month I started working at Little, Brown as an editorial assistant in 1987, until 2023 in my current role; publishing over 25 books together. For Mary Ann, writing poetry was as essential as breathing. She had a gift for finding the extraordinary in everyday thingsbuttons and pennies, butter and jamshe could write a poem about anything. She was still writing until the week she passed away, composing a new farewell poem to share at a bon voyage party she hosted for family and friends. That is quintessential Mary Anncreating joy out of a sorrowful occasion.

Linda Zuckerman, who edited several of Hoberman's books at Harcourt, said: "Mary Ann, my dear old friend and creator of wonders in rhyme, how I will miss you! Musical, impeccable and often funny verses that go straight to the hearts of young childrenhow did you do that? Working with you was an undiluted pleasurethe rare experience of writer and editor being of one mind from the very first. Thank you, Mary Ann. I am forever grateful."

Author and illustrator Marla Frazee shared this tribute: "It was such a lucky break when I got to illustrate The Seven Silly Eaters at the start of my career. Mary Ann Hobermans text was a marvel of wit, precision, storytelling (in perfect rhyme, no less), silliness, and deep emotional truths. Trying to pair pictures with that brilliance was an enormous challenge and responsibility. But I fell in love with her writing more and more with every day I worked on the book. Then when we finally met, I fell in love with her too. Im illustrating a collection of Mary Ann Hoberman poems right now. As I continue the work, I will remember Mary Anns delight in all things and her contagious smile, and I hope I can channel even a fraction of her immense enthusiasm for life into my pictures."
Simon & Schuster imprint Gallery Books will publish Britney Spears's memoir, The Woman in Me, on October 24. The publisher called it "a brave and astonishingly moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith, and hope."

Gallery senior v-p and publisher Jennifer Bergstrom and executive editor Lauren Spiegel acquired world and audio rights from Creative Artists Agency, with S&S Audio simultaneously publishing the audio edition. S&S's U.K., Canada, Australia, and India divisions will also publish the book simultaneously in those markets. Foreign rights have been sold to publishers in 15 countries.

"In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voiceher truthwas undeniable and changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others," the publisher said in a reference to a 2021 hearing where Spears asked a Los Angeles superior court judge to end her 13-year court-ordered conservatorship. "The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journeyand the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history," the publisher said.

"Britneys compelling testimony in open court shook the world, changed laws, and showed her inspiring strength and bravery," Bergstrom said in a statement. "I have no doubt her memoir will have a similar impactand will be the publishing event of the year. We couldnt be more proud to help her share her story at last."
Milan Kundera, the critically-acclaimed author of the 1984 novel The Unbearable Lightness of Being, died at his Paris home on July 11, a spokesperson from his French publisher, Gallimard, confirmed. He was 94.

Born in 1929 in Brno, Czechoslovakia, Kundera's novels are known for their light, philosophical touch and acerbic views about the relationships between men and women, often set against the backdrop of the period of Communist rule in Czechoslovakia, between the years 1948 and 1989.

Kundera gained acclaim among readers abroad for the insights he offered into the machinations of Communism. His debut novel The Joke, published in 1967, was a satire about a Czechoslovakian student whose life is derailed after he makes fun of Communist slogans, PW called its publication "a key literary event of the Prague Spring," a short-lived period of liberalization in the country. The following year, Russia invaded, reasserting control, and Kundera's workswhich also included more than a decade's worth of poetry collections, essays, and playswere banned.

He was placed under state surveillance, but remained free from prison largely due to his public profile and popularity abroad. Philip Roth was an early champion of Kundera's work in the U.S. and helped publish the 1974 English translation of his 1969 story collection Laughable Loves.

In 1975, Kundera went into exile in France, where he would write his two most acclaimed and enduring works: the 1980 novel The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, published by Knopf, and The Unbearable Lightness of Being, published by Harper & Row. His Czechoslovak citizenship was revoked in 1979 (though reinstated in 2019) and he became a French citizen in 1981.

"Every one of my novels could be entitled The Unbearable Lightness of Being or The Joke or Laughable Loves; the titles are interchangeable, they reflect the small number of themes that obsess me, define me, and, unfortunately, restrict me," he told the Paris Review in 1985. "Beyond these themes, I have nothing else to say or to write."

The Unbearable Lightness of Being was an instant hit in the U.S. and internationally, and was reprinted into dozens of languages. The story follows a dissident surgeon and his wife and a lover from Prague to Geneva and back again. In 1988 it was adapted into a well-received film adaptation starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Juliette Binoche. Kundera found himself somewhat overwhelmed by the novel's reception, telling the Paris Review, "I've had an overdose of myself!"

Kundera was private and often reclusive, giving few interviews and refusing to be on camera. In one of his few public statements, a June 2012 speech to the French National Library, Kundera expressed fears for the future of literature.

"It seems to me that time, which continues its march pitilessly, is beginning to endanger books," he said. "Its because of this anguish that, for several years now, I have in all my contracts a clause stipulating that they must be published only in the traditional form of a book, that they be read only on paper and not on a screen. For a time, Kundera did not allow digital editions of his work, though today a Kindle version of The Unbearable Lightness of Being is available.

None of his books following The Unbearable Lightness of Being found the same level of commercial success, though he was a critical favorite. In 1985 he was awarded the Jerusalem Prize and the 2000 Herder Prize, among others and he was frequently cited as a potential candidate for the Nobel Prize.

Kundera's final novel, The Festival of Insignificance, was published in 2015. PW called it "a fitting bookend to Kunderas long career intersecting the absurd and the moral." In 2021, Kundera donated his archives and private library to the public library in Brno.

"My lifetime ambition has been to unite the utmost seriousness of question with the utmost lightness of form. Nor is this purely an artistic ambition," Kundera told the Paris Review. "The combination of a frivolous form and a serious subject immediately unmasks the truth about our dramasthose that occur in our beds as well as those that we play out on the great stage of Historyand their awful insignificance. We experience the unbearable lightness of being."
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 13. "Meyer Burger", a Swiss solar cells and modules manufacturing company, has expressed its intention to establish solar panel production in Uzbekistan, Trend reports.

The representatives of the company have visited the Chirchik Chemical-Industrial Technopark in Uzbekistan's Tashkent, where they were acquainted with the parks objectives, investment opportunities, and resident benefits. Following the meeting, the company's representatives expressed their intention to initiate the production of solar panels in Uzbekistan.

In recent years, Uzbekistan has signed 21 cooperation agreements with international companies for the construction of solar and wind power plants, as Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, the Minister of Energy of Uzbekistan, earlier said.

These agreements aim to develop solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 7 GW. Additionally, Uzbekistan has signed five contracts for the transportation of electricity generated for domestic needs, with a combined capacity of 2 GW.

Moreover, earlier this year, Minister Mirzamakhmudov announced that Uzbekistan has set a target to achieve a 25 percent share of renewables in its total energy balance by 2026.

According to Uzbekistans Statistics Committee, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Switzerland amounted to $192.8 million from January through May 2023, which is 2.5 times higher compared to $75.2 million in the same period of 2022.
Ukraine faces new perils. Not because of anything happening on the battlefield, but because Western impatience could force Ukraine into the spot it least wants to be in: at the negotiating table with Russia. Or, worse, not at the table where its future may be decided.

Ukraine's springnow summercounteroffensive is underway, but progress is slow. With no knockout blow from Ukraine and Russia's military leadership caught up in a Game of Thrones drama, some will argue it is time to wrap this conflict up before it turns into another quagmire or forever wareven if that means coercing Ukraine to accept an unfavorable settlement.

According to news reports out last week, former senior U.S. officials met with Russia's foreign minister this spring to discuss potential talks to end the Ukraine war. The White House and State Department said the Biden administration did not sanction or support the secret meetings, but that may not entirely dispel suspicions in Kyivor capitals in Europethat the United States might be looking for an offramp. As NATO begins its summit in Vilnius, President Biden could have to reassure nervous allies that the United States is not about to bail out.

Russia depends on fear and fatigue to weaken Western resolve and fracture the alliance that is crucial to Ukraine's survival. To make this strategy work, Putin must persuade Western audiences that Russia is unwilling to lose at any cost, that Russia sees this war as existential. Russia's former president and Putin ally Dmitry Medvedev has warned that the standoff between Moscow and the West will last for decades. The implication: The only exit for the West is acquiescence to Moscow's terms. The Ukrainians may want to continue the fighting; the West must intervene to stop them.

Perceptions of a stalemate lend weight to those who have suggested from early on that the war can be ended only by negotiations. Share on Twitter

Moscow's portrayal of the situation reinforces those Western observers who already believe the war is at a stalemate. Russia, despite its willingness to call up more troops and suffer appalling casualties, cannot crush Ukrainian resistance. Ukrainian forces, however heroic, tactically clever, and increasingly better armed, cannot drive the invaders out of the country. Perceptions of a stalemate lend weight to those who have suggested from early on that the war can be ended only by negotiations.

Proponents of negotiations advance several arguments. One is humanitarian. The West must intervene to save Ukrainian lives, and the lives of their own citizens, against possible Russian nuclear attacks. Putin keeps flashing the nuclear card to remind them of the peril. Moving the issue from the battlefield to the negotiating table also will allow the resumption of a continuous flow of grain shipments, saving the lives of those imperiled by global food shortages. And it will enable economically stressed governments to reallocate the costs of supporting Ukraine to meeting their own domestic needsand for the United States to focus its efforts on the China threat.

A negotiated end to the war also could get Western political leaders out of a tight spot. Support for Ukraine thus far has been more robust than anticipated, but public opinion on the war is divided and fickle, which Russian information warfare continues to exploit. Facing domestic opposition, political leaders could find it convenient to end the conflict. Others would be pleased to return to business-as-usual: cheap Russian gas, an end to bothersome sanctions, unimpeded globalization, improved bottom lines.

Ukraine, on the other hand, knows what negotiations with Russia lead to: more aggression. In return for Ukraine's 1994 agreement to turn over to Russia the Soviet missiles, bombers, and 1,900 nuclear warheads left in Ukraine when the Soviet Union fell, Moscow agreed to respect Ukraine's independence. Three years later, Russia signed another treaty with Ukraine, affirming the inviolability of existing borders.

Inviolability did not prevent Russia from seizing Tuzla Island off the coast of Crimea in 2003, claiming it was bathed in Cossack blood and therefore sacred to Russia. The agreements did not stop Russia from invading and annexing Crimea or providing direct military support to pro-Russian separatists in 2014. The Crimean conflict led to further international negotiations, which reduced the fighting, but did not end the conflict or stop Russia from launching an all-out invasion last year. Over the past two decades Russia has escalated from occupying a little island, to annexing large parts, to invading the entire country.

Indeed, since the invasion began Putin has never ordered Russian troops to stand down, never suggested it might pull back from occupied territory, nor backpedaled on his assertions that Ukraine is not really a sovereign country and that its government's alliances must buttress Russia's security. It's a mistake to presume that Putin is ready to negotiate anything other than ending the West's support of Ukraine.

And why should he? Russia has the strategic initiative. It can choose to advance or escalate. Or, as it has demonstrated, it can take a break for months or years, then renew its now 20-year military campaign, which some Russian officials candidly portray as a reconquest. As the defender, Ukraine's only choices are to fight back or capitulate.

Some of the proponents of negotiations, by contrast, already have signaled their own willingness to concede Crimea to Russia and allow Russian occupation of land it currently occupies in Eastern and Southern Ukraine. They point to the costs and risks of continued fighting, but there are costs and risks inherent in negotiations.

How might other former Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact countriesespecially the Baltic Republics and Polandregard a deal that recognizes Russian occupation of Ukrainian territory? Will assurances that as NATO members they are safe suffice? Or could alliance guarantees go wobbly if Putin again brandishes nuclear weapons?

It is also not enough just to stop the shooting. How can any new agreement be enforced? Howunder a continued threat of renewed Russian incursionscan refugees safely return? How much investment can be expected so long as hostile Russian forces remain ready to renew the fighting?

Negotiations acquire their own momentum. Victory is redefined as reaching an agreement. Once out of the headlines, crucial issues can easily be forgotten or fudged in the singular quest for a deal.

It's a mistake to presume that Putin is ready to negotiate anything other than ending the West's support of Ukraine. Share on Twitter

There is also a notion that Ukraine can only win the war by driving the Russian invaders out of the country, but that is not necessarily true. The Afghan resistance movement did not drive Soviet forces out of the country. Facing mounting losses without subduing the country, Moscow agreed to withdraw from Afghanistan. The Taliban did not drive U.S. forces out of Afghanistan, nor were there heavy American casualties in the final years of the war. The United States decided to withdraw because it perceived the price of remaining not worth it.

The Afghanistan examples are not unique in war. After years of heavy losses, Germany agreed to an armistice and ultimately surrendered after its 1918 offensive failed. American forces were not defeated in Vietnam. The American public turned against what they perceived as a quagmire. The Soviet army was not driven out of Afghanistan, nor were American troops. They were withdrawn from a contest that had cost too much and gone on too long.

Ukraine is Russia's quagmireits forever war. A war that many among Russia's elite reportedly no longer believe Putin can win. Totalitarian governments can ignore public attitudes, but not forever. Czarist Russia is Exhibit A.

Ukrainians' ultimate leverage derives from the credible threat that they will resist forever, even if Russia were able to overrun the entire country. If the Ukrainians have any advantage now, it is that the war provides continuous visual reminders of their heroic defense and Russia's barbarous behavior, which engenders public sympathy in the West. Exchanging that moral clarity for the more-complicated dynamics of negotiations, in which Kyiv will lose agency and autonomy, will deprive Ukraine of its compelling narrative, which may be its most powerful weapon.

Meanwhile, Western leaders should keep in mind that Ukraine does NATO a favor by weakening Russia. Rather than fearing that this could be a forever war (in which not a single NATO soldier has died), it should be NATO's mission to ensure that it is a forever warfor Russia.

That is Ukraine's path to victory, and Russia knows it.

Brian Michael Jenkins is a senior adviser to the president of the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation and author of the 2022 book, Plagues and Their Aftermath: How Societies Recover from Pandemics. He also recently published a seven-part series on the consequences of the war in Ukraine.

Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
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Mohave County, AZ 1.25 Acre Lot No Minimum - No Reserve Bid Owns the Lot The lot for auction is located in Mohave County in the Southeastern area of Arizona. The lot is located seven miles Northeast of the Town of Wikieup, Arizona. Wikieup is just a short hour drive from Kingman, Arizona and approximately a two hour drive from Phoenix and Las Vegas.The lot is located in a Subdivision know as Starlight hills.The lot is 54,450 Square Feet or 1.25 acres and is zoned residential.There are no Associa...

Price: $ 1,294 Seller State of Residence: Florida Property Address: Mohave County Type: Homesite, Lot Zip/Postal Code: 85360 Zoning: Residential City: Wikieup State/Province: Arizona Location: , Mohave County, Az

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Own an inexpensive piece of land in Belen, New Mexico. A thriving community in the southwestern part of New Mexico, lots to do! Dining, art galleries, breweries and wineries, museums, and outdoor recreation. For movie buffs, there have been numerous movies filmed on location in Belen! County: ValenciaLot size: 0.50 acresParcel #: 1-012-021-167-455-101801Legal: Subdivision: RIO Grande Estates Lot: 52 Block 3 Unit: 27 PLAT B-217Prop taxes: $4.76 (paid for 2022)Deed: Warranty Document fee: $295.00 ...

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Own an inexpensive piece of land in Sun Valley, Arizona. Very close access to Rt 40 which puts you only 7 miles from the City of Holbrook - where plenty of hotels, shopping and restaurants await you. Described as a sleepy town along the old famous Route 66. County: NavajoLot size: 0.14 acresParcel #: 105-43-037Section: S04Township: T18NProp taxes: $14.24 (paid for 2022) Deed: General Warranty Please contact the Navajo County Assessor and Building/Zoning Department for more information on allowed...

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Vacant Land in Cuero, DeWitt County, Texas!Item Id:Morrison01Case Name:Morrison, James A & Anita M Case Number:22 08157Trustee:Description: Estate's interest in 100% ownership of a 0.08 acres of residential land in Cuero, Texas. The property is located at 901 West Sarah Street, Cuero, TX 77954. The status of operational water, power, sewer and utilities is unknown. There is a residence located on property which is NOT owned by the debtors. This auction is for land, NOT the structure sitting on t...

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Sharp Objects and Little Women actress Eliza Scanlen says Jem, the 17-year-old Christian fundamentalist she plays in the film, The Starling Girl, is a "fiery spirit" intrigued by the air of possibility her new youth pastor Owen represents.

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"He's just come back from Costa Rica. He's witnessed new, different ways of expressing faith, different conceptions of God, different ways of living with God, and that is exciting to Jem," Scanlen told UPI in a recent Zoom interview.

Owen's unorthodox ways of practicing his faith resulted in him being ostracized from their Kentucky community, but Scanlen said Jem, who has never been away from home, considers herself an outsider, as well.

"She feels excluded from her friendship group and her greatest joy, which is dancing, is tempered by this worry that her actions are sinful and her love for dancing is getting in the way of her relationship with God," Scanlen added. "She feels alone in that struggle and finds a friend in Owen."

Jem's process of falling in love with Owen (Lewis Pullman) -- a man more than a decade her senior -- afforded Scanlen the chance to play myriad emotions over the course of the film, which is available on DVD, Blu-ray and video-on-demand platforms.

"It was such an exciting read, but I knew it would be a great challenge to navigate. That challenge as an actor was something really enticing to me at the time," she said.

Outer Range and Top Gun: Maverick actor Pullman was drawn to Owen because of how filmmaker Laurel Parmet infused the character with empathy and realism.

"She was very well-aware that if he was an unlikable person, the story wouldn't work," Pullman said. "There would be no room to really learn from his mistakes if he was an entirely Machiavellian, nasty guy."

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Owen initially sees Jem as a "comrade in arms," according to Pullman.

"They are feeling a little alienated in their community and, so, for Owen to have somebody who hears his ideas and to have his ideas not met with shame, but with excitement and possibility, is what initially really attracts him to Jem," the actor said. "There is a lot of fantasy that snowballs after that."

Before the cameras started rolling, the actors had a week of rehearsals during which they established trust and a common language that made it easier to execute emotionally intense moments.

"We got to explore these scenes completely judgment-free and explore every version of them possible, so we could kind of feel -- with the safety of Laurel guiding us and herding us and giving us kind of a corral -- how far do some of these scenes go?" Pullman said.

"It felt like, by the time we went to shoot it, we'd already been to these places before, so it was familiar territory."

Parmet said she set out to make a film that explores "empowerment and abuse and faith and the complexities of sexual agency."

"But it's ultimately about searching for a sense of self in the face of all the expectations that the world places on us and really the dangers and the freedoms that searching can bring," she added.

Parmet said she was in a similar relationship with an older man when she was a teen, but didn't see herself as a victim at the time. However, she said, she felt uneasy about it years later.

It wasn't until she spent time with women at a patriarchal church when she was researching another film project that she began examining more closely her feelings about the inappropriate romance.

"It was a critical turning point for me because it made me aware of this guilt that I had had," she said.

"Women were taught to be ashamed of their desires, and I saw the similarities of those attitudes in the way that I grew up," the filmmaker added. "Sexual shame and seeking approval from men are these universal experiences for women."

Scanlen and Pullman said they think viewers will connect to the story at the heart of The Starling Girl, which demonstrates how religion can be healing or toxic, depending on how it is taught and practiced.

"There are certainly more controlling or restrictive denominations of Christianity," Scanlen said.

"Religion, as an institution, can be corrosive. We see that in the media all the time, but I think it was a priority for Laurel to also illustrate religion as something really beautiful and [how] your relationship to God and faith can be one of the most important relationships of your life."

Pullman agreed.

"I can't really add anything to that. That was pretty damn well said right there," he added.
May December will open the 2023 New York Film Festival.

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Film at Lincoln Center announced in a press release Tuesday that the romantic drama will have its North American premiere Sept. 29 at the 61st annual festival.

May December is written by Samy Burch and directed by Todd Haynes (Carol, Mildred Pierce).

The film follows Elizabeth (Natalie Portman), a television star who travels to a tight-knit island community in Savannah, Ga., to research a new part. The character ingratiates herself into the lives of Gracie (Moore), whom she'll be playing on-screen, and her much younger husband, Joe (Charles Melton).

"As Elizabeth attempts to get closer to the family, the uncomfortable facts of their scandal unfurl, causing difficult, long-dormant emotions to resurface," an official synopsis reads.

May December opens in theaters Nov. 17 and will start streaming Dec. 1 on Netflix.

"We are all so proud and moved to have been invited to open the New York Film Festival with the North American premiere of May December," Haynes said in a statement. "It is a festival that plays a role in my work and life like no other in the world, since it enshrines the cultural life of this city, which is both my creative home as a filmmaker and, as ever, the eternal site of artistic possibility."

The New York Film Festival will run Sept. 29-Oct. 15.

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May December had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where it received an 8-minute standing ovation.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. A new center for the production of radioisotopes will be established in Iran by the beginning of the next Iranian year (March 19, 2024), Vice President of Iran and Chief of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Eslami told reporters after the meeting of Cabinet of Iran in Tehran on July 12, Trend reports.

The chief stressed that Iran's export of radioisotopes will increase with the launch of this center.

Currently, 60 types of radioisotopes are produced in the country and exported to 9 countries. In general, more than 210 medical centers use Iranian-made radioisotopes, he added.

Answering the correspondents' question about the relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the vice president noted that the normal business process between Iran and the IAEA continues and there are no changes.

The Iranian side states that Iran cooperates with the International Atomic Energy Agency within the framework of the NPT and safeguards rules, and Iran has no other cooperation with the IAEA.

Although Iran states that its nuclear-related programs serve for peaceful purposes, citing the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran has increased the amount of highly enriched uranium by 27 percent in the last three months, and currently, the country's enriched uranium reserves reach up to 4,745 kilograms. This is 15 times more than the amount of uranium allowed for Iran in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Meanwhile, on June 15, 2023, the spokesman of the AEOI, Behrouz Kamalvandi said in his statement that 10 surveillance cameras were reactivated at the Isfahan Centrifuge Production Center in Irans Isfahan Province under the agreement between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Iran stopped the operation of 29 IAEA surveillance cameras at nuclear facilities in the country. After certain problems occurred at the Karaj Centrifuge Production Facility in Iran's Alborz Province, production has been resumed at the Isfahan Centrifuge Production Center.

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The dean of the University of Georgias Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Dale Greene, announced his retirement Wednesday after nearly four decades at the school, according to a UGA Media Relations press release. His retirement will be effective Jan. 1, 2024.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given HDFC Bank six months to migrate HDFCs home loan customers to external benchmark linked lending rate (EBLR), top sources in the bank told Business Standard.

Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters

Almost half of HDFCs 5.4 million customers are home loan customers.

It is mandatory for banks to link retail loans and loans to micro, medium and small enterprises to an external benchmark.

Non-banking financial companies do not have such a mandate.

Most banks retail loans are linked to the RBIs repo rate.

Home loan rates have gone up sharply since May 2022, when the central bank started to increase the repo rate.

The repo rate was hiked by 250 basis points between May 2022 and February 2023, before the RBI maintained a status quo in its April and June review of monetary policy.

The HDFC-HDFC Bank merger came into effect on July 1, 2023.

After the merger, HDFC Bank has become the fourth largest bank in the world with a market capitalisation of Rs. 14.73 trillion, or nearly $180 billion.

The two entities had a combined loan book of Rs. 22.45 trillion as on June 30.

All the HDFCs 523 branches are being converted into HDFC Bank branches.

The bank will follow a glide path to make the HDFC branches to full-service bank branches.

Kaizad Bharucha, deputy managing director, HDFC Bank, earlier told Business Standard that the bank expects most HDFC branches to become full-service branches in six months.

HDFC posted 9 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth in assets under management (AUM) as of June 30, 2023.

Individual loans had an 84 per cent share, followed by construction finance with a 7 per cent share.

The lease rental discounting book had 5 per cent share, and corporate loans stood at 4 per cent as of the end of June 2023.

Individual loans under management grew by 15 per cent on YoY basis as of June-end.

It, however, did not give an absolute amount for loans outstanding.

As on March 31, HDFC had a loan book of Rs. 6.2 trillion.

The bank has also decided that Arvind Kapil, who is a group head, retail assets, will be heading the home loan business, sources said.

As retail assets head, Kapil leads the banks retail lending franchise, which comprises the unsecured loans portfolio except credit cards, auto loans, loans against property, retail working capital loans, gold loans, loans against shares, microfinance, and business loans, among others.

An alumnus of Harvard Business School, Kapil in his 21-year stint at HDFC Bank has introduced innovations like express car loans and 10-second personal loans.

After the merger, the board of HDFC Bank approved the appointment of Keki Mistry, who was vice-chairman and CEO of HDFC, and Renu Karnad as additional, non-executive directors of the bank.

The bank also approved the appointment of V Srinivasa Ranjan as executive director of the bank.

Karnad had been the managing director of HDFC since 2010 and Ranjan was executive director and chief financial officer of HDFC.

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With an eye on improving quality assurance in the wake of increased global scrutiny on Indian pharma products, the Centre on Tuesday said that Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 will be made compulsory for small and medium scale manufacturers in a phased manner.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has asked micro-small and medium enterprises in pharma manufacturing to move towards good manufacturing practices (GMP) through self regulation.

This will help in quality assurance and also reduce compliance burden, Mandaviya.

The Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 deals with good manufacturing practices for pharma manufacturing units in India.

Stating that there shall be no compromise with quality of drugs manufactured in India Mandaviya said that its important for MSME pharma companies to be alert to quality of drugs and expeditiously move towards GMP through self regulation.

Stringent action to be taken against companies that make spurious drugs, he said at a meeting with MSME pharma companies in Delhi on Tuesday.

Mandaviya has directed the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to take stringent action against any pharma manufacturing unit that makes spurious drugs, a government statement here said.

The health ministry said that the government has zero tolerance towards manufacturers not adhering to quality compliance and making of spurious medicines.

Mandaviya said that special squads have been formed to inspect drug making companies and stringent action has been taken.

The Union Minister further stated that in order to ensure the highest quality of pharma products, the regulatory authorities have started risk-based inspection and audit of plants.

He stated that 137 firms were inspected, and action has been taken against 105 firms.

Production has been stopped at 31 firms and Cancellation and Suspension of Product or Section Licenses have been issued against 50 firms.

In addition, show cause notice has been issued to 73 firms, and warning letters have been issued against 21 firms.

Viranchi Shah, National President of the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA) said that this move will ensure that every manufacturer moves towards complete compliance.

If there are any gaps in compliance then the drug maker now needs to address those issues and close those gaps.

"India is doing a great job in terms of supplying medicines to the world, and the government has made it amply clear that no deviation from quality would be tolerated.

Industry sources said that drug units which do not comply with quality issues are only a miniscule part of the 10,000 odd units in the country.

Indias domestic pharma turnover is around Rs 18 trillion and it exports around Rs 25 trillion worth drugs.

Recent incidents surrounding contaminated and substandard cough products sent from India to countries like Gambia, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka etc have alarmed the government.

In fact, the Centre made testing of cough syrups mandatory at government labs before they are exported.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. Iran and the US do not intend to renew the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) under the current circumstances, a former member of Iranian parliament Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh said, Trend reports.

In the indirect discussions between Iran and the US initiated by third countries, it can be verbally stated that Iran should not enrich uranium to a level higher than 60 percent, and in return, minimum opportunities should be created for Iran, he said.

The ex-MP added that currently, the most important issue for the US is the release of four US citizens detained in Iran.

According to Falahatpisheh, it can be said that a verbal agreement was reached in indirect discussions between Iran and the US. He added that since currently Iran is not a priority in the US foreign policy, so it intends to maintain relations with the Islamic Republic considering its own benefits (sanctions remain in force, Iranian banks remain restrained, difficulties with oil exports remain).

"Meanwhile, the final blow to the JCPOA will be dealt by European countries (the UK, France and Germany). European countries are trying to keep in force the sanctions on the trade of conventional weapons applied against Iran. So, on October 18, 2023, the sanctions on conventional weapons trade against Iran should be canceled after eight years. If the European countries restore these sanctions again, relations between Iran and Europe may become tense," he said.

On January 2016, Iran's nuclear program triggered the creation of JCPOA between Iran and the P5+1 group (US, Russia, China, UK, France, and Germany). 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 and a financial mechanism for maintaining trade with Iran called INSTEX was formed.

On May 8, 2019, Iran announced ceasing to fulfill its commitments regarding the sale of over 300 kilograms of uranium, as stated in the deal, basing its decision on the other signatories that have not fulfilled their obligations. On July 7, Iran announced that it will not be fulfilling its commitments regarding the enrichment of uranium at 3.67 percent and the reconstruction of the Arak Heavy Water Reactor Facility as stated in the deal.

On September 5 of the same year, Iran announced its commitment to enrich uranium, using next-generation centrifuges and not to mix it with the enriched uranium residues as part of the third step of reducing commitments in JCPOA. On November 5, 2019, Iran announced to have taking the fourth step in connection with reducing its commitments to the nuclear agreement. So, uranium gas is being pumped to the centrifuges at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant.

On Jan.2020, Iran took the last fifth step in reducing the number of its commitments within JCPOA.

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'The BJP think they are running an ideology machine in this country, and they have to convert everyone, from people to parties to party leaders.'

IMAGE: Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, right, with Home Minister Amit A Shah in New Delhi, July 8, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

On June 19, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi dismissed Senthil Balaji as a minister though the Constitution of India does not give him the power to do so.

A couple of hours later, Ravi put his dismissal order on hold.

Why did the governor choose to do something for which the Constitution does not give him the right?

This is not the first time Ravi stepped on the toes of the state government. To his credit, the chief minister has so far stood strong and tried to put the governor in his place.

What kind of repercussions will this have on the 2024 elections?

Will the people of Tamil Nadu forgive the BJP for trying to interfere with the affairs of an elected government?

Dr Ramu Manivannan, Visiting Professor of Political Science at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver, analyses the political scenario.

Professor Manivannan, former head and professor of political science at Madras University, is a keen observer of Tamil Nadu politics.

"It is not out of ignorance they are doing all these things. It is a very calculated decision," Professor Manivannan tells Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier.

The first of a two-part interview:

The governors in Tamil Nadu and Kerala are extremely active to the point they interfere in the functioning of the state governments. Can you think of any precedence?

Many historical precedence is there, like during the Emergency and the post-Emergency period.

There have been incidents of intervention of the central government through the office of the governor then.

But what is interesting is that it was not seen as an ideological threat. What we are seeing now through the Tamil Nadu governor is not just political.

Governors like him are not just politicians, but they are right wing ones.

There is a difference between a Congressman becoming a governor and a BJP person becoming a governor.

What we are witnessing is ideological penetration into the establishment.

You feel this is dangerous to the political scene?

Yes, of course. This will have far more serious implications to political institutions.

The very office of governor has been questioned and challenged about its relevance for the last 30-40 years.

Having seen how the Centre has been using Governors as tools, do you think it is time we do away with the governor's office?

During British times, there was a kind of arrangement between the office of the governor general and the viceroy with its representatives. It was seen as a linkage.

With the federal system in place in the post-independent period, what we see is not just a linkage or a Constitutional bridge between the state and the centre.

Technically speaking, the role of the governor in the state is similar to the role of the President at the union.

While you always have a safe President who doesn't meddle with the Union government, you have many meddling governors.

Though the role is the same, you appoint a safe President. But when it comes to governors, you appoint someone who deliberately meddle with the state governments.

You must also remember that the meddling authority is still the Union government, the real executive.

IMAGE: Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, right, welcomes Prime Minister Narendra D Modi at Chennai airport, April 8, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Governors are just tools...

Yes. We have to decide whether we need these tools or not.

That's why many questions are raised on the relevance or irrelevance of the office of the governor as it's being misused and abused, whether it is in Telangana or Pondicherry or Tamil Nadu or Kerala or Karnataka.

Politically, the BJP is quite ruthless. You see in Karnataka the Centre is not releasing rice to the state. They just don't care for the people.

Earlier, Congress governments at the Centre also misused the governor's office. Do you feel the BJP is worse?

When you compare the Congress with the BJP, yes, corruption, nepotism, etc are very much part of the Congress, but then they knew they had to follow certain basic things.

In the case of the BJP, they think they are basically running an ideology machine in this country, and they have to convert everyone, from people to parties to party leaders.

They are quite ruthless in doing so. Let's put it this way, it's a form of fascism.

The Congress might be following right of centre ideology, they can never be called ideological fascists.

Only during the Emergency, we saw authoritarianism and centralisation.

But the BJP has travelled close to the line of fascism, when you look at their ideological Hindu fundamentalism like their food culture, language policy and of course the role of governors.

Look at the way the governor in Tamil Nadu functions. The governor in Kerala also. They can get away with anything, not giving any respect or due regard to elected state governments.

The Tamil Nadu governor dismissing a minister or the Kerala governor withdrawing pleasure from the state finance minister are unprecedented in the history of India.

Do you think these men were fully aware of the governor's Constitutional rights and still went ahead with these proposals?

They certainly know the Constitution, they know their powers and they know what they are doing. It was actually a deliberate act of indulgence.

It is not out of ignorance they are doing all these things. It is a very calculated decision.

It is meant to push the government to a difficult situation.

Would you say, it is like intimidating an elected state government?

Yes, it is a form of destabilising elected governments, testing them and also intimidating them.

IMAGE: Dr Ramu Manivannan IMAGE: Dr Ramu Manivannan

The ED pouncing on the DMK minister Senthil Balaji and the events that unfolded have been a hot topic of discussion in Tamil Nadu.

Do you think the DMK got mileage out of this in the form of increased public support?

I am not sure whether support for the DMK increased or not. What happens in situations like these is, even neutral people start defending corruption.

Whether Senthil Balaji is clean or not, the way ED, Income Tax department, etc are used as political tools for quite some time is the question.

They are not seen as establishments monitoring finance or accountability.

If it's a financial issue, why now, when the same Senthil Balaji has been there for quite some time.

I am not here to say whether Senthil Balaji is clean or not, but then there are so many people who are accused of corruption in the AIADMK. It's not just Senthil Balaji.

That's why the whole process is basically political vendetta.

Dismissing him when he is being investigated by ED is a violation of the judicial process as the case is in the court.

And the governor doesn't have the Constitutional right to do so....

Yes, he has no right to dismiss a minister. The governor was conducting himself as a moral authority on legal things.

They just want to test and see what kind of response they will get.

They have now realised that the entire Tamil Nadu has retaliated.

Wherever the governor goes, there are posters condemning him. He doesn't have acceptability anymore among the people.

There are some people who are shouting at him when his vehicle passes. And some just don't care.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Armed men barged inside a Rajasthan Roadways bus on Wednesday and shot dead a murder accused who was being escorted by a police team for a court hearing in Bharatpur, officials said.

Another man was injured in the firing and is admitted to a hospital in a critical state, they said. Both men were accused of killing a local Bharatiya Janata Party leader in 2022.

According to police, the bus was stopped near Amoli toll plaza under Halena police station of Bharatpur by the men who came in a car and two motorcycles.

They entered the bus and hurled chilli powder on the policemen and started firing on Kuldeep Jagheena and Vijaypal, they said.

The police have apprehended four accused, of whom two were injured during police action.

Jagheena and Vijaypal, accused in the murder of a local BJP leader Kripal Jagheena on September 4, 2022, were being taken to Bharatpur from Jaipur by a team of seven policemen led by a head constable armed with two semi-automatic rifles (SLR).

SP Bharatpur Mridul Kachchawa said the two murder accused were rushed to RBM government hospital in Bharatpur where Jagheena was declared brought dead by doctors, while Vijaypal is being treated.

The police identified the culprits with the help of CCTV footage and a vehicle has been recovered.

They caught the four accused, identified as Babulal Malipura, Saurabh Lulhara, Vishnu Jat and Dharmraj in the evening near Bayana in Bharatpur.

The police opened fire at the accused while they were fleeing in which Bablu and Vishnu received bullet injuries on their legs, a police official said in Bharatpur.

The injured accused were admitted to a hospital in Dholpur.

Jaipur Additional Commissioner of Police (Administration) Rahul Prakash said several bullets were shot at Jagheena, while the policemen managed to protect Vijaypal from the direct assault.

He said the police team did not open fire in view of the security of the bus passengers.

The officer said an inquiry will be done and action will be taken if any policeman is found guilty of negligence.

Jagheena, who was shot dead today, was the main accused in the killing of the local BJP leader. He along with four others was arrested on September 11 last year from Maharashtra in connection with the murder.

BJP state president CP Joshi raised questions on the role of policemen and asked whether the criminal was eliminated to silence his voice because the name of some big man was about to come up.

He alleged that the murder may have been done under some well-thought-out strategy.

The murder took place today so that the name of the main accused behind the killing of BJP Mandal President would not come up, Joshi alleged.

This could be some big conspiracy. Being the home minister of the state, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot should think about how crime is flourishing in Rajasthan under the patronage of his government, he said.

Joshi added, Somewhere in such incidents, the nexus of politics and crime is clearly visible.

Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore, in a video statement, said the incident was a blot on the image of the Congress government.

There is no law and order in the state. There has been no full time home minister in Rajasthan. In the Bharatpur incident, the police were bringing a notorious criminal on a bus and he is murdered, this is sheer carelessness. When there was a threat, why was a special vehicle not arranged, he said.

He said that the matter will be raised in the upcoming assembly session.
As the weather improved in parts of north India, which was pummelled by heavy rains for days, authorities on Wednesday worked on a war footing to rescue stranded tourists, restore vehicular traffic on arterial roads and prevent floodwaters from entering new areas.

IMAGE: Buildings get partially submerged in the swollen Beas river in Kullu. Photograph: ANI Photo

In Punjab and Haryana, at least 15 people have died in rain-related incidents, according to government data.

As many as 2,000 tourists stranded in Himachal Pradesh's Kasol were evacuated and more than 300 tourist vehicles stuck in Lahaul following landslides and flash floods left for their respective destinations, the state government said.

In Delhi, the Yamuna swelled to 207.55 metres on Wednesday, breaching its all-time high of 207.49 metres recorded in 1978, according to government agencies.

Delhi has recorded a rapid increase in the Yamuna water level over the last three days. It shot up from 203.14 metres at 11 am on Sunday to 205.4 metres at 5 pm on Monday, breaching the danger mark of 205.33 metres 18 hours earlier than expected.

The Delhi police has imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), preventing unlawful assembly of four or more people and public movement in groups, in flood-prone areas.

Water Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj told reporters that the Delhi government is prepared to deal with the situation. "We are monitoring the situation and all possible steps are being taken," he said.

Embankments are being constructed in low-lying areas to prevent the entry of floodwaters into other parts of the capital in case the Yamuna water level rises further.

An irrigation and flood control department official explained the sharp rise in the water level was due to continuous rainfall in the upper catchment areas and saturated soil from heavy precipitation in Delhi and nearby regions over the weekend.

People living in low-lying areas have been shifted to safer places at higher altitudes, the department said, adding that 45 boats have been deployed for evacuation and rescue work.

As the Yamuna reached an all-time high, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged the Centre to intervene, saying news of floods in the capital will not send a good message to the world.

However, the situation in Delhi is unlikely to improve anytime soon with the India meteorological department (IMD) predicting light to moderate rain in the city on Wednesday and intermittent rains over the next four to five days.

The IMD said heavy to very heavy rainfall activity is likely to continue over Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Madhya Pradesh during the next two days and decrease thereafter.

In Himachal Pradesh, about 2,200 stranded vehicles crossed Kullu after the Kullu-Manali road was opened on Tuesday evening.

Over 2,000 people stranded in Kasol have been successfully evacuated. Teams are working tirelessly to clear the Dunkhara landslide on the Kasol-Bhuntar road. The district administration is coordinating the relief efforts, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said in a tweet.

Over 300 tourist vehicles stuck in Lahaul have also left for their respective destinations, he said.

Sukhu had said on Tuesday that all stranded tourists would be evacuated by Wednesday and that six helicopters had been deployed for the task. He had also said that the hill state has suffered an estimated loss of Rs 4,000 crore due to the rains.

A total of 873 roads are still blocked for vehicular traffic, according to officials.

Light to heavy rains lashed parts of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday with Dhaula Kuan recording 144.5 mm of rainfall, Renuka 87 mm, Reckongpeo 42 mm, Kotkhai 30 mm, Hamirpur 16.5, Shimla 13.5, Dharamshala 13 mm and Kalpa 10 mm, according to the local meteorological department.

The weather office has issued a 'yellow' warning for heavy rain, thunderstorm and lightning on July 15 and 16 in the state.

In Haryana, one person was electrocuted while wading through a waterlogged street in a residential colony in Ambala Cantonment and three bodies were found floating in water in Ambala city on Wednesday, the police said.

Ambala district is the worst hit in Haryana, which was pounded by heavy rains between Saturday and Monday.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will visit Ambala on Wednesday to take stock of the situation in the district, officials said.

The incessant downpour left houses inundated and caused extensive damage to crops and vegetables in many districts. The overflowing Yamuna has flooded vast tracts of farmland in Karnal district.

In Punjab, nearly 10,000 people have been evacuated so far in Patiala, Rupnagar, Moga, Ludhiana, Mohali, SBS Nagar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts, officials said.

The death toll due to rain-related incidents in Haryana and Punjab is 15, according to government data.

Ambala, Yamunangar, Kurukshetra, Patiala, Rupnagar, Jalandhar, SBS Nagar and Mohali are some of the affected districts in the two states.

The governments have set up relief shelters in several districts in the two states.

The weather remained clear at most places for the second day in the region on Wednesday.
Three persons, including two supporters of the Indian Secular Front (ISF), were killed and several policemen injured in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district as a clash broke out outside a centre where counting of votes for rural polls was going on, police said on Wednesday.

IMAGE: Visuals of an earlier clash between security personnel and ISF cadres. Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo

The two deceased ISF supporters were identified as Rezaul Gazi and Hasan Mollah, while the other person was Raju Mollah, a senior officer said.

The incident occurred late Tuesday night when members of the ISF allegedly hurled bombs outside the counting centre at Bhangore, around 30 km from Kolkata, and police restored to baton charge, he said.

Police personnel fired a few rounds of rubber bullets and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the mob, the officer said.

"A senior IPS officer, his bodyguard and several other policemen as well as a few alleged members of the ISF were injured in the clash," he told PTI.

A few people have been detained from the spot for their alleged involvement in the incident, the officer said.

"Around midnight, some people started a commotion outside the counting centre at Bhangore. They hurled bombs, aiming at our colleagues. In retaliation and to maintain law and order, our officers had baton charged. The police personnel had to fire a few rounds of tear gas and rubber bullets after the situation started deteriorating," he said.

The injured policemen and several ISF supporters are undergoing treatment at a hospital, the officer said.

A huge team of police personnel has been deployed at Bhangore, particularly outside the counting centre.

Crude bombs were found in several localities of Bhangore on Wednesday morning and a team of bomb squad reached there, the policeman said.

Shops and marketplaces remained shut as locals have chosen to stay indoors.

Bhangore has been on the boil since June 8 when the rural polls were announced by the state election commission.

Governor Dr C V Ananda Bose had visited violence-hit Bhangore twice and spoken to the family members of a person who was killed in a poll-related clash there and also to the injured people.

Bose had gone to the area on Tuesday, soon after returning from New Delhi, primarily to understand the situation there in the context of poll counting.

The ruling Trinamool Congress on Wednesday is set for a landslide victory in violence-scarred rural polls in West Bengal as the overnight count of ballots gave it an unassailable lead in results declared till now by the state election commission.

The violence, which rocked the panchayat elections held on July 8, has claimed at least 15 lives on the polling day with 11 of them from the ruling TMC.

Since the elections were announced last month, the number of people who died in poll-related incidents was 33.
The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday filed a chargesheet against freelance journalist Vivek Raghuvanshi and former Navy commander Ashish Pathak for the alleged clandestine procurement of sensitive defence-related information and sharing it with foreign intelligence agencies, officials said.

IMAGE: A view of CBI headquarters in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI on Twitter

In its chargesheet filed before a special court in New Delhi, the CBI has named Raghuvanshi and Pathak as accused in the alleged violation of the Official Secrets Act and related offences, they said.

Raghuvanshi, who was listed as India correspondent of a US-based portal on defence and strategic affairs on its website, and Pathak were arrested on May 16.

"It was alleged that the accused (Raghuvanshi) and his associate (Pathak) who is presently working with a (private) firm, were in possession of classified secret documents related to Indian defence establishments," a CBI spokesperson had said after the case was registered.

The CBI took over the probe in May from the Delhi police's special cell which was tracking Raghuvanshi since September last year.

According to the central probe agency, Raghuvanshi and his kinsfolk purportedly received Rs 3 crore originating from foreign shores.

The Delhi police's special cell had received input through intelligence agencies that some Indian journalists were engaged in the procurement and transmission of information to foreign agencies which had the potential to "spoil" India's relations with friendly nations.

Based on the information procured by the special cell, it was posited that a journalist was surreptitiously amassing "sensitive information" regarding the "future procurement of the armed forces.

The information collected allegedly reveals the strategic preparedness of the country's classified communication and national security besides details of strategic and diplomatic talks of India with friendly nations, the FIR had said.

The CBI took over the case on the home ministry's directions, officials said.

After meticulous groundwork and surveillance, the CBI on May 16 conducted raids at the premises of Raghuvanshi and other suspects at 15 locations in Delhi-NCR and Jaipur.

"The CBI has seized 48 electronic devices, including laptops, tablets, mobile phones, hard disks, and pen drives, belonging to the FIR named accused and others associated with the said accused," the spokesperson had said.

Many incriminating documents relating to Indian defence establishments have also been seized, he had said.

"The data stored in cloud-based accounts, e-mails and social media accounts belonging to the accused and others have also been recovered by digital forensic experts of the CBI," the spokesperson had said.

"The scrutiny of devices recovered so far from the possession of the accused also revealed that he was allegedly collecting confidential information related to India's defence procurement from different sources.

"He was in contact with several foreign entities/agents/persons and he had entered into contracts/agreements with several foreign entities for sharing of confidential information. It was also alleged that the accused and his family members had received a substantial amount from foreign sources," he had said.
The simple 1,500 square feet house will be in some contrast to the spacious 12, Tughlaq Lane bungalow that was Rahul's home for 19 years.

IMAGE: Trucks from Rahul Gandhi's 12, Tughlak Lane bungalow, carrying his belongings, arrive at his mother Congress MP Sonia Gandhi's 10, Janpath residence in New Delhi, April 14, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi could soon move into a modest three-BHK house in South Delhi's leafy Nizamuddin East locality.

The house belongs to the family of former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, who spent the last years of her life there.

Gandhi vacated his official bungalow on April 22 after his disqualification from the Lok Sabha, temporarily moving in with his mother, but had been searching for a suitable house. Hundreds of Congress workers and leaders from across the country, including Delhi, offered their homes to their former party chief to stay.

Gandhi had visited Dikshit's house to pay his condolences when she passed away in July 2019. When told the current residents, Dikshit's family, were shifting to a nearby flat, the idea of living there as a tenant appealed to Gandhi.

The simple 1,500 square feet house, close to the verdant Humayun's Tomb, a 16th-century Mughal era mausoleum, will be in some contrast to the spacious 12, Tughlaq Lane Lutyens Delhi bungalow that was Gandhi's home for 19 years.

The house is a few hundred metres from the dargah of 13th-century Sufi saint Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya. Gandhi offered prayers at the dargah when his Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Delhi in the last week of December.

Dikshit purchased the Nizamuddin East house in 1991. She was the Delhi chief minister from 1998 to 2013 and briefly the governor of Kerala in 2014, an office she quit after the National Democratic Alliance government assumed power at the Centre.

She moved into the Nizamuddin East house after her Kerala gubernatorial stint and lived there until she passed away.

A Surat court on March 23 sentenced Gandhi to two years in jail in a criminal defamation case filed against him by a Gujarat BJP legislator in 2019. Subsequently, Gandhi, an MP from Kerala's Wayanad, was disqualified from the Lok Sabha. He vacated his MP's bungalow within a month without seeking an extension.

'People of India gave me this house 19 years ago... I want to thank them. There is a price for speaking the truth nowadays... I will continue to pay the price for speaking the truth...whatever be the price,' Gandhi had said after vacating the 12, Tughlaq Lane house.

Last week, the Gujarat high court refused to stay the Surat court's order. The Congress said it would challenge Gandhi's conviction in the Supreme Court.
A Delhi court on Wednesday sentenced four Indian Mujahideen operatives to 10 years in jail for hatching a criminal conspiracy to wage war against the government by carrying out terrorist attacks across the country in 2012.

Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: ANI Photo

The judgement, however, paved the way for their release as all of them have already served as much time in jail.

Special judge Shailender Malik awarded the punishment to Danish Ansari, Aftab Alam, Imran Khan and Obaid-Ur-Rehman under various sections of the IPC and the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The court, which had convicted the four on July 10, noted they had pleaded guilty to all the charges against them on July 7.

The special judge for terrorist cases noted the convicts were arrested in 2013, and directed the authorities concerned to release them against the period they have already served in prison, if their custody was not needed in other cases.

The judge also referred to the socio-economic report of the convicts and said they belonged to the lower strata of society.

Regarding Danish Ansari, the judge said he was not involved in any other criminal case, was young, and had completed class 12.

He intends to pursue normal, responsible life for being a better citizen of the country, the court said.

"Therefore taking into consideration the fact that there has not been any criminal antecedent of this convict, this court in the interest of justice is giving an opportunity to convict Danish to conduct responsibly in future as a good citizen of country," the judge said.

Noting that since the period of sentence awarded to him stood undergone on account of him being in judicial custody since January 21, 2013, Judge Malik directed the authorities to release him if not required in any other case.

About Aftab Alam, the judge observed he was in judicial custody since February 5, 2013 and directed setting off the jail term awarded to him against the period he had already served.

While awarding jail term to Imran, the judge noted he was in judicial custody since February 28, 2013 and said the time he has served in jail should be adjusted against the sentence awarded to him.

The judge said since the fourth convict -- Qbaid Ur Rehman -- was in judicial custody since March 18, 2013, the period of incarceration will serve the period of sentence awarded on Tuesday.

The NIA had lodged a case against them in September 2012 under Sections 121A (conspiracy to wage war against government of India) and 123 (Concealing with intent to facilitate design to wage war) of the IPC.

They were also charged under sections 17 (raising funds for terrorist act), 18 (conspiracy to commit terror act), 18A (organising terrorist camps), 18B (recruiting persons for terrorist act) and 20 (being member of terror organisation) of anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The counsel appearing for the convicts submitted they belonged to poor families and urged the court to take a lenient view while passing the order on sentence, besides keeping in mind the time they have already served and the fact that they have pleaded guilty.
Acting Director General of Police of Himachal Pradesh, Satwant Atwal Trivedi, on Tuesday said that 15 Russian tourists were reportedly stranded in Kasol, and Police are trying to establish contact with them.

IMAGE: A view of the river Beas as its water level rises due to incessant rainfall, in Mandi on July 11, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

"We received info from the Russian Embassy that 15 Russian tourists are stranded in Kasol. We are trying to establish contact and once we will be able to contact the tourists we will inform the Embassy about their well-being," said Trivedi.

"The team is deployed everywhere in the state. We are continuously working to ensure the safety of the people. We have set up four lines and trying to contact people across the country to inform them about their families. 200 people have been contacted since morning and their family has been informed about their well-being. We are also contacting the embassies," she said further.

Detailing further about the ongoing relief and rescue operations being conducted in the state amidst heavy rainfall, Trivedi said that they were working 24x7 and trying to contact people across the country to inform them about their families well-being.

They are also trying to contact hotels seeking details of any tourists stranded there.

Notably, incessant rains continuing for past few days have wreaked havoc in the hill state claiming 20 lives over the past 48 hours.

The rains have wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh triggering landslides, causing power disruption, blocking roads, and damaging bridges.

Tourists were stranded in parts of the hill state, with the loss of infrastructure estimated at between Rs 3,000 crore and Rs 4,000 crore.

Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri took stock of the relief camps at Mandi on Tuesday and reached the Sadar Vyas Relief Camp where arrangements have been made to accommodate 200 to 300 people.

Agnihotri interacted with people, inquired about their difficulties, assured them that all necessary assistance would be provided to them soon.

The deputy chief minister said that all possible help is being extended to people from the state government. He also appealed to the central government for help.

"These are the people whose houses have been affected by floods. Every possible help is being given to these people from our side and from the side of the administration, government assistance can also be announced. We want the central government to help us because the whole country is trying to extend a helping hand towards Himachal at this time. Financial assistance should also be given to the (state) government," he said.

Agnihotri said that his team is visiting different areas of Himachal to review the situation.

"We are visiting different areas of Himachal, at this time we have reached Mandi where the situation is being reviewed, the officials are also present with us," he said.

Speaking about the problems faced by the hill state given the heavy rainfall, Agnihotri said, "Our routes have been affected due to heavy rains, due to which HRTC buses have been stopped and will be stopped till the situation becomes normal. There are some problems regarding drinking water, but we are constantly engaged in fixing them."

Addressing the tourists who are stuck at various places in the hill state, he said, "I want to tell the tourists who are stuck here that there is nothing to worry about, the situation is normal...all the roads will be fixed, they will be allowed to move."

"Due to heavy rains, there was a communication breakdown, due to which we have provided satellite phones to our officers so that they can stay in touch with each other," he said.

"We are hopeful that the situation will return to normal in Himachal in the next 72 hours," he added.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday hit out at Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray chief Uddhav Thackeray over the latter's taint jibe, saying it seems the former CM needs some psychiatric treatment due to the ongoing political situation in the state.

IMAGE: Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray addresses the party workers meeting, in Nagpur on July 11, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Addressing his party workers in Nagpur, the home turf of Fadnavis, Thackeray on Monday said the BJP leader, his former ally, was a taint on the city as he had aligned with a section of the Nationalist Congress Party despite asserting that he would never do so.

Playing an old audio clip of Fadnavis stating that he would never join hands with the NCP, Thackeray said the BJP leader's no means yes.

Asked about Thackeray's critical comments, Fadnavis said, "It pains me to see the Opposition and former friend (Thackeray) facing the impact of current political developments. I think he might need to consult a psychiatrist."

With the BJP coming out with a strong reaction to his comments, Thackeray said don't the leaders of the national party also accuse others of corruption and throw taint jibe at them?

The former CM said key Shiv Sena-UBT leaders like Sanjay Raut and Anil Parab are being troubled by the BJP.

"When you accuse everyone of corruption and taint them, and then sit next to them in the cabinet, then how will that family face society," Thackeray said in an apparent reference to NCP leader and newly-inducted state minister Hasan Mushrif.

One of the nine NCP ministers to take oath on July 2, Mushrif had been under the Enforcement Directorate (EC) lens and linked to alleged financial irregularity in a sugar factory controlled by his family.

"They got furious with my one word, but they destroy a family by levelling allegations. Are they troubling (Shiv Sena UBT leaders) Sanjay Raut and Anil Parab any less?" Thackeray asked.

Hitting out at Thackeray, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said those who abandoned Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray's ideals and "tainted" his name are calling Fadnavis 'tainted'.

In a tectonic shift in the state's political landscape, NCP leader Ajit Pawar and eight of his colleagues joined the Eknath Shinde government on July 2, splitting the Sharad Pawar-founded party.

While Ajit Pawar was made a deputy chief minister, the others were sworn in as cabinet ministers.

Fadnavis said, "It is unfair to react to a person who makes allegations because of his current psychological condition. His current mental status is such that we should try to understand it. It is better not to react to what he is saying."

Several BJP leaders have come out in support of Fadnavis after Thackeray's stinging attack on him.

Pravin Darekar, former Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council and BJP MLC said, Thackeray himself has diluted Hindutva by betraying the BJP.

He himself is a blot on Hindutva. He cannot make such comments on our leaders.

State BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule and another BJP MLC Pravin Datke also hit out at Thackeray, who snapped ties with the national party in 2019.

"The language used by Thackeray against Fadnavis is unacceptable. We challenge him to visit Nagpur again. People will hit him with footwear," Bawankule said.

The BJP also took to Facebook to launch an attack on Thackeray.

It said on the social media platform, 'Uddhav Thackeray should have seen his own face in the mirror before making such unacceptable comments against Fadnavis. You would have seen a corruption-ridden face in the mirror.'

The Facebook post added, 'You have gone crazy. Only you can use the pedestrian language. You are the taint of Maharashtra. You need to be treated in a mental hospital.'

Earlier in the day, BJP workers in Nagpur held a protest against Thackeray, while the party's youth wing, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, took out a mock funeral procession of the Shiv Sena-UBT chief.

The BJP's legal cell submitted an application to the police in Nagpur seeking action against the Shiv Sena-UBT president over his taint jibe directed at Fadnavis.
In a stern warning, the Manipur police asked people to stop misusing its black commando uniform after reports suggested that armed rioters were wearing the outfit to create mistrust, officials said in Imphal.

IMAGE: Women belonging to the 'Meira Paibis', a group of women representing Meitei society, hold torches during a demonstration demanding for the restoration of peace in Manipur following ongoing ethnic violence, in Imphal, July 11, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

They said information has been circulated throughout all formations to ensure that the Manipur Police Commando uniform, black in colour, is not misused and they have been instructed to intensify the vigil.

This comes after videos were found doing the rounds in which some of the armed assailants were seen wearing the black uniform, which seems to have been stolen during the uprising witnessed in the state from May 3 onwards.

The two groups -- Meitei and Kuki -- have engaged in armed conflicts with each other and the violence has claimed over 150 lives so far.

The police have been asked even to check any vehicle carrying security personnel, especially the India Reserve Battalion and the Manipur police, and their identity cards, the officials said.

There have been occasions where police uniforms have also been misused but such cases are less in number, they said, adding there is a need to put an end to this practice as otherwise the other community feels that the law enforcing agency is biased.

The 45,000-strong Manipur police were vertically split after the ethnic clashes, with Meitei personnel in the force moving to Imphal valley for safety and the Kuki personnel escaping to the hills.

While an assessment was being made about the stolen weapons by the police, efforts were also intensified for their recovery.

In this connection, two people were arrested by the police with stolen police weapons which they had purchased from the Imphal valley.

In a related development on better policing, director general of police Rajiv Singh, immediately after taking over, had identified that nearly 1,200 personnel were missing from duty, officials said.

His first task was identifying these people and completing the formalities of their "joining back duty" wherever they were comfortable.

The officials privy to the developments said nearly 1,150 personnel have reported back to duty and fresh instructions had been issued to withhold pays of those personnel who are not back.

Recently, the police chief had visited Khangabok area of Thoubal district where jawans of 3rd India Reserve Battalion had foiled an attempt by hundreds of rioters to loot the armoury. This district is known for Khongjom, where the last battle of the independence of Manipur was fought in April 1891 against the British army.

'Nakas' (checkpoints) are being erected by Manipur Police during which people are detained for violating rules, including movement during curfew, besides providing security to farmers from both the communities at the foothills.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. A number of analysts in Iran hailed the latest statements of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov related to the country's relations with Iran, Trend reports.

In particular, they noted that Bayramov's statements, targeted to reduce tensions between the two countries, led to balancing of the prices of foreign currency, gold coins and stocks in the Iranian market.

So, $1 US dollar was around 500,000 rials on the black market in Iran on July 9, but today on July 12, $1 US dollar is 493,000 rials. Also, the price of 1 gold coin in Iran was worth 285 million rials (about $6,785) on the Iranian market on July 9, while yesterday, the 1 gold coin was sold for 278 million rials (about $6,619). At the same time, reduction of share prices was observed in the stock market of Iran.

"Azerbaijan has always been interested in the positive development of relations with Iran. Recently, there has been tension in relations between the two countries, for which there were very serious reasons," Bayramov said several days ago. "We see Iran's intention to take serious steps towards resolving disagreements. In this case, Azerbaijan will take adequate and reciprocal steps."

Azerbaijan's minister also mentioned the issue with Azerbaijan's embassy in Iran, which has been closed following a barbaric terrorist attack on January 27, 2023, as a result of which people got killed and injured. Following the incident, Azerbaijan made the decision to close the embassy.

The minister noted that after the security of Azerbaijani embassy is fully ensured, it will be possible to plan the resuming of the diplomatic mission's activity.

Considering the comments of Iranian analysts, the obvious is stated yet again - for Iran, it's vitally important to maintain good relations with Azerbaijan, both politically and economically.

---

Follow the author on Twitter:@BaghishovElnur
The five Mexican nationals killed in a helicopter crash in eastern Nepal near Mount Everest on Tuesday visited India before touring the Himalayan nation for sightseeing.

IMAGE: People carry the body of a person killed in a helicopter crash belonging to Manang air, at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu, on July 11, 2023. Photograph: Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters

The Manang Air helicopter 9N-AMV took off from Surke Airport in Solukhumbu district at 10.04 am for Kathmandu on Tuesday and suddenly lost contact at an altitude above 12,000 feet at 10.13 am.

The helicopter crashed in the Lamjura area of Likhupike Rural Municipality in the remote mountainous Solukhumbu district.

The deceased pilot has been identified as Captain CB Gurung, a Nepali national.

The five passengers killed in the crash -- all of them Mexican nationals -- were identified as Fernando Sifuentes (95), Abril Sifuentes Gonzalez (72), Luz Gonzalez Olacio (65), Maria Jose Sifuentes (52) and Ismael Rincon (98).

The family also visited India as one of the victims, Abril Sifuentes Gonzalez, on July 5 posted a photo of herself on a social media platform in front of the Taj Mahal days before the accident.

Mexico's Ambassador to India Federico Salas said that the victims were family members originally from Nuevo Leon, according to Mexican News Daily.

'It was a family of five people, in effect, who were tourists. They went to Nepal. (...) They were a father and mother and three children. (...) The parents and children were adults, they were not little ones,' Salas was quoted as saying by the Infobae Mexico.

Meanwhile, the bodies have been airlifted to Kathmandu and are kept at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital for post-mortem, Gyanendra Bhul, Information Officer at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), The Himalayan Times newspaper was quoted as saying.

Speaking to the media in Janakpurdham, Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Minister Sudan Kirati announced that the government would conduct a comprehensive investigation to uncover the factors that led to this unfortunate incident.

"All the deceased passengers were from the same Mexican family and had flown to the Khumbu region yesterday for mountain flight as well to observe Sherpa culture," Director of Manang Air, Mukti Pandey said.

Nepal's tourist and mountaineering season ended in May. The flights carrying tourists to the mountains are less common this time of year as visibility is poor and weather conditions fickle.

Founded in 1997, Manang Air is a helicopter airline based in Kathmandu. It has been operating helicopters in commercial air transportation within the Nepalese territory under the Regulation of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.

The company provides chartered services and is focused on personalised services such as adventure flights, helicopter excursions or expedition work.

Nepal has had a fraught record of aviation accidents, partly due to its sudden weather changes and airstrips located in hard-to-access rocky terrains.

According to the record of CAAN, 35 fatal helicopter crashes have occurred in Nepal.

In 2023 alone, four helicopter crashes were reported in the country.

In early May, a Simrik Air helicopter crashed in Sankhuwasabha district resulting in the tragic death of one passenger, while four others sustained injuries.

Likewise, Heli Everest and Air Dynasty helicopters crashed this year, but there was no casualty.
Prime Minister Narendra D Modi will visit Abu Dhabi on July 15 after concluding a two-day visit to Paris.

This is Modi's second visit to a Muslim nation in a month -- he was in Egypt on June 24-25.

IMAGE: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, received Prime Minister Narendra D Modi at the Abu Dhabi presidential airport, June 29, 2022. Photograph: @narendramodi/Twitter

The ministry of external affairs said Modi will hold talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi.

'The India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has been steadily strengthening and the prime minister's visit will be an opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence and culture,' the MEA stated.

Modi is visiting France on July 13 and 14 at French President Emmanuel Macron's invitation, and his visit would be both rich in "substance" and set "new benchmark" for strategic partnership between the two countries in years ahead, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Wednesday.

Boosting defence ties is expected to be a key focus of the talks between Modi and Macron, with groundwork being laid to announce New Delhi's procurement of 26 naval variant of Rafale jets from France, besides a big-ticket deal to jointly develop an aircraft engine in India.

Modi will be guest of honour at the annual Bastille Day Parade and hold talks with Macron to take forward cooperation in a range of key areas including defence, space, trade and investment. After concluding his visit to France, Modi will travel to Abu Dhabi.

A 269-member Indian tri-services contingent will participate in the parade. Three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will also join the flypast on the occasion along with French jets.

Kwatra described the recent riots in several French cities as an "internal matter" and said that had no impact on the visit.

While declining to comment on specific outcomes in the spheres of defence in the Modi-Macron talks, he said ways to move the engagement towards "co-production, co-development and co-design" of military hardware and linking it to India's priorities for self-reliance is expected to be part of the discussions.

On the 1650 MW nuclear power reactors in Jaitapur in Maharashtra, he said both sides are engaged in intense discussions to resolve all issues including those relating civil nuclear liability, cost and techno commercial matters.

"The visit of the prime minister to France would be both rich in substance and in form and we would believe that it would set a new benchmark for our strategic partnership in years ahead," Kwatra said addressing a press conference.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to give a go-ahead to the major defence deals that are expected to be announced during Modi's visit to Paris.

Besides the Rafale and aircraft engine project, the DAC is also expected to clear procurement of three additional Scorpene submarines.

Sources said the "frame of reference" of India's defence cooperation with various countries have transformed significantly with a focus on the country's Make-in-India initiative and the engagement with France will also follow that approach.

On Thursday, Modi will meet president of the French senate Gerard Larcher, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and address an Indian community event at La Seine Musicale.

In the evening, Macron will host a private dinner for Modi.

On Friday, Modi will grace the Bastille Day Parade, meet the president of French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet and will attend a series of interactions with thought leaders and business people.

There will be a ceremonial reception for Modi at the Elysee Palace on Friday and it will be followed by delegation-level talks between Modi and Macron.

The two leaders will also participate in the India-France CEO Forum. Later in the evening, Macron will host a banquet for Modi at the iconic Louvre museum complex in Paris.

Kwatra said the two leaders will review cooperation under key pillars of the strategic partnership including security, civil nuclear technology, counter-terrorism, cyber security, space, climate change and integration of supply chains of the two countries.

He said the two leaders are expected to explore new areas of cooperation in the space sector.

Replying to a question on riots in several French cities, Kwatra said: "It is a matter internal to France and from our perspective, we do not see any impact on the visit whatsoever."

In a press statement, the ministry of external affairs said Modi's visit to France will provide an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future across diverse sectors such as strategic, cultural, scientific, academic and economic cooperation.

On defence cooperation, the sources said both sides are looking at expanding it further.

India has already procured 36 Rafale jets from France for the IAF. Another important project with France is likely to be a follow-on order of three Scorpene submarines which are set to be manufactured in India.

Under Project 75, six Scorpene submarines have already been made in India.

The French side and its partner Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) are now looking at the additional order of three more Scorpene submarines. The defence ministry is in talks with French defence major Safran for joint development of a fighter jet engine in India to power the country's next generation aircraft including the futuristic Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

Modi will visit Abu Dhabi on July 15 during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to take forward bilateral ties in areas of energy, food security, fintech and defence.
A male flyer assaulted crew and some other passengers while also damaging the lavatory door aboard an Air India flight from Toronto to Delhi on July 8, the airline said on Wednesday.

Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Nepalese citizen was handed over to security agencies on arrival at the airport in New Delhi.

"A passenger on flight AI188 of 08 July 2023 operating Toronto-Delhi displayed unacceptable aggression during flight. He smoked in the lavatory, damaged the lavatory door and assaulted crew and passengers, leaving them with minor injuries," an Air India spokesperson said in a statement.

According to the spokesperson, the passenger was warned several times by the crew and finally had to be restrained on his seat.

The police have registered a case under relevant sections.

According to the FIR, the passenger allegedly changed his seat after take-off and started abusing the economy class crew, following which he was warned. Later, he was caught with a cigarette lighter inside the lavatory after the smoke alert went off.

"When I opened the door in front of the passenger, he pushed me and ran to his seat 26F and when I tried to stop him at R3 door, he pushed and abused me again. He broke the lavatory door. Then I informed the captain immediately. With the help of cabin crew Punit Sharma and four more passengers, we tried to restrain him as per SOP (standard operating procedure). But since we could not control him, we sought help from more passengers and successfully restrained him," the FIR quoted the complainant as saying.

On arrival, the passenger was handed over to the security agencies for further course of action as per regulatory requirement and the matter has been reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the Air India spokesperson said.

A case was registered at IGI Airport police station under Sections 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code and Aircraft Rules, the police said.

There have been several incidents of unruly behaviour by passengers onboard flights in recent months.

On June 24, a passenger behaved in a repulsive manner aboard an Air India flight from Mumbai to the national capital and was handed over to the security personnel after the plane landed at Delhi airport.
The opposition grouping to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party in the next Lok Sabha polls is set to expand with more parties joining in at the second unity meeting being convened by the Congress next week in Bengaluru.

IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other dignitaries during a press briefing after the conclusion of the Opposition leaders' meeting, in Patna on June 24, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Leaders of 24 non-BJP parties have been invited for the meet on June 17 and 18, the first edition of which saw the participation of 15 parties.

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi is also expected to attend a dinner meeting on July 17 where leaders of these parties will be present.

There will be a more structured formal meeting the next day, where the opposition front would further strategise its plans to take on the BJP in the next Lok Sabha polls.

Sources said the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Kongu Desa Makkal Katchi, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, the Revolutionary Socialist Party, the Forward Bloc, the Indian Union Muslim League, the Kerala Congress-Joseph and the Kerala Congress-Mani are among the political parties that will join the second opposition meeting.

A senior opposition leader said he has received the invite from the Congress president to attend the dinner meeting followed by a formal meeting the next day.

The 24 opposition parties have together around 150 Lok Sabha members currently and are seeking to expand their base.

Opposition parties are likely to deliberate on a broad plan for their unity efforts, where they intend to put up one common candidate against the BJP across the country, sources said.

The first such meeting of opposition parties was held in Bihar's Patna on June 23.

Sixteen parties were invited for the meeting of which 15 had attended. Rashtriya Lok Dal's Jayant Chaudhary could not attend due to a family function.

The Aam Aadmi Party has also been invited for the Bengaluru meeting. The Kejriwal-led outfit had asked the Congress to make its stand clear on the Delhi ordinance before the next meeting.

The AAP had said that if the Congress did not publicly support it on the Ordinance issue, it would not attend the next meeting.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had said on Monday, "A meeting of leaders of all opposition parties (in the country) will be held on July 17 and 18, as already announced. All the leaders are going to come. (M) Mallikarjun Kharge (All India Congress Committee president) has requested Sonia Gandhi to participate in this meeting. We have got a message that she will be participating in this meeting.

"While announcing the dates of the opposition meeting, Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal had said, "We are steadfast in our unwavering resolve to defeat the fascist and undemocratic forces".

"After a hugely successful all-opposition meeting in Patna, we will be holding the next meeting in Bengaluru on 17 and 18 July, 2023. We are steadfast in our unwavering resolve to defeat the fascist and undemocratic forces and present a bold vision to take the country forward," Venugopal had said.
The ruling Trinamool Congress on Wednesday inched closer to a sweeping victory in West Bengal's violence-scarred rural polls, bagging more than half the seats and leaving its rivals trailing way behind in results declared till 9.30 pm by the State Election Commission.

IMAGE: Trinamool Congress supporters celebrate their party candidates' victory in the West Bengal panchayat elections 2023, at a counting centre in North 24 Parganas. Photograph: ANI Photo

The TMC has won 34,980 gram panchayat seats, besides leading in 570 seats, according to the SEC. In all, elections were held for 63,229 gram panchayat seats.

The ruling party's nearest rival Bharatiya Janata Party has won 9,735 seats and is leading in 142 seats.

The CPI-M has won 2,940 and is leading in 65 seats. The Congress won 2,549 seats and is leading in 62.

The TMC won 6,467 panchayat samiti seats while leading in 184 seats. The BJP has won 990 and is leading in 48 seats, while the CPI-M has won 182 seats and is leading in 13 and Congress has won 267 seats and is leading in 6 seats. Elections were held for 9,728 panchayat samiti seats.

The TMC has also won 685 zila parishad seats so far and is leading in 144 others; with this it seems set to repeat its 2018 performance of controlling all the zila parishads, despite marginally better showing by the BJP and CPI-M-Congress alliance in some districts.

The BJP has in contrast won 21 and is leading in six seats. The CPI-M has won two seats, while Congress has won six and is leading in five. In all, there are 928 zila parishad seats.

Counting of votes for the three-tier panchayat polls began at 8 am on Tuesday at 339 venues spread across 22 districts.

The counting is over though it will take some more time to upload the results on the SEC website, an official said.

In Bhangore in South 24 Parganas, three persons including two activists of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) were killed and several others injured in a clash which took place outside a counting booth late Tuesday night, police said on Wednesday.

A 24-year-old Congress worker was beaten to death on Wednesday while several others were injured after a clash between TMC and Congress supporters in Rampur village in Malda district, police said.

The TMC also claimed that a party worker from South 24 Parganas district's Chandpasha village was hacked to death by "BJP goons".

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said she is saddened at the loss of lives in "sporadic" incidents of violence during rural polls.

"I am saddened at the loss of lives in sporadic incidents of violence during panchayat elections... The polls were held in 71,000 booths, but incidents of violence took place in not more than 60 booths," she said.

The chief minister claimed that 19 people, mostly from her TMC, died in poll-related violence since the election date was announced on June 8.

Police sources, however, have put the number of fatalities at 38 but agree that at least 60 per cent of those who lost their lives were affiliated with the TMC.

Allegations of vote tampering and violence by various parties forced the SEC to order re-polling in 696 seats on Monday, which passed more or less peacefully. Intervention by the Calcutta High Court had seen the deployment of central police forces on both election and counting days.

Though Bengal has a long history of violent rural polls with 40 people killed in one single day of polling during the 2003 panchayat elections, this year's violence which was covered extensively by the media and focused national attention on it.

The elections are being closely watched by all parties as an indicator of which way the wind will blow in the 2024 parliamentary elections from this part of the country.

State Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the election has already been reduced to a farce.

"According to our apprehension, violence, nexus between the ruling party, police, and the state election commission and unprecedented violence has led to the death of more than 40 persons. After the counting, post-poll violence will be unleashed," he said.

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad who arrived in Kolkata on Wednesday leading a fact-finding team, said, "Violence and killings during rural polls are unacceptable. So many people have been killed; why have so many people had to die in this election? We will visit the violence-hit areas of north and south Bengal. Later, we will submit our report to our national president JP Nadda.

All the counting venues are manned by armed state police personnel and central forces, with prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC being imposed outside the venue to avoid any untoward incidents.
Helicopter Pilot Wing Commander Deepika Misra rescued 47 people in an operation that lasted 8 days in flood-ravaged Madhya Pradesh.

IMAGE: Wing Commander Deepika Misra and her team rescued around 47 people over eight days during the floods in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh in 2021. All Photographs and videos: Kind courtesy Wing Commander Deepika Misra

The monsoon has unleashed its fury once again, submerging villages, turning highways into rivers and killing nearly 70 in north India. Wing Commander Deepika Misra had found herself in the middle of a similar situation two years ago.

On August 2, 2021, the helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force was given an order to execute a rescue mission in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. Heavy rains had caused the Chambal, Sindh and other rivers in the area to cross the danger mark, flooding villages, leaving hundred stranded and cutting off the district.

Wing Commander Deepika, commander of the aircraft, was accompanied by co-pilot Flight Lieutenant Alok Shekhar Tiwari and Sergeant Anoop in the rescue mission.

As the three-member crew took off, they saw dams had been breached, roads had been washed away and houses destroyed.

Wing Commander Deepika negotiated the aircraft through the challenging conditions. She and her team were the first and only respondents to reach the affected area that day.

"There was no prepared landing ground so we landed on a road and were able to rescue some villagers. The weather was rough and winds were strong," says Wing Commander Misra, who is also the first woman pilot to be a member of Sarang, the IAF's helicopter aerobatics display team. Entry into the Sarang is after a very stringent selection process.

As the captain and crew flew over affected areas on the first day (August 2), they took notes and coordinates and shared the information with other IAF aircraft conducting rescue operations and with civil agencies. This proved crucial to planning the entire rescue operation.

"We formulated a plan of action based on the recce and continued our rescue operations for 8 days. Since there was no prepared landing area, except some roads or farms, we winched up stranded people from roof tops," says the officer, the daughter of an engineer who retired as a senior manager in a cement factory in Morak, Rajasthan.

Winching is the process when a cable is attached to the helicopter by a winch which is operated by a flight gunner who is the third member of the crew. He gets people onboard by attaching them to the winch when the helicopter does not have a landing ground.

Wing Commander Misra and team rescued around 47 people over eight days.

At one place, they rescued 5 people who had been stranded for 3 days on the second floor of a half-submerged building. It was the most challenging op of those eight days.

"I had to execute a low hover. The downwash of the rotors was resulting in a lot of water spray around me and I did not have any visual cues available to maintain a steady hover," says the officer, who is a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Instrument Rated Instructor and Examiner.

IMAGE: IAF personnel involved in the rescue mission pose for a photograph with the rescued civilians.

On each of those eight days, Wing Commander Misra, Flight Lieutenant Tiwari and Sergeant Anoop flew 3-4 missions.

They battled heavy rain, low clouds, minimal visibility and operated without the aid of air traffic control.

"We had to stay in contact with other aircraft operating in the vicinity to maintain the horizontal and vertical separation. That coordination was very important and my co-pilot and gunner played a very important part. They were constantly guiding me and coordinating with agencies. It was a total team effort," she remembers.

For her bravery in conducting such a difficult operation during a natural calamity and saving 47 lives, Wing Commander Misra became the first woman to be conferred a Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry in IAF history.

Her co-pilot Flight Lieutenant Tiwari was awarded a commendation from the Air Officer Commanding in Chief for the mission.

"As helicopter pilots, we keep doing such rescue ops. I have done flood relief work in the past in South India for which I was commended by the chief of air staff, but this was the first time I was leading as captain of this particular mission," says the officer who was commissioned in the IAF in 2006.

The news that she was to get the gallantry medal took her by surprise.

"I did not expect it. It was very encouraging," says the officer who recently completed the prestigious Air Staff Course at the Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College, Putrajaya, Malaysia in 2022.

IMAGE: The rescue operation included low hover pick-ups and winching lasting for an exhaustive eight days.

A mother of a daughter and son, her husband also serves in the IAF as an engineering officer.

Wing Commander Misra grew up in Kota, Rajasthan, and was encouraged to join the National Cadet Corps by her uncle, a retired colonel. She went on to join the NCC's Microlight flying team. "Those were my baby steps into the IAF," she says.

"My commanding officer in the NCC was also a defining factor, he asked me to join helicopters. Compared to fixed wing aircraft, I feel there are greater merits to helicopter flying."

Wing Commander Misra has proved her flying mettle as an ace helicopter pilot and created history when she walked up to receive her gallantry medal from the Chief of Air Staff at the defence investiture ceremony last year.

Looking back, she says, the sense of relief and gratitude that she saw on the faces of those she had rescued will be a memory to cherish forever.

SEE: Wing Commander Deepika Misra and her team carry out the rescue missions.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Kevin O'Keefe, a Brattleboro resident and creator of Circus Minimus, performs for a group of people at Living Memorial Park in July 2019. Circus Minimus is a one-man circus in a suitcase show.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. Russia's Ambassador to Iran Alexey Dedov has been summoned to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Trend reports.

He was summoned to the Iranian MFA since the statement of the sixth round of strategic talks between the foreign ministers of Russia and the countries of the Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Persian Gulf was published.

Iran has protested against the content of this statement. Alireza Enayati, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran and Director of the Persian Gulf Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who was present at the meeting, stressed that Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa islands belong to Iran, and called on Russia to adjust its position on this issue.

Various circles in Iran have regarded this statement as a "betrayal" of Russia towards their country, which led to protests at the diplomatic level.

Russian ambassador showed respect for the territorial integrity of Iran and said that he would bring the essence of this discontent to the attention of Moscow as soon as possible.

Iran has been in control of the three islands since 1971, before the Iranian Revolution, while the UAE asserts its ownership of the islands. This territorial disagreement has been a significant source of tension between Iran and the UAE, leading to verbal confrontations between the two countries in international forums on multiple occasions.
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"At about 3:30 a.m., we got a text warning. We watched it rise minute by minute and kept moving back and back and back. It didnt stop.

-- Judy Platt

Quote
BELLOWS FALLS  Friday marks the kickoff of a new program  four years in the making  to promote the various bike and hiking trails in the Be
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 12. The NATO summit in Vilnius played an important role in making important decisions in the field of combating terrorism, as well as in the process of Turkiye's accession to the European Union, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrote on his social networks, Trend reports.

Erdogan also noted the role of the summit in the process of lifting the sanctions against Turkiye.

"We will continue to diligently defend the interests, rights and laws of our country on every platform," the Turkish president added.

On July 11-12, the summit of NATO leaders was held in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius.
"International Day" was organized at the Sabah Al-Salim Building of Kuwait State University on the occasion of the graduation of students studying Arabic at the Language Learning Centre of this higher education institution for the academic year 2022-2023. The event was attended by students studying at Kuwait State University, and representatives of diplomatic missions accredited in Kuwait (Turkiye, Nigeria, Tajikistan, China, Chad) Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijan embassy in Kuwait.

A wide exhibition reflecting the history, cultural heritage, music, national cuisine, and tourism potential of the countries was organized within the framework of the event. Azerbaijan's stand was organized at the exhibition with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Kuwait. The participants of the event were given detailed information about the history, culture, cuisine, national costumes, the art of carpet weaving, and the tourism potential of our country, as well as printed materials were exhibited and distributed.

The exhibition participants were informed that this year the 100th anniversary of a national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and outstanding scientist-ophthalmologist, and academician Zarifa Aliyeva is celebrated in Azerbaijan and abroad. The Embassy has prepared a book "Heydar Aliyev - 100" in Arabic and presented to the participants a brochure "Zarifa Aliyeva... Ophthalmologist, covering the life of Azerbaijanis".

Information was presented on the history, geography, and culture of this ancient city of Azerbaijan and Caucasus in connection with the announcement of Shusha, the cultural capital of Azerbaijan, as "the cultural capital of the Turkic world". " in 2023. At the same time, the book "Shusha: the capital of Azerbaijani culture, the pearl of Karabakh" published in Arabic with the support of the Embassy, a special issue of "Heritage" magazine about the city of Shusha, events dedicated to "Hari Bulbul" festival were organized for the organizers and participants of the exhibition, other related promotional materials were presented. They were also given small carpets with the image of Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque.

In addition, brochures depicting Azerbaijan's historical and modern cultural monuments, must-see and sightseeing places, historical sites, and national spiritual values, as well as samples of Azerbaijan national clothing and cuisine were presented at the exhibition, and visitors were treated to sweets related to Azerbaijani cuisine.

In order to promote "Made in Azerbaijan" products in Kuwait, products of "Bizim Tarla" and "Azerchay" trademarks of Azersun Holding Company produced in Azerbaijan, were presented to the participants of the exhibition.

The exhibition was visited by teachers and students of the university, as well as representatives of the Kuwaiti public.




Egypt has condemned the Swedish government's approval of an assembly where an extremist repeated the act of desecrating the Quran in the Swedish capital of Stockholm on Thursday.
Asian healthcare buyout firm Quadria Capital said on Wednesday it was selling a Vietnamese healthcare firm to Singapore's Thomson Medical for $381.4 million and would invest up to $155 million in India's Maxivision Eye Hospital.

"We believe an impact-driven approach is fundamental to our success in building meaningful businesses and delivering superior financial returns," said Ewan Davis, partner and head of Southeast Asia at Singapore-based Quadria Capital.

Details of the investment

It said it had agreed to sell its interest in Far East Medical Vietnam Ltd to Thomson Medical in what it called Vietnam's biggest healthcare transaction and Southeast Asia's largest such acquisition since 2020.

Quadria invested in the Ho Chi Minh City-based firm in 2017. Far East Medical's healthcare facilities in Vietnam include FV Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City and a network of primary and specialist clinics, Thomson Medical said.

In a separate statement Quadria said it would make an initial investment of about $75 million for a minority stake in Maxvision, and a further investment of up to $80 million for more equity, but did not provide a timeline.

The investment aims to "support Maxivision's ability to scale and serve the growing demand for eye care in India," it added, particularly in smaller cities still under-served by eye care providers.

Maxivision offers eye care services to more than 5 million patients in 42 centres across six states in India's south and west, Quadria said.

Founded in 2012, Quadria has assets under management in excess of $3.4 billion and invests in healthcare in south and southeast Asia.

Its portfolio includes Vietnam's mother-and-baby retail network Con Cung and India-based topical drugs maker Encube Ethicals, its website shows.

Singapore-listed Thomson Medical said its proposed acquisition of Far East Medical would enable it to enter Vietnam's growing private healthcare market.
The CBI, on Wednesday, filed a chargesheet against journalist Vivek Raghuvanshi and former Navy Commander Ashish Pathak who were earlier arrested in an alleged case of espionage in May. The Delhi Police special cell registered a case against the two in September 2022 before handing it over to the CBI on orders of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The CBI filed another FIR in December after taking over the case.

The FIR stated, "One journalist is involved in the illegal collection of sensitive information including minute details of the DRDO projects and their progress and the sensitive details about future procurement of Indian armed forces which reveal the strategic preparedness of our country, classified communication relating to national security and details of strategic and diplomatic talks of India with our friendly countries which can spoil bilateral relations of India with them and shared such classified information with intelligence agencies of foreign countries."

"As per the information, this is an international network in which some Indian journalists are supplying aforesaid strategic/ secret information intelligence agencies of enemy countries," it further said.
Kosovos government on Wednesday will reduce the number of special police officers stationed outside four municipal buildings in ethnic Serb-majority areas and hold new mayoral elections in each of the towns, in a bid to defuse tensions with neighboring Serbia that flared anew in May.

Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that one-fourth of the special police forces would be moved away from the sites taking into consideration that the situation at the municipal buildings has been comparatively much quieter in the last two weeks. He added that more officers would be withdrawn based on the continuous evaluation of the situation.

It wasn't immediately clear when the reductions would take place, and where the officers would be reassigned to.

Serbia's government and Kosovos ethnic Serbs want special police forces to leave the northern area, while Pristina says the number will be gradually reduced.

Kurti said the government would make a formal statement on holding new elections in the four municipalities, which have an ethnic Serb-majority population.

For that it is necessary to create a proper environment to make possible holding of the (electoral) campaign, political pluralism, participation of the local communities and also guaranteeing vote inviolability, he added.

The decisions were made after Kurti's deputy met with European Union envoy Miroslav Lajcak in Bratislava, Slovakia, earlier this week, according to Kurti.

Ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo boycotted mayoral elections in the four municipalities in April as part of a campaign for greater autonomy, and they now object to the ethnic Albanian mayors chosen in the polls. Neighboring Serbia has backed calls for the mayors to step down.

When new Albanian mayors, who were elected with few participating Albanian votes, took office in late May ethnic Serbs tried to block their entrance and violently enter the public buildings sparking clashes which left at least 30 international peacekeepers and more than 50 ethnic Serbs injured.

The EU has called on Pristina and Belgrade to de-escalate the situation. Brussels has made it clear that the normalization of the Kosovo-Serbia ties would serve not only regional peace and stability, but also their prospects of future integration into the 27-member bloc.

The EU and also the United States fear the recent flare-up of the tensions between Kosovo and Serbia threaten to push the Balkan region into instability amid Russias war in Ukraine.

Kurti said he would be ready to meet with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic for talks on the implementation of the de-escalation efforts and resume implementation of the already agreed upon deal on the normalization of their ties.

Four months ago, Vucic and Kurti gave their tacit approval to a EU-sponsored plan to end animosity and help improve their ties in the longer term.

But the agreement unraveled almost immediately as both leaders appeared to renege on their commitments.

Serbia and its former province Kosovo have been at odds for decades, with Belgrade refusing to recognize Kosovos 2008 declaration of independence, recognized by Washington and most EU nations, while Russia and China have backed Belgrades claim on the territory.

The 1998-99 conflict that left more than 10,000 people dead, mostly Kosovar Albanians, erupted when separatist ethnic Albanians rebelled against Serbias rule and Belgrade responded with a brutal crackdown. NATOs bombing campaign in 1999 forced Serbia to relinquish control, but the government in Belgrade has maintained that Kosovo remains part of Serbia.
Spain sweltered under an unrelenting heat wave Wednesday as temperatures started to build toward what is forecast to be a torrid weekend across southern Europe.

Spains weather service said thermometers could potentially hit 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) in southeastern areas of the Iberian Peninsula, which are under alert for extreme heat. That mark of 45 C was reached Monday in the village of Loja near Granada at the start of the heat wave that is causing restless nights across the country.

Over 100 weather stations registered temperatures of at least 35 C (95 F) as early as 6 a.m. Wednesday, according to meteorologist Ruben del Campo of Spains national weather agency.

On Wednesday we expect temperatures to fall overall with the arrival of cool winds from the North and East, with the exception of the southeast and southern Andalusia, where hot winds blowing from the interior will cause temperatures to soar, Del Campo said.

While some relief is in store in the coming days for the Iberian Peninsula, other European countries will sweat through the weekend.

In Italy, 10 cities were put on high heat alert for older people and other vulnerable populations from Bolzano in the north extending southward to Bologna, Florence and Rome. Temperatures are expected to reach 40 C (104 F) in the Sardinian inland Wednesday.

Temperatures were also starting to tick up in Greece, where a heat wave was forecast to reach up to 44 C (111 F) in some parts of the country in the coming days. Authorities banned access to nature reserves and forests to reduce the risk of wildfires, while municipalities were opening air-conditioned areas in public buildings for people to shelter from the heat.

Greeces agriculture ministry issued restrictions on the transportation and working hours of animals such as horses and donkeys offering rides in tourist areas during the heat wave. Working animals will not be allowed to work between noon and 5 p.m. on days where temperatures are between 35-39 C (95-102 F) in the shade, while they will not be allowed to work at any time of the day when temperatures exceed that range.

Scientists report that heat-related deaths soared in 2022 in Europe, when Spain had a record-hot year. The Mediterranean region is expected to see temperatures rise faster than many other areas of the globe due to climate change.
An explosion near Lebanons border with Israel slightly wounded at least three members of the militant Hezbollah group, a Lebanese security official said.

The three Hezbollah members were taken to a hospital near the scene of the blast in the village Bustan in southern Lebanese province of Bustan, the official said on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

The Israeli army said a number of suspects approached the northern security fence with Lebanon and attempted to sabotage the security fence in the area. It added that the Israeli military immediately spotted the suspects and used means to distance them. The identity of the suspects is unknown, it said. It posted surveillance footage showing four people in civilian clothing approaching the border fence, and running away after the explosion.

The incident took place hours before Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was scheduled to speak to commemorate the start of a monthlong war between Israel and the militant group in 2006 that ended with a draw.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the army deterred activists with nonlethal means. The army told The Associated Press that soldiers the explosion came from a stun grenade used to push them away.

Anyone who tries us will get an answer, Gallant said. We have a lot to do and we will know how to do what is needed at the right time.

U.N. peacekeeping forces along the southern Lebanese border, known as UNIFIL, said they were investigating the situation.

In the meantime, the situation is extremely severe, UNIFIL said. We urge everyone to cease any action that may lead to escalation of any kind.

Hezbollah had no immediate comment on the incident.

Lebanese officials said that Israel in recent weeks has built a wall around the Lebanese part of Ghajar, a border town that straddles between the tiny Mediterranean country and Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights. Lebanons foreign minister asked the countrys permanent mission to the United Nations to file a complaint on the matter.

Israel meanwhile in June filed a complaint with the U.N. claiming that Hezbollah had set up tents several dozen meters (yards) within Israeli territory. Its unclear what the tents were used for and what was inside them. They were erected in Chebaa Farms and the Kfar Chouba hills, which Israeli captured from Syria during the 1967 Mideast War and annexed in 1981, though Lebanon claims the area belongs to them.

Israel considers Hezbollah its most serious immediate threat, and estimates that it has some 150,000 rockets and missiles aimed at Israel.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday held a series of meetings with his counterparts from several countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and Vietnam, and discussed bilateral cooperation and issues of mutual concern. The minister, who is on a week-long visit to Indonesia and Thailand, started his engagements here in the capital of Indonesia with a meeting with the Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Dr Kao Kim Hourn. Jaishankar said that he discussed with Hourn the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership.

Nice to meet Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister of Lao PDR Saleumxay Kommasith.



Discussed regional issues of mutual concern. Also reviewed our bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation. pic.twitter.com/9oQSJwGrlH July 12, 2023

"Suggested India-ASEAN dialogues in finance, cyber and maritime domains. Noted the ongoing work in energy, disaster management and health and wellness. Agreed to expand our Track II engagement," he said in a series of tweets. "Our ASEAN relationship paved the way for the Indo-Pacific Vision. India is therefore deeply committed to the principle of ASEAN centrality," the minister said.

Ended the day with our Indian Community in Jakarta.



 Highlighted the deep connections and commonalities between India and Indonesia



Recognized the strong Indian business community and the contribution they make.



Spoke about the changes happening in India and the pic.twitter.com/6QIEM77Z2z  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 12, 2023

Jaishankar said he had a "useful meeting" with Vietnam Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son during which they discussed trade and investment, energy, air connectivity and cultural cooperation. They also exchanged views on contemporary regional and global issues. Jaishankar also met Malaysian Foreign Minister Dr Zambry Adbul Kadir and discussed expanding bilateral cooperation. "Exchanged views on ASEAN-related issues. Look forward to welcoming him in India," he said.

He joined Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Australian counterpart Penny Wong for the 2nd India-Australia-Indonesia trilateral. "Always good meeting between three Indo-Pacific maritime states. Plenty to talk about; plenty to agree," he tweeted. He also met the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Lao PDR Saleumxay Kommasith and discussed regional issues of mutual concern. They also reviewed bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation. During his stay in Indonesia, Jaishankar will meet his counterparts under the ASEAN framework in the format - ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum.

Great to meet Foreign Minister of Malaysia Dr Zambry Adbul Kadir.



Discussed our expanding bilateral cooperation. Exchanged views on ASEAN-related issues.



Look forward to welcoming him in India. pic.twitter.com/mzfo81vMpA  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 12, 2023

"India's engagement with this ASEAN-centred regional architecture signifies India's strong commitment to ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific," the MEA said in a statement.

After Jakarta, Jaishankar will travel to Bangkok to participate in the 12th Foreign Ministers' Meeting of Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Mechanism on Sunday. MGC, one of the oldest mechanisms of the lower Mekong region, is guided by India's Act East Policy, the External Affairs Ministry said.

The MGC is an initiative by India, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam to facilitate closer connections between the six member countries which share the Ganga River and Mekong River basins. In Bangkok, Jaishankar will also attend the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat on July 17. BIMSTEC is an economic and technical initiative which brings together the countries of the Bay of Bengal for multifaceted cooperation. The retreat would discuss ways to further deepen the BIMSTEC agenda and strengthen the organisation.
Ascent Hospitality Management, the parent company of Huddle House and Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, closed its Fiscal Year 2023 in April 2023 with 32 signed franchise agreements, setting the stage for an exciting journey of expansion. Adding to the thrill, the Brand achieved a remarkable feat of five consecutive months of multi-unit signings.

This continues the trend over the past two years, where Ascent Hospitality Management has signed 70 franchise agreements. The signings in Fiscal Year 2023 bring their portfolio to nearly 600 locations open or in development across the U.S. and Canada.

The growth includes new and existing multi-unit owners and comes on the heels of the previous explosive Fiscal Year that introduced a new restaurant prototype, elevated technology, and continued focus on innovation.

Fiscal Year 2022 was an incredible period for growth, and we leveraged that momentum into Fiscal Year 2023. Thanks to our partners across the system, we continued to expand and attract interest toward our franchising opportunities, said Peter Ortiz, Chief Development Officer at Ascent Hospitality Management. Between January-May 2023, we closed five multi-unit deals in five months and have more on the horizon. Our franchising program continues to offer exceptional comprehensive support for our partners to ensure their success and drive their desire to continue to grow with us.

The new deals signed in Fiscal Year 2023 will grow the Huddle House and Perkins Restaurant and Bakery footprints across the country including Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Texas, and more.

Our winning formula of great food and hospitality paired with a solid franchising program allows us to attract a variety of partners. Over the past year, we welcomed an interesting blend of business owners, many being successful entrepreneurs who are looking to build their portfolios with our iconic brands, said Troy Tracy, Brand President & Chief Operating Officer at Huddle House.

From a legendary insurance agent to an established Texas developer to long-time franchisees who continue to grow with us, we are expanding our network with an impressive group of partners, Tracy continued. These are exciting times for Huddle House and Perkins and the continually growing interest in our franchising program is a testament to the strength of our brands and the talents of our people.
KFC China Opens Its 500th Store in Shanghai

Yum China Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: YUMC and HKEX: 9987 announced that KFC China has celebrated the opening of its 500th store in Shanghai. KFC opened its first store in Shanghai at the Dongfeng Hotel on the Bund in 1989. 34 years later, Shanghai becomes the first city in China to reach 500 KFC stores.

"We are thrilled to reach this remarkable milestone in Shanghai, which is not only China's largest consumer market, but also home to Yum China's operating headquarters," said Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China. "Since entering China in 1987, we have been committed to meeting the evolving needs of consumers with great food and delightful dining experience. It has been our privilege to serve millions of customers and thousands of communities every day. Looking ahead, we firmly believe there are immense opportunities for us to continue expanding and growing in China."

KFC is committed to promoting positive social change and the 500th KFC store in Shanghai has some unique features that support this:

Partnering with the Shanghai Library, the new store features a dedicated reading area which has a diverse collection of books. The store will also hold a series of parent-child reading events. This initiative is part of the "KFC Book Kingdom Program" which is focused on promoting reading among children.

In collaboration with the Pudong New Area Disabled Persons' Federation, the store is KFC's first "Angel Restaurant" in Shanghai . The "Angel Restaurants" initiative aims to create an inclusive and welcoming work environment for individuals with special needs. The store incorporates various enhancements to support employees, such as light and sound reminders. Moreover, the in-store menu at this location offers braille and sign language options, ensuring more accessible and enjoyable dining experience for customers with special needs.

KFC is the leading and the largest quick-service restaurant brand in China, with over 9,200 stores in 1,800 cities across China as of March 2023. Over the years, menu innovation has been a strategic focus for KFC China. By combining Chinese and Western elements in its menu and offerings, KFC is establishing deeper connections with Chinese consumers. This summer, KFC launched a nostalgia marketing campaign with 9 classic fan-favorite menu items, including Original Recipe Chicken, Dragon Twister, Portuguese egg tart, New Orleans Roasted Chicken Wing, Century Egg & Pork Congee, Great Value Family Bucket, among others.
Vietnam has banned the release of the Warner Bros feature film Barbie because its trailer includes a crude cartoon map that Vietnamese netizens believed depicted Chinas "nine-dash line" territorial claims in the emotive South China Sea maritime territorial dispute. The decision mystified the studio, which said the map that prompted Hanoi to pull the movie was a "child-like crayon drawing" that traced Barbie's travels and carried no political message.
Even though the opposition Candlelight Party wont be on this months ballot, activists are still being harassed.

I have not committed any wrongdoing, says Khem Monykosal, the Candlelight Partys chief for Cambodias Pailin province.

About 30 police officers raided the Phnom Penh home of an outspoken opposition party member in what appears to be retaliation for not defecting to Prime Minister Hun Sens ruling party ahead of the July 23 election.

Khem Monykosal, the Candlelight Partys chief for Pailin province, told Radio Free Asia that he wasnt home on Tuesday when police conducted the two-hour search. Police left a handwritten note that said a mobile phone was taken by order of a prosecutor.

I have not committed any wrongdoing. Why do they pursue me from Pailin province to Phnom Penh? Khem said. They neither showed the search warrant nor stated any reasons.

The raid comes just two weeks before a parliamentary election that Hun Sens Cambodian Peoples Party is expected to sweep.

The Candlelight Party  Cambodias main opposition party and the only one capable of mounting a challenge to the CPP  has been blocked from appearing on the ballot. The National Election Committee ruled in May that it submitted inadequate paperwork.

Even so, Hun Sen and his government have continued to pursue Candlelight Party supporters in recent months. Hes persuaded dozens of opposition activists to switch their allegiance to the CPP, while others have been threatened with legal action.

Pailin proposal

Four ruling party officials who hold senior positions at Pailins provincial health department recently asked Khem Monykosal to join the CPP in exchange for reinstatement to a civil servant position at the department, he told RFA.

When he declined, the CPP officials threatened to have two pending court cases reviewed, Khem said.

One case relates to a Facebook post during the COVID-19 lockdown in which he criticized local quarantine officers. In the other case, he said on Facebook that a village chief in Pailin had tried to persuade Candlelight Party activists not to work as election observers during the 2022 commune election.

The Pailin court has yet to take any action on the cases.

Candlelight Party member Thol Samnang was arrested in Bangkok last week after criticizing Hun Sen and the Cambodia Peoples Party on Facebook in the weeks leading up to his departure from the country, his mother told RFA. Credit: Thol Samnang Facebook





The lack of a warrant for Tuesdays raid of Khems home was a flagrant violation of the law, ADHOC President Ny Sokha said.

A court warrant should have been shown and read aloud before such a search, he told RFA. They cannot violate this procedure.

RFA attempted to reach Boeung Raing administrative police station chief Bun Pros, Phnom Penh Municipal Police spokesman San Sokseyha and National Police General Commissariat spokesman Chhay Kimkhoeun for comment on the raid on Wednesday.

Khem told RFA that he is taking refuge at a safe location and remains a firm supporter of the opposition.

I still feel terrified

A Candlelight Party member who was arrested last week by Thai authorities on the streets of Bangkok had also posted critical comments on Facebook about Hun Sen and the CPP, and was also the target of a home raid.

Thol Samnang fled Cambodia on July 4, a day after police and government authorities visited his home in Kandal province seeking to detain him without a warrant.

The 34-year-old was arrested on July 7 by men in plainclothes as he made his way to the office of the United Nations refugee agency. He was being held at an immigration detention center in the Thai capital and could face deportation to Cambodia.

Hun Sen is taking an opportunity of the transition government of Thailand to collude with his old conspirators to arrest and deport democrats who are hiding in Thailand, said Meng Sotheara, an opposition activist who lives in Thailand.

So Dara, a former bodyguard of opposition leader Sam Rainsy, said he is worried he will also be arrested by Thai authorities and deported to Cambodia, where he could face a long imprisonment.

I still feel terrified and dare not even leave my room, he told RFA. All other political refugees dare not go out either.

Translated by Sovannarith Keo and Sok Ry Sum. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
We detected it fairly rapidly and we were able to prevent further breaches. The matter is still being investigated so I have to leave it there, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Wednesday.

A breach of Microsoft-hosted U.S. government email servers by a Chinese hacking group was detected and fixed fairly rapidly, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Wednesday, despite Microsoft saying that the breach was only discovered after a month.

Microsoft on Tuesday revealed that the group, known as Storm-0558, had been caught forging digital authentication tokens to access federal government email servers hosted on its Outlook email platform.

The company said the breach was detected on June 16, and that it believed the hackers had first gained access around May 15. But Sullivan appeared to downplay the hack on Wednesday, telling a morning news program that the breach was remedied quickly.

We detected it fairly rapidly and we were able to prevent further breaches, Sullivan said on ABCs Good Morning America. The matter is still being investigated so I have to leave it there.

Not Falkland Islanders

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the U.S. government had not formally identified the source of the hack, but that officials were aware of Microsofts announcement pointing to the Chinese group.

Last month, the State Department detected anomalous activity. We did two things immediately: one, we took immediate steps to secure our systems and, two, took immediate steps to notify Microsoft of the event, Miller said during a press briefing. As a matter of cybersecurity policy, we do not discuss the details of our response.

Miller would also not say if officials were aware of the hack before Secretary of State Antony Blinkens trip to Beijing, which also followed reports of a Chinese spy base in Cuba. Blinken arrived in Beijing on June 17, the day after Microsoft says the hack was discovered.

But the spokesman stressed there was no official determination about the hacks origins. Pressed by a reporter, he ruled out only one origin.

I do not believe its people from the Falkland Islands, he said.

Cyber espionage

Microsoft said in its statement that the Storm-0558 hacking group primarily targets government agencies in Western Europe, but this time had gained access to email accounts affecting approximately 25 organizations including government agencies in the United States.

Microsoft investigations determined that Storm-0558 gained access to customer email accounts using Outlook Web Access in Exchange Online and Outlook.com by forging authentication tokens to access user email, it said. Microsoft blocked usage of tokens issued with the key for all impacted consumer customers.

In a blog post, the company also said the group were likely spies.

We assess this adversary is focused on espionage, such as gaining access to email systems for intelligence collection, Microsoft said. This type of espionage-motivated adversary seeks to abuse credentials and gain access to data residing in sensitive systems.

U.S. officials have over the past year intensified warning about the threats to American business and government posed by Chinese hackers. In July last year, FBI director Christopher Wray said Beijing was intent on exploiting cyber vulnerabilities to its advantage.

The comments followed another hack by a suspected Chinese hacking group, Hafnium, on email servers hosted by Microsoft Exchange.

The Chinese government sees cyber as the pathway to cheat and steal on a massive scale, Wray said. Over the last few years, weve seen Chinese state-sponsored hackers relentlessly looking for ways to compromise unpatched network devices and infrastructure.

Chinese response

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin used his press briefing on Wednesday to accuse the U.S. government of overseeing the worlds No.1 hacking group  the National Security Agency  but otherwise did not comment on the claims against Storm-0558.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told Radio Free Asia that China condemned any hack, and reiterated Wangs claims the United States was responsible for cyber attacks.

He said that the United States was actually the biggest hacking empire and global cyber thief and added that the U.S. government should stop spreading disinformation to deflect public attention.

China is against cyber attacks of all kinds and has suffered from cyber hacking, Liu said in an emailed comment. Since last year, cyber security institutions from China and elsewhere in the world have issued reports to reveal [the] US governments cyber attacks against China over the years, but the US has yet to make a response.

Edited by Malcolm Foster.
The Hong Kong and Macau Work Office is charged with 'maintaining national security' in the city under a 2020 law

Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council and accompanied by Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee, waves to the media while visiting the University of Hong Kong in Hong Kong, April 18, 2023.

UPDATED at 3:15 pm, July 17, 2023

The ruling Chinese Communist Party has taken more direct control over national security in Hong Kong from China's cabinet, the State Council, in a move commentators said is likely linked to a recent bid to pursue the city's democracy activists overseas and to harass their families.

The Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party's Central Committee is headed by Xia Baolong, who also headed its predecessor, according to a brief account of its July 11 meeting posted to its official website.

Its remit  according to plans passed by the National People's Congress in March  will be to "deploy the governing power of the central government" in Hong Kong and to "maintain national security," under a security law imposed on Hong Kong in July 2020 that criminalizes public criticism of the authorities by anyone, anywhere in the world.

The office is also charged with "supporting" the integration of both cities with the rest of China.

A woman walks past an exhibition poster featuring Chinese President Xi Jinping and Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, in Hong Kong, July 10, 2023. Credit: Tyrone Siu/Reuters





Its first publicized meeting comes days after Hong Kong's national security police issued arrest warrants and bounties for eight prominent overseas democracy activists, with the city's leader John Lee vowing to pursue them "for life."

The warrants were swiftly followed by five arrests in Hong Kong of people suspected of helping overseas activists, and the questioning of the parents and brother of U.K.-based former pro-democracy lawmaker Nathan Law.

U.S. response

As the office made its public debut, U.S. President Joe Biden extended the U.S. state of emergency with regard to Hong Kong.

In a July 11 letter to Congress, Biden said recent actions taken by Beijing "to fundamentally undermine Hong Kong's autonomy ... [continue] to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security.

Exiled former lawmaker Ted Hui, who is among the eight wanted activists, said the order to issue the arrest warrants had clearly come from Beijing.

"These concerted actions [the warrants, arrests and questioning of family members] were clearly ordered by Beijing," Hui told Radio Free Asia. "They may not be able to arrest us, but they can make things tough for our families."

"It's political law enforcement that uses people as hostages in a kind of psychological warfare," he said. "They've started by harassing Nathan Law's family, sending the message that if he doesn't submit to their will and keep quiet, they will take further action."

Former Hong Kong opposition lawmaker Ted Hui speaks to the media as he leaves the Western Police Station in Hong Kong on Nov. 18, 2020. Credit: Anthony Wallace/AFP





Current affairs commentator Sang Pu said the new, party-run Hong Kong and Macao Office will likely be running a "rectification" campaign in Hong Kong, which could mean that some heads will roll in the local administration.

"It has the spirit of [political] struggle  the more communist the better," Sang said. "Nobody in the Hong Kong government has said anything  they must think there's a crisis coming."

"Everything they do ... will be about demonstrating loyalty  it's a continuation of the spirit of the Cultural Revolution," he said.

Losing its uniqueness

Chen Li-fu, vice president of the Taiwan Association of University Professors, said Washington appears to want to step up pressure on China to ease off its political controls over Hong Kong.

"[Biden's] saying here that he doesn't think they have seen the error of their ways, so he's extending [the state of emergency] for one year ... but not forever, hoping they'll change their ways," Chen said.

There are signs that not everyone in the Chinese political establishment agrees with the current approach to dissent in Hong Kong.

A post by mainland Chinese blogger Jinghaihou -- a former columnist for a Beijing-backed newspaper in Hong Kong -- calling for an easing of the political crackdown in the city was recently allowed to remain online.

In it, the blogger argues that Hong Kong is losing its uniqueness under the national security law, saying there are fears the city has lost its luster, and that it's neither special nor a particularly attractive destination, and has been marginalized on the international stage.

The post cites the recent removal of books from the shelves of the city's public libraries, including work by revolutionary Chinese author Lu Xun.

"Since the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, a small number of people have gotten into the habit of overdoing the implementation of some policies ... of mechanically implementing the government's decisions ... to the point where Lu Xun is being taken off library shelves, and movies that have nothing to do with politics are no longer being shown," the blogger wrote.

People read books at Hong Kong Central Library after democracy activists' books were removed due to the national security law in Hong Kong, July 6, 2020. Credit: Tyrone Siu/Reuters





"They always seek left over right, regardless of the consequences," the post said, blaming the local government for its "frivolous" use of the law to scare people.

The pro-China Sing Tao Daily newspaper also published an article on July 11 hitting out at local officials for their "excessive leftism" and calling for a balance between national security, and the need for investment, human rights and freedom.

"Some people [within the Chinese government] feel pessimistic and lack confidence in a Xi Jinping-style model for governing Hong Kong," mainland Chinese commentator Si Ling told Radio Free Asia.

"The fact that this article was published is a rebuke to Xi Jinping and a call for change, and also speaks to the influence of those whose views are represented in it," he said.

Current affairs commentator Johnny Lau said one or two articles are unlikely to change much, however.

"Unless there is a long period of easing back, one or two articles are hardly going to change anyone's perception of tightening controls," he said.

"Even if there are people in the central government who think a better balance needs to be found, those further down the hierarchy haven't gotten the memo," Lau said.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie; edited by Malcolm Foster.

Headline and lead have been revised to show that Communist Party is taking a greater role in security, not in day-to-day affairs.
Goal seems to be to avoid tainting purity of communist monuments with commercialism

A paramilitary policeman stands guard under a sunshade in front of the Tiananmen Gate in Beijing.

Beijing authorities are moving to ban the display of commercial advertising from buses on routes that pass through the iconic center of Communist Party rule  Beijing's Tiananmen Square  not far from where crowds once flocked to first taste Kentucky Fried Chicken under the economic reforms of late supreme leader Deng Xiaoping.

The municipal government is planning to ban advertising on the sides of buses and trolley-buses passing through the square, which is home to communist monuments like the Great Hall of the People and the mausoleum of late supreme leader Mao Zedong as well as the front gate of the Forbidden City museum, from which Maos portrait looks down at passing traffic.

"We have friends all over the world!" proclaims one of the red and gold slogans next to Mao. "Long live the People's Republic of China!" shouts the other.

Just along Qianmen Street from the southwestern corner of the square lies a multistorey branch of Kentucky Fried Chicken  an icon of the economic reform era ushered in by Mao's successor Deng Xiaoping that saw people freed up to make money as fast as they liked, and the start of a burgeoning private sector.

But political commentators say the ruling Chinese Communist Party under Xi Jinping is once more turning against symbols of private commercial gain, in favor of "socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era."

A Beijing-based journalist who gave only the surname Ma for fear of reprisals said this is the main reason for the new ban on advertisements.

"The leadership ... basically rejects the private sector and commercial activities," Ma said. "I think it's in line with their thinking ... that buses passing through Tiananmen Square won't be allowed to carry advertisements."

Forbidden Zone

Draft revisions to regulations governing bus and trolley-bus advertising reported in the Beijing Daily on Monday detail a "forbidden zone" in Tiananmen Square, outside the Forbidden City where China's emperors once ruled, and Zhongnanhai where the current government has its headquarters.

Any buses on routes passing down Chang'an Boulevard between Wangfujing shopping district to the east and Xidan to the west will be banned from displaying any advertising, the paper reported.

Two people have lunch in the Tiananmen Square branch of Kentucky Fried Chicken in 1999. Credit: Stephen Shaver/AFP





"Vehicle body advertisements should be rectified in a timely manner," state broadcaster CCTV reported on the same day.

"It's to create a uniform look, so that when you see TV footage or watch the news, all of the shots and images that you see will have been carefully controlled by the Communist Party," social activist Lu Jun told Radio Free Asia on Tuesday.

Like Pyongyang

He drew a parallel with the banning of commercial advertising from buses in North Korea.

"[This will create] a clean look of extreme purity, with no whiff of commercialism anywhere," he said. "The thinking is all about political correctness."

Tiananmen Square, where Mao proclaimed the Peoples Liberation Army to cheering crowds on Oct. 1, 1949, has been the venue for multiple mass protests over the past century, one of which ended in the June 4, 1989, massacre of civilians by the People's Liberation Army.

Security was also tightened after a number of people pursuing grievances against the government attempted self-immolation and other forms of more recent protest.

A Beijing resident who lives near Tiananmen Square and who gave only the surname Zhang for fear of reprisals said security has gotten stricter and stricter in the area in recent years.

"There aren't that many routes that go along Chang'an Boulevard  just the No. 1 and the No. 5," he said. "So it's pretty minimal."

He said passengers on the subway system have to get out on side-streets, instead of taking the stairs up to Changan Boulevard, and need to show ID to enter Tiananmen Square.

But for Zhang, it's scarcely a return to a pristine, socialist past.

"When I was a kid, you could wander in and out of Tiananmen Square at will," he said. "Now you have to book in advance."

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Last seen in Khabarovsk, Kim Tae Sung appears to be latest case of North Korean seeking to escape

North Korean university student Kim Tae Sung went missing in the far-eastern city of Khabarovsk, Russia, on Saturday, July 8, 2023.

Russian authorities are on the lookout for North Korean college student Kim Tae Sung, who went missing in the far eastern city of Khabarovsk on July 8, leading to speculation that he may be seeking to avoid returning to his homeland, residents living there told Radio Free Asia.

Kim, 25, had been an exceptional student in North Korea and had been attending Khabarovsks Far Eastern State Transport University.

Sources said he may have been able to escape the watchful eyes of other North Koreans around him by leaving while those who monitor the overseas North Korean community were in a state of mourning on July 8, the anniversary of the 1994 passing of national founder Kim Il Sung.

If Kims intent is to escape, it would be the latest of several similar cases of North Koreans sent to Russia before the pandemic seemingly fleeing in advance of an anticipated post-pandemic border reopening between the two countries.

In another recent case, RFA reported last month that a North Korean diplomats wife and son went missing in Vladivostok and local media reported that it could have been a possible defection.

Reports that Kim had disappeared and that authorities were looking for him appeared in the July 9 edition of the Komsomolskaya Pravda daily newspaper, a resident of Khabarovsk, who requested anonymity for personal safety, told RFAs Korean Service on Tuesday.

The [newspaper] released the details of a missing persons report that included Kim Tae Sungs physical description and identification at the time of his disappearance, he said. The young man was last seen on July 8th in Yashin Street.

The report also described Kim as 170 centimeters (5 feet 7 inches) tall with an average build, and said he had been wearing a white T-shirt, gray shorts and black rubber slippers at the time of his disappearance, the resident said.

Russian public security authorities left a phone number to call but they still havent found him, the resident said.

Liga Spas, a volunteer organization in Khabarovsk that helps locate missing people, are also raising awareness about Kim, another resident in the city told RFA, on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

A post looking for the missing Kim was posted on Liga Spas account on Russian social media, the second resident said. Its been two days since Kim Tae Sung went missing but his whereabouts remain unclear. If the purpose was to escape, it cant be ruled out that they may have already left the immediate area.

Kim had come to Khabarovsk to study before the pandemic, he said.

I know that he was a promising, outstanding student who completed the best education course in North Korea, the second resident said.

North Korean authorities frequently request help from the Russian police whenever one of theirs goes missing, he said.

It seems that North Korea is expressing its will [to North Koreans in Russia] that it will block their [attempts to] escape, even by employing the investigative power of local authorities, the second resident said.

RFA was not able to confirm whether North Korean authorities are charging Kim with criminal activity. However, in the past, they have been known to make false accusations of murder, rape or theft against missing people, in order get the local authorities to open criminal investigations, which are of a higher priority than missing persons cases.

Translated by Leejin J. Chung. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
An 11-year-old boy was among the dead.

A building destroyed by junta jet attacks on the Daw Noe Khu displaced peoples camp on the Thai-Myanmar border on July 12, 2023.

A junta fighter jet repeatedly strafed a village in Myanmars Kayah state, killing an 11-year-old boy and injuring two more locals, local People's Defense Force Officials told RFA Wednesday.

The plane attacked Kyauk Su village three times on Tuesday night, said an information officer of Hpasawng township Peoples Defense Force who did not want to be named for security reasons.

A jet fighter came and bombed at night, the official said.

The injured are not seriously hurt. A Christian church and around six homes were also destroyed.

On Wednesday a jet attacked the Daw Noe Khu displaced peoples camp on the Thai-Myanmar border, killing a 32-year-old man and injuring two women.

More than 4,000 people were sheltering at the camp, according to Karenni Progressive Party Joint Secretary, Aung San Myint.

The jets came around 1:00 a.m. and dropped bombs four times, he said, adding that a school was destroyed by the bombing and a medical clinic and some houses were damaged.

People's Defense Force officials said that the junta is launching an offensive from Hpasawng township in order to fully control Mese township and is sending its forces to the region by air.

Hpasawng Peoples Defense Force said the army has had no opportunity to launch ground offensives so it relies on airstrikes and heavy artillery to attack civilian targets.

The junta has not released a statement on the attacks.

RFA called junta spokesperson for Kayah state Aung Win Oo by phone, but nobody answered.

On July 4, three civilians, including a two-year-old child were injured when the air force bombed a displaced peoples camp in the western part of Demoso. The founder of the Karenni Human Rights Group, Ba Nyar, said that the attack was a war crime.

The junta has carried out 527 airstrikes in Moebye (Moe Bye), Pekon and Pinlaung townships in southern Shan state and Kayah state since the February 2021 coup, according to the latest figures released by Progressive Karenni Peoples Force.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.
Thailands foreign minister met secretly over the weekend with Aung San Suu Kyi, he told an ASEAN meeting Wednesday, making him the first known high-ranking foreign official to meet the Burmese leader since Myanmars military threw her in prison in February 2021.

Thai top diplomat Don Pramudwinai said Aung San Suu Kyi supported the idea of talks to end the post-coup crisis in her country. Previously, the pro-democracy leader and Nobel laureate had rejected the idea of talks between the military government and armed resistance members.

Don, who was in Jakarta for Association of Southeast Asian Nations meetings, briefed diplomats from other ASEAN states about the in-person meeting approved by the Myanmar junta and Aung San Suu Kyi, the Thai foreign ministry said.

At least shes in good health and thats all, because most people are concerned about her, Don told reporters after speaking to his Southeast Asian counterparts.

The meeting, which took place on Sunday, is an approach of the friends of Myanmar who would like to see a peaceful settlement, he said.

When reporters asked him to sum up Aung San Suu Kyis message, Don replied: Encourage dialogue.

The Burmese pro-democracy icon was sent to prison after the military toppled her elected civilian government in a coup in February 2021.

In a statement, the Thai foreign ministry said the two spoke for more than an hour and Don found her to be in good health, both physically and mentally.

Aung San Suu Kyi supported dialogue and expressed concern about the toll the past two years had taken on the people of Myanmar and the economy, the Thai ministry said in a statement.

The expanding and worsening transnational crimes as the result of political and security volatility in Myanmar calls for ASEAN to come together to address these issues at the root cause, it said.

Zin Mar Aung, the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) foreign minister, said the junta allowed the meeting between Don and Aung San Suu Kyi for its own benefit.

We are in a position to believe that the meeting actually happened only when the persons involved said so. But now our leader has been detained in prison and the news has been one-sidedly released in favor of the military junta, he said. I also believe that this news of the Thai ministers visit is the juntas well-planned and timely attempt to gain advantage just before the ASEAN meeting.

NUG spokesman Nay Phone Latt noted that Don was not authorized to mediate for ASEAN.

As NUG, we can only believe it when our leader is released and delivers the message herself. I dont think we should think too seriously the words of someone who has not been mandated to mediate, the spokesman said.

Aung San Suu Kyi delivers a speech on education in the Myanmar capital Naypyidaw, Jan. 28, 2020. [Aung Shine Oo/AP]

Five-point consensus

ASEAN has been seeking to mediate a resolution to the crisis in Myanmar, where more than 3,700 people have been killed and thousands more arrested by security forces since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a Thai-based monitoring group. The junta also has been battling ethnic armed groups and civilian resistance fighters across the country.

In April 2021, ASEAN and junta leaders agreed on a five-point consensus to end the violence, start dialogue, provide humanitarian aid and appoint a special envoy to Myanmar. But the peace plan has made little progress amid disagreements, and the Southeast Asian bloc has been widely criticized for failing to implement the plan.

Muhammad Waffaa Kharisma, a political analyst at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Jakarta, said Dons meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi could change the dynamics of the conflict.

It is quite surprising, actually, he said. This could potentially be a game-changer in the political crisis.

Still, he said, he feared the meetings purpose was to strengthen the juntas grip on power, which would alarm other countries that want Myanamrs military rulers and other perpetrators of violence in that nation to face justice.

If you look at the situation on the ground, the conflict has actually gone beyond the framework of Aung San Suu Kyi alone, he said.

He said many groups in Myanmar, especially among ethnic minorities, had different agendas for the country such as constitutional amendments, federalism and ending violence from the junta, rather than just restoring and freeing Aung San Suu Kyi.

Another analyst, Aaron Connelly, of the Singapore-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the meeting hurt the regional blocs role in solving the Myanmar crisis.

This meeting undermines ASEAN centrality and ASEAN efforts to resolve the crisis, and shifts the center of gravity for international diplomacy about the conflict in Myanmar to a Thai-led process that Foreign Minister Don initiated in December, Connelly said in a Twitter post.

Ministerial retreat

Opening an ASEAN ministerial retreat on Wednesday, Retno Marsudi, foreign minister of Indonesia, the 2023 ASEAN chair, said the five-point consensus was the main reference for the blocs efforts to help Myanmar. A member of ASEAN, Myanmar is not represented at the retreat.

Indonesia strongly condemned the use of force and violence. We strongly urge all stakeholders to denounce violence as this is paramount to build trust, and this is also paramount to deliver humanitarian assistance and for dialogue, Retno said.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Indonesias Kompas newspaper that his country supported the role of ASEAN in resolving the Myanmar crisis.

Lavrov made the remarks before arriving in Jakarta for meetings with ASEAN counterparts and other top diplomats.

Russia always emphasizes the central role played by ASEAN in international efforts to resolve the situation around Myanmar, Lavrov told Kompas, in the report published Wednesday.

He said joint efforts of the 10 ASEAN members and other interested countries on the Myanmar track should be based on close cooperation with the authorities in Naypyidaw, the capital of Myanmar.

We believe that the world community is called upon to help normalize the situation in Myanmar without interfering in its internal affairs, Lavrov said.

His comments come amid growing international pressure on Myanmars junta, by which the United States and other Western countries have imposed sanctions on the Southeast Asian nation.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is to meet with his ASEAN counterparts on Friday at a conference following the ministers meeting.

He also will join officials from the ASEAN Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit to discuss regional and global issues.

The East Asia Summit is a strategic forum that includes ASEAN and eight other countries  China, Japan, South Korea, India, Russia, Australia, the United States and New Zealand.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news service.
Afghan women who work in beauty salons in Kabul gathered on July 12 to protest a Taliban decree that would shut down their businesses by July 25. In interviews with RFE/RL, women said the closures would leave their families with no means of subsistence. Taliban officials say such services are forbidden under Shari'a law.
On March 29, 2021, police raided the home of artist Ales Pushkin in the settlement of Babry, in western Belarus. Pushkin wasn't home: A professional restorer, he was working at the 19th-century Bulgakov Palace in Zhilichi, southeast of Minsk. "I have gold on my hands," he told RFE/RL's Belarus Service when journalists called for his comment on the search of his home. "I'm about to gild the entablature." "It is a strange situation," he added. "But I guess it is possible the police will come here to Zhilichi and pull me by my legs down from the scaffolding." And that's exactly what happened. He was detained in the palace chapel. Pushkin was arrested on March 30, 2021, charged with the "rehabilitation of Nazism" for displaying a portrait of anti-Soviet Belarusian nationalist Yauhen Zhikhar at an exhibition in the western city of Hrodno. He was later charged additionally with inciting hatred and desecrating state symbols.

Pushkin and his supporters maintained he was being persecuted for his long-standing opposition to Belarusian strongman leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka, who launched a sweeping crackdown on dissent following mass protests in the wake of the deeply disputed August 2020 presidential election he claimed to have won by a landslide. The human rights group Vyasna, the Belarusian Association of Journalists, and the Belarusian Helsinki Committee recognized Pushkin as a political prisoner and called for his release. But on March 30, 2022, he was sentenced to five years in prison. On the night of July 10-11, Pushkin died under unexplained circumstances following surgery at a prison hospital. According to RFE/RL's sources, he had lost 20 kilograms in recent weeks and in letters had complained of kidney pain and requested a truss. He was 57. 'Indomitable Spirit' "Belarus has lost a talented and fearless man," exiled opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya wrote on Telegram on July 11. "Ales was imprisoned for his creativity, which was the embodiment of the indomitable spirit of the Belarusian people," she continued. "He dreamed of a free and democratic Belarus."

Ales Pushkin was born in Babry on August 6, 1965. He was devoted to art from an early age and began his career specializing in monumental, decorative pieces while studying at the Belarusian State Theater and Art Institute. He was drafted into the Soviet Army in 1984 and served in the war in Afghanistan. After being demobilized, he resumed his painting and performing career and became involved in the Belarusian nationalist movement, promoting the revival of the language and historical national symbols. He qualified as a professional art restorer and began a lifetime of work restoring Belarus's architectural heritage, particularly churches.

He was arrested for the first time in 1988 for helping to organize a nationalist demonstration. He was jailed for five days. A Load Of Manure On March 25, 1989, he organized a demonstration to mark the 71st anniversary of the declaration of an independent Belarusian state. It was the first public celebration of the date. He and more than 100 others were arrested, and Pushkin was later given a two-year suspended prison sentence. After that, he regularly staged politically charged performance-art actions, mostly in connection with the March 25 anniversary. In March 1993, he opened one of Belarus's first private art galleries in the city of Vitsebsk. In July 1999, Pushkin carried out one of his best-known performances when he overturned a cartload of manure outside Lukashenka's offices. He then carefully placed a wooden sign on the pile expressing gratitude to the dictator "for his labor." He added a portrait of Lukashenka, who was a state farm chief in the Soviet era, and drove a pitchfork through it.

He was arrested on the spot and later given a two-year suspended sentence. He was arrested several times in connection with the elections in 2006 and 2010 -- part of a series of votes, deemed undemocratic by international observers, that Lukashenka has used to remain in power since 1994. In addition to his performances, Pushkin continued his painting and restoration work. In 1996, he unveiled a monumental mural of The Last Judgement at a newly rebuilt church in his native Babry. The faces of some of the condemned sinners in the painting resembled Lukashenka, the head of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, and other senior state figures, creating a scandal when it was shown on television. The offending portion of the mural was quickly painted over.

'He Knew What Awaited Him' When mass demonstrations broke out after the August 2020 election, in which Lukashenka claimed to have won a sixth presidential term despite strong evidence of widespread fraud, Pushkin was an active participant. He was arrested in Minsk, beaten by police, and held for several days. "For years he consistently maintained his views," art historian Syarhey Khareuski told RFE/RL. "He organized entire exhibitions, including in state institutions. We have to honor his determination. He knew what awaited him, but he walked toward it consciously."
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.
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
Armenia Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian says a fresh war with Azerbaijan remains a high probability in the absence of a peace treaty between the two countries.

"So long as a peace treaty has not been signed and such a treaty has not been ratified by the parliaments of the two countries, of course, a [new] war [with Azerbaijan] is very likely," Pashinian said in an interview with AFP published on July 21.

Baku and Yerevan have fought two wars over Nagorno-Karabakh, a predominantly Armenian-populated mountainous enclave that is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. The most recent war lasted six weeks in late 2020 and left 7,000 soldiers dead on both sides.

As a result of the war, Azerbaijan regained control over a part of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts. The war ended with a Russian-brokered cease-fire under which Moscow deployed about 2,000 troops to serve as peacekeepers.

Armenia and Azerbaijan in recent weeks have engaged in rounds of diplomacy aimed at reaching a lasting peace deal but there have been sporadic border clashes, and the talks have not yet yielded a breakthrough.

Tensions have remained high over the situation on the Lachin Corridor, the only road linking Armenia with Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijan earlier this month suspended traffic through a checkpoint on the corridor pending an investigation after it said "various types of contraband" had been discovered in Red Cross vehicles coming from Armenia.

The suspension of traffic heightened concerns over a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh. Both Armenia and separatist authorities in the enclave have said that Azerbaijan has blockaded the territory since December, resulting in shortages of food, medicines, and energy.

Pashinian sharply criticized the blockade in the interview with AFP, saying it amounted to "an ongoing process of genocide" for ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, meanwhile, said Azerbaijan is making serious efforts to remove land mines, more than 1 million of which are buried in the territories of Azerbaijan, while also criticizing a map provided by Armenia that covers approximately 400,000 mines.

Speaking on July 21 at the Shusha Global Media Forum, Aliyev also said that after the end of the war, land mines killed or seriously injured more than 300 people. He said that Armenia's "nonpresentation" of the maps showing where the land mines are "is a continuation of Armenia's terror against us."

Armenia has not responded to Aliyev's comments.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said in a separate interview published on July 21 that Armenia and Azerbaijan cannot resolve their relations without taking into account the security factor and the rights of the Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Mirzoyan stressed in an interview with the Austrian daily DerStandard that the main issue for Armenia is the security of people and their fundamental rights.

The humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is difficult and close to a humanitarian catastrophe, he said.

"We need immediate humanitarian intervention to save 120,000 people from starvation. Then we will be able to continue negotiations with everyone who is interested in establishing a lasting peace in the region," Mirzoyan said.

"It's important to avoid another dangerous cycle of hostility, he said. Enough blood has already been shed in the South Caucasus. Mutual recognition of territorial integrity will be of key importance."

As for the issue of security and rights of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, he said Armenia believes that the best mechanism would be a dialogue with international participation.
As Moscows war against Ukraine rages on, children at schools across Russia can expect to see significant changes to the academic curriculum starting in September -- alterations with a militaristic bent.

At a discussion in the lower house of parliament late last month, State Duma Deputy Andrei Kartapolov lamented what he said was the unpreparedness of young volunteers and conscripts joining the Russian military.



They are infantile youths, said Kartapolov, a member of the Kremlin-controlled United Russia party who chairs the Duma Defense Committee, who in many respects are not prepared for real life.



The remedy?

Over the next two years, Russian schools will address this purported issue by scrapping its long-standing program called Fundamentals Of Safe Living and replacing it with a block of lectures with the working title Fundamentals Of Safety And Defense Of The Homeland.



It is the latest intensification of the thread of patriotic education that has run through Russia in Vladimir Putins more than two decades as president or prime minister -- and that many critics say prioritizes the goals of the government over the interests of children.

Basic Training



Beginning with the new school year in September, students in 10th grade will be taught the elements of basic military preparedness. In addition to drills and instruction in basic military skills, it will also include lectures on the career prospects of military service, according to textbooks and teachers manuals that have been officially posted online.



In 11th grade, such lessons will continue with the formation of Russian civic identity, patriotism, and a sense of responsibility toward ones homeland, as well as the development of conviction and readiness for service and defense of the Fatherland and a sense of responsibility about its fate.



Other lecture topics to be covered include the danger of being lured into illegal and antisocial activity and the use of young people as a tool for destabilization.

Students will also be warned about what the documents call the danger of fakes as an element of information warfare. Instructors will tell students that it is illegal to violate norms about the distribution of information about the role of the U.S.S.R. during World War II or to commit public acts aimed at discrediting the armed forces of the Russian Federation.



In the wake of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the government hastily adopted a series of laws criminalizing the knowing distribution of false information about Russian military operations and discrediting the Russian armed forces. In February, 18-year-old Maksim Lypkan was sentenced to two months in jail for repeated anti-war statements and actions, becoming the youngest Russian convicted under the new laws.



Two Types Of Hand Grenades



The new block of lectures replaces a Soviet-era innovation called Fundamentals Of Safe Living that was introduced in the 1980s following a spate of accidents, most notably the Chernobyl nuclear-plant disaster in 1986. Over the years, the course of weekly lectures -- 68 hours per academic year --- was modified to include sections on emerging threats such as terrorism and cybercrime.



The current version includes lectures on reducing the risk of terrorist attacks, ways of remaining safe in large crowds, and fundamentals of online safety. It also includes a lecture on the symbols and traditions of the Russian military.



The new course will also include basic first aid, but other topics will be replaced by basic military preparedness, including the maintenance and operation of the Kalashnikov automatic rifle and two types of hand grenades. The program is similar to the basic military training taught in schools during the Soviet period that was canceled in 1993.



In comments to the state news agency TASS last month, Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov said the changes will be introduced gradually.



In January, Kravtsov said the new courses could be taught by veterans of the special military operation in Ukraine, using the Kremlins mandatory euphemism for the war of aggression against Kyiv. Former soldiers would undergo three months of pedagogical training before being assigned to classrooms, he said.



Forward, March!



The Fundamentals Of Safety And Defense Of The Homeland program is the latest in a series of similar developments in Russian schools under Putin. Since 2014, the Education Ministry has recommended that schools organize five-day military camps for all 10th-grade boys -- and girls, on a voluntary basis -- to be held, if possible, at a nearby military base.



The purpose of the camps is to form the moral, psychological, and physical qualities necessary for service in the armed forces. Students learn how to dig trenches, march in formation, shoot, throw grenades, move around a battlefield, and cope with battlefield injuries.

The idea for such camps was originally proposed jointly by the Defense and Education ministries in 2010. This past February, as the full-scale war against Ukraine entered its second year with no sign of a quick resolution on the horizon, parents of children in many schools were informed that participation in the camps was now mandatory.



Beginning in September, the Defense and Education ministries have proposed the camps be conducted by Avangard, a lavishly funded Defense Ministry center for the military-patriotic education of young people after many schools complained that no military bases were available.



Avangard runs a large, modern campus outside of Moscow, where military veterans, including many fresh from the war in Ukraine, serve as instructors. It conducts five-day camps similar to those mandated for schools, but on a commercial basis.



The center has already opened similar facilities in the Perm region, in Defense Minister Sergei Shoigus home region of Chuvashia, and outside St. Petersburg. The regional government of the Chelyabinsk region in the Ural Mountains, has allocated more than $7 million over two years to build an Avangard training center there.

'It's Not Scary To Die For The Motherland'

For the 2022-23 academic year, Russian schools introduced weekly lectures for students of all levels called Important Conversations. The program, which was launched by Putin during a visit to a school in Kaliningrad, was designed to inculcate patriotism and to present to students the Kremlins version of events in Ukraine and other political matters. Children at the lower levels get lessons on Russias natural wonders, interspersed with patriotic messages such as, Love your motherland and, Its not scary to die for the motherland.



In 2024, the Education Ministry will introduce a new social-studies textbook, Kravtsov said at a forum in May.



The current textbook was, to say the least, liberal or pseudo-liberal, Kravtsov said. Now we will stress the real and immutable values of society.

He added that mathematics, physics, and geography textbooks would also be reworked with the new ethos in mind. Earlier, he said that new history textbooks for the 11th grade would include a chapter on the war in Ukraine.



In April, the Duma quietly and unanimously adopted in all three readings amendments to the law on military service that would allow people as young as 18 to sign contracts to serve in the military. Previously, volunteers had to complete a technical education or academic degree to sign up, meaning that contract soldiers younger than 20 were rare, even though Putin reduced the minimum age to 18 in May 2022.



When Duma Deputy Kartapolov, who described Russian school graduates as infantile, first proposed the amendments in 2022, Deputy Nina Ostanina, head of the Committee on Families, Women, and Children, expressed her opposition, saying the proposal left schoolchildren who want to make money immediately simply defenseless.



According to Russian media reports, the government has set the goal of signing up 400,000 new volunteer soldiers.



The goal has been set and now they are purging the law of all obstacles to concluding contracts on military service, human rights activist Sergei Krivenko told the BBCs Russian Service.

Written by RFE/RLs Robert Coalson based on reporting by Current Time.
In a statement that disappointed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and many in Ukraine, NATO leaders declared that while Ukraine's future is in the alliance an invitation will only be extended to Kyiv when "members agree and conditions are met." RFE/RL asked residents of Ukrainian cities what they think about the outcome of the NATO summit that took place in Vilnius this week.
7 Ogirenko teaches Viktoria Ludchak how to handle her weapon as other participants watch.



Although Kyiv is not currently on the front lines of the war, the risk of mines left behind by the Russians, who briefly occupied areas on the outskirts of the capital in the early days of the war, still persists. According to the Internal Affairs Ministry, around 451,000 square kilometers of Ukraine are potentially contaminated with mines, about the size of the U.S. state of Florida.








Egypt secured a total of $2.6 billion in development financing from its multilateral and bilateral development partners for the private sector in 2022, according to the 2022 Annual Report International Partnerships for Sustainable Development: From Pledges to Implementation the Ministry of International Cooperation released on Wednesday.



The Ministry of International Cooperation noted that the ministry is working on updating and developing strategies for international cooperation and development financing with many development partners for the next three to five years.

The report shows that The OPEC Fund for International Development was the top institution that provided this amount, with a value of $1.21 billion.

The European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) followed with $558 million, while the International Finance Corporation (IFC) provided $233 million.

The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Mitsubishi Financial Group contributed $200 million, and the European Investment Bank (EIB) gave $170 million.

Additionally, the French Development Agency provided $159 million, while the World Bank Group (WBG), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the European Union (EU) contributed $50 million, $21.5 million and $15 million, respectively.

Egypt is currently adopting the State Ownership Policy that charts a map of increasing the private sector share in the local economic activity to 65 percent, up from 30 percent.

Moreover, Egypt has made a clear commitment  under its $3 billion loan deal with the International Monetary Fund  to unlock the potential of the private sector through expanding in state-owned assets sales whether under the governments IPO programme or through offering them to strategic investors.

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ITS a modern day version of Beauty and the Beast, with Rotherham playing host to the Beast.

Thats Mark Labbett (57), who is better known by his professional nickname The Beast, in ITV quiz show The Chase.

The Beauty is his relatively-new girlfriend, London-based shopping channel presenter, Hayley Palmer.

They met in 2022 but only went on their first date earlier this year to Dirty Dancing The Musical.

Hayley (41) jokes that she was impressed by The Beast's Toby Carvery Gold Card, rather than any other trappings of fame.

The pair first met when they attended the National Television Awards at Wembley's OVO Arena, last October.

Divorcee Mark, who stands 6ft 6ins tall, said the couple have only been on a few dates because of the distance between them.

"We get diaries out and go: 'When are we going to be physically in the same location?'." he said.

Mark is from Devon originally, so Rotherham is not an obvious home for him.

He moved to Moorgate ten years ago, explaining: "When I am not on telly, I work for the world's biggest pub quiz company Redtooth, which is based in Barlbrough.

Hayley, from Portsmouth, is a shopping channel presenter who works for Ideal World and hosts two Sky TV chat shows.

Mark, a former maths teacher, became interested in quizzes after winning cash in them.

The former Butlins holiday camp worker has since appeared on Mastermind, University Challenge, Fifteen to One, Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? and Only Connect.
A 19-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested and bailed following an alleged rape of a teenage girl at playing fields in Eastwood.

The victim was with friends at the Eldon Road fields when the alleged incident happened at about 9pm last Thursday.

South Yorkshire Police issued a CCTV appeal for information on social media on Saturday.

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police confirmed today: A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape.

"He has been bailed as enquiries continue.
AGTF Punjab

Randhir Singh was

CHANDIGARH: In a significant breakthrough, the Anti-Gang Task Force (AGTF) Punjab has apprehended Randhir Singh, a Commando Army officer and the primary associate of the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The arrest marks a major milestone in the ongoing efforts to combat organized crime in the region. Punjab's Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, shared this critical information on his official Twitter handle, highlighting the magnitude of the operation's success.

Randhir Singh, a notorious criminal with a history of multiple cases registered against him in Punjab and Haryana, was found to be involved in a range of criminal activities. The accused was entrusted with specific responsibilities by his handlers, Goldy Brar and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, with the aim of causing harm to targeted individuals and locations. Furthermore, Bhagwanpuria assigned him the task of aiding the escape of his incarcerated partner during a court appearance.

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During the arrest, law enforcement officials seized a pistol and 10 live cartridges from Randhir Singh, underscoring the severity of his involvement in illegal activities. With his capture, Punjab and Haryana have witnessed a significant decrease in sensational crimes that were previously attributed to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Randhir Singh's arrest not only neutralizes a high-ranking member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang but also serves as a warning to other criminals operating in the region. Law enforcement agencies, particularly the AGTF, have been relentless in their pursuit of organized crime and are determined to maintain the safety and security of the citizens.




Fire Incident

Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the refrigerator compressor explosion

LAHORE: A heart-wrenching incident has unfolded as a devastating fire engulfed a house in Lahore, resulting in the tragic deaths of 10 family members, including six children. The catastrophe occurred in the Bhati Gate area of Lahore when the compressor of a refrigerator exploded early in the morning.

The explosion of the refrigerator's compressor caused a massive fire to erupt, swiftly engulfing the house. Despite the prompt arrival of rescue officials at the scene, they were unable to save the trapped individuals due to the intensity of the flames. The incident took place on Wednesday morning.

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According to reports, the fire erupted as a result of the compressor malfunction in a house located in the Bhati Gate area of Lahore. Tragically, 10 individuals lost their lives in this devastating accident, including six children. It has been revealed that the absence of proper ventilation within the house exacerbated the situation, making it difficult to expel the smoke.

Among the victims, a seven-month-old infant was also among those who perished in the blaze. However, one family member managed to escape by leaping from the burning building, while the structure itself was entirely consumed by the fire. Emergency response teams swiftly arrived at the scene and managed to bring the fire under control. The incident has left the community in a state of shock and mourning, as the loss of so many lives in a single calamitous event is deeply tragic. The authorities are currently investigating the cause of the refrigerator compressor explosion to determine if any preventable factors contributed to the incident.
A grenade attack and gun battle in Iran's southeast near Pakistan left four assailants and two Iranian policemen dead on Saturday, local media said.

It was the latest violence in Sistan-Baluchistan province, where unrest has involved drug smuggling gangs, rebels from the Baluchi minority and Sunni extremist groups.

There was no immediate indication of who carried out the attack.

"Four unidentified armed individuals attacked and entered police station Number 16 of Zahedan", the provincial capital, according to state broadcaster IRIB. It quoted the province's deputy head of security Alireza Marhamati.

The attackers used grenades to blast open the gates of the police station, and an exchange of fire occurred, said Marhamati.

Two policemen were killed in the ensuing clash, according to Tasnim news agency, which quoted Sistan-Baluchistan Police Chief Doustali Jalilian.

All four "terrorists" involved in the attack were killed, according to Iran's official news agency IRNA, quoting a branch of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps which commands southeast Iran.

Sistan-Baluchistan is one of Iran's poorest provinces. It is home to the Baluchi minority who adhere to Sunni Islam rather than the Shia branch predominant in Iran.

In May, five Iranian border guards were killed during clashes with an armed group in Saravan, southeast of Zahedan, in one of the province's deadliest attacks in months.

State media reported at the time that the attack was carried out by "a terrorist group that was seeking to infiltrate the country" but whose members "fled the scene after suffering injuries".

Zahedan was also the scene of protests that flared in September, with dozens of deaths, over the alleged rape of a teenage girl by a police officer.

In late May, IRNA quoted a police official, Qassem Rezaee, as saying "Taliban forces" had shot at an Iranian police station in Sistan-Baluchistan, a drought-parched region which also borders Afghanistan. The two countries have been arguing over water rights.

Iranian police did not give details of casualties in that incident but local news agency Mehr reported one Iranian border guard had been killed. Afghanistan's ruling Taliban said one person was killed on each side.

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NATO has agreed to bring Ukraine closer to the alliance, and reinforce its collective deterrence and defense.

In their first working session at the Vilnius Summit, the leaders of the 31-member defense group agreed to a package of three elements bringing Ukraine closer to NATO. This includes a new multi-year assistance program to facilitate the transition of the Ukrainian armed forces from Soviet-era to NATO standards and help rebuild Ukraine's security and defense sector, covering critical needs like fuel, demining equipment, and medical supplies.

Allies also agreed to establish the new NATO-Ukraine Council, which will hold its inaugural meeting in Vilnius on Wednesday with the participation of President Zelenskyy. Allies also reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of NATO, and agreed to remove the requirement for a Membership Action Plan. "This is a strong package for Ukraine, and a clear path towards its membership in NATO," said Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a news conference with Zelenskyy.

He told reporters that the accession process is being shortened, and Ukraine "will become a member".

But the Ukraine President harshly criticized NATO for not mentioning Ukraine's membership timeline.

Allies also adopted "the most comprehensive defense plans since the end of the Cold War," according to Stoltenberg. Designed to counter the Alliance's two main threats - Russia and terrorism - the new regional plans provide for 300,000 troops at high readiness, including substantial air and naval combat power.

The summit also approved a new Defense Production Action Plan to accelerate joint procurement, boost production capacity and enhance Allies' interoperability.

To meet their defense needs, Allies decided to invest a minimum of 2 percent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in defense.

Stoltenberg said that the leaders also discussed the challenges that a "coercive" China poses to Euro-Atlantic security and values. While noting that "China is not our adversary", the NATO chief stressed that "Beijing's increasing assertiveness affects our security" and challenges the rules-based international order.

On Wednesday, the concluding day of the NATO summit, Allies will meet the leaders of Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, as well as the European Union.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart on the sidelines of the NATO summit at 8:45 AM ET.

Later in the day, Biden will deliver remarks highlighting how the United States, alongside its allies and partners, are supporting Ukraine, defending democratic values, and taking action to address global challenges, the White House said.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
MG Motor Introduces Indias First Pure-Electric Internet SUV  ZS EV with Autonomous Level-2 (ADAS)

MG Motor India, known for its British heritage, has launched an upgraded version of its ZS EV, making it Indias first pure-electric internet SUV with Autonomous Level-2 (ADAS) capabilities. Priced at Rs. 27.89 Lakh for a limited time, the ZS EV combines electric power, internet connectivity, and autonomous features, offering an exceptional driving experience.

Enhanced MG ZS EV: Redefining Electric Mobility in India with Advanced ADAS Technology

The ZS EVs ADAS technology comes with 17 features categorized into three levels of sensitivity and warning, providing assistance and safety in various driving situations. The Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) ensures a smooth driving experience in congested traffic, while the Forward Collision Warning (FCW) alerts the driver of potential collisions and applies autonomous deceleration if necessary.

The Speed Assist System (SAS) prevents overspeeding, and the Lane Functions help prevent unintentional lane deviation. The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) enhances convenience and safety by maintaining a proper distance from the vehicle ahead.

According to Mr. Gaurav Gupta, Deputy Managing Director of MG Motor India, the ZS EV with ADAS underscores the companys commitment to electric mobility and a sustainable future. By offering an attractive and accessible electric SUV, MG Motor India aims to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles and support the EV ecosystem in India.

The ZS EV features an evolved battery that meets stringent safety and performance requirements. It complies with IP69K for better dust and water resistance, and it has a UL2580 Safety Management System and an ASIL-D Enhanced Safety Integrity Level rating. The SUV also offers versatile charging options, including DC Super-Fast Chargers at dealerships, AC Fast Chargers for home and office installation, and charge-on-the-go with RSA (Roadside Assistance).

Embracing the Future of Electric Driving: MG ZS EV with ADAS and Prismatic Battery Technology

With its advanced prismatic battery, the ZS EV delivers a range of 461 km on a single charge, offering an extended driving range and confidence for longer journeys. The SUVs total cost of ownership is competitive, with running costs as low as 60 paise/km, leading to substantial savings over three years compared to SUVs with internal combustion engines.

The ZS EV showcases a futuristic design with full LED Hawkeye headlamps, R17 Tomahawk alloy wheels, and an array of colors to choose from. Inside, the SUV offers a comfortable and aesthetic cabin with features like a full digital cluster, a segment-leading HD touchscreen infotainment system, and a first-in-segment rear AC vent.

In terms of safety, the ZS EV provides a 360-degree around view camera, rear parking sensors, Hill Descent Control (HDC), six airbags, electronic stability control, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and hill-start assist.

The ZS EV is powered by an 8-layer hairpin motor delivering 176PS of power and offering three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. To enhance the ownership experience, MG Motor India offers the MG e-SHIELD program, which includes warranty extensions, RSA extensions, and maintenance plans at competitive prices.

With the launch of the enhanced ZS EV, MG Motor India aims to provide a compelling electric vehicle option in India, promoting eco-friendly mobility and meeting the evolving needs of Indian consumers.
The conflict in Sudan has displaced nearly 3 million people since 15 April 2023, with almost 700,000 seeking safety in neighbouring countries, according to recent figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Displacement Tracking Matrix.

This number is worrying to Sudan's neighbouring countries as they prepare to meet in Cairo on Thursday to discuss the growing refugee crisis and its impact on the region.

Egypt has the highest number followed by Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and the Central African Republic (CAR).

In his World Refugee Day statement, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, emphasized the significance of acknowledging the challenges that host countries encounter. Grandi cited the neighbouring countries of Sudan as an example of solidarity, where border communities receive and offer shelter to refugees fleeing violence.

As violence spreads and the number of displaced people increases, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is concerned about the growing humanitarian needs of those affected by the crisis in Sudan. The UNHCR is alarmed by the inadequate delivery of aid due to insecurity, lack of access, and insufficient funding.

Around two-thirds of the arrivals monitored in those countries were Sudanese nationals, while the remaining one-third were foreign nationals and returnees, according to the monitoring data.

On 4 July, an IOM assessment of Sudan's status revealed details about the number and location of Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries, as follows:

Egypt

In late June, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry stated that Egypt has received over 250,000 Sudanese, which accounts for about 60 percent of the total number of Sudanese who have fled their country. Furthermore, there were already five million Sudanese living in Egypt.

Additionally, Shoukry's remarks indicated that Egypt has offered approximately 300 tons of essential medical and food aid to those escaping the violence, and has helped evacuate roughly 10,000 foreign workers employed by diplomatic missions and international organizations.

Hundreds of tons of medical and relief aid have been provided to Sudan through Port Sudan, and tens of tons of international humanitarian aid have been transported to the country with Egypt's help.

At the border crossings, the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) has established a humanitarian centre, while the Egyptian authorities have deployed 15 mobile clinics, several fixed clinics and pharmacies, and 12 medical convoys at the Egyptian-Sudanese border crossings.

South Sudan

In South Sudan, 146,734 people have arrived, but limited infrastructure and security concerns are making it challenging to transport new refugees. The required aid will mostly have to be flown, which is both costly and complex. Furthermore, moving refugees to existing or newly established camps is becoming increasingly difficult as the rainy season approaches.

The Sudan crisis has resulted in a variety of ripple effects, including the implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement in South Sudan and the holding of elections late next year, according to Nicholas Haysom, head of the UN mission in South Sudan.

The conflict across the northern border has strained the government's capacity to receive thousands of people fleeing violence and could potentially cripple the economy.

Chad

Since the beginning of the crisis in Sudan, 217,839 individuals have sought refuge in Chad. In mid-June, approximately 15,000 new refugees, including vulnerable groups such as women, unaccompanied and separated children, and injured individuals, arrived in the Ouaddai province. Among these new arrivals, the UNHCR has registered 3,765 so far.

Although the UN has started moving thousands of Sudanese refugees to a camp 130 kilometres away, more people continue to arrive in Goungour due to the intensification of fighting in West Darfur. Chad, which previously hosted 580,000 refugees of various nationalities, currently has a low ranking on the UN's Human Development Index.

Ethiopia

Since the start of the crisis in Sudan, 58,873 people have crossed into Ethiopia through the border town of Metema in the Amhara region. Due to the high number of arrivals, facilities and transit sites in the area are overcrowded. Ethiopia is also facing its own conflict between government forces and Tigrayan rebels, which has impacted aid delivery to refugees.

Recently, the World Food Programme reduced rations for refugees in the country by 40 percent. The UN is planning to provide monthly rations to the new arrivals, but more funding is needed to do so.

CAR

The CAR has received 15,335 individuals from Sudan, the majority of whom (95 percent) are women and children. Upon arrival, they stayed with host families or in makeshift shelters and schools in the AmDafock, Vakaga region.

The relocation of assisted refugees has been temporarily paused due to the impassable roads caused by the rains.

The CAR is ranked as the world's fourth least developed nation.

Libya

According to the latest IOM Sudan Situation Report, the number of individuals who entered Libya has increased significantly to 2,805, compared to the 714 who arrived on 2 May 2023.

The majority of these arrivals are Sudanese refugees.

International funding

During a donor conference for Sudan in Geneva on 19 June, $1.52 billion was pledged in response to the UN's appeal for $3 billion to address the current situation.

Furthermore, the EU had already allocated 73 million in humanitarian aid to Sudan in 2023, and an additional 60 million was allocated due to the conflict. Out of the 60 million, 52 million was allocated to Sudan, and 8 million was allocated to neighbouring countries.

The High Representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy and Vice President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, has announced that the EU will provide 100 million in assistance to Egypt for border management and to accommodate the new influx of Sudanese refugees.

In May, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that the United States would provide an initial $103 million in additional humanitarian assistance to support Sudan and neighbouring countries affected by the crisis.

The new funding comprises $8 million for the CAR and $17 million for Chad, as well as $6 million for Egypt, $22 million for South Sudan, and $50 million for Sudan to help address the growing humanitarian needs caused by the ongoing crisis.

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As Egypt prepares to host the Sudan's Neighbouring Countries Summit on Thursday, Ahram Online takes a look back at previous regional and international initiatives that have failed to end the ongoing conflict.

According to a statement released by the Egyptian presidency, the summit aims to develop effective mechanisms to settle the crisis in Sudan peacefully in coordination with other regional and international partners.

Since the outbreak of fighting on 15 April between the armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), there have been multiple initiatives proposed to resolve the crisis, none of which has produced lasting results.

IGAD initiative



The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), made up of eight countries from northeast Africa including Sudan, proposed an initiative in late April to halt the fighting.

The two sides were invited to Juba for negotiations, but neither side sent representatives.

A brief ceasefire only took hold when the UN, African Union (AU) and several influential neighbouring countries joined the efforts.

The pause in fighting allowed the evacuation of thousands of foreigners and Sudanese citizens holding foreign nationalities.

Khaled Mahmoud, an Egyptian journalist specializing in Sudanese affairs, has criticized IGAD, calling it a weak institution that has not been able to find a serious solution to any issue in its member states.

The blocs current meetings in Addis Ababa Ethiopia are faltering due to internal divisions, according to Mahmoud.

The Sudanese government rejected Kenya's presidency of the IGAD Quartet  consisting of Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia and South Sudan  citing its "lack of neutrality" and alleged support for the RSF, and is boycotting the talks as a result.

AU initiative



In May, after the initial IGAD initiative faltered, the AU announced a "road map" to resolve the conflict.

The plan included an immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians, completion of the transitional political process and the formation of a civilian government.

However, Rashid Abdi, a Somali journalist specializing in AU issues, believes that the African Union had no chance of succeeding.

According to Abdi, the union is divided between Francophone and Anglophone countries, as well as alliances from countries outside these two blocs, such as the Portuguese-speaking group, Ethiopia and its neighbours, and non-aligned countries like Egypt.

These divisions negatively affect any effort to resolve the Sudanese crisis, he added

Civil Front initiative



Also in May, the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States received an initiative from high-ranking civil figures in Sudan under what was then known as the Civil Front.

However, the initiative produced no tangible progress on the ground.

This group included political and trade union figures as well as civil society leaders who had little influence once fighting started, according to Mohamed Youssef Abdel-Majid, a professor of political science in Khartoum.

Saudi-US initiative



On 5 May, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States announced an initiative to establish a ceasefire and find a political solution.

Despite multiple truces and prolonged negotiations, the initiative failed to find common ground between the conflicting parties.

Khaled Mahmoud expressed surprise at the intransigence of the two parties towards the Jeddah initiative.

No truce lasted more than a day. This was a confusing situation considering the historical influence of Saudi Arabia in Sudan.

The reason for the lack of progress in negotiations is that the two warring sides are fighting a final battle that cannot be resolved by bargaining," Mahmoud explained.

Egypts new role



According to Mohamed Youssef Abdel-Majid, a professor of political science in Khartoum, Egypt does not want to intervene in the Sudanese crisis alone but rather as part of a group that includes countries neighbouring Sudan, the AU, IGAD, along with Saudi Arabia and the United States.

He added that Cairo seems to be aware that one country, no matter how influential, cannot solve the problem alone. Instead, Egypt wants to involve everyone to increase pressure on both sides.

Abdel-Majid also noted that Sudan's neighbouring countries have different positions regarding the crisis. Chad, Central Africa, South Sudan and its ally Uganda are against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), whereas Ethiopia and Kenya support the RSF.

However, the Arab side, represented by Egypt, Libya and Saudi Arabia, just wants to calm the situation down.

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Each weekday afternoon, the tiny Indian community of Pala is overrun by frustrated commuters sick of sitting in traffic along northbound Interstate 15, looking for a shortcut to their homes in Temecula and elsewhere in the Inland Empire.

That shortcut takes them along State Route 76 to the Pala Casino and Resort, then left to Pala Mission Road where it intersects with Pala Temecula Road. From there, drivers take a winding, two-lane backcountry street for seven miles until arriving at the southeast corner of Temecula.

Starting at 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, hundreds of cars clog that intersection in the heart of Pala. On average, as many as 25 cars a minute turn north onto Pala Temecula Road during the evening commute. Near that intersection is where kids gather to play in the park. Its where the tribes cultural and learning centers are located. The post office is there.

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Its a concentrated area in the community where kids spend a ton of their time, said Shasta Gaughen, the tribes environmental director, who says shes seen the situation get progressively worse the past year.

Gaughen, others connected to the tribe, and state and county officials all agree that there is a big problem that doesnt have any obvious solutions.

The problem is Interstate 15 and, to some extent, smart phone directional traffic apps that direct motorists to alternative routes because of the daily congestion along the freeway.

Its a difficult issue, said California Highway Patrol spokesman Jim Bettencourt. We cannot stop people from driving where they want. You cant tell somebody you cant go this way. If people have figured out a good shortcut to get around stuff, they are more than welcome to take that path. Thats going to be a problem until the end of time.

Marcelo Peinado, district division chief of traffic operations for Caltrans in San Diego and Imperial counties, said it all has to do with I-15. People dont like crawling along a highway for an hour and would rather take a shortcut that probably wont save them much time, but will alleviate some of the boredom because they will be moving faster, albeit on what is probably a longer route.

Peinado said traffic volumes on I-15 from Route 76 to the Riverside County border  an eight-mile stretch of freeway -- have increased by 10 percent since 2010.

There has been a significant growth in the length of queues and the decreases of speeds, he said.

In 2011, Peinado said, traffic slow-downs usually started only a few miles south of the county line. Now they begin about six miles south. And should an accident occur somewhere along the freeway, which is common, the traffic can be much, much worse.

And the hours that constitute the afternoon commute are getting longer  much longer.

The duration of peak hours has changed, Peinado said. In 2011, the peak was from 2:45 p.m. to about 5 p.m. Today, its 2:15 to about 7 p.m.

Since 2010, Peinado said, the estimated population of Riverside County has increased by 9 percent and the population of Temecula has increased by 12 percent. Thousands of people every day commute to jobs in San Diego County along the freeway, then return in the afternoon to their homes, which cost less and are bigger than what they could afford locally.

Pala is taking the brunt of shortcut traffic, but the effects are felt all over local roads in North County near the freeway. For instance, in Rainbow, locals have been complaining about traffic along Old Highway 395 and other streets caused by drivers seeking a different route. Deer Springs Road is busier than ever as commuters drive through San Marcos over to I-15 to avoid congestion further south along the freeway. And Rice Canyon Road is experiencing much more traffic than ever before.

County road experts said they have been getting complaints from the Pala and Rainbow areas. They recently implemented large commercial vehicle restrictions on Pala Temecula Road due to tight curves, spokesman Gig Conaughton said.

Other measures taken by the county include asking Caltrans to identify potential solutions, and asking the CHP to provide additional enforcement along Rice Canyon, Pala Mission and Pala Temecula roads.

Although there are no recent traffic count numbers for Pala Temecula Road, a county official said in 2003, the total traffic volume on Pala Temecula Road was 5,858 vehicles per day. In 2013, the volume had increased to 7,836 vehicles per day. Locals says it is twice as bad in 2017.

But Caltrans told the county there isnt much that can be done for now about I-15. The San Diego Association of Governments long-term project list call for HOV lanes to be built between Escondido and the Riverside County border by the year 2035. As of now, funding isnt in place for that project.

Gaughen, who works in the tribal hall along Pala Mission Road east of the intersection, said traffic often backs up to the highway on that stretch as well. She said people trying to avoid making the left onto Pala Mission will drive another mile east, then make a sharp, hairpin turn to get to the beginning of the road on that side. She said there have been several collisions as a result.

Tim Ravago, the tribes law enforcement chief, said the situation really got bad about a year ago and has continued to get worse.

And their attitudes are bad, he said of the drivers. There is no courtesy. Ive watched them at the intersection. No one has any respect for anyone anymore. Cars will cut off other people.

He said sometimes he has to run interference for school buses.

Its hard for them to get out, Ravago said. People just wont let up and give them an opening. Theyre in a hurry to get to where theyre going.

Several times earlier this year, the tribe paid for CHP officers to conduct traffic control at the intersection. Ravago said the action may have helped a bit, but the backups were still huge. The CHP again plans on conducting several days of traffic control later this year, their overtime being paid by the tribe.

Ravago said the county has told the tribe there is little they can do about the problem and suggested perhaps a traffic signal be built at the Pala Mission/Pala Temecula intersection.

But I dont really think that would help, Ravago said. It might even create more of a problem.

jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones
Saudi Arabia signed on Wednesday ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), making it the 51st country partner for the regional bloc.

The TAC was signed by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Post Ministerial Conference (AMM-PMC) in Jakarta.

Indonesia hosts the regional-level event as the ASEAN Chair this year.

"We welcome Saudi Arabia into the ASEAN Family. Together we must become a positive force for peace, stability and prosperity in the region," Marsudi said in her speech representing ASEAN.

Marsudi also praised Saudi Arabia's commitment to be willing to uphold the ASEAN principles mentioned in TAC, which include cooperation, collaboration, respect for international law, and contribution to peace and stability in the Southeast Asia region and beyond.

The TAC is a legally-binding non-aggression pact signed in 1976 among ASEAN members to establish a set of guidelines to govern inter-state relations in the region, promote perpetual peace, everlasting amity and cooperation based on mutual respect, non-interference principle and peaceful settlement of disputes.

China is the first major country to join the TAC treaty in 2003. This year marks the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the TAC.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry condemned the repeated burning of the Quran by extremists in the West, calling on Western governments to take action against religious hatred.

FM Shoukry's statements came during a recorded speech on Tuesday at a meeting held by the UN Human Rights Council at the request of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, titled "The Escalation of Religious Hatred Evident in the Repeated Violations of the Holy Quran".

FM Shoukry stressed that states must observe their obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

The ICCPR mandates the adoption of legislation prohibiting incitement to religious hatred, and the development of strategies to promote peaceful coexistence and tolerance.

While states must respect freedom of expression, they also have a responsibility to maintain security and social stability, Shoukry stated.

In late June, an Iraqi immigrant burned a copy of the Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm on the first day of the Islamic Eid Al-Adha, with a demonstration permit from Swedish authorities.

The act has been widely condemned by various Muslim and non-Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, and the US.

Egypts foreign ministry also condemned the act, describing it as shameful and stressing the duty of states to prevent incitement and hate crimes.

The June incident in Sweden is the latest in a series of Quran burnings in northern European countries, many carried out by right-wing groups.

Al-Azhar, the world's foremost seat of Sunni learning, has repeatedly condemned the Quran burnings, calling on European states to prevent incitement against Muslims in the West.

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In an unprecedented achievement, citizen scientists have set a new record for the SETI Institute and Unistellar, comprising the highest number of observers providing data on a single event. Amateur astronomers participating in the SETI Institute's and Unistellar's Cosmic Cataclysms program conducted a groundbreaking observation of supernova (SN) 2023ixf. The observations, which began just one hour after the supernova's first known appearance, have generated the longest continuous light curve of this supernova gathered by citizen scientists that has been published to date. The data collection effort involved 123 observers and utilized Unistellar's eVscope, with observations set to continue until the supernova is no longer visible, likely sometime in August. The accomplishment highlights the significant contributions made by citizen scientists in advancing astronomical research.

"It is really incredible what this citizen science network can do," said Lauren Sgro, who led the study along with Tom Esposito. The two are part of a team of SETI Institute researchers guided by Franck Marchis, a senior astronomer at the SETI Institute and Chief Science Officer and co-founder at Unistellar. "This was the closest supernova of the last decade, and observers took full advantage of the special occasion. They jumped on target as soon as possible and kept observing, which allowed us to witness the full potential of this program."

The research note, published in Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society, revealed that for 35 days, 252 observations from 115 telescopes captured the supernova's escalating brightness, followed by its gradual decline. This extensive dataset provides valuable insights into the behavior of this supernova, thanks to the collaborative efforts of dedicated amateur astronomers.

The supernova (SN) 2023ixf occurred in the Pinwheel Galaxy, a spiral galaxy located approximately 21 million light-years from Earth. This explosive event was first discovered on May 19, 2023 by Japanese amateur astronomer Koichi Itagaki, although others' observations show that it first appeared on May 18. Astronomers believe that the explosion likely led= to the formation of a neutron star, marking the final evolutionary stage of the star that went supernova.

The citizen science campaign is part of the Cosmic Cataclysms science program, jointly undertaken by the SETI Institute and Unistellar. Funded by the Richard Lounsbery Foundation and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, this program allows citizen astronomers to participate in studying cataclysmic events such as supernovae and gamma-ray bursts. By leveraging a newly developed alerts system, the program enables observers to receive real-time notifications when objects of interest are detected, ensuring swift initiation of observation campaigns. Analyzing the increase in brightness and subsequent fading of cataclysmic events, citizen astronomers assist researchers in unraveling crucial details about the progenitor object and the surrounding interstellar material.

Looking ahead, the Unistellar network of citizen astronomers will continue their endeavors by collaborating with other teams to investigate similar transient events when the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile commences operations next year. By combining the efforts of professional and citizen scientists, the study of cosmic cataclysms reaches new heights, expanding our understanding of the universe's extraordinary phenomena.
A strange mystic swings a pocket watch back and forth, repeating the phrase "You're getting sleepy, very sleepy," giving them absolute command over their subject. That's not how hypnotism really works, but it's the way it's often depicted in pop culture. Even some clinicians and hypnosis educators propagate harmful myths about hypnosis.

Steven Jay Lynn, a professor of psychology at Binghamton University, State University of New York, is an expert on hypnosis who has made major contributions to the judicial system for his insight on the practice. Lynn believes that hypnosis has many useful clinical applications, but that myths keep it from being utilized to its full potential.

In a recent paper published in BJPsych Advances, "Reconciling myths and misconceptions about hypnosis with scientific evidence," he and his colleagues, Madeline Stein and Devin Terhune from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King's College, addressed a number of errors and misconceptions regarding the characteristics and practice of hypnosis. These are a few of the common myths that are widely believed and commonly circulated in popular culture.

Hypnotized people can't resist suggestions

A deeply hypnotized person is believed to display "blind obedience," going along automatically with whatever the hypnotist suggests. Yet individuals do not lose control over their actions during hypnosis -- contrary to the notion the media reinforces that hypnosis is something done to you and that hypnosis can be used to control someone. In fact, people can resist and even oppose hypnotic suggestions. Their experience of control during hypnosis depends on their intentions and expectations regarding whether or not they retain voluntary control.

Hypnosis is a "special state"

Hypnosis is often mischaracterized as a "special state" where defense mechanisms are reduced and a "unique state of physical relaxation and conscious unconsciousness' allows us to 'enter our subconscious depths through hypnosis. However, people can respond to hypnotic suggestions even while they are alert and on an exercise bicycle. Aside from being a contradiction in terms, 'conscious unconsciousness' is an inaccurate depiction, because during hypnosis even the most highly suggestible individuals remain fully conscious and cognizant of their surroundings. It is more accurate to consider hypnosis as a set of procedures in which verbal suggestions are used to modulate awareness, perception and cognition, rather than to unnecessarily invoke 'special states.'

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People are either hypnotizable or they are not

People's responsiveness to hypnosis can be relatively stable over time. Yet it is inaccurate to assume that people are either hypnotizable or not. People vary greatly in their responsiveness and often respond to some suggestions but not others. Still, most people are sufficiently hypnotizable to reap substantial benefits from therapeutic suggestions.

Responsiveness to suggestions reflects nothing more than compliance or faking

Suggested behaviors during hypnosis can seem so much a departure from the mundane that questions inevitably arise regarding whether hypnotic responses are genuine. However, neuroimaging studies reveal that the effects of hypnotic suggestions activate brain regions (e.g, visual processing) consistent with suggested events (e.g., hallucinating an object).These findings provide convincing evidence that hypnotic effects are represented at the neurophysiological level consistent with what people report.

Hypnotic methods require great skill to administer

One popular misconception is that of the mesmerist, or magician-like hypnotist with special powers of influence who can "hypnotize" anyone. This widespread idea is pure myth; in actuality, administering a hypnotic induction and specific suggestions do not require any special skills or abilities beyond those required for basic social interactions and administration of experimental or clinical procedures, such as the ability to establish rapport. However, hypnosis should be practiced only by professionals trained in the use of hypnosis.

Hypnotic age regression can retrieve accurate memories from the distant past

TV shows and movies often feature people being able to recall extremely accurate memories from a distant past life under hypnosis. But research suggests a contrary view. When researchers check the accuracy of memories of people who are "age regressed" to an earlier time (e.g., 10th century) against factual information from the suggested period, they find that the information is almost invariably incorrect. What people report is mostly consistent with information experimenters provide regarding their supposed past life experiences and identities (e.g., different race, culture, sex). These findings imply that "recall" reflects participants' expectancies, fantasies, and beliefs regarding personal characteristics and events during a given historical period.
Biologists attempting to conserve and restore denuded environments are limited by their scant knowledge of what those environments looked like before the arrival of humans. This is especially true of coastal ecosystems, many of which had already been drastically altered by pollution and overharvesting hundreds of years before scientists began monitoring them.

According to a new study published in the journal PeerJ, a faithful analogue of modern marine ecosystems lies just beneath the surface. Building on more than 20 years of conservation paleobiology, the results suggest that fossils of various marine groups -- including worms, mollusks, crabs and sea urchins -- are preserved in proportion to their diversity.

"This has been a topic in paleontology for decades," said study co-author Michal Kowalewski, the Florida Museum Thompson chair of invertebrate paleontology. "People have looked at modern ecosystems in a variety of habitats to see how well the fossil record reflects what's living there. But most previous studies looked at how species are recorded within a specific group. We wanted to know how groups are recorded within the entire system."

Fossils are a partial and imperfect record of Earth's past. Organisms made primarily of soft tissue are less likely to be preserved than those with hard, durable parts that are resistant to decay, such as bones and shells. Hard parts also come in varying degrees of thickness and strength, depending on the organism they came from and their stage of development. Those variations affect the likelihood that they'll be preserved.

To get around this problem, researchers have used mollusks as a proxy for the overall health of ecosystems. Mollusks are particularly well-represented in the fossil record, and previous research shows they are faithful indicators of past diversity. Using fossils and historical records, researchers in Europe recently demonstrated the native molluscan biodiversity of the eastern Mediterranean Sea has almost entirely collapsed due to global warming. This finding likely means that other marine groups in the region are nearing similar thresholds.

Like a doctor taking a patient's vital signs, scientists can use fossil mollusks to broadly infer the health and stability of an environment. But to distinguish patterns within population declines, shifting ranges and the introduction of invasive species, a full checkup is required.

"Most of what we know, in terms of biases in the fossil record, is based on mollusks," said lead author Carrie Tyler, an assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. "We designed our study to determine whether those biases are consistent when you include many types of organisms, not just mollusks. What happens when you have worms and sea urchins and all other groups in a marine ecosystem?"

Before reaching that conclusion, Tyler and Kowalewski first had to find a suitable marine ecosystem in which to compare living and fossil organisms and study the discrepancies between past and present communities.

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The authors settled on a comparatively unaltered environment off the coast of North Carolina that contained both living animals and dead skeletal remains. There, they collected samples from 52 localities along transects that extended from near-shore coastal waters out to sea.

"We chose this system because it included a spectrum of habitats along an onshore-offshore gradient, from estuary to open shelf ," Kowalewski said. Each of the habitats supports specialized communities, which allowed Tyler and Kowalewski to test the preservation potential for a host of disparate organisms and environmental conditions.

Over the course of two years, they counted more than 60,000 living and dead specimens representing hundreds of marine invertebrates. As expected, the thick shells of mollusks resulted in an overabundance of their remains in the fossil record compared with other groups. However, the fragments of dead corals, sand dollars, tube-forming worms and other non-mollusks were broadly represented at the same level of abundance and diversity as their living counterparts.

Groups with scant existing diversity in the region, such as sea stars and brachiopods, weren't recovered from the fossil record due, in part, to their low numbers. In many cases, past and present habitats were also dominated by different species -- a type of hermit crab common today didn't show up in the fossil record, for example. But the overall number of species in different groups remained consistent.

Most marine ecosystems lack anything near a complete inventory of the species that inhabit them, and the existing roster is dwindling as some species decline in abundance and others succumb to extinction. But if other marine ecosystems are archived with the same fidelity as those in North Carolina, researchers will have a new baseline with which to evaluate the longterm viability of the communities they support.

"We can use the whole fossil assemblage as a picture into the past for a particular place despite differences in preservation among animals. By comparing it to the living community, we can see how much an ecosystem has changed and decide on the best conservation strategies based on those changes," Tyler said.
After I heard the news (about Gadabay incident), I called the Prime Minister and told him to immediately establish a commission and send them to the place. Did I have to actually say that? Didnt the Minister of Ecology know that he should go there? said President Ilham Aliyev as he addressed a meeting dedicated to the socio-economic results of six months of 2023, Azernews reports.

I said to them that they should go there, talk to the people, take air samples, involve international experts. Because it is quite possible that the ministry was the cause of this incident. It is quite possible that you should involve international experts to give their opinion. To what extent is the exploitation of these fields harmful to people's health and nature? There is no answer so far, the head of state noted.

President Ilham Aliyev gave instructions to inform him and the public about the matter and investigate it in a weeks time.




Egypt is scheduled to hold its first Environmental and Climate Investment Forum at the end of July, said Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad on Wednesday.

The forum will review case studies and models of promising investment opportunities in non-renewable energy sectors, Fouad added. She noted that the event will be held under the auspices and in the presence of the prime minister.

The minister's statement was made during her participation in the inauguration of the Chapter Zero Egypt Association.

Chapter Zero Egypt is the first chapter in the region and the 27th of the global Climate Governance Initiative network. The launch of the Egypt chapter was supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as part of a memorandum of understanding signed between the EBRD and the initiative in 2022.

The Ministry of Environment is ready to collaborate with the association in raising awareness among youth and entrepreneurs, Fouad said. Moreover, she stressed the importance of providing technical support and mechanisms for private sector participation to achieve this goal.

During the ceremony, the minister expressed her appreciation for the private sector's efforts to invest in climate change and deliver a message to the world from the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) to COP28, slated to take place in the UAE in November, that Egypt has a thriving private sector.

She emphasised the importance of going to COP28 with new ideas and noted that before COP27 when they were analyzing the situation of climate change, there were private sector investment opportunities in climate change mitigation and adaptation that amounted to $28 billion by 2030.

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry, who is also the president of COP27 Egypt hosted in November 2022, stated on Monday that Egypt is eager to increase public-private sector collaboration to enable the effect of the transition to sustainable energy sources.

During the meeting of the COP27 business leaders group, Shoukry emphasized the importance of the business community and corporates in dealing with the effects of climate change, as well as their participation in putting the outcomes of the Sharm El-Sheikh climate summit into action.

About the forum

The forum is set to present non-traditional investment opportunities to the Egyptian and foreign private sectors, including those in the vital economy. It will focus on creating opportunities in environmental tourism, agricultural waste, and construction and demolition waste, among other sectors, Fouad said.

The event will witness the launch of the first e-platform for the private sector to participate in environmental and climate issues, she pointed out.

The minister lauded the participation of the private sector in the forum and its efforts to generate ideas for the Egyptian pavilion during the UN Climate Conference COP28, slated to take place in the UAE in November.

The forum is part of the Ministry of Environment's efforts to promote environmental and climate investment and encourage private sector involvement in this field, Fouad stated.

In addition to the case studies, the forum will review six feasibility studies for projects ready for investment and highlight 49 other investment opportunities, the minister added.

After the forum, several sector-specific sessions will be held to raise awareness about promising opportunities in climate change projects for young graduates and entrepreneurs.

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According to a new study led by the University of Turku in Finland, internet searches indicate a growing prevalence of various biophobias across the world. Countries with larger urban populations show interest in a broader range of nature-related phobias, supporting the idea that urban living may be linked with fear and disgust towards nature.

The renowned naturalist E. O. Wilson proposed the idea that humans have an innate instinct to connect with nature and other lifeforms, a concept that is generally referred to as biophilia. However, many people also show the opposite reaction, manifesting an instinctive and sometimes even irrational fear towards certain organisms or elements of nature. Arachnophobia (fear of spiders) and ophidiophobia (fear of snakes) are generally considered among the most common forms of specific phobias in the realm of nature-related phobias, or biophobias.

"Some forms of biophobia are considered to have an evolutionary utility, as they would have helped our ancestors avoid encounters with potentially harmful organisms, but many people also exhibit fearful responses towards organisms that pose no tangible threat, potentially leading to excessive anxiety and avoidance of interactions with nature" says Dr Stefano Mammola, an ecologist from the Italian National Research Council and co-author of the study. "Nature-related phobias are thought to be increasing in modern societies, and while some researchers have proposed this change may be linked to a growing disconnection from nature due to urban living, the extent and drivers of such changes remain poorly understood."

This situation is partly driven by the fact that information on the prevalence of biophobias in modern populations is scarce. To address this challenge, the researchers turned to another source of information -- internet searches.

"The internet has become a prime source of information for almost any aspect of our daily lives, and it is plausible that people suffering from a form of biophobia may use the internet to assess their condition and identify ways to cope with it," argues lead author, Dr Ricardo Correia, who is an Assistant Professor at the Biodiversity Unit of the University of Turku in Finland.

The authors assessed internet search interest for 25 different forms of biophobia, and for another set of 25 other phobias unrelated with nature as a comparison group. Indeed, the authors found that interest in biophobias is increasing worldwide for 17 of the 25 biophobias, albeit at a slower pace than what was observed for other specific phobias for which searches are also increasing. Importantly, the number of biophobias with recorded search interest on a country level was positively associated with the number of venomous species in the country and the proportion of the country's population living in urban areas, but negatively associated with the growth of urban population in the country.

"Our results suggest that a wider prevalence of various biophobias is found in countries that have large and long-established urban populations" says Dr. Correia. "These results support earlier hypotheses suggesting a link between urban living and a disconnection with nature, driven by the extinction of natural experiences. This is ultimately reflected in fear and disgust towards other lifeforms. These reactions can negatively affect people's well-being, but also have consequences for how people perceive and support the preservation of nature in their surroundings."

The research article The searchscape of fear: A global analysis of internet search trends for biophobias' was published in a special issue dedicated to the topic of Biophobias in People and Nature, a journal run by the British Ecological Society. The study resulted from a collaboration between researchers affiliated with the Biodiversity Unit of the University of Turku, the University of Helsinki, and the Italian National Research Council, and was supported with funding from the Academy of Finland and the KONE Foundation.
The World Health Organization lists bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics as one of the top 10 global health threats. Therefore, researchers are looking for new antibiotics to counter this resistance. Adela Melcrova, biophysicist at the University of Groningen (the Netherlands), and her colleagues discovered that the relatively new antibiotic AMC-109 affects the cell membrane of bacteria by disordering its organization. This differs from most other antibiotics and could open up new directions for future treatment and drug development. The results were published in Nature Communications on 7 July.

AMC-109, developed at the UiT Arctic University of Norway, has shown promising results in the lab as well as in clinical trials against the notoriously difficult-to-treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It will be tested on humans soon (phase 3 of clinical trials). However, it was not known exactly how AMC-109 works on bacteria. 'I found it surprising that no one knew exactly how it worked,' says Melcrova. 'So, I decided to have a look at it.'

Many antibiotics operate by punching holes in the membrane of the bacterium, which forms a boundary between the inside and the outside of the bacterium. This membrane is vital to regulating what comes in and what stays out, as well as to building the protective cell wall around the bacterium. 'The developers of the drug, who collaborated in this study, thought that AMC-109 makes holes in the membrane of the bacterium, just like other antibiotics,' says Melcrova. But this is not what she found.

Disorganization leads to death

Melcrova took the membrane of Staphylococcus aureus, extracted for her by the University of Groningen Molecular Microbiology group. Melcrova herself is based in the Biophysics group of Professor Wouter Roos, where, as she explains, 'we study biology with methods from physics.' Together with her colleague Sourav Maity, Melcrova studied the bacterial membrane with a High-Speed Atomic Force Microscope (HS-AFM), which speedily taps the material with a tiny tip, measuring thickness and stiffness of the material.

What Melcrova and Maity saw with the HS-AFM were small areas of a higher membrane thickness, indicating some sort of structural organization. Upon adding AMC-109 to the membrane, these thicker areas clustered together and then dissolved. 'A bit like an iceberg that melts: the material is still there, but the structure is gone,' Melcrova says. 'And apparently, the disruption of these areas is sufficient to lead to the death of the bacterium.'

Clumps: for once a good thing

In collaboration with the Molecular Dynamics group, Josef Melcr has built a simulation model of the interaction between the membrane and the antibiotic, using the Martini forcefield. Melcrova: 'While the experiments show us what happens, a simulation allows us to interpret what we see.' And what the simulation showed was that the AMC-109 forms small clumps. Subsequently, these clumps infiltrate the bacterial membrane.

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'Any doctor would tell you that aggregation is a bad thing,' says Melcrova. 'Several diseases are caused by aggregating proteins: Alzheimer's disease, for instance. But in this case, it is a very good thing.' On its own, AMC-109 would also attack human cells. But by clumping together, some properties are 'hidden' on the inside of the bunched-up AMC-109, making it safe for the human body.

Boosting other antibiotics

Now that the effect of AMC-109 on the membrane of bacteria is clearer, new possibilities for future drug development open up. 'For instance,' says Melcrova, 'drugs could be developed that explicitly aim to disorganize the membrane structure.' There is also evidence suggesting that the disorganization breaks down the resistance of the bacteria to old-fashioned antibiotics. 'This is still a hypothesis,' Melcrova explains, 'but it could mean that a treatment with AMC-109 could potentially also boost the effect of a "classic" antibiotic.'

Four long years

'I am happy that this work is finally out,' says Melcrova. 'It took four long years of work. We went through a lot of stress, frustration, and arguments but we also enjoyed the great discoveries and putting the puzzle of this unique antibiotic action together. The fact that one of the collaborators, Josef Melcr, is also my husband meant that this project was always with me, even at home,' says Melcrova with a smile.
In response to major advances in Generative AI technologies -- as well as the significant questions these technologies pose in areas including intellectual property, the future of work, and even human safety -- the Association for Computing Machinery's global Technology Policy Council (ACM TPC) has issued "Principles for the Development, Deployment, and Use of Generative AI Technologies."

Drawing on the deep technical expertise of computer scientists in the United States and Europe, the ACM TPC statement outlines eight principles intended to foster fair, accurate, and beneficial decision-making concerning generative and all other AI technologies. Four of the principles are specific to Generative AI, and an additional four principles are adapted from the TPC's 2022 "Statement on Principles for Responsible Algorithmic Systems."

The Introduction to the new Principles advances the core argument that "the increasing power of Generative AI systems, the speed of their evolution, broad application, and potential to cause significant or even catastrophic harm, means that great care must be taken in researching, designing, developing, deploying, and using them. Existing mechanisms and modes for avoiding such harm likely will not suffice."

The document then sets out these eight instrumental principles, outlined here in abbreviated form:

Generative AI-Specific Principles

Limits and guidance on deployment and use: In consultation with all stakeholders, law and regulation should be reviewed and applied as written or revised to limit the deployment and use of Generative AI technologies when required to minimize harm. No high-risk AI system should be allowed to operate without clear and adequate safeguards, including a "human in the loop" and clear consensus among relevant stakeholders that the system's benefits will substantially outweigh its potential negative impacts. One approach is to define a hierarchy of risk levels, with unacceptable risk at the highest level and minimal risk at the lowest level.

In consultation with all stakeholders, law and regulation should be reviewed and applied as written or revised to limit the deployment and use of Generative AI technologies when required to minimize harm. No high-risk AI system should be allowed to operate without clear and adequate safeguards, including a "human in the loop" and clear consensus among relevant stakeholders that the system's benefits will substantially outweigh its potential negative impacts. One approach is to define a hierarchy of risk levels, with unacceptable risk at the highest level and minimal risk at the lowest level. Ownership: Inherent aspects of how Generative AI systems are structured and function are not yet adequately accounted for in intellectual property (IP) law and regulation.

Inherent aspects of how Generative AI systems are structured and function are not yet adequately accounted for in intellectual property (IP) law and regulation. Personal data control: Generative AI systems should allow a person to opt out of their data being used to train a system or facilitate its generation of information.

Generative AI systems should allow a person to opt out of their data being used to train a system or facilitate its generation of information. Correctability: Providers of Generative AI systems should create and maintain public repositories where errors made by the system can be noted and, optionally, corrections made.

Adapted Prior Principles

Transparency: Any application or system that utilizes Generative AI should conspicuously disclose that it does so to the appropriate stakeholders.

Any application or system that utilizes Generative AI should conspicuously disclose that it does so to the appropriate stakeholders. Auditability and contestability: Providers of Generative AI systems should ensure that system models, algorithms, data, and outputs can be recorded where possible (with due consideration to privacy), so that they may be audited and/or contested in appropriate cases.

Providers of Generative AI systems should ensure that system models, algorithms, data, and outputs can be recorded where possible (with due consideration to privacy), so that they may be audited and/or contested in appropriate cases. Limiting environmental impact: Given the large environmental impact of Generative AI models, we recommend that consensus on methodologies be developed to measure, attribute, and actively reduce such impact.

Given the large environmental impact of Generative AI models, we recommend that consensus on methodologies be developed to measure, attribute, and actively reduce such impact. Heightened security and privacy: Generative AI systems are susceptible to a broad range of new security and privacy risks, including new attack vectors and malicious data leaks, among others.

"Our field needs to tread carefully with the development of Generative AI because this is a new paradigm that goes significantly beyond previous AI technology and applications," explained Ravi Jain, Chair of the ACM Technology Policy Council's Working Group on Generative AI and lead author of the Principles. "Whether you celebrate Generative AI as a wonderful scientific advancement or fear it, everyone agrees that we need to develop this technology responsibly. In outlining these eight instrumental principles, we've tried to consider a wide range of areas where Generative AI might have an impact. These include aspects that have not been covered as much in the media, including environmental considerations and the idea of creating public repositories where errors in a system can be noted and corrected."

"These are guidelines, but we must also build a community of scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders who will work together in the public interest to understand the limits and risks of Generative AI as well as its benefits. ACM's position as the world's largest association for computing professionals makes us well-suited to foster that consensus and look forward to working with policy makers to craft the regulations by which Generative AI should be developed, deployed, but also controlled," added James Hendler, Professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Chair of ACM's Technology Policy Council.

"Principles for the Development, Deployment, and Use of Generative AI Technologies" was jointly produced and adopted by ACM's US Technology Policy Committee (USTPC) and Europe Technology Policy Committee (Europe TPC).

Lead authors of this document for USTPC were Ravi Jain, Jeanna Matthews, and Alejandro Saucedo. Important contributions were made by Harish Arunachalam, Brian Dean, Advait Deshpande, Simson Garfinkel, Andrew Grosso, Jim Hendler, Lorraine Kisselburgh, Srivatsa Kundurthy, Marc Rotenberg, Stuart Shapiro, and Ben Shneiderman. Assistance also was provided by Ricardo Baeza-Yates, Michel Beaudouin-Lafon, Vint Cerf, Charalampos Chelmis, Paul DeMarinis, Nicholas Diakopoulos, Janet Haven, Ravi Iyer, Carlos E. Jimenez-Gomez, Mark Pastin, Neeti Pokhriyal, Jason Schmitt, and Darryl Scriven.
A new national study, led by researchers at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, has found whole genome sequencing (WGS) to be nearly twice as effective as a targeted gene sequencing test at identifying abnormalities responsible for genetic disorders in newborns and infants. The study, "A Comparative Analysis of Rapid Whole Genomic Sequencing and a Targeted Neonatal Gene Panel in Infants with a Suspected Genetic Disorder: The Genomic Medicine for Ill Neonates and Infants (GEMINI) Study," was first published online on The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) website on July 11, 2023.

Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the first-of-its-kind GEMINI Study enrolled 400 newborns and infants under the age of one year, with a wide variety of suspected, undiagnosed genetic disorders, at six centers across the United States. Each newbon/infant received both WGS, which can identify variants in all 20,000 genes in the human body, and NewbornDx, a targeted gene sequencing test which can identify variants in 1,722 genes known to be linked to genetic disorders in newborns/infants. The researchers found that WGS detected a genetic disorder in 49 percent of patients, while the targeted gene sequencing test identified a genetic disorder in 27 percent of study participants. The targeted panel missed 40 percent of diagnoses that WGS captured. In addition, the researchers also found 134 new genetic diagnoses that had never before been described. Overall, 51 percent of patients in the study were diagnosed with a genetic disorder with either test.

"More than half of the babies in our study had a genetic disorder that would have remained undetected at most hospitals across the country if not for genome sequencing technologies," said Jonathan Davis, MD, Chief of Newborn Medicine at Tufts Medical Center and Co-Principal Investigator of the study. "Successfully diagnosing an infant's genetic disorder as early as possible helps ensure they receive the best medical care. This study shows that WGS, while still imperfect, remains the gold standard for accurate diagnosis of genetic disorders in newborns and infants."

But WGS is not without its disadvantages, the researchers noted. On average, it took nearly two full days longer (six days vs. four days) to receive routine results from WGS compared to the targeted gene sequencing test. The targeted test is also less expensive, and since it screens for specific genetic disorders that only appear in newborns and infants, its use eliminates the risk of unintentionally revealing potential health risks later in life, such as Alzheimer's disease or cancer, that the child's parents may not want to know.

The GEMINI Study also identified an additional concern: a lack of standardization in neonatal genetics interpretation. In 40 percent of cases, different laboratories disagreed on whether a mutually acknowledged gene abnormality was the cause of the suspected genetic disorder in the newborn/infant.

"Many neonatologists and geneticists use genome sequencing panels, but it's clear there are a variety of different approaches and a lack of consensus among geneticists on the causes of a specific patient's medical disorder," said Jill Maron, MD, MPH, Chief of Pediatrics at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island and Co-Principal Investigator of the study. "Genome sequencing can be costly, but in this targeted, at-risk population, it proves to be highly informative. We are supportive of ongoing efforts to see these tests covered by insurance."

Additional study sites include Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, Mt. Sinai Hospital, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Cincinnati Children's Hospital and the University of Pittsburgh.

"This study provides further evidence that genetic disorders are common among newborns and infants," said Stephen F. Kingsmore, MD, DSc, President and CEO of Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine and a co-investigator and second author of the study. "The findings strengthen support for early diagnosis by rapid genomic sequencing, allowing for the use of precision medicine to better care for this vulnerable patient population."

The GEMINI study is supported by a National Center For Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to Tufts Medical Center, under Award Number U01TR00271. The authors note several limitations and conflicts of interest, which are described in the study.
Fine particulate matter comes from wood burning, power generation, motor vehicles and other combustion sources that emit tiny particles into the air. At only 2.5 micrometers or smaller, these particles are small enough to be inhaled and cause lasting damage to the heart and lungs. Known as PM2.5, exposure to these particles is a leading mortality risk factor in India and the surrounding region of South Asia.

A new study by researchers in Randall Martin's lab in the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis evaluated the contribution of various emission sectors and fuels to PM2.5 mass for 29 states in India and six surrounding countries: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

The results, published July 7 in Environmental Science & Technology, identify primary organics -- organic particles emitted directly into the atmosphere from various sources -- as the main drivers of high concentrations of PM2.5 over South Asia. The paper also illuminates potential pathways to reduce PM2.5 mass and improve population health across South Asia.

"Countries in South Asia have substantial emissions and associated air pollution and mortality burden," said first author Deepangsu Chatterjee, a doctoral student in energy, environmental & chemical engineering in the McKelvey School of Engineering. "Our study shows that over 1 million deaths in South Asia attributable to ambient PM2.5 in 2019 were primarily from residential combustion, industry and power generation. Solid biofuel is the leading combustible fuel contributing to the PM2.5-attributable mortality, followed by coal and oil and gas."

"Air pollution, both indoors and outdoors, is the leading risk factor for death in South Asia," said co-author Michael Brauer, professor at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington and the University of British Columbia. "Understanding the major contributing sources is a critical first step towards management of this serious problem."

A major challenge in evaluating the impacts of PM2.5 is understanding how it is produced and distributed over time. Chatterjee and Martin, the Raymond R. Tucker Distinguished Professor in McKelvey Engineering, combined global emission inventories, satellite-derived fine surface particulate matter estimates and state-of-the-art global scale modeling capabilities to develop regional simulations. They also accounted for long-range transport to understand how different emission sectors and fuels contributed to PM2.5 and associated mortality rates.

"Advances in modeling atmospheric composition with constraints from satellite remote sensing enabled our assessment of the sources of PM2.5 across South Asia," Martin said. "That helped draw our attention to large contributions from burning biofuel and coal."

Chatterjee also noted that PM2.5 mass composition in South Asia is driven by primary organics across major contributing sectors. The team's PM2.5 composition analysis can be particularly useful to develop mitigation strategies associated with particular species.

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A few other notable features include high contribution from coal in central and eastern India, higher household air pollution in north-east and central India, biofuel contributions in Bangladesh and open fires in Myanmar.

"This study shows that the air pollution problem in South Asia is not just an urban scale problem, so policies targeted at urban scale development will not be enough to mitigate the national level PM2.5 exposure," Chatterjee said.

Chatterjee, Martin and their co-authors suggest several strategies for future interventions throughout South Asia, including policies encouraging the replacement of traditional fuel sources with sustainable sources of energy.

"Policies in India in the past five to 10 years have worked toward identifying and improving air pollution concerns and associated health burden and mortality risks. Seeing these policies be effective is motivating for the South Asian population to keep moving the needle and develop strategic policies to curb the growth of air pollution," Chatterjee said. "Our paper provides detailed sector-, fuel- and composition-based information for different states in India along with surrounding countries, which could be useful for local policymakers to eliminate PM2.5 sources associated with their specific region."

This work was supported by NASA (80NSSC21K0508) and the Health Effects Institute, an organization jointly funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (R-82811201) and certain motor vehicle manufacturers.

Originally published by the McKelvey School of Engineering.
New research has discovered neurons within the brain which detect and respond to changes in the level of sugar within the bloodstream.

Understanding how this blood-sugar detection system works and how these neurocircuits operate would give researchers and doctors greater insights into how our brains regulate our blood sugar and, perhaps, how to target them therapeutically to treat metabolic diseases like diabetes and obesity, according to the study authors.

The study was published June 22 online in Diabetes, a research journal of the American Diabetes Association.

"We've known for a long time that many neurons can detect sugar locally within the brain," said Dr. Michael Schwartz, an endocrinologist with the University of Washington School of Medicine and co-director of the UW Medicine Diabetes Institute. "What is new, however, is the evidence that a subset of neurons located in the hypothalamus can sense and respond to sugar in the bloodstream itself, analogous to the cells in the pancreas that secrete insulin."

In this study, researchers were able to monitor both blood-sugar levels and the activity of neurons within the hypothalamus of conscious mice in real time. They found that when blood sugar levels rise, the activity of this subset of neurons decreases rapidly. Researchers speculate that these neurons detect and respond to variation in blood sugar transmitted by sensory neurons that supply the vasculature (rather than sugar levels in the brain, which change much more slowly), Schwartz noted. This sensory information is then transmitted to one or more neurocircuits that control the blood sugar level in conjunction with the pancreas, which produces insulin for the body.

Clinically, this is important because when treating patients with diabetes, clinicians often find that the patients' system is actively maintaining an elevated blood-sugar level, presumably "because that's where the brain thinks the blood sugar level is supposed to be," Schwartz said.

"For example, if a normal blood sugar is 100, a patient with diabetes may well have a blood sugar above 300," he said. "If it's been at that elevated level for days or weeks, and if you suddenly lower it back to 100, the brain will think that's too low, and will try to increase blood-sugar level again."

This evidence that diabetes is associated with an impaired ability of the brain to sense the blood-sugar level suggests that in the future, reversing this type of sensing defect may allow the brain to control blood sugar in a more appropriate way, Schwartz concluded.
A new study featuring data from the NASA Mars Perseverance rover has presented compelling evidence for organic material on the Martian surface, shedding light on the potential habitability of the Red Planet. The research, led by a team of scientists that includes UF astrobiologist Amy Williams, was recently published in the journal Nature.

Scientists have long been fueled by the possibility of finding organic carbon on Mars, and while previous missions provided valuable insights, the latest research introduces a new line of evidence that adds to our understanding of Mars. The findings indicate the presence of a more intricate organic geochemical cycle on Mars than previously understood, suggesting the existence of several distinct reservoirs of potential organic compounds.

Notably, the study detected signals consistent with molecules linked to aqueous processes, indicating that water may have played a key role in the diverse range of organic matter on Mars. The key building blocks necessary for life may have persisted on Mars for a far more extended period than previously thought.

Amy Williams, an expert in organic geochemistry, has been at the forefront of the search for life's building blocks on Mars. As a participating scientist on the Perseverance mission, Williams' work centers on the quest for organic matter on the Red Planet. She aims to detect habitable environments, search for potential life materials, and uncover evidence of past life on Mars. Eventually, the on-site samples collected by Perseverance will be sent back to Earth by future missions, but it will be a complex and ambitious process spanning many years.

"The potential detection of several organic carbon species on Mars has implications for understanding the carbon cycle on Mars, and the potential of the planet to host life throughout its history," said Williams, an assistant professor in UF's Department of Geological Sciences.

Organic matter can be formed from various processes, not just those related to life. Geological processes and chemical reactions can also form organic molecules, and these processes are favored for the origin of these possible Martian organics. Williams and the team of scientists will work to further examine the potential sources of these molecules.

Until now, organic carbon had only been detected by the Mars Phoenix lander and the Mars Curiosity rover by using advanced techniques like evolved gas analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The new study introduces a different technique that also potentially identifies simple organic compounds on Mars.

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The chosen landing site for the rover within Jezero crater offers a high potential for past habitability: As an ancient lake basin, it contains an array of minerals, including carbonates, clays, and sulfates. These minerals have the potential to preserve organic materials and possible signs of ancient life.

"We didn't initially expect to detect these potential organics signatures in the Jezero crater floor," Williams said, "but their diversity and distribution in different units of the crater floor now suggest potentially different fates of carbon across these environments."

The scientists used a first-of-its-kind instrument called the Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC) to map the distribution of organic molecules and minerals on rock surfaces. SHERLOC employs deep ultraviolet Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy to simultaneously measure weak Raman scattering and strong fluorescence emissions, providing crucial insights into the organic composition of Mars.

The findings mark a significant step forward in our exploration of the Red Planet, laying the groundwork for future investigations into the possibility of life beyond Earth.

"We are just now scratching the surface of the organic carbon story on Mars," Williams said, "and it is an exciting time for planetary science!"
One of the powerful BE-4 rocket engines of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket unfortunately exploded during testing on June 30, as per CNBC's Michael Sheet. The report noted that the engine will be used to power the New Glenn rocket as well as the Vulcan Centaur of United Launch Alliance (ULA).

Dramatic Explosion Destroyed Rocket Engine

The BE-4 rocket engine reportedly detonated approximately 10 seconds into the test, which Blue Origin performed at its West Texas site last month. Witnesses described the explosion as dramatic and noted its destruction of the engine and damage to the test stand infrastructure.

Sheetz wrote in his report on CNBC that the engine was being prepared to fly on Vulcan Centaur's second launch. Meanwhile, Blue Origin has released a statement to the news outlet, verifying that fact, as well as the testing event.

The statement says that despite the explosion, no personnel was injured and that they are currently assessing the root cause. As of now, investigators have already identified the cause of the anomaly and are working towards remedial actions. Moreover, Jeff Bezos's company added that they have already informed ULA of the findings.

As per Space.com, Blue Origin has also a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Despite the unfortunate explosion of one of BE-4's engines, the company does not seem to view it as a major problem at the moment.

ULA President and CEO Tory Bruno wrote on Twitter that BE-4 was ready for flight, which proves that its design is sound. However, the "acceptance test" (APT) on June 30 revealed some issues with individual units that need to be addressed before its official flight. In another tweet, Bruno noted that APT failures are not uncommon and that it is needed in every single serial number.

READ ALSO: Blue Origin, NASA Collaborate to Re-Create Moon-like Gravity in Rockets Set for Artemis Missions

About the BE-4 Engine

According to Blue Origin's Fact Sheet about the BE-4, it is an American-made liquid rocket engine developed by Blue Origin for its future rockets. BE-4 uses liquid oxygen and liquefied natural gas, which is commercially available as methane, to produce 550,000 lbf thrust.

In partnership with ULS, the BE-4 engine is developed to ensure its applicability to ULA's next-generation launch vehicles to meet commercial requirements as well as to the US Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. The rocket engine is developed with minimal recurrent costs in mind, employing cutting-edge design and manufacturing processes.

Testing of the BE-4 included the creation of a subscale oxygen-rich preburner and staged combustion testing of the preburner and main injector system. The testing of the turbopumps and main valves will be the next key development milestone.



RELATED ARTICLE: What Experts Could Learn From Latest Blue Origin New Shepard Failed Launch

Check out more news and information on Blue Origin in Science Times.
The Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov announced the city's intention to discuss organizing joint cultural and sporting events in collaboration with the city of Alexandria, Egypt.

Governor Beglov's comments came as the city prepares to host the Second RussiaAfrica Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum between 26 to 29 July.

The summit, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, will be attended by leaders and heads of African states.

Beglov stressed that it was possible to increase cooperation with African countries in education since young Africans come to St.Petersburg to study.

"In the academic year 2022-2023, 2,580 African students studied at our universities, representing 7.27 percent of the number of foreign students studying in the Russian Federation, he said.

Beglov also noted that St.Petersburg could collaborate with African countries on new joint projects in utilities, water supply, and sanitation.

During the conference, several agreements will be signed between St.Petersburg and several organizations from Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Namibia, Tunisia, and Angola.

These agreements aim to promote cooperation between the two sides in education and tourism.

The governor of St. Petersburg further stated that the city is drafting agreements with some African cities within the framework of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

These cities include Cape Town, Durban, and Hermanus in South Africa and Bohicon in Benin.

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Chads President Idriss Deby, Eritreas President Isaias Afwerki, Ethiopias Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and South Sudans President Salva Kiir arrived in Cairo Wednesday to participate in Sudan Neighbouring Countries Summit Thursday upon an invitation from President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that a preparatory session for the summit was held in Cairo Wednesday evening in the presence of senior officials from attending countries.

According to an Egyptian government source, the Cairo meeting of Sudans neighbours will examine ideas and proposals that have been brought to the table through other initiatives, including IGAD, to end the armed conflict in the country.

The leaders of Sudan's neighbouring countries are expected to discuss mechanisms to deal with the dire humanitarian situation that resulted from the influx of thousands of Sudanese refugees into their countries since the outbreak of the conflict in mid-April.

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A new grant awarded to the College of Nursing will help prepare doctoral nursing students in an effort to increase health care providers in underserved urban and rural areas, while also expanding the diversity of the workforce to include more BIPOC professionals particularly in the areas of primary care, midwifery and mental health.

Associate Dean for Graduate Programs Dr. Bonnie Bowie, PhD, MBA, RN, FAAN, was awarded the $2.5 million grant from the Advanced Nursing Education Workforce HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration). Covering four years, the grant will support several initiatives including:

Partial scholarships for roughly three dozen primary care, midwifery and psychiatric mental health Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students each year that will include travel and lodging for travel to rural areas in southwest Washington and northeast Montana.

Funding for creating a BIPOC peer mentorship program and for faculty to attend a yearlong DEI workshop in partnership with Seattle Universitys Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

The grant will also cover a half-time program support person as well as funds for the College of Nursing to obtain a continuing education license and for faculty to develop online trainings for clinical partners.

Recognizing the tremendous health care needs of underserved, historically marginalized and geographically distant communities, this HRSA award will allow Seattle University to better support training of advanced practice registered nurses, especially to graduate students with underrepresented identities, says College of Nursing Dean Butch de Castro, PhD, MSN/MPH, RN, FAAN. I so admire and appreciate Dr. Bowie and all others who selflessly committed their time and effort to apply for this funding. This pursuit truly reflects our colleges mission to take action in ways that will transform health care in order to create a just and humane world.

This grant aligns with the mission of the College of Nursing to improve health care access while educating nursing professionals to care for communities and populations they represent. Currently, BIPOC students comprise roughly 60% of all DNP students.

I think one of the reasons we were awarded the grant is because we place such emphasis on serving the underserved and routinely partner with heath care agencies who share our mission and values, says Dr. Bowie, who has been at the College of Nursing for 23 years.

Of all the things I have accomplished during my time at SU, increasing the diversity of our student population is something I am most proud of. However, there is more work to be done in this area and I am thrilled that with this HRSA award, we have the opportunity to build on this work to create a more inclusive environment for our students.

Here is more from Dr. Bowie on the impact this grant will have not only in training the next wave of nursing professionals but also on the college as a whole.

What does it mean for you and the work of supporting doctoral students in the college to receive a grant like this?

I cant tell you how much this grant means to menot only because it will provide scholarships for about 36 students each year, but also because it will support some of our students who will do their clinical practicum in rural places such as northeast Montana and southwest Washington. The grant will provide travel and room funding for students who travel to the specific clinical agencies identified within the grant. We send our students all over the state to gain valuable clinical experiences as it is challenging to find preceptors who are willing to give up their time to mentor a nurse practitioner student. When students travel to other areas or states, it is typically on their dime.

This grant covers partial scholarships for doctoral students in primary care, midwifery and psychiatric mental health. Is it focused on these three areas because of a need or gap in the health care industry?

Yes, exactly. The Health Resources and Services Administration is trying to increase the number of primary care providers in these three specific specialties, particularly to increase providers who care for patients in underserved urban and rural areas. I think one of the reasons we were awarded the grant is because we place such emphasis on serving the underserved and routinely partner with heath care agencies who share our mission and values.

Can you tell me about how this will also help create a BIPOC peer mentorship program and what that looks like?

One of the goals we needed to speak to in the Advanced Nursing Education Workforce grant application was our plan for increasing and retaining BIPOC DNP students. In 2019, under the guidance of our then new Admissions Specialist, Oz Sener, we adopted a more holistic admission process for the DNP program. In 2020, Sener proposed hiring five of our current DNP students as Diversity Ambassadors who would attend recruitment and orientation events, meet with prospective students and answer their questions. This program has been very successful and so we proposed building on the Diversity Ambassador program with something similar for supporting current BIPOC students.

The BIPOC peer mentors will be paid a small stipend to organize quarterly meetings for networking and support of their peers. There is also money to invite BIPOC nurse practitioner speakers from the community to serve as role models and mentors and to increasing networking. The BIPOC peer mentors will also receive guidance and mentorship from a BIPOC nurse practitioner faculty member. The need for BIPOC peer mentors came from our own students. One of the DNP students, Kimberly Ha, started a grassroots BIPOC peer mentorship program during her first year of the program and I am looking forward to working with Kimberly and other students to design a program that meets their needs.

Do you see this as having an impact in attracting and retaining a more diverse nursing student population?

Since implementing a more holistic admission process and adding the Diversity Ambassadors, the CON DNP program has increased BIPOC admits by 30%. Currently, BIPOC students comprise 60% of DNP students. While retention of BIPOC students is fairly high at 85%, it is slightly lower than white DNP students (89%). So yes, we are hoping that through the BIPOC peer mentorship program the retention numbers will increase, but more importantly, we want our BIPOC students to feel safe from microaggressions and biases in clinical and classroom settings.

Another important piece of the grant is to provide 10 nursing faculty each year with the opportunity to attend a yearlong educational program on creating a culturally safe learning environment for our BIPOC students. We are working with Dr. Laura Heider, the Assistant Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, to create and offer this educational program. We also included money in the budget to develop online training modules for our clinical partners and preceptors on best practices for supporting BIPOC students. Through these measures, we are also hoping that the diversity of our nursing faculty shifts to reflect that of our students over the next few years.

This grant spans four years. What are the specific milestones or targeted initiatives for each year?

We will track students after they leave the program to see if they are more likely to take a position in a Federally Qualified Health Care Center or other agency that treats underserved populations. We will continue to track admission and retention numbers for DNP students and will measure satisfaction with the BIPOC peer mentorships program with participants.

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Other College of Nursing News

College of Nursing Professors New Inductees into the American Academy of Nursing

Seattle University's Dr. Carrie Miller, Dr. Diane K. Fuller Switzer, Dr. Kumhee Ro and Dr. Mo-Kyung Sin are among 253 distinguished nurse leaders from around the globe who will be recognized for their substantial, sustained and outstanding impact on health and health care. Their induction into the American Academy of Nursing will take place during the October 5-7 meeting of the academy. Induction into this organization is the highest honor bestowed on a nurse leader. Having four inductees from one college inducted at the same time is a rare occurrence and noteworthy achievement.
On July 12, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Olivier Amar, the former Chief Growth Officer of Frank, with fraud in connection with the $175 million sale of the company to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., (JPMC) in 2021. The SEC previously charged Charlie Javice, the founder and former CEO of Frank, in connection with the same scheme, in which she and Amar allegedly deceived JPMC into believing that Frank had access to valuable data on 4.25 million students who used Frank's service, when in reality the number was less than 300 thousand.

According to the SEC's amended complaint, Amar directed a Frank engineering employee to generate an artificial, "synthetic" set of data to supplement actual data that Frank had acquired from website visitors. The purpose of this request was to fulfill a due diligence request from JPMC to assess Frank's own user data before the acquisition. After the engineering employee declined to generate fictitious data, Javice and Amar allegedly coordinated an effort to obtain data from outside sources. Specifically, Javice allegedly paid a data science professor to manufacture the data required to close the deal with JPMC, while Amar negotiated with an external data compiler and ultimately procured data on 4.5 million students at a cost of $105,000 that Frank allegedly falsely passed off as being real customers in response to inquiries from JPMC following the close of the acquisition.

In addition to the previously announced charges against Javice, the amended complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, charges Amar with violations of Section 17(a)(1) and (3) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rules 10b-5(a) and (c) thereunder, and Amar with aiding and abetting Javice's violations of those provisions.

The SEC's investigation was conducted by Wesley Wintermyer and Lindsay Moilanen of the New York Regional Office. The litigation is being handled by Mr. Wintermyer and Daniel Loss. The matter is being supervised by Tejal Shah. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, which announced parallel, criminal charges today.
The Cabinet announced on Wednesday that there would be a paid holiday for public employees from 20 July to 23 July to celebrate the Islamic (Hijri) New Year 1445 and the 23 July Revolution.

According to the statement, the two paid holidays will be granted to employees working in ministries, government agencies, public authorities, local administration units, and public business sector companies.

Starting in 2020, the government moved weekday public holidays (excluding Eid El-Fitr, Eid El-Adha, and Coptic Christmas) to Thursdays if they fall on a weekday, allowing citizens to enjoy a long weekend.

Muslims worldwide use the Hijri Calendar, which began in AD 622, to determine important Islamic events such as the holy month of Ramadan and the Hajj pilgrimage.

The 23 July holiday marks the anniversary of the 1952 Revolution, which ended the monarchy and established a republic.

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Milan Kundera, the renowned Czech writer known for his philosophical novels, has died at the age of 94.

Anna Mrazova, the spokesperson for the Milan Kundera Library in Brno confirmed to to the Agence France-Presse (AFP) that Kundera passed away on Tuesday after prolonged illness.

Kundera was a prominent figure in the Czech literary scene, best known for his novel The Unbearable Lightness of Being, which was published in 1984 and became an instant literary sensation. The novel explores the themes of love, politics and existentialism, and has been translated into numerous languages, selling millions of copies worldwide. It was also made into a successful film in 1988, starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Juliette Binoche.

Kundera's other notable works include Laughable Loves, The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, and Immortality.

Kundera's literary works were banned by the communist regime in Czechoslovakia before the Velvet Revolution of 1989, forcing him to flee to France in 1975. Five years later, Kundera became a naturalized French citizen; his Czechoslovak citizenship was revoked in 1979. However, in 2019, he was granted Czech citizenship once again.

Despite his Czech roots, Kundera identified as a French writer and insisted that his works be studied as French literature and categorized accordingly in bookstores.

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Kenyan officers fired tear gas on protesters Wednesday as they defied a police ban to join demonstrations called by opposition leader Raila Odinga against a raft of tax hikes.

Shops were shut and security was tight in the capital Nairobi, where police deployed tear gas against stone-throwing demonstrators in the slum of Mathare. Tear gas was also used to disperse crowds in the port city of Mombasa.

Last week's rallies in several cities turned violent, with six people killed according to the interior ministry, as rights campaigners accused police of taking a heavy-handed approach towards the demonstrations.

On the eve of Wednesday's protests, the country's police chief warned opposition supporters from holding "illegal demonstrations", saying that organisers had not provided the authorities with any "notifications" about their planned rallies this week.

"In this regard, no such demonstrations/gatherings/protests will be allowed tomorrow... All lawful means will be used to disperse such demonstrations," Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome said in a statement.

Police had fired tear gas in Nairobi on Friday, targeting Odinga's convoy, and took similar steps against demonstrations in the cities of Mombasa and Kisumu.

On Saturday campaigners said police used tear gas on civil society representatives, who were demanding the release of dozens of people arrested during the protests.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has called for "a thorough investigation into all reported incidents of police brutality", adding to the chorus of condemnation from rights groups including Amnesty International against "arbitrary arrests".

Odinga's Azimio alliance has vowed to stage protests every week against the policies of President William Ruto's government.

"Our activities are protected by the Constitution which guarantees right to protest, picket, assemble and present petitions," Odinga's spokesman Dennis Onyango told AFP.

Odinga, who lost the August 2022 election to Ruto, claims that the poll was "stolen" and has held a string of anti-government rallies this year.

But as soaring food prices pile pressure on households, many Kenyans said they could not afford the disruption caused by the protests and had little hope of seeing improvements to their economic situation.

"I used to look forward to the protests, I felt it was the only way our voices were being heard but nothing is changing," housekeeper Ruth Nyakundi told AFP on the eve of the demonstrations.

"Life is just getting worse," the 41-year-old said.

Ruto last month signed into law a finance bill expected to generate more than $2.1 billion for the government's depleted coffers.

The Finance Act provides for new taxes or increases on basic goods such as fuel and food and mobile money transfers, as well as a controversial levy on all tax-payers to fund a housing scheme.

The government says the taxes will help create jobs and reduce public borrowing.

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The meeting brings together Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Mechanism (RMs) and member states to review the progress of the continental integration agenda.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi is participating in the summit as the current chair of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

The meeting will explore ways to enhance integration, including promoting free movement and the African passport, as well as connecting infrastructure and financial markets.

It will also explore establishing a common African market to accelerate trade, agriculture, establishment of businesses, and transfer of skills in Africa.

To accelerate these efforts, the meeting will discuss the division of labour between the AU, RECs, RMs, and member states, anchored on the principles of subsidiarity, complementary, and competitive advantage.

The division of labour is centred around six pillars: policy planning and formulation; policy adoption; policy implementation; monitoring, evaluation and reporting; resource mobilization; and partnerships.

Also on the agenda will be the financing of Agenda 2063, focusing on Africas economic recovery and the implementation of initiatives to address challenges in agriculture, infrastructure, debt, climate change, security, energy, and health.

This years meeting will be preceded by the meeting of the AUs Executive Council on 13-14 July.

The ministerial meeting will discuss the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

It will consider next years theme (education); budget matters; African candidacies to international bodies; treaty ratification and implementation; the status of institutional reforms and Agenda 2063, among others.

The Executive Council will also appoint some members of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR); the African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption (AUABC); the African Union Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC); African Union Commission on International Law (AUCIL), and a member of the Board of External Auditors (BoEAs).

The meeting will conclude with a declaration.
Mercenaries of the Wagner Group are completing the handover of their weapons to the Russian military, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday, a move that follows the private army's brief rebellion last month that challenged the Kremlin's authority.

The disarming of Wagner reflects efforts by authorities to defuse the threat it posed and also appears to herald an end to the mercenary group's operations on the battlefield in Ukraine.

The actions come amid continued uncertainty about the fate of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and the terms of a deal that ended the armed rebellion by offering amnesty for him and his mercenaries along with permission to move to Belarus.

Among the weapons turned over were more than 2,000 pieces of equipment, such as tanks, rocket launchers, heavy artillery and air defense systems, along with over 2,500 metric tons of munitions and more than 20,000 firearms, the Defense Ministry said.

The statement follows the Kremlin's acknowledgment Monday that Prigozhin and 34 of his top officers met with President Vladimir Putin on June 29, five days after the rebellion. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wagner's commanders pledged loyalty to Putin and that they were ready "to continue to fight for the Motherland.

Putin has said that Wagner troops had to choose whether to sign contracts with the Defense Ministry, move to Belarus or retire from service.

The Kremlin's confirmation that Putin met with Prigozhin, who led troops on a march to Moscow to demand the ouster of the country's top military leaders, raised new questions about the deal that ended the rebellion.

Putin denounced the revolt as an act of treason when it started and vowed harsh punishment for those who participated in it, but the criminal case against Prigozhin was dropped hours later as part of the deal.

At the same time, the Wagner chief apparently could still face prosecution for financial wrongdoing or other charges.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who brokered the deal that ended the mutiny, said last week that his country offered Wagner field camps but noted that Prigozhin was in Russia and that his troops remained at their home camps.

Lukashenko noted that their deployment to Belarus would depend on decisions by Prigozhin and the Russian government.

During the 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 Moscow.

Prigozhin described it as a march of justice to oust the military leaders, who demanded that Wagner sign contracts with the Defense Ministry by July 1.

The mutiny faced little resistance and fighters downed at least six military helicopters and a command post aircraft, killing at least 10 airmen. When the deal was struck, Prigozhin ordered his troops to return to their camps.

The rebellion represented the biggest threat to Putin in his more than two decades in power and badly dented his authority, even though Prigozhin claimed the uprising was not aimed at the president but intended to force the ouster of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and chief of the military's General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov.

Both men have kept their jobs. Many observers suggested that even if Putin wasn't happy with their performance, Prigozhin's demand for their ouster helped secure their jobs, since firing them would be seen as a concession to the Wagner boss.

At the same time, uncertainty surrounds the fate of Gen. Sergei Surovikin, the deputy commander of the Russian group of forces fighting in Ukraine who reportedly had ties to Prigozhin.

Surovikin hasnt been seen since the rebellion began, when he posted a video urging an end to it, and two people in Washington familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss it publicly told The Associated Press in June that he has been detained.

Several Russian military bloggers also said he has been detained and questioned.

Andrei Kartapolov, a retired general who heads the defense affairs committee in the lower house of the Russian parliament, said Wednesday that Surovikin was resting and is not currently available, but wouldn't elaborate.

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Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is due Wednesday to visit the northern West Bank city of Jenin for the first time in over a decade, a week after the largest Israeli raid there in years.

Twelve Palestinians were killed in the two-day raid on Jenin and its adjacent refugee camp, a regular site of fierce fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups.

The raid on the camp employed hundreds of troops as well as drone strikes and army bulldozers that tore up streets and damaged scores of houses.

Soon after the raid, several top officials of Abbas's Fatah party, including deputy chairman Mahmoud Aloul, had visited the camp only to be heckled by crowds of angry residents.

On Wednesday, Abbas was expected to visit the city as well as the camp, along with the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).

He was due to review "progress of work in the reconstruction of the camp and the city", his office said in a statement.

Ahead of Abbas's arrival, hundreds of soldiers from the presidential guard were seen patrolling the streets of the camp, an AFP journalist said.

The Jenin camp was established in 1953 to house some of those among the 760,000 Palestinians who fled or were expelled from their homes in 1948 when Israel was created, an event Palestinians call the "Nakba" or "catastrophe".

Over time, the camp's original tents have been replaced by concrete, and it now resembles something closer to a neighbourhood.

The camp, which houses some 18,000 people, was also a hotbed of activity during the second "intifada" or uprising of the early 2000s.

Over the past 18 months, the security situation in the camp has deteriorated, with the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority having little real presence there.

Abbas, 87, last visited Jenin in 2012 but had not toured the camp at the time.

While the PA remains somewhat present in the city, it has largely abandoned the camp to local armed groups such as the Jenin Brigade, which Israel alleges is backed by Iran.

Abbas had previously visited the camp itself in 2004 while running for the Palestinian presidential election after the death of leader Yasser Arafat.

During that trip Abbas was famously embraced by Zakaria Zubeidi, a senior militant in the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, who for years was on Israel's most wanted list.

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Iran on Wednesday summoned the Russian ambassador in Tehran to protest a recent statement by Gulf countries and Moscow on three islands controlled by Iran but claimed by the United Arab Emirates.

On Monday, foreign ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council and Russia held talks and called for "a peaceful solution" to the issue of the Greater and Lesser Tunb islands and Abu Musa.

They urged a resolution through "bilateral negotiations or the International Court of Justice, in accordance with the rules of international law and the United Nations Charter".

On Wednesday, Iran's foreign ministry said it summoned Russia's ambassador Alexey Dedov and voiced the Islamic republic's "objections on the content of the statement".

It further "called for a correction of the Russian Federation's stance on this issue".

The three strategic islands -- located in the Gulf near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of world oil output passes -- have for years been a source of contention between the UAE and Iran.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani on Tuesday said the islands "belong to Iran forever and issuing such statements goes against the friendly relations between Iran and its neighbours".

The Islamic republic has in recent months stepped up diplomatic moves to reduce its isolation and offset the impact of crippling sanctions reimposed since the 2018 withdrawal of the United States from a painstakingly negotiated nuclear deal.

In March, Iran agreed to restore ties with its regional rival Saudi Arabia under a Chinese-brokered deal. It has since been looking to mend bridges with other countries in the region including Egypt and Morocco.

Last week the Islamic republic became a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation which includes China, Russia and India.

Russia and Iran are both under international sanctions that restrict trade, but have over the past year forged strong ties in various sectors including military cooperation.

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Power Metal Resources announced the early completion of the Authier North lithium project earn-in on Wednesday, securing a 100% interest in the project.

The AIM-traded firm said the earn-in agreement, initially outlined in July 2021, pertained to two properties - Authier North and Duval East, located in the Val-d'Or mining camp in Quebec, Canada, around 45 kilometres northwest of Val-d'Or and 500 kilometres northwest of Montreal.

It said it had fulfilled the cash and equity payments required under the original agreement, as well as the first-year exploration spend commitment.

The company had now reached an agreement with Eagle Ridge Mining, based in Barrie, Ontario, to satisfy the remaining obligations for the 100% earn-in through cash and equity payments.

Power Metal said the final payments to secure the earn-in included CAD 25,000 in cash and the issue of CAD 75,000 (43,941) worth of shares to Eagle Ridge Mining.

Based on the Power Metal 10-day volume weighted average price of 0.705835p immediately prior to earn-in completion, that equated to the issue of 6,225,392 new Power Metal shares.

The exploration commitments for years two and three, for a respective CAD 50,000 and CAD 100,000, had been waived.

While the agreement had been finalised, there would be a pre-existing 1% net smelter royalty (NSR) over the properties that would remain in effect.

Additionally, Power Metal would grant the vendors a further 1.25% NSR, with 0.5% of the vendor NSR able to be repurchased by Power Metal Canada at any time for CAD 0.5m in cash.

Thus, prior to any potential buyback, the total NSRs amounted to 2.25% over the properties.

Following completion of the earn-in, the ownership of the properties would be held through Power Metal's wholly-owned UK subsidiary, ION Battery Resources, and its local operating subsidiary in Canada.

Power Metal said it had also chosen to settle professional fees related to the earn-in amounting to 65,000 by issuing 9,208,951 new shares.

Of those, 3,541,904 were issued to SP Angel Corporate Finance, the company's nominated adviser and joint broker, in lieu of fees worth 25,000.

The remaining 5,667,047 fee shares were issued to another corporate adviser in lieu of fees amounting to 40,000.

I am delighted to secure a 100% interest in the Authier North Project for Power Metal through this transaction, which sees an expedited completion of the earn-in, said chief executive officer Sean Wade.

Given the importance of lithium in the future growth and development of green technology globally, it is important to retain exposure to this metal.

With the earn-in of Authier North now complete pending payment of consideration, we are also able to move forward with commercial plans for ION Battery Resources which will now hold this 100% interest and further on that to follow in due course.

At 1003 BST, shares in Power Metal Resources were up 0.38% at 0.65p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
Tyman said on Wednesday that it has agreed to buy US-based Lawrence , a designer, manufacturer and retailer of high-performance composite hardware for sliding and hung windows, for up to $69.5m.

Tyman said the deal will be immediately earnings enhancing.

Founded in 2005 by Barry and Melissa Lawrence, the business has more than 50 employees and operates from a single location in Thomasville, North Carolina. Brandon Lawrence, currently president of Lawrence, will remain with the company to continue to drive the business forward, and Lawrence will continue to go to market under the Lawrence Industries brand name.

For the financial year ended 31 December 2022, Lawrence reported unaudited revenue of around $20m and pre-tax profit of $7.5m.

Tyman interim chief executive Jason Ashton said: "I am delighted to welcome our new Lawrence colleagues to Tyman. Lawrence is an excellent fit with AmesburyTruth's extensive product portfolio, providing strong product and service platforms to the attractive North American window market.

"We are confident that the strategic partnership between AmesburyTruth and Lawrence will provide an even stronger value proposition for our customers, whilst providing a platform for Lawrence to accelerate its growth journey as part of a larger group."
Global firm Johnson Controls which specialises in developing green buildings introduced its innovation center in Bengaluru. The OpenBlue Innovation Centre is the third such facility for the firm in India (other centers are in Pune and Hyderabad) and the tenth globally. The state-of-the-art facility in Bengaluru will leverage artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to develop energy-efficient building technology and contribute to Indias 2070 net zero goals, the company said in a statement. The Bengaluru center is the companys largest facility in the country that also houses an experience centre showcasing demos of building technology in action. It will have OpenBlue, a suite of connected solutions using cloud, edge, and AI technology, in a fully operable, live environment. Customers will also be able to view digital twin of assets, processes, devices, and systems in a smart building.

OpenBlue represents a new frontier of digitalization that is helping buildings reach net zero emissions and even become net energy positive. India is at the heart of technological innovations, and we are excited to expand our OpenBlue network here. Together with the thriving tech ecosystem here, we look forward to uncovering new possibilities in advancing net zero solutions for the building sector, Vijay Sankaran, chief technology officer at Johnson Controls.

The new OpenBlue Innovation Centre has 300 engineers, and the company has also announced plans of creating additional roles in the next years to include digital twin, research and development, edge engineers, computer vision scientists, and cyber security specialists. Sankaran also told that Johnson Controls has internally formed an AI council to collaborate and build generative AI solutions. The company is in the process of developing a copilot-like solution for its service technicians to diagnose and fix problems in a building. This solution would also be extended to their clients moving forward.
British car manufacturer MG Motor India launched the new electric vehicle (EV) "SUV-ZS" with Autonomous Level 2 technology that offers 17 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features. Priced at Rs 27.89 lakh, the new EV will provide a driving range of 461 km on a single charge with its 50.3kWh advanced prismatic battery, according to the company. With ADAS technology, users will get an enhanced driving experience, providing assistance, control, and comfort in various driving situations.

"By offering a viable, attractive ownership experience, and an accessible electric SUV to Indian consumers, MG Motor India aims to accelerate the transition towards a zero-emission future and help boost the EV ecosystem in India," Gaurav Gupta, Deputy Managing Director, MG Motor India, said in a statement. Moreover, the company said that the ZS EV 8-layer hairpin motor delivers 176PS power and provides a 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 8.5 seconds.

The EV comes with three driving modes Eco, Normal, and Sport, for drive customization as per driver requirements. The 17 ADAS features come with three levels of sensitivity low, medium and high, and three levels of warning - haptic, audio and visual to enhance the driving experience and safety of the passengers. The new EV embodies the evolution of electric mobility, combining electric power, internet connectivity, and autonomous capabilities. It also comes bundled with iSMART next-gen technology that combines hardware, software, services, and applications to offer over 75 connected car features to make for smoother, more satisfying driving experiences.
By Abbas Ganbay, AZERNEWS

It is still not so easy for Armenia to forget the pain of the past, especially after the ignominious defeat in the second Garabagh war, which lasted 44 days, devastated hopes for invading Azerbaijani land, and ended with the glorious victory of Azerbaijan, liberating its lands from invaders.

The losers do not retreat, harboring a thirst for revenge that has fueled them for 30 years.

Therefore, there is a majority that ignores the law, and among them are the Armenian authorities, the opposition that rejects its own people, subjecting the latter to mass discrimination and great psychological and manipulative pressure.

Many provocative letters have been sent from Armenians to the international organisations, demanding some kind of new laws on the Lachin road, and justice on Azerbaijans Garabagh or the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh that Armenians persistently call.

Note that political analyst Tofig Abbasov expressed his opinion on the issue in his comment for Azernews. According to him, Azerbaijan has always paid attention to serious and consistent demands.

"First of all, any appeals, if they have a general ground, if they have a concrete evidence base, they are considered and should be considered. I think that, in principle, on the situation in and around Garabagh, first of all, Azerbaijan does not have Nagorno-Karabakh, we do not have such an administrative division," political analyst said.

According to him, Azerbaijan has a single economic Garabagh economic region and it is entirely an integral part of the Azerbaijani Republic and is protected by the state.

"Naturally, when we talk about protection by the state, first of all we mean protection of rights and freedoms of people who live on this land, regardless of their national, religious and racial affiliation. If they live and are citizens of Azerbaijan, certainly, their rights should be ensured by the state," the pundit stressed.

Accompanied by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the free passage of persons of Armenian origin through the Lachin border checkpoint was once again ensured, but this does not prevent the Armenian side from accusing Azerbaijan of disregarding the order.

Regarding the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross to Armenians in smuggling and illegal activities, Abbasov stressed that the International Committee of the Red Cross is not a political organization.

"The International Committee of the Red Cross is not a political organization, it is a humanitarian organization, which is engaged in ensuring the rights of people who find themselves in a difficult situation, due to conflicts, hot disputes, military actions, etc. So, if they are in line with their mandate, with their rights, then there can be no problem, but if they are involved in political processes, then of course it should be limited, it should even be suppressed," he opined.

In his comment on the reaction of the Azerbaijani government to the scathing letter in which separatist elements of the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh allegedly sent complaints to the Azerbaijani government for supposedly blocking the Lachin border checkpoint, the expert said:

"Armenians are engaged in provocations against the Azerbaijani and Turkish peoples (citizens) not in the first decade, and maybe not even in the first century, so they do not care how and where to violate the rights and established norms.

The fact is that Armenians are not the indigenous nations of the Caucasus region, they are a displaced ethnic group, they were displaced as a result of the Russian-Iranian war of 1826-28, when Tsar Nikolay the First, he decided to resettle them in the Caucasian-Turkic lands and create a Christian enclave there," the pundit underlined.

Finally, the expert said, as emphasized by the President of Azerbaijan, that the Armenian population living in Karabakh and wanting to live in the future has only one way - to accept Azerbaijani citizenship. "Either they remain citizens of Azerbaijan, accept our legislation, or leave; they have only one option," Abbasov concluded.
Youssef al-Ramadan says he always feels guilty for having to put his wife and three children to work in order to survive  and now they might not be able to get by since international aid could stop flowing from Turkey.

Standing outside his tent in a displacement camp in northern Idlib, he is worried that their income might not be sufficient to make ends meet if the United Nations Security Council cannot renew a humanitarian border crossing that has been a critical lifeline for him and some 4.1 million people in Syria's rebel-held northwest. The vast majority live in poverty and rely on aid to survive.

On Tuesday, the U.N. Security Council failed to renew the Bab al-Hawa border crossing into opposition-held northwestern Syria from Turkey.

Russia, a key political and military ally of President Bashar Assad, vetoed a compromise resolution presented by Brazil and Switzerland that would renew the crossing's mandate for nine months. With the exception of China's abstention, it was voted in favor by the majority of member states, and had the backing of humanitarian agencies and the U.N. Secretary General. Moscow's rival resolution, which would renew the mandate for six months with additional requirements, failed to get the minimum of nine votes in favor, with only China giving its support.

Like many others in Idlib, al-Ramadan was internally displaced due to the ongoing conflict, now in its 13th year. He says he cannot go back to his hometown south of the province, because he alleges that the Syrian government and Russia confiscated his home and farmland.

They took our land and our homes, and now they want to cut off the border crossing, he told The Associated Press. Im barely able to survive with Bab al-Hawa open, so what happens if it closes?

Syria is still dealing with the impact of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in February that rocked Turkey and northern Syria in both government and opposition held areas, killing over 50,000 people.

The Security Council initially authorized aid deliveries in 2014 from Turkey, Iraq and Jordan through four crossing points into opposition-held areas in Syria. Over the years, Russia, backed by China, had reduced the authorized crossings to just Bab al-Hawa from Turkey, and the mandates from a year to six months.

Russia alleges that militant groups in Idlib are taking the aid and preventing it from reaching families in need. Moscow and Beijing have been calling to phase out the U.N. cross-border mandate and instead route through Damascus, but Syrians in the northwest enclave say they are skeptical of the push.

The Syrian Response Coordination Group, a relief group active in northwestern Syria, slammed the Security Council's five permanent members  France, United States, United Kingdom, Russia, and China  for what they called strongly irresponsible actions and clear disregard for the fate of millions of civilians in Syria.

International humanitarian organizations decried Russias veto.

It defies reason and principle, that Security Council members would vote to not maintain all avenues of aid access for vulnerable Syrians at this time, International Rescue Committee President David Miliband said in a statement.

Dr. Munzer Khalil, Idlib health director, told The Associated Press that he fears severe public health consequences if the Security Council cannot renew the crossing's mandate, because many health facilities relying on U.N. aid will face shortages of critical medical supplies and equipment, including vaccines for children.

The recent earthquake that hit the region emphasizes the urgency of addressing the inequitable access to aid in northwest Syria and allocating resources for both long-term and immediate recovery initiatives," Khalil said.

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Mumbai-based used car platform CarTrade is set to acquire the auto sales business of online marketplace OLX India in an all-cash deal valued at Rs 537.43 crore. The acquisition will involve CarTrade obtaining a 100% stake in Sobek Auto India Pvt Ltd, the entity responsible for operating OLX Indias automotive segment, from OLX India.

According to the BSE filing, Sobek Auto reported a turnover of Rs 1,110.4 crore in FY22, a significant increase from Rs 592.3 crore in FY21. As part of the acquisition, Sobek Auto has entered into agreements, including an Intellectual Property License Agreement and a Transitional Support Agreement, enabling the utilization of certain brands and technology.

CarTrades venture arm, CarTrade Ventures, was launched in February 2023 with a plan to invest up to Rs 750 crore over the next five to seven years. The investments will be focused on areas such as auto finance, leasing, insurance, servicing, electric vehicles, clean energy, and new-age technologies.

The acquisition aligns with CarTrades strategic objectives of pursuing investments that bring synergistic benefits to its existing businesses. Established in 2010, CarTrade offers a platform for users to buy new and used vehicles while providing relevant information. The company operates several brands including CarWale, BikeWale, Adroit Auto, and AutoBiz.

This acquisition positions CarTrade to further expand its market presence and enhance its offerings in the used car segment through the integration of OLX Indias auto sales business.
Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) achieved a milestone by recording a peak of 35,000 daily retail orders on July, with Delhi-NCR surpassing Bengaluru in terms of order volume, according to sources familiar with the matter. Delhi-NCR accounted for approximately 11,000 orders, while Bengaluru contributed over 7,000 orders. Following Delhi-NCR and Bengaluru, the next three cities in terms of order numbers were Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Pune, with order volumes ranging from 2,500 to 3,000 each. The majority of retail orders on the government-backed interoperable network were in the food and grocery category.

In May, when ONDC surpassed 10,000 daily orders for the first time, Bengaluru accounted for around 40% of the orders, while major metros such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata collectively contributed a similar share. However, as the network reduced discounts to consumers and incentives to network participants, the growth rate moderated after months of rapid expansion, which saw daily order volumes rise from 200 in March to 25,000 in the second week of May.

ONDC, backed by the government, aims to prevent the dominance of a few large platforms in the e-commerce and food delivery sectors, such as Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy, and Zomato. The network had faced criticism earlier for its discounting regime, which industry watchers deemed unsustainable for a government-backed initiative that aimed to create a level playing field.

Since the revised incentive scheme took effect on June 1, buyers are eligible for discounts on a maximum of five transactions per month, compared to three orders per day previously. The change in the discounting regime has led to significant growth in the last month and a half, supported by discounting schemes offered by network participants like Paytm, PhonePe, Magicpin, and some sellers.

With the ONDC network, the government aims to increase e-commerce penetration in the country to 25% in the next two years, reaching 900 million buyers and 1.2 million sellers. The projected gross merchandise value is $48 billion. The network relies on dynamic pricing, inventory management, and delivery cost optimization as key pillars to reduce the cost of doing business for retailers and all stakeholders involved.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A warrant was issued for the arrest of a Staten Island man in connection with the shooting of his estranged wife in New Castle County, Delaware, police said in a statement.

According to the statement from the New Castle County Division of Police, Reginald Fayton Sr., 58, is being sought in the shooting that occurred in the William Penn Village Apartments.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The NYPD is seeking the publics assistance in locating a 12-year-old girl from Elm Park who was reported missing.

Ariyah Garcia-Smith was last seen at her residence on Wright Avenue on Friday, June 30, around 9 p.m.

She is described as being 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds with brown eyes, brown hair and a medium build.

She was last seen wearing a yellow T-shirt, black shorts and blue glasses, and is known to frequent Times Square.

The girl has been reported missing several times in recent months.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on Twitter @NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A judge has scheduled a tentative start date in the federal murder case involving John Pena Jr., the reputed Staten Island leader of the Gorilla Stone Mafia gang.

Judge Ann M. Donnelly, along with prosecutors and defense attorney Kenneth Womble, all agreed on a trial date of April 22, 2024, during a hearing at Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Mayor Eric Adams announced a town hall series in May during which he would visit each of the five boroughs, and the Staten Island event is set for next week.

The Talk with Eric series Staten Island stop will take place Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Curtis High School, 105 Hamilton Ave., St. George with doors set to open at 5:45 p.m.

I always say Im an on-the-ground mayor, and engaging with everyday New Yorkers is how Im able to hear about the issues that matter most to the people who make New York the greatest city in the world, Adams said in May. Im excited to launch our second series of town halls and talk to thousands of New Yorkers about the issues affecting them every day. Our team will continue to make sure that this is the most accessible mayoral administration in city history.

Mondays event follows Talk with Eric visits in the Bronx, Queens and Manhattan. That most recent event in Washington Heights took place June 28, and featured a contentious exchange during which the mayor likened a questioner to a plantation owner.

That questioner, who the Daily News identified as Holocaust survivor Jeanie Dubnau, focused on rent hikes recently approved by the Rent Guidelines Board, which is effectively controlled by the mayor.

During her questioning, Dubnau repeatedly pointed at the mayor as she grilled him on the rent hikes that came during what officials around the city, including Adams, have described as a housing crisis.

Okay, first, if youre going to ask a question, dont point at me and dont be disrespectful to me. Im the mayor of this city, and treat me with the respect I deserve to be treated, Adams said in response. Im speaking to you as an adult, dont stand in front like you treating someone thats on the plantation that you own. Give me the respect I deserve and engage in the conversation.

That exchange marked one of the more contentious of Adams town hall events around the city. His series last year focused on public safety, and featured a stop in Stapleton.

During that August event held at the Gerard Carter Center, Adams took curated questions from about 150 community leaders on topics, like gun violence and housing conditions, but this years event will be open to the general public.

The first hour of the event to be held Monday will be closed to the press with the media being welcomed during the question and answer session when members of the administration will discuss community issues with the audience.

Space at the event is limited, and members of the public hoping to attend will need to RSVP to the mayors office at rsvpcau@cityhall.nyc.gov to ensure a seat. The RSVP period will close when all the seats are filled.

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Staten Island rabbi named to NYCs first Jewish Advisory Council
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Sharks will soon take over the summer TV schedule for Shark Week 2023.

The summer tradition airs every year on the Discovery Channel  typically running for seven days. This years series will start on Sunday, July 23, and will wrap up on Saturday, July 29.

If you are a cord-cutter, you can watch Shark Week on fuboTV or Philo, both of which offer a free trial.

This year, actor Jason Momoa will host the week-long shark extravaganza, serving as the master of ceremonies. Momoa is the second person to host the beloved event, following Dwayne The Rock Johnson, who served in the same position during Shark Week 2022.

Momoa will guide fans through nearly 20 new hours of television featuring the apex predators, including Belly of the Beast: Feeding Frenzy that will provide a first-time, close-up look at a great white shark feast  captured by researchers with cameras inside a whale carcass decoy  or Cocaine Sharks that reveals what happens to sharks that possibly feed on cocaine and other illegal drugs dumped in South Florida waters.

WATCH SHARK WEEK ON FUBOTV OR PHILO WITH A FREE TRIAL

Shark Week will also spotlight innovative technology used to track and study unique shark species and their enemies. It will delve into mating and migration patterns  showing rare footage  as researchers follow the sharks to remote locations in South Africa and New Zealand.

Heres a look at the full schedule for Shark Week 2023.

SUNDAY, JULY 23

8 p.m.  Belly of the Beast: Feeding Frenzy

In a Shark Week first, researchers with cameras brave a great white shark feeding frenzy from inside a life-size whale decoy. Their findings could be the key to finding the biggest great white shark in South African history.

9 p.m.  Jaws vs The Meg

The MEG, a massive shark measuring 50 feet and weighing 60 tons, was once feared as the most fearsome predator. It could devour a killer whale effortlessly, but new evidence suggests that its cousin, the great white shark, may have caused its extinction.

10 p.m.  Serial Killer: Red Sea Feeding Frenzy

Shark attack investigator Brandon McMillan and cinematographer Fo Zayed travel to solve the mystery of whats behind three recent deadly shark attacks off of the posh beaches of Egypts Red Sea.

11 p.m.  Shark Week: Off the Hook

Dive into the biggest thrills and most terrifying moments from 35 years of Shark Week, celebrating behind the scenes of iconic moments and revealing never-before-seen footage of the fearless adventurers who get up close with the worlds scariest creatures.

MONDAY, JULY 24

8 p.m.  Great White Fight Club

A team of experts venture into the treacherous waters of New Zealand to provide groundbreaking evidence that female white sharks unequivocally dominate the ocean, reigning as the ultimate controllers of its fierce battlegrounds.

9 p.m.  Monsters of Bermuda Triangle

A healthy, 10-foot pregnant Porbeagle shark vanishes in the Bermuda Triangle. The evidence suggests an unknown, monstrous predator could be to blame. Dr. James Sulikowski and a team of scientists dive into the most mysterious part of the ocean to uncover the truth behind the attack.

10 p.m.  Alien Sharks: Strange New Worlds

The tip of South Africa is a hotspot for unusual sharks that exhibit bizarre behaviors and unusual, otherworldly appearances. Wildlife biologist Forrest Galante explores stunning kelp forests and ocean depths never-before-seen by humans to study these extraordinary creatures.

TUESDAY, JULY 25

8 p.m.  Mako Mania: Battle for California

Off the coast of Los Angeles, a new population of super makos challenge great whites for their hunting territories. Dr. Craig OConnell, Fo Zayed, and Kendyl Berna deploy state-of-the-art technology to reveal their dominance and unveil the mysteries that have transformed these makos into some of the fiercest predators in the oceans.

9 p.m.  Raiders of the Lost Shark

Shark expert Matt Dicken and Shark Week legend Dickie Chivell embark on a relentless quest to locate an elusive and colossal shark named Dutchess, who mysteriously vanished from Gansbaai, South Africa years ago.

10 p.m.  Monster Hammerheads: Killer Instinct

Dr. Tristan Guttridge believes Hammerhead sharks can reach monster sizes by hunting other species of sharks. The only way to prove his theory is to obtain tissue samples from some of the largest sharks on the planet.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26

8 p.m.  Air Jaws: Final Frontier

Shark filmmakers hunt for Air Jaws in New Zealands hidden launch pad. Andy Casagrande and Jeff Kurr seek the second-ever breaching great white in these waters to uncover history-making secrets.

9 p.m.  Florida Shark: Blood in the Water

Paul de Gelder dives into the Shark Attack Capital of the World to conduct experiments that will confirm what makes up these dangerous waters and determine methods to mitigate the risk.

10 p.m.  Cocaine Sharks

For decades, rumors of cocaine-fueled sharks have spread throughout the fishing community. Shark expert Tom Hird travels to the Florida Keys to investigate what happens when the sharks come in contact with the most notorious drug on the planet.

THURSDAY, JULY 27

8 p.m.  Jaws in the Shallows

Shark Week veteran Dr. Riley Elliott has traveled all over to study great whites, which are now terrorizing the beaches of New Zealand. He sets out alongside his wife Amber Jones to find answers to protect his loved ones from the apex predators before its too late.

9 p.m.  Monster Mako: Fresh Blood

Twelve-foot-long monster mako sharks compete head-to-head with great whites for prey off the coast of California. Using a custom clear, acrylic diving bell, Dr. Austin Gallagher and legendary free diver Andre Musgrove get up close with both predators and track makos breaching eight feet out of the ocean.

10 p.m.  Shark vs Snake: Battle of the Bites

Tiger sharks are washing up dead on the beaches of Western Australia with no sign of attack. Forrest Galante has a theory that deadly sea snakes are turning these apex predators to prey. In the battle of shark against snake, are snakes winning?

Shark Week will also be available to stream on Max.

The Shark Week experience will be brought to viewers across digital and social media platforms. You can follow Discovery on TikTok, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates on programming and fun shark facts.

FRIDAY, JULY 28

8 p.m.  Tropic Jaws

When a 16-foot great white invades Indonesias warm coast of Bali, it sparks fears that they are adapting to hunt the tropical beaches where millions of people swim every day. Dr. Craig OConnell and Madison Stewart are on a mission to find Tropic Jaws and discover why they left the cold water environment that they have called home for thousands of years.

9 p.m.  Deadly Sharks of Paradise

Scientists in South America are studying the shark species thought to be responsible for a spike in deadly attacks since 1990. Marine biologist Danni Washington and shark conservationist Paul de Gelder join a team tracking tiger sharks off a pristine tropical archipelago in Brazil.

10 p.m.  Haunting at Shark Tower

News of a harrowing shark encounter at North Carolinas Frying Pan Tower sends underwater cinematographer Andy Casagrande and shark expert Kori Burkhardt on a dangerous quest to discover whether great white sharks are moving into the states waters.

SATURDAY, JULY 29

8 p.m.  Dawn of the Monster Mako

A 14-foot giant mako shark is spotted in the waters of Portugals Azores region. Underwater cinematographer Joe Romeiro and his marine biologist wife, Lauren, search the teeming depths around the ancient islands to capture the beast on film.

9 p.m.  Mega Sharks of Dangerous Reef

The remote islands off the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia are believed to harbor some of the biggest white sharks on the planet. While local fishing reports suggest these giant sharks are still around, they are rarely seen.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  New York City will be slammed by a huge spotted lanternfly population this summer  and itll begin sooner than it did last year, a top state invasive insect specialist said.

Everything is pointing to the population of spotted lanternfly just being hard to ignore, maybe, literally, in your face as youre walking, said Brian Eshenaur, a senior extension associate and invasive species specialist with the Cornell University Integrated Pest Management Program. They will be bad. And theyll be flying around in populations higher than last year.

Yet, Staten Islands population may actually begin to level off, he predicted. Since Staten Island initially had more spotted lanternflies than other boroughs, he said, the borough will be the first to experience a decline in numbers.

>> AMAZON PRIME DAY LANTERNFLY TRAP DEALS: Tree Trap | Tree Shield

Eshenaur said that city residents are already seeing and reporting red lanternfly nymphs, or instars, which are in their latest stage of development before they become adults. He added that a colleague of his recently saw nymphs in Central Park while visiting the city.

The nymph sightings point to an earlier explosion than what was experienced in the city last year, Eshenaur said. For us, it tells a lot, he added.

They (nymphs) usually go unnoticed, he explained, noting that the fact that theyre lower in the trees and being found on rocks and land indicate that the appearance of fully-grown spotted lanternflies will be soon at hand. Itll just be a matter of weeks.

Yet, Staten Island may not see the jump in numbers that the rest of the city will face, he said. This, in part, is because the borough has hosted the insects longer than every other borough  and every other county in New York state. And the population should begin to recede soon, he said.

Its possible that the population has leveled off on Staten Island, said Eshenaur, who cited data provided by inspectors at the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. The populations do decline in time, and its hard to know exactly when that will happen, but within the next two to three years, Staten Island will be the first to have population decline.

The spotted lanternfly, a native of China and Southeast Asia, was first discovered on Staten Island in 2020, after having been first reported in Pennsylvania in 2014. State environmental experts have been encouraging residents to stomp, squish and capture the invasive species to prevent it from further populating, since the insect is a great threat to states farming industry.

And while Eshenaur conceded that the appearance of spotted lanternflies in high numbers is quite dramatic, he urged residents to remember they are safe.

For the most part, they dont harm our landscape (ornamental) trees, he said, noting that they dont carry a virus, like ticks do. They dont bite or sting. Theyre not going to set up shop in our homes.

He cautioned residents to think twice before using insecticides, which can themselves be a danger if used incorrectly.

Spotted lanternflies have proven to be a danger to only one particular tree  the Tree of Heaven, and grapevines, he said. The grapevines harvested by the wine industry, particularly those in the Finger Lakes region of the state and the Hudson Valley, are of particular concern, he said. Others, near Lake Erie, used for the production of grape juice, are also threatened, he said.

The economic impact is huge, Chris Logue, director of plant industry for the state Department of Agriculture and Markets, which has taken the lead on spotted lanternfly management in New York, told the Advance/SILive.com in the spring, noting that New York ranks third in the country for grape production, and the industry is valued at $300 million annually.

Since the lanternflies are great hitchhikers, Logue said theyre a threat to the entire state, and other parts of the country, not just the counties in which their presence has been confirmed.

And while Staten Island might not be home to any vineyards, residents here certainly have experienced the other thing flying creatures are known for  annoyance.

These insects are pretty big, and when they group together it can be pretty alarming, Eshenaur conceded.

Logue has said that the states primary focus has been on crops, as the insect is also a particular threat to walnut, hops, apples, blueberries and stone fruits.

And though New York City residents are particularly concerned about trees, both Eshenaur and Logue stressed that forests and parks seem to be safe from heavy infestation damage.

The city Parks Department also has reported that the insects are not tree killers, and damage to city trees has been minimal.

RELATED CONTENT

Do these things now to protect your property from spotted lanternflies, experts say

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Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas vowed Wednesday to rebuild the Jenin refugee camp during a rare visit that came a week after a deadly Israeli raid left much of it destroyed.

Abbas described the camp as an "icon of struggle" during his first visit in over a decade to the camp in the northern West Bank city.

Twelve Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were killed last week in the two-day raid on Jenin, the largest in years by Israeli forces.

The raid on the camp, which Israel views as a "terrorism hub", employed hundreds of troops as well as drone strikes and army bulldozers that tore up streets and damaged scores of houses.

Several top officials of Abbas's Fatah party, including deputy chairman Mahmoud Aloul, had visited the camp soon after the raid, only to be heckled by crowds of angry residents.

On Wednesday, Abbas expressed determination to back Jenin's reconstruction and security.

He described the camp as an "icon of steadfastness and struggle", in a short address as crowds of supporters cheered.

"We have come to say that we are one authority, one state, one law," he said, warning against anyone who "tampers with the unity and security of our people".

He further vowed to oversee the reconstruction of the camp and the city to restore it "to what it was or even better".

'Important message'

As he concluded his visit, Abbas laid a wreath on the graves of Palestinians who lost their lives in recent Israeli raids.

A number of Arab countries have announced aid for the camp after last week's offensive.

Ahead of Abbas's arrival, hundreds of soldiers from the presidential guard were seen patrolling the streets of the camp, an AFP journalist said, adding that snipers had also taken positions on rooftops.

His visit "is a strong and important message... that he stands with the Palestinian people in their resistance to the occupation," Atta Abu Rumaila, Fatah's secretary-general in the camp, told AFP.

But Abdullah, a resident of the camp who gave only his first name, appeared to cast doubt over the purpose of the visit.

"What is more important is what happens after he leaves, and whether they (the Palestinian Authority) continue caring about the camp," he told AFP.

Prior to his arrival, a group of children were chanting "Katiba, Katiba, Katiba" at the camp in support of local armed group the Jenin Brigade.

The Jenin camp was established in 1953 to house some of those among the 760,000 Palestinians who fled or were expelled from their homes in 1948 when Israel was created, an event Palestinians call the "Nakba" or "catastrophe".

Deteriorating security

Over time, the camp's original tents have been replaced by concrete, and it now resembles something closer to a neighbourhood.

The camp, which houses some 18,000 people, was also a hotbed of activity during the second "intifada" or uprising of the early 2000s.

Over the past 18 months, the security situation in the camp has deteriorated, with the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority having little real presence there.

Abbas, 87, last visited Jenin in 2012 but had not toured the camp at the time.

While the PA remains somewhat present in the city, it has largely abandoned the camp to groups such as the Jenin Brigade, which Israel alleges is backed by Iran.

Abbas had previously visited the camp itself in 2004 while running for the Palestinian presidential election after the death of leader Yasser Arafat.

Experts were sceptical of Abbas's visit on Wednesday.

"Through his made-for-camera visit, Abbas wants to show that he and his Palestinian Authority are firmly in control of Jenin," Hugh Lovatt, a senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told AFP.

"In reality, making a rare visit outside of his Ramallah fiefdom will do little to re-establish the Palestinian Authority given the deepening crisis of legitimacy it is facing and the rise of Palestinian armed groups."

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It is surprising too, in that you realise while watching it how little you know about an object that was once so familiar. The BlackBerry  soon to become known as the CrackBerry, after millions discovered the addictive pleasure of being able to read and send emails from their phones  was the brainchild of Mike Lazaridis and Doug Fregin, best friends from the university town of Waterloo, Ontario. Lazaridis, as quite brilliantly portrayed by comedian Jay Baruchel, is a prematurely grey-haired perfectionist who finds it hard to meet anyones eye; Fregin, played by Johnson himself, is outgoing, dorky and bouncing with Tigger-ish enthusiasm. In 1996, they were driving a wrecked car between phone companies, trying to interest them in drawings of their PocketLink without much luck.

Johnson took his facts from Losing the Signal: the Untold Story of the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry by Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff, a dense business book, but turns the story into a rollicking yarn, spinning between high comedy and elegiac human drama, that was unquestionably the sleeper hit of the last Berlin Film Festival.

BlackBerry, a movie about the Canadian engineers who invented the first smartphone, is also a movie about movies. The tech bros communicate by swapping favourite lines; they argue over fudged science in Kubricks 2001 or plot points in Blade Runner; they get excited during the afternoon when they know its the office movie night. Director Matt Johnson says that a light switched on in his head when he grasped that the tech industry was driven by sci-fi buffs; fact and fiction, he realised, ran in a series of loops. When the internet first began, the number one thing that you could find was forums about Star Trek, he says. So it is no mystery that a bunch of nerds invent a communicator that can talk to anybody  just like the one they saw in their favourite show.

Enter Jim Balsillie (Glenn Howerton), a reptilian captain of industry looking for a new ship, who found a way to sell their revamped idea. Over not much more than a decade, the BlackBerry became a phenomenon, conquered the world and then lost it again to the victorious Apple. Along the way, Lazaridis became a slick and driven capitalist, the founders friendship fractured and, of course, the movie nights stopped as the joy went out of it. The company made a lot of money and lost it again; Lazaridis, bogged down by his original idea, refused to see that current technology was leaving him behind, while Balsillie started doing dodgy deals behind their backs that brought the police to their doors. By 2007, BlackBerry was toast.

Its interesting because Mike Lazaridis was so far ahead of his time initially, says Baruchel. Its so strange to see someone see where the world is headed at one point in his life and then not see at all where the world is headed later. Johnson, who is rather Tigger-like himself, jumps in. Mike was frozen at the moment of his genius! And you know what? I find this happens with famous people as well, musicians who just kind get locked in a reality they created. Its not that you find it that difficult to see whats happening, its that you find it quite ego-painful, because changing means you basically have to kill off part of yourself.

BlackBerry charts the smartphones rise over not much more than a decade, as it conquered the world and then lost it to Apple.

The three actors with him agree fervently. Because its all hubris to begin with, says Baruchel. The kind of person who thinks they can and intends to change the world is some kind of Type A, right? It takes that kind of thing to get there. But that is also what clouds your judgement.

As Lazaridiss invention was going into production, another manifestation of the new technology was hitting the headlines: the so-called millennium bug. As the turn of the century approached, so did the threat of the worlds computers  which people were only gradually realising now ran everything  stalling when their six-figure date format reached the end of 99, thus running out of numbers.
The little eastern bettong jumps out of a green canvas bag held by a National Parks and Wildlife Service officer before it bounds off into the bush. Its the first time this small hopping marsupial has been in the western Sydney national park for more than 100 years.

But the little rat kangaroo has a bigger role to play than just helping its species bounce back in the Yiraaldiya National Park. Its known as an ecosystem engineer: through its digging, the bettong restores ecosystems by keeping soil healthy and helping seeds germinate.

Eastern bettongs have been released into Yiraaldiya National Park. The small marsupials last roamed the Australian mainland more than 100 years ago. Credit: NSW Government.

Foxes pushed bettongs to extinction on mainland Australia by the 1920s, with the last record of the marsupial recorded in 1906.

Yiraaldiya National Park, a 535-hectare area north-east of Penrith, is the only feral-free network within the region and will be used to reintroduce up to 30 species that were previously extinct from the area. As well as the eastern bettong, these include the eastern quoll  last seen in the 1960s in Vaucluse, the long-nosed bandicoot and the New Holland mouse.
The Greek prime minister is to hold a rare meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday, with the two countries seeking to build on a rapprochement forged after this year's deadly earthquake.

"I hope and look forward to building on this positive climate and make some important steps of progress," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said to reporters Tuesday on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

"As I have said many times, we are not condemned to live in a constant climate of tension with Turkey."

The two uneasy NATO neighbours have long feuded over maritime borders and energy exploration rights in disputed parts of the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean.

"We obviously have significant differences," said Mitsotakis.

"But we can agree...on a roadmap so that we can resolve our most important geopolitical difference, the delimitation of maritime zones, namely exclusive economic zones and the continental shelf in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean."

Erdogan had hosted a March 2022 meeting with Mitsotakis in Istanbul, but the relationship rapidly soured in the following months.

The Turkish leader accused Greece of "occupying" Aegean islands, whose status was settled in post-war treaties, and warned that Turkey's armed forces could "come overnight" and "do what is necessary".

At their last encounter in Prague in October, the pair had a verbal spat when Erdogan reportedly said Athens was raising tension in the region with provocative actions.

Erdogan at the time claimed that Mitsotakis had stormed out of the official dinner of an informal European summit.

But the rhetoric was toned down in February when Greece sent aid and rescue teams in the wake of a massive earthquake that killed more than 50,000 people.

Greece's then-foreign minister Nikos Dendias was also the first European minister to visit Turkey after the quake.

What is known in the two nations as 'earthquake diplomacy' also came into play in 1999 when two deadly quakes struck Turkey and Greece within a month of each other.

It brought about a thaw in relations just three years after the NATO allies had nearly gone to war over an uninhabited islet in the Aegean Sea.

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Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong is expected to meet her acting Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Jakarta tonight on the edges of the ASEAN-hosted foreign ministers retreat.

Speaking to reporters in the Indonesian capital this afternoon, Wong did not confirm a meeting was locked in, or what she would discuss, but has been vocal about the Hong Kong polices placing of bounties on activists including on two Australian residents.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong speaks at the Australia-ASEAN foreign ministers forum in Jakarta today. Credit: AP

Were looking to arrange meetings with a number of counterparts including China and Im happy to talk to you about it when it happens. I will be upfront with people after the meetings about some of the topics discussed, but I certainly dont propose to flag to the media what I will say at the meeting, Wong said.

On the issue [of the Chinese crackdown on Hong Kong], I have been very clear about our position on the national security law and Ive been very clear about Australias view about the importance of freedom of expression, and the government and the Australian peoples commitment to safeguarding the rights of people in Australia including Australian citizens to exercise their freedom of expression.

Chinas foreign minister, Qin Gang, has not made the trip to Jakarta for health reasons and has been replaced by Wang, the former foreign minister and state councillor who hosted Wong on her visit to Beijing last December.

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Wong has also reiterated here that the Australian government wants to see movement on Chinese trade sanctions and the imprisonment of Australians Cheng Lei and Yang Hengjun.

Asked whether there may be a delay in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese taking up an invitation to visit China with those issues pending, Wong said: What Id say about the prime ministerial visit [is] the prime ministers intention is to visit at an appropriate time. Of course, we would want the most positive circumstances for such a visit.

Wong has met counterparts from Indonesia, India, South Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos and was due to sit down with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi this afternoon.

She also attended the Australia-ASEAN foreign ministers forum today and will be in the room tomorrow for the East Asia Summit for foreign ministers meeting, which Russias Sergei Lavrov and United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken are also attending.
Sydney accountant Benjamin Carter allegedly misused his position at a brewery owned by NRL star Nathan Cleary and UFC star Tai Bam Bam Tuivasa as part of a $26 million fraud all to feed his pathological gambling addiction.

Carters pregnant partner, herself accused of covering up the alleged fraud, has wept as a court heard of his gambling red flags and alleged links to international criminal syndicates.

Ben Carter, founder of Carters Tax Advisory, is accused of defrauding clients of $26 million to fund his lavish lifestyle. Credit: Suppplied

NSW Polices anti-bikie squad Raptor, in June, took up a Tax Practitioners Board investigation into Carters Tax Advisory in Penrith after reports of fraud.

Police prosecutors told the court the 16,000 pages of evidence against Carter were overwhelming and included the accountant making some admissions to the allegations.
A 15-year-old boy accused of opening fire at a Two Rocks school will be allowed to return to his parents house after the state confirmed there were no longer guns at the property, and there will hopefully never be again.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested in May after allegedly taking two rifles to Atlantis Beach Baptist College and firing three rounds from the schools car park, sending terrified teachers and students into lockdown.

The teenager leaving Perth Childrens Court with his family on Wednesday. Credit: 9 News Perth

On Tuesday during the boys fourth court appearance in Perth Childrens Court, his defence lawyer requested further time to consider the charges against him and for his bail to be altered so the teen could return to his family home.

The boy has been residing in a secure youth hostel since his arrest.
Hackers breached Microsoft Outlook email accounts linked to government agencies in the US and Western Europe, according to government officials and Microsoft, which described the attackers as being based in China.

Last month, the US State Department identified anomalous activity and alerted Microsoft to the attack, according to a spokesperson. A subsequent investigation by Microsoft determined that the hackers accessed and exfiltrated unclassified Exchange Online Outlook data from a small number of accounts, according to a statement from the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, known as CISA.

Microsoft described the group behind the attack as China-based and named them Storm-0558. Credit: AP

In an interview on US television on ABCs Good Morning America, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said, We detected it fairly rapidly, and we were able to prevent further breaches. The matter is still being investigated.

In a blog post, Microsoft described the group behind the attack as China-based and named them Storm-0558. The hackers were able to remain undetected for a month after gaining access to email data from about 25 organisations in mid-May.
Tel Aviv: Thousands of protesters blockaded Israels main airport and highways on Tuesday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus hard-right coalition pressed ahead with a justice bill that has opened the deepest splits seen in the country in decades.

A day after parliament passed a key element in the bill, which aims to curb the power of the Supreme Court, crowds of flag-waving protesters stopped morning traffic in major intersections and on highways nationwide. Some lay down on roads, while others threw flares.

Mounted police disperse demonstrators trying to block the entrance to Israels main international airport. Credit: AP

Police on horseback deployed among hundreds of demonstrators in Israels business hub, Tel Aviv. At the entrance to Jerusalem, officers used a water cannon to disperse some protesters and dragged others away by force. At least 66 people were arrested, police said.

Around 1000 police were deployed at Ben Gurion airport, outside Tel Aviv, where thousands of protesters turned the area in front of the main entrance into a sea of blue and white Israeli flags. A spokesman for the airport said flights were not affected, despite the large crowds.
Tinone Acquires the Prospective Tin-Lithium Mount Maurice Project, Tasmania, Australia

TinOne Resources Inc. (TSX.V: TORC) (OTCQB: TORCF) (Frankfurt: 57Z0) (\TinOne\ or the \Company\  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/tinone-resources-inc/ ) is pleased to announce that it been granted a total of 243 km2 of new exploration tenure in northeast Tasmania.A In addition, the Company has applied for another 133 km2, which has been recommended to be granted in the coming months. The road-accessible tenements, collectively called the Mount Maurice Project, are considered prospective for tin and lithium mineralization.A While northeast Tasmania has historically been a tin and tungsten producing region, recent exploration by several companies surrounding TinOnea?s tenements have focussed efforts on lithium prospectivity.

Highlights

Dominant land position: The acquisition of the Mount Maurice project strengthens the Companya?s position in northeast Tasmania focused on tin and lithium exploration.

Prospective for tin and lithium mineralization: The Mount Maurice project is centered on a complex granite batholith containing greisen zones considered prospective for tin and lithium mineralization.

Road accessible project: A forestry road network provides access across the project.

aWe believe northeast Tasmania is a prime jurisdiction for the discovery of tin and lithium deposits,a commented Chris Donaldson, Executive Chairman. aOur recent exploration results, specifically the discovery of lithium mineralization at our Aberfoyle project, just 20 kilometres south of Mount Maurice, has led us to re-evaluate the lithium potential of many Devonian-aged tin-tungsten bearing granites across northeast Tasmania. This evaluation led us to stake the Mount Maurice project an area that has received little modern exploration but contains documented greisen alteration zones hosted in prospective Devonian aged granites. We look forward to getting boots on the ground and exploring this new project.a

Mineral Exploration Licences

The southern edge of the Mount Maurice tenements are approximately 20 kilometres north of the companya?s Aberfoyle Sn-W-Li project (see March 15th, 2023 news release; Figure 1). The road accessible claims are underlain by the 35 by 15 kilometre polyphase Scottsdale granitic batholith considered to be prospective for tin and lithium mineralization. The area has seen very limited historic exploration besides a regional stream sediment geochemical surveys, focused geological mapping, and minor trenching. Trenching results from the Mount Maurice Sn-Cu showing, central to the project, returned grades of up to 0.78% Sn and 1.4% Cu from quartz veins cutting greisenised (coarse mica altered) granite (Ellis, 1984). These mineralized occurrences have yet to be drill tested and lithium analyses have never been performed on any of the rock or stream sediment samples. A phase 1 reconnaissance-style exploration program comprised of project-wide stream sediment surveys, prospecting and rock-chip sampling is currently being planned.

The project was acquired via staking and represents an accretive addition to the Companya?s exploration-stage project portfolio in northeast Tasmania. The northern tenement (EL36/2022) at Mount Maurice has been granted while the southern tenement (EL39/2022) is under application and is expected to be granted in the coming months.

References

Ellis, P.D., 1984, Relinquishment Report, Mt. Maurice, EL 43/82, Northeast Tasmania, Open File, https://mrt.tas.gov.au

About TinOne

TinOne is a TSX Venture Exchange listed Canadian public company with a high-quality portfolio of tin, tin/tungsten and lithium projects in the Tier 1 mining jurisdictions of Tasmania and New South Wales, Australia. The Company controls some of the most important tin districts in Tasmania, including Aberfoyle, Rattler Range and Great Pyramid and is focussed on advancing its highly prospective portfolio.A A TinOne is supported by Inventa Capital Corp.

Qualified Person

The Companya?s disclosure of technical or scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Russell Fulton (MAIG), Vice President Exploration for the Company and a Qualified Person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101.A

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release includes certain aForward?Looking Statementsa within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and aforward?looking informationa under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words aanticipatea, abelievea, aestimatea, aexpecta, atargeta, aplana, aforecasta, amaya, awoulda, acoulda, aschedulea and similar words or expressions, identify forward?looking statements or information. These forward?looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the development of the Companya?s projects; future mineral exploration, development and production; and the release of exploration results.

Forward?looking statements and forward?looking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of TinOne, future growth potential for TinOne and its business, and future exploration plans are based on managementa?s reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on managementa?s experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of gold and other metals; no escalation in the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; TinOnea?s ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms.

These statements reflect TinOnea?s respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward?looking statements or forward-looking information and TinOne has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the Company\-s dependence on early stage mineral projects; metal price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company\-s mining activities in Australia; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company\-s management team and outside contractors; risks regarding mineral resources and reserves; the Company\-s inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of COVID-19; the economic and financial implications of COVID-19 to the Company; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company\-s interactions with surrounding communities and artisanal miners; the Company\-s ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption aRisk Factorsa in TinOne\-s management discussion and analysis. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward?looking statements or forward-looking information. Although TinOne has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. TinOne does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward?looking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.
By Catherine Sas, K.C.

Special to The Post

The introduction of the Tech Talent Strategy by Canadas Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) last month brought lots of good news for Start Up Visa (SUV) applicants including extending the work permit validity period from one year to three years, allowing for open work permits for individuals to work in Canada other than in their own businesses and also extending these perks to all the members of the SUV team rather than only for essential members. IRCC Minister Sean Frasers announcement is meant to alleviate situations of hardship for SUV applicants facing long processing times for their permanent residence applications and also enables Canadian employers to benefit from the skills of applicants already in Canada.

How does the SUV program fit into the Ministers Tech Talent Strategy? When the SUV economic immigration stream was first introduced as a pilot program in 2013, the goal was to attract start-up business ventures that featured innovative (ie. technological) ideas that would kick start Canadas economy. As part of Canadas business immigration program, it was established to replace the suspended Investor and Entrepreneur programs. Technology and IT companies are a huge driver of the economy and this program seeks to encourage forward thinking entrepreneurs to immigrate to Canada. (For a detailed explanation of the SUV program see our blog from May 12, 2020 - https://canadian-visa-lawyer.com/canadas-business-immigration-programs-remain-limited/ ).

The key aspects of the June 27, 2023 announcement for SUV applicants are as follows:

* Allow SUV applicants to obtain a work permit valid for up to three years

rather than one year validity.

* Allow for SUV applicants to apply for an open work permit rather

than a closed work permit for only their own start-up venture.

* Allow these work permit options for ALL members of the SUV team and

not just those designated as essential.

* Prioritize applications for SUV applicants supported by a business incubator,

venture capital fund or angel investor fund.

(For a comprehensive review of the Ministers Tech Talent Strategy please see our blog of June 27, 2023 - https://canadian-visa-lawyer.com/canada-goes-all-out-to-attract-technology-workers/ .

While the initial uptake of the SUV program was slow, it was picking up just prior to COVID-19. By October of 2021, the department had a pending caseload of approximately 6,700 SUV applications for permanent residence. This backlog has increased to an estimated 15,000 applicants. The combination of increased applications coupled with reduced processing times (due to COVID-19 restrictions) predictably lead to an increased delay in finalizing applications for permanent residence to Canada for SUV applicants. Recognizing this reality, Minster Frasers changes for SUV work permits is a positive development for those wanting to work in Canada while waiting to obtain permanent residence.

For a full list of our blogs on the Start Up Visa program see here:

 "The 5 Ws of Immigrating to Canada: Considerations for Prospective Immigrants" - 13 July 2022

 "The Absence of a Meaningful Business Immigration Program: Canadas Lost Opportunity" - 22 January 2022

 How can Business Persons Obtain Permanent Residence in Canada? - 17 November 2021

 "Entrepreneur alert  What are your Canadian business immigration options?" - 11 November 2021

 "Canadas Business Immigration Program: The Start Up Visa and Self Employed Class" - 12 May 2020

 "Business Immigrants: Canada is not open for business" - 22 May 2018

 Im a self employed business person. Can I immigrate to Canada? - 6 September 2016

Catherine Sas, K.C. has over 30 years of legal experience. She provides a full range of immigration services and is a leading immigration practitioner (Lexpert, Whos Who Legal, Best Lawyers in Canada). Go to canadian-visa-lawyer.com or email [email protected].
The UK government on Wednesday announced sanctions on businesses that it said were associated with the Sudanese military groups on both sides of the ongoing conflict in the east African country.

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it was imposing the sanctions on firms "which are fuelling the devastating conflict in Sudan by providing funding and arms to the warring militias".

The measures target three businesses associated with the regular army, the Sudanese Armed Forces, and three linked to its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, the FCDO said in a statement.

The sanctions "will limit their financial freedom by preventing UK citizens, companies and banks from dealing with them and put pressure on the parties to engage in the peace process".

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the sanctions "are directly targeting those whose actions have destroyed the lives of millions".

"Both sides have committed multiple ceasefire violations in a war which is completely unjustified.

"Innocent civilians continue to face the devastating effects of the hostilities, and we simply cannot afford to sit by and watch as money from these companies, all funding the RSF or SAF, is spent on a senseless conflict," he added.

The three months of violence have left 25 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and internally displaced more than 2.2 million people, according to the FCDO.

An estimated 682,000 people have fled to neighbouring countries, the FCDO added.

Washington last month slapped sanctions on companies associated with the two Sudanese military groups and imposed visa restrictions "against actors who are perpetuating the violence".

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The Ministry of International Cooperation announced on Wednesday, that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) provided $532.5 million in soft development financing to two Egyptian state-owned banks and an equity fund.

A $400 million loan was given to the National Bank of Egypt (NBE) to aid small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Egypt and regional companies managed or owned by young entrepreneurs.

The funding is intended to promote economic development, financial inclusion, and secure financing for the private sector in Egypt.

Banque Misr was granted a $100 million loan by the EBRD to support SMEs, sustainable and universal development, and financing in areas with limited banking services.

The equity fund Mediterrania Capital IV received a $32.5 million loan from the European bank to assist in directing $385.7 to middle-size companies in Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco's healthcare, retail, and manufacturing sectors.

Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat, emphasized the significance of private sector investment in supporting the country's economic growth. Her comments highlighted the close collaboration between Egypt and the EBRD.

Al-Mashat discussed the joint country strategy between Egypt and the EBRD, stating that the objective is to enhance Egypt's competitiveness, boost economic growth, and stimulate the private sector through development initiatives.

She stated that over 78 percent of the EBRD's current investments in Egypt are directed towards the private sector, highlighting the bank's emphasis on private investors as a driving force for Egypt's development.

The EBRD-Egypt partnership aims to enhance sustainable economic growth and job creation in the country by building on the close cooperation between the bank and Egypt's public and private sector institutions.

The EBRD's Vice President for Banking, Alain Pilloux, stated in March that the bank anticipated investing $1.4 billion in Egypt in 2023.

Since the EBRD began its operations in Egypt in 2012, it has invested over 10 billion in 163 projects, with over 78 percent of the investments directed towards the private sector.

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T he Bank of London is to hire 300 staff and formally applied to the EU for a banking licence, it said today, as it embarked on a major expansion across Europe.

The bank said it would set up a base in Luxembourg as part of a 200 million euro (170 million) investment that would see it build a workforce of 300 in the country over five years.

The Bank of London, powered by its patented technologies, has a unique business model that actively protects its depositors funds by never lending, leveraging or investing these deposits, the bank said.

By choosing Luxembourg as its EU headquarters, there is an exciting opportunity to offer Luxembourg and the broader EU market a new global digital clearing ecosystem for financial institutions and corporate commercial clients.

Bank of London founder Anthony Watson said: Luxembourg is the logical choice for us to build out our offering across the EU, and marks the latest step in our international growth strategy and follows the successful rollout of our banking solutions across the UK.

The plans make the Bank of London the latest London fintech to be eyeing European expansion after there were reports that Monzo is preparing a bid to merge with its Nordic rival Lunar.

The mobile bank is holding discussions with Denmark-based Lunar over the terms of the deal, according to a report by Bloomberg. It is also considering other acquisitions in Europe.

Lunar, a digital bank with over 650,000 users across Denmark, Sweden and Norway, hit a valuation of $2.2 billion after a fresh funding round last year, while Monzos valuation reached $4.5 billion in 2021.

Monzo declined to comment.

The Bank of Londons hopes for an EU license come as a growing number of London fintechs complain of difficulties seeking regulatory approval in the UK.

Approvals for fintech firms plunged to fresh lows in 2022, the Standard revealed earlier this week, as the UKs financial watchdog mounted a draconian crackdown on Londons fintech sector.

The approval rate of applications for Electronic Money Institution status, required for processing digital cash payments, fell to just 8% in 2022, figures obtained from the Financial Conduct Authority via a Freedom of Information request show, amounting to just 33 approvals. That compares to an approval rate of 90% in 2018 and a rate of 47% in 2021.

The Bank of London was founded in 2021 by entrepreneur Anthony Watson, who has a net worth of 307 million according to the Evening Standard Tech Rich List.

The bank made headlines earlier this year when it unveiled plans to acquire the UK arm of the now-defunct Silicon Valley Bank, before being pipped to the post by a rival bid from HSBC, who has since renamed the entity HSBC Innovation Banking.
The Egyptian Red Crescent has been providing a wide range of relief services to Egyptians, Sudanese, and other nationalities affected by the conflict in Sudan, executive director Rami Al-Nazer tells Al-Ahram Weekly.

Since the outbreak of the conflict in Sudan, intensive efforts have been underway at the Argeen Crossing, where the Egyptian Red Crescent working in collaboration with Egyptian state bodies has established relief centres to provide services to Egyptians arriving from Sudan, as well as to individuals of other nationalities who have sought refuge at the Egyptian-Sudanese border.

Rami Al-Nazer, executive director of the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC), told Al-Ahram Weekly that the organisation has been in constant communication with its counterpart the Sudanese Red Crescent since the outbreak of the conflict to follow up on developments and help evacuate Egyptian students residing in Egypts southern neighbour.

The ERC has been collaborating with the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement and other international partners to decide on courses of action regarding the arrival of Egyptians and other nationalities at the Argeen Crossing. This is well-secured, Al-Nazer said.

A large number of Egyptians, including students, live in Sudan, he added, pointing out that the ERC is still providing services to those in need in coordination with state executive agencies, particularly the Ministry of Social Solidarity.

As part of its relief efforts, the Egyptian Red Crescent has mobilised its Aswan branch along with its primary unit comprising over 135 dedicated volunteers and regular staff members to establish relief centres to address the urgent needs of those affected by the Sudan crisis, Al-Nazer said.

The relief centres cater to a range of needs, including facilitating the documentation and safe passage of elderly individuals and those with disabilities. They also provide meals and personal care packages and organise transportation for individuals to their destination of choice, either within Aswan governorate or to any other governorate, he added.

The centres prioritise medical services, with trained staff members offering first aid and providing vital medications, especially insulin, to individuals with chronic illnesses.

Special attention is given to psychological support services, particularly for the elderly who may have been exposed to distressing circumstances. A dedicated centre has been set up to offer psychological support to young children, Al-Nazer said.

The relief centres have thus far provided essential services to 230,000 individuals at the Argeen Crossing, Al-Nazer stated. The ERC has also reached out to individuals in Sudan to provide them with crucial communication services such as telephone lines, Internet access, international calls, and mobile chargers to enable them to check on their families in Sudan and help them to reunite, he added.

A partnership between the ERC and the EU, facilitated through the Ministry of Social Solidarity, is also providing a range of projects aimed at providing relief and medical supplies to those affected by the Sudanese crisis. The EU has contributed 20 tons of medical and relief aid towards this effort.

The partnership between the ERC and the EU aims to provide initial medical examinations, treatment services, and laboratory analyses for refugees in Egypt. The ERC is exploring opportunities for further collaboration with donors, including the EU, to implement long-term projects that encompass cash assistance, food provisions, psychological support, aid for children, and medical services, Al-Nazer said.

On a wider scale, the ERC has also extended support to associations in other countries affected by disasters, as was the case following the earthquake in Syria. The ERC, in collaboration with Egyptian executive bodies, prepared 1,000 tons of aid to be sent to the affected areas. An international relief team was also dispatched to Syria to offer support to all those impacted by the disaster, he added.

The ERC has also sent humanitarian and relief assistance to Palestine, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, and other Arab and African states.

The ERC, being a civil society entity, has 30,000 volunteers who are always ready to extend support. The ERC operates under the purview of the Ministry of Social Solidarity spearheaded by Nevine Al-Qabbaj, who provides unwavering support to the organisations volunteers. The ERC has also participated in the development of the National Strategy for Volunteering, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, Al-Nazer noted.

The ministry is currently studying the draft of the strategy ahead of its launch. It is expected to include the establishment of a National Committee for Volunteering, with the support of relevant ministries and the participation of civil society bodies and volunteer agencies to ensure its effective implementation.

The strategy is meant to expand the scope of volunteering opportunities to include all age groups, ranging from children to the elderly. It will also establish a mechanism for coordinating volunteer efforts, alongside the creation of a website to facilitate applications by volunteers and promote digital volunteering.

A unified database will also be developed that will include information on the age, location, and educational background of volunteers in various sectors.

The ERC has been working to promote other beneficial practices in society, including blood donations, Al-Nazer said.

It operates a network of five blood banks across the country and is an active participant in the Supreme Council for the Control of Blood Transfusions.

According to Al-Nazer, spreading awareness about the importance of blood donation can save lives and help many individuals, especially those suffering from illnesses such as cancer.

He said that the ERC relies on donations and grants from various donors to fund its operations and that the global economic crisis is affecting donations and funding. The resulting shortage of resources could impact the services the ERC provides, and it is continuing to collect funds and promote its services to the public, he noted.

The ERC aims to prepare society to become more shock-absorbent, Al-Nazer said. The mission of the ERC is to provide training to individuals and communities on how to respond to and deal with crises and disasters. This includes providing training on first aid, survival procedures, and how to save lives in times of crisis.

The ERC also offers first-aid courses that can be attended in person or online.

The ERC was established in 1912 through the voluntary efforts of prominent figures in society at the time. It is a non-governmental association that operates in accordance with the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including neutrality, non-discrimination, independence, and human unity and universality.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 13 July, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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S o just before 9pm on Monday evening, the Chancellor stood up at the Mansion House to deliver his pivotal speech that would detail how London was to salvage its position as a capital-raising venue of choice.

Indeed, there was lots to applaud, most notably pension funds agreeing to invest as much as 50 billion into UK growth companies. The theory being it helps keep those businesses conceived by domestic talent rooted to the local market rather than fleeing Stateside or succumbing to a trade sale. In turn, that delivers value  and tax revenues  back to the UK, but at what cost to the free market? As noted on Monday night, for the City of London to succeed it needs to stop eating itself. At Mansion House they seemed simply to be oblivious to such calls, and it was more a case of getting stuck into the main course  with aplomb.

The Chancellor said that we will establish a pioneering new intermittent trading venue that will improve private companies access to capital markets before they publicly list. The use of the word we suggests to the casual observer that this is a Government initiative, but just two months ago the London Stock Exchange announced that it would launch what it termed an Intermittent Trading Venue for pre-IPO companies. And Im reliably informed that the LSEGs statement to media welcoming the news came out as the Chancellor was mid-flow.

There wasnt so much as a passing attempt to make this look like even an arms length association, with the two sides acting very much in lockstep. Although perhaps mindful of his career outlook, Mr Hunt may well be on the search for a new paymaster

The initiative to get pension funds into growth companies has been snappily termed The Mansion House Compact, but its the apparent compact between state and a monopoly private enterprise that deserves closer inspection. Its certainly looking rather menacing and at odds with traditional Conservative party viewpoints of how markets should function  are we once again being told that Nanny knows best? For growth companies to have any hope of tapping into the 50 billion pot of pension cash, is the expectation that they will have to list on the Government-endorsed, LSEG-run, Intermittent Trading Venue? For context, its estimated that the total value of all UK companies  both public and private  is in excess of 10 trillion, but how would the inflow of such a significant volume of capital impact valuations if its not spread across the board, reaching right down to a grassroots level? That 50 billion is, after all, sufficient to buy up the smallest 900 companies already listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Monday nights speech highlighted that the nine largest defined contribution pension providers had agreed to invest in UK growth companies, with the expectation that the remainder will follow. But if these institutions end up feeling obliged to only invest in a small cohort of businesses who can afford the fees associated with being part of an LSEG vehicle, can fund managers honestly claim they are meeting their fiduciary responsibilities when it comes to retail customers? Or does this end up being a closed shop and a box-ticking exercise where retail investors are overpaying not just by virtue of demand outstripping supply, but also as they are the ones on the hook when it comes to covering the ongoing administration fees? After all, the growing financial burden is a key reason why many companies have turned their backs on public markets and instead returned to private ownership.

The list of attempts to reinvent capital markets is far from being a short one. Some have found success, but many more have failed, battling against regulation, capital requirements, market counterparties keen to make a fast buck and indeed the established legacy players themselves. Theres no doubt that we need more competition in financial markets as this is what counts when it comes to fostering innovation in the long term. Strong-arming institutional investors into the reallocation of capital certainly isnt a menu for success in the long term.

Got a tip for The Secret Banker? Email citydesk@standard.co.uk
L ondon fintech Monzo is preparing a bid to merge with its Nordic rival Lunar as it turbocharges its European expansion.

The mobile bank is holding discussions with Denmark-based Lunar over the terms of the deal, according to a report by Bloomberg. It is also considering other acquisitions in Europe.

Lunar, a digital bank with over 650,000 users across Denmark, Sweden and Norway, hit a valuation of $2.2 billion after a fresh funding round last year, while Monzos valuation reached $4.5 billion in 2021.

Monzo declined to comment.

The plans make Monzo the latest London fintech to be eyeing European expansion after The Bank of London today said it was hiring 300 staff and had formally applied to the EU for a banking license.

The bank said it would set up a base in Luxembourg as part of a 200 million euro (170 million) investment that would see it build a workforce of 300 in the country over five years.

By choosing Luxembourg as its EU headquarters, there is an exciting opportunity to offer Luxembourg and the broader EU market a new global digital clearing ecosystem for financial institutions and corporate commercial clients, the bank said.

Bank of London founder Anthony Watson said: Luxembourg is the logical choice for us to build out our offering across the EU, and marks the latest step in our international growth strategy and follows the successful rollout of our banking solutions across the UK.

Liverpool Street-based Monzo has come under the spotlight in recent days after it emerged Chancellor Jeremy Hunt was denied an account with the bank last year because he was a politically exposed person.

Hunt said in an interview with the Financial Times: If the price of going into public life is that you find it really hard to set up a bank account, then we need to make sure that we remove barriers where we can.

I think thats why I was declined by Monzo for an account last year.

In May, Monzo became the latest British digital bank to become profitable after seeing a spike in lending and more customers depositing cash.

The bank says it now has more than a 10th of the UK population as customers.

Known for its iconic hot coral red debit cards, Monzo was founded in 2015 by tech entrepreneurs Tom Blomfield and Paul Rippon, who have a net worth of 157 million and 234 million respectively according to the Evening Standard Tech Rich list.

Rippon quit the company in 2020 to start an alpaca farm, while Blomfield stood down from the board in 2021.
I f a war of words breaks out between two Conservative candidates for Mayor, and no one is much interested in the outcome, does it make a sound?

At a hustings last night, Moz Hossain accused rival Susan Hall of writing intolerant, hateful tweets in the past. The former leader of the Tories at the London Assembly has described TV personality Gemma Collins as a stupid fat blonde woman and professed support for Donald Trump. In response, Ms Hall suggested that Mr Hossain didnt have a clue about how London government operated.

Both may be correct. Ms Hall has made public statements which suggest her values are not always in line with the swing voters any Conservative candidate must attract. Meanwhile, Mr Hossain has never previously held office.

In the absence of Daniel Korski, who withdrew from the race following allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denies, the Tories are missing a third candidate with the force of personality and new ideas not only to win this selection but give Sadiq Khan a fair fight next May.

Nato no-mans land

Nato membership is a binary phenomenon in that nations cannot be half in and half out. Countries are either fully protected by Article 5 which mandates that an attack on one is an attack on all  or not. Except, that seems, when it comes to Ukraine.

At the Vilnius Summit, Nato member states have committed only to Kyiv joining the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met. In other words, not yet.

This no-mans land, or waiting room as Margus Tsahkna, Estonias foreign minister calls it, is fraught with risk. Nato has been here before. At the Bucharest Summit in 2008, the alliance announced that both Georgia and Ukraine would be admitted, without a plan for that eventuality. Months later, Russian forces invaded Georgia.

Clearly, Kyiv cannot join while it is still actively at war with Russia. But without any sense of momentum or a timescale, the West risks making the same mistake twice.

Rylances regal return

Mark Rylance returns to the London stage to play Dr Ignaz Semmelweis, the 19th-century Hungarian physician and early pioneer of antiseptic procedures.

Rylance is stunning as the man whose scientific breakthrough saved countless lives, even if he was largely ignored. That Rylance himself initially took a garlic solution rather than the Covid vaccine injects another layer of intrigue to this moving performance. Go see it.
C elebrated Czech-French writer Milan Kundera, the author of The Unbearable Lightness of Being, has died aged 94.

A spokesperson for the Milan Kundera Library said that the award-winning author, whose many novels, short stories, poetry collections, essays and non-fiction books reflect on the strangeness of life, died after a prolonged illness.

His novels became distinct for exploring philosophical concepts through using vivid imagery, relationships, and characters so well-constructed that they sometimes felt like they could climb out of the novels they lived in.

Although best remembered for his 1984 novel The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Kunderas work had been met with acclaim  and pushback  since the off.

His first novel The Joke, which was published in 1967, was banned in his native Czechoslovakia (as it was then) the following year after the Soviets squashed the political mass protest known as the Prague Spring. It became popular at the time with many supporters of the countrys liberation movement.

Yet despite a six-decade long career of thought-provoking publications, The Unbearable Lightness of Being would be his magnum opus. The great novel is about the lives of four people living in Czechoslovakia during the 1968 Prague Spring. It was turned into a 1988 film, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, who played Tomas, and Juliette Binoche, who played Tereza, and directed by Philip Kaufman.

Kundera was born in Brno, Czechoslovakia, but fled to France in 1975 after his work criticised the ruling Communist Party which had taken over in 1948.

He had been expelled as a Communist Party member in 1950 for anti-party activities, and although he was later readmitted, was expelled for a second time in 1970. In 1979, Kundera was left with no choice but to make France his home as he was stripped of his citizenship (it was only reinstated by the government of the Czech Republic in 2019).

Kundera became a French citizen in 1981, and so wholeheartedly left his life in Eastern Europe behind he even started to write novels in French. Nesmrtelnost (Immortality), which was published in 1988, was his last novel written in Czech.

Kundera was awarded the prestigious Jerusalem Prize in 1985, which is awarded for work that explores human freedom. He also won The Austrian State Prize for European Literature in 1987, the international Herder Prize in 2000, the Czech State Literature Prize in 2007, the Ovid Prize in 2011 and the Franz Kafka Prize in 2020.
F ilm and TV series rating site Rotten Tomatoes has become one of the most highly-respected sources on the internet.

Their trusted Tomatometer bases its score on the opinions of hundreds of film and television critics, and seems to hardly ever get it wrong; if a film lands a top score, were even more likely to watch it.

The films with perfect scores are a surprisingly varied bunch: there are jaw-dropping documentaries, old classics, modern horrors and heart-wrenching dramas.

With so many fantastic films out there to choose from, weve narrowed down the list by picking some of the very best films that have scored that coveted 100% Tomatometer rating, listed in no particular order.

12 Angry Men (1957)

(100% from 62 votes)

This American courtroom drama from American director Sidney Lumet is the classic courtroom drama, despite most of the high-stakes activity unfolding in the room behind the actual court. Twelve jurors must decide the fate of a man who is accused of first degree murder. The stakes couldnt be higher: if the man is found guilty he will be given a mandatory death sentence, so if any of the jurors have reasonable doubt, they must vote not guilty.

Honeyland (2019)

(100% from 134 reviews)

This exquisite documentary directed by Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov follows the life of beekeeper Hatidze Muratova, a woman living in a remote village in the north of Macedonia. Muratova lives an extraordinary life: she is one of the last keepers of wild bees in Europe, lives in a spot with no electricity or running water, and has to walk four hours to the countrys capital, Skopje, where she sells her honey to make a living. But her life starts to change when new neighbours move into the area.

The opening minutes of Honeyland are as astonishing  as sublime and strange and full of human and natural beauty  as anything Ive ever seen in a movie, said reviewer A.O. Scott in The New York Times. Others agreed: The film picked up two Oscar nominations in 2020, including Best Documentary Feature.

Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem (2014)

(100% from 80 reviews)

This extraordinary Israeli film from brother and sister Ronit and Shlomi Elkabetz stars Ronit as Viviane Amsalem, a woman who is fighting to divorce her husband. She is trying to obtain a gett  a document in religious law necessary for the divorce to proceed  from her husband, but he wont oblige her, despite the unhappiness of their marriage.

Year after year, Viviane pleads her case before a rabbinic court, waiting for her divorce as days slip into weeks and then months, said The New York Times, her pacific face glazed with tears and her body occasionally rocked by a laugh tinged with knowing and madness.

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

(100% from 51 reviews)

Otto Premingers Anatomy of a Murder was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress in 2012, confirming its place as one of the great classic crime dramas. The film stars James Stewart as Paul Biegler, a semi-retired lawyer. One day a woman gets in touch to ask him to defend her husband, US Army Lieutenant Manny Manion (Ben Gazzara), who has been arrested for the murder of an innkeeper. Not only does Manion not deny the murder, but he also accuses the innkeeper of raping his wife. Despite the difficulties of the case, Biegler agrees to defend him, and all the drama plays out in a gripping court case. Picking up seven Oscar nominations, Criterion Collection describes Anatomy of a Murder as an American movie landmark.

Leave No Trace (2018)

(100% from 252 reviews)

American director Debra Granik is best known for her 2010 Oscar-nominated drama Winters Bone, which arguably launched Jennifer Lawrences career. But its her 2018 film, Leave No Trace, which has an 100 per cent Rotten Tomato score. The film tells the story of military veteran Will (Ben Foster) and his daughter Tom (Thomasin McKenzie) who live together in total isolation in a forest. When they are spotted by a jogger they get arrested, which leads to a series of encounters as the duo move between facilities and various homes.

The film pulled in near-universal acclaim, with Mark Kermode describing the film as flawless and deeply affecting, and with Sight & Sound magazine describing it as a tremendously subtle drama of diverging yearnings.

Gloria (2013)

(100% from 129 reviews)

Gloria tells the story of 58-year-old Gloria (Paulina Garcia) who starts to date a decade after her divorce. Shes looking for excitement as well as companionship, but it turns out this combination is harder to find than she had perhaps imagined: despite meeting someone at singles disco, things dont go smoothly.

Although Sebastian Lelio went on to win an Oscar for his 2017 film, A Fantastic Woman, the accolade could have come much sooner: Gloria is big-hearted  uplifting, funny, and sad  and was selected as the Chileon Oscar entry in 2014.

Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)

(100% from 50 reviews)

Kind Hearts and Coronets is without a doubt one of the greatest films of all time. Dennis Price stars as Louis Mazzini, a man whose mother was disowned by her very wealthy family and who has therefore lost his direct right to his inheritance. When he grows up he hatches a mad plot to kill off the eight family members who now stand between him and his fortune. Somehow, Mazzini is absolutely delightful as he goes about his assassinations and the plot is made all the funnier by Alec Guinness playing all eight members of the DAscoyne family.

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

(100% from 104 reviews)

This classic from director George Cukor has three romances at its heart, and begins just before a high society wedding, but The Philadelphia Story is really about a woman coming to terms with who she is. The exquisite Katharine Hepburn is Tracy Lord, the daughter of a wealthy family, whose ex-husband, Dexter (Cary Grant) turns up to her wedding, alongside two reporters (one of whom, Mike Connor, is played by James Stewart). Its one of the best screwballs of all time, and Hepburn is  as always  bewitching.

His House (2020)

(100% from 122 reviews)

Remi Weekes 2020 horror His House is a clever meditation on the horrors of the refugee experience, presented as a horror. Wunmi Mosaku stars as Rial and Sope Dirisu plays Bol, a couple who have fled their war-torn South Sudan, somehow surviving the perrilous trip to Britain. Now in the UK, their aslyum has been accepted, and they are provided with a dilapidated home of their own. But strange, horrible things start happening in the house, and the story quickly transforms from heart-wrenching drama to nail-biting psychological horror.

His House is not misery porn by any means, upsetting as it may sound, said Vanity Fair. Its devastating, but also has the thrill of its execution and the urgency of its ideas to propel it forward. Weekess film is compelling in a variety of dimensions, from the personal to the sociopolitical, the formal to the emotional.

Barbie opens in cinemas on July 21
E x-Manson follower Leslie Van Houten was released from prison on Tuesday.

The 73-year-old had been incarcerated for 50 years after being convicted for her involvement in the 1969 murders of California residents Leno and Rosemary LaBianca.

Van Houten had originally been handed a death sentence for her crimes, but the conviction was swiftly commuted to life in prison. Capital punishment was abolished in California in April 1972, just a year after her trial.

Van Houten, the youngest member of cult leader Charles Mansons troupe to be convicted of murder, has reportedly been a model inmate, gaining both a bachelor and masters degree behind bars, as well tutoring fellow inmates and participating in mental health schemes.

But her involvement in the murders of a greengrocer and his wife meant that as many as 14 bids for her parole were turned down. Since 2016 the states parole board had deemed her suitable for release five separate times, but the Californian governor office had rejected these rulings. Van Houten was no bystander in the killings: she not only pinned down Rosemary LaBianca, Van Houten admitted, but she stabbed her in the abdomen around 14 times.

Now, a California appeals court has overruled California Governor Gavin Newsoms most recent veto of Van Houtens parole grant.

The Governor is disappointed by the Court of Appeals decision to release Ms. Van Houten but will not pursue further action as efforts to further appeal are unlikely to succeed, said a governor spokesperson.

Van Houten will now have three year parole term and will spend around a year in a half-way house as she acclimatises to modern day society.

Shes gratified that people are recognizing that shes completely reformed, because she really is, said Van Houtens lawyer, Nancy Tetreault, to The Guardian. Ive never had a client who has dedicated herself to reform like she has. She spent 40 years in therapy and 30 years in what they call rehabilitative programming.

She fell under the influence of Charles Manson and participated in these horrible murders  and she worked really hard to get past that cult indoctrination and to understand it and take responsibility. And she had to confront her feelings of crushing guilt over what she did. Shes very remorseful.

The news of Van Houtens release has started trending online, showing that public intrigue is still sky-high around cult-leader Manson and the crimes of his followers.

Despite never killing anyone first hand, Manson has become one of the most familiar criminal figures in history. Thousands of people, including influential figures in pop culture, have remained grimly fascinated with Manson right up to his death in 2017 and beyond.

The fascination people continue to have for this manipulative criminal is striking. From a cult leader and heinous criminal, he has become shorthand for evil in the US, and the spectre his legacy has cast over society and pop culture is far bigger than he ever was as an individual.

Here are some of his strangest pop culture connections.

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

Quentin Tarantinos last movie, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, presents an alternate take on the story of the Manson Family, but hes hardly the first filmmaker to turn the lens on the cult leader. Films like Helter Skelter (1976), The Book of Manson (1976), The Manson Family (2003), The House of Manson (2014), Manson Family Vacation (2015) and Wolves at the Door (2016) all focus explicitly on the murders and the characters involved. Countless others take inspiration from the events of 1968. Hollywood is, and has always been, mildly obsessed with the Manson Family.

Tarantinos 2019 film, it seems, is just the latest in a long line of projects to focus on the Manson Family murders, showing how his strange influence on western society still persists to this day. The music industry, too, has been preoccupied with Manson for decades, with his influence running alarmingly deep.

From rock star friends to best-selling books and musicals, these are Charles Mansons strangest pop culture connections.

The Beach Boys Dennis Wilson

The Beach Boys in 1964 / Getty Images

The sun-kissed, carefree harmonies of the Beach Boys seem to stand in stark contrast to the violent Manson cult, but the two share a surprising connection.

The bands drummer came into contact with Manson by chance, after picking up two hitchhikers in the summer of 1968. As it turned out, the two women were residents of Mansons Spahn Ranch, where members of the cult lived and worked between 1968 and 1969. Their encounter eventually led to Manson and Wilson meeting, and they began working on music with each other soon afterwards. The Beach Boys even reworked one of Mansons songs, Cease to Exist, which became Never Learn Not To Love and went on to feature on the bands 1969 album 20/20.

Manson wasnt happy with the way the song had been changed, and felt unfairly treated. The group gave him a motorcycle and a one-off payment in exchange for the song, which he interpreted as theft. The cult leader left a bullet on Wilsons bed as a threat, eerily foreshadowing the murders that would follow shortly afterwards. According to some unconfirmed reports, the move prompted Wilson to beat Manson up in front of a group of onlookers. Wilson eventually turned his back on Manson entirely after learning of the cults murderous ways.

Neil Young

Neil Young performing in 2018 / AFP/Getty Images

As well as Wilson, Manson could allegedly count Neil Young among his fans in the mid Sixties. The pair were introduced by Wilson and met a couple of times in LA. Young was one of the few musicians in Hollywood to take him seriously as an artist, and he even recommended him to the president of Warner Bros. Young, inspired by Manson and the 1968 killings, later wrote Revolution Blues, which featured on 1974 album On The Beach. The track features the disturbing lyrics: I hear that Laurel Canyon is full of famous stars/But I hate them worse than lepers and I'll kill them in their cars."

Speaking about Mansons musicianship during an interview with Bill Flanagan in 1986, Young still seemed strangely enthralled by Manson, even 15 years after his imprisonment.

Musically I thought he was very unique, Young said. I thought he really had something crazy, something great. He was like a living poet. It was always coming out. He had a lot of girls around at the time and I thought, Well, this guy has a lot of girlfriends. He was very intense.

The Beatles

The Beatles at a recording session in London / PA

Manson was a Beatles fanatic, and would pore over the White Album on the Familys Spahn Ranch. He became obsessed with the idea that the album was full of coded messages, which he took as a cue to start a race war. He interpreted the song Helter Skelter as a call to incite violence, while he took Piggies as an invitation to give a damn good whacking to the upper classes, supposedly referenced as the bigger piggies in their starched white shirts in the song.

Manson was so heavily influenced by the supposed hidden messages in the Beatles songs, that members of the cult wrote the misspelled words Healter Skelter on Leno and Rosemary LaBiancas fridge after murdering them.

John Lennon was asked about Manson by Rolling Stone in 1970, to which he replied: I dont know what I thought when it happened. I just think a lot of the things he says are true.

That hes a child of the state, made by us. That he took their children in when nobody else would But of course hes cracked, all right hes barmy.

Paul Revere and the Raiders

Tarantinos Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is full of hidden references to Manson  including one scene involving Sixties group Paul Revere and the Raiders. In the film, Sharon Tate (played by Margot Robbie) can be seen listening to the bands music at 10050 Cielo Drive. It seems like a throwaway moment in the film, but it does refer to a deeper Manson connection. Producer Terry Melcher worked on most of Paul Revere and the Raiderss music, and also happened to be good friends with Tates partner and film director Roman Polanski. He also lived at 10050 Cielo Drive before them.

Melcher met Manson through Dennis Wilson on numerous occasions, with Manson eventually becoming angry with Melcher for choosing not to offer him a record deal. It has also been claimed that Manson visited 10050 Cielo Drive more than once asking for him prior to the murders.

Helter Skelter

Helter Skelter  the name Manson gave to the apocalyptic race war he was anticipating  was also the name of the hugely successful true crime book of 1974. The book was written by author Curt Gentry and Vincent Bugliosi, who was the prosecutor of the 1970 Manson trial, and documents the investigation and arrest of Manson and his followers. The book became the highest selling true crime book of all time when it was released in 1974, selling over seven million copies. It is regarded as one of the most influential works in the genre, alongside Truman Capotes In Cold Blood. The book is also cited as one of the major influences behind the 2008 film The Strangers, starring Liv Tyler.

Musical tributes

After he learned guitar during an early stint in prison, Manson recorded songs throughout the late Sixties. The album Lie: The Love and Terror Cult was recorded in 1967 and released in 1970. It featured some surprisingly well written and performed songs, notably the folk ballad Look at Your Game, Girl. The track was later covered by Guns N Roses on their 1993 album The Spaghetti Incident? Other songs, such as Home Is Where Youre Happy, were also covered by The Lemonheads and Devendra Banhart, while Arkansas was covered by The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Manson went on to record around twenty albums in his lifetime, all of increasingly unhinged and deranged quality.

Whats in a name?

While plenty of people have been drawn to Mansons back catalogue, many more have written songs influenced by him, and even named themselves after him. Marilyn Manson (real name Brian Hugh Warner) took his moniker from the cult leader, while the rock band Kasabian named themselves after Manson Family member Linda Kasabian. Linda Kasabian drove the Manson Family members Tex Watson, Susan Atkins and Patricia Krenwinkel to 10050 Cielo Drive. She was also the key witness at the Manson trial a few years later, with her testimony crucial to convicting Manson and his followers.

Name checks and samples

Sonic Youths Death Valley 69, Alkaline Trios Sadie, Ozzy Osbournes Bloodbath in Paradise and Marilyn Mansons Beautiful People are just some of the songs that directly make reference to the murders and characters in the Manson family. N.W.A also refer to him in the track Straight Outta Compton, with Ice Cube rapping: Heres a murder rap to keep you dancin/With a crime record like Charles Manson. Death Grips are one of the bands to sample Manson too, using excerpts from a Manson interview on their 2011 track Beware.

Nine Inch Nails

US singer Trent Reznor of the band Nine Inch Nails / AFP via Getty Images

While the song doesnt specifically mention it, Nine Inch Nails recorded the video for Gave Up at 10050 Cielo Drive, where the Tate murders took place. The Nine Inch Nails connection also goes deeper, with frontman Trent Reznor moving into the house for a time. Speaking with Rolling Stone in 1997, Reznor spoke about being confronted by Sharon Tates sister Debra Tate during his time living there, and reevaluating his interest in the case.

She said: Are you exploiting my sisters death by living in her house? For the first time the whole thing kind of slapped me in the face, Reznor revealed.

I guess it never really struck me before, but it did then. She lost her sister from a senseless, ignorant situation that I dont want to support. When she was talking to me, I realised for the first time, 'What if it was my sister?' I thought, F*** Charlie Manson. I dont want to be looked at as a guy who supports serial-killer bulls***."

Manson on TV

Theres been an upturn in TV series referencing Manson and the cult since his death in 2017. NBC series Aquarius focused on David Duchovnys Sixties LA cop, who leads an investigation into Manson, while the Cult series of American Horror Story, Cult, saw Evan Peters play a version of Manson himself. Mad Men also became notorious for making allusions to the murders in its later series, with Donald Drapers wife Megan Calvet sharing many similarities with Sharon Tate.

Stephen Sondheim

Assassins, a musical written by Stephen Sondheim, makes repeated reference to Manson, and features the character of Lynette Squeaky Fromme, who later attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford in 1975. The musical was written in 1990, with the Broadway production going on to win five Tony Awards in 2004.
Review at a glance









M ark Rylance makes a galvanizing return to the London stage as the 19th century Hungarian surgeon whose work on antiseptics ultimately saved the lives of countless new mothers and newborns.

The haunted, messianic Semmelweis couldnt be more different to Johnny Rooster Byron, the antic lord of misrule Rylance reprised in Jez Butterworths Jerusalem last year, 13 years after originating the role. Both are heroically flawed outsiders, though, prone to self-sabotage. That Rylance has recently revealed in an interview that he initially took a garlic solution rather than a vaccine to counter Covid somehow adds a perverse piquancy to the evening.

Where Jerusalem was all mysticism and myth, this is a linear story of scientific discovery and a statement of the bleeding obvious: that a smug, male-dominated medical profession has been bad for women. Anna Muller (formidable, beady-eyed Pauline McLynn), head nurse of the obstetric ward of Viennas pre-eminent hospital, knows women are less likely to die of child-bed fever if treated by midwives than doctors. But it falls to Semmelweis and his cohorts to trace the cause to hygiene, and to try and persuade the resistant hierarchy of that fact.

Mark Rylance in Dr Semmelweis / Simon Annand

Tom Morriss urgent, pacy production juxtaposes disputative doctors with an all-female string quartet and a septet of ballerinas who give physical expression to joy, pain, mental anguish and death. The action seeps into the auditorium: were enlisted, or implicated.

The story unfolds in flashback from Pest in Hungary where Semmelweis and his wife Maria (a very moving Amanda Wilkin) are expecting a child. Metaphor alert! He thinks 10 steps ahead of her when playing chess and dives into the frozen Danube rather than skating over it like everyone else. Maria is at least a fully realised character. The doomed working girls  plus one aristocrat  stiffly played by the dancers, are not.

Simon Annand

The play, first staged last year at Bristol Old Vic, was Rylances idea and he takes a subsidiary credit for the script alongside writer Stephen Brown. It was apparently written pre-pandemic, but some lines must surely have snuck in afterwards. I have told my friends to invest in bleach! declares Daniel York Lohs senior medic. There are endless contemporary resonances for the doctors culture of denial. More interestingly, the script asks questions about truth and compromise. Semmelweis neglects his dying father and pregnant wife for the greater good, but his absolutism destroys him.

Designer Ti Green supplies a set of mobile operating tables and a backstage viewing gallery: the script reminds us that autopsy means to see for yourself. Rylances Semmelweis traces scalpel slices on his own body, one of many exquisite details in a performance full of fluttery tics, shiftily oblique glances and stutters. He is magnetic throughout, offset by mild, understated turns from Jude Owusu, Ewan Black and Felix Hayes as Semmelweiss exasperated colleagues, and the ever-reliable Alan Williams as their boss, Klein.

Choreographer Antonia Franceschi works in some dance moves for Rylance with Chrissy Brooke as the dead girl who prompts his quest. Hes not bad at that, either. The ending is rushed and clumsy but it doesnt matter. One of our finest, alchemically instinctive actors is back where he belongs: onstage.

Booking to 7 Oct, haroldpintertheatre.co.uk
P rince Harry and Meghan Markle have been nominated for a Hollywood Critics Award (HCA) for their revelatory Netflix series.

The pair are up for the best streaming nonfiction series gong for Harry & Megan, their six-part series, which was released last December.

The news will be welcome for the Duchess of Sussex especially after Spotify cancelled her 15 million podcast series Archetypes which ran for only one series.

Harry & Megan is up against Prehistoric Planet 2, Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss, Rennervations, The 1619 Project and The Reluctant Traveller with Eugene Levy.

Netflix reported that 2.4 million tuned in to watch the series on its release day, which made it the most seen on that day, notably more than royal family drama The Crown.

The series revealed how the pair had first fallen in love and then detailed their struggles in dealing with the Firm as well as the British tabloid media.

They had paid certain neighbours to put a livestream camera into my backyard, the duchess said at one point.

Suddenly it was like everything about my life was getting so much more insular. All the curtains were pulled, all the blinds were pulled. It was scary.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not commented on the nomination.

The Hollywood Critics Association is more established as a celebrator of film but has been hosting television awards since 2021.

The 2023 HCA TV Awards Ceremony for Streaming will be held on Sunday August 13, one day after the awards for broadcast and cable television.

Last year The Beatles:Get Back won the prize for the best streaming docuseries or nonfiction series.

While the duke and duchess have been criticised for leaving the Firm and beginning a new life in the US, they have won fans for their Netflix series.

"The Harry & Meghan series should win this category, one wrote on Twitter following the nomination news. Very well deserved!! Congratulations to the team for a job well done."

Another added: "Congrats to all nominees. Ill be rooting for Harry & Meghan!"
T heresa May looked 17-year-old Kenny Imafidon straight in the eye. She was nodding and genuinely taking in my words as he shared his ideas on how to reduce youth violence and knife crime. Imafidon had been a prefect, an A-Level student with a robust CV of political work experience, including this presentation to the then home secretary. He was also, his new book That Peckham Boy details, a drug dealer, just as likely to be carrying a hundred grams of weed in his backpack as his philosophy and history books.

Does the former prime minister know about this paradox? I ask as I sit across from the 30-year-old entrepreneur, social commentator  and now author  in the lobby of a London Bridge hotel. No... I think thats the beauty, that nobody knew. I was trying to have it all!

Teenage double lives dont get much more extreme than this, but in Imafidons autobiography his foray into criminality is presented as understandable, rather than simply harrowing. One of two children his formidable-sounding Nigerian mother raised in a pre-gentrification SE15 between working round the clock to make ends meet, Imafidon is the prodigal son who never fully lost his way. Going from working for Londons big-name politicians as a teenager to a six- month stint behind bars and facing 30 years in prison, he is now a BBC Children in Need trustee, a Commonwealth Trust advisor (yes, hes met Harry and Meghan, who he calls very nice people. They seem down to earth and the last time we met we had some good laughs). He also works with oodles of charities and has a parliamentary pass.

Imafidons story began in substandard housing, with a mum doing everything at once and his shockingly stingy astonishingly absent and unbelievably unempathetic father. Soon, he found alternative protection and affirmation from local older boys who happened to be drug dealers and followed their career path. How important was it to not depict his experience as an inevitable pipeline? Research shows there are a lot of negative life outcomes that can happen as a result of not having a dad around. However, we also know that despite this, many people obviously still have positive outcomes. Its never so straight-forward, Imafidon says diplomatically, before putting his fists out and adding: Its like driving a car, its much better to drive with two hands than with one, even if youre great at driving with one.

Despite his mothers best efforts at discipline, he hustled hard, juggling B-class drugs with A-grade school work and girlfriends while pushing for work experience placements in the offices of politicians such as former deputy London mayor Valerie Shawcross and local MP Harriet Harman. But two days after Imafidons 18th birthday, his freedom was taken away as he was charged with the murder of a 17-year-old friend. The Metropolitan Police used circumstantial evidence to place him at the scene of the fatal shooting, and for the first time ever, I wished I had been caught for something I actually had done, Imafidon writes. After months on trial, he was acquitted on the direction of the judge.

He writes of community sentences and focusing on wider issues that lead people to crime  like poverty  before investing so much in more prison places. But what could fix a problem like the Metropolitan Police? Imafidon chuckles. One of the key things the Met lacks is humility. And also understanding that reconciliation is needed and that its an intentional process. And action! Theres a whole report clearly articulating what needs to happen.

The Black community knows the Casey Report is evidence of what they already knew and felt, he adds. A big part of it is the culture, its dangerous, not just for young Black men; its dangerous for women, dangerous for Asian men and women, dangerous for everyone whos not a white man... and even then they have issues. I wonder if he thinks that under Suella Braverman there might be an... but before I even reach the word improvement he laughs again, a little louder. Why are we not dealing with the issues but the symptoms? Theres enough socioeconomic issues that exist that they can be dealing with, you cant be having lazy policing and narratives being pushed out.

There are young people growing up in some deprived areas and all they know is their area and Westfields. Some people havent even seen a beach

Having been stopped and searched often enough to have lost count of how many times, Imafidon is critical of the current home secretarys plea to police forces to amp up deployment of the tactic: At the same time Braverman made that announcement, she disbanded the Windrush unit that had all these recommendations. When you look at it in the wider context of what shes actually doing, its dangerous.

Keen to a firm balance  Imafidon left the Labour Party almost as soon as he joined it as a teenager, and has no affiliations with any party now  he adds, I know theyve got a battle against wokeism, but what we are discussing now isnt wokeism, its just a case of: there are better ways to do things and lets deal with the real issues at hand. And to do that weve got to be collaborative.

He collaborates by mentoring young Black men and giving back as a newly privileged member of society. I love the fact that when I meet young people, I can take them to a private members club. Let them see that, yes, its still very elite. However, its about people understanding; there are people like this, who look like you or come where you come from.

Growing up, I lacked exposure  I may have been curious but the streets became my whole world, he explains. There are young people growing up in some deprived areas and all they know is their area and Westfields. People dont know what Manchester looks like, some people havent even seen a beach.

Keeping informed of the truth is vital to Imafidon, and soon after he was acquitted, he developed The Kenny Report, a research project building on the same topics he discussed with Theresa May. That provided the springboard for him to co-found ClearView, a market and social research agency. A lot of our focus is actually on engaging and working with people from diverse backgrounds and under-represented groups. A lot of other research tends to focus on the same old people.

And none of his work to make the streets better for the young would-be Imafidons of today would happen without his spirituality. Gods role in Imafidons life has grown from obligatory church attendance as a child through to his mum citing him psalms over the prison phone line, to him today acknowledging its been the biggest factor for me in terms of transformation. By having Jesus in my life, thats what gave me the resilience to get through such a time like that. That wasnt my willpower.

He still visits the friends he was on trial with and who were, he believes, wrongfully convicted. Has he made amends with the enemies he made while dealing? Over time Ive met several people and its been positive, I think because theyve seen the change in myself and that Im no longer that person  the proof is in the pudding.

Now married and living in east London, hes made peace with his father and is blessed and fortunate to have the role models Ive had in my stepfather and Lord Hastings [with whom he co-founded prisoner support group My Brothers Keeper], and I want to make sure my kids will have that too. Through being patient and through working on myself, and building my character, I have the things that I really wanted when I was younger. And this time, its legit.

That Peckham Boy by Kenny Imafidon is published on 13 July (16.99; Torva)
Are the men of Hollywood okay? Because, from where Im sitting, an increasing number of them seem incapable of basic propriety when it comes to texting. As though somehow their phone screen represents a different realm entirely, where they can say things that they wouldnt in real life, and certainly not in public.

Jonah Hill is the latest high profile man to have texts said to be sent from him exposed: the Superbad actors ex-girlfriend, model and surfer Sarah Brady, revealed alleged exchanges, in which he purported to lay down boundaries for their romantic partnership, but looked very much like attempts to control her.

Jonah Hill with ex Sarah Brady / Getty Images for Netflix

The messages were apparently sent during their 2021 relationship and included demands from Hill, 39, that Brady, 26, should a) not model b) hang out with surfers or 3) post pictures of herself in swimwear in the name of honouring his boundaries.

However, Brady (plus legions of social media commentators and mental health experts who have since weighed in on the drama), says Hill has essentially co-opted therapy speak cynically in order to manipulate and control. Healthy boundaries are meant to promote mutual respect, autonomy, and wellbeing for all individuals involved, and not be used as a tool for control or simply getting your own way, says Smriti Joshi, Lead Psychologist at AI-enabled mental health app Wysa.

At one point, for instance, Hill appears to mock Bradys career choice, Go model! Its a fulfilling life youll love it. Real depth and substance and sustainability for relationships. And in another, he responds to her letting him know shes removed images of her in swimsuits from her social media, with the ominous its a start.

Brady, who labelled Hill a misogynist and a narcissist, has received criticism for sharing the messages with the entire world, especially as his current partner gave birth to their first baby just last month. But when exactly is the optimum time to call out emotionally abusive or inappropriate behaviour?

James Franco

James Franco, 45, found himself in hot water after he started DMing a 17-year-old girl on Instagram in 2018. He met Lucy Clode, from Scotland, as she was leaving his Broadway performance in Of Mice and Men, she recorded a video of them together before tagging him in it. Franco messaged her questions such as Youre single? Whats the hotel? Should I rent a room?, which went viral after she posted them online.

Franco later claimed to have been a gentleman but admitted that the entire episode was indicative of how tricky social media is and that he had shown bad judgement.

LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 21: Adam Levine of Maroon 5 performs onstage during the iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 21, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, 44, issued a grovelling apology to his wife and children after 23-year-old model Sumner Stroh last year claimed she had a year-long affair with the rocker and posted a series of messages he sent her during that time to TikTok. These ranged from telling her he may need to see the booty to asking her her how shed feel about him naming his third child - that he was expecting with wife Victorias Secret Model Behati Prinsloo at the time - Sumner.

Levine denied the relationship went beyond online flirting, despite one of his messages saying You are 50 times hotter in person.

After Strohs big reveal other women came forward cofirming that Levines poor judgement was not a one off thing and that his sexting game left a lot to be desired. Watching your ass jiggle on that table will permanently scar me, he text one woman. Id do anything for it. Id buy it a steak dinner and whisper sweet nothings into it. Sorry, what?

Johnny Depp (Doug Peters/PA) / PA Wire

Worse, still, are the stars who employ violent imagery in their texts - like those Johnny Depp, 60, sent about Amber Heard to fellow actor Paul Bettany and revealed during the Pirates of the Caribbean stars libel case against The Sun in 2020.

Lets burn Amber! wrote Depp. Bettany responded suggesting they do a drowning test to see if Heard was a witch.

Depp was enthusiastic to the tune of three exclamation marks in his reply: Lets drown her before we burn her!!! I will f*** her burnt corpse afterwards to make sure shes dead.

Armie Hammer (Isabel Infantes/PA) / PA Archive

All this feels very much in the wheelhouse of Call Me By Your Name actor Armie Hammer, 36, who sent texts containing rape and cannibalism fanatasies to multiple women, who then shared them publicly in 2021. One read: I want to bite you... Brand you, tattoo you, mark you, shave your head and keep your hair with me, cut a piece of your skin off and make you cook it for me.

He was then accused of rape by a former girlfriend. The allegations combined with the detail in the texts were so horrifying they cost Hammer his career - his agency WME dropped him - and led to a police investigation into sexual assault (he was ultimately not charged).

Quite aside from many rich and famous men (with much to lose) simply not getting the memo that things you write down and send to people will always run the risk of being leaked, the more pressing issue is a total disregard for both basic text etiquette and, you know, the law. Hopefully, some day soon, these men will recieve their own message. Understand that texts involving threats, mortifying sexual advances using clumsy metaphors, gas lighting, guilt tripping, or sexual abuse, will never be OK.
Managing the economic responsibilities that come with receiving fleeing Sudanese is a key issue on the agenda of the Sudan Neighbours Summit that President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi is scheduled to inaugurate Thursday in Cairo.

Another busy week at the Cairo office of humanitarian NGO Caritas, as Sudanese citizens who have fled the fighting at home between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), arrive to register for financial assistance. In cooperation with the UNHCR, Caritas is facilitating access to funds for Sudanese who have registered for refugee status with UNHCR.

A Caritas worker said most of those coming to the Caritas office arrive in bad shape, with no place to go and no money to cover essentials.

Since the conflict started in the capital of Sudan mid-April, half a million Sudanese have arrived in Egypt, the majority via the Argeen border crossing. According to UNHCR, 13,000 Sudanese in Egypt have been registered as refugees eligible to receive financial assistance. UNHCR is one of several international organisations working with Sudans neighbours to provide financial assistance both to refugees and to governments that host them.

A UN source said that among Sudans neighbours Chad and South Sudan, with easier entry regulations for citizens of Sudan than Egypt, had received the largest number of Sudanese.

Managing the economic responsibilities that come with receiving fleeing Sudanese is a key issue on the agenda of the Sudan Neighbours Meeting that President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi is scheduled to inaugurate Thursay in Cairo.

The International Crisis Group predicted this week that Sudan is now facing the prospect of an extended war. An Egyptian government source said that there is no telling how the conflict will develop, and there is a threat that, if it engulfs more of the country, Sudanese already displaced internally will attempt to leave Sudan. An even more worrying possibility is that the conflict, which is already fanning ethnic tensions, particularly in Darfur, could spill over into neighbouring states.

The UN warned this week that the conflict in Sudan threatens to destabilise the entire East Africa region. For Egypt, says the government source, this is a nightmare scenario in terms of the possible influx of refugees and regional security.

In a press statement earlier in the week, Presidential Spokesperson Ahmed Fahmi said participants in the Neighbours Conference will explore ways to end the conflict in a peaceful manner and in coordination with other regional and international tracks, and contain its impacts on Sudans neighbours.

As of Tuesday, Cairo had made no announcement of who would attend the Cairo meeting. We have extended invitations to all Sudans neighbours including Ethiopia, said the government source. Whatever our problems with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the stability of Sudan is crucial to the region.

During a brief encounter with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on the sidelines of a finance conference in Paris last month, the source revealed that Egypts President Al-Sisi had pressed the need for cooperation over Sudan.

Cairo and Addis Ababa do not see eye-to-eye over their troubled neighbour. Since the beginning of the conflict, Egypt has argued that the stability of Sudan requires the support of the national armed forces, irrespective of who leads the army. It is not about [Abdel-Fattah] Al-Borhan, it is about Sudan, says the government source. We have issues with Al-Borhan and with the influence of Islamists over Sudans armed forces, but we also believe that if the army disintegrates then Sudan itself will fail. It is already a country facing a complex tribal and ethnic situation, and foreign intervention is growing.

Addis Ababa has lent its backing to RSF leader Mohamed Dagalo. Cairo-based foreign diplomatic sources confirm the direct support that Addis Ababa is giving the RSF, including arms being sent via third countries.

As well as Egypt and Ethiopia, Sudan borders Libya, the Central African Republic, Chad, Eritrea, and South Sudan. As Al-Ahram Weekly went to press on Tuesday, the government source said Cairo was still waiting for confirmations on participation and level of representation at the Neighbours Meeting.

If we are to talk about ending the humanitarian crisis and halt the influx of refugees, we must address the endgame of a political settlement, said the government source. To this end, Cairo will canvass support at the meeting for the US-Saudi diplomatic channel that has been trying to secure a ceasefire. Following the breach of every ceasefire the channel has secured till now, Washington and Riyadh last month opted to suspend the indirect talks that had been held in Jeddah.

The failure of SAF and RSF to agree a formula for integration of the two forces was a key factor in the breakout of the conflict. Mediation by several regional states and bodies, including Ethiopia and the Ethiopian-dominated Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), have failed to secure a consensual roadmap for integration.

On Monday, the SAF decided not to attend an IGAD-hosted meeting in Addis Ababa after the group refused to accommodate an SAF request that Kenyas President William Ruto be replaced as the head of the IGAD Committee on Sudan. According to the SAF-aligned Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ruto is not impartial.

In their meeting, IGAD member states Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda called for the deployment of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) in Sudan to protect civilians. EASF is a 10-member state security body which includes Sudan.

According to the Egyptian government source, the Cairo meeting of Sudans neighbours will examine ideas and proposals that have been brought to the table by other initiatives, including IGAD.

IGAD has already proposed a bigger role for the civilian forces that led the Sudanese 2019 Revolution that ousted Omar Al-Bashir and his Islamist regime. This weeks IGAD meeting was attended by some civilians who shared power with the then-united SAF and RSF before Al-Borhan introduced emergency military regulations in October 2021.

While no civilian group has been invited to the Cairo conference, the source said Cairo is consulting with political figures in Sudan, including some associated with the Forces of Freedom and Change.

The outcomes of the Cairo meeting on Sudan are expected to be examined in a series of talks which will unfold during the rest of the month. In meetings scheduled with both Ruto and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President Al-Sisi is expected to prioritise the need to bring stability to Sudan. While Kenya does not share Cairos vision on the best way to bring peace to Sudan, Ankara is closer to the Egyptian position that a unified national armed force is needed to avoid the disintegration of Sudan. Earlier this month Turkey reached out to the SAF, offering drones to balance the RSFs access to anti-craft missile systems provided by supporting states.

Meanwhile, on 27 and 28 July, Sudan will be high on the agenda of leaders participating in the Russia-Africa summit inaugurated by Russian President Vladmir Putin. Russian involvement in Africa has grown in recent years, not least via the presence of the Wagner group which has supported the RSF. Moscow is in the process of revisiting both the role of Wagner and its options in Sudan. Last month Malik Agar, who replaced Dagalo as vice president of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of the Republic of Sudan, visited Moscow for talks.

Informed diplomatic sources say that there is only one exit out of the current war in Sudan. Getting there, they argue, requires a collective decision from all players to pressure both Al-Borhan and Dagalo to step down and delegate successors to take over and to start direct talks which include civilian forces.

It is still too premature to have hopes, but work towards this end is in progress, said one source.

* Additional reporting by Haitham Nouri

* A version of this article appears in print in the 13 July, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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A man who fatally punched a pensioner over a parking dispute in north-west London has been convicted of manslaughter.

Abdelaziz Maaroufi, 25, of Alperton, was convicted at Harrow Crown Court on Wednesday of the manslaughter of 67-year-old Peter Marecheau on September 9 last year.

The court heard how Maaroufi involved himself in a parking dispute with the victim at the Abbey Industrial Estate in Alperton, where Mr Marecheau worked.

Jurors were told how the victim, known to friends and family as Frankie, worked at an industrial unit on the estate and had parked his car outside another unit where the attacker worked.

An unwritten rule on the estate was that if a car needed to be moved, someone would toot their horn and the vehicle would be moved.

Victim: Peter Marecheau / Met Police

However, on this day, the owner of the unit sounded his horn three times before Mr Marecheau emerged from his workshop.

The owner and Mr Marecheau began arguing - at which point Maaroufi got involved and pushed the victim four times.

Despite others trying to diffuse the situation and the victim backing away, Maaroufi punched him once in the face.

He fell back on the floor, severely wounding his head - injuries which would cause the victims death three days later in hospital.

Detective Inspector Louise Caveen of the Mets Specialist Crime Command said: We dont know what made Maaroufi involve himself in the argument or why he resorted to extreme violence.

Violence is never the right option, no matter what the disagreement, and anyone who allows their temper free reign in this way risks finding themselves in the same position as the defendant.

Maaroufi admitted being the person who attacked the victim, but suggested that he was acting in self-defence.

Following the manslaughter verdict, Maaroufi was remanded in custody for sentencing at the same court on Friday, July 21.
A man has been convicted of murder and four others of manslaughter over a violent attack that saw a man stabbed to death in his home in east London.

At the Old Bailey on Tuesday, 34-year-old Dwain Morrison, of Chudleigh Road, Romford, was found guilty of murdering 30-year-old Imran Isat.

Four others - Salahdin Kerbouba, Ronnie Haydon, Paul Higgins, and Dominic Diop - were convicted of manslaughter for their part in the brutal attack.

Dwaine Morrison has been convicted of Imran Isats murder / Met Police

Mr Isat was watching TV with friends at his home in Springfield Drive, Ilford, on March 19 last year, when five men armed with knives and machetes burst through the front door around 1.15am.

It is thought the gang were after drugs, or money, or both.

Two of the gang broke down this flatmates door, while the other three went upstairs to the living room, where Mr Isat and his friends were watching TV.

Mr Isat tried to block the intruders from entering the room, but a struggle broke out as he tried to shut the door on them.

One of the men, armed with a large knife, stabbed Mr Isat through a gap in the door, forcing him backwards.

The robbers forced their way in wielding knives and machetes, shouting wheres the stuff?

Mr Isat asked the intruders not to hurt him and told them to take what they wanted, but one of the robbers stabbed him while another struck one of his friends on the head.

One of the robbers then shouted weve found it, and lets go, before running from the scene.

CCTV later showed Higgins leaving with a bag and a suitcase, and returning inside to get a second suitcase. Haydon also left carrying a bag.

None of the defendants ever told police what was in the bags and police were never able to establish what they stole.

Paramedics and police rushed to the property but were unable to save Mr Isat, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Clockwise from top left: Ronnie Haydon, Dominic Diop, Paul Higgins, Salahdin Kerbouba, who have been convicted of Imran Isats manslaughter / Met Police/ES composite

A post-mortem examination later found he had been stabbed five times - with the fatal wound having penetrated his heart.

Scotland Yard launched a murder investigation and soon found the robbery had been planned.

CCTV and doorbell cameras showed some members of the gang keeping the house under surveillance.

They had arrived in two cars, both displaying false number plates, but through extensive CCTV work and phone analysis detectives tracked their movements before and after a brutal robbery.

The five gang members were arrested in July 2022, and all refused to answer police questions.

They were charged with robbery and murder.

Three - Diop, Higgins and Morrison - pleaded guilty to robbery but not guilty to murder.

Haydon admitted he was at the scene, but denied robbery as he stated he did not use or threaten violence.

Kerbouba was the only one who denied he was ever at the scene, and he pleaded not guilty to murder and robbery. However, after hearing all of the evidence, the jury found all five guilty of their role in the attack.

Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke from the Mets Specialist Crime, said: This killing was pointless.

It is probable that when the fatal stab wound was inflicted, Mr Isat was on the ground and not offering any resistance. It was a callous act of brutality that took his life. We may never know what the gang stole, but it was surely not worth killing a man while he was helpless on the ground.

Despite their efforts to avoid detection, the extensive police inquiry was able to identify and arrest those responsible. These men have been found guilty for their roles in the attack and face years in prison - they will now have to deal with the consequences of their acts of violence.
T eachers in England represented by the NASUWT union have voted in favour of industrial action in a dispute over pay, meaning schools could face further strike action in autumn.

Nearly nine out of 10 teacher members of the NASUWT union who voted in the ballot backed strike action.

The union - which passed the 50 per cent ballot turnout required by law - has said it plans to stage continuous action short of strike action starting in September.

Dates for strike action in the autumn term will also be considered and it will be coordinated with other unions where possible, the union said.

Overall, 88.5 per cent of NASUWT teacher members in England who voted in the ballot backed strikes and 94.3 per cent backed action short of strikes, with a turnout of 51.9 per cent.

Patrick Roach, NASUWT general secretary, said: Today our members have sent a strong message to the government and to employers that teachers demand a better deal on pay and to address excessive workload and working hours.

Our members have secured the largest mandate for industrial action by the NASUWT in over a decade, exceeding the government's anti-trade union ballot thresholds.

We have today written to the government and to employers confirming the prospect for industrial action in schools the length and breadth of the country from this autumn."
M ining giant BHP has been accused of putting profit over peoples lives as indigenous protesters have called for justice over a dam collapse that caused a historic environmental and humanitarian disaster in Brazil.

The Anglo-Australian company, which denies liability, is arguing for Brazilian mining firm Vale to be a co-defendant in a UK lawsuit, which has been brought by 700,000 claimants affected by the collapse of the Fundao dam in 2015 in eastern Brazil.

Some of the claimants travelled from Brazil to protest outside the hearing at the High Court in London, where BHP is listed, on Wednesday.

It comes as the firm faces paying 36 billion in damages for its role in the mining disaster that killed 19 people and caused an enormous area of land to be flooded with toxic mud.

Among the protesters were members of the Krenak, Guarani, Tupiniquim and Pataxos indigenous communities, who wore headdresses, sang songs and played the maracas.

They carried signs which read: BHP/Vale = Climate criminals and Justice for BHP Billiton and Vales crime in the Doce River.

Dirlene Krenak, 52, grew tearful as she told the PA news agency that they were singing a song for the river, which they consider sacred and was integral to their everyday lives before it was polluted with toxic mud.

Ms Krenak said: We used to sing this song for the river, because it was very rich. There were plenty of fish and its very hard to sing this song nowadays because theres nothing there anymore.

It was where we got our food from, its where we baptised our children, its our place of recreation and were never going to get that back.

She added that the court case in London is a cry for help for this country to look at us, to look at us there, at what happened and how the company should be held accountable.

We dont feel well to have to come this far, leaving our families and children behind to ask for help, she said.

Monica dos Santos, from the resistance group Loucos Pelo Bem, told PA that the victims are living with the consequences of the disaster everyday.

It affected us enormously. It completely affected the animals, the forests, the indigenous people. It destroyed our lives, our materials, everything.

It is eight years since the crime, she added.

In Brazil we havent been compensated. We havent received anything. We havent even received the land to be resettled.

We came here to ask for justice because we trust the justice system here.

Tom Goodhead, global managing partner of Pogust Goodhead, representing the claimants, accused BHP of putting profit over peoples lives time and time again.

He said: This is yet another desperate attempt by BHP to delay facing the consequences of the pain and devastation they have caused.

The victims of Brazils worst ever environmental disaster will be horrified to see the worlds two biggest mining companies fighting each other in court instead of providing full and fair redress.

Alongside their total failure to provide full and fair compensation to the victims, BHP have also exposed their investors to extraordinary levels of risk in relation to the unprecedented compensation bill they now face.

Felipe Hotta, a partner at Pogust Goodhead working on the case, said very little compensation has been granted to victims in Brazil.

He said: Our clients are tired, they just want to move on with their lives. Its not even about the money itself for most of them. They just want to put an end to this and move on.

During the hearings this week, Vale will challenge BHPs claim that the two companies should split any damages.

Vale is also being sued in Brazil for its role in the disaster.

Both companies set up the Renova Foundation to pay reparations to victims following the disaster with BHP ring-fencing nearly 3 billion.

But the claimants lawyers say this sum is not nearly enough to cover the extent of the damage and loss the victims have suffered.

A spokesperson for BHP said: BHP will continue to defend the UK group action and denies the claims in their entirety.

BHP Brasil continues to work closely with Samarco and Vale to support the reparation and compensation programs implemented by Renova Foundation under the supervision of the Brazilian courts.

To date, Renova has provided financial assistance and made indemnification payments to over 417,000 people and spent more than 30 billion Brazilian Real (4.8 billion) on reparation and compensatory actions.
M ore than 100,000 London teenagers have vaped, figures show, amid growing calls for a ban on the marketing of vape products to children.

The latest data from the Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use survey estimates that 15 per cent of children aged between 11 and 15 in the capital had used an e-cigarette in 2021.

Labour claimed the figure amounted to around 101,000 students across the capital, with some 34,000 children describing themselves as regular e-cigarette users.

It is illegal to sell vapes to children aged under 18, but health experts have warned that are being targeted by e-cigarette companies using colourful packaging and fruity flavours.

While it is less harmful than smoking, vaping still carries a health risk. Most vapes contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance which can impair the development of the brain during adolescence.

Last month, NHS figures revealed 40 children and young people were admitted to hospital in England last year for vaping related disorders, up from 11 two years earlier.

Labour will on Wednesday table a motion in the House of Commons calling for a ban the marketing of vapes to children.

A study by Kings College London (KCL), published in March, found that removing eye-catching packaging was associated with a decrease in interest for teenagers without lessening the appeal of vaping to adults who smoke.

Labour's Shadow Public Health Minister Andrew Gwynne said: We cannot allow a new generation of kids to get hooked on nicotine.

Vapes are a stop smoking tool for adults, they aren't for kids. It's shameful that the Government is allowing vaping companies to profit by targeting children with their addictive substances.

The next Labour Government will ban the packaging and marketing of vapes to children and give every child a healthy start to life.

A source close to Health Secretary Steve Barclay accused the party of playing political games by triggering a Commons debate, saying that ministers were already cracking down on illegal vape sales and recently held a call-for-evidence to inform further measures to curb youth vaping.

Conservatives are acting to protect children from the potential harms of vaping and cutting NHS waiting lists, they added.

Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) launched a consultation on youth vaping, which closed on June 6. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has already pledged to close a loophole that allows shops to offer free samples of vapes to children in England.

Tory MP Dr Caroline Johnson told the Health and Social Care Committee last month that eight children from a secondary school in her constituency required hospital treatment after using electronic cigarettes.

She said: I was talking to a teacher from my constituency just recently who said that she has pupils in her school who are struggling to get through a double maths lesson because they need to go out and vape.

They are vaping in their school bathrooms in between lessons. Some of them are struggling with a whole nights sleep because theyre waking up desperate to have a vape, and so the degree to which some of our children are getting addicted to these things is really very concerning.
C onstruction work has finally begun on a state of the art new eye hospital in St Pancras which will see researchers and doctors work together under one roof.

The Oriel centre, on the site of St Pancras Hospital, will offer transformative care to Londoners from 2027.

It will replace Moorfield Eye Hospital in Old Street whilst also acting as a new home for researchers from the University College London (UCL) Institute of Ophthalmology. It is hoped that the pathway from research to new treatments can be accelerated through collaboration between frontline doctors and scientists, who previously worked in separate buildings.

Health minister Lord Markham attended a breaking ground celebration for the hospital on Tuesday morning alongside key staff involved in the development, NHS leaders and leadership donors who are supporting the project.

Oriel is among the 40 new hospitals promised through the Governments New Hospital Programme. It is the first hospital on the programme in London where building work has begun following delays to Whipps Cross in Leytonstone and Epsom and St Helier in Sutton.

Dr Martin Kuper, Moorfields Eye Hospital chief executive, told the Standard: What were hoping to do is accelerate innovation, with a shared coffee space for doctors and researchers. We want them to chat and develop new ideas.

The aim is to speed up the pathway from developing ground-breaking new ideas into deploying them into patient care. Traditionally that takes 18 years, but we believe it could be quicker than that.

Ophthalmology is currently the busiest outpatient speciality in secondary care and makes up almost 10 per cent of the entire NHS waiting list.

Dr Kuper said that the extra theatre capacity would help to bring down the number of Londoners waiting for care.

We are doing well with waiting lists compared to our other providers but they are still a challenge. The more capacity we have, the more people we can treat.

Professor Alan Thompson, Dean of the UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences, said: The population is aging and therefore eye problems are getting worse. This will make things harder for the NHS. But if you can diagnose and treat a condition early on, patients wont need to keep coming back for treatment because they will be cured. This hospital is a direct, transformative intervention that will reduce the number of patients coming forward in the long term.

The Oriel site was previously owned by Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust. In February 2023, Moorfields acquired the site through an NHS-to-NHS transaction approved by ministers and a 300 million contract was awarded to Bouygues UK to build Oriel.

Demolition of six buildings on the Oriel site started in late February and construction of the 10-storey, 47,000 sq. m centre has now begun on site.
A new portable test for dementia and Alzheimers disease could help spot cases sooner  helping patients to get treatments earlier, experts have said.

Scientists testing the device, known as Fastball EEG, have been awarded a 1.5 million funding boost by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

Researchers from the universities of Bath and Bristol are to scale up the assessment of the test, which has been dubbed simple but revolutionary.

Dr George Stothart and Dr Liz Coulthard said that cases of dementia and Alzheimers disease are typically diagnosed years after the disease has progressed, and that diagnosing cases sooner would help people get treatments and interventions sooner  which could slow the rate of decline.

Dementia is currently diagnosed too late  typically up to 20 years after the disease has first begun. Quicker, more accurate ways to diagnose dementia are greatly needed so that patients can get treatments earlier and families can plan better for the future, which is why we are so excited for the potential of Fastball EEG.

The test measures patients brain waves while they are watching a series of images displayed on a screen.

Users wear a electroencephalogram (EEG) headset, which is linked to a computer for analysis.

Previous research suggests the test is effective at picking up small, subtle changes in brain waves which occur when a person remembers an image.

The researchers said that this response changes as a person develops dementia, which offers some hope for early diagnosis.

They hope that in the future the test could help lower the age of diagnosis by up to five years in the short term, and by more in the future.

The academics said that current diagnosis often relies on a series of subjective questions to test a persons memory, which is limited and can be impacted by a persons education, language skills or nervousness.

They said that because the Fastball headset test is completely passive, peoples responses are less likely to be impacted by the test itself.

Another plus point is that the test is portable and can be conducted in a patients home, they added.

Thanks to the new funding boost, the researchers will embark on a five-year project to test Fastball on more than 1,000 people in a dementia clinic in Bristol.

They will also work with commercial partners Cumulus Neuroscience to develop the technology into a product that can be rolled out across the NHS.

Dr Stothart, project co-lead from the the University of Bath, said: Nearly all of us will know someone, or be caring for someone, with dementia.

The costs to families, and to the NHS is enormous and is set to rise as our population ages.

Yet, dementia is currently diagnosed too late  typically up to 20 years after the disease has first begun.

Quicker, more accurate ways to diagnose dementia are greatly needed so that patients can get treatments earlier and families can plan better for the future, which is why we are so excited for the potential of Fastball EEG and the development of our work through this significant new funding and the collaborations it will enable.

Dr Coulthard, associate professor in dementia neurology at the University of Bristol, added: Patients can wait a long time for diagnosis and some of our current tests can be inaccurate and sometimes stressful for them.

A quick, easy-to-administer memory test, like Fastball, could transform a patients journey to diagnosis.

As we adopt new treatments into clinical practice, we will need to scale-up our ability to diagnose people at an early stage of Alzheimers and avoid language barriers. Fastball offers the opportunity to improve Alzheimers diagnosis equitably.
A council bordering London has banned signs for the Ulez congestion charge from its land.

Essex County Council passed a motion opposing Mayor Sadiq Khan expansion of the scheme to cover all of Greater London next month.

It will ban any new signage on land it owns, reported the BBC.

The expansion of Ulez to outer London boroughs has proved controversial both inside and outside of London.

The Mayor operates a scrappage scheme for non-compliant vehicles, but this does not extend to those living outside London but who may drive into the capital.

Drivers of non-Ulez compliant cars, those which are older and do not meet emissions standards, will be required to pay 12.50 to enter London.

Several areas in the area will be on the border of the zone such as Purfleet, Brentwood and Loughton.

The councils Cllr Holly Whitbread said: In Essex, hundreds of residents are attacked by ULEZ, which is a tax without accountability.

This council recognises the importance of air quality for Essex residents.

It comes as Mayor Sadiq Khan awaits the outcome of a legal bid by five Tory councils - Harrow, Hillingdon, Bexley and Bromley, and Surrey county council - opposed to the expansion on August 29.

A two-day judicial review hearing concluded at the High Court last week, with a ruling due at the end of the month.

The councils allege that TfLs consultation on the proposed expansion had been inadequate and confusing. They say Mr Khan acted beyond his powers over the expansion.

However, the Mayor has said he is working on the basis... that the Ulez will be expanded to all of London towards the end of August.

Defeat for the five councils would effectively green-light the expanded zone.
L ondon City Airport has announced it plans to appeal against Newham Councils decision to refuse its application to increase passenger numbers and extend its opening hours.

The airport submitted plans in December 2022 to raise its annual passenger cap from 6.5 million to 9 million, introduce more morning flights, and allow flights on Saturday afternoons.

But the application was unanimously rejected by councillors on Monday afternoon over noise pollution fears.

In a statement relased on Tuesday, the airport said: This was the wrong decision and did not properly balance the limited impacts with the very significant benefits of the proposals, particularly in the context of Government policy, including making best-use of existing runway capacity.

Chief Executive Robert Sinclair, said: We are disappointed with Newham Councils refusal of our proposals that will deliver significant benefits to our local community  including new jobs, more choice of holiday destinations for passengers and better local transport connections.

We have worked incredibly hard to develop proposals that genuinely reflect concerns raised, sought feedback from our local community and worked closely with the Councils planning officers. Their views are built into our proposals to ensure that we addressed appropriate concerns and continue to be a good neighbour and local employer.

If the appeal can be determined shortly, our airlines will be able to progress refleeting to cleaner, quieter, new generation aircraft sooner; delivering more choice for passengers, more jobs for local people and reducing the overall noise impact as early as next summer.

Under a decades-long curfew, flights are not allowed from 12.30pm Saturday to 12.30pm Sunday to provide respite for nearby residents.

But in its rejected application, London City Airport sought to extend its operating hours on Saturdays to allow take-offs and landings until 6.30pm, and wanted to add three additional early morning flights on weekdays.

It proposed that only cleaner, quieter, new generation aircraft would be allowed to fly in these extended periods.

It added that the proposals would create an extra 4,500 additional jobs across London, and boost Londons economy by as much as 702m, as well as enhance connectivity and passenger choice by allowing airlines to serve new routes.

But councillors from Newham Councils Strategic Development Committee rejected the proposals after hearing the introduction of extra flights would result in a materially new and substantial harm through noise pollution.

Objectors also raised concerns about increased carbon emissions.

Among those speaking in opposition, Cllr Nate Higgins of the Green Party said the airport was a blight on residents and said it should be closed, not expanded.

There is so much potential for this area but it is being held back by a polluting airport which is causing misery for residents and is used by so few, he said.

Instead, were discussing an expansion which will exacerbate disruption and affect residents who are already unhappy about noise pollution caused by the airport.

This proposal will only add to their grievances, replacing much needed respite on Saturdays with further disturbance.

Nine neighbouring councils and four MPs for surrounding areas had also opposed the proposals.

The application will now be referred to the Greater London Authority (GLA) for a final decision in what is called a Stage 2 referral.

Lloyd Johnson, Chairman of Newham Chamber of Commerce, was among those backing the proposal, which he said would bring more business, jobs and investment to Newham, supporting the ongoing regeneration of the Royal Docks and helping level-up Newham with additional economic activity.

John Dickie, Chief Executive at BusinessLDN, also endorsed the plan, saying: City Airport is an important part of the aviation network that keeps London  and the UK  connected to the global economy.

We must continue to enhance our links with the rest of the world in the face of strong international competition for talent, investment, and tourism.

Meanwhile Tom Stoddart, CEO of British Airways CityFlyer, said: The proposals will improve choice and connections for our customers, as well as create considerable employment opportunities and support economic growth in local areas.

Newham Council said: The refusal reflects the councils continued concerns over the noise and environmental impact of the airport on those living nearby. These concerns were shared by a number of other boroughs who also submitted objections to the proposals.

The application will now be referred to the GLA. The [Strategic Development] Committees decision upholds the recommendation made by planning officers who assessed these environmental considerations against London City Airports case for the proposal, which emphasised its economic benefits.
L ondons first new road tunnel in over 30 years, the Silvertown Tunnel, has long been contentious, with Newham council and Greenwich council opposing the project. The idea behind the tunnel is to reduce congestion through the Blackwall Tunnel, which often suffers from heavy traffic.

However, campaigners are hoping to halt work on the tunnel because of concerns about traffic and air pollution.

Find out what you need to know about the Silvertown Tunnel below.

What is the Silvertown Tunnel?

The Silvertown Tunnel is a planned 0.9-mile tunnel under the River Thames linking the Royal Docks and the North Greenwich peninsula.

Permission for the tunnel was granted in May 2018, and a 1 billion contract was signed in 2019. Construction began in March 2021, with the aim of opening the tunnel in 2025. The southbound bore of the tunnel has been completed and work on the northbound bore is about to begin.

The proposed route of the Silvertown Tunnel / TfL

TfL said: A modern tunnel combined with a user charge and improved cross-river public transport will improve the reliability and resilience of the wider road network.

TfL says the tunnel will help reduce chronic congestion at the Blackwall Tunnel and allow for better public transport links, including more cross-river bus journeys.

TfL said the tunnel would reduce the environmental impact of traffic congestion on some of Londons most polluted roads.

To stop more vehicles from using those crossings, the plan is for both tunnels to have tolls, with HGVs potentially paying 7.50 a day. TfL modelling said there wont be an increase in pollution or congestion if there are tolls.

Sadiq Khan has the power to introduce the levy, but this could always be reversed by a future Mayor of London.

Why are there protests against the Silvertown Tunnel?

Protesters believe that the tunnel will increase traffic and air pollution in London, and say tolls at Silvertown Tunnel and Blackwall Tunnel would deter motorists.

Instead of using the Dartford Crossing, larger HGVs will be able to use the tunnel  and there will be a bus lane. Campaigners said that will mean more HGVs going through Newham and Greenwich.

Victoria Rance, of Stop Silvertown Tunnel Coalition, told the BBC that the tunnel will increase carbon emissions and worsen air quality.

Its going to take 25,000 to 30,000 vehicles into Newham, Ms Rance said.

Its going to attract new HGVs into Greenwich, past our schools and our kids and into Newham  the most polluted borough in the UK. 

Timi Jibogu, Greenwich member of Youth Parliament, also told the BBC: [Sadiq Khan] is doing ULEZ to decrease pollution while doing the tunnel to increase [it].

Its very hypocritical of him and its really going to hurt young people in the area.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received Speaker of the Great National Assembly of Turkiye Numan Kurtulmus.

Numan Kurtulmus conveyed President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogans greetings to the head of state.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked for the greetings, and asked the speaker to pass on his greetings to Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The head of state once again conveyed his congratulations on the victory in the presidential and parliamentary elections held in Turkiye.

The sides hailed the successful development of the friendly and brotherly relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye in all areas, including the interparliamentary cooperation. The President of Azerbaijan noted that Numan Kurtulmus`s visit would contribute to the development of bilateral ties.

During the conversation, they stressed the importance of strengthening the Organization of Turkic States and cementing cooperation within this organization and TURKPA.
The Cairo summit aims to build on global efforts to end the fighting in Sudan, including those of Saudi Arabia, the US, the African Union, and IGAD.

Multiple initiatives have been taken to end the fighting in Sudan, which will be in its fourth month this week. The conflict has had disastrous consequences for the people and the country, but there are signs that neighbouring African nations, key regional Arab countries and the international community all recognise that the current, dire situation cannot continue, and are determined not to abandon Sudan.

On 13 July Egypt will a summit of Sudans neighbouring countries to discuss ways to end the conflict and its repercussions for Sudanese infrastructure, governing institutions and territorial integrity. The summit will also be tackling the effects of the war on neighbouring countries that have had to provide immediate help to the Sudanese fleeing their country, accepting more than 600,000 refugees so far.

More than 2.2 million Sudanese civilians have been internally displaced without access to their basic needs as many of the key government services, as well as banks and industries stopped operating. Worst of all is that, of the over 3,000 killed and many thousands injured, most are innocent civilians caught into the fighting, unable to leave their houses or reach one of the few functioning hospitals remaining. Many areas suffer power and water shortages as well as looting, lawlessness, and lack of food.

Equally dangerous is the fact that the fighting has been spreading to other parts of Sudan, and not limited to the capital. The Western region of Darfur, as well as the southern regions of Kurdufan and the Blue Nile have seen clashes between the Sudanese army and rebel groups, increasing human suffering and the outflow of refugees.

Meanwhile, reports on possible ceasefires have become meaningless for the Sudanese people, who have over a dozen truces collapse, some within hours of being declared.

Those dire conditions are the key reason behind the resurgence of efforts to stop the fighting in Sudan. The Cairo summit will seek to build on efforts made by many countries since the outbreak of war on 15 April between the Commander of Sudans Army Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and leader of the Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti. Key among those efforts were those of Saudi Arabia and the United States in Jeddah, as well as the African Union and the East African gathering of IGAD, which concluded its own meeting on Monday.

The aim of the summit, hosted by President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, will be to reach effective mechanisms, with the participation of neighbouring countries, to settle the crisis in Sudan peacefully, in coordination with other regional and international tracks to resolve the crisis, according to a statement of the presidency.

It added that the meeting is being held in light of the effort by President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi to formulate a common vision for the countries directly neighbouring Sudan, to take steps to solve the crisis and stop the bloodshed of the Sudanese people. Leaders of Sudans neighbours will also tackle how to limit the continuing grave effects of the crisis on neighbouring countries and the security and stability of the entire region, the statement added.

Egypt has historically enjoyed close relations with Sudan, and is already the largest recipient of Sudanese refugees who have been welcomed and treated as residents. Even before the fighting started, Egypt hosted over four million Sudanese people, many from South Sudan, who have been living here before the country became independent in 2011. Equally important, the two countries share a common lifeline: the Nile River; and Egyptians and Sudanese refer to themselves as Abnaa Al-Neel, or children of the Nile.

The arrival of more than 220,000 people from Sudan over the past three months highlights the deep ties that bind the two countries. The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) said in a recent statement, since the beginning of the crisis, Egypt has received the largest number of arrivals from the war in Sudan The numbers are increasing rapidly with the arrival of up to 5,000 people per day to the borders of Qastal and Arqin crossings. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees expects that the total arrivals to Egypt will reach 350,000 people within the next six months.

What might also give Egypt a privilege, and perhaps a chance for success in this renewed effort to end the war in Sudan is that it maintains positive relations with all the various parties and factions there. Since the war broke out, Cairo has stressed that any solution to the crisis must be reached by the Sudanese people themselves, without negative intervention by outside parties.

In this context, Egypt has maintained open contacts with both warring sides, and supports efforts by key Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as close strategic partners in the United States and Europe to end the fighting. Our hope is that the Cairo summit will be a successful first step towards helping end the ongoing suffering of the Sudanese people.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 13 July, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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A n independent inquiry should examine the Metropolitan Polices bungled handling of information about a sixth suspect in the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence, according to MPs.

Labours Clive Efford said the police were expert at mishandling information relating to Matthew White, who the BBC named as the sixth suspect in the case.

The MP for Eltham, where 18-year-old Mr Lawrence was murdered in April 1993, said the latest revelations raised the suspicion that yet again corruption hampered the investigation from the start.

All of this means that there should be a further inquiry, which must be completely independent of the Met

Mr Lawrence as murdered by a group of five or six racist attackers in south-east London, but only two of his killers have faced justice, Gary Dobson and David Norris were jailed for life in 2012.

The BBC last month named White, who died aged 50 in 2021, and outlined the bungled handling of the evidence against him.

Two witnesses said White had confessed to being present during the attack, one of whom, his stepfather, was not spoken to by police until 20 years after the murder because officers had previously misidentified him.

Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Mr Lawrences mother, expressed fury that White would never face justice because of police mistakes.

The Met said White was arrested twice over the murder, but on both occasions there was not enough evidence for a prosecution.

Mr Efford told a Westminster Hall debate: The conclusion of the Macpherson Inquiry was that incompetence not corruption hampered the investigation.

But what the police were expert at was mishandling information relating to Matthew White. So many times can it be explained by incompetence.

He raised questions about the case, including: Why did (former Met commissioner Cressida Dick) state when she shutdown the ongoing investigation into Stephens murder that there are no viable lines of inquiry?

Will the Met now apologise and accept that that wasnt true?

Why was chief inspector Clive Driscoll forced to retire when he had uncovered more discarded evidence that warranted further investigation and has resulted in Matthew White being named as the sixth suspect?

All of this means that there should be a further inquiry, which must be completely independent of the Met.

What has been exposed goes beyond incompetence and we cannot leave it here.

The Met needs to be dismantled once and for all.

Labour MP Marsha de Cordova (Battersea) said it appeared there is a cancer, that is deep-rooted, of corruption within the Metropolitan Police and it appears to still be live and kicking.

Ms de Cordova, intervening on party colleague Janet Daby (Lewisham East), said: Firstly, the Met needs to be dismantled once and for all.

Does she also agree that yes we absolutely need an independent inquiry into this, but also the Met commissioner now must also be held to account for these actions.

It cannot go on any longer that justice is not served for the Lawrence family.

The Casey Review, published in March, found the force to be institutionally racist, misogynist and homophobic in the wake of a series of scandals, including the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer and Pc David Carrick being unmasked as a serial rapist.

We can't bring him back, but we can do more to strain every sinew to learn every possible lesson from this awful crime

Home Office minister Sarah Dines, responding to calls for an independent investigation, suggested MPs should wait until the recommendations of Lady Caseys review have been acted upon.

Ms Dines said: I look forward to the work that Baroness Casey outlines into us having more confidence in the Met Police, and I think that it is right that that work is done, and it is right that there is a little time given to do that work and that we must expect progress.

The minister added: Though we have seen progress in the Met in a number of areas since the awful murder of Steven there is much to do.

It is imperative that the Met working with key partners including HMICFRS (His Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services) continue the process to restore the publics confidence that they are getting the high quality of service that they desire and we all have a right to expect.

The Government has confidence in the commissioners leadership and his plans to turn around the Met, to ensure the force is delivering for all communities.

She concluded: My thoughts are with the family of Stephen for the loss of their loved one, who have had such a shattering loss.

We cant bring him back, but we can do more to strain every sinew to learn every possible lesson from this awful crime.
R ishi Sunak told Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky he belonged in Nato as he assured him real progress had been made on providing security guarantees for Kyiv in its fightback against Russia.

The Prime Minister met the Ukrainian president on the fringes of the Nato summit in Vilnius.

Mr Zelensky has been left frustrated by the reluctance of the 31 member states to agree a timetable for wartorn Ukraine to be admitted into the international defensive alliance.

He had said it was absurd for Nato to insist there are still military and democratic conditions for the eastern European country to meet before it can join following the end of the conflict with Moscow.

Greeting Mr Zelensky in the Lithuanian capital on Wednesday, Mr Sunak said: It is good to see you here at Nato where you belong.

Mr Zelensky said it was good news that they could advance talks on security guarantees for his people, with Mr Sunak assuring him that real progress had been made in that regard.

The British premier has consistently stated that he sees Ukraines place as being in Nato but its pathway to entry has proved a sticking point among allies in Vilnius.

Mr Sunak has been working behind the scenes to deliver a non-Nato multilateral defence and economic agreement for Ukraine to give it long-term support against current and future Russian aggression.

All members of the G7  made up of the UK, the US, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada  are set to sign the pact with Ukraine while in Vilnius.

The Prime Minister has said the fresh terms have the potential to return peace to Europe.

Little detail has been published about what the G7 pact entails but No 10 said it would lead to increased intelligence sharing, further training of Ukraines forces and plans to boost Kyivs own defence industry.

Downing Street, in a readout of their meeting, said Mr Sunak told his counterpart the G7 security accord marked the new high point in support for Ukraine.

Both leaders, however, agreed the deal will not be a substitute for Nato membership.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace appeared to suggest Mr Zelensky needed to be mindful about keeping doubting politicians in the US on-side, particularly with a presidential election coming up next year, following his critical remarks about Nato.

Mr Wallace said some allies providing defensive aid to Kyiv want to see gratitude.

He said the US and the UK have told Ukraine that were not Amazon  a reference to the online retail giant  after being handed requests for new weapons.

In a press conference with Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, Mr Zelensky appeared to have calmed some of his language following Tuesdays criticism of the alliance.

Mr Zelensky said it was logical and understandable that Ukraine could not be admitted immediately as the struggle against Russia meant the conflict would develop into a world war.

But he said Nato had sent signals that were important when it came to Ukraine becoming a member state.

Already we can hear some confident statements (about) when the conditions will be met, said Mr Zelensky, who was speaking through a translator.

As well as holding talks with Mr Sunak, the Ukrainian leader also met other G7 heads of state, including German chancellor Olaf Scholz and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.

He is expected to meet US president Joe Biden later on Wednesday.

During the opening exchanges of their meeting, Mr Sunak praised the efforts of Ukraines armed forces in the pushback against Moscows invading forces.

The Prime Minister said: What your soldiers are doing on the front line, it is inspiring to everyone.

Were proud to have played a part in training some of them.

They have served with enormous bravery and courage.

Mr Zelensky said his armed forces had undergone good training missions in the UK, with Mr Sunak adding it was clear the exercises had been put to good use.

During their bilateral, Conservative Party leader Mr Sunak suggested the pair meet alone without aides present, with the Ukrainian president agreeing that we will be two for the talks.

Such a move had previously been seen as unusual, but it has become a regular tactic of Mr Sunak in recent months to meet with his closest allies on a one-to-one basis.

The Prime Minister and Mr Zelensky spoke privately in Japan at the G7 in May, while Mr Sunak and French president Emmanuel Macron dismissed their advisers during discussions at the UK-France Summit in Paris in March.

Later on Wednesday, Mr Sunak and Mr Zelensky met again ahead of the first Nato-Ukraine Commission.

Natos secretary general said the joint commission was a truly historic moment.

Mr Stoltenberg told Mr Zelensky: Today we meet as equals. And I look forward to the day we meet as allies.
N adine Dorries was referred to the Tory chief whip by the UKs most senior civil servant over claims she sent forceful messages to senior civil servants after failing to receive a peerage in Boris Johnsons resignation honours list.

Appearing at the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Cabinet Secretary Simon Case said he had flagged communications from the Johnson loyalist to senior officials to both the Commons Speaker and the chief whip.

Tory MP and committee chairman William Wragg asked Mr Case if he was aware of any rather forceful communications sent by Ms Dorries to senior civil servants about potentially using the platform of the Commons and indeed her own television programme to get to the bottom of why she hadnt been given a peerage?

Mr Case said: Yes, was aware of those communications and have flagged them to both the chief whip and Speaker of the House.

Asked if he had taken legal advice on whether the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 could come into play, the top civil servant said he was seeking further advice on that question. So taken initial advice, but asked for more.

The Liberal Democrats called on the Prime Minister to withdraw the Tory whip and called for an investigation.

Deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: These allegations are staggering and its crucial a swift investigation takes place into whether Nadine Dorries may have broken the law.

Not only is Dorries failing to represent the people of Mid Bedfordshire, but now it emerges she has allegedly sent threatening messages to civil servants.

The least Rishi Sunak can do is suspend her by withdrawing the Conservative whip while any investigation takes place.

PA news agency understands that while initial advice was sought on whether there had been a breach of the legislation, it was advised that there had not been.

Mr Case, it is understood, then sought further advice on the construction and application of the law rather than into the conduct of Ms Dorries.

It comes as it was confirmed that the MP, who had announced her intention to stand down but remains in the Commons, has written a book titled The Plot: The Political Assassination Of Boris Johnson.

It will be published days before the Tory Party conference in September.

The former prime ministers staunch ally claims to have uncovered a fault line within the Conservative Party through conversations with Cabinet ministers, civil servants and party officials which form the basis of her account.

The book, for which Ms Dorries received 20,500 as a partial advance from HarperCollins, is billed as the story of treachery and deceit at the heart of the Westminster machine.

It is set to hit the stands on September 28  just three days before Conservatives convene for the annual party conference on October 1.

The former culture secretary said: I had wanted to discover the forces behind the downfall of the prime minister. Instead, I found a fault line within the Conservative Party stretching back decades, and a history of deception fuelled by the darkest political arts.

If you thought that power flowed from the people into Parliament, be prepared to think again.

Ms Dorries was among eight Conservative parliamentarians recently rebuked for her conduct in relation to the Privileges Committee investigation of Mr Johnson.

The cross-party panel, which ultimately found Mr Johnson lied to MPs with his repeated denials of pandemic-era parties in Downing Street, accused his loyalists of a co-ordinated attempt to undermine its work.

The Privileges Committee ultimately triggered Mr Johnsons resignation from Parliament in protest at its recommendation that he should face a lengthy suspension for misleading the Commons.

His supporters attacked the Labour-led but Tory-majority panel as a witch hunt and kangaroo court  with the former prime minister found to be complicit in the campaign.

Ms Dorries, perhaps Mr Johnsons staunchest ally, has announced her intention to quit as an MP but is yet to do so formally as she seeks answers over the peerage she never received in his resignation honours list.

HarperCollins said The Plot aims to trace Mr Johnsons rise to power with a landslide victory in the 2019 election and his prime ministerial downfall three years later.

The former prime minister was ultimately forced out of No 10 after losing the confidence of his party following a series of political crises.

Adam Humphrey, HarperNonFiction publisher, said: Nadines unique vantage point, unparalleled access to sources, and innate storytelling ability will provide readers of The Plot with a rare opportunity to walk the corridors of power and understand the behind-the-scenes machinations of Westminster.

The Plot is an urgent look at how our government really operates, and I look forward to it adding to the current political discourse.
T he UKs most senior civil servant has hit out at attempts to weaponise the row over partygate investigator Sue Gray, as he rejected Boris Johnsons criticism of the former civil servant.

Appearing before MPs on Wednesday, Cabinet Secretary Simon Case criticised attacks on the civil service and disparaged the dehumanising language of the blob, an increasingly common refrain among some Tory MPs to describe officials.

Ms Gray became the centre of a political row, after it emerged she would be taking a job as chief of staff to Sir Keir Starmer. The move prompted vocal criticism by the former prime minister, as well as attacks by his allies and backers.

The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) said last month it had seen no evidence that her decision making or impartiality was impaired while serving in Whitehall.

Mr Case, asked by committee chair and Conservative MP William Wragg about Mr Johnsons criticism, said: We found no evidence that Sues report was affected by party-political considerations.

And actually I am not sure the timeline, as we now understand it from the material in the Acoba judgment, quite works.

Sues report was produced early in 2022, her first contact as we understand it from the material she provided to Acoba was in October 2022.

So there seems to be a timeline, a gap, as well.

The last five years or so have seen, I think, an increased number of attacks on civil servants individually and collectively by significant political figures which has undoubtedly undermined the good functioning of government

Later, he told Tory MP David Jones: It has been particularly important that we assure ourselves and ministers that ministers are comfortable and happy that the impartiality of the Civil Service has been upheld. They are satisfied it has.

Undoubtedly, there are people who have sought to weaponise this case.

He also said that there was no evidence Ms Gray had breached impartiality rules: Nobody produced any evidence that could cast doubt that Sues advice was ever coloured by party-political views.

It comes after a Cabinet Office investigation there had been a prima facie breach of the Civil Service Code as a result of undeclared contact between Ms Gray and Sir Keir.

He said that in the end the incident had not undermined confidence in the Civil Service and its impartiality, but that officials were now looking again at current guidance in light of the case.

Elsewhere in the hearing, he said the last five years had seen a deterioration in relations between officials and politicians, although he added that the situation had improved since Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister.

Im very happy to say that under this Prime Minister things have changed very significantly

The Cabinet Secretary told MPs: The last five years or so have seen, I think, an increased number of attacks on civil servants individually and collectively by significant political figures which has undoubtedly undermined the good functioning of government.

Im very happy to say that under this Prime Minister things have changed very significantly.

He said the tone of ministers talking about civil servants in public had changed quite significantly.

Asked about attacks on the establishment blob by current and recent ministers, Mr Case said the Prime Minister had rejected that term.

Mr Case added: Obviously I dont agree with a characterisation which is insulting, dehumanising, totally unacceptable.

It would surprise me if current ministers were using this language, not least because if they were it would indicate something akin to self-defeating cowardice.

He added: There has always been language that has been around for people to express their frustrations  the establishment, the system.

I think this is a bit different, he said.

I fear it is being used in a very modern, dehumanising way.
U kraine could display more gratitude to countries supplying large amounts of weaponry to help its fight against Russia, the Defence Secretary has suggested.

On the final day of the Nato summit in Lithuania, Ben Wallace urged Volodymyr Zelensky to show more appreciation for military aid.

He said that last year after a long drive in the country, he was presented with a fresh wishlist of arms, prompting him to tell the Ukrainians: Im not Amazon.

Whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude, Mr Wallace said.

You know, my counsel to the Ukrainians is sometimes you are persuading countries to give up their own stocks.

Yes, your war is a noble war and we see it as you waging a war not just for yourselves but for our freedoms.

But sometimes youve got to persuade lawmakers on the Hill in America.

Youve got to persuade doubting politicians in other countries that its worth it and its worthwhile and that theyre getting something for it. Whether you like it or not, thats just the reality of it.

Mr Wallace said Britain is not waiving in its support of Ukraine.

The UK has led the way in arming Ukraine, first with anti-tank weapons, then Challenger II tanks and now Storm Shadow long range missiles.

His words come after the Ukrainian president held private talks with Rishi Sunak at a Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania on Wednesday morning after hitting out at the lack of a timetable for Kyiv to become a member of the alliance.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky gives a press conference during the NATO Summit in Vilnius / AFP via Getty Images

When asked later at a press conference about Mr Wallaces comments, Mr Zelensky said: I believe that we were always grateful to the United Kingdom, we were always grateful to the prime minister, and to the minister of defence.

He added: Because the people in the UK have always supported Ukraine and were grateful to this  I dont know what he [Wallace] means, let him write to me and tell me how he would like us to be grateful.

Mr Zelensky, after his meeting with Mr Sunak, hailed Britain for supplying Ukraine with long range missiles as the US came under pressure to also send these weapons.

He said: Third meeting and third success for Ukraine at the summit today. Defence, politics, our common security. We thanked for the weapons, in particular long-range weapons and strong support for Ukraine on the way to Nato. And we are preparing security guarantees for Ukraine on the way to Nato.

Responding to Mr Wallaces comments Mr Sunak told a press conference in Vilnius: I know President Zelensky has repeatedly expressed his gratitude to me and to the British people and indeed to other allies as well.

He did it very movingly in Parliament in the UK earlier this year. He continues to be grateful for our support and our leadership, and the welcome that weve extended to many Ukrainian families. I think everyone can see that. Thats how he feels..
V olodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday hailed Britain for supplying Ukraine with long range missiles as the US came under pressure to also send these weapons.

The Ukrainian president held private talks with Rishi Sunak at a Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, after hitting out at the lack of a timetable for Kyiv to become a member of the alliance.

The UK has led the way in arming Ukraine, first with ant-tank weapons, then Challenger II tanks and now Storm Shadow long range missiles.

After the meeting, Mr Zelensky said: Third meeting and third success for Ukraine at the summit today. Defence, politics, our common security. We thanked for the weapons, in particular long-range weapons and strong support for Ukraine on the way to Nato. And we are preparing security guarantees for Ukraine on the way to Nato.

Joe Biden, who was also meeting the Ukrainian president today, is facing growing pressure to also send long range missiles, with Washington considering supplying the Army Tactical Missile System to boost Ukraines counter-offensive which is making slow progress.

The Prime Minister suggested a private meeting with Mr Zelensky, without Downing Street aides present, after he yesterday hit out at Nato member states saying it was absurd that only a vague commitment had been made about membership. The US and Germany are in particular being seen as reluctant to agree a fast-track path.

After photographs were taken at their meeting this morning, the PM asked Mr Zelensky: Actually should we just spend some time alone? Before the room was cleared, Mr Sunak was heard saying he was proud British forces had played a part in training Ukrainian soldiers.

Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena / AP

Ahead of a series of meetings this morning, Mr Zelensky outlined Ukraines three priorities. The first is new support packages for our army on the battlefield, he said. The second, I believe, is an invitation to Nato. We need your understanding that we have this invitation for when the security situation allows it. And thirdly, today we will discuss security guarantees for Ukraine on the way to Nato.

The US said it will begin negotiations with Ukraine on providing long-term security assistance.

It comes as Western countries today announced a broader framework to support Ukraine. Echoing a statement from Britain, a White House official said: G7 leaders agree to enter bilateral negotiations with Ukraine to provide long-term security assistance and ensure they have a capable fighting force to deter Russian aggression in the future.

Mr Zelensky did secure a promise of more Patriot launchers and missiles from Germany this morning, but no solid promise on Nato membership from Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

We continued the conversation about security guarantees for Ukraine on the way to Nato with Chancellor Scholz, he said. There is an agreement on additional Patriot launchers and missiles for them from Germany. This is very important for protecting life in Ukraine from Russian terror. I am grateful for Germanys readiness for long-term support.

It comes as Vladimir Putins forces launched a wave of kamikaze drone attacks on Kyiv and other cities for a second night in row. Air raid sirens rang out for several hours as fighting continued while Nato leaders gathered for the summit which the Kremlin had criticised, warning that Moscow would respond to protect its own security.
A s Brits welcome the summer, one thing for certain is that holidays are on the agenda, with many people eagerly anticipating a trip away.

No matter how excited you are to jet off on holiday, the first thing to do is get yourself ready to fly.

This means you must follow rules and regulations at airports and on flights before travelling.

Its a good idea to avoid stocking up on alcohol at an airport duty-free shop until youve checked what your airlines policy on this is.

Heres everything you need to know about what some of the UKs most commonly used airlines say about booze.

Ryanair

Passengers on Ryanair flights are permitted to have duty-free alcohol on board, but theyre not able to drink it during a flight.

The budget airline has enforced a new ban on some duty-free items for anyone flying from the UK to Ibiza, Alicante, Barcelona, Malaga, Palma and Tenerife South.

Passengers en route to Spain were told in an email: In order to prioritise the comfort and safety of all passengers, Ryanair will implement the following restrictions on your upcoming flight to Spain.

Customers will not be allowed to carry alcohol on board and all cabin baggage will be searched at the boarding gates.

Any alcohol purchased in airport shops or elsewhere must be packed carefully in a suitable item of cabin baggage, which will be tagged at the gate and then placed in the aircraft hold free of charge if you have purchased priority boarding or have a small piece of hand luggage.

If the bag is unsuitable for placing in the hold (e.g. plastic bag), then customers will be required to dispose of the alcohol in the bins provided. Boarding gates will be carefully monitored and customers showing any signs of anti-social behaviour or attempting to conceal alcohol will be denied travel without refund or compensation.

The ban came after 15 people were removed from a Ryanair plane at Manchester Airport in April for being drunk, causing a five-hour delay.

If people are found concealing alcohol or bringing it on board, they will be removed from the flight with no refund or compensation.

EasyJet

EasyJet says: You can bring alcohol bought in the airside departure lounge into the cabin as long as its unopened. Alcohol must be lower than 70 per cent alcohol by volume and packed either in an airport shopping bag or in your cabin bag.

Its strictly forbidden to drink any alcohol that has not been purchased on board the aircraft, and those found consuming their own alcohol may face prosecution.

The airline on July 10 cancelled 1,700 summer flights from Gatwick Airport, ruining the thousands travel plans.

It had been suggested that this was due to pilot or crew shortages.

However, an easyJet representative said: The whole industry is seeing challenging conditions this summer with more constrained air space due to the war in Ukraine resulting in unprecedented ATC [air traffic control] delays, as well as further potential ATC strike action.

We have therefore made some pre-emptive adjustments to our programme consolidating a small number of flights at Gatwick, where we have multiple daily frequencies, in order to help mitigate these external challenges on the day of travel for our customers.

We continue to operate around over 90,000 flights over this period.

Jet2

Jet2 does not allow anyone to bring alcohol on board with the purpose of drinking it.

In addition, drinks with more than 24 per cent, but not more than 70 per cent alcohol by volume, have to be stored in sealed duty-free bags and be no more than five litres per person.

Tui

Tui permits alcohol in carry-on baggage and checked-in hold baggage as long as it does not have more than 70 per cent alcohol by volume.

It should be in original packaging with a maximum amount of five litres per person.

However, you cannot drink alcohol onboard Tui flights as they must be in sealed security bags given at a duty-free checkout.

British Airways

British Airways passengers are in luck, as theres no limit on the number of alcoholic beverages you can travel with, providing their alcohol volumes are below 24 per cent.

You can bring up to five litres of alcohol with you, with an alcohol volume between 24 per cent and 70 per cent. These can be in your cabin bag if you purchased it in the airport duty-free shop, or you can pack in your checked baggage.
N ewsreader Huw Edwards has now been named as the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images as the Metropolitan Police and a second force announced no criminal offence has been committed.

His wife Vicky Flind indentified him as the presenter at the centre of a media furore in a statement issued on his behalf on Wednesday evening.

In it, Ms Flind said her 61-year-old husband was suffering from serious mental health issues and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future as she asked for privacy for her family.

She added that the first time Mr Edwards was informed of the allegations was last Thursday.

Mr Edwards, a married father-of-five, announced the late Queens death on the BBC last September and is one of the most recognisable faces on British television.

On Friday, The Sun newspaper made serious allegations regarding an unnamed high-profile BBC presenter and alleged they had seen evidence of them paying a teenager up to 35,000 for explicit photos of them.

The Met Police has assessed the claims and say there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed. South Wales Police said in April it looked into an issue around the welfare of an adult and no criminality was identified.

In a statement, Ms Flind revealed: In light of the recent reporting regarding the BBC Presenter I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family.

I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children.

Huw Edwards meets Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to officially open the BBCs Portland Place headquarters in central London (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA) / PA Archive

Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.

The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where hell stay for the foreseeable future.

Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published.

To be clear Huw was first told that there were allegations being made against him last Thursday.

In the circumstances and given Huws condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected. I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end.

The BBC has suspended a male member of staff (PA) / PA Wire

In its statement the Metropolitan Police said: Detectives from the Mets Specialist Crime Command have now concluded their assessment and have determined there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed.

In reaching this decision, they have spoken to a number of parties including the BBC and the alleged complainant and the alleged complainants family, both via another police force. There is no further police action. As such, the Met has advised the BBC it can continue with its internal investigation.

We are aware of media reporting of further allegations against the same individual. No specific details or information about these allegations have been passed to us and therefore there is no police action at this time.

Should evidence of criminality or safeguarding issues be identified at any point we would expect matters to be referred to the relevant police force.

After the Metropolitan Police statement, a spokesperson for the BBC said: We have seen the statement from the police confirming they have completed their assessment and are not taking further action. Were grateful to them for completing this work at speed.

The police had previously asked us to pause our fact finding investigations and we will now move forward with that work, ensuring due process and a thorough assessment of the facts, whilst continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all involved.

Sources have made clear to the PA news agency that suspended Mr Edwards, who has been with the BBC for almost 40 years, has not resigned.

South Wales Police said in a statement it had remained in contact with the Met and BBC following a meeting on Monday, adding: Information was initially received by the force in April 2023 regarding the welfare of an adult. No criminality was identified.

Following recent events, further enquiries have been carried out and officers have spoken to a number of parties to establish whether any criminal allegations are being made.

BBC newsreader Huw Edwards (Chris Jackson/PA) / PA Archive

At this time, there is no evidence that any criminal offences have been committed. There are no ongoing enquiries being carried out by South Wales Police.

On Tuesday, the BBC published an investigation after speaking to an individual in their 20s who said they said were sent abusive and menacing messages by the presenter.

The Sun then published another story claiming the presenter broke Covid lockdown rules in February 2021 to meet a 23-year-old he had met on a dating site, and sent what they described as quite pressurising messages.

The newspaper also published what it says is an Instagram chat between the presenter and a 17-year-old, where the presenter sent messages including love heart emojis.

A spokesman for The Sun said it has no plans to publish further allegations about Mr Edwards, adding: The Sun will cooperate with the BBCs internal investigation process.

We will provide the BBC team with a confidential and redacted dossier containing serious and wide-ranging allegations which we have received, including some from BBC personnel.

Former BBC News North America editor Jon Sopel sent his best wishes to Mr Edwards after saying earlier on Wednesday that he did not agree the then-anonymous presenter should come forward.

Sopel later tweeted: This is an awful and shocking episode, where there was no criminality, but perhaps a complicated private life.

That doesnt feel very private now. I hope that will give some cause to reflect. They really need to.

In a message sent to staff the BBCs director-general Tim Davie said this will no doubt be a difficult time for many after a challenging few days and added: I want to reassure you that our immediate concern is our duty of care to all involved.

He added: As you know, we were asked to pause our fact finding investigations until that assessment had been concluded. It is important we now continue with this work. I want to be clear that in doing so we will follow due process.

This remains a very complex set of circumstances. As we have done throughout, our aim must be to navigate through this with care and consideration, in line with the BBC values.

Mr Edwards has anchored coverage of major national events and presented the BBCs News At Ten.

He has fronted the flagship nightly news programme for the last 20 years, earning a reputation as a respected veteran broadcaster.

Edwards was one of the first reporters to break the news of the Queens death on September 8 / Guardian News/YouTube

Mr Edwards is the corporations highest paid newsreader, with a pay bracket of 435,000  439,999, up from 410,000  414,000 last year, putting him fourth on the list of the BBCs hghest paid stars.

Mr Edwards, who was born in Bridgend and brought up in Llangennech, Carmarthenshire, joined the BBC as a trainee in 1984.

In four decades at the corporation, he has been among the broadcasting teams leading coverage of historical events including the late Queens funeral in 2022 and most recently the coronation of the King in May this year.

After Her Majestys death, an image of the flag at Buckingham Palace was shown at half mast, he told viewers: A few moments ago Buckingham Palace announced the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

He then read out the statement from the Palace while dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and black tie, in line with the BBCs dress code for when a member of the royal family dies as a mark of respect.

Mr Edwards is the BBCs go-to presenter for big news events and has been front and centre in live broadcasts of election coverage, the Queens Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the wedding of the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011, the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018, and the funeral of the late Duke of Edinburgh in 2021.

He was also the BBCs voice at Trooping the Colour and the Festival of Remembrance.

Mr Edwards was a Westminster correspondent for 13 years, and has played a key role in the BBCs political reporting, taking over election coverage from the long-serving David Dimbleby in 2019.

Mr Edwards revealed in a documentary in 2021 he had bouts of depression which have left him bedridden since 2002.

Dave Benett

Speaking on the podcast hosted by BBC journalists Jane Garvey and Fi Glover, Fortunatelywith Fi and Jane, he said he he decided to share publicly that he has depression as he felt it was complete hypocrisy to support organisations such as the Shawmind Foundation or Mind without explaining why.

I also felt that it might be someway helpful to people if I opened up about it and say, You can do a job and you can be successful, whether its just reading a bit of autocue or doing whatever it is while also dealing with issues like that, he told the podcast.

In 2018, it was reported he agreed to take a pay cut following revelations over unequal pay for men and women at the BBC.

The presenter shared with BBC Radio Cymru that he had lost weight and started training with former professional boxer Clinton McKenzie as he tried to get himself in shape in 2019 at the age of 58.

The truth is that I lost weight because I felt unhealthy. Its simple enough, he told the radio station.

I was physically and mentally in the wrong place. I was far too heavy and I wasnt happy with that. I wasnt happy with my own appearance, and I realised that I wasnt being fair with my own body in terms of my general health and wellbeing.

I just felt pretty low to be honest, and it got progressively worse. Losing weight and getting fit have been a transformation for me.

Edwards said in 2021 that he was considering his future presenting News At Ten as he approached his 60th birthday.

A time comes when youre bound to re-assess whats in front of you, he told Radio Cymru in a Welsh-language interview.

Now that a big milestone is here, which is 60 years old, its natural for a man to think am I going to continue in this job for another five years, or do I want to do something different?

The nightly news business, after 20 years, that can be taxing, even though I still enjoy the job.

Just last month, Edwards picked up the best live event honour at the Tric Awards for being among those to cover the state funeral of the late Queen, and in February he received the Broadcast Awards special recognition award.

In May, it was announced that Edwards had joined the TV presenting line-up for the Proms 2023.

He is listed as a vice president on the website of the National Churches Trust and has appeared on Songs of Praise.
H uw Edwards is one of the most recognisable faces on British television, anchoring coverage of major national events and presenting the BBCs News At Ten.

The 61-year-old has fronted the flagship nightly news programme for the last 20 years, earning a reputation as a respected veteran broadcaster.

Edwards, who was born in Bridgend and brought up in Llangennech, Carmarthenshire, joined the BBC as a trainee in 1984.

In four decades at the corporation, he has been among the broadcasting teams leading coverage of historical events including the late Queens funeral in 2022 and most recently the coronation of the King in May this year.

Edwards, a married father-of-five, announced the late Queens death on the BBC last September.

After an image of the flag at Buckingham Palace was shown at half mast, he told viewers: A few moments ago Buckingham Palace announced the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

He then read out the statement from the Palace while dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and black tie, in line with the BBCs dress code for when a member of the royal family dies as a mark of respect.

Edwards is the BBCs go-to presenter for big news events and has been front and centre in live broadcasts of election coverage, the Queens Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the wedding of the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011, the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018, and the funeral of the late Duke of Edinburgh in 2021.

He was also the BBCs voice at Trooping the Colour and the Festival of Remembrance.

Edwards was a Westminster correspondent for 13 years, and has played a key role in the BBCs political reporting, taking over election coverage from the long-serving David Dimbleby in 2019.

He told the Radio Times in 2019: Im going to let you in on a secret: the first time a senior BBC manager dangled this carrot in front of me was in 1992. So its been at the back of my mind since then.

Edwards revealed in a documentary in 2021 he had bouts of depression which have left him bedridden since 2002.

Speaking on the podcast hosted by BBC journalists Jane Garvey and Fi Glover, Fortunatelywith Fi and Jane, he said he he decided to share publicly that he has depression as he felt it was complete hypocrisy to support organisations such as the Shawmind Foundation or Mind without explaining why.

I also felt that it might be someway helpful to people if I opened up about it and say, You can do a job and you can be successful, whether its just reading a bit of autocue or doing whatever it is while also dealing with issues like that, he told the podcast.

Edwards is the corporations highest paid newsreader, with a pay bracket of 435,000  439,999, up from 410,000  414,000 last year, putting him fourth on the list.

In 2018, it was reported he agreed to take a pay cut following revelations over unequal pay for men and women at the BBC.

The presenter shared with BBC Radio Cymru that he had lost weight and started training with former professional boxer Clinton McKenzie as he tried to get himself in shape in 2019 at the age of 58.

The truth is that I lost weight because I felt unhealthy. Its simple enough, he told the radio station.

I was physically and mentally in the wrong place. I was far too heavy and I wasnt happy with that. I wasnt happy with my own appearance, and I realised that I wasnt being fair with my own body in terms of my general health and wellbeing.

I just felt pretty low to be honest, and it got progressively worse. Losing weight and getting fit have been a transformation for me.

Edwards said in 2021 that he was considering his future presenting News At Ten as he approached his 60th birthday.

A time comes when youre bound to re-assess whats in front of you, he told Radio Cymru in a Welsh-language interview.

Now that a big milestone is here, which is 60 years old, its natural for a man to think am I going to continue in this job for another five years, or do I want to do something different?

The nightly news business, after 20 years, that can be taxing, even though I still enjoy the job.

I dont think Ill be doing that for long. Because I believe that, in the first place, I think its fair for the viewers to get a change.

Secondly, I have co-workers who are very talented  its time to give them a chance too.

But he said he would not be giving up journalism entirely.

He added: I wont disappear tomorrow from the 10 oclock news because Im still enjoying myself.

But of course, Im thinking about the working patterns of the future. And the truth is that I dont want to sustain these working patterns for a long time to come, because I dont believe its a very wise thing at all.

An article on the BBC website in 2002 said Edwards was determined to stamp his own identity on News At Ten.

You dont want to let people down, but at the same time, I want to do it in my own way. I dont want to be a clone of Sissons or Buerk, he said.

Edwards, who attended Llanelli Grammar School and graduated in French from Cardiff University, is an honorary professor in the School of Journalism, Media and Culture at his old university.

Just last month, Edwards picked up the best live event honour at the Tric Awards for being among those to cover the state funeral of the late Queen, and in February he received the Broadcast Awards special recognition award.

In May, it was announced that Edwards had joined the TV presenting line-up for the Proms 2023.

He is listed as a vice president on the website of the National Churches Trust and has appeared on Songs of Praise.
T he Royal Collection Trust is releasing a commemorative book of behind-the-scenes photos showing King Charles IIIs ascent to the throne as well as his first months as King.

A Monarch in the Making: From Accession to Coronation will also show Charles taking part in state visits alongside Queen Camilla.

Charles III and Camilla were crowned on May 6 at Westminster Abbey but officially became King and Queen from the moment the former Queen died on September 8.

The King is presented with the Elizabeth Sword by Dame Katherine Grainger / PA Wire

Last week, the latest part of his coronation took place when he was presented with the Scottish crown jewels on a trip to Edinburgh.

The King is also photographed handing out Maundy Money and continuing the tradition of sending wishes for special birthdays and wedding anniversaries to the British public.

A Monarch in the Making will also give finer details of the planning behind the coronation, which was known as Operation Golden Orb.

The publisher said: Throughout, the book is richly illustrated with photographs of The King and Queen performing their new duties, meeting with the public and supporting charitable causes  highlighting the many steps that have steadily transformed the reign of Queen Elizabeth II into the reign of King Charles III.

King Charles and Queen Camilla meet staff and patients during a visit to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh to celebrate 75 years of the NHS / PA Wire

Other aspects of the coronation day explored in the book include the military procession, the service and the music, from the Ascension Choir to Andrew Lloyd Webbers coronation anthem Make a Joyful Noise.

A Monarch in the Making is available for 19.95 from Royal Collection Trust shops and www.rct.uk/shop.

It will be available in bookshops from July 27 for 24.95.
Commemorating Egypts National Day, the countrys ambassador in Washington DC Moataz Zahran expressed his hope that deep friendship and cooperation between Egypt and the US will continue in the future.

The celebration, held on 11 July at the Egyptian embassy, marked the 71st anniversary of the 23 July Revolution in 1952, which turned the country from a hereditary monarchy into a republic.

Attending were a number of US members of Congress, diplomats, as well as public and media figures.

In his speech during the ceremony, Zahran praised the strong ties and important partnership between the two countries.

He also expressed his deep appreciation for the support that Egypt has received from the American people and government.

Zahran pointed to the celebration last year of 100 years of diplomatic relations between Egypt and the US, affirming that the period has been marked by joint cooperation throughout.

He expressed his desire to strengthen this partnership and consolidate bilateral relations in the future, with a focus on the economy, culture, and education, as well as political and security aspects.

The ambassador also stressed the importance of continuous communication and understanding between the two countries, and the promotion of cooperation in the areas of peace, security, and sustainable development.

Zahran described Egypt as a role as a source of culture, art, and innovation, saluting the contemporary Egyptian artists who participated in the art exhibition held on the sidelines of the ceremony.

Concluding his speech, the ambassador invited the audience to enjoy the art exhibition, traditional Egyptian music, and food.

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G atwick is suffering more flight delays due to air traffic control (ATC) limits than any other major European airport, according to an airline veteran.

Willie Walsh, director-general of global airline body the International Air Transport Association (Iata), said figures from Eurocontrol, which manages European airspace, show the West Sussex airport is being hit by severe impacts.

EasyJet cancelled 1,700 summer flights earlier this week  mostly from Gatwick  in response to what it called unprecedented ATC restrictions.

The most severe impacts are being seen at Europes most congested airports, especially London Gatwick where the performance is also affected by local air traffic control resource issues

Strikes, staff shortages and airspace closures related to the war in Ukraine means ATC providers are limiting flight numbers across Europe.

Mr Walsh described the ATC environment experienced by airlines as challenging.

He said airlines and airports worked hard to ensure they had sufficient resources to get travellers where they needed to be on time but the lack of ATC resources was preventing that from happening.

He went on: While some areas of ATC performance have improved over 2022, we remain unacceptably behind 2019 levels.

Gatwick is now the worst-performing airport among the 31 major airports reported by Eurocontrol and sits at number 106 out of the 110 airports covered by the entire data set

The most severe impacts are being seen at Europes most congested airports, especially London Gatwick where the performance is also affected by local ATC resource issues.

Gatwick is now the worst-performing airport among the 31 major airports reported by Eurocontrol and sits at number 106 out of the 110 airports covered by the entire data set.

It is disheartening that the politicians who were quick to criticise airlines last year, have remained silent about the disruption caused by government-controlled or regulated ATC providers.

Mr Walsh urged politicians to be held accountable for the economic and environmental costs of poor ATC performance, so they have an incentive to make better decisions.

Flights at London Gatwick are increasingly being regulated at peak times due to the knock-on effects of air traffic control restrictions across numerous parts of Europe. These restrictions are beyond the control of the airport ...

He also called for essential ATC services to be maintained during industrial action while respecting workers rights.

Strikes by ATC operators in France have repeatedly caused airspace closures.

A spokesman for Gatwick, which is the UKs second-busiest airport, said: Flights at London Gatwick are increasingly being regulated at peak times due to the knock-on effects of air traffic control restrictions across numerous parts of Europe.

These restrictions are beyond the control of the airport and have been put in place to manage and smooth out the flow of aircraft arriving from, and departing to, disrupted airspace across Europe.

Multiple factors are causing airspace restrictions across Europe, including industrial action, staff shortages, the war in Ukraine and poor weather

Multiple factors are causing airspace restrictions across Europe, including industrial action, staff shortages, the war in Ukraine and poor weather.

Gatwick has more flights to Europe than any other UK airport and can be impacted disproportionately by disruption on the continent.

We are working closely with our airline partners to minimise disruption and apologise to any passengers who may be inconvenienced.

The provision of ATC services at the airport was taken over by Nats in October last year.

It has been approached for a comment.
S cores of parades have taken place across Northern Ireland as Protestant loyal orders celebrate the Twelfth of July.

The main demonstrations happened at 18 venues, including Belfast as well as Bangor, Co Down, Ballymena, Co Antrim, Ballinamallard, Co Fermanagh and Magherafelt, Co Londonderry.

Thousands of Orange Order members accompanied by 600 marching bands took part in the festivities to mark the 333rd anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.

Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris attended a parade in Lurgan, Co Armagh along with DUP MP Carla Lockhart.

The Orange Order say an estimated half-a-million people are expected to participate or spectate in events.

The institutions Grand Master Edward Stevenson will enjoy the day in the village of Loughbrickland, Co Down.

He urged all to enjoy the celebrations in a manner befitting the proud tradition we represent.

Tens of thousands of people eagerly look forward to participating in our parades each year  and I am one of them, he said.

I do not believe there is any other event on these islands that can bring such vast numbers of people onto the streets as our processions, either by taking part or simply to watch them go by.

We continue to welcome an increasing number of international visitors to our celebrations who are keen to experience first-hand the spectacle of the biggest day in the parading calendar.

On Tuesday night, the majority of an estimated 250 bonfires were lit in loyalist communities across the region to usher in the main date in the parading calendar.

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said it received 147 emergency 999 calls between 6pm on Tuesday and 2am on Wednesday  a drop of 28% on last year.

It said 34 of the calls were bonfire-related, one less than last year.

In Newtownards, Co Down, a man was taken to hospital.

It is understood he fell from a bonfire structure in the Portaferry Road area around 10pm.

The placing of an image of Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill and Irish flags on a bonfire in the Eastvale area of Dungannon, as well as an effigy, above a poster bearing the name of Sinn Fein Councillor Taylor McGrann at a bonfire in Rathcoole on the outskirts of Belfast, are being investigated by police as hate crime.

Those actions were condemned by representatives from political parties across the divide.

One of the largest bonfires, located in Craigyhill, Larne, aimed to raise money for a local toddler who is undergoing cancer treatment.

The Battle of the Boyne in 1690, which unfolded at the Boyne river north of Dublin, saw Protestant King William of Orange defeat Catholic King James II to secure a Protestant line of succession to the British Crown.

Thousands of Orange lodge members parade through the summer months to mark Williams victory and other key dates in Protestant/unionist/loyalist culture.

Those celebrations culminate on the Twelfth.

July 13 will see another gathering, this time organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh. The event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing King William and King Charles.

The routes of certain Orange parades became intense friction points during the Troubles, often leading to widespread rioting and violence.

The disputes usually centred on whether or not Orange lodges should be entitled to parade through nationalist areas.

While Orangemen insisted they had the right to parade on public roads following long-established traditional routes, nationalist residents protested at what they characterised as displays of sectarian triumphalism passing through their neighbourhoods.

The number of flashpoints has reduced significantly in the peace process years.

DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson encouraged peaceful and positive July 12 celebrations.

Celebrations over the 11th and 12th are part of the cultural fabric of Northern Ireland and for the vast majority of us they are an occasion where families will come together, often travelling home from wherever they now live to enjoy the occasion together, he said.

I am proud of my culture and my tradition, but I recognise that there are different cultures and traditions within Northern Ireland. For those of us who do cherish the legacy of the Glorious Revolution then the best way to show that to others is through peaceful and positive celebrations.

Those dont include the burning of flags or election posters on a bonfire, but thankfully in the vast majority of cases that does not happen. Unfortunately, it will be a minority of cases where offence is caused that will dominate the headlines. As unionists we need to recognise that such incidents are self-inflicted wounds.
O liver Dowden covered for Rishi Sunak at prime ministers questions once again on Wednesday, while he is in Lithuania for the Nato summit.

Labours Dawn Butler again brought up the matter of a claim made by Oliver Dowden, where he alleged that a 28bn Labour policy would cost mortgage payers around 1,000 a year.

I don't know if you're shocked but I am. The deputy prime minister had an opportunity to correct the record today where he misled the House on 7 June, Ms Butler said. He failed to do so.

Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, also raised a point about a lack of dentist appointment availability, pointing to an example in Somerset where a woman booked an appointment for June at the beginning of the year, but was told at the end of May by a neighbour that the dentist had closed.

Oliver Dowden replied: Our NHS workforce plan is investing an extra 2.4bn into training and retaining crucial NHS staff, including dentists and GPs.

Sky News reported that Rishi Sunak has now missed nearly a fifth of PMQ sessions  more than any other PM in history.

Angela Rayner also quizzed Oliver Dowden about child poverty, saying the government wont even admit its a problem.

Oliver Dowden responded: I know there is a reshuffle coming up on the other side but this audition for John Prescotts old job is getting just a little bit hackneyed.

Who is Oliver Dowden?

Oliver Dowden has been the MP for Hertsmere, in Hertfordshire, since 2015.

He grew up near Watford and he said he had an excellent state education, attending a comprehensive school before reading law at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. His father worked at a factory and his mother at Boots.

Before becoming an MP, Dowden worked for PR firm Hill & Knowlton and as former prime minister David Camerons deputy chief of staff.

He was appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster last October before being appointed Secretary of State in the Cabinet Office in February.

Mr Dowden is a key ally of Rishi Sunak, and backed him strongly in both Tory leadership contests last year.

Over the years, the deputy prime minister has been minister without portfolio, Cabinet Office between September 2021 and June 2022. Before that he was digital, culture, media and sport secretary between February 2020 and September 2021.

He has also been paymaster general and and a parliamentary secretary.

Cancel culture and the war on woke

Dowden has hit headlines over the past couple of years by intervening in the national debate over the so-called cancellation of controversial historical figures.

Speaking to the Evening Standard last year, Dowden said that woke culture runs contrary to the great liberal traditions of Western democracies.

While culture secretary, Dowden opposed the return of historic artifacts held in British museums and galleries that had been brought to Britain during colonisation. In particular, he argued that the Benin bronzes, most of which had been removed by British armed forces from Benin City during a punitive raid, should remain in Britain.

In an interview with Channel 4 News in September 2021, about the bronzes held in the British Museum, he said: The collections of our great national institutions have been developed over many, many centuries, in many times in questionable circumstances. I think the question now is about what we do with these.

I love the Benin bronzes, Ive seen them many times throughout my life, and I think them being in the British Museum, which is a world repository of heritage, allows people to see it but that doesnt stop us from sharing it.

Dowden was also embroiled in a controversy over claims that his department was behind an anti-woke purge of arts board members deemed to be on the wrong side of a cultural war surrounding statues, wealth derived from the slave trade and the representation of colonialism in museums.

During his time as co-chairman of the Conservative Party, Dowden continued to be identified with the controversy over woke culture.

In February 2022, Dowden gave a speech in the USA to the Heritage Foundation in which he called cancel culture a painful woke psychodrama sweeping the West and sapping its confidence.
I owa has passed a controversial bill banning most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy - amid outcry from critics who plan to challenge the law.

The bill passed on Tuesday with exclusively Republican support amid vocal objections from Democratic lawmakers and abortion advocates protesting at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines.

Protesters in the gallery booed and yelled shame to state senators in the minutes after the bill was approved, around 11pm on Tuesday.

Governor Kim Reynolds ordered the special session of Iowas Republican-led Legislature, after the state Supreme Court declined in June to reinstate a practically identical law that she signed in 2018.

Republican Iowa Governer Kim Reynolds / via REUTERS

The Iowa Supreme Court questioned whether this legislature would pass the same law they did in 2018, and today they have a clear answer, Ms Reynolds said in a statement.

The voices of Iowans and their democratically elected representatives cannot be ignored any longer, and justice for the unborn should not be delayed.

Abortion is currently legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. The legislation will take immediate effect when it is signed by Ms Reynolds on Friday.

It will prohibit almost all abortions once cardiac activity can be detected, which is usually around six weeks of pregnancy and before many women know they are pregnant.

Preparations were already underway to quickly file legal challenges in court and get the measure blocked, once Ms Reynolds signs it into law.

Planned Parenthood North Central States said it will refer patients out of state if theyre scheduled for abortions in the next few weeks.

There are limited circumstances under the new measure that would allow for abortion after that point in a pregnancy where cardiac activity is detected  such as rape, if reported to law enforcement or a health provider within 45 days; incest, if reported within 145 days; if the foetus has a foetal abnormality incompatible with life; and if the pregnancy is endangering the life of the pregnant woman.

Members of the public spoke both for and against the bill at Tuesdays meeting.

Sara Eide of the Iowa Catholic Conference encouraged lawmakers to vote in favour.

The unborn child is a distinct human life with her own value, with her own DNA, and with her own right to life and right to legal protections, she said. As a state and as a society, we should commit ourselves to protect all vulnerable populations wherever we find them.

Protesters gather at the Iowa Capitol rotunda to voice opposition to the new ban on abortion after roughly six weeks of pregnancy / AP

Hilary McAdoo, a fertility nurse, said her two daughters motivated her to voice her opposition on Tuesday. Just because a person has the ability to become pregnant does not mean they should be forced to become a mother, she said.

The people before me want to govern womens bodies without understanding how they work. Ms McAdoo called the six-week cut-off impossible and irresponsible.

Most Republican-led states have drastically limited abortion access in the year since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade and handed authority on abortion law to the states.

More than a dozen states have bans with limited exceptions and one state, Georgia, bans abortion after cardiac activity is detected. Several other states have similar restrictions that are on hold pending court rulings.
L ondons Gatwick Airport has been revealed as the worst in the Europe for cancellations and delays - with more than half of flights disrupted last month.

It comes as Gatwick passengers look set for more turmoil this summer, as budget airline easyJet is understood to have cancelled around 1,700 flights.

Research by passenger rights expert AirHelp found a staggering 54.08 per cent of flights from the busy London airport were cancelled or delayed in June.

It made the terminus, based in west Sussex, the worst major European airport for disruption.

The situation does not look likely to improve at Gatwick in coming months, following news easyJet has reportedly cancelled around 1,700 flights scheduled between July and September due to air traffic control (ATC) restrictions.

The decision will affect 180,000 passengers, the Independent reported, and is expected to primarily affect Gatwick, the budget airlines main base.

A London Gatwick spokesperson said: Flights at London Gatwick are increasingly being regulated at peak times due to the knock-on effects of air traffic control restrictions across numerous parts of Europe.

These restrictions are beyond the control of the airport and have been put in place to manage and smooth out the flow of aircraft arriving from, and departing to, disrupted airspace across Europe. Multiple factors are causing airspace restrictions across Europe, including industrial action, staff shortages, the war in Ukraine and poor weather.

Gatwick has more flights to Europe than any other UK airport and can be impacted disproportionately by disruption on the continent.

We are working closely with our airline partners to minimise disruption and apologise to any passengers who may be inconvenienced.

The AirHelp research found Gatwick was followed by Lisbons Humberto Delgado, and Copenhagens Kastrup airports, both of which also saw more than half of flights disrupted last month.

Manchester International Airport came in behind Gatwick as second-worst in Britain, with 43.78 per cent of flights were disrupted last month.

Best in Europe was Helsinki-Vantaa airport in Finlands capital, Helsinki, where just 18.33 per cent of flights were disrupted in June.

London Stansted had the lowest percentage of disrupted flights of any British airport last month, with 34.52 per cent of flights cancelled or delayed.

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, with Fridays and weekends expected to be most at risk of disruption.

Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said: Ive been warning for some time that our UK airport infrastructure, along with continuing people shortages at airlines and ground handlers, cannot cope with the massive summer demand.

Just when you thought you had secured a flight to your summer holiday paradise, it gets changed and causes more inconvenience and stress.

Airlines have to get better at planning and delivering, not letting down customers at short notice.

EasyJet arent the first and wont be the last to take such action this summer.

Regarding the cancelled summer flights, an easyJet statement said: We are currently operating up to around 1,800 flights and carrying around 250,000 customers per day with more crew and pilots flying than ever before and like all airlines, we review our flights on an ongoing basis.

As Eurocontrol has stated, the whole industry is seeing challenging conditions this summer with more constrained air space due to the war in Ukraine resulting in unprecedented ATC delays, as well as further potential ATC strike action.

We have therefore made some pre-emptive adjustments to our programme consolidating a small number of flights at Gatwick, where we have multiple daily frequencies, in order to help mitigate these external challenges on the day of travel for our customers, and we continue to operate around 90,000 flights over this period.

Customers whose flights are affected are being informed, with 95% of customers being rebooked onto an alternative flight and all customers provided with the option to rebook or receive a refund.

We are sorry for any inconvenience that this may have caused.

The budget airline easyJet insisted the delays are not due to staff shortages, which plagued the aviation sector last year.

Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, a network of independent travel agents, said: Hearing your flight has been cancelled will be devasting news for all those who have made their summer travel plans and are beginning to get excited about their holidays.

Changes to travel plans late in the day can be stressful, and those impacted by the easyJet cancellations will be having to seek alternative flight arrangements now.

However, for context, these cancellations only represent a small percentage of the total summer departures and of course, many will depart for their holidays as planned.

Disruption because of congested airspace is an issue facing the airline industry during this very busy period but its essential that airlines do all they can to ensure that there is as little disruption to travellers as possible and work to ensure that consumer confidence in the travel industry remains high.
N orth Korea conducted a missile test with its longest ever flight time off its east coast on Wednesday, following a threat made to the US earlier this week.

The missile flew for 74 minutes to an altitude of 6,000 km and range of 1,000 km, Japans chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matusno said, in what would be the longest ever flight time for a North Korean missile.

The launch came after heated complaints from North Korea in recent days, accusing American spy planes of violating airspace in its economic zones, condemning a recent visit to South Korea by an American nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine, and promising to take steps in reaction.

North Koreas Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un, said on Tuesday a US military spy plane had entered North Koreas Exclusive Economic Zone eight times.

She warned US forces would face a very critical flight if they continued illegal intrusion, repeating an accusation North Korea made on Monday that the US had violated its airspace by conducting surveillance flights.

North Korea warned that such flights may be shot down.

In April, North Korea test fired its first ever solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and conducted a failed attempt to launch its first-ever spy satellite on a new launch vehicle. UN Security Council resolutions ban North Koreas use of ballistic missile technology, including for satellite launches.

Analysts believe the Norths ICBMs are enough to strike targets anywhere in the United States, and the country likely has developed nuclear warheads that can fit on rockets.

Wednesdays missile launch came as leaders of South Korea and Japan were set to meet on the sidelines of a Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, to discuss threats including nuclear-armed North Korea.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno speaking at a press conference about the launch, in Tokyo on July 12 / JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images

Japans Coast Guard said what was believed to be a ballistic missile appeared to have landed as of mid-morning. It had earlier predicted the projectile would fall outside Japans exclusive economic zone, and around 550 km (340 miles) east of the Korean peninsula.

Leif-Eric Easley, an international studies professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said North Koreas recent statements against US surveillance aircraft was part of a pattern of inflating external threats to rally domestic support and justify weapons tests.

Pyongyang also times its shows of force to disrupt what it perceives as diplomatic coordination against it, in this case, South Korea and Japans leaders meeting during the NATO summit.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, in Lithuania to attend the Nato summit, convened an emergency national security council meeting to discuss the launch and vowed to use the summit to call for strong international solidarity to confront such threats.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is also in Lithuania, ordered his staff to gather information and stay alert to prepare for unpredicted events, according to the prime ministers office.

Mr Kishida and Mr Yoon are expected to meet on Wednesday.

We will respond in close cooperation with the international community, Japans chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a news conference.

He said the launch threatened the peace and stability both of the region and the international community, and that Japan had lodged a protest through diplomatic channels in Beijing.
G oogle Doodle is celebrating the popular Indian street food dish pani puri today (July 12).

This marks the eighth anniversary of a restaurant in Indore, India, called Indori Zayka and Dainik Bhaskar, achieving a world record for serving the most flavours of pani puri  51.

So what is pani puri? Heres all you need to know.

What is pani puri?

Pani puri, also known as golgappa, puchka, or phuchka, is a popular street food snack in India, particularly in the northern and western regions. It is also widely eaten in other South Asian countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh.

It is a flavourful and tangy dish that consists of small, hollow, crispy puris (deep-fried bread) filled with a mixture of flavoured water, mashed potatoes, chickpeas, onions, and various chutneys.

The highlight of pani puri for many is the flavoured water, known as pani, which is poured into the puris just before eating. The pani is a blend of various spices and herbs, including mint leaves, coriander leaves, tamarind, green chili, black salt, and cumin.

Pani puri is a flavourful and tangy dish / Gilpin Hotel & Lake House

The Google Doodle description says: This snack goes by different names, as there are many regional variations that exist across India. In Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, the name pani puri describes the bite-sized street food commonly filled with boiled chickpeas, a white pea mixture, and sprouts dipped in tangy and spicy pani.

In the northern Indian states of Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and New Delhi, the potato and chickpea-filled treat dunked in jaljeera-flavored water is called gol gappe or gol gappa. The name puchkas or fuchkas is used in West Bengal and parts of Bihar and Jharkhand, with the key ingredient for this variety being tamarind pulp.

The origin of pani puri can be traced back to ancient times. Historians say the dish has roots in the Mughal Empire era in South Asia between the 16th and 19th centuries. Others believe that it was made in the Hindu temples, where it was used as an offering to the Gods.

The dish rose in popularity in the 20th century (though it is believed to have existed prior to 600 BCE) in the northern regions of India. It then quickly spread to other parts of the country.

Google has introduced a new pani puri game to celebrate the dish, encouraging people to "choose the puris that match each customers flavor and quantity preference to keep them happy.

Lets get to serving! it adds.
C harles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten has been released from a California prison after serving more than five decades of a life sentence for her participation in two infamous murders.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said that Van Houten was released to parole supervision on Tuesday.

Her lawyer, Nancy Tetreault, said that she left the California Institution for Women in Corona, east of Los Angeles, in the early morning hours and was driven to transitional housing.

Ms Tetreault said: She is still trying to get used to the idea that this is real.

Van Houten has been released after five decades behind bars / AP

Days earlier, the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, announced that he would not fight a state appeals court ruling that Van Houten should be granted parole.

But who is the ex-cult member and what is she known for? Here is what you need to know.

What was she known for and why did she go to prison?

Leslie Van Houten was 19 when she met Charles Manson and joined the cult that came to be called the Manson family.

Manson, as well as Van Houten and others in the clan, visited the home of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca on August 10, 1969 in Los Angeles and killed them.

The pair had their heads covered with pillowcases and were strung up by power leads. Manson family member Tex Watson repeatedly stabbed the couple with a bayonet and Van Houten was convicted of repeatedly stabbing Rosemary LaBiance around 16 times in her behind.

She claimed in court her victim was already dead by the time she started stabbing her.

Van Houten was sentenced to death for helping in the double murder aged 20, but her sentence was later reduced to life when the California Supreme Court overturned the states death penalty law in 1972.

Early life

Van Houten was thought to have had a happy childhood and was one of her high schools stars. She was a cheerleader and was voted homecoming princess during her school days but things started to turn sour in her early teenage days.

She tried drugs and soon was taking them more and more after changes in her family home. USA Today reported that her life spiralled out of control after her parents announced their divorce.

She soon fell pregnant but it is understood that her mother would not allow her to keep the baby, forcing her to have an abortion and bury it in the familys backyard.

How did she meet Charles Manson?

After troubled teenage years, Van Houten was said to be unhappy and turned to the cult to be her new family.

It is believed she was still taking drugs and met Manson at an old movie-set ranch on the outskirts of Los Angeles, where Manson had established a dwelling for himself and his family of followers. She had gone there after following a friend, Catherine Share, who had previously joined the commune.

Manson had around 100 followers at this time, who mostly all took mind-altering drugs and hailed Manson as their leader  doing whatever he said. He chose when they ate, slept and even when they had sex, forcing people to have sex with each other.

Van Houten joined the group and became a part of its activities, and called her mother to say she would not be in contact again.

Where is Charles Manson now?

Charles Manson was an American criminal and cult leader who with his followers planned and carried out several notorious murders in the late 1960s. He was jailed at the same time as Van Houten after being found guilty of a string of murders.

He died behind bars in 2017 aged 83 of natural causes.

The trial of Leslie Van Houten

Van Houten was charged with the murders of the LaBiancas but did not appear to take the trial seriously and giggled during testimony in the court.

She later claimed she had been supplied with LSD during the trial but she continued to back her cult leader Manson during proceedings.

She took the stand and admitted committing the murders but denied that Manson had been involved. Manson carved an X on his forehead and Van Houten was one of a number of female followers who did the same thing in response, appearing that way in court.

Van Houten sacked three defence lawyers in a row for claiming her actions were attributable to Mansons control over her. During proceedings, when her lawyer was asking an expert witness about the effect of LSD and how that could alter the mind of those taking it, Van Houten shouted in the middle of the court: This is all such a big lie, I was influenced by the war in Vietnam and TV.

On March 29, 1971, she was convicted of murder along with the other defendants. She was sentenced to be executed but California abolished the death penalty in 1972.

Van Houten was granted a retrial in 1977 due to the failure to declare a mistrial when her lawyer died. Her defence argued that Van Houten could not have known what she was doing because of the drugs she had taken but the jury could not agree on a verdict.

At a second retrial she was found guilty of first degree murder and handed a life sentence that entailed eligibility for parole. She has served 53 years behind bars.
In a rare moment of international accord, dozens of nations attending a debate at the UN Human Rights Council on the alarming rise of religious hatred condemned the lack of tolerance for the beliefs of others, which they said has led to the incitement of discrimination, hostility and violence.

The debate was triggered by the June 28 burning of a Quran by an Iraqi refugee outside a mosque in Stockholm, Sweden. The act, which coincided with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, was widely condemned by Islamic and other nations around the world.

"These and other incidents appear to have been manufactured to express contempt and inflame anger; to drive wedges between people; and to provoke transforming differences of perspective into hatred and, perhaps, violence," said Volker Turk, UN high commissioner for human rights, who kicked off the debate with an impassioned plea to people of all beliefs to "act with respect for others."

He said, "Only in this way can we have conduct among human beings that enables us to address together, the challenges we face." And those challenges, he noted, were many, adding that provocative speech can often incite discriminatory violence.

"In recent years," the human rights high commissioner said, "numerous acts of violence, terror attacks and mass atrocities have targeted people on account of their religious beliefs, including inside their places of worship."

He noted that freedom of speech was a fundamental human right and limitation of any kind of speech or expression must "remain an exception -- particularly since laws limiting speech are often misused by those in power, including to stifle debate on critical issues."

While enjoining people to guard against the misuse of free speech, he said every state must prohibit the "advocacy of hatred that constitutes incitement to violence, discrimination and hostility."
T he Soho institution Kettners Townhouse, once Oscar Wildes favourite restaurant and where dough balls were born, has opened to the public for the first time in four years.

A French brasserie since 1867, it was bought by the members club Soho House in 2016 and soon closed for a lengthy refurbishment. It relaunched in 2018, but only club members and hotel guests were permitted to dine in the famous ground floor restaurant. The upstairs champagne bar remained open to all.

Today, Soho House confirmed to the Standard that this decision has been reversed: The champagne bar and restaurant are open to the public and non-members can also book bedrooms by purchasing a Soho Friends membership for 100 a year, said a spokeswoman.

No longer a traditional French brasserie, Kettners, in its current iteration, is run in partnership with the Stoke Newington pub The Clarence Tavern and serves seasonal British food with a Mediterranean accent.

On the menu are snacks such as oysters, arancini, and smoked salmon with hash browns; starters might include ox cheek croquettes or artichoke fritters, while regular main courses of twice-baked souffle and halibut with mussels provide dutiful nods to days gone by.

Soho House

The public reopening of Kettners should prove a welcome move in the name of London egalitarianism. The restaurant has a grand and chequered history, having been founded 156-years-ago by the German chef Auguste Kettner, once in the service of Napoleon III.

The story goes that business was a little tepid to begin with, until a favourable letter in a newspaper sparked a surge in customers. But a buzz truly took hold in 1890 when it was discovered that King Edward VII courted his mistress, the actress Lillie Langtry, at the restaurant, apparently going so far as to order a secret tunnel be built between the restaurant and the Palace Theatre where she performed.

Since then, Kettners has been straddled with something of a risque reputation and has long enjoyed a celebrity clientele. Agatha Christie was a regular guest, Wilde noted the venue as his venue of choice, and the likes of Winston Churchill, Bing Crosby, and Margaret Thatcher used to dine there.

When 1980 swung around, Pizza Express founder Peter Boizot bought the place and it became a bejewelled extension of the chain. The menu featured more luxurious pizzas at higher prices. It was at Kettners that dough balls were first served.

Though Boizot left Pizza Express in 1996, he held onto the building before selling it to his former company for 1.95 million in 2002, and it continued in the same vein. It was then the first floor champagne bar was opened.

By 2008, Kettners had become a French brasserie once more, its status arguably dimmed. Its public reopening in 2023 might yet prove invigorating.

Kettners, 29 Romilly Street, W1D 5AL. For more information, visit sohohouse.com
C omedian Bill Bailey has said that Covid was still fresh in the minds of the NHS workers who spoke to him about how tough they found the pandemic in a new BBC show.

On Extraordinary Portraits, NHS workers sit for portrait artists who sketch, paint and sculpt, and the show will be released this month to coincide with the services 75th anniversary.

Bailey, 58, fronts the new show and discussed what it was like to work with NHS staff, who he says are still dealing with the after effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.

He told the PA news agency: Every one of them would talk about it and how tough it was, and it was really sort of, all hands to the pumps, because they were run off their feet.

I think that it really was quite a stark reminder of how hard it was for people on the front line.

It was quite sort of surreal sometimes that we were in our own homes, we couldnt go out, we were not really aware of what was going on, unless you were quite seriously ill or you had to be hospitalised, you wouldnt have seen any of that.

Really, you were kind of kept at home ready, and we were almost insulated against all that, whereas all of these frontline workers were just flat out, throughout the whole of it.

A lot of them talked about that. It was still quite fresh in their minds, you know, how hard it was.

He added: It was unprecedented, this pandemic thats never happened really in any of our lifetimes, and so it was overwhelming I think for a lot of them.

What they saw, what they had to do when they got involved, every aspect of the NHS everyone was flat out, and so they were talking about it, like it had only happened last week.

Of course, its still kind of going on, weve got to go back to normal, whatever that is, but its still out there.

The six-episode series starts with surgeon Martin Griffiths who reveals that he often operates on the victims of violent crime.

Mr Griffiths sits for sculptor Nick Elphick and tells him that the hospital he works at sees roughly two patients a day who have been stabbed and two a week who have been shot.

Bailey is also fronting a new Sky Arts series called Bill Baileys Master Crafters: The Next Generation, which follows a group of young crafters who specialise in pursuits that include silver smithing and wood carving.

Talking about the show and the importance of preserving heritage crafts, Bailey said: We have this history of making, particularly in Britain, because its been a place where makers have come from all over the world.

So we have this very rich history of skill that goes back hundreds of years, and I think itd be a shame if that was lost.

I think it would be almost like, sort of putting a full stop on history and it would be a shame if it was lost because once its gone, once people stop doing it. Thats it. You know, its kind of lost forever.

Bill Baileys Master Crafters: The Next Generation airs on Sky Arts on Thursdays at 8pm.

The six-part BBC series Extraordinary Portraits starts on Monday July 17 at 8.30pm on BBC One.
H it HBO drama Succession has made Emmy Award history after receiving three lead actor nominations for its final season.

Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong and Kieran Culkin will go head to head at the 75th annual awards, after all receiving nods in the category.

It marks the first time ever that three actors from the same series have been nominated simultaneously for outstanding lead actor in a drama series.

Cox, Strong and Culkin all play members of the scheming Roy family in the drama, which wrapped up its fourth series earlier this year.

Sarah Snook, who plays Shiv Roy, was also nominated in the equivalent female category of outstanding lead actress in a drama series, and the series was also nominated for outstanding drama series.

Succession has already earned 13 Emmy awards, including two best drama series awards for seasons two and three.

Cox and Strong have already competed in the lead actor category twice, with Strong defeating the Scottish actor in 2020.

It is Culkins first nomination in the outstanding lead actor category, though he has been nominated in the best supporting actor Emmy category twice.

Succession actors Alexander Skarsgard and Nicholas Braun also received Emmy nominations in the outstanding supporting actor category.

The show holds this years top spot with 27 Emmy nominations followed by The Last Of Us, with 24, The White Lotus, with 23, and Ted Lasso, with 21.

Other actors in the outstanding lead actor category include Bob Odenkirk, for Better Call Saul, and Pedro Pascal, for zombie-thriller The Last Of Us.

Pascals co-star in The Last Of Us, British teenager Bella Ramsey, also picked up a nomination for outstanding lead actress in a drama series  alongside Snook.

Elsewhere, Daniel Radcliffe was nominated for an Emmy award for his performance in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.

The Harry Potter star was nominated for outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or a movie, alongside fellow British star Taron Egerton.

The annual ceremony recognises the best in television excellence, and is hosted by the US Television Academy.

Nominations were read out by actor Yvette Nicole Brown and Television Academy Chairman Frank Scherma on Tuesday.

The 75th annual Emmy awards will take place on September 18, 2023.
S ir Salman Rushdie has revealed that he has crazy dreams and is unsure if he will ever speak at an open public event again after being attacked in New York last year.

The 76-year-old Indian-born British author said he felt very lucky and had received a huge outpouring of support and affection following the incident in August 2022.

Sir Salman was stabbed repeatedly while on stage at a literary festival at the Chautauqua Institute in New York state, which left him blind in one eye.

His alleged attacker, 25-year-old Hadi Matar, has made multiple appearances at Chautauqua County Court, having pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and assault charges following the incident.

The emotional stuff, it takes dealing with. I have a very good therapist who has a lot of work to do. I have crazy dreams

Speaking to the BBC for the first time since the incident, the Booker Prize-winner said he was a little beaten up but well on the way to recovery.

Asked how he felt, Sir Salman said: First of all I feel very lucky, I discovered what a lucky person I am.

Then there was this huge outpouring of support and affection and that was incredibly moving to feel  to be on the receiving end of that.

And its a little strange as the moment when these threats began in 1989, frankly there wasnt so much of an outpouring of affection  there was quite a lot of the other thing.

Sir Salmans novel The Satanic Verses previously led to death threats from Iran, though he went for many years living a full life without protection.

The author told the BBC he was in two minds about Matar.

Theres one bit of me that actually wants to go and stand on the court and look at him and theres another bit of me that just cant be bothered, he said.

As you can well understand I dont have a very high opinion of him.

And I think what is important to me now is that youre able to find life continuing, and Im more engaged with the business of that, you know, getting on with it.

Sir Salman said he was currently in the process of writing about the incident, telling the BBC the book will not be more than a couple of hundred of pages long.

Theres this colossal elephant in the room and, until I deal with that, it is difficult to take seriously anything else, he said.

Speaking about his recovery since the attack, Sir Salman said: The physical stuff is more or less OK, with the exception of having lost an eye  but otherwise the physical stuff is reasonably alright.

The emotional stuff, it takes dealing with. I have a very good therapist who has a lot of work to do. I have crazy dreams.

But I think really the main difference is I dont know when I will again do a public event that is open to the public that anyone can show up.

I don't know when I'm going to put myself in that position again

I dont know when Im going to put myself in that position again.

Sir Salman said he hoped a time would arrive that people could read The Satanic Verses as a novel, rather than a political hot potato.

Youve got to distinguish between peoples private faith, which is kind of none of our business, really, and the politicisation of any religion and the weaponisation of religion  its not just Islam, he said.

In America right now, youve got a highly weaponised version of Christianity, which was responsible in very large part for the reversal of Roe versus Wade  for the whole abortion debate.

Im not a religious person. I never have been, and came from a family that wasnt particularly religious and we did alright

Its not a thing I need for myself but if there are people who need it, thats their business, not mine, until it becomes politicised.

When it becomes politicised, it becomes everybodys business, as all political things do. I think we just have to be clear about that distinction.

So the kind of person who goes off and chooses violence, in my view, is not a representative of that religion but a representative of violence and has to be treated in that way.
L aura Whitmore is putting Love Island firmly behind her as ITV confirm details of her new docu-series Laura Whitmore Investigates.

The Irish TV personality, 38, shocked fans of the hit ITV2 dating show when she announced last summer that she was stepping down after two years.

She first teased what was to come last August and ITV have now confirmed more details along with a rough idea of when fans can expect to see it air.

The edgy new three parter will drop on ITVX in late July and see Whitmore travel within the UK, Europe and the US aiming to illuminate often dark and troubling subjects such as the culture of incels, rough sex and cyber stalkers.

According to a press release, Whitmore will meet people whose lives are consumed by these issues and the cultures that have evolved around them, their victims and those who are attempting to understand and address how they impact on our lives.

Whitmore, who also serves as a producer on the show, said: This series shines a light on a range of issues, which along with the contributors, victims and experts involved, we hope will resonate with viewers and help us to understand their dangers, complexities and consider possible resolutions. Its been an intense, eye-opening and at times emotional experience and one that Im incredibly proud of.

Jo Clinton-Davis, Controller of Factual added: Each of these issues is uniquely disturbing and dark, particularly because they feel like peculiarly 21st century threats emerging from or aggravated by our online world. Laura Whitmores willingness to delve into these areas and meet people at all levels whose lives are caught up in or have been devastatingly impacted by incel culture, rough sex and cyber stalking allows us to gain an insight into how each operates, how they affect us and what we can do to combat them.

All three episodes of Laura Whitmore Investigates will drop on ITVX in late July.
M argot Robbie has revealed that a joke about her famous doppelganger was scrapped from the new Barbie movie.

The Australian actress, 33, appears alongside British actress Emma Mackey, 27, in the upcoming film after the pair have often been told they look alike.

Robbie has often spoken about how fans regularly mistake that she was in Netflix series Sex Education which actually starred Mackey.

Opening up in a recent interview, she explained how she and director Greta Gerwig wanted Mackey to star in the film so they could make a lookalike joke.

Margot Robbie pictured alongside co-star Ryan Gosling in Barbie / Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Things didnt quite go to plan however once all of the actors had their full hair and makeup on.

Speaking to Buzzfeed, the Oscar-winner was asked: Margot, what was it like to finally work with your doppelganger, Emma Mackey?

She explained: [Mackey] plays one of the Barbies in the movie pretty much because Greta and I thought it would be funny. We were gonna do this whole joke about us looking similar.

But once we got all dressed up as our Barbies, we were kind of like, We dont actually look that similar. Like, when shes got her brown hair and Ive got my blonde hair, we dont look that similar, so we didnt put that joke in the movie.

Emma Mackey pictured in a promotional shot for the new Barbie movie / Courtesy of Warner Bros

She also shared her typical response to when fans compare her to the British actress, saying: When people come up and say, I loved you in Sex Education, I just say, Thank you so much.

Barbie, the highly anticipated film based on the iconic Matel doll, gets its London premiere tonight with a number of the star-studded cast including Robbie and Ryan Gosling due to attend.
H ugh Grant has been seen in the official trailer for the new movie about Willy Wonka as a tiny CGI Oompa-Loompa, who has green hair and an orange face.

The British actor will star opposite Timothee Chalamet, who takes on the role of the eccentric chocolate factory owner, in Wonka.

The film is based on the beloved childrens book created by Roald Dahl and is set before the opening of Wonkas chocolate factory.

Former The Great British Bake Off presenter Matt Lucas, Academy Award nominee Sally Hawkins, Mr Bean star Rowan Atkinson and Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman are also among the star-studded cast.

Paul King, best known for his work on the Paddington films, has directed the prequel.

In the final moments of the clip, Wonka meets Grants character  who is trapped in a glass jar  and says: So youre the funny little man whos been following me?

Love Actually star Grant, who is playing the small humans that are workers at Wonkas factory in the 1964 book, replies: I will have you know that I am a perfectly respectful size for an Oompa-Loompa.

The young Wonka appears not to know the people from Loompaland and so the Oompa-Loompa takes out an instrument and begins doing a dance.

Chalamet, who rose to fame in 2017s Call Me By Your Name and has since starred in 2021s Dune, describes Wonka as something of a magician, inventor and chocolate maker in the trailer.

Wonka, in a red coat and top hat, appears to be starting out on his journey to be the famous confectioner when he comes up against a chocolate cartel and teams up with a young girl.

He is also seen inventing a chocolate that makes you fly and beginning to create a chocolate shop.

In Dahls Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, a young boy wins a golden ticket to tour the world-famous headquarters run by the mysterious Wonka and staffed by Oompa-Loompas.

In 1971s Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Gene Wilder played the title character in the classic film.

Johnny Depp starred in Tim Burtons 2005 adaptation Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.

Wonka is set to be released in December.
A n AI company has launched a ChatGPT rival that it claims can analyse entire books and maintain conversations for days.

The chatbot is an updated version of US firm Anthropics large language model, known as Claude 2. It was made available to the US and the UK public on Tuesday and will be expanded to more countries in the coming months. Users can also access the bot through Quoras chatbot service, Poe.

AI chatbots mimic the way humans talk to provide text-based responses on a range of topics. US research firm OpenAIs ChatGPT thrust the tech into the limelight after it amassed 100 million users within two months. A wave of rivals followed, including Microsofts Bing and Googles Bard.

The chatbots meteoric success has also prompted warnings from experts and lawmakers over its alleged risks to privacy and society. Italy banned ChatGPT in March due to data safety concerns, and tech luminaries have called for advanced AI systems to be put on hold.

Anticipating some of those fears, Anthropic says Claude is built on trust and safety practices from major organisations and corporations. The chatbot was trained using the UN Declaration of Human Rights and Apples terms of service, among other documents.

Weve been iterating to improve the underlying safety of Claude 2, so that it is more harmless and harder to prompt to produce offensive or dangerous output, Anthropic said in a blog post.

Anthropics chief executive Dario Amodei met Britains Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in May as part of a delegation of AI bosses. Mr Sunak and tech leaders discussed the risks AI poses, from disinformation and national security to existential threats. Amodei was among dozens of tech experts to sign a statement saying that AI could lead to the extinction of humanity and should therefore be treated with the same urgency as nuclear war.

In May, the San Francisco-based company increased the length of Claudes input and output. This meant that it could digest hundreds of pages of technical documents or even a novel. It could also write lengthier documents, including memos, letters and short stories. In addition, Claude can fetch up-to-date information from the web  a feature that is limited to paying ChatGPT users.

Like its popular rival, the chatbot has some additional perks. Alongside its longer text-based responses, Anthropic has also improved Claudes coding skills. The company says the bot scored 71.2% up from 56% on a popular Python coding test. It also scored 88% up from 85.2% on a large set of US primary school maths problems.
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Scientists are getting close to formally announcing that were in a new epoch, or period of time, called the Anthropocene.

Officially, were currently living through the Holocene, which began around 11,700 years ago, and signifies the time since the end of the last ice age.

But scientists argue that evidence of plutonium, concrete and microplastics from the ultra-remote Crawford Lake in Canada suggests human activities began to have a significant influence on global systems from the 1950s.

Microsoft has been given the green light to go ahead with its purchase of Activision Blizzard in the US.

An American judge ruled that the merger can go ahead, on the basis that the tech giant will keep Call of Duty on PlayStation, rather than make it an Xbox exclusive.

Pamela Maynard, CEO of a global tech services firm Avanade has told Tech & Science Daily that artificial intelligence can benefit society if its done right.

Pamela is the latest to call for appropriate regulation around the use of AI, and she explains why she believes AI can make the world more human-centric.

The White House has set out a new plan to tackle whats been called a zombie drug impacting thousands of people across the US.

Officials have put together a plan to try to beef up testing, tracking and treatment of street drugs laced with xylazine, which rots the skin of those who use it.

And the rest

Parts of the Moons surface 200 million years older than previously thought, new portable dementia test could catch cases sooner, North Korea fires longest-ever missile flight after threatening US, and unborn babies use greedy father gene to get more food from mothers.

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"All people should have the right to live their lives in society based on their own sexual identities," the plaintiff said after the ruling. "The significance of that should not be reduced to the usage of toilets or public baths."

The victory by the plaintiff, identified only as a transgender female ministry official in her 50s who sued the government over toilet access, was good news for the LGBTQ+ community in Japan, the only member of the Group of Seven industrialized nations where same-sex marriage is not legal.

The judges said in a unanimous ruling that the Economy and Trade Ministry's restrictions, which forced the employee to use either a nearby men's room or women's restrooms at least two floors away, were "extremely inappropriate." It said the approval of the restrictions by the National Personnel Authority, which is supposed to serve the interests of government employees, was "illegal" and an "abuse of power."

It was the court's first ruling on the working environment for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Japan's Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that restrictions imposed by a government ministry on a transgender female employee's use of restrooms at her workplace are illegal, in a landmark decision that could promote the rights of LGBTQ+ people in a country without legal protections for them.

The ministry had imposed the two-floor bathroom restriction to limit the chances that the plaintiff's coworkers might use the same restroom and be embarrassed. The ruling said the ministry was excessively considerate of other employees, while "unjustly neglecting the plaintiff's inconvenience" even though there had been no trouble or complaint.

"Even if awareness is lacking among the public, the administrative branch must promote understanding and prohibit discrimination," said the plaintiff's lawyer, Toshimasa Yamashita. "The government now must deal with the workplace environment more appropriately to protect the rights of minorities."

The decision comes at a time of increased awareness and support for the rights of LGBTQ+ people. Activists have increased their efforts to achieve an anti-discrimination law since a former aide to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in February that he wouldn't want to live next to LGBTQ+ people and that citizens would flee Japan if same-sex marriage were allowed.

But opposition to equal rights remains strong within Kishida's governing Liberal Democratic Party, known for its conservative values. In June, parliament passed a contentious law to promote awareness of sexual minorities without providing legal rights.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the government will need to carefully examine the ruling before responding to it. "We will firmly work to achieve a society where diversity is respected, and everyone, including those who are members of sexual minorities and those in the majority, value each other's human rights and dignity and enjoy a vibrant life," he said.

Transgender people in Japan must undergo surgery to remove their reproductive organs in order to have their gender changed on official documents, a requirement that human rights groups call inhumane.

Kishida insists that public views vary on same-sex marriage, and that its legal recognition would have a broad impact on society and therefore must be discussed carefully.

A court in Fukuoka in southern Japan ruled last month that the lack of legal protections for LGTBQ+ people appear to be unconstitutional. It was the last of five court cases brought by 14 same-sex couples in 2019 that accused the government of violating their equality. Four of the courts ruled that current government policy is unconstitutional or nearly so, while a fifth said a ban on same-sex marriage was constitutional.
President Joe Biden welcomed news late Monday that Sweden will be admitted to NATO, overcoming objections from the last holdout in the security alliance, Turkey, on the eve of a major summit of the security bloc in Lithuania's capital.

"I stand ready to work with [Turkish] President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan and [Turkey] on enhancing defense and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area," Biden said in a statement issued from Vilnius, where he is attending the summit of NATO leaders. "I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Kristersson and Sweden as our 32nd NATO Ally."

Biden is set to meet with Erdogan late Tuesday at the end of the first day of the summit.

Erdogan had opposed Sweden's membership, accusing Stockholm of not doing enough to crack down on their branch of a political party that Turkey's government sees as extremists.

In what appeared to be a last-ditch parry on the eve of the summit, Erdogan linked the Sweden issue with Ankara's stalled demands to join the European Union.

"The United States has always supported [Turkey's] EU membership aspirations and continues to do so. [Turkey's] membership application and process is a matter between the EU and [Turkey]," a National Security Council spokesperson told VOA. The official asked not to be identified, as is common practice when discussing administration policy. "Our focus is on Sweden, which is ready to join the NATO Alliance."

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Turkey's decision on Sweden, calling it "an historic step" that makes all members stronger and safer.

Sweden needed unanimous support from all 31 NATO members to join the alliance. Sweden and Finland applied jointly for membership last May, with both Nordic nations citing overwhelming popular support for the idea amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Finland's membership was finalized in April.
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Romania has assumed the role of a "responsible" ally in strengthening regional security, Defence Minister Angel Tilvar said on Tuesday, in the context of the informal meeting of defence ministers of the North Atlantic Council, with Sweden, held in Vilnius, on the sidelines of the NATO Summit.

"The relevance of the Black Sea region has grown exponentially in recent years, with Russia being the main threat, involved both militarily and politically in every security file in the region. Romania has assumed the role of a responsible ally in strengthening regional security and will continue to do so in order to identify the best political, diplomatic and military solutions to support allied decisions on the strategic importance of the Black Sea. It is clear that this region needs a greater commitment from NATO countries," the minister said, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of National Defence (MApN) sent to AGERPRES.

The agenda of the informal meeting of the North Atlantic Council Defence Ministers with Sweden was shaped around important decisions at NATO level on strengthening the deterrence and defence posture, as well as elements of interest regarding the development of the defence industry.

"The Allied commitment to allocate a minimum of 2 percent of GDP to Defence is a clear expression of this determination, with Romania already allocating 2.5 percent. The adoption of the new regional defence plans is a paradigm shift in the approach to collective defence at the allied level. The Ministry of National Defence will continue to be part of this collective effort," said minister Tilvar.

As regards the development of the defence industry, he underlined that Romania will maintain its comprehensive commitments under the three pillars of the concept of equitable responsibility sharing - the provision of financial resources, the implementation of the assumed capabilities and the contribution to NATO operations, missions and commitments. The Romanian Defence minister also welcomed the adoption of a new commitment on defence spending.
A woman in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province has been arrested for burying her two-day-old baby boy amid a nationwide search for hundreds of missing babies who were never registered with the authorities, police said Tuesday.

This brings the number of missing babies who were found dead to 35. Police have been urgently asked to look into almost 1,000 cases of "ghost babies" who have hospital birth records but no birth registration.

An unmarried daycare center teacher, the woman gave birth to a baby boy at a hospital in Mokpo on Oct. 27, 2017. After leaving the hospital two days later, she took a taxi to her parents' home in Gwangyang in the same province, where she buried the baby, who died that day, on a hill nearby.
The Minister of National Defense, Angel Tilvar, signed, on Tuesday, on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, the Joint Declaration on the formalization of a training coalition for the Ukrainian air forces, for the operation of the F-16 aircraft, the Ministry of National Defence (MApN) reported.

"Our major interest is to have as soon as possible well-trained Romanian pilots to operate the F-16 aircraft of the Romanian Air Force. We all know how complex it is to ensure the security of the airspace in the Black Sea region, on the NATO border. We are in the process of transferring another 32 aircraft from Norway and we will thus have, we hope as soon as possible, three squadrons equipped with multi-role F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft," said the minister, according to a press release from MApN sent to AGERPRES on Wednesday.

He emphasized that achieving this goal is "essential" for the Romanian Army and "an extremely important step for the transition to the 5th generation aircraft, the F-35".

"I must also highlight the impact of this program for the national defence industry, in the context in which Aerostar Bacau was designated as the Maintenance Center for F-16, ensuring the transfer of state-of-the-art technology to Romania," added Angel Tilvar.

The signing of the joint declaration comes in the context in which the Supreme Council of Defense of the Country (CSAT) approved this month the establishment of a training facility in Romania, for the personnel of the Romanian Air Force who operate F-16 aircraft, a facility which, in a subsequent phase of establishment, could be opened to the participation of seafaring personnel from NATO allied and partner states, including Ukraine.

By signing the joint declaration, Romania joins an important group of allied states consisting of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The project will have an essential role in the F-16 program of the Romanian Air Force.
Romania is "in an advanced phase of developing a National Strategy regarding the approach to climate change in the field of Defense", stated Minister Angel Tilvar, in the context of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding regarding the NATO Center of Excellence in the field of climate change and security.

The respective document marks the joining of Romania, as a sponsoring nation, to the center that will be hosted by Canada, the Defense Ministry (MApN) informs."Romania supported these initiatives at the allied level, and the interest given to this field is also reflected in the national programmatic documents. Moreover, I can state that we are in an advanced phase of developing a National Strategy regarding the approach to climate change in the field of Defense, which is intended to be adopted by the end of this year," the Romanian defense minister said.In recent years, the issue of climate change and its impact on security has emerged as a major topic on the allied agenda."NATO's Strategic Concept reflects the major challenge of climate change on the security environment, acting as a multiplier of threats and security risks and affecting, at the same time, the way in which the allied armed forces operate. Furthermore, NATO leaders proposed to confer the Alliance a role model at the international level regarding the understanding and adaptation to climate change", states MApN.Participating states will be engaged in a constant dialogue and exchange of examples of good practice implemented at the national level in the management of this problem and drawing recommendations regarding future activities at the level of international organizations.
Never in Romania's "troubled" history has national security been more robustly guaranteed than now, the deputy secretary general of the North Atlantic Alliance, Mircea Geoana said on Wednesday in an interview for the AGERPRES National News Agency.

He said that the NATO Summit in Vilnius is one with a strong transformative effect, the most important transformation being the one regarding the defense plans, which would be operational by the end of this year."Never in the troubled history of our country have we had national security guaranteed more robustly than now," the deputy secretary general of NATO emphasized.Mircea Geoana stated that the decision of the North Atlantic Alliance regarding the allocation of at least 2% for Defense can be a chance for the revival of the industry in this field for Romania and the region of which it is a part."For Romania and for our region - a chance for the revival of the Defense industry, for more investments in research, development, innovation for dual-use technologies, young entrepreneurs, innovators who can start an interesting business, with a market that it's also very interesting," he explained.The deputy secretary general of NATO also spoke in the interview about the regional training hub for F-16 pilots that will be built in Romania, together with the Netherlands and other international partners, and will be open to Ukrainian pilots, but also about the relationship of the North Atlantic Alliance with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.AGERPRES: Mr. deputy secretary general, we are at the end of an extremely important summit. What are, in your opinion, the results for Romania?Mircea Geoana: It is a summit with a powerful transformative effect. All the decisions we have taken have a profound element of transformation in them, which is good news for Romania as well, very good news for the entire Alliance. First, the transformation of our defense plans. I haven't done something so deep and complete in 40 years. It is the most important transformation in the way we defend our territory, in which we deter potential adversaries and it is very, very good news. For Romania, which is on the Eastern Flank, which also has a very interesting geography on the Black Sea, between the Balkans, is close to the Mediterranean, it is very, very good news. Transforming what it means to invest in Defense and the defense industry. Another transformation - minimum 2% of GDP for Defense. For Romania and for our region - a chance for the revival of the Defense industry, for more investments in research, development, innovation for dual-use technologies, young entrepreneurs, innovators who can start an interesting business, with a market that is also very interesting. The transformation of our relations with Ukraine into a NATO-Ukraine Council and with a much clearer accession perspective for Ukraine. The transformation of the relationship with our partners, starting with the Republic of Moldova, with Georgia, with Bosnia, but also with those in the Indo-Pacific area. I would say that in two exciting days, with many negotiations, with a lot of substance, we can say that we are leaving Vilnius with the feeling of having participated and having contributed to a transformative summit and, as I was talking with the American president and other friends, we are already thinking about the Summit in Washington next June.AGERPRES: You are talking about those regional defense plans. Concretely, what do they mean and when could they become operational?Mircea Geoana: Obviously, many details are sensitive and secret, we cannot talk too much about them, but in essence it is about the allocation of more military forces from NATO, all NATO countries will contribute to these plans with more equipment, more multi-domain operations, and air, and land, and maritime, and cybernetic, and space - very interesting -, pre-positioning of several pieces of equipment, joint exercises, in a much more sustained and much more robust logic. The ambition of our military leaders, because now the politician has decided, approved, is that by the end of 2023 these plans start to become operational. Obviously, it is a period in which we have to work, it will not all happen overnight, but we are optimistic that nations will begin to allocate the resources that the plans call for from every ally and every ally, from the American ally, the most robust, still very present in Europe, until a more recent ally, let's say Finland or/and Sweden, each will have a very clear plan, knowing exactly what they have to do, in what calendar, under what conditions, with what resources, extraordinarily good news for Romania. Never in the troubled history of our country have we had national security guaranteed more robustly than now.AGERPRES: There is the prospect of a hub aimed at training F-16 pilots in Romania as well. Do you think it is possible for this to happen starting this year?Mircea Geoana: It is an initiative that we encourage and applaud. The Danish and Dutch allies came up with this initiative and to this initiative they bought several countries, including Romania. Romania also has the advantage of geography, being a close and neighboring country to Ukraine, it is easier to do these trainings. It is also good news for the Romanian pilots, because we do not have so many F-16s and they are recent. For other allies, for Ukrainian pilots it is a very good thing. Obviously, the Dutch and the Romanians will work together with other allies on the details regarding the calendar and logistics of this operation. I would not give a precise date, but I think it is a matter that will take place in a very accelerated calendar because the needs are here and we need to move as quickly as possible.AGERPRES: You are talking about a transformation of the relationship with the Republic of Moldova. What exactly are you referring to?Mircea Geoana: I mean that NATO recognizes that the Russian Federation has this brutal and illegal war against Ukraine, but it also exerts pressure through diversified means against other NATO partners - Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina. I led a meeting of the NATO foreign ministers with the three partner countries and, if you notice in the final statement here from Vilnius, there is a robust paragraph related to the Republic of Moldova for the first time. This makes me happy and we will continue to support the Republic of Moldova. He has been a partner with us for 30 years, with NATO, he is a joint partner of NATO and the European Union. We have sent to Chisinau a team of top professionals on resilience issues, who will provide opinions and recommendations for the authorities in Chisinau, in order to have a more integrated, more modern, more robust vision of its resilience. Obviously, we respect the constitutional neutrality of the Republic of Moldova, but the fact that the moment is approaching when the accession negotiations of the Republic of Moldova to the EU will begin, as well as Ukraine's, we hope also Georgia's, is an element that we very, very support a lot. It is clearly a transformation that does not come so much or exclusively from our side, it comes from Chisinau, which in a kind of strategic awakening to a much more brutal reality realized that being somewhere between the zone of Russian influence and the West it is not a comfortable situation, it is risky and that neutrality does not mean being weak militarily. That is why we will continue to support the Republic of Moldova. I repeat: in full respect for its constitutional neutrality.
MEP Siegfried Muresan, vice-president of the European People's Party group, has welcomed the broad support once again extended on Wednesday by the European Parliament to Romania's accession to the Schengen area and expressed hope that Austria will lift its unjustified objection by the end of the year.

"The European Parliament told us today what we already knew, the fact that it supports us, but the new element is the imperative request to adopt our accession by the end of the year and the imperative request to Austria to lift its objection. I hope that Austria will lift its unjustified objection by the end of the year. The Romanian government has obviously met all its commitments, including the implementation of that new pilot project carried out with European support at Romania's external border and a similar pilot project at Bulgaria's external border is proceeding according to plan. These are intended to show Austria once again that the problem with asylum seekers in Austria does not originate in Romania and these people, these refugees, did not come to Romania, nor did they pass through Romania. As such, we hope this unjustified objection will be lifted,'' Muresan told a group of Romanian journalists at a meeting in Strasbourg.In his opinion, the resolution adopted on Wednesday by the European Parliament is a significant institutional instrument to increase the pressure on the current government in Vienna and is the certification of the fact that Romania's accession to the Schengen area "is not a subject that will divide Europe."The resolution of the European Parliament, having regard to a petition by Romania's former Energy Minister Razvan Nicolescu on behalf of Asociatia pentru Energie Curata si Combaterea Schimbarilor Climatice, emphasises that Romania and Bulgaria have already demonstrated compliance with the necessary criteria, their effective fulfilment of Schengen obligations, and the positive contribution they already bring to the Schengen area.The EP expresses deep regret about the outcome of the European Council deliberations of 8 December 2022, resulting in Romania and Bulgaria being denied accession to the Schengen area, without any legal justification related to accession criteria having been presented and requests that the Council vote, without further delay and no later than the end of 2023, in favour of the accession of the two countries and their full application of the Schengen acquis solely on the basis of their fulfilment of the Schengen criteria. It also underlines that the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area is essential, as an enlarged Schengen area without internal border controls will make the EU stronger.The resolution calls on the European Commission to estimate the financial losses, missed gains and environmental damage incurred by Romania and Bulgaria, as well as by the Union as a whole, since 2011 due to the fact that Romania and Bulgaria are not Schengen members; considers that the European Commission should analyse possible mechanisms for the compensation of financial losses incurred by Bulgaria and Romania due to the negative and unjustified denial of Schengen area membership, taking into consideration financial losses starting from June 2011; the EP emphasises that the negative decision on the Schengen membership of Romania and Bulgaria is instrumentalised by anti-EU propaganda, including Russian propaganda and undermines the EU's capacity to promote its values and good governance in non-EU countries, including in accession countries.Currently, all EU member states except Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania are part of the Schengen free-travel area, which also includes non-EU states Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The European Commission has assessed that Bulgaria and Romania are ready to join Schengen, and the European Parliament has repeatedly supported their accession, most recently in a resolution on 5 October 2022 and a debate on 14 December 2022.
The General Inspectorate of the Border Police (IGPR) informs that on Tuesday, 125,471 people entered Romania through the border points, of whom 15,305 were Ukrainian citizens.

According to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Wednesday, approximately 246,800 people, Romanian and foreign citizens, with approximately 61,700 means of transport, completed the control formalities through the border points throughout the country, both inbound and outbound.

Starting with February 10, 2022 (pre-conflict period), 4,982,354 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania.

In the areas of competence, the crossing points and the "green border", the police found 38 illegal acts (20 crimes and 18 misdemeanors) committed by both Romanian and foreign citizens, and the value of the contravention fines applied amounts to 6,300 RON.

Goods were seized for confiscation in the amount of approximately 69,000 RON.

On Tuesday, 13 foreign citizens who did not meet the conditions stipulated by the law were not allowed to enter the country, and 27 Romanian citizens were also not allowed to leave for various legal reasons.
On Wednesday, the Romanian and Moroccan justice ministries signed a protocol establishing a bilateral legal framework for collaboration regarding exchanges of information and legislation on legal issues of common interest, exchanges of experience and best practices between experts of the two entities, holding seminars, conferences and workshops, establishing partnerships.

The document was signed at a meeting of Romanian Justice Minister Alina Gorghiu and her Moroccan counterpart Abdellatif Ouahbi.

"The Romanian minister of justice congratulated her Moroccan counterpart on initiating the process of reform and modernisation of the legislation of the Kingdom of Morocco that emphasises the promotion of women's rights. The Romanian official highlighted the efforts of the Romanian authorities to combat domestic violence by implementing a system for monitoring aggressors using electronic bracelets. The Moroccan side asked Romania for its expertise in this area, noting that the Kingdom of Morocco is going to implement a similar monitoring system next year," reads a press statement released by the Romanian Ministry of Justice.

Also discussed during the meeting were reforms recently implemented by the Romanian Ministry of Justice in the matter of digital transformation, as well as measures to improve detention conditions, with Gorghiu mentioning that in the coming years two new penitentiaries will be built that will provide 2,000 additional places of detention. AGERPRES
Young tenor Stefan von Korch, who has become a familiar presence at the National Opera House in Bucharest, Cluj or Iasi, will participate alongside the Spanish Symphonic Orchestra Reino de Aragon in a tour that will see them perform in 27 Chinese cities, a release informs.

Von Korch will be the only Romanian soloist in the tour that will bring together over 60 musicians under the baton of renowned conductor Ricardo Casero.

China Tour 2023 will take place from July 18 to September 4 and will cross China from south to north, having as venues landmark halls listed in the world cultural and architectural heritage such as: Chongqing Grand Theatre, Zhuhai Opera House, Nanjing Poly Grand Theatre, Shengyang Grand Theatre, Shanxi Poly Grand Theatre.

"Music is a universal language that unites and connects beyond any cultural, linguistic or geographical barriers. I feel honored to be one of the European messengers of the lyrical repertoire on Asian land. I am grateful for the opportunity to sing under the direction of conductor Ricardo Casero, a worldwide recognized personality. And I'm glad to be together with the Reino De Aragon Orchestra, highly appreciated in Spain and in the world, in this endeavor," Stefan von Korch said as cited in the release.

Three acclaimed soloists from the Spanish opera and operetta world will also take part in the China tour: sopranos Federica di Trapani and Marta Heras, and tenor David Esteban.

Stefan von Korch is currently the reference voice for Carmina Burana's tenor part, but also one of the few tenors who can provide a technically and artistically flawless rendition of the demanding role of Arturo Talbot in Bellini's I Puritani/The Puritans, a score in the highest male vocal range. AGERPRES
The Prince and Princess of Wales have released a new photograph of their daughter, Princess Charlotte, to mark her eighth birthday on Tuesday.

Shared the evening before her birthday, the photo shows Charlotte sitting in a white chair wearing a white floral dress and smiling at the camera.

Like many of the images released of the young royals, the palace said it was taken by her mother, Catherine, in Windsor over the weekend.

"Wishing Princess Charlotte a very happy birthday! 8 tomorrow," the Prince and Princess of Wales' official Twitter account said, alongside a balloon and birthday cake emoji.

Charlotte was born at St. Mary's Hospital in west London and is third in line to the British throne, after her father Prince William and older brother Prince George, 9.

Her birthday marks the start of a busy week for the British royal family, which will celebrate King Charles III's coronation on Saturday in a magnificent and deeply religious ceremony at London's Westminster Abbey.

Charlotte's role in the ceremony has not yet been officially announced but her brother George is one of eight boys chosen to "attend Their Majesties during the Coronation Service," the palace said last month.

___

Photos: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis through the years
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister Yo-jong in a series of recent tirades referred to South Korea for the first time as the "Republic of Korea," its official name.

The North had always used "South Korea" or the "puppet regime" but never the official name. The change of practice has sparked a flurry of speculation among North Korea watchers, who wonder what may lie behind it.

North Korea unilaterally severed all communication channels with South Korea in April, and since then the Foreign Ministry rather than any special agency seems to be dealing with South Korea-related business.

According to the Unification Ministry here, North Korea has referred to the "Republic of Korea" only in official diplomatic documents or when citing foreign media reports.

Ministry spokesman Koo Byung-sam said, "This is the first time North Korea used 'Republic of Korea' when criticizing the South."

The North has apparently given up improving inter-Korean relations.

In 2020, North Korea blew up a liaison office in the border city of Kaesong, apparently blaming South Korea for the collapse of negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump, which then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in had helped broker.

At a Workers Party session in 2021, the North adopted a more hardline approach to the South and scrapped a position handling relations with Seoul. The Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, North Korea's equivalent of the Unification Ministry, has not made any public announcements since 2021.

Nam Sung-wook at Korea University said, "We need to see if North Korea continues to use 'Republic of Korea.' The North may have hardened its position in response to the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's announcement that it wants to pursue reunification based on human rights, democracy and shared values instead of unquestioned support."
NEW YORK  The Biden administration on Wednesday moved to reduce childrens exposure to lead, proposing stricter limits on dust from lead-based paint in older homes and child-care facilities.

Declaring that there is no safe level of lead, the administration estimates that the proposed rule would reduce lead exposure for approximately 250,000 to 500,000 children under the age of six each year.

Thats important because health scientists have said for some time there is no safe level of lead in a childs blood. Leads damage to the brain is well known: It takes points off IQ, deprives kids of problem-solving abilities, and can make it harder to learn to read. But it also affects other organs, including the liver and kidneys.

This proposal to safely remove lead paint along with our other efforts to deliver clean drinking water and replace lead pipes will go a long way toward protecting the health of our next generation of leaders, Janet McCabe, deputy director of the Environmental Protection Agency, said in New Jersey, where the proposal was announced.

Paint that contains lead was banned in 1978, but because paint is applied in layers and then chips off or is sanded off during remodeling, more than 30 million American homes are believed to still contain it.

The proposed rule targets levels of lead dust. Currently 10 micrograms per square foot is considered hazardous on floors, and a concentration 10 times that high is considered hazardous on window sills. The new rule brings both of those down to no detectable lead.

Apart from what constitutes a hazard, the proposed rule would reduce whats allowed when a lead contractor, often called a lead abatement contractor, finishes work on a property where lead has been a problem. These levels would be 3 micrograms per square foot on the floor and 20 micrograms per square foot for sills.

Some public health experts celebrated the announcement.

Dr. Philip Landrigan noted the government has gradually been reducing the standard for what counts as poisonous levels of lead in the blood of children, with the most recent change occurring two years ago. But the EPA announcement marks an effort to take more preventive action, he said.

When you are relying on the blood lead level in children to indicate whether there is lead in the environment, we are basically using the children as canaries in the mine, said Landrigan, a Boston College biology professor who directs the schools Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good.

This way we actually dealing with the source, as opposed to the consequences of exposure, he said.

He called the proposed rule a very big deal, very much needed, and long overdue.

David Rosner, a public health historian at Columbia University and expert on the history of lead regulation in the United States, applauded the rule as an overdue overdue recognition that no level of lead exposure is safe for children.

Rosner expressed surprise at the announcement, given that new environmental regulations have become more difficult and controversial in recent years. Its nice that they are trying to move at least on this one, obvious, long-term problem that weve had for a century, Rosner said.

Bruce Lanphear, a lead poisoning expert at Canadas Simon Fraser University, said the current standard was based on what was thought to be feasible rather than on science, and this corrects that.

But Rosner also noted it is currently just a proposal and will likely face opposition from landlords and others who will likely lament the cost of more aggressive cleanups.

It will be interesting to see what politics play out, Rosner said.

Updated at 5 p.m.
ST. LOUIS  Three men were shot and injured Tuesday afternoon in a Target parking lot in the city's St. Louis Hills neighborhood.

Investigators say two 19-year-old men met up with a 25-year-old man around 4 p.m. in the parking lot "to conduct an unknown transaction."

The 25-year-old man got into the teenagers' silver Malibu with another person, police said, and shots were eventually fired inside the car.

The two teens drove to Hampton Avenue and Eichelberger Street, police said. One teen was shot in the face and back, and the other teenager was shot in the neck.

The third person, the 25-year-old, later showed up to a hospital with a gunshot to his forearm, police said.

Officers found two Glock pistols that had been left on Hampton Avenue. Police on Wednesday were not sure who shot first.

All three people were hospitalized.
ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis family filed suit Tuesday claiming an inept and deficient 911 system left a 36-year-old father waiting on hold for crucial minutes as he bled out from an accidental gunshot wound.

Richard Schlesings wife and four children say the city and Mayor Tishaura O. Jones are to blame for failing to fix an understaffed, balkanized 911 system despite years of complaints and high-profile reports about its inefficiency.

For years, Jones and city have repeatedly promised to fix the 911 system, Tuesdays suit says. For years, Jones and city have done little to nothing to actually fix the 911 system despite the same issues and problems continuing to be present.

Earlier this month, a 33-year-old woman was killed by a tree that fell on her car as she waited out a storm outside of her home in The Grove area of the city. Bystanders said they tried for more than an hour to summon emergency services.

Attorney Grant Boyd, who filed suit on behalf of Schlesings family, said in an interview the storm incident was another glaring example of 911 delays in the city.

They keep doing what politicians do: A problem comes up, they go into (public relations mode) ... but then they dont do anything to actually fix it, he said. Every day that goes by, its not dramatic to say peoples lives are at risk.

Monte Chambers, spokesperson for St. Louis Department of Public Safety, declined to comment on the suit. But in a statement last week, he noted that Jones administration had made progress increasing dispatchers pay and gathering money for a new dispatch center.

Still, more than a third of calls werent being answered quickly enough to meet the national standards by the beginning of this year. About a third of police dispatcher positions and half of EMS positions remained vacant as of this spring.

Schlesing, who was a sergeant and squad leader in the Missouri National Guard, was driving home from work on Jan. 27 on Morgan Ford Road near Gravois Avenue in south St. Louis when he accidentally shot himself.

He pulled over and tried to dial 911, but he couldnt get anyone on the phone, the suit said. Family members and other bystanders who tried to call couldnt get a response, either. He bled out after a substantial amount of waiting.

Now, his wife and four children are seeking an unspecified amount of damages to compensate them for their loss.

In addition to the wrongful death claim, Schlesings wife, Ashley Schlesing, is asking the city to return her husbands gun, which was taken after the incident.

The suit said the city refused to return the gun to Ashley Schlesing despite having no lawful grounds to keep it.

Citys conduct is once again motivated by ill-will, malevolence and retaliation, the suit says.

No hearing date has been set in the suit.
JEFFERSON CITY  The COVID-19 pandemic is over and Republican Eric Schmitt has departed as Missouris attorney general, but his campaign to blunt local health efforts during the outbreak of a deadly disease endures in the states court system.

On Wednesday, the Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments in a politically charged 2020 case involving a Missouri judge who stripped local health departments of their ability to issue orders designed to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

At issue before the court is whether a group of counties, including St. Louis County, have the right to appeal the decision and whether the ruling itself should be overturned after Schmitt, now a U.S. senator, did not appeal.

The judgment strips local governments of the power previously granted to them to combat contagious diseases in their communities. Once it became known that the attorney general would no longer defend their interests, appellants immediately sought to intervene, the counties said in briefings filed with the high court.

But Schmitts successor, Republican Andrew Bailey, an appointee of Gov. Mike Parson, wrote in briefs filed with the high court that the case should be tossed out.

This is a case about whether four parties can intervene as defendants to defend a regulation when none of them have anything to defend, Baileys office said.

The lawsuit challenged whether regulations issued by state health officials unconstitutionally authorized local medical directors to issue rules, such as quarantines and business closures to address concerns about the spread of the virus.

During Wednesdays arguments, Supreme Court Judge Patricia Breckenridge probed both sides for a way to allow the counties to keep the case alive and determine the status of the 1940s-era health laws struck by Cole County Judge Daniel Green.

Attorney Kimberley Mathis, who represented the St. Louis County individuals and businesses in the original case, told the court that the counties cannot gain status in the case after a decision has been handed down.

She was joined by Assistant Attorney General Maria Lanahan who also asked the court not to give the counties a foothold in the case.

But, St. Louis County attorney Neal Perryman told the court that local officials must be allowed to intervene in order to gain clarity about the ruling, which caused chaos at the time.

This is our shot, Perryman said.

The fight over public health orders during the pandemic became political fodder for Schmitt, who was running for the Senate while he railed against masks in schools and business closures at a time when people were dying from the respiratory ailment.

Among those involved in the lawsuit was Ben Brown, owner of Satchmos Bar and Grill in Chesterfield, who fought with St. Louis County officials over his ability to stay open during the pandemic.

Brown used the notoriety gained from the case, as well as support from other conservatives opposed to health orders, to win a seat in the state Senate last year.

The court offered no timeline for a decision.
MADISON COUNTY  Passengers described a chaotic and bloody scene Wednesday morning after a Greyhound bus bound for St. Louis crashed into three tractor-trailers parked on a ramp near a rest area in Madison County, killing three and injuring at least 14.

Coroner identifies 3 people who died in Greyhound bus crash in Madison County The Madison County coroner's office on Thursday identified the three men who died one day earlier in the crash of a Greyhound bus that was bound for St. Louis.

One rider said he was sleeping when the crash sent him sliding down the aisle and bloodied his nose, and he helped a pregnant woman escape through a window. Another said he woke up to the bus running over rumble strips, and he swallowed shards of glass during the crash. And another said after a brief stop in St. Louis, she still had to travel much of the country in a Greyhound to return home to Los Angeles.

The crash happened just before 2 a.m. on westbound Interstate 70 when a bus bound for St. Louis from Indianapolis hit three trucks on the shoulder of the Silver Lake rest area ramp near Highland. The force of impact sheared off the right side of the bus.

In addition to the three unidentified people killed, four people were taken by helicopter to a hospital, and 10 were taken by ambulance. A spokesperson for Greyhound said about 30 people were on the bus.

Several passengers on the bus were still at the downtown St. Louis bus stop Wednesday afternoon, including some waiting on connecting buses.

Among them was Edward Alexander, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

I thank God, for real, Alexander said. I really feel blessed. It couldve been me.

Alexander was sleeping when the crash sent him sliding down the aisle and bloodied his nose. A pregnant woman near him was having trouble breathing, and Alexander helped her escape from the bus window.

Alexander searched for his cellphone on the mangled bus but jumped out the window when he saw it filling with smoke. He waited for hours at the crash site for another bus to take him to St. Louis. He said he lost all of his belongings but was glad to be alive.

The bus had been scheduled to arrive in St. Louis at 2:20 a.m. Trooper Josh Korando of the Illinois State Police said the truckers had pulled off onto the shoulder of the exit ramp to sleep, and the rest areas truck parking lot was full. The Associated Press reported that its illegal in Illinois for trucks to park on exit ramps but that trucking industry experts said its a common practice when parking lots are full at rest areas and truck stops.

Edwin Brown, 22, of Friars Point, Mississippi, said he felt the bus hit 12 or 13 rumble strips on the side of the highway before the crash. He tried to fall back asleep anyway, hoping the bus would be in St. Louis by the time he woke up.

When I woke up, like, I flew forward, Brown said. So then when I raised up, the side of the bus opened up like a can opener.

Browns head hit a seat of the bus during the crash, he said, and he was still wearing a hospital band on his wrist just before noon Wednesday. He said he swallowed glass shards during the crash and cut up his fist. He received an electrocardiogram at Anderson Hospital in Maryville.

Brown said he was on the right-hand side of the bus, and he slipped through a gaping hole in the bus wall after the crash. He then helped others out, and with the help of a trucker, he said he turned the bus off. The driver was in and out of consciousness.

Dawanda Parker, 34, was also asleep before the crash. She woke up in the aisle, and a man helped her escape the bus through a window, she said. When the passengers escaped, they laid down in the grass, Parker said.

Im still thinking, Im dreaming, Im dreaming, Parker said.

Parker is headed home to Los Angeles to see her four children and is still taking a bus the rest of the way.

Greyhound offered Parker money, she said, but she refused it.

According to a U.S. Department of Transportation report, the bus that crashed is part of a fleet that does business under Greyhounds BoltBus division. That fleet includes 1,046 vehicles and 1,132 drivers, and it was involved in 69 crashes in the past two years.

Karen Miller, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents Greyhound drivers, said investigations will follow by the company and the Department of Transportation, and her main concern was the well-being of the driver and passengers.
UPDATED with details from two more passengers

MADISON COUNTY  A Greyhound bus heading to St. Louis crashed on Interstate 70 near Highland early Wednesday, killing three people and injuring at least 14.

Illinois State Police said the crash happened just before 2 a.m. on I-70 West along a ramp leading to the Silver Lake rest area. The scene is west of Highway 160 in Madison County.

The passenger bus hit three tractor-trailers that were parked on the shoulder of a ramp leading to the rest area, police said. The force of impact sheared off the right side of the bus.

Three people on the bus died. Four were taken by medical helicopter to a hospital, and 10 were taken away by ambulance. No one in the tractor-trailers was hurt.

Trooper Josh Korando of the Illinois State Police said the truckers had pulled off the highway to sleep, and the tractor-trailers were lined along the right shoulder of a long ramp that heads to the rest area.

The rest area's parking lot for trucks was full at the time, Korando said. The bus sideswiped all three trucks but hit the first one with the most force.

The Greyhound bus was traveling from Indianapolis to St. Louis and was scheduled to arrive at the St. Louis station at about 2:20 a.m., said Mike Ogulnick, a spokesman for Greyhound.

Ogulnick said the bus was carrying about 30 people, including the driver. "Our primary concern is ensuring we care for our passengers and driver at this time," he said in an email.

Authorities have not released any details about the people who were killed and injured.

The company sent another bus to pick up passengers who were unhurt, Ogulnick said.

Several passengers who had been on the bus that crashed were still at the downtown St. Louis bus stop late Wednesday morning, including some waiting on connecting buses.

"I thank God for real," said Edward Alexander of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. "I really feel blessed. It could've been me."

Alexander said he was sleeping when the crash sent him sliding down the aisle and bloodied his nose. A pregnant woman near him was having trouble breathing, and Alexander helped her escape from the bus window.

Alexander searched for his cell phone on the mangled bus but jumped out the window when he saw it filling with smoke. He waited for hours at the crash site for another bus to take him to St. Louis. He said he lost all of his belongings but was glad to be alive.

Edwin Brown, 22, of Friars Point, Mississippi, said he felt the bus shake as it passed over rumble strips before the crash. He felt 12 or 13 vibrations, he said. Still, he tried to fall back asleep, hoping that hed be in St. Louis by the time he woke up.

When I woke up, like, I flew forward, Brown said. So then when I raised up, the side of the bus opened up like a can opener.

Browns head hit a seat of the bus during the crash, he said, and he was still sporting a hospital band on his wrist just before noon Wednesday. He said he swallowed glass shards during the crash and cut up his fist. He received an electrocardiogram at Anderson Hospital in Maryville.

Brown said he was on the right-hand side of the bus, and he slipped through a gaping hole in the bus wall after the crash. He then helped others out, and with the help of a trucker, he said he turned the bus off. The driver was in and out of consciousness.

Dawanda Parker, 34, was also asleep before the crash. She woke up in the aisle, she said, and a man helped her escape the bus through a window. When the passengers escaped, they laid down in the grass, Parker said.

Im still thinking, Im dreaming, Im dreaming, Parker said.

Parker is headed home to Los Angeles to see her four children and is still taking a bus the rest of the way.

Greyhound offered Parker money, she said, but she refused it.

According to a U.S. Department of Transportation report, the bus that crashed is part of a fleet that does business under Greyhound's BoltBus division. That fleet includes 1,046 vehicles and 1,132 drivers, and it was involved in 69 crashes in the past two years.

Karen Miller, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents Greyhound drivers, said investigations will follow by the company and the Department of Transportation, and her main concern was the well-being of the driver and passengers."
JEFFERSON CITY  The panel overseeing Missouris network of public defender offices is considering whether to shutter its bureau in the Bootheel city of Kennett as a result of its inability to recruit staff attorneys who want to work there.

Mary Fox, director of the Missouri State Public Defender System, said Tuesday she has recommended the Kennett office be closed and merged with the Jackson office, about 100 miles, or a 1-hour drive, north.

Fox said the six-member Missouri State Public Defender Commission, which is appointed by the governor, discussed the possible closure at its June meeting and is scheduled to consider it again at its Aug. 1 meeting.

It is possible the commission could take action at that time, Fox said.

The problem has been our inability to staff the Kennett office, Fox said. Hiring has been a struggle the last several years, but in that area, its been more than just a struggle.

Fox said one attorney currently works out of the Kennett office despite funding for five total attorney positions, including four assistant public defenders and one lead district defender.

She said the Kennett office, serving Dunklin County, opened 956 cases last fiscal year, which is clearly too much for one attorney.

Weve been hoping to hire people, Fox said. We contracted out a significant number of cases from down there.

Fox said no one has applied for an assistant public defender job at the Kennett office since March 2021, and wouldnt comment on applicants for the district defender position.

I think we could operate more efficiently if the office was operated out of Jackson, Fox said.

The Jackson office covers Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Mississippi, Perry and Scott counties. It has also absorbed cases in Stoddard County, which had previously been handled by the Kennett office.

Fox said the Poplar Bluff and Portageville offices, also covering southeast Missouri regions, are staffed with five and four attorneys, respectively. Those two offices have also faced staffing challenges, she said.

Of Kennett, she said, anecdotally, my understanding is that it is a difficult jurisdiction in which to practice.

She said Kennett, population 10,507, is a very small town with not a lot nearby, which has also hurt hiring.

The much larger Jackson office, near the college town of Cape Girardeau, hosts 11 attorneys with three more scheduled to come on board, Fox said.

If the commission closes the Kennett office, its five positions would be transferred to the Jackson office, she said.

Fox said if clients cant make it to a public defender office, attorneys will meet them elsewhere or contact them by phone or video conference, or visit them in jail.

The public defender system operates 33 trial offices and serves indigent defendants in 114 counties and the city of St. Louis.

Kennett is located in one of Missouris poorest counties, Dunklin, where the population shrank more than 11% between 2010 and 2020, according to the U.S. Census.

The census pegged the countys population at 28,283 in the last national headcount, down from 31,953 a decade earlier.

Kennett lost its hospital in 2018, and Dunklin Countys poverty rate of 22.3% far exceeds the overall state poverty rate of 12.7%, according to the census.
CLAYTON  St. Louis County Council members decided Tuesday to delay voting on a property tax freeze for senior homeowners as some members expressed reservations about its impact on county finances.

At the same time, advocates for the bill accused the county of exaggerating how much the tax break would affect its budget  saying seniors are desperate for tax relief and need help now.

Marsha Shuman, a 72-year-old occupational therapist from Creve Coeur, has seen how her senior patients suffer from fixed incomes and increasing property taxes.

"They're sacrificing a cup of coffee. They're sacrificing their medicine," Shuman told councilmembers at a committee meeting Tuesday. "This bill is love. Give the love of passing this bill."

Gov. Mike Parson last week signed Senate Bill 190, which allows counties to freeze property tax increases for seniors who are eligible for Social Security, own a home and are required to make tax payments on that home.

If the St. Louis County bill passes, the county would be the first in Missouri to implement the new law. A county can put it in place with an ordinance or by voter approval.

Dennis Ganahl, managing director of the advocacy group Missouri Tax Relief Now, said it's inevitable this plan will go into place in St. Louis County.

"This is not a question of if or how, it's a question of when St. Louis County will implement this bill," Ganahl said.

Other counties are thinking about enacting the plan, too. Officials from St. Charles, Taney, Miller, Christian and Jackson counties have already reached out to Ganahl, he said.

But on Tuesday, council Chair Shalonda Webb, a Democrat from unincorporated north St. Louis County, said she couldn't support the St. Louis County plan because it lacked detail on how it would be enacted. Democratic Councilwoman Lisa Clancy of Maplewood said she couldn't support it either because it would mean forgone revenue for school districts.

"While I do think this is a noble cause, I can't support the further defunding of our kids' schools," Clancy said.

Republican Councilman Ernie Trakas of unincorporated South County asked a proponent of the bill if someone who owns a $10 million home would get the benefit.

There are no income or property value limits on the tax freeze, answered state Rep. Ben Keathley of Chesterfield, who sponsored the legislation in the House.

"I'm not against this bill," Trakas said. "But it's problematic."

Councilwoman Rita Heard Days, a Democrat from Bel-Nor, pointed out that other states with similar measures in place have income caps or other limits.

"I am very, very concerned with making sure our seniors are staying in their homes," Days said. "But I think we need to be very, very careful."

Councilman Dennis Hancock, a Republican from Fenton, asked if the county could make changes to the bill, such as adding some limit on income or value.

Councilman and bill sponsor Mark Harder, a Republican from Ballwin, said he believes the county can't change the rules in the bill passed by the Legislature.

Other jurisdictions, however, might be trying:

In St. Louis, Alderwoman Cara Spencer filed a bill in late June that interprets the state law differently. Board Bill 81 would allow people older than 65 to defer property taxes on their primary residences provided that they've lived there for at least five years and the assessed value of the property is $200,000 or less. The cumulative amount deferred could not exceed 60% of the assessed value of the property.

Counties that implement the measure as written in the state law could lose millions of dollars in tax revenue depending on the number of senior homeowners, according to an analysis by the state Legislatures research division. St. Louis County estimates it would have missed out on nearly $34 million in revenue over the past four years if the plan had been in place, according to a memo from county leaders. The county estimates it could cost $125,000 a year in personnel, too.

But Thomas Eyssell, chair of the St. Louis County chapter of Silver-Haired Legislature, a national senior advocacy organization, said those estimates are exaggerated. The county made their calculations based on the total number of senior residents, about 19%, instead of using the number of seniors who own a home.

"That methodology is deeply flawed," said Eyssell, who is also on the board of directors for Missouri Tax Relief Now.

About 81% of seniors owned and occupied their home, according to the most recent data available from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. And about 30% of those seniors are burdened by ownership costs, spending a third or more of their monthly income on housing.

But the county will still get the same amount of revenue, said Keathley, the state representative. Seniors would still pay their taxes. It would only affect additional revenue.

Opponents of the bill have questioned whether full-time teachers would be eligible for the tax credit because they aren't entitled to Social Security coverage in Missouri. Railroad workers are also exempt from Social Security benefits. But the legislation doesn't exclude anyone who didn't pay into Social Security, Keathley said. Homeowners merely have to meet the age requirement of 62.

The council's consideration of the plan comes as members try to find solutions for the county's expected $44 million budget deficit. The council has vowed to make cuts, find new revenue or both this year to address the deficit.

The bill could come up for a vote next week, said Harder, who announced earlier this year plans to run for the 15th Senate District in west St. Louis County. The bill, No. 114, would have to be signed by County Executive Sam Page to become law. If he did, the freeze would go into effect next year.

Austin Huguelet of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
ST. CHARLES COUNTY  Officials are moving forward with a plan to install 40 new license plate readers along major roadways in St. Charles County.

The cameras, which record a vehicle's license plate, make, model, color and other identifying features, are the second phase in a major initiative to install readers around the county to assist in crime investigations.

The readers were purchased with money from federal aid, and installation, which is expected to cost just less than $900,000, will be paid for with revenue from the county's half-cent transportation sales tax. Installation is expected to begin in the coming weeks, county officials said.

The readers will be installed along Interstate 70, Highway 40, Highway 79, Highway 61 and Highway 364, and they will relay information to a regional intelligence center, said St. Charles County police Chief Kurt Frisz. The St. Charles County Police Department partners with St. Louis County police to form the regional center.

"These cameras are great investigative tools for law enforcement," said Frisz, who added that the license plate readers that have been installed already have led to arrests in several burglary cases.

While the license plate readers have the support of law enforcement, the devices have drawn criticism from civil liberties advocates who worry that the devices amount to full-scale government surveillance of unsuspecting motorists.

"We could solve crimes if you let the government put cameras in everybodys bedrooms, but were not willing to go there," Jay Stanley, senior policy analyst with the American Civil Liberties Union wrote in a paper last year. "Are we willing to let cameras change the nature of our public spaces?

St. Charles County joins several other municipalities in the region with the purchase and installation of license plate readers, which officials noted pass along information only if a vehicle matches the description of one that's wanted for a crime. Among other cities to make use of the tool are Ballwin, Brentwood, Bridgeton, Eureka, St. Ann and others.

"These are not red light cameras. They are not looking for traffic infractions," Frisz said. "If you are not a suspect in a criminal investigation, then you have nothing to worry about these cameras."

The first phase of St. Charles County's efforts began in 2021 when the county started installing license plate readers at the entrances to county parks.

Frisz cited one case where a vehicle break-in at Indian Camp Creek Park, in northwestern St. Charles County, was solved using data from a license plate reader, and a vehicle with out-of-state plates was tracked and the suspects were arrested in Maryland Heights.

Frisz said he expects more license plate readers to be in St. Charles County's future, with more of the surveillance devices potentially being added to secondary roadways in unincorporated areas of the county.

The license plate readers on highways will be manufactured by a different company than the one that manufactured the ones used at park entrances: The highway cameras are manufactured by Genetec, and the park cameras were manufactured by Flock Safety, an Atlanta-based startup that also has sold cameras to law enforcement officials in St. Louis County.

Several cities in St. Charles County are pursuing license plate readers, too: Weldon Spring, for example, where the board of aldermen will meet Thursday to approve a $80,000 purchase agreement for seven license plate readers. The readers are tentatively slated to be installed at intersections along Highway 94, Patriotic Trail, Pitman Hill Road, and elsewhere.

Weldon Spring's devices would be mounted onto Ameren Missouri-owned utility poles if the agreement is approved later this week.
Canada has unveiled an immigration initiative to attract highly skilled technology professionals from the United States with H-1B work visas.

H-1B visas are for nonimmigrant foreign workers with specialized skills. Beginning July 16, up to 10,000 of these visa holders will be able apply to work in Canada. The move is part of the country's new Tech Talent Strategy.

"The Government of Canada is embracing Canada's emerging role as a leader in global tech talent recruitment and attraction to ensure Canada is not only filling in-demand jobs today, but also attracting the skills and business talent to create the jobs of tomorrow," a statement by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said.

This follows a November announcement in which the government set a goal to tackle an impending labor shortage. By 2025, the country wants to welcome 1.45 million immigrants, focusing on people trained in health care and other in-demand job skills, and securing a skilled workforce for key sectors of its economy.

Canada's population of 38.25 million is about 11.5 percent of the 331.9 million in the United States, where the H-1B visa category currently allows more than 85,000 highly skilled foreigners to work in the country for at least three years.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reported that for fiscal year 2024, the agency received 780,884 applications from employers and approved 110,791 applications. In fiscal 2023, applications totaled 483,927, and 127,600 people were selected.

"This persistent labor shortage, workforce shortage, is impacting everyone [Canada and the U.S.]," said Rebecca Shi, executive director of the bipartisan American Immigration Business Coalition, an alliance of 1,400 employers and CEOs across the United States.

Applicants approved by Canada will receive a work permit valid for up to three years that allows them to work for any employer in Canada. It remains to be seen how successful Canada will be in poaching workers from the U.S.

The new work program does not lead to permanent residence, but spouses and dependents of the 10,000 H-1B visa holders will be eligible to apply for study or work permits or temporary resident visas. In the U.S., holders of H-1B visas can apply for legal permanent residence, but only the spouses of those with a pending residence application are eligible for employment authorization.
Take a look at some of the top trending topics for today, July 11:

Powerball

There were no jackpot winners after Mondays Powerball drawing and the grand prize jumped to an estimated $725 million  the seventh largest Powerball jackpot, according to lottery officials.

The next drawing will be on Wednesday for the massive prize, which has an estimated $366.2 million lump-sum cash value before tax, according to Powerball.

Mondays winning numbers were 2, 24, 34, 53, 58 and red Powerball 13.

But there were still winners after the drawing. Two tickets sold in California and Iowa matched all five white balls, with the California ticket winning a $1 million prize and the Iowa ticket winning $2 million by including the Power Play feature.

Get more info about it here:

Leslie Van Houten

Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten walked out of a California prison Tuesday after serving more than 50 years of a life sentence for her participation in two infamous murders.

Van Houten was released to parole supervision, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement.

She left the California Institution for Women in Corona, east of Los Angeles, in the early morning hours and was driven to transitional housing, her attorney Nancy Tetreault said.

Shes still trying to get used to the idea that this real, Tetreault told The Associated Press.

Read more here:

Theranos Elizabeth Holmes

Disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes has apparently behaved well enough during the first six weeks of her more than 11-year prison sentence for duping investors in her blood-testing hoax to be eligible for release nearly two years ahead of schedule, federal officials confirmed Tuesday.

The U.S. Bureau of Prisons currently projects that Holmes, 39, will be released from a Bryan, Texas prison on December 29, 2032. That would be 115 months, or slightly more than 9 1/2 years, after she began her prison sentence of 11 years and three months imposed by U.S. District Judge Edward Davila last November after her conviction on four counts of fraud and conspiracy following a high-profile trial in San Jose, California, that riveted Silicon Valley for months.

Holmes' prison sentence hasn't changed, but like all prisoners who follow the rules can qualify for an early release under the federal government's good time guidelines.

Find out more here:

***

Get more on today's trending topics here:

Daniel Ricciardo

Vermont flooding

National Vermont hit by 2nd day of floods as muddy water reaches the tops of parking meters in capital city

Mikala Jones
A Louisiana federal judge ruled recently that the Biden administration could not quietly contact social media sites such as 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.

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.

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 the officials 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. 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 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.

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.

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.
Regarding the guest editorial from the Kansas City Star "Pedestrian deaths are up in Missouri and Kansas. Are we all just driving angry?" (July 8): The problem is that drivers just don't care, and there aren't enough police patrols to combat such driver irresponsibility. As a pedestrian, even when I have the right-of-way, I make sure the driver can see me before I cross the street. Even then, I try to determine, before crossing, whether the driver will give me enough time to safely cross.
ISRAEL

JERUSALEM  Thousands of Israeli protesters took to the streets on Tuesday, blocking major highways and thronging the country's main international airport, in countrywide demonstrations against the government's contentious plan to overhaul the country's judicial system.

The demonstrations came the morning after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's parliamentary coalition gave initial approval to a bill to limit the Supreme Court's oversight powers, pressing forward with a plan that bitterly divided the nation.

Netanyahu's ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox allies proposed a series of bills that have provoked months of sustained protests by opponents who say the country is being pushed toward authoritarian rule.

Anti-overhaul activists demonstrated nationwide throughout the day, including a mass protest Tuesday afternoon at Ben-Gurion International Airport. An estimated 10,000 people gathered outside the main hall, blowing horns and waving blue and white Israeli flags. Police kept the crowd from entering the terminal, and travel was not disrupted.

"Civil war! I think we're going that way if they're not going to stop," said Adi Somech, one of the protesters.

Mass protests have taken place since Netanyahu's far-right government presented the overhaul plan in January, days after taking office. The protests led Netanyahu to suspend the overhaul in March, but he decided to revive the plan last month after compromise talks with the political opposition collapsed.

The parliamentary vote overnight Tuesday gave fresh momentum to the protest movement. The bill still needs to be approved in two more votes, expected by the end of the month, before it becomes law.

Police used a water cannon to clear protesters outside of Jerusalem and in Tel Aviv. Officers arrested several others who obstructed a highway next to the central city of Modiin. Demonstrators blocked a main highway in Haifa with a large banner reading "Together we will be victorious," snarling traffic along the beachfront.

Netanyahu's allies have proposed a series of changes to the Israeli legal system aimed at weakening what they say are the excessive powers of unelected judges.

The proposed changes include giving Netanyahu's allies control over the appointment of judges and giving parliament power to overturn court decisions. The legislation advanced Tuesday aims to strip the Supreme Court of its power to review the "reasonability" of government decisions.
VILNIUS, Lithuania  NATO leaders said Tuesday they would allow Ukraine to join the alliance "when allies agree and conditions are met," hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blasted the organization's failure to set a timetable for his country as "absurd."

"We reaffirmed Ukraine will become a member of NATO and agreed to remove the requirement for a membership action plan," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters, referring to a key step in joining the alliance.

"This will change Ukraine's membership path from a two-step path to a one-step path," he said.

Though many NATO members have funneled arms and ammunition to Zelenskyy's forces in the wake of Russia's invasion, there is no consensus among the 31 allies for admitting Ukraine into NATO's ranks. Instead, alliance leaders decided to remove obstacles on Ukraine's membership path so that it can join more quickly once the war is over.

Zelenskyy pushed back against the decision.

"It's unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine's membership," Zelenskyy tweeted as he headed to the annual NATO summit in Vilnius. "While at the same time, vague wording about 'conditions' is added even for inviting Ukraine. It seems there is no readiness to invite Ukraine to NATO or to make it a member of the Alliance."

NATO membership would afford Ukraine protection against a giant neighbor that annexed its Crimean Peninsula almost a decade ago and more recently seized vast swaths of land in the east and south.

Joining NATO would also oblige Kyiv to reform its security institutions, improve governance and curb corruption  work that would also ease the country's path into the European Union.

Asked about Zelenskyy's concerns, Stoltenberg said the most important thing now is to ensure that his country wins the war, because "unless Ukraine prevails there is no membership to be discussed at all."

The broadside from Zelenskyy could renew tensions at the summit shortly after it saw a burst of goodwill following an agreement by Turkey to advance Sweden's bid to join NATO. Allies hope to resolve the seesawing negotiations and create a clear plan for the alliance and its support for Ukraine.

"We value our allies," Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter, adding that "Ukraine also deserves respect." He also said: "Uncertainty is weakness. And I will openly discuss this at the summit."

Zelenskyy is expected to meet Wednesday with U.S. President Joe Biden and other NATO leaders.

There have been sharp divisions within the alliance over Ukraine's desire to join NATO, which was promised back in 2008 even though few steps were taken toward that goal.

In addition, the Baltic states  including Lithuania, which is hosting the summit  have pushed for a strong show of support and a clear pathway toward membership for Ukraine.

However, the United States and Germany urged caution. Biden said last week that Ukraine was not ready to join. Members of NATO, he told CNN, need to "meet all the qualifications, from democratization to a whole range of other issues," a nod toward longstanding concerns about governance and corruption in Kyiv.

In addition, some fear that bringing Ukraine into NATO would serve more as a provocation to Russia than as a deterrence against aggression.

NATO leaders decided to launch a series of multiyear programs to bring Ukraine's Soviet-era military equipment and doctrines up to modern standards so the country can operate fully with the alliance.

On Wednesday, the leaders and Zelenskyy are slated to launch a new, upgraded forum for their cooperation: a NATO-Ukraine Council, where all parties can convene crisis talks if their security is threatened.

To fast-track its future membership, the leaders agreed to do away with a membership action plan for Ukraine, a program often seen as mandatory for aspiring nations to undertake.

Known in NATO parlance as a MAP, the action plan involves a tailor-made package of advice, assistance and practical support for countries preparing to join NATO. Bosnia, for example, is currently taking part in one.

Pressed by reporters to say what kind of conditions are being placed on Ukraine joining, Stoltenberg said: "We want modern defense and security institutions."

He also said Kyiv's hopes might hinge on strengthening its governance standards and fighting corruption.

The dispute over Ukraine stands in contrast to a hardfought agreement to advance Sweden's membership. The deal was reached after days of intensive meetings, and it's poised to expand the alliance's strength in Northern Europe.

According to a joint statement issued when the deal was announced, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will ask Turkey's parliament to approve Sweden joining NATO.

Biden is on a five-day trip to Europe, with the NATO summit as its centerpiece.

The president spent Monday in the United Kingdom, meeting at Windsor Castle with King Charles III and in London with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

He met Tuesday with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, emphasizing his commitment to transatlantic cooperation, before he joined the NATO gathering.
Iran continues to deplete its artillery ammunition inventory in order to supply Russia. The latest deal involves 14,000 152mm shells for D20 towed howitzers, 10,000 high-explosive shells for T-72 tank guns as well as two replacement barrels for the T-72 tank and two replacement barrels for the 122mm D30 towed howitzers. These guns and ammo are sold to Russia, and not at a discount. Russia needs more artillery and shells for its big guns. Iran is one of the few foreign suppliers available.

The Russia D30 122mm howitzers are the most numerous towed howitzers in Russian service. These towed guns were widely used during World War II as the M30 and production continued until 1955. After that the improved D30 model went into production. Some M30s and a lot of D30s are used by over 20 countries because they are cheap, reliable, easy to operate and rugged. Russia provided many of them to Arab customers during the Cold War. These weapons are still cheap as Russia can afford to give them away because at the end of the Cold War Russia demobilized most of its army and ended up with 4,000 M30s in storage. There was still demand for this old reliable, even though an improved version, the D30, entered production in 1963 and is still being produced. Used M30s were cheap (often free to favored customers) and that often came with offers of war surplus 122mm ammo that was being given away, because a lot of it was well past its use by date. Before the Ukraine War, the largest use of 122mm shells was the Syrian army, which used its D30 122mm guns against residential areas in order to chase away pro-rebel civilians or convince them to make peace. For more accurate artillery fire Russian sent some of its most modern rocket systems, some of them using satellite or other guidance systems. These were used against precise targets in order to test these new weapons and, when they worked, to serve as an aid in selling them to customers who needed it and could afford to pay.

The M30 is a three ton, towed gun that entered production in 1939 and over 19,000 were eventually built. China began building an M30 clone in 1953 and before production ceased in the 1980s some 10,000 were delivered. During World War II the M30 comprised 31 percent of Russian field artillery.

The D30 is a four ton, towed weapon with a range of 15 kilometers (or more, with special ammo) that has a longer barrel and more effective mechanical components. It can use the same ammo as the M30 but often uses more expensive modern ammo that has longer range (22 kilometers, twice that of the M30) and is more accurate. The D30 was used as the basis for numerous self-propelled guns built during the Cold War. But if all you need to do is kill civilians the M30 will do. When the civil war began in 2011 the Syrian Army had about 750 Russian towed 122mm guns, 20 percent of the M30s and the rest D30s. When the Ukraine War began, the D30 was its standard artillery system and even Ukraine had over a hundred of them.

Ukraine then received Western towed or truck-mounted 155mm howitzers and found them superior to the Russian 122mm artillery. Russia had some 5.7-ton D20 152mm howitzers and to obtain more they had to bring many out of storage facilities. The 152mm guns were in pretty good shape but some of the stockpiled 152mm shells were well past their use by '' date and some of these elderly shells were no longer reliable. This usually meant less range than the standard 17.4 kilometers, or not detonating when hitting the ground. In one case an elderly shell exploded as it was being fired and destroyed the D20 barrel.
NATO leaders met Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Lithuania's capital as they close a summit that has included emphasis on supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion and discussion of Ukraine's future within the alliance.

Zelenskyy said at a joint news conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg that he understands some allies do not want to consider Ukraine joining the alliance at this time due to fears of a world war, and that it is clear Ukraine cannot join while the conflict with Russia is ongoing.

NATO leaders said in a written declaration Tuesday that the bloc "will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met," reiterating their position supporting Ukraine's membership but stopping short of any specific commitments or timeline that Zelenskyy has sought.

Zelenskyy said Wednesday he understands the statement to mean the conditions will be met when Ukraine's territory is secure.

Stoltenberg highlighted a three-part package of more closely integrating Ukraine with NATO, including work on interoperability between Ukrainian and NATO forces, a new NATO-Ukraine council that held its first meeting Wednesday and removing a requirement for Ukraine to complete a membership action plan on its path to becoming a member.

"Today we meet as equals," Stoltenberg said. "I look forward to the day we meet as allies."
The United States is defining the limits of NATO's outreach in the Indo-Pacific region, saying its focus on challenges posed by China does not signal an intention to invite Asian nations to join the bloc.

Speaking Wednesday on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Lithuania, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith told VOA, "We're not adding members from the Indo-Pacific."

"We're breaking down barriers between America's Atlantic allies and America's Pacific allies to look at common challenges like cybersecurity, emerging and disruptive technology, maritime security," she said. "There's a whole array of issues where we can learn from one another without bringing anyone from the Indo-Pacific formally into the alliance."

Beijing criticized this week's joint NATO statement that said China challenges the groups' interests and security with "coercive policies." A Chinese diplomat said the communique disregarded facts and misrepresented Beijing's position.

NATO countries signed on to the joint statement that underscored that "stated ambitions and coercive policies" of the People's Republic of China, or PRC, have "challenged the alliance's interests, security and values."

"The PRC employs a broad range of political, economic and military tools to increase its global footprint and project power, while remaining opaque about its strategy, intentions and military buildup," the group's leaders said in their communique.

Beijing quickly rejected the claims. Instead of reflecting on its own responsibilities, NATO "has been making groundless accusations, meddling in affairs beyond its borders and creating confrontation," a spokesperson for the Chinese Mission to the European Union said in a statement Tuesday.

NATO has sent mixed signals about whether to open a liaison office in Japan, the first of its kind in Asia. France has opposed it saying the bloc should keep focused on the North Atlantic, but NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said this week that it's still up for discussion.

China has warned NATO against what it has called an "eastward movement into the Asia-Pacific region" and vowed to deliver a "resolute response" to actions that jeopardize its "legitimate rights and interests."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday met with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the ongoing NATO summit in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuaniac Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

The closed-door meeting took place at the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre (LITEXPO), the venue of the two-day NATO meeting that began on Tuesday.

The meeting was also attended by delegations accompanying the leaders of the two countries. The Turkish delegation included Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, and Akif Cagatay Kilic, the chief adviser to Erdogan.

Earlier in the day, Erdogan met Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

?The 31 leaders of the military alliance are meeting to discuss the Ukraine war, Sweden's NATO membership, and steps to strengthen the group's defense and deterrence, among other issues.

Turkiye has been a NATO member for over 70 years, and boasts its second-largest army.
Director Christopher McQuarrie makes it clear  Tom Cruise does risk his life to film his action sequences. He should know: he has directed three of the seven Mission: Impossible films that have been released (Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One opened on Tuesday, and Part Two, where Cruise is supposed to take things even further, will be released next year). The actor has stand-ins and specialists who replace him occasionally, but when it is time for the action set pieces, whether it is a jump, a fight, a chase or a shootout, he asks to do it himself. And although there are mandatory safety measures, there is always the risk of something going wrong. Want an example? We have 13. The following are some of the most memorable moments in which Cruise  who turned 61 on July 3rd  has risked life and limb for the sake of his art.

Climbing the worlds tallest skyscraper in Mission: Impossible  Ghost Protocol (2011). At 2,716.5 feet, the Burj Khalifa, in Dubai, has been the tallest skyscraper in the world since 2004. Seven years later, Ethan Hunt  that is, Tom Cruise  climbed it, broke some windows and hung from it under the direction of Brad Bird. Both had previously consulted with specialists, other climbers and architects on how to film that sequence. Fun fact: the day before filming of this set piece began, Cruise told Bird that he wanted to climb to the top without a harness or any safety measures to take a promotional photograph. The resulting image is scary.

The knife from Mission: Impossible 2 (2000). The final fight between Tom Cruise and the villain, played by Dougray Scott (an actor whose shooting delays kept him from playing Wolverine and whose career went down the drain), may seem like a minor affair, but it has its intricacies. John Woo, who directed this installment, wanted to give the brawl strength and credibility. At one point, Scott gets on top of Cruise, who is flat on his back, and tries to plunge a hunting knife through his eye. The star asked Scott to push the weapon (which was real) as hard as he could, and even though the object was attached to a wire, its tip remains less than an inch away from his pupil. One wrong move and Ethan Hunt would now be wearing an eyepatch.

The climb in Mission: Impossible 2 (2000). The beginning of Woos film is not bad either, with Hunt free climbing in Dead Horse Point, in Utah. The shooting took five days, with cables holding Cruise, who was replaced in the jump by stuntman Keith Campbell. But it is too incredible, even for the M:I universe. Although the movie launched the actor as an action movie star, it hasnt aged well.

The fall from the Shanghai skyscraper in Mission: Impossible 3 (2006). How will Hunt gain access to a skyscraper where his kidnapped wife is being held in Shanghai? After flying around several buildings, the course of action is dropping down the sloped facade of one of them. JJ Abrams, the director of M:I 3, liked the idea, but it was shot in a hangar with a green screen to protect the safety of the star. It was just at the end when Cruise had his moment of glory: he dropped in front of the screen, attached to a crane, from approximately 65 feet high, with his head ending up barely 20 inches from the floor. Too close for comfort, had the cable failed.

The helicopter chase in Mission: Impossible  Fallout (2018). McQuarrie says that a sort of mantra they repeat on the sets is Dont be careful, be competent, because there are millions of variables that can complicate the filming of any sequence. In this high-speed helicopter chase through New Zealands Southern Alps, Cruise is both acting and piloting between steep slopes, with no special effects.

The aquarium explosion from Mission: Impossible (1996). Hunt is in Prague, surrounded by enemies, and there is only one way out: a spectacular escape. Brian de Palma was going to use a stunt double in this sequence in which the star runs out of a restaurant, blowing up a huge aquarium as an evasive maneuver. However, he did not like the way it was turning out, and asked Cruise if he would mind filming it himself. Not at all, despite the 16 tons of water roaring behind him and the flying glass splinters from the aquarium.

The high-altitude parachute jump from Mission: Impossible  Fallout (2018). This movie is full of memorable Cruise moments, like the one that made him the first actor to star in a real HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) jump on screen  that is, a jump at a high altitude followed by a quick free fall, with the parachute opening at low altitude. After a year of preparation, the actor jumped from more than five miles high with a special helmet that supplied him with oxygen and allowed his face to be seen. Before jumping from the C-17 plane that was carrying him, he breathed pure oxygen for 20 minutes to avoid problems with decompression.

A close car in Jack Reacher (2012). The first of the two installments of Jack Reacher was also directed by McQuarrie, who says that sometimes the most dangerous moments are the most unexpected ones: in one sequence, Rosamund Pike backs a car out of a parking space, and when she moves forward she suddenly finds Cruise in front of her. Rosamund is an actress, not a driver, and if she stepped on the wrong pedal or miscalculated the distance, she would have run him over. In other words, he was in more danger there than in the fast-paced chase at the heart of the film.

Tom Cruise and Rosamund Pike, in 'Jack Reacher'.

The plane taking off with Hunt hanging from it in Mission: Impossible  Rogue Nation (2015). Benji, open the door! Ethan Hunt shouts as he dangles from a Russian A400 cargo plane that is taking off. Cruise is actually hooked with a harness, although that would not have protected him from being hit by a rock on takeoff, or a bird during flight. It is one of the iconic images of the saga, and he repeated it in half a dozen takes.

A broken ankle on the rooftops of London in Mission: Impossible  Fallout (2018). Another trademark of the M:I franchise, since its first installment, is Hunt running and jumping across the roofs of any city. This time it was London, and in a seemingly easy leap he crossed from one rooftop to another, but he hit a wall and broke his ankle. Filming stopped for nine weeks and the studio had to pay approximately $80 million in extra costs for the delay.

The 6.5-minute immersion in Mission: Impossible  Rogue Nation (2015). He trained to lower his heart rate in order to consume less oxygen. And he did it. Tom Cruise stayed underwater for 6.5 minutes. While promoting the premiere on The Graham Norton Show, the actor said that the experience had been very unpleasant and that after filming there were moments when his body stopped breathing unconsciously, forcing him to turn [his] autonomic system back on to breathe again.

For a few years Cruise held the world record (among actors) for holding his breath underwater, until Kate Winslet reached 7 minutes and 15 seconds on the set of Avatar: The Way of Water.

The plane crash in The Mummy (2017). Theres more to Tom Cruise than just Mission: Impossible. In The Mummy, he stars in an intense sequence in which he tries to survive a plane crash in a military airplane that is free falling out of control. To do it, they filmed in a plane used by astronauts to train in zero gravity. The entire idea for the sequence, by the way, was Cruises, of course.

Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One (2023). Christopher McQuarrie says that the scariest thing for him was not the jump that has been promoted on social media, but a spiral descent with a parachute that ends in an abrupt high-speed landing. On top of that, Cruise does it by a steep hillside. The actor speeds up on a motorcycle up a mountain (a ramp built in Norway, after rehearsing on another one in England) and when he reaches the end he lets go of the vehicle, flies against the wind for about six seconds and then opens the parachute, with several cameras on drones and a helicopter capturing his every movement. He didnt do it once, either: he did it six times, until he got it just right.





Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie on the set of 'Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One'




Bank of America will reimburse customers more than $100 million and pay $150 million in fines for double-dipping on overdraft fees, withholding reward bonuses on credit cards and opening accounts without customer consent.

Combined, it is one of the highest financial penalties in years against Bank of America, which has largely spent the last 15 years trying to clean up its reputation and market itself to the public as a bank focused on financial health and not on overdraft fee income and financial trickery.

BofA must refund $100 million to customers, pay $90 million in penalties to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and $60 million to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Bank of America wrongfully withheld credit card rewards, double-dipped on fees, and opened accounts without consent, said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra, in a statement. These practices are illegal and undermine customer trust.

Empowered by a broad mandate from the White House, Chopra and the bureau have focused heavily in the past year on the issue of " junk fees "  fees charged to Americans that are often seen as unnecessary or exploitative by banks, debt collectors, airlines and concert venues. Banks such as BofA, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and others have been a target for the bureau under the Biden administration.

Part of the fines and penalties come because Bank of America had a policy of charging customers $35 after the bank declined a transaction because the customer did not have enough funds in their account, the CFPB said. The agency determined that the bank double-dipped by allowing fees to be repeatedly charged for the same transaction.

The fees often came when customers had routine monthly transactions, like a gym membership. If a customer had too low of a balance to cover the transaction, it would be declined and BofA would charge the customer a $35 fee. The business, who hasnt been paid, often would recharge the customers account, resulting in another $35 non-sufficient funds fee.

The bank ended this practice last year, but will still have to repay customers who got charged before the policy was changed.

BofA has been cutting down on its reliance on overdraft fee revenue for more than a decade, and cut how much it charges customers for an overdraft to $15 last year. Brian Moynihan, the banks CEO and chairman, told The Associated Press in 2022 that under these new policies, overdraft fee income was down 90% from 2021. The bank said that it voluntarily reduced overdraft fees and eliminated all non-sufficient fund fees in the first half of last year.

Bank of America also offered people cash rewards and bonus points when signing up for a card, but the CFPB said the bank illegally withheld promised credit card account bonuses.

The CFPB also found that, since at least 2012, Bank of America employees illegally applied for and enrolled consumers in credit card accounts without their knowledge or authorization. It is a similar to, but smaller than, a charge that was made against Wells Fargo, which paid billions in fines after it was determined that the San Francisco bank opened millions of unauthorized bank accounts in order to meet unrealistic sales goals.

In 2014 the CFPB ordered Bank of America to pay $727 million for illegal credit card practices. Last year it was ordered to pay a $10 million civil penalty over unlawful garnishments. Also in 2022, the CFPB and OCC fined Bank of America $225 million and required it to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in redress to consumers for botched disbursement of state unemployment benefits at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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From left To right the presidents Luis Arce (Bolivia), Santiago Pena (elect president of Paraguay), Mario Abdo (Paraguay), Alberto Fernandez (Argentina), Lula da Silva (Brazil) and Luis Lacalle Pou (Uruguay) this Tuesday in Puerto Iguazu. NELSON ALMEIDA (AFP)

Last Wednesday, Luis Lacalle Pou, the president of Uruguay, once again broached the urgency with which his country intends to liberalize trade between Mercosur and other countries and regions. His comments were made at a meeting among the presidents of the Mercosur trade bloc held in the Argentine city of Puerto Iguazu. Lacalles argument was motivated by the reluctance of Brazil and especially Argentina to implement the integration agreement reached with the European Union in 2019. But the Uruguayan position goes much further; it is a major player in the competition and tensions caused by the rivalry between the United States and China, which are projected onto Latin America.

Mercosur is a customs union, which means a common external tariff applies to trade with third parties. Therefore, any international complementation treaty must be signed by its four members: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. The very long delay in making trade more flexible has led Uruguayans to hint that they are ready to leave the bloc, or at least reduce the countrys level of participation so that it can be in a position to sign bilateral treaties.

To understand the pressure on Uruguay, one must look at the world map. This tiny South American country received an offer from China to sign a free trade agreement independent of its other three Mercosur partners. It is unlikely that this audacious move by the Chinese is guided by its attraction to the Uruguayan market, which is made up of only three and a half million people. Chinas seduction of Uruguay is intended as a challenge to Brazil and Argentina.

And the Brazilians have reacted, especially in recent months. As soon as President Lula da Silva returned to power, he began a systematic rapprochement with Uruguay through cooperation and investments, especially in infrastructure. The Brazilian government has always defended its role as a regional leader, which makes it very resistant to the intrusion of foreign powers in its sphere of influence.

The Chinese understand this. In April, Uruguayan Foreign Minister Francisco Bustillo traveled to Beijing and met with Vice President Han Zheng, Foreign Minister Qin Gang and International Trade Representative Wang Shouwen. They all told him that they were still interested in reaching an agreement but preferred to wait until it could be signed with Mercosur to avoid problems.

These Chinese efforts are prompting a number of reactions in the United States. The U.S. elite is increasingly aware that a major battle in the conflict with China is being fought in Latin America, which is a major supplier of food, minerals and energy to meet demand in Asia.

The general framework of this dispute, as interpreted by Joe Bidens administration, was presented by National Security Council advisor Jake Sullivan in a speech at the Brookings Institution on April 27. That presentation was perhaps the most forceful and innovative presentation by a Washington official to explain the current challenges as the administration sees them. Sullivan spoke of the Washington Consensuss failures, the need to build another industrial model and the urgent necessity to assist developing countries by reformulating the role of multilateral lending agencies and the Global Infrastructure and Investment Partnership (GIIIP) proposed by the Group of Seven. The express purpose of these initiatives is to counteract the Chinese advance, especially in Latin America, through the One Belt, One Road program.

Other programs formulated by Congress pursue that same purpose. Bill Cassidy, a Republican senator from Louisiana, and his Democratic colleague from Colorado, Michael Bennet, presented a bill called Americas Act, which consists of a plan to expand trade on a continental scale. On June 13, the two presented their plan at the Atlantic Council Latin American Center at a meeting entitled Closer to Home: Bringing Supply Chains Back to the Americas. Bennet said: For decades, Washington has failed to create any comprehensive policy or offer a compelling alternative to Chinese investment in the region. While weve been busy elsewhere, China has rushed to fill the void with a surge of trade, investment, and technology. Weve already seen these relationships pose a long-term threat to local industries, minerals, environment, the rule of law throughout the Western Hemisphere, and I think the Americas Act offers an opportunity for the United States to renew our partnerships across Latin America and the Caribbean and embrace our values together in a shared struggle for democracy and for prosperity.

Among its numerous proposals, the program includes creating a $40 billion credit fund administered by the Secretary of the Treasury; founding an Investment Corporation for the Americas, with preferential loans, guarantees and insurance; establishing an Enterprise Fund to extend private loans and guarantees for companies in the region; creating a new undersecretary for trade with the countries of the Americas and so on.

In Cassidy and Bennets project, which Democrats will pursue with more conviction if Biden is reelected, there is a significant line item. It concerns the extension of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), an updated version of NAFTA, to other Latin American countries. Academics are increasingly recommending this strategy, which is intended to circumvent the resistance in Congress to approving new free trade agreements, especially among left-wing Democratic legislators.

Here, we can clearly see how the conflict between the United States and China is playing out in the region through a commercial chess match. The preferred country for expanding the USMCA is Uruguay. As in the case of the Chinese, the Americans interest in the tiny South American country can be explained by its ambition to integrate Mercosur. The invitation to join the USMCA is a simpler way to move toward the goal Bill Clinton set in 1994 when he inaugurated the Free Trade Area of the Americas, which perished at the Summit of the Americas in Mar del Plata, in 2005, at the initiative of Lula and Argentinas Nestor Kirchner.

In the 19th century, the British saw Uruguay as a crucial actor in their policy toward southern Latin America, a piece through which it could push certain dynamics. Today, China and the United States are disputing access to the same country as a way to make Mercosurs extreme protectionism more flexible. History certainly repeats itself.

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Two women with mock AK-47 rifles participate in firearms training for civilians amid the country's ongoing war against Russia in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, July 11, 2023.

In a cramped municipal building in a residential area of the Ukrainian capital, a group of people take turns training to shoot using a replica of a machine gun with the help of a weapons training simulator relying on virtual reality.

The nearly 20 participants  all of them civilians and most of them women  have never held a weapon before.

With Russias war on Ukraine in its 17th month, the Kyiv City Administration has opened up training for civilians who want to learn survival skills, including how to shoot, provide first aid and recognize land mines. These and other skills could be used in a hostile environment provoked by missile strikes and other man-made disasters.

In a dark room with tightly closed blinds, the unreal poof-poof sounds of the replica weapons are heard. People enthusiastically ask the instructors how to hold their weapons properly and ask to try one more time.

I am more than 45 years old, as soon as the opportunity arose, I decided that I needed to refresh some skills and learn something new, said Kyiv resident Lada Bondarenko. She was especially impressed by the instructors lecture on possible land mine threats.

It was a reminder that the Kyiv region, although not currently on the front lines of the war, is still at major risk because of mines left behind by the Russians who briefly occupied areas on the outskirts of the capital in the early days of the war.

While the fighting on the wars front lines has fallen largely into a stalemate, indiscriminate Russian missile attacks continue to hit residential areas, wreaking havoc and causing almost daily casualties across the country.

Several days after the registration on the citys website was opened, more than 2,000 people signed up for the training, around 70% of them women, said the deputy director for Kyivs municipal security, Mykhailo Shcherbyna.

The main goal is for people to learn how to survive and how to respond to these military threats that exist, he explained.

According to Shcherbyna, by educating people, local authorities try to prevent more casualties in the future. The war continues, and we dont know what the next threats will be.

In his opinion, one of the reasons why most of those who signed up for the training are women is because a large number of men are already at the front lines. Also, many women come so that these skills will help them protect not only themselves but their children.

But men, too, attend with the protection of their children in mind.

I came to be able to explain to my children that there are mines that can tear off arms, legs and take life, said Vitalii Sumin, aged 38.

His house is located nearby Irpin, an area in the northwestern outskirts of the capital where fierce battles took place last spring. When Russians retreated last March, many land mines were left in the area, which now could be deadly dangerous, hidden in the grass.

Vitaliis wife couldnt attend the training in person, so he transmitted it online while she stayed at home with their 2-year-old kid. The next time he plans to bring the whole family to the training, especially his 13-year-old, he said.

According to Ukraines Ministry of Internal Affairs, around 174,000 square miles (451,000 square kilometers) in Ukraine are potentially contaminated with mines, about the size of the U.S. state of Florida.

On Tuesday, local authorities held the first such training for civilians. Previously, they mostly trained people who worked in municipal services, and in the early days of the war, they taught people basic skills so they could start fighting immediately.

According to Shcherbyna, the deputy chief of municipal security, last year, they taught about 15,000 people, and approximately 3,000 of them joined the army.

Instructor Yevhen Naumov said that Russias invasion showed that the threat from Ukraines biggest neighbor will not disappear easily. In his opinion, by attending this training, people are preparing for the possibility that this war will last for a long time.

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On Tuesday, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) took an important step by agreeing to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance, but only when conditions allow it. Thus, at the decisive Vilnius summit, leaders of NATOs member-countries sought to demonstrate that Kievs place is within the Alliance, though not immediately and not while the war continues. These unspecified conditions left the Ukrainian president, Volodymir Zelenskiy, deeply dissatisfied. Even before the agreement was made public, he railed against a promise that he considered vague; he also said that it could benefit Russia by introducing the option that Kievs NATO membership could be a subject for discussion in hypothetical peace negotiations.

We have affirmed that Ukraine will become a member of NATO, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated on Tuesday at a press conference. This is a strong package for Ukraine and a clear path towards its membership in NATO, he added, in response to Zelenskiys public criticism.

Its unprecedented and absurd when (a) time frame is not set, neither for the invitation (to join NATO) nor for Ukraines membership. While at the same time vague wording about conditions is added even for inviting Ukraine, Zelenskiy wrote on his social media before leaving for Vilnius. It seems there is no readiness neither to invite Ukraine to NATO nor to make it a member of the Alliance, the Ukrainian president lamented. And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror. The message reveals Zelenskys disappointment; he is seeking greater clarity on what those circumstances are and wants a timetable for joining.

The Ukrainian leaders statements represent strong pressure on the allied leaders as they arrived at the decisive Vilnius summit, where the relationship with Kyiv is to be decided amid some divisions over the degree of commitment to the countrys future membership. Eastern flank countries are pushing for an agreement favorable to Ukraine. But the United States and Germany favor a more cautious position.

Zelenski with his wife, Olena Zelenska, and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda at a ceremony honoring Ukraine on Tuesday in Vilnius. KACPER PEMPEL (REUTERS)

The text to which the allies ultimately agreed includes the word invitation, which Kyiv wanted to see; it did not appear in previous versions of the final declaration. That is a clear concession by Berlin and Washington, and it also removes Ukraine from the formal MAP process (Member Action Plan with concrete guidelines to be met before entry). This gesture is intended to speed up Ukraines path to entry.

It has been determined that Ukraine is not yet ready to join NATO and cannot do so until the war is over. Zelenskiy seems to have acknowledged that during Spanish President Pedro Sanchezs visit to Kyiv, when the Ukrainian leader said: At the Vilnius summit, we need a very strong and clear signal that Ukraine has the right to become a member of NATO after the war; now the issue is to provide more substance to the prospect of membership [than] at the Bucharest summit in 2008. At that time, it was stated that Ukraine and Georgia would become NATO members, but the declaration was undefined and lacked guarantees, which exposed Kyiv to the Kremlins reaction.

Meanwhile, a United States-led group of countrieswhich includes Germany, the United Kingdom and France but could be expanded to the G-7 countries and even other nations like Polandis planning to offer Ukraine a security mechanism or security arrangement on a bilateral basis, as EL PAIS reported. These political framework agreements are designed to ensure that arms continue to reach Ukraine and serve as a deterrent to attacks on the country.

Ukraines path to NATO membership was not the only issue discussed at the summit. New commitments to ad hoc aid were also announced in Vilnius. For instance, French president Emmanuel Macron promised to deliver longer-range missiles to Kyiv. French military sources told several press agencies that they will supply Scalp model missiles, which the United Kingdom has already supplied to Kyiv. These missiles have a range of 250 kilometers (about 155 miles). For its part, Germany announced a new military aid package worth 700 million ($770,143,500). It includes two Patriot anti-aircraft defense-system launchers, 40 Marder combat infantry vehicles, 25 tanks and 20,000 pieces for artillery firing.

In addition, a coalition of 11 countries will begin training Ukrainian pilots with test flights of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets in Denmark in August. A training center will also be established in Romania. Along with the Netherlands, Denmark has pushed hardest to start supplying these aircraft, which Kyiv has requested. We hope to start seeing results early next year, Danish Minister of Economic Affairs Troels Lund Pulsen said on Tuesday in Vilnius (he replaced the Danish Minister of Defense at the summit).
The ritual never varied. At the crack of dawn, a trusted man handpicked by Pope Pius XI would arrive at the bakery clutching a locked case. Only two people had the key, and one was Angelo Arrigonis father, the baker who kept the key on his person at all times, even in bed. Arrigoni would unlock the case and carefully fill it with Viennese loaves, the favorite bread of Achille Ratti, who became the pontiff on February 6, 1922. The other key was kept in the papal apartment, where nuns stood ready to collect the freshly baked bread. This peculiar tradition stemmed from Pius XIs fear of poisoning, as he was the first sovereign of Vatican City when it became an independent state. Over the years, the daily ritual faded with the succession of new popes. On July 8, after 90 years of making bread for eight popes, the bakery took its final bow and became yet another historic business crowded out by mass tourism.

The news sparked curiosity among the dwindling number of local residents, and several went to the bakery on Borgo Pio Street to see if it was true. The shop was open but it offered only a few products bought from another bakery so it could continue serving its customers before closing for good. Its all because of tourism... murmured the baker. Pope Francis has been deprived of his daily bread since the end of June, and the Vatican, in a note to Arrigoni from the Secretary of State, expressed its sincere regret. Arrigoni sadly shows us the note. But Romes city officials have done nothing in response to various requests on behalf of the historic bakery.

Two nuns walk past Angelo Arrigoni's bakery. Antonio Masiello

Angelo Arrigoni is 79 years old and limps heavily because of two damaged knees. Like the Pope, but he doesnt want surgery, he jokes. It was truly time for him to retire, but he was determined to find a way for his two loyal assistants to carry on the legacy that started way back in 1930. The unfortunate reality is that the Borgo Pio area, along with Romes entire downtown, is slowly transforming into a tourist-filled theme park filled with generic shops and apartment buildings. The bakerys impending closure is just another heartbreaking blow that has been ignored by Romes city council. I didnt ask for money. Just for permission to serve drinks and have a few tables outside... I even requested permission to set up an artisan pasta shop because with the rise in energy prices and the pandemic, baking was no longer sustainable. But they denied everything, and I had to give it up so they can open another tourist business here, he said while attending to his customers.

The captivating story of the Arrigoni bakery traces back to its humble beginnings in Monza, a small town on the outskirts of Milan. Driven by his love for a Roman policewomans daughter, Arrigonis father followed her when the family moved back to Italys capital. Except he had no money to set up a new bakery. He asked for help from an aunt who was very religious, said Arrigoni. She only had one condition  buy a shop with an apartment above that was very close to the Vatican. She wanted to move there in her old age so she could spend her last days near the Pope.

Angelo Arrigoni with the letter from the Vatican thanking him for his service. Antonio Masiello

The ritual of bread deliveries in a locked case disappeared after Pius XI died of natural causes (not by poisoning). But his successor wanted a special olive oil bread delivered daily. The contract specified that if the trusted Vatican envoy ever failed to show up at the bakery, then someone had to personally deliver the bread to the papal apartment. One day, during the papacy of John XXIII, it was young Angelos turn to deliver the bread. I was extremely nervous. I arrived at the apartment and wanted to leave the bread with the nuns, but he came out and started asking me questions. I have no idea what I said... Angelo remembers that Pope John XXIII also had a passion for rosettine, a white bread roll shaped like a rose.

Bakers work all day, every day. Except when John Paul II arrived. The Polish pontiff let it be known on his first day that he wanted the same bread as everyone else in the Vatican. But since he was very strict about Sunday as a day of rest, he ordered two days of bread on Saturdays  five ciriola (an elongated bread roll) and five bigne (a small, round bread roll).

Angelo Arrigonis bakery. Antonio Masiello

Popes came and went. Arrigoni struck up an enduring friendship with Joseph Ratzinger, who had a passion for black bread. When Ratzinger was a cardinal and head of the Vaticans Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, he would frequent the bakery three times a week wearing the simple black frock of a priest. Arrigoni never knew his customer was an eminent cardinal until he became pope on April 19, 2005. The baker called the papal apartment to ask what kind of bread the new pope wanted. Look, I already have a baker, replied Ratzinger, unaware that Arrigoni was on the other end of the phone. That was very gratifying, of course, Arrigoni told us.

Arrigoni always tried to adapt to the needs of every new pope, even when one arrived from the other side of the world  Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, who became Pope Francis in 2013. We studied their bread and tried out some recipes, but it wasnt necessary, said Arrigoni. He told us, Bring me whatever you have, whatevers left over. That says a lot about him, doesnt it? Almost as much as the demise of this bakery says about big cities, capable of sacrificing their storied past for the sake of a few ice cream parlors and souvenir shops.
According to a recently released UNESCO-led investigation, last October over 350 archaeological pieces were damaged by a ferocious fire that affected the quarry of the Rano Raraku volcanic crater on Easter Island. Of the heritage harmed by the flames in the quarry where the ancient Rapa Nui made the majestic moai [monolithic carved human figures], 222 were statues; of those, 22 were seriously altered and must be treated in the short term, the document says. The damage is much greater than we imagined, the mayor of Easter Island, Pedro Edmunds, said by telephone.

The fire occurred in a particularly sensitive heritage area on the triangular island located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean; the site forms part of the Chilean region of Valparaiso, which is 3,600 kilometers (about 2237 miles) away. In the Rano Raraku quarry, several moai are unfinished and half buried, like the Te Tokanga, which is 22 meters (about 72 feet) long and weighs some 200 tons. That allowed half of the mysterious statues to be protected from the fire that struck the island, which UNESCO declared a World Heritage Site in 1986.

The UNESCO archaeologists, members of the Mau Henua indigenous community and governmental and civil society organizations that prepared the report concluded that, beyond the flames, climatic and water-related factors are the most recurrent and damaging to the moai. Biological erosion accelerates the process of deteriorating the statues outer layer, impacting between 5 and 10 centimeters (about 2 to 4 inches) of the surface of the unique rock from which the volcano is formed, lapilli tuff. Time, rain and wind are eroding them. If we dont do something, they will disappear in 100 years, warns Edmunds.

Photograph provided by the Municipality of Easter Island showing an area damaged by the fire. Municipalidad de la Isla de Pascua

Claudia Uribe, the UNESCO representative in Chile, explains that water repellency and stone adhesion techniques can be applied to conserve the heritage pieces. A few years ago, this sophisticated methodology was used to great success; it was also employed over two decades ago in the Ahu Tongariki ceremonial center, where 15 moai stand. In previous fires that affected some moai, Japanese and Chilean scientists from the National Monuments Council applied chemical solutions to the stone to provide a layer of protection.

Daniela Meza, the Mau Henua indigenous communitys archaeologist and curator, explains that it is a very slow and costly process. Each moai requires two to three months of work and importing a series of materials from foreign laboratories. The materials are not so expensive, but the customs costs are, she says. Meza says that, before the fire, she had drawn up an emergency list of the statues in the worst condition. There are about 15. They have not burned but [their state is] more serious. They are next to the sea and practically falling apart. Once we have the permit from Monuments, we are going to restore their physical strength so that they can continue to stand, says the archaeologist. Meza is working with a team to design a less administratively cumbersome methodology to protect the moai.

Mayor Edmunds says he does not have the figures for how much it will cost to apply the protection technique to the 22 most fire-damaged moai. Uribe clarifies that UNESCO will not offer the resources to finance such restoration and repair treatments: Todays challenge is to raise funds to initiate a conservation plan. Before that, experts will draw up a risk management plan to strengthen local response capacities in the event of fire or other emergencies. The entire UNESCO fire project has a budget of $97,000 for one year, financed by the agencys Heritage Emergency Fund (HEF), which seeks to preserve and conserve such sites.

The island, which derives its income from tourism, was closed for two and a half years because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although the mayor will go to the UN next week to discuss how they managed to have only five cases of Covid-19 and not a single death, the Rapa Nui economy suffered greatly. It is still crippled. The island is receiving only three flights a week (750 passengers), compared to the 14 flights (8,000 passengers) that were arriving before the lockdown.

Last Thursday, Chiles National Cultural Heritage Service (SERPAT) signed a $620,000 agreement with the municipality of Easter Island and the Mau Henua indigenous community, which administers the Rapa Nui National Park. The funds will be used to strengthen the management of the historic site and revive the economy. Each islander notices the economic effects on their lives. For example, Daniela Meza can no longer raise funds from the community when she needs to protect a moai.

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Ceci Flores and Delia Quiroa were leading ordinary lives until a few years ago, when their families became victims of organized crime. Faced with government inaction, Flores set out on her own to find her two children, while Quiroa tirelessly searched for her missing brother. The years gradually turned them into human rights activists in a country grappling with a dire crisis of missing persons  over 110,000 people. Motivated by desperation and the lack of government assistance, these mothers faced the tough decision of seeking permission from drug traffickers to find the remains of their loved ones. All we want is to have our lives respected and be able to search for our loved ones. We need an end to the constant disappearances, and for the cartels to finally sit down and negotiate peace among themselves, said Quiroa.

Quiroa is part of the Madres Buscadoras de Tamaulipas group  mothers from this northeast Mexico state with missing family members. They made their first approach to the narcos in 2021, and were granted permission to dig in La Bartolina, a notorious mass gravesite close to the U.S. border on the Gulf Coast. They unearthed 1,100 pounds (500 kilos) of charred skeletal remains. Families in Tamaulipas are really desperate because the authorities arent doing much to search for, identify and bring back our loved ones. Thats why we decided to send this message directly to the leader of Los Ciclones from the Gulf Cartel in Matamoros, said the mothers initial request to the narcos.

Ceci Flores and her group of mothers tried this approach in Sonora and Sinaloa, and soon others all over Mexico followed suit. Im reaching out to the leaders of the cartels. Were not looking for justice, all we want is to find our missing loved ones and give them a proper burial, said Flores in a video posted on social media. Nine cartels have now been approached by these groups of mothers, including Cartel Jalisco New Generation, Sinaloa Cartel, Sonora Cartel, Salazar Cartel, La Familia Michoacana, Knights Templar and Old School Zetas.

Ceci Flores, founder of the Madres Buscadoras de Sonora group; February 9, 2022. Nayeli Cruz

A year later, news of the mothers efforts reached the Mexican president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, when a reporter asked in the daily morning briefing, What do you think about the truce these mothers have achieved? The president replied, We must endorse anything that strives for peace and eliminates violence. But he then cautioned that his administration cannot guarantee that action wont be taken against lawbreakers.

The presidents response came after the Northeast Cartel (CDN) shared a video on social media in which masked men armed with rifles and machine guns accepted the truce, not as a sign of weakness but as a means to achieve well-being in the country. The CDN issued a challenge to the federal government, urging legal mechanisms to ensure the agreements will be honored. Days later, another statement from the president made no promises. I commend the mothers of the disappeared  people involved in criminal activities should take heed. Nevertheless, we cannot assure that we will refrain from taking action against those who break the law. Impunity must not be tolerated, said the president.

Meanwhile, the mothers think that some positive steps have been taken. Im glad that they listen to us, said Quiroa. All were asking is that when they kill them, they should just leave them somewhere we can find them easily, said Flores. In Ciudad Obregon the other day, they just left dead people lying around. It seems like a response to our request, she said matter-of-factly. In 2021, the mothers in Tamaulipas asked the cartel to display a banner on the border fence if they agreed to the truce. A few days later, the banner appeared.

How do you communicate with a cartel? The women say they often communicate indirectly through social networks, like throwing a message in a bottle into the ocean. We put out statements and videos, and then social media helps spread the message, said the spokesperson for the Tamaulipas mothers. Then we wait. Flores says she has actually spoken with them. Ive gotten two calls from people claiming to be from the cartels. They said what were asking for is reasonable and they want to negotiate. With every call, with every mysterious message, hope is rekindled in the grieving mothers.

Government inaction

These two women not only endure pain but also face danger in their pursuit. Forced to leave Sonora and Tamaulipas, the places they once called home, they received death threats for seeking their missing loved ones. Many families have now joined these groups. Widespread violence, insecurity and government inaction have turned Mexico into a vast mass grave. Frustrated by corruption and bureaucracy, these families decided to do something. If the authorities did their job, we wouldnt have to be the moms constantly risking our lives, said Flores.

In Tamaulipas, the situation is no better. There are no resources to help us  the trucks break down all the time and the police dont have any gasoline. Its a complete mess  were in a battle here, said Quiroa, a lawyer by profession. According to the statistics, only 3% of the prosecutors cases make it to trial and only 1% lead to a verdict. Its disheartening to think that these people might never be held accountable.

Delia Quiroa at the Mexican governments Executive Commission for Victim Support in 2020. Nayeli Cruz (El Pais)

Flores thinks that implementing transitional justice mechanisms in Mexico to address the issues of violence, disappearances and terror would be more effective. Its the only way to dig ourselves out of this hole, she said. Flores is referring to special frameworks like the ones implemented in Colombia and Guatemala that seek truth, justice, reparations and prevention of future violations after prolonged periods of repression or widespread human rights abuse. We need special justice mechanisms here, as the issues of insecurity and high-impact crime have long surpassed the governments capacity to deal with them, said Flores. Every day, the Quiroa family becomes increasingly consumed by sadness. Despite their efforts to move forward, the weight they carry on their shoulders, along with Ceci Flores and other mothers, becomes unbearable.Finding my brother is really emotional. We need to know what happened to him and where he is, said Quiroa.

The question echoes relentlessly: Where are they? Where are they? Where are they? Ceci Flores heart aches for her two sons, Marco Antonio and Alejandro. Delia Quiroas brother, Roberto, resisted paying protection money for his restaurant, only to disappear at the age of 29. If we stop what were doing, the possibility of our children ever coming back home disappears. Because the moms are the only ones looking for them, said Flores before going out on another search. If I have to go to hell itself, Ill do it. And if I have to ask narcos for help, Ill do that too.
The Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, on Tuesday at the NATO summit in Vilnius (Lithuania). KACPER PEMPEL (REUTERS)

After two centuries of military neutrality, and more than a year plagued by unexpected obstacles to accession, Sweden is closer than ever to becoming NATOs 32nd member. A pledge by the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to drop his objections to Swedens accession finally paves the way to the short-term transformation of northern Europes security framework as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Atlantic Alliance will gain strategic depth with the addition of the new partner, significantly reinforcing NATOs capabilities in the Arctic and, above all, in the Baltic Sea, where the island of Gotland and the powerful fleet of Swedish Navy submarines a strategic asset of incalculable value  represent a guarantee for the defense of Poland and the Baltic countries.

Sweden is not a great military power. Stockholm adopted a policy of neutrality when the Napoleonic Wars ended in the 19th century. After the end of the Cold War, the Scandinavian country undertook a demilitarization process in which military spending was progressively and drastically reduced, and regiments were dissolved throughout the territory. In 2005 the last Swedish soldiers left Gotland; the island, considered an unsinkable aircraft carrier by multiple analysts, had ceased to be a strategic priority for Stockholm given the apparent disappearance of the Russian threat. Some countries bordering the Baltic Sea had implored Sweden not to demilitarize Gotland, given the risk of a potential occupation of the island in a lightning offensive by Russian troops.

Everything changed again in 2014, after the Russian annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea and the start of fighting in the Donbas region. In the years that followed, Sweden reinstated conscription for men and women, sent a regiment back to Gotland and set up an anti-aircraft defense system on the island  which is similar in size to Mallorca in Spain or Rhodes in Greece  and also sent infantry fighting vehicles and Leopard 2 tanks. In January 2022, when more than 100,000 Russian soldiers were awaiting orders on the Ukrainian border, almost 1,000 Swedish soldiers moved to Gotland to reinforce the security of the strategic territory, and shortly thereafter the government announced it was investing 1,600 million Swedish crowns (about $154 million or 140 million) to expand the military infrastructure on the island.

When Sweden joins NATO, Gotland will become one of the strongholds of the Alliance. In 2017, during a visit, Ben Hodges, then commander of the U.S. army in Europe, stated that there is no island in the world with greater strategic importance. Gotland is less than 186 miles (300 kilometers) from Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave located between Poland and Lithuania that is home to the Russian Baltic Fleet. The waters of this sea are navigable all year round, and more than 1,500 ships use this seaway every day. Whoever controls Gotland can dominate the air and sea space of the southern Baltic, declared Magnus Frykvall, the highest authority of the Swedish Army on the island, just over a year ago.

The incorporation of Gotland into the territory of the Atlantic Alliance will also mean an obvious reinforcement for the defense of Poland and, especially, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, the most vulnerable allies in the event of an attack from Russia. The integration of Sweden into the military bloc will practically turn the Baltic Sea into a NATO-controlled body of water, unlike during the Cold War, when much of its coasts were in Communist hands (Soviet Union, East Germany and Poland). or neutral (Sweden and Finland).

In Brussels, the headquarters of NATO, it is not only the future incorporation of Gotland that is being celebrated. Sweden has another precious asset: its fleet of world-class conventional submarines. The Baltic Sea  sometimes called a flooded prairie  is very shallow (with an average depth of 57 meters or 180 ft) and the nuclear-powered vessels that make up much of the Russian and U.S. submarine fleet cannot operate in it.

Sweden, on the other hand, has been operating submarines in the Baltic Sea since 1904. No other country in the region has been as active underwater. Swedish Navy submarines can stay submerged for weeks. Most conventional  non-nuclear  underwater vessels are battery-powered and need to return to the surface after a couple of days to keep their diesel engines running. But Swedish submarines have liquid oxygen stored in tanks on board that allow the batteries to be recharged without surfacing. Sweden has three advanced Gotland class submarines and one older model that will be retired when two newly designed vessels are delivered, before 2028.

The Swedish submarine 'HMS Gotland', at the end of May at Karlskrona Naval Base. TOM LITTLE (REUTERS)

A new flank for the Alliance

In addition to the Baltic, Swedens future membership  together with Finlands recent accession  will create a new flank for the Alliance in the Arctic region, in addition to those in the East and the South, the only ones it had for decades. The incorporation of the two Scandinavian countries represents a challenge for NATO at a time when Moscow has undertaken an ambitious reinforcement of its Arctic projection.

Upon accession, Sweden will become the sixth-largest NATO member. This country of just over 10 million inhabitants has some 25,000 professional soldiers and 35,000 reservists, as well as a powerful military industry that develops sophisticated combat planes, tanks and anti-aircraft defense systems.

Following Erdogans commitment to stop blocking Sweden, Stockholm trusts that the Turkish Parliament will give the green light to its NATO membership as soon as possible. Ankara has not yet defined the deadlines for approval in the National Assembly, although most of the Swedish media are speculating that it will happen in September. In addition to Turkey, Hungary has also blocked Sweden for more than 10 months. But Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto declared on Tuesday that his countrys approval is a mere technical matter that will not delay Swedish membership.

The approval by the parliaments in Ankara and Budapest will mark the definitive end to more than two centuries of Swedish military neutrality  or non-alignment, the term used by Stockholm since it joined the EU in 1995. And it will complete a process of integration into the Euro-Atlantic organization that Sweden and Finland began jointly in April of last year and whose paths diverged after Ankara and Budapest greenlighted Finlands membership in March.
The NATO summit in Vilnius is marked by the relationship between the Allies and Ukraine, with the focus on Kyivs possible future accession. But the final communique approved Tuesday by the 31 NATO leaders also contains important conclusions in other areas. Here is a summary of the main ones:

Regional defense plans

The Allies have approved a new generation of regional defense plans that outline the defense and deterrence mechanisms to face different threats, both hybrid and conventional. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg underscored that this was the most significant overhaul of defense plans since the end of the Cold War. The plans, as announced by EL PAIS, are divided into three geographical areas, which seek to deal with the main threats to the Alliance: Russia and terrorism. The new plans cover five areas of threats and attacks: land, air, maritime, cyber and space domains. In addition, the 4,000-page secret document also describes the tasks that each of the Allies will be responsible for, outlining the specific areas in need of protection and what equipment can be used for this purpose.

Defense spending

The Vilnius summit conclusions also formalized the renewed goal to increase investment in defense. In 2014, the Allies approved a communique in which members that were not spending 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defense committed to reaching this goal in a decade, a deadline which comes up next year. In the latest communique, the wording has changed to at least 2% of GDP. During the summit, Stoltenberg stressed that great advances had been made with respect to spending, stating that European members of NATO and Canada were projected to increase investment by 8% in 2023 compared to the previous year.

China

The rise of China has raised concern in NATO, with many members worried about what they consider to be its assertiveness and repressive policies. Last year, NATO included China in the Strategic Concept approved at the Madrid summit, and this year, it outlined that the Allies are working together to address the systemic challenges posed by China. We will stand up for our shared values and the rules-based international order, including freedom of navigation, said the communique.

But the Allies are divided on how far NATO should go when it comes to China. The United States is keen to use NATO against China and to build strong links with Asian democracies, while European countries, led by Germany and France, are more hesitant. The statement, however, makes it clear that China is on NATOs horizon.

Southern flank

The statement also contains a reference to the southern flank, which is a matter of greatest interest to countries such as Spain and Italy. The communique acknowledges the high level of instability in the Sahel, North Africa and Middle East. And it points out that Russia is trying to fuel tensions in these areas. In response, the Allies have agreed to commission the North Atlantic Council, NATOs representative body, to launch a comprehensive and deep reflection on existing and emerging threats and challenges, and opportunities for engagements with our partner nations, international organizations, and other relevant actors in the region.

Swedens accession

The statement welcomes Sweden as a full member of NATO. This was made possible after Turkey made a surprise pledge to drop its opposition to Sweden joining the Alliance on Monday. However, given Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans rocky record, some Allies have preferred to err on the side of caution, fearing he may do a U-turn. Whats more, Swedens accession to NATO must also be ratified by the Turkish Parliament. But given the deal has been announced and included in NATO final communique, it is unlikely that Erdogan will back down.

Strategic infrastructure

The statement also focuses on the growing concerns over the fragility of certain key infrastructure, including undersea cables. According to NATO, the threat to critical undersea infrastructure is real and it is developing. In response, NATO states that any deliberate attack against Allies critical infrastructure will be met with a united and determined response. The communique also announced that the Allies have agreed to establish a Maritime Center for the Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure, and set up a network that brings together NATO, allies, the private sector and other relevant actors to improve information sharing.

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Saudi Aramco Technologies Company, a unit of the oil giant Aramco, said it has signed an agreement with Taiwanese group Moxa to further develop and commercialize the Intelligent Integrated Node (IIN) technology.

Headquartered in Taipei, Moxa is a leading provider of edge connectivity, industrial computing, and network infrastructure solutions for enabling connectivity for the Industrial Internet of Things.

With 35 years of industry experience, it has connected more than 94 million devices worldwide and has a distribution and service network that reaches customers in more than 85 countries.

The IIN technology, collaboratively developed by Aramco and Moxa, replaces numerous devices from multiple vendors, and offers instrumentation control, monitoring, and edge computing capabilities, all in a single fault tolerant device.

The integrated node demonstrates increased computing speed, reduced Capex and Opex and improved operational efficiency and safety in asset intensive operational facilities.

The technology has garnered several accolades, including the 2018 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prize for Inventors and the 2020 International Society of Automation (ISA) Excellence-in-Innovation Award.

Moxa President Michael Lin expressed delight at sealing Aramco unit's partnership for commercialisation of the IIN technology.

"The licensed solution offers greater control and improved efficiency by providing more capacity for capturing and analyzing data from multiple instruments. We are excited about the applications, not only in the oil and gas sector but also in other verticals such as power and utilities, renewables, water and the transportation sector," stated Lin.

Motaz Al Mashouk, Aramcos Senior Vice President of Engineering Services, said the unique selling point of this technology is the replacement of up to five different devices with a single reliable and powerful computing automation device.

"In an asset intensive operational facility, this directly translates to lower costs, higher flexibility, agility, operational efficiency and, most importantly, improved operational safety," noted Al Mashouk.

"The technology dovetails into Aramcos digital transformation strategy. Moxa is a market leader in industrial networking, computing and connectivity solutions. We are very pleased to have partnered with Moxa for commercializing this technology worldwide in all technology sectors," he added.

Saudi Aramco Technologies Company CEO Abdullah S. Dhuwaihi said: "We are delighted to have established this important collaboration with Moxa."

"This licence agreement intends to build on the collaborative work done so far on the development of this technology. We look forward to successful commercialization of this technology," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
The seemingly tiny Crawford Lake, just outside Toronto, Canada, is an unusual one. The residents of the area usually go there to walk their dogs and eat their famous pancakes with maple syrup, but that is not what makes it special. The lake seems small  barely 820 feet across  but it hides an extraordinary depth of 79 feet. It is meromictic, which means that its surface waters do not mix with those at the bottom, which has remained undisturbed for centuries. Sediments from the atmosphere accumulate each year on the bed, like the layers of a lasagna. Now, an international team of scientists announced Tuesday that Crawford Lake is the place where the beginning of a potential new geological epoch (around 1950), the Anthropocene, is best appreciated.

Geologist Francine McCarthy shows the photo of a sediment sample taken from the depths of the lake. It is a vertical sample, barely 35 inches, but it tells the history of the Crawford since the 13th century, year after year. It is very easy to see the passage of time in it. In the winter the lake freezes and dark organic matter settles on the bottom. In the summer, the calcium and carbonates from the areas limestone rocks, dissolved in the water, crystallize due to the heat, forming a white layer of calcite on the bed. That succession of light and dark lines is a perfect calendar, an underwater history book that shows how in 1950 human impact began to transform everything. It is the so-called Great Acceleration, the moment in which nuclear bomb tests, the massive burning of coal and oil and the disappearance of species began to leave a very evident imprint on the skin of the planet.

Humanity is officially going through the Holocene, a geological epoch that began more than 10,000 years ago, after the last ice age. However, in 2000, the Dutch chemist Paul Crutzen (winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for shedding light on the destruction of atmospheric ozone) and the American biologist Eugene Stoermer suggested that the impact of human beings on the planet had brought about a new epoch: the Anthropocene. Although the idea caught on, the certifying body, the International Union of Geological Sciences, has yet to make a decision. A team of experts, the Anthropocene Working Group, has been investigating since 2009 whether humanity has indeed entered a new era. In 2016, they declared the Anthropocene a geological reality, and this Tuesday, the groups leader, British geologist Colin Waters, announced at a conference in Lille, France, that Crawford Lake is the best model for observing the beginning of this disturbing era that is characterized by human pollution.

The scientific community, through the International Commission on Stratigraphy, chooses reference points that mark the beginning of new geological stages. The start of the Holocene is officially represented by an ice core obtained in 2003 almost 5,000 feet deep, in Greenland. This frozen sample, guarded at the University of Copenhagen, in Denmark, reveals a rapid warming of the climate associated with a change in certain chemical elements. The reference points of seven geological stages are located in Spain: in the city of Fuentelsaz, for example, the beginning of the Middle Jurassic, some 175 million years ago, can be appreciated better than anywhere, and the coast of Zumaia (Basque Country) has two official boundaries between stages of the Paleocene. All these points are marked by golden spikes, which are placed in solemn ceremonies.

Extraction of a sediment core from the bottom of Crawford Lake. TIM PATTERSON / UNIVERSIDAD DE CARLETON

A dozen places were vying for the golden spike of the Anthropocene, including the remote Sihailongwan Lake, located in the crater of a Chinese volcano, and the sea mud of Japans Beppu Bay, both of which made it to the final round of voting. However, Crawford Lake is where the beginning of the Anthropocene is best recorded today, says Spanish geologist Alejandro Cearreta, a member of the international working group. The best indicator is the plutonium-239. All the sediments after 1950 have plutonium, be it the park next to your house or Crawford Lake, explains Cearreta, professor of paleontology at the University of the Basque Country.

The geological authorities are in no rush to declare the official start of a new epoch. According to Cearreta, the complex protocol can take years. The Anthropocene Working Group will submit its final proposal, including Crawford Lake, in the coming weeks. The Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy will study the conclusions and, if it concurs, will send them to the higher level: the International Commission on Stratigraphy. If 60% or more of its members vote in favor of declaring the beginning of the Anthropocene, the decision will then have to be ratified by the International Union of Geological Sciences. The process can be interrupted at any moment, warns Cearreta.

Canadian geologist Francine McCarthy is sure that Crawford Lake will help convince the skeptics. Her team inserts a tool known as frozen finger into the bottom, a frozen artifact, filled with liquid nitrogen at almost -200 degrees Celsius (-328 Fahrenheit), to which the sediments adhere. The human influence is evident: layers from the late 13th century already include corn pollen, confirming the presence of indigenous tribes in the area. The thickest white line corresponds to the year 1935, the hottest summer of the so-called Dust Bowl, a period characterized by drought and sandstorms caused by deforestation. And after 1950, the radioactivity of the atomic bombs and the pollutants from the burning of coal and oil can be seen. They are irreversible changes, recognizable everywhere, as defended by the Anthropocene Working Group. Every time we extract a frozen core from the bottom of this unique lake, it is like attending a birth: they are all beautiful when they first emerge. Knowing that they can reveal so much relevant information is overwhelming, says McCarthy.
A grand jury that was sworn in Tuesday in Atlanta will likely consider whether criminal charges are appropriate for former President Donald Trump or his Republican allies for their efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in Georgia.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has been investigating since shortly after Trump called Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in early 2021 and suggested the states top elections official could help him find 11,780 votes, just enough needed to beat Democrat Joe Biden.

The 2 1/2-year investigation expanded to include an examination of a slate of Republican fake electors, phone calls by Trump and others to Georgia officials in the weeks after the 2020 election and unfounded allegations of widespread election fraud made to state lawmakers.

Willis, a Democrat, is expected to present her case before one of two new grand juries being seated Tuesday. She has previously suggested that any indictments would likely come in August.

Heres how that process would work:

Wait. Wasnt there already a grand jury in this case?

Yes. About a year into her investigation, Willis took the unusual step of asking for a special grand jury. She said at the time that she needed the panels subpoena power to compel testimony from witnesses who otherwise might not be willing to talk to her team. That special grand jury was seated in May 2022 and was released in January after completing its work.

It was essentially an investigative tool and didnt have the power to indict. Instead, it issued subpoenas and considered testimony from about 75 witnesses, as well as other evidence, before drafting a final report with recommendations for Willis.

While part of that report was made public in February, the judge overseeing the special grand jury said any recommendations on specific charges for specific people would remain secret for the time being. The panels foreperson said in media interviews later that month that they recommended indicting numerous people, but she declined to name names.

Willis isnt bound by the special grand jurys recommendations.

Who might Willis be eyeing for possible charges?

Willis sent letters last summer warning certain people  including the states fake electors and former New York mayor and Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani  that they could face charges in the case. Some of the fake electors have since reached immunity deals with Willis team. While she hasnt said one way or the other whether she would seek charges against Trump, Willis has repeatedly said no one is above the law.

Willis is a fan of Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, and there have been hints shell use it in this case. The RICO Act allows prosecutors to bring charges against multiple people that they believe committed separate crimes while working toward a common goal.

How common are regular grand juries?

Very. There are generally two grand juries seated in Fulton County in each two-month term of court. They usually meet every week  one on Mondays and Tuesdays and the other on Thursdays and Fridays. Their work takes place behind closed doors, not open to the public or to news media.

Grand jurors must be U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old and must live in the county where they serve. Each grand jury is made up of 16 to 23 people and up to three alternates  at least 16 must be present for cases for the grand jury to hear any evidence or take any official action.

What happened during grand jury selection?

A total of 96 potential grand jurors showed up at the Fulton County courthouse Tuesday. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney explained what a grand jury does and asked basic questions to the group to make sure everyone was eligible to serve.

McBurney then called on members of the group one by one and asked them to say whether they were ready to serve or if they had a hardship that should prevent them from serving. Afterward, McBurney, Willis and members of her team began meeting privately with people who cited a hardship to decide whether they would be excused.

Then McBurney read out 26 names  23 grand jurors and three alternates  to serve on Grand Jury A, which will meet Mondays and Tuesdays, and 26 names for Grand Jury B, which will meet Thursdays and Fridays. Its unclear which one of those grand juries would hear Willis election case.

The district attorney and her team then met with the grand jurors behind closed doors before McBurney returned to the room to swear in the grand jurors and give them instructions.

What happens when the case is presented to the grand jury?

Georgia law requires an indictment from a grand jury to prosecute someone in most felony cases  things like murder, aggravated assault, robbery and other crimes. When prosecutors present a case, theyre trying to convince the grand jurors that there is probable cause that one or more people committed crimes and to get the grand jurors to sign off on bringing charges against them.

For each case, prosecutors read or explain the potential indictment and then call witnesses or present any other evidence. Any witnesses who testify must swear an oath to tell the truth.

Often in Georgia, the only witnesses the grand jury hears from are law enforcement officers, including investigators for the district attorneys office. They can tell the grand jurors what theyve learned in their investigation, including what suspects or witnesses have said and what other evidence they have.

Members of the grand jury are allowed to question witnesses.

In general, a person who is named as a defendant on the potential indictment cannot be called to testify before the grand jury.

How do grand jury deliberations work?

After the case has been presented, only members of the grand jury can be in the room for deliberations. They discuss the case and vote on whether to return a true bill or a no bill. A true bill means the grand jurors have voted to indict because they think there is probable cause to believe that the person accused committed the alleged crimes. A no bill means the grand jurors dont believe the person committed the alleged crimes or there isnt enough evidence to indict.

At least 16 grand jurors must participate in the voting, and an indictment requires 12 of them to vote in favor of charges.

The grand juror oath in Georgia requires jurors to keep the deliberations of the Grand Jury secret unless called upon to give evidence thereof in some court of law of this State.

What happens after grand jurors vote?

If a grand jury votes to bring charges, the indictment must be presented in open court by the grand jury or the sworn grand jury bailiff in a courtroom where a judge and the clerk are present. Then it is filed in the clerks office and is a public document. Soon after that, those charged will be booked and have their first court appearances.

If the grand jury votes against indicting anyone, prosecutors can present the case again to a different grand jury. But if two grand juries vote not to indict on the same charges, prosecutors generally cannot try again to get an indictment on those charges.

If Trump is indicted, can he still run for president?

Yes. Neither an indictment nor a conviction would prevent Trump from running for or winning the presidency in 2024.

He has already been indicted twice this year in other cases. He faces 34 felony charges in New York state court accusing him of falsifying business records in a hush money scheme over allegations of extramarital sexual encounters. And he faces 37 felony charges in federal court in Florida accusing him of hoarding classified documents and refusing government demands to give them back.

In addition, a Justice Department special counsel is investigating his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in multiple states, as well as the events leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

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The campus of the University of California, in Los Angeles, in 2017. Lucy Nicholson (Reuters)

All eyes turned to California after the United States Supreme Court recently ruled that colleges and universities may no longer take race into account when making admissions decisions. Legal scholars predict that institutions of higher education around the country will emulate Californias public universities, which prohibited the use of race as an admission criterion 27 years ago. However, the Supreme Court ruling will affect prestigious private institutions in California like Stanford University, the University of Southern California and Pomona College.

Positive discrimination [affirmative action] didnt really respond to the endemic problem of exclusion in the educational system, said Raquel Aldana, a law professor at the University of California, Davis. The Supreme Courts long-awaited verdict, following an arduous eight-year trial, came as no shock to Californians as it was the culmination of a relentless, decades-long battle to eradicate affirmative action. Its a familiar topic at the university where Aldana teaches. In 1973, a 32-year-old engineer sued the State of California for reverse discrimination after being rejected two years in a row by the UC Davis School of Medicine, despite having higher grades than some candidates who were accepted.

His name is Allan Bakke, a White man with impressive qualifications, to use one of the words that comes up frequently in the affirmative action debate. He had served in the Navy and worked in a NASA laboratory when he decided to change careers and pursue medicine. Bakkes lawsuit argued that he would have been admitted if UC Davis hadnt reserved 16% of its first-year slots for racial minority applicants. The Supreme Court ruled in his favor in 1978 and Bakke started medical school at the age of 38. He graduated as an anesthesiologist four years later and never publicly spoke about the case.

The decision dealt a blow to the quota system, prohibiting race from being the sole determinant for admission to education. It also set a precedent that had an impact on the delicate social fabric of a diverse country. Although Aldana calls it an imperfect tool, positive discrimination formed part of this intricate mosaic and sought to rectify an unjust system.

Latinos are the main target of the attack on affirmative action, said attorney Thomas Saenz, who graduated summa cum laude from Yale University. And thats because were a growing population thats perceived as a threat. In contrast, the African-American population is increasing at a lower rate, said Saenz, who has served as president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) for the past 14 years.

The death blow to affirmative action in California was championed by Ward Connerly in 1996. Connerly, who owned a consulting and land-use planning company, was appointed to the University of California Board of Regents in 1993. The Board of Regents is the governing body for the California state university system, which has over 280,000 students in nine campuses. Connerly, who was orphaned at four, embodied the American dream and defied extreme poverty in Louisiana. His remarkable success in business reinforced his message that the very tools intended to address racial injustice were exacerbating the problem. Connerly was close friends with Pete Wilson, the influential Republican governor who played a pivotal role in garnering party-wide support for the cause, which required one million signatures for a referendum to be placed on the ballot.

With 55% of the vote in favor of Proposition 209, California buried affirmative action once and for all, prohibiting consideration of race and ethnicity in hiring. The measure affected the entire public sector, from government offices to all levels of the public education system. While 76% of Californias Latino population voted against Proposition 209 in 1996, its percentage of the electorate was less than the 27% it represents today.

Following Proposition 209, Californias universities underwent significant transformations to foster diversity. The demographics of the state played a pivotal role in driving this change. With over half of high school graduates identifying as Latino, a majority of them pursued higher education in technical schools that offer comprehensive two-year programs. Despite constituting 40% of Californias population, only 5- 6% are able to secure spots in prestigious universities. This disparity underscores the need for continued efforts to ensure equitable access to higher education for all. Are you going to tell me that this counts as racial justice? Trust me, its not even close. Sure, the University of California may boast about its diversity because it educates a measly few [8% of students in the state]. But lets face it, in terms of real numbers, weve got some serious representation issues, said Raquel Aldana. Texas exhibits a similar educational system disparity, with Latinos comprising 40% of the population but only representing 20% at the University of Texas.

Over the course of nearly three decades, the University of California campuses have evolved into a vibrant and diverse experimentation laboratory. Currently, the student body consists of 32% Asian students, followed by Latinos at 22.5% and Whites at 22.2%. Black students make up 4.5% of the student body. Experts say $500 million is allocated annually to diversity programs. Admissions procedures have also been changed for the approximately 60,000 applicants that compete for 2,000 spots every year.

Eliminating standardized exams

In a bold move, the states top educational institutions decided to do away with standardized exams. They no longer see them as accurate measures of reading comprehension or mathematical abilities, and fail to adequately assess problem-solving skills and creativity. Leading the charge is the University of California, which is gradually reducing the weight of these exams in admissions, and will completely eliminate the requirement in 2025. A comprehensive set of 12 admission criteria will be used instead that consider factors like special talents in the visual arts, interest in other cultures, active community involvement and whether applicants live in an area with poor accessibility for people with mobility challenges.

Educational institutions across the country are also opting out of the popular university rankings published by US News & World Report. Last year, 35 million people read these rankings which many consider arbitrary and can skew an applicants priorities. Institutions that will no longer submit data for inclusion in the rankings included 14 prestigious law and medical schools, among them Yale, Columbia, Harvard, Stanford and the University of Pennsylvania.

According to Thomas Saenz and other experts, there are still numerous challenges that need to be addressed. The president of MALDEF specifically highlights the weighted grade point average (GPA), which considers extracurricular activities and private tutoring in its calculation. Those factors have a pretty big bias, but theyre still important factors in admission processes, just like the recommendations from tutors and professors that also have unconscious biases.

In 2020, Saenz and his organization led the charge to repeal Proposition 209. The Proposition 16 campaign garnered widespread support and collected $20 million in funding to earn a place on the ballot. Nevertheless, by a 57% majority, California voters chose to keep Proposition 209. Saenz attributes this outcome to various factors, especially the lack of time during the pandemic to effectively communicate the benefits of diversity measures to the electorate. After 24 years, Saenz says most voters in California have never experienced the favorable effects of affirmative action. Surveys revealed a divided opinion among the Latino population.

While the Supreme Court ruling will have little impact on public universities in California, Saenz says it will also perpetuate one of the great fallacies of the states higher education. Theres this belief that our admissions system is merit-based. But let me tell you, its not! A lot of the criteria that superficially seem neutral are not, because they dont actually identify whos most likely to succeed in college and beyond. And were here to fight that myth, said Saenz.
One of the drugs taking a toll on the United States is an animal anesthetic called xylazine. On Tuesday, the U.S. government launched a National Response Plan to deal with the serious effects of the drug, which can be fatal when combined with fentanyl, a powerful opioid that is responsible for two-thirds of the estimated 110,000 overdose deaths recorded in 2022. Back in April, Rahul Gupta, the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), warned that xylazine-laced fentanyl was an emerging threat to the public health of Americans.

Xylazine  which is known on the streets as tranq or the zombie drug  is the active ingredient in a veterinary drug, XylaMed. In 1972, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved XylaMed as an analgesic and sedative for animals, but is not recommended for humans. Laboratory identifications of xylazine rose across the country between 2020 and 2021, while xylazine-positive overdose deaths increased by 1,127% in the south. Since it was announced as an emerging threat in April, the drug has been detected in nearly every part of the United States, according to Gupta.

If we thought fentanyl was dangerous, fentanyl combined with xylazine is even deadlier, Gupta said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the sedative was linked to 11% of overdose deaths last year.

On Tuesday, the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden revealed a plan to reduce overdose deaths, which reached a record high in 2022. The plan  which does not include measures to tighten the sale of the drug for veterinary uses  sets out six pillars: testing, data collection, evidence-based prevention and harm reduction, supply reduction, scheduling and research. For Gupta, who asked Congress for more funding to address the scourge, it is key to understand its real reach on the streets.

Drug dealers mix fentanyl with xylazine to increase profit, as it allows them to reduce the amount of fentanyl used in a mixture. Xylazine also produces a longer high. The side effects of xylazine alone are serious, and include skin ulcers, wounds, and necrosis. In the worst-case scenario, they can lead to amputations. The drug can also cause respiratory arrest.

As xylazine is not an opioid, it also complicates treatments aimed at reversing fentanyl overdoses. For example, the drug Narcan, whose active principle is naloxone, is highly effective in reversing overdoses, but it loses its effects when the zombie drug enters the equation. In March, the FDA approved the over- the-counter sale of naloxone to widen access to the life-saving drugs.

The plan announced on Tuesday also includes educating health professionals on how to treat xylazine withdrawal and addiction, as well as the skin injuries it causes; tackling illegal imports from China and Mexico and finding alternatives to naloxone that work with xylazine.

The White House has set the goal of reducing xylazine-related deaths by 15% by 2025. Over the next 60 days, a group of federal agencies will provide more details about how they aim to reach this goal.

The roots of the fentanyl crisis in the U.S. date back to the 1990s, when pharmaceutical companies such as Purdue flooded the market with painkillers called Oxycontin that they aggressively marketed. When doctors stopped prescribing the pills, the now-addicted patients turned to heroin. Fentanyl, a drug invented in the 1960s that revolutionized anesthesiology, entered the scene around the middle of the last decade.

The use of fentanyl was triggered by the pandemic. In 2020, overdose deaths grew by 20%, to 91,799 cases. In 2021, that figure rose 16% to 106,699, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse. The following year, there were more than 110,000 overdose deaths.

The issue has also become another source of conflict between Democrats and Republicans. The most far-right wing of the GOP has called on Biden to attack fentanyl labs and traffickers in Mexico  with or without the permission of the Mexican government  in the same way that the U.S. fought the Islamic State.

Biden, who is running again for president in 2024, has put the fight against synthetic drugs at the top of his list of priorities. He needs to appear to have a solution to the opioid crisis, as he tried to show with Tuesdays plan and Secretary of State Antony Blinkens convening of ministers from 84 countries last Friday to launch a global alliance to address the problem.

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The Army wants artificial intelligence that can predict what an enemy will do next, and its looking for outside help to turn its wish into reality.

The service published a notice last week saying it seeks software for its intelligence analysts that can run 3D simulations showing how the situation on a battlefield could evolve.

The notice to the defense industry spells out the Armys wish list for a system that uses AI, which Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and service leaders have said is a top tech modernization priority.

Issued by troops based at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, the request for information assumes a future in which human soldiers are surrounded by weaponry and vehicles guided by AI.

These tech-driven wars will require commanders to learn new ways of fighting rapidly. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and an earlier armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan are cited as examples.

In both instances, tactics changed so quickly that intelligence analysts struggled to predict what the enemy would do, the notice said.

Ideally, the AI system created for the service would analyze disparate bits of intelligence, forecast what the enemy is doing and predict vulnerabilities, all while running on a laptop and being easy to learn and use, the notice said.

The request follows several years of multibillion-dollar investment by the Army in artificial intelligence.

Military leaders say AI can help commanders understand the voluminous amounts of intelligence data gathered on the battlefield. In addition to the U.S., Russia and especially China have emerged as deep-pocketed investors in AI technology.

Defense companies that have the ability to build a prototype AI are asked in the notice to send the Army information about what they can do and how much money and time it would take to build the software.
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps have apparently become the first U.S. service branches to implement the Brandon Act, a set of policies that provide service members with a confidential evaluation and greater access to mental health care.

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro signed the instruction Monday, according to the parents of Brandon Castera and a USNI News report Tuesday. President Joe Biden signed the measure into law in December 2021 as part of the fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act.

The act is named for Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Castera, an aviation electrician. Castera, 21, died by suicide June 25, 2018, at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. A command investigation found that a combative and toxic leadership contributed to his death.

Brandons parents, Teri and Patrick Castera, two months after his death started a push to get the measure passed, an uphill battle of phone calls and trips to the Pentagon, Patrick Castera told Stars and Stripes by phone Wednesday.

He will forever be saving lives and his death meant something, as tragic as it was, his father said. I know hes smiling at us. He had a smile and made everyone want to smile.

The Brandon Act allows service members to seek confidential help for any mental health issue, at any time, in any environment, thereby reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment.

The act requires a mental health evaluation as soon as service members self-report, according to thebrandonact.org, a website the Casteras created. The Brandon Act will also allow Americans serving in uniform to seek help confidentially and, if necessary, outside of the chain of command, according to the website.

The measure also mandates annual training from the Department of Defense on recognizing members who may need a mental health evaluation.

Under the law, commanders and supervisors must ensure that service members understand the procedure for requesting a mental health evaluation, ensure they are referred as soon as possible, maintain privacy protections and not seek the results of evaluations, among other requirements.

Del Toro called the Casteras as they drove to their Peoria, Ariz., home with word that he had signed the order to implement the act, Patrick Castera said. Del Toro read the policy over the phone and said he was signing it on the spot, Castera said. The secretary later sent a photo of the signed document to the Castera family.

It brought tears to our eyes knowing that he actually signed the act into Navy and Marine law, Teri Castera said. It was thrilling.

The Casteras posted the news Tuesday on The Brandon Act Facebook page, where a flood of comments followed.

This is amazing, Petty Officer 2nd Class Emilie Nielson, a gunners mate, wrote. I cant tell you how many hoops I had to jump through to seek help for my own mental health through the military. This is a huge step in the right direction.

Two months ago, Nielson, of Albuquerque, N.M., was stationed on the amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde, when she experienced difficulty getting help for anxiety and depression, she told Stars and Stripes via Facebook Messenger on Wednesday.

When I was on the ship, the big issue I faced was getting an appointment, Nielson said. The process involved getting screened by medical specialists who set up a doctor appointment for a referral to a therapist, she said. The process could take weeks or months.

Theres a saying the Navy has: Ship, shipmate, self, which to me is completely backwards, Nielson said. If I cant take care of myself first, how can I take care of my shipmates or my ship? When I told my command about my view on the saying I received some pushback.

The Navy recorded 72 suicides in fiscal 2022, according to the Defense Department.

This is to erase the stigma out there about mental health, it is OK to seek help, Patrick Castera said.
By Takuya Karube, KYODO NEWS - Jul 13, 2023 - 01:19 | All, World, Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday told South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol that a planned release of treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant conforms to international standards and is safe.

During a meeting in Vilnius, held on the sidelines of a NATO summit, Kishida and Yoon also agreed to work toward holding high-level economic talks by the end of this year, the Japanese government said, as the neighbors have been moving quickly to improve ties long overshadowed by their wartime history.

Regarding the water discharge, Kishida promised Japan will take appropriate measures, including immediately suspending releases if the concentration of radioactive materials from the nuclear plant exceeds the level permitted under safety standards.

Opposition to the discharge remains strong in Japan's neighboring countries despite the International Atomic Energy Agency recently affirming that the move poses no risk to human health or the environment.

Yoon said South Korea "respects" the outcome of the U.N. agency's report that green-lit the Japanese plan, according to the government. But Yoon's office said he requested that Japan share real-time monitoring information and allow South Korean experts to participate in the safety checking process.

After nearly two years of an independent safety review, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi submitted the report to Kishida last week in Tokyo. The discharge is expected to commence around this summer.

As Japan's relations with South Korea have dramatically improved under the Yoon administration after years of acrimony over historical issues, Kishida aims to ensure the plan does not derail the good momentum.

The rapprochement of Japan and South Korea has been strongly welcomed by the United States, a vital security ally of both Asian nations, which is seeking to boost trilateral cooperation amid China's rising influence in the region.

While Japan and South Korea are not members of NATO, they were invited as important partners to the summit, where security affairs in the Indo-Pacific were also discussed.

The meeting in the Lithuanian capital took place just hours after North Korea test-fired its first intercontinental ballistic missile in three months, logging a record flight time for a projectile launched by Pyongyang.

Kishida condemned the latest launch during talks with Yoon, saying their bilateral and three-way cooperation with the United States needs to be strengthened.

The North Korean action "threatens the peace and security of the international community," Kishida said.

The missile, launched at a high angle from an area near Pyongyang, flew for about 74 minutes and 1,000 kilometers before splashing into the sea off Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido. It is estimated to have reached a maximum altitude of more than 6,000 km.

Kishida and Yoon, who last met in Hiroshima in May, expressed satisfaction with the improving relations between Japan and South Korea. The latest meeting marked their fourth already this year.

"As we usher in a new era of Japan-Korea relations together, I welcome the progress being made broadly, by both the government and the private sector," Kishida said.

Yoon said he believes the two countries working together will be of "great help in promoting peace and prosperity in the region and in resolving global issues."

He added that South Korea and Japan should work closely with NATO "to safeguard peace in the Indo-Pacific region."

Related coverage:

Fukushima fishermen still oppose water release after IAEA report

Japan strides for Fukushima water release as regulator OKs facilities

China urges ASEAN regional forum to oppose Fukushima water release
(Tribune News Service)  After anti-aircraft shells began exploding outside of his cockpit window during his first mission, Army pilot Tom Wiley didn't expect to survive World War II, let alone live to be 100 years old.

Despite some close calls and turbulent flights during two years of active duty, Wiley celebrated his centenary on June 23. He's one of fewer than 10,000 living World War II veterans in Pennsylvania.

"His service and sacrifices during WWII serve as an inspiration to us all, and we are privileged to celebrate this incredible milestone with him," said Atria Assistant Executive Director Jennifer Scott.

Wiley is officially credited with 57 missions after enlisting in the Army Air Corps on Dec. 7, 1942  one year after Pearl Harbor  including a bombing run in southern Germany that he still can't fully explain. His squadron of B-17 bombers passed through a thunderhead cloud, and when Wiley emerged, his plane was the only one remaining. With fuel running short and no navigator to guide the crew home, they set out on a glide path to southern Italy  sending them straight for the Alps.

Suddenly, a voice barked over the intercom: "Pull-up!" Wiley veered the plane upwards, the force popping a few rivets loose and splintering the radio room floor. None of the crew members claimed to have given the command that likely saved their lives.

"I guess I'll have to wait and ask St. Peter, 'Who was our guardian angel that time?'" Wiley wrote in his unpublished autobiography.

After flying over enemy lines in northern Italy, the crew changed direction towards Italy's eastern shore, turned south and followed the coast to their home airbase. They identified themselves to the tower operator, who refused permission to land because the crew had already been marked missing in action. Wiley landed anyway.

The engines died just as he parked the plane, ending an 11 hour and 15 minute flight  three hours longer than the plane's fuel should have allowed.

On his final leave, Wiley married Mary Norman, and they would have four children, two grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She died in 1999 from complications of Parkinson's disease. Wiley began dating Joan Dawson, who also lost her spouse, two years later. They've been together since.

Wiley worked for U.S. Steel in Pittsburgh for 22 years beginning in 1960, marketing the company's products to farmers. He also served as an adult Boy Scout leader for more than 25 years.

Jim Wiley, one of Tom's sons, said his father never talked about the war or his accomplishments when Jim was growing up. Now that Tom struggles with memory loss, Jim is especially thankful for all of the writing and speaking his father has done about his life.

"My dad...he was obsessive about documenting his life," Wiley said.

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YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  A B-52 Stratofortress bomber diverted to the home of U.S. Forces Japan in western Tokyo on Wednesday morning due to an in-flight maintenance issue

The aircraft, assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., arrived at Yokota at 10:22 a.m., according to an 11:06 a.m. post on the bases website.

It landed safely and without incident, the post said.

The B-52 is in the Indo-Pacific region to support a training exercise, a Pacific Air Forces spokesman, Maj. Christopher Merian, told Stars and Stripes by email that afternoon. PACAF records show the last time a B-52 landed at Yokota was in 1989 during the Japanese-American Friendship Festival, he added.

The Yokota incident occurred a week after four B-52s arrived at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as part of the Air Forces ongoing bomber task force missions intended to project U.S. air power in the region. Those planes are assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., PACAF said in a news release Tuesday.

The Minot-based 23rd Bomb Squadron has also deployed to Guam with four more Stratofortresses, Andersens 36th Wing said in an email Wednesday afternoon, without stating when those planes arrived.

In total, there are eight B-52s and 385 airmen deployed to Guam in support of the bomber task force missions, the wing said.

Each mission flown further demonstrates our ability to provide agile combat ready forces and long-range strike capabilities to combatant commanders across the globe, Lt. Col. Jared Patterson, the bomb squadrons commander, said in the PACAF release.

The B-52s on Guam will train while integrating alongside allies and partners throughout the region, the release said.

From those maintaining or flying these bombers to those behind the scenes enabling the mission, our ability to credibly assure Allies and deter adversaries requires every Airman out here, Patterson said.
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile off its eastern coast around 10 a.m. Wednesday, according to military authorities in South Korea and Japan.

The missile was launched from the Pyongyang area at a high angle and flew about 620 miles before splashing down in the Sea of Japan, or the East Sea, South Koreas Joint Chiefs said in a message to news reporters.

North Koreas launch of a long-range ballistic missile is a serious provocation that undermines the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the international community, the message said.

Japans military detected an ICBM being fired from near Pyongyang at 9:59 a.m. that flew for 74 minutes before splashing into the sea about 155 miles west of Okushiri Island, beyond the countrys exclusive economic zone, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a news conference Wednesday.

The missile flew at a maximum altitude of 3,730 miles, Matsuno said. No damage was reported as of Wednesday afternoon.

We will continue to work closely with related countries, such as the United States and South Korea, and will put our utmost efforts to gather and analyze information and to monitor the situation in order to protect the lives and properties of the Japanese citizens, Japans Ministry of Defense said on its website.

The ICBM launch comes nearly 1  months after North Korea attempted on May 31 to launch what it called a surveillance satellite. The rocket failed and the vehicle fell into the Yellow Sea, where it was recovered by South Korea. The regime promised another attempt soon.

North Korea last tested an ICBM on April 13. The state-run Korean Central News Agency called it a Hwasong-18, the countrys first solid-fueled ICBM. The launch, which prompted Japan to warn Hokkaido residents to seek shelter, was also fired from near Pyongyang and flew 620 miles at a high angle.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, has ordered a maximum effort to gather and analyze information related to Wednesdays launch, according to the Prime Ministers Office.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was also at the NATO summit on Wednesday, talking to the North Atlantic allies about the threat posed by North Koreas nuclear-weapons program, according to media reports.

Wednesdays launch follows threats by the communist regime on Monday to shoot down U.S. reconnaissance aircraft. The North Koreans alleged that crewed RC-135 and unmanned RQ-Global Hawk aircraft violated its maritime airspace between July 2 and Friday.

Kim Yo Jong, a senior Workers Party official and the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, alleged Monday that U.S. military aircraft had crossed the maritime military demarcation line dividing the Korean Peninsula and into the countrys exclusive economic zone, according to KCNA.

She also warned that the regime will not be responsible for what dangers are facing U.S. aircraft if they continue to cross its territory.

South Koreas military has denied the claim and said its joint aerial reconnaissance operations with the U.S. were routine.

Washington echoed Seouls denial and said the Norths recent statements that U.S. flights above its claimed exclusive economic zone are unlawful are unfounded, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said at a press conference Tuesday.

Prior to Wednesdays launch, North Korea had fired 14 ballistic missiles in 10 separate days of testing so far this year. The most recent launch was June 15, when the North fired two short-range ballistic missiles off its eastern coast.

North Korea has been prohibited by the U.N. Security Council from all ballistic missile activities since 2006, when the organization unanimously adopted resolutions to punish the regime for its first nuclear test the same year.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with senior executives from the country's leading technology firms including Alibaba Group and ByteDance on Wednesday, in a sign that Beijing is ending its crackdown on the industry amid a weakening economy.

Representatives from food-delivery platform Meituan and Xiaohongshu Technology, a popular Chinese Instagram-like social media platform, also spoke at the meeting, while JD.com and budget shopping platform PDD submitted written speeches, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

Li urged local governments to provide more support to the Internet firms, calling them "trailblazers of the era," while pushing the companies to support the real economy through innovation. He also pledged to create a fair environment and reduce compliance costs in order to promote the sound development of the platform economy.

Chinese officials have sought to rally private enterprise to boost their investment in order to fire up the world's second-biggest economy, which lost steam in June. Manufacturing contracted again, while other key components such as exports and consumer spending were sluggish.

In recent days, the government has been taking steps to bolster the economy without the use of major stimulus, such as urging banks to extend loan relief to developers to aid the property market. President Xi Jinping called for greater opening of the economy to focus on foreign cooperation in areas including trade and investment.

The Communist Party's evolving stance toward the private sector has become one of the most closely watched developments in global markets in recent years, with some observers even calling China's sprawling internet sector uninvestable.

The government's two-year crackdown on leading internet platforms began after Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma critiqued Beijing's regulation of the financial sector in 2020, forcing Ant Group to pull the plug on what would have been the largest initial public offering in history. Its valuation, envisioned at about $315 billion after the IPO, has dropped to about $78.5 billion. Alibaba, China's largest e-commerce company, split into six business units as part of a plan to recharge growth.

Beijing has been easing scrutiny of major tech companies to help the country's post-Covid recovery. Chinese authorities ended probes into tech giants after levying fines on Ant Group and Tencent on Friday.

Earlier Wednesday, China's top economic planning agency praised major online platforms including Tencent and Meituan for investing in innovative projects.

Bloomberg's Jane Zhang, Felix Tam, Foster Wong and Vlad Savov contributed to this report.
Swedens path to joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization appeared clearer this week when Turkey, after months of stalling, agreed to let the Scandinavian country enter the alliance.

Over more than 70 years, NATO has grown to an alliance of more than 30 countries. Founded in 1949 to counterbalance the growing power of the Soviet Union, NATO  long a source of tension between the West and Russia  has reasserted itself as a significant and unified force against Moscow since Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine.

Finland, a traditionally neutral nation, officially joined the alliance in April, after submitting a request along with Sweden in response to the war.

Analysts say the move will transform Europes security landscape for years to come  and further strain relations with Russia, which opposes the alliances eastern expansion.

The addition of both countries could offer the alliance expanded land, sea and air capabilities. Sweden has a strong navy, which would strengthen NATOs defenses in the Baltic Sea, and builds its own fighter jets.

Finlands well-funded military maintains mandatory conscription for men. Its a whole society approach to thinking about defense, said Christopher Skaluba, director of the Atlantic Councils Transatlantic Security Initiative. They can mobilize hundreds and thousands of their citizens.

The countries also offer key geographic advantages, which would enhance NATOs defenses.

Increased Baltic presence

To the South, Sweden and Finlands membership gives the alliance an edge in the Baltic Sea, a strategic waterway bordered by Russias St. Petersburg, as well as some of NATOs most vulnerable members.

NATOs main mission is keep Russia away from the Baltic states, Skaluba said, referring to Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. A growing presence on the Baltic seas shores could strengthen security for those countries.

Swedish and Finnish NATO membership would provide NATO with another reinforcement route through the Baltic Sea, said Carisa Nietsche, an associate fellow for the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security.

In the middle of the sea lies Gotland, a 109-mile-long Swedish island home to medieval ruins and military fortifications. Last year, Sweden announced it would spend $163 million to ramp up its forces on the island, including expanding barracks to house more troops.

An Arctic agenda

Swedens accession to NATO would mean an increased presence in the Arctic.

Sweden, along with Finland, is a member of the Arctic Council, an organization overseeing the northernmost parts of the world whose members include Russia, Canada and the United States. With their membership, Arctic security would continue to climb on NATOs agenda, Nietsche said.

As more than 50 percent of Arctic Ocean coastline is Russian territory, it could climb on Moscows agenda too. They see security in the area as a matter of homeland defense, Skaluba said.

Military missions from the Kola Peninsula  a strategic landmass some 110 miles east of the border where Russia keeps ballistic missile submarines and stores nuclear warheads  are deployed throughout the Arctic. As members, Sweden and Finland could help monitor that activity, but could also increase the risk of escalation.

The Arctic is generally considered a success story of cooperation among NATO Arctic nations and Russia, but there are concerns that it will increasingly be a contested area in the security realm, something probably more likely with Sweden and Finland becoming NATO nations, Skaluba added.

A new northern border

Finlands border with Russia stretches more than 800 miles and is already closely patrolled. The nations membership doubles the alliances land border. On one hand, this provides NATO with enhanced deterrence as Moscow would need to defend this border, said Nietsche. On the other hand, NATO also must protect this border against a Russian attack.

The Finns remember the Winter War of 1939-1940, when the country incurred great losses fighting back Soviet forces.

Their relationship with Russia is defined by mistrust, said Cristina Florea, a historian of Central and Eastern Europe at Cornell University.

Finlands membership also brings the alliance closer to the Kola Peninsula. Russias Northern Fleet, tasked with patrolling the Arctic, is based on the peninsula as well.
RAMALLAH, West Bank - As hundreds of Israeli soldiers stormed into the Jenin refugee camp last week, Akram Rajoub, Jenin's governor, was on vacation.

He rushed back the next day, gathering his team of 60 Palestinian Authority security commanders: "Stay in your office; do not engage with the Israeli armed forces," he recalled telling them.

He feared a confrontation between his men and Israeli soldiers could make the Palestinian Authority a military target and further erode its influence in the Jenin camp, which has descended into lawlessness over the past several years - ruled by drug dealers and gun runners, and, more recently, by loosely organized Palestinian militias that have taken up arms against Israel.

"Israel wants to collapse the PA," said Rajoub, speaking in Ramallah, where he lives, 60 miles from the city he is in charge of running. It is just one measure of the distance that has opened up between Palestinians and their leaders.

The Israeli operation in Jenin - the largest in the West Bank in two decades - left 12 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier dead, and, Israeli politicians boasted, depleted the weapons stockpiles of new militant groups. But it also exposed the weakness of the Palestinian Authority, which Israel counts on to maintain order across the occupied territory.

For Palestinians, the authority's decision to avoid the 44-hour battle that displaced thousands of residents and covered much of the refugee camp in rubble has amplified questions over the purpose of their government, formed in 1993 to deliver on the dream of statehood. Thirty years later, under Israel's most far-right government in history, many Palestinians view the institution as irrelevant to their lives, if not openly hostile to their cause.

"The PA has never been weaker," said Diana Buttu, a lawyer who advised the Palestinian negotiating team during the second intifada, from 2000 to 2005.

She said Israel undermines the effectiveness of the Palestinian Authority by starving it of resources, including the confiscation of some tens of millions of dollars in monthly tax revenue. But she also believes that Mahmoud Abbas - the aging and deeply unpopular Palestinian president who has stretched his mandate from four years to two decades - has failed to adapt to a new reality.

"It's like Abu Mazen is stuck in the 1990s; it's a joke," Buttu said, using Abbas's Arabic moniker. "The only people who are still speaking about the two-state solution are Abu Mazen and the international community. Israel has moved on."

Abbas visited Jenin on Wednesday, arriving from Ramallah in a Jordanian helicopter and flanked by several branches of his security forces. It was his first public appearance there since the last Palestinian presidential election campaign in 2005.

"If they uproot a tree, we will plant a thousand trees in its place; this is Palestine, and this is the Palestinian people," Abbas said in the camp, after a tour of the cemetery where nine of the Palestinians killed during last week's operation were buried. "This country, its security and authority will remain one."

The audience gathered in front of Abbas chanted "Battalion! Battalion!" in reference to the Jenin Battalion, a local militant group that has become stronger in recent years.

With U.S.-led peace talks long dormant, Israeli settlements expanding across the West Bank and violent settlers intensifying their attacks on Palestinian communities, Abbas continues to speak about an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel.

But key members of Israel's ruling coalition, which includes settler activists, religious conservatives and Jewish supremacists, reject the idea of a Palestinian state.

Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who holds a special role in the Defense Ministry, called earlier this year for a Palestinian village to be "wiped out" by the Israeli army. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a closed cabinet meeting last month that ambitions for Palestinian statehood needed to be "crushed," according to Israeli media reports.

President Biden, in an interview with CNN on Sunday, called Israel's government "one of the most extreme cabinets" in decades. The Palestinian Authority, he said, has "lost its credibility," creating "a vacuum for extremism among Palestinians."

As the authority has retreated from asserting its jurisdiction in the northern West Bank, Palestinian militant groups have filled the void, said Toufic Haddad, a Palestinian analyst.

"The PA feels they're not ready anymore to be the local cop, especially under this government, which is transitioning into an unapologetic, supremacist apartheid," Haddad said.

Rajoub, the governor of Jenin, said Israeli raids make his job harder. But he also rejects the notion that reining in militant groups should fall to him: "I conduct security work that benefits us, the Palestinian people," he said. "I'm not interested in Israel benefiting."

With the Palestinian Authority unwilling to confront militants in its midst, Israeli military incursions have become more frequent and deadlier. Each cycle of violence deepens the political stagnation, analysts say.

"Israel's entry into Jenin will only be a Band-Aid," said Michael Milstein, a former senior adviser to COGAT, the Israeli agency for Palestinian civil affairs.

The Israeli military claimed tactical victories in the wake of the Jenin raid, he said, but the public risks losing sight of the bigger picture: that the "no man's land" of the West Bank looks increasingly similar to Gaza, and will further entangle Israel.

Israelis, Milstein said, do not realize that "there are real strategic issues that are not being answered by this divided coalition."

On Sunday, the Israeli security cabinet voted to "prevent the collapse of the Palestinian Authority," though it did not detail specific actions. A similar announcement made after regional talks in Aqaba, Jordan, in February also had no official follow-up.

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who voted against the measure, said "there is no greater great absurdity than the fact that the body encouraging terrorism, paying salaries to terrorists, encouraging incitement to murder Jews and taking over territories in [the West Bank], would win a basket of goodies in the middle of a wave of terrorism."

Maj. Gen. Talal Dweikat, the spokesman of the Palestinian Authority's security services and a former governor of Jenin, laughed when asked about the Israeli cabinet's vote to boost the authority, calling it a "manipulation and a lie."

"Israel's goal is to escape its commitments made during peace negotiations for a Palestinian state and blackmail the PA into giving concessions," he said.

Last week, two Palestinian Authority officials were chased away from funerals for some of the 12 men killed in the Israeli raid. "Get out! Get out!" mourners shouted. Later that day, the authority's security forces unleashed tear gas on a group of protesters who hurled stones at its security headquarters.

In Jenin, and across the West Bank, Palestinians say they are afraid for their safety. Last month, hundreds of armed settlers torched homes in Turmus Ayya, near Ramallah, following a similar rampage several months earlier.

"The people were looking at us and wondering why we did not go, though they know the reason - because we are not allowed to exchange fire with Israeli forces, which would result in losses on their side and on our side," said a Palestinian security official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive situation. He said he had a cousin in Turmus Ayya who begged him and his colleagues to come protect them.

He described his forces as "first responders," but said they mostly dealt with breaking up family disputes or clamping down on demonstrations against the Palestinian Authority or in support of Hamas, the rival group that rules Gaza.

While Palestinian factions fight among themselves, and Israel threatens further military action, militant groups are growing stronger.

Mustafa Sheta, who manages a youth theater in the Jenin refugee camp, said young Palestinians who have never known peace negotiations or elections believe that violence will bring them "dignity."

"This is a generation that has not achieved the minimum of realizing its dreams," he said. "They are fighters who don't talk about liberating Palestine. They don't care about what Hamas, Islamic Jihad, or PA or Israel have to say. They just want resistance."

Mohammed Najib in Ramallah and Hazem Balousha in Gaza City contributed to this report.
LOS ANGELES  Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten, a former homecoming princess who at 19 helped carry out the shocking killings of a wealthy Los Angeles couple at the direction of the violent and manipulative cult leader, walked out of a California prison Tuesday after serving more than 50 years of a life sentence.

Van Houten, now 73, "was released to parole supervision," the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement.

She left the California Institution for Women in Corona, east of Los Angeles, in the early morning hours and was driven to transitional housing, her attorney Nancy Tetreault said.

"She's still trying to get used to the idea that this real," Tetreault told The Associated Press.

Days earlier Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he would not fight a state appeals court ruling that Van Houten should be granted parole. He said it was unlikely the state Supreme Court would consider an appeal.

The 1969 slayings and subsequent trials captivated the nation during an era of strife marked by the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement and the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy.

At a parole hearing in 2016, Van Houten said the murders were the start of what Manson believed was a coming race war he called "Helter Skelter," after the Beatles song. He had his followers prepare to fight and learn to can food so they could go underground and live in a hole in the desert, she added.

Van Houten was sentenced to death in 1971 for helping Manson's group carry out the killings of Leno LaBianca, a grocer in Los Angeles, and his wife, Rosemary. Her sentence was later commuted to life in prison when the California Supreme Court overturned the state's death penalty law in 1972. Voters and state lawmakers eventually reinstated the death penalty, but it did not apply retroactively.

The LaBiancas were killed in their home, and their blood was smeared on the walls afterward. Van Houten later described holding Rosemary LaBianca down with a pillowcase over her head as others stabbed her. Then, ordered by Manson follower Charles "Tex" Watson to "do something," Van Houten said, she picked up a knife and stabbed the woman more than a dozen times.

The slayings happened the day after Manson followers killed actress Sharon Tate and four others. Van Houten did not participate in the Tate killings.

She is the first Manson follower who took part in the killings to walk free.

Van Houten is expected to spend about a year at a halfway house, adjusting to a world changed immeasurably by technology in the past half-century.

"She has to learn to use to use the internet. She has to learn to buy things without cash," Tetreault said. "It's a very different world than when she went in."

Van Houten, who will likely be on parole for about three years, hopes to get a job as soon as possible, Tetreault said. She earned a bachelors and a masters degree in counseling while in prison and worked as a tutor for other incarcerated people.

Van Houten was found suitable for parole after a July 2020 hearing, but her release was blocked by Newsom, who maintained she was still a threat to society.

She filed an appeal with a trial court, which rejected it, and then turned to the appellate courts. The Second District Court of Appeal in May reversed Newsom's rejection of her parole in a 2-1 ruling, writing that there was "no evidence to support the Governor's conclusions" about Van Houten's fitness for release.

The judges took issue with Newsom's claim that Van Houten did not adequately explain how she fell under Manson's influence. At her parole hearings, she discussed at length how her parents' divorce, her drug and alcohol abuse and a forced illegal abortion led her down a path that left her vulnerable.

They also disputed Newsom's suggestion that her past violent acts were a cause for future concern were she to be released.

"Van Houten has shown extraordinary rehabilitative efforts, insight, remorse, realistic parole plans, support from family and friends, favorable institutional reports, and, at the time of the Governor's decision, had received four successive grants of parole," the judges said. They also noted her "many years" of therapy and substance abuse counseling.

The dissenting judge who sided with Newsom said there was some evidence Van Houten lacked insight into the heinous killings.

Newsom was disappointed by the appeals court decision, his office said.

"More than 50 years after the Manson cult committed these brutal killings, the victims' families still feel the impact," the governor's office said in a July 7 statement.

In all, Van Houten had been recommended for parole five times since 2016. All of those recommendations were denied by either Newsom or former Gov. Jerry Brown.

Cory LaBianca, Leno LaBianca's daughter, said last week that her family was heartbroken by the possibility that Van Houten could be released.

Anthony DiMaria, whose uncle Jay Sebring was killed along with Tate, said Tuesday her release was devastating to all the victims' families, who "collectively suffer the pain and loss" caused by the Manson cult.

Van Houten, a former high school cheerleader and homecoming princess, saw her life spiral out of control at 14 following her parents' divorce. She turned to drugs and became pregnant but said her mother forced her to abort the fetus and bury it in the family's backyard.

Van Houten became the youngest of Manson's followers when they met at an old movie ranch on the outskirts of Los Angeles where he had established his so-called family of followers.

Manson died in prison in 2017 of natural causes at age 83 after nearly half a century behind bars. Watson and fellow Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel have each been denied parole multiple times. Krenwinkel was recommended for parole last year, but that was rejected by Newsom. Another follower, Susan Atkins, died in prison in 2009.
(Tribune News Service)  Behind closed doors President Joe Biden has frequent tantrums where he yells and curses at White House aides, according to a report.

The idea of the commander in chief losing his temper flies in the face of the his carefully cultivated image as the countrys ice-cream-loving grandfather.

However, Biden has such a short fuse, aides often try to avoid meeting with him one-on-one, according to Axios.

The presidents admonitions include: God dammit, how the f--- dont you know this?!, Dont f------ bulls--- me! and Get the f out of here!  according to current and former Biden aides who have witnessed and been on the receiving end of such outbursts, the report reads.

The barbs are not reserved for interns, either.

No one is safe, an administration official told Axios.

Infamously, current chief of staff Jeff Zients was reportedly on the receiving end of Bidens ire in 2021 when there was a COVID testing kit shortage.

The aides and officials who spokes to Axios note that the anger usually flares up when people dont have information Biden would like in order to make a better decision.

If there is something thats not in the brief, hes going to find it, Ted Kaufman, Bidens chief of staff during his time in the Senate told Axios. Its not to embarrass people, its because he wants to get to the right decision.

The anger isnt always private. In 2022, Biden was caught on a hot mic calling Fox News Peter Doocy a stupid son of a b----.

A president having a temper, though, is not particularly novel, with few seeming consistently genial like William Howard Taft and Gerald Ford, according to American Heritage magazine.

Still, per Axios, some aides would prefer it if the president showed his anger to the public more often to show the 80-year-olds still fiery and not too old to serve.

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HIGHLAND, Ill.  A Greyhound passenger bus crashed into three tractor-trailers parked along a highway rest area exit early Wednesday in southern Illinois, killing three people and injuring 14 others, some seriously, state police said.

The St. Louis-bound bus was traveling westbound along Interstate 70 in Madison County when it crashed into the three semis just before 2 a.m., Illinois State Police said, citing an initial investigation.

Four people were taken to the hospital by helicopter and at least 10 others were taken by ambulance, state police said in a news release. Police did not immediately release details about those who were injured and killed.

No one in the three trucks was hurt in the crash near the city of Highland, about 25 miles east of St. Louis, police said.

State Police spokesperson Melaney Arnold said those killed and injured were all on the bus.

Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents Greyhound drivers, said in a Facebook post that the driver was in serious condition at a hospital.

The crash closed westbound traffic on I-70.

A team from the National Transportation Safety Board arrived at the scene Wednesday. U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, an Illinois Republican, said an NTSB official told him the bus was equipped with monitoring cameras "so they'll be able to do a full check to see how the accident occurred."

Photos and video from the scene showed the side of the bus peeled open and its roof crumpled. A second tractor-trailer appears to have made contact with the right rear of the bus while a third tractor-trailer appears to have crashed into the rear of that second semi.

Passenger Edward Alexander of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he helped a pregnant woman get off the bus and was searching for his phone when he "realized smoke was coming in the bus. I was like, 'forget that phone,' and went on and jumped out the window."

Edwin Brown, 22, of Friars Point, Mississippi, told the Post-Dispatch that he felt the bus shake as it passed over rumble strips before the side of the vehicle "opened up like a can opener." The driver was in and out of consciousness as Brown turned the ignition off with the help of a trucker, he said.

Greyhound spokesperson Mike Ogulnick said in an email that the bus was traveling from Indianapolis to St. Louis with a scheduled arrival of 2:20 a.m. About 30 people were on board.

"Our primary concern is ensuring we care for our passengers and driver at this time," Ogulnick said. "We are working closely with local authorities, and a relief bus is on the way for passengers."

It is illegal in Illinois for trucks to park on exit ramps. But trucking industry experts say semis often stop there for the night because overnight parking is hard to find at rest areas and other places such as truck stops.

"And that's not only dangerous for them but it's dangerous for the motoring public because they do need their rest and they deserve their rest," Lewis Pugh of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association said at a May hearing before a House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee.

Tom Chapman, an NTSB board member, declined to discuss specifics of the crash during a briefing Wednesday, including the reports that the rigs were stopped along the ramp.

"Rest area safety is one of the issues that will be a part of this investigation," he said. "Again, we don't know enough to be able to say with certainty that that's what occurred, but that's certainly one of the issues that we'll be looking at as part of our investigation."

The findings of the inquiry could lead to recommendations designed to "help ensure that similar tragedies not occur in the future," he added. Another briefing was planned for Thursday.

Last month the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that it will require trucks and buses to include automatic emergency braking equipment within five years. AEBs use forward-facing cameras and sensor technologies to detect when a crash is imminent.

The system automatically applies the brakes if the driver has not done so, or, if needed, applies additional braking force to supplement the driver's actions. The proposed standard would require the technology to work at speeds ranging from 6 to 50 mph.

Associated Press writers Jim Salter in St. Louis, Tom Krisher in Detroit, Kathleen Foody in Chicago and Heather Hollingsworth in Mission, Kan., contributed to this report.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller welcoming the staff-level agreement between the South Asian country and International Monetary Fund (IMF) said the United States stands by Pakistani people amidst difficult times.

Millers statement came in response to a question asked during a press briefing on Tuesday about Pakistans economic situation and recent staff-level pact.

Responding to a question about Hina Rabbani Khars statement, the spox clarified that the US does not ask Pakistan or any other country to choose between the United States and the PRC or to choose between the United States and any other country.

Our relations with Pakistan build on our close people-to-people ties, added Mr Miller.

Reacting to staff-level pact, he said What I would say is that we stand by the Pakistani people during these difficult times, and we welcome the progress that has been made between the IMF and Pakistan in having reached a staff-level agreement.

Miller reiterated the US governments unwavering support for Pakistans economic success. He emphasized that the US will continue engaging with Pakistan through technical collaborations and work towards strengthening trade and investment ties between the two countries, which are key priorities for their bilateral relationship.

While acknowledging the challenges ahead for Pakistans long-term sustainable economic recovery and prosperity, Miller assured that the United States would continue to stand by Pakistan throughout this process.

He recognised the hard work that lies ahead for the country and reiterated the US governments commitment to supporting Pakistans efforts towards economic recovery and prosperity.
The Shikoku Shimbun - Jul 12, 2023 - 14:35 | All, Japan

A mountain opening event was held in the highest peak in the western Japan prefecture of Kagawa in early July after the lifting of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The "goma" fire ritual, the first such event in four years on 1,059-meter Mt. Ryuo, was attended in the rain by about 100 local people, who prayed for the safety of climbers during the summer climbing season.

At the event, "yamabushi" strolling monks blew conch shells, recited prayers and purged negative energy using swords and bows and arrows before igniting the fire around a 1.5-meter-high altar.

White smoke and flames rose vigorously while the participants watched the "goma" wood, inscribed with wishes such as family safety, being cast into the fire.

A fire crossing ritual was also performed, and the participants walked barefoot on the hot charcoal after the altar was dismantled.

Hisafumi Fujisawa, head of the local residents' association that organized the event, expressed his desire to continue the tradition as part of the local culture. "We want climbers to enjoy the mountain safely without pushing themselves beyond their limits," he said.

The Shikoku Shimbun

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Suzanna Hassett pleaded guilty to 13 counts of indecent assault from the year her son was born until he was three years old.

A woman who sexually abused her son from when he was an infant up until the age of 11, in what a judge described as a huge betrayal of trust has had her jail sentence reduced by two years at the Court of Appeal.

Suzanna Hassett of Westbourne Grove, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of indecent assault on dates between 1984 and 1987, from the year her son was born until he was three years old.

The 66-year-old also pleaded to four counts of sexual assault on dates between 1992 and 1995 when her son was aged seven and 11 years old. Hassett has no previous convictions.

Fionn Daly waived his anonymity at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last year to allow his mother to be named.

In his victim impact statement, Mr Daly said he is still trying to understand and come to terms with the extreme abuse he was subjected to.

One of the hardest things to come to terms with is how young I was when it started. I was still in nappies when it started, he said.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that he made a complaint to gardai in 2017 in relation to incidents which occurred between 1992 and 1995.

After Mr Daly went to gardai, Hassett entered counselling during which she admitted her offending during the 1980s.

The investigating garda told prosecuting counsel that the victim recalled lying in bed beside his mother. She then took his hand and used it to masturbate herself.

Mr Daly recalled similar incidents took place on days when he was not in school and his father was at work.

It is estimated that these incidents took place two or three times a week over 18 months.

Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Hassett in November last year to a total sentence of eight years with the final 18 months suspended on strict conditions, including that she come under the supervision of the Probation Service for 12 months post-release.

At the Court of Appeal today Ronan Kennedy SC, for Hassett, said Judge Nolan had failed to set a headline sentence.

He argued that the overall sentence had failed to take into account all the mitigating factors in the case and was "simply too high".

Mr Kennedy acknowledged that Hassett was a woman who had committed very grave offences against her son and that this was, as the trial judge had noted, a very significant betrayal of trust.

He said the age of the child when the offences occurred brought with it a deep sense of revulsion.

One cant shy away from that and I dont, he said, adding there was no doubt it had a devastating effect on Mr Daly.

I dont seek to gloss over any of that, its a feature of the case and cant be ignored, he said.

However, counsel said on the other side of this was a woman who herself has been abused and who had been sexualised from a young age.

He said Hassett had a distorted view of her own sexuality to the extent that she had no idea of the damage she was doing by touching her son in this way.

Suzanna Hassett Photo: Collins Courts

He said she was a person who was clearly psychologically vulnerable.

Mr Kennedy said the woman had attended counselling to address these issues, had raised a family of three children, all of whom were put through third level education and one of whom was with her in court today.

He said by the time the sentencing came around she had lost her family and her home and was living hand to mouth, doing voluntary work in the community.

He submitted that Judge Nolan did not take sufficient account of these factors.

What we say is this case was a case of complexity and there was an abundance of mitigation, he said adding it was not a case where they were scraping the bottom of the barrel for mitigation.

Mr Kennedy also pointed to the fact that the sentencing judge had not set a headline sentence.

However, Court of Appeal President Mr Justice George Birmingham said the failure to set a headline sentence isnt determinative of the issue.

Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy noted Judge Martin is an extraordinarily experienced trial judge.

He attached a high degree of moral culpability because of the massive betrayal and also the harm done so you can take it he placed it at the upper end. Its not too difficult to interpret that, she said.

Counsel for the State said the Director of Public Prosecutions position was that the sentence imposed by Judge Nolan was the correct one.

After rising for a time, the three judges returned to deliver their judgement in the appeal against the severity of sentence.

Regarding the argument that no headline sentence was set, Ms Kennedy said the court has repeatedly said the absence of a headline sentence is not an error in principle.

However, she noted that in cases such as this where the offending is serious and there is much mitigation, the court is of the opinion that a tiered system would have been helpful.

In relation to the sentence, she said the court found it was simply too high.

Quashing the original sentence, she said the court considered the appropriate headline sentence in respect of the first series of offending, when the child was up to aged three, to be five years. Taking into account the mitigating factors, the court reduced this to three years.

She said the court found the second term of offending, when the child was aged between seven and 11, was of a "serious nature and was prolonged and persistent.

She said the court marked the heading sentence for this at five years, reduced to three years with mitigation. Both sentences are to run consecutively.

The overall sentence imposed by the Court of Appeal was six years with the final 18 months suspended.
The Limerick mobster Dundon is now on the A5 punishment landing of the countrys most secure jail, Portlaoise Prison

Killer Wayne Dundon has been transferred to Portlaoise Prison after a fight with a fellow inmate which turned into a mass brawl resulting in four staff from Mountjoy Jail being hospitalised.

However, on arrival at the prison the Limerick gangster failed a metal test and is suspected of carrying a mobile phone internally.

He will not be admitted to the general population until he passes the high security test known as the Boss Chair.

The Boss Chair is the nickname for the prisons special body orifice security scanner which is used to detect contraband items.

Dundon is now on the A5 punishment landing of the countrys most secure jail along with gunman-for-hire Alan Wilson and murderer Graham McEvoy.

Alan Wilson

Dundon pounced on fellow inmate Stephen Coveney Ryan in Mountjoy jail earlier in the week and produced a blade forcing staff to intervene.

Coveney Ryan was left with an injury to his neck while two members of staff were also cut and two suffered other injuries.

Dundon, who is serving life for the 2009 murder of innocent Limerick businessman Roy Collins, was eventually restrained and told that he was going to be transferred out of the prison.

It was decided that Dundon would be moved to Portlaoise jail but on arrival he failed a metal detector chair which detects foreign object being stored internally.

It is suspected that Dundon was carrying a mobile phone and will have to pass the item before he is admitted to the main prison and removed from the punishment landing.

Dundon is one of the most volatile prisoners in the system and is regularly caught with mobile phones.

He is also suspected of running his drugs business from behind bars and directing a number of underlings who are trying to re-establish the Dundons as a force to be reckoned with in the Limerick area.

Wayne Dundon

Sources say that Dundon took against Coveney Ryan, a Tipperary man, after they had started throwing comments to one another.

On Monday morning he launched himself on his fellow prisoner who tried to defend himself before prison officers swiftly intervened saving his life.

Coveney Ryan is serving a four year sentence after he pleaded guilty to trying to choke his pregnant girlfriend and threatening to chop her up after she refused to eat a dinner he had cooked for her.

The case against him was heard at Letterkenny District Court last year.

The court heard that he had met with his girlfriend Roisin MacNeilis at a bus station and that they kept up communication via text.

When he told her he was homeless she invited him to stay at her Donegal home and they began a relationship.

But as the weeks went on she said he changed and became jealous and aggressive before he attacked her.

Ms Mac Neilis told the court she thought she was going to die during the attack which began in bed and continued as she tried to flee the house.

When she eventually escaped, by jumping out a window, she charged her phone and began to receive threatening messages in which Coveney Ryan said hed chop her up and feed her to the pigs.

In his defence his barrister David Byrnes told the court that a psychologist Dr Kevin Lambe had interviewed Coveney Ryan and said he was a man who needed help to navigate through the psychotic episodes he was experiencing.

During his time on remand in prison he had completed a number of courses including an alternative to violence with the Irish Red Cross course.

Dundon has been directing a teenage member of his organisation from behind bars sparking massive Garda raids earlier this year.

Officers seized a cocaine press and quantities of the drug after the youngster had threatened old rivals of the Dundon brothers; John, Wayne, Dessie and Ger.

The young associate has been living between the UK and Limerick and was being mentored by Ger Dundon until he was locked up in the UK after he was caught up in a kidnap and extortion bid with the late Cornelius Price, a key figure in the Drogheda feud who died earlier this year.

Ger Dundon

It is understood the teenager has been involved in criminality since he was a young child and has been feared by those who know him since he was 12.

Ger Dundon was arrested in Northern Ireland in April 2020 as part of the investigation into the murder of feuding mobster Robbie Lawlor but was released without charge.

It is not known how long Wayne Dundon will spend on the punishment landing in Portlaoise where Wilson and McEvoy are also being housed.

Wilson is serving time for his part in the conspiracy to kill Kinahan rival Gary Hanley.

Graham McEvoy

McEvoy was placed on A5 after he attempted to stab a prison officer with a makeshift shiv in a prison van in an attempt to escape from custody.

Staff battled with McEvoy and managed to subdue him as he attempted to escape from the van injuring an officer in the process.

He is serving a life sentence for the murder of his pal Paulie Curran who he stabbed six times. During interviews McEvoy described Curran as his best pal but the victims mother Elizabeth disputed that.
The court heard Kavanagh had 15 previous convictions including several for assault, as well as criminal damage and theft.

A hairdresser attacked a woman in a homeless centre, sitting on top of her and pulling clumps of hair out of her head.

Shauna Kavanagh (35) set upon the victim during a confrontation in the kitchen when the woman accused her of stealing an Easter egg, a court heard.

Kavanagh also repeatedly punched the woman in the head in the assault, leaving her terrified.

Judge Michele Finan adjourned the case at Dublin District Court for a probation report and community service suitability assessment.

Kavanagh, of Holy Cross Avenue, Drumcondra, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the woman.

The court heard the incident happened at Novas Centre, Lower Rathmines Road on April 24 last year.

Shauna Kavanagh outside court previously

The accused was previously referred to as transgender during a separate court case.

Garda Sergeant Derek Spain told the court the victim said she had been in the kitchen when the accused began staring at her. The victim walked over to the accused and said why did you call me a knacker? Youve been calling me a knacker all week. Why did you steal my Easter egg?

He grabbed me by the hair and dragged me around on the ground, the victim had told gardai.

She said the accused pulled her across the ground, sat on top of her and punched her to the head four to five times with a closed fist.

Kavanagh also pulled clumps of hair out of her head and she said she was terrified.

The woman received medical attention and suffered bruising and pain but no other injuries.

The court heard Kavanagh had 15 previous convictions including several for assault, as well as criminal damage and theft.

The injured party did not make a victim impact statement.

Defence solicitor John Shanley said of the offence there had been a build up over a period of time. The accused had another version of events but she pleaded guilty to the charge and accepted she should not have acted in the manner she did, Mr Shanley said.

Kavanagh was very young when her mother was killed, which was a significant loss and the accused was brought up by an aunt until she finished school and went travelling.

There was nowhere for her to go when she returned and she was forced into homelessness, Mr Shanley said.

Kavanagh did courses in hairdressing, makeup and personal training and got full time work but never had stable accommodation until recently.

She was doing extremely well before she went into custody and was now in Mountjoy Prison's Dochas Centre, where she was under a very strict regime of 23 and a half hour lockup with no socialising.

Kavanagh had nobody coming to visit and was finding it very difficult, Mr Shanley said.

The court heard the accused had also completed an anger management course in custody.

Judge Finan said the court had not heard one word of remorse or about the victim, it was all about Ms Kavanagh.

She said she wanted to see some demonstration of remorse in the probation report and told the accused you cant go around assaulting people.

The case was adjourned to a date in August.
Perry, from Castletimon Avenue, Coolock, pleaded guilty to criminal damage, theft and other offences.

A father-of-one who smashed a takeaway door and stole a prescription pad from a hospital has admitted a series of charges.

Roy Perry (27) had the cases against him adjourned at Dublin District Court after a judge told him to stay out of trouble.

Perry, from Castletimon Avenue, Coolock, pleaded guilty to criminal damage, theft and other offences.

A garda told Judge Bryan Smyth the accused was put out of a takeaway at Dorset Street for arguing with staff on May 1, 2018.

He returned and smashed the door, causing 1,000 worth of damage. Separately, Perry took a prescription pad from Beaumont Hospital on April 30 that year.

Later, he went to Haven Pharmacy, Shantalla Road, Santry and tried to use one of the stolen prescriptions.

On September 22, 2019, an ambulance was called because of his intoxicated condition outside a pub at Iveragh Road, Whitehall.

Perry began verbally abusing the crew and passers-by, and gardai arrested him. He admitted public intoxication and threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.

He also pleaded guilty to other public order charges and several counts of possession of drugs.

Perry had had drug and alcohol problems but went for treatment and was now clean, his solicitor John Quinn said, asking the judge for leniency.
A Dublin man who recklessly let scammers use his Revolut account to transfer crime proceeds thought he was helping a genuine business startup.

Eoghan Mooney (29) had himself unwittingly invested in the website when he let the fraudsters lodge 300 to his account for the sale of an iPhone that a victim never received.

Judge Gerard Jones struck the case out at Blanchardstown District Court, sparing him a criminal record when he paid 500 compensation.

Mr Mooney, with an address at Bayview Lawns, Killiney, pleaded guilty to a money laundering offence on October 7, 2021.

Garda Sergeant Maria Callaghan said the victim came to Lucan garda station and said he had transferred 300 from his Revolut account into another account in exchange for an iPhone and did not receive the goods.

Gardai spoke with the accused who was holder of the account where the money landed.

Mr Mooney admitted he had allowed the money to be transferred into his account and in turn, he was to transfer it to another Revolut account.

He had no previous convictions of any kind.

Mr Mooney had been very late to understand that what he was involved in was in fact criminal activity, his solicitor Fiona Brennan said, arguing that the accused had been at the very lower end of recklessness.

He himself had made a purchase through the same site and believed the operators were genuine and that he was assisting them in starting up a business.

It was only as time went on and he also did not receive any goods that he realised that things were not as he thought, Ms Brennan said.

He himself was now at a loss of the money he originally invested and he had made it clear he did not want the victim to be at a loss. He brought 500 to court and Ms Brennan asked the judge to consider leaving her client without a criminal conviction.

He was at the outside edge of recklessness, she added.

I accept every word you have said, the judge told Ms Brennan, striking the charge out after Mr Mooney paid the money.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 12, 2023 - 07:30 | All, Japan

Two more people were confirmed dead Tuesday following torrential rains in southwestern Japan, bringing the death toll to seven, a tally by Kyodo News showed.

Police and firefighters continued searching for two missing people after downpours pounded parts of the Kyushu region, causing mudslides and river overflows and cutting off roads, water, and sewage systems.

A 79-year-old man was confirmed dead after being found in the mouth of a river in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, the prefectural government said.

He was among the three who went missing after a landslide hit two houses in the city. A 70-year-old woman was found and pronounced dead Monday, while a man in his 50s remains unaccounted for.

In Fukuoka Prefecture, a man was found floating in a flooded underpass on Monday night in Dazaifu and later confirmed dead, local authorities said.
Decision on bringing chief plotter to justice in case rests with the DPP

Mother-of-three Irene White was stabbed to death at her home in Dundalk, Co Louth, in 2005, but the mastermind behind her killing has not yet been brought to justice

Composite image. Irene White (37) was found in a pool of blood at her Ice House Hill home on April 6, 2005.

Gardai have recommended that the mastermind behind the murder of Irene White be charged with her killing in a file sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The mother of three was stabbed to death in a frenzied attack at her home in Dundalk, Co Louth, in 2005.

Two men, including the man who carried out the fatal attack, are serving life sentences for her murder but detectives are still pursuing the person who they believe ordered it.

The garda investigation has been continuing and a file was submitted to the DPP for consideration a number of months ago.

This includes the evidence gathered as part of the inquiry and recommendations relating to the mastermind.

It is understood that among these is a recommendation that the individual suspected of ordering the killing is charged with murder.

Sources said that the DPP will ultimately decide what charges, if any, are brought against the mastermind.

No decision has yet been reached by the DPP.

It follows a significant investigation in recent years and the gathering of new evidence in the case.

Investigators have long maintained that there is enough evidence to charge the man with Ms Whites murder.

One source said: The DPP has directed charges on far less and the belief has always been that there is more than enough evidence for a charge to be preferred against this individual.

While gardai can make recommendations that decision lies with the DPPs office and a decision is still awaited on the matter.

The investigation has already led to the prosecution of the killer and the go-between, but the person who ordered the murder is still at large, for the time being at least.

The mastermind is suspected of orchestrating the murder of Ms White (43) who was stabbed to death in her home at Ice House Hill on the Demesne Road in Dundalk on April 6, 2005.

Anthony Lambe, from Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, was jailed for life in 2018 after pleading guilty to committing the murder at the behest of middleman Niall Power, of Riverstown, Dundalk, who was described as a close family friend of the victim.

Lambe was a history student at the time and was working part-time as a security guard for Power in Dundalk. He went to live in Australia for a number of years after the killing.

In 2011 the inquiry ran into the sand and was taken up by the Garda Serious Crime Review Team, known as the cold case unit, which made several recommendations to the investigation team.

Mother-of-three Irene White was stabbed to death at her home in Dundalk, Co Louth, in 2005, but the mastermind behind her killing has not yet been brought to justice

Detectives received a breakthrough in the case in 2012 when a woman made an anonymous phone call to gardai, saying that Lambe had confessed his role in the murder to her.

The female was eventually identified, and detectives travelled to Australia to take a witness statement from her.

Lambe was later arrested, charged and pleaded guilty.

He outlined in detail how Niall Power had solicited him to carry out the attack.

Power then admitted to gardai his part in the murder.

In July 2019 he was also jailed for life after pleading guilty to soliciting Lambe to carry out the murder.

Ms Whites sister Anne Delcassian campaigned for justice for her sister for years, but died in 2019 following illness.
As he prepares to launch the object into the restaurant, his jacket catches fire.

Gardai are investigating a fire bomb attack on a fast food outlet in north Dublin over the weekend.

Footage circulating on social media shows the frightening incident unfolding in the early hours of Sunday morning, July 9.

In one clip, staff are seen working in the restaurant when a fiery object is thrown into the kitchen area and bursts into flames.

In another view of the incident, a man clad in black is seen walking along the street outside the premises when he huddles just within view of a camera before emerging with a lit object in his hand.

As he prepares to launch the object into the restaurant, his jacket catches fire.

Astonishingly, he remains unperturbed as he throws the fire bomb into the restaurant. He then calmly takes another object from his pocket and uses the flames now spreading on his clothes to light it on fire.

He then throws this object into the fast food outlet before attacking a bystander who has innocently stumbled across the scene.

He then assaults this individual and knocks him to the ground, all the while with his jacket on fire, before both move out of view of the camera. However, their legs are still visible as they wrestle in the background.

Gardai said they responded to reports of an incident of criminal damage and assault that occurred at a commercial premises on Drumcondra Road Lower, Dublin 9 at approximately 1am on Sunday, July 9.

A male in his 50s was arrested at the scene and detained at a garda station in Dublin, gardai said.

He has since been charged and appeared before the Criminal Courts of Justice on Monday morning, July 10, 2023.

As the matter is now before the courts, An Garda Siochana has no further comment at this time.
Last weekend, another live-streamed video showed the reckless and extremely dangerous nature of the road races.

Irelands illegal sulky racing is back with a vengeance after a lull of several weeks as enthusiasts begin setting up races for the summer.

The King of Road Scotland event had attracted an Irish following, many of whom were also at the Appleby Horse Fair in the UK last month.

The illegal sport, which is dominated in Ireland by infamous gangland figures, has a hardcore following of horse owners willing to take part.

Last weekend, another live-streamed video showed the reckless and extremely dangerous nature of the road races.

Spectators leaned out of car windows to watch the race and to film on phones as on-coming traffic was forced to take evasive action.

It came to an end just at a motorway junction outside Kilcullen, Co. Kildare, at 10.30am last Saturday.

The supporting cars and 4x4s, including those pulling horse-boxes, spread across both lanes and the hard-shoulders of the busy road.

There was even the bizarre sight of the convoys on both sides of the road slowly reversing together after an initial false start while an oil tanker slowly drove through the chaos.

A cyclist pedalling along in the hard shoulder is also seen in the clip being swallowed up by the pack of vehicles as they pass by.

Fans follow a race on a busy motorway outside Kilcullen, Co Kildare

Many of the races have recently switched from the N7 near Rathcoole and the M3 near Blanchardstown after attracting Garda attention.

One such race on the motorway in January this year sparked condemnation from the then interim Justice Minister Simon Harris.

Many of the biggest supporters and enthusiasts of the illegal sulky races are directly involved in serious gangland criminality.

Earlier this year, one member of a Limerick criminal clan who is facing serious drugs charges filmed a race from a motorway bridge outside Mullingar.

A leading figure in the infamous Monkey Gang has an interest in a horse which featured in another of the controversial races staged on the M3 motorway.

Kinahan cartel foot soldier Nathan Biggie Little is another enthusiast who has posted photos of horses and sulkies to his social media account.

Trotting horses imported from the United States and those also bred here in Ireland and the United Kingdom can change hands for 20,000, while stallion stud fees are offered at between 500 and 600 per mare.

Although not considered as being of high-value outside sulky racing, one Limerick-based drug dealer is known to have offered 85,000 to buy a prized pony.

Followers offer bets over social media on which horse will win, with offers of a 500 bet not uncommon.

Animal rights activists say many of the horses are trained too young and that running them at high speed on tarmac roads is both cruel and dangerous.

The involvement of serious criminals in illegal road-races is nothing new, with Limerick mobster Christy Keane and Troy Jordan caught on video at a race more than 20 years ago.

More recently, in 2017, the Criminals Assets Bureau (CAB) discovered that a horse which had been bought and imported from Australia for 18,000 while they were targeting Ballyfermot gangster David Reilly.

It was heard that in September 2015 a sulky racing horse named Ants in his Pants was bought from Australia and transported to Ireland.

The horse was bought in auction for a record price, and investigations revealed Reilly as co-owner of the animal.

Reilly and his gangland mentor Derek Dee Dee ODriscoll are suspected by gardai of having extorted more than 500,000 by providing security to building sites that had been attacked by their minions.
An investigation established that Wylie and Whiteside were the owners of Encrochat handles Somesnail and Peppershirt

Police used a photo of a can of beer to nail the gang

A humble ham sandwich has helped police to take down a major drugs gang based in Blackpool, Lancashire.

A photo of the bread sandwich and tasty ham filling as well as a can of Stella Artois lager led police to the home of one of the dealers, it has been reported.

Richard Wylie and Richard Whiteside were tracked down after photos were posted on EncroChat, the encrypted global communication service that was used exclusively by criminals.

EncroChat was one of the largest providers of encrypted communications and offered a secure mobile phone instant messaging service, but an international law enforcement team cracked the companys encryption.

Richard Wylie and Richard Whiteside

The Encrochat servers were taken down in 2020 following an investigation led by the National Crime Agency and Lancashire Constabulary, along with the rest of UK law enforcement, and continues to target those involved.

A Lancashire Constabulary's Serious and Organised Crime Team investigation established that Wylie and Whiteside were the owners of Encrochat handles Somesnail and Peppershirt.

When police searched Whiteside's home on Mickeldon Road, Blackpool, they found a quantity of cash in a drawer. The 55-year-old was jailed for four years after admitting conspiracy to transfer and conceal criminal property and possessing criminal property.

Police used a photo of a can of beer to nail the gang

Wylie (36) formerly from The Stables, Thornton, was jailed for six years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class A cocaine, conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class A cocaine, conspiracy to transfer and conceal criminal property and being concerned in supplying a controlled drug of Class A to others.

Meanwhile, police are still seeking two other men as part of the investigation, Daniel Hindley (40) and Jamie Finney (37) who are believed to be abroad.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about them to get in touch.

Detective Chief Inspector James Edmonds said: "Like many other users of EncroChat, the criminals operating in Lancashire will have mistakenly thought that they could traffic drugs with impunity, under the radar of the police  our successes as part of Op Venetic show how wrong they are."

Jamie Finney and Daniel Hindley

DCI Edmonds added: "We continue to work both with the NCA and other forces across the region and the UK to take the fight to criminals and ensure there are no safe spaces in Lancashire for serious and organised criminals, including those who seek to profit from a class A drugs trade which fuels violence and exploitation in our communities.

"This sort of activity is just one aspect of our continued fight to tackle serious and organised crime.

"I hope this sends a clear message to the public of our determination to rid communities of this sort of criminalisation and to make our streets safer."
The Honourable Mr Justice Garnham told Draghici that the effects of his conduct on the lorry occupants was obvious and had enormous consequences for their friends and family

The lorry at the centre of the Essex tragedy

A man who was part of a conspiracy that led to the tragic deaths of 39 Vietnamese people in a lorry which was being driven by Northern Irishman Maurice Robinson has been jailed for 12 years.

Marius Mihai Draghici was arrested in Romania in August last year as a result of the tenacious work of Essex Police and the National Crime Agency (NCA).

It brings the total number years being served in prison as part of the investigation into the 2019 Grays tragedy to more than 110.

Draghici (50) who was extradited to the UK, admitted all charges of 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

During a hearing at the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday, July 11, he was sentenced to 12 years and seven months for the manslaughter offences and a further four years and two months for the immigration offence, which will be served concurrently.

The lorry was driven by Maurice Mo Robinson

The Honourable Mr Justice Garnham told Draghici that the effects of his conduct on the lorry occupants was obvious and had enormous consequences for their friends and family.

Justice Garnham said Draghici had played a small but essential cog in the conspiracy which led to the agonising deaths of the 39 victims.

He also the operation that was part of an organised criminal enterprise was run for profit and put migrants at risk of death.

One final defendant Caolan Gormley (25) of Armagh, Northern Ireland, is still to be tried.

He is charged with one count of conspiracy to assist illegal immigration and awaits trial for unlawful immigration offences.

Gormley, who is the eleventh and final defendant in the investigation, has been bailed from court with conditions.

Maurice Mo Robinson, from Co Armagh, was sentenced to 13 years and four months in 2021 for his part in the tragedy, having picked up the trailer containing the migrants, aged between 15 and 44 from Purfleet docks in Essex on October 23, 2019.

The tragic discovery was made when the Vietnamese men, women and children were found unresponsive after Robinson opened the trailer after pulling over at the side of the road in Eastern Avenue, Grays, Essex.

The lorry at the centre of the Essex tragedy

Each of the victims, and their families, had paid significant sums of money to an organised criminal group whose members promised them safe passage to the UK and a life here, Essex Police said.

However, that promise turned to tragedy and the victims suffocated in the back of the lorry which was being driven by Northern Irishman Maurice Robinson.

Migrants were loaded onto the trailers in mainland Europe before travelling unaccompanied on ferries to the UK.

The trailers were then collected and driven to Collingwood Farm, in Orsett, Essex and from there, the trafficked people were driven to their destinations.

Police said Draghicis role was to be involved in the onward transportation of the migrants once they arrived in the UK

They say he was also present at a meeting on October 19, just days before the ahead of the fatal journey, when Gheorghe Nica made a significant payment to Ronan Hughes.

Mass killer Mo Robinson's home may be sold to pay compensation for 39 victims' families

Ringleader of Essex lorry deaths people trafficking gang sentenced in Belgium

Man convicted in Essex trailer tragedy ordered to pay 6,000 compensation to 39 families

Nica was jailed for 18 years while Hughes was jailed for 27 years.

Nica and Draghici were also involved in giving lorry driver Robinson his instructions on the night of 22-23 October 2019.

Draghici is the tenth person so far been sentenced for their roles in the deaths of the 39 people.

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, who is leading the Essex Police investigation, said that for more than three years, they had never lost sight of the far-reaching impact the events of October 2019 had in Essex and Vietnam.

Each of the people inside the lorry container were mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters. They have family who feel their loss acutely each and every day, DCI Metcalfe said.

Today is a significant day. Draghici knew the evidence that we were able to present was overwhelming. He had no option but to admit his involvement.

Draghici left the UK after 23 October 2019 and remained hidden in Europe until August 2022. We have always maintained that the actions we believed he was responsible for could never go unpunished. We now know they will not."

Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Hooper added that in October 2019, Essex Police made a promise to the families of the 39 victims that we would deliver justice.

The victims of the tragedy

:We have never lost sight of that promise and the investigation team members have ensured that we have kept that promise, he said.

We have been committed to tracking down every person we know to have been involved. Unfortunately for Draghici, he could not stay hidden, and he is now facing the consequences of his actions.

The victims and their families have been at the centre of this investigation  those families have lost mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, brothers and sisters. This has never been about being triumphant, this has always been about delivering justice for 39 families who had their worlds ripped apart in October 2019 and Im proud of the role Essex Police has played in that.

NCA Deputy Director International Tom Dowdall said Marius Draghici and his criminal associates were responsible for the deaths of 39 men, women and children in horrific circumstances.

It was an appalling example of just how callous people smuggling gangs are, who are prepared to risk the lives of those they transport for financial gain.

NCA officers in the UK and overseas worked closely with Essex Police and our international partners to ensure Draghici was tracked down in Romania and brought back to the UK to face justice.

Cases like this make us even more determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle the organised criminal networks involved in people smuggling. Stopping them is one of the NCAs top priorities.
The victim could hardly remember what happened, indicating to the officers that she had struggled with a man who tried to have a sexual relationship with her by force

The suspect is led away by police. IMAGE: Civil Guard

Spanish police have released images of a man suspected of trying to rape an Irish woman in Valencia.

According to local media reports, the suspect who was arrested by officers of the Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) is a 27-year-old Colombian national.

Nius Diario claims the woman struggled with the man when he tried to forcefully have a sexual relationship with her.

The Civil Guard, within the framework of the Masbed operation, has arrested a 27-year-old man of Colombian nationality for the crime of sexual assault with violence, the news site reports.

It has been reported that, after midnight on June 25, a Civil Guard patrol was called to a town in the Ribera Baja to attend to a victim of sexual assault.

After a few minutes they managed to reach the scene, where they were able to meet with the victim, a woman of Irish nationality, Nius Diario states. The victim could hardly remember what happened, indicating to the agents (officers) that she had struggled with a man who tried to have a sexual relationship with her by force.

After the victim was transferred to a medical centre for treatment, officers took multiple steps to find out who was responsible.

Finally, it was possible to provethe (suspect) of the crime of sexual assault with violence was arrested. It was a 27-year-old man of Colombian nationality.
Help is needed, we are struggling.

Animal welfare charity, My Lovely Horse Rescue, has appealed to Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue for help with a deepening crisis in Ireland.

The non-profit organization took to Twitter to share a video of an abandoned mother dog and her six puppies left alone to starve in a horse trailer.

Our hearts broke for this poor little family. Help is needed, the group captioned the images.

My Lovely Horse are dedicated to rescuing equines but the worsening animal welfare situation in Ireland has left the group struggling to keep up with so many abandoned dogs also.

Heart-breaking, the group wrote.

Starving dogs

We got a call to help this poor mum and babies, thankfully we were out in the horse van and got to the place as quick as possible.

Mum is so scared, our hearts broke for this poor little family. We also have three Lurcher puppies, abandoned that are in the horse van too.

We dont have room or the resources for this amount of poor dogs that are begging for help every day.

How could we turn our backs ?This mum and her six innocent little babies are an emergency, they had no-one, mum is starving, babies would die.

Abandoned dog and six puppies rescued from trailer

My Lovely Horse Rescue are urgently pleading for the Government to intervene.

This has to come to an end at some point. This country is failing animals every day, we have never ever witnessed such cruelty and neglect on a daily basis, our hearts can only take so much.

Its not fair! Minister Charlie McConalogue what are you going to do? Help is needed. There is a dog crisis and officials are ignoring it.

Please donate what you can because we are struggling, there are so many emergencies, the a spokesperson added.

In May, The Dublin County Dog Shelter described the situation as mayhem.

Every single phone call is, I want to surrender my dog, Im becoming homeless today, Im becoming homeless next week.

We dont have space and then those dogs are technically stray, the shelters manager said.

Donations to help can be made here.
Ios authorities took alcohol samples from local nightlife hotspots as part of their investigation into the deaths of Andrew O'Donnell and Max Wall.

Police in Greece are testing alcoholic drinks for contamination following the deaths of two Irish teenagers in Ios last week.

Ios authorities took alcohol samples from local nightlife hotspots as part of their investigation into the deaths of Andrew O'Donnell and Max Wall, according to the Irish Mail on Sunday.

Greek police were reportedly already concerned about contaminated drinks on the island over the summer period.

Alcohol in party destinations such as Ios is often mixed with methanol or water to alter intoxication levels in order to sell more beverages.

Police have said that 10pc of alcoholic drinks being sold in Greece have been tampered with in some way, the publication adds.

Andrew and Max, who were former students of St Michaels College in Ballsbridge, south Dublin, died in separate incidents while on a post-Leaving Cert holiday in Ios at the beginning of the month.

Andrew ODonnell died after an accidental fall while returning to his accommodation having left his group early on Saturday July 1.

Max died the next day while making his way to the ferry.

Maxs Requiem Mass took place today at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook, where St Michaels College chaplain Fr Paddy Moran told of how sudden his last moments were.

Max was walking to the ferry when he died. He was talking to Niall, his father, who told me yesterday that Max sounded strong on the phone, he said.

One second Max was living, and the next he was not. It was as quick as that. Max did not suffer. He was not afraid. He died listening to the voice of the father who loved him. There is consolation in that, he added.

Max (18) is survived by his parents Fiona and Niall, his brother Charlie, grandparents Carl Laverty and Nuala Wall, and a wide circle of family and friends.

Niall Wall spoke strongly and proudly of Max at his Requiem Mass, and described the suddenness of his death as a most profound cruelty.

Today marks the end of an eight-day journey for us, that with the most profound cruelty has not only taken Max from us but has robbed him of a bright future, and the sense of loss that we feel is so deep because of what he has lost, he said.

Niall Wall also told of how Max had undergone very serious surgeries three years ago at Crumlin Hospital to replace a heart valve, and very soon afterwards to remove his spleen.

We were very, very, lucky that he survived all of that. Before he went to surgery he was told exactly the dangers and how sick he was. He accepted that so stoically, and not once did he complain, he said.

Prayers were also said for the family of Andrew ODonnell, whose funeral will take place at the same church on Wednesday.

After Requiem Mass Maxs remains were brought through the summer rain to St Michaels school as his classmates and current students walked behind.

From there, the cortege went to Kilternan Cemetery Park for the burial ceremony.
Several units of the National Ambulance Service and Wexford Fire Service attended the scene at Ballydaniel Court with huge flames emanating from the bungalow

A man has been airlifted to hospital with significant injuries following a suspected gas explosion at a house in North Wexford this evening.

The huge explosion rocked the village of Camolin shortly after 3pm and a whole host of emergency vehicles rushed to the scene just outside the quiet village.

Several units of the National Ambulance Service (NAS) and Wexford Fire Service attended the scene at Ballydaniel Court with huge flames emanating from the bungalow, which is reportedly destroyed.

There were two people in the house at the time, only one of whom was injured. A man in his 40s was treated by paramedics at the scene before the decision was taken to call on the NAS Air Corps 112 helicopter to transfer him to a Dublin hospital.

While his injuries were said to have been serious, their extent is not known at this stage.

Fire service units from Gorey, Enniscorthy, Bunclody and Wexford were still battling the blaze as the helicopter rushed the man to hospital.

A spokesperson for the fire service was able to confirm that a gas explosion had taken place in the kitchen of the house with massive damage caused. Its thought it may have been caused in part by a gas hob.

The spokesperson described the injuries suffered by the man taken away by helicopter as being severe.
Irish workers are feeling uncertain about their future, with 53% fearing for the security of their job.

While inflation is forecasted to drop to 4.6% in 2023, interest rates are rising, and more companies are looking to make cost savings. Irish workers are feeling uncertain about their future, with 53% fearing for the security of their job, according to new SurveyMonkey research.

This year poses a unique challenge for businesses and their employees as companies look to cut budgets and teams weather the economic downturn, finding ways to do more with less whilst still retaining their top talent for when business picks back up. With 84% of Irish employees working for companies who have made redundancies in the past year, a little over a fifth (22%) are fearful that they could be made redundant in 2023, with an additional 34% concerned for the long-term security of their job.

Employees feeling nervous about their business survival long-term

Set against a challenging economic backdrop with high levels of business uncertainty, employees are bearing the brunt of businesses budget cuts. Almost one in three (31%) Irish workers believe up to 5% of staff have been let go, 30% believe up to 10%, and 14% believe up to a quarter have been let goamounting to a huge swathe of countrywide redundancies.

Many employees remain optimistic about the future of 2023, with 38% believing that things will get better in terms of outlook for the business they work for whilst over a quarter (27%) believe things are going to get worse, pointing to the fact that the worst may not yet be behind us. Three in 10 (29%) of Irish employees are also nervous about the survival of their current business past the next year.

Cormac Kelly, Senior Director Customer Success EMEA, SurveyMonkey says, Companies are having to make difficult decisions to balance the books and ensure the long-term viability and success of their business, and redundancies are an unfortunate aspect of this. Whilst cost saving may be the main goal, its important to ensure businesses bring their remaining team along with them for the journey, and ensure they understand how valuable they are to the company and its future vision. Companies will need everyone pulling in the same direction, with everyone feeling valued and secure to deliver a successful business long-term.

Squeezed budgets lead businesses to do more with less

As businesses look to cut their spending, they are downsizing not just budgets, but whole departments and teams. This is being felt by Irelands workers, with just under half (49%) feeling that their departments team or budget have been cut in the past 12 months and 30% saying both have been reduced. Whilst the majority of Irish feel that their department has had their team or budget reduced over the past 12 months, teams are still expected to provide the same standard of work. Over half (59%) claim their department is expected to provide the same amount of work with reduced resources and a quarter (24%) claim their department is expected to provide more work.

Kelly says, Companies need to think very carefully about managing reduced departments, both in terms of reduced budgets or smaller teams. With the majority (79%) of Irish workers feeling that their departments team and/or budget has been reduced, optimisations need to be made or new technology must be invested in. Companies need to ensure that their teams have the correct support in place, are listening closely to their teams needs, and acting upon feedback from employees.

One of the key elements businesses must weigh up when looking to cut costs is the true cost of retaining experienced key talent in the business versus the investment needed to train up more junior staff to fill their place. For businesses looking to keep their experienced older staff a few years longer, there are some things they can do. When asked which benefits would entice those coming up to retirement to postpone their retirement and stay in their job for longer, being offered an increased salary (45%) and a four-day work week (43%) came out on top. When looking at the top five, it becomes evident that employees are looking for that perfect balance of flexibility and monetary reward: 1) Increased salary (45%), 2) Four-day work week (43%), 3) Flexible working hours (42%), 4) Health Insurance (38%), 5) Flexible working location (24%).

AI seen as the future, but fears remain over its impact on human jobs

Just at the point when economic uncertainty is causing businesses to tighten their belts, generative AI, such as ChatGPT, is allowing for optimisations to be made and business costs reduced. Whilst this is good news for businesses, it is making employees across Ireland anxious.

One in five (19%) believe that AI poses a direct threat to their job and could make their role redundant, whilst 44% believe that AI could take over part of their current day-to-day activities. When looking to the future, some Irish workers (14%) believe AI will replace all human roles in the future. However, 36% are more optimistic believing that while some roles will be replaced, AI will also create new roles within the company that dont yet exist.

Kelly says, With over a third (35%) of Irish employees believing that investing in AI is essential to improve the long-term survival of their business, its no wonder some are feeling anxious about their future roles. At SurveyMonkey, we believe that the melding of technology and humanity is the key to long-term business success. Human input is a critical part of the feedback loop that drives business forward, and thats something tech just cant replace. However, AI can (and already does) enhance the work we do and free up time for more impactful work.

Methodology:

This SurveyMonkey study was conducted between March 30 - April 7 among a national sample of 841 adults in the UK, 736 in the Netherlands and 743 in Ireland. Respondents for this survey were selected from the more than 2 million people who take surveys on our platform each day. The modelled error estimate for this survey is plus or minus 3.0 percentage points for the UK, and plus or minus 3.5 percentage points for the Netherlands and Ireland. Sampling was balanced for age, sex, and geography using demographic data from the United Nations to reflect demographic composition of each country.

About SurveyMonkey

SurveyMonkey is a global leader in online surveys and forms that empowers people with the insights they need to make decisions with speed and confidence. Our fast, intuitive feedback management platform connects millions of users worldwide with real-time AI-powered insights that drive meaningful decisions. We provide answers to more than 20 million questions every day so that people and organisations can attract new audiences, delight customers, create advocates, and extend their competitive advantage in the marketplace. Our vision is to raise the bar for human experiences by amplifying individual voices. Learn more at surveymonkey.com.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 12, 2023 - 23:00 | All, World, Japan

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Japan, NATO map out areas of cooperation under new program

VILNIUS - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and NATO on Wednesday adopted a document laying out the main areas of cooperation in the years ahead, recognizing the escalating attempts by China and Russia to undermine the existing rules-based international order.

During a meeting in Vilnius with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Kishida agreed to joint efforts under a new program in 16 areas, ranging from maritime security and outer space to cyberspace and disinformation.

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North Korea fires ICBM, longest-ever flight time

TOKYO - North Korea on Wednesday launched what appeared to be an intercontinental ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan, marking the longest-ever flight time for a projectile fired by the country at 74 minutes, the Japanese government said.

The ICBM-class missile was fired at around 9:59 a.m. from a site near Pyongyang and fell into the sea some 250 kilometers west of Okushiri Island, which lies just off Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido, at about 11:13 a.m., Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said.

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Thai foreign minister tells ASEAN he met Aung San Suu Kyi: sources

JAKARTA - Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai has told his ASEAN counterparts that he recently met with Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and that she said she supported "dialogue without any preconditions" to address her country's crisis, ASEAN diplomatic sources said Wednesday.

Suu Kyi seemed well physically and mentally, Don said, according to the sources. His meeting Sunday with Suu Kyi was the first confirmed contact between a high-ranking foreign government official and Myanmar's democracy icon since the country's military toppled her democratically elected government in a February 2021 coup.

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Defense Ministry urged to lure skilled talent from private sector

TOKYO - An expert panel advising the Japan Defense Ministry proposed Wednesday the modernization of the organization's recruitment principles to lure highly skilled professionals in cyber, outer space and other emerging security areas amid the aging country's challenging employment landscape.

"Even if advanced equipment is in place, Japan cannot defend itself if it cannot secure people to operate (its assets)," the panel said, citing the introduction of long-range missiles the country has decided to acquire to be used in counterstrike operations.

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U.N. human rights group to probe Johnny's agency sex abuse scandal

TOKYO - A working group of the U.N. Human Rights Council is planning to look into sexual abuse claims against the late founder of Japan's top male talent agency Johnny & Associates Inc., people familiar with the matter said Wednesday.

The Working Group on Business and Human Rights is expected to arrive in Japan between late July and early August and conduct interviews in Tokyo and Osaka with former members of the agency who say they were abused by Johnny Kitagawa, they said.

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Japan, South Korea leaders meet after N. Korea ICBM missile launch

VILNIUS - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Lithuania, just hours after North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile, logging a record flight time for a projectile launched by Pyongyang.

The meeting in the capital Vilnius, on the sidelines of a NATO summit, took place as opposition to a plan by Japan to release treated radioactive water from a crippled Fukushima nuclear plant grows in South Korea.

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H.K. eyes seafood ban from 10 Japan areas after water release

HONG KONG - Hong Kong's Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan said Wednesday the city will ban seafood imports from 10 Japanese prefectures if the country goes through with a plan to release treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea.

Tse told reporters the city government would immediately ban Japanese seafood imports, including frozen, refrigerated, dried, or otherwise preserved aquatic products, as well as seaweed and sea salt, once the Fukushima water discharge begins.

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Paraguayan president-elect pledges to stand by Taiwan

TAIPEI - Paraguayan President-elect Santiago Pena pledged Wednesday that his country will stand by Taiwan in the course of his upcoming five-year term, as he met with the island's leader in Taipei to mark 66 years of diplomatic relations.

Paraguay is the only nation in South America and one of 13 countries around the globe to maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Pena, who won the April 30 presidential election, will take office on Aug. 15.

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Video: Search continues for missing after rain hammers Kyushu
Senior unionists say incident was vile and hateful

Police say an incident where an image of First Minister designate Michelle ONeill was placed on a bonfire in Co Tyrone is being treated as a hate crime.

Unionist politicians have also condemned the incident. UUP leader Doug Beattie said it was vile and hateful, while a local DUP MLA said it was wrong.

The Loyalist Eastvale Avenue Bonfire Dungannon Facebook page posted an image of the pyre with a picture of the Sinn Fein vice president on it.

An earlier post informed attendees a parade will take place at 10.20pm before the bonfire is lit at 10.30pm.

People were urged, don't miss the beast from the East and told of a guest appearance (by) Michelle O'Neill.

The PSNI said officers are aware of material placed on the bonfire.

Police said they were treating this as a hate crime and were liaising with community representatives with a view to having the material removed.

Thus far Sinn Fein have reported bonfires as hate crimes in Dungannon, Drumahoe in Derry, Antrim, Forth River, Westland, Rathcoole, Monkstown and Sandy Row  they all contained either posters or effigies of Sinn Fein representatives or national flags.

Sinn Fein MLA Colm Gildernew said the bonfire in Dungannon should be investigated by the PSNI as a hate crime.

An effigy of Sinn Fein vice-president Michelle ONeill has been placed on a bonfire alongside the Irish national flag in Dungannon, the Fermanagh & South Tyrone MLA added.

This is sectarian hate crime. This isnt culture in any shape or form.

No bonfires should be used to promote sectarian hate and bigotry and we need to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to this type of behaviour across society.

The PSNI must now investigate this sickening display as a hate crime.

All political leaders must stand together against these displays and make it clear that they have absolutely no place in this society.

Mr Beattie described the placing of Ms ONeills image on the pyre as vile and hateful, adding that it achieves absolutely nothing.

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UUP deputy leader Robbie Butler said: This image and all posters, effigies and flags on bonfires are wrong. This is no different than the abuse directed at Carla Lockhart earlier this week. Hate is hate.

"Celebrating unionism has never been and will never be contingent on demonising anyone else. This is not a celebration of unionism.

DUP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Deborah Erskine said: This is wrong. It detracts from the cultural significance of 11th night bonfires.

"I urge those responsible to remove the effigy & celebrate the 11th night respectfully. Numerous events will be held tonight without burning flags, symbols or effigies, Dungannon should be the same.

Baptist Minister, Rev Karen Sethuraman, who was a chaplain to two former Belfast Lord Mayors, said she will never be convinced that burning political image pictures, emblems, effigies, flags etc is culture.

She added: It is not. It is nothing but hatred. Surely we are better than this? Come on. Time to move forward.

Alliance MLA Eoin Tennyson branded the display disgraceful and completely unacceptable.

He continued: The burning of flags, effigies and election posters is not a celebration of culture, its promotion of hate. These sectarian displays must end.

SDLP councillor Gary McKeown also posted on social media saying his image had appeared on a bonfire just off the Westlink in Belfast.

"I hope everyone has a happy, healthy and inclusive celebration, he said.

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There was condemnation at the weekend when an Irish flag and a picture of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was put on a bonfire in Co Tyrone.

Police are also treating that incident as a hate crime.

On Tuesday evening, police and community representatives were working together to remove material from a bonfire in Rathcoole, Newtownabbey, on the outskirts of north Belfast.

An effigy, above a poster bearing the name of Sinn Fein councillor Taylor McGrann, appeared on the pyre, and this is also being treated as a hate crime.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the burning of flags or election posters are self-inflicted wounds for unionists.

For those of us who do cherish the legacy of the Glorious Revolution then the best way to show that to others is through peaceful and positive celebrations, he said.

Those dont include the burning of flags or election posters on a bonfire, but thankfully in the vast majority of cases that does not happen.

Unfortunately, it will be a minority of cases where offence is caused that will dominate the headlines.

As unionists we need to recognise that such incidents are self-inflicted wounds.

From fun-days and bonfires on the 11th through to the annual Sham Fight at Scarva on Thursday, for most people it will be time to spend with family and catching up with friends.

All of us who enjoy the celebrations can play our part in demonstrating to others everything that is best about this time of the year and why it is so important to us all.

The Eleventh Night fires are traditionally lit on the eve of the Twelfth Of July  a day when members of Protestant loyal orders parade to commemorate the Battle of Boyne in 1690.

The battle, which unfolded at the Boyne river north of Dublin, saw Protestant King William of Orange defeat Catholic King James II to secure a Protestant line of succession to the British Crown.

Most of the bonfires pass off every year without incident, but a number continue to be a source of controversy.

Bonfires were ignited in towns and villages to usher in the main date in the parading calendar.

Over 160 pyres were lit across Northern Ireland on Tuesday night.

Some have already been ignited, including the Corcrain bonfire in Portadown. An estimated 3,000 people attended the lighting of the pyre on Monday night.

An effigy of the historical figure Robert Lundy was burned on the huge bonfire, while a fireworks display entertained the crowd.
Dubliner Rhys Byrne has spent 17 months fighting in Ukraine.

Rhys Byrne from Santry in Dublin on his way across the border to join the Ukrainian forces to fight the Russian invasion at the Korczawa border crossing in Poland.

An Irishman (28) fighting in Ukraine under the codename Rambo has recounted the horror of war and an encounter with Russian troops that almost killed him.

Dubliner Rhys Byrne has told Sky News that the battle to reclaim territory in Ukraine will haunt him.

"On 'zero line' it's horror. It's horror. There is just a genocide. It's slaughter, he said.

"There are dead people everywhere. Russians dead. Ukrainian people dead.

"The biggest problem we get when we're going into trenches is stepping over all the dead bodies that are already there from the last people [who] went in - that kind of stuff really haunts you.

When he spoke to Sky News this week, Mr Byrne was staying at a respite centre in eastern Ukraine, a sanctuary used by army volunteers who have been granted leave from the front line.

Rhys

He said he is on his way home to Ireland after 17 months at war.

"It should become a memory for me. That's all it will be. A memory that I'll try to push, push, push behind, that I hopefully forget.

"[But] I know it'll haunt me. It will come back."

The 40 members in his unit include British, Ukrainian and American men.

"Were not supposed to be alive, he said, recalling how close to death he was when a Russian tank began to shell his unit.

"We were told there [was] a Russian trench line and our job is to go into the trenches and clear them out and hold them until the auxiliary units come and then we go back, he said.

At the front, a tank the men assumed to be friendly approached them.

The encounter was filmed on a body camera worn by Mr Byrne.

A shell was fired by the tank into the middle of their position, Sky News reports that those who survived the blast ran to take cover in the woods.

They rushed to load themselves into a Ukrainian pick-up truck but were seen by Russian troops.

A tank began to follow them.

"Now we have the tank literally coming out, starting to chase us. And that's terrifying when you see a big T-72 coming for you and you're in a Humvee pick-up, he told Sky News.

"Yeah, it's like a hot knife through butter. You're finished. So, again, all of us are screaming, drive the Humvee, drive the Humvee. I was going mental."

"We are not supposed to be alive. I mean, we were closer than close to death, it was closer than close... it was really f***ed up."

Last March, Mr Byrne told Independent.ie that it was really, really difficult to say goodbye to his family in Ireland but that he was proud to fight in Ukraine.

Theres no turning back now, literally up the road and were into Ukraine. Im scared but Im looking forward to it at the same time, he said.

"Im proud to be Irish, Im proud that theres an Irishman here standing up and I hope that more will come as well and help.

He added: I said goodbye to me ma and I said goodbye to my family members. And it was really, really difficult, especially at the airport, ya know, giving them a hug, it could be the last time. But they all support me.

Before he left for Ukraine, his mother, Lucy, spoke to Liveline on RTE Radio One.

"Hes prepared to die, she told host Joe Duffy. "Weve had to do his will and everything. Hes prepared to die. Its  I might not sound too distressed now, but on Wednesday Im going to be in absolute bits because I know I could be saying goodbye to my son forever.
The nominations for this years awards were announced this afternoon, as Irish actor/writer Sharon Horgan has been shortlisted in two categories for her work on the AppleTV hit

Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso and Hannah Waddingham as Rebecca Welton. Photo: Apple TV

Eva Birthistle, Sarah Greene, Sharon Horgan and Anne-Marie Duff, with the award for drama series, for Bad Sisters, at the Bafta Television Awards 2023 (Jeff Moore/PA)

The best of Irish talent will be represented at the Emmy Awards again this year, with nominations confirmed in five separate categories.

The nominations for this years awards were announced this afternoon, as Irish actor/writer Sharon Horgan has been shortlisted in two categories for her work on the AppleTV hit Bad Sisters.

Horgan will face stiff competition in the Lead Actress in a Drama Series category, where she is nominated alongside Melanie Lynskey (Yellowjackets), Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaids Tale), Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us), Keri Russell (The Diplomat) and Sarah Snook (Succession).

Sarah Snook in Succession. Image: HBO/Sky

Catastrophe star Horgan, has been shortlisted in the Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series category as well.

The shows director, Dearbhla Walsh, is also nominated, while the series is shortlisted for Outstanding Casting for a drama series.

Eva Birthistle, Sarah Greene, Sharon Horgan and Anne-Marie Duff, with the award for drama series, for Bad Sisters, at the Bafta Television Awards 2023 (Jeff Moore/PA)

In May, Bad Sisters went home with four awards at the IFTAs, including best drama, best lead actress (Sharon Horgan) and best supporting actress (Anne-Marie Duff). It also claimed two gongs at the Baftas.

Meanwhile, Father Ted director Declan Lowney has also been nominated for his directorial work on the hit comedy Ted Lasso.

The sport comedy-drama has been somewhat of an awards season darling in recent years, winning 11 awards across 2021 and 2022.

Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso and Hannah Waddingham as Rebecca Welton. Photo: Apple TV

This year, the hit HBO drama Succession has made Emmy Award history after receiving three lead actor nominations for its final season.

Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong and Kieran Culkin will go head to head at the 75th annual awards, after all receiving nods in the category.

It marks the first time ever that three actors from the same series have been nominated simultaneously for outstanding lead actor in a drama series.

Cox, Strong and Culkin all play members of the scheming Roy family in the drama, which wrapped up its fourth series earlier this year.

Succession

Sarah Snook, who plays Shiv Roy, was also nominated in the equivalent female category of outstanding lead actress in a drama series, and the series was also nominated for outstanding drama series.

Succession has already earned 13 Emmy awards, including two best drama series awards for seasons two and three.

Cox and Strong have already competed in the lead actor category twice, with Strong defeating the Scottish actor in 2020.

It is Culkins first nomination in the outstanding lead actor category, though he has been nominated in the best supporting actor Emmy category twice.

Succession actors Alexander Skarsgard and Nicholas Braun also received Emmy nominations in the outstanding supporting actor category.

Other actors in the outstanding lead actor category include Bob Odenkirk, for Better Call Saul, and Pedro Pascal, for zombie-thriller The Last Of Us.

Pascals co-star in The Last Of Us, British teenager Bella Ramsey, also picked up a nomination for outstanding lead actress in a drama series  alongside Snook and Sharon Horgan.

Elsewhere, Daniel Radcliffe was nominated for an Emmy award for his performance in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.

The Harry Potter star was nominated for outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or a movie, alongside fellow British star Taron Egerton.

Nominations were read out by actor Yvette Nicole Brown and Television Academy Chairman Frank Scherma on Tuesday.

The 75th annual Emmy awards will take place on September 18 2023.
I suppose you'll always feel like that but it's such a beautiful house

Vogue Williams has revealed how she nearly started crying as the for sale signs went up on her Howth home.

The podcaster and influencer recently put the townhouse on the market for 1.295m.

But the model admitted that she felt really sad about selling her beautiful house that was just slightly too small as their kids are getting bigger.

I kind of feel really sad about it, she said in an interview with the Daily Mail.

I suppose you'll always feel like that but it's such a beautiful house, it's just slightly small as our kids are getting bigger, and our family is kind of expanding.

They came and put the 'for sale' sign up this week, and I was like 'I'm going to cry', which is pathetic.

The exterior of the house

She added: It's the place I go to relax and calm and chill, it's something I'd always wanted to buy, it's by the sea where I grew up. I'll be really sad to see it go.

Now Vogue has decided to sell Kapiti, the contemporary three-storey town house that she bought in a half-finished state three years ago and refitted into the contemporary cosy pad it is today.

Vogues got her eye on a bigger home in the same area.

I cant say much about it only that Im really excited. Its actually the home of a friend of mine and any time Ive been there Ive thought it is amazing. I only recently heard that it was going for sale. So thats where I hope were going.

Williams has had a long-standing love affair with Howth. Originally from Portmarnock, her family later moved along the coast to the scenic fishing village and in 2015, she bought a two-bedroom apartment there.

She then traded up to Kapiti, the contemporary three-storey townhouse at Thormanby Road with a big open balcony on the top overlooking the sea.

She told previously how she sold the apartment that was a getting a bit cramped.

There was five of us living in it including Spencer and myself, our first child Theodore and my sister Amber. We were looking at different properties by the sea and couldnt really see anything we liked.

London is so wild. Howth is my special place to relax and recharge. I love the cliff walk and I absolutely have to do it every time I am here. So I was out walking with my aunt and we passed by the house  there was a for sale sign up and the door was open. So we just walked in. The second I stepped into the hall I thought I have to have this house!. Everything just clicked straight away.

The interior

I just liked the look of it, the way it was laid out and that it has a very high energy rating. If theres one thing I absolutely hate its the cold. So its cosy all the time.

Kapiti was one of a pair of new builds on the site of an older bungalow and somewhat unfinished when sold, which meant Williams could get stuck in and apply her own magic to it.

There wasnt a proper kitchen or flooring, there were no fitted wardrobes, that sort of thing. We had a lot of open space in the hall which I decided to turn into a boot room, which gets plenty of use. And I had the walls panelled to soften them a bit because they had a bare look about them.

Vogue recently revealed how she wanted to be an architect, saying she always loved old buildings and design.

I wanted to do architecture in college but I didnt get the points so I ended up doing a degree in construction management and design instead.

But Ive never lost that obsession with design. I take a huge interest in interiors at home, whether thats in Dublin or in London.
Winners from up and down the country are celebrating after being recognised by Fieldays for the 2023 innovation awards.

'Innovation has always been at the forefront of Fieldays, since its onset in 1968, with the organisers, ongoing ambition being to advance agriculture in New Zealand by supporting and facilitating leadership in technology, innovation, education, and globalisation, says an event spokesperson.

'The Fieldays Innovation Awards, starting that same year, was the first competition of its kind in New Zealand, and is now well-known as the platform for turning ideas of all shapes and sizes into marketable products to benefit the primary industry.

The Awards offer three distinct categories: Prototype, Early-Stage, and Growth & Scale, encompassing the entire innovation lifecycle.

This opens the possibility of inventors entering different categories each year to showcase any recent progress or advancements made in the project.

Despite the 2022 Awards being held just six months ago, entrants were keen to showcase their progress and fresh thinking.

This year's Awards again paid tribute to the youth with the Young Innovator of the Year Award going to an eager group of high school students at St Paul's Collegiate School in Hamilton, for their Capra Skin Goats Milk lip balm. The group comprising of Lucy O'Meeghan, Emma Lobb, Mackenzie Lenton and Lochie Mouat, are in year 13, taking Agribusiness as a subject.

The students identified a need and formulated steps and iterations to develop a final product that could make a real difference to its target market.

They named their brand Capra Skin, drawing inspiration from the Latin word "Capra," meaning goat, which also doubles as an acronym for "Greatest Of All Time."

A representative from the group explains, "We want our customers to feel exceptional when using our product. We envision our product's story expanding beyond just lip balm and encompassing other skincare items in the future."

Chris Foot, the Agribusiness teacher at St. Paul's Collegiate, couldn't be happier with the performance of the three groups of students who pitched their ideas at the Fieldays Innovation Hub, saying 'They did well and put up convincing arguments under very difficult and nerve-wracking conditions. Their ideas were innovative, original, and clever; we are extremely proud of them. The judges were equally impressed, praising the exceptional

Quality of the presentations and highlighting the professionalism demonstrated by the young participants.

Waikato Milking Systems, a company known for designing and manufacturing rotary platforms and milking systems won the Prototype Award for its ErgoPOD - a product hoping to revolutionise efficiency and safety in the milking shed.

Prototype Award winners from Waikato Milking Systems. Photo: Supplied.

Project Specialist at Waikato Milking Systems, Tom Morris and his team worked on research and development for four years to advance this project through to the prototype stage, and plan to complete the final stages of development over the next 18 months so they can go to market.

Waikato Milking Systems Executive Chairman Jamie Mikkelson accepted the award on the night saying, 'We started on this journey with this crazy idea to become the most admired company globally for milking efficiency. If a single operator could milk a thousand cows in an hour, it would be a game changer, and we believe we are on our way to achieve that with this machine.

The team decided to enter the Fieldays Innovation Awards because they saw it as an opportunity, if they won, to introduce their innovative product to the dairy market as upcoming, which it has now successfully achieved.

'Winning this Award has been a massive pat on the back for the team, who deserve the accolade after having worked hard over the past few years to deliver a fresh take on a milking system that tackles the current limitations of traditional and robotic ones, says Jamie.

'We plan to return to the 2024 Fieldays Innovation Awards in the Early-Stage category with a further developed product.

Staff on-farm where the ErgoPOD is being trialled have provided feedback that cupping has become a much easier task once they were used to using the new technology.

They have also noticed that the milk out across all 4 quarters has become more consistent - which may be down to the cup weight and freedom that each 1/4 has with no claw bowl.

Jamie mentioned that Riley, a milker on the trial farm, has been challenging himself to see how fast and accurately he can handle the system and has been achieving 3 1/2 seconds or less for cupping all 4 quarters.

The winners of the Early-Stage Award are eClean Envirotech, led by founder Ngarie Scartozzi.

Early-Stage Award winners from eClean Envirotech Photo: Supplied.

The company partnered with an engineering firm early on, to be able to manufacture their low-cost water filtration system from the start, and today have already reached early commercial success here in NZ. Ngarie previously worked at an Australian aquaculture company helping design filters for use in fish holding tanks.

'That role ignited my passion for water quality, control, and restoration of our global waterways, says Ngarie.

For 15 years, Scartozzi says, she had been thinking about the technology behind her bioreactors, but it was only when she returned to New Zealand, and discovered water quality in the region had deteriorated, that she first conceptualised them in their current form.

eClean bioreactors use microbes (bacteria and other organisms) to remove nitrates, phosphates, and other contaminants from water.

The bioreactors are intended for use in low-flow environments such as farm drainage channels, streams and lakes and can potentially help dairy farmers comply with nutrient limits, allowing them to maintain herd numbers and farm more sustainably.

Of Maori heritage and from the Iwi of Ngati Porou on the East Coast of the North Island, Ngarie considers herself kaitiaki, or a guardian of natural resources and says her vision is to use both scientific research and Matauranga Maori to deliver technology to a global market. eClean's 'Engineered Microbiome' technology is currently showcased in several research projects in NZ targeting Nitrates, E.coli and heavy metals using biological filtration.

Wilderlab, a newcomer to the competition, received the Growth & Scale Award for their new ecological health index which utilises the power of environmental DNA (eDNA) technology.

Growth and Scale Award winners from Wilderlab. Photo: Supplied.

Their taxon-independent community index (TICI) incorporates DNA sequence information from fish, insects, plants, mammals, birds and microorganisms living in an area to provide a score to gauge ecological health and track small shifts in condition.

'By using a comprehensive panel of tests, we can capture a picture of the larger ecosystem, not just the species we can find and identify visually says Freshwater and Community Science lead, Amy Gault.

The simplicity of the eDNA kits, requiring the user to filter a few cups of water, means it's accessible to everyone, from ecologists to school children.

A timely example of Wilderlab's eDNA product in action is the tracking of the highly invasive golden clam, Corbicula fluminea in the Waikato River. 'eDNA monitoring enables us to map the invasion front, allowing for intervention to prevent its spread into other rivers and lakes, says Wilderlab's Founder and Principal Scientist, Shaun Wilkinson. Wilderlab's services are now being used by government, primary sector organisations, and various community groups.

The Fieldays Innovation Awards is supported by Fieldays Partners; One NZ and the Ministry for Primary Industries, and Sponsors; Amazon Web Services, Sprout Agritech, and NZME, and Advocates; Gait International, King St. Advertising, Blender Design, and Soda Inc., who all contribute to a prize package valued at over $60,000 worth of cash, support and promotion - from expert advice, product design and development, and marketing and media support, all designed to help the winners grow and develop their product at an accelerated pace.

Steve Chappell, on behalf of the New Zealand National Fieldays Society, expressed gratitude to the finalists and award winners from the 2023 Fieldays Innovation Awards.

'We proudly follow their journeys through the Fieldays Innovations Hub and beyond, and are curious to see how this year's finalists go on to impact the NZ innovation eco-system, and then take their products on to global success," says Steve.

Fieldays Innovation Awards entries for 2024 will open after a short period of review, and expressions of interest can already be made online at http://www.fieldays.co.nz/innovation.
A review into how local government will look in the future is suggesting reducing the number of councils in New Zealand.

In the wake of this, Western Bay of Plenty's mayor James Denyer says there 'could be efficiencies if the district worked closer with its neighbour Tauranga.

'It's not so much about amalgamation, it's about better alignment and working together.

The Future for Local Government review panel released their final report in June after a two year study. It included 17 recommendations to produce better outcomes for local communities.

Touted as the most significant review of local government since the 1989 reforms and the 2002 Local Government Act, one of the recommendations was 'reorganisation.

This could mean amalgamating the country's 78 local authorities at a regional level, with two models suggested by the panel.

The unitary model would include regional council and local councils across an agreed sub-region.

A regional combined authority would have the councils remain, sharing functions and services.

Denyer says the proposals were 'interesting.

'Inefficiencies are important, but so is local voice and any decisions we make would have to be done alongside discussions with the community.

Asked his thoughts on a sub-regional unitary model with Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Tauranga City Council and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Denyer says: 'It's certainly worth exploring.

'It's more about better coordination than full amalgamation.

'A unitary authority that covers the sub-region would probably be more palatable for local people.

Tauranga City Council commission chair Anne Tolley said a sub-regional unitary model could offer "some advantages". Photo: John Borren/SunLive.

Tauranga City Council commission chair Anne Tolley agrees: 'A Western Bay unitary council model could offer some advantages and would eliminate confusion about which councils provide which services in which areas.

'This is not something that has been formally discussed, however, and would need to be considered at an inter-council level if the Government is keen to pursue this approach.

Panel member Brendan Boyle says the panel heard councils wanted 'self-determination when it came to those decisions. So, the report left it up to the regions to 'advocate and make those adjustments rather than being centrally imposed, he says.

Fellow panel member Penny Hulse says: 'We want to be at pains to ensure that this is not seen as an amalgamation agenda in any manner, shape, or form.

Denyer says one of the more 'exciting parts of the review are the suggestions for funding.

It proposes the government paid rates on properties it owned, and that the portion of GST paid on annual rates be transferred back to councils.

The GST return would equate to around $1 billion a year being refunded to councils around the country.

'We [councils'] need more funding. Most people agree the rates model is broken or at least is pretty well the sole funder for local government and welcome [the] potential [of central] government coming to the party on this one, he says.

The government paying rates on properties it owned 'makes perfect sense, says Denyer.

The panel also suggested central government developed an intergenerational fund for climate change, something Denyer says is 'worth of looking at.

'Local government could never afford some of the big commitments that might be required on climate change, whether it's a managed retreat or some big infrastructure changes.

The panel also suggested lowering the voting age to 16 for local elections. Photo: Alisha Evans/SunLive.

The recommendations also include a four-year electoral term and lowering the voting age to 16 for local elections.

Also reducing the threshold for the establishment of Maori wards and enabling Te Tiriti-based appointments to councils.

As well as a statutory requirement for councils to develop partnership frameworks with hapu/iwi and Maori.

Panel chair Jim Palmer says: 'Advancing the recommendations is critical to making sure local government can deliver the services and infrastructure needed for healthy, thriving and resilient communities for years to come.

But action on the report won't happen before this year's general election.

Minister for Local Government Kieran McAnulty told Local Democracy Reporting the independent report requested by the sector was an opportunity to work with local government and consider the issues raised, after the upcoming election.

"The recommendations are not government policy but will provide an opportunity to work with local government to agree on what changes need to be made to make it fit for purpose for 30-to-50 years," he says.

Denyer says: 'A lot of it needs central government to pick it up and run with it, hopefully in consultation with local government.

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission is calling for the use of compulsory community treatment orders to be reduced.

Analysing the lived experience of those who have faced a compulsory order, a report from the commission, Te Hiringa Mahara, says the law is outdated and not aligned with international human rights obligations.

Compulsory community treatment orders can be granted by a judge under the Mental Health Act, compelling a patient to attend or take treatment (typically medication), at the direction of a clinician.

The person must accept the treatment for up to six months, but this can be extended.

Te Hiringa Mahara board chair Hayden Wano says over the past five years, judges granted nearly 90 per cent of applications made by clinicians.

The report says the number of people subjected to a CCTO has increased by eight per cent between 2017 and 2021, meaning in 2021 almost 7000 people were under compulsory treatment.

"They can be people who are going to work, it can be students who are going to university, there could be a number of people who are going about their normal life who are required to have enforced treatment as a result of this order," says Wano.

A lived-experience focus group quoted in the report says it's a fundamentally disempowering process.

"So often it seems to be that the decision's already been made... the judge's doctor has already formed the opinion."

People told Te Hiringa Mahara they found the process traumatising, and it made them feel like a criminal, particularly when they had to go before a judge.

Wano says Maori are subject to the orders more than any other group.

The report says tangata whai ora (people who are the subject of care or treatment), whanau, and family are excluded from participation in the processes.

"The weight of opinion goes towards the clinician. And as some whanau have said, their voices are silenced in both the clinical process as well as in the court process," says Wano.

"So what we're advocating for is a supportive decision-making process whereby people in the system, whether they be whanau, their GP, their community-based provider, are also involved, that their voices can be brought into the process to help support this person through the process of getting access to care that they want, that they have a say in."

In 2019, the government accepted the Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction's recommendation to repeal the Mental Health Act, and replace it with a law better reflecting Crown obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and New Zealand's international commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

While that full process is likely to take a long time, Wano says some changes should occur now, including a reduction in the number of compulsory treatment applications made and granted, a reduction in their use for Maori and Pacific peoples, and for services and courts to hear perspectives of tangata whai ora, whanau, and family.

-Giles Dexter/RNZ.
The 33rd iteration of the world-renowned World of WearableArt Show is set to be one of the biggest, boldest, and brightest yet.

A whopping 120 designers from 23 countries have been announced as taking part in this year's show.

The futuristic 2023 World of WearableArt Show: BEYOND features the return of the beloved WOW category, Bizarre Bra, unleashes a huge cast of spectacular performers, and sees the TSB Arena dripping in Gold in this year's feature section of the same name.

The global wearable art competition provides a unique opportunity for its finalist designers, many of whom prepare for years to be included in the line-up. The breathtaking stage show, which unites art, dance, aerial performance, music, and mind-blowing stage design and effects, delivers an experience like no other for audiences.

More than $185,000 of awards and prizes are up for grabs in 2023, across three recurring sections, Aotearoa, Avant-garde and Open, and three additional sections, Mars and Beyond, Gold, and the iconic Bizarre Bra.

'Once again we find ourselves in awe at the level of creative ingenuity, craftmanship and pure inventiveness that designers bring to the WOW Competition, says WOW Head of Competition Sarah Nathan.

'In the 2023 WOW Show: BEYOND audiences will see a mind-bending array of materials ranging from potato bags, shoe rubber, bees wax, latex and bamboo, to drone waste, Barbie dolls, children's sweets, keyboards and synthetic hair!

'This year's finalists also provide moments of reflection and conversation as they present back to us some of the most pressing global issues of our time. Fast fashion waste, mental health, women's empowerment, climate change and online bullying are all conveyed through the most extraordinary creations of wearable art, Nathan says.

The finalists will go through two further stages of judging, in which they are assessed on stage, before the winners are announced at the 2023 WOW Show Awards Night on Friday 22 September at TSB Arena.

The 2023 judging panel comprises WOW Founder Dame Suzie Moncrieff; Aotearoa New Zealand sculptor

and Arts Foundation Laureate Brett Graham (Ngati Koroki Kahukura, Tainui); partner, designer and Director of WORLD Benny Castles; and Weta Workshop Emerging Designer Award Judge  co-founder, CEO and Creative Director of Weta Workshop, Sir Richard Taylor.

Head Judge Dame Suzie Moncrieff says, 'It has been both an honour and a privilege to view the incredible works of wearable art presented over judging weekend. I was most impressed by the high standard and originality of each entry.

The 2022 WOW Show was the most-attended to date, with an audience of nearly 64,000 people from across the country and the world. The event generated a gross economic benefit to the Te Upoko O Te Ika A Maui / Wellington region of over $30 million.

This year's season is set to be another unmissable event, Nathan says.

'There is no doubt in my mind that the coming-together of finalist designers' genius and the fantastical vision of the WOW creative team is going to provide the most spectacular WOW yet. I have been warning all my friends  be prepared to have your mind blown, and if you haven't got your tickets yet, run!

WOW 2023 takes up residence in the TSB Arena in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington, from September 20 to October 8, 2023.

Due to overwhelming demand, an additional performance has recently been released, on Tuesday, October 3. Tickets are now on sale now at www.worldofwearableart.com
Matthew Urey says he never would have stepped foot on Whakaari had he known 'level two' meant the volcano's alert level was just one away from a possible eruption.

"I never in my wildest dreams would have gone on that island had I known an eruption was level three."

Those are the words of Urey, one of the 47 people on Whakaari / White Island at the time it erupted in December 2019.

On Wednesday, Urey described to an Auckland courtroom the moment he was told to 'run' by a tour operator, as the volcano erupted.

He and wife Lauren were on a cruise in New Zealand for their honeymoon, when the tour to the crater caught their eye - the pair were both injured in the deadly eruption.

The court is hearing witness statements, as day two of the judge-only trial gets underway.

Forty-seven people were on the crater at the time of the eruption, many were tourists from overseas who had stepped off a cruise ship, berthed in Tauranga.

The explosion killed 22 people and injured 25 others.

Three members of the Buttle family, who own the island, are defending charges brought against them by WorkSafe, alongside their company, Whakaari Management Limited, and two companies that booked and marketed tours to cruise ship passengers.

Andrew, James and Peter Buttle, have been charged as individuals and will face trial as directors.

The charges do not relate to the rescue and recovery efforts after the eruption.

Urey told the court his group were told that the volcano was at a 'stage two" on the day of his tour, not knowing what that meant.

Whakaari/White Island during the eruption. Photo: Supplied/Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust.

"In my mind, the absolute worst case, I was assuming an eruption was at level five, if not ten, I never in my wildest dreams would have gone on that island had I known an eruption was level three," he said.

"We were on our honeymoon, we were looking to relax, not seek thrills."

The group was given respirators and began the tour.

"We spent about 10 minutes at the crater then started taking out way back.

"At some point someone in the group shouted 'look' and the tour guide started saying 'not today', and then just said 'run' and we took off running back towards the boats."

Urey said he and a group of others got about half-way back to the boats when they had to shelter under a rock.

"I remember a wave of very hot, black, just total blackness coming over us and I don't know if it was steam or hot ash, but it was all over us.

"I had my respirator on before the cloud came over us ... it clouded over at one point, and I remember my flesh burning and yelling out at one point, just in pain."

He suffered burns to 53 percent of his body, including both legs below the knee, his arms, neck and face.

Urey believed his burns would have been far less significant if he was wearing clothes that covered the majority of his body, rather than shorts and a T-shirt.

During the first day of the trial, prosecutor Kristy McDonald KC said the consultation between WML and tourism companies had been insufficient.

"Sufficient information needed to be provided at the pre-booking stage, before money was exchanged, and it should have been provided again before the tour," she said.

McDonald said each of the companies involved had failed to protect customers against a possible eruption.

"None of the tour operators had any requirements in respect to protective clothing required to be worn during a tour," she said.

Proper protective gear would have included overalls that covered skin, and boots made of sturdy heat-resistant material.

Hard hats and gas masks were offered, but only the hard hats were required. The gas masks were completely optional and often unfit for purpose, she said.

In the months leading to the trial, six organisations have pleaded guilty and another had a charge dismissed.

The trial has been set down for 16 weeks.

-Delphine Herbet/RNZ.
An school girl with a 'heart of gold has raised more than $7000, so far, by putting a ready salted Bluebird chip on Trade Me.

Not just any chip, this crispy potato has a heart-shaped hole in the middle, says 10-year-old Bianca McPherson, who found it while tucking into a bag.

Instead of chomping into the chip like many of us would, Bianca excitedly ran to her mother.

At the heart of it, she wanted to do something heart-felt with her heart-shaped treasure, to support children who might need help with their own hearts.

The Aucklander, and her mother Sacha, placed the chip on Trade Me, and already it has reached $7200 with just under week to go. The auction closes 8pm, Tuesday, July 18.

All the proceeds will go to the Starship Foundation, the charity raising funds for Starship Children's Hospital.

Bianca says she was stunned by the discovery. 'I couldn't believe it; I've never seen a chip with a heart-shaped hole in it before!

'The winner will receive the chip, currently being safely stored in a Glad ziplock bag, the ad on Trade Me reads.

One auction watcher says the young girl has a heart of gold for thinking outside the square.

'I am very proud of your daughter for not only doing such an awesome, brilliant, caring thought for Starship hospital.

Another hungry auction watcher went for the gag.

'Hi, apart from the heart shape, are there any other chips or scratches on the chip? Do you have any other color options? Do you have one with a smiley face instead of a heart? they asked.

How did the heart come to happen?

Toby Smith, Production Manager for Bluebird, says to make chips, potatoes need to be cooked under intense heat.

'The very high heat we cook our Bluebird potato chips at can sometimes turn a small hole in the raw potato into a bigger hole, and that's what Bianca has discovered here.

'It's very special that Bianca has made this find. While we do see these holes from time to time, a perfect heart shape is very rare.

Bluebird general manager Michelle Cassettari says she and the Bluebird team are extremely touched by the kindness and generosity of Bianca.

Bluebird will be matching bids for Bianca's chip dollar for dollar, up to the value of $10,000.

'To be so giving and thoughtful of others at such a young age is incredible. We were so taken by Bianca's generous spirit that we wanted to show our support for what she's doing.

The Trade Me auction for the chip with the heart-shaped hole closes on July 18 at 8pm.

-Olivia Caldwell/Stuff.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 12, 2023 - 13:51 | All, World, Japan

The family of a Sri Lankan woman who died in 2021 while detained at a Japan immigration center on Wednesday urged prosecutors who had previously dropped the case to indict officials on charges of professional negligence resulting in death.

The family of Ratnayake Liyanage Wishma Sandamali made the appeal following a December ruling by an independent judicial committee that found the prosecutors' decision was "unjust," paving the way for the case to be reinvestigated.

Wishma arrived in Japan in 2017 as a student but was later taken into custody at a Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau facility for overstaying her visa. She died at the age of 33 in March 2021 after complaining of ill health, which included vomiting and stomach pain, for around a month.

"I told the prosecutors to conduct a fair investigation and to indict (the officials) on charges of professional negligence resulting in death, so that this will never happen again," Wayomi, Wishma's sister, told reporters after submitting the request to Nagoya District Public Prosecutors Office.

The document presented to prosecutors said immigration center officials "had a duty to prevent" her death, as Wishma would not have died had she received proper medical care.

It also said they had "a duty to foresee" there was a possibility Wishma could die if she was not provided medical care.

In June last year, prosecutors dropped charges against 13 immigration bureau officials, deciding they need not face charges over allegations of murder and abandonment resulting in death after a criminal complaint filed by the family.

But citizens who form the committee for the inquest of prosecution in Nagoya said the prosecutors should reconsider whether they can charge officials at the immigration bureau, including the director at the time, for professional negligence resulting in her death.

As for the murder and abandonment allegations, the committee determined it was "difficult" to say that the prosecutors' investigations were insufficient.

Wishma's death sparked scrutiny of Japan's treatment of foreign detainees and triggered calls demanding more information about Wishma's death. The government was forced a few months later to drop a bill revising rules on foreigners facing deportation, including asylum seekers.

Related coverage:

Japan Diet passes controversial bill to revise immigration law

Video of Sri Lankan who died in detention in Japan shown to public
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Gertrude Stein, writer, patron of Picasso and godmother to the Lost Generation, advised a young and indomitable Ernest Hemingway to visit Spain after World War I. The then journalist, and future winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, had visited Algeciras in 1919. He landed in Vigo in 1921 as a passenger on the transatlantic ship, Leopoldina, from New York. In the spring of 1923 he arrived in Madrid and Pamplona and was captivated by a genuine country and its people. A land wild, with bulls and drink that, according to Stein, had not been crushed and in which the people lived with a spontaneity that does not exist in the rest of Europe.

This was the beginning of a relationship that is reflected in the writings of Hemingway, lover of a drink, the Prado Museum and bullfighting, in that order. Legions of tourists are still eager to follow in his footsteps, in particular in Pamplona and the Sanfermines, the festival that he made known around the world.

One hundred years have now passed since he first arrived in Madrid. He would visit Spain at least twenty times more and become regarded as almost Spanish. I was not born in Spain, but that is not my fault, said the winner of the 1954 Nobel Prize for Literature.

Bars and other hangouts

In Madrid, from June to November, the Soy de la Cuesta literary association is piloting initiatives, one being a gourmet route through the places frequented by Hemingway, such as the Chicote cocktail bar and the Cerveceria Alemana (German Brewery). Also the Aguilar boarding house, Hemingways first accommodation in Madrid and where he was inspired to write his short story The Capital of the World. Hemingway fans still turn up at this establishment, number 32, Carrera de San Jeronimo, demanding room number seven, once occupied by Hemingway. Many also ask for room 201 in La Perla hotel in Pamplona.

Ampliar The author with the American bullfighter, Sidney Franklin, aka el Yanki RC

A great connoisseur of Hemingways adventures in Madrid is Ramon Buckley, son of Henry Buckley, a correspondent for the Daily Telegraph in Spain during the Spanish Civil War. Ramon fulfilled Hemingways wish and stayed in Spain and has developed his career as a scholar of Spanish and American literature.

Hemingway and Buckley Sr. met in 1936, when they were, like so many foreign correspondents in that time of war, staying at the Florida Hotel in Madrids Plaza de Callao, which was demolished in 1962. My father told me that his North American colleague earned ten times more than any other foreign journalist, since he had an agreement for some of his stories to be published in about 40 different newspapers, said Buckley Jr.

From the Florida hotel they would walk to the Telefonica building, a few hundred metres away, to submit their stories. Its a few minutes walk away, but theyd invest more than an hour getting there with stops at the bars, said Buckley.

Hemingway fell hopelessly in love with Spain. That obsession would make him return on numerous occasions. But he was outraged when people said that he came just for the bulls. His true love of Spain, apart from the drinking, was the Prado Museum, stressed Buckley Jr.

The Cerveceria Alemana in Plaza de Santa Ana, and Chicote, on Gran Via, were two of the places he frequented in a Madrid mercilessly bombed by the Nationalists. In Chicote Hemingway set his best short story, The Denunciation, which tells of a waiter suspected of betraying some colleagues who were then shot, said Buckley.

He was a hard drinker, very temperamental and very grumpy, he said of the corpulent American writer, who once smashed a table at the Cerveceria Alemana. In the Battle of the Ebro, several foreign journalists tried to cross the mighty river to interview Enrique Lister, stationed in the republican armys positions. Francos planes bombed their boat, which began to sink. Hemingway shoved the boatman aside, grabbed the oars, and managed to get them across the river.

A silent pact with Franco

In 1956 Hemingway, committed to the Republican cause and already the winner of the Nobel prize, was able to return to Spain. Buckley is convinced that there was some negotiation with Franco for him to be able to return.

The 100 years of Hemingway in Spain programme is part of the Cultuletras Festival organised by Madrids Literary quarter. In addition to the gourmet route of dishes inspired by the writer, it includes the Bulls and Letters meeting in which writers and journalists talk about bullfighting and literature. Also the literary route For Whom the Bell Tolls, which covers the many scenes from the Sierra del Guadarrama that appear in the iconic novel set in the war.
Aemet activates red alert for temperatures up to 42C in Guadalhorce valley and Costa del Sol area The heat is on and the whole of Malaga province will be covered by weather warnings for intense heat from 1pm until 9pm this Wednesday, 12 July

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If you thought it had been quite warm in the province since the start of the week, today (Wednesday, 12 July) will be the hottest day of the year in Malaga, especially in the city, Guadalhorce Valley and parts of the Costa del Sol, where the terral wind will blow hot in the areas where the weather phenomenon occurs (Velez, Estepona, etc.).

As a result, Spain's state weather agency Aemet has activated the amber level warning for the entire province, with the possibility of the thermometer reaching 40C, although the mercury may exceed 42 degrees in the upper Guadalhorce valley, in municipalities such as Coin, Alora and Pizarra, among others, where a red level warning has been issued.

Ampliar Weather alerts for this Wednesday, 12 July. Aemet

Given this situation, could the maximum temperature record for the month of July be broken? As far as maximum temperatures are concerned, Jesus Riesco, head of Aemet's Malaga office, categorically rules out reaching the highest in history, which was set on 18 July 1978, when it reached 44.2C at the airport.

Ampliar

Jose Luis Escudero, head of the SUR weather blog, Tormentas y Rayos (storms and lightning), also pointed out that this Wednesday will be "the worst day" of the heatwave in which a large part of Andalucia is immersed, and according to the American and European weather models, up to 44C are expected in Malaga's Guadalhorce Valley; although in the city it is not certain that it will reach 40. "It will be difficult for it to happen, but it will depend on how the terral blows".

Tropical nights

However, Escudero warned about nighttime lows, which "are so high that they could break records", he pointed out. The African air mass that is affecting the area is already leaving values well above what is considered a "tropical night".

In recent days it is barely been below 25 degrees at dawn (24.4 yesterday and 25.5 at the airport weather station today). "If it is already like this, we could beat the record for the highest minimum in the month of July when the terral comes", Escudero ventured. The record right now is held on two dates: 13 July 1949 and 16 July 1962, both with 28.8 degrees.

However, the Malaga director of Aemet considers that the probability of this event happening is "very low". As an anecdote, the highest minimum in history was on 3 August 1949, with 29.4 degrees, due to an extraordinary convective weather phenomenon.

On a positive note, the entry of warm air from the west will drastically reduce the relative humidity, which has been 80% and leaves a feeling of exhaustion that is difficult to bear. On the other hand, the forecast is modulating and on Thursday we could see an influx of easterly air, which will reduce the weather warning levels on the coast, according to Jesus Riesco. "The period of the terral will probably be shortened".

From that day onwards, and especially on Friday, the easterly wind on the coast will considerably lower the mercury, a slight break in what Aemet predicts will be the coolest day in the city and on the coast, with 30 degrees. The haze, which is another of the features of recent skies, will subside from today and blue skies will return to Malaga.

However, at the weekend the west will return and with it, the heat will return: on Saturday and Sunday it will once again reach 35-36 degrees on the coastal strip and up to 39 inland, "and if it comes together with the high humidity we're going to have a bad time", Escudero pointed out.

In addition, Aemet's long-term forecasts indicate that the last two weeks of July will also be "warmer than normal".
All-time record number of passengers passed through Malaga Airport in first six months of year More than ten million passengers used the gateway to the Costa del Sol, some 9.2% more than its best year

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Never before has Malaga Airport managed to exceed ten million passengers in the first six months of the year. The strong start to the year, together with the unprecedented numbers in April and May, when two million passengers were counted for the first time, has led to a record ten million users of this infrastructure between January and June, according to the data provided by Aena.

The operator of the airport on the Costa del Sol also highlighted that, with last month's traffic, several records have been broken by exceeding the maximum number of passengers handled and the highest number of operations managed per day in its more than one hundred years of history. Specifically, the previous highest number of daily movements dates back to 4 August 2018, with 564 landings and take-offs, a figure that was surpassed on 29 June with 569 flights, split between departures and arrivals.

Likewise, in relation to the number of passengers counted on a single day at the Malaga Airport, the previous historical maximum was seen on 30 July 2017, with 78,544. Aena pointed out that this was beaten twice last month: on Sunday 18, with 79,608 passengers, and on Sunday 25, when 80,939 passengers passed through the facilities.

It is a dizzying pace that makes the Costa del Sol airport the fastest growing of the major facilities in the Spanish airport network, with a 9.2% increase in passengers compared to the best year in history, which was 2019. These figures mean that Malaga is consolidated during this period as the fourth most important airport in Spain, highlighting that those of Madrid and Barcelona continue with lower levels than the year before the health crisis and that of Palma de Mallorca, which also precedes Malaga, added 3.8% more travellers than before the pandemic. Neither the airports Alicante, or those of Gran Canaria and Tenerife, which top the list, achieved growth like that of Malaga, with increases of 3.3%, 2.8% and 7.7%, respectively.

Aena explained that "Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport has closed the first half of 2023 with higher figures than the same period last year and 2019, the year with the highest traffic in its history. A total of 10,070,112 passengers used the Malaga infrastructure between January and June, which is 23.3% more than on the same dates in 2022". In addition, the operator highlighted the strength of international tourism and the strong pull of national tourism. "The vast majority of travellers recorded in the first half of the year travelled on commercial connections, totalling 10,048,039. Of these, 8,161,116 opted for flights abroad, which translates into an increase of 21.7% compared to 2022 and 4.8% compared to pre-pandemic records," Aena explained.

The United Kingdom, the top-placed market for passengers heading to the province, moved 2,410,951 travellers in the first semester, followed by Germany, with 703,698; Holland, with 635,208; France, with 559,553; Italy, with 459,891; and Ireland, 450,890. "These markets are, in absolute terms, the countries with the highest demand in the first six months of this year", Aena pointed out.

This is coupled with the unprecedented dynamism of domestic tourism. "The remaining 1,886,923 commercial passengers travelled to or from a Spanish city, which consolidates the strength of the domestic market by exceeding by 31.2% the records between January and June 2022 and by 34.2% the figures for the same period in 2019," the airport operator emphasised.

The airport's runways have also been affected by this historic traffic. "The number of operations handled by Malaga Airport in the first half of the year also showed positive percentages," Aena said. The Costa del Sol infrastructure managed 73,680 aircraft movements of the 64 airlines that operate to connect the Costa del Sol with direct flights to 151 destinations around the world, a figure that is 8.8% higher than the best year in history and 11% compared to the same dates in 2022. "In the international network, connections with foreign airports rose to 54,665, which represents an increase of 10.9% compared to the same months of 2022 and 5% compared to the levels of before the health crisis. The volume of flights with Spanish airports also grew, reaching 16,784, almost 20% above the accumulated between January and June before the pandemic," Aena pointed out.

A June without precedent

All this after an equally historic month of June, which maintained the trend that began in April of exceeding two million passengers. The public company puts the number of passengers carried by the airlines in that period at 2,179,575. This figure is 6% more than in 2019. Of these passengers, 1,803,151 came from or had as their destination airports located abroad. The rest were on flights connecting with the national territory.

Nationally, the airports of the Aena network closed the first half of 2023 with 129,447,124 passengers, a figure that represents a 1.2% increase compared to 2019, which confirms the strength of the Malaga infrastructure with a growth above the average for the country. The number of landings and take-offs recorded between January and June was 1,130,758, a slight 0.5% more than in 2019.

The pull of Malaga is also noticeable in the overall comparison for the month of June, with a higher rate than the average for the country. In that period a total of 26,504,920 passengers transited through Spanish airport infrastructures, 2.8% less than in 2019, compared to the 9.2% experienced on the Costa del Sol. "Demand in June has remained high, as evidenced by the high occupancy levels, which have exceeded 88%, above those of 2019 and those recorded in the first months of 2023, which hover around 85%. In June, airlines de-scheduled some flights, slightly more than in April and May, while in the sixth month of the year the schedule is similar to that of the same month in 2019", Aena detailed. And July started with the same buzz, with 2,100 flights, 10.3% more than last year.
The hot 'terral' wind arrives in Malaga, but will it break the all-time temperature record in the province? The incoming westerly wind will bring with it the hottest day of the year tomorrow, especially in Malaga city, the Guadalhorce valley and along parts of the Costa del Sol

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If it has not been hot enough in the province since the start of the week, it's about to get even hotter as the 'terral' wind sweeps across Malaga on Wednesday 12 July, bringing with it the hottest day of the year.

Malaga city, the Guadalhorce valley and parts of the Costa del Sol such as Velez, and Estepona are expected to experience the most intense heat.

State weather agency Aemet has already activated an amber level warning along the Malaga coast where temperatures could reach 40 degrees. It may exceed 42C in the upper Guadalhorce Valley, and in municipalities such as Coin, Alora or Pizarra. The director of the Malaga meteorological centre, Jesus Riesco, said that the same warning may also be issued for the Axarquia.

It poses the question; could the maximum temperature record for the month of July be broken?

As far as maximum temperatures are concerned, Riesco ruled out the possibility of reaching the highest in history, which was set on 18 July 1978, when 44.2C was registered at Malaga Airport.

"The worst day" of the heatwave

Jose Luis Escudero, head of the SUR weather blog, Tormentas y Rayos (storms and lightning), pointed out that Wednesday will be "the worst day" of the heatwave, set to also affect all of Andalucia.

According to the American and European weather models, up to 44 degrees are expected inland in the Guadalhorce valley; but it is not certain that it will reach 40 degrees in Malaga city. "It will be difficult for it to happen, but it will depend on how the terral blows," he said.

Warmer than tropical nights

Escudero warned that night-time minimum temperatures could be "so high that they could break records". The mass of African air that is reaching the province is already creating temperatures well above what is considered a "tropical night".

It has hardly dropped below 25 degrees at dawn this week - 24.4C on Monday 10 July and and 25.5 degrees at the airport this Tuesday 11 July.

"If it is already like this, we could beat the record for the highest minimum in the month of July when the terral arrives," Escudero said. The record right now is: 13 July 1949 and 16 July 1962, both dates registered 28.8 degrees.

However, the director of Aemet said that the probability of this occurring is "very low". The highest minimum in history was on 3 August 1949, with 29.4C registered.

Warm air from the west will drastically reduce the humidity, which today is at 80%. On Thursday there will be an influx of easterly air, which will reduce the orange warning level to yellow on the coast, according to Riesco. "The period of the terral will probably be shortened," he added.

Weekend forecast

Aemet has forcest Friday to be 30 degrees, with extreme heat returning on the weekend. On Saturday and Sunday it will be 35 and 36 degrees along the coast, and 39 inland.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 12, 2023 - 20:09 | All, World, Japan

North Korea on Wednesday launched an intercontinental ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan, marking the longest-ever flight time for a projectile fired by the country at 74 minutes, the Japanese government said.

The ICBM was fired at around 9:59 a.m. from a site near Pyongyang and fell into the sea some 250 kilometers west of Okushiri Island, which lies just off Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido, at about 11:13 a.m., the government said.

The launch came after Pyongyang recently lambasted U.S. military activities near its territory as provocative, while the United States plans to send a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea, further escalating tensions surrounding the Korean Peninsula.

The missile is estimated to have flown around 1,000 km at a maximum altitude of more than 6,000 km, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said, adding that the projectile could have been fired on a steep vertical path or a "lofted trajectory" based on its flight time.

There were no reports of damage by the missile, which fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, said Matsuno, the top government spokesman.

After the unsuccessful launch of a rocket carrying a military reconnaissance satellite on May 31, North Korea said it would try another one soon. But Matsuno said Wednesday's projectile was different from the projected one, without elaborating the reasons.

In Lithuania, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters that North Korea's repeated missile launches in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions on Pyongyang are "totally unacceptable" and "pose a threat to peace and safety" in the region and the international community.

Kishida, who is in the European nation to participate in a NATO summit, said Japan "strongly" condemns North Korea's actions and that Tokyo had lodged a protest with Pyongyang.

Japan will work closely with the United States and South Korea to monitor the North's missile and nuclear activities and analyze related information, Kishida said.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is also in Lithuania, criticized the North's missile launch, saying the country will be made to "pay a price for the illicit act," according to his office.

The Japanese government held a meeting of the National Security Council involving senior government officials in Tokyo at the request of Kishida.

At their bilateral summit in Lithuania on Wednesday, Kishida told Yoon that trilateral security cooperation among Japan, South Korea and the United States is necessary to tackle missile and nuclear threats from the North.

Despite North Korea's repeated provocations, Kishida has voiced readiness to establish high-level talks with the nation to pave the way for an early meeting with leader Kim Jong Un to resolve the issue of the past abductions of Japanese nationals by Pyongyang.

North Korea, however, has claimed that the abduction issue has been already resolved.

Pyongyang last fired ballistic missiles on June 15 when two short-range projectiles fell inside Japan's EEZ off Ishikawa Prefecture along the Sea of Japan.

Earlier this week, Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of Kim Jong Un, warned the U.S. military that it would face a "very critical flight" if a strategic reconnaissance plane of the U.S. Air Force repeats an "illegal intrusion" in the country's airspace off its coast.

The latest launch of a missile, whose flight duration surpassed the previous record of 71 minutes in March 2022, is considered to be a military demonstration ahead of the 70th anniversary of the suspension of open hostilities in the Korean War.

During the war that began on June 25, 1950 and ended on July 27, 1953, the United Nations forces led by the United States fought alongside South Korea against the North, supported by China and the Soviet Union.

The firing of the projectile may have been a fresh test of the Hwasong-18 new solid-fuel ICBM launched in April, which is viewed as capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.

A solid-fuel missile does not require fueling prior to launch like a liquid-fuel missile, making it harder for other countries to detect preparations for firing as well as giving it a better pre-emptive strike and retaliatory capability.

Related coverage:

North Korean spy satellite has "no military utility": South Korea

North Korea says failed satellite launch "most serious" shortcoming

N. Korea fires 2 ballistic missiles at night, both fall in Japan EEZ
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Ive read that terms I should no longer use include previously neutral terms such as depressing, battle, minefield, the poor, the disabled and also field, as in academic fieldwork. (Im not referring to racial or ethnic slurs, which were never neutral.)

I dont mind if other people observe such rules, but I dont appreciate being told that I shouldnt have used a term that the listener found objectionable, especially when there is no one present who would have taken my remark personally.

What would be a polite response when a friend criticizes my choice of words?

GENTLE READER: To think that one would long for the days when rude people knew they were being rude -- instead of patting themselves on the back for their righteousness.

As Miss Manners cannot condone returning one rudeness with another, she advises you to nod neutrally and finish your train of thought. While this may seem insufficient, she assures you that it is the worst punishment of all: It denies your critics what they most want, which is to score a point against you.

(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

COPYRIGHT 2023 JUDITH MARTIN

DISTRIBUTED BY ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106; 816-581-7500
Syracuse, N.Y.  A man was arrested for selling ivory figurines to undercover state Department of Environmental Conservation agents in a restaurant parking lot in Syracuse, agents said.

Henry Chmielewski, 62, of Syracuse, met up with a person he thought was a customer on May 11 in the Twin Trees parking lot at 1100 Avery Ave., according to the DEC.
Cybercriminals are showing remarkable adaptability and pursuing new avenues of attack, exploiting vulnerabilities, gaining unauthorised access, compromising sensitive information and defrauding individuals.

Besides, sextortion scam emails have made a comeback and there is an alarming growth of deceptive Android loan apps, said ESET, a global cybersecurity firm, which has released its latest Threat Report.

One of the reasons for shifts in attack patterns is stricter security policies introduced by Microsoft, particularly on opening macro-enabled files, which summarises threat landscape trends seen in ESET telemetry from December 2022 through May 2023.

Shrinking attack surface

ESET telemetry data also suggests that operators of the once-notorious Emotet botnet have struggled to adapt to the shrinking attack surface, possibly indicating that a different group acquired the botnet. In the ransomware arena, actors increasingly reused previously leaked source code to build new ransomware variants.

During the first half of 2023, sextortion email scams made a comeback, and ESET observed an alarming growth in the number of deceptive Android loan apps.

According to the report, in a new attempt to bypass Microsoft security measures, attackers substituted Office macros with weaponised OneNote files in H1 2023, leveraging the capability to embed scripts and files directly into OneNote.

In response, Microsoft adjusted the default setup, prompting cybercriminals to continue exploring alternative intrusion vectors, with intensifying brute-force attacks against Microsoft SQL servers potentially representing one of the tested replacement approaches.

Covering variants

Regarding the leaked source code of ransomware families such as Babyk, LockBit, and Conti, these allow amateurs to engage in ransomware activities, but at the same time enable us as defenders to cover a broader range of variants with a more generic or well-known set of detections and rules, says ESET Chief Research Officer Roman Kovac.

While cryptocurrency threats have been steadily declining in ESET telemetry  not even being resurrected by the recent increase in bitcoin's value  cryptocurrency-related cybercriminal activities continue to persist, with cryptomining and cryptostealing capabilities being increasingly incorporated into more versatile malware strains.

This evolution follows a pattern observed in the past, such as when keylogger malware was initially identified as a separate threat, but eventually became a common capability of many malware families.

Looking at other threats focused on financial gain, ESET researchers observed the comeback of so-called sextortion scam emails, exploiting peoples fears related to their online activities, and an alarming growth in deceptive Android loan apps masquerading as legitimate personal loan services and taking advantage of vulnerable individuals with urgent financial needs.-- TradeArabia News Service
KYODO NEWS - Jul 12, 2023 - 18:29 | Sports, All

Newly promoted ozeki Kirishima won his first bout at sumo's second-highest rank, dispatching komusubi Kotonawaka on Wednesday after missing the first three days of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament with bruised ribs.

The lone ozeki in the absence of the injured Takakeisho, Kirishima assumed top billing on Day 4 at Dolphins Arena after the withdrawal of sole yokozuna Terunofuji (1-3) due to a herniated disk.

Terunofuji's exit followed his first back-to-back losses since the September 2022 meet, from which he also withdrew before having surgery on both knees and sitting out the next three tourneys.

In the day's final bout, Kirishima (1-1-2) showed no obvious signs of rib pain as he charged in low from the jump in search of a belt grip.

Kotonowaka (2-2) countered with an arm lock, but the Mongolian grappler previously known as Kiribayama pushed him out from behind before he could make use of the hold.

All three promotion-seeking sekiwake finished the day at 3-1, with Daieisho taking his first loss, while both Wakamotoharu and Hoshoryu got back on the winning track at the 15-day tournament.

Daieisho became the latest big name to fall victim to No. 1 maegashira Nishikigi, whose perfect 4-0 start has included wins against Terunofuji and Hoshoryu. The sekiwake was quick off the mark but left himself open to an arm-grabbing force out as he surged forward.

Wakamotoharu logged a straightforward victory over No. 3 Midorifuji (0-4), driving him back toward the edge and slapping him down, while Hoshoryu forced out No. 2 Mitakeumi (0-4), eventually dislodging the former ozeki as he dug his heels into the straw.
Chenango, N.Y.  An Upstate New York man was arrested after troopers say he photographed a child changing at a state park beach.

Reinaldo J. Perez Granado, 29, of Glendale, leaned over a bathroom stall in Chenango State Valley Park on Tuesday and took photos of a child changing, troopers said. The bathroom was near the beach area.

The child alerted their parents who alerted the authorities, troopers said.

Perez Granado was arrested and charged with unlawful surveillance, troopers said. He was taken to Broome County Central Arraignment and Processing, troopers said.

The park adjacent to the Chenango Rive is northeast of Binghamton.

Troopers ask anyone who came into contact with Perez Granado to contact them at (607) 561-7400.
Theres nothing like being a kid in a candy store, but one sweet spot in Upstate New York was recently named one of the best candy shops in the country.

Satisfy your sweet tooth at Samuels Sweet Shop in the Hudson Valley town of Rhinebeck. This sugary utopia came in at #5 on USA Todays 10Best Readers Choice awards for best candy store of 2023.

The publication notes that this neighborhood candy and coffee shop also comes with a sweet backstory. The stores original owner died suddenly in 2014 after being in business for 20 years. A local managing employee, who had been working at the shop since he was 15, did not have the means to buyout the business.

In stepped a cinematic superhero and friends to save the day and the confectionary cafe. Samuels Sweet Shop continues to be a downtown Rhinebeck delight, thanks to new ownership by actors and Hudson Valley residents Paul Rudd, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, their wives and a third couple. They had been longtime customers before the store owners passing.

Keeping all of its charm, Samuels is currently run by that same dedicated worker, John Traver, who had started his career there so many years ago and is now a partner in the business.

Rudd has made an appearance there as his starring movie role of Ant Man to help out Morgan at a fundraising Halloween event. Morgan, who played the sinister character Negan on the television series The Walking Dead, hosted the event at Samuels with his wife, former TRL host, Hilarie Burton to benefit the Astor Services for Children and Families campus in Rhinebeck.

Samuel's Sweet Shop in Rhinebeck, NY was recently named one of the best candy shops in America. Samuel's Sweet Shop | Provided photo

With wooden shelves and baskets filled with everything from chocolate to baked goods, here are the Hollywood star favorite sweet treats, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal: Morgan orders the chocolate-covered Swedish Fish while Rudd picks chocolate-covered pretzels with peanut butter, also known as Clodhoppers.

The store also has candy made especially for Samuels including the Over the Top which is a chocolate peanut butter lovers dream, made with a peanut butter cup sandwiched between two unlocked Double Stuf Oreos and dipped in chocolate. For a boozy inspired bite, try the Muzzle Loaders which are chocolate orbs filled with a gooey salted bourbon caramel.

READ MORE

One of the best small towns for shopping in the U.S. is in Upstate NY

Two villages in Upstate NY named on list of most beautiful small towns in America

Exploring the Hudson Valley: Things to do, places to visit in this Upstate NY region
Fayetteville, N.Y.  An Onondaga County Supreme Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the village of Fayetteville that sought to block the construction of a grocery store off East Genesee Street.

But the legal fight over the proposed Hannaford grocery store may not be over, according to Fayetteville Mayor Mark Olson. The Fayetteville resident who sued has indicated she plans to appeal, he said.
Manlius, N.Y. - Four baby cygnets can be returned to the Manlius village Swan Pond for now, but its unlikely the village will be allowed to breed more swans in the future.

The future of the swans has been up in the air ever since Memorial Day weekend. Thats when police say Faye, a female swan and mom to four cygnets, was killed by two teens and a young man. The three face criminal charges.

The village needs the states permission to have mute swans, which are considered an invasive species in New York. Manlius is the only community in the state permitted to have adult mute swans.

Two officials from the state Department of Environmental Conservation were on hand Tuesday night at the Manlius Village Board meeting to explain the villages options. The village had a license to keep Manny, an adult male, and Faye and their babies on the pond until the end of the year.

But after that, the DEC says its unlikely breeding and the tradition of baby swans on the pond can continue.

The village has a permit from the state DEC good until 2025 to keep the mute swans on the pond.

The state is trying to reduce the population of mute swans. In the wild, they compete with native waterfowl, destroy plant and can be aggressive.

In Manlius, their wings are clipped and they cant fly away. But wild mute swans are a problem, the DEC officials said, and they dont want them to reproduce.

The DEC officials told about 25 residents and village officials that the state has a mute swan management plan that went into effect after the village already had Manny and Faye.

Normally, the village has sent its cygnets to a farm in Pennsylvania. The state doesnt want the babies to be sent there because they could reproduce.

The DEC has no control over what happens to the babies, or the babies of the babies, and the mute swans multiply fast, said Josh Stiller, a biologist with the DEC.

Dereth Glance, acting regional director for the DECs Region 7 and deputy commissioner of remediation and materials management, said they recognize people love the swans, and the village can get an educational permit and likely keep adult swans. But breeding them is a problem, she said.

The village could likely have another swan species that are native, such as trumpeter swans, and be more likely to get a permit to breed them. But Glance and Stiller didnt seem optimistic that a permit to breed mute swans would be granted. They did tell the village they can apply if theyd like to do so.

Manlius Village Mayor Paul Whorrall and biologist Mike Bean said it is unfair that the DEC is ending the long-time breeding program at the swan pond due to Faye being killed.

Glance said the DEC is not punishing the village but that the state has to be consistent in managing the mute swan population.

Manlius officials agreed at the meeting they would bring the cygnets back for now, and consider their next step and what permit to apply for in the coming months.

In 2015, the DEC granted the village an invasive species permit for two adult mute swans that they owned since 2010. The state DEC renewed that permit in March 2020, and it is valid only for Manny right now through 2025.

Several residents spoke at the meeting saying the swans are part of Manlius identity, and that they feel its unfair to not have cygnets on the pond anymore. Manny and Fayes cygnets typically swim on the pond from spring until the end of the year.

Swans are an icon for the village. They have been featured in the village since 1905.

Related Syracuse.com articles

Faye, the mama swan taken from Manlius pond, was eaten on Memorial Day

Co-owner of store where 2 Manlius baby swans found says we didnt know they were swans, 3 workers fired

Beloved mama swan from Manlius killed, 16-year-old in custody, police say

Elizabeth Doran covers education, suburban government and development, breaking news and more. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact her anytime 315-470-3012 or email edoran@syracuse.com
Union, N.Y.  Troopers werent fooled by the hand-drawn inspection sticker taped to the windshield of a car stopped in Upstate New York.

The crude imitation of an inspection sticker was discovered when the New York State Police pulled over a driver for unspecified violations Thursday in the Southern Tier.

The state police first tried to stop the vehicle on Country Club Road near Hooper Road in Union, but the driver of the car refused to pull over, troopers said. The driver eventually stopped on Lowell Drive, less than half a mile away, troopers said.

The driver of the car  who the state police did not name  didnt have a license, troopers said.

The owner of the car, Reghan L. Parker, was in the passengers seat of the car. She was arrested after the state police discovered she possessed methamphetamine and had affixed a homemade inspection sticker to her windshield, troopers said.

The fake sticker was hand-lettered and appeared to be colored yellow with a marker or crayon.

Parker, 44, of Union, was charged with possession of a forged instrument, a felony, and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor. She was released on appearance tickets.

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New York state Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, R-Pulaski, represents the 120th Assembly District.

New York state has long served as an epicenter of American innovation and American greatness. From the small mom-and-pop shops to the Fortune 500 companies that call our state home, our business leaders and entrepreneurs have set an example for the rest of the country. Advances in private research and development (R&D) have created new technologies that have helped shape the world for the better. Its how our state has positioned itself as having a top-10 R&D sector. And its why companies like Micron have chosen to make Syracuse the home of their $100 billion computer chip plant.

To make greater strides in the future, New York must establish a business climate that fosters investment, prosperity and continued innovation. Across the country, the bulk of R&D spending is done by the private sector, to the tune of more than $500 billion annually. And in New York and elsewhere, weve benefitted from these gains in the form of economic growth, 20 million U.S. jobs (including 10 million manufacturing jobs), billions in employee wages, new technologies that at one time were unfathomable, and innovation that has put us in the drivers seat of global competitiveness. The next few years, however, will shape the future of R&D, and with it, the future of the economy and our standing on the world stage.

Stemming from a provision in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act taking effect, the 2022 tax year marked a fundamental change in the treatment of R&D costs, eliminating nearly 70 years of broadly agreed upon precedent. From 1954 through December 2021, businesses were given a choice in how they could deduct R&D costs from their tax bills. They could either use a process known as full expensing, which allowed them to deduct 100 percent of the costs in the year in which they were incurred, or they could use a process known as amortization and deduct those costs over five years.

The change that took effect last year eliminated the former, and businesses have now been left to slowly deduct R&D costs over five years for U.S.-based investments, and 15 years for those made offshore. A change that will not only discourage R&D investments and hurt innovation, but that will result in business closures, job loss and the shrinking of the economy.

This scenario has broad opposition. Legislation to correct the issue boasts bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress  more than 110 co-sponsors in the House and more than 30 in the Senate. While businesses of all sizes, manufacturing groups, and others are similarly pushing for action to correct the issue. But nothing has managed to become law yet, and already this change has had devastating effects domestically.

Small- and medium-size businesses have seen substantial increases in their tax bills from one year to the next. For those that have found a way to squeak by, their future investments in R&D have been hampered. For others, closure is apt to be on the horizon, particularly without relief heading into 2024.

Its clear that without change, the economy will suffer in the next decade from an amortization-induced $70 billion reduction in R&D spending. The economy will shrink by $45 billion, and at the same time hundreds of thousands of jobs will be lost, including some of those right here in New York.

Internationally, this reduction threatens our global standing and competitiveness. Countries like China have sought to incentivize R&D with 200% super deductions and have in recent years greatly grown their R&D share to trail only ours. And with that 200% super deduction, they boast a tax incentive that is now nearly six times more favorable that ours, and their path to overtaking us is painstakingly clear.

New York state has committed to emerging industries like computer chip fabrication and semiconductors, among others. From Long Island and its 250 technology manufacturing companies to the computer chip plants and associated jobs in the Hudson Valley and Upstate, we have committed to serving as a stronghold for the R&D sector. But its time to ensure that we have the tools at our disposal to continue to do so.

Congress is at a crossroads and the choice they make now is a choice that will have ramifications for years to come. Across the board, theres broad understanding that full expensing is not only needed, but that it never should have gone away. Its paramount that full expensing is restored. Its time to stand up for the economy, businesses, workers and American competitiveness.

Related: Micron pays $1.4 million for land to build a child care center near planned fab in Clay
By Tim Balk | New York Daily News

Gov. Hochul on Tuesday urged New Yorkers to beat back bias and defeat the haters, signing legislation to bolster hate crime prevention policies at colleges.

The state also detailed awards of almost $52 million in grant money to strengthen security for at-risk New York nonprofits.

The measures marked the latest efforts by state officials to combat antisemitism, homophobia and racism that have bubbled to the surface with discomfiting frequency as New York emerges from the COVID pandemic.

The commitments from Hochul arrived with reports of hate crimes in New York City down about 33% year-over-year through early July, according to Police Department data. But they also came after the state logged a 20% increase in hate crimes last year.

At a ceremonial bill signing in a dimly lit Museum of Jewish Heritage auditorium, Hochul said that a hate crime take places about every 33 hours in New York.

It breaks my heart, Hochul, a Buffalo Democrat who has made fighting discrimination a central focus of her administration, said at the lower Manhattan museum.

This is New York  were better than that, Hochul said. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.

Under the legislation signed into law on Tuesday, colleges that receive state funding must develop plans to probe on-campus hate crimes, publish campus crime statistics on their websites and teach new students about hate crime prevention procedures.

Assemblyman Daniel Rosenthal, a Queens Democrat who sponsored the bill, said the legislation was the product of feedback from college students and professors last summer.

Discrimination and antisemitism has begun to seep into our institutions of higher education, leaving students feeling unsafe while they are in school, Rosenthal said at the bill signing event.

Our colleges need to take discrimination more seriously, and need to be proactive in combating hate, he said.

Last November, Hochul signed legislation establishing a statewide inclusion campaign and requiring people convicted of hate crimes to undergo mandatory hate crime prevention training.

At the time, Hochul said the state was launching regional community listening sessions and disbursing $50 million in nonprofit grants through its so-called Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant Program.

That month, cops in Penn Station busted two 22-year-olds accused of plotting an attack on an unspecified synagogue. The men were carrying an illegal firearm and a long knife, according to authorities.

In Midtown in February, neo-Nazis held an antisemitic demonstration outside the first Broadway preview of a revival of Parade, a musical about an American Jew who was wrongfully convicted of murder and lynched a century ago.

The $52 million investment outlined Tuesday came through the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Program. Overall, the program has disbursed $135 million since its launch in 2017, Hochuls office said.

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services runs the program. The grant funding is intended for community groups that are at risk of attacks due to their mission or beliefs.

The program issued new awards to 497 organizations, which were being alerted to the fresh funding streams on Tuesday, according to the governors office.

The states 2024 budget secured an additional $25 million for the program, with applications set to open in December, Hochuls office said.

The governor said she wants every college student in New York to feel secure on campus.

And every New Yorker walking into a grocery store or a house of worship or a community center should just feel as safe as well, Hochul said. That is my vision for New York.

2023 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com.
Joshua Solomon | Times Union, Albany

Albany, N.Y.  Gov. Kathy Hochul expressed concern the states burgeoning Red Flag Law could be upended by the U.S. Supreme Court, an issue she framed as a threat to survivors of domestic violence as thousands of New Yorkers have been temporarily barred from possessing a firearm over the last year .

The Supreme Court has a choice: It can lean into the dangerous Fifth Circuit theory that guns cannot be regulated for the purpose of protecting survivors of domestic violence, or it can uphold federal law that keeps guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals, Hochul said in a New York Times op-ed published Tuesday.

Hochul raised concerns about United States v. Rahimi, a case the Supreme Court recently decided to review. A federal appeals court found the government cannot prevent someone with a domestic violence order of protection against them from possessing a firearm, ruling in favor of their Second Amendment rights.

The states Red Flag Law, which allows a judge to issue a temporary extreme risk protection order to prevent someone from possessing a firearm, are often used in domestic violence cases, Hochul said. The use of the statute has exploded over the last year after the law was amended last year to mandate police, health care providers and certain educators file a petition when they believe an individual is at risk of serious harm to themselves or others.

In the year since that change was made, judges have issued nearly 5,000 temporary extreme risk orders of protection, according to a review of state data, which is more than four times the number of temporary orders issued in the first three years under the law.

The choice by Hochul to broaden the use of the extreme risk protection orders follows last years Supreme Court decision, in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. The landmark case tore down the states century-old concealed carry laws.

An extreme, out-of-control Supreme Court put gun safety laws at risk in Bruen, Hochul said. Across America, survivors of domestic abuse will now wait in fear to see whether Justice (Brett) Kavanaugh and his colleagues deem laws that protect survivors to properly interpret the Constitution.

The Democrat-controlled state Legislature passed a new set of gun laws, restricting the place where a firearm can be carried and stiffening the requirements for someone to qualify for the ability to carry a concealed firearm. Those changes are the subject of new litigation, which is challenging its constitutionality.

Before Hochul expanded the use of states Red Flag Law, which was enacted initially in August 2019, it was rarely used, according to state data.

After the amendment, it led to a massive spike in use. State troopers reported challenges keeping up with the increased work load, at first leading to dismissals of potential orders when they were showing up to hearings without legal counsel. The attorney generals office subsequently pledged to provide counsel in those cases, and State Police have since reported an overflow of firearms that they need to store.

Hochul, in her op-ed, cited over 9,000 extreme risk protection orders issued since the expansion of the law, which includes both temporary seizures and orders that are in effect for up to a year. The temporary and more permanent orders oftentimes are for the same individual.

Judges in the states court system have been far from unanimous in their views that the states Red Flag Law passes constitutional muster. Multiple decisions have found the rules are an unconstitutional infringement on Second Amendment rights.

But those rulings have occurred in court cases in which neither State Police nor the state attorney generals office are named parties in the litigation  only participants  and so the decisions have not resulted in the law being struck down.

Attorneys for gun owners in some of those cases have argued that the process conflicts with state Mental Health Law, which cites the same dangerousness standard but requires a physician to determine whether a person presents a likelihood to result in serious harm. Under the Red Flag Law, those analyses are in most of the cases being made by police officers and prosecutors.

It cannot be stated clearly enough that the Second Amendment is not a second-class right, nor should it ever be treated as such, state Supreme Court Justice Thomas E. Moran wrote in a decision in December involving a Monroe County couple.

Moran hedged that he was not unmindful of the dangers firearms may pose when possessed in the hands of a person suffering a mental illness, harboring a criminal intent, or both, but the states goal of removing weapons from the otherwise lawful possession of them by their owners, without adequate constitutional safeguards, cannot be condoned by this court.

Moran cited the Bruen case as evidence of why the court needed to be mindful of Second Amendment rights.

Similarly, a Orange County decision by state Supreme Court Justice Craig S. Brown in April found similar issues.

New Yorks Red Flag Law, as currently written, lacks sufficient statutory guardrails to protect a citizens Second Amendment constitutional right to bear arms, Brown said.

Two days later, a decision out of Cortland County by state Supreme Court Justice Mark G. Masler countered those opinions.

The extreme risk protection statute provides ample procedural safeguards against an improper deprivation of an individuals Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, Masler said.

Masler opined that Morans decision that a professional mental health evaluation is required was a misreading of the statute.

The definition can be satisfied by conduct alone, Masler said in his ruling.

___

(c)2023 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.)

Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com
Washington  U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams said Tuesday he will miss votes in the House of Representatives this week as he undergoes a surgical procedure.

Williams, R-Sennett, has represented Central New York in Congress since January. It will be the first time he misses a series of votes.

After a routine doctors appointment found an important medical issue, I am now scheduled for a minimally invasive surgical procedure this week, Williams said in a statement.

Williams added that he expects to return to work in Washington in a few days.

Taylor Weyeneth, a spokesman for Williams, declined to elaborate on the medical condition.

The congressman and his family ask that you keep their personal privacy in mind, Weyeneth said. I will not comment further on the specifics, other than to mention that we are incredibly grateful of the exceptional medical care provided in Central New York and have full faith that Rep. Williams is in good hands.

He said Williams is due to have the surgery at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Williams, a first-term Republican, represents the 22nd Congressional District. The district spans all of Onondaga, Madison and Oneida counties and the southeastern tip of Oswego County.

Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751
Syracuse, N.Y. -- Another round of slow-moving, moisture-rich storms will move into Upstate New York this week, the National Weather Service said.

Those storms threaten to drop heavy rain that could lead to more flooding Wednesday and Thursday, just days after storms inflicted devastating damage from the Finger Lakes to the Hudson Valley.

The line between hotter and cooler air, called the frontal boundary, will move slowly over Upstate New York. The longer a storm sits above us, the more rain well get.

A stalled-out frontal boundary will likely help to generate multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms Wednesday into Thursday, with localized heavy rainfall and flooding possible if any storms manage to repeatedly track across the same areas, the weather service said in issuing a hazardous weather outlook today for nearly all of Upstate New York. This will especially be the case in locations that already have seen heavy rainfall over the past few days.

Those storms could be strong enough to deliver damaging winds, too.

More than 5 inches of rain fell in some sections of Upstate New York Sunday and Monday as severe storms roared up the East Coast. A Hudson Valley woman died as she tried to escape her collapsing home. People were rescued from homes near Canandaigua, where 5.5 inches of rain fell. Roads were closed from Western New York to the Adirondacks.

The highest chances of heavy rainfall this week are in eastern New York and the Adirondacks, areas that were hit hard over the weekend. The soils are still wet and the creeks still high in those areas, making flooding more likely if heavy rains come.

The weather service said more thunderstorms and potentially flooding rain are also possible Friday and Saturday across all of Upstate New York.
Recent reports from Russias TASS news agency cited numbers from the countrys Accounts Chamber (the state organization that monitors and audits Russias federal budget funds).

According to these numbers, the Asia Pacific region purchases almost 50% of Russias energy exports. Within that region, India is by far Russias largest customer. In June, India bought 60% of all exports of Russian Urals, according to data from Refinitiv. The rapid increase in Indias purchases of Russian crude is remarkable.

In this weeks Tanker Opinion, we will take a look at this phenomenon and the impact it had on global oil trade flows and the tanker market.

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By Takuya Karube, KYODO NEWS - Jul 13, 2023 - 02:57 | All, Japan, World

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed with NATO on Wednesday to expand cooperation under a new program and pledged in front of leaders of the military alliance that Tokyo is committed to reinforcing its support for Ukraine.

As part of the pledge made at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Kishida said Japan will provide Ukraine with nonlethal equipment such as a system for detecting unmanned aircraft.

"We need to further strengthen the international community's cooperation to bring a just and lasting peace to Ukraine as soon as possible," Kishida said in a speech at a NATO session dedicated to the bloc's cooperation with its Asia-Pacific partners.

Amid escalating attempts by China and Russia to undermine the existing rules-based international order, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, "The war in Ukraine has global ramifications."

"Terrorist and cyber threats know no borders. And authoritarian regimes are coming closer together," the NATO chief said.

Separately, Kishida held a one-on-one meeting with Stoltenberg in the Lithuanian capital, in which they adopted a document laying out the main areas of cooperation between the alliance and Japan in the years ahead.

Under the so-called Individually Tailored Partnership Program, they agreed to advance cooperation in 16 areas, ranging from maritime security and outer space to cyberspace and disinformation.

The initiative covering the next four years through 2026 was endorsed to widen the scope of practical cooperation in dealing with new and traditional security challenges.

The number of priority areas for cooperation between them increased from the nine in the previous lower-level document, the Individual Partnership and Cooperation Program, revised in 2020.

The new version added such areas as destructive emerging technologies, interoperability and climate change.

"No other partner is closer to NATO than Japan," Stoltenberg told Kishida, pointing out that the trans-Atlantic alliance is concerned about China's "heavy military buildup" and North Korea's nuclear and missile development programs.

Kishida said Japan wants to deepen cooperation with NATO as both sides share fundamental values and strategic interests, as well as the view that "unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion will not be tolerated regardless of where in the world."

Kishida and his counterparts from Australia, New Zealand and South Korea were invited to join discussions with NATO leaders, who concluded the two-day summit on Wednesday.

The session with the four countries, known as NATO's Asia-Pacific partners or the AP4, was also joined by Sweden, which is on course to become the bloc's 32nd member, and the European Union.

Despite the tight schedule, Kishida held a flurry of bilateral meetings, including with the Lithuanian, South Korean and Swedish leaders. But one that was expected to happen with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not materialize.

Still, Kishida met him with other leaders from the Group of Seven major democratic economies at an event to launch a framework in which each country will assist Ukraine, militarily or financially, in accordance with its respective legal and constitutional constraints.

"We will stand with Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression, for as long as it takes," the G-7 said in a joint declaration.

Kishida, who chairs the group this year, said, "Going forward, this declaration will be open to any country that shares the intention to support Ukraine. I hope many countries will choose to join."

U.S. President Joe Biden said they will support Ukraine's efforts to build "a strong, capable defense across land, air and sea."

Zelenskyy thanked the G-7 leaders and others at the NATO summit for guaranteeing additional assistance for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy, who took part in the inaugural meeting of the newly formed NATO-Ukraine Council earlier in the day, said his delegation is "bringing home significant security victory for...our country, for our people (and) for our children."

NATO, reinvigorated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has been broadening its geographical reach, with Stoltenberg repeatedly saying that major security issues are no longer regional but global.

Kishida, who became the first Japanese leader to participate in a NATO summit in June 2022 in Spain, has said since the early days of the war in Ukraine that the security of the Indo-Pacific is indivisible from that of Europe.

Officials involved in preparing the meetings said earlier that the leaders would not discuss the idea of setting up a liaison office in Tokyo to facilitate coordination between NATO and the AP4.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that although the move has been sought by NATO, France and some other countries were opposed to it, airing concerns about the bloc defying its charter by going too far beyond the Euro-Atlantic area and the possibility of fueling further tensions with China.

Related coverage:

Japan, NATO to issue new security cooperation document: PM Kishida

NATO leaders back Ukraine membership, seek closer Indo-Pacific ties

Turkish president relents in standoff over Sweden's NATO accession
Dairy Breeding and Calf Welfare

The mistreatment of the animals shown on the RTE Investigates programme is totally unacceptable, and is in breach of animal welfare legislation. Such practices cannot be tolerated. We welcome the investigation by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), into the alleged breaches of animal welfare. We fully support this investigation.

Dairy Breeding and Calf Welfare

Teagasc acknowledge that the growth in the Dairy Industry post-quota, while having been a positive opportunity for the development of the dairy sector following decades of restrictions within quotas, it has resulted in more calves being born with genetics dominated by dairy traits.

Teagasc has undertaken a number of significant research and advisory projects over the last 15 years to address the welfare and management of dairy bull calves. These initiatives are consistent with the overall Teagasc programme objective of improving animal health, welfare and performance within livestock production systems in Ireland.

Sexed semen

Teagasc commenced large-scale farm trials on the use of sexed semen in 2013, prior to milk quota abolition. Two further trials took place on farms in 2018 and 2019. Arising from these study results, Teagasc have developed management protocols to maximize the use of higher beef value genetics in dairy herds, while maintaining supply of dairy female calves. To address demand for sexed semen, a lab to produce freshly sexed semen was established in Moorepark in 2021. A second lab now operates in Ireland and a total of 300,000 sexed semen straws were available to dairy farmers in 2023 to use to breed their dairy replacement heifers. A plan to reach 800,000 sexed semen straws being used in Ireland was outlined at the recent dairy Open Day. See https://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/daily/dairy/more-beef-sired-calves-from-the-dairy-herd-with-sexed-semen.php

Dairy Beef Index

The dairy beef index (DBI) is a breeding tool which was launched by ICBF and Teagasc in January 2019, and its primary objective is to improve the quality of beef animals produced from the dairy herd. The main benefits for beef farmers from the DBI are that it selects for higher carcass weight and conformation. It selects to ensure that more animals meet factory specifications. The main benefits for dairy farmers from using the DBI, is that they will be producing a more saleable calf that is still easy calving and which also have a short gestation length. This animal will achieve an improved carcass conformation. This will result in improved returns for the beef farmer which should mean the dairy farmer will get repeat customers for their calves in future years which benefits the overall industry.

Breeding Guidelines for Dairy Farmers

Breeding guidelines have been circulated to all dairy farmers in advance of the breeding season for the last number of years. These breeding guidelines have been developed by a DAFM-led dairy calf welfare working group, consisting of key industry stakeholders. Members of the working group include the following: DAFM, ICBF, Teagasc, National AI companies, IFA, ICMSA, ICOS, Dairy Industry Ireland, Meat Industry Ireland, Bord Bia and Animal Health Ireland.

See link below to the guidelines that were circulated to all dairy farmers in Spring 2023, ahead of the breeding season. https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/breeding--genetics/dairy-breeding-policy-/

Dairy Beef 500 Programme

The first phase of the Green Acres calf to beef programme was set up in 2015 to demonstrate profitable dairy calf to beef systems on a whole farm basis. A second phase of the programme was rolled out, and this was succeeded by the Teagasc Dairy Beef 500 programme which is currently running. These and other initiatives have promoted direct farm-to-farm linkages between dairy farmers with beef producers, and have demonstrated and highlighted best practice in the breeding, rearing and production of beef from Dairy cross offspring. See link for more detail https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/beef/dairy-calf-to-beef/dairybeef-500/

Calf to Beef Research

Teagasc has been conducting dairy calf to beef research in Johnstown Castle, county Wexford since 2009 in conjunction with meat processors. Teagasc also ran 4 dairy calf to beef demonstration farms from 2009 to 2013 alongside this research in Johnstown Castle. This was initiated prior to, and in anticipation of, the removal of milk quotas and the likely increase in dairy beef calves. More recently Teagasc set up a Dairy Calf to Beef research demonstration unit in Grange, county Meath. A new Dairy Calf to Beef demonstration farm has been set up at Ballyvadin, Co Tipperary. This initiative is in collaboration with Shinagh Estates and Dawn meats.

Calf Rearing Manual

Teagasc has conducted numerous research projects in recent years on optimizing the management and welfare of dairy calves. These have followed decades of previous work on the topic. Notable advances have included improved guidelines on colostrum quality, nutrition standards, and housing systems. In 2017 a calf-rearing manual was produced by Teagasc with accompanying videos to demonstrate best practice for farmers and industry. See below

https://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2017/teagasc-calf-rearing-manual.php

Annual Calf Care Events

The annual CalfCare events take place on farms every January across the country. The series are run by Animal Health Ireland and Teagasc and are supported by Volac Ireland in conjunction with the major dairy co-ops. Calf health depends greatly on the quality and management of the calf in early life, particularly in the first six weeks. This series of events help to prepare farmers for the upcoming calving season and outlines the importance of best practices in calf rearing.

Animal Welfare Education

All level 5 students on Teagasc courses (first year) take the Principles of Agriculture course and Farm Safety and Farm Assurance, both modules contain animal welfare training. These are mandatory modules. These include topics such as animal behaviour and safe handling and movement of animals. Teagasc also offer courses to those involved in animal transport at a number of locations.

End
KharbandaKartik BHPian

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Exploring Madhya Pradesh's National Parks in a koda Kushaq



Travelling to national parks of Madhya Pradesh was on the list since quite some time. I had been to Bhopal and Indore previously for work but for a very short while. This time though, my wife had work in Bhopal, she casually asked me if I would like to accompany, along with this I was also asked to look for DEL-BHO return flights. I looked at Maps and Bhopal was 750kms from Delhi, had a discussion with my wife and we both agreed to travel to Bhopal by road and decided that after 2 days of work, we would travel to national parks of Madhya Pradesh.



My car was due for a service in another 1500kms or so, I decided to get it serviced before the trip. Bookings were made in advance and I looked through the maps just to understand the routes we would be taking. It was also decided that we'll not be travelling during night, as these routes are new to me and I wasn't sure about how safe they would be during the night hours. I didn't pack like I would for the mountains, assuming that we'll be crossing major cities, so food supply won't be a problem, probability of getting stuck due to natural causes is also much lower.





Day 1 - Delhi to Bhopal



Started from home at around 4:30 AM, I had already tanked up with XP95 a day before, and within 30 mins, we were on the Taj Expressway. The speed limit on the highway is now 100km/hr instead of the earlier 120km/hr and I think it's a good move, seeing the number of accidents which have happened in the past due to road undulations, road joints, tyre bursts, etc.



We wanted to take a tea/coffee break in the morning but all the eating joints were closed, I am guessing they open around 9:00 AM. You would find a few petrol bunks of Indian oil on Taj expressway from Greater Noida to Agra, in case if one wishes to tank up on their way to Agra. Our journey till Agra was smooth and we easily cruised at 100 KMPH without any hiccups. Google maps suggested us a way, which took us through the city, during which we also had a glimpse of Taj Mahal from far away. Once we crossed Agra, we took a halt for breakfast.



As we moved from Uttar Pradesh and made our way towards Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, we could feel how it started to look different, the cosmetics of trucks changed, the local autos started to look a little different, the way local people travelled also changed, that's why I feel, the best way to travel is by road, you get to see one culture slowly fading away and the other one taking over as you travel to different places.



The route from from Gwalior to Bhopal is pretty smooth, the only thing you need to be super careful about is the stray cattle, they're all over the highway and are least bothered with your horns, lights, speed, size, etc. The highway is scenic and enjoyable, it's full of greenery, that too not the usual green, it's bright green, as if it has been painted. I never knew, assumed or could have guessed that M.P was so full of greenery. Roads are good enough for an easy 90 KMPH -100 KMPH cruise, I hardly go beyond these speeds, maybe for an overtake once in a while.







A full tank of fuel lasted me till Bhopal, during which we covered around 750 KMS and were still left with a range of 200 KMS, I was expecting this, because I have been getting a fuel efficiency in the range of 17-19 KM/L during my last 45000KMS of driving the Kushaq.







We had booked MPT, Kerwa Resort in Bhopal, which we found to be okayish, the resort had a lot of guests for lunch, Dinner and just to hang around the lake, but past 8 PM, it was just the guests who were staying. We hung around for a while, had dinner and called it a day.



A glimpse MPT Kerwa Resort:











Day 2



I am an early riser, even more so when I am on a vacation, my usual time of waking up during a vacation is 5-5:30 AM. We were able to start early at around 8:00 AM post having our breakfast. Our stay was booked at Jehan Numa Palace, Bhopal. I wanted to check-in early, so that I could do my morning office calls from a quiet, comfortable place, requested the hotel staff for an early check-in and they obliged, the hotel has ample parking, clean rooms, good dining options, swimming pool and a paddock as well, in case one's interested in horses.







The Paddock:







We had our lunch in the in- house restaurant Tao and in the evening spent some time in the pool, for dinner we headed to Jehan Numa Retreat which is a 10 minutes drive from Jehan Numa Palace.



A few pictures of Jehan Numa Retreat:





















Day 3 (Bhopal to Jabalpur)



My wife was occupied with the first half of the day for work - the reason why we had come to Bhopal and this very trip got planned. Our plan was to reach Jabalpur by evening, the distance from Bhopal to Jabalpur is a little more than 300 KMS, we started around 2:00 PM for Jabalpur and reached around 8:30 PM, the highway is smooth, except the cattles.



We were pretty tired by the end of the day, enjoyed a few drinks with dinner and called it a day.





Day 4 (Jabalpur to Kanha)



The halt at Jabalpur was decided, as I didn't want to do Bhopal- Kanha as that would've meant travelling at night and like I said in the beginning, travelling at night was not kept as an option. Woke up early as usual, had breakfast at the hotel itself and checked out around 9:00 AM, I was excited as this is when our vacation had actually began as my wife was done with her work. Jabalpur to Kanha is an easy 200 KMS something drive and I was at ease.



We decided to visit the Bhadbhada waterfall before hitting the highway for kanha:







Somewhere along the way:











The way to Kanha has a few kilometres of ghats, unfortunately one can't have a lot of fun on these roads as it is suggested to drive slow, in case you encounter wildlife and of-course the speed breakers have been put in place as well. The way to Kanha is stunning, it has dense forests all around, and we thoroughly enjoyed the drive.



Bought mangoes on the way:







In the middle of the forest:















There are checkpoints on the way to Kanha, once we enter the core area and once we exit, while entering, it has to be made sure that one collects the slip, otherwise they won't let the vehicle exit from the other side. Our stay was booked in Kanha Jungle Camp, which is in the buffer forest and not in the core forest. We were really happy to see that there were no tourists, no crowd and the national park didn't seem touristy at all. Once at the resort, we were greeted by the resort's team, we were then escorted to the reception, had a little chat and everybody introduced themselves to us and then we were taken to our villa.



They were considerate enough to keep the air-conditioning turned on in advance, room was clean, had everything one could ask for in a remote national park. We settled in and then went out for a stroll in the property, while walking along the artificial lake, I also came across a snake, which went into the bushes once it realised our presence.



Water lilies bloomed in the resort:







Car Parking for the night:







Our villa at Kanha Jungle Camp:







The lounge where we enjoyed our drinks in the evening :







The staff made sure that our stay at their property was comfortable, we had dosed off around 11-11:30 PM that day but for some reason I couldn't sleep the entire night, maybe it was the jungle.



Day 5 (Kanha to Bandhavgarh)



Early morning made myself a black coffee and enjoyed it with the rains outside. Our plan was to start early and reach the next destination in time, had a hearty breakfast and left around 9:00 Am, and reached Bandhavgarh in the afternoon.



We had originally booked our stay for Bandhavgarh Meadows after check-in, we didn't like the property at all as it was not well kept, I was still okay to make a compromise for the night but my wife didn't budge at all and wanted to move out of that place, we looked for other properties around and were happy to see Taj as one of the options, we made a reservation over a call without even looking at any other property. Checked-in later in the evening and were greeted by the staff in a way where it seemed that they were actually looking forward to having us as their guests, talk about hospitality. Munshi Ji was assigned to take care of us for the entire stay of ours, we were told to be careful about the possibility of encountering wild boars at the property and were suggested not to go out by ourselves after 7PM, if needed, someone from the staff would accompany us. The villa at Taj was luxurious and rustic at the same time, one of the most comfortable stays I've ever had, I would rate this particular property a step above even if compared with the resorts of Maldives. Their service was extremely quick and they genuinely were keen to go out of the way to make things possible. This stay of ours, made our trip much more memorable than it would have been otherwise. A highly recommended stay





Day 6 (Bandhavgarh to Panna



We planned to leave a little late, as we wanted to take it easy and also because our next destination was not far away. I did all my important office calls as well, I can't be at peace with myself unless I finish my work first.



The villa:







The dining hall:







and us:







Bumped into this old rusty Jeep:







The property manager gave the visiting card of the General Manager, in case if we need to make any bookings in future, we could simply get in touch and he suggested that it would make things easier for us. With this, we said goodbye to the staff and started our journey for our next stop Panna National Park.



Once we started from Bandhavgarh, it started to rain heavily and I drove slow following Google Maps, and it took us to a road through which only two wheelers could go, drove back all the way and took the alternative route, a reminder that maps are supposed to be used along with human intelligence, if you leave it all on the maps, once in a while at least you would end up on an incorrect route.



This was the most tiring leg for me of this trip, because of the traffic, which had suddenly increased, the quality of roads, etc. We were able to reach out resort in the evening, and we would have actually liked the place but after Taj's hospitality, it seemed ordinary, not blaming them at all though. We were too tired to even check-out the place.





Day 7 (Panna to Delhi)



Woke up early as usual and spent some time around the property, they had cycles available for guests to use, we both cycled our way through the entire property, clicked a few pictures and had our breakfast before starting for Delhi. It was going to be a longish drive and I was constantly hoping that the highways better be good, because we had no plans of halting and by now I was quite tired as well, and by the end of the trip, you also tend to start feeling a little sad and that does affect the liveliness and energy. Apart from the stretch of around 50 kilometres which had average roads, the rest of the highways were smooth and we had an easy cruise.



With this trip, the Kushaq has completed 46000KMS:







It now needs new tyres as there's a clear decline in performance in terms of wet grip and grip under hard acceleration. The brake pads should also be up for a change in a few thousand kilometres, I am also planning to write a long term ownership review once I hit 50K kilometres. Till then drive safe ! The return to reality can feel mundane and monotonous, leaving us feeling a sense of emptiness and longing for the next adventure. But, it's important to remember that holiday blues are temporary and we eventually come out of it gradually and then we start finding joy in the present moment.Travelling to national parks of Madhya Pradesh was on the list since quite some time. I had been to Bhopal and Indore previously for work but for a very short while. This time though, my wife had work in Bhopal, she casually asked me if I would like to accompany, along with this I was also asked to look for DEL-BHO return flights. I looked at Maps and Bhopal was 750kms from Delhi, had a discussion with my wife and we both agreed to travel to Bhopal by road and decided that after 2 days of work, we would travel to national parks of Madhya Pradesh.My car was due for a service in another 1500kms or so, I decided to get it serviced before the trip. Bookings were made in advance and I looked through the maps just to understand the routes we would be taking. It was also decided that we'll not be travelling during night, as these routes are new to me and I wasn't sure about how safe they would be during the night hours. I didn't pack like I would for the mountains, assuming that we'll be crossing major cities, so food supply won't be a problem, probability of getting stuck due to natural causes is also much lower.Started from home at around 4:30 AM, I had already tanked up with XP95 a day before, and within 30 mins, we were on the Taj Expressway. The speed limit on the highway is now 100km/hr instead of the earlier 120km/hr and I think it's a good move, seeing the number of accidents which have happened in the past due to road undulations, road joints, tyre bursts, etc.We wanted to take a tea/coffee break in the morning but all the eating joints were closed, I am guessing they open around 9:00 AM. You would find a few petrol bunks of Indian oil on Taj expressway from Greater Noida to Agra, in case if one wishes to tank up on their way to Agra. Our journey till Agra was smooth and we easily cruised at 100 KMPH without any hiccups. Google maps suggested us a way, which took us through the city, during which we also had a glimpse of Taj Mahal from far away. Once we crossed Agra, we took a halt for breakfast.As we moved from Uttar Pradesh and made our way towards Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, we could feel how it started to look different, the cosmetics of trucks changed, the local autos started to look a little different, the way local people travelled also changed, that's why I feel, the best way to travel is by road, you get to see one culture slowly fading away and the other one taking over as you travel to different places.The route from from Gwalior to Bhopal is pretty smooth, the only thing you need to be super careful about is the stray cattle, they're all over the highway and are least bothered with your horns, lights, speed, size, etc. The highway is scenic and enjoyable, it's full of greenery, that too not the usual green, it's bright green, as if it has been painted. I never knew, assumed or could have guessed that M.P was so full of greenery. Roads are good enough for an easy 90 KMPH -100 KMPH cruise, I hardly go beyond these speeds, maybe for an overtake once in a while.A full tank of fuel lasted me till Bhopal, during which we covered around 750 KMS and were still left with a range of 200 KMS, I was expecting this, because I have been getting a fuel efficiency in the range of 17-19 KM/L during my last 45000KMS of driving the Kushaq.We had booked MPT, Kerwa Resort in Bhopal, which we found to be okayish, the resort had a lot of guests for lunch, Dinner and just to hang around the lake, but past 8 PM, it was just the guests who were staying. We hung around for a while, had dinner and called it a day.A glimpse MPT Kerwa Resort:I am an early riser, even more so when I am on a vacation, my usual time of waking up during a vacation is 5-5:30 AM. We were able to start early at around 8:00 AM post having our breakfast. Our stay was booked at Jehan Numa Palace, Bhopal. I wanted to check-in early, so that I could do my morning office calls from a quiet, comfortable place, requested the hotel staff for an early check-in and they obliged, the hotel has ample parking, clean rooms, good dining options, swimming pool and a paddock as well, in case one's interested in horses.The Paddock:We had our lunch in the in- house restaurant Tao and in the evening spent some time in the pool, for dinner we headed to Jehan Numa Retreat which is a 10 minutes drive from Jehan Numa Palace.A few pictures of Jehan Numa Retreat:My wife was occupied with the first half of the day for work - the reason why we had come to Bhopal and this very trip got planned. Our plan was to reach Jabalpur by evening, the distance from Bhopal to Jabalpur is a little more than 300 KMS, we started around 2:00 PM for Jabalpur and reached around 8:30 PM, the highway is smooth, except the cattles.We were pretty tired by the end of the day, enjoyed a few drinks with dinner and called it a day.The halt at Jabalpur was decided, as I didn't want to do Bhopal- Kanha as that would've meant travelling at night and like I said in the beginning, travelling at night was not kept as an option. Woke up early as usual, had breakfast at the hotel itself and checked out around 9:00 AM, I was excited as this is when our vacation had actually began as my wife was done with her work. Jabalpur to Kanha is an easy 200 KMS something drive and I was at ease.We decided to visit the Bhadbhada waterfall before hitting the highway for kanha:Somewhere along the way:The way to Kanha has a few kilometres of ghats, unfortunately one can't have a lot of fun on these roads as it is suggested to drive slow, in case you encounter wildlife and of-course the speed breakers have been put in place as well. The way to Kanha is stunning, it has dense forests all around, and we thoroughly enjoyed the drive.Bought mangoes on the way:In the middle of the forest:There are checkpoints on the way to Kanha, once we enter the core area and once we exit, while entering, it has to be made sure that one collects the slip, otherwise they won't let the vehicle exit from the other side. Our stay was booked in Kanha Jungle Camp, which is in the buffer forest and not in the core forest. We were really happy to see that there were no tourists, no crowd and the national park didn't seem touristy at all. Once at the resort, we were greeted by the resort's team, we were then escorted to the reception, had a little chat and everybody introduced themselves to us and then we were taken to our villa.They were considerate enough to keep the air-conditioning turned on in advance, room was clean, had everything one could ask for in a remote national park. We settled in and then went out for a stroll in the property, while walking along the artificial lake, I also came across a snake, which went into the bushes once it realised our presence.Water lilies bloomed in the resort:Car Parking for the night:Our villa at Kanha Jungle Camp:The lounge where we enjoyed our drinks in the evening :The staff made sure that our stay at their property was comfortable, we had dosed off around 11-11:30 PM that day but for some reason I couldn't sleep the entire night, maybe it was the jungle.Early morning made myself a black coffee and enjoyed it with the rains outside. Our plan was to start early and reach the next destination in time, had a hearty breakfast and left around 9:00 Am, and reached Bandhavgarh in the afternoon.We had originally booked our stay for Bandhavgarh Meadows after check-in, we didn't like the property at all as it was not well kept, I was still okay to make a compromise for the night but my wife didn't budge at all and wanted to move out of that place, we looked for other properties around and were happy to see Taj as one of the options, we made a reservation over a call without even looking at any other property. Checked-in later in the evening and were greeted by the staff in a way where it seemed that they were actually looking forward to having us as their guests, talk about hospitality.was assigned to take care of us for the entire stay of ours, we were told to be careful about the possibility of encountering wild boars at the property and were suggested not to go out by ourselves after 7PM, if needed, someone from the staff would accompany us. The villa at Taj was luxurious and rustic at the same time, one of the most comfortable stays I've ever had, I would rate this particular property a step above even if compared with the resorts of Maldives. Their service was extremely quick and they genuinely were keen to go out of the way to make things possible. This stay of ours, made our trip much more memorable than it would have been otherwise. A highly recommended stayWe planned to leave a little late, as we wanted to take it easy and also because our next destination was not far away. I did all my important office calls as well, I can't be at peace with myself unless I finish my work first.The villa:The dining hall:and us:Bumped into this old rustyThe property manager gave the visiting card of the General Manager, in case if we need to make any bookings in future, we could simply get in touch and he suggested that it would make things easier for us. With this, we said goodbye to the staff and started our journey for our next stop Panna National Park.Once we started from Bandhavgarh, it started to rain heavily and I drove slow following Google Maps, and it took us to a road through which only two wheelers could go, drove back all the way and took the alternative route, a reminder that maps are supposed to be used along with human intelligence, if you leave it all on the maps, once in a while at least you would end up on an incorrect route.This was the most tiring leg for me of this trip, because of the traffic, which had suddenly increased, the quality of roads, etc. We were able to reach out resort in the evening, and we would have actually liked the place but after Taj's hospitality, it seemed ordinary, not blaming them at all though. We were too tired to even check-out the place.Woke up early as usual and spent some time around the property, they had cycles available for guests to use, we both cycled our way through the entire property, clicked a few pictures and had our breakfast before starting for Delhi. It was going to be a longish drive and I was constantly hoping that the highways better be good, because we had no plans of halting and by now I was quite tired as well, and by the end of the trip, you also tend to start feeling a little sad and that does affect the liveliness and energy. Apart from the stretch of around 50 kilometres which had average roads, the rest of the highways were smooth and we had an easy cruise.With this trip, the Kushaq has completed 46000KMS:It now needs new tyres as there's a clear decline in performance in terms of wet grip and grip under hard acceleration. The brake pads should also be up for a change in a few thousand kilometres, I am also planning to write a long term ownership review once I hit 50K kilometres. Till then drive safe !


Major economies are on the cusp of an AI revolution that could trigger job losses in skilled professions such as law, medicine and finance, according to an influential international organisation. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said the occupations at highest risk from AI-driven automation were highly skilled jobs and represented about 27% of employment across its 38 member countries, which include the UK, Japan, Germany, the US, Australia and Canada. The Guardian

An Indian CEO is being criticised after he said that his firm had replaced 90% of its support staff with an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot. Suumit Shah, founder of Dukaan, said on Twitter that the chatbot had drastically improved first response and resolution time of customers queries. The tweet sparked outrage online. It comes at a time when there has been a lot of conversation and apprehension about AI taking away peoples jobs, especially in the services industry. BBC

The UK competition watchdog is ready to reopen talks with Microsoft after the company agreed to halt legal proceedings over its planned merger with Activision Blizzard. The technology giant will attempt to restructure the $69bn (56bn) deal to respond to the Competition and Markets Authoritys concerns after a breakthrough in the United States. A US judge ruled on Tuesday that Microsoft could go ahead with its acquisition of the video game maker behind Call of Duty. Sky News

Nothing likes to play the teaser game to perfection and the hype surrounding the Phone (2) has been through the roof in the last few months. The Phone (2) is now official and it brings improvements across the board compared to its predecessor.



Nothing Phone (2)

Phone (2) may seem identical to Phone (1) but the new device features a rounded back making it more comfortable to handle. The Glyph interface received an update as well and now comprises of 11 segmented LED strips with 33 total LED lighting zones. It offers new use cases for notifications such as volume control and timer indicators. GSM Arena

Elon Musks Tesla is poised to gatecrash Britains energy market by selling electricity to households. Tesla is developing plans to register as an electricity provider with the industry regulator and launch a retail electricity product in the UK, a job listing has revealed. The company is seeking to hire an experienced energy executive as its UK head of operations for Tesla Electric. It is thought that the service, which would be available to owners of the companys Powerwall home battery, would sell electricity to UK households and buy back stored energy at times of peak demand. Telegraph

Tech firms that push children towards content such as that made by influencer Andrew Tate could be targeted after a government defeat in the Lords over changes to the Online Safety Bill. Baroness Kidron, who backed the amendments, said firms had to be held to account for algorithms that led people to harmful content online. Previously, peers argued, the bill was going to regulate content only. The government resisted the amendments but lost by a majority of 72. It argued that the changes would delay other child protection measures included in the bill. BBC
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KYODO NEWS - Jul 12, 2023 - 13:14 | Feature, All, Japan, World

Japan has in recent years seen an influx of immigrants from Turkey, with ethnic Middle Eastern restaurants, confectionery stores and places of worship sprouting up around the burgeoning community.

Many ethnic Kurds have settled in Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, while Turks hailing from the area along their homeland's Black Sea coast have chosen Nagoya in central Japan to live. Many work in the demolition industry and have become an important part of a Japanese society that needs as much foreign labor as possible.

This October, Turkey will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding on the Anatolian Peninsula in the wake of World War I and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

"Please try homemade Kurdish lamb," cried a Kurdish woman, 29, living in the Saitama city of Kawaguchi, at an event held in Tokyo for refugees and immigrants in late May.

The woman, who refrained from using her real name, and her associates have hosted gatherings in the Tokyo metropolitan area to serve food from her homeland since last November. She came to Japan seven years ago.

Since the 1990s, Kurds have created a community around Kawaguchi and the neighboring city of Warabi, allowing them to escape persecution by the Turkish government. Many have applied for refugee status.

A large number of them are given temporary "provisional release" after being held in immigration detention centers. They are not permitted to work legally while out of detention, and few succeed at acquiring refugee status.

Even so, roughly 2,000 Kurds live in Saitama, many of whom work for the more than 100 demolition companies in the area. In recent years, the number of Kurdish restaurants locally has surged.

Several hundred people arrived in Japan in the wake of the severe earthquake that rocked southeastern Turkey in February, their supporters said. The area that suffered the worst damage is home to many Kurdish people who were badly impacted.

Some who have settled and started businesses in Japan have found success. Ahmet Dursun, 47, owner of Beyzade Baklava, a Turkish pastry shop in Aisai, Aichi Prefecture, has tripled sales since relocating his store from Tokyo in 2019 to target Turkish customers in the Nagoya area. With his business booming, he plans to open a new shop.

There are many examples of people arriving in Tsushima near Nagoya from the Fatsa area of Ordu Province in the central Black Sea region of northern Turkey and its environs, relying on relatives to come to Japan, where they get jobs in the demolition industry.

A documentary called "Farewell Fatsa" was made about migrant workers' success in Japan. Some 4,000 Fatsa migrants have come to stay. In 2022, Mosque Tsushima Ayasofya IGMG, an Islamic place of worship in Aichi Prefecture, opened, attracting ethnic restaurants and foodstuff stores to the area.

A 35-year-old man from Fatsa who wishes to be known only as Ilhan said he knew living in Japan could pay off big. "I heard that my monthly salary could be eight times what I made in Turkey. I want to live here for a long time." he said.

The community's integration has not been without hiccups, however.

An incident in 2015 saw a spillover of Turkish domestic political turmoil reach Japan. In the 2015 Turkish general election, some Kurds from Saitama and Turks from Aichi brawled at an overseas polling station in Tokyo.

While a Turkish man who saw the melee insisted that "(The Kurds) supported a radical Turkish separatist organization," one Kurdish student, 21, countered, saying, "That was only a small number of people."

The Metropolitan Police Department strictly guarded the polling station for the presidential election in May this year, and there were no reports of any disturbances.

Koichi Yasuda, 58, a journalist who covers issues affecting foreigners living in Japan, said, "It is only natural to have political affiliations since we are all human beings."

He added that immigration to Japan from other countries is a huge plus as it brings "vibrancy and culture to a country suffering from a declining birth rate."
The construction industry takes charge of the infrastructural development of a country. It tackles services related to the construction, repair, renovation, and maintenance of buildings. To ensure proper implementation of construction projects, companies must coordinate accordingly with their contractors or builders.

Construction is a manual process, yet companies can benefit from technology like construction management software to streamline all the work involved in a construction project.

What Is the Purpose of Construction Management Software?

Construction management software allows the centralization of project management tasks and optimization of workflows among all professionals involved, from contractors, engineers, and architects, to the builders themselves.

Construction management software can assist in preparing, collaborating, and tracking construction projects in every phase.

It becomes clear then that clients must employ construction companies that utilize the most advanced technology that can assist in the successful implementation of their projects.

Listed below are the top 5 companies that offer the best construction management software for 2023:

1 CMiC

Established in 1974, CMiC remains committed to investing in research and development to keep its construction management solutions at the forefront of technological advancements. The company focuses on automating and enhancing back-office functions, including accounting, human capital management, bidding and procurement management and project management.

CMiC leverages emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, and data analytics to improve its existing suite of solutions as well as introduce new capabilities. With almost 50 years of experience, CMiC has been providing construction companies with valuable insights, equipping them with features to drive data-driven decision-making and process optimization for increased productivity and profitability.

CMiC offers construction management software tailored to the needs of construction companies and a vast array of capabilities to support business expansion. Their software products include:

CMiC Financials

These industry-specific applications offer tangible business benefits, from providing real-time visibility of financial data across the enterprise, streamlining human capital management and payroll, improving opportunity management processes, and optimizing equipment and inventory management.

Accounting: This construction accounting software is designed to support the unique requirements of construction and capital project firms. CMiC Financials provides robust financial reporting while optimizing the revenue, cost, and financial management of construction firms. It integrates the data into the firm's general ledger and job costing, eliminating the need for manual entries and minimizing the creation of duplicate records.

Human Capital Management & Payroll: This suite is designed to simplify and streamline the management of human capital. Team leaders can identify where their people are assigned, along with their credentials, as well as what projects they are currently working on. On top of that, these applications help managers optimize recruiting and onboarding processes. From an employee perspective, they equip them to view their benefits plans, access their payroll information, and update their on-site hours and paid time off.

Opportunity Management: This feature allows sales leaders to measure the health of their sales pipelines and prioritize actions to accelerate the sales process. This also equips them to make accurate projections of a project's revenue, profitability, and growth.

Equipment and Inventory: This feature set enables firms to optimize their physical assets to run field operations. Additionally, these capabilities help automate purchase orders and requisition management, helping to achieve the goal of managing inventory effectively.

CMiC Project Management

CMiC Project Management enables construction firms to complete complex projects with tightly managed costs and timeframes. This set of solutions allows managers to collaborate with all project stakeholders, control project changes, manage subcontractor tasks, stay on top of material suppliers, simplify the bid process, and manage documents with confidence. In addition, managers can track labor productivity, labor budgets, and payroll and maintain the schedule of their field teams.

Bidding & Procurement Management: This application enables decision-makers to streamline the pre-qualification process and minimize risks to their business. CMiC Bid & Procurement Management brings together core elements that help assess a company's risk, invite companies to bid, and accurately compare bids.

Project Controls: This application is designed to optimize operations by helping users identify and mitigate project risk, effectively manage project schedules, and control cost and schedule overruns. Project managers maintain full control of their construction projects through the use of data-rich reports and automated workflows.

Construction Documents: This application serves as a centralized tool with which to integrate all project documents. From architectural floor plans to specifications for industrial facilities, CMiC's Construction Documents solution integrates a firm's documents into one ecosystem.

Quality and Safety: Designed to help construction teams deliver high-quality projects safely, this application enables users to monitor all job site tasks in a collaborative environment, organizing and streamlining processes and activities by using the built-in checklists, daily journals, issues, and punch lists.

CMiC CONSTRUCT

A next-generation construction ERP that addresses connectivity and accessibility challenges, facilitates heightened collaboration across project teams, and drives integrated project delivery. With offline capabilities, real-time collaboration, cross-platform/device usage optimization, and AI-enabled tools, CONSTRUCT helps users maximize productivity and streamline workflows. This suite of solutions provides users the ability to:

Accelerate processes and project deliverables through real-time collaboration.

Optimize cross-platform or device usage

Enable creative workflows

Maximize productivity through strong offline capabilities.

CMiC's CONSTRUCT is AI-enabled, which facilitates improved data management and workflow optimization. With its advanced mobile functionality and consistent user interface, project teams can direct their focus on their projects rather than on connectivity issues.

As a leading construction ERP provider, CMiC offers tailored solutions and unparalleled customer support, including CMiC Assist (their customer portal) and a virtual chatbot. By design, this leader caters to the business needs of general contractors, subcontractors, and heavy highway firms throughout the globe.

Choose CMiC's construction management software to help your firm drive ROI, digital transformation, and superior integrated project delivery. As demonstrated by its product innovation and geographic expansion, CMiC is the future of construction software.

2 Procore

For over 20 years, Procore has been improving the lives of people who work in construction, driving technology innovation while building a global community with its construction management software. It unites all stakeholders on a project, providing them unlimited access to support and a business model designed for the construction industry.

The company believes that in order to advance, the construction industry must adapt to the changes of the times. Given the demand and the growing scale of construction projects, firms must take advantage of the uses of technology such as the Procore Platform to keep up with these changes and become more efficient in collaboration to complete the project.

Procore is a cloud-based construction management software that unifies all aspects of construction, including planning, engineering, trade documentation, accounting, and scheduling. It offers integration that allows teams to have the most up-to-date data regarding the state of the project and other operations involved.

The Procore platform is available on multiple devices and is still functional when used without a network connection. Once connected, the construction management software synchronizes all the changes made during offline mode.

With its seamlessness, users state that Procore helps reduce rework by 16%, and 71% of them say the platform also helps them meet and exceed their profit goal, while 83% agree that utilizing its platform has improved their overall quality control to deliver a high-quality project. By these numbers alone, Procore has one of the best construction management software in the industry.

3 Autodesk Construction Cloud

In 1982, Autodesk created its construction management software to empower innovators to advance the construction industry. The company's Autodesk Construction Cloud offers simple yet powerful tools that allow teams to collaborate securely from a single login. It contains four products designed to integrate every aspect of the work into a single platform: Build, Docs, Takeoff, and BIM Collaborate.

Build: Build is Autodesk's construction management software for builders and contractors. This software contains project management for tracking progress, quality management for easy resolution of issues, safety management, and cost control for managing change orders and their impact on the overall budget.

Docs: Autodesk Docs functions as a centralized document management solution that contains all information necessary for keeping stakeholders, contractors, on-site builders, and other employees involved up to date on the status of the construction project.

Takeoff: This allows 2D or 3D visualization of the project scope, allowing for a better understanding of design intent and constructability issues. Teams also get instant access to the quantities of the BIM model, such as the building geometry, material properties, construction schedules, and so on.

BIM Collaborate: This software features automatic grouping and dynamic clash tolerance filters. It saves time for constructions to review and turn them into issues for the appropriate party to resolve. Users can track and verify design fixes in one place.

These four products allow seamless collaboration with powerful yet simple tools. With Autodesk Construction Cloud, connectivity is no longer an issue. With the consistency of the information, Autodesk allows teams to operate more efficiently, thereby generating positive outcomes in their combined efforts as expected from using one of the best construction management software in the industry.

4 Oracle Aconex

Started as a Silicon Valley startup, Oracle now stands as a multinational computer technology corporation that sells advanced software solutions related to human capital, customer relationship, supply chain management, and enterprise resource planning. With the amount of information and files shared simultaneously in construction and engineering projects, Oracle Aconex brings all the information together online and in one place.

Like other construction management software, it assists in managing processes and costs, integrates well with other systems, and balances the need for data security and collaboration.

Teams or organizations have the option to limit the access of other parties involved yet still allow the information to flow to them seamlessly without compromising the confidential aspects of the project.

This feature of Oracle Aconex creates trust and shared accountability among the parties involved, encouraging everyone to collaborate on an equal playing field which is vital to a successful construction project delivery.

Every team has its own workspace and is connected to a common data environment with a configurable engine that synchronizes all activities for visibility and coordination.

With Oracle Aconex, both office and field teams can manage RFIs, models, inspections, correspondences, and other processes. This construction management software also offers help in minimizing costs and projecting outcomes by providing insights into project controls.

Oracle Aconex is one of the best construction management software in the market, with its security, ease of use, and connectivity features unparalleled compared to other software.

5 Contractor Foreman

Founded in a small town in North Carolina, Contractor Foreman is fairly new in the construction management software market. Despite its novelty, it has gained recognition for its affordability and functionality, earning leadership titles from various software review platforms like G2, Slashdot, and Sourceforge. With its accumulated top-rated reviews, it qualifies as one of the best construction management software in the industry.

Contractor Foreman is an all-in-one construction management suite covering project management, financials, people directory, documents, etc. The software is also made accessible across all devices. Starting at a base price of $49 per month, construction teams already have the essential tools to ensure smooth office and field operations.

The features expand as users choose to upgrade to the other premium versions of construction management software, especially with the Unlimited version, priced at $148 per month. In this version, the number of users can be unlimited, and they all have access to every tool built into the suite of Contractor Foreman.

Each version is available for a free trial, making it convenient for users to test and implement their operations in the software. Each of them also allows refunds for new customers and renewals as long as it's requested within 100 days after purchase.

Contractor Foreman brands itself as a construction management software that's created for contractors, made by contractors. Currently available in more than 75 countries, it's highly recommended for small and medium contractors.

By detailing the features of the top 5 best construction management software, stakeholders, contractors, and even builders can assess which software provider can meet their needs to improve the company's operations.

At the end of the day, these tools are necessary for the successful completion of construction projects, regardless of the scale.

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A rocket engine from Blue Origin exploded last month, which caused a destructive setback for the company that might affect its customers and its own rocket.

(Photo : SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

Jeff Bezos announces Blue Moon, a lunar landing vehicle for the Moon, during a Blue Origin event in Washington, DC, May 9, 2019.

Investigating the BE-4 Explosion

On June 30th, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin experienced an explosion of a BE-4 engine during a firing test in Texas, only around 10 seconds into the test. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported. However, it is worth noting that the engine was intended for use in United Launch Alliance's (ULA) second Vulcan rocket mission.

Currency, Engadget reported that investigations are now being conducted but the company believes it has a "proximate cause" for the explosion and now works on unspecified remedial actions. The company's spokesperson stated that it will still continue to test rockets to meet its customers' demands when it comes to engines.

This will not only affect the production capacity of the company but also represents unfavorable news for United Launch Alliance (ULA) which has been always reliant on engine technology. After the incident, Blue Origin informed immediately its customer ULA to become aware of what is happening.

ULA stated, "The BE-4 testing issue is not expected to impact our plans for the Vulcan Cert-1 mission." While this will require two BE-4 engines per Vulcan rocket, the company's upcoming New Glenn Rocket will be needing seven. The company is planning to meet the engine delivery commitments this year.

Also Read: Bezos-Owned Blue Origin Wants to Expand Operations to 'Europe and Beyond'

The Space Force recently made significant assignments in the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 program, awarding SpaceX and ULA with six missions each. ULA's six missions are scheduled to be carried out using the Vulcan rocket and are actively preparing to compete for Phase 3 contracts in the NSSL program, as the Space Force encourages increased competition in this regard.

Fixing the Problem

CNBC reported that Blue Origin's BE-4 mishap follows a three-month investigation by ULA into its own test explosion. Last March, the upper stage of ULA's rocket experienced an explosion during a structural test, necessitating partial disassembly of the initial Vulcan rocket to strengthen the already-installed upper stage.

While ULA discovered a problem that would be easy to fix, These tests aim to ensure that the implemented solution is adequate before the company proceeds with reinstalling an improved version.

Slash Gear reported the initial launch of New Glenn was originally scheduled for 2020. However, due to delays, the specific timeline for its debut flight is currently unknown. When questioned about a new target launch date for New Glenn, Blue Origin's leadership has chosen not to provide any comments during recent public appearances.

In 2020, Blue Origin developed a major engine production facility last 2020 and still expands its facilities in the area.

Related Article: United Launch Alliance Sale? Rocket Developer to Join Other Space Companies says Sources

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A new study has introduced a novel way of investigating rivers from other planets and cosmic entities, with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology introducing its river flow analysis technique that surveyed Mars and the Saturn moon, Titan.

The team has discovered that both Solar System neighbors can harbor life in their rivers, with its remote study.

New River Flow Analysis Technique for Solar System Neighbors

(Photo : NASA/JPL/USGS)

According to MIT News, a recent study has introduced and used a new technique in surveying rivers beyond the Earth, and it mainly focused on Solar System neighbors who either have an existing one or an extinct.

The team has already published their study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences which detailed their recent findings. It found two rivers that fit the Earthly criteria, and this is with Mars' ancient rivers (now non-existent) and Saturn's massive moon, Titan.

It worked on the mathematical equation from co-author Gary Parker from his study back in 2000, one that describes the river flow here on the planet.

Their study took images from the NASA Cassini which surveyed these rivers from afar, comparing its data to the Earth, and found that it is comparable to delta estimates of the Mississippi's flow rate.

Read Also: NASA Cassini Data Reveals Crucial Ingredient for Life on Saturn's Moon

Mars' Extinct Rivers Possibly Hosted Life, Saturn's Titan Also

"What's exciting about Titan is that it's active. With this technique, we have a method to make real predictions for a place where we won't get more data for a long time," says Taylor Perron, the Cecil and Ida Green Professor in MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS).

The only concern with Saturn's moon is that it lacks deltas and it may be attributed to the different gravity on the Titan.

"And on Mars, it gives us a time machine, to take the rivers that are dead now and get a sense of what they were like when they were actively flowing," he added. Mars' dead rivers did not disappoint, as it was regarded that the Gale crater had water flowing in it at least 100,000 years ago, and at least 1 million years on the Jezero crater, deemed possible to have harbored life.

Studying Habitable Planets or Possible Life Hosts

Mars is one of the closest planets to the Earth, and it also presents possibilities that it can harbor life in the future, as it had done so in the past, as per the studies. While nothing is yet established, there is compelling evidence behind the habitability of the planet Mars, especially with its former water bodies, and elements on its surface.

There are also multiple claims and evidence behind the Jupiter moon, Europa, for its capabilities to harbor life, being one of the most regarded cosmic entities that can host multiple organisms.

Different studies have also looked into other moons of gas giants in the Solar System, centering on its dubbed "Strange Moon" Titan, as part of the probe in the galaxy.

While having humans live on a different cosmic location is not always the goal, these studies look to determine if there are places that can also harbor life apart from the home planet, Earth. With a remote river flow analysis technique from MIT, it is now possible to get an idea of it from afar, with Mars' old rivers having the potential, as well as Titan with the most significant.

Related Article: Martian Rivers? NASA's Perseverance May Have Found Evidence

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Despite the mounting concerns surrounding AI's gradual integration into various sectors in the world, Microsoft's co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates does not share the same sentiments with tech CEOs who expressed worries that AI may pose a threat to humanity.

In fact, Gates disagreed with the open letter by various tech executives including Elon Musk, that said that AI companies should halt development and address the risks associated with the emerging technology. Instead, Gates believes that development must continue to address world problems such as poverty and hunger.

The Microsoft founder reaffirms his stance in his new blog post on Tuesday. With the title, "The risks of AI are real but manageable," he argued that the world is capable of handling problems that may arise from breakthrough innovations.

Bill Gates on Manageable Risks of AI

Bill Gates acknowledged that AI's risks are "overwhelming," especially with concerns that machines will replace humans, AI's potential involvement in elections, and other threats to humanity. While he believes these are all fair concerns, he argued that there is a good reason to think humanity can deal with them.

"This is not the first time a major innovation has introduced new threats that had to be controlled. We've done it before," the billionaire wrote in the blog post.

"We're now in the earliest stage of another profound change, the Age of AI. It's analogous to those uncertain times before speed limits and seat belts. AI is changing so quickly that it isn't clear exactly what will happen next. We're facing big questions raised by the way the current technology works, the ways people will use it for ill intent, and the ways AI will change us as a society and as individuals," he added.

Gates noted that technological innovations such as AI might naturally invoke unsettled feelings. However, he argued that history has shown that it is possible to manage the challenges posed by emerging technologies.

He added that there are more reasons to be optimistic about managing the risks of AI while maximizing its benefits. It is worth noting that AI tools have been in the making for years, but it was only in 2022 when OpenAI's viral chatbot ChatGPT sparked an AI race amongst big tech companies and raised concerns about the use of generative AI.

Gates has even dared to claim that ChatGPT could replace teachers in the future. The billionaire envisions AI chatbots engaging students in conversation to help them identify areas they need to improve, a function human teachers can currently carry out.

Gates anticipated that AI would initially help learners improve their reading and writing skills and would subsequently provide writing advice to assist teachers.

Read Also: Bill Gates Visits China, Meets With President Xi Jinping

Building AI Expertise

Bill Gates also wrote in his blog post that governments must build up expertise in the field of AI to create informed laws and regulations.

"They'll need to grapple with misinformation and deepfakes, security threats, changes to the job market, and the impact on education. To cite just one example: The law needs to be clear about which uses of deepfakes are legal and about how deepfakes should be labeled so everyone understands when something they're seeing or hearing is not genuine," Gates noted.

Various countries around the world are in the race to develop policies that will govern AI. The United States and European Union are at the forefront of these policies, and the United Kingdom will host the world's first AI safety summit this fall.

Related Article: Bill Gates Believes AI is the Next Big Tech Shift, Rather than Metaverse

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Japan's fastest supercomputer has just achieved a windy breakthrough. Researchers at Nagoya University have conducted simulations of air turbulence occurring on clear days around Tokyo using the country's fastest computer.

The team used their findings to make a more accurate predictive model while comparing it to flight data.

Supercomputer in Japan Used to Simulate Winds

Air turbulence can be bothersome during flights as it makes the airplane cabin shake even on a sunny and cloudless day. Although air turbulence is typically linked with inclement weather, it can also occur on clear, sunny days.

These turbulent air movements, known as clear air turbulence (CAT), can happen even when there are no apparent clouds or other meteorological disturbances.

Although the precise causes of CAT are not well known, wind shear and atmospheric instability are thought to be the main contributors.

CAT presents a serious threat to aviation security. On an otherwise quiet day, the abrupt turbulence can cause injury to passengers and crew, damage the aircraft, and interfere with flight operations.

Therefore, researchers can better comprehend CAT by utilizing large-eddy simulation (LES), a computational fluid dynamics method used to mimic these turbulent flows.

However, researchers noted that one of the biggest problems with LES is the computing cost, despite its significance to research on air turbulence. High levels of processing power are needed to simulate the intricate interactions involved in LES.

The research team used the Fugaku supercomputer, an exascale computer, to intricately mimic the process of turbulence creation using high-resolution LES. It is a high-performance computing machine and is currently the second-fastest supercomputer in the world.

Read Also: Japan's Supercomputer Forecasts Heavy Rains 6 Hours Ahead: Here's How it Works

Ultra-High-Resolution Simulation

The researchers carried out an ultra-high-resolution simulation of the CAT over the Haneda airport in Tokyo during the winter, which was brought on by low pressure and a nearby mountain range.

They discovered that the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability wave, a particular kind of instability that happens at the interface between two layers of air with different velocities, was responsible for the disturbance in wind speed.

After performing their calculations, the team sought to verify that their simulated vortices matched with actual data. In a statement, Dr. Ryoichi Yoshimura of Nagoya University noted that there is enough observational data available in the Tokyo area to support their findings.

Yoshimura added that "there are many airplanes flying over the airports, which results in many reports of turbulence and the intensity of shaking."

The team has also used atmospheric observations by a balloon close to Tokyo. The computations were validated using the shaking data that had been recorded at that time.

"The results of this research should lead to a deeper understanding of the principle and mechanism of turbulence generation by high-resolution simulation and allow us to investigate the effects of turbulence on airplanes in more detail," Yoshimura said.

"Since significant turbulence has been shown to occur in the limited 3D region, routing without flying in the region is possible by adjusting flight levels if the presence of active turbulence is known in advance. LES would provide a smart way of flying by providing more accurate turbulence forecasts and real-time prediction," Yoshimura added.

The findings of the team were published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

Related Article: US Supercomputer Becomes the World's First True Exascale Machine, the Fastest so Far

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The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OCED), an intergovernmental organization with 38 Member countries, revealed that AI could significantly affect jobs as concerns mount about the technology's potential displacement of human workers.



"Increasingly rapid developments in AI are likely to significantly affect jobs. Initial results from a new OECD survey on AI use in the manufacturing and finance sectors show the urgent need to act now, with policies that allow countries, firms, and individuals to benefit from AI while addressing risks," the organization stated in a press release.

On the Verge of an AI Revolution

According to the bloc, OECD countries may be on the verge of an AI revolution, despite the fact that business use of AI is currently relatively low Rapid advancements, especially those made with generative AI like ChatGPT, declining costs, and an increase in the supply of workers with AI capabilities.



OECD notes that it is crucial to obtain more accurate and up-to-date information on AI adoption and application in the workplace, including which positions will change, be added to, or eliminated, as well as how skills requirements are changing.



Various countries around the world have been pushing forward with policies to govern the rise of AI. For instance, the US and the EU have proposed measures to address the most common concerns associated with AI such as copyright, privacy, and job displacement.

27% of jobs are in professions that are very susceptible to automation when taking into account all automation technologies, including AI. The benefits and risks that AI poses are both highlighted in the preliminary results of a new OECD survey on the impact of AI on the manufacturing and financial sectors of seven countries.

When all automation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), are taken into account, 27% of jobs are in occupations that are very susceptible to automation.

The initial results of a new OECD assessment on the effects of AI on the manufacturing and financial sectors of seven nations emphasize both the advantages and concerns that AI poses.

"Yet there are also risks around privacy, work intensity, and bias. The survey revealed a clear divide between what workers think about AI use in their jobs today and their fears for the future. The results highlight the urgent need for policy action now, to ensure that no one is left behind," OECD noted.

Read Also: Software Company CEO Believes AI Will End Healthcare's Labor-Intensive Paper Chase

Need for Safeguards

The intergovernmental organization also highlighted the need for safeguards. It said that countries must consider concrete policy actions to enforce the trustworthy use of AI.



OECD adds that governments around the world must ensure that AI will support inclusive labor markets instead of hampering them.

"Increasingly rapid AI development and adoption means that new skills will be needed, while others will change or become obsolete. Training is needed for both low-skilled and older workers, but also for higher-skilled workers," the organization stated.

Furthermore, governments are encouraged to provide more training to workers, integrate AI skills into the education sector, and ensure diversity in the AI workforce.

Related Article: The Rise of AI Humanoid Robots: Could They Run the World Better Than Humans?

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Discord, the popular online communications platform, has recently unveiled updates to its policies, including the banning of teen dating servers and the implementation of strict measures against child sex abuse content.



The platform has collaborated with industry partners and law enforcement agencies to combat harmful content and improve moderation practices.



These updates reflect Discord's ongoing commitment to investing in teen safety and provide additional resources and customization options for users and their families.

Teen Dating Servers Banned

Approximately 15 percent of Discord's employees across various departments, including Safety and Policy, Engineering, Data, and Product teams, focus on safety-related initiatives.

Discord aims to create a safer online environment by implementing proactive detection mechanisms and taking appropriate action against harmful content and behaviors.



In an effort to create a secure environment for its users, Discord has taken a decisive step by prohibiting the existence of teen dating servers on its platform. This measure aims to prevent potential exploitation and safeguard teenagers from any harmful interactions that might occur within such servers.

In a previous investigation by NBC News, Discord servers were uncovered, advertised as teen dating servers, where participants solicited explicit images from minors.

Disturbingly, there have been cases of adult users on Discord engaging in grooming behavior, and criminal networks extorting underage users for sexually explicit content.

In response to these concerning issues, Discord has taken decisive action by banning teen dating servers altogether. The platform's policy explicitly states that older teens involved in grooming younger teens will face scrutiny and appropriate action under the Inappropriate Sexual Conduct with Children and Grooming Policy.

Furthermore, Discord has intensified its efforts to combat child sex abuse content, introducing a zero-tolerance policy on its platform. The company has expanded its policies to encompass various forms of child sexualization material, including text and media content that sexualizes children.

Read Also: PS5 Beta Testers Can Now Use Discord: 1440p VRR Support, Dashboard UX Improvements, and More

Tech Solutions for Ensuring Safety

Discord leverages technology solutions, including machine learning and AI-powered systems, to enhance safety measures.



The acquisition of Sentropy, an AI-powered moderation system, has strengthened Discord's capabilities in content moderation.



The platform also employs technologies such as the Safety Rules Engine, AutoMod, and a Visual Safety Platform to detect problematic behavior, block harmful messages, and identify objectionable images.

Discord acknowledges the need for constant innovation and improvement in content moderation. The company remains committed to evolving its approach and finding new ways to ensure the safety and well-being of its users.

By implementing these updates and investing in safety measures, Discord aims to provide a secure and inclusive environment for teenagers to explore their interests, connect with others, and find a sense of belonging.

Related Article: New Discord Watch Together as Rythm's Replacement! YouTube Streaming Using Screen-Share Feature To Arrive

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LandSpace Technology, a Chinese start-up, outperformed Spacex by successfully launching a methane-fueled rocket.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center's launch of the ZQ-2 rocket is in line with President Xi Jinping's strategic goal of China vying with the US for space domination.

This accomplishment shows that startups outside of well-established Chinese aerospace companies are capable of developing complicated gear.

(Photo: JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) A team inspects SpaceX's first orbital Starship SN20 stacked atop its massive Super Heavy Booster 4 at the company's Starbase facility near Boca Chica Village in South Texas.

Successful Launch

On July 12, LandSpace Technology successfully launched its ZQ-2 rocket from Gansu province's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The attempt to launch had been unsuccessful in December due to an unusual second-stage engine.

LandSpace resolved the problem by performing in-depth assessments and putting improvement measures in place that were successfully tested on the ground.

The successful launch of LandSpace shows China's desire to challenge the US's hegemony in space technology and exploration. The plan put out by President Xi Jinping to improve China's standing in the international space race has gained traction.

Aiming to shift the balance of power and establish itself as a significant player in space exploration, research, and commercial endeavors, China's technological capability and creativity in the space industry.

Read Also: NASA Is Searching for 'Technosignatures' in the Hunt for Intelligent Life Beyond Earth

Methane-Based Rockets

The launch of a rocket-powered by methane by LandSpace highlights the expanding use of methane-based fuel in the space sector.

Methane is being investigated by SpaceX and other businesses as a cleaner, safer substitute for traditional fuels. This method lessens the impact on the environment while maintaining the highest levels of performance and safety for rockets.

Power Struggle

LandSpace Technology's methane-fueled rocket launch demonstrates China's dominance in the global space race, surpassing SpaceX and showcasing Chinese startups' progress in developing complex technologies.

Methane provides a safer and cleaner substitute for conventional rocket fuels, demonstrating the practicality of this novel strategy. The world keenly watches the shifting balance of power in space dynamics as China continues to make strides in space exploration and technology.

Related Article: SpaceX Falcon 9 Can Fly Twice As Much as Before-Reusability at its Finest

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China said a Microsoft report stating that a Chinese hacker group accessed official email accounts as "disinformation" aimed to distract from US cyber operations. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson refuted the report on Wednesday.



In a Tuesday blog post, Microsoft noted that the Storm-0558 hacking gang had accessed 25 different companies' email systems, including Western European governments. The intrusion was not discovered until weeks later, when Microsoft started receiving consumer concerns about unusual behavior, per AP News.



The main goal of the adversary, Storm-0558, appears to be espionage, intending to gather information via illegal access to email systems, according to Charlie Bell, executive vice president of security at Microsoft.

Chinese Official Calls US as 'World's Largest Hacker Empire'

A statement from US authorities quoted by The Washington Post said that Storm-0558 had also compromised unclassified email accounts connected to the US government, further aggravating the problem.



The Chinese foreign ministry's spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, responded by dismissing these accusations, saying that the matter "will never change the fact that the United States is the world's largest hacker empire, conducting the most cyber theft," according to ABC News.

Wenbin, during a regular briefing, also noted that cybersecurity groups from China and other nations have routinely published papers revealing cyberattacks by the US government against China and are still waiting for a reply.

Read Also: France's SCALP Missiles to Boost Ukraine's Counterstrike Against Russia

Hacking Incident Under Investigation

According to US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who is attending the NATO meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania, with President Joe Biden, the hacking event is still under investigation. Sullivan assured the public that the issue was quickly discovered, preventing any more illegal access.

Sullivan committed to providing updates as the investigation progresses and confirmed that US officials would collaborate with Microsoft to gather further material.



Microsoft is collaborating with the Department of Homeland Security and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to improve cyber defenses, as reported by Mint. Additionally, the tech business promised to keep an eye on Storm-0558's operations to thwart any potential breaches in the future.



Recent incidents have underscored cybersecurity's significance. Mandiant, a Google-owned cybersecurity firm, said last month that suspected state-backed Chinese hackers had exploited a commonly used email security tool to obtain access to many public and private sector businesses worldwide.

Microsoft had warned earlier this year that Chinese state-sponsored hackers were aggressively pursuing essential American infrastructure, perhaps laying the framework for sabotaging crucial connections between the United States and Asia during future crises.

Related Article: UK's Largest NHS Trust Probes Ransomware Assault Amid Rising Wave of Cyberattacks

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Google is being sued for stealing user data and violating copyright laws when developing its AI products. In a federal court in California on Tuesday, a proposed class action lawsuit was filed against Google, its parent company Alphabet, and its AI subsidiary DeepMind.

The case was filed by Clarkson Law Firm, which did the same thing last month when it sued OpenAI, which developed ChatGPT.



According to the lawsuit, Google gathered data from hundreds of millions of Americans that was developed and disseminated online using a covert data theft scheme.

It asserts that Google utilized this information to train Bard, one of its AI chatbots, and that Google, in essence, exploited all of its users' digital footprints, including creative and copyrighted works, to create its AI solutions, according to CNN.



Halimah DeLaine Prado, general counsel for Google, disputed the lawsuit's assertions and said they were unfounded. Prado stressed that Google has been clear about using publicly accessible data, such as information on the internet and open datasets, to properly train AI models and adhere to the company's AI Principles.



The utilization of publicly available information to develop new, beneficial applications is supported by American law, and we look forward to debunking these unfounded assertions, Prado said.



Alphabet and DeepMind have yet to respond to requests for comment at publication.

Google Allegedly Did Not Seek Permission From Users

Regarding OpenAI's chatbot, ChatGPT, Clarkson Law Firm has previously brought a similar legal action against the company. These legal actions constitute the first protests against exploiting internet-sourced personal data to train profitable AI systems.

Read Also: VIRAL: $550,000 Worth of "Floating Gold" Found in Dead Sperm Whale Washed Up on Beach



Chatbots like Bard and ChatGPT are trained to replicate human-like discussions using vast volumes of user-generated data, including occasional errors.



Clarkson Law Firm managing partner Ryan Clarkson alleged that "Google has been taking everything ever created or shared online by millions of internet users," which comprises personal data, creative pieces, and "professional works." He added that the major tech company utilizes the gathered data "to train and build commercial AI Products."

Case Aims to Halt AI Development

Clarkson argues that Google obtained this data clandestinely over an extended period without informing or seeking consent from anyone, per The Messenger.

The law firm emphasized that Google does not possess ownership or control over the internet, individuals' creative endeavors, personal expressions, images of families and children, or any other content simply due to its online sharing.

The case was filed when AI technologies that generate text and visuals in response to user input have drawn much interest.

However, as seen in the Google case, using copyrighted works within these data sets and the possible exploitation of private and sensitive information from regular users, including minors, have generated rising legal attention.



The lawsuit asks for an immediate halt to the commercial use of Google's generative AI tools, including Bard, and their development.

The plaintiffs also demand monetary damages and cash compensation for those whose data Google allegedly misused-eight plaintiffs-including a minor-support Clarkson Law Firm's case, as reported by CTV News.

Related Article: Meta, OpenAI Sued for Copyright Infringement by Comedian Sarah Silverman

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KYODO NEWS - Jul 12, 2023 - 22:49 | All, World

Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai recently met with Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi and was told that she supports "dialogue without any preconditions" to address her country's ongoing crisis, ASEAN diplomatic sources said Wednesday.

Don confirmed about the meeting on the sidelines of a two-day foreign ministerial meeting in Jakarta of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations that ended Wednesday and will be followed by a series of meetings with its dialogue partners until Friday.

"At least she is in good health...because most people are concerned more about her health," Don told reporters, adding that Suu Kyi "encourages dialogue" but did not go into details.

His meeting with her on Sunday was the first confirmed contact between a high-ranking foreign government official and Myanmar's democracy icon since the country's military toppled her elected government in a February 2021 coup.

Don briefed about his meeting with Suu Kyi during the ASEAN ministerial retreat Wednesday, the sources said.

One source quoted Don as saying in the ASEAN meeting, "It was the first time ever, and it may signify a fresh opening to a political peace process for Myanmar."

The Thai minister stressed ASEAN's priority in facilitating a peace process in Myanmar, which he said must start from two primary stakeholders in the conflict -- the military junta and civilian leaders.

The meeting of Don and Suu Kyi, who has been detained since the coup, lasted about two hours, according to the sources. He appears to have visited Suu Kyi at a prison facility in the capital Naypyitaw.

"I observed that she was in good health physically and mentally, and she confirmed it," the Thai minister was quoted by one of the sources as saying. "She said her living quarters were OK."

Don said he shared information on Myanmar and world affairs, including the war in Ukraine, with Suu Kyi, according to the sources.

"She said she did not read the newspapers or watch television" provided by the junta because she did not deem the information in state-run media to be objective, Don was quoted as saying.

Thailand has close military ties with Myanmar. Last month, Bangkok hosted an informal meeting outside the ASEAN framework themed on Myanmar's political crisis and invited the junta-appointed foreign minister Than Swe.

Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore did not attend the meeting due to Myanmar's involvement.

At the Jakarta meeting, the participants also discussed the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and territorial disputes in the South China Sea, as well as other regional issues.

A joint communique of the meeting has not been released yet but a draft seen by Kyodo News underlined that the war situation continues "to negatively affect us" and that ASEAN will redouble its efforts to mitigate its impacts.

On the South China Sea issue, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told reporters after meeting with Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi that ASEAN expects that a guideline to speed up the conclusion of a code of conduct in the South China Sea will be adopted soon.

She did not say when but the draft joint communique said it is expected to be adopted during a meeting with China on Thursday.

ASEAN and China are currently drawing up the code of conduct to help avert confrontation in the region, given some ASEAN members have overlapping territorial claims with China and Taiwan.

A series of meetings are scheduled to be held until Friday include the ASEAN Regional Forum, a 27-member regional security forum also involving China, North Korea, Russia and the United States, and a foreign ministerial session of the East Asia Summit.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

(Chananthorn Kamjan and Puy Kea contributed to the story from Bangkok and Jakarta)

Related coverage:

Myanmar crisis to dominate ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting

Myanmar's Suu Kyi spends 3rd straight birthday in detention

ASEAN chair Indonesia says no real progress made on Myanmar peace
Elon Musk announced his newest AI business, xAI, on Wednesday. The company's main goal is to comprehend the universe's underlying principles.

Competent professionals who have previously worked at renowned AI companies like DeepMind, OpenAI, Google Research, Microsoft Research, Twitter, and Tesla make up the xAI team. They have worked on projects including DeepMind's AlphaCode and OpenAI's renowned GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 chatbots, according to CNBC.

Announcing formation of @xAI to understand reality  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 12, 2023

Dan Hendrycks, executive director of the Center for AI Safety, will advise Elon Musk's new AI company. The San Francisco-based xAI released a statement in May signed by prominent tech industry members and called for the world to prioritize reducing the dangers connected with AI, which are comparable to those of pandemics and nuclear weapons.

More Details on xAi To Be Disclosed Soon

Musk appears to position xAI as a rival to OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, who have created leading chatbots like ChatGPT, Bard, and Claude. The controversial tech mogul reportedly acquired thousands of GPU processors from Nvidia in April, perhaps to run a vast language model.

Elon Musk also revealed his intentions for "TruthGPT" in a Fox News Channel interview that month and voiced worry that businesses using AI today favor "politically correct" technologies.

The xAI team will conduct a Twitter Spaces conversation on July 14, where participants may engage with the team and ask questions, per The Verge.

The xAI website stresses that the firm is distinct from Musk's overarching X Corp but will work closely with X (Twitter), Tesla, and other companies. Elon Musk temporarily limited Twitter viewing owing to AI firms harvesting data for large language models (LLMs).

Read Also: Tesla Updates Model 3 US Purchasing Page, Hints at Tax Credit Changes

According to the company's first papers from April, Elon Musk's new AI company xAI was launched in Nevada when he was named the director and Jared Birchall, the director of Musk's family office, as the secretary. According to reports, SpaceX and Tesla provided funding for xAI.

Co-founding OpenAI in 2015 was one of Musk's earlier contributions to the AI industry. To avoid any conflicts of interest with Tesla, which has substantial AI operations, he left the company in 2018.

Elon Musk Joins 'Out of Control' AI Race

Elon Musk expressed in previous interviews his worry about the "out of control" AI race destroying humans and he urged for a temporary pause in AI developments.

Although xAI's objective remains unknown, the website shows a hiring campaign.

When Musk revealed xAI, Twitter, the business he paid $44 billion for in October, was in a precarious position since Meta had just released a competing social media platform called Threads. Over 100 million people signed up for the Meta app within a week, but Twitter use is allegedly on the fall, CNN reported.

These developments come after a string of contentious personnel cuts, policy revisions, and aggressive statements from Musk that alienated some Twitter users and advertisers.

Elon Musk is the CEO of several businesses besides Twitter, including Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company.

Related Article: Meta, OpenAI Sued for Copyright Infringement by Comedian Sarah Silverman

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KYODO NEWS - Jul 12, 2023 - 20:30 | World, All

China on Wednesday urged NATO to stop criticizing the deepening ties between Beijing and Moscow, saying the two countries' relationship is based on the principle of non-alignment.

"We urge NATO to stop groundless accusations and provocative remarks against China and abandon the outdated concept of the Cold War mentality," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press conference in Beijing.

Following their meeting in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, NATO leaders said Tuesday in their communique the "deepening strategic partnership" between China and Russia and "their mutually reinforcing attempts to undercut the rules-based international order run counter to our values and interests."

While the leaders also pointed out that Beijing remains "opaque" about its military buildup, Wang said NATO is the military alliance holding "powerful nuclear weapons" and expressed "serious concern and firm opposition" over the organization "playing up China's nuclear threat irresponsibly."

Earlier in the day, the Chinese Mission to the European Union expressed firm opposition and rejection of the NATO statement, saying it "arbitrarily distorts China's stance and policies and deliberately smears China."

The mission claimed that the transatlantic alliance has been "meddling in affairs beyond its borders and creating confrontation" that exposes "NATO's hypocrisy and its ambition of seeking expansion and hegemony."

"We firmly oppose NATO's eastward movement into the Asia-Pacific region and any action that jeopardizes China's legitimate rights and interests will be met with a resolute response," the mission warned.
Berlin: Manja Schreiner has most of the cycle paths built like in Schoneberg

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The five-year practice of "post-90s" new herders returning to their hometowns on the Sino-Mongolian border: science and technology empowers a new life in the grassland

From no air conditioning to two sets of air conditioning components, the secret is revealed about airplane air conditioning

The second half of the Sepa Championship from 22nd day of professional baseball will focus on the championship battle

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Shohei Ohtani wins eighth in "dual-wielding" appearances, giving up five runs in the middle of the seventh inning.

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The Central Bank of Russia does not intend to introduce additional restrictions in the field of cash currency

Movistar remodels its television and launches a new rate with two weekly football matches from 11 euros

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RaHDit hackers published the routes of ships from which they could hit the Crimean bridge

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The controversial documentary about the death and last hours of Mario Biondo, the husband of Raquel Sanchez Silva, arrives on Netflix

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 Communities 2019 - Privacy

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A long list of bloody wars and conflicts involving NATO countries suggests the bloc is more than a grave challenge to global peace and stability.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- As agreed between China and the United States, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry will visit China from July 16 to 19, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment said Wednesday.

The two sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on working together to address climate change, the ministry said. 
Lara Nicholson writes for The Advocate as a Report for America Corps Member. Email her at lnicholson@theadvocate.com or follow her on Twitter @LaraNicholson_.

To learn more about Report for America and to support our journalism, please click here.
BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong met with Anthony Veke, minister of police, national security and correctional services of Solomon Islands, in Beijing on Wednesday.

Wang said that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, relations between China and Solomon Islands have become a model of solidarity, cooperation and joint development for countries of different sizes, and for developing countries.

China is ready to work with Solomon Islands to promote police and law enforcement cooperation, in order to make due contributions to the development of comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, Wang said.

Veke said that Solomon Islands is willing to strengthen cooperation with China on police and law enforcement, and push forward bilateral relations. 
Michael Hing and Lewis Hobba are departing Triple J after three years of hosting the Drive show, marking the end of an era for the youth broadcaster.

Lewis Hobba has been a regular in the Drive slot since 2015, previously hosting alongside Veronica Milsom. Following Milsoms departure in 2020, Hing joined the show as co-host, having previously hosted ABC series Good Game: Pocket Edition and Good Game Well Played, as well as SBS show The Feed.

Triple J Drive hosts Michael Hing (L) and Lewis Hobba have called it a day after three years hosting the Drive slot. Credit: Instagram

Announcing their departure, Hobba and Hing, both 38, pointed to the desire to give new voices an opportunity at the youth network.

It was time to hand it on, Hobba said. Hing and I were only meant to be a stop-gap for nine months after Veronica Milsom left.
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Eating outSuburb guides Parramattas top 10 eateries  from a backyard pizza joint to legendary laksa Plus a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern brunch spot in a pretty setting, crazy good mushroom toasties, and a Vietnamese pho institution going strong since 1992. Andrew Levins July 12, 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

Smart and stylish 300-seat eatery Misc. at Parramatta Park. Parker Blain Parramatta CBD was recently announced as the second New South Wales district to earn a Purple Flag, an internationally recognised accreditation awarded to areas with vibrant, diverse and safe nightlife scenes. (The YCK corridor in Sydneys CBD, which takes in York, Clarence and Kent streets, was the first to get the flag.) To celebrate Parramattas new status, we thought wed round up some of the best spots to eat in Sydneys second CBD. The legendary laksa at Temasek. Wolter Peeters Temasek Temaseks take on Malaysian and Singaporean classics has made it one of the most popular restaurants in Parramatta. It opened in 1992 and even though theyve added extra room over the years, you can still expect long lines if you visit for dinner at the weekend. Top-notch laksas and Hainanese chicken (both $16) make Temasek an inexpensive lunch spot, but the special-order menu items  including a fish-head curry; barbecued banana leaf-wrapped fish; and a showstopping Singapore chilli crab (complete with white bread to mop up all the extra sauce)  make it a great restaurant for a special occasion, too. The only catch is they have to be ordered two days in advance.

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Shop 2-4, 71 George Street, temasekrestaurant.com Swanky Noodle If this was a list of best-named restaurants in Parramatta, this place would take out line honours, no competition. Its a bonus the food is fantastic, too. A huge variety of hand-pulled noodles, dumplings and addictive spicy cold entrees make this the best Chinese restaurant in the area. Shop 1, 115 Church Street, swankynoodle.com.au Misc. in Parramatta Park. Parker Blain

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Misc. This Parramatta Park brunch and lunch spot is not just one of western Sydneys best restaurants  its one of the best in the whole of Sydney. The beautifully located 300-seater has two enormous menus, breakfast and lunch, each focusing on share plates that take inspiration from the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Go with a group and try to fill every bit of your table with plates of wood-fired bread, smoked labne, sujuk (spicy sausage), hot-smoked trout and saganaki cheese. Parramatta Park, miscparramatta.com.au Circa Things have changed slightly since Circa opened in 2010. Its gone from the only good cafe in Parramatta to one of the many good cafes in Parramatta. In our opinion, though, its still the best of them. The fun and varied menu changes seasonally, but the favourites remain, such as the legendary Ottoman eggs (poached free-range eggs with crumbed eggplant and labne). Circa is good for a quick coffee and sweet treat, or for a long lunch of crispy skin barramundi and crab fettuccine.

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21 Wentworth Street, circaespresso.com.au Ria Ayam Penyet Indonesian staples such as nasi goreng and fried chicken are worth ordering on your first visit, but on your return, you should try something from the extensive soup list, in particular the bakso. Its a combo of meatballs, noodles and crispy fried wonton wrappers. Or seek out the simple yet satisfying tamarind soup, sayur asem. If you dine in, your food is brought to you by a robot, so you should obviously dine in. 312 Church Street, parramatta.ria98.com.au Lilymu in Parramatta Square. Edwina Pickles

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Lilymu Lilymus modern take on Chinese and South-East Asian cuisine is fun and crowd-pleasing. Head chef Brendan Fongs menu changes enough that return visits are a must, and pastry chef Emi Echizenyas excellent desserts (especially the beautiful coconut sorbet with apple granita, pineapple and sago) are the perfect end to a great meal. Find it in Parramatta Square, also home to the terrific Ruse Bar and Brasserie and the only Mamak in Sydney you dont have to line up for. Parramatta Square, 153 Macquarie Street, lilymu.com Homage Come for the coffee (an impressive selection of beans roasted by Five Senses and Proud Mary), stay for the sandwiches. Its hard to go past the meatball sub with crisps on the side, and the open mushroom toastie is also crazy good. Friendly service and a great selection of sweets make this a local favourite.

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Shop 1, 71-73 George Street, instagram.com/homagespecialtycoffee Icy Spicy This place has a winning combination of Indian-style momo dumplings and Indian-flavoured ice-cream. There are about 10 momos, all vegetarian and gelatin-free  our pick is the fried beetroot  and more than 32 ice-cream flavours. There are ones youve heard of, like vanilla and butterscotch, but also ones you might not have, such as paan and gulab jamun (rosewater). If you want something that lives up to the Icy Spicy name, get a scoop of green mango generously sprinkled with bright red chilli powder. 146 James Ruse Drive, icyspicy.com.au Pho Pasteurs Vietnamese pancakes with mint, sprouts and lettuce. Wolter Peeters

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Pho Pasteur This Vietnamese institution has served what can only be thousands of bowls of pho to hungry Parramattans since it opened in 1992. Pasteur is a family-run restaurant, a beacon of culinary light that sits near the towering Westfield Shopping Centre. Not only does it offer the best bowl of pho in the area, but the massive menu also includes excellent vermicelli noodle salads, roll-your-own rice-paper rolls (the sugar cane prawns are a standout), and a surprisingly large amount of good vegetarian options. 137 Church Street, phopasteursydney.com Fratelli Pulcinella For many years, the Parramatta LGA was without a decent wood-fired pizza shop (COVID lockdowns were very difficult). That changed in 2022, when former Naples pizza scholar Alessio Zullo opened Parramattas first proper wood-fire setup in, wait for it, his backyard. While Fratelli Pulcinella is technically a takeaway joint, Zullo added outdoor dining so up to 30 people can enjoy his pizzas on his property. The classics (margherita, funghi, Napoletana) are some of the best in Sydney, but the star of the menu is the Vesuvio. Its a giant double layerpizza with home-made Italian sausage, ham, mushrooms and cheese on the inside, then a layer of tomato and cheese on top. Its a truly decadent pizza. It feels insane to go from years of no good pizza in Parramatta to something this wonderful. 44 OConnell Street, instagram.com/fratellipulcinella

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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 Ulaanbaatar: Mongolians will tell you they are agile. Which means they are not good at planning ahead. Thousands of years of nomadic living have made the people of this arid landlocked country able to adapt fast when disaster strikes. But it has left Mongolians struggling to keep up with longer-term global economic shifts that have centralised populations, money and power. Children wear superhero costumes in front of the Government Palace in Ulanbaatar. Credit: Sanghee Liu Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, Mongolias 43-year-old prime minister, is trying to change that. He is in the midst of instituting the broadest political reforms seen since the country split from the Soviet Union and became a democracy in 1990. The government is overhauling its majoritarian system to mirror New Zealands parliament of proportional representation  even if it might cost Oyun-Erdenes Mongolian Peoples Party power at the next election. It is also launching a corruption drive that will hit some of the countrys most prominent families, and weaning itself off its giant neighbours Russia and China.

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Mongolia does not have anything to hide, Oyun-Erdene says in an interview in his office at the Government Palace in Ulaanbaatar. We have to make reforms. Prime Minister of Mongolia, Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai in his office in Ulaanbaatar. Credit: Sanghee Liu The Harvard graduate has the build of a wrestler. He is the first Mongolian leader not to have been educated in the Soviet Union and leads a country where 70 per cent of people are under 35. Outside his office on Sunday, students surrounded a yurt while children rode around Ulaanbaatars main square on electric ponies to pumping drum and bass. But for years Mongolias youth have been left behind by chronic dysfunction, 14 changes of government in the past two decades (lasting an average of nine months) and an over-reliance on the mining sector. Then COVID-19 hit, China sealed its borders and Russia launched its war on Ukraine.

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Oyun-Erdene decided it was time to move. I do believe that my tenure as the prime minister has been unique because of these two main issues, he says. We had to find some advantages from this situation. For us, the most important thing for Mongolia is to make our economy independent. Young Mongolians enjoy riding a bicycle on the Sukhbataar Square. Credit: Sanghee Liu To do that, Oyun-Erdene has to convince foreign investors that this resource-rich but volatile young democracy is worth the risk. The system of government that saw two-party rule dominate decades of Mongolian politics is out. Coalitions are in. So too are women, who for the first time in 2024 will have one seat for every male elected in the proportional representation section of parliament. The prime minister will have power over the cabinet, with the president acting as the check and balance rather than the old-Soviet style horizontal model which saw factional rivals chuck out prime ministers as if it was Australia.

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The theory is that the new model will force governments to build consensus and encourage long-term policies while limiting the instability that has dogged each administration since the fall of the Berlin Wall. We lived instability. It created unclear, un-understandable environments, says the house speaker and Mongolian political veteran Gombojav Zandanshatar. We are not just talking about creating a favourable environment. We are doing it. We are updating the legislation, he says. People take selfies in front of a museum in Mongolias capital. Credit: Sanghee Liu Zandanshatar believes Mongolia can be a model for other small nations struggling to emerge from their authoritarian past. Sandwiched between our two giant neighbours, we call it an oasis of democracy. Those neighbours have caused plenty of discomfort for Mongolias leaders. The country remains dependent on Russia for all of its energy and 90 per cent of its exports go to China on a single railway track.

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Aware the situation is not sustainable, Oyun-Erdene is diversifying the economy into artificial intelligence, renewable energy and digital finance, targeting deals with third neighbours like Australia in the process. Loading English is now the nations second official language. A fibre optic cable that supplies Mongolias internet has to run through both Russia and China, so the government is now in talks with Elon Musks Starlink to provide satellite internet access to one of the worlds least densely populated nations. War or COVID, or any challenge, will end one day, says Zandanshatar. We cant move to Australia, with our ships and camels. Russia and China will never move. So we are neighbours. Neighbours dont choose each other. It is a geographic reality that has made for a delicate diplomatic dance for Oyun-Erdene.

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HONG KONG, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Wednesday announced plans to prohibit the import of aquatic products originating from 10 Japanese metropolis or prefectures once Japan commences the discharge of nuclear wastewater from Fukushima.

With the view to ensuring food safety and public health, and based on the precautionary principle, the ban will affect products from Tokyo, Fukushima, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama.

Chan Kwok-ki, chief secretary for administration of the HKSAR government, and Tse Chin-wan, secretary for environment and ecology of the HKSAR government, on Wednesday met with Consul-General of Japan in Hong Kong Okada Kenichi and relevant Japanese officials, and reiterated to the Japanese side that the Japanese authorities should not discharge the wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power station into the ocean unilaterally without the consensus of the international community so as to avoid bringing about irreversible impacts on the environment.

The discharge plan is unprecedented and would last for 30 years. The wastewater had direct contact with active raw materials of the nuclear reactor and thus contains a high concentration of radioactive substances. During this long period of time, if the purification system fails to operate effectively, it can pose significant risks to food safety and marine ecology. If the Japanese authorities have sufficient confidence in the treatment of the wastewater, they should seek suitable domestic use instead of discharging it into the ocean, thereby transferring the risk to the globe, according to a press release of the HKSAR government.

Hong Kong is a major export destination for Japanese agricultural, forestry and aquatic products. The HKSAR government will maintain the existing import control measures on certain food products against the five prefectures of Fukushima, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki, and Gunma, since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear incident.

In the meantime, Hong Kong's food safety watchdog will continue enhancing the testing on imported Japanese food and timely adjust the corresponding monitoring work having regard to risk assessment. In fact, regulators have since mid-June expanded the scope of testing to cover all Japanese aquatic products and stepped up radiological tests on other processed food imported from Japan.

The Japanese government has been pushing for dumping the contaminated wastewater this summer from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, which was hit by a massive earthquake and an ensuing tsunami in March 2011.

The move has aroused strong opposition and doubts from Japan's fishing and civic groups, neighboring countries and South Pacific island countries, as well as the international community. 
Celebrity Cruises, the award-winning premium cruise line with a global fleet of 16 resorts at sea that take guests to more than 300 destinations around the world across all seven continents, has announced a revamped Caribbean programme for the Summer 2024 season.

Starting next April, sun chasers, beach lovers and relaxation seekers, will all be able to enjoy the Caribbean like never before on board two award-winning ships, Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Reflection, as they begin to call the tropics home, says Mohamed Saeed, Managing Director, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara & Silversea Cruises  Middle East.

Not only does the new programme double the brands number of year-round Caribbean sailings and introduces the first weekend itineraries, but both ships will now offer guests with the exciting opportunity to experience Perfect Day at CocoCay for the first time in history.

Our customers are consistently asking for more opportunities to visit this stunning region year-round, have more weekend options so they can getaway easier, and have expressed a desire for a private island destination. By introducing this new programme, we can meet this demand and offer something new and historic to all our guests, says Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises.

Perfect Day is a destination like no other, and we are honoured to add it to our portfolio.

Perfect Day at CocoCay

Located in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay is a vibrant island paradise and one of the Caribbeans most exclusive destinations. Offering the best of beach-side bliss and sunsoaked excitement, guests can find peak relaxation or the ultimate thrill  whatever their speed and definition of the perfect day means.

Travellers can enjoy miles of pristine white sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters, take a dip in the largest freshwater pool in The Bahamas, swim up to the bar for a refreshing tropical cocktail, experience the ultimate in relaxation and privacy at Coco Beach Club that features a heated infinity pool, specialty restaurant, and 20 exclusive overwater cabanas.

Hideaway Beach, a new offering debuting in January, will offer an adults only paradise, with private cabanas and a new signature food outlet. If you are eager to get the adrenaline flowing on North Americas tallest waterslide, or soar 450 feet above the island in Up, Up and Away  an epic balloon ride that provides breathtaking panoramic views Perfect Day has something for everyone.

Experience the newest Edge Series ship

Sailing out of South Florida, Celebrity Beyond, will offer a mix of six and eight-night journeys, which visit incredible destinations like Grand Cayman, The Bahamas, Mexico, and the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, along with Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Launched in April 2022 in Europe and in November 2022 in North America, Celebrity Beyond is

the newest member of the brands revolutionary and modern Edge Series that reimagined what cruising could be. Signature offerings of the series include more than 30 food and beverage options, an outward-facing design that maximizes outdoor spaces and panoramic ocean views, world-class production shows, and sleek staterooms that range from Infinite Verandas which open with the push of a button to welcome the outdoor in, to the wellbeingfocused AquaClass, and the ultimate in luxury with the first-ever two-story suites known as the Edge Villas.

Get away to the Caribbean on any weekend

For the first time, travellers will have the opportunity to getaway every weekend on Celebrity Reflections new three and four-night itineraries. From Friday to Monday, travellers will have the opportunity to break free from their routines and recharge in the Caribbean. Nearly 40 itineraries will offer the chance to enjoy Perfect Day, while also taking guests to the picturesque streets of Key West, and the white sand beaches of Bimini. These two destinations are renowned for their laidback lifestyle, allowing only one ship per day. -TradeArabia News Service
BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The China Development Bank, one of the country's policy banks, stepped up financial support for the energy sector in the first half of the year to help ensure China's energy security.

The bank issued a total of 346.1 billion yuan (about 48.23 billion U.S. dollars) in loans during the period, increasing 18 percent year on year.

The loans mainly supported oil and gas pipeline network construction and photovoltaic and wind power infrastructure projects, among others.

The bank said it would support the building of a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient modern energy system, clean energy infrastructure construction, and clean and efficient use of traditional energy in the future. 
Photo taken on July 12, 2023 shows an aerial view of a solar power plant in Karapinar district of Konya Province, central Turkiye. Turkiye is considering investing 200 billion U.S. dollars in the energy sector by 2035, particularly in renewables such as wind and solar projects, as part of the country's goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2053, said the country's new Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar on July 9. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

by Burak Akinci

ANKARA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye is seeking foreign investment and assistance for the construction of its second and third nuclear power plant amid efforts to wean itself from costly energy imports, officials said.

Since the re-election of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for a third term in late May, several high-ranking officials have made statements about Ankara's efforts toward energy independence.

Turkiye is in contact with Russia and the Republic of Korea for its planned second plant and China for a third one, Salih Sari, the head of nuclear infrastructure at the energy ministry, told a local nuclear industry conference in late June in Istanbul, semi-official Anadolu Agency reported.

The country plans to build a second nuclear power plant in the northern province of Sinop and a third one in the northwestern province of Kirklareli, according to Sari.

"We are even pressing ahead with site surveys for a fourth nuclear plant project ... Turkiye needs 20 gigawatts of nuclear power generation capacity for its 2053 climate goals," the Turkish energy official said.

Turkiye's first nuclear power plant, built by Russia's Rosatom in the southern Mediterranean region of Mersin, will become operational next year. It is expected to provide about 10 percent of the country's electricity needs when fully operational.

Mithat Rende, an Ankara-based energy analyst, warned of Turkiye's dependence on Russia in the field of energy despite the volume had started to decline in the past years, during which Turkiye has seen important discoveries of natural gas reserves.

"Everyone is now more careful. Nobody wants to be solely dependent on a single source or a single country. This is why domestic energy sources have become all the more important," Rende said.

For Arif Akturk, another energy expert based in Ankara, Turkiye's economic woes are posing serious obstacles to its further investments in the offshore gas fields.

"In order to be more independent on energy, considerable amounts of investments have to be made, but considering Turkiye's finances, this is a challenge," he said.

On Sunday, Turkiye's new Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar told reporters that Ankara is also negotiating with the United States and Britain on installing modular nuclear facilities in the country.

"Today, we import almost 70 percent of primary energy sources. Turkiye is 92 percent foreign-dependent when it comes to crude oil. We import 99 percent of natural gas," Bayraktar was quoted by Turkiye's Daily Sabah as saying.

Turkiye is considering investing 200 billion U.S. dollars in the energy sector by 2035, particularly in renewables such as wind and solar projects, as part of the country's goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2053, according to the minister. 

Photo taken on July 12, 2023 shows an aerial view of wind turbines in Konya Province, central Turkiye. Turkiye is considering investing 200 billion U.S. dollars in the energy sector by 2035, particularly in renewables such as wind and solar projects, as part of the country's goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2053, said the country's new Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar on July 9. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
TEHRAN, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Iran and Kenya on Wednesday signed five documents to strengthen cooperation in veterinary medicine, communications, culture, fishery as well as the technical and vocational training.

The documents, comprising agreements and memorandums of understanding, were signed by the two countries' ministers in the presence of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto after their meeting in Kenya's capital Nairobi, according to a statement published on the website of the Iranian president's office.

At a joint press conference after the meeting, Raisi said the two countries have great potential for cooperation.

Hailing Africa the "continent of capacities," Raisi said Iran "warmly" welcomes the expansion of relations with all African states.

He also invited Ruto to visit Iran in the near future.

The Kenyan president, for his part, said the two countries have agreed to build a car assembly factory in Kenya for the production of Iranian cars with Swahili names.

Kenya welcomes Iranian investors and traders with "open arms" and will create a "favorable" environment for them, he noted.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, Raisi arrived in Nairobi on Wednesday morning, in the first leg of his tour to East Africa, which will also take him to Uganda and Zimbabwe. 
Wyomings place in aviation history will be the subject of a three-webinar series hosted by AARP Wyoming in August. The series will be presented by Michael Kassel, the Associate Director and Curator of Collections at the Cheyenne Frontier Old West Museum.

The webinars are free, but viewers are required to register by clicking here (aarp.cvent.com/c/calendar/90a307a8-b757-4e96-bbcd-3ad004dc77f5)

Please note that you must be signed in to your AARP.org account or create an account to register for events. AARP membership is not required. Please do not opt out of event-related email, as you will be emailed a link to join the class via Zoom prior to the event.

The first webinar is slated for noon Mountain Time on Aug. 3 and is called, The Invention of Airmail. Register for this webinar by going clicking here (https://events.aarp.org/event/19e2b720-cd80-4230-9804-963a56b49770/summary).

While planes were the weapons of World War I, at this time, there were limited uses in the civilian world. It took the daring of General Billy Mitchell and the bold vision of the United States Assistant Postmaster General Otto Praeger to foresee one key way the airplane could connect the nation.

This presentation tells the story of the worlds first transcontinental air mail route and explores the daring pilots, skilled technicians and communities willing to take a chance on new technologies to conquer the challenges of flying coast to coast over some of the most difficult environments on the planet.

Wyoming, at the rooftop of the nation, held a special significance for the United States air mail service, and we will explore the role our state had in the creation of this technological marvel. What happened in Wyoming laid the foundation for the commercial aviation world we enjoy today.

At noon on Aug. 10, Kassel will offer a webinar called, Stewardess School. To register for this event, click here (https://events.aarp.org/event/2de80425-68a8-40ab-aef8-39dddf005040/summary).

In 1929, people were terrified to fly. The sky belonged to air mail pilots, military aviators and barnstormers. Few people thought of the airplane as a means of travel. But Boeing Air Transport, the worlds largest airline, was determined to convince people otherwise, though luxury and technology alone would not be enough to entice the timid public.

So two people came up with a plan to make the flight experience more comfortable. Steve Simpson, a ticket agent from California, and Ellen Church, a nurse from Iowa, conceived a daring plan to recruit young women to serve as stewardesses for the airline. The first group of eight young women were trained at the companys headquarters in Cheyenne, and sent aloft  and the commercial airline industry would never be the same. Today, the flight attendant is one of the most important roles of our modern experience of flying and is ubiquitous the world over.

This presentation examines how the original vision of Simpson and Church transformed the business and what role Cheyenne continued to play in the friendly skies.

The final in the three-webinar series takes place at noon on Aug. 17 and is titled, The Airplane Modification Center of Cheyenne. Register for that event here (https://events.aarp.org/event/d8f0589c-5bf2-4e1c-b5fd-cbd930b37f17/summary).

With the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the United States found itself embroiled in the biggest war the world had ever known. To get ready for this fight, the United States Army Air Corps needed as many planes with the latest technology as possible. What transpired during the Second World war was a miracle of production that contributed mightily to our nations eventual victory.

A key contributor to this effort was located in an unlikely place.Cheyenne. Cheyenne was home to the famed Maintenance Base of United Airlines, and the Army Air Corps could think of no better place to approach to solve some of the most challenging issues facing the service.

Filled with the best aviation technicians in the world, the Modification Center Number 10 was established. This amazing center, the largest in the Rocky Mountain Region, was pivotal in the production of the famed Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. The story of Modification Center 10 celebrates the innovative prowess of its technicians, the professionalism of its test pilots and the dedication of its women war workers in making a war winning effort to bring the fight to the nations enemies.
Batavia, NY (14020)

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Rain showers early, then clear overnight. Low 58F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
TEHRAN, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that the plight of Ukrainians today is evidence of the West's "colonial and predatory" motives.

He made the remarks in a meeting with a group of clerics, seminary students and teachers in the capital Tehran, according to a statement posted on the leader's website.

Khamenei said the West is behind the continuation of the conflict in Ukraine and it sacrifices people's lives to sell its arms.

However, the West is more "vulnerable" than ever, he noted, adding the United States, for example, faces a lot of problems, such as racial discrimination, sexual ethics and criminal offenses. 
Northern Lights may be visible in New York due to a solar storm
Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, delivers a keynote speech at the 2023 China New Media Conference in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, July 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The 2023 China New Media Conference was held on Wednesday in Changsha, the capital of central China's Hunan Province.

Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended the event and delivered a keynote speech.

Participants agreed that over recent years, the voice of the Party has been spreading online in a broader, more extensive and more profound manner, and the integrated development of media had seen notable achievements.

Participants noted that it is the responsibility of journalists to shoulder the country's new cultural mission and build a modern Chinese civilization. They called for further efforts to secure a sound online environment, and enhance the media's ability to guide and influence mainstream public opinion.

More than 800 people, including representatives of central and local government departments, news organizations, online platforms and universities and institutions, attended the conference. 
Black Tot rum releases 2023 edition of master blenders reserve rum

Award winning Black Tot rum has released the fourth edition of its rum blend, Master Blenders Reserve 2023.

Crafted by master blender Oliver Chilton, the rum is released yearly on the anniversary of Black Tot Day, 31 July, a day where the British Navy discontinued the daily rum ration.

The method of blending used to create the rum is a modern-day adaptation of an old blending practise. The third of a blend is held back for another year and blended again, creating a perpetual blend. The producers have described the spirit as having notes of liquorice sticks, toffee and cherry drops on the palate.

For the 2023 edition, Chilton selected casks from Guyana, Trinidad, Barbados, Jamaica and Grenada, the latter of which distilled in 1993. These were then married with Black Tots perpetual reserve, Master Blenders 2022 Reserve and some original Navy rum from 1970.

Chilton said on the release: Our fourth evolution of Master Blenders Reserve is a return to the denser, more traditional style of Black Tot 50th Anniversary Rum. With a larger focus on older rums from Guyana and the addition of 30-year-old rum from Grenada, a real sense of maturity and status has developed. It is such a privilege to be able to keep back stock from each blend to mature on and use as the heart of next iteration of Master Blenders Reserve, reimagining a blending technique used for so many decades by the rum blenders of the Navy.

Bottled at 54% ABV, the rum will be available from 31 July across all channels at an RRP of 145.

12 July 2023 - Bradley Weir

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Jonah then admitted: "Yes we sexted two months ago," before adding: "Screenshotting intimate texts between us is a huge triggering violation for me and breach of trust as a friend as I have explained to you about breaches of trust I have had between trusted friends recently that have caused me trauma. I am incredibly hurt ."
A bill taking aim at TikTok is facing changes on Capitol Hill. This comes after the app spent $100 million to lobby Congress.

Federal prosecutors are now targeting the head of a Washington-based think tank, who has been charged for acting as a Chinese agent.

Dozens of Chinese military aircraft were spotted near Taiwan, flanked by warships. The fly-by followed a speech hinting at tighter ties with the United States.

The Solomon Islands and China are strengthening relations, signing nine deals in Beijing, including a policing pact.

Topics in this episode:
5 Convicted of Killing Divorcee Who Fell for Honeytrap on Craigslist

Vishal Gohel who was found dead at his home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on Jan. 23, 2022. (Hertfordshire Police)

Five people have been convicted of killing a divorcee who was tricked into a honeytrap and set up by a woman he apparently met on Craigslist.

The trial heard Vishal Gohel, 44, was referred to as 57 by the gang because he was known to have 57,000 in his bank account.

Georgia Bruce-Annan, 22, was found guilty of murder and conspiracy to rob, along with Tevin Leslie, 23, and his cousin Sakeen Gordon, 22, by a jury at St Albans Crown Court on Wednesday.

Brandon Browne and Faith Hoppie, both 22, were found guilty of manslaughter and convicted of conspiracy to rob Mr. Gohel.

Tianna Edwards-Hancock, 20, was acquitted of all charges.

After the verdicts, in a short hearing The Epoch Times covered by videolink, Judge Richard Foster said he would sentence all five at a later date.

The prosecutor, Charlotte Newell KC, told the jury Mr. Gohel, an IT sales specialist who lived in Bushey, just north of London, met Ms. Bruce-Annan, 22, through the listings website Craigslist and she set him up.

The trial heard Mr. Gohelwho used the pseudonym Samchatted with her on Jan. 22, 2022, and they agreed to a sugar daddy arrangement.

Sex Party Ended in Murder

She then offered to bring over two of her friends for a cocaine-fuelled sex party at his flat that night.

But Ms. Newell said it was a honeytrap and an hour after the three women arrived by taxi from Barking, east London, three men suddenly burst into the flat, tied up Mr. Gohel, demanded money and drugs, and then beat him up and left him for dead.

They got away with only 200 in cash, an iPhone, and an iWatch.

The three women also fled but police tracked down Ms. Bruce-Annan, her friends, and the three men.

Georgia Bruce-Annan (L) and Tevin Leslie (R) who have been convicted of murdering Vishal Gohel in Bushey, England, on Jan. 23, 2022. (Hertfordshire Police)

It emerged Ms. Bruce-Annan and Mr. Leslie had been in contact with each other on the night of the attack and Ms. Hoppie also knew Mr. Browne.

Cut-Throat Defences

Ms. Bruce-Annan and Ms. Hoppie did not give evidence but the other four engaged in cut-throat defences where they blamed each other and sought to minimise their own role.

Ms. Edwards-Hancock gave the most damning testimony. She said Ms. Bruce-Annan had set up Mr. Gohel and had guided the men to the flat.

Sakeen Gordon (L)  who was convicted of murder  Brandon Browne (C) and Faith Hoppie (R), who were convicted of manslaughter at St Albans Crown Court in St Albans, England on July 12, 2023. (Hertfordshire Police)

She said she was oblivious to any plan to rob Mr. Gohel, said she had not agreed to have sex with him and was only there for the drugs.

Mr. Leslie admitted manslaughter and conspiracy to rob before the trial began and Ms. Bruce-Annan changed her plea during the trial and also admitted manslaughter and conspiracy to rob.

But the prosecution maintained they were part of a joint enterprise to rob and murder Mr. Gohel.

Opening the case, prosecutor Charlotte Newell KC said a neighbour noticed Mr. Gohels door was open on the morning of Jan. 23, 2022, and made a horrifying discovery when she entered the flat to check on him later that day.

Neighbour Found Lifeless Body

Newell said: Mr. Gohel was lifeless on the floor of the bedroom. Gaffer tape was round the lower part of his face.

He had suffered significant blows to the head, brain damage, and his voicebox had been fractured, which a pathologist said was consistent with him having been strangled.

Giving evidence, Mr. Leslie claimed the plan was never to do any harm to Mr. Gohel but he said he lost consciousness and died while he was being restrained.

The defendants said they checked for a pulse and splashed water on his face after he passed out, but none of them called for an ambulance.

Mr. Leslie, Mr. Browne, Ms. Gordon and Ms. Edwards-Hancock all admitted they were scared he was dead and were frightened of being implicated by the police.

An undated image of Craigslist CEO Craig Buckmaster outside the companys offices in San Francisco, Calif. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Rob Jones, a friend of Mr. Gohel, told The Epoch Times: He had a big win with crypto and his family did well in property but he wasnt wealthy, just a bit flash.

Very Funny Guy

Mr. Jones said Mr. Gohel was a very funny guy who was full of funny stories and he said his children had been robbed of their father.

Commenting on the claims made by Mr. Leslie during the trial, Mr. Jones said: Vishal was by no means a fighter. He was tiny guy for starters. He was street smart so I think he would have given up anything he had willingly.

It is not clear how Mr. Gohel and Ms. Bruce-Annan met on Craigslist as the UK site does not appear to have any personal ads.

In 2018 Craigslist said it was closing down its personal ads after the U.S. Congress passed the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act.

Craigslist said at the time the law subjected websites to criminal and civil liability, when third parties misuse online personals unlawfully.

Craigslist added: Any tool or service can be misused. We cant take such risk without jeopardizing all our other services, so we are regretfully taking craigslist personals offline. Hopefully we can bring them back some day.

The Epoch Times contacted Craigslist but did not get a response.
$550 Million in Overpayments Due to Botched Phoenix System Yet to Be Recovered, Say Feds

Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada affected by Phoenix Pay System errors protest on the three-year anniversary of the launch of the pay system, in Ottawa on Feb. 28, 2019. (The Canadian Press/Justin Tang)

More than half a billion dollars in overpayments to federal employees due to previous errors in Ottawas Phoenix Pay System are yet to be recovered, according to recently released federal records.

Cabinet disclosed a number of figures in an Inquiry of Ministry related to the failed payment system, which Ottawa launched in 2016 in an effort to consolidate a number of outdated payroll systems that were still being used for federal employees at the time.

Since the launch of Phoenix approximately 389,500 employees have been identified as having received either an administrative overpayment or true overpayment totaling $3.08 billion as of April 24, Cabinet wrote in the Inquiry tabled on June 9, as first reported by Blacklocks Reporter.

However, it added that $553 million in overpayments are yet to be recovered.

True overpayments usually occur when certain pay transactions are not submitted or processed promptly, wrote Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) in the Inquiry.

Some situations are related to unforeseen work-life events, it added. Flexible repayment measures are in place to avoid, where possible, adverse impacts on employees with a true overpayment.

PSPC also said that it had not written off any of the $553 million in overpayments because federal employees who have received them are meant to acknowledge their debt or enter into a repayment agreement in order to have access to flexible repayment options.

Overpayments are a normal part of the pay administration process and they occur in all pay systems, PSPC wrote.

Debt Written Off

However, the Department of Industry wrote that it had written off one overpayment totalling over $45,480 that was related to a deceased employee.

Every effort is made to collect funds prior to considering writing off an amount owed to the Crown, the department stated in the Inquiry.

The department added that it attempted to recover the overpayment from the deceased persons estate, but received confirmation that the estate was insolvent; meaning no funds were available to repay the debt.

Given that all collection efforts had been exhausted, we were required to seek

Treasury Board approval to write off this debt, it wrote.

According to Blacklocks, cabinet tabled the Inquiry in response to an order paper question filed by Conservative MP Gerald Soroka on April 24, who asked for the number of federal employees who had received overpayments and how much taxpayers were still owed in unrecovered funds.

A previous briefing note prepared for Treasury Board President Mona Fortier in November 2022 also said that Ottawa had paid around $685 million to federal employees as compensation for payment errors.
After Supreme Court Colorblind Ruling, the Slavery Reparations Fight Lives On as Not Race-Based

News Analysis

The uncertain legality of paying reparations for slavery and its legacies came into focus two weeks ago when the U.S. Supreme Court rejected racial preferences in college admissions nationwide. But while some see the ruling as a major setback for the reparations movement, it isnt likely to deter its advocates, who say that redress for racial discrimination would not be based strictly on race.

The same day the Supreme Court declared the admissions practices at Harvard College and the University of North Carolina unconstitutional, Kamilah Moore, head of the California task force at the forefront of the national reparations effort, announced on Twitter that the cause is not affected by the decision: Our reparations recommendations are not race-based, but rather are based on lineal descent.

Its a subtle distinction stemming from the California Reparations Task Forces razor-thin 5-4 vote last year to restrict eligibility for reparations only to California residents who qualify by lineal descendanteither from an enslaved African American, or from a free African American person living in the United States prior to the end of the 19th century. That eligibility criterion will exclude several hundred thousand black people living in Californianamely Caribbean, African, and South American black immigrants who arrived in this country in the 20th century.

On the same day the court ruled, the California task force had rolled out an ambitious reparations program for an estimated 2 million black residents, containing more than 100 proposals, including free college tuition, a guaranteed income program, and cash payments that could exceed $1 million for some eligible African Americans.

Task force members repeatedly stated that their damning historical analysis of American racism, and their proposed remedies, are intended to serve as a blueprint for the entire nation to adopt in atonement for what they see as the original sin of slavery and its discriminatory legacies, such as segregation, redlining, and mass incarceration.

The totality of the demandswhich would cost California taxpayers an estimated $500 billion to $800 billion if enacted as proposedis calculated to show that colorblind policies are woefully inadequate for the task of remedying a centuries-long catalog of historical injustices. Indeed, the task forces report, exceeding 1,000 pages and drawing on international human rights precedents, reads like a case brought before an international human rights tribunal, putting American society on trial for crimes against humanity.

For those reactionaries who say slavery is old news and the time for reparations has passed, well, you know what, Ive been a civil rights lawyer for 20 years and I say show me the statute of limitations on mass genocide, said task force member Lisa Holder at the panels final meeting last month. Show me the statute of limitations on the worlds greatest crime against humanity and show me the statute of limitations on accountability for original sin.

Californias reparations agenda is now in the hands of state legislators, who will have to decide which, if any, of the recommendations will become law and state policy and which will be shelved. But even before the Supreme Court ruled that using race as a factor in college admissions is unconstitutional, courts had struck down race-based and identity-based preferencessuch as a federal $4 billion debt relief program for non-white farmers, and California laws imposing gender quotas and diversity mandates on corporate boards.

At the same time, California voters in 2020 resoundingly reaffirmed the states 27-year statewide ban on racial preferences in state government hiring, contracting and in college admissionsknown as Proposition 209.

Lawsuits are virtually assured, as reparations skeptics consider eligibility by lineage to be a proxy for race. Whats more, one of the California Reparations Task Forces 100-plus recommendations would repeal Prop 209, which was upheld by 57 percent of voters in a 2020 referendum. If that happens, the action would provoke the advocacy groups that had formed for the express purpose of keeping racial preferences out of state government.

First and foremost, this is a legal matter. It will be challenged, if not by us, then by someone else, said Wenyuan Wu, executive director of the California for Equal Rights Foundation, a lead group in the 2020 effort upholding Prop 209; it is now suing San Francisco to block that citys guaranteed income programs for transgender people and for racial minorities.

Against the task force reports quasi-judicial tone of moral indictment, opponents are expected to challenge some of the historical claims as distortions or one-sided, not unlike the critical response to the similarly themed New York Times 1619 Project published four years ago. UCLA law professor Richard Sander, who has spent his career researching the downsides of racial preferences, said the task force report is infused with Critical Race Theory, reducing complex history to simplistic explanations.

A big challenge is going to be to put out an accurate counter-narrative, Sander said. One valuable thing from this process is the public can see what the critical race studies worldview and agenda is. This report is the distilled ideology. I hope that it will prompt a serious intellectual response.

Such responses might cite recent studies indicating that redlininga practice of excluding risky neighborhoods from home lending programs and other financial servicesmay have impacted more white people than black people, even if blacks were disproportionately affected because of relative poverty and because of racial animus. That historical perspective has been taken up by Columbia University linguistics professor John McWhorter, a social commentator and author of the 2021 book, Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America.

Likewise, the task force heard tearful testimony about black residents losing their properties to government seizures, and the report documents the decimation of thriving black neighborhoods, displacing thousands of residents, to clear space for highways and other public projects. Critics say that these stories, however true, omit the numerous examples of eminent domain actions that disenfranchised white property owners, thus distorting public perceptions by focusing only on one race.

William Jacobson, clinical professor of law at Cornell Law School and president of the Legal Insurrection Foundation, which runs conservative websites, said the task force presumes every black person is a powerless victim who deserves compensationprecisely the sort of crude stereotyping the Supreme Court majority has rejected. Jacobson further said that calculating only harms without considering the other side of the ledgerlike government assistance or other benefits someones parents or grandparents may have accrued over a lifetimeis a dishonest moral calculus.

Theyre asking for a lot. Theyre asking for what would obviously bankrupt the state, said University of San Diego law professor Gail Heriot, who helped lead the movement to defeat racial preferences in 2020 as co-chair of the Californians 4 Equal Rights/No on Prop 16, and in 1996 co-chaired Yes on Proposition 209, which implemented the states ban on racial preferences.

Reparations of this kind will likely lead to inter-racial and inter-ethnic strifejust the opposite of what the Californias leaders should be trying to do, she said. Its unlikely to go down well with the people who are paying the taxes for this.

Glenn Roper, an attorney with the Pacific Legal Foundation, a conservative public interest law practice that challenged the Biden administrations debt-relief program for non-white farmers, said the California Reparations Task Force report presents a radical challenge to the constitutional principle of equal protection. He said the Pacific Legal Foundations clients have in the past challenged the legality of government programs that have nibbled around the edges of the equal protection principle, but the California reparations project is of a different scale altogether.

This would be a sweeping overhaul of the whole equal protection project, Roper said. Its really going to be a pivotal test whether equal protection, colorblindness, and race neutrality can withstand the moment.

The task forces reparations report and proposals are a culmination of more than two years of testimony and emotional public hearings in which African American citizens invoked the sufferings of their ancestors, and speakers exclaimed: Cut the check! Pay the debt! We need cash!

The task force hearings emphasized public and expert opinions that strengthened the case for reparations, but the matter is now before lawmakers who represent voters who twice upheld Proposition 209.

In deciding which provisions to adopt, Californias Democratic-controlled legislature faces a plethora of thorny questions from the public: If an African American resident has black ancestors who owned slaves, should that person be eligible for reparations? Should there be an income cutoff or sliding scale for affluent African Americans? Should there be restrictions on how black recipients spend their reparations money, just as there are limits on how government agencies and nonprofits spend taxpayer dollars? Should the focus of government be to assist all Americans who are struggling or left behind, rather than prioritizing one ethnic group?

Basing reparations on lineage rather than race was advised by University of California, Berkeley, School of Law dean Erwin Chemerinsky, who last year told the task force there was a strong argument that limiting reparations to black people with black ancestry in this country before the year 1900 would be legally defensible, as opposed to awarding reparations to all black people, including black immigrants who may have experienced racial discrimination in this country.

Chemerinsky drew a comparison between reparations for African Americans and other types of reparations. For example, the U.S. government awarded reparations to Japanese Americans forced to live in internment camps during World War II, but the payments went to people who had suffered a specific injury, not for being generally harmed by racial discrimination.

The Japanese American Evacuation Claims Act of 1948 offered about $37 million in compensation for real and personal property that Japanese internees had lost. In 1988, Congress voted to extend an apology and pay $20,000 to each Japanese American survivor of the internment, paying more than $1.6 billion to 82,219 eligible claimants. Upon signing the legislation, President Reagan declared that in so doing, the United States government was officially admitting a wrong and reaffirming our commitment as a nation to equal justice under the law.

During March 2022 discussions about eligibility, divisions among the task force members spilled out into the open, highlighting the legal quandary of doing reparations in a U.S. legal framework that restricts or prohibits race-based policies.

I want to start with what I consider to be an irony, said task force member Cheryl Grills, a Loyola Marymount University psychology professor whose professional interests include community psychology and African psychology, focusing on African-centered treatment modalities. Europe and the United States concocted this thing called race to define and control us, Grills said, and now we find ourselves being restricted from using the very thing they concocted to liberate ourselves from the legacy of the systems of oppression that they created.

Grills further warned: Providing reparations only for those who can prove their descendancy from enslaved Africans is yet another win for white supremacy because it dismisses and devalues the harms done to African descendants not enslaved here but who were injured by slavery due to their blackness once they entered the shores of America.

Another task force member, veteran civil rights activist Amos Brown, who joined the Freedom Riders and was arrested at a lunch counter in 1961 with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., urged the panel to be realistic and practical.

Why set up ourselves to be involved in a legal battle? Brown pleaded with his colleagues. We know very well in the state of California, because of Proposition 209, which has not been repealed, you cannot have race-based activities and legislation.

The core contention of the California Reparations Task Force is that decades of systematic anti-black policies in housing, healthcare, education, and policing, much of it documented in the past 100 years, prevented the accumulation of family wealth and the inter-generational transfer of wealth, resulting in present-day racial wealth gaps that require race-conscious policies to reverse. Such historical arguments have been popularized by best-selling race writers like Michelle Alexander, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Nikole Hannah-Jones, and Ibram X. Kendi, resulting in a conceptual shift to thinking of racism as a societal problem and a societal responsibility.

Their ideas are spreading, especially in liberal jurisdictions. The State of New York recently passed a bill to create a reparations task force and officials in New Jersey and Vermont have indicated they too plan to address the issue, while more than a dozen municipalities are implementing local programs. According to the online redress map of the African American Redress Network, a joint project of academics at Columbia University and Howard University, there were more than 460 local repair efforts underway between 2019 and 2022 at businesses, museums, land trusts, universities and municipalities to redress the effects of historical racism; the remedies included housing vouchers, scholarships, commemorations, memorializations, and apologies. Linda Mann, project co-founder and a professor of international and public affairs at Columbia, said the total now is close to 550.

Even if the current legal climate, as signaled by the Supreme Court decision, spells a generational setback to the reparations effort, at some point the country is going to have to reckon with this, she said.

Mann said she agreed 100 percent with the sentiment expressed in the 2021 book, The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story, that there is absolutely nothing black people can do on their own to get out of povertynot getting married, not getting an education, not saving more, not buying a homethat would overcome four centuries of racialized plundering.

The disparities are so significant that honestly the only way to bridge them is through some kind of reparative justice, Mann said. The structural aspect hasnt changed. Its an integral part of our country.

Task force member Holder told The New York Times that without government intervention to dismantle structural racism, this continues in perpetuity. According to her bio on the California Reparations Task Force web site, Holder is a civil rights lawyer, racial justice scholar, and an equity consultant.

Its a perspective foundational to the reparations movement, one that conveys a bleakness, pessimism and fatalism that some Americans find deeply disturbing.

Weve gone from the bright optimism of the civil rights era, to the peevish political correctness of the 1990s, and on to the Age of Wokeness in which young African Americans are being told that they cant possibly achieve, because everything about the world is rigged against them, Heriot said. Its highly destructive.

From RealClearInvestigations

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
American Accused of Killing 3 Women in Tijuana Arrested in California

LOS ANGELESU.S. authorities have arrested a California man accused of killing three women in the Mexican border city of Tijuana and crossing back and forth across the border after each of the deaths that occurred over the course of nearly a year starting in 2021.

According to U.S. court records, 30-year-old Bryant Rivera, a resident of Los Angeles suburb Downey, was arrested July 6 on a femicide charge in the strangulation death of Angela Carolina Acosta Flores, whose body was found in a hotel room in Tijuana on Jan. 25, 2022.

Mexico plans to request his extradition in order to present evidence to add charges for the deaths of two more women in Tijuana, according to court filings. Ricardo Ivan Carpio, the attorney general of the state of Baja California, said they will include new evidence found when Rivera was arrested in California. It was not immediately known if Rivera had retained an attorney.

Mr. Rivera appeared in federal court Monday, where U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen L. Stevenson ordered him to remain detained at the federal Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles for the duration of his extradition proceedings, according to Ciaran McEvoy, spokesperson for the U.S. attorneys office. Mexico has 60 days to file a formal extradition request.

Ms. Acostas mother told Mexican authorities that her daughter worked next door to the Tijuana hotel, where her body was found, at a strip bar called the Hong Kong Gentlemens Club, and occasionally as a sex worker. The mother told authorities she last heard from her daughter on Jan. 24, 2022, when she texted her that she would be taking one of her clients into room 404 at the Las Cascadas Hotel for 30 minutes at around 10:15 p.m., according to court records. At 10:45 p.m., her mother said she started texting her daughter but never heard from her.

Court records show Ms. Acostas boyfriend went to the club at 3 a.m. and was told by a worker there that Ms. Acosta had left with a customer who was a gringo named Bryant Rivera. After her daughters body was found in room 404, Ms. Acostas mother tracked her daughters cell phone to an address in Riverside, California.

Security camera footage from the hotel captured a man matching Riveras description and the victim entering room 404, according to court records.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection records show Mr. Rivera entered the United States on foot through the San Ysidro port of entry shortly after midnight on Jan. 25, 2022.
Amid Continued Threats IRS Warns Against Identity Theft of American Taxpayers

The Internal Revenue Service headquarters building in Washington, D.C., is seen in a file photo. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The IRS has kicked off a summer campaign to prepare tax professionals, and more broadly, the nations tax community, against potential identity theft attempts of clients and their own establishments.

On Tuesday, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced the start of its Protect Your Clients: Protect Yourself campaign aimed at ensuring tax professionals stay alert against new and ongoing threats of tax-related identity theft, according to a July 11 press release. The IRS warned that tax professionals are prime targets of criminals that trick or hack to gain access to their computer systems to access data about their clients. The agency said that identity thieves use this stolen information to file fraudulent tax returns or sell the data to other fraudsters.

Tax identity theft is an issue that affects hundreds of thousands of American taxpayers. According to a May 10 report (pdf) by the U.S. Treasury, the IRS identified almost 1.1 million tax returns as being potentially fraudulent for the 2023 filing season as of March 2.

Criminals use the stolen information about a taxpayer to file returns and claim a tax refund. The 1.1 million potentially fake returns had a refund claim totaling around $6.3 billion.

The IRS had confirmed 12,617 tax returns as fraudulent, preventing the issuance of $105.3 million in refunds to identity theft criminals.

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel called tax professionals a critical part of the agencys defenses against identity thieves. The sensitive financial and tax information they hold is a tempting target. Its critical that those handling sensitive tax information, especially smaller practices, stay current and keep their systems safe.

Among the ways the IRS recommends tax professionals protect their clients include signing up people for identity protection PINs (IP PINs). An IP PIN is a six-digit number assigned to a taxpayer that prevents some other individual from filing tax returns using the taxpayers Social Security Number or the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Only the taxpayer and the IRS will have information about the IP PIN.

Tax Summit Recommendations

The IRS recommends tax professionals create a security plan using the Written Information Security Plan (WISP) model developed by Security Summit.

Regarding common online hacking techniques like phishing, spear phishing and whaling, these are cyber schemes that put sensitive information at risk. Tax pros are a common, everyday target of phishing scams designed to trick the recipient into disclosing personal information such as passwords, bank account numbers, credit card numbers or Social Security numbers. Tax professionals and taxpayers should be aware of different phishing terms and what the scams might look like.

Phishing happens when malicious actors pretend to be reputable companies and send fraud emails to unsuspecting victims while spear phishing targets a specific person or group. Whaling is a phishing technique that targets senior corporate executives and encourages mail recipients to do some actions that benefit the hackers.

The IRS also asks that tax professionals keep themselves informed about cyber schemes like phishing and know the tell-tale signs of identity theft.

According to the July 11 IRS press release, the Summit partners have made great inroads against tax-related identity theft, dramatically reducing confirmed identity theft returns and saving billions in tax dollars during the course of the collaborative effort.

In the 2015 filing season, the IRS had 1.4 million confirmed identity theft returns. This fell to 649,000 in filing season 2018 and 56,831 for filing season 2021. During filing season 2022, confirmed identity theft returns rose to 210,130.

The Protect Your Clients: Protect Yourself campaign is being done in partnership with Security Summit, a membership group comprising 42 state agencies and 20 industry offices, in addition to the IRS. The annual campaign, which began in 2015, is in its eighth year.

How to Protect Yourself

While the Protect Your Clients: Protect Yourself program is aimed at tax professionals, the agency stresses the need for individual taxpayers to be vigilant about criminals targeting them for tax identity theft.

According to the IRS, some of the red signals that could indicate your tax identity has been stolen include getting a letter from the agency regarding a suspicious tax return that you did not file.

A taxpayer receiving a tax transcript via mail that was not requested is a sign to be alert.

The agency has advised citizens to inform them if they were unable to e-file tax returns due to a duplicate social security number or getting assigned an Employer Identification Number without requesting it.

If you get an IRS notice that an online account has been created in your name without your knowledge, then you could be a victim of ID theft.

While checking IRS records, if it indicates you received wages or other income from an employer you didnt work for, then it is another sign of malicious activity within your account.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends that taxpayers keep their tax records and social security card in a safe place. In case taxpayers are using software like TurboTax, TaxAct, or TaxSlayer to prepare their returns, the agency asked that they use multi-factor authentication for extra security.

In addition, taxpayers should avoid giving personal info to people who call, text, or email and claim that they represent the IRS as such contacts may be scammers, the FTC warned.

If your tax refund has been stolen, the FTC recommends that the incident be reported at IdentityTheft.gov.

Suppose your Social Security number is compromised and you know or suspect you are a victim of tax-related identity theft. In that case, the IRS recommends visiting IdentityTheft.gov or calling 800-908-4490 for specialized assistance.
ANALYSIS: US Plan for Naval Logistics Hubs in India Will Boost Efforts to Counter China in Indo-Pacific

A trilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and U.S. Navy forces in the Indo-Asia-Pacific in Sasebo, Japan, June 12, 2016. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Charles E. White/Released)

NEW DELHIThe United States is planning to establish multiple naval logistics hubs in India for the resupplying and maintenance of its naval vessels in the South Asian region. Experts say this will enhance the Unites States maritime dominance, and help to counter Chinese expansionism in the Indo-Pacific.

Well have much more to follow in the near future, but the aim here is to make India a logistics hub for the United States and other partners in the Indo-Pacific region, said Pentagon press secretary, Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder at a press briefing on June 22 in reply to a question on the agreement that allows the U.S. Navy to carry out repairs in India.

The move is also seen as U.S. assistance toward building Indias infrastructure in the maritime domain, and was announced immediately after the two nations created the India-United States Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) in late Junewhich coincided with Indian PM Narendra Modis first-ever state visit to Washington.

And so we intend to support India in the creation of logistics, repair, and maintenance infrastructure for aircraft and ships, said Brig. Gen. Ryder.

Retired Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, the former Chief of Indias Integrated Defense Staff, told The Epoch Times in a written message that the U.S. navy had previously signed an agreement with Larsen and Toubro shipyard close to the southern Indian port city of Chennai, and that U.S. Navy ships are already being docked and repaired at the facility.

Further repair and refit agreements have been signed during the P.M.s transformational visit to the U.S. During these refits, a number of components/parts are either serviced or replaced, said Vice Admiral Sinha, adding that such replacements can vary from consumables to major components depending on what is required.

For the refitting of ships, he said that there are standard lists of components in U.S. maintenance manuals that need replacement based on their condition or on their service lifetime, which in turn is a function of time in service or running hours.

Ships are like cities, said Vice Admiral Sinha, where men live and also handle weapons and electronic systems to be battle-worthy. The logistics support in terms of engineering and naval stores necessitates large inventories [that must] be kept in a controlled climate. Therefore, large hangars with air conditioned compartments are needed.

Additionally, these inventories are specific to the types of ships that are expected to be refitted and repaired and, as such, are quite exhaustive and must be maintained by personnel specialized in logistics management, he said.

Marine Insight, an India-based maritime news outlet, reported that U.S. Navy deals with two more shipbuilders in Mumbai and Goa are also likely to happen soon. The Epoch Times could not verify this independently, however.

Brig. Gen. Ryder said the plan is part of a wide-ranging strategic partnership between India and the United States in which defense and security cooperation have become central to the strategic relationship.

And the focus here is really on a continued commitment to defense cooperation, to promote regional security and stability, not only in the Indo-Pacific region but globally, he said.

U.S. President Joe Biden (L) and Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi listen to the national anthems during a welcoming ceremony for Mr. Modi on the South Lawn of the White House on June 22, 2023. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

Background

Former Vice Admiral Sinha said that the American plans to set up naval hubs in India are the fruits of the Logistic Exchange Memorandum Of Agreement (LEMOA) signed in 2016 between the Indian armed forces and the United States. This agreement defines basic terms, conditions, procedures for logistical support, supplies, and services.

The Indian and American navies started bilateral naval exercises called the Malabar Exercises in 1992. The Australian navy joined in 2000, while Japan joined the exercises in 2015. Vice Admiral Sinha said that since India and the U.S. have Malabar and LEMOA in place, its apt to have the logistics hub in the vicinity of a major shipyard.

Being a MALABAR partner, U.S. Navy ships will be operating in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. It makes sense to store the  inventory in the vicinity of the [Chennai] shipyard where refits are to take placeit will cut short the logistics chain and provide what is needed during refits, he said.

India has some kind of bilateral logistic support agreement with each of the countries participating in the Malabar Exercise, according to Vice Admiral Sinha.

A U.S. Navy crewman pulls a fuel pipe across the deck of the USS Kitty Hawk (CV63) aircraft carrier during a Malabar exercise in the Bay of Bengal on Sept. 7, 2007. (Deshakalyan Chowdhury/AFP via Getty Images)

Countering China

Part of the U.S. plan to set up naval hubs in India has been borne of countering increasing Chinese presence in the Indo-Pacific.

A visiting India fellow at the Royal United Services Institute and an affiliate of the SOAS South Asia Institute in London, Burzine Waghmar, told The Epoch Times in an email that the recent strategic agreements between India and the United States represent the 2 countries joint response to the twin threats from Chinaterrestrial and marine.

Chinese presence in the Indian ocean and around the Indian terrestrial territory has been going on for years, and Waghmar pointed out increasing Chinese assertiveness in the region. One example he gave was the recent incident whereby China submitted Sinitic names for nine seabeds in the western Indian Ocean to the International Hydrographic Organisation.

China, since 1994, leased from Myanmar and maintains a signal intelligence (SIGINT) station on Great Coco Island, 180 km off the southern Burmese coast in the Bay of Bengal, and a small Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) base is on Small Coco Island in the Alexandra Channel, north of the Andaman islands, he said.

The distance between the Coco Islands and the Indian islands of Andaman and Nicobar (AN) is just 237 miles, while between the AN islands and Chennai is 842 miles. AN is also one of the bases used in the Malabar Exercises.

Waghmar said numerous other Chinese SIGINT stations are located all along the Burmese coast, including Sittwe in the western Arakan state. These provide Beijing intelligence coverage from the Bay of Bengal to the Strait of Malaccaall along Indias crucial eastern seaboard.

That Chinese presence in the Bay of Bengal already monitors Indian missile launches and naval movements in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, as well as Indian shipping bound for southeast Asia and Australia, Mr. Waghmar said.

Retired Vice Admiral Sinha said convergence between India and the United States in the Indo-Pacific already exists. However, the recent naval agreement is the outcome of LEMOA and Malabar agreements and cant be clubbed together with QUAD alliance operations.

While QUAD is completely economic in nature, Malabar is to tackle traditional and non-traditional threats, he said.

Lets have this clarity that conjoining Quad with Malabar is a possibility in future, but much will depend on how quickly China catalyses this by its aggressive behavior.

Brig. Gen. Ryder said much more will follow in the days ahead between India and the United States. That is obviously something that will be important as we work together to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.
LONDON, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai provides important trading and collaboration opportunities, representatives from business associations and enterprises in the United Kingdom (UK) said during an event held here on Tuesday to promote investment in the Chinese economic hub.

"This sort of event is a great opportunity for businesses to put China, especially Shanghai, back onto their radar ... as a trade and investment destination," said Andrew Seaton, chief executive at the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC).

British companies have a "very strong sense of commitment" to the Chinese market, to their presence and investment in China, Seaton said.

At the event, Invest Shanghai, a governmental platform offering services to facilitate foreign investment in Shanghai, and the CBBC signed a memorandum of cooperation, while Shanghai's Jiading District government and Johnson Matthey (Shanghai) Chemicals Ltd. signed an investment intention agreement.

Delegates from Shanghai also gave presentations to showcase the city's development and business environment.

"Shanghai is a window for exchanges between China and the UK, a great way for British companies to enter the Chinese market, and also a bridge house for Chinese enterprises to venture into the British market," said Xie Dong, vice mayor of Shanghai.

According to Xie, by the end of 2022, the UK's cumulative investment in Shanghai had been over 3.8 billion U.S. dollars while Shanghai enterprises had invested more than 4.7 billion U.S. dollars in the UK.

"By joining forces, we can create a powerful synergy that opens doors to countless possibilities," said Neil Bridgen from London & Partners, which is the Mayor of London's official promotional company and responsible for promoting London internationally.

Shanghai and London can "drive innovation, accelerate business growth and foster cultural exchanges" through cooperation, he added.

The event was part of an overseas promotion campaign featuring investment in Shanghai. 
Australian Neurosurgeon Charlie Teo Found Guilty of Unsatisfactory Professional Conduct

Surgical instruments are used during an organ transplant surgery at a hospital in Washington on June 28, 2016. (The Canadian Press/AP-Molly Riley)

High-profile Australian neurosurgeon Charlie Teo has been found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct by the Health Care Complaints Commission and accused of having a substantially experimental attitude doing his surgery on two patients.

Dr. Teo was facing allegations from the families of two different womenreferred to as Patient A and Patient Bwho say they were not informed about the risks involved before agreeing to surgery. Neither woman regained consciousness after the surgeries in 2018 and 2019 at Sydneys Prince of Wales Private Hospital. Both women had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

The commission spent eight days investigating complaints relating to two women who were diagnosed with terminal brain tumours, with Dr. Teo being accused of misleading patients, failing to obtain informed consent from both patients and their families before surgery, and speaking inappropriately to a patients daughter after surgery.

In its 112-page decision released on Wednesday morning, the commissions Medical Professional Standards Committee noted that Dr. Teo had decided to operate even when the risk of surgery outweighed any potential benefits.

Surgeon Charlie Teo attends the State Funeral for Cancer specialist Professor Christopher OBrien at St Marys Cathedral on June 11, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images)

The committee found that Dr. Teo charged an unsuitable fee of $35,000 and did not exercise appropriate judgement when conducting a high-risk and inappropriate surgery on a 41-year-old Perth woman. The operation should have been conducted in a clinical trial setting or subject to other ethical scrutiny, the committee said.

Dr. Teo was accused of being substantially experimental.

Surgery in this situation is not recommended or carried out by a majority of the practitioners peers, nor a responsible minority of surgeons, the document read.

The procedure was not supported by the literature [and] the practitioner in his professional capacity had an overriding ethical duty to refuse surgery.

The commission ordered Teo, who is well known for accepting risky cases that other surgeons have declined to take, to be reprimanded and have conditions imposed on his registration.

When conducting surgery on a 66-year-old patient, he was alleged to have carried out a different surgery from what was proposed by performing a right frontal lobectomy instead of a resection of the tumour.

The operation resulted in an unwarranted and excessive removal of the normal functional brain.

Dr. Teo was accused to have used inappropriate language during the consultation with the woman, allegedly telling her if she did not have an operation, she would be dead by Friday. He also allegedly told the patient to be happy because brain tumours were the best way to die.

While the woman was unconscious and in the presence of her family, Dr. Teo is also alleged to have slapped her across the face.

During the hearing, Dr. Teo admitted his responsibilities for the two womens poor outcomes but rejected any suggestion he was negligent.

I havent been able to save lives that I know I can save, he said.

Dr. Teo will have to obtain a written statement from a medical Council-approved neurosurgeon to support him in performing recurrent malignant intracranial tumour and brain stem tumour surgical procedures.

If the written statement does not support Professor Teo performing the procedure(s), he cannot perform the surgery, the commission said on Wednesday.

During the inquiry, there were 47 letters of support from former patients and their families and more than 100 pages of social media messages backing the surgeon.

AAP contributed to this report.
The World Economic Forum held a meeting recently in China, where they discussed issues such as globalist policies and new concepts to remodel the world. Part of the agenda is the remaking of societies on the basis of so-called 15-minute cities. So what do these proposals suggest, and does the CCP have any involvement? Here to speak with us about this is Frank Gaffney, executive chairman of the Center for Security Policy and author of The Indictment: Prosecuting the Chinese Communist Party & Friends for Crimes against America, China, and the World.
Beijing Donated Communist Propaganda Books to City Library in Quebec

Books donated by the Chinese regime to the Brossard municipal library in 2017 are shown on July 12, 2023. (Noe Chartier/The Epoch Times)

BROSSARDBeijing made an unsolicited donation of Chinese language books to a municipal library in Quebec, which included a piece praising the accomplishments of the Communist Party.

The Chinese consulate in Montreal donated 300 books to a city on the south shore of Montreal in 2017, and attempted another donation in 2019, as first reported by the Journal de Montreal.

The Epoch Times went on-site to assess the collection at the Brossard municipal library. While many books are about the Chinese language, history, and culture, at least one is Chinese Communist Party (CCP) propaganda.

Overseas Chinese and the New China features in the collection, which describes the 60 years of struggle and great practices of the New China, a term used to describe China under Communist Party rule since 1949.

The book profoundly sums up the valuable experience of the sinicization of Marxism, and seeks to inspire us to march forward along the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics, according to a description found on Baidu.com and machine translated with Deepl.

Two employees of the library told The Epoch Times they were not at liberty to discuss the donation or the books. The librarys director Suzanne Payette also declined to be interviewed.

In a report from the Journal de Montreal, Ms. Payette said the first donation took place during an event held by the Brossard Chinese school. We didnt have a choice. It was in front of everybody. So you say thank you very much, and you take it, she said.

Accepting the donation didnt necessarily have to lead to loading the books in the library, but they can now be found in the multi-lingual section. The Journal reports that no precise cataloguing of the books contents has been made due to a lack of resources.

Brossard Mayor Doreen Assaad told the Journal that the Chinese regime had also approached her about donating more books in 2019.

She said she was very surprised to receive such an offer. I received a request saying that Brossard is a nice multicultural city and that [the consulate] had extra books available  It was the first time I received such a request. I didnt know what to say, she said in French.

This time the library rejected the gift. Payette said it occurred during the Meng Wangzhou affair and the arbitrary detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor in China.

Ms. Assaads office did not immediately return a request for comment.

Chinese Influence

Brossard made the news recently in the context of Beijing interference. One of the two Montreal-area Chinese community organizations investigated by the RCMP for allegedly hosting suspected Chinese police stations is located there.

The Centre Sino-Quebec de la Rive-Sud is located in a popular strip mall on the main artery Blvd. Taschereau. Its director, Xixi Li, is also a city councillor. Ms. Li is also in charge of the other organization under RCMP investigation, the Service a la famille chinoise du Grand Montreal (SFCGM).

Photo of a portrait of Brossard city councillor Xixi Li on the wall at city hall, taken on July 12, 2023. (Noe Chartier/The Epoch Times)

The organizations are directly tied to the Chinese regime since at least 2016 through their affiliation with the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office (OCAO), which itself was absorbed by the United Front Work Department (UFWD) in 2018.

According to Canadian Security Intelligence Service Director David Vigneault, the UFWD is a prime CCP tool for conducting foreign interference.

Ms. Li has not responded to multiple requests for comment. She was not a councillor when the donation attempts were made.

The Epoch Times asked the city about her status with the city council during the RCMP investigation but didnt hear back by publication time.

RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme told a House of Commons committee on June 13 that activities related to Chinese police stations in Canada had ceased.

Im comfortable to say at this point in time that [the Chinese police stations] are shut down. Investigations are continuing in these overseas police stations, he said.

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino also said the stations had been shut down in April, which led the SFCGM and Sino-Quebec to issue a statement saying they had received no request from the RCMP to close.

The April 28 statement said their activities were taking place normally, though with reduced funding due to media coverage.

Since the start of this saga, our two organizations have called for caution and to respect the right of our employees and cadres to presumption of innocence. We deplore the damages caused by the RCMP due to the premature identification of our organizations, it says.

The RCMP took the rare step in March to announce publicly it was investigating Sino-Quebec and the SFCGM. It took other overt action against the other alleged locations in the country, sending marked police cars and uniformed officers.

Duheme said these actions prompted backlash from Chinese diplomats.

Any time you have representatives from the embassy whose law enforcement liaison officer comes up to us and is not pleased with the actions we took, I think thats a sign that we did our job, he said on March 2.

No arrests have been made so far on this file. The U.S. has recently made arrests for similar activities under its foreign agent registry law. The Liberal government completed public consultations in the spring for drafting such legislation, but no timetable has been offered for its tabling.
Biden Pledges Security Guarantees to Ukraine During Meeting With Zelenskyy, G7 Leaders

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and U.S. President Joe Biden talk before the start of a working session on Ukraine at the NATO summit, in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12, 2023. (Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images)

VILNIUS, LithuaniaPresident Joe Biden met with Group of Seven (G7) leaders on July 12 at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit to offer security assistance for Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also joined the meeting, during which the G7 leaders issued a Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine.

This joint declaration will make it clear that our support will last long into the future, Mr. Biden announced after the conclusion of the meeting.

Were going to help Ukraine build a strong capable defense, across land, air, and sea.

He noted that this step will ensure regional stability and avert all threats.

I think its a powerful statement, a powerful statement of our commitment to Ukraine, as it defends its freedom today and as it rebuilds the future and were going to be there as long as that takes, Mr. Biden said.

Before the summit, the White House indicated that Ukraine could receive Israel-style security guarantees in its fight against Russia.

That means the United States would provide various forms of military assistance, intelligence and information sharing, cyber support, and other forms of material support so that Ukraine can both defend itself and deter future aggression, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on July 9.

As part of this declaration, Biden explained that each country will individually negotiate long-term bilateral security arrangements with Ukraine.

Ukrainian delegation is bringing home significant security victory for the Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our children, Mr. Zelenskyy said after the event.

Mr. Biden later met with Mr. Zelenskky in a bilateral discussion, during which he said that Russias invasion of Ukraine is straight out of the 14th century and praised his courage and resilience.

Mr. Biden acknowledged Mr. Zelenskyys frustration with the slow pace of U.S. assistance.

But I promise you, Mr. Biden said, the United States is doing everything we can to get you what you need as rapidly as we can.

Ukraines Path to NATO Membership

The announcement of security guarantees came after Mr. Zelenskyy expressed frustration about the NATO communique released on July 11 that failed to provide a timeline for Ukraines accession to the military alliance.

He criticized the alliance during the summit, calling the decision unprecedented and absurd.

Leaders of NATO member countries participating in this years summit in Vilnius issued a communique on July 11, sayng that Ukraine can join the military alliance when Allies agree and conditions are met.

Ukraines future is in NATO, the Communique (pdf) reads.

However, the alliance is demanding more democratic and security reforms from Kyiv before it can join.

Ukraine was a key topic of discussion at this years summit, with allies debating the countrys future membership and further aid to the war-torn nation. However, there was a wide range of views among allies in the months leading up to the meeting over Ukraines eventual membership.

The United States, Germany, and the southern NATO partners have been more cautious about Ukraines membership, while the Baltic states and Eastern European nations such as Poland hold the most hawkish and assertive stance.

White House Defends NATO Communique

In response to Mr. Zelenskyys message, the White House on July 12 defended NATOs decision, noting that it sends a very strong, forward-leaning message for Ukraine.

I would agree that the communique is unprecedented, but I see that in a positive way, Amanda Sloat, White House National Security Council senior director for Europe, told reporters on July 12.

We joined with Allies yesterday in agreeing to a very strong, positive message. We reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of the NATO Alliance.

The allies reaffirmed their commitment made at the 2008 Bucharest Summit and acknowledged that Kyiv has made substantial progress on its reform path.

In the communique, NATO also removed the requirement that Ukraine implement a so-called Membership Action Plan.

Instead, the members have decided to form the NATO-Ukraine Council, a new joint organization in which allies and Ukraine sit as equal members to further political dialogue and cooperation.

Theyve also adapted an Annual National Program to review progress on a regular basis.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (R) shakes hands with Lithuanias President Gitanas Nauseda (2nd L) next to (L-R) UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, U.S. President Joe Biden, Italys Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council during the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12, 2023. (Paul Ellis  Pool/Getty Images)

In our view, this is a very strong, forward-leaning message that moves significantly beyond what has been said in the past, in terms of Bucharest, Ms. Sloat said.

She said the G7 allies would continue to provide Kyiv with security assistance to help Ukraine on the battlefield and also on the economic and humanitarian side.

However, the decision disappointed Mr. Zelenskyy.

Its unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraines membership. While at the same time vague wording about conditions is added even for inviting Ukraine, he wrote on Twitter on July 11.

Mr. Zelenskyy also said Ukraine deserves respect and criticized the communiques phrasing for being discussed without Ukraine.

Mr. Sullivan reiterated Mr. Bidens position that admitting Ukraine to NATO would result in conflict with Russia.

Look, I understand Ukraines desire to be in NATO as fast as possible. That is absolutely their right to seek admission, and press for it, and to advocate for it, he told CNN on July 12.

But every NATO ally, including the United States, needs to look squarely at the fact that admission of Ukraine into NATO at this juncture means war with Russia. That is an inescapable fact.

Mr. Sullivan also said that for Ukraines membership, the allies couldnt put a mechanical formula down because war is dynamic, the situation is dynamic.
Biden Says NATOs Support for Ukraine Will Not Falter as Summit Ends

President Joe Biden waves to the crowd after he spoke at Vilnius University on July 12, 2023 in Vilnius, Lithuania. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

VILNIUS, LithuaniaPresident Joe Biden delivered a speech on July 12 following the conclusion of a two-day NATO summit in Vilnius, seeking to convey a clear message to Russia that the alliances commitment to Ukraine will not falter.

The defense of freedom is not the work of a day or a year. Its the calling of our lifetime, of all time, Mr. Biden said during his speech at Vilnius University, which was open to the public. We are steeled for the struggle ahead. Our unity will not falter. I promise you.

Mr. Biden attended the summit on July 11-12 in Lithuania, where he met with world leaders to discuss the alliances pressing challenges, particularly Russias war in Ukraine.

During this speech, Mr. Biden said that Russian President Vladimir Putin was wrong to assume that NATO would break apart.

He thought our unity would shatter at the first testing. He thought Democratic leaders would be weak. But he thought wrong, he added.

This years summit came at a critical moment, with many calling it the alliances most important meeting since the end of the Cold War. Significant decisions were reached, including the future path of Ukraines membership to NATO, further support for the war-torn country, and an increase in defense spending commitments by member countries.

The NATO allies also included a strong statement on Chinas growing global ambitions in this years summit communique.

The meeting in Vilnius brought together heads of state, military officials, and diplomats from the alliances 31 member nations.

Mr. Biden said that NATO is stronger, more energized, and more united than ever in its history.

And even after all this time, Putin still doubts our staying power. Hes still making a bad bet that the conviction and the unity among the United States and our allies and partners will break down, he said. He still doesnt understand that our commitment, our values, and our freedom are something we can never, never, ever, ever walk away from. Its who we are.

The president continued by lauding U.S. efforts, including sharing intelligence about Russias plans to invade Ukraine, assisting NATO members in preparing to deter any aggression, and rallying international support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

We will not waver, Mr. Biden said. Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes.

The president also praised Lithuania for breaking away from the Soviet Union more than 30 years ago.

The whole world saw that decades of oppression had done nothing to dim the flame of liberty in this country, Mr. Biden told hundreds of Lithuanians who had waited in line for nearly 3 hours to hear him speak.

Mr. Biden added that the United States has never recognized the Soviet occupation of the Baltic states.

On the last day of the summit, Mr. Biden met with Group of Seven (G7) leaders to offer security assistance for Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also joined the meeting, during which the G7 leaders issued a Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine.

According to the joint declaration, each country will individually negotiate long-term security arrangements with Ukraine to offer military aid, training, intelligence sharing, and cyber support, so that the country can defend itself and deter future attacks.

This joint declaration will make it clear that our support will last long into the future, Mr. Biden announced after the conclusion of the meeting.

Were going to help Ukraine build a strong capable defense, across land, air, and sea, he added.

After his speech, Mr. Biden traveled to Helsinki, where he will commemorate Finlands accession to NATO on Thursday. The president is in the midst of a week-long trip to Europe. Earlier this week he visited London, where he met King Charles at Windsor Castle and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak before heading to the NATO summit.

The president is scheduled to return to Washington on Thursday evening.
Bill Gates: AI Can Undermine Elections and Tip The Scale in Close Races

Microsoft founder, co-chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, takes part in a conference call in Lyon, France, on Oct. 9, 2019. (Jeff Pachoud/AFP via Getty Images)

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has warned that artificial intelligence technologies could aid in manipulating elections and tip results in close races.

Deepfakes and misinformation generated by AI could undermine elections and democracy  AI-generated deepfakes could be used to try to tilt an election, Mr. Gates said in a July 11 blog post. There are already phony videos that feature fabricated footage of well-known politicians. Imagine that on the morning of a major election, a video showing one of the candidates robbing a bank goes viral. Its fake, but it takes news outlets and the campaign several hours to prove it.

How many people will see it and change their votes at the last minute? It could tip the scales, especially in a close election.

The ability of AIs to generate realistic imagery is what makes it a perfect tool to spread misinformation online and sway public opinions. As AI lowers the difficulty of creating high-quality content, it could open up the pathway for large-scale microtargeting of specific populations to influence them in favor of a party or candidate.

In the 2024 presidential race, the use of fake AI imagery has already caused worries. Last month, a Twitter account called DeSantis War Room shared a video showing several images of Trump and Dr. Anthony Fauci, three of which depicted Trump hugging and kissing Fauci on the face with the caption REAL LIFE TRUMP, suggesting a close relationship.

However, it later came to light that the images were fake and generated via AI. Smearing Donald Trump with fake AI images is completely unacceptable. Im not sharing them, but were in a new era. Be even more skeptical of what you see on the internet, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) said in a June 8 tweet.

In April, a video of Hillary Clinton seemingly endorsing DeSantis for presidency spread online. The video was a deep fake.

Despite Mr. Gatess concerns, his company Microsoft is a major player in the AI field. The firm has reportedly invested $13 billion into OpenAI, the company which developed the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT. Microsoft has also integrated OpenAIs artificial intelligence processing code into its Bing search engine and other services.

Though Mr. Gates admits that the problem of deepfakes has not been resolved, he is guardedly optimistic about countering the issue due to the fact that people are capable of learning not to take everything at face value.

The billionaire also pointed out that AI can not only be used to create deepfakes but also aid in identifying them. Intel, for example, has developed a deepfake detector, and the government agency DARPA is working on technology to identify whether video or audio has been manipulated.

Besides that, Mr. Gates said people will learn to look twice and not be duped as time passes, similar to the Nigerian prince emails. Well need to build the same muscle for deepfakes.

Manipulating Elections

In a Jan. 4 commentary for The Epoch Times, Anders Corr, a principal at Corr Analytics Inc., explained how AI threatens a democratic system.

AI will be able to find minimum winning coalitions in n-dimensional political space to determine short- and medium-term political goals, for example, and then influence those populations through AI content production, he wrote.

Through micro-targeting, micro-production, and micro-delivery of subtle propaganda, AI could determine democratic decision-making outcomes like at no other time in history, thereby making those formerly democratic processes undemocratic.

Ai-DA, the worlds first robot artist, paints portraits of the headline acts in the Ai-DA Robot Booth in the Shangri La Field, during day two of Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton in Glastonbury, England, on June 23, 2022. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

OpenAI has already disallowed the use of its artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT for political campaigning or lobbying.

This includes restrictions on generating high volumes of campaign materials and a ban on campaign materials personalized to or targeted at specific demographics.

Calls for legal restrictions on the use of AI for political purposes are strengthening. Nonprofit consumer advocacy organization Public Citizen has urged the U.S. Federal Election Commission (FEC) to create a rule banning the use of political deepfakes. It also called on major political parties and their candidates to pledge not to use these tools to mislead the electorate.

Generative A.I. now poses a significant threat to truth and democracy as we know it, said Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen, according to a June 20 press release.

The technology threatens election-altering hoaxes, on the one hand, and a destruction of voters ability to believe even truthful images and information, on the other.

An Ipsos poll conducted in April found that 76 percent of respondents were worried about AI-generated deepfakes driving misinformation.

Countering Drawbacks

In his blog post, Mr. Gates noted that hackers will now use the technical prowess of AI to write more effective code. Theyll also be able to use public information about individuals, like where they work and who their friends are, to develop phishing attacks that are more advanced than the ones we see today.

But in this instance as well, Mr. Gates pointed to using AI to counter such attacks. He added that for this reason, we should not try to temporarily keep people from implementing new developments in AI, as some have proposed.

For all drawbacks, Mr. Gates had a positive counter-take regarding AI, which is not surprising as his companies are invested in the technology.

However, other experts in the field do not share the same optimism.

Unlike what the tech companies perceived as an easy win, AI adoption has met stiff resistance in many industries and sectors.

In a speech at the Collision tech conference in Toronto on June 28, Geoffrey Hinton, a professor of computer science at the University of Toronto who is also known as one of the godfathers of AI, warned that artificial intelligence may develop a desire to seize control from human beings in a bid to accomplish its programmed goals.

At a very general level, if youve got something thats a lot smarter than you, thats very good at manipulating people, at a very general level, are you confident that people stay in charge? I think theyll derive [the motive to seize control] as a way of achieving other goals, he said.
California Homes Evacuated as Ground Shifts

LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn stands with homeowners watching their houses sink from a landslide in Rolling Hills Estates in Los Angeles, Calif., on July 9, 2023. (Courtesy of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn)

California homes in Rolling Hills Estates were evacuated on Saturday night after the ground shifted, leaving major cracks and some structures visibly leaning, officials said.

The homes in the Los Angeles County area were evacuated by firefighters when cracks began appearing in their support structures and the ground.

Walls and roofs began to fail as the land continued to slide, the county fire department showed in a video released on social media.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, whose district includes the city, said she was notified Saturday night about the land movement and evacuation.

Residents of the affected homes were told they had 20 minutes to get their belongings and get out, Ms. Hahn said at a noon press conference Sunday at the site, where Rolling Hills Estates Mayor Britt Huff and officials from the county fire and public works departments joined her.

To think that these homes were intact  You know, yesterday afternoon and today, you can hear the creaking, the cracking, the crumbling, Ms. Hahn told a news conference Sunday. Theyre going to fall.

City and county officials said on Sunday that it is too early to speculate on what caused the ground to shift and that the matter is under investigation, with other homes in the neighborhood being monitored for movement.

This neighborhood was built in 1978, and its been solid for 45 years, Ms. Huff said. So were very much shocked by what is happening here.

Pete Goodrich, a building official with the city, said geologists will inspect the site and decide what can be done. He said there was substantial damage to the homes.

The land movement could be due to the extensive rains that weve had  but we dont know, Mr. Goodrich said of recent winter storms.

Southern Californias complex landscapes contribute to landslides, according to an overview by the U.S. Geological Survey in conjunction with the California Geological Survey.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula has long been prone to landslides, with the most dramatic one affecting Portuguese Bendan area on the south side named after a whaling operation, now known for its natural beauty and native vegetation.

The Rolling Hills Estates are on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in southwestern Los Angeles County.

Its unclear what caused the landslide, but city officials will look at several possible causes, including the winter deluge and a sinkhole that recently developed less than a mile away, though a building official said the latter explanation is probably not the reason.

The Portuguese Bend Landslide section of Rancho Palos Verdes (RPV) is the most active landslide area in North America, according to city officials, moving at a rate of as much as eight feet each year.

RPV is currently working to develop and implement a potentially $33 million plan to lessen the problem of continually shifting land, though the work faces multiple challenges, including from environmentalists concerned about the possible destruction of native habitats.

Theres a serious risk of a major incident if we do not act fast enough, RPV City Manager Ara Mihranian told the Daily Breeze in February. (Palos Verdes Drive South) is sitting on wet soil. Theres a sewer line there. There could be a significant movement that may be very catastrophic, and thats why this is very important.

Rolling Hills Estates Councilmember Frank Zerunyan said on Twitter he had heard the ground cracking, and he saw a piece of a houses wall crumble and fall into the canyon below and says the winter storms that hit Southern California late last year and early in 2023 may have contributed to the landslide.

We have never seen this kind of damage to our infrastructure, Zerunyan posted after the incident. Mother Nature has not been kind to several homes. They are about to be at the bottom of the canyon very soon.

Those homes continue to decline down the hillside, Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Sheila Kelliher said in an update on Monday morning.

Things are still shifting there, Ms. Kelliher said. The hillside is still moving. We dont know the extent of that movement, but geographical engineers are coming to the site to assess the situation further.

In the coming days and weeks, city officials will likely look at other canyons in the town and determine how vulnerable they are, Mr. Zerunyan said. But he seemed pessimistic about whether anything could be done to shore them up.

I would be reluctant about touching any canyons, he said, because I dont want to make it any worse.
Catastrophic Flooding in Vermont Prompts Emergency Declaration

Montpelier resident Lynnea Timpone on a paddleboard at the intersection of Main Street and East State Street in Montpelier, Vt., on July 11, 2023. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)

Overnight, from July 10 to July 11, heavy rains pummeled New England, causing massive flooding and sending search-and-rescue teams sprinting to reach stranded residents and communities.

A Vermont reservoir threatened to overflow a dam protecting the states capital and exacerbate catastrophic flooding that has already closed roads leading out of the city and confined residents to their homes.

The Wrightsville Dam, which forms a reservoir four miles north of Montpelier, was nearing capacity and nearing the point at which a spillway would discharge water into the North Branch of the Winooski River, according to city officials.

That would exacerbate what the National Weather Service has termed catastrophic flooding in the picturesque downtown district of Montpelier, where people navigated the submerged streets in canoes and floodwaters reached the windows of businesses and the roofs of vehicles.

Near the Vermont statehouse, the North Branch converges with a second, broader branch of the Winooski. The National Weather Service forecasted that downtown inundation would persist until late afternoon.

A majority of the Northeastern United States, including sections of New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, has already received heavy rainup to 8 inchesover the past few days.

Officials in Vermont described the inundation as the worst since Hurricane Irene hit the New England state in 2011 and caused seven fatalities and approximately $750 million in damages.

Onlookers check out a flooded road in Chester, Vt., on July 10, 2023. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

State Response

In a July 11 statement, Gov. Phil Scott and state officials provided an update on the states response to flooding.

Make no mistake, the devastation and flooding were experiencing across Vermont is historic and catastrophic, Mr. Scott said. Although the comings days, weeks, and months will be incredibly difficult, weve faced challenges before, and Vermonters have risen to meet the moment.

Whether during Irene, COVID, or other hardships, Vermonters have proven time and time again were willing and able to step up and help our neighbors. Even though the sun may shine later today and tomorrow, we expect more rain later this week, which will have nowhere to go in the over-saturated ground.

So I want to be clear, we are not out of the woods. This is nowhere near over, and at this phase, our primary focus continues to be on life and safety before we can shift into a recovery phase.

A day earlier, on July 10, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) released a statement that included a link to resources and thanked the people who have been working to assist residents.

A special thanks to the road crews and all emergency workers who are working around the clock to protect lives and property, Mr. Sanders said.

They are doing a great job under extremely difficult circumstances. I also want to thank the crews who are on their way from around our region and as far away as North Carolina. I also appreciate the Vermont National Guard as well as National Guards from our neighboring states who stand at the ready to assist us if needed.

Mr. Sanders warned his constituents a day later in a Facebook post that flash flooding is extremely dangerous and could result in loss of life.

Never attempt to walk or drive through flood waters, and familiarize yourself with your best flood evacuation routes, he wrote.

Firefighters and police officers assess the flood waters inside and around the Montpelier Fire and Ambulance Department in Montpelier, Vt., on July 11, 2023. (Kylie Cooper/Getty Images)

Emergency Response

President Joe Biden issued an emergency declaration for each of the states 14 counties early on July 11, dispatching emergency workers to the evacuated area as flooding overtook the area.

This morning, while in Vilnius, Lithuania, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that an emergency exists in the State of Vermont and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions in the areas affected by flooding beginning on July 9, 2023, and continuing, the White House declaration reads.

The presidents action allows the Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to ease the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act.

In particular, FEMA has the power to find, organize, and provide, at its own discretion, the tools and resources that are needed to help people deal with the situation. Seventy-five percent of the money for emergency safety measures will come from the federal government. These measures will be limited to direct federal help and repayment for mass care, such as helping people evacuate and find housing.

William F. Roy of FEMA has been put in charge of coordinating Federal recovery efforts in the places that were hit.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Central Banks Are Increasingly Interested in CBDCs, Says BIS Survey

The tower of the headquarters of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) is seen in Basel, Switzerland, on Jan. 30, 2020. (Arnd Wiegmann/Reuters)

At least 93 percent of central banks are already researching the implementation of central bank digital currencies (CBCD), according to a recent survey.

Twenty-four central banks in emerging and in advanced economies are expected to have digital currencies in circulation by 2030, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) said in a survey published on July 10.

This appears to be in line with the United Nationss 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

A survey of 86 central banks was conducted from Oct.Dec. 2022, which asked whether they were working on a retail, wholesale, or both types of CBDCs, how far they were in development and their motivations.

An earlier June survey from the Atlantic Council found that around 130 countries are exploring CBDCs.

CBDCs to Become Common Worldwide by 2030

Central banks worldwide have been preparing digital versions of their currencies for retail use to counteract the popularity of private cryptocurrency and an apparent decline in the use of cash.

Others are looking at wholesale versions of their currency for transactions between financial institutions.

Wholesale CBCDs could allow financial institutions to access new functionalities in the future through tokenization, the BIS wrote.

Enhancing cross-border payments is among the key drivers of central banks work on wholesale CBDCs, said the report.

More than half of the worlds central banks are conducting experiments or are working on a CBDC pilot.

About 25 percent of central banks are already testing retail CBDCs, while the number of wholesale currencies being developed, is much lower.

Developing economies are currently taking the lead in CBDC adoption, with 29 percent of retail and 16 percent of wholesale digital currencies in circulation residing in those markets.

The available use of CBDCs in those countries is twice the amount in the advanced economies, standing at 18 and 10 percent, respectively.

Work on retail CBDC is more advanced than on wholesale CBDC: almost a quarter of central banks are piloting a retail CBDC, wrote the BIS.

More than 80 percent of central banks see potential value in having both a retail CBDC and a fast payment system, mostly because a retail CBDC has specific properties and may offer additional features.

Central Banks Running CBDC Test Pilots

Eleven central banks may soon release CBDCs, joining the Bahamas, the eastern Caribbean, Jamaica, and Nigeria, which already have digital retail currencies.

A clear divergence has emerged: compared to last year, some central banks have become more likely to issue a retail CBDC within the next three years, while others indicated to be less likely to do so. The share of central banks likely to have a wholesale CBDC in the short term more than doubled, the BIS said.

Still, the number of central banks that said they would issue a retail CBDC within the next three years only grew from 15 percent to 18 percent last year.

A majority (68 percent) of central banks stated they were not ready to release a digital currency anytime soon.

The survey results showed there could be up to 15 retail and nine wholesale CBDCs in circulation by the end of the decade.

Pilot testing in China is now being used by 260 million people, while India and Brazil plan to launch digital currencies next year.

The Reserve Bank of India announced last month ongoing negotiations with at least 18 central banks regarding the possibility of cross-border payments via its own CBDC, the digital rupee.

The Swiss National Bank also said in late June that it would issue a wholesale CBDC on Switzerlands digital exchange as part of a pilot program, while the European Central Bank said it was on track to begin test a digital euro ahead of a possible launch in 2028.

Earlier this month, the Federal Reserve Bank of New Yorks Innovation Center, said it completed its proof-of-concept of a regulated liability network (RLN) for CBDC use.

The New York Feds trial successfully tested commercial bank deposit tokens and a wholesale central bank digital currency on a shared distributed ledger technology infrastructure.

The tests included domestic transaction as well as cross-border payments using a digital dollar pilot.

A RLN would set up a single market infrastructure to potentially bring together thousands of banks worldwide and other central banks.

Payments through an RLN network could simultaneously update both the banks records and transfer funds between the financial institutions at the Fed.

Private Cryptomarkets Under Threat by National Digital Currencies

The BIS also said 60 percent of central banks said that the emergence of stablecoins and other cryptoassets have accelerated their work.

These central banks generally attach more weight to a broader set of motivations for issuing a CBDC, the report noted.

The international financial institution also mentioned that the collapse of TerraUSD and FTX last year caused negative wide-ranging effects in the cryptocurrency market, which increased interest in CBDCs by central banks.

Almost 40 percent of nations surveyed recently carried out a study on the usage of stablecoins and other cryptoassets among consumers or businesses.

Sixty percent of central banks said that the emergence of stablecoins and other crypto assets has accelerated their work on CBDCs, said the BIS.

The bankruptcy of banks which serviced crypto providers, like Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, was also mentioned.

Although those incidents had little major impact on traditional financial markets, they led to massive sell-off of multiple cryptoassets.

If widely used for payments, cryptoassets including stablecoins may constitute a threat to financial stability, the BIS added.

Critics Fear That CBCDs May Be Used to Punish Dissent

However, many critics fear that CBCDs could be used by governments to de-bank people whose views are considered to be politically unpopular or used to monitor dissent.

House Republicans have been adamantly opposed to a CBCD issued by the Federal Reserve and are threatening to pass legislation against it.

Today, I introduced the CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act to halt efforts of unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., from stripping Americans of their right to financial privacy, House majority whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) wrote in a tweet in February.

Mr. Emmer said that the bill would bar the Fed from issuing a CBDC, prevent it from using a CBDC for monetary policy purposes, and require any CBDC projects to be transparent.

Nigel Farage, the former leader of the UKs Brexit Party, is another critic of CBDC and who also was recently shut out of his own bank accounts with no real explanation.

The ultimate fear is if we get CBDCs  We could finish up like the Canadian truckers, people who were within the law, found themselves outside the law and had their bank accounts frozen. Controlling peoples money would be the ultimate form of tyranny, Mr. Farage warned.

In June, Barclays Bank was forced to pay a settlement after de-banking a Christian organization for opposing the LGBT agenda.
* The naming of an asteroid after Chinese archaeologist Fan Jinshi was awarded for her contribution to protecting the millennium-old Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

* The "Digital Dunhuang" project put forward by Fan has seen the compiling of the digital data collection on 278 caves.

* The project has facilitated virtual access to the treasures for millions of people.

LANZHOU, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The naming of an asteroid after esteemed Chinese archaeologist Fan Jinshi earlier this week has been widely cheered on Chinese social media.

Fan, 85, started to work in Dunhuang in 1963 and made a lifelong career out of protecting and studying the cultural relics in the millennium-old Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Dunhuang, in northwest China's Gansu Province.

This aerial photo taken on April 25, 2023 shows the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

The celestial honor was awarded to Fan in recognition of her contribution to the archaeological survey and conservation of Chinese grottoes, including the construction of "Digital Dunhuang," according to a document issued by the International Astronomical Union.

The "Digital Dunhuang" project was put forward in the late 1980s by Fan, then executive deputy dean of the Dunhuang Academy, in the hope of introducing the digital protection of this cultural heritage and preserving the associated data in high fidelity.

By the end of 2022, the Dunhuang Academy had finished compiling the digital data collection on 278 caves, image processing for 164, and the 3D reconstruction of 145 painted sculptures and seven ruins, while delivering a panoramic tour program for 162 caves.

With the help of ever-advancing digital technology, the project has also facilitated virtual access to the treasures for millions of people, without the need to open and access the actual caves.

In 2022, the academy's various online platforms recorded about 400 million visits from 120 countries and regions, said Du Juan, deputy director of the media center of Dunhuang Academy.

Over the years, the institute has continued to explore various modes of cultural protection and promotion, taking advantage of the "Digital Dunhuang" project outcomes.

In 2008, an exhibition featuring a high-fidelity reproduction of a famous mural in Cave 61 from the Mogao Grottoes was presented in Beijing. The replica was based on the digital data of a large mural of more than 40 square meters, which took researchers three months to create, from taking pictures to splicing them in a perfect manner.

Liao Xueting, a marketer from the Dunhuang Academy's digital preservation team, walks past a high-fidelity replica of a mural in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, April 25, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Digital images from the project were used to create an immersive 8K high-resolution movie about the grottoes, and in 2014, this was shown for the first time to visitors on a domed screen in the digital display center of Dunhuang.

An online platform was launched in 2016, sharing high-definition images and panoramic views of 30 classic caves from the Mogao Grottoes with a global audience.

In 2020, a mini app of the site was launched on WeChat, giving travelers convenient access to virtual tours and information at their fingertips, registering more than 200 million visits to date.

In 2022, a blockchain-based digital resource-sharing platform went online, making available more than 6,500 archived high-definition digital images showing murals and manuscripts from the Mogao Grottoes and other grotto sites in Dunhuang.

People watch a fulldome digital film at a digital center in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Despite the digitization project, which has improved the efficiency and accuracy in the cultural protection work, the monitoring and operation of the machines on site requires human labor and wisdom.

Su Bomin, dean of Dunhuang Academy, said that the digitalization project has covered only about half of the caves so far, adding that data collection in the caves is hard work.

The interior is gloomy and cold, with the daily high temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius even in summer, and data-collecting staff need to wear winter coats.

Su said the institute will continue to improve sci-tech innovation and complete the digital archives for each cave, mural and sculpture. (Video reporters: Zhao Danping, Min Jie, Jia Zhao, Zhang Wenjing, Ma Sha; video editors: Zhang Yucheng, Hui Peipei, Zhou Yang) 
China Passing Laws, Building Infrastructure for Wartime, Expert Says

Chinese leader Xi Jinping attends a press conference at the China-Central Asia Summit in Xian, in China's northern Shaanxi Province on May 19, 2023. (Florence Lo/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinas communist regime is taking actions to insulate its economy and building infrastructure required to conduct a war of conquest against Taiwan.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which rules China as a single-party state, is taking actions similar to those Russia made before invading Ukraine, according to J. Kyle Bass, chief investment officer for Hayman Capital Management hedge fund.

Notably, Mr. Bass said, the CCP is building 18 air raid shelters in Fujian province, adjacent to Taiwan. The regime is also building the worlds largest combat hospital in the region, Mr. Bass added, saying that the move was reminiscent of Russias construction of blood banks on the borders of Ukraine in the months leading up to its invasion last year.

Its happening again, and we need to pay attention, Mr. Bass said during a July 12 talk at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank.

I think its highly likely that [the CCP] invades Taiwan.

CCP Changing Laws in Preparation for War

The CCP claims that Taiwan is a rogue province that must be united with the mainland, though the regime has never actually controlled any part of the island.

CCP leader Xi Jinping has ordered the regimes military wing to prepare for war and to be ready to start an invasion of Taiwan by 2027. The regime is making whole-of-society preparations to that end.

Mr. Bass said that the regime had taken several actions to expand its legal authority to target foreign businesses operating in China as part of the effort.

In 2020, for example, the CCP updated its Foreign Investment Law to allow itself to seize and nationalize any foreign assets or investments in China in the event of war.

Similarly, in 2021, the regimes Counter Foreign Sanctions Law gave the CCP the power to seize corporate assets and detain employees from foreign companies if those companies enforced sanctions on China from their home governments.

If the U.S. or Europe sanctioned China and these corporations of the U.S. and Europe were complying with their own sanctions, Mr. Bass said, China could nationalize the assets and detain the people.

Likewise, the regime updated its anti-espionage laws earlier this year, banning the transfer of any information deemed to be related to national security and allowing the regime to seize individuals assets and forcibly prevent foreigners from leaving China.

All of these efforts were part of the regimes overarching legal efforts to prepare for actions it would likely take after invading Taiwan, said Mr. Bass.

Xi Insulating China for Wartime

Chinas preparations for war go beyond air raid shelters and enhanced legal authority, Mr. Bass said. Indeed, the regime is actively harming its own economic interests to further insulate itself from the inevitable international blowback that would follow an invasion of democratic Taiwan.

Theyre doing things that dont make sense unless theres a greater plan for a worse situation, Mr. Bass said.

Among the actions the regime is taking to insulate itself from international influence is the mass stockpiling of grain, gold, and energy sources.

Notably, the CCP has amassed a year-and-a-half supply of wheat to prevent the starvation of its nearly 1.5 billion residents in a national emergency. Despite this, however, the stockpiles went untouched during the CCPs years-long COVID lockdowns.

China has 20 percent of the worlds population, and theyre hoarding almost 70 percent of the worlds grain today, Mr. Bass said.

Meanwhile, on the energy front, the regime has worked tirelessly to improve its relations with the authoritarian regimesincluding Russia and Saudi Arabiathat deliver the majority of its crude oil.

When it comes to liquefied natural gas, however, the regime has been somewhat dependent on democratic Australia and, as such, has sought to massively increase coal exports to decrease its reliance on the U.S. ally.

They are trying to secure all of their energy commitments, Mr. Bass said.

Theyre going back to the dirtiest, cheapest fuel in the event that theyre not going to be able to get that LNG.

Biden Admins Efforts at Appeasement Failing



While the CCP prepares for war, Mr. Bass said, key parts of the Biden administration appeared dedicated to trying to encourage economic engagement with the regime.

Moreover, he said, key players in the treasury and elsewhere simply wont talk about using the most powerful economic tools at the nations disposal, such as kicking China out of the SWIFT banking system, which would cripple the regimes economy almost overnight.

The treasury is owned by Wall Street They want to chase economic deals, Mr. Bass said.

If our national security and our values were left up to Wall Street and the private sector, wed be speaking Chinese tomorrow.

To that end, he said the Biden administration would need to start seriously discussing the possibility of using its most severe economic weapons against the CCP in the event of a Taiwan invasion.

I am a huge proponent of crippling China through the economic sphere, Mr. Bass said. Its an amazing, effective deterrent. We need to start talking about it.

Name a time in which appeasement against autocratic despots has ever worked. It never works. Deterrence through strength is the only path forward.
DC Council Passes Emergency Bill as Crime Rates Soar

Washington, D.C. Council voted on July 11 to pass an emergency public safety bill granting judges and law enforcement officials more power as part of efforts to address soaring crime rates in the area.

The bill, known as the Prioritizing Public Safety Amendment Act, was put forward by Councilmember Brooke Pinto and passed Tuesday in a 121 vote.

Just one council memberJaneese Lewis George, a Democratvoted against the measure, which will remain in effect for 90 days after it is signed into law by Mayor Muriel Bowser.

Under the emergency public safety bill, council members aim to prevent crime and violence by establishing a rebuttable presumption in favor of pre-trial detention system for adults who previously committed a violent crime.

Through that system, it will be deemed necessary to detain such individuals who commit new violent crimes, pending their trial date, if a court finds there is probable cause that the individual committed the crime of violence.

Similarly, juveniles who commit specific dangerous crimes or crimes of violence, regardless of whether or not they were armed, will also be detained pending trial under the new measure.

The district will allow increased access to private security cameras throughout the district under the measure, and raise the amount of reimbursement residents can get for installing private security cameras outside of their homes.

New Firearm Offence

Additionally, the bill clarifies that pretrial GPS monitoring data can be used as evidence against defendants in court, and makes misdemeanor arrest warrants extraditable when suspects leave the District after committing a crime.

Perhaps one of the biggest elements of the bill is that a new offense of endangerment with a firearm will be created, making it a felony for someone to fire a gun in public.

A string of other measures are included in the bill aimed at protecting victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence, and generally bringing down crime levels.

Ms. Pinto praised the passing of the common-sense legislation in a statement late Tuesday where she thanked government leaders for taking tangible steps to help keep the city safer over the summer.

A Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police vehicle is parked on the other side of police tape on March 23, 2020. (Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

Todays vote sends a clear message that the current state of crime and violence cannot be tolerated and that our government is working together to make DC residents safer, Ms. Pinto said.

We must continue to build on the legislation we passed today to better invest in preventative tools and interrupt cycles of violence. However, this legislation is a major step forward in our efforts to create a safer DC for all our residents, the council member added.

In a separate statement, Ms. Bowser said the new legislation will fill gaps in our criminal justice system and, in doing so, will increase accountability for violent and criminal behavior and make our city safer.

We know that a safer DC is possible and our community is in agreement that the status quo is unacceptable, Ms. Bowser said. People getting killed on our streets is unacceptable. People getting their cars or property stolen at gunpoint is unacceptable. Parents being afraid to let their children play outside or seniors being afraid to walk to the bus stop is unacceptable.

The passing of the new safety bill comes as crime rates have soared across D.C. according to police data, with homicides up 17 percent year-on-year, and sexual abuse up 35 percent.

Robberies are also up 52 percent annually and violent crime is up 33 percent overall, according to the Metropolitan Police Department data. Motor vehicle theft and arson are also up 117 percent and 300 percent, respectively.

Police and demonstrators clash in downtown Washington after a limo was set on fire following the inauguration of President Donald Trump, in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2017. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Opposition to Safety Bill

However, not everyone welcomed the new measure. During Tuesdays vote, Ms. George argued the legislation would likely do little to substantially reduce crime in D.C. and branded the pretrial detention aspect of the bill reckless, telling fellow council members that she fears the provision could see more people being held in jail.

There is no credible evidence that pre-trial detention would make D.C. safer. Were doing the same thing we did in 1994, said Ms. George. We have books on this, we have scholarly articles on this. Its the same reaction  we cannot make the same mistake. This is how mass incarceration happens. Bit by bit. We do not need to choose between bad strategies or nothing.

Despite her objections, an amendment introduced by Ms. George to strike out the pre-trial detention for adults provision was voted down by council members.

Criminal justice reform organizations including the D.C. Justice Lab also opposed the measure.

Every summer, crime goes up. Every summer, someone tries to introduce an emergency bill to do something about it. And every summer, these bills fail to make any difference. And its because theyre not tailored to what actually works to reduce crime, said Emily Cassometus, the director of government and external affairs for D.C. Justice Lab.

In D.C., we know that locking more people up and that having big, sweeping generalizations doesnt work. We know that having really specific targeted interventions does, and that giving people support and resources does, Ms. Cassometus added.

The passing of the bill follows a string of shootings in D.C. in July, including that of Ahmad Yar, a former interpreter who served alongside U.S. Army Special Forces in Afghanistan for a decade before fleeing his native country when the Taliban rose to power.

Mr. Yar was shot last week while working his shift as a Lyft driver. He was taken to hospital where he later died of his injuries.
DeSantis Says He Wont Be Trumps White House Running Mate

Florida Governor-elect Ron DeSantis (R) sits next to then- President Donald Trump during a meeting with Governors elects in the Cabinet Room at the White House in Washington on on Dec. 13, 2018. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) said he would not join former President Donald Trumps 2024 presidential bid if he were to lose his own 2024 campaign, according to remarks he gave during a podcast on Tuesday.

I dont think Im a No. 2 guy. I think Im a leader, governor of Florida. Ive accomplished a lot, Mr. DeSantis said during the Wisconsin Right Now podcast. I think I could do more staying there than being VP, which doesnt really have any authority.

An aggregate of polls shows that Mr. DeSantis is trailing Mr. Trump by more than 30 percent as of July 11. An average of recent polls shows Mr. Trump with 52.6 percent support to Mr. DeSantis 21 percent, while all the others had fewer than 10 percent support.

But Mr. DeSantis indicated that he would support Mr. Trump if he wins the GOP nominee. I am going to support the Republican nominee, he said when asked about the prospect.

The Florida Republican was also asked about ways in which he differs from Mr. Trump on certain policies. In one instance, Mr. DeSantis faulted the former president for deferring too much to former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases chief Anthony Fauci.

He turned the country over to Dr. Fauci; I think that was a big mistake. Mr. DeSantis asserted, adding that I would have fired Fauci because I think Fauci did huge damage to this country and said Mr. Trumps response to COVID-19 was a disaster.

I can serve two terms, Mr. DeSantis also said, claiming Mr. Trump signed every bloated spending bill that the swamp put on his desk.

On immigration, Mr. DeSantis added that I would do the wall better because, according to him, cartels cut through it. Theyre literally bringing product into our country right through the wall.

In contrast, if elected president, the Florida governor would instead use drones with various sensors and the military to engage cartels with lethal force if they bring drugs in through the border.

Mr. DeSantis declined to say who he is considering joining his ticket as vice president if he wins the GOP nomination. However, he ruled out Democratic challenger Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been embraced by some conservativesnamely for his stance on vaccinesbut Mr. DeSantis said that Mr. Kennedy is aligned with Democrats on a range of issues, but there are areas where he and Mr. Kennedy agree.

Over the past week or so, Mr. DeSantis has faced criticism from other Republicans over how hes running his campaign as the Florida governor has not been able to make significant headway against Mr. Trump in the polls. A DeSantis political action committee (PAC) spokesperson conceded as much over the past weekend.

Right now, in national polling, we are way behind. Ill be the first to admit that, said Steve Cortes, who previously worked as a Trump adviser, in a Twitter Spaces event. I believe in being really blunt and really honest. Its an uphill battle.

An estimated 30,000 people flood the streets of Pickens, S.C., for a pre-Independence Day rally supporting former President Donald Trump as he is campaigning to retake the White House on July 1, 2023. (Janice Hisle/The Epoch Times)

Still, Mr. Cortes said that he believes Mr. DeSantis can win the nomination and suggested that Mr. Trump has debated through two successive presidential cycles, so, of course, he possesses a lot of experience in that arena.

But I am convinced that Governor DeSantis will outperform expectations and inform large audiences about his amazing life, political record, and winning agenda for the presidency, he remarked.

So far, Mr. DeSantis has raised $150 million in its first six weeks, while his PAC has raised about $130 million since it launched in March, records show. In a statement about the numbers, the governor said they are the largest first-quarter filing from any non-incumbent Republican candidate in more than a decade.

Responding to the poll numbers, Mr. DeSantis told Fox News that corporate media outlets are targeting him: Who do they not want to be the nominee? Theyre going after me.

Meanwhile, Mr. Trump has continued to target Mr. DeSantis on social media and made note of his relatively low poll numbers. Mr. DeSantis announced his 2024 White House bid on Twitter in mid-May.

If they dont like Ron DeSanctimonious now, they wont like him any better 6 months from now with the start of Primary Season, the former president wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday, using a term he created for the governor. The more people get to know him, the lower go his polls. He is now in the mid-teens, and falling fast!

Days before that, Mr. Trump alleged that due to the flagging polling numbers, Mr. DeSantis is now desperately trying to get out of the race and cited Mr. Cortes public statements over the past weekend.
DOJ Reverses Previous Support for Trump Immunity in E. Jean Carroll Defamation Lawsuit

Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump prepares to deliver remarks at a Nevada Republican volunteer recruiting event at Fervent: A Calvary Chapel in Las Vegas on July 8, 2023. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

The Department of Justice does not believe former President Donald Trump was immune from civil action as a public official when he allegedly made defamatory statements against author E. Jean Carroll in 2019 and will therefore not defend him.

The decision marks a U-turn for the DOJ, which had previously defended Mr. Trump in a lawsuit filed against him by Ms. Carroll in 2019.

She accused the then-president of defaming her when he denied having raped her in a dressing room at the Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan in 1995 or 1996.

In its previous decision, the DOJ had cited the Westfall Act, which protects federal workers from common law tort lawsuits when they are engaged in the duties of their jobs, and said Mr. Trump was acting in the scope of his employment as president when he made a series of public statements denying he raped Ms. Carroll.

Lawyers for Mr. Trump, who have unsuccessfully attempted to dismiss the lawsuit, have also argued he should be granted absolute presidential immunity in the case.

However, in a July 11 letter (pdf) to the attorneys for Mr. Trump and Ms. Carroll, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton said the DOJ is now reversing its previous decision as it can no longer conclude Mr. Trump was acting in his capacity as president when he made the allegedly defamatory statements about Ms. Carroll.

This, the DOJ said, is owing to new guidance from a Washington, D.C. court regarding what constitutes the scope of an employees duties.

(Left) President Donald Trump comes out of the Oval Office from the White House on Sept. 16, 2019. (Right) E. Jean Carroll leaves following her trial at Manhattan Federal Court in New York on May 8, 2023. (Mandel Ngan, Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

Protections Under the Westfall Act

That new guidance makes it clear that not every statement made by federal workers is protected under the Westfall Act just because it is made using official channels of communication. Further, the DOJ argues that there is no clear evidence that Mr. Trumps statements were motivated by more than an insignificant desire to serve the U.S. government.

[T]he Department has determined that it lacks adequate evidence to conclude that the former President was sufficiently actuated by a purpose to serve the United States Government to support a determination that he was acting within the scope of his employment when he denied sexually assaulting Ms. Carroll and made the other statements regarding Ms. Carroll that she has challenged in this action, Mr. Boynton wrote.

The evidence of Mr. Trumps state of mind, some of which has come to light only after the Department last made a certification decision, does not establish that he made the statements at issue with a more than insignificant purpose to serve the United States Government, he added.

The evidence of personal motivation that has been developed in this case outweighs any public-purpose inference one might draw in other circumstances, he continued.

After balancing and weighing the evidence from Mr. Trumps deposition, the jury verdict in Carroll II, and the new allegations in the Amended Complaint, the Department has determined that there is no longer a sufficient basis to conclude that the former President was motivated by more than an insignificant desire to serve the United States Government. Accordingly, the Department hereby declines to issue a new Westfall Act certification, Mr. Boynton concluded.

Robbie Kaplan, Ms. Carrolls attorney in the case, welcomed the DOJs letter.

We are grateful that the Department of Justice has reconsidered its position, Mr. Kaplan said in a statement to Axios on Tuesday. We have always believed that Donald Trump made his defamatory statements about our client in June 2019 out of personal animus, ill will, and spite, and not as President of the United States.

E. Jean Carroll speaks onstage during the How to Write Your Own Life panel at the 2019 Glamour Women Of The Year Summit at Alice Tully Hall in New York on Nov. 10, 2019. (Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Glamour)

Carroll Files Second Lawsuit

Ms. Carroll also filed a second lawsuit against Trump in 2022 accusing him of battery and defamation after the New York State Legislature passed a law known as the Adult Survivor Act, which grants victims of certain sexual offenses a one-year window to file a civil lawsuit against alleged offenders.

The writer won in her second defamation suit against Trump in May and a jury ordered he pay her $5 million in damages, including $2 million in damages for sexual abuse and around $3 million for defamation.

The nine-member jury found that Ms. Carroll did not prove that Trump raped her but instead found that the businessman and 2024 presidential candidate sexually abused her.

Mr. Trump is currently appealing that verdict.

A trial for Ms. Carrolls first lawsuit against Mr. Trump is set to begin on Jan. 15, 2024. She is seeking at least $10 million in damages.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ms. Carrolls legal team asked a judge to dismiss a countersuit filed by the former president claiming she defamed him by repeating her claims that he raped her.

Her lawyers called the countersuit Mr. Trumps latest effort to spin his trial loss after his lawyers claimed the writer made the false statements with actual malice and ill will with an intent to significantly and spitefully harm and attack his reputation, as the false statements were clearly contrary to the jury verdict.

They further argued that Mr. Trump had filed his counterclaim against Ms. Carroll too late in an effort to further delay this otherwise trial-ready, much-delayed case.

A spokesperson for Mr. Trump told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement: This witch-hunt, funded and carried out by woke, radical, liberal Democrats is now even more exposed as a partisan sham, as the Department of Justice has broken with long-standing tradition in a desperate attempt to perpetuate this hoax. The corrupt Biden Administration is politically weaponizing the justice system against President Trump because he is the overwhelming favorite to defeat Joe Biden and take back the White House.

This report was updated with Mr. Trumps spokespersons comments.
Dylan Mulvaney Leaves Country While Former Anheuser-Busch Executive Slams Company CEO

Transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney has left the United States alleging safety concerns for an undisclosed period of time while the Bud Light boycott continues amid sharp criticism regarding the CEOs decision following the public backlash.

Mr. Mulvaney was in Peru, according to a recent social media post. The people here are so kind. I feel very safe here. Its a little sad that I had to leave my country to feel safe. But that will get better eventually. It is not known whether Mr. Mulvaney was aware of the fact that Peru does not recognize gay marriage or non-binary genders.

Even though Mr. Mulvaney claims that he does not feel safe in the United States, the influencer has appeared in public multiple times since the Bud Light debacle in April. In June, Mr. Mulvaney attended an NYC Pride night event and also made an appearance at the Tony Awards.

According to data from Equaldex, a knowledge base of LGBT laws worldwide, though Peru recognizes homosexuality, it does not recognize gay marriage. Conversion therapy is not banned in the country. Non-binary genders are also not legally recognized. Peru scores 57 points out of a possible 100 in Equaldexs Equality Index.

Before flying off to Peru, Mr. Mulvaeny had criticized Bud Light for abandoning him following the marketing fiasco.

In a June 30 Instagram video, the transgender influencer insisted that he has faced more bullying and transphobia than I could have ever imagined after being part of Bud Lights promotional campaign.

For a company to hire a trans-person and then not publicly stand by them is worse, in my opinion, than not hiring a trans-person at all because it gives customers permission to be as transphobic and hateful as they want, Mr. Mulvaney stated.

In its response, Anheuser-Busch InBev, which owns Bud Light, did not criticize Mr. Mulvaney. Instead, the company only said that it remains committed to the programs and partnerships we have forged over decades with organizations across a number of communities, including those in the LGBTQ+ community.

Bud Light Wasted Three Chances to Win Back Customers

Anson Frericks, the former president of operations at Anheuser-Busch, said during a July 10 interview with Fox News that CEO Brendan Whitworth has had three chances now to make the companys stand clear to customers and win them back.

Mr. Whitworth did not do anything to take advantage of July 4th sales, the number-one beer-selling week of the year.

The CEO did not provide a clear response when CBS asked him if the campaign was a mistake, and whether he would do it again. Mr. Frericks said that Mr. Whitworth should have admitted the mistake and promised not to do this again as the company has lost billions of dollars in market capitalization.

Besides this, the CEO put a lot of suppliers and employees at risk. Theyre laying off hundreds of people from jobs at some of their suppliers. Mr. Frericks said, Our brands are down almost 30 percent, and all of a sudden, were putting a lot of our suppliers at risk, and theyre laying off hundreds of people from jobs at some of their suppliers.

Frericks added, Theres going to be more employees at risk if we dont find a CEO who can somehow address the situation, get those customers back that were always loyal to Bud Light, and move this company forward.

Anheuser-Buschs Losses

In his Fox News interview, Mr. Frericks also said he was shocked about how much money Anheuser-Busch has lost due to the ongoing controversy.

Between April 3 and July 10, Anheuser-Buschs market capitalization declined from $134.14 billion to $111.99 billiona loss of more than $22 billion, or over 16 percent.

During this period, Anheuser-Busch InBevs share price fell from 61.16 to 50.68, which represents a decline of more than 17 percent.

Bud Lights sales numbers have been declining in recent weeks. For the week ended July 1, sales fell by 28.5 percent, higher than the 27.5 percent fall in the previous week, according to Bump Williams Consulting, which cited NielsenIQ data. Other beer brands owned by Anheuser-Busch are also experiencing a decline.

Sales of Michelob Ultra, for example, fell by 4.3 percent for the week ended July 1, Busch Light slumped by 8.5 percent, and Budweiser saw a decrease of 10.2 percent.

Budweiser trends have been slipping for a very long time, but its the Michelob Ultra negative numbers and now Busch Light negative trends that are most alarming to me, Bump Williams, the president of Bump Williams Consulting, told the New York Post. They were very healthy prior to April 1.

According to a YouGov poll, Bud Light was ranked 15th in the list of most popular beers in the United States during second quarter 2023, down from its ninth rank in the same period a year back.

Bud Light has been attempting to win back customers through its recent advertisements. However, the brand is getting slammed for the ads as anger among consumers still remains.

On July 10, the brand shared a gif of a Bud Light can on Twitter with the tagThe best beer is an open beer. It received scathing comments from users.

The best woman is a real woman, not a Dylan, said a military veteran. Another user pointed out that its not the beer that matters  Its what that brand evokes  Right now, Bud Light is woke-a-cola.

Cutting Off Ties With Mr. Mulvaney

In a July 1 column at The Daily Mail, Mr. Frericks criticized the company for giving a weak and indecisive response after Mr. Mulvaneys outcry. Mulvaney did something Mr. Whitworth should have had the wisdom to do weeks agocut ties.

According to Mr. Frericks, Mr. Whitworth has failed in admitting that Bud Lights Mulvaney promotion was a mistake due to stakeholder capitalism.

Because hes been paralyzed by corporate Americas forced adoption of stakeholder capitalism, which preaches to companies about why they must serve activists, politicians, non-governmental organizations, and all manner of interestsanyone really apart from their shareholders and customers!

Stakeholder capitalism or ESG (environmental, social, governance) investing incentivizes companies to take on progressive policies as dictated by activist investors like Blackrock. They are forced to adhere to leftist diversity and inclusion ideologies while ignoring market requirements and fundamental customer demand.
Elon Musk and Tesla Entering British Energy Market Hints New Job Ad

Elon Musk attends an event during the Vivatech technology startups and innovation fair at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in Paris on June 16, 2023. (Joel Saget/AFP via Getty Images)

A job posting by Tesla suggests the company is planning on entering the UK energy market.

On its UK site, Elon Musks company Tesla said it is aiming to hire an experienced professional as Head of Operations, an executive who will have operational responsibility for our retail electricity activities in the UK.

Tesla says it is accelerating the worlds transition to sustainable energy with electric cars, solar, and integrated renewable energy solutions for homes.

As well as cars, Tesla produces Powerwall, a rechargeable home battery system, as well as solar roof and panels.

The Head of Operations role includes responsibility for managing our market entry, and building out the team.

This also involves leading the ongoing route to market activities, resulting in obtaining an electricity supply license in the UK and accreditation to all associated relevant industry codes.

This includes responsibility for managing our market entry, and building out the team, systems, and processes needed to start operations.

Wildly Expensive

In a video on Twitter, political leader and GB News host, Nigel Farage said that he hoped Musks entry into the market will shake the whole thing up.

We need some good news from time to time and here it is, Elon Musk, the owner of this platform and one of the greatest disruptors in the world has announced hes going to enter the UK home energy market, he said.

Well, thank God for that because any of you out there with direct debits will find that actually, youre being massively overcharged, theyre keeping your money and not telling you the whole thing is a racket, its wildly expensive. Lets really hope Musk comes in and shakes the whole thing up, added Mr. Farage.

Adam Bell, former head of energy strategy at the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy and now head of Policy at the sustainability and advocacy consultancy Stonehaven, wrote on Twitter that Tesla could need a product for non-Powerwall owners.

He claimed that Tesla could hit UK regulatory hurdles if it tried to enter the market.

Its likely that Tesla has made this commitment without really thinking through this plan, wrote Mr. Bell.

Worlds Richest Person

Mr. Musk whose portfolio includes electric car company Tesla, private space company SpaceX, and the social media platform Twitterregained the title of Worlds Richest Person in June according to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index ranking.

His net worth, which had stood above $340 billion in November 2021, slipped below the $200 billion mark in November 2022. By the end of the year, Musks fortune had fallen to $137 billion, making him the first person to ever lose more than $200 billion in estimated net worth, according to Bloomberg.

The billionaire sunk a large portion of both his attention and his net worth into acquiring Twitter. In October 2022, as he closed in on the $44 billion deal to buy Twitter, Musk acknowledged that he felt he was overpaying but said he still saw untapped potential for the social media platform.

I think its an asset that has just sort of languished for a long time but has incredible potential, although obviously myself and the other investors are overpaying for Twitter right now, he said.

The Epoch Times contacted Tesla for comment.

Ryan Morgan contributed to this report.
Elon Musk Launches New Company xAI With a Cryptic Mission

Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla gestures as he attends a conference at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in Paris, France, on June 16, 2023. (REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo)

Twitter CEO Elon Musk has announced that hes forming a new artificial intelligence company called xAI.

Musk made the announcement in a brief tweet on Wednesday, in which he did not elaborate on the details of the new venture except to say that its aim is to understand reality.

The Twitter chief also shared a link to the companys Twitter page and its website, which states that its objective is to understand the true nature of the universe.

What are the most fundamental unanswered questions? was the first tweet by the xAI account on Twitter.

Musk replied to the tweet: And what are the most fundamental unknown questions? Once you know the right question to ask, the answer is often the easy part.

More Details

The xAI website states that a Twitter Spaces chat has been scheduled for July 14 in order to meet the team and ask us questions about the new initiative, about which details remain scarce.

The new company is separate from X Corp, the Musk-owned firm that has absorbed Twitter as part of Musks long-awaited move to turn the social media platform into an everything app.

xAI will, however, work closely with Twitter, Tesla, and other companies to make progress towards our mission, per its website.

The team is led by Musk, with some team members having worked on various AI projects in the past, such as Googles DeepMind and OpenAI, the company behind the chatbot ChatGPT.

The website lists Igor Babuschkin, Manuel Kroiss, Yuhuai (Tony) Wu, Christian Szegedy, Jimmy Ba, Toby Pohlen, Ross Nordeen, Kyle Kosic, Greg Yang, Guodong Zhang, and Zihang Dai as team members, with a note indicating that xAI is actively recruiting researchers and engineers.

The team is advised by Dan Hendrycks, who now serves as the director of the Center for AI Safety, a nonprofit that seeks to reduce societal-scale risks associated with AI.

Musks announcement of the formation of xAI comes on the heels of the recent rollout of Twitter competitor Threads, which was launched by Musks arch-rival and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who has agreed to fight the Twitter chief in a cage match.

It comes as Twitter has faced some turbulence related to what Musk has said was extreme levels of system manipulation and data scraping, including by AI projects.

Twitter Turbulence

Musk recently imposed limits on how many tweets users could read on Twitter due to what he said were extreme levels of system manipulation and data scraping, with a negative impact on user experience.

Earlier, Twitter announced it would require users to have an account on the social media platform to view tweets, a move that Musk called a temporary emergency measure.

At the time, Musk said that hundreds of organizations or more were scraping Twitter data extremely aggressively, a remark that followed his earlier expressions of displeasure with artificial intelligence firms like OpenAI, which owns ChatGPT, for using Twitters data to train their large language models.

In April, Musk threatened to sue Microsoft, which has invested billions into OpenAI, after accusing the company of using Twitter data for training.

They trained illegally using Twitter data. Lawsuit time, Musk wrote on Twitter on April 19, without providing further details regarding the allegations.

While Musk did not provide evidence of Microsofts alleged illegal training and did not state what the training was for, ChatGPT is trained using reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF) and large bodies of text from various sources across the internet, including human conversations.

Microsoft did not respond to a request for comment from The Epoch Times on Musks lawsuit threat.

AI Threat

Earlier, Musk joined more than 1,100 individuals, including experts and industry executives such as Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, in signing an open letter calling on all artificial intelligence labs to pause training of systems more powerful than Chat GPT-4 for at least six months.

The letter doesnt call for a halt to AI development in general, just the most advanced systems in what Musk and the other experts described as an act of merely a stepping back from the dangerous race to ever-larger unpredictable black-box models with emergent capabilities.

Musk, along with other signatories of the letter, cited concerns over AIs possible risks to society and humanity.

Catastrophic Impacts on Society

Signatories of the letter warned that AI systems with human-competitive intelligence could pose profound risks to society and humanity and should be planned for and managed carefully to avoid potentially catastrophic impacts on the world and its people.

Having succeeded in creating powerful AI systems, we can now enjoy an AI summer in which we reap the rewards, engineer these systems for the clear benefit of all, and give society a chance to adapt, the experts said.

Society has hit pause on other technologies with potentially catastrophic effects on society. We can do so here. Lets enjoy a long AI summer, not rush unprepared into a fall, they argued.

They called for AI labs and independent experts to use the six-month moratorium to develop and implement a set of safety protocols for advanced AI design that would ensure that these systems are safe beyond a reasonable doubt.
Evidence Shows UFO Tech 100 Percent Not From Earth, but Thats Not a Threat: Rep. Tim Burchett

A still from GO FAST, an official U.S. government video of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), taken in 2015. (U.S. Navy)

Extraterrestrial beings might not be a threat. Otherwise, they could have already used their superior technologies to turn us into a charcoal briquette, said Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) after claiming to have seen classified UFO footage.

Mr. Burchett, who will lead an anticipated House Oversight Committee hearing on UFOsnow commonly referred to as unidentified anomalous phenomena or UAPssaid in a July 2 interview with space science podcast Event Horizon that he has been shown footage that has not been released to the public.

Have you seen compelling evidence that were actually seeing something really weird in the skies that might affect national security or global security, that might not be from this Earth? John Michael Godier, host of the podcast, asked during the interview.

One hundred percent. No question, the Republican congressman replied, adding that he has yet, however, to see anything dangerous enough to justify keeping the public in the dark about it in the name of national security.

Weve been dealing [with government coverups] since at least [the Roswell incident of] 1947, probably since about 1897 in what was the Aurora, Texas, UFO crash,' the Republican congressman said during the interview.

He then told host John Michael Godier that if those extraterrestrial beings have technology unlike anything we know on Earth, they could turn us into a charcoal briquette.

If they can travel light years or at the speeds that weve seen, defy physics as we know it, fly underwater but dont show a heat trail, then we are vastly out of our league, the congressman continued. We cant handle it. We couldnt fight them off what we wanted to. Thats why I dont think theyre a threat to us, or they would already have been.

When asked about the upcoming House UAP hearing, Mr. Burchett said he wanted to make sure the hearing included testimonies of creditable witnesses, such as pilots and scientists who have seen something out of the ordinary. He also said he doesnt expect that any Pentagon official would show up with any meaningful information.

The Department of Defense is just a huge bureaucracy, he said. All bureaucracies do is to justify [their] existence. I have no time for them.

The hearing is prompted by a government whistleblowers extraordinary claims that the U.S. government had obtained not only intact and partially intact vehicles of non-human origin, but also their occupants bodies.

The whistleblower, David Charles Grusch, told science website The Debrief that there is a decades-long, ongoing competition with other countries to identify crashes/landings and retrieve the material for exploitation/reverse engineering.

Mr. Grusch, a 36-year-old combat air veteran of Afghanistan, was also part of the UAP Task Force, a program run by the Office of Naval Intelligence to investigate UAP sightings. From 2019 to 2021, he served on the task force as the representative of the National Reconnaissance Office, one of the Big Five U.S. intelligence agencies, which is in charge of designing and operating spy satellites.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), another longtime advocate for transparency on the U.S. governments involvement with extraterrestrial phenomena, also revealed last month that he had been approached by several more intelligence whistleblowers with high clearances, who said they had first-hand knowledge of UAP programs.

Were trying to gather as much of that information as we can, Mr. Rubio said in a June 26 interview with NewsNation. Frankly, a lot of them are very fearful of their jobs  fearful of harm coming to them.

Mr. Burchett said This is what he hopes to overcome in the upcoming UFO hearings and allow people to freely speak about what they know.

Lets just turn loose the reports, quit with the redacted reports that look like Swiss cheese with everything whited out or blacked out, and just give us all the information and let the American public decide, he told the podcast host.

We can handle it. Stop with the arrogance. Stop with the corruption. Lets get it all out there.
FBI Absolutely Not Protecting Biden Family, Wray Says

FBI Director Christopher Wray responds to committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) during a House Judiciary Committee hearing about oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Capitol Hill July 12, 2023 in Washington. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray told the House Judiciary Committee on July 12 that his agency is absolutely not defending President Joe Bidens family.

Wrays comments come on the tail of a roughly month-long standoff between the embattled FBI chief and House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) over a document claiming that Joe Biden, while still vice president, took a multimillion-dollar bribe from a foreign national.

Ultimately, Mr. Wray relented, allowing Republicans on the Oversight panel to view a substantially redacted version of the document in a secured location away from the main House of Representatives complex.

Still, the standoff soured a party that had already grown impatient with Mr. Wray over a series of alleged abuses by the agency, leading to allegations that the FBI director was protecting Mr. Biden and his family.

Mr. Wray told the panel this was absolutely not the case while being grilled by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), a prominent critic of Mr. Wrays agency.

The comments came during an exchange regarding a message that Hunter Biden allegedly sent to Chinese businessman Henry Zhao, apparently demanding payment and threatening to use Joe Bidens influence if the payment was not received.

I am sitting here with my father, and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled, the younger Biden wrote, according to the testimony of an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) whistleblower.

Now means tonight, Hunter Biden said, warning that if anyone other than Zhao, Zhang, or the chairman tried to reach out about the matter, I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge that you will regret not following my direction.

I am sitting here waiting for the call with my father.

During his questioning of Mr. Wray, Mr. Gaetz recited portions of this exchange, which suggests that the president may have been more involved with his sons business dealings than he has previously let on.

Sounds like a shakedown, doesnt it, Director? Mr. Gaetz asked.

Im not gonna get into commenting on that, Mr. Wray replied.

Mr. Gaetz said that Mr. Wrays answer suggested he was deeply uncurious  almost suspiciously uncurious.

Are you protecting the Bidens? Mr. Gaetz asked.

Absolutely not; the FBI has no interest in protecting anyone politically, Mr. Wray responded over Mr. Gaetzs repeated call for the FBI chief to answer whether the text message seemed to be a shakedown.

Everybody knows why you wont answer itbecause to the millions of people who will see this, they know it is, and your inability to acknowledge that is deeply revealing, Mr. Gaetz said.

Charges of FBI Politicization

Mr. Wrays conduct has increasingly come under the Republican microscope amid ongoing probes into the alleged weaponization of the federal government.

Republicans say Mr. Wray has assisted a multi-branch effort within Mr. Bidens government to target and silence conservatives.

The director vehemently pushed back on allegations that the agency is targeting conservatives.

Well, first off, I would disagree with your characterization of the FBI and certainly your description of my own approach, Mr. Wray said in response to an assertion by Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) that the FBI has been weaponized against conservatives.

The idea that Im biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me, given my own personal background, said Mr. Wray, a registered Republican.

The first family has faced substantial Republican scrutiny since before the 2020 presidential election because of foreign business dealings by Hunter Biden.

That scrutiny intensified when, in a May 3 letter, Mr. Comer and Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) revealed they received highly credible unclassified whistleblower disclosures that the FBI possessed an unclassified record that describes an alleged criminal scheme involving then-Vice President Joe Biden and a foreign national relating to the exchange of money for policy decisions.

According to Mr. Grassley, FBI investigators were present during a briefing with Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley Wolf on the record ahead of the 2020 election. However, the charges in this record were allegedly not acted upon, and Mr. Wray was accused of stonewalling Republicans probe into the document after they became aware of it.

Mr. Wray was also taken to task for not doing enough to reveal the authenticity of Hunter Bidens laptop, which revealed allegations of many crimes involving then-candidate Biden. According to IRS whistleblowers, the FBI was able to verify the laptop as belonging to Hunter Biden prior to the election.

Charges of politicization grew louder after the FBI carried out a raid on the home of former President Donald Trump in Palm Beach, Florida.

When challenged on this decision during the hearing, Mr. Wray defended the move as the lawful execution of a search warrant.

Wray Defends FBI

In his opening remarks, Mr. Wray defended the FBIs conduct to the panel.

In the time that I have before we get to your questions, I want to talk about the sheer breadth and impact of the work the FBIs 38,000 employees are doing each and every day, Mr. Wray said. Because the work the men and women of the FBI do to protect the American peopleit goes way beyond the one or two investigations that seem to capture all the headlines.

He noted that last year the agency had made 20,000 arrests of violent criminals and child predators.

Mr. Wray also emphasized the agencys work to intercept and arrest fentanyl traffickers amid an intensifying epidemic of the highly lethal opioid, as well as mounting more than 300 investigations into the Central American drug cartels currently exploiting insecurities along the southern border.

Weve already seized hundreds of kilograms of fentanyl this year alone, stopping deadly drugs from reaching their intended destinations in states all over the country and saving countless American lives, the director said.

Additionally, he noted the agencys work to counter the Chinese governments efforts to steal our most precious secrets, rob our businesses of their ideas and innovation, and repress freedom of speech right here in the United States.

Mr. Wray painted an image that these types of activities formed the core identity and work of the FBI.

Still, many Republicans and Democrats alike have concerns about the agency, particularly regarding its alleged mishandling of surveillance tools like the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

In addition, most of the front runners for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, including Mr. Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, and former U.N. Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, have said they would remove the embattled FBI director almost immediately upon taking office.
FBI Director Says He Was Aghast at Agency Memo Targeting Radical Traditionalist Catholics

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before the House Judiciary Committee during a hearing on "Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation" on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 12, 2023. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

FBI Director Christopher Wray told Congress on Wednesday that he was aghast when he learned of an internal memo targeting Catholic communities as extremists.

In February, a leaked January 2023 memo from the Richmond Field Office in Virginia showed that the agency had taken an interest in traditionalist and Latin Mass Catholic parishes, saying that extremists would likely become interested in these parishes in the run-up to the next general election cycle.

To counter this alleged extremist threat of radical traditionalist Catholics, the memo, which was signed by at least five officials in the Richmond Field Office, recommended placing confidential informants in Catholic parishes ahead of the 2024 election.

FBI building in Washington on June 28, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

It discussed the prospect of new opportunities to mitigate extremist threat through outreach to traditional Catholic parishes and the development of sources with the placement and access to report on places of worship.

The leaked memo led to an outcry from Republicans and Catholics alike. Republicans characterized the discovery as the latest development in the weaponization of the federal government against conservatives. Bishop Barry Knestout of the Diocese of Richmond called the memo a threat to religious liberty.

During his testimony Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee, Mr. Wray answered questions about the memo.

Whats the difference between a traditional Catholic and a radical traditional Catholic? Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) asked Mr. Wray.

Well, Im not an expert on the Catholic orders, Mr. Wray replied.

When Mr. Jordan reminded him of the context of the question, pointing to the January memo, Mr. Wray sought to downplay its breadth, noting that it stemmed from a single field office and had no impact otherwise on FBI policy.

Youre referring to the Richmond product, which is a single product by a single field office, Mr. Wray said. As soon as I found out about it, I was aghast and ordered it withdrawn and removed from FBI systems.

Mr. Wray reemphasized later that the document was not something I will defend or excuse. Its something that I thought was appalling and removed it.

He told the committee the FBI does not recruit or operate confidential human sources to infiltrate, target, or report on religious institutions, and that the memo represented a breach of FBI policy.

Panel Blocked From Speaking to Authors

While Mr. Wray said he was not happy with the document, he emphasized that, to the best of his knowledge, it did not result in further investigative action.

After Mr. Wray expressed his condemnation of the document, Mr. Jordan countered by repeating a request that the panel be allowed to speak to its authors and those in the Richmond Field Office who authorized the memo.

You were aghast, so why dont you let us talk to the people who put it together? Mr. Jordan asked.

We are working on finishing an internal review into what happened Mr. Wray began before being cut off by Mr. Jordan.

We have to wait, we the Congress and the American people have to wait, until you do an internal reviewits not a criminal investigationan internal review before we can talk to the people who wrote this, Mr. Jordan said.

Mr. Wray replied with a promise that when the agency had concluded its review, which he said should be very soon, we will come come back in  and provide a briefing on what we found.

Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) speaks during John Durhams testimony in Congress in Washington on June 21, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

Frustrated, Mr. Jordan said that he didnt need an internal review to know that the motive behind the memo was all politics.

He cited from the memo, events in which extremist and radical traditional Catholics might have common causes include legislation, judicial decisions in such areas as abortion rights, immigration, affirmative action, and LGBTQ protections.

Its politics, Mr. Jordan said. Thats the motivation in the run up to the next election. They talk about the border, affirmative action, and abortion rightstotal politics.

Wray Defends FBI Ahead of Adversarial Hearing

In his opening remarks ahead of the confrontational hearing, coming in the wake of a series of alleged abuses perpetrated by the agency, Mr. Wray defended the FBIs conduct to the panel.

In the time that I have before we get to your questions, I want to talk about the sheer breadth and impact of the work the FBIs 38,000 employees are doing each and every day, Mr. Wray said in his opening remarks. Because the work the men and women of the FBI do to protect the American peopleit goes way beyond the one or two investigations that seem to capture all the headlines.

Mr. Wray noted that last year, the agency had made 20,000 arrests of violent criminals and child predators.

Mr. Wray said the agency is also at work going after the cartels exploiting our southwest border to traffic fentanyl and other dangerous drugs into communities nationwide.

He said that figure includes more than 300 investigations into the Central American drug cartels currently exploiting insecurities along the southern border.

Mr. Wray also pointed to the agencys work to combat the distribution and importation of fentanyl into the United States.

Weve already seized hundreds of kilograms of fentanyl this year alone, stopping deadly drugs from reaching their intended destinations in states all over the country and saving countless American lives, he said.

Additionally, he noted the agencys work to counter the Chinese governments efforts to steal our most precious secrets, rob our businesses of their ideas and innovation, and repress freedom of speech right here in the United States.

Mr. Wray painted an image that these types of activities formed the core identity and work of the FBI.

Still, many Republicans and Democrats alike have concerns with the agency, particularly regarding its mishandling of surveillance tools like the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

In addition, most of the front runners for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, including former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley have said they would remove the embattled FBI director almost immediately upon taking office.
NEW DELHI, July 12 (Xinhua) -- A South African male cheetah has died at the Kuno National Park (KNP) in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, local media reported.

This is the seventh feline fatality at the park since March.

The animal died on Tuesday, which is suspected to be caused by infighting.

According to officials, the park's monitoring team observed injury marks on the cheetah's neck late in the morning, following which they immediately contacted the veterinarians. The cheetah was inspected and subsequently sedated for the treatment of injuries.

"The male cheetah was found dead at around 2:00 p.m. (local time) His injuries are being probed. The cause of death can be ascertained after an autopsy," the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests J. S. Chouhan was quoted in media as having said.

Last month a male cheetah was also injured in a fight with other cheetahs at the park. But his condition was later termed to be stable.

Wildlife experts say cheetahs tend to hold large home ranges and it was not surprising for them to clash with other groups coming near them.

Last year in September Indian government reintroduced cheetahs in the country for the first time, decades after declaring them extinct from their Indian habitat. Eight cheetahs, five females and three males, were flown from Windhoek in Namibia to Madhya Pradesh in a customized cargo plane and kept at KNP.

Later on in February this year, a second batch of 12 more cheetahs was flown from South Africa.

The first death was of a Namibian female cheetah due to a kidney ailment on March 27. Later on, a male South African cheetah died due to cardiopulmonary failure on April 23. The third death was of a South African female cheetah on May 9 following a "violent interaction" with male cheetahs during mating.

In addition, three of the four cubs born in the park, have also died.

India's cheetah reintroduction program is aimed at reviving the population of cheetahs in India, where they became extinct over 70 years ago. 
FBI Helped Ukraines Intel Service Flag US Government Account as Disinformation: House Report

The seal of the F.B.I. hangs in the Flag Room at the bureau's headquarters in Washington on March 9, 2007. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

A verified U.S. State Department account got caught up in a Ukrainian intelligence services efforts to suppress alleged Russian disinformation on social media, according to a new report (pdf) by the House Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government.

According to the new committee report, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) forwarded to the FBI lists of social media accounts it said had spread Russian disinformation. The Ukrainian intelligence service asked the FBI to pass along these lists of social media accounts to their contacts with big tech companies in Silicon Valley, and, according to the House report, the FBI complied.

Included on these SBU lists of suspected Russian disinformation accounts were accounts operated by American and Canadian journalists as well as one verified Instagram account belonging to the U.S. State Department, @usaporusski, the State Departments official Russian-language account. The State Department account was included in a spreadsheet of suspect social media accounts that the SBU forwarded along on March 1, 2022.

The SBU said the accounts on their spreadsheet were distribut[ing] content that promotes war, inaccurately reflects events in Ukraine, justifies Russian war crimes in Ukraine in violation of international law.

According to the House report, neither the FBI nor the SBU provided any details about how the State Department account was involved in spreading disinformation.

These examples show either that the FBI did not meaningfully vet the SBUs lists or that the FBI endorsed the SBUs censorship requests knowing full well that they contained American accounts, the House report reads.

The House report indicated Instagrams parent company, Meta Platforms, Inc., provided few details to investigators about how it handled these requests from the SBU. NTD News reached out to Meta about the incident but did not receive a response by the time this article was published.

Western Journalists Targeted in SBU Lists

The House report comes about a month after Canadian journalist Aaron Mate published a series of internal communications from Twitter as part of the ongoing Twitter Files series. In his Twitter thread, Mate described how his Twitter account was among dozens included on SBU lists of suspected disinformation sources that FBI officials forwarded along to Twitter employees in 2022.

Another of the accounts included on the alleged SBU list belongs to Current Time TV, a Russian-language media channel itself produced by RFE/RL in cooperation with the Voice of America (VOA). RFE/RL and VOA are both funded by the U.S. government through the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM).

The new House report did not reference Mates Twitter Files reporting or that the U.S. government-linked Current Time TV was flagged for potential censorship by SBU officials.

The House report did describe an American journalist for a self-styled socialist publication whom the SBU also flagged.

The House document also noted reporting by journalist Lee Fang, who spoke with an SBU official in April of this year. Ilia Vitiuk, who has served as the head of the SBUs Department of Cyber and Information Security, reportedly told Fang that the SBU tends to flag accounts that might include negative reporting about Ukraine, regardless of whether theyve repeated any information thats actually factually flawed.

According to Mr. Fangs reporting, when asked about how he identifies disinformation, the Ukrainian intelligence official said, Everything that is against our country, consider it a fake, even if its not. Right now, for our victory, it is important to have that kind of understanding.

According to the House report, after receiving a list of flagged accounts, Twitters then Trust and Safety Team leader reached out to FBI Special Agent Aleksandr Kobzanets, an Assistant Legal Attache for the FBI who worked in Kyiv, Ukraine, from 2020 to 2022. In March 2022, Mr. Roth notified the FBI agent that some of the flagged accounts belonged to American and Canadian journalists and asked for any additional information or context. Mr. Kobzanets replied in a March 28, 2022 email that it was [u]nlikely there will be any additional information or context.

Ukrainian Intel Service Infiltrated By Russia: Report

The House report provided no conclusive answer as to why the social media accounts for U.S. government organizations and Western journalists were flagged by Ukrainian intelligence officials for potential censorship.

While Mr. Vitiuks willingness to classify everything that is against our country as disinformation suggests a censorship stance that favors the Ukrainian government, the House report posits that the SBU may also be harboring pro-Russian factions bent on disrupting the Ukrainian government.

In the same section where the House report notes the flagging of the U.S. State Departments Instagram account, the report states, the SBU was widely infiltrated by Russian-aligned forces during this period. The House report describes how the SBU had close ties with Russia during the reign of the Soviet Union and how the Ukrainian intelligence service worked closely with the Soviet-era KGB and then the FSB, the KGBs successor organization, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The House report states that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy purged some of the SBUs leadership in July of 2022 after the FBI had already forwarded numerous SBU communications to U.S. social media companies. The Ukrainian president dismissed the head of the SBU, Ivan Bakanov, citing the large number of SBU staff suspected of treason. Mr. Zelenskyy said that 651 cases of alleged treason and collaboration have been opened against individuals in law enforcement and in the prosecutors office throughout Ukraine.

The House report said, The extent of Russian influence remaining in the SBU today is unclear.

The FBI worked with and on behalf of a foreign intelligence agencywidely known to be compromised by Moscow at the time55and directly abetted efforts to censor Americans engaging in protected speech, the House report added. As a result, the FBI agents actions had the potential to render substantial aid to the Kremlins war effort.

NTD News reached out to the FBI for comment on the findings from the House report, but the agency did not respond by the time this article was published.

From NTD News
Fire That Killed 2 on a Cargo Ship in New Jersey Is out After Nearly a Week, Officials Say

Emergency personnel battle against a fire aboard the Italian-flagged Grande Costa d'Avorio cargo ship at the Port of Newark in Newark, N.J., on July 7, 2023. (John Minchillo/AP Photo)

NEWARK, N.J.Crews extinguished the intensely burning fire aboard a cargo ship docked in New Jersey after nearly a week and are now beginning their investigation into the blaze that killed two firefighters, officials said Tuesday.

We can officially declare the fire is out, Coast Guard Capt. Zeita Merchant, the captain of the Port of New York and New Jersey, said during a news conference in Port Newark.

Emergency personnel battle against a fire aboard the Italian-flagged Grande Costa dAvorio cargo ship at the Port of Newark in Newark, N.J., on July 7, 2023. (John Minchillo/AP Photo)

It could be a while before officials know the cause of the blaze that started late Wednesday and left two Newark firefighters dead and five others injured.

Authorities are now also beginning a salvage operation for the Grande Costa dAvorio, which could take up to two months, Capt. Merchant said.

Manifests showed there were no lithium ion battery vehicles onboard when the ship reached Newark, according to Bethann Rooney the port director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

However, it did have electric vehicles onboard when it reached Baltimore, where they were offloaded, she said. The ship had taken on used vehicles in Newark and was destined to do the same in Providence, Rhode Island before heading to West Africa, Ms. Rooney said.

The National Transportation Safety Board has warned about the possible dangers of electric vehicle battery fires, a hazard that stems from thermal runaway, a chemical reaction that causes uncontrolled battery temperature and pressure increases.

She described the hold of the ship as essentially a parking garage with ramps and different levels. The cars on board had but a spit of gasoline in their tanks, she said, adding that it was car components and other parts that were burning.

Killed in the blaze were Newark firefighters Augusto Augie Acabou and Wayne Bear Brooks Jr., whom officials praised for their bravery. Funeral services for the men were set for later this week.

The fire broke out about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. About an hour later, there was a mayday call when two firefighters became trapped inside the ship. Mr. Acabou was rescued from the ship before midnight. He was later taken a hospital where he died Thursday morning. Mr. Brooks died early Thursday morning after he was recovered.

Part of the investigation will examine whether the Newark Fire Department knew there were no lives at risk when firefighters initially responded, Capt. Merchant said.

Officials have acknowledged that the fire department hadnt recently done training on a ship like the Grande Costa dAvorio and that theyd be discussing training going forward.

Grimaldi Deep Sea said in a statement last week that the crew immediately activated onboard 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 were on board, no fuel spills had been detected, and the stability of the ship was not compromised.

The Grimaldi Group statement said the cause of the fire isnt known, but it will investigate in cooperation with authorities.

A 2020 inferno aboard a U.S. Navy ship in San Diego reflects the challenge of containing fires aboard vessels. In that case, the USS Bonhomme Richard, a $1.2 billion amphibious assault ship, burned for nearly five days and eventually had to be scuttled.
Former Peking University Professor Exposes Xi Jinpings Little-Known State of MindPart II: Dictators War Ambitions

Australia-based Yuan Hongbing, a former law professor at Peking University, has a unique perspective on the CCP and its leader Xi Jinping. In a recent exclusive interview on The Epoch Times Pinnacle View program, Mr. Yuan said he believes that a war in the Taiwan Strait is inevitable because of Mr. Xis idealist goal of CCP dominance.

Since the beginning of the RussiaUkraine War, ChinaTaiwan relations have become a global political and economic focus, and political analysts and pundits are divided on whether or not the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will launch an invasion of Taiwan, and when it will start. Professor Yuan Hongbing, who is well-versed in the CCPs mentality and has had direct contact with Xi Jinping, shared his insight. He believes that understanding Mr. Xis thinking and reasoning is critical in discussions around Chinas potential war with Taiwan.

Chinese dissident and former law professor, Yuan Hongbing (speaker on the right), at the release of his latest book Taiwan National Policy. (The Epoch Times)

Mr. Yuan, who grew up in the same era as Xi Jinping, believes that Mr. Xis ideology has been shaped by Mao Zedongs communist fundamentalism since he was a teenager during the Cultural Revolution, and Mr. Xi views the reunification of Taiwan by military force as his ultimate goal. So Mr. Xi will most likely invade Taiwan when he has the economic and military power to do so.

The Wests Failure to Understand the Psychology of Dictators

Mr. Yuan said he believes that U.S. Army General Mark Milleys theory of a ChinaTaiwan war in 2027 represents a common misunderstanding in the international community. This is because most of the judgments and analyses were based on comparing military power, without studying and analyzing the psychology and will typical of a dictator.

Mr. Yuan said, They tend to analyze problems from the perspective of a normal, rational person. So they arrive at all sorts of conclusions that fail to reflect the dictators mentality.

Mr. Yuan explained that two characteristics generally plague a dictators thinking and behavior: one is extreme subjectivity in their reasoning and the other is irrationality in their decisions.

He cited Hitlers unexpected move to start two battlefronts in World War II and Mao Zedongs unexpected involvement in the Korean War as examples. Both dictators decisions on war exceeded the judgment of the international community at the time. For instance, Hitler launched an invasion of the Soviet Union while still fighting a war on the Western front, which eventually led to Nazi Germanys defeat in World War II; and at the beginning of the Korean War, the famous U.S. General MacArthur also made a misjudgment against China.

Mr. Yuan said: U.S. General MacArthur believed that it was impossible for the CCP to send troops into Korea because the CCP lacked a modern air force and navy, and had an extremely ill-equipped army. Therefore, it could not fight a modern war with the United States. However, Mao Zedong actually sent millions of Chinese troops into Korea to fight.

Mr. Yuan further cited a shocking speech by Mao Zedong at a conference with international communist leaders in 1957. In his speech, Mao Zedong claimed that he was prepared to fight a nuclear war with the Soviet Union against the United States, even if it costs the lives of half of Chinas 600 million people and half of the worlds 2.7 billion population. Mao Zedong said that it would be worth it for a communist victory.

Mr. Yuan recalled a conversation he had with Mr. Xi in the 1980s in which Mr. Xi expressed the same view as Mao Zedong on the large number of Chinese soldiers killed in the Battle of Changjin Lake during the Korean War.

He said, Xi Jinping believes that despite losing so many men, [China] defeated the United States and drove them out of North Korea, which was a huge strategic victory worthy of the sacrifice.

He said that Mr. Xis domestic and foreign affairs decisions over the past decade or so have been like a mini-replica of Mao Zedongs. Every decision that Xi has made has been irrational and even self-destructive in some situations.

He said, In the past decade or so of his (Mr. Xis) rule, he has made many devastating decisions on domestic policy. The three-year extreme COVID lockdown was one example. He made choices that were foolish and destructive.

Another example was the CCPs far-left policy of supporting state-owned enterprises and cracking down on private businesses since Mr. Xi came to power.

Mr. Yuan believes that understanding Mr. Xis rationale in making those decisions would be critical in predicting his next moves as the CCPs leader.

Upholding Maos Ideals

Mr. Yuan explained that after the Cultural Revolution, the CCP went through a ten-year struggle between the hardliners and the reformists. The totalitarian hardliners, led by Deng Xiaoping, insisted on adhering to the principles of Maoist communism with the CCP elites in control of Chinas economic lifeline.

A group of male and female coal miners recite 06 September 1968 in Li Se Yuan mine some paragraphs of Mao Zedong Little Red Book as they celebrate Maos Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. (Xinhua/AFP via Getty Images)

At the same time post-Cultural Revolution, a group of conscientious reformists within the CCP was led by Hu Yaobang, the former CCP General Secretary who was purged from power later on. This faction not only tried to correct some of the mistakes of the Cultural Revolution but also attempted to conduct a comprehensive political reform and rethinking of the CCP.

Mr. Yuan said: It was from 1978 to 1987 when Hu Yaobang actually promoted the liberalization of thought in China. It included the abolition of the largest concentration camp in human history, the Peoples Commune, and the initial steps toward economic reform were all implemented along with the liberalization of thought and ideas.

The policies forwarded by the reformist faction eventually hit the red line for the hardliners led by Deng Xiaoping and Bo Yibo. Although Mr. Deng and others were also persecuted during the Cultural Revolution, they fundamentally wanted to defend the CCPs tyranny because their own power and interests came from the CCPs tyrannical rule established by Mao Zedong.

Mr. Yuan said: The conflicts within the CCP led to a collision between the two trends of thought, and this collision started with the purge of Hu Yaobang in 1987. It eventually led to the hardliners ordering the military to massacre thousands of people in 1989 (Tiananmen Square Massacre) using the justification of stabilizing the country for the next decades to come. This completely interrupted the progress made under Hu Yaobang.

Since then, Chinas so-called Reform and Opening up was in fact a deformed economic drive under Deng Xiaopings rule, leaving the CCPs political assets intact. This has resulted in the present-day CCPs powerful economy and wealthy elites.

Mr. Yuan believes that Mr. Xi is a typical figure raised under the Cultural Revolution. Even though Mr. Xi himself was oppressed during the Cultural Revolution, his mind was brainwashed by Mr. Maos communist fundamentalism, and he knows nothing except Maos extremist political philosophy of the Cultural Revolution.

Mr. Yuan explained: Xi Jinping rejects not only Hu Yaobangs liberalization of thought but also Deng Xiaopings capitalism for the CCP elite. This is a fundamental reason why he is now leading China into the dystopian years of Maoist fundamentalism.

Extremist Ideology Shaped Xis Will to Conquer Taiwan

Mr. Yuan, a former drinking buddy of Mr. Xi, had direct observations of Mr. Xis personal character and ideology due to their close interactions.

He said, I think Xi Jinping as an individual had some good qualities, such as he was quite loyal and straightforward with people, and will not take advantage of others, etc.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon is observing the Chinese PLA Navy vessel Luyang III (top) while on a transit through the Taiwan Strait with the Royal Canadian Navys HMCS Montreal, on June 3, 2023. (Andre T. Richard/US Navy/AFP)

According to Mr. Yuan, unlike other CCP officials, a distinctive feature of Mr. Xis character was his extreme communist ideals.

He further explained: What was his ideology? His ideology was the communist sentiment that Mao Zedong injected into his mind during the Cultural Revolution. I had the impression that this dangerous ideology was deeply engraved in his soul and he seemed determined to somehow achieve this idealistic goal. That was an important characteristic in his personality.

Mr. Yuan believes that all of Mr. Xis acts, driven by his communist ideology, are like a mirror image of Mao Zedong. In the future, Mr. Xi will use all his political and military power to achieve his global ambitions, and he seemed determined on starting a war against Taiwan.

Mr. Yuan explained: Domestically, he will certainly bring China back to the Mao era. On the international level, he will consolidate Chinas economic power gained by Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemins corruption-based capitalism and transform such power into political and military capabilities for the global expansion of totalitarianism.

He went on to say: Therefore, launching a war against Taiwan can almost be seen as his destiny, not only imposing a war on a free Taiwan and the world but also involving all Chinese people in his twisted totalitarian militarist plot.

Towards the end of his interview on the Pinnacle View, Mr. Yuan said: So what will be the endgame for this regime? I believe the day [Xi] starts a war against Taiwan will also be the beginning of the collapse of Xi Jinpings dictatorship and the collapse of the evil CCP regime. It can also be said that this might be the final duel in a hundred years between communism and the rest of the world.
French Riots Just the Beginning of Greater Civil Unrest in Europe: Political Scientist

A firefighter looks on as vehicles burn following riots in Nanterre, west of Paris, on June 28, 2023. (Zakaria Abdelkafi/AFP via Getty Images)

The riots in French cities are the latest manifestation of the countrys inability to integrate millions of young Muslim immigrants, but that problem isnt limited to France alone, according to Soeren Kern, a political scientist specializing in Middle Eastern and trans-Atlantic geopolitics.

What were seeing really is the end of multiculturalism as we know it, Mr. Kern, a Cold War U.S. Air Force veteran turned geopolitical analyst, said in an interview for EpochTVs American Thought Leaders: NOW.

French policymakers have been bringing in migrants from North Africa and the Muslim world for almost 50 years.

What is happening now is that, after many decades of having these people come in and not being integrated, there is tremendous social friction between the police and many of these immigrant groups who live on the sidelines of French society, particularly in the slums or in the large cities of France.

The recent violent protests in France were triggered by the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk last month during a police traffic stop in the Paris suburb of Nanterre, home to tens of thousands of African and Muslim immigrants.

With thousands of protesters arrested so far, police are bracing themselves for July 14, Bastille Day, which could see tensions flare up again. The French government has temporarily banned the sale of fireworks, a staple of the day, which celebrates the violent overthrow of the French government in 1789.

A burned tram following violence and protests the previous night in reaction to an officer-involved shooting, in Clamart, southwest of Paris, on June 29, 2023. (Emmanuel Dundand/AFP via Getty Images)

Not Exactly Like George Floyd Riots

Some observers have been quick to compare the fatal shooting of Nahel with George Floyds death while in the custody of Minneapolis police, which sparked widespread unrest across the United States in the summer of 2020. However, Mr. Kern said there are important differences between the two events.

The riots around the George Floyd killing were organized by Marxist groups in the United States, he said, referring to the radical leftist Black Lives Matter organization and anarco-communist Antifa. The difference is that these riots in Europe are clearly spontaneous.

Theyre not organized by any Islamist or Marxist groups. Its just hatred: intense hatred for the French people and for the French state among a large number of youths who are unemployed [and] have very few prospects of having a normal life in France. When you have these cases of police brutality, you have this resentment that really gets out of control.

However, it doesnt mean that the French radical left isnt taking advantage of the chaos to push an anti-police agenda, Mr. Kern noted. On the other hand, the French far-right has also expressed anti-immigrant rhetoric, labeling all immigrants as rioters and troublemakers.

The truth is somewhere really in between, the Spain-based political scientist said. You have a segment of these Muslim migrants, particularly from North Africa, who just have no prospect of integrating. Their parents or grandparents came to France maybe 50 years ago, who integrated well and are moving to the French suburbsa move up in the social ladder. Now, you have these second- and third-generation migrants who are no longer linked to their parents, but theyre also not really accepted by France.

They were born in France. They have French citizenship. But theyre really what I call stateless citizens. They really dont identify with the French state. They dont identify with the land of their parents. And for them to be living in the slums is not a way up. Its sort of a dead end. I think that this is really the problem.

Men sit on their mattresses in the illegal immigrant camp in the Stalingrad district of Paris on July 12, 2023. (Julien De Rosa/AFP via Getty Images)

Realities of Immigrant Neighborhoods

When asked about the behavior of law enforcement in European neighborhoods where Muslim immigrants became the majority, Mr. Kern said the top priority of police officers there is to simply survive.

Youre finding this in a lot of the large French cities, the larger German cities, and to some extent, in Madrid, on the outskirts of the capital, where you have very, very large numbers of immigrants, where native Europeans are now in the minority, he said. What happens is, essentially, that the norms of the countries of the migrants are the law of the land.

For the police, fire departments, ambulancesany sort of representative of the statetheres a reluctance of these people to go into these areas because of the danger that presents them.

Mr. Kern noted that when Nahel refused to stop for the traffic check, the police reacted to his evasion by shooting him.

The problem is that the police, when theyre working in these areas, their No. 1 perspective is survival, he said. Theyre assuming that everybody in these neighborhoods is a criminal. The immigrants see these attitudes of the police as xenophobic and discriminatory, and that just creates more hatred towards the state.

Although Mr. Kern believes that radical Islamists didnt play a significant role in this particular incident, he did note that Islamist elements have been taking root in many of these neighborhoods.

In some cases, particularly in Germany and in France, you have the Islamists that are taking advantage of the despair of the youths, and they offer them a brighter future through the future of Islam. So theres a radicalization that takes place, he said. These people then obviously try to enforce Sharia laws in their neighborhoods and barrios.

Diluted National Identity

The French, as well as other European governments, are unable or unwilling to create effective integration polices, and that has a lot to do with a particular sentiment in the demoralized post-World War II Europe, according to Mr. Kern.

After the end of the Second World War, there was a general feeling that nationalism is the cause of wars and that if you can dilute what it means to be German and dilute what it means to be FrenchI mean, really mix up what it means to be a German person, it would reduce the chances of war in the future, he said. So really, these failed policies and these failed premises have been going on for at least 50 years.

Its not just limited to France. It also extends to Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, some of the Scandinavian countries, and here in Spain, to some extent, particularly around Madrid and some of the southern cities.

Even if the European policymakers start to acknowledge the failure of multiculturalism, theres no quick fix for the issue under the current European Union legal framework, Mr. Kern said.

Theres really nothing that can be done to my mind at the moment, because these people are European citizens, he said. They were born here. They cant be deported. And even if they were deportable, European Union and human rights laws make it almost impossible.

The problem with illegal immigrants, who came into Europe in the millions over the past decade, isnt any easier to solve either.

Theyre committing crimes because they cant provide for themselves in normal jobs. So they go into drug dealing, purse snatching, and all sorts of petty crimes, Mr. Kern said. These people are arrested and let go and arrested and let go, because European human rights laws make it almost impossible to deport these people.

So what we saw in France is just the beginning, I think, of a great civil unrest here in Europe.
Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and other Republican Senators hold a press conference about stopping the Biden administrations big tech censorship.

A federal judge recently ruled the Biden administration working with social media companies to censor speech was unconstitutional in the Missouri v. Biden case. The Biden administration then filed an injunction to continue censoring Americans, but was denied.
GOP Senators Urge Feds to Probe CCP Service Centers Operating in US

Republican Congressman Ted Budd speaks at a Make America Great Again rally in Greensboro International Airport, in Greensboro, North Carolina on Oct. 27, 2020. (Grant Baldwin/AFP via Getty Images)

Republican senators have requested the Justice Department and FBI provide information about seven newly-identified Chinese Communist Party (CCP) outposts operating on U.S. soil.

The outposts, called Overseas Chinese Service Centers (OCSC), are run by the CCPs United Front department, a powerful agency that works to advance the regimes interests abroad, including by carrying out foreign influence operations, suppressing dissident movements, gathering intelligence, and facilitating the transfer of technology to China.

Aside from ties to the Party, senators in two letters on July 10 raised concerns about the potential cooperation between the centers and the regimes top police agency, the Ministry of Public Security.

They pointed to a 2018 meeting between representatives of the service centers in the United States and Chinese police officers, during which the OCSC staffers studied cross-border remote justice services launched by the Public Security Bureau and the courts in Wenzhou, a city in eastern Zhejiang Province, according to Qiaowang, a state-run media.

The Justice Department has warned that the Ministry of Public Security conducts intelligence and national security operations far beyond Chinas borders, including the illicit, transnational repression schemes.

We write to express our grave concerns regarding reports of Overseas Chinese Service Centers (OCSCs) operated by an intelligence service of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) in conjunction with the PRCs national police force, senators, led by Ted Budd of North Carolina, wrote in a Monday letter (pdf) to Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Separately, Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and seven other Republican senators called for an immediate probe of the regimes U.S.-based service stations in a Monday letter (pdf) to FBI Director Christopher Wray and the Justice Departments Assistant Attorney General for National Security Division Matthew Olsen.

The CCPs intent is clear with its operation of these OCSCs: to intimidate and surveil Chinese Americans with dissenting opinions, they wrote.

As of September 2017, the CCP has established over 60 service centers across five continents, according to a statement by the Utah branch.

There are at least seven outposts currently operating in the United States. According to Chinas state media, theyre in Charlotte, North Carolina; San Francisco, California; Houston, Texas; Omaha, Nebraska; St. Paul, Minnesota; Salt Lake City, Utah; and St. Louis, Missouri. The presence of the outposts was first identified by The Daily Caller.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is launching a probe into the reported presence of the Chinese service center in the state.

A balloon is held at a press conference and rally in front of the America ChangLe Association highlighting Beijings transnational repression, in New York City on Feb. 25, 2023. A now-closed overseas Chinese police station is located inside the association building. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

FBI And DOJ Probe

The revelation of more CCPs agencies operating in the country came after the Justice Department charged two New Yorkers over allegedly running a secret CCP police station in Manhattans Chinatown.

The police station in Manhattan is believed to be part of more than 100 overseas stations operated by the Chinese regime in 53 countries, according to Safeguard Defenders, a Spain-based nonprofit.

Prosecutors said the two men conspired to work as agents of the CCP and took orders from the regime in order to track down and silence Chinese dissidents living in the United States.

Just as troubling, in February, the U.S. Air Force shot down a Chinese spy balloon that had traveled through U.S. airspace for several days, an apparent act of provocation by the CCP, Ms. Blackburn and seven senators wrote in the letter.

Taken together, these troubling events demonstrate the need to take serious the real and ongoing threats that China poses to our national security. Thus, it is imperative for the Biden administration to act decisively.

They provided Mr. Wray and Mr. Olsen with a list of questions regarding the CCPs outposts, including whether they agreed the intent of these OCSCs is to coerce and surveil Chinese Americans.

Reached for comment, an FBI spokesperson said they received the letter.

Generally speaking, the FBI conducts logical, fact-based investigations and follows the evidence wherever it may lead. Were increasingly conducting outreach in order to raise awareness of how some countries governments harass and intimidate their own citizens living in the U.S. This violates U.S. law and individual rights and freedoms, and will not be tolerated, the spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email.

DOJ Briefing Requested

OCSCs are part of the eight projects launched in 2014 by the regimes Overseas Chinese Affairs Office (OCAO), which are aimed at providing services to overseas Chinese, and giving full play to their strength to achieve the China Dream,' according to offices official website. China Dream is a slogan associated with the CCPs top leader Xi Jinping, who has vowed to transform the country into a superpower by 2049.

In 2018, the OCAO moved under the control of the CCPs United Front Work Department (UFWD).

In the letter to Mr. Garland, the senators cited a 2016 report (pdf) by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, which characterized the agency as Beijings intelligence service.

The UFWD mostly focuses on the management of potential opposition groups inside China, but it also has an important foreign influence mission, the commission said in another detailed report published in 2018.

To carry out its influence activities abroad, the UFWD directs overseas Chinese work, which seeks to co-opt ethnic Chinese individuals and communities living outside China, while a number of other key affiliated organizations guided by Chinas broader United Front strategy conduct influence operations targeting foreign actors and states.

The State Department stated in 2018 that the UFWD is responsible for coordinating domestic and foreign influence operations, through propaganda and manipulation of susceptible audiences and individuals.

Mr. Budd and nine other GOP senators asked Justice Department to brief them and provide more information regarding the UFWD-linked centers, including whether these outposts engaged in any illegal activity.

The DOJ must ensure that our adversaries such as the CCP are not operating intelligence operations or engaging in repression on U.S. soil, they wrote.

Missouri Probe

According to Chinas state media, the first service center in the United States was set up inside the Chinese American Association of Commerce in San Francisco in 2014. In the following three years, six other centers were established across the United States.

The Chinese Service Center in St. Louis was established in December 2017, according to Chinas foreign ministry.

Rep. Ann Wagner, a Republican of Missouri, also sounded the alarm over the CCPs outpost in her state.

The Chinese Communist Party has been trying to expand its influence globally and we must put a stop to any efforts to gain a foothold in America, the congresswoman wrote on Twitter on June 23.

Communist dictators cant use American soil to go after courageous dissidents and innocent families, and we must continue to fight back against this regimes dangerous ideology.

Ms. Wagner notified the states attorney general about the presence of the centers. In reply, Mr. Bailey pledged to launch an investigation immediately.

The information you have shared with my office about a possible CCP outpost within the borders of Missouri is deeply concerning and will receive the full attention of my office, Mr. Bailey wrote in the June 28 letter to Ms. Wagner.

The threat posed by the CCP is very real.

The DOJ and the St. Louis service center didnt respond to The Epoch Timess request for comment by press time.

Eva Fu contributed to this report.
Government Announces Unlimited Penalties for Environmental Polluters

Environmental polluters will face unlimited penalties under new legislation introduced today.

Companies holding environmental permits, such as energy and water operators, will see the current penalty limit of 250,000 scrapped.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced changes to the legislation, following a government consultation, which received widespread public support.

The consultation offered several options to change the cap, ranging from 25 million to unlimited penalties.

As the government decided to opt for unlimited penalties, the Environment Agency (EA) and Natural England will be able to apply a quicker method of enforcement than lengthy and costly criminal prosecutions.

EA Chair Alan Lovell said that the new powers will enable the government to deliver penalties quicker and easier, while the most serious cases will continue to be taken through criminal proceedings.

The size of the penalties will be determined by a number of factors, such as the extent of the pollution and the degree of responsibility and harm. The polluting companys size and ability to pay will also be considered.

The Sentencing Council will ensure that the level of penalties will be proportionate to the degree of environmental harm and culpability, the government said.

This aligns the approach to calculating civil penalties with how the court calculates criminal sanctions, the government added.

Under the new rules companies, including waste operators and incinerators, will be held to greater account, said Whitehall.

Polluters must pay, said Environment Secretary Therese Coffey, adding that the government will target a much wider range of offences. These will include breaches of storm overflow permits and reckless disposal of hazardous waste.

Companies will also face the proposed higher penalties if found to breach the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. The majority of EA investigations, as well as environmental permitting in England and Wales, take place under these regulations.

Mr. Lovell called the scrapped penalty limit an important deterrent that will boost compliance across a range of sectors.

Impact

In England, the EA is responsible for regulating major industries and waste, treatment of contaminated land, water quality and resources and fisheries among other sectors.

The proposed changes will affect waste operations and water discharge activities. This means that water and sewage companies, who earlier this year admitted spills of untreated sewage onto beaches and into rivers over the past few years, may face higher penalties in the future.

Future penalties for water companies will be reinvested in the governments new Water Restoration Fund, meant to improve water quality and deliver help to local communities.

In April, the government announced that water and sewage regulator Ofwat can impose larger penalties on water companies, without needing to go to court. Depending on the companys performance, Ofwat can influence its payouts to shareholders and management.

Water UK, a membership body representing the UK water industry, has welcomed the government announcement.

It is right that regulators have all the powers they need when things go wrong, a Water UK spokesperson said.

The proposed regulations may have an impact on the net housing supply. The Home Builders Federation warned earlier in May that rules imposed by Natural England and Defra, such as the nutrient neutrality requirements, could lead to a drop in housing supply by up to 122,000 homes per year.

The nutrient neutrality requirements, which originated from a 2018 European Court of Justice ruling, caused Natural England to revise its guidance to local authorities. Nutrient neutrality is a means of ensuring that a development project does not add to the amount of nitrates entering the water system in an area.

The proposed amendments are yet to be approved by both Houses of Parliament, before coming into force.
Government Launches Consultation on Food Labels for Products From Contested Foreign Regions

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is launching public consultation on food labels for contested territories, specifically imported foods from certain countries.

Consumers are increasingly knowledgeable about food labels, and labelling is one of the most important and direct ways for the industry to share information. All food sold in Canada must be properly labelled in a way that is not false or misleading, including origin indications, the department said in a July 10 news release.

According to Blacklocks Reporter, this public consultation follows a protracted Federal Court case over the labelling of Israeli wines.

The CFIA was subject to lawsuits after a 2017 order that stated wines from the contested territory of the West Bank should not be labeled as products of Israel under the Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act.

In a 2021 court submission, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said the wine label issue raise[d] the spectre of boycotts against Israel.

This is a matter of particular sensitivity and importance to the organized Jewish community in Canada, said the centre.

Court Rulings

In 2019, the Federal Court ruled the Israel label was technically misleading, but said, There are few things as difficult and intractable as Middle East politics.

In 2020, the Federal Court of Appeal dismissed legal action from 12 groups including Amnesty International and the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association, who acted as interveners in the dispute. At the time, the justice said, We are only a court of law, not a policy forum and still less a Department of Foreign Affairs pronouncing on controversial international issues.

We are suited to law, not freestanding policy or ideology. We are just lawyers, wrote Justice David Stratas.

The CFIA is now asking for feedback on how to label the origin of imported food from contested territories, defined as an area outside of Canada that is subject to competing claims of control by third parties.

For food products from contested territories, would having the geographic region or territory where the food product was produced noted on the label help clarify where the product came from so that the label is not considered false or misleading under Canadian labelling regulations? is the question asked by the CFIA.

This consultation is about domestic labelling laws and policy. It does not pertain to a specific imported food product or the status of a specific contested territory, and is not intended to challenge Canadas existing foreign policy.

The online public consultation will be open for 90 days, from July 10 to Oct. 10.
Gun Rights Advocates Sue ATF Over Zero Tolerance Policy

Edward Wilks, owner of Tradesmen Gun Store and Pawnshop, helps a customer with a firearm at his store in Rifle, Colo., on April 24, 2018. (EMILY KASK/AFP/Getty Images)

Two Virginia-based gun rights organizations have sued the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) over policy changes concerning federal firearms licensed (FFL) gun dealers.

Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the Gun Owners Foundation (GOF) claim that the policy was rewritten to advance the Biden administrations anti-Second Amendment agenda.

This zero-tolerance policy towards lawful commerce guaranteed by the Second Amendment is just the latest example of this Administration weaponizing federal agencies against their political enemies, GOA Senior Vice President Eric Pratt wrote in a statement on the organizations website.

It also is just one more compelling piece of evidence to support gun owners demands that Congress defund the ATF.

The ATF didnt respond to a request for comment from The Epoch Times.

Demonstrators gather for a Second Amendment rally at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia on March 20, 2021. (David Ryder/Getty Images)

GOA filed its lawsuit on July 11 in the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota. GOA contends that on Jan. 28, 2022, the ATF issued a revised Administrative Action Policy (AAP) titled Federal Firearms Administrative Policy and Procedures, replacing a 2019 AAP.

In the lawsuit, GOA claims that the 2019 policy gave FFL holders some leeway when inspectors found minor violations and that the January 2022 policy takes a more stringent approach.

The lawsuit reads: The 2019 AAP stated that ATF may revoke a federal firearms license under appropriate circumstances  the 2022 AAP states that ATF will revoke a federal firearms license, absent extraordinary circumstances on initial violations.

GOA pointed out that in the past, the ATF looked for a history of violations that demonstrated willfulness by gun dealers before taking action. That has changed, the lawsuit states.

The 2019 AAP stated that  [a] single, or even a few, inadvertent errors  may not amount to willful failures, even when the FFL knew of the legal requirement. The 2022 AAP eliminates this language, harshly warning only that ATF does not have to establish a history of prior violations, the lawsuit reads.

No Public Input Sought

GOA claims that the policy should be struck down because the ATF made the changes without congressional oversight or public input.

Joining GOA and the GOF as a plaintiff is Morehouse Enterprises of Valley City, North Dakota, which does business as Bridge City Ordnance.

Bridge City Ordnance is facing the revocation of its FFL over five alleged record-keeping infractions. According to Bridge City, none of the alleged infractions resulted in an illegal gun transfer.

Suspiciously, the ATF inspected Bridge City Ordnance right after the company joined GOA and GOF in a separate lawsuit challenging the ATFs Ghost Gun Frame and Receiver Rule last summer. Litigation is ongoing in that case, GOA spokesman Walter Smoloski wrote in a statement on the GOA website.

GOF spokesman Sam Paredes asserts that the Biden administration was using heavy-handed tactics to bully law-abiding citizens into giving up their Second Amendment rights.

Its ridiculous that good people trying to make an honest living are facing this assault on their livelihoods. GOF is proud to be lending our support in defense of Bridge City Ordnance and all of those small businesses facing devastating consequences if this Administrations hostility towards firearms is permitted to go unchecked, Mr. Paredes wrote in a statement released when the lawsuit was filed.

Revocations Are Up

The ATF has been in a pitched battle with gun rights advocates. According to GOA, the ATFs statistics from fiscal 2022 show the agencys hostility.

According to agency numbers, there were 3,806 violations reported in fiscal 2022 among firearm licensees, 606 warning letters issued, 131 warning conferences, and 93 revocations.

According to the ATF website, five FFL revocations occurred between July and December 2021. There were 51 revocations reported for the same period in 2022.

Meanwhile, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) has introduced the Abolish the ATF Act.

The continued existence of the ATF is increasingly unwarranted based on their repeated actions to convert law-abiding citizens into felons. They must be stopped. My bill today would abolish the ATF once and for all, Mr. Gaetz said when introducing the bill in January.

In 2021, when Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress, Mr. Gaetz co-sponsored a similar bill that sought to abolish the ATF. Presently, Republicans have the majority in the House.

Naveen Athrappully contributed to this report.
Hackers Steal Personal Data of 11 Million People From HCA Healthcare

HCA Healthcare, one of the largest companies in the United States, announced on Monday that hackers breached its system and stole the personal data of 11 million patients.

In its announcement, the company said the patient accounts were posted by an unknown and unauthorized party on an online forum.

The health care companys dataset has approximately 27 million accounts, which include patients personal information and certain visit records, and HCA believes that some of it is now up for sale.

HCA said the data breach did not apparently include critical medical records and that the files were stolen from an external storage location exclusively used to automate the formatting of email messages.

The compromised information does not include clinical data such as treatment, diagnosis, or condition information; payment information; user passwords; drivers licenses; or Social Security numbers, according to HCA.

However, the health care provider confirmed that patient names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, and information about medical appointments were stolen.

Some experts say that the stolen data can still be used for fraud or identity theft.

Patients names, their location, telephone number, date of birth and gender  that gives all the information for a hacker used to steal identities, security consultant Andrew Sternke told CBS Texas.

Mr. Sternke explained that hackers could sell that data to others to acquire fraudulent medical services.

Victims Across the Country

The HCA hack is affecting patients in nearly two dozen states, including those at dozens of facilities in Florida and Texas, CNBC reported.

HCA Healthcare reported this event to law enforcement and retained third-party forensic and threat intelligence advisors, the company said regarding the hack.

While our investigation is ongoing, the company has not identified evidence of any malicious activity on HCA Healthcare networks or systems related to this incident.

The company disabled user access to the storage location as an immediate containment measure and plans to contact any impacted patients to provide additional information and support, in accordance with its legal and regulatory obligations, and will offer credit monitoring and identity protection services, where appropriate, HCA explained.

The data sale on the online forum was flagged on Twitter by Brett Callow, an analyst at New Zealand-based Emsisoft, CNBC reported.

This may be one of the biggest health care-related breaches of the year and one of the biggest of all time. That said, despite affecting millions of people, it may not be as harmful as other breaches as, based on HCAs statement, it doesnt seem to have impacted diagnoses or other medical information, Callow told CNBC.

HCA claimed no clinical information had been disclosed, but Callow noted that the hacker has, however, claimed to have emails with health diagnosis that correspond to a clientID.'

The Epoch Times reached out to HCA Healthcare for comment.
WUHAN, July 12 (Xinhua) -- China plans to land its taikonauts on the moon before 2030 to carry out scientific exploration, according to a preliminary plan released by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on Wednesday.

The plan is to launch two carrier rockets to send a lunar lander and a manned spacecraft to a lunar orbit, respectively. The craft and lunar lander will rendezvous and dock with each other, and then taikonauts will enter the lander.

As the lunar lander descends and arrives at the preset area on the lunar surface, taikonauts will carry out scientific tasks and collect samples.

After completing the planned tasks, taikonauts will return to the lander, which will lift them back to the lunar orbit to dock with their spacecraft.

In the final step, the spacecraft will fly taikonauts back to Earth with lunar samples.

Chinese researchers are working on the development of the Long March-10 carrier rocket, a new generation of manned spacecraft, lunar lander, lunar landing spacesuit, manned lunar rover, and other equipment, said Zhang Hailian, deputy chief designer with the CMSA at a space industry forum in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province.

The new carrier rocket will have three and a half stages with a carrying capacity of about 27 tonnes to the lunar transfer orbit, and the rocket body is five meters in diameter.

The new generation of manned spacecraft has three parts -- an escape tower, a re-entry capsule, and a service capsule, Zhang said, adding that the new spaceship will employ module designs that can satisfy the needs of both near-Earth and deep-space explorations.

The landing rover will consist of two parts -- a landing section and a propulsion section, and can send two taikonauts to the lunar surface at the same time.

The lunar rover will weigh 200 kg and can accommodate two taikonauts.

In addition, the spacesuit being developed for the moon landing, with a single working time of no less than eight hours, will feature better mobilities to help taikonauts walk, climb, squat, drive, and operate machines.

Zhang said China would also explore the construction of a lunar scientific research station and carry out systematic and long-term lunar exploration and related technical tests and verification. 
House Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Compel Retroactive FARA Registration

Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) speaks to reporters after a House Republican Caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 21, 2021. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

A bipartisan group of House lawmakers on July 11 announced a proposal that would compel individuals who have worked for foreign governments, particularly the Chinese communist regime, to retroactively register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), who chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), along with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), the ranking Democrat on the committee, introduced the bill, which is aimed at strengthening the enforcement of FARA to counter the CCPs influence on U.S. soil.

At a time when the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] and other adversaries are using foreign agents to mount influence campaigns and wantonly perpetrate transnational repression in our country, as an absolute baseline, we need to enforce FARAs intended transparency standards in order to counter the CCPs malign designs, Mr. Gallagher said in a statement, referring to the official name of China.

The measure, named the Retroactive Foreign Agents Registration Act, seeks to ensure that the obligation to register wouldnt expire even after those unregistered foreign agents are no longer performing that work.

The introduction of the new legislation came after a federal judge in Washington last year dismissed the Justice Departments (DOJ) attempt to compel an individual to register under the FARA as an agent of the Chinese regime.

In the ruling, the U.S. district judge said that because any ties between the individual with the Chinese regime had terminated before the lawsuit, the DOJ was barred from requiring the person to register as a foreign agent.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) talks to the media after the closing arguments of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump in Washington on Feb. 3, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Mr. Gallaghers bill (pdf) proposes several FARA amendments to clarify the obligation of individuals who formerly served as agents of foreign principals to register retroactively as foreign agents under the Act with respect to activities carried out previously on behalf of such foreign principals, and for other purposes.

Congress needs to restore FARA to its original, critical function after the D.C. District Courts absurd ruling last October defanged the statute, he said in the statement.

Mr. Krishnamoorthi highlighted the role of FARA in clamping down on undisclosed CCP influence on U.S. soil.

FARA is one of our best tools to shine a light on CCP influence and the real harms it can have on our economy and national security, he said. Im eager to work with Chairman Gallagher and my bipartisan colleagues to introduce this bill and ensure that the American people have the transparency they deserve and the protections they need.

The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Chip Roy (R-Texas), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Rob Wittman (R-Va.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), Dusty Johnson, (R-S.D.), Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.), and Shontel Brown (D-Ohio).

A companion bill was introduced in the Senate on July 11 by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.), who said the legislation would close loopholes in the FARA.

If an individual works to influence policy on behalf of foreign interests, there should be no loophole that allows them to avoid disclosing their efforts, Mr. Grassley said. Foreign agents who fail to register during their service must come clean and wash the grease off their hands even after theyve left the job.
How to Create a Fake News Cycle

Commentary

Despite the best efforts of the mainstream media to pillory him as an anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) is having a moment. A recent poll from CNN of all places showed him earning 20 percent of Democratic primary votersand that was before his Joe Rogan interview and shirtless push-up video went viral.

Kennedys support only confirms the titanic loss of trust between voters and the mainstream media.

Except for those in the business, few people understand the inner workings of the media world. As a doctor and lifelong Democratic voter who pulled the lever for Biden in 2020, I had no clue.

Prior to COVID-19, I trusted that what I was reading represented the truth. My experience running the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC) quickly disabused me of that idea.

The first wave hit in December 2020, when I testified in the Senate that corticosteroids were saving my COVID-19 patients lives. My recommendations werent just ignoredthey were attacked, and I was personally ridiculed as a fraud and Trump puppet. My life and career were upended. I felt forced to resign from my faculty position. It was cold comfort when a few months later, a large study confirmed my testimony, and government agencies added steroids to the standard of care for COVID-19 patients.

I struggled to make sense of it through much of 2021. The Biden administration and the mainstream media single-mindedly pushed untested vaccines even as the FLCCC accumulated more and more evidence that cheap, generic medicines could stop COVID-19. As I detailed in my new book, The War on Ivermectin, simply presenting evidence that doctors were using the medicine to treat and prevent COVID-19 around the world was a dog whistle for the mob.

After this crash course in media manipulation, I was much savvier and learned to spot the tactics. When, in September 2021, Rachel Maddow posted a tweet about a local news story to her 10 million followers about Oklahoma hospitals being overrun with ivermectin overdoses, I knew it was fake news.

The report quoted a doctor claiming that patients overdosing on ivermectin were backing up rural hospitals. Supposedly, people coming to the ER with serious injurieseven gunshot woundscouldnt access care. The story was laundered through countless media outlets and blue checks, who were already skeptical of ivermectin because of its association with Trump and his supporters. In their eyes, a bunch of MAGA lunatics overdosing on horse dewormer were killing grandma.

Six days later, the hospital where the doctor worked confirmed that the story was a total fabrication. There were no ivermectin overdosesnoneand the doctor hadnt worked at the hospital in more than two months.

This was easily the sloppiest and most brazen hit job the media pulled during the COVID-19 pandemic. But Rolling Stones coverage took the cake. The outlet used a photo portraying people lined up outside wearing winter clotheswrong season. As the saying goes, A lie is halfway round the world before the truth has got its boots on. To this day, Rolling Stone still hasnt taken the story down. It simply changed the headline and slapped on a disclaimer.

The whole debacle presents a neat lesson in how to create a fake news cycle. It goes like this.

Step one: Identify a public tool, such as poison control centers, thats easy to manipulate. These organizations have a public hotline and email address that anyone can use to report a problem. The reports are logged as adverse events, but they arent easily confirmed and typically will be tabulated for public records whether or not theyve been verified. This is exactly what happened with the Oklahoma story. The local poison control center was deluged with fake calls from people claiming that they overdosed on ivermectin.

Step two: Deploy independent, seemingly credible voices to validate and embellish the false claims. Doctors are among the most trusted professionals, but having a medical degree doesnt make you an honest broker. Many doctors struggle to earn a living practicing medicine, and sadly somesuch as the Oklahoma ER doctorwill stoop to industry or political hit jobs if it pays the bills. And doctors willing to go on the record expressing concern about a health scareivermectin overdosesare all a reporter needs for a juicy scoop.

Step three: Coordinate with institutional allies to add legitimacythe Food and Drug Administration, American Medical Association, and GAVI (the Vaccine Alliance)to add credibility and fan the flames with outraged public statements and targeted ad buys. Reporters can pose questions to their representatives at televised briefings, which carried more significance during the pandemic.

Finally, step four: Activate the echo chamber in mainstream and social media. Twitter influencers who live and play in the Acela corridor can talk to each other in the green rooms of cable news studios and glitzy Beltway gatherings. They can pat each other on the back for exposing the crazies and conspiracy theorists.

The pharmaceutical company didnt invent this playbook, although it used it effectively to wage war on ivermectin and rake in more than $30 billion from COVID-19 vaccines. Tobacco, energy, chemicals, and other industries have deployed these same tactics to neutralize competition and preserve market control.

Big business has been gaming the system for a long time, but the rise of social media has turned once-respected media institutions into clickbait machines easily manipulated by industry. With Americans locked in their homes and constantly primed to accuse each other of killing grandma, the pandemic rapidly accelerated this trend and gave pharmaand its media alliesstrong motive and ample opportunity.

From masks and lockdowns to vaccines and remote learning, time and again, solutions touted by the media oversold and underdelivered. We may never know how many lives were lost because of the tactics used to suppress ivermectin, but we know we cant trust the media. That explains RFK Jr.s riseand its why I wouldnt bet against him.

From RealClearWire

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
IN-DEPTH: 5 Things to Know About Presidential Caucuses

Voters watch as a volunteer counts votes during the Nevada caucuses to nominate a Democratic presidential candidate at the caucus polling station inside the Coronado High School in Las Vegas on Feb. 22, 2020. (MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images)

If you want to get a reaction from an Iowan, say youre tired of having their caucuses select a president for the entire country. Youll get an earful of reasons why that just aint so faster than you can say pork queen.

Iowas position on the election calendar has given the states caucus-goers an early thumbs upor downon presidential hopefuls since the early 1970s. Nevadas caucuses, which occur a few weeks later, are the First in the West. That makes both states bellwethers for public opinion. Many a candidate has surged in primary voting after a good showing in Iowa, while many others have dropped out after disappointing results in Nevada.

Though the number of states holding caucuses rather than primary elections during presidential election cycles can vary, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are also expected to hold caucuses in 2024.

Caucuses and primary elections both play roles in selecting major party candidates for presidential elections. But thats about all they have in common.

The Epoch Times spoke with Republican party leaders in Iowa, Nevada, and North Dakota to learn how their parties caucuses work and why some states prefer them. Democratic leaders in those states didnt respond to requests for comment.

Here are five things you need to know about the caucuses in Iowa and beyond.

Organized by Parties, Not States

Caucuses are local gatherings of party members organized by the parties themselves, not by the states.

Primary elections are organized and paid for by the states and are subject to state election laws. To a voter, primaries may seem exactly like regular elections, except that all the candidates are from the same party.

Republican presidential candidate and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley walks to the stage with her husband, Michael, at an event in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 3, 2023. (Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo)

In many state primaries, Republicans and Democrats vote on the same day and in the same precincts. Theyre just given different ballots depending on party affiliation. In many states, registered voters can choose which primary to vote in regardless of their party affiliation.

Caucuses look and feel different because they are partisan gatherings, not subject to the same laws as a primary election. Each political party is free to organize caucuses according to its own rules.

The downside for the parties is that they receive no organizational help from the states. Each party must finance and operate its own events. One exception is that in Iowa, state law mandates that public schools must allow their facilities to be used as caucus locations.

Most caucuses are held at the precinct level, the smallest unit in the election system. That can make organizing caucuses a major challenge for party leaders.

For example, Iowas Polk County, which includes Des Moines, has 176 precincts, and each will have its own caucus.

We never know how many to project; you dont register or anything like that, Gloria Mazza, chair of the Republican Party of Polk County, told The Epoch Times. We know the turnout from, say, a couple of years ago. Then were looking to find a location in the precinct that will hold close to 300 people.

From finding the venue to printing the materials and setting up chairs, caucuses are entirely a volunteer operation.

According to our rules, the state party is to ensure at least eight caucus locations in North Dakota, Republican State Committeeman Shane Goettle told The Epoch Times. Those will be in our eight major cities, which are also ideally situated around the state.

However, all of North Dakotas 47 legislative districts can choose to hold caucuses if they wish.

So right now, we dont know how many we will have, but there will be at least eight, Mr. Goettle said.

Nevadas GOP caucuses are held in each of the states thousands of precincts.

An Event, Not a Line

Primary election voters are used to showing up, sometimes standing in line, casting a vote, and leaving immediately. Most caucuses dont operate like that.

Caucuses are generally held in the evening in a public space such as a school gym or community center, and they may last from 30 minutes to three hours.

Thats especially true in states such as Iowa and Nevada, where caucuses are used to conduct party business other than the selection of a presidential nominee.

Bits of paper are distributed to each voter upon entry at an Iowa Democratic caucus in Iowa City on Feb. 3, 2020. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

We do two things, Jeff Kaufmann, chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, told The Epoch Times. We do our party business: elect people to go to the county conventions and elect our local leaders. Thats a caucus. Almost all parties have that.

What makes Iowa unique is that we have a presidential preference poll, and we go first [in the nation].  Those are the two orders of business.

Attendance varies based on the size of the precinct and can range from about 40 to as many as 500 participants, according to Ms. Mazza. A typical Iowa caucus may last from 90 minutes to two hours, though many attendees leave after the presidential preference poll.

Nevadans also use caucuses to conduct local party business, though their meetings are a bit shorter. They last between 30 minutes and an hour, Jim DeGraffenreid, Republican National Committeeman for Nevada, told The Epoch Times. It just depends on how many people are there and how deep into discussion they want to get.

North Dakotans usually caucus during a three-hour window6 to 9 p.m., for example. There may be speeches or presentations given, but participants are free to vote and leave whenever they like.

Electioneering Allowed

States generally prohibit campaigning for a particular candidate in or near a polling place. They do that to ensure that the voting is conducted in a neutral environment. Once voters approach the voting site, no one is allowed to influence their votes. Usually, even clothing or buttons touting a candidate are prohibited.

Thats not the case with caucuses.

At a caucus, presidential candidates and their representatives are usually allowed to make speeches. Neighbors can discuss the candidates among themselves and try to persuade one another.

Former President Donald Trump greets guests following an event in Davenport, Iowa, on March 13, 2023. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Ive experienced a caucus where there was a debate, Mr. Goettle said of North Dakota. People could stand up and make their best case for the candidate of their choice. And you were free to cast your vote and leave or to sit and listen to the discussion.

In Iowa, where candidates are eager to make their first impression on voters, it can be tough for organizers to fit all speakers into the program, according to Ms. Mazza.

In my precinct in 2016, we had [former President Donald] Trump, [Florida Sen. Marco] Rubio, [former Pennsylvania congressman Rick] Santorum, and [former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development] Ben Carson show up that night, and we only allow three to five minutes, Ms. Mazza said.

That goes even for the candidates themselves because others will have a spokesperson recruited to speak. That can take a while, she said.

After the speechifying, caucus-goers vote on the candidate of choice. In most caucuses, but not all, that involves casting a ballot.

Iowa Democrats vote with their feet, moving to a designated area of the room for their candidate of choice. Democrats can also vote uncommitted, meaning theyre not choosing a candidate at that time.

In Iowa, Nevada, and North Dakota, caucus results are proportional, not winner take all. Candidates who gain a minimum percentage of the statewide vote will have a commensurate number of the partys delegates from that state committed to them. That means those delegates must vote for the candidate on the first nominating ballot at the national party convention. In North Dakota, for example, the threshold is 20 percent.

Retail Politics

The strength of the caucus system is that it helps build a grassroots party organization, and it encourages politicians to engage in retail politics, engaging voters where they live and work.

That explains why so many candidates spend time in the diners, town halls, and farms of Iowa. The key to doing well in a caucus state is to appeal to the rank-and-file voters within the party.

Getting out and talking to people is the key to victory in Iowas caucuses, according to Ms. Mazza.

In 2016 [Texas Sen.] Ted Cruz won here. Trump didnt win the Iowa caucuses, she said. And when we go back to the [election] before, Santorum won here. He was in every little cafe and corner of our state.

Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks with attendees at a campaign event in Boone, Iowa, on July 4, 2023. (Lawrence Wilson / The Epoch Times)

In Nevada, the caucus system forces candidates to reach out to registered party voters, according to Mr. DeGraffenreid.

The route to success is in reaching out to grassroots activists statewide and making sure that the candidate makes their pitch to the people who are most active in politics and the ones who are going to be at those precinct meetings, he said.

They may concentrate on a different issue, I suppose, in Nevada than other places, but the process is the same. Youre going to reach out to your most active grassroots Republicans.

They Work

Winning in Iowa isnt a sure sign of success in the general election. Since 1976, the first year when both the Democratic and Republican caucuses in Iowa were first in the nation, just three of seven non-incumbents who won in the Iowa caucuses have gone on to win the general election: Jimmy Carter in 1976, George W. Bush in 2000, and Barack Obama in 2008.

In fact, winning in Iowa can be less important than placing well, especially for long-shot candidates. An unexpected third-place finish can generate the funding and publicity to continue the race.

Neither does Nevada, the First in the West, have a perfect record in picking winners. Donald Trump (2016) was the only non-sitting president to place first in Nevadas caucuses and go on to win the general election.

Some states that normally hold caucuses forgo them in some presidential election years. Iowa, the best-known caucus state, chose to have a presidential primary instead of caucuses in 1916. North Dakota Republicans didnt hold caucuses in 2004. Nevada will have a presidential primary for Democrats in 2024, but Republicans will still hold caucuses.

Where caucuses are held, they appear to be popular with voters.

About 35,000 Republican voters turned out for the most recent Nevada caucuses, according to Mr. DeGraffenreid.

That was actually on par for participation in the state primary for presidential preference that we did before the caucuses started, so turnout is actually fairly comparable between the two systems, he said.

Party leaders seem to like them also, seeing them as a good way to promote participation in the political system.

The caucus is the perfect blend of presidential and local politics, Mr. Kaufmann said.

I cant think of anyplace else where we have well over 1,000 of these events, all happening on the same night, to try to determine who the next president of the United States is going to be, he said.

Its the way the Founding Fathers envisioned it in terms of the people having a choice.
Labour Federation Leaders Warn Ottawa Not to Introduce Legislation to End BC Port Strike

Striking port workers from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada gather at Jack Poole Plaza while attending a rally in Vancouver, on July 9, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Ethan Cairns)

Leaders of labour federations across Canada are warning the federal government not to introduce any back-to-work legislation to force striking British Columbia port workers to return to their jobs, saying that any such attempt will be met with strong resistance.

Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske and her provincial and territorial counterparts sent a jointly signed letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on July 11 telling his government that any kind of legislative action against the striking B.C. port workers would be a serious misstep, as first reported by Blacklocks Reporter.

Over 7,400 B.C. port workers who are members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU) have been on strike since July 1 as their union attempts to negotiate a new labour agreement with the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA), which represents nearly 50 of B.C.s private-sector waterfront employers.

Back-to-work legislation would be a misstep that would only aggravate the situation, Ms. Bruske wrote in the letter. If the right to strike is weakened by the federal government legislating the 7,000 ILWU workers back to work, it will have a significant impact on every Canadian who expects to have their rights protected by their government.

The labour congress president added that the prospect of Ottawa legislating workers back to their jobs tramples on every Canadians Charter right to freedom of association and the right to bargain the terms and conditions of employment.

Collective bargaining and the right to strike are fundamental rights. They are central to our democracy, she wrote. We urge your government to allow the parties to finish bargaining the outstanding issues in good faith.

Federal Intervention

Ms. Bruske sent the letter to Ottawa on the same day that the BCMEA and the ILWU Canada were in contact with federal Labour Minister Seamus ORegan, who in turn had sent the organizations a letter saying that he had given a senior federal mediator 24 hours to send him recommended terms to end the B.C. port strike.

Mr. ORegan said in a statement on July 11 that the BCMEA and ILWU Canada are not far enough in their bargaining positions to justify a continued work stoppage.

He added that once he has received the recommended terms from the federal mediator, he will forward them to both the BCMEA and ILWU Canada and give them another 24 hours to decide whether to agree to the proposed deal.

Mr. ORegans statement came on the same day that the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) said the B.C. port strike has negatively affected over half of its members.

With no resolution in sight, three quarters of businesses (75%) are calling on the federal government to make ending the strike quickly a top priority, the CFIB wrote in a press release.

Only 16% of businesses said the strike would have no impact on them, with another 31% unsure how it would affect them.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
Laurentian Bank Announces Strategic Review; Sale Possible

Money is removed from an ATM in Montreal in a file photo. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)

One of Canadas oldest banks, the Laurentian Bank of Canada, has announced a strategic review and might be headed for a sale.

Laurentian Bank announced today that its board of directors and management team are conducting a review of strategic options to maximize shareholder and stakeholder value, the bank said in a news release sent out late on July 11.

Both The Globe and Mail and La Presse reported that the bank has hired JPMorgan Chase and Co. to approach potential buyers.

Its the latest twist in a process that has seen the Laurentian embark on a process of renewal lasting several years.

In 2020, bank hired Rania Llewellyn as its new president and CEO. She became the first woman to head a major Canadian bank, and the bank announced she was the right leader to usher in a new era at Laurentian Bank.

Under Ms. Llewellyns leadership, the bank announced a new strategic plan in late 2020.

Since the launch of the plan, the Bank has been exceeding all of its financial targets, even against a backdrop of an increasingly challenging macroeconomic environment and market volatility. It has also been delivering on key milestones as set out in its plan, including closing its customers top five pain points with the launch of its mobile app and digital account opening solution, rolling out a re-imagined Visa experience, and growing Commercial Banking with a focus on its areas of specialization, it said.

The release said while the strategic review is underway, the management team will remain focused on the Banks strategy and fiscal 2023 priorities of delivering excellent customer service, a focus on deposits and optimizing its funding structure, and driving efficiencies through simplification, with the full support and confidence of the Board.

It adds the bank does not intend to disclose further developments until the review is concluded.

The Laurentian Bank of Canada has about 3,000 employees and assets of approximately $27.7 billion under administration. The banks branches are mostly concentrated in Quebec, although it finances project across the country.
Lawmakers Demand Answers From NIH Over Transgender Youth Suicides

A young girl at the annual New York City Pride March in New York on June 25, 2023. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

In January, the results of a long-term study on the effects of minors using cross-sex hormones were made public. The hormones prescribed to the participants were described as gender-affirming hormoneswith such treatment regimens also referred to in the literature as gender-affirming care or transgender medicine.

Some 315 people between the ages of 12 and 20 were monitored for a period of two years to examine their physical and psychosocial outcomes after the administration of either testosterone or estradiol, a form of estrogen.

Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the study concluded that the results were ultimately positive because the young participants, who were described as transgender and nonbinary, felt and looked more like the opposite sex.

However, a damning line concluded the results in the studys abstract: The most common adverse event was suicidal ideation (in 11 participants [3.5%]); death by suicide occurred in 2 participants.

The suicide rate among participants during the 2-year study was therefore approximately 0.63 percent, which equates to over 630 persons per 100,000which is more than 50 times the suicide rate given by the CDC for the 10-to-24 years age group overall in the United States (at 11.0 per 100,000).

Suicide Solution or Contributing Factor?

Gender ideology advocates repeatedly point to gender affirmation as the solution to reducing the high suicide risk rate in youth experiencing gender dysphoria. Now, however, critics are warning it could be a causing more harm than good.

The United States has become the most permissive country when it comes to cross-sex medicine and procedures, according to a report comparing legal measures across different countries. With a federal government that affirms the use of these techniques on children, the realm of transgender medicine has become a legal battleground in the states.

On May 9, 15 Republican lawmakers sent a letter (pdf) to Dr. Lawrence Tabak, acting director at NIH, asking why the two-year study was not halted in light of the adverse events. The members of congress gave Dr. Tabak until June 9 to reply, but have yet to receive a response. The NIH also failed to respond to a request by The Epoch Times for similar information.

On July 12, Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.) and Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) sent a second letter demanding answers.

Despite the gravity of the situation, we have yet to receive a response from NIH and request once again that NIH provide transparent answers to the American people, they wrote in a letter obtained by The Epoch Times.

The four clinics involved in the study have advocated for medically transitioning children, leading the lawmakers to question the safety of the study which, they say, likely left 24 participants in early puberty sterile, and put all of the participants at higher risk for cardiovascular disease and blood clotting.

The American people are rightly demanding transparency and answers from NIH about why it is spending our taxpayer dollars on dangerous, far-Left studies that threaten the health and safety of young people, Mr. Brecheen told The Epoch Times. We have given NIH more than two months to respond, what is it trying to hide?

The federal government should not be funding studies that encourage gender transition interventions on young people, Mr. Budd added in a statement. The NIHs failure to respond to our official inquiry is further evidence of their cavalier attitude toward the use of taxpayer dollars to conduct highly questionable experiments.

A project proposal related to the study (pdf) suggested the NIH would continue to fund the research by providing more than $10.6 million through 2026.

We are deeply concerned about your agencys use of taxpayer dollars to advance experiments on children who will be irreversibly harmed by radical gender ideology, the lawmakers wrote in the original letter.

States Pass Laws Against Transitioning Children, But Judges Often Block Them

Currently, 20 states have issued some sort of ban meant to shield children from cross-sex treatments, namely Arkansas, Arizona, Alabama, Utah, South Dakota, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, Iowa, Georgia, Kentucky, West Virginia, Idaho, Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Montana, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Texas.

Not all of those bans have gone into effect, however.

Arkansas was the first state to attempt a ban in 2021, but it was blocked 10 days before the law was to go into effect after a lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union. The case went to trial last year, before U.S. District Judge James Moody Jr. permanently blocked the legislation in an 80-page ruling last month. Attorney General Tim Griffin said the state would appeal the decision in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

In Alabama, a 2022 law that made transitioning children a felony was easily signed into law, but then challenged by advocacy groups, including the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the U.S. Justice Department. A federal judge blocked a portion of the law, allowing the prescription of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, and the case is awaiting trial.

Arizona was another early state to pass a ban on medically transitioning minors, and while advocacy groups have stated their intention to sue, the law stands.

In 2023, Utah kicked off the new year with a ban proposal, and Missouri was the latest to join the 17 states this year with a bill proposal in June.

In Kentucky, Kansas, Louisiana, and North Carolina, the bills were vetoed (pdf).

Though the Kentucky veto was later overturned, the law was challenged in the courts, and last month federal judges blocked parts of the Kentucky and Tennessee bans. The Tennessee law was recently allowed to go into effect after a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction, and the case still needs to go to trial. Kentucky is appealing the ban.

Bans in Florida and Indiana were also blocked under preliminary injunctions last month, with the cases ongoing.

Georgias law has been challenged, but stays in effect. Idahos law has also been challenged, but is set to go into effect in 2024. Montana and Nebraska have bans set to take effect in October that have recently been challenged. Missouris bans go into effect in August but expire after four years. Texass ban was previously challenged, but goes into effect on Sept. 1.

Oklahomas bill was passed and signed into law, but pending legal action, Attorney General Gentner Drummond has agreed not to prosecute.

Bans on transgender medicine are in effect, unchallenged, in Iowa, Mississippi, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Utah.
Lawmakers Launch Bill to Prevent More Accounting Errors at Pentagon After $6.2 Billion Flub

Sens. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) have introduced legislation to prevent further accounting errors at the Department of Defense (DOD) after a valuation error came to light recently at the Pentagon amounting to over $6 billion.

The draft bill (pdf) aims to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require the Pentagon to use accounting methods that capture the true cost to taxpayers of sending weapons to other countries from U.S. stockpiles.

This legislation will save American taxpayers from footing the bill for shoddy accounting at the Pentagon, Mr. Vance said in a statement. There should be no excuse for accounting errors with a seven-figure price tag. With this bill, Congress can ensure that the cost of our military aid is properly and consistently calculated.

Specifically, the legislation would clarify the term aggregate value for the purposes of Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which is a mechanism the Biden administration is using to expedite the transfer of weapons and other equipment to Ukraine.

It would require that the total value of weapons and other equipment sent abroad under the PDA framework is calculated by using either the original acquisition cost to the U.S. government plus the cost of improvements, or the replacement cost, whichever is greater.

A separate provision in the draft bill would require that the Pentagon calculate the full cost to the U.S. government of providing defense services.

In response to an inquiry from The Epoch Times about the proposal, the DOD said it does not comment on draft legislation as a matter of policy.

The legislative action comes in context of a broader push for greater accountability for the DOD over a multibillion-dollar accounting error relating to military aid to Ukraine that came to light last month.

The Pentagon is seen from a flight taking off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Nov. 29, 2022. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Valuation Errors

On June 20, a DOD spokesperson announced that the Pentagon had overcounted the value of the weapons it sent to Ukraine over the past two years by $6.2 billion, calling the incident a series of valuation errors.

The spokesperson said that the mistake occurred because U.S. military officials didnt count the actual value of depleted weapons stockpiles but instead used the value of replacing the weapons.

In a significant number of cases, services used replacement costs rather than net book value, thereby overestimating the value of the equipment drawn down from U.S. stocks and provided to Ukraine, said Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh.

Specifically, there was an error of $2.6 billion in the 2022 fiscal year and $3.6 billion in the current fiscal year, which ends on Sept. 30.

We have confirmed that for FY23, the final calculation is $3.6 billion, and for FY22 it is $2.6 billion, for a combined total of $6.2 billion, Ms. Singh added.

These valuation errors in no way limit or restricted the size of any of our PDAs or impacted the provision of support to Ukraine, the spokesperson added, referring to the acronym for the Presidential Drawdown Authority mechanism.

A plaque of the Department of Defense seal is seen at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 26, 2012. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

The final calculation of the accounting error was almost twice as high as what the Pentagon estimated in May.

The so-called valuation errors around U.S. aid to Ukraine is a transparent attempt to bypass Congress for additional funds, while continuing to prioritize Ukraine over more vital U.S. interests, including deterring China in the Pacific, Mr. Hawley said in a statement on July 12 that accompanied the announcement of the legislation.

We must force the DoD to appropriately account for any future aid, not only for Ukraine, but also for all U.S. security assistance going forward, the Republican senator added.

Earlier this week, Hawley and several of his Republican colleagues sent a letter (pdf) to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, demanding an explanation of the accounting errors in U.S. security assistance to Ukraine.

These so-called valuation errors are particularly concerning given the nature and scope of U.S. aid to Ukraineover $113 billion thus far, the GOP senators wrote. This is a transparent attempt to bypass Congress for additional funds, while continuing to prioritize Ukraine over more vital U.S. interests, including deterring China in the Pacific.

Hawley earlier introduced the Special Inspector General for Ukraine Assistance Act in order to establish the watchdog position of Special Inspector General to oversee military and other forms of assistance to Ukraine amid questions about whether the aid serves vital American interests or is a needless burden to taxpayers.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) speaks during the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority conference at Hilton in Washington on June 23, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

Congressional Scrutiny

Lawmakers in Congress have demanded a briefing to grill Pentagon officials on how the accounting mistakes occurred and what improvements should be made to the DODs financial management systems to prevent similar problems in the future.

DODs recently discovered accounting error of $6.2 billion is yet another example of the failures within DODs financial management systems, and raises more concerns about DODs ability to protect taxpayer funds, House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) and Subcommittee on National Security Chairman Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wi.) wrote in a recent letter to Mr. Austin (pdf).

The two lawmakers demanded a briefing from the Pentagon on how it plans to use the $6.2 billion in taxpayer funds that are now available and what kind of accountability mechanisms are in place within the DOD to make sure that taxpayer funds are spent properly and similar errors do not occur in the future.

Mr. Comer and Mr. Grothman added that they would also demand to learn during the briefing how the Pentagon is making sure that weapons stockpiles that are vital for Americas national security are being replenished.

The letter follows the July 6 announcement of a joint hearing by the Oversight Committee and the Subcommittee on National Security, which aims to examine the financial practices of the Pentagon.

For too long the Department of Defense has operated on its own terms and has clearly failed to ensure taxpayer dollars are not lost to waste, fraud, or abuse, Mr. Grothman and Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) said in a statement.

Its time to examine how a lack of accountability within DoD has resulted in failed audits and consider meaningful solutions to make sure DoD has the tools necessary to ensure fiscal responsibility, they added.
Packard Motors, the historic luxury automaker, is sponsoring the Miss New Tang Dynasty (NTD) Global Chinese Beauty Pageant, highlighting shared values between the company and the pageant.

Packard comes across as that American gentleman, that American lady with respect, with focus on good, truthful, and righteous values, Packard Motor Company owner Scott Andrews told NTD TV, the sister media of The Epoch Times. When I see the pageant is focusing on that during the gathering of contestants and to teach them these kinds of values, well, again, Packards known as the luxurious gentleman, or lady who espoused those values, and this is what this pageant is all about.

The Miss NTD Pageant has narrowed the field of contestants now to 40 young women who are currently participating in courses on traditional Chinese culture. The pageants live rounds will be held in New York from Sept. 2430.

Once called the American Rolls Royce, the stylish Packard has been owned by Winston Churchill, Howard Hughes, and Babe Ruth. Packard closed its doors in 1956, but was revived in 2019 by Mr. Andrews.

The more I learned about Packard and its amazing American history, I said, boy, we need to make sure this stays in the United States of America, Mr. Andrews told NTD. I learned about the amazing people who ran Packard, how much they cared for their employees and their fellow business people, more importantly, how much they had no problem setting everything aside to stand for American values: truth, tradition, and those kinds of things. In other words, at the end of the day, they wanted a good civil society, they wanted to bring that, and they espoused it through their company, which became what Packard was known for.

He believes todays Packard, building on tradition, will be a beacon of hope for the world.

We see in so many different industries today, whether its big tech, whether its automotiveso many industries now are marred by companies leading down a wrong trail, Mr. Andrews said. I believe Packard is going to be one of those companies that was the guiding light, a shining light to bring people back to good civil discourse at times, but good traditional values and enjoying wonderful new innovations again. Its time to do that.

The Packard company invented the steering wheel, bumpers, glovebox, and the V-12 engine that inspired Enzo Ferrari, according to Mr. Andrews. It was a company of innovation back then, and he says the auto industry needs more of that innovation now.

Packard was the apple of the industry that defined the car in so many different ways. And it happened right here in the United States, in our home state of Warren, Ohio, Mr. Andrews said. We have a sleeping giant just waiting to be awakened. And once its awakened, look out.

Scott Andrews, Historic Packard Motors owner, in a still from video released by NTD on July 7, 2023. (NTD)

Inner Value

In addition to cars, Packard manufactures fine watches of distinction. Like its cars, the watches are crafted with precision on the inside and beautiful on the outside. Mr. Andrews understands the importance of inner beauty. That is another reason he wanted Packard to support the Miss NTD Pageant.

So many pageants focus on the outside, with all the different types of things in the contests. This is starting from the inside and working its way out, Mr. Andrews said. I think its time for young ladies to become champions of inner beauty again and to bring that out, because once you take care of your inside, the outside naturally occurs.

The Miss NTD Pageant is focused on recapturing traditional Chinese values and restoring them in the world, and that is something Mr. Andrews appreciates.

Its time to show the younger generation true culture, he says, and to show them what they are missing out on.

They focus on the richness of Instagram or the richness of whats happening in average social media posts today. Theyre missing out on so much rich culture. Once they start to discover that, they discover a whole new world that is much more fulfilling and gives them so much more inner value.

Similar to Packard, he hopes the Miss NTD Pageant shows the world again, how to embrace tradition and renew culture. His advice to contestants is to first follow God and second, focus on your inner beauty.

I cant wait to see how this pageant is going to turn out in terms of its global presence, as well as whats going to happen at the pageant itself, Mr. Andrews said. I foresee a lot of excitement in the air and a lot of joy. I think thats one of the big words there is theres gonna be a lot joy because its a joyous occasion to celebrate these kinds of cultural values.

A web banner for the 2023 NTD Global Chinese Beauty Pageant. (NTD)
Masked Men Burn Market in Mexican City Plagued by Gang Violence, Killing 9 People

TOLUCA, MexicoMasked gunmen set fire to a public market in the central Mexican city of Toluca on Monday, killing nine people, authorities said.

Prosecutors said the attackers arrived, opened fire, and then doused part of the market with a flammable substance before setting it on fire and fleeing. They said three of the dead appeared to be under 18, but identifications were still pending.

A statement said prosecutors were investigating private security guards for abandoning their posts at the time of the attack.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack in Toluca, about 60 kilometers (40 miles) west of Mexico City. Toluca, the capital of the State of Mexico, is a city of almost a million inhabitants and is considered part of the capitals metropolitan area, with some residents commuting to the capital to work.

Fires at public markets in Mexico are often set by gangs demanding protection payments from vendors, but some have also been set by vendors disputing the possession of spaces within the markets.

The statement from state prosecutors said that one of the first lines of investigation is that events may have been related to internal disputes over the possession of commercial spaces at the market.

Toluca was set on edge last week by the discovery of at least two hacked-up bodies, and signs claiming responsibility by the violent Familia Michoacana drug cartel.

The gang originated in the neighboring state of Michoacan in the early 2000s, and while it has been largely chased out of its home state, it has found a new lease on life in the State of Mexico and neighboring Guerrero state.

The Familia Michoacana has become known for carrying out ruthless, bloody ambushes of police in Mexico State and local residents in Guerrero.

The attack on the Toluca market came as prosecutors in Guerrero confirmed that four taxi drivers were shot dead, and at least one of their cars set on fire, over the weekend in and around the state capital of Chilpancingo.

That city was the scene of horrific drug gang violence in late June, when pieces of seven dismembered bodies were left on a downtown street, along with a threatening message from a gang.

Guerrero is the scene of a bloody turf war between the Familia Michoacana and several other gangs, one of which is believed to be responsible for the killings in Chilpancingo.
Montreal Airport Baggage Handler Dies After Fall Trying to Dislodge Suitcase

An Air Canada Airbus A220 is seen at the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL), in Montreal, Quebec, on Nov. 23, 2022. (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images)

A Montreal airport baggage handler was killed in a workplace accident after falling while trying to dislodge a suitcase stuck in equipment.

Aeroports de Montreal (ADM) confirmed the fatality in a July 9 news release (pdf) stating there had been a tragic accident at YUL Montreal-Trudeau International Airport the day prior.

It is with great sadness that ADM Aeroports de Montreal has learned the death of an airport community employee working for Equans. ADM wishes to convey its sincere condolences to the employees family, loved ones and coworkers, said the airport authority in the release.

The entire YUL airport community is in mourning today, and we offer our sincere condolences to his family, loved ones and colleagues, said Philippe Rainville, CEO of ADM.

ADM indicated it was working closely with partners involved to ensure assistance and support resources for the personnel who witnessed this accident.

The employee worked for Equans, a company subcontracted to offer technical services to airports including for baggage handling systems and electrical networks.

According to a spokesperson for Quebecs workplace health and safety board, Commission des normes, de lequite, de la sante et de la securite du travail (CNESST), the worker was involved in baggage handling.

Antoine Leclerc-Loiselle said the worker fell early in the afternoon on July 8 while trying to dislodge a suitcase from a piece of equipment suspected to be a conveyor belt.

The safety board indicated two inspectors had been to the airport to interview witnesses and gather information on the circumstances surrounding the accident.

As the incident occurred at an airport, it is not known if provincial or federal officials will ultimately lead the investigation into the workers death. A federal investigation is generally managed by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.

ADM said it would like to assure the YUL airport community of its full support following this tragic event.

As soon as it was notified, ADM collaborated with the relevant authorities to ensure that the investigation proceeded smoothly.

The airport authority said that due to the investigation, and out of respect for the victim and his family, it would be reserving further comment.

There have been deaths of other baggage handlers in recent years. In 2022, a contract baggage handler unloading an inbound flight at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in the United States was killed after her hair got caught in the belt loader. The 26-year-old woman was seriously hurt and died from her injuries.

More recently, on Dec. 31, 2022, also in the United States, another baggage handler died after being sucked into the jet engine of an airplane at Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama as he loaded luggage into the baggage hold.

On April 22, 2016, a baggage handler in Canada was killed while working at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Ian Henrey Pervez was driving a baggage-handling tractor that flipped over, throwing him onto the tarmac. After that fatality, federal officials demanded safety changes including the installation of seat belts on tractors, belt loaders, and other motorized baggage-handling equipment.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- China's meteorological authorities on Wednesday renewed a blue alert for rainstorms.

From 8 a.m. Wednesday to 8 a.m. Thursday, heavy rain or rainstorms are forecast to hit parts of Shanxi, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong, Henan, Jiangsu, Anhui, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Gansu, Qinghai, and Tibet, 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.

Authorities warned earlier this month that China would face multiple natural disasters in July, including floods, severe convection weather, typhoons and high temperatures. 
Montreal Police Raid Magic Mushroom Shop Within Hours of Opening

Psilocybin or "magic mushrooms" are seen in an undated photo provided by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in Washington on. May 7, 2019. (DEA/Handout via Reuters)

Montreal police raided a shop selling illegal magic mushrooms and arrested several people on July 11, but the store says it intends to reopen.

It was supposed to be reopened today, but we will reopen tomorrow, FunGuyz spokesperson Edgras Goban told The Epoch Times on July 12, while criticizing the police for making the arrest.

FunGuyzs first Quebec location opened in the city of Montreal on July 11, selling dried mushrooms, pills, and chocolate bars containing psilocybin, the substance that gives magic mushrooms their hallucinogenic properties.

Four hours after opening, Montreal police launched an operation against the store, arresting four people and confiscating the stores merchandise.

Anik de Repentigny, a spokesperson for the Montreal City Police Service, confirmed to The Epoch Times that police officers intervened around 4 p.m. in the Ville-Marie borough where the shop is located, making four arrests.

Three of the four people arrested Tuesday were released on a promise to appear in court. The fourth entered an appearance at the Montreal courthouse Wednesday afternoon. She faces one count of trafficking in substances, Ms. De Repentigny said.

Magic mushrooms are classified as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, meaning their sale, distribution, and possession are illegal in Canada.

Police action against the stores hasnt been consistent in Canada. In some jurisdictions, such as Winnipeg, local police have been quick to take action to close the shops, while in others, such as some Ontario municipalities, police have allowed the shops to continue operating.

Mr. Goban previously told The Epoch Times in June that out of the 10 dispensary locations across Ontario, the police had only taken enforcement action against one of its stores, located in Toronto. The reason why [the police] say theyre coming in is because people complain, and when theres a complaint they will have to come in and enforce it, he said at the time.

In a statement, Montreal Mayor Valerie Plantes office said that despite the administrations strong stance in favour of decriminalizing the simple possession of drugs, and the adoption of a declaration to this effect by the entire city council, the sale of psilocybin remains illegal, and the Montreal police will continue to enforce the law.

When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was asked on May 24 about the variation in how the provinces have enforced magic mushroom laws, he said the Criminal Code is the same across the country but different provinces can have different approaches to issues.

There is always going to be a certain amount of variety on many issues across the country, and that allows the provincial governments to respond to local priorities and local needs, Mr. Trudeau said.
Most Ethical Energy in the World: Brian Jean Discusses His New Job as Albertas Energy Minister

Jean talks about his recent mandate letter from premier

For Albertas recently sworn-in Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean, a resident of the epicentre of the provinces energy sector, Fort McMurray, the impact of his new portfolio hits close to home.

Ive lived in the highs and the lows of the oilsands, Mr. Jean told The Epoch Times, his voice cracking as he talked about the impact of government policies on families.

What these politicians forget [is that] these are real people. These are real families. When you make decisions, you better think about it.

Mr. Jean was one of the first cabinet ministers to receive a mandate letter from Premier Danielle Smith following her United Conservative Partys re-election on May 29. The letter, issued on July 10, outlines a number of priorities to promote and grow the provinces energy sector.

True to Ms. Smiths standing-up-for-Alberta brand, topping the list of priorities is fighting jurisdictional overreach. In cooperation with the Minister of Intergovernmental Relations, defending Albertas energy interests against federal overreach and developing strategic alliances with other provinces to deal with energy-related issues, her letter says.

Mr. Jean, a former federal Conservative MP and leader of the Wildrose Party, says he plans on building relationships with federal ministers but will put them back in their lane if there is overreach.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in Calgary on July 7, 2023. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

The difficulty we have is that courts continuously sided with the Liberals  when it comes down to a close situation of constitutional issues. But the Alberta government is a partner in the Confederation. It is not a junior partnerit is an equal partner to the federal government, he said.

The UCP government has been a vocal critic of Ottawas Just Transition legislation aimed at transitioning workers in the oil and gas sector to other industries. And it has opposed other federal legislation it deems as impeding energy project developments, such as the Impact Assessment Act, also known as Bill C-69.

Among the other priorities in Mr. Jeans mandate letter are supporting and investing in technology development to reduce emissions, facilitating industry and provincial partnerships with indigenous communities on energy projects, supporting the carbon neutrality by 2050 goal, and promoting investment in other sources of energy such as hydrogen, geothermal, and small modular reactors.

Markets

Mr. Jean says the demand for energy internationally is at high levels, which means he doesnt have to do much to promote Albertas supply, but he acknowledges there are barriers to getting the products to international markets, such as the lack of cross-jurisdictional pipelines.

Alberta produces the most sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy on Earth while being environmentally conscious, he says.

If we had the opportunity to build more, sure, ship it overseas. But were restricted because of the federal governments decisions, so all we can do is do as much as we can. And if theyre not going to allow us to ship our our products overseas, then were going to use the products here in Alberta.

This could mean working to attract more businesses and industries to the province so they can create more value-added products for export, he says.

If we cant get energy out, were going to use the energy here. We have some of the cheapest feedstock in the world, Mr. Jean said.

If youre paying a third of the price of other jurisdictions, then why do we need to ship it overseas? Lets set up the operations here, whether its Dow Chemical, whether its one of the other multinational conglomerates looking to have the opportunity to take the natural gas products.

Still, he says, hell be looking into options to get the provinces energy products to tidewater.

Earlier in her tenure as premier, Ms. Smith promoted the idea of using the Port of Churchill in Manitoba to get more of Albertas energy products out to international markets, as the province continues to have to sell its oil at a discount to the U.S. West Texas Intermediate benchmark. The idea was supported by Saskatchewan but didnt get much priority from Manitoba at the time Ms. Smith brought it up last October.

An aerial view of the Port of Churchill, Manitoba, in a file photo. (John Woods/The Canadian Press)

Mr. Jean says it should be recognized that there is no silver bullet to solving the issue for the province, but a host of items should be pursued.

What we have to do is look at every single option. Port of Churchill, that is an option. Kitimat [in B.C.], that is an option. The Arctic Ocean, that is an option. All of these options take time, take money, take expertise. We need to investigate and look at every opportunity available to us, he said.

There have been a number of setbacks in recent years on building pipelines to get the provinces oil and gas products out to broader markets. This includes the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline project in 2021, the Energy East pipeline in 2017, and the Northern Gateway pipeline after the federal government introduced legislation in 2015 banning oil tankers from B.C.s north coast.

Advocacy

Mr. Jean says he believes that, compared to years past, the rhetoric against Albertas energy sector is dying down.

When you open up your power bill and you say to yourself, Im paying $700 for my house for electricity, I think people think about things a little differently, he says.

He has already met with the Canadian Energy Centre, known informally as the Energy War Room, he says, and has some ideas of his own about how to counter lies about our energy sector.

The centre, set up by former premier Jason Kenney after he won the 2019 election, is tasked with promoting Albertas energy industry and opposing domestic and foreign-funded campaigns against Canadas oil and gas industry.

Mr. Jean says he only recently received his mandate letter so needs more time to develop his approach on the file, but stresses that the province must address the issue with the right approach.

We need to do so in a way that Albertans expect us to do that, and that doesnt mean we have to pick a fight with everybody. What we have to do instead is convince them through truce, that we have the best, most ethical energy in the world, and were not going to apologize for it.
MyPillows Mike Lindell Says Company Lost $100 Million Owing to Cancel Culture

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell says he has been the victim of cancel culture after multiple major retailers pulled his companys products off their shelves, leaving him millions of dollars out of pocket.

Speaking to the Star Tribune, Mr. Lindell, who has been a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump and has disputed the results of the 2020 election, told the publication that he has also been dropped by multiple shopping networks, forcing him to auction off hundreds of pieces of equipment and sublet a manufacturing space.

It was a massive, massive cancellation, Mr. Lindell told the publication on July 10. We lost $100 million from attacks by the box stores, the shopping networks, the shopping channels, all of them did cancel culture on us.

Owing to the loss of business, Mr. Lindell is now selling more than 850 pieces of surplus equipment online, including sewing machines, industrial fabric spreaders, conveyor belts, electric forklifts, and more.

Meanwhile, his company is downsizing its operations and is subleasing some of its manufacturing spaces in Shakopee, Minnesota.

It is also taking a different approach to marketing, focusing more on direct sales, email, and radio marketing, and shooting new television commercials, Mr. Lindell said.

Retailers Drop MyPillow

We kind of needed a building and a half, but now with these moves were making, we can get it down to our one building, he said. If the box stores ever came back we could have it if we needed it, but we dont need that. It affected a lot of things when you lose that big of a chunk [of revenue].

While the businessman has not yet had to lay off employees, he told the publication that some workers have been assigned new roles at his other businesses, such as his online marketplace, MyStore, or his online platform for people struggling with addictions, called the Lindell Recovery Network.

Last year, Walmart announced it had removed MyPillow products from its stores owing to the items receiving ratings under four stars, although a spokesperson told multiple outlets at the time that the products would still be available on Walmart.com.

A year prior, Bed Bath & Beyond stopped stocking the brand, citing a lack of sales. Costco, Kohls, H-E-B, and Wayfair also severed ties with MyPillow in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Mr. Lindell told the Star Tribune that he is also facing a string of legal challenges, including a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit, which he acknowledged have further added to his woes but said he is hopeful he will be vindicated in every single lawsuit.

Lindell Sues FBI, DOJ

Despite the ongoing legal battle, Mr. Lindell announced late last year that he was suing the FBI and the Department of Justice after officials seized his phone, which is connected to his hearing aids, while he was visiting a Hardees drive-through in Mankato, Minnesota with a friend.

In his lawsuit, the businessman claimed the seizure of his mobile device violated his First, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment rights and accused the FBI and DOJ of surveying him using cellphone location data or a tracking device without having first secured a warrant to do so.

At the time of the incident, he told The Epoch Times that he believed he was targeted by FBI agents because he had been vocal about alleged voting irregularities during the November 2020 general election.

The DOJ later revealed Mr. Lindell was being investigated over alleged identity theft, intentional damage to a protected computer, and conspiracy to commit identity theft or intentionally damage a protected computer in relation to the alleged security breach of voting equipment in Mesa County, Colorado in 2021.

A federal judge later denied Mr. Lindells request for a temporary restraining order that would have prevented the FBI and DOJ from accessing any data stored on his phone or releasing any information that was on the device.

The significant governmental interest in the integrity of an ongoing criminal investigation, as well as the privacy interests of these associated, uncharged individuals, outweigh Plaintiffs interest in access to these search warrant materials, Judge Eric Tostrud, a Trump appointee, wrote in court filings at the time.

The judge also denied Mr. Lindells request to see the search warrant materials supporting the agencies search. The legal battle remains ongoing.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on July 11 announced new proposed rules for lead paint in a bid to prevent hundreds of thousands of children from being exposed to the toxic substance.

Officials predict that the rule will reduce lead exposures for 250,000 to 500,000 children younger than the age of 6 each year, the agency said in a statement. The mandate would enhance the EPAs regulations under section 402 of the Toxic Substances Control Act, which would revise the standards for how much lead dust can be on floors, window sills, and other locations in older buildings.

The BidenHarris Administration is taking a whole-of-government approach to ensure that the most vulnerable among usour childrenare protected from exposure to lead, EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe said in the statement. This proposal to safely remove lead paint along with our other efforts to deliver clean drinking water and replace lead pipes will go a long way toward protecting the health of our next generation of leaders.

According to the EPA, the rule would reduce the dust-lead hazard standards to three micrograms per square foot from 10 micrograms per square foot for floors and to 20 micrograms per square foot from 100 micrograms per square foot for window sills to any reportable level greater than zero in recognition of the fact that there is no level of lead in dust that has been found to be safe for children. For window troughs, the lead dust levels would be lowered to 25 micrograms per square foot from 400 micrograms under the rule.

The federal government banned lead-based paints in 1978, but its estimated that 31 million pre-1978 homes still have them. And 3.8 million of those homes have a child younger than the age of 6 living there, according to the EPA.

Lead exposure can pose a significant health and safety threat to children and can cause irreversible and life-long health effects, including behavioral problems, lower IQ, slowed growth and more, the EPA statement reads. Young children are particularly at risk of higher exposure to ingesting lead-containing dust.

A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report (pdf) released in 2019 estimated that about 15 million U.S. students were enrolled in school districts that included buildings that still had lead-based paint.

There is no safe level of lead, the American Association of Pediatrics website reads.

It notes that at age 2, the risk for lead exposure often peaks and that lead can interfere with critical central nervous system development, including the brains volumes and alterations on its microstructure.

The Environmental Protection Agency headquarters in Washington on March 23, 2023. (Richard Moore/The Epoch Times)

Lead can also interfere with the bodys capacity to absorb iron and vitamin D and can harm the kidneys, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There have also been studies linking lead exposure to a variety of cardiovascular disorders, it noted.

The Trump administration also mandated more stringent lead dust rules in 2020, also arguing that the rule would protect children from harmful exposure to the toxic metal. At the time, some environmentalist groups criticized the Trump administration by saying that the rule didnt go far enough.

However, EPA limits could force millions of homeowners or child care facilities to inspect for lead dust and pay for cleaning, according to Michal Freedhoff, assistant administrator for the EPAs Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.

It dramatically increases the number of facilities that could be required to inspect and remediate lead paint hazards, Ms. Freedhoff told The New York Times about the proposed rule change.

An estimate published by The Washington Post states that possibly millions of U.S. homes, schools, and businesses may have to essentially eliminate lead dust under the EPA plan. Home improvement website Angi estimates that lead removal services can cost $8 to $17 per square foot, with a total range of $1,445 to $5,412 depending on the house, square footage, and other factors.

A lead paint removal job runs around $3,400, but you could pay as little as $100 or as much as $20,000, depending on the extent of the work, an article posted to the website reads. If you discover lead paint in your home, there are a few methods you can opt for to rid your home of the nasty substance, but we recommend hiring a lead paint removal pro to ensure the job is done correctly.

However, it noted that some homeowners might have to demolish the entire surface containing the lead-based paint, costing an additional $1,000 to $15,000.

The EPAs latest proposal was triggered by a 2019 lawsuit filed by the Sierra Club and other environmental groups that alleged that the EPA has long set too-high limits for lead-based paint in homes and buildings. In what was described as a win for the environmental groups, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled in 2021 that EPA must reconsider its lead-dust health standards and update its rules.

What topics would you like to read about? Please let us know at health@epochtimes.nyc
NIH Officials Exerted Undue Influence in Downplaying COVID-19 Lab Leak Theory: House Report

Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), holds up a model of the coronavirus as he testifies before a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee looking into the budget estimates for the NIH and the state of medical research on Capitol Hill on May 26, 2021. (Sarah Silbiger/Pool via AP)

Officials with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) exerted undue influence in downplaying the theory that COVID-19 was the result of a lab leak, according to a report released on July 11 by the Republican majority on the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The lengthy report (pdf) is the result of the select subcommittees viewing more than 8,000 pages of documents, including email and Slack communications from former NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins, former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, and World Health Organization (WHO) Chief Scientist Jeremy Farrar, among other top scientists.

It also includes transcribed interviews, which amounted to roughly 25 hours of testimony regarding the Wuhan, China, lab leak theory, according to the subcommittee.

The report, titled The Proximal Origin of a Cover-Up: Did the Bethesda Boys Downplay a Lab Leak? found that the actions of the officials amounted to the anatomy of a cover-up regarding the lab leak theory.

Specifically, it found that Dr. Fauci, Dr. Collins, and the NIH exerted undue influence over the drafting and publication of a paper titled The proximal origins of SARS-CoV-2, which was published in Nature Medicine in March 2020 and was heavily cited by experts and officials as evidence that COVID-19 didnt originate from a lab leak.

The paper, which has been accessed more than 5.8 million times and cited more than 2,800 times, stated that SARS-CoV-2 was not a laboratory construct or a purposefully manipulated virus but likely evolved naturally.

According to the subcommittee report, Dr. Fauci suggested the drafting of the paper to Mr. Kristian Andersen, a professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at Scripps Research, twice, while Dr. Collins pushed for publication and approved of the substance of the paper.

Mr. Andersen was also one of the writers of the paper.

Dr. Anthony Fauci in Washington on Dec. 9, 2022. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Fauci, Collins Intimately Involved in Papers Creation

Through the Select Subcommittees investigation, we discovered that Dr. Fauci and Dr. Collins were intimately involved in the day-to-day creation of Proximal Origin that the authors were so comfortable with their involvement they coined the term Bethesda Boys to describe the nations leading health officials, the subcommittee report reads.

The goal of the paper, according to the report, was to disprove the lab leak theory to avoid blaming China for the COVID-19 pandemic, and it employed fatally flawed science to achieve its goal and contains arguments with inaccurate assumptions and obvious inconsistencies.

Dr. Collins and Dr. Fauci both used the Proximal Origin paper to attempt to kill the lab leak theory, in part to avoid further worsening U.S.China relations, the subcommittee said.

Elsewhere in their report, the subcommittee cited email communications between Mr. Andersen and WHO chief scientist Dr. Farrar, during which Mr. Andersen expressed concern regarding the possibility that COVID-19 was the result of a lab leak and that it had properties that may have been genetically modified or engineered.

Pointing to a transcribed interview between the subcommittee and Mr. Andersen, lawmakers said that Mr. Andersen testified that after raising his concerns with Dr. Farrar, NIH officials began to organize a conference call with scientists on the matter.

The February conference call led to discussions over the possible political implications of the findings, according to the report.

In a Feb. 2, 2020, communication over Slack cited in the report, Andrew Rambaut, an evolutionary biologist and one of the authors of the paper, allegedly told Mr. Andersen and others: Given the [expletive] show that would happen if anyone serious accused the Chinese of even accidental release, my feeling is we should say that given there is no evidence of a specifically engineered virus, we cannot possibly distinguish between natural evolution and escape so we are content with ascribing it to natural process.

Kristian Andersen briefs reporters in San Diego on Dec. 30, 2020. (The Associated Press)

Politics Played Role, Subcommittee Says

In response to Mr. Rambauts message, Mr. Andersen allegedly wrote: Yup, I totally agree that thats a very reasonable conclusion. Although I hate when politics is injected into sciencebut its impossible not to, especially given the circumstances.

Dr. Collins, in emails following the February conference call, then stated, The voices of conspiracy will quickly dominate, doing great potential harm to science and international harmony, according to the report.

It is clear, that all four authors, from the early stages, were concerned with Dr. Fauci and Dr. Collins thoughts regarding Proximal Origin, the subcommittee report states. While the exact motives to want to downplay a specific theory are not clear, the authors communications suggest they wanted to avoid blaming China and defend gain-of-function research.

Dr. Fauci and Dr. Collins were intimately involved throughout the process. After publication, Proximal Origin was used to downplay the lab leak hypothesis and call those who believe it may be true conspiracy theorists. Dr. Fauci and Dr. Collins tracked the paper through the review and publication process. And finally, Dr. Collins expressed dismay when Proximal Origin did not successfully kill the lab leak theory. He subsequently asked Dr. Fauci if there was anything more they could do. The next day, Dr. Fauci directly cited Proximal Origin from the White House podium.

The report also noted that the journal Nature had initially rejected the final draft of The proximal origins of SARS-CoV-2 because it failed to sufficiently downplay the lab leak theory, prompting the authors to revise the paper. It was subsequently accepted following the revisions, according to the report.

This aerial view shows the P4 laboratory (L) on the campus of the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan in Chinas central Hubei Province on May 13, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

Health Officials Vilified, Suppressed Lab Leak Theory

Americas leading health officials vilified and suppressed the lab leak theory in pursuit of a preferred, coordinated narrative that was not based in truth or science, Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) said in a statement on July 11. The Select Subcommittees report proves that the conclusions championed by the co-authors of Proximal Origin are not only inaccurate but were crafted to appease a stated political motive.

Stifling scientific discourse and labeling those who believe in the possibility of a lab leak as conspiracy theorists caused irrefutable harm to public trust in our health officials. Americans deserve to know why honesty, transparency, and facts were abandoned. Our report is devoted to achieving that goal.

During a public hearing on the reports findings that lasted more than 3 hours on July 11, Mr. Andersen and virologist Robert Garry of Tulane University School of Medicine were questioned over the findings.

Both doctors rejected the subcommittee reports assertions that Dr. Fauci or Dr. Collins had heavily influenced the writing of the paper.

Mr. Andersen told lawmakers that there was no prompting to disprove or dismiss a potential lab leak.

When I outlined my initial hypothesis about a potentially engineered virus, Dr. Fauci told meand Im paraphrasing hereif you think this virus came from a lab, you should write a scientific paper about it, he said.

He further noted that scientists, in their Proximal Origin paper, had said they were unable to prove or disprove any of the origin hypotheses relating to COVID-19.

That was true at the time of writing that paper, that is true today as well, Mr. Andersen said.

According to a recently declassified report (pdf) from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the intelligence community is divided on the most likely origin of COVID-19 although most agencies assess with low confidence that the virus probably was not genetically engineered.

The select subcommittees investigations into the pandemic and its origins continue.

The NIH and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases didnt respond by press time to requests by The Epoch Times for comment.
North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile After Allegations of US Intrusion

People watch a television screen showing a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, on July 12, 2023. (Jung Yeon-Je/AFP via Getty Images)

North Korea fired a suspected ballistic missile off its east coast on July 12, according to the South Korean and Japanese military, just two days after it warned of counteraction against alleged intrusions by U.S. spy planes and drones.

Both South Korea and Japan reported spotting the launch but havent released further details.

The launch occurred after North Koreas most recent effort on June 15, which involved two short-range ballistic missiles that landed within Japans exclusive economic zone.

The alleged July 12 launch followed an accusation by Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, that U.S. Air Force reconnaissance planes and drones had intruded into the airspace of North Koreas exclusive economic zone on July 10.

I have already notified beforehand the counteraction of our army upon authorization, she was cited as saying by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Kim Yo Jong (C), North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns younger sister, arrives at the Jinbu train station in Pyeongchang, South Korea, on Feb. 9, 2018. (Lee Jin-man/AP Photo)

She warned that the U.S. forces will face a very critical flight if they continue to illegally cross into North Koreas airspace, according to KCNA. North Koreas Defense Ministry threatened to shoot down any spy aircraft intruding on its airspace.

North Korea stated that the United States had flown spy planes and a droneRC-135, U-2S, and RQ-4Bover the East and West seas of Korea between July 2 and July 9 and warned that Washington would pay the price.

In particular, a strategic reconnaissance plane of the U.S. Air Force illegally intruded into the inviolable airspace of the DPRK over its East Sea tens of kilometers several times, North Koreas ministry stated, using North Koreas official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

U.S. officials have dismissed North Koreas allegations and called for a dialogue. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh reiterated that the U.S. military operates in accordance with international law.

I just dont have anything more to say on those comments or threats coming out of North Korea, she said. We operate responsibly and safely in international waterways and airspace wherever we can,

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller has urged North Korea to refrain from escalatory actions and reiterated that Washington is willing to speak with North Korea without preconditions.

Weve made that clear on a number of occasions, and unfortunately, they have refused to engage in a meaningful way, Mr. Miller told reporters.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces destroyer Atago (L), the U.S. Navys Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (C), and the South Korean Navys Aegis destroyer King Sejong the Great (R) sail during a joint missile defense drill in international waters of the east coast of the Korean peninsula on Feb. 22, 2023. (South Korea Defense Ministry via AP)

North Korea contends that a U.S. military presence in the region is proof of U.S. hostility. Pyongyang has also said its recent series of weapons launches were a response to what it called provocative military drills between the United States and South Korea.

On June 16, the United States sent the nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine USS Michigan to South Korea in response to North Koreas missile launches. The deployment was part of the Washington Declaration signed between the two countries in April.

North Korea denounced the U.S. move and said the nuclear submarine deployment would escalate the military tension in the Korean Peninsula and may incite the worst crisis of nuclear conflict in practice.

The demonstrative actions like the deployment of strategic assets by the U.S. will never lead to the promotion of security but rather become a disaster of bringing more painful and worrying security crisis they themselves do not want, the Norths Defense Ministry stated on July 10.

North Korea has conducted a record number of ballistic missile tests this year, including short-range missiles and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). It test-fired ICBMs at full range in March, the first ICBM test since 2017.

The United States and its allies have expressed fear that North Korea could be preparing to resume testing nuclear bombs for the first time since 2017.

Mimi Nguyen Ly contributed to this report.
FBI Director Christopher Wray on July 12 refuted the allegation that the agency is biased against conservatives. He testified before the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee during a hearing on Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Capitol Hill. During the hearing, the lawmakers accused the agency of enforcing a double standard of justice and protecting the Biden family.

President Joe Biden met with Group of Seven leaders at the NATO summit to offer security assistance for Ukraine in its fight against Russia. The announcement came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed frustration about not receiving a timeline for Ukraines accession to the military alliance.

According to a report from several U.S. senators, some of Americas largest tax preparation companies have been sharing the personal financial data of millions of taxpayers with Meta, Google, and other Big Tech firms. The report says these actions are potential violations of taxpayer privacy laws.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has called NATOs decision to deny his country membership absurd. The president of the war-torn nation is set to meet with U.S. President Biden on July 12.

Vermont officials have said that flooding in the state is the worst since Hurricane Irene. We take a look at the aftermath of the intense rainstorms there, and at a California landslide that left a dozen homes clinging to the side of a cliff.

Former President Trump suffered a legal setback on July 11. The Justice Department reversed its earlier position in columnist E. Jean Carrolls defamation lawsuit.

Topics in this episode include:

1. Severe Weather Across US

2. Ukraine Snubbed on NATO Invitation

3. NATO: Ukraine Can Join Alliance When Conditions Met

4. China-Based Hackers Breached Govt Email Accounts

5. DOJ Reverses Course in Trump-Carroll Suit

6. Senators Hold First Classified Briefing on AI

7. Military Spending Bill Faces Hurdles

8. Potential Pitfalls of FedNow Program

9. Cluster Bombs to Ukraine: Analyst

10. Moderna Signs Deal With City of Shanghai

11. US, Japan, South Korea Hold Rare Military Meeting

12. Russia Launches More Airstrikes on Kyiv

13. Nord Stream Probe: Traces of Explosives Found

14. India: Severe Floods Leave Tourists Stranded

15. Framework Installed on Paris Notre Dame

16. Manhunt Continues for Alleged Murderer

17. Bank of America Fined $250 Million

18. Hostage Freed After Hours-Long Standoff in Las Vegas

19. Gen Z, Millennials Take Up More Side Jobs

20. Prime Day Sale Underway at Amazon

21. Thinking Huts 3D-Prints Schools
Off-Duty BC RCMP Officer Saves 3 Adults From Burning House

An officer of the Lake Cowichan RCMP in B.C. has been hailed a hero by his peers.

The off-duty law enforcement officer from the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment saved the lives of three adults from a burning home during the early morning hours of July 9, the RCMP said in a news release. The statement doesnt provide the name of the officer.

At approximately 4:41 a.m. local time, a neighbour called 911 and reported he saw smoke coming from a home on Cowichan Avenue near King George Road.

According to police, the neighbour banged on the door in an attempt to wake the occupants of the house; however, no one answered the door.

By happenstance, an RCMP officer was driving past the home on his way to work. He gained access to the home and found two men inside. After waking the men, the officer accompanied them out of the burning building. One of the men then told the officer a female occupant remained inside the home.

The off-duty officer returned inside the house and rescued the woman.

Fortunately, the officer was able to get everyone out to safety, as the home became fully engulfed in flames shortly after the third occupant was removed. All three adults were checked by Emergency Health Services, and no serious injuries were sustained, the RCMP said.

The officers actions and bravery is commendable, Lita Watson, detachment commander of Lake Cowichan RCMP, said in the release.

He put his own life in danger, without even a second thought, to help those people who would have been severely injured.

She added she also wanted to recognize and acknowledge the efforts made by the neighbour who tried their best to rouse the occupants of that home and called for emergency assistance.

These neighbourly acts really speak to the close knit and supportive community we live in here in Lake Cowichan.

Neighbours

Tara Fraser, a neighbour who lives two houses away, said she heard noise.

I heard a loud bang over the running air conditioner and left my room around 4:30 a.m. to see what was going on, Ms. Fraser told local reporters.

I was met with a curious orange glow from my upstairs bathroom window. I walked towards it almost daydream-like and pulled the curtains to see huge flames shooting up above the tree line between Mikes property and the house next to me.

Ms. Fraser set up a GoFundMe for the family, whom local Chek News identified as Mike Bell and his son Travis Bell. By press time, $2,860 had been raised of a $5,000 goal.

The community has also set up donations for cash and non-perishable goods, and a bottle drive is underway for the family.

They have lost everything as the entire structure was swallowed up in flames. Anything will help this family. Thank you for any and all kindness at time when the world can be hard on all of us, said Ms. Fraser.

The men said they were in shock following the massive fire that destroyed their home.

We went to bed last night all comfortable and nice and this morning we were being jarred out of bed by a saviour, a guy that came in and rescued us out of this fire, Lake Cowichan resident Mike Bell told Chek News. We didnt even know the fire was going.

His son said the RCMP officer woke him up.

Yeah, when he was waking me up, my door was closed and he said, This is the RCMP get out of the house, and the whole roof was already on fire, Mr. Travis Bell said.

One more minute, like when we got out to the sidewalk, the windows blew and all the black smoke billowed out the windows, that quick, said Mr. Mike Bell.

Totally, yeah, we would have died, his son added.

The family had no clothes and no possessions when they escaped the fire, but nearby neighbours who heard explosions came to help. Large trees and forest surrounded the house and neighbours reported that the house went up quickly.

Lake Cowichan Volunteer Fire Department did not return requests for comment by press time, but Chief Doug Knott told local news the family had no insurance. The fire chief also said the former owner of the home, the late John Bell, was a hobbyist target shooter and there were a couple of pounds of black powder and tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition in the basement.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing; however, at this time it is not deemed suspicious. Mr. Knott said the fire appears to have started where there was wiring for a greenhouse behind the home.
Ontario Police Warn Public as Biker Gang Violence Intensifies

In the aftermath of an outbreak of violence between two rival biker gangs in southwest Ontario this weekend, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is warning the public to avoid engaging with or antagonizing gang members.

Outlaws Motorcycle Gangs (OMG) members are known to carry weapons and to engage in violent behaviour. If you encounter an OMG member(s), do not approach them, the OPP said in a news release on July 11.

Ontarians are also reminded of the dangers of wearing gang-related clothing or paraphernalia. In addition to supporting illegal activities by purchasing these items, you may also put yourself at risk of being targeted by rival OMGs.

The OPP noted that police are investigating two incidents that occurred in Ontario between July 8 and 10 involving both the Outlaws and the Loners Motorcycle Clubs.

On July 8, a fight between the two gangs in Cornwall left three people injured, two people with stab wounds, and one with a gunshot wound. Following the incident, five individuals were taken into custody and charged, according to Cornwall Police.

On July 10, a hideout belonging to the Outlaws in Brockville was damaged in a fire that spread to nearly a dozen homes in the area, causing around $4 million in damage to houses and vehicles. Brockville Fire Departments deputy fire chief said the fire was suspicious while the OPPs biker enforcement unit (BEU) called the incident a suspected arson.

The BEU is assisting with the investigation of the two incidents, and said in a July 11 release that it continues to tackle the criminal activities of OMGs through an integrated, intelligence-led approach.

Gangs Entering Smaller Communities

On July 5, the BEU arrested 12 people, pressed 52 charges, and seized $33,000 in drugs, cash, and firearms following a drug trafficking investigation centred around the town of Alymer. Four of the people charged are members of OMGs, while eight others are associates.

Mr. Wade warned that the gangs had set up sophisticated networks, and are migrating to smaller communities to expand their drug trafficking operations. They use what they call the power of the patch to establish their presence and establish their power. Obviously, they want to disguise the drug trafficking, but they also do want to make a public presence, he said.

The OPP said that while the vast majority of motorcycle enthusiasts are law-abiding, OMG members are part of criminal organizations that engage in illegal, profit-driven activities like fraud, money laundering, money counterfeiting, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.

The RCMP website says that outlaw motorcycle gangs exist in every province of Canada, are interconnected across provincial and municipal jurisdictions, and have international connections and associations. It recommends Canadians help ensure the safety of their communities by refusing to buy or wear gang support gear, decline participation in charitable activities organized by gangs, minimize their contact with members, and report any suspicious activity to the police.
Centro Conservazione e Restauro La Venaria Reale (CCR), an Italian conservation institute, has partnered with the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), the authority driving the comprehensive regeneration of AlUla, to further develop expertise in the restoration and conservation of northwest Saudi Arabias incredible cultural heritage.

As part of the partnership, a group of 12 young Saudi professionals and new university graduates selected by RCU have travelled from AlUla to Italy for a knowledge exchange programme.

The group of six women and six men will participate in workshops in both Venaria near Turin in northern Italy and AlUla. The multi-modal course will see CCR share best practices for the application of an interdisciplinary approach to heritage conservation science, said a statement.

Between July 2023 and February 2024, the group  six chemistry and biology graduates and six conservation officers from different parts of Saudi Arabia  will take part in integrated and highly interactive modules designed to provide insights into the most relevant technical, scientific, historical, and conservation management issues, including tutoring on functional themes such as the planning, management, and conservation of archaeological sites.

Sara Abram, Secretary General at CCR, said: Partnering with RCU is a unique opportunity to explore the characteristics of our different cultural, social, and organisational contexts. In this programme, the CCR provides its technical, scientific, and humanistic expertise, through its professionals and with the involvement of lecturers from some of the most important Italian universities and conservation institutes.

Aimed at deepening knowledge of artefacts and their historical context, the programme reflects CCRs methodological approach to conservation. Starting with preliminary observations, the course focuses on data collection and processing, and proceeds toward analysis of techniques and assessment, ending with the definition of the most suitable conservation strategies on a case-by-case basis.

Designed in collaboration with conservation experts, including conservators, conservation scientists, and historians, the two main aims of the programme are to enhance technical and scientific knowledge of different works of art and their materials that relate to archaeological contexts; and to raise awareness of the values of cultural heritage, considered as tangible and intangible evidence of history and societies.

During their stay in Venaria, the participants will not only engage with the great Italian tradition of conservation but will also be immersed in the Italian way of life: through awareness workshops and cultural exchange, discovering the UNESCO Royal Palace Reggia di Venaria, the city of Turin, and talking with students from the University of Turin.

The collaboration between CCR and RCU reflects the memorandum of understanding signed in Venice in May by Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan AlSaud, Minister of Culture of Saudi Arabia, and Italys Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano, to expand cooperation in the fields of archaeology, conservation, restoration and protection of cultural heritage, the film industry, and literature.

Dr Abdulrahman Alsuhaibani, Executive Director of Archaeology, Collections and Conservation at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said: Our partnership with CCR aligns with our ambitions to place our community at the heart of RCUs conservation and sustainable regeneration efforts. Through this initial programme, we will provide the next generation of conservation experts with the knowledge and foundational skills they need to confidently pursue a career in conservation science, supporting our future ambitions.

Located 1,100km from Riyadh, AlUla is a place of extraordinary natural and human heritage. The vast area, covering 22,561 sq km, includes a lush oasis valley, towering sandstone mountains and ancient cultural heritage sites dating back thousands of years.  TradeArabia News Service
This photo taken on July 11, 2023 shows a two-story parking lot for hutong residents in Neiwubujie in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei)

BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- More hutong residents in downtown Beijing are enjoying backstreet life without the din of car horns.

Wang Shunying, 65, is one of them. The hutong he has lived in for decades has become a "zero parking" alley.

"There used to be so many cars parked in this cramped hutong, and finding a parking space was a daunting task for me," said Wang, whose parked car had been hit twice by the passing vehicles in the 7-meter-wide alley.

After a year-long upgrade by the local authority in this hutong named Neiwubujie, Wang now parks his cars in a designated parking lot, a 10-minute walk from his home.

"The community management office has renovated the old car-park ground into a multi-story parking garage, accommodating 80 motorized vehicles for the hutong residents.

In the 700-meter-long hutong in the Chaoyangmen subdistrict area in Dongcheng district, there are 1,700 residents, a public middle school, and several historical courtyards. The parking issue had been a headache for people living there.

"The large number of parked vehicles often caused congestion in the narrow path, and many were afraid that fire vehicles are not able to drive through if there is a fire," said Li Lei, a sub-district staff.

In 2022, the local authority launched a parking ban to change the situation. However, the hutong residents did not show a smiling face to the plan at first. They preferred to park near their homes instead of in paid parking lots outside the hutong areas.

It was not an easy task to negotiate, Li said. It took almost a year to persuade residents to drive their cars outside the hutong.

Wang said hutong residents like him need to pay 450 yuan (63 U.S. dollars) per month for the parking lot. But for the retired man, despite the new spending, travel becomes safer.

"We no longer worry about spending hours looking for a parking space or worry of being hit by a car," Wang added.

Cai Yongjun, a 76-year-old man who lives in the hutong, said after the parking problem was solved, the hutong became prettier. "We have more space to rest and enjoy the greenery nearby, which is pleasant."

So far, Dongcheng district has over 40 hutongs that have banned parking and have cooperated with nearby public facilities to provide space for residents to park.

Hutong communities began to take shape in Beijing in the 13th century. The centuries-old architectural legacies faced the threat of disappearance when the urban development of the ancient capital accelerated amid the roar of bulldozers in the 1990s. Thanks to calls for cultural heritage protection efforts, hundreds of hutongs were saved.

However, the problem facing hutongs today is how to become quieter, cleaner, and better in the bustling megacity.

The "zero parking" policy is Beijing's latest move to clean up the city center to be a cozy place for people to live. In a detailed plan for the core area of Beijing for the 2018-2035 period, the central government has stated that the city should protect its culture and history while maintaining convenience for the people.

"It (zero parking) is just a start. We believe we will have a better hutong life," said Wang. 
Pence Says Only Way Trumps 24-hour Ukraine Peace Talk Works Is Giving Putin What He Wanted

Former Vice President Mike Pence challenged his former bosss claims that he could end the war in Ukraine in a day, asserting the only way the war would end that quickly is if the United States conceded on nearly every term Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking.

Former President Donald Trump has said on multiple occasions that he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours as president by starting negotiations between the warring sides.

In an interview with Fox News on Monday, Mr. Pence challenged Mr. Trumps peace claims. Mr. Pence said he believes the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war ends by giving the Ukrainians what they need to win.

My former running mate likes to talk about solving it in a day, said Mr. Pence, who is now running against Mr. Trump in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. The only way youd solve this war in a day is if you gave Vladimir Putin what he wanted.

The former vice president raised further concern that Ukraine needs continued support or Russian forces will continue their march west into countries that are part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance. The NATO alliance, of which the United States is a member, includes a mutual defense provision wherein all member nations would come to the defense of one member if they were attacked. Mr. Pences claim is that after taking over Ukraine, Russia would risk a broader war with the 31-country NATO alliance, which includes the nuclear-armed United States, United Kingdom, and France.

I would tell you, if Vladimir Putin overruns Ukraine, if he simply wears down the United States and West, I have no doubt in my mind thats going to cross a border, maybe Lithuania itself or Estonia or Latvia or the Baltics, Mr. Pence told Fox News. And those will be countries where we would have to send our armed forces to go and fight under our NATO treaty.

So I think its in the interest of our country to give [Ukraine] what they need to stop [Russia] there, repel them there, Mr. Pence added.

Mr. Pences position on the war in Ukraine is similar to that of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who last month suggested NATO would be forced into a direct conflict with Russia if Zelenskyys Ukrainian government fell.

If any candidate thinks supporting Ukraine is too costly, are they ready to go to war? Are they ready to fight? Send their children? Die? Mr. Zelenskyy said in an interview with NBC that aired on June 16. They will have to do it anyway if NATO enters this war, and if Ukraine fails and Russia occupies us, they will move on to the Baltics or Poland or some other NATO country. And then the U.S. will have to choose between keeping NATO or entering the war.

Mr. Pence met with Mr. Zelenskyy during a surprise June 29 visit to Ukraine.

2024 Candidates Divided on Ukraine

Mr. Pence told Fox News that the reason Russia didnt attack Ukraine during the Trump administration is because the U.S. military was strong and the Trump administration made it clear that it was willing to use its military force as a deterrence. Mr. Pence said thats the argument hed make with Mr. Trump in a debate.

While Mr. Trump has called for renewed peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, President Joe Biden has continued to arm Ukrainian forces; most recently approving controversial cluster munitions and for Ukraine.

The Biden administration has approved a number of powerful weapons systems for Ukraine, such as HIMARS rocket artillery, Patriot air-defense missiles, M1A1 Abrams tanks, and F-16 fighter jets. Though the Biden administration has been gradually approving new weapons for Ukraine, Mr. Pence has said that if elected he would approve those weapons systems at a faster rate than the current administration.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and businessman Vivek Ramaswamytwo more candidates in the Republican presidential primary fieldhave, like Trump, signaled opposition to protracting the war in Ukraine.

During an interview with Nikkei Asia in April, Mr. DeSantis said, Its in everybodys interest to try to get to a place where we can have a cease-fire.

Mr. Ramaswamy said his peace plan would entail ceding portions of Ukraine to Russia, permanently blocking Ukraine from joining NATO, ending U.S. and NATO sanctions on Russia, and closing NATO bases in Eastern Europe. In return, Ramaswamy would seek a Russian commitment to completely end any military partnership it has with China; reenter the pre-2023 New Start nuclear non-proliferation treaty with the United States; withdraw all nuclear weapons and delivery capabilities from Belarus, Kaliningrad, and all Russian-annexed regions of Ukraine; and withdraw all Russian military forces from Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a Democratic presidential candidate currently challenging Mr. Biden, has also shared his support for a peace settlement.

We will offer to withdraw our troops and nuclear-capable missiles from Russias borders. Russia will withdraw its troops from Ukraine and guarantee its freedom and independence, Mr. Kennedys campaign website states. [United Nations] peacekeepers will guarantee peace to the Russian-speaking eastern regions [of Ukraine]. We will put an end to this war. We will put an end to the suffering of the Ukrainian people. That will be the start of a broader program of demilitarization of all countries.

From NTD News
She always says the camera found me and not vice versa, photographer Kurt Moser said, denoting his collaborator, Barbara Holzknecht. This project is more than work and its more than a project. Its a lifestyle for us.

Mr. Moser found his ambrotype cameraa clunky salvage from 1907, larger than a manwhile visiting a photographers studio in Milan in search of old antique camera parts. Seeking brass lenses, he arrived and was invited to have coffee and see what they had. Though he found no brass lenses that day, on his way out he saw the huge, beautiful wooden bellow under a dust-covered blanket and thought it was the most beautiful thing. He bought it on the spot and took it home.

It was a decision from the heart, Mr. Moser, 57, told The Epoch Times. I really had no idea what I would do with this camera.

Time Plays a Different Role

He called Ms. Holzknecht and said he wanted the ambrotype to be his next project. Youre completely crazy, she said. Forget it, this will never work. But Mr. Moser insisted. Hed found his new passion, though mastering it would not be easy. Nor would it be cheap.

Kurt Moser and his production partner, Barbara Holzknecht. (Courtesy of Peter Schiering)

Mr. Moser was raised in the mountains of northern Italy and had worked for 30 years as a director of photography for the different international broadcast companies, filming documentaries, touring warzones, and traveling the world. He had seen his share of action, and now had returned home to Bolzano, north of Milan, to ease things up. The ambrotypethat ancestral root of photography from 1850would help slow the pace.

Far from the world of digital cameras, time plays a very different role in ambrotype. It takes a whole day to produce a single wet platethat heavy 24- by 24-inch black glass that they have to order from Bohemia. Unlike film, ambrotype does not produce negatives that can be copied, but rather unique, direct positives. Oddly, it sees ultraviolet wavelengths which to the human eyes are invisible.

The results are one-of-a-kind.

A 35- by 28-inch ambrotype showing the Dolomite Mountains. (Courtesy of Lightcatcher)

The Dolomite Mountains depicted in an ambrotype. (Courtesy of Lightcatcher)

The photographers planned to plunge into the Italian Dolomites on an assignment. They would convert a van into a mobile darkroom, drive into rugged landscapes, and capture peerless panoramas. They would also photograph the enigmatic folk who dwell therehaving spent their whole lives up there, having never seen a city nor used a smartphone. And the duo would produce all this through ambrotype.

But first they had to learn how.

An ambrotype of Albina. (Courtesy of Lightcatcher)

An ambrotype portrait of Franz. (Courtesy of Lightcatcher)

An ambrotype portrait of Verena. (Courtesy of Lightcatcher)

An Unforgiving Process

To master the unforgiving process of ambrotype, Mr. Moser had to catch up on his chemistry. The process is intensive: Each plate must be coated in an ether-alcohol emulsion containing various salts, before being submerged in a silver nitrate powder-distilled water solution. This makes it photosensitive. Time is key, for should the plate dry it is useless. Then it is loaded into a magazine and immediately shot. The setupmodel, composition, and lightingmust be ready well before that crucial moment.

To make matters more nerve-wracking, there is no way to measure the exposure, though taking multiple pre-samples helps them guess. Usually 10 to 20 seconds will do, yet one never knows as light conditions are constantly fluctuating. Wet plate exposures are also finicky, and just a one-degree shift in temperature can ruin a shot. Thus, no two pictures are identical, absolutely no way, Mr. Moser said. Its a one-of-a-kind piece you cannot do it twice.

An ambrotype portrait of Petra. (Courtesy of Lightcatcher)

The learning curve was steep, the costs daunting. There were phantasmal accidents; sometimes it took days to produce an image. Now, nearly eight years on, they have grasped the process, yet Mr. Moser admits the learning never stops: You always learn something new and you write it down, and then you have it in your brain for the next time.

Today the duo have their atelier, Lightcatchers, where they house their large, specialized equipment and teach. They exhibit at Lumen Museum for Mountain Photography, stationed at over 6,560 feet (2,000 meters), where one can admire singular photographs of the Dolomites and their rare inhabitants.

Masters of Lightcatching

Mr. Mosers ambrotypes peer into the souls of his subjects in a way modern cameras cannot. Unlike smartphone, digital, or even analog cameras that can take split-second selfies, his subjects must stay extremely still for long lengths. You cannot keep a smile for 20 seconds, that would look completely stupid, he said. Ambrotypes force you to slow down and be present. You dont try to put yourself in some strange positions that you usually would do in photography, he said. So something very, very sincere comes out.

Some say his portraits all look so serious. Thats why.

An ambrotype portrait of old, 93-year-old mountain man Much. (Courtesy of Lightcatcher)

The 93-year-old mountain man, Much, was impressed by their work. (Courtesy of Lightcatcher)

During photoshoots, his subjects spend a day in the studio. With jazz playing softly they are left to themselves and asked to not fiddle with their phones. Most city folk arent comfortable living in the present, unplugged, Mr. Moser said. Thus, ambrotype reaches for the human beneath the social media facade.

The Dolomite mountain dwellers, meanwhile, have mastered time. Mr. Moser photographed 93-year-old Much, whod lived there his entire life. He gazed on the finished portrait. You know what? he asked Mr. Moser. Your pictures dont lie.

This was something, wow, for me, the photographer told us. He understood perfectly the core idea of this photography. He was a mountain farmer, you know, not a philosopher, not a writer.

Mr. Moser shows 93-year-old mountain man Much his ambrotype portrait. (Courtesy of Lightcatcher)

An ambrotype portrait of Harald. (Courtesy of Lightcatcher)

In these portraits, ambrotype demonstrates its incongruousness again. With its shallow depth of field and feeble control over focus, eyes appear clear and crisp while the ears, hair, and background are soft, lending a signature 3D effect. The unseeable ultraviolet makes surfaces seem strangely off. A true outlier, ambrotypes keep the photographers groundedparticularly in this age of digital oversaturation and artificial intelligence.

When you look at a portrait that you produce, you can tell peoples soul, Mr. Moser said. It is something that I dont think AI can do.

Pressing on through the bitterly cold mountains in their mobile darkroom hasnt gotten easier. Nor is the process any less unforgiving today. Now, far from the assignments that racked up 5,000 shots in one go, Mr. Moser shares what keeps him waking at 4 a.m. to prep chemicals for a single exposure that might not turn out: It takes really a lot of passion.

An ambrotype mountain landscape. (Courtesy of Lightcatcher)

An ambrotype portrait of Roman. (Courtesy of Lightcatcher)

An ambrotype portrait of Anna. (Courtesy of Lightcatcher)

Barbara Holzknecht and Kurt Moser. (Courtesy of John McDermott)

Mr. Moser lines up to take an ambrotype portrait shot. (Courtesy of Lightcatcher)

An ambrotype portrait shot being developed. (Courtesy of Lightcatcher)

Mr. Moser unveils an ambrotype in his studio. (Courtesy of Lightcatcher)

Mr. Moser adjusts his ambrotype camera. (Courtesy of Lightcatcher)

A 35- by 35-inch macro-ambrotype of an Etruscan ear disc. (Courtesy of Pforzheim Jewellery Museum  Germany)

(Courtesy of Lightcatcher)

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Pilfered Palm Tree Leads Dutch Police to Arrest Belgian Fugitive Who Has 18-year Sentence to Serve

Police officers on patrol in a shopping street in The Hague, Netherlands, on Nov. 26, 2021. (Pierre Crom/Getty Images)

THE HAGUE, NetherlandsA pilfered palm tree led to Dutch police detaining a homeless man who was sentenced to 18 years in neighboring Belgium in the death of a man seven years ago.

Police in the southern town of Geldrop said in a statement Tuesday that officers stopped the man Saturday night for questioning when they saw him walking down a street with a large inflatable palm tree under his arm.

The fugitive from Belgian justice is believed to have taken the tree from a beach volleyball tournament in the town near the city of Eindhoven, police said.

When the officers checked his identity, they discovered that he was wanted by authorities in Belgium where he must still serve his prison time. The 34-year-old mans identity was not released, in line with Dutch privacy rules.

Exact details of his conviction in Belgium were not immediately available. Dutch police said he was sentenced in a case centered on the 2016 death of a man in Zonhoven, a Belgian town some 65 kilometers (40 miles) south of Geldrop.

The suspect is in detention awaiting transfer to Belgium, police said.
Police Unearth Largest Australian Seizure of Ketamine

Glass capsules containing Ketamine are seen in in this file photo. A New York doctor is successfully using the drug to treat patients with chronic pain. (Nicolas Asfouri)/AFP/Getty Images)

An alleged Victorian crime syndicate has been busted over the largest seizure of ketamine in Australian history following a series of raids.

Three men were arrested at a rural property in Lara near Geelong on Tuesday as police uncovered 174 kilograms of ketamine, a border-controlled drug used by doctors and vets as a pain killer and sedative.

Australian Federal Police launched an investigation in late May after receiving intelligence from Spains most powerful police force alerting its London-based officers to a suspicious sea cargo shipment.

The shipment of 360 buckets of liquid cement arrived in Melbourne from Spain on June 26.

It was examined by AFP teams and allegedly found to have about 80kg of ketamine within plastic tubes hidden inside about 40 of the buckets.

The shipment was delivered to a property in Merrimu near Bacchus Marsh on Tuesday, where it is alleged one of the men, a 33-year-old from Sunshine North, collected and transported the goods to the Lara property.

The two other alleged criminal syndicate members, a 37-year-old Altona man and a 32-year-old man from Hoppers Crossing, are accused of pouring out the liquid concrete to locate the illicit drugs when police pounced.

Another 80kg of suspected ketamine was later allegedly found buried in the ground at the Lara property.

Two high-powered gel blasters, about 25kg of suspected MDMA, roughly 14kg of suspected ketamine and an estimated $210,000 cash were also discovered in follow-up raids in Altona, Yarraville and Williamstown.

The 174kg ketamine seizure has an estimated wholesale value of $6.9 million.

AFP detective superintendent Anthony Hall said 40 people were admitted to hospitals in Australia every week as a result of drug use, and the seizure would prevent significant harm to the community.

Ketamine is a dangerous and illicit sedative, he said on Wednesday.

Its dissociative effects block sensory brain signals and can cause memory loss, feelings of being detached from ones body and prevent their ability to perceive danger.

The three men faced the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday over a string of drug-related charges which carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.

They were all remanded in custody ahead of their next court date in November.
Potential Romney Rival Raises More Than $2 Million After Launching Exploratory Committee

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) is surrounded by reporters as he walks to the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington on June 10, 2021. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) hasnt officially announced whether he will run for a second term, but if he does run, he may have a well-known and well-financed primary opponent in Utah state Rep. Brad Wilson, speaker of the Utah House of Representatives.

In April, Mr. Wilson announced that he is exploring a run for the U.S. Senate in 2024.

On Tuesday, Mr. Wilsons exploratory committee released a statement touting its fundraising success and the efforts of Mr. Wilson to listen and engage with the people of Utah to help inform him as he considers whether to run.

Mr. Wilson, a successful real estate developer, may be moving closer to committing to taking on Mr. Romney, who has lost support among conservatives, many of whom are angered that he twice voted to remove former President Donald Trump from office.

Mr. Wilson, 54, was elected to the Utah House of Representatives in 2010. He has served as speaker since 2019 and has a record as a prolific and successful fundraiser.

Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson announced today he raised over two million dollars in his first quarter since launching his exploratory committee to consider a run for the U.S. Senate in 2024, Mr. Wilsons committee said in a statement.

Wilsons impressive haul sets a new fundraising record in Utah for the first quarter for a GOP U.S. Senate candidate or potential candidate for both total raised from donors and total contributions on the first quarterly report, the committee said.

Candidate Finances

The statement broke down the fundraising numbers: total money raised ($2,218,586), donations from donors ($1,018,586), percentage from Utah (94 percent), cash on hand (more than $2.1 million), and a personal loan ($1.2 million).

The Wilson committee emphasized that 94 percent of contributions to Mr. Wilsons nascent campaign are from within the state of Utah.

The Romney campaign has $600,000 on hand. Mr. Romney, 76, is also a capable fundraiser and can call on his immense personal wealth, estimated at $300 million, according to Deseret News.

Deseret News and the Hinckley Institute of Politics released a poll in June showing that Mr. Romney has lost the support of Utah voters in 2023.

The poll showed that 41 percent of voters said they approved of Mr. Romneys performance; 49 percent said they disapproved, and 10 percent said they didnt know.

These numbers represent a drop of 11 points since March when another poll from Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics found that 52 percent of voters either strongly approved or somewhat approved of Mr. Romneys performance.

Republican Factions

Utah is a deeply conservative state, which may work in Mr. Wilsons favor.

Mr. Romney is often criticized by the more conservative factions of the Republican Party for aligning himself with Democrats and not supporting conservative efforts, and because of the fact that he voted twice to remove Mr. Trump from office.

A Deseret News/Hinckley Institute poll published in early June had Mr. Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis almost tied in support among Utah Republican voters, with Mr. Trump at 27 percent and Mr. DeSantis at 26 percent.

But Mr. Trump has a history in Utah of rebounding with the voters.

In the 2016 Utah Republican presidential caucus, Mr. Trump finished third with just 14 percent of the vote. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) won with 69 percent of the delegates, and Ohio Gov. John Kasich finished second with 17 percent.

In the 2016 general election, Mr. Trump handily won Utah, with 45.5 percent of the vote to Hillary Clintons 27.5 percent. In that election, Utah native Evan McMullin, running as an independent, made a strong showing in the state with 21.5 percent of the vote.

Four years later in Utah, Mr. Trump beat President Joe Biden with 58.1 percent to 37.6 percent.

Since announcing an exploratory committee for U.S. Senate, I have traveled to every corner of the state to meet with Utahns, Mr. Wilson said in the statement his committee released. Their message is loud and clear: Utah wants a bold, proven, conservative leader in the U.S. Senate.

I am encouraged by the enthusiastic support weve received so far. This finance report is only the beginning and shows that, should I decide to run, we will have the resources and firepower we need to get our message outand win.

Mr. Wilson will decide by this fall whether he will run for Senate, a committee spokesman said.
Public Health Agency Investigates After Air France Passenger Sat in Blood-Soaked Area

Habib Battah is seen on an Air France flight from Paris to Toronto in a June 30, 2023, handout photo, as he is cleaning blood off his pet carrier backpack that had transferred from the plane carpet from a previous passengers hemorrhage. (The Canadian Press/HO-Habib Battah)

Canadas public health agency has opened an investigation after a passenger on an Air France flight from Paris to Toronto says he sat amid the uncleaned remnants of a previous passengers hemorrhage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada says it is aware of the incident on the June 30 flight and cited its mandate to ensure that anything brought into the country on a conveyance does not threaten public health.

Passenger Habib Battah told The Canadian Press that after boarding the eight-hour flight he smelt a strong manure-like odor and noticed a large stain on the floor in front of his seat.

Battah says he alerted cabin crew about the stain and was then given cleaning supplies in response.

He says that after wiping the floor beneath his seat, the cloth came out blood red.

He says cabin crew later told him that someone suffered a hemorrhage in his seat on a previous flight and that he could not change seats as the flight was fullthey instead gave him more gloves and cleaning supplies.

Air France has not responded to a request for comment on what happened.
Queensland Government Slashes Fishing Quotas, Fish Prices Set to Rise

Fishermen pull up fish in their gillnet during a midwater pair trawl (peche en pelagique en boeuf) on the Gulf of Gascony sea, off the coast of France, on Jan. 8, 2020. (Loic Venance/AFP via Getty Images)

On July 1, Fisheries Queensland cut the amount of Spanish mackerel allowed to be caught.

For professional anglers, the amount dipped by approximately two-thirds from 578 tonnes to 165 tonnes.

Recreational fishers possession limits have also changed from three to one fish per person or from six to two fish per boat with two or more recreational fishers on board. Further, the extended charter limit has been removed, stopping recreational fishers from taking twice the in-possession limit for trips over 48 hours.

These changes were made based on fish stock modelling. The governments stock assessment estimated that Spanish mackerel could be down to 17 percent of its unfished biomass which has an accepted sustainable level of 60 percent or more.

However, Allan Bobbermen, Chief Executive of the Queensland Seafood Industries Association (QSIA) said this data must be re-examined.

He told the ABC that the modelling did not match what fishing businesses were experiencing in the field.

If there was less to catch, wed be catching less, but were not catching less, Mr. Bobbermen said.

Simon Hoyle and Alistair Dunn, experienced fisheries scientists with expertise in mackerel management, are also concerned after they conducted an independent report on the governments modelling.

They said that the model showed signs of misspecification, with bias apparent in the estimated growth curve, and instability in model fits. They argued that before this model was used to recommend any management advice, it needed to be fixed.

What Fisheries Queensland has relied upon in reaching decisions about future Spanish mackerel catches simply should not be used in its current form for management of the fishery, said Mr. Bobbermen.

He has asked Fisheries Minister, Mark Furner, to withdraw the new East Coast Spanish mackerel Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) because of the information being questioned in the independent report.

According to Bobbermen, the TACC could lead to severe economic hardship for many coastal Queensland communities such as Ingham, Halifax, Lucinda, and Cardwell. It will also affect more than 200 commercial fishermen.

He said, We did not get any warning, and in fact, were quite dismayed at the lack of due process and the lack of engagement by governments in relation to this whole matter.

No Heads Up

This is not the only issue the fishing industry is facing in Queensland. Commercial fishers have said that Queenslands wild-caught industry will be crippled by a surprise reform to ban gillnets from the Great Barrier Reef by 2027.

Gillnets are used to catch fish in a moving tide and have been shown to be a threat to much sea life, including dolphins.

The government has allocated $160 million (US$107 million) to reduce net fishing and other fishing activities affecting the reef.

Licences (N2 and N4) that cover Thursday Island to Maryborough will be bought out by the end of 2023. While Cape Bedford to the tip of Cape York will also become net-free, with N1 licences phased out by June 30, 2027.

Additionally, there are around 240 gillnet licences that will eventually be cancelled, and the government will also mandate the use of independent data validation on commercial fishing vessels.

Dermot OGorman, CEO of WWF-Australia, said that the decision was a significant moment for ocean conservation.

This announcement is shaping up as a globally significant moment for ocean conservation, fisheries management and the Great Barrier Reefone of the natural wonders of the world, he said.

The commitment to mandate the use of independent data validation on commercial fishing vessels is also welcome and long overdue.

It means well have a much better understanding of whats happening out on the water, including how many threatened species are being accidentally caught.

Federal Minister for the Environment Tanya Plibersek said in a media release that the removal of the gillnets will help boost populations.

The removal of gillnets in net-free zones on the reef has already helped boost local fish populations. We want to see this happen right across the reef, Ms. Plibersek said.

According to Mr. Bobbermen, these bans were made without any consultation or discussion with the fishing industry.

We are shocked by these unnecessary bans and the lack of empathy shown to fishers, their families, and the communities that rely on the commercial fishing industry in the joint announcement by the state and federal governments, Mr. Bobbermen.

More Fish Imports

The effect of these bans will mean much less Australian fish but at much higher prices.

Australia has the third largest marine reserves in the world, with an economic zone covering 8.2 million square kilometres. But Australia is also the 57th largest seafood importer, with 70 percent of their seafood coming from other countries, such as China, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Australia catches 28 kilograms of seafood per square kilometre of ocean, whereas China, Thailand, and Vietnam catch over 5,000 kilograms of seafood per square kilometrearound 200 times more than Australia.

Estimates of Chinas global fishing fleet are calculated at anywhere between 200,000 to 800,000 boats. The Chinese authorities say they have around 2,600 boats but research done by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) counters these numbers.

Banning Australian commercial fishermen from fishing causes the problem of overfishing to be exported to other countries. It means eating much more farmed or imported fish than Australian wild-caught fish.

However, it also means that after a seven-year campaign by WWF, dugongs, inshore dolphins, and turtles will have permanent protection from commercial gill nets.
Recovery Begins in Highland Falls, New York, After Historic Flood

Village trucks cleaned up mud on Main Street the day after a historic flood in Highland Falls, N.Y., on July 10, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Highland Falls, N.Y.DeeDee Moreno, a big-hearted craft store owner, walked down Main Street in the village of Highland Falls after the water had ceded and checked on everyone she saw.

Nearly nine inches of rainfall on Sunday, July 9, turned the once babbling Highland Brook into a roaring river, which swept the central business district and pushed parked cars over a fence down to a lower lot.

Highland Brook in Highland Falls, N.Y., on July 10, 2023, the day after nearly nine inches of rainfall. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

The water also found its way into the basements of storefronts along the commercial street, including a laundry shop owned by a Korean family.

Moreno stopped by to inquire after a laundry worker, who asked if she could get the local fire department to come and pump water out of the basement.

Inside the store, residents in a nearby low-income apartment were drying out personal items affected by the flooding.

Moreno replied that she would stop by the fire department and make sure that the laundry shop was on the list.

Andys Restaurant owner Eddie Saavedra surveyed damages in the basement after a historic flood in Highland Falls, N.Y., on July 10, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

The basement of the business next door, Andys Restaurant, was also flooded, with damaged heating systems and supplies.

The total loss was at least $10,000, according to the restaurant owner Eddie Saavedra.

But the main-level business was running as usual, with Saavedra cooking meals behind the counter for both clients and people in need due to the flooding.

Historic Flooding

Highland Falls, a small village of fewer than 4,000 residents that stretches along the western bank of the Hudson River, was among the worst hit by rainfall in the region.

West Point Pizza on Main Street in Highland FallsFall, N.Y., on July 10, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

The village is known as the gateway to West Point, a main employer in the area.

In terms of Orange County, the village and surrounding communities were the epicenter of flooding.

There was at least one fatality, a 35-year-old Highland Fall woman who was swept away by water as she attempted to flee her house.

Parts of several county routes and a major interstate highway were completely washed out.

A broken metal fence, which was pushed apart by a historic flood the day before, in Highland Falls, N.Y., on July 10, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Total damages are estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars, according to Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus in a video address.

He issued a state of emergency on Sunday to expand municipalities capacity to cope with the flood.

Willie Watts, a Highland Falls resident for 40 years, said the flooding was the worst hed ever seen.

On Sunday, he stood by his front yard fence monitoring the water level as rain continued to fall, ready to hop into his car and take off if need be.

Willie Watts stood in his front yard on Main Street in Highland Falls, N.Y., on July 10, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

The water came rushing down Mountain Avenue and found its own way down to the Hudson River. It was about six feet high, Watts told The Epoch Times. It got really bad, and it just continued.

Luckily, the water rushed down the slanted avenue and bypassed his house, which was only a dozen feet away from the roaring flood.

On July 10, Gov. Kathy Hochul came down to the village of Highland Falls, surveyed the damage with local officials, and pledged state support in rebuilding affected communities.

The basement of a laundry store on Main Street following a historic flood in Highland Falls, N.Y., on July 10, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

She warned about the increasing weather irregularities and urged future preparedness.

According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, New York had experienced drought conditions the past three summers before this years flooding.

Last year, the eastern part of Orange County, which contains the Highland Falls area, had a drought so severe that almost no rain fell between mid-June and mid-August.

Maria and Stephen Arnesen on Main Street in the village of Highland Falls, N.Y., on July 10, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

That drought left a deep impression on Maria and Stephen Arnesen, a couple who moved up to the county from Fort Lee, New Jersey, just two years ago.

Now, many of their neighbors townhomes in Fort Montgomery, a hamlet just south of Highland Falls, are badly damaged by flood water, they told The Epoch Times.

Aid and Recovery

As Moreno walked down Main Street in the village of Highland Falls, she stopped as many residents as she could to tell them about available aid.

Can you spread the wordif anybody needs shelter, water, or hot food, [they can find them at] Sacred Heart Church, Moreno said to a woman pushing a stroller.

DeeDee Moreno informed a resident about available aid to people impacted by the historic flood on Main Street in Highland Falls, N.Y., on July 10, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Since her husband died two years ago, Moreno has used her time to volunteer and help the needy, she said.

When she arrived at the church for water delivery, she met a woman named Evelyn Nazario whose quadriplegic veteran husband urgently needed to be transported to a hospital.

Nazarios ranch was by a brook in the southern part of the village, and following the flood, mold had began to spread in her house, threatening the health of her physically fragile husband.

Moreno immediately made calls to get help from the emergency services.

Evelyn Nazario sought help from a lady from the village fire department after a historic flood in Highland Falls, N.Y., on July 10, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

At the Sacred Heart Church, the Red Cross has set up a temporary shelter space for displaced residents with financial help from the county.

Ill keep [the shelter] open until you folks stop using it, Neuhaus said in the video address.

About six people had signed up by Monday late afternoon, according to a Red Cross worker.

James Temple, a regional coordinator of the Red Cross Mass Care Program at Sacred Heart Church in Highland Falls, N.Y., on July 10, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

As for roads affected by the flooding, village, town, and county public works department workers have been fixing them, as well as staff from the state Department of Transportation.

Neuhaus announced on July 10 that the county had passed the rescue mode and entered the recovery phase.

Both Neuhaus and New York State Sen. James Skoufis called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to declare the Highland Falls region a major disaster area to unlock financial assistance.

Water supplies at the Sacred Heart Church following a historic flood in Highland Falls, N.Y., on July 10, 2023. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Skoufis also pleaded with Hochul to sign one of his bills into law that would make insurance company process disaster-related claims faster.

Rep. Patrick Ryan (D-N.Y.) and Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) issued a joint letter on July 10 urging FEMA to approve any disaster declaration request out of New York State.
Rep. Gaetz Leads GOP Effort to Abolish Broad Surveillance Authority

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) speaks during a hearing before the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government of the House Judiciary Committee at Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 18, 2023. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) is leading a Republican effort in the House to abolish a controversial surveillance authority that is due for reauthorization at the end of the year.

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) was enacted by Congress in 2008 as a post-9/11 measure to bulk up U.S. national security. The provision allows intelligence agencies to conduct warrantless surveillance of foreigners located outside the United States.

While the law bars the targeting of Americans, it also incidentally collects information on Americans. Warrantless searches of communications collected under Section 702 for information on Americans are also allowed in certain circumstances. This practice has drawn significant civil liberty concerns from politicians from both the left and right.

Several reports in recent years have also revealed substantial violations of the privacy rights of American citizens under the program.

Intelligence officials and some members of Congress, however, argue that the program, in spite of its abuses, is an important tool for national security, and is merely in need of reform.

Without congressional reauthorization, the measure, which was extended by Congress in 2017, will expire on Dec. 31, 2023.

But Mr. Gaetz, joined by Reps. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), and Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) say that the problems with the system and the potential for abuse run too deep, and have called for an end to the program entirely when it sunsets at the end of this year.

A resolution (pdf) introduced by Mr. Gaetz on Tuesday would abolish the program without an extension at the end of 2023, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that authorities under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 should be allowed to expire.

Persistent Abuse

Last year, it was revealed that the FBI performed more than 3 million warrantless searches of Americans of Section 702 data in 2021. One unnamed member of Congress, which Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) believes describes him, was also allegedly spied on under the program the same year.

After these abuses with revealed, the FBI, led by Director Christopher Wray, promised that it would make changes to reduce improper queries under Section 702.

A 2022 court opinion made public earlier this year revealed that the FBI had made an additional 278,000 improper queries, including domestic queries of Jan. 6 protestors, Black Lives Matter protestors, and nearly 20,000 congressional campaign donors.

The FBI said these findings were made before the agency overhauled its system, leading to a significant drop in queries and a decline in the number of improper searches, according to a watchdog report.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) building in Washington on June 28, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

For Mr. Gaetz and other lawmakers, the repeated findings of abuse suggest the program is beyond salvaging.

The persistent abuse of Section 702 of FISA underscores the disturbing trend of our federal government being weaponized against its people, he said. The blatant misuse of warrantless surveillance powers targeting Americans communications should not be accepted or reauthorized.

We must uphold national security without sacrificing the constitutional rights of our fellow Americans, he added.

In the bill, Mr. Gaetz provides a rationale for the decision to sunset the measure.

The Intelligence Community has not been forthright about its use of section 702 authorities over the 15 years that section 702 has been authorized, the resolution states.

Though Section 702 was ultimately reauthorized and signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2017, that bill placed new requirements on the intelligence community (IC), forcing it to publicly disclose information about its Section 702 queries of Americans.

But after the bill was passed, the IC for 21 months sought to avoid having to meet this requirement. It was only after the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC)the secretive FISA watchdogruled that the IC had to follow the law as amended in 2017 that the agencies agreed.

This Congress is aware of multiple abuses of the section 702 data collection process through released court decisions and aggregated data, which in itself is an adequate basis to sunset the program, the resolution states.

The FBI, which has faced constant scrutiny since Republicans took the House, was also called out in the bill.

The FBI itself has conducted 702 queries with callous disregard of the privacy rights of Americans, it states.

Mr. Gaetz referenced work in the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, saying that that panel had discovered these abuses were not incidental, but rather a pattern of behavior warranting the sunset of section 702.

Mr. Gaetz headed off national security concerns by saying that traditional FISA standards such as existed prior to the authorization of Section 702 were sufficient to protect national interests while balancing civil liberties, and gave the balance of interest much more to civil liberties than Section 702.

Mr. Massie was more direct in comments to the Epoch Times about national security concerns.

Get a warrant, Mr. Massie said.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) speaks at a House committee hearing on May 18, 2023. (House Judiciary Committee/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

This is written into our Constitution. FISA, allegedly, is some piece of legislation that doesnt have to abide by our Constitution, he added, referring to the Fourth Amendment that protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

And so I think its right to make the default position to kill it. Can it be saved? I dont know. But we should kill it first

Mr. Massie said he was optimistic that the provision could be killed simply due to dwindling support for the measure.

While he refrained from speaking for House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), he said that Mr. Jordans opposition to renewing Section 702 as it exists would be a key element in blocking a wholesale renewal of the program.

He noted that Congress had tried for 10 years to renew the program with various additions, but suggested that the use of the program against President Donald Trumps associate Carter Page had cemented Republican opposition to the program.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) leveled severe criticism at the FBI and the U.S. government for suppressing the Hunter Biden laptop storyalong with a host of other violationsin his opening statements at Wednesdays House Judiciary Committee hearing on the politicization of the nations preeminent law enforcement agency.
Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, meets with Ugandan Foreign Minister Jeje Odongo in Beijing, capital of China, July 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with Ugandan Foreign Minister Jeje Odongo in Beijing on Tuesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said China will continue to support Uganda's development and its efforts in improving the capacity for independent development.

China is ready to strengthen Belt and Road cooperation with Uganda and improve solid cooperation in various fields, he added.

Wang said China attaches importance to Uganda's role in international affairs, and supports the country in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in playing a greater role in African affairs.

China and Uganda should continue to be supportive on issues concerning each other's core interests, oppose unilateralism and bullying, and uphold international fairness and justice, Wang said.

He said the Global Development Initiative helps the international community refocus on development issues, and it helps developing countries improve their capacity building and achieve economic revitalization and independent development.

The initiative has received a positive response from the international community, and it is hoped that Uganda will actively participate in the initiative so that more projects will land in Uganda and benefit its people, Wang said.

Congratulating China on the success of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development's first high-level conference, Odongo said that bilateral relations between the two countries have a long history and the two peoples share a common aspiration for development.

Odongo expressed Uganda's appreciation for China's support of its development. He said that this support is not a "debt trap," but valuable help provided in the absence of aid from developed countries, with the aim of enhancing Africa's independent development capacity.

Odongo said that Uganda is willing to work with China to implement the Global Development Initiative to ensure that development returns to the center of the global agenda and is not affected by politicizing factors. 
Republican Mayra Flores Announces Campaign to Regain Her Texas House Seat

Republican Representative Mayra Flores of Texas, who is running for reelection, speaks at a campaign event at the University Drafthouse in Mcallen, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2022. (Allison Dinner/AFP via Getty Images)

Mayra Flores, a staunch and conservative Republican, had a short stay in Congress, in the House of Representatives, and she is committed to returning to Washington D.C. and Capitol Hill.

Ms. Flores, 37, seeks to regain the seat she held representing the Texas 34th congressional district, which is located in the southern part of Texas and encompasses a stretch of the Gulf Coast and points inland.

Born in Mexico to migrant workers, Ms. Flores and her family moved to the United States when she was six years old. She became a U.S. citizen when she was 14.

She is the first Mexican-born woman elected to serve in Congress.

The area of the 34th congressional district and surrounding region, which has a population largely Hispanic, has long been a stronghold of Democratic Party support, but that has started to change. Hispanic and Latino voters in Texas and on a national level have been moving to the Republican Party.

The Republican National Congressional Committee (RNCC) has shown a keen interest in the race for the 34th congressional district.

RNCC polling has Mayra Flores 10 points up over incumbent Democrat Vincente Gonzalez.

Mayra Flores Intends for a Conservative Republican to Again Hold the 34th Congressional District Seat

Ms. Flores was elected to represent the 34th congressional district in a special election held on June 14, 2022, to fill the remaining term of Filemon Vela Jr, a Democrat. Mr. Vela resigned the seat in mid-term, in March 2022, to take a job with a lobbying firm.

In the general election, held in November 2022, for the full term, Vincente Gonzalez beat Ms. Flores by about 10,000 votes.

Mayra Flores is married to a U.S. Border Patrol agent with whom she has four children. A graduate of South Texas College, she has worked as a respiratory therapist.

Ms. Flores is a Donald Trump supporter. She is a fervent advocate for stronger border security. She is pro-life, pro religious freedom, pro school choice, and opposes same-sex marriage.

Appearing on Fox & Friends on Fox News on July 11, Ms. Flores announced her candidacy for the Texas 34th congressional seat but prefaced the announcement with a strident attack on the Biden administrations border security policy and record and gave specific attention to Homeland Security chief Alejandro Mayorkas.

House Republicans ran on impeaching Mayorkas, and thats what the American people, I believe, want; so its time that we impeach Mayorkas, said Ms. Flores. He has done a horrible job at the border.

Ms. Flores then addressed the humanitarian crisis she says has resulted as a consequence of a lack of law and order at the border.

Thousands and thousands of children are coming in unaccompanied, she said. Children with a little paper in their pocket, with a name and a phone numberso-called Uncle. And then the Biden administration sends these children more likely to a child trafficker. That is whats happening right now. And that is how the Biden administration has lost track of 85,000 children.

Texas National Guard troops watch over illegal immigrants in El Paso, Texas, on May 10, 2023. (Andres Leighton/AP Photo)

During the Fox News broadcast, the host acknowledged a movement of Latinos away from the Democratic Party, but she also referenced an Axios-Ipsos Latino poll that showed the GOP has a lot of work to do to win the Hispanic and Latino vote.

Indeed, the poll referenced reported that when Latinos were asked what party cares more about them, 32 percent said neither, 30 percent said Democrats, 11 percent said Republicans, 11 said the parties care equally about them, and 15 percent replied, dont know.

After citing the poll, the host asked Mayra Flores, So why should Latinos and Hispanics support you and other Republicans?

Our values align with the Republican Party, said Ms. Flores. I am pro-God, pro-life, pro-family. People say all the time, Mayra, why are you conservative? I was born in Mexico. We were raised with strong conservative valuesto always put God and family first. Were all about hard work. That is who we are.

Mayra Flores added: So, I asked the Hispanic communitydont allow the Democrat party to continue playing games with our lives. They do not want us to prosper. They want to keep us poor, to keep controlling us. Thats where they want us.
Republicans, Democrats Clash Over Alleged Tipster in Hunter Biden Investigation After DOJ Brings Charges

Democrats in the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on Wednesday sent a letter to Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), who is chairman of the committee, to turn over everything provided by Gal Luft.

Mr. Luft, co-director of the think tank Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, was on Monday charged with eight counts, including working as a foreign agent for China, arms trafficking, and making false statements to federal agents.

Days before the indictment was made public, Mr. Luft filmed a video from an undisclosed location detailing the timeline of events from his own perspective. He had originally been arrested in February in the Republic of Cyprus and fled after being released on bail. The video was first obtained by the NY Post.

In March 2019, Mr. Luft participated in a two-day interview with six FBI personnel. Mr. Luft, who holds U.S.-Israeli dual citizenship, was in Brussels at the time, and the FBI personnel flew overseas to meet with him. In the meeting, Mr. Luft says he gave insider information about the Biden familys financial dealings with CEFC China Energy. In his think tank position, he had had an advisory position with CEFC China Energy and said in the video the information he provided was similar to the information found on the laptop allegedly belonging to Hunter Biden, but it appeared it was not acted on.

Mr. Luft said in the video his motive was never political; he only wanted to prevent another lengthy Russia collusion type scandal with a sitting president but that it happened again anyway.

Veracity of the Brussels Interview

Mr. Comer has been investigating the Biden familys financial dealings with foreign nationals and has said on multiple occasions that Mr. Luft was a credible witness, one the FBI had flown six people to Brussels in order to interview for two days.

According to the indictment, the information Mr. Luft gave was false. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) emphasized in their letter that Mr. Luft was no whistleblower but instead a conman.

It appears as if Mr. Luft sought whistleblower status from you in an effort to defend himself from criminal prosecution while a fugitive from justice, they wrote.

Worse yet, this latest episode also raises concerns that Mr. Luft may be manipulating your investigation not only for his own self-interest but perhaps also in furtherance of the CCPs efforts to undermine U.S. security interests and the President of the United States.

They further wrote that Mr. Lufts status discredited the rest of the investigation.

These recent revelations naturally raise broader concerns about the credibility and motivations of other purported whistleblowers that Congressional Republicans have relied on to support unfounded and baseless allegations. Sadly, the Luft episode severely undermines the credibility of the critical function of whistleblowers in this body, wrote the members (pdf).

They demanded Mr. Comer provide Committee Democrats with everything Mr. Luft had supplied, noting that Mr. Comer had not yet shared any of these materials.

Mr. Comer, who is requesting the materials from the FBIs 2019 Brussels interview with Mr. Luft, responded with a statement questioning their motives and urged Democrats to likewise look into what the FBI actually uncovered.

Its astonishing that Ranking Member Raskin and Rep. Dan Goldman didnt mention that the Bidens received millions through their shell companies from the same CCP-linked company that paid Gal Luft. Hunter Biden and Joe Biden even planned to share an office with this CCP-linked company, CEFC. Gal Luft is a credible witness to the Bidens influence-peddling schemes because he, too, was getting paid by the same shady company. If Democrats deem Mr. Luft as untrustworthy because he was getting money from CEFC, then why should we trust the Bidens, who also received money from CEFC? he asked.

Democrats have either been duped by the Bidens, or they are intentionally misleading the American people. Democrats should join us in requesting the FBIs record memorializing its interview with Gal Luft to get to the bottom of his claims about the Bidens, he stated.

The Biden familys financial dealings are also being investigated by the Ways and Means Committee, and Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) last month released 14 hours of interviews with two IRS whistleblowers, which revealed that Mr. Hunter Biden had an excess of $8 million unreported income that came from Ukraine, China, and Russia.

Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.), a member of the committee, told Fox today that sooner or later, everything would come into the open.

Its going to blow up, he said. Its going to blow up at some point, sooner than later; they can only cover so much until somebody absolutely cracks.
Reseda Sexual Assault Suspect Arrested; Other Possible Victims Sought

Mario Orozco, 31, booked on suspicion of sexual assault in Reseda, Calif. (Courtesy of the Los Angeles Police Department)

RESEDA, Calif.A man has been arrested for allegedly committing a number of sexual assaults in Reseda, and detectives July 10 urged other possible victims to contact police.

Mario Orozco, 31, was booked on suspicion of sexual assault, after he allegedly entered several residences in the early morning hours of July 1 in the 18300 block of Vanowen Street in Reseda, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Los Angeles Police Department West Valley Division [detectives] conducted the investigation and were able to identify, locate and arrest Orozco for these crimes, police said.

Police circulated a photo of Orozco, and urged other possible victims to contact investigators.

Detectives from West Valley Area are overseeing the investigation and [are] releasing the suspects booking photo because they believe the suspect is responsible for additional, unreported sexual assaults, police said.

Anyone with information was urged to call Detective Joseph Hampton at 818-374-7742 or 818-374-7611. Tipsters may also call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.
Russian Ex-submarine Officer on Ukraine Blacklist Gunned Down on Morning Run

A Turkish Coast Guard boat escorts Russian Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine Krasnodar as it sails in the Bosphorus, on its way to the Mediterranean Sea, in Istanbul on March 14, 2019. (Murad Sezer/Reuters)

A Russian military officer who had commanded a submarine in the Black Sea and appeared on a Ukrainian blacklist of alleged war criminals has been shot dead by an unknown assassin while on his morning run.

Stanislav Rzhitsky, 42, was gunned down early on Monday in the southern Russian city of Krasnodar. His address, picture, and personal details had appeared on the Ukrainian website Myrotvorets (Peacemaker,) a vast unofficial database of people considered to be enemies of Ukraine.

On Tuesday the word Liquidated, in red letters, had been superimposed on his photograph on the site.

Russias state Investigative Committee said on Tuesday it had arrested a suspect in his early 60s who was found in possession of a pistol and silencer. It published a short video showing heavily armed security officers storming a house and detaining the man, who was wearing only boxer shorts.

Ukraines GUR military intelligence agency published details of the killing on its website, without claiming responsibility or saying how it obtained the information.

It said Mr. Rzhitsky died on the spot when seven shots were fired at him from a Makarov pistol as he was running in a deserted city park at around six in the morning.

Baza, a Russian Telegram channel with links to the security services, said the killer could have tracked Mr. Rzhitskys movements on an app where he posted details of his regular jogging route in Krasnodar and how long he took to complete it.

Russian state media and war bloggers said Mr. Rzhitsky was deputy head of military mobilization in the city and had previously commanded the Krasnodar submarine in the Black Sea.

A Telegram channel used by self-styled pro-Ukraine partisans who have claimed hundreds of sabotage attacks inside Russia saidwithout stating evidencethat Mr. Rzhitsky was suspected of involvement in a submarine-launched cruise missile strike in July 2022 that killed at least 23 people in the Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia.

Baza quoted Mr. Rzhitskys father as saying he had resigned from the military at the end of 2021 and been discharged, after a delay, the following August.

At least two other Russian figures in the Myrotvorets database have been assassinated inside Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine nearly 17 months ago. Bomb attacks killed journalist Darya Dugina last August and war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky in April.
RVs Can Park Overnight Once Again in Fullerton

Recreational vehicles park along the street in the Venice area of Los Angeles on Jan. 27, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Recreational vehicles (RVs) in the city of Fullerton can park overnight once again without a permit, after an Orange County Superior Court Judge temporarily ruled against the citys RV ban that took effect in 2020.

A motion for preliminary injunction was granted by Judge Ronald Bauer June 26, which will prevent the city from enforcing its anti-RV ordinance until the case is heard in September 2024, as scheduled.

The ordinance in question was challenged last December by three homeless residents and homeless advocacy group Housing is a Human Right Orange County arguing that the citys ordinance doesnt clearly define the meaning of recreational vehicle and cover[s] almost every driver in Orange County, according to the complaint.

Under the citys law, residents and visitors can apply for a permit to park overnight, but residents are limited to four nights per month while guests can park their vehicle up to seven nights monthly in front of a home theyre visiting, capped at 55 nights yearly.

The ordinance was also accused of being discriminatory, alleging those with disabilities are unable to work and must rely on fixed monthly incomes of $1,000 or less from federal and state social security programs to survive, which isnt enough to afford a home in Fullerton, according to the complaint.

By targeting the vehicularly housed, the [citys ordinance] disproportionately impacts people with disabilities, the complaint reads.

Mayor Fred Jung told The Epoch Times the ordinance, instead, was to protect city streets from being taken over by such vehicles, especially RVs.

The ordinance was based on streets in our city being effectively taken over by recreational vehicles, most of which did not run, some that were on blocks, and even businesses being executed out of these RVs, he said.

He additionally said with the judges ruling that the citys definition of recreational vehicle was too broad, the city will now rework the ordinance leading to what he hopes will be its reinstatement.

I was disappointed in the judges ruling, but I understand. It gives us an opportunity to go back and to make the ordinance better, he said.

According to court filings, the three residents suing the city include a 67-year-old retired Fullerton property manager with disabilities and on a fixed income who lives in an RV; a 75-year-old woman with a pacemaker living in a van in the city; and a 61-year-old woman and resident of 55 years who was forced to relocate to Long Beach to avoid her RV from being towed after the ordinance passed.

All three have been cited for violating the citys ordinance since its passing and are seeking reimbursement for their fees, and an end to the ban.

Their attorneys argue the ordinance doesnt mitigate public health and safety as it was proposed but rather has upended lives and caused undue additional trauma to persons who already bear the great weight of homelessness, according to court filings.

The plaintiffs attorneys Matthew Summers and Corrigan Lewis did not return a request for comment on deadline.
Sanderss Medicare-for-All Would Destroy US Health Care

Commentary

Trust in public health has been shattered in the wake of COVID-19. Confidence in government health authorities has plummeted64 percent rate the Food and Drug Administration as only fair or poor and 58 percent rate the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the same.

Ironically, and in defiance of Americans demanding more health autonomy, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has put forth a radical Medicare-for-All 2023 bill to impose the ultimate government control over health caresingle-payer, socialized medicine. It not only controls the allocation of all medical care, but it explicitly outlaws private insurance competition with the government and creates a new Office of Health Equity that forces an extremist ideology on U.S. taxpayers.

Sanders writes that his justification is to end the international embarrassment of the US being the only major country that does not guarantee healthcare.

Pretending that labeling people insured means guaranteed care is gaslighting Americans. In Englands National Health Service with its guarantees, a record-setting 7.4 million patients are on NHS waiting lists; more than 371,000 patients are now waiting more than one full year, even after initial diagnosis and referral. In Canadas single-payer system, the 2022 median wait from GP referral to first treatment, after already seeing a doctor, was about seven months.

Even seriously ill patients referred for urgent treatment wait months after their doctors recommend treatment. In Englands NHS, more than 41 percent of cancer patients wait more than two months after GP referral for their first urgent treatment and 49 percent wait more than four months for their recommended brain surgery. Canadians with already diagnosed heart disease wait a median of 16.4 weeks for their first treatment; for neurosurgery after already seeing a doctor, they wait 58.9 weeksmore than one year.

All U.S. wait times are far shorter and have remained soeven comparing the lowest priority visits, including healthy check-ups, with visits of seriously ill patients in single-payer countries. Current waits in the United States for all five surveyed specialties, regardless of insurance, average only 26 days. While Canadians wait 48 weeks to see an orthopedist after a referral from their GP, Americans wait only 16.9 days; Canadian women wait 15.7 weeks for an OB-GYN appointment after a referral for illness, while American women wait 31 days for a non-urgent check-up.

The pandemic lockdowns further highlighted the abject failure of single-payer systems. The UKs Institute for Public Policy projected it will take seven years for missed cancer chemotherapy and 12 years for missed radiation therapy backlogs to clear. Many will die waiting. And despite the marketing that the NHS is a badge of national pride, satisfaction by the British fell to 29 percent and dissatisfaction rose to 51 percentthe worst since the first survey 50 years ago. Is it any wonder that we are finally seeing UK media call out the nations reluctance to admit just how bad the reality is?

The consequences of single-payer restrictions are clearpatients in those systems have suffered worse outcomes from all the most common serious diseases. For decades, the U.S. has had consistently superior survivals of cancer than single-payer systems, a fact Europeans begrudgingly admit (Europeans are way, way more likely to die of cancer than Americans  Turns out the US is actually doing something right when it comes to health care, Sarah Wheaton, the chief policy correspondent for Politico Europe, wrote in a 2019 article), and the best treatment outcomes for diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. Should Americans ignore that over a 16-year period, more than 44,000 additional Canadian women died because of Canadas wait times for treatment?

And its not only long waits for doctors that cause worse outcomes. Americans benefit from the broadest usage of screening tests for early cancer detection; widest access to safer, more accurate MRI and CT technology and critical care ICU beds; and fastest access to new, life-saving drugs. I doubt that cancer patients in single-payer systems were bragging about their guarantees when drug availability within two years of approval of the worlds 54 new cancer drugs lagged in the UK (38 of the 54 were available), Australia (15/54), France (23/54), and Canada (29/54), while U.S. patients had access to almost all (51/54).

As part of his gaslighting, Sanders wont admit that countries with decades of single-payer experience now shift patients to the private sector to hide single-payer failures. According to the Nuffield Trust, NHS has increasingly paid for private care, ballooning by 70 percent to more than 9.7 billion pounds (about $12.7 billion), because the NHS itself cannot deliver. Originally a negligible amount, the share of NHS money funneled to private doctors has increased to 45 percent of cataract surgeries and to 50 percent of hip and knee replacements. Sweden also relies on private care, privatizing pharmacies and a growing fraction of primary care facilities, while increasing spending on private-care contracts by 50 percent in the past 15 years. More and more individual Brits choose to pay for private care, on top of their NHS taxes; more than 690,000 Swedes now carry private health insurance, an increase of 42 percent since 2011. Governments of Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Denmark with single-payer all shift taxpayer money to buy private care, sometimes even outside the country, to solve their scandalous failures. Did Sanders already forget that our own single-payer system, the VA, was forced to shunt patients to private care to address its failures?

Sanders must not care that abolishing private insurance will also abruptly end access to timely medical care for seniors currently on Medicare, because that access depends on payments from private insurance. Medicare pays hospitals and doctors below the cost of delivering health care60 percent of what private insurance pays for in-patient services, and 6080 percent for physician services. The private insurance used by more than two-thirds of Americans pays 140 percent over the cost of care, allowing hospitals to stay in business. Even with private insurance intact, CMS has repeatedly issued dire warnings about losing access and quality of care for Medicare patients, calculating that most hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and in-home care providers already lost money per Medicare patient. Given that 80 percent of seniors on Medicare also buy private insurance to replace or supplement traditional Medicare via employers, Medicare Advantages private options, or MediGap, I wonder what seniors will think of their Medicare once Sen. Sanders forces them to rely on it, forbidding them from supplementing it with private coverage.

Government-run health care has failed the world over. Its time for individuals to stop politicians from disregarding facts while recklessly imposing their power, and instead demand control of the health care dollar and choices on how to spend it. And lets be honest about yet another immorality hidden by Sen. Sanders: As with the harms from government lockdowns during COVID-19, its the poor and working class who will be stuck with single-payer health care, because only they will be unable to afford to circumvent that system.

From RealClearWire

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Scooter-Riding Gunman Sought for Attack That Hurt 4 People, Including 2 Children, at New York Park

NEW YORKPolice on Tuesday were hunting for a gunman who opened fire in a crowded park, wounding four people including two young children, authorities said.

Two masked men dressed all in black rode a scooter to St. James Park in the Fordham Manor section of the Bronx shortly before 6 p.m., Chief of Patrol John Chell said at a news conference.

The passenger got off the scooter and opened fire into a crowd before the men drove off, Mr. Chell said.

Two brothers, ages 3 and 6, were each shot in the leg, a 25-year-old man was hit once in the back and a 23-year-old man was shot multiple times, Mr. Chell said.

Everyone is doing well and will recover from their injuries, he said.

Investigators didnt know who was targeted in the shooting or the motive for the attack, he said.

Last week, a gunman on a scooter killed an 86-year-old man and injured three others in a series of six apparently random attacks in Brooklyn and Queens, police said.

Thomas Abreau, 25, of Brooklyn, was arrested following Saturdays attacks and has been charged with murder and attempted murder, police said.

It wasnt immediately clear whether he had an attorney.

Police said they seized the scooter and a 9mm handgun with an extended magazine.
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-Tenn.) discusses the policies needed to secure the border, the next steps for the Secure the Border Act and other border security measures, and the committees recently launched oversight investigation into Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in an event held by Heritage Foundation at 3:30 p.m. ET on July 12.

Derrick Morgan, executive vice president of the Heritage Foundation, hosts the event.
Social Security Insolvent in 10 Years Unless Congress Acts, CBO Director Says

A view of a Social Security Administration during the COVID-19 pandemic in Flushing, N.Y., on Feb. 10, 2021. (Chung I Ho/The Epoch Times)

The two trust funds that undergird the Social Security system will have a zero balance in 10 years, forcing a 25 percent reduction in payments to all beneficiaries, Phillip Swagel, director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), told lawmakers on July 12.

The Social Security program includes two trust funds, Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance, which provide 25 percent of the payments made to beneficiaries. Both funds will be exhausted by 2034, according to Mr. Swagel, leaving only revenue from payroll taxes to supply benefits. That will mean an immediate 25 percent cut in benefits the day the money runs out.

In 2034, Social Security revenues are projected to equal 75 percent of the programs scheduled outlays, resulting in a 25 percent shortfall. Thus, CBO estimates that Social Security benefits would be reduced by 25 percent in 2034 under the payable-benefits scenario, Mr. Swagel testified before the Senate Budget Committee on July 12.

Senators of both parties professed a desire to preserve Social Security for future generations.

Committee Chair Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said the purpose of the hearing is to figure out how to close that revenue gap to preserve the promise of Social Security for future generations and current retirees who will still be alive in 2035.

Our promise to them is one we must not break, he said.

Social Security is part of the social fabric of America, and every Republican agrees with that as well, said Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the ranking Republican member of the panel.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) speaks during a congressional hearing in Washington on Feb. 25, 2021. (Susan Walsh/Pool/Getty Images)

The senators were divided on how to go about saving the system. While Democrats strongly favored boosting taxes on wealthy Americans, Republican leaders advocated for a range of options, including tax increases, delays to the retirement age, and benefit cuts.

Why Its Going Broke

Social Security suffers from the same problem affecting any business or household in financial trouble: more money is being paid out than taken in. That will continue well into the future if no action is taken, according to Mr. Swagel.

In particular, the number of people in that older age group, who are less likely to work and pay payroll taxes and who are generally eligible for Social Security benefits, grows faster than the number of people ages 25 to 54, who are more likely to work and pay payroll taxes.

One part of the problem is that Americans are having fewer children, Mr. Swagel stated.

The fertility rate for women ages 14 to 49 was 2.02 children per woman, on average, for the 20 years leading up to 2007, when the rate peaked at 2.12. A fertility rate of 2.1 is considered the replacement rate.

The fertility rate fell to 1.67 by 2020. Its expected to rise to 1.75 by 2030, then remain unchanged for the remainder of the century.

Also, people are living longer. In CBOs projections, after 2024, mortality rates decline at the average rate that they declined between 1950 and 2019, Mr. Swagel said. That means future retirees will likely receive benefits for a longer period than their parents and grandparents did.

In 1940, which was the first year Social Security benefits were paid, the average life expectancy for Americans was 60.8 years for men and 65.2 years for women. Today, its 73.2 years for men and 79.1 years for women.

Trays of printed Social Security checks are ready to be mailed from the U.S. Treasurys Financial Management services facility in Philadelphia on Feb. 11, 2005. (Bradley C. Bower/AP Photo)

The Revenue Approach

Mr. Whitehouse would balance the books by increasing revenue. Specifically, his bill, the Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act, would raise payroll taxes on wealthy Americans.

Currently, taxpayers dont pay Social Security taxes on income beyond $160,200. Mr. Whitehouses proposal would apply Social Security taxes to wage, self-employment, and investment income above $400,000.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said he believes that current tax laws give billionaires a free pass and they need to pay more in taxes.

Billionaires often dont report income close to $400,000 because they live off their borrowings. So this can exempt them from bureaucratic hoops like audits and exempt them from taxes for years on end, he said.

Democrats see changing the tax code as a matter of basic fairness for working people who are taxed on nearly all of their income.

Bipartisan Problem Solving

Mr. Grassley urged Congress to take a bipartisan approach to solving the Social Security problem, following the example of President Ronald Reagan and House Speaker Tip ONeill (D-Mass.) in the 1980s. Only when both sides work together will a solution be reached, he said.

When you have candidates for president on the Republican side and you have a Democratic president in office today who say, Were not going to touch Social Security, how are you going to get things done? Mr. Grassley asked.

The only way to reach a deal on Social Security is to follow the ReaganONeill model. That means Congress and the president working in a bipartisan fashion and keeping a chain, a range of options on the table, Mr. Grassley said, referring to the 1983 agreement that stabilized Social Security for decades.

President Joe Biden and current House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) were able to reach a bipartisan agreement in June to cap future federal spending while temporarily increasing the debt limit.

Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) speaks before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill on Oct. 14, 2020. (Susan Walsh/AP Photo)

However, Mr. McCarthy has faced sharp criticism from members of the House Freedom Caucus who believe the speaker sacrificed too much to close the deal. Some members mounted a spirited effort to derail the legislation and nearly succeeded in killing it in committee.

Mr. Biden has proposed extending the life of Social Security by increasing payroll taxes on the wealthy while gradually increasing benefits for aged beneficiaries and increasing the minimum benefit for people who earn low wages.

Whatever the solution, Mr. Grassley said he believes that it should align with the original vision of Social Security, which ties benefits to contributions.

President [Franklin D.] Roosevelt wanted the program to have its own dedicated funding source, not be a welfare program, and resemble a private pension plan where benefits youll receive reflect the contributions you will pay in, Mr. Grassley said. These twin principles of self-financing and earned benefits have been an integral part of Social Security for the last 88 years.

Growing Urgency

Senators expressed that the imminent insolvency of the program requires urgent action.

Doing nothing means cuts for everyone, Mr. Grassley said. Congress and the president, consequently, need to act. The longer we wait, the tougher it will be to fix the problem.

Raise revenue or cut benefits. These are the only two options, Mr. Whitehouse said. If Republicans stand by their commitment not to cut benefits, they must safeguard revenue to honor our promise to older Americans to retire with dignity.

Jackson Richman contributed to this report.
Some Democrats Worried About Cornel Wests Third-Party 2024 Bid

Democratic officials and strategists have publicly expressed reservations about former Harvard University professor Cornel Wests 2024 presidential bid.

This is not the time in order to experiment. This is not the time to play around on the margins, warned Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison, a close ally of President Joe Biden, over the weekend, according to reports.

After Hillary Clinton was defeated by former President Donald Trump in the 2016 campaign, some Democrats claimed that Green Party nominee Jill Stein caused Mrs. Clinton to lose the presidency. Mrs. Stein drew about 460,000 votes, or about 1 percent of the popular vote, during that election.

In 2016, the Green Party played an outsized role in tipping the election to Donald Trump, wrote David Axelrod, a former Obama administration strategist, in a Twitter post. He echoed Mr. Harrisons statement in saying that with Cornel West as [the Green Partys] likely nominee, they could easily do it again. Risky business.

As he runs a progressive campaign seeking the Green Party nomination, Mr. Wests platform is centered around left-wing proposals, and some have said that he could cut into President Joe Bidens 2024 bid among younger voters and black voters. Mr. West, who is black, also has been sharply critical of the United States and NATO involvement in Ukraine following Russias invasion last year.

In comments over the weekend, Mr. Harrison said that he believes Mr. West is only running to stay relevant. What we see is a lot of folks who want to be relevant and try to be relevant in these elections and not looking at the big picture, he said, reiterating: We got to reelect Joe Biden.

However, not all Democrats believe Mr. West will be a detriment to Mr. Bidens chances.

Rep. Ro Khanna (R-Calif.), the former campaign co-chair of Sen. Bernie Sanderss (I-Vt.) 2020 campaign, told Politico that the third-party candidate may ultimately help Mr. Biden, saying that he will bring more people into the process and push for progressive policies.

The U.S. has a long history of issue candidates who run in order to bring attention to important principles and ideas. I welcome Cornel West entering the race to make this country more just for all, he told the outlet. But Mr. Khanna said that he wasnt endorsing Mr. West and is supporting the presidents reelection chances.

As for Mrs. Stein, she told Forbes magazine last week that Mr. West, a self-described socialist, is the right person for America during the 2024 contest in an interview over the past weekend. She also said she doesnt believe she was responsible for Mrs. Clintons 2016 loss, saying that nobody owns our votes.

Initially, Mr. West said in June that he would run as a member of The Peoples Party but later said he would compete for the Green Partys nomination.

In these bleak times, I have decided to run for truth and justice, which takes the form of running for president of the United States as a candidate for the Peoples Party, Mr. West said. I enter in the quest for truth. I enter in the quest for justice, and the presidency is just one vehicle to pursue that truth and justice, what Ive been trying to do all of my life.

West is a well-known author and a former professor at Harvard and Princeton universities. He previously criticized former President Barack Obama as a war criminal, and supported Mr. Sanders, a democratic socialist, in his presidential bids in 2016 and 2020.

On his campaign website, West says he wants to end wars, disband NATO, forgive all student debt, expand Social Security, and invest in green energy. Third-party candidates face serious hurdles, including getting their names on ballots in each state.

Now, in addition to Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump, several other candidates have launched 2024 presidential bids. Several weeks ago, former Vice President Mike Pence officially launched his campaign, joining a GOP primary field that already includes the former president, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

Amid the criticism over his presidential bid, Mr. West has defended his decision during a Politico interview.

Because Mr. Sanders, according to him, was treated so unjustly and so unfairly by the Democratic Party  the lesson that I learned was that the Democratic Party, for the most part, is a corporate-dominated party that uses its progressives often as window dressing.

Bernie was not given the kind of chance that he deserved, he said, which is to say our efforts were not given the kind of fair chance that they deserved.

Then, he claimed that Mr. Trump and Mr. DeSantis, who polls show are No. 1 and No. 2 respectively in the GOP field, will be enabled by the Democratic Partys refusal to speak to the needs of the poor and working people.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
DUBAI, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become the first Arab country to be granted observer status of the Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG), an inter-governmental organization that has 41 members, the official news agency WAM reported Wednesday.

The decision was made at an APG plenary taking place this week in the Canadian city of Vancouver, which was attended by a UAE delegation led by Hamid Al Zaabi, director-general of the Executive Office of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing, WAM said.

"The UAE has invested considerably in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing system in recent years, and we will be sharing knowledge and best practices with our partners from over 40 countries," Al Zaabi was quoted by WAM as saying.

Founded in 1997, the APG is an inter-governmental anti-money laundering body and part of a global network of similar bodies known as Financial Action Task Force-Style Regional Bodies.

The APG's 2023 Annual Meeting and Forum on Technical Assistance and Training is held in Vancouver from July 9 to 14. 
SpaceX Satellites Interfere With Astronomical Observation

People watch the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 21 second-generation Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, in Cocoa Beach, Fla., on Feb. 27, 2023. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images)

Scientists using a low-frequency telescope in Europe observed that SpaceXs satellites were emitting a radio frequency via their onboard electronics that can interfere with astronomical observations.

According to a studys press release published in the Astronomy and Astrophysics academic journal, scientists used the LOFAR telescope in the Netherlands to detect any low-frequency radio waves that could interfere with radio astronomy, or in other words, with astronomical observations based on receiving faint radio signals from outer space.

This study represents the latest effort to better understand satellite constellations impact on radio astronomy, said lead author Federico Di Vruno. Previous workshops on Dark and Quiet Skies theorized about this radiation, and our observations confirm it is measurable.

SpaceX, headed by Elon Musk, has launched into orbit more than 2,000 satellites, named Starlink, which are grouped in satellite constellations and travel like train wagons, one behind the other. These satellites are usually used for internet service on Earth.

The study examined 68 Starlink satellites and found that 47 of them emitted low-frequency radiation that can interfere with radio astronomy. A band between 150 MHz and 153 MHz is allocated for radio astronomy by the International Telecommunications Union, but Starlink satellites were emitting inside that range.

However, SpaceX did not violate any applicable regulations, as there are no regulations regarding the radiation emitted by satellites. Also, this emission appeared to be unintentional.

On the contrary, there are strict regulations on the radiation that earth-based systems can emit if this radiation can interfere with radio astronomy.

Starlink satellites are closer to Earth compared to others, at 340 miles, compared to the typical 21,700 miles, so they can interfere with radio frequencies the astronomers receive.

The satellite constellations started appearing in bigger numbers only a few years ago, with a small number, around 15 per constellation.

SpaceX plans to launch thousands more satellites in the coming years. OneWeb has already 600, and Amazon plans to launch thousands more starting in 2024, ScienceAlert reported.

With LOFAR, we detected radiation between 110 and 188 MHz from 47 out of the 68 satellites that were observed. This frequency range includes a protected band between 150.05 and 153 MHz specifically allocated to radio astronomy by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), says co-author Cees Bassa from ASTRON, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy.

There is also a radiation accumulation effect, according to the study, which concerns the scientists in relation to the future growth of satellite constellations.

Our simulations show that the larger the constellation, the more important this effect becomes as the radiation from all the satellites adds up. This makes us worried not only about the existing constellations but even more about the planned onesand also about the absence of clear regulation that protects the radio astronomy bands from unintended radiation, said co-author Benjamin Winkel from the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (MPIfR) in Germany.

Communication With SpaceX

The study authors are in communication with SpaceX, which will try to mitigate the current impact on astronomical observations.

The company also said that it has made changes to its design for future satellites, aiming to neutralize the unintended interfering radiation.

SpaceXs collaboration with astronomers is setting an example, but the participation of other satellite operators is also critical, according to the press release.

Co-author Gyula Jozsa said: We believe that the early recognition of this situation gives astronomy and large constellation operators an opportunity to work together on technical mitigations pro-actively, in parallel to the necessary discussions to develop suitable regulations.

Starlink has since June a Department of Defense contract to buy those satellite services for Ukraine, the Pentagon said on Thursday.

We continue to work with a range of global partners to ensure Ukraine has the resilient satellite and communication capabilities they need. Satellite communications constitute a vital layer in Ukraines overall communications network and the department contracts with Starlink for services of this type, the Pentagon said in a statement.

Starlink has been used by Ukrainian troops for a variety of efforts, including battlefield communications.

SpaceX, through private donations and under a separate contract with a U.S. foreign aid agency, has been providing Ukrainians and the countrys military with Starlink internet service since the beginning of the war in 2022.

Mr. Musk said in February that internet access in Ukraine via Starlink would be restricted so that Ukraine cannot use it to command drones, something that could escalate the war and may lead to WW3, according to a Twitter post of his.
Stop Attacks Against Interim AFN Chief, New Brunswick Leader Implores at Assembly

Newly-appointed Interim National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Joanna Bernard (C) gets help adjusting her regalia before leading the grand procession during the AFN annual general assembly in Halifax on July 11, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Darren Calabrese)

A First Nations leader from New Brunswick is imploring others to help stop social-media attacks targeting the new interim chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

Terry Richardson, chief of Pabineau First Nation in northern NewBrunswick, addressed leaders gathered in Halifax today for the assemblys annual meeting, held weeks after the ousting of former national chief RoseAnne Archibald.

Archibald attended the three-day meeting virtually on Tuesday and was eventually barred from participating after pleading with chiefs to challenge the organizations leadership, whom she accused of orchestrating her removal.

Joanna Bernard, a regional chief from New Brunswick tapped to serve temporarily as interim national chief, told leaders the decision to remove Archibald was not taken lightly, and acknowledged it has thrown the assembly into a period of transition.

Richardson requested today that chiefs reach out to their members to stop social media attacks against Bernard.

He did not specify what comments were being made, but said what he has seen is disrespectful and unacceptable.
Studying: Is It Still a Thing?

Commentary

Greg Tanaka grew up around violence and decided that studying would be his way out. That led to a career in computer science and a move to Palo Alto, California, so his kids could get a great education. But Palo Alto schools dont seem to value studying right now.

Last year, they excluded high-scoring students from advanced math classes in order to make room for low-scoring students. Parents brought suit and won, but Palo Alto High School retaliated by canceling the class and penalizing students who go outside for advanced math classes.

Todays schools seem to treat math like something you either have or have not. The fact that knowledge comes from studying is widely ignored.

The human brain can only take in small chunks of information at a time, so big learning only happens after frequent concentration on small chunks. Everyone is free to do this, and no one gets knowledge without it.

In my 25 years as a college professor, I began to fear that studying was no longer a thing. In todays world, learning is linked to everything but studying. Genetics, socioeconomic status, and teacher quality get so much attention that students learn to blame external factors and overlook their choices about studying.

I discussed this with Mr. Tanaka, whos now on the Palo Alto City Council. He teaches AI machine learning, and he explained to me that machines cant learn unless they have context for the inputs provided. Machines only learn from inputs geared to the level theyre at.

In the words of the great physicist Edward Teller, You cant learn something unless you almost know it.

So putting students in a class thats far above their level of proficiency doesnt help them. No greater good is served by giving places in advanced classes to students who dont have the foundation to absorb the content.

Any student can build their foundation with study over time. Without study, educational opportunity is wasted.

So how could we be in a place where educators themselves disregard the essential role of study?

The historical roots of this mindset are important so we dont jump to the conclusion that todays headlines are the whole story.

A century ago, John Dewey asserted that schools arent really for knowledge but for removing children from their parents culture. From his perch at Columbia Universitys School of Teacher Education, his theory came to dominate the education world.

In the 1980s, the concept of passion was added. Do what you love and the money will follow was the guiding belief. Education experts insisted that students learn when they find their passion. So when students refuse to study, dont worry about itthey will when they find their passion.

Those with a doctoral degree in education tell us to waste years of neuroplasticity waiting for passion while ignoring the hard work that goes into learning any skill of value. And they invoke the greater good when they do this.

The Internet Age brought the belief that knowledge doesnt matter because you can always look it up. The problem is that you cant interpret what you look up if you dont have context and basic skills.

All these theories are simply the veneer being used to cover up the real problem: social promotion.

For decades now, students have been promoted whether or not theyve mastered skills. Over time, a students skills can fall so far behind that they cant begin to make use of the educational opportunity theyre exposed to. All this is happening under the guidance of armies of people with degrees in educational administration.

Mr. Tanaka told me that hes bad at Spanish, so he would never expect students who are good at Spanish to be forced to take the same class as him. And he wouldnt want to take a class geared toward them. So why should students with more math skills be forced to take the same classes as students at a different skill level?

The worst part of this is that you dont know what you dont know.

Students who dont know how to study literally dont know what theyre missing. They dont know their own power to increase their knowledge by studying, and they dont know the universe of reality outside their awareness.

This is tragic.

Lets look at the tragedy in human terms rather than theoretical terms. Have you ever interacted with a cashier who couldnt do simple arithmetic? Imagine what its like to face the world without basic skills.

This reality struck me while I was paying for a purchase at a grocery store. My purchase was $11.10, so I gave the cashier $21.25. It seemed simple enough to me, but he said, You gave me too much. He gave me back $1.25 and then gave me the change for a $20 indicated on his screen. So I handed him back his change and the $1.25 and asked him to kindly give me a $10 bill and 15 cents so I could lighten my wallet. He was stymied.

I imagine those with a doctoral degree in education telling this young man that learning content doesnt matter.

Social promotion has created a world in which many young people go through life without basic skills despite colossal expenditure on education.

If Shakespeare were alive today, he would say, First, shoot all the education administrators.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Supreme Court Issues Rare Statement on Justice Sonia Sotomayor Allegations

Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court pose for their official photo at the Supreme Court in Washington on Oct. 7, 2022. (Front LR) Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John Roberts, Justices Samuel Alito and Justice Elena Kagan. (Back LR) Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Ketanji Brown Jackson. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

The U.S. Supreme Court responded to investigative claims that Justice Sonia Sotomayors staffers pressured colleges to buy her books over the years amid reports that she amassed millions of dollars in net worth since she was named to the high court more than a decade ago.

A report published Tuesday by The Associated Press said it obtained new details about her teams efforts through open records requests to public institutions, said that Mrs. Sotomayors staff has often prodded public institutions that have hosted the justice to buy her memoir as well as her childrens books since she joined the Supreme Court in 2009.

According to the APs report, those documents reveal repeated examples of taxpayer-funded court staff performing tasks for the justices book ventures, which workers in other branches of government are barred from doing. Supreme Court staffers have been deeply involved in organizing speaking engagements intended to sell books, those documents revealed.

Since she was named to the Supreme Court by former President Barack Obama, Mrs. Sotomayor earned some $3.7 million through her childrens books or other works. Another report noted that before she joined, the justice had investments worth between $50,001 and $115,000, but as of 2021, public records indicate shes now worth about $1.5 million and $6.1 million. Currently, associate members of the high court earn $285,400 annually.

In 2019, as Mrs. Sotomayor traveled the country to promote her new childrens book, Just Ask!, library and community college officials in Portland, Oregon, jumped at the chance to host an event, the AP report said. Staffers put in long hours and accommodated the shifting requests of Mrs. Sotomayors court staff.

Then, as the public cost of hosting the event soared almost tenfold, a Mrs. Sotomayor aide emailed with a different, urgent concern: She said the organizers did not buy enough copies of the justices book, which attendees had to purchase or have on hand in order to meet Mrs. Sotomayor after her talk, according to the report.

In another instance, according to the AP report, officials at Clemson University offered to buy 60 signed copies of one of her books before a 2017 appearance, and her staff said in response that most schools generally purchase 400 copies. It also found that Michigan State University asked her to go to the campus before it spent $100,000 on copies of her memoir in 2018.

Response

In response to the reports about her income, the Supreme Court released a rare, lengthy statement that defended her actions this week.

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speaks at an event in New York City, New York, on March 8, 2019. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

Judges, including Justices, routinely travel and speak to university, college and law school audiences and affiliated individuals and entities. Judicial staff play an important role in assisting on issues of ethics, travel, and security, the Supreme Courts statement to The Associated Press and other news outlets said. Chambers staff assist the Justices in complying with judicial ethics guidance for such visits, including guidance relating to judges publications.

For example, judicial ethics guidance suggests that a judge may sign copies of his or her work, which may also be available for sale, but there should be no requirement or suggestion that attendees are required to purchase books in order to attend, the statement added.

Supreme Court justices, it added, are allowed to engage in extrajudicial activities such as speaking on both legal and nonlegal subjects, and the Code of Conduct encourages public engagement by judges to avoid isolation from the society in which they live and to contribute to the publics understanding of the law.

The Court routinely asks event organizers to confirm that an event at which a Justice will speak is not a fundraiser, and it provides a definition of fundraiser in order to avoid misunderstandings, the statement said. The Court then follows up with event organizers to elicit further information as appropriate. The Courts practice has been useful: Justices have declined to be featured at events even though event organizers expressly told Chambers that the events were not fundraisers, following additional inquiry by the Court that confirmed them to be fundraisers.

Meanwhile, records show Justice Clarence Thomas has collected about $1 million since 2006, while Stephen Breyer, who retired in 2022, reported roughly $700,000 in royalty income in the past two decades.

Justice Neil Gorsuch has disclosed more than $900,000 since his 2017 confirmation. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was confirmed in 2020, received a reported $2 million advance for a forthcoming book. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson signed a book deal, but the amount of her advance was not public, according to AP.

Mike Davis, founder and president of the conservative-leaning Article III Project, told Fox News that the AP reporting appears to be overblown.

Justice Sotomayor is a good person who appears to have made a mistake by having her staff sell her books, including what appears as pressure on schools and libraries to buy a minimum number of her books before her speaking engagements, Davis told the outlet, adding, The Supreme Court has adequate mechanisms in place to deal with these mistakes, and the Supreme Court has already taken corrective measures.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Sydney Mayor Open to Special Road Toll for Petrol, Diesel Drivers

Sydney Mayor Clover Moore is not against introducing a toll for petrol and diesel drivers to enter Australias busiest CBD amid debate from political leaders over whether to adopt a London-style low-emissions zone.

Moore said there were several initiatives underway that the local council, which encompasses the Sydney CBD area, was implementing to lower emissions, including building more charging stations for EVs.

We are also calling on the [New South Wales or NSW] government to reconsider tolling and road-use fees where pricing frameworks could have a positive impact, she wrote on Twitter in reference to the Minns Labor state government.

A CBD congestion charge or low-emissions zone is one possibility if the [state] government makes the Cross City Tunnel free to use for those who dont need to travel into the city and ensures service and trade vehicles are accommodated, she added.

Other global cities around the world have already introduced low-emission zones and cordon charges, and we are calling on the NSW government to find a sensible and equitable solution that supports transport electrification.

Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney, speaks during the Sydney Lunar Festival Media Launch in Australia on Feb. 9, 2021. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Moore noted, however, that the city council did not have the power to impose special charges and was aware cost of living was something many Sydneysiders were dealing with.

The mayor of North Sydney, across the harbour, was also open to the idea of a special fee.

Like the City of Sydney, weve set really ambitious net zero targets for the council and community as well, and one of the best ways of achieving that is through the uptake of EVs, Mayor Zoe Baker told the Daily Telegraph.

Yet mayors in the predominantly working-class areas of western Sydney ruled out the idea.

Its virtue signalling from elitists at the expense of the hardworking people of the West, said Mayor Ned Mannoun.

Its a ridiculous idea, and if the City of Sydney is serious about reducing emissions, then they should encourage the big corporates in the CBD to move their jobs out west so our people dont have to drive to the city.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has ruled out the idea altogether, saying he was not looking to add to peoples [cost of living] burdens.

What is the Zero-Emission Zone?

Discussion around the idea comes after the Australian Capital Territory government backed a motion to sign up to the C40s Green and Healthy Streets Accelerator concept, which calls on governments to only operate zero-emission buses from 2025 and establish a zero-emission zone within their city by 2030.

The most notable example is the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) adopted by Mayor Sadiq Khans administration in London which covers a vast expanse of the metropolitan area.

British drivers of hydrogen or battery-powered cars can enter the ULEZ for free, while those driving regular cars (even hybrids) must pay 12.50 pounds (US$16.20).

License plate numbers are tracked to ensure compliance. The scheme has been adopted by several other UK cities, including Bath, Birmingham, and Glasgow.

A spokesperson for the ACT Labor-Greens government told The Epoch Times it would not ban the use of petrol or diesel vehicles within city limits but that it wanted to provide better choice and opportunities to use public transport, encourage walking, and increase zero-emission vehicle usage.

We will work with other leading cities who are tackling climate change to share ideas on effective policies and initiatives that drive down transport emissions and transport costs for consumers, the spokesperson previously said.

The concept of a low emissions zone has received criticism from a disability advocacy group, Advocacy for Inclusion.

CEO Craig Wallace warned that it was oversimplistic to assume only high-income individuals drove polluting vehicles and could afford extra fees.

Some people with disabilities drive older vehicles (and larger vehicles) due to poverty and practical issues in the design of new vehicles, Wallace said in a statement.

The reality is that some people with disabilities and older people are totally reliant on cars for essential travel for work, education, services, family, recreation, and medical appointments.
Tennessee Governor Moving Ahead With Special Session on Public Safety, Gun Violence

Republicans promise there will be no 'red flag' laws in Tennessee

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee speaks in the East Room of the White House on April 30, 2020. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite musings of some political pundits in Tennessee, Republican Gov. Bill Lee said his office is moving forward with plans to hold a special session focused on public safety in August.

Mr. Lee announced the special session in April after state legislators failed to take up his proposal for enhancements to the states Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) laws. The governor proposed the changes following the March 27 shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, in which three children and three adults were killed.

Protests by those calling for stricter gun laws in Tennessee were held for weeks after the Covenant shooting, even leading to two Democrat lawmakers being expelled from the Legislature for protests on the House floor.

Democrats called on the governor to hold the special session after their efforts to get their own bills on the floor of either chamber for debate failed. Republicans said at the time they would be willing to come back for a special session on public safety that did not include stricter gun laws.

The official call for the session, required by statute, has yet to be filed, but the governors office told The Epoch Times that the call will come closer to the actual date of the special session, which is set to begin Aug. 21.

Moving Forward

Mr. Lee is doubling down on his commitment to the special session, which he originally said was called so lawmakers could work to pass legislation that will strengthen public safety and preserve constitutional rights.

Gov. Lee believes the best path forward is practical, thoughtful solutions to keep communities safe and protect constitutional rights, and he looks forward to speaking with key stakeholders, including the NRA, and working with legislators on proposals in the months ahead, Mr. Lees press secretary Jade Byers told The Epoch Times in an email.

Protesters gather inside the Tennessee State Capitol to call for an end to shootings and support more restrictive gun laws in Nashville, Tenn., on March 30, 2023. (Seth Herald/Getty Images)

Mr. Lee has also been meeting with legislators of both parties over the summer, following the end of the legislative session in May, to gather insight on what lawmakers see as legislative priorities during the upcoming special session.

We worked together with the General Assembly to call a special session to discuss a number of meaningful proposals across various policy areas that will strengthen public safety, preserve constitutional rights, prioritize due process protections, support law enforcement and address mental health, and the governor looks forward to continuing productive conversations with lawmakers in the months ahead, Ms. Byers added.

GOP Pushback

Some members of the governors party and gun rights groups in the state have pushed back publicly on the governors ERPO proposal, equating it to a red flag law.

Laws that remove guns from certain individuals due to concerns about mental health or domestic violence are colloquially referred to as red flag laws.

Mr. Lee has maintained that he does not support red flag laws and that his proposal is nothing of the sort. Instead, Mr. Lee explains that his ERPO proposal would ensure adequate due process to ensure there is no violation of Second Amendment rights in Tennessee.

It falls under a law that I think is appropriate for our state given the circumstances were in, Mr. Lee said at a press conference following the Covenant shooting, in response to a question about whether his proposal should be considered a red flag law.

Leaked Memos Show Dispute with NRA

In private memos that were first reported by The Associated Press and later obtained by The Epoch Times through open records requests, the governors talking points were in heavy opposition to the National Rifle Associations own proposals allegedly being circulated among the state Legislature around the same time.

The governors office circulated the documents authored by unnamed officials within Mr. Lees administration, which characterized the NRAs separate proposals as broader and a bigger threat to due process and the Second Amendment.

These memos were created around the time the governor proposed the ERPO law in April and are no longer being used, according to his office.

Protesters gather inside the Tennessee State Capitol to call for an end to gun violence and support stronger gun laws, in Nashville, Tenn., on March 30, 2023. (Seth Herald/Getty Images)

They show that the governors office was at odds with the powerful gun rights group, and it is unclear if any additional proposals have been presented to lawmakers by the NRA.

The governors office said it could not provide the proposals circulated by the NRA to lawmakers, and repeated emails to the NRAs press office went unanswered.

Best Plan for Tennessee

The talking points of the memo show Mr. Lee and his administration are attempting to sell his proposal as the most conservative in the nation and the best plan for conservatives and Second Amendment advocates.

This conservative proposal improves Tennessees existing temporary order of protection, applying that same domestic violence framework to individuals who are dangerous and mentally unstable, while also enhancing due process protections and Second Amendment rights, the memo reads.

In particular, the memos show the administration took aim at reported NRA proposals, which the governors office claimed restricted more rights for a longer period of time.

By proposing only involuntary commitment, the NRA wants the government to round up mentally ill people and deprive them of their liberties, including their Second Amendment rights, the memo stated. Not only is the NRAs proposal impracticalit would drastically expand the scope of government.

Never Supported Red Flag Laws

Gov. Lee has never proposed or supported so-called red flag laws, a portion of the memo reads. Gov. Lee has never used this term, and it should not be used to describe his proposal.

The memo says the phrase red flag is a toxic political label that overgeneralizes unique state laws in a national political setting.

The memo also pushes back at President Joe Bidens praise of Mr. Lee, saying the presidents commendation is unwelcome and inaccurate.

I commend Tennessee Governor Bill Lee for signing an Executive Order to expand background checks and calling on the Tennessee statehouse to pass a red flag law. I hope more Republican officials will follow suit and take action, Biden said in April.

The memo says Mr. Lees proposal is merely one to improve existing order of protection tools, which currently only apply to disarm domestic abusers.

A final point of the talking points say mass shootings are happening now and orders of protection are needed.

The Covenant shooter had a mental health issue and was legally allowed to buy multiple guns, the memo reads. The current laws for involuntary commitment would not have applied. A targeted order of protection could have given law enforcement the opportunity to keep her from guns until she received the treatment she needed.
Texas Law Saved Nearly 10,000 Babies From Abortion Over 9-month Period, Study Shows

Nearly 10,000 additional babies were born in Texas over a nine-month period following the states ban on most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The peer-reviewed analysis, published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association, evaluated the number of live births versus the expected birth counts after Texas Senate Bill 8, also known as the Heartbeat Act, took effect Sept. 1, 2021.

The researchers calculated an expected 287,289 live births in Texas from April to December, but the actual number of babies born was 297,088.

We estimated that the SB 8 Policy was associated with 9,799 additional births in Texas between April and December 2022, the authors wrote.

Texas Values Director of Policy Jonathan Covey said the Johns Hopkins study, along with other data his organization has gathered, shows momentum in the pro-life movement in Texas.

I think it really shows the progress of our movement over the last year, Mr. Covey told The Epoch Times. Its a blessing that Im starting to see lives saved through this [change in the law].

Texas Values is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been at the forefront of the movement to save babies from abortion.

Study Methodology

While a drop in abortions would be expected, as well as an increase in births following the abortion restrictions, the extent to which this would occur is unknown.

Using statistical modeling based on historical birth data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the researchers established trends in birth rates prior to SB 8, which they compared to the actual number of births reported after the law went into effect. The study captured women who were at least seven weeks pregnant when the law was enacted.

Additionally, results cannot be generalized because the analysis was restricted to [one] state, the authors noted.

In a press release, the researchers alleged that the babies were born because many women could not overcome the barriers of the Heartbeat Act.

There has been a lot of speculation about how restrictive abortion policies will affect the number of babies being born. This research adds valuable information to that discussion, said Alison Gemmill, one of the lead authors in the study, in a statement.

Although our study doesnt detail why these extra births occurred, our findings strongly suggest that a considerable number of pregnant individuals in Texas were unable to overcome the barriers to abortion access, she said.

What Else Did Researchers Find?

Texas saw an estimated 3 percent overall increase in babies born during the first nine months after SB 8 went into effect. The largest increase observed was in the month of December, with 1,674 additional births, or 5 percent above the estimated 32,913.

The study authors noted that despite an increase in women seeking out-of-state abortions and requests for abortion medication, the number of actual births was greater than expected.

In the first month after SB 8, there was a 38 percent drop in facility-based abortions provided to Texas women in the state or an adjacent state.

Every baby saved from an elective abortion should be celebrated, John Seago, president of Texas Right for Life, told the Texas Tribune. This new study highlights the significant success of our movement in the last two years, while we look forward to helping the mothers and families of our state care for their children.

In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade and returning the power back to the states to determine abortion laws.

The ruling also triggered House Bill 1280, a Texas law that went into effect 30 days after the Supreme Court issued its official judgment in Dobbs. The measure, which passed in 2021, makes it a first-degree felony to provide an abortion in Texas except when the mothers life is in danger.

Texas is one of 14 states that have enacted a ban on abortion since the Supreme Court decision.

Alternatives to Abortion Program

The Texas Legislature approved $140 million over the next two years for the Alternatives to Abortion program, an increase of $40 million over the amount appropriated in the 2021 budget cycle.

The program provides assistance for mothers and fathers who need help dealing with pregnancy or adoption services.

The Alternatives to Abortion program helps women with clothing, rent, housing, food, transportation, and all sort of things so they can keep their babies, Mr. Covey said.

Support is offered through pregnancy centers, maternity homes, and adoption agencies across the state. Mothers and fathers can access classes on pregnancy, parenting, budgeting, and job training, among other services.

Help is available for at least three years after the birth of a baby.

In another effort to assist mothers, Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law a measure that extends Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to a full year after the birth of a child (pdf).

In a post-Dobbs era, the Texas Senate and House have directed significant resources to the health of women, mothers, and children with appropriations nearing $1 billion, Republican state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst wrote in a statement to Spectrum News in June. HB 12 was passed to focus on the health of mothers, improving maternal mortality outcomes and is a natural continuum of Texas commitment to the pro-life support of maternal health.

Mr. Covey believes Texas will continue taking the steps necessary to ensure that every mother has the support they need during pregnancy and after the birth of their baby.

I think that after 5o years of fighting since Roe, I think theres no doubt now that we have a compelling interest in protecting the unborn child, he said. Roe stole from the American people  the right to protect not only the dignity of women but also human life. It caused the loss of over 60 million lives. And each and every one of them was invaluable. I look forward to seeing what happens in the future.

There are about 200 pregnancy centers across the state of Texas. If you or someone you know needs assistance with their pregnancy, contact the Texas Pregnancy Care Network at 877-345- 7734 to find services near you.
The CCPs Role in the Globalist Agenda: Trevor Loudon

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been exerting a large influence on corporations around the world in advancing its socialist agendas to emerge victorious agains the West, according to Trevor Loudon, a political researcher and EpochTV host.

The CCP exerts its influence in various ways, including: adopting its state capitalism economic model and supporting similar models for the world; promoting globalist policies that appeal to social justice issues and environmentalism; and nudging closer to globalist organizations that promote these agendas, such as the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the United Nations (UN).

In an interview with EpochTVs Crossroads on July 10, Mr. Loudon launched into an example that appears to show the interplay between all these factors: The Chinese social credit score is very much what we see as the ESG [scores]the Environmental, Social, Governance scores that we see in a lot of the big woke corporations today. If you look at why sport has gone so wokesport is influenced so much by Nike, and Nike is pretty much influenced by the CCP.

You see the Chinese social credit scores are coming to the West in the form of ESG scores, and youll find this is driven by Chinese Communist Party-aligned companies, most of whom are affiliated to the World Economic Forum, Mr. Loudon continued. I dont see a disconnect between globalism and the CCP. I see them as overlapping entities.

Read More ESG: How Governments Use Corporations to Achieve Their Agenda and Control People

WEF Basically a Front For the CCP

The CCP, ever since the late 1970s, adopted an economic model referred to as state capitalism, or the China modelit was the approach the regime took after having failed to transition to socialism directly from feudalism, Mr. Loudon said.

China model or state capitalism is the stage of communism before going into socialism, he said. Marxism has several stages of development: primitive communism, feudalism, capitalism, socialism, communism.  [The CCP] tried to go from feudalism to socialism, it was a massive failure. [It has] gone back to the state capitalism idea.

Read More Chinas Version of Capitalism Is Dangerous to the Free World

The WEF recently met in Tianjin, China, on June 2729 with representatives from more than 90 countries and regions. The event included praises for the China model of state capitalism.

The CCPs economic model of state capitalism is pretty much identical to the stakeholder capitalism that the globalist organization WEF promotes, Mr. Loudon said.

I believe the World Economic Forum, which promotes the stakeholder capitalism through [WEF founder] Klaus Schwab, is basically doing the Chinese Communist Partys bidding, he said, adding that he regards the WEF as basically a front for the CCP.

[State capitalism] is the model thats selling through the World Economic Forum to bring businesses into socialism. They dont tell them the next stage will be socialism.

This is about woke business. This is about the new way of doing business where government and [capitalist businesses] work together. This is the Chinese model.

Read More Capitalism With Chinese Characteristics: Why the Communist Party Has Abandoned Marxism in Deeds But Not In Words

UN Agenda 2030

The CCP seeks to destroy the western economies in part via policies that appeal to environmentalism, and this is why it champions globalist initiatives such as the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Agenda 2030), Mr. Loudon said.

He noted that in July 2022, the CCP held a large conference in China titled the World Youth Development Forum, which was part of a campaign to implement the Agenda 2030. The event was attended by many young people from all around the world. Among the partners of the conference were the WEF, various UN agencies, as well as multiple youth communist groups.

Agenda 2030 refers to a series of 17 objectives adopted by all U.N. member states in 2015 that span various aspects of human life and the economy, and includes calling for global wealth distribution and reducing global greenhouse gas emissions in efforts to tackle climate change.

Agenda 2030 is a major pressure on the corporations to get more woke. And its going to have a massive, devastating effect on the western economies, its going to try and push all these net carbon-zero goals, Mr. Loudon said.

These things are all about destroying the energy resources of the West, which is our main advantagethe energy resources and technology. And its all about shifting the world balance of power, destroying the Western economies, so the Chinese can emerge victorious.

Read More How China Has Been Using Globalism as a Trojan Horse to Advance Its Own Interests | Truth Over News

In an example of how the United States is impacted, Mr. Loudon talks about how the New York-based National Defense Resource Council, which has a long-standing friendly relationship with the CCP is one of the main organizations shutting down new developments, oil drilling, using environmental methods to shut down valuable projects in America.

The goal is to use environmentalism to rake the U.S. and Western economies so that the Chinese can more easily dominate. Its nothing to do with the environment. Its all a power struggle.
The Politicization of Banking and the End of Freedom

Commentary

Amajor leader of the Brexit movement, Nigel Farage, has just had his decades-old bank accounts closed, allegedly for commercial reasons, while seven additional banks have apparently refused to have him as a customer.

Until we have independent evidence of what is really going on with Farages accounts, we cannot definitively rule out the possibility that the bank has closed his accounts for legitimate commercial reasons. But even if this particular account closure had nothing to do with political prejudice, there is no denying that the past couple of years have produced more than one isolated incident of banking services penalising customers for political or ideological reasons.

For instance, in Canada, we saw banks instructed by the Trudeau administration to freeze the accounts of protesters against vax mandates. In the United States, we saw PayPal briefly introduce a policy authorising it to close the accounts of customers it found guilty of misinformation. Among the victims of their new policy was Toby Young, founder of the Free Speech Union, who saw three of his PayPal accounts abruptly suspended in 2022. A church minister recently reported on GB News that his bank account had been suspended for objecting to the transgender ideology being propagated by his bank.

These worrying precedents suggest that some providers of commercial services like credit cards and loans seem to think it is their job to make sure their customers have the right opinions on transgender ideology, the politics of vax mandates, and God knows what else.

Their role as mere providers of commercial services does not appear to be sufficient for them: they feel the need to withhold their services from individuals who espouse political or scientific opinions they happen to disapprove of. Perhaps they think they need to purge society of such opinions, or perhaps they think people with such opinions are simply not worthy of their services.

Of course, you might say, If you dont like your bank, go find another one. And if it were just one idiosyncratic bank that decided to target customers on political or ideological grounds, you would be right: in that case, it might not be such a big deal, because you could just go to another bank, and put the whole sorry episode behind you.

But when the talibanisation of banking starts to become a society-wide tendency, or the banks involved are so enormous that they exercise a major hold over global payment systems (e.g., PayPal) upon which customers livelihoods may depend, then a customer with the wrong political opinion may well end up having to either face a major business setback (say, the overnight loss of all of their PayPal customers), or be effectively driven into exile in another country, where life is more tolerable.

Imagine a society in which outspoken conservatives, or Brexiteers, or libertarians, or socialists, were systematically locked out of banking services: those dissenting openly from the political views of the banking establishment would be condemned to live as economic pariahs: no mortgage, no credit cards, and no way to conduct a normal business. Citizens would effectively forfeit their right to buy and sell, or participate in a market economy in a normal way, just because they expressed opinions disapproved of by the banking establishment.

Banks would then become instruments of political persecution and totalitarian groupthink instead of institutions devoted to the provision of banking services to the citizenry at large. The price of political dissent would become far too high for many citizens. The public square would quickly degenerate into an echo chamber of opinions approved by the banking establishment.

Since bankers are not infallible gods, the opinions they approve may be right, wrong, or plain crazy. Either way, under a talibanised banking system, such opinions would face little opposition. After all, most citizens, if forced to choose between expressing dissenting opinions, and surviving economically, would choose economic survival. And many who cannot bear losing their political voice would probably emigrate to a country where banks still provide their services to citizens without regard to their political opinions, leaving behind them a citizenry that is like putty in the hands of its banking masters.

Originally published on the authors Substack, reposted from the Brownstone Institute

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Trump Set to Miss Iowa Presidential Forum Hosted by Tucker Carlson

Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump prepares to deliver remarks at a Nevada Republican volunteer recruiting event at Fervent: A Calvary Chapel in Las Vegas on July 8, 2023. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump appears set to miss a gathering of Christian conservative voters in Iowa being hosted by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

Mr. Carlson is set to guest moderate the Principle over Politics summit on Friday in Des Moines. The summit is being co-hosted by the Family Leader and The Blaze and will feature the first presidential forum of the 2024 Republican Primary season.

Among those set to attend the summit are Republican 2024 presidential candidates like former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.

On Tuesday, president and CEO of The Family Leader Bob Vander Plaats announced that Mr. Trump had declined the opportunity to participate in the summit.

I learned last night that [Mr. Trump] will NOT attend our Leadership Summit this Friday, Mr. Vander Plaats wrote on Twitter. Thus, our lineup is set: [Mr. Scott], [Mr. Hutchinson], [Mr. Pence], [Ms. Haley], [Mr. Ramaswamy] and [Mr. DeSantis] will have visionary, one on one, discussion with [Mr. Carlson]. #FLS23 #ChooseWell2024.

The Family Leader has indicated it had also invited President Joe Biden and one of his Democratic challengers, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but neither Democratic presidential candidate has confirmed his attendance at the summit.

In an emailed statement, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung explained that Trumps absence is due to a scheduling conflict.

President Trump was in Iowa last week and will be back next week, Mr. Cheung wrote. Unfortunately there is a scheduling conflict and the President will be in Florida this weekend headlining the premier national young voter conference with Turning Point Action while DeSantis is nowhere to be found.

The Turning Point Action conference is set to run on July 15 and 16 in West Palm Beach. The conference will also feature appearances from Mr. Carlson, Mr. Ramaswamy, Mr. Hutchinson and another 2024 Republican presidential candidate, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez; however, Mr. DeSantis wont be in attendance.

Trump Criticized Iowa Governors 2024 Neutrality

Mr. Trumps announcement that he would not to attend The Family Leadership summit came a day after the former president criticized Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds for saying she would remain neutral on the 2024 Republican primary race.

I love Iowa, protected & expanded Ethanol, got 28 Billion Dollars from China for our great Farmers, ended the Estate (Death!) Tax on farms, made the best TRADE deals in history (USMCA, China, & many more), introduced the World to our FARMERS, & kept Iowas First in the Nation status, Mr. Trump wrote in a Monday post on his Truth social media account. I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, & when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, & she won. Now, she wants to remain NEUTRAL. I dont invite her to events! DeSanctus down 45 points!

Mr. Vander Plaats pushed back against Mr. Trumps comments about the Iowa governor, writing on Twitter, Going after Iowas very popular Governor @IAGovernor is not smart. Iowas open.

Its unclear to what extent, if any, this series of social media exchanges contributed to Mr. Trumps decision not to attend Mr. Vander Plaatss event in Iowa.

Iowa is an important state in the primary election process because its one of the earliest primary contests and can provide early momentum to successful candidates. The opportunity for Mr. Trumps primary opponents to be interviewed by Mr. Carlson, a popular conservative political commentator, could help them gain traction with conservative Iowa voters.

Future Republican Events

In addition to missing the Principle over Politics summit this week, Mr. Trump has indicated he may also skip the first Republican presidential debate next month in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In February, the Republican National Committee also required a loyalty pledge in order for Republican 2024 candidates to qualify for the first primary debate. At the time, Mr. Trump expressed skepticism of a pledge requiring him to commit to supporting the eventual Republican nominee if he didnt win the nomination. Mr. Trump said his loyalty commitment would have to depend on who the nominee was.

Mr. Trump went further, criticizing the network hosting and moderating the first RNC debate, Fox News. In a June 26 Truth Social post, Mr. Trump suggested Fox News wants him to attend the debate 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!!!

Last week, Mr. DeSantis indicated he would attend the first debate, regardless of who else is in attendance. Its unclear if Mr. DeSantis has submitted his loyalty pledge.

Mr. Hutchinson and former Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have criticized the RNCs loyalty pledge requirements and it remains to be seen if they will change their attitudes before the first debate on Aug. 23.

From NTD News
MOGADISHU, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) are training 55 military and police personnel on efficient fuel supply and delivery in the best environmental practices in war and hostile locations.

The AU mission said in a statement issued in the Somali capital of Mogadishu Tuesday evening that an improved fuel supply chain is a critical factor in ensuring the success of an imminent joint assault on al-Shabaab militants.

Marius Ngendabanka, ATMIS deputy force commander in charge of operations and plans, told the security officers that a planned second phase of the ATMIS-government operations against the terror group will increase air support and fuel requests. "The participants should have enough knowledge to improve their understanding of fuel and lubricant delivery."

The training, which runs from Tuesday to Friday, is to ensure continuous and timely provision of proper quantity and quality of petroleum, oil, and lubricants in an eco-friendly manner. It is also aimed at identifying obstacles that hinder the appropriate and timely supply of fuel, which is one of the crucial products required for the successful operation of ATMIS military bases.

The workshop came at a time when the ATMIS is preparing to conduct an assessment to inform the next phase of planned troop withdrawal for September. In June, the ATMIS drew down 2,000 troops in compliance with UN Security Council Resolutions 2628 and 2670 (2022) and handed over security responsibilities in selected military bases to Somali Security Forces.

As part of efforts to reduce its carbon footprint emissions, the ATMIS said, with support from the UNSOS, it has started replacing most of its power generators in the military bases with solar power. As a peace enforcement mission, however, ATMIS operations still require the use of vehicles, aircraft, and other fuel-consuming equipment. 
Evidence of Little People Found Throughout the World, But Are They Real?
Turkey to Start New Process With US, Erdogan Tells Biden at NATO Summit

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends the first day of the 2023 NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11, 2023. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Turkey hopes to begin a new process with the United States, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a meeting with his U.S. counterpart at a landmark NATO summit in Lithuania.

Speaking on the summits sidelines on July 11, Mr. Erdogan said it was high time for the [U.S. and Turkish] heads of state to get together for further consultations.

Todays meeting with you  is the first step forward, he told U.S. President Joe Biden, according to a White House readout of the conversation.

Our meetings prior to this were mere warmups. But now, we are initiating a new process.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (R) shake hands next to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg prior to their meeting, on the eve of a NATO summit, in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 10, 2023. (Yves Herman/Pool via Reuters)

Mr. Erdogans comments came one day after Turkey surprised many observers by abruptly lifting its longstanding veto on a bid by Sweden to join the NATO alliance.

Before joining NATO, applicants must be approved by all the alliances existing members. Turkey joined NATO in 1952.

Previously, Ankara had refused to endorse Swedens NATO bid, saying the country was providing a haven to members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Ankara, along with Brussels and Washington, views the PKK as a terrorist group.

During their conversation, Mr. Biden thanked Mr. Erdogan for the latters historic decision to lift his objection to Sweden joining NATO.

I want to thank you for your diplomacy and your courage to take that on, Mr. Biden said. And I want to thank you for your leadership.

According to the White House, the two men also discussed regional issues of shared interest, including their enduring support for Ukraine and the importance of preserving stability in the Aegean.

Quid Pro Quo

After meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, Mr. Erdogan pledged to submit Swedens NATO accession protocol to Turkeys parliament for ratification.

The Turkish Grand National Assembly is to vote on Swedens NATO accession protocols, Mr. Erdogan confirmed on July 12. Our deputies [in parliament] will closely follow the issue.

On the same day, however, Devlet Bahceli, leader of Turkeys Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said Sweden hasnt done enough to rein in the PKK.

The MHP is an ally of Mr. Erdogans ruling Justice and Development Party, which relies on Mr. Bahcelis nationalist party to enact legislation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pose during their meeting in the Kremlin on March 5, 2020. (Mikhail Klimentyev/ Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Nevertheless, Stockholm has promised to repay Mr. Erdogans efforts by helping Turkeys ambition to one day join the European Union, which it has sought since 2005.

While full membership in the bloc remains a distant prospect, Turkey hopes to secure visa-free travel to Europe for its citizens and stepped-up access to European markets.

Pledges of support for Turkeys EU bid werent the only concessions that Mr. Erdogan won at the NATO summit, which wrapped up on July 11.

Soon after Ankara lifted its veto, Washington declared its readiness to proceed with the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey.

Since 2021, Turkey has sought to buy dozens of U.S.-made F-16s, along with modernization kits for warplanes already in its inventory.

But Washington has kept the multibillion-dollar deal on ice, citing Ankaras purchase in 2019 of S-400 missile-defense systems from Russia.

Notably, several U.S. lawmakers had called for making the F-16 sale contingent on Ankaras approval of Swedens NATO bid.

Foreign Policy Shift?

Since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Turkey has sought to maintain a degree of neutrality in the conflict.

While Ankara was quick to condemn the invasion, it has declined to support Western-led sanctions on Moscowto the chagrin of its NATO allies.

Under Mr. Erdogan, Turkey has maintained relatively good relations with Russia, with which it shares extensive trade ties and a lengthy maritime border.

Whats more, Mr. Erdoganwho recently secured another five-year term as presidentremains on good terms with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

However, recent days have seen indications of a possible tilt by Turkey toward the West.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attends an annual end-of-year news conference of Russian President Vladimir Putin, in Moscow on Dec. 23, 2021. (Evgenia Novozhenina/Reuter)

On July 7, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Turkey for the first time since Russia launched its invasion.

During the visit, Mr. Erdogan described Ankaras relations with Kyiv as stronger in every way.

In a comment that no doubt raised hackles in Moscow, he noted that Ukraine deserved to be admitted to NATO.

And in a move that surprised many observers, Mr. Zelenskyy departed Istanbul with five Ukrainian Azov Battalion commanders.

Under an earlier Turkey-brokered prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine, the five men had been meant to remain in Turkey until the end of the conflict.

Moscow described the commanders return to Ukraine as a violation of existing agreements, stating that it hadnt been informed of the move in advance.

Mr. Zelenskyy, for his part, has yet to explain why the men were allowed to leave Turkey. Nor has Ankara officially commented on its apparent breach of the terms of the prisoner swap.

On July 12, Sergey Naryshkin, head of Russias Foreign Intelligence Service, said the unexpected move by Ankara doesnt make Turkey look good.

Cold Shoulder From Moscow

Commenting on Ankaras decision to drop its objection to Swedens NATO bid, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov conceded that Turkeyas an alliance memberhas its obligations.

We have no illusions about this, he said on July 11.

When asked about a possible foreign-policy shift by Ankara, Mr. Peskov said: There were times in Turkeys history when it was oriented heavily toward the Westand times when it was not so Western-oriented.

Notwithstanding our well-known differences in opinion, we intend to continue developing  our relationship with Turkey, wherever it benefits us and benefits them.

According to recent statements from both Moscow and Ankara, Mr. Putin is expected to visit Turkey sometime next month for talks with his Turkish counterpart.

But on July 12, when asked if Mr. Putin planned to speak with Mr. Erdogan in the short term, Mr. Peskov replied: Not yet.
Ukraine Leaves NATO Summit With Security Assurances, but No Clear Path to Membership

U.S. President Joe Biden (L) delivers his speech as he is flanked by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an event with G7 leaders to announce a Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine during the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12, 2023. (Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images)

A day after he called NATO leaders absurd for failing to clarify a timeline for Ukraines long-deliberated entry into the 32-nation alliance, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was far more upbeat on July 12 as NATOs two-day summit in Lithuania neared its conclusion.

He may not have secured the big winadvancing Ukraines stalled 2008 request to join NATObut Mr. Zelenskyy will be returning to Kyiv with many stocking stuffers, including security guarantees from Group of Seven (G7) nations and a seat at the newly formed NATO-Ukraine Council.

The Ukrainian delegation is bringing home a significant security victory for  Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our children, Mr. Zelenskyy said during a press conference with U.S. President Joe Biden and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to introduce a Joint Declaration on Support for Ukraine signed by all G7 leaders.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) shakes hands with Lithuanias President Gitanas Nauseda (2L) behind the United Kingdoms Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (L), U.S. President Joe Biden (C) at a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council during the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12, 2023. (Paul Ellis/Pool/Getty Images)

The outcome of the NATO Summit in Vilnius is very much needed and meaningful success for Ukraine, he said at the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre in Vilnius.

And I am grateful to all leaders in NATO countries for very practical and unprecedented support considering decades of our relations support for Ukraine.

Today, the members of the G7 are launching a Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine to make it clear that our support will last long into the future, Mr. Biden said. This starts a process by which each of our nations and any other nation who wishes to participate will negotiate long-term bilateral security commitments with and to Ukraine.

The G7 is an intergovernmental political forum consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

In the 820-word declaration, the seven leaders reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the strategic objective of a free, independent, democratic, and sovereign Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders, capable of defending itself and deterring future aggression, calling Ukraines security integral to the security of the Euro-Atlantic region.

Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2022. (David Mareuil/AFP via Getty Images)

The declaration outlines the start of negotiations with Ukraine to formalizethrough bilateral security commitments and arrangements aligned with this multilateral framework  our enduring support to Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity, rebuilds its economy, protects its citizens, and pursues integration into the Euro-Atlantic community.

We will direct our teams to begin these discussions immediately.

The declaration describes what provisions G7 nations will offer and what responsibilities Ukraine assumes in accepting the assistance as it pursues a pathway toward future membership in the Euro-Atlantic community.

A key passage reads: In the event of future Russian armed attack, we intend to immediately consult with Ukraine to determine appropriate next steps.

We intend, in accordance with our respective legal and constitutional requirements, to provide Ukraine with swift and sustained security assistance, modern military equipment across land, sea, and air domains, and economic assistance, to impose economic and other costs on Russia, and to consult with Ukraine on its needs as it exercises its right of self-defense enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter.

To this end, we will work with Ukraine on an enhanced package of security commitments and arrangements in case of future aggression to enable Ukraine to defend its territory and sovereignty.

Japan Led The Way

Were going to help Ukraine build a strong, capable defense across land, air, and sea  it will be a force of stability in the region and deter  any and all threats, Mr. Biden said, praising Mr. Kishida and Japanese government officials for spearheading the declaration.

You know, he said, I think there are very few people in Europe, or in the continental United States, in the North American continent, that thought this man [Kishida] would stand up and come to the aid and assistance of Ukraine.

Mr. Biden said under Mr. Kishida, Japan has increased its military budget and stepped up its coordination with nations that abide by the rule-based international order because [Mr. Kishida] understood that when any part of the world has 185,000 people, soldiers crossing a border, stealing sovereignty from another nation, that it affects the whole world.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (R) and U.S. President Joe Biden give a statement before the bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11, 2023. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Mr. Kishida said the foundation for the declaration was laid during Mays G7 Hiroshima Summit that included a wide range of invited countries.

We agreed that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion are unacceptable anywhere in the world and to safeguard a free and open international order based on the rule of law, he said.

Mr. Kishida said while G7 leaders are the founding signatories, other nations can sign on as well.

I hope many countries will choose to join, he said. The G7 will continue to stand by Ukraine. Our solidarity will never waver.

New NATO-Ukraine Council Meets

Mr. Biden said the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council had concluded before the press conference.

All our allies agreed Ukraines future lies with NATO and to lift the requirements for the Membership Action Plan for Ukraine and to create a path to NATO membership while Ukraine continues to make progress on necessary reforms.

But that could take timemaybe years, he said.

Therefore, Mr. Biden said, G7 nations offered the declaration as a security guarantee until Ukraine is formally admitted into the alliance.

Were not waiting for that process to be finished to make the long-term commitments that were making to Ukraines security, he said. Mr. Zelenskyy and I talked about the kind of guarantees we could make in the meantime.

And so, today, Mr. Biden continued, the long-term commitments were making are backed up by the notion that in the meantime, were going to provide security to Ukraine for its needs and against any aggression that may occur.

The day before, in a series of interviews and Twitter statements, Mr. Zelenskyy ripped into NATO leaders for not considering his nations 16-year application to join, claiming the decisionand indecisionby the alliance is motivating Russia.

Its unprecedented and absurd when [a] time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraines membership. While at the same time vague wording about conditions is added even for inviting Ukraine, he said in a July 11 Twitter post.

But standing with Mr. Biden and Mr. Kishida the next day, Mr. Zelenskyys tune had changed.

Today, there are security guarantees for Ukraine on the way to NATOan important package of security guarantees, he said.

Today, we are coordinating with the G7 countries the framework for [the] security guarantee that shall be further extended through arrangements with our key partners, bilateral and multilateral agreements.

It opens for us absolutely new security opportunities, he added. Slava Ukraini.

I think its a powerful statementa powerful statement of our commitment to Ukraine as it defends its freedom today and as it rebuilds the future forand were going to be there as long as that takes, Mr. Biden said.
Ukrainian Officer Cadets to Train at Royal Canadian Military College in Quebec, Says Trudeau

The prime minister of Canada Justin Trudeau speaks during a joint press conference with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 10, 2023. (Alexey Furman/Getty Images)

Ukrainian officer cadets will take part in an intensive training program at the Canadian militarys Royal Military College in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., as part of a NATO-developed partnership, says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Mr. Trudeau made the announcement while speaking to reporters in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12 as the NATO Leaders Summit comes to a close after several days of discussions between NATO allies.

The Prime Ministers Office (PMO) said in a press release following Mr. Trudeaus announcement that the Royal Military College Saint-Jean will accept a number of officer cadets from Ukraine this summer for an intense three-week training program developed in partnership with NATO through the Defence Education Enhancement Programme.

The training builds on Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) training in support of Ukraine currently underway in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Latvia, the PMO said.

Mr. Trudeau said the new training program for Ukrainian cadets also comes as Canada has already helped train nearly 40,000 Ukrainian military personnel through CAFs Operation REASSURANCE based in Latvia.

The prime minister announced on July 10 while visiting Latvia that Canada would also be investing $2.6 billion into the operation over a three-year term starting in 2023 to renew and expand it, and said the Canadian military will be more than doubling the number of personnel it has stationed in Latvia over that same time period.

Spending Measures

Mr. Trudeau also announced a number of other spending measures on July 12, one of which is an additional $48.8 million for NATOs Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) for Ukraine.

The investment, which builds upon Ottawas previous commitment of over $34 million for CAP in April, is intended to support NATOs provision of non-lethal practical assistance to Ukraine through donations of material including fuel, bridging equipment, rations, and first aid, according to the PMO.

In addition, Mr. Trudeau announced on July 12 that Canada would be sending Ukraine $2.7 million in cyber security assistance  to support efforts to counter malicious cyber activity in the face of evolving cyber risks and threats.

Furthermore, Canada and a number of its allies signed a statement during the NATO Leaders Summit, establishing a joint coalition to train the Ukrainian Air Force in the use and maintenance of F-16 fighter jets.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been calling on NATO leaders to admit his country into the treaty and Mr. Trudeau had previously announced support of the measure.

The NATO Leaders Summit came to a close this week without the treatys allies coming to an agreement on admitting Ukraine into the organization.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
US Condemns North Koreas Missile Test, Urges Diplomatic Engagement

In this photo provided by the North Korean regime, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends an enlarged plenary meeting of the ruling Workers Partys Central Committee, which was held between June 16 and 18, 2023, at the party's headquarters in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

The U.S. National Security Council (NSC) released a statement condemning North Koreas latest missile test, saying the Biden administration is assessing the situation, along with United States allies.

The United States strongly condemns the DPRK for its test of a long-range ballistic missile, NSC spokesman Adam Hodge said in a statement released by the White House on July 12.

DPRK is the abbreviation of North Koreas official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

Mr. Hodge went on to say that North Koreas launch was a brazen violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions and needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region.

This action demonstrates that the DPRK continues to prioritize its unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs over the well-being of its people, he said. We urge all countries to condemn these violations and call on the DPRK to come to the table for serious negotiations.

The spokesperson went on to emphasize that the door has not closed on diplomacy but that North Korea must immediately cease its destabilizing actions and instead choose diplomatic engagement.

The United States will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland and Republic of Korea and Japanese allies, he said.

The Missile Test

The White Houses statement came in response to North Koreas conducting its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test in three months just hours earlier. The test took place days after the country threatened shocking consequences in response to what it deemed to be provocative U.S. reconnaissance activity near its territory.

Some experts believe North Korea launched its road-mobile, developmental Hwasong-18 ICBM, which is more difficult to detect and intercept than its liquid-fuel ICBMs. Kim Jong Un previously described the Hwasong-18 as the most potent weapon in his nuclear arsenal.

According to South Korean and Japanese assessments, the missile, launched from North Koreas capital region at about 10 a.m. local time, traveled about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) at a maximum altitude of 6,000 kilometers (3,740 miles) before impact in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. According to observers, the missile was launched at a steep angle in an apparent effort to avoid neighboring countries.

According to Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, the missile flew for 74 minutes, the longest travel duration ever recorded for a North Korean weapon. The previous record of 71 minutes was set last year during a test flight of the Hwasong-17 ICBM, powered by liquid propellant.

The military of South Korea described the launch as a provocation and implored North Korea to refrain from further launches. Mr. Matsuno said North Koreas repeated missile launches are a threat to the peace and security of Japan, the region, and even the international community.

According to Seouls Foreign Ministry, in a trilateral phone call, the chief nuclear envoys of South Korea, Japan, and the United States agreed to deal sternly with North Korean provocations and increase their coordination to promote a firmer international response to the Norths nuclear and missile programs.

North Koreas previous launch, on June 15, featured two short-range ballistic missiles that landed inside Japans exclusive economic zone.

North Koreas Position

Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, claimed on July 10 that U.S. Air Force reconnaissance aircraft and drones had violated the airspace of North Koreas exclusive economic zone.

I have already notified beforehand the counteraction of our army upon authorization, she was quoted as saying by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

She threatened that there will be a very critical flight if U.S. forces continue to trespass into North Koreas airspace, according to KCNA. The Defense Ministry of North Korea issued a threat to shoot down any spy planes that violate its airspace.

North Korea said that between July 2 and July 9, the United States flew RC-135, U-2S, and RQ-4B surveillance planes and a drone over the East and West seas of Korea. North Korea threatened to make the United States pay the price.

In particular, a strategic reconnaissance plane of the U.S. Air Force illegally intruded into the inviolable airspace of the DPRK over its East Sea tens of kilometers several times, the Norths ministry stated.

North Koreas accusations have been refuted by U.S. officials, who also urged that the two countries have a dialogue. Sabrina Singh, a spokeswoman for the Pentagon, reaffirmed that U.S. military operations adhere to international law.

I just dont have anything more to say on those comments or threats coming out of North Korea. We operate responsibly and safely in international waterways and airspace wherever we can, she said.

Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department, has encouraged North Korea to hold off on adopting escalatory measures and reaffirmed that Washington is ready to speak with North Korea without conditions.

Mr. Miller told reporters, Weve made that clear on a number of occasions, and unfortunately, they have refused to engage in a meaningful way.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
US Court Revives Lawsuit Against Royal Caribbean Over Toddlers Death

A federal appeals court on Tuesday revived a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises by the parents of an 18-month-old girl who died after slipping through her grandfathers hands and falling through an open cruise ship window.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta restored two negligence claims over the July 2019 death of Chloe Wiegand, who had been in a childrens play area aboard the ship Freedom of the Seas, which was docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Her grandfather Salvatore Anello testified that he picked Chloe up and put her feet on the windowsill, not realizing that the window was open. Chloe slipped from his grasp and fell about 150 feet to her death on the pier below.

Chloes parents Alan Wiegand and Kimberly Schultz-Wiegand, both from Indiana, sued Royal Caribbean, saying it violated industry standards by not installing safety devices to prevent falls from windows.

In a 21-page decision, the three-judge appeals court said jurors could find that Royal Caribbean knew the risk of children falling through open windows, noting its use of protective railings and warnings to passengers not to climb over them.

It also said jurors should decide whether Royal Caribbean could have foreseen an adult like Mr. Anello holding Chloe near the window, which might not excuse its alleged negligence.

The court returned the case to U.S. District Judge Donald Graham in Miami. He had dismissed it in July 2021, saying Anellos conduct was the unforeseeable, proximate cause of Chloes death, and the open window was an obvious danger.

Royal Caribbean and its lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Jacqueline Garcell, a lawyer for the parents, faulted Royal Caribbean for refusing to install devices that many large hotel chains also use to prevent falls.

We look forward to continuing our fight for justice for Chloe Wiegand and to make cruise ships safer, she said.

Mr. Anello, of Valparaiso, Indiana, was sentenced in February 2021 to three years probation after pleading guilty to negligent homicide in Chloes death, according to Puerto Ricos Department of Justice.

The case is Wiegand et al v Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 21-12506.

By Jonathan Stempel
US Urges China to End Routine Harassment in South China Sea

A Philippine flag flutters from BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated Philippine Navy ship that has been around since 1999 and became a Philippine military detachment on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea on March 29, 2014. (Erik De Castro/Reuters)

The United States on July 11 urged China to stop interfering with the freedoms of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea and end its routine harassment of claimant state vessels operating in their exclusive economic zones (EEZ).

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller issued a statement on the eve of the seventh anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal that nullified Chinas sweeping sovereignty claims over the disputed waters.

He urged Beijing to comport its maritime claims with international law as reflected in the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and end its interference with the freedoms of navigation and overflight in the region.

The United States also called on China to halt its disruption to states sovereign rights to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources, according to the statement.

We will continue working with allies and partners to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific, one that is at peace and grounded in respect for international law, Mr. Miller said.

European Union Voices Support

The delegation of the European Union and the embassies of the 16 EU member states to the Philippines also issued a statement urging the upholding of freedoms in the disputed waters.

Protesters display their message during a rally outside of the Chinese Consulate hours before the Hague-based U.N. international arbitration tribunal is to announce its ruling on the South China Sea, in Makati, Philippines, located east of Manila, on July 12, 2016. (Bullit Marquez/AP Photo)

The EU recalled that the dispute settlement mechanisms provided under UNCLOS contribute to maintaining the international order based upon the rule of law and are essential to settling maritime disputes.

The Award of the Arbitral Tribunal is a significant milestone, which is legally binding upon the parties to those proceedings, and a useful basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties, it stated.

The EU supports the swift conclusion of talks aiming at an effective Code of Conduct between ASEAN and China that is fully compatible with UNCLOS and also respects the rights of third parties.

Beijing claims much of the South China Sea as its own territory under its so-called nine-dash line. The Hague Tribunal ruled in favor of legal action taken by the Philippines in 2016, although it had little to no impact on Chinas actions.

Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei have also clashed with the Chinese regime over its claims in the South China Sea.

The U.S. and EU statements followed reports of Philippine coast guard ships being followed, harassed, and obstructed by two Chinese vessels while assisting a naval operation in the Ayungin Shoal on June 30.

A member of the Philippine coast guard vessel BRP Malabrigo manning his post while being shadowed by a Chinese coast guard ship at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea, on April 23, 2023. (Ted Ajibe/AFP via Getty Images)

The Philippine military also reported spotting 48 Chinese fishing boats around Iroquois Reef, south of the Recto Bankan oil-and gas-rich reef located within the Philippine EEZand five Chinese coast guard and navy ships in Sabina Shoal.

Envoys of the United States, Japan, and France had previously expressed concern following the reports, stating that Chinas unilateral actions in the disputed waters pose a threat to regional peace and stability.

The PRCs [Peoples Republic of Chinas] irresponsible behavior in the South China Sea threatens the security and legal rights of our treaty ally, the Philippines, U.S. envoy MaryKay Carlson wrote on Twitter.

The Philippines and the United States are allies under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which dictates that the two nations will defend each other if either is attacked.

During a meeting in Manila in February, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pledged to help modernize the Philippine military and boost interoperability between their forces.

We conduct more than 500 defense engagements together every year, he told a joint press briefing. And as President [Joe] Biden has made clear, Americas commitment to the defense of the Philippines is ironclad.
WeChat Warned It Could Be Banned in Australia After Refusing to Appear at Government Inquiry

An illustration picture showing the logo of the Chinese instant messaging application WeChat on the screen of a tablet, on July 24, 2019. (Martin Bureau/AFP/Getty Images)

WeChat is facing a potential ban in Australia after the company refused to appear before a federal government inquiry into foreign interference.

The chair of the Select Committee on Foreign Interference through Social Media, Sen. James Paterson, said at a press conference on July 11 that the refusal showed how little regard WeChat and its parent company Tencent, which is tied to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), has for Australias democratic process.

WeChat and its parent company, Tencent, continue to show contempt for the Parliament of Australia by refusing to appear before the Senate Select Committee, despite being now invited on four occasions, Mr. Paterson said.

A Chinese instant messaging, social media, and mobile payment app, WeChat, which is alternatively known as Weixin, was developed by the major conglomerate Tencent. Globally it was used by over 1.2 billion active users in the month of September 2020, with around 690,000 daily active users in Australia (pdf).

Sen. Paterson noted that WeChat was the only major social media company that refused to attend the hearings, which he said was deeply disturbing because the inquiry would draw conclusions from their lack of openness.

It reflects very badly on WeChat and Tencent that they continue to refuse to do so, he said.

Compelling evidence has been put to the committee about their behaviour, including their surveillance and censorship and permissiveness for foreign interference, and we have serious questions to put to them that can only be asked in the public hearing. If they continue to refuse to appear, then the committee will have to draw inferences about them and their conduct.

The senator speaking to Sky News on July 11, also said the refusal raised very grave doubts about their willingness to comply with Australian law.

As WeChat has no legal presence in Australia, the government has no power to compel the company to attend the inquiry.

WeChat More Dangerous Than TikTok: Expert

WeChats refusal to attend the inquiry comes after Seth Kaplan, a lecturer at Johns Hopkins University, who advises organizations such as the United Nations, U.S. State Department, and the OECD, told the parliamentary inquiry in April that he believed WeChat posed a bigger risk than TikTok.

Everything that we fear about what TikTok may become already is occurring on WeChat, Mr. Kaplan said.

Narratives are managed, information in there is managed, dissenting views are demoted or eliminated, and its basically a narrative machine for the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] and what it wants to promote similar to what actually happens in China.

He warned that where WeChat exists, it is monitoring, surveilling, and developing a strong influence on the Chinese diaspora community, making it vulnerable to false narratives and manipulation.

This has a strong influence on all Chinese language media in your country. Because any newspaper or any website or anyone who wants to advertise [will go onto WeChat] to reach the great majority of people because WeChat is so ubiquitous, he said.

They have to advertise. They have to hope that their information and their news goes viral on WeChat and, therefore, because WeChat has managed information, manage narratives, it affects newspapers, it affects everything thats not on WeChat that involves news and information.

WeChats management of this information space has significant ramifications for the Chinese language public square as anyone who depends on Mandarin is now vulnerable without free access to diverse views and diverse opinions.

They are basically in this manage information bubble. They are vulnerable, and I think it has great implications for anyone starting a civil society organization appealing to these groups, Mr. Kaplan said.

Beijing Uses App to Interfere Politically in Other Countries, Kaplan Says

Mr. Kaplan also told the inquiry that he was most concerned about the way the CCP is using the social media app to directly interfere in societies politically.

He cited a case from Toronto, Canada, where a political information campaign on WeChat saw a significant shift in the votes for a candidate in a district where there was a heavy Chinese migrant presence because the candidate was critical of the CCP.

He had also seen it happen at the state and local level, which he said may be more vulnerable than the federal level.

For the bills, for example, that are currently being debated on land sales, or technology, WeChat is managing information, helping to mobilise Chinese speakers and then basically seeking coalition partners among the non-Chinese language speaking civil society, and all of this basically is direct interference in the politics of the country.

Instead of your democracy being a debate among people who live in the country, theres an additional voice that plays a large part in the conversation. And that voice is controlled by a foreign government that does not have your best interests at heart.
When One of Us Is Murdered: A Police Officer Speaks

The Dallas Police color guard presents the colors before the photos of five fallen officers being remembered during an interfaith memorial service at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, Tuesday, July 12, 2016. The Dallas police officers and one Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) officer who were gunned down in downtown Dallas at a protest rally are, from left, Dallas PD officer Michael Krol, DART officer Brent Thompson, Dallas police Sr. Cpl. Lorne Ahrens, Dallas police Sgt. Michael Smith, and Dallas police Officer Patrick Zamarripa. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

Commentary

Its so frequent these days. Its on the news nearly every day. An officer was shot and injured; an officer was assaulted; an officer was ambushed; an officer was shot and killed; an officer was stabbed and killed.

President John F. Kennedy gave the law enforcement community a Memorial Day. May 14. A day when we get to reflect on our brothers and sisters who died in the line of duty. Read Mr. Kennedys proclamation below:

April 10, 1962 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Whereas our law enforcement agencies play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms which have been guaranteed by the Constitution to every American citizen; and Whereas it is important that people throughout our country know and understand the problems, duties, and responsibilities of their police departments and that members of our law enforcement agencies recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property, by protecting them against violence or disorder, and by protecting the innocent against deception and the weak against oppression or intimidation; and Whereas the Nations police departments have grown to be modern and scientific law enforcement bodies which unceasingly provide a vital public service; and Whereas the Congress, by a joint resolution approved June 21, 1961 (75 Stat. 94), has designated the week of May 13-19, 1962, as Police Week in recognition of the contribution the police officers of America have made to our civilization through their dedicated and selfless efforts in enforcing our laws and has also designated May 14th as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of the Federal, State, and municipal peace officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty; and Whereas that resolution requests the President to issue a proclamation inviting the people of the United States to observe such period with appropriate ceremonies and activities: Now, Therefore, I, John F. Kennedy, President of the United States of America, do hereby call upon the people of the United States, and upon all patriotic, civic, and educational organizations to observe the week of May 13-19,1962, as Police Week with appropriate ceremonies in which all of our people may join in commemorating police officers, past and present, who by their faithful and loyal devotion to their responsibilities have rendered a dedicated service to their communities and, in so doing, have established for themselves an enviable and enduring reputation for preserving the rights and security of all citizens. I further call upon the people of the United States to observe Monday, May 14, 1962, as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of those peace officers who, through their courageous deeds, have lost their lives or have become disabled in the performance of duty. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed. DONE at the City of Washington this tenth day of April in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and sixty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the one hundred and eighty-sixth. JOHN F. KENNEDY

Now that youve read this, Im going to give a peek into the mind of a cop, when one of our brothers or sisters is killed in the line of duty.

I have been to several police funerals. Even one is one too many. The ones that really sting are those who were murdered. Murdered for doing their jobs, murdered because an evil person decided they didnt want to go to jail or face a judge. That officer was murdered because they went out to make someone accountable for their actions. This is what we do:

We gather in formation, several hundred officers, and even at times, thousands. Honor guard up front, uniformed officers behind them. Various law enforcement agencies gather for a day of mourning one of our murdered brothers or sisters. The murderer was apprehended, handcuffed, and sent away. We officers understand that we are not the jury or executioners. As much as we want to act out whatever is going on in our minds, we hold back. We honor the laws of the land. Thats what is required of us.

When the murderer is apprehended, they get to go to jail. They arent beaten to death, they arent executed. The handcuffs are on them, so the fight is over. We officers are quiet, dazed and some have tearful eyes. A large procession of police officers follows the medical examiners van because that is where the body of the slain officer is.

The murderer faces a judge the next day, gets their breakfast, and a change of clothes. They are in court, in chains, and facing a judge. They are either assigned a lawyer or have already hired an attorney. Meanwhile, the family members of the slain officer cry and scream while we officers provide support and comfort. The murderer is ordered held without bail and sent to the local jailhouse. The murderer is housed there until trial. The murderer gets their prison clothing, food, and whatever else they require. The family of the murdered officer is left with bills, pain, and that empty feeling that their whole world has crashed and burned.

We officers have not stopped working. We are still answering calls. We have to see a grief counselor. Some of us are still shaken but holding it together, while others cant go back to work yet. Those officers shifts are then covered by other officers. We check on each other, we are silent, we go about our day. Area departments are asked to help the affected police department. Every officer in the area departments volunteers to assist. That way we can prepare for the funeral, and every officer of that department can be present. Area departments also cover that departments jurisdiction.

On the day of the funeral, the mood is somber. Some officers joke around to ease the tension. We stand in formation. Bagpipes are played, prayers are said. The police departments honor guard folds the flag. The flag is then presented to the chief of police. The chief makes their way to the family of the murdered police officer and presents the flag and salutes the family.

The funeral is over. We return back to work. Business as usual. The affected department is also back. All officers are back to work. Business as usual. There arent any riots. No one is burning buildings, no looting. The officers are back protecting their respective communities.

Police week comes around. Thousands of police officers from all over the country go to Washington, DC to honor their fallen. The recently murdered names are etched on the memorial wall.

Later that evening, we head to the National Mall, to call out the names of the officers that died that year. Each name is read, one at a time, and a bell is rung each time. We all hold candles in the air.

The ceremony ends. The walk is eerily quiet. For thousands of us, our colleagues memories linger. Soon after, the laughter begins, sharing of stories, officers announce their retirements from the job. Officers from all over the country are there. They may not know each other, but in the end, they know that they are brothers and sisters. Black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Arab, it doesnt matter. We all bleed blue.

After a night of ceremonies, laughter, and story-sharing, we return to our respective agencies. Its back to work and business as usual. We are out there capturing some really evil people. We are out there reminding you not to speed. We are out there helping an elderly woman walk across the street. We are holding the hands of a person we know is about to die. We are comforting victims of violence. We are tormented by a court system that sometimes frees bad people too quickly. We get frustrated when our voices arent heard.

We are out there enforcing the laws that the people and politicians voted for. We are a reflection of society. We are the best in our society. We are the hunters of evil, and the last line of defense for the communities we swore to protect. When one of us is murdered, we mourn and we celebrate the officer who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Then its back to business as usual.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Whitby Hydrogen Heating Trial Called Off After Public Resistance

A net zero trial for hydrogen heating has been called off for one of two sites after protests and public resistance from homeowners, with a Minister citing that there is no strong local support for the project.

The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said on Tuesday that a trial will no longer take place in the Whitby area of Ellesmere Port, north west England.

Residents have been protesting the site since the trial was announced.

The new hydrogen industry is seen as key to the UKs plan to decarbonise all sectors of the economy, a target which has been signed into law, by 2050.

Trials had been proposed for Whitby, as well as Redcar in Teesside, that involved around 2,000 homes and was expected to begin in 2025 and last two years, with funding supplied by energy regulator Ofgem.

Cadent, the gas distribution network for Whitby, and Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the network for Redcar, submitted rival bids earlier this year to test a home-heating grid run without natural gas.

Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance Martin Callanan said on Tuesday that there is no strong local support for trials in Whitby.

After listening to the views of residents, its clear that there is no strong local support, therefore Whitby will no longer be considered as the location for the UKs first hydrogen village trialdiscussions with NGN re Redcar are ongoing and well announce next steps shortly, he wrote on Twitter.

Extremely Concerned

Following the confirmation by the department, on Wednesday Redcar residents wrote a letter to the government to warn of the lack of substantial local support as the town is now the trials only remaining candidate.

The Redcar and Cleveland Hydrogen Trial Group said that 565 signatures from the proposed trial have signed a petition for these measures and are calling for a vote.

The letter said: As residents, we are extremely concerned that there is a lack of independent advice and evidence available to us.

Redcar residents deserve unbiased information to help us make decisions that will directly affect our day to day lives, it said.

The group called for independent experts to advise local residents on the risks and benefits of taking part in this trial, and more widely to advise the government on whether the trial should go ahead.

Small Proxy

Mike Foster, CEO of the industry body representing gas heating specialists The Energy and Utilities Alliance, told The Epoch Times that this is effectively a small proxy of the debate and instead of 2000 people in Whitby, itll involve over 20 million houses across the UK.

On Tuesday, National Grid ESO, the UKs system operator gave one net zero scenario reaching over 23 million heat pump installations in homes by 2050.

Mr. Foster said in such hydrogen trials, residents would not pay anymore, meaning their bills would be capped for two years for using the hydrogen boiler or heat pump as their natural gas boiler. Furthermore, they wouldnt have to pay for the kit.

He explained that the trials are to test the process of home conversions from a natural gas boiler to a hydrogen one.

Now, that doesnt mean changing the boiler, it means changing parts inside the boiler, he said, adding that those who did not want to go onto a hydrogen network could choose to have a heat pump fitted instead.

Mr. Foster said that if one had a heat pump put in as part of the trial, it couldnt be taken out again, whereas a hydrogen boiler could be taken out and fitted with a natural gas boiler again.

So people of the UK are going to be faced with the same offer from the government as the people in the trial. The only difference being those people in the trial would get all their kit for free. Whereas there is no prospect whatsoever of that offer being given to Joe Public, he added.

Disappointing

Environmental activists are pushing for heat pumps over hydrogen.

Alice Harrison, fossil fuels campaign leader at Global Witness, said: Hydrogen does have a role to play in decarbonising our industry, but it would be a disaster as a source of home heatingits explosive, expensive, and its much worse for the climate than alternatives like heat pumps.

Regarding Ellesmere Port, Cadent said in a statement: We know that this will be disappointing to the many residents who told us they wanted their community to play a pioneering role in decarbonising how we heat our homes in the UK.

We believe strongly in the role that hydrogen can play alongside other technologies and energy sources in reaching net zero.

While Whitby wont be the location for the trial, the information we have gained over the last 12 months will still play an invaluable role in shaping how the UK heats its homes and businesses in the future.

An NGN spokesperson said: We completed over 10 months of consultation in Redcar, including an independent survey which found 95 percent of residents and landlords felt positive or were neutral about our proposal.

We also held a public meeting, conducted by an independent research company, and the feedback was included in our proposal, which was submitted to government.

We entirely understand that there may be concerns about the move to hydrogen and electricity. Our door is always open, and we continue to actively encourage anyone with questions or reservations to come and speak to us at our Hydrogen Hub on the High Street.

The government is currently reviewing our project proposal before setting out next steps.

PA Media contributed to this report.
This photo taken on July 11, 2023 shows a train during the opening of a commercial railway line in Herat, Afghanistan. A major trade route via railway between Afghanistan and neighboring Iran was formally opened in west Afghanistan's Herat province on Tuesday. (Photo by Mashal/Xinhua)

HERAT, Afghanistan, July 12 (Xinhua) -- A major trade route via railway between Afghanistan and neighboring Iran was formally opened in west Afghanistan's Herat province on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, the Afghan caretaker government chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid welcomed the step as vital for enhancing economic relations in the region, saying the railway network could connect Afghanistan to Iran onward to Turkiye and Europe.

Mujahid noted that the railway would also transport passengers in the future besides transporting commercial goods.

The 225-km-long cross-border Herat-Khaf railway links west Afghanistan's Herat province to neighboring Iran. The fourth part of the railway would be completed in Afghanistan's Herat province within 2023. 
Winnipeg Police Charge Former Fashion Mogul Peter Nygard With Sexual Assault

Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard is shown in this courtroom sketch in Toronto on Jan. 6, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Alexandra Newbould)

Former fashion mogul Peter Nygard faces new charges of sexual assault and unlawful confinement after Manitoba justice officials sought a second opinion of the evidence outside his home province.

Winnipeg police said a person came forward in 2020 with allegations about a sexual assault at the Nygard corporate headquarters in Manitobas capital in 1993.

The 81-year-old was arrested Tuesday at the Toronto South Detention Centre, where he remains in custody for similar charges in Ontario.

There were originally no charges laid in Manitoba, where Nygard had spent decades ensuring that everyone knew his name and his face. For years Nygard stores throughout Winnipeg were draped in photos of the mogul and he was given a key to the city in 2008.

Winnipeg police have said they submitted eight cases for consideration by the Crown, but prosecutors decided not to lay charges.

That decision drew ire in Nygards hometown, especially as police forces elsewhere in Canada laid charges.

Nygard faces two sex charges in Quebec and nine in Ontario, dating as far back as the 1980s.

Authorities in the United States have asked for him to be extradited to face charges of sex trafficking and racketeering in that country. Nygard has appealed an extradition order that would see him sent south of the border once his Canadian court cases are settled.

He has maintained his innocence.

The Manitoba government forwarded the investigation to Saskatchewan Justice in 2022 for an independent review.

Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen said at the time a review was important for peoples confidence in the justice system.

I felt it important because I had concerns, Goertzen said. It bothered me that we were seeing charges in other places, but there might be good reason.

Police said after reviewing the opinion from Saskatchewan, an arrest warrant was issued Monday.

Nygard founded his fashion company in Winnipeg in 1967. He stepped down as chairman after the FBI and police raided his offices in New York in February 2020.

Nygard International later filed for bankruptcy.
Wray Repeatedly Denies FBI Censorship of Conservatives, as Republicans Point to Suppressed Posts

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies during a House Judiciary Committee about oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 12, 2023. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

FBI Director Christopher Wray had barely completed his opening statement at the House Judiciary Committees FBI oversight hearing on July 12 when Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) began a rapid-fire barrage of pointed questions that culminated in a clash of utterly opposed perspectives.

On July 4th, we had this explosive, explosive 155-page opinion from a federal court in my home state of Louisiana that explains in detail that the FBI has been indirectly involved in what the court says, and I quote, what is arguably the most massive attack on free speech in United States history, Mr. Johnson told Mr. Wray.

The court ordered the White House, [Department of Justice], and the FBI, among others, to immediately cease colluding with and coercing social media companies to suppress Americans speech, conservative speech in particular. Director Wray, I find it stunning you made no mention of this court opinion either in your opening statement or in this lengthy 14-page report that you prepared on July 12, which was eight days after the court ruling.

Have you read the ruling, Sir?

Mr. Wray replied, I am familiar with the ruling, and I have reviewed it with our Office of General Counsel.

Mr. Johnson responded, Are you deeply disturbed by what theyve told you about the ruling if you havent read it yourself.

Mr. Wray said, Obviously, we are going to comply with the courts order, the courts injunction. We sent out guidance to the field and headquarters about how to do that. Needless to say, the injunction itself is the subject of ongoing litigation, and so I will decline to comment further.

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) in Washington on June 14, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Mr. Johnson instantly responded.

Let me tell you what the court concluded because it should be the first thing you think about in the morning and the last thing you think about at night, he said. The court wrote that apparently the FBI engaged in a massive effort to suppress disfavored conservative speech and blatantly ignored the First Amendment right to free speech.'

He continued reading from the courts opinion, which described in great detail how the FBIs actions had the effect of suppressing millions of free speech postings by Americans. As an example, the court pointed to the fact that millions of Americans did not hear about the Hunter Biden laptop story prior to the 2020 election, as well as a lengthy list of other controversial issues.

Our emphasis is on malign foreign disinformation from hostile actors who engage in covert actions to subvert our social media platforms, which is something that is not seriously in dispute, a grimacing Mr. Wray said.

At that point, an agitated Mr. Johnson insisted, That is not accurate; you need to read this opinion because you are in charge of enforcing it.

He also pointed out that an FBI official in charge of the censorship program claimed a 50 percent success rate in getting targeted posts suppressed.

Well, first off, I am not sure that is a correct characterization, but what I would say is the FBI is not in the business of moderating content or pressuring any social media to suppress or censor. Mr. Wray said angrily.

Mr. Johnson responded, That is not what the court said.

And thus it went back and forth throughout the lengthy hearing, with Republicans pointing to the extremely detailed July 4 opinion by Judge Terry Doughty of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana and numerous similar findings by others on recent FBI actions against free speech, clashing with the embattled FBI director who flatly and repeatedly denied that his agency has done anything remotely like censorship.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), the ranking Democrat member of the House Judiciary Committee, attends the committees Victims of Violent Crime in Manhattan field hearing at the Javits Federal Building in New York on April 17, 2023. (Chung I Ho/The Epoch Times)

A similarly yawning gulf remained throughout the hearing between the Republicans and Democrats on the judiciary panel. The top Democrat on the panel, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), devoted the bulk of his opening statement to accusing committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and his Republican colleagues of being interested only in performance art, an elaborate show with only two purposes in mind: to protect Donald Trump from the consequences of his actions and to return him to the White House in the next election.

Mr. Nadler argued that for months, committee Republicans have claimed the FBI is rotten, corrupt, politicized and, their favorite word, weaponized against the American people, and accused Mr. Jordan of launching a number of baseless investigations into the FBI, most based on absurd conspiracy theories, which the New York Democrat insisted couldnt possibly be believed.

But this is where the extreme MAGA [Make America Great Again] leadership of this Congress has brought us. Today, the MAGA Republicans will attack the FBI for having the audacity to treat Donald Trump like any other citizen, Mr. Nadler said.

Other Democrats echoed the Trump/MAGA claim.

Former House Administration Committee Chairman Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) said that its actually sad that the majority is engaging in conspiracy theories and efforts to try and discredit one of the premier law enforcement agencies in the United States.

But Ms. Lofgren then told Mr. Wray that shes concerned that the FBI has been laggard in seeking to expose Mr. Trumps role in the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the Capitol, noting that she was a member of the Democrat-appointed House special committee that investigated the violence.

Ms. Lofgren, who ranks just behind Mr. Nadler in seniority among the panels Democrats, emphasized that the special committee concluded that [Mr. Trump] was the center of a wide-ranging conspiracy to overturn the [2020 presidential] election.

Toward the end of the hearing, Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) said passages of the screed written by Texas Walmart murderer Patrick Wood Crusius, who shot and killed 23 people in the store in 2019, contained some of the same ugly xenophobic rhetoric that I hear my colleagues on the other side of the aisle use.

Ms. Escobar then asked Mr. Wray what the FBI is doing about domestic terrorism.

A spokesman for Ms. Escobar was unable to provide The Epoch Times with specific examples of the alleged ugly rhetoric by committee Republicans to which the Texas Democrat was referring. The spokesman did provide a link to an American Voice post.
MP yet to form STPF battalion despite high tiger mortality rate





By Ankita Garg

Madhya Pradesh is yet to constitute the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF), even as the State has registered 26 tigers death in six months. The State has higher mortality rate of big cats, including leopard and tiger, but officials could not constitute the battalion for over a decade. State has registered death of 26 tigers within six months which is highest in the country and in most of case, poaching was proved by the team. Amid this alarming situation, formation Special Tiger Protection Force is kept pending by the concerned authorities. According to Census 2018 there are highest 526 tigers in Madhya Pradesh. To secure these cats there are 1,862 Van Rakshak, 1,906 Vanpal, 786 Up-Vankshetrapal and 412 Van Kshetrapal. Officers assigned on district and forest circle level are facing challenges to monitor the areas. Recently, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) has released red alert for tigers safety in Madhya Pradesh. However, after this alert, the Forest department has claimed to increase field level monitoring and patrolling. After MP, Karnataka has highest number of tigers (524) but it has only 7 mortality of tigers in six months. Ajay Dubey, Wildlife Activists and convenor of NGO Prayatana, said, Officers seems to be less interested towards safety issue of big cats. I had filed a petition in the court in the year 2014 for formation of STPF and process is still on. Government assured to form the battalion and sought time from court.

In the year 2012, Centre had asked Madhya Pradesh to form the battalion in Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench Tiger Reserve. Centre also agreed on 100 per cent funding of the project. There was also condition to recruit field director in all these three tiger reserves by centre only. Sources said that authorities did not want interference of Centre in State tiger reserves due to which they keep the project pending. As per the plan, it was proposed to assign armed team around forest areas to secure the wildlife. State Forest Department is also facing acute shortage of police force to assign around the jungles. In absence of adequate police force, Forest Department proposed to assign forest guards and Vanpal to secure the jungle about three years back.

As per the proposal, three different companies would be working in all the three national parks and each company would be deploying 112 security guards. This includes 24 forest guards from 18 to 25 years of age and 34 Vanpal. However, the proposal has been put in cold storage for three years. Ajay Dubey further informed that earlier it was proposed to form the force in seven steps. In first step, force was to be assigned in Bandhavgarh, Pench and Kanha Tiger Reserve. It was proposed to allow retirement to the staff at 62 years of age and allow them to use arms in case of emergency. This would help to tighten the security provision and keep the poachers away.
No takers for RTMNUs regional language courses since 10 years





Staff Reporter

This year too, there is no admission to the regional language courses being run by the Linguistic Department of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU). The courses have remained without response from students for over a decade now. At the same time, the Linguistic Departments foreign language courses have been consistently drawing learners over the years. However, RTMNU has no full-time faculty for these courses. The students are being taught by contributory faculty. Admitting the fact, Dr D M Shende, in-charge of the Department said, I have taken charge of this department recently, so I am not aware of what happened in the past. One thing is clear that the department is getting a lot of students for the foreign language courses such as Russian, German and French. The foreign language courses have an intake of 60 students and all seats get filled every year. Still, the faculties are contributory. No appointment of full time teachers have been made since long. Even Dr Shende, who is the Professor of Post Graduate Teaching Department of English, has the additional charge of the Department of Linguistics.

The University argues that English is one of the foreign languages, so giving charge of the Linguistics Department to Dr Shende is justified. The Hitavada reader G Srinivas Natarajan pointed out, This department has been catering to the teaching of foreign languages since 1966 mainly dedicated to French, German and Russian apart from the English Language. Over the years the enrollment in the Department has fallen from the 100% to 40% and if sufficient steps are not taken it would go down still further. Almost all the disciplines have no regular teachers and the Department has been depending on Contributory Teachers who are slowly becoming increasingly taxed and are getting old with time. University should therefore take steps to induct regular teachers in the disciplines mentioned to make the Department to be of some use to Society. At present the posts of teachers in French, German, Russian and some disciplines in Indian languages namely Bengali, Telugu are vacant for over a decade. Now atleast 40% of the vacant posts could be filled so that the Department is vitalised.

With one single man in Linguistics holding charge there is no justice to the teaching of the foreign languages. Will the University now take proper steps to bring in some life in the Department? The blame of non-appointment of teachers does not come on university as it is the policy decision by Government that has stopped the recruitment long ago. Nobody from university talks about it and they cant. But the problem of non-recruitment is being faced by even the affiliated colleges, said a former Vice Chancellor on condition of anonymity. Vice Chancellor Dr Subhash Chaudhari said, As far as foreign languages courses are concerned we are getting good response. But to the courses of regional languages like Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, students are not approaching the department for admissions. Of course, the efforts from our side should have been taken earlier and now also to promote regional language courses. I can assure that I would ask the people related to Linguistics department to take steps in that direction.
TMC dominates WB rural polls, bags 18,606 seats out of 27,985 declared





KOLKATA :

TMC looked set to sweep the violence-scarred rural polls keeping intact the mandate it won two years back during the Assembly polls by taking a seemingly unassailable lead in results declared till now by the State Election Commission. The ruling TMC has won in 18,606 gram panchayat seats out of the 27,985 seats declared, besides leading in 8,180 seats, according to the SEC as of 7.30 pm on Tuesday. Its nearest rival BJP has won 4,482 seats and is leading in 2,419 seats. In all elections are being held for 63,229 gram panchayat seats. The Left Front has won 1,502 seats, of which the CPI(M) alone has won 1,424. The Left is currently leading in 969 seats.

The Congress won 1,073 seats and is leading in 693. Other parties won 476 seats and led in 208 seats, while independents which included TMC rebels won 1,060 seats and led in 466 seats. Candidates tied for 785 seats so far. The ruling TMC won 118 Panchayat samiti seats while leading 782 seats. BJP has drawn a blank till now though it is leading in 79 seats, while CPI(M) has won one seat and is leading in 27 others and Congress is leading in 8 seats. Elections were held for 9,728 Panchayat Samiti seats. TMC has also won all 18 ZP results declared so far and is leading in 64 others while CPI(M) has won two seats. In all, there are 928 ZP seats. TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee thanked rural Bengal for voting in favour of the party and said the oppositions campaign of no vote to Mamata has turned into Now vote for Mamata and has paved the way for the partys unwavering success in next years LS polls.
Uproar over urination incident, House adjourned for day





Staff Reporter

Amid ruckus over Sidhi urination incident, first day of Assemblys Monsoon Session was adjourned till Wednesday by the Speaker. As expected, the stormy session began with Oppositions demand to discuss Sidhi incident on priority but with Speaker Girish Gautams intervention ritual of Vande Mataram began. Leader of Opposition Govind Singh proposed to discuss the matter of urination on a tribal man first. After that, former Chief Minister Kamal Nath stood up and said Madhya Pradesh has become number one in atrocities on SC and ST as per the Central agencys report. Raising objection over Leader of Oppositions proposal, Minister of Legislative Affairs, and Home Minister Narottam Mishra said As the matter was already discussed in the all-party meeting and there was no decision on a notice (on this issue) in the Business Advisory Committee. The issue has ended there so there is no need to discuss it here. He also objected to Kamal Nath in the House saying everyone cant be granted time to give speech on a single issue. Interrupting Mishras argument, former minister Sajjain Sigh Verma stood up and questioned the role of the Business Advisory Committee saying that it was discussed in an all-party meeting but the committed did not arrive at any a conclusion, so the Home Ministers statement about the conclusion is not true. He demanded to discuss the same on the floor of the House.

Seeing no end soon to the heated debate between Sajjain Singh Verma and Home Minister Narottam Mishra, Speaker adjourned the House proceedings for five minutes. The first day of the five-day seating of this session was marked by tribute to Madhukar Harne, Ramesh Sharma (Guttu Bhaiya), former Union Minister Prakash Singh Badal, former Union Minister Ratan Lal Kataria, former Chief Secretary, Nirmala Buch, devotees who lost their lives at Indores Beleshawar Temple and deceased in Khargone bus accident. After the paying tributes, the House resumed its business with question hour. It began with MLA Kalpana Verma raising the matter of pension and increment of Government employees. Replying to her question, Finance Minister Jagdish Devda said that as the matter is in the court He cant divulge much on this.
Goats are seen in Mmopane village, Kweneng District, Botswana, July 11, 2023. Botswana has banned the movement of goats and sheep, as well as their by-products such as wool, hides, and skins, from areas surrounding a village where an outbreak of mange was reported.(Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua)

GABORONE, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Botswana has banned the movement of goats and sheep, as well as their by-products such as wool, hides, and skins, from areas surrounding a village where an outbreak of mange was reported.

The outbreak occurred among small-stock animals in Otse, in Ramotsswa district, 60 kilometers south of Gaborone, the country's capital, the Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement Tuesday.

Director of Veterinary Services Kefentse Motshegwa encouraged farmers and stakeholders to report animals showing clinical signs of mange, such as acute itching, scratching, and hair loss, to a veterinary facility.

Mange is a severe dermatitis caused by mite or lice infestation. Mites and lice are both ectoparasites that live on the skin and feed on dead skin, subcutaneous fluids, blood, or lymph.

Symptoms of mange include restlessness, excessive scratching, rubbing, coat damage, tiredness, stunted development, and skin damage. 

Goats are seen in Mmopane village, Kweneng District, Botswana, July 11, 2023. Botswana has banned the movement of goats and sheep, as well as their by-products such as wool, hides, and skins, from areas surrounding a village where an outbreak of mange was reported.(Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua)
Baht Turlksi and her little daughter Kursunak prepare stuffs for the trip to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek checks the number of the goats in the sunrise in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 4, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek sets up a tent at the summer pasture in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 4, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Baht Turlksi(R) buys necessities for her husband's trip and goods for her shop at a shop in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 2, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek (3rd, L) and other family members have a meal after arriving at the campsite of the first day's trip to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek boils tea at the summer pasture in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 4, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek (R) and other family members tie stuffs to a horse and prepare to start their second day's trip to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 4, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Baht Turlksi (L) brings dinner and other stuffs to the campsite of the first day's trip to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek (front) and his son-in-law ride on a steep path in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 4, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek (C) and other family members move to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

This photo taken on July 6, 2023 shows yogurt chunks made by Baht Turlksi to sell in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek (1st, L) and other family members take a rest during their trip to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Baht Turlksi and her little daughter Kursunak prepare stuffs for the trip to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. On the first day of the trip, the road is relatively flat, and materials could be transported to the foot of the mountain by car. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Baht Turlksi (2nd, L) chats with her little daughter Kursunak (1st, L) and nephew Zhaisang (3rd, L) at their home in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Goats graze during the trip to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Herders move to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 4, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek drives goats to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek is seen at the summer pasture in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 5, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Baht Turlksi packs goods for a customer at her shop in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 2, 2023. Apart from herding cattle for a living, the Baht's family has diversified their income sources. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Baht Turlksi and Habudelashen Nusupbek discuss what to bring for the trip to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek plays with his grandson before his trip in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. The trip to the summer pastures is also a chance of gathering with friends and family members. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Habudelashen Nusupbek is seen during the trip to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
TOKYO, July 12 (Xinhua) -- A Tokyo court on Wednesday sentenced the former president of Japanese advertising company ADK to a suspended prison term over bribery charges associated with sponsorship of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Tokyo District Court sentenced Shinichi Ueno, 69, to two years in prison, suspended for four years, after he was accused of paying around 14 million yen (100,000 U.S. dollars) to former Tokyo Olympic organizing committee executive Haruyuki Takahashi for favors over sponsor selection.

According to the ruling, Ueno colluded with two of his subordinates, Shigeharu Hisamatsu, 64, and Toshiaki Tada, 61, to have ADK selected as a marketing agent for the global event.

Hisamatsu was handed a prison sentence of one year and six months, suspended for three years, and Tada was given a term of one year, suspended for three years. The rulings have been finalized.

The high-profile corruption scandal surrounding the Tokyo Games led to the indictment of 15 people, including Takahashi, who has been charged with accepting bribes from Ueno and others in return for helping companies win contracts as Olympic sponsors or marketing agents.

With the latest ruling, nine of them have been found guilty. 
Horgos railway port, a border port in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has handled 4,000 China-Europe freight trains this year as of Tuesday.

On Tuesday, a cargo train carrying 55 containers of goods such as daily necessities, clothing and machinery parts left the Horgos port for Belarus.

In 2016, the Horgos port welcomed its first China-Europe freight train. Now, a total of 77 routes pass through the port to 45 cities and regions in 18 foreign countries.
Shares of Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL  Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of Buy by the fourteen analysts that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation and two have assigned a strong 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 $54.41.

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on DAL shares. Raymond James upped their price target on shares of Delta Air Lines from $53.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. StockNews.com cut shares of Delta Air Lines from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, July 7th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of Delta Air Lines in a research note on Wednesday, June 28th. They issued a top pick rating on the stock. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of Delta Air Lines from $40.00 to $48.00 in a research note on Monday, June 26th. Finally, 22nd Century Group reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Delta Air Lines in a research note on Wednesday, June 28th.

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Delta Air Lines Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE DAL opened at $48.66 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $31.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.49, a PEG ratio of 0.21 and a beta of 1.31. The firms fifty day moving average is $39.72 and its 200 day moving average is $37.39. Delta Air Lines has a 52 week low of $27.20 and a 52 week high of $48.81. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.17.

Delta Air Lines Cuts Dividend

Delta Air Lines ( NYSE:DAL Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 13th. The transportation company reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.29 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $12.76 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.25 billion. Delta Air Lines had a net margin of 3.51% and a return on equity of 56.49%. The businesss revenue was up 36.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned ($1.23) EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Delta Air Lines will post 6.24 earnings per share for the current 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 issued a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.82%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 14th. Delta Air Liness dividend payout ratio is 13.56%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Joanne D. Smith sold 7,513 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 31st. The shares were 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,977,155.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Delta Air Lines news, EVP Joanne D. Smith sold 7,513 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.90, for a total transaction of $277,229.70. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 107,782 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,977,155.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director David S. Taylor acquired 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, April 14th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $33.56 per share, with a total value of $167,800.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 15,360 shares in the company, valued at $515,481.60. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders bought 15,000 shares of company stock valued at $503,250. 0.89% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Delta Air Lines

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new stake in Delta Air Lines during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Neo Ivy Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Delta Air Lines during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Woodmont Investment Counsel LLC boosted its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 7.9% during the 4th quarter. Woodmont Investment Counsel LLC now owns 9,575 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $315,000 after acquiring an additional 700 shares during the last quarter. Nwam LLC bought a new position in shares of Delta Air Lines during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $229,000. Finally, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board bought a new position in shares of Delta Air Lines during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $216,000. 68.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Delta Air Lines Company Profile

(Get 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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B&M European Value Retail S.A. (LON:BME  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the eight research firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is GBX 513.57 ($6.61).

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. Berenberg Bank raised their price objective on B&M European Value Retail from GBX 525 ($6.75) to GBX 640 ($8.23) and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on B&M European Value Retail from GBX 540 ($6.95) to GBX 545 ($7.01) and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. Shore Capital reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of B&M European Value Retail in a research note on Wednesday, June 28th. Finally, Barclays reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a GBX 565 ($7.27) price objective on shares of B&M European Value Retail in a research note on Thursday, June 15th.

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B&M European Value Retail Stock Performance

Shares of BME stock opened at GBX 548.61 ($7.06) on Wednesday. B&M European Value Retail has a 12-month low of GBX 289 ($3.72) and a 12-month high of GBX 592.60 ($7.62). The company has a market cap of 5.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,557.71 and a beta of 1.07. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 521.53 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 487.04. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 313.19.

B&M European Value Retail Cuts Dividend

B&M European Value Retail Company Profile

The business also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 29th will be issued a dividend of GBX 9.60 ($0.12) per share. This represents a yield of 2.03%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. B&M European Value Retails dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4,285.71%.

(Get Free Report

B&M European Value Retail SA operates general merchandise and grocery stores. The company operates a chain of stores under the B&M, Heron Foods, and B&M Express in the United Kingdom; and stores under the B&M brand in France. It also provides property management services. The company was founded in 1978 and is based in Luxembourg, Luxembourg.

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Breakwater Capital Group grew its stake in shares of Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL  Free Report) by 15.3% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 15,636 shares of the enterprise software providers stock after acquiring an additional 2,080 shares during the period. Breakwater Capital Groups holdings in Oracle were worth $1,453,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Benedetti & Gucer Inc. bought a new position in shares of Oracle in the first quarter worth approximately $375,000. Madison Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Oracle by 4,891.5% in the first quarter. Madison Asset Management LLC now owns 134,969 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $12,541,000 after purchasing an additional 132,265 shares during the last quarter. ESG Planning bought a new position in shares of Oracle in the first quarter worth approximately $223,000. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC increased its position in shares of Oracle by 1.4% in the first quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 11,299 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $1,078,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D increased its position in shares of Oracle by 1.3% in the first quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 952,182 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $88,477,000 after purchasing an additional 12,469 shares during the last quarter. 43.43% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ORCL has been the topic of several research analyst reports. VNET Group restated a maintains rating on shares of Oracle in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. Bank of America upped their target price on Oracle from $112.00 to $132.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Oracle from a sell rating to a neutral rating and upped their target price for the stock from $75.00 to $120.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on Oracle from $84.00 to $120.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group set a $115.00 target price on Oracle and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 15th. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $118.15.

Oracle Trading Up 1.1 %

ORCL stock traded up $1.24 on Wednesday, reaching $116.12. The companys stock had a trading volume of 5,636,723 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,621,286. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $109.15 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $96.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 55.54, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 0.91. The firm has a market cap of $315.18 billion, a PE ratio of 38.22, a PEG ratio of 3.18 and a beta of 1.01. Oracle Co. has a 12-month low of $60.78 and a 12-month high of $127.54.

Oracle (NYSE:ORCL  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, June 12th. The enterprise software provider reported $1.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.58 by $0.09. Oracle had a negative return on equity of 470.73% and a net margin of 17.02%. The business had revenue of $13.84 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.74 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.31 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 16.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts forecast that Oracle Co. will post 4.5 EPS for the current year.

Oracle Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 26th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, July 11th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.38%. Oracles payout ratio is presently 52.29%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Jeffrey Berg sold 4,866 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.31, for a total transaction of $609,758.46. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 207,409 shares in the company, valued at $25,990,421.79. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Oracle news, EVP Maria Smith sold 1,320 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.78, for a total value of $154,149.60. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 20,280 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,368,298.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Jeffrey Berg sold 4,866 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.31, for a total value of $609,758.46. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 207,409 shares in the company, valued at $25,990,421.79. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 4,175,443 shares of company stock worth $510,658,596 over the last three months. 43.70% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Oracle Profile

(Free Report)

Oracle Corporation offers products and services that address enterprise information technology environments worldwide. Its Oracle cloud software as a service offering include various cloud software applications, including Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP), Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise performance management, Oracle Fusion cloud supply chain and manufacturing management, Oracle Fusion cloud human capital management, Oracle Cerner healthcare, Oracle Advertising, and NetSuite applications suite, as well as Oracle Fusion Sales, Service, and Marketing.

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CVA Family Office LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Free Report) by 14.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,647 shares of the information technology services providers stock after selling 273 shares during the quarter. CVA Family Office LLCs holdings in Accenture were worth $471,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Madison Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Accenture by 30.0% in the 1st quarter. Madison Asset Management LLC now owns 243,988 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $69,734,000 after acquiring an additional 56,269 shares during the last quarter. Sentry Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Accenture by 5.5% during the 1st quarter. Sentry Investment Management LLC now owns 4,430 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,266,000 after acquiring an additional 229 shares during the period. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Accenture by 16.0% during the 1st quarter. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC now owns 398 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $114,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Employees Retirement System of Texas lifted its holdings in shares of Accenture by 21.7% in the 1st quarter. Employees Retirement System of Texas now owns 207,765 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $59,381,000 after buying an additional 37,000 shares during the period. Finally, First National Trust Co lifted its holdings in shares of Accenture by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. First National Trust Co now owns 13,019 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $3,721,000 after buying an additional 237 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 73.00% of the companys stock.

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Accenture Price Performance

NYSE:ACN traded up $2.44 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $312.16. 399,698 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,491,571. Accenture plc has a 1-year low of $242.80 and a 1-year high of $327.93. The firms 50-day moving average is $298.59 and its 200-day moving average is $282.70. The stock has a market cap of $207.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.61, a P/E/G ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 1.22.

Accenture Announces Dividend

Accenture ( NYSE:ACN Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 22nd. The information technology services provider reported $3.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.96 by $0.23. Accenture had a return on equity of 30.47% and a net margin of 11.28%. The business had revenue of $16.56 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.49 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.79 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that Accenture plc will post 11.59 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 13th will be issued a dividend of $1.12 per share. This represents a $4.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.44%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 12th. Accentures dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.93%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on ACN shares. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Accenture from $289.00 to $294.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, March 24th. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on Accenture from $322.00 to $316.00 in a report on Friday, June 23rd. Piper Jaffray Companies lowered their target price on Accenture from $316.00 to $314.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, June 23rd. Citigroup raised their price objective on Accenture from $306.00 to $358.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 14th. Finally, Piper Sandler raised Accenture from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $250.00 to $316.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 14th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $329.20.

Insider Transactions at Accenture

In other news, insider Jean-Marc Ollagnier sold 6,250 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, April 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $280.06, for a total transaction of $1,750,375.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 174,084 shares in the company, valued at $48,753,965.04. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, insider Jean-Marc Ollagnier sold 6,250 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, April 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $280.06, for a total value of $1,750,375.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 174,084 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $48,753,965.04. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,250 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $275.90, for a total value of $1,448,475.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 26,908 shares in the company, valued at $7,423,917.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 16,354 shares of company stock worth $4,583,230 over the last quarter. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Accenture Profile

(Free Report)

Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, interactive, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management, intelligent automation comprises robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents, and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprises turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services.

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Employers (NYSE:EIG  Get Free Report) was upgraded by stock analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a note issued to investors on Tuesday.

Employers Stock Performance

Shares of EIG traded down $0.08 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $36.35. The company had a trading volume of 54,764 shares, compared to its average volume of 139,056. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $37.57 and its 200 day simple moving average is $40.87. Employers has a 1-year low of $32.58 and a 1-year high of $46.73. The company has a market capitalization of $977.09 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.36 and a beta of 0.25.

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Employers (NYSE:EIG  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The financial services provider reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.03. Employers had a net margin of 9.67% and a return on equity of 9.26%. The business had revenue of $206.50 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $206.81 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.33 EPS. The firms revenue was up 35.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Employers will post 3.13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Institutional Trading of Employers

In other news, CEO Katherine H. Antonello purchased 6,880 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 1st. The stock was purchased at an average price of $36.46 per share, for a total transaction of $250,844.80. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 77,177 shares in the company, valued at $2,813,873.42. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . Company insiders own 1.30% of the companys stock.

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC grew its position in Employers by 108.6% in the 1st quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 70,006 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,919,000 after purchasing an additional 36,446 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in Employers by 28.7% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 428,599 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $17,869,000 after acquiring an additional 95,574 shares during the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans boosted its holdings in Employers by 24.0% during the 1st quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 43,737 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,823,000 after acquiring an additional 8,460 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its holdings in Employers by 14.3% during the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 21,976 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $916,000 after acquiring an additional 2,754 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp boosted its holdings in Employers by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,001,872 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $41,768,000 after acquiring an additional 18,755 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.80% of the companys stock.

Employers Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Employers Holdings, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates in the commercial property and casualty insurance industry primarily in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Employers and Cerity. It offers workers' compensation insurance to small businesses in low to medium hazard industries under the Employers and Cerity brands.

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Jennison Associates LLC grew its stake in Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH  Free Report) by 9.6% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 286,969 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 25,030 shares during the quarter. Jennison Associates LLCs holdings in Molina Healthcare were worth $76,761,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of MOH. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Molina Healthcare by 5.7% in the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 1,651 shares of the companys stock valued at $551,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH grew its position in shares of Molina Healthcare by 496.1% in the first quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 11,534 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,848,000 after purchasing an additional 9,599 shares during the period. Prudential PLC acquired a new position in Molina Healthcare during the first quarter worth about $422,000. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in Molina Healthcare by 10.1% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 1,296 shares of the companys stock worth $432,000 after acquiring an additional 119 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mackay Shields LLC acquired a new position in Molina Healthcare during the first quarter worth about $2,814,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.09% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently weighed in on MOH. Truist Financial lowered their price target on shares of Molina Healthcare from $380.00 to $365.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 20th. UBS Group began coverage on shares of Molina Healthcare in a research report on Tuesday, June 20th. They set a neutral rating and a $310.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of Molina Healthcare from $348.00 to $341.00 in a research report on Friday, July 7th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Molina Healthcare from $307.00 to $282.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 21st. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on shares of Molina Healthcare in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. They set an overweight rating and a $354.00 price target on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $352.92.

Molina Healthcare Stock Performance

NYSE:MOH opened at $301.30 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.47 and a quick ratio of 1.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $17.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.52, a PEG ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 0.70. The companys 50-day moving average is $288.54 and its two-hundred day moving average is $289.89. Molina Healthcare, Inc. has a 1-year low of $256.19 and a 1-year high of $374.00.

Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported $5.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.13 by $0.68. The business had revenue of $8.15 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.31 billion. Molina Healthcare had a net margin of 2.64% and a return on equity of 36.20%. The businesss revenue was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $4.90 EPS. Analysts forecast that Molina Healthcare, Inc. will post 20.31 EPS for the current year.

Molina Healthcare Profile

(Free Report)

Molina Healthcare, Inc provides managed healthcare services to low-income families and individuals under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. It operates in four segments, Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace, and Other. The company served in across 19 states. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Long Beach, California.

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Palisades Hudson Asset Management L.P. reduced its position in iShares Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:IEV  Free Report) by 1.9% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 41,566 shares of the companys stock after selling 794 shares during the quarter. iShares Europe ETF makes up 1.1% of Palisades Hudson Asset Management L.P.s portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest holding. Palisades Hudson Asset Management L.P.s holdings in iShares Europe ETF were worth $2,079,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc bought a new position in shares of iShares Europe ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Ahrens Investment Partners LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Europe ETF during the first quarter valued at approximately $45,000. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Europe ETF in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $88,000. Papp L Roy & Associates acquired a new position in shares of iShares Europe ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $204,000. Finally, KCM Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares Europe ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $204,000.

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iShares Europe ETF Stock Up 2.0 %

iShares Europe ETF stock traded up $1.01 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $50.87. 99,117 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 418,201. The company has a market capitalization of $1.82 billion, a PE ratio of 12.47 and a beta of 0.92. The business has a fifty day moving average of $50.47 and a 200 day moving average of $49.67. iShares Europe ETF has a 1-year low of $36.88 and a 1-year high of $52.37.

About iShares Europe ETF

iShares Europe ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P Europe 350 Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P Europe 350 (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the stocks of companies in the countries, which includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

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S. R. Schill & Associates decreased its holdings in shares of Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (BATS:COWZ  Free Report) by 45.0% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 36,466 shares of the companys stock after selling 29,788 shares during the quarter. Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF comprises approximately 0.8% of S. R. Schill & Associates investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest holding. S. R. Schill & Associates holdings in Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF were worth $1,712,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new position in shares of Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF in the 1st quarter worth $1,018,000. Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new position in Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF in the first quarter valued at about $30,000. Moors & Cabot Inc. bought a new position in Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF during the first quarter worth about $375,000. Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF by 4.5% during the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 221,464 shares of the companys stock worth $11,025,000 after buying an additional 9,585 shares during the period. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF by 23.4% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 28,831 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,435,000 after acquiring an additional 5,474 shares during the last quarter.

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Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF Stock Performance

BATS:COWZ traded up $0.91 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $48.86. The stock had a trading volume of 1,873,087 shares. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $46.33 and a 200 day moving average price of $47.11. The stock has a market cap of $13.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.11 and a beta of 1.09.

Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF Announces Dividend

About Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF

The business also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 23rd were paid a $0.1911 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 22nd.

(Free Report)

The Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 index. The fund tracks a free cash flow-weighted index of companies selected from the Russell 1000 Index. COWZ was launched on Dec 16, 2016 and is managed by Pacer.

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by Xinhua writer Zhao Jiasong

KABUL, July 12 (Xinhua) -- With hands trembling and tears streaming down her face, a grief-stricken mother reluctantly bid farewell to her infant, lost to the cruel grip of acute malnutrition, a devastating affliction that ravages countless children in Afghanistan.

Such a scene is not rare at the malnutrition ward of the Kabul-based Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, a major pediatric hospital in the war-ridden country.

Samiullal, a trainee doctor, told Xinhua that the hospital receives some 50 sick children diagnosed with malnutrition across the nation each day. Among them, 10 endure severe cases necessitating hospitalization or intensified medical intervention.

"Sometimes, there can be three deaths at the ward within one day," he said.

Malnutrition comes with symptoms involving weight loss, reduced appetite, and tiredness. According to the latest analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) on the malnutrition situation in Afghanistan, an estimated 4 million children and women are likely suffering from acute malnutrition through April 2023 and need urgent malnutrition intervention.

AN ILLNESS AILING CHILDREN'S HEALTH

Eight doctors at the hospital's malnutrition ward are offering their utmost help and treatment to the malnourished kids.

Following body checks and weighing for the patients, the medics provide the kids with the necessary milk prescribed over the next 24 hours. If the situation of any kid gets worse, the doctor would provide medicine.

Aqa Mohammad Shirzad, the head of the malnutrition ward, told Xinhua that the number of malnourished kids surges in summer.

Muzhda, a mother of a two-and-a-half-month-old child, took a seven-hour ride on sections of bombed bumpy road from the northern Baghlan Province, all the distress worthwhile for her just to see her skeletal baby in a stable condition after five days of treatment.

"My child suffers from malnutrition, blood germ, and diarrhea," the 20-something mother told Xinhua. Perplexed by the cause of her child's illness, she attributed it to her own physical condition, which she believed led to nursing difficulties and ultimately affected her child's well-being.

"If a pregnant mother takes good food, she would give birth to a healthy child without malnutrition," said Dr. Shirzad, adding that malnourished children always have long-term treatment, as many are undergoing other illnesses due to their weakening immune systems.

The health conditions of both children and women in Afghanistan are in freefall. According to the UNICEF's State of the World's Children 2023 report, 35 percent of children under four in Afghanistan suffer from moderate or severe stunting, a form of impaired growth and development resulting from malnutrition, and notably, 43 percent of women aged between 15 and 49 have anaemia.

"I remember that a mother even took her malnourished child to the hospital three times. Her child recovered, was discharged from the hospital, but again got the same problem and came back to the hospital after two or three months," Shirzad said.

Nafisa, who breeds five children -- all peddling on streets due to economic hardships, told Xinhua that in the past, her family could receive aids, but now the aids just stopped with the sanctions.

The mother from the northern Kunduz Province said she "always cried" when working in another person's house, and she could only cook one or two times a week for her children.

SANCTIONS LOOTING AFGHAN CHILDREN'S HOPE

Some of the malnourished kids were born after the withdrawal of the U.S.-led forces in August 2021, seemingly luckier than those "war babies." But these kids are facing an even graver humanitarian crisis as the U.S. government's brutal sanctions are exacerbating the country's financial paralysis, and consequently, hindering almost every support that Afghan kids need.

According to Shirzad, prior to the imposition of sanctions, the hospital used to admit around 600 malnourished children. However, since the freezing of approximately 7 billion U.S. dollars in assets of Afghanistan's central bank by the Biden administration, that number has nearly doubled.

Shirzad said "it is clear" that the sanctions have caused medicine shortages, especially in rural areas, as the supply of medicine in Afghanistan relies primarily on imports.

"Sanctions should be waived... In the past, the hospital provided medicine to the patients, but now we give prescriptions and many patients can't buy medicine," Shirzad said.

Mohammad Kausar, a shareholder of Afghan Surgical Corp. Co., a medicine and medical equipment importer, said that the firm has been in a jam regarding transferring money to their overseas suppliers, which drags down their imports.

The ramifications of sanctions are affecting more individuals and entities, as they still impede the global organizations' aid in Afghanistan, though the U.S. Department of Treasury claimed it has "permitted" international money transactions related to humanitarian operations in the country.

"Donor sanctions brought the health system to the brink of collapse, including nutrition services in urban areas," an article shared by UNICEF online said, pointing out the impact of sanctions on the cooperation between international organizations and their donors.

"One month ago, UNICEF provided 9,000 afghanis (about 104 U.S. dollars) to each malnourished child in the hospital, but now the support has been halted... In the past, UNICEF and ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) provided assistance -- medicine and food -- to patients, but I got the information they reduced 60 percent of their aids," Shirzad said.

"I want the United States to unfreeze Afghanistan assets and remove its sanctions. The assets belong to the people of Afghanistan," the senior physician said. 
Shares of Sonoco Products (NYSE:SON  Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the six ratings firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has 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 target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $63.67.

SON has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Seaport Res Ptn raised shares of Sonoco Products from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, March 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price objective on shares of Sonoco Products from $61.00 to $57.00 in a research note on Wednesday, March 15th. StockNews.com cut shares of Sonoco Products from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday. Bank of America dropped their price target on shares of Sonoco Products from $80.00 to $68.00 in a research note on Monday. Finally, Citigroup dropped their price target on shares of Sonoco Products from $70.00 to $68.00 in a research note on Monday.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sonoco Products

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in Sonoco Products by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 11,631,791 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $709,539,000 after buying an additional 76,945 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Sonoco Products by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 10,740,557 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $609,312,000 after purchasing an additional 179,779 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of Sonoco Products by 13.4% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 8,240,829 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $515,546,000 after purchasing an additional 972,157 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Sonoco Products by 4.6% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 2,256,882 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $137,659,000 after purchasing an additional 99,088 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Sonoco Products by 12.5% in the 1st quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,219,053 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $135,362,000 after purchasing an additional 245,913 shares in the last quarter. 75.74% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Sonoco Products Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE SON opened at $56.75 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 1.47. The company has a market cap of $5.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.24, a P/E/G ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 0.69. The firms fifty day moving average is $59.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $59.71. Sonoco Products has a 52-week low of $53.78 and a 52-week high of $65.96.

Sonoco Products (NYSE:SON  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 1st. The industrial products company reported $1.40 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.07. Sonoco Products had a net margin of 6.93% and a return on equity of 29.17%. The business had revenue of $1.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.84 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.85 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that Sonoco Products will post 5.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sonoco Products Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 10th were given a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.59%. This is a boost from Sonoco Productss previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 9th. Sonoco Productss payout ratio is 40.40%.

Sonoco Products Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Sonoco Products Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells various engineered and sustainable packaging products in North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company operates through two segments: Consumer Packaging and Industrial Paper Packaging.

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Shares of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD  Get Free Report) (TSE:TD) have earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eight ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and seven have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $100.57.

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on TD. Credit Suisse Group raised Toronto-Dominion Bank from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, June 8th. Barclays lowered Toronto-Dominion Bank from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. CIBC raised Toronto-Dominion Bank from a neutral rating to a sector outperform rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered Toronto-Dominion Bank from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, July 7th.

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Toronto-Dominion Bank Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:TD opened at $61.57 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.99. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $60.19 and its 200-day moving average price is $62.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $113.27 billion, a PE ratio of 10.33, a P/E/G ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.90. Toronto-Dominion Bank has a 1 year low of $55.43 and a 1 year high of $70.67.

Toronto-Dominion Bank Cuts Dividend

Toronto-Dominion Bank ( NYSE:TD Get Free Report ) (TSE:TD) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 25th. The bank reported $1.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.52 by ($0.09). The firm had revenue of $9.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.10 billion. Toronto-Dominion Bank had a return on equity of 15.51% and a net margin of 17.72%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Toronto-Dominion Bank will post 6.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 10th will be paid a $0.709 dividend. This represents a $2.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.61%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 7th. Toronto-Dominion Banks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.66%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Toronto-Dominion Bank

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 67,240,327 shares of the banks stock valued at $4,123,850,000 after purchasing an additional 2,238,912 shares during the last quarter. FIL Ltd raised its holdings in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank by 3.8% in the 1st quarter. FIL Ltd now owns 33,381,437 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,999,428,000 after buying an additional 1,221,884 shares during the period. Bank of Nova Scotia raised its holdings in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank by 5.6% in the 4th quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 30,819,858 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,995,552,000 after buying an additional 1,633,502 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI raised its holdings in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank by 14.9% in the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 30,793,768 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,842,844,000 after buying an additional 3,997,094 shares during the period. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its holdings in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 29,480,283 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,765,633,000 after buying an additional 644,627 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 44.92% of the companys stock.

About Toronto-Dominion Bank

(Get Free Report

The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Canadian Retail, U.S. Retail, and Wholesale Banking. The company offers personal deposits, such as chequing, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases.

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Wincanton plc (LON:WIN  Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Monday, May 22nd, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 13th will be given a dividend of GBX 8.80 ($0.11) per share on Friday, August 11th. This represents a yield of 4.06%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 13th. This is a positive change from Wincantons previous dividend of $4.40. The official announcement can be accessed at this link.

Wincanton Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of Wincanton stock opened at GBX 249.50 ($3.21) on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of 310.73 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 967.31 and a beta of 0.62. Wincanton has a 1 year low of GBX 187 ($2.41) and a 1 year high of GBX 399 ($5.13). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 349.24, a current ratio of 0.56 and a quick ratio of 0.66. The firms 50-day moving average is GBX 243.21 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 259.71.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Numis Securities reaffirmed a buy rating and set a GBX 365 ($4.70) price objective on shares of Wincanton in a research report on Monday, May 22nd.

About Wincanton

Wincanton plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of outsourced and integrated supply chain solutions in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It offers business critical services, including storage, handling and distribution, eFulfilment, retailer, home delivery, fleet and transport management, and network optimization.

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A grandeur atmosphere in a serious classroom where Chinese Children are learning one of the major languages in Nigeria hit the internet.

The video of the Chinese Children is fast circulating because Chinese Children are caught inquisitively learning the Igbo Language, the language of the people in the south Eastern region of Nigeria.

The video did not capture the Igbo Language teacher but his voice resonates brilliantly as he educates the children. He recites and translates Igbo vocabulary into the English language.

The Chinese students on the other hand pay apt attention and respond curiously by repeating what the Igbo teacher recites. Some of the words translated include today, water, fire, tomorrow, and a host of other things.

This development has got many social media talking and expressing astonishment over the video. The reactions read below;

thoughts. Some reactions are shown below:

mhiz.mabella said, This is one of the benefits Governments should have given to governments schools no be only French language .

mikky4real1 said, Some of them speaks igbo because they share same business inclinations with Ndi Igbo! If you are into motor spare parts, there are chances you know some of their ladies like Lilian, candy and Emily These three speaks igbo fluently! In short Igbos who import auto replaceable parts from China have nicknamed Candy Nwanyi Nnewi! .

mayoral_wardrobez said, Igbo traders visit China every minute.. Learning igbo language is amazing And a lot of our igbo brothers are fluent in Chinese too.. .
Medical and Health Workers' Union of Nigeria , Ebonyi State council, yesterday said that the ongoing recruitment of 195 medical personnel across the 13 general hospitals in the state by the state government will reposition the general hospitals.

The Health Workers, in a statement signed by State Chairman, Comrade Eze Emmanuel Ekuma, commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for approving the recruitment of the 195 medical personnel.

They congratulated the governor for his victory at the general elections and his successful swearing-in as the 4th executive governor of the state.

"Medical and Health Workers'Union, having being saddled with the responsibility with the welfare of Health Workers in the state, we pledge to partner with the state government to ensuring a result driven health sector in Ebonyi State.

"We want to use this medium to appreciate the governor for approving the recruitment of 195 Health Workers covering 39 carders Doctors, pharmacists, Medical Lab Scientists, Nurses and Health Attendants.

"This decision will go along way to reposition our general hospitals medically deal with health challenges affecting our people and thereby reducing the high bed rate in our Tertiary Health Institution", Eze stated

The Chairman appreciated Nwifuru for the appointment of sound Medical Technocrats; Dr. Moses Ekuma Nnanna as Commissioner for Health and Dr. Sunday Nwibo as his Special Assistant on Primary Health Care, describing them as round peg in round holes.
The House of Representatives have asked the Federal Government to lift the ban on the sale of fuel around communities within 20 kilometres of Nigerias borders.

The House also urged the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, and other relevant government agencies to ensure immediate stoppage of the ban and allow duly registered fuel stations within the affected communities to be supplied with petroleum products.

The call followed the consideration of a motion moved at plenary by Adegboyega Nasir Isiaka.

It could be recalled that Customs Service in November 2019 announced the ban on sales and supply of petroleum products in the communities.

Isiaka, while acknowledging that the ban was necessary to stop smuggling of subsidised petroleum products, appealed to government to do the needful now that subsidy has gone, to reduce the hardship it has caused the communities.

The ban has continued to impact negatively on the socio-economic activities in the affected areas, he said.

Adopting the motion, the House mandated its Committee on Customs and Excise (when constituted) to ensure implementation.

In a related development, the Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, Mr Wale Adeniyi, said yesterday that not all the nations land borders had been reopened.

The acting CG also affirmed that there has been seizures of smuggled fuel at the borders, adding that it would take some time before the issue of smuggling of fuel across the border would completely dissipate.

Fielding questions from State House correspondents after meeting President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Adeniyi said the Federal Government has not ordered that all land borders across the country be opened.
For broker/dealers that intends to trade across the West African region, the West African Capital Markets Integration (WACMI), has announced a minimum capital standard of $500,000 if they must trade across the market.

Addressing participants at the two-day Capacity Building/Sensitisation Programme on WACMI Phase II Project held in Lagos yesterday, the Chief Economist of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria, Okey Umeano, said: This is the regulatory capital that we have proposed, this is the standard we will use for the West African market. If you must trade across the market, you must have this amount as regulatory capital.

Whenever the minimum capital falls below the threshold, you will be called upon to raise it if they want to retain their status in the integrated market but if they do not want to stay in the integrated market, they can leave the market and stick to the regulatory capital of their of their market."

The Director General of the West African Monetary Institute, Dr. Olorunsola Olowofeso, while also speaking at the event, said one of the aims of the West African WACMI Phase II Project is to deepen West African markets as well as achieve robust and integrated capital markets.

The WACMI PHASE 2 Project is funded by the African Development Bank through a grant from the Capital Markets Development Trust Fund and implemented by the West African Monetary Institute (WAMI) while the lead anchors are the West African Capital Markets Integration Council (WACMIC), a platform for Chief Executive Officers of the Securities Exchanges and Central Securities Depositories in West Africa, and the West African Securities Regulators Association (WASRA), comprised of directors general of the securities and exchange commissions in the region.

According to Olowofeso, aside the harmonisation of market rules and the capacity building and sensitisation programme across the stock exchanges in ECOWAS, other activities under component I include the development and hosting of a centralised database and website for the West

He further restate the commitment that WAMI as implementing agency of the project will continue to collaborate with all the stakeholders, particularly WASRA and WACMIC to ensure that the project is completed within the stipulated time (June 2024).

Similarly, Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Lamido Yuguda, noted that the initiative aims to establish a common and integrated platform for listing, trading, and settling securities transactions within West Africa.

According to him, One of the primary objectives of this program is to enhance awareness of the WACMI Phase II Project and its significance for the regions capital market ecosystem.

We seek to foster a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead as we strive to facilitate cross-border investments and create a seamless trading environment within West Africa."

Giving an overview of the West African Capital Market Integration (WACMI) Phase II Project, Project Manager, Dr. Abdulrasheed Zubair, stated that the direct beneficiaries include WACMIC comprising Ghana Stock Exchange, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Cape Verde Stock Exchange and Bourse Regionale des Valeurs Mobilieres (BRVM). Other beneficiaries include the capital market ecosystems of The Gambia, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone

He said, The Indirect beneficiaries are Stockbrokers, securities traders, central securities depositories in the West African region, Institutional investors including pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds and other asset managers operating within the region.

Also, he noted that the aim of the project is to facilitate cross-border investments in the ECOWAS region through the harmonisation of regulations for trading and settlement of capital market securities transactions.

Establish a harmonised regulatory environment for the issuance and trading of capital market securities across the region and strengthen capital markets data collation and dissemination for West African capital markets.
The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Engr Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR (Ahaejiagamba) paid a fact finding visit to Alaba International Market (AIM) Lagos for an on the spot assessment of tragedy that befell the Igbo traders in the Alaba market.

Chief Iwuanyanwu expressed deep grief over the extent and worth of the demolitions, and the huge loss of goods. He commended the Igbo spirit of hard work, perseverance, ingenuity, entrepreneurship and resilience and assured the traders that with the Almighty, they will definitely overcome the immediate challenges. The Igbo Leader explained that if a Nigerian can buy property in any part of the world, there is no reason a Nigerian will have his/her property demolished in any part of Nigeria, at a very short notice, and without justifications. He asked the Igbo traders to remain unfazed and in high spirit, assuring them that he will stand against any form of injustice against any Igbo, anywhere and anytime.

Ahaejiagamba, however, expressed immense delight over the warm reception by the thousands of Ndigbo that trouped out to receive him and the members of Ohanaeze delegation. Other members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the delegation include Ambassador Okey Emuchay, MFR, the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ichie Damian Okeke Ogene, Vice President General; Rt. Hon. Chiedozie Alex. Ogbonnia, PhD, National Publicity Secretary; Chief Hon. Mrs. Beatrice Eze, Treasurer; Barrister C .J Ihemedu, President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Imo State.

Earlier in his speech, the President of the Alaba International Market (AIM), Chief Camilus Amajuoyi expressed immense gratitude to Chief Iwuanyanwu and members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for responding to their yearnings over the callousness meted the Igbo population in Alaba market. Amajuoyi expressed surprise that soon after their supports to His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on his re-election for a second term in Office, the authorities of the Lagos State have served them with a calamity that can only be contemplated on an enemy zone in a war time.

Chief Amajuoyi listed the challenges the Igbo face in the AIM on a daily basis:

1. The road to AIM is in a very bad condition. Also, all the road networks in the market are in a detestable condition. The roads are worst during the rainy season as the pot-holes are always filled with water, making it extremely difficult for people to navigate the roads.

2. That the Lagos State authorities marked about three buildings for demolition; according to them, the buildings were distressed and could collapse anytime. Surprisingly, they ended up destroying over thirty buildings at a very short notice. The worst part of the tragedy is that the lands are being resold out with fencings going on. Worst still, the authorities are not contemplating compensations on the properties that were officially purchased with all the relevant documents in place.

3. That over two hundred mobile police men were present when the structures were being pulled down indicates that the State Government is aware of the demolition exercise.

4. That after the imported goods or containers are cleared at the Lagos Wharf, the Agbero or those who claim to be agents of the State Government intercept the goods and sometimes they pay up to Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000) per container before it gets to the warehouse.

5. For anybody to build a house on a property he has duly purchased, he pays fees/levy at the foundation level; another fee/levy at the first decking; for any other decking, a fee will be paid; even to put glasses, attracts another levy.

6. The customers are daily embarrassed after they have purchased goods from the AIM; the buyer of the goods is levied between five and ten thousand naira without which the goods may be seized or damaged.

7. All they need from the State is to streamline or define the rules of engagement with the Alaba businessmen so that they will understand their legitimate boundaries.

8. Every corpse of an Igbo that dies in Lagos is always taken to the ancestral home. Therefore, the Igbo in Lagos lay no claim or pretensions over the ownership of Lagos.

9. Remarkably, all the properties we occupy in Lagos are never procured by force; we either buy or rent with official legal documents in place.

10. We pay all the legitimate dues to the Lagos State, thereby adding values to the economy of the State; why all the indignities?

11. The committee that has been set by the state government to investigate into the Alaba tragedy does not have a representative from the Alaba International Market; asking, how can we barb a man in his absence?

12. Over one million Igbo young men and women in the AIM are not asking government for any employment; we are self-employed. All we ask the Lagos State Government is the conducive environment for our businesses and a cordial relationship with both our neighbours and the host communities.

Based on the foregoing, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Engr Dr Emmanuel iwuanyanwu, CFR has constituted a committee comprising the following persons:

1.Dr. Charles Odunukwe (Chairman)

2. Evaristus Ozonweke(Ohanaeze)

3. Hon. Geoffrey Mbonu(AlM)

4. Chief Camilus Amajuoyi (AIM)

5. Eze Christopher Offia, KSM (Ndieze)

6. Mrs Obiora Violet (Ohanaeze)

7. Robert Obasi (Ohanaeze)

8. Chief Jonas Okechukwu (AIM)

9. Vincent Ikwueze (Committee Secretary)(AIM)

The details of the terms of reference which include the verification of authenticity of the various claims, cost of damages, among others. Ahaejiagamba explained that after the committee report has been adopted by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, it will be presented to the governors of Igbo extraction through governor of Imo State and the Chairman, South East Governors Forum, Sen. Hope Uzodimma for further actions.

E-Signed

Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia (National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide)
Emirates airlines numerous partnerships developed over the years have helped fuel its growth, enabled frictionless connectivity for customers, bolstered loyalty reciprocity and tapped into unique markets that have generated new traffic flows, the airline said.

Since it signed its first interline agreement, Emirates global partner network has grown exponentially across Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.

Today, the airline has 29 codeshare, 117 interline and 11 intermodal rail partners across the transport ecosystem in over 100 countries, delivering an array of travel choices through flexible schedules for travellers, and providing seamless connectivity, relevance and a network reach that extends to over 5,250 additional sectors covering over 800 cities, it said.

50,000 TRAVELLERS

On an average week, over 50,000 travellers connect to their destination of choice on codeshare or interline flights operated by Emirates many partners.

While Emirates business strategy has always been to grow organically, its strategic partnerships like interline agreements and codeshares help to expand its global footprint, enabling the airlines customers to reach places far beyond its own network, the it said.

Emirates will continue evolve its partnership strategy by broadening many of its interline partnerships to full-fledged codeshare agreements, and strengthening its existing codeshares to build on its already industry-leading network position, it added.

In the Americas, the network is reaching cities beyond major airports, like Corpus Christi through United and Halifax with Air Canada. In Asia, travellers have strong connection opportunities to leisure points like Koi Samui in Thailand and Luang Prabang in Laos with partner Bangkok Airways. In Africa, South African Airways and Kenya Airways connect Emirates customers to an array of underserved points like Vilanculos, Kilanmanjaro, Juba, and Maputo. For customers of those airlines flying on Emirates, connecting to the carriers network of over 140 destinations through Dubai is easily within reach.

SEAMLESS TICKETS

Customers can book connecting flights with the airlines partners and enjoy the benefits of seamless single ticket itineraries, baggage transfers, frequent flyer benefits, lounge access, alongside other perks to ensure a smooth travel experience.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates Chief Commercial Officer, said: "We have a long-standing history of partnerships that have reshaped the way people travel around the world. Its a reflection of our commitment to providing our customers greater flexibility and confidence when planning their travel itineraries through leveraging the strength of our partners complementary route networks. Its also helped to enhance Dubais connectivity to the world, providing direct and indirect links to over 800 cities, generating more tourism to our hub and boosting business and trade opportunities. These partnerships have also supported inbound tourism to over 100 countries through opening up connection opportunities and smoother journeys via the exclusively served points of our partners. As we enter the next phase of growth for Emirates, codeshare and interline partnerships will be a critical component of our future success and a core part of our commercial strategy, and were working hard to develop them even further to offer a huge choice of onwards destinations for our customers."

Last year, Emirates signed codeshare and interline agreements with 11 airlines. Besides the cornerstone codeshare agreements with United Airlines and Air Canada, which expanded the airlines connectivity to over 570 points in the Americas, Emirates also signed up with Airlink, Aegean Airlines, Air Tanzania, ITA Airways, Bamboo Airways, Batik Air, Philippine Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, and SKY Express, further expanding network choices it offers to customers. The airline also recently announced an interline agreement with Kenya Airways.

This year, Emirates is set to enter into new partnerships and deepen the level of cooperation on existing ones with airlines across East, South and Central Asia, Africa and Europe. The airlines loyalty programme, Emirates Skywards and its freight division, Emirates SkyCargo also work closely with codeshare and interline partners to coordinate holistic partnerships that complement network and loyalty programme frameworks, boosting benefits for customers flying with both carriers and helping them reach new markets more efficiently. On the operational side, Emirates Airport Services play a pivotal role in helping make connectivity work seamlessly and enabling reciprocal lounge access for customers.

Across the airlines network, strategic partnerships with over 140 airlines have boosted connectivity options for customers through expanding city pairs on a single ticket, in addition to integrating benefits in the loyalty space. -TradeArabia News Service
BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- A group of 37 teachers and students from five mainland universities plan to visit Taiwan from July 15 to 23 at the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, according to a mainland spokesperson.

Led by Hao Ping, Party chief of Peking University, the group includes members from Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Wuhan University, and Hunan University, said Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, late Tuesday in response to a media query.

During their trip, the mainland teachers and students will engage in exchanges with their peers from Taiwan University, Chengchi University, Chinese Culture University, and Dong Hwa University.

The trip will also include stops in Taipei, Taichung, New Taipei, Hsinchu, and Hualien.

"This trip, made by the first group of its kind to travel to the island in more than three years, is conducive to promoting the resumption of cross-Strait exchanges," Chen said.

He expressed the hope that all the mainland group's exchanges and visits in Taiwan will go smoothly.

"We support and encourage young people on both sides of the Strait to enhance exchanges and mutual understanding, learn from each other through exchanges and interactions, and jointly create a bright future," Chen said.

From late March to early April this year, Ma Ying-jeou led a group of Taiwan students who visited several cities on the mainland. He repeatedly expressed the hope that teachers and students from mainland universities could go to Taiwan for exchanges during discussions at Fudan University, Wuhan University, and Hunan University. 
The federal government, Wednesday, announced the official release of the 2023 National Common Entrance Examination results.

The results of the examination held across the country with 69,829 pupils participating in the exercise were released by the National Examinations Council, NECO, to the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja.

The National Common Entrance Examination, NCEE, is for admission into Junior Secondary Schools, JSS 1 of federal unity colleges.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr David Adejo, received the results from NECO Registrar, Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi.

Adejo, in brief remarks at the occasion, disclosed that out of the 3,036 that sat for the examination,76 pupils had the highest score of 203 while the lowest score was the 01 mark, scored by six pupils.

Noting that the examination held across Nigeria, Benin Republic and Togo, was not only competitive, but he also described it as the gateway for entry into the nations 110 unity schools.

He said:As we all know, the NCEE is a highly competitive examination which is administered every year to Nigerian children both at home and abroad who desire to gain admission into any of our one hundred and ten (110) Unity Schools spread across all parts of the country. These Unity Schools continue to strengthen our unity in line with their motto pro Unitate.

This years edition of the examination was written on Saturday 3rd June 2023 in Nigeria, as well as Benin Republic and Togo and I am pleased to present the following major highlights:

A total of seventy-two thousand, eight hundred and sixty five (72,865) pupils registered compared to 71,738 for 2022 with Lagos State having the highest number of 18,644 and Taraba with the lowest of 102. With 38,801 female registrants against 34,064 males, we are making progress with bridging the gender parity; Sixty nine thousand, eight hundred and twenty nine (69,829) pupils sat for the examination;

Three thousand and thirty-six (3,036) pupils were absent; Seventy-six (76) pupils had the highest score of 203; The lowest score was 01 mark and this was scored by six (6) pupils.

I would like to thank everybody that has contributed to making this day possible, starting from the management and staff of the National Examinations Council (NECO), the examination monitors, markers and of course the Press men who were with us during one of the monitoring and are with us today. The conduct of the exam was hitch-free which indicates that NECO is improving in the delivery of its examinations.

He explained that the admission criteria for selection of qualified candidates into federal unity colleges remain the same and are: 60% merit;30% equality of State and 10% exigency.
The General Overseer of Sufficient Grace International Christian Church, Rehoboth Arena, Okinni, Osun State, Bishop Seun Adeoye has commended the State House of Assembly for repealing the State of Osun law after 13 years of its existence.

The human activist cleric in a statement issued in Osogbo, Osun State capital on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 also lauded Barrister Kanmi Ajibola who had approached the court of law over the reordering of the name of Osun State to State of Osun.

The Lead Bishop of Worldwide Anglican Church (WAC), in Nigeria also commended Civil Societies Coalition of Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEOS) and the media for standing up with the people during the struggle to put things in right perspective in the state.

He stated, I knew all the efforts of Barrister Ajibola. We were always in court together over this matter. He spent his time, energy and resources without help from anyone.

It was a great day for all of us from his chamber on December 14th, 2017 when the judgment was delivered by Justice Yinka Afolabi of the State High Court, Ilesa jurisdiction when he declared State of Osun as illegal, void and unconstitutional.

The then Rauf Aregbesolas government went ahead to appeal the case at the Appeal Court, Akure, Ondo State. Barrister Ajibola never relented despite the fact that the state hired about six Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).

Interestingly, Barrister Ajibola is a member of the House of Assembly representing Oriade constituency when the decision to repeal the 2012 law which renamed Osun State to State of Osun and other laws relating to Osun anthem, crest, flag logo were reached.

I also knew the efforts of CSCEOS members because I was one of them and the support of the media for this struggle was tremendous, he added.

Bishop Adeoye further lauded the assemblymen from listening to the yearnings of the populace by reverting to the state acronym of State of the Livingspring from State of Virtues known as Ipinle Omoluabi as preferred by Aregbesola.

The cleric cautioned political office holders to understand that power is transitory, and the misuse of it may have consequences in future.
Nigeria should, by now, have no pretences about it: Trust - a functional component of every working society - has completely gone out the window. This is self-evident in all aspects of the society. It is even more so in our governance sphere, where the bare minimum can no longer be guaranteed by Nigeria's public institutions.

Narrowing it to just institutions of governance greatly limits the discussion. For proper understanding, it is needful to journey outside the orbits of democratic governance to find the broad manifestations of this decaying - or, to put it more accurately, decayed - trust in our society.

Perhaps the commonest way to illustrate this point is to refer to the relationship that exists between the Nigerian society and her dressmakers. Long gone are the days when people took their clothes to the tailor's shop with full confidence that the clothes would be delivered on the agreed dates.

Not just with our tailors. You see this also with mechanics. Except if you are there to police your mechanic, there is now an increased likelihood that your vehicle will not get the needed attention in due time. For some, you only have to pray that the vehicle does not come out of the workshop with more faults than it had when it entered. In some other cases, your vehicle parts get stolen in the course of the servicing or repair work.

Woe betide you if you got into a new city and just walked into a supposedly good haircut shop. You would be thoroughly disappointed if you just gave your hair design instructions and dozed off. If you are not constantly looking at the mirror to jump in where needed, then sorry may be the outcome of that venture. What about Nigeria's Police, where you would have to report a matter, and then literally police the Police to do their jobs?

There is no need to provide further examples. I believe the point has been sufficiently argued; We now live in a post-trust Nigeria. By this, we do not mean that there are no trustworthy dressmakers, mechanics, barbers, public servants, government institutions, etcetera. There still are. They are however now few and far in-between.

It is pointless to describe how challenging it is to find your way through any post-trust society. Thankfully, Nigerians have learnt to survive and even thrive with this heightened levels of societal dysfunction. For instance, we have learnt how to mount pressure on our tailors and bring forward the collection date just to avoid stories that touch. We have learnt how to tip our mechanics generously, follow them bumper to bumper, quarrel, fight, threaten and even change it for them anytime they want to step out of the line.

Essentially, we have found the compass to navigate a post-trust Nigeria. The sad part of the story, however, is that we have limited this robust survival mechanism to just personal and business affairs. For some inexplicable reasons, we have refused to deploy, on a consistent basis, this supersonic survival mode to deal with public policy and governance issues.

This explains why many Nigerians were blindsided and ultimately smacked in the face during the 2023 general elections. Despite many red flags, we became carried away by a few amendments to our Electoral Act, the announced introduction of electronic devices, and a litany of unsolicited assurances from both the outgone president and the electoral umpire. We let our guard down. In consequence, we allowed such a consequential national event to turn out the way it did.

Naija wey no dey carry last. We wey dey check our personal belongings every second inside Lagos Danfo or any crowded area. We wey dey stay gallant 24/7. That same we blinked when and where it mattered the most. As I see it, Nigerians are the owners of this country. All the contributors to that grand heist of an election, from top to bottom, are clearly subordinate entities to the sovereign wishes of ordinary Nigerians.

Popular analysis of that brazen kidnap of the country's manifest destiny all point accusing fingers to a few assumed perpetrators. No space has been made to accommodate our own lethargy, poor judgement, and thus vicarious liability for such brigandage. Any analysis of that event that does not highlight the roles ordinary Nigerians, leading opposition parties and their candidates played is incomplete. And to the tune of its deficiency has become a ground for another repeat of sad history.

For instance, election petitions are dragging on in our courts. Sadly, we are approaching it with the same attitude with which we sleep-walked into the slaughterhouse of hopes called February 25, 2023. In a functional society, all you had to do was to argue your case, present evidence to back up your claims, and then expect a fair judicial outcome. In a post-trust society, as Nigeria has undoubtedly become, without going the extra mile, one would indeed be naive to have such fairytale expectations.

There is no want of evidence to suggest that Nigeria's Supreme Court has gradually moved from being a court of substantive justice to a court of technicalities. We now hear arguments about the court being a court of public policy. By this, the canvassers of such viewpoints mean that the Supreme Court, in arriving at their decisions, should rely more on the immediate stakeholder reaction to their decisions, rather than clear precedents and merit of the case before them.

If you reduce such arguments to its lowest term, you would be left with a simple, yet devastating, conclusion - Might is right. That conclusion draws energy from the infamous Bourdillon injunction: Power is not served a la carte. You have to fight for it, snatch it, grab it and run away with it. For the current tenants of Aso Rock, this power-snatching formula has likely not changed. If you replace the word power in that rather shameful statement with the word court judgement, the picture becomes clearer and perhaps distressing.

I have heard people say to me, Chima, do we have to struggle for everything in Nigeria? We have to struggle to obtain our PVCs, struggle with CBN's new notes/cashless policy, donate/volunteer for political campaigns, struggle to vote, stomach the disappointing electoral process, fight with the Population Commission to botch a potentially rigged census, deal with the pervasive insecurity/hardship in the land, and now you say we have to struggle to procure fair court judgements?

Again, I ask, if we have to police all the touchpoints of our personal and business lives - including counting monies dispensed by the ATM - why should we not extend the same energy to governance issues which have far greater consequences? My wish is for this no loose guard mode to stop at the courts. But we will eventually have no better option than to extend it to all the arms, tiers and institutions of our government. And we have to keep at it till such a time when it is safe enough to sleep with two eyes closed in Nigeria.

By the way, detailed strategies for policing our courts, especially the court justices who are now sitting in judgement over #February25 have been previously laid out, even by this author.

Many do not readily realise this; By merely living our everyday lives in a society where things mostly do not work as they should, Nigerians have acquired nearly superhuman survival capabilities. This explains why we excel with so much ease in saner climes. Post-trust Nigeria is however now fully upon us. We might as well deploy this our superhuman survival capabilities to resolve Nigeria's lingering governance and public policy issues. We either rise up and police our public institutions, or invariably allow our public institutions prompted by a few individuals to completely pocket Nigeria.

Africa's morning is at hand.

*Chima is a public policy analyst, and the Executive Director of Africa's Morning Centre for Public Policy and Good Governance.
There exists no ambiguity to the fact that Nigeria is a Federal state with three tiers of government, which consists of the Federal Government at the centre, 36 federating states and 774 Local Government Areas. What is however newsy is that like its global counterparts, the Federal system currently practiced in Nigeria is characterized by high level of debates, controversies arising from structural imperfections and riddled with calls on the Federal Government to identify in the nation the imperfections and have them amended according to the changing time o its political sovereignty .

In December, 2020, for instance, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, now President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, while speaking in Ibadan, Oyo state, on the topic; Time to restructure is now, at the 3rd Annual Abiola Ajimobi Roundtable, Tinubu, among other things, stated that the current relationship between the police and the people needs such reform so that the police may help better answer the security challenges we now face. In fact, it is long overdue.

Tinubu going by media reports stressed that the single most important factor in economic development is power generation. States currently are shut out from this vital sector even though the nation suffers a paucity of power. States must be allowed to engage in power generation as long as their efforts are consistent with and do not undermine federal labors in this sector. If we begin with these fundamental changes, then our states will become stronger, more able catalysts of economic development.

By instituting true federalism, we open the door not only to prosperity but to greater democracy and openness throughout Nigeria. This will help bring peace and tranquility where there is now tension and uncertainty about the pathway our nation is on. This important change will require more funds in state hands, less in federal. Other items such as stamp duties for financial transactions, tourism, and the incorporation of businesses should also occur at the state level and be removed from the federal charge. Tinubu concluded.

Obviously, while it is not hard to identify that Tinubus comment amply and perfectly demonstrates the way to go, it on the other hand remains an open secret that the challenge arising from Federalism as a system of government is not Nigeria specific but of global dimension and concerns. It therefore elicits the question as to why the Federal system has become reputed for creating more friction than cohesion whenever and wherever it is practiced? Why is it that the fundamental assumptions inherent in the system most cases fail to offer targeted road maps for upholding the health and vitality of a nation's peaceful coexistence?

Adding context to the discourse, available information at Wikipedia, the worlds information power house, shows that there are roughly/about 25 countries in the world where the federal system of government is practiced today. Interestingly also, these countries when put together represent 40 percent of the worlds population. These countries include but are not limited to; India, the United States of America (USA), Brazil, Germany and Mexico.

Typically, the federal system of government tends to have so much passion for constitutional governance based on a mixed or compound mode of government that combines a general government with regional governments in a single political system.

While many political commentators accept as true that its greatest strength as a system of government is that in a country where there are many diversities and the establishment of a unitary government is not possible, a political organization can be established through this form of Government. In this type of government, local self-government, regional autonomy and national unity are possible, others argue that with the division of powers, the burden of work on the centre is lessened and the centre needs not to bother about the problems of a purely local nature. It can devote its full attention to the problems of national importance. Because of provincial or regional autonomy, the administration of these areas becomes very efficient. To the rest, in a federal government, the provinces, regions or the states enjoy separate rights and they have separate cabinets and legislatures. Local governments also have separate rights and the councils elected by the people to run the local administration.

Despite these virtues, there are examples of nations across the globe where like Nigeria, the Federal system has remained a pathway to discord.

For instance, in India, the system presents a conflicting scenario. It is a quasi-federal system containing features of both a federation and a union that allows power to be divided between the central government and the states. Article 1 of the Indian Constitution suggests that the territory of India shall be classified into three categories; the Union Government (also known as the Central Government), representing the Union of India, the State governments and the Panchayats/ Municipalities. Basically, it implies an inculcation of a strong sense of love and respect for ones region, ethnicity, language, and culture.

It is this love which makes regions fight for greater autonomy within the nation and directly puts the authenticity of Indian federalism in danger. Another area of concern is that the most important power of the Governor sometimes comes in conflict with the federal structure of the country. To illustrate this claim, the power vested upon him by Article 154 of the Indian Constitution states that all the executive powers of the state are held by the Governor. This provision going by analysis implies that the Governor can appoint the Chief Minister and the Advocate General of the State, and State Election Commissioners. The most paramount and in my view troubling executive power at his disposal is that he can recommend the imposition of constitutional emergency in a state.

In Brazil, the burden of challenge is not different. More specifically, the problems facing the federal system and constitutional governance in the country involve several issues. First and most importantly, Brazil is a federation characterized by regional and social inequality. Although the 1988 Constitution and those preceding it have provided several political and fiscal mechanisms for offsetting regional inequality and tackling poverty, these mechanisms have not been able to overcome the historical differences among regions and social classes. Governments of the three orders have not been able to reduce poverty and regional inequality.

Their ability to act is limited by a number of factors, not the least of which is the fiscal requirements of international leaders and federal financial institutions and regulations.

Another factor, says a report; adversely affecting states is the opening up of Brazils economy. This tends to make inter-governmental relations more complex, as it increases the differences between developed and less developed states. This also contributes to the current trend towards reversing previous, although timid, initiatives favouring economic decentralization. An added issue is that in Brazil, there are few mechanisms to provide for coordination between the three orders of government. This has become more important because municipal governments have had their financial standing upgraded within the federation vis-a-vis the states and have also been given responsibility for important social policies. The prospect of transforming constitutional principles into policies for regional development is not currently on the agenda for Brazil.

While the world sympathizes with Brazilians on whose shoulders lay this awkward situation, the federal system in Germany, says 75-year old Rain-Olaf Schultze, and author of the book; the Politics of Constitutional Reforms in Northern America, is at a crossroad and dramatizes worrying concerns.

Schultze noted that the new weaknesses have emerged in the success story of the postwar German federal system. The highly successful West German federal system, which for 40 years brought economic and social prosperity to Germanys second democracy, has fallen into a state of crisis, mostly as a result of the momentous changes that occurred toward the end of recent decades.

On the surface, German reunification looks complete  however, reunification is still in progress on the cultural and economic levels, the consequences of which will continue to evaluate German politics for decades to come. These strains have made structural reforms essential for the political system.

From Germany to Nigeria, the situation is not different. Today, restructuring debate as noted in the introductory part of this piece, rends the political wavelength of the political space called Nigeria.

Synoptically, this is how the whole debate was recently captured by a political commentator: The south-south claim continued deprivation and blight from oil pollution, despite being the hub for the nations oil wealth. The south-east legitimately gripes that nothing will change the history of the Igbos being divested of some of their properties and wealth after the war and being handed only twenty pounds each; and that 62 years after independence, the Nigerian presidency continues to elude the Igbos. The North has valid stitches too. Most of Nigerias insolvent states are in the North; the broadest swathes of underdeveloped Nigeria are in the North and the largest numbers of uneducated and unskilled youths are from the north. Because northern states are not oil producing, they also lose out on preferential derivation from oil.

While it has, from the above concern, become obvious that the Federal System is riddled with challenges particularly in a country like Nigeria, the truth must be told to the fact that, in absolute terms, federalism remains the answer to many of the nations political and socioeconomic challenges if well practiced.

Aside from many supporting the validity of a federal system of government, the greatest lesson of the federal system, says Scott Moore, a research fellow at Harvards Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, is that countries can often become stronger by adopting a looser union.

Utomi is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), Lagos. He could be reached via;[email protected]/08032725374.
It is no coincidence that many products on Nigerias import ban lists are items in which Dangote has major interests. Although an undiluted success in terms of wealth accumulation, Dangote personifies the duality in Nigerias economy. On one hand, Dangote imports significant amounts of US produce and equipment for his manufacturing ventures. On the other, he has had success blocking trade and investment that might compete with his enterprises.

These are some of the words that introduce the American diplomatic cable about the business model of Nigerias richest individual. This cable, which was one of the thousands leaked by Wikileaks in 2009 detailed the U.S. governments position on the source of Dangotes wealth and its effect on the Nigerian economy. Its assessment was honest, direct and scathing  this guy is bad news for everybody except himself.

In the intervening 12 years, several people have tried at various times to take a cue from the leaked cable and speak up about what they consider to be Dangotes crippling effect on Nigerian economic growth and dynamism. Typically, they end up either shouted down by people wielding arguments appealing to import substitution or patriotism. More often than not, they are simply ignored out of hand. And thus it falls on Benjamin the Donkey, the cynical intellectual from George Orwells Animal Farm to once again put out an unpopular message that nobody wants to hear even though it is factual. Or David the donkey, as the case may be.

There is Abnormal Profit and then there is this

In my A-Level Economics, my teacher, the late Mr Nwankwo often explained the concept of abnormal profit  a state of affairs where a market participant exploits certain inefficiencies or advantages to operate a business running a profit margin that is well in excess of what is typically obtainable for a business in its category. Maybe it was because back in 2006, the concept of Dangote being a monopolistic entity was not that popular, but for some reason, he never referenced Nigerias most obvious example of abnormal profit  Dangote Cement.

Whereas organisations like Google, Microsoft and Amazon which have been accused of monopolistic practices achieved their monopoly through superior competition compared to their peers, Dangote achieved monopoly through political connection and patronage

To cut a very long story short, Dangote Cement is the quintessential example of a Price Maker monopoly  a business that sets prices for its smaller competitors due to its enormous size and market share. In other words, a monopoly that merely tolerates the existence of smaller competitors totalling less than 36% of Nigerias total cement market share. It is no secret how Dangote obtained this monopoly status but it bears repeating that it happened via President Obasanjos executive fiat, which banned cement imports and granted 90-year exclusive limestone mining licenses to Dangote at Nigerias richest limestone sites.

Having artificially created a cement market monopoly using state power instead of competition, Dangote not only charges Nigerians some of the worlds highest cement prices but also makes by far and away from the worlds largest and most obscene profit margins. Dont believe me? Take a look at the numbers below.

Growing Nigerias economy vs Growing Aliko Dangote

The numbers above tell a very clear and unmistakable story about what Dangotes business practise represents. Whereas organisations like Google, Microsoft and Amazon which have been accused of monopolistic practices achieved their monopoly through superior competition compared to their peers, Dangote achieved monopoly through political connection and patronage.

Where these monopolies actually create value and solve problems for their consumers by offering high quality output at the cheapest prices available on the market, Dangote is very happy to keep sitting atop a pile of the worlds priciest cement in a country with a housing deficit of 17 million and a crisis of sluggish GDP growth below population growth. Whereas countries like China, South Korea and Malaysia have used their construction industries as a lever to hack rapid GDP growth, Nigeria can do no such thing because its cement is simply too costly  and one cannot enter the market and reduce this price through competition because the monopolist entity is a price maker.

In other words, Nigerias wealthiest man is not actually a productive capitalist creating value for the Nigerian economy but at best an economic parasite and at worst a direct brake on Nigerias economic growth. The Dangote business organisation is not in fact a business in the classical sense of the term, but something more akin to a state-backed protection Mafia. It takes everything and gives nothing. To paraphrase the Wikileaks cable, Dangote is an undiluted success only when it comes to personal wealth accumulation.

I will end this article with another direct quote from the U.S. diplomatic cable:

To supporters, he symbolizes that Nigeria can do more than barter and trade. It can succeed in manufacturing. To detractors, he is a predator using connections in a corrupt political economy to tilt the playing field in his favour and sideline potential competition. Weighing everything in the balance, we believe the Dangote model is harmful to Nigerian and American interests in the long run. Unfortunately, the Dangote model will likely be the one most emulated until its beggar-thy-countrymen contradictions become more apparent.

Report Credit: Business Day


WELLINGTON, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand government on Wednesday released its long-term vision for health, which sets the direction for the health sector over the next decade.

The document, named "Healthy Futures Strategies," ensures Kiwis can live long, healthy lives and unfair differences in outcomes are a thing of the past, said Health Minister Ayesha Verrall.

The New Zealand health strategy addresses the health of all New Zealanders and sits alongside five population-specific strategies including those for Maori and Pacific peoples, the disabled, women and rural health.

"This is the first time Pacific peoples, women and rural communities have had their own health strategies," Verrall said, adding the strategy recognizes the need to support and empower people to take control of their own health, and address the wider factors which drive good health and wellbeing.

"It's vital we prioritize the prevention, reduction and delaying of ill health wherever possible. This means shifting focus and resources towards preventive healthcare," she said.

The release of the document followed listening to stories of people who did not get the help they needed because of gender, orientation or ethnicity, the minister said.

"We need to end the 'one size fits all' approach to health services, regardless of what people actually need," she said. 
Officials ready for Tsunami Walk & Run event

PHUKET: Officials are preparing to hold the Phuket edition of the inaugural Walk & Run for Tsunami Learning 2023 event, to be held in Mai Khao on Sunday (July 16).

disastersSafetyhealth

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 12 July 2023 11:57 AM

Phuket Vice Governor Anupap Rodkwan Yodrabam presided over a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (July 11) to ensure relevant agencies will be playing their part in the event.

Present were with Udomporn Kan, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket); Chaovalit Nitrarat, Director of the DDPM Region 18 branch; Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Pol Col Jirasak Siemsak; and representatives of other key agencies.

Walk & Run for Tsunami Learning 2023 events will be held in all six provinces on the Andaman coast over the weekend (July 15-16), all co-ordinated by the DDPM, Vice Governor Anupap explained.

The aim is for participants to learn tsunami evacuation routes and safety advice, while having fun enjoying healthy exercise, he said.

The pre-running activities in Phuket will begin at about 3:10pm, and include a lecture by Assoc Prof Thongchai Suteerasak of the Faculty of Technology and Environment at Phuket Rajabhat University to educate people about the installation of tsunami warning signs and knowledge about tsunami disasters, V/Gov Anupap explained.

Boontham Lertsukekasem, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, will preside over the official opening ceremony at 4pm, after which the walk/run event will begin.

The running route starts at Sala Mai Khao Beach Resort and ends at the offices of the Mai Khao Tambon Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor), covering a distance of 3.2km.

People are expected to complete the evacuation route within 30 minutes, about the same amount of warning officials believe tsunami warning buoy Station 23461, installed in the Andaman Sea approximately 340km northwest of Phuket, about halfway between Phuket and the Nicobar Islands, will give in the event of an impending tsunami.

As online registration to join the event closed on July 9, people can register at the event in person from 2:30pm.

Participants may dress according to their own preferences, but are asked to ensure their attire is suitable for walking and running safely.

While the event aims to be educational and fun, the first five to complete the course will receive a souvenir to commemorate the occasion, V/Gov Anupap said.

All people, Thai residents, expats and tourists alike, are welcome to join the event, which is free to join, he added.
Suspect held in killing of German in Pattaya

PATTAYA: One person has surrendered to police and warrants are out for two others linked to the gruesome murder of a German property broker whose dismembered body was found in a freezer in tambon Nong Prue of Bang Lamung district in Chon Buri.

violencemurdercrimepolice

By Bangkok Post

Wednesday 12 July 2023 04:58 PM

The freezer containing the body of Hans Peter Mack is taken away for further examination. Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong

Police took Petra Christl Grundgreif from an undisclosed location to the Nong Prue station for questioning after she contacted them via a lawyer to surrender at 3pm yesterday (July 11), said Pol Col Santi Kornkasem, superintendent for investigation at the Chon Buri provincial police office.

Warrants had been issued earlier for Ms Grundgreif and another German national, Olaf Thorsten Brinkmnan, as well as a Pakistani man holding Thai nationality, Zahrouk Kareem Uddin, 27. They were charged with colluding in theft and murder, reports the Bangkok Post.

The dismembered body of Hans Peter Mack, 62, was found in a freezer at a house in tambon Nong Prue of Bang Lamung district on Monday night by detectives who had been following up leads based on security camera video. He had not been seen by his family since July 4.

Macks 24-year-old Thai wife, whose name was not disclosed, told investigators on July 5 that he had left their house in the Swiss Paradise housing estate in Pattaya the day before to meet a foreign property broker. The meeting was to discuss property sales in Pattaya and Koh Samui.

Macks silver Mercedes-Benz E350 coupe was found in the parking lot of the CC Condominium on Khao Noi Road in tambon Nong Prue on Sunday morning.

Inside the car police found stains of a chemical cleanser apparently used in an attempt to destroy evidence.

Earlier, his relatives had offered a cash reward of B3 million for anyone who had information that led to his discovery.

Police called in Mr Brinkmanns Thai wife, identified as Jarunee, 37, for questioning.

Ms Jarunee worked as a waitress at a restaurant about one kilometre away from the crime scene. She apparently looked stressed and refused to speak to reporters, said a source.

There were reports that police had earlier called the two German nationals in for questioning, but they denied any knowledge and were later released.

After the body of the victim was found, the officers determined that three suspects were involved and they sought warrants, said Pol Col Thawee Kudthalaeng, the Nong Prue police chief.

Police allege that Ms Grundgreif and her two accomplices used an electric saw to cut up the body of the victim. The body was later put into the freezer at a house at the Chokchai Village 1 housing estate.

Police seized a red motorcycle to examine fingerprints after it was found that Mr Brinkman had used it.

National police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn ordered the revocation of the suspects visas to prevent them from fleeing the country.

Police are expected to seek court approval to arrest one more German suspect, said a source. The fourth suspect has not yet been identified.

Investigators who examined the finances of the dead victim found that more than B3mn had been transferred to various bank accounts.
UN Security Council members vote on extending the authorization of UN cross-border relief operations in Syria, at the UN headquarters in New York on July 11, 2023. The authorization of cross-border aid deliveries into Syria expired on Monday, and the UN Security Council failed on Tuesday to adopt either of two draft resolutions that would have renewed the mechanism. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was disappointed that the Security Council was not able to reach agreement on extending the authorization of UN cross-border relief operations in Syria, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Humanitarian assistance to Syria should be delivered in a way that respects the country's sovereignty, a Chinese envoy said Tuesday.

The authorization of cross-border aid deliveries into Syria expired on Monday, and the UN Security Council failed on Tuesday to adopt either of two draft resolutions that would have renewed the mechanism.

Russia vetoed a draft resolution tabled by Brazil and Switzerland that called for a nine-month re-authorization. A Russian draft resolution, which would have renewed the mechanism for six months, failed to obtain the required number of votes for approval.

In an explanation of vote, Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said that China regrets the failure of the Security Council to reach consensus on this important matter.

"China's position on the humanitarian issue in Syria has been consistent and clear," he said. "We have all along maintained that humanitarian assistance to Syria should be provided in a way that respects the sovereignty of Syria and the Syrian government's ownership."

Cross-line relief should become the primary modality for humanitarian assistance to Syria. The cross-border relief mechanism was a temporary arrangement made under specific circumstances, and there is a need to speed up the transition to cross-line assistance and to phase out the cross-border mechanism over time until its eventual destination, he said.

In view of the current humanitarian situation in Syria, China is supportive of continuing to keep the cross-border arrangement, Zhang noted.

"China maintains in the same breath that the Security Council must take seriously the problems and inadequacies of the existing humanitarian relief mechanism and make efforts to address these problems and inadequacies," he added.

The envoy stressed that practical measures should be taken to prevent the parties in de-facto control of northwestern Syria from once again obstructing cross-line relief efforts and to ensure that the frequency and scale of cross-line relief efforts are significantly higher than those at the same time last year.

The scope of humanitarian activities should be further expanded, he said, adding that humanitarian de-mining should be integrated into early recovery.

Adequate humanitarian funding for Syria is also an important measure of how well the resolution is implemented, said Zhang.

"We must face squarely the negative impact of unilateral sanctions on humanitarian assistance and take practical measures to eliminate such negative effects," he said.

He pointed out that dialogue and consultation is the ultimate way to resolve differences and forge consensus.

In order to extricate the Security Council from the current predicament, China calls on all parties to be rational and pragmatic, to demonstrate the political will needed, to abandon double standards and the politicization of humanitarian issues, to continue to consult patiently, and to search for the greatest common factor that can accommodate each other's concerns, Zhang said. 
Violence orchestrated by infiltrators

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BISHNUPUR, Jul 11 : The violence in Manipur is orchestrated by illegitimate foreigner Nationals who intruded into the State, said joint coordinator of Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) L Ratan.

He made the remark during a sit-in protest staged today at Moirang Keithel. Placards that read, "Abrogate SoO pact", "Stop attacking civilians," and "Withdraw Assam Rifles from Manipur" were held among others.

At the site, Ratan continued that the people of Manipur should know who instigated the violence, who are the parties in conflict and how to deal with the issue. Saying that influx of Myanmar Nationals to the State is the major factor which built up mistrust among the people and triggered the violence, Ratan claimed that these instigators have been planning to create unrest in Manipur since many decades back though the clashes broke out on May 3 only. He further claimed that growth of Kuki populace in Manipur over the past many decades is abnormal. Alleging that Meeteis may no longer be a majority community, he said it is mostly the foreigners from Myanmar who encroached on reserved and protected forest and engaged in widespread deforestation as they don't have any historical and cultural ties with the land and resources of Manipur.
Drugs worth Rs 16 Cr seized

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GUWAHATI, Jul 11: Continuing its relentless efforts against illegal drug trafficking, Assam Police in a successful crackdown on illegal drugs trade arrested one drug peddler on July 10.

Acting on specific inputs, a special operation under the leadership of STF chief Partha Sarthi Mahanta was carried out against the drug peddlers who were reportedly supplying drugs from Kangpokpi in Manipur to Assams Changsari.

As per sources, the drug peddlers had selected and visited the areas for unloading the contraband. However, as per inputs the peddlers decided to offload at Sonapur.

Accordingly, the vendee was traced travelling in a Honda City. The vehicle of the peddler was stopped at Sonapur Tollgate by a team of Assam Police led by Kalyan Kumar Pathak, Additional SP (HQ) Kamrup. However, the peddler tried to escape for which one round had to be fired.

The peddler who was driving the Honda City namely Mafizul Haque (34 yrs) of Mollapara, Garigaon, Ps Jalukbari was caught with 145 soap boxes containing heroin weighing 2 kg. Haque is involved in the supply of drugs from Manipur to Assam.

Further investigation underway to ascertain linkages to the seizure made in the operation. India TodayNE
Quarters gutted

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IMPHAL, Jul 11: Four Government quarters of Langol Type-2, C Sector were gutted this afternoon.

People of the neighbourhood came to know about the fire at around 4.10 pm.

The neighbours heard sounds of some blasts. When they went out to check the sounds, they saw the quarters burning.

The quarters which were gutted by fire were unoccupied since some time back.

Later, fire tenders of Manipur Fire Service and Manipur Police doused the fire at around 5.30 pm.

It is suspected that the fire originated from an electric short circuit.

The people of the neighbourhood said that electric wiring of Government quarters of Langol Tye-2 are in very bad shape as they have not been maintained properly since a long time back.

Earlier, 10 quarters were gutted by an inferno at the same place.

Saying that the accidental fire might have created wrong impressions on the public on account of the prevailing situation, they appealed to all the people not to spread rumours or false information.

They also appealed to the Government to repair the quarters at the earliest.


Heroin seized

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AGARTALA, Jul 12: Heroin, Rs 2 crore, stuffed in as many as 24 soap cases were seized and four accused were arrested by Srikona Battalion of Agartala Sector Assam Rifles on Monday, said officials.

As part of the ongoing drive against narco-terrorism, the accused were apprehended from Lakhipur sub-division of Cachar district and handed over to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence for further legal proceedings, the officials informed further.

"Srikona Battalion of Agartala Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of Inspector General Assam Rifles (East) recovered 24 soap cases of Heroin worth Rs 2 crore approx from Lakhipur sub-division, Cachar district and apprehended four individuals on 10 July 2023," the DRI said in a statement.

Exploiting the current state of unrest and disquiet in Manipur, the smugglers were trying to push drugs from the North East State into Assam, officials stated.

Drug trafficking is a major cause of concern in the North East due to its proximity to the Golden Triangle.

Assam Rifles, christened as the 'Sentinels of North East', have continued their efforts against narco-terrorism, which is continuously fueling insurgency in the area, the DRI added in its statement. ANI
A vow to keep silent

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Kongbrailatpam Rajeshwar SharmaHinduism is a great religion with a history of more than three thousand years. Not only is it a religion, but it is also a way of life.Hinduism is endowed with rites, rituals, customs and traditions which are influenced by the teachings of the Vedas - Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sarna Veda and Atharva Veda. The Vedas are Shruti scriptures which were taught by the rishis of ancient times.Shruti means "that which is heard" later disciples wrote the scriptures in books which are popularly known as the Vedas. Rig Veda is a book of hymns. It consists of 10,589 verses which are all in praise of the glory of God in various forms. Yajur Veda is a book of liturgy. There are 3,988 verses of rituals in Yajur Veda but there are 1,549 verses in Sarna Veda that became the source of music. Atharva Veda is the book of knowledge which was given by sage Atharvan. It consists of 6000 verses.Based on the teachings of the Vedas particularly the Yajur Veda, there are rituals, customs and traditions Hindus have been following for thousands of years. Among them, Maun-Vrat is a popular custom among the Hindus. It is a custom of keeping silent. Maun-Vrat literally means a vow to keep silent. It is observed for sixteen days during the month of July. But nowadays some devout Hindus observe Maun-Vrat for more than fifty days during the months of May and June rather than July. Hindus follow the custom of Maun-Vrat in order to acquire purity of speech. It is a practice to keep one's speech free from lies and foul phrases against anyone. It is also a practice to keep one's mind devoid of negative thought. Purity of speech is indispensable for spiritual growth.There is a popular belief among the Hindus that the ability to keep silent for a longer period of time not only enables a person to achieve his or her goals but it also enables the person to attain the abode of lord Shiva. In the Chanakya Niti, it is written, "Whoever can remain silent everyday for a full year becomes worthy of thousands of years of praise in heaven." Among the Hindus, silence is also regarded as one of the rare qualities that every Hindu strives to possess. It is said that silence can change the personality of an individual. One can control anger through silence. As a result of keeping silent, one grows stronger not only in self-confidence but also in one's moral sense of right and wrong. Thereby one becomes a better person.In the Hindu epic the Mahabharata, the power of silence is emphasized with utmost importance. Sages and Rishis kept silent during their meditations. So strong was their vow to keep silent that no wild animals or wild fires in the forest could ever break the silence of the Rishis during their meditations. Maharishi Veda Vyasa dictated all the verses in the nineteen chapters of the Mahabharata to lord Ganesh. During the dictation, not a single word was uttered by lord Ganesh. He remained silent till the end. With the power of silence, said lord Ganesh, he could control himself and concentrate on what he was writing.Ahimsa or nonviolence is an offshoot of silence. It is one of the basic principles of Hinduism. Whether it is human being or nonhuman being, all lives are sacred to the Hindus. The paramount duty of a Hindu is to save lives. But sometimes situation arises where two noble principles conflict with each other. The principle of Ahimsa should always prevail in such a situation. To drive home the point, lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita narrates the story of a hermit and a robber. The hermit who lived in a forest was so truthful that he would never tell a lie. Knowing that the hermit would tell the truth, the robber who was looking for a merchant asked the hermit if he saw a man going that way. The hermit replied in the positive although he knew that the robber would kill the merchant. The robber who followed the direction where the merchant went found the merchant and killed him. Had the hermit told a lie, he could have saved the life of the merchant. But the hermit had to share the sin of killing the merchant with the robber although he did not take part in killing the merchant.No matter how virtuous it is for the Prime Minister to keep silent, the pertinent question is whether he has any moral obligation to clear the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway which has s been under siege since the 3rd of May 2023 or to stop the "Narcoterrorists" from attacking the villagers in the Manipur valley. In the Bhagavad Gita, it is explained that one should not shun one's duty even at the cost of one's life. The utmost duty of a Prime Minister is to safeguard the lives of the people and their properties in the country. Sooner or later he will have to accept the fate of the hermit if he fails to do so. It is divine for him to carry out his assigned duties to protect the lives and properties of the people. When Arjuna refused to fight against the Kauravas, the symbol of violence and evil, lord Krishna implored him in the Bhagavad Gita, "Arjuna, please perform your prescribed duty (Svardharma) for doing so is better than inaction (Silence)"The root word for Yoga is "Yuj" which means "To unite or bond." So Yoga means union with God, or attaining salvation. In Hinduism there are four paths to salvation. One can attain salvation by following one of the four paths. Karma Yoga is one of them. In the Bhagavad Gita, Karma Yoga is explained elaborately so that a layman can understand it. It means attaining salvation by following the path of selfless actions. Lord Krishna says, "Acting without becoming attached to the fruits of actions is called Karma Yoga." It is said in the Bhagavad Gita that no man will reach a state of Nishkarmata (Freedom from actions) by shunning or abstaining from actions. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna, "You should not act out of motivation for the fruits of actions, and you should never be inactive." It is high time the Prime Minister ended the Maun-Vrat and performed his prescribed duties to bring peace and harmony in Manipur. "To do one's duty is the best prayer to God" said Swami Vivekananda.**K. Rajeshwar Sharma is a freelancer. You can reach him at [email protected]
Naga bodies say no to UCC

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SENAPATI, Jul 12 : The United Naga Council (UNC), Poumai Naga Union (PNU) and Naga Women's Union (NWU) have come out strongly against the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill proposed by the BJP-led Government at the Centre.

In a letter addressed to the Chairperson of Law Commission of India through the Deputy Commissioner, Senapati, the UNC stated that enacting a common civil code or common law for every citizen residing in India irrespective of religion and caste would be in violation of the Constitution.

Saying that personal laws governing various communities are based on their respective religious texts, the UNC continued that different religions have different laws regulating marriages, divorces, inheritance and other family related matters.

For instance, in tribal areas of the North-East, customary practices including land holding system, law of inheritance of properties, marriages and cases of divorce, succession, adoptions are all governed under the respective tribal customary practices, the UNC said and appealed to the Government to exclude the tribal population in North East India from the ambit of UCC.

The letter signed by Ng Lorho, president and Vareiyo Shatsang, general secretary of UNC also mentioned that the proposed UCC negates the basic structure and principle of the Indian Constitution such as secularism, pluralism etc.

The Central Government pushing for One Nation, One Law is a matter of great concern for all non-Hindus minorities in India especially Nagas having distinct identity, practice and system, the UNC said and added that they oppose the intent and objective of promulgating 'such law of totalitarianism in Naga homeland.'

The PNU, while raising opposition against UCC, also submitted a memorandum to the Chairperson of Law Commission of India through Senapati Deputy Commissioner.

The Law Commission of India had on June 14, 2023 issued a notification inviting views and opinions on UCC.

The PNU said that UCC, if implemented, would adversely affect the Naga customary laws existing since 'time immemorial.'

Cautioning that India may fall apart if the Centre implements the uniform code despite serious objection, the PNU appealed to the Law Commission not to proceed with the proposed UCC.

The PNU said that they have submitted a similar copy to the President, the Prime Minister of India, Union Minister of Law & Justice and MP (Lok Sabha), Outer Manipur.

The Naga Women's Union (NWU), on the other hand, said that they would never allow implementation of UCC in Naga homeland.

In a similar letter addressed to the Chairperson of Law Commission through Senapati DC, the NWU said that enacting a common law for every citizen irrespective of religion and caste itself would be against the idea of secularism.

Saying that Nagas in North-East India have its own set of customs, traditions and personal laws, the NWU continued that the concept of UCC, however, seems more like a political ploy to appease the majority by undermining the interest of minorities.


People confront police during a protest against the government's plan to overhaul the judiciary in Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 11, 2023. Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters staged rallies across the country on Tuesday, in the largest weekday protest in months against the hard-right government's plan to overhaul the judiciary. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

JERUSALEM, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters staged rallies across the country on Tuesday, in the largest weekday protest in months against the hard-right government's plan to overhaul the judiciary.

Despite the scorching summer heat, scores of Israelis took to streets, highways and junctions in major cities to hold protests in what they called a day of "disruption."

They were protesting against a key bill in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to overhaul the legal system. The bill, which passed the first out of three rounds of voting in the parliament overnight Monday, aims to prevent the Supreme Court from overturning government decisions on the grounds of "reasonability."

In January, the Supreme Court used this standard to cancel the appointment of Aryeh Deri, the leader of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party and a key member in Netanyahu's coalition, as a minister because of his conviction for tax fraud in 2022.

The bill was widely criticized by legal experts. Avichai Mandelblit, Israel's former attorney-general, said in an interview with Channel 12 TV news that Israel "has come to the threshold of becoming a dictatorial state."

The protests began in the morning, with rallies held in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Herzliya, Beersheba, Eilat, and other cities.

Protesters temporarily blocked the Azrieli Junction, a major crossroads in Tel Aviv, as well as the adjacent Ayalon Highways, Israel's main freeway, and Route 1, which connects Tel Aviv and other parts of Israel.

On the central Mediterranean beaches of Israel, women lined up to participate in a human chain, calling for democracy and equal gender rights.

The police used water cannons on the protesters in several locations. Videos on social networks showed policemen pushing protesters to the ground and punching them.

Two photographers with Ha'aretz newspaper and Yediot Aharonot, two of the country's leading daily newspapers, were briefly arrested. One of them was handcuffed and the other beaten, as shown in a video of their arrests.

In the afternoon, about 20,000 demonstrators, as estimated by the organizers, gathered at the main entrance of Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's main international airport, waving the blue-and-white flags of Israel. The police deployed around 1,000 officers, who in some cases clashed with the demonstrators.

The protests continued into the night, with tens of thousands rallying in Tel Aviv and on major roads across the country.

According to Channel 13 TV reports, at least 19 demonstrators were injured and required hospital care. By the evening, the police said in a statement that at least 76 protesters had been arrested.

Over 400 Air Force reserve soldiers, including pilots, held a meeting to discuss the possibility of joining the other reserve soldiers who already announced their intention to refuse service if the government proceeded with the judicial overhaul.

In a public speech on Tuesday night, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called for "an end to the calls for refusal," citing that they "hurt the military, the security system, and Israel's security."

Netanyahu maintains that reform is needed in order to curb what he calls the "overly activist" Supreme Court.

The grassroots movement, which includes prominent legal experts, economists, hi-tech entrepreneurs, and former senior security officials, has been holding protests against the judicial overhaul for 27 consecutive weeks.

Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, returned to office last December, leading a rightist government coalition consisting of ultranationalist and ultra-religious parties. 

People take part in a protest against the government's plan to overhaul the judiciary in Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 11, 2023. Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters staged rallies across the country on Tuesday, in the largest weekday protest in months against the hard-right government's plan to overhaul the judiciary. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

People take part in a protest against the government's plan to overhaul the judiciary in Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 11, 2023. Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters staged rallies across the country on Tuesday, in the largest weekday protest in months against the hard-right government's plan to overhaul the judiciary. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

A woman confronts mounted police during a protest against the government's plan to overhaul the judiciary in Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 11, 2023. Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters staged rallies across the country on Tuesday, in the largest weekday protest in months against the hard-right government's plan to overhaul the judiciary. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

Police detain a woman during a protest against the government's plan to overhaul the judiciary at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 11, 2023. Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters staged rallies across the country on Tuesday, in the largest weekday protest in months against the hard-right government's plan to overhaul the judiciary. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

A woman confronts police during a protest against the government's plan to overhaul the judiciary at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 11, 2023. Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters staged rallies across the country on Tuesday, in the largest weekday protest in months against the hard-right government's plan to overhaul the judiciary. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

People take part in a protest against the government's plan to overhaul the judiciary at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 11, 2023. Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters staged rallies across the country on Tuesday, in the largest weekday protest in months against the hard-right government's plan to overhaul the judiciary. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)
SYDNEY, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) on Wednesday unveiled a string of changes related to its monetary policy decision-making in response to an independent review released by the Department of the Treasury in April.

Addressing the Economic Society of Australia (Queensland) Business Lunch in Brisbane, RBA Governor Philip Lowe said that the bank board has spent time discussing the recommendations suggested by the review and decided on ten reforms regarding monetary policy decision-making and communication.

According to Lowe's briefing, from 2024, the bank board will meet eight times a year, instead of 11 times as is currently the case.

The board meetings will be longer, typically starting on Monday afternoon and then continuing on Tuesday morning, with the outcome of every meeting announced at about 2:30 p.m. local time on the second day.

Before the Board meeting, all Board members will have the opportunity to attend an internal staff meeting.

The post-meeting statement will be issued by the board, not the governor, while the governor will hold a media conference after each meeting to explain the decision.

In addition, the quarterly Statement on Monetary Policy will be released at the same time as the outcome of the Board meeting, and the board, rather than just the governor, will be the signatory to the Statement on the Conduct of Monetary Policy.

Lowe also noted that the board will oversee the bank's research agenda as it relates to monetary policy and aspects of financial stability, with the bank continuing with the current approach to climate change analysis.

"The Board will work with the Treasury to undertake five-yearly open and transparent reviews of the monetary policy framework, " he added.

Lowe's remarks came after Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Wednesday morning that he would be taking his recommendation to the cabinet about the position of the Reserve Bank governor up soon. 
ADEN, Yemen, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Five soldiers from the Yemeni government forces were critically injured in clashes with militants of the Yemeni branch of al-Qaeda in the turbulent southern province of Abyan on Wednesday, a military official said.

"Scores of al-Qaeda militants tried to launch a large-scale attack on the government-controlled sites in the Al Mahfid district of Abyan Province, sparking intense armed confrontations," the local military official said on condition of anonymity.

After hours of fighting, the government troops thwarted the attack of the al-Qaeda militants, who were forced to retreat to their mountainous hideouts, said the official, adding government soldiers inflicted heavy casualties on the militants.

After the battle, the Yemeni government deployed more troops in the region to reinforce its control and halt terrorist activities.

To tackle the growing threat posed by terrorists, government forces backed by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition have carried out several large-scale military operations on al-Qaeda's hideouts in recent months, but are still unable to eliminate the group hidden in the mountainous areas of Yemen's southern provinces.

Yemen has been embroiled in a devastating civil war since 2014, with the Houthi rebels fighting against the internationally-recognized government and its allied Saudi-led coalition. 
This photo taken on July 12, 2023 shows team members of the 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition in east China's Shanghai. Chinese scientists set off for the 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition on Wednesday aboard the Xuelong 2, the country's first domestically built polar icebreaker, departing from Shanghai.

The expedition team is expected to return to Shanghai in late September after a trip of 15,500 nautical miles. (Xinhua/Wei Hongyi)

SHANGHAI, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists set off for the 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition on Wednesday aboard the Xuelong 2, the country's first domestically built polar icebreaker, departing from Shanghai.

The expedition, organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, is intended to conduct investigations into the geology and geophysics of the mid-ocean ridge, as well as atmospheric, sea ice, marine and subsurface environmental surveys, and surveys of biomes and pollutants.

It will improve China's capabilities in the areas of Arctic Ocean environmental protection and marine pollution assessment, and will obtain key information and data needed for related research, such as mid-ocean ridge dynamics.

In addition, the team will work with scientists from countries including Russia and Thailand on relevant research to promote international cooperation on Arctic scientific expeditions.

The expedition team is expected to return to Shanghai in late September after a trip of 15,500 nautical miles. 

Team members of the 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition pose for group photos on the deck of Xuelong 2 in east China's Shanghai, July 12, 2023. Chinese scientists set off for the 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition on Wednesday aboard the Xuelong 2, the country's first domestically built polar icebreaker, departing from Shanghai.

The expedition team is expected to return to Shanghai in late September after a trip of 15,500 nautical miles. (Xinhua/Wei Hongyi)

This aerial photo taken on July 12, 2023 shows Xuelong 2 docking at a port in east China's Shanghai. Chinese scientists set off for the 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition on Wednesday aboard the Xuelong 2, the country's first domestically built polar icebreaker, departing from Shanghai.

The expedition team is expected to return to Shanghai in late September after a trip of 15,500 nautical miles. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiansong)

People take photos of Xuelong 2 in east China's Shanghai, July 12, 2023. Chinese scientists set off for the 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition on Wednesday aboard the Xuelong 2, the country's first domestically built polar icebreaker, departing from Shanghai.

The expedition team is expected to return to Shanghai in late September after a trip of 15,500 nautical miles. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiansong)

This aerial photo taken on July 12, 2023 shows Xuelong 2 sailing on the Huangpu River in east China's Shanghai. Chinese scientists set off for the 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition on Wednesday aboard the Xuelong 2, the country's first domestically built polar icebreaker, departing from Shanghai.

The expedition team is expected to return to Shanghai in late September after a trip of 15,500 nautical miles. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiansong)
SYDNEY, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Health authorities in the Australian state of Queensland said on Wednesday that an 11-year-old teenager died last week after contracting influenza, with the state's Chief Health Officer John Gerrard urging local residents to get vaccinated.

"We would like to extend our sincere sympathies to the family during this extremely difficult time. This experience is heartbreaking for everyone involved," said a spokesperson from the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service.

Meanwhile, Gerrard expressed his concern over the rise in influenza B cases and the high rate of unvaccinated patients, not least with school resuming this week.

"Influenza B is causing severe illness in otherwise healthy Queenslanders, young people in particular. We experienced an influenza A wave leading into winter, but influenza B has taken over as the dominant strain in July," said Gerrard.

The officer underlined that there have been three times more hospital admissions for influenza B than influenza A in children aged less than five years.

Since July 1, 78 children, aged 6 months to four years old, were hospitalized with flu, of which 50 with the B strain. Only one of these children was vaccinated. There have also been 11 infants under six months old hospitalized with flu, eight of whom had the B strain.

"Queensland's flu toll for 2023 stands at 47,300 case notifications, including 3,814 hospital admissions and 31 ICU admissions. If you or your children have not been vaccinated against the flu, I urge you to please book in with your GP or pharmacist to do so," Gerrard stressed.

The death of the 11-year-old was known to the public only a day after the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that a teenage girl from the New South Wales (NSW) Central Coast lost her life due to influenza B.

Last week, NSW Health Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant warned local communities of the "concerning" increase in influenza rates and hospitalizations among children and teenagers.

"In recent weeks we have seen influenza cases rising fastest among very young children as well as those aged five to 16 years, with these two age groups often accounting for around half of all flu cases diagnosed in NSW each week," she said. 
Despite being way ahead of the opposition parties in most parts of West Bengal as per the counting trends for the panchayat polls on Tuesday, the ruling Trinamul Congress received a major jolt at Nandigram in East Midnapore district, which is considered a stronghold of Suvendu Adhikari, the leader of opposition in the state Assembly.

Adhikari is also the BJP MLA from Nandigram, where he defeated chief minister Mamata Banerje by a margin of 1,956 votes in the 2021 Assembly elections. In the panchayat polls, BJPs performance has been significant in the village panchayat areas of Boyal-I, BoyalII, Khodambari-I and Khodambari-II under Nandigram-II block. Of the total 61 gram panchayat seats there, BJP candidates have either won or are ahead in 37 seats, followed by Trinamul nominees at 23 and one Independent candidate.

In Boyal-I, BJP candidates have won or are ahead in eight out of the 13 seats, pushing Trinamul back with five seats. In Boyal-II, nine seats are in favour of BJP, while TMC has six and one went in favour of an Independent candidate. In Khodambari-I, BJP won eight out of 15 seats, followed by Trinamul at seven. In Khodambari-II, 12 out of the 17 seats are in favour of BJP, followed by Trinamul at five.

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Adhikari said that the results in Nandigram reflect the fact that people have rejected the Trinamul wherever they could resist the ruling partys hooligans and cast their votes. Had this picture in Nandigram been reflected in the entire state, Trinamul would have turned minorities in most districts.

But our fight against the ruling party will continue, Adhikari said, adding, In the poll-related deaths in the state, most of them are from the minority community. They will have to take a call if they want this or fight against this regime.
The Trinamul Congress appears headed for a thumping win in the three-tier panchayat elections in West Bengal, with trends from the counting of votes, which began today, clearly indicating that the party is all set to increase its tally from the 2018 elections, riding on the peoples overwhelming mandate.The party made major gains in north Bengal and in the Junglemahal districts at the expense of its main opposition, the BJP.

The results of the Panchayat elections started coming in after late afternoon.According to the last reports received, at the Gram Panchayat, Trinamul Congress has won 18,580 seats. The BJP, CPIM, Congress and others were far behind, having won 4,479, 1,426, 1,071 and 1,538 seats respectively. In the 2018 Panchayat election, the Trinamul Congress got 38,118 seats altogether while the BJP got 5779 seats. In the Panchayat Samity Trinamul had got 8062 seats while the saffron party got 769 seats.

In Zilla Parishad, Trinamul got 793 seats while BJP got 22 seats. There are 63,228 Gram Panchayat seats, 9,730 in Panchayat Samity and 928 Zilla Parishad seats that went to the polls on 8 July. Counting for Panchayat Samiti tier had only begun in some districts as of Tuesday evening, and counting for Zilla Parishad seats had not started.

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Counting is expected to continue into the night and on Wednesday. Congratulating the people, Abhishek Banerjee, Trinamul Congress national general secretary tweeted: The dejection of the combined opposition of BJP, CPIM and INC pales in comparison to the sadness that must be felt by friends from mainstream media.

Even a malicious campaign with baseless propaganda to malign the AITC state government in WB couldnt sway the voters! Grateful to the people for converting oppositions No vote to Mamata campaign to Now vote for Mamata. With unwavering support to # Trinamoole Nabo Jowar, we will surely have a roaring mandate, paving the way for LS elections.

Bengal, I thank you for all the love. Tapas Roy, TMC deputy chief whip, said: Throughout the year Trinamul Congress works for the development of the people. People are with Mamata Banerjee and have expressed their views without any hesitation.

Dr Shashi Panja said: From day 1 since the nomination began, the opposition started creating violence as they knew that they would be washed away. Out of sheer frustration, the opposition created trouble on the day of the election on 8 July and today.
West Bengal BJP President, Sukanta Majumdar, sat on a dharna (sit-in protest) outside a counting centre at Balurghat College under Dakshin Dinajpur district late on Tuesday night, alleging fabrication in Panchayat poll results, counting for which started earlier in the day.

Alleging the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of fabricating the results, State BJP Chief Majumdar said that he will be opting for legal action in the matter. Despite our candidates winning in the electionsthe results are being fabricated. The ruling party has brought criminals inside the counting centre to help their candidates win by rigging the counting. The Block Development Officer (BDO) is biased and is an agent of TMC, Majumdar said while speaking to reporters outside the counting center.

I am here to meet the BDO, but he is not hereWe will go for legal action, he added.

The counting for 63,229 -Gram Panchayat seats began at 8 am on Tuesday and since the beginning TMC seems to leading the tally.

As the counting of votes for progressed in West Bengal, TMC maintained its early leads in the results.

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TMC has won in 28,985 and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 7,764 seats while Congress has secured 2,022 seats so far. TMC was leading on 1,540 panchayat seats while BJP was leading on 417, according to the State Election Commission (SEC) as of 10.30 pm on Tuesday.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has won 2,409 seats and is leading in 260 seats. Other parties won 725 seats and leading on 23 seats, while independents which included TMC rebels won 1,656 seats and are maintaining a led in 104 seats.

Meanwhile, BJP on Tuesday also slammed TMC over violence during the panchayat polls calling it state-sponsored violence and claimed that at least 45 people have died in the clashes.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, while addressing a press conference said that these killings are institutional murder.

In West Bengal, elections and violence have become synonymousAround 45 people have been killed as far as Panchayat polls in West Bengal are concerned. Words like firing, bombing, murder and vote rigging are being used for the Panchayat electionsThis is not accidental, this is a state-sponsored murder of democracy. It is an institutional murder, that is, from the police administration to the district officers and the administrative officers, everything is involved, Patra said.

He further said that the party vehemently condemns the poll violence and murder of democracy in West Bengal. Nirmam Bandyopadhyay (ruthless Mamata Banerjee), who used to talk maa, maati, manush, is being a mute spectator, he added. Patra further lashed out at other parties accusing them to be silent over the issue.

Where is Rahul ji, there is no mention of your Mohabbat Ki Dukan, you want to open the shop of love all over India, today you are not talking about it because the mega mall of your aspirations is open there (West Bengal), he said.

Elections were held on July 8 under tight security, with approximately 5.67 crore voters participating and deciding the fate of 2.06 lakh candidates vying for 73,887 seats in rural areas of West Bengal.

However, the voting day was marred with widespread violence, looting of ballots papers and rigging. There were reports of booth capturing, damaging of ballot boxes and assault of presiding officers from several districts such as Murshidabad, Cooch Behar, Malda, South 24 Parganas, North Dinajpur and Nadia.

Reports also emerged of ballot boxes being set on fire and clashes between political parties in different locations.

As a result, re-polling was conducted in 697 booths across 22 Zilla Parishads, 9,730 Panchayat Samitis, and 63,239 Gram Panchayat seats in 19 districts of the state. The re-polling process was conducted under the supervision of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) without any reports of violence.
In the wake of the rising water level in the Yamuna river, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday made an appeal to the people living in the low-lying areas near Yamuna floodplains to vacate.

I request everyone to vacate their homes in the low-lying areas. There are several places affected by the rise in the level of water in Yamuna River, Kejriwal said while addressing a press conference after chairing an emergency meeting convened in the wake of rising level of water in Yamuna.

He said the water level of the Yamuna river in the national capital has reached 207.71 metres, the highest ever.

Delhi has not received rainfall in the last 2-3 days, Kejriwal said.

The Delhi Chief Minister said he has written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking his intervention to reduce the flow of water entering from Himachal Pradesh and Haryana in Delhi.

Water is entering Delhi from Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. Regarding this, I have also written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting him to reduce the flow of water entering Delhi, only then we can stop the Yamuna River from overflowing, the Delhi Chief Minister said.

Earlier, Kejriwal chaired an emergency meeting in the Secretariat over the flood situation in Delhi. Ministers, Mayor and officials from various departments were present at the meeting.

In a bid to ensure the safety of the public, Delhi Police imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in flood-prone areas of the national capital as preventive measures.

Going with the present situation, two police stations located in flood-prone areas in North East Delhi have been ordered to shift to higher floors and other police stations in the vicinity have been instructed to be on alert as Yamuna River has breached the danger level and the water level continues to rise, an official said.

The Delhi government has already evacuated people living in low-lying areas and shifted them to safer places at higher altitudes. Police personnel and Civil Defence Volunteers at such locations and advisories are being issued to people to keep away from the river.

Meanwhile, 2500 tents have been set up in 6 districts of the national capital to which people are being shifted. Those living in the affected areas are being shifted to these camps set up at higher places.

If the water level of Yamuna rises, the Kejriwal government is ready to deal with every situation, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had on Tuesday issued an orange rainfall alert for Delhi.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday made an appeal to Centre for help in dealing with the situation arising from rising water level in Yamuna which is posing flood threat in the national capital.

Kejriwal wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure that water from Hathni Kund barrage is released in limited and controlled volumes so that the level of Yamuna in Delhi does not rise further.

The Yamuna has already reached 207.55 metres, which is way above the danger mark of 205.33 metres at the Old Railway Bridge. As per experts, by tonight the river will reach 207.72 metres, highest in the history recorded so far.

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Till now, the highest level of the Yamuna has been 207.49 metres, which was recorded in 1978.

Kejriwal has asserted that Delhi has not seen heavy rains for the last three days, and Yamuna levels are rising due to large amounts of water being released from HathniKund Barrage in Yamuna Nagar, Haryana. Against this backdrop, he made an appeal to the Centre to control levels of water being released from Hathni Kund so that Delhi doesnt face flood threat.

The CM said Delhi is soon going to host the G20 Summit and a flooded host city wont send out a positive message to the world that the.

In his letter to the Union home minister, he informed that the level of Yamuna in the national capital has reached 207.55 metres at 1 pm on Wednesday. It is well above the danger mark (205.33 m). Prior to this, the maximum level of Yamuna had been reached in the year 1978, which was 207.49 metres. At that time there was a flood in Delhi and the situation became very serious. At the level of 207.55 metres now Yamuna can flood anytime, the letter reads.

The CM has further stated that according to the latest estimates of the Central Water Commission, the level of Yamuna will reach 207.72 metres tonight, which is a matter of great concern.

Further in the letter, Kejriwal has pointed out that it did not rain in Delhi for the last three days and the water level in the Yamuna in Delhi is not increasing due to the rains in Delhi but due to the water being released from the Hathni Kund barrage located in Haryana. I humbly request you that if possible the water from Hathni Kund barrage should be released in limited and controlled volumes so that the level of Yamuna in Delhi does not increase further, the letter reads.

He has also stated that Delhi is the capital of the country and the G20 summit is going to be held here in a few weeks. The news of flooding in the national capital will not send a good message to the world. Together we all have to save the people of Delhi from this situation, the letter reads.

The CM also took to Twitter to talk about the situation, he wrote, Central Water Commission predicts 207.72 metres water level in Yamuna tonight. Not good news for Delhi. There have been no rains in Delhi in the last 2 days, however, levels of Yamuna are rising due to abnormally high volumes of water being released by Haryana at Hathnikund barrage. Urge Centre to intervene and ensure that levels in Yamuna dont rise further, highest Flood Level 207.49m (in 1978). Current Level is 207.55m.
The Pragati Maidan tunnel remained closed for the fourth day on Wednesday due to waterlogging days after a very heavy rainfall in the national capital.

The Delhi Police have put barricades on the entry points of the tunnel to restrict traffic movement.

Due to cleaning and maintenance work, Pragati Maidan Tunnel will remain closed for traffic. Commuters are advised to plan their journey accordingly, said Delhi Traffic Police in a tweet.

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Meanwhile, due to waterlogging, traffic congestion was also reported at several other parts of the city.

The traffic was moving at snails pace at Mehrauli, ITO, Kashmere Gate, Shershah road, Aurbindo Marg, Rajokri among others.

Traffic is affected on Rohtak Road in the carriageway from Swarn Park, Mundka towards Tikri border due to waterlogging near Metro Pillar No. 507. Kindly avoid the stretch, traffic police tweeted.

Traffic is affected on Najafgarh road in the carriageway from Zakhira towards Moti Nagar due to burst of water pipe line, waterlogging on road. Kindly avoid the stretch, it said in another tweet.
Actor Katrina Kaif recently gathered a lot of praise for sharing a heartfelt note on social media for her personal assistant Ashok Sharma. He has been working as her personal assistant for the past two decades.

Sharing a picture of Sharma with herself, Katrina wrote a touching note for him. She wrote, Aaj bees saal pure ho gaye (Its been twenty years today) Mr Ashok Sharma @sharmaashok01 The person who has spent the most time with me in the last 20 years.

She further wrote that from laughs to motivating pep talks to fights over changing her mind at the last minute, she has shared innumerable times of happiness and loss with him.

His friendly face, was one constant, usually knowing what I want before I do, always keeping a watchful eye on me. Heres to the next 20, Katrina added.

The post received an overwhelming response with 805K likes in just five hours.

While Priyanka Chopra called it the Best!, Sonal Chauhan called it a beautiful post. Dia Mirza dropped heart emojis. Nimrat Kaur commented Love it. Make-up artist Sandhya Shekar commented, Ashok Sharma, you are a star. Mini Mathur commented on how Ashok Sharma had looked dapper at Katrinas wedding like a true ladki-wallah.

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Katrinas next film is with Salman Khan in the much-awaited upcoming action thriller Tiger, which is slated for a Diwali 2023 release. She will also be seen in Jee Le Zaraa with Alia Bhatt. She also has director Sriram Raghavans film Merry Christmas opposite Vijay Sethupathi, one of the biggest names in the South, but trying to make a mark in Bollywood.

Her most recent film was Phone Bhoot with Ishaan Khattar and Siddhant Chaturvedi which failed to impress the audience. Husband Vicky Kaushal, on the other hand, will appear in Meghna Gulzars Sam Bahadur based on the life of Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw.
Rajasthan Congress in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Wednesday alleged that the BJP had hatched a conspiracy against Rahul Gandhi to cancel his membership of Parliament.

Pointing out that the Congress leader Gandhi has been raising the voice for the people whose hard-earned money was taken away by scamsters, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa asked Why does the government of India not bring back the people who ran away?

He said, Rahul simply asked the Central government it why has not taken any concrete action to bring them back Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi who ran away with the countrys money. 

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Randhawa was speaking to the media at the party office here while Congress leaders, ministers and MLAs were holding a one-day silent satyagrah.

He said that the Congress party will raise the voice more strongly against the wrong policies of the Central government and will defeat the BJP in the upcoming four state elections and in the Lok Sabha elections the way it has defeated it in Karnataka.

Hundreds of Congress people kept busy spinning wheel and yarn at the protest site.

RPCC President Govind Singh Dotasara said the kind of atmosphere prevailing in the country was worrying. Democratic values were degrading, and constitutional institutions were being misused to suppress the voice of the Opposition.
Expressing grief over the death of several people during the ongoing floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, the Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai Lama on Wednesday announced donation towards rescue and relief efforts initiated by the government.

The Dalai Lama, who is camping in his Leh (Ladakh) residence  Shewatsel Phodrang  wrote to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukheinder Singh Sukhu: As a mark of my solidarity with the people of Himachal Pradesh, the Dalai Lama Trust is making a donation towards rescue and relief efforts.

In his letter to the chief minister, he said that he was deeply saddened to learn of the torrential rains that have triggered floods and landslides resulting in the tragic death of many people and severe damage to roads and infrastructure in north India, particularly in Himachal Pradesh.

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Having lived so happily in this state for more than six decades, he wrote, I feel a special affinity for the people here.

I pray for those who have lost their lives and offer my heartfelt condolences to those families who have lost loved ones, as well as to others affected by this natural calamity.

I understand that the state government and other agencies are doing everything they can to provide relief and mitigate the effects of this tragedy. As a mark of my solidarity with the people of Himachal Pradesh, The Dalai Lama Trust is making a donation towards rescue and relief efforts.

The Lama concluded his letter with prayers and good wishes.
On July 4, Gautam Budh Nagar police in Uttar Pradesh arrested a woman from Pakistan for illegally entering India through Nepal with her four children

This is the story of a daring Pakistani woman Seema Ghulam Haider, who fell in love with an Indian man Sachin[S1] Meena in Uttar Pradesh, India. How did they get to know each other? Playing PubG during the Covid pandemic.

Sachin and his father Netrapal Singh were both jailed on July 4 for sheltering illegal immigrants which include Seema and her four young kids, all below 7. Netrapal was given bail by a district court on July 6, while Sachin and Seema secured bail on July 7.

Belonging to Rind Hajano in Khairpur Mir in southern Pakistan, Seema, now 27, was a bubbly energetic young girl always wanting more gun in life. Fond of dance and music, she never went to school but learnt to read and write at home. She has two sisters and one brother who, she says, serves in the Pakistan Army.

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At 12, she lost her mother, was married off at 17, moved to Karachi after her wedding. Her husband left to work in Saudi Arabia in 2019 and then Covid struck.

Not being able to meet her father or sisters, she took refugee in watching TikTok for hours and playing online shooter game pubG where multiple players play at a time

A lot of people in my Karachi neighbourhood turned to games. I first played Candy Crush, and then began playing PubG, she told reporters.

17-year-old Sachin who worked at a local department store, lost his job after Covid, and was also gaming most of the time.

This is where their camaraderie grew, phone numbers were exchanged and talking for hours on Whatsapp started.

Her username on PubG was Sathi_Meena and his Seema_Sachin.

In December 2022, Seemas father died. I wanted to meet and comfort her, said Sachin. This ignited fire in him to meet her as she would cry inconsolably on the phone. Drawing inspiration from the film Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001), Seema applied for an Indian visa in February 2023. The plan went kaput when she realized documents required the signature of a gazetted officer which would draw attention, so she had to drop this plan and instead decided on meeting Sachin in Nepal.

On March 8, 2023, Sachin took a bus from the Kashmere Gate ISBT to Kathmandu on a 30-hr journey for 2,500, while Seema took a flight to Kathmandu via Sharjah. By March 10, for the first time they were both in the same city, Kathmandu. They watched the film Gadar together and on March 11, got married at Pashupatinath Temple with Hindu rituals.

For a week, they stayed in Kathmandu like a married couple,I could not wait to be in India and be with Sachin forever, she said.

On returning to Karachi, a determined Seema hired a travel agent, sold her husbands house and bought 4 tickets to Kathmandu via UAE again.

On May 10, she left her Karachi home, took a flight from the Jinnah International Airport to Kathmandu from where she took a van to Pokhara, and then a bus to Delhi.

She had practiced enough of her new name Seema and her childrens Hindu names  Raj, Priyanka, Pari, and Munni. I told the conductor that my husband is a Thakur and I am Thakurain, she said. Travelling from Kashmere Gate to Jewar in a bus, she met Sachin at the Faleda crossing in Rabupura.

In Rabupura, Sachin hired a room on rent for 2,500 a month, in Ambedkar Nagar colony, near his family home. The hesitant landlord Giresh Singh was not ready, but somehow gave in, not knowing at this point of time that Sachin was shifting in with his Pakistani wife.

A month-and-a-half went by in peace. Now, Seema wanted to get her children enrolled in school for which an Indian identity like a birth certificate was needed.

On June 29, the couple went to an advocate in Bulandshahr. But on seeing her Pakistani passport, he grew suspicious and informed the police.

Sachins friend meanwhile tipped him about the development and he fled along with his new family on a bus, but were apprehended by the police at Balabgarh.

Then they landed in the jail along with Sachins father.

Saad Miyan Khan, deputy commissioner of police (Greater Noida) said that investigations thus far had not revealed anything that suggest espionage, but added that no clean chit could be given.

The Rabupura residents have accepted the Pakistani bahu, but back home in Karachi, people are baying for her blood. She does not want to go back and said will do as the government wants. Everybody in Rabupura have their fingers crossed for now.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (C) delivers a speech during his visit to the northern West Bank city of Jenin, on July 12, 2023. Abbas visited Jenin and its refugee camp on Wednesday, about a week after the end of a large-scale Israeli military offensive on the area. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

JENIN, West Bank, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited the northern West Bank city of Jenin and its refugee camp on Wednesday, about a week after the end of a large-scale Israeli military offensive on the area.

During the two-hour visit to the camp, Abbas pledged to immediately rebuild what had been destroyed by the Israeli army during the two-day offensive in Jenin.

"We challenge everyone who wants to defeat us or attack us, and we will not accept aggression from anyone, and we will remain steadfast and patient in our country, and we will not leave," he told the crowds gathered in the camp.

The Israeli offensive in Jenin, which was launched on July 3, killed 12 Palestinians, wounded more than 150, and caused serious destruction in housing and infrastructure in the refugee camp, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Abbas arrived in Jenin by a helicopter and visited the city's cemetery where the 87-year-old president laid a wreath of flowers on the graves of the 12 Palestinians killed in the recent Israeli offensive.

This visit by Abbas to Jenin and its camp was rare as he last came to the city in July 2012 but did not visit the camp, according to local Palestinian sources.

The Jenin camp is home to about 14,000 refugees, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (C) delivers a speech during his visit to the northern West Bank city of Jenin, on July 12, 2023. Abbas visited Jenin and its refugee camp on Wednesday, about a week after the end of a large-scale Israeli military offensive on the area. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (C) delivers a speech during his visit to the northern West Bank city of Jenin, on July 12, 2023. Abbas visited Jenin and its refugee camp on Wednesday, about a week after the end of a large-scale Israeli military offensive on the area. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay an official visit to France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 13-15 July, it was officially announced on Wednesday.

The PM will be on a visit to Paris from 13 to 14 July at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. He will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day Parade on 14 July, where a tri-services Indian armed forces contingent would be participating.

During the visit, Modi will hold formal talks with President Macron, who will also host a state banquet as well as a private dinner in his honour.

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He is also scheduled to meet the prime minister of France as well as the presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly. He will separately interact with the Indian diaspora in France, CEOs of Indian and French companies, and prominent French personalities.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, and the PMs visit will provide an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future across diverse sectors such as strategic, cultural, scientific, academic and economic cooperation.

The PM will, thereafter, proceed to Abu Dhabi on 15 July. He will hold talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

The India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has been steadily strengthening and the PMs visit will be an opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence and culture. It will also be an opportunity to discuss cooperation on global issues, particularly in the context of UAEs Presidency of COP-28 of the UNFCCC and Indias G-20 Presidency in which UAE is a Special Invitee.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday said the situation in the state will improve considerably as weather remained clear at most places in the region after three days of incessant rains.

Mann said 13,574 persons in Patiala, Roopnagar, Moga, Ludhiana, Mohali, SBS Nagar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Tarn Taran and Jalandhar have been evacuated from the flood ravaged areas to safer places.

He said all the dams in the state are safe and water is flowing below the danger mark. Priority is being given to carry rescue and relief work in the badly affected areas of the state.

Divulging about the relief efforts, an official spokesperson said 1058 villages of 14 districts have been ravaged by the flood fury with Roopnagar accounting for most of them.

Advertisement Out of these affected villages, 364 belong to Roopnagar, 268 fall in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, 250 in Patiala, 71 in Jalandhar, 30 in Moga, 25 in Hoshiarpur, 16 in Ludhiana, three each in Sangrur and Ferozepur and six in Tarn Taran.

The spokesperson said during the past 24 hours, three people died who hailed from Faridkot. Till now, 49 houses have been completely destroyed whereas partial damage has occurred to 180 houses.

The Relief and Rehabilitation Department is undertaking disbursal of relief material and organizing relief camps in the different districts affected by the floods. The department has held 127 such camps so far out of which 14 have been held in 14, 16 in Roopnagar, seven in Moga, three in Ludhiana, 22 in Mohali, two each in SBS Nagar and Sangrur, 18 in Ferozepur, three in Hoshiarpur, seven in Tarn Taran, and 33 in Jalandhar.

In order to intensify relief efforts, boats have been provided too with Patiala getting 21, Roopnagar 24, Mohali five, Fatehgarh Sahib four and Ferozepur 15.

The CM said he is monitoring the situation every moment by taking regular updates from across the state. He said an elaborate mechanism has been put in place to safeguard the life and property of people from the increasing level of water.
A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Kochi found on Wednesday six of the 11 accused guilty in the sensational 2010 case in which Prof TJ Josephs hand was chopped off.

NIA court Judge Anil Bhaskar found that second accused Sajil, third Nasar, fourth Najeeb, eighth Noushad, the eleventh Moitheen Kunju, and the twelfth accused Ayoob guilty of attempted murder, conspiracy and serious other offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in the second phase of the trial in the case.

Some of the accused were also held guilty of offences under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court, however, acquitted five other accused  Aseez Odakkali, Muhammad Rafi, Subair, Shefieq and Mansoor  for want of evidence in the case.

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The sentencing of those found guilty would be pronounced on Thursday.

The right hand of T J Joseph, professor at Newman College in Thodupuzha of the Idukki district, was chopped off allegedly by activists of now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI) while he was returning home with his family after attending a Sunday mass at a church in Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district on July 4, 2010.

According to the investigation agency, it was the reference to Prophet Muhammad in one of the question papers for B Com exams in 2010 March set by Prof. Joseph that provoked the accused to attack the teacher.

In the first phase, 31 accused had faced trial and of them, the court had in April 2015 convicted 10 for offences under the UAPA as well as the Explosive Substances Act and the IPC and found three others guilty of harbouring the offenders.The court had acquitted 18 other accused in the case then.

The main accused in the case, Ashamannur Sawad, who is said to have chopped off the professors hand as per the NIA chargesheet, is still absconding.

The case was initially investigated by the Kerala Police, and was subsequently taken over by the NIA on March 9, 2011

Responding to the verdict, Prof TJ Joseph said the verdict by the NIA court that convicted six persons was not an instance of personal justice for him.

Victims never get any personal justice from the verdict in any case. The verdict is the assertion of the countrys law. It may act as a deterrent for others from committing such crime, he said.

He said the attackers were themselves the victims of a centuries-old tribal belief system and that the real perpetrators who ordered them to chop his hands off have not been brought before the law.
In order to try to gauge the public response to the success of Trinamool, which swept the just-concluded

rural elections in West Bengal, The Statesman spoke to random people on the streets of the city of

Kolkata and in the villages. While a wide range of reasons were attributed to the victory by the members

of the public, the one name that kept cropping up over and again is that of Abhishek Banerjee, the All

India Trinamool Congress general secretary and nephew of West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool

founder Mamata Banerjee. His Nobo Jowar Jatra, the two-month-long, mostly-on-foot outreach

campaign across the length and breadth of the state to try to connect with the rural people in order to

try to understand their problems, grievances, and issues has really paid off, said a journalist and political

analyst. He further pointed out, After Didi got injured in the beginning stages of the campaigning

process, her nephew really took over and traveled through the villages holding rallies tirelessly. (The

injury that he is referring to is the incident when Mamata Banerjee hurt her knee and back while getting

off of the helicopter she was traveling in, which while flying over the hills and forests of Darjeeling

district in north Bengal developed problems and had to make an emergency landing at the Indian

Armys Sevoke Airbase.)

The younger Banerjee, also known as the Number Two in the party, is reportedly receiving hands-

on training from his Aunt and has her full backing, is, according to insiders, keen to implement new ideas

and recently political scientist Professor Biswanath Chakraborty told The Statesman that one of the

visions of the Nobo Jowar Jatra was to try to talk to the people on the ground to ensure that the

Panchayat polls are conducted peacefully. Though, ironically, the rural polls were hardly entirely

peaceful with several districts reporting widespread violence, many of the villages in the districts in his

Diamond Harbor Parliamentary constituency, from where he is a Member of Parliament, reported

incidents-free polling. The other irony that crops up in the discussion about Abhishek Banerjee is that

while, according to insiders, he is apparently keen to clean-up the party image which has in the past

decade since it came to power has got mired in a number of scams like the chit fund scam, recently he

himself has been summoned for questioning by the Enforcement Directorate in a scam about

the recruitment of teachers. Banerjee, who had claimed in public rallies that the allegations are unfounded,

had moved the Supreme Court against the investigation but the apex court dismissed the plea citing

reasons that it will not interfere in the investigation process. However, the public in The Statesmans

random survey, felt that Abhisheks campaigning played a role in the partys Panchayat polls victory.

In the villages, the public openly cited Mamata Banerjees public distribution schemes as the reasons

why they voted for the party. From the money they received in their bank accounts in the Laxmi

Bhandar scheme to the free education that their girls received free of cost under the Kanyashree

scheme. Why would I vote for anyone else? said a woman, a farmer, from a village in Jungle Mahals

Jhargram. Who else would give us free rice? she added in a rhetorical question.

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Suvendu Adhikari, BJP leader and leader of the Opposition in Bengal had recently said in a public

campaigning rally that his party could double the Laxmi Bhandar money if voted to power. However,

Trinamool leaders, including Didi, have retorted that the Centre charges over Rs 1000 for cooking gas.

Fifty other top leaders of the Trinamool party too had campaigned in the villages before the rural polls.

They included veteran politicians like Professor Saugata Roy. He had told The Statesman that the

campaigning was a methodical approach which highlighted what the Trinamool did and what it will do in

future (like installing pipelines for drinking water in the village homes by 2025).
A wanted gangster and main accused in the political leader Kripal Jagheena murder case Kuldeep Jagheena was today gunned down and another accused Vijaypal was left wounded by another gang of assailants in a Rajasthan roadways bus which made a halt at Amoli Toll Plaza on Jaipur-Bharatpur highway this forenoon.

The seriously injured gangster Vijaypal was rushed to the Government hospital in Bharatpur, while Kuldeeps body was kept in a mortuary, a senior cop of the Police Headquarters told The Statesman.

At least eight assailants who were travelling in a car chased the bus in which over 50 passengers were also travelling. Suddenly they parked their car before the bus at the Toll Plaza and entered the bus and started targeted firing. The armed policemen who were guarding the two accused could not judge the situation and kept sitting like mute spectators.

No one on the bus was allowed to move out or even change their postures. After opening several rounds of fire the assailants fled from the scene in their car. One woman passenger was reportedly injured in the firing, and the police were ascertaining her whereabouts though she was also rushed to the hospital.

When contacted Rajasthans Director General of Police Umesh Mishra told the Statesman that four of the eight assailants were arrested in nearby forests and mountain areas near the toll plaza. The car used by them was also recovered from the deserted place by the Bharatpur cops, the DGP said.

It is pertinent to note that a political leader (said to be of BJP) Kripal Jagheena was murdered by the members of a hardcore criminal gang on September 4, 2022, over a property dispute. Kuldeep Jagheena and Vijaypal were the main accused and arrested. Today they were taken for court trial under police protection in the roadways bus from Jaipur to Bharatpur
One radical approach that entails a shift beyond capitalism is the so-called degrowth theories. Degrowth is defined as an equitable downscaling of throughput (that is, energy and resource flows through an economy, strongly coupled to GDP) with a concomitant securing of well-being to ultimately lead to a downscaled, socially just and ecologically balanced, steadystate economic system.

It would be an economy structured to balance growth with environmental integrity not only through efficient use of natural resources but also through fair distribution of the wealth generated from use of those resources. In a steady-state economy, success is measured by stability of the GDP rather than by its growth.

Even Adam Smith believed that sooner or later, any national economy has to settle down in a stationary equilibrium state where the GDP may not grow with time. Whereas classical economists did not believe in government intervention to bring in the steady state equilibrium, the American economist Herman Daly, who promoted the concept of steady state economy in the 1970s, recommended immediate governmental action to establish the steady-state economy by imposing permanent government restrictions on all resource use. A steady state economy is not a stagnating economy, but an economy that does not grow and is yet stable.

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No nation has as yet achieved this state. Degrowth does not equate development with economic expansion, but believes that within the prevailing capitalist system, decoupling between economic growth and social wellbeing is not possible, and the democratic state must play a significant role in this transition in changing economic structures while putting limits on resources and lifestyles of people while reforming institutions to increase social control over economic actions. GDP will automatically reduce as a consequence of these changes which will imply a shift beyond capitalism by preventing capital accumulation through dis-economics of scale and collective firm ownership, and thus require radical social change. While the GDP has increased in almost all countries over the years, the desirability and wisdom of more consumption that drives higher GDP are increasingly being questioned.

As Giorgos Kallis, an ecological economist, wrote, The faster we produce and consume goods, the more we damage the environment. There is no way to both have your cake and eat it here. If humanity is not to destroy the planets life support systems, the global economy should slow down.

The problem with all these alternative strategies is that none of them offers a convincing strategy of containing the unintended consequences of low growth: If growth were to be abandoned as an objective of policy, democracy too would have to be abandoned, as the Oxford economist Wilfred Beckerman wrote. The costs of deliberate non-growth, in terms of the political and social transformation that would be required in society, are astronomical. He argued that a continuous rise in living standards is the key to avoiding social conflict, the absence of which would pit the losers, the poor, against the rich.

The recent rise in political polarisation seen in many Western countries accompanied by slower growth testifies to the validity of his arguments. Indeed, the ability of governments to extend welfare benefits like healthcare, education, etc., is not possible without economic growth and higher tax revenues. It is thanks to economic growth that China and India had lifted millions out of extreme poverty by integrating into the global capitalist economy and supplying low-cost goods and services to the developed countries.

If, as the degrowth theorists demand, major industrialised economies were to cut back on consumption, the developing Asian countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia, or Vietnam, or African countries such as Ethiopia, Ghana or Rwanda, which have seen rapid rise in their GDPs in recent years, will inevitably fall back into the poverty trap they had successfully defeated. It is impossible to reconcile these two contradicting positions unless we do something like what Monbiot suggests, There is a poverty line below which no one should fall, and a wealth line above which no one should rise.

We need wealth taxes, not carbon taxes. The problem is that so long as we have surplus money, we will only be mega consumers rather than mindful citizens, and we will keep stealing from future generations, just as the colonial empires looted from our past. The evil colonial empire of the British Raj looted from India wealth estimated at $45 trillion at current prices, to fund industrialisation at home and the colonisation of other nations, whose wealth was then looted in turn, as Monibot says.

Such theft from the future is the motor of economic growth. Without breaking the cycle of wealth, the spiral of accumulation cannot be broken. Further, looters and thieves of the past must bear a much higher responsibility towards the future, and must bear the cost of sustainable growth in poorer countries that they had earlier looted. There has to be a cycle of accountability. The new economic model has to be one that allows the human population as a whole to thrive without having to rely on ultimately impossible endless increases in consumption. However, with most governments across the world, just as with all major economic fora like G-7, G20 or BRICS, the word sustainability is used more for optics than for real action, because equating social good with no growth isnt an acceptable proposition. Decoupling still remains an idea whose time has not yet come.

But as the American author Edward Abbey wrote, growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell. It calls for a painful chemotherapy of low growth or no growth. The chemotherapy requires a change in our collective attitude. As another American author James Kunstler said, people need to stop thinking of themselves as consumers, because consumers do not have obligations, responsibilities or duties to their fellow humans. In that light, advertising for consumer products is akin to intellectual pollution. It was thought that the Fourth Industrial Revolution, brought in through a convergence of cutting-edge technologies, could enable decoupling through exponential efficiency gains.

However, even though technology has been a driver of social transformation, it has so far only led to more inequality while remaining strongly coupled with increasing use of energy and materials. Further, as Quinn Slobodian showed in Crack-Up Capitalism, faster economic growth tends to curtail democratic freedom. Absolute economic freedom often comes by limiting the welfare state that is an imperative of democracy ~ any democratically elected government would be forced to spend on health, education, housing and welfare for the poor, but which a hardcore capitalist would consider a constraint upon economic growth.

As experiences in territories like Hong Kong or Dubai show, capitalism flourished best where the state is almost absent ~ in zones of exception where there are minimal taxes, no regulation or cap on corporate profits, no laws to prevent the exploitation of labour, and where investors are free to do whatever they like with their profits. These rule-free zones ~ the so-called innovation hubs ~ currently number over 5,400 around the world. Capitalism works by punching holes in the nation-state, writes Slobodian, so that the the lineaments of a future society without a state come into definition. It seems democracy and capitalism no longer go together. We have so far believed that democracy gives people freedom of choice, an essential prerequisite for economic activities to flourish. The question is ~ if this is the true face of neoliberal capitalism, would we want to look at it? Should we not think instead how a possible transition to reduced consumption, reduced production and reduced profit can be made compatible with social security and stability while fulfilling the basic human needs that modern living demands?

Unfortunately, not enough debates have generated yet on these options. Perhaps more time is needed to think through these issues, of which there is a critical shortage due to the overwhelming intrusion of TV and social media in our lives which prompted Clay Shirky to coin the term cognitive surplus: 200 billion hours of TV are watched in the US each year and 100 million hours are spent just watching adverts every weekend.

If this wasted time ~ the cognitive surplus ~ can be utilised for thinking creatively rather than consumptively, there could be a creative awakening to transform us from being consumers to becoming producers and sharers of knowledge and creative ideas. Rethinking economic growth will thus require redefining our concept of growth itself, bringing in a paradigm shift from the quantity of goods consumed to quality of life experienced.

Quality must be brought into GDP measurement and governments have to replace the current measurement of GDP based on quantity with one based on quality, for which some measures already exist and can be refined through universal consensus. Even Keynes who believed in the power of capitalism to improve human lives through growth but wanted governments to intervene prophesied that once humans basic economic needs of people were fulfilled, they would naturally gravitate towards non-economic pursuits ~ a prophecy that shows no sign of fulfilment even after a century.

But it is now apparent that this planet cannot afford unlimited growth of consumption by nations, but that need not restrain the growth of humans existential values that impart a purpose and meaning to human life. There is no limit to the beauty, love, kindness and empathy one can experience and invoke in others ~ without these, human lives would lose their meaning, and none of which can come from consumption. It is not an impossible, Utopian idea. As Pearl Buck had said, All things are possible until they are proved impossible.

(The writer is a commentator, author and academic. Opinions expressed are personal)
Indias third proper education policy since Independence, the New National Education Policy saw the light of day on 29 July 2020 with the commitment of major changes in the education system of the country. When the policy was announced in the midst of the pandemic to aim at bringing about much needed transformational changes in the countrys education system with a global perspective, skillbased learning seemed to have been prioritised with the use of modern technology.

But, sadly, a clear road map for implementation of the proposals has not been in sight. The shift to a new framework without proper infrastructure may undermine the quality of education and effective delivery of the intended outcomes. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) seek to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong opportunities for all by 2030. It is believed that through NEP 2000, India can achieve the goals established under the Policy by 2040.

On the occasion of the first anniversary, the government launched some key initiatives like the National Digital Education Architecture (NDEA), Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) and National Education Technical Forum (NETF) to give an impetus to quality learning. The NEP comes with an inclusive approach to partner with NGOs and community members to emphasise the need for vocational education. A target year  2025  has been fixed by which at least half the learners in schools and colleges would have exposure to vocational education.

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However, there is no mention about how it will be ensured that the benefits of overall education reach marginalized sections of society. It has been envisaged that 100 per cent Gross Enrolment Ratio from preschool to secondary level be achieved by 2030. The NEP also envisages an increase in the education expenditure from 4.6 per cent of GDP to 6 per cent. Considering the post-Covid new normal of remote learning and technologybased education, a higher spend is required for digital infrastructure. It seems there would be more stress on privatisation of education. However, in a country like ours where affordability of learning is still the biggest issue, privatisation seems like a major hurdle in implementation of the policy.

Although NEP mentions the need for transparency in fee structure, there is ambiguity about how the escalating fee of private institutions can be curtailed. In this respect, it is desirable that Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models are geared up for getting the private sector to contribute and utilise expertise for expediting proper delivery of education. It is imperative that collaboration between the government, higher education departments and public and private enablers be made for creating the requisite educational infrastructure in urban and rural areas. We must remember that the 1968 NEP was hamstrung by a shortage of funds.

Access, Equity, Quality and Accountability are the four pillars of NEP. The Human Resources Ministry has an important role to play in ensuring strong foundations for students at an early stage of their lives. Literacy and numeracy should be achieved by all states and union territories. But, sadly, as per the ASER 2022 report, only 20 per cent of grade 3 students can read grade 2 level texts (down from 27 per cent in 2018). Class V students who can at least read a Class 2 level text fell from 55.5 per cent in 2018 to 42.8 in 2022. It is, however, known that NEP 2020 lays emphasis on foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN). The NIPUN Bharat mission (2021) has the aim to ensure that all students in grades up to 3 have foundational literacy by 2026-27. This would reduce dropouts and improve numeracy rates. Diksha, a dedicated vertical on FLN resources, was developed in 2021 for easy and quick accessibility. UGC has developed the curriculum and credit framework for undergraduate programmes in December 2022 only to be implemented from this academic year, which provides for holistic education by allowing learners to experience courses from multiple disciplines through a 3- year or 4-year undergraduate programme with multiple entry and exit options, flexible degree options with single major, double major, multiple interdisciplinary education, integration of vocational courses, internship, skill and ability enhancement courses etc.

In fact, the inter-discipline approach in higher education requires drastic changes. The four-year degree programme with multiple exit options was chalked out with the aim to taking away the threat of students losing a year if they decide to shift streams or take a break for work. The proposal is already set to be introduced in central universities. The multiple entry and exit options were made available to universities from the 2020-21 session. The Academic Book of Credit (ABC), which will be the central repository of the academic credits obtained by all students, has been promoted by the UGC and the government of India. ABC, which will provide multiple entry and exit options for students in higher education and launched by the prime minister, has been welcomed by all. However, educators and learners are yet to develop curiosity and respect for the parameters fixed in the programmes.

As for the much-awaited single regulatory body for higher education which will take the place of both the UGC and AICTE, it is learnt that the bill is still in the process of being drafted. NEP proposed making it mandatory for students till Class V to be taught in their regional languages. Students were asked to provide options to study in three languages, out of which two would be indigenous. Setting up of a Sanskrit university was also suggested. Technical education such as engineering courses are to be offered in eight regional languages.

The Education Minister informed that technical education would be offered in these regional languages in certain institutions on a pilot basis from 2020-21 itself. Emphasis on mother tongue/ regional languages is nothing new for our country. Most government schools are doing this already. But it is unlikely that private English medium schools would be asked to change their medium of instruction. In fact, the provision of mother tongue as medium of instruction was never compulsory for states as education is in the concurrent list. Hence the final stand of NEP in this regard has been ambiguous for schools.

Regional languages or mother tongue as the medium of instruction has been introduced on a pilot basis in the 2020-21 academic year. But NEP is yet to spell out something specifically on children of parents with transferable jobs, although it acknowledges children living in multilingual families. As there is a problematic teacher-student ratio in schools across the country, introducing a mother tongue for each subject does not seem feasible. Do the formulators of NEP have any answer? While some new subjects like Financial Literature and Artificial Intelligence have been included in the school curriculum and regional languages have been made the medium of instruction, the changes in allowing flexibility to enter and exit college courses is not in sight.

To facilitate multidisciplinary streams in the education system, some engineering colleges have reportedly started offering commerce and humanities subjects. Some IITs are also, it is learnt, on their way to start courses on economics, design, music, linguistics, etc. In schools also, subjects like Data Science and Artificial Intelligence will be offered on an optional basis. CBSE has already collaborated with Microsoft to co-operate Class VI-VIII students on code related modules. Under the purview of NPE 2020, online platforms have started offering some courses in partnership with institutes under top Indian universities. The Liberal Arts, Science and Engineering (LASE) Programme gives students the option to graduate with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, art and design and other ones permitting the students to design their own concentration.

Moreover, the latest welcome news is that international institutes are in the process of setting up their campuses. Legislation to allow foreign institutes to open campuses is hastened. lt is yet to be ascertained if a new law would enthuse the best foreign universities to set up campuses in India. In 2013, when a similar bill was sought to be pushed in Parliament, there were newspaper reports that the top global universities had shown little interest. Indeed, the government should hasten to set up a subject wise committee with members from relevant ministries at the central and state levels to develop implementation plans for each aspect of NEP. Listing of actions to be taken by multiple bodies like the HRD ministry, NCERT, Central Advisory Board of Education, National Testing Agency etc. is likely to make an impact. Amidst cheers, in 2014, the then HRD minister had promised a NEP which would utilize a time bound grassroots consultative process and enable the minister to reach out to individuals across the country through 2.75 lakh direct consultations. The NEP 2000 is indeed promising. But a lot needs to be done.

(The writer, a former Associate Professor, Department of English, Gurudas College, Kolkata is presently with Rabindra Bharati University.)
In India, spiritualism is a sensitive topic and evokes strong reactions if a raw nerve is pressed. That is what happened with Iskcon monk Amogh Lila Das. He immediately got reprimanded by the Iskcon for his disparaging remarks against Swami Vivekanada, a staunch proponent of Sanatan Dharam which Iskcon also propagates, made at one of his recent pravachans.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) has banned him for a month. He not only made controversial remarks about the great philosopher Swami Vivekananda, but also his guru Ramakrishna Paramhansa.

Famous as Amogh Lila Prabhu, he is a popular figure on social media with a huge fan following for his religious and motivational speech. He was serving as the vice-president of the Iskcon temple at Dwarka in Delhi.

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In one of his pravachans, Amogh Lila Das raised the topic of the consumption of fish by Swami Vivekananda. Will a virtuous man ever eat fish? A fish also feels pain, right? Will a virtuous man eat fish then? he said, addressing the gathering. He also took a swipe at Swami Vivekanandas guru, Ramakrishna Paramhans.

In a statement released by Iskcon it said that it was pained by Amogh Lila Dass lack of understanding about the great teachings of these two personalities.

The Iskcon said that Amogh Lila Prabhu had confessed to making a mistake. He would therefore cut himself off from all forms of socializing for one month as part of atonement, the press release stated.

Amogh has a quirky style of speaking at his discourses which endears him to many people.

Who is Amogh Lila Das?

Amogh Lila Das was an engineer working for a US-based company.

His original name is Ashish Arora who belongs to Lucknow. He embarked on a spiritual journey in 2000 when he was in Class 12.

His time had not come yet, he decided to return and pursue a degree in software engineering. After his graduation way back in 2004, he began working for a US-based multinational corporation.

He left the corporate world in 2010. By 29, he joined Iskcon and became a dedicated Hare Krishna Brahmachari (celibate).
Jyoti Sonar has been making headlines after a wave in the Arabian Sea in Mumbais bandstand carried her away while she was taking a picture with her husband. The incident has shaken a lot of adventure seekers, as evident on social media comments. In light of that, let us delve into some details about Jyoti.

Jyoti Sonar was a 32-year-old woman who succumbed to a tragedy while having a good time with her family in Mumbai. Originally from Gautam Nagar, Rabale, Jyoti and her family planned picnics and adventures to spend some quality time together.

Their last family outing turned to tragedy on Sunday evening when Jyoti Sonar was swept away by a giant wave at Bandstand in Bandra. Sonars husband, Mukesh, and their three children were present at the time of the incident and watched helplessly as she was dragged into the sea.

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Sonar and her husband had ventured onto a rock near the waters edge to take photos when a wave hit the rock, knocking them both off balance. Mukesh was able to grab hold of a bystander, but Sonar was swept away by the current. Her body was recovered by the Mumbai Fire Brigade late Sunday night.

Mukesh told police that he had tried his best to save his wife, but the waves were too strong. And when the fourth wave hit, he held Jyotis saree when his leg was held by a bystander who wanted to save the couple. He added that he is now paranoid about the water and will never go near the sea again.

Mukesh works as a private firm technician and the family hails from Gautam Nagar. This incident has shaken the foundation of the family, he said after the incident. Their children, who are 12 and six years old, were screaming when Jyoti was on the verge of being carried away.

The incident has highlighted the dangers of venturing out near the deadly areas for pictures in the ocean, especially during high tide. The Mumbai Fire Brigade has urged people to be aware of the risks and to stay away from the water when the tide is high.
The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General have issued more than 71,600 visas to Indians travelling to China so far in 2023, Chinese Embassy in India spokesperson Wang Xiaojian said on Tuesday.

He noted that visa to Indian nationals has been granted for purposes of business, study, tourism, work, family reunion etc. In a tweet, Wang Xiaojian further that China is looking forward to the early lifting of visa restrictions towards Chinese nationals and the resumption of people-to-people exchanges between India and China.

In the first half of 2023, the Chinese Embassy & Consulates General have issued over 71600 visas to Indian people travelling to China for purposes of business, study, tourist, work, family reunion etc, Wang Xiaojian said in a tweet.

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In another tweet, he wrote, We look forward to early lifting of visa restrictions towards Chinese nationals and resumption of people-to-people exchanges between China & India.

Earlier in May, Wang Xiaojian had announced that the Chinese Embassy and Consulates General issued more than 60,000 visas to Indians travelling to China in the first five months of 2023, The visas to Indian nationals had been granted for various purposes, including tourism, business, study, work and family reunions.

Wang Xiaojian tweeted, In the first 5 months of this year, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates General have issued over 60000 visas to Indian people travelling to China for purposes of business, study, tourist, work, family reunion etc. Welcome to China.

Earlier in March, China announced that it will allow foreign tourists into the country, including from India for the first time in three years. In a notification issued on March 14, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in India said that it will resume issuing various types of Chinese visas.

In a notification, the Chinese Embassy in India stated, Chinese visas that were issued before March 28, 2020 and remains within valid period will be reactivated.

It further said, The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in India will resume issuing various types of Chinese visas. For more details, please check the updated Notice on the Requirements for Chinese Visa Application.
This image shows the life restoration of Dayongaspis colubra. (Xinhua)

CHANGSHA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Researchers have discovered a new fossilized galeaspid fish, dating back some 438 million years, in the Xiushan Formation in central China's Hunan Province.

The creature lived during the Silurian era, which was about 410 to 440 million years ago.

The Silurian Xiushan Formation is a paleontological formation widely distributed across southern China, and has long been considered a paradise for the reproduction of invertebrates. However, it is not thought to be an ideal habitat for galeaspids.

The new galeaspid species, Dayongaspis colubra, represents the first fossil record of galeaspids in the Xiushan Formation, challenging the traditional view that galeaspids could not survive in the Xiushan Formation.

The new finding also indicates that the fossils extend from the upper part of the Rongxi Formation to the lower part of the Xiushan Formation, suggesting a broader stratigraphic range than previously assumed.

The study has been published in the journal Historical Biology. 
Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has expressed hope that he would be able to visit Lhasa as the mindset of China towards him is gradually changing.

Addressing a gathering of Buddhist monks and special invitees at his residence in Leh (Ladakh), the Dalai Lama said, It seems I may eventually be able to visit Lhasa. However, even if I am able to go, I dont plan to stay there. Id rather return to India and be able to visit Ladakh again.

In China there is a growing number of people interested in Buddhism. And despite the Chinese governments efforts to uproot Tibetan religion and culture, interest in Tibetan Buddhism continues to increase. A professor from Lanzhou told me this, he said.

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Recounting how in the past, Chinese officials referred to him as a reactionary Dalai, the Lama said of late they seem to have stopped saying that. Apparently, the number of Chinese people with faith in the Dalai Lama is growing. It seems the Chinese government is inconsistent in the way they regard me.

Ive observed indications in my dreams that I may yet live until Im 100 or 110 years old, the spiritual leader said.

Here in Ladakh the Buddhist tradition shines as bright as the sun, but as time passes it may be that people become slack with regard to their education and meditation. You Ladakhis have strong faith, so, motivated by a wish to benefit others, I thought of coming here for a couple of weeksbut well see how things go.

The Dalai Lama further said, Generally, I do an annual Jigje retreat and Im thinking of doing that here. But even if I cant do that, Ill continue to keep up my daily practice focussed on bodhicitta and emptiness. These two factors govern my day and under their influence Ill continue my practice.

Since Ladakhis have such single-pointed faith Im thinking that I might give a teaching based around the Three Higher Trainings, the Four Noble Truths and the Two Truths. Given your faith and my motivation, I think this could be beneficial.

The Dalai Lama, who reached Leh on Tuesday, said, Meanwhile, if the weather treats me kindly, I may stay here more than three weeksthis is what Im thinking of doing.

As Ive already said, you Ladakhis have strong faith and devotion; because of that when you see me you feel happy and then Im happy too. Im happy to see you all, monastic and lay-people.
Nepals Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda is faced with yet another heartbreaking loss in his personal life. Today, his wife passed away due to a heart attack. Despite his successful political career, which saw him lead the Maoist movement and serve as the Prime Minister of Nepal on multiple occasions, Prachandas personal journey has been marred by a series of tragedies. First, he suffered the loss of his son and daughter, and now he must confront the untimely death of his wife.

Prachanda first assumed the role of Prime Minister in 2016 as part of a rotational government agreement between the Congress and CPN (Maoist Centre). However, he resigned from the position just a year later. Following the 2022 Nepalese general election, he once again became the Prime Minister in 2022, this time with the support of several political parties.

Together, Prachanda and his wife raised three daughters, one of whom, Renu Dahal, has emerged as a prominent Nepalese politician and currently serves as the Mayor of Bharatpur Metropolitan City in the Chitwan district. Their daughter Ganga Dahal is also following a path in politics.

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The Dahal couple endured immense heartache when they lost their daughter Gyanu KC to cancer in 2014. Then, in 2017, their son Prakash Dahal passed away suddenly from a cardiac arrest. These devastating losses left Prachandas wife, Sita, devastated. Throughout her husbands political journey, she remained a steadfast supporter, playing a significant role in his career.

In a video from Prakash Dahals last rites, Prachanda could be seen bidding farewell to his son and solemnly setting his body on a pyre. Tears streamed down his face as he gratefully acknowledged the attendees, even in his time of profound grief. The loss of their son left Sita Dahal shattered, adding to the immense sorrow the family has endured.

The Nepalese Civil War, which lasted from 1996 to 2006, was a prolonged armed conflict between the Nepalese royal government and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). Prachanda played a pivotal role in leading the Maoist insurgency, which aimed to overthrow the Nepalese monarchy and establish a peoples republic. The conflict finally came to an end with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord in 2006.

In the face of triumphs and political achievements, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has been no stranger to personal tragedy. From the depths of the Nepalese Civil War to the untimely deaths of his children, Prachanda has surely endured some ups and downs.
Tragedy struck the nation of Nepal as Sita Dahal, the wife of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, passed away at the age of 69. Her untimely demise has left the entire country in mourning, and as we remember her, lets take a closer look at her life.

Sita Dahal, formerly known as Sita Poudel, became the wife of Pushpa Kamal Dahal at a young age. They tied the knot when he was just 15 years old. Together, they raised three daughters, including Renu Dahal, who is now a prominent Nepalese politician and currently serves as the Mayor of Bharatpur Metropolitan City in Chitwan district. Their daughter Ganga Dahal is also following a path in politics.

However, the couple faced immense tragedy when they lost their daughter Gyanu KC to cancer in 2014. In 2017, their son Prakash Dahal passed away suddenly due to a cardiac arrest. These heartbreaking losses left Sita devastated. Throughout her husbands political journey, she remained a steadfast supporter and played a significant role in his career.

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On Wednesday morning, Sita Dahals oxygen levels dropped, and she was rushed to Norvic International Hospital in Kathmandu. Sadly, despite efforts to resuscitate her, she could not be revived, and at 8:33 am, she was declared deceased. The hospital released a statement, revealing that Sita Dahal had been battling Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Parkinsonism, Type 2 Diabetes, and hypertension. She had been receiving domiciliary oxygen and required a PEG feeding tube and indwelling catheter for her medical care.

In honor of Sita Dahals memory, her body will be kept at the party central office in Parisdanda, Koteshwar, from 11 am to 1 pm, allowing friends, family, and well-wishers to pay their final respects. The funeral rites are scheduled to take place at Pashupati Aryaghat at 2 pm, marking the end of a remarkable womans journey.

The nation stands united in grief as they bid farewell to Sita Dahal, a woman who played a significant role in the life of Nepals prime minister.
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UN says raging conflict in Sudan has displaced over 3 million people. UK sanctions warring sides

The U.N. says the conflict in Sudan has driven more than 3 million people from their homes
NATO criticized for endangering peace as summit opens

Xinhua) 08:15, July 12, 2023

WARSAW, July 11 (Xinhua) -- As NATO is holding its annual summit on Tuesday in Vilnius, Lithuania, it would be a wake-up call to the peace-loving nations to take a glimpse of what the military bloc has bedeviled the world since the end of the Cold War.

Police personnel are seen on a street in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Alfredas Pliadis)

A long list of bloody wars and conflicts involving NATO countries suggests the bloc is more than a grave challenge to global peace and stability.

RECKLESS EXPANSION

NATO, as both history and relevant theories on military alliance would dictate, is destined to disintegrate once the Cold War ended. Unfortunately, this has not been the case. Far from disbanding, the alliance has been bent on reckless expansion.

NATO's expansion has become a petri dish of conflicts and chaos. Experts say NATO's eastward expansion and the pressure it has been exerting on Russia are to blame for the ongoing Ukraine crisis.

Since 1999, the bloc has made six eastward expansions, advancing more than 1,000 km all the way to the Russian border, thereby pushing Russia into a corner.

Even after the Ukraine crisis began, NATO has not slowed its pace with Finland officially accepted as its 31st member in April.

The national flag of Finland and emblem of NATO are seen at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, April 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

"Sizeable" is the culpability of the United States and its NATO allies, wrote Ted Galen Carpenter, a senior fellow for defense and foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute, after the Ukraine crisis broke out.

"Moving an alliance that one great power dominated to the border of another major power is inherently destabilizing and provocative," Carpenter observed.

Many European countries had opposed NATO's reckless expansion out of security concerns, but Washington apparently chose to turn a blind eye to the misgivings from across the Atlantic.

"The Americans wanted us to immediately integrate Ukraine in its entirety into NATO, and it was the French and the Germans who halted the idea, saying, non, beware, it's very sensitive for Russia, and it must not be done so fast. Now in effect, we witness the prediction coming true," said Pierre Conesa, a former senior official with the French Defense Ministry.

CULPRIT OF CONFLICTS

The U.S.-led NATO was the chief culprit of a series of brutal conflicts, putting in grave peril people's lives in different parts of the world.

"NATO is not a defense alliance; it is an alliance which wages illegal wars," said Sevim Dagdelen, a member of the German Left Party.

NATO forces launched 78 days of bombardment against Yugoslavia in 1999, causing over 8,000 civilian casualties and displacing about 1 million.

Other countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya, have also fallen victim to the U.S.-led NATO's belligerence and violations of human rights.

In the two-decade-long Afghanistan war fought nominally to protect civilians, NATO's airstrikes killed thousands of civilians.

This photo taken on July 2, 2021 shows the Bagram Airfield that served as a main U.S. and NATO forces base after all U.S. and NATO forces evacuated in Parwan province, eastern Afghanistan. (Xinhua/Sayed Mominzadah)

At the same time, the military alliance engages in an aggressive arms race and is thwarting all negotiation efforts related to the Ukraine crisis, Dagdelen added.

Despite all the chaos and conflict already inflicted, NATO is spreading its tentacles to the Asia-Pacific region with an express aim of containing China.

In recent years, NATO members continuously sent jets and warships for military exercises in China's surrounding waters, which heightened tensions in the region.

Earlier this year, NATO announced the decision to set up a liaison office in Tokyo in 2024, which has triggered high alert among countries around the world, not least in the Asia-Pacific region.

As manifested in the wars outside the alliance area, NATO, under the leadership of the United States, aspires to worldwide influence and global hegemony, Dagdelen said.

"Japan is not located in the North Atlantic either. NATO's desire for the Indo-Pacific to be in its zone of influence is part of this fatal expansion policy," she said. "If we picture this conflict as a game of chess, then NATO is looking for pawns that can be sacrificed, if need be, to secure a better position."

In a statement released by the public policy journal platform Pearls and Irritations on Monday, Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating also slammed NATO's continued existence and its attempt to expand into Asia.

"Exporting that malicious poison to Asia would be akin to Asia welcoming the plague upon itself. With all of Asia's recent development amid its long and latent poverty, that promise would be compromised by having anything to do with the militarism of Europe -- and militarism egged on by the United States," said Keating.

Leaders of regional countries like Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also cautioned about the danger of being forced to pick sides in the bloc confrontation being forced upon the region by Washington.

MOUNTING CRITICISM

Given its spectacular acts of peace sabotage, the military bloc has been widely criticized for interfering in the internal affairs of other countries and undermining regional peace and stability.

People attend a parade against NATO in Paris, France, July 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

"The problem with NATO is that we're at the service of the person in charge, the United States, who are in favor of war. They want us to be at war all the time, and it doesn't stop," said Marie-Ange Le Fleche, a participant in a parade held in Paris last week against the military pact.

The continued existence of NATO means there will be no peace in Europe, said Pere Ortega, honorary president of the Delas Centre, adding that the submissive foreign policy of European countries is due to the armed military intervention of the United States and its NATO allies.

"The EU was founded to avoid intra-European conflicts, and the countries that are members of the EU have achieved this, which is the right path, but we have not been able to get rid of the U.S. military intervention," Ortega told Xinhua in a recent interview.

"After the end of the Cold War, NATO should have logically disappeared, but it didn't and is still looking for new enemies," the expert said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has again expressed concern over the Air Traffic Control (ATC) performance in Europe, pointing out that this has impacted many airports.

In a statement, IATA Director General Willie Walsh said: Last month I expressed concern about Air Traffic Control (ATC) performance in Europe and the US. Both are disappointing.

"The ATC environment that all carriers in Europe are experiencing is challenging. Airlines and airports worked hard to ensure that sufficient resources would be provided to minimise disruptions and get travellers to where they need to be on time. Lack of ATC resources nationally -- particularly in Germany and France are preventing that. While some areas of ATC performance have improved over 2022, we remain unacceptably behind 2019 levels," he said.

The most severe impacts are being seen at Europes most congested airports -- especially London Gatwick where the performance is also affected by local ATC resource issues. Gatwick is now the worst performing airport among the 31 major airports reported by Eurocontrol and sits at number 106 out of the 110 airports covered by the entire data set, he said.

"It is disheartening that the politicians who were quick to criticise airlines last year, have remained silent about the disruption caused by government controlled or regulated ATC providers," said Walsh.

"What can these politicians do so we dont have another year of European ATC performance below pre-Covid levels? To start, they need to be held accountable for the economic and environmental costs of poor ATC performance, so they have an incentive to make better decisions. This summer has shown us that the to do list is already well-known -- proper staffing, modernisation with the Single European Sky and finding ways to maintain essential ATC services during periods of industrial action, while respecting workers rights. - TradeArabia News Service
BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday stressed efforts to put in place new systems for a higher-standard open economy and promote the gradual transition from dual control over the amount and intensity of energy consumption to dual control over the amount and intensity of carbon emissions.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while presiding over a meeting of the central commission for deepening overall reform, which he heads.

Xi said that new systems for a higher-standard open economy are a strategic move to proactively boost reform and development through opening up.

He highlighted the importance of institutional opening up and deepening institutional reform in investment, trade, finance, and innovation, among other key areas of foreign exchanges and cooperation, to actively raise China's opening up to a new level.

While staying focused on the strategic target of realizing modernization of agriculture and rural areas and building up its strength in agriculture, China should regard the handling of the relationship between farmers and land as its main task and work faster to shore up weak links in agricultural and rural development, to lay a solid foundation for building a modern socialist country in all respects, Xi said.

The building of ecological civilization has entered a critical period where cutting carbon emissions has become a strategic focus, Xi said.

He called for efforts to exercise better control over the amount and intensity of energy consumption and shift gradually towards controlling both the amount and intensity of carbon emissions.

Xi stressed the necessity of promoting the reform of the salary system for university faculty members and research fellows in order to further unleash innovation vitality and creativity in institutions of higher learning and research institutes.

On improving the national oil and gas supply capability, Xi said China should actively and prudently promote the institutional reform of the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors of oil and gas industries and ensure a stable and reliable supply.

On the electricity system, Xi demanded efforts to accelerate the building of a new power system that is clean and low-carbon, safe and sufficient, and cost-effective and highly efficient to promote the revolution of energy production and consumption and ensure national energy security.

Li Qiang, Wang Huning, and Cai Qi, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and deputy directors of the central commission for deepening overall reform, attended the meeting.

The meeting noted that China's development is facing a complex international situation. Efforts should be made to optimize the top-level design of new systems for an open economy, deepen institutional reform in trade and investment sectors, expand market access, and optimize the business environment and the service and support system.

China's comprehensive strength should be given full play to attract global resources and production factors based on China's strong domestic economy, which will improve the level and quality of trade and investment cooperation, according to the meeting.

It urged a tight connection between building a higher-standard open economy and national strategies, such as high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, amid efforts to actively participate in the reform and construction of the global governance system.

The meeting urged a holistic approach to deal with the relationship between development and carbon emissions, seeking truth from facts, being realistic and pragmatic, and adjusting and optimizing policies and measures scientifically.

The meeting also urged reform in the oil and natural gas market and reserve system.

In building a new electricity system, the proportion of traditional energy would decrease in a well-planned manner based on the safe and reliable substitution of new energy. An effective market and competent government should integrate better to deliver fundamental public services in electricity, according to the meeting. 
Turkey's Erdogan says lawmakers will take up ratification of Sweden's NATO membership in October

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that Swedens NATO membership bid would not be ratified by Turkeys parliament before October, but that he hopes for a swift ratification once lawmakers return from a two-month break
Francis Wilkinson is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering U.S. politics and policy. Previously, he was an editor for the Week, a writer for Rolling Stone, a communications consultant and a political media strategist.
ISLAMABAD, July 12 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 family members were killed after a fire broke out in a three-story house in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province on Wednesday, police officials said.

The fire erupted during the early hours of Wednesday in the house in Punjab's provincial capital Lahore, trapping all the family members, police told local media.

Police said that the victims locked themselves in the back room, leaving them with no chance to escape after the fire engulfed the whole house.

Among the killed were at least seven women and children, said the reports. An investigation was launched to determine the cause of the fire. 
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presides over a meeting with representatives from the country's major platform operators, listening to their opinions and suggestions on promoting the well-regulated, healthy, and sustainable platform-economy development, in Beijing, capital of China, July 12, 2023. Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang Wednesday presided over a meeting with representatives from the country's major platform operators, listening to their opinions and suggestions on promoting the well-regulated, healthy, and sustainable platform-economy development.

The platform economy has boosted demand, provided an engine for innovation and development, created new channels for employment and entrepreneurship, and offered support for public services, Li said after hearing opinions from the companies, including the on-demand retail and delivery platform Meituan, social media platform Xiaohongshu, and short-video platform Douyin.

The platform economy has taken an increasingly prominent position in China's overall development, Li said. He added that the platform economy would have a more significant role as the country embarks on a new journey to build itself into a modern socialist country.

He encouraged the platform enterprises to stay confident and look ahead to lead in development, creating jobs and international competition.

Li stressed that governments at all levels should strive to create a fair market environment for competition and improve policies on investment access and security assessments for new technologies and businesses.

The governments should also optimize the transparent and predictable regulatory systems to reduce the compliance costs of those enterprises and promote the sound development of the industry, Li added.

He underlined efforts to establish and improve regular communication mechanisms with platform enterprises, promptly understand their problems and demands, and improve relevant policies and measures to promote the well-regulated, healthy, and sustainable development of the platform economy.

Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang attended the meeting. 
JINAN, July 11 (Xinhua) -- An Archeology China program launched in 2017 now includes 18 major archaeology projects, according to a national conference held on Tuesday by the National Cultural Heritage Administration in Jinan, the capital city of east China's Shandong Province.

The projects are in various fields of archeological study, including the origins of humans, agriculture and civilization, and the development of a unified multiethnic country, according to the conference.

It said that over the past seven years, the results of major archeology projects have provided evidence for the origins and development of the Chinese civilization, and of the formation of a unified multi-ethnic Chinese nation.

It also discussed the achievements of underwater archeology and cultural heritage protection work, including the archeological excavation of the sunken ship Nanhai (South China Sea) No. 1 and an exploration of the wrecksites of several Chinese battleships that sank in the First Sino-Japanese War during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912).

An increasing number of Chinese archeologists have been participating in international archaeology projects in recent years, the conference said. A total of 32 Chinese archeology institutions have been involved in 36 cooperative projects, establishing good relationships with over 40 foreign research institutions and museums.

Archeology has increased in popularity among the Chinese people with the help of public communication initiatives, including television programs and China's annual release of its top 10 archeological discoveries in a given year, according to the conference. 
A male passenger assaulted crew and some other passengers, and damaged the lavatory door onboard an Air India flight from Toronto to the national capital on July 8, the airline said on Wednesday.

The passenger, a Nepalese citizen, was handed over to security agencies on arrival at the airport in New Delhi.

"A passenger on flight AI188 of 08 July 2023 operating Toronto-Delhi displayed unacceptable aggression during flight. He smoked in the lavatory, damaged the lavatory door and assaulted crew and passengers, leaving them with minor injuries," an Air India spokesperson said in a statement.

According to the spokesperson, the passenger was warned several times by the crew and finally had to be restrained on his seat.

On arrival, the passenger was handed over to the security agencies for further course of action as per regulatory requirement and the matter has been reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the spokesperson said.

In recent times, there have been rising incidents of unruly behaviour of passengers onboard flights.

On June 24, there was an incident of a male passenger behaving in a "repulsive manner" onboard an Air India flight from Mumbai to Delhi.
As counting in the violence-marred West Bengal panchayat elections progresses on the second day, fresh clashes have been reported from several parts of the state. Three persons, including two activists of the Indian Secular Front (ISF), were killed and several policemen injured in South 24 Parganas district as a clash broke out outside a counting centre in Bhangore.

A senior IPS officer, his bodyguard and several other policemen as well as a few members of the ISF were injured during the clash. The two deceased ISF supporters were identified as Rezaul Gazi and Hasan Mollah, while the other person was Raju Mollah, a senior officer said. According to police officials, members of the ISF hurled bombs at the counting centre, and the police resorted to baton charge. Police personnel fired a few rounds of rubber bullets and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the mob.

Shops remained closed in Bhangore, a violence hot-spot since the election dates were announced on June 8. A bomb squad also recovered crude bombs from several localities in Bhangore on Wednesday. West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose visited the families of those affected by the poll violence.

The violence rocked the state even on voting day despite heavy deployment of central forces ans state police personnel. Since elections were announced last month, at least 33 people have lost their lives in poll-related violence, with the TMC suffering 60 per cent of the deaths, PTI reported. Re-polling was held on July 11, in over 690 booths affected by violence on voting day.

A fact-finding team from the BJP arrived in the state on Wednesday to assess the ground situation. The four-member team, led by former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad will visit violence-hit districts of north and south Bengal. The ruling Trinamool Congress, poised for a landslide victory, mocked the BJP and urged the party to send a 'fact-finding' team to Manipur instead.

As of 11:30 am on Wednesday, the TMC has won in 34,560 gram panchayat seat with the rival BJP a distant second with 9,621 seats. In all elections are being held for 63,229 gram panchayat seats. The CPI(M) has won 2,908 and is leading in 86 seats. The Congress won 2,515 seats and is leading in 71.




Amid a standoff over allocation of portfolios in Maharashtra, senior NCP leaders Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel arrived in Delhi on Wednesday evening for a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and top BJP leaders.

Talking to reporters, Patel, the working president of the Nationalist Congress Party, dismissed suggestions about a rift in the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance in Maharashtra and asserted that the issue about the allocation of portfolios has been sorted out and will be allocated in a day or two.

In a surprise development on July 2, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP split as his nephew Ajit Pawar and almost three dozen MLAs joined the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP alliance. Ajit Pawar and eight other NCP leaders were sworn in as ministers.

"Do not read too much into our meetings here. It is just a courtesy call on senior BJP leaders. Ajit dada and myself have not had a formal meeting with the top BJP leadership. We will be meeting Home Minister Amit Shah and other BJP leaders here," Patel said.

Patel said he and Ajit Pawar will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 18 when a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) constituents has been convened by the BJP.

He asserted that the issue of allocation of portfolios was sorted out during two late-night meetings between Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, and himself on Monday and Tuesday."The allocation of portfolios will happen in a day or two," Patel said.

Patel said the NCP has not sought any share in the Union Council of Ministers.

"We have not made any demand for a central ministry," Patel said when asked whether the NCP would join the Union government.

Asked about the delay in the allocation of portfolios in Maharashtra, Patel said after joining the government the NCP had not broached the topic with its alliance partners for four to five days.

"We took up the issue only a couple of days back. We have had three meetings," he said referring to the late night meetings on Monday and Tuesday.

Patel said there would be some issues in allocation of portfolios as the same had been distributed by the BJP and Shiv Sena when they formed the government last year. "Now each of them will have to give up some portfolios to accommodate us," he said.

Patel parried questions on the prized finance portfolio that Ajit Pawar is learnt to be keen on having.

"The picture will be clear in a day or two," he said.

Besides Patel and Ajit Pawar, senior NCP leader Hasan Mushrif is also in the national capital.

However, Patel said Mushrif is here for some personal work and will not join Ajit Pawar and him at the meeting with the BJP leaders.
TAIYUAN, July 12 (Xinhua) -- A group of people from Beijing visited the Yungang Grottoes in north China's Shanxi Province, a world heritage site featuring Buddhist statues, this summer.

"We drove to Datong City two days ago to enjoy the pleasant weather and grand cultural heritage," said Wang Quanshun, one of the tourists.

The World Meteorological Organization said that El Nino conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific for the first time in seven years, setting the stage for a likely surge in global temperatures and disruptive weather and climate patterns.

In the first six days of July, Beijing has recorded two consecutive days of temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, which is very unusual.

But in Datong City, only a three-hour drive from Beijing, the average temperature in the hottest period of this summer is just around 26 degrees Celsius.

"Compared to the same period in 2019, the number of daily visitors has increased by nearly 50 percent," said Xia Lijun, a ticket seller at the Yungang Grottoes.

The continuous heatwaves are pushing the summer resort tourism to a higher level. The overall travel intention of high-temperature cities reached 94.6 percent in the third quarter, according to the data center of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

"After nearly a decade of development, summer resort tourism has entered a new stage of policy promotion and commercial practice," said Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy.

Popular travel destinations are actively attracting tourists, pledging to meet their diversified needs.

Three renowned scenic spots in Datong are offering free entrance tickets to students from surrounding areas until the end of the third quarter. In Enshi, central China's Hubei Province, the local government has incorporated intangible cultural heritage elements at scenic spots, and launched regular performances and visitor experience programs, while Heilongjiang Province in northeast China has built a series of well-equipped campsites to attract self-driving tourists.

China's summer resort tourism and related markets have reached 1.2 trillion yuan (about 167 billion U.S. dollars) to 1.5 trillion yuan in value, according to a report released by the China Tourism Academy. 
The BJP has nominated Ananta Rai 'Maharaj', who has been demanding that a separate state of 'Greater Cooch Behar' be carved out of West Bengal, to the Rajya Sabha from the state.

With the saffron party having 70 MLAs in the West Bengal assembly, Ananta is almost certain to be chosen as the Rajya Sabha MP, unless large-scale cross-voting takes place.

Six Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal will go to the polls on July 24. A bypoll will be held in another seat as former Goa chief minister Luizinho Faleiro resigned as a TMC MP in April.

Ananta, who heads one of the factions of the Greater Cooch Behar Peoples' Association (GCPA), led a violent movement 15 years ago in north Bengal demanding separate state for Koch and Kamatapuris, and is out on bail. He has been extremely vocal for a separate statehood or union territory of north Bengal, since the post-poll violence in West Bengal after 2021 assembly poll.

With its eight districts, north Bengal is economically important for the state for its tea, timber and tourism industries. The region, which shares a border with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, has witnessed several violent statehood movements since the early eighties by various ethnic groups such as Gorkhas, Rajbanshis, Kochs and Kamatapuris.

Two ministers of the Narendra Modi governmentJohn Barla and Nisith Pramanikhave also raised the same demand. Interestingly, Union MoS for Home and BJP MP of Cooch Behar Pramanik met Ananta today, following which the latter told reporters that he has been offered a Rajya Sabha ticket.

With less than a year to go for Lok Sabha polls, Ananta's candidature, sidestepping many strong contenders in south Bengal, is significant.

Ananta said he had several rounds of meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and then West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar over carving out at least the union territory.

"The union home minister told me it's just a mater of time," he said.

When contacted today, Ananta, who was still not a member of the BJP, said he was happy to be nominated by the party.

Will his demand for separate statehood or union territory be compromised now? "Keep an eye on my work. Time will tell whether I compromised with the centre or not," he told THE WEEK.

Sources said that Ananta is close to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who had an hand in convincing Shah to nominate Ananta.

"He would now raise the issue of Bengal's division in Parliament. Also, the demand would be raised during the polls in north Bengal to sweep the state," said a BJP leader.

BJP leaders had promised bifurcation or trifurcation of the state ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. There is also a demand for Gorkhaland in hills of Darjeeling. The people there are not happy with the proposal of making it a union territory.

(With PTI inputs)
Eight new political parties, including two former BJP allies, will attend the second opposition unity meeting to be held in Bengaluru on July 17 and 18. This will bring the total number of parties attending the second meeting to 24.

"Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), Kongu Desa Makkal Katchi (KDMK), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), All India Forward Bloc, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Kerala Congress (Joseph), and Kerala Congress (Mani) are among the new political parties that will be joining the meeting," ANI quoted sources.



Interestingly, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) and Kongu Desa Makkal Katchi (KDMK) were allies of the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. "After last month's mega Opposition meet in Bihar's Patna, top leaders of as many as 24 political parties will be attending the second meeting set to take place in Karnataka's Bengaluru," the sources added.



Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will also attend the Opposition Parties meeting.



This comes as Congress President Kharge began sending out invitation letters addressed to top opposition party leaders. Kharge also reminded them about their participation in June 23 opposition meeting held in Patna called by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.



Stating that the Patna meeting was a success, Kharge reminded the leaders that it was important to keep the momentum going. "I believe that it is important to continue these discussions and build on the momentum that we have created. We need to work together to find solutions to the challenges that our country is facing," the letter further stated.



More political developments are happening in the run-up to the Bengaluru meeting as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) recently decided to pause unity discussions. The party said all discussions in this regard will happen only after Congress declares its stance on the ordinance issue. However, the party has received an invitation to the Bengaluru meeting.



The first Opposition Unity meeting attended by more than 15 parties was held in Patna on June 23, and it was convened by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.



Leaders including AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin were among those who attended the meeting.


The water level of the Yamuna River crossed 207.25 metres on Wednesday morning, inching closer to the highest flood level at 207.49 metres. The river is currently flowing above the danger level.

The river had exceeded the evacuation mark of 206 metres on Monday night, prompting the relocation of people residing in flood-prone areas to safer locations and a closure of the Old Railway Bridge for road and rail traffic.



With officials believing the water level could rise further, police stations along the banks of the river in Mathura are on alert. Mathura SSP Shailesh Kumar Pandey told ANI that all police stations along the Yamuna river banks have been instructed to increase vigilance. "Coordination is also being established with other agencies so that if there is waterlogging, people can be evacuated immediately," Pandey added.



As much as 3,59,000 cusecs of water were released into the river from the Hatni Kund barrage on Tuesday noon. It could take 72 hours for the water to reach Yamuna. The continued rains in the hilly areas have also flooded all drains leading to Yamuna. Rivers Pathrala and Som are also in spate.



#WATCH | Water level of river Yamuna continues to rise in Delhi. Visuals from Old Railway Bridge.



Today at 8 am, water level of the river was recorded at 207.25 metres at the Bridge, inching closer to the highest flood level - 207.49 metres. The river is flowing above the pic.twitter.com/e46LLHdeVe  ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2023

Tourists stranded



As rain ebbs in Himachal Pradesh, 15 Russian tourists are reportedly stranded in the Kasol area. According to the acting Director General of Police of Himachal Pradesh, Satwant Atwal Trivedi, efforts are on to establish contact with the tourists.



"We received info from the Russian Embassy that 15 Russian tourists are stranded in Kasol. We are trying to establish contact and once we will be able to contact the tourists we will inform the Embassy about their well-being," said Trivedi.



"The team is deployed everywhere in the state. We are continuously working to ensure the safety of the people. We have set up four lines and trying to contact people across the country to inform them about their families. 200 people have been contacted since morning and their family has been informed about their well-being. We are also contacting the embassies," she added.



Rescue operations were conducted in other parts of the state too. According to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu, seven people were airlifted from the tourist spot Chandertal in Lahaul and Spiti on Tuesday. He said tourists stranded in Manali would be evacuated soon. The Kullu-Manali road has been partially restored and mobile connectivity was also back in Manali after a day. He added that tourists stuck in any part of the state including Chandertal and Sissu in Lahaul and Spiti would be evacuated by Wednesday.



According to a tourist from Punjab, they have been stuck in the state since Sunday. "We want to go home. We were scheduled to return on Sunday but we are stuck due to the flood," she told ANI.



Another tourist, Sanjeev Arora, said, "We are here in Manali since July 5. The main track is damaged. We have been trying to go back for the past two days. The internet services and electricity supply is disrupted," he added.


Thousands of people have been evacuated to safer places in Delhi on Wednesday as water level in the river Yamuna reached an all-time high of 207.83 metres, flooding several areas in the national capital. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has sought the intervention of the Centre in tackling the situation while also appealing to people living in low-lying to evacuate immediately.

TV visuals showed water gushing into houses and markets near the river and waterlogging on several roads, including the busy Ring Road.

"I urge everyone living in low-lying areas to evacuate because the water level will rise suddenly and your life could be in danger," the chief minister said at a press conference.

Earlier in a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Kejriwal said news of flood in the capital city will not send a good message to the world.

"The news of flood in the capital of the country will not send a good message to the world. Together we will have to save the people of Delhi from this situation," the chief minister said, noting that the national capital is set to host the G-20 Summit meeting in a few weeks.

l requested the Centre to take steps, if possible, to release water from Hathnikund barrage in Haryana in limited speed. He pointed out that as per the Central Water Commission estimates the level of Yamuna will reach 207.72 metres on Wednesday night which is a matter of 'grave' concern, he tweeted.

The water level has already breached its record of 207.49 metres set in 1978.

In his press conference in the evening, Kejriwal said he got a call from Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who said that Hathnikund is just a barrage and there is no reservoir to store water and limit the water speed.

"The water volume being released from Himachal Pradesh has reduced and the situation will improve. But it will take time to reflect in the water level of the Yamuna," he said.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police has imposed prohibitory orders in flood-prone areas of the city to prevent any untoward incidents.

A senior Delhi police official told ANI that the prohibitory orders have been issued fearing chaotic situation during the relocation of people affected due to the flood. The government has already evacuated thousands of people living in low lying areas to safer zones as water level in the river is rising. Around 2500 tents have been set up in 6 districts of the national capital to which people are being shifted.

"Going with present situation, two police stations located in flood-prone areas in North East Delhi have been ordered to shift to higher floors and other police stations in the vicinity have been intructed to be on alert as Yamuna River has breached the danger level and the water level continues to rise," the official said.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority issued an advisory asking people to move to safer places and cautioning them against passing through low-lying areas. As the flood situation persisted in the Yamuna river, people should stay away from power lines and reach out to the helpline 1077 in case of any need, it said.

On Wednesday afternoon, the floodwater reached the Ring Road in several areas, including Majnu ka Tila and Kashmiri Gate. The green belt along the bank of the Yamuna was flooded.

A senior Delhi government official said the irrigation and flood control department has put sandbags to stop the floodwater from entering the Ring Road.

The water from the barrage at Yamunanagar in Haryana, around 180 kilometres from the national capital, takes two to three days to reach Delhi.

A senior official at the Central Water Commission (CWC) told PTI, "We noticed that the water released from the Hathnikund Barrage took less time to reach Delhi compared to previous years. The main reason could be encroachment and siltation. Earlier, the water would have had more space to flow. Now, it passes through a constricted cross-section."

With PTI inputs
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday informed the Madras high court that it has powers to arrest and take custody of Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act .

Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta made his submission to this effect before Justice C V Karthikeyan, who was named as a third judge to hear the habeas corpus petition filed by Balaji's wife, following a split verdict delivered by a division bench last week.

Balaji was arrested by the ED last month under the PMLA in a cash-for-jobs scam when he was Transport minister in the earlier AIADMK regime.

Mehta said the ED has to exercise its statutory duty. Once it has enough material relating to proceeds of crime, it can arrest a person, attach his properties and confiscate the same.

He said investigation was contemplated after filing of the complaint and also after arrest. Merely because the ED officers were not police officers, it does not mean they have no power to investigate.

In the money laundering case, there was only one offence and the punishment was 7 years RI. Besides it was a non-bailable offence. Therefore, the ED has no power to release an accused. He can be released only by a court. So the ED officers cannot be treated as station officers, he added.

Citing a Supreme Court judgment, Mehta said it was the moral duty of the ED to investigate or interrogate an accused in a money laundering case. As per the scheme of the Act, the ED has to collect material, investigate, search, seize and attach properties, besides arresting the person.

Thereafter, if no case was made out against the accused, closure report has to be filed. When the ED has powers to file closure report, definitely it has power to conduct further investigation, he added.

He said the procedures while effecting arrest, were fully followed in this case. Soon after the arrest, the grounds of arrest in the presence of two witnesses were informed to Balaji, but he refused to receive it. This was recorded in the order of the Sessions Judge, Mehta added.

He said in its interim order, the Division Bench while permitting Balaji to take treatment in the private Kauvery hospital said he will continue to be in judicial custody. Therefore, the ED moved the Sessions Judge and obtained an order for taking custody of him.

Before this order was passed, he was shifted to the private hospital. Moreover, the conditions imposed by the sessions judge were unworkable. Hence, the ED did not implement the order, he added.

He said one of the conditions imposed by the sessions judge was that the ED can interrogate him without hindrance to his health and treatment. Therefore, the ED obtained the opinion of the doctors of Kauveri hospital and based on which,it chose not to interrogate him there.

Moreover, without obtaining an order of custody, the ED cannot seek exclusion of the period of treatment of Senthil Balaji subsequently. Therefore, the ED got an order of custody. It also informed the Supreme Court and the Sessions Judge that it could not execute the order of custody considering the health condition of Senthil Balaji, he added.

He said if after filing of HCP, the judicial order of remand intervenes then the custody cannot be illegal. Senthil Balaji was under judicial order of custody, when the HCP was filed. Therefore, the present HCP will not lie. The judicial order cannot be questioned in HCP. Moreover, the arrest and remand were not challenged before the appellate forum, he pointed out.

After Mehta completed his arguments, the judge posted the hearing to July 14 for the reply of Senior Counsel Kabil Sibal, appearing for the arrested minister.

Meanwhile, a city court on Wednesday extended the remand of Senthil Balaji to judicial custody till July 26.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday sought the intervention of the Centre as water level in the river Yamuna swelled to 207.55 metres, breaching its record of 207.49 metres set in 1978. In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Kejriwal said news of flood in the capital city will not send a good message to the world.

"The news of flood in the capital of the country will not send a good message to the world. Together we will have to save the people of Delhi from this situation," the chief minister said, noting that the national capital is set to host the G-20 Summit meeting in a few weeks.

Kejriwal requested the Centre to take steps, if possible, to release water from Hathnikund barrage in Haryana in limited speed. He pointed out that as per the Central Water Commission estimates the level of Yamuna will reach 207.72 metres on Wednesday night which is a matter of "grave" concern.

"There have been no rains in Delhi for the last two days. However, the levels of Yamuna are rising due to abnormally high volumes of water being released by Haryana from the Hathnikund barrage.

"Urge Centre to intervene and ensure that levels in Yamuna don't rise further. Highest Flood Level 207.49m (in 1978). Current Level 207.55m," he said on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police has imposed prohibitory orders in flood-prone areas of the city to prevent any untoward incidents.

A senior Delhi police official told ANI that the prohibitory orders have been issued fearing chaotic situation during the relocation of people affected due to the flood. The government has already evacuated thousands of people living in low lying areas to safer zones as water level in the river is rising. Around 2500 tents have been set up in 6 districts of the national capital to which people are being shifted.

"Going with present situation, two police stations located in flood-prone areas in North East Delhi have been ordered to shift to higher floors and other police stations in the vicinity have been intructed to be on alert as Yamuna River has breached the danger level and the water level continues to rise," the official said.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority issued an advisory asking people to move to safer places and cautioning them against passing through low-lying areas.

As the flood situation persisted in the Yamuna river, people should stay away from power lines and reach out to the helpline 1077 in case of any need, it said.
A male passenger assaulted crew and some other passengers, and damaged the lavatory door onboard an Air India flight from Toronto to the national capital on July 8, the airline said on Wednesday.

The passenger, a Nepalese citizen, was handed over to security agencies on arrival at the airport in Delhi.

"A passenger on flight AI188 of 08 July 2023 operating Toronto-Delhi displayed unacceptable aggression during flight. He smoked in the lavatory, damaged the lavatory door and assaulted crew and passengers, leaving them with minor injuries," an Air India spokesperson said in a statement.

According to the spokesperson, the passenger was warned several times by the crew and finally had to be restrained on his seat.

On arrival, the passenger was handed over to the security agencies for further course of action as per regulatory requirement and the matter has been reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the spokesperson said.

In recent times, there have been rising incidents of unruly behaviour of passengers onboard flights.

On June 24, there was an incident of a male passenger behaving in a "repulsive manner" onboard an Air India flight from Mumbai to Delhi.
A special NIA court in Kerala on Wednesday convicted six persons, who are allegedly members of now banned radical Islamic outfit Popular Front of India (PFI), in the sensational hand-chopping case of a college professor in Kerala in 2010.



Special NIA court judge Anil K Bhaskar found three of them -- Sajil, Nasar and Najeeb -- guilty of offences under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) as well as attempted murder, conspiracy and various other offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Explosive Substances Act in the second phase of the trial in the case.

In the first phase of the trial in the case, 10 persons were convicted for offences under the UAPA as well as the Explosive Substances Act and the IPC and three others were found guilty of harbouring the offenders.

In the latest order, the court noted that second accused Sajil took part in the attack while third accused Nasar, who was the main conspirator in the case, and fifth accused Najeeb had planned the "terrorist act" but did not take part in it.

Three others -- Noushad, P P Moideen Kunhu and Ayoob -- were found guilty by the court of the offences of intentionally not giving information about a crime and harbouring offenders under the IPC.

The remaining five accused -- Azeez Odakali, Shefeeq, Muhammed Rafi, Subair, and Mansoor -- were acquitted by the special court.

The punishments to be given to those convicted would be pronounced by the court on Thursday.

Professor T J Joseph, whose hands were chopped off by the attackers, said those who were caught and convicted in the case "were only the weapons" and the actual culprits behind it are yet to be found.

He opined that the judgement was only the implementation of the law prevailing in the country and did not amount to justice for the victim.

"I have never believed that punishing an accused amounts to justice dispensation to the victim. It is a mistaken belief. So, whether they (accused in the case) were convicted or acquitted, I personally do not care either way," he said while speaking to reporters after the verdict was pronounced.

The right hand of Joseph, professor of Newman College in Thodupuzha in Idukki district, was chopped off allegedly by PFI activists on July 4, 2010.

The attack took place while the professor was returning home with his family after attending a Sunday mass at a church in Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district.

The attackers, a group of seven people, pulled the professor out of the vehicle, assaulted him and then his right hand was chopped off by main accused Savad who is still absconding.

According to the police that initially probed the case, the accused wanted to kill Joseph for derogatory religious remarks in a question paper he set for BCom semester examination in Newman College.

There were 54 accused in the case of which 37 were named in the chargesheet and 31 had faced trial in the first phase as the others were on the run. Charges could not be framed against some other accused as they were not caught.

The special NIA court had commenced the first phase of the trial against the 31 accused in July 2013.

During the first phase trial proceedings, the court had examined over 300 prosecution witnesses, four defence witnesses, over 950 prosecution documents, nearly 30 defence documents, and over 200 material objects before delivering its verdict in April 2015.

The court had in April 2015 convicted 10 people for offences under the UAPA as well as the Explosive Substances Act and the IPC and found three others guilty of harbouring the offenders.

The court had acquitted 18 others in the case back then.
As the counting of votes for the West Bengal panchayat elections enters day two, the state's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has made a clean sweep of the polls. The party's win was declared by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday after she thanked the people for the party's stupendous show.

The counting for the election to the three-tier panchayat system, comprising zilla parishad, panchayat samiti and gram panchayat, was still underway.



As of Tuesday night, the TMC won 29,665 seats at the gram panchayat level. It was leading in 1,527 seats. The opposition BJP bagged 8,021 seats and was leading in 406 seats. The CPI(M) won 2,472 seats and was leading in 239 seats, while its ally Congress won 2,094 seats and was leading in 131 seats.



Banerjee took to Facebook to thank the voters. "It's TMC all the way in rural Bengal. I want to thank the people for their love, affection and support towards the TMC. This election has proved that only TMC resides in the heart of the people of the state," her post read.



However, the BJP has not acknowledged TMC's election sweep after the state chief Sukanta Majumdar staged a sit-in protest outside a counting centre at Balurghat College under Dakshin Dinajpur district late on Tuesday night. He alleged fabrication in panchayat poll results.



Majumdar added that he will be opting for legal action in the matter. "Despite our candidates winning in the elections...the results are being fabricated. The ruling party has brought criminals inside the counting centre to help their candidates win by rigging the counting. The Block Development Officer (BDO) is biased and is an agent of TMC," ANI quoted him.



#WATCH | South Dinajpur, WB: BJP State President Sukanta Majumdar says, "...Despite our candidates winning in the elections...the results are being fabricated. The ruling party has brought criminals inside the counting centre to help their candidates win by rigging the counting. pic.twitter.com/G197YzwXDI  ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2023

The BJP continues to train its guns on the ruling party for what it called "state-sponsored" violence and claimed that at least 45 people have died in the clashes. This comes as the elections were marred by widespread violence and allegations of booth tampering.



"In West Bengal, elections and violence have become synonymous...Around 45 people have been killed as far as Panchayat polls in West Bengal are concerned. Words like firing, bombing, murder and vote rigging are being used for the Panchayat elections...This is not accidental, this is a state-sponsored murder of democracy. It is an institutional murder, that is, from the police administration to the district officers and the administrative officers, everything is involved," Patra said.



Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari too had blamed the results on "election malpractice". "I had a few rounds of conversation with Union home minister Amit Shah today but we did not discuss the election results even once. Our discussion was on the violence during counting day, Adhikari told reporters on Tuesday.



The Left and the Congress too have maintained that the results were a farce.



Vote counting is on at 339 venues spread across 22 districts and is likely to carry over to Wednesday. "Counting began at 8 am and is likely to continue for the next two days. It will take time for the ballots to be counted and the results to be compiled," an SEC official said.



All the counting venues are manned by armed state police personnel and central forces, with prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC being imposed outside the venue to avoid any untoward incidents. There are a total of 767 strong rooms across 22 districts.


Indias bilateral ties with France are much more deeper and profound than the expected deal to buy the about 30 Rafale M fighters for the Indian Navy or the likely order for three more Scorpene Class submarinespacts likely to be inked during Prime Minister Narendra Modis three-day-long France visit beginning Friday.

Of course, the icing on the cake would definitely be aero-engines to power Indias still-in-the-works fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) if France is found willing to supply a 100 per cent technology transfer.

One of Indias earliest strategic partnersmore so in the military, aerospace and civilian nuclear domainsFrance has maintained consistency in its India ties throughout the past decades.

The India PMs July 14-16 visit to France will mark the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership and would be, as an official source put it, an opportunity to chart the way for the next 25 years, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Indias independence in 2047.

The source added that ambitious outcomes are expected on defence, space, geostrategy, infrastructure, energy, climate action, museology, student mobility, people to people, sports, culture, and other verticals.

No doubt, the framework of the upcoming India-France agreements would have already been cleared during the July 6 India visit of Emmanuel Bonne, the diplomatic adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron, during his meetings with Indias National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.

PM Modi will grace the Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour even as a tri-services contingent from India will participate in the French National Day or Bastille Day parade.

Interestingly, the Indian contingent will also include a fly-past by four IAF Rafale fighters and two C-17 Globemasters. The Rafale fighters were fuelled by IAFs IL-78 mid-air refuellers en route to the Evreux-Fauville air base in France.

A most important day in the French consciousness, the French National Day commemorates the Storming of the Bastille Prison in 1789 during the French Revolution.

Considered a massive market with more than 17 per cent of the worlds population, India has a huge 15-lakh-strong military that is being modernized at a dizzying pace while focusing on indigenisation.

In 2021, after the US ($800 bn) and China ($293 bn), India ($77 bn) was the worlds third largest military spender.

According to the SIPRI fact sheet of March 2022, in the five years from 2017-21, India was the biggest weapons importer in the world accounting for 11 per cent of the total global arms import.

Between 201216 and 201721, Russias share of total Indian arms imports fell from 69 per cent to 46 per cent, according to SIPRI data, while that of France increased about eleven-fold.

In effect, for 201721, France became Indias second-largest arms exporter after Russia. Notwithstanding the disclaimer that Indias total imports also fell because of its indigenisation plan.

The SIPRI report says: Frances arms exports to India in 201721 were almost 11 times higher than in 201216 and reached their highest level for any five years since 1950.

What helps is that French military hardware in India has a legacy factor. Not just the Mirage 2000 multi-role fighter aircraft from the Dassault stable, there have been the ubiquitous Chetak, Cheetah and Cheetal helicopters in Indian military service that had their origins in the French Alouette and Lama helicopters.

And before the big-ticket six Scorpene submarine deal of 2006 and the Rafale aircraft deal of 2016 for 36 platforms, there were French diesel engines for submarines and ships, anti-submarine warfare sonars, radars, the Milan anti-tank missiles, the list is a long one.

At a time when global strategic equations are being re-drawn in the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, in a silent but significant way, France is positioning itself as the most important supplier of military equipment to India.

Therein lies the importance and significance of the Indian prime ministerial visit to Paris.
The Rishi Sunak-led British government, on Tuesday, said it will provide a support package worth $64.7 million (50 million pounds) for equipment repair and the establishment of a military rehabilitation centre in Ukraine.



In the support package, which will be discussed in this week's NATO summit, Britain and G7 members will provide thousands of additional rounds of Challenger 2 ammunition and more than 70 combat and logistics vehicles. With the package, the UK keeps up with its commitment to assisting Ukraine in strengthening its defence capabilities and enhancing its security.

These measures will be supported by rehabilitation specialists at NATO and will be funded through NATO's Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine.

The declaration, which will outline how allies will support Ukraine over the coming years to end the war, will be signed by all members of the G7. "Supporting Ukraine's progress on the pathway to NATO membership, coupled with formal, multilateral, and bilateral agreements and the overwhelming support of NATO members will send a strong signal to President Putin and return peace to Europe," UK PM Rishi Sunak said.

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg of the NATO alliance, which is dedicated to promoting stability and security in the Euro-Atlantic region, said Ukraine would become a member of the alliance once allies agree and conditions are met. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticised the alliance for not setting a time frame to extend an invitation or to make them a member of NATO.

We value our allies. We value our shared security. And we always appreciate an open conversation. Ukraine will be represented at the NATO summit in Vilnius. Because it is about respect. He added, But Ukraine also deserves respect. Now, on the way to Vilnius, we received signals that certain wording is being discussed without Ukraine, he tweeted.
Panaji, July 12 (PTI) The Goa government will write to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman seeking to reconsider the GST council's decision to levy a 28 per cent tax on the full face value of bets in online gaming, casinos and horse racing.

Goa Industry Minister Mauvin Godinho, who is the state's representative on the GST council, told reporters on Wednesday the imposition of tax will prove to be a "very negative factor" for the industry and affect tourism in the coastal state.

"I have already taken up this issue with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant who said he would be writing to the Centre to reconsider the tax. The CM will take up this issue with the Centre and the Finance Minister. It will ultimately go for reconsideration before the GST council, Godinho told reporters.

He said stakeholders in the online gaming, casino gaming and horse racing industry wanted the entire taxation to be done on the gross gambling revenue (GGR).

There is no dispute on the imposition of 28 per cent GST but they have decided to impose it on the full face value. That is the only difference," the minister said.

The GST Council on Tuesday decided to levy the maximum 28 per cent tax on the full face value of bets in online gaming, casinos and horse racing.

Godinho said this decision will hamper fresh investment in this industry and it will affect the sector.

"Even for Goa, footfalls are bound to decrease. Most of the flights to Goa are full because people come to play in casinos here. This decision is not going to be a very positive thing for the industry," he added.
Kolkata, Jul 12 (PTI) Tata Steel has joined the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT), a global initiative to accelerate the transition to net-zero emissions in heavy industry, the company said on Wednesday.

LeadIT was created by the governments of Sweden and India during the UN Climate Action Summit in September 2019 and is backed by the World Economic Forum.

The group brings together governments, companies, investors, and other stakeholders to share best practices, develop new technologies, and advocate for policies that support the transition to a net-zero emissions economy.

Tata Steel's membership in LeadIT is a significant milestone for the company, as it positions Tata Steel as a global leader in the drive to decarbonize the steel industry.

Tata Steel has set a goal to become net-neutral in carbon emissions by 2045, and joining LeadIT will help the company achieve this goal by providing access to a network of experts and resources.

"Tata Steel's membership in LeadIT presents a significant opportunity for us to amplify our endeavours towards carbon neutrality," said Tata Steel VP, Technology and R&D, Debashish Bhattacharjee.

The company said that it would work with LeadIT to share its experiences in developing and deploying low-carbon steel making technologies and to advocate for policies that support the transition to a net-zero emissions economy.

"Tata's ambitious goal of attaining carbon neutrality by 2045 paves the way for low-carbon steel production," said Per Andersson, Head of the LeadIT Secretariat.
Guwahati, Jul 12 (PTI) The second over dimensional cargo (ODC) ferrying 700 MT of cargo for Numaligarh Refinery's capacity expansion project, arrived at the Pandu port here on Wednesday from Kolkata via the Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route, officials said.

The ODC, a cargo that protrudes outside the loading deck of the vehicle transporting it, is being ferried according to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Numaligarh Refinery Limited and Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).

This is the second ODC to be moved using inland waterways from Kolkata to Guwahati, traversing the Indo Bangladesh Protocol Route and the Brahmaputra river (National Waterways 2), officials said.

A total of 24 such ODCs will be transported via this medium, heralding a new age of cargo movement in the inland waterways of Northeast India.

Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in a statement said that the role of inland waterways in the empowerment of Assams growth story must be hailed.

I believe it is going to play a pivotal role in the rapid transformation of our region via an economical, ecological and sustainable mode of transportation,'' Sonowal said.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ministry is working to make the movement via waterways a smooth and swift mode of transport, he said.

''Our goal of transformation via transportation will be realised with the revamped and rejuvenated waterways as an alternative and efficient mode of transportation.
Ahmedabad, Jul 12 (PTI) Adoption of artificial intelligence or AI could add up to 1.4 percentage points annually to India's real GDP growth, a study by the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A) and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) said on Wednesday.

The IIMA-BCG joint study report, titled "AI in India - A Strategic Necessity" on the AI readiness levels of Indian businesses, was released at IIMA campus by the premiere management institute's director Bharat Bhasker.

"AI will have a transformative impact on economies, societies and civilisation at large. In India alone, successful adoption of AI could add up to 1.4 percentage points annually to real GDP growth," said the report.

It further said successful adoption of AI is expected to add Rs 1.5 to 2.5 trillion in incremental pre-tax profit over a five year period for the top 500 Indian companies alone.

Pointing out the need for a massive managerial upskilling for AI adoption, the study also estimates that just the top 500 Indian companies would require at least one million hours of training.

"Companies cannot assume that benefits of AI will accrue to them in due course. Companies have a choice to prioritise AI and adopt it or perish," the report mentioned, adding that 2 out of 3 Indian companies are "laggards" in terms of AI adoption and maturity.

As per the report, India only has around 4.5 per cent of the world's AI professionals, and the talent crunch will get more acute.

"76 per cent of India's data talent is currently hired by the IT services industry. However, companies are struggling to find AI talent with the requisite business and sector understanding. As a result, direct hire of AI talent remains low despite high demand," it said.

"Further, just the top 500 corporates (listed corporates by revenue) would need at least 25,000 to 30,000 advanced practitioners of AIML (Artificial Intelligence Markup Language) in the next 3 to 5 years. To handle AI driven transformations, the existing senior and middle level managers of these 500 companies would require a minimum of a million hours of training," said the study.

Bhasker said, "India is poised to enter into a digital revolution where successful AI adoption by our industry can be a crucial determinant of India's competitiveness globally. Indian industry and our companies can leverage the widespread internet access and cost-effective labour to move ahead and align themselves to the global AI maturity standards."

The report emphasises the significance of achieving an advanced level of AI maturity for success in today's business landscape, said a release by IIM-A.
London, Jul 12 (PTI) An Indian national who was arrested in the UK on a provisional US warrant as part of a coordinated action targeting terrorism financing will challenge his extradition on human rights and dual criminality grounds, a court in London was told on Wednesday.

Madurai-born Sundar Nagarajan, 65, appeared via videolink from prison at Westminster Magistrates Court for a case management hearing and District Judge John Zani agreed on a tentative timetable for a two-day extradition hearing on January 22 and 23, 2024. Both sides are expected to submit their evidence, skeleton arguments and replies by January 14 next year.

I anticipate this will be a case with some complications, the judge noted, as he set the dates to be finalised after the Chief Magistrate assigns a judge for the hearing in the new year.

Nagarajans barrister, George Hepburne Scott, told the court that he will be challenging the extradition on Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, to which the UK is a signatory, and also on the grounds of dual criminality without going into details.

Barrister Mark Summers, appearing on behalf of the US government for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), asked for further details on these grounds of challenge when the first set of arguments are submitted next month by August 9.

Sundar Nagarajan, also known as Nagarajan Sundar Poongulam Kasiviswanathan Naga and Sundar Poongulam K Nagarajan Nagarajan and having addresses in the UK and Belgium, was arrested by the Metropolitan Polices National Extradition Unit from an address at Hayes in west London on April 18.

The court heard that armed police officers stormed his home to arrest him and seize his belongings.

Earlier, the CPS told the court that Nagarajan is the accountant linked to the finances of the designated Hizballah terrorist organisation and is wanted by the US authorities for fraud and money laundering offences. His arrest followed action by the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command to arrest a 50-year-old man in Wales on suspicion of funding terrorism.

The ongoing investigation and arrest by the NTFIU [National Terrorist Financing Investigation Unit] relates to suspected terrorist financing and money laundering, which is believed to be connected to wealthy art collector and diamond dealer, Nazem Ahmad, the Met Police said.

Ahmad is suspected of being a funding source for Hizballah, a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK and US. Sanctions against Ahmad were announced by the UK government alongside the US government and a number of his suspected associates, including Nagarajan.
Colombo, Jul 12 (PTI) Ahead of a deadline set by Sri Lanka's Supreme Court, former President Maithripala Sirisena has paid the first instalment of 15 million Sri Lankan Rupees as compensation to the victims of the Easter terror attacks in 2019, according to media reports on Wednesday.

In January, Sirisena, 71, was ordered by the apex court to pay SLRs 100 million as compensation to the victims for his negligence in preventing one of the country's worst terror strikes despite having credible information of an imminent attack.

Sirisena was Sri Lanka's President and Defence Minister at the time of the attacks when nine suicide bombers belonging to the local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jamaat (NTJ) linked to ISIS carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three Catholic churches and three luxury hotels on April 21, 2019, killing nearly 270 people, including 11 Indians, and injuring over 500.

The court ordered Sirisena to pay a compensation of SLRs. 100 million, former police chief Pujith Jayasundara and former state intelligence services chief Nilantha Jayawardene to pay a compensation of SLRs. 75 million each, former defence secretary Hemasiri Fernando to pay a compensation of SLRs. 50 million.

Ahead of the July 12 July set by the Supreme Court, Sirisena paid SLRs 15 million as compensation on June 28 and filed a motion requesting that he be allowed to pay the remaining sum in 10 instalments of SLRs 8.5 million from June 30, 2024, to June 20, 2033, Colombo Gazette news portal reported.

In a motion filed through his lawyers, the former President explained that he receives a pension of SLRs. 97,500 as the former President, alongside a sum of SLRs. 54,285 for his services as a Member of Parliament, thus, he requested that he be granted more time to pay the remainder of the ordered sum of SLRs. 100 million, adaderana.lk reported.

Accordingly, it has been reported that former defence secretary Fernando, former police chief Jayasundara and Sisira Mendis have paid SLRs. 1 million, SLRs. 1,725,588 and SLRs. 5 million thus far, respectively, it added.

Meanwhile, the Treasury has also paid a sum of SLRs. 1 million as compensation on behalf of the government, sources confirmed.

Sirisena said in January that he will collect money from his friends to pay the compensation.

He also insisted that he did not receive information prior to the attacks in April 2019.

He said that the defence authorities did not inform him of a plot to carry out the attacks on April 21, 2019.

The attack stirred a political storm as then President Sirisena and then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were blamed for their inability to prevent the attacks despite prior intelligence being made available.

As many as 12 petitioners, including the kin of the victims, the Catholic clergy, and the lawyers body Bar Association of Sri Lanka, filed the fundamental rights petition against the then president for his negligence in preventing the attacks that proved fatal for the island nation's economy primarily dependent on tourism.

A presidential panel of inquiry appointed by Sirisena after the attacks ironically found the then-president guilty of his failure to prevent the attacks.

Sirisena, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge in the case filed after the panel's findings.
London, Jul 12 (AP) Concerns are growing that Russia will not extend a United Nations-brokered deal that allows grain to flow from Ukraine to parts of the world struggling with hunger, with ships no longer heading to the war-torn country's Black Sea ports and food exports dwindling.

Turkey and the UN negotiated the breakthrough accord last summer to ease a global food crisis, along with a separate agreement with Russia to facilitate shipments of its food and fertiliser. Moscow insists it's still facing hurdles, though data shows it has been exporting record amounts of wheat.

Russian officials repeatedly say there are no grounds for extending the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which is up for its fourth renewal Monday. It's something they have threatened before  then have twice gone on to extend the deal for two months instead of the four months outlined in the agreement.

The UN and others are striving to keep the fragile deal intact, with Ukraine and Russia both major suppliers of wheat, barley, vegetable oil and other food products that countries in Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia rely on. It has allowed Ukraine to ship 32.8 million metric tons (36.2 million tons) of grain, more than half of it to developing nations.

The deal has helped lower global prices of food commodities like wheat after they surged to record highs following the invasion last year, but that relief has not reached kitchen tables.

Russia's exit would cut off a source for World Food Programme aid for countries at risk of famine, including Somalia, Ethiopia and Afghanistan, and compound food security problems in vulnerable places struggling with conflict, economic crisis and drought.

"Russia gets a lot of good public will for continuing this agreement," said Joseph Glauber, senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute.

There would be a cost to pay in terms of public perception and global goodwill, I think, as far as Russia is concerned if the deal isn't extended.

The amount of grain leaving Ukraine already has dropped, with Russia accused of slowing joint inspections of ships by Russian, Ukrainian, UN and Turkish officials and refusing to allow more vessels to join the initiative.

Average daily inspections  meant to ensure vessels carry only food and not weapons that could aid either side  have fallen from a peak of 11 in October to just over two in June.

That has led to a decline in grain exports, from a high of 4.2 million metric tons in October to 1.3 million in May, a low for the year-old initiative. They rose to 2 million in June as shipment sizes grew.

If the deal isn't extended, the countries that had relied on Ukraine for their imports are going to have to look at other sources for imports, very likely Russia, which is something that I imagine Russia was intending, said Caitlin Welsh, director of the Global Food and Water Security Programme at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The UN has been negotiating with Russia to stick with the initiative, with spokesman Stephane Dujarric saying Monday that top officials are doing whatever we can to ensure the continuation of all of the agreements.

Ukraine's Infrastructure Ministry said Tuesday on Facebook that the final two ships are loading grain  heading for Egypt  while 29 vessels are waiting in the waters off Turkiye because Russia has refused to allow their inspection.

"Ukrainian agricultural products play a significant role in global food security," Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said. But for the past few months, the grain corridor has been practically closed.

Russia insists the agreement hasn't worked for its own exports, blaming Western sanctions for hindering financing and insurance.

While sanctions don't effect food and fertiliser, Moscow is seeking carveouts from restrictions on the Russian Agricultural Bank, as well as movement on its ammonia, a key ingredient in fertiliser, to a Ukrainian Black Sea port. But the ammonia pipeline has been damaged in the war, the UN said.

There is still time to implement the part of the agreements that pertains to our country. So far, this part has not been fulfilled," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters last week. And so at the moment, unfortunately, we don't see any particular grounds for extending this deal."

Russia, however, has increased its wheat exports to all-time highs following a large harvest. Shipments went from 33 million metric tons in 2021 to 44 million metric tons last year to expectations of 46 million this year, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's shipments have fallen by around 60 per cent, from 19 million tons in 2021 to predictions of about 7 or 8 million tons this year  a big hit to its agriculture-dependent economy.

With less from Ukraine and more from Russia, the world's available wheat stocks are the same as in 2021  and there is enough of it to go around, said Peter Meyer, head of grain analytics at S&P Global Commodity Insights.

Europe and Argentina are expected to boost wheat shipments, while Brazil saw a banner year for corn, of which Ukraine is also a major supplier. Meyer wouldn't expect more than a temporary bump to grain prices on world markets if the Black Sea deal isn't renewed.

Markets just adapt extremely quickly, he said. The fact of the matter is that the global grain markets, they balance each other out.

Ukraine can send its food by land or river through Europe, so it wouldn't be completely cut off from selling grain, but those routes have a lower capacity than sea shipments and have stirred disunity in the European Union.

We are a cat running out of lives in this situation, said Simon Evenett, professor of international trade and economic development at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland. It only takes one thing to go wrong before we're into trouble.

While the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation's food price index has fallen below the record highs it hit when Russian troops entered Ukraine, food costs were already high because of COVID-19, conflict and drought.

Then Russia's war helped push up the costs to produce food  including energy, fertiliser and transportation.

In developing nations increasingly relying on imported food, from Kenya to Syria, weakening currencies are keeping local prices high because they are paying in US dollars.

With approximately 80 per cent of East Africa's grain being exported from Russia and Ukraine, over 50 million people across East Africa are facing hunger, and food prices have shot up by nearly 40 per cent this year," said Shashwat Saraf, the International Rescue Committee's regional emergency director for East Africa.

"It is vital for the international community to not only forge a long-term deal but also build durable solutions to tackle food insecurity," he said. (AP)



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Berlin, Jul 12 (AP) Investigators found traces of subsea explosives in samples taken from a yacht that has been one aspect of a probe into the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea last year, European diplomats have told the United Nations Security Council.

They say that the investigation hasn't yet established who the perpetrators were and whether a state was involved.

Denmark, Sweden and Germany have been investigating the Sept 26 attack, and the Danish Foreign Ministry tweeted a letter Tuesday from the three countries' UN ambassadors to the president of the Security Council with information on their activities so far.

Officials voiced caution in March over media reports that a pro-Ukraine group was involved in the sabotage. German media reported then that five men and a woman used a yacht hired by a Ukrainian-owned company in Poland to carry out the attack, and that it set off from the German port of Rostock.

German federal prosecutors declined direct comment on that and other reports but did confirm that a boat was searched in January, and said there was suspicion that the boat in question could have been used to transport explosive devices that were used to blow up the pipelines.

A section of this week's letter detailing Germany's findings said that the sailing yacht's precise course hasn't yet been definitively established. It said that traces of subsea explosives were found in the samples taken from the boat during the investigation, but didn't elaborate.

At this point it is not possible to reliably establish the identity of the perpetrators and their motives, particularly regarding the question of whether the incident was steered by a state or state actor, it said. All information to clarify the matter will be pursued during the continuing investigations.

The undersea explosions ruptured the Nord Stream 1 pipeline  which, until Russia cut off supplies at the end of August, was its main natural gas supply route to Germany. They also damaged the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which never entered service as Germany suspended its certification process shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

The pipelines were long a target of criticism by the United States and some of its allies, who warned that they posed a risk to Europe's energy security by increasing dependence on Russian gas.

President Vladimir Putin and Russian officials have accused the US of staging the pipeline explosions, which they have described as a terror attack. Ukraine has rejected suggestions that it might have ordered the attack. The countries investigating the explosions haven't commented on who might have been responsible. (AP) SCY

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GENEVA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- China is against all forms of Islamophobia, the country's top diplomat in Geneva said at a debate during the ongoing 53rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR).

Ambassador Chen Xu, head of the Chinese Mission to the United Nations, stressed that China has always advocated mutual respect, tolerance and understanding between different civilizations.

The UNHCR on Tuesday launched an urgent debate on an alarming rise in premeditated and public acts of religious hatred, as demonstrated by the frequent desecration of the Holy Quran in some European countries. The Council subsequently adopted a resolution on the matter on Wednesday morning.

Chen said China supported the holding of the urgent debate and emphasized that China condemns the incidents of desecration of the Holy Quran.

So-called "freedom of expression" should not be used as a justification for inciting a clash of civilizations, or creating confrontation, Chen noted.

"Islamic civilization has made important contributions to world civilization, and the religious beliefs and feelings of Muslims matter," he said.

Chen told the session that China is ready to work with all parties to implement the Global Civilization Initiative, which advocates adherence to the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and tolerance among civilizations.

He added that misunderstandings between civilizations can be overcome through enhanced exchanges, and clashes avoided by strengthening mutual learning.

"China hopes and believes that this urgent debate, followed by the thematic dialogues and discussions, will encourage some countries to demonstrate political will and take practical action to address the deep-rooted problems that lead to arrogance, discrimination and xenophobia, to enhance understanding of and respect for different religions and civilizations, and to promote the building of a community of shared destiny for mankind," he said. 
Vilnius, Jul 12 (AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed the recent US decision to send cluster munitions to his country, saying Russia also uses the controversial and widely banned weapons.

Russia constantly uses cluster munitions on our territory. It wages war exclusively on our land. It kills our people, he said Wednesday at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

This is about justice," Zelenskyy added. "We defend ourselves, without using (these) weapons on the territory of other states. Zelenskyy said. Any cluster munitions supplied to Ukraine, he said, would be used purely for military purposes and purely in Russian-occupied parts of southern and eastern Ukraine.

President Joe Biden earlier this week described the decision to provide the projectiles as very difficult, citing their record of killing civilians. Over 120 countries across the world -- but not the US, Russia or Ukraine -- have signed on to an international convention prohibiting the production of cluster munitions and discouraging their use.

Both Moscow and Kyiv have deployed the munitions during the war, and Ukrainian regional officials have regularly accused Russian forces of using them to target civilians.

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NATO and Ukraine are holding their first ever high-level talks in a new format.

The 31-nation alliance is not letting Ukraine join while the war with Russia is going on, but has launched a NATO-Ukraine Council as part of its political commitment to the country.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says it's a forum where Ukraine and NATO allies will meet as equals, hold crisis consultations and jointly take decisions. Ukraine is now closer to NATO than ever before.

Hungary has blocked high-level talks with Ukraine in the past due to concerns over the rights of the ethnic Hungarian minority living in Ukraine. But Stoltenberg said he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy can convene the NATO-Ukraine Council, so it cannot be blocked.

This is something new, this is something different. It's a strong tool for political integration, and also for decision-making, Stoltenberg said Wednesday before chairing the meeting.

Russia had a similar arrangement with NATO, but meetings dwindled after it annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Once the war started last year, the allies ruled that NATO cannot consider Russia to be a partner. (AP) SCY

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Vilnius (Lithuania), Jul 12 (AP) NATO leaders prepared to provide Ukraine with more military assistance for fighting Russia but only vague assurances of future membership as the alliance's summit draws to a close on Wednesday.

A draft agreement states that Ukraine can join NATO when allies agree and conditions are met."

The ambiguous outcome reflects the challenges of reaching consensus among the alliance's current members while the war continues, and it is likely to leave Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy unsatisfied.

Although Zelenskyy planned to attend the summit's final day, he has been sharply critical of what he described as NATO's absurd reluctance to set a timeline for his country's acceptance into the alliance.

In essence, Western countries are willing to keep sending weapons to help Ukraine do the job that NATO was designed to do  hold the line against a Russian invasion  but not allow Ukraine to join its ranks and benefit from its security.

Zelenskyy said in a Tuesday speech in a town square in Vilnius that he had faith in NATO, but that he would like this faith to become confidence, confidence in the decisions that we deserve, all of us, every soldier, every citizen, every mother, every child.

"Is that too much to ask? he added.

Symbols of support for Ukraine are common around the city, where the country's blue-and-yellow flags hang from buildings and are pasted inside windows. One sign cursed Russian President Vladimir Putin. Another urged NATO leaders to hurry up their assistance for Ukraine.

However, there's been more caution inside the summit itself, especially from US President Joe Biden, who has explicitly said he doesn't think Ukraine is ready to join NATO. There are concerns that the country's democracy is unstable and its corruption remains too deeply rooted.

In addition, Western nations fear sparking a wider conflict. Several leaders, from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, said it was too risky to admit Ukraine during the war.

Under Article 5 of the NATO charter, members are obligated to defend each other from attack, which could swiftly draw the US and other nations into direct fighting with Russia.

However, defining an end to hostilities is no easy task. Officials have declined to define the goal, which could suggest a negotiated ceasefire or Ukraine reclaiming all occupied territory. Either way, Putin would essentially have veto power over Ukraine's NATO membership by prolonging the conflict.

Wednesday's commitments were to include a new framework from Group of Seven nations acting on the margins of the summit that would provide for Ukraine's long-term security.

The British foreign ministry said in a statement the G7 joint declaration would set out how allies will support Ukraine over the coming years to end the war and deter and respond to any future attack. It is the first time that this many countries have agreed a comprehensive long-term security arrangement of this kind with another country.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement that supporting Ukraine's progress on the pathway to NATO membership, coupled with formal, multilateral, and bilateral agreements and the overwhelming support of NATO members will send a strong signal to President Putin and return peace to Europe.

Although international summits are often tightly scripted, this one has seesawed between conflict and compromise.

At first leaders appeared to be deadlocked over Sweden's bid for membership in the alliance. However, Turkiye unexpectedly agreed to drop its objections the night before the summit formally began.

The deal led to boasts of success from leaders who were eager for a display of solidarity in Vilnius.

This summit is already historic before it has started, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said.

Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security adviser, told reporters that rumours of the death of NATO's unity were greatly exaggerated.

Erdogan has not commented publicly on the deal over Sweden's membership, even during a Tuesday evening meeting with Biden where Biden referenced the agreement you reached yesterday."

However, Erdogan appeared eager to develop his relationship with Biden. He said previous meetings were mere warm-ups, but now we are initiating a new process.

The Turkish president has been seeking advanced American fighter jets and a path toward membership in the European Union. The White House has expressed support for both, but publicly insisted that the issues were not related to Sweden's membership in NATO. (AP)



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Islamabad, Jul 12 (PTI) Pakistan on Wednesday received USD 1 billion from the UAE to boost its reserves, a day after Saudi Arabia transferred USD 2 billion to the country's central bank in the wake of a deal with the International Monetary Fund.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar announced the transfer of funds by the Gulf nation on the eve of the board meeting of the IMF to approve a USD 3 billion Stand-by Agreement.

"We received confirmation some time ago that our brother country, our friend, the UAE has deposited USD 1 bn to the State Bank's account. The Federal Reserves Bank has confirmed that this amount has been credited to the (SBP's) account, he said in a video message shown live on television.

Dar said the funds received from Saudi Arabia and the UAE this week had collectively "increased the country's reserves by USD 3 bn in two days" which would reflect in the weekly update of foreign exchange reserves due to be issued on July 14.

He thanked the UAE leadership on behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir and the Pakistani nation for support in difficult times.

Prime Minister Sharif also thanked UAE President Mohamed Bin Zayed for the USD 1 billion deposit. "As a time-tested friend and brotherly country, the UAE has always come forward to support Pakistan, he said.

He said that Pakistan acknowledged the "kind gesture" which was critical to the efforts to stabilise the economy.

Pakistan has been struggling to arrange enough foreign exchange to satisfy the IMF which refused to provide the remaining USD 2.5 billion out of a USD 6.5 billion loan program which was signed in 2019 and expired on June 30 this year.

Later, the IMF agreed to provide USD 3 billion over a period of nine months under strict conditions including arranging funds to boost the balance of payments.
Mumbai, Jul 11 (PTI) The Maharashtra government will table a white paper on circumstances in which the Vednata-Foxconn project went outside the state in the monsoon session of the legislature, state Industries Minister Uday Samant said on Tuesday.

We will present a white paper on reasons behind the semiconductor project of Vedanta-Foxconn went outside Maharashtra. We are working on it and it will be tabled in the monsoon session starting July 17, he said.

The minister said he was studying the factors based on which Foxconn announced its decision.

"I cannot comment on it without any proper information in my hand, he said.

Foxconn on Monday announced withdrawal from its chip-making JV with Indian conglomerate Vedanta.
Kolkata, Jul 12 (PTI) Several policemen and supporters of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) were injured in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district as a clash broke out outside a centre where counting of votes for rural polls was going on, police said on Wednesday.

The incident happened late Tuesday night when members of the ISF allegedly hurled bombs outside the counting centre at Bhangore and police restored to baton charge, a senior officer said.

Police personnel fired a few rounds of rubber bullets and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the mob, he said.

"A senior IPS officer, his bodyguard and several other policemen as well as a few alleged members of the ISF were injured in the clash," he told PTI.

A few people have been detained from the spot for their alleged involvement in the incident, the officer said.

Around midnight, some people started a commotion outside the counting centre at Bhangore. They hurled bombs, aiming at our colleagues. In retaliation and to maintain law and order, our officers had baton charged. The police personnel had to fire a few rounds of tear gas and rubber bullets after the situation started deteriorating, he said.

The policemen as well as the alleged members of the ISF are being treated at a hospital, the officer added.

A huge team of police personnel has been deployed at Bhangore, particularly outside the counting centre.

Bhangore has been on the boil since June 8 when the rural polls were announced by the state election commission.

Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose had visited violence-hit Bhangore twice and spoken to the family members of a person who was killed in a poll-related clash there and also to the injured people.

Incidentally, Bose had gone to Bhangore on Tuesday, soon after returning from New Delhi, primarily to understand the situation there in the context of poll counting.

The ruling Trinamool Congress on Wednesday looked poised to sweep to a massive victory in violence-scarred rural polls in Bengal as the overnight count of ballots gave it an unassailable lead in results declared till now by the state election commission.

The violence, which rocked the panchayat polls held on July 8, has claimed at least 15 lives with 11 of them from the ruling TMC.

Since the elections were announced last month, the number of people who died in poll-related incidents was at 33.
Kolkata, Jul 12 (PTI) Holding that allegations made by the central force coordinator for West Bengal panchayat elections about alleged non-cooperation by the SEC and the state government are very serious, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed them to file their response on the averments made by the IG of BSF.

The BSF IG, who is the central force coordinator, in a report before the court alleged non-cooperation on the part of the State Election Commission (SEC) and the state government.

The court said that on perusal of the report by the force coordinator, the allegations are found to be very serious, particularly against the SEC.

The division bench, presided by Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam, noted that the report has said that the support and response of the SEC and the state authorities have been found wanting on a number of occasions.

"If the allegations set out in the report ultimately turn out to be true, then it would be tantamount to a clear case of wilful disobedience of the order and direction issued by this court," the bench said in its prima facie observation.

It was hearing contempt petitions alleging that the SEC had not implemented the high court's orders regarding the deployment of central forces and ensuring free and fair elections.

The court had on July 4 directed the deployment of central forces in all polling booths in the state.

The high court had on June 21 directed the SEC to requisition more than 82,000 central forces personnel for deployment in panchayat elections, which would be more than what was deployed during the 2013 rural polls in the state.

The court said on Wednesday that it will take a decision after the SEC files its response to the report by the force coordinator.

The bench directed the SEC and the state government to file their response through separate affidavits by July 24. The matter will be heard again on July 26.

The state government was also directed to file its response on the allegations of non-cooperation on its part as stated in the report.

The additional solicitor general, appearing for the central government, submitted that clear instructions were not given by the administration to the force coordinator with regard to deployment.

The bench, also comprising Justice Uday Kumar, directed the West Bengal chief secretary to hold a meeting with the BSF IG, the state DGP, the ADG (Law and Order), the home secretary and other officers as may be required to take policy decisions on the deployment of central forces for 10 days in the aftermath of the panchayat polls.

It directed that the BSF IG, who is the force coordinator of central forces, can be accompanied by as many officers as he may desire to participate in such meetings.

It was also submitted by ASG Ashok Chakraborty that basic facilities for the forces deployed were grossly lacking.

Advocate General S N Mookherjee, representing the state, submitted that the court may direct form a team of top officers who can sit and take decisions so that all these issues flagged can be sorted out.

Directing that policy-level decisions will be taken at such meetings of the top officers, the court said that the chief secretary and the DGP will ensure that those decisions are strictly implemented.

The court directed that the district administrations and the police will extend all cooperation and implement the decisions.

It said that nodal officers appointed by the SEC to oversee the election process, will continue to be deployed in the same districts for the next 10 days and they will submit daily reports to the committee.
Bhubaneswar, Jul 12 (PTI) As part of the Congresss nationwide protest against the disqualification of senior leader Rahul Gandhi from the membership of the Parliament, party functionaries in Odisha staged a 'Maun Satyagrah' (silent protest) here on Wednesday.

Wearing black badges on their mouths, AICC general secretary and Odisha in-charge A Chella Kumar, state Congress president Sarat Pattnayak and several other leaders took part in the protest.

We held a Maun Satyagrah as a mark of solidarity towards our leader Rahul Gandhi as well as to protest against the central governments act of throttling the voice of opposition both inside and outside Parliament, Chella Kumar told reporters.

Kumar accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not listening to the opposition.

The PM hardly comes to Parliament. Whenever he comes, he delivers speeches and does not listen to anyone," he said.

Kumar also supported West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who raised questions on the Prime Ministers silence over the Manipur issue.

I totally agree with the West Bengal CM. When Manipur was burning, where was the countrys Prime Minister? Till today, he has not uttered a word to console the people of Manipur, the Congress leader said.

Kumar, however, also slammed the incidents of violence during the panchayat polls in West Bengal.

The call for the nationwide Maun Satyagrah was given by the Congress to protest Rahul Gandhis disqualification from the Lok Sabha in March after he was convicted by a Surat court in Gujarat in a 2019 criminal defamation case.

The Gujarat High Court had also on July 7 dismissed Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in the case over his "Modi surname" remark.
New Delhi, Jul 12 (PTI) The BJP on Wednesday said it has improved its tally in the West Bengal panchayat polls from 2018 despite facing "brutal oppression" and claimed that signs are ominous for the ruling Trinamool Congress which will be "buried deep" in the coming elections.

Crediting the people of Bengal and BJP workers for the performance, the principal opposition party in the state noted that it is way ahead of Congress, Left, ISF and others put together.

The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) was poised to sweep West Bengals violence-scarred rural polls. According to the State Election Commission (SEC), the Mamata Banerjee-led party won 34,901 gram panchayat seats out of a total 63,229 seats whose results were declared and it was leading in 613 seats. The BJP emerged as the closest rival with the party winning 9,719 seats and it is leading in 151 seats. The CPI(M) won 2,938 and is leading in 67 seats. The Congress won 2,542 seats and is leading in 66.

Reacting to the results, BJP's co-incharge for the state Amit Malviya said on Twitter, West Bengal Panchayat Polls were marred with widespread violence and state-sponsored killings. Despite brutal oppression, active collusion between the ruling TMC, SEC, police, and civil administration, the BJP has surpassed its 2018 tally and is way ahead of Congress, Left, ISF and others put together.

BJP is the principal opposition party and will unseat Mamata Banerjee, soon, he added.

The ruling TMC won 6,430 panchayat samiti seats out of a total of 9,728 while leading 193 seats. BJP has won 982 and is leading in 53 seats, while CPI(M) has won 176 seats and is leading in 14 others. The Congress has bagged 266 seats and is leading in 6 seats.

The TMC has also won 674 zila parishad seats so far and is leading in 149 others. The BJP has in contrast won 21 and is leading in 5 seats. The CPI(M) has won 2 seats, while the Congress has won 6 and is leading in 5. In all, there are 928 zila parishad seats.

Malviya claimed the TMC has won "far fewer seats" uncontested this time, despite attempts to stop BJP candidates from filing nominations.

The TMC "captured booths, rigged voting, changed ballot boxes and influenced counting," and yet Mamata Banerjee-led party couldnt stop the BJPs rise, he said.

The BJP candidates won gram panchayat seats in booths with 100 percent Muslim population, Malviya claimed.

The signs are ominous for Mamata Banerjees TMC. It is a syndicate of criminals and not a political party, he alleged.

TMC will be buried deep under in the coming elections and the credit for it will go entirely to the people of Bengal and BJP karyakartas (workers)," he said.

Malviya said the BJPs performance is far better than what has been declared so far. In several places, the result has been altered on the instruction of the ruling TMC, vote in favor of the BJP declared invalid to let the TMC candidate win, winning certificates of BJP candidates torn," he alleged.

"In several counting booths, TMC MLAs along with local administration forced results in their favour, he alleged, adding, All this is being challenged in court.

The BJPs performance in the panchayat polls is seen as a boost for the party in West Bengal. In the 2018 state panchayat polls, the BJP had emerged as the closest rival of the TMC, winning 5779 gram panchayat seats, 769 panchayat samiti seats and 22 zila parishad seats.

The BJP kept up its momentum and won 18 out of 42 seats from West Bengal in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. TMCs tally came down to 22 from 34 in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. In the 2021 assembly polls, the BJP put up a tough fight against the TMC but lost and emerged as the principal opposition.
New Delhi, Jul 12 (PTI) Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Wednesday took a swipe at the Maharashtra government, saying it seems to him like a "three-legged animal" which is running a 100 metre race.

Chidambaram's dig came days after NCP chief Sharad Pawar faced a revolt by his nephew Ajit Pawar who along with eight other leaders joined the Eknath Shinde-led government.

In a tweet, Chidambaram said, "The CM and the two Deputy CMs of Maharashtra claim that their government is a triple-engine government. It seems to me like a three-legged animal which is running a 100 metre race."

Nine new ministers in Maharashtra do not have any work because portfolios have not be allotted to them, he said.

"None of the other 20 ministers, including Mr (Devendra) Fadnavis, wants to give up any portfolio. There is a solution: declare that the nine new ministers will be ministers without portfolio," Chidambaram said.

The nine new entrants joined the government in order to be ministers, he alleged. "Who said they wanted to be ministers with portfolios," Chidambaram asked.

In a surprising move, Ajit Pawar took oath as the deputy chief minister, while eight legislators of his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) took oath as ministers in the government led by the Shiv Sena and the BJP earlier in the day.

Following Ajit Pawar's revolt, Shiv Sena's Shinde had said, "Now the double engine government has a triple engine. The state will sprint (on the path of development). Now we have one CM and two deputy chief ministers. This will help faster development of the state."

The Congress is part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance consisting of itself, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) and the NCP.
New Delhi, Jul 12 (PTI) The headquarters of the Delhi Transport Corporation here has been flooded as its employees waded their way through the waterlogged entrance to get into the office on Wednesday.

Videos from the headquarters located at Indraprastha showed people folding their pants and holding shoes in their hands to enter the DTC headquarters.

"Earlier, this situation would arise only when it rained for many days together. But this time, knee-deep water has entered inside the headquarters. Adding to our woes, it also contains sewage water," an employee of the DTC told PTI Video.

According to officials, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) headquarter building has been in need of repair for a long time. Constructed in 1958, the redevelopment project of the headquarters and the bus depot has been a long standing proposal that has not achieved fruition till now, they said.

Northwest India has seen incessant rainfall over three days from Saturday, with many areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan recording "heavy to extremely heavy" rains.

Delhi witnessed its highest rainfall (153 mm) in a single day in July since 1982 in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Sunday. The city received an additional 107 mm of rain in the subsequent 24 hours, exacerbating the situation. The heavy rain has transformed roads into gushing streams, parks into watery labyrinths and marketplaces into submerged realms.

PTI SSH SLB SRY

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BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday urged NATO to immediately stop smearing and lying about China, halt the dangerous attempt to destabilize Europe and the Asia-Pacific and stop finding pretext for its continuous expansion.

Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, made the remarks in response to a communique issued during the ongoing NATO Summit in Vilnius, which said that China's policies pose "systemic challenges to Euro-Atlantic security."

"What's said in the NATO communique is a complete opposite of the truth and the product of Cold War mentality and ideological bias. China strongly opposes it," said Wang.

"China has the best record on peace and security. We have never invaded any country or engaged in any proxy war. We have never conducted global military operations, threatened other countries with force, exported ideology or interfered in other countries' internal affairs. We do not set up or participate in military groups and oppose the use of force or threat of force in international relations. How would such a China pose 'systemic challenges' to NATO?" Wang asked.

China is a force for world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of the international order, and a source of public good. China is committed to the international system with the United Nations (UN) at its core, the international order underpinned by international law and the basic norms governing international relations that stem from the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, he said.

He added that more than 30 years after the end of the Cold War, its legacy NATO remains trapped in a zero-sum mindset and views the world as opposing blocs. Despite the global community's call for peace, development, and common progress, NATO continues to act against the prevailing trend and seek to turn back the wheel of history.

"The world will not welcome this," he said.

NATO claims to be a regional organization, why then is NATO reaching beyond its geographical scope laid down in its treaty, making its foray into the Asia-Pacific at a faster pace and seeking to become a "Global NATO?" Wang asked.

NATO claims to be a defensive alliance, why then is NATO encouraging member states to ramp up military budget, keep crossing the line and expanding the mandate, and stoke confrontation in the Asia Pacific?

He went on saying that NATO claims to defend a "rules-based international order," but it has been ignoring international law and basic norms governing international relations and interfering in other countries' internal affairs. NATO has taken part in various wars and acted as a scaremonger on security issues, as if the world needed any more instability. NATO has been piecing together exclusive blocs and promoting group politics to intensify ideological and bloc confrontation.

Wang said that the prosperity and stability that the Asia-Pacific has long enjoyed depends on the mutual respect, open cooperation, mutual benefit and the ability to properly resolve differences among regional countries. NATO's foray into the Asia-Pacific will only stir up tension and lead to bloc confrontation and even a "new Cold War" in this region.

"Asia-Pacific countries do not welcome it and many NATO states do not approve of it. The Asia-Pacific does not need an 'Asia-Pacific version of NATO,'" Wang said.

"We urge NATO to immediately stop smearing and lying about China. NATO must abandon the outdated Cold War mentality and zero-sum mindset, renounce its blind faith in military might and misguided practice of seeking absolute security, halt the dangerous attempt to destabilize Europe and the Asia-Pacific and stop finding pretext for its continuous expansion. We urge NATO to play a constructive role for world peace and stability," he said.

Responding to the communique that said China lacks "transparency" in nuclear arsenal, Wang commented that NATO, as a military alliance, is known to have the largest and most powerful nuclear arsenal in the world, and yet it irresponsibly accuses China of posing nuclear threats and does so through megaphone diplomacy.

"This is simply wrong and hypocritical. China is gravely concerned and strongly opposed to this," said Wang.

He said, China has always been extremely prudent and responsible about nuclear weapon issues. China is committed to a defensive nuclear strategy and keeps nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required by national security.

"We never had the intent to engage in nuclear arms race. China follows a policy of 'no first use' of nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances and has committed unconditionally to not using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states and nuclear-weapon-free zones. China is the only nuclear weapon state to have adopted such a policy. Would any NATO member states make such a commitment?" Wang asked.

He said that the international community has more reasons to be concerned over NATO's nuclear-sharing arrangement, through which NATO maintains the world's largest nuclear arsenal.

Certain member states are accelerating the modernization of their nuclear power, strengthening the so-called "extended deterrence" and heightening the risk of nuclear proliferation and conflict. If NATO members are truly interested in reducing strategic risk and safeguarding strategic stability, they should lower the role of nuclear weapons in national and collective security policies, promote strategic stability with concrete actions and uphold international and regional peace and security, Wang said. 
New Delhi, Jul 12 (PTI) BJP MLA Purnesh Modi, the complainant in the defamation case against Rahul Gandhi, has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court seeking that he be heard if the Congress leader moves a plea challenging the high court verdict refusing to stay his conviction in the Modi surname remark case.

A single judge bench of the Gujarat High Court had on July 7 dismissed Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in the defamation case.

According to the apex court website, Purnesh Modi filed the caveat on the same day in the top court through his lawyer P S Sudheer.

A caveat is filed in an appellate court by a litigant seeking an opportunity of being heard if any order is passed on the appeal of an opponent challenging the order or judgement of the court below.

In a setback to 53-year-old Gandhi, Justice Hemant Prachchhak of the high court had dismissed the appeal of Gandhi saying "it is now the need of the hour to have purity in politics.

It also noted that the representatives of people should be "men of clear antecedent" and that a stay on conviction is not a rule, but an exception resorted to only in rare cases and there was no reasonable ground to stay his conviction.

A stay on Gandhi's conviction would have paved the way for his reinstatement as a Lok Sabha MP.

The Congress later said it will move the Supreme Court against the verdict and alleged that the government is finding "newer techniques" to throttle his voice as it is rattled by him speaking the truth.

Purnesh Modi, a former minister in the Gujarat government, had filed a criminal defamation case in 2019 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.

A metropolitan magistrate's court in Surat on March 23 this year sentenced the former Congress president to two years in jail after convicting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation).

Following the verdict, Gandhi, elected to the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala in 2019, was disqualified as a Member of Parliament under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.

Gandhi then challenged the order in a sessions court in Surat 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 high court.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 12 (PTI) Several Congress leaders and party workers observed 'maun satyagraha' (silent protest) in the state capital on Wednesday to express solidarity with Rahul Gandhi, who, according to them, was "erroneously" convicted in a defamation case and disqualified from Lok Sabha.

An array of senior leaders including MLAs, MPs and former ministers gathered in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Park, located in the heart of the capital city, to take part in the protest that would continue till the evening.

Kerala PCC chief K Sudhakaran, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly V D Satheesan, MPs including Kodikunnil Suresh, Rajmohan Unnithan and K Muraleedharan and presidents of various District Congress Committees and so on were among those who took part in the silent protest.

Before the beginning of the 'maun satyagraha', Suresh, who is also the working president of the KPCC, alleged that the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP were trying to keep Gandhi away from Parliament.

"The Modi government is trying to insult Rahul Gandhi and keep him away from the Parliament. But the Congress workers in the country will unitedly rally behind him to check all such moves," he said.

A large number of party workers also arrived from various districts to take part in the protest.

Gandhi represented Kerala's Wayanad constituency in the Lok Sabha before his disqualification as MP.

Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal recently wrote to all state unit chiefs of the party and key functionaries about the protest after the Gujarat High Court dismissed Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark.

"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 the BJP to resort to crooked measures leading to his conviction and disqualification from the membership of Lok Sabha," Venugopal had said in his communication.
Jaipur, Jul 12 (PTI) The 8th Session of the Rajasthan assembly will resume with a special address of President Droupadi Murmu on Friday, according to a statement.

The session began on January 23 and was adjourned sine die on March 21. Since the session was not prorogued, it was reconvened by the speaker from July 14.

The Principal Secretary of the Legislative Assembly Mahavir Prasad Sharma also informed that it is for the first time that a special address ceremony of the President of India is being held in the assembly.

"Preparations have been done for the president's visit to the assembly," he said.

The statement said that this is President Murmu's first address to the state assembly and it is scheduled for 11 am. Governor Kalraj Mishra will also be present during her speech.

After this, President Murmu will visit the Khatu Shyam temple in Sikar district.

In the evening, she will address a seminar organised by the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly under the auspices of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Rajasthan Branch) at the Rajasthan International Centre here.
Jaipur, Jul 12 (PTI) The people of Rajasthan are seeking an account of the works done by the Congress government during its four-and-half-year rule but it doesn't have any answer, the BJP's state unit chief CP Joshi said on Wednesday.

Addressing a rally in Jhunjhunu district, Joshi alleged that farmers, distressed by the state government's false promises, are committing suicide.

The Centre has increased the income of farmers by hiking the compensation for crop failure and the minimum support prices of their produce. In Rajasthan, under Congress rule, the lands of farmers who failed to repay their loans are being auctioned, Joshi alleged.

The BJP on Wednesday organised a Kisan Jan Aakrosh Mahagherao from the Seth Motilal College Stadium that culminated with a gathering at Piru Singh Stadium.

Rajendra Rathore, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly, said the people of the state have made up their minds to change the government in the assembly elections.

He said farmers' representatives are asking the government about the complete loan waiver that it promised four-and-a-half years ago.

The Congress had also promised unemployment allowance to the youth if they did not get a job after Class 12, he said.

Rathore said the government led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, in a reply in the assembly, accepted that lands of 19,422 farmers were auctioned during its rule.

The non-performing assets (NPA) amount of 3.49 lakh farmers in nationalised banks and scheduled banks and regional rural banks was Rs 6,018.93 crore. Of this, loans of Rs 5,638 crore was to be waived off but, as the loans were not waived, the amount has crossed Rs 12,000 crore after compound interest, he claimed.

Assembly elections in Rajasthan are due at the end of the year.
Lucknow, Jul 12 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday sought people's cooperation to achieve the target of planting 35 crore saplings in the state during a plantation drive.

Under this, on July 22, "we will all together plant 30 crore saplings while on Independence Day, the target is to plant five crore saplings", he said while addressing a meeting here.

"This campaign cannot be successful without public cooperation. It is the responsibility of all public representatives to encourage the common people in their respective areas to join this important programme," he added.

The chief minister interacted with MLAs, MPs, village heads, and heads and members of area panchayats, district panchayats, city panchayats, municipal councils and municipal corporations through a webinar, and took information about the preparations.

He said that the state government has done the work of planting more than 135 crore saplings in the last six years, taking the work of environmental protection as the top priority.

This extensive tree plantation has been possible only with massive public cooperation. It is a matter of satisfaction that 80 per cent of these plants are alive, the chief minister said.

Due to extensive public cooperation, the total green area of the state is continuously increasing, he said, adding the state's target is to increase the total green area from nine per cent at present to 15 per cent by 2026-27, Adityanath said.

"According to this target, 175 crore saplings will have to be planted and protected in the next five years. Everyone has to try according to this goal. For this, there is a need to connect people with the message of 'plant trees-save trees'," he said.
Bahraich (UP), Jul 12 (PTI) Three persons including a pastor have been arrested for allegedly attacking a local Bajrang Dal office bearer who claimed he is running a campaign against religious conversion.

Dipanshu Srivastava alias Deepak had registered an FIR at Nanpara police station on Tuesday night alleging that when he was returning from village Kakri to Banjaria at about 10.30 pm, pastor Anil and others attacked him with sticks and rods, Additional Superintendent of Police Pavitra Mohan Tripathi said.

On his complaint, the ASP said, an FIR has been registered against Anil, Ram Narain, Rohit Maurya and one more person under the relevant sections of the IPC.

He said three named in the FIR have been arrested and attempts are on to nab one other person involved in the case.

Srivastava is a 'vibhag sanyojak' of the Bajrang Dal.

In June, he had lodged a complaint against six persons including Pastor Anil for allegedly abusing Hindu Gods and luring villagers for religious conversion.

Srivastava claimed that he was working to stop religious conversion by Christian missionaries and that was why he was threatened and attacked.

Police said that a detailed probe is on in the matter.




New York City finds itself grappling with an ongoing and largely unnoticed crisis as over 2,500 asylum seekers pour into the city each week, Mayor Eric Adams said on Tuesday. The staggering total number of arrivals since last spring has now surpassed 87,200, leaving the city overwhelmed and in urgent need of assistance.

To address the relentless influx of migrants, the mayor has opened two new mega shelters, bringing the total number of emergency sites across the five boroughs to 186.

Mayor Adams acknowledged that although the issue no longer dominates the front pages of daily tabloids, the situation remains dire. He stressed that the numbers continue to rise, placing a significant burden on the city.

In a plea for assistance, the mayor called on the state government in Albany to combat the unsustainability of the migrant crush, taking a subtle jab at Governor Kathy Hochul. Mayor Adams emphasized that New York City has always supported the state during times of disaster, pointing to the recent catastrophic floods that affected the Hudson Valley and beyond.

He expressed his frustration, stating, When the storm hit upstate, they called New York City. New York City has always been here for the entire state. The storm of migrant asylum seekers has hit us for over a year now. We need help.

Within a span of five months, the city had to create 83 new facilities to accommodate the influx, as the number of shelters rose from 103 in March to the current count of 186. The latest additions include the conversion of the Crowne Plaza JFK Airport hotel in Queens into a humanitarian relief facility capable of accommodating over 330 asylum-seeking families. Additionally, a short-term emergency site near Downtown Brooklyn will be transformed into a relief center to support approximately 1,400 adults in the coming weeks.

The cost of housing and providing meals for a migrant family in one of the citys shelters is estimated to be around $385 per night, amounting to $140,535 per year. Based on these figures, the crisis is placing a daily burden of approximately $7.9 million on taxpayers.

City Hall figures indicate that there are currently more than 53,000 asylum seekers being sheltered in city-run sites. Mayor Adams emphasized that New York City is doing more than any other city or state to accommodate the influx of migrants and called on others to share the burden and provide support.

We need help from the national government, we need help from the state government, Mayor Adams urged, while acknowledging the assistance received from Governor Hochul. We need everyone to be on board with this. And we are nowhere near a resolution. In fact, this is unsustainable.

Despite the Biden administrations report of a 70% decrease in illegal border crossings since the lifting of Title 42 in early May, the number of migrants under New York Citys care continues to rise.

Earlier on Tuesday, Governor Hochul reiterated the states commitment to supporting New York City, disclosing that Albany had allocated $1 billion to aid with shelters.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




This week, political commentator Tucker Carlson is set to host a forum in Iowa featuring potential 2024 presidential candidates. However, the front-runner of the pack, former President Donald Trump, has chosen not to attend.

During the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines on Friday, Carlson is scheduled to interview six presidential hopefuls. Among those confirmed are Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, former Vice President Mike Pence, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, and former governors Nikki Haley and Asa Hutchinson. However, notably absent from the list is Donald Trump, and event organizer Bob Vander Plaats confirmed on Tuesday that the former president does not plan to attend.

Vander Plaats took to Twitter to announce, I learned last night that @realDonaldTrump will NOT attend our Leadership Summit this Friday. Thus, our lineup is set.

Vander Plaats has been openly critical of Trump, expressing concerns about his focus on the 2020 election and his stance on abortion, which he believes has alienated the voter base.

Vander Plaats had previously criticized Trumps response to a pro-life question during a CNN town hall, stating in an interview with NewsNation in May, Thats why I think the Iowa caucus door has flung wide open for people to take a look at who should be our nominee.

Despite Trumps absence at the forum, he is expected to appear at another event over the weekend, the Turning Point Action conference in Florida, where Carlson is also scheduled to attend. It should be noted, however, that Trump and Carlson will deliver separate speeches and will not engage in a conversation.

Responding to Trump skipping the candidate forum, campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said, President Trump was in Iowa last week and will be back next week. Unfortunately, there is a scheduling conflict, and the President will be in Florida this weekend headlining the premier national young voter conference with Turning Point Action conference while DeSantis is nowhere to be found.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




In a report from ABC7 New York, the vital role played by Chaverim of Rockland in rescuing stranded motorists during a treacherous storm this week was broadcast to the world.

As the storm, Chaverim of Rockland sprang into action. Their brave members fearlessly faced the elements to rescue motorists who found themselves trapped and at the mercy of the rising waters.

The report by ABC7 New York sheds light on the heroic efforts undertaken by Chaverim of Rockland during the storm. Their trained volunteers exhibited immense courage and selflessness, risking their own safety to ensure the rescue of those in distress.

The footage showcases the challenging conditions under which the Chaverim of Rockland members operated. Despite the dangerous circumstances, they demonstrated unwavering determination and resourcefulness, navigating through the turbulent waters to reach the stranded individuals.

The lifesaving efforts of Chaverim of Rockland proved invaluable during this harrowing ordeal. Their swift response and well-coordinated operations helped rescue numerous motorists from the treacherous waters, saving numerous lives in the process.

ABC7 New York commended the exceptional dedication and bravery exhibited by the Chaverim of Rockland members, emphasizing the critical role they played in ensuring the safety and well-being of those affected by the storm.

[DRAMATIC FOOTAGE: Chaverim of Rockland Rescues 5 Families Surrounded by Raging Floodwaters]

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




A new poll conducted by Siena College has found that crime is a top concern for a majority of New Yorkers, with 61% of Empire State residents expressing fear of becoming a victim. Released on Wednesday, the poll highlights the growing unease among New York City residents, where 70% are worried about their safety.

The survey revealed that 87% of New Yorkers consider crime to be either a very or somewhat serious problem, with only 11% dismissing it as not very or not at all serious.

Siena College Poll Director Don Levy noted, Crime isnt just something that happens to others far away according to New Yorkers. He further emphasized that a significant portion of the population, 61%, are worried about falling victim to crime themselves.

The poll also revealed that nearly 10% of New Yorkers say theyve experienced either physical assault or burglary within the past year. In response to these concerns, individuals have taken proactive measures to protect themselves, such as purchasing security cameras, firearms, pepper spray, and enrolling in self-defense classes.

According to the survey, 40% of citizens have spent over $100 on goods or services aimed at enhancing their personal safety within the last 12 months. In terms of home security, 34% of respondents reported purchasing non-professionally monitored home security cameras, while 24% invested in professionally monitored home security systems. The remaining 65% did not utilize any such services. The trend of taking precautions against crime was observed across different regions and ethnicities, with Latinos, whites, and African Americans all indicating varying levels of participation.

Despite the concerns expressed by New Yorkers, recent statistics from the NYPD reveal a 4% decrease in overall crime citywide in June compared to the same period last year. While major crimes, including shootings and physical violations, have declined, there has been a notable increase of 23% in car thefts, with 1,391 incidents recorded in June 2023 compared to 1,133 in June 2022.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Combo photo of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Xinhua)

The objective is to remove hurdles affecting financial transactions through the Russian Agricultural Bank, a major concern expressed by Russia, and simultaneously allow for the continued flow of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, a UN spokesman said.

UNITED NATIONS, July 12 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, making a proposal for the further implementation of the agreements on food and fertilizer exports from Russia and Ukraine, a UN spokesman said on Wednesday.

In the letter, Guterres outlined a proposal "aiming to harmonize the vital further implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding with the vital need to keep the Black Sea Initiative operational," Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, told reporters.

The objective is to remove hurdles affecting financial transactions through the Russian Agricultural Bank, a major concern expressed by Russia, and simultaneously allow for the continued flow of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, he said.

"The secretary-general remains engaged with all relevant parties on this issue and expresses his willingness to further engage on his proposal with the Russian Federation," said Dujarric.

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.

The initiative, initially in effect for 120 days, was extended in mid-November 2022 for another 120 days till March 18, 2023. At that point, Russia only agreed to extend the deal for 60 days. On May 17, Russia agreed to extend the deal for another 60 days.

As a parallel agreement, Russia and the United Nations signed a memorandum of understanding on the facilitation of Russian food and fertilizer exports. However, little progress has been made on this part of the deal, prompting dissatisfaction from Russia. 




Mika Brzezinski, an leftist MSNBC news anchor, has called on President Joe Bidens staff to enhance their efforts in taking care of the president, highlighting a series of recent onstage incidents. During a rant on Wednesday, Brzezinski voiced her belief that the staffs performance in assisting Biden has been inadequate. While acknowledging Bidens elderly age, currently 80 years old, she stressed the need for his staff to ensure he avoids accidents like falling onto a sandbag, as such occurrences would be relentlessly replayed.

Yeah, I think his staff needs to own his age. Im just gonna be honest, I dont think they do a good job helping out the president and Im not talking about it like, Im just saying if you are managing a presidents schedule, and you are managing a president getting on stage and getting off stage and getting on planes and getting off planes, and yes, hes 80! You need to be there for him! And you need to make a pathway and you sure as hell better make sure he doesnt fall on a sandbag! And I blame the staff for that. I mean these are the things that are gonna hurt him, these are things that are gonna be played on a loop, ok? Let him do his job, let him do his speeches, let him work on policy, let him do his connections in Congress unlike any president that weve seen I dont know, since Clinton.

But my God, make sure, you know, youre Secret Service, youre his staff, that youre there and youre telling him whats next and its not becau-, dont take this as oh, he cant even get from one place to another. When youre busy and youre on stage, and weve been on stage, Ive done speeches and Im so nervous, Im doing the speech, Im trying to get it right, and when its done, I dont know which way to go and Im looking for direction. So do a better job, because you cant have these video images of the president tripping, or the president like going the wrong way. Its not going to work in this presidency because his age is going to be a factor. His age is going to be a factor and its your job to ensure he gets from one place to another. He can handle the presidency, you have to handle his schedule and where he goes.

Her comments regarding Bidens falls follow multiple instances throughout his presidency where he stumbled or fell, with the most recent incident taking place in June during the United States Air Force Academy graduation ceremony in Colorado. In 2022, the president also fell while on a bike ride in Delaware.

He is capable of fulfilling the duties of the presidency, asserted Brzezinski. You have access to his schedule and know his whereabouts. This situation frustrates me.

The recurrence of Bidens falls has sparked concerns regarding his fitness for the presidential position.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis of the United Kingdom has been officially honored as Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in a ceremony held at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, according to an announcement from his office.

King Charles III bestowed the prestigious accolade upon Rabbi Mirvis as part of the 2023 New Year Honours, which were publicly disclosed earlier this year. The honor recognizes his exceptional contributions to the Jewish community, interfaith relations, and education.

This years honours list, approved by King Charles following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in September, marked the first of his reign.

The January announcement highlighted Rabbi Mirviss tenure as chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth since 2013 and his proactive engagement with global issues through his concept of a Judaism of Responsibility. Notably, he intervened on behalf of the persecuted Uyghur Muslims, making him the sole global faith leader to address their plight.

Expressing his gratitude upon the announcement, Rabbi Mirvis stated, I am enormously honored and deeply humbled by this award. He also emphasized the significance of receiving the accolade from King Charles during his first year as monarch, deeming it a particularly poignant moment.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz blasted FBI Director Christopher Wray about the bureaus allegedly lenient conduct towards investigations of President Joe Bidens son Hunter Biden at a hearing on Wednesday, asking him whether the bureau was protecting the family.

During Wednesdays committee hearing, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz went after FBI Director Christopher Wray, wasting no time getting right to the point:

Im sitting here with my father. I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge, that you will regret not following my direction. I am sitting here waiting for the call with my father, Gaetz said, quoting a WhatsApp message made by Hunter Biden to a Chinese businessman, according to IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley, which was released in June. Sounds like a shakedown, doesnt it, director?

Fireworks at the House Judiciary Committee hearing!

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During Wednesdays committee hearing, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz went after FBI Director Christopher Wray, wasting no time getting right to the point; Are you protecting the Bidens? Gaetz asked point blank.

The two got into it over an alleged Hunter Biden WhatsApp message; Gaetz read it to Wray, entering it into the Congressional record.

Im sitting here with my father. I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge, that you will regret not following my direction. I am sitting here, waiting for the call, with my father, Gaetz read.

Sounds like a shakedown, doesnt it Director?

Im not going to get into commenting on that, Wray answers.

You seem deeply uncurious about it almost suspiciously uncurious. Are you protecting the Bidens? Gaetz fires back.

Absolutely not! The FBI has no interest in protecting anyone politically, Wray pushed back.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




Floodwaters receded in Vermont cities and towns pummeled by a storm that delivered two months of rain in two days, enabling people to focus on recovering from a disaster that trapped residents in homes, closed roadways and choked streets and businesses with mud and debris.

The water drained off in the capital city of Montpelier, where streets were flooded Tuesday by the swollen Winooski River, and lingering concerns about a dam just upstream eased as water levels there appeared to stabilize.

It looks like it wont breach. That is good. That is one less thing we have to have on our front burner, Montpelier Town Manager Bill Fraser said.

Fraser said the city of 8,000 has shifted into recovery mode, with public works employees removing mud and debris downtown and building inspections to come as businesses begin cleaning up their properties. Brown water from the Winooski reached the tops of parking meters downtown, inundating basements and ruining the contents of lower floors. Similar scenes played out in neighboring Barre and in Bridgewater, where the Ottauquechee River spilled its banks.

Gov. Phil Scott planned to tour areas impacted by the flooding with Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, on Wednesday, a day after President Joe Biden declared an emergency for Vermont and authorized federal disaster relief assistance.

It was too early to estimate the total cost of the flooding damage, but its likely to be substantial. According to to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, even before these floods, this year has seen 12 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion in the United States.

This slow-moving storm dumped between 7 and 9 inches (18 centimeters and 23 centimeters) of rain on parts of New England, New York and Connecticut. New Yorks Hudson River Valley was hit hard, and towns in southwest New Hampshire and western Massachusetts also had heavy flooding and road washouts.

Much of that water was flowing through Connecticut, carrying debris including entire trees on its way south to Long Island Sound. Major waterways including Connecticut River overflowed their banks, and were expected to crest Wednesday at up to 6 feet (2 meters) above flood stage, closing roads and riverside parks in multiple cities.

By mid-day Wednesday, all the rivers in Vermont crested and water levels were receding, although at least one river was 20 feet above normal, said Peter Banacos, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. More rain was forecast Thursday and Friday in Vermont, but Banacos said it would not likely cause further flooding because the thunderstorms, gusty winds and hail wont linger.

There could be some locally heavy rain so it depends where that falls, Banacos said. The storms will be moving quickly for the most part so we are hoping to avoid any additional flooding for that region.

There have been no reports of injuries or deaths related to the flooding in Vermont, where swift-water rescue teams aided by National Guard helicopter crews performed more than 175 rescues, Vermont Emergency Management said Tuesday. One woman died in Fort Montgomery, New York, as she tried to escape her flooded home with her dog.

About 12 Vermont communities, including the state capital, were under a boil water alert due to the floods. The American Red Cross of Northern New England succeeded in getting food and water to its shelters in Barre, Rutland, and White River Junction. Attendance was down at the Barre Municipal Auditorium shelter, 58 as of Wednesday morning, compared to more than 200 on Tuesday.

Many people were passing through to recharge their phones and get something to eat, said John Montes, regional disaster officer. Red Cross volunteers from across the Northeast were arriving to help with everything from disaster assessment to handing out clean-up kits to homeowners, he said.

Theres more rain coming tomorrow, so its best for us to be leaning forward and be ready, Montes said. We can handle any additional impacts we get from the weather this week.

Gov. Scott said floodwaters surpassed levels seen during Tropical Storm Irene. Irene killed six people in Vermont in August 2011, washing homes off their foundations and damaging or destroying more than 200 bridges and 500 miles (805 kilometers) of highway.

Atmospheric scientists say destructive flooding events happen more frequently as storms form in a warmer atmosphere, and the planets rising temperatures will only make it worse.

This flooding was catastrophic for Bear Pond Books, a 50-year-old store in Montpelier, said co-owner Claire Benedict. The water was about 3 1/2 feet deep inside the store, ruining many books and fixtures. Staffers and volunteers piled waterlogged books outside the back and front doors on Wednesday.

The floor was completely covered with soaked books this morning, she said as they tried to clear the mud. Its a big old mess.

In Ludlow, a central Vermont town of 1,500, residents focused Wednesday on reopening roadways, checking on isolated homeowners and cleaning out mud and debris from water-logged businesses.

We sustained catastrophic damage. We just really took the brunt of the storm, Ludlow Municipal Manager Brendan McNamara said.

The towns water treatment plant was out of commission, the main supermarket and roadway through town remained closed, and McNamara couldnt begin to estimate how many houses had been damaged. Scores of businesses were damaged, and the towns Little League field and a new skate park were destroyed.

Thankfully we got through it with no loss of life, McNamara said. Ludlow will be fine. People are coming together and taking care of each other.

Colleen Dooley, a retired teacher, returned to her condominium complex in Ludlow to find the grounds covered in silt and mud and the pool filled with muddy river water.

I dont know when well move back, but it will certainly be awhile, she said.

In Massachusetts, Gov. Maura Healey got a birds eye view of the damage in a helicopter ride to the small town of Williamsburg on Wednesday, where roads were washed out and some people had to be rescued from their homes. Even after two days of receding waters, the Connecticut River retained a muddy brown hue and farmland along the river remains saturated, the Democrat said.

(AP)




Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may have gotten support and vague assurances from NATO leaders in Vilnius this week, but he ultimately returns home without a clear commitment that his country will be joining the club any time soon.

Instead, the alliance leaders said they were removing obstacles on Ukraines membership path so that it can join more quickly once the war with Russia is over.

For many, that argument gives Russias president a pretext to prolong the war, which President Vladimir Putin ostensibly launched to keep Ukraine from joining NATO.

But if Ukraine joins NATO in the middle of the war, then Russia is at war with the entire NATO alliance.

At the core of this conundrum is Article 5  NATOs common defense guarantee under which an attack on one member is considered an attack on them all.

What does Article 5 say?

Article 5 is at the heart of the 31-member North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It states that an armed attack against one or more of the members shall be considered an attack against all members.

It also states that if such an armed attack occurs, each of the members would take, individually and in concert with other members, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.

That security guarantee is the reason previously neutral Finland and Sweden sought to join NATO and why Ukraine and other countries in Europe also want in.

When has it been invoked?

Only once, in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on the United States, paving the way for NATOs biggest ever operation in Afghanistan.

But NATO allies have also taken collective defense measures including joining the U.S. to fight the Islamic State group in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan as well as help keep the peace in the Balkans.

How does this impact Ukraine?

NATOs credibility hinges on Article 5 and its commitment to offer membership to any European country that can contribute to security in Europe and North America.

But Ukraine, currently in the middle of war with Russia, would oblige all 31 member countries to spring to its defense militarily, potentially igniting a wider war with a nuclear-armed country.

Article 5 also becomes problematic when the territory of a member is unclear. For instance, Russian forces entered Georgia in August 2008, a few months after NATO leaders first promised the country it would join, along with Ukraine. That countrys NATO application is still pending. Russia continues to occupy large swaths of Ukraine in the east and south, further muddying the picture.

U.S. President Joe Biden summed up why he didnt think Ukraine is ready for NATO membership. If the war is going on, then were all in the war were at war with Russia, if that were the case, he said in an interview with CNN ahead of the summit.

(AP)




A Greyhound passenger bus crashed into three tractor-trailers parked along a highway exit to a rest area early Wednesday in southern Illinois, killing three people and injuring 14 others, some seriously, state police said.

The bus was traveling westbound along Interstate 70 in Madison County around 1:55 a.m. when it crashed into the three semis, Illinois State Police said, citing an initial investigation.

Four people were taken to the hospital by helicopter and at least 10 others were taken by ambulance, state police said in a news release. Police did not immediately release details about those who were injured and killed.

No one in the three trucks was injured in the crash near the city of Highland about 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of St. Louis, police said.

State Police spokesperson Melaney Arnold said those killed and injured were all on the Greyhound bus. She was not sure if the bus driver was among those killed or injured or if all of those involved were passengers.

The crash closed westbound traffic on I-70.

Television footage of the scene shows the badly damaged right front portion of the bus wedged onto the rear of a tractor-tractor. The roof of the bus is crumpled. A second tractor-trailer appears to have made contact with the right rear of the bus while a third tractor-trailer appears to have crashed into the rear of that second semi.

Greyhound spokesperson Mike Ogulnick told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in an email the bus was traveling from Indianapolis to St. Louis, where it was scheduled to arrive at about 2:20 a.m. It was carrying about 30 people, including the driver, he said.

Our primary concern is ensuring we care for our passengers and driver at this time, Ogulnick said. We are working closely with local authorities and a relief bus is on the way for passengers.

Another bus was sent to transport passengers who were not hurt, Ogulnick said.

(AP)




Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara issued an opinion to the government on Tuesday permitting protests to be held at Ben-Gurion Airport, claiming that the airport is a public space.

She wrote: Ben-Gurion Airport is a public space and therefore every person has the right to freedom of expression and protest in this space as well. The Director of the Airports Authority or any other entity does not have the authority by law to prevent people from entering the airport solely on the basis of the fact that they do not have a flight ticket for that day.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev slammed Baharav-Miara and said she will advance a law to ban protests at the airport.Ben Gurion Airport isnt a mall or a public space, she said. Its a strategic national asset that requires sensitive and complex management. I expected the Attorney-General to allow the sound management of the facility and not lend a hand to those violating the law, whose behavior can even result in endangerment of human lives.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also excoriated Baharav-Miara, saying: In recent weeks, the protestors have threatened to silence the State of Israel, that they will take further steps in breaking the law. Indeed, today they crossed all the borders and red lines. Preventing ambulances from passing and reaching their destination is a risk to human lives. I demand from the Attorney-General: stop interfering in the enforcement actions of the police! Stop backing those lawbreakers! Start enforcing the law.

Likud MK Moshe Saada said: During the Disengagement period I was part of the team. The prosecutors office allowed buses to be stopped on the way to demonstrations. Suddenly there is the right to freedom of movement, everyone is allowed to come to Ben-Gurion even though its certain theyre going to harm the freedom of movement of others. What we are seeing here is riots under the auspices of the Attorney-General who is politically motivated and takes the prosecutors office hostage.

A senior official in the government attacked the Attorney-General as well, saying that her opinion legitimizes turning Israeli citizens into hostages of an extremist minority. She sets a new standard according to which protests in support of her personal position override the freedom of movement in and out of the country while causing unacceptable harm to hundreds of thousands of families who paid good money for a long-awaited vacation.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




In a rare move, the Knesset spokesperson publicized the identities of the two Yesh Atid MKs who provided entry passes to the anarchists who twice attempted to break into the Knesset plenum on Monday evening.

The Knesset spokeswoman stated that in view of the seriousness of the unprecedented incident that took place this evening at the entrance to the plenum and its clear attempt to harm public order and the democratic process, for which a complaint was even filed with the police on behalf of the Knesset guard  the Knesset Officer carried out an investigation from which it appears that Knesset members Merav Cohen and Naor Shiri invited the lawbreakers to the Knesset.

The Knesset emphasizes that the matter will also be dealt with by the Ethics Committee.

The office of Labor MK Gilad Kariv confirmed to the media that it also provided entry passes for some of the lawbreakers.

The Knesset emphasized that the issue will also be dealt with by the Knessets Ethics Committee.

One of the protesters was injured during the tumult and was evacuated to Shaare Tzedek Hospital for medical treatment. Eight protesters were arrested and brought to the Jerusalem Magistrates Court, where the police requested that the protesters detention be extended for ten days. The judge refused the request and released the protesters almost unconditionally. The police appealed to the Jerusalem District Court but it also denied the request.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




On the background of the government advancing legislation to revoke the Reasonableness Clause, which allows the Supreme Court limitless power to overrule decisions by the Knesset as long they establish reasonableness, the Court on Wednesday ruled that a Knesset law regulation that incentivizes foreign workers who illegally extend their stay in Israel to leave is disproportionate.

According to the current law, employers of foreign workers are obligated to deposit social benefits for their workers in a designated bank account every month. The receipt of the money is conditioned on the foreign workers departure from Israel at the time they are legally required to do so. After six months of delay, foreign workers may lose rights to all the deposit money.

In a 6-1 ruling, Supreme Court President Ester Hayut, Vice-President Uzi Fogelman, and Justices Yitzhak Amit, Dafna Barak-Erez, Anat Baron, and Ofer Grosskopf ruled that the law infringes on the constitutional right to property in a disproportionate manner and will be revoked if it not amended within six months.

Hayut wrote: Since the social welfare benefits are deposited into the foreign workers account every month  these funds are his property and deductions constitute an injury to this property.

The sole dissenter was Justice Noam Sohlberg who wrote that since foreign workers agree to these conditions before entering Israel, their rights are not violated by the arrangement. And even assuming that the law is disproportionate, as long as the infiltrators actively break the law by knowingly refraining from leaving the country, there is no reason to invalidate the law since that is the laws purpose  to force the infiltrators to leave Israel.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin slammed the decision, stating: If anyone had any doubts as to why deep reform of the judicial system is needed, he received the answer again today with another ruling that encourages illegal immigration to Israel while harming the demographic composition and the Jewish identity of the country. The ruling provides a green light to tens of thousands of foreign workers to violate the terms of their entry permits and remain in Israel unhindered  in violation of the law.

He added: The verdict reflects an extreme progressive scale of values, according to which foreign workers who remain in Israel contrary to their commitment and the law are given precedence to preserving Israels identity as the nation-state of the Jewish people and preserving its character as such.

Minister Yitzchak Wasserlauf stated: The Supreme Court, contrary to all professional and legal logic, actually encourages the continued violation of the law and the increase of illegal infiltration into Israel, of course while trampling on law-abiding citizens, residents of south Tel Aviv. Again  the Supreme Court against the citizens.

MK Avi Maoz responded: What a surprise: the Supreme Court never disappoints. The gallop towards the declaration of the State of Israel as a state of all its citizens  from the Beis Medrash of Aharon Barak  continues.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




The Jerusalem District Court on Wednesday sentenced a 22-year-old resident of Elad to 20 months in prison, a suspended prison sentence, and monetary compensation to the victim for the crimes of causing serious injury under aggravating circumstances and causing a road hazard.

The sentence was given as part of a plea deal after the defendant was convicted of causing a garbage dumpster to careen out of control and severely injure Mirel Duzlovosky, a mother of 11.

The incident occurred during a protest in December 2022 following the arrest of a Beit Shemesh resident who was involved in setting a cell phone store in Geulah on fire.

BChasdei Hashem, Duzlovsky, who suffered a severe bilateral lung injury and underwent prolonged ventilated and several surgeries and treatments, was released from the hospital after three weeks.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi meets with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 12, 2023. (Photo by Li Zhiquan/Xinhua)

JAKARTA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should speed up their negotiations on version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA), Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi said on Wednesday.

Wang, who is in the Indonesian capital for a series of ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings on Thursday and Friday, made the remarks at a meeting with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.

Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, Wang said both sides should take it as an opportunity to usher in a new vision for cooperation and further promote China-ASEAN ties.

China and ASEAN should jointly safeguard the global free trading system, uphold the ASEAN centrality, and jointly maintain regional peace and development, the senior Chinese diplomat said.

Wang noted that China and Singapore have upgraded their relations to an all-around, high-quality and forward-looking partnership, which has injected a strong impetus to the development of bilateral ties.

China is looking forward to working with Singapore to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and facilitate people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, he added.

For his part, Balakrishnan said Singapore and China have maintained close high-level exchanges, the bilateral cooperation mechanism meetings have been fruitful, and key cooperation projects have yielded fruitful results.

Singapore is willing to work with China to expand cooperation in various fields, guided by the new positioning of their relationship, said the Singaporean foreign minister.

He said his country looks forward to more direct flights between China and Singapore to further facilitate people-to-people exchanges.

China is ASEAN's largest trading partner, Balakrishnan said, adding that joint construction of the Belt and Road has brought tangible benefits to both sides.

Singapore advocates mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation among countries, he said, expecting China and ASEAN to enhance mutual trust, and promote stability and prosperity. 




In the latest in a series of provocations on the Israeli/Lebanese border, a number of Hezbollah operatives protested near the border fence around noon on Wednesday and began rioting, screaming anti-Israeli proclamations.

They also threw fireworks toward Metulla as part of the protest, marking 17 years since the Second Lebanon War. The resulting fire caused mines to explode on the Lebanese side of the border.

IDF forces were deployed to the area along with UNIFIL forces who ordered the operatives to move away from the fence area. The IDF soldiers fired warning shots in the air.

At one point, several suspects approached the fence and tried to damage it, IDF soldiers responded with non-lethal riot dispersal methods, including stun and smoke grenades.

The IDF spokesperson said: Earlier today, a number of suspects approached the northern security fence with Lebanon and attempted to sabotage the security fence in the area. IDF soldiers immediately spotted the suspects and used means to distance them. The identity of the suspects is unknown. The IDF will continue to prevent any attempt to violate Israeli sovereignty and damage the security fence.

In a further provocation, the Hezbollah terror group, which has recently been trying to influence Lebanese public opinion to justify sparking a confrontation with Israel, reported a distorted account of what occurred. Three Hezbollah operatives were injured by an Israeli drone attack, they wrote in a post, later including the IDF video of the attack.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




Sometimes, a persons health needs cannot be addressed in their own country. In these cases, help from specialist physicians is sought elsewhere. Amal, a seven-year-old girl from Amman in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, was treated at Rambam Health Care Campus (Rambam) in Haifa, Israel, for a congenital orthopedic deformity.

Amal was born with a congenital deformity  a dislocated hip. Over time, the deformity had left her with a severe limp and one leg markedly shorter than the other. Even after multiple surgeries, Amal was in constant pain that affected every aspect of her life. However, her mother would not give up and made every effort to find a solution elsewhere  something or someone that could improve Amals quality of life.

About one year ago, Professor Mark Eidelman, director of the Pediatric Orthopedics Unit in the Ruth Rappaport Childrens Hospital at Rambam, received a call from an American colleague. He recalls, My colleague asked if he could refer a case of a seven-year-old girl, a Jordanian citizen, with a congenital hip dislocation to me. Eidelman further elaborates, The cost of the surgery in the USA is high, and to cut costs, my colleague suggested that Amals surgery be performed close by, in Israel. After several unsuccessful surgeries in the past, she was still struggling and her condition had become increasingly complicated. Eidelman was not perturbed by the complexity of the situation and agreed to take her case.

It took many months to arrange for Amals arrival in Israel and her surgery at Rambam. Finally, a few days ago, Professor Eidelman and his multidisciplinary team performed the complex procedure of lengthening her thigh bone (femur). Amals surgery was challenging, but we were successful, and it ended well, Eidelman adds. We repaired her femur with a plate, screws, and an implant. Following the surgery, we immediately noticed an improvement in her condition. She can now walk again, has less pain, and is able to enjoy her life. Amal is calm and her parents are delighted. After being discharged, the family returned to Jordan, and in six-weeks, Amal will return to Israel for a follow-up visit at Rambam. I am very optimistic.

The Pediatric Orthopedics Unit at the Ruth Rappaport Childrens Hospital at Rambam is the only center in Northern Israel treating disorders of the musculoskeletal system in children. The hospital specializes in skeletal trauma, deformities, limb elongation, clubfoot, and early detection and treatment of congenital dislocated hips.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




On Monday afternoon, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides visited United Hatzalah headquarters in Jerusalem to learn about the work of Israels largest fully-volunteer EMS service. Nides is the second U.S. Ambassador to visit the organization after former Ambassador Friedman visited during his tenure as well.

Nides was accompanied by Real Estate Developer Menachem Oren, a long-time friend of the organization who also shared stories with the Ambassador about the lifesaving efforts of the network of more than 6,500 volunteers who make up the organization.

In addition to meeting volunteers from different backgrounds, religions, and regions of Israel, Nides was able to meet 50 U.S. and Canadian students who have come to spend their summer training in first aid and emergency response as part of the NCSY Hatzalah Rescue summer program. Ambassador Nides interrupted a training session to take a few minutes to speak to the students.

On my first trip to Israel when I was just 14 years old, I remember that I hiked in the Sinai and up Masada and it was very inspirational for me. It was something that I will always remember. Likewise, this summer for you is a very cool thing to do and it is something that you will always remember. Now youre 15 or 16 or 17, and in a few years, you will look back and think to yourselves, Wow! That was very cool. Hopefully, youll understand what an organization like this does. Ive seen their motorcycles and ambulances all around since the moment I got here. The idea that within 2-3 minutes, anywhere in this country, there are volunteers who go and save peoples lives is marvelous. You see why this is called the start-up nation. These are volunteers! Im honored to be in your presence and honored that you are all doing this. Im telling you that when you wake up in a few years in your college dorm room, or whatever it is that you will be doing and you tell your friends and family that you learned what it is to be in EMS in Israel, and you learned to give back for a month, Im telling you, it will be one of those moments in your life that you will look back on and be able to say, That was really cool.

At the end of his visit, Ambassador Nides summarized his experience by saying: I just spent 45 minutes visiting this organization and now I grasp the concept that the volunteers in this organization save the lives of anyone and everyone, Jews, Muslims, Christians, and everyone else, free of charge. It is simply amazing. Im honored to be here and honored to see what this organization does and be a part of it. I say to all of you involved, thank you for being who you are and what you are doing.

President and Founder of United Hatzalah Eli Beer who met with Ambassador Nides, thanked him for coming and for his kind words. I want to thank you for coming and for everything you shared. You are an incredible person and I am proud to share the mission of our organization with you. I am honored that you want to be involved and I hope that together we can save more lives.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Experts are warning that many airlines will follow the lead of easyJet, who this week axed 1,700 summer flights from now until September, affecting more than 180,000 British holidaymakers.

Without a doubt there will be more to come, said Paul Charles, of travel consultancy The PC Agency. Airlines are set to consolidate and cancel more flights, which Charles attributes to a drop-off in demand as the cost-of-living crisis bites.

We could be looking at 5 per cent of flight bookings, he says. This means thousands of flights affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers.

Here, we answer all your questions on how this might affect your plans and what you may be able to claim for if they go awry.

Cancellations: Experts are warning that many airlines will follow EasyJet, who this week axed 1,700 flights affecting more than 180,000 British holidaymakers

Why is easyJet cancelling flights over the summer?

Cancellations have resulted from air traffic delays at Gatwick that were about three times longer than before the pandemic.

The whole industry is seeing challenging conditions this summer with more constrained air space due to the war in Ukraine, said an easyJet spokesman.

This has resulted in unprecedented air traffic control (ATC) delays, as well as further potential ATC strike action.

If easyJet cancels my summer flight the day before travel is it obliged to rebook me?

Yes. If a flight is cancelled, passengers should be offered a refund or alternative travel arrangements at the earliest opportunity, says the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This can include flights with other airlines, or a new flight at a convenient date.

What happens if my flight is cancelled?

Airlines are required under UK law to provide passengers with a refund or with alternative flights if they still wish to travel, either as soon as possible after the cancelled flight or on a later date.

You do not have to travel on the same airline. If the alternative offered is not suitable, you can ask to be re-routed by a different airline.

If you are at the airport when your flight is delayed or cancelled, the airline has a duty to look after its passengers by providing food and drink as well as an alternative flight. Keep receipts so you can reclaim reasonable costs.

Can I get compensation for a cancelled flight?

If you are notified of a cancellation within 14 days of the flight, it is possible to claim compensation based on the timings of the alternative flight.

If your new flight departs no more than two hours before the scheduled time of your original flight and arrives less than four hours after the scheduled time, you are not entitled to financial compensation.

Payments also depend on whether the issue is within the airlines control or not.

According to the CAA, disruptions caused by such things as extreme weather, airport or ATC employee strikes or other extraordinary circumstances are not eligible.

As easyJet made pre-emptive cancellations, it paid compensation in some instances.

Airlines are required under UK law to provide passengers with a refund or alternative flights if they still wish to travel, either as soon as possible after the cancelled flight, or on a later date

If my flight is cancelled can I claim for the cost of my family holiday on insurance?

If your cancelled flight isnt part of a package holiday, some of the more comprehensive travel insurance policies might include coverage for the loss of your holiday.

Check the wording carefully and make sure you buy the policy at the same time as you book your holiday. For instance, Staysure policies include travel disruption insurance as standard.

Are midweek flights less likely to be cancelled?

Weekends and bank holidays are more likely to be affected by ATC delays as they are busier than during the middle of the week.

If you have yet to book your flight, try to go for an early morning departure; flights later in the day are more likely to have inherited delays during the course of the day.

Keep an eye out for non-stop services  these might be a little more expensive, but they will mean you bypass tricky transits at busy hubs, said aviation expert Gordon Smith.

Also, consider airports other than Gatwick, which is particularly badly affected as it has two terminals  but only one runway.

Will my holiday insurance cover flights if they are cancelled due to disruption with European air traffic control?

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) advises that anyone affected by a cancelled flight should first try to seek redress from the airline or tour operator, then look to see if they are covered by their credit card, if it was used to purchase the flight.

It is only once these avenues have been exhausted that you should look at your travel insurance.

If your travel insurance includes cover for travel disruption, it might cover travel delays or cancellations, says an ABI spokesman.

What if the only flight available is a day before or after the original flight, which means I will incur extra costs or miss part of my holiday?

It really all depends whether you made the booking as part of a package, which is defined as any two elements of a holiday, such as the flight and hotel, which are sold together.

Under the Package Travel Regulations, the travel company is obliged to make sure the holiday operates as it was sold.

If you miss part of the trip, travel firms will often give a pro-rata refund, says a spokesman from industry association ABTA.

If its a booking you made independently, the airline isnt responsible for extra costs. Its safest to book a package.

Peak times: Weekends and bank holidays are more likely to be affected by ATC delays as they are busier than during the middle of the week

What if my return flight is cancelled once Im away?

If the flight is part of a package holiday, your travel company will take care of any arrangements.

If you booked your flight independently, the airline is obliged to cover reasonable expenses. This means refreshments, food and, where necessary, hotel accommodation.

If the airline does not organise this in terms of vouchers or hotel bookings, be sure to keep receipts of all reasonable expenses.

If I cancel my ticket now can I get a full refund?

You cannot cancel your ticket and get a refund unless the airline has contacted you about a flight cancellation.

If you have booked a package holiday and no longer wish to travel, at the very least you will lose your deposit  check the companys terms and conditions.

If you booked other elements of your holiday independently, such as a hotel, a villa or car hire, there may be cost implications if you cancel them.

Hotels often offer a cheaper price without the option to cancel a few days in advance or a more expensive price with the option to cancel.

Should I consider starting my trip outside the UK?

No. The ATC issue is Europe-wide, so it wont help you to take the Eurostar to Paris and look for a flight there.

The issues transcend borders, says Gordon Smith. Also, Eurostar tickets bought in peak season arent cheap  and the company has its own capacity problems caused by staffing border controls after Brexit.

Would I be better off cancelling and rebooking for October half-term?

You generally cannot cancel a holiday if you have already booked and paid for it without incurring costs.

But if you have not already booked, you might want to consider travel outside the summer peak. You can see why demand to travel off-peak is increasing, says Paul Charles.

Is the issue going to affect other airlines and airports?

Given that the problems with ATC are industry-wide, it is highly likely that there will be more cancellations over summer.

EasyJet wont be the last. I would be very surprised if other airlines dont follow suit, says Smith.

Additionally, if there is lower flight demand than expected as a result of the cost-of-living crisis, as predicted by Charles, there is the possibility of more flight consolidation, which means cancellations.
Microsoft is a step closer to securing its 60billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard after a US court gave the deal the go-ahead and UK regulators offered fresh hope.

A US judge has rejected the Federal Trade Commissions attempt to halt the deal, dismissing arguments that the tie-up would substantially lessen competition in the gaming market.

The takeover would be the biggest in the world of gaming and would mean Microsoft, the company behind Xbox consoles, would own popular Activision titles including Call Of Duty and Crash Bandicoot 4.

The Federal Trade Commission has not shown it is likely to succeed on its assertion the combined firm will probably pull Call Of Duty from Sony PlayStation, or that its ownership of Activision content will substantially lessen competition in the video game library subscription and cloud gaming markets, judge Jacqueline Scott Corley wrote in her decision.

Gaming deal: A US judge has rejected the Federal Trade Commissions attempt to halt Microsoft's 60bn acquisition of Activision Blizzard

Shares in Activision shot up by 10.06 per cent in New York following the update  and soon after the ruling, the UK competition watchdog signalled it was open to discussions, having earlier opposed the deal.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had blocked it in April after concluding it would lead to reduced innovation and less choice for UK gamers.

It was seen as a major step for the CMA, which was not known for baring its teeth in such a way.

The watchdog was particularly worried that the US tech giant could gain a stranglehold over cloud gaming  the streaming of games over the internet.

The decision put it at odds with European regulators, which said the deal could go through a month later.

But in a statement last night, the CMA said it was ready to consider any proposals from Microsoft to restructure the transaction in a way that would address the concerns set out in our final report.

Both companies had planned to appeal against the decisions, and hearings had been scheduled to begin at a tribunal on July 28.

Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, said: After todays court decision in the US our focus now turns back to the UK.

'While we ultimately disagree with the CMAs concerns, we are considering how the transaction might be modified in order to address those concerns in a way that is acceptable to the CMA.

Smith had previously slammed the CMAs decision, saying it left the UK closed for business.

Bobby Kotick, chief executive of Activision Blizzard, said: Were optimistic that todays ruling signals a path to full regulatory approval.

The Federal Trade Commission has until Friday to appeal against the decision in the US. The deal would be the largest for Microsoft and the biggest in the history of the video game business.

RBC Capital Markets analyst Rishi Jaluria said it would make Microsoft the worlds third-biggest gaming company and the market clearly did not expect that and hence why Activision stock is up.

FTC spokesman Douglas Farrar said it was disappointed... given the clear threat this merger poses to open competition in cloud gaming, subscription services and consoles. Well be announcing our next step to continue our fight to preserve competition and protect consumers.
A yellow robotic arm grabs a hollowed-out red-hot steel bottle before swivelling balletically to deliver it to the next stage of the production process.

The bottle is then gripped in a vice and inserted into a hammer box where it is rotated and shaken before emerging, still glowing orange, as a recognisable but not quite finished 155mm artillery shell.

This two-minute swaging process  operating 24 hours a day  is at the heart of efforts by BAE, Britains biggest defence contractor, to step up manufacturing of the shells, which have become the workhorse of the war in Ukraine.

BAE, which makes them at its munitions factory in Washington, Tyne and Wear, has won a 280million Government contract, of which 190million is being spent on an eightfold rise in production capacity for the 155mm-diameter rounds.

Today, much of the work  once dangerous and carried out by workers using chains and pulleys  is executed in an increasingly automated kind of robotic ballet behind cage fences.

Booming demand: Ukraine is in desperate need for shells of all types as its soldiers fire salvo after salvo at Russian invaders

That means fewer workers are needed in the process, although BAE says it is taking on 200 extra staff across a number of sites as a result of the MoD order.

For Ukraine, the need for rounds is urgent. It gets through around 6,000 155mm shells a day, with overuse in some cases melting the barrels of its guns as they fire salvo after salvo at Russian invaders.

The use of this type of armament marks the return of an increasingly attritional type of warfare that few had thought likely to be seen again in Europe.

Britain and its Nato allies have sent millions of rounds to help but need to replenish their own stock.

BAE makes it clear that it is not supplying armaments directly to the conflict, but rather to the Ministry of Defence, which will make its own decisions about how to use them.

The firm has not said how many it is making. It will not be until the end of 2024 that the BAE plant in Glascoed, south Wales, where the shells are filled with explosive charge and finished, completes a new facility needed to fulfil the contract.

That means the extra new shells will not be delivered to the MoD until 2025.

Lee Smurthwaite, BAEs programme director for munitions, is sceptical about global pledges, such as the agreement between European politicians in March to send a million 155mm rounds to Ukraine. I havent seen that they have done anything to mobilise that, he said.

In Britain, conversations began as long ago as March last year about expanding capacity.

Inspection: A worker examines a 155mm artillery shell at BAEs factory in Washington where production is being ramped up to meet demand

Whether a contract could have been signed more quickly is a question for the MoD, he says, adding that BAE played its part by ploughing in investment.

The Washington site is at full capacity and hiring more staff to become a 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week operation.

I have seen this site go through Afghanistan and Iraq, and now Ukraine, Smurthwaite says. The site is as busy as its ever been. Its going to be a lot busier based on the new contracts.

The 155mm shell is not high-tech  in fact its use goes right back to the 1870s.

They have been in rolling off production lines in the same area in the North East since 1916, when a Royal Ordnance facility opened in Birtley.

Nearly a century later, under the auspices of BAE, the factory moved to nearby Washington in 2012. We have advanced the technology to go further, be more accurate and be more lethal, Smurthwaite says.

Today, the production process mixes the heat and power of old with the high-tech precision of robotics.

The 35kg shell starts as a billet  a chunk of steel  supplied by one of a number of European steel mills.

In a forging process, it is hollowed out at 1,100C and sculpted in a metal drum in a process reminiscent of a car wash, with an oil and water mix used as a lubricant, leaving swarf, which looks like metallic pencil shavings, on the floor. Then the hammer box pulls it into shape.

A human element remains as BAE workers must make checks and maintain the robots.

Yet pride of place goes to the last bit of the production line, a new 8million computer numerical controlled system that finishes off the shell and effectively checks and corrects its own work.

Today, 340 people work at the site  with 100 being added as it takes on work. But with 35 robots in use, only 60 or 70 humans are needed for a shift.

Engineer Andy Norwood, who has worked in the business for four decades, recalls: Back in the day at Birtley, the forge, everything used to be hand manipulated. We were using tongs with counterbalances on, moving heavy bits of material around  inherently dangerous.

But now with the robots behind a caged fence, you cannot get anywhere near it, its a much safer environment.
Page Group's second quarter profits fell and claims with the recruitment firm claiming workers are reluctant to change jobs amid uncertainty in the market.

Group gross profit fell 6.5 per cent against the same quarter a year earlier to 263.5million.

The recruiter flagged a stronger performance from its temporary jobs arm, which saw profit rise 11.1 per cent, while the permanent segment saw an 11.4 per cent drop.

Profit hit: Recruitment business Page Group saw its second quarter profits fall

Boss Nicholas Kirk, said: 'The group delivered a good result in the quarter, especially given the particularly tough Q2 2022 comparator, which is the group's record quarter.

'EMEA performed strongly, however, tough market conditions affected the performances in Asia, the UK and the US. Overall, group gross profit declined 6.5 per cent in constant currencies against Q2 2022.'

He added: 'The challenging conditions we saw towards the end of 2022 and in Q1 2023 continued into Q2, with lower levels of both candidate and client confidence resulting in delays in decision making and candidates being more reluctant to accept offers.

'Reflecting the uncertain macro-economic conditions, temporary recruitment outperformed permanent, as clients sought more flexible options.'

Page Group said it expects operating profit for 2023 to be in line with company-company consensus of 137.6million.

Page Group shares rose today and were up 3.59 per cent or 15.20p to 438.40p this afternoon.

Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor, said: 'This trading update echoes a similar story outlined by rival Robert Walters last week.

'Shares in Page Group have underperformed the wider market so far this year, shedding over 10 per cent year-to-date but has outperformed Robert Walters which is down over 23 per cent.'

Recruiters, including Robert Walters, have flagged low confidence and a weaker market as an uncertain macroeconomic outlook led some employers to freeze hiring and turn to temporary workers.

Robert Walters revenues shrunk in the second-quarter amid dwindling candidate and client confidence.

The London-listed recruitment group's net fee income slipped 10 per cent to 99.9million on a constant currency basis for the quarter ending 30 June.

Robert Walters, which specialises in legal, accountancy and technology sectors, reported a 21 per cent fall in UK net fee income to 16million.

In Britain, the unemployment rate unexpectedly rose in the three months to April and the number of people out of work increased by the most since late 2020, while wage growth rose at the joint fastest pace on record, figures this week from the Office for National Statistics showed.
Barclays has won its appeal against a ruling that it is liable to refund its customers who are victims of bank transfer fraud.

The Supreme Court said it was not the banks responsibility to concern itself with the wisdom or risks of its customers payment decisions, following legal action from a disgruntled fraud victim.

Music teacher Fiona Philipp sued Barclays in 2020 saying it should have stopped her from sending vast amounts to bogus accounts in the UAE  in what is known as an authorised push payment fraud.

Fraud ruling: The Supreme Court said it was not the banks responsibility to concern itself with the wisdom or risks of its customers payment decisions

She lost 700,000 and accused Barclays of failing in its duty of care.

Yesterday, Supreme Court judge George Leggatt said the bank was authorised to make the payment and to not do so would be inconsistent with banking law. As a result he overturned a 2021 Court of Appeal ruling.

He permitted Philipp to pursue a case that the bank breached its duty by failing to take sufficient steps to recover her cash.

Scams such as this one cost consumers more than 500million in 2021, according to the payments watchdog, amid concern that they are on the rise.

The Payment Systems Regulator has set out plans to introduce compulsory refunds for victims of push payment fraud. Details are being consulted on.
Defence giant Babcock International has won a 50m contract with the UK to provide operational support for tanks given to Ukraine.

Babcock will kit out armoured vehicles provided by the Government to the military, including Challenger 2 tanks, train Ukrainian personnel and manage equipment and supply chains.

Chief executive David Lockwoodsaid: What we do at Babcock matters now more than ever and it is a privilege to be by our customers side when they need us most.

British defence secretary Ben Wallace said: This delivers essential support for Ukraine on the battlefield, sustaining their equipment by providing the expertise and skills to keep Ukraines armoured vehicles moving, along with the provision of vital spares.

Babcock said there was scope for the deal to be extended. Defence firms have said that governments need to provide solid contracts in order to ramp up production levels.

Action stations: Babcock will kit out vehicles including Challenger 2 tanks (pictured), train Ukrainian personnel and manage equipment and supply chains

Defence manufacturing has been hampered by global supply chain issues. This week, BAE Systems secured orders from the UK to boost production of weapons.

The 280million deal, which could rise in value to top 400million, enables it to raise production capacity of 155mm artillery shells eightfold.

The announcements come as Britain, the US and global allies met at the Nato summit in Lithuania. Rishi Sunak last night said Nato is more confident and more united than ever.
The break-up of the British defence group Cobham has continued as its aerospace business was yesterday sold by its US private equity owners.

French manufacturing firm Thales bought Cobham Aerospace Communications in a 850million deal.

The Paris-based division, part of the Cobham group since 1989, makes antennas and communication systems for aircraft and is expected to generate about 154million in revenues this year.

The acquisition, set to close next year, adds to the number of Cobham units sold by US private equity giant Advent International since it bought the group for 4billion in 2019.

Although the Government scrutinised whether the takeover was a risk to national security, it gave it the go-ahead.

Sell-off: French manufacturing firm Thales bought Cobham Aerospace Communications in a 850m deal

It means seven business arms of Cobham have now been sold off since 2019, with one unnamed analyst labelling Advents actions as despicable and asset-stripping at its worst.

Founded in 1934 by Sir Alan Cobham, who pioneered the technology that allows planes to refuel in the air, the firm originally specialised in aerospace manufacturing, holding contracts with the British military.

Lady Cobham, the daughter-in-law of its founder, previously expressed her concerns about the auctioning off UKs high-tech defence firms  especially in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.

Last night she said she was unsurprised. I always thought that Cobham would be sold off bit by bit.

In spite of assurances by Advent to the contrary, this is exactly what is happening.

The company had 10,000 employees, with 1,700 in the UK. But since going private, most of the empire has been sold, leaving it with no manufacturing in the UK.

Advent has raised 5.4billion through the steady dismantling of the group, leading to some critics suggesting that Cobham is a cautionary tale for British firms looking to sell up to US private equity sharks.

Cobham was the first in a succession of deals targeting some of Britains most cutting-edge firms, including satellite maker Inmarsat and aerospace firm Meggitt  both sold to private equity firms.

Danni Hewson, analyst at AJ Bell, said: Its sad but not surprising to see the once-great Cobham empire being sliced and diced.

With many UK companies drawing admiring glances from would-be suitors this might prove a cautionary tale.

Boston-based Advent also scooped up British defence firm Ultra Electronics.

The 2.6billion acquisition in 2022 came after months of discussions over whether the producer of sensitive nuclear submarine systems should be sold to a foreign buyer.

Advent agreed to conditions that were required by the Government before it gave the deal a green light.

They included protecting existing jobs, maintaining a UK headquarters and boosting investment.
UNITED NATIONS, July 12 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, making a proposal for the further implementation of the agreements on food and fertilizer exports from Russia and Ukraine, a UN spokesman said on Wednesday.

In the letter, Guterres outlined a proposal "aiming to harmonize the vital further implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding with the vital need to keep the Black Sea Initiative operational," Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, told reporters.

The objective is to remove hurdles affecting financial transactions through the Russian Agricultural Bank, a major concern expressed by Russia, and simultaneously allow for the continued flow of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, he said.

"The secretary-general remains engaged with all relevant parties on this issue and expresses his willingness to further engage on his proposal with the Russian Federation," said Dujarric.

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.

The initiative, initially in effect for 120 days, was extended in mid-November 2022 for another 120 days till March 18, 2023. At that point, Russia only agreed to extend the deal for 60 days. On May 17, Russia agreed to extend the deal for another 60 days.

As a parallel agreement, Russia and the United Nations signed a memorandum of understanding on the facilitation of Russian food and fertilizer exports. However, little progress has been made on this part of the deal, prompting dissatisfaction from Russia. 
Millions of savers over the age of 40 are unaware of their retirement income being slowly eaten away by rip-off fees on old pension pots.

More than seven million people who invested in workplace and personal pension funds decades ago could be affected by extortionate but little-known charges.

These pensions are charging investors several times more in fees than they could pay for the exact same fund on the market today.

This can apply to pensions dating back to before 2013 when new reforms were introduced.

Analysis for Money Mail by stockbroker AJ Bell finds that in the most extreme cases, you could unwittingly lose almost seven years worth of retirement income to these fees over the course of 20 years.

Rip-off fees: Some older workplace pensions are charging investors several times more in fees than they could pay for the exact same fund on the market today

It means that if you have a high-fee pension worth 100,000 you would be 86,632 out of pocket compared to modern-day pensions with lower charges, assuming 5 per cent annual investment growth.

And this applies, no matter the size of the pension  for example, on an old-style 15,000 pension, you could be charged an extra 13,000 in fees over 20 years.

The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association has estimated that the average single pensioner needs 12,700 a year in retirement above the full state pension (10,600) to achieve a moderate standard of living. This measure is widely used by the pensions industry.

AJ Bell estimates the number of people affected could even run into the tens of millions.

On Monday, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a major shake-up of the pensions industry designed to boost average retirement incomes.

Many industry leaders hoped the reforms would put an end to the outrageous fees, after making calls for the Government to address the issue.

Yet despite a promise to improve value for money on pensions, the Government has excluded older pensions from its campaign. This means providers are free to keep charging exorbitant fees.

In a joint report with City watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Pensions Regulator, the Government yesterday admitted many providers overseeing old pensions did have limited regulatory oversight, and poor value products means savers are at risk of poor pension outcomes.

It said: We agree savers in older schemes may be at greatest risk of poor value for money... we also recognise the challenges in applying the framework to legacy workplace schemes.

Fees charged on modern pensions have dropped dramatically in the past eight years, because since 2015 charges on default workplace pension funds have been capped at 0.75 per cent of the value of your savings.

Savers paying into a pension via stockbrokers, such as AJ Bell, Interactive Investor and Hargreaves Lansdown, or fund shop Vanguard, can pay as little as 0.37 per cent today, which includes 0.15 per cent for access to the funds and 0.22 pc for a basic fund that tracks the stock market.

Before 2015, fees were often much higher and those paying into older pensions closed to new business have continued to charge up to 2.4 per cent, according to City watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority.

More than seven million accounts were opened before 2001, when charges were typically much higher, according to the FCA.

If you have left your money in one of these old pensions charging 2.4 per cent, you would be 86,632 worse off than if you switched your money into a modern-day pension charging just 0.30 per cent, the research finds.

Tom Selby, head of retirement policy at AJ Bell, warns that millions of savers will fall into a blind spot as far as the new rules are concerned.

And Alice Guy, of stockbroker Interactive Investor, says it is extremely disappointing that the Government failed to target the issue.

This is a missed opportunity to tackle unfair pension fees once and for all that will leave many pension savers locked in with poor performing, expensive pension schemes.

Its an administrative nightmare for pensions savers as they often have multiple pension schemes all with different charges, even with the same provider, she says.

Ros Altmann, a former pensions minister, says it is unreasonable for companies to charge these fees.

She says: If its an old or forgotten pension pot, theres no new money even coming in so the provider doesnt have much administering to do. Theres no justification to charge higher fees for less service than pension schemes that are still active.

Most people arent concerned about their pension because the standard mantra they are told by the industry is dont worry about it, we will take care of it for you.

'If your employer chose the scheme for you, you would assume they would have done their due diligence to make sure its a good pension.

Rebecca OConnor, of pension provider PensionBee, warns many workers are being exploited. She says: Its appalling that people are being taken advantage of with really uncompetitive fees.

In an environment where investment performance isnt that reliable, it becomes even more important that the fees are reasonable and competitive.

A lot of people have no idea that this is the fee they are paying and these providers are exploiting that.

We get very angry about insurers charging existing customers more when they come to renew their policies, but it goes to show how little people know about their pensions, through no fault of their own.

These are such large sums of money that we should be a lot angrier than we are.

Short changed: More than seven million people who invested in workplace and personal pension funds decades ago could be affected by extortionate but little-known charges

The majority of these older pension policies are now administered by closed-book providers, which means they do not accept any new investors.

Mr Selby says this means they have no obvious incentive to either reduce charges or offer customers a better service.

While most modern pensions tend to offer savers good value for money, millions bought products decades ago and are exposed to significantly higher charges.

City regulator the FCA is introducing reforms designed to improve outcomes for savers and investors.

But Mr Selby warns these reforms will not apply to closed pensions funds until the middle of next year. Even then there is no guarantee that charges will be drastically cut, he says.

A spokesman for the Pensions Regulator says: We are aware some savers within legacy schemes might not be getting a good deal.

'That is why were introducing a value-for-money framework that will, in due course, force legacy schemes to compare their value with the market.

The FCA previously sounded the alarm on the danger of these fees in 2019, claiming that there was a lack of pressure on these pension firms to compete on charges. However, they still persist.

Two of Britains largest providers Phoenix Life and ReAssure, both owned by Phoenix Group, are among those that continue to levy higher fees. These companies buy out old pension policies that have since closed to new business.

ReAssures website states the average costs and charges paid by savers is 1.42 per cent, which it admits is significantly higher than those in other workplace pensions.

Most of these policies were taken out via an independent financial adviser and cost more initially because it gave them access to hundreds of investment funds.

Overcharged: If you have a pension worth 100,000 you would be 86,632 out of pocket compared to modern day pensions, assuming 5% annual investment growth

Paying 1.42 per cent in fees will cost you 50,530 more than if you switched your pension to a 0.30 per cent charge over the course of 20 years.

At the end of 2021, the provider capped all charges at 1 per cent on its own range of funds but anyone still holding a third-party fund remains vulnerable to high fees.

It says: ReAssure will actively write to customers every year with information on alternative funds and product options that can reduce charges to around 0.65 per cent.

There are only two scenarios where members will be charged more than 1 per cent a year in charges.

The first is where they are invested in third-party funds chosen by the member, typically on advice from their IFA.

The second is where members initial units or capital units have a higher charge but since January 2022 our 1 per cent cap is now applied.

A Phoenix Life spokesman says: The data quoted extracted from the Phoenix Life website relates to a very small population of workplace customers who have chosen to invest their policies in more specialist external funds.

So, what if your pension is old?

The first step is to track down any old pensions you havent kept an eye on over the years.

Check to see if you have any old paperwork with the name of your pension scheme or details of the scheme administrator or provider. This should include information about how much you pay in fees.

Most pension schemes must send you a statement each year  if you have not been receiving them it might be because you changed address and failed to notify your old pension provider.

If you are struggling to find information, contact the pension provider, your former employer if it was a workplace pension, or the Pension Tracing Service.

Capped: Since 2015 charges on default workplace pension funds have been capped at 0.75% of the value of your savings

If you know the name of the company your pension was invested with, you should contact them with as many details as possible  plan number, date of birth, National Insurance number and the date your pension was set up.

Once they have found your pension pot, you can ask what charges you have been paying for the management of the pension and what the investment charges are.

If youre still struggling to make progress, you can contact the Pension Tracing Service, which is a free Government service. You could also ask your employer if it offers any free pension guidance.

Anyone who discovers they are paying high fees should consider switching to a different provider.

You can usually move a defined contribution pension at any time before you start taking money from it in retirement.

This type of pension has become the most common type and is a pot of money you and your employer contribute to, which is then invested in stocks and bonds.

In most cases, you can also transfer your money to a different provider even after youve started to take money from it but check the fine print.

Before moving your pension, have a look at the costs charged by the new provider. Pension companies use a range of different terms to label the fees that are levied on your savings.

Main charges to look out for include initial set-up fees, annual management charges for investments you might choose, service or administration charges (sometimes known as platform fees), charges for specific transactions such as taking money out of your pension and trading fees which are charged for buying and selling certain investments.

Also check to make sure that you arent giving up any valuable benefits by transferring out of a scheme. For example, a guaranteed annuity rate option or additional death benefits.

A guaranteed annuity rate option is where the pension company will pay you a guaranteed income every year for the rest of your life at a certain rate. This tends to be higher than the rates you would be able to get on the open market.

If the value of any guaranteed annuity rate, or other valuable benefits, is more than 30,000, you might have to get regulated financial advice before you are allowed to move the pension.

Some schemes charge an exit fee, which penalises you for moving your money away from them.

It is likely you have several pension pots if you have changed jobs and worked at different employers. You can transfer money from an old pension pot to another scheme you hold.

Most providers wont charge you for transferring pensions to their schemes and will track old accounts for you.

You can also move your pot into a self-invested personal pension with a stockbroker such as AJ Bell, Interactive Investor, Hargreaves Landsdown or Bestinvest.

On these platforms you will have a large range of funds and stocks to pick from.

Other fund groups such as Vanguard also offer dedicated retirement funds that invest in a range of assets, offering different levels of risk depending on your preference.

j.beard@dailymail.co.uk
Britons are turning to the Post Office to get their hands on their cash, as bank branches continue to be shuttered across the country.

Consumers withdrew 836.21million in cash from Post Offices in June, up 12.5 per cent in a year, the postal giant said this week.

Britons are able to do basic banking at Post Offices, under an agreement to offset the impact of banks closing 5,632 branches since 2015.

The agreement sees banks pay the Post Office to provide a basic banking service.

Martin Kearsley, Post Office banking director, said: 'These figures clearly show that Britain is anything but a cashless society and people are reliant on cash as the tried and tested way to manage a budget.'

Shut up shop: Thousands of bank and building society branches have closed

However Post Offices are not banks, and so only allow a maximum of four banking services: paying money in, taking cash out, paying cheques in and checking bank balances.

For everything else, customers need to visit a bank branch. This includes money transfers, opening accounts or linked savings deals, printing out bank statements and sorting out customer service issues that cannot be fixed with online banking.

Some banks do not even offer all four of the limited Post Office banking options to their customers.

For example, Nationwide customers cannot deposit cash or pay in cheques at a Post Office branch, while Metro and M&S Bank customers cannot use Post Office banking at all.

Members of smaller banks Starling Bank, Adam & Co and Handlesbanken are not allowed to pay in cheques, while customers of Optimum Bank and Quidity can only pay in cash.

Andrew Hagger, founder of personal finance website Moneycomms, said the impact of the trend for more Post Office banking was offset by falling standards when visiting a bank branch.

'The services you get in a bank branch are quite different to what they were five to 10 years ago,' Hagger said. 'If you go into a branch you are often referred to a machine anyway. The Post Office is an extension [of using a bank branch] but it is pretty average. It all depends on what you need - if you just need to get some cash out, or similar, the Post Office is fine.'

A Nationwide spokesperson said: 'Demand from our customers for other services via the Post Office remains low  the Society doesn't offer business banking where demand for paying in cash or cheques is higher.

'Unlike many other providers, we are continuing to invest in branches as we know customers value face to face banking. Only recently, we renewed our branch promise to not leave any town or city in which it is based until at least 2026. As such, the majority of our customers will pay money in or deposit cheques via their local branch.'

A Metro Bank spokesperson said: 'It's important to note that many high street banks are turning to the Post Office to fill gaps left by closing branches. Metro Bank is committed to its store network and has plans to open 11 more stores in the north of England by 2025.'
StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of American Shared Hospital Services (NYSEAMERICAN:AMS  Free Report) in a research note published on Saturday. The firm issued a hold rating on the stock.

Separately, TheStreet lowered American Shared Hospital Services from a c- rating to a d+ rating in a report on Monday, May 1st.

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American Shared Hospital Services Trading Up 1.4 %

Shares of AMS stock opened at $2.55 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $2.71 and its two-hundred day moving average is $2.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 3.95 and a current ratio of 3.95. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.66 million, a P/E ratio of 12.12 and a beta of 0.86. American Shared Hospital Services has a fifty-two week low of $2.24 and a fifty-two week high of $3.75.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

American Shared Hospital Services ( NYSEAMERICAN:AMS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 12th. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share for the quarter. American Shared Hospital Services had a return on equity of 5.78% and a net margin of 6.71%. The company had revenue of $4.93 million for the quarter.

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its position in shares of American Shared Hospital Services by 26.3% during the 3rd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 19,321 shares of the companys stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 4,021 shares during the last quarter. Canton Hathaway LLC increased its position in shares of American Shared Hospital Services by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. Canton Hathaway LLC now owns 20,000 shares of the companys stock worth $59,000 after purchasing an additional 10,000 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in shares of American Shared Hospital Services by 3.9% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 158,681 shares of the companys stock worth $465,000 after purchasing an additional 5,899 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CI Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Shared Hospital Services during the 4th quarter worth about $470,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 13.25% of the companys stock.

American Shared Hospital Services Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

American Shared Hospital Services provides radiosurgery and radiation therapy equipment to health care providers. The company offers radiosurgery equipment for the Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery, a non-invasive procedure to treat malignant and benign brain tumors, and arteriovenous malformations, as well as for trigeminal neuralgia.

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British Land (OTCMKTS:BTLCY  Get Free Report) was downgraded by investment analysts at HSBC from a buy rating to a reduce rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday, MarketBeat.com reports.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently commented on BTLCY. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on British Land from GBX 355 ($4.57) to GBX 325 ($4.18) in a research report on Friday, June 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut British Land from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 21st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, British Land presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $415.00.

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British Land Stock Up 5.2 %

British Land stock opened at $4.02 on Monday. British Land has a one year low of $3.54 and a one year high of $6.10. The businesss fifty day moving average is $4.30 and its 200 day moving average is $4.86.

About British Land

Our portfolio of high quality UK commercial property is focused on London Campuses and Retail & London Urban Logistics assets throughout the UK. We own or manage a portfolio valued at 13.0bn (British Land share: 8.9bn) as at 31 March 2023 making us one of Europe's largest listed real estate investment companies.

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O-I Glass (NYSE:OI  Get Free Report) had its price target dropped by equities researchers at Bank of America from $31.00 to $28.00 in a report issued on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Bank of Americas price target would suggest a potential upside of 28.62% from the stocks current price.

Several other research firms also recently issued reports on OI. Citigroup decreased their price objective on shares of O-I Glass from $28.00 to $27.00 in a research note on Monday. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of O-I Glass from $18.00 to $19.00 in a research note on Monday, May 1st. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of O-I Glass from $26.00 to $30.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of O-I Glass from $27.00 to $31.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of O-I Glass from $34.00 to $37.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $26.56.

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O-I Glass Stock Performance

Shares of OI stock opened at $21.77 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.34. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $21.31 and a 200 day moving average price of $21.10. The company has a market cap of $3.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 4.94, a PEG ratio of 0.48 and a beta of 1.35. O-I Glass has a 12 month low of $11.60 and a 12 month high of $23.52.

Institutional Trading of O-I Glass

O-I Glass ( NYSE:OI Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The industrial products company reported $1.29 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.46. O-I Glass had a net margin of 10.04% and a return on equity of 31.48%. The firm had revenue of $1.83 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.78 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.56 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 8.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that O-I Glass will post 3.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Thompson Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in O-I Glass by 353.9% during the second quarter. Thompson Investment Management Inc. now owns 154,331 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,292,000 after purchasing an additional 120,331 shares during the period. Harbour Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in O-I Glass during the 2nd quarter worth $806,000. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt boosted its holdings in shares of O-I Glass by 9.4% in the 2nd quarter. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt now owns 74,400 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,586,000 after buying an additional 6,400 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in O-I Glass by 6.8% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 583,358 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $13,248,000 after purchasing an additional 37,085 shares during the period. Finally, Castellan Group acquired a new position in O-I Glass during the 1st quarter valued at about $3,163,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.28% of the companys stock.

O-I Glass Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

O-I Glass, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of glass containers to food and beverage manufacturers primarily in the Americas, Europe, and internationally. The company produces glass containers for alcoholic beverages, including beer, flavored malt beverages, spirits, and wine.

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Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR  Free Report)  Stock analysts at Zacks Research boosted their FY2023 earnings estimates for shares of Ingersoll Rand in a report released on Wednesday, July 5th. Zacks Research analyst E. Haque now forecasts that the industrial products company will post earnings of $2.54 per share for the year, up from their previous forecast of $2.53. The consensus estimate for Ingersoll Rands current full-year earnings is $2.57 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Ingersoll Rands Q2 2025 earnings at $0.65 EPS.

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Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The industrial products company reported $0.63 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.48 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $1.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.48 billion. Ingersoll Rand had a net margin of 10.66% and a return on equity of 10.69%.

Ingersoll Rand Stock Up 0.7 %

A number of other analysts also recently weighed in on IR. StockNews.com upgraded Ingersoll Rand from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, July 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $65.00 to $70.00 in a research report on Monday. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $65.00 to $71.00 in a report on Monday. Finally, Evercore ISI raised shares of Ingersoll Rand from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and set a $71.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $64.00.

IR opened at $66.25 on Monday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $61.43 and a 200-day moving average of $57.90. The company has a market capitalization of $26.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.90 and a beta of 1.43. Ingersoll Rand has a fifty-two week low of $39.28 and a fifty-two week high of $66.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a current ratio of 2.16.

Ingersoll Rand Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 22nd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 24th were issued a dividend of $0.02 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 23rd. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.12%. Ingersoll Rands payout ratio is currently 4.94%.

Insider Transactions at Ingersoll Rand

In other Ingersoll Rand news, insider Kathleen M. Keene sold 4,003 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.50, for a total transaction of $250,187.50. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 1,879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $117,437.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, insider Kathleen M. Keene sold 4,003 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.50, for a total value of $250,187.50. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 1,879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $117,437.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Vicente Reynal sold 27,169 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.00, for a total value of $1,765,985.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 73,877 shares in the company, valued at $4,802,005. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 58,659 shares of company stock valued at $3,685,458. Corporate insiders own 0.83% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ingersoll Rand

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 12.0% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 15,601 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $786,000 after purchasing an additional 1,675 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 47.6% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 9,880 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $497,000 after buying an additional 3,185 shares during the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Ingersoll Rand in the first quarter valued at approximately $327,000. Panagora Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 62.2% during the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 28,937 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,457,000 after acquiring an additional 11,096 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Ingersoll Rand by 1.7% during the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 57,771 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,909,000 after acquiring an additional 988 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.73% of the companys stock.

Ingersoll Rand Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Ingersoll Rand Inc provides various mission-critical air, fluid, energy, specialty vehicle, and medical technologies in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, India, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through two segments, Industrial Technologies and Services, and Precision and Science Technologies.

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Magna International Inc. (TSE:MG  Free Report) (NYSE:MGA)  Analysts at Zacks Research lowered their Q1 2024 earnings estimates for shares of Magna International in a report released on Friday, July 7th. Zacks Research analyst L. Shahu now forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of $1.65 for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $1.71. The consensus estimate for Magna Internationals current full-year earnings is $6.75 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Magna Internationals Q2 2024 earnings at $2.11 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $2.50 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $2.26 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $8.52 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $9.59 EPS.

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Magna International (TSE:MG  Get Free Report) (NYSE:MGA) last issued its earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The company reported C$1.50 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$1.29 by C$0.21. Magna International had a return on equity of 4.07% and a net margin of 1.12%. The firm had revenue of C$14.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$13.61 billion.

Magna International Stock Performance

Separately, Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on shares of Magna International from C$52.00 to C$54.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, May 8th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$70.20.

Magna International stock opened at C$77.63 on Monday. The company has a market cap of C$22.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.63. Magna International has a 12 month low of C$63.55 and a 12 month high of C$91.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 58.97, a current ratio of 1.26 and a quick ratio of 0.83. The stocks 50-day moving average is C$71.90 and its 200-day moving average is C$74.84.

Magna International Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 19th were given a $0.623 dividend. This is an increase from Magna Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 18th. This represents a $2.49 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.21%. Magna Internationals dividend payout ratio is presently 118.18%.

About Magna International

(Get Free Report)

Magna International Inc designs, engineers, and manufactures components, assemblies, systems, subsystems, and modules for original equipment manufacturers of vehicles and light trucks worldwide. It operates through four segments: Body Exteriors & Structures, Power & Vision, Seating Systems, and Complete Vehicles.

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Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI  Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Hold from the seven brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $250.00.

A number of brokerages have issued reports on CMI. VNET Group reissued a maintains rating on shares of Cummins in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on shares of Cummins from $231.00 to $227.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. 888 reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Cummins in a research report on Wednesday, May 31st. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Cummins in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company.

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Cummins Price Performance

Shares of Cummins stock opened at $256.59 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $36.32 billion, a PE ratio of 14.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 1.05. Cummins has a 12-month low of $191.60 and a 12-month high of $261.91. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $227.29 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $236.24.

Cummins Cuts Dividend

Cummins ( NYSE:CMI Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $5.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.70 by $0.85. The business had revenue of $8.45 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.13 billion. Cummins had a net margin of 8.37% and a return on equity of 25.94%. The companys revenue was up 32.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $4.04 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Cummins will post 19.8 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 7th. Investors of record on Friday, August 25th will be given a dividend of $0.0168 per share. This represents a $0.07 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.03%. Cumminss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 35.40%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of CMI. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC lifted its position in Cummins by 39.2% during the 4th quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 142 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares during the period. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC lifted its position in Cummins by 588.2% during the 4th quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 117 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Quarry LP bought a new stake in Cummins during the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in Cummins by 64.0% during the 3rd quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC now owns 164 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hollencrest Capital Management bought a new stake in Cummins during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. 82.72% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Cummins Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Cummins Inc designs, manufactures, distributes, and services diesel and natural gas engines, electric and hybrid powertrains, and related components worldwide. It operates through five segments: Engine, Distribution, Components, Power Systems, and New Power. The company offers diesel and natural gas-powered engines under the Cummins and other customer brands for the heavy and medium-duty truck, bus, recreational vehicle, light-duty automotive, construction, mining, marine, rail, oil and gas, defense, and agricultural markets; and offers new parts and services, as well as remanufactured parts and engines.

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Sonic Healthcare (OTCMKTS:SKHCF  Get Free Report) and Charles River Laboratories International (NYSE:CRL  Get Free Report) are both medical companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, earnings, risk, profitability, analyst recommendations, valuation and dividends.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

31.8% of Sonic Healthcare shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 98.6% of Charles River Laboratories International shares are held by institutional investors. 1.3% of Charles River Laboratories International shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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Profitability

This table compares Sonic Healthcare and Charles River Laboratories Internationals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Sonic Healthcare N/A N/A N/A Charles River Laboratories International 12.13% 20.12% 7.58%

Earnings and Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Sonic Healthcare N/A N/A N/A $0.96 24.33 Charles River Laboratories International $3.98 billion 2.68 $486.23 million $9.67 21.54

This table compares Sonic Healthcare and Charles River Laboratories Internationals top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Charles River Laboratories International has higher revenue and earnings than Sonic Healthcare. Charles River Laboratories International is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Sonic Healthcare, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for Sonic Healthcare and Charles River Laboratories International, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Sonic Healthcare 0 0 0 0 N/A Charles River Laboratories International 0 3 7 0 2.70

Charles River Laboratories International has a consensus price target of $251.80, suggesting a potential upside of 20.88%. Given Charles River Laboratories Internationals higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Charles River Laboratories International is more favorable than Sonic Healthcare.

Summary

Charles River Laboratories International beats Sonic Healthcare on 9 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Sonic Healthcare

(Get Free Report)

Sonic Healthcare Limited offers medical diagnostic services to medical practitioners, hospitals, community health services, and their collective patients. The company provides laboratory medicine/pathology testing services, such as biochemistry, cytopathology, genetics, haematology, histopathology, immunoserology, microbiology, molecular pathology, prenatal testing, toxicology, and ancillary functions; and radiology services, including magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, X-ray, mammography, nuclear medicine, PET CT, interventional procedures, and bone mineral densitometry. It also offers primary care medical services comprising general practice clinics, occupational health services, skin cancer clinics, after-hours general practice services, general practice IT solutions, and community-based healthcare services. The company operates in Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand, Belgium, and internationally. Sonic Healthcare Limited was incorporated in 1934 and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.

About Charles River Laboratories International

(Get Free Report)

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., a non-clinical contract research organization, provides drug discovery, non-clinical development, and safety testing services in the United States, Europe, Canada, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Research Models and Services (RMS), Discovery and Safety Assessment (DSA), and Manufacturing Solutions (Manufacturing). The RMS segment produces and sells rodent research model strains and purpose-bred rats and mice for use by researchers. This segment also provides a range of services to assist its clients in supporting the use of research models in research and screening non-clinical drug candidates, including research models, genetically engineered models and services, insourcing solutions, and research animal diagnostic services. The DSA segment offers early and in vivo discovery services for the identification and validation of novel targets, chemical compounds, and antibodies through delivery of non-clinical drug and therapeutic candidates ready for safety assessment; and safety assessment services, such as toxicology, pathology, safety pharmacology, bioanalysis, drug metabolism, and pharmacokinetics services. The Manufacturing segment provides in vitro methods for conventional and rapid quality control testing of sterile and non-sterile pharmaceuticals and consumer products. This segment also offers specialized testing of biologics that are outsourced by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; and avian vaccine services that provide specific-pathogen-free (SPF) fertile chicken eggs, SPF chickens, and diagnostic products used to manufacture vaccines. The company also provides contract vivarium operation services to biopharmaceutical clients. Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts.

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Mapfre (OTCMKTS:MPFRF  Get Free Report) and Assicurazioni Generali (OTCMKTS:ARZGF  Get Free Report) are both financial services companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends, risk, profitability, institutional ownership and earnings.

Dividends

Mapfre pays an annual dividend of $0.10 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.3%. Assicurazioni Generali pays an annual dividend of $0.33 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. Mapfre pays out 40.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Assicurazioni Generali pays out 26.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Mapfre and Assicurazioni Generali, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Mapfre 1 0 1 0 2.00 Assicurazioni Generali 1 0 0 0 1.00

Profitability

Mapfre currently has a consensus price target of $1.73, suggesting a potential downside of 10.65%. Assicurazioni Generali has a consensus price target of $17.50, suggesting a potential downside of 12.92%. Given Mapfres stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe Mapfre is more favorable than Assicurazioni Generali.

This table compares Mapfre and Assicurazioni Generalis net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Mapfre N/A N/A N/A Assicurazioni Generali N/A N/A N/A

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Mapfre and Assicurazioni Generalis revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Mapfre N/A N/A N/A $0.26 7.57 Assicurazioni Generali N/A N/A N/A $1.24 16.23

Mapfre is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Assicurazioni Generali, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

13.6% of Mapfre shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 14.6% of Assicurazioni Generali shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

About Mapfre

(Get Free Report)

Mapfre, S.A. operates in the insurance, property, financial, and services sectors worldwide. It offers life, health, accident, savings and investment, retirement, burial, and travel and leisure insurance; and homeowner's, automobile, third-party liability, and other insurance. The company also provides vehicle, third-party liability and asset, agriculture and livestock, commercial establishment, and other insurance products. In addition, it offers solutions for large risks for aviation, energy, industry, construction, and other companies; and reinsurance services. In addition, it engages in the real estate, real estate investment management, and IT businesses; and provision of advisory and management services. The company offers its services to individuals, professionals, entrepreneurs, self-employed people, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large corporations. The company was formerly known as Corporacion Mapfre and changed its name to Mapfre, S.A. in December 2006. Mapfre, S.A. was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in Majadahonda, Spain. Mapfre, S.A. is a subsidiary of Cartera Mapfre, S.L.

About Assicurazioni Generali

(Get Free Report)

Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. engages in the provision of various insurance solutions. The company operates through four segments: Life, Property & Casualty, Asset & Wealth Management, and Holding and Other Business. It offers savings, individual and family protection, and unit linked, as well as motor third-party liability, home, casualty, accident, health, and commercial and industrial risks insurance products; and insurance plans for multinational companies. The company also provides equity and fixed-income funds, and alternative products; and financial holding, investment advisory, asset management, and financial planning services. It operates in Italy, Argentina, Austria, Bulgaria, Brazil, Croatia, Chile, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Montenegro, Philippines, the Americas, Southern Europe, and Asia under the Generali brand. The company was formerly known as Assicurazioni Generali Austro-Italiche and changed its name to Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. in 1848. Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. was founded in 1831 and is headquartered in Trieste, Italy.

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KHARTOUM, July 11 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese government on Tuesday rejected the deployment of any foreign troops on its territory, in response to a proposal by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

"The government of Sudan reaffirms its rejection of the deployment of foreign forces in Sudan and will consider them aggressors," Sudan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry expressed astonishment over the statements by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, who said there was a vacuum in the state leadership in Sudan.

"The government of Sudan considers such statements as an infringement on Sudan's sovereignty, which is unacceptable," the Sudanese Foreign Ministry said.

"Sudan has notified the IGAD that disrespect for member states' opinions will make Sudan reconsider the feasibility of its membership in the organization," it added.

On Monday, a meeting of the IGAD quartet committee was held in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa to discuss the implementation of the IGAD roadmap for peace in Sudan.

The Sudanese army delegation boycotted the meeting in protest against Kenya's chairmanship of the quartet committee, which also includes Ethiopia, Djibouti and South Sudan, while Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) welcomed the meeting.

The Sudanese government has been calling for a change in the committee's chairmanship since the IGAD summit in Djibouti in June, citing Kenyan President William Ruto's lack of "impartiality" in the ongoing crisis, Sudan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

In a communique issued at the end of the one-day meeting, the IGAD quartet group urged the Sudanese warring parties to agree on an "unconditional and indefinite" cease-fire.

It also decided to request the convening of the East Africa Standby Force (EASF) summit to consider the possible deployment of the EASF to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access.

At the 14th ordinary session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Djibouti on June 12, an initiative was adopted, including a roadmap for resolving the Sudanese conflict.

The roadmap outlined the establishment of a quartet committee chaired by Kenya to oversee the Sudanese issue, organize face-to-face meetings between the Sudanese warring factions, and initiate an inclusive process toward a political settlement within three weeks.

Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the army and the RSF across the country since April 15, which have so far left over 3,000 people killed and 6,000 others injured, according to the Sudanese Health Ministry.

More than 2.8 million people in Sudan have been displaced by the violence, including 2.2 million internally displaced, according to UN estimates. 
Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM  Get Free Report) CEO Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.71, for a total transaction of $3,160,650.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 16,473,609 shares in the company, valued at $3,471,154,152.39. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink.

Marc Benioff also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Monday, July 10th, Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $211.24, for a total transaction of $3,168,600.00.

On Wednesday, July 5th, Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $213.32, for a total transaction of $3,199,800.00.

On Monday, July 3rd, Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.95, for a total transaction of $3,164,250.00.

On Wednesday, June 14th, Marc Benioff sold 500,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.14, for a total transaction of $104,570,000.00.

Salesforce Stock Up 3.9 %

Salesforce stock opened at $221.17 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $215.42 billion, a PE ratio of 582.04, a P/E/G ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 1.20. The companys 50-day moving average is $209.60 and its 200-day moving average is $185.50. Salesforce, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $126.34 and a fifty-two week high of $225.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 1.02.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Salesforce ( NYSE:CRM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 31st. The CRM provider reported $1.69 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.61 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $8.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.17 billion. Salesforce had a net margin of 1.18% and a return on equity of 5.75%. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.41 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Salesforce, Inc. will post 5.26 earnings per share for the current year.

CRM has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Salesforce from $200.00 to $210.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 1st. JMP Securities raised their price objective on shares of Salesforce from $250.00 to $275.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 1st. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Salesforce from $225.00 to $250.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 30th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Salesforce from $225.00 to $240.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 1st. Finally, Oppenheimer lifted their price target on shares of Salesforce from $225.00 to $235.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating, twenty-four have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Salesforce presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $220.97.

Institutional Trading of Salesforce

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Worth Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Salesforce by 740.5% during the 2nd quarter. Worth Asset Management LLC now owns 706 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $149,000 after buying an additional 622 shares during the period. Legacy Bridge LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Salesforce by 2.6% during the 2nd quarter. Legacy Bridge LLC now owns 4,974 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $1,051,000 after buying an additional 125 shares during the period. Selective Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Salesforce during the 2nd quarter worth about $7,348,000. Buckingham Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Salesforce by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. Buckingham Capital Management Inc. now owns 48,487 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $10,243,000 after buying an additional 328 shares during the period. Finally, New Hampshire Trust boosted its holdings in Salesforce by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. New Hampshire Trust now owns 14,996 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $3,168,000 after purchasing an additional 271 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 81.13% of the companys stock.

About Salesforce

(Get Free Report)

Salesforce, Inc provides Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology that brings companies and customers together worldwide. The company's service includes sales to store data, monitor leads and progress, forecast opportunities, gain insights through analytics and relationship intelligence, and deliver quotes, contracts, and invoices; and service that enables companies to deliver trusted and highly personalized customer service and support at scale.

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Foundations Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in WestRock (NYSE:WRK  Free Report) by 3.1% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 14,037 shares of the basic materials companys stock after buying an additional 426 shares during the period. Foundations Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in WestRock were worth $428,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in WRK. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of WestRock by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 30,619,872 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,440,053,000 after purchasing an additional 252,490 shares during the period. Greenhaven Associates Inc. boosted its stake in shares of WestRock by 27.7% during the 1st quarter. Greenhaven Associates Inc. now owns 12,686,720 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $386,564,000 after purchasing an additional 2,752,196 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of WestRock during the 4th quarter worth about $194,739,000. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of WestRock by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,239,813 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $183,904,000 after purchasing an additional 51,127 shares during the period. Finally, Impax Asset Management Group plc boosted its stake in shares of WestRock by 12.1% during the 4th quarter. Impax Asset Management Group plc now owns 5,218,617 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $183,487,000 after purchasing an additional 563,357 shares during the period. 84.54% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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WestRock Stock Performance

NYSE WRK opened at $29.55 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $28.51 and a 200 day moving average price of $31.11. WestRock has a 52 week low of $26.84 and a 52 week high of $43.37.

WestRock Announces Dividend

WestRock ( NYSE:WRK Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The basic materials company reported $0.77 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.51 by $0.26. The firm had revenue of $5.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.23 billion. WestRock had a negative net margin of 5.86% and a positive return on equity of 9.98%. WestRocks revenue was down 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.17 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that WestRock will post 2.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 25th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 11th were paid a dividend of $0.275 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 10th. This represents a $1.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.72%. WestRocks payout ratio is -22.63%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Bank of America raised shares of WestRock from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $38.00 to $40.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price objective on shares of WestRock from $34.00 to $32.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 15th. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of WestRock from $42.00 to $37.00 in a research report on Friday, June 30th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of WestRock in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, Citigroup raised shares of WestRock from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $34.00 to $32.00 in a research report on Monday, March 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, WestRock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $34.00.

WestRock Company Profile

(Free Report)

WestRock Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides fiber-based paper and packaging solutions in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It operates in four segments, Corrugated Packaging, Consumer Packaging, Global Paper, and Distribution. The Corrugated Packaging segment produces containerboards, corrugated sheets, corrugated packaging, and preprinted linerboards to consumer and industrial products manufacturers, and corrugated box manufacturers.

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Zimmermann Investment Management & Planning LLC grew its position in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 25.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 8,904 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,832 shares during the period. Zimmermann Investment Management & Planning LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $363,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Peterson Financial Group Inc. raised its position in Pfizer by 152.9% in the first quarter. Peterson Financial Group Inc. now owns 16,515 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $674,000 after purchasing an additional 9,984 shares during the period. PSI Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 38.9% during the 1st quarter. PSI Advisors LLC now owns 19,009 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $776,000 after buying an additional 5,322 shares during the period. Advisor Resource Council lifted its position in Pfizer by 31.6% during the 1st quarter. Advisor Resource Council now owns 13,841 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $578,000 after acquiring an additional 3,321 shares in the last quarter. Caldwell Sutter Capital Inc. boosted its holdings in Pfizer by 16.9% in the 1st quarter. Caldwell Sutter Capital Inc. now owns 57,757 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $2,356,000 after acquiring an additional 8,329 shares during the period. Finally, Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Pfizer by 1.6% during the first quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC now owns 51,330 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,094,000 after purchasing an additional 811 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.80% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Pfizer

In other Pfizer news, Director Scott Gottlieb bought 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $38.58 per share, for a total transaction of $38,580.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,000 shares in the company, valued at $231,480. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.05% of the companys stock.

Pfizer Stock Performance

Shares of PFE stock opened at $36.01 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The business has a 50 day moving average of $37.90 and a two-hundred day moving average of $41.28. The company has a market cap of $203.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.09, a PEG ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.61. Pfizer Inc. has a 52 week low of $35.35 and a 52 week high of $54.93.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.23 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.00 by $0.23. Pfizer had a return on equity of 37.53% and a net margin of 31.25%. The firm had revenue of $18.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.49 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.62 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 28.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 3.35 EPS for the current year.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.41 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 27th. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.55%. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 32.28%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently weighed in on PFE. UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of Pfizer from $41.00 to $39.00 in a report on Friday, May 5th. StockNews.com downgraded Pfizer from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, June 30th. Daiwa Capital Markets cut Pfizer from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $38.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Thursday, May 11th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Wednesday, May 17th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Pfizer from $50.00 to $44.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 17th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Pfizer has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $46.53.

Pfizer Profile

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report).

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Westwood Wealth Management reduced its holdings in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 9.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,746 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 830 shares during the period. Westwood Wealth Managements holdings in Pfizer were worth $316,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Peterson Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 152.9% during the 1st quarter. Peterson Financial Group Inc. now owns 16,515 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $674,000 after buying an additional 9,984 shares during the period. PSI Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 38.9% during the first quarter. PSI Advisors LLC now owns 19,009 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $776,000 after acquiring an additional 5,322 shares in the last quarter. Advisor Resource Council boosted its position in Pfizer by 31.6% during the first quarter. Advisor Resource Council now owns 13,841 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $578,000 after purchasing an additional 3,321 shares during the last quarter. Caldwell Sutter Capital Inc. grew its stake in Pfizer by 16.9% in the first quarter. Caldwell Sutter Capital Inc. now owns 57,757 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,356,000 after purchasing an additional 8,329 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in Pfizer by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC now owns 51,330 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $2,094,000 after purchasing an additional 811 shares during the last quarter. 67.80% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on Pfizer from $45.00 to $44.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 10th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Pfizer from $50.00 to $44.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 17th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Wednesday, May 17th. Bank of America reduced their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $50.00 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Finally, UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Pfizer from $41.00 to $39.00 in a research report on Friday, May 5th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $46.53.

Pfizer Stock Up 0.9 %

PFE opened at $36.01 on Wednesday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $37.90 and a 200-day moving average of $41.28. The stock has a market capitalization of $203.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.09, a P/E/G ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. Pfizer Inc. has a 1-year low of $35.35 and a 1-year high of $54.93.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.23 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.00 by $0.23. Pfizer had a net margin of 31.25% and a return on equity of 37.53%. The firm had revenue of $18.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.49 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.62 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 28.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 3.35 earnings per share for the current year.

Pfizer Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 5th. Investors of record on Friday, July 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.41 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 27th. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.55%. Pfizers dividend payout ratio is 32.28%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Pfizer

In other news, Director Scott Gottlieb acquired 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The shares were bought at an average price of $38.58 per share, with a total value of $38,580.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 6,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $231,480. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.05% of the companys stock.

Pfizer Profile

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report).

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Investment Management of Virginia LLC lifted its holdings in shares of BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE:BWA  Free Report) by 96.4% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 18,321 shares of the auto parts companys stock after buying an additional 8,991 shares during the quarter. Investment Management of Virginia LLCs holdings in BorgWarner were worth $900,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. TCI Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its stake in BorgWarner by 485.5% in the 4th quarter. TCI Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 767 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 636 shares during the last quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC raised its stake in BorgWarner by 110.1% in the 4th quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 1,000 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 524 shares during the last quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in BorgWarner in the 4th quarter valued at $49,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new position in BorgWarner in the 1st quarter valued at $52,000. Finally, OLD Mission Capital LLC acquired a new position in BorgWarner in the 4th quarter valued at $72,000. 91.84% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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BorgWarner Stock Performance

NYSE BWA opened at $45.57 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $10.68 billion, a PE ratio of 11.14, a P/E/G ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a current ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. BorgWarner Inc. has a twelve month low of $31.14 and a twelve month high of $51.14. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $46.18 and a 200-day simple moving average of $46.53.

BorgWarner Dividend Announcement

BorgWarner ( NYSE:BWA Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The auto parts company reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.13 by ($0.04). BorgWarner had a return on equity of 14.85% and a net margin of 5.97%. The firm had revenue of $4.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.16 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.05 EPS. BorgWarners revenue was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that BorgWarner Inc. will post 4.73 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 1st were paid a dividend of $0.17 per share. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.49%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 31st. BorgWarners payout ratio is 16.63%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have issued reports on BWA. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on BorgWarner from $56.00 to $53.00 in a report on Monday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on BorgWarner from $58.00 to $56.00 in a report on Friday, May 5th. Citigroup dropped their target price on BorgWarner from $53.00 to $50.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 16th. Bank of America upgraded BorgWarner from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the company from $54.00 to $67.00 in a report on Thursday, July 6th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their target price on BorgWarner from $48.00 to $50.00 in a report on Thursday, July 6th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, BorgWarner has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $53.45.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP Stefan Demmerle sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.61, for a total transaction of $238,050.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 177,614 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,456,202.54. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other BorgWarner news, Director Alexis P. Michas sold 7,173 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.45, for a total value of $318,839.85. Following the sale, the director now owns 76,441 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,397,802.45. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Stefan Demmerle sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.61, for a total value of $238,050.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 177,614 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,456,202.54. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 12,383 shares of company stock valued at $566,697. Corporate insiders own 0.45% of the companys stock.

BorgWarner Company Profile

(Free Report)

BorgWarner Inc provides solutions for combustion, hybrid, and electric vehicles worldwide. It offers turbochargers, eBoosters, eTurbos, timing systems, emissions systems, thermal systems, gasoline ignition technology, smart remote actuators, powertrain sensors, canisters, cabin heaters, battery modules and systems, battery packs, battery heaters, and battery charging.

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Investment Management of Virginia LLC increased its stake in shares of CTO Realty Growth, Inc. (NYSE:CTO  Free Report) by 10.4% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 53,181 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 5,009 shares during the quarter. Investment Management of Virginia LLC owned approximately 0.23% of CTO Realty Growth worth $918,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL increased its position in CTO Realty Growth by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 23,410 shares of the companys stock worth $1,553,000 after purchasing an additional 172 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE increased its position in CTO Realty Growth by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 16,442 shares of the companys stock worth $1,090,000 after purchasing an additional 221 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC increased its position in CTO Realty Growth by 9.5% during the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 6,050 shares of the companys stock worth $111,000 after purchasing an additional 524 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its position in CTO Realty Growth by 4.8% during the 4th quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 13,731 shares of the companys stock worth $251,000 after purchasing an additional 623 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. increased its position in CTO Realty Growth by 3.4% during the 4th quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 19,650 shares of the companys stock worth $359,000 after purchasing an additional 639 shares in the last quarter. 63.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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CTO Realty Growth Trading Up 2.3 %

NYSE:CTO opened at $17.63 on Wednesday. The firms fifty day moving average is $16.56 and its 200-day moving average is $17.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 2.58 and a current ratio of 2.58. CTO Realty Growth, Inc. has a 52 week low of $15.70 and a 52 week high of $23.07. The firm has a market cap of $400.22 million, a P/E ratio of -51.85 and a beta of 0.83.

CTO Realty Growth Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 8th were paid a $0.38 dividend. This represents a $1.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.62%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 7th. CTO Realty Growths dividend payout ratio is currently -447.06%.

CTO has been the topic of a number of research reports. Compass Point reduced their target price on shares of CTO Realty Growth from $18.00 to $17.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 27th. StockNews.com raised shares of CTO Realty Growth to a sell rating in a report on Monday, May 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $21.50.

CTO Realty Growth Profile

(Free Report)

CTO Realty Growth, Inc is a publicly traded real estate investment trust that owns and operates a portfolio of high-quality, retail-based properties located primarily in higher growth markets in the United States. CTO also externally manages and owns a meaningful interest in Alpine Income Property Trust, Inc (NYSE: PINE), a publicly traded net lease REIT.

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Arlington Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of General Electric (NYSE:GE  Free Report) by 115.4% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,178 shares of the conglomerates stock after buying an additional 631 shares during the period. Arlington Partners LLCs holdings in General Electric were worth $113,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Addenda Capital Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of General Electric in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. MADDEN SECURITIES Corp purchased a new stake in shares of General Electric in the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Prostatis Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of General Electric in the 4th quarter worth $29,000. TFO TDC LLC purchased a new stake in shares of General Electric in the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Silicon Valley Capital Partners purchased a new stake in shares of General Electric in the 4th quarter worth $31,000. 74.75% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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General Electric Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE:GE opened at $111.22 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. General Electric has a 12 month low of $46.60 and a 12 month high of $111.53. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $104.45 and a 200 day moving average price of $93.19. The company has a market cap of $121.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.50, a PEG ratio of 7.65 and a beta of 1.27.

General Electric Dividend Announcement

General Electric ( NYSE:GE Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The conglomerate reported $0.27 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.13 by $0.14. General Electric had a net margin of 11.85% and a return on equity of 9.45%. The company had revenue of $14.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.46 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.24 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 14.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts predict that General Electric will post 2.02 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 25th. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 11th will be given a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, July 10th. General Electrics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 4.17%.

Insider Transactions at General Electric

In other news, SVP Scott Strazik sold 173,873 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.56, for a total transaction of $17,310,795.88. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 56,049 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,580,238.44. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Scott Strazik sold 173,873 shares of General Electric stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.56, for a total transaction of $17,310,795.88. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 56,049 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,580,238.44. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, major shareholder General Electric Pension Trust acquired 35,160 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 30th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $995.44 per share, for a total transaction of $34,999,670.40. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now owns 175,160 shares of the companys stock, valued at $174,361,270.40. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 239,419 shares of company stock valued at $24,144,151. 0.67% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

GE has been the subject of several analyst reports. Barclays upped their price objective on General Electric from $115.00 to $125.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of General Electric from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $120.00 target price for the company in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of General Electric from $104.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Bank of America upped their target price on shares of General Electric from $108.00 to $120.00 in a report on Thursday, July 6th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of General Electric from $90.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, March 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $109.00.

About General Electric

(Free Report)

General Electric Company operates as a high-tech industrial company in Europe, China, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. It offers gas and steam turbines, full balance of plant, upgrade, and service solutions, as well as data-leveraging software for power generation, industrial, government, and other customers.

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Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Toast, Inc. (NYSE:TOST  Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 36,110 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $641,000.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Slow Capital Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Toast during the 1st quarter worth about $93,000. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale boosted its stake in shares of Toast by 229.6% during the 1st quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 35,278 shares of the companys stock worth $594,000 after purchasing an additional 24,574 shares during the last quarter. McAdam LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Toast during the 1st quarter worth about $915,000. Westbourne Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Toast by 17.0% in the first quarter. Westbourne Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 167,806 shares of the companys stock worth $2,979,000 after acquiring an additional 24,344 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. boosted its position in shares of Toast by 365.0% in the first quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 1,660 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 1,303 shares during the last quarter. 57.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

TOST has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Mizuho raised their target price on shares of Toast from $25.00 to $27.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. KeyCorp decreased their target price on shares of Toast from $26.00 to $24.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Stephens initiated coverage on shares of Toast in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $18.00 target price on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Toast in a research report on Tuesday. They issued a buy rating and a $28.00 target price on the stock. Finally, BTIG Research assumed coverage on shares of Toast in a research report on Thursday, June 15th. They set a neutral rating on the stock. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $23.18.

Insider Transactions at Toast

Toast Stock Performance

In other news, CEO Christopher P. Comparato sold 4,334 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.20, for a total value of $96,214.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 378,001 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,391,622.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . In other news, CEO Christopher P. Comparato sold 4,334 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.20, for a total transaction of $96,214.80. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 378,001 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,391,622.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Also, COO Aman Narang sold 5,495 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.81, for a total transaction of $97,865.95. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 1,734,743 shares of the companys stock, valued at $30,895,772.83. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last quarter, insiders sold 2,683,050 shares of company stock valued at $56,717,789. 13.70% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Shares of Toast stock opened at $23.50 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $12.46 billion, a PE ratio of -36.15 and a beta of 1.75. Toast, Inc. has a 1 year low of $13.54 and a 1 year high of $26.03. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $21.39 and its 200-day simple moving average is $19.88.

Toast (NYSE:TOST  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported ($0.16) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.18) by $0.02. The business had revenue of $819.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $763.11 million. Toast had a negative return on equity of 29.74% and a negative net margin of 11.01%. The businesss revenue was up 53.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted ($0.20) EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Toast, Inc. will post -0.52 earnings per share for the current year.

About Toast

(Free Report)

Toast, Inc operates a cloud-based digital technology platform for the restaurant industry in the United States and Ireland. The company offers Toast POS, a software module that integrates payment processing with point of sale functionality; Toast Invoicing that allows restaurants to send invoices and collect payment; Toast Mobile Order & Pay, which allows guests to scan a QR code to browse the menu, order, and pay from mobile; Kitchen Display System software that connects the house with the kitchen staff; and Multi-Location Management, a tool to manage operations and configure menus across multiple locations and channels.

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Tower Bridge Advisors lessened its stake in shares of Regal Rexnord Co. (NYSE:RRX  Free Report) by 57.1% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,000 shares of the companys stock after selling 4,000 shares during the period. Tower Bridge Advisors holdings in Regal Rexnord were worth $422,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in Regal Rexnord by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 3,479 shares of the companys stock valued at $418,000 after acquiring an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. Toroso Investments LLC grew its stake in Regal Rexnord by 5.5% during the 3rd quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 1,883 shares of the companys stock valued at $264,000 after acquiring an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its stake in Regal Rexnord by 23.3% during the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 608 shares of the companys stock valued at $86,000 after acquiring an additional 115 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its stake in Regal Rexnord by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 36,873 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,424,000 after acquiring an additional 133 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FourThought Financial LLC grew its stake in Regal Rexnord by 53.8% during the 3rd quarter. FourThought Financial LLC now owns 466 shares of the companys stock valued at $65,000 after acquiring an additional 163 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.12% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently commented on RRX shares. StockNews.com started coverage on Regal Rexnord in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on Regal Rexnord from $188.00 to $184.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 28th. Two 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 a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $186.00.

Regal Rexnord Stock Down 1.0 %

Shares of Regal Rexnord stock opened at $148.94 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.79, a PEG ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a quick ratio of 1.69, a current ratio of 2.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $140.75 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $140.18. Regal Rexnord Co. has a 12-month low of $108.82 and a 12-month high of $162.89.

Regal Rexnord (NYSE:RRX  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $2.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.20 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $1.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.24 billion. Regal Rexnord had a return on equity of 10.81% and a net margin of 6.95%. Equities analysts expect that Regal Rexnord Co. will post 10.73 earnings per share for the current year.

Regal Rexnord Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be given a dividend of $0.35 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.94%. Regal Rexnords payout ratio is currently 26.12%.

About Regal Rexnord

(Free Report)

Regal Rexnord Corporation manufactures and sells industrial powertrain solutions, power transmission components, electric motors and electronic controls, air moving products, and specialty electrical components and systems worldwide. It operates in four segments: Commercial Systems, Industrial Systems, Climate Solutions, and Motion Control Solutions.

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Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. raised its holdings in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV  Free Report) by 4.4% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 120,347 shares of the insurance providers stock after buying an additional 5,100 shares during the period. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. owned about 0.05% of Travelers Companies worth $20,629,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc. raised its stake in Travelers Companies by 3.5% in the first quarter. Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc. now owns 13,610 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $2,333,000 after buying an additional 460 shares in the last quarter. Tectonic Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 8.8% during the first quarter. Tectonic Advisors LLC now owns 6,376 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,093,000 after purchasing an additional 517 shares during the last quarter. Schear Investment Advisers LLC grew its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 6.3% during the first quarter. Schear Investment Advisers LLC now owns 1,459 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $250,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 1.2% during the first quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 8,167 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,400,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Busey Wealth Management grew its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 3.8% during the first quarter. Busey Wealth Management now owns 4,748 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $814,000 after purchasing an additional 173 shares during the last quarter. 81.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Travelers Companies Price Performance

Shares of TRV opened at $172.28 on Wednesday. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $149.65 and a twelve month high of $194.51. The stocks 50 day moving average is $176.03 and its two-hundred day moving average is $179.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $39.79 billion, a PE ratio of 14.69, a P/E/G ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a current ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32.

Travelers Companies Increases Dividend

Travelers Companies ( NYSE:TRV Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 19th. The insurance provider reported $4.11 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 company had revenue of $9.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.98 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $4.22 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 14.1 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 9th were given a dividend of $1.00 per share. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.32%. This is an increase from Travelers Companiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.93. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 8th. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 34.10%.

Travelers Companies declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, April 19th that allows the company to repurchase $5.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the insurance provider to repurchase up to 12.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

TRV has been the topic of several research reports. StockNews.com lowered Travelers Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, June 19th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Travelers Companies in a report on Tuesday, June 20th. They set an equal weight rating and a $185.00 price objective on the stock. Barclays raised their price objective on Travelers Companies from $179.00 to $185.00 in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on Travelers Companies from $208.00 to $176.00 in a report on Thursday, July 6th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Travelers Companies from $185.00 to $194.00 in a report on Thursday, July 6th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $194.31.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 10,246 shares of Travelers Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $182.85, for a total transaction of $1,873,481.10. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,080 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,574,528. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related 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 transaction of $1,873,481.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,080 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,574,528. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 37,316 shares of Travelers Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.08, for a total value of $6,682,549.28. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 11,703 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,095,773.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 59,134 shares of company stock worth $10,617,466. Company insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock.

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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MOGADISHU, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is hosting former political leaders starting Wednesday for a three-day consultative meeting aimed at discussing political and security challenges facing the country.

The presidency said the meeting bringing together senior government officials including former prime ministers, presidents, and speakers will enable President Mohamud to share achievements, challenges, and future plans of the government.

"The president will hear the insights of former leaders on security, counter-terrorism, completion of the constitution review, and democratization," the presidency said Tuesday evening.

The consultative meeting came as government forces have sustained their attacks against the terrorist group al-Shabab since President Mohamud declared an all-out war against the militants in 2022.

The president has also vowed that the military operations to flush out al-Shabab militants from their strongholds will be intensified to stop extortion of the Somali people and the spread of propaganda, intimidation, and extremism in Somalia.

The talks also came after an agreement between the government and the federal member states was reached in May providing for the introduction of direct universal suffrage from 2024 and the transition to a presidential system.

During the May 28 meeting, the leaders agreed that one-person-one-vote elections will take place once every five years and a 15-member national election and border committee will be formed to manage all local, regional, and federal elections.

The agreement, which must be approved by Parliament, was reached at the end of a four-day meeting of the National Consultative Forum which brought together President Mohamud, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, and the leaders of the federated states.

Said Abdullahi Deni, the president of Puntland, however, was not present to sign the agreement.

Analysts say the main focus of the three-day consultative meeting is to address the contentious electoral system and seek possible solutions. 
Rukssana Saide, Mozambican entrepreneur of Dream Agro Business, is interviewed with Xinhua in Maputo, Mozambique, on July 11, 2023. Rukssana Saide founded Dream Agro Business seven years ago to help local farmers tap the agricultural potential of the land in Niassa Province, in northern Mozambique. (Photo by Israel Zefanias/Xinhua)

MAPUTO, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Rukssana Saide founded Dream Agro Business seven years ago to help local farmers tap the agricultural potential of the land in Niassa Province, in northern Mozambique.

The company is called "Dream," because it is her dream to develop communities through agricultural business, and eventually make energy accessible to everyone, Saide told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Saide's attendance at the third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) in Changsha, the capital of central China's Hunan Province, has inspired her to grow her business, and her dream, further.

"The trip exceeded my expectations. I met many partners, and I was impressed by China's strong infrastructure, even in rural areas," she said, recalling her experience in China for the CAETE, which was held from June 29 to July 2.

At the expo, Saide clinched a tentative agreement to export sesame to China, at an initial volume of about 3,000 tons a year.

Currently, Dream Agro Business, in collaboration with community farmers, produces cereals, grains, soybeans, and sesame, for the domestic market, and exports oilseeds to foreign markets, such as the United Arab Emirates, and in the future, to China, she said.

The firm also plans to build storage spaces for harvested products, to facilitate sustainable and competitive trade, Saide said.

"During the event, I got in touch with a Chinese company that is interested in making investments here, setting up solar panels to supply energy to the irrigation installations in the production fields," she said.

Dream Agro Business has an area of 830 hectares for crops; it also purchases products from local farmers with poor access to roads and telecommunication services. Niassa is the largest and poorest province in Mozambique.

The firm is also dedicated to helping local women, especially young graduates in search of jobs. Of 30 employees in her company, 15 are women, Saide said.

"We also provide technical training and agricultural inputs such as seeds," she said. 
ENTEBBE, Uganda, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday started his two-day state visit to Uganda where he will hold meetings with his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni and also address a business forum.

President Raisi was received by Museveni at State House Entebbe, 40 km south of Kampala, the capital of Uganda, where he was given a 21-gun salute.

"The purpose of the visit is to strengthen the excellent bilateral relations between the Republic of Uganda and the Islamic Republic of Iran," a statement by the Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said here Wednesday.

Uganda is President Raisi's second stop after visiting neighboring Kenya on his African tour that will also take him to Zimbabwe.

This is the first trip to Africa by an Iranian president in the past 11 years, according to a report by the Iranian official news agency IRNA.

The tour is aimed at improving political and trade cooperation with the three African states and diversifying Iran's export destinations, the IRNA said. 
North Korea conducted a missile test with its longest ever flight time off its east coast on Wednesday, as leaders of South Korea and Japan were set to meet on the sidelines of a NATO summit to discuss threats including the nuclear-armed North.

The launch came after heated complaints from North Korea in recent days, accusing American spy planes of violating airspace in its economic zones, condemning a recent visit to South Korea by an American nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine, and promising to take steps in reaction.

The missile flew for 74 minutes to an altitude of 6,000 km and range of 1,000 km, Japans chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matusno said, in what would be the longest ever flight time for a North Korean missile.

In April North Korea test fired its first ever solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), one of around a dozen missile tests this year. Analysts believe the Norths ICBMs can fly far enough to strike targets anywhere in the United States, and the country likely has developed nuclear warheads that can fit on rockets.

Japans Coast Guard said what was believed to be a ballistic missile appeared to have landed as of mid-morning. It had earlier predicted the projectile would fall outside Japans EEZ and around 550 km (340 miles) east of the Korean peninsula.

Reuters Graphics Reuters Graphics

Leif-Eric Easley, an international studies professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said North Koreas recent bellicose statements against U.S. surveillance aircraft was part of a pattern of inflating external threats to rally domestic support and justify weapons tests.

Pyongyang also times its shows of force to disrupt what it perceives as diplomatic coordination against it, in this case, South Korea and Japans leaders meeting during the NATO summit.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, in Lithuania to attend the NATO summit, convened an emergency national security council meeting to discuss the launch and vowed to use the summit to call for strong international solidarity to confront such threats.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is also in Lithuania, ordered his staff to gather information and stay alert to prepare for unpredicted events, according to the prime ministers office.

Kishida and Yoon are expected to meet on Wednesday, and Matsuno said a summit was also planned with South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

We will respond in close cooperation with the international community, Matsuno told a news conference.

He said the launch threatened the peace and stability both of the region and the international community, and that Japan had lodged a protest through diplomatic channels in Beijing.

FLURRY OF ACTIVITY

The United States top general met with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts for a rare trilateral meeting in Hawaii just before the missile launch.

With a wary eye on North Koreas military moves and other rising challenges in the region, Yoon has moved to repair frayed ties with Japan and reduce historical disputes that have limited cooperation between the two U.S. allies.

In addition to its missile tests, the North failed in an attempt to launch its first-ever spy satellite on a new launch vehicle. United Nations Security Council resolutions ban North Koreas use of ballistic missile technology, including for satellite launches.

The Security Council, as well as a number of nations, have imposed sanction on North Korea for its missile and nuclear weapons programmes.

Source: Reuters
SYDNEY, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The police in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) said on Wednesday that a 22-year-old man has been charged after a multi-vehicle collision in Sydney's inner west injured five others overnight.

At about 6:50 p.m. local time on Tuesday, emergency services were called to Liverpool Road, Strathfield, after receiving reports about a six-car crash.

Paramedics treated five men, aged 28, 24, 30, 41 and 28, on scene before they were taken to hospitals in a stable condition.

A 22-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to a police station. He was charged with driving conveyance taken without consent of owner, failing to stop and render assistance, five counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct in charge of motor vehicle, and possessing prohibited drug.

NSW Police Force established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances of the incident, with inquiries continuing. 
Serious breaches of animal welfare shown in a shocking RTE documentary on Monday night have been criticised by farm leaders and politicians.

Undercover filming by RTE captured breaches of animal welfare.

Over a number of weeks RTE Investigates filmed at several Irish marts, including Cahir, and saw some handlers treat young calves capably and with respect.

But others showed a blatant disregard for animal welfare.

The shocking documentary showed examples of slapping, striking and kicking of animals, all prohibited by law, as well as throwing them mid-air which is regarded as a serious breach of animal welfare.

Following the screening of the documentary the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue condemned the abuse of animals exposed by RTE Investigates.

The Minister said the issues raised would be vigorously pursued by a Department of Agriculture investigation which was already under way.

I strongly condemn the shocking practices we saw on RTE Investigates. They were certainly not reflective of the work that farmers put into managing their farm enterprises responsibly. Farmers care for their animals and would never want to see them mistreated.

The footage shown by RTE represents the actions of a few. What we saw was utterly unacceptable, and in some instances, was unlawful, said Minister McConalogue.

The President of the ICMSA, Pat McCormack, said that in common with every other viewer, he and his members found the issues and footage addressed in the programme to be disturbing and disappointing.

Mr McCormack said that the clear laws and regulations set out around the question of animal welfare must be enforced and sanctions  up to and including prosecution  must follow where clear evidence was present.

He said that a clear chain of responsibility and regulation existed and following that chain brought a person quickly and decisively to the body within whose remit fell all aspects of animal welfare: the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Mr McCormack said that ICMSA and farmers in general rejected categorically any suggestion that this kind of abuse was widespread or a norm. He said that the welfare and health of their stock was the standard by which farmers rated and judged each other and he appealed for those both reporting the story and responding to the issues raised, to address the specific wrongdoing and wrongdoers, and not to go their usual route, where a vast majority was made pay for the abuse perpetrated by the few.

The disturbing practices highlighted by RTE were also condemned by Macra na Feirme.

What was shown throughout the programme is truly disturbing. As farmers we care for our animals and we never want to see them mistreated as depicted in the RTE investigates show, said Macra National President Elaine Houlihan.

Since 2019, we as an organisation have been calling on the government for supports around the use of sexed semen in the dairy herd to incentivise more viable breeding practices. In our Pre Budget submission for budget 2024 we are calling on the government once again for further action around sexed semen, she added.

The Macra spokesperson welcomed the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marines announcement that they will be conducting a full investigation into the breaches highlighted around animal welfare.

Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher has said he is disgusted and dismayed at the incidents of animal abuse in RTE Investigates programme. The vast majority of livestock farmers and transporters in Ireland care for and look after their animals. They, like me, will be disgusted at what they saw in this TV programme, he said.

MARTS STATEMENT

The following statement was issued by Cork Marts on Tuesday:

The board and management of Cork Marts met this morning (Tuesday) following on from the RTE Prime Time programme of 10th July.

 We are very disappointed at the behaviour towards calves shown in the footage from our marts featured on this programme.

These actions shown are certainly not acceptable and cannot be defended. It is contrary to our Animal Welfare Policy.

We are very disappointed that this has happened, even if it is the exception rather than the norm.

We handle approximately 70,000 calves for sale during the short calf season from February to May. We have designated separate calf sale days at some of our centres in order to provide better accommodation and afford more attention to the calves.

Our staff undergo animal welfare and handling training as part of their induction and every three years thereafter. Mishandling or mistreatment of livestock, particularly of calves, is certainly not acceptable and is not in anyones interest.

We will fully co-operate with the Department of Agriculture & Food investigation as announced yesterday. We will review the clips shown and address these issues with all staff. While it is not exactly clear from the footage, we will try to determine the dates and times of the incidents shown and identify the staff and third parties involved.

There will have to be a full review of calf handling operations. All staff will have to undergo further animal welfare handling training and we will take all actions deemed necessary to protect the welfare of the animals presented to us for

sale, concluded the statement.
[July 12, 2023] Astound Broadband expands mobile service powered by T-Mobile's 5G network Tweet

Astound Broadband (Astound), the sixth-largest U.S. cable provider, powered by leading regional providers RCN, Grande Communications (Grande), Wave Broadband (Wave) and enTouch Systems (enTouch), is expanding its new Astound Mobile service, powered by T-Mobile, America's 5G leader, to additional Astound markets. Known for its award-winning customer service, Astound is making its mobile offering available to customers in approximately 4 million homes currently passed by the company across 12 states. This month, the service will now be exclusively available to Astound home internet customers who are eligible residents in: New York City and surrounding markets

Pennsylvania markets of Lehigh Valley, Luzerne and Delaware County

Chicago IL, Evansville IN and surrounding markets

Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia and surrounding markets

Texas areas of Austin, San Antonio, San Marcos, Houston, Dallas and Brownwood

California, Oregon, and Washington markets In June, Astound Mobile had announced its availability to customers in Massachusetts and Corpus Christi, Midland-Odessa, Temple, and Waco Texas. The company plans to launch Astound Mobile Business later this year. "Astound's ongoing journey into the wireless market comes at a time when it is more critical than ever for our customers to have fast, reliable, and high-value broadband and mobile services," said Jim Holanda, Astound CE. "Through our relationship with T-Mobile, we are continuing to bring exceptional choice, value, and competitive, award-winning services that customers need to stay connected."



"Astound has a collective commitment to serving customers with innovative technologies and award-winning customer service in the regional broadband marketplace. By choosing the T-Mobile nationwide network, Astound will further their commitment by creating custom applications that benefit their customers beyond their home or business on T-Mobile's nationwide 5G network," said Dan Thygesen, Senior Vice President of T-Mobile Wholesale and head of T-Mobile's growing wholesale business. Astound's mobile product leverages the nation's largest, fastest and most awarded 5G network through T-Mobile and offers a variety of plans that when bundled with Astound's ultra-fast, award-winning internet service, customers will have access to savings and competitive offerings. Astound offers two "pay by the gig" plans and two unlimited talk and text plans. Customers can choose a plan whereby they only pay for the data they need or they can expand to an unlimited plan with data allotted to each user. Customers can stream, browse, talk and text with confidence knowing Astound Mobile runs on T-Mobile's powerful network with 5G service in all 50 states.

For more information, visit astound.com/mobile. About Astound Broadband Astound Broadband (astound.com) is the sixth largest cable operator in the U.S., providing award-winning high-speed internet, broadband communications solutions, TV, phone services, and fiber optic solutions for residential and business customers across the United States. Astound Broadband is comprised of organizations formerly known as RCN, Grande Communications, Wave Broadband, and enTouch. The company services Chicago, Indiana, Eastern Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York City, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Texas, and regions throughout California, Oregon, and Washington. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712097108/en/

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[July 11, 2023] Unveiling the Potential: Wrapped Pepe and the Evolution of Memecoins Tweet

TOAD SUCK, AR, July 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the ever-changing world of cryptocurrency, new trends and opportunities constantly emerge. Enter Wrapped Pepe, the latest addition to the Pepe coin saga. Building upon the success of its predecessors, Pepe and Pepe 2.0, Wrapped Pepe has arrived as a game-changer in the memecoin realm. In this article, we explore the immense potential of this innovative cryptocurrency while drawing on the triumphs of its predecessors. Before diving into the exciting realm of Wrapped Pepe, let's take a moment to acknowledge the influential path paved by Pepe and Pepe 2.0. The original Pepe coin gained remarkable popularity, captivating the cryptocurrency community with its unique approach. Building upon this momentum, Pepe 2.0 emerged, captivating investors and enthusiasts alike with its community-oriented vision. These two coins laid the groundwork for the next evolution - Wrapped Pepe. With the meta shifting, Wrapped Pepe has become the new face of the Pepe coin franchise. This innovative token introduces a new paradigm, leveraging the concept of tokenization and blockchain technology to create a novel trading experience. Wrapped Pepe represents a tokenized version of the original meme coin, offering seamless exchange and trading possibilities across decentralized platforms. Wrapped Pepe's potential is vast, and its emergence signifies the growing significance of memecoins within the cryptocurrency ecosystem. By capitalizing on the successes of Pepe and Pepe 2.0, Wrapped Pepe aims to take the memecoin phenomenon to new heights. With a supply of 420,690,000 coins and zero tax, Wrapped Pepe presents exciting opportunities for traders and meme enthusiasts alike. One key aspect that sets Wrapped Pepe apart is its community-driven approach. Just like its predecessors, the project actively encourages community involvement, giving users a voice and fostering a strong sense of beloning. This inclusive strategy strengthens the bond between the project and its supporters, creating a vibrant ecosystem driven by collaboration, innovation, and shared goals.



Wrapped Pepe benefits from the expertise and commitment of its development teams. With a wealth of experience in blockchain technology and a thorough understanding of the memecoin landscape, these teams ensure the seamless operation and continuous improvement of the project. This foundation instills confidence in investors, laying the groundwork for long-term viability and growth. Wrapped Pepe represents a significant leap forward in the world of memecoins, building upon the success of its predecessors, Pepe and Pepe 2.0. This new token showcases the evolution of the Pepe coin franchise and the ever-growing potential of memecoins as a whole. With its innovative approach, community involvement, and experienced development teams, Wrapped Pepe is poised to make a substantial impact in the cryptocurrency market. As the memecoin phenomenon continues to captivate investors, Wrapped Pepe stands out as a promising opportunity. However, prudent research and informed decision-making are essential when venturing into the dynamic and volatile world of cryptocurrency investment.







Token Information

Chain: Ethereum

Supple : 420.69 MILLION Starting Price: $0.0000330211767 Starting Market Cap: $13,891.68

Contract: 0xb2fd1e0478dbf61772996bcce8a2f1151eeeda37

Chart: https://www.dextools.io/app/en/ether/pair-explorer/0xd10b1aa3a49cc06f65c723f14ea0e43edda3102f

Website: https://wrappedpepe.vip/

Telegram: https://t.me/wrappedpepeportal

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrappedpepe

Poloniex Trading: https://poloniex.com/trade/WPEPE_USDT?type=spot

Lbank Trading: https://www.lbank.com/en-US/trade/wpepe_usdt/ Disclaimer: The information provided in this release is not investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is recommended that you practice due diligence (including consultation with a professional financial advisor) before investing or trading securities and cryptocurrency.

Tom Ato Contact at wrappedpepe.vip

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[July 11, 2023] Federman & Sherwood Investigates HCA Healthcare for Data Breach Tweet

The law firm of Federman & Sherwood has initiated an investigation into HCA Healthcare with respect to their recent data breach. HCA Healthcare notified approximately 11 million patients in 20 states that the company experienced a data breach after an unauthorized party accessed sensitive consumer data entrusted to the company. According to HCA Healthcare, they determined that information stored on their servers was subject to unauthorized access prior to July 5, 2023, shortly after a posting was made on an online forum. While the investigation is still ongoing, HCA Healthcare believes that the information exposed in the data breach includes: names, addresses, email addesses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, gender, patient service dates, locations and next appointment date. They state they do not believe medical information, financial information, driver's license or social security numbers are involved, but the investigation is still ongoing.



If you wish to discuss this action, obtain further information, and/or participate in this litigation, please contact Lacrista A. Bagley either by email at [email protected] or visit our firm's website www.federmanlaw.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230711294709/en/

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[July 11, 2023] Climate Tech Leader XNRGY Appoints Yves Leduc as Co-President and Chief Operating Officer Tweet

A proven business leader with experience in manufacturing, strategy and operations to oversee XNRGY's rapid growth MONTREAL, July 11, 2023 /CNW/ - XNRGY Climate Systems ("XNRGY"), headquartered in St-Hubert, Quebec, a pioneer in the design and manufacturing of energy efficient commercial HVAC systems, announced today that Yves Leduc has joined as Co-President and Chief Operating Officer (COO). He will report to Wais Jalali, the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of XNRGY, and will focus on rapidly scaling up the organization to meet the explosive growth in demand. Mr. Leduc will lead the company's overall business and strategic expansion and hence have executive oversight responsibility for its global operations, product and technology development, sales and marketing, as well as line and staff functions. XNRGY aims to become one of the largest providers of climate solutions products in the industry. Led by industry pioneers with decades of combined working experience, XNRGY is on a mission to reduce the carbon footprint of commercial buildings. XNRGY's high-performance HVAC systems are designed to increase energy efficiency, reduce energy costs, and provide superior indoor air quality to mission critical customers such as hospitals, clean rooms, educational institutions, and data centers. Mr. Leduc is a transformative business leader with over 25 years of deep experience in strategic, manufacturing, brand marketing, new product development, and operational roles. He has successfully led global industrial manufacturing businesses across multiple sectors through various stages of growth, with a marked expertise in bringing industrial technologies to market, developing robust supply chains and sales channels, scaling production capacity, implementing lean enterprise models, and ensuring efficient and effective uses of capital. Mr. Jalali said, "We are very happy to welcome Yves to the XNRGY team. He fits very well within the company's DNA in regards to achieving our clients goals and expectations. I am xtremely impressed with Yves' foresight and execution methodology not to mention his work ethic. He will no doubt take XNRGY to the next level.



Mr. Leduc said, "I am honored to join XNRGY, already a leader in the energy transition. What Wais and Sham Ahmed, co-president, and our employees have achieved in barely over a year is nothing short of amazing, as we are already experiencing impressive growth. Building on this strong foundation, we will devote ourselves to rapidly expanding every aspect of our organization while creating a participating culture for our employees, investors and communities. Climate action underpins everything we do and servicing our customers will be at the center of our focus. This is an inspiring mission because we have the opportunity to use the gift of XNRGY's talents and innovations towards making the world greener, kinder and more sustainable." Mr. Leduc joins XNRGY from Idealist Capital, where he serves as Partner. Idealist Capital is an investment management firm focused on investing private growth capital with entrepreneurs to accelerate the energy transition and decarbonization. XNRGY recently announced the close of a substantial growth capital raise co-led by Idealist Capital.

Prior to that, he served as CEO of Velan Inc. from 2017 to 2022, starting with the company as President in 2015. Velan Inc. is a world-leading manufacturer of industrial valves with sales of $489 million in its last reported fiscal year. The Company employs over 2,000 people and has manufacturing plants in 10 countries. Prior to joining Velan, Mr. Leduc was at BRP Inc. for 16 years, where he initially held the role of VP Strategic Planning and eventually led the engine manufacturing division in Austria before returning to Canada as general manager of BRP's North America division, which then had sales exceeding $2 billion. Mr. Leduc previously held various roles with Bombardier and McKinsey & Company, having begun his professional career as a litigating attorney at Stikeman Elliott. Mr. Leduc has been a member of TC Transcontinental's board of directors since 2017. TC Transcontinental, a leader in flexible packaging in North America, and Canada's largest printer. The Corporation is also the leading Canadian French-language educational publishing group. From Quebec, Mr. Leduc, also serves on the board of Orford Music, a 70-year-old not-for-profit music academy in Quebec. Mr. Leduc holds an LLB from the University of Montreal and a Master of Laws from Columbia University School of Law. About XNRGY Climate Systems

XNRGY is a privately held climate technology company that designs, engineers, and manufactures sophisticated, sustainable innovative solutions focused on reducing carbon footprint, water usage and energy consumption. Its headquarters and first manufacturing plant, a facility of xxx square feet which will double in size in the next year, are in St-Hubert, Quebec, near Montreal. Key products include large custom refrigeration and chilled water air handling units, vertical and horizontal CRAC and CRAH units up to 600 kW, clean room systems, energy recovery systems, low dewpoint EV manufacturing units, and factory installed turnkey controls platform. XNRGY uses BIM/CFD to prevent transient performance failures in mission-critical facilities. XNRGY looks at iso vectors and pressure distribution to design the most efficient systems for clients. This contributes to lower KW while delivering the maximum air to the buildings as well as adding to LEED and NET ZERO initiatives (Paris Climate Accord). To learn more about XNRGY, visit www.xnrgy.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/climate-tech-leader-xnrgy-appoints-yves-leduc-as-co-president-and-chief-operating-officer-301875065.html SOURCE XNRGY Climate Systems ULC

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[July 12, 2023] Unidef Launches Ground-breaking Initiative To Assist Crypto Investors Who Have Lost Money Due To Centralized Platforms' Malfeasance Tweet

Unidef, an organization dedicated to decentralized future, has launched a groundbreaking initiative to support creditors of crypto companies that disabled client accounts or otherwise denied them access to their assets. Unidef's initiative aims to assist the crypto community in asset recovery, and help creditors file for damages due to account disablement or asset denial. BANGALORE, India, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In an unprecedented move, Unidef ( unidef.org ), a global organization committed to decentralized empowerment, is launching an initiative to stand with the crypto community impacted by centralized companies' recent controversial financial activities. This initiative comes in the wake of recent bankruptcy filings and allegations of offshore fund transfers without client approval, coupled with account disabling, leaving numerous clients in a state of uncertainty regarding their asset recovery. Unidef's mission is to accelerate the world's transition to a decentralized future that empowers all to take full control of their finances, identity, and data. Beyond this, Unidef champions an ethical crypto industry and acknowledges its social responsibility to offer support to those globally impacted by unethical crypto companies. In the light of recent bankruptcy filings of cryptocurrency entities, Unidef has stepped forward to lead an initiative to protect the interests of affected clients. The initiative aims to help clients recover their assets and navigate the process of filing for damages due to account disablement or asset denial by the crypto companies. It specifically targets those creditors whose accounts have been disabled since 2017. Azim Ghader , Global CEO of Unidef, shared his personal experience:

"I had a notably challenging experience with one centralized crypto-exchange company as they disabled my account without clarification. As a result, the value of my assets, once exceeding 50 Million USD, plummeted to below 300K USD. It's astonishing that when regulatory bodies like the OFAC, FinCen or SEC target these types of centralized exchanges, many in the crypto community still support them." Unidef is aware that many users have been denied refunds by one or more crypto-exchange companies and their officers, and this initiative aims to rectify this situation. By doing so, Unidef hopes to protect the welfare of the crypto community and reinforce the transformative potential of decentralized assets and cypto.



As part of the initiative, Unidef will provide guidance on the process of filing for damages and recovering assets. Unidef believes that decentralized assets and crypto will fundamentally redefine the financial system, the Internet, and monetary structure, ensuring everyone's ability to control their finances, data, and identity. Azim Ghader stated, "We need to unite and support those impacted by these centralized entities' actions. It's not just about asset recovery or damages, but a strong stand for the decentralized future we advocate for."

Unidef's mission is to facilitate the world's shift to a decentralized future, empowering individuals to take complete control of their finances, identity, and data. As we have observed, centralized platforms can disable accounts, leading to significant losses due to the volatile nature of crypto assets. We look forward to sharing further developments and improvements in this endeavor, as Unidef continues to stand up for the rights and interests of those affected by such actions. This initiative is a major step forward in ensuring a fair and ethical crypto industry, and we are proud to be part of this important effort. Call to Action For those affected or for anyone with evidence of damage caused by centralized platforms or its operators, please reach out to us at [email protected] . We urge the public to contribute to the initiative's development, and we will provide updates as soon as possible. We believe in the power of decentralization, particularly in light of entities disabling client accounts, potentially resulting in significant financial loss. Decentralized assets and cryptocurrency will fundamentally change the Internet, the financial system, and money itself. About Unidef Unidef is a global network of organizations working to accelerate the world's transition to a decentralized future. It invests in and supports communities and builders of next-generation technologies, incubates creative ideas in the Web3 space, and provides institutional support and organizational backing. For more information and updates, visit www.unidef.org and follow @UnidefGlobal on Twitter , Telegram, Instagram , Threads , Facebook and YouTube . Disclaimer: This press release is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as an endorsement, recommendation, or solicitation of any services or offerings. Unidef does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. The information provided herein is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consult with professional advisors for advice applicable to your specific circumstances. Any reference to past performance is not indicative of future results. Unidef assumes no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any inconsistency herein. Any slights of people, places, or organizations are unintentional. All information provided is on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. Participation in the initiative is at your own risk. Unidef will not be held liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damage or loss arising out of the use of this information. This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from expectations discussed in such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the challenges of procuring, operating and constructing necessary services and solutions; the impact of the current economic climate; legal, regulatory and legislative changes; and other factors beyond Unidef's control. The data and non-Unidef names are for informational and identification purposes only. All non-English versions of resources are translations of the original in English and are for informational purposes only. Unidef does not guarantee the recovery of any assets or the success of any legal actions it takes. Contact:

Global Communications

Unidef Global

[email protected]

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[July 12, 2023] Honeywell and Resorts World Sentosa join forces to reduce carbon impact and energy use at Singapore's premier tourist destination Tweet

SINGAPORE, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --Honeywell today announced a collaboration with Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) to implement Singapore's first large-scale, cloud-based building management system (BMS) to help drive decarbonization efforts, reduce energy consumption and streamline workflows. The new system will equip RWS, a 49-hectare resort that features world-class attractions and luxury hotels, with smarter control of its building systems using dynamic energy optimization, fault-detection diagnostics and predictive maintenance. These Honeywell technologies are designed to reduce utility and operational costs, detect, and minimize energy waste, and improve occupant comfort and well-being  all while streamlining RWS's compliance with Singapore's stringent environmental regulations. Honeywell and RWS will also jointly develop the property's centralized command centre into an open-architecture showcase to encourage industrywide adoption of these system-agnostic solutions. "Honeywell is pleased to have Resorts World Sentosa join us in shaping the future of building management systems," said Yadav Sharad, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Building Technologies ASEAN. "We commend RWS not only for adopting the latest building management technology but also for stepping forward to commission an open showcase that demonstrates the advantages of collaborative learning  a significant milestone in that it freely shares our insights and best practices to help advance th adoption of smart technology and connectivity across the industry."



Honeywell's smart dynamic energy optimization will autonomously adjust settings in real time to achieve up to 4GWh of energy savings annually for RWS equivalent to the consumption of over 880 four-room high-density building flats while still maintaining comfortable temperatures for guests in Singapore's tropical climate. The company's fault-detection diagnostics and predictive maintenance solutions will maintain 24/7 surveillance of building systems, analyzing large amounts of data to provide real-time, automated troubleshooting and operational insights on energy consumption trends. Honeywell will also integrate RWS's building management system with lifts, escalators, lighting, and fire detection systems to deliver comprehensive oversight of the resort's building operations. This will include installation of IoT-connected sensors that will track and reduce these components' energy consumption.

About Honeywell Building Technologies Honeywell Building Technologies (HBT) is transforming the way every building operates to help improve the quality of life. We are a leading building controls company with operations in more than 75 countries supported by a global channel partner network. Commercial building owners and operators use our hardware, software, and analytics to help create safe, efficient and productive facilities. Our solutions and services are used in more than 10 million buildings worldwide. About Honeywell Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) delivers industry-specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/honeywell-and-resorts-world-sentosa-join-forces-to-reduce-carbon-impact-and-energy-use-at-singapores-premier-tourist-destination-301875178.html SOURCE Honeywell

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by Ali Jaswal

LAHORE, Pakistan, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Thanks to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Pakistan is now slowly moving from imported fuels to local fuel for power generation and from outdated technology to new Chinese technology, a Pakistani minister told Xinhua.

"This shift is happening and Chinese companies are much more visible now. They are bringing their technology, their management to Pakistan, and they are teaching Pakistani engineers and workers," Pakistan's Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir Khan said in a recent interview at a power transmission project under the CPEC.

The deeper penetration of Chinese companies into the energy sector is one of the major positive developments that have happened in the country as a result of CPEC, Khan said.

Highlighting the prospects of the transmission network, he said that 660kV Matiari-Lahore high-voltage direct current transmission project under the CPEC is the most advanced transmission project in Pakistan's history.

The project, being the only transmission project under CPEC, was crucial for Pakistan as it connects the country's south to the north and vice versa, he said.

This is now one of the principal backbones of Pakistan's national transmission line, he told Xinhua, noting that it has been operational for over 1,000 days without any issue, which is also a testament to the Chinese and Pakistani engineers who work here and who have done so well in very challenging circumstances.

Regarding the 10th anniversary of CPEC this year, the minister said China supported Pakistan in 2013 when no Western country was willing to invest.

By the end of 2022, CPEC has brought 25.4 billion U.S. dollars in direct investment to Pakistan and has created about 236,000 jobs for the country, the Chinese embassy revealed in its recent data. 
[July 12, 2023] 73 Strings Announces Series A Funding Led by Blackstone and Fidelity International Strategic Ventures Tweet

73 Strings, the pioneering provider of valuation and portfolio monitoring solutions for the private capital industry, has completed its Series A funding round. The investment was led by Blackstone Innovations Investments, Blackstone's early-stage strategic investment arm, and Fidelity International Strategic Ventures ("FISV"), with participation from Broadhaven Ventures. 73 Strings is trusted by some of the world's largest multi-strategy alternative investment firms across North America, Europe, and the Middle East with a client base that spans pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, limited partners (LPs), and general partners (GPs), including Eurazeo in France (35B AUM), and Sofina in Belgium (9B+ AUM). Today, the company's platform is leveraged by clients with a combined AUM of over $2 trillion across Private Equity, Growth Equity, Venture Capital, and Private Credit strategies. 73 Strings will use the capital to continue to invest in building the product, engineering, and go-to-market teams. "In a complex and volatile environment, it's increasingly critical to alternatve asset managers and their investors to deliver fast, frequent, and efficient valuations. This process is critical to keeping stakeholders well-informed. We're enabling our customers to extract more information, intelligence, and value out of the portfolio monitoring and valuations process. We are thrilled to have the support of prestigious investors including Blackstone, FISV, and Broadhaven Ventures," said Yann Magnan, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at 73 Strings.



"With this funding, we are well-positioned to continue providing best-in-class technology solutions to the private capital industry. Our diverse skill sets and global footprint enable us to deliver products that shape the future of the industry," said Abhishek Pandey, co-founder of 73 Strings. The rapid growth and complexity of the alternatives industry increasingly requires scalable middle-office technology that can support the rise in the number of private investments within LP and GP portfolios. 73 Strings allows funds to move away from error-prone spreadsheets into a scalable software solution that streamlines the collection of portfolio company data and allows users to run automated valuations processes for private assets. The company's integrated solution introduces efficiency, better risk management, and enhanced quality control to the portfolio monitoring and valuations processes.

"Blackstone knows firsthand that the growth of the alternatives industry and the innovation around new investment products requires scalable technology solutions. Valuations and portfolio monitoring are two of the most critical workflows in the private capital industry, and we believe there is a significant opportunity to introduce automation and efficiency into these areas. We're thrilled to partner with Yann, Abhishek, and the 73 Strings team to further the platform's growth and product development," said Stevi Petrelli, Head of Blackstone Innovations Investments. "Software has not kept pace with the dramatic increase in demand for private assets over the last decade. With 73 Strings' unique combination of technology and private assets expertise, managers can scale efficiently and transform the drudgery of manual data entry into automated digital workflows. Digitizing private assets operations will unlock productivity, transparency, and ultimately enable greater liquidity. We are excited to partner with the team and support their mission to transform the alternative investment industry," said Alokik Advani, Managing Partner, FISV. About 73 Strings 73 Strings is a modern, integrated and holistic data collection, monitoring and valuation platform powering the private capital industry. The company has developed a next generation AI-powered platform to assist alternative investment funds in streamlining their middle-office processes. The platform enables funds to collect and seamlessly structure portfolio company data, monitor these companies and estimate their fair value at the click of a button. 73 Strings supports clients globally across multiple strategies including Private Equity, Growth Equity, Venture Capital and Private Credit. Since inception, 73 Strings has added clients with combined assets under management of more than USD 2 trillion. The company is headquartered in Paris and has a global presence across New York, London, Paris, Toronto, and Bengaluru to support its growing customer base. The current leadership of 73 Strings has extensive professional expertise in private assets and the team is supported by a global network of highly seasoned advisors with a combined 300+ years of financial advisory and private markets experience. For more information, please visit 73strings.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712170673/en/

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[July 12, 2023] CGTN: China, Solomon Islands ink comprehensive strategic partnership to upgrade ties Tweet

BEIJING, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- China and the Solomon Islands announced the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership featuring "mutual respect and common development for a new era," in a move to upgrade bilateral ties during the Pacific nation leader's visit to Beijing. Since the two countries established diplomatic relations, their friendly cooperation has become a pacesetter for the relations between China and other island countries in the Pacific in spite of a relatively late start, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday afternoon while meeting Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare. The Solomon Islands established diplomatic relations with China in 2019 after cutting ties with the Taiwan region, officially recognizing the one-China principle alongside over 180 countries across the world. Thriving cooperation projects Cooperation between the two sides is a paradigm of unity, cooperation and common development for countries of different sizes, and for developing countries, Xi said. "China is ready to enhance strategic communication and deepen cooperation in various fields with the Solomon Islands to ensure the steady progress of the bilateral ties and bring more benefits to the two peoples," Xi said. China is the Pacific nation's largest trading partner with the total volume standing at $498 million in 2022, according to official numbers. Exports from the Solomon Islands to China take up two thirds of the country's total exports. The Chinese president added that the country is willing to ensure development and long-term stability of the island country, and is ready to share the development opportunities brought by Chinese modernization,strengthen synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Solomon Islands' Development Strategy 2035, expand practical cooperation in various fields, and expand imports from the Solomon Islands.



"China is supporting more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the Solomon Islands, and will continue to provide economic and technical assistance to the country without any political strings attached," Xi said. He urged the two sides to expand friendly exchanges in fields like medical care and education, and said that China supports the Solomon Islands in hosting the 17th Pacific Games. 'Respect sovereignty of each other'

During their talks, Xi stressed that China fully respects the sovereignty and independence of Pacific island countries, and upholds the equality of all countries, big or small. China fully respects the will of Pacific island countries and pursues extensive consultation, joint contribution, shared benefits and win-win results. China fully respects the cultural traditions of Pacific island countries, and adheres to harmony in diversity and shared beauty of diverse cultures. China fully respects the unity and self-reliance of Pacific island countries, and supports them in implementing the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, contributing to the building of a peaceful, harmonious, secure, inclusive and prosperous Blue Pacific, Xi said. He also greatly appreciates the Solomon Islands' firm adherence to the one-China principle, supports the Solomon Islands in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and development interests, and supports the development path that the country itself has chosen. China is committed to running its own affairs well, and will always be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of the international order, Xi noted. China understands that island countries in the Pacific face severe challenges caused by climate change, and stands ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with them in such areas as meteorological services, disaster prevention and mitigation, and clean energy to help them implement the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Xi said. He also said that China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Solomon Islands, uphold genuine multilateralism, safeguard international fairness and justice, jointly oppose the Cold War mentality and hegemonism, and safeguard peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Noting that the decision to establish diplomatic relations with China was a correct choice, Sogavare said fruitful outcomes have been achieved in bilateral ties and China has become the Solomon Islands' largest infrastructure partner and a reliable development partner. The Solomon Islands firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with China, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in trade, investment, cultural and sub-national areas, and jointly respond to global challenges such as climate change, Sogavare said, adding that the country opposes any actions that contain or aim to contain China's development. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-07-10/Xi-meets-with-Solomon-Islands-PM-Manasseh-Sogavare-1lkcndnfqiA/index.html YT link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkAMlIa-4tQ SOURCE CGTN

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[July 12, 2023] Top 30 Most Valuable Southeast Asian Brands worth a combined $119.6 billion, according to new Kantar BrandZ ranking Tweet

Singapore is home to 10 brands in the Top 30 Kantar BrandZ SEA ranking

Financial Services and Telecom Providers dominate inaugural Kantar BrandZ ranking

Region's brands are among the world's most trusted and relevant to consumers' lives SINGAPORE, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Top 30 most valuable Southeast Asian brands  covering Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore  have a combined total brand value of $119.6bn, according to the inaugural Kantar BrandZ Top 30 Most Valuable Southeast Asian Brands report . Singapore is home to 10 brands in the Southeast Asian brand ranking, the highest number among the six markets, and contributes 35% of the total value. Singapore's most valuable brand is the highly digital and purpose-driven bank DBS (No.2; $11.8bn), which focuses on responsible banking and creating social impact. It helps its customers to 'Live more, bank less' with a stress-free user experience.







Top 10 Singapore Brands - Kantar BrandZ Top 10 Most Valuable Southeast Asian Brands 2023

SG Rank

2023 SEA Rank

2023 Brand Valuation Category Brand Value 2023

(USD mil) 1 2 DBS Financial Services 11,755 2 4 UOB Financial Services 7,180 3 8 Shopee Retail 4,593 4 9 Marina Bay Sands Travel Services 4,433 5 11 Singapore Airlines Travel Services 2,848 6 12 Lazada Retail 2,706 7 14 Singtel Telecom Providers 2,543 8 16 OCBC Financial Services 2,312 9 17 POSB Financial Services 2,278 10 29 Tiger Alcohol 1,292

Jane Ng, General Manager, Singapore, Kantar, comments, "Singapore's most valuable brands have a strong local identity, and telling culturally relevant stories that demonstrate their role in consumers' lives, coupled with an international outlook, will be key to growth. Delivering outstanding quality and innovation, standing out from the crowd, stretching into new categories, and creating superior experiences are all potential winning strategies. We see businesses that continue to invest in their brands through disruption outperform in the market." Together, Financial Services and Telecom Providers contribute two-thirds of all the brands in the ranking, and 79% of its value. Indonesia's Bank Central Asia (BCA) is the most valuable brand in Southeast Asia, worth $23.5bn, followed by DBS at No.2 and BRI at No.3. BCA is one of 11 banks in the Top 30, and one of five in the Top 10. Its dominance reflects that it has a single, unified customer-facing brand that consumers find exceptionally salient and relevant. The next most represented category is Telecom Providers, with nine brands accounting for around one-fifth of the Top 30's total value. Next is Retail, with 8% of the total value, and Travel Services with 6%. Local focus, global opportunity. In contrast to the strongest brands in most other markets surveyed by Kantar BrandZ, the leading Southeast Asian brands generate almost all their business 'at home,' with only 20% generated in international markets. This highlights an opportunity for them to expand into new territories to build value. High demand power. Through creating powerful connections with local consumers, Southeast Asian brands have the highest Demand Power, compared with other markets with a Kantar BrandZ ranking. Demand Power is a Kantar BrandZ measure of a brand's ability to drive consumers' predisposition to buy, and Southeast brands with the highest Demand Power have twice the average value, compared with lower performers on this measure. Driven by value. Brands in Southeast Asia excel at justifying the prices they charge, by demonstrating why they are 'worth it'. Despite budget constraints, consumers are willing to pay more for brands that meet their needs and stand out from the competition. Singapore Airlines' (No.11; $2.9bn) commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and exceptional customer service supports its ability to charge a premium. Katie McClintock, Managing Director, Southeast Asia, Kantar, says, "Our region's leading brands have good reason to celebrate. They contribute significant value to the companies behind them, by connecting with consumers and adapting to their changing needs. In such a fast-changing, diverse, and rapidly growing region, brands need to be agile  and the Top 30 are masters of remaining relevant. There is huge potential for significant further growth if they can extend their local strengths into other Asian and even global markets." Other trends from the Kantar BrandZ Top 30 Most Valuable Southeast Asian brands analysis include: Southeast Asia's brands are the second most trusted in the world. The most deeply trusted brands grow with pace and consistency, especially in uncertain times. Indomie (No.15; $2.4bn ) leads the field in the Top 30, generating trust through offering familiar tastes that have been loved for generations.

The most deeply trusted brands grow with pace and consistency, especially in uncertain times. (No.15; ) leads the field in the Top 30, generating trust through offering familiar tastes that have been loved for generations. Relevance builds demand. The brands that consumers perceive as 'fitting well into everyday life' have almost doubled the Demand Power of their least relevant peers. Malaysia's Grab platform (No.19; $2.0bn ) is seen as most relevant. The brand offers a comprehensive range of services that make it the go-to choice for daily needs  including GrabCar, GrabFood, and the GrabExpress courier service.

The brands that consumers perceive as 'fitting well into everyday life' have almost the Demand Power of their least relevant peers. platform (No.19; ) is seen as most relevant. The brand offers a comprehensive range of services that make it the go-to choice for daily needs  including GrabCar, GrabFood, and the GrabExpress courier service. Sustainability is a value driver. Consumers expect businesses to play a leading role in tackling environmental and social issues and helping them to make sustainable choices. Few brands in Southeast Asia are perceived as having outstanding sustainability credentials, meaning there is a strong first-mover advantage to be won. The inaugural Kantar BrandZ Top 30 Most Valuable Southeast Asian Brands ranking, report and extensive analysis are available now at http://www.kantar.com/campaigns/brandz/southeast-asia NOTES TO EDITORS About Kantar BrandZ: Kantar BrandZ is the global currency when assessing brand value, quantifying the contribution of brands to business' financial performance. Kantar's annual global and local brand valuation rankings combine rigorously analysed financial data, with extensive brand equity research. Since 1998, BrandZ has shared brand-building insights with business leaders based on interviews with 4.2 million consumers, for 21,000 brands in 54 markets. Discover more about Kantar BrandZ here . The Kantar BrandZ Top 30 Most Valuable Southeast Asian Brands is the most definitive and robust ranking of the region's brands available. The 2023 ranking draws on opinions of over 98,048 respondents, about 1,744 unique brands across 78 categories and 6 markets. The brands ranked must meet at least one of these eligibility criteria: The brand must have originated in Indonesia , Singapore , Philippines , Thailand , Vietnam , or Malaysia

, , , , , or The brand must be owned by a listed company, and the company must publish its financial statements in the public domain

Unicorn companies must have their latest valuation available in the public domain

For banks, a minimum of 30 percent of its operating income must be generated by its retail segment

The scope of the ranking is limited to consumer facing brands. About Kantar  Kantar is the world's leading marketing data and analytics business and an indispensable brand partner to the world's top companies. We combine the most meaningful attitudinal and behavioural data with deep expertise and advanced analytics to uncover how people think and act. We help clients understand what has happened and why and how to shape the marketing strategies that shape their future. Find out more: www.kantar.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/top-30-most-valuable-southeast-asian-brands-worth-a-combined-119-6-billion-according-to-new-kantar-brandz-ranking-301875105.html SOURCE Kantar

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[July 12, 2023] Hundreds of Boys & Girls Clubs Teens Visit Capitol Hill, Urge Congress to Include Youth Voices in Policies that Impact Their Futures Tweet

Today, over 400 advocates from Boys & Girls Clubs across the nation, including 250 youth, are assembled in Washington, D.C. to amplify the critical needs of America's kids and teens. As part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Summit for America's Youth-an annual gathering providing Clubs teens with advocacy training and opportunities-the youth are visiting Capitol Hill to meet with their members of Congress and amplify the issues that matter to them most. With today's young people facing an unprecedented number of obstacles to their success and wellbeing-from the lingering effects of the pandemic, and social issues to concerns about the environment and economic uncertainty-The Summit for America's Youth is Boys & Girls Clubs of America's premier event to equip them with the tools they need to make their voices heard. From July 10-13, attendees are receiving in-depth advocacy training and resources, networking opportunities with peers and key leaders, and the chance to showcase their local advocacy projects. "Our nation's young people know that they don't have to wait until they grow up to make a difference," said Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "At The Summit for America's Youth, we're raising the level of discourse for young people, equipping them to not only join but lead conversations that elevate their issues in our nation's halls of power. Building these critical skills is just one of the ways Clubs are nurturing the leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers that will lead us into the future." In addition to meetings on Capitol Hill, the Summit features keynote addresses from U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education, Cindy Marten, U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), Congressman Maxwell Frost (D-FL), AmeriCorps CEO and Boys & Girls Clubs of America Alumni Hall of Fame inductee Michael Smith, and fellow Inductee Lt.Gen. Leslie Smith. It also hosts attendees representing philanthropy and government, as well as Boys & Girls Clubs members, alumni, and corporate partners.



During the event, Boys & Girls Clubs of America is also pleased to announce a new partnership with the Smithsonian Institution. The collaboration aims to provide the more than 3.6 million kids and teens who attend Boys & Girls Clubs with increased access to relevant and meaningful educational content. Centering topics that matter to today's youth, like social justice, civic engagement, environmental awareness and more, the partnership will come to life through co-created experiences, opportunities to connect with experts, and access to the Smithsonian's extensive educational resources. "At its core, the Smithsonian is a place to cultivate curiosity, especially in young people who will shape the future," said Lonnie Bunch, Secretary of the Smithsonian. "I am excited to be partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, an organization I have always admired for giving children a space to lean into their curiosity and learn in community. Together we will bring the Smithsonian to communities who might not otherwise visit our museums and ignite the wonder of learning for young people across the country."

The 2023 Summit for America's Youth is made possible through ongoing partnerships like our presenting sponsor, Family Dollar, which supports Boys & Girls Clubs of America's "Think, Learn, Create Change" (TLC) platform. Designed to empower Boys & Girls Club members to become change agents for critical issues, the TLC model enables youth to create and implement their own local advocacy change projects. Additional event partners include Dove Self-Esteem Project, The Hershey Company, KPMG, NASCAR, and NFL's "Inspire Change" initiative, as well as generous individual supporters. To learn more about The Summit for America's Youth, visit say.bgca.org About Boys & Girls Clubs of America For over 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. More than 5,000 Clubs serve 3.6 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712923953/en/

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[July 12, 2023] Emerging Markets Report: Thirty-Seven Thousand Reasons Tweet

An Emerging Markets Sponsored Commentary ORLANDO, Fla., July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a previous edition of the Emerging Markets Report we brought to your proverbial attention a Company cutting a path in the burgeoning, explosive, vastly diverse Artificial Intelligence industry. Today, we give you thirty-seven thousand reasons to keep watching for that moment of powerful inertia, of seminal movement of triumph born anew. And we are definitely not there yet. But see a recent release from Anonymous Intelligence Company Inc. (CSE: ANON) (OTC: ANICF) (FRANKFURT: 1JI0), a leading, computational intelligence, decentralized network and data technology company, focused on leveraging its proprietary suite of AI & privacy enabled products to empower increased confidence in technology for consumers and business alike, speaks more than a little to the magnitude of a moment. Anonymous Intelligence Company Announces Beta Launch Date of Turminal.ai, Mobile Alpha, New Website and over 37,000 Signups to Waitlist While the tech behind Turminal.ai is the potential big deal here, whats caught our eye is that 37,000 sign-up number. When we published the last Emerging Markets Report on Anonymous Intelligence Company mid-June, that number was 17,000 on the waitlist. Now, its more than doubled. For a beta test. From a start-up. See where were going? And this interest should really not be that much of a surprise when much of Turminal.ais business model is at the enthralling intersectio of privacy and AI, all mixed with a fair portion of ChatGPT.



Look, its not the same as a company posting three straight quarters of quarter over quarter revenue gains (ultimate revenue is an important metric) and this isnt some blockbuster deal with a Fortune 500 company whose products are on the shelves at Best Buy. But its something to watch. A reason to stay tuned. An indication of interest.

Growing interest at that. In a massive, rapidly changing industry that often rewards innovation in real time. And we should hardly ignore in the moment that the quickly arriving beta launch can be, especially with 37,000 souls awaiting the roll-out. The Company will find out quite a bit about itself in those moments. For us, all of this screams Stay tuned! with such near-term catalysts to win or lose the binary proposition of an important period in the months ahead. We will be right there with 37,000+ other interested parties waiting to see whats next and what it means for this highly novel company. About The Emerging Markets Report: The Emerging Markets Report is owned and operated by Emerging Markets Consulting (EMC), a syndicate of investor relations consultants representing decades of experience. Our network consists of stockbrokers, investment bankers, fund managers, and institutions that actively seek opportunities in the micro and small-cap equity markets. For more informative reports such as this, please sign up at https://emergingmarketsconsulting.com/alerts/ Section 17(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 requires that any person that uses the mails to publish, give publicity to, or circulate any publication or communication that describes a security in return for consideration received or to be received directly or indirectly from an issuer, underwriter, or dealer, must fully disclose the type of consideration (i.e. cash, free trading stock, restricted stock, stock options, stock warrants) and the specific amount of the consideration. In connection therewith, EMC has received the following compensation and/or has an agreement to receive in the future certain compensation, as described below. Must Read OTC Markets/SEC policy on stock promotion and investor protection https://www.otcmarkets.com/learn/policy-on-stock-promotion

https://www.otcmarkets.com/learn/investor-protection

https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2017-79

https://www.sec.gov/oiea/investor-alerts-bulletins/ia_promotions.html EMC has been paid $220,000 by Anonymous Intelligence Company Inc. for various marketing services including this report. EMC does not independently verify any of the content linked-to from this editorial. Please read our full disclaimer. Emerging Markets Consulting, LLC

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[July 12, 2023] NIBAV Home Lifts Accelerates Growth with Opening of New Office in Ottawa Tweet

In-home elevators that transform quality of life in every home  allowing homeowners to embrace sustainable, eco-friendly mobility solutions OTTAWA, ON, July 12, 2023 /CNW/ - NIBAV Lifts, a leading provider of innovative mobility solutions, is thrilled to announce the official launch of NIBAV Lifts in Ottawa. This strategic expansion into Ottawa's thriving market for home lifts reinforces NIBAV's dedication to improving the lives of individuals with mobility challenges and its ongoing commitment to making a positive impact and enhancing accessibility for all. "Over the past few years, we have witnessed a rising demand for in-home mobility solutions and a notable increase in project activities, which naturally drove us to establish our new office in Ottawa," said Vimal Babu, CEO and Founder of NIBAV Home Lifts. "Our unwavering dedication lies in improving the overall quality of life for our customers and solidifying NIBAV Lifts as a trusted partner within the Canadian market." NIBAV Home Lifts are designed to offer a seamless and convenient solution for vertical mobility within homes. With a strong focus on safety and energy efficiency, these lifts adhere to the highest safety standards and feature state-of-the-art Air technology, ensuring a smooth and seure ride for customers. The innovative design of NIBAV Lifts strikes a perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics, seamlessly integrating into the home environment.



Situated at 442 Hazeldean Rd in Ottawa, the new location offers a prime opportunity for NIBAV to strengthen its brand presence and support the company's growth strategy. As one of Canada's fastest growing cities, Ottawa enjoys numerous geographical advantages which represent significant opportunities for economic growth in the region. Vimal further added, "As we continue to expand, our mission is to empower individuals to move seamlessly and affordably within the comfort of their own homes, using mobility solutions that are eco-friendly, affordable, and convenient."

The establishment of the Ottawa office marks the second milestone for NIBAV Lifts in Canada, with future plans already in motion to open additional offices in North America. By creating a network of offices across the country, NIBAV aims to meet the evolving needs of communities and provide enhanced service across Canada. The company's highly skilled team of engineers and technicians work diligently to provide tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of each customer. By maintaining a customer-centric approach, NIBAV Lifts ensures a seamless experience from the initial consultation and design stages to installation and ongoing maintenance. For businesses, homeowners, realtors, architects, contractors, and accessibility advocates seeking reliable partnerships, NIBAV invites you to connect with their expert team to explore the possibilities. By combining their expertise with industry-leading solutions and an unparalleled commitment to customer satisfaction, NIBAV Lifts is determined to become the top choice for home lift solutions in Canada. About NIBAV Lifts: NIBAV Home Lifts are the manufacturer of TUV-certified, EU-compliant home lifts. Ushering in a new era of integrating home lift technology via their air-driven home lifts, NIBAV's home lifts are recognized for their affordability, energy efficiency, unbreakable exteriors, self-supported structure and wheelchair compatibility. NIBAV has four state-of-the-art manufacturing units and two R&D centers in Chennai, India. Spanning a global network of 44 experience centers with a presence in India, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Mexico, Canada, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, UAE, South Africa and Switzerland, NIBAV is poised to become a global leader in the home lifts industry. For more information, please visit www.nibavlifts.ca . SOURCE NIBAV Lifts

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[July 12, 2023] Legendary Animator Bill Plympton to Appear at Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology's August Event at OMSI Tweet

PORTLAND, Ore., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation and Technology (PFCAT) is pleased to announce that legendary director and animator Bill Plympton will be in attendance at the 2023 Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology on August 4th at 8pm. This special event will be held at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry's (OMSI) Empirical Theater. Admission to this special event is $25 and includes the screening, presentation and reception at Theory Restaurant. After the screening and presentation, Plympton will sign autographs and offer complimentary sketches to audience members. Tickets are available at https://omsi.edu/events/portland-festival-of-cinema-animation-and-technology/. Often called the "King of Indie Animation," Mr. Plympton will be presenting a special retrospective screening of some of his favorite past works as well as clips from "Slide," his newest animated feature, which is about a mythical cowboy who appears in a corrupt logging town in the 1940's. This animated western is set in Plympton's home state of Oregon and marks his 9th animated feature film. Mr. Plympton grew up on the Clackamas River and attended Oreon City High School and Portland State University, where his cartoon work was first published. After moving to NYC in 1969, he continued to do work for Willamette Weekly and The Oregonian.



Twice nominated for an Oscar for his animated short Your Face (1988) and Guard Dog (2004) and the winner of the Prix Special du Jury at the Cannes Film Festival for Push Comes to Shove (1991), Bill Plympton's animation style is unmistakable and iconic. Other career highlights include directing and animating numerous music videos including "Weird Al' Yankovic, 8 The Simpson's Couch Gags and over 40 animated shorts. The Academy Film Archive currently holds a collection of over 180 Plympton items. The Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation and Technology will be taking place at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) from August 3rd  6th and will include screenings of 119 films including 110 World or Regional Premieres from 22 countries, as well as panel discussions, parties, and presentations. The festival will feature 68 animated projects ranging from stop-motion and rotoscope to hand drawn animation, 3D animation as well as a range of features, documentaries, sci-fi shorts and projects that feature a focus on VFX and the use of cutting-edge technology. The complete schedule of screenings and special events can be found at www.pdxfestofcinema.com.

About The Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology (PFCAT) Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology presents visionary and diverse works from filmmakers and animators. In 2022, the festival rebranded from its previous name, The International Festival of Cinema and Technology. Past festivals include more than 30 events in eight U.S. cities, three Australian cities, as well as numerous events in Toronto, Paris, Sydney, and more. More information can be found at www.pdxfestofcinema.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/legendary-animator-bill-plympton-to-appear-at-portland-festival-of-cinema-animation--technologys-august-event-at-omsi-301875264.html SOURCE Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology

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[July 12, 2023] VICTORINOX NORTH AMERICA ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PROMOTIONS Tweet

VICTORINOX CONTINUES TO LEAD ACROSS CATEGORIES: SWISS ARMY KNIVES, KITCHEN KNIVES, EPICUREAN AND TRAVEL GEAR MONROE, Conn., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Victorinox, maker of the original Swiss Army Knife, announced strategic promotions in North America: Melissa Goodrich Director for Swiss Army Knives, Margaret Gregory Director for Kitchen Knives & Epicurean, and Brigid Dunphy Director for Travel Gear. In their respective roles, each will lead and expand a sales team across the United States and Canada and will report to Ulrich Wohn, President of Victorinox North America. "As we continue to grow across categories in the United States and Canada, we are thrilled to announce these dynamic leaders with a proven track record of success, who will continue to nurture and strengthen new business and lead the way for our trusted retail partners towards even greater profitability," stated Ulrich Wohn. Melissa Goodrich has been a key member of Victorinox's sales team for nearly a decade and will bring a wealth of knowledge to The Swiss Army Knife category. The enduring Swiss icon, wich stands for quality, functionality, innovation and iconic design, celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2022 and remains on permanent display at the Museum of Modern Art as the "design that shaped our world" by Architectural Digest second only to the iPhone.



Margaret Gregory will take on responsibilities as Director for both Kitchen Knives and Epicurean, a brand of Victorinox, in the United States in addition to her current purview overseeing sales for Canada. Victorinox Kitchen Knives are favorites among professional and home chefs, who want high-quality, multifaceted cutlery that meet the highest design standards and are ergonomic, easy to manage and easy to clean. The Epicurean brand, which has set the standard for today's well-equipped kitchen with premier cutting boards and essential kitchen utensils, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Epicurean continues to expand, going beyond cutting boards and kitchen utensils this year and introducing a minimalist collection of kitchen countertop accessories. With Victorinox for over 8 years, Brigid Dunphy will now lead the Travel Gear business within North America. She brings a deep expertise in buying and merchandising across categories, including luggage, furniture and housewares, following her nearly 15 years at luxury retailers like Bloomingdales.

CONTACT FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES Taryn Gentile

Public Relations Manager

[email protected] / +1 203 944 2380 ABOUT VICTORINOX Victorinox AG is a worldwide operating family business, which today is run in the fourth generation. The headquarter of the company is located in Ibach, canton Schwyz, in the heart of Switzerland. This is where the founder of the company Karl Elsener I set up his cutlery business back in 1884 and, a few years later, designed the legendary Original Swiss Army Knife. Meanwhile, the company produces not only the world-famous pocket knives, but also high-quality household and professional knives, watches, travel gear and fragrances. In 2005, the company took over Wenger SA in Delemont. The Wenger pocket knives were integrated into the Victorinox range in 2013, so that the Wenger product portfolio today consists of watches and travel gear. Products are available online, in own stores as well as via a widespread network of subsidiaries and distributors in more than 120 countries. In 2022, the company with its more than 2 200 employees generated sales of CHF 426 million. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/victorinox-north-america-announces-strategic-promotions-301875512.html SOURCE Victorinox

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[July 12, 2023] United Nations-Internet Governance Forum Establishes a Blockchain Standards Group Tweet

NEW YORK, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via CryptoCurrencyWire -- The establishment of the Dynamic Coalition on Blockchain Assurance and Standardization (UN-IGF), hosted and supported by the Government Blockchain Association (GBA),has been approved by the Secretariat of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

Each year the United Nations convenes a meeting of the IGF, a global multi-stakeholder platform that facilitates the discussion of public policy issues pertaining to the Internet. The IGF is comprised of Dynamic Coalitions that perform inter-sessional work throughout the year to provide analysis on specific digital topics and implement recommendations from the annual IGF meetings. This year, the UN-IGF has approved a proposal to establish a Dynamic Coalition for Blockchain Standards and Assurance led by Mr. Dino Cataldo DellAccio, Chief Information Officer, UN Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF), and Mr. Gerard Dache, Executive Director, Government Blockchain Association (GBA). The group will be developing general and industry specific blockchain standards for domains including: Artiicial Intelligence

Communication Infrastructure (i.e., accessibility and security)







Digital Identity



Economic Development and Investments



Environmental Stewardship



Public Services (i.e., voting, finance, health care, education)



Supply Chain. A combination of monthly and weekly meetings will be scheduled throughout the year for each domain of work. The dynamic coalition will submit proposals for workshops and panel discussions at the annual IGF meetings, including the preparation of an annual report of its activities and results. Members of the group have already begun piloting blockchain standards. The Blockchain Maturity Model is being used by organizations as a road map to develop trusted blockchain solutions, as well as a validation that blockchain solutions meet industry best practices. The working group will publish the results of its efforts. This includes publishing the standardization and assurance criteria, best practices, and results of the pilot projects. The publication of the results will help to promote the use of blockchain technology and to ensure that blockchain systems are of high quality and interoperable.

About the UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF):

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is a global multistakeholder platform that facilitates the discussion of public policy issues pertaining to the Internet. It includes a set of Dynamic Coalitions on various topics including the Dynamic Coalition on Blockchain Assurance and Standardization hosted by the Government Blockchain Association. About the Government Blockchain Association

The Government Blockchain Association (GBA) is an international nonprofit association focused on promoting blockchain technology adoption by governments and public sector organizations. The GBA facilitates knowledge sharing, collaboration, and best practices in the field of government blockchain implementation. MEDIA CONTACT:

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[July 12, 2023] Alsym Energy: Fires in Warwick, NY Highlight Dangers of Lithium-Ion Storage in Urban Centers Tweet

Alsym Energy, a developer of next-generation rechargeable batteries, joined the Warwick, New York, Village Board in questioning the circumstances that led to two concurrent fires at Convergent Energy battery storage facilities, one of which is located on a public school campus. While the fires did not lead to any injuries thanks to the rapid response of the Warwick Fire Department, this incident only highlights the dangers of the lithium-ion batteries, which are both flammable and prone to releasing toxic chemicals in a fire. "The two lithium-ion battery fires in Warwick, NY are indicative of several critical issues facing the energy storage sector," says Mukesh Chatter, CEO of Alsym Energy. "Even though battery companies claim that the lower-energy lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries used in both installations are safer than higher energy options, these incidents show that they can still atch fire and threaten the health and safety of people living and working nearby. A flammable battery technology, combined with insufficient first responder training and a puzzling choice of site, could have been a recipe for disaster. Luckily school was not in session and no one was hurt, but if the fire on the school campus had happened a month earlier, the situation could have been much different.



"We agree with Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton that municipalities should take more time to evaluate safety protocols specific to lithium-ion storage systems, and would also encourage communities to reevaluate zoning and permitting requirements to prevent these facilities from being sited near schools, parks, and other places where large numbers of people congregate. We also find Fire Chief Contaxis's statement that he received minimal training on these systems to be concerning, and suggest that local leaders take time to learn about newer non-flammable, non-lithium storage options that can serve similar needs with a lower risk factor." About Alsym Energy

Alsym Energy has developed an innovative low-cost, high-performance rechargeable battery chemistry that's free of lithium and cobalt, and ideal for applications such as stationary storage, maritime shipping, and electric vehicles. By using readily available, inherently non-toxic and non-flammable battery materials, Alsym is working to deliver wide-duration storage with performance comparable to lithium ion at a much lower cost, helping to speed the pace of decarbonization globally. The company is based in Woburn, Massachusetts. To learn more, please visit www.alsym.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712037244/en/

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CANBERRA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The quality of education offered at Australian universities is affected by long-term underfunding, a report has found.

The report, published on Wednesday by leading think tank the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work, found 83 percent of Australians are concerned that universities are prioritizing profits over education standards and almost three quarters are concerned about falling government funding per student.

According to the report, federal funding for public universities has fallen from 0.9 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 1995 to 0.6 percent in 2021, a difference of 6.5 billion Australian dollars (4.3 billion U.S. dollars).

In Australia, student fees accounted for 51 percent of university funding, more than double the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average of 22.3 percent.

The share of university revenue from private sources in 2019 hit an all-time high of 43 percent.

"The long-term underfunding of universities inevitably undermines the quality of instruction, the quality of university jobs and the quality of a university degree," Jim Stanford, director of the Centre for Future Work, was quoted by the Guardian Australia.

"Our polling results show Australians know it."

Two thirds of respondents to the survey said it costs too much to attend university in Australia and 68 percent said they were concerned about larger class sizes.

"Universities do everything they can to cut back on expenses. From casualizing the workforce to larger class sizes to cutbacks in resources and supplementary materials," Stanford said.

"Imagine learning about cutting-edge science or health from people who are hired on a month-to-month basis. This isn't going to equip graduates with the comprehensive and thorough education they need." 
[July 12, 2023] Covenant Health and Urgent Care Group Form Partnership to Provide Urgent Care Services in Knoxville and East Tennessee Tweet

Covenant Health and Urgent Care Group (UCG) announced a newly-formed joint venture, Covenant Health Urgent Care. This strategic partnership supports both organizations' commitment to providing fast, friendly, and affordable healthcare in East Tennessee. Covenant Health Urgent Care centers will offer on-demand, convenient care from 8 am to 8 pm, 7 days per week. Each location will be fully equipped with onsite X-ray imaging, lab services, COVID-19 testing, and illness and injury care. "Covenant Health's strategy continues to focus on providing the right care at the right time and place for the people of our region, and the focus to expand convenient care is another investment to that end," said Jim VanderSteeg, Covenant Health's President and CEO. "We are committed to being a trusted, valued health partner, which is why Covenant Health is entering the Urgent Care space." "Urgent Care Group looks forward to collaborating with Covenant Health to provide convenient and affordable urgent care services to East Tennessee, 7 days per week," said David Maloney, CEO. "We are pleased to expand the delivery of high-quality urgent care to our home state of Tennessee." The first Covenant Health Urgent Care center will be located in Covenant Health South, a newly constructed, free-standing medical facility in South Knoxville, located at the corner of Chapman Highway and Mountain Grove Drive at 7625 Chapman Highway, Suite 107, Knoxville, TN 37920. In addition to urgent care, the Covenant Health South campus includes primary care, cardiology, women's health, imaging, rehabilitation, and other specialties.



About Covenant Health Covenant Health is a Tennessee-based healthcare enterprise committed to providing the right care at the right time and place. As a not-for-profit health system, we are dedicated to being the region's premier healthcare network through service, community, and innovation. We provide patient-centered care that inspires clinical and service excellence and strive to be the first and best choice for our patients, employees, physicians, employers, volunteers, and communities. Covenant Health is the area's largest employer and has more than 11,000 compassionate caregivers, expert clinicians, and dedicated employees and volunteers. Learn more at CovenantHealth.com.

About Urgent Care Group Urgent Care Group's (UCG) Mission is to provide fast, friendly, and affordable healthcare in every community. Based in Nashville, UCG was founded in 2017 to create the leading urgent care company. Urgent Care Group partners with premier health systems and excellent providers committed to expanding access to high-quality healthcare. The UCG network provided care for more than 900,000 patients in the last year. With the addition of the Covenant Health partnership, the UCG network now includes 55 centers operating as five brands: Covenant Health Urgent Care in East Tennessee, Health Choice Urgent Care in partnership with Northside Hospital in Georgia, Medac Urgent Care in North Carolina, MEDcare Urgent Care in South Carolina, and Total Access Urgent Care in Missouri. For more information, visit: UrgentCareGroup.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230711798497/en/

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[July 12, 2023] On the Edge of What's Next: Cleantech Leaders Announce Partnership in Momentum X Venture Studio Tweet

Two powerhouses of cleantech finance announced today the launch of an innovative venture studio that will develop and launch new companies that accelerate the global shift to clean energy and transportation. Skyview Ventures-based in Greenwich, Connecticut-and Build Momentum-headquartered in Sacramento, California-have joined forces to fund and launch Momentum X, a venture studio that expands upon their corporate legacies of deploying financial solutions that drive innovation. "Momentum X builds scalable platforms at the intersection of clean technology and financial technology," said Momentum X founder and CEO Shawn Garvey, a serial entrepreneur and cleantech innovator who has helped design more than $10 billion in clean technology initiatives. "We're all about breaking open access to the public and private capital that businesses and consumers require to finance their transition to zero-emission and carbon-friendly solutions." Amidst the action and excitement of GreenFin 2023 in Boston-one of the largest convenings of finance, investment and sustainability leaders in the world-Momentum X also welcomed Jason Prince to the team. "Jason's career has been at the intersection of energy finance, markets and innovation," said Garvey. "His outstanding leadership at Third Derivative-Rocky Mountain Institute's successful climate technology accelerator-where he helped support 125 startups that successfully raised over $850M-brings powerful capabilities to this team."



"As a business committed to creating and launching new companies, Momentum X enjoys a unique set of unfair advantages," said Prince. "Our team is able to draw upon an unparalleled breadth and depth of experience to exploit opportunities that our founding partners identify in their day-to-day work." "We're also able to leverage non-dilutive capital to develop minimal viable products, substantially reducing risk and obviating the need to fundraise for early-stage concepts. Finally, our solutions are developed for engaged customers to address demonstrated problems they're facing," he explained.

Originally begun as a skunkworks for new ideas inside Momentum, Momentum X has already spun-out two successful companies: e-Mission Control, a Series B-stage company that designs and manages electricity consumption data products and services for on- and off-road electric vehicle fleet operators. Founded in 2020, this start-up already serves 350 corporate customers and manages over 40,000 pieces of zero-emission equipment in 1,100 facilities along the west coast and Canada; and OpenGrants, a powerful AI platform that organizes $500B in funding made available by 1,500 international, federal, state and private grantmaking agencies that has attracted over 12,000 institutional and retail customers since 2020. Momentum X announced that it will be launching its next startup in Fall 2023. The company is seeking individuals who yearn to make a positive impact in the world by building and leading successful climate finance businesses. Interested individuals are encouraged to start the conversation by completing the Momentum X Builder Interest Form, here. Learn more at www.momentumx.ventures About Skyview Ventures Established in 2008, Skyview Ventures was created with a mission to accelerate the worldwide commercialization of renewable energy and clean transportation solutions. The company is acknowledged as a global pioneer in creating new financial structures, innovating new solutions to deploy and leverage public and private capital. Skyview Ventures has 4 operating units: Skyview Finance Company is one of the largest merchants of environmental attributes in the United States, having executed over $2.5B in environmental commodity transactions Davis Hill Development has developed 200 solar facilities totaling 100+ MW across 15 states, Skycharger has developed 500+ EV charging stations in 6 states, and Skyview's venture capital portfolio includes 25 climate tech startups. www.skyviewventures.com About Momentum Momentum is a global consultancy that designs and develops innovation campaigns for forward-thinking organizations working to deploy transformative energy, transportation, and manufacturing technologies. The company's Design|Develop|Deploy platform generates dramatic results: together with 1500+ clients and institutional partners, Momentum has helped deploy $10B+ in globally significant innovations-while leveraging $2B in public non-dilutive capital-in partnership with dozens of the world's most innovative companies: Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Volvo, General Motors, Port of Long Beach, Sempra Energy, Schneider Electric, TravelCenters of America, SMUD, New Energy Nexus, CALSTART, and Wells Fargo's IN2 Accelerator. Momentum's demonstration partners include a robust ecosystem of leading national laboratories and universities, public- and investor-owned utilities, and air-, land- and sea-ports throughout North America. Founded in 2005, Momentum has grown to be among the most sought-after clean technology and commercialization partners in North America. Momentum received the National Growth Accelerator Award from the US Small Business Administration and was acknowledged in 2021 by Sacramento Business Journal as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. www.buildmomentum.io View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230711855456/en/

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[July 12, 2023] With Rising International Popularity, Rinna Beauty Localizes Website Product Offerings and Costs in Markets Worldwide Tweet

Driven by her philosophy that "Beauty has no borders," actress, entrepreneur and beauty expert Lisa Rinna has partnered with New York-based brand incubator SEL Beauty to tailor her increasingly popular Rinna Beauty website to the needs of customers around the world. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712785992/en/ Lisa Rinna, founder of Rinna Beauty, applying the Rinna Beauty Larger Than Life Plumping Gloss. Phot Credit: Greg Swales.



Just as every woman customizes her beauty regimen, Rinna Beauty now offers a customized website for each region that lists products in the local currency with import duty, value-added taxes (VATs) and freight shipping costs automatically included. With this significant improvement to its e-commerce platform, and upgraded shipping capabilities to ensure that products arrive in a timely manner, beauty aficionados and fans of Lisa Rinna around the world can more easily access the brand's complete line of lip, eye, body and fragrance products to effortlessly create their own look and style, no matter where they live.

"Rinna Beauty was founded with inclusivity at our core, and now that has a deeper meaning," said Lisa Rinna, who created the cosmetics line during the height of the pandemic, when people needed to feel better about themselves. "I'm excited that Rinna Beauty is now more easily available to anyone nearly anywhere in the world. After all, beauty has no borders." "The response and sales we have received from the U.S. market convinced us that Rinna Beauty should customize its offerings as a global brand," said Cheryl Krakow, president of SEL Beauty, which distributes the line. "In light of the brand's popularity and Lisa's worldwide fan base, this was an organic move for the international market." About Rinna Beauty Launched in 2020, Rinna Beauty achieved immediate success with its Icon Collection Lip Kits featuring coordinating lipstick, lip gloss and lip liner, going on to expand into such signature products as Larger Than Life Lip Plumping Glosses, Iconic Eye Kits, and Dryp Tease body oil. Rinna Beauty is a vegan line, with no parabens, phthalates or sulfates, and has been certified as cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny. Available worldwide at www.RinnaBeauty.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712785992/en/

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Calix Market Activation Video Series Earns Cablefax FAXIE for Best 'Content and Sponsored Marketing Campaign,' Enabling Marketers To Launch 65 Percent Faster

Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) announced today that its latest series of customizable market activation videos has once again been honored for enabling Calix customers to achieve marketing excellence. The video series, starring comedian Gerry Dee, is recognized as the best "Content and Sponsored Marketing Campaign" in public relations and marketing by The FAXIES, presented by Cablefax. Calix also received an honorable mention for "Use of Video or VR/AR" in audience engagement and experience.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712236167/en/

The video series is available to Calix customers as part of the award-winning Calix Market Activation (Market Activation) program. These highly engaging and funny videos, which recently won a Digiday Video & TV award, convey the value of Calix SmartLife managed services like cybersecurity, social media monitoring, and community-wide Wi-Fi. Increasingly, Calix customers are adopting such services on the Calix broadband platform to differentiate their brands beyond speed and price.

The Market Activation program allows any size broadband service provider (BSP) to run sophisticated marketing campaigns that promote the value they deliver in their communities.New creative assets are uploaded to the Market Activation program for immediate use each time Calix expands its growing managed services ecosystem. All BSPs need to do is add their logo and brand voice. This enables them to go to market with new services 65 percent faster while securing an edge against any competitor-even those with much larger marketing budgets.







The Market Activation program has evolved over the past six years from 1-1 consultations to a robust marketing enablement program-complete with brand evolution workshops and access to thousands of customizable go-to-market creative assets. Today, it supports BSPs in reshaping their value propositions and establishing distinctive brand identities. The program now includes three tools for BSPs to actively market their Wi-Fi and managed services: the Electronic Content Builder (ECB), the Market Activation Video Editor (MAVE), and the Calix Web Builder.

Broadband leaders across North America are leveraging the Market Activation program to quickly launch differentiated managed services that grow their business, engage subscribers, and deliver more value to their communities. For example:

Highline leveraged creative assets in the ECB to achieve 56 percent subscriber growth. Broadband leader Highline leverages the ECB's customizable creative assets, together with support from Calix Customer Success Services, to save significantly on the cost to market their new managed services in Colorado, Georgia, and four other states. This was critical in growing their subscriber base 56 percent in 2022.

Broadband leader Highline leverages the ECB's customizable creative assets, together with support from Calix Customer Success Services, to save significantly on the cost to market their new managed services in Colorado, Georgia, and four other states. This was critical in growing their subscriber base 56 percent in 2022. Tularosa used the MAVE to supercharge social engagement . The MAVE enables New Mexico-based Tularosa Communications to easily personalize the Gerry Dee videos to share across their social channels. By investing just $36 for a two-week Facebook ad campaign leveraging the videos, the BSP drove a 31 percent increase in service upgrades.

The MAVE enables New Mexico-based Tularosa Communications to easily personalize the Gerry Dee videos to share across their social channels. By investing just $36 for a two-week Facebook ad campaign leveraging the videos, the BSP drove a 31 percent increase in service upgrades. City of Pharr saved thousands of dollars promoting their Wi-Fi service with Calix Web Builder. With the new Calix Web Builder, BSPs can launch captivating websites at a fraction of the cost of starting from scratch. They can personalize pre-designed page templates that install in under five minutes, resulting in significant savings of $2,500-$5,000 per page. The City of Pharr in Texas partnered with Calix to revamp their website for the TeamPharr.Net broadband launch. The Calix Web Builder saved them time and money and boosted signups as they moved from one of the worst-connected cities to one of the best in less than two years.

In October, at the 18th annual innovation and customer success conference, Calix ConneXions, the company will unveil a new slate of videos starring Gerry Dee.

"We launched the Market Activation program in 2017 because we understand that many of our customers must do a lot with a little," said Matt Collins, chief commercial operations officer at Calix. "Through this program, we ensure that vision and devotion to the subscriber experience, not budget size, determine broadband market winners. Six years later, we have worked with hundreds of BSPs to define their brands by the unique subscriber experiences they now offer, using our platform and support. This recognition from The FAXIES further proves that broadband business success is driven by personalized brand experiences."

Learn how else the Market Activation program supports BSPs as they elevate their brands and grow their businesses.

About Calix

Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX)- Broadband service providers of all sizes leverage the Calix platform and teams to simplify their business and excite their subscribers to grow the value of their business and for their communities for generations. The democratizing power of the platform and portfolio of managed services enables them to operate efficiently, acquire subscribers, and deliver exceptional experiences. Calix is dedicated to driving continuous improvement in partnership with our growing ecosystem to support the transformation of our customers and their communities.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based upon management's current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this release, and we assume no obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statement to reflect any event or circumstance after the date of this release, except as required by law. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from current expectations based on risks and uncertainties affecting Calix's business. The reader is cautioned not to rely on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Additional information on potential factors that could affect Calix's results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov.

Calix and the Calix logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Calix and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Calix's trademarks can be found at https://www.calix.com/pages/trademarks.html. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712236167/en/
[July 12, 2023] Huge Investment Opportunities in the Middle East Data Center Market & Africa Data Center Market, Detailed Insights, Latest Reports From Arizton Tweet

CHICAGO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arizton recently published a research report on the Middle East data center market and Africa data center market. The report includes current market trends, challenges, and dynamics & provides real-time insights that enable companies to leverage the change & make effective, strategic decisions. Arizton Advisory & Intelligence provides competitive and insightful business intelligence across various industry verticals. Our expertise and knowledge ensure that the analysis provided is comprehensive, detailed, and complete. The analysis helps our client organizations to make insightful decisions and devise marketing strategies for their businesses. The actionable insights delivered through our market research provide a comprehensive market analysis at every level of market segmentation in the industry. Middle East & Africa Data Center Market Report Scope







Report Attributes Details Middle East Data Center Market Size (Investment) USD 7.94 Billion (2028) CAGR (20222-2028) 8.53 % Africa Data Center Market Size (Investment) USD 4.92 Billion (2028) CAGR (2022-2028) 10.25 % Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2028 Market Segmentation Infrastructure, IT Infrastructure, Electrical Infrastructure, Mechanical Infrastructure, Cooling Systems, Cooling Techniques, General Construction, Tier Standards, and Geography

The Middle East Data Center Market Investment to Reach $7.94 Billion by 2028 The Middle East data center market has several global support infrastructure providers with expertise in providing OCP scale infrastructure. Some of the support infrastructure providers in the industry include ABB, Airedale, Alfa Laval, Delta Electronics, Cummins, and Caterpillar. The Middle East is one of the key locations for investments in renewable energy. Solar energy is available in abundance and is one of the region's most reliable sources of renewable energy. Companies investing in renewable energy install solar panels and work on innovations to benefit from solar energy generation. Middle Eastern countries have a long-term vision for renewable energy installation, which drives data center investments since many data center operators intend to use renewable energy in their data centers for the long term. The rise in data center power consumption and the need to reduce carbon emissions prompt data center service providers to purchase renewable energy sources to power their existing and upcoming facilities. Middle Eastern countries are working toward adopting digital transformation to attract foreign investments. 5G network deployment fuels digital transformation, IoT, smart cities, and the fourth industrial revolution. The rapid investment in 5G technology increases the demand for high-bandwidth internet in Tier II and Tier III cities, thereby leading to the generation of a substantial amount of data, further driving data center development to process the information. 5G network services play a key role in supporting enterprise digitalization and will drive the adoption of IoT applications. Some telecom operators in the Middle East data center market have deployed 5G network services; some are in 5G trials. Middle Eastern countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar commercially deployed 5G network services. Turkey, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran are other Middle Eastern countries in 5G planning and are yet to deploy commercial services in the upcoming years. Key Trends Most facilities are being developed to operate at a PUE of less than 1.5. In contrast, few facilities in countries like Turkey that adopt partial free cooling during peak winters aim to operate at a PUE of less than 1.3.

that adopt partial free cooling during peak winters aim to operate at a PUE of less than 1.3. In the Middle East data center market, investments in cooling infrastructure contribute the major share of more than 50% in the mechanical infrastructure due to the high temperature in some countries during the peak summers.

data center market, investments in cooling infrastructure contribute the major share of more than 50% in the mechanical infrastructure due to the high temperature in some countries during the peak summers. The region witnessed growth in the deployment of data centers in Tier III and Tier IV certification in the design phase/construction phase of the region. In comparison, most private and public entities (BFSI, education, government) have received Uptime Institute's Tier III/IV certification during the design phase or for the constructed facility.

In September 2022 , Khazna Data Centers signed an MOU with China -based GDS Services to develop data centers across the Middle East and APAC.

, Khazna Data Centers signed an MOU with -based GDS Services to develop data centers across the and APAC. In September 2022 , Khazna Data Centers and BEEAH Digital formed a JV. The JV will be termed as One Data Center SPV. The newly formed company plans to build a 9-MW data center in Sharjah and UAE. Looking for More Information? Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3907 The Africa Data Center Market Will Witness Investments of $4.92 Billion by 2028 In the Africa data center market, power capacity is expected to reach 240.5 MW by 2028. The African market is one of the significantly growing markets with rising adoption of cloud services among organizations in sectors such as healthcare, education system, and government entities. Africa has registered a CAGR of more than 20% in the past four years for cloud adoption, and this trend is supposed to continue with increased deployment of 5G, increasing submarine cable connectivity, and a shift toward the cloud. Also, the growing need for data security and portability is driving the growth of the cloud service market. Cloud service adoption and usage are growing in the market due to the increased interest from global cloud service providers and the development of data centers by cloud operators. Entities such as banks that operate sensitive data are shifting their focus to transfer and operate data through cloud servers, whether in-house or cloud service providers. The growing adoption of cloud services is also increasing the revenue of the public cloud market. Global cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft, Google, Oracle, and Huawei Technologies have a strong presence in South Africa with their cloud regions. Key Highlights The South African data center market is one of the major data center markets in the African region. Low electricity and land costs, renewable energy projects, and data protection laws are the major factors expected to drive the data center market in the future.

In July 2021 , the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) became effective in controlling the misuse of citizens' sensitive and personal information. Organizations that do not comply with the act will be penalized either through a fine of around $1 million .

, the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) became effective in controlling the misuse of citizens' sensitive and personal information. Organizations that do not comply with the act will be penalized either through a fine of around . Digital Realty and Equinix have chosen acquisition as a medium to enter the market, while Vantage Data Centers has opened its own facility. Many other global players might follow the same path to enter the African market. South Africa , Kenya , and Nigeria are major contributors to the data center area in the African region.

, , and are major contributors to the data center area in the African region. In November 2022 , Digital Realty opened the JB4 facility with 20,000 square feet of area in phase 1 of the facility.

, Digital Realty opened the JB4 facility with 20,000 square feet of area in phase 1 of the facility. In July 2022 , Vantage Data Centers opened its first data center (JNB11) with a white floor space of around 130,000 square feet. Once fully built, the campus will have three data center buildings span over 650,000 square feet of area. Looking for More Information? Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3906 Market Segmentation Infrastructure IT Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

General Construction IT Infrastructure Server Infrastructure

Storage Infrastructure

Network Infrastructure Electrical Infrastructure UPS Systems

Generators

Transfer Switches & Switchgear

Power Distribution Units

Other Electrical Infrastructure Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems

Racks

Other Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems CRAC & CRAH Units

Chiller Units

Cooling Towers, Condensers, and Dry Coolers

Other Cooling Units Cooling Techniques Air-based Cooling Technique

Liquid-based Cooling Technique General Construction Core & Shell Development

Installation & Commissioning Services

Engineering & Building Design

Physical Security

Fire Detection & Suppression

DCIM/BMS Solutions Tier Standard Tier I & II

Tier III

Tier IV Geography Africa

South Africa



Kenya



Nigeria



Egypt



Ethiopia



Other African Countries Arizton's Expertise in Data Center Industry We continuously track data center investments worldwide and strive to provide accurate market analysis on investments across 20+ infrastructure categories. Arizton's team of principal consultants and analysts work towards publishing extensive secondary and primary research that is credible, resourceful, and data-driven. With over 5+ years of experience, Arizton has helped several Fortune 500 companies with data-driven insights that enabled them to expand their businesses to niche regions, added over a billion dollars in revenues, and effective go-to-market strategies. We offer various product portfolios to meet the client requirements, which align with their key business strategies and identify high-value growth avenues. Exhaustive syndicated reports, databases, country-wise market analysis, & customized consulting projects are published by our exuberant and well-experienced analysts who possess exemplary skills in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research. Subscribe to our exhaustive portfolios to access premium research reports at competitive prices. Partner with Arizton for your next strategic business decision and gain a competitive advantage with real-time, data-driven research. What We Deliver to Our Clients? Competitive Intelligence

Cost Analysis & Business Forecast

Business Expansion Avenues

Country Specific Insights

Go-To-Market Strategy

Data Center Ancillary Insights Check Out Some of the Top-Selling Research Reports:???? Middle East and Africa Data Center Colocation Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2022-2027

South Africa Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2022-2027

Middle East Data Center Construction Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 20232028

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[July 12, 2023] AI & the Church Hackathon to Award $1 Million to Faith-Driven Developers Tweet

The October event aims to foster innovation and pursue AI-powered technologies for faith-based purposes. BOULDER, Colo., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gloo, the leading technology platform dedicated to connecting the faith ecosystem and releasing its collective might, announced a first-of-its-kind event, The AI & the Church Hackathon event, aimed at rapidly advancing artificial intelligence-based technology to serve the faith community. The Hackathon will take technologists from around the world and will take place October 6-8, 2023, in Boulder, Colorado . The event will focus on exploring how artificial intelligence can be used for good. Winning creators will see their work accelerated by business development contracts with Gloo and qualify for several awards from a $1 million funding pool. Event participants will be invited to build applications across various categories to support a wide spectrum of ministry-related functions, including church administration, digital giving, database management, workflow automation, discipleship, content creation, and graphic design. Hackathon submissions could include new web applications, native mobile applications, and plugins that leverage the Gloo platform. "Our platform was built for faith-driven creators t be able to build powerful technologies, collaborate, safely share data with other organizations, and launch sustainable products that lead to stronger ministries and ultimately human flourishing," said Steele Billings, Head of Gloo Exchange and AI Initiatives at Gloo.



Nick Skytland and Ali Llewellyn of Quite Uncommon, who have run some of the world's largest hackathons in government, academia, and the Church, will co-host the event with Gloo. "Gloo is asking the question: what if a technology of the magnitude of AI was pointed at a major problem in the world today: human flourishing?" said Skytland. "There are talented technologists around the world who long to use their skills and talents for higher purposes, such as helping people grow and reach their greatest potential."

Gloo has also partnered with Cru's Indigitous and Faith.Tech, both of whom have hosted hackathons and networking events for faith-driven technologists for the last eight years. Together, these organizations hope to enable, rally, and inspire the talents of technologists who are passionate about leveraging technology to serve the faith ecosystem. Applications for the AI & the Church Hackathon are now open , with attendees already committed from North America, Europe, and Africa. To apply or for more information on the event, visit www.gloo.us/ai . Gloo is the trusted platform that releases the collective might of the faith ecosystem. As a leading technology innovator, Gloo connects people, partners, world-class content, funding opportunities, and more to help ministries achieve their goals and change more lives. Gloo is based in Boulder, Colorado, employing a team of more than 150 people. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ai--the-church-hackathon-to-award-1-million-to-faith-driven-developers-301876042.html SOURCE Gloo

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DLA, LLC Announces Hiring of Managing Director

DLA, LLC (DLA) a leading provider of internal audit and accounting advisory services, announces that John Weber will be joining the firm as a Managing Director of Accounting Advisory, Technical Accounting.

John Weber has over 30 years of experience in accounting specializing in complex technical accounting matters and financial reporting for public and private companies.

Prior to joining DLA, John served as a Partner with two National professional services firms, where he was the subject matter expert on business combinations, impairment analysis, income tax accounting, stock compensation, revenue recognition, and going concern analysis.

"We are excited to welcome John to our DLA team. Accounting regulatory changes continue to play an increasingly important role in financial reportig. It is important to DLA that we stay ahead of the curve in understanding how we can better enable our clients and our professionals to meet that change. John has had a front seat view to financial reporting matters facing clients today and will be invaluable to helping DLA clients as they navigate these challenges," said Scott Levy, Partner at DLA.







About DLA, LLC

Founded in 2001, DLA provides internal audit and accounting advisory services to hundreds of clients. DLA's leadership team averages 30+ years of experience and is led by Big Four veterans with deep industry expertise. DLA specializes in internal audit, accounting advisory, forensic accounting, valuation and litigation support, tax, risk management, and IT advisory services. The company is headquartered in Fairfield, New Jersey.

For further information about DLA, LLC, please visit us at www.dlallc.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712934301/en/
Brutal court document detail amid a family drama dispute . . .



SUSPECT explained his actions by saying he stabbed the child with the intention of killing him and had been thinking about killing the child for some time because he was convinced his family would abuse the 18-month-old if they won custody.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Kansas City man sentenced to 18 years for stabbing 18-month-old in 2022 A Kansas City, Missouri, man will spend 18 years behind bars for stabbing an 18-month-old in April 2022.

Kansas City man sentenced to 18 years in prison for stabbing 18-month-old toddler after police chase Anthony N. Beighley-Beck, 25, pleaded guilty to child abuse and child endangerment.

Developing . . .
This one will be settled in court amid so many experts and denial from the Exec's administration . . .

Here are the basics of the debate and more info . . .



Jackson County's Director of Assessments, Gail McCann Beatty, said at Monday's meeting, 33,000 appeals of this year's property assessments.



They went up an average of 30 %, though County Legislator Sean Smith says information he requested from that office shows at least 80,000 homeowners saw more than a 50% increase.



McCann Beatty urged county legislators not to take action on the resolution capping assessment increases at 15 %.



"What you are contemplating doing is going to create an enormous amount of inequity around the county," she said.



Her office also unveiled a "Jackson County Property Assessment Facts" website Monday, challenging what it calls "flat rate falsehoods."



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Jackson County Legislature wants to throw out assessments, cap increases - but can it? Jackson County legislators voted 7-0 Monday to recommend setting aside the current 2023 property valuations, but can they do that?

Lee's Summit homeowner fights property assessment, says he hasn't made home improvements since 1997 More than 33,000 Jackson County residents have been fighting their property assessments, including Frank Hanis, a homeowner in Lee's Summit.

Independence council to discuss possibility of city joining class action lawsuit against Jackson County The City of Independence may soon join a class action lawsuit in regards to property tax assessments in Jackson County, Missouri.

State, county officials to host town hall to offer help with property assessments State and county lawmakers plan a town hall to talk about solutions for Jackson County's property assessments mess.

Jackson County property owners frustrated by long waits for assessment appeals Appointments to file an informal appeal with the Jackson County Assessment Department filled up fast and now residents are seeing long waits.

Jackson County assessor speaks out against 'misinformation' "Sometimes people want to share stories to make things look far worse than they are," said Director of Assessment Gail McCann Beatty.

Jackson County legislator's data: Seniors more likely to get large assessment increases in district Jackson County Commissioner Sean Smith shared some statistics during Monday's meeting about how many seniors are facing large property tax assessments.

Developing . . .
A quick collection for our most loyal readers . . . Tonight we try to focus on mostly nice stuff as we quickly check pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Cowtown Narrative Teachable Moment Debuts



'The Book of Charlie': A love letter to Kansas City, stoicism Washington Post Columnist David Von Drehle has recounted the chance encounter that would lead to more than a century of wisdom, and a book.

Ladies First At Polls

Women who serve in political office are pushing for more women to get involved A town hall tonight featuring women in politics had a clear message: More women need to get involved from running for elective office to helping candidates get elected.

Diva Ducks Local Trinkets



Taylor Swift Dodges Friendship Bracelets Thrown at Her in Kansas City The star was seen lifting her arms up as she exited the stage, dodging a handful of bracelets.

Context Offered For Trash Talk

Joe Burrow Has Simple Message About Chiefs-Bengals Banter Joe Burrow was brief in chiming in with his thoughts on the back-and-forth between the KC Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals.

Artsy Interlude

KC Fringe Festival kicks off with a weekend of films from regional artists From July 14th to July 17th the film portion of the local festival will be hosted at Kansas City's Stray Cat Film Center

Celeb Shares Her Talents

Chrissy Teigen shows off cleavage in a fuzzy bra top during yacht trip The model, 37, showed off her ample cleavage in a colorful, fuzzy bra top with a matching, sleeveless shrug as she relaxed aboard a yacht.

Double Down On Free Money

A Biden plan cuts student loan payments for millions to $0. Will it be the next legal battle? The Biden administration calls it a "student loan safety net." Starting this summer, millions of Americans with student loans will be able to enroll in a new repayment plan that offers some of the most lenient terms ever. Interest won't pile up as long as borrowers make regular payments.

Guv Declines The Deuce

Ron DeSantis says he wouldn't be Trump's running mate: 'I'm not a No. 2 guy' Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday he would not be former President Donald Trump's running mate if given the opportunity to join him on the ticket.

Witness War In Europe Forever

NATO summit declaration says "Ukraine's future is in NATO" NATO leaders have agreed at a summit in Vilnius that Ukraine's future lies within the alliance but stopped short of handing Kyiv the invitation or timetable for accession that the country has been seeking.

Far East Connection Called Out

GOP House 'informant' indicted on allegations he was an agent for China Gal Luft, a source in the GOP investigation of the Bidens, was indicted on charges related to alleged unregistered China advocacy while trying to sell weapons on behalf of a Chinese company to foreign countries.

Trans Pioneer Claps Back

'You Have Bigger B****** Than Me!': Caitlyn Jenner Mocks Anti-Trans Republican Pundit Caitlyn Jenner went after John Cardillo after he referred to her as Bruce.

Upsetting Baller Tradition

National League snaps All-Star Game losing streak, tops AL 3-2 behind Elias Diaz homer Elias Diaz hit a two-run homer off Felix Bautista in the eighth inning, and the National League snapped a nine-game losing streak in the All-Star Game with a 3-2 win over the American League.

Serving Hipster Community

Cafe Ca Phe returns to the West Bottoms with second location for KC's popular Vietnamese coffee shop "I saw it as the perfect opportunity to then be like, 'Well, if I am going to expand, I only want to do it in a smaller version that enhances what I already have and doesn't take away from what I have in Columbus Park,'" said Jackie Nguyen.

Cowtown Sweats It Out

Get ready for more hot and stormy conditions The Kansas City area faces severe storms and high heat in the coming days

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
TOKYO, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks were lower after the close on Wednesday, weighed down by exporter issues that drew selling on the yen's further appreciation.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 259.64 points, or 0.81 percent, to finish at 31,943.93, the lowest closing since June 8.

The broader Topix index, meanwhile, closed 14.92 points, or 0.67 percent, lower at 2,221.48.

Falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the Tokyo Stock Exchange by 2607 to 1014 and 228 ended unchanged. Decliners were led by wholesale trade, pharmaceutical, and electric appliance shares.

Among exporters, TDK dropped 55 yen, or 1.0 percent, to 5,234 yen, while Sony Group fell 225 yen, or 1.8 percent, to 12,450 yen.

Rorze plunged 1,300 yen, or 11.2 percent, to 10,350 yen after the chip machinery manufacturing company said Tuesday that its net profit in the March-May quarter fell 30.6 percent from a year earlier amid slowing semiconductor demand.

Air-conditioner maker Daikin Industries fell 320 yen, or 1.1 percent, to 28,375 yen, while industrial robot maker Fanuc dropped 59 yen, or 1.2 percent, to 4,709 yen. 
We start with a bold display from world-renowned actress & diva Riri as we check pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

1st Responders Keep Faith

Firefighters battle blaze at church The Mount Christian Worship Center caught fire early Wednesday morning.

Traffic Trouble Today

Portion of NB I-29 closed due to a crash involving MoDOT vehicle KANSAS CITY, Mo. -Drivers in the Northland may experience some delays this morning due to a crash along northbound Interstate 29. Kansas City Scout cameras show two lanes of northbound of I-29 are...

Rock Chalk Teen Spam

Kansas Reflector aims to bring you news and commentary wherever you are. Even TikTok. - Kansas Reflector Kansas Reflector wants to bring news and commentary to its readers in multiple ways. Including Threads and TikTok and Instagram and Facebook and Twitter and podcasts and our daily newsletter and KansasReflector.com.

When Missouri drivers can expect construction on I-70 to start The largest item in the nearly $50 billion state budget this year includes the long-awaited widening of Interstate 70 and work on the 200-mile stretch will start this summer.

Good Deed Turnaround Amid Heatwave

Westlake Ace Hardware customers raise $24,000 for fan drive Westlake Ace Hardware stores are joining forces with The Salvation Army to host fan drive. The fan drive aims to help people beat the heat.

More Urban Tax Relief Debts

East Kansas City Urban Renewal Plan expands abatement opportunities for homeowners As Jackson County taxpayers continue to show concern over high property tax assessments, relief may be on [...]

Cash Flows Amid Conflict

Kansas City group raising money for medical supplies as Russia's invasion of Ukraine hits 500 days "This is still happening, and things have not gotten better quite yet,"

Fashionistas Debate Tech Help

Rihanna lingerie shoot sparks editing debate: 'A chance to show a real pregnant body' The pregnant star shared some incredible images for a SavageX lingerie shoot, but it has prompted a discussion about photo editing

GRANDPA JOE FOREVER!?!

President Biden says he'll be in office 'the next 5 years' during meeting with Turkish President Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met personally with President Biden at the NATO summit, where the U.S. leader suggested he would remain in office for a second term.

MAGA Must Defend Itself

Justice Department reverses course on defending Trump in E. Jean Carroll case The DOJ backed off of its earlier position that Trump was acting within the scope of his presidential duties when he made "crude and disrespectful" comments about the writer.

Tragic Crash En Route To STL

3 dead, 14 hurt after crash involving Greyhound bus on westbound I-70 in Highland, Illinois Illinois state police said the bus was traveling westbound on i-70 when it hit three vehicles parked on an exit ramp to the silver lake rest stop.

Midwest Crackdown Cont'd

Iowa's Republican legislature passes six-week abortion ban Iowa joins several other Midwest states in bringing new restrictions since Roe V Wade was overturned.

War In Europe Gets Personnel

Ukraine took out a senior Russian general with a Storm Shadow missile nearly 100 miles behind the front line: reports Multiple Ukrainian and Russian sources reported the death of Lt. Gen. Oleg Tsokov on Tuesday, with some saying it was the work of a Storm Shadow.

Far East Warpath Starts

China sends swarms of warplanes, navy ships to Taiwan ahead of annual invasion training China deployed naval ships and warplanes near Taiwan as the island prepares for annual defensive training to counter an invasion.

Legal Debate Erupts In Holy Land

Israeli protesters stage 'day of disruption' against controversial judicial overhaul | CNN Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Israel on Tuesday in the biggest weekday protest in months against the government's renewed moves to overhaul the country's judicial system.

Hollywood Hot Mess Worsens

'Zoey 101' Star Alexa Nikolas Accuses Jonah Hill Of Engaging In 'Predatory Behavior' The former child star accused a then-24-year-old Hill of engaging in "predatory behavior" during a party at actor Justin Long's house.

New Tunes Emerge In Northeast

Songwriters Sanctuary Every Third Sunday at PH Coffee Erin WilliamEditorial Assistant Songwriters looking for a platform to project their voices or music fans looking for places to hear [...]

Wayback Look At Institution

Same lawn, different centuries: KC's Nelson-Atkins Museum has remained postcard perfect Kansas City's immense "front yard" has seen playful changes over its 90 years. Compare the historic and modern views of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

Check Tech Baller Calls

Predicting the Chiefs' 5 top Madden player ratings for the 2023 season Previewing Chiefs' ratings for Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Creed Humphrey, Nick Bolton and L'Jarius Sneed.

Not Much For Home Team To Lose

Royals take gambles on risky prospects in the 2023 Draft Three prep prospects at the top accompany numerous interesting college players

Tough Weather Ahead . . .

High heat and risk of severe thunderstorms for some parts of the viewing area First Alert Weather Impact Day

Joy Oladokun - Taking Things for Granted is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
It's probably not the glorious homecoming he envisioned.

However . . .

The cowtown arrival of this high-profile fan and suspected bank robber will be celebrated by local media nevertheless . . .



Check-it . . .



In his first appearance since his arrest in a California courtroom Tuesday afternoon . . . During the hearing he was appointed a public defender and waived his extradition hearing.



The decision means Babudar will be returned to Kansas City to face charges of bank theft and transporting stolen property across state lines.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
On paper . . . The contender is formidable . . . He's represents a growing immigrant community in Johnson County, he's a veteran AND a skilled biz dude.

But you tell me . . .

WILL UR ANGRY JOCO DAD RALLY AROUND THIS CHALLENGER?!?!

Actually, there's no reason that opponents of Rep. Sharice and her policies shouldn't support this guy.

Even better . . . It'll be hard to call him a racist.

Somehow . . . Call me crazy . . . I just don't see social media trolls working overtime to help. And this might be a sign that the mainstream GOP is giving up on Johnson County.



Check the preview and then tell me I'm wrong . . .



Prasanth Reddy, an executive at Labcorp in enterprise oncology and political newcomer, announced his campaign Wednesday emphasizing his life experience as an immigrant and officer in the Air Force Reserve.



As an immigrant, Ive lived the American dream, and Ive spent my life trying to give back to the country that gave me everything, Reddy said in a statement.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
The Egyptian embassy in Athens celebrated Egypt's national day on Monday evening in the presence of high-ranking guests. "Egypt and Greece will work closely together to further deepen their strategic ties," Edypt's ambassador to Greece, Omar Amer Youssef, said in his greeting, stressing that there are no limits to the prospects of cooperation between the two states, ANA reports.

He also pledged that the Egyptian Embassy in Greece will relentlessly work to further advance cooperation between the two countries in all fields, in the political, cultural, and commercial fields, in tourism, and in reviving interest in the Greek and Arabic languages. "We believe that the people-to-people dimension remains a key feature of this solid partnership," he stressed.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Fitzcarmalan








Drugs totalling more than $700,000, including cocaine, fentanyl, MDMA, methamphetamines and prescription pills, were seized by police during the Project Pandora investigation. - DRPS photo
Dairy Farmers of Ontario and Shaws Ice Cream will be handing out scoops of free ice cream to celebrate National Ice Cream Day on July 16. - Shaw's Ice Cream Instagram photo
COLOMBO, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's government has decided to lift import restrictions on 300 more items next week, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said on Wednesday.

Siyambalapitiya said in a tweet that the government already relaxed import restrictions on 300 other items on June 9, adding that import restrictions on vehicles are unlikely to be lifted anytime soon.

Speaking to the media last week, Governor of the Central Bank Nandalal Weerasinghe said imports have stabilized at around 1.4 billion dollars a month, with exports standing at around 1 billion dollars.

"There is a gap of about 400 million dollars between the two. We can fill the gap with our worker remittances and tourism. There can be a balance," he said.

The Sri Lankan government restricted the import of 1,465 items in August 2022 but lifted restrictions on most of those items on several separate occasions. 
Assyrian Catholic Youth Gather in Detroit

FARMINGTON HILLS -- An estimated 120 youths from across the country gathered at St. Toma Syriac Cathedral in Farmington Hills for four days of prayer, catechism, fellowship and community for the United States-based Eparchy of Our Lady of Deliverance.

The 12th Syriac Catholic Youth Convention, held July 6-9, gathered youths from 13 parishes spread across seven states, allowing the retreatants to reconnect with their faith, meet other fellow Syriac Catholics and be in communion with one another -- something that is a particular challenge for Eastern-rite Syriac Catholics in the United States, with just 16,000 members spread across the nation.

"The meaning of the Church is to be together," Bishop Barnaba Yousif Habash, bishop of the Eparchy Our Lady of Deliverance, based in Farmington Hills, told youths on the first night of the convention. "This is the identity of the Church, to be together as children of the Church, surrounded by our fathers of the Church, our teachers, our leaders. May the Lord teach and guide us as we gather together, to a by a synodal church together."

Bishop Habash said there is a joy in gathering as disciples of Jesus Christ, citing times throughout the Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles when Jesus' disciples experienced great joys through joining together to pray and give witness to Christ.

"We as disciples of Jesus know what it is that is the source of joy in our life," Bishop Habash said. "Because we have Jesus, we have joy. Here today, now, we are able to express and share joy in the name of Jesus, with Jesus, as we are people of Jesus. As St. Augustine said, we Christians are the people of alleluia, of joy."

The Eparchy of Our Lady of Deliverance was erected by Pope St. John Paul II in 1995 to cover all of North America for the Syriac Catholic Church, an Eastern Catholic church of the Syro-Antiochian rite that's in full communion with Rome. Syriac Catholics in the U.S. primarily hail from Iraq, Lebanon and Syria. Since 2016, the eparchy covers only the United States, 13 parishes spread across seven states.

Michigan, which is home to the largest number of Syriac Catholics in the eparchy, has three Syriac Catholic parishes: St. Toma in Farmington Hills -- which became the cathedral of the eparchy in 2022 -- Christ the King in Troy, and St. Isaac of Nineveh in Lansing.

The spread-out nature of the eparchy produces challenges in building the Syriac community, said Bishop Isaac Jules Boutros, youth ministry coordinator for the Syriac Catholic Church, who lives in Lebanon.

"We are a small community, all over the States and all over the world," Bishop Boutros told Detroit Catholic. "So it's always good for us to meet together and share personally our relationship with Jesus Christ. He is our Lord and Savior. And when we meet him as a community, he gives us a common message to build up our Church. Even though we've been separated from our original countries, we are here, called for a new vocation in a new land, a new country, to build up his kingdom here. To build up a good state, a good country, good human beings."

The convention featured liturgies, catechism, social gatherings, sermons from Bishop Habash and Syriac Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan, the first bishop of the eparchy, and trips to Frankenmuth and downtown Detroit.

"We have a spiritual side of the convention where we pray and spend time in meditation with God, and the social side where we meet new people, get together for trips to Frankenmuth and Detroit, a youth party that's Hawaiian style, so it's both spiritual and social," said Dalia Pulus, a St. Toma parishioner who lives in Farmington Hills but was born in Baghdad, Iraq. "It's especially nice to be together, since we're the minority here in Michigan (among Middle East Christians), so it's great to meet people across the country from your community."

Maryam Abdulmaseeh, also a St. Toma parishioner who was born in Baghdad but now lives in Madison Heights, said the convention is a chance to learn more about her faith traditions and culture.

"It's important for me to come to events like this because I'm Syriac; I have to participate in these kinds of things so I don't forget where I come from originally," Abdulmaseeh said. "If I forget where I come from, that means I don't have my own history, my own culture."

Abdulmaseeh reflected on the challenges the Syriac people have faced throughout history and why it's critical for people of her generation to learn more about their unique faith traditions.

"(Syriacs) were always being killed, threatened by other people," Abdulmaseeh said. "We were one of the first Christian people, and we were always harassed. It's nice that we're here (in the U.S.) and alive, but I wish the Syriacs would go back to their own church (Syriac Catholic churches) and learn about their own history and learn about their own people."

Bishop Boutros said encouraging youths to explore their heritage and maintain the faith of their fathers and mothers is a big challenge for the younger community, especially if there are not many fellow Syriac Catholics nearby.

"Our priests cannot be everyone at once and reach out to all of our families and young people, so this is a challenge for the priests, especially for areas where there is only one parish that covers an entire state," Bishop Boutros said. "It's a big country, a big land, so he can't do it all and reach everyone. (Events like this) go a long way in vitalizing our communities, continuing the mission in this new country."

The first day of the convention ended with a speech from Patriarch Younan on the challenges young people face in being disciples of Jesus Christ in an ever-secularizing world.

"We are here to follow the Lord Jesus," Patriarch Younan said. "Whatever is happening in our lives, it is a time of difficulties and challenges, as you all know. Mostly for our dear youth, you are acquainted with the media, the social media you follow. Some of you are enthusiastic about the technology of our times, so you are in contact with people who tell you not to follow Christ."

Patriarch Younan reflected on the Bread of Life discourse in Chapter 6 of the Gospel according to St. John, when many of Jesus' followers left Him, troubled by the teaching they would have to eat his flesh to achieve eternal life.

Patriarch Younan said today's youth are asked the same question the apostles were asked, and they must respond the way Simon Peter did, replying, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."

"Jesus wants us to listen to each other, to open our hearts to the difficulties and the cries we all face, the temptations we all face," Patriarch Younan said. "That is what it means to be in companionship, in friendship with the Lord and with each other. That's what it means to be a synodal church. We know it is not always easy, especially of the youth. But as it is said, we keep going, trusting in the Lord Jesus, who has the words of eternal life."
Jean Eric Rakotoarisoa, former president of Madagascar's High Constitutional Court, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Antananarivo, Madagascar, July 5, 2023. (Photo by Sitraka Rajaonarison/Xinhua)

ANTANANARIVO, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The right to development is one of the most important and fundamental human rights, said Jean Eric Rakotoarisoa, former president of Madagascar's High Constitutional Court, in a recent interview with Xinhua.

Having visited China twice in 2008 and 2023, Rakotoarisoa, who is a professor of constitutional law at the University of Antananarivo, said that one of the great successes of human rights governance in China is that it has "significantly reduced poverty in China in a relatively short period of time."

"One billion people can be fed without any problems, and there are no food shortages. I think that this experience is something essential that China could share with Madagascar," Rakotoarisoa said.

Noting that "the priority (of human rights) is really the right to development," he said. "If we are in a situation of poverty, of under-development, we will never really be able to enjoy other human rights, in particular economic and social rights, such as the right to work, the right to health, the right to education, etc."

The Malagasy academic recalled his visit to the countryside in China in 2008, saying he was impressed by the development in rural areas, such as the construction of houses, schools and hospitals.

"China has managed to develop rapidly by focusing on the essential needs of the population," said Rakotoarisoa.

Meanwhile, China has ensured its rapid economic development while keeping environmental protection in mind. "This is sustainable economic development," he said. "We can achieve sustainable development, lift people out of poverty, and guarantee people's fundamental rights if there is good governance."

Rakotoarisoa, however, said he believes that sustainable development cannot be achieved without "cooperation with different countries," and expressed his interest in the Global Development Initiative proposed by China.

"The philosophy of this initiative is not to limit itself to the development of one country, but to promote the development of all countries. This can be positive for countries that are still developing, such as Madagascar, as well as many African countries, which have great economic potential," he said.

Underlining the need for cooperation and global solidarity to promote common development, Rakotoarisoa said that modernization does not necessarily mean Westernization. "Development must be based on the history of each country, and the way the development is carried out must take account of the history and culture of each country," he stressed.

"You can't copy one country's model directly onto another. You can take examples. You can take experiences from other countries. But you have to respect the specificity of each country, the culture of each country," Rakotoarisoa said. 
VLADIVOSTOK, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Russian Railways (RZD) plans to invest in 2024 a record amount of about 400 billion rubles (4.4 billion U.S. dollars) of its own funds in the construction of the Eastern Polygon, which includes the Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM) and the Trans-Siberian Railway (Transsib), RIA Novosti reported on Tuesday.

According to RZD Vice President Oleg Makarov, quoted by the news agency, it will be the highest investment for this project in its history. He said that the next year will hit a peak, with about 400 billion rubles allocated only for the Eastern Polygon, adding that the exact figure has yet to be approved.

The current program for the development of the Eastern Polygon, or the second stage, runs until 2024 and envisages increasing the capacity of BAM and Transsib to 180 million tons in 2024. The measures aim to ensure further growth of cargo flow to seaports.

In 2023, the RZD expects to increase the carrying capacity of the Eastern Polygon to 173 million tons. By the end of 2022, the carrying capacity increased to 158 million tons.

The third stage is being prepared for after 2025. Deputy Minister of Transport of Russia Valentin Ivanov said last year that capacity will increase to 197 million tons by 2027-2028 and 210 million tons by 2029-2030. He added that the Ministry of Transport is considering possibly increasing the Eastern Polygon's capacity to 255 million tons by 2031-2032. 
The first 20 Ukrainian pilots will begin training on Western fighter jets in the UK in late July or early August.

Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom Vadym Prystaiko said this on the air of the United News telethon, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"The number at the first stage will be 20. The training will begin at the end of this month - early August. This course will be launched in such a way that the pilots can then switch to the platforms that will be chosen," the diplomat said, reminding that Britain does not operate F-16 fighters and has other European-made aircraft.

According to Prystaiko, London's decision to start training Ukrainian pilots breaks the cycle in the discussions on aircraft availability and training pilots to operate them. "The British decision was as follows: let's start training our pilots and let our politicians make the final decision. At the time of this decision, we will already have pilots who will have undergone a certain amount of training."

The ambassador also informed that a total of more than 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers and officers of various branches of the armed forces will undergo military training in the UK this year.

"Training (in the UK - ed.) of our soldiers and officers remains a very important element for us. Last year there were 10.000, this year more than 30.000 will be trained," he said.

The diplomat informed that not only infantrymen, but also helicopter crews are trained in the UK, as well as naval crews, artillerymen, reconnaissance men, etc.

The ambassador also reminded that the UK supplies Ukraine with much-needed weapons, including Storm Shadow missiles, tanks, armored vehicles and artillery shells of both NATO and old Soviet calibers.

As Ukrinform reported, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said that during a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission, specific commitments were reached by the Allies to organize specialized training for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft, which would pave the way for the delivery of these aircraft to Ukraine.
The Netherlands plans to begin training Ukrainian pilots on Western F-16 fighter jets in August and will help strengthen Ukraine's air defense system and artillery.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in a post on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

"A meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Specific things. We agreed to start pilot training in August. We are getting closer to a decision on modern aircraft for Ukraine," he said.

Zelensky also said an agreement had been reached on the specific contribution of the Netherlands to strengthening Ukrainian air defenses and artillery.

"Thank you for your support on the path to NATO - both in terms of the invitation and in terms of security guarantees on the path, particularly on a bilateral basis. Thank you, the Netherlands," Zelensky said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Ukraine will use cluster munitions provided by the United States exclusively against enemy military facilities in the temporarily occupied territory.

The decision to provide Ukrainians with such munitions is a matter of justice because the Russian Federation has been using them continuously for many years, Zelensky said during a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Vilnius, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Russia constantly uses cluster munitions in our territory, fights exclusively on our land, kills our people, uses cluster munitions for many years, constantly. The help that we can get from the USA regarding the decision on cluster munitions is for use purely against military targets, purely in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Their use is completely controlled and they are not used anywhere else. There must be justice," Zelensky said.

He emphasized that the Russians have been occupying Ukrainian territory for nine years, killing people, and Ukraine has the right to defend itself.

"Its about justice  we defend ourselves without using appropriate weapons to target the territory of other states," the President emphasized.

Zelensky thanked U.S. leader Joe Biden for the decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, adding that it was a challenge for him and not everyone in the US supports it.

At the same time, the Head of State added that Ukraine also needs long-range weapons.

As reported, the U.S. Department of Defense announced last week a new $800 million security assistance package to Ukraine, which includes cluster munitions.
Norway is handing over two NASAMS units and a thousand Black Hornet drones to Ukraine.

That's according to the Norwegian Ministry of Defense on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

"Norway donates Ukraine a NASAMS support package containing two additional fire control centers, two launch units and spare parts = ensure endurance, redundancy and flexibility to already donated air defense to Ukraine", the ministry quoted Defense Minister Bjrn Arild Gram.

In addition, Norway is transferring 1,000 Black Hornet nanodrones to Ukraine for surveillance and reconnaissance.

Read also: Japan to transfer drone detection system to Ukraine

As Ukrinform reported, the Norwegian government will increase the size of the military assistance fund for Ukraine to 10 billion Norwegian kroner this year.
Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren has predicted that the training of Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 fighter jet may last from six to eight months.

She said this at the NATO Public Forum held on the sidelines of the summit in Vilnius, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

At the same time, she said it was difficult to predict how much time it will take to train other personnel, including engineers.

According to her, the training of Ukrainian F-16 pilots will begin in Denmark this August, and a regional training center for F-16 fighter pilots will be set up in Romania.
The United Kingdom is expected to announce a new major funding package for Ukraine, which will include additional ammunition and combat vehicles, as well as 50 million ($64.7 million USD) in support for equipment repair and a new military rehabilitation center.

A relevant statement was made by the UK Government, Ukrinform reports referring to CNN.

London also said G7 partners are expected to agree to an international framework for Ukraines long-term security arrangements on Wednesday, which "will set out how allies will support Ukraine over the coming years to end the war and deter and respond to any future attack."

"It is the first time that this many countries have agreed a comprehensive long-term security arrangement of this kind with another country," according to Downing Street.

Following a joint declaration on Wednesday, G7 partners "will provide more defense equipment, increase and accelerate intelligence sharing, bolster support for cyber and hybrid threat defenses, expand training programs and military exercises, and develop Ukraines industrial base," the statement said.

The British government's latest funding package will include additional rounds of Challenger 2 ammunition; more than 70 combat and logistics vehicles, including combat vehicle reconnaissance tracked vehicles. The UK will also provide funding for a rehabilitation center to aid Ukrainian soldiers who have been injured in combat.

As Ukraine makes strategic progress in their counteroffensive, and the degradation of Russian forces begins to infect Putins front line, we are stepping up our formal arrangements to protect Ukraine for the long term," British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in the statement.

Supporting [Ukraine's] progress on the pathway to NATO membership, coupled with formal, multilateral, and bilateral agreements and the overwhelming support of NATO members will send a strong signal to President Putin and return peace to Europe," Sunak said.
Estonia has already allocated UAH 16 million for the restoration of a bridge damaged by a Russian air strike in Malyn, Zhytomyr region.

Vitaliy Bunechko, the head of the Zhytomyr Regional Military Administration, posted this on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

"Currently, the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) paid for works worth almost UAH 16 million. This is about 40% of the projected assistance. Works worth almost UAH 11 million were paid with the funds of the State Road Fund. The builders assure that the works will be completed by the end of September this year," Bunechko wrote.

According to him, now the transport connection of the city, which remained divided in half, provides a temporary crossing. However, Malyn needs a new bridge on the site of the destroyed one.

The bridge restoration project is being implemented at the expense of the State Road Fund. The Estonian side has agreed to provide co-financing of EUR 1 million.

As reported by Ukrinform, the Estonian manufacturer of modular houses Harmet built a kindergarten in Ovruch, Zhytomyr region.

Photo: Telegram/Vitaliy Bunechko
Ukraine and Sweden have signed in Vilnius the agreements on cooperation in defense procurement and on the exchange and mutual protection of classified information.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov reported this on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

In particular, the agreement on cooperation in the field of defense procurement "provides great opportunities both for our Armed Forces and for Swedish companies like SAAB and others," Reznikov said.

In addition, he announced the signing of an agreement between the two countries on the exchange and mutual protection of classified information.

"Trust is the cornerstone of a strong partnership. And access to information is the key to success," Reznikov wrote.

A two-day NATO summit is taking place in Vilnius.

Photo credit: Oleksii Reznikov / Twitter
KIEV, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Joe Biden met on Wednesday during the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Zelensky expressed gratitude to Biden for the assistance, especially military assistance, that the United States has provided to Ukraine, the Ukrainian presidential press service said.

Zelensky also informed Biden of the latest developments on the frontline, and Ukrain's operational and strategic plans, the press service said.

U.S. assistance for Ukraine has reached 43 billion U.S. dollars, Zelensky was quoted as saying.

For his part, Biden assured that the United States is doing and will do everything to help Ukraine with everything necessary, the press service said.

In a Telegram post after the meeting, Zelensky said the talks, which lasted twice as long as planned, focused on the long-term support for Ukraine, weapons, politics and NATO.

The two-day NATO summit kicked off in the Lithuanian capital on Tuesday. 
After the decision of the Vilnius summit, Ukraine is now closer to NATO than ever before.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Vilnius on Wednesday, July 12, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Ukraine is now closer to NATO than ever before. Allies reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of the Alliance and agreed to remove the requirement for a Membership Action Plan. This will change Ukraine's membership path from a two-step process to a one-step process. And we will issue an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO when Allies agree that conditions are met. This is a strong, united message from Allies on your path to NATO membership," he said.

Stoltenberg noted that when Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine, he "underestimated the bravery of the Ukrainian people, the courage of the Ukrainian forces, and the determination of the Ukrainian political leadership."

"NATO will continue to stand with you for as long as it takes. NATO Allies have provided tens of billions of dollars in support over the past year. And now we have agreed a three-part package bringing Ukraine closer to NATO. A multi-year program of practical assistance establishing a new NATO-Ukraine council, and the reaffirming that Ukraine will become a member of NATO and removing the requirement for the Membership Action Plan," he said.

According to him, the decisions adopted in Vilnius "mark the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between NATO and Ukraine."

"Today we meet as equals, I look forward to the day we meet as Allies," Stoltenberg said.

In addition, according to him, Russia will not determine who can or cannot join the Alliance, and this decision will be made only by the allies themselves.
BRUSSELS, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The European Parliament (EP) on Wednesday adopted a report with a clear roadmap on how to tackle future health crises, based on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) want to reinforce the European Health Union and the resilience of national health systems in view of future challenges, the EP said in a press release.

Last year, the EP's Special Committee on COVID-19 (COVI) analyzed the impact of the crisis, evaluated the effectiveness of European Union (EU) and national measures and made specific recommendations to address gaps and weaknesses in their actions.

The committee evaluated not only the impact on health systems and the vaccination campaign, but also the broader socio-economic impact, the impact on the rule of law and democracy, and the international response to the pandemic.

Parliament debated the report and adopted the text with 385 votes in favor, 193 against and 63 abstentions.

The roadmap for future action covers four main areas: health; democracy and fundamental rights; social and economic aspects; and the global response to the pandemic.

Key proposals include enhancing the EU's strategic autonomy for medicines; transparency for joint procurement activities; and stronger parliamentary oversight at both EU and national levels for emergency legislation.

"It is now up to the European Commission to take our recommendations and table proposals to shape a more crisis-resilient and future-proof EU," COVI Chair Kathleen Van Brempt said. 
Tackling Maritime and Riverine Insecurity and Promoting Community Resilience in Bayelsa State

Piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) have posed significant challenges in recent years. While 2022 saw a massive reduction in piracy incidents, UNODC in partnership with the Bayelsa State Government and with the financial support of the Government of Germany embarked on the implementation of a project titled "Combating Piracy and Maritime Insecurity in Nigeria Through a Community-Based Crime Prevention Strategy with a view to sustaining gains made and preventing the shifting of criminality into the riverine areas of Bayelsa state.

Its overall objective is to support the Bayelsa State Government and people in the development, testing and implementation of a community-based crime prevention concept.

Ultimately, the project aims to empower communities in giving practical meaning to the Freedom from Fear as one of the four fundamental human rights recognized under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

After its launch in 2021, the project as a first step supported stakeholders, including the Federal law enforcement and security institutions, the Bayelsa State Government, local government actors, traditional rulers and organized civil society in developing an overall concept and strategy of community-based crime prevention. This process cumulated in the adoption of the first Bayelsa State Crime Prevention Strategy on 17 March 2022 by the Honorable Attorney General of Bayelsa State on behalf of the Government of H.E. Governor Diri.

Then the project facilitated the formation of a Joint Security Committee comprised of members from the Nigerian Navy, NDLEA, Civil Defense, the Nigerian Police Force, including the Marine Police, the Bayelsa State Government, Community Representatives and Civil Society Organizations to provide guidance and coordination and to regularly review progress in implementation.

With a view to testing and further refining the conceptual validity of the strategy, it was first launched in three pilot communities, namely Ayamasa, Ikebiri 1 and Otuan. With the support of Synergy Care Development initiative, communities developed action plans for the localized implementation of the Bayelsa State Crime Prevention Strategy addressing the specific security and crime prevention needs within their respective environments.

As of today, the project has achieved significant milestones in the three pilot communities, including the refurbishing and equipment of police posts, youth development centers, cassava processing facilities to enhance employment and solar powered street lights which were inaugurated on 5 July as part of the implementation of the community based crime prevention action plans. As Dr. Oliver Stolpe, the UNODC Country Representative remarked together with the community oriented policing training and the roll out of the Line Up Live Up life skill training for youth, these interventions will help to empower the benefitting communities to shape their security environment going forward.

The intervention also already started to develop catalytic effects by motivating the State Government to invest in an expansion of the garri production and a refurbishing one of the dilapidated school buildings, in addition to the deployment of additional police officers by the Commissioner of Police of Bayelsa State.

Dr. Stolpe expressed gratitude to the German Government for their support and extended appreciation to Governor Senator Douye Diri and the Bayelsa State Government for their unwavering support and commissioning of the project. Dr. Stolpe highlighted that Bayelsa State was selected for the pilot project due to its unique context and vulnerability to piracy and other criminal activities, with a focus on addressing the root causes and preventing youth involvement in organized crime.

The projects were officially commissioned on July 5, 2023, by Governor Senator Douye Diri, with Her Excellency the German Ambassador, Ms. Annett Gunther, and other esteemed guests in attendance. The people of Otuan community expressed their deep gratitude to the UNODC, the German Government, the Bayelsa State Governor, the state government, and the security agencies for their contributions to the successful completion of these projects.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) made a momentous announcement declaring its ambitious lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3, scheduled for launch on July 14th at 2:35 PM. The awe-inspiring event will unfold at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, situated in the captivating city of Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

"The awe-inspiring launch of Chandrayaan-3 is set for July 13th, a date intricately determined by the majestic sunrise on the lunar surface. As the landing unfolds, the gentle touch of sunlight is a prerequisite. Imagine, a day on the moon encompasses a staggering 15 Earth days, providing ample sunlight to illuminate the lunar landscape, followed by a captivating 15-day period of celestial darkness," Somanath, the esteemed spokesperson, expressed in an engaging conversation with reporters on the sidelines of the illustrious G20 meeting, which focused on unraveling the mysteries of the captivating space economy.

Chandrayaan-3 marks India's triumphant third lunar mission, enveloped in eager anticipation from all corners of the globe. Yet, as we await this historic launch, let us delve into the enchanting chronicles of Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-1, unfolding narratives that have shaped India's celestial voyage throughout the cosmos. Embarking on this awe-inspiring journey, the earlier mission took flight on the 22nd of July, 2019, soaring into the infinite abyss on the wings of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III, at a noteworthy cost of Rs 978 crore.

The captivating Chandrayaan-2 mission comprised three essential elementsan orbiter, a lander named Vikram, and an enchanting rover known as Pragyan. Their collective mission was twofold: a graceful landing of Vikram on the lunar terrain and the deployment of Pragyan, destined to unlock the secrets of science through captivating experiments. Furthermore, it aspired to achieve an unprecedented milestone by securing the first-ever landing within the enigmatic Lunar South Pole Region.

Tragically, destiny had its own design, as the valiant lander, christened Vikram, faced a tumultuous descent, resulting in a harsh landing on the 7th of September, 2019, shattering the dreams of the rover's exploration.

Nonetheless, the indomitable spirit of the orbiter prevailed, faithfully achieving its intended purpose, gracefully navigating the heavens and poised to play a pivotal role in the forthcoming Chandrayaan-3 endeavor. Chandrayaan-2 proudly stands as a testament to India's resolute dedication, being the first fully indigenous mission, adorned with the remarkable leadership of pioneering women scientists. Muthayya Vanitha, the esteemed project director, and Ritu Karidhal, the visionary mission director of Chandrayaan-2, defied expectations and left an indelible mark on history.

Venturing even further into the annals of India's cosmic odyssey, we encounter Chandrayaan-1, the vanguard of the nation's lunar aspirations. This remarkable mission embarked on its celestial sojourn on the 22nd of October, 2008, propelled by the mighty PSLV rocket. Laden with eleven scientific instruments, meticulously crafted in India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, and Bulgaria, Chandrayaan-1 set forth on an extraordinary mission of discovery.

Throughout its cosmic pilgrimage, the satellite gracefully completed over 3,400 orbits around the Moon, unraveling its enigmas and secrets. Alas, every grand journey must eventually meet its conclusion, and so it was with Chandrayaan-1, as ISRO lost communication with the spacecraft on the 29th of August, 2009. However, the legacy of Chandrayaan-1 endured, as it revealed a groundbreaking revelation, a discovery of water on the Moon, an astounding revelation shared with the world by NASA in September 2009.

Indeed, Chandrayaan-1 heralded the dawn of a new era, igniting a spark that would kindle India's pursuit of grander cosmic ambitions. An audacious attempt to land on the moon and showcase end-to-end capabilities in safe landing and lunar roving unfolds before us. Only three nations viz., the United States, the erstwhile Soviet Union, and China have thus far celebrated triumphant moon landings. Moreover, the Chandrayaan-3 mission seeks to showcase the remarkable roving prowess of its rover while engaging in a plethora of captivating scientific experiments. Equipped with cutting-edge scientific instruments, this momentous voyage aims to unlock the thermophysical properties of Earth's celestial neighbor. In March 2023, the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft completed rigorous tests, affirming its readiness to navigate the challenging environment of the lunar expanse.

Chandrayaan-3: India's new space mission; know what it will do on the moon

Chandrayaan-3 Set To Launch On July 14; Everything You Need to Know

THESE trains cancelled due to heavy rainfall today, Details Inside
Dear UNT Community,

I am pleased to welcome Laura Smith, Ph.D., to the University of North Texas Division of Student Affairs. Laura will bring an incredible wealth of experience with her to serve our UNT community when she joins our team as dean of students, beginning Aug. 3, 2023.

Laura has worked in higher education for more than 25 years, with 22 of those focused on student affairs. Most recently, she served as associate dean of students at the University of Texas at Dallas. In this role, she oversaw students health and wellness initiatives, as well as crisis management, intervention and assessment. She served on the University Campus AccessAbility Committee, Title IX advisory group and Behavioral Assessment Intervention Team, and she chaired the Suicide Prevention Task Force. She also facilitated the Council for Advancement of Standards review of the Student AccessAbility Resource Center, Student Counseling Center, Student Conduct and the Military and Veterans Center. Prior to her role as associate dean of students, she served as interim director of the Student Counseling Center and judicial affairs officer for the Office of Community Standards and Conduct.

From 2004 to 2012, Laura worked at UNT Dallas as acting director of Student Life, student development coordinator and student services coordinator. She began her career at Southern Methodist University as an admissions counselor before moving to El Centro College as an academic advisor.

Laura also is an alumna of UNTs graduate programs, earning a Ph.D. in higher education - student services administration and a Master of Education in counseling. She earned her undergraduate degree from SMU with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.

My thanks to everyone who participated in the dean of students search process, including all who served on the search committee and Laurie Klein, assistant vice president of Wellness and executive director of Recreational Sports, who led the committee. I also want to thank Danny Armitage, associate vice president of Auxiliary Services, who stepped in to serve as interim dean of students.

Please join me in welcoming Laura to our team.

Elizabeth With

Sr. Vice President for Student Affairs
(@Abdulla99267510)

The first tranche of $1.1 billion will be released as part of the loan program, providing much-needed relief to Pakistan which is on the verge of default.

WASHINGTON: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-July 12nd, 2023) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive board is scheduled to convene today (Wednesday) to evaluate the $3 billion stand-by arrangement with Pakistan.

The first tranche of $1.1 billion will be released as part of the loan program, providing much-needed relief to the South Asian economy, which is on the verge of default.

Pakistan successfully secured the $3 billion stand-by arrangement (SBA) from the IMF on Friday, offering a crucial lifeline to bolster its foreign exchange reserves. The staff-level agreement on the SBA is awaiting approval from the IMF Executive Board. The SBA serves as an emergency bailout package aimed at strengthening Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves.

The previous Extended Fund Facility expired on June 30, with the completion of the 9th, 10th, and 11th reviews still pending.

In recent developments, officials from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) engaged in meetings with the economic teams of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), seeking assurance of their commitment to the "key objectives" outlined in the new $3 billion Standby Agreement with Pakistan.

During the meetings, the IMF officials held discussions with PPP's economic team, represented by Naveed Qamar and Saleem Mandiwala, to secure assurance regarding the bailout deal.

The leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also expressed their support for the $3 billion standby agreement (SBA) reached between the IMF and the current Pakistani government. The agreement aims to maintain macroeconomic stability ahead of the general elections, and the PTI has welcomed this step.

The upcoming IMF Executive Board meeting holds significant importance in finalizing the release of funds under the stand-by arrangement, which will play a vital role in addressing Pakistan's economic challenges and ensuring stability.
Prague, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jul, 2023 ) :Czech writer Milan Kundera, the author of "The Unbearable Lightness of Being", has died aged 94, said Anna Mrazova, spokeswoman for the Milan Kundera library in his native city of Brno.

"Unfortunately I can confirm that Mr Milan Kundera passed away yesterday (Tuesday) after a prolonged illness," she told AFP.

The novelist lived in France since his emigration from Communist-ruled Czechoslovakia in 1975.

Born on April 1, 1929 in the second Czech city of Brno, Kundera wrote poems and short stories before his breakthrough novel, "The Joke", was published in 1967.

A former Communist himself, Kundera fell out of favour with the authorities after the Prague Spring reform movement was crushed by Soviet-led armies in 1968.

Rarely speaking to the public, Kundera only regained his Czech nationality in 2019.
Strasbourg, France, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jul, 2023 ) :The European Parliament on Wednesday narrowly backed a key biodiversity bill aimed at rewilding EU land and water habitats, overcoming a backlash by conservative lawmakers who said it would hurt farmers.

The text endorsing the Nature Restoration Law passed with 336 votes in favour, 300 against and 13 abstentions, setting the scene for the parliament to negotiate a final law on the issue with EU member state governments.

The parliament's biggest political grouping, the conservative European People's Party (EPP), had sought to shoot down the text, arguing that it would reduce EU food security and limit possibilities to build wind and hydroelectric energy facilities.

But it was outnumbered by other lawmakers who feared defeat of the text would send a signal that Europe was backing away from its green goals.

The conservative opposition to it, supported by extreme-right lawmakers, meant parts of the text were amended in ways that leftwing lawmakers said watered it down.

Much of the political fight around the text stemmed from electoral manoeuvres as parties positioned themselves ahead of EU elections to take place in June 2024.

The Nature Restoration Act, initiated by the European Commission, aims to resuscitate degraded ecosystems by boosting forested areas, marine habitats and increasing connectivity between rivers.

It notably seeks to grow populations of bees, birds and butterflies -- especially on farmland, which would also be encouraged to bring back marsh- and peatlands previously drained.

The EPP, which woos Europe's farmers as a key constituency, had called the bill a "bad proposal" and that farmers' concerns deserved to be listened to.

The EPP chief in the parliament, Manfred Weber, said in the lead-up to Wednesday's vote that "our approach is bridge-building" and that was why it wanted the current proposal to be scrapped and another drawn up.

But lawmakers and commission officials said the proposed bill had to pass because the electoral Calendar meant no other text was possible before the EU elections.

The outcome was "a victory, but a bitter victory," the Greens grouping in the parliament said.

"The obstruction by the right, the extreme-right and some of the liberals has led to a largely watered-down version being adopted," one of its MEPs, Caroline Roose, said.

A non-governmental organisation lobbying for maritime environmental protections, Seas At Risk, also criticised what it called "populist grandstanding" by right-wing and far-right lawmakers, and the "significantly weakened" final position.

Greenpeace, though, hailed the adoption of what it said would be a "clear benchmark" to judge EU governments on how they improve biodiversity.
Seoul, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jul, 2023 ) :North Korea has fired a ballistic missile, Seoul's military said Wednesday, days after Pyongyang threatened to down US spy planes that violated its airspace.

"North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile towards the East Sea," the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan.

Relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points ever, with diplomacy stalled and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un proclaiming his nation an "irreversible" nuclear state and calling for increased weapons development, including tactical nukes.

In response, Seoul and Washington have vowed Pyongyang would face a nuclear response and the "end" of the current government in North Korea were it to ever use its nukes against the allies.

On Monday, North Korea accused a US spy aircraft of violating its airspace and condemned Washington's plans to deploy a nuclear missile submarine near the Korean peninsula.

A spokesperson for the North's Ministry of National Defence said the United States had "intensified espionage activities beyond the wartime level", citing "provocative" flights made by US spy aircraft over eight straight days this month and one reconnaissance plane that intruded into its airspace over the East Sea "several times".

"There is no guarantee that such shocking accident as downing of the US Air Force strategic reconnaissance plane will not happen in the East Sea of Korea," the spokesperson said in a statement carried by the official Korean Central news Agency.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's powerful sister Kim Yo Jong said that a US spy aircraft had violated the country's eastern airspace twice on Monday morning, according to a separate statement.

Kim Yo Jong said the North would not respond directly to US reconnaissance activities outside of the country's exclusive economic zone, but warned it would take "decisive action" if the US military crossed its maritime military demarcation line.

Washington said in April that one of its nuclear-armed ballistic submarines would visit a South Korean port for the first time in decades, without specifying an exact date.

North Korea has conducted multiple sanctions-defying launches this year, including test-firing its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile, and attempting to put a military spy satellite into orbit in May.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has ramped up defence cooperation with Washington in response, staging joint military exercises with advanced stealth jets and powerful US strategic assets.

Yoon is set to attend a NATO summit in Lithuania this week, seeking stronger cooperation with the alliance's members over North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats, his office said.

South Korea and the United States are set to start their major annual joint military exercises, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, next month.

North Korea regards all such exercises as rehearsals for invasion and has described them as "frantic" drills "simulating an all-out war against" Pyongyang.
WASHINGTON, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jul, 2023 ) :The United States Tuesday welcomed the staff-level agreement between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) designed to stabilize the South Asian country's economy from recent external shocks, saying Washington would continue to support Islamabad through the process.

"Our support for the country's economic success is unwavering," State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller said when asked at his daily press briefing whether the U.S. had played a key role in securing the $3 billion IMF package for Pakistan.

"We will continue to engage with Pakistan through technical engagements and continue to strengthen our trade and investment ties, all of which are priorities for our bilateral relationship," Miller told the correspondent of a private Pakistani television channel.

"We believe Pakistan has a lot of hard work ahead to be on a long-term sustainable path to economic recovery and prosperity but we will continue to stand by them through that process," he added.

Asked about a recent interview of Pakistan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar, in which she said that Islamabad had no appetite to pick a side amid the growing global rivalry between Washington and Beijing, the spokesperson said that the US does not ask nations to make such a choice.

In the interview with POLITICO, an American news website, Ms. Khar insisted, however, that Islamabad was worried about the repercussions of an all-out rupture between the U.S. and China, which would present Pakistan with an unpalatably binary strategic choice. "We are highly threatened by this notion of splitting the world into two blocs," she said. "We are very concerned about this decoupling  Anything that splits the world further." In his response to the question, the State Department spokesperson said, "The United States does not ask Pakistan or any other country to choose between the United States and the PRC (People's Republic of China) or to choose between the United States and any other country.

"Our relations with Pakistan build on our close People to People ties and we will continue to seek ways to expand our partnership and economic ties, He said.

"Our economic cooperation with Pakistan reflects our vision for the region, as one comprised of nations that are independent, strong and prosperous, and our relationships are based on a spirit of respect and partnership."
Vilnius, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jul, 2023 ) :Western powers will offer Ukraine a package of long-term security commitments on Wednesday, after NATO dashed President Volodymyr Zelensky's hopes of a clear timeline for joining the alliance.

The Ukrainian leader was to hold talks with NATO's 31 leaders at their summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, a day after blasting them for not moving faster to bring Ukraine into the fold.

In an effort to reassure the Ukrainian leader, the G7 group of nations are expected to issue a declaration on how they will help Kyiv defeat Russia and deter any new aggression in the years to come while it sits in NATO's waiting room.

As he arrived for the meeting, Zelensky said he wanted to get on the "same page" with NATO over what were the conditions for joining the alliance.

"We will speak today and fight for these security guarantees for Ukraine on the way to NATO," he said before striding up the red carpet.

The G7 announcement will provide a framework under which individual nations will later agree bilateral deals with Kyiv detailing the weapons they will give.

The West wants to send a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he cannot keep the war grinding in the hope that international backing for Ukraine will eventually falter.

"This multilateral declaration will send a significant signal to Russia that time is not on its side," White House advisor for European affairs Amanda Sloat said.

US President Joe Biden has previously suggested a model for Ukraine similar to one under which Washington has committed to giving Israel $3.8 billion in military aid per year over a decade.

Russia launched drone strikes on Kyiv for the second night in a row, the head of the city's military administration said early Wednesday.

All of the Iran-made Shahed explosive drones launched at Kyiv were were "detected and destroyed," Sergiy Popko said on Telegram, adding "there was no information about victims or destruction as of now."
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Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch says Pakistan does not need Israel's advice on human rights, given Israel's history of oppression against Palestinians.

ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-July 11th, 2023) Following a critical statement by an Israeli representative regarding Pakistan's human rights record, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zehra Baloch dismissed it as politically motivated.

Baloch emphasized that Pakistan does not need Israel's advice on human rights, given Israel's history of oppression against Palestinians.

The spokesperson's remarks came after the United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously adopted Pakistan's Universal Periodic Report, receiving commendations from various states and civil society organizations for its significant progress in advancing human rights.

During Pakistan's presentation at the UN Human Rights Council, the country highlighted the importance of the Universal Periodic Review process as a constructive mechanism for fulfilling human rights obligations.

Several speakers praised Pakistan for accepting many recommendations, demonstrating its commitment to promoting and protecting human rights.

Pakistan's human rights profile has consistently improved through the four cycles of the Universal Periodic Review process. The fourth review provided an opportunity to showcase the progress made and the challenges faced in our ongoing efforts to advance rights, freedoms, dignity, and better standards for all citizens, stated Pakistan's representative.

In response to Israel's statement, Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Sherry Rehman strongly condemned Israel's remarks about Pakistan at the UN, highlighting the Israel-India support for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its chairman, which she claimed exposed a dubious alliance behind the May 9 violence.

Speaking at a press conference alongside Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Interior and Legal Affairs Attaullah Tarar, Sherry Rehman criticized the PTI chairman for his reported alignment with Israel and his alleged willingness to do anything to please the country.

She stated, "Imran Khan believes that Israel's violations in Palestine are acceptable. Today, Israel claims to be a champion of human rights, but in reality, it behaves contrary to that."

Rehman condemned the PTI chairman for criticizing and opposing his arrest, emphasizing that no one is above the law. She questioned Israel's motives for offering recommendations that favor attacks on Pakistan's sensitive installations and highlighted Israel's silence on human rights violations by India in occupied Kashmir.

She concluded that Israel's statement was not about human rights but rather a reflection of their "special sympathy" for the PTI and its chairman. Rehman reminded that Israel itself has been violating the basic rights of Palestinians for the past 60 years.

Ends/
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Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said Pakistan welcomed the adoption of the resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council titled "Countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence"

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jul, 2023 ):Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said Pakistan welcomed the adoption of the resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council titled "Countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence".

On his Twitter handle, the prime minister said that the incidents like public desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden could not be tolerated at all.

"All religious symbols, holy personages and Divine Books are equally sacred for followers of all faiths.

Those indulging in such despicable & vile acts as the burning of the Holy Quran in the name of freedom of expression need to be called out publicly," the prime minister stressed.

He said that humanity was better served by a consensus on the resolve to safeguard their shared values of religious tolerance, pluralism and respect for all faiths.

The prime minister also expressed gratitude to all the member countries of the UN Human Rights Council that supported the resolution moved by Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday pledged to the nation that under the leadership of its Quaid Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, if given the mandate in next general elections, would utilize all available resources to bring the country out of economic crisis and take it to the zenith of development and prosperity

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jul, 2023 ) :Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday pledged to the nation that under the leadership of its Quaid Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, if given the mandate in next general elections, would utilize all available resources to bring the country out of economic crisis and take it to the zenith of development and prosperity.

State of the art technology would be introduced for development in various sectors, including agriculture, energy and industries, he said addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony of a flyover here at Shaheen Chowk on Ninth Avenue.

The prime minister said the coalition government had launched a series of development projects in the Federal Capital to provide relief to its residents.

The Capital's most important project, he said, was the Bahara Kahu fllyover that had almost been completed and its inauguration was likely by the end of current month. The project was not only beneficial for the residents of the twin cities but it would also facilitate the people from all over the country in their travel to Kashmir and Northern Areas.

Referring to the stand-by agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he said it was all because of the prayers of the people and now the country would resume its journey of development and prosperity.

It was not an easy task as the PML-N and its coalition partners put their politics at stake by taking tough economic decisions to save the country from default, he added.

Pakistan, he said, would now stand on its own feet. "We will promote agriculture, information technology and other sectors. Pakistan will not only shed the debt burden but also emerge as a powerful country very soon." He said the PTI's Imran Niazi was bent upon ruining the economy as evident from his willful deviation from the IMF agreement.

He wanted the country to default, but with the blessings of Almighty and efforts of the coalition government, such an eventuality was averted, the prime minister added.

Pm Shehbaz said not a single corruption scandal had been reported during the current government's tenure of over one year, rather billions of rupees were saved by reaching big deals such as import of wheat and the agreement of a nuclear power project with China.

The cost of the nuclear power project remained the same as agreed with the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 2018, besides a discount of Rs 30 billion, he added.

Speaking about the 9th May incidents, the prime minister said what the PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) had done on that day the enemy even could not do.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also inaugurated the monsoon tree plantation campaign by planting a tree near the project.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said the prime minister always did the politics of serving the people. He efficiently run the government affairs during his over a year's tenure as he kept balance among all the coalition partners.

The 'politics of arrogance' had had been buried forever, he added.

Capital Development Authority Chairman Noor ul Ameen Mengal said on the prime minister's direction, the project would be completed in four months and it would cost around Rs 2 billion.

Currently, he said, various projects worth Rs 150 billion were in progress in Islamabad, out of them the projects of Rs 100 billion would be completed in a month time.

PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi saidf the Bahara Kahu flyover would be inaugurated on July 31.

Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb was also present on the occasion.
Al Mukalla: On Tuesday, the Houthis, who are backed by Iran, launched two ballistic missiles at Marib in central Yemen as they gathered numerous fighters and military hardware outside the city, according to local government officials.

Two missiles landed close to a military base and a camp for internally displaced people between Tadaween and Al-Shabwani, north of Marib, according to Rashad Al-Mekhlafi, a military official with Yemen's Armed Forces Guidance Department, who spoke to Arab News by phone. Al-Mekhlafi reported that "the missiles exploded in an open area in Marib without causing any injuries."

The missile attack occurred as the Houthis were assembling large military equipment reserves and fighters outside Marib in preparation for an offensive on the energy-rich city, according to three government officials who spoke to Arab News. A truce negotiated by the UN and put into effect in April of last year had stopped the attack.

Also Read: Saudi Arabia transfers $2 billion to the Pakistani central bank as a "lifeline to Islamabad"

Al-Mekhlafi claimed that "they have gathered fighters and enormous military hardware on the southern, western, northern, and east-northeast outskirts of Marib." This arsenal includes armoured vehicles, cannons, and drone launchers. Arab News was informed about the Houthi military gatherings outside Marib by two additional government sources.

Yemen's military has sent battalions and heavy weapons to the city's outskirts to defend against the approaching attack. "We are equipped to thwart any assault. With newly graduated military battalions, including sniper and infantry forces, we strengthened the front lines. Al-Mekhlafi asserted that what the Houthis were unable to accomplish in the past would now be possible

Beginning in 2021, the Houthis launched a significant military offensive on Marib. This offensive resulted in the deaths of thousands of combatants and civilians, and it was widely denounced locally and internationally.

The Houthis were forced to halt military operations after coming closer to the city than ever before but failing to take control of it or its oil and gas fields.

Also Read: On a website run by the UK foreign office, a decade-old article contained a racist slur

The Yemeni government insists that it will uphold its obligations to de-escalate the situation in Marib and other flashpoint areas of the country, but it will retaliate against any military actions.

"We are aware that the Houthis have gathered strength in Marib and along the Lahj and Dhale administrative borders. Even though Saudi, UN, American, and European mediators advise caution, the legitimate government is ready to repel any attack, a government official who wished to remain anonymous told Arab News.

Experts on Yemen believe that the Houthis have relocated significant military hardware and weaponry outside Marib by taking advantage of the Arab coalition's suspension of bombings as part of the truce.

Also Read: The House of Lords and the UK government are at odds over the controversial immigration bill

The Houthis had been determined to take over Marib since the start of the war, not only because of its strategic location, oil and gas fields, and significant power plant, but also because it vehemently opposed the Houthi military takeover of power in Yemen, according to Mohammed Al-Salehi, editor of the news website Marib Press. "Marib is the governorate that has steadfastly opposed the Houthi militia from day one, and it is home to all opponents of the Houthis," Al-Salehi declared.
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Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations, Munir Akram, has welcomed the adoption of a resolution by the UN Human Rights Council condemning recent incidents in which the Holy Quran was burnt, saying it was a "strong signal that the OIC countries will not tolerate such acts of hatred, hostility and violence

UNITED NATIONS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jul, 2023 ):Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations, Munir Akram, has welcomed the adoption of a resolution by the UN Human Rights Council condemning recent incidents in which the Holy Quran was burnt, saying it was a "strong signal that the OIC countries will not tolerate such acts of hatred, hostility and violence.

" "Adoption of this resolution should lead to concrete actions against such manifestations of religious hatred and Islamophobia," he said in a statement released in New York.

Amongst the 47 members of the Geneva-based Council, there were 28 votes in favour of the resolution, 12 votes against, and seven abstentions.

It was strongly opposed by the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom, who say it conflicts with their view on human rights and freedom of expression.

Pakistan piloted the resolution on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which has 57 members.
Canada will be welcoming Ukrainian Officer Cadets for intensive training at St-Jean Royal Military College in Quebec as part of Operation Unifier, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th July, 2023) Canada will be welcoming Ukrainian Officer Cadets for intensive training at St-Jean Royal Military College in Quebec as part of Operation Unifier, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is currently in Lithuania to participate in the NATO summit held in Vilnius from July 11-12

"I can announce today that through this Operation (Unifier), we're welcoming officer cadets from Ukraine to train at Royal Military College St-Jean, for an intensive training program developed in partnership with NATO," Trudeau said during a press conference from Vilnius.

Trudeau further added that Canada has been providing support for Ukraine since Crimea's annexation by Russia, noting that under Operation Unifier, Canada has trained nearly 40,000 Ukrainian military and security personnel.

Since Russia began the special military operation in Ukraine, Canada has pledged more than $8 billion in aid to Kiev, including $1 billion in military assistance.

Operation Unifier was launched in 2015 at the request of Ukraine to train its military personnel. Shortly after Russia began its special military operation in Ukraine, the mission was extended until March 2025.
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JAKARTA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th July, 2023) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and China's Central Foreign Affairs Office Director Wang Yi met in Jakarta on Wednesday to discuss trilateral cooperation.

"Indonesia is always open to engaging and discuss(ing) with our partners, with a hope that we can come to stability and prosperity in the world," Marsudi told the three-way meeting.

Lavrov told his counterparts on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations was "the best basis" for discussing regional issues. He thanked Indonesia for hosting the three-nation talks.
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MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th July, 2023) South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol urged the country's three NATO allies in the Asia-Pacific (AP4) to set a collective security arrangement following a new missile launch by North Korea.

Earlier in the day, North Korea launched a ballistic missile, which fell 155 miles off Japan's Okushiri Island, outside the country's exclusive economic zone.

"I believe we, the AP4, should band together with NATO to establish a strong collective security posture. We will have to use this as an opportunity to enhance our cooperation framework with NATO and take a leading role in regional security in the Indo-Pacific region," Yoon said at a meeting with the leaders of Australia, Japan and New Zealand on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius, as quoted by the Yonhap news agency.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reportedly concurred with Yoon's initiative and described the North Korean launch is a threat to international peace and stability, while Australia's Anthony Albanese condemned the launch as violating UN resolutions and affirmed Canberra's solidarity with Seoul.

Earlier in the day, Yoon vowed to hold North Korea accountable for its missile launch and convened an emergency session of the National Security Council.

The Wednesday launch was North Korea's first since June 15 and the 12th so far this year. Last year, Pyongyang launched 37 ballistic missiles.
Saudi Arabia signed a treaty of amity and cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the visit of Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan to Jakarta on Wednesday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th July, 2023) Saudi Arabia signed a treaty of amity and cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the visit of Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan to Jakarta on Wednesday.

"The signing ceremony reflects the growing importance that external partners accord to ASEAN, including their commitment to adhere to ASEAN's key principles and values," ASEAN said in a statement.

The Gulf Arab kingdom became the 51st signatory to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. The signing was overseen by the 10 ASEAN foreign ministers and its secretary general, Kao Kim Hourn of Cambodia.

The legally binding treaty was established in 1976 to promote peaceful coexistence in the region and was amended several times to allow for accession by states outside Southeast Asia as well as by regional organizations.
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WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th July, 2023) A group of scientists revealed on Tuesday that Crawford Lake in Ontario, Canada, have been chosen as a Primary marker of the beginning of the Anthropocene epoch.

"An international team of researchers has chosen the location which best represents the beginnings of what could be a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene. The Anthropocene Working Group have put forward Crawford Lake, in Canada, as a Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the Anthropocene," the University of Southampton said in a statement.

The Anthropocene is a proposed geologic epoch that started in the middle of the 20th century when humans began having a significant impact on the Earth.

Secretary of the working group Simon Turner noted that sediments from the lake's bottom provide a record of environmental changes during the last millennia. He said that seasonal changes in water chemistry and ecology have created annual layers that can be sampled for multiple markers of historical human activity.

Scientists have gathered core sample sections from a number of places around the world and researched them in several laboratories, according to the statement. They found that a key marker of human influence on the environment is the presence of plutonium, it added.

Other geological indicators of human impact include high levels of ash from coal-fired power stations, and high concentrations of heavy metals and plastic materials, according to the statement.

"From the hundreds of samples analysed, the core from Crawford Lake has been proposed as the GSSP, along with secondary supporting sites that show similar high-resolution records of human impact," the statement said.

Crawford Lake is a small and deep lake is a protected conservation area in Southern Ontario, Canada as part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The lake began attracting the interest of scientists in the 1970s when archeologists began searching there for signs of early indigenous settlements and found thousands of artifacts, according to the media.
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Ukraine is not interested in deployment of foreign military on its soil while the country is not a member of NATO, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th July, 2023) Ukraine is not interested in deployment of foreign military on its soil while the country is not a member of NATO, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday.

"This issue (on Ukraine hosting foreign military) has not been raised by anyone, and we are not interested in this, and NATO countries (are not interested), in deploying some foreign forces while are not in NATO.

In this case, our armed forces are enough, the question is the latest NATO standard weapons. And when we are in NATO, I'm sure they can be invited to provide security on the territory of other countries," Zelenskyy said at a press conference after the NATO summit in Vilnius.
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United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has proposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to preserve the Black Sea Grain Initiative for few more months until the European Union manages to connect a subsidiary of the Russian Agriculture Bank to SWIFT, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing sources

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th July, 2023) United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has proposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to preserve the Black Sea Grain Initiative for few more months until the European Union manages to connect a subsidiary of the Russian Agriculture Bank to SWIFT, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

Earlier in the day, the UN said that Guterres sent a letter to Putin that outlines a proposal to extend the grain exports agreement.

Reuters is citing two sources that are familiar with discussions on the extension of the grain deal, which expires on July 17.
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WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th July, 2023) The US State Department recently detected irregular cyber activity on its network and immediately notified microsoft of the event, spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Wednesday.

"Last month, the State Department detected anomalous activity," Miller said during a press briefing.

"We did two things immediately: we took immediate steps to secure our systems and to take immediate steps to notify Microsoft of the event."

Miller said the US government has not made a public attribution to who might be behind the cyber incident.

On Tuesday, Microsoft said it is tracking a China-based actor known as Storm-0558 that gained access to email accounts, including US government accounts.

Microsoft said the cyber attacks have affected some 25 organizations, including government agencies.
USM Announces Recipients of NASA-Mississippi Space Grant Consortium Scholarships

Wed, 07/12/2023 - 02:05pm | By: Ivonne Kawas

The College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) celebrates 25 students who have been awarded Space Grant scholarships through the state-wide NASA-Mississippi Space Grant Consortium (MSSGC) program.

This initiative aims to support students and nurture their passion for science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) disciplines while providing invaluable support for their academic pursuits. The program is designed to encourage and motivate excellence in student performance and to raise awareness of NASA employment and research opportunities among students with relevant majors at USM.

As the Southern Miss campus coordinator for the NASA-Mississippi Space Grant Consortium, Im honored to be able to award these scholarships to some of our hardworking STEM students, said Dr. David Cochran, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education in the College of Arts and Sciences. It is gratifying to be part of a statewide initiative that provides much-needed funding to students and promotes participation across the University in some of the many opportunities available through NASA.

The 2023-2024 NASA-Mississippi Space Grant scholarship recipients include:

Glenn Trey Anglada, ocean engineering major from Gulfport, Miss.

Makayla Baines, computer engineering major from Coila, Miss.

Andrew L. Barbour III, polymer science & engineering major from Alabaster, Ala.

Joseph Larry Byrd, polymer science & engineering major from Hattiesburg, Miss.

Sandra Cordova, forensics (criminal justice) major from Jackson, Miss.

Samuel Crosier, biological sciences major from Vancleave, Miss.

David Enrique Garcia, polymer science & engineering major from Hattiesburg, Miss.

Jessie L. Gilmore III, polymer science major from Brookhaven, Miss.

Jolie Gosier, conservation biology from Bay St. Louis, Miss.

Amari Harmon, polymer science & engineering from Poplarville, Miss.

Caleigh Herman, ocean engineering major from Bradenton, Fla.

Noah Hyche, marine biology major from Long Beach, Miss.

Shakiya Ingram, ocean engineering from Canton, Miss.

Claire Klubertanz, marine biology major from Biloxi, Miss.

Leilanie Martinez, ocean engineering major from Gautier, Miss.

Alkendria McNair, information technology major from Collins, Miss.

Ranni Leigh Middleton, polymer science & engineering major from Raleigh, Miss.

Griffin O'Regan, forensics (criminal justice) major from Meridian, Miss.

Jalyn Phillips, polymer science & engineering major from Winona, Miss.

A'Lea Rogers, forensics (chemistry/biochemistry) major from Buckatunna, Miss.

Evan Smith, biological sciences major from Biloxi, Miss.

Kaley Speed, forensics (biological science) from Greenville, Miss.

Alexandria Wadlington, forensics (biological science) major Olive Branch, Miss.

Maggie Wasilenko, biological sciences major Biloxi, Miss.

Ember Wilson, polymer science & engineering major from Madison, Miss.

About MSSGC

MSSGC is a statewide non-profit organization supported by NASA whose membership includes 17 institutions of higher learning across the state. Headquartered at the University of Mississippi, MSSGC is led by Dr. Nathan Murray, director, and Dr. Earnest Stephens, assistant director. MSSGC provides opportunities for Mississippians who are interested in participating in NASAs aeronautics and space programs by supporting and enhancing STEM fields, research, and outreach programs. Visit MSSGC for more information.
Recent pro-Khalistan protests in Canada have had no impact on India and Canada's trade negotiations, and both countries are aiming for a quick conclusion of the interim trade agreement. The temporary trade agreement may be inked by the end of the year, according to sources.

This comes after the CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) talks between India and Canada were formally restarted in 2022. Additionally, there have long been discussions of an early progress trade agreement or interim trade deal.

The sixth Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment (MDTI), which took place in May between Canada and India, was co-chaired by Mary Ng, Canada's Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business, and Economic Development, and Piyush Goyal, India's Minister of Commerce and Industry.

Trade negotiations between India and the UK have also proceeded despite pro-Khalistan demonstrations that took place in London earlier this year. Khalistan, according to experts, will have an impact on bilateral relations, but it is unclear whether this would also have an impact on trade negotiations.

According to Surendar Singh, an associate professor at the FORE School of Management, it is difficult to predict how the Khalistan issue will affect trade discussions. "Every nation strives to safeguard its strategic interests and sovereign rights. But not all Sikhs in Canada are in favour of Khalistan. Even Khalistan's support base in Punjab is now very thin, he noted.

Singh added that a temporary trade pact with Canada along the lines of the temporary pact with India and Australia would be very beneficial. The CEPA, which would be crucial for both nations, would be the second phase of the free trade agreement. He said that it was "difficult to say whether the three FTAs of India, with Canada, the UK, and European countries, will be concluded by the end of the year" because of the impending elections.

The amount of trade between the two nations has increased. The bilateral commerce in products between Canada and India increased by 57% annually to USD 12 billion in 2022, while the bilateral trade in services was CUSD 8.9 billion at same time.

According to a recent CII survey report, 30 Indian firms have made over CUSD 6.6 billion in investments in Canada. They have also spent close to C$ 700 million, or 11% of their total investments, on R&D. The report "From India to Canada: Economic Impact and Engagement" discovered that Indian businesses jointly employ more than 17,000 people in Canada and continue to generate a large number of employment possibilities.

RBI to Set a Long Route for the Digital Currency Launch

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Vietnams Trade & Investment With The European Union Following The 2020 EVFTA

It has been nearly three years since Vietnam and the European Union signed the EVFTA. In this article, we highlight the developments the EVFTA has bought to Europe  and vice versa.

Overview

Considering geopolitical uncertainty, increasingly over the past couple of years, the Western world has been actively complementing or even replacing its Asian manufacturing in countries such as China or Taiwan. Vietnam has been a beneficiary of this trend; it is one of Southeast Asias fastest-growing economies, with a powerful manufacturing edge, favorable corporate taxation, numerous treaties, and special economic zones (SEZs). It is also driven by Vietnams energy transition efforts.

This brief analysis sets out developments over the past two years in both strategy development as well as specific cross-border investments between several EU countries and Vietnam. It is not designed to be comprehensive, but rather to highlight these shifting flows, key investments, and the direction taken over the past two years by EU countries.

Since the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) came into effect in August 2020, trade and investment from Europe has boomed. EU trade with Vietnam surged by 14.8 percent in 2021 to US$63.6 billion led by investments in renewable energy by several EU countries, in addition to other strategic areas of the growing economy in Vietnam.

Germany

At year-end 2022, Germany was Vietnams largest market in Europe and Vietnams seventh-largest export market in the world, serving as an important gateway for Vietnamese goods to enter other markets in Europe. Meanwhile, Vietnam is Germanys largest trading partner in Southeast Asia(1).

Since 2011, Germany and Vietnam have had a strategic partnership involving cooperation at all levels and in numerous policy fields. Germany is Vietnams largest trading partner among EU states, slightly ahead of the Netherlands. An EU free trade agreement with Vietnam came into force in 2020(2).

The first German investments in Vietnam started shortly following Vietnams opening up. In 1992, Bultel (producing fashion for brands such as Camel Active) settled down in Binh Duong. In the same year, Tatonka (an outdoor brand) opened a backpack production line in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). German investments accelerated when Vietnam joined the WTO (2007) and again following the 2015 amendment of the enterprise and investment law(3).

By year-end 2022, 450 companies from Germany had invested circa US$2.8 billion in Vietnam creating some 47,000 jobs(4). The largest German investor has been Bosch. Since its entrance into Vietnam in 2007, Bosch Vietnam has invested over US$450 million. With over 5,000 staff, it currently manages one high-tech factory and three R&D facilities, in sectors including mobile technology, industrial technology, electrical appliances, high-rise construction, and energy technology. Bosch operates a major manufacturing complex in Dong Nai while also operating an R&D center in HCMC.

Adidas entered Vietnam in 1993, but only in 2009 did it officially set up Adidas Vietnam. Adidas has been manufacturing apparel and footwear in Vietnam for over a decade. In October 2022, its CEO stated that Adidas wanted to make Vietnam one of its main manufacturing hubs.

Other German companies operating in Vietnam include Stada  Pymepharco, medical equipment, via the acquisition of a controlling stake in 2018, and Messer Gases, chemicals, via a major investment in 2017.

While manufacturing growth continues, recent investments (since 2021) have been focused on renewable energy/energy transition and digital as shown below:

In February 2021, Siemens Gamesa won its largest nearshore project to date in Vietnam  the 100 MW Tra Vinh Dong Hai 1 wind farm. Located in Tra Vinh province, the project will feature 25 SG 5.0-145 turbines with a flexible power rating. It is the first nearshore project by Trungnam Group as the Vietnamese energy and infrastructure developer expands to the nearshore sector to complement its existing renewables portfolios for solar and onshore wind projects.

In November 2021, BCG Energy and Siemens Gamesa signed a cooperation agreement on a US$400 million wind power development in Vietnam. Under the terms of the agreement, Siemens Gamesa will be the supplier of equipment and technical solutions for BCG Energy to implement more than 500 MW of wind power projects in Vietnam. BCG Energy currently owns 577.1 MW of capacity in Vietnam and aims to reach 1.5 GW of generating capacity by 2023.

In September 2022, several companies collaborated with Siemens on another major wind deal. EKF Denmarks Export Credit Agency (EKF) and Siemens Gamesa, have been strategic business partners for years. The wind project is backed by a buyer credit guarantee from EKF; The guarantor behind it is the Vietnamese bank MB Bank; the buyer credit guarantee for the financing of the project was arranged by another good business partner of EKF, German Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg (LBBW).

In September 2022, Bosch announced its plans for Vietnam expansion in software, and high-tech agriculture. About 6,000 software engineers for research and development as well as hi-tech agriculture will be part of the task force developed by Bosch, a German engineering and technology giant, under its Vietnam expansion plans until 2025(5).

2023  Future Growth

In November 2022, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spent 2 days of his 4-day Asian tour in Vietnam. He was the first European leader to visit Vietnam since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. During his visit, Scholz said Germany wants to considerably boost trade and investment while helping Vietnam become a beneficiary as Western firms look to diversify away from China. Cooperation deals on energy and vocational training were signed during Scholzs visit to Hanoi(6).

In April 2023, Vietnams Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien received a German business delegation led by former Vice Chancellor of Germany Philipp Rosler focussed on investment opportunities and business cooperation in the fields of e-commerce and new materials(7).

The Vietnamese government has issued many preferential and supportive policies for supporting industry enterprises in Vietnam, many of which are aligned with German strengths such as electronics, automobile manufacturing, assembly, and mechanical engineering. Minister Dien suggested that German enterprises expand production and investment into Vietnam to take full advantage of those incentives.

In Q1 2023, B. Braun Group announced that its Vietnamese operation will be hiring an additional 1,600 employees, including 200 in its 3rd factory southwest of Hanoi(8).

These future efforts are building from any already strong 2022 base where the total two-way trade turnover reached US$12.6 billion, up 12.1 percent compared to 2021, of which exports reached US$8.9 billion up 23.1 percent, and imports at US$3.6 billion, down 8.2 percent7 (5). The key export items were machinery and equipment, telephones, footwear, textiles, coffee, and seafood, while imports included machinery, equipment, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, auto parts, and components.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands is the largest EU direct investor in Vietnam with a cumulative investment of US$13.71 billion at year end 2022. It also remains the largest EU export destination in 2022 and ranks 6th worldwide. Exports to the Netherlands reached US$10.43 billion in 2022, an increase of 36 percent compared to 2021(9).

In December 2022, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Brainport Eindhoven, considered the Silicon Valley of Europe, in Eindhoven. PM Chinh discussed their 50-year history, partnerships in climate change, between Binh Duong province and Eindhoven city, between the Becamex corporation and Brainport in smart city building, and between An Giang and North Brainport provinces. He also met some Dutch executives to discuss innovation and high-tech manufacturing.

Vietnam wishes to learn three models from the Netherlands; the airport, seaport, and Brainport models, noting how the Netherlands has used these to convert from an agricultural country into an industrialized one based on innovation and smart services.

He called on the Netherlands to help Vietnam build an innovation and startup center in Hanoi like the Brainport Industries Campus in Eindhoven and in the process elevate their relationship to new heights with more strides recorded in connections between their localities, ministries, and sectors, including between Brainport Industries Campus and Vietnam.

In March 2023, it was widely reported that Dutch chip suppliers were weighing new manufacturing factory possibilities in Vietnam and Malaysia for up to US$1.5 billion.

France

France is now among the largest EU trade partners of Vietnam, and the fourth largest EU export market to the latter. Bilateral trade turnover between the two nations rose 15.7 percent annually on average from 2011-2019. Bilateral trade in 2019 between Vietnam and France was US$5.3 billion in 2019 (up from only US$1.6 billion in 2009), increasing to US$7.45 billion in 2021, and an estimated US$8.5 billion in 2022(10).

France is also among the biggest European donors of Vietnam-based official development assistance (ODA) projects, while the latter is the second largest recipient of ODA funding from France, with total ODA capital totaling US$18.4 billion since 1993.

Vietnam is also one of the few nations that have enjoyed financial assistance from Frances three financial aid channels: the public budget, preferential loans from the French Development Agency (AFD), and the Priority Solidarity Fund (FSP).

Metro No. 3 project has attracted the highest amount of ODA capital. The metro line, which includes 12 stations with 13 trains running between them, entered commercial service in November 2021 and was officially inaugurated on 13 January 2022. As of April 2023, more than 32,000 passengers travel on the line every weekday and around 28,000 at weekends. Hanois first metro line has been well received by the residents of Vietnam(11).

There are now 300 French companies operating in Vietnam, focusing on the processing and manufacturing industry, production activity, power distribution, services and retail, and real estate.

In 2022, Vietnam became the tenth-largest supplier of apparel to France, with imports increasing by 33.05 percent to US$793.5 million from US$596.6 million in 2021. Vietnams apparel accounted for 2.9 percent of Frances total import value of US$27.4 billion in 2022(12).

In terms of healthcare, Vietnam and France have set up 30 joint projects on medical and pharmaceutical training. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam donated facemasks to local authorities and the people of France. At the same time, the French Government supplied 5.5 million vaccine doses and equipment for Vietnamese medical facilities.

In October 2021, EDF Renewables agreed to invest a minimum of US$100 million in VinaCapitals SkyX Solar, a rooftop solar power developer in Vietnam as the market continues to boom. With this funding, SkyX Solar which has around 30 MWp of solar projects under operation, to further develop 200 MWp of rooftop solar and distributed solar projects for commercial/industrial customers in Vietnam over the next few years

In November 2021, T&T Group and Frances Total Eren Group signed an MoU regarding cooperation in renewable energy in Vietnam; the two sides will jointly invest in feasible projects and cooperate to develop at least 2,000 MW, with a total investment estimated at US$3 billion.

In November 2021, it was reported that Proparco previously granted (in August 2021) US$50 million to HD Bank to help the bank finance renewable energy projects in Vietnam. Both HDBank and Proparco also agreed to a follow-up transaction of an additional US$50 million, to be closed in 2022 In addition, Proparco indicated its interest in supporting HDBank in issuing Green Bonds to finance projects to finance projects by its corporate clients.

In July 2022, Sanofis Vietnamese unit inaugurated a new warehouse at Long Hau Industrial Park in Long An province, which borders HCMC. The facility is about one hours drive from the US$75 million plant in HCMCs Saigon Hi-Tech Park Sanofi built in 2013. Sanofi also said it would invest 5 million ($5.7 million) to expand factories producing for export, and another 1.2 million for a renewable energy source to replace diesel at Sanofi Vietnam plants, through its cooperation with VinaPharm(13).

In December 2022, CMA CGM Air Cargo announced that it is planning to apply for a flight license in Vietnam. CMA CGM was committed to continuing to support Vietnams economic development through the expansion of Gemalink, and with logistics solutions from Ceva Logistics and CMA CGM Air Cargo. CMA CGM has invested in Vietnams seaports since 1994, and holds major stakes in Gemalink Container Terminal at Cai Mep deepwater port, in the south, as well as at Lach Huyen port, in the northern city of Hai Phong. Gemalink phase two is already underway, as is CMAs investment in a new dry port close to Ho Chi Minh City  but operating its air cargo arm there would be a breakthrough into Vietnams air freight sector(14).

In April 2023, France ranked third among European countries investing in Vietnam, and Vietnam ranks second among Asian recipients of French official development assistance (ODA)(15).

Belgium

As at December 2022, Belgium ranked 6th among EU countries in terms of trade with total trade of US$4.5 billion  it is Belgiums biggest trade partner in ASEAN. Belgium ranked 23rd among 143 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with 88 projects (78 in 2020) with total registered capital of circa US$1.1 billion. Since 2020, there has been a dedicated effort to increase both trade and investment. The two countries recorded US$4 billion in trade in the first 10 months of 2022.

Vietnam is focusing future partnership growth on innovation, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and energy transition, all of which are aligned with the vision defined by the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) that by 2045, Vietnam will become a modern industrialized country.

As such, near-term growth is focussed on two Belgian organizations which can accelerate this plan.

John Cockerill is Belgiums leading industrial group with more than 200 years of history. The group operates in the field of manufacturing machinery and industrial solutions across a variety of sectors, including energy, the environment, hydrogen, defense, and industrial services. In terms of the field of hydrogen, John Cockerill is the world leader in manufacturing hydrogen electrolyzers.

In May 2023, its CEO signed an agreement to develop a hydrogen factory in Tra Vinh to produce activated carbon from coconut shells and other by-products of coconut trees in the southern province of Ben Tre. Once the John Cockerill project is complete, it will be the second hydrogen factory in Tra Vinh. In March 2023, TGS Tra Vinh Green Hydrogen held the ground-breaking ceremony for its Tra Vinh green hydrogen factory in Dong Hai commune, Duyen Hai district.

Covering an area of 21 hectares, the TGS Tra Vinh factory saw a total investment of nearly VND8 trillion ($341 million) and was the largest hydrogen production project in Vietnam so far. The project produces hydrogen from the electrolysis of seawater, and the generated hydrogen can be stored as a liquid gas, suitable for use in many fields and easily transported. It is expected that after the project is completed and put into operation, the factory will reach an output of 24,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year, and 195,000 tonnes of oxygen per year, creating jobs for 300500 workers.(16)

A 2nd major Belgian growth partner is Hub. Brussels including IMEC Interuniversity Microelectronics Center. Hub.Brussels is a leading intersectoral organization in Brussels that supports businesses, including start-ups and incubation programs. IMEC makes up one of the leading research and development centers throughout Europe and the world in the field of semiconductors and nanotechnology, especially new technologies for industries, smart manufacturing, mobile equipment, smart city development, and energy.

In December 2022, Vietnam recommended that Hub.Brussels begin cooperation with Vietnam National Innovation Center (NIC), especially in the area of sharing the best experiences to improve innovation and startup capacity in Vietnam and the EU. This involves Hub.Brussels advising and supporting the NIC on the operation and development of the innovation and start-up center, investment fund connection, incubation, as well as the innovation and startup promotion.

The Vietnam Government has assigned the NIC and the Vietnam Innovation Network in Europe (VINEU) to coordinate with Hub.Brussels to research and build an exchange program for startups to bring a number of Vietnamese businesses that are highly interested in surveying, working, and studying at Hub.Brussels.

As such, Hub.Brussels has been designed as the focal point to connect and support the search for innovation partners in Belgium, as well as the EU for NIC. Hub.Brussels has been invited to open a representative office located at NIC Hoa Lac to cooperate with NIC in developing an innovative startup ecosystem in Vietnam.

In February 2023, Hub.Brussels, NIC, and VINEU signed an MoU covering these points.(17)

Luxembourg

Vietnam established diplomatic relations with Luxembourg in 1973. Luxembourg is currently the third largest European investor in Vietnam, with a total capital of US$2.6 billion. The country is considered a global financial center and the headquarters of the worlds leading financial investment funds. Luxembourg officials have publicly expressed their desire to promote bilateral trade and investment, as well as to increase cooperation with Vietnam in the field of green economy.

In December 2022, Vietnams Prime Minister Chinh met with his counterpart, calling on Luxembourg businesses to increase their investment in areas such as strategic infrastructure, digital transformation, renewable energy, and pharmaceutical technology. Specific areas of cooperation include:

Chinh wants Luxembourg to provide financial and technological support for Vietnam to develop its renewable energy industry and to implement climate change adaptation projects, especially in the Mekong Delta.

The two countries agreed to expand cooperation in the fields of national defense, combating transnational crimes, cyber security, digital transformation, culture, tourism, education and training, and transportation.

Chinh visited the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, which is the first stock exchange in the world dedicated exclusively to sustainable finance. This stock exchange is listing half of the worlds green bonds. Chinh wants to cooperate with Luxembourg to develop Vietnams stock market from a frontier market to an emerging one and thus signed an MoU with them.

One key leading goal is to build upon this expertise for Vietnam to build its own major financial center in HCMC.(18)

Switzerland

Switzerland currently has circa 200 foreign direct investment projects in Vietnam with total investment capital of US$1.89 billion, ranking 21st out of 140 countries and territories having Vietnamese investments. By 2021, Vietnam was currently home to some 100 Swiss firms with a combined investment capital of nearly US$2 billion. These included major names such as Nestle, Novartis, Roche, Holcim, and ABB(19).

In October 2022, Nescafe unveiled a US$1 billion plan for coffee sustainability, focusing on Vietnam. Nestle last October injected an additional US$132 million into its coffee business in Vietnam, doubling Nestle Vietnam Companys coffee product manufacturing capacity at its Tri An factory in Dong Nai province which borders Ho Chi Minh City, the countrys southern economic hub. Nestle Vietnam was founded in 1995 and the new capital inflow raised its total investment in Vietnam to date was US$730 million. This amount did not include around US$700 million Nestle spends annually to buy coffee beans from Vietnamese farmers which accounts for 20-25 percent of total coffee beans harvested annually in Vietnam(20).

Leaders between both countries met in January to discuss how Switzerland can play a role in new energy and digitization. Deputy PM Ha called on Swiss authorities to continue focusing on fields of high priority such as finance, banking, insurance, manufacturing and processing, pharmacy, renewables, and tourism(21).

Austria

In 2022, the two countries celebrated their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations  Austria was one of the first Western countries to set up diplomatic relations with Vietnam. Over the past two years, bilateral trade has increased 14 percent from 2020 to circa US$3.4 billion in 2021. Austria is one of Vietnams 10 largest trading partners in the EU. (22)

Currently, around 50 Austrian companies have branches in Vietnam. Three of significant size are equipment manufacturer Andritz, power train system developer EVL List, and steel maker Voestalpine.

The countries see the future focus is on renewable energy, green finance, and environmental protection. To this end, Andritz recent investments include:

In July 2022, ANDRITZ signed a contract agreement for electro-mechanical works of the Nam Pang-2 Hydroelectric Project (2 x 5.5 MW) in Lai Chau province of Vietnam.

In February 2023, ANDRITZ received from Thac Ba Hydropower (TBC) a contract for the upgrade of three generating units of Thac Ba Hydropower Plant on the Chay River, the hydropower plant longest in operation in Northern Vietnam.

Denmark

In 2021, Denmark exported US$280 million to Vietnam. During the last 26 years, the exports of Denmark to Vietnam have increased at an annualized rate of 8.54 percent, from US$33.2 million in 1995 to US$280 million in 2021.

This all changed in 2022. Denmark has emerged as a major investor in Vietnam this year, thanks in large part to a US$1 billion (1.01 billion) commitment by Danish toy giant LEGO Group to build its first factory in the Southeast Asian nation  which is planned to be the companys first carbon-neutral plant.

As well as fast becoming an important hub for high-end manufacturing  with the likes of tech giants Apple and Samsung recently announcing an expansion of their operations in the country  Vietnam is also investing considerably in renewable energies in its push for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Vietnam has the fastest growth of renewable energy production in Southeast Asia(23).

Specific Investments

In September 2021, rsted, the worlds most sustainable energy company, and T&T Group, a leading Vietnamese cross-industry company with 80,000 employees, announced the signing of an MOU to launch a strategic collaboration on offshore wind in Vietnam. This collaboration between together a multi-GW pipeline of greenfield offshore wind projects located off the coasts of the Binh Thuan and Ninh Thuan provinces, Vietnams most suitable areas for offshore wind development.

In November 2021, announced plans to invest up to US$13.6 billion in an offshore wind farm in the north Vietnamese port city of Hai Phong. Once the plant is operational, it will have a total capacity of 3,900 MW (24) .

. In March 2022, Vestas secured a 100 MW order in Vietnam for an undisclosed project. The order covers supply, supervision of the installation, and commissioning of the wind turbines. With this project, Vestas total capacity of onshore wind turbines in Vietnam will surpass 1.6 GW.

In May 2022, jewelry maker Pandora signed an MoU to build a new jewelry crafting facility at Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park 3 (VSIP) in Binh Duong Province, with a total investment of US$100 million. The new facility will be built according to the LEED Gold standard, a leading green building certification, and be powered by 100 percent renewable energy. It will also create jobs for over 6,000 craftspeople and have an annual capacity of 60 million pieces of jewelry. Work on the project will begin in early 2023 and production is scheduled to start by the end of 2024. This is the third manufacturing site of Pandora and the first outside Thailand.

In August 2022, rsted and PetroVietnam Form Offshore Wind Partnership rsted and PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation Mechanical & Construction (PTSC M&C) signed a MoU to launch collaboration on offshore wind projects in Vietnam and globally.

In October 2022, it was reported that there were over 135 Danish companies represented in Vietnam, doubling the number of enterprises from other Nordic countries in Vietnam (including the large companies discussed in this section).

In November 2022, rsted and T&T signed a landmark agreement with the Ministry of Planning and Investments (MPI) National Innovation Centre (NIC) to bolster technical capacity and build technological expertise in Vietnams offshore wind sector. The goal of this five-year deal is to launch an offshore wind R&D and training center under NIC.

In November 2022, LEGO Group started construction of its US$1 billion carbon-neutral manufacturing plant in the southern province of Binh Duong. Covering an area of 44 ha at the Viet NamSingapore Industrial Park JSC (VSIP) III, the plant is the largest foreign-invested project in the province. According to LEGO, the factory will be its sixth manufacturing site in the world and the second in Asia.

In November 2022, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) signed three MoUs with Xuan Cau Holdings, PTSC M&C, and Semco Maritime, and with Pacific Corporation JSC to develop multiple GW of offshore wind projects in North Vietnam. The agreement marks an important milestone for the collaboration between a local developer and an international offshore wind company towards establishing offshore wind in Vietnam in this estimated US$10 billion project (25) .

. In February 2023, Vestas was mentioned as one European manufacturer considering investing hundreds of millions of dollars in Vietnam to build wind turbine plants. Three industry sources have named Danish Vestas as one of the potential investors.

Sweden

Swedens relationship with Vietnam dates back to 1969. It was the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam. Swedish export consists mostly of engineering products, particularly machinery and equipment plus pharma and healthcare; however, export amounts remain modest. As of 2022, there were circa 60 Swedish-related companies present in Vietnam.

In February 2023, Afry won a 48 MW onshore wind job. LIG-Huong Hoa 1 Joint Stock Company has appointed Afry as the engineer for the 48 MW Huong Hoa 1 onshore wind farm in Vietnam. LIG-Huong Hao 1 is a project company owned by B Grimm Renewable Power 1 Limited and Truong Thanh Energy and Real Estate JSC from Vietnam. The wind farm will consist of 8 wind turbines of 6 MW capacity each, a new 220kV substation, and a 5km overhead transmission line to connect the wind farm to the national grid.

Ireland

On trade, total bilateral trade between Ireland and Vietnam amounted to around 500 million. Pharmaceuticals, food, and drink are important exports to Vietnam; imports include footwear and clothing. This amount is relatively small based on Irelands total trade which is in excess of 600 billion.

As shown below, the focus shifted to new energy beginning in 2020.

In November 2020, Mainstream Renewable Power (MRP) signed a Joint Development Agreement with Vietnamese company Advance Information Technologies Corporation (AIT), a specialist in providing EPC services and a strong local developer of renewable energy projects, to co-develop a 500 MW US$1.4 billion offshore wind project in Ben Tre province.

In June 2021, MRP signed an agreement to acquire an 80 percent shareholding in Technology and Development Joint Stock Company Limited (D&T), which is developing a 405 MW portfolio of solar projects in the Dak Nong province.

In February 2023, SynergyFuel: Techno-economic, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of Waste to synthetic biofuel technologies in Circular Economy project. Dr Vashishtha will partner with Dr Hong Nam Nguyen from the University of Science & Technology of Hanoi (USTH) in Vietnam on the project which aims to develop research partnerships between Ireland and Vietnam. Synthetic biofuels from waste and residues play an important role in the net-zero by 2050-pledge made by 137 countries at COP26, including Ireland and Vietnam. Synthetic biofuels from non-crop resources should meet 45 percent of total biofuel demand by 2030, compared with 7 percent in 2020.

Italy

Over the past 5 years, bilateral trade between Italy and Vietnam was just over US$4.4 billion. In 2022, bilateral trade increased to US$6.2 billion. This is a substantial jump that can in large part be attributed to the EVFTA but also increased engagement between both countries

Vietnams exports to Italy ($4.4 billion) far outweighed its imports from Italy ($1.8 billion).

This is in large part due to Vietnams emerging role as a manufacturing powerhouse. It also supplies vast quantities of construction materials to the EU. In particular, its biggest export to Italy is iron and steel.

There are an estimated 6,000 Italian businesses operating in Vietnam in a broad range of industries and sectors. A number of trade and support organizations, such as the Italian Chamber of Commerce, also work to facilitate greater trade and business engagement between the two markets.

In April 2022, Eni Vietnam signed an MoU with Vietnams Quang Tri provincial government to evaluate potential REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) initiatives and Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) opportunities for carbon credit generation in the area. Eni has been present in Vietnam since 2013 and currently operates five blocks all located in the underexplored Song Hong and Phu Khanh basins, offshore central Vietnam.

In February 2023, Piaggio Vietnam announced it was increasing its investment in the northern province of Vinh Phuc by US$75 million to US$165 million to expand operations. The company opened a motorcycle assembly plant in the Binh Xuyen Industrial Park of Binh Xuyen district in June 2009. In March 2012, it unveiled an engine production factory also in this industrial park. The two projects cover over 18.9ha and had a combined initial investment of US$90 million As a next step, Piaggio Vietnam has decided to merge these projects and invest an additional US$75 million to raise motorcycle production and assembly capacity to 400,000 products/ year from 250,000 and engine productions from 400,000 units/yr from 300,000(26).

Spain

In terms of trade, Spain is currently the 8th largest partner of Vietnam in the EU, the 7th largest export market, and the 8th largest import market. In 2022, bilateral turnover reached US$3.54 billion, up 13 percent compared to 2021, the highest growth ever.

Spain ranked 45/152 countries and territories in foreign direct investment in Vietnam, with 88 projects worth over US$143 million. However, there is much room for further growth in economic ties and cooperation between the two countries, Deputy PM Quang noted, pledging that Vietnam always creates favorable conditions for Spain to invest in Vietnam in high-tech fields, renewable energy, or transport.

In July 2021, Iberdrola (Spain) acquired Sowitec Vietnams 550 MW green pipeline. Sowetic Vietnam (part of the German group) owns six renewable projects under development: five onshore wind farms and one 50 MW floating photovoltaic project (27) .

. In September 2022, Spanish Acciona Energia signed a strategic partnership with Asias The Blue Circle to build and operate the latters pipeline of projects in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. The agreement, which includes a US$34 million investment to become the largest individual shareholder in Singapore-headquartered The Blue Circle as well as a commitment of up to US$113.5 million to fund the regional developers projects through construction, gives it a 50 percent stake in the Asian firm. The Blue Circle currently has wind power projects to generate 84 MW in Vietnam, in which it maintains a 50 percent stake. Projects of more than 1.4 GW are in advanced stages of development in the region. Its total portfolio of projects under development amounts to 3.8 GW and covers Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, and Sri Lanka

In March 2023, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang affirmed the determination to step up the extensive and practical development of the Vietnam-Spain strategic partnership towards the future, especially in trade and investment, to uphold each sides potential and strength. Meeting with Spanish Minister of Industry, Trade, and Tourism Reyes Maroto in Madrid Quang suggested Spain encourage its businesses to shift their high-quality investments to Vietnam in areas that align with the two countries strengths and development needs such as infrastructure, renewable energy, transport, information technology and tourism; enhance cooperation and technology transfer in food hygiene and safety, seafood processing to improve the value of Vietnamese seafood exports to Spain. Maroto, for her part, said a number of Spanish enterprises are interested in investing in infrastructure and renewable energy in Vietnam.

Vietnam currently has four investment projects in Spain with a total capital of more than US$64 million(28).

Portugal

Bilateral trade US$640 million in 2021; US$100 million Portugal into Vietnam (54/210); US$540 Vietnam into Portugal (47/147). In January 2023, the Prime Minister suggested that Vietnam and Portugal raise Bilateral Trade to US$1 billion in the near future.

On the occasion, he suggested Portugal soon approve the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to facilitate a fair and win-win investment relationship between the two nations, urge the European Commissions early removal of yellow card warning on Vietnams aquatic products to meet the interests of Portuguese and EU consumers as well as ensure livelihoods for hundreds of thousands of workers in the Vietnamese aquaculture industry.

 In June 2021, EDP Renovaveis, the renewable energy company of the EDP group, signed a contract with Trina Solar, one of the worlds leading manufacturers of photo-voltaic and intelligent energy solutions, to acquire a 28 MWac (35 MWdc) photo-voltaic solar energy project, totaling 30.3 million. The Trung Son photo-voltaic solar energy project, located in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, has been in operation since December 2020 and has a Power Purchase Agreement (CAE) signed with Vietnam Electricity (EVN), at a tariff of 20-year acquisition (FiT).

Conclusions

The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the dynamics within Asian markets, especially with the growing influence of China and other Asian economic powerhouses, e.g., South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan, have fuelled stronger investments of the EU into Vietnam. While existing and more established investors showed their stronger footholds with the new wave, green energy, and a few manufacturing sectors were the focus of the new wave of EU investments in Vietnam. This marks a new trend of securing safe and sustainable energy resources for the fast-growing economy of Vietnam while ensuring mutual global commitments to the UNs sustainable development goals, which all involved parties have signed up for.

It is encouraging to witness the new wave of EU investments in Vietnam that continue to push the country to diversify and upgrade systems including industry standards, legal frameworks, workforce, and labor upscaling. Included in the 2022-2023 wave are imports across numerous EU countries designed to rapidly increase Vietnams wind and hydrogen power, partnerships with leading innovation hubs in the Netherlands and Belgium, and steps taken to replicate Luxembourgs EU green finance leadership in Asia. EU investors will not only enjoy the benefits of the local market of 100 million population but also the markets that Vietnam has access to including US, ASEAN, Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and others via its FTAs and other economic alliances.

On a final note, investment flows from Vietnam to EU countries have been limited to date. However, this may change in the future years when Vietnamese service sectors such as ICT services and agricultural processing companies penetrate EU markets in their global outreach and diversification strategies.

The future holds lots of positives for EU-Vietnam trade and investment prospects. Within the next five to 10 years, when the committed investments are realized and yield profits for investors and their Vietnamese counterparts, it may then be another wave of large investment from the EU. However, other investors including those from Asian powerhouses and the US are not just watching. EU investors may want to leverage their momentum to retain their influential roles in Vietnam in the coming years.

Footnotes

Asia Investment Research is a joint venture between Grisons Peak and Dezan Shira & Associates.

Our latest issue of Asia Investment Research also covers Vietnam and is titled: Vietnams Foreign Investment Trends  Private Equity, Energy Transition, Infrastructure, Venture Capital & IPOs. That may be downloaded here.

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A global aid agency said Tuesday that Afghanistan's Taliban authorities had evicted 280 internally displaced families, or about 1,700 people, from a makeshift settlement in Kabul and demolished it in breach of international obligations.



The Norwegian Refugee Council reported the evictions, saying victim families told its field staff they had to evacuate under "traumatic conditions." They reported the deaths of two children, one aged 4 and another aged 15, during the evacuation in the Pul-e-Shina area outside of the Afghan capital.



The NRC statement noted that families were waiting in the street, and humanitarian agencies were blocked from the site. The agency did not immediately know the cause of the reported deaths.



A spokesman for Kabul municipality, Niamatullah Barakzai, denied there were casualties during the clearance operation or that houses were demolished, saying the area was under illegal occupation.

"By expelling extremely vulnerable families, the Kabul authorities have added a new chapter to the long book of the suffering of displaced families in Afghanistan," said Neil Turner, NRC's county director in Afghanistan.



Turner urged Taliban authorities to halt further evictions and uphold their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law.



The hardline group waged a deadly insurgency and returned to power in August 2021 as the United States-led NATO troops departed the country after 20 years of involvement in the Afghan war.

Millions displaced



Years of conflict, natural calamities, and economic hardships have displaced millions internally in impoverished Afghanistan.



The NRC noted that after seizing power, the Taliban had informed the humanitarian community of their plans to return internally displaced families to areas of origin and close makeshift settlements across the country.



The aid group warned that if realized, the policy would affect about 2 million individuals living in shantytown homes, usually in appalling conditions, and often highly dependent on humanitarian assistance to survive.



"Internally displaced people who are living in these settlements are already on the brink of survival and struggling with the economic crisis  this raises serious concerns that evictions will exacerbate the already extreme humanitarian needs," Turner said.

Many evicted families homeless



The NRC said that several thousand internally displaced people have already been forced from their homes despite repeated calls for the Taliban to engage with humanitarian agencies "to adopt a slower and more sustainable returns process." It added that many evicted families over the last year remained homeless and cut off from humanitarian assistance.



The international community has not yet recognized the Taliban administration as the legitimate authority for lacking political inclusivity and for restricting Afghan women's access to work and education.



The fundamentalist Taliban reject the criticism as interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan, saying they govern the country according to local culture and Islamic law, or Sharia.
Karachi: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar reported on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia had deposited $2 billion in Pakistan's central bank, just one day before the IMF's board is anticipated to approve the provision of $3 billion in stand-by bailout funds.

In order to release a $1.1 billion tranche from an Extended Fund Facility programme that Pakistan joined in 2019, the IMF required cash-strapped Pakistan to obtain financing guarantees from allies and multilateral donors in March. Later, Saudi Arabia and the UAE pledged $2 billion and $1 billion, respectively, and China extended a $2 billion loan.

In addition to the funding from Saudi Arabia, the IMF agreement will open up additional bilateral and multilateral financing. Dar has stated that he anticipates Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves to reach $15 billion by the end of the month.

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Dar said in a video message that "Saudi Arabia has placed that deposit with the Pakistan State Bank, the amount has come into the State Bank's account and this will be a direct addition to Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves."

Dar predicted that after the Saudi deposit, Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves, which closed at $9.69.7 billion last Friday, would rise to $11.611.7 billion.

Dar stated, "I would like to thank the leadership of Saudi Arabia, particularly King Salman and Crown Prince His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman and their leadership for standing with Pakistan at every moment," adding, "They fulfil their role as a true brother of Pakistan."

Financial experts in Pakistan have also acknowledged the significance of the deposit.

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CEO of Arif Habib Limited Shahid Ali Habib told Arab News that it was "a very positive development."

"It reflects the great confidence in Pakistan shown by the Saudi leadership that they have deposited the funds even before the formal approval of the $3 billion programme by the IMF board," he continued.

In contrast to the $15 billion in public debt maturities, including $1 billion in bonds and $3.6 billion to multilateral creditors, Pakistan anticipates $25 billion in gross external financing in fiscal year 24 (which runs from July 1 to June 30 2024).

The government's funding goal calls for market issuance of $1.5 billion and commercial bank borrowing of $4.5 billion, both of which could be difficult to achieve. However, some of the loans that were not rolled over in FY23 may now be repaid, according to credit rating agency Fitch, which on Monday raised the country's rating to "CCC."

The Saudi funding will, as anticipated, help Pakistan's currency reserves, which have fallen to $4.5 billion, not even enough to pay for a month's worth of imports. Pakistan's average monthly import bill is $5 billion, according to the import trend.

According to Zafar Sultan Paracha, general secretary of the Exchange companies Association of Pakistan, the Saudi funding is like a lifeline for Pakistan in the current situation.

This will strengthen our position in terms of reserves, ease pressure on the Pakistani rupee, and open the door for additional inflows from other sources.

After the finance minister's announcement, the currency and stock markets both experienced gains as a result of the Saudi deposit.

In the interbank market, the rupee increased by 2.55 rupees ($0.0082), and in the free market, it increased by 1.

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Currency dealers claimed they did not expect "major fluctuations" in the value of the rupee despite the funding flow and the IMF programme.

The trade deficit remained stubbornly high at 43% in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, and the funding gap was still very large, according to Paracha.

Following Dar's announcement, the KSE100 Index for the first time since April 2022 crossed the 45,000 mark.

With KSE100 index companies offering 12.5 percent returns, the Pakistan stock market has become the best-performing market following the IMF SBA, according to Habib.
The chair of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations says diplomacy is the only way to resolve the bloody two-and-a-half year old crisis in Myanmar.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi made the remarks Wednesday in Jakarta at the start of a second day of talks of ASEAN foreign ministers.

Myanmar's ruling military junta agreed to a five-point "consensus" crafted by ASEAN just months after overthrowing the democratically-elected government of de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, 2021. The plan includes an immediate end to the violence, peace talks between the junta and its opponents, and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

But Myanmar's junta has failed to follow through on the ASEAN plan, carrying out a bloody crackdown on anti-coup demonstrations and deadly airstrikes on armed resistance forces that are assisted by several rural ethnic rebel groups who have been fighting for decades for greater autonomy.

The United Nations says more than 1 million people have been displaced by the turmoil in Myanmar.

The meeting comes one month after Thai officials held one-on-one talks with leaders of Myanmar's junta, who have been banned from attending official high-level ASEAN meetings. Marsudi told her fellow ministers that "any other efforts must support the implementation of the five-point consensus."

Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai told his ASEAN counterparts that he met with Aung San Suu Kyi last week, who has been detained since the coup. Don said the 78-year-old Nobel peace laureate is in good health, but did not provide any further details.

In a separate statement, the Thai foreign ministry said Don and Suu Kyi met privately for one hour.

Suu Kyi, who led the civilian government as state councilor, is serving a combined 33 years in prison after her conviction in a series of trials on several criminal charges brought against her by the military.

Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party won the November 2020 general elections in a landslide over the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party. The junta has claimed widespread election fraud as its reason for toppling the civilian government and invalidating the results. The civilian electoral commission denied the allegations before it was disbanded.
Ministers from eight of Africa's Sahel region countries are meeting in Cameroon to try to end conflicts between farmers and nomadic herders. The ministers say seasonal movement of livestock north from the Sahel is fueling clashes between the communities and say a peacekeeping effort is needed.

African ministers of Transboundary Transhumance, or seasonal movement of livestock, say the practice is threatening resources and fueling farmer-herder conflicts.

Video report by Henry Wilkins

The meeting Wednesday in Yaounde included ministers from Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Sudan.

They say in the past 20 years, clashes between the communities in the Sahel region increased from 30 per year to more than 200 with about 800 deaths in the Central African Republic (CAR) alone.

The African Union says transboundary pastoralism in the CAR, one of the worst affected, is practiced by herders from Cameroon, Chad, South Sudan, and Sudan.

Cameroons livestock minister, who goes by only one name  Taiga  hosted the second international conference on the issue.

Taiga said cattle theft, banditry, robbery, farmer-herder conflicts, pressure on natural resources and intercommunal conflicts and many other incidents of transhumance activities are not given adequate attention by African governments, international organizations, and communities.

The ministers said several thousand civilians displaced by the conflicts were yet to be resettled.

Taiga said an immediate task for the eight countries was to establish buffer zones and protect existing corridors to safeguard the livelihoods of 270 million African pastoralists.

Kenyan-born Japheth Kasimbu works with the East African regional blog IGAD.

Kasimbu said IGAD members Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda found ways to reduce clashes.

"Our region came up with a protocol on transhumance to regulate, to facilitate cross border mobility of livestock and herders to access water, to access pasture, even to enable the countries to do joint vaccinations and promote livestock keeping by pastoral communities," said Kasimbu.

The three-day Yaounde conference, which ended Wednesday, is calling for peace keeping operations to reduce growing conflicts from the pastoralists.

German Christian Ruck attended the conference for the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBPF), one of the founders.

He said Africas Sahel region needs to better police farmers and herders to prevent clashes, but also provide more resources to the communities.

"It was a declaration of development and defense because it is also a security issue. We want to transform this declaration to action plans, not only talking. We need water holes, veterinary stations, a lot to do with information for the herders. Where is the rain, where will be the rain. The most important thing is more education for the people to mitigate the effects of transhumance," said Ruck.

The conference was initiated in 2022 with support from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and the Central African Forest Commission, (COMIFAC).
Canada has unveiled an immigration initiative to attract highly skilled technology professionals from the United States with H-1B work visas.

H-1B visas are for nonimmigrant foreign workers with specialized skills. Beginning July 16, up to 10,000 of these visa holders will be able apply to work in Canada. The move is part of the country's new Tech Talent Strategy.

The Government of Canada is embracing Canadas emerging role as a leader in global tech talent recruitment and attraction to ensure Canada is not only filling in-demand jobs today, but also attracting the skills and business talent to create the jobs of tomorrow, a statement by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said.

This follows a November announcement in which the government set a goal to tackle an impending labor shortage.

By 2025, the country wants to welcome 1.45 million immigrants, focusing on people trained in health care and other in-demand job skills, and securing a skilled workforce for key sectors of its economy.

Canada's population of 38.25 million is about 11.5% of the 331.9 million in the United States, where the H-1B visa category currently allows more than 85,000 highly skilled foreigners to work in the country for at least three years.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reported that for fiscal year 2024, the agency received 780,884 applications from employers and approved 110,791 applications. In fiscal 2023, applications totaled 483,927, and 127,600 people were selected.

This persistent labor shortage, workforce shortage, is impacting everyone [Canada and the U.S.], said Rebecca Shi, executive director of the bipartisan American Immigration Business Coalition, an alliance of 1,400 employers and CEOs across the United States.

Applicants approved by Canada will receive a work permit valid for up to three years that allows them to work for any employer in Canada.

It remains to be seen how successful Canada will be in poaching workers from the U.S.

The new work program does not lead to permanent residence, but spouses and dependents of the 10,000 H-1B visa holders will be eligible to apply for study or work permits or temporary resident visas.

In the U.S., holders of H-1B visas can apply for legal permanent residence, but only the spouses of those with a pending residence application are eligible for employment authorization.

US work visas

While Canada is working to accept more than a million immigrants by 2025, many with badly needed job skills, immigration reform in the United States remains stalled in Congress.

The last two years, it was extremely disappointing that Congress was not able to act on immigration reform, Shi said. And so this year, we're looking at a variety of solutions [for H-1B visas holders], including what we've seen in places like Canada and Australia, where a municipalities like states, counties and towns are working directly with their employers and industry to hire, retain immigrants and migrants to Canada so that they can have a strong workforce.

During a 2021 hearing, Democratic Representative Zoe Lofgren, then-chairwoman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship, said countries like Canada have made great strides in building flexibility and recruitment incentives into their systems to attract highly skilled immigrants, including those whom we cannot accommodate.

Lofgren proposed two pieces of legislation that would expand the number of employment-based visas. Neither bill passed the House.

The last major overhaul of our legal immigration system occurred in 1990, she said during the hearing.

During the same hearing in 2021, Republican Representative Thomas McClintock emphasized that unless unauthorized migration at the U.S.-Mexico border is resolved, no proposed legislation to reform the U.S. immigration system would pass.

I hope that my colleagues and I can come to an agreement to do whats best for American workers, he said at the time.

In the meantime, Canada has been promoting itself as a place for relocation and opportunities for skilled foreign workers.

In 2020, the San Francisco Chronicle reported on the countrys recruitment efforts in Califormias Silicon Valley, where a billboard campaign asking such questions as What if my visa gets canceled? and What if I lose my job and health insurance? was featured on Highway 101 from San Francisco to San Jose.

Similar questions often come up with H1-B visa holders in the U.S., where the immigration process is complex.

While the Canadian program does not lead to permanent residence, workers can earn points for their work experience in Canada and may be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class of the Express Entry program.

In the U.S., some people under employment-based visas can enter a process to change to a more permanent status and receive a green card. But the backlog of more than 1.6 million applicants means people wait years to adjust their status from work visa to green card holder.

There are 366,000 U.S. green cards available annually, divided into a complicated category system that has a specific quota for each category. The route to permanent residency through the H-1B has a green card cap of 140,000 annually.

In its monthly visa bulletin, the U.S. Department of State showed that for July 2023, someone from India in the current employment-based green card category could face a wait of about 90 years.

In Canada, the number of Indian immigrants has increased by more than 200% in the last 10 years, according to a National Foundation for American Policy analysis of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada data.

In 2013, about 33,000 Indians became permanent residents in Canada. This number increased to 118,235 in 2022, the latest full-year figures available.

Shi of the American Immigration Business Coalition said Congress needs to pass immigration reform as Canada competes for global talent.

The issue of population and immigration and workforce is touching every aspect of who we are as a nation, she said.
Historic moments at the NATO summit as Ukraine gets assurance it will be eventually welcomed into the alliance, but with no timeline for membership. Another night of Russian aerial drone attacks targeting Kyiv. Whats really going in behind the scenes in Russia after the Wagner revolt.
To nobody's surprise, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been returned for a third term with more than 87% of the vote, according to the official tally, in an election that left many Uzbeks questioning Mirziyoyev's long-standing promises of democratic reform.

The Warsaw-based Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the principal institution of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, sent roughly 300 monitors to observe Sunday's balloting. They concluded that the election "was technically well-prepared but took place in a political environment lacking genuine competition."

The organization added diplomatically that "substantial changes are needed to provide a sound legal basis for the conduct of democratic elections."

With 11 experts in Tashkent and 24 long-term specialists deployed throughout the country since early June, head of mission Ambassador Urszula Gacek pointed out that her team's voter turnout estimate is lower than the official numbers presented by the country's Central Election Commission.

Muhabbat Nazar from Tashkent says she voted as a career woman as well as a mother. "My entire family were enthused by Mirziyoyev's speeches. Most of what he promised is not a reality yet. I still support him, wishing for more political space."

Like many Uzbeks, Nazar longed to see viable candidates but, as usual, voters had no real alternative to the sitting president. The three other nominees were largely seen as puppets from fig leaf parties which never question the leader.

Dilshodbek Abduvohidov from Namangan, an entrepreneur, said he did not vote, either on Sunday or in an April 30 constitutional referendum that cleared the way for the previously term-limited Mirziyoyev, 66, to call a snap election and secure the first of what could be two new seven-year terms.

"I don't trust the system. I want an independent judiciary and independent media, but I don't see the system striving for them," Abduvohidov said.

Researcher Dilbar Haydarova says young professionals like her expected "democratic steps from the leadership." While she bemoaned the nation's slow emergence from the authoritarian rule of post-Soviet President Islam Karimov, she still believes that under Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan is moving forward.

For independent analyst Anvar Nazir, "Uzbekistan has always known it deserves better, yet is used to seeing whoever is in power as the most eligible, because no opposition is allowed."

"As much as we criticize the ruling elite," added Nazir, "our people come up with justifications for the status quo, rather than seeking solutions. Uzbeks choose the easy way."

Monitors cite irregularities

Ambassador Gacek, whose 250 short-term election-day observers monitored the voting process, ballot counting and result tabulation, told VOA that "the low-key campaign lacked meaningful engagement with voters and candidates."

"The conduct on election day was calm, but serious irregularities were observed, and important safeguards were often not followed during voting, counting and tabulation, challenging the integrity of the process," Gacek told VOA.

ODIHR's preliminary report cited a "constrained political environment that was lacking genuine political alternatives and the introduction of social measures, and new projects gave the incumbent an undue advantage and blurred the line between party and state."

International missions have made similar observations since Uzbekistan became independent in 1991.

"Many reforms are still in the process of being implemented," said Gacek. "During this election, the right of citizens to exercise fundamental freedoms of association, assembly and expression remained excessively circumscribed by legislation and in practice. ODIHR has made several long-standing recommendations, key to a democratic process."

US seconds findings

The U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, which also monitored the election, supports ODIHR's conclusions.

"In addition to ensuring the integrity of election processes, democratic systems should provide citizens with real, competitive choices when they vote," read an embassy statement.

"As President Mirziyoyev begins his new mandate, the United States stands ready to help advance his agenda of reform and improved governance, including on rule of law, checks and balances among branches of government, and the protection of individual rights. These principles  when followed  are the bedrock of representative governance."

Such appeals reflect the concerns VOA has heard from American and other Western officials, who have asked whether these elections spell the end of reforms ushered in at the start of Mirziyoyev's presidency in 2016.

His reelection following a constitutional referendum appears all too familiar in Central Asia, where Turkmenistan's president handed over power to his son in 2022 and President Emomali Rahmon has ruled Tajikistan with an iron fist for decades.

CEC dismisses criticisms

Faced with questions from VOA about its credibility and independence, Uzbek Central Election Commission (CEC) officials staunchly defended their role as impartial.

"No one pressures us or gives us orders," responded Bahrom Kuchkarov, the commission's deputy chairman. "We abide by the laws and execute them. Our activity is based on our constitution and the election code."

CEC secretary Khudoyor Mamatov similarly pushed back. "Through their votes, the Uzbek citizens have shown overwhelming support of the current openness and transparency policy."

Answering another question about the ODIHR findings, CEC Chairman Zayniddin Nizomkhojayev argued, "We have gotten around 30 recommendations from them over the last five to six years and have implemented more than 20."

Reflecting a more skeptical view of Western organizations commonly heard in Central Asia, Kuchkarov said ODIHR "is not the supreme judge" of the election process.

"We have an ongoing cooperation. This is a step-by-step progress. Uzbekistan chooses to implement suitable recommendations."

Other CEC officials like well-known media personality Sherzod Qudratkhoja shared a similar perspective. "We are an independent, sovereign state with our own rules and constitution. We do not hold elections to be approved by the OSCE, or any other entity for that matter."

Qudratkhoja and other CEC members pointed out praise for the election from observers representing countries such as Russia, China, Turkey, Belarus and Azerbaijan  invited guests that are often hand-picked and sometimes paid by the Uzbek government.

Ambassador Gacek agrees that every country needs to find its own way toward a democratic system and credible elections but defends her organization's critical report.

"They keep saying 'we have our history,' 'we have our tradition,' 'this works for us.' I say, yes, it does work for you. But it does not meet international standards," she told VOA. "So, the challenge is to write those recommendations in a way that they are respectful, maybe, of certain local conditions, but nevertheless, we must always come back to the international standards."

Not every country in Gacek's parent organization, the OSCE, is a democracy. "But at the end of the day, we say, come on, guys, you signed up for this. And this is the direction we are going to prod you in ever so gently, but hopefully on the right path," the ambassador said.
Preliminary data gathered by climate scientists suggest that the first week of July was the planet's hottest week on record, with blazing temperatures around the globe and ocean temperatures in some regions "much higher" than climate change models had predicted.

On July 7, the hottest single day ever recorded up to that point, the average global surface temperature was 17.24 degrees Celsius, 0.3 degrees above the previous record of 16.94 degrees set in August 2016, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

Scientists were particularly alarmed because the high temperatures occurred in advance of the establishment of the El Nino weather pattern in the Pacific, which is expected to elevate global temperatures later this year and into 2024.

"The exceptional warmth in June and at the start of July occurred at the onset of the development of El Nino, which is expected to further fuel the heat both on land and in the oceans and lead to more extreme temperatures and marine heatwaves," Christopher Hewitt, WMO director of climate services, said in a statement.

"We are in uncharted territory and we can expect more records to fall as El Nino develops further and these impacts will extend into 2024," Hewitt said. "This is worrying news for the planet."

Widespread impact

The WMO report follows an equally dire analysis from the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, which found the month of June to be the single hottest month ever recorded.

The impact was felt all around the globe, with higher than normal temperatures recorded in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Asia and eastern Australia.

In addition to higher temperatures, climate change is causing more severe weather patterns. Multiple regions around the world experienced significantly drier than usual weather in June, including central and eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, the Horn of Africa, much of southern Africa, South America and parts of Australia, which all saw lower than average rainfall. Parts of North America were also drier than usual, which has contributed to massive wildfires, particularly in Canada.

At the same time, multiple areas experienced significantly higher levels of precipitation than expected, including western North America, parts of southwestern Asia, Japan, South Africa, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand and part of Australia. Japan experienced typhoon Mawar, and Pakistan was hit by cyclone Biparjoy. In southern Europe and parts of western Russia, higher than expected precipitation caused significant flooding.

Ocean temperatures concerning

Climate scientists were particularly concerned by an unexpectedly large rise in ocean temperatures, particularly in the North Atlantic.

"The temperatures in the North Atlantic are unprecedented and of great concern," Michael Sparrow, head of WMO's World Climate Research Division, said in a statement. "They are much higher than anything the models predicted. This will have a knock on effect on ecosystems and fisheries and on our weather."

Higher temperatures in the North Atlantic have widespread consequences, driving extreme tropical weather, including the hurricanes that regularly ravage the eastern United States, and dramatically affecting rainfall across western Africa.

Scientists also noted dramatic reductions in sea ice in the Antarctic, which reached its lowest level since satellite monitoring of its extent began. Measurements found that there were 2.6 million fewer square kilometers of Antarctic ice than average, more than twice the decline measured in 2022, which had been the worst year on record.

Environmental groups concerned

"Climate scientists have warned for decades that human-induced climate change will warm the planet to unprecedented levels and cause irreversible changes in the environment," Fiona Lo, a climate scientist with the Environmental Defense Fund, told VOA in an emailed statement.

"The WMO report of the hottest week on record is just one of many disheartening confirmations," Lo said. "My hope is that these extreme weather events will awaken the world to the reality of the climate crisis, so that we can work together to reduce further warming."

However, Lo said, the WMO's finding of "off the charts" sea temperature levels might not be as surprising as it seems.

"Climate models are very good at predicting how average conditions will change over years and decades but are not good at predicting extreme variability in the near term, so it's not surprising that the observations of ocean temperatures over such a short period are much higher than model predictions," she said.

Anusha Narayanan, global project lead at Greenpeace USA, told VOA that the report should be a call to action for governments around the world.

"Last week was the world's hottest on record. We are currently in the worst megadrought in 1,000 years. It is no longer a question of if climate change is happening, but a question of how bad we let it get," Narayanan said.

"The alarm bells are ringing and our planet is telling us that we need to act now. President Biden and global leaders are simply not meeting the urgency of the crisis. We know pollution from oil and gas is worsening the climate crisis, yet our leaders continue to be fooled by the false choice between a healthy economy and a healthy planet. We will have neither if we continue to delay a transition to renewable energy."
Some three dozen South African firefighters, clad in their bright yellow jackets and dark blue pants, danced, sang and cheered in a sprawling parking lot near the majestic woods of central Alberta. The mood was light as the men and women smiled and clapped, some taking out smartphones to record video of their dancing colleagues before heading off to another day battling the fires raging through Canada.

The group gathered on an early July day in the small town of Fox Creek had traveled nearly 16,000 kilometers (10,000 miles) to help fight the hundreds of devastating wildfires that have burned homes and wild lands in the region, destroying an area about the size of the U.S. state of Virginia. They chanted and worked through drills before signing a Canadian flag presented to them as a token of thanks.

SEE ALSO: Much of America Can Expect a Hot, Smoky Summer In a record-breaking year for Canada's wildfires, with crews coming from around the world to help, the South Africans are a familiar and uplifting sight. This year's deployment is the fifth  and largest  for the men and women in Working on Fire, a public works program for young people that serves as South Africa's wildland fire agency.

Their rich harmony and movement travel with them everywhere they go, said Trevor Abrahams, Working on Fire's managing director. It was on display in early June, when more than 200 firefighters were filmed singing and clapping in the Edmonton airport after arriving to help with the fires, drawing millions of views on TikTok.

"That part is part of our tradition," Abrahams said. "At work they will be singing to a rhythm during the busy work. All the teams sing and make up songs as they go along.

The company has had as many as 428 firefighters in Canada this summer, when rampaging wildfires have sent dangerous levels of smoke pollution south across big swaths of the United States and as far as Europe. Their tours of duty run 35 days, hard work on different terrain and with different tools than those used at home.

"The fires in Canada are very different from fires in South Africa," said Thuto Ganya, one of the firefighters. He said his crew was not familiar with smoldering peat fires that can burn below ground in the Canada woods, and they are still getting used to "all those diggings."

Abrahams said the overseas deployments are a prestigious assignment for the crews.

"Coming to assistance on an international platform is certainly something they take with more than a pinch of pride," he said.

They adjust to the differences fast. As their crews are divided into smaller teams for work in different areas, they try to team experienced firefighters with those new to North America, Abrahams said. They learn how to load heavy equipment into a helicopter safely and how to carry a shovel near the chopper  even when it's not running. They have to be vigilant for the danger of shallow-rooted trees toppling at any moment.

In South Africa, wildland fires are typically much smaller than those seen in Canada and without nearly as much fuel. They're usually fought by men and women carrying backpacks with 20 liters of water and tankers nearby to resupply them, Abrahams said.

SEE ALSO: Climate Change Making Wildfires, Smoke Worse, Scientists Call It 'New Abnormal' Canada arms its firefighters with more advanced and detailed weather forecasts, and with information on moisture content in vegetation. Firefighters also use infrared scans to spot hot spots  technology not routinely used in South Africa. And South Africa firefighting doesn't rely on the massive water-carrying planes nor the kilometers of hose that are routinely laid to fires in Canada, Abrahams said.

The Canadian deployments have become routine enough that Working on Fire trains its firefighters in how to operate a particular pump that is a fixture in fighting Canadian fires but little used back home.

Ganya, who has a girlfriend and a 2-year-old back home, said his team had just come back from two days of rest, when they visited a mall and saw fireworks.
Iran summoned Russia's ambassador on Wednesday after Moscow released a joint statement with Arab countries earlier this week challenging Iran's claim to disputed islands in the Persian Gulf.

It marked a rare spat between Iran and Russia, which have deepened ties since Moscow invaded Ukraine, with Iran supplying killer drones that have been used to devastating effect there. Iran and Russia are also strong backers of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria's civil war.

Iran's official IRNA news agency said the ambassador was summoned over a joint statement released Monday after a meeting in Moscow between Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.

In the statement, the ministers affirmed their support for efforts "to reach a peaceful solution to the issue of the three islands, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, through bilateral negotiations or the International Court of Justice," according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Iran took control the three islands after British forces withdrew in 1971 and considers them an "inseparable" part of its territory. The United Arab Emirates also claims the three islands and has long pressed for a negotiated solution.

"We never stand upon ceremony with any side over Iran's independence, sovereignty and integrity," Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian tweeted, without naming Russia.

Iran summoned China's envoy over similar remarks on the disputed islands in December.

The three islands dominate the approach to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which about one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes.

Iran says the islands have been part of Persian states from antiquity up until they were occupied by the British in the early 20th century. It also says an agreement reached with Sharjah, one of the UAE's seven emirates, gives it the right to administer Abu Musa and station troops there.

There is no such agreement on the other two islands. The UAE says they belonged to the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah until Iran seized them by force days before the Emirati federation was formed.
Kenyan President William Ruto welcomed Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi to Nairobi on Wednesday. This is the first leg of a trip that will take Raisi to Uganda and Zimbabwe and aims to bolster Irans political, economic and trade ties with the African nations.

"Highly productive" is how President William Ruto described meetings with Ebrahim Raisi as Ruto hosted his Iranian counterpart at the State House in Nairobi.

Ruto said stronger collaboration with Iran is important for the Kenyan economy, and that trade volumes between their nations have increased.

Kenya exported tea worth 28.4 million U.S. dollars, about 4 billion shillings, to Tehran in the first quarter of this year, which is an eight-fold increase from sales from the same period last year," he said. "Kenya is also highly encouraged by the great interest shown by Iran in promoting technological and entrepreneurial innovation among Kenyan youth by promoting incubation of Kenyan startups and creative industry through the Iran House Innovation and Technology Center.

Ruto also reported good news for Kenyas mechanical and automotive industries.



Irans intention to set up a motor vehicle assembly plant in Mombasa to manufacture an indigenous Iranian vehicle that has now been given the Kiswahili name 'Kifaru,' meaning rhino, and I hope itll be a tough one, your excellency. I am confident the project is unstoppable as the name suggests, he said. The two leaders signed agreements to increase cooperation on information and technology, fisheries, animal health, livestock products and investment promotion. Through an interpreter, President Raisi said this is a turning point in the development of relations between Iran and Kenya.

He said, With the talks and exchanges we had with the president earlier today, we register the determination of both countries for expansion of economic and trade cooperation, political cooperation, cultural cooperation between the two countries. And I hope the relevant authorities and officials in both countries could exercise a lot of efforts in order to provide the groundwork for further cooperation of relations between the two countries, which could also lead to development of regional cooperation.

With Raisis visit, Iran joins China, Russia, the United States and other countries in seeking to strengthen diplomatic and trade links on the African continent.

Javas Bigambo is a lawyer and governance specialist based in Nairobi. He notes this is the first time an Iranian president has visited Kenya in 11 years.

When you look at the issue of Africa and Kenya being a significant nation on matters of geopolitics in the Horn of Africa, then Kenya becomes a very important nation within the continental politics of Africa," he said. "Beyond sending a message to the West and to the friends and even the enemies of Iran, President Raisi wants to demonstrate hes unafraid to reach out to nations that are friendly to the West and Kenya, in this case, even though themselves they dont have a particularly rosy and friendly relationship with the West.

The U.S. and its allies have moved to isolate Iran because of its nuclear program, human rights record and anti-Western ideology. Iran has maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

In an attempt to reduce its isolation and offset sanctions, Iran recently restored ties with regional rival Saudi Arabia. President Raisi embarked on a Latin America tour last month.
The Myanmar military has demanded that two independent news channels that it had shuttered now pay the junta thousands of dollars in transmission fees.

The militarys Ministry of Information on Sunday said that Mizzima TV and Democratic Voice of Burma TV or DVB owed about $47,800 in fees for using channels on the state-owned Myanmar Radio and Television, or MRTV, to broadcast their programs.

The ministry said it would take legal action if the two outlets fail to pay.

But the media outlets say that the contracts were signed with the democratically elected government that the military ousted in 2021, and that the junta had breached the deal by closing their channels down.

Because of that, Mizzima and DVB both said they dont plan on paying the fees.

We dont have to pay them since we have signed a contract with the first elected government. We have no reason to give them anything because they seized power illegally, DVB founder Aye Chan Naing told VOA Burmese. We dont owe anything to the regime.

The demand for unpaid fees is the latest challenge for independent media since the military seized power in February 2021. Since then, about a dozen news outlets have been banned and more than 170 journalists have been arrested. Many journalists and media outlets have gone into exile. [[

Both Mizzima and DVB operate in exile due to the risks for their teams. Legally, neither can broadcast inside Myanmar but both still produce content.

Media analysts say that the military takeover has, in effect, destroyed the country's media landscape. The country currently ranks 173 out of 180 countries in terms of press freedom, where 1 is the best, according to Reporters Without Borders.

A spokesperson for Myanmar's military has previously dismissed concerns raised by analysts about the state of media freedom in the country.

Mizzima co-founder Soe Myint said that on the first day of the coup the military ordered his outlet to be closed without notice. The action was a breach of contract, he said.

It violates the contract as it states 15 days prior notice is required. Shutting down our channel on the first day of the coup without notification was illegal, he told the Myanmar news site The Irrawaddy.

The military later froze Mizzimas bank accounts.

Myint told VOA Burmese he isnt sure how the military expects Mizzima to pay the fees considering the junta suspended their accounts.

This story originated in VOAs Burmese Service.
Introduction

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 was a pivotal event that triggered the start of World War I. This tragic incident, which took place in Sarajevo, Bosnia, had far-reaching consequences that changed the course of history. In this article, we will delve into the details of the assassination, its causes, and the aftermath that led to the outbreak of the First World War.

The Life of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Archduke Franz Ferdinand was born on December 18, 1863, in Graz, Austria. As the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, he led a privileged life but was also exposed to the challenges and complexities of ruling a vast empire. Franz Ferdinand was known for his progressive views and desire for political reforms within the empire. His marriage to Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, a woman of non-royal birth, caused controversy but also showcased his independent mindset.

Rising Tensions in Europe

In the early 20th century, Europe was a hotbed of political rivalries, nationalism, and territorial disputes. The major powers, including Austria-Hungary, Germany, Russia, and France, were engaged in an arms race, each trying to outdo the other. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand became the spark that set off the powder keg of these tensions.

The Assassination Plot

The assassination plot against Archduke Franz Ferdinand was orchestrated by a group of Bosnian Serb nationalists known as the Black Hand. Their objective was to free Bosnia from Austro-Hungarian rule and unite it with Serbia. Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hand, was chosen to carry out the mission. On June 28, 1914, Princip seized the opportunity when the Archduke's motorcade made a wrong turn near the Latin Bridge in Sarajevo.

The Fateful Day: June 28, 1914

As Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, traveled in an open car, Gavrilo Princip fired two shots, fatally hitting both of them. The news of their assassination shocked the world and set in motion a series of events that would lead to the outbreak of World War I. Austria-Hungary saw this act as a direct threat and issued an ultimatum to Serbia, demanding retribution.

Aftermath and Impact

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand ignited a chain reaction of alliances, military mobilizations, and declarations of war. Austria-Hungary's ultimatum to Serbia led to a diplomatic standoff, which eventually spiraled into a full-scale war. The assassination served as a catalyst for the existing tensions in Europe, causing countries to align with either the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary) or the Allied Powers (France, Russia, and later, Britain).

The ensuing war lasted for four years, resulting in immense human suffering and the reshaping of the global political landscape. Millions of lives were lost, and entire generations were forever scarred by the horrors of trench warfare and new weapons of mass destruction.

Conclusion

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 was the spark that ignited the flames of World War I. This tragic event, orchestrated by Bosnian Serb nationalists, unleashed a wave of destruction and changed the course of history. The war that followed reshaped the world and set the stage for future conflicts. The impact of the assassination and the subsequent war cannot be underestimated, as it marked a turning point in the geopolitical landscape of the 20th century.

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NATO leaders met Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Lithuanias capital as they close a summit that has included emphasis on supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion and discussion of Ukraines future within the alliance.

Zelenskyy said at a joint news conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg that he understands some allies do not want to consider Ukraine joining the alliance at this time due to fears of a world war, and that it is clear Ukraine cannot join while the conflict with Russia is ongoing.

NATO leaders said in a written declaration Tuesday that the bloc will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met," reiterating their position supporting Ukraines membership but stopping short of any specific commitments or timeline that Zelenskyy has sought.

Stoltenberg highlighted a three-part package of more closely integrating Ukraine with NATO, including work on interoperability between Ukrainian and NATO forces, a new NATO-Ukraine council that held its first meeting Wednesday and removing a requirement for Ukraine to complete a membership action plan on its path to becoming a member.

Today we meet as equals, Stoltenberg said. I look forward to the day we meet as allies.

Russia has issued several statements during the summit stating that security assistance for Ukraine and NATO expansion represent a threat to Russia.

Asked about potentially inflaming the situation, Stoltenberg said there is already a full-fledged war going on in Europe and there is no risk-free option. He said the biggest risk is if President [Vladimir] Putin wins.

Stoltenberg repeated NATOs position that it is only for Ukraine and NATO allies to decide if Ukraine will join the alliance and that Moscow doesnt have a veto.

Britain said members of the Group of Seven, or G7, leading industrialized nations planned to announce a new framework for allies providing long-term security support for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy welcomed the move, saying that while the best security guarantee for Ukraine would be NATO membership, the G7 action would be a concrete step in support of Ukraines security. He added that Ukraine has already spoken to nations outside of the G7 that are interested in joining as well.

Stoltenberg said that while guarantees, documents and meetings are important, the most urgent task for allies is to provide Ukraine with enough weapons.

Zelenskyy was also set to hold separate talks with U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday.

The U.S. leader is scheduled to deliver an address highlighting how the United States, alongside our allies and partners, are supporting Ukraine, defending democratic values, and taking action to address global challenges, the White House said.

Following the two-day summit, Biden heads to Helsinki on Thursday to meet with leaders of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Denmark. Once Sweden has joined NATO, all five Nordic countries will be members of the military alliance.
NATO leaders are set to meet Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as they close a summit in Lithuanias capital that has included emphasis on supporting Ukraine in its fight against a Russian invasion and discussion of Ukraines future within the alliance.

"We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met," NATO leaders said in a written declaration, reiterating their position supporting Ukraines membership but stopping short of any specific commitments or timeline that Zelenskyy has sought.

Wednesdays agenda features the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, and Zelenskyy is also set to hold separate talks with U.S. President Joe Biden.

The U.S. leader is scheduled to deliver an address highlighting how the United States, alongside our allies and partners, are supporting Ukraine, defending democratic values, and taking action to address global challenges, the White House said.

Britain said members of the G-7 group of nations planned to announce a new framework for allies providing long-term security support for Ukraine.

Alliance expansion

Biden said Tuesday the NATO summit represents a historic moment, as the security bloc prepares to enlarge while tackling issues around the grinding war in Ukraine.

Adding Finland and Sweden to NATO is consequential, Biden said to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. And your leadership really matters. And we agree on the language that you propose, relative to the future of Ukraine being able to join NATO.

Stoltenberg said Tuesday he is absolutely confident that Turkeys parliament will admit a new member, Sweden.

At the same time, Zelenskyy continues to push for his nations inclusion in the security alliance  a step that NATO members seem unlikely to take at this high-stakes summit in Lithuanias capital.

NATO will give Ukraine security, tweeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukraine will make the alliance stronger.

Membership in the middle of a war would require NATO to apply the principle of an attack on one is an attack on all enshrined in the blocs Article 5  putting the U.S. and Western nations in direct conflict with Moscow.

Zelenskyy has said he accepts that situation, but shortly before leaders gathered for their meeting Tuesday, he tweeted complaints about what he said were signals that certain wording is being discussed without Ukraine.

Stoltenberg said Tuesday in Vilnius that he had put forth a package during an informal NATO foreign ministers meeting in May that included removing the requirement for a membership action plan in Ukraines bid.

Defense spending

Another key issue at the summit is whether the members can agree on  and then meet  a commitment to spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense. Currently, only seven members fulfill that target.

Several alliance members used the summit to announce new military aid for Ukraine, including a $770 million package from Germany including Patriot missile launchers, battle tanks and ammunition. French President Emmanuel Macron said his government will supply long-range missiles to Ukraine.

Following the two-day summit, Biden heads to Helsinki on Thursday to meet with leaders of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Denmark. Once Sweden has joined NATO, all five Nordic countries will be members of the military alliance.
The United States is defining the limits of NATOs outreach in the Indo-Pacific region, saying its focus on challenges posed by China does not signal an intention to invite Asian nations to join the bloc.

Speaking Wednesday on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Lithuania, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith told VOA, We're not adding members from the Indo-Pacific.



Were breaking down barriers between America's Atlantic allies and America's Pacific allies to look at common challenges like cybersecurity, emerging and disruptive technology, maritime security, she said. There's a whole array of issues where we can learn from one another without bringing anyone from the Indo-Pacific formally into the alliance.

Beijing criticized this weeks joint NATO statement that said China challenges the groups interests and security with coercive policies. A Chinese diplomat said the communique disregarded facts and misrepresented Beijings position.

NATO countries signed on to the joint statement that underscored that stated ambitions and coercive policies of the Peoples Republic of China, or PRC, have challenged the alliances interests, security and values.



The PRC employs a broad range of political, economic and military tools to increase its global footprint and project power, while remaining opaque about its strategy, intentions and military buildup, the groups leaders said in their communique.

Beijing quickly rejected the claims. Instead of reflecting on its own responsibilities, NATO has been making groundless accusations, meddling in affairs beyond its borders and creating confrontation, a spokesperson for the Chinese Mission to the European Union said in a statement Tuesday.

NATO has sent mixed signals about whether to open a liaison office in Japan, the first of its kind in Asia. France has opposed it saying the bloc should keep focused on the North Atlantic, but NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said this week that its still up for discussion.

China has warned NATO against what it has called an eastward movement into the Asia-Pacific region and vowed to deliver a resolute response to actions that jeopardize its legitimate rights and interests.

In a speech in front of thousands of Lithuanians, President Joe Biden made no direct mention of China but alluded to themes commonly used by his administration in describing Beijings violation of international rules and norms.

Biden said nations must work together to safeguard rights and freedoms needed to protect "the flow of ideas and commerce" that "have enabled decades of global growth." He said it was necessary to respect territorial integrity and sovereignty, "but also principles like freedom of navigation, and overflight, keeping our shared seas and skies open so that every nation has equal access to our global common space."



As NATO committed to work together to address the systemic challenges posed by the PRC to Euro-Atlantic security, the most important action the alliance can take is to stay unified, said Mark Kennedy, director of the Wahba Institute of Strategic Competition at the Wilson Center.



That was exhibited in the communique, he told VOA. The key will be to translate these commitments into reality.



Indo-Pacific partners



Indo-Pacific partners attended the summit amid concerns about rising tension in the region from increasing Chinese military activities and threats from North Korea. On Wednesday, Pyongyang tested a suspected long-range ballistic missile.



This is the second time the Indo-Pacific partners have participated in the gathering of North Atlantic leaders, after last years NATO summit in Madrid. Participating leaders included Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.



Smith pointed to an initiative called the Individually Tailored Partnership Program, or ITPP, that NATO struck with Japan as an example of deepening ties with Indo-Pacific partners.



Collaboration will go beyond traditional security areas and extend to cyber, emerging and disruptive technologies, and strategic communications, Kishida said Wednesday about the deal.

Speaking alongside Stoltenberg, Kishida said the new arrangement is a response to challenges in the international security environment.

Japan and NATO share the understanding that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion will not be tolerated, regardless of where they occur in the world, Kishida said.



In May, as he hosted the Group of Seven summit of the worlds wealthiest democracies in Hiroshima, Kishida emphasized that Japan has no plans to become a NATO member.



ChinaRussia



Beijing pushed back against NATOs assessment of its deepening strategic partnership with Russia, which said the two countries are involved in mutually reinforcing attempts to undercut the rules-based international order.



Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin urged NATO to quit the outdated Cold War mentality and stop seeking to sow chaos here in the Asia-Pacific or elsewhere in the world.



Wang criticized NATOs condemnation of North Koreas nuclear weapons program, saying the alliance is not a party to the Korean Peninsula issues. He blamed the Wests military deterrence and double standards on nuclear nonproliferation as counterproductive to settling Korean Peninsula issues.



While Beijing has not provided lethal aid to Moscow, observers say its growing trade ties with Moscow have helped sustain the Russian economy, offsetting the effects of international sanctions.



VOAs Celia Mendoza and Jorge Agobian contributed to this report.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare of Solomon Islands kicked off his trip to China this week with a clear goal  to deepen bilateral ties with Beijing, causing alarm among some Western nations.

Among the highlights of the trip: Solomon Islands inaugurated its embassy in Beijing and the two countries signed a total of nine documents, including a police cooperation deal that will be effective through 2025.

In response to the signing of the agreements between China and Solomon Islands, the U.S. and Australia have urged Beijing and Honiara to release details of the policing deals.

A spokesperson for Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement that Canberra is concerned that the development will invite further regional contest.

In an interview with VOA Mandarin, John Hennessey-Niland, the former U.S. ambassador to Palau, said he is disturbed by the secrecy around the agreements.

"[There are] concerns about what the agreements between Solomon Islands and China may lead to," he said, adding that it could result in a military presence in the middle of the Pacific, which is something that the world wants to avoid.

The deepening partnership between Solomon Islands and China in recent months, especially in security-related sectors, has alarmed Western democracies, such as the U.S. and Australia.

US embassy

In an attempt to compete for influence with China in the South Pacific, the U.S. opened its embassy in Solomon Islands in February. Regionally, the Biden administration held its first United States-Pacific Island Country Summit in September 2022 and pledged $810 million to the region in programs that range from fighting the climate crisis to maritime security and education.

Meanwhile, Australia continues to engage in security cooperation and talks with Solomon Islands as part of a decadeslong tradition in which Australia is the primary security provider to the Pacific island nation. Before Sogavare's trip to China, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles was in Honiara for two days to discuss security.

However, following the talks, Sogavare called for a review of Solomon Islands' security treaty with Australia, emphasizing the move is necessary to take into account "the changing security challenges faced by both countries."

Some experts view Sogavare's call for a reevaluation of the security partnership with Australia and the decision to sign a new police cooperation deal with China as clear signs that Solomon Islands is shifting its foreign policy focus.

"The decision seems to be pushing out Australia and New Zealand, which have both been involved in keeping the peace and security cooperation and replacing it with China," said Anne-Marie Brady, an expert on China-Pacific politics at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

She said that the trend is reflecting implications of the China-Solomon security agreement signed last year.

After signing the controversial security pact, which outlined broad conditions under which the Pacific Island nation could ask China to send in armed police and military personnel, Solomon Islands sent a delegation of more than 30 police officers for training in China.

However, Brady highlighted differences between China's police system and that of democratic countries' including Solomon Islands.

Mihai Sora, a former Australian diplomat posted to Solomon Islands and a research fellow in the Pacific Islands program at Lowy Institute, agreed.

"The obvious concern is what impact will it have on Solomon Islands' police force, especially when we think about how the Chinese police force responded to political protests and domestic dissent in Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet," Sora told VOA.

Evolving foreign policy

Since Solomon Islands switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019, Beijing has helped build up key infrastructure in the archipelagic state. It includes the stadium for the upcoming Pacific Games, a multimillion-dollar cellular network built by the Chinese telecom giant Huawei and financed by a Chinese EXIM bank loan, as well as the redevelopment of a port in the capital, Honiara, that is being spearheaded by a Chinese state company.

Before he departed for Beijing, Sogavare said it is not in Solomon Islands' interest to take sides, saying the island nation is "friends to all and enemies to none."

"Our national interest is development," he said during an annual Independence Day address last Friday. "This position has not changed. It is more urgent than ever."

Despite Sogavare's emphasis on Solomon Islands being neutral, his policies are contradicting that long-standing foreign policy principle, said Brady.

"His government is picking a side and excluding other partners," she told VOA, adding that Solomon Islands continues to promote policies that are in line with China's agenda in regional groupings.

However, Sora, from the Lowy Institute, said Sogavare is looking to maximize benefits from all partners.

"He is using the strategic anxiety of traditional partners like Australia and the U.S. and the strategic intent of new partners like China to extract as many benefits from all partners as he can," he said.

While the overall direction of Solomon Islands' foreign policy under Sogavare's rule remains unclear, Sora said China's efforts to double down on relationships with certain countries in the Pacific are challenging the existing regional architecture and undermining regional unity.

"While U.S. and Australia address regional concerns by working through the Pacific Islands Forum, China is looking for ways to work around the regional intergovernmental body," he said.

"We will see this continuing push from China to maximize those relationships that are working in its favor in the Pacific, and that's going to create an increased level of unease among Pacific countries," Sora added.

China-Solomon Islands relations

Also during his trip, Sogavare praised China's role in addressing global challenges, telling Premier Li Qiang that Solomon Islands "has a lot to learn from China's development experience."

In a meeting with Sogavare, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said Beijing will continue to provide economic and technical assistance "without political strings attached," reported China's state media, Xinhua.

Some analysts told VOA that China hopes to use Sogavare's visit to show other Pacific countries that Beijing is a good partner while Sogavare hopes to convince the skeptical Solomon Islands public that the decision to switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019 is delivering results favorable to Honiara.

"Beijing is looking to publicize its approach to develop ties with Solomon Islands as a good news story, while Sogavare is demonstrating to domestic audiences that the relationship with China is delivering for the people," Sora said.
North Korea has fired a single long-range ballistic missile off its east coast, according to South Korea's military, as leaders of both Japan and South Korea are in Lithuania for NATO summit meetings.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile was launched from the area around the North's capital, Pyongyang, at around 10 a.m. local time Wednesday.

The missile was in flight for about 74 minutes, according to Japan Coast Guard data, suggesting the long-range ballistic missile was flown in a lofted trajectory. That would mark the longest flight for a North Korean missile, Japanese media report, citing a defense ministry official.

U.S. Japanese and South Korean militaries are analyzing related data.

North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles on June 15, both of which landed within Japan's economic zone. Its last long-range launch on April 13 had tested a solid fuel ICBM, the Hwasong 18, for the first time.

The missile launch comes on the heels of a trio of angry statements posted within a 24-hour period on North Korean media KCNA this week. The statements accused U.S. drones and reconnaissance planes of "intruding" North Korea's exclusive economic zone to spy on the state along its eastern coastline.

Two were delivered by the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who warned North Korean forces would react "clearly and decisively" should the U.S. cross into its economic zone again.

Both South Korea and the U.S. said the aerial maneuvers were routine in nature.

"As a matter of international law, the DPRK's recent statements that U.S. flights above its claimed exclusive economic zone are unlawful are unfounded," U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told a press gaggle on Tuesday, referring to North Korea by its official acronym, "as high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in such areas."
North Korea has fired a single long-range ballistic missile off its east coast, as leaders of Japan and South Korea are in Lithuania for NATO meetings and are due to hold a bilateral summit later Wednesday.

The suspected intercontinental ballistic missile was launched at around 10 a.m. local time from an area around the North's capital, Pyongyang, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

The missile flew in a lofted trajectory, piercing through the earth's atmosphere, to land some 1,000 kilometers to the east, according to Seoul and Tokyo.

Japan estimates the missile reached a top altitude of more than 6,000 kilometers before splashing down 74 minutes after launch. If true, that would mark the longest duration flight for a North Korean missile, according to Japan's defense ministry.

From Lithuania's capital of Vilnius, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol convened an emergency National Security Council meeting via video call with relevant ministers in Seoul.

Condemning the launch, Yoon said North Korea's illegal activities would come with a price, according to his office, and promised to galvanize support with nations convened at the NATO summit. He also ordered a further strengthening of extended deterrence, with an inaugural U.S.-South Korea Nuclear Consultative Group meeting planned for next week.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Tokyo immediately lodged a strong protest against North Korea via its embassy in Beijing, underlining that such ballistic missiles violate multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. Japan at this stage does not believe the detected missile carried a "so-called satellite," he added.

Ahead of the missile launch on Tuesday, 31 NATO countries issued the Vilnius Summit Communique in which they called on Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear weapons program in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner and accept repeated offers of dialogue.

On the second day of the summit, members of the Asia-Pacific 4 grouping  Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand  are engaging with NATO countries over China's influence in the region.

A bilateral summit between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon is also planned Wednesday, during which the two leaders are expected to discuss Japan's plan to release treated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Raising the temperature

North Korea's latest missile launch comes on the heels of a trio of angry statements out of Pyongyang over what it claimed were illegal U.S. drones and reconnaissance planes "intruding" on its exclusive economic zone to spy on the state along its eastern coastline earlier this week.

The latter two of the three statements came directly from leader Kim Jong Un's influential sister, who warned North Korean forces would react "clearly and resolutely" should the U.S. cross into its economic zone again.

Both Seoul and Washington countered that any aerial maneuvers were routine in nature, and that Pyongyang's claims that "U.S. flights above its claimed exclusive economic zone are unlawful are unfounded," according to State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller Tuesday, "as high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in such areas."

Analysts in Seoul expressed concern that the repeated warnings within 24 hours could be North Korea setting up for additional provocations in the region ahead of a key anniversary on July 27, which marks the signing of an armistice that put a pause on the Korean War.

North Korea refers to it as Victory Day and is believed to be planning a large military parade for the occasion. But that may not be enough.

"North Korea has to celebrate the 70th anniversary [of Victory Day] with achievement in the military or economic field," Won Gon Park, professor of North Korean studies at Ewha University tells VOA.

But given that the North has been struggling economically, hampered by ongoing COVID-19 border controls, and militarily, its failed spy satellite launch at the end of May, which South Korea evaluated as having no military utility, it is left with few options.

"That's why North Korea has to escalate tension, releasing these aggressive statements by Kim Yo Jong, which is at a very high level. This is a very typical pattern when they face difficulties domestically and internationally," Park added.

Wednesday's launch of a long-range ballistic missile is the first since April 13 when Pyongyang had tested a solid fuel ICBM, the Hwasong 18, for the first time.

Others warned against too quickly attributing the latest missile test as a response to U.S. reconnaissance flights or the NATO summit.

"If indeed today's launch was a follow-up test to the Hwasong 18, this is North Korea developing its missile technology on its own timeline," offered Kim Dong Yup, a professor of military and security studies at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.
Authorities in Pakistan said Wednesday that an insurgent assault on a military base and clashes elsewhere in the turbulent southwestern Baluchistan province killed 12 soldiers and a civilian.

The army's media wing said that five "terrorists" had attempted "to sneak into the facility" in the province's northern Zhob district early in the morning, but troops intercepted them.

The ensuing hourslong clashes killed nine soldiers and all the assailants, a military statement said. It did not share further details, but reliable security sources in Zhob reported that at least a dozen soldiers were injured, and the death toll was expected to increase.

"Security forces and the nation remain resilient and determined to thwart all such dastardly attempts of the enemy aimed at destroying the peace of Baluchistan and Pakistan," the military said in its statement.

A top district administration official earlier confirmed that militants had stormed the Zhob cantonment area. Azeem Kakar told reporters that civilians were caught in the crossfire, leaving a woman dead and five people injured.

A relatively new militant outfit, Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan, reportedly claimed credit for the attack on the army base, but its authenticity could not be ascertained immediately. The group is believed to be tied to the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, an alliance of banned extremist organizations conducting attacks against the Pakistani state.

Separately on Wednesday, the military said a gunfight with "heavily armed terrorists" in the Sui district of the province left three soldiers dead. It added that two militants also were killed, saying a "clearance operation is underway to apprehend remaining terrorists as well."

Baluchistan and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, bordering Afghanistan, have recently suffered a dramatic upsurge in militant attacks. The violence has killed more than 400 people, mostly security forces, in suicide bombings and other attacks since the beginning of 2023.

The TTP and the so-called Baluch Liberation Army, both designated as global terrorist organizations by the United States, have taken responsibility for most of the bloodshed in the two provinces and elsewhere in Pakistan.

The Pakistani military has confirmed the death of more than 100 officers and soldiers in insurgent raids and clashes in the first six months of the year.
Paraguay's incoming president Santiago Pena said Wednesday the country would stand by Taiwan's side for the duration of his five-year term, reaffirming it as Taipei's lone diplomatic ally in South America.

Asuncion is one of the few remaining capitals in the wider Latin American region to still recognize Taiwan after Beijing, which claims the island as its territory, spent decades convincing Taipei's allies to switch sides.

Pena's trip to Taipei comes about five weeks before he will be inaugurated, and he said the timing was "not a coincidence".

"I come to... reaffirm my commitment, our commitment as Paraguayans to be on the side of the people of Taiwan for the next five years," he said in a speech at Taiwan's Presidential Office.

Pena also praised President Tsai Ing-wen for "knowing that principles and values are not negotiable" and said his administration would work with Taiwan on future investments to ensure "a mutual economic benefit for both nations".

The former finance minister had vowed on the campaign trail to continue recognizing Taiwan.

Pena's win in May soothed Taipei's fear that Paraguay would ditch ties with it in favor of Beijing, an increasingly common phenomenon as China raises the pressure on Taiwan. From Taiwan to China

Panama, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras have all switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in recent years.

Beijing does not permit its own diplomatic allies to also recognize Taipei, which only has formal alliances with 13 countries around the world.

Pena said he studied in Taiwan in 1999 and that he was bringing "the love and affection of all the Paraguayan people." He also extended an invitation to Tsai to visit Paraguay after she leaves office next year.

Tsai, having served two terms, is constitutionally barred from running for office again.

Vice President William Lai, who also met Pena on Wednesday, is the candidate for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party in January's election.

Chinese air, naval exercises

Tsai has been in office since 2016 and her two terms have been marked by a sharp deterioration in relations with an increasingly assertive China.

Beijing has refused to engage with her because she does not accept that the island is a part of China.

China has also ramped up its military presence around Taiwan, with its warplanes making near-daily incursions into Taipei's air defense zone and sending its vessels into waters around the island.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defencs announced Wednesday that the Chinese military had conducted "long-range joint air and naval exercises" around in waters to the southeast.

"This morning, July 12, from 7 am to noon (2300 GMT Tuesday to 0400 GMT), 30 military aircraft were detected, including fighter jets, bombers, early-warning aircraft, ship-based helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles," the ministry said.

It said 23 warplanes had crossed into Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) and four Chinese navy vessels also conducted a "joint combat patrol."

Taiwan's armed forces are "closely monitoring the situation," the ministry said.

The ADIZ is not the same as Taiwan's territorial airspace and includes a far greater area that overlaps with part of China's own ADIZ and even some of the mainland itself.

China has staged massive wargames around the island in the past year, usually when Taiwanese officials were meeting with allies, particularly the United States.
The Supreme Court of India Tuesday ordered a hearing on multiple petitions challenging the government of Indias revocation four years ago of the special status of the Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir or J&K.

Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, Chief Justice of India announced that the Constitution Bench would commence the hearing on August 2.

Twenty-one petitions have been filed challenging the governments decision in August 2019 to abrogate Article 370 and Article 35(A) of the Indian constitution. The two articles provided J&K several benefits including a separate constitution, protected land-ownership rights, and government jobs for its permanent residents.

The government of India Monday defended its decision by submitting a written affidavit at the court stating that the region has witnessed a positive impact after the abrogation of the special status. However, the court during the hearing made it clear that it would not consider the fresh affidavit filed by the government regarding the situation in J&K.

Prominent pro-India political parties expressed strong confidence in the Supreme Court regarding the restoration of the special status.

Muzaffar Shah, Vice President of the Awami National Conference, while stressing the historical context of J&Ks accession to the Union of India in 1947 stated that the power to amend Article 370 and Article 35(A) solely lies with the Constituent Assembly of J&K.

I believe that J&K will regain its special status as guaranteed under the Constitution of India through the agreements signed by the Union of India and J&K, Shah said.

Hasnain Masoodi, former Chief Justice of the J&K High Court and a senior politician associated with the National Conference, told VOA that the Government of India violated the constitution when the special status of the region was revoked.

The main argument of my petition is the unconstitutional nature of the revocation of Article 370 and Article 35(A). The Court has the authority to set aside illegally taken decisions, Masoodi said.

Mehbooba Mufti, President of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said in a recent article that in previous challenges to Article 370s legality and continuation, the Supreme Court had made it clear that the provision, although temporary in nature, could not be removed unless recommended by the J&K constituent assembly for dissolution to the Indian president.

Raman Bhalla, a Jammu-based politician affiliated with the Indian National Congress, appreciated the decision made by the Supreme Court. Bhalla told VOA that the residents of J&K did not support the revocation of the regions special status.

We eagerly await the outcome of the verdict, said Bhalla. People of J&K are hopeful for the restoration of the special status, and we will honor whatever decision the Court announces, he added.

In response to the ongoing developments Ashok Koul, the General Secretary of the BJP in J&K, told VOA that his party had been committed to repealing Article 370 and Article 35(A) since 1953.

He said that every individual has the right to approach the court if they believe there is a matter that needs to be challenged.

We believe that both articles were enacted unlawfully, Koul said. The matter is currently under judicial consideration, and we are prepared to accept whatever decision the Court announces, he added.
Saudi Arabia has deposited $2 billion into Pakistan's central bank, the government said Tuesday, a much-needed financial boost ahead of a critical meeting of the International Monetary Fund on the new bailout package for the cash-strapped South Asian country.

In a video statement, Pakistani Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the kingdom was making good on its promise to bolster Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves. The infusion is not a loan as such but will shore up the reserves and remain with Pakistan's central bank for at least a year.

The development comes on the eve of the meeting of the IMF's executive board, which is expected to approve a new, much-needed $3 billion loan to Pakistan to help the country overcome an economic crisis.

Dar said that with the Saudi deposit, Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves that dropped to $9.6 billion last week  barely enough to pay import bills for a month  have gone up to $11.6 billion.

"We thank the Saudi leadership on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan," he said.

He assured the nation that Pakistan would soon return to the path of growth.

"God willing, now Pakistan's economy will witness an improvement," Dar said. 'Deep gratitude'

Following the announcement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tweeted his "deep gratitude to the leadership and brotherly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" and said the deposit reflects the kingdom's growing confidence in Pakistan's economic turnaround.

"We remain committed to making all necessary efforts to improve Pakistan's economy," Sharif said.

Also on Tuesday, Sharif in a meeting with the Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, praised the kingdom's "generous and unwavering support for Pakistan," saying "it was particularly instrumental in securing the deal with the IMF," according to a government statement. It said Sharif thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the deposit.

In late June, the IMF agreed to provide $3 billion to Pakistan in badly needed relief to bail out the impoverished country's ailing economy  a nine-month agreement that the IMF's executive board is to approve Wednesday at a meeting in the United States. Pakistan also hopes the board will approve the release of a crucial $1.1 billion from the bailout. Floods, price spike

Pakistan's economy has suffered several heavy blows recently, such as the devastating floods last summer that killed 1,739 people, caused $30 billion in damage, and impacted millions of Pakistanis. The country was also hit by an international commodity price spike in the wake of Russia's war in Ukraine.
11 out of 15 Shahed Russian drones downed by Ukraine overnight, no fatalities 12 July, 11:02 AM Destruction of a kamikaze drone over Kyiv, June 20, 2023 (Photo:REUTERS/Gleb Garanich)

Russia attacked Ukraine with 15 Iranian Shahed-136/131 kamikaze drones during the early hours of July 12, with defense forces downing 11 of them, the Ukrainian Air Force has reported.

Russia launched the drones from the northeast, from the city of Kursk, the air force said. An air raid alert was declared in several regions of the north and center of the country.

Read also: Ukraine downs 10 Russian Shahed suicide drones overnight

Air defense forces in the East and Center commands shot down 11 of the attack drones. The Ukrainian formations involved in shooting down the drones included anti-aircraft missile units, fighter aircraft, and mobile fire groups.

Video of day

Kyiv municipal authorities reported the destruction of all enemy targets near the capital.

But in Cherkasy Oblast, an infrastructure facility was hit and two people were hospitalized with burns, regional authorities reported.

Read also: Ukrainian military official reports decrease in Russian attacks in southern region

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
A Romanian man who was part of an international human smuggling ring was sentenced Tuesday to more than 12 years in prison for the deaths of 39 migrants from Vietnam who suffocated in a truck trailer on their way to England in 2019.

Marius Mihai Draghici was the ringleader's right-hand man and an "essential cog" in an operation that made huge profits exploiting people desperate to get to the U.K., Justice Neil Garnham said in Central Criminal Court known as the Old Bailey.

Victims, who paid about 13,000 pounds ($16,770) for so-called VIP service, died after trying in vain to punch a hole in the container with a metal pole as the temperature inside exceeded 100 degrees F (38.5 C). Their desperation as they struggled to breathe was captured in messages they tried to send loved ones and and recordings that showed "a growing recognition they were going to die there," Garnham said.

There was no escape and no one could hear their cries, prosecutors said.

Their final hours "must have entailed unimaginable suffering and anguish," Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones said Tuesday.

A young mother wrote a message to loved ones that was never sent: "Maybe going to die in the container. Cannot breathe any more." The 28 men, eight women, and three children ranged in age from 15 to 44 and about half hailed from the Nghe An province in north central Vietnam. The victims included a bricklayer, a restaurant worker, a manicure technician, an aspiring beautician and a college graduate.

A married couple, Tran Hai Loc and Nguyen Thi Van, were found lying side by side Oct. 23, 2019, in the container that had been shipped by ferry from Zeebrugge, Belgium, to Purfleet, England. Defendant 'shocked and horrified'

Draghici, 50, pleaded guilty last month to 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

He's the fifth man to be sentenced in the case in the U.K. Four other gang members were imprisoned in 2021 for terms ranging from 13 to 27 years for manslaughter. The stiffest sentence went to ringleader Gheorghe Nica, 46.

Another 18 people were convicted in Belgium, where the Vietnamese ringleader was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Others got one to 10-year term terms.

Draghici was "shocked and horrified with what occurred" defense lawyer Gillian Jones said in court.

But he, like the others involved in the conspiracy, had "immediately abandoned the plan and melted away in the night," after another man opened the truck container and discovered the dead bodies, Emlyn Jones said.

Draghici and Nica both fled to Romania, where Draghici was later arrested. Social media broke news to families

Family members of the victims who had gone into debt to fund the travel said they were crushed by the loss.

The parents of Nguyen Huy Hung, 15, who was on his way to live with his parents in the U.K. and wanted to be a hairdresser, were shocked after learning of the tragedy on social media.
Spain sweltered under an unrelenting heat wave Wednesday as temperatures started to build toward what is forecast to be a torrid weekend across southern Europe.

Spains weather service said thermometers could potentially hit 45 C (113 F) in southeastern areas of the Iberian Peninsula, which are under alert for extreme heat. That mark was reached Monday in the village of Loja near Granada at the start of the heat wave that is causing restless nights across the country.

More than 100 weather stations registered temperatures of at least 35 C (95 F) as early as 6 a.m. Wednesday, according to meteorologist Ruben del Campo of Spains national weather agency.

On Wednesday, we expect temperatures to fall overall with the arrival of cool winds from the North and East, with the exception of the southeast and southern Andalusia, where hot winds blowing from the interior will cause temperatures to soar, Del Campo said.

While some relief is in store in the coming days for the Iberian Peninsula, other European countries will sweat through the weekend.

In Italy, 10 cities were put on high heat alert for older people and other vulnerable populations from Bolzano in the north extending southward to Bologna, Florence and Rome. Temperatures are expected to reach 40 C (104 F) in the Sardinian inland Wednesday.

But storms in Italy's populous northern Lombardy region caused flooding, felled trees and ripped roofs off buildings. More than 200 firefighters responded to emergencies in the regional capital of Milan, Varese, near the Malpensa airport, Lecco, near Lake Como, Sondrio, located in the Alps, and Bergamo.

Temperatures were also starting to tick up in Greece, where a heat wave was forecast to reach up to 44 C (111 F) in some parts of the country in the coming days. Authorities banned access to nature reserves and forests to reduce the risk of wildfires, while municipalities were opening air-conditioned areas in public buildings for people to shelter from the heat.

Greece's agriculture ministry issued restrictions on the transportation and working hours of animals such as horses and donkeys offering rides in tourist areas during the heat wave. Working animals won't be allowed to work between noon and 5 p.m. on days where temperatures are between 35-39 C (95-102 F) in the shade, while they won't be allowed to work at any time of the day when temperatures exceed that range.

Scientists report that heat-related deaths soared in 2022 in Europe, when Spain had a record-hot year. The Mediterranean region is expected to see temperatures rise faster than many other areas of the globe because of climate change.
Thailands Constitutional Court said Wednesday that it would consider whether to suspend Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat as a lawmaker on the eve of a parliamentary vote where the youthful reformist is a leading candidate to become prime minister.

The decision came after a complaint was lodged with the Election Commission of Thailand that alleged Pita was unqualified to run as a lawmaker because of his past ownership of shares in a media company, which violates electoral rules.

On Wednesday, the commission recommended that he be disqualified, citing evidence. If he is tried and convicted, Pita could be banned from politics and face prison.

The Move Forward Party described the decision as unlawful, saying Pita wasnt asked to provide more evidence or given an opportunity to defend himself.

Under election rules, a candidate is prohibited from being an owner or shareholder of a media company. Pita, 42, says he had owned shares in Independent Television (iTV), which were inherited from his father, but he has transferred the shares from his ownership. Independent Television closed in 2007.

Also under election rules, a suspended MP can still run for prime minister.

In response, dozens of Move Forward Party supporters turned out to protest in downtown Bangkok, some wearing the partys orange color and holding up three-finger salutes.

Activist Arnon Nampa, who is facing criminal charges for calling for monarchy reform, told the crowd that the salute is a signal for change, and that if Pita and the Move Forward Party failed to be elected by Parliament, street protests would return as early as next week.

In 2020 and 2021, Thailand was rocked with anti-government and monarchy reform protests, mainly led by Thai youths. Clashes with police were common, with hundreds of protesters arrested.

The Move Forward Party has urged supporters to wear orange and gather in front of Thailands Parliament on Thursday when the National Assembly is scheduled to vote for prime minister.

Election leaders

Pita and the Move Forward Party were top vote-getters in a general election in May with 151 of the 500 seats of Thailands Parliament Lower House.

After its victory, the party formed a coalition with seven other opposition parties to reach a total of 312 seats in the Lower House. To secure the prime ministership, they need 64 more votes to reach a majority in a joint session with the 250-member military-appointed Senate.

But experts said Pitas time could be up, given the allegations.

Napon Jatusripitak, a political scientist at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, said the threat of disqualifying Pita as a lawmaker might mean the Senate would delay its long-awaited decision on whom to endorse to lead Thailand.

It appears that the Senate will exploit this opportunity to justify abstaining in tomorrows prime minister selection," he told VOA. "Senators might justify their decision to abstain by emphasizing the importance of ensuring certainty regarding Pitas suitability for leadership. They may argue that his ongoing court proceedings and the possibility of future disqualification raise concerns that need to be addressed before making a selection.

Napon added that the election commissions decision seemed to indicate Pita would not be allowed to govern Thailand.

These developments highlight the centrality of legal instruments and referee bodies as mechanisms for upholding the established political order in Thailand. This sends a clear and unmistakable signal that Pita will not be allowed to govern, despite having a clear popular mandate, Napon said.

Thailands Democrat Party, which has 25 elected MPs, said its members would abstain in Thursdays vote, Reuters reported. But the Pheu Thai Party, a coalition member, has told voters it will support the Move Forward Party.

The Constitutional Court also agreed to consider a complaint that the Move Forward Partys pledge to amend Thailands lese-majeste law, which outlaws criticism of the monarchy, amounts to an overthrowing of the democratic regime with the king as head of state.

"The Move Forward Party and the social movements that propelled it to election victory may have shaken the tree, but it seems that no one will be allowed to enjoy the fruits, Napon said.
The future of a Russia-Ukraine agreement to export Ukrainian grain to world markets is again in doubt, as Moscow threatens to not renew it after it expires on Monday. As Dorian Jones in Istanbul reports, Turkey  a broker of that agreement - is stepping up pressure on Moscow amid concerns of a global food crisis.
Uganda's government is rejecting claims that top officials, including President Yoweri Museveni and his son, were responsible for the torture of political opponents.

The International Criminal Court this week received testimonies from hundreds of Ugandans who say they were tortured by officials.

A government spokesperson called it attention-seeking propaganda.



Ugandas opposition party, the National Unity Platform, says it wants justice for people who allege they were tortured by the Ugandan government.

Speaking to VOA, NUP spokesman Joel Ssenyonyi said the party supports the many Ugandans who have provided testimonies in a case being presented to the International Criminal Court against top government officials.

The case was recently presented by Bruce Afran, a Princeton, New Jersey-based lawyer, whose team gathered the testimonies. The accusations stem from Ugandas 2021 elections.

After the elections, several video clips shared on social media allegedly showed security officials torturing and, in some cases, firing live bullets at protesters.

Fifty-four people were killed during the campaign period, mostly in clashes between police and protesters after authorities stopped Musevenis challenger, opposition leader Bobi Wine, from campaigning in eastern Uganda. A number of NUP activists were also arrested.

Museveni condemned the killings but stated that some terrorists had been killed.

Ssenyonyi said the presidents words showed that he was responsible for the arrests and torture.

After that statement that he made, who has been called to order? How many people have been taken to jail or to court for torturing Ugandans? Ssenyonyi said. Two, he is the same person after the Arua incident, he said this Bobi Wine and others, they were beaten properly. Clearly showing, he is the one who commandeered all of these.

In August 2018, while campaigning for an opposition candidate in Arua district, Wine narrowly escaped death when the driver of his car was shot and killed.

The shooting happened after opposition supporters allegedly stoned the presidents vehicle.

Among those who have given testimony in the case submitted to the ICC is writer Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, a Museveni critic who fled Uganda shortly after his third arrest.

After his release, Rukirabashaija posted pictures of his scarred body, saying he had been tortured and a pair of pliers used to pluck not just his nails but the skin between his thighs.

Rukirabashaija said the president's son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, visited him in prison and was responsible for the torture.

Rukirabashaijas lawyer is Eron Kiiza.

Kakwenza is sure that Muhoozi did torture him, Kiiza said. And it is clear that he supervised and ordered that torture.

Farouk Kirunda, Musevenis deputy presidential press secretary, said the NUP party has not sufficiently defended its allegations before the Uganda Human Rights Commission.

Its propaganda, Kirunda said. They have filed before in Uganda Human Rights Commission where they furnished a list of the said torture victims. But after making thorough investigations by Uganda Human Rights Commission, it was found out that the list was fake. So, it is political, those ones are seeking for the attention of the international community.

Twenty-six top government officials are accused of participating in, aiding and abetting the detention and torture of opposition supporters during Uganda's 2021 election. The ICC has not indicated whether it will take up the case.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has condemned Russias invasion of Ukraine as a costly, senseless war that has killed and injured thousands of civilians and violated the human rights of millions. Turk presented an oral update on the current situation in Ukraine and Crimea on Wednesday to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva.

In a no-holds-barred presentation to the council, Turk outlined in grim detail what he calls the horrendous civilian cost of the war in Ukraine. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, he said more than 9,000 civilians, including at least 500 children, have been killed, adding that these figures are likely to be much higher.

He said Russia did not grant U.N. monitors access to places of detention. Nevertheless, from interviews with 178 detainees who had been released, he said monitors have documented more than 900 cases of arbitrary detention, many of them tantamount to enforced disappearances.

We also documented the summary executions of 77 civilians while they were arbitrarily detained by the Russian Federation, he said. Over 90% of detainees held by the Russian Federation whom we were able to interview stated that they had been subjected to torture and ill-treatment  including sexual violence, in some cases  by Russian security personnel.

Turk also expressed concern about human rights violations committed by Ukraine. He said the U.N., which had unimpeded access to places of detention under Ukrainian control, documented 75 cases of arbitrary detention. He added that monitors found Ukrainian personnel in unofficial places of detention, to a much lesser extent, also engaged in torture or ill-treatment, including sexual violence.

Turk said a report submitted to the Human Rights Council by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres describes widespread, systematic human rights violations committed by Russian forces in Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, as well as other areas occupied by Russia.

Turk said his team has documented 60 arbitrary arrests, as well as enforced disappearances and torture in these areas. He said 2,500 men have been forcibly conscripted in Crimea. He said he is deeply concerned about population transfers of civilians.

During the reporting period, my office collected information about 23 residents who were arrested by Russian security forces and transferred across the administrative boundary line to Crimea, reportedly handcuffed and blindfolded, he said. In parallel, the Russian authorities have continued transferring Ukrainian citizens whom they consider so-called foreigners out of Crimea.

Russian Ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, Gennady Gatilov, categorically rejected the high commissioners report, calling it flawed and one-sided. He said the report does not adequately reflect the crimes committed by Ukraine.

The Russian envoy said there is a multitude of video evidence on the internet of Ukrainian security forces executing suspected collaborators in regions vacated by Russian troops. He called on the high commissioners office to pay attention to these actions by Kyiv and to address them publicly.
Uyghur rights groups in Washington are calling on governments around the world to stand up to Beijing. They accuse China of genocide and remember what happened 14 years ago in Urumqi, China, during violent confrontations between Uyghurs, Han Chinese and the police. They say not much has changed. Graham Kanwit has this report. Camera: Saqib Ul Islam
Hong Kong national security police on Tuesday took away exiled activist Nathan Law's parents and brother for questioning, local media reported, one week after the police issued an arrest warrant and a bounty on Law's head.

Local media, citing unnamed sources, said Law's relatives were taken away from their homes in Hong Kong for questioning, then released.

SEE ALSO: Hong Kong Activists Undeterred by Arrest Warrants, Bounty The Hong Kong police said in a statement that they "took away two men and a woman for investigation" from the island of Lantau on suspicion of assisting persons wanted by the police for activities that endangered national security.

Law said in a statement these individuals "absolutely have no monetary links with me." He added that the police allegation that his family members were assisting him in his work was "pure nonsense."

Law is among eight overseas-based activists who were issued with arrest warrants last week by the Hong Kong police for alleged offenses under a national security law that China imposed in Hong Kong in 2020.

This was the first time that relatives of an activist have been questioned after the issuance of the warrants and a bounty of $128,000 for information leading to any arrests.

Some rights groups criticized the police move.

"It is sinister that the Hong Kong authorities questioned the family members of Nathan Law," said Mark Sabah, with the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation.

"This tactic mirrors how the Chinese government targets the families of Uyghurs, Tibetans and other dissidents abroad. This latest escalation is clearly designed to intimidate and silence Hong Kongers abroad."

Hong Kong's pro-Beijing leader John Lee has said that the eight activists should be treated like "street rats" that people should avoid or report on.

Law publicly severed ties with his family in Hong Kong in August 2020, and was granted political asylum in Britain two years ago.

Last week, police arrested five former members of the disbanded political group Demosisto, for running an online commercial platform that was allegedly used to provide financial aid to Law, according to local media and sources.

They were later granted bail, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter.

Demosisto was founded by Law and other activists but disbanded after the enactment of the national security law.
President Joe Biden capped what he described as a historic NATO summit with optimistic resolve for Ukraine and a stern warning to Moscow. The two-day meeting in Lithuanias capital saw renewed support for Ukraine to join the alliance but stopped short of a specific timeline that Ukraine sought.



We will not waver, Biden repeated twice as he spoke to a crowd of thousands gathered at Vilnius University, a 4-century-old institution that has weathered the Baltic nations occupation by Polish, Russian, Soviet and German forces.



Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken, Biden said. We will stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.



He also delivered a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin.



Unfortunately, Russia has shown thus far no interest in a diplomatic outcome. Putin still wrongly believes he can outlast Ukraine. He cant believe its their land, their country, their future. And even after all this time, Putin still doubts our staying power. Hes still making a bad bet, Biden said. Cluster munitions



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday defended Washingtons decision to provide Kyiv with cluster munitions, weapons banned by more than 120 countries for their indiscriminate killing capability, saying it will help Ukraine defend itself from Russian aggression.

Its very simple to criticize cluster munitions, Zelenskyy said to reporters during his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden. This decision will help us save us, he added..

Washingtons decision has created discomfort among some NATO allies, many of whom are signatories of the convention that bans the weapons. The Ukrainian leader noted that Moscow employs cluster munitions in the battlefield. I didnt hear some of you countries criticize Russia, he said Biden and Zelenskyy met on the sidelines of the alliances summit in Lithuanias capital Vilnius on Wednesday, where NATO leaders closed their two-day gathering with renewed support for Kyiv to join the alliance but stopped short of any specific commitments or timeline that Zelenskyy has sought.

Today, we meet as equals. I look forward to the day we meet as allies, said NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

SEE ALSO: NATO Leaders Meet With Zelenskyy at Vilnius Summit In its written declaration Tuesday, leaders said they will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree, and conditions are met. Kyivs NATO membership in the middle of Russias invasion would require allies to apply the principle of an attack on one is an attack on all enshrined in the blocs Article 5  putting members in direct conflict with Moscow. Speaking alongside Zelenskyy, Stoltenberg dismissed new Russian threats on the consequences of supporting Ukraine. "Of course, guarantees, documents, council meetings are important, but the most urgent task now is to ensure enough weapons for Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and his armed forces," Stoltenberg said. Moscow swiftly hit back. It is more important for the West to kill than to protect, said Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova via Telegram.

While not extending a fast track to membership, NATO is dropping its requirement for Ukraine to fulfill its so-called Membership Action Plan, a list of political, economic and military goals it must meet before joining the alliance.

A day after blasting NATOs lack of a clear timetable as absurd, Zelenskyy appeared more conciliatory and acknowledged concerns that allies do not want to be dragged into direct conflict with Moscow.

Even during the full-scale war against Russia, Ukraine continues to conduct reform, he said. Therefore, we highly appreciate the recognition that Ukraine will not need an action plan on its way to NATO.

Wednesdays agenda also features the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, a newly established decision-making body that carries more authority than the previous NATO-Ukraine Commission, which was a consultation-only platform.

G7 declaration on Ukraine

Alongside Zelenskyy, leaders of the Group of Seven wealthiest democracies announced a new framework to provide long-term security and economic support for Ukraine through separate bilateral negotiations.

Unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion are unacceptable anywhere in the world, said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who in May hosted a forum to support Ukraine at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima.

Calling the framework a powerful statement of our commitment to Ukraine, Biden said G7 allies will help Ukraine build a strong capable defense across land, air, and sea to become a force of stability in the region to deter against any and all threats.

In a briefing to reporters, National Security Council Senior Director for Europe Amanda Sloat said the multilateral declaration will send a significant signal to Russia that time is not on its side.

Bidens final item before leaving Vilnius is an address highlighting how the United States, alongside our allies and partners, are supporting Ukraine, defending democratic values and taking action to address global challenges, the White House said.
The Webb Space Telescope is marking one year of cosmic photographs with one of its best yet: the dramatic close-up of dozens of stars at the moment of birth.

NASA unveiled the latest snapshot Wednesday, revealing 50 baby stars in a cloud complex 390 light-years away. The region is relatively small and quiet yet full of illuminated gases, jets of hydrogen and even dense cocoons of dust with the delicate beginnings of even more stars.

"Prepare to be awestruck!" NASA Administrator Bill Nelson tweeted, noting that the image "presents star birth as an impressionistic masterpiece."

All of the young stars appear to be no bigger than our sun. Scientists said the breathtaking shot provides the best clarity yet of this brief phase of a star's life.

"It's like a glimpse of what our own system would have looked like billions of years ago when it was forming," NASA program scientist Eric Smith told The Associated Press.

"I like to remind people that when this light left, it was roughly 1633. ... People were putting Galileo on trial for believing that the Earth goes around the sun, and here we are seeing separate suns and planets forming today," Smith said.

This cloud complex, known as Rho Ophiuchi, is the closest star-forming region to Earth and is found in the sky near the border of the constellations Ophiuchus and Scorpius, the serpent-bearer and scorpion. With no stars in the foreground of the photo, NASA noted, the details stand out all the more. Some of the stars display shadows indicating possible planets in the making, according to NASA.

Webb  the largest and most powerful astronomical observatory ever launched into space  has been churning out cosmic beauty shots for the past year. The first pictures from the $10 billion infrared telescope were unveiled last July, six months after its liftoff from French Guiana.

It's considered the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, orbiting Earth for 33 years. A joint NASA-European Space Agency effort, Webb scans the universe from a more distant perch, 1 million miles (1.6 million kilometers) away.

Still ahead for Webb: Astronomers hope to behold the earliest stars and galaxies of the universe while scouring the cosmos for any hints of life.

"We've already been using Webb to look at planets around other stars to see if we can analyze their atmospheres to see if they would be capable of hosting life," Smith said. "We haven't found one of them yet, but we're still only one year into the mission."
NATO inviting Ukraine a matter of months  Biden 12 July, 07:48 PM Meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Joe Biden in Vilnius, July 12, 2023 (Photo:REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

Ukraine receiving an invitation to join NATO is a matter of next few months, U.S. President Joe Biden suggested during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Vilnius summit on July 12.

Biden made the remark at the beginning of his sit-down with the Ukrainian president, as seen in a video of the meeting posted by Zelenskyys office on YouTube.

(Id like to) put to bed the notion of whether or not Ukraine is welcome in NATO, said Biden.

Its going to happen. Were moving in a right direction. I think its just a matter of getting by the next few months here.

Video of day

The U.S. president also expressed admiration for the resilience of the Ukrainian people and emphasized that Ukraine sets an example for the whole world, and the United States is doing everything possible to provide Ukraine with all the necessary support in the face of Russian aggression.

He assured Zelenskyy that he is eagerly awaiting the time when they will celebrate Ukraine's accession to NATO together.

"Bad news for you is  we're not going anywhere, you're stuck with us," Biden joked at the end of his opening statement.

In the joint communique of the NATO leaders, published on 11, the Allies stated that Ukraine will receive an invitation to the Alliance when the members agree to it and when "conditions are met."

At the same time, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Ukraine will be able to join NATO without a having to through the Membership Action Plan, suggesting that Kyivs accession, when it happens, will be fast-tracked.

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
The High Court has nullified Saviour Kasukuweres nomination as candidate for the 2023 presidential election.

His attorneys said they will appeal against the decision as Kasukuwere has also been barred from talking about his participation in the poll.

Addressing journalists outside the court in Harare, Advocate Lewis Uriri said his client Lovedale Mangwana's case succeeded as the judge stuck to some provisions of Zimbabwes electoral laws.

Uriri said,  One of the qualifications of candidates for the presidential elections is that they ought to be registered as a voter and the law is that if you are not ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe for at least 18 months then you are deemed to have ceased to be a registered voter and so Mr. Kasukuwere ceased to be by operation of law to be a registered voter and consequently ceased to be qualified to run for or to occupy office of the president of the republic  And so the court has declared that the acceptance of his nomination papers by the Nomination Court sitting at Harare was invalid and that consequently he cannot run for the office of the president of the Republic of Zimbabwe.

Further, he has been barred or interdicted from holding himself out as a candidate in this election whether physically or any form of media whatsoever. So, yes, the law has been vindicated.

Kasukuweres attorney, Jacqueline Sande, said they are taking the matter to the Constitutional Court.

Sande said, We will fight until we win the case so that Kasukuwere remains a presidential candidate and ultimately leader of Zimbabwe. The court also surprisingly said Kasukuwere should no longer tell people that he is a presidential candidate and that his name should not be on the ballot paper.

Political commentator, Effie Dlela Ncube, said the court verdict is not surprising.

Zimbabwe will hold council, parliamentary and presidential elections on August 23. There are 11 presidential candidates.
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Diabetes Health

The Big Picture: Dr. Shelandra Bell says, "The American Society of Anesthesiologists has a very important recommendation for you!"

In the news: A new consensus statement from the ASA states that if you're taking Ozempic, Trulicity, and other GLP-1 receptor agonists, it's important that you stop taking them before you have elective surgery.

Their research shows that stopping the medicine, 1-week before surgery could reduce some negative complications that come from anesthesia.

You should know medicines like GLP-1s delay stomach emptying; and, this effect can have negative consequences for you when you're under anesthesia.

The consensus statement provides two levels of stopping.

1 Week before surgery.

1 Day before surgery.

Also, the ASA states that if you're taking GLP-1 medications and you have emergency surgery--then, the surgical team should assume that you have a full stomach of food. As such, the surgical team would invoke separate procedures to ensure that complications remain low.

As you know type 2 diabetes is a huge problem in Minnesota. Almost 8.3% of you in Stearns County have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Keep in mind: You should not take this statement from the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), as a reason to simply stop taking your prescribed GLP-1 medication. Talk to your healthcare team.

What are the 3 common GLP-1 Medications?

Doctors Expert Insights About the Need to Stop Taking GLP-1 Before Surgery & Your Health in Minnesota

Know this: "Yup, this is a big deal and I'm talking to my patients about this already. During surgery, the stomach needs to be empty. This minimizes the risk of aspiration. Aspiration occurs when stomach contents are regurgitated and then inhaled or aspirated back into the lungs. As you can imagine, if there's a lot of food in the stomach, this aspiration could lead to complications. This includes stuff like aspiration pneumonia, pneumonitis, and even ARDS. In some cases, these can lead to death. Your surgeon will talk to you before your scheduled surgery. Make sure that you're following their directions. And, if for some reason, you haven't complied, please let them know this as well! It could save your life!" Dr. Puja Uppal, Family Medicine.

Next steps to take if you or someone in your life is on GLP-1 medication and is about to get elective surgery: Make sure you read & understand the statement by the ASC and talk to your surgical team. (Visit the Resource Here)

St. Cloud Health Alert

Stop taking Ozempic and other GLP-1 before elective surgery.

The Health Standard Newswire:

Living in St. Cloud, the following diabetes health facts impact your health directly!

Did you know there were 1575.0 deaths from diabetes in Minnesota in 2021?

11.4% of you in Stearns County lack health insurance.

27.3% of you in Stearns County, have high blood pressure.

11.6% of people living in Stearns County state that they're in poor health.

17.8% of you in Stearns County smoke.

All of these variables play an important role in diabetes health management.

ASC Statement States:

Health Standard Newswire: ASC. June 2023. Consensus Statement

What they're saying:

"Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk reduction in this cohort (see table). In addition, GLP-1 receptor agonists are also used for weight loss. Several entities have recommended to hold these drugs either the day before or day of the procedure. For patients on weekly dosing, it is recommended to hold the dose for a week." (Statement Source)

"The GLP-1 agonists are associated with adverse gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, vomiting and delayed gastric emptying. The effects on gastric emptying are reported to be reduced with long-term use. This is most likely through rapid tachyphylaxis at the level of vagal nerve activation. Based on recent anecdotal reports, there are concerns that delayed gastric emptying from GLP-1 agonists can increase the risk of regurgitation and pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents during general anesthesia and deep sedation. The presence of adverse gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, abdominal distension) in patients taking GLP-1 agonists are predictive of increased residual gastric contents." (Ibid.)

Sources:

The American Society of Anesthesiologists published the statement: American Society of Anesthesiologists Consensus-Based Guidance on Preoperative Management of Patients (Adults and Children) on Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists (Read it Here)

The Health Standard Newswire
In less than 50 hours from now Akademy 2023 will start in Thessaloniki, Greece, with plenty of things to look forward to.

Akademy

After having missed last year and the two previous ones having been online only, its the first in-person Akademy in four years for me.

While I have been at a couple of events in the recent months, theres still a number of people I havent been able to meet again in person since Akademy in Milan, so this is all long overdue.

Talks

As usual Akamdey starts with two days full of presentations. Online participation is possible as well, but you need to register.

I have two talks myself.

Measuring energy consumption of software

Saturday, 12:30 in room 1, details.

Ill show some of the things we learned from the KDE Eco initiative regarding measuring the impact software decisions have on energy consumption and how you can measure this yourself.

Whether you are interested in this for optimizing battery powered devices or the climate impact doesnt really matter, any improvement benefits all of these.

KF6 - Are we there yet?

Saturday, 16:25 in room 1, together with Alex and Nico, details.

Here well talk about where we are with the transition to Qt 6 and KDE Frameworks 6, what the remaining blockers are and what needs to be done to get your applications ready.

In last years KF6 status talk I showed the presumably world-first nested Plasma 6 Wayland session (with several horrible hacks, and falling apart if youd deviate from the carefully planned click path), but we have come a long way since. Im expecting several talks this year being done from Plasma 6 sessions without anyone even noticing. So this should be the last talk of its kind at Akademy.

BoFs

My schedule following the two conference days gets even more packed, with a number of BoFs I am involved with or that Im co-hosting:

Energy measurement: Monday 10:00 in room 1, co-hosted with Jospeh. Ill bring some of the measurement equipment mentioned in my talk, but anything else around KDEs sustainability goal would be in scope as well.

Getting started with KF6 porting: Monday 18:00 in room 1, hosted by the KF6 team. If you have any questions around getting your application ready for KF6, this is the place to ask.

Retirement of Jenkins: Tuesday 09:00 in room 1, co-hosted with Ben, Hannah and Ingo. Well discuss how to approach the remaining issues for moving whats still left on Jenkins (mainly CD pipelines and supporting jobs, as well as package signing) to Gitlab.

PIM: Tuesday 10:00 in room 1, co-hosted with Carl.

Remaining KF6 challenges: Tuesday 16:00 in room 1, hosted by the KF6 team. Here well discuss how to solve the KF6 release blockers and interoperability problems.

There is much more of course, and things can (and likely will) change on short notice, so keep an eye on the BoF schedule in the wiki.

Travel

With so many KDE contributors traveling at once this is of course also one big field testing opportunity for KDE Itinerary. There has been a steady stream of related fixes in the past few weeks, with extractor scripts being added for various transport operators inside or to/from Greece for example, as well as several fixes for ferry and long distance bus reservations.

Being in a country with a non-Latin script (a first for Akademy), Itinerarys indoor map can now also show transliterated names when useful and available in the OSM data.

Itinerary's OSM indoor map showing transliterated names as well.

Another first this time is that not only Akademy itself but also all sub-events (like the welcome event and the social event) have machine-readable annotations embedded in their web pages. If you open those pages with Itinerary, or copy/paste or dragndrop their URLs into Itinerary, the corresponding events will be automatically imported.

See you on Friday!
Photo: Louis Monier/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Man, living his one life, is condemned to that one fatal experience, Milan Kundera, the Czech French writer known for The Unbearable Lightness of Being, told the New York Times in 1984. Kundera died in his Paris apartment on June 11 at 94. He can never know if he was a good man or a bad man, if he loved anyone or if he had only the illusion of love, his quote continues. He gets older and older, entering each new moment of his life equally innocent, and then one day he is old without ever knowing what old age is. His old age is merely his newest experience. He enters it as stupid as he entered the world. Einmal ist keinmal [one time is no time]. Kunderas time began on April 1, 1929, in the town Brno in what was then known as Bohemia and is now the Czech Republic. He joined the Czech Communist Party in 1948 while in Charles University in Prague and was expelled from the party in 1950 for individualistic tendencies but rejoined from 1956 through 1970. His first novel, The Joke, a satire about life under a totalitarian regime, was published in 1967.

In 1968, his homeland, then known as Czechoslovakia, was invaded by members of the Soviet Unioncontrolled Warsaw Pact, and, owing to his involvement in 1968s Prague Spring, the mass protest for the rights of Czech citizens that was used by the Soviet Union as the pretext for invasion, Kundera was stripped of his teaching position and his books were banned. In 1975, Kundera left the country with his wife for a short stint at the University of Rennes in France. He ended his time there in political exile owing to official Czechoslovakian response to his 1979 novel The Book of Laughter and Forgetting and spent the rest of his days in Paris, becoming a French citizen in 1981. His most famous novel, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, was published in 1984. Upon its publication, he remarked to the Times that I can honestly say that I feel much better here in Paris than I did in Prague, but then can I also say that I lost my home, leaving Prague? All I know is that before I left I was terrified of losing home and that after I left I realized  it was with a certain astonishment  that I did not feel loss, I did not feel deprived.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being became a best seller and was adapted into a 1988 film starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Juliette Binoche. Kundera, off the strength of books including The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, and 1990s Immortality, became known as one of the great novelists of the late-20th century. The sole raison detre of a novel is to discover what only the novel can discover, he wrote in his 1986 book The Art of the Novel. A novel that does not discover a hitherto unknown segment of existence is immoral. Knowledge is the novels only morality. He won awards including the Prix Mondial Cino Del Duca, the Franz Kafka Prize, and the Herder Prize. In 2019, his Czech citizenship was restored. This is a very important symbolic gesture, a symbolic return of the greatest Czech writer in the Czech Republic, Petr Drulak, the Czech Republics ambassador to France, said at the time, according to The Guardian. He was in a good mood, just took the document and said thank you.
After declaring a one-year hiatus from acting, Tom Holland is ready to focus on himself. In an interview on the On Purpose podcast with Jay Shetty, Holland opens up about his struggles with alcohol addiction and when he knew he had to get sober. I was definitely addicted to alcohol, not shying away from that at all, explained Holland. He talked about how in 2022, he participated in Dry January and realized that alcohol was unknowingly a huge part of his life. All I could think about was having a drink  I was waking up thinking about it. I was checking the clock, whens it 12 p.m.?  It just really scared me. Despite his fears, he continued to extend his sobriety month after month until his birthday in June, when he felt the most clarity on the situation and his relationship with alcohol. Holland shared, I could sleep better. I could handle problems better, things that would go wrong on set, that would normally set me off, I could take in my stride. I had so much better mental clarity. I felt healthier, I felt fitter.

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Norway to provide 1,000 more Black Hornet microdrones to Ukraine, more NASAMS air defenses 12 July, 05:05 PM Black Hornet (Photo:regjeringen.no)

Norway will provide Ukraine with another 1,000 Black Hornet reconnaissance drones, as well astwo NASAMS air defense systems and spare parts, Norwegian Defense Minister Bjrn Arild Gram announced on July 12.

"Norway is handing Ukraine a package to support NASAMS, containing two additional fire control centers, two launchers and spare parts," the Norwegian Ministry of Defense said on Twitter, quoting Gram.

Ukraine is very satisfied with the work of the Black Hornet drone, which Oslo has already provided before, and asked for new ones, Gram also noted.

Video of day

The Black Hornet is used for reconnaissance and target identification. It is suitable for urban combat, easy to operate and difficult to detect.

It weighs a mere 18 grams and can operate for 25 minutes without recharging. The Black Hornet can reach speeds of over 20 km/h and has a range of about 2 kilometers.

On July 11, Norway announced that it is quadrupling its military aid to Ukraine to 10 billion Norwegian kroner (over $964 million).

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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(Bloomberg) -- When UK regulators fined ED&F Man Holdings for generating billions of pounds of illicit dividend-tax deals, they zeroed in on an individual identified only as Senior Manager A who was a controlling mind behind the scheme.

Most Read from Bloomberg

That matches the description of Mark Whitehead, a former trader at Merrill Lynch & Co. and MF Global Holdings Ltd. who joined ED&F Man in 2012 and oversaw the commodities firms entry into so-called Cum-Ex trading, according to legal filings and people familiar with the matter who requested anonymity because some details are private. His small team brought in 129 million ($158 million) of revenue in just three years and drove profits at the firms newly-created Capital Markets unit.

Hiring Whitehead as head of equity finance was part of ED&F Mans push beyond the business it had relied on since the 18th century  hauling sugar, coffee and cocoa around the world  and into what turned out to be dicier territory through its brokerage subsidiary. His desk operated without any meaningful oversight as it arranged some 10 billion of trades, according to the UKs Financial Conduct Authority.

The move ultimately landed ED&F Man in the middle of one of the biggest financial scandals in modern European history. The kinds of trades that Whitehead arranged, complex stock deals that exploit gaps in dividend-tax laws, have cost treasuries around the continent tens of billions of euros and spawned dozens of investigations and court cases. On June 5, the FCA hit the firm with a 17-million fine for its involvement with Cum-Ex, the biggest penalty of the year so far, and criticized the lack of controls at the Capital Markets unit and the behavior of the equity-finance desk. Executives at ED&F now intend to shutter the division after selling off much of its operations to rival Marex Group last year, Bloomberg has reported.

Emma Kane, an external spokesperson for ED&F Man, said that the FCAs action related to a legacy business area that was shut down in 2015, a year before Whitehead left the company. She declined to comment on the identity of Senior Manager A.

In an emailed statement, Whiteheads lawyer Julian Pike said that the trader disputed the FCAs findings.

While Mr Whitehead has seen the FCAs decision, it should be known that the FCA closed its investigation into him almost two-and-a-half years ago without taking any further action, Pike said. He does not recognize as accurate key material events and facts set out in the FCAs decision and is therefore disappointed with the erroneous pictured painted by the decision.

A spokesperson for the FCA declined to comment.

Read More: Cum-Ex Trades Called a Blatant Money Grab by Germany Court

Countries across Europe are now assessing the losses from these dividend-tax trades. Banks and traders have argued that they thought these deals were legal at the time, although courts and authorities have since stated otherwise. Authorities in Germany have already secured multiple convictions against those who allegedly took part, including against one of Whiteheads former hires at Merrill Lynch. German and Danish investigators raided the London offices of the Capital Markets unit and visited the homes of people at the firm who are being investigated, Bloomberg reported in November.

ED&F Man's shift into Cum-Ex trading has echoes of past missteps in the banking industry, according to Peter Hahn, a former banker at Citigroup Inc. who is now emeritus professor at the London Institute of Banking & Finance. Finance firms frequently move into businesses that they don't understand, attracted by the lure of profits and comforted by the fact that others are doing it too, he said.

Executives should have asked themselves, is this really something we know about? Experience? Controls? Risks? said Hahn. Was it, wow, looks like easy money, and it won't cost us much if they dont deliver, so lets go for it."

The Cum-Ex and Cum-Cum Tax Dodges Haunting Banks: QuickTake

The FCA alleged in its June 5 fine that the equity-finance desk had enabled significant volumes of dividend-tax trades, allowing millions of euros of refunds to be illegitimately claimed from Danish authorities. It was completely unacceptable, said Therese Chambers, the regulators joint Executive Director of Enforcement and Market Oversight, for authorized firms to make money from this kind of trading.

The FCA described Senior Manager A as an individual with responsibility for the equity-finance desk. That was Whiteheads role, according to a 2021 interview that lawyers for the Danish tax authority, known as Skat, conducted with an employee at the Capital Markets unit as part of separate US proceedings.

The UK watchdog also mentioned a Senior Manager B who oversaw Whitehead. The same employee who named Whitehead in the Skat deposition identified Whiteheads boss as Stephen Hawksworth, who was CEO of the capital markets unit from 2013 until 2019, according to FCA filings. Hawksworth didnt respond to multiple letters seeking comment.

Beyond Commodities

Taxpayer largesse helped James Man establish what became ED&F Man near the banks of the Thames in 1783. A sugar broker at a time when Britain was producing more of it than ever on the backs of enslaved workers in the Caribbean, Man also obtained a contract to supply rum to the British Navy during a period when each crew member was entitled to a daily ration, according to Ulbe Bosma, author of The World of Sugar, a history of the industry.

Two centuries later, having grown into a commodities giant, ED&F Man executives established a financial-services arm. In 2000 the company split: the agricultural commodities unit kept the ED&F Man brand and the financial side became Man Group Plc.

In 2007, the latter spun out a brokerage business through an initial public offering, creating MF Global.

After leading equity-finance businesses at Merrill Lynch and Bank of America Corp. Whitehead took a similar job at MF Global, which was run by former New Jersey Governor and ex-Goldman Sachs Group Inc. partner Jon Corzine. There, Whitehead pitched Cum-Ex trades to the firms board, according to people familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity as details arent public. Directors were convinced that the strategy was legal and approved it, the people said.

On a conference call with analysts in July 2011, Corzine and other executives frequently cited structured equity finance as a reason for posting the highest quarterly revenues in nearly three years.

MF Global collapsed just a few months later as a result of wrongway bets on European sovereign debt. Around the same time, ED&F Man executives were taking steps to set up their own London-based brokerage unit that would once again focus on financial markets: this became ED&F Man Capital Markets. Whitehead signed on in 2012.

By the time he joined the Capital Markets division, Whitehead was a central figure in Londons close-knit dividend-arbitrage scene with contacts across the industry. He was also one of the biggest investors in the Cinnamon Club, an upmarket Indian restaurant popular with traders that opened in 2001 in the former Westminster Library.

Among Whiteheads contacts were a pair of traders named Martin Shields and Paul Mora, who had worked for him at Merrill Lynch in the early 2000s, according to German legal filings. The two later set up Ballance Group, a hedge fund specializing in Cum-Ex trades that attracted the attention of regulators around 2018. Shields has since cooperated with German prosecutors to avoid going to jail and was found guilty as a result of his involvement. Mora, who is also facing charges, was placed on Interpols most wanted list in 2021. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Read More: Wanted: Banker Who Became Literal Poster Boy of Cum-Ex Deals

At ED&F Man, Whitehead had hoped to continue focusing on dividend-tax trades tied to German stocks as he had at MF Global, according to the FCA. But after Germany changed its tax rules in 2012, Whiteheads team pivoted to Denmark instead. They engaged in trades linked to 4 billion in Danish stocks, causing that countrys tax authority to issue millions of euros in illegitimate refunds, the FCA said. Whiteheads desk was the only profitable business at the division  even as his superiors struggled to understand what he was doing, according to the UK financial regulator.

They were aware of their basic level of understanding, the FCA said of the companys senior management, but the trading was allowed to continue regardless.

Global Fallout

Whiteheads desk cultivated pension-fund clients in the US, taking advantage of their tax-exempt status to facilitate Cum-Ex trades, according to the FCA and legal filings. This too has led to a slew of legal complaints against ED&F.

One such client was Bernard Tew, who oversaw multiple pension plans in Kentucky. He thought the ED&F desk was carrying out legal dividend arbitrage trades on behalf of his funds but was actually engaged in fraud, according to a June 14 claim in the Eastern District of Kentucky. Skat sued him in 2018 for tens of millions of dollars of illicit profits, forcing him to declare bankruptcy and settle with the tax agency for $34 million, according to the claim.

Bernie Tew joins many others who have sued ED&F Man in multiple courts and claims that ED&F Mans illegal and egregious actions cost victims on both sides of its supposed trades hundreds of millions if not billions of dollars, Jeffrey Ritholtz, a lawyer for Tew at Rolnick Kramer Sadighi LLP in New York, said in an emailed statement.

Emma Kane, the spokesperson for ED&F Man, described Tews claim as opportunist and without substance. She cited a separate case from 2015 in which the US Department of Labor found that Tew had misused pension-plan funds, leading to his ban from acting as a fiduciary to employee benefit plans.

Whitehead left ED&F Man in 2016. Three years later, the firm shuttered its equity-finance business. Around that time, ED&F Mans core sugar business was beginning to suffer. Bumper crops in Asia were depressing prices, and executives were looking to shed troublesome assets. In 2021, veteran agricultural commodities trader Chris Mahoney took over as chairman, and a year later he oversaw the sale of the brokerage to rival Marex Group in a deal valued at $220 million, Bloomberg reported.

Mahoney has ditched a troublesome unit that strayed from the historical origins of ED&F," said George Stein, managing director of New York-based recruiting firm Commodity Talent LLC. He concluded it was time to leave complex financial products to others.

--With assistance from Karin Matussek.

(Updates with clarification in 22nd paragraph about Shields cooperation with prosecutors.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Rome-Pompeii train will launch on 16 July.

Italy has unveiled a direct train service between Rome and Pompeii, connecting the Italian capital to the famed archaeological park with a non-stop rail link for the first time.

The high-speed service, presented in Rome on Wednesday, will make its inaugural journey on Sunday 16 July.

Every third Sunday of the month, the Frecciarossa train will depart from Rome's central Termini station at 08.53 and arrive in Pompeii at 10.40.

The journey time from Rome to Pompeii will be one hour and 47 minutes, with the return trip taking two hours and 15 minutes.

Passengers will be shown a video about the history of Pompeii, which was buried in volcanic ash and pumice after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, and its excavations in recent centuries.

They will also have the option of buying entrance tickets to the archaeological site while on board the train.

On arrival at Pompeii station, passengers will be ferried to the archaeological park on the 'Pompei Link' shuttle service.

The return journey to Rome leaves Pompeii at 18.40 and arrives into Roma Termini at 20.55.

The launch of the new service, a collaboration between the culture ministry and the Italian state railways, was attended by Ferrovie dello Stato CEO Luigi Ferraris, the general director of state museums Massimo Osanna, and culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano.

For more details see culture ministry website.
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With the two largest armies in NATO, the US and Turkey have good reason to maintain their seven-decade alliance. But ties have been strained by Turkeys purchase of a Russian missile-defense system and US support for a Syrian Kurdish militia that Turkey views as a mortal threat, among other disputes. Nowhere is the mutual mistrust more apparent than in Turkeys frustrated effort to buy US-made combat jets. US lawmakers had made it clear they wouldnt sign off on a sale of F-16 fighters unless Turkey agreed to let Sweden join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Now that it has, a path to better ties may be in sight.

1. What does Turkey want?

Turkey has been trying since 2021 to buy 40 new Lockheed Martin Corp. F-16s and 80 kits to modernize its existing fighter fleet. It hopes to eventually develop its own jets but meantime is overdue to retire its F-4 jets and wants to upgrade its F-16s as a stopgap measure. The F-16s would help Turkey out of a bind after the US blocked it from buying Lockheeds most advanced fighter, the F-35, in response to Turkeys decision to acquire the S-400 missile-defense system made by Russia. The US worried that the S-400 could be used to collect intelligence on the stealth capabilities of the F-35. Beyond that, the US has been keen to prevent its allies from engaging with Russias defense sector.

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2. Whats changed?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed in July to drop his opposition to Sweden joining NATO, allowing the military alliance, convening in a summit in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, to present a more united front against Russian aggression in Ukraine. At the same meeting, the US pledged to move forward with Turkeys request to purchase the F-16s, according to US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. US officials have previously denied that an F-16 deal was contingent on Turkey changing its tune on Swedens NATO accession. But Congress must approve significant US arms sales to foreign allies, and a bipartisan group of senators had told President Joe Biden earlier in 2023 that lawmakers shouldnt consider an F-16 sale until Turkey ratifies Swedens membership in NATO.

3. So is this a new chapter for US-Turkish ties?

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If Turkey gets the F-16s, it will help, up to a point. Since 2019, when Turkey took delivery of the S-400s, the US has barred the countrys top defense procurement agency from US financial institutions, military hardware and technology. New export licenses to transfer American goods or technology to the agency also remain banned. The US has long demanded that Ankara get rid of the S-400s, to no avail. Another bone of contention is the US arming and training of Kurdish forces in Syria. Turkey regards them as terrorists and a threat to its unity as they are directly affiliated with the separatist Kurdish group the PKK, which is waging a war for autonomy in Turkeys southeast. Among other disputes:

 The US and other allies are demanding the release of Osman Kavala, a 65-year-old Turkish businessman and philanthropist who was jailed on charges of conspiring to overthrow Erdogans government.

 The US has refused to extradite Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish cleric living in exile in Pennsylvania whom Erdogan accuses of orchestrating a failed 2016 coup.

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 An ongoing US trial of Turkeys state-owned Halkbank on criminal charges that it helped Iran evade economic sanctions is another obstacle to better ties.

 Turkey is irritated that the US backs its rivals in a natural gas dispute with Cyprus and in other regional conflicts.

4. Whats Turkeys position on the S-400?

Turkey bought the missile defense system after dropping talks for a comparable US product, the Patriot, because of Washingtons refusal to share technology. It has refused to stop using the S-400 and even plans to go further. Turkey has been negotiating a transfer of the S-400 technology from Russia as well as a potential second purchase of missile batteries to be produced locally, part of efforts to enhance its status as a regional power. Turkey also says it is committed to NATO and that the F-16s would enhance the alliances security.

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5. What leverage does Turkey have over the US?

Having served as a bulwark against Russia during the Cold War, Turkish officials believe they still have valuable bargaining chips. The country hosts American nuclear warheads at its Incirlik air base and military installations used by the US to spy on Russia. Officials see the country as the only barrier to keeping millions of refugees, most of them Syrians, from flooding into European countries with which the US has close ties. More recently, the Ukraine conflict has enhanced Turkeys role in regional affairs. It has supplied armed drones and munitions to Ukraine, but refused to join sanctions against Russia and sought to broker peace between the warring sides. Disruption to exports of grain from Ukraine via the Black Sea and the Mediterranean also highlighted Turkeys strategic importance.

--With assistance from Nick Wadhams.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

2023 Bloomberg L.P.

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VILNIUS, Lithuania  U.S. President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts wrapped up a two-day summit Wednesday with pledges of long-term support for Ukraine but no offer of the countrys protection under the alliances security umbrella. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russias war in Ukraine. ArrowRight Results from the meeting in Lithuania, a nation on NATOs eastern flank that borders Russia, were mixed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskky was grateful for the pledges of more arms and ammunition but disappointed that his country has no clear time frame for joining the worlds biggest security alliance.

After an evening of pre-summit intrigue, Sweden took a big step toward becoming NATOs 32nd member country when Turkey signaled it would give its approval but not before October.

The allies also launched sweeping changes to their defense plans in case of an attack from Russia or by terrorists. They agreed to step up defense spending, too, but set out no timetable for meeting the targets.

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NATO allies offered more weapons, ammunition and other support to Ukraine but could not agree to allow the country to join their organization while a war with Russia is raging. They removed a major hurdle most countries must clear to join  completing a membership action plan  but its accession is still conditional. We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met, the leaders said, without elaborating. Instead of an action plan, Ukraine will get multiyear programs for bringing its armed forces and security institutions up to modern standards. A new NATO-Ukraine Council was launched, upgrading political ties and allowing all sides to call crisis talks if needed. Zelenskyy said it was absurd that Ukraine received no proposed time for membership.

The best security guarantee for Ukraine would be NATO membership. But the Group of Seven industrialized democracies did offer other assurances to dissuade Russia from attacking again once the war is over. Should it do so, the powers would send swift and sustained security assistance, modern military equipment across land, sea and air domains, and economic assistance. They also vowed to slap more sanctions on Russia. For now and into the future, they said they will provide weapons and military equipment, including combat airpower, as well as more military training for Ukraines beleaguered army. Zelenskky asked that these assurances last at least until Ukraine joins NATO.

The leaders endorsed the biggest shakeup since the Cold War of the way NATO would respond to any attack on its territory by Russia. The revamp of the highly secretive defense plans, inspired by Russias invasion of Ukraine, lay out which of the 31 member countries would be called on to respond to an attack anywhere in Europe and the North Atlantic area. NATO commanders will know what troops and equipment they can use and how long it would take to get them into action. Peace in the Euro-Atlantic area has been shattered, the leaders said, laying out the twin threats posed by Russia and terrorism. One part of the process that wasnt streamlined is the need for all allies to approve launching the new plans in case of attack. Political decisions at NATO require consensus and can be time-consuming.

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Sweden took a big step toward NATO membership. Its still not in, though. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan relented after Sweden promised to help Turkey join the European Union, but his biggest prize was securing new fighter jets from the United States. Biden said both developments had nothing to do with Swedens NATO prospects. The deal was secured at the summit venue the night before the meeting in Vilnius, Lithuanias capital, officially started, in a series of talks involving Sweden, Turkey, a top EU official and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. Erdogan agreed to submit Swedens accession protocol to the Turkish parliament and work to ensure its ratification. This is not a NATO issue, Stoltenberg said. Sweden agreed today as an EU member to support actively the efforts to reinvigorate Turkeys EU accession process.

Sending weapons and ammunition to Ukraine and bolstering security on NATOs eastern flank near Russia means more defense spending. The allies pledged to spend at least 2% of their gross domestic product on their national military budgets, and least 20% of that amount on new military equipment, research and development. But they set no time frame for reaching the targets. After Russia annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in 2014, the organization agreed to halt spending cuts member nations made after the Cold War and move toward spending 2% of GDP within a decade. Now, that percentage will be the floor, rather than a ceiling. Getting there will be a challenge. Only 11 of the 31 member countries are likely to reach the goal this year, according to NATO estimates. Its unlikely to end U.S. demands that allies do more. Former President Donald Trump threatened to abandon NATO countries that failed to boost their budgets, raising deep concern about the U.S. commitment to the alliances collective security umbrella.

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In this article, we take a look at the 10 most profitable franchises to buy in 2023. You can skip our detailed analysis of franchises and the current franchise industry prospects, and see the top 5 entries in this list by clicking the 5 Most Profitable Franchises To Buy in 2023.

When a business wants to increase its market share or geographical reach at a low cost, it may franchise its product and brand name. A franchise is a joint venture between a franchisor and a franchisee, with the franchisor being the original business that sells the right to use its name and idea, while the franchisee buys this right to sell the franchisor's goods or services under an existing business model and trademark. This practice is common in a variety of segments across the global economy and encompasses some of the most well-known companies in the world.

The franchise industry is skyrocketing and achieving incredible growth in terms of business, with the economic output of franchise establishments in the United States reaching about $790 billion in 2021. According to the International Franchise Association's (IFA) 2023 Economic Report, the overall number of franchise establishments is expected to increase by almost 15,000 units, or 1.9%, to 805,000 units which will in turn, add approximately 254,000 jobs in 2023. Growing at 3.0%, total franchise employment is forecasted to reach 8.7 million. Additionally, the report states that franchises GDP is anticipated to grow at a pace of 4.2% to $521.3 billion. Given these factors, it is anticipated that the growth in employment will be driven mostly by business services, personal services, and quick-service restaurants. In 2023, business services are projected to contribute a growth rate of 5.2% to the overall labor force, while personal services are expected to add 4.7%. As a consequence, some franchises tend to push ahead of their competitors as they exhibit growth that would place them as the fastest-growing franchises in the world.

On the other hand, qualified labor availability and workforce costs continue to pose the most significant challenge for nearly all franchised businesses. The latest labor survey conducted by IFA/FRANdata in 2023 reveals that 81% of franchised brands faced growth limitations attributed to labor-related issues, which is consistent with the challenges observed in 2022.

The franchise industry is dominated by fast food or quick-service restaurants. According to Polaris Market Research, the booming quick service restaurant (QSR) industry was valued at $173.72 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period. While 2022 was a challenging year for QSRs due to supply constraints, labor shortages, and high inflation rates, personal services and QSRs are expected to lead the growth in franchised units in 2023, expanding by 2.5% year-over-year despite a decline in consumer spending, due to the strong demand for food deliveries. Major players in the QSR industry, include big household names such as McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:MCD), Burger King Worldwide Inc (NYSE:BKW), and The Wendy's Company (NASDAQ:WEN).

While franchises seem to be a lucrative source of income, they come at a high price as there usually an initial investment that is required in order to open the business. In order to become a franchise owner, each business establishes its own set of conditions, which typically include an initial franchise fee, a minimum net worth requirement, and a minimum liquid assets requirement. Moreover, each company imposes a basic and advertising royalty fee, the specific amounts of which may differ between companies. As an example, McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD), franchisee applicants must have a minimum of $500,000 available in liquid assets and pay a $45,000 franchise fee. Those looking to launch a new McDonald's franchise can expect to shell out between $1,314,500 and $2,306,500. Similarly, prospective Ace Hardware franchise owners must have roughly $250,000 in liquid capital, with a minimum net worth of at least $400,000. Other than the initial investment, there are annual licensing fee, and royalty that are paid by the franchisee over the tenure of the business. Most franchise businesses typically provide easily accessible online applications for people interested in applying for a franchise. Additionally, these businesses generally offer a rough estimation of the initial investment necessary to establish and operate the franchise.

There are many advantages, and drawbacks, that come with investing in a franchise. The most profitable franchises include a ready-made business formula to follow since a franchise usually comes with market-tested products and services, and in many cases established brand recognition. Consumers prefer a proven quality product over new brands. In that same vein, it is expected that the same quality products are offered by brands all over the world irrespective of the region. On the other hand, franchises, by definition, have ongoing fees that must be paid to the franchisor in the form of a percentage of sales or revenue. This percentage can range between 4.6% and 12.5%, depending on the industry. Additionally, franchisees may have limited autonomy in running their business, as they must adhere to the franchisor's established system and standards.

In the United States, there is a vast array of businesses that provide franchising opportunities to aspiring entrepreneurs and investors. Our list of the 20 Most Profitable Franchises in the World highlights some of the notable contenders, such as RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RMAX), Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR), McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD), and various subsidiaries of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM).

10 Most Profitable Franchises To Buy in 2022

Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com

Our Methodology

In order to compile the list for the most 10 profitable franchises to buy in 2023, we have taken the rankings from the report published by Franchise Direct which used Franchise Disclosure Documents and press releases to rank the companies based on parameters like sales revenue, number of locations, location growth, age, franchising tenure, and corporate citizenship. Furthermore, we have mentioned annual sales and initial franchise costs of all the companies in order to provide additional data to our readers. For private entities on our list, weve estimated their annual global sales and franchise costs based on multiple sources, including Franchise Times and ZoomInfo, among others.

10. Express Employments Professionals

Category: Employment & Staffing Franchises

Number of Franchises: 860

Annual Sales: $4.16 billion

Estimated Initial Franchise Cost: $100,000 - $400,000

Express Employment Professionals is a leading staffing provider in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand that was established in 1983 with its headquarters based in Oklahoma City. Two years later, in 1985, the company embarked on a franchising endeavor aimed at providing staffing support and human resource services. This expansion involved the establishment of a network of franchise office owners who work closely with clients to understand their specific staffing requirements and provide tailored solutions. Proving to be one of the most profitable franchises to buy in 2023, the staffing agency set new milestones this past year with an 8% increase in sales to $4.46 billion and employing 579,000 associates in 860 franchise locations across the globe.

Category: Real Estate Franchises

Number of Franchises: 9,175

Annual Sales: $16.13 billion

Initial Franchise Cost: $43,000 - $239,500

RE/MAX, LLC, short for Real Estate Maximums, is a franchisor based in Denver, Colorado that operates a widespread network of real estate brokerage offices across the United States, Canada, and other global locations. With more than 140,000 agents in more than 9,100 offices and a presence in more than 110 countries and territories, it is one of the most profitable franchises to buy in 2023. Its parent company, RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RMAX), achieved a revenue of $85.4 million in the first quarter of 2023. The company offers a quarterly dividend of $0.23 per share and has an annual dividend yield of 4.81%.

8. Matco Tools

Category: Automotive Repair Franchises

Number of Franchises: 1,937

Estimated Annual Sales: $775 million

Initial Franchise Cost: $77,236 - $313,646

Founded in 1946 and established as a direct seller in 1979, Matco Tools is an American professional tool distribution franchise for several industries, including automotive, and is based in Stow, Ohio, United States. A subsidiary of Vontier Corporation (NYSE:VNT), a transportation and mobility focused company spun out of Fortive Corporation in early 2020, the franchise deals in over 13,000 different tools such as wrenches, screw drivers, gauges, and specialty tools. In addition to its distribution through franchisees, Matco Tools extends its sales reach to central purchasing operations and institutional customers through its dedicated industrial sales representatives. The franchise marked an estimated $775 million in global sales in 2022, with sales growth reaching 10.7% that same year.

7. Pirtek

Category: Maintenance Services Franchises

Number of Franchises: 590

Annual Sales: $595 million

Initial Franchise Cost: $249,400 - $899,300

Pirtek is a global brand specialising in Hydraulic & Industrial hose. It was founded in Australia in 1980 by Peter Duncan, expanding into the United Kingdom in 1988 and the United States in 1996. It operates its business using a franchise model that provides hydraulic and industrial hose maintenance and replacement services. The business boasts 400+ Service & Supply Centers and a fleet of Mobile Service Vehicles in 23 countries where franchisees sell and service hydraulic hoses and related parts and equipment. The automotive services franchise raked in $595 million in sales this past year, making it one of the most profitable franchises to buy in 2023.

6. Snap-on Incorporated (NYSE:SNA)

Category: Automotive Franchises

Number of Franchises: 4,775

Annual Sales: $2.05 billion

Initial Franchise Cost: $201,433 - $465,436

Snap-on Incorporated (NYSE:SNA) is an American designer, manufacturer and marketer of high-end tools and equipment for professional use in the transportation industry including the automotive, heavy duty, equipment, marine, aviation, and railroad industries. With more than 65,000 SKUs in their product line, operating in more than 130 countries and employing approximately 12,600 people worldwide, Snap-on Incorporated (NYSE:SNA) is one of the most profitable franchises to buy in 2023. As of 2021, Snap-on Incorporated (NYSE:SNA)'s annual net sales amounted to $4.25 billion.

Recently, Snap-on Incorporated (NYSE:SNA) declared a quarterly dividend of $1.62 per share, the same as the previous quarter. The company's annual dividend yield currently holds at 2.41%.

Click to continue reading and see 5 Most Profitable Franchises T0 Buy in 2023.

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Disclosure: None. 10 Most Profitable Franchises To Buy in 2023 is originally published on Insider Monkey.
When did we all start talking to each other like therapists? From gaslighting to love bombing, to holding space for some friends while protecting ourselves from toxic others, therapy-speak has changed the way we discuss our most intimate relationships.

An umbrella term for any kind of psychological phrasing, therapy-speak is not a new concept. But it certainly feels like its becoming harder to escape. The #therapy tag on TikTok has 16.3 billion views, while Drew Barrymore sits cross-legged with famous guests on her talk show couch, getting vulnerable. But recently, there have been more conversations around the downsides of therapy-speak.

Jonah Hill and Sarah Brady in 2021. Credit: Getty Images

Actor and comedian Jonah Hill is the latest person accused of deploying therapy-speak in their relationship. Earlier this week, Hills former partner, pro-surfer Sarah Brady, took to Instagram to share a series of alleged text messages between the couple while they were dating.

In one exchange, Hill is said to have written that surfing with men, posting pictures of yourself in a bathing suit and friendships with women who are in unstable places are among the things he deems unacceptable behaviour for Brady.
The ABC has sensationally dropped its defence in former Australian special forces soldier Heston Russells defamation case against the broadcaster rather than comply with a court order that it hand over documents to his lawyers revealing the identity of a journalists source.

In an urgent court hearing on Wednesday evening, the ABCs barrister, Lyndelle Barnett, said withdrawing the defence was not a course thats been taken lightly, but the national broadcasters reporters do take their promises to sources very seriously.

Ex-SAS commando Heston Russell in March this year. Credit: Oscar Colman

The ABC is seeking to have the order forcing it to hand over documents identifying the source revoked, a course of action opposed by Russells lawyers.

Barnett said the ABC accepted Russell was now entitled to judgment in his favour and the sole remaining issue was an assessment of damages.
Australias richest couple Andrew Twiggy Forrest and Nicola Forrest have separated after 31 years but say the decision will have no impact on their mining business or charity foundation.

In a statement first reported by The Australian Financial Review, the pair said their friendship and commitment to family remains strong and there will be no change in the structure or operation of their companies.

After 31 years of marriage, we have made the decision to live apart, the statement said.

There is no impact on the operations, control or direction of Fortescue, Minderoo or Tattarang.
A woman who had taken an apprehended violence order out against her ex-husband has been killed in Sydneys west while he was on bail charged over a previous alleged attack on her.

Police were called to the home on Alice Street in Rooty Hill about 8.15pm on Tuesday by a family member and arrived to find Christine Rakic, in her 50s, dead.

Christine Rakic was found dead in her Rooty Hill home on Tuesday night. Credit: Facebook

Police also found her ex-husband Dusan Rakic, 50, with injuries to his throat and arms, believed to be self-inflicted. He was taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition where he remains under police guard.

Court documents reveal that police had charged him with domestic violence-related common assault earlier in the year.
A feud between organised crime groups is suspected of being behind nearly a dozen firebombing attacks across Melbourne, including the torching of a Collingwood supermarket and a house with five people inside.

Police say it is sheer luck no one has been injured in the alleged gang warfare.

The attacks have led to public safety concerns within Victoria Police, which is expected on Thursday to announce a crackdown on the groups responsible as part of a warning to stop the violence.

At this time we believe these matters are most likely connected to a dispute between Middle Eastern organised crime groups, Detective Acting Inspector Ash Ryan from the anti-gang Echo taskforce said.
Good, bad, ugly, great key forward, absolute bloody legend, big stage jitters, dropped chest mark, underrated reliable champion, black-belt goalkicker.

These are the answers I received when I asked some mates to describe Jack Darling in three words.

Jack Darling has a strong history in the blue and gold. Credit: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

The responses varied from high praise to damning criticism.

Some werent fit to publish, but what it did prove to me was what my gut already knew.
In this article, we'll discuss the toughest exams in the world and the role of generative AI in the realm of education and exams. If you want to skip the details, read 5 Toughest Exams in The World.

In the education sector, tackling the toughest exams in the world is surely a challenge for students. These exams are vital pathways to prestigious institutions and successful careers, known for their rigorous content and high stakes. The significance of these exams is evident in the sheer number of students who participate. Just last month, China's education ministry reported a record-breaking registration of nearly 13 million students for the "Gaokao" exams, widely recognized by state media as the epitome of the world's toughest exams.

However, Gaokao is just one example among many tough exams worldwide. These exams, characterized by their challenging syllabi and stringent assessment criteria, serve as significant milestones in the lives of millions of students. Jesse Rao, a 17-year-old high school senior in Shenzhen, vividly captures the dedication required to tackle exams like Gaokao, stating,

"I've been waking up at 4 am every day, except on Sundays, to study for the past four years."

But, what role does technology play in the realm of education and exams? Technology has revolutionized exam preparation, transcending traditional education boundaries. AI-powered tools, like OpenAI's ChatGPT, have gained prominence, using extensive data to generate responses and aid students in navigating intricate exam content.

A notable case study examining AI's impact on academic integrity involved ChatGPT's performance during a business management course exam at Wharton. Results showed mixed performance, with ChatGPT proficient in answering basic operations management and process-analysis questions. However, it faced challenges with advanced prompts and made unexpected errors in basic mathematical calculations. This study highlights both the capabilities and limitations of AI-powered tools in an academic setting.

AI-powered education technologies like ChatGPT have had a widespread impact. It is becoming a global phenomenon due to its accessibility and user-friendly nature. As a result, some school districts and even countries have banned ChatGPT. This action aims to prevent cheating and maintain the integrity of assessments and assignments, ensuring the sanctity of educational environments.

The integration of AI in exam prep has brought about transformative changes in the education landscape. Notably, it has affected companies like Chegg, Inc. (NYSE:CHGG), a renowned provider of educational resources and homework assistance. Chegg, Inc. (NYSE:CHGG)'s extensive database of answers has been a trusted support system for students. However, the rise of AI chatbots, including ChatGPT, has led some students to question the necessity of paid services when free alternatives are accessible.

In Chegg, Inc. (NYSE:CHGG)'s February 2023 earnings conference call, the potential impacts of chatbot adoption by students were addressed. The CEO emphasized,

"Obviously, we're going to track it, but we've seen nothing. We've seen continued really powerful renewals and reduction in cancellations, we've seen continued high take rates of Chegg Study Pack."

Despite the emergence of AI chatbots, Chegg has observed positive trends with strong customer renewals, decreased cancellations, and sustained high usage of their Study Pack, indicating the ongoing value students find in their offerings.

In response to the growing demand for AI-enhanced learning, Chegg has recently unveiled CheggMate, a new service built on OpenAI's advanced model, GPT-4. This companion is designed to enhance real-time learning effectiveness and accuracy. This presents a potential solution to some of the challenges posed by AI in the education space.

Now, perhaps you're curious about the toughest exam in America or in the world. Well, we have addressed all these queries and compiled a comprehensive list of the toughest exams in the world. So, let's dive in and explore.

15 Toughest Exams in the World

Pixabay/Public domain

Our Methodology

To rank the toughest exams in the world, we analyzed the difficulty level of the syllabus, the percentage of candidates who pass, the time needed to complete the exam, the level of competition, the complexity of questions, and the impact on an individual's career or education. We ranked the toughest exams based on their difficulty scores, ranging from 1 (moderate) to 5 (hardest). We ordered the list in ascending order of high difficulty.

Based on our findings, here are the toughest exams in the world.

15. Mensa

Difficulty Level: 3.4

Mensa tests are specifically designed to be challenging. This exam aims to assess individuals with exceptional intelligence. The primary purpose of joining Mensa, a society with a minimum IQ requirement of 140, is to provide proof of one's high intelligence, connect with like-minded individuals, and establish professional networks for business or employment opportunities. If an individual possesses a high IQ, they are likely to be able to independently navigate and solve complex questions presented in Mensa tests. Being a part of Mensa offers a platform to engage with intellectual peers and leverage intelligence for personal and professional growth.

14. SAT

Difficulty Level: 3.6

The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is also widely regarded as one of the toughest exams globally. This standardized test is crucial for college admissions in the United States. The SAT's reputation as a challenging exam stems from various factors. It assesses critical reading, writing, and mathematical skills, demanding a comprehensive understanding of these subjects. Additionally, the SAT's time constraints and the pressure to achieve high scores contribute to its difficulty. The exam's significance in college admissions and its widespread competition make the SAT a formidable test that requires extensive preparation and intellectual prowess.

13. LNAT

Difficulty Level: 3.7

The Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) in the United Kingdom has gained a reputation as one of the most challenging exams in the world to conquer. Although relatively new, having been established in 2004, it quickly solidified its position among the toughest tests. Spanning approximately 2.5 hours, the LNAT comprises a reading section and an essay component. The exam assesses candidates' critical thinking, reading comprehension, and writing skills, making it a rigorous assessment for aspiring law students. Successfully navigating the LNAT requires significant preparation and a strong command of analytical and written abilities.

12. CA

Difficulty Level: 3.8

Conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), the CA (Chartered Accountant) exams adhere to a rigorous pattern. Qualifying for this exam can pave the way for a successful career with a lucrative salary, but it necessitates substantial hard work. The exam comprises three stages: the Common Proficiency Test (CPT), the Integrated Professional Competence Course (IPCC), and the CA Final Examination. Clearing all these levels is essential to attain the esteemed Chartered Accountant designation. Notably, the CA exams are renowned for their low pass rates, often requiring candidates to make multiple attempts to achieve success across all levels.

11. California Bar Exam

Difficulty Level: 3.9

The California bar exam is widely recognized as one of the most challenging exams in the United States. It consists of multiple components, including the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) which assesses fundamental legal principles, and the California-specific section covering topics like Trusts, Wills, and legal skills such as writing and argumentation. What sets the California bar exam apart is its high minimum passing score requirement, contributing to its reputation as one of the toughest tests in the world. Successfully clearing this demanding exam is a significant achievement and a crucial milestone for aspiring lawyers in California.

10. Master Sommelier Diploma Exam

Difficulty Level: 4

The Master Sommelier Diploma Exam, conducted by the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS), aims to elevate the standards of beverage service, particularly in wine and food pairing. This challenging exam consists of three components: theory, service, and blind tasting. It typically takes candidates multiple attempts, with an average of 5-6 attempts for regular candidates and at least 3 attempts for experts, to pass this rigorous wine-tasting examination.

The final step requires applicants to demonstrate precise knowledge of the year, date, and region of the wine. With only 269 individuals worldwide holding the title of Master Sommelier, this exam stands as the most demanding wine examination globally. On average, just over five people per year earn their Master Sommelier Diplomas.

9. All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam

Difficulty Level: 4.2

The All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam is an esteemed examination conducted by All Souls College, Oxford University. It is a highly competitive and intellectually demanding exam that assesses candidates' academic abilities across various disciplines. The exam is known for its rigorous questioning and requires candidates to demonstrate critical thinking, analytical skills, and breadth of knowledge. Successful candidates are awarded the prestigious All Souls Prize Fellowship, which grants them the opportunity to pursue advanced research and academic pursuits at the college. The All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam holds a reputation as a challenging and highly esteemed academic assessment.

8. CCIE

Difficulty Level: 4.3

CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert) is renowned as one of the most challenging exams worldwide, consisting of two stages. Examinees are advised to possess 7-10 years of industry experience and a profound understanding of network technologies. This expert-level certification from Cisco demands extensive knowledge and expertise in designing, implementing, and managing complex networking infrastructures. The CCIE exam rigorously evaluates candidates' practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and troubleshooting abilities. With its stringent requirements and comprehensive coverage, CCIE remains an arduous test for individuals aiming to showcase their mastery in the field of networking.

7. CFA

Difficulty Level: 4.4

The CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) exam is recognized as one of the most rigorous exams globally. Annually, more than 100,000 candidates undertake this comprehensive assessment. Divided into two levels, the exam aims to evaluate financial professionals' proficiency in relevant practices and tools. To attain the esteemed CFA charter, candidates are required to have a minimum of four years of job experience in the financial industry. The CFA exam is known for its challenging nature, testing candidates' knowledge, analytical skills, and ethical practices, making it a significant milestone for individuals pursuing a career in finance.

6. GRE

Difficulty Level: 4.5

The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is widely regarded as one of the toughest exams in the world. It is a standardized test used for graduate school admissions, testing verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills. The exam's reputation as one of the toughest arises from several factors. Firstly, the GRE syllabus covers a wide range of academic disciplines. Secondly, the questions are designed to challenge candidates' problem-solving abilities and higher-order thinking skills. Lastly, the intense competition and the significance of GRE scores in the graduate school application process contribute to its reputation as a highly challenging exam.

Click to continue reading 5 Toughest Exams in The World.

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Disclosure: None. 15 Toughest Exams in The World is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Under the framework of the West Africa Security Project (WASP), a partnership between the WCO and the German Central Customs Authority, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, the WCO successfully delivered a sub-regional workshop on Implementing Gender Equality and Inclusion in Customs in Lome, Togo, from the 3rd to the 7th of July 2023.

The workshop provided an opportunity for participants from the Customs Administrations of Cote dIvoire, Ghana and Togo to enhance their knowledge of the concepts of gender mainstreaming and inclusion and how this could be implemented in internal and external policies to the benefit of Customs employees and stakeholders.

The 5-day interactive workshop enabled delegates to increase their knowledge of the WCO tools promoting Gender Equality and Diversity (GED) in Customs, particularly the Gender Equality Organizational Assessment Tool (GEOAT) to assess current gaps in their organizations and the Blended Training Package that includes two e-learning modules.

The workshop was built on the recommendations from the GED organizational assessments conducted under the framework of the same project in February and March 2023.

Participants were also provided with the opportunity to share experiences of initiatives that their respective administrations have implemented. It is worth noting that all three administrations have established Women Associations within their administrations to support female officers in their career development.

On the last day of the workshop, all three Customs administrations presented draft action plans for strengthening their work on GED for the upcoming years.

This sub-regional workshop constitutes an important milestone, as it was the first time training on GED was organized for Customs administrations in the West and Central Africa region. The WCO looks forward to continuing working with its Members to drive the GED agenda forward.

For more information about this activity and the WCOs work on GED, please contact: capacity.building@wcoomd.org
HNI is a FreightWaves 2023 Shipper of Choice. (Photo: HNI Corp.)

The Shipper of Choice award, presented by FreightWaves in partnership with TriumphPay, recognizes the manufacturers, distributors and retailers that do the best job of keeping the American economy moving by fighting driver detention, providing accessible facilities and understanding what it takes to remove inefficiencies from the supply chain.

Among the top 25 Shippers of Choice for 2023 is  HNI Corp.

About HNI Corp.

New York Stock Exchange TickerHNIHeadquarters2022 net sales2022 net incomeShipper of Choice history

Why HNI is a Shipper of Choice

Office furnishings company HNI Corp. wants to have collaborative partnerships with its drivers, and thats why the Muscatine, Iowa-headquartered company has been selected as a FreightWaves Shipper of Choice for 2023, according to nominators.

HNI consistently strives to be carrier and driver friendly. With preloaded freight that is almost always ready early, we can keep drivers moving, and dont have to plan for unnecessary downtime for our team, said Jesse Houseman, dedicated operations leader with carrier Ruan Transportation Management Systems. Houseman was referring to HNIs workplace furnishings segment; HNIs other business segment consists of residential building products.

They have designed their facilities to ensure the pickup process is convenient for the drivers with access to clean restrooms and a comfortable environment to relax and take a quick break, Houseman said.

Indeed, great facilities for drivers at HNIs distribution centers was one of the deciding factors for HNIs being named to FreightWaves Shippers of Choice list, which considers factors such as low detention times, driver friendliness and flexibility.

In addition to its facilities for drivers, HNI also has an in-house driver app that enables more efficient communication and allows drivers to provide instant feedback on deliveries. The feedback consists of questions about restroom availability, ease of check-in and treatment of drivers, among other items.

Since introducing the app, HNI has increased its internal responses to drivers feedback provided via the app, the company told FreightWaves. This year, more than 1,000 deliveries have been rated by drivers, HNI said.

They truly care about the driver experience, and follow up on every issue that the drivers bring to them, Houseman said. HNI is a great partner that has a Win-Win mentality with their logistics providers. Their actions exemplify what it means to be a Shipper of Choice.

This isnt the first time HNI (NYSE: HNI) has been named a Shipper of Choice. The company also received that honor in 2020.

We have continuous team conversations about the significance of being a shipper of choice and the important role that drivers play in our business, Eric Zillig, HNI vice president of distribution and logistics, told FreightWaves. This includes investments in our shipping office facilities that provide drivers a comfortable lounge area and amenities when they are picking up our loads. We think of our drivers and carriers as Trade Partners as they play an essential role in providing the end customer a great experience.

HNI recently completed its acquisition of Jasper, Indiana-based Kimball International, another commercial furnishings company. The merger will provide the market with an unmatched comprehensive product offering positioned to benefit from post-pandemic trends, HNI President and CEO Jeff Lorenger said in a June 1 release.

About Shipper of Choice partner TriumphPay

TriumphPay is the transportation industrys premier payment network, trusted by leading shippers, brokers, factors and carriers. Its innovative and highly automated fintech payment solution brings cost savings and efficiencies to antiquated transportation payment processes for network participants. Integrated financing options leverage the strength of TriumphPays parent bank and can provide liquidity and cash flow visibility.

TriumphPay is a division of TBK Bank, SSB, Member FDIC, and a member of the Triumph Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ: TBK) group.

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The post 2023 Shipper of Choice profile: HNI Corp. appeared first on FreightWaves.
(Bloomberg) -- Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is discussing joining KKR & Co. on its 23 billion ($25 billion) bid for Telecom Italia SpAs landline network, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Most Read from Bloomberg

ADIA is in advanced talks to provide equity support for the private equity firms bid, according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential information. ADIA may invest directly in the network or take a stake in the KKR fund that will house the company, they said.

Deliberations are ongoing and no final decisions on if, or how, ADIA will participate have been take, the people said. Representatives for ADIA, KKR and Telecom Italia declined to comment.

US-based KKR is in exclusive talks with Telecom Italia, which is selling its landline network to slash its debt pile, after trumping a rival proposal from Italian state lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti SpA and Macquarie Asset Management. Telecom Italia said last month that it also preferred KKRs bid because of assurances on execution and timing.

KKR has been seeking partners for its bid for the Telecom Italia business. Bloomberg News reported in June that Italian infrastructure fund F2i SGR SpA intends to invest about 2 billion including debt in return for a roughly 10% stake in the network unit.

ADIAs discussions about backing the network deal comes as the Middle Easts sovereign wealth funds, which control more than $3 trillion, boost spending across regions and asset classes. ADIA has shown strong appetite for infrastructure assets, chasing investments in everything from railcars to ports in recent years. ADIA previously joined KKR in investing in Telecom Italias fiber carrier.

Telecom Italia, a former monopoly, faces a complex mix of high labor costs and ever-higher investments to modernize its network infrastructure. Grid separation has been debated in Italian industry and politics for more than a decade, with details and deal outlines shifting constantly.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- A New York judge ordered a unit of Allianz SE to pay about $6 billion as punishment for misrepresenting the investment risk posed by a group of hedge funds, imposing a sentence agreed more than a year ago as part of a plea deal.

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Allianz Global Investors US had accepted the payout last year when it pleaded guilty to a single criminal charge of securities fraud as part of a deal with federal prosecutors. US District Judge Colleen McMahon announced the sentence Wednesday in Manhattan.

The plea deal ended an embarrassing chapter for the German insurance giant, which agreed to sell the bulk of Allianz Global Investors US to Voya Financial Inc. after the unit was banned for a decade from some fund services in the country. Allianz Chief Executive Officer Oliver Baete, who had made settling the conflict a priority, in an interview last month called the discussions among the most consequential negotiations of his life.

AGI in the US planned to dissolve shortly after the sentencing, according to a July 5 letter to the judge by both sides. The unit was automatically disqualified from acting as an investment adviser or principal underwriter for any mutual fund or closed-end fund for 10 years.

In addition to the payments, AGI was sentenced to five years probation, which will be discontinued once it no longer exists, McMahon said.

Unusual Plea

The Allianz units guilty plea was unusual for a major financial firm. Companies more often resolve government investigations by paying money and pledging corrective actions without admitting any wrongdoing. The judge said AGI is the first corporation she has sentenced in her 25 years on the bench.

Gregoire Tournant, the former chief investment officer and co-lead portfolio manager of the funds, was charged with fraud and conspiracy in connection with the funds meltdown. He has pleaded not guilty and is fighting the charges. Two other executives with the funds, Stephen Bond-Nelson and Trevor Taylor, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and fraud last year and are cooperating with prosecutors.

In the July 5 letter, both sides agreed that AGI did not voluntarily disclose the alleged misconduct to the government but has since cooperated with its investigation.

AGI USs Structured Alpha funds were marketed as providing protection against a market crash. Instead, they ended up losing $7 billion during the tumultuous early days of the pandemic in 2020, spurring multiple lawsuits from pension plan investors.

Under the sentence, AGI was ordered to pay fines of $2.3 billion, $3.2 billion in restitution and to forfeit $463 million. It will receive credit for $1.9 billion already made over to victims of the fraud and for a $675 million civil penalty paid to the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

As the judge read through all the payment numbers, down to the cent, she added a $400 mandatory court assessment that is required when a corporation pleads guilty to a felony.

Thats smaller than a rounding error in this particular case, McMahon remarked.

The case is US v. Allianz Global Investors US, 22-cr-00279, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).

(Adds Allianz CEO in third paragraph.)

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A former Afghan interpreter for the U.S. military was killed in a shooting this past week in Washington has been laid to rest. Nasrat Ahmad Yar came to the United States looking for a better life for his four children. He died while working as a ride-share driver. Family and friends gathered Saturday for funeral services in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Close friend Rahim Amini describes Ahmad Yar as a generous person who sent money back to family and friends in Afghanistan. No suspects have been arrested in the case. Surveillance video captured the sound of a single gunshot and four boys or young men were seen running away.
FILE - The Foxconn logo is seen during the Hon Hai Tech Day at the Nangang Exhibition Center in Taipei, Taiwan, on Oct. 18, 2022. Taiwan-based electronics giant Foxconn is backing out of a $19.5 billion semiconductor joint venture with Indian mining conglomerate Vedanta Ltd. Indias government leaders say they aren't too worried about the impact.
RICHMOND TWP., Pa. - A Richmond Township man is facing homicide charges after a domestic incident inside his home turned fatal.

46-year-old Harrison Boakye is charged with first and third degree murder, strangulation and related offenses in the death of his wife, 33-year-old Winifred Boakye.

Death investigation launched after woman found dead in Richmond Township home A 33-year-old woman was found unresponsive inside the residence and was later pronounced dead.

Authorities say On July 7, Fleetwood Police were dispatched to a home in the unit block of Middletown Road for a domestic incident.

Inside the home, officers located the victim, who was unresponsive.

Life saving measures were initiated but failed, and the coroner pronounced Winifred Boakye dead a short time later.

Investigators allege that the defendant engaged in a physical altercation with the victim inside the master bathroom of their Richmond Township home.

Harrison Boakye was arrested and charged with aggravated assault later that day.

On July 10, an autopsy was conducted and the victims death was ruled a homicide caused by manual strangulation.

Harrison Boakye is currently in Berks County Jail and is expected to be arraigned on the upgraded charges at a later time.

He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
HANOVER TWP., Pa.  At its monthly meeting Tuesday night, the Hanover Township Planning Commission voted to delay its vote on the plan for a warehouse near the intersection of Route 22 and Route 512 in Northampton County.

The developer, Arcadia Development, proposes a 250,290-square-foot warehouse at 300 Gateway Drive  the northeast corner of the Route 22-Route 512 intersection. The land is now occupied by the SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western and an adjacent field.

Speaking on behalf of the developer, Pidcock Company engineer Bruce Anderson explained some of the changes made to the proposal in the last two months. A revised traffic pattern featuring longer left-turn lanes and narrower medians along Route 512 was among these changes, Anderson said.

According to Anderson, the developer proposes increasing the left-turn lanes on Route 512 South from 60 feet to 160 feet, which he said could allow two large trucks to get through a single traffic light and turn onto Route 22.

"We've extended that turn lane from 60 feet to about 160 feet  sufficient for one truck and four cars, or two trucks for the next traffic cycle," Anderson said.

Anderson also explained that, while the proposed development would increase traffic in the area, it would not add as much traffic as previously thought.

Citing a traffic study conducted by the developer, Anderson said that the warehouse would increase the number of daily vehicle trips from 1,400 to 1,900 through the area  an increase of 500 trips per day. An average of one truck every 15 minutes would travel through the warehouse facility, Anderson said.

Some residents, however, were not convinced of the plan's merits.

Michael Recchiuti, of Gloria Lane, questioned how the commission could endorse the developer's traffic study without having identified a tenant for the proposed warehouse.

"Until you actually have a user identified for this warehouse, you cannot do an accurate traffic study," Recchiuti said.

+3 Embassy Bancorp chairman: Warehouse poses more danger on Route 512 in Hanover Twp. A 250,290-square-foot warehouse is proposed to take the place of a hotel near the intersection of Route 512 and Route 22.

Hanover Township resident Judith Hunsicker  who is also chief operating and financial officer for Embassy Bancorp, the parent company of Embassy Bank  said the truck traffic was simply too big of a drawback for her or her employer to support the proposal. The bank's headquarters is at 100 Gateway Drive, just off Route 512.

"Embassy just doesn't see anything beneficial about this project," Hunsicker said, drawing applause from the public.

Planning commission Chairman Dale Traupman introduced a motion to table a decision on the proposal until "the next time Arcadia is on the agenda." Member Gordon Campbell seconded Traupman's motion. Ultimately, the planning commission will make a recommendation to the township board of supervisors to approve or reject the plan.
L. SAUCON TWP., Pa.  Over the objections of many residents, the Lower Saucon Township Council passed a controversial rezoning plan that could allow expansion of the Bethlehem Landfill by a 3-2 vote on Tuesday afternoon.

The plan, formally known as Ordinance 2023-05, would change the classification of a large land area from Rural-Agricultural to Light Industrial under the township's zoning codes. The land is located in an agricultural area north of Applebutter Road, east of Steel City, south of the Lehigh River, and west of the Route 33-Interstate 78 intersection, according to township documents. This comes after a judge ruled Lower Saucon Township previously rezoned the land without properly notifying the public. The previous proposal was to rezone 275 acres of woodland that the landfill already owns to allow the company to expand. That proposal is still on the table, but supervisors are now also considering a second option, to rezone 848 acres in total to Light Industrial, the majority of which is people's private properties.

Critics say the rezoning plan would lead to the expansion of Bethlehem Landfill, which they say would bring devastating economic and environmental impacts to surrounding communities.

About 30 residents addressed the council during Tuesday's public comment session, and all but one expressed opposition to the rezoning proposal. Many of them sported signs and accessories calling for the resignation of both council President Jason Banonis and member Tom Carocci, and they turned their backs to the council in protest when either of the two men spoke. "In 2021, the Super PAC sent over 100 to specifically elect Jason Banonis and Tom Carocci, and that is a direct conflict of interest for them to even be proposing a rezoning," said Citizens for Responsible Development Spokeswoman Victoria Opthof-Cordaro. Supervisor Priscilla deLeon amplified the suspicion of behind-the-scenes politics in her comments. "There has been no real public planning or input from residents except for their three minutes in the beginning of the agenda item, prior to any council discussion," deLeon said. "It makes you wonder who is making these decisions outside the public meeting." The proposal could rezone up to 848 acres into Light Industrial land, a dramatic increase from the previous proposal, but the township argues it could face a lawsuit if it doesn't rezone the land. "There is the potential for a property owner to bring what's known as a validity challenge and say that Lower Saucon Township does not have enough land zoned either LI, GB, LM, which is for Light Manufacturing, and if they're successful in that challenge, they get to put that use wherever they want," said township Solicitor B. Lincoln Treadwell. Opthof-Cordaro said her group will bring a legal fight as well if they pass the rezoning. "If they pass this, there will be an appeal," she said. Many missed work to be at the meeting at 12:30 p.m., in the middle of the workday. "Thank you for destroying my workday to be here today," said one speaker.

Banonis struggled to keep the meeting under control, and he repeatedly warned the public that he would have township police remove those who interrupted.

Hellertowns Kathy McGovern  who is running for a seat on the council this fall  cited Banonis' previous campaign promises to consider the interests of residents instead of those of the landfill.

"You're making all our homes lose our property values," McGovern told Banonis.

Steel City resident Kyle Cambiotti expressed concerns about the smell and water contamination that he said an expanded landfill would bring to his neighborhood.

"Steel City is special, and I do not want that to be ruined for temporary monetary gain," Cambiotti said to applause.

Hellertown resident Frank Palumbo accused councilmembers of responding to public comments only when convenient, to which Banonis said the council responds only for "clarification" purposes. Palumbo sarcastically thanked the council for uniting the community against the proposed zoning changes.

"Thank you for getting this community together," Palumbo said to laughter and applause. "We're creating Mount Trashmore here!"



Dave Boulin, the one speaker who did not oppose rezoning, encouraged residents to read the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's documents about the proposal. Boulin was booed and interrupted by other residents several times during his speech, but consequently granted extra time to finish speaking by Banonis.

"Anybody that thinks this thing just popped up yesterday is clearly mistaken," Boulin said.

The rezoning plan passed the council by a 3-2 vote, with Banonis, Carocci and member Mark Inglis voting in favor. Members Priscilla deLeon and Sandra Yerger voted against the plan.

"If all of [the land] is rezoned, people can still live in their houses," Carocci said before voting.

"This council has proven it has no respect for any landowner or resident," deLeon said after the vote passed.
U.N. peacekeepers patrol on the Lebanese side of the Lebanese-Israeli border in the southern village of Marwaheen, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. An explosion near Lebanon's border with Israel slightly wounded at least three members of the militant Hezbollah group, a Lebanese security official said. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda, left, reaches over the shoulder of United States President Joe Biden to shake hands with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council during a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. NATO leaders gathered Wednesday to launch a highly symbolic new forum for ties with Ukraine, after committing to provide the country with more military assistance for fighting Russia but only vague assurances of future membership. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
AMFRESH and EQT expect to close the acquisition of IFG by SNFL in the coming weeks, after the approval of the transaction by the European Commission

AM FRESH Group

The positive verdict of the arbitration process initiated by a third party trying to block the deal

AMFRESH

Following the agreement between International Fruit Genetics LLC (IFG) and Special New Fruit Licensing Limited (SNFL), the consortium led by AMFRESH Group, as well as the Swedish fund EQT and the American fund Paine Schwartz Partners (PSP), for the purchase of the entire IFG business by SNFL, Jack Pandol initiated legal action to block the transaction.

MADRID, Spain, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Following the agreement between International Fruit Genetics LLC (IFG) and Special New Fruit Licensing Limited (SNFL), the consortium led by AMFRESH Group, as well as the Swedish fund EQT and the American fund Paine Schwartz Partners (PSP), for the purchase of the entire IFG business by SNFL, Jack Pandol initiated legal action to block the transaction.



On July, 11th the arbitrator assigned to decide on the matter rejected all the claims made by Jack Pandol, allowing the transaction to proceed.

SNFL expects to close the transaction in the coming weeks.

As Alvaro Munoz, AMFRESH CEO, points out, our entire team and partners are proud to be able to move forward with the green light of the arbitration. This is the beginning of a breakthrough for the FRESH food sector and our greatest ambition is to foster the most innovative, natural, sustainable and healthy products to delight consumers globally. Our aim is to increase consumption and market size of fresh, healthy and affordable products globally.

Additionally, Bluestone Food and Tech, Alvaro Munoz's family holding, closes an agreement to become the sole 100% equity partner of AMFRESH Group and acquire 100% of AMC Group. The deal has the full support of all the executive and non-executive board members of Bluestone and AMFRESH. It has also been supported by all the banking partners of the Business Group, as well as the partners in various investments that AMFRESH holds in Genetics and Technology (EQT and PSP). This will give AMFRESH total freedom to invest in the different agribusiness and agri-technology breakthroughs the group fully endorse.

AMFRESH, a group that in recent years has been in full expansion and involved in M&A activity, will follow its Strategic Plan with the objective of doubling its sales (currently 1.5 Billion in 2023) to reach 3 Billion in 2028 and tripling its EBITDA in the same timeframe.

Pablo Sanchez-Lozano, COO of AMFRESH Group, says "At AMFRESH we have been working on the integration of our supply chain with the aim of always adding value to our retail partners. Our focus is on offering innovative solutions that allow differentiation and are always based on technology. We have tools that cover the full cycle including genetics, agriculture, technology and sustainable practices; our degree of flexibility is unparalleled, and our customized models adapt to all clients, geographies and categories.

AMFRESH is a leader in varietal genetic development for fresh food, with a solid global expansion based on a high value-added agriculture that is nature positive and sustainable and full integration of the food supply chain all the way to its retail partners. AMFRESH operates seamlessly by maintaining long-term agreements with its global retail partners and using an open-book policy.

The pillars of AMFRESH's strategic growth are focused on 6 main areas distributed throughout the value chain:

Become the preferred integrated partner of the top main retailers in the world by increasing its presence through new categories and offering greater geographical coverage.

Grow through vertical integration thanks to the differential aspects of its value chain.

Promote the creation of value through innovation.

Consolidate its operational excellence.

Evolve its teams and organizations for the future, with a special focus on attracting talent for key positions.

Promote sustainability and risk management as main differentiators: climate change (carbon emissions, water consumption, etc.), as well as occupational, social, regulatory, political, reputational and industrial risks.

Enrique Lopez, CFO of AMFRESH Group, highlights The Bluestone equity transaction allows us to focus AMFRESH's objectives in the best possible way, because the determined support of the Bluestone family holding will give us the opportunity to promote the investment projects that we already had in our portfolio, thus consolidating our model of sustained growth and providing it with greater agility. The Groups performance gives us full confidence that we will achieve our objectives until 2028. We also have the support of our agricultural partners, retailer partners and the financial community at a global level.

Media Contact

Patricia Sagarminaga

patricia.sagarminaga@amfresh.com

+ 34 669161941

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cc35d529-4be2-4e17-9cb4-215628229aa6




FILE - Mexican Army soldiers demonstrate a search for anti-personnel mines during a media presentation near Naranjo de Chila, in the municipality of Aguililla, Michoacan state, Mexico, Feb. 18, 2022. Authorities say that a coordinated series of roadway bomb blasts on July 11, 2023 in Tlajomulco, Jalisco state killed four police officers and two civilians, as well as wounded 14 others.
FILE - Leader of Move Forward Party Pita Limjaroenrat arrives before the signing of a memorandum of understanding on attempt to form a coalition government between Move Forward Party and other parties during a news conference in Bangkok, Thailand on May 22, 2023. Thailand's state Election Commission announced Wednesday, July 12, it has concluded there is evidence that the top candidate to become the country's next prime minister, Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, has violated election law, and has referred his case to the Constitutional Court for a ruling. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)
Future Leader Troy Cavanagh on fantastic FESPA Munich

Troy Cavanagh of Melbourne wide format business ImageBox represented the inaugural FESPA Future Leaders Program and FESPA Australia at the FESPA Global Print Expo in Munich, Germany and says it was "a fantastic experience." Applications for the Future Leaders Program 2023 are due to open in mid-July.

Future Leader Troy Cavanagh of ImageBox presents at FESPA 2023

The inaugural FESPA Future Leaders Program was launched in July 2022. 12 industry candidates were shortlisted from all the applicants to attend a 2-day leadership workshop held in October prior to the FESPA Annual Conference in Sydney. Troy Cavanagh was selected by the leadership cohort to represent the group.

The FESPA Future Leaders Program has been a great opportunity to meet and network with like-minded people within the print industry, Cavanagh said this week. Right from the moment we all met at the leadership workshop, the cohort created an instant bond, more so as we were all experiencing similar workplace issues and looking for similar answers. Carl Harman, the program facilitator, certainly connected with us all and along with FESPA Australia, delivered an outstanding Future Leaders Program.



As the year has progressed the strong connection within the cohort has remained in a positive and supportive manner and has developed and grown into a wider network amongst suppliers and other print companies.





A number of the Future Leaders cohort, supported by their employers, were lucky to travel to Germany to attend the recent FESPA GPE where the networking and bonding continued throughout the whole event. Some of us also had the valuable experience of a tour and overnight stay in Brixen where we visited the Durst Headquarters before heading off to the FESPA trade show.





As the appointed Future Leader, I was asked to present to the 37 country associations at the FESPA Secretaries meeting. It was great to be able to meet, network and present to the representatives, relay my personal experience within the industry and to outline the current situation in Australia, while at the same time hearing how other countries were overcoming problems they were experiencing. It was a truly valuable experience.





The people I met during the Secretaries meeting were a great lead into the FESPA Global Print Expo, where you would see your connections at various trade stands and within Club FESPA that is situated at the show. All of this culminating at the amazing final night dance party at the end of a whirlwind week.



The FESPA trade show, being my first grand expo, was a fantastic experience, seeing and learning about different technologies, speaking to international representatives gives you a great insight as to what is going on in different countries. There is always one little tip that answers a question you have.





My motto for this trip was when an opportunity presents itself, make the most of it! its fair to say I certainly achieved more than I was expecting.





Call For Applicants for the FESPA Future Leaders Program 2023, will be available mid-July. Selected candidates will attend the Future Leaders workshop over two days in Sydney 1-2 November 2023. For further information, email membership@fespaaustralia.org.au
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Dublin, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Asia-Pacific Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Market, By Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars (PC), Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV), Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicle (M&HCV)), By Fuel Type, By Battery Capacity, By Country, Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2018-2030F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Asia Pacific Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Market is anticipated to have a high growth rate due to the rising concern over the environment; countries are adopting clean energy fuel and enhancing the emission norms of vehicles.

The Government is promoting through the subsidy for the adoption of fuel cell vehicles, and with the high efficiency, low maintenance cost, and low noise, better driving experience is also driving the growth of the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Market.



Development in Infrastructure by Government



South Korea announced plans to construct the largest liquid hydrogen facility in the world in May. The country's chemical-focused conglomerate Hyosung Group signed a contract with Linde for a USD 244 million project to construct the plant by 2022 with a capacity of 13,000 mt/year.



Japan's prominence at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics demonstrates its dedication to hydrogen. Tokyo 2020's 'Hydrogen Olympics' will see hydrogen utilized to power the Olympic Cauldron during the opening ceremony.

Additionally, the Olympic Village utilizes hot water in the cafeterias, dorms, and training facilities, as well as athlete buses and vehicles that are hydrogen-fueled. During the Olympics, a total of 500 hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles were used. By 2030, Japan plans to build 1,000 hydrogen recharging stations for fuel-cell cars.



Developments by Manufacturers in Fuel Cell Vehicles



The Mirai sedan was unveiled by Toyota Motor Corp. globally. In March 2021, Hyundai Motor Co. introduced its Nexo crossovers and Tucson globally.



The Clarity Fuel Cell from Honda Motor Co. Ltd. is available for leasing, while the GLC F-CELL from Daimler AG has already been delivered to a small number of business and government clients. Several Chinese manufacturers, including the state-owned SAIC Motor, have created their own buses.



Two new zero-emission buses, the F12 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus, and the C11pure Electric Bus, were introduced in Beijing by Yuan Cheng, a subsidiary brand of Geely New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group (GCV).



Increasing Demand in Fuel Cell Vehicles



There is an increasing demand for fuel cell vehicles because they produce less carbon emission, have high efficiency, and low operating cost. Also, fuel cell vehicles provide a high range of traveling and produce more power than battery-electric vehicles. To promote the use of hydrogen fuel cells, the government has standardized to reduce carbon emissions.

Because hydrogen fuel cells produce heat and water vapor as byproducts, there is a great need for hydrogen fuel cells that don't produce any toxic gases. It has benefits to switch from gasoline to hydrogen fuel cells, and hydrogen fuel cells also perform better.



Improved Range and Efficiency Due to Technological Advances



Due to its enhanced performance, quicker refilling, and longer range, fuel cell vehicles have become more and more popular in recent years. The technique also produces lower pollutants and, in addition to these benefits, helps in more power and torque. In addition, current catalyst innovations are essential for the development of fuel cell technology since they will increase durability through creative catalyst layer designs.

Thus, the market for fuel-cell electric vehicles can be expected to increase significantly because of ongoing technological developments in fuel-cell technology.



Infrastructure, Price, and Safety Concerns



One of the major challenges in the adoption of fuel cell vehicles is the infrastructure for charging stations and the high prices of the vehicle. Many OEMs are building charging stations so the consumer has access to efficient charging along the way.

Also, the consumers are concerned about the charging as they are worried about between stoppage of the vehicle. Hydrogen fuel cell products have greater transportation and storage expenses than gasoline-based goods. More safety issues are associated with hydrogen because it is flammable.



Market Segmentation



The Asia-Pacific Market is segmented by vehicle type, fuel type, battery capacity, and region. Based on vehicle type, the market is segmented into Passenger cars, Light Commercial vehicles, and Medium & Heavy Commercial vehicles. Based on fuel type, the market is segmented into Methanol and Hydrogen. On the basis of battery capacity, the market is segmented into 0 kWh to 100 kWh, 101 kWh to 200 kWh, and above 200 kWh.



Competitive Landscape



Key players are developing advanced technologies to stay competitive in the market and enhancing their product portfolio in the region to increase their customer outreach.

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Apac Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Market.

Toyota Motor Corporation

Hyundai Motor Company

Honda Motor Co. Ltd

General Motor Company

Nissan Motor Corporation

Tata Motors Limited

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

Mercedes Benz AG

Siac Motor Corporation Limited.

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co.

Report Scope:



Asia Pacific Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Market, By Vehicle Type

Passenger Car

Light Commercial Vehicle

Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicle

Asia Pacific Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Market, By Fuel Type:

Methanol

Hydrogen

Asia Pacific Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Market, By Battery Capacity:

0 kWh to 100 kWh,

101 kWh to 200 kWh,

Above 200 kWh

Asia Pacific Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Market, By Region:

China

Japan

South Korea

India

Thailand

Indonesia

Malaysia

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/h8gi55

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com 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




(Bloomberg) -- Australia has agreed to Chinas request for an extra month to decide whether to lift duties on Australian barley, extending the suspension of a World Trade Organization case while Beijing reviews the restrictions.

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In April, Australia agreed to temporarily suspend a WTO case against China over the barley tariffs for a three-month period, with a possible fourth month if needed. China has now requested the extension, according to a spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

If the duties are not lifted at the end of the four-month period, Australia will resume the dispute in the WTO, the spokesperson said. While disappointed that Chinas review could not be completed in three months, Australia is hopeful the impediments will be lifted in the near future, the spokesperson said.

Australias Nine newspapers reported Tuesday that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was considering postponing his trip to Beijing until 2024, with the government not wanting to stage such a significant visit until all Chinas trade sanctions on Australian goods were lifted.

Beijing imposed tariffs of over 80% on Australian barley in May 2020, after accusing the country of dumping the grain in China. At the time it was estimated the penalties could cost the Australian market as much as A$2.5 billion ($1.7 billion) over five years, according to industry group Grain Growers. In 2018-19, the barley trade with China was worth almost A$1 billion.

Australia expects to follow a similar process to remove trade barriers for wine, if agreement is reached on barley.

--With assistance from James Mayger.

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Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 21.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 14,665 shares of the credit services providers stock after acquiring an additional 2,608 shares during the quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLCs holdings in Mastercard were worth $5,495,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of MA. Bornite Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in Mastercard during the first quarter worth $21,442,000. United Bank boosted its stake in Mastercard by 34.5% during the first quarter. United Bank now owns 6,007 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $2,147,000 after buying an additional 1,541 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its stake in Mastercard by 30.1% during the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 272,358 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $97,335,000 after buying an additional 63,040 shares in the last quarter. First Western Trust Bank acquired a new stake in Mastercard during the first quarter worth $1,168,000. Finally, Bridgewater Associates LP acquired a new stake in Mastercard during the first quarter worth $12,926,000. Institutional investors own 81.33% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on MA shares. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $435.00 to $440.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. KeyCorp boosted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $425.00 to $430.00 in a research note on Monday, April 24th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $438.00 to $440.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Tigress Financial boosted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $472.00 to $476.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $392.00 to $404.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nineteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $422.04.

Mastercard Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of MA stock traded up $3.98 on Tuesday, reaching $396.14. The company had a trading volume of 828,412 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,811,319. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.84. The stock has a market cap of $375.48 billion, a PE ratio of 39.19, a PEG ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a 50-day moving average of $379.53 and a 200-day moving average of $369.08. Mastercard Incorporated has a 12 month low of $276.87 and a 12 month high of $396.84.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The credit services provider reported $2.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.71 by $0.09. Mastercard had a return on equity of 169.12% and a net margin of 42.33%. The business had revenue of $5.75 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.64 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.76 EPS. Mastercards quarterly revenue was up 11.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 12.24 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 9th. Investors of record on Friday, July 7th will be given a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.58%. Mastercards dividend payout ratio is presently 22.78%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Mastercard news, insider Raj Seshadri sold 5,164 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $373.24, for a total transaction of $1,927,411.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 11,164 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,166,851.36. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 125,816 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $386.28, for a total value of $48,600,204.48. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 100,437,277 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $38,796,911,359.56. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, insider Raj Seshadri sold 5,164 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $373.24, for a total value of $1,927,411.36. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 11,164 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,166,851.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 547,243 shares of company stock valued at $209,102,122 in the last quarter. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Mastercard Company Profile

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. It facilitates the processing of payment transactions, including authorization, clearing, and settlement, as well as delivers other payment-related products and services.

Further Reading

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KeyCorp (NYSE:KEY  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, July 11th, RTT News reports. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 29th will be paid a dividend of 0.205 per share by the financial services provider on Friday, September 15th. This represents a $0.82 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.27%.

KeyCorp has raised its dividend by an average of 3.6% annually over the last three years and has increased its dividend annually for the last 11 consecutive years. KeyCorp has a payout ratio of 53.2% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect KeyCorp to earn $1.50 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.82 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 54.7%.

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KeyCorp Stock Performance

Shares of KEY stock traded up $0.42 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $9.92. The companys stock had a trading volume of 25,177,424 shares, compared to its average volume of 21,578,402. The stock has a market cap of $9.28 billion, a PE ratio of 5.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.23. KeyCorp has a 12-month low of $8.53 and a 12-month high of $20.30. The company has a 50 day moving average of $9.81 and a 200 day moving average of $13.67. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.92.

Insider Buying and Selling

KeyCorp ( NYSE:KEY Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The financial services provider reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.44. KeyCorp had a return on equity of 15.63% and a net margin of 19.09%. The company had revenue of $1.71 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.80 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.45 earnings per share. KeyCorps revenue for the quarter was up 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that KeyCorp will post 1.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other news, insider Amy G. Brady sold 12,388 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.11, for a total value of $125,242.68. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 106,733 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,079,070.63. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, insider Amy G. Brady sold 12,388 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.11, for a total transaction of $125,242.68. Following the sale, the insider now owns 106,733 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,079,070.63. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Andrew J. Paine III bought 75,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 3rd. The shares were acquired at an average price of $9.78 per share, with a total value of $733,500.00. Following the purchase, the insider now owns 335,414 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,280,348.92. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have bought 85,700 shares of company stock worth $857,507. Company insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of KeyCorp

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in KEY. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in KeyCorp by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 111,201,600 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,488,691,000 after acquiring an additional 1,278,193 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in shares of KeyCorp by 10.3% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 89,759,881 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,123,794,000 after purchasing an additional 8,391,787 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its holdings in shares of KeyCorp by 0.6% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 21,965,131 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $491,578,000 after purchasing an additional 136,741 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in KeyCorp by 5.8% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 15,127,773 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $338,560,000 after buying an additional 834,564 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased its stake in KeyCorp by 21.1% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 13,978,186 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $243,500,000 after buying an additional 2,435,443 shares during the period. 79.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

KEY has been the topic of several research analyst reports. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of KeyCorp in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. TheStreet lowered KeyCorp from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Monday, May 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on KeyCorp from $20.50 to $16.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of KeyCorp from $11.00 to $10.00 in a research note on Friday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of KeyCorp from $20.00 to $17.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $14.87.

About KeyCorp

(Get Free Report)

KeyCorp operates as the holding company for KeyBank National Association that provides various retail and commercial banking products and services in the United States. It operates in two segments, Consumer Bank and Commercial Bank. The company offers various deposits, investment products and services; and personal finance and financial wellness, student loan refinancing, mortgage and home equity, lending, credit card, treasury, business advisory, wealth management, asset management, investment, cash management, portfolio management, and trust and related services to individuals and small and medium-sized businesses.

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Walter & Keenan Wealth Management LLC IN ADV boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 6.8% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 2,144 shares of the credit services providers stock after buying an additional 136 shares during the quarter. Walter & Keenan Wealth Management LLC IN ADVs holdings in Mastercard were worth $779,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates purchased a new stake in Mastercard in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Financial Connections Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Mastercard in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Delta Asset Management LLC TN purchased a new stake in Mastercard in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. EWG Elevate Inc. purchased a new stake in Mastercard in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Legend Financial Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Mastercard in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.33% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Raymond James increased their price objective on Mastercard from $450.00 to $453.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on Mastercard from $392.00 to $404.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Tigress Financial increased their target price on Mastercard from $472.00 to $476.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Mastercard from $438.00 to $440.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Mastercard from $410.00 to $435.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nineteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $422.04.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Mastercard Stock Up 0.6 %

In other Mastercard news, insider Raj Seshadri sold 5,164 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $373.24, for a total value of $1,927,411.36. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 11,164 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,166,851.36. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . In other news, insider Raj Seshadri sold 5,164 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $373.24, for a total value of $1,927,411.36. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,164 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,166,851.36. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . Also, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 125,816 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $381.85, for a total value of $48,042,839.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 99,808,197 shares in the company, valued at $38,111,760,024.45. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last quarter, insiders sold 547,243 shares of company stock valued at $209,102,122. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

MA stock traded up $2.44 on Tuesday, reaching $394.60. 569,176 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,809,309. Mastercard Incorporated has a one year low of $276.87 and a one year high of $396.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.84, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.20. The company has a market cap of $374.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 1.11. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $379.53 and a 200-day simple moving average of $369.08.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The credit services provider reported $2.80 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.71 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $5.75 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.64 billion. Mastercard had a return on equity of 169.12% and a net margin of 42.33%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 11.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.76 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 12.24 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be issued a $0.57 dividend. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.58%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 6th. Mastercards payout ratio is 22.78%.

About Mastercard

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. It facilitates the processing of payment transactions, including authorization, clearing, and settlement, as well as delivers other payment-related products and services.

Further Reading

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3M (NYSE:MMM  Get Free Report) had its target price decreased by equities research analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $110.00 to $100.00 in a research note issued on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Wells Fargo & Companys price objective suggests a potential downside of 1.85% from the companys current price.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Barclays dropped their price objective on 3M from $103.00 to $93.00 in a research note on Monday. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on 3M from $89.00 to $95.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. StockNews.com lowered 3M from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, June 5th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on 3M from $110.00 to $103.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Citigroup cut their target price on 3M from $120.00 to $100.00 in a research report on Monday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and ten have assigned a hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $114.50.

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3M Price Performance

Shares of 3M stock opened at $101.88 on Monday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $99.98 and its 200-day simple moving average is $107.40. 3M has a 52 week low of $92.38 and a 52 week high of $152.30. The company has a market capitalization of $56.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.56, a PEG ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84.

Insider Transactions at 3M

3M ( NYSE:MMM Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The conglomerate reported $1.97 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.60 by $0.37. 3M had a return on equity of 36.48% and a net margin of 16.31%. The company had revenue of $8.03 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.51 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.65 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 9.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that 3M will post 8.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other news, EVP Eric D. Hammes sold 6,487 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.33, for a total transaction of $683,275.71. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 10,430 shares in the company, valued at $1,098,591.90. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, insider Khandpur K. Ashish sold 9,432 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.27, for a total transaction of $936,314.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 20,943 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,079,011.61. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Eric D. Hammes sold 6,487 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.33, for a total transaction of $683,275.71. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 10,430 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,098,591.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.51% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of 3M

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of MMM. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of 3M by 9.3% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 13,132,871 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,567,502,000 after acquiring an additional 1,116,821 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of 3M by 5.7% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 11,474,791 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $1,203,635,000 after purchasing an additional 619,370 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley increased its position in shares of 3M by 8.3% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 10,769,973 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $1,291,535,000 after purchasing an additional 825,223 shares during the last quarter. Flossbach Von Storch AG increased its position in shares of 3M by 5.3% in the 1st quarter. Flossbach Von Storch AG now owns 9,344,091 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $982,157,000 after purchasing an additional 466,291 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp increased its position in shares of 3M by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 7,413,149 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $1,103,670,000 after purchasing an additional 44,714 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.60% of the companys stock.

3M Company Profile

(Get 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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Concord Wealth Partners lowered its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 3.1% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 8,587 shares of the companys stock after selling 274 shares during the quarter. Concord Wealth Partners holdings in Altria Group were worth $383,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Sei Investments Co. grew its stake in Altria Group by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 404,894 shares of the companys stock worth $21,248,000 after buying an additional 6,324 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 5.2% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 18,647 shares of the companys stock valued at $974,000 after acquiring an additional 929 shares during the period. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P acquired a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its stake in Altria Group by 3.4% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 2,711,773 shares of the companys stock worth $141,690,000 after purchasing an additional 89,334 shares during the period. Finally, First Western Trust Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the first quarter worth about $498,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.38% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MO has been the topic of several recent research reports. StockNews.com raised shares of Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 4th. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on shares of Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 13th. They set a buy rating and a $52.00 price target for the company. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price objective on Altria Group from $49.50 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $46.00.

Altria Group Stock Up 0.1 %

NYSE:MO opened at $45.70 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $81.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.68, a P/E/G ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 0.59. The firms 50 day moving average is $45.09 and its two-hundred day moving average is $45.64. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $40.35 and a fifty-two week high of $51.57.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.19 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $4.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.89 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 245.43% and a net margin of 22.44%. Altria Groups quarterly revenue was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.12 earnings per share. 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 announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were given a dividend of $0.94 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.23%. Altria Groups payout ratio is currently 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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Shares of Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS) have earned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the six research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $210.00.

Several research analysts have commented on the company. BCS cut their target price on Barclays from GBX 210 ($2.70) to GBX 190 ($2.44) in a research note on Thursday, July 6th. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded Barclays from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, May 12th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Barclays in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company.

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Barclays Trading Up 2.3 %

Shares of BCS opened at $7.83 on Wednesday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $7.77 and a 200 day moving average of $7.99. Barclays has a fifty-two week low of $5.89 and a fifty-two week high of $9.44. The firm has a market cap of $30.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 4.83 and a beta of 1.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.89, a quick ratio of 1.76 and a current ratio of 1.76.

Institutional Trading of Barclays

Barclays ( NYSE:BCS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The financial services provider reported $0.55 earnings per share for the quarter. Barclays had a return on equity of 7.65% and a net margin of 20.97%. The company had revenue of $8.79 billion during the quarter. As a group, research analysts forecast that Barclays will post 1.74 EPS for the current year.

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Advisors Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Barclays by 5.4% during the 4th quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 23,824 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $186,000 after acquiring an additional 1,228 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Barclays by 9.3% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 15,515 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $112,000 after buying an additional 1,320 shares in the last quarter. Advisor Partners II LLC raised its holdings in shares of Barclays by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. Advisor Partners II LLC now owns 77,692 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $559,000 after buying an additional 1,326 shares in the last quarter. Park National Corp OH raised its holdings in shares of Barclays by 13.3% during the 1st quarter. Park National Corp OH now owns 11,609 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $83,000 after buying an additional 1,361 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Covenant Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Barclays by 1.6% during the 4th quarter. Covenant Partners LLC now owns 95,341 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $744,000 after buying an additional 1,503 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 3.29% of the companys stock.

About Barclays

(Get Free Report

Barclays PLC provides various financial services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates through two segments, Barclays UK and Barclays International divisions. It offers financial services, such as retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management services.

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AngloGold Ashanti Limited (NYSE:AU  Get Free Report) shot up 6% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $21.64 and last traded at $21.63. 1,457,571 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 52% from the average session volume of 3,061,524 shares. The stock had previously closed at $20.40.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on AU. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of AngloGold Ashanti in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Investec lowered shares of AngloGold Ashanti from a buy rating to a sell rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of AngloGold Ashanti from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, March 30th.

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AngloGold Ashanti Trading Up 7.3 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a current ratio of 2.43. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $23.88 and its 200 day simple moving average is $22.50.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AngloGold Ashanti

AngloGold Ashanti ( NYSE:AU Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, June 23rd. The mining company reported $0.16 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $1.03 billion for the quarter. On average, research analysts anticipate that AngloGold Ashanti Limited will post 1.62 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main increased its position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 89.1% in the 4th quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 1,475 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 695 shares during the last quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Destiny Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of AngloGold Ashanti in the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 30.9% in the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 2,194 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 518 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ronald Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of AngloGold Ashanti by 664.4% in the 4th quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 3,646 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 3,169 shares in the last quarter. 24.20% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AngloGold Ashanti Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

AngloGold Ashanti Limited operates as a gold mining company in Africa, the Americas, and Australia. The company explores for gold. Its flagship property is a 100% owned Geita project located in the Lake Victoria goldfields of the Mwanza region in north-western Tanzania. The company also owns 100% interest in the Iduapriem mine which covers 137 square kilometers located in the western region of Ghana; Obuasi project located in Ghana; AGA Mineracao in Brazil; Serra Grande located in central Brazil in the state of Goias; Greenfield Projects in the Beatty district in Nevada; and Sunrise Dam in Australia.

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Bank of London founder Anthony Watson (The Bank of London)

The Bank of London is to hire 300 staff and formally applied to the EU for a banking licence, it said today, as it embarked on a major expansion across Europe.

The bank said it would set up a base in Luxembourg as part of a 200 million euro (170 million) investment that would see it build a workforce of 300 in the country over five years.

The Bank of London, powered by its patented technologies, has a unique business model that actively protects its depositors funds by never lending, leveraging or investing these deposits, the bank said.

By choosing Luxembourg as its EU headquarters, there is an exciting opportunity to offer Luxembourg and the broader EU market a new global digital clearing ecosystem for financial institutions and corporate commercial clients.

Bank of London founder Anthony Watson said: Luxembourg is the logical choice for us to build out our offering across the EU, and marks the latest step in our international growth strategy and follows the successful rollout of our banking solutions across the UK.

The plans make the Bank of London the latest London fintech to be eyeing European expansion after there were reports that Monzo is preparing a bid to merge with its Nordic rival Lunar.

The mobile bank is holding discussions with Denmark-based Lunar over the terms of the deal, according to a report by Bloomberg. It is also considering other acquisitions in Europe.

Lunar, a digital bank with over 650,000 users across Denmark, Sweden and Norway, hit a valuation of $2.2 billion after a fresh funding round last year, while Monzos valuation reached $4.5 billion in 2021.

Monzo declined to comment.

The Bank of Londons hopes for an EU license come as a growing number of London fintechs complain of difficulties seeking regulatory approval in the UK.

Approvals for fintech firms plunged to fresh lows in 2022, the Standard revealed earlier this week, as the UKs financial watchdog mounted a draconian crackdown on Londons fintech sector.

The approval rate of applications for Electronic Money Institution status, required for processing digital cash payments, fell to just 8% in 2022, figures obtained from the Financial Conduct Authority via a Freedom of Information request show, amounting to just 33 approvals. That compares to an approval rate of 90% in 2018 and a rate of 47% in 2021.

The Bank of London was founded in 2021 by entrepreneur Anthony Watson, who has a net worth of 307 million according to the Evening Standard Tech Rich List.

The bank made headlines earlier this year when it unveiled plans to acquire the UK arm of the now-defunct Silicon Valley Bank, before being pipped to the post by a rival bid from HSBC, who has since renamed the entity HSBC Innovation Banking.
StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Ashford (NYSEAMERICAN:AINC  Free Report) in a report published on Saturday morning. The brokerage issued a buy rating on the financial services providers stock.

Separately, B. Riley lowered their price objective on Ashford from $15.00 to $10.00 in a research report on Monday, May 22nd.

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Ashford Price Performance

Shares of Ashford stock opened at $9.52 on Friday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $10.09 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $12.01. Ashford has a 1 year low of $9.20 and a 1 year high of $19.70. The company has a market capitalization of $29.65 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.00 and a beta of 2.00.

Institutional Trading of Ashford

Ashford ( NYSEAMERICAN:AINC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The financial services provider reported $1.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.24 by $0.30. Ashford had a negative return on equity of 21.27% and a net margin of 1.60%. The business had revenue of $185.12 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $179.40 million. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Ashford will post 5.75 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in Ashford stock. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Ashford Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:AINC  Free Report) by 5.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 17,369 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 883 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC owned about 0.56% of Ashford worth $241,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 14.24% of the companys stock.

About Ashford

(Get Free Report)

Ashford, Inc is an asset management firm. The firm provides investment management and related services to the real estate and hospitality sectors. Ashford, Inc was formed on April 2, 2014 and is based in Dallas, Texas. Ashford Inc(NYSEAM:AINC) operates independently of Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc as of November 5, 2019.

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Azarga Metals Corp. (CVE:AZR  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as C$0.09 and last traded at C$0.09, with a volume of 2401 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at C$0.10.

Azarga Metals Stock Performance

The stocks fifty day moving average price is C$0.03 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$0.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 208.67, a quick ratio of 0.15 and a current ratio of 0.09. The company has a market cap of C$1.77 million, a P/E ratio of -5.00 and a beta of 0.94.

About Azarga Metals

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Azarga Metals Corp. engages in the exploration and development of mineral resource projects in Russia. It owns a 100% interest in the Unkur copper-silver project located in the Zabaikalsky administrative region in eastern Russia; and the Marg copper project located in the Yukon Territory, Canada. The company was formerly known as European Uranium Resources Ltd.

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Concord Wealth Partners increased its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 42.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 13,092 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 3,910 shares during the quarter. Concord Wealth Partners holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $907,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of BMY. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. GoalVest Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. purchased a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Live Oak Investment Partners purchased a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Finally, First Personal Financial Services boosted its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 67.8% during the 1st quarter. First Personal Financial Services now owns 495 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. 74.57% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Bristol-Myers Squibb

In other news, EVP Rupert Vessey sold 50,385 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.06, for a total transaction of $3,378,818.10. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 47,751 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,202,182.06. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.08% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Up 0.5 %

BMY has been the topic of several recent research reports. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $65.00 to $64.00 in a research report on Tuesday. SVB Securities initiated coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Monday. They issued a market perform rating and a $66.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock. SVB Leerink reissued a market perform rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Monday. Finally, Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $82.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, April 21st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $76.73.

Shares of NYSE:BMY opened at $62.78 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.42. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1 year low of $62.12 and a 1 year high of $81.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $131.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.30, a PEG ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 0.43. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $65.42 and a 200-day simple moving average of $68.68.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.98 by $0.07. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 51.75% and a net margin of 15.95%. The business had revenue of $11.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.50 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.96 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be issued a $0.57 dividend. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.63%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is presently 66.47%.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Profile

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR  Free Report) by 2.2% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 16,975 shares of the business services providers stock after buying an additional 373 shares during the quarter. Broadridge Financial Solutions accounts for 0.6% of Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest position. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions were worth $2,488,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 10.7% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 8,155 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,270,000 after buying an additional 788 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS raised its stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 6.8% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 15,625 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $2,433,000 after purchasing an additional 992 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. lifted its holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 126.2% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 3,384 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $527,000 after purchasing an additional 1,888 shares in the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board grew its holdings in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 1,851.9% during the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 527 shares of the business services providers stock worth $82,000 after buying an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH raised its position in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 13.2% in the first quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 12,722 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,981,000 after buying an additional 1,487 shares during the last quarter. 89.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently issued reports on BR. Royal Bank of Canada initiated coverage on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a research note on Monday, April 24th. They set an outperform rating and a $169.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com began coverage on Broadridge Financial Solutions in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $161.40.

Insider Transactions at Broadridge Financial Solutions

Broadridge Financial Solutions Trading Up 0.3 %

In other Broadridge Financial Solutions news, Director Leslie A. Brun sold 6,900 shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.98, for a total value of $1,027,962.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 59,916 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,926,285.68. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink . In other Broadridge Financial Solutions news, Director Leslie A. Brun sold 6,900 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.98, for a total value of $1,027,962.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 59,916 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,926,285.68. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . Also, SVP Robert Schifellite sold 15,695 shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $152.59, for a total value of $2,394,900.05. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 50,314 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,677,413.26. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 27,397 shares of company stock worth $4,162,229 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock.

BR stock traded up $0.55 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $166.90. 17,765 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 565,880. Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. has a 1-year low of $131.35 and a 1-year high of $183.33. The company has a current ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.04. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.69 billion, a PE ratio of 35.70 and a beta of 1.02. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $156.02 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $147.32.

Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE:BR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The business services provider reported $2.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.01 by $0.04. Broadridge Financial Solutions had a net margin of 9.33% and a return on equity of 40.29%. The firm had revenue of $1.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.65 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.93 EPS. Broadridge Financial Solutionss revenue was up 7.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will post 6.9 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 6th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were paid a dividend of $0.725 per share. This represents a $2.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.74%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 14th. Broadridge Financial Solutionss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 62.23%.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Profile

(Free Report)

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions.

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BT Group (OTCMKTS:BTGOF  Get Free Report) had its price target decreased by Morgan Stanley from GBX 260 ($3.34) to GBX 240 ($3.09) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

BTGOF has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of BT Group from GBX 240 ($3.09) to GBX 225 ($2.89) in a report on Friday, May 19th. Berenberg Bank reduced their target price on shares of BT Group from GBX 160 ($2.06) to GBX 150 ($1.93) in a report on Tuesday, May 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their target price on shares of BT Group from GBX 150 ($1.93) to GBX 145 ($1.87) in a report on Tuesday, June 20th. UBS Group cut shares of BT Group from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 27th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of BT Group from GBX 275 ($3.54) to GBX 280 ($3.60) in a research report on Friday, April 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, BT Group currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $183.33.

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BT Group Stock Performance

OTCMKTS BTGOF traded down $0.02 on Wednesday, hitting $1.55. The stock had a trading volume of 2,794 shares, compared to its average volume of 39,452. BT Group has a 52-week low of $1.25 and a 52-week high of $2.31. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $1.75 and a 200-day moving average of $1.71.

About BT Group

BT Group plc provides communications products and services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through Consumer, Enterprise, Global, and Openreach segments. The company builds, owns, and operates fixed and mobile networks; and designs, builds, markets, sells, and supports network access, connectivity, and related solutions.

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The Chiba Bank, Ltd. (OTCMKTS:CHBAY  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $37.38 and last traded at $37.38, with a volume of 0 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $37.38.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Daiwa Capital Markets downgraded 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 simple moving average is $37.38 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $36.17.

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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Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (NYSEARCA:IQLT  Free Report) by 24.1% during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 58,798 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 11,428 shares during the quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF were worth $2,136,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $45,000. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. raised its position in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF by 82.6% in the 4th quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 1,536 shares of the companys stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 695 shares during the period. Private Trust Co. NA raised its position in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF by 177.1% in the 1st quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 1,940 shares of the companys stock worth $68,000 after purchasing an additional 1,240 shares during the period. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $71,000. Finally, Money Concepts Capital Corp purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $72,000.

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iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF Price Performance

iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF stock opened at $35.07 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.88 and a beta of 0.87. The companys 50-day moving average is $35.46 and its 200 day moving average is $34.90. iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF has a 1-year low of $27.02 and a 1-year high of $36.45.

About iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF

The iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap stocks in developed countries, outside of the US. The index is selected and weighted for exposure to fundamental quality metrics.

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Clough Global Opportunities Fund (NYSEAMERICAN:GLO  Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Tuesday, July 11th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 18th will be given a dividend of 0.0483 per share by the investment management company on Thursday, August 31st. This represents a $0.58 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 11.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 17th.

Clough Global Opportunities Fund has increased its dividend by an average of 2.5% annually over the last three years.

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Clough Global Opportunities Fund Stock Up 2.5 %

Shares of Clough Global Opportunities Fund stock opened at $5.00 on Wednesday. Clough Global Opportunities Fund has a 52-week low of $4.54 and a 52-week high of $7.93.

Insider Activity at Clough Global Opportunities Fund

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other news, insider Charles Clough, Jr. bought 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $4.81 per share, with a total value of $48,100.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 225,445 shares in the company, valued at $1,084,390.45. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . In related news, insider Charles Clough, Jr. purchased 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 15th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $4.94 per share, for a total transaction of $98,800.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now directly owns 255,445 shares in the company, valued at $1,261,898.30. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, insider Charles Clough, Jr. bought 10,000 shares of Clough Global Opportunities Fund stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $4.81 per share, with a total value of $48,100.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now directly owns 225,445 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,084,390.45. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . In the last quarter, insiders have bought 45,000 shares of company stock valued at $218,300.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in GLO. Centaurus Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in Clough Global Opportunities Fund by 96.3% during the 1st quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. now owns 259,182 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $2,439,000 after purchasing an additional 127,121 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in Clough Global Opportunities Fund by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 2,728,129 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $13,832,000 after acquiring an additional 90,025 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in Clough Global Opportunities Fund by 310.4% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 103,537 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $506,000 after acquiring an additional 78,311 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new position in Clough Global Opportunities Fund in the 1st quarter valued at $507,000. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new position in Clough Global Opportunities Fund in the 4th quarter valued at $165,000.

About Clough Global Opportunities Fund

(Get Free Report)

Clough Global Opportunities Fund is a closed ended balanced mutual fund launched and managed by Clough Capital Partners L.P. It invests in public equity and fixed income markets across the globe. The fund invests in securities of companies operating across diversified sectors. For its fixed income portion, the fund invests in both investment grade and non-investment grade issues.

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Commonwealth Bank of Australia (OTCMKTS:CMWAY  Get Free Report) shares fell 0.4% during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $65.84 and last traded at $66.22. 25,923 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 35% from the average session volume of 39,591 shares. The stock had previously closed at $66.51.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Price Performance

The business has a fifty day moving average of $65.83 and a 200 day moving average of $68.17.

About Commonwealth Bank of Australia

(Get Free Report)

Commonwealth Bank of Australia provides integrated financial services in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. It operates through Retail Banking Services, Business Banking, Institutional Banking and Markets, and New Zealand segments. The company offers transaction, savings, and foreign currency accounts; term deposits; personal and business loans; overdrafts; equipment finance; credit cards; international payment and trade; and private banking services, as well as home and car loans.

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Cooper Companies (NYSE:COO  Get Free Report) had its target price upped by analysts at Citigroup from $431.00 to $440.00 in a note issued to investors on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Citigroups price objective indicates a potential upside of 14.99% from the stocks current price.

Several other analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Cooper Companies in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on shares of Cooper Companies from $380.00 to $420.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 16th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Cooper Companies in a report on Tuesday, May 30th. They set an equal weight rating and a $410.00 price objective on the stock. TheStreet cut shares of Cooper Companies from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Friday, June 16th. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Cooper Companies from $385.00 to $400.00 in a report on Friday, June 2nd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $395.00.

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Cooper Companies Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of COO opened at $382.63 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $18.94 billion, a PE ratio of 65.97, a P/E/G ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.91. Cooper Companies has a 1 year low of $244.21 and a 1 year high of $395.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 1.69. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $374.48 and its 200-day simple moving average is $359.31.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Cooper Companies

Cooper Companies ( NYSE:COO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June 1st. The medical device company reported $3.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.04 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $877.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $865.81 million. Cooper Companies had a net margin of 8.41% and a return on equity of 8.18%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.24 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Cooper Companies will post 12.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Profit Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Cooper Companies by 6.1% during the 2nd quarter. Profit Investment Management LLC now owns 986 shares of the medical device companys stock worth $378,000 after purchasing an additional 57 shares during the period. Czech National Bank grew its holdings in shares of Cooper Companies by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 5,854 shares of the medical device companys stock worth $2,245,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC grew its holdings in shares of Cooper Companies by 117.3% during the 2nd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 3,031 shares of the medical device companys stock worth $1,162,000 after purchasing an additional 1,636 shares during the period. AMF Tjanstepension AB purchased a new stake in shares of Cooper Companies during the 2nd quarter worth about $1,802,000. Finally, Prelude Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Cooper Companies during the 1st quarter worth about $330,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.36% of the companys stock.

Cooper Companies Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The Cooper Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and markets contact lens wearers. The company operates in two segments, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. The CooperVision segment provides spherical lense, including lenses that correct near and farsightedness; and toric and multifocal lenses comprising lenses correcting vision challenges, such as astigmatism, presbyopia, myopia, ocular dryness and eye fatigues in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.

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Best Egg, one of Delaware's leading financial services technology companies, has made its first change in leadership.

Jeffrey Meiler, the founder of the online lending startup in 2014, resigned as CEO late last month. Best Egg announced Paul Ricci, the company's CFO, as his replacement on June 27.

"[Meiler's] decision to resign was difficult, but ultimately driven by his belief that it was in his and the company's best interest to hand over the reins to the leadership team to guide Best Egg into its next phase of growth," Jack Klinck, executive chair of Best Egg's board of directors, said in a statement.

Ricci has served as Best Egg's CFO in two stints. He was the company's founding CFO from 2014 to 2017. He then left to be the CFO at Epic Research, another Wilmington startup. Ricci returned as CFO in 2020. He worked for Barclays for several years earlier in his career.

The Best Egg office on Silverside Road in Talleyville on July 11, 2023. Best Egg moved here in 2021.

Ricci is taking over a company that experienced significant growth in 2022. Best Egg originated $7.5 billion in personal loans, an increase of 59% from the year prior, and recorded $61 million in pre-provision net revenue, up 49%, according to the company. More than half of the 2.7 million accounts on the Best Egg platform were registered in 2022.

In March 2022, Best Egg raised $225 million in equity capital.

Best Egg moved into an office on Silverside Road in Talleyville constructed by the Buccini/Pollin Group in 2021. In the last year, they've more than doubled their employee count to about 900. Employees can work remotely or in office.

PREVIOUS REPORTING: Why one of Delaware's promising companies chose the suburbs over Wilmington

Best Egg's expanding products

Until June 1, Best Egg was only the product platform belonging to parent company Marlette Funding. Marlette took on the Best Egg name to strengthen the company's brand identity.

Best Egg launched as a platform that used machine-learning algorithms to arrange personal loans for people with low savings. Although personal loans are still a big part of the business, Best Egg has since expanded into several other product lines.

Best Egg CEO Paul Ricci. Ricci took over as the fIntech's CEO in June 2023. He was the company's founding CFO.

In 2021, the company started a credit card program designed to help people build back credit. Best Egg's also now offers secured loans  it launched a vehicle equity loan last month  and a flexible rent program available through payment platforms AppFolio and MRI.

The products all aim to use technology to serve people overlooked by traditional financial institutions in a highly-tailored manner.

"It's all with the lens of let's understand the customer: people who are utilizing these products to manage their cash flow and get to better outcomes so that they feel more confident in how they're managing their finances," Ricci told Delaware Online/The News Journal in an interview Tuesday.

Q&A with Best Egg CEO Paul Ricci

Questions and answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

Question: You've had two different stints with Best Egg. What brought you back the second time and what did you observe in your time away from the company as it continued to grow?

Answer: I've done four startups in my career so that's something that gives me a lot of energy. I love building businesses from the start, from the ground up, working with a team to do that. So I had an opportunity to go do another business  a business I had actually started before joining Marlette  I rejoined that business to help drive its sort of second phase. But, I'd say the reason I came back is it's just pretty hard to replicate the special stuff that we have here at Best Egg in terms of the people that we work with. We're all rowing in the same direction and care about one another. I missed that almost immediately.

As far as what changed in the almost three years that I was gone, I'd say when you're in the early stages of a company it's all very scrappy and you're really focused on delivering product into the market and really trying to meet your investor goals and profitability targets. I think that the thing that developed most when I was away was this focus on the customer. If you focus on customer outcomes it's going to drive better business outcomes. That was really not a well-developed discipline in my first phase here.

Employees are provided with numerous work stations and work rooms at Best Egg's offices in Wilmington, Del. Tuesday, May 3, 2022.

As someone who has been involved in multiple startups, how do you describe or define what phase Best Egg is now in? It's clearly made a mark and has grown significantly in the last couple of years in terms of products and also employee count. Where do you see Best Egg if you had to categorize it?

We're at the point where we have a mature, very profitable personal loan business that we started with. That is a great product that serves our customers well, but as you mentioned we've now added several new products over the past three years and introduced two new ones this year. So really we're developing and trying to grow new products the way that we did when we were first starting the personal loan business. We've got to keep serving our customers with that product, but innovating and driving the other products to scale. It's interesting to navigate different products at different stages in their life cycle.

Are there certain products that you see well-positioned for future growth? Is there a focus among the many different offerings you have?

I think we've got a pretty full agenda with all of those new products that are developing right now. I'm pretty excited about seeing how each of them matures and scales over the next one to two years.

I always think we need to have a road map of once we're ready, what's the next product that's going to be the most impactful to the customer and then start to invest in those products down the road. But, as of right now, I think we really have a pretty exciting set of products that we have to continue to invest in and get to scale.

How do you define your target customer?

Our target customers are people with limited savings so we're designing each of the products to deliver value to them. So even starting with the unsecured personal loan product that we started with, the thought there was people with limited savings are using credit cards and have largely built up credit card debt across a bunch of different credit cards over time. That product helps them manage that debt in a way where it's transparent, simple, fixed-monthly payment that will help them pay that debt over time. It's much easier to manage, much easier for them to develop confidence in their own management of their financial lives by using that product.

And then each of the products that we've introduced along the way have had that theme to it. So how are we designing this to help people with limited savings get more confident in how they are navigating their financial lives? A credit card that's very transparent, very easy to understand, gives them a reward for using the card in a responsible way. The vehicle equity loan that we just launched: how can we give another personal loan offering that allows people to leverage the equity they've built up in their car to get access to credit that they otherwise wouldn't necessarily get at terms that are better than they would otherwise be able to get in the marketplace?

Offices at Best Egg's location in Wilmington, Del. Tuesday, May 3, 2022.

Do you think this is an underserved portion of the market comparing against legacy or larger institutions? Are there other groups in this space you're competing against?

I do think that the traditional banks focus their energy on the customers that can bring the most deposits into their business and by definition that's not going to be people with limited savings. So I think these folks have been poorly served by the incumbent financial services players over time. The fintech industry has done a better job of kind of understanding this customer segment better, leveraging better data and tools to serve them with products that are tailored to them.

As I think about the competitors that we're really competing against to serve this customer, it's not the large banks. It's the other fintech players in this space that have identified this gap in how folks were being served by traditional financial institutions.

Delaware has a history with the credit card industry. Have you gotten a lot of people from those long-time employers and are those skills transferrable to Best Egg and the fintech space?

We definitely have. One of the strengths of the area is how much deep experience there is in consumer credit and consumer financial services from the credit card companies that are here.

That experience is great, particularly as you're thinking about data analytics and credit and operations. But consumer finance companies have to diversify that experience and bring people in that have different experiences across more product-driven organizations, technology-driven organizations. So we've tried to bring in people who have a variety of experience outside of consumer financial services in Wilmington. I think that combination of experiences has been pretty powerful.

Views from Best Egg's offices in Wilmington, Del. Tuesday, May 3, 2022.

In June, Marlette took on the Best Egg name. What went into that decision?

It's another exciting development. I think when we had a corporate brand that was different from the customer-facing brand, it implied intentionally or not that we were speaking to customers with a different voice than how we were speaking to employees or investors and shareholders. And that really was not the case. With one brand, with Best Egg being the brand, it just solidifies this is who we are, this is how we are going to speak to our various stakeholders.

It was also inefficient from a brand investment perspective, that we were splitting our investment across two different brands. I think it was somewhat long overdue, but I think it was exciting that we made that change recently.

Was there a reason that the two existed separate at first? Was there thought that there would be other products that would take on another name?

The original concept was that potentially we would have different brands for different products and services. As we got smarter, as we evolved, we realized that that doesn't make sense. You have to lean into a brand. We're presenting ourselves in a certain way to the customer regardless of what product we're offering to them. It was just a legacy of some early thinking that didn't play out and ultimately this is just a bunch better, natural way to go.

Best Egg's offices in Wilmington, Del. Tuesday, May 3, 2022.

Best Egg corporate timeline

June 2023: Marlette Holdings becomes Best Egg, vehicle equity loan product launches and Paul Ricci takes over as CEO, replacing Jeffrey Meiler.

Dec. 2022: Best Egg acquires flexible rent platform Till. By April of the following year, the flexible rent platform would be integrated in property management software AppFolio and MRI, allowing renters to divide rent payments into smaller, more manageable amounts throughout the month.

Nov. 2022: The Best Egg financial platform unveils a rebrand, introducing an interlocking B and E logo.

March 2022: Best Egg raises $225 million in equity capital.

Dec. 2021: Best Egg introduces a free financial health platform. The platform offers credit report alerts, a credit score simulator, financial calculators and budgeting tools.

Nov. 2021: Best Egg marks millionth personal loan account.

June 2021: Best Egg launches its first credit card product and celebrates the grand opening of a three-story office at 3419 Silverside Rd.

May 2020: Best Egg launches secured loan product called the Nested Loan.

July 2015: Best Egg raises $75 million in equity capital.

March 2014: Marlette Funding launches the online loan platform Best Egg.

Contact Brandon Holveck at bholveck@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @holveck_brandon.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Best Egg CEO Paul Ricci talks fintech's future, credit cards and loans
Insurance Australia Group (OTCMKTS:IAUGY  Get Free Report) and Kinsale Capital Group (NYSE:KNSL  Get Free Report) are both financial services companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, institutional ownership, risk, dividends, analyst recommendations and profitability.

Dividends

Insurance Australia Group pays an annual dividend of $1.86 per share and has a dividend yield of 9.9%. Kinsale Capital Group pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.2%. Insurance Australia Group pays out 69.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Kinsale Capital Group pays out 7.1% 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. Kinsale Capital Group has raised its dividend for 7 consecutive years.

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Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Insurance Australia Group and Kinsale Capital Group, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Insurance Australia Group 0 1 1 0 2.50 Kinsale Capital Group 0 2 3 0 2.60

Profitability

Kinsale Capital Group has a consensus target price of $359.00, indicating a potential downside of 3.43%. Given Kinsale Capital Groups stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Kinsale Capital Group is more favorable than Insurance Australia Group.

This table compares Insurance Australia Group and Kinsale Capital Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Insurance Australia Group N/A N/A N/A Kinsale Capital Group 20.44% 28.34% 7.67%

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Insurance Australia Group and Kinsale Capital Groups top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Insurance Australia Group N/A N/A N/A $2.68 7.00 Kinsale Capital Group $819.20 million 10.51 $159.11 million $7.90 47.06

Kinsale Capital Group has higher revenue and earnings than Insurance Australia Group. Insurance Australia Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Kinsale Capital Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

86.4% of Kinsale Capital Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 6.0% of Kinsale Capital Group shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Kinsale Capital Group beats Insurance Australia Group on 13 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Insurance Australia Group

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Insurance Australia Group Limited underwrites general insurance products and provides investment management services in Australia and New Zealand. It offers personal and commercial insurance products, including bicycle, comprehensive motor, commercial and motor fleet, commercial property and liability, construction and engineering, consumer credit, compulsory third party, directors and officers, extended warranty, farm, crop, livestock, home and contents, income protection, marine, veteran, vintage and classic car, boat, caravan, travel, life, professional indemnity, public and product liability, security, workers' compensation, motor vehicle, business, and rural and horticultural, as well as reinsurance. The company sells its products through branches and agencies, call centers, online facilities, brokers, agents, authorized representatives, and financial institutions; and third parties under the NRMA Insurance, SGIO, SGIC, RACV, CGU, ROLLiN, WFI, Swann Insurance, NZI, State, AMI, Lumley, and Coles Insurance brands. The company was formerly known as NRMA Insurance Group Limited and changed its name to Insurance Australia Group Limited in 2002. Insurance Australia Group Limited was founded in 1920 and is based in Sydney, Australia.

About Kinsale Capital Group

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Kinsale Capital Group, Inc., a specialty insurance company, provides property and casualty insurance products in the United States. The company's commercial lines offerings include construction, small business, excess and general casualty, commercial property, allied health, life sciences, energy, environmental, health care, inland marine, public entity, and commercial insurance, as well as product, professional, and management liability insurance. It markets and sells its insurance products in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands primarily through a network of independent insurance brokers. Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.

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Hargreaves Lansdown (OTCMKTS:HRGLY  Get Free Report) had its price objective raised by Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from GBX 850 ($10.94) to GBX 880 ($11.32) in a research report issued on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

HRGLY has been the subject of a number of other reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on Hargreaves Lansdown from GBX 785 ($10.10) to GBX 712 ($9.16) in a report on Friday, March 31st. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Hargreaves Lansdown from GBX 1,190 ($15.31) to GBX 1,230 ($15.82) in a report on Wednesday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Hargreaves Lansdown has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $936.75.

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Hargreaves Lansdown Stock Up 2.3 %

Shares of HRGLY stock traded up $0.46 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $20.43. The companys stock had a trading volume of 277 shares, compared to its average volume of 381. Hargreaves Lansdown has a twelve month low of $15.95 and a twelve month high of $23.78. The business has a fifty day moving average of $19.95 and a 200-day moving average of $20.55.

Hargreaves Lansdown Company Profile

Hargreaves Lansdown plc provides investment services for individuals and corporates in the United Kingdom and Poland. The company offers stocks and shares individual savings accounts (ISAs), fund and share accounts, and junior and lifetime ISAs. It also provides pension services, including self-invested personal pensions (SIPP), junior SIPPs, annuities, and drawdown; share dealing services; and fund dealing services.

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Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:DFNM  Free Report) by 7.2% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 158,423 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 10,659 shares during the quarter. Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF comprises 6.8% of Maryland Capital Advisors Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 4th biggest position. Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. owned approximately 1.00% of Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF worth $7,654,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. First Ascent Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $41,775,000. Jane Street Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF by 1,131.9% during the 2nd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 718,009 shares of the companys stock worth $34,515,000 after purchasing an additional 659,723 shares in the last quarter. Rather & Kittrell Inc. raised its stake in shares of Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF by 5,161.1% during the 4th quarter. Rather & Kittrell Inc. now owns 401,581 shares of the companys stock worth $19,200,000 after purchasing an additional 393,948 shares in the last quarter. Asset Planning Corporation bought a new stake in shares of Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $14,739,000. Finally, Confluence Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $11,334,000.

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Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF Stock Performance

DFNM opened at $47.58 on Wednesday. Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF has a 1-year low of $46.44 and a 1-year high of $48.93. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $47.63 and its 200 day simple moving average is $47.93.

Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF Company Profile

The Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF (DFNM) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund is an actively managed ETF that provides exposure to intermediate-term, investment-grade municipal bonds that are exempt from federal income tax. DFNM was launched on Dec 15, 2021 and is managed by Dimensional.

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Employees Retirement System of Texas grew its holdings in Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR  Free Report) by 4.5% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 230,020 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 10,000 shares during the period. Employees Retirement System of Texas owned 0.06% of Equity Residential worth $13,801,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC lifted its holdings in Equity Residential by 7.2% during the 1st quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 13,722 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $840,000 after purchasing an additional 916 shares during the last quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D boosted its holdings in shares of Equity Residential by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 201,133 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $12,068,000 after buying an additional 4,206 shares during the period. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its stake in Equity Residential by 70.3% in the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 2,400 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $144,000 after buying an additional 991 shares during the last quarter. Machina Capital S.A.S. bought a new position in Equity Residential in the 1st quarter valued at about $244,000. Finally, Asset Management One Co. Ltd. lifted its position in Equity Residential by 1.2% during the first quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 752,507 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $45,150,000 after acquiring an additional 8,729 shares during the last quarter. 82.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at Equity Residential

In other Equity Residential news, Director Mark S. Shapiro sold 42,435 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.91, for a total transaction of $2,627,150.85. Following the sale, the director now owns 12,497 shares of the companys stock, valued at $773,689.27. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 1.69% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Equity Residential Price Performance

Equity Residential Dividend Announcement

NYSE EQR traded up $1.03 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $68.54. 138,775 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,007,794. The company has a market cap of $25.97 billion, a PE ratio of 27.78, a P/E/G ratio of 3.55 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a current ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Equity Residential has a fifty-two week low of $54.60 and a fifty-two week high of $80.89. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $63.78 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $62.09.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Monday, June 26th will be given a dividend of $0.6625 per share. This represents a $2.65 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.87%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 23rd. Equity Residentials dividend payout ratio is 109.05%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

EQR has been the topic of several research reports. BMO Capital Markets raised Equity Residential from an underperform rating to a market perform rating and upped their target price for the company from $60.00 to $64.00 in a research report on Monday, June 5th. Raymond James lowered Equity Residential from a market perform rating to an underperform rating in a report on Friday, May 26th. Mizuho dropped their target price on Equity Residential from $72.00 to $68.00 in a report on Friday, May 19th. 3M restated an upgrade rating on shares of Equity Residential in a research note on Friday, June 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on shares of Equity Residential in a research note on Wednesday, March 29th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $62.00 price objective for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have assigned a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Equity Residential has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $70.06.

Equity Residential Company Profile

(Free Report)

Equity Residential is committed to creating communities where people thrive. The Company, a member of the S&P 500, is focused on the acquisition, development and management of residential properties located in and around dynamic cities that attract affluent long-term renters. Equity Residential owns or has investments in 308 properties consisting of 79,597 apartment units, with an established presence in Boston, New York, Washington, DC, Seattle, San Francisco and Southern California, and an expanding presence in Denver, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EQR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR  Free Report).

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Employees Retirement System of Texas cut its stake in Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD  Free Report) by 0.6% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 804,455 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 5,000 shares during the quarter. Prologis accounts for 1.5% of Employees Retirement System of Texas holdings, making the stock its 11th biggest position. Employees Retirement System of Texas owned 0.09% of Prologis worth $100,372,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of PLD. Atwood & Palmer Inc. acquired a new stake in Prologis during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC acquired a new stake in Prologis during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo LLC raised its holdings in Prologis by 4,000.0% during the 4th quarter. Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo LLC now owns 246 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 240 shares during the period. Financial Management Professionals Inc. raised its holdings in Prologis by 69.2% during the 4th quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 269 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 110 shares during the period. Finally, Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Prologis during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Institutional investors own 91.74% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on PLD. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Prologis from $160.00 to $159.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on shares of Prologis from $157.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Mizuho began coverage on shares of Prologis in a report on Monday, March 20th. They issued a buy rating and a $140.00 price objective on the stock. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on shares of Prologis from $125.00 to $133.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, Truist Financial lowered their price objective on shares of Prologis from $140.00 to $135.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 27th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $143.50.

Prologis Trading Up 1.6 %

PLD stock opened at $125.23 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 0.35 and a quick ratio of 0.35. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $123.17 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $122.56. Prologis, Inc. has a one year low of $98.03 and a one year high of $138.86. The stock has a market cap of $115.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.97.

Prologis (NYSE:PLD  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 18th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.50 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.21 by ($0.71). Prologis had a return on equity of 5.54% and a net margin of 41.06%. The company had revenue of $1.77 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.65 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.09 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 64.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Prologis, Inc. will post 5.48 EPS for the current year.

Prologis Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 16th were given a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 15th. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.78%. Prologiss payout ratio is presently 105.14%.

About Prologis

(Free Report)

Prologis, Inc is the global leader in logistics real estate with a focus on high-barrier, high-growth markets. At March 31, 2023, the company owned or had investments in, on a wholly owned basis or through co-investment ventures, properties and development projects expected to total approximately 1.2 billion square feet (113 million square meters) in 19 countries.

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Employees Retirement System of Texas lifted its holdings in Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR  Free Report) by 41.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 211,000 shares of the conglomerates stock after acquiring an additional 62,000 shares during the quarter. Employees Retirement System of Texas holdings in Danaher were worth $53,180,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Concord Wealth Partners raised its stake in Danaher by 391.2% during the 1st quarter. Concord Wealth Partners now owns 727 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $183,000 after buying an additional 579 shares during the period. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Danaher by 18.0% in the 1st quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 9,965 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $2,534,000 after acquiring an additional 1,519 shares in the last quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D grew its holdings in Danaher by 0.4% during the first quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 408,902 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $103,060,000 after purchasing an additional 1,453 shares during the period. TRU Independence Asset Management 2 LLC bought a new position in Danaher during the first quarter worth about $817,000. Finally, Caprock Group LLC grew its holdings in Danaher by 16.8% during the first quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 8,778 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $2,215,000 after purchasing an additional 1,262 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.68% of the companys stock.

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Danaher Stock Performance

NYSE DHR opened at $237.55 on Wednesday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $234.82 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $247.84. The stock has a market cap of $175.29 billion, a PE ratio of 25.61, a PEG ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 0.80. Danaher Co. has a fifty-two week low of $221.22 and a fifty-two week high of $303.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 1.51 and a current ratio of 1.89.

Danaher Announces Dividend

Danaher ( NYSE:DHR Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The conglomerate reported $2.36 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.26 by $0.10. Danaher had a net margin of 22.40% and a return on equity of 16.70%. The firm had revenue of $7.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.06 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.76 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that Danaher Co. will post 9.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 28th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th will be paid a $0.27 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.45%. Danahers dividend payout ratio is 11.64%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on Danaher from $309.00 to $275.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Credit Suisse Group reduced their price objective on Danaher from $300.00 to $270.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Citigroup dropped their price target on shares of Danaher from $325.00 to $300.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Danaher in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Danaher from $270.00 to $260.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $294.88.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Jose-Carlos Gutierrez-Ramos sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $242.19, for a total value of $121,095.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 7,529 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,823,448.51. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Danaher news, SVP Jose-Carlos Gutierrez-Ramos sold 500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $242.19, for a total transaction of $121,095.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 7,529 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,823,448.51. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Georgeann Couchara sold 695 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $245.27, for a total transaction of $170,462.65. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 1,565 shares in the company, valued at approximately $383,847.55. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 34,466 shares of company stock valued at $8,103,781 over the last 90 days. 11.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Danaher

(Free Report)

Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services worldwide. The Biotechnology segments offers bioprocess technologies, consumables, and services; lab filtration, separation, and purification; lab-scale protein purification and analytical tools; reagents, membranes and services; and healthcare filtration solutions.

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Employees Retirement System of Texas acquired a new position in Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 715,000 shares of the medical equipment providers stock, valued at approximately $35,771,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC bought a new stake in Boston Scientific during the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Asset Dedication LLC boosted its position in Boston Scientific by 109.5% during the 1st quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 551 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 288 shares during the last quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. boosted its position in Boston Scientific by 56.7% during the 4th quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 636 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 230 shares during the last quarter. Baldwin Brothers LLC MA acquired a new position in Boston Scientific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Boston Scientific during the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. 92.20% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on BSX shares. Mizuho upped their price target on Boston Scientific from $52.00 to $56.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. Citigroup increased their price objective on Boston Scientific from $54.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, April 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Boston Scientific from $56.00 to $58.00 in a research note on Wednesday. UBS Group began coverage on Boston Scientific in a research note on Tuesday, March 28th. They issued a buy rating and a $57.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their price target on Boston Scientific from $58.00 to $62.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 6th. 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 company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $56.56.

Boston Scientific Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE BSX opened at $52.54 on Wednesday. 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 52 week low of $36.15 and a 52 week high of $54.74. The stock has a market capitalization of $73.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 89.76, a PEG ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.80. The stocks fifty day moving average is $52.70 and its 200 day moving average is $49.69.

Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical equipment provider reported $0.47 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.43 by $0.04. Boston Scientific had a return on equity of 14.57% and a net margin of 6.91%. The company had revenue of $3.39 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.16 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.39 earnings per share. Boston Scientifics revenue was up 12.0% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that Boston Scientific Co. will post 1.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Boston Scientific

In related news, EVP Eric Francis Yves Thepaut sold 83,401 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $52.49, for a total value of $4,377,718.49. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 12,269 shares of the companys stock, valued at $643,999.81. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Joseph Michael Fitzgerald sold 63,339 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.60, for a total transaction of $3,394,970.40. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 213,859 shares in the company, valued at $11,462,842.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Eric Francis Yves Thepaut sold 83,401 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $52.49, for a total value of $4,377,718.49. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 12,269 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $643,999.81. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 176,779 shares of company stock valued at $9,360,777 over the last ninety days. 0.53% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Boston Scientific Company Profile

(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.

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Financial & Tax Architects LLC reduced its stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VWO  Free Report) by 44.5% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 44,850 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 35,991 shares during the quarter. Financial & Tax Architects LLCs holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF were worth $1,812,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 108,287.1% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 296,468,035 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $11,556,324,000 after buying an additional 296,194,508 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 75,901,915 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,958,657,000 after buying an additional 744,035 shares during the period. Betterment LLC grew its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 8.5% in the 4th quarter. Betterment LLC now owns 71,776,690 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,797,855,000 after buying an additional 5,650,398 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 7.5% in the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 55,758,981 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,173,478,000 after buying an additional 3,909,063 shares during the period. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 55,415,031 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,556,296,000 after buying an additional 1,508,810 shares during the period.

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Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Stock Up 1.8 %

Shares of NYSEARCA:VWO traded up $0.72 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $41.67. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,149,506 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,426,371. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $40.42 and a 200-day moving average of $40.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $74.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.00 and a beta of 0.69. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF has a 12-month low of $34.88 and a 12-month high of $43.22.

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Company Profile

The Fund seeks to track the performance of the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index, that measures the return of stocks issued by companies located in emerging market countries.

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Shares of Fubon Financial Holding Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:FUISF  Free Report) are scheduled to split on the morning of Thursday, July 20th. The 1050-1000 split was announced on Thursday, July 20th. The newly minted shares will be payable to shareholders after the market closes on Thursday, July 20th.

Fubon Financial Stock Performance

Shares of Fubon Financial stock opened at $1.29 on Wednesday. Fubon Financial has a 1 year low of $1.15 and a 1 year high of $2.29. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $1.29.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Fubon Financial from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, May 11th.

Fubon Financial Company Profile

Fubon Financial Holding Co, Ltd. provides various financial services in Taiwan, Asia, and internationally. It operates through Bank Business, Insurance Business, Life Insurance Business, Securities Business, and Others segments. The company primarily offers insurance products, including property, casualty, life, health, accident, fire, marine cargo, marine hull fishing vessel, motor, liability, engineering and nuclear, surety and credit, and personal and commercial multiple peril insurance, as well as typhoon, flood, and earthquake insurance products.

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Geneva Partners LLC lowered its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Free Report) by 1.7% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 20,501 shares of the companys stock after selling 350 shares during the quarter. Novo Nordisk A/S accounts for 2.8% of Geneva Partners LLCs holdings, making the stock its 15th biggest holding. Geneva Partners LLCs holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $3,263,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Delta Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Delta Financial Group Inc. now owns 12,557 shares of the companys stock worth $1,998,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the period. Financial Management Professionals Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 27.5% during the 1st quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 301 shares of the companys stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 4.9% during the 1st quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLC now owns 1,551 shares of the companys stock worth $247,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. MGO One Seven LLC lifted its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. MGO One Seven LLC now owns 7,886 shares of the companys stock worth $1,067,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the last quarter. Finally, RENASANT Bank lifted its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 2.7% during the 4th quarter. RENASANT Bank now owns 2,884 shares of the companys stock worth $390,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 6.30% of the companys stock.

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Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Performance

Shares of NVO stock traded up $2.29 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $154.54. The stock had a trading volume of 599,226 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,379,000. The businesss fifty day moving average is $161.78 and its 200-day moving average is $152.07. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. The firm has a market cap of $346.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.07, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.47. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 1-year low of $95.02 and a 1-year high of $172.97.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Novo Nordisk A/S ( NYSE:NVO Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $1.27 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.27. The business had revenue of $7.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.86 billion. Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 77.39% and a net margin of 32.53%. On average, research analysts forecast that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 5.07 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of research firms have commented on NVO. Credit Suisse Group upgraded Novo Nordisk A/S from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. StockNews.com began coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating for the company.

Novo Nordisk A/S Profile

(Free Report)

Novo Nordisk A/S, a healthcare company, engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of pharmaceutical products worldwide. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity care, and Rare Disease. The Diabetes and Obesity care segment provides products in the areas of insulins, GLP-1 and related delivery systems, oral antidiabetic products, obesity, glucagon, needles, and other chronic diseases.

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Best Income Stocks to Buy for July 12th

Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong income characteristics for investors to consider today, July 12th:

Telefonica TEF: This company that provides telecommunications services has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 38.5% over the last 60 days.

Telefonica SA Price and Consensus

Telefonica SA Price and Consensus

Telefonica SA price-consensus-chart | Telefonica SA Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 6%, compared with the industry average of 0.4%.

Telefonica SA Dividend Yield (TTM)

Telefonica SA Dividend Yield (TTM)

Telefonica SA dividend-yield-ttm | Telefonica SA Quote

WisdomTree, Inc. WT: This company that operates as an exchange-traded funds (ETFs) sponsor and asset manager has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 9.4% over the last 60 days.

WisdomTree, Inc. Price and Consensus

WisdomTree, Inc. Price and Consensus

WisdomTree, Inc. price-consensus-chart | WisdomTree, Inc. Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 1.8%, compared with the industry average of 0.0%.

WisdomTree, Inc. Dividend Yield (TTM)

WisdomTree, Inc. Dividend Yield (TTM)

WisdomTree, Inc. dividend-yield-ttm | WisdomTree, Inc. Quote

Griffon Corporation GFF: This company that provides consumer and professional, and home and building products has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 5% over the last 60 days.

Griffon Corporation Price and Consensus

Griffon Corporation Price and Consensus

Griffon Corporation price-consensus-chart | Griffon Corporation Quote

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 1.2%, compared with the industry average of 0.1%.

Griffon Corporation Dividend Yield (TTM)

Griffon Corporation Dividend Yield (TTM)

Griffon Corporation dividend-yield-ttm | Griffon Corporation Quote

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Zacks Investment Research
First Citizens Bancshares (OTC:FIZN  Get Free Report) is one of 292 publicly-traded companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it contrast to its rivals? We will compare First Citizens Bancshares to similar businesses based on the strength of its dividends, risk, institutional ownership, earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations and valuation.

Dividends

First Citizens Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.45 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. First Citizens Bancshares pays out 12.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BanksRegional companies pay a dividend yield of 13.1% and pay out 18.8% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

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Earnings and Valuation

This table compares First Citizens Bancshares and its rivals revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio First Citizens Bancshares N/A N/A 17.43 First Citizens Bancshares Competitors $3.23 billion $803.23 million 246.33

Insider and Institutional Ownership

First Citizens Bancshares rivals have higher revenue and earnings than First Citizens Bancshares. First Citizens Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

0.1% of First Citizens Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 30.6% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held by institutional investors. 14.8% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for First Citizens Bancshares and its rivals, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score First Citizens Bancshares 0 0 0 0 N/A First Citizens Bancshares Competitors 1057 3078 3170 35 2.30

As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 334.24%. Given First Citizens Bancshares rivals higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe First Citizens Bancshares has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals.

Profitability

This table compares First Citizens Bancshares and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets First Citizens Bancshares N/A N/A N/A First Citizens Bancshares Competitors 34.01% 10.14% 0.91%

Summary

First Citizens Bancshares rivals beat First Citizens Bancshares on 9 of the 10 factors compared.

About First Citizens Bancshares

(Get Free Report)

First Citizens Bancshares, Inc., through its subsidiary, First Citizens National Bank, provides various commercial banking services to individuals and corporate customers. The company offers checking and savings deposits, as well as certificates of deposit; and residential, commercial, and consumer lending products. It also provides personal and home loans; and home equity line of credit. In addition, the company provides commercial real estate, construction and facility, equipment financing, residential development and construction, operating loans and lines of credit, and SBA and United States department of agriculture (USDA) loans, as well as debit and credit card services. Further, it offers home purchase and refinancing, and reverse mortgages; mobile, telephone/text, and online banking services; e-statements; investment, insurance, and retirement and benefit services; and trust, overdraft, identity theft protection, and treasury services, as well as safe deposit boxes. First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. was founded in 1889 and is headquartered in Dyersburg, Tennessee.

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Interactive Financial Advisors Inc. lowered its position in SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA:GLD  Free Report) by 19.8% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 12,850 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 3,176 shares during the quarter. SPDR Gold Shares accounts for approximately 1.5% of Interactive Financial Advisors Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest position. Interactive Financial Advisors Inc.s holdings in SPDR Gold Shares were worth $2,354,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in GLD. WESPAC Advisors LLC bought a new stake in SPDR Gold Shares in the first quarter valued at approximately $7,597,000. Tiedemann Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 18.8% during the 1st quarter. Tiedemann Advisors LLC now owns 21,438 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $3,928,000 after buying an additional 3,389 shares in the last quarter. Geneva Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 139.9% during the 1st quarter. Geneva Partners LLC now owns 9,861 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,807,000 after buying an additional 5,751 shares in the last quarter. LS Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 92.9% during the 1st quarter. LS Investment Advisors LLC now owns 37,259 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $6,827,000 after buying an additional 17,939 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Destiny Wealth Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 107.7% during the 1st quarter. Destiny Wealth Partners LLC now owns 5,076 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $930,000 after buying an additional 2,632 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 38.86% of the companys stock.

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SPDR Gold Shares Price Performance

Shares of SPDR Gold Shares stock traded up $2.44 on Wednesday, reaching $181.89. 4,333,286 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,421,267. SPDR Gold Shares has a 52 week low of $150.57 and a 52 week high of $191.36. The firms 50-day moving average is $181.97 and its two-hundred day moving average is $179.31.

SPDR Gold Shares Profile

SPDR Gold Trust (the Trust) is an investment trust. The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion, less the Trusts expenses. The Trusts business activity is the investment of gold. The Trust creates and redeems Shares from time to time, but in one or more Baskets (a Basket equals a block of 100,000 Shares).

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Sunflower Bank N.A. boosted its stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG  Free Report) by 3,861.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 445,616 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 434,366 shares during the period. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF comprises approximately 10.0% of Sunflower Bank N.A.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 3rd biggest position. Sunflower Bank N.A. owned approximately 0.05% of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF worth $44,401,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of AGG. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management grew its holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 145.5% during the 1st quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 6,590 shares of the companys stock worth $705,000 after acquiring an additional 3,906 shares during the period. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 36.2% during the 1st quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 52,003 shares of the companys stock worth $5,570,000 after acquiring an additional 13,829 shares during the period. Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $44,000. Baltimore Washington Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $241,000. Finally, West Michigan Advisors LLC grew its holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC now owns 14,640 shares of the companys stock worth $1,568,000 after acquiring an additional 292 shares during the period. 80.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Stock Performance

Shares of AGG traded up $0.75 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $97.76. The stock had a trading volume of 2,474,559 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,073,551. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $98.23 and a 200-day simple moving average of $98.69. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a 1-year low of $93.20 and a 1-year high of $104.39.

About iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

IShares are index funds that are bought and sold like common stocks on national securities exchanges as well as certain foreign exchanges. iShares are attractive because of their relatively low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account.

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Issuer Direct (NYSE:ISDR  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Saturday. The firm issued a strong-buy rating on the stock.

Several other research firms also recently weighed in on ISDR. Northland Securities lowered their price objective on shares of Issuer Direct from $30.00 to $27.00 in a report on Friday, May 12th. TheStreet downgraded shares of Issuer Direct from a b rating to a c rating in a report on Friday, March 24th.

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Issuer Direct Stock Up 0.2 %

Issuer Direct stock opened at $19.14 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. Issuer Direct has a 12-month low of $17.03 and a 12-month high of $29.20. The firms fifty day moving average is $19.56 and its 200 day moving average is $23.53. The company has a market capitalization of $72.54 million, a PE ratio of 56.29 and a beta of 0.82.

Institutional Trading of Issuer Direct

Issuer Direct ( NYSE:ISDR Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 11th. The company reported $0.26 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.23 by $0.03. Issuer Direct had a net margin of 4.75% and a return on equity of 10.43%. The firm had revenue of $8.62 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.56 million. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Issuer Direct will post 1.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in ISDR. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in Issuer Direct by 6.6% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 42,429 shares of the companys stock worth $1,261,000 after buying an additional 2,626 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Issuer Direct by 0.9% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 167,671 shares of the companys stock worth $4,985,000 after buying an additional 1,487 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its holdings in Issuer Direct by 15.1% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,998 shares of the companys stock worth $238,000 after buying an additional 1,050 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its holdings in Issuer Direct by 25.0% during the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 39,038 shares of the companys stock worth $994,000 after buying an additional 7,800 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its holdings in Issuer Direct by 97.1% during the third quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,867 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 920 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 28.60% of the companys stock.

Issuer Direct Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Issuer Direct Corporation operates as a communications and compliance company, provides solutions for both public relations and investor relations professionals in the United States and internationally. The company provides press release distribution, media databases, media monitoring, and newsrooms through media advantage platform; ACCESSWIRE, a news dissemination and media outreach service; and VisualWebcaster Platform, a cloud-based webcast, webinar, and virtual meeting platform that delivers live and on-demand streaming of events to audiences of various sizes, as well as allows customers to create, produce, and deliver events.

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Shares of John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:JHML  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $55.51 and last traded at $55.50, with a volume of 3070 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $55.06.

John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF Stock Up 0.9 %

The company has a market cap of $766.59 million, a PE ratio of 17.58 and a beta of 1.01. The stocks 50 day moving average is $53.06 and its 200-day moving average is $51.83.

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John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, June 28th were given a dividend of $0.3519 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 27th.

Institutional Trading of John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF Company Profile

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Harbour Investments Inc. bought a new position in John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF in the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. Money Concepts Capital Corp purchased a new stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF in the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Allworth Financial LP purchased a new stake in John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF during the first quarter worth $41,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF by 1,008.0% during the 1st quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 831 shares of the companys stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 756 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FMR LLC boosted its holdings in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF by 34.8% in the 2nd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,341 shares of the companys stock valued at $64,000 after buying an additional 346 shares in the last quarter.

(Get Free Report)

The John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF (JHML) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the John Hancock Dimensional Large Cap index. The fund tracks an index of largest 800 US firms, weighted by multiple factors relative to their sector peers. JHML was launched on Sep 28, 2015 and is managed by John Hancock.

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Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE:KRG  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $23.25 and last traded at $23.10, with a volume of 96529 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $22.91.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on KRG shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in a report on Monday, April 24th. They issued a neutral rating and a $23.00 price objective on the stock. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust from $27.00 to $28.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 21st. Piper Sandler raised their price objective on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust from $26.00 to $28.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in a report on Tuesday, May 23rd. They issued an underweight rating and a $20.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $24.63.

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Kite Realty Group Trust Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 0.92. The stocks 50-day moving average is $20.91 and its 200 day moving average is $20.93. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.06 billion, a PE ratio of 763.92, a P/E/G ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 1.39.

Kite Realty Group Trust Dividend Announcement

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Friday, July 7th will be given a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.16%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. Kite Realty Group Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 3,201.07%.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in Kite Realty Group Trust by 12.4% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 34,531,664 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $722,402,000 after purchasing an additional 3,818,524 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Kite Realty Group Trust by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 32,761,306 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $745,974,000 after purchasing an additional 378,764 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in Kite Realty Group Trust by 15.0% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 13,205,735 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $300,695,000 after purchasing an additional 1,726,009 shares during the last quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. grew its position in Kite Realty Group Trust by 16.6% during the 2nd quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 8,943,429 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $154,637,000 after purchasing an additional 1,275,585 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in Kite Realty Group Trust by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,667,222 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $97,638,000 after purchasing an additional 177,646 shares during the last quarter. 94.48% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Kite Realty Group Trust

(Get Free Report)

Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE: KRG) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) headquartered in Indianapolis, IN that is one of the largest publicly traded owners and operators of open-air shopping centers and mixed-use assets. The Company's primarily grocery-anchored portfolio is located in high-growth Sun Belt and select strategic gateway markets.

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Madison Asset Management LLC cut its stake in shares of Laboratory Co. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH  Free Report) by 0.8% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 286,397 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 2,256 shares during the period. Laboratory Co. of America comprises approximately 1.0% of Madison Asset Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 28th largest position. Madison Asset Management LLC owned approximately 0.32% of Laboratory Co. of America worth $65,705,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Roundview Capital LLC grew its position in Laboratory Co. of America by 1.6% in the first quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 7,793 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $2,055,000 after acquiring an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. LSV Asset Management grew its position in Laboratory Co. of America by 1.2% in the first quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 34,800 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $9,175,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Synovus Financial Corp grew its position in Laboratory Co. of America by 105.7% in the first quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 1,654 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $441,000 after acquiring an additional 850 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. bought a new stake in Laboratory Co. of America in the first quarter worth approximately $213,000. Finally, Sei Investments Co. grew its position in Laboratory Co. of America by 18.9% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 89,167 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $23,543,000 after acquiring an additional 14,186 shares in the last quarter. 87.75% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have commented on LH. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $265.00 to $240.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Truist Financial reduced their price objective on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $285.00 to $275.00 in a research note on Monday, May 1st. Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $260.00 to $235.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Laboratory Co. of America in a research note on Saturday. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Mizuho reduced their price objective on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $277.00 to $257.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 16th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $273.50.

Laboratory Co. of America Price Performance

Shares of LH stock traded up $0.72 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $212.46. The companys stock had a trading volume of 142,327 shares, compared to its average volume of 622,380. Laboratory Co. of America Holdings has a 1-year low of $200.32 and a 1-year high of $263.13. The company has a market cap of $18.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.26 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 1.46 and a current ratio of 1.63. The firms 50-day moving average is $221.87 and its two-hundred day moving average is $231.76.

Laboratory Co. of America (NYSE:LH  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The medical research company reported $3.82 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.99 by ($0.17). Laboratory Co. of America had a return on equity of 15.56% and a net margin of 6.78%. The firm had revenue of $3.78 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.70 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $6.11 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 3.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Laboratory Co. of America Holdings will post 16.83 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Laboratory Co. of America

In other Laboratory Co. of America news, EVP Der Vaart Sandra D. Van sold 212 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total transaction of $50,880.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 7,605 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,825,200. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Laboratory Co. of America news, EVP Der Vaart Sandra D. Van sold 212 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total transaction of $50,880.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 7,605 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,825,200. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, COO Mark S. Schroeder sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $216.77, for a total transaction of $325,155.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 6,687 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,449,540.99. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 6,012 shares of company stock valued at $1,308,748. 0.65% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.

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Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB  Get Free Report) shot up 31.2% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as C$48.23 and last traded at C$43.99. 1,014,689 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 593% from the average session volume of 146,490 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$33.53.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently commented on LB shares. National Bankshares decreased their price objective on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$42.00 to C$39.00 in a report on Thursday, May 18th. Barclays reduced their target price on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$36.00 to C$34.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. CIBC reduced their target price on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$40.00 to C$37.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 16th. Finally, CSFB reduced their target price on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$35.00 to C$32.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of C$39.55.

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Laurentian Bank of Canada Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of C$1.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.50, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.16. The business has a fifty day moving average of C$32.05 and a 200 day moving average of C$32.93.

Laurentian Bank of Canada Increases Dividend

Laurentian Bank of Canada ( TSE:LB Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 1st. The company reported C$1.16 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$1.14 by C$0.02. Laurentian Bank of Canada had a return on equity of 7.69% and a net margin of 21.97%. The firm had revenue of C$257.17 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$261.70 million. On average, equities research analysts expect that Laurentian Bank of Canada will post 4.6947218 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.47 per share. This represents a $1.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.37%. This is a boost from Laurentian Bank of Canadas previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 30th. Laurentian Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio is 40.52%.

About Laurentian Bank of Canada

(Get Free Report)

Laurentian Bank of Canada, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial services to personal, business, and institutional customers in Canada and the United States. It operates through three segments: Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, and Capital Markets. The Personal Banking segment offers financial services, such as financial advisory services to financial intermediaries; and operates digital direct-to-customer platform to retail clients.

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StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Life Storage (NYSE:LSI  Free Report) in a research note released on Saturday. The firm issued a hold rating on the real estate investment trusts stock.

A number of other equities research analysts have also commented on the company. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Life Storage from $140.00 to $145.00 in a research report on Friday, May 12th. Truist Financial raised their price objective on Life Storage from $120.00 to $122.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 15th. Raymond James raised their price objective on Life Storage from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 4th. Wolfe Research downgraded Life Storage from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, KeyCorp lifted their price target on Life Storage from $136.00 to $154.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $128.63.

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Life Storage Trading Up 1.5 %

NYSE:LSI opened at $135.71 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95. Life Storage has a 1-year low of $94.02 and a 1-year high of $146.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.49 and a beta of 0.65. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $131.22 and a 200 day simple moving average of $123.80.

Life Storage Dividend Announcement

Insider Buying and Selling at Life Storage

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 19th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 13th will be paid a $0.90 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 12th. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.65%. Life Storages dividend payout ratio is 111.37%.

In other news, CEO Joseph Saffire sold 5,036 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $131.03, for a total transaction of $659,867.08. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 83,780 shares in the company, valued at $10,977,693.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, Director Arthur L. Havener, Jr. sold 2,625 shares of Life Storage stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.76, for a total value of $335,370.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 14,901 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,903,751.76. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Joseph Saffire sold 5,036 shares of Life Storage stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $131.03, for a total value of $659,867.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 83,780 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,977,693.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 10,161 shares of company stock worth $1,320,037 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.50% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Life Storage

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Life Storage during the 4th quarter worth $295,752,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its position in shares of Life Storage by 902.4% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 2,300,980 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $301,638,000 after buying an additional 2,071,426 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its position in shares of Life Storage by 1,494.0% in the 1st quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,117,891 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $146,544,000 after buying an additional 1,047,760 shares during the last quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. grew its position in shares of Life Storage by 435.4% in the 1st quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 950,897 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $109,867,000 after buying an additional 773,299 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Life Storage by 89.4% in the 2nd quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,545,547 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $172,575,000 after buying an additional 729,587 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.28% of the companys stock.

Life Storage Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Life Storage, Inc is a self-administered and self-managed equity REIT that is in the business of acquiring and managing self-storage facilities. Located in Buffalo, New York, the Company operates more than 1,200 storage facilities in 37 states and the District of Columbia. The Company serves both residential and commercial storage customers with storage units rented by month.

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Dock Street Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 5.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 45,335 shares of the credit services providers stock after buying an additional 2,505 shares during the quarter. Mastercard comprises approximately 3.2% of Dock Street Asset Management Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 9th largest position. Dock Street Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Mastercard were worth $16,475,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MA. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Financial Connections Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Delta Asset Management LLC TN purchased a new stake in Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. EWG Elevate Inc. purchased a new stake in Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Legend Financial Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Mastercard during the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.33% of the companys stock.

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Mastercard Price Performance

MA stock opened at $397.79 on Wednesday. Mastercard Incorporated has a 52-week low of $276.87 and a 52-week high of $398.46. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $379.96 and its 200-day simple moving average is $369.46. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.84. The stock has a market capitalization of $377.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 1.11.

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

Mastercard ( NYSE:MA Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The credit services provider reported $2.80 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.71 by $0.09. Mastercard had a return on equity of 169.12% and a net margin of 42.33%. The firm had revenue of $5.75 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.64 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.76 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 11.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 12.24 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be given a $0.57 dividend. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.57%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. Mastercards dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.78%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Mastercard

In other news, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 125,816 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $386.28, for a total transaction of $48,600,204.48. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 100,437,277 shares of the companys stock, valued at $38,796,911,359.56. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 125,816 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $386.28, for a total transaction of $48,600,204.48. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 100,437,277 shares of the companys stock, valued at $38,796,911,359.56. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Raj Seshadri sold 5,164 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $373.24, for a total value of $1,927,411.36. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 11,164 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,166,851.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 547,243 shares of company stock valued at $209,102,122 over the last three months. 0.13% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have weighed in on MA. Raymond James upped their price target on Mastercard from $450.00 to $453.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on Mastercard from $392.00 to $404.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Credit Suisse Group upped their target price on Mastercard from $390.00 to $400.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. KeyCorp upped their target price on Mastercard from $425.00 to $430.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Mastercard from $438.00 to $440.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nineteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $422.04.

Mastercard Profile

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. It facilitates the processing of payment transactions, including authorization, clearing, and settlement, as well as delivers other payment-related products and services.

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Boards with women and minorities get more attacks from hedge funds, finds study

Office workers

Boards with more female and ethnic minority directors attract higher levels of activist attacks from hedge funds, according to a new study.

Companies with higher levels of diversity at the top level are more likely to be targeted when their businesses run into issues because boards take longer to make decisions and are less unified, according to research from Rotterdam School of Management (RSM).

The study, which examined hedge fund campaigns in the US over a nine year period, found that companies with diverse boards are much more vulnerable to attacks compared to boards with lower levels of gender and ethnic members.

RSM found that companies with governance issues were almost three times more likely to be targeted by activists if they had highly diverse boards. These businesses were almost four times more likely to face activist campaigns if they experienced performance issues.

Dr Emilio Marti, an assistant professor at RSM, said: While demographically diverse boards are more effective under normal circumstances, diverse boards mean that decision-making is slower and that unity may be lower. Both benefit activist hedge funds.

Slow decision-making means that activist hedge funds get a head start in mobilizing other shareholders. And less unity makes it more likely that activist hedge funds can make alliances with some board members.

These benefits make companies with demographically diverse boards attractive targets for activist hedge funds.

Regulators have attempted to boost diversity in City of London boardrooms, which have historically been dominated by white men.

The City watchdog has set out new requirements for UK-listed companies mandating that 40pc of its board of directors and at least one senior board member must be female.

Latest data shows that only 34pc of board members at FTSE 350 companies are women.

One of the highest profile activist raids in the UK in recent years was Elliots attack against pharma giant GSK, which is run by Dame Emma Walmsley.

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.
Northern Financial Advisors Inc reduced its position in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 7.5% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,970 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 241 shares during the period. Northern Financial Advisors Incs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $972,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 1st quarter worth $66,000. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. boosted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 1,505.1% during the 1st quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 41,300 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $13,633,000 after acquiring an additional 38,727 shares in the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 18.5% during the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 118,609 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $39,153,000 after purchasing an additional 18,540 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. boosted its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 79.4% during the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 827 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $273,000 after purchasing an additional 366 shares during the period. Finally, Covestor Ltd lifted its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 118.3% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 310 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $102,000 after acquiring an additional 168 shares during the period. 76.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $415.00 to $398.00 in a report on Friday, July 7th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $329.00 to $337.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. StockNews.com began coverage on The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $420.00 to $390.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $339.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $385.77.

The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Up 2.4 %

Shares of NYSE GS traded up $7.68 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $328.56. 1,537,680 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,588,168. 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 businesss 50-day moving average price is $325.55 and its 200 day moving average price is $338.01. The company has a market capitalization of $109.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.38. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $277.84 and a twelve month high of $389.58.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 18th. The investment management company reported $8.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.14 by $0.65. The company had revenue of $12.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.66 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 13.23% and a return on equity of 9.84%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $10.76 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 31.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 29th. Shareholders 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.04%. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 35.60%.

Insider Buying and Selling at The Goldman Sachs Group

In other news, insider Kathryn H. Ruemmler sold 7,277 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $332.67, for a total transaction of $2,420,839.59. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 4,334 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,441,791.78. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, Treasurer Philip R. Berlinski sold 3,750 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $338.10, for a total transaction of $1,267,875.00. Following the completion of the sale, the treasurer now owns 21,366 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,223,844.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Kathryn H. Ruemmler sold 7,277 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $332.67, for a total value of $2,420,839.59. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 4,334 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,441,791.78. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 34,978,986 shares of company stock valued at $660,057,057. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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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Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC  Get Free Report) has received a consensus rating of Hold from the nine analysts that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have given a hold recommendation and three have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $99.86.

OMC has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Omnicom Group from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $96.00 target price on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Omnicom Group from $100.00 to $103.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Macquarie lifted their price target on shares of Omnicom Group from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Omnicom Group from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Omnicom Group in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, CEO John Wren sold 100,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.84, for a total transaction of $9,384,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 328,448 shares in the company, valued at approximately $30,821,560.32. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, CEO John Wren sold 100,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.84, for a total value of $9,384,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 328,448 shares in the company, valued at approximately $30,821,560.32. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Rochelle M. Tarlowe sold 1,800 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.12, for a total transaction of $169,416.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 13,496 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,270,243.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 128,500 shares of company stock worth $12,073,741. Corporate insiders own 1.30% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Omnicom Group

Omnicom Group Stock Up 3.4 %

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. boosted its stake in Omnicom Group by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. now owns 70,915 shares of the business services providers stock worth $5,785,000 after purchasing an additional 2,200 shares in the last quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in Omnicom Group in the 4th quarter worth about $361,000. Signaturefd LLC raised its position in Omnicom Group by 24.0% in the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 4,795 shares of the business services providers stock worth $391,000 after buying an additional 929 shares during the last quarter. Aviva PLC raised its position in Omnicom Group by 68.4% in the 4th quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 195,708 shares of the business services providers stock worth $19,696,000 after buying an additional 79,526 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brookstone Capital Management raised its position in Omnicom Group by 68.7% in the 1st quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 12,670 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,213,000 after buying an additional 5,161 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.92% of the companys stock.

Shares of Omnicom Group stock opened at $96.26 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.96. Omnicom Group has a 52-week low of $61.85 and a 52-week high of $97.22. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.48, a P/E/G ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.84. The companys 50 day moving average price is $92.86 and its 200-day moving average price is $90.50.

Omnicom Group (NYSE:OMC  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 18th. The business services provider reported $1.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.38 by $0.18. Omnicom Group had a net margin of 9.57% and a return on equity of 41.72%. The firm had revenue of $3.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.38 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.39 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 1.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Omnicom Group will post 7.43 EPS for the current year.

Omnicom Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 7th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 9th were issued a dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.91%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 8th. Omnicom Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 42.11%.

Omnicom Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Omnicom Group Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers advertising, marketing, and corporate communications services. It provides a range of services in the areas of advertising and media, precision marketing, commerce and brand consulting, experiential, execution and support, public relations, and healthcare.

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Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE:PEB  Get Free Report) was upgraded by research analysts at StockNews.com from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note issued on Tuesday.

Other research analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Truist Financial reduced their price objective on Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from $18.00 to $16.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from $15.25 to $15.50 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from $16.00 to $15.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 5th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from $17.00 to $14.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 30th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from $13.00 to $12.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 27th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and seven have given a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $17.60.

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Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Stock Performance

PEB stock traded down $0.08 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $14.38. The stock had a trading volume of 1,844,034 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,544,269. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $13.88 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $14.22. Pebblebrook Hotel Trust has a 52-week low of $12.37 and a 52-week high of $20.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 0.71. The stock has a market cap of $1.77 billion, a PE ratio of -36.87, a P/E/G ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.82.

Insider Transactions at Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

In related news, CEO Jon E. Bortz bought 3,632 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 22nd. The stock was acquired at an average price of $12.69 per share, with a total value of $46,090.08. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,165,102 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,785,144.38. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . In related news, CEO Jon E. Bortz purchased 28,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was purchased 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 $14,767,309.68. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink . Also, CEO Jon E. Bortz purchased 3,632 shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 22nd. The shares were bought at an average price 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 in the company, valued at $14,785,144.38. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . Corporate insiders own 2.40% of the companys stock.

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its position in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 5.5% in the 1st quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 14,205 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $199,000 after buying an additional 735 shares during the last quarter. Snowden Capital Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 7.6% in the first quarter. Snowden Capital Advisors LLC now owns 12,721 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $179,000 after acquiring an additional 897 shares in the last quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp grew its holdings in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 0.9% during the first quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp now owns 112,764 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,583,000 after purchasing an additional 951 shares during the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 1.6% during the first quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 59,469 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $835,000 after purchasing an additional 964 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arizona State Retirement System lifted its holdings in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 38,094 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $535,000 after purchasing an additional 1,002 shares during the last quarter.

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Company Profile

(Get 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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Eagle Bay Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Perrigo Company plc (NYSE:PRGO  Free Report) by 68.2% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 3,192 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,294 shares during the period. Eagle Bay Advisors LLCs holdings in Perrigo were worth $114,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Stone House Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Perrigo in the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Perrigo by 434.8% in the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 1,214 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 987 shares during the period. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in shares of Perrigo by 1,364.4% in the 4th quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,274 shares of the companys stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 1,187 shares during the period. Benjamin Edwards Inc. raised its position in shares of Perrigo by 122.8% in the 4th quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 1,435 shares of the companys stock worth $49,000 after buying an additional 791 shares during the period. Finally, Covestor Ltd raised its position in Perrigo by 5,903.6% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,681 shares of the companys stock valued at $65,000 after purchasing an additional 1,653 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.06% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded Perrigo from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $48.00.

Insider Activity

Perrigo Price Performance

In other Perrigo news, Director Geoffrey M. Parker acquired 10,000 shares of Perrigo stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 13th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $33.06 per share, with a total value of $330,600.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 25,879 shares in the company, valued at $855,559.74. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink . In related news, CEO Murray S. Kessler sold 197,646 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.75, for a total value of $7,065,844.50. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 2,668 shares of the companys stock, valued at $95,381. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Also, Director Geoffrey M. Parker bought 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 13th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $33.06 per share, for a total transaction of $330,600.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 25,879 shares of the companys stock, valued at $855,559.74. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . 0.80% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Shares of NYSE:PRGO opened at $33.34 on Wednesday. Perrigo Company plc has a 12 month low of $30.78 and a 12 month high of $43.90. The stock has a market cap of $4.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -34.73 and a beta of 0.81. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $33.73 and its 200 day moving average price is $35.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 2.52 and a quick ratio of 1.43.

Perrigo (NYSE:PRGO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported $0.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.42 by $0.03. Perrigo had a negative net margin of 2.85% and a positive return on equity of 6.21%. The firm had revenue of $1.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.17 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.33 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Perrigo Company plc will post 2.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Perrigo Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.273 per share. This represents a $1.09 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.28%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 1st. Perrigos dividend payout ratio is currently -113.54%.

About Perrigo

(Free Report)

Perrigo Company plc provides over-the-counter health and wellness solutions to enhance individual well-being in Ireland, the United States, France, Belgium, China, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Australia, Greece, and Spain. It operates through Consumer Self-Care Americas and Consumer Self-Care International segments.

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Shares of Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR  Get Free Report) have received an average rating of Hold from the seven ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $50.57.

Several equities research analysts recently commented on POR shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on Portland General Electric in a report on Monday, May 8th. They set an overweight rating and a $56.00 target price on the stock. 58.com reaffirmed a downgrade rating on shares of Portland General Electric in a report on Tuesday, June 20th. StockNews.com raised Portland General Electric from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, June 10th. Bank of America dropped their price target on Portland General Electric from $56.00 to $52.00 in a report on Thursday, June 22nd. Finally, Guggenheim dropped their price target on Portland General Electric from $50.00 to $48.00 in a report on Friday, July 7th.

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Portland General Electric Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE POR opened at $46.58 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $48.75 and a 200-day simple moving average of $48.58. The company has a market cap of $4.50 billion, a PE ratio of 17.06, a P/E/G ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.56. Portland General Electric has a 12-month low of $41.58 and a 12-month high of $56.37.

Portland General Electric Increases Dividend

Portland General Electric ( NYSE:POR Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The utilities provider reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.01. Portland General Electric had a return on equity of 9.06% and a net margin of 8.88%. The firm had revenue of $748.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $622.50 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.67 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 19.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Portland General Electric will post 2.69 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.475 per share. This is a boost from Portland General Electrics previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. This represents a $1.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.08%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 23rd. Portland General Electrics payout ratio is currently 69.60%.

Insider Activity

In related news, VP John Teeruk Kochavatr sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.12, for a total value of $153,360.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 15,489 shares in the company, valued at $791,797.68. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.51% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Portland General Electric

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of POR. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in Portland General Electric by 17.4% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 14,034 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $774,000 after purchasing an additional 2,083 shares in the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. lifted its position in Portland General Electric by 58.9% during the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 46,899 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,586,000 after acquiring an additional 17,386 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new position in Portland General Electric during the 1st quarter worth $239,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Portland General Electric during the 1st quarter worth $460,000. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Portland General Electric by 55.0% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 47,232 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,605,000 after acquiring an additional 16,750 shares during the last quarter.

About Portland General Electric

(Get Free Report

Portland General Electric Company, an integrated electric utility company, engages in the generation, wholesale purchase, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the state of Oregon. It operates six thermal plants, three wind farms, and seven hydroelectric facilities. As of December 31, 2022, the company owned an electric transmission system consisting of 1,255 circuit miles, including 269 circuit miles of 500 kilovolt line, 413 circuit miles of 230 kilovolt line, and 573 miles of 115 kilovolt line; and served 926 thousand retail customers in 51 cities.

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ProPetro (NYSE:PUMP  Get Free Report) had its target price decreased by stock analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $17.00 to $16.00 in a report issued on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Stifel Nicolaus price target suggests a potential upside of 72.79% from the companys previous close.

Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Barclays reduced their price target on ProPetro from $14.00 to $12.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 8th. Citigroup cut their target price on ProPetro from $10.00 to $9.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 21st. Finally, 500.com reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of ProPetro in a research report on Thursday, June 8th.

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ProPetro Trading Down 0.6 %

Shares of ProPetro stock opened at $9.26 on Wednesday. ProPetro has a fifty-two week low of $6.33 and a fifty-two week high of $12.58. The firm has a market cap of $1.07 billion, a PE ratio of 62.13 and a beta of 2.39. The businesss fifty day moving average is $7.56 and its two-hundred day moving average is $8.33. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03.

Insider Buying and Selling

ProPetro ( NYSE:PUMP Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported $0.40 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by ($0.09). ProPetro had a return on equity of 16.74% and a net margin of 1.33%. The business had revenue of $423.57 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $410.08 million. Analysts anticipate that ProPetro will post 1.52 earnings per share for the current year.

In related news, Director Michele Vion sold 21,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.89, for a total value of $144,690.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 40,094 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $276,247.66. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 0.88% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of ProPetro

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in ProPetro by 8.8% in the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 17,847,360 shares of the companys stock valued at $143,672,000 after purchasing an additional 1,445,598 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in ProPetro by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 11,033,275 shares of the companys stock valued at $88,817,000 after purchasing an additional 361,312 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in ProPetro by 25.7% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 6,750,490 shares of the companys stock valued at $48,536,000 after purchasing an additional 1,381,397 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its holdings in ProPetro by 6.7% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 4,584,796 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,965,000 after purchasing an additional 289,537 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Boston Partners increased its holdings in ProPetro by 42.8% in the 1st quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,992,577 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,701,000 after purchasing an additional 1,196,513 shares in the last quarter. 79.30% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

ProPetro Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

ProPetro Holding Corp., an integrated oilfield services company, provides hydraulic fracturing, wireline, cementing, and other complementary oilfield completion services to upstream oil and gas companies in the Permian Basin. ProPetro Holding Corp. was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Midland, Texas.

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RHS Financial LLC lessened its holdings in iShares Convertible Bond ETF (BATS:ICVT  Free Report) by 4.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 8,847 shares of the companys stock after selling 457 shares during the period. RHS Financial LLC owned about 0.05% of iShares Convertible Bond ETF worth $642,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ICVT. Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new stake in iShares Convertible Bond ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,892,000. Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new stake in iShares Convertible Bond ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $88,000. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in iShares Convertible Bond ETF by 57,927.6% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 221,085 shares of the companys stock worth $18,420,000 after acquiring an additional 220,704 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its holdings in iShares Convertible Bond ETF by 129.1% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 8,704 shares of the companys stock worth $725,000 after acquiring an additional 4,904 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its holdings in iShares Convertible Bond ETF by 40.9% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 50,724 shares of the companys stock worth $4,227,000 after acquiring an additional 14,723 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Convertible Bond ETF Trading Up 0.5 %

ICVT traded up $0.36 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $77.07. 313,792 shares of the company traded hands. iShares Convertible Bond ETF has a 12-month low of $50.43 and a 12-month high of $58.18. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $73.88 and a 200 day simple moving average of $72.72.

iShares Convertible Bond ETF Dividend Announcement

iShares Convertible Bond ETF Company Profile

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 10th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 5th were issued a dividend of $0.0785 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 3rd.

(Free Report)

The iShares Convertible Bond ETF (ICVT) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in broad credit fixed income. The fund tracks an index of USD-denominated convertible bonds weighted by market value. The index contains only cash-pay convertibles and excludes mandatory and preferred convertibles.

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Roots Co. (OTCMKTS:RROTF  Get Free Report)s share price dropped 14.2% on Monday . The company traded as low as $1.98 and last traded at $1.98. Approximately 8,651 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 124% from the average daily volume of 3,868 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.31.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on Roots from C$3.50 to C$3.25 in a research report on Friday, June 9th.

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Roots Stock Performance

The company has a 50-day moving average price of $2.37 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $2.27.

Roots Company Profile

Roots Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, designs, markets, and sells apparel, leather goods, footwear, and accessories under the Roots brand in Canada and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Direct-To-Consumer, and Partners and Other. The Direct-to-Consumer segment sells products through the company's corporate retail stores and ecommerce.

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Sentry Investment Management LLC grew its position in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 0.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,565 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 34 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company makes up 0.8% of Sentry Investment Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest position. Sentry Investment Management LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $1,911,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of LLY. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter valued at $3,416,206,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 102,752.2% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,446,026 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,992,374,000 after purchasing an additional 5,440,731 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 44.1% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 12,059,204 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,411,740,000 after purchasing an additional 3,691,436 shares in the last quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter valued at $445,944,000. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 54.8% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 3,311,713 shares of the companys stock valued at $948,375,000 after purchasing an additional 1,172,504 shares in the last quarter. 87.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity

In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $398.48, for a total transaction of $89,658,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 101,908,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at $40,608,622,608.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 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 shares were sold at an average price of $435.29, for a total value of $261,174.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,978 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,602,163.62. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $398.48, for a total transaction of $89,658,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 101,908,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $40,608,622,608.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 970,965 shares of company stock valued at $423,725,107 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on LLY. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $450.00 to $500.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, May 24th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $478.00 to $507.00 in a research note on Monday, May 15th. SVB Securities lifted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $410.00 to $458.00 in a research note on Monday, May 1st. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $421.00 to $430.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $447.00 to $498.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $437.90.

Shares of NYSE:LLY traded up $3.07 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $442.46. The stock had a trading volume of 1,001,679 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,065,857. The company has a market capitalization of $420.01 billion, a PE ratio of 69.86, a P/E/G ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.38. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $443.43 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $381.94. The company has a current ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1 year low of $296.32 and a 1 year high of $469.87.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.73 by ($0.11). The firm had revenue of $6.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.87 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 20.54% and a return on equity of 61.42%. The firms revenue was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.62 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be issued a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio 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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State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D lifted its stake in shares of Kimco Realty Corp (NYSE:KIM  Free Report) by 1.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,263,082 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 20,000 shares during the quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund Ds holdings in Kimco Realty were worth $24,668,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of KIM. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS lifted its holdings in Kimco Realty by 6.6% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 82,511 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,038,000 after buying an additional 5,138 shares during the last quarter. APG Asset Management N.V. purchased a new stake in shares of Kimco Realty during the 1st quarter worth approximately $557,000. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp acquired a new position in shares of Kimco Realty in the 1st quarter valued at $2,351,000. National Pension Service purchased a new position in shares of Kimco Realty in the 1st quarter valued at $22,589,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Kimco Realty by 3.2% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 100,537,581 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,483,278,000 after acquiring an additional 3,081,151 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.48% of the companys stock.

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Kimco Realty Trading Up 2.5 %

Shares of Kimco Realty stock opened at $20.28 on Wednesday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $18.93 and its two-hundred day moving average is $19.79. Kimco Realty Corp has a fifty-two week low of $17.34 and a fifty-two week high of $23.89. The firm has a market cap of $12.57 billion, a PE ratio of 84.50, a P/E/G ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 1.44. The company has a quick ratio of 3.11, a current ratio of 3.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73.

Kimco Realty Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 22nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 8th were issued a $0.23 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 7th. This represents a $0.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.54%. Kimco Realtys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 383.33%.

Several analysts have recently weighed in on KIM shares. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on Kimco Realty in a report on Tuesday, May 23rd. They issued an underweight rating and a $19.00 target price for the company. Argus decreased their price objective on Kimco Realty from $27.00 to $22.00 in a report on Monday, May 22nd. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on shares of Kimco Realty from $24.00 to $22.00 in a research report on Monday, May 15th. Mizuho decreased their target price on shares of Kimco Realty from $21.00 to $18.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price objective on Kimco Realty from $26.00 to $24.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $22.36.

Kimco Realty Profile

(Free Report)

Kimco Realty Corp. is a real estate investment trust (REIT) headquartered in New Hyde Park, N.Y., that is one of North Americas largest publicly traded owners and operators of open-air shopping centers. As of December 31, 2018, the company owned interests in 437 U.S. shopping centers comprising 76 million square feet of leasable space primarily concentrated in the top major metropolitan markets.

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(Bloomberg) -- Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is offering hefty tax breaks to companies to turn offices into housing, the latest example of a city seeking to address the challenges of remote work hitting downtowns and a lack of affordable residences.

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Wu announced a program this week to encourage conversions by taxing developers at the citys much lower residential tax rate. The city would then offer a discount of up to 75% on the residential levy, so for a building with an assessed value of $10 million, annual property taxes would drop to as low as $26,850 from as high as $246,800.

Theres no shortage of potential buildings to tap. Bostons office market has seen its vacancy rate climb to 14.2% during the second quarter, the highest level in two decades, according to data from CBRE Group Inc. Meanwhile, the city of 650,000 is struggling with escalating housing costs. Median monthly rent for a one-bedroom has jumped 8% in just a year to $2,800, Zumper figures show.

We must take every possible action to create more housing and more affordability so that Bostons growth meets the needs of current and future residents, Wu said in a statement.

Bostons Wu isnt the only mayor trying to shore up commercial real estate in their city. In San Francisco, the poster child of cities struggling to revive from Covid, Mayor London Breed wants to use tax incentives to lure new businesses. New Yorks Mayor Eric Adams has urged Wall Street to get workers back into offices and also recommended turning empty commercial buildings into homes.

Bostons program will offer a test case for the viability of office-to-housing conversions backed by tax breaks. Even with the incentive, conversions are often too expensive and complicated to make sense for developers. Many office buildings have large, dark floor-plates that are hard to divide into livable homes. The costs of such projects are also often higher than simply building a new tower from the ground up.

Boston found that reducing the tax rate on residential property by up to 75% for as many as 29 years could provide a strong incentive to encourage conversion.

The Brookings Institution said in a recent report that office-to-residential transformations are not a panacea and governments should be careful before rushing to fund them. Conversions often arent possible without significant government funding, Brookings said.

A separate study found that conversions in San Francisco, for example, can cost $472,000 to $633,000 per unit before necessary seismic upgrades.

Bostons conversion program plans to accept applications this fall through June 2024, but its unclear how much the proposal will cost.

We may get one, we may get ten, we may not get any, we wont know what the tax impact will be until we receive the proposals, said James Arthur Jemison, the citys planning commissioner.

Developers and owners are saying I could convert my building or I could try to re-lease and get other tenants, and that is where another hurdle exists, Jemison said. As values have declined its become more interesting for people to make the conversion.

Financial Stake

Boston is home to State Street Corp., Wayfair Inc. and General Electric Co. Tech firms though dominate the businesses that are looking to sublease their office space, according to CBRE.

Bostons downtown, which is home to about half of city office space, has been hit hard by the pandemic compared to other neighborhoods. An October 2022 report commissioned by the city found that economic activity downtown remained 20% to 40% below pre-pandemic levels for industries like retail.

Boston, like other cities, has a financial stake in reviving the office market. The city relies on property tax revenues for about three-fourths of its general fund budget, according to S&P Global Ratings, which gives the city its AAA credit rating.

Dora Lee, director of research at Belle Haven Investments, said its important for cities to be responsive to disruptions given the potential hit to their finances.

These plans have been very popular but its not like these offices will be converted overnight, Lee added. This is a years-long process.

--With assistance from Natalie Wong.

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Massachusetts Wealth Management cut its holdings in shares of State Street Co. (NYSE:STT  Free Report) by 1.0% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 20,275 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 200 shares during the period. State Street makes up approximately 1.6% of Massachusetts Wealth Managements holdings, making the stock its 25th biggest position. Massachusetts Wealth Managements holdings in State Street were worth $1,535,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in State Street by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 34,410,077 shares of the asset managers stock worth $2,997,806,000 after buying an additional 146,048 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of State Street by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 7,517,455 shares of the asset managers stock worth $582,069,000 after acquiring an additional 60,433 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in State Street by 31.1% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 6,031,661 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $467,876,000 after purchasing an additional 1,430,237 shares during the last quarter. Cooke & Bieler LP increased its position in State Street by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Cooke & Bieler LP now owns 4,161,803 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $322,831,000 after acquiring an additional 107,361 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nordea Investment Management AB increased its position in State Street by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 3,361,661 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $258,747,000 after acquiring an additional 67,370 shares in the last quarter. 89.39% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity

In related news, CFO Eric W. Aboaf sold 11,899 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $68.28, for a total transaction of $812,463.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 157,860 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,778,680.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other State Street news, EVP Michael L. Richards sold 1,814 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $68.17, for a total transaction of $123,660.38. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 33,197 shares in the company, valued at $2,263,039.49. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Eric W. Aboaf sold 11,899 shares of State Street stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $68.28, for a total value of $812,463.72. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 157,860 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,778,680.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

State Street Stock Up 1.0 %

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on STT. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of State Street from $100.00 to $95.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on shares of State Street from $85.00 to $80.00 in a research report on Friday, March 24th. Bank of America lowered their price target on shares of State Street from $84.00 to $80.00 in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on shares of State Street from $70.00 to $68.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of State Street from $93.00 to $82.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $84.50.

Shares of NYSE:STT traded up $0.73 on Wednesday, hitting $76.39. 1,027,308 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,801,876. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. State Street Co. has a 52 week low of $58.62 and a 52 week high of $94.74. The company has a market cap of $25.53 billion, a PE ratio of 10.60, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 1.56. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $71.07 and a 200-day simple moving average of $77.86.

State Street (NYSE:STT  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, April 17th. The asset manager reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.64 by ($0.12). State Street had a return on equity of 11.96% and a net margin of 18.73%. The firm had revenue of $3.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.13 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.59 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that State Street Co. will post 7.69 earnings per share for the current year.

State Street Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 13th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 3rd will be paid a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.30%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 30th. State Streets payout ratio is 35.29%.

State Street Company Profile

(Free Report)

State Street Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of financial products and services to institutional investors worldwide. The company offers investment servicing products and services, including custody, accounting, regulatory reporting, investor, and performance and analytics; middle office products, such as IBOR, transaction management, loans, cash, derivatives and collateral, record keeping, and client reporting and investment analytics; foreign exchange, and brokerage and other trading services; securities finance and enhanced custody products; deposit and short-term investment facilities; loans and lease financing; investment manager and alternative investment manager operations outsourcing; performance, risk, and compliance analytics; and financial data management to support institutional investors.

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Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC decreased its position in The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG  Free Report) by 19.0% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,317 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 780 shares during the period. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLCs holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group were worth $231,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Penserra Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 8.4% in the 4th quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 1,715 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $129,000 after buying an additional 133 shares during the period. HM Payson & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 4.8% in the 4th quarter. HM Payson & Co. now owns 3,198 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $243,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares during the last quarter. ETF Managers Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. ETF Managers Group LLC now owns 10,170 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $709,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the last quarter. Toroso Investments LLC lifted its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 4,293 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $308,000 after buying an additional 159 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Spire Wealth Management lifted its holdings in The Hartford Financial Services Group by 9.9% during the 4th quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 1,888 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $143,000 after buying an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.24% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have commented on HIG shares. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $78.00 to $77.00 in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $85.00 to $80.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $92.00 to $85.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $90.00 to $91.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $86.00 to $94.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 6th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, The Hartford Financial Services Group currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $85.46.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Trading Up 0.4 %

The Hartford Financial Services Group stock traded up $0.27 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $73.42. The company had a trading volume of 135,925 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,929,700. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.59, a PEG ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 0.32. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $60.17 and a 12-month high of $79.44. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $70.65 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $72.45.

The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE:HIG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The insurance provider reported $1.68 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.68. The Hartford Financial Services Group had a net margin of 8.33% and a return on equity of 18.45%. The firm had revenue of $5.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.70 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.66 earnings per share. The Hartford Financial Services Groups revenue was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts expect that The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. will post 7.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 5th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 1st were issued a $0.425 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 31st. This represents a $1.70 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.32%. The Hartford Financial Services Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 29.26%.

The Hartford Financial Services Group Profile

(Free Report)

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc provides insurance and financial services to individual and business customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. Its Commercial Lines segment offers insurance coverages, including workers' compensation, property, automobile, general and professional liability, package business, umbrella, fidelity and surety, marine, livestock, and reinsurance through regional offices, branches, sales and policyholder service centers, independent retail agents and brokers, wholesale agents, and reinsurance brokers.

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Tiedemann Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM  Free Report) by 24.3% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,037 shares of the CRM providers stock after buying an additional 1,375 shares during the quarter. Tiedemann Advisors LLCs holdings in Salesforce were worth $1,406,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. CVA Family Office LLC raised its position in Salesforce by 136.7% during the 1st quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 1,205 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $241,000 after buying an additional 696 shares during the last quarter. Vestor Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Salesforce by 9.7% during the 1st quarter. Vestor Capital LLC now owns 689 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $106,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Employees Retirement System of Texas increased its holdings in shares of Salesforce by 36.8% during the 1st quarter. Employees Retirement System of Texas now owns 305,000 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $60,933,000 after purchasing an additional 82,000 shares in the last quarter. Compton Wealth Advisory Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Salesforce by 42.0% during the 1st quarter. Compton Wealth Advisory Group LLC now owns 5,713 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $1,141,000 after purchasing an additional 1,690 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Buffington Mohr McNeal purchased a new position in shares of Salesforce during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $223,000. 81.13% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Wedbush lifted their target price on shares of Salesforce from $230.00 to $240.00 in a report on Thursday, June 1st. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on shares of Salesforce from $230.00 to $240.00 in a report on Thursday, June 1st. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Salesforce from $229.00 to $230.00 in a report on Thursday, June 1st. Loop Capital boosted their price target on shares of Salesforce from $190.00 to $215.00 in a report on Thursday, June 1st. Finally, Mizuho boosted their price target on shares of Salesforce from $240.00 to $250.00 in a report on Wednesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have assigned a hold rating, twenty-four have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $222.05.

Insider Buying and Selling at Salesforce

Salesforce Trading Up 0.9 %

In other news, insider Parker Harris sold 1,250 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $219.27, for a total transaction of $274,087.50. Following the sale, the insider now owns 100,309 shares of the companys stock, valued at $21,994,754.43. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . In other news, CEO Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $213.32, for a total transaction of $3,199,800.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 16,473,609 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,514,150,271.88. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Also, insider Parker Harris sold 1,250 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $219.27, for a total transaction of $274,087.50. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 100,309 shares in the company, valued at approximately $21,994,754.43. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold 846,986 shares of company stock valued at $177,743,999 over the last 90 days. 3.70% of the stock is owned by insiders.

NYSE CRM traded up $2.10 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $223.27. The company had a trading volume of 2,997,404 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,673,225. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $209.60 and a 200 day moving average of $185.50. Salesforce, Inc. has a 1-year low of $126.34 and a 1-year high of $225.17. The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. The stock has a market capitalization of $217.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 591.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 1.20.

Salesforce (NYSE:CRM  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 31st. The CRM provider reported $1.69 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.08. Salesforce had a net margin of 1.18% and a return on equity of 5.75%. The company had revenue of $8.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.17 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.41 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Salesforce, Inc. will post 5.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Salesforce Company Profile

(Free Report)

Salesforce, Inc provides Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology that brings companies and customers together worldwide. The company's service includes sales to store data, monitor leads and progress, forecast opportunities, gain insights through analytics and relationship intelligence, and deliver quotes, contracts, and invoices; and service that enables companies to deliver trusted and highly personalized customer service and support at scale.

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Tiedemann Advisors LLC reduced its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:EEM  Free Report) by 21.9% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 16,597 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 4,653 shares during the quarter. Tiedemann Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF were worth $655,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of EEM. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 125,500.5% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 144,937,968 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $5,493,149,000 after buying an additional 144,822,572 shares during the period. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 112.2% during the 4th quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 1,244,119 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $47,152,000 after buying an additional 11,466,025 shares during the period. Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Co acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $324,358,000. National Bank of Canada FI grew its stake in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 779.9% during the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 8,239,022 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $325,111,000 after purchasing an additional 7,302,610 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley grew its stake in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 20.9% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 39,172,754 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,484,647,000 after purchasing an additional 6,765,030 shares in the last quarter. 82.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Price Performance

NYSEARCA EEM traded up $0.81 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $40.63. 20,366,977 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 31,835,553. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF has a 1-year low of $33.49 and a 1-year high of $42.53. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $39.42 and a 200-day simple moving average of $39.50.

About iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (the Fund), seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of publicly traded equity securities in global emerging markets, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (the Index).

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Shares of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI  Get Free Report) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $6.90 and traded as high as $7.04. Universal Technical Institute shares last traded at $6.82, with a volume of 43,179 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UTI has been the subject of several analyst reports. Argus lowered shares of Universal Technical Institute from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, June 23rd. StockNews.com began coverage on Universal Technical Institute in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $9.67.

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Universal Technical Institute Price Performance

The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $6.52 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $6.91. The company has a market cap of $232.70 million, a P/E ratio of 85.76, a P/E/G ratio of 3.79 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.13.

Insider Transactions at Universal Technical Institute

Universal Technical Institute ( NYSE:UTI Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported $0.04 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.02) by $0.06. The company had revenue of $163.82 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $153.00 million. Universal Technical Institute had a net margin of 1.98% and a return on equity of 14.97%. On average, analysts predict that Universal Technical Institute, Inc. will post 0.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other news, Director Coliseum Capital Management, L purchased 262,658 shares of Universal Technical Institute stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 23rd. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $6.70 per share, for a total transaction of $1,759,808.60. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 928,961 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,224,038.70. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 5.10% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Technical Institute

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in UTI. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Universal Technical Institute in the first quarter worth $47,000. Legal & General Group Plc bought a new position in Universal Technical Institute during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $44,000. UBS Group AG grew its position in Universal Technical Institute by 6,316.0% during the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 6,416 shares of the companys stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 6,316 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its position in Universal Technical Institute by 204.5% during the 1st quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 6,653 shares of the companys stock worth $49,000 after acquiring an additional 4,468 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada bought a new position in Universal Technical Institute during the 1st quarter worth approximately $90,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.38% of the companys stock.

Universal Technical Institute Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Universal Technical Institute, Inc provides transportation and technical training programs in the United States. It offers certificate, diploma, or degree programs under various brands, such as Universal Technical Institute, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute, NASCAR Technical Institute, and MIAT College of Technology.

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Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund (NYSE:AIO  Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Tuesday, July 11th, investing.com reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 13th will be given a dividend of 0.15 per share on Tuesday, August 1st. This represents a dividend yield of 9.65%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 12th. This is an increase from Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Funds previous dividend of $0.11.

Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE AIO traded up $0.08 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $18.73. The company had a trading volume of 80,362 shares, compared to its average volume of 108,700. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $17.43 and its 200 day simple moving average is $17.14. Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund has a 1 year low of $14.92 and a 1 year high of $19.11.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in AIO. Moors & Cabot Inc. increased its holdings in Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 10.6% in the first quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 19,323 shares of the companys stock valued at $422,000 after buying an additional 1,855 shares in the last quarter. UBS Group AG increased its holdings in Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 7.1% in the first quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 536,183 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,721,000 after buying an additional 35,686 shares in the last quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. purchased a new position in Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund in the first quarter valued at $648,000. Royal Bank of Canada increased its holdings in Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 16.9% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 262,242 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,732,000 after buying an additional 37,935 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lido Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund in the first quarter valued at $501,000.

About Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund

The Fund seeks to generate a stable income stream and growth of capital by focusing on one of the most significant long-term secular growth opportunities in markets today. A multi-asset approach based on fundamental research is employed, dynamically allocating to attractive segments of a companys debt and equity in order to offer an attractive risk/reward profile.

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Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (NYSE:HIO  Free Report) by 0.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 587,764 shares of the closed-end funds stock after purchasing an additional 4,622 shares during the period. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLCs holdings in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund were worth $2,245,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in HIO. Raymond James & Associates grew its position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 5.0% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 136,282 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $609,000 after purchasing an additional 6,540 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its position in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 158,865 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $710,000 after purchasing an additional 4,827 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 287.1% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 52,237 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $233,000 after acquiring an additional 38,744 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC boosted its stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 29.9% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 15,813 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $71,000 after acquiring an additional 3,640 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund by 15.7% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 74,291 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $333,000 after acquiring an additional 10,100 shares in the last quarter.

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Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Price Performance

HIO stock opened at $3.84 on Wednesday. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $3.77 and its 200-day simple moving average is $3.88. Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. has a 52-week low of $3.60 and a 52-week high of $4.31.

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Announces Dividend

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Profile

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 24th will be paid a dividend of $0.03 per share. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.38%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 21st.

(Free Report)

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc is a closed ended fixed-income mutual fund launched and managed by Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC. It is co-managed by Western Asset Management Company and Western Asset Management Company Limited. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States.

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FILE PHOTO: The logo of Brazilian meatpacker JBS SA is seen in the unit in the city of Jundiai

By Ana Mano and Roberto Samora

SAO PAULO (Reuters) -JBS SA, the world's largest meat packer, on Wednesday proposed listing its shares in New York, hoping the move will bring its multiples closer to peers and that a broader investor base will give it more access to cheaper capital, sending its shares up 8% in mid-morning trade.

JBS in a securities filing offered a one-time dividend payment of about 2.2 billion reais ($454 million) to coax investors into backing the longstanding plan.

Shareholders will decide whether to accept the proposal at a general meeting yet to be scheduled.

JBS Global CEO Gilberto Tomazoni said it is possible that the meeting will take place in 30 days. He believes that by December all steps to complete the transaction will have been taken so that the company's shares can start trading in New York.

The proposed structure will use a Netherlands-based vehicle called JBS NV and have Class A shares with one voting right and Class B shares with 10 votes, JBS said. JBS NV's class A common shares would trade in the United States and Brazilian depositary receipts would be listed for trading in Sao Paulo.

JBS' management has repeatedly made the case that a U.S. listing would reduce its cost of capital and help its shares trade at multiples closer to peers such as Tyson Foods and Pilgrim's Pride, which it controls.

Analysts at Bradesco BBI agreed that the much-awaited move will help close the valuation gap to its main peer in the United States, referring to Tyson.

Sao Paulo broker Genial said JBS is a "buy" as a proposed listing in the United States will help improve its governance standards.

"A dual listing would better align JBS' corporate structure it to global peers, which we believe could be received positively by investors," Goldman Sachs said.

JBS in 2007 was the first Brazilian meat packer to go public. That year saw JBS embark on a U.S. acquisition spree. In years prior, it had expanded capacity in Brazil and bought plants in Argentina, marking the start of its aggressive internationalization.

The U.S. listing has been in the works for the better part of a decade, but was postponed in part due to a 2017 corporate corruption scandal in Brazil and then again amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

JBS gets the lion's share of its revenue from the U.S. market, where it processes beef, poultry and pork products for domestic consumption and export.

(Reporting by Ana Mano and Roberto Samora; Editing by Jason Neely, Sharon Singleton, Louise Heavens and Mark Porter)
To protect cultural heritage and pass it down through generations is a shared responsibility of mankind. So far, the number of world heritage sites in China has grown to 56, including the Great Wall and the Summer Palace in Beijing, the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, the Yungang Grottoes in north China's Shanxi Province and Fujian Tulou, a type of Chinese rural dwellings of the Hakka people in the mountainous areas in southeast China's Fujian Province that dates back to Song and Yuan dynasties.

Photo shows the Yungang Grottoes in Datong, north China's Shanxi Province. [People's Daily Online/Li Ying]

Diversity of human civilizations not only defines the world, but also drives progress of mankind. Over 2,000 years ago, ancient Chinese came to realize that "things are born to be different." The prosperity of civilization and human progress will not be possible without enhancing common ground and reserving differences. It is the interaction among different civilizations that promotes human progress and prosperity.

The Yungang Grottoes is a great example of Chinese-foreign cultural communication. For instance, in its Cave 18, one of the five earliest excavated caves with huge Buddha images, there is a Buddha statue on the north wall featuring Caucasian appearance. However, there's no document proving the Yungang Grottoes' excavation was joined by European artisans. This exactly mirrors the communication between China and foreign countries in ancient China.

Besides, various decorative patterns of both Chinese and foreign features are seen in the caves of the Yungang Grottoes, and some columns there obviously carry the characteristics of foreign cultures, such as the Ionic order from ancient Greece as well as other classic orders from Persia and India.

Inter-civilization interaction promotes technological exchanges. It has been influencing the world since ancient times.

For instance, porcelains went from ancient China to the rest of the world, and the technologies for making porcelains are still upgrading today. High-tech porcelains made from rare earths, mixed with metallic element, or made with various firing techniques can be used in biomedical fields such as manufacturing artificial bones and joints.

It is true with the case of rice planting, too. Rice Terraces in the southern mountainous and hilly areas of China was recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System, and the country's hybrid rice technology is benefiting the mankind. So far, Chinese hybrid rice has been planted in 16 African countries, and is printed on banknotes of Madagascar.

People visit an exhibition titled "Tota Italia  Origins of a Nation" at the National Museum of China in Beijing, July 17, 2022. [People's Daily Online/Yang Sengyu]

Over the recent years, more and more quality exhibitions of cultural relics have been introduced to China, which mirrors the open and broad vision of modern China.

The just-ended Gandhara Heritage along the Silk Road: A Pakistan-China Joint Exhibition held at the Palace Museum, Beijing, attracted a large number of visitors. The Gandhara was a major transportation route on the ancient Silk Road. As an outcome of the collision among Greek, Persian and Indian civilizations, it reflected the creativity and vitality of mutual learning among the civilizations along the ancient Silk Road.

Between 2016 and 2020, China hosted over 300 entry-exit exhibitions of cultural relics. The Treasures of China, East Meets West: The Maritime Silk Road during the 13th - 17th Centuries, and The Splendor of Asia: An Exhibition of Asian Civilizations that was jointly organized by 47 Asian countries as well as Egypt and Greece all demonstrated the mutual learning between China and other civilizations around the world, becoming a "golden signature" of Belt and Road cultural communication.

The conservation of cultural heritage is a shared responsibility of all mankind. The 8.1-magnitude earthquake that hit Nepal in 2015 damaged many cultural heritage sites in the country. Two years later, the Chinese government officially kicked off a foreign aid project to restore the quake-hit Nine-Storeyed Basantapur Palace complex in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. It was the first major foreign aid project for cultural heritage conservation launched by China in Nepal.

A man takes pictures of a statue at the Gandhara Heritage along the Silk Road: A Pakistan-China Joint Exhibition held at the Palace Museum, Beijing, March 16, 2023. [People's Daily Online/Du Jianpo]

Today, the cooperation on cultural heritage conservation has grown into an area that sees great potential in inter-civilization exchange and cooperation.

The preservation and restoration of historical sites in Khiva, Uzbekistan, the first cultural heritage conservation project launched by China in Central Asia, was completed in 2019. The project gave the Chinese side an opportunity to study local culture, history and traditional techniques, and brought to Uzbekistan Chinese philosophies, techniques and experiences of cultural heritage protection.

The excavation of the ruins of Nateshwar in the Vikrampura Ancient City, Bangladesh marked the first archeological collaboration between China and a country in the South Asia subcontinent. It has achieved remarkable results. Currently, the two countries are planning to build an archeological park on the site, so as to further explore the value of the ruins and bring more benefits to local communities.

The cooperation on cultural heritage conservation, as long as it conforms to relevant international and local principles and respects the customs of countries and regions concerned, leads to win-win situations.

Currently, China is cooperating with six Belt and Road countries on the conservation of 11 historical sites, up from one country and one historical site. It has also launched 33 joint archeological projects with 17 Belt and Road countries, which all received high evaluation from local governments and people.

Today, protecting cultural heritage and promoting mutual learning among civilizations has gradually become a consensus shared by the international community. However, it is also important to see that the conflicts in human society and the changes of the nature would both damage cultural heritage. To pass cultural heritage down through generations remains a heavy task that calls for continuous efforts.

Chinese people believe that one should value not only one's own culture, but also the cultures of others, and this will contribute to the flourishing of all cultures. It is expected that countries around the world could work together to better inherit fine traditional cultures and respect each other's culture while protecting the diversity of human civilizations, and pursue further development of their own cultures, so as to deepen international cultural exchange and cooperation.

(Hang Kan is the head of the Yungang Grottoes Academy.)

(Source: People's Daily Online)
Kentucky Republican gubernatorial nominee Daniel Cameron unveils his public safety plan for Kentucky during a news conference, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. Cameron is challenging Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear in this year's election. (AP Photo/Bruce Schreiner)
Dozens attend public meeting on project to reconstruct part of U.S. 641 in west Kentucky
FBI Director Christopher Wray seen here, on April 27, in Washington, DC. will testify before the House Judiciary Committee, a hearing that will put Wray in front of some of his harshest critics on Capitol Hill.
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Carahsoft Technology Corp.

RESTON, Va., July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHAT:

Carahsoft Technology Corp., The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, will be joined by more than 25 of its technology partners at the Splunk .conf23 at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. Named after .config files, Splunks annual conference brings together IT leaders, security and DevOps industry partners to discuss the latest developments in technology, participate in educational sessions and network with peers. Attendees will also have the opportunity to interact with live demonstrations and experiment with Splunk and Carahsoft partner solutions.

Gary Steele, President and Chief Executive Officer at Splunk, will be the opening keynote speaker, discussing resilience and security as well as the latest research on defending against evolving threats. In addition, Steele will be announcing the nominees and winners for the Splunk partner awards. The second keynote session will build on the topic of digital resilience from a product perspective featuring industry leaders insights on being prepared to assess and respond to any threat. Product presentations will display the technology in action.

WHEN:

Monday-Thursday, July 17-20, 2023

WHERE:

The Venetian Resort Las Vegas

3355 S Las Vegas Blvd

Las Vegas, NV 89109

Directions

WHO:

Carahsofts partner demo pavilion will showcase a full range of cybersecurity, big data, DevSecOps, artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions. Visit the Carahsoft team at booth #P403 and the vendor partners and resellers highlighted below.

Partners Demoing with Carahsoft (#P403):

Tuesday, July 18 Wednesday, July 19 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.  Axonius  Horizon3.ai  Okta  Inspira  Zscaler  SP6  Carahsoft  Vectra AI





Additional Carahsoft Partners and Resellers at the Event:

 Accenture (#Z502)  GreyNoise (#M103)  Recorded Future (#T310)  Amazon Web Services (#Z501)  GuidePoint Security (#M108)  Rhondos (#G208)  Aura Asset Intelligence (#M113)  HPE (#T304)  SAP (#MR3)  Check Point (#M111)  Hurricane Labs (#M122)  SP6 (#M107)  Corelight (#M116)  Optiv (#G204)  SpyCloud (#PZ08)  Deepwatch (#G202)  Pure Storage (#T309)  Tenable (#M106)  Deloitte (#G206)  Qmulos (#G205)  ThreatLocker (#M104)  Google (#P402)  RavenTek Solutions Partners (#PZ203)

Several Carahsoft vendors will be speaking at theater sessions, including RavenTek on July 18 at 11 a.m. and NuHarbor Security on July 19 at 2 p.m.

CARAHSOFT HOSTED EVENT:

Attendees are invited to join Carahsofts after-hours networking reception from 6  8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 18, 2023, at CHICA Las Vegas. Register for the event here.

CHICA Las Vegas

3355 S Las Vegas Blvd Ste 106,

Las Vegas, NV 89109

Directions

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Additional conference and registration information is available here. For more information regarding Carahsofts presence at the event, visit Carahsofts Splunk .conf23 event page or contact:

Danielle Wade  (703) 871-8651 or Danielle.Wade@carahsoft.com

Alexander Souvannavong  (571) 662-4957 or Alexander.Souvannavong@carahsoft.com

About Carahsoft

Carahsoft Technology Corp. is The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, supporting Public Sector organizations across Federal, State and Local Government agencies and Education and Healthcare markets. As the Master Government Aggregator for our vendor partners, we deliver solutions for Cybersecurity, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Open Source, Customer Experience and more. Working with resellers, systems integrators and consultants, our sales and marketing teams provide industry leading IT products, services and training through hundreds of contract vehicles. Visit us at www.carahsoft.com .

Contact

Mary Lange

(703) 230-7434

PR@carahsoft.com




Tommy Tuberville now says White nationalists are racists after refusing to denounce them
The James Webb Space Telescope has captured a stunning new image of the closest star-forming region to Earth, located 390 light-years away.
In the summer of 1984, I was spinning records a few nights each week at the local bars, community celebrations, and softball tournaments. Each week I would go to the Music Shop in Richland Center to buy the most danceable 45's. There was no such thing as a download or a youtube channel to preview songs. I just had to listen to the radio and anticipate the songs that might make it. Many of the records that were popular in the summer of '84 were easy pick hits. Some of my favorite hits from the summer of 1984 include: Dancing In the Dark-Bruce Springsteen, Legs-ZZ Top, Magic-Cars, Panama-Van Halen, Stay the Night-Chicago, Rock Me Tonite-Billy Squier, Turn To You-Go-Go's, She Don't Know Me-Bon Jovi, Lights Out-Peter Wolf, Sister Christian-Night Ranger, and When Doves Cry-Prince. That Prince hit was a huge song that summer and was often requested. It was the first release from the iconic soundtrack to the movie Purple Rain.

Saturday night I will have the light on in the studio and we will play for you the greatest hits dating back to the fifties during Those Were the Days on WRCO FM 100.9 and WRCO.com. It has been great to talk with our expanding audience across the land that catch us here on line or after downloading the Civic Media app. Listen for trivia and all kinds of fun stuff on the radio this Saturday night between six and midnight.

I hope you will join us Labor Day weekend September 2nd for a live Those Were the Days from the Starlite 14 Drive Inn and for the movie later that night. The movie American Graffiti is fifty years old and we will spin records up until movie time at dusk. It will be a fundraiser to help raise money for a new marquee at Center Cinema in downtown Richland Center. I hope to see many of our friends that night.

Phil
(Bloomberg) -- In the race to win control for debt-laden supermarket operator Casino Guichard-Perrachon, the two bidders are working to charm creditors, the company and the government after laying out their initial plans.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The groups  3F, formed by banker Matthieu Pigasse, telecom billionaire Xavier Niel and retail entrepreneur Moez-Alexandre Zouari, and a rival composed of Czech investor Daniel Kretinsky and Marc Ladreit de Lacharrieres Fimalac  have until Friday to improve their bids.

Kretinsky and Fimalac are trying to get enough backing from secured creditors, as their offer involves a bigger conversion of that type of debt into equity and less participation in the new money than their rivals proposal, according to people familiar with the matter. Its still being discussed whether that could involve swapping less debt into equity, bigger participation from creditors in the equity injection or a mix of both.

Meanwhile, 3F is looking into ways to improve what has been the main criticism of their financial proposal: that their offer of new equity is too small, other people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be named discussing private information.

The business plan proposals differ on three main points: how to get people back into the groups stores; the size of expansion for the franchise network  with Kretinsky-Fimalac more conservative, while 3Fs proposal is bigger but still less than the companys suggestion for nearly 3,000 stores and focused on the regions where Casino is already strong; and who is going to lead the task. 3F is counting on Zouaris experience including as a Casino franchisee  while the rival bid has lined up former Lactalis and Metro executive Philippe Palazzi for the chief executive officer role, relying on current management at Franprix.

A spokesperson for Kretinsky declined to comment, while a representative for 3F didnt immediately reply to a request for comment.

Casino said it has asked for revised offers by 9 p.m. CET on Friday, and that theyll be assessed based partly on the unconditional nature of the equity commitments and the level of liquidity available to the group following completion of the restructuring.

Casino added that estimated second-quarter hypermarket sales are down 17% on a like-for-like basis, mainly due to price cuts. Sales at Cdiscount stores are expected to be down 22% like-for-like.

The group now expects full-year French post-lease earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization to be below 300 million ($334 million), down from 440 million in a business plan presented June 26, it said in a statement.

The rival bids are the end game in Casinos long-running collapse under a mountain of debt. The company has been seeking since 2018 to cut borrowing via asset sales, but its concentration in areas heavily reliant on tourism backfired during the pandemic and a strategy to raise prices more than its competitors added to Casinos woes more recently.

With the company struggling to generate enough cash, Casino in May entered into court-supervised talks with creditors and other stakeholders  including the French state  to restructure its balance sheet. The proposals would involve new equity investments from the two bidders and others and the conversion of a significant chunk of the companys debt into equity.

Read more: Billionaires Lay Out Rival Plans to Rescue Troubled Casino

Dilution

Under the restructuring, existing shareholders would be left with almost nothing and Casinos chairman and chief executive officer, Jean-Charles Naouri, would lose his controlling stake. Nonetheless, Casino shares soared as much as 12% Wednesday after Les Echos reported that the bidders would improve their proposals.

In the meantime, the French grocer is pursuing a business plan designed around its smaller, premium supermarkets in city centers in Paris and Lyon and on the Cote dAzur. Even though its keeping its cash-burning hypermarket operations in France, the group is planning to sell assets such as its business in Latin America.

Adding to the liquidity pressures, the company is getting reduced financing from suppliers, ratings firm Moodys said this week.

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Tuesday in Parliament that both offers to recapitalize Casino were solid and that its not the states role to choose between them.

Heres a sum of the offers presented so far:

--With assistance from James Regan.

(Updates with Casino statement starting in seventh paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
RICHMOND  A Chester woman who federal authorities said ran a healthcare fraud scheme through her company will spend the next 51 months behind bars.

Sharon Johnson, 58, was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Richmond on charges of healthcare fraud, conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and wire fraud. She had pleaded guilty to the charges late last year

According to court documents, between 2014 and 2021, Johnson owned and operated Sharon Y. Johnson & Associates (SYJA). Johnsons company purportedly provided Medicaid-reimbursed services that included both Service Facilitator servicessupervising a Medicaid recipients personal care plan and providerand personal care serviceshome health care aid services designed to allow a recipient to remain at home, rather than entering a nursing home or group home. Johnson signed up numerous of her Service Facilitator clients, often without their awareness or informed consent, to receive personal care services from her company. Johnson utilized her personal residence in Chestera single-story, three-bedroom, 1,326-square foot structureas an unlicensed group home, housing up to a half-dozen Medicaid recipients, in addition to Johnson and another SYJA employee, at any given time.

Between 2014 and 2021, Johnson fraudulently billed Medicaid for personal care services purportedly provided to at least 14 of her patients, knowingly submitting timesheets to Medicaid that falsely claimed that certain SYJA aides had provided services, when, in fact, those purported SYJA employees had not provided home health care services to the patients in question. To execute this fraud scheme, Johnson and her co-conspirators created online patient portal accounts in the names of her patients, and thereafter assumed those patients identities when approving and routing billing requests for SYJA home health care services that had not, in fact, been provided.

Separately, Johnson also executed a scheme to defraud the Virginia Retirement System of pension payments paid by the VRS to one of Johnsons unlicensed group home residents. To obtain control over her patients financial affairs, Johnson submitted fraudulent documents to the VRS including a Medical Power of Attorney form, and, after her patients death, changed the direct deposit location of her now-deceased patients VRS pension payments to Johnsons own bank account. VRS thereafter paid at least eight monthly pension payments into Johnsons bank account before belatedly confirming the patients death.

Johnson, knowing she was not entitled to those VRS funds, spent those payments for her own purposes.

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: Chester woman will serve federal prison time on fraud convictions
What is your view on the ballot outcome and the CWUs betrayal of the year-long struggle of postal workers? Submit your response in the form below the article.

Communication Workers Union (CWU) officials have announced that their pro-company Business Recovery, Transformation and Growth Agreement with Royal Mail has been accepted by members, in a result that thousands of postal workers have branded a betrayal.

In a brief video livestream at 4.30pm this afternoon, CWU General Secretary Dave Ward and his Deputy Andy Furey announced the agreement had been overwhelmingly endorsed, with 75.84 percent voting Yes in a national postal and online ballot, and 24.16 percent voting No, with a turnout of 67.1 percent.

Ward and Furey announce the July 11, 2023 ballot result [Photo: Facebook / CWU]

The vote brings to an end the determined year-long struggle by 115,000 Royal Mail workers for a cost-of-living pay rise and against company demands for a massive restructure of employment terms and conditions that were adopted in full by the CWU in April.

Ward, Furey and CWU Head of Communications Chris Webb delivered a sickening 12-minute presentation, hailing the ballot result as a victory for democracy and demanding that postal workers come together to implement the deal they had endorsed.

We give you that right to vote, Ward declared arrogantly, but we also have to honour the vote whatever the outcome.

Wards depiction of the ballot as an exercise in democracy is a travesty. Since Christmas last year, the CWU has suppressed all demands for strike action. In February, Ward and Furey shelved a 96 percent renewed mandate for industrial action as they entered closed-door talks with Royal Mail.

In April, Ward and Furey announced their sellout agreement with Royal Mail, backed by the postal executive, which met a wave of rank-and-file anger. The CWU leadership responded with a war against the membership. They twice cancelled ballots on the agreement to forestall a No vote while systematically working to wear down resistance.

Ward, Furey and their lapdog Webb waged a vicious and targeted campaign against all those advocating a No vote. They were denounced as reckless and deluded keyboard warriors endangering the future of Royal Mail and its workforce.

Unable to mount any convincing case for their wretched deal, Ward insisted there was no alternative other than mutual self-destruction. The CWU shut down every forum for members to oppose the deal, even cancelling their annual conference.

The ballot was finally launched after a Joint Statement by the CWU and Royal Mail on June 16. Ward and Furey lied through their teeth, claiming that hated revisions would now be pushed back. In fact, they had committed in their Joint Statement to begin implementing the negotiators agreement, in addition to revisions, before a single vote was cast.

As balloting took place over the past three weeks, the CWU executive was busy issuing directives to their reps to work with local managers and enforce revisions and other productivity measures. Under these conditions, thousands of postal workers concluded the agreement was going ahead, and that a No vote would not defeat it.

Ward declared this afternoon, If the company keep on doing exactly the same things theyve been doing on quality of service, the USO, on revisions, productivity and all of that, its going to end in disaster. But this disaster is already happening with the CWUs active participation.

While the bureaucracy worked furiously to push a Yes vote, offering a 900 increase to the lump sum (conditional on endorsing the deal) and preying on the financial distress facing members, the Yes vote is above all a vote of no-confidence in the CWU leadership.

The vast majority of those who voted Yes do not support the agreements assault on their hard-won conditions and entitlements. But they did not see any way forward.

Those who voted No represent the most militant and principled section of workers. Under any other circumstances they would have been the basis for mobilising the entire membership in a struggle to defeat Royal Mails attacks, but they were suppressed and savagely betrayed by the bureaucracy.

Ward made clear the CWU will press ahead immediately with implementing the agreement, We want nothing more than to work together with the company. He and Furey pointed to the agreements union-management committees and Joint Working Group, making clear that CWU field representatives will be briefed next week to begin implementation.

As the ballot results were being announced, the CWUs livestream chat filled with comments from thousands of angry members denouncing the bureaucracy. Thats bollocks shall be cancelling my union membership straight away Im done, how do members cancel subs?, Where do I sign to leave the union? and Absolute shambles! No way its that high! Ive barely seen a post or spoke to anyone thats voting yes!!! New job search starts now, not a single postie I know was voting yes. How do I stop my membership?

Another worker commented, What about the 90% who voted for strike action in Feb. A lot more than 75% and we were ignored. Others pointed to the same double-standard, You also had the biggest mandate ever for IA [industrial action] ever... then sold us all out.

Faced with a flood of members announcing their resignation, the CWU began posting a standardised reply: Leaving the union is exactly the wrong thing to do. The challenges we face now are huge. Holding RM to the deal, getting more Saturdays off, turning the company around. This wont be done by members leaving the CWU. The only organisation between you and the gig economy.

As many workers have noted, the agreement marks the imposition of a gig economy, enforced by the CWU bureaucracy.

At the end of the livestream, Webb judged that many of the 26,000 members listening in were upset, and invited Ward to sum up and deliver a message of unity.

Ward responded to those slamming the CWUs betrayal by scolding, It wont achieve nothing [sic] other than to play into the hands of management. Our job as a trade union, he continued, was to recognise that change is necessary.

Neither Ward, Furey or Webb made a single reference to the more than 400 CWU reps and workers sacked, suspended and victimised during the dispute and hung out to dry by the Royal Mail-CWU agreement.

While the overall agreement was endorsed, a separate ballot of Royal Mail fleet workers on Appendix 4 of the agreement, which includes plans for expanded outsourcing and a massive attack on terms and conditions for new entrants, was defeated. Their vote indicates ongoing opposition by Royal Mail workers to the agreements punishing overhaul of employment terms.

A member of the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee who works in delivery told the World Socialist Web Site, The ballot result today greenlights the worst attacks in the history of delivery workers. Regardless of the outcome we were always going to have to keep on organising and fighting. The result is not a resounding acceptance of the offer. Workers in delivery do not accept this programme of attack on their jobs.

Workers voted yes because they had no other choice. They were coerced by the offer of a lump sum at a time of poverty, by the strong arm of union officials advising a Yes vote, by exclusion from the decisions of branches to back the offer and by the endless attacks in the workplace.

Now is the time for all workers to double their efforts to stop the implementation of the deal. We can do this through rank-and-file postal workers committees. Workers will need an alternative voice now to oppose the coming storm. The fightback begins today.

Another committee member stated, This agreement will turn us into another Amazon. Its a form of industrial slavery with the company controlling our life. We will not have one outside of work with seasonal variations and later start and finish timesno friends or family.

Ward says stick together, but the union are only sticking together with the company against us. This is why we need the rank-and-file committee. We should not be giving up anything. There is always money for the huge salaries of the executives and shareholders. The workers get nothing. We have to keep fighting.

The Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee is holding a Zoom meeting on Sunday July 23 to discuss the outcome of the ballot and the way forward for postal workers. All rank-and-file workers are invited to register and attend.
Christine Agnew, the prosecution barrister in the trial of US actor Kevin Spacey on charges of sexual assault, has finished presenting Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) evidence at Southwark Crown Court in London, England. It is a week and a half since Agnew gave her opening statement on June 30 and detailed the charges, later handed out as an information pack to the press.

Spacey denies three counts of indecent assault, seven of sexual assault, one of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent and one of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent, which carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

In July 2019 similar charges were dropped in Massachusetts after his accuser refused to testify about missing incriminatory text messages on his cell phone. In October 2022 in New York, a jury acquitted Spacey in a civil lawsuit filed against him by another actor, Anthony Rapp.

The alleged assaults are said to have taken place between 2001 and 2013 and involve four men. They have appeared in court with 13 other witnessesformer girlfriends, friends and family membersbrought in by the prosecution to corroborate their accounts.

Kevin Spacey arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London with his legal team, June 30, 2023

The court saw a video of each complainant being questioned by the police at the time they first reported their alleged abuse several years ago. They then appeared in person behind a screen, visible only to the judge, barristers and jury, or in a video link. Agnew clarifies a few points in the video, but it is the cross-examination by Spaceys defence lawyer, Patrick Gibbs, that takes up most of the time.

Gibbs highlighted contradictions in the complainants accounts, confusion in their recall of events now nearly 20 years ago and questioned their motivations. He asked if the complainants felt threatened by homosexual flirtation and whether, following their encounter with Spacey, they began to question their own sexuality. Wasnt their insistence that Spacey was some sort of evil predator countered by evidence that the complainants enjoyed meeting Spacey, found him engaging and that he paid them attention, something they would not normally expect from celebrities, he asked. Spacey was nicknamed K-Dog by one complainant and his friends while drinking with him at a pub.

Gibbs also questioned why some complainants kept mementos such as one warm and jolly letter and photos, or continued to use their connection with Spacey to set up new businesses and help network with celebrities.

Due to UK legal restrictions, reporting on the trial is severely limited. Key moments can only be relayed in the most general manner. As a result, the media confines itself to rehashing the defence information pack embellished with a few quotes of the day.

Virtually nothing is mentioned about Gibbs cross-examination of the witnesses. There are a handful of news items that report the barrister questioning whether it was the #MeToo campaign and the allegations in the US against Spacey that made them go to the police and whether they had attempted to monetize their experience by filing a legal claim against Spacey for damages.

Most complainants of sexual offences (including male rape) are guaranteed anonymity by the law, under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1976, as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 1988, Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992 and Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000. It is illegal to publish the name of an accuser or any information that could be pieced together to reveal their identity through what is known as jigsaw identification. The accusers right to anonymity is life-long, even where the allegation is withdrawn or the accused acquitted.

The rationale for granting anonymity to complainants in rape cases was suggested in 1975 by the Heilbron Committee, set up by Labour Party Home Secretary Roy Jenkins to consider reform of rape laws. The committee recommended that the identity of rape complainants be kept secret, and that cross-examination about their sexual history intended to attack their character should be limited. Its recommendations formed the basis of the 1976 Sexual Offences Bill.

During the discussion of the Bill in Parliament, an amendment was made to also give anonymity to the defendant in rape cases to ensure equality between complainants and defendants and to protect potentially innocent defendants from the social stigma of a rape allegation. However, anonymity for defendants was repealed in 1988 on a recommendation of the Criminal Law Revision Committee, which argued that being accused of rape was no different from being accused of other serious crimes and did not warrant special treatment.

In 2021, former British diplomat and whistleblower Craig Murray was sentenced to an eight-month prison sentence in Scotland for jigsaw identification of witnesses in a failed sexual assault case against former Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Alex Salmond. Lady Leeona Dorrian, who presided over the Salmond trial and later sentenced Murray, is leading efforts to abolish jury trials in sexual assault cases.

As Murray declared, his imprisonment created the conditions where no information at all on the defence case may be published in case it contributes to jigsaw identification.

Were jury trials to be replaced, he continued, conviction will rest purely on the view of the judge

The right to have the facts judged in serious crime allegations by a jury of our peers is a glory of our civilisation. It is the product of millennia, not lightly to be thrown away and replaced by a huge increase in arbitrary state power. That movement is of course fuelled by current fashionable political dogma which is that the victim must always be believed. That claim has morphed from an initial meaning that police and first responders must take accusations seriously, to a dogma that accusation is proof and it is wrong to even question the evidence, which is of course to deny the very possibility of false accusation.

The universally superficial reporting of the Spacey case in the UK, confined to regurgitation of the charges against him with a routine single line that he denies them, can be contrasted with the coverage of the collapsed trial of William Little which was governed by US reporting laws.

Little accused Spacey of putting his hands down his pants and groping him at the bar where he worked in summer 2016. He was 18 at the time although admitted to telling the actor he was 23. An article by the Daily Mail, for example, reports names and details the cross examination. The trial was dismissed after it was revealed that incriminatory texts on Littles phone had been deleted, compromising the entire case when he pleaded the fifth amendment.

Most media reports of Spaceys trial do not even mention the reporting restrictions, the only exception other than the World Socialist Web Site being the BBC, which acknowledged, It means there may be some details we need to leave out from our reporting because of this.

Spacey is due to give evidence in his defence on Thursday and Friday.
On July 9 and 10, in the wake of four consecutive days of global record-breaking heat, the New York Hudson Valley and the state of Vermont faced devastating flash flooding. The flash floods were triggered by historic downpours, described as once in a 1000 year events. The latest disasters in the United States are a sharp warning of the worsening effects of climate change, caused by the profit-driven exploitation of the environment under capitalism.

A street damaged by flood waters, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Ludlow, Vermont. [AP Photo/Steven Senne]

As a result of prior rainfall, the grounds in Vermont and the Hudson Valley region were already saturated with water, meaning that the rainwater would take a longer time to subside. The National Weather service warned of Significant to catastrophic flooding ahead of the storms. Much of Vermont was placed on Flash Flood warnings. Continuing into the morning of July 11, the Vermont state Capital, and many of Vermont towns were under water.

It was estimated that the New York Hudson valley saw approximately 10 inches of rain in a single day, which is the same amount that is typically seen over the course of three months, to devastating impact. Vermont saw rainfall ranging from five to nine inches in a single day.

Some water had to be released from the City of Montpeliers Wrightsville Dam as it was nearing capacity Tuesday. While the rain has stopped, the water levels are taking a long time to recede and in some areas are still rising, as water travels downhill into valleys.

The rain caused the collapse of a bridge on Route 218 in New York. Thirteen other roads in New York were closed due to flooding, and the Amtrak has suspended services in the Hudson Valley region. The Vermont State Police reported that three dozen state roads were closed due to flooding.

President Biden has declared a federal state of emergency in the state of Vermont, while New York State governor Kathy Hochul has requested federal emergency assistance and declared a state of emergency. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made available equipment and resources to Vermonts emergency services.

As of Tuesday, emergency responders had made over 100 emergency rescues in Vermont.

The New York flash floods have killed one woman, while there are so far no reported deaths out of Vermont. Pamela Nugent was trying to escape rising water levels in her home when she was carried away by a violent current.

The extent of the flooding in New York and Vermont extends beyond that of 2011s tropical storm Irene, and rivals the 1927 Great Vermont Flood, which was caused by comparable levels of rain over the course of a couple weeks, resulting in the rivers swelling.

Despite the increased frequency of extreme weather events worldwide, the ruling class has made no effort to prepare for extreme weather events, let alone work to prevent such disasters.

The New England flooding follows the July 2021 flood disaster in western Germany, the catastrophe of the Pakistan flood of 2022, which killed nearly 2,000 and left over 2 million homeless, and the deadly Italian floods earlier this year. Worldwide, mass rainfall and flooding events are increasing both in frequency and intensity. According to a study by World Weather Attribution, the intensity of the rainfall experienced in Pakistan was exacerbated 70 percent by increased temperatures.

The World Meteorological Organization declared that world is seeing an El Nino ocean heating pattern, which periodically causes shifts in ocean currents leading to extreme droughts in some parts of the world and torrential downpours in other parts of the world. This also causes larger, dangerous typhoons to form the Pacific Ocean.

Climate scientists predict that El Nino heating patterns will become more intense and occur more frequently with the continued rise in global temperatures due to the greenhouse effect caused by carbon emissions.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that for every degree Celsius that the Earth warms, there will be a 7 percent increase in heavy rain events. Temperature increases cause an acceleration of the water cycle process of evaporation and precipitation, which according to Mathew Barlow, one of the authors of the IPCC report, increases the frequency of intense precipitation.

The IPCC report reiterates that risks are increasing with every increment of warming, and that adverse effects from human-caused climate change will continue to intensify. The report makes clear that limiting warming to 1.5 or 2 degrees Celsius involves rapid, deep, and in most cases immediate greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

The World Socialist Web Site recently noted The reports from both climate monitors reaffirm what has been known for decades, that the anarchic nature of capitalist production releases billions of tons of greenhouse gases into Earths atmosphere each year, trapping more and more heat and causing increasingly horrific ecological disasters.

Extreme weather knows no borders, and therefore climate change can not be fought on the basis of a national or local strategy. The fight against climate change requires an international and scientific strategy, a struggle which is not possible within the framework of the capitalist system. Workers around the world share common interests and are the only objective social force that can unite against climate change.
The murder of 17-year-old Nahel by a French policeman in the Parisian suburb of Nanterre has provoked a huge wave of anger in France and around the world. Since then, the government of French President Emmanuel Macron has launched a brutal crackdown on protests against police violence.

A police officer aims during a protest Friday, June 30, 2023 in Strasbourg, eastern France. [AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias]

When the WSWS speaks of class warfare to characterize the politics of Macron and the ruling classes, it does not exaggerate anything. During Macrons two terms, advanced war preparations by NATO to carve up Russia, and austerity policies have intensified the class antagonisms that underlie the extraordinary build-up of military and domestic police forces internationally.

The explosive situation in France and its overseas territories spread to Belgium and Switzerland. These events are watched with nervousness by the ruling classes in Europe and elsewhere, who also fear being confronted with mobilizations of the working class.

Macron gave unlimited powers to the police to suppress the yellow vests and, more recently, the struggle of workers against his pension reform. The French police injure, blind and kill. Nahels murder by a policeman was fuelled by Macrons brutal policy of defending capitalist interests. The president has cultivated among the fascist cops the most reactionary sentiments to form a social base against the working class.

On the weekend of July 1, clashes between police and demonstrators were particularly violent in Marseille and throughout France. The Marseille police headquarters had considerably reinforced its security measures which, the day before, had proved ineffective against the rioters. CRS riot police units were stationed on Cours Belsunce and Cours Saint-Louis, in the city centre, to block access to its main shopping streets. Two armored vehicles and two helicopters were also mobilized, as well as officers from the specialized units of RAID and GIGN.

Traders had also recruited teams of vigilantes to protect their premises, some of whom also carried non-lethal defensive weapons, Gomm-Cogne, which fire rubber bullets.

During clashes on the night of Saturday, July 1, a 27-year-old man died in Marseille. As the newspaper Le Monde indicates, prosecutors believes that it was probable that the death of the man, who was driving a scooter, was caused by a violent shock to the chest caused by the firing of a flash ball projectile [a type of grenade used by French riot police] which caused cardiac arrest. The man was reportedly found on Cours Lieutaud, an avenue just a few hundred metres from the Old Port and the shopping streets of the city centre, where several dozen businesses were looted overnight from Saturday to Sunday.

It should be noted that it was not until July 4 that the press reported this information for the first time, in the local newspaper La Marseillaise, and that it was confirmed by the local television channel France 3 Provence-Alpes-French Riviera. As early as Sunday morning, however, the Marseille firefighters had mentioned to AFP the suspicious death of a young man who had felt unwell and had fallen from a scooter, without linking it to the riots that had taken place. Still, according to the firefighters, when they intervened with the victim there were no active clashes at Cours Lieutaud at that time.

Faced with the outburst of anger over Nahels murder and the ensuing riots, the Macron governmentalready deeply discredited after its push through on pension reform despite overwhelming popular oppositionis in a deadly political crisis. Macron did not institute a state of emergency, as was the case during the 2005 riots, but his police-state has launched a brutal crackdown on protesters and is carrying out rushed trials against young people in working class neighbourhoods.

The mass arrests over the weekend followed the police unions fascist joint statement, issued on Friday, declaring we are at war, and threatening to incapacitate those whom we arrest. The joint statement continued: In the face of these savage hordes, it is no longer enough to ask for calm, it must be imposed ... [it is time] to fight these vermin.

After this statement, heavily armed security forces besieged the main towns. Last weekend, 45,000 police officers were mobilised nationally and 7,000 others were sent as reinforcements to Paris each night. Since Nahels death, 4,000 people have been arrestedthe average age of which is 17among them young people aged as young as 12 and 13.

Fearing new unrest, the annual demonstration held on July 8 in tribute to Adama Traore, who died of asphyxiation by the police in 2016 without anyone being tried, was banned. Despite this, a peaceful demonstration called by Adamas sister on Place de la Republique in Paris, was brutally suppressed by the police and the controversial BRAV-M specialised protest unit. Adamas brother suffered injuries to the skull, eye, nose, stomach and back and was hospitalized. At least two journalists said they too were mistreated by police during the Paris march.

Advancing authoritarian measures, Macron envisages, as he outlined at the Elysee Palace in front of nearly 300 mayors, blocking the social networks used by the demonstrators to communicate: We need to have a reflection on the use of these networks among the youngest, in families, at school, [and consider] the prohibitions that we must put in place. We could see it  when things get carried away for a moment, we say to ourselves: we should perhaps put ourselves in a position to regulate [social media] or cut them.

The Socialist Equality Party calls for the construction of rank-and-file committees independent of pseudo-left parties and pro-Macron trade union bureaucracies. Only a mass mobilization of the French and European working class can defend workers and youth against police violence and bring down the hated Macron government.
Are you a striking dockworker in British Columbia? Contact us here or fill out the form at the end of this article to speak out anonymously on your working conditions and your views about how the strike can be won. Under conditions where the Liberal government is moving to break the strike, it is all the more important that the ILWU gag order on workers be broken. We are fighting for the development of rank-and-file committees to unite the struggles of dockworkers across North America and globally.

Canadas Justin Trudeau-led federal Liberal government announced late Tuesday that it is intervening to force an end to the 12-day strike by 7,400 West Coast dockworkers.

Invoking Section 105 (2) of the anti-worker Canadian Labour Code, Labour Minister Seamus ORegan ordered a federal mediator, who has been leading talks between the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), to draft the terms for a settlement of the dispute within 24 hours. The BCMEA and ILWU will then have 24 hours to accept or reject the government-dictated contract.

Striking BC dockers [Photo: ILWU Canada/Facebook]

ORegans move is a back-to-work law in all but name. In announcing the governments circumventing of the normal collective bargaining process, the Labour Minister declared, After 11 days of a work stoppage, I have decided that the difference between the employers and the unions position is not sufficient to justify a continued work stoppage. In other words, if the ILWU refuses to impose the big business/government-dictated settlement on its members, the Liberals will recall Parliament to criminalize the unjustified strike with strikebreaking legislation.

Striking dockworkers, their class brothers and sisters at US West Coast ports and workers across Canada must mobilize immediately to defeat this brazen attack on workers right to strike. Rank-and-file committees should be set up at each port to fight for the broadening of the strike in opposition to all efforts by the government and its union allies to shut it down. They must seize control of the strike from the ILWU bureaucracy, which has already indicated that it is likely to capitulate to the government-dictated agreement.

The ILWU Canada apparatus, led by President Rob Ashton, has refused to denounce the governments intervention. It has said it will make no comment until the mediator submits his recommendations, a tacit acceptance of the governments right to impose a rotten contract that incorporates the employers concession demands.

This, moreover, is in conformity with the unions actions throughout the strike. Even while it denounced the BCMEA for predicating its bargaining strategy on government intervention and made a show of calling on Ottawa to stay out of the dispute, it never so much as broached the question of what workers should do to counter a back-to-work law.

ORegans claim that the issues in dispute do not warrant the strikes continuation is a flagrant provocation that tramples on dockworkers democratic right to determine whether or not job action is justified. The ministers claim that a good deal is within reach is absurd on its face and underscores that the government stands fully on the employers side. The talks prior to and during the strike have been characterized by the BCMEA making outrageous demands and smearing the strikers as overpaid and spoilt. The association, which represents some 49 employers at BCs 30 ports, wants to vastly expand the use of third-party contractors, so as to slash labour costs and further cut jobs through automation. It is also pressing for a massive real-terms pay cut, offering workers a 14.7 percent pay increase over four years. Five of the BCMEAs member organizations are global giants who made whopping profits of more than C$100 billion in 2022 alone.

Confident of the governments backing, the BCMEA arrogantly announced the suspension of talks on the third day of the strike. With the strike now approaching the two-week mark, its backers in the corporate-controlled media are citing reports of companies in the manufacturing and agriculture industries imposing production slowdowns to bolster their shrill demands that the government end the dispute immediately.

There are two benefits for the Liberal government in using Section 105 (2) to end the strike. First, the process is quicker than recalling Parliament and passing back-to-work legislation, which would take several days. If the ILWU capitulates to ORegans proposal, workers could be back on the job as soon as Thursday evening. Second, the government can enforce the employers terms without having to deploy the full force of the state and thereby openly expose itself as a tool of big business and the collective bargaining system as a sham.

As the Liberals have done time and again since coming to power in 2015, they instead intend to use the services of the union bureaucracy to smother the class struggle and implement corporate Canadas demands. At the same time, should the ILWU bureaucrats balk at imposing the proposed settlement, the Trudeau government retains the power to rush a strikebreaking law through Parliament as it did to crush a strike by 1,100 Montreal dockworkers in May 2021.

Under Section 108 of the Canadian Labour Code, ORegan also has the option of forcing a vote on the government-dictated contract even if the ILWU rejects it, provided that the BCMEA endorses it.

In his comments Tuesday, ORegan made clear that far more is at stake for the ruling elites in Canada and the United States than just the terms in a new collective agreement. The scale of this disruption shows how important the relationship between the BCMEA and the ILWU is to our national interest. We cannot allow this work stoppage to persist and risk further damage to the relationship between these parties, he declared.

When ORegan speaks of the national interest, he means the interests of Canadian imperialism, which requires supply chains operating without disruption to pursue in alliance with US imperialism its agenda of war abroad and boosting global competitivenessi.e., big business profitsat home. The ports on North Americas Pacific coast are vital conduits for the raw materials needed to feed the armaments industry and for the weapons they produce and are therefore essential to the US and Canadian ruling classes as they wage war on Russia in Ukraine and prepare for war with China.

ORegans concern about the potential for damage to the relationship between the BCMEA and ILWU demonstrates how critical the corporatist partnership between the union bureaucracy, big business and the government is for the North American imperialist powers. Having consulted extensively with the Biden administration during the strike, ORegan will be well aware of how the Democrats used their relationship with the union bureaucracy to block a strike by over 110,000 railroaders last December, which would have meant massive disruptions to supply chains and risked the disruption of the war effort. He is also a member of a government that has repeatedly used its close ties to the union bureaucracy to suppress the class struggle, including most recently by enforcing a sellout agreement on 155,000 federal government workers after a two-week strike in April.

In his comments Tuesday, he made no secret of the fact that he views the union as a partner in imposing terms on rank-and-file workers, whose interests collide not only with the bosses but with the well-paid ILWU bureaucrats. The deal now being drafted by the federal mediator would work for both the employer and the union, he said. The interests of the workers did not even merit a mention.

In its push to end the strike, the Liberal government has called on the services of Hassan Yussuff, the former president of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), Canadas largest union federation. Yussuff participated in talks Monday evening in what was the first face-to-face meeting between the parties in over a week. He embodies the antiworker corporatist ties between the Liberal government and the bureaucracy.

As CLC president, Yussuff played a major role in renegotiating the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the Trump administration to consolidate a US-led trade bloc aimed at challenging the continents twin imperialist powers strategic rivals. He was also instrumental in enforcing the ruling elites homicidal profits before lives pandemic policy, including the deadly back-to-work campaign. For services rendered to the financial oligarchy, Trudeau appointed Yussuff upon his retirement from the CLC to Canadas Senate, the upper house of Parliament.

The deployment of Yussuff to Vancouver underscores the growing fear within ruling circles that unless the strike is brought to a swift end, it could act as the catalyst for a broader movement of workers across North America against capitalist austerity and the subordination of societys resources to waging imperialist war. On Monday, the BCMEA savagely denounced the ILWUs announcement that its US members would not handle containers rerouted from Vancouver for American ports, an indication of the employers fear of any joint action of workers across the Canada-US border. ILWU Canada leadership, thundered the BCMEA, have even banded together with US west coast port workers who say they will refuse to work container ships that were rerouted from Port of Vancouver to Port of Seattlefurther damaging the reliability and competitiveness of West Coast ports up and down the coast.

In fact, the ILWUs initiative proved largely ineffectual and was taken above all to placate the strong sentiments among rank-and-file dockworkers for a unified fight by North American port workers against the bosses. For security reasons, dockworkers and the ILWU do not receive information about containers on ships which allows shippers and their clients to relabel cargo while at sea to change its final port of destination. Two ships that arrived in Seattle Monday after being diverted from Vancouver subsequently announced that they would not return to Canada, a clear sign that the cargo was processed at Seattle or will be handled at another US port.

Throughout the strike, the ILWU has worked to keep American and Canadian dockworkers hermetically sealed off from each other. In close consultation with the Biden administration, the ILWU suddenly announced a tentative agreement for 22,000 American dockers last month just as their Canadian colleagues delivered a massive strike vote. The clear purpose of announcing the deal, for which ratification is being dragged out for many weeks, was to prevent a situation emerging in which a strike on both sides of the border occurred at the same time. US West Coast dockworkers have been kept on the job for over a year without a contract by the ILWU.

The unification of the dockworkers struggle across North America is pivotal to defeating the Trudeau governments aggressive intervention to crush the strike. Striking BC dockers must appeal to their American brothers and sisters to join their struggle and broaden the strike to other sections of workers across Canada who have a direct interest in defeating the ruling classs ever-widening drive to abrogate the right to strike.

This struggle must be waged in a rebellion against the ILWU bureaucracy and its backers in the New Democratic Party, who are propping up the same Trudeau government that is now trampling on dockworkers rights. What is posed is the need to develop a working class counteroffensive to defeat the ruling elites agenda of austerity and war and its use of authoritarian methods and the force of the capitalist state to impose them.
As many as 10,000 UK school teachers, pupils and school staff have died of lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure in school buildings in the past 40 years, according to an investigation by the Sunday Times.

A UK school building in 2015 [Photo by PeterMHertsHeritage100 / Wikimedia / CC BY-SA 4.0

Asbestos is a building material used as a fire retardant and heat insulator. It was widely employed during the postwar construction boom when many homes and schools were built in the UK. A 2019 Department for Education (DfE) survey of 20,000 schools in the UK estimated that about 81 percent of them contained asbestos.

Despite its useful properties, asbestos poses significant health risks for humans, especially after prolonged exposurethough there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. When inhaled, asbestos fibers damage the lungs and can lead to scarring and inflammation and, in many cases, malignant mesothelioma, an aggressive tumor for which there is no effective treatment.

While the time between exposure to asbestos and the emergence of actual illness can be quite long (up to 40 years), once someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, the average life expectancy is about 12 months. Over 4,000 people in the UK are killed by the disease each year.

The effects of asbestos have been known for a long time (the first documented death related to the substance was in 1906), but the material was only banned in the UK in 1999. Britain has the highest mesothelioma incidence in the worldmore than twice that of France, Germany, or the United States.

The type of asbestos most commonly used in UK schoolsgenerally known as white asbestosdoes not emit fibers unless it is disturbed. However, as more and more schools are falling into disrepair, the risk that parts of buildings containing asbestos will be damaged, either by roof collapse or renovation work, is growing. There is no register recording which schools contain asbestos and where in the building.

Many teachers and children are daily exposed to asbestos when going to school, virtually guaranteeing that a significant number of them will contract mesothelioma later in life. This is doubly true for children, who are more vulnerable to lung cancer from asbestos than adults.

Since the risk of mesothelioma accumulates over time, a five-year-old child who is exposed to asbestos is estimated to be, according to a 2013 DfE report, five times more likely to develop mesothelioma during their lifetime than an adult who is first exposed at the age of 30. Despite this, schools in the UK are not obligated to inform parents if the school contains asbestosand in many cases will not even be aware themselves that their buildings are potential death traps.

The Times recounted the case of PE Teacher Chris Willis, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at 29 after being exposed to asbestos while attending the Kenton School in Newcastle as a child. You dont expect to go to school, get an education and come out with what Ive got, he said. He died last year, at the age of just 34.

In April 2022, a UK Work and Pensions Select Committee (WPSC) report recommended that the government establish a register of asbestos and start a program of gradually removing it from all buildings, starting with high-risk ones such as schools. The Health and Safety Executive of the government rejected both recommendations, which would have cost and estimated 11.4 billion, claiming that the risk of exposure is minimal if properly managed and that the rush to remove asbestos would pose more of a risk than letting it stay where it is.

This claim was contradicted a few months later when a report by the Asbestos Testing and Consultancy Association revealed that Of the 710,433 items of asbestos found, 507,612 (71 percent) were recorded as having some level of damage.

The government further stated that it is the responsibility of school staff to manage the risk, by covering up areas containing asbestos and ensuring that it is not disturbed. Tests have shown that this is not an effective strategy, however, as the asbestos is often not in good condition, or it is unsealed and hidden. They have also shown that it can be disturbed by normal school activity, with asbestos fibers released over the course of many years without anyone being aware of it.

The governments own guidance on how to manage asbestos in schools relates an incident where, In one school, a laboratory technician installed an IT cable through a ceiling void, putting holes through fire barriers and walls and contaminating most ceiling voids throughout the building. It was 9 months before the exposure was spotted by a surveyor.

Electrical work done in another school led to the contamination with asbestos of everything from computers, files and records to pupils coursework.

Thousands of teachers and pupils are being condemned to an early grave by this cruel, penny-pinching indifference. It can be safely assumed that cases like the ones described above have happened many times and will continue to happen. It amounts to nothing less than social murder.

The Times report concludes by proposing a five-point plan for addressing this crisis and appealing to the government to implement it. Its suggestions are mostly a re-hash of the Work and Pensions Committee recommendations, including: draw up a national strategy for the planned removal of all asbestos over the next 40 years, creating a digital register for people to check if any building contains asbestos, and introducing air quality controls around buildings that monitor asbestos fibers.

While these are important, if inadequate, steps, it is pointless to expect a government that let 220,000 people die in the Covid-19 pandemic to spend anything on protecting the health and safety of workers and children, especially when that money could be used for the ongoing NATO war against Russia in Ukraine.

The teacher unions have made some pro-forma statements criticising the government but have not proposed any plan for teachers and school staff to fight for their health and lives.

NASUWT general secretary Dr Patrick Roach said, This is needlessly and avoidably passing on a potentially deadly legacy to the staff and children working and learning in our schools today. Yet the only proposal from the union is working with WPSC committee chairman Sir Stephen Timms to raise demands in parliament.

That the Times, a right-wing Murdoch newspaper, has made more of a fuss over this issue than the union bureaucracy is indicative of its contemptuous attitude towards its members. As far as the trade unions are concerned, as long as they can collect their dues from, nothing else matters, even if workers end up dying prematurely of a preventable cause.

The only way for school staff and parents to secure the resources necessary to protect their health and their livesas well as pay and conditionsis to organise their own independent rank-and-file committees as the bedrock of a struggle against the government. For further information, sign up to the Educators Newsletter and contact the Educators Rank-and-File Committee.
On Sunday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (Social Democrat, SPD) backed US President Joe Bidens decision to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine. He told broadcaster ZDF that the official position of the German government to speak out against these internationally outlawed weapons was still correct, only to add, But it cannot stand in the way of the USA in the current situation.

A US B-1 bomber drops cluster bombs [Photo: DoD photo, USAF, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons]

The fact that the German head of state is backing the delivery of cluster bombs just before the start of the NATO summit in Vilnius is a warning. In the Second World War, Germanys ruling class committed the greatest crimes in history with the Holocaust and the war of extermination against the Soviet Union. Now, once again, it will stop at nothing to pursue its imperialist goals.

The use of cluster munitions is illegal under international law and a criminal act per se. They are rockets and bombs that burst in the air and release countless small explosive devices, which are designed to kill and maim people indiscriminately. Not only Russian soldiers, but above all Ukrainian civilians would pay a terrible price for years to come.

In air strikes during the Vietnam War, the US dropped cluster bombs extensively on targets in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Between 1964 and 1973, over 270 million cluster bombs rained down on Laos alone, of which it is estimated that 80 million failed to explode. According to Wikipedia, more than 50,000 people were killed or injured by cluster munitions between 1964 and 2008, 20,000 of them after the war, while 23 percent of the victims were children.

NATO powers have also used cluster munitions in the wars of aggression against Serbia and Iraq, acts which violated international law. According to a Human Rights Watch report, the United States and Britain dropped nearly 13,000 cluster bombs over Iraq, containing an estimated 1.8 to 2 million submunitions, with terrible consequences. For example, according to Amnesty International, many dead and injured people were admitted to the local hospital in Hilla on 1 April 2003, their bodies covered with cuts caused by shrapnel from cluster bombs.

Steinmeier knows exactly what crimes he is supporting with his statement. In the ZDF interview, he cynically remarked that he was biased with regard to the use of cluster bombs, since he had signed the international treaty banning cluster munitions in Oslo in 2008 as German Foreign Minister.

In the agreement, which entered into force on 1 August 2010, the 111 signatory states undertook never to use, develop, manufacture, otherwise acquire, stockpile, retain or transfer, directly or indirectly, cluster munitions to anyone under any circumstances. They were determined to end the suffering and death caused by cluster munitions. And the text said it was concerning that cluster munitions remnants could kill or maim civilians, including women and children.

Fifteen years later, these are nothing but empty words for the ruling class. Phrases about disarmament, democracy, and human rights, which were always hollow, are increasingly replaced by open pleas to deploy the most terrible weapons of war. In order to avert the collapse of the Ukrainian war offensive and defeat Russia on the battlefield, Washington and Berlin are willing to use any means.

Speaking to ZDF, Steinmeier explicitly advocated an escalation of the war. At the moment, he did not see the conditions under which he could imagine a ceasefire, the German President said. At this point in time, it would mean rewarding the theft of land that Russia is carrying out in Ukraine. As long as Russia did not withdraw its troops from Ukraine, he said, one must have understanding for the fact that ... Ukraine is trying to beat back the Russian troops.

Steinmeier speaks for a ruling class that despite its monstrous historical crimes, is once again pursuing the goal of subjugating Russia in order to plunder its vast reserves of raw materials, and to rise to become a leading military power. For days, the warmongers in politics and the media have been competing with their demands to increase the war effort. All inhibitions are being dropped.

The WSWS has already commented on the recent commentaries in Der Spiegel (Give Ukraine whatever it needsThats what a victory over Putin should be worth to us) and the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (The counter-draft to Guttenberg), which advocate unlimited arms deliveries to Ukraine and preparations for tank battles throughout Europe. Not only the content, but also the cynicism and lies being used are reminiscent of Nazi war propaganda.

The moral outrage over the fact that the US now wants to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions, which are outlawed by many states, is unreasonable, enthuses Die Welts chief foreign affairs correspondent Clemens Wergin in a commentary entitled Why cluster munitions are morally justifiable for Ukraine. While Russia has been using this type of ammunition en masse since the beginning of the war, including against civilian targets, this cannot be assumed to be the case with the Ukrainians, who continue to try to abide by the rules of the international laws of war.

One does not know which is more repulsive. Wergins double standard on war crimes, his glorification of the Ukrainian regime enforced by fascist forces, or the patently absurd claim that in the right hands weapons that violate international law are in accordance with the international laws of war and even protect the civilian population.

Others openly advocate nuclear escalation. Stefanie Babst, who was the highest-ranking German in the NATO General Secretariat from 2006 to 2020, complains in a commentary that NATO was unlikely to accept Ukraine into its circle of members immediately in Vilnius. A glimmer of hope, however, was perhaps that the government in Warsaw has been seeking admission to NATOs nuclear sharing arrangement for some time.

According to Babsts unscrupulous plan, the USA would station B61 nuclear bombs in Poland and Warsaw and equip the existing F-16 and US ordered F-35 fighter aircraft with nuclear-capable delivery systems. Should Warsaw then agree to take Ukraine under its then existing nuclear umbrella as part of a bilateral security agreement, the Kremlin would be forced to think harder about this new strategic dynamic.

Another commentary in Die Welt penned by its Brussels correspondent Christoph B. Schiltz also advocates upgrading Ukraine militarily to the point where it can win the war. At present, above all, long-range surface-to-surface missiles (ATACMS), mine-clearing tanks, F-16 fighter jets, anti-aircraft systems (Patriots, Iris-T) and artillery shells are missing, Schiltz gushes. And unfortunately, Biden, Scholz & Co are still betting on not provoking Kremlin dictator Putin too much.

Such statements border on suicidal madness. Babst and Co. are literally writing a nuclear escalation of the war into being. They do not even waste a thought on the consequences. Warsaw, Berlin, and other major European cities would be the first targets of a nuclear war of annihilation.

In a perspective on the NATO summit, the WSWS has already warned: If NATOs military threatens to defeat Russia, Russias military doctrine is to use nuclear weapons, triggering a nuclear war in which the Russian nuclear arsenal alone is capable of destroying not only every major city in America, but of ending human civilization altogether.

The madness of war has objective causes. Behind the increasingly aggressive posturing of the imperialist powers is a toxic mixture of geopolitical goals and a deep internal crisis. As in the 1930s, the ruling class is responding to the profound crisis of the capitalist system by turning to militarism, fascism, and war. The working class must counter this dangerous development with its own independent strategy and build a powerful international anti-war movement based on a socialist programme.
Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia is continuing to receive statements from around the world opposing its arbitrary and anti-democratic censorship of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE).

University management is refusing to affiliate an IYSSE club, despite it having met all of the stipulated requirements. The letter below, from IYSSE members in New Zealand, exposes the false pretext used to justify this attack, and its purpose, the suppression of the only anti-war organisation on campus.

The New Zealand letter is followed by messages from the IYSSE in Turkey and France. The former country plays a major role in the geopolitics of Europe, and has been a site of increasing social opposition, especially after the devastating earthquake that claimed tens of thousands of lives earlier this year. The latter, France, is the scene of a mass upheaval of young people against police violence, following on from major struggles by the working class against the governments unilateral imposition of a hike to the pension age.

IYSSE anti-war meeting at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand on April 4, 2023

To the Macquarie University Student Groups team,

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, joins with students in Australia and internationally in opposing the blatantly anti-democratic decision by Macquarie University in Sydney to refuse to grant affiliation to the IYSSE, despite it meeting all the necessary requirements for affiliated clubs at the university.

At the end of May, Macquarie University refused to register the IYSSEwhich has been active on the campus for 12 yearsbased on the completely bogus claim that it does not meet the requirement of being unique. Outrageously, the university suggested that IYSSE members should disband their organisation and join the Macquarie Socialists, which it said had the same aim and purpose.

In the first place: who are the university authorities to dictate which political organisations students can and cannot join? There is simply no justification for the universitys action, which is an attack on freedom of speech and freedom of association. We also find it completely unacceptable that, for more than a month, Macquarie University has ignored the appeals made by the IYSSE against its disaffiliation.

Secondly, Macquarie Socialists aims are diametrically opposed to those of the IYSSE. This is clear to anyone with access to the Internet. The differences have been well-documented on the World Socialist Web Site, and the Macquarie Socialists themselves recently stated that they reject the claim that we share the same aim and purpose as IYSSE.

The IYSSE is the student and youth movement of the International Committee of the Fourth International, the world party of socialist revolution. On campuses, we seek to introduce students to a Marxist understanding of history and the present social and economic crisis, in opposition to the prevailing climate of postmodernism and cynicism. We seek to mobilise opposition to war and social inequality, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, based on the perspective that none of these problems can be resolved outside of the fight by the international working class to put an end to capitalism.

Macquarie Socialists is part of Socialist Alternative, a pseudo-left group that exists to provide a left cover for capitalist parties such as Labor and the Greens and for the trade union bureaucracy, as these organisations impose sweeping attacks on workers living standards in Australia. On the central issue facing young people, the danger of a third world war, Socialist Alternative has lined up firmly behind the US, NATO and their allies in the escalating war against Russia over Ukraine.

Macquarie Universitys refusal to affiliate the IYSSE is a clear case of politically-motivated censorship, and an attack on the rights of all students, which must be opposed. It is part of a global drive by universities in the imperialist countries to promote conformism and suppress opposition, in particular, to the increasingly nationalist and militarist climate that is being fostered on the campuses.

It cannot be a coincidence that the IYSSE has been banned from Macquarie University following its successful public meeting there in April, The War in Ukraine and How to Stop It. The IYSSE at Victoria University of Wellington held a meeting on the same day on the same topic. Both events were targeted by supporters of NATO and the Ukrainian regime, who waged a social media campaign against the IYSSE and contacted both universities to try and stop the meetings from going ahead.

It should also be noted that the IYSSE at Berlins Humboldt University is now facing a campaign of intimidation and attacks on its freedom of speech, because of its opposition to the Ukraine war, the remilitarisation of Germany and the relativisation of Nazi crimes by academics at Humboldt.

In its move to suppress the IYSSE, Macquarie University is aligning itself with the most reactionary, pro-war forces, which are determined to stamp out the only organisation on campus that stands against imperialism and capitalism.

The IYSSE in New Zealand calls on all students to oppose this act of political censorship and demand that Macquarie University reverse its anti-democratic decision, and allow the IYSSE to affiliate as a club.

Sincerely,

Cody W, Amara R, Lewis B and Tom P on behalf of the IYSSE at Victoria University of Wellington.

To whom it may concern,

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality in Turkey strongly condemns your denial of club status to the IYSSE at Macquarie University.

The justification that the IYSSE and the Macquarie Socialists have the same aims is a false argument designed to prevent our political activity at the campus. The IYSSE has well-documented political differences with the MQ Socialists club of Socialist Alternative, notably with regard to the NATO war against Russia in Ukraine.

It is no coincidence that the denial of IYSSE club status was made in the same period as the attempted sabotage of the IYSSEs anti-war meeting in Canada by the state-backed right-wing extremists and similar attacks on the work of IYSSE (Germany) in the elections for the student parliament at Humboldt University in Berlin. In fact, the IYSSE, as an international organization orienting to the working class, is the only youth movement which has been actively campaigning against the imperialist war threatening humanity with a nuclear Third World War.

Preventing the founding of a student club on campus under various pretexts clearly violates basic democratic rights. We express our solidarity with IYSSE in Australia and demand that you overturn this antidemocratic decision.

Harun Akn

IYSSE convener in Turkey



Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to express the opposition of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in France to your refusal to grant club status to our organisation at Macquarie university.

The IYSSE had been a club for over a decade at Macquarie and had its status unjustly revoked last year. Your decision to deny the IYSSE club status despite it fulfilling all of the necessary requirements is a blatantly anti-democratic attack on the rights of students at your university to form clubs that represent their own political views.

Your claim that the IYSSE has the same aim and purpose as the Macquarie Socialists has no basis. The IYSSE and Macquarie Socialists have fundamental political differences on the critical questions facing young people at Macquarie, across Australia and internationally. To name just the most significant of these differences, this includes the war in Ukraine, the political role played by the trade union bureaucracies and the defence of democratic rights. The student body at Macquarie has a democratic right to hear and engage with the IYSSEs unique perspectives on the most pressing questions of our age.

These are not cosmetic differences, but result from the fundamental differences in political orientation between the Macquarie Socialists and the IYSSE, particularly the latters orientation to the international working class. Due to our unique perspective, IYSSE clubs function independently at universities across the globe, including at the University of Melbourne.

This is only confirmed by the Macquarie Socialists groups slanderous attacks on the IYSSE through the falsification of our political positions. Such attacks show your assertion that the two organizations have the same aim and purpose is not only false but absurd, as well as being an illegitimate justification for the denial of club status to the Macquarie IYSSE.

For the reasons above the IYSSE in France expresses our full solidarity with the struggle of the Macquarie IYSSE to restore its club status and we demand you immediately reverse the decision to suppress the democratic rights of our group and the Macquarie student body.

Samuel Tissot,

Member of the IYSSE (France)
(Bloomberg) -- There are growing signs the tide is turning for Chinese technology shares after a years-long crackdown that wiped out as much as three quarters of their market value.

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A gauge of mainland tech stocks listed in Hong Kong advanced for a third day following rare praise from the nations top economic planner, and news that government officials had met with six of the largest companies in the sector last week.

The National Development and Reform Commission in a statement Wednesday commended enterprises such as Tencent Holdings Ltd., Meituan and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. for supporting the nations technological innovation with increased investment. That was after regulators last week levied fines on fintech arms backed by Tencent and Alibaba, a move seen as marking the end of the official clampdown.

The reform commissions praise of tech platforms helped aid the overall sentiment, said Vey-Sern Ling, managing director at Union Bancaire Privee in Singapore. The rally is also probably just a carry over from the positive sentiment over the weekend of Ant and Tenpays fines, he said.

The recent developments are being taken as a sign Beijing is finally switching to a more supportive stance toward the private sector after the crackdown that also caught up areas such as gaming and education. The suspension of Ants public listing in November 2020 was deemed as the start of President Xi Jinpings campaign to rein in the technology sector. That overhang was finally removed when regulators imposed fines of more than $1 billion in fines on Ant Group and Tencent last week.

Hang Seng Tech Index constituents have lost a combined $2 trillion in market capitalization since the gauge topped out in February 2021. The index outperformed the broader market between October and January amid reopening optimism, before sluggish macro economic data derailed its recovery.

The best-performing stocks Wednesday included video-streaming-platform operator Bilibili Inc., which jumped as much as 9.2%, and Kuaishou Technology, which gained as much as 5.8%. The Hang Seng Tech Index rose 2%, but is still down more than 60% from its high in February 2021.

Whether the current rally is sustainable remains uncertain, as many investors remain skeptical that Beijing has really changed its long-term view of the sector, according to analysts.

A short-term relief rally is reasonable, but sustainability matters, said Willer Chen, a senior research analyst at Forsyth Barr Asia Ltd. in Hong Kong, citing longer-term concerns such as negative sentiment toward the Chinese economy. Its tough to make a guess on how long it will last.

--With assistance from Zhu Lin.

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China's Huawei poised to overcome US ban with return of 5G phones -research firms

A Huawei logo and a 5G sign are pictured at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Shanghai

China's Huawei poised to overcome US ban with return of 5G phones -research firms A Huawei logo and a 5G sign are pictured at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Shanghai

By David Kirton

SHENZHEN, China (Reuters) - China's Huawei Technologies is plotting a return to the 5G smartphone industry by the end of this year, according to research firms, signalling a comeback after a U.S. ban on equipment sales decimated its consumer electronics business.

Huawei should be able to procure 5G chips domestically using its own advances in semiconductor design tools along with chipmaking from Semiconductor Manufacturing International Co (SMIC), three third-party technology research firms covering China's smartphone sector told Reuters.

The firms, citing industry sources including Huawei suppliers, spoke on condition of anonymity because of confidentiality agreements with clients.

Huawei declined to comment. SMIC did not respond to a request for comment.

A return to the 5G phone market would mark a victory for the company that for almost three years said it was in "survival" mode. Huawei's consumer business revenue peaked at 483 billion yuan ($67 billion) in 2020, before plummeting by almost 50% a year later.

The Shenzhen-based tech giant once vied with Apple and Samsung to be the world's biggest handset maker until rounds of U.S. restrictions beginning in 2019 cut its access to chipmaking tools essential for producing its most advanced models.

The U.S. and European governments have labelled Huawei a security risk, a charge the company denies. Since then, Huawei has only sold limited batches of 5G models using stockpiled chips.

Stuck selling last-generation 4G handsets, Huawei fell from most rankings worldwide last year, when sales reached a low point, though it rose to a 10% market share in China in the first quarter, according to consultancy Canalys.

5G FORECASTS

One of the research firms said it expected Huawei to use SMIC's N+1 manufacturing process, though with a forecast yield rate of usable chips below 50%, 5G shipments would be limited to around 2 million to 4 million units. A second firm estimated shipments could reach 10 million units, without providing further details.

Huawei shipped 240.6 million smartphones worldwide in 2019, its peak year, according to Canalys, before selling its Honor unit that accounted for nearly a fifth of shipments that year.

The state-backed China Securities Journal newspaper this month reported Huawei had raised its 2023 mobile shipment target to 40 million units from 30 million at the start of the year, without referencing a return to 5G phones.

Huawei could produce 5G versions of flagship models like the iPhone rival P60 this year, with new launches likely in early 2024, the three research firms said, adding they were basing such predictions on information they had received via checks with contacts in Huawei's supply chain and recent company announcements.

However, U.S. restrictions cut Huawei off from Google's Android operating system and the bundle of developer services upon which most Android apps are based, limiting Huawei handsets' appeal outside of China.

CHIP DESIGN TOOLS

The research firms noted Huawei in March announced it had made breakthroughs in electronic design automation (EDA) tools for chips produced at and above 14 nanometre (nm) technology.

Chip design companies use EDA software to produce the blueprints for chips before they are mass manufactured at fabs.

The research firms, citing their own industry sources, believe Huawei's EDA software could be used with SMIC's N+1 manufacturing process to make chips at the equivalent of 7 nm, the powerful semiconductors typically used in 5G phones.

Washington barred SMIC from obtaining an advanced chipmaking tool called an EUV machine from Dutch firm ASML that is critical in the process of making 7 nm chips.

But some analysts have found signs SMIC has nevertheless managed to produce 7 nm chips by tweaking simpler DUV machines it could still purchase freely from ASML.

The second research firm said it noticed Huawei had asked SMIC to produce chip components below 14 nm this year for 5G products.

The forecast yield rate of less than 50% means that 5G chips are "going to be costly", said Doug Fuller who researches chips at the Copenhagen Business School.

"I guess if Huawei wants to eat the cost they can do this, but I don't see such chips as price competitive," Fuller said.

($1 = 7.2023 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by David Kirton; Editing by Jamie Freed)
Countries agree to extend digital services tax freeze through 2024 A money changer counts U.S. dollar banknotes at a currency exchange office in Ankara

PARIS (Reuters) -With the exception of Canada, countries with digital services taxes have agreed to hold off applying them for at least another year as a global multinationals tax deal to replace them was pushed back, the OECD said on Wednesday.

More than 140 countries were supposed to start implementing next year a 2021 deal overhauling decades-old rules on how governments tax multinationals that are widely considered to be outdated as digital giants like Apple or Amazon can book profits in low-tax countries.

The first part of the two-pillar deal aims to reallocate taxing rights on about $200 billion in profits from the biggest and most profitable multinationals to the countries where their sales occur.

The more than 30 governments that have or plan national digital services taxes had agreed to put them on ice under a standstill clause until the end of this year, or drop them altogether once the first pillar takes shape.

The second pillar calls on governments to put an end to tax competition between governments to attract investment by setting a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15% from next year.

While the second pillar is moving ahead with over 50 countries already in the process of implementing it, some countries have concerns about a multilateral treaty underpinning the first pillar, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development said after talks in Paris.

The plan is therefore now to nail down the details so governments can sign off before the end of the year with the aim now for the treaty to enter force in 2025, instead of in 2024 as previously planned.

If at least 30 countries sign, then the freeze on national digital taxing rights will be extended through 2024 with an option to further extend through 2025 if needed, the OECD said.

Out of the 143 countries that are party to the deal, only five countries - Belarus, Canada, Pakistan, Russia and Sri Lanka - were not in a position at the meeting to offer their support, OECD head of tax Manal Corwin said.

"Canada was not in agreement with the standstill," Corwin told journalists, citing the only country among the five holdouts with a digital services tax.

The agreement to hold off pillar one implementation by another year puts Canada at a disadvantage relative to countries that have been collecting revenue under their pre-existing digital services taxes, Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Wednesday.

"Canada does not disagree with the substance of the multilateral treaty. ... However, without any firm and binding multilateral timeline to implement pillar one, Canada cannot support the extended standstill," Freeland said in a statement.

But even once governments sign the treaty, ratification will be no easy task, especially in the United States where a two-thirds majority in the Senate is needed.

(Reporting by Leigh Thomas in Paris; Additional reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; editing by Mark Heinrich and Chizu Nomiyama)
(Bloomberg) -- SBI Holdings Inc., Rakuten Group Inc. and Monex Group Inc. are among brokerages in Japan that sold Credit Suisses riskiest bonds to retail investors, highlighting the widening fallout of these products in the country.

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The operators of the nations three major online brokerages offered the Swiss lenders Additional Tier 1 notes for a minimum purchase amount of $200,000, according to their documents seen by Bloomberg News. The materials obtained also raised questions over whether information over the risks associated with the product was properly disclosed to investors.

Switzerlands decision in March to write down the bonds as part of a government-led rescue of Credit Suisse shocked investors in Japan, who bought around 140 billion yen ($1 billion) worth of the debt. Clients of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.s securities venture with Morgan Stanley took the lion share of the hit. The debacle in a country thats trying to push its citizens to invest more has prompted regulators to look into whether the firms properly explained the risks before selling the bonds.

In consideration of the product characteristics of AT1 bonds of Credit Suisse Group AG, we have sold those securities to customers to whom we thought the products would be suited, after having sales staff explain about them in person, an SBI spokesperson said by email, in response to questions about the documents.

Rakuten Securities Inc. sold the debt through its business partners called independent financial advisers and is reviewing and inspecting its sales practices and explanatory materials, a spokesperson said by email. The firm will continue to follow up with the buyers and appropriately respond should they decide to escalate the issue, she said.

A Monex spokesperson declined to comment on the sales.

Viability Event

The three firms declined to disclose the volume of Credit Suisse AT1 bonds theyve sold. They also didnt comment on whether they had explained so-called viability event provisions to clients verbally or in writing.

In the foreign securities information brochures, bond summaries, and pre-contract documents prepared in Japanese for buyers by SBI, Rakuten or Monex  obtained and reviewed by Bloomberg News  there is no mention that one of the debts features is it would be fully written down if viability events happen. Those events include extraordinary support from the public sector, based on the bonds English prospectus. Swiss officials used that provision in proceeding with the wipe out on the Credit Suisse AT1 bondholders, as they engineered a rescue by UBS Group AG.

Monex and Rakutens foreign securities information and bond summaries state that the bonds principal would be reduced should Credit Suisses common equity tier 1 ratio  a measure of financial strength  falls below 7%. SBIs documents say the entire principal would be lost if the ratio falls below 7% or if authorities determined Credit Suisse has no chance of surviving.

In April, the lobby group representing Japanese brokerages urged members to clearly explain complex products to customers, in the aftermath of news about the Credit Suisse AT1 bond sales in the country.

Japans Financial Services Agency, which is following up on this issue, wants the brokerages involved to give thorough explanations to clients affected and carefully deal with any complaints, an official from the financial regulator told Bloomberg News in April. Brokerages may also need to check whether their sales processes were proper, according to the official.

--With assistance from Taiga Uranaka, Nao Sano and Rie Morita.

(Updates with regulatory response to these sales in Japan in last paragraph)

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Samuel L. Jackson stars as Nick Fury in "Secret Invasion." Gareth Gatrell/Marvel Studios

Warning: There are spoilers ahead for season one of Marvel's "Secret Invasion."

The six-episode season, airing on Disney+, centers on the shape-shifting Skrulls infiltrating Earth.

Insider rounded up the sneaky details, Easter eggs, and references to the MCU you might have missed.

During episode one, Emilia Clarke's character G'iah reads a book titled "Understand the Human Mind."

Emilia Clarke as G'iah in season one, episode one of "Secret Invasion." Marvel Studios/Disney+

She holds the book while sitting in the New Skrullos dining hall, observing a conversation between Gravik and Pagon.

The title of the book is fitting, considering that Skrulls have been blending in with humans and assuming their identities as part of their infiltration of the planet.

Rhodey references his War Machine suit during the emergency security summit in episode two.

War Machine in "Avengers: Infinity War." Mar

Fans haven't seen Don Cheadle's James Rhodes as War Machine since "Avengers: Endgame."

During the meeting, after being frustrated by the committee's representatives, Rhodey turns to someone behind him and mutters, "If Slovakia rolls its eyes at me one more time, I'm gonna put on the suit and carpet bomb it."

Fury tells Rhodey they can't "jump the gun" on calling the Avengers in case they "find themselves duplicated and turned into terrorists."

Bruce Banner/the Hulk, Scott Lang/Ant-Man, Rocket Raccoon, and War Machine in "Avengers: Endgame." Marvel Studios

Rhodey's first response to Fury about tackling the Skrull threat is, "Maybe we should call our friends," an unsubtle nod to the Avengers.

Fury responds by saying: "No, no, no, we can't jump the gun on that. We get them into a fight with the Skrulls, and the next thing you know they find themselves duplicated and turned into terrorists."

This is a reference to the 2008 comics event "Secret Invasion" which inspired the series, where numerous Avengers were kidnapped and replaced by Skrulls. It was revealed that the aliens were on Earth when the assassin Elektra was killed, and her body turned back into a Skrull.

As the conspiracy got larger, heroes like Iron Man and Mr. Fantastic learned that the aliens had infiltrated every single government and intelligence agency on the planet, including S.H.I.E.L.D.

Story continues

The comic series ended in a huge fight between the Skrulls still masquerading as heroes, and the real heroes who had been kidnapped years before.

Fury mentions "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" villain Alexander Pierce during his conversation with Rhodey.

Robert Redford as Alexander Pierce in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier." Marvel Studios

"Men who look like us don't get promoted because of who our daddies know," Fury tells Rhodey. "Every ounce of power we wrestle from the vice grip of the mediocre Alexander Pierces who run this world was earned in blood. So let's make the power mean something."

Alexander Pierce is actually the person who appointed Fury the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. back in the day.

The two characters had a good rapport, and Fury even admitted in "Captain America: The Winter Solider" that he once would have taken a bullet for Pierce. But that changed when Pierce was revealed to be a HYDRA leader who betrayed Fury and ordered him to be assassinated. In the end, Fury shot Pierce dead.

Gravik's lab has genetic data on Groot, Frost Beast, Cull Obsidian, and Extremis.

Genetic information on a computer in season one, episode two of "Secret Invasion." Marvel Studios/Disney+

In episode two, G'iah accesses files containing information on the aforementioned species. The references to Frost Beast from the "Thor" films and Extremis, the virus that manipulated a host's genetic makeup in "Iron Man 3," indicate that Skrulls have been quietly at work, in plain sight, for quite some time.

The Super Skrulls storyline is inspired by the comics.

Kingsley Ben-Adir as Gravik in season one, episode three of "Secret Invasion." Marvel Studios/Disney+

Gravik's goal is for the Skrulls to make humans extinct and take over Earth. He says that in order to achieve that, they have to become super-powered and transform into "uniquely programmed weapons of mass destruction," which he calls Super Skrulls. This is why Gravik has been collecting genetic information.

The trailers for "Secret Invasion" showed a brief glimpse of Gravik displaying Groot-like extension abilities. In episode three, viewers see that Gravik has become a Super Skrull, as indicated by his hand quickly healing and glowing orange (similar to how a host looks when injected with the Extremis virus) after Talos stabs him.

This concept of enhanced Skrulls is reminiscent of a villain from the comics, known as Super-Skrull, who notably took on the combined powers of the Fantastic Four members.

When Fury meets with Varra in the 1998 flashback scene, she passes him information and says, "This should put Dreykov's men on their heels."

Ray Winstone as Dreykov in "Black Widow." Marvel Studios

Varra was previously seen at the start of episode two, in a flashback that took place in Brixton, London in 1997. Varra is the Skrull who introduced Fury to Gravik, the eventual leader of the rebel Skrulls.

If the name Dreykov sounds familiar, it's because he was the villain of Scarlett Johansson's 2021 standalone "Black Widow" movie. Dreykov oversaw the infamous Red Room, where young girls were trained to become assassins as part of the Black Widow Program.

The mention of Dreykov in the "Secret Invasion" flashback suggests that S.H.I.E.L.D. was looking into him three years after Natasha Romanoff was captured and taken to the Red Room.

Episode three strongly suggests that Rhodey is a Skrull.

Don Cheadle as James "Rhodey" Rhodes in "Secret Invasion." Marvel Studios

Viewers first started theorizing that Rhodey may not be who he claims to be after episode two was released. During one scene, Rhodey referred to Fury as Nick.

Marvel fans may recall that Fury has previously made it clear that people only call him by his last name.

In the '90s-set film "Captain Marvel," Fury told Carol Danvers, "Everybody calls me Fury. Not Nicholas. Not Joseph. Not Nick. Just Fury."

Then in episode three of "Secret Invasion," a Skrull, posing as Robert Fairbanks and pretending to be Talos on the intercom, unintentionally blows his cover by calling Fury by his first name.

"Nobody calls me Nick, Bob," Fury says when he confronts him.

Beyond Rhodey calling him Nick, the Skrull theory seems plausible because, in episode three, Fury tells Talos that he got a lead about a rebel Skrull who's high up in the US government and is in London right now. Rhodey has become a more prominent political figure and works closely with the president. And, more interesting, he was in London during episode two for the emergency security summit.

To pile onto the suspicion, at the end of episode three, Priscilla is seen answering a phone call from a Skrull who sounds exactly like Don Cheadle's Rhodey.

The person on the other end tells her to meet at St. James Church in one hour. When Priscilla says that she needs to speak to Gravik instead, he replies, "Yeah, well, you're talking to me."

TV commentator Chris Stearns is actually a Skrull.

Christopher McDonald as Chris Stearns in season one, episode three of "Secret Invasion." Marvel Studios/Disney+

While cooking, Fury has "The Chris Stearns Show" on TV in the kitchen.

"Does anyone out there seriously trust our leaders? I sure don't," Stearns says. "Load your guns and make sure you got enough food and water because that, my friends, looks a hell of a lot like World War III."

Later in the episode, G'iah sneaks over to the area of the compound containing the pods where notable public figures are hooked up to machines so the Skrulls can take their minds.

As G'iah walks over to the pod containing Robert Fairbanks, the camera passes over the real Stearns, who's attached to a machine.

It makes sense that the Stearns seen earlier on TV is a Skrull in disguise, especially considering Gravik's goal.

He previously said that he believed humans were always going to be the masters of their own demise. During episode three, Gravik calls humans "miscreants" and says that all they know is murder. He predicts that within a week of chaos being unleashed, humans will fight each other.

By impersonating a political commentator, the rebel Skrulls are inciting fear among humans about an impending war, which is what Gravik wants.

Read the original article on Insider
Delaware A-list actress Aubrey Plaza is nominated for an Emmy Award for her performance on HBO's dark comedy "White Lotus."

The nomination is for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Four of her "White Lotus'' co-stars, Jennifer Coolidge, Sabrina Impacciatore and Meghann Fahy and Simona Tabasco also are nominated in this category. Will Sharpe, who played her husband on the show, is up for Outstanding Supporting Actor, as are F. Murray Abraham, Theo James, and "Sopranos'' star Michael Imperioli.

The HBO hit is nominated for 23 nominations for its second season, including Outstanding Picture Editing for a Drama Series and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour).

Aubrey Plaza attends the Film Independent Spirit Awards on March 4, 2023 in Santa Monica, California.

Plaza plays Harper Spiller in the series, which won 10 Emmy Awards for its first season.

"White Lotus" has been confirmed for a third season, according to Variety. Season 1 was set at a resort in Hawaii, while Season 2 took place in Sicily.

The 75th Emmy Awards will air on Fox on Monday, Sept. 18. Visit emmys.com.

More Aubrey Plaza news

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Night on the Town: Aubrey Plaza takes a trip home to Delaware, complete with a visit to Bardea in Wilmington

Most influential: These Delawareans are on TIME magazine's list of 100 most influential people of 2023

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Aubrey Plaza, HBO's 'The White Lotus' rack up 23 Emmy nominations
Getty Images via Vicki Jauron, Babylon and Beyond Photography

Authorities in Santa Cruz have issued a warning after an "aggressive" sea otter has repeatedly stolen surfboards from surfers.

Per The New York Times, a five-year-old sea otter known as Otter 841 has targeted surfers in a number of boardjacking incidents over the past few years, but her behavior has grown increasingly aggressive as of late. Multiple videos show the otter seizing and damaging surfboards, which has prompted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to issue a warning along West Cliff Drive. They're also hoping they can apprehend the suspect.

Due to the increasing public safety risk, a team from C.D.F.W. and the Monterey Bay Aquarium trained in the capture and handling of sea otters has been deployed to attempt to capture and rehome her, said a statement for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Otter 841's mother was raised in captivity but continued to interact with humans after she was released into the wild. She repeatedly boarded kayaks in the area looking to be fed by humans and was put back into captivity, where she gave birth to 841. When she was being raised in captivity by her caretakers, they took multiple steps to stop her from forming bonds with humans.

However, she lost her fear of humans anyway. "After one year of being in the wild without issue, we started receiving reports of her interactions with surfers, kayakers and paddle boarders, said Monterey Bay Aquarium sea otter program manager Jessica Fujii. "We do not know why this started. We have no evidence that she was fed. But it has persisted in the summers for the last couple of years.

Otter 841 was first spotted climbing on surfer's boards in 2021. In an interview with ABC News, photographer Mark Woodward said that he's spotted many such incidents of her in the act of boardjacking. "Since [June], in the past five days now, there's been three more incidents of it," Woodward said. "And they've all been much more aggressive. I have photographed a lot of otters over the years, I have never seen anything like this." Woodward said some of the incidents resembled "wrestling."

Story continues

An amazing video! This video of the sea otter attacking a surfboard yesterday was shared me and is being posted with the photographers permission. The video must remain in this tweet to be shared. This is a dangerous sea otter, avoid it if at all possible! pic.twitter.com/N7qPMFVRrt  Native Santa Cruz (@NativeSantaCruz) July 10, 2023

Twitter: @NativeSantaCruz

Typically speaking, sea otters are aggressive animals but they don't often approach humans. "They really don't want to be around humans," said SJSU's Moss Landing Marine Laboratories Professor David Ebert. "But if they have an association from the time that they were born, that sea otter may not have a fear of people and might just cause some to be more aggressive."

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The Berlin Film Festival has said it plans to reduce the size of its 2024 program and cull two competition strands as part of a widescale restructure to tackle a serious budgetary hole.

From next year, the festival will screen approximately 200 films, reduced from 287 in 2023. The festival said all sections, excluding the Official Competition, will present fewer films. Elsewhere in the plans announced, the Perspektive Deutsches Kino sidebar, which highlights new German filmmakers, will be disbanded. Moving forward, films by German newcomers will be presented in the existing sections Competition, Encounters, Panorama, Generation, or Forum.

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The festival has also cut the Berlinale Series strand as an independent program. The TV-focused strand will instead be folded into the Berlinale Special Gala screenings. Berlinale Artistic Director Carlo Chatrian will now program the strand following the exit of Julia Fidel, who left in May after four years in the post. Fidel had been working with the Berlinale for almost two decades. Under her watch, the Berlinale Series  the Berlin Film Festivals TV sibling  has grown rapidly. Berlinale Series issued its first Award last year in collaboration with Deadline.

Shows to have played in competition in recent years include HBO Maxs Lust, Netflixs The Eddy, and Jason Segels AMC series Dispatches From Elsewhere, while Frank Doelgers The Swarm played out of the competition earlier this year. The first Berlinale Series Award, meanwhile, was won by Disney+ Italys The Good Mothers, beating off competition from the likes of HBO Maxs Spy/Master and Chinese drama Why Try to Change Me Now. The Berlinale Series Market will continue without change.

Story continues

Like many other areas of society, cultural institutions and festivals are affected by considerable cost increases but unchanged budgets, Executive Director Mariette Rissenbeek and Artistic Director Carlo Chatrian said in a joint statement.

Keeping this in mind, we must introduce structural adjustments to create a stable budgetary foundation for the organization and implementation of the Berlinale going forward. This process brings with it the opportunity to optimize the presentation and perception of the invited films using a more focused program.

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Click here to read the full article.
The Georgia Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Section, conducts regular restaurant inspections to help keep residents and visitors safe.

The following is a list of Columbia County restaurants that have been inspected between June 27 and July 11, accompanied by their scores and, in some cases, the health infractions that lowered those scores.

Disclaimer: On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in their most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment. A few more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.

Perfect scores

Here are Columbia County restaurants that passed recent food-service inspections between June 27 and July 11 with scores of 100, without a single health violation:

Janwiches Grill & Little Dutch Bakery, 725 Gateway Center Blvd., Grovetown

Mirin Fusion Kitchen, 925 Ronald Reagan Dr., Bldg. B, Evans

Starbucks Coffee Shop, 3104 William Few Pkwy., Evans

'Traps for cockroaches on prep table': Here are some Augusta eateries with health hazards

Getting warmer

Here are Columbia County restaurants that passed with "A" scores in recent food-service inspections between June 27 and July 11, followed by their scores:

Rooted Coffee House, 3116 William Few Pkwy., Evans: 97

McDonalds @ Riverwood, 5109 Washington Rd., Evans: 96

Ironwood Tavern, 5117 Washington Rd., Ste. 1, Evans: 95

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Columbia County restaurants score all A's in newest health inspections
In her first three top 10 singles  I Hope, The Good Ones and Pick Me Up  Gabby Barrett addressed relationship issues in a midtempo framework that put greater emphasis on the storyline to elicit an emotional response.

With Glory Days, the first single from a forthcoming album, she continues to mine an interpersonal theme  though the productions breezy feel, created by a gurgling musical track, puts a whole new bounce in her sonic step.

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It reminded me of kind of old-school Keith Urban  like Somebody Like You or just kind of in that era, Barrett notes of the foundational sound, developed by songwriter-producer Seth Mosley (Make You Mine, Build a Boat). It just felt fun and it felt open, and I wanted something that was more upbeat.

Glory Days has its creative roots in Barretts recent past. She recorded a duet version of Build a Boat with contemporary Christian artist Colton Dixon, released in January, that Mosley co-produced.

Meanwhile, she also recorded a song, Dance Like No Ones Watchin, that was written by Luke Combs, Emily Weisband (Jealous of Myself, Looking for You) and James McNair (Lovin On You, Going, Going, Gone). Her reps engineered a writing session for March 16, with Barrett Zooming in from her Texas home to Mosleys Nashville studio, where Weisband and McNair met up.

Probably the most nerve-racking part of writing, says McNair, is never working with an artist before and not really knowing kind of, Hey, what is she going to want to do today?

Even with Barrett calling in remotely, they were more than ready. Mosley had developed several musical vibes to pull from, and the Urban shades she sensed in the one she selected were on point with Mosleys inspirations. When I was building that track, playing the banjo thing, I was like, Oh, what would Keith Urban do?, like a throwback kind of thing, he says. That was exactly where that started.

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As they discussed what lyrical messages might work, Weisband brought up a title she had introduced in other writing appointments, though it never quite landed. Bruce Springsteen had previously used Glory Days as the title of a bitterly nostalgic 1985 single, which might be one reason her earlier co-writers had passed on it. But Weisband had a more in-the-moment take on the idea, and Barrett, born in 2000, didnt know the Boss song, which might have made her more receptive.

As my parents get older and my siblings all grow up and move to their own places, I just dont want to miss where Im at, says Weisband. I dont want to look back and wish I was back there because those are the good old days. I wanted to write a song about how now is the good old days, like were in the glory days now.

That idea resonated with Barrett, who at age 23 is balancing two lives that many of her similarly aged peers have not experienced: Shes married with children on one hand and a bona fide hitmaker on the other. I was blown away at kind of writing a song about what is happening right now in my life because Im in the midst of it, Barrett says. I can write a snapshot of what that looks like.

They got the chorus completed first, celebrating this moment in the big picture. They weaved plenty of images from her home life into the verses: catching fireflies in the yard, drinking coffee, reading the Bible and listening to her husband, Cade Foehner, play guitar. Barrett, of course, was writing from the location where all those things occur.

Her being in her house, I think, especially inspired the second verse, says Weisband. I mean, we really tried to put her favorite parts of her life into the song. We really dove into her lifestyle and where shes at in her life.

Arguably, the most important line  Livin right dont cost a thing  offered two meanings: one, the best things in life are free, and two, doing the right thing is always the right thing. The best songs that we write are sometimes us writing to ourselves, Mosley notes. Thats the reminder, whenever that comes on. Its something for me to have to live up to.

The chorus and verses delivered the entire message, so they felt no compunction to give Glory Days a bridge. Instead, they left space for a guitar solo, crafting a chord progression that departs for just a few bars from the rest of the song for variation. Weisband sang the demo, which Mosley finished producing that day.

The demo was so well-conceived  from the opening, slappy toms to the a cappella, cold close  that producer Ross Copperman (Dierks Bentley, Kelsea Ballerini) stuck close to the road map on the final recording. He mostly layered in real musicians - primarily bassist-guitarist Danny Rader and keyboardist Jeff Roach  one instrument at a time over programmed drums. And with Foehners guitar playing referenced in the lyrics, it only made sense that he created the guitar solo, though Copperman asked him to recut part of it, easing the listener into that section.

I remember asking for some longer, sustained notes on the front of the solo, says Copperman. When he did that, it felt a little better.

Weisband contributed scads of background vocals, including multiple unison tracks, harmonies and countermelodies, though theyre felt as reinforcements more than theyre heard in the final mix. Theyre kind of tucked in there under Gabby  I just really wanted it to be all about Gabby, Copperman notes. Dave Clauss is an incredible mixer, by the way. So good at just making the vocals smash up front.

Copperman and Barrett, who co-produced the track, considered inserting a key change after the guitar solo, but scotched that idea as deadlines drew near. And in the final hours, Barrett insisted that the new banjo/guitar undertow they had developed wasnt cutting it as well as Mosleys original on the demo. Mosley was working in Stockholm, but he had with him the hard drive that housed the Glory Days demo and sent the tracks around 1:00 a.m., which meant 6:00 p.m. in Nashville. Barrett and Copperman delivered Glory Days just in time for Warner Music Nashville to get it processed for official release on June 12.

Thematically, its kind of nice to have something a little bit more hopeful  especially in the landscape where all these breakup songs and darker songs are working right now, like the Bailey Zimmerman kind of songs and Wait in the Truck,  says McNair. Its kind of nice to have a little bit of a contrast on radio, and I hope thats going to be one of the reasons why they play the heck out of it.

Barretts Glory Days debuted on the Country Airplay chart dated June 24. It checks in at No. 33 in its fourth week on the list.

I did not want to come out with another midtempo or ballad, Barrett says. Its summer, so I really was eager to release something that was uptempo and fun and make people smile.

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Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky are pictured on March 12 in West Hollywood, California.

Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky are pictured on March 12 in West Hollywood, California.

Garcelle Beauvais recently gave an update on how Kyle Richards is doing after reports surfaced last week that Richards and her husband, Mauricio Umansky, had separated.

Beauvais told Page Six on Tuesday that she had reached out to her Real Housewives of Beverly Hills co-star after news of the purported split, and that Richards was hanging in there.

I just texted her and said, [Are you] OK? Beauvais said. And she replied  I didnt expect a reply for days  but she just said shes hanging in there.

Richards and Garcelle Beauvais are pictured on Nov. 5, 2021, in Palm Desert, California.

Richards and Garcelle Beauvais are pictured on Nov. 5, 2021, in Palm Desert, California.

Multiple publicationsreported on July 3 that Richards and Umansky had separated after 27 years of marriage.

Kyle and Mauricio have been separated for a while now but are still living under the same roof, a source close to the couple told People, which was the first to report the news. They remain amicable as they figure out whats next for them and their family.

Richards and Umansky  who share three daughters together, as well as a daughter from Richards previous marriage  addressed the speculation surrounding their relationship in a joint statement on Instagram on July 4. They denied rumors of a divorce, but said that they had experienced a rough year.

Any claims regarding us divorcing are untrue, the statement read. However, yes, we have had a rough year. The most challenging one of our marriage. But we both love and respect each other tremendously. There has been no wrongdoing on anyones part.

The two then asked for privacy as they work through their issues, and called out false stories and salacious narratives.

On Tuesday, Richards shared a slideshow of photos and videos to Instagram that included a clip of her and her family riding in a car. Umansky can be seen behind the wheel in the video.

The reality TV star slammed one commenter who suggested that the post was intended as damage control following the recent split reports.

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If yall like to read into every little crumb, read into this, she wrote, adding a middle finger emoji.

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Dalla Terra Pasta co-owners Kithara and Liam Connolly are pictured July 6 in their new retail shop for Dalla Terra Pasta, 432 W. Wisconsin Ave. in Appleton. The company specializes in handcrafted pasta, which is produced next door.

APPLETON  Fusilli, tagliatelle, pappardelle and lasagna are just a few of the handcrafted pasta shapes you can find at a new Appleton shop.

Dalla Terra Pasta, which launched in 2009 selling handcrafted pasta, has opened its first retail space at 423 W. Wisconsin Ave., Unit B. Previously the business sold pasta online, at the Downtown Appleton Farm Market and at more than 30 retail businesses across the Midwest.

Now, customers can also stop in and purchase from the business directly.

Cyndi Connolly started Dalla Terra, but her son, Liam Connolly, took over the business with his wife, Kithara Connolly, when Cyndi died in 2019.

"We decided to continue what she started in her legacy," Kithara Connolly said. "We never saw ourselves with a pasta company or doing this type of work."

Dalla Terra Pasta co-owners Liam and Kithara Connolly make roasted mushroom and smoked mozzarella ravioli with staff member Paul Conrad, right, on July 6 at Dalla Terra's production kitchen, which is next door to its new retail shop on West Wisconsin Avenue.

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Despite the sudden leap into ownership, Kithara and Liam Connolly said they really enjoy working together and continuing the "flavors and process" Cyndi Connolly created. All of Dalla Terra's pasta is made in a commercial kitchen next door to the retail shop with whole organic produce and dried over several days at low temperatures.

The business features a number of flavors ranging from more traditional pastas like organic basil and cracked pepper flavors to more unique options like a chocolate tagliatelle.

The Connollys said the decision to open their own store front came from the Appleton farmers market and customers expressing interest in a physical location.

"Our goal of opening the retail shop is to act kind of like an extension of the farmers market year-round for access to ravioli and unique pasta flavors," Kithara Connolly said. The fresh or frozen ravioli the business sells has been hard to get; only three of the stores who sell Dalla Terra's products also sell the ravioli.

Roasted mushroom and smoked mozzarella ravioli are available for purchase at the new Dalla Terra Pasta retail shop. The new shop, pictured on July 6, is located at 432 W. Wisconsin Ave., Unit B in Appleton.

More: A 91-year-old barber has opened a new shop in Hortonville: The Buzz

Many of Dalla Terra's products are vegan friendly and all are made with 100% organic durum wheat flour grown in the Midwest.

While some of the pasta flavors, like Al Nero di Seppia Tagliatelle that is made with cuttlefish ink, aren't vegan friendly, all of the products prominently display ingredient labels, and many items are vegetable-based.

Liam Connolly said despite opening the new store, they have no intention of removing products from any of the businesses who carry them now.

"Even though we're opening a retail store, we're here to support the local businesses that carry our pasta as well," he said.

More information about Dalla Terra Pasta can be found online at dallaterrapasta.com or on its Facebook page. The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

More: Houdini's Escape Gastropub is closing after 10 years: The Buzz

Alexandria Bursiek Kloehn is a business reporter for the Appleton Post-Crescent. You can reach her at abursiekkloehn@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Dalla Terra Pasta opened a specialty retail shop in Appleton: The Buzz
Some of Guerdy Abrairas breast cancer battle and treatment will be shown in Season 6 of The Real Housewives of Miami.

CHEMO STARTS NOW, Abraira wrote Wednesday on Twitter, in a post you can see below.

The reality star coupled the post with a photo after her husband Russell Abraira shaved her head. Some aspects of Abrairas journey will be featured on the series upcoming season, an insider with knowledge of the shows production told with TheWrap.

CHEMO STARTS NOW  decided to be proactive & shave it off yesterday before treatment and before it falls off. Im thankful for everything in my life including this humbling experience which is making me stronger.#breastcancer #guerdyabraira #rhom #chemo #cancer #GUERDYFIGHT pic.twitter.com/EZaGgGnzvv  Guerdy Abraira (@Guerdydesign) July 12, 2023

Also Read:

The Real Housewives of New York City Season 14 Taglines Revealed (Photos)

Decided to be proactive & shave it off yesterday before treatment and before it falls off, Abraira continued in her post. Im thankful for everything in my life including this humbling experience which is making me stronger.#breastcancer #guerdyabraira #rhom #chemo #cancer #GUERDYFIGHT.

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The award-winning event stylist also took to Instagram to expound on the purpose of her new look and her journey.

This is the new me, guys. Hope you like, Abraira said in a video that was part of a swipe post.

Even thought this is a hard journey, Im thankful for everything in my life including this humbling experience which is making me even stronger, Abraira went on. Still planning on rocking wigs here and there but if you see me out like thisdont freak out! Its still mewith way less hair.

Abraira announced the news of her cancer diagnosis on May 10, revealing that shed learned of it after a regular mammogram checkup. Fellow Bravolebrities filled her comment section with love and support.

You are GORGEOUS! Sending you strength and peace, The Real Housewives of Potomac star Wendy Osefo commented. Her RHOM cast mate Dr. Nicole Martin also commented: Beautiful anyway and everyday. And The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Garcelle Beauvais wrote, With that face you can wear any hair style. The Instagram page for Bravo commented and said, Stunning in every way! Sending you all the love and strength.

Also Read:

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Resumes Production to Capture Reaction to Kyle Richards-Mauricio Umansky Separation (Exclusive)
HCA Florida broke ground early Tuesday morning on an 11,000-square-foot free-standing emergency department building on the Northeast corner of U.S. Highway 90 and Pea Ridge Connector Road that is focused on providing medical services for an underserved population and its visitors.

Pea Ridge Emergency expects to add around 50 jobs for healthcare professionals.

Individuals experiencing acute emergency health issues that are too urgent to wait for help at a doctor's office or other crowded medical facilities are likely to find the new development helpful. Located specifically at 4610 Pea Ridge Connecter Road, the clinic will be approximately 12 miles from HCA Florida West Hospital.

The ceremony featured a host of public officials and representatives from HCA Florida West who buzzed about the incoming development.

In other news: Data breach confirmed by HCA Healthcare: 11 million patients, 47 Florida hospitals affected

Previously: Florida West Hospital backs off Baker Act deadline as Pensacola rallies for solution

HCA Florida West breaks ground on a $12 million stand-a-lone Emergency care facility in the Pea Ridge area on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. The 24-hour, seven-day-a-week healthcare facility will open in the first quarter of 2024.

"We know firsthand the commitment that HCA Florida West Hospital has for our community," said Donna Tucker, CEO of the Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce. "We're thrilled this new facility is being built in central Santa Rosa County that will not only serve our current residents, but being a chamber we know will be a great recruiting tool as we welcome new businesses and residents into the area."

The $12 million clinic is set to open in the first quarter of 2024 and will operate 24/7 out of the gate. According to CEO Gabe Bullaro the facility will feature 11 private beds available for patient use in addition to diagnostic laboratory and imaging services including: CT scans, ultrasounds and digital x-ray. It will also accept most major medical insurance plans.

HCA Florida West Chief Executive Officer Gabe Bullaro announce the construction of a new $12 million stand-a-one emergency care facility in the Pea Ridge area during a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. The 24/7 healthcare facility will open in the first quarter of 2024.

According to Bullaro, the clinic plans to work with local schools to provide guidance for those interested in the health care field. It is already designated as a comprehensive stroke center, which will ensure that those in need of advanced treatment will find the help they need swiftly and conveniently.

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He credited the collaboration between the county, Rep. Michelle Salzman and HCA in implementing such a crucial service into a growing community.

"What's special here is that the county and I have been talking about where does health care fit in the strategic plan for the county," Bullaro says. "We're not an afterthought here. .. If the community grows too fast and afterwards, they say, 'listen we forgot to incorporate healthcare,' by then you're playing catch up."

Construction is underway for a new emergency care facility in the Pea Ridge area on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. HCA Florida West is building the new $12 million healthcare facility at the corner of U.S. Highway 90 and the Pea Ridge Connector.

Salzman added, "I think the most important thing is that the private sector are embracing the challenges that we're facing. People like HCA ... seeing that there's a need in the community and coming in and filling that need, I think that's the most important takeaway from today."

The site location was originally chosen by County Commissioner Sam Parker back in 2017 as being "the hub of the growth in the community." Six years later, HCA's trust in the investment paid off and the new ER is now the first major groundbreaking on the newly constructed road.

"I'd like to thank Santa Rosa County leaders who have made this place such a great place for investment," Bullaro says. "I hope today's handshakes and dirt throwing is the beginning of lasting relationships where we consider doing more together."

HCA has scored A's its their hospital safety grade from the Leapfrog Group this spring and in fall of 2022. Officials say they plan to continue delivering excellent services at the new facility through a "hub and spoke" model.

Construction is underway for a new Emergency care facility in the Pea Ridge area on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. HCA Florida West is building the new $12 million healthcare facility at the corner of U.S. Highway 90 and the Pea Ridge Connector.

In the case of HCA, adopting the model allows the hospital to provide care at specialized satellite facilities that are convenient to community members. In the case of serious emergencies or should patients require advanced care, ambulances will be available to transport them to the main hospital.

Dr. Andrew Hasebroock, director of the Emergency Department at HCA Florida West Hospital said the model especially benefits the more rural communities in between metropolitan hubs.

"There's stretches and stretches from (Pensacola) to Tallahassee where there's an area of (medical) need," he said. "Sometimes we even get patients from Southern Georgia ... some people will drive long distances just to get to us."

Construction is underway for a new emergency care facility in the Pea Ridge area on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. HCA Florida West is building the new $12 million healthcare facility at the corner of U.S. Highway 90 and the Pea Ridge Connector.

Got any questions on construction or other developments? Please send an email to ebunch@pnj.com to have it potentially looked into.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: hca florida west hospital adding new clinic on Pea Ridge road
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of R-Calif., speaks as House Minority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise, R.La., left, and Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., listen at a news conference after the House passed the debt ceiling bill at the Capitol in Washington on May 31, 2023. | Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press

Its budget season, the time of year when federal lawmakers must pass spending bills to keep the government up and running. But in a divided Congress, successfully shepherding 12 appropriations bills through before a fast-approaching deadline of Sept. 30 poses a challenge for leadership.

The Fiscal Responsibility Act, negotiated by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy earlier this year, suspended the debt ceiling until 2025 in exchange for limiting federal spending to fiscal year 2023 levels in 2024, while allowing a 1% increase in spending in 2025.

But hardline members of the Republican conference want even lower caps on spending  which is why 21 members of Congress sent a letter Monday to McCarthy.

Americans expect House Republicans to lead in divided government to achieve tangible results, the letter, obtained by Deseret News, starts out.

We therefore write to inform you that we cannot support appropriations bills that will produce a top-line discretionary spending level barely below the bloated FY 2023 level (already grossly increased by the lame-duck omnibus spending bill we all vehemently opposed a mere six months ago) and effectively in line with the cap set by the debt ceiling deal that we opposed and was supported by more Democrats than Republicans.

It was signed by Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Rep. Bob Good of Virginia, Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Rep. Eli Crane of Arizona, among others who requested that total spending shouldnt exceed the 2022 level of $1.471 trillion.

The letter said that the signatories, many belonging to the House Freedom Caucus, including the caucus chairman, Perry, plan to vote against spending levels of $1.586 trillion, which was the total in 2023.

During his run for the speakership earlier this year, McCarthy had to work to win over the 20 members of the Republican conference who didnt support him. To win their loyalty, McCarthy agreed to limit spending for 2024 at 2022 levels, and to push for spending cuts during the debt ceiling negotiations, as Roll Call reported at the time.

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The speakers promise didnt pan out as those members hoped.

Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, who helped spearhead the letter sent to McCarthy this week, told NBC News that conservatives are trying to right the wrongs in the debt ceiling deal.

We have major disagreements with both how, and what, occurred with respect to the debt ceiling increase. So now were trying to put the band back together again, said Roy.

Last month, House Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger reaffirmed the Republican position, stating in a recent press release that Republicans would cut $115 billion in unnecessary partisan programs.

Because of years of out-of-control spending, it has been and will continue to be my priority to pass conservative bills that focus our limited resources on the core responsibilities of the federal government, including national defense, our veterans, and our border, she said.

The debt ceiling bill created new provisions that would allow for automatic 1% cuts on spending bills if the appropriations bills arent passed by the end of the year. According to Politico, Democratic lawmakers, like Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, a House Appropriations Committee member, said that this might motivate Republicans to pass a continuing resolution instead.

That would allow federal government operations to carry on through this year without the passage of appropriations bills, but also opens up the possibility of a government shutdown if funding runs out, per the Government Accountability Office.

Were supposed to make our committees work. And when you have a (continuing resolution), you just continue from last year. So its like youre backpedaling. Youre not going forward, Kaptur said.

A Punchbowl News poll found that roughly 79% of Capitol Hill staffers say its more likely that Congress will not pass all 12 appropriations bills before the end of the fiscal year, triggering the need for continuing resolutions.

79% of Capitol Hill staffers believe that Congress will NOT pass all 12 appropriations bills before the end of the fiscal year pic.twitter.com/VhB3T8LTSr  TheLobbyistGuy (@TheLobbyistGuy) July 5, 2023

Still, Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., said that McCarthy doesnt want to spend money through continuing resolutions: And its why weve tried to move these appropriations bills through the process, Graves said.

McCarthy also said he prefers to pass the 12 appropriations bills separately instead of in one omnibus package. This typically happens when Congress cant meet the deadline for passing the individual spending bills.

Im never putting an omni on the floor, McCarthy told reporters. That doesnt mean that we might do a couple together if need be, but our intention is trying to do them individually.

.@SpeakerMcCarthy said he is focused on getting all 12 appropriations bills done.



"I'm never putting an omni on the floor," he said. "That doesn't mean that we might do a couple together if need be, but our intention is trying to do them individually."  Kyle Stewart (@KyleAlexStewart) July 11, 2023

But it appears the two chambers of Congress are in opposition.

While the Republican-controlled House hopes to use the budget bills to cut spending below the terms in the debt ceiling bill, while also potentially attaching a string of conservative policies, like limiting FBI funding, protecting whistleblowers and extending pro-gun measures, as House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan of Ohio asked Appropriations Chair Granger to do in a letter Tuesday.

But the Democrat-controlled Senate wants to keep spending in line with the debt ceiling deal, and may strip out the additional measures.

Clearly, its a violation of the agreement that Speaker McCarthy struck with the president, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., told NBC News, saying that the speaker is appealing to the very far right members of Congress.

Its clearly going to make for some rocky moments.
Jesse Watters cant get over Joe Biden sunbathing shirtless at the beach. (Watch the video below.)

On Tuesday the Fox News host analyzed video of the 80-year-old president taking a break in the sand as if it were the Zapruder home movie footage of John F. Kennedys assassination, Mediaite wrote.

We dont want to see the president laying like a corpse, bare-chested in the sun, Watters said.

The guy was struggling to strip his shirt off, and once he got it over his head, his milky body was fried to a crisp, added Watters. He had skin cancer, right? He better have some SPF 70. He should not let himself get dominated by the sun, especially on a public beach, right?

The body-shaming extended right-wing medias jabs at Biden for relaxing on the Delaware shore near his home on Saturday. Watters attempted to tie in the beach visit to Bidens absence at a diplomatic dinner at the NATO summit in Lithuania on Tuesday. The dinner took place on the eve of a critical NATO meeting on the war in Ukraine on Wednesday.

Apparently relying on a previous White House statement that was amended, Watters snarked that the president was fatigued from having worked four days already  and played hooky by catching rays.

The White House actually said that the president was preparing for four full official days of work ahead, according to outlets.

Whats his excuse for ditching the dinner? he said. Well, U.S. officials say Joes already had four full days of official business. Hes pooped ... We all have to work five days straight.

But heres the thing, he said. Biden didnt work for four days. He just got to Europe yesterday. Before that, he was on the beach in Delaware.

Watters, tabbed as the permanent replacement for Tucker Carlson in the 8 p.m. slot on Fox News, previously said Biden was probably copying Democratic candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose video doing pushups while shirtless went viral.

H/T Mediaite

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The Nobel Peace Prize winner reflected on her past decade of activism in a series of birthday posts

Instagram/malala Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai is celebrating her 26th birthday.

On Wednesday, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate shared on Instagram that she was celebrating the day in Nigeria, "a tradition I started 10 years ago." Wednesday also marked the 10th anniversary of a United Nations speech she gave about being shot by the Taliban,



In the post, she reflected on what she's learned during her decade of activism.

"Since my first speech @unitednations after surviving being shot, I finished my high school and graduated from university. I founded @MalalaFund and travelled to 31 countries to meet advocates like me who are fighting to improve access to girls education. We have seen achievements and setbacks, but we keep fighting," she wrote.

Today I can see the future more clearly  because I have met our future leaders, she added. Girls and young women, like the ones in this photo, understand the power of education  and they are working to open the school gates wide enough for every child to enter. I know that if we match their determination, fund their work and follow their lead, we will see so much more progress in the next ten years.

Related: Malala Yousafzai Celebrates 'Silver Jubilee' with Birthday Tributes from Husband, Michelle Obama and More

On Tuesday, the education advocate explained that her "commitment to spend my birthday with girls" is "a tradition that has brought me to Nigeria, Kenya, Brazil and Ethiopia, and to refugee camps in Lebanon, Rwanda and Iraq."

"And while the pandemic put a brief pause on travel, I am thrilled to celebrate again in person with my sisters this year," she added. " I couldnt think of a better way to celebrate this anniversary and I hope you follow along to see where I land.

Related: Malala Yousafzai Hopes Her 'British Vogue' Cover Helps Every Girl 'Know That She Can Change the World'

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As she celebrates another trip around the sun, Yousafzai said she looks forward to continuing her quest to fight for girls education.

I founded @MalalaFund and travelled to 31 countries to meet advocates like me who are fighting to improve access to girls education. We have seen achievements and setbacks, but we keep fighting, she wrote on social media. At 16 years old, I couldnt imagine what the next decade would hold  for myself or girls like me. But I was hopeful because I saw the world waking up to the injustices we faced.





Related: Who Is Malala Yousafzai's Husband? All About Asser Malik

A number of Yousafzais friends and famous fans shared their own tributes.

May you be blessed with the best, always, Priyanka Chopra Jonas wrote in a post on her Instagram Story featuring a photo of the two.

Thank you for all you do for women and girls worldwide, Phoebe Gates, Bill and Melinda French Gates' daughter, wrote on her own Instagram Story alongside an image of Yousafzai surrounded by balloons.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Twitter/MalikAsser Malala Yousafzai and Asser Malik

In honor of her special day, Yousafzai's husband, Asser Malik, shared a sweet note on Twitter as well.

Happy Birthday Malala," he wrote. "You dont need any reminders of how amazing you are. But for what its worth you are the best partner I could have ever hoped for."



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Read the original article on People.
Bertrand Guay / AFP via Getty Images

Weeks after agreeing to fight Elon Musk in a cage match, Mark Zuckerberg is teaming up with a pair of UFC champions in preparation for the potential bout.

TMZ reports Zuckerberg has spent the past few days training with UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, both of whom flew straight to the Facebook founder's Northern California residence following Saturday night's UFC 290 showcase in Vegas.

The trio have since hit the gym for training, which appears to be taking place in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

On Tuesday, Israel Adesanya hopped on social media to document the session, sharing a photo of himself alongside Zuckerberg and Volkanovski. Adesanya captioned the post by praising the 39-year-old tech mogul's competitive spirit.

"No fugazi with Mark," Adesanya wrote alongside an emoji of a shark. "This is Serious Business!!"

Zuckerberg hopped in the comments section to thank the UFC stars for their support, calling it "an honor" to train with the pair.

As previously reported, UFC president Dana White is confident the highly anticipated cage match will actually happen. Back in June, White told TMZ both Zuckerberg and Musk are absolutely dead serious about the fight.

I was talking to both Elon and Mark last night, he told the outlet. Both guys are absolutely dead serious about this.

White added that a Zuckerberg-Musk bout could be the biggest fight ever in the history of the world. In addition, White expressed his desire to set up the event as a charity match.

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Milan Kundera, the Czech novelist who combined sexual and real-life politics in his writings and rose to global fame with The Unbearable Lightness of Being, died Tuesday in Paris. He was 94.

His death, following a prolonged illness, was announced by French publisher Gallimard on Wednesday.

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Kunderas literary career and personal life were closely tied to the Prague Spring, the brief flowering of political liberalization and cultural expression in Czechoslovakia that promised socialism with a human face in 1968 but was brutally crushed by Soviet-led troops. His breakout novel, The Joke, was published to acclaim during that period but quickly banned after the crackdown.

He went into exile in France in 1975, where he remained until his death. Over the years, he regularly sparred with authorities of his homeland, was expelled multiple times from the Communist party for his reformist views and had his Czechoslovak citizenship revoked in 1979. He was only re-granted Czech citizenship in 2019.

Kunderas The Unbearable Lightness of Being, first published in 1984, was an instant global hit and reprinted in dozens of languages. The story follows Tomas, a Czech surgeon and serial philanderer who is caught between his wife, who wants a monogamous relationship, and a seductive painter he regularly meets for sex. After the Soviet invasion, the politically outspoken Tomas is banned from working as a doctor and becomes a window washer.

The 1988 film version, for the screen by Philip Kaufman and starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Juliette Binoche and Lena Olin, was a crossover hit and nominated for two Oscars, for adapted screenplay (Kaufman) and cinematography (Sven Nykvist). Kaufman won a BAFTA for his screenplay.

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Several other of his works were adapted as films or TV projects in the Czech Republic, including Jaromil Jires The Joke (1969), which Kundera helped adapt. He also contributed scripts for such features as Nobody Will Laugh (1965) from director Hynek Bocan and 1969s Antonin Kachliks Ja, truchlivy buh (I, Distressing God).

Kunderas depiction of personal, amoral behavior and sexual politics as a metaphor for the inherent absurdities of life in Czechoslovakia under communism drew widespread praise but also criticism, particularly from feminists who detected an inherent misogyny in his work. Most of Kunderas male protagonists behave abominably toward women, and most of his female figures end up victimized. His supporters thought showing men behaving badly was part of his social critique.

Kundera himself rarely gave interviews, and none of his books after Unbearable Lightness achieved similar international success or acclaim. His final novel, perhaps fittingly titled The Festival of Insignificance, was published in 2015.

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A 13-month-old in Arizona was accidentally run over by her mothers car (GoFundMe)

A mother posted a heart-wrenching tribute after she accidentally ran over her 13-month-old child while maneuvering her car out of a tight parking space in Arizona.

Jafria Thornburg posted on a GoFundMe page for her daughter, Cyra Rose Thoemig, saying her daughter was the absolute light of my life. She continued, The name Cyra meaning light in several languages, one translating to the light off of Gods throne. I know she is with him now.

She waved at everyone and made sure they saw her smile and she brought light to their day, the devastated mother wrote. She was only 13 and a half months and already walking, eating on her own, talking, singing, dancing, dressing herself, bathing herself, washing her hands, and more.

A piece of me is gone forever and nothing will ever be the same. I cannot say thank you enough for all of your love and support through this tragedy. We never expected to have to deal with anything like this in our lives, Ms Thornburg wrote.

The toddlers uncle, TJ Warren, organised the fundraiser. He spoke warmly about his niece. There isnt anyone who didnt smile their biggest after spending just a moment with her. Mr Warren explained that donations will go to the parents for final expenses, and will ease some of their burdens in this terribly trying time.

On 6 July, Yavapai County officials responded to the scene after receiving a tragic 911 call from a woman saying she had run over her 13-month-old baby with her car. The car was parked on gravel next to Ms Thornburgs house in Cottonwood, Arizona.

According to the media release, Ms Thornburg had positioned the child, within the car seat, in an area she felt was safe. While repositioning the vehicle, the front tire caught the canopy of the car seat, causing it to fall backward which led to the infant suffering critical injuries.

Despite medical professionals performing life saving measures and heroic efforts, the child was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

While repositioning the vehicle, the front tire caught the canopy of the car seat, causing it to fall backward which led to the infant suffering critical injuries, the sheriffs office said.
MUNCIE, Ind.  A longtime tavern on Muncie's southeast side on Saturday will commemorate the 90th anniversary of the day John Dillinger held up a business at the same location.

The Oasis Bar & Grill  at Memorial and Burlington drives  will observe John Dillinger Day.

Special meals that day will include a frog leg dinner  reportedly a favorite of the Hoosier bandit  and a chicken dinner, a re-creation of what turned out to be Dillinger's final meal.

Also Saturday, Dillinger's cocktail of choice, the Old Fashioned, will be available, along with the robber's favorite dessert, coconut cream pie.

The festivities will begin about 5 p.m., according to Michelle Phillips, co-manager of the Oasis, who said organizers hoped those attending Dillinger Day would consider wearing "30s gangster-type attire."

John Dillinger

A jazz band is set to perform at the Oasis from 8 to 10 p.m. A vehicle from Dillinger's era will also be parked outside the tavern.

Davis said the Dillinger anniversary has been observed before at the Oasis.

"I hope it becomes an annual event," she said.

Dillinger's ties to Muncie, Delaware County

John Dillinger  who had recently been paroled from the Indiana State Prison after serving time for a 1924 robbery conviction in his hometown of Mooresville  showed up in Muncie by the summer of 1933. He was reportedly in possession of a list of banks and businesses to be robbed that had been prepared by "Handsome Harry" Pierpont, a Muncie native doing time for robbery convictions.

At about 12:15 a.m. on July 15, Dillinger and his local associates  at least some of whom that week had taken up lodging in a Muncie boarding house at 515 S. Council St.  held up the Bide-A-Wee Inn, a "roadhouse" best known for its barbecue, at the present-day site of the Oasis.

That early morning heist netted Dillinger and his co-horts  including Indianapolis teenager Willie "The Kid" Shaw and Harry Copeland, a 36-year-old ex-con from Muncie  $70.

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Later that morning, Muncie police in pursuit of the Bide-A-Wee bandits raided the Council Street boarding house, and arrested Shaw and two other gang members.

Dillinger  driving a Chevrolet coupe with Copeland on board  avoided capture, reportedly by backing down an alley onto Powers Street.

More: From 2009: John Dillinger  who frequented ECI  returns to the spotlight

Two days after the Bide-A-Wee holdup, Dillinger and Copeland targeted the Commercial Bank in Daleville, with Dillinger vaulting over a counter and announcing to teller Margaret Good, "Honey, this is a stickup."

That robbery netted the bandits about $3,500 in cash.

The Delaware County holdups, along with a Aug. 4 robbery at the Montpelier National Bank in northern Blackford County, helped launch a year-long crime spree that saw Dillinger become the nation's most notorious criminal  and improbably, something of a pop culture icon, although no one used the phrase at the time.

In addition to robbing more than a dozen banks, the Dillinger gang at times targeted police stations and arsenals, where they stocked up on firearms.

During his months in the national headlines, Dillinger was twice captured.

In October 1933, Muncie native Pierpont  who had escaped from the Indiana State Prison with firearms supplied by Dillinger  and two other associates broke Dillinger out of the jail in Lima, Ohio.

(A year later, Pierpont would die in Ohio's electric chair for fatally shooting the sheriff during the Lima break-out.)

In January 1934, Dillinger, Pierpont and other gang members were apprehended in Arizona.

Dillinger  by that time charged with killing a police officer during a bank robbery in East Chicago, Indiana  in early March escaped from the Lake County jail in Crown Point, by his account using a self-carved wooden gun. Some maintained the payment of bribes had also been a factor in that escape.

Officially named "Public Enemy No. 1" by federal authorities, Dillinger spent most of his final months on the run in the Chicago area, at some point undergoing plastic surgery in a bid to alter his appearance.

On the evening of July 22, 1934, Dillinger was leaving a movie theater on Chicago's north side when he was approached by federal agents. He was fatally shot as he tried to flee down an alley.

(In the nine decades since, conspiracy theorists have suggested authorities that night had somehow gunned down the wrong man, and that Dillinger was never captured.

As recently as 2019, a nephew of the bandit tried to obtain a court order allowing him to have Dillinger exhumed from his grave, at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, so his identity could be confirmed through DNA testing.)

The Oasis, at the former home of the Bide-A-Wee, represents one of the final physical ties to Dillinger in the Muncie area.

In recent years, the long-vacant Council Street apartment building  where Dillinger's associates were arrested hours after after the Bide-A-Wee holdup  was destroyed by fire.

In 2009, the old Commercial Bank building in Daleville was torn down after sitting unused for years. However, Daleville has annually hosted a John Dillinger car show for the past 36 years.

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 Muncie Star Press: Muncie tavern to observe 90th anniversary of John Dillinger robbery
Trans rights demonstration

A federal appeals court has blocked an injunction against Tennessees ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth, allowing the ban to go into effect and setting up a possible Supreme Court case.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit Saturday granted the states request for an emergency order placing a hold on the injunction while it is appealed. The three-judge panel said the state is likely to succeed in its appeal. In June, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee issued an injunction keeping most provisions of the law from taking effect while a suit against it, L.W. v. Skrmetti, is heard. Chief Judge Jeffrey Sutton wrote the opinion, in which he cited last years anti-abortion Supreme Court ruling, Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization.

Federal district courts in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, and Kentucky have also issued injunctions against bans on gender-affirming care, and the court in Arkansas has gone a step further by striking down that states law, the first ruling on such a laws merits. The Arkansas attorney general plans to appeal. In Oklahoma, the ACLU and its state affiliate reached an agreement with the Oklahoma attorney general that the states ban would not be enforced while a lawsuit proceeds. But this is the first case in which a federal court has allowed a ban to take effect.

Suttons decision to reinstate Tennessees anti-trans law is temporary, and he ends his opinion by saying his court will reconsider this question with the goal of resolving it no later than September 30, 2023, legal analyst Ian Millhiser notes at Vox. So it is possible that the Sixth Circuit will reconsider and join the other courts that have blocked bans on transgender health care.

But it is more likely, Millhiser writes, that the Sixth Circuit will stick to the original position, setting up a conflict among federal courts. And when there is a conflict, especially among appellate courts, the Supreme Court is usually willing to take cases to resolve it. With the high courts 6-3 conservative dominance, that doesnt bode well for trans Americans.

The lawyers who brought the suit on behalf of Tennessee families with trans children as well as a doctor expressed disappointment at the appeals courts action but said they will continue the fight.

This ruling is beyond disappointing and a heartbreaking development for thousands of transgender youth, their doctors, and their families. As we and our clients consider our next steps, we want all the transgender youth of Tennessee to know this fight is far from over and we will continue to challenge this law until it is permanently defeated and Tennessee is made a safer place to raise every family, said a joint statement from the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Tennessee, Lambda Legal, and the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP.
While some investors are already well versed in financial metrics (hat tip), this article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE) and why it is important. To keep the lesson grounded in practicality, we'll use ROE to better understand Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Limited (ASX:DBI).

ROE or return on equity is a useful tool to assess how effectively a company can generate returns on the investment it received from its shareholders. In other words, it is a profitability ratio which measures the rate of return on the capital provided by the company's shareholders.

View our latest analysis for Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure

How To Calculate Return On Equity?

The formula for ROE is:

Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations)  Shareholders' Equity

So, based on the above formula, the ROE for Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure is:

6.0% = AU$69m  AU$1.2b (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2022).

The 'return' is the yearly profit. One way to conceptualize this is that for each A$1 of shareholders' capital it has, the company made A$0.06 in profit.

Does Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Have A Good Return On Equity?

One simple way to determine if a company has a good return on equity is to compare it to the average for its industry. Importantly, this is far from a perfect measure, because companies differ significantly within the same industry classification. Pleasingly, Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure has a superior ROE than the average (4.2%) in the Infrastructure industry.

roe

That's clearly a positive. Bear in mind, a high ROE doesn't always mean superior financial performance. Aside from changes in net income, a high ROE can also be the outcome of high debt relative to equity, which indicates risk. Our risks dashboardshould have the 3 risks we have identified for Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure.

How Does Debt Impact Return On Equity?

Virtually all companies need money to invest in the business, to grow profits. That cash can come from issuing shares, retained earnings, or debt. In the first and second cases, the ROE will reflect this use of cash for investment in the business. In the latter case, the debt used for growth will improve returns, but won't affect the total equity. That will make the ROE look better than if no debt was used.

Combining Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure's Debt And Its 6.0% Return On Equity

It's worth noting the high use of debt by Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure, leading to its debt to equity ratio of 2.08. With a fairly low ROE, and significant use of debt, it's hard to get excited about this business at the moment. Debt does bring extra risk, so it's only really worthwhile when a company generates some decent returns from it.

Summary

Return on equity is one way we can compare its business quality of different companies. In our books, the highest quality companies have high return on equity, despite low debt. All else being equal, a higher ROE is better.

But ROE is just one piece of a bigger puzzle, since high quality businesses often trade on high multiples of earnings. The rate at which profits are likely to grow, relative to the expectations of profit growth reflected in the current price, must be considered, too. So you might want to take a peek at this data-rich interactive graph of forecasts for the company.

Of course Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of other companies that have high ROE and low debt.

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 teenager bought a ticket from Gainesville, Florida to New York City, but his father said he intended on flying to Charlotte, North Carolina

Scott Olson/Getty An image of an American Airlines plane.

The airline industry is cracking down on a travel hack known as "skip-lagging."

The family of a North Carolina teen said their son was recently detained at an airport for allegedly using such a method, WJZY-TV reported. The loophole involves booking a flight with a layover at their desired location and skipping the second flight.

A ticket was originally purchased for Hunter Parsons son Logan to fly from Gainesville, Florida, to New York City, WJZY reported, with a layover in Charlotte, North Carolina. But the plan was for Logan to get off the plane in Charlotte, where he resides, and meet his family.

Related: 'Unethical' or Brilliant? This Viral Plane 'Hack' Punishes Passengers Who Recline Their Seat

Hidden city ticketing, or skip-lagging, refers to when a passenger buys a ticket for a lower cost but gets off at the layover and doesnt complete the rest of the scheduled flight.

Hunter Parsons told WJZY that a gate agent in Florida was suspicious when Logan possessed a North Carolina driver's license. It was the first time that Logan was traveling by himself.

Scott Olson/Getty

According to Parsons, Logan was interrogated a little bit and then taken to a security room.

"They kind of got out of him that he was planning to disboard in Charlotte and not going to make the connecting flight, Parsons said, per WJZY.

Getty Images/Robert Alexander American Airlines passenger jet (Boeing 737)

Related: American Airlines Is Getting Rid of First-Class Seating Because 'Customers Aren't Buying It'

The father said that the family had used the travel service Skiplagged.com for a number of years, and were unaware that hidden city ticketing was frowned upon in the airline industry. In 2019, Lufthansa Airlines sued a customer for over $2,000, alleging that he skipped part of his return flight on a round-trip ticket from Oslo to Seattle, NPR reported.

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According to WJZY, American Airlines canceled Logans ticket and made his family buy a new direct flight ticket. A spokesperson for the airline said that they did not know Logan was detained in Florida and that they would like to speak with the family as part of an inquiry into the matter.

Parsons said the familys concern was that Logan was a minor left to fend for himself several states away.

Related: Delta Plane Lands Without Proper Landing Gear at Charlotte Airport as Passengers and Crew Evacuate Safely

When reached by PEOPLE for comment, a representative for American Airlines cited the company's conditions for carriage, which mentioned that "purchasing a ticket without intending to fly all flights to gain lower fares (hidden city ticketing)" is a prohibited booking practice.

"Our records indicate the customer was questioned only at the ticket counter about their travel while attempting to check-in for their flight. A member of our Customer Relations team has been in touch with them to address their concerns," said the American Airlines representative in an email.

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Read the original article on People.


Donald Trump has a lot going on in his legal and political life, but it seems that his home life is also making waves. Melania Trump may not be too thrilled about the amount of time her husband is spending with Republican ally Kari Lake. Its no secret that the controversial political figure has been spotted at Mar-a-Lago often, reportedly, in hopes of being the former presidents 2024 running mate  but that might be too close for comfort for Melania.



On The Daily Beasts podcast, The New Abnormal, reporter Zach Petrizzo discussed how the People magazine article, Kari Lake Appears at Mar-a-Lago More than Melania Trump and Practically Lives In A Suite was something that really ticks off the former first lady. Those type of headlinesTrump, of course, has printed out story after story, he runs through a stack of papers or whatever have you typically many of these type of stories will go to the waste bin, but stories about Melania Trump, I mean, really get kind of scrutinized because he has to see her, Petrizzo explained.

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Kari Lake, Republican nominee for governor of Arizona, speaks at the 2023 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland, U.S., on Saturday, March 4, 2023.



Donald Trump and his wife often have dinner together and he knows that Melania and her team are very cognizant of headlines and this didnt really sit well with her. That probably wont be good news for Lake, who is falling out of favor quickly because whomever the former president picks to be his running mate will need the Melania stamp of approval. Donald Trumps ego believes that his voter base doesnt really care who his vice presidential pick will be anyway. I dont think from a voting standpoint it matters very much, he told reporters in Iowa in June.



It sounds like Lake is being ushered out the door in the Donald Trump camp because Melania isnt going to put up with any headlines that allude to an affair. She already has to deal with her husbands hush-money indictment in the alleged Stormy Daniels affair, and thats more than enough.

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Click here to read the full article.

Before you go, click here to see presidential families over the years.

Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Malia Obama, Sasha Obama

Launch Gallery: Melania Trump Quotes That Prove She's a Lot Like Donald Trump

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Superior Court in Delaware

The man accused of being an undercover government agent responsible for inciting the Jan. 6 Capitol riota conspiracy championed by ex-Fox News personality Tucker Carlsonsued the network and its former primetime host on Wednesday alleging they defamed him with their fantastical story.

Filed in the Superior Court of Delaware, the 49-page complaint claims Fox News searched for a scapegoat to blame other than Donald Trump or the Republican Party, settling on two-time Trump voter and Capitol riot attendee Ray Epps after its false antifa narrative fell through.

Epps was an avid and loyal Fox viewer and a fan of Mr. Carlsons and flew to Washington, D.C., to attend the Stop the Steal Rally because he believed the network when it cried that the 2020 election had been stolen, according to the lawsuit. The day before the riot, Epps was videotaped by a far-right troll known as Baked Alaska, who chanted Fed, Fed, Fed at him for wanting to prevent violence against the police.

That night, and the following day, he tried to deescalate a rowdy pro-Trump crowdwhile urging others to enter the Capitol peacefully, the suit states.

Following Jan. 6, Carlson promoted Baked Alaskas idea and began spreading false and unfounded lies on Fox News about Epps being an FBI informant who incited the Capitol attack.

Epps is a poorly cast villain for Fox and Mr. Carlson, the complaint reads, citing his Republican voting record and past as a Marine.

The House Select Committee investigating Jan. 6 interviewed Epps under oath and shut down Carlsons conspiracy in January 2022, confirming in a statement that Epps was not employed by, working with, or acting at the direction of any law enforcement agency at any time.

The Committee has interviewed Epps. Epps informed us that he was not employed by, working with, or acting at the direction of any law enforcement agency on Jan 5th or 6th or at any other time, & that he has never been an informant for the FBI or any other law enforcement agency.  January 6th Committee (@January6thCmte) January 11, 2022

But in the weeks after, Carlson continued to advance the Epps conspiracy on his show, Tucker Carlson Tonight, and questioned the committees decision to dismiss his claims, according to the complaint. Even when Carlson got his hands on thousands of hours of Jan. 6 footage, the lawsuit accuses the host of ignoring evidence proving Epps innocence.

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Viewers quickly hopped onto the lie Fox News and Carlson were pushing and made a series of threats against Epps and his wife, the complaint reveals. The lawsuit says, People began driving past their farm brandishing weapons and shooting onto their property. Epps even had personal information leaked onto the Dark Web.

He claims he has suffered astronomical consequences from the emotional and psychological effects of the threats and attacks, as well as significant expenses after moving residences in a last-ditch attempt to hide.

One of the more striking claims in Epps complaint states that the Department of Justice notified Epps in May that it did intend to indict himdespite his previous interviews with both the FBI and the Jan. 6 committee suggesting he would walk away uncharged.

Those charges would not have materialized, he claimed, if not for Carlson and Fox News incessantand falsesuggestions that Epps was egging on fellow Trump supporters.

Although it is difficult to believe that the Department of Justice would have pursued this matter if Fox had not focused its lies on Epps, ultimately the criminal charges conclusively demonstrate the falsehood of the story that Mr. Carlson and Fox told about Epps, the lawsuit read.

The DOJ told The Daily Beast in a statement that it could neither confirm nor deny the existence of investigations.

Epps is seeking an unspecified amount in damages for defamation and false light. A New York Times report from two days ago teased the lawsuit, with Epps lawyer telling the paper he planned to sue if Fox News did not issue an on-air retraction and apology.

Fox News did not immediately respond to The Daily Beasts request for comment on Epps lawsuit.

The network has been no stranger to defamation cases, settling with Dominion Voting Systems in April for $787.5 million after being accused of spreading election fraud-related lies about the voting software firm. Dominion executives reportedly have even more cases lined up against the right-wing network.

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HBOs drag makeover docuseries Were Here is getting a revamp of its own: Hosts Shangela, Eureka and Bob the Drag Queen are all being replaced ahead of the shows upcoming fourth season, TVLine has confirmed.

Stepping in for Season 4 are RuPauls Drag Race Season 9 winner Sasha Velour, Season 12 winner Jaida Essence Hall and Canadas Drag Race Season 1 winner Priyanka. The season will focus on two U.S. towns over the course of six episodes, taking an in-depth and more immersive look at the local political systems and participants, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and opposition, and their effect on the LGBTQ+ community, according to the official description.

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We have been so inspired by the stories and important work that has been done over the last three seasons of Were Here, Velour, Hall and Priyanka said in a joint statement. We look forward to continuing this journey throughout the country to uplift voices, spread love and showcase new stories through the art of drag. We thank the entire Were Here team for choosing us to join this life-changing experience.

The series, which debuted in 2020, followed the trio as they trekked across small-town America, stopping in various conservative regions to give residents empowering makeovers and a spot in a one-night-only drag extravaganza. The show snagged two Emmy wins during its run thus far, one for Outstanding Makeup for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program and the other for Outstanding Costumes. It is also the recipient of two GLAAD Media Awards for Outstanding Reality Program.

In late 2022, Daniel McGarrigle, a former assistant on the series, accused Shangela (ne Darius Jeremy Pierce) of sexually assaulting him in a hotel room in February 2020. Per McGarrigle, he and Pierce were in a Louisiana hotel room when Pierce allegedly overpowered him and had sex with him despite McGarrigle screaming no and trying to push him away. The Drag Race and Dancing With the Stars alum denied the allegations after McGarrigle filed a lawsuit against the drag performer.

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I cant begin to explain how hurt and disgusted I am by these totally untrue allegations, Pierce said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times in May. They are personally offensive and perpetuate damaging stereotypes that are harmful not only to me but also to my entire community An external investigation into this embittered individuals claims previously concluded that they were completely without merit.

Thoughts on the hosting swap? Let us know by dropping some comments.

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HARBOR SPRINGS  The Shay Days Heritage Festival is back in Harbor Springs this weekend celebrating the city and famed local inventor Ephraim Shay.

Hosted by the Harbor Springs Area Historical Society, Shay Days celebrates Shay  who patented a geared locomotive in 1881, later built an all-steel boat, a stamped steel house and brought running water to Harbor Springs.

Ephraim Shay's original patent for the Shay locomotive, shown here, was filed 1881.

The Shay Days are packed with demonstrations, music and more.

Kicking off the Shay Days, Bill Jamerson will present a musical tribute to the Michigan Lumberjack at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the history museum. Jamerson will be dressed in costume and performing traditional songs. The museum requests advanced registration and tickets are $15 per person.

At 10:15 a.m. Friday at Shay Park, Jamerson will be performing a lumberjack story time for children. The story time will offer a look into a lumberjack's life in a historic lumber camp.

The Shay Hexagon House is located at 396 E. Main St. in Harbor Springs.

On Saturday, the history museum will be hosting a In Shays Day walking tour, where people will walk from the museum toward Ottawa Stadium before returning along Bay Street. The walk kicks off at 10 a.m., and guests will be able to learn about what life was like back in Shays days. Important historic buildings still standing today will be highlighted.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, there will be demonstrations of how loggers turned felled trees into finished lumber. Mackinac State Historic Parks historian Kyle Bagnall will be preforming the demonstrations at Shay Park.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, July 14-15, there will be activities and events for all day fun throughout downtown Harbor Springs.

John Wessels of Warren works on getting his Climax model train working during the Shay Days celebration in Harbor Springs.

At Shay Park, there will be a group of model train experts  the Michigan Small Scale Live Steamers  running their trains with real steam boilers.

There will be crafts, games and STEAM projects for all ages at Shay Park as well. There will be a penny boat float experiment, popsicle stick houses and more.

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At the history museum, the two days will include a visit from the Northern Michigan Railroad Club, who will be bringing electric train layouts and telling people about their Junior Engineer program.

Throughout the festival, there will also be a discovery gallery designed for kids at the history museum as well.

For more information on Shay Days, call the historical society at (231) 526-9771 or visit harborspringshistory.org.

 Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Shay Days is back in Harbor Springs  here's how to celebrate
Barbie can be shown in Philippines with map blurred



Margot Robbie in Barbie

This Barbie caused a geopolitical controversy! It was clear from the beginning that Greta Gerwigs Mattel movie was going to cause a stir, but who knew it would be this kind of stir. The film was censured by some Southeast Asian countries over a depiction of what looked to be the nine-dash line on a world map. The nine-dash line is a marker of Chinas disputed claim over the South China Sea. Vietnam banned Barbie over it, while the Philippines took the situation under review. The result: Barbie is okay, but that pesky map should be blurred out.

Per Variety, the Philippines Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) conducted two meticulous screenings attended by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Solicitor General. There were also thorough deliberations, and consultations with relevant government agencies, including a legal expert on the West Philippine Sea, per its statement.

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Considering the context by which the cartoonish map of the character Weird Barbie was portrayed in the film, the Review Committee is convinced that the contentious scene does not depict the nine-dash line, the statement reads. (There are only eight dashes on the Barbie map, for what its worth.) Instead, the map portrayed the route of the make-believe journey of Barbie from Barbie Land to the real world, as an integral part of the story.

The statement concluded with a stern warning about sanctioning other media regarding the nine-dash line. Rest assured that the Board has exhausted all possible resources in arriving at this decision as we have not hesitated in the past to sanction filmmakers/ producers/distributors for exhibiting the fictitious nine-dash line in their materials, the MTRCB wrote.

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A separate letter (via The Guardian) to Philippine senator Francis Tolentino, one of the films critics, indicated that the board had asked Warner Bros. Pictures to blur the lines on the map. The board seemed to ultimately agree with WBs explanation that the map is a simple child-like crayon drawing. Moreover, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia are not visible on the map. This is in stark contrast to the maps found in the banned films Abominable (2019) and Uncharted (2022), the letter read.

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The claim: Smoke in New York City result of solar geoengineering, not Canadian wildfires

A June 18 Facebook video (direct link, archived link) shows an image of the Empire State Building in New York City blanketed by a thick haze.

Canadian wildfire smoke, or Bill Gates sun-dimming technology,? reads superimposed text included in the video.

The social media user shared an identical post on Instagram that garnered more than 800 likes before it was deleted. Other versions of the post continue to circulate on Facebook and YouTube.

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Our rating: False

Multiple climate and air quality agencies confirmed that a significant amount of smoke from wildfires in Canada has periodically drifted down into the U.S. since early June, yielding poor air quality in parts of the country, including New York City. Researchers say geoengineering technology is not yet in use and is still being researched.

Multiple agencies confirm smoke in NYC due to wildfires

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced multiple Air Quality Health Advisories for fine particulate matter impacting the New York City metropolitan area since June 6.

Those advisories are connected to the particulate matter from the Canadian Wildfires, Jeff Wernick, a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, told USA TODAY.

Multiple other weather and climate agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, National Weather Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, have also reported the poor air quality in New York City  and other parts of the U.S.  is the result of smoke drifting south from Canadian wildfires.

Agencies are able to use satellite images of smoke plumes, weather models and air quality monitors on the ground to confirm the source of the particulate matter affecting air quality, according to Shayla Powell, a spokesperson for the EPA.

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Fact check: Geoengineering technology not yet in use, despite posts to the contrary

Wildfire smoke can travel and contribute to air pollution thousands of miles from the fires origins, Powell told USA TODAY in an email.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires has continued to negatively impact the air quality of large swaths of the Midwest and East Coast since early June, including Detroit, Milwaukee, Boston, Washington D.C. and parts of South Carolina.

As of July 11, Canada has more than 500 fires burning out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.

Solar geoengineering technology doesn't exist yet

Billionaire Bill Gates has contributed funding to Harvards Solar Geoengineering Research program, as the post references.

Solar geoengineering, one of the two broad categories of emerging climate intervention technology, aims to modify the amount of solar radiation absorbed and released by the Earths atmosphere.

The idea is that dispersing aerosols  tiny particles  at high altitude would reflect a small fraction of incoming sunlight back to space and cool the planet, offsetting some global warming," Joshua Horton, a geoengineering research director at Harvard University, previously told USA TODAY.

Fact check: False claim geoengineering is behind climate change

But this technology is still being developed and studied, Horton and Alan Robock, a climate science professor at Rutgers University, previously told USA TODAY.

Both scientists explained that much of the technology necessary to make it work does not yet exist, and neither was aware of any significant experiments or operations using geoengineering technology.

USA TODAY reached out to the Instagram user who shared the post but they did not provide any evidence to substantiate their claim.

PolitiFact and Check Your Fact also debunked this claim.

Our fact-check sources:

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here.

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No, smoke in NYC not result of solar geoengineering | Fact check
A group of nine plaintiffs including a brewery, a theater, and a public school teacher have filed a federal lawsuit to challenge Montanas far-reaching drag ban.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court on July 6, alleges that House Bill 359 unconstitutionally restricts the First Amendment right to free expression by attempting to ban drag performances. The bill, passed by the states Republican lawmakers in May of this year, bans both sexually oriented performances and drag shows that are not sexual from schools, libraries, and other public venues, with fines up to $10,000 for repeat offenses.

Calling HB 359 a breathtakingly ambiguous and overbroad bill, motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ animus, the lawsuit alleges that HB 359 poses a content- and viewpoint-based restriction on free speech.

HB 359 is calculated to target the LGBTQ+ community, but the bill overshoots this sinister mark, the lawsuit claims, calling the law a Frankensteins monster that combines the most unconstitutional language of other states drag bans, like Tennessees since-blocked legislation.

The plaintiffs argue that the law threatens teachers, artists, small businesses, and cultural and scientific institutions, many of whom arent connected to drag in any traditional sense. The lawsuit asks the court for an injunction against enforcing the law, a ruling declaring HB 359 unconstitutional, and damages for the plaintiffs who have already been affected.

Among those seeking damages is Adrian Jawort, a Northern Cheyenne transgender woman whose library event discussing Montanas Two-Spirit history was canceled at the beginning of Pride Month out of fear it would violate HB 359.

I am glad to be part of fighting against an unconstitutional bill that's not only anti-art, but chills the freedom of speech of trans people as immediately proven by the Butte library canceling my history lecture, Jawort wrote on Twitter last week.

Joining Jawort in the lawsuit is Rachel Corcoran, a teacher who says her classroom performances of historical and fictional characters could be considered illegal under the new law.

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Other plaintiffs in the suit, all represented by nonprofit law firm Upper Seven Law, include the drag court Imperial Court of the State of Montana; the Western Montana Community Center and Great Falls LGBTQ+ Center; Imagine Nation, a brewery that regularly hosts drag events and houses a lending library; the Myrna Loy theater, an arts space hosting film screenings and live theater in Helena; and BumbleBee Aerial Fitness in Helena, which states that its pole fitness classes have caused some events to be canceled out of concern for the new law.

The lawsuit names various Montana officials, including Attorney General Austin Knudsen, as defendants. Knudsen has not yet commented publicly on the suit.

As the lawsuit points out, HB 359 attempts to mirror obscenity laws to specifically outlaw drag, even though the states existing laws already prohibit obscene exhibition in the presence of a minor, no matter what the accused is wearing. Because its stated goal is redundant, the lawsuit claims, there are only two options: either HB 359 is superfluous, or it redefines obscene beyond constitutional limits to include drag performances, drag story hours, and a spiraling list of nebulously defined sexually oriented performances.

Montana Officials Canceled a Trans Womans Library Event Citing Anti-Drag Law

The talk was going to be about the history of two-spirit and LGBTQ\+ people in Montana.

Montana has become a flashpoint for LGBTQ+ civil rights in the U.S., as Republican lawmakers clashed with Democrats and community activists this year over a package of anti-LGBTQ+ bills. Democratic Rep. Zooey Zephyr, a trans woman, was censured by the state GOP in April and barred from returning to the House floor over remarks she made condemning anti-trans legislation, removing her from debates for the rest of the session. Zephyr has called the vote against her a disturbing and terrifying affront to democracy itself.

In May, two trans Montanan teenagers, their families, and their doctors filed another lawsuit against Knudsen, Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, and multiple state agencies alleging their rights had also been violated by Senate Bill 99, the states recently passed ban on gender-affirming medical care for minors.

The Act was created to marginalize transgender people, the plaintiffs alleged in their suit. It has no other plausible public purpose, and specifically targets transgender people for discriminatory treatment.

Seems like theres a lot of that going around these days.

Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here.

Originally Appeared on them.
Hollywood actors may go on strike if they do not reach a new agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers by midnight in Los Angeles

Amy Sussman/Getty Fran Drescher attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023

With just hours to go before Hollywood actors potentially go on strike, SAG-AFTRA's president Fran Drescher has attracted some criticism from her peers.

Drescher, 65, traveled to Italy last weekend for a promotional event with the fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana. The Nanny actress was spotted at the event after she appeared in a photo Kim Kardashian shared to her Instagram Story on Monday, according to Variety.

"My union president chilling in Italy while were in the middle of negotiations and about to go on strike," Insidious: The Last Key actor Kirk Acevedo wrote on Twitter in response to Drescher's photo with Kardashian. "Were asking to be better compensated by the studios and Fran Drescher is mugging for cameras in Italy. The optics look f------ terrible."

"This is a really bad f------ look, @frandrescher," Perry Mason actor Eric Lange wrote on Twitter. "Its astonishing that, on the eve of a likely strike, while people are losing their homes, their health insurance, etc youre partying it up with Kim in Italy. Astonishing and indefensible."



Paul Morigi/Getty Fran Drescher attends Grammys On The Hill: Awards Dinner at The Hamilton on April 26, 2023

SAG-AFTRA said in a statement shared with Variety Monday that Drescher's attendance at the event "was a commitment fully known to the negotiating committee" as she continued to work with the union's negotiating committee ahead of Wednesday's 11:59 p.m. Pacific time deadline to reach agreements on new contracts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

According to the statement, Drescher expected to return to Los Angeles for further negotiations on Tuesday.

"She has been in negotiations every day either in person or via videoconference," the statement reads, per the outlet. "President Drescher is managing a physically demanding schedule across three time zones, overseeing negotiations and working on location daily as well as managing her parents needs in [Florida]."



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Representatives for Drescher did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment Wednesday.



Related: Everything to Know About the Possible SAG Strike and How It Could Affect TV and Movies

Actress Maya Dunbar, who is currently running against Drescher to take her place as the union's president, told Deadline that Drescher's choice to attend the event served as "a clear example of how out of touch the President is with the majority of the rank-and file-membership."



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.

Paul Morigi/Getty Fran Drescher attends the 2023 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC.

While most members are currently wondering if theres going to be a strike, and how theyll pay the rent, their dues and afford to provide for their families during the worst economic stability in recent years, shes off taking pics with celebrities widely known and shamed for crossing WGA picket lines,' Dunbar told the outlet in a statement.

Related: Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, Over 300 Actors Tell SAG They Are 'Prepared to Strike': Reports

The actors' union and the AMPTP agreed to have last-minute negotiations Thursday supervised by a mediator appointed by the federal government, the union shared in a statement Tuesday.



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Read the original article on People.
Another woman is coming forward with accusations against Jonah Hill.

In a series of tweets published over the weekend, Zoey 101 alum Alexa Nikolas, 31, said that the Superbad star lured her away from a party and assaulted her when she was 16 and Hill was 24. (Nikolas didnt mention the year of the party or Hills age in her tweets. But she does mention her age when the alleged incident occurred, suggesting that the party happened sometime in 2008.)

Nikolas accusations come in the wake of Hills ex-girlfriend, surfer Sarah Brady, publicly sharing a series of text exchanges with the 21 Jump Street star in which he exhibits emotionally abusive behavior. Nikolas noted in a tweet that she felt Bradys actions were admirable and the athlete inspired her to come forward.

After reading Sarah Bradys admirable post about #JonahHill I just gotta say when I was 16 I got invited to a house party at #justinlongs house where he was living with some lame predator actor from CSI Miami. Ill look up the name later and find him.  Alexa Nikolas (@alexanikolas__) July 9, 2023

Nikolas alleged that she and a friend  who she said was also 16 or 17  were at a party at Barbarian actor Justin Longs home. She accused Long and his roommate at the time, CSI: Miami actor Jonathan Togo, of purposely getting her and her friend drunk and that they were all aware I was 16.

Nikolas wrote that she was pretty intoxicated once Hill arrived at the party.

We were all pretty wasted because of course the predators were feeding us minors a bunch of alcohol, she wrote.

Nikolas recalled asking Hill for a cig at one point in the night. She said he told her that if she wanted one, shed have to go with him to his car right outside to get one because he didnt want to go outside all alone. She said she and Hill then went to the car to retrieve the cigarettes from the front seat of his car. But she said Hill never gave her a cigarette  which I thought was weird, she wrote.

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And then as we walked back to the door I asked him for it and he said nothing, Nikolas wrote. But slammed me to the door and shoved his tongue down my throat. I was so appalled I pushed him off of me and ran inside.

#JonahHill didnt hand me the cig which I thought was weird and then as we walked back to the door I asked him for it and he said nothing but slammed me to the door and shoved his tongue down my throat. I was so appalled I pushed him off of me and ran inside.  Alexa Nikolas (@alexanikolas__) July 9, 2023

Nikolas also accused Togo of having sex with her drunk and underage friend, writing that the actor was sleeping [with] *aka assaulting a minor* during the party.

She also blasted Long for creating an environment in which minors could be taken advantage of by older men. She compared Long to his character in Barbarian, AJ Gilbride  an actor who is fired from a television series over allegations that he raped his co-star.

Hey Justin Long I find it interesting you being in Barbarian as a predator, Nikolas tweeted. It must have been weird playing some of your friends. You knew your roommate was assaulting a minor under your own roof. You let it happen. Eek. I hope you regret it now.

She added in a follow-up tweet:

Also #justinlong why the fuck did you have children at your house late night? Ew.

HuffPost has reached out to Hill and Togo for comment.

A representative for Long told HuffPost that the Galaxy Quest actor had no knowledge of the incident.

This is the first time Justin has been made aware of this situation that allegedly happened nearly two decades ago. While Justin is sympathetic to any and all victims of any abuse, the simple fact remains he has no knowledge of what may or may not have happened concerning Ms. Nikolas, his representative said.

Nikolas said in another tweetthat she was sharing this information because she has been traumatized by men in hollywood and Things have to change.

This type of predatory behavior was hyper normalized when I was a kid. Im proud to see women standing up to abusive men now. Bad ASS! she wrote.

This type of predatory behavior was hyper normalized when I was a kid. Im proud to see women standing up to abusive men now. Bad ASS!  Alexa Nikolas (@alexanikolas__) July 9, 2023

Nikolas also made a disparaging remark about the people behind Family Guy  a show she worked on for an episode in 2011  though she didnt offer any other context. On Sunday, however, Nikolas offered a bit more information about the long-running animated shows creator, Seth MacFarlane, though she kept her tweets vague.

One day soon after more therapy we can all start talking about #sethmacfarlanes utter predatory disrespect for professional boundaries period, she tweeted.

Oh ya and mysteriously offered the job. Never did voice work in my entire life. Creep.  Alexa Nikolas (@alexanikolas__) July 9, 2023

She added that she was mysteriously offered the job on Family Guy without any voice work experience at 18 by MacFarlane and that he is 19 years older than her.

HuffPost has reached out to MacFarlane as well for comment.

Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website.

Related...
Floridas tumultuous insurance marketplace took yet another hit on Tuesday, when Farmers Insurance announced plans to drop policies across the state, potentially impacting tens of thousands of people.

If youve lost coverage or think you might be at risk of being dropped, youre not alone. In the past year, four companies, including Farmers, have pulled out of Florida.

So, now what?

We asked Paul Handerhan, president of the Federal Association for Insurance Reform, a nonpartisan consumer advocacy group based in Fort Lauderdale. In this interview, he shares his tips for homeowners and discusses the future of Floridas insurance industry.

What happened with Farmers Insurance?

What Farmers is doing is not uncommon. Over the past three or four years, weve seen a number of private market insurers that have been nonrenewing policies across the state.

Its been very difficult for these primary private insurers to find reinsurance. The reinsurance companies that underwrite policies for the insurance companies are telling them that theyre not going to underwrite them if they have certain risks. Or if they do underwrite them, its going to be super expensive.

Florida is a very risky area. Were a huge peninsula, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, in the middle of a wind tunnel, basically sitting on a sponge.

If youre a national company, youre like, Do I really need to go through that headache?

What should you do if you have Farmers Insurance?

I think a lot of consumers are panicking because were in the middle of hurricane season, and they really dont understand what the impact of this is.

Farmers has to give the Office of Insurance Regulation a 90-day notice, which they did on Monday. After that 90 days, then they have to give notice to their policyholders and that notice gives policyholders at least 120 days to find new coverage.

These nonrenewals will not go into effect during hurricane season.

Even though people have time, is it better to try and get an early start on finding a new insurance provider?

Its probably a good idea to reach out to your agent now. You should ask them to look at your policy and see if youre attractive to the private market. If yes, why? If no, why?

They might say that youre at a high risk because your roof is 20 years old. So if thats the case, you may want to consider replacing your roof before this all goes through. If you replace your roof, even if Farmers drops you, the chances of you being able to get a new private carrier will greatly increase.

What happens if you still cant find another private insurer who will take you on?

Your agent will try to underwrite you through Citizens. Citizens has a more liberal application process, because theyre the insurer of last resort.

What happens if even Citizens wont take you?

There are some scenarios where that may happen.

The big thing insurance providers are looking at is if your plumbing system is up to code and if your roof has a certain amount of useful life left. Those are things you should really consider investing in because not only can you get better coverage, your rates can get better too.

What would you say to homeowners who are considering going without insurance?

First off, if you have a mortgage, youre going to be required by your lender to have coverage.

As soon as an insurance company sends you a nonrenewal notice, it also gets sent to the bank. The bank will be looking for the new policy. If they dont get a copy of the new insurance certificate, your bank will put a policy on your property. Its called force-placed insurance.

You never want that to happen. The force placed insurance is usually twice the cost. It covers less  usually only up to the principal of the loan. And youre not the insured party, the bank is.

What if you dont have a mortgage?

If thats the case then you can choose to go without coverage, but you should really make sure youre educated in your decision making.

Unless you have significant cash reserves to do everything yourself, I would say its probably not a great idea.

Some people might say, I dont want to pay $4,000 a year for insurance, Ill just put that money into a savings account and if something happens Ill have that money there. But you have to know yourself. Are you a disciplined person who will truly commit to putting the money aside?

A lot of times we talk about water damage and hurricanes, but imagine if your house caught on fire and you completely lost your home. Would you have the money to rebuild and replace everything? Or would you be homeless and lose all your possessions?

Before going bare, I would consider all the options. There are different levels of insurance. If you dont have a mortgage, you could potentially buy a policy that doesnt cover much but maybe it covers fire and a few other serious perils.

What does the future hold for Floridas insurance market? Will Farmers pulling out cause a domino effect?

I dont think so.

Youve got to look at the different segments of insurers writing in Florida. The national companies like Farmers, they have core systems in place and they like to do the same thing in every state. A state thats more challenging like Florida requires a whole different management structure, a whole different process that makes it more difficult for a national carrier.

But most of the companies writing in Florida are specialty insurers that are based here. They know Florida, they know other coastal states and they specifically tool their strategies around these high-risk areas.

I believe that youre going to see new insurance companies come into the state of Florida because of the legislative reforms that were passed addressing fraud and claim abuses. But those folks who are sitting on the sidelines, the reason why theyre not coming in right now is because theyre waiting for hurricane season to pass. Its not a good business strategy to open up an insurance company in the middle of hurricane season.

Is there anything legislators can do to get the bigger national companies to stay?

The state has its own public reinsurance institution, called the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. But that fund every year has been making it more and more difficult for private insurance companies to get coverage at the same level. Its kind of like if youre a homeowner and every year your insurance company kept increasing your deductible.

Its gotten so high now that insurance companies can only really get reimbursement from the Cat Fund in the most severe storms.

The state could step in and they could overhaul the Cat Fund and lower that deductible so that more insurance companies could get coverage through the state instead of private reinsurance companies that charge more.
Flood-ravaged areas in the Northeast could see even more rainfall on Thursday as communities in Vermont and New York try to recover from a historic deluge.

In Vermont, some areas had recorded up to 9 inches of rain over a 24-hour period by Tuesday afternoon as small creeks turned into raging rivers that swallowed roads in the worst flooding to hit the Green Mountain State since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011.

PHOTO: A man walks down a street flooded by recent rainstorms in Montpelier, Vermont, on July 11, 2023. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

PHOTO: Residents look over the damage after flooding from recent rain storms in Montpelier, Vermont, July 11, 2023. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

Over 200 people have been rescued in Vermont since the flooding began, including 32 people who were rescued in hard-hit Lamoille County Tuesday night, officials said.

No injuries or deaths have been reported in the state.

Vermont Commissioner of Public Safety Jennifer Morrison said the state is in much better shape Wednesday than it was Tuesday, but rescues are still ongoing.

PHOTO: Jodi Kelly, seated center, practice manager at Stonecliff Veterinary Surgical Center, behind, and her husband Veterinarian Dan Kelly, right, use a canoe to remove surgical supplies from the flood damaged center, July 11, 2023, in Montpelier, Vt. (Steven Senne/AP)

MORE: Vermont overwhelmed by 'catastrophic' flooding as Northeast braces for more rain

The Winooski River, which runs through Vermont's capital, crested at 21.02 feet in Montpelier on Tuesday, its highest level since 1927. The river gradually receded, dropping below flood stage by Tuesday evening. The Wrightsville Dam, which forms a reservoir just outside Montpelier, was also beginning to recede and was not expected to breach the spillway, officials said.

The Lamoille River, running through northern Vermont, reached its highest level on record at 455.13 feet in the village of Jeffersonville on Tuesday.

River flooding should remain calm for the rest of Wednesday, officials said.

PHOTO: A person in a canoe passes parked cars partially submerged by floodwaters from recent rainstorms in Montpelier, Vermont, on July 11, 2023. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

MORE: Floodwater safety tips

Meanwhile, at least one person was killed in floodwaters in upstate New York. More than 500 homeowners have reported damage in the Empire State's hard-hit Orange County so far, according to officials.

The extreme weather began on Sunday, affecting much of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, prompting flash flood alerts in parts of New York. The storm system pushed north on Monday, with the heaviest rainfall hitting Vermont.

A new severe weather system moving through the Plains and the Midwest is forecast to reach the Northeast by Thursday evening with scattered storms. That means potentially more rain from New York to Vermont, areas where the ground is already so saturated that it won't take much to cause more flooding.

ABC News' Victoria Arancio, Peter Charalambous, Alexandra Faul, Matt Foster, Max Golembo, Melissa Griffin, Dan Peck and Darren Reynolds contributed to this report.

Vermont grapples with historic flooding as more rainstorms head for Northeast originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
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Say Aloha to these easy, breezy tops.

Travel + Leisure / Brian Kopinski

The landscapes, the people, the beautiful beaches  wouldnt life be better if we just up and moved to Hawaii? A romantic idea in theory, sure, but probably not the most feasible choice for all of us. Instead, why not settle for a Hawaiian shirt to satisfy your tropical urge?

This traditional menswear style originated in the early twentieth century as a way to manage the warm temperatures and humid climate of the tropical Hawaiian islands. While they initially emerged in the 1920s, not much has transformed in terms of their style, particularly the style popularized by icons like Elvis, said Matthew Kazanc, CEO of Molokai Surf, a brand that has taken the traditional Hawaiian shirt concept and modernized it with new fits and prints. We embrace the evolving times and believe that Hawaiian shirts have the potential to be so much more. Its the innovative and ever-changing spirit of Hawaii were after," he said.

Today, Hawaiian shirts have become pretty ubiquitous, and you dont need to fly to Honolulu to find them. With the recent popularity of so-called camp shirts in menswear (short-sleeve button downs cut for breeziness, with relaxed collars and usually in vacation-ready colors and prints), theres never been a better time to dip your toe in the Hawaiian shirt pond. Brands everywhere churn out these colorful styles, especially in the summer months, knowing guys are looking to either blend in on their next trip to the Hawaiian islands or capture a taste of the tropics a little closer to home.

Weve combed the market for the best of the best Hawaiian shirts for men, whether youre looking for a traditional take on the quintessential Aloha shirt or a modern update on the classic.

Best Overall: Kahala Duke's Pareo Shirt

Buy at Kahala.com

Why We Love It

It doesnt get any more classic or authentic than this traditional Hawaiian shirt from Kahala.

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What to Consider

It may shrink in the wash, so we recommend sizing up.

From one of the first brands ever to produce Hawaiian shirts dating back to 1936, theres no question the Kahala Dukes Pareo short-sleeve shirt is a classic. Made in Hawaii, this shirt showcases a 1960s heritage print featuring pineapple and floral imagery and comes in a variety of island-ready colors. Its made from 100 percent durable cotton broadcloth and is machine washable, though you may want to size up to avoid shrinkage.

Price at time of publish: $110

The Details: XS to 3XL | 100 percent cotton broadcloth



Best Silk: Tommy Bahama Perfect Paradise Silk Button-Front Shirt

Buy at Saksfifthavenue.com

Buy at Tommybahama.com

Why We Love It

The gorgeous print is classy and stylish.

What to Consider

While technically machine washable, dry cleaning will increase the longevity of this shirt.

What brand better represents the tropical lifestyle than Tommy Bahama. This shirt comes from their Artist Series, featuring a print called Perfect Paradise and is custom designed by Beppe Spadacini, a leading textile artist. With blush pink undertones, the print perfectly captures the natural beauty and serene environment of the Hawaiian islands, depicting a mountain beside a gorgeous bay. This shirt will look good with shorts, over a bathing suit for an apres-beach look, or with linen pants or chinos for dinnertime on your next vacation.

We gave this Tommy Bahama shirt high marks for the not-too-fitted, not-too-loose fit, the high-quality of the buttons and stitching, and for the print that feels classically Hawaiian yet still unique. Its made from 100 percent silk, so if you take good care of this piece, it will last for many, many tropical adventures to come.

Price at time of publish: $158

The Details: S to XXL | 100 percent silk

Best Budget: COOFANDY Men's Hawaiian Floral Cotton Linen Button Down

Buy at Amazon.com

Why We Love It

The material has a texture that feels more expensive than it actually is.



What to Consider

The cotton material is a little thick.



Theres a difference between budget and cheap, and when we set out to find the best budget Hawaiian shirt for men, we wanted to strike that balance between the right price and the right quality. This Coofandy shirt hits the mark. The thick, textured cotton material has the look and feel of something much more expensive, and the updated print is the ideal blend of classic and modern Hawaiian style.

Price at time of publish: $32

The Details: S to XXXXL | 100 percent cotton

Related: The 16 Best T-shirts for Men of 2023

Best Bold: Tombolo Sunny Disposition

Buy at Tombolocompany.com

Why We Love It

Its a cheerful take on a traditional Hawaiian style.

What to Consider

Taller guys may find the length slightly cropped  in which case, size up.

Cult classic brand Tombolo has been building an army of fans around the world for their cheerful vacation-minded shirts, and this Sunny Disposition style is no exception. Its made with a mod-style print that is just bold enough to help you stand out. For an updated, more fashion-forward take on the classic Hawaiian shirt, this could be your best bet.

Price at time of publish: $128

The Details: XXS to XXL | 100 percent lyocell

Best Breathable: Lululemon Airing Easy Camp Collar Shirt

Buy at Shop.lululemon.com

Why We Love It

The shirt is super breathable in hot, humid weather.



What to Consider

The fit is rather relaxed. If you prefer a slimmer fit, try sizing down.



You know and love Lululemon for their gym attire and athleisure, but how about this camp collar shirt? Some dudes may seek the breathability of a Hawaiian shirt but dont have the need for a bold floral print. If thats you, youre in luck  Lululemons WovenAir fabric stays cool even in the stickiest situations. The material is quick-drying, naturally breathable, sweat-wicking, and has a four-way stretch that follows your every move.

Price at time of publish: $88

The Details: S to XXL | 89 percent nylon, 11 percent elastane

Most Sustainable: Outerknown Linen S/S Camp Shirt

Buy at Outerknown.com

Why We Love It

The black print offers an edgier take on the traditional Hawaiian style.

What to Consider

Not all guys enjoy the texture of linen.

Outerknown has been making waves in the menswear world the last few years for the brands commitment to sustainability, and this Hawaiian-inspired camp shirt is no exception. Its made from European-grown flax, one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly fibers on the planet. Outerknown also has a commitment to sustainable fabric dying practices to lessen productions impact on our waterways. And on top of that, the material is naturally breathable and heat-regulating, making this a solid choice for any and all of your summer plans.

Price at time of publish: $128

The Details: S to XL | 100 percent linen

Best Splurge: Vilebrequin Raiatea Bowling Shirt

Buy at Vilebrequin.com

Why We Love It

The featherweight material is naturally cooling.



What to Consider

The pattern may be too bold for some.

Dont let linen and cotton have all the fun this summer  this Vilebrequin shirt is crafted from a sustainable, silky, breathable hemp and lyocell blend. Coming from French brand Vilebrequin, no detail goes overlooked, from the tone-on-tone embroidery, to the perfect fit, to the side slits for added motility and breathability. The stunning multicolor print also makes this shirt look put-together.

Price at time of publish: $260

The Details: S to XXXL | 54 percent hemp, 46 percent tencel

Best Classic: Tori Richard Boat Day Aloha Shirt

Buy at Toririchard.com

Why We Love It

Its a classic pattern from a Hawaiian brand.

What to Consider

It has human figures in the print, which might not be to everyones tastes.

Few brands come close to the authenticity of Hawaiian-born Tori Richard, known for  among other things  their iconic Hawaiian shirts. The cut on this one is just right  breezy enough to keep you cool, but tailored enough to be flattering, as well. This print was inspired by art from the archives of the Matson Navigation Company, a cruise line which sailed the Pacific from the 1908 until the 1950s.

Price at time of publish: $110

The Details: XS to XXXL | 100 percent cotton

Most Unique: Go Barefoot Tiger Convertible-Collar Printed Cotton-Blend Shirt

Buy at Mrporter.com

Why We Love It

We love the uniqueness of the tiger print.



What to Consider

Its a bit pricey.



Why have hibiscus floral prints when you can have tigers? The award for most unique Hawaiian shirt goes to this Go Barefoot shirt, made from a light and airy cotton and rayon blend, and with sustainably sourced coconut buttons to really bring home that tropical aesthetic. Are there tigers in Hawaii? Definitely not. But do they look cool on this shirt? You bet they do.

Price at time of publish: $90

The Details: S to XL | 55 percent cotton, 45 percent rayon

Best Rayon: Todd Snyder X Kahala Aloha Shirt

Buy at Toddsnyder.com

Why We Love It

Rayon is a silky, breathable material that can be dyed beautifully  making it ideal for Hawaiian shirts.



What to Consider

The shirt is designed for a boxy fit.



Most people hear rayon and think a synthetic material cant be luxe  but the opposite is true. Rayon was the original fabric of choice when people started wearing Hawaiian shirts after World War II, when silk had been rationed for parachutes. This shirt is a collaboration between American menswear darling Todd Snyder and quintessential Hawaiian shirt brand Kahala  for an updated take on the classic style youre sure to love.

Price at time of publish: $228

The Details: XS to XXL | 100 percent rayon

Related: The 18 Best Swimsuits for Men of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Fitted: SSLR Hawaiian Shirt for Men

Buy at Amazon.com

Why We Love It

The slim fit will appeal to guys looking for a modern update on Hawaiian shirts.



What to Consider

The quality tends to be reflective of the price.



Love the idea of a summery, colorful Hawaiian shirt but dont love the boxy, billowy fit? Then take a look at this SSLR Hawaiian Shirt, cut in a modern, slim fit thats sure to appeal to guys with a contemporary sense of style. The sleeves hug your biceps for a flattering look, and the torso is cut for a flattering, slimmer fit. Pair it with your favorite dark jeans for a dinner-ready look on your next beach vacation.

Price at time of publish: $35

The Details: S to XXXXL | 100 percent cotton

Best Print: Molokai Surf Flamingo Paradise Shirt

Buy at Molokaisurf.com

Why We Love It

The colors, design, and overall fit and feel make this a foolproof choice for a classic mens Hawaiian shirt.

What to Consider

This brand offers tons  and we mean tons  of various vibrant prints, so you may see another youd prefer instead.

Hawaiian shirts offer an opportunity to really take a risk and show some color. This Molokai Surf shirt has a gorgeous print that plays with various tropical colors set over a black background. The result is nothing short of stunning  and if this exact style isnt your cup of tea, the brand offers dozens of other prints. We also love that the fabric on this one has just a hint of spandex for a comfortable, stretchy fit that drapes beautifully.

Price at time of publish: $32

The Details: M to XXL | 95 percent polyester, 5 percent spandex

Best Big & Tall: KingSize KS Island Men's Big & Tall Printed Rayon Short-Sleeve Shirt

Buy at Amazon.com

Why We Love It

The colors, fit, and attention to detail add fantastic value to this shirt.

What to Consider

This one is cut for Big & Tall sizes, so petite frames should look elsewhere.

Channel all the color of tropical island life with this KingSize short-sleeve shirt. It has an open collar, a relaxed cut, and comes in a wide range of sizes to accommodate different body types. Its made from a woven rayon that captures colors well and will last for many years in your closet. Plus, its finished with smart, island-appropriate details like coconut button closures.

Price at time of publish: $36

The Details: 3X to 9X | 100 percent rayon

Related: The 10 Best Sunglasses for Men of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Modern Print: Marine Layer Floral Resort Shirt

Buy at Nordstrom.com

Buy at Backcountry.com

Why We Love It

It offers a modern take on a classic Hawaiian shirt print.

What to Consider

It's more of a camp shirt than a Hawaiian shirt.

The problem a lot of people have with 100 percent linen shirts is that linen as a fabric doesnt have much natural give to it; thats why this Marine Layer shirt has been updated with a linen-lyocell blend, so you get the textured breathability of linen perfect for summer with a bit of stretchy silkiness from the lyocell. The shirt is cut with a wide yoke so it falls slightly off the shoulder for that effortless, boxy fit. We also cant get enough of the print  it has the floral references of a traditional Hawaiian shirt, but comes in a color palette that feels totally modern without trying too hard.

Price at time of publish: $98

The Details: S to XL | 70 percent lyocell, 30 percent linen

Tips for Buying Hawaiian Shirts

Consider the material

As with most garments, you can buy expensive designer brands, you can opt for crazy colors, and you can buy into whatever trend you think youll want to try  but when it comes to actually investing in pieces that will stand the test of time in your closet, its all about the material. Originally, the goal of Hawaiian shirts was to have something colorful and dressed-up that would still keep the wearer cool. For that reason, its smart to stick with more breathable, natural fabrics such as lightweight cottons, linens, hemps, and lyocell.

That being said, synthetics tend to offer superior colors and patterns because they retain fabric dyes more easily without compromising the silky feel and light weight. Rayon, for example, is a great material for Hawaiian shirts in modern times.

Look for authentic brands

Its always important to consider where certain articles of clothing come from, and to approach them with sensitivity and respect. While Hawaiian shirts did originate in Hawaii and carry cultural significance there, these garments have garnered international popularity, and anyone is welcome to wear them. Still, its always best to look for authentic brands that have a genuine connection to the Hawaiian islands, like Kahala, Tori Richard, and Go Barefoot.



Frequently Asked Questions

When should you wear a Hawaiian shirt?

Consider selecting shirts that can effortlessly transition into evening attire, said Kazanc. Historically, Hawaiian shirts have been used for business casual occasions  meetings or events that require a step above typical resort wear, but without the formality or constriction of a classic suit or blazer. However, more recently, Hawaiian shirts can really be worn whenever you like. Or as Kazanc put it: its about feeling great in what you wear, and when that happens, youre sure to captivate the attention of those around you.

How do you wash a Hawaiian shirt?

The answer to this one is simple: check the manufacturers tag for washing instructions. Most Hawaiian shirts can typically be washed in cold water and tumble dried on low. If youre looking to make the colors on your shirt stay crisp and vibrant for many years to come, however, try being a little gentler on your clothes  washing them in cold water on delicate, and hanging them out to dry.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this story, writer Todd Plummer drew upon extensive market research, an interview with Molokai Surf CEO Matthew Kazanc, and years of writing about menswear and travel to create a comprehensive roundup of the best Hawaiian shirts for men available today.

Related: The 11 Best Travel-size Sunscreens of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

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Alex Waier, the aviary curator at the Milwaukee County Zoo, created the new Backyard Bird Walk exhibit.

Milwaukee County Zoo keepers, curators and administrators have a goal in mind when people come to the zoo: They want visitors to empathize with the animals they see so they will be inspired to learn more about what they can do to help animal conservation efforts.

Most of those animals, from elephants and giraffes to penguins and flamingoes, are not native to Wisconsin, so people's ability to help their survival is limited to things like spreading awareness and giving money to animal conservation organizations.

But a new exhibit, scheduled to open Aug. 1 in the zoo's Northwestern Mutual Family Farm area, will focus on how people can help animals Wisconsinites are well acquainted with  the birds that live in their backyards.

Building the Backyard Bird Walk

The Milwaukee County Zoo's new Backyard Bird Walk exhibit emphasizes what Wisconsinites can do to become animal conservationists.

The Backyard Bird Walk exhibit has been a passion project of aviary curator Alex Waier since he went to a 2018 conference that focused on zoos' roles in educating people about what they can do to help migratory songbirds, such as warblers, robins and catbirds native to Wisconsin.

"A lot of the things that hurt these birds are things that people here can have more control over," said Waier. "A lot of the dangers to birds in Wisconsin are things like windows they fly into that people can mitigate by adding window fixtures. And their habitats are being destroyed by prairies being developed and wetlands being drained, but people can help by adding birdhouses, bird feeders and native plants to their yards."

Waier, who also curates the zoo's Family Farm, said the area behind the dairy barn was not being used, and he thought it would be a perfect place to set up an educational oasis for people to learn about bird conservation.

The project wasn't part of the zoo's budget, so Waier took advantage of another program he has coordinated at the zoo since a Boy Scout asked him 15 years ago for a project he could do to earn his Eagle Scout ranking.

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A variety of different birdhouses are part of the Backyard Bird Walk exhibit at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

"Scouts reach out to us to ask us for service projects they can do, and I keep a list of things keepers and curators would like done for their areas," said Waier. "We've had scouts make hammocks for bears, lean-tos for shade in the pony ride area, a goat climbing structure  all kinds of things."

So in 2019, Boy Scouts broke ground on the backyard bird exhibit by building a gravel pathway. After getting sidetracked by the pandemic, the Scouts have helped Waier make multiple other elements in the exhibit, including birdhouses, pergolas, a "bug motel" and picnic tables.

Although there are still a few pieces Waier would like to add, such as a water element and a fence, the exhibit is in good shape to open to the public on Aug. 1.

What's in the exhibit?

Native plants, brush piles and "bug motels," such as these at the Milwaukee County Zoo, are helpful for bird conservation efforts.

As people walk through the exhibit, they will encounter several ways in which they can help Wisconsin's backyard birds. Signs will include QR codes that will direct visitors to the zoo's website, where they can learn more information about building, buying, planting or installing each of the bird conservation methods.

Birdhouses: There are several different birdhouses on display, each of them meant to house a different type of bird. Waier said the differences matter. For example, robins build nests on platforms, so a proper robin nest is an open structure with a platform rather than a closed house for a bird to enter through a hole. And if you put a more traditional birdhouse in your yard, the size of the hole matters. "If you make the hole like a half-inch too big, you run the risk of inviting non-native species to nest instead of Wisconsin native birds," said Waier.

Birdfeeders: Just like with the birdhouses, species of birds are attracted to specific types of feeders and particular types of food. The exhibit includes several examples.

Native plants: Waier said it's also important to grow native plants that attract native insects for birds to feed on. Several native fruit trees and flowers have been planted in the exhibit. In this area, Waier plans to cultivate half of the area to provide a more manicured backyard look, while the other half will grow more wild. Additionally, Boy Scouts built a bug motel that some people might see as a more attractive addition to their yards than a brush pile, which is also an excellent "bug motel." "I want people to see that, no matter what their taste is in what their yard looks like, they can support backyard birds," said Waier.

Bird-friendly windows: Waier said there are a number of ways to prevent birds from flying into windows  from adding inexpensive decals to installing specialized window treatments. A display includes a number of examples.

Aviary curator Alex Waier explains window treatments to protect birds that are on display at the Milwaukee County Zoo's new Backyard Bird Walk exhibit.

A conservation-focused oasis

Waier likes the exhibit's out-of-the-way location because he's designed it to be an oasis; that's why there are a few Eagle Scout-built picnic tables in the area.

"I want people to be able to chill out in a place that's off the beaten path and away from the crowds," said Waier. "It's a place to just relax and learn."

Boy Scouts built the picnic tables at the Milwaukee County Zoo's Backyard Bird Walk exhibit.

The chill atmosphere of the exhibit is also meant to replicate the oasis that people hopefully find in their own backyards as they build them to be friendlier to native birds.

"Doing the right thing for conservation can sometimes seem so complicated," said Waier. "But this doesn't have to be hugely involved. Just planting some native species, maybe a few houses or feeders. There are a lot of people who enjoy birdwatching. But it's also not hard to try to protect them, too."

RELATED: A new baby animal was born at the Milwaukee County Zoo in May

RELATED: Here's what to know about the Ice Age animal exhibit at the Milwaukee County Zoo this summer

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County Zoo's new Backyard Bird Walk teaches conservation
Introducing Canada's Tech Talent Strategy.

Pgiam/Getty Images

Canada is calling remote workers  with a specific skill set  to make the country home in a new digital nomad initiative.

Currently, digital nomads who work for a foreign employer can enter Canada under visitor status for up to six months at a time. Going forward, Canada will consider offering additional policies to attract digital nomads, according to the government.

The decision to promote the country as an ideal spot for digital nomads is part of Canadas overall tech talent strategy. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada department said in a statement it expects these skilled digital nomads may later look to work for a Canadian employer.

Were enthusiastic about the ambitious goals we have set in immigration, because they arent just about numbers  they are strategic, Sean Fraser, the minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship, said in a statement. With Canadas first-ever immigration Tech Talent Strategy, were targeting newcomers that can help enshrine Canada as a world leader in a variety of emerging technologies Having a fast and flexible approach, one that is broadly supported by Canadians, is truly Canadas immigration advantage.

In addition to trying to attract digital nomads, Canada is making it easier for skilled workers in the United States to enter by creating a streamlined work permit for H-1B specialty occupation visa holders. Approved applicants will receive an open work permit for up to three years.

Canada will also look to promote itself as a destination for skilled workers by improving existing programs that cater to workers in high-skill tech occupations like the Start-up Visa (SUV) Program, which provides a path to permanent residence for foreign entrepreneurs who gain the support of a designated Canadian venture capital fund, angel investor organization or business incubator for their start-up.

Canada isnt the only country that welcomes digital nomads. Countries around the world have welcomed these remote workers with open arms, including Lithuania and Costa Rica.

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Around this time last year, overlooking a beach in Amagansett with a Kindle by my side, I experienced one of the best cups of coffee to grace my lips. It wasnt at a cute cafe, hotel restaurant, or one of the many chic dining spots in the New York hamlet. It was at a friends summer home, in her kitchen, where I sipped on java made in Technivorms Moccamaster KBGVan excellent device that is now on sale, thanks to Amazon Prime Day.

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Sure, the scenic views and the fact that I was completely unplugged from the world contributed to my feeling of euphoria. But no amount of white sandy beaches, crashing waves, and muted messages can change the actual taste of a cup of joe. Of course, I would be remiss not to mention the grinded beans used to create said cup. It was a bag of Gevalia, the traditional roast, something Ive tried many times before. The flavor of the Amagansett coffee, however, was very different. It was like night and day. What made it special, as I had come to find, was the machine it was made in.

Buy Now:

Price: $359 $240

Buy Now



Javaphiles are well aware of Technivorm. But for the uninitiated, the brand was founded in The Netherlands in the 60s, when it introduced its signature product, the Moccamaster, a coffee maker built with the utmost percussion, using over 130 parts. Heres how it works: Water from a reservoir steadily flows into high-quality copper boilers, and when 100 degrees is reached, the water funnels through a central tube and into a coned grind holder. The freshly brewed coffee then drips into carafe at 92 degrees, which is deemed the ideal temperature. Basically, the whole process extracts the optimal flavor out of the beans.

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Indeed, the Moccamaster has gone through several tweaks over the decades, but the gist pretty much remains the same. As for the KBGV, the latest version, the one that made my coffee last summer, theres an added hot plate that adjusts temperatures automatically based on the amount of coffee being brewed. Its a great feature to have, especially if theres a good-size group staying at a beach house.



All things considered, the Moccamaster KBGV is a must-have for anyone that values iconic design (owning one is definitely something to brag about), an expertly crafted cup of coffee, or both. Its a device thats worth every penny. But if you need another reason to add to cart, its now on sale, discounted by 33 percent. Thats over a $100 off. A steal!

Buy Now:

Price: $359 $240

Buy Now

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And flights are available to book now.

Henrik Landfors/Getty Images

Delta Airlines is adding new routes that will bring travelers to The Bahamas, Las Vegas, and Florida.

Flights for the new routes, which are all slated to launch at the end of the year, are all available to book now, Atlanta-based air carrier recently confirmed to Travel + Leisure.

Expanding its reach in Las Vegas, routes specifically include service to and from Sacramento, San Diego, and Austin.

The Sacramento and San Diego routes will operate twice-daily on an Embraer E-175 aircraft, while the Austin service will operate daily on a Airbus A320-200 aircraft. All three of the services will begin on October 9.





Delta also announced that passengers will soon be able to fly direct between Austin and Orlando. The service will be operated daily on an Airbus A320-200 aircraft, and will also begin on October 9. The flight will depart at 7:20 a.m. and arrive into Orlando at 10:57 a.m., giving travelers seeking theme park vacations at Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, or Universal Orlando Resort plenty of time for adventures.



For travelers in the New York City area looking for a winter escape, Delta is offering a new route between New Yorks LGA Airport and Nassau, Bahamas starting on December 16. The flight will operate weekly on a Boeing 737-800, and depart LGA at 10:45 a.m. and arrive in Nassau at 2:00 p.m.

Less than three hours from New York City, Nassau Paradise Island is so close, yet it feels like it is a world away, and we are thrilled that Delta is adding new flights this winter for those who are looking to escape the cold and experience The Bahamas," Joy Jibrilu, CEO of Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board told T+L on Wednesday. "New York remains Nassau Paradise Islands biggest source market, and airline partnerships such as this help continue to drive tourism for The Bahamas. Were excited to expand access to our island and look forward to welcoming new and returning visitors beginning in December in partnership with Delta,

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T+L spotted that the new 3 hour and 15 minute New York to Nassau route has excellent award availability, with one-way SkyMiles tickets starting at 40,000 miles.



In May, Delta announced a new flight route from Los Angeles to Auckland that begins on October 28, among other destinations.



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England, Belgium, Spain and more may be affected by strikes.

Andy Soloman/Getty Images

On top of already a busy summer for international travel, the potential for flight disruptions may get even more complicated due to strikes planned for airports and air traffic controllers across Europe.

In the United Kingdom, popular low-cost carrier EasyJet has already cut back on 2 percent of its summer schedule over fear of air traffic control issues across Europe, Reuters reported. The airline canceled 1,700 flights for July and August, most from London's Gatwick airport.

In Birmingham, about 100 security officers and terminal technicians plan to walk out on July 18 to protest two years of substantial pay cuts, according to the Unite union. But at Londons Heathrow Airport, security staff accepted an improved pay raise and called off a planned 31 day strike last month, Reuters noted.

Air traffic control strikes are also possible across Europe, according to the Eurocontrol Network Manager Operations Centre.

In a letter, one of the EUROCONROL Trade Unions (Union Syndicale Bruxelles - USB) has announced a period of six months during which industrial action could take place in the Network Manager Operations Centre. No specific dates for industrial action have been announced; this was only a pre-warning, the group wrote in a statement last week. EUROCONTROL is committed to social dialogue and actively engages with all social partners. As no notice of specific industrial action has been received, it is premature to speculate on any potential impact.

In France, fear of air traffic control strikes forced the French aviation regulator to ask carriers to cancel a third of their flights from the Paris-Orly airport last month, the wire service reported. Airlines have also been asked to reduce flights by 20 percent in Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse, Bordeaux, and Nantes.

Beyond air traffic control issues, travel was disrupted by strikes in Switzerland last month at the Geneva Airport, but operations returned to normal on July 1 after an agreement was reached, according to the airport.

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Travel In Belgium may be disrupted this weekend when Ryanair pilots strike there on July 15 and 16, the wire service noted. And in Portugal, EasyJet's cabin crew are expected to go on strike from July 21 to July 25.

In Spain, Iberia Regional Air Nostrum pilots went on a daily indefinite strike last month. As a result, Iberia said it has made our fares more flexible on some routes that could be affected.

But in Italy, Reuters reported the air traffic controllers agreed there wouldnt be any strikes between July 27 and Sept. 5.

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Barbie is obviously having it her way at BK.

Burger King Brazil unveiled a limited-edition Barbie-themed burger, and social media isn't skimping on letting the chain know how it feels about the new offering.

In honor of the long-awaited (and extremely hyped-up) Barbie movie, which drops July 21 in U.S. theaters, the eatery is capitalizing on the craze by allowing its customers to get a taste of its Pink Burger.

Pink Burger, do Combo BK Barbie pic.twitter.com/sAUpzTnKfA  Burger King BR  (@BurgerKingBR) July 11, 2023

Along with the meat patty sandwich, which comes complete with a bacon cheeseburger with an added rosy-colored condiment that's said to be "smoky", the fast food restaurant is also debuting a Barbie milkshake, doughnut, and packaging.

>>> Sign up for Parade's Trending News newsletter and we'll keep you in the know on the viral pop culture moments and celebrity news everyone is talking about <<<

From the looks of a TikTok video shared by the official account of Burger King Brazil, the combo comes with the pink-sauced burger, a milkshake, doughnut, and fries, in an, admittedly, adorable foldable paper Barbie-land meal box.

One social media user had the same thought as us, questioning, "Another Barbie collab???" in the comments of the upload.

View the original article to see embedded media.

Meanwhile, on Twitter, it seems some were excited about the drop, as one person joked, "Looks like I am going to Brazil for a while," and another agreed, "Honestly this looks good," before asking, "is this coming to America?"

A third wrote, "Looks tasty not gonna lie."

"OH THIS IS SICKENING," another added, which could mean either they want to give it a try, or absolutely despise the conceptthe world may never know.

Next, McDonald's Giving Away Free Fries for National Fry DayHere's How to Get Yours
The News

FBI Director Christopher Wray will appear before the House Judiciary Committee to answer questions about the politicization of the federal government, where hell face some of his most ardent critics  including at least one member who has cosponsored a bill to impeach him.

Wrays appearance comes after Chairman Jim Jordan issued a subpoena in connection with a withdrawn FBI memo related to extremism in the Catholic Church, but the hearing is expected to touch on many other topics. Heres what might come up, based on conversations with Republicans and Democrats.

The View From Republicans

Fireworks, Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La. told Semafor when asked what the public can expect from Republicans. Hes got a lot to answer for.

Committee members are expected to grill Wray on Hunter Bidens plea deal to resolve tax issues and a gun charge after two IRS officials claimed the Justice Department slow-walked the investigation (the Trump-appointed Delaware prosecutor overseeing the case, David Weiss, recently disputed some of their claims). The committee also plans to question Wray on special counsel John Durhams report, which criticized the FBIs probe into the 2016 Trump campaigns ties to Russia.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. said many Republican committee members are interested in bringing up the court case that recently resulted in a federal judge blocking the Biden administration from communicating with certain social media companies about preventing misinformation.

Jordan on Tuesday penned a letter to the House Appropriations Committee calling for eliminating funding for a new FBI building and examining potential locations outside the D.C. area. (Jordan has suggested moving the bureau headquarters not to Maryland or Virginia but to Alabama.)

The View From Democrats

One Democratic aide speculated that it would be a hearing of unfounded grievances.

Expect Democrats to play defense by framing the hearing as a vehicle to defend former President Donald Trump and delegitimize investigations into domestic extremists. There will be a push to highlight Republicans growing effort to defund federal law enforcement agencies, which has become more relevant as some Republicans float the idea of using the Holman Rule to zero out specific government workers wages.

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Republicans also arent the only ones with concerns about the FBIs treatment of activists. Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo. told Semafor shell be asking Wray about the FBIs handling of protesters and referenced a report about the agency hiring a media surveillance firm that labeled activists threat actors in 2015. I am an activist from the movement, she said.

Facts First USA, the progressive outfit run by David Brock, said it plans to do rapid response to the hearing to counter the notion that Wray, who was appointed by Trump to lead the bureau in 2017, and Weiss would lead a biased investigation into Bidens son. Jordan attacking federal law enforcement is nothing new, hes spent almost the last ten years crying wolf about the FBI and DOJ, a new memo circulated by the group reads.

The View From the FBI

Wray will use his opening remarks to champion the work of the FBIs nearly 40,000 employees on everything from countering drug cartels trafficking fentanyl to investigations into Chinese government attempts to steal trade secrets. The work the men and women of the FBI do to protect the American people goes way beyond the one or two investigations that seem to capture all the headlines, he will say, according to an excerpt of his prepared remarks.

But dont expect Wray to say too much about the federal classified documents case against Trump, given that its in the purview of the special counsels office. The Justice Department generally avoids commenting on ongoing investigations or cases.

Room for Agreement

There may be some rare consensus around the basic concept of reforming Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which will expire at the end of the year if Congress does not reauthorize it. The controversial program permits the intelligence agencies to collect communications data on foreign suspects abroad without a warrant, but also results in incidental collection on Americans who are in touch with those foreigners.

Democrats and Republicans have concerns about the governments potential overreach that could yield a deal but some on the right have suggested the program be done away with entirely based on their lack of faith in the FBI to fairly run it. Gaetz introduced a resolution Tuesday calling on Congress to allow the program to expire.
A newly passed Iowa bill would ban nearly all abortions after a "fetal heartbeat" is detected around the sixth week of pregnancy  but Iowa doctors say the term inaccurately characterizes that stage of development and the approved bill raises a host of potential complications.

Lawmakers converged on Des Mointo to pass the bill Tuesday in a marathon special session. Gov. Kim Reynolds said she would sign it into law Friday.

It would go into effect immediately.

The passed legislation is nearly identical to a 2018 law that would have prohibited most abortions after cardiac activity is detected in the embryo. That law  which supporters refer to as the "Fetal Heartbeat Law"  was permanently blocked by the courts before it took effect.

I understand that not everyone will agree with this decision, Gov. Kim Reynolds said as she signed the law in 2018. But if death is determined when a heart stops beating, then doesnt a beating heart indicate life?

As Republican lawmakers once again passed the restriction, medical professionals say it's misleading to claim an embryo has a heartbeat at six weeks of gestation.

An image of a six week, 3 day old embryo is seen on an ultrasound on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, in Des Moines.

"In medicine, we would never refer to it as a 'fetal heartbeat,'" said Dr. Sarah Traxler, chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood North Central States.

Here's what you need to know about how doctors define and detect cardiac activity, and what it means for Iowa's impending restrictions on abortion.

What is a fetal heartbeat?

The new bill defines "fetal heartbeat" as cardiac activity, or "the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the fetal heart within the gestational sac." Doctors can detect that rhythmic contraction at around six weeks of gestation.

Physicians say calling the cardiac activity at this stage of pregnancy a "fetal heartbeat" is a misnomer.

At six weeks, the pregnancy is still in the embryotic stage. An embryo does not become a fetus until about nine weeks of pregnancy. In addition, an embryo does not have a heart at that stage of pregnancy.

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Instead, at about six weeks, the embryo has developed a cluster of cells that generates sporadic electrical impulses, said Dr. Emily Boevers, an OB-GYN practicing in Waverly.

The cells that become the heart begin to develop at about 5 weeks gestation, or five weeks after the first day of the last menstrual period, said Dr. Andrea Greiner, an OB-GYN in Iowa City. Though these cells start contracting early on in the pregnancy, she said, they are not moving blood through the embryo as a fully formed heart would.

These cells will eventually become different parts of the heart  including four heart chambers, valves, arteries and blood vessels of the heart  but those complex structures of the organ are not formed until about 10 weeks gestation, she said.

When can this cardiac activity be detected?

Traxler said the first cardiac activity can be detected as early as 6 weeks gestation, although the exact time varies between individuals.

"In medicine, there are few things that are black and white," she said. "It's sometimes earlier for some folks, it's a little bit later for other folks. It also depends on your type of ultrasound that you use, vaginal ultrasound versus transabdominal ultrasound. It also depends on the modernness of your technology."

The bill specifies a physician should use an abdominal ultrasound to test whether cardiac activity is detectable. Traxler said most modern ultrasound machines can detect cardiac activity at around six weeks.

However, there's some disagreement among providers, as Greiner said early cardiac activity can't reliably be detected by abdominal ultrasounds until later on in pregnancy, at about 10 weeks gestation. Detection of cardiac activity often varies on a variety of factors, such as the pregnant woman's body weight or the position of the uterus.

Cardiac activity can be detected at about six weeks using a transvaginal ultrasound, which is more invasive than an abdominal ultrasound but more accurate in detecting these early electrical impulses, Greiner said.

Cardiac activity can be seen on an ultrasound in the second trimester, at about 17 to 20 weeks, providers say.

Do people know they are pregnant at 6 weeks?

Many people may not realize they are pregnant until they are past six weeks of gestation, Traxler said.

"The vast majority of people present to us after six weeks since their last menstrual period," she said.

Women who use contraception may not realize when those methods fail. Patients with irregular periods may not notice their missed period soon enough. Others may experience "implantation bleeding" in early pregnancy and mistake that for a period.

Most abortions in Iowa take place before 14 weeks gestation, according to a state report. In 2021, nearly 95% of Iowa's 3,761 abortions took place between zero and 13 weeks gestation.

Traxler said most of those abortions occur in the window between six and 12 weeks.

Can cardiac activity be detected in ectopic and other non-viable pregnancies?

Yes, cardiac electrical impulses can be detected in scenarios where the pregnancy is not viable, Greiner said.

That includes ectopic pregnancies, which occur when a fertilized egg impacts outside the uterus, such as the fallopian tube. These pregnancies can pose a serious risk to the pregnant woman if left untreated.

Iowa's proposed ban does include exceptions in cases of a "medical emergency" to "preserve the life of the pregnant woman" if her life is endangered by "physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy" or "when continuation of the pregnancy will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman."

Medical emergencies within the scope of the bill does not include "psychological conditions, emotional conditions, familial conditions, or the womans age."

Still, Greiner said she's concerned that this bill will create delays, even in cases of emergencies, because physicians will be uncertain of their ability to intervene.

"I think this ban would potentially make physicians feel intimidated by the law and reluctant or refuse to recommend abortion as an ectopic pregnancy or other non-viable scenarios, even though these are medical emergencies," Greiner said.

Who would determine when an abortion is permitted under this ban?

To determine whether a person would qualify for an exception to the abortion ban, the bill says physicians should use "reasonable medical judgment," which can be made by a physician "who is knowledgeable about the case and the treatment possibilities with respect to the medical conditions involved."

However, Dr. Jill Meadows, the former medical director of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, said the decision on whether to perform an abortion will likely not be up to individual physicians. Instead, it will be determined by their health care organization's leadership or their hospital ethics board.

"Theres a lot of bureaucratic red tape that we've seen having a severe impact on women's lives in other states," Meadows said.

Boevers said the language within the bill is vague enough that it would create uncertainty on when a physician is allowed to intervene, even when an individual is facing complications in the pregnancy. She worries physicians will have to wait until their patient's condition worsens, or even close to death, until they're allowed to perform an abortion.

I could save her life, and I could because I went to school for literal decades and trained for hundreds of hours a week," Boevers said. "What is this world that we're living in that we have to have the permission of these non-trained individuals to tell us whether or not we're allowed to?

Katie Akin is a politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at kakin@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @katie_akin.

Michaela Ramm covers health care for the Des Moines Register. She can be reached at mramm@registermedia.com, at (319) 339-7354 or on Twitter at @Michaela_Ramm.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What Iowa's new 'fetal heartbeat' bill would mean for abortion
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With rising food prices leading many to tighten their budgets, Dollar Trees grocery items often garner the attention of frugal shoppers. Known for her Dollar Tree Dinners TikTok channel with over 960,000 followers, Rebecca Chobat offers advice on preparing convenient meals using Dollar Tree ingredients.

One money-saving hack in particular had many of her followers raving. Chobat showed her audience how to spend just $10 to make three days of tasty and filling skillet meals  including breakfast sandwiches, burritos and a meal prep dish.

See: 8 Essentials Youll Be Shocked You Can Buy at Dollar Tree

Find: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases

In her viral TikTok video, Chobat heads to Dollar Tree to pick up these eight simple ingredients:

One dozen eggs.

Sandwich bread.

Smoked sausages.

Cheddar broccoli rice.

Refried beans.

Spanish rice.

Frozen broccoli.

Flour tortillas.

Since each item costs $1.25, the total spent is $10 plus any tax. And with Dollar Tree rolling back some prices to $1, this hack could become even cheaper in the future.

With these items on hand, Chobat illustrated how to make omelette-style sandwiches for breakfast. After scrambling three eggs in her skillet, she takes two slices of sandwich bread and covers each side with the mixture. Making three of these sandwiches uses nine eggs, so she advises: The other three can be hard-boiled for snacking or to make egg salad sandwiches if youve got mayonnaise and mustard.

Next, she makes a meal prep dish suitable for lunch or dinner. She dices up some broccoli and sausage, which she puts in the skillet. Then, she adds seasoning, water and cheddar broccoli rice. After stirring the mixture, she lets it cook for 10 minutes before transferring it to three convenient meal containers. She recommends using some of the leftover sandwich bread as a side.

For the final meal, Chobat prepares 12 burritos that can also work as snacks. She cooks the refried beans and Spanish rice to use as the filling for the tortillas. Along the way, she suggests options such as substituting chili for the beans, grilling the burritos for a better texture or adding hot sauce for more flavor.

Also: 10 Aldi Brand Products Worth Buying

While these cheap meals can be a financial lifesaver if youre low on cash, it also helps to follow some tips on your next trip to Dollar Tree. The Washington Post emphasized the importance of checking the foods quality and expiration date  and making sure other retailers dont have even better prices. And since Dollar Tree takes manufacturer coupons, you can further cut your food costs, and maybe even get free items, if you put in a little extra work hunting for some.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Dollar Tree Viral Savings Hack: Make 3 Days Worth of Meals for Just $10
MILAN  Fiorucci is returning to Milan with a new owner, a new management and a new creative direction.

The brand, founded by Italian visionary designer Elio Fiorucci after he opened the mother of all retail concepts in the citys central San Babila in 1967, has unveiled a comprehensive plan for a relaunch.

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On Wednesday the brand revealed that last year Swiss investor Dona Bertarelli took full control of the company, which will once again be headquartered in Milan. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed but Bertarelli already had a minority stake in the firm.

As reported, in 2015, after the brands founder died at age 80, Fiorucci was sold by the Japanese trading house Itochu to the veteran British clothing retailers Stephen and Janie Schaffer. The duo relaunched Fiorucci in 2017, setting the brands headquarters in London and opening a store in the citys Soho.

As part of the new course, Alessandro Pisani has been appointed chief executive officer of Fiorucci, tasked with implementing the strategy for the brand.

Pisani is an industry veteran who most recently spent eight years at OTB Group. He joined the company in 2014 as general manager of the Diesel Black Gold line, later becoming brand director of Diesel. Previous experiences ranged from commercial roles at Valentino and Ballantyne to merchandising ones at Italian fashion manufacturer Sinv SpA for the Love Moschino and See by Chloe brands.

I decided to take on this challenge at the end of last year and mainly because this brand is magic, Pisani told WWD. Honestly, I didnt know much of its recent story prior to my arrival, but I knew very well the brands legacy and what it has represented for Italy, all the values that made it a label so loved by everyone.

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So I was intrigued by how we could work on inclusivity, creativity and authenticity today, to make this project interesting for a new audience, continued the executive, underscoring that the mission is to reignite the playful attitude and reshape its disruptive heritage in order to inspire a new generation.

Pisani spoke about the perfect alignment of values between Fiorucci and the new ownership, underscoring that Bertarelli is a philanthropist and a strong advocate for environmental conservation, animal welfare and inclusivity, which were all causes close to the founders heart.

Business-wise, the new CEOs relaunch strategy hinges on three main pillars: a new creative direction, the relocation of the brand from London to Milan and its overall repositioning.

As reported, last month Daniel W. Fletcher left as menswear artistic director, after being part of the business for three years. Fletchers most recent collection for Fiorucci, pre-fall 2023, was presented in May and took the brand in a new, more upmarket direction.

Francesca Murri has been appointed creative director, overseeing all categories with the goal of repositioning the brand in the accessible luxury segment. The designer comes from Ferragamo but through the years had stints at Versace, Giorgio Armani, Gucci alongside Alessandro Michele and Givenchy under Riccardo Tiscis tenure.

She has a strong background in luxury brands, next to important creative minds but also at companies that are very solid and structured. Beyond the creative vision, I believe these elements are essential for the complexities required by this project, noted Pisani.

Francesca Murri

Murris first designs will be unveiled during Milan Fashion Week, with a presentation part of the official calendar. The label will officially kick off its new chapter by presenting 15 looks on Sept. 21. Yet Pisani said the first full-fledged range will be presented in November with Murris first pre-collection, and confirmed that the idea going forward is to continue to develop four collections a year.

The return to Italy is another key element, in terms of heritage and the brands history. We want to keep this an international brand but with an eccentric, Italian point of view, said Pisani, adding that the homecoming move will not only inspire the creativity of the collections but inform their Made in Italy quality and attention to sustainability, too.

Accessible luxury is a new positioning for us, which will require us to work differently to express contents that are respectful of the Fiorucci legacy, done in a highly professional way, said the CEO.

What is important for us in this new chapter is to define a language that is immediate, authentic and positive, because this is a positive brand. We will do that with iconic pillars from the archives, through a certain approach to color and graphics, but all more elevated and in a more rigorous way in creating the collection. For me the elevation of the brand doesnt mean becoming serious or austere, because that would distort the DNA of the brand, but the elevation of contents both in product and communication, continued Pisani.

It will be a gender-bending project, we will keep pushing on inclusivity and will try to do our best in terms of sustainability with the resources we have. These are all elements in the brands DNA, he added.

The company will start to work on all categories right away, as Pisani pointed to a key focus on accessories, specifically bags. As for Fioruccis democratic side, it will be maintained with collaborations with other brands  mostly operating in specific product categories  and with artists.

The Angioletti poster, realized in 1973 by Sauro Mainardi upon an idea of Italo Lupi.

When we reasoned on the most iconic Fiorucci items, the immediate connection was with posters and stickers, even before fashion products came to mind. So on products, I believe we have a big opportunity with this higher positioning, while the democratization can be expressed with a balanced brand extension push, said Pisani.

The plan is to physically merge the brands offices, design department and showroom into an open-space hub Casa Fiorucci, which could also become a meeting point for artists and a hot spot in Milan.

But researching real estate is not easy today, said Pisani with a smile.

He looks to find a venue sized between 6,500 and 10,800 square feet, preferably a former industrial space or one that retains a meaning for the city and is located in an area of cultural buzz. Yet he pragmatically acknowledged the ideal space needs to be not far from the center to be easily reachable by buyers.

Pisani said the company will maintain a link between Milan and London, one that is embedded in the brands history. The visionary Milanese emporium opened after the founder took a journey to London, was awed by the energy surrounding Barbara Hulanickis Biba store in Kensington and wanted to import to Italy the same spirit of freedom in a time when terrorism and political tensions loomed over the country.

Elio Fiorucci at his store in Milans San Babila.

For the moment, Pisani doesnt eye retail openings, as he emphasized that the main focus for the next two years is to create contents, so that the brand can really engage with consumers with a precise vision and aesthetic.

Distribution-wise, all efforts will converge on enhancing the e-commerce platform to maintain a direct conversation with end consumers, as well as boost the wholesale presence. Pisani aims to reach 350 wholesale doors in the next three years.

The company will start the distribution expansion from Europe  including the U.K.  and the U.S., which Pisani said is the second natural home of the brand, again for its historic ties. In 1976, the founder opened a flagship in Manhattan that sealed Fioruccis international success. Commonly described as a daytime Studio 54, it became a thriving cultural hub around which key personalities gravitated, including Andy Warhol, Truman Capote, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Madonna, Marc Jacobs, Robert Mapplethorpe and Jean-Paul Goude, to name a few.

A WWD report about the opening of the Fiorucci store in New York, 1976.

In terms of markets to reach in the future, Pisani also pointed to Japan. And I believe that after this first stage we will also have the attention from countries like China and South Korea, where theres a desire for very creative and qualitative projects and are super interesting markets, he said.

We always ask ourselves what Elio Fiorucci would have done today and I think that [expansion in these countries] and to reach the most effervescent markets to intercept new cultural developments to bring into the Fiorucci world would have been one [effort], said Pisani.

The feedback from both buyers and consumers will be instrumental in understanding how to build a future presence in the retail channel, too. Pisani candidly admitted that even though the current store in London is performing well, there are no plans to keep the unit open long-term, due to the general economic conditions that changed post-Brexit and that caused a more onerous management of brick-and-mortar stores as well as because in terms of brand positioning, I dont believe that location will align with the new journey of Fiorucci.

How to face retail has a major importance for me, of course business-wise because its an area that requires big investments but also because we inherit a heavy, heavy legacy from the past. The risk of having a bad copy of the format in Galleria Passarella [Milan emporium] is high, said Pisani, who teased that commercial activities could be folded into the Milanese hub in a first phase of the strategic plan.

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Click here to read the full article.
TikTok user @life.of.duck is a duck and dog mom living in New Zealand. Her German Shepherd was best friends with a specific duck, but unfortunately, that duck flew away last year. He's been heartbroken ever since.

Well, that is until they recently discovered abandoned ducklings by a stream. After waiting to see if the mom would come back, they decided to bring these ducklings home. In no time at all this dog stepped right into being a fatherly figure. Take a look!

View the original article to see embedded media.

O.M.G. Stop it! This is seriously so precious. It's no wonder this clip has nearly 8 million views within the first two days of being posted - it's perfection. We absolutely love how sweet and gentle this dog is with "his" new babies.

"Your Sheperd is tapping his natural instinct and sharing his love. Thats beautiful," said @abonunboxd. It truly is something special. We can't wait to see more of him and his babies together. @jystor448 added, "All those new adorable friends will make his heart happy again. What a beautiful gentle soul." He'll never forget his duck bestie, but we're glad the world blessed him with a whole bunch of new best friends.

If you ever find or rescue ducklings, follow these steps to properly raise baby ducklings. You'll first want to give them a proper house with a storage box that's lined with a thick layer of newspaper. Plus, you'll want to keep them warm with a heat lamp, especially if you only have one baby duck. They're hungry, growing animals so keep their water stocked and feed them the proper food. And, as it is with all animals, give them all the love you can!

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.

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Although the array of arched windows offering a stunning view of Milans Castello Sforzesco made for a compelling distraction, Luke and Lucie Meiers resort collection stood out in the pristine Jil Sander showroom with the richness of its textures and charming color accents.

Its important that pre-collection still stays very exciting  so that people see it and see anything we do as interesting and qualitative  because theres so much out there, so it has to reverberate in a way, said Luke Meier.

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For their latest effort, the designers worked on proportions, juxtaposing boxy shapes to narrow silhouettes hugging to the body, and with a gentle approach to the brands signature precise lines, further emphasizing the sense of effortlessness they are committed to imbue in their work at the label.

Textures took the spotlight and highlighted both Meiers inventiveness in elevating uncomplicated silhouettes and the craftsmanship behind the brand. Fluid jersey, ribbed wool, cotton boucle, handmade crochet, shearling, ruffles and pleats all converged in the feminine collection, which was also enriched by lingerie-like details. A chenille embroidery on a delicate slipdress or on organza pencil skirts resulted in 3D effects and graphic patterns that were beautiful. So was an ajour turtleneck sweater, which best expressed the subtle yet special way the Meiers operate and approach everyday staples.

More eccentric touches were introduced via a series of Pop prints, which recalled the 90s nods in the brands fall 2024 collection presented earlier this year, or arty jewelry that punctuated the looks.

We liked this idea that jewelry can travel across, from the body to the garments, Meier said about necklaces, earrings and brooches that reminded of Alexander Calders art. Some pieces fully integrated with the clothes, too, as in the case of a golden necklace. Its bold silhouette created a nice contrast with the light fabrication of a tangerine jersey dress, and could be also detached to be worn separately.

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Launch Gallery: Jil Sander Resort 2024

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Former GOP candidate for governor Kari Lake's appeal of her failed election challenge will move from a Phoenix court to Tucson as part of a relatively new effort to balance caseloads between the state's two appeals divisions.

Lake, the former television news anchor and Trump ally, has continued contesting her 17,117-vote loss in November to Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. In two trials and a prior appeal up to the Arizona Supreme Court, Lake has not proven she won the race, and each of those courts have affirmed Hobbs' victory.

Here's what's next for Lake's case, and why it will move forward in Pima County and not in Maricopa County.

2022 law lets court decide 'best use of judicial resources'

In June 2022, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed into law House Bill 2859, which added three judges to each of the state's two appeals courts. One court with nine judges is in Tucson, and it handles cases from seven southern Arizona counties. One with 19 judges is in Phoenix, and handles cases from Arizona's eight northern counties, including Maricopa County, the most populous.

As a swan song to his eight years in governor, Ducey appointed judges  who can serve for decades  to those newly created jobs on the bench.

But the bill that allowed him to do so had numerous other provisions, including letting court staff move cases between the two courts to "equalize caseloads and for the best use of judicial resources."

How the court implemented the law

An initial agreement between the two court divisions, dated in January, shows that at least at the start only certain types of cases would move from Phoenix to Tucson, which in recent years has handled roughly a quarter of the number of cases Phoenix does. Those include civil matters like Lake's.

Using a calculation based on prior caseloads and factoring in the new judges, the agreement says the Phoenix court should hear two-thirds of all cases filed while the Tucson counterpart should hear one-third.

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As a result, court clerks transfer every seventh civil appeal filed in Phoenix to Tucson. Lake's was a lucky number seven.

So far this year, 80 cases have moved to Tucson, according to Amy Wood, clerk of the Phoenix appeals court, which is formally known as Division 1. Tucson is Division II. The case sharing agreement and its effect on Lake's case was first reported by Arizona's Law, a legal blog that has chronicled Lake's and other high-profile matters in the Grand Canyon State.

What Lake is appealing in her election case

The former first-time candidate is asking the appeals court to reconsider a May ruling dismissing her claims that Maricopa County election workers didn't follow state law when they verified voter signatures on ballot return envelopes matched what was in the voter's record. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Peter Thompson found that "a comparison between voter records and signatures was conducted in every instance Plaintiff asked the Court to evaluate."

She filed her notice of appeal  the initial step in an appeal  May 31. The appeal has chugged along as Lake flirts with a run for U.S. Senate in Arizona next year, injecting frequent jabs at Democratic candidate Ruben Gallego, a congressman from Phoenix, into her mix of grievances against the media and liberal causes and candidates.

What Lake is saying about her case transfer

Lake's campaign for governor often dealt in misinformation related to the 2020 election and other issues, with her false claims Donald Trump won a second term a prominent campaign feature. About the transfer of her case, Lake alleged on social media the case was moved to "the most Marxist part of the state."

"We see what's happening here," Lake wrote, directing readers to her fundraising website. Her lawyer, Kurt Olsen, and two spokespeople did not respond to emails Tuesday seeking comment.

Who are the judges on the Tucson appellate court?

Of nine judges that sit on the Tucson court, seven were appointed by Ducey and two were appointed roughly two decades ago by Arizona's last Democratic governor, Janet Napolitano.

The three judges assigned to Lake's case are Presiding Judge Sean Brearcliffe and judges Peter Eckerstrom and Michael Kelly. Two are Ducey appointees: Brearcliffe was appointed in 2017 and Kelly was named to the court last year. Eckerstrom was a Napolitano appointee who has sat on the court since 2003.

How Lake's election case got to this point

Lake first filed her election challenge in December, and it's bounced back and forth between courts since then. Her legal team argued at trial last year that election officials' misconduct influenced the result, but a Maricopa County judge found the lawyers never offered clear and convincing evidence showing the election was rigged against her.

Lake appealed, and her lawyers continued making false claims in court, ultimately warranting a $2,000 penalty handed down by the Arizona Supreme Court. The state's highest court also disagreed with the legal justification used to dismiss one of Lake's claims, reopening the issue and leading to the second trial in May.

In that trial, Lake's lawyers argued that Maricopa County workers verified voter signatures on ballot return envelopes so quickly it didn't meet a standard set in law. Again, a Maricopa County judge, disagreed and affirmed Hobbs' win, writing that the law doesn't specify timeframes for signature reviews.

Reach reporter Stacey Barchenger at stacey.barchenger@arizonarepublic.com or 480-416-5669.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why Kari Lake's election case will transfer from Phoenix to Tucson
Miami Marlins outfielder prospect Victor Victor Mesa has been placed on the restricted list and his future with the club remains unclear.

Mesa, 26, left the Triple A Jacksonville team last month after the team bus arrived in Gwinnett, Georgia, for a series against the Gwinnett Stripers, the Triple A affiliate for the Atlanta Braves. He has been away from the team since, a source told the Miami Herald.

He has sparingly played this season, appearing in just 13 games, one with Double A Pensacola and 12 with Triple A Jacksonville. Mesa has .189 (7 for 37) with one home run, five RBI and six runs scored. Mesa last appeared in a game on June 16, three days before the team departed for Gwinnett.

The Marlins signed Mesa and his younger brother, Victor Mesa Jr., in October 2018 as the first major splash under the new ownership group. Victor Victor Mesa, 22 at the time, was given a $5.25 million signing bonus. Victor Mesa Jr., then 17, received just under $1 million.

Victor Victor Mesa, while defensively gifted, has struggled offensively since being his career state-side. He has a career .233 batting average over 290 career games.

His younger brother, however, has grown to be one of Miamis top prospects. Mesa Jr. is the No. 13 overall prospect in the Marlins system, according to MLB Pipeline. Hes hitting .243 this season with Double A Pensacola to go along with seven home runs, 16 doubles, 41 RBI and 39 runs scored in 70 games.
LANSING  The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is suing Michigan State University over information withheld about a large parcel of land in Eagle Township the school plans to sell.

On Monday, the conservative think tank filed a lawsuit in the Michigan Court of Claims, alleging the university improperly used the privacy exemption in the state's open records law to redact portions of agreements between the university and landowner who donated the property.

The 1,200-acre site, formally called the Michigan Manufacturing Innovation Campus and informally known as the Eagle Township megasite, is among the largest publicly available commercial/industrial plots in the state.

David Morris, a university alumnus and farmer, donated the land to MSU. He died in 2009.

More: Michigan State to Eagle Township: We intend to sell megasite property

In February, the Mackinac Center sent a public records request to the university for any contracts or agreements with Morris to donate the land and any contracts over a sale of the land. The university responded later that month, but redacted large portions of a 2005 amendment to Morris' trust, which held the land.

"The people of Michigan need to have access to accurate information in order to fully debate important issues, such as the Eagle Township megasite," Steve Delie, Mackinac Centers director of transparency and open government said in a statement. "Unfortunately, thats not possible given the redactions applied to the records we received. We hope that this lawsuit will encourage the University to be more transparent both on this project, and on other records requests."

Dan Olsen, a university spokesman, declined to comment, saying as of Tuesday morning that MSU had not been served with or reviewed the lawsuit.

More: Eagle Township residents worry mega-site could forever alter farming community

Last year, the State Journal reported that the site was being marketed to companies that would meet MSUs standards, including research and development opportunities, and that would be able to fill much of the site over time. Officials targeted chip manufacturers for the automotive industry, a EV battery site, an electric vehicle plant or some other competitive modern industry that propels the state forward, said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of the Lansing Area Economic Partnership, which was marketing the land.

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The potential use of the farmland for a manufacturing site has led to months of protests from residents. The property has been leased to a local farmer for years.

In May, the university sent a letter to Eagle Township officials reiterating its plans to sell the property.

The Detroit News reported earlier this month that Michigan officials spent more than a year trying to lure a $100 billion semiconductor development to the site. The company, Boise, Idaho-based Micron Technology, ultimately chose a site near Syracuse in New York state. The project was expected to create 9,000 jobs, the newspaper reported.

Information about firms the state and local officials have or may be talking with is protected with non-disclosure agreements state officials required local officials to sign. Those non-disclosure agreements, and general concerns over the development of agricultural land in the quiet, rural township have led to recall efforts against township board members.

Reporter Mike Ellis contributed to this story.

Contact reporter Matt Mencarini at 517-377-1026 or mjmencarini@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattMencarini.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan State sued by Mackinac Center over megasite FOIA request
California, Florida, and Hawaii are home to the bulk of diners favorite alfresco dining spots.

Kar-Tr/Getty Images

Summer dining is done best when it comes with a side of fresh air, so its no surprise that customers are clamoring for outdoor dining more than ever before. According to OpenTable, the demand for eating outdoors rose 19 percent in the first half of June, compared to the same period last year.

To lean into the demand, the restaurant tech company just released a report  Most Popular Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in America: 2023 Edition  after analyzing more than 13 million reviews on its site. (To come up with its annual list, OpenTable looked at diner reviews between May 1, 2022, and April 30, 2023, considering all reviews with a minimum overall score, which included diner rating, user clout, total number of reviews, and regional ratings.)

"With many restaurants elevating outdoor dining spaces for summer and beyond, this list represents dining destinations with incredible outdoor  and culinary  offerings, Susan Lee, OpenTables chief growth officer, said in a release obtained by Travel + Leisure.

The Top 100 list spans 20 states across the country, with most picks concentrated in warm-weather destinations. California came out on top with 31 restaurants, including Dana Points Coastal Kitchen; Oranges King's Fish House; Palm Springs Spencer's Restaurant; and Cardiff-by-the-Seas Pacific Coast Grill.

Florida followed with 17 eateries, including Celebration's Columbia Restaurant; Sarasotas The Rosemary & Thyme; and Lake Buena Vistas Raglan Road Irish Pub. Hawaii came in third with 10 spots, like Honolulus House Without A Key; Lahainas Mala Ocean Tavern; and Paias Mama's Fish House on Maui.

The nations smallest state, Rhode Island, also had a strong showing with four restaurants in different cities: Tivertons Boat House Waterfront Dining; Providences Los Andes Restaurant; Narragansetts The Coast Guard House; and Newports The Lawn at Castle Hill Inn.

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This years list included many returning favorites from last years list, such as New York Citys Cafe Luxembourg; Los Angeles' Bacari Silverlake; San Franciscos Foreign Cinema; Napa, California's Bistro Don Giovanni; San Diegos C-Level; Arlington, Virginia's Ruthie's All-Day; and Tampa, Floridas Ulele. First-timers making the cut include Yountville, Californias Bistro Jeanty; Santa Fe, New Mexico's Izanami; and Honolulus Orchids at Halekulani.

To see the full list on an interactive map, visit opentable.com.



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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
A parent on Reddit asks how to respond to haters who criticize them for agreeing to the nail polish. Bottom line: let kids be kids.

Mike Kemp / Getty Images

Growing up, I remember very vividly the first time I saw boys wearing nail polish. A punk rock cover star on a CD caseand it was really cool! But I also knew that boys werent allowed to wear nail polish, let alone stars. Indeed, that star was an outlier, precisely because he did things that no one considered normal before. The 90sand decades beforesaw a lot of experimentation and a lot of backlash about gender expression.

In 2023, we know gender expression is multi-faceted and beautifuland that things like nail polish (or clothing) dont have a gender. Thats exactly what this Reddit post is aboutwhether or not a little boy should have his toenails painted.

The toddler boys parent explains theyve gotten strong pushback from family members about the ideabut all they want is for their child to be happy. And, well, painting their sons toenails makes him happy.

Many commenters agree with the parents impulses: its not hurting anyone to paint your toddlers toenails. One even pointed out, My son has his nails painted all the time. You dont use nail polish with your vulva, so it is neither a girl nor a boy product.

Nail polish has no gender.

The poster wants to know what to say to those family members who push back, and for our family, the answer is quite simple, and has to do with the bodily autonomy of our children: My child is free to be whoever they want to be in this world. I will protect their right to authentic, autonomous expression.

If that includes painting their toenails, so be it.

Encouraging Self-Expression and Autonomy in Children

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) explains gender identity is fluid for quite some time. Children can recognize differences between genders at 2 years old, but its not until theyre 4 that they really have a concrete sense of who they are. Even then, the things typically seen as things boys do or things girls do have changed over time. While its natural to have ideas about what gender conformity looks like, pushing children to fill roles that dont fit how they feel can harm them over time.

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Importantly, autonomy and shame in young children are developed around the same time as gender identity and expression, according to renowned psychoanalyst Erik Erikson. Increased autonomy and lack of shame are linked to better mental healthcare outcomes and the trust of parents.

Remember: clothing, colors, and yes, even nail polish, are not gender-specific. There was a time when men wore heels and makeup as the standard for beauty. Famously, King Louis XIV set the standard for makeup-wearing in the 17th Century and arguably set the stage for modern fashion as we know it. But men wearing makeup has been recorded as far back as Ancient Egypt.

My young daughters, 4 and 6, are starting to ask tough questions about what gender means and looks like. Can boys wear makeup? What about skirts? Jewelry? Can girls be strong? Can I be a king?

These are all very normal questions, and in a house with a nonbinary parent in a heteronormative-passing relationship, all ones I expected. My answer is always very simple: you can wear what you like, act how you like (provided youre not hurting anyone), and be whoever you want to be. In a world that does its best to put children into boxes (from Im a flirt shirts for toddler girls to hyper-masculine shirts for boys), our family has tried to take the middle path.

Related: A TikTok Dad Went Viral for Calling Out Sexist Fashion

Here are some ways we try to be open to gender expression and personal style in our house:

We let our children dress themselvesit builds autonomy and personal style. In our family, we have one very expressive girly girl who loves to dress in tutus and pink and tiaras and one girl who prefers shorts and tees in simple colors without patterns so she can best splash in mud puddles. Kids arent ours to manipulate and dress like dolls. Theyre human beings from the start! We answer questions about gender honestlybecause we trust our kids to ask tough questions, like the fairness of who gets to wear and do what, we know theyll feel safe if they ever need to come out to us. We buy books with myriad gender expressionsour current favorite is Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love. Seeing all kinds of dress and gender expression teaches acceptance, and shows them that theres not only one right way to be. We steer clear of hurtful phraseslike girls should dress this waybecause clothing, nail polish, color, none of those things have gender.

In the end, I hope the poster on Reddit decided to do what makes their son happy. Even if their toddler is not gender fluid, and just likes how nail polish looks on his toenails, developing autonomy is a good and important thing for parents to support. Further, allowing a child to express who they are bolsters empathy for everyone around them, including adults. So lets let kids be kidsin all their beautiful and varied waysand pass the sparkly pink nail polish.

Related: What It Means to Be an LGBTQ+ AllyAnd How to Raise One

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VILNIUS, Lithuania  President Joe Biden said the people of Ukraine remain unbroken a year and a half after Russia's invasion, proclaiming that the defense of freedom is "the calling of our lifetime" in a sweeping speech to close out a NATO summit that exposed tensions about Ukraine's hopes to join the alliance.

Tapping into his surroundings, Biden drew a parallel between Ukraine's battle against Russia and eastern European nations' fight more than three decades ago to break free from the Soviet Union's Communist hold.

Biden's evening speech at Vilnius University, located in the city's Old Town, concluded two days of talks with U.S. allies about Russia's war of aggression and the future of the military alliance. Just prior to the remarks, Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for more than an hour at the site of the NATO summit.

We will not waver, Biden told a cheering audience. I mean that. Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.

About 10,000 people attended Biden's speech, according to the White House, citing an estimate from the Vilnius mayor's office.

The U.S. president began his remarks by recognizing Lithuanias struggle for independence in the face of Soviet control before the end of the Cold War, saying it is a region that knows better than anyone the transformational power of freedom.

You showed the world that the strength of people united cannot be denied, Biden said to a packed courtyard. And together with your brothers and sisters in Estonia and Latvia, you helped end the era of division through the power of connection.

The battle largely took place in Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania and the location of this year's NATO Summit.

Lithuania was the first country to declare its independence from the federation in 1990. But it took a violent multi-day battle the following year, in 1991, for the eastern European nation to officially break free of Soviet rule.

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Fourteen heroes tragically lost their lives. Hundreds were wounded, Biden said of the unarmed defenders of Lithuanias freedom who were killed by Soviet troops in the skirmish that would become known as Bloody Sunday. "But the whole world saw decades of oppression had done nothing to dim the flame of liberty in this country, he added.

US President Joe Biden reacts during his speech on NATO and people cheer with flags in the background at the Vilnius University in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12, 2023, after the end of the NATO Summit.

The light of Lithuania. You kept it strong. You kept it bright. And you kept the light shining," Biden said.

Ukraine's secession from the USSR in December of 1991 brought about the communist country's downfall. By the end of the year, the Soviet Union had dissolved.

Biden said that Baltic nations' entry into NATO a little more than a decade later strengthened the alliance, which now has 31 nations. And in the face of Russian aggression, he said, it is "stronger, more energized and yes, more united than ever in its history" and continues to grow.

"The defense of freedom is not the work of a day or a year. It's the calling of our lifetime of all time. We are steeled for the struggle ahead,' Biden said. "Our unity will not falter. I promise you.

Historical parallels

President George W. Bush made a historic visit to Lithuania in 2002, arriving the day after NATO extended an invitation to the Baltic nation and six other countries to join the alliance. Addressing a crowd of thousands on Vilnius Old Town Square, Bush proclaimed that the countrys long night of fear, uncertainty and loneliness is over.

You're joining the strong and growing family of NATO, he said.

VILNIUS, LITHUANIA - JULY 12: U.S. President Joe Biden waves to the crowd after he spoke at Vilnius University on July 12, 2023 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Biden, who was in Vilnius to participate in the 2023 NATO Summit, lauded Lithuania and the Baltic countries for attaining freedom following the collapse of the Soviet empire.

As vice president, Biden traveled to Lithuania in 2014, just one week ahead of the countrys 10th anniversary as a member of NATO. In remarks at the presidential palace, he denounced Russian aggression against Crimea and its armed attacks against Ukrainian military personnel.

In an eerie preview of a message he would deliver again as president nearly a decade later, he warned: We stand resolutely with our Baltic allies in support of the Ukrainian people and against Russian aggression. As long as Russia continues on this dark path, they will face increasing political and economic isolation.  There are costs, and growing costs, that come with naked aggression.

In Lithuania on Wednesday, Biden sought to rally NATO allies to apply "same spirit of unity, common purpose and determination" they have brought to countering Russia to addressing other issues facing the alliance, including economic competition with China, climate change and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Biden will make a stop in Finland, the newest member of the NATO alliance, before he returns to the U.S.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden forcefully defends Ukraine in NATO speech after meeting Zelenskyy
Kourtney Kardashian is taking it easy during her fourth pregnancy, soaking up the sun in Hawaii.

The TV personality showed off her pregnancy fashion in new photos from the tropical trip, wearing a bright pink dress with a unique shape and the perfect cutout for her baby bump. She paired it with a very wide-brim sunhat.

Kardashian also posed in another photo with a gorgeous flower and the sun shining through the window behind her. She marked her location as 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay on the island of Kauai, writing in the caption, "Aloha ."

>>> Sign up for Parade's Trending News newsletter and we'll keep you in the know on the viral pop culture moments and celebrity news everyone is talking about <<<

Many fans noted how Kardashian's beach fashion feels a bit Barbiecore, which is perfect considering the movie's almost here. One person commented, "this barbie is cute af ."

Another said, "Kortney [sic] as a pregnant Barbie is everything ."

"This pregnancy is all I need I dont even need keeping up with the Kardashians anymore ," wrote one fan loving Kardashian's updates.

A different follower commented on how far along she seems to be in her pregnancy, despite only announcing it at the end of last month: "The baby is looking ready to meet the world.. thats cool she hid it almost full term."

Compliments soon took over the comments, with messages like, "GLOWING MAMA," "Stop ur outfit is to die for ," and "Looking beautiful! ."

It's unclear when Kardashian is due, as she and her husband Travis Barker haven't shared too many details about the pregnancy.

Despite that, the 44-year-old has always been very open about the couple's attempts to get pregnant, with the family's reality series, The Kardashians, including conversations about their struggles with IVF.

Luckily, Kardashian finally got pregnant, and the couple is excitedly expecting their baby boy!

Next: The Making of an Empire: All About the Kardashian Kids
The most talked about and market moving research calls around Wall Street are now in one place. Here are today's research calls that investors need to know, as compiled by The Fly.

Top 5 Upgrades:

Odeon Capital upgraded Morgan Stanley (MS) to Buy from Hold with a $94 price target. Since the beginning of June, the Federal Reserve has not impacted the financial system as much as the firm had thought it would, the equity markets have risen by 27% from their lows and the investment banking business has recovered sharply, the analyst tells investors. [read more]

BofA upgraded Stellantis (STLA) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of EUR 20, up from EUR 19. Earnings normalization seems likely with supply chains easing, says the analyst, who notes that the firm's earnings forecasts are above consensus for FY23 by about 11%. [read more]

Morgan Stanley upgraded Jefferies Financial Group (JEF) to Equal Weight from Underweight with a price target of $36, up from $27. The analyst also upgraded the midcap advisors sector to Attractive from In-Line. Lower volatility and recovering markets point to a merger and acquisition inflection in 2024, the tells investors in a research note. [read more]

Loop Capital upgraded TJX (TJX) to Buy from Hold with a price target of $95, up from $75. Recent store checks have given the analyst confidence to increase sales and earnings estimates and make up product in ladies apparel at TJX is more on trend than in recent years, the analyst tells investors in a research note. [read more]

BofA upgraded DraftKings (DKNG) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $35, up from $25. Accelerating product and revenue momentum are "on the cusp" of driving an inflection in margins and profitability, the analyst tells investors. [read more]

Top 5 Downgrades:

Atlantic Equities downgraded Coinbase (COIN) to Neutral from Overweight with a price target of $80, up from $70. The stock has rallied 60% off recent lows, and the risk/reward looks less attractive at this level given continued regulatory challenges ahead and the "surprisingly weak volume backdrop," the analyst tells investors in a research note. [read more]

Raymond James double downgraded AlTi Global (ALTI) to Market Perform from Strong Buy without a price target. The analyst continues to like the company's "unique" business model but downgrades the shares on valuation with the stock at its prior price target of $8. [read more]

DA Davidson downgraded Redfin (RDFN) to Underperform from Neutral with an unchanged price target of $10. Over the past few quarters, Redfin has made progress towards its goal of achieving sustainable profitability, but this early progress is now fully reflected in its current valuation, says the firm. [read more]

Stifel downgraded Activision Blizzard (ATVI) to Hold from Buy with a price target of $95, up from $88. Yesterday's "flurry of regulatory developments" further support a favorable outcome for Microsoft (MSFT) in its bid to complete the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, says the analyst. [read more] Activision Blizzard was also downgraded to Hold from Buy at Benchmark [read more] and to Market Perform from Outperform at MoffettNathanson. [read more]
Fly to Sydney, Melbourne, and more for a deal valid until July 16.

Courtesy of Qantas

Australian airline Qantas is making it easier to get down under with a flight sale that has discounts on travel to both Australia and New Zealand.

The North American Red Tail sale, which is valid until 11:59 p.m. PT on July 16, is available for travel from the United States to several cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Auckland, and more in 2023 and 2024, Qantas shared with Travel + Leisure. The sale is available from Los Angeles, Dallas, San Francisco, and New York.

Fly from Los Angeles to Sydney starting at just $949 roundtrip, or fly from San Francisco to Sydney starting at just $1,049 roundtrip. Travelers can fly from New York to Sydney with a stopover in Auckland (a route the airline re-launched last month) starting at just $1,399 roundtrip.

Travelers can also fly from Los Angeles to both Melbourne and Brisbane starting at just $1,099 roundtrip, or fly to Perth starting at $1,499 roundtrip. Or fly from Dallas to Sydney starting at $1,399 roundtrip and to Melbourne starting at $1,499 roundtrip.

And flights from New York to Auckland start at just $1,199 roundtrip.

The sale comes as Qantas prepares to launch the longest flights in the world known as "Project Sunrise with flights from Sydney to New York and London. The flights will be flown on an Airbus A350 aircraft and include six first class suites, 52 business class suites, 40 premium economy seats, and 140 economy seats.

The airline will also increase the frequency of flights from Los Angeles to Melbourne in late October from daily to nine per week, and increase the frequency of flights from New York to Sydney from three to four per week.

Earlier this year, Qantas was named the safest airline in the world, regaining its top spot after being temporarily downgraded to second-best last year.

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The Radisson Hotel Group has recently announced an ambitious expansion plan to solidify its dominant position on the continent. The group has several new hotel openings in Africa and developments in progress, with over 1,400 new hotel rooms in the pipeline.

The expansion efforts span across various countries in Africa. The group has already opened hotels in locations, such as Reunion Island and Ghana. It has plans to establish new resorts in Casablanca and Saidia, Morocco, as well as South Africa, Egypt, and Tunisia. These additions will further contribute to the growth of the African hospitality industry and provide employment opportunities to local communities.

During the Africa Hotel Investment Forum in Nairobi earlier this month, Radisson Hotel Groups Executive Vice President and Global Chief Development Officer, Elie Younes, expressed confidence in the companys growth momentum in Africa. He emphasized the relevance of their brands and the trust of their owners as key factors in their success.

Ramsay Rankoussi, Vice President of Development for Africa and Turkey at Radisson Hotel Group, highlighted the groups progress in Africa, with seven new hotel signings and over 1,400 rooms added to their portfolio in 2023. He mentioned that Radisson Hotel Group consistently holds the largest market share and has achieved a commendable 15 percent growth in its African portfolio year-on-year. The group aims to reach its target of 150 hotels within the next five years, up from the current 100 hotels.

Several Projects in Africa

Among the new signings are several projects. The Radisson Collection Resort in Marsa Alam Port Phoenice, Egypt, is set to open in early 2025. It will offer luxurious accommodation options, including rooms and suites with stunning sea views. The resort also will feature various amenities, such as dining options, a fitness center and direct beach access.

Abuja, Nigeria, will see the arrival of the Radisson Collection Hotel and Conference Centre. This will be the citys first luxury hotel and Nigerias third Radisson Collection property. This hotel will provide a wide range of rooms and apartments. There also will be extensive meeting spaces suitable for conferences and events.

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Gambias first internationally branded hotel will come with the construction of the Radisson Blu Beach Resort and Spa in Banjul. The resort, scheduled to open in early 2025, will offer contemporary rooms, presidential apartments and royal villas. It also will have multiple dining options and a spacious meeting and events space.

Other locations set to feature new Radisson hotels include Abuja CBD in Nigeria, Lagos VI in Nigeria, Nairobi Airport in Kenya, and Algiers El Mouradia in Algeria.

Through these strategic developments, the Radisson Hotel Group aims to strengthen its presence. The company wants to cater to the growing demand for high-quality accommodation and hospitality experiences in Africas thriving tourism market.
Travelers will need to book by July 20 to take advantage of the sale.

Stephen M. Keller/Courtesy of Southwest Airlines

If pumpkin spice lattes and fall foliage are already on your mind, Southwest Airlines is ready for you with deals on autumn travel.



The airline has launched the Fall Fares Are Falling promotion, where one-way fares are offered as low as $39 for one-way travel. The discounted prices are valid for travel between August 10 and December 14 with several blackout dates, including the Thanksgiving holiday period where the fares will be regularly priced.

Travelers will need to book by July 20 to take advantage of the sale.



A selection of the top flight deals for under $100 include:

Dallas, Texas to Denver, Colorado for $82

Dallas, Texas to Memphis, Tennessee for $79

Los Angeles, California to Salt Lake City, Utah for $92

Los Angeles, California to Tucson, Arizona for $59

Miami, Florida to Orlando, Florida for $59

New York (LGA) to Baltimore, Maryland for $89

Palm Springs, California to San Jose, California for $59

The fare sale extends to many of the markets that Southwest services, although the discounts varies across markets.



Some of the best deals are for travel between the Hawaiian Islands. Flights from Kona, HI to Honolulu, HI are discounted to one-way at $39. Flights from Maui to Kauai are also $39. Southwest began flying between the Hawaiian islands in 2019, and it provides a convenient and cost-effective flight option for travelers looking to explore Hawaii.



Travel + Leisure has previously curated some of the best fall destinations, some of which are included in todays fare sale. For example, Columbia River Gorge near Portland, OR has discounted fares on the Burbank, CA to Portland route for $94 one-way. The majestic fall foliage of Franklin, TN can also be accessed on a flight into Nashville, where Southwest operates from multiple origin points.



While not valid in this promotion, for travelers looking to book beyond the fall season, Southwest Airlines recently extended their flight schedule through March 6, 2024. The announcement also included new flight routes for 2024 including Cleveland to Tampa, Detroit to Orlando, and Louisville, to Fort Myers.



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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
When the audition for Full Circle arrived in his inbox  on his birthday, no less  actor Sheyi Cole originally thought that he was in the running for a superhero movie.

One of the scenes, [writer-producer Ed Solomon] had put a stage direction that his spidey senses were tingling. So I was like, Whoa, what? recalls Cole. I was like, This is great. But then I didnt hear anything.

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Turns out, the project was Steven Soderberghs original miniseries Full Circle for Max. A few months after his initial audition, the London-based actor was arranging an O-1 Visa to fly to New York to start filming. A year later, he was back in New York for the shows Tribeca Film Festival premiere. Its really a full-circle moment. Pardon the pun, says Cole, from the SoHo Grand Hotels salon in mid-June.

It was a few days before the premiere, but hed already seen an early directors cut with Solomon, who he was staying with while in town for the festival. I would be more nervous if I hadnt seen the first two episodes, Cole says. Even knowing where the story goes and knowing peoples ends and whatnot, I was still like, Oh my goodness. What is gonna happen?

A still from Full Circle.

The twisty series features an ensemble cast and multiple storylines that all converge around a botched kidnapping attempt in Manhattan. Cole stars as a young man who moves to the city from Guyana with his best friend, and unknowingly gets stuck as an indentured worker for a crime syndicate. The show costars Claire Danes, Timothy Olyphant, Dennis Quaid and Zazie Beetz. The first two episodes were released on July 13, and the next four episodes will be released in two installments in the subsequent weeks.

I really do feel like this show from [my characters] point of view is about sacrifice, Cole says. He leaves Guyana, he leaves everything behind there with hopes and dreams of achieving greatness over [in New York]. He then realizes its not as simple as that and has to sacrifice even more just so he can live. Although there are so many different storylines that come together through this botched kidnapping, I really do feel like everyone in this show has to sacrifice a lot.

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For Cole, filming a series in New York was a longtime dream. But for it to happen so soon and so early on in my journey is like a mad man dream for me, he says.

The 24-year-old actor is a recent graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, but he booked his first on-screen roles, Steve McQueens Small Axe and forthcoming Netflix film The Beautiful Game while he was still a student.

He started acting as a teenager after originally being drawn to music. I auditioned for Britains Got Talent when I was 12, and didnt even get past the first round, Cole says. As a teenager, he went on to study at the prestigious BRIT School. It was when I was in secondary school  where I was doing drama lessons  where I then realized that actually I think Im more talented at acting than I am at singing.

In mid-June, the writers strike was already underway, and SAG-AFTRA members were anticipating a forthcoming strike as well. As of Wednesday afternoon, both unions had yet to strike a deal with studios.

Its such a weird time with the industry with the strikes; things are really slowing down, says Cole, asked about his upcoming work plans  which, like most, are in flux. I feel like Im at a point in my career now where Ive been able to establish myself by working with the likes of Steve McQueen, Steven Soderbergh, Donald Glover, Bill Nighy, for my first four jobs. So now its kind of like, OK, not stepping backward, but finding ways to continue to elevate and continue to rise.

With filming in New York checked off the list, Cole is already setting his sights on his next dream: becoming his own boss, and taking on the role of producer. Its all well and good having someone to tell you what to do, because then you learn from them. But eventually I want to be able to make decisions for myself, he adds.

Sheyi Cole

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Canadas Silver Jeans Co. and JAG Jeans appointed Suzanne Silverstein as CEO, effective July 10.

Silverstein will lead all aspects of the Western Glove Works-owned brands operations, directing growth strategies, driving profitability, and overseeing sales, product innovation, marketing, finance and supply chain. She succeeds Michael Silver, founder and former CEO. Silver will join the newly formed advisory board of directors.

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We are extremely excited to welcome Suzanne Silverstein to our family of friends as the new CEO of Silver Jeans Co. and JAG Jeans, Silver said. She brings an enormous wealth of experience and success in her career that I am certain will enhance the brands in their growth and prosperity for the future.

Silver Jeans Co. celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2021. Both brands recently expanded their assortments to include high-stretch jean collections that fit multiple sizes to accommodate weight fluctuations. They have their own e-commerce channels and are sold across major department stores, online retailers, specialty chains and independent retailers across North America.

Silverstein brings a deep understanding of the denim business from her tenure at 7 For All Mankind. She was president of the premium denim brand from June 2019 to December 2020.

Her most recent role was group president of NYC Alliance, a vertically integrated apparel company that produces for Juicy Couture, Frye, Tretorn and more. She served as president for the JS Group as well, overseeing brands such as Halston, Amur and the ML Monique Lhuillier diffusion collection.

She also has 13 years of retail experience at Saks Incorporated, including seven years at Saks Fifth Avenue leaving as the VP divisional merchandise manager overseeing contemporary sportswear, including premium denim.

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I am thrilled to join the Silver Jeans and Jag team, Silverstein said. There is an incredible brand story, a seasoned and talented team, and most important to me, there is a passion for perfection with product. Its a winning combination and I am very excited about the future of the brands.

Click here to read the full article.
The tale of Jenna Talackova has become an awkward one for Trump as he plans another assault on the White House

It was 2012 when Jenna Talackova was thrown out of Miss Universe for hiding a secret: she had been born a man. But then Donald Trump came to her rescue

At the time, the 45th president was the co-owner of Miss Universe  and he wanted to take on her cause. Its a big, big story, he said, of Talackovas attempt to participate in the Canadian heat of his beauty pageant.

In many ways his statement in her defence looks and sounds like any old video from the desk of Donald J Trump. There the future ex-prez sits, speaking to camera in Trump Tower  hair, skin, teeth, tie and shirt all somewhere between ivory and aureate  bloviating on the topics of the day with a syntax and gesticulation were all now familiar with.

The story about the contestant who wanted to become Miss Universe by going through Canada, very interesting, he says. We let her in, lets see what happens, maybe shell do well, maybe she wont... Itll be very interesting to see what happens. If for some reason she should win, well, then she has to win the Miss Universe contest.

After a mild internet storm (this was 2012, everything was milder), Talackova, who underwent gender reassignment surgery when she was 19, found fearless support in the shape of Gloria Allred, the high-profile lawyer who has spent decades advocating for womens causes  usually winning.

It isnt just about her being able to compete, Allred said at the time. Jenna is standing up for others as well as herself. She doesnt want this type of discrimination to be faced by anyone else.

Jenna Talackova was the first ever transgender Miss Universe contestant - Shutterstock

Trump, to the surprise of all those who hadnt considered him an LGBTQIA+ ally, ordered a change in the rules. Miss Universe would, henceforth, allow transgender contestants. And, should Talackova win in Canada, she would qualify for the organisations flagship global competition. Nobody is capitulating, Trumps then lawyer, Michael Cohen, insisted. Talackova, like all the other contestants, is wished the best of luck by Mr Trump.

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More than a decade later, the tale of Jenna Talackova has become an awkward one for Trump as he plans another assault on the White House. This week, news outlets around the world have carried the story of Rikkie Valerie Kolle, a 22-year-old who has become the first transgender woman to win Miss Netherlands, meaning she will go on to represent her country at Miss Universe in December.

While some have celebrated her victory as a triumph for transgender rights and visibility, others have wondered how Miss Universe allows contestants who are born male to enter. It is just the kind of question Trump might ask at his next rally, given his rhetoric on gender so far this year. Were going to defeat the cult of gender ideology and reaffirm that God created two genders  called men and women, he brayed to a crowd in South Carolina in January. Only, of course, he wouldnt, because he knows precisely why the rules of Miss Universe are the way they are.

In fact, some have argued that Trump took trans rights mainstream, as his political rivals have realised lately. Last month, a Ron DeSantis supporter Twitter account posted a video portraying Trump as a trans-rights icon. It was set to club music and showed the former President shaking hands with Caitlyn Jenner, who transitioned, saying she could use whichever gender bathroom she liked in Trump Tower. Clips of him speaking about supporting trans women in Miss Universe are included, too.

Donald Trump with Caitlyn Jenner last year - Getty

Others have called him a transgender trailblazer for allowing Talackova to compete. It is a marked contrast with his record in office, where he backed the appointment of anti-LGBTQ judges, advocated making it legal to fire people for being gay or transgender, and banned transgender people from serving in the military, among other policies.

Kolle and Talackova are not the only transgender women to have benefited from Trumps rare moment of moral largesse. In 2018, trans model Angela Ponce won Miss Spain, and subsequently took part in Miss Universe in El Salvador later that year. At the time, though, discussion about transgender women in female-only spaces wasnt the hot-button electoral issue it is now.

Trump, who was US president, hadnt yet called it transgender insanity, as he did this year. Its amazing how strongly people feel about that. I talk about cutting taxes, people go like that, he told an audience last month, miming a lukewarm response. I talk about transgender, everybody goes crazy. Five years ago you didnt know what the hell it was.

Away from politics, in the beauty pageant world, drama is part of the job. Its been said that if theres ever a year without a scandal, pageants will have become boring, says Sally-Ann Fawcett, a former beauty pageant contestant turned judge, as well as the author of the Misdemeanour trilogy about the history of such competitions. The articles about [Kolle] will generate so much publicity, and cause so much debate. Its all good for the competition.

Fawcett has followed the world of beauty pageants for decades, including competing in British contests in the 1980s. She has just returned from judging Miss Surrey. The winner was a single mum, not your classic size 8, but she had such a lovely relatable presence on stage.

She laughs at the idea that pageants have only just become political, noting that barely a year goes by without Miss Turkey getting in trouble for being photographed with Miss Israel, or protest signs being held up, or accusations of it being rigged for political gains.

Donald Trump flying the flag in Colorado - Getty

Its a history that dates back to Miss World in 1970, when, under pressure from anti-apartheid groups, the committee allowed two contestants from South Africa  a white woman representing South Africa, and a black woman representing Africa South.

I used to be very traditional and thought only natural-born women should compete, Fawcett says. But Ive changed and think we need to welcome transgender women. We get plus-size women, wheelchair-users, we have older categories I think if we want to enable pageants to grow, we have to allow them to change with the times.

It is different, she points out, to the conversation around sports. If anything, transgender women have a physical disadvantage, because as a judge youre studying them so closely. And its not just about looks. The interview is about 60 per cent of the score. Kolle, she says, looks fine to me, its not like youd say she only won because of her story Though in this case I suspect she probably did win because of her story.

Its not known how much the Trump campaign rue his temporary progressivism in 2012 (Fox News asked if he regretted changing the rules in April, but received no reply), though we do know that he greatly enjoyed owning Miss Universe. He purchased the company in 1996 for an undisclosed sum. How could I pass up the opportunity to own the worlds premiere beauty pageant? he later wrote.

In a way, he made pageants great again. Trump is a divisive figure in [our] world, Fawcett says. When he bought Miss Universe, he saved it from the doldrums and put it back on TV, so we have a lot to be grateful for. On the other hand, he was a sleazy old man who used to burst into the changing rooms and insist on having a hand in picking the winners. She pauses. But I think he did great things.

Both reviews can be true. After a lull in the 80s and 90s, Trump did return beauty pageants to glitz and glamour, but after he was forced to sell his stake in 2015, when comments about Mexican immigrants repelled advertisers and broadcasters, former contestants made alarming allegations about his behaviour as proprietor.

Donald Trump with Miss USA 2012, Olivia Culpo, in Las Vegas - Getty

In 1997, during his first year in charge, he shamed Alicia Machado, from Venezuela, for gaining weight during her tenure as Miss Universe. He called her Miss Piggy and Miss Housekeeping. Trailed by cameras, he followed Machado to a gym to watch her exercise. This is somebody who likes to eat, he told reporters, in his suit and tie.

Later, a former Miss Arizona, Tasha Dixon, told reporters that Trump entered the Miss USA dressing room in 2001, when she was a contestant. He just came strolling right in, Dixon said. There was no second to put a robe on or any sort of clothing or anything. Some girls were topless. Other girls were naked. Our first introduction to him was when we were at the dress rehearsal and half-naked changing into our bikinis.

This laissez-faire attitude to closed doors was corroborated by numerous other women. And, as it happens, Trump himself. You know, no men are anywhere. And Im allowed to go in because Im the owner of the pageant. And therefore Im inspecting it *Is everyone OK?* You know, theyre standing there with no clothes. And you see these incredible-looking women. And so I sort of get away with things like that, he told Howard Stern in 2005.

As is usually the case, Trump got away with it. In 2015, he sold Miss Universe to IMG. Last year, IMG in turn sold it to Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, a 44-year-old Thai billionaire and, notably, transgender woman. In her maiden onstage speech as owner, she proclaimed Miss Universe would now be run by women, owned by a trans woman, for all women around the world to celebrate the power of feminism!

Trump probably didnt intend for that to be part of his legacy, but alas. Lately, commentators have highlighted his change in stance since 2012 as evidence of his tendency to flip-flop on major issues. But representing Jenna Talackova all those years ago, it was Gloria Allred who changed his mind.

I said something to the effect of: Mr Trump, we dont care what your anatomy looked like when you were born, and you shouldnt care what her anatomy looked like when she was born. Well, obviously, that really upset him, she recalled of their 2012 confrontation.

At the time, Trump retorted with, Oh, Gloria would probably love to see whats under my pants. Allred fired back that she didnt have a magnifying glass that strong. Mr Trump, she continued to a reporter, you have to understand, the world does not revolve around your penis, or anyone elses penis. If it ever did, it doesnt any more. This is not about genitals. This is about discrimination.

But for so many, not least Republican voters in 2023, it is still about genitals. Lets see what happens, as he said in his video in Trump Tower. On the campaign trail, he may well live to regret it.

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President Joe Biden and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Tuesday amid questions about how much the potential sale of U.S. F-16 fighter jets factored into Turkey's decision to back Sweden's entry to NATO.

Biden thanked Erdogan for his "diplomacy and courage to take that on" as they held a bilateral meeting at the treaty organization's annual summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. The two leaders declined to take questions shouted from reporters before the discussion moved behind closed doors.

It was their first face to face sit-down since Turkey agreed to support Sweden joining the alliance, an unexpected move announced the day before the 74th summit kicked off.

MORE: Russia-Ukraine live updates: Delaying Ukraine NATO invite lets Russia 'continue its terror,' Zelenskyy says

Biden earlier Tuesday told ABC News he was "not at all" surprised by the development.

He and Erdogan spoke Sunday in an hour-long call about Sweden's membership and the issue of U.S. F-16 fighter jets for Ankara.

PHOTO: President Joe Biden meets with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, left, at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 11, 2023. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

Turkey has long requested the jets, particularly after it was kicked out of the F-35 warplane program in 2019 for buying Russian S-400 air defense systems, but has faced opposition from U.S. lawmakers.

The U.S. was concerned Russia would learn the F-35's secrets if there was a Russian-made system in Turkey.

The current sale would include 40 new F-16s as well as kits to upgrade the jets already in Turkey's possession.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan said Tuesday the administration intends to move ahead with the sale of the jets to Turkey in consultation with Congress.

But Sullivan brushed off suggestions that Turkey lifting its opposition to Sweden's bid was linked to the transfer of F-16s.

"President Biden has been clear and unequivocal for months that he's supported the transfer of F-16s to Turkey, that this is in our national interest," Sullivan told reporters. "It's in the interests of NATO that Turkey get that capability. He has placed no caveats or conditions on that in his public and private comments over the past few months and he intends to move forward with that transfer in consultation with Congress," he said.

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Sullivan didn't elaborate on a timeline for when the F-16s would be sold to Turkey, or whether it would happen before the ratification of Sweden's membership.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been in active conversations with congressional lawmakers regarding the potential sale, according to a senior administration official.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers in February expressed opposition to Turkey buying the jets until it signed off on Sweden's bid.

Sen. Bob Menendez, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has long been against the transfer of jets to Turkey over the country's human rights record and concerns about Turkey's tensions with Greece. Menendez said Monday he's in talks with the administration about the issue.

MORE: Blinken talks high-stakes NATO summit and path to membership for Sweden, Ukraine

PHOTO: Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda (CL), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (CR) and NATO Foreign Ministers pose for a family photograph during the NATO summit, in Vilnius on July 11, 2023. (Ludovic Marin/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The news that Erdogan was dropping his opposition to Sweden's entry to NATO followed a meeting between him, Stoltenberg and Sweden Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

In a joint statement, NATO underlined changes Sweden has made to alleviate Turkey's security concerns, including an expansion to counter-terrorism cooperation. NATO will also ramp up efforts in that arena, establishing a special coordinator for counter-terrorism.

Sweden also agreed to help Turkey's effort to join the European Union, and to increase economic cooperation between the two countries.

The NATO statement made no mention of F-16 fighter jets, and Stoltenberg on Tuesday dismissed a question of whether they had been an important factor in the final stage of the negotiations.

"There are no other agreements, the agreement is public," he responded.

Were US F-16 fighter jets a factor in Turkey's U-turn on Sweden's NATO bid? originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Footwear News may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Melissa and its parent company Grendene are doubling down on their sustainability efforts.

More from Footwear News

In fact, the Brazilian footwear brand, which is entirely vegan, has unveiled plans to further invest in its sustainable practices across its product offering, especially its best-selling Possession sandal.

Carlos Andre Carvalho, sustainability manager at Grendene, told FN in an interview that these plans include aiming to include more recycled, post-consumer materials and improve the percentage of biomaterials, such as rice and coconut waste, in its production across all of Melissas product range.

In 2022, we launched 32 new styles with sustainable production elements, even incorporating new materials like algae in the production of some, Carvalho said. Melissa has sent zero industrial waste to landfills since 2016 and reuse 100 percent of our water waste in our production cycle.

Melissas Possession sandal. Courtesy of Melissa

As for the Possession sandal, which reached a pop culture high in the 1990s, Grendene has continued to evolve the style to meet its overall sustainability goals. In 2020, the label improved upon the styles sustainable attributes by using 25 percent renewable materials and plant-based raw material, certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Since then, Melissa has achieved its goal of producing the Possession sandal with 100 percent recycled, post-consumer materials. And in 2022, Melissa also scored a 30 percent reduction in CO2eq emissions for its iconic sandal, officially making the Possession carbon neutral, and had the style certified Climate Pledge Friendly by Amazon.

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Looking at production, Grendene said all of Melissas shoes are made in its 11 factories, which generate more than 16,000 jobs locally in Brazil. These factories rely on the companys certified 100 percent clean and renewable electrical energy, including a solar energy system powering the Sobral, Ceara facilities. Grendenes factory in Farroupilha also recently installed 208 photovoltaic modules, the company added.

Melissas Possession sandal. Courtesy of Melissa

Whats more, in 2022, Grendene noted it began planning for a new factory in Crato, which will include a solar plant to self-generate approximately 34 percent of the energy consumed on-site, while also providing better thermal comfort for employees. Carvalho added that the companys goal is to finish the build out of this new factory and the photovoltaic system by September.

Looking ahead, Carvalho said the company is focused on meeting its short term (one year) benchmark KPIs, which includes reducing carbon emissions. Each pair of Melissa shoes have a low carbon emission of 300 grams per pair; our lowest number yet, Carvalho added. Last year, we reduced our carbon emission by 20 percent compared to 2021. Ultimately, Grendene and Melissa are committed to our sustainability journey and intend to continue to put our plans into action and make a real difference.

Melissas Possession Sandal Could Be the Key to Sustainability Goals

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It's not academic freedom if a majority of Arizona university faculty jobs require applicants to sign an ideologically driven diversity statement.

Arizonas public universities must stop requiring applicants for faculty positions to demonstrate compliance with institutionally prescribed orthodoxies concerning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

Requiring DEI statements or otherwise asking candidates to address DEI in their applications is coerced speech and undermines the crucial diversity of sociopolitical ideas.

If some effort is underway to eliminate these ideological litmus tests, we would like to see the evidence.

You must sign a statement to work there

Earlier this year, the Goldwater Institute reported that a large percentage of faculty job postings at Arizonas public universities require applicants to submit a diversity statement:

81% at Arizona State University (ASU),

28% at the University of Arizona (UA) and

73% at Northern Arizona University (NAU).

Current advertisements for positions in the Barrett honors college at ASU and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UA require them.

Positions in elementary education and business administration at NAU list a commitment to diversity as a preferred qualification.

All students must be welcome and respectfully treated at Arizonas universities.

But mandated statements improperly require faculty to demonstrate their commitment to specific, ideological approaches to diversity, equity and inclusion.

How is that not an ideological litmus test?

For example, instructions offered by NAU encourage applicants to discuss intersectional personal identities, a reference to the idea of intersectionality developed by critical race theorist Kimberle Crenshaw.

Individual professors are free to articulate and defend this theory, but they should not be asked to endorse it to be hired.

The instructions also encourage applicants to explain past or future integration of DEI aspects or issues into your research activities.

Do Arizonans believe every professors research must address these issues?

A recent national survey of college and university professors conducted by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) found that half of respondents  and 90% of conservative respondents  agree that soliciting DEI statements during hiring is an ideological litmus test.

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Is that not enough to demonstrate that using such statements is a violation of the principles of free speech and academic freedom?

It could violate the Arizona Constitution

Many organizations, moreover, that defend academic freedom on American campuses, including the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, FIRE and the Academic Freedom Alliance, are against the use of diversity statements in hiring.

Public universities in other states, including Florida, Texas, Missouri and Wisconsin, have prohibited their use. Arizonas institutions should join them.

It is arguable that this practice also violates the First Amendment. Psychologist J.D. Haltigan and the Pacific Legal Foundation recently filed suit against the University of CaliforniaSanta Cruz for requiring faculty applicants to submit diversity statements.

Court fallout: How the ruling to end affirmative action affects Arizona

Mandating faculty applicants to profess certain political and ideological views in seeking employment may eventually be deemed unconstitutional: At a minimum, such practices violate the spirit of the First Amendment and are incompatible with academic freedom.

As the Goldwater Institute report observes, these statements appear to violate the Arizona State Constitution, which states that no religious or political test or qualification shall ever be required as a condition of admission into any public educational institution of the state, as teacher, student, or pupil.

Arizona should ban this practice

In the era of McCarthyism, when professors were required to take loyalty oaths, Americas universities pushed back against the federal governments violation of academic freedom.

Today, the roles are reversed.

Government must now be ready to protect students and faculty at American universities from those within who are demanding that every faculty applicant declare support for ideologically predetermined approaches to diversity and inclusion.

If Arizonas public universities do not quickly do the right thing on their own, the Arizona Board of Regents and Arizona lawmakers should lead the way and ban the use of these statements in hiring, promotion and tenure decisions.

They might even go so far as to adopt the principles of the University of Chicagos 1970 Shils Report, which declared that appointment and promotion decisions should be based on excellence in research, teaching and service without regard for candidates ideological positions or past political activities.

Karrin Taylor Robson is the founder of Arizona Strategies, a land use strategy firm in Phoenix. She served as a member of the Arizona Board of Regents and was a 2022 Republican candidate for governor. Steven McGuire is the Paul & Karen Levy Fellow in Campus Freedom at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. On Twitter: @karrin4Arizona and @sfmcguire79.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona universities force diversity and inclusion but get neither
OK_biz_rankings

Oklahoma slipped into the bottom 10 in CNBCs annual ranking of the best states to do business, as the state's scores in education and quality of life were among the worst in the nation.

The state ranked 41st overall in the study released Tuesday, down from 38th in 2022 and 32nd in 2021. Texas was ranked sixth, Kansas was 23rd, Missouri was 32nd and Arkansas was 44th.

North Carolina was ranked for the second year in a row as the top state for business, followed by Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia and Minnesota. The lowest ranked state was Alaska.

CNBC, a cable business channel that is part of the NBCUniversal News Group, has been doing the survey since 2007.

Oklahoma ranked higher in living and business costs, infrastructure

Oklahoma had some bright spots, ranking in the top five in the relative cost of living in the state and in the cost of doing business within its borders.

The state also finished relatively well for infrastructure  one of the surveys top-weighted categories  at 20th, better than several surrounding states, including Texas. That is a reflection of years of focus by state political and business leaders, said Ben Lepak, executive director of the State Chambers Research Foundation.

More: Oklahoma City a Top 10 construction powerhouse? Here's which property sectors have boomed

Any one ranking or one year is just a snapshot in time, Lepak said of the new survey. But thats why weve created our own metrics that we think can point the way for policy makers in Oklahoma and the business community to prioritize the things we need to be working on and improving. Theres also an accountability component of that. Well be able to see, as we enact some of these policy reforms designed to improve these metrics  do they work?

I think in general, getting an idea of trends and trying to break down these different components of economic growth, is a really useful way to prioritize and to shape a policy agenda.

OK_biz_scores

A look at another study ranking doing business in Oklahoma

The State Chambers Research Foundation has compiled its own scorecard showing the state with shortcomings similar to those noted in the CNBC survey, including workforce and education. CNBC actually gave Oklahoma a better ranking for workforce, 36th, than the State Chamber, which ranked Oklahoma at 44th.

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Workforce is the most heavily weighted factor in the CNBC survey and was a focus for many states even before the various impacts of the pandemic. North Carolina ranked first in the nation in the category in the new CNBC report; Texas was second.

The data weve looked at related to workforce and education largely lines up with what you see in the CNBC report and others, Lepak said. When it comes to the workforce, weve got a pretty productive labor force, but we dont have enough people in the labor force, and we also see a skills mismatch.

Gov. Kevin Stitts press office did not respond to a request for comment on the CNBC ranking.

The governor and the Legislature focused heavily on workforce issues this year, and Stitt signed a bill last month creating a nine-member commission to help shape the future.

More: Fatal shooting in Edmond raises a question: Is there 'retail stigma' after tragedy?

As we are recruiting companies, we hear over and over again that its all about workforce and whether companies looking to locate in the state can get the workers they need, Stitt said at a signing ceremony.

Oklahomas lowest ranking  49th  came in the category of Life, Health and Inclusion, which factors in everything from the states crime rates and health care to its abortion laws. Only Texas finished lower than Oklahoma in that category. And some of the top states in the overall rankings, including North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia, ranked relatively low for the category. Vermont finished first.

Oklahoma ranked 48th in education, ahead of only Alaska and Nevada. Within that category, the metrics were test scores; class sizes; spending; the number of colleges and universities (including historically Black colleges and universities); and community college and career systems, according to CNBC. Virginia finished first in the education category; Kansas was the highest among states surrounding Oklahoma, ranking fifth.

Stitt and the Legislature agreed this year to boost public education funding by $625 million, a recurring amount that includes teacher pay hikes.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma is one of the worst states for business, CNBC report says
Texas transplant Elon Musk has formed a new company focused on artificial intelligence.

Musk, who also runs Austin-based Tesla, and SpaceX announced the company's launch on Twitter Wednesday afternoon, saying the company, xAI, was formed to "understand reality." The company is expected to work closely with Austin-based Tesla and Twitter, which Musk also owns, according to xAI's website.

What will this company be focused on?

According to the companys website, the entity is considered separate from X Corp, but will work closely with Twitter, Tesla and other companies to make progress towards (its) mission. The website provides little detail into the companys goals, but does say the team will answer questions on a Twitter Spaces on Friday, July 14.

The website also said the team includes alumni from Tesla, OpenAI and Microsoft, and lists a 12-person team, noting that team members have worked on AI including AlphaCode, Inception, GPT-3.5, GPT4, and Minerva.

Elon Musk, CEO of Austin-based Tesla is launching a new company focused on artificial intelligence called xAI.

In a tweet, Greg Yang, one of the cofounders said that the company would work to "develop the 'theory of everything' for large neural networks" in order to take AI to the next level. His tweet also said the company will get into the mathematics of deep learning, which is an aspect of AI. Yang said the AI will also enable everyone to better understand the mathematical universe.

The launch of xAI also comes as Musk makes mixed comments about the technology. The billionaire has said he believes AI will be key to Tesla's future, but he has also said that he worries artificial intelligence could "eliminate" or "constrain" humanity, and signed onto a letter calling for an industrywide halt to AI training for several months.

Musk's dive into artificial intelligence has been anticipated, including by a Financial Times report in April that said Musk was exploring an AI startup. The report also said Musk has acquired thousands of GPU processors needed for largescale AI, according to an Insider report. Musk also told Fox News in April he planned to develop an anti-woke software called "TruthGPT" because he felt the companies currently working on artificial intelligence are too "politically correct."

Will the company have an Austin office?

It remains to be seen if the company will have a presense in Austin. Musk has moved or expanded a number of his companies to Central Texas in recent years including Tesla and The Boring Company which are both headquartered in the Austin-area, and has opened offices for Neuralink and SpaceX in the region.

But the company currently appears to be headquartered in the Bay Area based on a link to a form to recruit engineers and researchers interested in joining its Bay Area based team.

Musk has been critical of other artificial intelligence companies

The company seems to be angling compete with existing artificial intelligence companies including OpenAI, a company Musk helped found but has been increasingly critical of in recent months.

OpenAI, one of the best-known generative AI companies, was founded in 2015, by Musk and a number of big technology players including Greg Brockman, Sam Altman, Reid Hoffman, Jessica Livingston, Peter Thiel, and Olivier Grabia. The company has made AI tools including ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot, and Dall-E, an artificial intelligence-based art generator.

Musk resigned from the OpenAI board in 2018 but remained a donor. In recent months, he has been a vocal critic of the company, calling it biased.

Musk also mentioned artificial intelligence during a keynote in Austin at EEI, where he called for more regulation and government oversight, and said he has been in contact with leaders on it.

What could this new company mean for Austin-based Tesla?

Despite his comments and reservations, Musk has been betting on artificial intelligence for Austin-based Tesla.

In May during the company's annual shareholder meeting, Musk spoke extensively on the subject, including Tesla's not-yet released product Optimus, which the company has said will be a humanoid robot run on artificial intelligence software. Musk considers the robot key to Tesla's future. Optimus is being designed off the same software as Teslas controversial 'Full Self Driving' vehicle software, a technology which industry experts and the company do not yet consider fully autonomous.

The company first revealed the robot last year during the company's 2022 AI day, when the company showed a robot that could barely walk. In May, an updated video showed the robot picking up items, recognizing objects, walking, and training on human movements.

In a Twitter Spaces in April, Musk has also said that both Twitter and Tesla are buying GPUs, which can be used to develop AI.

Dan Ives, an analyst with Wedbush Securities, said xAI will likely work with Tesla as part of the Tesla ecosystem.

"We believe AI will be integrated into the Tesla vehicle over the coming years with FSD front and center. This will be all part of the Tesla ecosystem with Austin playing a key role in AI development," Ives said.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texan Elon Musk announces xAI a new artificial intelligence company
Washington  President Biden and Group of 7 leaders announced Wednesday they are launching a long-term joint declaration of support for Ukraine aimed at helping the country bolster its military to defend itself from Russia's aggression and deter future threats.

"We're going to help Ukraine build a strong, capable defense across land, air and sea, from which they'll be a force of stability in the region and deter against any and all threats," Mr. Biden said in brief remarks alongside fellow G7 leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The president said the agreement makes it clear that support from Ukraine from the world's most powerful democracies "will last long into the future."

While the declaration includes members of the G7  the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom  it is open to other nations that wish to negotiate long-term bilateral security commitments with Ukraine, the leaders said.

"It's a powerful statement, a powerful statement of our commitment to Ukraine as it defends its freedom today ad as it rebuilds its future," Mr. Biden said. "We're going to be there as long as it takes."

After a bilateral meeting between Mr. Biden and Zelenskyy, the president told reporters that he hoped "we have finally put to bed the notion of whether or not Ukraine is welcome in NATO  it's going to happen. We're all moving in the right direction. I think it's just a matter of getting by the next few months."

US President Joe Biden delivers a speech next to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during an event with G7 leaders to announce a Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine during the NATO Summit in Vilnius on July 12, 2023. / Credit: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stressed earlier that solidarity for Ukraine from the G7 "will never waver."

The declaration marks the start of talks with Kyiv to formalize through bilateral security commitments and arrangements long-term support for Ukraine. The framework aims to ensure Ukraine has a sustainable force capable of defending the country through continued security assistance and modern military equipment, strengthen Ukraine's economic stability through reconstruction and recovery efforts, and provide technical and financial support for Ukraine's needs stemming from Russia's ongoing war.

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The announcement by the G7 leaders came on the final day of the NATO leaders summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where one day earlier, the alliance declared that "Ukraine's future is in NATO." But the members declined to provide a timeline for when an invitation would be extended, saying only that would occur when Ukraine makes several reforms and allied countries "agree and conditions are met."

Zelenskyy was critical of the joint statement, saying in a tweet Tuesday that it was "unprecedented and absurd" that there was no defined timeframe regarding Ukraine's admittance to NATO. But on Wednesday, he acknowledged in a tweet that his country understands "that Ukraine cannot become a member of NATO while there is a war ongoing."

The outcome of NATO summit was a "much needed and meaningful success for Ukraine," Zelenskyy said in brief remarks alongside the G7 leaders.

"The Ukrainian delegation is bringing home a significant security victory for Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our children," the Ukrainian president said. "It opens for us absolutely new security opportunities."

In a speech before leaving Lithuania, Mr. Biden said the U.S. has "built a coalition of 50 nations to make sure Ukraine defends itself both now and is able to do it in the future as well."

"We will not waver," Mr. Biden said. "Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes."

Mr. Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin is making a bad bet that NATO's unity will break down as the war drags on, but said "our unity will not falter. I promise you."



"The defense of freedom is not the work of a day or a year. It's the calling of our lifetime, of all time," he said.

Amanda Sloat, senior director for Europe at the National Security Council, told reporters the announcement by the heads of the world's wealthiest nations is intended to help Ukraine build a powerful military.

"This process will ensure that the military assistance we provide Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression continues to be part of a long-term investment in Ukraine's future force," she said. "We'll focus on ensuring Ukraine has a sustainable fighting force capable of defending Ukraine now and deterring Russian aggression in the future."

Though Mr. Biden has repeatedly pledged that the U.S. will continue offering assistance to Ukraine, a number of Republicans in Congress, and some GOP candidates vying for the party's presidential nomination, have begun to question the need for more funding for Ukraine.

But they face objections from senior Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who last month defended the security assistance that has gone to Ukraine.

"America's support for Ukraine has done much more than sustain their defense," he said in remarks on the Senate floor. "As I've said repeatedly, sending lethal western capabilities to the front lines has been a direct investment in America's own security in a number of concrete ways."

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Brightline, FEC, feds must contribute to St. Lucie railroad bridge

We can thank Walter Kitching, who gave Henry Flagler $200 and all the land he required to build the Florida East Coast Railway bridge over the St. Lucie River, in return for a railroad dock and depot, for todays dilemma with Brightline.

Built in 1924, the original trestle has a vertical clearance of 7 feet and a horizontal clearance of 50 feet. Those dimensions are adequate for a dugout canoe, but not for todays watercraft and high volume of marine traffic.

All Aboard Florida/Brightline started this project in 2012 with proposed routes from Miami to West Palm Beach. Phase 2 was more ambitious. It started in 2019 with proposed routes from West Palm Beach to Orlando and eventually Tampa.

Everyone at FEC Railway, Brightline and our federal government has had plenty of time to address and resolve the obvious bottleneck with this Miami-to-Orlando vision, which is the St. Lucie railroad bridge. Its too narrow and too low to allow for safe marine operation. Not to mention, a 100-mph train running over a 100-year-old bridge should keep U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg up at night.

It's my understanding a while back the Martin County Commission agreed to seek federal funding to replace the bridge. The current Brightline strategy seems to be: Build everything and Stuart will be in no position to stop a moving train.

Its clear to me any monies to replace this bridge should come from FEC Railway, Brightline and the federal government. Martin County residents shouldn't have to pay a penny. They not only dont want Brightline, but wont have the benefit of having a Brightline depot in Stuart.

It's really very simple: Build a bigger bridge that can accommodate most of the marine traffic 24 hours a day.

Abby Diamond, Jupiter

From the Editorial Board: About time Brightline, FEC, Coast Guard -- embroiled in bridge brouhaha -- resolve issue

A Brightline train can be seen crossing the St. Lucie River railroad bridge in February 2023.

Book banning or not, we are overprotecting children: Just read this book

Ingrid Jacques column, "Heated rhetoric over book bans doesn't reflect reality," has me thinking.

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Perception is reality, and reality is perception. For example: If one perceives an action, then words such as those as having sexual undertones can be sexual harassment. Sexual harassment training in organizations preaches this.

Now, to get to book banning and reality. True, as Jacques writes, book banning is not an all-encompassing action. However, book banning is discriminatory as it is targeting a specific gender(s) cohort and specific subject material.

Therefore, it is still an action worthy of being called a book ban, or book banning.

As an aside, we are overprotecting our children. Children, especially young girls, have in the past, demonstrated courage, wisdom and maturity beyond their years. I offer you read the book "YOUNG AND RESTLESS: The girls who sparked America's Revolutions." Mattie Kahn is the author.

Ronald D. Roberts, Sebastian

Openness, love, acceptance can end cycle of grooming, child abuse

Growing up in a family torn by physical and emotional abuse, my knowledge of the generational suffering abuse causes is visceral.

Listening to stories told in group therapy sessions reminds me of the pervasiveness of abuse in our society. The undercurrents of physical, emotional and sexual abuse pull far too many into a maelstrom of suffering, drowning them in lifetime of sorrows. But how does it remain? What feeds it? How can we break the cycle?

The solitary offender is eventually caught. Individuals associated with public institutions are apprehended and prosecuted with great fanfare.

The peculiar situation is when offenders are part of a supportive organization that protects perpetrators by silencing victims and sheltering offenders. Predators are moved to a safe new territory where they learn from their mistakes and hone their skills of selecting the perfect victim. The person no one cares about. The person no one will listen to. The person no one will believe. If you doubt this a is long-standing and universal practice, be reminded of recent revelations from Illinois, where 451 clergy had abused nearly 2,000 children.

Inauspiciously and perhaps unintentionally, these religious and social institutions provide further cover for offenders by demonizing victims and potential victims. They do this by shaming outcasts, solo parents, the shy, the non-conformists, the unusual ones. By marginalizing great swaths of society, these institutions, with great piety, place human hors doeuvres on a tray for the perpetrators.

Supporters of Q are correct, there is an international cabal of pedophiles, but they have been hiding in plain sight for centuries. Abuse persists because it is kept secret by taboos of even mentioning it. It is fed by powerful and influential people and institutions placing self-preservation and power above all. Abuse can be reduced through openness, love and acceptance.

Ric Stange, Fort Pierce

David Ohlmuller, right, with his older brother, Brad, as an alter boy at St. Cassian Roman Catholic Church in Montclair, New Jersey. David was abused as a boy by a Catholic priest. He recently rode his bicycle from Chicago to New Jersey to draw attention to the Catholic sex abuse crisis. The journey was chronicled in the documentary film, "Peloton of One."

America lost, stolen? Really? Be careful what you ask for

While commuting to various locations throughout town, I often see vehicles adorned with window decals and bumper stickers bearing statements of Make America Great Again and Take America Back.

These leave me confused, as America hasnt lost its greatness in my eyes, nor in the eyes of the free world. Furthermore, I wasnt aware that America had been lost or stolen. So, I have to ask, who or what took it? Every morning as I set foot outside my door, I pinch myself with the realization that the stickers are wrong and, indeed, America is still here and I thank my good fortune for that.

What is especially concerning are the cars and trucks bearing these pasted-on morsels of wisdom with the addition of American flags lashed to their vehicles. From my perspective, these banners of freedom should be replaced with a different symbol  one more associated with the likes of dictators and authoritarians the world has had to suffer and endure throughout its history.

My views may differ from others', but banning books, restricting access to the polls, taking away the inalienable rights of others and structuring society based on ethnicity is not my concept of freedom.

To those who disagree, be careful what you ask for, you just might get it.

Eric Bergamyer, Port St. Lucie

Spiritual attainment: With forgiveness comes forgetting

Forgiveness is one of the greatest spiritual attainments. The greater the atrocities that can happen to a person, a class or race of people, the greater the spiritual attainment obtained through forgiveness and forgetting.

In Christianity, the greatest spiritual attainment was by Jesus, who, while hanging on a cross with nails tearing at his hands and his feet, asked God to forgive those who were crucifying Him.

In the United States, one of the greatest atrocities was slavery of Africans. The greatest spiritual attainment for them would be to forgive the United States and its people. But to forgive, you must forget or there is no forgiveness.

The United States was covenanted to God by the Pilgrims and Puritans in 1620. They considered this land the New Israel; a nation useful to God in the past, now and in the future and one that sought and seeks to be righteous, as much as humans can be righteous. Those who seek to destroy the United States work long and hard to prevent the descendants of African slaves in this country to forget and forgive.

I attend a church in Vero Beach primarily of African-Americans. The African-American minister, Apostle Jimmy Hill Jr., often reminds our congregation that to truly forgive and obtain enormous spiritual blessings, they need to forget those who do and have done damage to them.

I believe this country was set aside by God Almighty to be useful to the world and to God. I also believe that the future of this country is in the hands of the former descendants of slaves. Only with the grace of God can they truly forgive and forget and save our nation to be useful for God and the world.

Stanford Erickson, Vero Beach

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Brightline woe; helicopter moms; grooming fix; America lost? | Letters
A new docuseries will feature Buster Murdaugh in his first interview since his father, Alex Murdaugh, was sent to prison for murdering his mother and brother.

The case against Alex Murdaugh for killing his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, has been the subject of many television series, but through it all, Buster has kept silent. He did testify for his father during the trial earlier this year.

Jurors convicted Alex Murdaugh swiftly.

Murdaugh is being held in an undisclosed prison in South Carolina and is appealing the conviction.

The new series, to air on streaming service Fox Nation on Sept. 12, promises a behind-the scenes look at the case from the defense side with exclusive video before and during the trial and interviews with defense attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin.

Through a firsthand account from Buster Murdaugh and access to key players, including friends and family, this series puts forward several missing elements that have not been brought to light, Fox Nation President Jason Klarman said in a news release.

He did not say what the missing elements are and a spokesperson declined to say more about what specifically Buster Murdaugh says or the topics discussed.

Called The Fall of the House of Murdaugh, the series was produced in three 1-hour parts.

The news release said the series will include never-before-seen home movies, as well as intimate prison revelations from Alex himself.

Also interviewed were lead prosecutor Creighton Waters, Attorney General Alan Wilson, Colleton County Clerk Rebecca Hill, local attorney Joe McCulloch, Maurdaughs dog kennel manager Roger Dale Davis Jr., Walterboro Mayor William T. Young Jr., and the prosecutions forensic expert Kenneth Kinsey.

The dog kennel manager factored into the story because Bubba, one of the Murdaughs hunting dogs, was videotaped by Paul Murdaugh minutes before he died and Alex Murdaughs voice can be heard in the background.

It was a key piece of evidence in the trial, putting Murdaugh in the location of the murders when he said he wasnt there.

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Kinsey, too, was a key witness, who mapped out the crime scene and explained the complicated forensics in a folksy manner. He was a deputy with the Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office and has a private investigation business.

Paul and Maggie Murdaugh were murdered on June 7, 2021 on the family 1,700-acre hunting estate known as Moselle in Isleton. Alex Murdaugh was a prominent attorney from a long line of prominent attorneys in Walterboro until the murders when investigators began looking into his finances and other deaths that have occurred in the Murdaugh orbit.

He faces dozens of charges alleging he stole millions from clients insurance settlements.
MANCHESTER, N.H. - Chris Christie has a dream. Not a fantasy, though some might call it that, but rather a waking ambition that he is pursuing with open eyes. "I am going to be the alternative to Donald Trump," he says. "And when I am, I'm going to beat him."

The former New Jersey governor made this declaration standing behind the counter at the Red Arrow Diner, a pilgrimage site for presidential hopefuls who seek to ingratiate themselves with New Hampshire voters. At the moment, Christie was ingratiating himself to a gaggle of reporters who were trailing Christie on his first visit to the Granite State (really, outside a green room) since he'd declared his candidacy a few weeks earlier.

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Reporters lob their questions with notes of skepticism. Christie is unfazed, and with each answer, his dream campaign comes into sharper focus. It might go something like this: Christie tells "the truth" about Trump. About how the former president is willing to "lie to the American people to preserve his own ego." About how Trump "has been a loser, now three times in a row: '18, '20, '22."

In his dream campaign, Christie prosecutes the case against the former president like the prosecutor he once was, and the MAGA base turns out not to be quite as Trump-loyal as people think. "I don't buy this 'Trump voter' stuff," Christie says. "He doesn't own anyone."

In his dream campaign, Christie and Trump end up on the same debate stage. (In Christie's dream, Trump actually shows.) He's ready to debate Trump, because he has debated him before: First, as a stand-in for Hillary Clinton in 2016; then again, in 2020, as a stand-in for Joe Biden, back when Christie was putting his life on the line to help Trump in his bid for a second term. (Christie landed in intensive care after catching covid, which he thinks he caught from Trump.) In his dream campaign, Republican primary voters give Christie credit for boosting Trump then and for breaking with Trump now. "They look at me and know that I'm somebody who was willing to give him a chance and work as hard as I could to make them as good a president as he could be, but he failed," he says.

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In his dream campaign, New Hampshire is the start of something. A pivotal faction of Christie voters turn out in South Carolina ("which has become a satellite of New Jersey") and Nevada (where "we have lots of friendships and relationships"). "Then we'll move on to Super Tuesday after that point," Christie says, by which time Trump's spell will be broken.

Here's what's obvious to many political watchers: Chris Christie's dream campaign doesn't have a prayer.

"There's absolutely no appetite," says Gunner Ramer, the political director of the Republican Accountability Project, a Never Trump outfit that conducted focus groups with college-educated Trump voters. "He reminds voters of the exact thing they do not want, which is being a part of the establishment."

How does he remind them of that?

"They see him as someone who's attacking Trump," Ramer says. "That's exactly what the establishment does."

But what about Ronald Reagan and the John Birch Society? Christie's dream campaign has historical precedent. Look back to the 1960s, as Christie does in his recent book, when William F. Buckley and Reagan purged the Birchers and their kooky fringe conspiracy theories from the GOP. Then, as now, there was a need "for Republicans to tell the truth to other Republicans about what's out there and what's obvious," Christie said in an interview with The Washington Post.

"It's a wishful analogy," says Bill Kristol, editor at large of the Bulwark, a redoubt for Republicans turned off by Trump. For one thing, the Birchers weren't fielding the Republican front-runner like the Trump wing of the party is doing now. "The oddball fringe ran the country for four years and has run the party for six or seven years," Kristol says.

"I really wish Christie well - I'm glad he's making the run," Kristol adds. "I hope he endorses Biden after Trump wins the nomination."

Christie won't endorse Biden. He won't run on a third-party ticket, either, like the one he says No Labels reached out to him about. (No Labels did not respond to a request for comment.) "I've always been a Republican," Christie says, "and that's the nomination I want."

In the dream campaign, that nomination is still within reach - Republican voters just need to wake up.

Chris Sununu, New Hampshire's Republican governor, dreams of a GOP field that tries to jostle the party's base like Christie is trying to do. "My fantasy is that all the candidates speak in unison with the truth: Trump represents himself, not the party," Sununu says. "They need to say that so the base gets the message loud and clear."

"At some point, Trump's base is going to start thinking about actually winning," says William P. Barr, who served as Trump's attorney general. "I also think they're going to start noticing that the only people who lionize Trump are the people who actually haven't really worked with and seen him in action."

Most Republicans have not worked with Trump, of course. And most still like what they see from afar, despite his election failures in 2020 (and, by proxy, the 2022 midterms) - assuming they think Trump actually lost, which is no guarantee. Trump holds steady in recent national polls of Republican voters, with more than 50 percent of support. In New Hampshire, independent polls have been scarce but suggest that, although Trump's support is slightly smaller, it's still roughly double that of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, with Christie and others trailing in single digits.

"No matter what Chris Christie says - I apologize for my language - he has no f---ing shot to get the nomination," says Joe Walsh, a former Republican Illinois congressman who mounted a doomed primary challenge to Trump in the 2020 election cycle. "None. He may believe he has a shot, but he really doesn't."

Walsh's campaign was a protest of, as he puts it, the "stupid, Trumpy, dishonest, ugly, authoritarian, cruel thing." It didn't get much traction.

"I'll never forget it: I stood in a room of 3,000 Republicans and said, 'It's wrong that we have a president who lies,'" he recalls. "Everybody booed me."

- - -

New Hampshire is where dream campaigns sometimes go to die. It's also where, months before any ballots are cast, they can seem more real than almost anywhere. On a Wednesday evening in late June, Christie came to a VFW hall in Derry to talk to Republican voters who share his dream of a GOP without Trump.

It was a coalition of people whom the Trump and Biden eras had rendered politically homeless. A "Rockefeller Republican" ("we're pretty much extinct," he said) who wanted to know how moderate voters fit into the present-day GOP. A middle-aged man in a New England Patriots polo who stood up to lament the "divisiveness in politics." An older gentleman who demanded to know what has happened to the Republican Party. ("We know that Trump lied about the election, but why did so many of our fellow citizens believe that?") A Christie-curious Democrat asking for his take on the foster-care system.

Christie, in a gray wool suit and red floral tie, stood at the center of the room, slowly orbiting a wooden stool. "People want to believe the president of the United States when he says something," he told them. He praised George W. Bush's ability to work with Ted Kennedy on education reform. He promised he'd bring civility to the White House, along with Republican values. He seemed intent on showing how he could be a father figure to this room of political orphans - those who hungered for a more stable, more adult role model at the head of the table.

Even among the relatively sympathetic town hall attendees in Derry, there were doubts about whether the former governor stood a real chance.

"Realistically, Christie's odds of winning are: Pigs will fly, and hell may freeze over," says Alex Rodriguez, a lifelong Republican who drove here from Melrose, Mass., and hasn't voted for a GOP candidate since Marco Rubio in the 2016 primary. "But that's not the point. The point is to have a discussion about the leader for the party and the existential threat to democracy."

A discussion among whom? At gatherings like the one at the VFW in Derry, the possibility of a return to form for the Republican Party can seem, at least, plausible. Quinn Mitchell, a gangly 15-year-old from Walpole, N.H., rose to speak, and he pressed Christie on whether the self-selecting crowd members here at the VFW were really the ones the former governor needed to be impressing.

"In my opinion, you have already drawn in the small group of Republican voters who hate Trump as much as you do," Mitchell began. "However, this message is not going to play into the larger electorate of Republican voters who are on the Trump hate wagon." What did Christie plan to offer the many people who don't hate Trump?

"First of all, I don't hate Trump," Christie replied. "I just don't respect him." He then suggested that Trump's base of support might be softer than it appears. "He's never had a campaign against him like the one you're going to have now," Christie said.

Did that satisfy Mitchell? "I do think he answered my question," he told The Post afterward, "but ..." Mitchell paused, searching for the right words. "It's really hard to reach those types of voters."

Christie went to the Red Arrow Diner the next morning. Perhaps it was a place he'd find some Trump loyalists to liberate.

"Ah, it's good to be here," Christie said to no one in particular as he landed on a stool at the counter with his wife, Mary Pat. He got oatmeal with bananas and brown sugar; she got eggs over easy and toast. "You would wonder why do I look like I look and she looks like she looks," the famously corpulent Christie told their server, unprompted. "But you know, there's no fairness in life."

Only a few patrons had been at the counter when Christie arrived from another breakfast, back at his hotel, with potential supporters who had backed different non-Trump Republicans (Jeb Bush, Rubio, John Kasich) in 2016. They were outnumbered by the roughly dozen reporters who had squeezed into a semicircle around Christie.

"New Hampshire can be the state that sets out on the right course, and that's why I'm here," Christie told a local radio reporter. "I'm going to spend most of my time here talking to voters."

A woman named Pam penetrated the media gaggle to tell him he's her "favorite candidate." (Pam later told The Post that she was visiting her father from out of state and voted for Biden, whom she still likes, even if she worries about his age.)

- - -

Christie finished his oatmeal and left by 11 a.m., speeding away to Boston to catch a flight to Washington. "One of the things I learned from the last time is that motion isn't progress," he told The Post. "You don't have to be in New Hampshire or Iowa every day. Because after a while, there's diminishing returns."

The next morning, back in D.C., Christie did find some loyal Trump supporters - not in a diner, but in the ballroom of the Washington Hilton. He was scheduled to speak at the Faith and Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority summit in Washington, along with most of the other GOP presidential candidates.

"We'll have some people in that audience who agree with us and some people who don't, but that's the nature of a primary," he said. "I'm ready for it."

Christie took the stage late in the morning after Mark Robinson, the North Carolina lieutenant governor who had brought the audience to its feet when he announced that he was endorsing Trump for president. The thunderous applause gave way to polite claps as Christie replaced him behind the lectern.

"I thought this morning, 'The most appropriate issue to discuss is the issue of character,'" Christie began.

A pair of 20-somethings in MAGA hats exited the ballroom.

Christie continued. Abraham Lincoln showed character in the face of the Confederacy, he said. Franklin D. Roosevelt showed character in the face of Hitler. Reagan, in the face of the Soviets. Then he turned to a recent president who, in Christie's estimation, hadn't shown such character.

"I'm running because he's let us down," Christie said of Trump. "He's unwilling to take responsibility for any of the mistakes that were made, any of the faults that he has."

A few boos.

"That is not leadership, everybody," Christie said. "That is a failure of leadership."

The boos were louder now, nearly drowning out his voice.

After Christie's remarks, Billy and Brandy Walkowiak passed through the lobby, seeming a bit perplexed what the former governor thought he was doing. The Trump-loving couple from Gastonia, N.C., had thought Christie was talking about character to tee up to attack Biden - and couldn't believe he'd land the punch on Trump instead.

"This was not the place for it," Brandy said.

"I don't know why he did that," Billy said.

In Christie's dream campaign, boos are just part of it. "Part of your job as a leader is not to tell them what they want to hear," Christie told reporters afterward. "It's to tell them what they need to hear."

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[Source]

A Chinese woman has embarked on a relentless search for her long-lost daughter who was forcibly adopted 40 years ago.

A mother's loss: Wang Yunjuan, a 64-year-old woman from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, has captured the hearts of many in China after appearing on the local television program "Xiao Qiang Re Xian" ("Xiaoqiang's Hotline") on June 30 to share her story.

According to Wang, she was pregnant and alone at 21 years old in 1981 when her husband was sentenced to life imprisonment for a violent altercation.

The husband met their daughter, Jiang Ling, only once in prison shortly after Wang gave birth to her on May 12, 1982. A year later, while Wang was away from home, her husband's older relatives took her daughter to Beijing and gave her to another family to adopt.

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Disrupted plans: After her husbands release due to a reduced sentence in 1998, the couple decided to save money and continue the search for their daughter together.

Citing the mans criminal record, her husband's family discouraged them from interfering with their daughter as she was already living a comfortable life. Despite the discouragements, the couple planned to visit Beijing to search for their daughter after saving enough money.

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However, Wang's husband passed away from a heart attack in 2021 at the age of 69 before they could begin their journey. According to Wang, she remains determined to fulfill her husband's dying wish of reuniting with their daughter and gifting their life savings of over 1 million yuan (approximately $140,000) to her.

Money cant compensate for her loss, but it represents our heartfelt intentions and is her fathers last wish, she told Tide News.

Relying on hope and support: Armed with limited clues, including her daughter's birth name, a red birthmark on her left arm and a lead from 1991 suggesting her daughter was living in Beijing's Haidian district, Wang is exhausting all efforts to find her.

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Wang's story has resonated deeply with people across China, who have expressed overwhelming support for her search.

In addition to using the show as a platform to spread awareness, Wang has also provided her DNA sample to the Hangzhou Public Security Bureau in hopes that improvements in missing person search databases can aid her decades-long search.

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Could El Nino drive global warming to the next level? (Getty)

El Nino is already causing high surface air temperatures around the world  but 2024 will see it jump to the next level, a scientist has warned.

Kevin Trenberth, of the University of Auckland in New Zealand, warned that early 2024 could see frequent temperatures of 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed this month that the El Nino weather pattern emerged in the tropical Pacific for the first time in seven years.

El Nino is an event where temperatures in the Pacific are warmer than normal  its declared when temperatures rise 0.5C above the long-term average.

Its part of a cycle alongside the opposite effect, La Nina, which has been active for the last three years.

Temperatures around the world increase by about 0.2C during El Nino, and fall about 0.2C during La Nina.

Read more: A 1988 warning about climate change was mostly right

Campaigners and observers have warned this year that the return of El Nino could push the world past crucial climate change barriers.

The world's hottest year on record, 2016, coincided with a strong El Nino  though experts say climate change has fuelled extreme temperatures even in years without the phenomenon.

Even that record could soon be broken, according to the WMO.

The organisation said in May that there was a strong likelihood that at least one of the next five years, and the five-year period as a whole, would be the warmest on record due to El Nino and anthropogenic global warming.

Trenberth wrote in The Conversation, With a new El Nino emerging and prospects that it could be another major event, are we about to experience the next step up the stairs?

Already in 2023, sea-surface temperatures emerged in April as the highest on record and values are running 0. above previous highs.

Read more: Why economists worry that reversing climate change is hopeless

This set the stage for June to have record high surface air temperatures globally. In early July, they hit the highest values on record.

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We can expect 2023 to emerge as the warmest year to date. But sea-surface temperatures during El Nino events tend to peak about December and have the greatest influences in the subsequent two months.

"That sets the stage for 2024 jumping up the staircase to the next level, perhaps to 1.4C above pre-industrial levels, with likely daily incursions over 1.5C.

Once the next La Nina event comes along, there'll again be a pause in the rise, but values will never quite go back to previous levels.

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Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee. (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Top Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are asking Chairman James Comer to look into whether the accused foreign agent who claims to be a whistleblower against President Joe Biden and his son was acting to further Chinese interests when he accused the Bidens of crimes.

In a letter to Mr Comer, Ranking Member Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Representative Daniel Goldman of New York expressed concern that the Oversight Committee has been manipulated by alleged arms dealer Gal Luft, who they described as an apparent con man who, while a fugitive from justice, attempted to fortify his defense by laundering unfounded and potentially false allegations through Congres.

The alleged GOP whistleblower, an Israeli-American think tank founder, was indicted last November on charges that he allegedly trafficked arms, acted as a foreign agent for China and violated US sanctions on Iran.

Mr Luft, who was arrested in February by Cypriot authorities, jumped bail while awaiting extradition to the US and has been on the run ever since.

While he claims he is being persecuted by the federal government because he provided derogatory information about the Biden family to the FBI in a 2019 interview, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said in a statement that he engaged in multiple, serious criminal schemes.

He subverted foreign agent registration laws in the United States to seek to promote Chinese policies by acting through a former high-ranking U.S. Government official; he acted as a broker in deals for dangerous weapons and Iranian oil; and he told multiple lies about his crimes to law enforcement, Mr Williams said.

Mr Raskin and Mr Goldman noted that the false statement charges against Mr Luft eviscerate his credibility, even as Mr Comer has continued to call him a very credible witness despite the fact that Mr Luft remains a fugitive from justice.

They also pointed out that Mr Luft is alleged to have lied to FBI agents during the same March 2019 interview at which he claims to have provided information to the bureau about Hunter Biden, and suggested that Mr Lufts claims against the president and his son may be part of a Chinese-backed effort to undermine US interests and Mr Bidens presidency.

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It appears as if Mr. Luft sought whistleblower status from you in an effort to defend himself from criminal prosecution while a fugitive from justice. Worse yet, this latest episode also raises concerns that Mr. Luft may be manipulating your investigation not only for his own self-interest but perhaps also in furtherance of the CCPs efforts to undermine U.S. security interests and the President of the United States, they said.

These recent revelations naturally raise broader concerns about the credibility and motivations of other purported whistleblowers that Congressional Republicans have relied on to support unfounded and baseless allegations. Sadly, the Luft episode severely undermines the credibility of the critical function of whistleblowers in this body.

The Democratic representatives called on Mr Comer to stop withholding documents relating to Mr Luft from members of the minority on the committee, and asked him to initiate an investigation into whether his panel has been manipulated by Mr Luft in service of a foreign power.

In order to protect the Congresss institutional credibility and to reassure the American people that the CCP is not using Republicans investigations as a vehicle to undermine the United States government, we urge you to immediately initiate an investigation into whether the Committee may have been unwittingly duped by Mr. Luft in furtherance of the CCPs interests, as well as any potentially false statements made by Mr. Luft to Members of Congress or congressional staff, they said.

Mr Raskin and Mr Goldman were later joined in their call for an investigation into whether Mr Luft manipulated the House panel by Representative Gerry Connolly of Virginia and Maryland Representative Kweisi Mfume.

The two representatives, who respectively chair the Oversight Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation and the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce, said in a statement that they were shocked at published reports of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Majoritys collaboration with discredited whistleblower Gal Luft and stressed that it is imperative that they learn if committee resources were expended to support his alleged illegal activities.

The Majoritys work with Mr. Luft risks bringing immense shame on the Committee, and the Majority has a responsibility to account for the damage that has been done by its partnership with Mr. Luft. There is substantial concern that the Committee, through the Majoritys overzealous effort to smear President Joe Biden and his family, has advanced the interests and activities of an individual charged with serious federal crimes, they said. The public and the members of our committee have the right to know how this happened.
DETROIT  Former Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten, who was convicted in the double murder of a California couple in 1969, was released from prison Tuesday after serving more than 50 years of a life sentence.

At 19, Van Houten, and other members of what became known as the Manson family, broke into the home of Leno LaBianca, and his wife, Rosemary, in Los Angeles and stabbed them to death. It was a day after five others  including celebrity hairstylist Jay Sebring and actress Sharon Tate  were killed.

Van Houten, now 73, was released to parole supervision, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement. Van Houten was initially sentenced to death for helping Mansons followers carry out the killings.

But the sentence was reduced to life in prison after the California Supreme Court overturned the state's death penalty law in 1972. While the death penalty was later reinstated, it did not apply retroactively to her sentence.

Her attorney, Nancy Tetreault, said she was driven to transitional housing Tuesday morning.

The 1969 slayings and subsequent trials captivated the nation during an era of strife marked by the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement and the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy.

In this Sept. 6, 2017, file photo, Leslie Van Houten attends her parole hearing at the California Institution for Women in Corona, Calif.

A half-century in prison

Days earlier, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he would not fight a state appeals court ruling that Van Houten should be granted parole. He said it was unlikely the state Supreme Court would consider an appeal.

Van Houten was found suitable for parole after a July 2020 hearing, but her release was blocked by Newsom, who maintained she was still a threat to society. She filed an appeal with a trial court, which rejected it, and then turned to the appellate courts.

The Second District Court of Appeal in May reversed Newsoms rejection of her parole.

Disputing Newsom's claims against Van Houten, judges said she had shown "extraordinary rehabilitative efforts, insight, remorse, realistic parole plans, support from family and friends, favorable institutional reports, and, at the time of the Governors decision, had received four successive grants of parole."

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Leslie Van Houten leaves Criminal Court Building in Los Angeles, Sept. 12, 1977 after a hearing at which a third murder-conspiracy trial date was to have been set to try her in the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. The judge at this morning's hearing announced a new jurist will preside at the third trial and a second hearing set for September 20, would be held to set the third trial date.

Judges also said Van Houten had "many years" of therapy and substance abuse counseling. But Newsom's office said the governor was disappointed by the appeals court decision.

"More than 50 years after the Manson cult committed these brutal killings, the victims families still feel the impact," the governors office said in a July 7 statement.

Van Houten is expected to be on parole for about three years and will spend a year at a halfway house, Tetreault told The Associated Press.

She hopes to get a job as soon as possible, Tetreault added. Van Houten received a bachelor's and a master's degree in counseling while in prison and worked as a tutor for other incarcerated people.

She has to learn to use the internet. She has to learn to buy things without cash, Tetreault said. It's a very different world than when she went in.

Parole denied: California panel denies parole for Charles Manson follower convicted of slayings in 1969

Troubles starting at 14

Van Houten, a former high school cheerleader and homecoming princess, saw her life spiral out of control at 14 following her parents divorce. She turned to drugs and became pregnant but said her mother forced her to abort the fetus and bury it in the familys backyard.

Van Houten met Manson  who died in prison in 2017 of natural causes at age 83  at an old movie ranch on the outskirts of Los Angeles, where he had established his so-called family of about 100 followers who lived an unconventional lifestyle and took mind-altering drugs.

She helped other Manson followers carry out the slayings of the LaBiancas in their home. She later described holding Rosemary LaBianca down with a pillowcase over her head as others stabbed her.

Then, according to Van Houten, she was ordered by Manson follower Charles "Tex" Watson to "do something," which is when she picked up a knife and stabbed Rosemary LaBianca more than a dozen times. The couple's blood was smeared on the walls afterward.

The double murder occurred a day after Manson followers killed Sebring, Tate, and three others. Van Houten did not participate in the Tate killings.

In this Aug. 1970 file photo, Charles Manson followers, from left: Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten walk to court to appear for their roles in the 1969 cult killings of seven people, including pregnant actress Sharon Tate, in Los Angeles.

Contact Frank Witsil at fwitsil@freepress.com.

Contributing: Miriam Marini, Detroit Free Press; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Leslie Van Houten: Ex-Charles Manson follower released from prison
In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks with City Cast Portland about the upcoming wildfire season and why fire danger has suddenly skyrocketed to high levels after a wet and snowy winter.

Urness breaks down some of his favorite places to hike in wildfire scars, tells the tale of how Don Myron escaped the Labor Day fires by sheltering in the middle of a river and shares some tips on not igniting wildfires of your own.

He also talks about the Boulder Fire burning near Mount Hood and why there's a good chance it could hang around for much of this summer.

Never miss an episode: Listen to the episode at statesmanjournal.com/outdoors/explore and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud or Amazon Music and subscribe on your platform of choice to get future episodes.

Find every episode: Find all 107 episodes of the Explore Oregon Podcast online

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: Podcast: Oregon wildfire season looking increasingly dire this year
FBI Chris Wray looks on as he testifies before House lawmakers on Wednesday. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

FBI Director Christopher Wray expressed exasperation that House Republicans would think he's biased against conservatives.

Wray, who is a Republican, called the suggestion "somewhat insane."

A more sympathetic GOP lawmaker expressed hope that Wray wouldn't leave the party after a contentious hearing.

FBI Director Christopher Wray on Wednesday looked like a man without a party as House Republicans grilled him for hours.

Some of Wray's harshest critics teed off on the director, arguing that the FBI is biased against Republicans while it pulls its punches on President Joe Biden's family. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican, quipped that the infamous J. Edgar Hoover was a better leader of America's top law enforcement agency. At one point, Wray took the opportunity to once again dismiss the persistent online conspiracy theory that the FBI "orchestrated" the January 6 Capitol riot.

Wray also began to snap back, at one point expressing shock that anyone would suggest he's biased against conservatives.

Wray is a registered Republican.

"The idea that I'm biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me given my own personal background," he said in response to Rep. Harriet Hageman, a Wyoming Republican, who pressed him about a "two-tier" system of justice.

The onslaught led Rep. Ken Buck, a Colorado Republican, to quip that he hoped Wray wouldn't leave the party.

"According to Wikipedia, you're still a registered Republican, and I hope you don't change your party registration after this hearing is over," Buck said during the hearing.

The reception illustrates the fury many conservatives hold for the FBI and Wray.

It wasn't always this way.

Former President Donald Trump appointed Wray to be director, applauding his "impeccable credentials." No Republicans, and only five Senate Democrats, opposed his confirmation. A former Justice Department official, Wray had been then-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's personal attorney during the Bridgegate fiasco. Over the years, Wray had donated tens of thousands of dollars to Republican lawmakers.

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President Donald Trump has led a barrage of criticism against the bureau for years that has led to sharply polarized views of the agency. Conservatives have pointed to documented wrongdoing, such as Inspector General Michael Horowitz and special counsel John Durham's respective reports as further evidence that something is amok.

If elected, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to fire Wray on day one of his presidency. House conservatives have also pushed to either significantly the agency's funding or abolish the FBI entirely.

Buck told CNN after the hearing that he has cautioned his colleagues when it comes to discussing the FBI funding. The GOP, Buck said, made great political hay out of liberal talk to "defund the police" Surely, Republicans wouldn't turn around and then defund the nation's top law enforcement agency.

"Obviously, if the FBI has inefficient programs or wasteful programs, absolutely we should look at reducing that as part of a deficit reduction plan," Buck told CNN's Jake Tapper.

The Colorado Republican then offered a nearly full-throated defense of the bureau.

"To target the FBI as punishment is absurd," he said. "They are in charge of leading the effort on counterterrorism, counterintelligence, Chinese and Russian spies, they are leading the effort on white-collar crime, human trafficking, to say we're going to cut an agency that performs such a vital function in the United States government is really irresponsible."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The lawsuit has accused Twitter of handing staff at most one month of severance pay, with many not receiving anything at all - REUTERS

Twitter faces legal action over allegedly owing around $500m (385m) in severance pay promised to thousands of workers sacked by Elon Musk.

The lawsuit has accused Twitter of handing staff at most one month of severance pay, with many not receiving anything at all.

Mr Musk has fired more than half of Twitters 7,500-strong workforce since acquiring the social network for $44bn last year.

The class action lawsuit was filed in a San Francisco federal court by former human resources boss Courtney McMillian, who led Twitters employee benefits programmes before being made redundant in January.

She claimed that under a severance plan created by Twitter in 2019, most workers should have received two months of base salary plus one week of pay for each full year of service.

Meanwhile, senior employees, including Ms McMillian, were allegedly promised six months of base pay.

Mr Musk is claimed to have known about the severance before making sweeping layoffs, BBC News reported.

The worlds richest man has previously claimed that everyone exited was offered [three] months of severance, which is 50pc more than legally required.

This isnt the first time that former employees have rallied against Twitter since Mr Musks takeover.

Last month, former director of compensation Mark Schobinger filed a proposed class action against Twitter for allegedly failing to pay millions of dollars in bonuses promised to employees. Twitter has said the claims lack merit.

Meanwhile, 43 former UK-based workers in January threatened to sue Twitter for allegedly conducting a sham redundancy process.

They claimed that Twitter sacked workers without proper process, logged them out of computers and locked them out of offices, before retrospectively launching a formal redundancy consultation.

UK-based workers were offered two months of basic salary, plus two weeks pay for each year they had worked at the company, the Financial Times reported.

Twitter has suffered several major glitches and outages since thousands of workers, including engineers, have been laid off by Mr Musk as part of cost cutting measures.

Twitter was approached for comment.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
Hes threatening to skip the primary debates. Hes publicly trashing the Republican governor of Iowa, infuriating traditional GOP operatives in the first-in-the-nation caucus state. And on Friday, for the second time in two months, Donald Trump will duck a major cattle call of GOP primary contenders there.

If its the prerogative of the frontrunner to pick and choose his spots, the former president is taking it to a new level, thumbing his nose at any institution or Republican politician he prefers not to court or appear alongside.

In a more competitive presidential primary, not being on the debate stage or snubbing Gov. Kim Reynolds might matter more. But in this GOP contest, its a reflection of Trumps dominance that he can dismiss them  so far, with seemingly no price to pay.

Part of the reason hes five laps ahead is this how he deals with things, said Dave Carney, a Republican strategist based in New Hampshire. He doesnt play the traditional candidate card. He will not mow a single lawn in New Hampshire this summer  other candidates might.

Trump sent shockwaves through Iowa GOP circles this week when he posted on social media seemingly attacking Reynolds  who has an 86 percent approval rating among Iowa Republicans  for not endorsing his presidential bid. Reynolds said she is staying neutral in the primary, but in recent months has appeared alongside Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other Republicans currently vying for president, while keeping her distance from Trump.



And on Monday night, Bob Vander Plaats, president of The Family Leader, an influential evangelical Christian group in Iowa, learned that Trump would not be appearing at his organizations forum set for Friday, he said. The event, which the other major candidates are attending, will be moderated by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Trumps absence there comes after he skipped another major cattle call, Sen. Joni Ernsts Roast and Ride event last month, opting against even appearing by video.

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Some Republicans in the state think such moves could cost him.

It just makes folks question what the former president is up to when all of his focus appears to be on personal agenda items against Kim Reynolds and Bob Vander Plaats, rather than what I see and most Iowa Republicans I see to be the main problem  Biden and his agenda, said Cody Hoefert, the former co-chair of the Republican Party of Iowa.

Hoefert was scrolling his phone on his couch Monday night when he came across Trumps post on Truth Social, suggesting Reynolds owed her first gubernatorial win to Trumps endorsement, while deriding her for remaining NEUTRAL ahead of the caucuses.

I dont invite her to events! Trump added.

I just went, Im done with this, Hoefert said of reading Trumps post. Im done with this kind of crap  I still dont know who Im going to vote for, I just know Im not going to vote for him in the caucus.

After Trumps remarks, GOP presidential candidates like DeSantis and Nikki Haley, along with Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) rushed to Reynolds defense, issuing statements of support for the governor.

Stupid is as stupid does, Vander Plaats, quoting Forrest Gump, tweeted in response to Trump.

David Kochel, a veteran Iowa Republican strategist, said Trump snubbing Reynolds in and of itself isnt enough to lose the caucuses  and certainly not if the GOP field remains crowded come January. But he is showing his very obvious penchant for self-destructive behavior by attacking Kim Reynolds, Kochel said.

Hes got his base in Iowa and around the country that will excuse anything he does  'shooting someone on Fifth Avenue,' Kochel said, referencing Trump's infamous claim of solid support. But a lot of people who might have been with Trump because they thought he was going to win, its going to piss them off because he doesnt take them seriously or Iowa seriously.

Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, said a scheduling conflict is preventing Trump from attending this weekends Family Leader event, and noted he was in Iowa last week and will be back next week. Instead of attending the Iowa cattle call on Friday, Trump is the headlining speaker for the conservative youth conference Turning Point Action in West Palm Beach, Fla., which DeSantis is skipping. People close to Trump have pointed out that Vander Plaats has repeatedly made critical comments about the former president.

While Ron DeSantis is putting in the work to win Iowa, Trump is doing everything he can to lose it, said Andrew Romeo, a spokesperson for DeSantis campaign.



A large event Trump had planned for May in Des Moines was canceled at the last minute due to the threat of severe weather, and he ultimately held his first early-state rally of the campaign in South Carolina over Independence Day weekend. Trump returned to Iowa last week for a smaller affair geared towards farmers, where he ripped DeSantis agriculture policies.

Trump has also openly criticized six-week abortion bans, like the one Iowa Republicans passed  and one that Reynolds called the legislature back this week to approve again after recent court challenges.

While the Republican primary debates have traditionally been a powerful force in winnowing the field of candidates down to a smaller handful, Trump has threatened to skip at least the first two. Doing so would likely reduce both the television audience size and influence of the debates in the primary process, making it even more difficult for his opponents to gain traction.

The former president sees little upside in showing up to an event with his lower-polling rivals, according to people in his orbit. Doing so, they say, could needlessly give his opponents an opening to go after him. Trump also remains unhappy with Fox News, which is hosting the first event.

Iowa may not be essential to Trump winning the nomination. He lost the Iowa caucuses to Sen. Ted Cruz in 2016, and many of Trumps rivals consider the state to be their best opening in 2024. Though accurate polling of likely caucus-goers in Iowa is difficult to come by, broader surveys of Republicans in the Hawkeye State continue to show Trump with a significant lead, polling more than 20 points ahead of DeSantis.



If his lead werent so great  there and nationwide  it might make a difference.

He has 100 percent name ID among Republican caucus goers. What are the chances he goes to Bobs deal and says something thats going to get him five more votes? Carney said. If you're doing a risk analysis, the chance is more likely he says something that loses him five votes.

Tyler Bowyer, the Republican National Committeeman from Arizona and chief operating officer of Turning Point Action, suggested that while Trump remains strong as the frontrunner and can pick and choose events, DeSantis cant afford to skip out on that kind of massive gathering of voters.

The bottom line is that you cannot win a GOP primary without convincing the 6,000 people representing all 50 states who will be in that room, Bowyer said of this weekends Turning Point event, saying DeSantis decision to skip sends a very mixed signal to potential voters by choosing to forgo one of the largest activist conferences of the cycle, that is conveniently located in his home state.

Carney, a political consultant for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has also advised former Govs. Rick Perry (R-Texas) and John Sununu (R-N.H.), added: What I would not want to do is piss off a governor, if you get a governor who goes full-force against you.

Reynolds, though, is unlikely to publicly wage war against Trump. A person familiar with Reynolds thinking said Tuesday that nothing Trump did or said about the governor has affected her plan to stay neutral.

And a Republican operative who has worked in Iowa, including closely with Reynolds, said the governor has completely let this roll off of her, and has beyond moved on from Trumps most recent comments.

Going into it, the Reynolds team knew what would happen eventually if they stayed neutral, the person said. "She has a lot of strength in Iowa, regardless of where Trump stands on her.

Sally Goldenberg and Alex Isenstadt contributed to this report.
James Beeks, Jan. 6 defendant / Credit: Government exhibit

Washington  A former Broadway actor and Jan. 6 defendant was acquitted of the two charges that remained against him after a federal judge on Wednesday ruled evidence did not prove he knowingly worked with the far-right Oath Keepers group to obstruct Congress during the Capitol breach, according to court records.

James Beeks of Florida was arrested in 2021 during a stint in a production of "Jesus Christ Superstar." He was later indicted on numerous felony counts. Prosecutors alleged at the time that Beeks paid for a one-year membership to the Oath Keepers and weeks later marched with other members of the group up the U.S. Capitol steps and into the building.

After first deciding to take their case to trial, Beeks and co-defendant Donovoan Crowl  a member of an Ohio militia  opted for a stipulated bench trial in which the defense and prosecutors would agree to a set of facts and comply with a judge's decision on the defendants' guilt. The pair were indicted on multiple charges, but the parties agreed last week that the bench trial would only decide two counts  conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and civil disorder. In exchange, the government dropped the remaining counts.

Beeks was a five-time Broadway actor and television personality, according to the agreed-upon set of facts, and traveled to Washington, D.C., before Jan. 6, 2021, after seeing Oath Keepers messages posted online. After his arrest, he and other defendants worked to move their case outside of Washington, D.C., and Beeks ultimately severed ties with defense attornies to represent himself at trial. Attorney Greg Hunter was appointed "standby counsel" in the case to ensure proper representation.

Federal Judge Amit Mehta, appointed to the bench by former President Obama, ruled Wednesday there was little evidence that Beeks  who is no longer a member of the Oath Keepers  actually planned ahead of Jan. 6 or was aware of the group's alleged conspiracy, according to WUSA Reporter Jordan Fischer. "I just can't get there based on this stipulated evidence," Mehta said, according to Fischer.

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However, Crowl was convicted of both counts after pleading not guilty, according to court records filed Wednesday.

Beeks is only the second Jan. 6 defendant to be completely acquitted at trial. Last year, a judge found Matthew Martin of Santa Fe, New Mexico, not guilty of multiple misdemeanor counts related to the Capitol breach at a bench trial. And a jury acquitted Michael Greene, another alleged member of the Oath Keepers, of most of the charges against him and was not able to return a verdict on another count that prosecutors said they would not bring back to court.

The stipulated bench trial for Beeks and Crowl came after Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and five codefendants including his top lieutenant, Kelly Meggs, were convicted of seditious conspiracy. In May, Rhodes was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Crowl is scheduled to be sentenced in November.

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Gov. Kristi Noem addresses the medication shortage South Dakota is currently facing at Lewis Drug in Sioux Falls on Wednesday, July 12. 2023.

South Dakota, like much of the nation, is facing a medication shortage. Second-term Republican Gov. Kristi Noem has a plan to address portions of the problem.

After directing the Department of Health in May to investigate the medication shortage in the state, the department returned with possible solutions for the state to take. One such solution starting immediately will be growing the number of cities with available medication stockpiles from two to seven.

"We need to take action to make sure we're protecting our families, our children," Noem told reporters during a press conference Wednesday at a Lewis Drug store in Sioux Falls. "That we have the ability to provide for them when a crisis hits their family as far as their health care goes."

More: A decade of hate: How trans activists pressured Gov. Dennis Daugaard to veto HB 1008 in 2016

Noem added the stockpiles will help the state prepare for the winter months when rates of respiratory illness increase.

New medication stockpiles, which are typically stored in a warehouse setting, will be located in Aberdeen, Mobridge, Hot Springs, Pierre and Yankton. Sioux Falls and Rapid City already have established medication stockpiles.

This is a problem across the country

And the drug shortage isn't just impacting the state; it's also impacting the nation so much so that the White House and Congress are looking at ways to address the issue.

In May, the Biden administration created a team to find long-term solutions to problems faced by the pharmaceutical supply chain, according to The New York Times.

Pharmacy workers at Lewis Drug in Sioux Falls on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Gov. Kristi Noem visited the store to talk about medication shortages the state is facing.

The Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee released a report in March examining why the drug shortage isn't just a health problem, but also a national security issue. Among the report's findings was that the nation overly relies on foreign sources for drug supplies. Between 90% to 95% of the necessary starting materials and drug substances come from China and India.

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Noem and the DOH also recognized the national security issue. Noem said she had toured pharmaceutical manufactures several years ago in the U.S. and learned about how raw materials and ingredients were sourced from outside the U.S..

"I recognized that it could be a national security issue, to take care of the health of our people here in our state and in our country," she said.

What drugs are in short supply?

New drug shortages increased 30% between 2021 and 2022, according to the Senate report. By the end of 2022, there was a record five-year high of 295 active drug shortages.

Included in those shortages are drugs to treat cancer, such as gynecological, breast, testicular, bladder, head and neck and non-small-cell lung cancers, according to USA Today. Adderall, a popular drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and albuterol, a drug used to treat respiratory illnesses and asthma, have also been in high demand over the past year.

More: A short supply of cancer drugs has doctors and patients worried: 'We're at a critical juncture'

The shortage is multifaceted. Melissa Magstadt, the DOH Secretary also at the Sioux Falls press conference, said while the U.S. is reliant on China and India for raw materials, there's also a shortage of generic medication companies, which can have a large impact on what drugs can be accessed.

She said if a generic drug manufacturer that only creates one particular drug goes into bankruptcy, it can impact the system and other drug companies are unable to respond.

What does Noem and DOH's solutions mean for me?

Melissa Magstadt, the Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Health, talks about medication shortages the state is facing at Lewis Drug in Sioux Falls on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

By stockpiling drugs like albuterol, epinephrine, insulin, prednisone and pediatric amoxicillin across the state, the hope is that during the winter season when there's a large number of ill people, pharmacists will be able to access the medication people need.

Sara Hahn, a pharmacist at Lewis Drug, said trying to get parents medication their children needed this past winter was "rough" and a lot of time was spent on the phone and in front of those parents telling them about the shortages. And while Lewis Drug was able to work with other pharmacies and hospital systems to get drugs, there were challenges.

"We got to a point where we were making amoxicillin from the capsules that we could get to make sure it was available," she said. "Hopefully, that's not something we relive."

More: Sioux Falls approves 4.9% increase in ambulance rates

Noem said it was hard for her to imagine what those parents must have gone through this past winter. Her son relied on albuterol when he was a child.

"I cannot imagine the fear that would have struck my heart knowing that my little boy couldn't breathe unless I had a medication and that medication was not available to them," she said.

Adderall will not be stockpiled because it's a controlled substance, meaning additional steps have been taken by the Drug Enforcement Agency to limit production because of the opioid epidemic, said Bill Ladwig, the senior vice president of professional services of Lewis Drug.

What else is Noem doing to address the medical shortage?

In the DOH report, aside from diversifying medications and adding to the states medication stockpile, four other recommendations were also made. Those include analyzing the medication shortage vulnerability in the state, continued engagement with pharmacists and healthcare providers, encouraging distribution companies to allow pharmacies to use multiple contracts during supply shortages and request further solutions from the federal government.

Noem has sent letters to leaders in Washington D.C., to South Dakota's Congressional delegation and to the Food and Drug Administration, requesting Washington take action.

In her letters, she suggested policy solutions such as creating better transparency in the pharmaceutical manufacturing chain, re-examining drug expiration dates, increased diversity in generic medication manufacturing and allowing for the purchase of drugs from Canada to help expand the supply chain.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the number of cities with medication stockpiles. It has been updated.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Gov. Kristi Noem recommends upping number of medication stockpiles in SD
The victims decomposing corpse was discovered in the attic of his Campbell Street home.

His legs, severed at the thighs, were shoved into a plastic bag.

Police found the bloody rope used to hoist and likely bind the body. They found a fingerprint.

In August 1978, Kansas City prosecutors charged, but, because of shoddy police work, never convicted and were forced to release the man they were sure did it, a seemingly mild 32-year-old Kansas City tax accountant, James W. Lewis.

Lewis, who died Sunday in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at age 76, was long-considered the prime suspect in an even more notorious crime  the 1982 deaths of seven people around Chicago, including a 12-year-old girl, who were killed when they ingested Extra-Strength Tylenol capsules laced with cyanide.

Fear of more poisonings gripped the nation that autumn as Johnson & Johnson recalled 32 million bottles of its product from store shelves, and consumers tossed away their pain relievers. The crime changed the marketplace, ushering in new tamper-proof packaging and new laws.

James W. Lewis, a prime suspect in Tylenol poisonings that took seven lives around Chicago, faced tax and mail fraud charges in Kansas City in 1983. He was ultimately sentenced to 10 years for extortion in the Tylenol case, and five and 10 years for tax and mail fraud. Bo Rader/The Kansas City Star

Lewis, although never charged with the killings, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, released in 1995, for attempting to extort Johnson & Johnson and its parent company, McNeil Consumer Healthcare, for $1 million to stop the killings. He consistently denied involvement in the deaths.

But it was in Kansas City where Lewis  raised in Carl Junction, Missouri, and who attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City  first became tied to murder in the apparent pursuit of money.

On Aug. 15, 1978, The Kansas City Times reported on the discovery of a decomposed and dismembered body found at 4812 Campbell St., the home of 72-year-old Raymond West. The crime would lead to the arrest of James W. Lewis, who was later freed. The Kansas City Times

On Tuesday morning, Aug. 15, 1978, a headline appeared at the bottom of the front page of The Kansas City Times, The Stars then sister paper: Mans Body Discovered in Attic.

Lewis name is not mentioned. The story tells of a mutilated and decomposed body found that Monday in the attic of a home belonging to 72-year-old Raymond West at 4812 Campbell St. The body was so decomposed, it was not immediately identifiable. But West, a retired truck driver for the Duff & Repp furniture company, had been reported missing three weeks earlier.

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By Friday morning, Lewis was in custody, surrendering to police at his home, 5723 Troost Ave.

On Friday, Aug. 18, 1978, The Kansas City Star reported that James W. Lewis was arrested and charged with murdering and dismembering a client, Raymond West, 72, at 4812 Campbell St. He wasnt read his Miranda rights, and was later freed. The Kansas City Star

Details gradually emerged. West was Lewis client. Lewis and his wife, LeAnn Miller, had a daughter, Toni, with Down syndrome. West lived alone in his one-story home near Brush Creek, and absorbed himself in his hobby of genealogy. But he also befriended Toni, who would wave to him from her window. Even after Toni died in 1974, at age 5, Lewis continued to work on Wests tax returns.

Then on July 25, 1978, West disappeared. After his remains were identified, evidence in his presumed murder built. Presumed, because the body was so decomposed, the coroner could not determine the exact cause of death. But on the day West went missing, a check for $5,000, believed to be a forgery, had been written to Lewis, which Lewis claimed was a loan.

Police found rope in Lewis car that matched rope used to bind the body. The rope was tied in knots like those on the corpse. They found a note at Wests house saying West had gone on a trip. An expert was ready to testify that it was a forgery and the handwriting matched Lewis.

The case was circumstantial, but seemed strong. Lewis, who had spent two years in a state mental hospital, diagnosed with catatonic schizophrenia, was facing death in Missouris gas chamber.

Then, in October 1979, the case fell apart.

The trial was set to begin that week. But in pretrial hearings, Lewis attorneys, Albert Riederer, who would later become Jackson County prosecutor, and Russell Millen, argued that the bulk of the states evidence was inadmissible. Lewis had not been read his Miranda rights. Thus the evidence that had been gathered came from an illegal arrest.

The judge ruled the same. Lewis was released.

I never doubted that he was involved in it, Jim Bell, who had been an assistant Jackson County prosecutor in the case, told The Star in 1995. From the check, the handwriting on the note, the ropes, the knots  it was all pretty incriminating.

In 2009, three decades after the murder case fell through, Bell in an interview with The Stars Mike Hendricks said of the case, Its the one that got away.

Lewis would next make major headlines in The Kansas City Times in October 1982: Investigators seek former KC man in Tylenol case.

Kansas City police officers flew to Chicago and brought boxes of evidence and other materials relating to the manufacture and composition of poisons that had been confiscated during an earlier search of Mr. Lewis Kansas City home.

Reportedly among the materials were diaries in which Mr. Lewis portrayed himself as a master criminal.

Unable to pay his $5 million bond, Lewis was held in Chicago. In January 1983, he was brought back to Kansas City to face trials on separate charges of both tax fraud and mail fraud. The mail fraud was for a scheme in 1981 to use clients personal information to obtain credit cards. He was found guilty that May and given a 10-year sentence. A five-year sentence for tax fraud would run concurrently.

One of his former Kansas City clients, who was then a Boston artist, had donated $11,700 to Lewis defense fund.

Trouble again followed Lewis in 2004, nine years after his release. He was indicted in Massachusetts, accused of aggravated rape and drugging a co-worker for sexual intercourse, according to The Boston Globe. He was held without bail for three years. The charges were dropped and he was released in 2007 after the woman refused to testify.

In 1983, U.S. marshals escorted James Lewis, front, out the rear door of the federal courthouse in Kansas City after he pleaded not guilty to charges of mail fraud in connection with an alleged credit card scheme and tax evasion. Frank Niemeir/The Kansas City Star

In 2010, Lewis self-published a novel, Poison! The Doctors Dilemma.

Upon Lewis death, a spokeswoman for the Illinois State Police told The New York Times that the Tylenol deaths are still considered an ongoing investigation.

Raymond M. West was buried in Carrollton, Missouri, one week after his body was found. He lies in Oak Hill Cemetery.
WARREN, Pa.  As the Pennsylvania State Police and other agencies press ahead in their massive search for escaped homicide suspect Michael C. Burham, officials in Warren County said they have ordered changes at the county prison where Burham broke out on July 6 using a rope made of bedsheets.

The county will make repairs to the roof of the exercise yard where Burham started his escape from the Warren County Prison, and the county's Board of Commissioners and its Prison Board "will have an ongoing review of the policies, staff and structures in the Prison," the county's three commissioners said in a statement released to the Erie Times-News on Tuesday night.

"All policies and procedures related to inmate access and observation are being reviewed, and changes will be made to increase security in that space," the commissioners also said, referring to exercise yard.

The commissioners also said the Prison Board will work with the Pennsylvania State Department of Corrections "to thoroughly evaluate the facility and its policies to find weaknesses and recommend improvements" to the 139-bed Warren County Prison.

Michael C. Burham, 34, escaped from the Warren County Prison in Warren Pa., on July 6. The Warren police released these photos on July 7.

The Department of Corrections already inspects the prison annually, the commissioners said. They said the Warren County district attorney, Rob Greene, recommended the department conduct the added review in light of Burham's escape.

Though commissioners said they and the Prison Board, which includes the commissioners, will evaluate prison staff in response to the escape, they stopped short of saying whether any staff has or will be disciplined. The commissioners and the board "intend to continue releasing information on future changes and improvements," according to the statement.

All disciplinary measures will remain confidential, the vice chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Ben Kafferlin, said at a news conference on Wednesday about the prison.

In their statement, the commissioners said the criminal investigations into the escape have "slowed our ability to provide information or react to policy and facility concerns."

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"Although the Commissioners await the outcome of the criminal investigations for any notice of internal staff issues, the board is confident in the administration and workers and their overall commitment to security," according to the statement. "Working in the jail is a challenging job. The Commissioners and Prison Board support the Warren County Correction Officers."

County commissioners say information limited for now

At the commissioners' regular monthly meeting Wednesday at the Warren County Courthouse, they unanimously approved a contract with the state Department of Corrections for the review of the county prison in response to the escape. The commissioners at the meeting held a news conference about their plans for the prison, located next to the Warren County Courthouse on Market Street in downtown Warren, about 66 miles southeast of Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania. The prison has 48 guards.

At the news conference, Kafferlin said the county is conducting a "rigorous internal investigation," reviewing surveillance footage, time stamps, and tagout sheets, as well as "interviewing every individual who may have information, whether inside or outside the jail."

"We're not on a witch hunt but we are going to seek justice, including if that means with our employees," Kafferlin said. "At the same time, while transparency is of course our guiding principle, the law requires us to keep disciplinary actions confidential. We will follow that law."

Warren County Commissioner Jeff Eggleston added that more information will be revealed to the public as the investigation continues and everyone is evaluated.

"There is a very real possibility that any number of people could be charged with something  we can't discuss any of that at this time," he said. "But when and if any of that becomes an issue, that's something that will be released to the public."

The Erie Times-News on Monday asked the chairwoman of the Warren County Board of Commissioners, Tricia Durbin, whether the commissioners planned to discipline anyone at the prison and make changes at the facility. Durbin responded on Monday that the Prison Board had met that day, and that a statement would be forthcoming.

In releasing the statement to the Times-News on Tuesday night, Durbin cited the criminal investigation as restricting what the county commissioners can disclose at this point. The city of Warren police are conducting that probe.

"As a result of an ongoing investigation, we are limited in the information we have received, as well as what we are able to share," Durbin said in an email. "Once the investigation is finished, the prison board will be able to engage in a more public manner as we shape out any need for process improvements or physical plant needs."

Other members of the Prison Board are Warren County Sheriff Brian Zeybel, county Treasurer Dennis Munksgard and Greene, the district attorney. The two other county commissioners, who are also on the board, are Kafferlin and Eggleston.

The commissioners said in their statement that Greene did not participate in formulating the statement because he is part of the criminal investigation into Burham's escape.

The warden at the Warren County Prison is Rusty Barr, named to the post in August. He was the deputy warden under the former warden, Jon Collins, who retired.

Exercise yard focus of fixes at Warren County Prison

Burham is wanted in connection with the May 11 fatal shooting of Kala Hodgkin, 34, of Jamestown, in Chautauqua County, New York, north of Warren. Though he has yet to be charged in that case, Burham is a "prime suspect" in the killing, the U.S. Marshals Service said. At the time of Hodgkin's death, Burham was wanted on a charge that he had raped her, according to court records.

Burham fled the area after Hodgkin's death. He is accused of kidnapping an elderly couple in Sheffield, in Warren County, on May 20, and stealing their SUV, which he used to drive to South Carolina. He was captured there on May 24 after a multi-agency manhunt. The couple was found unharmed in a cemetery in South Carolina.

Michael C. Burham, 34, escaped from the Warren County Prison in Warren Pa., on July 6. The Warren police released these photos on July 7.

Burham was eventually returned to Warren. He was placed in the Warren County Prison on $1 million bond after he was arraigned on the kidnapping charges on June 19.

Burham is from Russell, near Warren, and is still believed to be in the area of Warren County, state police said. Police said searchers are using police dogs, drones and helicopters and that the search had extended into the 514,029-acre Allegheny National Forest, which borders the city of Warren.

Burham is a "self-taught survivalist with military training," state police said in a news release. "He is to be considered armed and dangerous and we are asking the public not to approach."

He is accused of escaping the prison by climbing on a pullup exercise machine in the prison exercise yard, getting on to a roof and then sliding off the prison roof with a rope made of bedsheets tied together, as the Erie Times-News has reported. The escape occurred at about 11:20 p.m. on July 6, according to the criminal complaint Warren police filed against Burham in the escape case.

In the statement they released on Tuesday night, the Warren County commissioners said their "review has led to the order of repairs on the roof of the prison yard, which is a 40' x 40' room with a cage on the top floor of the jail facility.

"The Commissioners and Prison Board have also ordered the space be augmented with deterrents and safety measures and that the exercise equipment be removed and replaced with equipment that does not provide access to higher positions in the facility.

"The Commissioners expect the immediate structural fixes to be completed before the end of the week.Several longer-term upgrades will begin immediately and be completed in the next few weeks.

"It's important to understand that the law has changed in the past five years, and prisoners must have access to yard time and outside exercise. With a facility as small as ours that is close to full, inmates must be taken to the yard in shifts. That happens all day and evening to ensure all inmates have appropriate yard time. Therefore, inmates are legally required to access the yard, and it is crucial for the Prison Board to ensure the facility is secure."

Eggleston on Wednesday described the yard as a "box" on the top level of the jail that has a roof made of a chain-linked fence on top of steel girders.

"The fundamental problem is that there was a structural weakness in the cage on the roof  that's it as far as the facility goes," Eggleston said. "If that hadn't been the case, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

The commissioners said in the statement: "It's important to know that the Commissioners and Prison Board support the jail staff who did all they could when the alert of Burhams escape was made. The Prison Staff has worked tirelessly to collaborate with local and regional law enforcement to assist with all investigations, and they are to be commended for their efforts."

Massive manhunt: Search for escapee Michael Burham continues as police investigate possible sightings

How Burham got out: Police say homicide suspect escaped from Warren County Prison using sheets tied together

Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNpalattella.

A.J. Rao can be reached at arao@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNRao.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Warren County Prison staff under review in response to Burham's escape
NEW YORK  The newest suspect in the cold-case murder of hip-hop legend Jam Master Jay wants to have a separate trial from the other two accused killers, since he expects them to blame him for the killing.

The lawyer for Jay Bryant, 49, who was indicted in Brooklyn Federal Court in May for the Run-DMC icons murder, floated the idea of a separate trial for his client to alleviate scheduling problems.

But if the schedule can be worked out without splitting the trial, lawyer Cesar de Castro says he expects to file a severance motion regardless.

Both of the other defendants will be pointing at us. They may be pointing at each other, said Bryants lawyer, Cesar de Castro.

Bryant was arrested as two other men, Ronald Tinard Washington and Karl Jordan Jr., awaited a January 2024 trial in Brooklyn Federal Court for the slaying.

According to federal prosecutors, Bryant was seen entering Jays Merrick Boulevard studio in Jamaica, Queens, on Oct. 30, 2002, and his DNA was found on a piece of clothing left at the scene.

Bryant later admitted to the shooting, though court filings dont say to whom he made this admission. Even so, federal prosecutors dont believe Bryant was the triggerman, and expect to present evidence at trial that Jordan fired the fatal shots.

Prosecutors allege that Jordan approached the 37-year-old Jam Master Jay, whose real name was Jason Mizell, and fired two shots at close range, striking him once in the head and hitting a second man, Uriel Rincon, in the leg.

De Castro told Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall that his schedule over the next several months includes several trials and complicated hearings  leaving him less time to go over the case and the DNA evidence.

I just want sufficient time, and the other two defendants in have had time, he said. If the judge doesnt want to split the cases over scheduling concerns, de Castro said hell fire a severance motion because the defendants will present antagonistic defenses.

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Hall has already denied a motion by Jordan to sever his trial from Washington because of statements Washington made in a 2003 Playboy magazine story about the murder.

Washington and Jordan were arrested in 2020, though Washingtons defense attorney has said that the government identified him as a suspect in 2006.

Prosecutors have said that Washington and Jordan killed Jay as revenge for cutting them out of a cocaine deal.


Pictured here is a freshwater swamp in Manatee County. This is the type of swamp area that is the most dangerous for malaria breeding.

No cases of locally acquired malaria were found in Sarasota County last week, according to a newly released Florida Department of Health report.

Its the first week since the week of June 4 that no new cases were confirmed.

Separately, the manager of Sarasota County Mosquito Management Services shared some positive developments with members of the media on Monday. One was that all of the local malaria cases have been in one general area, the Desoto Acres and Kensington Park areas of northern Sarasota.

Which is very good news, the manager, Wade Brennan, said in an interview with local journalists.

Six cases of locally acquired malaria have been reported in Sarasota County over the last two months. The term locally acquired means that the individual contracted malaria from a mosquito in the Sarasota area. This is very rare, as the vast majority of malaria cases in the U.S. are in travelers or other people returning to the country from nations where there is transmission of malaria.

The first case was reported the week of May 21-27, according to the Florida Department of Healths weekly arbovirus report. The second case was reported the week of June 11-17, and the third and the fourth were confirmed the week of June 18-24. The fifth and sixth cases were reported the week of June 25-July 1, and none were reported the following week.

The next arbovirus report  which will show whether any cases were reported this week  is expected to come out next week.

Another positive development is that none of the mosquitoes trapped by Mosquito Management Services have tested positive for malaria since early June, Brennan said on Monday.

He emphasized, though, that local residents still need to continue to take precautionary measures. He said people should reach out to their family members and tell them to apply insect repellant and wear long, loose-fitting shirts and pants when outside at nighttime.

Sarasota County Mosquito Management Services traps mosquitoes for normal surveillance, but it has set up extra traps in response to the malaria outbreak. If a trapped insect is one of the kinds of mosquitoes that can transmit malaria and is in the area of concern, the county sends it to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing.

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Of the over 120 mosquitoes sent to the CDC, only three have been positive for malaria. The last positive case was in the beginning of June, Brennan said. He said the populations of Anopheles  the genus of mosquito that can transmit malaria  are very low now.

But thats not to let anybody off guard when it comes to this threat, he said. Again, weve had local transmission even with these populations being low. Thats very concerning, and we need to all take additional efforts to minimize the risk.

Previous coverage: As Sarasota's malaria case count increases, we talked with researchers about what's next

And: How did malaria get to Sarasota? Answers to questions you may have about the disease.

Sarasota County is spraying insecticide in the area of concern and nearby areas. Theyre using planes and trucks to spray chemicals that target adult mosquitoes. And theyre using foot crews to spray larvicides  insecticides that target larvae  in ponds, canals, ditches and swamps, Brennan said.

Sarasota and Manatee counties have been under a mosquito-borne illness alert since June 19.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: State reports no new malaria cases in Sarasota County week of July 2-8
Former Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday defended not conceding the 2020 presidential election until after Congress certified Electoral College the results in January 2021, pointing to the Trump campaigns ongoing lawsuits challenging the results.

CNNs Kaitlan Collins asked Pence in an interview on Tuesday why he did not publicly concede the election in mid-December after the members of the Electoral College had cast their votes.

Pence said he wanted to be respectful of the process because a lot of the lawsuits the campaign filed in the key states that clinched President Bidens victory were still active in the days leading up to Jan. 6, 2021, when Pence presided over the session of Congress to read the votes and the Capitol was attacked by Trump supporters.

The reality is I wanted to respect the process. I wanted to make it clear that I was going to do my job as the presiding officer over the Congress as my 47 predecessors had done and as vice president serving as president of the Senate, he said.

The Trump campaign filed lawsuits in several key states following Bidens 2020 victory, but the lawsuits were dismissed and election audits confirmed Bidens win in every state that was challenged.

Pence remained largely loyal to former President Trump throughout the election but split Trump over his role presiding over Congress during the reading of the votes. Trump and his allies called on Pence to reject the votes for Biden in the key swing states, but Pence maintained he did not have that power and was only serving in a ceremonial role.

Some of the Capitol rioters chanted that they wanted to hang Pence on Jan. 6, while Trump tweeted his vice president didnt have the courage to do what should have been done.

Pence argued last month as he kicked off his presidential bid that Trumps role on Jan. 6 should disqualify him from office.

The former vice president also defended his actions on Jan. 6 during a campaign event in Sioux City, Iowa, last week, telling an attendee that he acted as required by the Constitution.

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Pence told Collins the attendee later told CNN she appreciated he is a man of faith and would consider voting for him.

I welcome the opportunity to talk about the record that we built under the Trump-Pence years, but I also welcome the opportunity to talk to people about what I understood to be my duty, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WARREN, Pa.  As the search for escaped inmate Michael C. Burham stretches into its seventh day Thursday, police are investigating reports that a drone may have been flying near the Warren County Prison just prior to Burham's escape on July 6.

At a news conference Wednesday in Warren, Lt. Col. George Bivens, deputy commissioner of operations for the Pennsylvania State Police, said reports of the drone came from multiple interviews of people who say they heard a drone immediately adjacent to the county prison just prior to Burham's escape. Bivens said he did not personally conduct the interviews and could not confirm whether any of the individuals saw the drone. He added that no surveillance footage captured the drone.

Michael C. Burham, 34, escaped from the Warren County Prison, in Warren, Pa., on July 6, 2023, according to Warren police. The police released this photo on July 7, 2023.

"We just need to know more about it," Bivens said. "I'm not a big believer in coincidences but what I would tell you is just prior to the escape there was a drone flying in that area. It could be that there is a perfectly innocent and reasonable explanation. It could also be that it was somehow connected to his escape, and we intend to find out more about that."

Bivens said anyone with information about the drone operator or the nature or duration of the flight should immediately contact the state police command post at 717-265-9650.

GoErie archive: Search for escapee Michael Burham echoes 2006 'Bucky' Phillips manhunt

'Additional concerns' that Burham is armed

Bivens said state, federal and local police agencies continue to comb Warren County and areas of the nearby Allegheny National Forest for Burham, the 34-year-old homicide suspect and kidnapping defendant whom authorities described as a "self-taught survivalist with military training."

Bivens said authorities continue to receive calls and tips from northwestern Pennsylvania, western New York and adjacent states, and that possible sightings and stockpiles of items are being investigated with DNA testing.

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"DNA can be extracted from nearly anything that a person touches or comes into contact with," he said.

Bivens declined to provide a description of the items found or the location of the possible sightings but added that authorities believe the stockpiles were "likely put there" by Burham and that investigators are "convinced that Burham remains in this general area."

Bivens added that recent findings and investigative leads have caused him to have "additional concerns" that Burham may be armed. He declined to elaborate on those concerns.

Bivens also said authorities are actively interviewing possible accomplices of Burham.

Reward offered in search for Burham

State police urge those with information on Burham to call the state police command post at 717-265-9650. The public can also call the state police barracks in Warren at 814-728-3600.

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $7,500 for information that helps lead to Burham's capture. Warren County Crime Stoppers is offering another $2,000. Bivens said Tuesday Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers has added an additional $10,000 for a total reward of $19,500.

Federal, state and local law enforcement gathered at the Pennsylvania State Police barracks west of Warren, Pa., on Saturday, July 8, 2023, amid the massive manhunt for Michael C. Burham, a homicide suspect who escaped from the Warren County Prison on Thursday, July 6, 2023.

Burham is accused of escaping by climbing on a pullup exercise machine in the prison recreation yard, getting on to a roof and then sliding off the prison roof with a rope made of bedsheets tied together, as the Erie Times-News has reported.

Burham is from Russell, near Warren, and is still believed to be in the area of Warren County, east of Erie County. State police said searchers are using police dogs, drones and helicopters.

Among other accusations, Burham is wanted in connection with the May 11 fatal shooting of Kala Hodgkin, 34, of Jamestown, in Chautauqua County, New York, north of Warren. Though he has yet to be charged in that case, Burham is a "prime suspect" in the killing, the U.S. Marshals Service said. At the time of Hodgkin's death, Burham was wanted a charge that he had raped her, according to court records.

More on search for Burham: Search for escapee Michael Burham continues as police investigate possible sightings

Warren County Prison reflects on escape Michael Burham's escape spurs repairs at Warren County Prison, review of staff, policies

A.J. Rao can be reached at arao@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNRao.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Possible drone flew near Warren jail prior to Michael Burham escape
Brooke Pyke has been fascinated by the ocean for years.

The photographer bought her first underwater camera in 2014, according to her website. She then taught herself underwater photography, and she began her career as a professional photographer in Western Australia in 2021.

Now, she works as a photographer for a tour operator on the Ningaloo Reef  which Pyke described as having a healthy and diverse population of oceangoing wildlife such as manta rays, whale sharks, migrating humpbacks, dugongs and many other species.

Despite her proximity to the reefs thriving ecosystem, theres one creature that Pyke felt certain she would never get to photograph.

Never did I think I would get the chance to photograph a white humpback whale. Or any kind of rare white whale, Pyke wrote in a July 11 Facebook post. But here we are, another jaw droppingly beautiful day on the Ningaloo Reef.

Pyke was taking photos on the reef when a rare all-white humpback calf swam by alongside its mom, she shared online. The creatures dorsal fin was still folded from birth, meaning it is likely less than 2-weeks-old, according to the photographer.

I can die happy now, Pyke wrote in a comment on Facebook.

Photos of the whale show its folded fin and bumpy white skin peeking out from the water as it cruises along.

Pretty speechless to have been lucky enough to set my lens on such a unique creature, Pyke said on Facebook. Wishing it well on its journey into whalehood!

Social media users shared their excitement about Pykes sighting.

Once in a life time experience, one person commented.

Definitely one of the best photos I have seen of Ningaloo, another Facebook user wrote.

All-white whale sightings

Pykes sighting comes following two other possible white whale sightings in Australia.

In June, a tourist flying over the Great Barrier Reef caught an all-white whale on camera. The sighting was confirmed by the White Whale Research Center in a June 16 post on Twitter.

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Weeks later, a photographer captured what appeared to be a baby all-white whale near Guerilla Bay.

Unlike Pykes discovery on the western coast of Australia, the earlier sightings happened on Australias east coast.

A rare creature in Australia

White whales are a rarity, and there are only a handful in the world, Vanessa Pirotta, a whale expert at Macquarie University, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

On the eastern coast of Australia, there is only one known white whale, Migaloo.

Migaloo was last spotted in 2020, and experts could not confirm if the June 16 sighting was him.

It does not provide us with the amount of information we would require to identify Migaloo, Pirotta told 9 News. It could be him or possibly another white-ish whale as part of this east Australian humpback whale population.

Similarly, experts have not been able to confirm if the Guerilla Bay sighting was really a white humpback.

Olaf Meynecke, a marine scientist from Griffith University, speculated that the whale was just a few days old, which is why it appeared white, he told The Guardian.

Oceania Project founder Wally Franklin said its worth investigating the whale, but the sighting itself is not conclusive proof of another all-white humpback, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

It is very difficult to declare it as an albino whale, but Id be interested to see more information about it, Franklin told the news outlet.

Watch unbelievable sighting of elusive sea creature giving Ireland tourists a show

Photographer taking orca pictures captures something special near Canada. Take a look

Watch friendly creature visit boaters in Australia. Right place at the right time
Elon Musk has announced the launch of a new artificial intelligence company called xAI. The news comes after Musk has talked for months about the need to advance in AI research without risking the safety of society.

The xAI website unveiled today states that the company's goal is to "understand the universe"whatever that means. The man behind Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink and Twitter will also lead xAI, which has snagged executives and researchers from major players in the AI sector, including Google and Microsoft.

Several of xAI's key team members have already distinguished themselves at the forefront of AI research and development. For example, Jimmy Ba is an assistant professor at the University of Toronto who studied under renowned AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton, who in turn led Googles AI initiatives until his resignation. Christian Szegedy spent years as a Google research scientist working on core AI initiatives.

Announcing formation of @xAI to understand reality  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 12, 2023

The xAI team page also lists Dan Hendrycks as an advisor. Hendrycks heads the Center for AI Safety, an organization focused on mitigating perceived threats from AI that gained fame after the release of a one-sentence letter asking governments to regulate AI before it destroyed humankind. Elon Musk co-signed the letter.

xAI is based in the San Francisco Bay area, a region that has become a hub for AI research and development, and the company website notes that it is actively recruiting experienced engineers and researchers to join the team. This means, presumably, that those who join Elon in his new endeavour will be received with wide-open arms and wont meet the same fate of those who worked a Twitter when Elon took over the company.

White House Meets With AI Leaders in Attempt to 'Protect Our Society'

Musk has a complex history with artificial intelligence. He was involved in co-founding OpenAI, one of the most prominent AI startups and the organization behind the ChatGPT chatbot. However, Musk departed OpenAI's board in 2018 and has frequently voiced criticisms of the company since then, stating his belief that it is now controlled by Microsoft, which has invested billions in the firm.

The billionaire entrepreneur has expressed concerns about the risks associated with advancing AI technology too quickly without sufficient safeguards. In March 2023, Musk was among a consortium of AI developers and tech industry leaders who signed another letter calling for a pause on training powerful AI models until their impacts could be better understood.

Elon Musk Takes Credit for OpenAI: 'It Wouldn't Exist Without Me'

Musk appears to be drawing from his multiple business ventures to build xAI. The Wall Street Journal reported he registered a firm called X.AI in March through his personal investment company. X Corp, the parent company behind Twitter, is not related to xAI.

Musk currently leads six major companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, Twitter, Neuralink, The Boring Company, and now xAI. His leadership of Tesla does involve extensive work on AI and automation as strategic priorities for the electric vehicle manufacturer. It remains to be seen how xAI will collaborate with Musk's other ventures in the AI sphere, however.

The launch of xAI represents Musk's latest ambitious foray into the booming field of artificial intelligence. What exactly that will entail and whether xAI can make meaningful contributions in AI safety and ethics alongside its technological aspirations remains to be seen.
President Biden is meeting with other world leaders at the NATO summit in Lithuania this week, where member nations are discussing Sweden's admission into their group. NATO recently grew to 31 nations, with the addition of Finland earlier this year, and could now grow to 32 with the inclusion of Sweden. Which countries are part of NATO, and how do they become members?

A full list of NATO countries as of July 2023

NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, formed in 1949 when the 12 founding nations signed the Washington Treaty. Central to the treaty is Article 5, a pact among member nations to provide mutual assistance against what was then the Soviet Union if it tried to extend its control over Europe.

The original founding nations were Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Over the years, more countries have joined: Greece, Turkey, Germany, Spain, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Albania, Croatia, Montenegro and North Macedonia.

Finland joined in April 2023. Sweden's membership is being discussed at the NATO summit this week.

Map of NATO countries

NATO has 31 member countries, highlighted in dark blue, and is expected to have Sweden, in light blue, join the alliance. / Credit: CBS News

What does NATO do?

As NATO members, the nations "agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all," according to the treaty.

The group formed in part to work against any threats the Soviet Union might pose. After the Soviet Union broke up, NATO began forming friendships with former Soviet countries that were becoming independent states. Many of those countries eventually joined NATO.

In addition to being allies in defense, the countries also make decisions on a variety of issues and work together on crisis-management operations and preventing future threats.

In 1995, NATO deployed its Implementation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina, starting its first major crisis response operation. The force was deployed to help enforce the Dayton Peace Agreement, which ended the war in the country. NATO eventually replaced the peace agreement with the Stabilisation Force, or SFOR, which helped rebuild the country after the war.

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For the first time ever in 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 after the terror attacks in the U.S. on 9/11. They continued to work together in 2003 during the war in Afghanistan and worked to successfully prevent terrorist attacks from Afghanistan in any NATO countries.

What are the requirements for NATO membership?

NATO has an "open door policy" and says membership is open to "any other European state in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area."

Any country in the Euro-Atlantic area that has a "functioning democratic system, fair treatment of minority populations and a willingness to make a military contribution to NATO operations" can join, according to the parliament of the U.K., a NATO founding member.

The requirements are listed in the founding treaty's Article 10. NATO ensures that its expansion "poses no threat to any country" and is "aimed at promoting stability and cooperation, at building a Europe whole and free, united in peace, democracy and common values."

All decisions, including decisions on new members, are reached by a consensus, meaning the members discuss issues and then make collective decision on how to handle them. They don't vote, but make decisions together that sometimes result in agreeing to disagree.

NATO has been in talks with several countries who have expressed desire to join and determined in 2008 that both Ukraine and Georgia would join sometime in the future.

Both Finland and Sweden asked to join NATO in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. After accession talks with NATO, Finland was approved to join in April.

Sweden was made an invitee and was able to attend NATO meetings. However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was opposing Sweden's membership  until this week, when he agreed to the accession.

Hungary has also been opposed to ratifying Sweden's membership, but NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday that now that Turkey has agreed, he thinks the problem will be solved, as Hungary said it would not be the last to grant ratification.

Which EU countries aren't in NATO?

NATO and the European Union have 22 member countries in common and the two are partners, meaning the EU can access NATO's planning capabilities for its own military operations, according to NATO.

Similarly to NATO members, EU members signed a treaty in 1951 that created "interdependence in coal and steel so that one country could no longer mobilize its armed forces without others knowing." They have signed several other treaties to better establish their working relationships.

The EU has 27 members. The members that are not a part of NATO are: Austria, Cyprus, Ireland and Malta. Sweden is also a part of the EU and yet to be a part of NATO, but that is expected to soon change.

NATO members that are not part of the EU include: Albania, Canada, Iceland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

What is NATO doing for Ukraine?

During its summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, this week, NATO members are focused on the threat Russia poses as it continues its war with Ukraine.

NATO is not at war with Russia but has been increasing its presence of troops in Eastern countries and is supporting Ukraine's right to self defense. Its mission is to prevent the conflict from spreading into its member nations "because that would be even more devastating and more dangerous."

NATO says its official policy is not to seek confrontation with Russia or threaten it. Russian President Vladimir Putin has complained about NATO expansion into Eastern Europe, but NATO says it never vowed not to expand.

Ukrainian's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made it clear he wants his country to be a part of NATO, saying if it had been part of the group "before the war, there would have been no war."

Ahead of this year's summit, Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova said in an interview with CBS News' "Face the Nation" the country was getting ready for NATO membership.

NATO members, however, have decided not to include Ukraine yet. The concern is that they are obligated to defend each other and since Ukraine is currently at war, they would have to join the war with Russia.

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By John Irish and Niklas Pollard

VILNIUS (Reuters) - G7 countries on Wednesday unveiled an international framework for the long-term security of Ukraine to boost its defences against Russia and deter Moscow from future aggression, officials said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was meeting leaders of NATO at a summit of the 31-member Western alliance, a day after they declared that Ukraine's future lay inside NATO but rebuffed his call for a timeline for membership.

Unable to join NATO while the war with Russia continues - given that NATO's Article 5, stipulating that an attack on one member is an attack on all, could push it into war with Russia - Ukraine nevertheless reaped rewards in the form of current and long-term security commitments it has lobbied for.

NATO has pointedly refrained from giving military assistance to Ukraine as an organisation, to avoid entering a direct conflict with Russia, and is keen to continue leaving that to member states and others.

Britain, France, Germany and the United States have been negotiating with Kyiv for weeks over a multilateral text tocreate a broad international framework, encompassing elements including advanced military equipment, such as fighter jets, as well as training, intelligence-sharing and cyberdefence.

The Group of Seven major industrialised countries said in a statement: "Today we are launching negotiations with Ukraine to formalize - through bilateral security commitments and arrangements aligned with this multilateral framework, in accordance with our respective legal and constitutional requirements - our enduring support to Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity."

U.S. President Joe Biden said at the signing ceremony for the plan that it was "a powerful statement of our commitment to Ukraine".

Zelenskiy said: "Today there are security guarantees for Ukraine on the way to NATO...that shall be further extended through arrangements with our key partners.

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"(Our) delegation is bringing home significant a security victory for Ukraine," he added.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the G7 move misguided and "potentially very dangerous" for the West to give Ukraine security guarantees, which it said would infringe on Russia's own security.

Moscow has cited NATO's eastern enlargement towards its borders as a factor in its decision last year to invade Western-leaning Ukraine, which was once part of the old Russian-dominated Soviet Union.

The G7, which comprises the United States, Germany, Japan, France, Canada, Italy and Britain, as well as the European Union, said other countries could also sign on to make their own commitments.

The declaration said the G7 nations would begin bilateral talks with Ukraine immediately.

"The new document should be valid for as long as Ukraine is not in NATO," Zelenskiy told a separate news conference. "Today's declaration opens that possibility with strong bilateral agreements," he went on, adding that the best guarantee was still to be in the alliance itself.

'TIME NOT ON RUSSIAN SIDE'

In return, the G7 statement said, Ukraine will promise measures to improve democratic governance, including through judicial and economic reforms and enhanced transparency.

"We will work with Ukraine on an enhanced package of security commitments and arrangements in case of future aggression to enable Ukraine to defend its territory and sovereignty," the G7 said.

"This multilateral declaration will send a significant signal to Russia that time is not on its side," a White House official told reporters.

A U.S. official said Washington would begin its own negotiations with Kyiv soon. President Joe Biden has spoken about using U.S. support for Israel as a possible model.

U.S. military aid for Israel is worth about $3.5 billion a year, but the relationship also entails a great deal of political support.

Germany has already said that it would initially provide 12 billion euros in military support for Ukraine through 2032, including 3.2 billion euros for 2023.

France, which said on Tuesday it would supply long-range cruise missiles to Kyiv for the first time, is also negotiating with Ukraine, but will possibly face tough discussions in parliament as it debates its military budget from 2025 to 2030.

Speaking to reporters, British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said his country and others envisaged sending personnel to Ukraine after the war to keep training its armed forces.

(This story has been refiled to remove garble from paragraph 15)

(Additional reporting by Andrew Gray, Steve Holland, Sabine Siebold and Justyna Pawlak; editing by Alex Richardson and Mark Heinrich)
This article is part of Shaky Ground, a collaborative reporting project between the Carlsbad Current-Argus and KRWG Public Media.

PECOS, TEXAS  Teresa Winkles was sitting at her office at the Reeves County Groundwater Conservation District when the ground began to shake.

A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck the region Nov. 16, 2022 sending shockwaves throughout the Permian Basin and beyond: as far north as Albuquerque and as far west as El Paso.

Winkles, a native of Midland who has lived with the oil and gas industry in her community for her entire life, said she'd never felt anything like it before.

"I thought somebody literally had hit the building. It shook the whole building. It felt like it was a roll, it was a wave that kind of went under the building," she recalled. "And then my boss came out in the hallway and I'm like 'I think that was just an earthquake.'"

Pecos Mayor Teresa Winkles looks over files at the Pecos Economic Development Corporation, May 31, 2023 in Pecos, Texas.

Months later in May, Winkles was elected mayor of Pecos and said that while tremors like the one she felt that day were scary, they could be a necessary reality for the rural West Texas community along U.S. Highway 285 and deep in one of the worlds busiest oilfields.

A view of Pecos busiest area, a stretch of U.S. Highway 285 dotted by gas stations and almost constantly snarled by the semi tractor-trailers and work trucks that define oilfield traffic, reflects the boosted activity brought to town since oil boomed in 2017.

Today, the Permian Basin produces more than 5.5 million barrels of oil per day, records show, a boon for oil towns like Pecos or Carlsbad, which lies about 80 miles north in southeast New Mexico.

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But that also meant byproducts are created, like waste water  known as produced water in industry terms  that is incidentally brought to the surface with the economy-defining oil and gas.

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Recent estimates show the Permian Basin could generate up to four to 10 barrels  about 42 gallons each  of waste water per barrel of oil.

It's high in brine, toxic for human consumption and largely disposed of by pumping back into the underground shale formations it came from.

U.S. Highway 285 runs through the city, bringing heavy oilfield traffic, May 31, 2023 in Pecos, Texas.

These disposal injection wells were linked to a rash of quakes throughout the historically seismically inactive region, leaving public officials like Winkles grappling with the economic benefits of an industry that is changing the ground their communities stand on.

Her husband Kenneth Winkles is the executive director of the Pecos Economic Development Corporation, tasked with recruiting business and overseeing development in the town known as the home of the first rodeo on the Fourth of July 1883.

He said oil and gas companies are powerful community partners, donating to local charities and events like Pecos biggest and longest-standing tradition that most recently saw riders compete for an about $200,000 purse.

The fossil fuel extraction industry first boomed in Pecos in about 2014, but "the rocket really took off" in 2017, Winkles said.

Today, he estimated oil and gas to be "65 to 70 percent of our activity" in the town of 14,000, increasing tax revenue and business for local restaurants and other establishments.

"The impact of oil and gas really has been positive," Winkles said. "Most people think it would be negative, but the more people it brings in, the more sales tax that comes to the city. The drawbacks are yes you're going to stand in line at the restaurants, and yes you're going to stand in line at the grocery stores. But overall the impact has always been good."

Kenneth Winkles, executive director at the Pecos Economic Development Corporation works at his desk, May 31, 2023 in Pecos, Texas.

Furthermore, Winkles said the quakes reported were miles away from Pecos closer to Toyah, Texas  a community of about 60 according to the 2020 Census and about 20 miles southwest from Pecos, yet still in Reeves County.

"I don't put much emphasis on the earthquakes," he said. "They have increased in the last five years. We did not have them before, so we know that somewhat, somehow, the oil and gas industry could be responsible for it. But for me, we haven't had any infrastructure harmed whether underground or above ground. The economic benefit and the activity far outweigh the problems with the small earthquakes."

He said while some sounded alarms when the ground began to shake last year, the benefits remained strong from an industry thats become almost as defining to Pecos as the centuries-old rodeo.

That meant more housing and hotels going in, and recently Pecos grew enough, thanks to oil and gas, to get the town's first Starbucks, serving up coffee above a shale deposit Winkles said holds "at least" 85 billion barrels of oil.

"There are some negatives that come with, but overall the positives outweigh the negatives," he said. "The oil and gas is a positive. The oil and gas is not going anywhere."

More oil, more quakes in Permian Basin

Earthquake reports from the U.S. Geological Society (USGS) in the Permian Basin juxtaposed with oil production numbers from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) show rapidly increasing extraction instep with growing seismicity.

Oil and gas production boomed in the Permian Basin in the last decade, driven by the use of hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking.

That process sees water, chemicals, and sand pumped thousands of feet underground to break up hard-to-reach shale rock formations that contain crude oil and natural gas.

While fracking helped drive Permian Basin oil production to unprecedented levels of more than 5 million barrels per day, it also generated millions more barrels of waste water.

To dispose of the byproduct, often heavy in toxic metals, chemicals and brine, oil and gas operators treated it as waste, pumping the water back underground into the shale using disposal wells.

This practice went on for years until the quakes began.

In 2015, when the Permian was producing about 1.8 million barrels per day, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), there were 12 earthquakes regionwide of a magnitude 2 or greater reported by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

The Navajo Refinery is pictured June 1, 2023 in Artesia.

As production grew, so did seismicity. The Carlsbad Current-Argus gathered seismic data from a defined area in southeast New Mexico and West Texas using the USGS' earthquake database.

The quakes are caused when fluid injected beneath the surface for disposal increases pressure on faults, read a USGS report, causing the earth to shift and bringing disturbance to the surface.

In 2019, with oil production at about 4.3 million bpd, there were 119 earthquakes at M 2 or higher.

The number of recorded quakes skyrocketed in the years since from 311 events in 2020 to 1,773 in 2021.

In 2022, there were 2,404 earthquakes at M 2 or greater, with 583 such events in the first quarter 2023, meaning the region was on pace for 2,332 seismic events by the end of the year.

Made with Flourish

This seismicity happened as oil production continued a steady rise to about 5.3 million bpd in 2022 and 5.7 million bpd as of May 2023.

Scientists soon became aware of the link between seismicity and waste water disposal amid the fracking boom.

A 2021 report from New Mexico Techs Bureau of Geology pointed to the Delaware sub-basin of the Permian  on the western side of the basin straddling the border between southeast New Mexico and West Texas  as a hotspot for seismicity in the state.

The increased seismicity started in 2015 near Pecos, Texas, about an hour from the New Mexico border, the report read.

In March 2020, an M 5 earthquake was recorded in the region about 25 miles west of Mentone and felt in Carlsbad and as far west as El Paso.

Seismicity in the area continued to rise into 2020, and studies have associated the seismicity with nearby waste water injection and fracking activities, read the study.

Oil and gas operations were previously tied to earthquakes in Oklahoma, with drillers targeting the Anadarko Basin for oil and subsequently pumping waste water back underground.

The surge in that state started in 2009, the USGS reported, with just 90 M 2 or larger earthquakes reported in Oklahoma by the USGS in the nine years before and 10,671 reported between 2010 and 2019.

The majority of earthquakes in Oklahoma are caused by the industrial practice known as waste water disposal," read a USGS report.

Oklahoma State Seismologist Jake Walter, based at the University of Oklahoma said it began in that state as operators were targeting the Arbuckle Group of ancient underground shale rocks where oil and brine water were brought to the surface.

Oklahoma State Seismologist Jake Walter

The cheapest, most affordable path to managing this water, Walter said, was to pump it back into the Arbuckle.

But while that was cost-efficient, he said it soon led to a string of quakes in the region.

"The problem was that when you inject these waste fluids into these rocks, especially if your neighbors are utilizing the same processes, you pressurize the subsurface. What we now in the scientific community understand is that that process has promoted fault activity.

"The increased pressure can push these faults to failure."

Before oil boomed and injection began, Walter said Oklahoma had "one or two" M 3 quakes a year, skyrocketing to 900 or more per month in 2014 and 2015.

"It really sort of exponentially increased pretty rapidly," he said. "The regulatory agencies noticed it was directly linked to the Arbuckle waste water disposal."

That led the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, the agency that permits oil and gas activities in the state, to require operators submit along with permit applications proof their activities would not impact seismicity.

Some were also not allowed to drill through the Arbuckle into the bottom of the formation known as "the basement," where much of the seismicity was known to occur.

Volumes of the water injected were capped and some wells were paused or shut in, guided by data on where the earthquake occurred and at what depth the rocks were stimulated.

It worked, Walter said, and seismicity began to decline.

USGS data showed only 87 M 3 or higher seismic events in Oklahoma since 2020.

"I can't say there's any kind of easy solution," Walter said. "I'm constantly concerned about the potential for hydrocarbon extraction processes to trigger large earthquakes that can be damaging to people, not only to their lives but their livelihoods.

"It's a tough balance between the economic drivers in the state, against the protection of Oklahoman households and lives. We're guided by the science."

The problems with induced seismicity in Oklahoma could one day be shared by New Mexico and Texas said Mairi Litherland, geologist at New Mexico Tech who manages its Seismological Observatory, a network of 25 monitoring stations throughout the state.

Based on what we've seen elsewhere, we can be very confident that that rise in seismicity is attributable to the fluid injection that's going on throughout the region, she said. The Permian Basin where this is happening or the Delaware Basin specifically spans the Texas, New Mexico border and on both sides of the border, there has been a lot of the gas production.

She said lessons learned by Oklahoma could help New Mexico and Texas lower the injection volumes in the Permian Basin, reducing stress the activity places on faults.

So, both New Mexico and Texas are fortunate to have been able to learn from what happened in Oklahoma and just the awareness that we know that this is a thing that can happen and that we need to be prepared for has allowed us to be sort of more responsive, Litherland said.

What happened in Oklahoma isnt going to happen in New Mexico if state officials have their way.

The response came quickly from the State of New Mexico, using its Oil Conservation Division (OCD) to curb water injection volumes along the states southeast border to Texas  where the biggest earthquakes were reported.

OK_earthquake_totals

OCD Director Dylan Fuge said the agency, which leads compliance efforts for oil and gas facilities on state, federal and private land, targeted injection, establishing a sliding scale of volume curtailments and outright well shut-ins based on a facilitys proximity to the epicenter of an earthquake and its magnitude.

The seismicity that everyone is concerned about is associated with saltwater disposal wells. These are underground injections, Fuge said. You're pressurizing formations. That pressure in the wrong locations can trigger faults to move. Youre seeing seismicity in Texas and we saw seismicity in New Mexico.

Director of the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division Dylan Fuge

Starting Nov. 23, 2021, whenever two M 2.5 quakes occur within 30 days and a 10-mile radius, the OCD required weekly reporting of injection volumes at sites within 10 miles of the events.

But after an M 3 event, injection rates must reduce by 50 percent within 0 to 3 miles of the epicenter, and 25 percent within 3 to 6 miles.

If an M 3.5 event occurs, wells up to 3 miles away are shutdown, and volumes are curbed by 50 percent within 3 to 6 miles and 25 percent within 6 to 10 miles from the epicenter.

Fuge said these policies did result in some reductions in the quakes, but the area remained seismically active years later.

Oil Conservation Division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department's seismicity response protocol.

He suggested New Mexico might need to shift into a more preventative style of regulation, establishing permanent caps on injection volumes in certain areas known to be especially active.

The state is also considering shifting to shallower disposal wells, about 4,000 feet deep compared to the typical 10,000-foot wells that target the same formations containing oil and gas, to further avoid stress on faults.

All this work is important in New Mexico, Fuge said, as it did not historically see much seismicity, meaning buildings and structures throughout the state were constructed without that consideration or proper codes to address earthquakes.

We dont want to have a repeat of the situation in Oklahoma. It was regular, high magnitude seismic events that were shaking and causing disruptions, Fuge said. We are not seismically active meaning we are not subject to seismic building codes. This is a risk we need to actively manage for.

The OCD has authority over produced water and its disposal within the oil and gas industry, but in 2019 the Produced Water Act tasked the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) with a rulemaking and to develop technologies aimed at using some of this water outside of the extraction industry.

NMED quickly formed a consortium with New Mexico State University the year the bill passed, which gathered stakeholders from the industry and scientists throughout the Permian Basin to develop ways to treat the water to a quality that could be used by other sectors like agriculture.

During the Produced Water Research Consortium's mid-year meeting in June, Laura Capper with EnergyMakers Advisory Group, an oil and gas consultant based in Houston, said New Mexico needs to find these new uses quickly or risk oil production itself.

She estimated New Mexico sends about half of its produced water, about 2 million barrels a day, into Texas for disposal. This is because New Mexico lacks the capacity to dispose of all the water.

Made with Flourish

Meanwhile, only about 20 percent of produced water is recycled and reused by the industry, and Capper said an alternative means of using it or moving it out of the Permian Basin must be found.

And if another M 4.5 or greater earthquake occurs in Texas' Culberson-Reeves county seismic response area (SRA), just over the border near Pecos, the Texas Railroad Commission will likely halt disposal injection, meaning New Mexico's oil production would need to be reduced to curb water production.

"Our disposal capacity is going to be diminished in Texas," Capper said. "The question is how is Texas going to respond? Are they going to let New Mexico continue to take water over the border, or will they say they want to take care of their own oil and gas producers? I think a savvy operator is planning for that eventual reality."

So should New Mexico plan for a loss in its revenue from oil and gas, Capper said, money that provided about half of the state's General Fund revenue, about $7 billion last year, according to the most recent budget analysis from the Legislative Finance Committee.

"Texas just cannot handle the volumes of water coming over from New Mexico," Capper said. "If you cant find beneficial use, youre going to have to cut back on water produced and that means cutting back on oil and gas revenue. Thats going to mean a hit to your state (gross domestic product)."

Director of the Consortium Mike Hightower said that while it was formed initially to address water scarcity and using produced water as a new source of water in New Mexico, the chokepoint created recently by the earthquakes increased the pressure on the Consortium to move quickly in developing data for decisionmakers considering a path forward.

Water treatment technology is tested by the New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium, June 22, 2023 at New Mexico State University.

"It puts it into perspective. It reinforces this whole concept of treatment technologies," he said. "Getting cost and performance data to regulatory agencies is very important. "

Some of the world's largest fossil fuel producers that operate in the Permian Basin, are also taking notice of the quakes in the region.

Chevron spokesperson Deena McMullen said the global energy giant is making "proactive" efforts to address the growing seismicity.

The company already cut its waste water injection volume in half at a disposal well in Lea County, located in the OCD's County Line Seismic Response Area, McMullen said and is analyzing additional mitigation tactics in the region.

She said the company works closely with regulatory agencies in both Texas and New Mexico to manage water disposal volumes, share data and curb injection in vulnerable areas.

"Chevron has taken a leading position to work alongside regulators, policy makers, academic institutions, oil and gas producers and other stakeholders to manage issues associated with produced water injection,' McMullen said in an emailed statement.

"We are actively involved in building industry-led operator response plans and use operational and subsurface data to curtail deep saltwater disposal injection volumes in areas of the basin identified by regulatory agencies as seismicity concerns."

She said the company also uses recycled produced water in much of its drilling and well completion operations, reducing the amount of fluid that is sent downhole. In 2022, McMullen said 99 percent of Chevron's water needs were met with recycled or brackish water.

"As we look to the future, more optionality is required to manage produced water in the Permian Basin  we are actively working alongside a variety of stakeholders to create new options, including those that consider treated produced water reuse outside the oil and gas industry," McMullen continued.

And as it pushes to increase its sustainability in the long-term, McMullen said the company is working with other operators in the region on a "Joint Industry Project," to test out three different desalination technologies that she said could be developed at a large scale for water reuse.

"We expect to see progress in development of technical capabilities and regulatory standards needed to implement large-scale reuse of treated produced water for industrial and other applications outside the oilfield," McMullen said.

When should New Mexico care about earthquakes?

In November 2022, from his office on the second floor of a building along the Pecos River in Carlsbad, John Waters saw his plants shake.

Carlsbad Department of Development Executive Director John Waters

That was the extent of the citys connection to the seismicity, he said, as the oil industry boomed, and Waters saw his hometown grow.

The growth is undeniable.

Eddy County, of which Carlsbad is the seat, saw more population growth between the 2010 and 2020 Census than any other part of New Mexico  seeing an about 15.8 percent population increase many credited to a surging fossil fuel industry.

Despite concerns for impacts like the quakes or air pollution or increasingly scarce water supplies and climate change many believe driven by the petroleum production that defines Carlsbads economy, Waters said there was little to worry about.

"If you're here, you know. We rarely feel anything," he said. "We don't see the seismicity. It's in Texas. It's not a problem for us. But, we watch and we've always watched. I'm not going to get concerned if I don't get the data."

The Navajo Refinery is pictured June 1, 2023 in Artesia.

But data did show earthquakes were occurring in the Permian, and not just in Texas.

On June 5, an M 3.1 was centered in an area just west of U.S. 285 near Carlsbad, following an M 3.4 and M 2.5 also west of the city on April 18. Another quake at M 2.6 was reported on April 24, according to the USGS.

Also, a cluster of events along the border of Texas and New Mexico, just south of Malaga, was reported this spring: an M 3.4 on March 26, an M 2.9 on Feb. 27, and two M 2.5 quakes on April 11 and March 29.

An M 3.3 earthquake was also reported in that area Jan. 15.

Quakes of those magnitudes aren't often felt, and despite assertions they could indicate a growing pattern of seismicity in southeast New Mexico, Waters suggested environmentalists should instead focus on issues in other countries, which he posited often have environmental regulations far laxer than the U.S.

"To be clear: New Mexico does not have earthquakes," he said. "We're doing a much better job than anywhere else on the planet. There's some scary places that you don't want to drink the water. When was the last time you were worried about drinking Carlsbad water?"

Kayley Shoup is not convinced.

She grew up in Carlsbad, and recently returned to her hometown, finding streams of oilfield traffic, smog and clusters of cancer diagnosis Shoup said she suspected could be tied to increased industrial activities.

She quickly joined local environmental group Citizens Caring for the Future as an organizer, and was passing out information to people in Eunice, another oil town almost directly on the Texas state line to the east of Carlsbad, when the ground shook.

She soon heard from her mother back in Carlsbad and "in a panic," Shoup said.

"My mom felt it here in town and she called me immediately because she knew I was out in the field. She was just like in a total panic," Shoup said. "I heard from many folks that felt the earthquake and it really seemed to spook them."

In the months since, Shoup's organization learned more about the impact of seismicity from oil and gas, adding it to the growing list of problems she believes are tied to oil and gas and targeted by the group.

For the bourgeoning environmental community in Carlsbad, Shoup said the incident proved a unifying force, bringing concerns seemingly dormant into the local consciousness.

"An earthquake is something where the environmental impacts are suddenly in your face," she said. "This is something that is totally brand new."

Kayley Shoup of Carlsbad discusses the oil and gas industry's impact to her community, June 1, 2023 near Cherry Lane Park.

Along a fence line near Cherry Lane Park near the north Carlsbad community of La Huerta sits an oil well, mere feet from a group of new-build homes going in.

Shoup looked over the oil storage tanks, pipelines and flare stacks that made up the industrial facility, contrasting with houses and backyards feet away and only shielded by a short wall of cinderblocks.

It made her wonder if the quakes, like oil and gas, were here to stay in the Permian, passing at will into neighborhoods and across the border between Texas and New Mexico.

"Even the things happening in Texas, we feel them here," Shoup said. "These things do not have borders. All the impacts do not stop at the state line."

KRWG Public Media.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Earthquakes tied to fossil fuels rack New Mexico, Texas
Dr Benjamin Mauck was fatally shot by a patient in an exam room at the Campbell Clinic Orthopedics in Collierville (Campbell Clinic)

A Tennessee surgeon was shot dead in an exam room on Tuesday after a patient allegedly lay in wait for hours to ambush him, authorities say.

The surgeon, identified as Dr Benjamin Mauck, was killed in front of patients and employees at Campbell Clinic Orthopedics in Collierville, a city about 30 miles west of Memphis, Police Chief Dale Lane told reporters on Tuesday night.

A suspect, who has not been identified, fired a handgun before running from the clinic and was apprehended by police about five minutes later without incident, Mr Lane said.

Witnesses told WREG that a patient had been threatening to harm a clinic employee for the past week.

This appears to be a one-on-one interaction, Mr Lane said during a press conference.

It was in an exam room  It was a health care worker and he was a patient.

Mr Lane said the gunman spared the many patients and employees who were in the clinic at the time.

Police are yet to reveal a motive for the shooting, which Mr Lane described as horrific.

Dr Mauck was a specialist hand, wrist and elbow surgeon who was named on Memphis Magazines 2023 Top Doctors List last week.

In a statement, Cambell Clinic Orthopedics confirmed they had experienced a single shooter event at their Collierville health centre.

We are shocked and heartbroken to confirm the incident resulted in the tragic loss of one of our highly respected and beloved physicians, Dr Ben Mauck. We ask that you please lift his family in prayer.

We appreciate our local law enforcement officers who responded within minutes. We will continue to work closely with authorities as this remains an active investigation.

Police in Collierville, Tennessee, respond after surgeon Benjamin Mauck was shot dead in a clinic by a patient (WREG)

The health centre has closed all of its clinics on 12 July.

Tennessee Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari called for stricter gun regulations in the wake of the shooting.

Tragedies like this underscore the urgent need for common sense  like reinstating background checks and gun licenses, and establishing new reforms like an order of protection so police can remove firearms from a person who is threatening others, she said in a statement.

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Dr Mauck had previously worked as a surgeon at Le Bonheur Childrens Hospital in Memphis, and completed his medical school training at the University of Tennessee-Memphis.

The tragic incident comes two years after a gunman opened fire at a Kroger grocery store in Collierville.

Uk Thang, a disgruntled contractor, killed one employee and injured more than a dozen before taking his own life.
The News

Sweden edged closer to joining NATO this week after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to advance the countrys bid to enroll in the alliance.

Finland applied to join the bloc after Russias invasion of Ukraine and officially became a member in April.

As two countries with a strategic presence in both the Baltic Sea and the Arctic Ocean, experts believe that Sweden and Finlands contribution to NATOs defense against Russia will be immense. Weve curated some of their insights here.

Insights

Sweden is a big country, with a huge navy and a lot of strategic territory, along with a border on the Baltic Sea which is crucial to protect the Baltic countries. Which is why Sweden is a big deal for NATO, Ben Rhodes, a former deputy national security advisor said on Pod Save The World. Swedens navy is the fifth largest in the world, while Finlands is the 11th biggest.

Both Sweden and Finlands NATO memberships would be geographically beneficial especially as Finland could provide the bloc with enhanced deterrence given its shared border with Moscow, said Carisa Nietsche with the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security. On the other hand, NATO also must protect this border against a Russian attack, she said. 

Swedens eventual accession to NATO would strengthen the military stability of North Central Europe and transform the Baltic Sea into a NATO lake, said Ian Brzezinski, a senior fellow at The Atlantic Council. Its membership will reinforce the blocs transatlantic outlook and above all, bring NATO a member with impressive military capabilities.

Know More

At the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Erdogan hinted that Swedens accession to NATO membership may not happen as quickly as its members hope given that it is yet to win support from Turkeys parliament, where the matter could be taken up as late as October.

Hungary is the only NATO member left to approve Swedens bid, but the country has previously said that it would take a cue from Turkey.
VILNIUS, Lithuania  Its not the easiest thing to be a NATO-loving Republican like Thom Tillis.

The North Carolina senator remains a loud and proud transatlanticist even as former President Donald Trump questions whether the United States should even be an alliance member and colleagues write letters to the Biden administration demanding limits on support to Ukraine. He shrugs off surveys showing roughly a third of Americans hold generally unfavorable views of NATO and Kyiv.

At this weeks NATO summit in Lithuania, Tillis stressed that the U.S. benefits from having like-minded allies, reminding anyone who would listen that NATOs only invocation of Article 5  where an attack on one is an attack on all  came after 9/11. Tillis emphasized, again and again, that alliance members saw their citizens die and their governments spend billions to help America decimate al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.

But Tillis  who speaks with a southern drawl and listens with a steely stare  is still a practiced politician who gently caveats his support for the alliance by stressing that other countries should be contributing more to their defense and that ongoing support for Ukraine should be under a microscope.

Tillis lives and breathes the foreign policy tightrope Republicans (and some Democrats) walk these days: Any expression of internationalism must come with a rejoinder about how it will benefit everyday Americans and not overextend Washingtons resources.

National defense and the strength of the alliance is what enables us to focus on social agenda items, he told POLITICO in one of three interviews before, during and after this weeks NATO summit. National defense has to come first. Everything else is enabled by that.

He claims his stances arent political triangulation but reflect a true assessment of the situation. But its hard to escape the realization that whatever he sees about NATO, allies and global cooperation appeals to multiple political factions  a fact he doesnt deny.

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I think that we can go to maybe three or four different unique groups in terms of their concerns, go to them and map it out, he said.

Tillis appearance at the alliances annual gathering  billed as one of NATOs most historic in its nearly 75-year history  was another testing ground for his message. How he performed might encourage other globally-minded fellow Republicans to follow his playbook.

Tillis began Tuesday morning by chuckling as he told Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) over breakfast that his hotel room was so dark you could develop film in it. Moments later he met behind closed doors with American Gen. Christopher Cavoli, NATOs military chief, as one of six members in a bipartisan delegation to the summit. That session kicked off a series of chats with the leaders of countries like Germany and the Czech Republic.

His message to all of them was blunt and straightforward: You can count on Congress to support allies and back Ukraine for as long as it takes  but please spend more on defense to lessen the burden on America.

We've got to be very stern and say, guys, we contribute more than any other. And the fact of the matter is that if the United States wasn't contributing what it is, Ukraine would be in a very different posture right now. We just want you all to get to something equivalent to about a half of what we spend on national defense. I think that's a reasonable request, Tillis said.

The senators position isnt entirely new. Presidents from both parties have long pushed NATO allies to invest more in their militaries, both to steel Europe against threats and lessen the reliance on American capabilities. But that old criticism raises hackles today in European capitals, particularly Kyiv, because it suggests that the U.S. wants to minimize its role in Ukraines defense.

Tillis may not mind that, though, as it was a goal for the congressional delegation at the summit to emphasize America has finite resources and cant be expected to do it all. He often pushes allies to consider a NATO pledge to spend 2 percent of GDP on defense to be a floor, not a ceiling  a stance fellow Republicans agree with.

This is a bipartisan view that the lack of support at the 2 percent level and those commitments has the potential to start undermining American support for the assistance to Ukraine, said Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) on the sidelines of the summit, because we're essentially saying this is a huge war raging in your own backyard and we're once again the ones who are doing the most.

I've been raising this, but so have all my colleagues, to be honest, in every meeting that we've had with all the senior leaders, he continued.

It comes with a bit more weight when Tillis makes the point. Hes the co-chair of the NATO Observer Group, a caucus he reestablished with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) in 2018 to inform senators outside defense committees about the spending practices and military plans of allies. That makes him, in a sense, among the most important lawmakers that NATO members must keep happy.

Hes tough but he likes us, so it works, said a European official granted anonymity because the individual wasnt authorized to speak to the press.

The lawmaker helped revive the group during Trumps presidency in part because, in Tillis words, we had an administration that was questioning the validity of NATO. In 2018, Trump often told aides he wanted to withdraw the U.S. from the alliance it has led for decades.

The former presidents quest to get his old job back in 2024 could complicate Tillis delicate dance. Trump is already critical of U.S. support for Ukraine and claims, with no evidence, that he could end the war with Russia in 24 hours after negotiating with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin. If he continues to do so throughout the election season, the North Carolinian may have to choose between backing the partys leaders view or disagreeing with them.

Joe Biden should not be dragging us further toward World War III by sending cluster munitions to Ukraine  he should be trying to END the war and stop the horrific death and destruction being caused by an incompetent administration," Trump said in a statement Tuesday.

But as it stands, Tillis isnt falling in line behind the frontrunner  at least not yet.

The only way that this war could end in 24 hours is to give Putin a win, he said. And if Trump makes these and other skeptical points during high-profile debates, it requires us to come out and have the courage to say we respectfully disagree with someone that I have supported in the past.

Still, Tillis remains a partisan  Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell brought him into the leadership team in January.

He quickly asserts that Putin wouldnt have launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year if Trump were still in office. When asked why Trump failed to help Ukraine push out the Russians that annexed Crimea and seized parts of the Donbas, the senator states that they were deeply entrenched. (And noted, of course, that the initial invasion happened on Barack Obamas watch.)

I still have a very good relationship with President Trump, Tillis said. He explained that its possible to disagree with the frontrunner on Ukraine and NATO but still stick by him, noting how Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) endorsed Trump despite being one of Congress most avid backers of Kyiv.

Even so, Democrats have only good things to say about Tillis transatlanticism.

Tom's a good Republican, there's no question about it, but he certainly has an independent streak, said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), also a member of the delegation at the summit. His participation in this effort not only gives him a chance to show his own talent, but also helps to make this a bipartisan effort.

Shaheen, who co-led the congressional sextet with Tillis, called him a great partner.

The question for Tillis is if hell successfully make his case both to NATO allies and Republicans back home. One point of tension was some Republicans didnt want to increase the defense-spending cap Speaker Kevin McCarthy negotiated with Biden to further fund Ukraines resistance.

The senators job is made easier by the fact that his constituents, at least, hold generally positive attitudes toward the alliance and the Ukraine assistance mission, he said. And as for the skepticism among some in his party and elsewhere in Congress, he thinks simply talking them through the benefits of allies and backing Kyiv can work.

He knows the work isnt finished. Sitting alongside his fellow delegates inside Vilnius ornate town hall, which during the summit doubles as a workspace for American press, Tillis conceded that we have work to do. But, he told reporters, I'm actually optimistic about bipartisan support in Congress for supporting Ukraine as long as it takes.
The Pentagon on Friday confirmed that the U.S. destroyed the final chemical weapons in its stockpile to comply with a deadline mandated by the international Chemical Weapons Convention.

The U.S. had until Sept. 30 to eliminate the weapons under the 1997 agreement, which 193 countries have joined. The treaty bans the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer or use of chemical weapons among its parties.

The last remaining sarin nerve agent-filled M55 rocket was destroyed Friday at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky, the Defense Department said in a press release.

The department described the moment as a disarmament milestone decades in the making.

Watch as the last munition, an M55 rocket, in the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile is destroyed at #BGCAPP July 7, 2023. @OPCW#HonoringOurCommitmentpic.twitter.com/oBIRNZg9AG  acwanews (@acwanews) July 10, 2023

The U.S. previously destroyed its last mustard gas munition in June at the Armys Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado, the department said.

A technician works to destroy the United States' chemical weapons stockpile at the Army's Pueblo Chemical Depot on June 8 in Pueblo, Colorado.

A technician works to destroy the United States' chemical weapons stockpile at the Army's Pueblo Chemical Depot on June 8 in Pueblo, Colorado.

About 90% of the countrys chemical weapons were destroyed by 2012, but the remaining 10% required more time given the complicated approach of neutralizing these chemicals, the Pentagon said Monday.

William LaPlante, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, said the completion of destruction operations reinforces the United States commitment to creating a world free of chemical weapons.

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Mallory Stewart, the assistant secretary of state for arms control, verification and compliance, echoed LaPlante, saying it was a major moment for not just the U.S. but the world.

This achievement is indicative of the important role that international cooperation and transparency play in arms control and disarmament, Stewart said.

Pentagon officials have also assisted other countries, including Russia and Syria, in destroying their chemical weapons. Still, Stewart warned that those two nations may have not fully eliminated their stockpiles, saying that they have used such weapons on their own citizens.

But as the U.S. celebrated the destruction of its chemical weapons, President Joe Bidens administration on Friday said that it would send cluster munitions to Ukraine amid the countrys war with Russia, a controversial move that some lawmakers have vocally opposed.

The use of cluster bombs is banned in many nations due to their potential to cause civilian casualties.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken defended the administrations decision, saying the shortage of traditional weapon stockpiles means that Ukraine would be defenseless if the U.S. didnt step in.

The hard but necessary choice to give them the cluster munitions amounted to this: if we didnt do it, we dont do it, then they will run out of ammunition, Blinken said Tuesday on MSNBCs Andrea Mitchell Reports.

Related...
French infantrymen bayonet charge.

In the opening days of World War I in August 1914, French and British military commanders were shocked at the speed and fury of Imperial German forces attacking through neutral Luxembourg and Belgium into northern France.

In contrast to the horrific images of static, the stalemate of trench warfare during most of World War I, the opening months of the war were highly mobile. French and British cavalry troops and their German opponents continually moved westward towards the English Channel, seeking to outflank each other, with the infantry and supply trains constantly trying to catch up.

By the end of August, the German army was only 18 miles/30 kilometers from the center of Paris and advancing towards the French capital.

Fear of losing Paris was running high. Frances loss in the 1870 Franco-Prussian War was still very much in living memory. When Frances Napoleon III, the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, attacked the German principality of Prussia in July 1870, it only took the Prussians and their fellow Germanic allies less than two months to turn aside the French offensive and lay siege to Paris beginning in September. The city endured daily artillery bombardments of 300-400 shells per day, and Parisians were soon suffering from starvation and disease. The siege continued for over three months until France surrendered in January 1871. Napoleon III abdicated his French crown, and a new French republic was formed.

German soldiers (wearing distinctive pickelhaube helmets with cloth covers) on the front at the First Battle of the Marne during World War I, taken in September 1914.

The victory of Prussia and her allies quickly led to full German unification into a single nation when the King of Prussia was crowned Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany, ironically in the French Palace of Versailles, the seat of French kings since 1662, just outside of Paris.

In the face of a second German siege, or even capture of Paris in 1914, the government of the French Republic evacuated to Bordeaux, and art masterpieces from the Louvre museum were crated up and sent outside of the city. On August 30th, a German plane flew over Paris and dropped three bombs, killing one civilian. The next day a German plane dropped a propaganda message stating the French army had been defeated in the field, and on September 1, another aircraft dropped bombs, killing another civilian and wounding 16.

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The French army needed to bring up reinforcements quickly. Realizing that defending the Marne River crossing was the key to stopping further German advances, the French high command began rushing troops to the area as fast as possible.

At the time, trains were the most efficient means to move troops & equipment, however, if a strategic location was not near a rail line, slow horse-drawn wagons were the best resource for transporting equipment, and soldiers simply had to march.

As the Battle of the Marne progressed, a gap opened between two German armies, creating an opportunity to halt the German onslaught towards Paris if French troops could be poured into the gap quickly enough to prevent the Germans from solidifying their lines.

An idea came about using the Paris taxi fleet, which could each carry five soldiers and their gear to the Marne region from Paris, to aid in moving troops rapidly. The French commander-in-chief, General Joffre, ordered the mobilization of all available taxis, as well as other private vehicles in Paris to transport troops to the front lines. The military governor of Paris, General Gallieni, ordered police officers to requisition the taxis and other vehicles in the streets.

By 10 p.m. on September 6, 1914, 630 taxis were assembled on the Esplanade des Invalides, a large grassy plaza along the Seine River, adjacent to the Eiffel Tower in central Paris, no doubt to be highly visible to residents of Paris. The front lights of the taxis were blacked out, the rear lights dimmed, and the drivers were instructed to simply follow the lights of the vehicle in front. With the top speed of the 1905 vintage vehicles being 16 mph/25 kilometers per hour, this was probably easier than it sounds. The Renault Paris taxi fleet soon began transporting around 6,000 soldiers of the 103rd and 104th Infantry Regiments to the battlefront over the next two days, most making two trips and transporting wounded soldiers back to Paris on their return legs. Following city regulations, the taxis dutifully ran their meters, and the French treasury reimbursed the total fare.

Although the overall battle involved hundreds of thousands of soldiers on both sides, this move helped to turn the tide of the battle to halt the German advance, bolstered the morale of the French people, especially Parisians, and ultimately led to a French victory. The use of taxis in this way became a French symbol of spirit, resistance, and resourcefulness during the long war.
Santiago Ochoa's reporting for the Yakima Herald-Republic is possible with support from Report for America and community members through the Yakima Valley Community Fund. For information on republishing, email news@yakimaherald.com.
Jasper Kenzo Sundeen's reporting for the Yakima Herald-Republic is possible with support from Report for America and community members through the Yakima Valley Community Fund. For information on republishing, email news@yakimaherald.com.
(Bloomberg) -- Sitting on his yacht in January 2011, Jes Staley was taking time out from running one of the worlds largest investment banks to enjoy the fruits of his success.

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Anchored in Chrismas [sic] Cove, Staley wrote in an email to Jeffrey Epstein from his 91-foot yacht moored in the US Virgin Islands. Heaven is being on Bequia. Safe travels to Paris. And, as always, thanks for the friendship.

That month marked a high point for the relationship between the two men. In the space of a few weeks, Epstein provided Staley with use of his private Caribbean island, offered to introduce him to one of the worlds richest men and, for good measure, eased the path of his eldest daughter into a graduate program at an elite US university.

The friendship was a good investment for the convicted pedophile financier. Days before Staley sailed to Epsteins island, Epstein had managed to avoid being dumped as a client by Staleys employer, JPMorgan Chase & Co., even though the firms private banking boss wanted him gone. At one point that year, Staley asked the banks top lawyer, Stephen Cutler, to reconsider his recommendation that Epstein be kicked out, according to two people familiar with what Cutler said in a recent deposition and who asked not to be identified discussing statements that havent been made public.

Twelve years on, and four years after Epsteins death in prison by suicide, the details of how Staley and Epstein formed a mutually beneficial bond are only now becoming clear as the former Barclays Plc chief executive officer faces a lawsuit by JPMorgan, as well as a British regulatory probe.

Any association with Epstein was a mistake and in hindsight we regret it, but we did not help him commit his heinous crimes, a spokeswoman for JPMorgan said in an emailed statement. We would never have continued to do business with him if we believed he was engaged in an ongoing sex-trafficking operation. As for Staley, the spokeswoman said, Jes is accused of unspeakable acts and, if true, should be held accountable. Kathleen Harris, a lawyer for Staley in London, declined to comment.

The following account is based on a review of thousands of pages of documents and emails that have surfaced in recent months in connection with lawsuits involving JPMorgan, a public records request and interviews with people with knowledge of the events.

The relationship between Staley and Epstein, which dates to the early 2000s, went beyond that of banker and client. The two formed a deep friendship that Staley in one email to Epstein called profound.

Epstein, who had been a JPMorgan private banking client since 1998, helped Staley land a stake in a $7 billion hedge fund, Highbridge Capital Management, in 2004. The deal fueled Staleys ascent at JPMorgan and demonstrated how Epstein, who had connections to wealthy businessmen, could help make things happen to the bankers advantage.

Writing in November 2009 from Epsteins New Mexico ranch, where Staley was relaxing in a hot tub with a glass of white wine, the JPMorgan investment banker expressed his gratitude: This is an amazing place. Truly amazing. Next time, were here together. I owe you much. And I deeply appreciate our friendship. I have few so profound.

Staleys visit came as Epstein was under home confinement as a result of his conviction a year earlier for procuring prostitution from a minor, a crime Epstein would later compare in a newspaper interview to a person who steals a bagel.

The trip to the ranch was one of at least four made by Staley over the years to Epsteins luxury getaways. On April 12, 2015, months before he would be tapped as Barclays CEO, Staley sailed to Epsteins home on Little St. James in the US Virgin Islands. On his yacht with him were his wife, Debora, and two daughters, according to a person with knowledge of the trip who requested anonymity discussing private information.

Such was the closeness of the Staley family to Epstein that shortly before the visit Staley had emailed Epstein to say one of his daughters, Alexa, wants to sit with you and talk about her future.

Alexa Staley, who was finishing her Ph.D. in physics at the time, could thank Epstein for help getting into New Yorks Columbia University. In November 2010, her father had fretted in an email to Epstein about her chances of gaining a place in the program. She is not giving Columbia her non physics GREs, Staley wrote, before listing her scores.

She can sit with Richard Axel when I get back, he won the Nobel prize.. he has guaranteed me, Epstein, replied, referencing the name of an eminent biologist and Columbia professor.

Two months later, Alexa Staley received an email from Cookie Neil, director of science development at Columbia. Spoke with Jim today, Neil wrote, and he mentioned that the GRE score is what it is  not to worry  the score does not seem to be a problem according to my sources.

Alexa forwarded the email to her father, writing Huh? Staley forwarded the message on to Epstein with a smiley face emoticon.

Ben Chang, a spokesman for Columbia, said there is no factual basis to the claims that Epstein influenced the admissions process. From our review, the student in question was highly qualified and excelled in our program. Alexa Staley declined to comment, her fathers lawyer said, as did Axel. It could not be determined from the emails who the Jim that Neil said she spoke to was. Neil, who is no longer at Columbia, didnt respond to a message sent via LinkedIn.

In January 2011, not long after the email flurry and just before Staley sailed to Epsteins Caribbean hideaway, Epstein was ordered to register as a high-risk sex offender in New York. What a paradise, Staley wrote in a Jan. 22, 2011, email that was among the documents JPMorgan turned over in connection with a lawsuit brought against the bank by the US Virgin Islands. When I retire, Im going to put a mooring in front of your dock for my boat. Amazing place.

The lawsuit, which alleges JPMorgan knowingly benefited from Epsteins sex trafficking, is scheduled for trial in October. The bank has accused the US Virgin Islands government of deflecting from its own culpability by allowing Epstein to live in the territory with $300 million in tax breaks.

As Staley was relaxing on the island, Epstein was helping him schedule a meeting at the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, with billionaire Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates. Do you want to join a gates dinner in davos on wed? wrote Epstein. It couldnt be determined from the documents whether Staley attended the dinner. But later that year, he would be photographed with Gates and Epstein. A spokesperson for Gates said he didnt meet with either Staley or Epstein in Davos that year.

Staley conveyed his thanks again a few months later. Deby and I were talking tonight about what you have meant to me and to Alexa, he wrote in a March 5, 2011, email included in an internal JPMorgan report provided during discovery and released by the US Virgin Islands. You have paid a price for what has been accused. But we know what u have done for us. And we count you as one of our deepest friends. And most honest of people.

Epstein replied with a single word: family.

Even early on, Staley was aware of Epsteins predilection for younger women. Writing in August 2006 to Mary Erdoes, then a senior executive at JPMorgans private bank, Staley described attending a Huggy Bear concert, noting that The age difference between husbands and wives would have fit in well with Jeffrey. What a joke.

Months after this email, JPMorgan internal documents show, Epstein was linked to a felony indictment for soliciting underage prostitution and deemed a high-risk client. Despite the banks findings, the decision was made to Retain him as a client, according to information cited in a May 2023 deposition of JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon.

Lawsuits brought against the bank by one of Epsteins victims and the US Virgin Islands alleged that JPMorgan acted as a conduit for payments to women abused by Epstein. In January 2007, three months after the bank made its decision to retain Epstein, a woman identified only as Jane Doe alleged she was raped and forced into commercial sex during a trip to the Caribbean. The lawsuit didnt identify the alleged rapist, but the woman said she was paid $10,000 by associates of Epstein and that the money apparently came from one of the approximately 55 bank accounts Epstein held with JPMorgan. She also alleged that a jet owned by Highbridge Capital ferried some of Epsteins sex-trafficking victims from Florida to New York. The bank settled the Jane Doe case in June without admitting wrongdoing. It is contesting the US Virgin Islands lawsuit. Lawyers for the bank have argued in court that there was no factual support for the allegations about the use of a company plane.

Epstein was jailed in Florida in June 2008. Less than a fortnight later, Staley wrote to him: I miss you. The world is a tough place. Hang in there.

He wrote again a few days later, asking for Epsteins advice on his pay negotiations with Dimon. Tell him [Dimon] a one million dollar increase to 25 million, replied Epstein. DO not give in. Ill try to call you later.

While their correspondence continued, other JPMorgan executives were angling to drop Epstein as a client. Catherine [Keating, head of private banking] will go back to JES to tell him we are uncomfortable with Epstein and do not want to go to Cutler [general counsel] for approval, according to a July 15, 2008, email cited in Dimons deposition.

I would count Epsteins assets as a probable outflow for 08 ($120mm or so?) as I cant imagine it will stay, according to another email that August cited in the US Virgin Islands lawsuit.

Dimon said in his deposition that he was never involved in discussions about Epsteins accounts. He also said he never met Epstein and didnt take part in any business decisions concerning the longtime JPMorgan client.

Despite the internal maneuvering, Epstein remained a JPMorgan client. In January 2011, as Staley was returning from a Christmas break in Brazil, bank executives were again gearing up to force Epstein out. A compliance officer, Maryanne Ryan, sent an email to other executives suggesting a meeting with Staley to explain how Epstein could have a potential serious impact on the banks efforts to make sure it wasnt enabling human trafficking, according to an internal report later compiled by the bank.

Ryan noted in her Jan. 7 email that Keating, the private banking head, made sure we knew that no one on todays call was in favor of having him as a client. Seems it all is due to Jess personal relationship. Ryan declined to comment. Keating, who now works for BNY Mellon, didnt respond to requests for comment.

Yet four days later, after Staley had spoken with Epstein about his colleagues concerns, little appeared to have changed. Thanks for today, kenstarr, Dershowitz.. leftkowitz at Kirkland. All very familiar with the nonsense, all, whatever, cutler wants or needs, Epstein wrote in an email to Staley included in the 2019 internal JPMorgan report. Jay Lefkowitz, Alan Dershowitz and Ken Starr had all represented Epstein in his plea negotiations with federal prosecutors in Florida. Dershowitz said he had no involvement in the JPMorgan matter. Lefkowitz didnt respond to a request for comment, and Starr died last year.

An internal JPMorgan email released in the US Virgin Islands lawsuit noted that Jes Staley discussed the topic with Jeffrey Epstein who replied there was no truth to the allegations, no evidence and was not expecting any problems.

The decision to keep Epstein was made by Staley, Phillip DeLuca, another compliance officer involved in the discussions at the private bank, wrote in an instant messenger chat two years later, on June 17, 2013, that surfaced during discovery. PB did not want to keep him, DeLuca said, referring to the private bank, but due to his relationship with the old head of PB (Jes Staley) they were overruled. DeLuca didnt respond to a request for comment.

Cutler, the banks top lawyer, wrote in a July 2011 email cited at Dimons deposition that Epstein is not an honorable person in any way. He should not be a client.

Three months later, in October 2011, Staley asked Cutler to hear what Epstein had to say, according to the people with knowledge of what Cutler said in his 2023 deposition. Staleys intervention came despite an effort by JPMorgan executives to get him to step back and allow Cutler and the asset-management unit to determine Epsteins fitness to remain a client, according to an April 5, 2011, email written by the top lawyer at JPMorgans investment bank and cited at Cutlers deposition, one of the people said. Cutler had two conversations with Epstein after Staleys appeal, but he didnt change his advice, according to the person. Cutler declined to comment for this story.

Staley said on a Barclays earnings call with reporters in 2020 that he knew little of Epsteins lifestyle. Obviously I thought I knew him well, he said, and I didnt. Staley said on the same call that his meetings with Epstein tapered off after he left JPMorgan in 2013. But, according to records released by the US Virgin Islands through a freedom of information request, Staley had about 20 scheduled meetings with Epstein from 2013 through 2015, mostly consisting of visits to Epsteins New York mansion.

Over a seven-year period, from 2009 through 2015, there were about 60 scheduled meetings or visits to Epstein-owned properties, the documents and other public accounts show. In 2012, Staleys final year at the bank before being dumped by Dimon, he had 14 scheduled meetings. It is not known how many of them actually took place.

Staley was invited to scores of dinners at Epsteins house at which he could rub shoulders with billionaires, world statesmen and royalty. One entry from April 2013 shows he was set to attend a dinner along with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, British former lawmaker Peter Mandelson and media tycoon Mort Zuckerman. It could not be determined whether any of these individuals were present. Mandelson said through a spokesman that he very much regrets having been introduced to Epstein and that he never had any business relationship with him. Barak and Zuckerman didnt respond to requests for comment.

Epstein also helped arrange a meeting between Staley and Britains Prince Andrew in Beijing in September 2010. After that meeting, Epstein tried to sell Staley on the idea of JPMorgan hiring Queen Elizabeths second son as an ambassador for the bank. That never happened, but Staley liked the attention from the British royal. After receiving a Christmas greeting from Andrew, he replied: I must say, getting a Christmas note from the Duke of York is sort of cool. Prince Andrew didnt respond to requests for comment sent to his private office.

A darker aspect to the Epstein-Staley relationship has also emerged. The Jane Doe lawsuit against JPMorgan alleged that Staley had witnessed Epstein sexually grab young women and visited what lawyers for the women described as Epstein-owned stash house apartments where the assaults are said to have taken place.

The lawsuit also stated that an unidentified victim claimed to have been assaulted by a powerful financial executive and that the executive had used aggressive force in his sexual assault, saying he had Epsteins permission to do what he wanted.

In March, lawyers for JPMorgan went a step further in a separate lawsuit it filed against its former executive, identifying Staley as the alleged perpetrator. Staley has denied the allegations.

Another flurry of emails in July 2010 aroused attention. Say hi to Snow White, Staley wrote to Epstein that month. [W]hat character would you like next? Epstein replied. Beauty and the Beast, Staley responded. Well one side is available, Epstein said.

In early 2013, Staley left JPMorgan, ending a more than 30-year career at the bank. The root cause of his ouster, Dimon said in his deposition, was a series of complaints about his running of the investment bank, a situation not helped by a failed attempt to unseat his boss at the time of the 2012 London Whale trading scandal.

He thought Id lose my job and that he could be the guy, Dimon said in his May deposition. Dimon was withering about Staleys chances of replacing him: The board never would have put him in the job. For good measure, Dimon said Staley wasnt up to running the investment bank.

With Staley out of the picture, Epstein lost his main protector. That July, after a meeting with Erdoes, then global head of asset and wealth management, Epstein was asked to take his business elsewhere.

JPMorgan has played down Erdoess links with Epstein, although recent legal disclosures have shown they exchanged friendly messages, including one Erdoes sent in July 2011 with a picture of the swimming pool at the Ritz hotel in Paris after Epstein had told her how good it was. How great is that, Epstein wrote back. Nothing better, except if its your own, Erdoes replied.

The JPMorgan spokeswoman said that Erdoes has always held herself and her colleagues to the highest standards of integrity and trust and that her competence and character are top-notch.

Epstein found a new home at Deutsche Bank AG, where Paul Morris, who had handled his accounts at JPMorgan, was now working. He was judged a high-risk client, with the bank dubbing him an Honorary Politically Exposed Person. As one Deutsche Bank employee wrote, there is no such thing as an honorary PEP. A spokesperson for the bank declined to comment. Morris didnt respond to messages.

On July 8, 2015, Antony Jenkins was forced out as CEO of Barclays. Staley, who had been floated as a potential candidate for the top spot at the British bank before Jenkins was appointed in 2012, was under consideration again. Staley, then a managing partner of hedge fund group BlueMountain Capital Management, was in regular contact with Epstein. In April of that year, he had sailed to Epsteins island with his family, and on the day after Jenkinss departure was announced, Staley was scheduled to visit Epstein at his New York mansion.

By October, Barclays was close to appointing Staley CEO, and the banks chairman wanted to make his final checks. He called Dimon to ask if there was any reason he should not give the job to his former lieutenant, according to Dimons deposition. The call was short, and the JPMorgan CEO simply said no. Dimon said in his deposition that knowing what he now knows his answer would have been different.

Staleys links to Epstein were already causing problems for Barclays. Days before his appointment was announced, the UKs Mail on Sunday contacted the bank saying it was preparing a story on how Epstein had pushed for Staley to get the job in 2012. The call sparked panic inside the bank that their new CEO would be mired in scandal from the start, according to a person familiar with the situation. As it turned out, the article ended up making few waves.

But the incident led Barclays to ask Staley for a full account of his contacts with Epstein and to promise he would not speak to Epstein while he was CEO, according to the person with knowledge of the situation. Staley then gave a lengthy account of his relationship with Epstein and agreed to cease contact, the person said.

Still, the relationship would continue to haunt Staley. In November 2018, the Miami Herald published an article about Epsteins serial abuse of teenagers and the earlier deal he had struck with prosecutors. In July 2019, after federal prosecutors in New York investigated the claims, Epstein was arrested getting off a private jet at New Jerseys Teterboro Airport. It was the last flight he would make.

The weeks that followed Epsteins arrest brought fresh revelations about his links to Staley. But Epstein would never be questioned about them  or anything else. He was found dead in a New York prison cell that August.

That December, as the drumbeat grew louder, then Bank of England Governor Mark Carney told Barclays Chairman Nigel Higgins that the central bank was investigating Staley, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

The pressure was getting to Staley. Before flying out of London for a Christmas break in the US, he told Higgins he was considering quitting, the person said. But after returning from vacation, Staley said he would stay. Carney, the Bank of England and Barclays all declined to comment.

Weeks after Staley returned, Barclays announced that Staley was under investigation by the UKs Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority over his links to Epstein, largely related to how transparent he had been with Barclays. Though the bank continued to defend him, it ultimately proved too much, and in October 2021 Staley stepped down. The bank said at the time that Staley intended to challenge the preliminary findings of the investigations. The FCA and the PRA both declined to comment.

This June, Staley emerged from his New York apartment to begin two days of deposition in the cases brought by Jane Doe and the US Virgin Islands against his former bank. Less than 24 hours after he finished his account at a Hudson Yards law office, JPMorgan settled with Jane Doe for $290 million. For the bank, it marked a reckoning of sorts about the scandal. For Staley, whose retirement dream of mooring his yacht off Epstein's island is long gone, that day remains in the future.

--With assistance from Katherine Griffiths and Hannah Levitt.

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CHELMSFORD, Mass. & NEW YORK, July 12, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Asahi Kasei (TOKYO:3407) announced that it is moving the global headquarters for its Healthcare Business to the United States. The Primary Executive Officer for Healthcare and staff will be located in existing Asahi Kasei offices in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712899075/en/

Asahi Kasei Healthcare Headquarters (Photo: Business Wire)

Since the acquisition of ZOLL Medical just over ten years ago, Asahi Kaseis healthcare business has more than tripled. Its healthcare lineup is diversified, ranging from innovative drugs for specialized therapeutic areas to solutions for serious cardiopulmonary conditions, and equipment and services for the manufacture of biotherapeutics, all of which improve and save patients' lives.

Currently, healthcare accounts for 18% of Asahi Kaseis revenue, 33% of operating income (fiscal 2022) and over 23% of employees. While 78% of Asahi Kasei's healthcare sales are outside Japan, further global growth is expected, centered on the United States. The healthcare business domain is expected to be a main driver of Asahi Kasei's overall growth.

Koshiro Kudo, President and CEO of Asahi Kasei stated, "By establishing our Healthcare headquarters in the United States, the largest healthcare market and source of most innovation, Asahi Kasei reiterates its commitment to further accelerate the growth of its healthcare business. Furthermore, we anticipate that a greater presence in the US with the healthcare team will create synergies and provide benefits for our material and homes businesses. This action is evidence that Asahi Kasei is accelerating its globalization of its group businesses and that we are committed to transforming all operations."

"Todays announcement shows that Asahi Kasei is moving forward in embracing new methods of operation across all of its business segments," stated Richard Packer, the Primary Executive Officer for Healthcare, "By modifying our governance and management processes to allow one of our major business segments to be managed outside of Japan, we will be better able to move quickly, keep ahead of industry trends, and maintain our competitive edge. We look forward to better connecting our people and technologies to the global healthcare market. Similar connections will be made to our material and homes operations in the US."

About Asahi Kasei

The Asahi Kasei Group contributes to life and living for people around the world. Since its foundation in 1922 with ammonia and cellulose fiber businesses, Asahi Kasei has consistently grown through the proactive transformation of its business portfolio to meet the evolving needs of every age. With more than 48,000 employees worldwide, the company contributes to a sustainable society by providing solutions to the world's challenges through its three business sectors of Material, Homes, and Health Care. Its healthcare operations include devices and systems for acute critical care, dialysis, therapeutic apheresis, transfusion, and manufacture of biotherapeutics, as well as pharmaceuticals and diagnostic reagents. For more information, visit www.asahi-kasei.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712899075/en/

Contacts

Asahi Kasei Media Inquiries

Asahi Kasei Corp.

Ryo Kobayashi

E-mail: ak-houdou@om.asahi-kasei.co.jp
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Noi bilete de tratament sunt disponibile la Casa Judeteana de Pensii Salaj

Casa Judeteana de Pensii Salaj (CJP Salaj) a emis un comunicat de presa prin care anunta repartitia biletelor de tratament pentru seria 11. La nivelul CJP Salaj sunt acum disponibile 152 bilete de tratament pentru urmatoarele statiuni: 1 Mai, Amara, [citeste mai departe]
Evanston City Council approved the sale of the city-owned empty lot at the corner of Church Street and Darrow Avenue to Housing Opportunities Development Corporation, effectively moving forward the nonprofit organizations proposed 33-unit affordable housing project.

Housing Opportunities Development Corporation has partnered with Mt. Pisgah Ministry, a small church in the citys 5th Ward, to build a new church building on the empty lot and create an affordable housing complex in the space the church currently occupies along Church Street. The first floor of the complex will house commercial space but no plans as to what will fill the space have been released.

The project, unveiled in January, was originally pitched as a 44-unit complex but a drop in the buildings height to better fit with the area zoning brought the units down to 33. Councilmember Clare Kelly said this and other changes to the retail space should have brought the plan back to the Land Use Commission instead of continuing on to council.

Some residents have remained skeptical about the project saying while they are all for affordable housing, there is an overabundance in the 5th Ward and other wards need to pick up the slack. Residents also worry the church wont be able to raise the funding needed to rebuild and will leave the neighborhood with the empty lot.

Concerns about the viability of the lot where a gas station once stood were brought forward but Evanston Community Development Director Sarah Flax said the land was approved by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to be used for residential purposes.

Some residents have questioned Housing Opportunity Development Corporations management of its buildings, saying that its property Claridge Apartments, at 319 Dempster Street, has experienced drug dealing, fires, fights and other issues in the building.

Kelly took on these concerns and set up meetings with Richard Koenig, executive director at HODC, along with residents and Connections for the Homeless, a nonprofit that helps house the homeless. She continued to push for greater protections for Claridge residents during the meeting.

This is not about affordable housing right now. We all support affordable housing, she said. We also have to care about the very residents, the existing low income residents in this city. We have to care about their safety and their well-being.

She said she hoped to use the new complex as leverage to ensure safe practices are upheld at 319 Dempster, saying she cant support the Church Street project until better protections are put in place at the Dempster Street property.

Neighbor Jill Calian said during the meeting she has lived in the neighborhood near the Claridge for 25 years and she wants the land sale postponed until HODC can ensure safe housing for the tenants there.

Agreements have been made for the city to fund eight-hour-a day security on site at 319 Dempster until Thanksgiving. Kelly had hoped for a stronger presence with round-the-clock security for several months but 5th Ward Alderperson Bobby Burns has previously said that would cause expenses beyond the nonprofits capabilities.

We agree that weve been working to improve the situation at 319 Dempster, Koenig said. Weve been working hard to improve tenants lives there.

Issues at the property have been linked to what has been called a problem tenant who has since been evicted and was removed from the property on July 10.

Jeffrey Bushor, who lives across the street from Claridge Apartments, spoke at the July 10 City Council meeting and told council that even with the removal of the tenant, he and others doubt living conditions will improve.

How is it that HODC can operate their other housing facilities and not have the problems that they inflict on the tenants and the neighbors of the Claridge? he asked.

Proponents for the HODC/Mt. Pisgah project have said the city needs all the affordable housing it can get and with housing prices rising, there isnt time to waste.

Bonnie Wilson spoke in approval of the project and said she doesnt want to wait any longer for residents at risk to have access to affordable housing.

Sue Loellbach, advocacy manager for Connections for the Homeless, said 319 Dempster isnt the only building in the city with complaints and the city should set up infrastructure to manage and address complaints.

People ask what the hurry is. Connections for the Homeless works with people every day who make the need for hurry very clear, she said.

Councilmembers Kelly and Thomas Suffredin voted against the land sale and consolidation, however, the vote on each passed 6-2.

The city approved $4 million in funding for the project last month with money being gathered from West Evanston TIF funding, American Rescue Plan Act funds, the citys Affordable Housing Fund and HOME Investment Partnerships Program funding from the federal government.

Now that the building has been approved by the city and secured the funding, next steps for the project include completing building permits, checking back with the Illinois Housing Development Authority to give housing priority to Evanston residents and working with local businesses and contractors to get them involved in the construction process.

Burns thanked those who came out to discuss the proposal including those who brought forward their concerns about 319 Dempster.

We will have other opportunities to check in about HODC. Theyre not going anywhere. Theyre a nonprofit that owns and manages several properties, not just in the 5th Ward but across the city, he said. We will have check-in points to make sure that things are going as they should at Claridge Apartments.
Hungary has made significant achievements in the fight against climate change in recent years, Energy Minister Csaba Lantos told an informal meeting of EU energy and environment ministers in Valladolid.

Hungary has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP by nearly 28% since 2010, the energy ministry cited Lantos as saying.



Meanwhile, the share of renewable energy sources in electricity consumption rose to almost 14% from 7.7% between 2010 and 2021, he said.



The minister pointed out, however, that the ongoing war in Ukraine had endangered energy security and pushed global energy market prices to historic highs.



Hungary responded to these challenges by focusing on supply security, affordable energy prices and utility price caps, he said.



Hungary is committed to meeting its climate goals and preserving its environmental assets as evidenced by its review of its National Energy and Climate Plan, the ministry said.



Lantos at the meeting reaffirmed the Hungarian governments commitment to the EUs 2050 climate neutrality strategy, but said it did not support Brussels significantly accelerating the climate goals and the phasing out of fossil fuels.



Tuesdays meeting was held in preparation for the UNs upcoming COP28 global climate conference.



MTI Photo: Szilard Koszticsak
Prime Minister Viktor Orban discussed opportunities for boosting cooperation between Hungary and South Korea with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on the sidelines of the ongoing NATO summit in Vilnius on Tuesday, the prime ministers press chief said.

The two leaders were in agreement that South Korea has been one of the biggest foreign investors in Hungary in recent years, with the two countries having achieved new records in bilateral trade, Bertalan Havasi told MTI.



Orban reaffirmed Hungarys intention of further boosting economic ties in areas such as nuclear energy and the defence industry.



Orban and Yoon highlighted their countries deep-rooted relations, saying Hungary and South Korea should further strengthen their cooperation in education and culture as well.



Photo: PM's Press Office
One of the biggest stars of contemporary jazz, Danish-American saxophonist Michael Lington will come to Budapest to join Hungarys internationally acclaimed funk-jazz unit the Peet Project on stage at the A38 for an extraordinary evening of melodic jazz, soul, funky and pop.



Michael Lington has performed and recorded with such luminaries as Dave Stewart, Vince Gill, Dave Koz, Booker T. Jones, Taylor Dayne, Barry Manilow, Randy Crawford, Brian Culbertson, Bobby Caldwell and Ray Parker, Jr. among others. His tour with Michael Bolton took him to 350 shows in 40 countries around the world.



As he staged top-quality virtual concerts during the pandemic, Michael has become one of the key performers on the StageIt! platform, playing a pioneering role in the solutions success.



Playing a unique blend of jazz, pop and funk in a violin/vocals, sax, keys, bass and drums line-up, the Peet Project is one of Hungarys internationally recognized young bands. In 2009 they won the top prize in Jazzy Radios Song Contest in Budapest and have been regular performers at major jazz festivals in the US and at home since 2013.



They garnered Debut Artist of the Year (2013), Album of the Year (2017) and Song of the Year (2020) awards at Catalina Island JazzTrax, a premiere US jazz festival.



They topped Canada's jazz radio chart in 2021 and they are the only Hungarian band to date who have made it to the Billboard Smooth Jazz Top 30 chart with four different songs.

The Peet Project and Michael Lington first worked together in 2019, when Michael played as featured artist on Anything for You, a seductive track on the band's sixth studio album Ups & Downs.



Their joint show in Budapest was first scheduled for 2020 but will take place only now, after a forced postponement due to the pandemic.



Their concert at the A38 on July 19 will feature hits from both the Peet Projects and Michael Lingtons repertoire, offering an exceptional live music experience on a summer evening for lovers of funk, soul, pop and high-energy, melodic jazz.



Tickets: A38 Ship Budapest
Sundeer, The International Gathering of Wisdom Keepers has been organised annually since 2015. This year they will meet again on the hills of Kiralyret, located at 50 km north of Budapest.

Sundeer is a ceremony inspired by the assemble of wisdom keepers, shamans, healers, medicine people, teachers and artists from different parts of the world.



Their aim is to share in community the ancient wisdom, knowledge and deep experience of different cultures and the natural world.



Sundeer was born in 2015 and has been blossoming since then thanks to a vital bond of reconnection, healing and love that has created a mutually nourishing relation between our collective space and the diversity of guests participating in the events year by year.



During the five profound and thorough days of Sundeer, guided by ceremonies, talks, teachings, concerts, cultivating bonds of respect, cooperation, caring and dialogue, we can find our way back to and experience again lifes natural rhythm.



More:

Sundeer.hu
Wes Howe knew there was no hiding from the Japanese dive-bombers, not on the barren shores of distant islands in the western Pacific.

When the bombs hit, there would be a big whomp. Wed get a big concussion where we were standing. Our shirts would puff out and our pants would puff out. That was close enough.

Luck kept him alive, the World War II veteran from Fremont said years later.

Howe returned to Nebraska, married Katheryn Wood, who was also a veteran, worked as a mechanic, and later opened a body shop.

After surviving some close scrapes during the war, Howe lived almost 80 more years. He died Tuesday  the Fourth of July  of natural causes, at age 101.

He wasnt flashy. He didnt talk a lot, said his daughter, Mary Jo Howe, who is a veterinarian in California. He was the ultimate quiet, generous man.

Wesley Howe was born Jan. 20, 1922, and grew up with his parents and younger sister on a farm near Chambers, Nebraska.

When he was in his mid-teens, his father became seriously ill, leaving Wes in charge of a herd of 300 livestock.

Dad, at age 14, was running the farm, Mary Jo Howe said. He was a caretaker from the time he was very young.

His father died in 1941, and the family later sold the farm.

Howe enlisted in February 1943, and the Army trained him as a truck driver. The following December, his quartermaster supply unit boarded a naval transport ship in New Orleans and arrived 64 days later in Australia.

They met up with their trucks on a beach in New Guinea in March 1944  disassembled in crates, he told journalist Joyce Winfield of Fremont, who profiled Wes and Katheryn Howe for her 2016 book Forever Heroes: A Collection of World War II Stories from Nebraska Veterans.

Two hundred soldiers assembled 104 trucks in a couple of weeks  without any instruction manual or leftover parts that he could remember, Winfield said.

He (laughed and said) that when you had a bunch of farm boys, they could assemble trucks, she recalled in a eulogy at his funeral Monday in Fremont.

Day and night, Howe and dozens of other drivers hauled their loads from ships at sea to air bases on islands the Allies seized as they fought their way to Japan. Without roads or ports, they drove over rough floating bridges with wooden decks to get ashore, dodging attacks from kamikaze suicide pilots. They stashed caches of bombs and fuel in the island jungles.

In the Philippines, Howe and the other drivers faced threats from snipers while snaking along roads through narrow canyons.

He drove the rugged terrain with one hand on his steering wheel and the other on a .45-caliber handgun in his lap, Howe told The World-Herald in 2020.

I never had to use it, thank God, he said.

Howe was among the first American soldiers in mainland Japan after the war ended, one of 23 from his company flown to Naval Air Facility Atsugi Aug. 30, 1945. He was just a block away from the battleship USS Missouri when the surrender documents were signed on its deck.

He was discharged 3 months later as a corporal and soon began dating Wood. She had grown up on a farm near his familys and served 21 months as a dental assistant in California and Florida with the WAVES (Women in Active Volunteer Emergency Service), an element of the U.S. Naval Reserve. They became pen pals during the war.

Wes and Katheryn were married in 1948 and raised three children. He worked as a mechanic at a Buick garage and a Ford dealership in Fremont. In 1965, he opened Fremont Body & Frame, which the Howes owned until his retirement in 1997.

Howe also loved animals  not just the English springer spaniels he raised and hunted with, but even lizards and amphibians. Mary Jo Howe said he once saved the life of her pet duckling, Fluffy, by massaging its neck after it swallowed a rock.

He was very, very gentle with the animals, she said.

Even into his 90s, Howe served as a caretaker at a local rod and gun club. He attributed his own longevity to the time he spent outdoors and eating natural foods, Mary Jo Howe said.

Mary Jane Howe said he didnt open up much about his military service, at least not until after the publication of Forever Heroes. Katheryn Howe died in 2016, just before the book was published.

Winfield said she became close with all 21 of the veterans she profiled in Forever Heroes, including Howe.

A year ago, she said, she had eye surgery and was temporarily unable to drive. She said Howe  already 100 years old  immediately called and offered to drive her on errands.

Thats what I love about this greatest generation, Winfield said. They are sincere, they are humble, and theyll do anything for you.

In addition to Mary Jo, Wes Howe is survived by another daughter, Peggy Wolverton of Omaha. His wife and a son, Charles, died before him. Services were held Monday at First Baptist Church in Fremont, with burial with military honors at Ridge Cemetery.

Photos: World War II Higgins boat PA31-17 arrives at Nebraska National Guard Museum
Auto industry on tenterhooks as UAW kicks off talks with 'Detroit Three'

FILE PHOTO: A Stellantis sign is seen outside its headquarters in Auburn Hills,

Auto industry on tenterhooks as UAW kicks off talks with 'Detroit Three' FILE PHOTO: A Stellantis sign is seen outside its headquarters in Auburn Hills,

By Nathan Gomes

(Reuters) -The United Auto Workers (UAW) union will start contract talks with the Detroit Three automakers beginning Thursday, ahead of the mid-September expiration of current four-year labor deals.

UAW's leaders are set to forgo the traditional media event of shaking hands with top executives at General Motors, Ford and Stellantis to open talks. The union leaders met with auto workers on Wednesday at three Detroit-area plants.

The talks come as Detroit automakers, like their global counterparts, have been focused on cost reductions, which in some cases include job cuts, to help accelerate a shift from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric vehicles (EV).

WHO IS THE UNION NEGOTIATING WITH?

The UAW is negotiating with GM, Ford and Stellantis. The U.S. labor union will officially open talks first with Stellantis, followed by Ford on Friday and GM on Tuesday.

According to GM's annual filing, about 46,000, or 44%, of its U.S. employees were represented by unions, and a majority of them by the UAW.

Ford's annual filing showed about 57,000 of its hourly employees in the United States were represented by the UAW, while the UAW represents about 43,000 U.S. hourly workers at Stellantis.

The UAW has historically picked one of the Detroit Three to negotiate with first as the so-called target that sets the pattern on which subsequent deals are based.

UAW's new president, Shawn Fain, has promised things will be different this time and analysts have said the odds have risen for strikes, including simultaneous walkouts at multiple automakers.

WHAT ARE THE UNION'S DEMANDS?

The UAW is pushing automakers to eliminate the two-tier wage system under which new hires earn as much as 25% less than veterans.

Fain has said repeatedly the union will push to restore pay improvements tied to the cost of living and retiree benefits cut during the 2008-2009 economic crisis.

The UAW also wants strong salary increases given the financial success of the automakers, citing generous executive payouts and large U.S. federal subsidies for EV sales.

Fain also is aiming to get agreements that would allow the UAW to represent hourly workers at joint-venture EV battery plants opened or planned by the Detroit Three.

He also has said the union, which represents about 150,000 U.S. hourly workers at Detroit's Three, is not afraid to go on strike at any of the automakers without a fair contract.

"They've made a quarter of a trillion dollars in North American profits over the last 10 years and they can afford to make things right for our members," Fain said on Tuesday.

The UAW has been wary of the industry shift to EVs and recently called on the Biden administration to soften its proposed vehicle emission cuts that would require 67% of new vehicles to be electric by 2032.

EVs require fewer parts to build and industry officials have said that will result in a need for fewer workers. Fain has said there should be no jobs lost because of the EV shift.

WHAT DO AUTOMAKERS HAVE TO SAY?

The Detroit Three want to close the cost gap they have with foreign automakers with non-unionized U.S. factories.

Ford sources estimate that their U.S. labor costs are $64 an hour, compared with an estimated $55 for foreign automakers and $45 to $50 for EV leader Tesla.

The companies also want greater flexibility in how it uses its U.S. workers to increase efficiency and cut costs as the industry shifts to EVs.

GM said on Monday it has "a long history of negotiating fair contracts with the UAW" and its "total compensation package ... is one of the best in the industry".

Ford CEO Jim Farley in an opinion piece published in the Detroit Free Press last week said "success in this new world will require us to adapt. Some jobs will be disrupted, and some will be created." Late last month, Ford had another round of salaried-worker job cuts.

Stellantis said its "focus will be on negotiating a contract that will ensure our future competitiveness in today's rapidly changing global market and preserve good wages and benefits that recognize the contributions of our represented workforce."

WHAT IS AT STAKE?

A potential strike could hit at a time when automakers are ramping up efforts to maximize gasoline and EV vehicle production to capitalize on demand for new vehicles.

A strike would be another blow, following supply-chain disruptions that hurt production and profits during the pandemic.

In fiscal 2019, GM's fourth-quarter profit took a $3.6 billion hit from a 40-day UAW strike that shut down its profitable U.S. operations.

Fewer cars produced would hit inventories at vehicle dealers that are also trying to cash in on the demand.

Impacts of the potential strike could also trickle down and squeeze quarterly profits for auto part suppliers such as Aptiv, Lear Corp and Magna.

WHAT DO ANALYSTS EXPECT?

"We don't expect companies to raise FY guidance given the uncertainty ahead of UAW negotiations in September. We see a strike as likely," Wells Fargo analyst Colin Langan said.

"We expect the UAW's new leadership will want to prove itself to the rank-and-file membership by trying to squeeze everything it can from the automakers," Fitch Ratings analyst Steve Brown said.

Fain who took helm of the union in March, has been a UAW member for more than two decades.

(Reporting by Nathan Gomes in Bengaluru and Ben Klayman in Detroit; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)
Bengaluru: Tech major Infosys has deferred pay hikes for employees, according to sources in the company.

Employees in ranks below the management level usually receive their hikes from the month of April.

The sources said that the employees are hoping that they will get a good news from the company before or on the day Infosys announces its first quarter results of the financial year 2023-2024 on July 20.



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So far, the employees have not received any intimation from the management for their salary hikes which used to come in the first quarter in the June, the sources claimed.

Senior management-level employees, whose hike is scheduled to come in the month of July, are also clueless about the company's plans.

The development is seen as continuation of a gloomy scenario in the global IT sector.

Infosys had denied pay hikes during Covid pandemic in 2020 for cash conservation and released hikes in January 2021.

The tech major will commemorate the completion of 40 years of the company on December 14.

Infosys Chairman and Co-founder Nandan Nilekani had made his intentions of handing over the reins of tech giant to a non-founder for the first time ever since the company began its operations on the occasion.
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has summoned an emergency meeting on Wednesday in light of the flood situation due to rising water level of Yamuna river. The meeting will take place in Delhi secretariat. In the meantime, section 144 CrPC has been applied by the Delhi Police in the areas that are susceptible to flooding in Delhi. The Yamuna river in Delhi surged to 207.25 metres and was flowing dangerously close to the highest-ever level of 207.49 metres recorded in 1978, government agencies said on Wednesday. As per the Central Water Commissions (CWC) flood-tracking portal, the water level at the Old Railway Bridge crossed the 207-metre mark at 4 am, the first time since 2013, and rose to 207.25 metres by 8 am on Wednesday.

It is anticipated that the river will rise to 207.35 metres by 12 noon on Wednesday and continue to rise further, an official of the irrigation and flood control department said. Delhi witnessed a rapid rise in the Yamuna water level over the last three days. It jumped from 203.14 metres at 11 am on Sunday to 205.4 at 5 pm on Monday, crossing the danger mark of 205.33 metres 18 hours earlier than expected.

The river had surpassed the evacuation mark of 206 metres on Monday night, leading to the shifting of people living in flood-prone areas to safer locations and a closure of the Old Railway Bridge for road and rail traffic. The water level of 207.25 metres is the highest since 2013 when the river reached a level of 207.32 metres, the CWC data showed.



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New Delhi: Amid a standoff over the allocation of portfolios in Maharashtra, senior NCP leaders Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel arrived in the national capital on Wednesday evening for a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and top BJP leaders. Talking to reporters, Patel, the working president of the Nationalist Congress Party, dismissed suggestions about a rift in the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance in Maharashtra and asserted that the issue about the allocation of portfolios has been sorted out and will be allocated in a day or two.

In a surprise development on July 2, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP split as his nephew Ajit Pawar and almost three dozen MLAs joined the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP alliance. Ajit Pawar and eight other NCP leaders were sworn in as ministers.

"Do not read too much into our meetings here. It is just a courtesy call to senior BJP leaders. Ajit dada and myself have not had a formal meeting with the top BJP leadership. We will be meeting Home Minister Amit Shah and other BJP leaders here," Patel said.

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Patel said he and Ajit Pawar will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 18 when a meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) constituents has been convened by the BJP.

He asserted that the issue of allocation of portfolios was sorted out during two late-night meetings between Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, and himself on Monday and Tuesday."The allocation of portfolios will happen in a day or two," Patel said.

Patel said the NCP has not sought any share in the Union Council of Ministers. "We have not made any demand for a central ministry," Patel said when asked whether the NCP would join the Union government.

Asked about the delay in the allocation of portfolios in Maharashtra, Patel said after joining the government the NCP had not broached the topic with its alliance partners for four to five days. "We took up the issue only a couple of days back. We have had three meetings," he said referring to the late-night meetings on Monday and Tuesday.

Patel said there would be some issues in the allocation of portfolios as the same had been distributed by the BJP and Shiv Sena when they formed the government last year. "Now each of them will have to give up some portfolios to accommodate us," he said. Patel parried questions on the prized finance portfolio that Ajit Pawar is learnt to be keen on having. "The picture will be clear in a day or two," he said.

Besides Patel and Ajit Pawar, senior NCP leader Hasan Mushrif is also in the national capital. However, Patel said Mushrif is here for some personal work and will not join him and Ajit Pawar at the meeting with the BJP leaders.
Mumbai: After rain caused havoc in different parts of the country, especially Himachal Pradesh, veteran actor Anupam Kher warned people not to mess with nature otherwise they would have to pay a price for it.

The Kashmir Files actor took to Instagram and shared his thoughts on the situation. He wrote in Hindi, which read, The heartbreaking havoc that has caused in different parts of the country, especially in Himachal Pradesh due to rain, is terrifying and alarming. Not only innocent lives have been lost, but also the government and private property worth crores have suffered huge loss. My sympathies and prayers go out to all! But for the past several years I have also been warning that if we continue to mess with nature we will have to pay heavily compensation for it. Greed must end somewhere.

There appears to be no immediate respite in the offing for Himachal Pradesh, which has been battered by rains over the last few days, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD), on Tuesday, issued "red" and "orange" alerts for several districts of the hill-state for the next 24 hours.

"A red alert has been issued for very heavy rainfall in Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Kullu, Mandi, Kinnaur, and Lahaul for the next 24 hours. Additionally, an orange alert has been issued in Una, Hamirpur, Kangra, and Chamba. A flash flood warning has been issued for Mandi, Kinnaur, and Lahaul-Spiti for the next 24 hours," said senior IMD Scientist Sandeep Kumar Sharma on Monday.



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Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jairam Thakur on Monday said the state recorded unprecedented rains in the past few days, adding that he was concerned over the loss of lives and damage to public infrastructure.

Thakur, who is now the Leader of the Opposition in the Himachal Assembly, told ANI that Himachal Pradesh had "not seen such rain in its history" as over 12 major bridges have been damaged.

"We never saw such a situation in the past several years. I am very concerned over the prevailing situation in the state. Several big and small rivers are in spate and if the situation persists over the next few days, there could be further damage," he said.

The rains have wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh triggering landslides, causing power disruption, blocking roads, and damaging bridges. Nature's fury in the state has claimed 20 lives over the past 48 hours.

Tourists were stranded in parts of the hill-state, with the loss of infrastructure estimated at between Rs 3,000 crore and Rs. 4,000 crore. Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said the state has not seen such heavy rains in the last 50 years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, spoke to the Himachal CM on the prevailing situation, assuring full support from the Centre. Taking about Khers work front, he recently announced his new project in which he will be seen portraying the role of the poet, philosopher, and essayist, Rabindranath Tagore.

Apart from that, he will be next seen in director Anurag Basu's upcoming anthology film 'Metro...In Dino'. The film also stars Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ali Fazal and Neena Gupta in pivotal roles and is all set to hit the theatres on March 29, 2024.
Emoji: We may now communicate emotions, activities, objects, and thoughts by using emojis, which have become an essential aspect of modern communication. Emojis are now almost exclusively used in all types of communication, including social media postings, text messages, emails, and even online learning. While many people do not give much care to sending an emoji, a Canadian farmer was fined Rs 60 lakh for using the same small digital image without a clear understanding.

Emoji: Think Before Sending

A Canadian court fined Chris Achter, a farmer in Saskatchewan, Rs 50,88,893 for using the thumbs-up emoji in response to a contract that the buyer received over a text message. As per the media claims, Achter was negotiating a deal with a buyer who was interested in buying 86 tons of flax for $12.73 per bushel. The buyer called Achter, who then sent him a picture of a contract for the delivery of the flax in November and requested that he verify it. Achter replied to the message with a thumbs-up emoji, which the buyer interpreted as agreement to the terms of the deal. Achther, however, had not fulfilled the contract's pledge to supply any flax until months later. When the buyer got in touch with Achter, he claimed that he had sent an emoji of a thumbs-up to show that he had received the contract image. He added that his thumbs-up was not meant to serve as acceptance or his signature.

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Case Brought Before A Judge

Later, the case was brought before a judge to be resolved. The buyer claimed that Achter had broken the terms of the agreement during the hearing, and they provided evidence for their claim by releasing a snapshot of the exchange. Achter clarified that the emoji he used in the text message just indicated that he had received the contract and declined to offer any confirmation of the contract. The judge decided in favor of the buyer after listening to all sides, citing the fact that the thumbs-up emoji is frequently used to express approval. The judge supplied more evidence in support of this claim by citing Dictionary.com's description of the thumbs-up emoji. Emojis are symbols that are used in digital communication to convey agreement, approval, or encouragement, according to the definition.

Justice Keene said that while a signature is a customary way to verify someone's identification, more recent techniques like emojis can also do the same thing. The judge observed that, notwithstanding its unconventionality, a thumbs-up emoji might nonetheless serve the two main purposes of a signature, namely to identify the signer and to convey acceptance of the contract. In this particular instance, the signatory's cell phone number allowed for identification. The thumbs-up emoji, which came from Chris and his special cell phone, in my judgment, satisfied the signature requirement, the court added, according to Reuters. Chris Achter, the farmer, was consequently fined around Rs 60 Lakh for breaching the terms of the flax contract with the buyer.
A male passenger assaulted crew and some other passengers, and damaged the lavatory door onboard an Air India flight from Toronto to the national capital on July 8, the airline said on Wednesday. The passenger, a Nepalese citizen, was handed over to security agencies on arrival at the airport here. "A passenger on flight AI188 of 08 July 2023 operating Toronto-Delhi displayed unacceptable aggression during flight. He smoked in the lavatory, damaged the lavatory door and assaulted crew and passengers, leaving them with minor injuries," an Air India spokesperson said in a statement.

According to the spokesperson, the passenger was warned several times by the crew and finally had to be restrained in his seat. On arrival, the passenger was handed over to the security agencies for further course of action as per regulatory requirements and the matter has been reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the spokesperson said.

In recent times, there have been rising incidents of unruly behaviour of passengers onboard flights. On June 24, there was an incident of a male passenger behaving in a "repulsive manner" onboard an Air India flight from Mumbai to Delhi.



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Passenger and flight attendant injured after Air China flight hit severe turbulence between Shanghai and Beijing. pic.twitter.com/AGiZ6mp4lt July 11, 2023

Also, recently a Shanghai-Beijing Air China flight encountered a severe turbulence, resulting injuries to many passengers and cabin crew. The details of the incident are scarce, but as seen in a video shared Breaking Aviation News & Videos on Twitter, the incident occurred on July 10, 2023 on the Air China Flight CA1524. The video shows the exact moment the flight encountered the turbulence and was recorded by one of the passengers.

A passenger sitting on the aisle seat sent the flyer out the seat, flying to the roof, revealing the severity of the incident. The flyer was not wearing a seat belt and hence was tossed out of the seat. Had the passenger wear a seat belt, he would have stayed in his seat, a reason why flight attendants always say to wear a seat belt on a flight, as the turbulence can happen anytime.
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday urged people residing in low-lying areas near Yamuna to vacate their houses after the water level in the river reached a record high, surpassing a 45-year-old record. In his appeal to Delhi residents, Kejriwal said, "We have to protect lives, properties. People in low-lying areas near the Yamuna River need to be evacuated."

The Delhi government has meanwhile alerted the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) of the escalating situation and the rising water level in Yamuna. The Chief Minister also directed the district magistrates to convert schools into relief camps if necessary due to the increasing water levels in the Yamuna.





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Kejriwal also said that Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat has informed him that the volume of water being released to Haryana from Himachal Pradesh has reduced, which in turn will impact the water level in the Yamuna. However, he said it will take some time for the water level in the river to recede.

The Yamuna in Delhi swelled to 207.71 metres at 4 pm on Wednesday, breaching its all-time record of 207.49 metres set in 1978, flooding several areas and prompting Kejriwal to call an emergency meeting on the situation.

Delhi CM Writes To Amit Shah

In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Kejriwal requested that "if possible, the water from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana be released in limited speed" and pointed out that Delhi is set to host the G20 Summit meeting in a few weeks.

"Following my letter, I got a call from Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who said that Hathnikund is just a barrage and there is no reservoir to store water and limit the water speed. The water volume being released from Himachal Pradesh has reduced and the situation will improve. But it will take time to reflect in the water level of the Yamuna," he said at a press conference after the meeting.

My letter to Union Home Minister on Yamuna flood levels pic.twitter.com/dqDMLWuIfe  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 12, 2023

Don't Go Near Swollen River To Take Selfies: CM

Following the meeting, Kejriwal said that the focus at the moment is to protect lives. "Please vacate your houses. We have also been seeing that some people are going to watch the swollen river. Please don't go there to click selfies," he urged the people. He said Boat Club, Monastery Market, Neeli Chhatri Temple, Yamuna Bazar, Neem Karoli Gaushala, Vishwakarma Colony, and the stretch between Majnu ka Tila and Wazirabad have been submerged.

The Chief Minister also said that the Delhi government has informed NDRF that its help may be sought. District magistrates have also been directed to convert schools into relief camps if needed, he said.

Gatherings In Vulnerable Areas Banned

In the wake of the crisis, Delhi Police banned gatherings in vulnerable parts of the city. The Delhi Police also imposed prohibitory measures under CrPC section 144 in flood-prone areas of the city. Thousands of people have already been relocated to safer areas as the water invaded homes and markets near the river. Projections from the Central Water Commission suggest that water levels are likely to rise further.

The India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall to continue in Uttarakhand in the next two days, exacerbating the flooding risk. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority has issued an advisory asking people to move to safer places and cautioning them against passing through low-lying areas.
ICAI CA Foundation June Result 2023: ICAI CA Foundation June Result 2023: The CA Foundation result for June 2023 is likely to be released today, July 12, 2023, by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, ICA. However, this is only a provisional date because the official date has not been announced. Candidates must go to the ICAI exam website - icai.nic.in - and input their registration and roll number to view their results (whenever they are announced).

Students can also receive their results through SMS and email if they register their email address and mobile number on the ICAI website. From June 24 to June 30, 2023, the ICAI CA Foundation examinations were held.

ICAI CA Foundation Result 2023: Steps to check here

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1. Visit the ICAI exam website of ICAI at icai.org.

2. On homepage, click on "Results".

3. Under the "Check Results" section, click on "Foundation: June 2023".

4. In the next step, they will have to enter their Roll number with a PIN or the registration number.

5. Now a new window will appear with your CA Foundation result.

6. Take a printout of the result for future reference. ICAI CA Foundation result mark sheet will have details like Student's name, Paper-wise minimum and maximum marks, Total marks, and Result Status of the student.

ICAI CA Foundation Result 2023: Heres how to check via SMS

1. Open message box and write a new text message, CAFND (Space)XXXXXX (Where XXXXXX is the 6-digit Foundation roll number of the candidate), E.g. CAFND 000171

2. Send the message to 57575

3. Result will be sent on phone

The ICAI CA Foundation result date will be officially revealed soon. Candidates are urged to keep an eye on the official website to avoid missing out on any updates.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the marks of the recommended candidates for the Combined Defence Service (CDS) Examination II, 2022 on July 12. A total number of 302 candidates have passed the examination. Recommended students can download the marks list from the official website at https://upsc.gov.in/. The selected candidates will be offered admission to Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Indian Air Force Academy as per merit. The UPSC CDS II examination took place on September 2022 and the results were declared on July 4.

UPSC CDS II: How To Check

Step 1: Visit the official website of UPSC  https://upsc.gov.in/.



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Step 2: On the landing page, click on the Marks of the Recommended Candidates for CDS II Examination link.

Step 3: A PDF will open which will display the marks of the recommended applicants.

Step 4: Check your marks and download the document.

The document contains the marks of the candidates in the written examination and interview along with their date of birth and roll number. The list contains the names of the qualified students who are offered seats at different academies. A total of 103 women candidates have secured their seats at the Officers Training Academy (OTA) while 146 male candidates are selected for Indian Military Academy, Dehradun

43 male candidates have been selected for the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, while 15 men have been offered the seat at Indian Airforce Academy in Hyderabad.

UPSC conducts the CDS examination twice a year to recruit students into the military academies. Under this recruitment drive, a total of 341 posts are to be filled. Out of these positions, 100 are at the IMA in Dehradun, 22 are at the Indian Naval Academy, 32 are at the Air Force Academy, 170 are at the OTA (male) and 17 for female.

The marks are the culmination of the scores candidates achieved in the written examination and the interview that was conducted by the Service Selection Board (SSB).
Mumbai: A woman was killed and 19 persons were injured when a bus operated by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) fell into a deep gorge in Nashik district on Wednesday morning, an official said. The injured have been rushed to a state-run hospital, the official said. The incident took place around 5.45 am near a Ganesh temple at Vani on the Saptashrungi Garh ghat section in Kalwan taluka, the official said.

On Tuesday night, the MSRTC bus had come to Saptashrungi Garh from Khamgaon in Buldhana district. The bus was going back on Wednesday morning when the driver lost control of the vehicle and it fell into a 150-foot-deep gorge, the official said.

Local residents, police and other agencies reached the spot and started rescue and search operations, he said. A woman died and 19 persons, including the driver and conductor of the bus, sustained injuries in the accident, he said.



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Sources said district guardian minister Dada Bhuse was on his way to the accident spot.
UAW President Shawn Fain holds a Detroit Free Press from 2003 on Tuesday during a Facebook Live session as he discusses upcoming contract bargaining with Ford, General Motors and Stellantis.

UAW President Shawn Fain on Tuesday addressed the big question on the minds of probably anyone working at Ford, General Motors or Stellantis right now.

Who is the strike target for this years contract bargaining?

The answer he gave during a Facebook Live session, however, keeps the question where it has been for months, up for interpretation.

So I know people are very anxious to hear who our strike target is, and my answer to this question is very simple. The Big Three is our strike target and whether or not there is a strike, its up to Ford, General Motors and Stellantis because they know what our priorities are. Weve been clear, Fain said, pointing to the quarter of a trillion dollars in North American profits the companies have booked in the last decade.

The automakers, he said, can afford to make things right. Making things right, he said, involves addressing union priorities such as reestablishing cost-of-living adjustments, supporting retirees, job security and ending wage tiers.

If the Big Three dont give us our fair share, then theyre choosing to strike themselves, and were not afraid to take action, Fain said, in a virtual rally of sorts that comes ahead of the start of bargaining.

More: UAW prepares to begin contract talks with Detroit 3

Talks begin with Stellantis on Thursday, Ford on Friday and GM on July 18. The current contracts are in effect until 11:59 p.m. Sept. 14. Fain and UAW Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock and vice presidents Chuck Browning, Mike Booth and Rich Boyer plan to host a members handshake on Wednesday at the gates of three metro Detroit plants  Stellantis Sterling Heights Assembly, GMs Factory Zero and Fords Michigan Assembly.

The members handshake is the latest departure in the unions typical strategy ahead of bargaining, replacing the ceremonial handshake with company leaders.

Fains comments Tuesday echoed much of what he and other union leaders have been saying for months about bargaining priorities and about the power that the membership has to get better contracts, as long as members are prepared to fight for them.

He asked members to fill out and return support cards to provide contact information so the union can better inform members about bargaining and to let the companies know where we stand.

Fain also held up a 2003 Detroit Free Press edition, with the lead headline in all caps, Pacts help carmakers fight foreign rivals.

More: UAW presidential candidate sues Labor Department over election complaint

He said that was the year, despite the companies being profitable, that the union made a switch from three-year contracts to four, agreed to bonuses during two years of the contract rather than wage increases each year and gave the OK to close plants along with other concessions. Fain described a vice president referenced in the article as sounding like a company spokesperson, when he was addressing absenteeism, which he described as a company problem.

This is just flat-out company unionism and theres no other word for it. And I want to make one thing clear, those days are over. As your president, youre not going to hear me speaking the companys talking points, he said.

A quick read of the 2003 article, however, while noting the plant closures and other items, paints a less rosy picture of the industry at the time.

Negotiations for the 4-year tentative national contract wrapped up this week amid distressing times for General Motors Corp., Ford and DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group. All three are losing business to companies like Toyota, Honda and Nissan  and not even record discounts and rebates are helping. Meanwhile, Ford lost $6.4 billion the previous two years and Chrysler lost $1.1 billion in the second quarter. GM is the most profitable; most of that is from re-financing mortgages, the article said.

The Free Press reached out to each of the three automakers for comment about the start of bargaining and their thoughts on Fain and the UAW leaderships approach so far. Here are their statements:

Ford's response

Ford is proud to build more vehicles in America and employ more UAW-represented hourly workers in America than any other automaker. We look forward to working with the UAW on creative solutions during this time when our dramatically changing industry needs a skilled and competitive workforce more than ever.

More: UAW leaders stress big Detroit 3 profits, promise 'constant' communication ahead of talks

GM's response

General Motors is committed to providing jobs that support American workers, their families, and the communities where they live and work. We have a long history of negotiating fair contracts with the UAW that reward our employees and support the long-term success of our business. Our total compensation package  including wages, bonuses, profit-sharing, benefits and comprehensive healthcare plan  is one of the best in the industry.

Stellantis' response

"Stellantis and the UAW have a long history of working together, and our intent is to continue this partnership. On Thursday, we will begin discussions that will set our course for the next four years and beyond. Our focus will be on negotiating a contract that will ensure our future competitiveness in todays rapidly changing global market and preserve good wages and benefits that recognize the contributions of our represented workforce. Together, we must approach these negotiations with open minds and a willingness to roll up our sleeves to find solutions that will result in a contract that is competitive in the market, provides a path to the middle class for our employees and meets the needs of our customers."

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: UAW president talks strike target, priorities ahead of start of talks
Bengaluru: In a shocking turn of events, the CEO and MD of a tech company in Bengaluru were brutally killed by a former employee who stormed into their office and attacked them with a sword, according to the police. Phanindra Subramanya, the Managing Director, and Vinu Kumar, the CEO, of Aeronics Internet Company succumbed to their injuries while being rushed to the hospital.

Location and Suspect

The incident took place at the Aeronics office located in Pampa Extension, Amrithahalli, a residential area where the company operated from a converted house. The assailant, identified as Felix, is currently on the run, as confirmed by DCP North East Bengaluru, Lakshmi Prasad. Reports suggest that Felix had previously worked at the company and left to start his own business. Allegedly, the victims were seen as interfering in his business affairs, leading to a possible motive for the attack.



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Attack with Swords and Daggers

The police stated that the attack occurred around 4 p.m. when the assailants armed with swords and daggers forcefully entered the office premises. They launched a vicious assault on Mr. Subramanya, who was in the presence of ten employees. Mr. Kumar, upon hearing the commotion, rushed to assist but was also attacked by the assailants before they fled through the backdoor.

Investigation and Search for Suspects

Upon receiving information about the incident, senior police officials, accompanied by local police, arrived at the crime scene. Eyewitness accounts helped identify two of the attackers, including the former employee Felix. The police suspect that the murders may be a result of business rivalry, given Felix's recent departure from the company to pursue his own venture. Felix, known for his active presence on social media with a substantial online following, remains at large.

Efforts to Apprehend the Culprits

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North East Division), Laxmi Prasad, stated that four special teams have been formed to apprehend the accused, who are currently evading arrest. The police have obtained some leads and are diligently working to track down the culprits. The motive behind these heinous murders is yet to be fully established. Investigators are recording statements from the staff members to determine the involvement of any additional individuals in the crime and to verify the exact motive behind the attack.
New Delhi: A team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday arrested two Delhi Police head constables for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 50000 from an e-rickshaw charging and parking contractor in the Mangolpuri area of the national capital. The arrested persons have been identified as Bhim and Akshay. Both are head constables in the Delhi Police and are presently posted at Mangolpuri Police Station.

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How Did The CBI Arrest Them?

CBI said that it had received a complaint on July 10 from a man who runs a shop for charging e-rikshaws at his shop LSC Market, K Block Mangolpuri, Delhi. In his complaint, the man alleged that on July 7, Bhim - the Head Constable of Mangolpuri Police Station - threatened him to disrupt the operation of his e-rikshaw charging shop and seize the e-rikshaws.

He also allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000 from the complainant for allowing the parking and charging of e-rikshaws in front of his shop. Following this, the CBI planned an operation and decided to conduct a raid to catch them while accepting the bribe.

During the CBI raid, one of the accused Bhim, tried to flee but was overpowered by an CBI official. The entire incident was captured in a CCTV installed outside the police station and the video footage has now become viral on social media.
NEW DELHI: The merger of HDFC Bank and Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC Ltd) merger, which came into effect from July 1, was one of the biggest developments in the banking sector in recent times. After the much-talked-about merger, the HDFC Bank has become the largest bank in the country in terms of market capitalisation. Just a day ahead of the merger, HDFC bank's former chairman Deepak Parekh resigned from his post and shared an emotional note with the bank's employees in which he said that it was "time to hang my boots".

"It is my time to hang my boots with both anticipation and hope for the future. While this will be my last communication to shareholders of HDFC, rest assured we now stride tall into a very exciting future of growth and prosperity. The HDFC experience is invaluable. Our history cannot be erased and our legacy will be taken forward," Parekh said in his retirement letter.

Soon after that, a post claiming to show a 45-year-old letter - when Deepak Parekh was first offered a job at the HDFC Bank in 1978 - went viral on social media. The letter, dating back to July 19, 1978, also revealed details of the salary offered to Deepak Parekh back then and other terms and conditions of the employment contract.



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Please note Zee Media cannot verify the authenticity of the letter.

Deepak Parekh hangs up his boots after a 45-year career at #HDFC



His appointment letter dated July 19, 1978. He joined as Deputy General Manager of HDFC for a basic salary of Rs 3,500



Truly the end of an era!#HDFCMerger pic.twitter.com/9Z7qedifTK  Shilpa S. Ranipeta (@Shilparanipeta) June 30, 2023

Back then, Parekh joined his uncles firm HDFC Limited as a Deputy General Manager. According to the offer letter, Parekh was offered a basic salary of Rs 3,500 plus Rs 500 as a fixed Dearness Allowance. Besides his salary, Deepak Parekh was also entitled to a 15 per cent Housing Rent Allowance and a 10 per cent City Compensatory Allowance.

As per the letter, Deepak Parekh was also offered the corporation's Provident Fund, gratuity, medical benefits, leave travel facilities, and reimbursement of residential phone expenses. After the merger, Parekh will not be serving on the banks board, owing to rules by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on age limits.

During his 45-year-old career, Parekh has been responsible for taking five companies public and stitched together at least seven M&A deals. Under Parekh, HDFC has provided more than NINE million Indians with home loans and grew its loan book to Rs 7.24 lakh crores. The mortgage lender now commands more than a third of the overall home loan market.

HDFC Bank agreed to the USD 40 billion deal on April 4 last year. The HDFC Bank is now 100 per cent owned by public shareholders, and existing shareholders of HDFC own 41 per cent of the bank. HDFC Banks market value has increased significantly following the merger, making it the richest bank in India. As of July 7, HDFC Bank had a market value of Rs 9,28,657.99 crore.
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said she is saddened at the loss of lives in 'sporadic' incidents of violence during rural polls. Banerjee also asserted that her government has given a free hand to the police to take action against those behind the violence.

"I am saddened at the loss of lives in sporadic incidents of violence during panchayat elections... The polls were held in 71,000 booths, but incidents of violence took place in not more than 60 booths," she said.

The chief minister claimed that 19 people, mostly from her TMC, died in poll-related violence since the election date was announced on June 8.



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Police sources, however, have put the number of fatalities at 37.

"I am giving police free hand to act against those behind the violence," she told reporters at the state secretariat 'Nabanna'.

Banerjee also appealed for peace and harmony in the aftermath of the polls.

Mamata Banerjee's politics is full of atrocities: BJP on Panchayat poll violence

Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for letting loose a reign of terror during the rural polls and wondered why the central leadership of the Congress and the Left are silent on it.

A four-member BJP fact-finding team to West Bengal, led by the former Union minister, said the state unit's demand for implementing Article 355 is "justifiable".

"We had immense respect for Mamataji when she defeated the 34-year-old Left regime in the state. Today, I want to gently remind Mamataji about her evolution in Bengal and national politics. She was a fighter. But unfortunately, her government has crossed even the records of the Left regarding misrule, anarchy and lawlessness in the state," he said.

The BJP leader told reporters, "Her (Mamata Banerjee) politics is now full of atrocities, which was not evident even during the Left rule."

"Why are so many people being killed? Why so much violence across the state? Is this not the responsibility of the state administration to ensure free and fair polls? This was once the scenario of Bihar, but the state, too, has moved ahead. Mamata Banerjee has shamed democracy in Bengal," he said.

Hitting out at the opposition meeting in Patna, Prasad wondered why the CPI(M) and the Congress brass are silent on the ongoing violence.

"The opposition parties, including Mamata Banerjee, were vocal about BJP posing a threat to the democracy in the country. I want to ask Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury for their silence on the killings in West Bengal. Even their party cadres are being beaten up, so why are they silent?" he questioned.

Prasad mocked the TMC boss over her social media post regarding the party's victory in rural polls and wondered whether Banerjee is "afraid to face the media".

"She conducts press conferences at the drop of a hat. This time she has refrained from interacting with the media as she knows the truth behind the violence and blood-smeared rural polls," he said.

The BJP MP from neighbouring Patna hoped that the fact-finding team would be allowed to visit the violence-hit areas of the state.

When asked to comment on demands by BJP leader to impose Article 355 in West Bengal, the former Union law minister said, "Article 355 says the Centre must convey to the state that governance is done as per the mandate of the Constitution."

"The Centre will look into the governor's report and then take a call accordingly. But this is a justifiable demand," he said.

The TMC mocked the fact-finding team and said it was an attempt to divert attention from the party's humiliating defeat.

"They should first send a fact-finding team to Manipur, which has been burning for the last two months. The BJP's fact-finding team in West Bengal is an attempt to divert attention from its own organisational failure," TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said.
Meet Pooja Awana, a remarkable woman from Uttar Pradesh, who achieved a remarkable feat by clearing the highly challenging UPSC exam at the young age of 22. Currently serving as a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in the Rajasthan Police, Pooja's journey is an inspiration for aspiring civil servants across the country.

Father's Dream and the Path to UPSC:

Driven by her father's aspiration to see her in a police uniform, Pooja embarked on her UPSC preparation journey. Overcoming numerous hurdles, she was determined to fulfill her father's dream and pursue a career in the prestigious Indian Police Service (IPS).



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First Attempt and Perseverance:

Pooja Awana, a native of Atta village in Noida, had always been a top performer. After completing her graduation, she dedicated herself to UPSC preparation. In 2010, she appeared for the UPSC exam for the first time but did not secure success. However, she refused to be disheartened by the setback.

Triumph in the Second Attempt:

Undeterred by failure, Pooja Awana approached her second attempt with renewed determination and thorough preparation. Her hard work paid off as she achieved an impressive All India Rank of 316, earning her the prestigious title of an IPS officer at a tender age of 22.

Professional Achievements:

Following her training, Pooja Awana was assigned her first posting in Pushkar, Rajasthan, where she began her illustrious career. Throughout her service, she held various roles and responsibilities, including the position of Deputy Commissioner of Traffic in Jaipur. Presently, she serves as the DCP in the Rajasthan Police, making significant contributions to law enforcement.

Words of Encouragement:

Pooja Awana encourages aspiring civil servants not to lose hope in the face of failures, low marks, or initial setbacks. She emphasizes the importance of resilience and perseverance, urging individuals to stay focused on their goals and work diligently. Pooja believes that even if success eludes them initially, with persistent efforts, triumph will eventually come their way.

Conclusion:

Pooja Awana's journey from a young aspirant to an accomplished IPS officer is a testament to her unwavering determination and dedication. Her remarkable achievement at a tender age serves as an inspiration for countless individuals striving to make a mark in the field of civil services. Pooja's story reminds us that with perseverance and hard work, dreams can indeed be turned into reality, regardless of age or circumstances.
NEW DELHI: Seema Ghulam Haider, the Pakistani woman who has become the talk of the town ever since she was arrested for illegally staying in India along with her Greater Noida-based lover Sachin Meena, has categorically denied allegations of being an ISI agent. Speaking exclusively to Zee Media, Seema Haider denied all speculations about being a Pakistani agent who has been planted in India. She told Zee Media that she is deeply in love with Sachin, who has taken great care of her children ever since they first met and got married in Nepal.

Seema Haider also claimed that she was getting death and rape threats from Pakistan and that she fears for her life. Making an emotional appeal to the Government of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the Noida Police, Seema said that she is a simple woman who wants to live in India. I am not a terrorist. I am an ordinary woman. I appeal to the government of India not to send me back to Pakistan otherwise I will be killed. I have changed my lifestyle. I have embraced Hinduism. I love Indian culture and want to live here forever.

Seema also accused her Gulam Haider, who stays in Saudi Arabia, of spreading misinformation to defame her. She also admitted that she possessed three ID cards when she came to India but those were of her late father and husband Ghulam Haider and one belonged to her. She also claimed to be carrying one Covid-19 vaccination card along with other items as proof of her identity.



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Seema Haider-Sachin Meena's Love Story

For the unversed, Seema fell in love with Greater Noida's Sachin Meena over the online gaming platform PUBG and later crossed multiple international borders ''illegally'' to live with him. She has now become a vegetarian and is quickly learning to adapt herself to Hindu traditions and customs  all for love. Ever since she came from Pakistan, Seema Haider is in awe of the Indian culture and lifestyle. Not only has she converted to Hinduism, Seema has also given up her favourite food - chicken biryani, meat and fish. The Pakistani Bhabhi is trying hard to wholeheartedly embrace Indian culture and doing everything to assimilate herself into Indian society.

According to media reports, Seema Haider has converted to Hinduism and wears a Radhe-Radhe strap around her neck. She can be seen greeting guests with folded hands, seeking blessings by touching the feet of elders, and engaging in prayer. Seema, 30, said that she has adopted a vegetarian lifestyle like Sachins family and wants to live here in India for the rest of her life.

The Pakistani woman grabbed a lot of eyeballs after she and Sachin Meena, 25, were arrested by the authorities on July 4. While Seema was charged with illegally entering India, Sachin was booked for sheltering the illegal immigrant. Seema was accused of illegally entering India without a valid visa via Nepal with her four children, all aged below seven years, to live with her lover Sachin. The two were granted bail by a court in Uttar Pradesh's Greater Noida on Friday.

How Did Seema & Sachin Met?



The couple's love story is as intriguing as a typical Bollywood potboiler. The two fell in love with each other while playing the online game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) during the Covid-19 pandemic. They met in Nepal earlier this year in March and got married.

Narrating her story to reporters after walking out of jail, Seema said, "It was such a long and gruelling journey. I was very scared too. I first went from Karachi to Dubai, where we waited for 11 hours and couldn't sleep. We then flew to Nepal, before finally taking the road to Pokhara, where I met Sachin."

While she then went back to Pakistan, Sachin returned to India from Nepal. Upon reaching Pakistan, Seema, who claimed discord with her husband, sold a plot for Pakistani Rupees 12 lakh and arranged flight tickets and a Nepal visa for herself and her four children.

In May, she reached Nepal via Dubai and spent some time in the tourist city of Pokhara in the Himalayan nation. Then she took a bus to Delhi from Kathmandu and reached Greater Noida on May 13 with her children where Sachin had made arrangements for her to stay in a rented accommodation without disclosing her Pakistani identity.

How Did Their Love Story Come To Fore?



Their cross-border love story hit a dead-end after they were arrested on July 4 and put in jail. After getting bail from the court, Seema said that she will now focus on the paperwork to make her move to India official. She also said that she does want to go back to Pakistan and cited the stringent rules for women back in her country and a possible threat to her life.

"No one has brought me to India by persuasion, I have come here of my own free will for the sake of love," Seema said. In an interview with the BBC, Seema Haider said that she would rather slit her throat or consume poison than return to her homeland. Seema also revealed that she was forced to marry her Pakistani husband Gulam, who works in Dubai, at a very young age.

In his turn, Sachin, who works at a grocery store, said that he wants to live with Seema and her children in Greater Noida only. The duo also said they would contact lawyers to find out a way to legalise her stay in India. Seema said she will accept Hinduism. Sachin told reporters that they would soon take a dip in the holy Ganga together for her to embark on their new journey.

Twist In Seema & Sachin's Love Story



Adding a twist to their love story, Seema's husband, Gulam Haider, who stays in Saudi Arabia, has made an appeal to the Government Of India via a video message to help him reunite with his wife. In the video, he says that he got to know that his wife and children were in Noida, through the Indian media.
Kolkata: TMC looked set to sweep the violence-scarred rural polls keeping intact the mandate it won two years back during the assembly polls by taking a seemingly unassailable lead in results declared till now by the State Election Commission. The ruling TMC has won in 30,391 gram panchayat seats, besides leading in 1,767 seats, according to the SEC as of 11.30 pm on Tuesday. Its nearest rival BJP has won 8,239 seats and is leading in 447 seats. In all elections are being held for 63,229 gram panchayat seats.

The CPI(M) has won 2,534 and is leading in 237 seats. The Congress won 2,158 seats and is leading in 151. The ruling TMC won 2,612 Panchayat samiti seats while leading 627 seats. BJP has won 275 and is leading in 149 seats, while CPI(M) has won 63 seats and is leading in 53 others and Congress has won in 50 seats and is leading in 26 seats. Elections were held for 9,728 Panchayat Samiti seats.

TMC has also won all 88 Zila Parishad results declared so far and is leading in 163 others while CPI(M) has is leading in 4 seats, while Congress is leading in 2 and the BJP in 13. In all, there are 928 Zila Parishad seats. Though the counting process was largely peaceful, there were stray incidents of bombs being thrown outside a counting centre and political workers of various parties clashing.



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Also Read: TMC's Mahua Moitra Warns BJP After SC Terms ED Chief's Extension 'Illegal': 'We Will Fight You In Polls, Courts'

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who had suffered an injury during campaigning thanked people for reposing trust in her party. "It's TMC all the way in rural Bengal. I want to thank the people for their love, affection and support towards the TMC. This election has proved that only TMC resides in the heart of the people of the state," Banerjee said in a social media post.

The elections were keenly contested as they were seen by all parties as an indicator of which way the wind will blow in the 2024 parliamentary elections from this part of the country. The violence which rocked the panchayat polls held on Saturday has claimed at least 15 lives with 11 of them from the ruling TMC. Since elections were announced last month, the number of people who died in poll-related incidents has been 33, with the ruling party suffering 60 per cent of the deaths.

Also Read: West Bengal Panchayat Poll Violence: Governor CV Ananda Bose Meets Amit Shah, Says 'Good Will Happen...'

Allegations of vote tampering and violence by various parties forced the SEC to order re-polling in 696 seats on Monday, which passed more or less peacefully. Intervention by the Calcutta High Court had seen the deployment of central police forces on both election and counting days.

Though Bengal has a long history of violent rural polls with 40 people killed in one single day of polling during the 2003 panchayat elections, this year's violence which was covered extensively by the media focused national attention on it. Governor CV Ananda Bose who had rushed to Delhi to give a report on the violence told newspersons "Political parties should realise elections are not grounds to examine one's physical strength".

Officials said the counting process was largely peaceful thought stray incidents were reported ? including allegations of bombs being thrown outside a counting centre at Bongaon, the beating up of a local ISF leader outside another counting centre and lathi charge by central policemen on duty at places where crowds had gathered in large numbers and breached the security of certain counting centres.

Vote counting is on at 339 venues spread across 22 districts and is likely to carry over to Wednesday. The maximum number of counting centres is in South 24 Parganas at 28, while the minimum is in Kalimpong at four. Some northern districts are also facing inclement weather. "Counting began at 8 am and is likely to continue for the next two days. It will take time for the ballots to be counted and the results to be compiled," an SEC official said.

In Darjeeling hills, out of the 598 seats in Darjeeling and 281 in Kalimpong, the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) was leading in many areas and looks likely to be the new numero uno in the Bengal hill districts.

All the counting venues are manned by armed state police personnel and central forces, with prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC being imposed outside the venue to avoid any untoward incidents. There are a total of 767 strong rooms across 22 districts.

Large crowds of supporters of various candidates gathered at various centres to ensure that counting was conducted correctly. In various districts, TMC supporters celebrated their victory by dancing and smearing each other with green colour, the party's chosen colour.

As initial trends started pouring in, a war of words broke out between the TMC and the BJP, with the latter accusing the ruling party of "making last desperate attempts to loot votes by blocking opposition agents from entering counting centres."

"TMC goons are making desperate attempts to steal the elections by obstructing the counting agents and candidates of the BJP and other opposition political parties from entering counting centres. They are being restricted from going towards the venue, and bombs are being hurled to intimidate counting agents," leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, said.

Refuting the allegations, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, "Sensing defeat, they are making baseless allegations." "Rejected by people and sensing humiliating defeat, this is BJP's last attempt to come up with lame excuses to make up for its own organisational failures," he said.

"We salute the people that despite all these (hurdles), they have supported the Left Front candidates," CPI(M) state secretary Mohd Salim said. The CPI(M) leader alleged that the ruling party was misusing the police and administration to get back to power in the panchayats.

ISF MLA Nawshad Siddique who is leading his newly formed party told PTI, "Whatever chance the people have got to exercise their franchise despite violence and intimidation, they have expressed their opinion against the ruling party." He added that the "myth that a certain community is a vote bank has been proven wrong".

A total of 5.67 crore people living in the state's rural areas were eligible to decide the fate of 2.06 lakh candidates in 73,887 seats of the three-tier-panchayat system. Unlike earlier elections, the Opposition had fielded candidates in more than 90 per cent of seats, unlike in 2018 rural polls, when the ruling TMC had won 34 per cent of the seats uncontested.

In the 2018 rural polls, the ruling TMC had emerged victorious in 90 per cent of the panchayat seats and all the 22 zilla parishads. The elections were marred by widespread violence, with the Opposition alleging they were prevented from filing nominations in several seats.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is considering the possibility of relocating to a modest three-bedroom house located in the serene Nizamuddin East area of South Delhi. The property, previously owned by the late Sheila Dikshit, former Chief Minister of Delhi, served as her home during the final years of her life.

Gandhi's Quest for a New Residence:

After his disqualification from the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi vacated his official bungalow on April 22 and temporarily resided with his mother. However, he actively pursued the search for a suitable dwelling. In a heartwarming gesture, hundreds of Congress workers and leaders, including those in Delhi, offered their own homes for Gandhi to stay.



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A Visit of Condolence:

During the unfortunate demise of Sheila Dikshit in July 2019, Rahul Gandhi visited her house to pay his respects. Learning that Dikshit's family was planning to move to a nearby flat, the idea of becoming a tenant in their former residence appealed to Gandhi.

Contrasting Residences:

The prospective residence is a simple 1,500 square feet house that offers a captivating view of the lush Humayun's Tomb, a remarkable Mughal-era mausoleum dating back to the 16th century. This abode stands in stark contrast to the spacious bungalow located at 12, Tughlaq Lane in Lutyens Delhi, which served as Gandhi's home for nearly two decades.

Proximity to Historical Significance:

Situated just a few hundred meters away from the revered Dargah of Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya, a 13th-century Sufi saint, the house holds cultural significance. When his Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Delhi in the last week of December, Rahul Gandhi took the opportunity to offer prayers at this sacred site.

Dikshit's Legacy and Timeline:

Sheila Dikshit had acquired the Nizamuddin East house in 1991. Serving as the Chief Minister of Delhi from 1998 to 2013, she briefly held the position of Governor of Kerala in 2014 before resigning when the National Democratic Alliance government assumed power at the central level. Following her tenure as Governor, she moved into the Nizamuddin East house, where she resided until her demise.

Legal Troubles and Resignation:

On March 23, a Surat court sentenced Rahul Gandhi to two years in jail in a criminal defamation case filed against him by a Gujarat BJP legislator in 2019. Consequently, Gandhi, a Member of Parliament representing Kerala's Wayanad constituency, was disqualified from the Lok Sabha. Acting swiftly, he voluntarily vacated his MP's bungalow within a month without seeking an extension. Despite the repercussions, Gandhi expressed gratitude to the people of India, emphasizing the value of truth and its associated sacrifices.

Legal Battle Ahead:

In recent developments, the Gujarat High Court declined to stay the Surat court's order. The Congress party has pledged to challenge Rahul Gandhi's conviction in the Supreme Court, signaling a forthcoming legal battle.

Conclusion:

Rahul Gandhi's potential move to Sheila Dikshit's former residence in South Delhi's Nizamuddin East locality symbolizes the passing of the torch between respected leaders. As Gandhi continues his political journey, this modest house carries historical significance and offers a tranquil atmosphere amidst the bustling capital city.
(Bloomberg) -- Ford Motor Co. will ask the United Auto Workers union for flexibility to reduce electric-vehicle production in case the US market for battery-powered cars lags behind expectations.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Negotiations open Friday for a new four-year contract for Fords more than 57,000 US hourly workers. And talks are expected to be contentious as the union seeks pay raises, a restoration of cost-of-living increases and job guarantees while the industry shifts to less labor intensive electric-vehicle production.

New UAW President Shawn Fain has said he is going to war against the Detroit automakers and accused them of engaging in a race to the bottom in the EV transition with factories that will employ fewer workers earning lower wages. This week, Fain eschewed the ceremonial handshake-across-the-bargaining-table with CEOs that has marked the opening of auto contract talks for decades, saying hell do so when they come to the table with a deal.

Ford will seek leeway in its $50 billion plan to boost EV production 15-fold to 2 million models a year by the end of 2026.

The company wants the ability to move workers to factories building the most in-demand models, whether theyre powered by electricity or traditional internal combustion, according to Ford sources who requested anonymity discussing internal matters. The current union contract restricts Fords ability to flex production, they said.

Read More: Biggest Auto Union Gears Up for Fight Over Battery Worker Pay

Ford has reason for caution. The US has been the slowest major market to adopt EVs, lagging behind China and Europe. Electric-vehicle sales growth in the worlds biggest economy slowed to just under 50% in the first half of the year, down from 71% during the same period in 2022, as inventories of battery-powered models ballooned.

Fords US EV sales fell 2.8% during the second quarter as it overhauled a Mexican factory to boost output of the Mustang Mach-E, while sales of the F-150 Lightning plug-in pickup grew just 4%.

Ford is hoping to convince the union to give it more flexibility by noting that it employs as many as 14,000 more US hourly workers than either General Motors Co. or Stellantis NV, parent company of Chrysler and Jeep. Having the biggest US hourly workforce costs Ford an extra $1 billion a year compared to its domestic competitors, the sources said.

Fords labor costs, including wages and benefits, are $64 an hour, compared to $55 an hour at the non-union assembly plants of international automakers such as Toyota Motor Corp. That creates a labor cost gap of $900 million with the international automakers, the people said. Labor costs at Tesla Inc. are even lower at $45-to-$50-an-hour.

Read More: EV Battery Workers Push for Union in Fight for Industrys Future

Ford also plans to pledge to bring more EV manufacturing in-house to help offset the lower labor requirements, the people said. Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley has said controlling more elements of EV and battery production will give Ford a competitive advantage.

Last month, Farley penned a Detroit Free Press opinion piece defending Fords hourly compensation, which he wrote comes to $112,000 in annual pay and benefits. That elicited a sharp response from UAW Vice President Chuck Browning, who accused Farley of misleading the public and utilizing old, musty and ineffective tactics.

Farley is under pressure to reverse $3 billion in projected EV losses this year and achieve an ambitious goal of generating an 8% return, before interest and taxes, on battery-powered models by the end of 2026. Wall Street is skeptical that can be accomplished while boosting EV production to a level one analyst called crazy high.

Keeping costs in check is key to Farleys ambitions. Since last summer when Farley said, we absolutely have too many people, Ford has cut thousands of salaried workers in the US and Europe.

New Factories

Meanwhile, the automaker also is adding thousands of production jobs at new battery factories in Tennessee, Kentucky and Michigan. But it is not yet clear if those new workers will be represented by a union or how much they will earn.

Fords highest paid production worker now makes $32 an hour, which the company says exceeds the pay of 90% of factory workers in America.

The UAW blasted Ford for taking a $9.2 billion US government loan to help finance three battery factories its building with South Koreas SK On in Kentucky and Tennessee, calling it a massive handout to a venture creating low-road jobs.

The contract covering Fords hourly workers expires in mid-September.

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Cooch Behar/ Kolkata: Ananta Rai 'Maharaj', who has been demanding that a separate state of 'Greater Cooch Behar' be carved out of West Bengal, has claimed that he has been ''offered'' a Rajya Sabha ticket by the BJP. Ananta Rai, who has adopted the title of 'Maharaj,' said this after meeting Union MoS for Home and BJP MP of Cooch Behar Nisith Pramanik. The meeting reportedly took place at the residence of Ananta Rai. "I have been given an offer (for Rajya Sabha). They said they were considering my name. I am not opposed to it. Let's see what happens," Ananta told reporters with Pramanik by his side. In his turn, Pramanik said the decision would benefit the entire state if people like him go to Parliament.

"We want someone from Cooch Behar like Ananta Maharaj, who works for the development of the people, to be sent to the Upper House. But I cannot comment until the list is out as nothing is final. Let the names be announced officially," he said.

Who Is Ananta Rai 'Maharaj'?

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Ananta Rai took on the title of maharaja 18 years ago. He calls himself the Maharaja of Cooch Behar, an erstwhile kingdom that ceded its powers and became part of the Indian Union in 1950. He heads the Greater Cooch Behar Peoples' Association (GCPA), which is working with the sole objective of getting the Greater Cooch Behar area of West Bengal recognised as a separate state or Union Territory.

Why Is BJP Offering RS Berth To Ananta Rai?

Ananta Rai - the self-proclaimed king of the district - has been demanding that a separate state be carved out of northern West Bengal. The man holds considerable influence over the Koch-Rajbongshi community and claims to have over 18 lakh followers. Mainly because of his clout, Union Home Minister Amit Shah came to meet Rai in 2021. The two discussed statehood and Narayani Sena over a breakfast comprising coconut laddoos and patishapta. When Rai flew in with Shah on board the helicopter, the Cooch Behar Rash Mela Ground was flooded with the colour of the Koch-Rajbongshi flag. By projecting Rai as its Rajya Sabha candidate, the saffron party possibly wants to consolidate the Rajbongshi vote in the upcoming polls.

Rajya Sabha Polls In West Bengal

Six Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal will go to the polls on July 24, besides, the bypoll will also be held in another seat from the state. With its eight districts, including picturesque Darjeeling, north Bengal is economically important for the state for its tea, timber and tourism industries.

The region, which shares a border with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, has witnessed several violent statehood movements since the early eighties by various ethnic groups such as Gorkhas, Rajbanshis, Kochs and Kamatapuris. Several BJP MPs and MLAs from the region have advocated that a separate state or Union territory be carved out with these eight districts. However, the state BJP has maintained that it does not support such demands.

Meanwhile, the ruling Trinamool Congress has already announced its candidates for the six Rajya Sabha seats. Among them were Derek O'Brien, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and Dola Sen. O'Brien, an MP since 2011, is the TMC's leader in Rajya Sabha, while Ray, who was first sent to the Upper House of Parliament in 2012, is the deputy chief whip. Sen, a senior leader and trade unionist, became an MP in 2017.

The newcomers on the list were Bangla Sanskriti Mancha president Samirul Islam, TMC's Alipurduar district president Prakash Chik Baraik, and RTI activist and TMC spokesperson Saket Gokhale. The bypoll will be held in another seat as former Goa chief minister Luizinho Faleiro resigned as a TMC MP in April. The TMC has 216 MLAs in the 294-member assembly and enjoys the support of five BJP MLAs, who switched over to the ruling party but are yet to resign from the House. The BJP has a strength of 70 in the assembly.

As per the numbers in the assembly, TMC will get six of these seven Rajya Sabha seats and the BJP one.
Dr Balvir S. Tomar is a renowned Researcher, academician and businessmen, the Chairman and Chancellor of NIMS University in Jaipur, Rajasthan. With a profound commitment to education, research, and innovation, Dr Tomar has been instrumental in promoting the growth and development of NIMS University into a leading institution in India. His extraordinary leadership and advocacy for research have positioned him as a prominent figure in shaping India's education landscape.

In his initial days, while contributing as an Assistant professor at SMS Hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Dr B S Tomar started his research on putting an end to a deadly paediatric disease known as Indian Childhood Cirrhosis with a mortality rate of 100%. In 1983, he found the D- Penicillamine effective in wiping out the condition completely. This discovery led Dr Tomar's work to be published in the 'Indian Journal of Paediatrics and 'Advanced in Paediatrics (USA).

Fond of researching and discovering new advances in medical as well as technology, it is hardly a wonder why Dr Balvir S. Tomar sees the lack of research institutes in India as a challenge and seeks every opportunity to address the same.



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In an appeal towards recognizing India as a scientific power, Dr Balvir S. Tomar has highlighted the pressing need for India to establish more research institutes in order to compete with developed nations in the field of research and development. Recognizing the immense potential of India's scientific and technological talent potential, Dr Tomar emphasized the urgency of bridging the gap between India and other leading nations in research and innovation.

With its rich scientific heritage, India must catch up to other emerging countries such as China, Brazil, and Russia in research and development. Despite being home to a vast number of talented researchers and engineers, India's research output and investment in R&D fall short of global standards. According to the World Bank, India currently spends a mere 0.7% of its GDP on research and development, compared to 2.2% to 4.2% in advanced nations like the United States, China, and South Korea.

India's position on the Global Innovation Index also reflects the need for greater emphasis on research and development. Although the nation has progressed from 81st in 2015 to 40th in 2021, it still faces significant challenges in catching up to leading innovators. Furthermore, India's average number of citations per publication in 2019 stood at 7.9, falling short of China's 12.5 and the global average of 12.3, as per the Scopus database.

Dr Tomar stressed the importance of ramping up research investments to propel India's growth and global competitiveness. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has already recognized the need for research universities and has proposed designating around 100 institutions as research universities, while others focus primarily on providing quality education. By adopting a reliable classification framework and key research metrics, India can distinguish its research universities transparently and foster a culture of high-quality research and innovation.

To achieve greatness in research and development, India must also prioritize interdisciplinary research universities. By expanding the size of existing institutions, adding new subjects, and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, Indian universities can equip themselves to address the complex challenges of the modern world effectively.

While acknowledging India's existing advantages, such as widespread English proficiency and a talented diaspora, Dr Tomar called for greater involvement of Indian academics abroad, who can contribute their knowledge and expertise in creating research universities. Collaboration with the Indian diaspora and international research institutions can significantly enhance India's research capabilities.

Dr Tomar emphasized the critical role of increased funding in nurturing research universities and promoting research across various fields. The allocation of Rs 2,000 crore for the National Research Foundation (NRF) under the Union Budget 20232034 is a step in the right direction. However, more significant investment is required to reach the Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy's target of allocating 2% of GDP to research and development by 2022.

Dr Balvir S. Tomar's proactive stance on the establishment of research institutes underscores the need for India to invest heavily in research and development to compete with developed nations. By prioritizing research universities, increasing funding, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, India can unleash its vast potential and secure its position as a global intellectual and scientific powerhouse.

Especially noticing the wildfire spread of technologies, such as tech giants like Google announcing AI for diagnosing Diabetic Retinopathy, opened his eyes and kick-started him to develop labs that offer advanced machinery knowledge along with a creative edge.

Dr Tomar then took a leap towards introducing an advanced R&D lab in the lap of the campus at NIMS University. This lab will offer great potential to students and faculty alike and establish a system that encourages sharing information, improving skills, and advancing technology.

The AI Lab Center of Excellence at NIMS University Jaipur has made NIMS even more proud. It is a state-of-the-art infrastructure that acts as a focal point for multidisciplinary study, research, and discovery. It provides a collaborative setting where academics and industry professionals work together to advance computer vision, deep learning, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

NIMS University has joined hands with Siemens Healthineers to inaugurate the first centre of stroke management in India, following the guidelines of NABH and WSO. This initiative, known as the NIMS Heart and Brain Hospital (NHBH), will be dedicated to cardio-logical and brain-related diseases with a robust infrastructure that offers extraordinary radiology suites, MRI equipment, and overall neurology and neurosurgery facilities with 384 slices dual-source CT which is first in Rajasthan.

Additionally, Dr B S Tomar is moving actively towards international partnerships that will open the gates for the students and provide exposure to world-class research, innovation and development programs.

The renowned 'Father of Indian Pediatric Gastroenterology', Dr Balvir Singh Tomar, addresses that the diasporas should be involved in international scientific communication because our students are a vast talent pool. He further highlights that Indians around the world currently serve as university presidents and provosts at American universities. They still contribute knowledge about creating research universities, even from a foreign country.

The Professor also boasts a substantial cadre of highly successful academics and researchers at home and abroad, highlighting that the most gifted academics need a productive academic atmosphere, which calls for careful consideration, effective planning, and sufficient resources.

Lastly, the Chairman of the NIMS University Rajasthan concludes, "There is talent, there is a demand, and we are making some intriguing efforts. To sum up, India has to do a lot of catching up in the area of research and development. We can lead the world in innovation and technology with the correct investments, but we must move rapidly."

At the base of NIMS R&D, it is the goal of Dr Tomar to operate the research university's fundamental concept on well-established guidelines used by the world's top institutions.

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Lts Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the article.)
New Delhi: We all know how Orhan Awatramani aka Orry is famous on the celeb circuit. He is almost every star kid's BFF at parties and exotic vacays. From Janhvi Kapoor, Khushi Kapoor, Nysa Devgan to Bhumi Pednekar, Kareena Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan and many others - Orry is friends with all and several pictures of him hanging out with the who's who of Bollywood and fashion world have often flooded the internet.

The latest picture to go viral is that of Ambani Bahu - Shloka Mehta who posed with her sister Diya and Orry wearing similar printed outfits. So while Orry wore a Dolce And Gabbana majolika print shirt priced at Rs 75,000 and shorts priced at Rs 50,000, Shloka is seen in a pretty summer dress costing a whopping Rs 1,65,000.

And Shloka's sister Diya Mehta Jatia, who is into design and fashion is donning a 2 piece Dolce&Gabbana costing at Rs 2,00,000 approx. Take a look here:

WHO IS ORRY?

Orhan Awatramani aka Orry's personal information is not out there in the open as yet other than the fact that he is a social activist from Mumbai, who loves flaunting his high-end brand affection. He is more often than not seen in Balenciaga, Prada and other international labels.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Orhan works as a Special Project Manager at RIL Chairpersons Office. He pursued a bachelor's in Fine arts and communication design from New York's Parsons School of Design. He not only parties with Bollywood celebs but has been spotted with the Kardashians, Joe Jonas, Anne Hathaway, and Kylie Jenner among others.

In June this year, Orhan Awatramani gave netizens a pleasant surprise after he posted a picture with none other than Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from his meeting in London. The two met at the Nobu, Old Park Lane restaurant. This surely got him trending on social media all day.
New Delhi: Legendary actress Sridevi passed away on February 24, 2018, but her legacy continues with her daughter Janhvi Kapoor, who made her foray into Bollywood with 'Dhadak'.

In a career spanning five years, Janhvi has definitely carved a niche for herself. Her acting prowess and personality are helping her enjoy a huge fan following. She never misses a chance to express gratitude to her mom and share her memories, a quality of hers, highly admired by fans and followers. In a candid conversation with ANI in Dubai, Janhvi took a stroll down memory lane and recalled a funny anecdote Sridevi had told her from her shooting days.

"My mother used to do two-three shifts a day. My mom told me a very funny story once that she was shooting for three or four different films in a day and the shooting of all the films songs was taking place in Ooty. During that time shooting of all songs was done at that place and for all of the four films the hero was the same. She didn't tell me who the hero was.. so she was like I came to know which film song we were doing because the hero wig would keep changing," Janhvi quipped.



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Janhvi also opened up about how the concept of shooting different projects at the same time hardly exists today.

"This has become a thing with the lot of makers that I have been meeting have become particular about if you are doing my film then you are only doing my film for this amount of time... you can't do one schedule here and one there like I want you to be in it and as an artiste, I think that is kind of luxury... it has its pros and cons cause you are greedy to do a lot of work," she added.

Janhvi is currently gearing up for the release of her new film 'Bawaal', which also stars Varun Dhawan. The film is directed by Nitesh Tiwari and will be out on Prime Video on July 21.
Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani are one of the most adored couples in Bollywood. They are both quite popular among the masses and have a huge fan following. The two dated each other for some time and then tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in February this year. Sidharth and Kiara starred together in Shershaah, which is a biopic on the life of Captain Vikram Batra. After seeing their performances, people were in awe of their on-screen chemistry. The couple has been spotted at various events together and is always seen showcasing their love for each other. Recently, Sidharth was seen at an event in Mumbai, and the Mission Majnu actor was once again seen going gaga over his wife.

Sidharth Malhotra talks about Kiara Advani and married life

Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani have time and again continued to set relationship goals for everyone. Be it supporting each other on social media or attending various events together, they dont shy away from expressing their love. Recently, Sidharth Malhotra was spotted attending an event where he talked about his wife. In the video, Sidharth was seen blushing when the host asked him about Kiara bhabhi. In response, Sidharth said, Abhi abhi shaadi hui hai, main bahut khush hoon (I got married recently and I am very happy).



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Sidharth Malhotra also called Kiara Advani his most prized treasure and explained the importance of a partnership in a marriage. He said, Marriage is also a game. I have realised that there is no I in a marriage. There is only we. That is life.

As soon as the clip of the event went viral, fans went crazy over it and showered their love for the couple.

One user wrote, "God bless both of u sidkiara.

Another person commented, "He said  My most prized treasure.

Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advanis forthcoming projects

Sidharth Malhotra was last seen in Mission Majnu, which was released on Netflix. The film received a good response, and his performance was appreciated. The actor will be next seen in Yodha alongside Disha Patani and Raashii Khanna. He also has Rohit Shettys Indian Police Force in his kitty.

Kiara Advani is enjoying the success of her last release, Satyaprem Ki Katha. She will next be seen in the Telugu film, Game Changer, alongside Ram Charan. There are also speculations that she has been roped in as the female lead in YRFs War 2 alongside Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR.
New Delhi: Dating rumours of Bollywood actors Aditya Roy Kapur and Ananya Panday are doing rounds for quite some time now. Their romance has kept their fans hooked for months now and finally, now they seem to have indirectly confirmed their relationship. After pictures of Aditya and Ananya from Spain attending a concert together surfaced online, now clicks of them getting cosy are going viral and fans cannot keep calm.

Both actors attended the Arctic Monkeys' concert in Madrid, Spain, and shared clicks from the concert on their Instagram handles. Now, pictures of Aditya and Ananya getting cosy on a bridge in Portugal are surfacing online. Also, they have posed with fans and the background is the same.



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The rumours about their relationship started when the two appeared at Kriti Sanon's Diwali party together in 2022. Since then they have made joint appearances at many Bollywood parties together.

Neither of the two have confirmed that they are officially a couple.

Meanwhile, on the film front, Ananya recently wrapped the shoot of Vikramaditya Motwane`s untitled cyber crime-thriller. She will be next seen in Farhan Akhtar`s `Kho Gaye Hum Kahan` opposite actors Siddhant Chaturvedi and Adarsh Gourav. Helmed by the debutant director Arjun Varain, the official release date of the film is still awaited.

Apart from that, she also has a comedy film `Dream Girl 2` along with Ayushmann Khurrana. On the other hand, Aditya has garnered praise for 'The Night Manager' season 1 and 2.
Pani puri is one of the most popular street foods in India. It comes in a range of and ingredients, and people always enjoy having it. Now, even Google has decided to celebrate this popular and most-loved Indian street food with a special doodle on its home page. This doodle has been set up by Google to celebrate pani puri because on July 12, 2015, a restaurant in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, set a record for serving the most number of flavours of pani puri. Reportedly, the restaurant served 51 flavours. To mark the record, Google is celebrating it after eight years with a doodle.

The pani puri Google doodle

They have also turned the doodle into an exciting game that can be enjoyed by users while visiting the home page. In the interactive game, the user has to help the pani puri street vendor complete the orders of the customers. The player has to select the puris according to the flavour and quantity of the customers in order to keep them happy.



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Here are the steps to play this exciting game:

Go to google.co.in.

Click on the pani puri doodle that appears on the home page.

Select the mode you want  Timed or Relaxed.

Help the street vendor complete orders.

You can do so by selecting the flavours and quantities decided by the customer.

In an official statement, Google said, Todays interactive game Doodle celebrates pani puri  a popular South Asian street food made of a crispy shell stuffed with potatoes, chickpeas, spices, or chilis and flavoured waters. And there's a variety of pani puri for everyone's taste buds.

Pani puri is available across India. Every city serves its own version, from pani puri to golgappa, puchka to gupchup. However, there is an interesting story behind the origin of pani puri. It is said that it was first made by Draupadi during the Mahabharata. Reportedly, when she got married to the Pandavas, her mother-in-law, Kunti, challenged her to make a dish out of leftovers. So, at that time, she served pani puri out of left-over aloo sabzi and small-size puris.
A 27-year-old doctor was duped of Rs 1.40 lakh after he tried to order 25 plates of samosas online from a popular eatery in Mumbais Sion. The doctor and his colleagues planned a picnic at suburban Karjat and decided to order samosas for the journey. The doctor, who is employed at the civic-run KEM Hospital, located an eatery called Gurukripa online and decided to place his order from there. However, what he was unaware of was the fact the fraudsters had changed the contact number of the restaurant online. As a result, the doctor ended up calling the cyber criminals instead of hotel employees.

The incident took place on July 8 between 8:30 am and 10:30 am, said officials, as reported by PTI. When the doctor called the number provided, the fraudster asked him to pay Rs 1,500 as an advance for the order. He was sent a link on WhatsApp, which claimed to have the confirmation of the order. It also had the bank account number where he was asked to send money online.

After the payment was made, the fraudsters told the doctor that he hadnt yet received the money and asked the doctor to send the transaction ID of the payment. The fraudster asked the doctor to type 28807 on Google Pay to initiate the payment, Indian Express reported.



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Through this process, the doctor initially lost Rs 28,807, and later, the total amount went up to Rs 1.40 lakh. After realising that he had fallen prey to cyber criminals, the doctor approached the Bhoiwada Police Station to file a complaint. The case against unidentified fraudsters has been filed, reported PTI.

Such online scams are not new but in this digital age, they have been rising at a rapid rate. There have been recent instances where the imposters have posed as PG brokers, bank employees, and even customs officials to dupe people. These fraudsters seek your bank account details and siphon off money for personal gains. As these cases continue to surge, it is crucial for you to exercise some caution to keep your money safe.

Here are a few things to keep in mind before ordering anything online:

Be aware of online scams: It is important that you are aware of online scams. Recently, a woman was duped of lakhs by a man she met at a matrimonial site. You should educate yourself by learning from other people's mistakes.

Dont give bank account details on phone: Fraudsters often call posing as bank employees asking you for your bank account details. You should not give your bank account details to anyone unless you are entirely sure and have met them before in person. A lot of banks now send cautionary messages about not sharing your account details or OTP with anyone.

Verify authenticity: Always cross-check the credibility and authenticity of the websites you are shopping or ordering from. Check the email address, reviews and ratings.
New Delhi: Aashika Bhatia, the beloved actor and social media influencer, has sent fans into a frenzy with her latest cryptic post on social media. The enigmatic message has sparked widespread speculation that suggests that she might be gearing up to something 'Bigg'. Buzz is strong that Aashika could enter the Bigg Boss OTT 2 house as a wild card entry.

Aashika is known for her on-screen presence and massive fan following on Instagram. She recently shared a post on her social media handle with the caption that read, "Life is about to change bigg time! Will be off social media for some time. See you on the other side Love Aashika Bhatia."

The post has triggered intense curiosity among fans, who are eagerly anticipating her possible entry into the reality show. Along with Aashika, popular YouTuber Elvish Yadav is also set to enter the Bigg Boss OTT 2 as a wild card contestant, taking the excitement among fans a notch higher. Elvish even confirmed the report on his Instagram, asking fans to offer their support to him.



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Aashika Bhatia is a popular television serial actress and film actress from Surat who mainly works in Hindi serials and Bollywood films. She came into the limelight for her role as Meera in the show Meera and as 'Ginny' in 'Parvarrish- Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi'. She is a well-known face on the small screen, as she started working as a child artist when she was nine-year-old.

Also Read: Mouni Roy Forgets Her Passport At Airport, Actor Spotted Checking Her Handbag Looking Distressed

Aashika completed her primary school education in Gujarat's Surat and later migrated to Mumbai along with her family and completed her higher secondary school education in Mumbai. She had her heart set on acting and the glamour world since she was very young. Following her passion, she started appearing for auditions at the tender age of 9 years. She got her first break in the Hindi film industry with Sooraj Barjatya's 'Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo', where she played the role of Salman Khan's sister. She marked her return to the small screen with the show 'Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi', where she played the male lead's sister. She is rumoured to be dating famous Tik-Tok star Satvik Sankyan but has kept her personal life under the w.

Also Read: Bhumi Pednekar Spotted Wearing Rs 39,000-Worth Tee At Airport, Leaves Netizens Shocked - Watch

Will the housemates face new contenders in the Bigg Boss OTT house this week? Tune in to the 24-hour live channel on JioCinema to catch up on all the exciting fun that unfolds in the 'Bigg Boss OTT 2' house.
(Bloomberg) -- The US Federal Trade Commission is leaning toward appealing a federal judges ruling against the agencys bid to block Microsoft Corp.s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc., according to a person familiar with the case.

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No final decision has been reached, but the appeal could be filed as soon as Wednesday, said the person, who asked not to be named because they werent authorized to discuss confidential deliberations.

US District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley in San Francisco ruled in favor of Microsoft Tuesday, finding the FTC didnt prove the combination with Activision would harm competition for gaming. She extended a temporary restraining order that blocks Microsoft from closing the deal until midnight US West Coast time on Friday.

Read more: The Hurdles That Remain for Microsoft-Activision Deal: QuickTake

The FTC would need to seek an emergency stay from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to extend that pause beyond Friday, she wrote.

Earlier: Microsoft Cleared to Buy Activision in US as UK Pauses Fight

Robert Lande, a professor at University of Baltimore School of Law, said Corley was too strict about the level of certainty she required from the FTCs case. The law only requires the agency show that a deal may substantially lessen competition, not that it will or is likely to, he said.

I believe the judge evaluated the case using the wrong standard and I believe the FTC should appeal, said Lande, who gave a lecture at the FTC in March on research into how courts have applied that antitrust standard to mergers.

Stanford Law Professor Doug Melamed, however, said he believes its unlikely the appeals court would rule before the deals deadline on July 18.

Its extremely unlikely that the FTC could persuade the Court of Appeals to enjoin the merger before July 18, said Melamed, a former Justice Department antitrust official.

Microsoft declined to comment on a potential appeal, referring to its earlier comments on the judges ruling: Were grateful to the court in San Francisco for this quick and thorough decision, Microsoft President Brad Smith said.

The FTC declined to comment.

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(Bloomberg) -- One of Googles earliest employees will step back from an executive management role, having held a senior position at the companys cloud unit.

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Urs Holzle joined the company, now the key unit of parent Alphabet Inc., in 1999 as its eighth employee, and will now transition into a role as a Google Fellow, the company said.

In Googles early years, Holzle was instrumental in building the unique computing machinery that supported its major services, letting the company expand quickly from search into mapping, video and countless other fields. Eventually, Google would package that computing infrastructure as the core selling point of its cloud division. More recently, Holzle led Googles push into making its own chips for processing artificial intelligence, although the company has struggling to sell that hardware via cloud services.

Holzle is one of the last remaining Google employees that worked closely with company founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who stepped down from their roles in 2019. The founders remain majority shareholders.

CNBC earlier reported that Holzle would become an individual contributor after more than two decades of leading technical teams, citing an internal email from Google Cloud Chief Executive Officer Thomas Kurian. The veteran will focus on articulating technical AI processes, facilitating discussions, and streamlining decision making, according to the memo.

Holzle previously sparked internal controversy when he moved to New Zealand in 2021, after opposing remote working for other employees during the pandemic.

His new role adds to a series of changes at Google in recent weeks, including the departure of key artificial intelligence researcher Llion Jones. In April, Google consolidated its AI research groups into one unit, which shifted its longtime AI executive Jeff Dean into a new role as chief scientist.

Read more: AI Researcher Who Helped Write Landmark Paper Is Leaving Google

(Updates with additional details of Holzles career in third paragraph)

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(Bloomberg) -- Europes largest initial public offering of 2023 gave investors and Romania something to cheer about, with the shares surging in their debut in what may be a turning point for the market in Bucharest.

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Shares in Romanian utility Hidroelectrica SA advanced as much as 11% in their debut in Bucharest. The renewable power producer immediately became Romanias biggest listed company, worth more than $10 billion, and the ticket for the local bourse to ditch its frontier status and graduate to an emerging market at MSCI.

The $1.8 billion offering, completed last week, was oversubscribed as the companys high profitability and dividends lured investors to the owner of hydropower stations, including on the Danube river. The listing of a minority stake in Romanias biggest producer of electricity also fulfills one of the criteria needed for the European Union member nation to gain access to more aid from the bloc.

I see this as a turning point for Romania, said Pablo Escondrillas, Managing Director and Head of EMEA Power Investment Banking at Citigroup Inc. This IPO will hopefully allow to attract more investors. Citi was a custodian and stabilization manager in Hidroelectricas listing.

Hidroelectrica shares closed at 110 lei, up 5.8% on Wednesday, compared with the IPO price of 104 lei.

Europes largest IPO since Porsche AG and the third biggest in the world this year is a test for the Bucharest Stock Exchange, which has one of the lowest liquidity pools of any markets in eastern Europe. The bourses average daily turnover amounted to the equivalent of $23 million this year, according to its data, while Hidroelectricas traded volume singlehandedly topped $171 million on Wednesday.

Hidroelectrica is trading under the H20 ticker and will have the fourth-largest weighting in Romanias BET Index. It replaces aluminum smelter Alro SA in the benchmark gauge.

The tale has just begun and we want to turn it into a success story for Hidroelectrica and the capital market, Bucharest Stock Exchange Chief Executive Officer Adrian Tanase told a packed room celebrating the listing, with guests including Prime Minister Ion-Marcel Ciolacu, central bank Governor Mugur Isarescu as well as company executives.

Maturity Test

Isarescu said the stock exchange passed its maturity test with the listing, including the IPO in which retail investors bought 20% of the offered shares. The benchmark BET index jumped as much as 3% on Wednesday, trading at the highest level since February 2022.

In order to get upgraded to emerging-market status at MSCI, the Bucharest bourse should allow local pension funds to become more active players on the market and increase the number of companies with high turnover and free-float, according to Attila Gyurcsik, the CEO of Accorde Fund Management in Budapest.

It would be important to have other large public companies listed on the stock exchange, said Gyurcsik, whose fund bought shares in the IPO. Even if state ownership in companies already listed on the stock exchange were reduced, it would help make the index as diversified as possible, he added.

Hidroelectrica attracted buyers also because as a renewable energy producer, it fits well in different portfolios, said Alexandru Ilisie, Investment Director at OTP Asset Management Romania, which also bought shares in the offering.

In terms of the cons, we see the highest risk from the regulators capping energy prices lower than today, or from higher windfall taxes, he said. We hope that the company will diversify its investments into other green energy solutions.

Franklin Managed

Fondul Proprietatea SA, an investment vehicle managed by Franklin Templeton, sold a 17.3% stake in the utility during the IPO, reducing its holdings from nearly 20%. The remainder of Fonduls stake in Hidroelectrica might be used to help support the trading price if required, according to a filing.

Proceeds from the sale of Fonduls stake will be distributed to its shareholders, which include pension funds, in the coming months.

The IPO has triggered an avalanche of interest in the Romanian stock market, with thousands of new accounts set up, giving investors new exposure to Bucharest-listed companies and the countrys economy, bourse Chairman Radu Hanga said.

Citigroup Global Markets Europe AG, Erste Group Bank AG, Jefferies GmbH and Morgan Stanley Europe SE were joint global coordinators in the deal. Banca Comerciala Romana S.A., Barclays Bank Ireland PLC, BofA Securities Europe SA, UBS Europe SE, UniCredit Bank AG and Wood & Company Financial Services, a.s. were joint bookrunners. Auerbach Grayson, BRD - Groupe Societe Generale, S.S.I.F. BT Capital Partners S.A. and S.S.I.F. Swiss Capital S.A. acted as co-lead managers.

--With assistance from Ksenia Galouchko.

(Updates with more quotes and latest share price, from the first paragraph.)

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A famous photo of the late rapper The Notorious B.I.G. is currently being auctioned off as part of a series of NFTs, with the physical photo tied to an Ethereum NFT as well.

The image of the rapper, born Christopher Wallace, was originally taken in 1997 by photographer Barron Claiborne and dubbed "The King Of New York." The photo was taken three days before the rapper was killed in a drive-by shooting.

The King of New York photopicturing the lyricist with a tilted crown on his headis one of the most instantly recognizable images in hip-hop history, serving as a symbol of greatness according to culture journalist and author, Vikki Tobak.

GM  count down to Auction for There Can Only Be One starting at 2pm est today. Before digital you had to wait 24 hrs to see the results. This was the first frame I saw and I knew this was the money shot! I have kept this cut out from the contact sheet for 26 years! pic.twitter.com/2UDcloL9gf  Barron Claiborne (@TheKONYNFT) July 12, 2023

A cutout from the original contact sheet measuring 6 x 7 centimeters will be made available via auction, alongside a one-of-one Ethereum NFT or digital twin that proves provenance and ownership on the blockchain.

The auction launched earlier today via the Kairos platform and will last for 30 days. Bids start at 50 ETH ($93,500), and the winning bidder will also receive a phone call with Claiborne to discuss the legendary image.

Along with the original contact cutout, The King Of New York (KONY) series will also include a limited edition run of NFTs featuring an animated digital version of the Biggie portrait. Nine editions of the artwork are available for 1 ETH ($1,865) apiece.

Furthermore, a digital collectible inspired by the crown worn in the photo sells for 0.03 ETH (about $55) in an open edition drop, which means an unlimited number of the NFTs are available. Fans can also bid on a digital bust of Notorious B.I.G. in a separate auction.

Furthermore, beginning on July 26, Claiborne will sell 100 editions of a digital version of the original still photo paired with a physical print, at 1 ETH each. In August, hell also auction off one of the limited edition Notorious B.I.G. New York City MetroCard that were given away last year at select subway stations. The card is signed and paired with an NFT, as well.

Sound Raises $20 Million, Opens Music NFT Platform to All Artists

The original physical crown, signed by the rapper, sold for nearly $595,000 at a Sotheby's auction in 2020.

In 1997, I had the honor of photographing the Notorious B.I.G. as The King Of New York just three days before his death. I could never have envisioned how iconic the portrait would become, said Claiborne in a statement, noting the timing alongside the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.

Ultimately, 35% of the proceeds from the KONY collection will be given to the Keiyo Art association, an organization dedicated to bringing art experiences to the public. Another 5% will be given to Charity: Water, an organization that provides clean water access to those in need.
Hackers efforts are increasingly taking a toll on the Russian economy and frustrating Putin's war effort - ALEXANDER KAZAKOV/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Russian citizens were shocked last month when a broadcast of Vladimir Putin appeared to show the president declaring martial law and announcing that Ukrainian troops had invaded the country.

Ukrainian troops armed to the teeth by NATO and with Washingtons consent and support have invaded Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk, the president appeared to say in an address broadcast on a number of radio stations and TV channels.

Yet the announcement was a hoax powered by AI deepfake technology.

Hackers used computer algorithms to create Putins likeness and even synchronised his lips and voice to broadcast the false message.

Once upon a time, infiltrating Russias strictly censored state media to broadcast fake news using Putins image would have been unthinkable.

Russians were alarmed in June when an broadcast featuring a deepfake Vladimir Putin announced a general mobilisation

Yet cyber-attacks on Russias infrastructure have become increasingly common over the last 18 months.

Last week, Russian Railways said hackers had infiltrated its ticketing systems in a massive attack, the RIA Novosti newswire reported.

The state rail operators website and mobile app went offline, which the company blamed on multiple attacks with a constantly changing vector and tools originating from around the world.

This was not the only large-scale cyber incident to hit Russia in recent months. The nations interbank payments system went down briefly in June, disrupting flows of money between its financial institutions.

A group of Ukraine-affiliated hackers claimed the credit for knocking the Bank of Russias telecoms provider offline, preventing the central bank from digitally communicating with the outside world.

In April, another attack disabled IT systems at the Federal Customs Service, forcing inspectors to fall back to pen and paper.

While they may appear small on their own, these attacks contribute to Russias ongoing economic meltdown.

Estimates from the OECD say Putins war economy will shrink by 2.5pc in the worst-case scenario this year, wiping about $56bn (43bn) from its gross domestic product.

Alan Woodward, a security expert from the University of Surrey, points to the riotous community of Russian Telegram bloggers who chronicle every IT outage as proof of Western-backed attempts to use Russia as a proving ground for cyber attack techniques.

Russia is slightly hampered because it is one of the two parties in the war so is almost a legitimate target provided the attacker is not probably a Western country, he says.

This semi-official cyber war against Russia is starting to bite, with even Putins ministers being forced to admit the situation is getting worse for them.

Deputy digital minister Aleksandr Shoitov said a fortnight ago: The attacks are really getting harder. They also masquerade as [distributed denial of service] attacks. Hackers use rather difficult vulnerabilities.

In a vain attempt to reassure ordinary Russians he added: But the country is holding out, we are working effectively, we are raising the front of our security.

Those reassurances may fall on deaf ears, however. Local news reports described the customs service as having been partially paralysed in April.

A spokesman for freight business Delko said that in the days after the attacks, just 44 vehicles instead of the usual 200 were able to pass through customs checkpoints as officials struggled to cope with normal traffic volumes.

Suspicion for these disruptions inevitably falls on Ukraine, but in recent weeks Russia has begun pointing fingers at Volodymyr Zelenskys Western allies.

US intelligence services were blamed by Russia in June for a major cybersecurity breach affecting Apple iPhones in the country.

The FSB spy agency, itself no stranger to hacking the West, said the US was behind an intelligence action that saw diplomats phones compromised.

Addressing the claims, Apple said: We have never worked with any government to insert a backdoor into any Apple product and never will.

Russia-headquartered antivirus company Kasperskys founder described the extremely technologically sophisticated spyware that engineers found on the phones of senior and top management.

We believe that the main reason for this incident is the proprietary nature of iOS, said Eugene Kaspersky in June, referring to the Apple software that powers all iPhones.

Detecting and analysing such threats is made all the more difficult by Apples monopoly of research tools.

A company spokesman stopped short of pointing fingers at the West, however.

We cannot speculate on the connection between any specific individuals or groups and the cyber attacks that have taken place, the spokesman said. As a cybersecurity vendor, our job is to do technical attribution and to analyse attacks.

Identifying the culprits behind such cyber attacks is difficult, made more so by the inherently murky world of online disruptions.

Dr Lukasz Olejnik, an independent geopolitical researcher, voices what some Western cyber industry sources will only hint at when it comes to cyberattacks targeting Russian companies: We cannot rule out involvement of Western state cyber operators, or Ukrainian services  none of this would be disclosed during this war, though.

Western states are guaranteed to be active, he adds, but they would rather focus on efficient uses of such activities, not flashy defacements or data leaks Some of [that] is surely done by amateur hackers.

Rafe Pilling, director of cyber security company Secureworks counter threat unit, says that verifying claims of who hacked what in a country like Russia is fraught with problems.

You can check if someone claimed to be taking something down in advance or you can check if it was unavailable [beforehand] but even that can be somewhat difficult, he says.

In the same way that for a period of time where any IT outage in the West was a Russian cyber attack, I imagine theres a similar climate either existing or developing inside Russia, in relation to these groups, Pilling adds.

Ransomware is the main threat to Russian companies, according to Kaspersky  a finding that mirrors the trend seen in the UK and US, where the main threat comes from Russian-speaking cyber gangs wielding the malicious software to scramble their targets computer systems.

Customer requests to unscramble files encrypted by ransomware in January 2023 alone reached fever pitch, exceeding half of the requests from the entire last [three months] of 2022, the company said.

Whoever is behind the ongoing digital assaults on Russia, one thing is plain: while the country may have once been seen as a cyber aggressor, the last year has shown it is just as vulnerable as the West.

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.
In the last year, multiple insiders have substantially increased their holdings of Osteopore Limited (ASX:OSX) stock, indicating that insiders' optimism about the company's prospects has increased.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

Check out our latest analysis for Osteopore

Osteopore Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by insider Marcus Liew for AU$1.9m worth of shares, at about AU$0.21 per share. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price of AU$0.084. It's very possible they regret the purchase, but it's more likely they are bullish about the company. In our view, the price an insider pays for shares is very important. 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. We note that Marcus Liew was both the biggest buyer and the biggest seller.

Over the last year, we can see that insiders have bought 13.74m shares worth AU$2.5m. But they sold 10.30m shares for AU$2.0m. In total, Osteopore insiders bought more than they sold over the last year. Their average price was about AU$0.18. These transactions suggest that insiders have considered the current price attractive. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

Osteopore is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying.

Osteopore Insiders Bought Stock Recently

There has been significantly more insider buying, than selling, at Osteopore, over the last three months. In fact, two insiders bought AU$169k worth of shares. But we did see Executive Chairman Kei Wei Leong sell shares worth AU$14k. The buying outweighs the selling, which suggests that insiders may believe the company will do well in the future.

Insider Ownership

Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Insiders own 39% of Osteopore shares, worth about AU$5.1m. While this is a strong but not outstanding level of insider ownership, it's enough to indicate some alignment between management and smaller shareholders.

So What Does This Data Suggest About Osteopore Insiders?

The recent insider purchases are heartening. We also take confidence from the longer term picture of insider transactions. However, we note that the company didn't make a profit over the last twelve months, which makes us cautious. When combined with notable insider ownership, these factors suggest Osteopore insiders are well aligned, and that they may think the share price is too low. 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. For instance, we've identified 6 warning signs for Osteopore (3 are a bit concerning) you should be aware of.

Of course Osteopore 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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One simple way to benefit from the stock market is to buy an index fund. But if you pick the right individual stocks, you could make more than that. For example, the Astino Berhad (KLSE:ASTINO) share price is up 75% in the last three years, clearly besting the market decline of around 5.9% (not including dividends). On the other hand, the returns haven't been quite so good recently, with shareholders up just 4.0% , 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.

Check out our latest analysis for Astino Berhad

To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price.

Astino Berhad was able to grow its EPS at 15% per year over three years, sending the share price higher. This EPS growth is lower than the 20% average annual increase in the share price. So it's fair to assume the market has a higher opinion of the business than it did three years ago. That's not necessarily surprising considering the three-year track record of earnings growth.

The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers).

This free interactive report on Astino Berhad's earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further.

What About Dividends?

It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. We note that for Astino Berhad the TSR over the last 3 years was 84%, 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

Astino Berhad shareholders gained a total return of 4.0% during the year. But that was short of the market average. On the bright side, the longer term returns (running at about 4% 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. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Astino Berhad better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with Astino Berhad , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

But note: Astino Berhad 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 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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To find a multi-bagger stock, what are the underlying trends we should look for in a business? One common approach is to try and find a company with returns on capital employed (ROCE) that are increasing, in conjunction with a growing amount of capital employed. Basically this means that a company has profitable initiatives that it can continue to reinvest in, which is a trait of a compounding machine. In light of that, when we looked at OTS Holdings (Catalist:OTS) and its ROCE trend, we weren't exactly thrilled.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It?

For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for OTS Holdings:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.02 = S$668k  (S$38m - S$4.4m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2022).

Therefore, OTS Holdings has an ROCE of 2.0%. In absolute terms, that's a low return and it also under-performs the Food industry average of 12%.

Check out our latest analysis for OTS Holdings

roce

While the past is not representative of the future, it can be helpful to know how a company has performed historically, which is why we have this chart above. If you'd like to look at how OTS Holdings has performed in the past in other metrics, you can view this free graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What The Trend Of ROCE Can Tell Us

When we looked at the ROCE trend at OTS Holdings, we didn't gain much confidence. Over the last four years, returns on capital have decreased to 2.0% from 3.7% four years ago. On the other hand, the company has been employing more capital without a corresponding improvement in sales in the last year, which could suggest these investments are longer term plays. It's worth keeping an eye on the company's earnings from here on to see if these investments do end up contributing to the bottom line.

The Key Takeaway

In summary, OTS Holdings is reinvesting funds back into the business for growth but unfortunately it looks like sales haven't increased much just yet. And in the last year, the stock has given away 17% so the market doesn't look too hopeful on these trends strengthening any time soon. Therefore based on the analysis done in this article, we don't think OTS Holdings has the makings of a multi-bagger.

One more thing: We've identified 5 warning signs with OTS Holdings (at least 2 which shouldn't be ignored) , and understanding these would certainly be useful.

While OTS Holdings isn't earning the highest return, check out this free list of companies that are earning high returns on equity with solid balance sheets.

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
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon chides managers who work from home: I dont know how you can be a leader and not be completely accessible to your people

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon is no fan of remote work. Hes previously claimed it suppresses spontaneous idea generation. Now hes talking again about his distaste for working from homeand taking aim at remote managers in particular.

I don't know how you can be a leader and not be completely accessible to your people. I do not believe you can be a leader and not be accessible to your people, Dimon told The Economist editor-in-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes during a wide-ranging interview on Tuesday, in which he also discussed the economy, U.S.-China relations, and his own legacy at the financial services firm.

Dimon did note that certain roles are suited for remote work, and that JPMorgan has always had a small percentage of employees work from home. But calling himself a work-from-home skeptic, he emphasized that he doesnt believe remote work is good for creativity, younger employees doing apprenticeships, or for management teams.

To the extent it works, I'm okay with it. If it doesn't work, I don't mind getting rid of it either, he said. We're not going to make that decision because we're pandering to employees. That is not the way to build a great company.

JPMorgan started calling its traders back to the office as early as September 2020though soon after some workers were sent home after an employee tested positive for COVID. Attempts to return to in-person work over the past few years have been met with employee pushback. In April 2023, the bank ordered its senior leaders back to the office five days a week, with the threat of corrective action if they refused.

The chiefs of other banks have also had some harsh words about remote work. Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman previously said that remote work is not an employee choice. And Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon called it an aberration. Dimon himself said he was about to cancel all my Zoom meetings, in 2021, adding Im done with it.

All of JPMorgans managing directors are now fully in-office, and 60% of employees work in-person full-time, Dimon told Minton Beddoes. Around 10% of employeesprimarily those in certain sales or service roleswork entirely from home, and the remaining 30% commute to the office three days per week, he added.

In his interview with Minton Beddoes, Dimon acknowledged that his preference for in-person work isnt for everyonebut said those who disagree can look for work elsewhere.

I completely understand why someone doesn't want to commute an hour and a half every day. Totally get it, he said. Doesn't mean they have to have a job here either.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

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CAMARILLO, Calif. , July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- kathy ireland Worldwide (KIWW) has forged a brand partnership with PlushBeds, a leading luxury organic mattress manufacturer and retailer. This collaboration brings together two industry leaders to offer a collection of organic luxury mattresses, toppers, and pillows that prioritize sustainability and exceptional comfort.

Courtesy of Jon Carrasco

"Kathy Ireland is an icon in the world of lifestyle branding, and we are honored to partner with her in this exciting venture" said Michael Hughes, CEO of PlushBeds. "Her unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and thoughtful curation to enhance people's lives is truly admirable. Kathy's principles align perfectly with our own, and we are excited to combine our expertise in organic luxury sleep with her unparalleled influence and vision."

The partnership between kathy ireland Worldwide and PlushBeds represents a shared vision for creating more environmental consciousness in the bedroom. By combining kiWW's expertise in lifestyle branding and PlushBeds' mastery in organic bedding, the collection of luxury mattresses, toppers, and pillows will revolutionize the way people experience sleep, providing them with the ultimate in comfort, sustainability, and style.

"All of us at kiWW are looking forward to working with Michael and his exceptional team," says Kathy Ireland, Chair, CEO and Chief Designer of kathy ireland Worldwide, the 19th most powerful global brand per License Global. "PlushBeds' commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability, and their dedication to customer satisfaction align perfectly with our brand values. Together, we will provide customers with an exceptional sleep experience that promotes both their well-being and the well-being of our planet."

"This collaboration brings our customers the best in sustainable bedding products, which helps us to continue fulfilling one of our company's Millennium Development Goals of ensuring environmental sustainability," say Jon Carrasco and Stephen Roseberry, Worldwide Creative Director and President/CMO of kathy ireland Worldwide.

Customers can expect a comprehensive range of eco-friendly and organic mattresses designed to cater to different sleep preferences and styles. Each mattress will be meticulously handcrafted in California, customized to deliver the utmost comfort and support.

PlushBeds' dedication to customer satisfaction extends to their generous offerings, including a free sleep trial, a lifetime warranty, and complimentary shipping and returns. This commitment ensures that customers can confidently choose the new kathy ireland collection by PlushBeds as their preferred brand of natural and organic luxury bedding.

The new collection will be available for purchase online at www.plushbeds.com and select authorized retailers towards the end of 2023.

For more information, please visit www.PlushBeds.com

About kathy ireland Worldwide

Kathy Ireland and her company, kathy ireland Worldwide, are one of the great American success stories. Launched in 1993, at Ms. Ireland's kitchen table, with a personal loan of $50,000, it is today acknowledged as the most successful woman-owned licensing corporation in history, according to WWD (Women's Wear Daily). The New York Times vales kathy ireland Worldwide at over $500 million dollars, and Ms. Ireland's greatest passion is being of service through her multiple philanthropic efforts. Ms. Ireland is married to Dr. Gregory Olsen, and the couple lives in Montecito, CA. As parents, they have one son and two daughters.

About PlushBeds:

PlushBeds is a leading luxury organic mattress manufacturer and retailer headquartered in Camarillo, California. Specializing in organic latex mattresses, toppers, pillows, and bedding, PlushBeds offers a superior sleep experience through their commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kathy-ireland-worldwide-kiww-expands-into-organic-mattresses-through-brand-partnership-with-plushbeds-301875020.html

SOURCE PlushBeds
Key Insights

Knorr-Bremse's significant private companies ownership suggests that the key decisions are influenced by shareholders from the larger public

59% of the company is held by a single shareholder (Stella VermOGensverwaltungs- Gmbh)

24% of Knorr-Bremse is held by Institutions

Every investor in Knorr-Bremse AG (ETR:KBX) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 59% to be precise, is private companies. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

And institutions on the other hand have a 24% ownership in the company. Institutions will often hold stock in bigger companies, and we expect to see insiders owning a noticeable percentage of the smaller ones.

Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Knorr-Bremse, beginning with the chart below.

View our latest analysis for Knorr-Bremse

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Knorr-Bremse?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

Knorr-Bremse already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. 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 Knorr-Bremse, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

Knorr-Bremse is not owned by hedge funds. The company's largest shareholder is Stella VermOGensverwaltungs- Gmbh, with ownership of 59%. This implies that they have majority interest control of the future of the company. The second and third largest shareholders are Capital Research and Management Company and Massachusetts Financial Services Company, with an equal amount of shares to their name at 3.0%.

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. 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 Knorr-Bremse

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.

We note our data does not show any board members holding shares, personally. It is unusual not to have at least some personal holdings by board members, so our data might be flawed. A good next step would be to check how much the CEO is paid.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 17% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Private Company Ownership

It seems that Private Companies own 59%, of the Knorr-Bremse stock. Private companies may be related parties. Sometimes insiders have an interest in a public company through a holding in a private company, rather than in their own capacity as an individual. While it's hard to draw any broad stroke conclusions, it is worth noting as an area for further research.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Knorr-Bremse better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Knorr-Bremse you should know about.

But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter 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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Krispy Kreme celebrates 86th year by offering customers a dozen donuts for just $0.86 this Friday

Calling all donut lovers! Krispy Kreme is giving customers a chance to grab a dozen original glazed donuts for just $0.86 this Friday, July 14, in honor of the company's birthday.

With the purchase of any other dozen donuts at regular price, folks can cash in on this deal celebrating the company's 86th year.

We love treating our fans and celebrating our birthday with them every year. It definitely has become a tradition, said Dave Skena, Global Chief Brand Officer for Krispy Kreme, in a press release. Gifting fans a dozen Original Glazed doughnuts for just 86 cents when they buy any dozen is a pretty sweet way to celebrate 86 years of delicious doughnuts.

Here's everything to know about the company and the upcoming deal.

What is Krispy Kreme?

Originally founded in 1937, Krispy Kreme is a donut company best known for having hot donuts that are served directly off of the production conveyor belt. The company began when its founder, Vernon Rudolph, started selling his donuts at grocery stores.

According to the press release, a person smelled the donuts being made while walking by and asked Rudolph if they could buy the donuts. Rudolph then cut a hole in the wall and started selling his "original glazed" donuts to people on the sidewalk through the opening.

While the company began with selling original donuts, it has since expanded its menu to include other types of donuts, including iced, glazed, filled, cake, and chocolate. Stores also offer coffee and shakes.

National French Fry Day 2023: Get free food or deals at McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's

How does the deal work?

The deal is only offered this Friday, July 14. Customers can get up to four dozen with the deal when purchased at a Krispy Kreme shop, either inside or in the drive-thru.

If a customer wants to access the deal online for delivery or pickup, they can use the code 86YEARS upon checkout. Online customers are limited to one dozen.

The deal will go on at participating Krispy Kreme shops in the U.S. while supplies lasts.

Where can I get Krispy Kreme?

According to the Krispy Kreme website, the company has physical stores located in over 40 states across the U.S.

Krispy Kreme also operates in more than 30 countries through "fresh doughnut shops, partnerships with leading retailers, and a rapidly growing Ecommerce and delivery business with nearly 12,000 fresh points of access," the press release states.

Hoagiefest 15th annual celebration: Get discounted Wawa subs through Sunday!

Kate Perez covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@gannett.com or on Twitter @katecperez_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Krispy Kreme birthday deal gives customers a dozen donuts for $0.86
A Federal Judge has ruled that LBRY, Inc, the company behind the LBRY protocol, is liable for violating U.S. securities lawscausing the LBRY token (LBC) to collapse by nearly 18% early today.

According to yesterdays final judgment, the company is permanently restrained from offering unregistered securities unless it first registers with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

LBRY, Inc has also been fined $111,614 for which it has thirty days to pay.

The decentralized content-sharing project was quick to announce its next steps too.

In accordance with the court's order and our promises, we expect to spend the next several months winding LBRY Inc. down entirely, said the team upon receiving the notice yesterday. As to what happens to LBRY from here, well, that's up to you.

The final judgement in SEC vs LBRY is out. In accordance with the court's order and our promises, we expect to spend the next several months winding LBRY Inc. down entirely. As to what happens to LBRY from here, well, that's up to you. pic.twitter.com/cU8O3nATT6  LBRY  (@LBRYcom) July 11, 2023

Despite the projects announcement that it's shuttering, its important to clarify that the SEC never sought a complete shutdown of the projectat least according to their initial complaint.

The agency aimed for the project to restrain from any sort of unregistered securities offerings, a return of ill-gotten profits from those activities, and civil penalties.

During the litigation process, the SEC pointed to explicit publications on LBRYs website that it was offering LBC tokens to financially support its operations, both through their protocol and on secondary marketswhich refer to buying and selling of tokens on platforms that arent the original issuers of the cryptocurrency.

Tuesdays resolution didnt reference sales on secondary markets, nor explicit labeling by the judge as to whether LBC is, in fact, a security.

LBRY Loses SEC Case, Calls Ruling a 'Dangerous Precedent' for Crypto

In November last year, Judge Paul J. Barbadoro of the U.S. District Court of New Hampshire, ruled against the cryptocurrency project, deeming it could offer no reasonable trier of fact that could reject the SECs claims, which led LBRY to announce We lost.

Moments after yesterdays resolution, company CEO, Jeremy Kauffman posted on Twitter: All I've ever wanted to do is follow the law, adding that no one at the SEC, nor the federal judge himself, can tell me what the law allows and doesn't allow.

According to the team, the network has 30 million pieces of content, 1.7 million on-chain identities, quality open-source code, and big-name creators. LBRY also claimed it has the clearest regulatory standing of any token other than BTC and ETH.
Central Louisiana residents who make up the "Diaper Brigade" make diapers out of T-shirts that are sent to the Missionaries of Charity Intermediate Care Facility in Hinche, Haiti which cares for malnourished children and adults.

Ordinary people in Central Louisiana are doing something extraordinary. They using their sewing talents and turning an ordinary item into something beneficial for Haitian children.

They are making diapers from T-shirts that have value and use at the Saint Teresa of Calculttas Missionaries of Charity Intermediate Care Facility in Hinche, Haiti, said Sheri Strange, who heads whats known as the Diaper Brigade.

She is one of several Central Louisiana residents who make cloth diapers for the facility that takes in malnourished children and nurses them back to health before returning them back to their families, she said.

The same children often return time and again, Strange said. The facility isnt an orphanage, she stressed. But after the children get better, they often return to the same poverty-stricken environment where they got malnourished in the first place, she said.

The facility also cares for adults, some of whom also need diapers due to their illnesses. They dont turn anyone who needs care away, she said.

They do help with medical needs of adults as well," she said. "Often times, the adults will go there. The adults who go there are malnourished, and they give them a dignified death and care for them.

How she got started making diapers

It was a trip to the family dentists office in 2018 that put Strange on this path.

Dr. Jeffrey Seilers dental assistant Alice Bryant would tell her about her mission trips to Haiti. Strange asked Bryant at one appointment if there is anything they needed with which she could help out. Thats when Bryant handed her a shabby, torn diaper that was used at the facility. The Mother Superior at the time, Sister James, had given it to Bryant when she had asked what was needed at the facility.

She handed me the diaper, Strange said. Well, she tried to hand me the diaper, and I kind of pushed it back on her and she kind of pushed it on me. She said they need more of these.

Strange told Bryant that she didnt sew, but she left the office with the diaper anyway.

It was burning a hole in the front seat of my car, and I knew I couldn't go home with it or there would sit, Strange said.

Sheri Strange shared this photo of the sample diaper from Haiti that was used at the Missionaries of Charity Intermediate Care Facility in Hinche, Haiti. It was also the diaper that was used as the pattern for the diapers the "Diaper Brigade" makes out of T-shirts.

So she dropped by the former Sew Unique store, where she met Kathie Coco.

"I went in, and I asked them how much they would charge me to make up some diapers like this, Strange said. Coco told her that they didnt taken in sewing projects. But she said she would take the diaper apart, make a pattern and teach Strange how to sew one. Coco also said she would host a diaper sewing event and put out a sewing call.

Diaper patterns can be found on Stranges website, diapersforhaiti.org. There people can find how to cut and sew the diapers, along with instructional YouTube videos on how to cut and sew. If anyone cant print the patterns, Strange will print them out for pick up or she'll mail them. If people dont have access to YouTube, she is willing to show people in person how the diapers are made.

Making diapers out of T-shirts

It was Coco who told her she could make the whole diaper out of a T-shirt, Strange said. The original one Bryant brought back from Haiti wasnt made out of T-shirt fabric, she pointed out.

"She showed me how to make it from a T-shirt," Strange said. "Somewhere along the way she said, And we can use that bottom hem of the T-shirt for the ties. And we can use the neck of the T-shirt for the little loop that the ties thread through. The whole thing, other than the thread it's sewn with and the elastic to make the gathers in the leg, are completely made from a T-shirt.

Strange added that the inside of every diaper must be white so that the nuns can easily check for blood in the urine or parasites in the bowel movements.

That first time they ended up with 100 or 200 diapers. Then Strange gave them to Bryant thinking she was done with this project and didn't do anything for more than a year.

Then Seiler, Bryant and their team went on another mission trip to Haiti, and all the nuns could talk about was the diapers and if they brought more with them. When Bryant returned to Central Louisiana, she told Strange.

I said, Oh goodness! Really? So I tried to start shaking the chains a little bit, stirring up a little activity with it. And since then, I have not put it down again, she said.

Diapers are bundled in packs of 10. There is a handmade tag placed on top with the name of the person who sewed them along with any prayer intentions that person has, said Strange.

She hadn't realized just how ongoing the need was for cloth diapers at the facility.

Anyone with children knows that they can soil a lot of diapers through the course of a day, Strange said. If the facility is caring for 80 children, and if every child only uses four diapers - and thats on the conservative side, she stressed - thats 320 diapers a day. And children use more than four diapers a day, she said.

The soiled diapers are hand washed and hung outside to dry, which further complicates the issue, she explained.

Haiti has a rainy season, and their climate is much like ours here," Strange said. "So when it's rainy, it's so humid and they can't get the diapers to dry as quickly as whenever it's sunny.

Just sent their largest shipment

To date, they have shipped about 1,581 diapers since the project started in 2018. They just collected more than 1,000 diapers that they are getting ready to ship. Strange said this is the largest shipment to date.

A 1,000 diapers might sound like a lot, but she said they could realistically use those in a day or a couple of days.

Diapers are bundled in packs of 10. There is a handmade tag placed on top with the name of the person who sewed them along with any prayer intentions that person has, Strange said.

With help from Bryant, Strange was able to speak with the Mother Superior, Sister Patsy, back in February. She shared what Sister Patsy had to say in a group email she sends out from time to time with diaper news.

She was profusely grateful and very moved by the items you all made for them, Strange said in the email she shared with The Town Talk.

The email goes on to say that Sister Patsy said, It gave them hope to know that people cared about them. She said just as they were running out of diapers, these boxes arrived. Just like last time, she said in perfect time.

Strange said due to the political climate and violence in Haiti, Seiler and Bryant havent been able to make any mission trips to the Caribbean island. Father Glenn Meaux of Abbeville has been traveling to and from the island and visited the facility but cannot carry many supplies with him, she said.

Its also not easy to get supplies to remote areas of Haiti, which has some of the most poverty-stricken areas in the world, Strange said. Bryant is the one that has been organizing the shipments from here and it takes a lot of orchestration.

Sheri Strange met with Catherine Fontenot (right) of Oberlin and Barb and Mike Carlin (left) to collect diapers Barb and Catherine made. Catherine also made quilts that will also be shipped Haiti.

The sewing ladies

One of the original sewing ladies was Charlene Elliott, who also happened to attend church with Strange at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. She answered the first call for diapers.

She came and she sewed quite a good bit of diapers," Strange said. "And she continued on with, and I continued on with, and just through word of mouth, it's grown a little bit.

Strange said some ladies at New Prospect Baptist Church in Dry Prong got a hold of the idea, and they hosted a baby shower for Haiti where baby clothes and baby care supplies were collected in addition to the diapers some of the ladies had sewn.

They even held a sewing bee where they introduced the pattern to others and showed them how to cut them out and sew them.

There are a handful of ladies that seem to be devoted," Strange said. "There's one lady in Oberlin who sews. Now she's reached out and has gotten another lady or two involved.

She said another lady in Alexandria gets together with her sister-in-law and sews.

Its by the grace of God alone that people have an interest in this, because it is absolutely impossible for me to have churned out the amount of diapers that have been shipped, said Strange, who has two teenagers and a husband. It is by the grace of God that these ladies have shown an interest and put their faith in love and action by making these diapers.

The Diocese of Alexandria has a monthly newspaper called The Church Today that ran an article on the diaper project, she said. Only one lady contacted her after the article ran, but that lady made more than 1,000 diapers in the past year and a half.

Strange started sending photos of the diapers to Cari Terracina of The Church Today, who would run the photos in the publication along with Stranges email address and website. Each time an article ran, one or two ladies would contact her.

I think that there is such a goodness in people and that people want to do something to make an impact, to make a positive impact. And sometimes we're at a loss for what to do, Strange said.

Another person contacted Strange after another The Church Today article ran. That person has been devotedly and consistently making diapers.

I had a handful of ladies who were sewing and never whole lot at one time, Strange said. That created a tremendous amount of angst for her because she knew how desperately the diapers were needed. But through time I've learned that there just seems to be enough interest so that we always have some diapers to ship.

Everyone sews on an individual basis. She said she doesnt know the exact number of people who sew. Some ladies are not able to continually work on them throughout the year due to family obligations or health issues.

No one person really is in production year-round except maybe one or two ladies that I know of, Strange said.

Besides diapers, some of the ladies have made other items to send to the facility, including handmade quilts, tote bag and blankets.

You just can't imagine some of the amazing stuff that these ladies have made, Strange said.

She always thought that if more people in the community knew about the project, more would be interested in helping. The website diapersforhaiti.org has more information about the project. Strange can be contacted at DiapersforHaiti@outlook.com. Those who want to be involved but don't know how to sew can cut the diapers and make "diaper bundles" that can be passed along to someone who can sew them, she said.

Strange said they also collect clothes, underwear and shoes for infants to adults.

Sometimes we don't have a ton of time every day or every week on a consistent basis, but we do have some time, and this is something that people can do in the comfort of their own home in the spare time that they have, whenever they have it, Strange said. And I find that the more you touch the fabric and make the diapers, the more you want to make the diapers. There's something about it that's just so gratifying.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Central Louisiana residents sew diapers for Haitian children
Microsoft President Brad Smith said Britain was closed for business after the CMA initially blocked the proposed Activision merger - Virginia Mayo

Britains competition watchdog may be forced to launch a fresh investigation into Microsofts $69bn (54bn) takeover of Activision as part of efforts to reach a deal, after it paused court action aimed at blocking the merger.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on Wednesday said it still stood behind its decision to block the mega-merger despite a pause in the legal battle over the verdict.

Both the CMA and Microsoft agreed to stay their dispute in the Competition Appeal Tribunal after the tech giant won a crucial legal victory linked to the deal in the US.

Microsoft and the CMA are now discussing how to restructure the deal to win approval.

Britains competition watchdog said Microsoft would need to rehash its agreement with Activision, rather than simply offering further concessions.

It added that any revised agreement may face a full, new investigation by the CMA.

A spokesman said: Whilst merging parties dont have the opportunity to put forward new remedies once the final report has been issued, they can choose to restructure the deal, which can lead to a new merger investigation.

Microsoft and Activision have indicated that they are considering how the transaction might be modified, and the CMA is prepared to engage with them on this basis.

Talks between the two sides have resumed after Microsoft won a key US court case against the Federal Trade Commision (FTC), which had been seeking to stop the Activision deal from going ahead.

What is the CMA?

The CMA said discussions with Microsoft remained at an early stage.

A spokesman said the competition watchdog had not changed its original position on the deal, saying: The CMA decision set out in its final report still stands.

Regulators in the UK and the US had opposed the Activision takeover, arguing it would harm competition in the video games industry.

Sony, which makes the Playstation console, had argued Xbox-maker Microsoft could use the takeover to block rivals from accessing the lucrative Call of Duty franchise.

The US court ruling has revived hopes that the deal may yet complete, despite the opposition.

The FTC can choose to appeal the ruling. It may also continue its own investigation, but without blocking the merger from completion.

The deadline to complete the deal is next Tuesday, afterwhich Microsoft could be forced to pay its merger partner $3bn if the deal falls apart. The pair can choose to extend the timeline, however.

CNBC reported on Tuesday Microsoft was considering the option of a small divestment, which would ease competition concerns, to get the deal over the line.

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.
Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu says his country's prosperity and security can only be guaranteed through its eventual membership in the European Union and through "intensified, accelerated cooperation with NATO," amid discussion on whether the current policy of neutrality is insufficient.

Moldova, wedged between Ukraine and EU and NATO member Romania, is one of Europe's poorest countries and has acutely felt the impact of Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

Since gaining independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991, Moldova, where Moscow has continuously held considerable sway, has remained neutral.

But after U.S.-educated President Maia Sandu came to power in November 2020 following the defeat of Moscow-backed incumbent Igor Dodon, Moldova took a firm pro-Western stand and has backed Ukraine since the start of the war, gaining EU candidate status in June 2022 alongside Ukraine.

Sandu said in May that Moldova's neutrality, although enshrined in its constitution, has become an increasingly talked-about topic for the Moldovan public and that she was ready to revisit the issue if the Moldovan people would want that.

Popescu told RFE/RL in an interview on July 11 while attending the ongoing NATO summit in Vilnius that the government in Chisinau has concluded that neutrality is not sufficient to ensure the security of the country, but that the governing Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) does not have enough votes in parliament to change the constitution.

In the Republic of Moldova, we have a political debate, and a debate in our society regarding the usefulness of the neutrality. At this stage, we have the same constitution that we adopted in 1994," Popescu said.

However, Popescu said that joining the EU and seeking closer ties with NATO are the best options for Moldova.

"The Republic of Moldova can ensure its security, peace, prosperity, freedom, and development through a firm anchoring within the family of European countries, by joining the European Union, and through intensified and accelerated cooperation with NATO," Popescu said.

The small country of 2.6 million has received thousands of Ukrainian refugees and initially voiced fears of a potential Russian invasion aided by more than 1,000 Russian troops stationed in its breakaway Transdniester region.

But Popescu said that thanks to Ukraine's stubborn resistance, Moldova has been able to enjoy peace. He said Kyiv getting ever closer to NATO will benefit Moldova's own security and stability.

The reality is that, due to Ukraine's resilience, the Republic of Moldova is currently in a state of peace. It is precisely Ukraine's ability to withstand brutal Russian aggression that maintains peace in the Republic of Moldova," Popescu said.

"Clearly, any measures that help Ukraine resist, that assist Ukraine in reclaiming its own territories, also contribute to fortifying the security of the Republic of Moldova. Moreover, Ukraine's movement towards NATO is a factor that will continue to aid in keeping the Republic of Moldova stable, he added.

By RFE/RL

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As students across the nation make strides toward pre-pandemic learning levels, at National Heritage Academies (NHA) schools there are countless examples of students and teachers excelling in the face of adversity.

National Heritage Academies (PRNewsfoto/National Heritage Academies)

Throughout NHA's network of schools, staff and students are closing the gap in proficiency and outperforming surrounding schools with a variety of methods. Here are some highlights of NHA success stories that led to improved test scores for the 2021-22 school year:

Colorado

Mountain View Academy Fourth Grade Teacher Melissa Mendez attributed several factors to helping students improve test scores. She put in countless hours after school tutoring, even during virtual learning. She found success with center rotation (small groups), allowing her time to tailor instruction to each individual, and intervention groups. She also incorporated a Candyland-like game where students have to move spaces and solve a problem or Math War, where the largest fraction or the largest answer to a multiplication problem wins.

Louisiana

Math Teacher LaTisha Starks and her students persevered as Advantage Charter Academy was recognized by The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) as a Comeback Campus. A Louisiana Comeback Campus is a school where students are performing at higher levels in math and reading than before the pandemic. Forty-one schools in the state earned the honor by increasing the percentage of students scoring mastery and above and decreasing the percentage of students scoring unsatisfactory in both math and ELA on 2022 statewide assessments when compared to 2019.

To combat the time spent learning foundational skills that were diminished because of virtual learning, Starks made sure she was as organized as possible with her scope and sequence to make sure certain standards were covered before advancing. She worked out test questions herself to break down the process of arriving at an answer. During the second half of the school year, she took the remaining units and condensed what needed to be covered before the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) test.

Throughout the year she stressed the importance of exercises that would help students on the LEAP, but the students were on their own once the test arrived. When she heard of the positive scores, her nerves were put at rest. Among the results:

Advantage closed the learning loss gap in proficiency on the state test faster than the local district, closest schools, and the state in every subject.

In 2021-22, Advantage outperformed its local district in every subject and by 14 percentage points overall.

In 2021-22, Advantage outperformed its closest schools by 2 percentage points overall.

In 2021-22, Advantage received an overall letter grade of a B, the first time an NHA school in Louisiana has earned this grade.

Advantage's overall School Performance Score (SPS) change from 2020-21 to 2021-22 was at the 98th percentile of all K-8 schools in Louisiana.

North Carolina

The workshop model has benefited students and teachers at Peak Charter Academy, and the numbers back that up.

Peak outperforms the local district in all subjects, including science, which Jill Fischer has taught for five years at Peak and 17 at NHA. The model was incorporated in all subjects by Principal Steve Pond when the school opened in 2017.

Students begin in mixed ability groups and branch out to ability groups based on where they are with the concept and receive personalized instruction. A heat transfer lesson, for example, includes an introductory video station that provides an overview, an illustration station where students draw different types of heat transfers, a reading station where they read a passage, a hands-on station, and a writing station for questions about the subject.

By having stations for reading, writing, and vocabulary for a small experiment, demonstration, graph, or mapping activity, Peak students exercise multiple skills in a lesson. In 2021-22, Peak outperformed the local district and the state in every grade/subject combination. Peak's state test proficiency returned to pre-pandemic rates in science at 96% and exceeded pre-pandemic rates in math, from 80% in 2018-19 to 84% in 2021-22. Also, in 2018-19 and 2021-22, Peak earned the highest school letter grade of A.

In addition, Peak and Johnston Charter Academy outperformed the local district, closest schools, and the state in overall proficiency. Wake Forest Charter Academy outperformed its local district and the state in overall proficiency, and Rolesville Charter Academy outperformed its closest schools and the state in overall proficiency.

Ohio

At Alliance Academy of Cincinnati, Fourth Grade Language Arts Teacher Jennifer Zappia helped some students go from limited to proficient in the span of one school year. She noticed that students were struggling with writing more than in the past and created graphic organizers that help students construct paragraphs and identify themes through prompts and scaffolded questions.

Those efforts helped Alliance's state test achievement to be well above expected compared to schools with similar student demographics. The school is at the 69th percentile when compared to schools statewide with a similar FRL rate (risk-adjusted proficiency was calculated internally).

Other schools also seeing success

Aspire Charter Academy (Indiana) is the highest performing school in the area and outperformed the local district and closest schools in overall proficiency at 19%, compared to 6% for the local district and 11% for the closest schools.

Milwaukee Scholars outperformed the local district and schools students would otherwise attend in overall proficiency. Milwaukee Scholars closed the learning loss gap in overall proficiency on the state test faster than the local district.

About National Heritage Academies:

National Heritage Academies (NHA) is a network of 100 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-heritage-academies-teachers-tackle-learning-loss-301875027.html

SOURCE National Heritage Academies
By Echo Wang

(Reuters) -SoftBank Group Corp's chip designer Arm Ltd is in talks to bring in Nvidia as an anchor investor as it presses ahead with plans for a New York listing that could happen in September, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Nvidia is one of several potential investors to hold talks with Arm to take a long-term stake in the company at the time of its initial public offering (IPO), the sources said on Wednesday. Arm could raise as much as $10 billion from its stock market flotation, sources have previously told Reuters.

The talks are at an early stage, and Arm is not looking to sign any other commercial agreements beyond a financial infusion from investors, the sources added.

SoftBank had been planning to sell Arm to U.S. chip designer Nvidia in a deal worth up to $80 billion, but that fell through last year due to objections from U.S. and European antitrust regulators. It has been targeting an IPO for the unit since then.

Arm's IPO is expected to boost the fortunes of the Japanese conglomerate, which is battling to turn around its giant Vision Fund, which has been hit by losses due to the declining valuations of many of its holdings in technology startups.

The talks with Nvidia were first reported by The Financial Times. Nvidia and Arm declined to comment.

In June, Reuters reported that Arm was in talks with at least ten potential investors, including Intel Corp, Alphabet, and TSMC.

In April, Arm filed paperwork with regulators for a U.S. stock market listing.

(Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal, Mrinmay Dey in Bengaluru, Anton Bridge in Tokyo and Echo Wang in New York; Editing by Savio D'Souza, Kim Coghill, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Anirban Sen and Sharon Singleton)
It's not a stretch to say that Pestech International Berhad's (KLSE:PESTECH) price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio of 0.5x right now seems quite "middle-of-the-road" for companies in the Construction industry in Malaysia, where the median P/S ratio is around 0.8x. While this might not raise any eyebrows, if the P/S ratio is not justified investors could be missing out on a potential opportunity or ignoring looming disappointment.

See our latest analysis for Pestech International Berhad

What Does Pestech International Berhad's P/S Mean For Shareholders?

For example, consider that Pestech International Berhad's financial performance has been poor lately as its revenue has been in decline. Perhaps investors believe the recent revenue performance is enough to keep in line with the industry, which is keeping the P/S from dropping off. If not, then existing shareholders may be a little nervous about the viability of the share price.

Want the full picture on earnings, revenue and cash flow for the company? Then our free report on Pestech International Berhad will help you shine a light on its historical performance.

What Are Revenue Growth Metrics Telling Us About The P/S?

In order to justify its P/S ratio, Pestech International Berhad would need to produce growth that's similar to the industry.

Taking a look back first, the company's revenue growth last year wasn't something to get excited about as it posted a disappointing decline of 43%. As a result, revenue from three years ago have also fallen 48% overall. So unfortunately, we have to acknowledge that the company has not done a great job of growing revenue over that time.

In contrast to the company, the rest of the industry is expected to grow by 35% over the next year, which really puts the company's recent medium-term revenue decline into perspective.

With this in mind, we find it worrying that Pestech International Berhad's P/S exceeds that of its industry peers. It seems most investors are ignoring the recent poor growth rate and are hoping for a turnaround in the company's business prospects. There's a good chance existing shareholders are setting themselves up for future disappointment if the P/S falls to levels more in line with the recent negative growth rates.

The Key Takeaway

Generally, our preference is to limit the use of the price-to-sales ratio to establishing what the market thinks about the overall health of a company.

We find it unexpected that Pestech International Berhad trades at a P/S ratio that is comparable to the rest of the industry, despite experiencing declining revenues during the medium-term, while the industry as a whole is expected to grow. When we see revenue heading backwards in the context of growing industry forecasts, it'd make sense to expect a possible share price decline on the horizon, sending the moderate P/S lower. Unless the the circumstances surrounding the recent medium-term improve, it wouldn't be wrong to expect a a difficult period ahead for the company's shareholders.

And what about other risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for Pestech International Berhad (of which 3 are significant!) you should know about.

Of course, profitable companies with a history of great earnings growth are generally safer bets. So you may wish to see this free collection of other companies that have reasonable P/E ratios and have grown earnings strongly.

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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What trends should we look for it we want to identify stocks that can multiply in value over the long term? One common approach is to try and find a company with returns on capital employed (ROCE) that are increasing, in conjunction with a growing amount of capital employed. Basically this means that a company has profitable initiatives that it can continue to reinvest in, which is a trait of a compounding machine. However, after briefly looking over the numbers, we don't think PETRONAS Gas Berhad (KLSE:PETGAS) has the makings of a multi-bagger going forward, but let's have a look at why that may be.

Understanding Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)

For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. To calculate this metric for PETRONAS Gas Berhad, this is the formula:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.13 = RM2.3b  (RM20b - RM2.2b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 2023).

So, PETRONAS Gas Berhad has an ROCE of 13%. On its own, that's a standard return, however it's much better than the 7.6% generated by the Gas Utilities industry.

View our latest analysis for PETRONAS Gas Berhad

roce

In the above chart we have measured PETRONAS Gas Berhad's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you're interested, you can view the analysts predictions in our free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

What The Trend Of ROCE Can Tell Us

There hasn't been much to report for PETRONAS Gas Berhad's returns and its level of capital employed because both metrics have been steady for the past five years. Businesses with these traits tend to be mature and steady operations because they're past the growth phase. With that in mind, unless investment picks up again in the future, we wouldn't expect PETRONAS Gas Berhad to be a multi-bagger going forward. That probably explains why PETRONAS Gas Berhad has been paying out 85% of its earnings as dividends to shareholders. Most shareholders probably know this and own the stock for its dividend.

The Bottom Line

In a nutshell, PETRONAS Gas Berhad has been trudging along with the same returns from the same amount of capital over the last five years. And with the stock having returned a mere 19% in the last five years to shareholders, you could argue that they're aware of these lackluster trends. As a result, if you're hunting for a multi-bagger, we think you'd have more luck elsewhere.

On a separate note, we've found 1 warning sign for PETRONAS Gas Berhad you'll probably want to know about.

If you want to search for solid companies with great earnings, check out this free list of companies with good balance sheets and impressive returns on equity.

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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Port of Wilmington deal is final. Enstructure to take over in 'days'

The Port of Wilmington will have a new operator "in a matter of days," state officials announced Wednesday.

Enstructure LLC, a Massachusetts company, received its final approval Tuesday to take over the port. The decision ends the turbulent tenure of GT USA Wilmington, a subsidiary of Emirati company Gulftainer that ran the facility since the state privatized port operations in 2018.

"We're eager to get in there," Enstructure Co-CEO Matt Satnick said last week.

A cargo ship is docked at the Port of Wilmington Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020.

State officials have argued in favor of installing Enstructure, saying that the port is in need of immediate investment after GT USA allowed it to deteriorate with few repairs over the past year and a half. Labor leaders said supporting Enstructure was a matter of supporting the thousands of jobs the port supplies the region.

"This is our infrastructure. Delaware. Delaware jobs," said James Maravelias, president of the Delaware Building and Construction Trades Council. "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."

PORT OF WILMINGTON DEAL: Internal docs detail how Delaware landed the new operator

Community members were upset about a selection process they said was not transparent and a lack of public input. They've also expressed pessimism over how a planned expansion at the port will be carried out.

"Right now, most of the meetings as they are organized by the state, you make a statement and they typically don't give you feedback," said Jeffrey Richardson, chair of the Delaware Community Benefits Agreement Coalition, a collection of community groups advocating for those adversely impacted by investment projects in the state. "We want an exchange. We want a real conversation."

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.

The Diamond State Port Corp., a state-owned entity that oversees the port, ultimately voted unanimously on Friday to approve an agreement with Enstructure. That left one final approval: a "concurrence" of a group of Delaware lawmakers and the state controller general.

Those officials, House Speaker Valerie Longhurst, Senate President Pro Tempore David Sokola, Joint Capital Improvement Committee Co-Chairs Rep. Debra Heffernan and Sen. Jack Walsh and Controller General Ruth Ann Miller, gave their yes vote Tuesday.

In a joint statement, Longhurst and Sokola said the port's workforce is "critical to Delaware" and they look forward to working with Enstructure, "the new long-term operator and investor in one of Delaware's most important assets."

What the new deal includes

Enstructure has agreed to spend at least $45 million by 2032 to upgrade the current port. The company estimates it could spend as much as $65 million in the next five years. Its agreement with the port corporation calls for a minimum of $87 million over the 55-year term of the deal.

Enstructure will also make an annual payment to the port corporation starting at $1 million. In exchange, Enstructure will reap any profits the port makes.

The terms of the state's agreement with Enstructure are less favorable than the terms of the deal they struck with GT USA five years earlier. That agreement 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.

But GT USA's promises never materialized.

How the last deal unraveled

In August 2021, Gulftainer executive Peter Richards told employees the company was "losing money all of the time." As its business faltered, GT USA faced lawsuits from others doing business at the port and environmental and workplace violations. All the while, the state continued spending money on the port even though Gov. John Carney had billed the GT USA deal as a way of "getting out of the business of subsidizing the port."

The Chiquita Passion cargo ship at the Port of Wilmington Thursday, May 20, 2021.

The company's creditors seized control of its board of directors last fall, eventually leading the port corporation to solicit proposals to take over the port.

All told, GT USA Wilmington 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.

Plans for a port expansion

GT USA failed to advance an expansion project known as Edgemoor. The container terminal project, named for the former DuPont site the state acquired in 2016, would greatly expand the port's capacity and add jobs.

The port corporation began moving the project forward on its own  port officials have earmarked up to $20 million for obtaining and defending permits  even though its agreement with GT USA said the operator should bear the costs.

The permits it received from DNREC now face several challenges from community members and port operators on the Delaware River on environmental and accessibility grounds.

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.

Enstructure will pay a one-time $21.5 million payment toward advancing the Edgemoor project, but there is no timeline for its construction. A press release issued Wednesday says Enstructure will partner with the state "on the potential expansion at Edgemoor." It notes that Carney has committed $50 million from American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock, who serves as the chair of the port corporation board of directors, told board members in an April closed-doors session that the taxpayers will pay at least $100 million for the Edgemoor project, including the ARPA money.

Contact Brandon Holveck at bholveck@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @holveck_brandon.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Port of Wilmington: New operator Enstructure to take over in 'days'
It is usually uneventful when a single insider buys stock. However, When quite a few insiders buy shares, as it happened in Reabold Resources Plc's (LON:RBD) case, it's fantastic news for shareholders.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

See our latest analysis for Reabold Resources

Reabold Resources Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Co-CEO & Executive Director Sachin Oza for UK61k worth of shares, at about UK0.0028 per share. That means that even when the share price was higher than UK0.0012 (the recent price), an insider wanted to purchase shares. 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 Reabold Resources insiders bought shares during the last year, they didn't sell. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

Reabold Resources is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Does Reabold Resources Boast High Insider Ownership?

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. A high insider ownership often makes company leadership more mindful of shareholder interests. Insiders own 7.8% of Reabold Resources shares, worth about UK901k, according to our data. We do generally prefer see higher levels of insider ownership.

So What Do The Reabold Resources Insider Transactions Indicate?

There haven't been any insider transactions in the last three months -- that doesn't mean much. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. The transactions are fine but it'd be more encouraging if Reabold Resources insiders bought more shares in the company. While we like knowing what's going on with the insider's ownership and transactions, we make sure to also consider what risks are facing a stock before making any investment decision. Our analysis shows 5 warning signs for Reabold Resources (2 are significant!) and we strongly recommend you look at these before investing.

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.

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Public meetings on whether Interstate 794 should be repaired or removed set for August

The first public meetings on whether Milwaukee's Interstate 794 should be repaired or removed are coming in August.

The first public meetings on whether Milwaukee's Interstate 794 should be repaired or removed are coming in August.

Alternative conceptual plans for I-794, from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, will be the subject of the open house-style meetings

Those conceptual plans include seven options for repairing I-794 between the Milwaukee River and the Hoan Bridge and two alternatives for removing the freeway between the Hoan Bridge and a few blocks west of the river.

The meetings are scheduled for 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 1, at Milwaukee Marriott Downtown, 625 N. Milwaukee St., and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Aug. 2, at St. Thomas Moore High School, 2601 E. Morgan Ave., St. Francis, WisDOT announced.

They will the first of several meetings during the study of the alternative plans. WisDOT staff will attend to answer questions and gather feedback.

WisDOT has proposed spending $300 million to replace different pieces of I-794 on the freeway's eastern portion, including on- and off-ramps tied to the Hoan Bridge.

The freeway portions that would be replaced date to 1974. They were not touched when part of I-794 east of the Milwaukee River was reconstructed from 2013 through 2016  a $239 million project that included rebuilding the Hoan's concrete deck.

In response, environmentalists and urbanists last year launched a public campaign to instead remove both those older and newer freeway stretches.

With I-794 gone, 32.5 acres that now lie fallow beneath the elevated freeway between the Hoan Bridge and North Sixth Street could be eventually developed as apartments, offices and other buildings with estimated values totaling $1.5 billion, according to advocates.

Also, replacing the freeway with improved streets would help encourage people to bike, walk and use mass transit as an alternative to cars, according to 1,000 Friends of Wisconsin and other environmental and urbanist groups.

WisDOT will eventually identify a "preferred alternative," which will then be the subject of a public hearing. That process is expected to continue into 2024.

The project's design stage is to be finalized in 2025 and 2026, with construction tentatively set to run from 2026 through 2029  pending funding availability.

The August public meeting facilities are transit accessible and wheelchair accessible.

People with hearing and visual impairments may contact WisDOT project representative David Pittman via the Wisconsin Telecommunication Relay System (dial 711 and request to connect with 262-548-6439).

Those who would like an interpreter present at the meeting can also contact the WisDOT project representative (David.Pittman@dot.wi.gov). To allow time for arranging assistance, please call several working days prior to the meeting.

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.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Public meetings on future of Milwaukee's I-794 set for August
(Bloomberg) -- Japans plan to release more than 1 million cubic meters  enough to fill 500 Olympic-size swimming pools  of treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean as early as this summer has drawn the ire of some of its biggest trading partners.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Perhaps not surprisingly, theyre particularly concerned about food safety.

Mainland China, the top buyer of Japanese seafood, said its Asian neighbor is treating the ocean like a private sewer and extended a ban on food imports from Fukushima, the site of the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl.

Public opposition to water release has also emerged in South Korea, where seafood from Fukushima is banned, despite the government backing and reassurance from the International Atomic Energy Agency that its in line with global safety standards. Hong Kong is considering extending its ban beyond seafood from Fukushima.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- Russias flagship Urals crude oil breached a price cap set by the Group of Seven, a blow to western sanctions efforts and arguably an economic win for Moscow.

Most Read from Bloomberg

According to price reporting agency Argus Media, Urals crude topped $60 a barrel on Wednesday, climbing above the cap that the Group of Seven set last year in an attempt to restrict revenue to Moscows war machine. The idea of the ceiling was to stop Russian oil being transported on western ships  and with western insurance  unless it was priced under the threshold.

The latest data represents a victory of sorts for Moscow, which has assembled a shadow fleet of ships big enough to transport its crude to buyers with less need for services from companies in G-7 countries, and relies heavily on hydrocarbon revenue. Its a setback to Europe and the US, which designed the policy to keep enough oil flowing to the global economy to prevent an inflation shock  while trying to crimp profits for Russia.

For some buyers of the Russian flagship crude, the breaching of the cap poses an immediate headache. This is especially true in India, a market that has sustained Russian exports but where some purchasers are still reliant on key Western services to keep imports coming.

Its problematic, said Vandana Hari, founder of Vanda Insights. Indian banks have been extra cautious in the last few months for fear of sanctions, requiring the refiners to show that the free-on-board price of their cargo was below $60 in order to put the payment through.

There may be a knock-on effect for Moscow too, Hari added. Russia might have to offer steeper discounts in order to keep enticing buyers in Asia, she said. Or the middlemen will need to take a cut on their profit margins.

The move indicates that Russia will have to rely more on its own tankers and services, or those of so-called friendly nations, according to Vivek Dhar, director of mining and energy commodities research at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Still, there will be a point at which the OPEC+ producer may struggle to replace Western provision of these tankers and services, he added.

At present, its not clear where Russian cargoes are getting insurance from when Western insurance is being denied. Shipping experts have long warned that one of the unintended consequences of sanctions is the growing risk of environmental disaster, with no one to cover the cleanup cost.

Read more: Aging Shadow Fleet Carrying Russian Oil Poses Disaster Risk

We are monitoring the market closely for potential violations of the price cap, the US Treasury said in a statement. It is worth noting that trades above $60 that do not use Coalition services are not in violation of the price cap and a substantial proportion of Russian oil trades, though, still use Coalition service providers.

Urals prices rose to $60.78 a barrel at the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk on Wednesday, Argus Media data show. The pricing agencys figures are closely monitored by European Union and US policy makers and have also been used by the Russian government. In the broader oil market, prices are rising as OPEC+ cuts supplies, tightening global inventories. Russian exports are also starting to decline, putting further pressure on prices.

The price cap was always designed with a pragmatic approach. It was also meant to be revised periodically  with some EU states pushing for a tighter approach  but those reviews have quietly been shelved.

According to the State Department, Russian government oil revenues in the first five months of 2023 were down nearly 50% from a year prior.

--With assistance from Sharon Cho, Yongchang Chin and Jake Lloyd-Smith.

(Updates with analysts comments in 5th to 7th paragraphs)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Global BPM services organization begins nearshore operations in Colombia

DENVER, July 12, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sagility LLC, a leading provider of technology-enabled business process management (BPM) services, today announced it has extended its nearshore operational excellence to Barranquilla, Colombia. The company also runs its operations from multiple locations in Jamaica, in addition to its global capabilities in the US, Jamaica, India, and the Philippines.

In 2023, this location launch will introduce 650 jobs to the steadily growing BPO industry in the country with its on-premise and work-from-home positions. Additionally, it will expand operations to 2,000 employees in the region within the next three years. The Colombia center adds bilingual capabilities, efficient customer service skills, a well-educated workforce and an affinity to U.S. culture to bolster Sagilitys BPM services.

Barranquilla is home to a demographic that has a vocation for service, aligning well with the healthcare service industry. Combined with the areas IT infrastructure and low risk to natural disasters, these factors position the city as one of the top five best locations in the LATAM region.

The BPO sector in Colombia is attracting investments from around the world and is projected to continue growing with additional government initiatives underway.

"Sagilitys entry into Colombias BPO industry will build on promising growth the industry has demonstrated in this area," said Ramesh Gopalan, Group CEO of Sagility. "The strategic Colombia location, time zone compatibility, and talented agents with customer service experience enables Sagility to leverage the potential of this favorable market."

The Colombian BPO industry secured an excellent confidence score of 85.1% and made it to the top of the Offshore BPO Confidence Index in 2022. The index is an initiative by Ryan Strategic Advisory and Cognitive Copy that takes into account the labor market, security, and stability of the BPO ecosystem, as well as political and economic stability in the country.

"The labor market in Colombia has talented resources who can drive nearshore and offshore operationsa crucial element of Sagilitys global BPM services," said Anand Biradar, SVP and Head of Latin America and the Caribbean. "With talent availability and a healthy BPO ecosystem, Colombia is an important center for nearshore operations for Sagility."

About Sagility

Sagility combines industry-leading technology and transformation-driven BPM services with decades of healthcare domain expertise to help clients draw closer to their members. The company optimizes the entire member/patient experience through service offerings for clinical operations, member engagement, provider solutions, payment integrity, claims cost containment, and analytics. Colorado-based Sagility has more than 30,000 employees across 5 countries and revenues of over $500 million.

Visit www.Sagilityhealth.com to learn more.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712896352/en/

Contacts

Christopher Morrison

770-298-5830

Christopher.morrison@sagilityhealth.com
Key Insights

Sally Beauty Holdings' estimated fair value is US$23.94 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Sally Beauty Holdings' US$12.00 share price signals that it might be 50% undervalued

Our fair value estimate is 58% higher than Sally Beauty Holdings' analyst price target of US$15.20

How far off is Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SBH) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you.

Check out our latest analysis for Sally Beauty Holdings

Step By Step Through The Calculation

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$235.5m US$249.6m US$260.5m US$270.2m US$278.9m US$286.9m US$294.5m US$301.9m US$309.1m US$316.2m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 4.38% Est @ 3.70% Est @ 3.22% Est @ 2.89% Est @ 2.65% Est @ 2.49% Est @ 2.38% Est @ 2.30% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 12% US$210 US$199 US$185 US$171 US$158 US$145 US$133 US$121 US$111 US$101

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$1.5b

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. 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 (2.1%) 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) = US$316m (1 + 2.1%)  (12% 2.1%) = US$3.2b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$3.2b ( 1 + 12%)10= US$1.0b

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 US$2.6b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of US$12.0, the company appears quite undervalued at a 50% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

Important Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. 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 Sally Beauty Holdings 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 1.674. 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 Sally Beauty Holdings

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the American market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the American market.

Next Steps:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For Sally Beauty Holdings, we've put together three important factors you should assess:

Risks: For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for Sally Beauty Holdings that you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does SBH'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 American 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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The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors Office announced on July 11 that it will launch the Virtual Asset Joint Investigation Unit at the end of this month. The unit will be dedicated to investigating crimes related to digital assets, a spokesperson for the office confirmed via text message.

See related article: From billionaire to Montenegro jail: The rapid rise and fall of Terra chief Do Kwon

Fast facts

This is the first time a prosecutors office in South Korea will have an investigative unit dedicated to crypto-related crimes.

The unit will investigate crypto crimes such as fraud, as well as examining legal issues such as the securitization of virtual assets. It will also train specialized investigators, the prosecutors office confirmed.

The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors Office has been investigating the US$40 billion collapse of Terra-Luna, accusing Terraform Labs chief executive officer Kwon Do-hyeong of defrauding investors among other charges.

The global illicit transaction volume of crypto rose to an all-time high of US$20.1 billion in 2022, according to blockchain data analysis firm Chainalysis.

Meanwhile, South Koreas legislative body recently passed a new bill that focuses on protecting the interests of crypto investors. This is also the first legal framework dedicated to crypto to be approved by the National Assembly.

See related article: How did Do Kwon move US$18 mln in stablecoins to unfreezable tokens while in Montenegro jail?
(Bloomberg) -- South Korea ranks near the bottom of major democracies contributing aid to Ukraine and near the top for weapons sales since war hit the country. That has put President Yoon Suk Yeol in a tough spot during a high-stakes visit to Europe.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Yoon was given a seat at the table at the NATO summit in Vilnius as the bloc seeks help from partners such as South Korea, Japan and Australia to aid Kyiv in beating back Russias full-scale invasion.

His next stop is Poland, the biggest buyer of South Korean weapons, where Yoon and dozens of executives from the countrys arms industry will hold talks on Thursday. Some of the companies will discuss reconstruction of Ukraine as Poland has turned into the worlds gateway to Ukraine.

South Korean government policy prohibits lethal aid to countries at war and Ukraines envoy to Seoul says its time for a change, adding theres a lot in its arsenal that could help Kyiv.

We would be glad to receive anti-aircraft and counter-battery radars, anti-drone systems, armored ambulances, military trucks, and communication systems, said Dmytro Ponomarenko, Ukrainian ambassador to South Korea. The Ukrainian government believes South Korea could do much to make our victory closer.

Full scale invasion of Ukraine has raised the stakes for countries such as South Korea and Japan that have relied on Russia for energy sources. It led to their leaders first visit to the NATO summit last year, while stoking worries about a possible invasion of Taiwan by China, which would put their security alliances with the US to a crucial test.

South Korea has sent humanitarian aid and promised additional assistance totaling $230 million to Ukraine, which includes demining equipment and emergency medical evacuation vehicles. Thats less than the amounts provided by countries with smaller economies such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Sweden, according to data compiled through May 31 by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

Seoul has pledged to provide Ukraine with an increased level of humanitarian aid compared to last year, the presidential official told reporters ahead of Yoons trip to the NATO summit, without releasing specific amounts. The trip isnt likely to significantly alter the size of the package, the office said.

Russias war in Ukraine has opened a door for South Koreas economy. Its defense exports more than doubled last year as buyers replaced Soviet-era weaponry with more advanced arms. South Koreas defense exports totaled about $17 billion in 2022, up from $7.25 billion a year before.

This will come into greater focus as Yoon during the visit in Poland, which accounted for more than 70% of South Koreas weapons exports last year.

South Korea has found itself uniquely positioned in the global arms market with weapons that are relatively affordable and designed to defeat Soviet-based conventional systems used by its neighbor North Korea. Meanwhile, Washington seems to be giving the green light to Seoul to sell to states in places like eastern Europe as US defense contractors race to fill orders for weapons that will go to Kyiv and Taipei, which is staring down threats from China.

In December, Poland received the first shipment of 28 K2 tanks and 48 self-propelled K9 howitzers that were part of a $5.77 billion agreement reached in August with South Koreas Hyundai Rotem Co. and Hanwha Defense Systems Corp.

One of the most recent acquisitions from Poland has come from a $3.55 billion deal to supply it with Hanwhas multiple-launch rocket systems Chunmoos. Thats on top of a $3 billion deal for 48 FA-50 fighter jets that will replace Soviet-era MiG aircrafts that Poland donated to Ukraine.

South Korea is ranked as the worlds ninth largest weapons exporter, according to a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Yoon is aiming to take the country to number four by 2027.

Defense stocks of companies such as Hanwha Aerospace Co., Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. and LIG Nex1 Co. have skyrocketed since the war began in Ukraine in February 2022, outpacing gains in the South Koreas benchmark Kospi index by 98%.

--With assistance from Akshay Chinchalkar and Natalia Ojewska.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
A small grocery is coming to downtown's west side. It's similar to a Third Ward store

Go Grocer will open its second downtown Milwaukee store at 926 W. Juneau Ave.

A small grocery is coming to downtown Milwaukee's west side  a companion to a similar store which opened this year in the Historic Third Ward.

Go Grocer is to open a 2,600-square-foot store by late fall or early winter at 926 W. Juneau Ave., said co-owner John Rivera

It will be on the street level of Vim & Vigor Lofts Apartments. That's within The Brewery neighborhood which redeveloped the former Pabst brewery.

Rivera said The Brewery, which includes two hotels and hundreds of apartments, is a walkable neighborhood that needs a smaller grocery for both residents and visitors.

"It's another up and coming location with the need for a service-oriented, efficient grocery for residents who really don't have anything in that area," Rivera told the Journal Sentinel.

The new Go Grocer grocery story located in the Third Ward at 415 E. Menomonee St. in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee's new downtown long-term development plan, which the Common Council is to review this month, includes a call for a new grocery on downtown's west side.

Go Grocer offers fresh meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as fresh produce and the usual grocery store staples such as bread, eggs and milk. It includes local products as well as a selection of beer and wine.

The company is based in Chicago. Go Grocer Mke Inc., which operates in the Milwaukee area, is run by brothers John and Edgar Rivera.

Go Grocer's first Milwaukee location opened in January at 415 E. Menomonee St., at Gaslight and Corcoran Lofts apartments. John Rivera said that store has strong sales generated by both Third Ward residents and visitors.

Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com and followed on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Go Grocer plans second Milwaukee location at former Pabst brewery site
Southwest Airlines Pilots are at a stalemate with the airline over the pilot scheduling system. It could lead to a strike if an agreement is not met.

If left unresolved, a stalemate in negotiations between Southwest pilots and the airline could lead to a rare strike. To help you understand what is going on and what we expect to happen in the future, our highly-experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe). You'll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Heres the latest...

Southwest Airlines is bracing for a possible strike by its pilots after years of contract negotiations failed to produce an agreement. The pilots union, the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, has asked to be released from mediation, over Southwests objections, and is now awaiting an official ruling on its request from the National Mediation Board. Union members voted almost unanimously in May to authorize a possible strike, with roughly 98% of pilots participating.

The main point of contention is the airlines pilot scheduling system, which has been blamed for causing pilot fatigue and flight delays. For example, Southwests antiquated tech was implicated in the carriers disastrous meltdown in December of last year, when 16,000 flights were canceled over a period of 11 days.

But a strike is still several steps away. Even if the mediation board grants the unions request, it may first offer both sides the opportunity to arbitrate the dispute. If either side declines the arbitration, both sides will enter a 30-day cooling-off period, after which the pilots can legally strike.

Pilot strikes are historically rare. The last one occurred in 2010 at Spirit Airlines. Agencies like the National Mediation Board take pains to prevent work stoppages from disrupting the flow of interstate commerce via the airline and railway industries, with Congress also sometimes stepping in.

Southwest is still hoping for a breakthrough in the negotiations, similar to the deal it struck last month with the union representing its mechanics.

This forecast first appeared in The Kiplinger Letter, which has been running since 1923 and is a collection of concise weekly forecasts on business and economic trends, as well as what to expect from Washington, to help you understand whats coming up to make the most of your investments and your money. Subscribe to The Kiplinger Letter.
Xi highlights upgrading of opening-up

08:17, July 12, 2023 By Mo Jingxi ( China Daily

This aerial photo taken on June 19, 2023 shows the newly built part of Xiamen North Railway Station on the Fuzhou-Xiamen high-speed railway in Xiamen, Fujian province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Meeting sees need to enhance market access, improve business environment

President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of building a new system for a higher-standard open economy at a key meeting on Tuesday.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while presiding over a meeting of the Central Commission for Comprehensively Deepening Reform under the 20th CPC Central Committee.

Xi, who is head of the commission, called for greater institutional opening-up in key areas of international exchange and cooperation, such as investment, trade, finance and innovation.

He also said that efforts must be made to further reform systems and mechanisms and refine relevant policies and measures in order to bring China's level of opening-up to new heights.

The meeting said that it is necessary to perfect top-level design of the new system, expand market access and improve the business environment in the country.

China must fully leverage its comprehensive advantages, attract global resources by promoting domestic circulation and enhance the quality and level of its trade and investment cooperation, the meeting's participants said.

They also called for the building of a new system of an open economy at a higher level to be closely integrated with the Belt and Road Initiative and other national strategies.

The meeting also adopted a policy document to promote the gradual transition from dual control over the amount and intensity of energy consumption to dual control over the amount and intensity of carbon emissions.

It was noted at the meeting that persistent efforts must be made to create the conditions for this transition and to strike a balance between development and carbon emission reduction according to the actual situation.

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, China has prioritized the pursuit of green and low-carbon development, leading to a sharp increase in the country's energy use efficiency and the continuous reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

The country has set a target of hitting peak emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060.

Policymakers at the meeting also stressed the need to reform the salary system in colleges, universities and research institutes in an effort to encourage innovation.

Salary distribution must be closely related to performance and tilt toward those who are deeply engaged in teaching and scientific research and those making outstanding contributions to difficult and crucial tasks, they said.

They also said that those who are engaged in teaching fundamental disciplines and conducting cutting-edge research, and those making breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields should be better supported in terms of the salary system.

The meeting's participants underscored the importance of strengthening supervision of salary management to ensure that country's funds are used where they are most needed.

The meeting's participants called for efforts to further reform systems related to the gas and oil market, step up market supervision, regulate market order and promote fair competition.

It is important to deepen the reform of the oil and gas reserve system and make good use of the emergency and regulatory capabilities of the reserves, they said.

Li Qiang, Wang Huning and Cai Qi, who are members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and deputy heads of the commission, attended the meeting.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Vesnaandjic / iStock.com

Passed in 1997 and expanded numerous times since 2001, the Child Tax Credit is designed to help families with the costs of raising kids. Under the American Rescue Plan Act, the maximum credit increased from $2,000 per eligible child (under age 17 at the end of the tax year) to $3,600 for children under age 6 and $3,000 for children ages 6 to 17. It was an increase that helped millions of people. But at the end of 2022, the expanded credit expired, sending 3.7 million children into poverty, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

President Joe Biden and other Democratic leaders have been roadblocked in their attempts to re-extend the expanded Child Tax Credit, but that might be changing soon as Republicans apparently warm up to the idea  or some version of it.

There is a bipartisan base of support, not only for the credit itself but expanding it, Pete Sepp, president of the National Taxpayers Union, told The Sacramento Bee. From the rhetoric, you would think the two parties are far apart but its more a matter of feet than miles.

A parental tax break would be achievable at the end of the year, said Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.), top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, which is that bodys primary tax-writing committee.

An expanded tax credit could be used by families across the nation, but for perspective, its worth noting that it could directly help 15 million in California alone.

And yet the expanded tax credit wont just magically appear, nor is it likely to be exactly what it was like before it expired. Theres a kerfuffle around cost and rhetoric around whether its really the ideal way to help families in need.

Still, there is reason for hope of its return in some form  particularly now that there are inklings of Republican support.

I am optimistic that both sides of the aisle can work together to achieve a fair compromise on this issue and reach a solution that will support working families while ensuring that the credit is fiscally sustainable for the long-term, House Republican and Ways and Means member Brian Fitzpatrick told Newsweek.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Stimulus Update: Child Tax Credit Expansion Still Achievable by End of 2023  Where Issue Currently Stands in Congress
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.

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.

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.

More: Transformed Ford Bronco is unlike any other  and could be game-changer for firefighters

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.

More auto news: Car buyers considering an EV have more options thanks to a weird loophole in the law

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.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Jeep Willys Wrangler original name history
EDHEC Dean Emmanuel Metais Wants To Lead On Climate And Impact

EDHECs campus in Lille, France. Courtesy photo

The identity of Gen Z students has been shaped by the digital age, climate anxiety, a shifting financial landscape, and COVID-19. And when it comes to their interests and passions, Gen Z students express a deep desire to learn on a daily basis to serve both the broader public and the environment.

Thats according to a recent study by a European business school which found that a greater number of young graduates prioritize more social, entrepreneurial, and environmental impact opportunities than previous generations, based on the results of the survey from EDHEC Business School. The survey report points out this is opposed to prioritizing conventional training programs undertaken for future managerial roles.

The July report stems from EDHECs NewGen Talent Centre. It argues a younger generation of workers are focusing on gaining entirely different outcomes from work compared to the elder generations. Its focused on the interests of recent French graduates and garnered 2,099 responses from alums of the Grand Ecoles network, a collection of Frances notable and prestigious universities and colleges. The report concludes that 38% of respondents reported their ambition focuses on the utility of their mission, global challenges, company values and culture. Another 35% are motivated by having an entrepreneurial profile, defined in the report as the freedom of action and autonomy of the missions entrusted in him/her.

A lesser amount, 27% of respondents, are focused on developing a route that reaches the upper echelon of management.

SOME CONTEXT BEHIND CAREER PERSPECTIVES: TIKTOK

Buzz around the motivations and behaviors of Gen Z have long inspired articles examining the impact of the countrys younger workforce. Take, for example, how Generation Z has now exceeded the number of Baby Boomers at work. A professor of professional practice commented in a Forbes article how the tech-savvy generation is likely to cause more disruption in the workplace than any other age group through prioritizing mental health days, more employee benefits and calling for pay equity and more diverse corporate culture.

TikTok has been recently favored as new grounds for discourse highlighting work experiences, in most cases those of Gen Zers. Some TikTok trends provide tips or trade perils about navigating unhappiness in a workplace in post-pandemic style amid rising remote work or in a labor economy where the number of added jobs have only just begun to quell.

One so-called TikTok trend, Act Your Wage, reportedly garnered over 451.1 million views on the app, according to an article in Business Insider. The trend essentially expresses how it sounds: only doing the job youre paid to do, a re-branding of another TikTok trend called quiet quitting. The quiet quitting phenomena recently inspired a Gallup poll that estimates about 50% of the U.S. workers and probably more are quiet-quitters.

According to the metaphorical expressions portrayed in viral TikToks, it refers to workers who dont go above and beyond at work but instead execute the requirements of the job as conveyed in their job descriptions. Gallup also states that the number of disengaged workers have increased by 2% from 2020-22. The poll finds the workplace has only become more difficult among remote workers under the age of 35 where, according to the analytical firm, only 4-in-10 remote or hybrid employees understand clearly what is expected of them.

A key point in the report is made about managers. Gallup calls quiet quitting a symptom of poor management and the random sample survey of 15,091 employees done in June of 2022 concludes that successfully managing is key to eliminating quiet quitting.

73% WANT TRANSPARENCY AND HONESTY FROM THEIR BOSSES

Luckily, the report from EDHECs NewGen Talent Centre has something to say about the part managers play in all this. According to their responses, the main expectations young workers have of management are, as follows: transparency and honesty (73%), trust and autonomy (67%), team protection and defense (49%) and recognition of good work (48%). Additionally, 1-in-2 surveyed grads say they positively benefited from some kind of onboarding program when they were first hired. More respondents noted they experienced more success initially when they had support from a team member (56%) as opposed to a manager (41%).

EDHECs NewGen Talent Centre was created in 2013 and is a hub for analyzing the behaviors/aspirations of the younger generations through data analysis, laboratory observations and research from experts and partners. Some of its work includes publications and studies. Other parts of it involve hosting conferences, speeches and integrating its findings with the career site Graduate Programme, a decade-old database boosting more than 1,300 programs from more than 630 global companies.

The French B-School enrolls about 9,500 students per year in its undergraduate, executive and graduate programs, with four campuses in Lille, Nice, Paris and Singapore. Just in 2022, The Financial Times named the B-School the 7th best business school in Europe. Recently, P&Qs spoke with EDHECs Dean Emmanuel Metais about how the universitys strategic plan to lead a more sustainable future is developing.

WHAT YOUNG WORKERS REALLY PRIORITIZE

Considering their professional aspirations, in rank order of 1 to 3, respondents chose skills acquisition and personal development (33%) above anything else. Positive impact on society ranked a close second, with 31% favoring it. Other career priorities that followed in the ranking were high income (13%), diversity in career (9%), career stability (6%), management position (5%), and international environment (3%). In working conditions, grads favored flexible hours, the possibility of a 4-day work week and the freedom to choose their working location.

According to the report, in a respondents own words, their aspirations are: [A] Fulfilling, caring work environment. Good professional and personal balance. Continue to learn, evolve in different positions, even sectors and structures, build my own career path, build something new.

Demographics of the respondents were 54% male and 46% female, with more than 80% being French and the rest having single or dual nationalities from regions outside France. The survey was carried out in October and November of 2022.

DONT MISS: AI MAY HARM MORE THAN HELP B-SCHOOL STUDENTS, STUDY SHOWS & SURVEY FINDS BIG POST-PANDEMIC SHIFT IN FAVOR OF IN-PERSON CLASSES.

The post Survey: Unlike Their Parents, Gen Z Looking For Careers With Freedom, Purpose, And Balance appeared first on Poets&Quants.
H&R Block and other tax prep companies shared sensitive personal and financial data from tens of millions of customers with Meta and Google, according to a new report from a group of U.S. lawmakers.

The lawmakers, who include Senators Elizabeth Warren, D.-Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders, I.-Vermont, said they investigated H&R Block, TaxAct and TaxSlayer after a report in The Verge last year alleged that companies were using code that funneled data including users' income and tax refund amount to Meta.

Tax-prep companies used the code, called Meta Pixel, to send personal data to both Meta and Google, and collected "far more information than was previously reported," according to a letter sent by the lawmakers to the IRS, Federal Trade Commission, Treasury Department and the Justice Department that was viewed by CBS MoneyWatch. The code collected not only people's names, but also taxpayers' filing status, approximate adjusted gross income, refund amount, the names of dependents and the amount of federal tax owed, among other items, the investigation found.

Sharing such taxpayer information without their consent is a "breach of taxpayer privacy by tax prep companies and by Big Tech firms that appeared to violate taxpayers' rights and may have violated taxpayer privacy law," the lawmakers added.

The lawmakers, who also include Senators Ron Wyden, D.-Oregon; Richard Blumenthal, D.-Connecticut; Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois; Sheldon Whitehouse, D.-Rhode Island; and Representative Katie Porter, D.-California, asked the federal agencies to "fully investigate this matter and prosecute any company or individuals who violated the law."

In an email to CBS MoneyWatch, H&R Block said it "takes protecting our clients' privacy very seriously, and we have taken steps to prevent the sharing of information via pixels."

Meta said its policies are clear that advertisers "should not send sensitive information about people through our Business Tools," according to a company spokesman. He added, "Doing so is against our policies, and we educate advertisers on properly setting up Business tools to prevent this from occurring. Our system is designed to filter out potentially sensitive data it is able to detect."

Google, TaxAct and TaxSlayer didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.

Competition from the IRS

The investigation comes amid a push by the IRS to develop its own free electronic tax-filing system that could compete with tax-prep programs from the likes of Intuit's TurboTax and H&R Block. The IRS plans to roll out its pilot program in early 2024.

Preparing and filing taxes is big business in the U.S., with Americans spending an average of $250 and 13 hours each filing their annual returns, the lawmakers noted. While free tax prep is offered for people who earn less than $73,000 annually, only about 4% of Americans actually use the free service, they added.

H&R Block and other tax prep companies have spent millions since the 1990s to oppose free filing systems, the report noted.

The investigation into data sharing by tax-prep companies "highlights the urgent need for the IRS to develop its own online tax filing system  to protect taxpayer privacy and provide a better alternative for taxpayers to file their returns," the lawmakers added.
There's no doubt that money can be made by owning shares of unprofitable businesses. For example, biotech and mining exploration companies often lose money for years before finding success with a new treatment or mineral discovery. But the harsh reality is that very many loss making companies burn through all their cash and go bankrupt.

So, the natural question for A-Cap Energy (ASX:ACB) 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. First, we'll determine its cash runway by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves.

View our latest analysis for A-Cap Energy

How Long Is A-Cap Energy's Cash Runway?

A company's cash runway is the amount of time it would take to burn through its cash reserves at its current cash burn rate. When A-Cap Energy last reported its balance sheet in December 2022, it had zero debt and cash worth AU$7.8m. In the last year, its cash burn was AU$6.4m. So it had a cash runway of approximately 15 months from December 2022. While that cash runway isn't too concerning, sensible holders would be peering into the distance, and considering what happens if the company runs out of cash. Depicted below, you can see how its cash holdings have changed over time.

How Is A-Cap Energy's Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

Because A-Cap Energy isn't currently generating revenue, we consider it an early-stage 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. With the cash burn rate up 37% in the last year, it seems that the company is ratcheting up investment in the business over time. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but investors should be mindful of the fact that will shorten the cash runway. A-Cap Energy makes us a little nervous due to its lack of substantial operating revenue. So we'd generally prefer stocks from this list of stocks that have analysts forecasting growth.

How Easily Can A-Cap Energy Raise Cash?

Given its cash burn trajectory, A-Cap Energy shareholders may wish to consider how easily it could raise more cash, despite its solid cash runway. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. Many companies end up issuing new shares to fund future growth. We can compare a company's cash burn to its market capitalisation to get a sense for how many new shares a company would have to issue to fund one year's operations.

A-Cap Energy's cash burn of AU$6.4m is about 12% of its AU$53m market capitalisation. Given that situation, it's fair to say the company wouldn't have much trouble raising more cash for growth, but shareholders would be somewhat diluted.

So, Should We Worry About A-Cap Energy's Cash Burn?

On this analysis of A-Cap Energy's cash burn, we think its cash burn relative to its market cap was reassuring, while its increasing cash burn has us a bit worried. Even though we don't think it has a problem with its cash burn, the analysis we've done in this article does suggest that shareholders should give some careful thought to the potential cost of raising more money in the future. On another note, A-Cap Energy has 2 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 with better fundamentals, then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt or this list of stocks which are all forecast to grow.

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 most you can lose on any stock (assuming you don't use leverage) is 100% of your money. But on the bright side, if you buy shares in a high quality company at the right price, you can gain well over 100%. Long term Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) shareholders would be well aware of this, since the stock is up 109% in five years. In the last week the share price is up 1.6%.

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 Williams-Sonoma

While the efficient markets hypothesis continues to be taught by some, it has been proven that markets are over-reactive dynamic systems, and investors are not always rational. 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.

Over half a decade, Williams-Sonoma managed to grow its earnings per share at 39% a year. The EPS growth is more impressive than the yearly share price gain of 16% over the same period. Therefore, it seems the market has become relatively pessimistic about the company. The reasonably low P/E ratio of 8.06 also suggests market apprehension.

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 Williams-Sonoma has grown profits over the years, but the future is more important for shareholders. 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 is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. In the case of Williams-Sonoma, it has a TSR of 136% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

A Different Perspective

Williams-Sonoma shareholders are up 3.5% for the year (even including dividends). But that return falls short of the market. If we look back over five years, the returns are even better, coming in at 19% 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. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Williams-Sonoma that 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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(Bloomberg) -- The man accused by Trafigura Group of being behind a $590 million nickel fraud finally responded to the allegations, claiming that Trafigura itself devised and proposed the scheme.

Most Read from Bloomberg

In a defense filed to a London court on Wednesday afternoon, lawyers for Prateek Gupta said Trafigura employees had proposed an arrangement whereby the two sides would agree contracts for nickel but in fact trade other material.

The claim is the latest twist in a case that shocked the metals industry, when Trafigura in February revealed it had lost more than half a billion dollars buying cargoes of nickel from Guptas companies only to discover that they contained much lower value materials.

Gupta said in the filing that Trafigura had approached him in 2019 seeking to significantly increase its nickel trading with his companies.

Some Resemblance

According to Guptas account, during a meeting in June 2019 at a hotel on Dubais Palm Jumeirah, he discussed trading metals that bore some resemblance to nickel as if they were actually nickel with Socrates Economou, Trafiguras then head of nickel, and Harshdeep Bhatia, a senior Trafigura trader based in Mumbai.

The two Trafigura traders stressed to Mr. Gupta that the actual purity, specification, and value of the materials in fact being traded was unimportant to Trafigura, Gupta claims.

Its unclear what evidence Gupta has to support the claim beyond his own recollection of the meeting.

The filing says that some of the shipping receipts showed a code used to identify the goods indicated that nickel alloy  rather than nickel  was being shipped.

Trafigura in February secured a freezing order against Gupta. In its court filings at the time, the trading house acknowledged shortcomings in its own controls, including paying for cargoes despite a lack of HS code in the shipping documents, or the absence of a certificate of analysis verifying the contents of the cargoes.

A Trafigura spokesperson said on Wednesday the company does not consider the defense to be credible and will vigorously continue to pursue its claim.

Both Economou and Bhatia have left Trafigura in the wake of the alleged fraud, Bloomberg has reported. Trafigura has consistently said it doesnt believe that any of its employees was complicit.

Economou declined to comment and Bhatia didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

(Adds Trafigura response, additional detail starting in eighth paragraph)

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(Bloomberg) -- The Biden administration secured an extension of a worldwide freeze on new digital taxes, putting it on a collision course with Canada after Ottawa refused to endorse the deal.

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The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development unveiled the one-year extension in Paris Wednesday. This gives the more than 140 nations involved until the end of 2024 to ratify a new global rule-book for allocating taxing rights over the largest multinationals, known as OECD Pillar One.

The 2021 standstill on so-called digital services taxes helped defuse trade battles while negotiators sought to iron out the broader tax agreement. But the discussions have proved slow going  in part because Republicans in the US Congress have signaled unwillingness to endorse the wider pact.

The extension will only happen if enough countries sign a multilateral convention, or MLC, by Dec. 31, OECD Center on Tax Policy and Administration Director Manal Corwin said. That group must include 30 jurisdictions, which combined must be home to at least 60% of affected companies, she said.

But documents the OECD released also show the standstill could go through 2025 assuming sufficient progress has been made by that date towards the entry into force of the MLC, a statement from the governments said.

Progress on technical aspects of the global deal and a prolonged truce would avert a sudden return to the trade tensions that plagued transatlantic relations during the Trump administration. The spat began after some European countries introduced levies on companies including Alphabet Inc.s Google and Meta Platforms Inc.s Facebook. The US threatened to retaliate with tariffs.

Canadas rejection of the freeze on new DSTs raises again the possibility of trade tensions between the US and a close ally.

With nations agreeing to the standstill without a deadline stipulating when Pillar One will come into force, Canada is at a disadvantage relative to countries which have continued collecting revenue under their pre-existing DSTs, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said.

Canada does not disagree with the substance of the multilateral treaty that has been negotiated; indeed, we support it fully, she said in a statement Wednesday. However, without any firm and binding multilateral timeline to implement Pillar One, Canada cannot support the extended standstill.

The Information Technology Industry Council, which represents companies including International Business Machines Corp., Microsoft Corp. and Apple, said Ottawas decision is deeply disappointing.

It urged Canada to focus its energies on the inclusive frameworks efforts and forgo advancement of a unilateral tax that would undermine ongoing negotiations and further fragment the international tax system, it said in a statement.

Canada was among a group of five countries, which also included Russia and Belarus, that hadnt supported the agreement as of Wednesday.

Under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canada has said its committed to implementing a new DST in early 2024, one that would apply retroactively to Jan. 1, 2022, if the global tax agreement has not been implemented by the end of this year.

The nation has yet to decide on whether to still legislate its DST by Jan 1, 2024, according to a Canadian official. The call will depend in part on how talks with OECD partners about Ottawas concerns on the absence of a firm Pillar One timeline progress, the official said.

The Office of the US Trade Representative in December 2021 expressed concern over Canadas proposed DST and pledged to examine all options, including under our trade agreements and domestic statutes should it be adopted.

In Washington, support for the overall deal has shifted with elections. While big US tech companies backed the plan as a way of stemming the mushrooming of national levies around the world, the Trump administration proved reluctant to give up taxing rights on American companies.

The Biden administration, by contrast, has enthusiastically backed it but has failed to get the US Congress on board. The latest steps in Paris will at least give it a chance.

When details are finalized over how and how much corporate taxes will be redistributed across borders, Congress will know more precisely what its being asked to approve. For example, lawmakers will be able to estimate the net impact on US tax revenues.

--With assistance from Brian Platt.

(Updates with comment from Canada, ITI from eighth paragraph.)

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The London Underground could face huge disruption later this month after Tube workers announced week-long strike action - Paul Grover/Paul Grover for the Telegraph

London Underground staff will go on strike for four consecutive days later this month as their long running dispute over pay shows no sign of ending.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) announced the walkouts last week as workers also fight for better pensions and conditions.

The union said hundreds of jobs are set to be axed, affecting Tube stations and maintenance.

Tube drivers represented by the Aslef union have announced they will also strike in a separate dispute over pensions and working conditions. They join the walkouts on July 26 and 28.

Read on for everything you need to know about the dispute and how it will affect passengers:

When is the strike action taking place?

The RMT has said London Underground workers will walkout on the following days:

Sunday 23 July

Tuesday 25 July

Wednesday 26 July

Thursday 27 July

Friday 28 July

The union said there will be no strike on Monday July 24.

Which lines will be affected?

More than 10,000 workers are eligible to strike but the strikes will affect different sections of the Tube network and grades of workers on different days.

It is not yet clear which lines will be affected on different days.

What have union bosses said?

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the action would shut down the tube and show just how important these workers were.

He said: Plans by Transport for London (TfL) to cut 600 jobs and attack our members pensions are simply unacceptable.

We are aware that Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has had the TfL budget cut. However, he needs to align himself with our union and his London Underground staff in pushing back against the Tory Government, exposing their damaging agenda to a key part of London transport infrastructure.

Aslefs full-time organiser on London Underground has said the union has joined the Tube strikes announced by the RMT because changes would make it impossible for drivers to organise their lives outside work.

Finn Brennan said: We take action only when needed. Unfortunately, the last few weeks have shown that London Underground management are determined to try to push through detrimental changes  despite trade union opposition  if they think they can get away with it.

They have already announced that they intend to start training managers in August on a new attendance procedure, and will implement it from January, ignoring the current agreed procedure.

This new procedure would mean no right to representation or appeal at stage one of the disciplinary process, and the length of all warnings would be doubled from 26 to 52 weeks.

All sickness longer than one week would be regarded as long term meaning that a manager can send a driver to redeployment without any further meeting. After just six weeks in deployment a driver can be, as they put it, terminated.

Management also want to force through their plans for what they call trains modernisation. They want unrestricted remote booking on and off, driving shifts up to 10 hours long, flexible cover weeks in every roster, and fixed links to be scrapped.

That would make it impossible for Tube train drivers to organise their lives outside work or to have an effective change-over system.

Their aim is an entirely flexible workforce with all existing agreements replaced  allowing them to cut hundreds more jobs and forcing those of us who remain to work harder for longer. To protect our pensions, working conditions, and agreements, our members are ready to act.

How has Transport for London responded?

Glynn Barton, chief operating officer of TfL, said: We are disappointed that the RMT has announced strike action on this range of issues that we have been attempting to discuss with them openly and co-operatively.

We are urging the union to reconsider and engage with us to discuss the issues and seek a resolution.

The Government transport agency said that there are no current proposals to change its pension arrangements, although it is exploring a range of proposals to ensure no employee will lose their job or be asked to work extra hours.

The RMT has said that 20,000 rail workers across the UK are also to strike in July.

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Ukraine Is Using Highly Advanced Artificial Intelligence In Its War With Russia: It's "Out Of This World"

Artificial intelligence is showing up all over the place. And now, Ukraine is using it in its war against Russia.

Ukraine has successfully engineered and deployed its unique artificial intelligence (AI) platforms. Brett Velicovich, a Fox News contributor in Ukraine, reported that the innovation on the Ukrainian battlefield is so advanced that Western governments struggle to keep pace with it.

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How AI Is Helping Ukraine On The Battlefield

AI has been a crucial factor in Ukraine's remarkable performance against its larger and ostensibly more potent adversary Russia. The advanced technology has offered Ukraine an array of benefits that would otherwise be unreachable.

George Dubynskiy, Ukraine's deputy minister of digital transformation, noted that the country's decision to develop its AI platform has played a crucial role in its approach to the war.

The Ukraine ministry assessed 10 different AI platforms before deciding to develop a unique platform. The platform, which launched in mid-2022, also enables Ukraine to use only the data it needs, avoiding potential mishaps of sending confidential information to commercial firms.

Fox commented on the technology saying, this innovation on the battlefield is out of this world right now.

To stay updated with top startup news & investments, sign up for Benzinga's Startup Investing & Equity Crowdfunding Newsletter

Ukraine Is Taking A Unique Approach To AI

While AI is predominantly known for its applications in large language models like Google's Bard and OpenAI's ChatGPT, computer vision  an AI technology focusing on the interpretation of visual data  has proven to be highly advantageous across myriad industries and tasks. Other startups are taking unique approaches to the groundbreaking technology, such as Snapify, which has raised over $2.1 million for its platform using AI to revolutionize photography.

In Ukraine's context, computer vision has been instrumental for the military in identifying people suspected of war crimes during Russia's invasion and tracking troop movements. This has been facilitated by the widespread use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones. The AI, using the captured footage, can identify and categorize various elements for the users.

This is another example of the many ways that AI is transforming the world. In this case, it's allowing Ukraine to make more informed decisions on the battlefield.

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This article Ukraine Is Using Highly Advanced Artificial Intelligence In Its War With Russia: It's "Out Of This World" originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. regulators will soon decide on a petition filed by General Motors' Cruise self-driving technology unit seeking permission to deploy up to 2,500 self-driving vehicles annually without human controls, a top auto safety official said on Wednesday.

The petition, filed in February 2022, seeks government approval to deploy vehicles annually without steering wheels, mirrors, turn signals or windshield wipers. National Highway Traffic Safety acting Administrator Ann Carlson said Wednesday the agency "will issue a decision "in the coming weeks."

"The central issue is deciding whether vehicles that are driven not by humans but by computers need to comply with safety standards that are fundamentally about human drivers: requirements for mirrors, sun visors, windshield wipers and so forth," Carlson said.

Cruise declined to comment.

Cruise currently offers a limited service in San Francisco with a small fleet of Chevrolet Bolt vehicles fitted with driverless technology. Cruise wants to deploy its Origin vehicle, which has subway-like doors and no steering wheels.

In 2018, GM petitioned the NHTSA to allow a car built on a Chevrolet Bolt without steering wheels or brake pedals on U.S. roads. In 2020, GM withdrew the petition after the agency took no action.

The NHTSA can also exempt autonomous vehicles, or AVs, for research and demonstration purposes. Carlson said the agency is looking to establish a new program that "would provide additional transparency about AV safety and deployment while giving the public assurance that NHTSA is overseeing the deployment of AVs on our public streets."

Congress has been debating for years whether to pass legislation on self-driving cars, and a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee is planning a hearing later this month.

In 2017, the House passed legislation to speed the adoption of self-driving cars, bar states from setting performance standards and expand the number of vehicles that could be deployed with exemptions, but the measure never passed the Senate.

In December, the NHTSA opened a formal safety probe into the autonomous driving system in vehicles produced by Cruise after reports of two injuries in rear-end crashes. The NHTSA said Cruise vehicles "may engage in inappropriately hard braking or become immobilized."

(Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Leslie Adler)
US Government Preparing to Sell Silk Road Bitcoin Again? Heres Whats Going On

The U.S. government is moving its Silk Road Bitcoin stash again.

Crypto wallets belonging to the Department of Justice on Wednesday moved $300 million in BTC to new addresses in two transactions.

The feds hold Bitcoin that's been seized from criminals and sometimes move it around. In the past, they've done so because they intend to sell itbut not always.

It is likely this stash comes from its biggest seizure yet: In November 2021 cops took $3.36 billion in BTC after hacker James Zhong confessed to stealing digital assets from the illegal Silk Road marketplace.

The feds have since been selling the crypto bit by bit; in March, they sold $215 million-worth of the "digital gold." At the time, they said they plan to dump another $1.1 billion.

Why Everyone Is Keeping a Close Eye on Mt. Gox, US Gov Bitcoin Wallets

Silk Road was an online black market which mostly sold illegal drugs before authorities shut it down in 2014.

James Zhong pleaded guilty last year to wire fraud after the government alleged that he manipulated the Silk Road transaction system in 2012 to pocket 50,676 Bitcoins.

He kept the stash hidden for 10 years until it ballooned to a value of $3.3 billion.

Today's movements show that the government-controlled wallets sent a total of 9,825 Bitcoinworth $301 million at today's prices.

The crypto community tends to keep an eye on big and well-known BTC holders because when they move large amounts of funds, it impacts the price of the asset, according to experts.

Previous movementsor even suspected movementshave sent the price of the largest cryptocurrency by market cap into a nosedive. The price of BTC briefly dropped at 8:30am New York time, according to CoinGecko data.

The asset has since climbed again and was at the time of writing trading for $30,777 per coin, a 0.8% 24-hour rise.
Washington is divided on the subject of woke investing. So are states.

Do-good investing has become an increasingly polarizing issue in Washington and on the 2024 campaign trail. The same clash has been playing out in statehouses for years.

On one side are the Democratic strongholds of California and Maine which are seeking to force government divestment from fossil fuel companies.

On the other side are states like Texas that have enacted laws to prohibit public money managers from considering environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) principles  or even giving business to private asset managers that do.

An initial wave of research about these experiments offers warnings to both sides of the ESG debate, showing a disconnect between political rhetoric and what government intervention actually looks like in action.

Some studies concluded these policies would cost taxpayers, make it more difficult to maximize returns and achieve stated political goals. In some states, public pension managers even essentially revolted and rolled back some of the mandates, citing their fiduciary duties.

The lesson from the states, at least for Devin Hartman of the energy-focused R Street Institute, is "that the role of government is not really to be pro- or anti-ESG."

During a recent panel appearance, he added that "we need to have a much more like discerning conversation about the forms of ESG and the proper role of government."

But it remains to be seen if that more nuanced conversation is in the offing. The political temperature around ESG is likely to only increase nationally in the months ahead. Wednesday, GOP lawmakers in Washington are kicking off 'ESG month' with the first of a slew of hearings that will see Republicans assail the investing trend.

Meanwhile, contenders on the GOP presidential campaign trail from Ron DeSantis to Vivek Ramaswamy are making attacks on woke investing a key part of their 2024 message as they try to find a way to challenge front-runner Donald Trump.

The state of ESG in Texas, Florida, and Indiana

Republican-run states like Texas and Florida have enacted anti-ESG laws in the name of maximizing shareholder returns. But those efforts have come with an array of hidden costs.

In 2021, Texas passed a wide-ranging law that included a ban on local governments doing business with banks that have ESG policies around issues like fossil fuels and firearms.

A follow-up study from Wharton business school found that the new rules haven't changed bank behavior but instead had the effect of cutting off these cities from the nations largest underwriters like JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Goldman Sachs (GS).

The consequence, the researchers found, is less competition and higher borrowing costs with Texas cities paying over $300 million in additional interest on bonds in just the first eight months of the law.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott deliver his State of the State speech in 2021. (Bob Daemmrich/Pool Photo via AP)

Early studies have also emerged around a more recent bill signed into law in Florida by Gov. Ron DeSantis that bars state officials from investing public money to promote ESG goals. There is a similar fear there that the effort there could also cost taxpayers millions.

And when Indiana lawmakers were considering a similar law, a state analysis found the proposal could cut a whopping $6.7 billion from the state's public pension system.

Why? Because a ban on working with investment managers that consider ESG and provisions may have effectively cut the state off from private equity. Lawmakers ended up rejecting the bill.

The state of ESG in Maine and California

Meanwhile, efforts on the other side of the political divide also haven't gone smoothly.

In 2021, Maine became the first US state to require divestment from fossil fuels with a law that required Maines Public Employees Retirement System to sell about $1.3 billion of fossil fuel exposure by 2026.

But the response from the manager of the state's $17 billion pension system was essentially to revolt. The asset managers said the new law conflicted with their fiduciary responsibility, and they invoked a clause in the new law that is likely to at least slow the divestment efforts.

They said they need to keep as least some fossil fuel positions as part of their overall investing mix to stay "in accordance with sound investment criteria."

In 2021, Gov. Janet Mills signed a law that made Maine the first state in the US to order state officials to sell fossil fuel assets. (Ben McCanna/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)

Similarly in California, the state Senate passed a bill to divest from fossil fuel companies by 2031. But the states $457 billion California Public Employees' Retirement System announced its opposition, arguing the bill could "create a ripple effect on our ability to produce the investment returns needed to fulfill our members retirement promises."

In addition, the fund's board members also said that divestment would not materially help efforts to fight climate change with the money simply being re-routed.

'A nice narrative'

The fights around government policy coincide with a heated debate over ESG returns more broadly. One study from sustainability data firm ESG Book found ESG funds outperforming competitors over a five-year span but some attributed that to hype sending extra money in these sectors and driving up short-term returns.

Other research over a longer term finds little measurable effects.

In recent history, sustainable indexes outperformed the market in the first quarter of 2023, according to Morningstar, fueled by outsized returns in the ESG-friendly tech sector. But that came after 2022 when ESG fared more poorly as fossil fuel stocks surged following the invasion of Ukraine.

What remains unclear is how the lessons from the state level will be reflected in the national conversation or on the campaign trail in the months ahead as lawmakers push for increased intervention from Washington.

On Capitol Hill this week, the House Financial Services Committee is scheduled to convene four hearings in three days and consider at least 18 bills around ESG issues. The Republican leaders want to address ESG practices around things like housing, insurance, and the proxy shareholder voting process.

During this weeks panel discussion, Jennifer Schulp of the Cato Institute predicted that the political heat around ESG wasnt going anywhere, noting it "makes for a nice narrative."

She expressed hope that many lawmakers both in the states and in Washington are beginning to take lessons from recent ESG experiences and operating with more nuance, noting "we've seen better questions being asked even if they don't often make the headlines."

Ben Werschkul is a Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.

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Webull Corporation

LONDON, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Webull Corporation (Webull), the owner of the popular Webull trading platform, today announced the launch of its retail brokerage services in the UK. Through licensed financial services trading firm Webull Securities (UK) Ltd. (Webull UK), a subsidiary of Webull, residents of the UK can now trade U.S.-listed equities and fractional shares, all at low commissions through the award-winning Webull app. The Webull platform also makes news, industry data, and educational materials available to provide investors with the tools needed to make informed investment decisions.

Anthony Denier, Webull US CEO responsible for operations in America and Europe, stated, Our first step into Europe follows on the heels of successful launches over the past two years in Singapore, Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong. While each country has very different requirements and expectations, we believe there is great potential in the UK and look forward to rapidly expanding our product range to cater to our British clients. Webulls trading platform has become very popular in the United States, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and we are confident that the powerful trading tools and simple mobile format will prove equally attractive in the UK. We are sure our new clients will enjoy tech and enjoy investing.

Webull UK secured its authorisation from the FCA in October 2022. It has spent the last six months hiring a team with local experience to help the platform exceed British expectations. While its offering will initially be limited to U.S.-listed securities, Webull UK expects to expand this rapidly, opening new global investment opportunities for retail investors.

Nick Saunders, Chief Executive Officer of Webull UK, said, The investment market has changed in the last 10 years. The British public is now actively seeking low-cost investment opportunities domestically and in markets outside the UK. Webulls strength is in our global network and innovative mindset; we look at the right solution for our clients, and seek to build on the existing, sustainable foundations to give our customers the product they want. As a pure broker, our interests are aligned with our clients. We provide the tools to help them make informed, global investment decisions.

The Webull trading platform launched in the United States in 2018 through its SEC-registered broker-dealer and FINRA member subsidiary. In 2021, Webull was the second most downloaded app among pure-play brokerages in the U.S., according to mobile and data analytics firm App Annie. Webull has received notable recognition in the financial industry. In 2022, we won the "Best Brokerage App" award at Benzinga's Global Fintech Awards, highlighting our commitment to superior mobile trading. We were also honored as the "Best Options Trading Platform" at the Finder Stock Trading Platform Awards. In the Stockbrokers Annual Review 2023, we were recognized as the "Best in Class" for the investor community. These accolades showcase our dedication to providing innovative and exceptional services to our users.

The Webull trading platform can be downloaded through the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

For more information about Webull UK, please visit Webull UK's website at https://www.webull-uk.com. For media inquiries, please contact pr@webull.com.

About Webull

Webull is a leading digital investment platform built on next-generation global infrastructure. Webull serves tens of millions of users from over 180 countries, providing retail investors with 24/7 access to financial markets worldwide. Users can put investment strategies to work by trading global stocks, ETFs, options, and fractional shares, through Webull's trading platform, which is currently available in the United States, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, South Africa, and Japan.




Key Insights

VSTECS Berhad's significant public companies ownership suggests that the key decisions are influenced by shareholders from the larger public

56% of the business is held by the top 2 shareholders

Using data from company's past performance alongside ownership research, one can better assess the future performance of a company

If you want to know who really controls VSTECS Berhad (KLSE:VSTECS), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. We can see that public companies own the lion's share in the company with 46% ownership. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

Meanwhile, private companies make up 23% of the companys shareholders.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of VSTECS Berhad.

See our latest analysis for VSTECS Berhad

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About VSTECS Berhad?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

Since institutions own only a small portion of VSTECS Berhad, many may not have spent much time considering the stock. But it's clear that some have; and they liked it enough to buy in. So if the company itself can improve over time, we may well see more institutional buyers in the future. We sometimes see a rising share price when a few big institutions want to buy a certain stock at the same time. The history of earnings and revenue, which you can see below, could be helpful in considering if more institutional investors will want the stock. Of course, there are plenty of other factors to consider, too.

Hedge funds don't have many shares in VSTECS Berhad. VSTECS Holdings Limited is currently the largest shareholder, with 44% of shares outstanding. In comparison, the second and third largest shareholders hold about 12% and 8.6% of the stock.

A more detailed study of the shareholder registry showed us that 2 of the top shareholders have a considerable amount of ownership in the company, via their 56% stake.

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. We're not picking up on any analyst coverage of the stock at the moment, so the company is unlikely to be widely held.

Insider Ownership Of VSTECS Berhad

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.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

We can report that insiders do own shares in VSTECS Berhad. It has a market capitalization of just RM471m, and insiders have RM32m worth of shares, in their own names. This shows at least some alignment, but we usually like to see larger insider holdings. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 22% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Private Company Ownership

Our data indicates that Private Companies hold 23%, of the company's shares. It's hard to draw any conclusions from this fact alone, so its worth looking into who owns those private companies. Sometimes insiders or other related parties have an interest in shares in a public company through a separate private company.

Public Company Ownership

It appears to us that public companies own 46% of VSTECS Berhad. This may be a strategic interest and the two companies may have related business interests. It could be that they have de-merged. This holding is probably worth investigating further.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand VSTECS Berhad better, we need to consider many other factors. Take risks for example - VSTECS Berhad has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.

If you would prefer check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, backed by strong financial data.

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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While private companies own 28% of Lufax Holding Ltd (NYSE:LU), public companies are its largest shareholders with 41% ownership

Key Insights

Significant control over Lufax Holding by public companies implies that the general public has more power to influence management and governance-related decisions

The top 2 shareholders own 69% of the company

Institutions own 20% of Lufax Holding

A look at the shareholders of Lufax Holding Ltd (NYSE:LU) can tell us which group is most powerful. We can see that public companies own the lion's share in the company with 41% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

Private companies, on the other hand, account for 28% of the company's stockholders.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Lufax Holding.

View our latest analysis for Lufax Holding

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Lufax Holding?

Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Lufax Holding. 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. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Lufax Holding's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Lufax Holding. Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. is currently the largest shareholder, with 41% of shares outstanding. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 28% and 1.7%, of the shares outstanding, respectively.

A more detailed study of the shareholder registry showed us that 2 of the top shareholders have a considerable amount of ownership in the company, via their 69% stake.

Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily.

Insider Ownership Of Lufax Holding

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. 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 data suggests that insiders own under 1% of Lufax Holding Ltd in their own names. We do note, however, it is possible insiders have an indirect interest through a private company or other corporate structure. Keep in mind that it's a big company, and the insiders own US$94k worth of shares. The absolute value might be more important than the proportional share. 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 11% stake in Lufax Holding. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Private Company Ownership

We can see that Private Companies own 28%, of the shares on issue. It's hard to draw any conclusions from this fact alone, so its worth looking into who owns those private companies. Sometimes insiders or other related parties have an interest in shares in a public company through a separate private company.

Public Company Ownership

We can see that public companies hold 41% of the Lufax Holding shares on issue. This may be a strategic interest and the two companies may have related business interests. It could be that they have de-merged. This holding is probably worth investigating further.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Case in point: We've spotted 2 warning signs for Lufax Holding you should be aware of.

Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

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.

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 wife of a Ford Motor Co. executive charged with two felony offenses following a domestic incident at his Bloomfield Hills home over the weekend has put out a statement saying she loves him and urging the public to respect the family's privacy.

Bloomfield Hills lawyer Paul Stablein emailed a statement to the Detroit Free Press late Tuesday that said he was "a representative of Soo Louis-Victor, Franck Louis-Victors wife" and she had asked Stablein to forward this statement:

I love my husband. He is a loving partner and father, and Ive never seen him behave aggressively or violently. I am an advocate for women who have suffered from domestic violence having lived around the world, and I in no way want to take anything away from true victims. I will continue to advocate for those who are. During this difficult time, we appreciate the support of our family, our friends and our colleagues, and we regret this situation has become so public. We would appreciate it if everyone would please respect our privacy while we manage these difficult circumstances as a family.

Court and property records list her name as Soo Kim.

Their property is listed as both Bloomfield Hills and Bloomfield Township in various public records. The property taxes are paid in Bloomfield Township but the U.S. Postal Service uses Bloomfield Hills, Stablein confirmed.

Paul Stablein, a Bloomfield Hills lawyer, reached out to the media as a representative of Soo Louis-Victor, wife of Ford executive Franck Louis-Victor, who has been charged in a domestic situation that occurred Saturday. Soo Louis-Victor said her husband is "loving" and she has never seen him "behave aggressively or violently."

Franck Louis-Victor, an executive who joined Ford Motor Co. in 2021 from Renault, was arrested on Saturday at his home in Oakland County after a domestic dispute involving a weapon and expensive purses.

More: Top Ford exec faces felony charges after domestic dispute involving $10,000 purses

Louis-Victor, 50, CEO of Ford Next LLC and vice president of new business platforms at Ford, is accused of trying to set fire to two purses during a domestic incident. He was arrested and charged with two felonies: assault with a dangerous weapon and arson, based on preparation to burn property worth between $1,000 and $20,000, according to court records.

Franck Louis-Victor joined Ford Motor Co. as vice president of new business, the company announced on Monday, June 21, 2021. He was charged with two felony offenses stemming from a domestic incident on July 8, 2023.

The arson charge stems from Louis-Victor allegedly trying to set fire to two Hermes handbags during a situation at his home, according to court records. The assault with a dangerous weapon charge relates to an incident Involving Soo Kim and "a butane torch and/or a computer tablet, but without intending to commit the crime of murder," court records say.

Louis-Victor has been arraigned and a probable cause hearing is set for July 18.

Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: 313-618-1034 or phoward@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @phoebesaid.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Wife of Ford's Franck Louis-Victor issues statement after he's charged
Fredericksburg City Public Schools will provide free school supplies to all enrolled students in grades K through 8 this year.

Families dont need to apply to receive the free supplies, which will include binders, spiral and composition notebooks, crayons, dry-erase markers, erasers, earbuds, folders, glue sticks, highlighters, paper, pencils, pencil boxes, pencil sharpeners, rulers, scissors and sticky notes.

The supplies will be shipped to the individual schools and will be handed out the first week of school, said Andrea Bumbrey, the divisions director of student achievement.

The division is using over $100,000 in carryover Title I funds to pay for the supplies, Bumbrey said.

Title I is a federal funding stream that enables states to provide additional funding to schools with a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students.

[Hugh Mercer Elementary, Lafayette Elementary and Walker-Grant Middle] are Title I schools, which means that they receive federal funds because of the percentage of low-income families, Bumbrey said.

The amount of carryover funds is higher this year due to a combination of factors, and division leaders decided to think creatively about how to use the money, she said.

As an administrative team, we were excited to be able to use carryover funds to provide instructional supplies, Bumbrey said. We may not be able to do this next year, but hopefully it will be a benefit to families this year for us to be able to provide those things that Title I can fund.

Also for the first time this year, the division will hold a Transition Day for incoming kindergarten, sixth- and ninth-grade students.

Only students in those grades will attend school on Monday, Aug. 7, for a full day to give them a chance to get oriented to a new building and routine.

The first day of school for all other students is Tuesday, Aug. 8.

The goal is for students to establish relationships, acclimate to a new building, learn and practice new routines and experience school in a safe, structured, engaging way, said Emily Horne, the divisions director of instructional technology, who presented information about Transition Day to the School Board on Monday.

Kindergarten students will spend the day in the classroom with their assigned teacher. Sixth- and ninth-grade students will attend all of their scheduled classes for a shortened period of time and complete pre-designed lessons and activities, Horne said.

Stafford County Public Schools held its first Transition Day for kindergarten, sixth and ninth graders last year and received positive feedback about it. The division will host the event again this year Aug. 8. The first day of school for all other students is Aug. 9.

Spotsylvania County schools is also holding a Transition Day for new-to-the-building students this year on Aug. 9, with all other students returning on Aug. 10.

Also on Monday, Fredericksburg School Board members heard an update on the divisions safety measures.

Deputy superintendent Matt Eberhardt said there is a heightened level of concern in the community regarding school safety.

As an ongoing process, we continue to collectively reflect and plan with our law enforcement and community partners, Eberhardt said. We want to assure the community that our schools are safe and that we continue to take a layered approach to ensure a secure, positive and healthy environment for everyone on a daily basis.

Following the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas in May 2022, division administrators began meeting regularly with Fredericksburg police, Sheriffs Office, emergency management officials and fire and rescue personnel, Eberhardt said.

We are grateful for strong relationships with law enforcement to keep our schools safe and to keep our safe schools secure, he said.

Last year, the division added a safety and operations coordinator to the administrative team and a second school resource officer at Walker-Grant Middle School and Lafayette and Hugh Mercer elementary schools.

Administration participated in incident command systems training last year and came together with law enforcement partners in January for a tabletop simulation to test risk management and response procedures.

Local first responders and 911 dispatchers have digital maps of each school building and access to all live camera feeds, Eberhardt said.

The division purchased an advanced weapons detection system which Eberhardt said will be installed before school starts. It is capable of detecting three-inch blades, guns, bombs and parts of bombs.

The division is also in the final stages of hiring a company to install 3M safety film on all entrances, doors, vestibules and office windows.

This film will not stop a bullet, but it will slow break-in by anyone denied entry into our buildings, Eberhardt said. If you all remember, every second counts.

Safety plans for the coming school year include a Superintendents Community Roundtable and two listen and learn events for James Monroe and Walker-Grant students on the topic.
The City of Fremont has entered into court-approved arbitration talks with a Michigan-based construction firm which filed a lawsuit against the city in mid-May for alleged unpaid costs for the upgrades and expansion of the citys wastewater treatment plant.

Weiss Construction Co., LLC, of Michigan, which also goes by the business name PWC Public Works Constructors, is seeking more than $6.5 million in assorted damages in the lawsuit, according to court documents filed in Dodge County Court on May 15. The firms attorneys allege that the city breached a 2018 contract related to a construction contract for the expansion of the citys Wastewater Treatment Plant.

According to a May 17 order from Dodge County Judge Geoffrey Hall, he found that the City of Fremont and the company had agreed to a contract to construct the citys Wastewater Treatment Plant Anaerobic System.

The agreement provides that all disputes between the City and PWC will be decided by arbitration in accordance with the rules of the City selected Arbitration Agency. The agreement further provides that the agreement between the City and PWC to arbitrate all disputes will be specifically enforceable under the prevailing law of any court having jurisdiction, Hall wrote.

The court hereby finds and orders (that the) plaintiffs Motion to Stay Pending Arbitration is Granted. The parties must resolve their disputes through arbitration and the above-captioned action is stayed pending completion of the arbitration.

Weiss, also known as PWC, was hired in May 2018 to lead an expansion project of the citys wastewater treatment facility in anticipation of the increased wastewater flows into the facility and at the time, new requirements regarding ammonia levels.

The new lagoons where wastewater is stored to be treated were completed in 2020. The three new lagoons were designed to take in waste from Lincoln Premium Poultry and WholeStone Farms. The expansion of the citys wastewater treatment plant was not solely due to the two slaughterhouses, but was also needed due to new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements on ammonia limits.

Construction on the lagoons started in May 2018, but was paused after plans for Costco and Lincoln Premium Poultry to bring a processing plant to Fremont became more realized. The flooding of Spring 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic also led to delays in the project.

Weiss Construction, which also goes by the name Public Works Constructors, had done previous similar projects in the Detroit region.

The Fremont City Council was briefed on the lawsuit during a closed executive session of the council at the end of the May 30 council meeting. On May 31, Fremont City Attorney Travis Jacott declined to comment on the lawsuit, noting the litigation was pending.

Attempts to contact the law firm representing Weiss Construction  Woods Aitken LLP, of Lincoln  have been unsuccessful.

The lawsuit stems from an April 2018 contract approved by the Fremont City Council for $14.9 million, of which $10 million was going to be funded by, industries that flow to the lagoons, stated Troy Schaben, then assistant city administrator for utilities.

As part of the contract agreement, Weiss Construction would work in conjunction with a second company subcontractor chosen by the city to do some of the projects more specific construction elements. That firm  DMT Clear Gas Solutions, LLC.  was expected to do work valued within the overall contract at $2.5 million.

In the lawsuit, attorneys claim that Weiss officials, did not select DMT as a partner and that after their company was awarded the project, DMT could not or would not complete the required scope of work, would not complete the work in a good and workmanlike manner, would not complete the work within budget, and would not complete the work on time.

Attorneys for Weiss claim that officials from the Michigan construction firm repeatedly informed officials at the City of Fremont of the alleged lack of progress and foregoing failures of the firm DMT. Those failures, they claim, led to delays to the project progress as well as Weiss doing the work that had been tasked to DMT, at a great and unanticipated expense to their firm.

The lawsuit cites three claims for relief, with attorneys alleging the City of Fremont breached the contract with the company; that the city benefitted from unjust enrichment; and that the city allegedly violated the Nebraska Construction Prompt Pay Act.
The Dodge County Supervisors are scheduled Wednesday, July 12, to possibly act on a request for $62,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to help pay for needed matching dollars for new transportation services in Fremont.

The Fremont Area Transportation Task Force (FATT), which is comprised of five representatives from local organizations, submitted the request to the Dodge County Board of Supervisors on June 23, asking for two payments of $31,000  one in 2023 and one in 2024.

According to a letter sent to supervisors, the five FATT members stated they have, been working to address transportation issues arising from the recent decision by the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging to end its transportation services for Dodge County.

The City of Fremont is spearheading the effort to provide transportation services on a much more limited scope than ENOA, only providing transportation five days a week to areas within the Fremont City limits and 2 miles extended from the city boundaries.

The former ENOA program  which ended service on June 30  had served five counties  the rural area of Douglas County as well as Dodge, Sarpy, Cass and Washington counties  providing transportation to a range of destinations, including medical facilities, doctors officers, grocery stores and other spots.

Officials from ENOA decided to end the program after analysis and a finding that the agencys mission to serve senior citizens and elderly residents wasnt being fully realized with the program. The service had excessive costs, and officials claims, had started to be abused by younger riders who were seeking rides to places such as casinos.

The City of Fremont is applying for a state 5311 Grant to assist with funding of the new program, which requires matching funds, hence the request to Dodge County for the two annual payments of $31,000. The city already purchased three vans formerly used by the ENOA program to use once the Fremont program is up and running.

In the letter to supervisors, the five task force members told the supervisors they were, reaching out to this body for your commitment and support in order to provide the Fremont community with needed transportation services.

The taskforce is comprised of Terra Uhing, from the Three Rivers Public Health Department; Christy Fiala, from the Fremont Area United Way; Melissa Diers, of the Fremont Area Community Foundation; Shawn Brown, from Methodist Fremont Health Foundation; and Michelle Padilla, of the Fremont Family Coalition.

It is the hope of the task force that in the near future, services will be expanded to serve all of Dodge County, members of the task force stated in the letter.

The five members also wrote that the target date for the start of transportation services was, by the end of August 2023.

In late June, Nick Hansen, director of the Fremont Parks and Recreation Department for the City of Fremont, said there are few details of the program finalized as he and others at the city are still working on the project.

The likely cost of a ride will be between $3 and $5, and the service has a tentative schedule not yet finalized of possibly 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, Hansen said in June. The ages eligible for riding the vans are 16 and older.

The City of Fremont is seeking one full-time driver, one part-time driver and one transportation coordinator or scheduler and advertisements are online at the citys website, fremontne.gov.

During the June 13 meeting of the Fremont City Council, City Administrator Jody Sanders told the council members present  Ward 4 Council Member Sally Ganem was absent  that 90% of the salaries and pay for the three transportation staff members would be funded by the state 5311 grant.

Sanders also said the city is new to the transportation service, and the service will be developed and tweaked as more information is gleaned from ridership data and other information.

We really dont know what the volume will be. We could get slammed, she said on June 13.

The Dodge County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m., Wednesday, July 12, inside the board chambers on the third floor of of the Dodge County Courthouse.
The Fremont Public Schools Board of Education had a quick, but fruitful, meeting on Monday, July 10, approving a string of items including updates to the parent-student handbooks for the four levels of campuses in the district and the handbooks for the three different classes of employees.

Grading changes OKd

The board unanimously approved changes to the districts grading and promotion policy at Fremont High School, with some classes removed from weighted grading.

Dual enrollment classes hosted at either Metropolitan Community College or Midland University will no longer be given additional credit toward a students GPA. Among those classes removed were: music appreciation, business economics, Honors German 5, Honors Spanish 5, English I and II, public speaking and introduction to sociology.

Board policy changes approved

The board also unanimously approved 16 changes or amendments to Board of Education policies, most of which were prompted by recently approved legislation in the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature.

Kevin Eairleywine, the districts executive director of human resources and elementary operations, provided the six board members with a list of the 16 changed or new policies and comparison to older policies.

We talked to our administrative teams at each building about the legislation. This just starts the process  it gets it moving, he said. It is a monumental task to go through these.

Among the policies affected are rules and guidelines on outside student groups using district facilities; the ban on carrying concealed weapons on school district property; and policies regarding students who may suffer seizures while on district property.

Handbooks changes OKd

Changes, edits and updates to a range of handbooks used in Fremont Public Schools were also OKd on Monday night.

The handbooks which were updated include: the employee handbooks for certified staff, classified district staff and substitute teachers; and the parent-student handbooks for all district elementary schools, the Johnson Crossing Academic Center, the Fremont Middle School and Fremont High School.
Editor's note: This article was updated with Joyce Salazar's correct title as a representative with RISE Southeast.

Representatives from Colorado Springs city government and community food organizations will host a meeting Thursday for residents to discuss potential solutions to food-access issues in the city's southeast quadrant after a King Soopers in the Hancock Plaza shut down three weeks ago.

King Soopers, at 2910 S. Academy Blvd., closed June 20 "out of an abundance of caution" when a building remodel project revealed the "possible existence of asbestos," a company news release announced.

Some residents on the city's southeast side, already dealing with low access to fresh food, are one step further from a grocery store.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines low access to healthy food as "low-income census tracts where a significant number (at least 500 people) or share (at least 33%) of the population is greater than one-half mile from the nearest supermarket, supercenter, or large grocery store for an urban area."

That's why representatives from Food to Power, a nonprofit focused on food access, production and education; Joyce Salazar, a representative with RISE Southeast, a development initiative; and District 4 City Councilwoman Yolanda Avila are meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Panorama Park, 4540 Fenton Road near East Fountain Boulevard and Jetwing Drive, to gather community feedback on potential solutions for food access following the King Soopers closure.

"Im hoping we are able to give our residents the information that they need, and that we do have a timeline, and that we do provide other sources of groceries during this time," Avila said.

Avila, who regularly shops at the Hancock Plaza King Soopers, said she was relieved to hear that the grocer plans on "fixing the problem and reopening," but said the company had not provided a timeline as of Tuesday.

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"I think it would have been helpful to have been given exactly what's going on, what their plans are and the timeline," Avila said.

King Soopers representatives did not respond to The Gazette's inquiry for updates Tuesday and told reporters last Wednesday they would "provide updated information as it becomes available," and that they "do not have any updates to share."

A Kroger (the parent company) mobile pharmacy unit, accompanied by a security vehicle, sat in the King Soopers parking lot last week where several patients waited in folding chairs under a pop-up awning.

For Avila, the closure is an immediate challenge to her community, and she said she hopes Thursday's meeting will help address long-term issues of food access and property development that have long plagued the city's southeast area.

"Its certainly important that we have a grocery store where people can go later into the evening after getting off work or maybe early in the morning before heading out," Avila said, "because even though the community has pulled up their sleeves and are ready to support one another, we need something sustainable."

Residents are encouraged to bring folding chairs or blankets to sit on during the park meeting. The meeting will be moved to Deerfield Community Center in case of rain.
King Soopers will give free grocery deliveries to customers impacted by the company's temporary closure of its South Academy Boulevard store during an asbestos cleanup process that unraveled when the company found the hazardous material amid a building remodel project.

Starting Wednesday the company will offer free grocery deliveries to "impacted customers" until the store at 2910 South Academy Boulevard reopens "via a digital coupon that will be preloaded to customer's loyalty accounts," a release announced three weeks after the store shutdown.

The update comes a day before Colorado Springs city government representatives and community food organizations' are slated to meet with residents to discuss potential solutions for food-access issues in the city's southeast quadrant.

In an area where residents are already hard-pressed to find fresh food options the closure exacerbates food access, said Jessi Bustamante, director of communications at Food to Power, a nonprofit helping facilitate Thursday's community meeting.

While Bustamante said she would have liked to see the free delivery option sooner she's glad it's available now. Food to Power intends to announce the update at the community meeting where other solutions will be discussed, Bustamante said.

In the meantime, King Soopers will also provide free prescription deliveries to pharmacy patients affected by the temporary store closure. A Kroger (King Soopers' parent company) mobile pharmacy unit set up in the store's parking lot will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a 30-minute break from 1 to 1:30 p.m., the company confirmed in the release.

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"King Soopers remains committed to being there for their associates, customers and communities," the release read, adding, "the company has been working to identify solutions that provide impacted community members with access to essential services."

King Soopers also said it plans to make a $5,000 donation to Care and Share, a food bank serving Southern Colorado.

The company said it did not have timeline when the store would reopen but that it would do its "best to shorten the closure" while working with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to "identify a cleanup plan to address the recent unexpected discovery of asbestos."

King Soopers encouraged customers affected by the store's closure to visit www.kingsoopers.com to place their free online orders.
The plan to build hundreds of apartments near South Nevada Avenue that developers and city planning staff say will extend efforts to revitalize the corridor now heads to the Colorado Springs City Council.

On July 25, the council is expected to hear a request to rezone roughly 4.5 acres of land between East St. Elmo and East Ramona avenues, just west of South Nevada Avenue.

If the council grants the request it will pave the way for local real estate developer Danny Mientka, a driving force in South Nevada's redevelopment, to build the proposed Creekwalk Apartments  up to 400 units in a seven-story building just west of the new Sprouts Famers Market grocery store.

"We need people to live down here. We need people to walk their dogs along (Cheyenne Creek) and feel safe, and send the signals to others that this is a safe place," Mientka told the city Planning Commission at its regular meeting June 14.

The proposed 85-foot maximum building height and 87.72 dwelling units per acre do "exceed the limits of surrounding  properties," the city's Urban Planning Manager Ryan Tefertiller previously told commissioners.

The land's current zoning only permits building heights up to 45 feet, he said, but the proposed 85-foot-tall apartment building would serve both as a transition and as a buffer between lower-density residential uses west of the site and "high-intensity commercial corridor" activity along South Nevada Avenue to the east, Tefertiller said.

There are other high-density projects nearby, he told commissioners, including the Luxe Tower apartment project just southwest of the proposed Creekwalk Apartments. Luxe Tower includes 73 units in a seven-story building constructed on 1.7 acres, a staff report states. That building is about 70 feet tall, Tefertiller said  "not quite the proposed 85 feet (height), but it is relatively significant in the area."

The not-yet-constructed Ivywild Hotel just northwest of the proposed Creekwalk project is to be a four-story building, roughly 52 feet tall, he said.

City planners say Creekwalk Apartments will provide needed housing on a high-frequency transit route near employment centers. Residents would be able to easily access mass transit in the area and can walk or bike to nearby restaurants, grocery stores, service providers and other retailers.

City staff and project representatives previously told the Planning Commission the proposed project will fit well along the corridor that has seen booming redevelopment since 2015. At that time, the City Council declared about 100 acres on either side of Nevada Avenue, about 1.5 miles south of downtown, an urban renewal site  the designation has brought new restaurants, stores, hotels and homes into the area.

Alongside their rezoning request, developers have submitted a concurrent proposed development plan and amendment to the Creekwalk Concept Plan, which would expand the concept plan's boundary, to include the apartments.

The proposed apartment project would also provide an amenity deck for future residents and a three-leveled internal parking structure with nearly 550 stalls, project documents state. Additional improvements to Cheyenne Creek and surrounding trail systems are also planned, according to city planners.

The City Council will hear the request July 25. Meetings begin at 10 a.m. at City Hall.
According to Rocky Mountain National Park officials, a 26-year-old woman has died after a 500-foot fall while free-solo climbing the Four Aces formation on Ypsilon Mountain's Blitzen Ridge on Sunday.

The woman was climbing with a 27-year-old man, who contacted park rangers following her fall. The man, who was no hurt, was airlifted from his location via a Colorado Air National Guard helicopter. Rocky Mountain Rescue Group also assisted in the helicopter operation.

The woman's body was recovered from the area above Ypsilon Lake. The identification of the fallen climber has not yet been released.

The entirety of the Blitzen Ridge is rated as a 5.4 route on Mountain Project, meaning that it is beginner-level rock climbing. That being said, free-solo climbing means using no protection, such as a rope, leaving little margin for error. Crumbling rock can be a key hazard on routes of this nature even for the most skilled climbers.
The Air Force is suspending some bonuses and putting some base reassignments on hold, after an Alabama lawmaker blocked a routine request from the Department of Defense to reallocate funds.

U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper called out U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, for blocking a routine request for reallocation of funds across the Department of Defense to force a decision on the permanent home for Space Command. The delay that has already caused problems for the Air Force is "dangerous and harmful," Hickenlooper said.

The Alabama delegation is holding our military service members hostage. They are risking our national security to get what they want," Hickenlooper said, in a statement. "This is not how our nation should make basing decisions. Period. It is, however, how you penalize our troops for the sake of narrow political interests.

Space Command has been at the center of a political fight for about two years since President Donald Trump announced it would move from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Ala., in January 2021. Since then, Colorado lawmakers have advocated for retaining Space Command in Colorado Springs, where many other Space Force guardians work and would remain if Space Command moved.

Space Command is housed in existing office space at Peterson Space Force Base. In those offices, 1,200 people from all services protect an area 100 kilometers above the Earth to the edges of the universe, Space Command Gen. James Dickinson said previously.

Rogers has been a vocal proponent of moving Space Command to Huntsville and recently backed a proposed addition to next year's military funding bill that would block 50% of the secretary of the Air Force's travel budget until a report on Space Command is released. His legislation would also halt spending on the Space Command offices in Colorado Springs, including minor upgrades.

The house committee has also announced it would investigate delays around which town should host the base and changes to plans for the command's offices that happened without civilian oversight.

In this latest push for a Space Command decision, only the leadership of the House Armed Services Committee held up the DODs request to reallocate funding. The routine request passed through the leadership of three other committees that approve military funding.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, has floated amendments to restore funding for Space Command's facilities, but they have not gained traction.

I look forward to a resolution of the U.S. Space Command decision in the near future. Airmen and Guardians can then focus on national security imperatives - countering and deterring Chinese and Russian aggression, he said in a statement Tuesday.

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The Air Force is the first military branch to be impacted by Rogers' decision to hold up approval of the routine reallocation of funds and took measures Monday because it is facing a shortfall in its personnel budget.

The Air Force Academy, Peterson Space Force Space and Schriever Space Force Base, Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command all employ airmen in Colorado Springs.

Selective reenlistment bonuses for fiscal year 2023 will be suspended Tuesday for airmen, according to a news release. The Air Force is allowing airmen to extend their current enlistment into 2024 to allow those who would have qualified for bonuses to take advantage of the program after the deadline to access bonuses under fiscal year 2023 rules until the next program starts, the statement said.

A small number of people may not be able to extend their enlistment through October, the beginning of the new fiscal year, but the solution should work for most, said Ann Stefanek, a spokeswoman for the Air Force.

"We worked really hard to come up with strategies that would have the least effect on our airmen," she said.

The Air Force is pausing a bonus program that opened on June 6 for pilots. Within the next two weeks, the Air Force expects to reopen a restructured bonus program and officers who want to participate can sign up then as long as funds remain, the release said.

The new assignment incentive pay program is also on pause until October. Airmen who are already part of the program will continue to receive that pay.

Airmen on long overseas tours expecting to return between October and December will have their return date extended between January and March as well.

The Air Force will be reviewing orders for basing reassignments in August and after on a priority basis and some moves will be delayed. This is most likely to affect those with moves planned in November or December, she said.

The Space Force is not affected by the Air Force's recent announcement.

Airmen with questions can call the Total Force Service Center at 210-565-0102 or 800-525-0102.
A Colorado Springs man has been sentenced to 20 years the Department of Corrections after pleading guilty in the death of a 5-year-old girl at a sentencing hearing on Tuesday, where defense attorneys expressed their dissatisfaction with the prosecution's treatment of their client through plea negotiations.

Matthew Urias, 28, was originally charged with first-degree murder in the death of Emily Canales after prosecutors say he and his girlfriend, Brianne Escamilla, abused the young girl, who was Escamilla's daughter.

An affidavit acquired by The Gazette detailed the abuse suffered by Canales, and the significant and obvious decline in her health in the days leading up to her death.

Urias and Escamilla recognized that Canales was acting strangely and said she was not feeling well in the days leading up to her death, but neither called 911 until she died on Jan. 13, 2022.

At a hearing in May, Urias and Escamilla entered guilty pleas to child abuse knowingly or recklessly causing death, a Class 2 felony. The charge of first-degree murder was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Last month, Escamilla was sentenced to 18 years in the Department of Corrections for causing Canales' death.

Over the course of the case defense attorneys representing both Urias and Escamilla have asserted that the other defendant was more responsible for causing Canales' death, a thread which was brought back to the surface at Tuesday's sentencing hearing.

The sentencing hearing opened with the prosecution briefly informing the court that the sentencing range for Urias as part of the plea agreement was 20 to 35 years in the Department of Corrections. The prosecutor, Brien Cecil, stated that it was the prosecution's belief that Urias was "the worse actor here," and that he caused the injuries to Canales which led to her death.

Cecil requested for Judge Marcus Henson to impose the maximum sentence allowable under the plea agreement of 35 years in the Department of Corrections.

What followed was an over hour-long defense of Urias from his attorneys, who asserted that the prosecution did not have evidence to support their claim that Urias was the "worse actor," and that all Urias is truly guilty of is not calling 911 sooner to get help for Canales.

Urias' attorneys claimed that the insinuation that their client was the primary abuser causing Canales' death by the prosecution was based on circumstantial evidence that Urias is a man and was "more likely" to have been able to cause the injuries sustained by Canales.

Urias' attorneys went on to claim that the initial plea deal they received from the prosecution included a sentencing range of 35 to 40 years in the Department of Corrections, something that was only amended to the 20 to 35 year range after a mitigation presentation.

The first offer received by Escamilla from the prosecution, which she accepted, included a sentencing range of 16 to 20 years in the Department of Corrections, according to the defense.

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"Gender discrimination is at play," Urias' attorney claimed to the court. "That is not fairness in sentencing."

The defense went on to point out that Urias has maintained his innocence regarding having caused the fatal injuries throughout the case and that Escamilla confessed to law enforcement after Canales' death that she had caused the fatal injuries.

During Urias and Escamilla's preliminary hearing, attorneys representing Escamilla argued that Urias was an abuser to both their client and Canales.

Escamilla's defense attorneys at preliminary hearing called on Colorado Springs detective Rebecca Joines to testify that she had spoken with a former neighbor of the couple who stated that on several occasions in 2021 they could hear Urias screaming at people in their apartment.

On one occasion, Joines stated that the neighbor could hear Canales yelling "help" and "stop" over and over again as well as Escamilla yelling "please stop."

At sentencing, Urias' attorneys stated that the claims from Escamilla's attorneys that Urias was an abuser were "overblown" and that the his lone domestic violence accusation stemmed from a singular push against Escamilla.

The defense requested for Urias to be given the minimum sentence of 20 years in the Department of Corrections, but also stated to the court that Urias was not attempting to shy away from taking responsibility for Canales' death, and that he understands he should have called 911 long before Canales died, something Urias said himself prior to having his sentence imposed.

"I'd like to apologize to Emily's father, to her family and to my family," Urias said. "I'd give my soul to go back in time and make that call ... I apologize to Emily. She should still be here today."

Henson also heard from numerous members of Urias' family, several of whom were present in court for the sentencing hearing, and all of whom spoke to the character of Urias, describing him as loving, generous and caring.

Prior to issuing his sentence for Urias, Henson stated that regardless of if the accusations from the defense are true that Urias was not primarily responsible for causing the fatal injuries, both defendants remain responsible for Canales' death by not acting sooner to get help.

"A lengthy sentence in the Department of Corrections is appropriate regardless of if they caused the fatal injuries," Henson said. "No number of years will ever change the tragic outcome of this case."

Henson ultimately opted to issue the minimum possible sentence allowable under the plea deal, sentencing Urias to 20 years in the Department of Corrections. As part of the plea agreement, Henson also sentenced Urias to one-year in jail to be served in the Department of Corrections for a probation violation on a DUI case.

Two misdemeanor cases against Urias  one for domestic violence allegations and another for an alleged restraining order violation  were both dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
A Colorado Springs man found not guilty by reason of insanity for killing an Air Force veteran in 2016 had his petition to be released from the state hospital denied by an El Paso County judge.

The issue of release arose at a June hearing, after a physician contracted to do an evaluation of Timothy Hagins found him to be eligible for a conditional release from the state hospital.

According to previous reporting from The Gazette, Hagins, who has schizophrenia, turned violent after going off his medications. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the killing of retired Air Force Tech. Sgt. David Stechman in August 2016.

Hagins was accused of breaking into Stechman's home in Falcon before stabbing and strangling him. After leaving Stechman's home, Hagins allegedly entered another home shouting I am here to slaughter the lambs, before he was eventually stopped by a good Samaritan.

Fourth Judicial District Judge Theresa Cisneros handed down her insanity acquittal for Hagins in February 2018 at a bench trial lasting less than hour, according to previous reporting from The Gazette.

She based her verdict on the sole witness, Dr. Thomas Gray of the state hospital, who told the court that a lengthy evaluation by state psychiatrists had concluded that Hagins didn't know the difference between right and wrong and wasn't capable of forming criminal intent necessary for convictions.

In Hagins' June appearance in court, Dr. Jennifer Bundrick testified that her examination found Hagins was qualified for a conditional release from the state hospital. The prosecution and several of Stechman's family members strongly opposed Hagins' release.

He (Hagins) made the choice to stop his medication," Debbie Stechman, David Stechman's sister in-law, said at the June hearing. "It concerns me that he could be in a situation where he can stop taking his medication again."

It's insane," prosecutor Jennifer Viehman said of Hagins' request to be released from the hospital. "It's a horrifying concept to put him on conditional release."

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Judge Lin Billings-Vela in a written order obtained by The Gazette said that while there is clear evidence that Hagins has made significant progress in the state hospital, she could not grant his conditional release.

"Of great concern to the Court, however, is the fact that this progress has all been accomplished in a system which is specifically designed to ensure that Defendant continues to comply with the requirements of his treatment," Billings-Vela wrote in her court order.

Billings-Vela goes on to write that some of the rules broken by Hagins while at the state hospital  which included having inappropriate photos on his phone and using the computer in an unauthorized way  also presented a concern to the court.

"While these instances of rule breaking were characterized as minor or trivial, when the consequences of a potential deviation from Defendant's medication and treatment regime could be as potentially disastrous and horrific as the events that led up to the charges in this case, no deviation from the treatment plan can be considered minor," Billings-Vela wrote.

While Billings-Vela ruled against Hagins' release from the state hospital, she did grant Hagins with privileges of supervised visits off hospital grounds, which members of Hagins' treatment team testified in June was the next step forward in Hagins treatment plan.

Notably, the two members of Hagins' treatment team who testified at the June hearing did not advocate for Hagins' conditional release from the state hospital.

As a result of Billings-Vela's ruling, Hagins will remain at the state hospital with the exception of supervised visits off hospital grounds with hospital staff members.
A violent habitual offender was arrested early Tuesday morning after authorities say he fired at a sheriff's deputy, according to the El Paso County Sheriffs Office.

Officers with the Manitou Springs Police Department conducted a routine traffic stop around 12:30 a.m. near Colorado Avenue and Ridge Road in unincorporated El Paso County, authorities say.

Police identified one of the vehicles occupants, 32-year-old Wesley Braden, as a habitual offender wanted on several violent felony charges including domestic violence, attempted murder, first-degree assault with a deadly weapon resulting in serious bodily injury, possession of a weapon by a previous offender, felony menacing and aggravated robbery. Wesley also had misdemeanor and traffic-related charges.

Due to the violent nature of Bradens warrants, El Paso County sheriff's deputies arrived to assist Manitou police. Braden violently resisted when deputies attempted to arrest him and fired at least one round from a concealed handgun at a deputy, authorities said.

No law enforcement officials were injured during the incident. Authorities said the suspect was taken to the hospital with minor injuries following an arrest and was later booked into the El Paso County jail.

Braden now faces several additional charges including attempted first-degree murder of an officer, obstruction, resisting arrest and possession of a weapon by a previous offender. He is being held on a $1 million bond.
Elliott Bossetti was endlessly frustrated as a kid by an old family computer that never really worked right. If only she knew how to fix it, she thought.

So she learned. Bossetti took an IT class at school out of curiosity, followed by additional computer science and cybersecurity courses. Then she joined the robotics team to learn more about circuitry. She programmed microcontrollers for fun and acquired certifications in Cloud Essentials and IT.

Now, the first-generation college-student-to-be is being honored for her technical curiosities by way of a one-time $5,000 scholarship toward a four-year college or university of her choosing. She will use the money to explore her interests in cybersecurity and engineering.

It will allow me to advance my knowledge in topics Im interested in, said Bossetti, who will enter her senior year at Pine Creek High School this fall. The financial aid will definitely be helpful.

Bossetti is one of seven recipients of this years Future STEM Leaders scholarship courtesy of The Aerospace Corporation, a private, nonprofit research and development center for space that serves several national security, civil and commercial space organizations. Colorado Springs is home to one of Aerospaces five national locations, which each select standout scholars from a pool of local candidates.

The scholarship was established in 2021 to support underrepresented and underprivileged students in the pursuit of science, technology, engineering or math careers. Successful applicants are involved in their communities, demonstrate leadership initiative and are committed to pursuing STEM degrees.

According to Colorado Springs Aerospace outreach team members George Vazquez and Paul Deaderick, who helped evaluate this years batch of applications, Bossetti stood out for her articulate vision on using tech to solve problems. The two were especially impressed by her understanding of how emotional intelligence and people skills play into those solutions.

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You dont see that often in a young person, Deaderick said. You can always find a neat trick with technology, but if it ultimately doesnt serve people, its not a good solution. She had that nailed down.

Theres a lot more to STEM than just STEM, Vazquez added. Its about being well-rounded.  All those activities help you in STEM, right? Being a good writer, being able to communicate both written and verbal, and being a good advocate of what youre trying to push forward.

Bossetti said she is intrigued by the mentor aspect of the scholarship program, which pairs each student with a professional in a STEM career aligned with their own interests.

I havent really heard of any scholarships doing that before, Bossetti said. I think it might be a good opportunity to make connections, do some networking maybe, and learn from their experiences and have a reliable source to ask questions.

The mentor program exposes students to professionals who might look like them or come from similar backgrounds or struggles, Deaderick said. His hope is students might better visualize themselves in similar successful roles one day.

Correction: The Future STEM Leaders scholarship launched in 2021.
Republican state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer announced Wednesday that she will not seek a rematch against Democratic U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo in Colorado's battleground 8th Congressional District in next year's election.

Instead, Kirkmeyer said she will seek reelection to a second term in the legislature, where the Brighton lawmaker serves on the powerful Joint Budget Committee.

"My passion has always been for Colorado," Kirkmeyer said in a statement. "In 2024, I believe the best way for me to serve our great state is to run for reelection to the state Senate."

"I appreciate the many supporters who have encouraged me to run again for Colorados 8th Congressional District," she added. "Being the 2022 Republican nominee for CD 8 was the honor of a lifetime. My decision to instead run for reelection comes after careful consideration and deliberation."

Last year, Kirkmeyer narrowly lost to Caraveo, a former state representative from Thornton, in the evenly divided district, which covers portions of Adams, Weld and Larimer counties, from the suburbs north of Denver to Greeley.

The district has been targeted by both major parties ahead of next year's election. It's considered one of only a handful of toss-up seats nationally that could determine which party wins the majority in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

Hours after Kirkmeyer's announcement, Weld County Commissioner and county GOP chairman Scott James, who has been assembling a campaign team, filed paperwork to run for the seat.

A number of other Republicans have been mulling bids, including first-term state Rep. Gabe Evans, a former police officer and Army veteran from Fort Lupton; and Steve Moreno, a former Weld County commissioner and county clerk.

Other possible candidates include Joe O'Dea, the 2022 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, who owns a Denver-based construction company and lives in Greenwood Village; and former state Rep. Dan Woog, an Erie real estate broker who lost a bid for reelection to the legislature last year.

Weld County Commissioner Lori Saine, who ran for the congressional seat last year but finished third in the GOP primary, told Colorado Politics that she plans to seek reelection to the county commission next year rather than make another run in the 8th CD.

Before her election to the state Senate in 2020, Kirkmeyer served five nonconsecutive terms as a Weld County commissioner and headed the state Department of Local Affairs under Republican Gov. Bill Owens.

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Although Kirkmeyer won election to represent Senate District 23 by roughly 10 percentage points, the seat leans more heavily Republican following redistricting in 2021  by 21.5 percentage points, according to a nonpartisan analysis for the independent redistricting commission.

Noting that she's helped pass dozens of bills even while Democrats hold an overwhelming majority in the legislature, Kirkmeyer said in a lengthy statement released on Wednesday that she relishes the opportunity to continue fighting for conservative principles.

"Many people ask me, Why would you want to stay in a legislature dominated by liberal Democrats? My answer? Politics should be about improving peoples lives, ensuring opportunities for all Coloradans, and I love a good fight," Kirkmeyer said.

"These past three years, Ive enjoyed exposing the folly of far-left policies; promoting common-sense, center-right alternative policies so kids can obtain a quality education to set them up for success; working to ensure that everyone gets to participate in the vision of our Colorado; and fostering policies that reduce crime and promote safety."

Alongside her "out-numbered Republican colleagues," Kirkmeyer said she has been "making a difference for Colorados working families and for the conservative cause in the face of tremendous challenge."

Added Kirkmeyer: "I want to continue that fight and ultimately make sure all of us can pursue our dreams."

This month, Kirkmeyer has been among Republicans leading demands for Gov. Jared Polis to call a special session of the legislature this summer to address an anticipated jump in next year's property taxes and to respond to a recent court ruling that allows suspects accused of capital offenses to post bond.

Polis, a Democrat, demurred last week on both counts.

Instead, Polis said he wants voters to weigh in this November on a Democratic-sponsored ballot measure, Proposition HH, which would use TABOR refund money to lower property taxes for 10 years.

The governor's office also says voters will have to amend the state constitution to fix what officials call an "unintended consequence" of repealing the death penalty three years ago. That created a conflict in the law by abolishing capital offenses, resulting in the court decision making suspects accused of what used to be capital crimes eligible to be released on bail. Under TABOR, voters can't consider that question until 2024.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include that Weld County Commissioner Scott James, a Republican, filed to run for the congressional seat hours after Kirkmeyer's announcement.
By James Pearson and Christopher Bing

WASHINGTON/LONDON (Reuters) - Chinese state-linked hackers since May have secretly accessed email accounts at around 25 organizations, including at least two U.S. government agencies, Microsoft and U.S. officials said on Wednesday.

The United States detected a breach of federal government accounts "fairly rapidly" and managed to prevent further breaches, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America" program.

The U.S. State and Commerce Departments said in statements that they were among the affected agencies.

The email accounts of Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Department of State officials were also hacked, The Washington Post reported, citing U.S. officials familiar with the matter.

Raimondo is the only known Cabinet-level official to have their account breached in the incident.

A senior U.S. government official told reporters it would be unfair to compare it to the SolarWinds compromise, a sweeping set of digital break-ins that were disclosed in late 2020 and blamed on Russian cyberspies.

"This intrusion should not be compared to SolarWinds," the official said, calling the recently discovered campaign "much narrower."

The U.S. official said he could not comment on Microsoft's decision to attribute the hack to China.

Microsoft said in a statement that the hacking group - which it dubbed Storm-0558 - forged digital authentication tokens to access webmail accounts running on the firm's Outlook service. The activity began in May, Microsoft said.

"As with any observed nation-state actor activity, Microsoft has contacted all targeted or compromised organizations directly via their tenant admins and provided them with important information to help them investigate and respond," the company added.

Microsoft did not say which organizations or governments had been affected, but added that the hacking group involved primarily targets entities in Western Europe.

China's embassy in London called the accusation "disinformation" and called the U.S. government "the world's biggest hacking empire and global cyber thief." China routinely denies involvement in hacking operations regardless of the available evidence or context.

White House National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge said an intrusion in Microsoft's cloud security "affected unclassified systems," without elaborating.

"Officials immediately contacted Microsoft to find the source and vulnerability in their cloud service," Hodge added.

The State Department "detected anomalous activity" and "took immediate steps to secure our systems," a department spokesperson said in a statement. The Commerce Department said it took "immediate action" after Microsoft notified it of a compromise.

Private sector cybersecurity experts have said newly discovered hacking activity shows how Chinese groups are improving their cyber capabilities.

"Chinese cyber espionage has come a long way from the smash-and-grab tactics many of us are familiar with," said John Hultquist, chief analyst for U.S. cybersecurity firm Mandiant.

(Editing by Alistair Bell and Diane Craft)
By John Irish and Niklas Pollard

VILNIUS (Reuters) - G7 countries on Wednesday unveiled an international framework for the long-term security of Ukraine to boost its defences against Russia and deter Moscow from future aggression, officials said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was meeting leaders of NATO at a summit of the 31-member Western alliance, a day after they declared that Ukraine's future lay inside NATO but rebuffed his call for a timeline for membership.

Unable to join NATO while the war with Russia continues - given that NATO's Article 5, stipulating that an attack on one member is an attack on all, could push it into war with Russia - Ukraine nevertheless reaped rewards in the form of current and long-term security commitments it has lobbied for.

NATO has pointedly refrained from giving military assistance to Ukraine as an organisation, to avoid entering a direct conflict with Russia, and is keen to continue leaving that to member states and others.

Britain, France, Germany and the United States have been negotiating with Kyiv for weeks over a multilateral text tocreate a broad international framework, encompassing elements including advanced military equipment, such as fighter jets, as well as training, intelligence-sharing and cyberdefence.

The Group of Seven major industrialised countries said in a statement: "Today we are launching negotiations with Ukraine to formalize - through bilateral security commitments and arrangements aligned with this multilateral framework, in accordance with our respective legal and constitutional requirements - our enduring support to Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity."

U.S. President Joe Biden said at the signing ceremony for the plan that it was "a powerful statement of our commitment to Ukraine".

Zelenskiy said: "Today there are security guarantees for Ukraine on the way to NATO...that shall be further extended through arrangements with our key partners.

"(Our) delegation is bringing home significant a security victory for Ukraine," he added.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the G7 move misguided and "potentially very dangerous" for the West to give Ukraine security guarantees, which it said would infringe on Russia's own security.

Moscow has cited NATO's eastern enlargement towards its borders as a factor in its decision last year to invade Western-leaning Ukraine, which was once part of the old Russian-dominated Soviet Union.

The G7, which comprises the United States, Germany, Japan, France, Canada, Italy and Britain, as well as the European Union, said other countries could also sign on to make their own commitments.

The declaration said the G7 nations would begin bilateral talks with Ukraine immediately.

"The new document should be valid for as long as Ukraine is not in NATO," Zelenskiy told a separate news conference. "Today's declaration opens that possibility with strong bilateral agreements," he went on, adding that the best guarantee was still to be in the alliance itself.

'TIME NOT ON RUSSIAN SIDE'

In return, the G7 statement said, Ukraine will promise measures to improve democratic governance, including through judicial and economic reforms and enhanced transparency.

"We will work with Ukraine on an enhanced package of security commitments and arrangements in case of future aggression to enable Ukraine to defend its territory and sovereignty," the G7 said.

"This multilateral declaration will send a significant signal to Russia that time is not on its side," a White House official told reporters.

A U.S. official said Washington would begin its own negotiations with Kyiv soon. President Joe Biden has spoken about using U.S. support for Israel as a possible model.

U.S. military aid for Israel is worth about $3.5 billion a year, but the relationship also entails a great deal of political support.

Germany has already said that it would initially provide 12 billion euros in military support for Ukraine through 2032, including 3.2 billion euros for 2023.

France, which said on Tuesday it would supply long-range cruise missiles to Kyiv for the first time, is also negotiating with Ukraine, but will possibly face tough discussions in parliament as it debates its military budget from 2025 to 2030.

Speaking to reporters, British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said his country and others envisaged sending personnel to Ukraine after the war to keep training its armed forces.

(This story has been refiled to remove garble from paragraph 15)

(Additional reporting by Andrew Gray, Steve Holland, Sabine Siebold and Justyna Pawlak; editing by Alex Richardson and Mark Heinrich)
Public approval ratings for President Joe Biden have fallen closer to the lowest levels of his presidency, according to a new survey.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll, released Wednesday, showed the incumbent president's approval fell to 40% in early July, slightly down one percentage point from the rating in June.

MAJORITY THINKS ABORTION EASY TO OBTAIN EVEN AFTER DOBBS, POLL FINDS

Biden's lowest point so far was recorded in May 2022 at 36% public approval, before it rose to 40%, where it has rested around that number ever since.

Twenty-one percent of respondents said the economy was their top concern, and 15% expressed worry about crime or corruption.

The poll was released after Biden announced his Bidenomics vision last month, allowing the Democratic president to take credit for improving the American economy. The White House is continuing its economic tour as first lady Jill Biden visits key 2024 battleground states, including Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, over the next two weeks, Bloomberg reported.

Biden's rating is close to former President Donald Trump's 41% approval at the same time of his presidency.

The poll also asked respondents about the recent news surrounding the Supreme Court's most controversial decisions.

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Regarding the court's striking of Biden's student loan forgiveness program, respondents were nearly split in their opinions  49% supported the court's decision, and 48% opposed it. As for the end of affirmative action in higher education admissions, a 60% majority supported the ruling.

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Additionally, about 70% of respondents said they support term limits for Supreme Court justices, with 85% of Democrats and 56% of Republicans in support.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted among 1,028 adults over a three-day period that ended Monday and has a margin of error of three percentage points.

Original Location: Biden public approval near lowest levels of his presidency: Poll

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The FBI and a Ukrainian intelligence agency worked in tandem to stop Russian disinformation on social media but instead ended up ensnaring authentic American accounts, including a verified Russian language State Department account, according to a new report released by the House Judiciary Committee.

The report accuses the FBI of relying too heavily on the Ukrainian government's assessments of the social media accounts and sailing to vet them on their own. The assessments were done by one of Ukraine's top intelligence agencies, the SBU, which at the time was infiltrated by Russian actors. This led to several American accounts being flagged as Russian disinformation, even those that were critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

2024 HOPEFULS DEFEND KIM REYNOLDS AFTER TRUMP ATTACK

The information in the report comes from a number of subpoenas issued in February to Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and Alphabet, the parent company of Google and YouTube, as well as a number of interviews with employees. It was compiled in tandem with the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the FBI sought to censor Russian disinformation about the attack on social media, which included the bureau passing on tips about accounts spreading information to social media companies. But, the report alleges that a lot of these accounts weren't vetted properly, and even if they were, the FBI had no legal basis to request their removal.

"Regardless of its intended purpose in endorsing the SBU's requests, the FBI had no legal justification for facilitating the censorship of Americans' protected speech on social media," the report reads.

The FBI did not respond to a request for comment.

According to the report, the process was the SBU would "identify and impair suspected Russian influence operations on social media" and then enlist the help of the FBI by "transmitting to the FBI lists of social media accounts that allegedly spread Russian disinformation.'" In turn, the FBI then "routinely relayed these lists to the relevant social media platforms, which distributed the information internally to their employees in charge of content moderation and enforcement."

In March 2022 alone, the FBI, in cahoots with the SBU, flagged more than 25 social media accounts to Meta and Alphabet that were allegedly producing Russian disinformation.

On March 2, 2022, the FBI sent a list of accounts to Meta with the subject line "additional accounts received from the SBU  believed to be involved in disinformation." Included were a list of Instagram accounts that the SBU accused of, in part, "distribut[ing] content that promotes war, inaccurately reflects events in Ukraine, justifies Russian war crimes in Ukraine in violation of international law."

One of those accounts was a verified State Department Instagram account. According to the report, neither the FBI nor SBU provided an explanation as to how the State Department account was involved in Russian disinformation.

But at the time of the request, the SBU was being led by Ivan Bakanov, who would later be fired by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky because it had come to light that members had been collaborating with Russia. According to Zelensky at the time, more than 651 cases of alleged treason and collaboration had been opened with about 60 officials from the SBU and other agencies actively working against Ukraine.

"Given that the SBU was compromised by a network of Russian collaborators, sympathizers, and double agents at the time of its interactions with the FBI, the FBI's uncritical cooperation with the SBU's requests is deeply concerning," the report says.

In addition to the State Department Instagram being flagged, the FBI also passed along to Meta on behalf of the SBU an account from an American journalist who served on the staff of a "self-styled socialist' news organization based in the United States."

The FBI also sought to censor Russian disinformation on Google platforms. According to a senior Google employee interviewed by the committee, the primary sources of the censorship requests were "the Ukrainian government, other Eastern European governments, the European Union, and the European Commission." The employee testified that the Department of Justice would "route" the requests from the foreign entities to the company.

The FBI and SBU also sought to censor American journalists on Twitter, the report found. The former head of Twitter's Trust and Safety Team, Yoel Roth, warned the FBI that the accounts they had accused of "spreading fear and disinformation" included a "mix of individuals," including "American and Canadian journalists." Roth asked the FBI for "additional information or context" on the accounts.

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The FBI responded to Roth by saying it is "unlikely there will be any additional information or context."

This report comes just days before the director of the FBI, Christopher Wray, is set to testify in front of the House Judiciary Committee and amid a fight about whether or not to fund the DOJ fully.

The FBI is also asking for funds for a new headquarters, which is something that House Republicans were already not keen on funding.

Next steps

In light of these new revelations, House Republicans have increased their calls for reforms within the FBI, alleging the agency is corrupt and saying the need for new leadership is necessary.

"New evidence is revealed almost daily now to prove the leadership of the FBI has corrupted the agency," Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA), who sits on Judiciary and the Weaponization subcommittee, said in a statement. "This report shows the leadership was co-opted by fake foreign intelligence, volunteered that information to big tech platforms, then used the fake intelligence to censor both American citizens and journalists. The FBI has violated its mandate to protect Americans in pursuit of leftwing causes, and through the appropriations process and Congressional investigations, House Republicans will deliver reform of our intelligence agencies."

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said he is working with Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) on legislation "that would give the taxpayer, the citizen, some greater rights" and hopes to have those bills ready soon.

Jordan also said Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act 702 would not be reauthorized without "huge" reforms.

The 702 portion of the FISA law relates to what is described as "a key provision" of FISA "that permits the government to conduct targeted surveillance of foreign persons located outside the United States."

Jordan also praised the preliminary injunction by a federal judge that blocked contact between the Biden administration officials and social media companies ruling that the two were working together to censor speech.

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Looking forward to Wednesday's Judiciary hearing with Wray, Jordan said he hopes to get some real answers out of the FBI director about issues that he finds very concerning.

"This is the FBI that has retaliated against whistleblowers. It's the FBI who was cited in Judge Doughtry's decision in federal court last week about censoring American Speech. Yet, they want a new headquarters, the idea that they want to reauthorize 702 FISA in its current form is just ridiculous," Jordan said.

Original Location: FBI and a Ukrainian intelligence agency collaborated on social media purge, House panel claims

Washington Examiner Videos
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) is demanding accountability from Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on the pandemic-era remote work practices still lingering in his department.

"As Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), I am committed to ensuring that HHS lives up to its mission 'to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans,'" wrote Cassidy in a letter to Becerra sent on Wednesday.

INFLATION DROPS TO 3% IN MAJOR BOOST FOR BIDEN AND BIDENOMICS

When Becerra testified before the Senate Finance Committee in March, he could not account for the percentage of the approximately 90,000 HHS employees still working remotely.

As of September 2022, 78% of workers for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, under the purview of HHS, worked remotely. Comparatively, estimates suggest that between 27% and 50% of the total United States workforce are remote at least part-time.

"The public health conditions that led to widespread, full-time remote work, therefore, are no longer present," said Cassidy, citing the official end of the COVID-19 emergency declaration in May.

The letter stipulates that by July 26, Becerra must provide "a complete accounting of the telework practices" across the sub-agencies of HHS, including policies and procedures governing remote work as well as the exact number of in-person employees and the days worked on-site per week.

Cassidy also asked Becerra to provide information on whether HHS monitors the productivity of remote employees compared to in-person workers.

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Opinion polls show that Americans in the private sector like working from home, with 87% of workers taking the opportunity to do so if offered it by an employer. A flexible working arrangement is now the third top motivator in finding a new job, only slightly below looking for greater pay and career advancement opportunities.

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At a time with leadership changes and significant internal restructuring in the wake of the pandemic, however, Cassidy said, greater accountability of the remote work practices at HHS is imperative.

"HHS cannot accomplish [its] mission from [employees'] living rooms, particularly if they work for organizations within HHS that are undergoing reorganizations and culture changes," wrote Cassidy.

Original Location: GOP senator demands Becerra say how many HHS employees are still working remotely

Washington Examiner Videos
Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) announced his campaign for U.S. Senate has raised nearly $1 million since announcing his candidacy in late April in what is expected to be a heated GOP primary to challenge Joe Manchin (D-WV) for his Senate seat in 2024.

At the end of the second fundraising quarter for the year, Justice raised $935,035 from 5,526 individual donors, with 93% of the donors giving less than $100, according to the campaign. They also emphasized no personal funds from Justice were included in those totals.

WALL OF WASTE: BIDEN CANCELS TRUMP BARRIER BUT QUIETLY FILLS IN HALF THE GAPS

"Gov. Justice has received tremendous support from West Virginians and those who have confidence in his leadership and conservative record of achievements in West Virginia," said Roman Stauffer, the campaign manager for Jim Justice for U.S. Senate. "In only 64 days, with no prior federal fundraising experience, Gov. Justice raised nearly $1 million and continues to be the strongest Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in West Virginia."

Justice's entrance into the race comes after the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the Senate Leadership Fund, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-KY) political action committee, spent months recruiting the term-limited governor who is popular in the state and brings deep pockets as a wealthy businessman, setting up a clash with the party's more conservative wing which has made it clear they intend to support Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV).

The Justice campaign noted the fundraising haul is significantly more than Mooney, who launched a Senate run last year and raised $505,000 and ended the quarter with nearly $1.4 million on hand.

Mooney has the backing of the Club for Growth, the influential conservative group known to spend heavily in recent Republican primaries. He also has been endorsed by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Mike Lee (R-UT).

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Republicans see the West Virginia Senate race as one of their most essential pickup opportunities to regain control of the Senate, which Democrats hold by a slim 51-49 margin. Manchin has held on to his seat despite West Virginia trending more red throughout his 12 years in the Senate. He is the last Democrat to hold statewide office.

Manchin is the only Senate Democrat in a competitive race who has not yet said if he's running for reelection, which could explain his relatively small fundraising haul last quarter at just $371,000. However, Manchin's campaign ended the first quarter of the year with $9.7 million, the most money of any of the other vulnerable senators.

Original Location: Jim Justice raises nearly $1 million ahead of bruising GOP Senate primary in West Virginia

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Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) said the nation's capital has become more like a scene out of the action film series Mad Max after local lawmakers "decided that cops were a bigger problem than criminals."

"Look, it is hard not to notice. I live here part-time," Kennedy told Fox News Tonight. "There are now streets in Washington, D.C., that look like they are out of a scene from Mad Max. It wasn't always that way. What happened? It's not quantum physics."

WALL OF WASTE: BIDEN CANCELS TRUMP BARRIER BUT QUIETLY FILLS IN HALF THE GAPS

"Three years ago, D.C. lawmakers decided that cops were a bigger problem than criminals. So, they defunded the police  cut them $15 million. Those D.C. lawmakers said, We want justice.' Well, don't we all?" Kennedy continued.

Kennedy said he had two "newsflashes" for those supportive of defunding the police: "Without order, there can be no justice." He added that law enforcement is needed to stop those who commit crimes.

"Unless you have a history of disappointing your parents, you know or should know that there are some people in this world  I don't know why  but they are not sick. They are not mixed up. They're not confused. It's not that their mother or father didn't love them enough," Kennedy said. "They are just antisocial, and by that, I mean, they hurt other people. And they take other people's stuff. We have to separate them from society. Hugging them and giving them hot cocoa is not going to work. That's why we need cops."

The Louisiana senator suggested that while there are "bad cops," the majority of them are "not bad people, and they will leave you alone unless you do illegal stuff."

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Kennedy's comments come after the D.C. Council passed an emergency public safety bill on Tuesday to address the rising crime in the city.

As of Tuesday, homicides are up 17%, total violent crime is up 33%, and all recorded crime is up 30% compared to this time last year, per Metropolitan Police Department data.

Original Location: John Kennedy says DC resembles scene from Mad Max film: Without order, there can be no justice

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House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said Hunter Biden prosecutor David Weiss must answer Congress's questions.

While McCarthy refused to say whether or not he would subpoena the prosecutor, he used strong words to call for Weiss to testify, according to TheMessenger.

WALL OF WASTE: BIDEN CANCELS TRUMP BARRIER BUT QUIETLY FILLS IN HALF THE GAPS

"Well, he's gonna have to," McCarthy said to reporters on Tuesday when told that Weiss refused to talk about the Biden inquiry due to it being an investigation.

"I think you cannot sit back and hide behind and have an attorney general say one thing, you say something else in private. What do you have to hide?" he added when asked if he would subpoena Weiss.

McCarthy stressed the importance of Weiss testifying for Congress to obtain answers in its investigation into alleged criminal misdeeds by the first son.

"There's a lot of questions here that continue to rise from every time the more you look it," he said. "Weiss has not come before us and talked to us. Weiss wrote a letter that raises even more questions."

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Weiss made known his intention not to speak publicly about the criminal investigation into Biden in a letter sent to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, on Monday.

"Since the whistleblowers' allegations relate to a criminal investigation that is currently being prosecuted in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, I have a duty to protect confidential law enforcement information and deliberative communications related to the case," he wrote. "As I likewise indicated, I welcome the opportunity to respond to these claims in more detail at the appropriate future time, as authorized by the law and Department policy."

Original Location: McCarthy says Weiss must answer Congresss questions: What do you have to hide?'

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The number of Oregonians afflicted by drug-related overdoses has been on the rise, reaching a record high in 2022, with fentanyl playing a major role.

The opioid crisis in the state has been ongoing for decades, and Oregon's largest county is taking a controversial approach to provide drug users with tools needed in a harm reduction effort.

INFLATION DROPS TO 3% IN MAJOR BOOST FOR BIDEN AND BIDENOMICS

In an effort to reduce the harm that comes from sharing needles or drug tools, leaders in Multnomah County passed controversial measures, allowing for the distribution of tinfoil and straws to fentanyl users at sites across Portland, which were quickly paused.

In Multnomah County, fatal opioid-related overdoses saw an extreme rise from 2018 to 2021, with deaths increasing by 533%, according to data reported by leaders from the Multnomah County Health Department last month.

Officials outlined a set of strategies aimed at reducing the negative health, legal, and social impact associated with drug use during a Multnomah County Board of Commissioners meeting at the end of June.

"Harm reduction is often a topic that is sensationalized or misrepresented in public and media discourse. But make no mistake: The work is not only lifesaving but also a critical way to form trusting, safe relationships with community members who have been otherwise marginalized," Jessica Guernsey, county public health director, said while giving a presentation on harm reduction tactics.

Despite the Multnomah County Health Department's plans to move forward with distributing resources at monitored sites, the department paused the measure after receiving backlash from lawmakers and concerned residents.

"Our health department went forward with this proposal without proper implementation protocols," Multnomah County Chairwoman Jessica Vega Pederson told KGW-TV on Tuesday. "And in that light, I am suspending the program pending further analysis."

On top of unconventional approaches to lessen the harm from drug use, the state also faces a staffing shortage in the addiction and recovery workforce, causing unprecedented hurdles and wait times for those seeking treatment.

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Former Oregon Gov. Kate Brown declared addiction a public health crisis in 2018, ordering the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission to create an approach to tackle the issue. The plan, released in 2020, detailed guidelines up to 2025 and pushed for more recovery resources.

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However, despite available funding, a state report from 2022 found that 30% of current jobs in addiction and recovery fields are unfilled.

The troubles in Multnomah County point to a broader issue on a state and national level. According to the Oregon Health Authority, fentanyl and other synthetic opioid deaths rose 83% from 2020 to 2021. The report found the increase in fentanyl-related deaths is particularly alarming among racial minorities, with black people and non-Hispanic American Indians or Alaska Natives at the highest risk of unintentional drug overdoses resulting in death.

Original Location: Oregon slams brakes on drug plan as fentanyl deaths rise

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The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee has stooped to burdening military personnel in his attempt to move Space Command from Colorado Springs to his home state of Alabama.

Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers, R-Alabama, abused his chairmanship in May by suggesting Space Command cease any progress until moved to Alabama. This advice, while potentially helpful to Rogers Alabama approval numbers, flies against the best interests of our countrys national defense. Space Command is in a race to keep up with foreign aggressors and has no time to spare.

That was last month. On Tuesday, Americans learned Rogers used his chairmanship to block a routine request from the Department of Defense to reallocate funds. Rogers reportedly blocked the funds as part of his quest to move Space Command.

Because Rogers wont release the funds, the Air Force is suspending reenlistment bonuses and putting some base reassignments on hold. If this continues, well see other ramifications throughout the military.

It is a sad day when the chairman of Armed Services imposes harm on our military so he can win acclaim in Sweet Home Alabama. As chairman of Armed Services, Rogers should hold the safety and security of all 50 states as his highest value.

If national security were the chairmans highest cause, he would never consider harming military recruitment by denying signing bonus funds. He would do nothing to interfere with the critical work at Space Command or any part of our military establishment. He would never play games with our military assets.

In holding up the funds, Rogers brought out some of the best in our own Sen. John Hickenlooper.

Chairman Mike Rogers decision to block the Department of Defense from routinely reallocating funds is dangerous and harmful, Hickenlooper wrote in a statement. The Alabama delegation is holding our military service members hostage. They are risking our national security to get what they want."

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He continued: This is not how our nation should make basing decisions. Period. It is, however, how you penalize our troops for the sake of narrow political interests, Hickenlooper wrote.

Well stated, senator. Alabama should not hold our military hostage to commandeer a new command. Rogers should stop abusing the military to benefit his home state. And, of course, this is not how we should make basing decisions.

Basing decisions must reflect the best interests of national security. With that as the highest order of business, one cannot make a case for moving Space Command to an army base in Alabama. The command resides at Peterson Space Force Base in the same community as the United States Air Force Academy, Space Force and too many other major aerospace assets to list.

China, North Korea and Russia are all in a race to militarily dominate space. Each would be delighted to see Space Command packing boxes, moving desks and traversing the country to start all over with the disruptions of colleagues who would not relocate and the burdens of learning new terrain.

Moving Space Command was a bad call by former President Donald Trump. Voters ousted him in 2020, meaning they no longer wanted him as their Commander-in-Chief. Instead, they wanted President Joe Biden to command the military.

Here we are, more than three years past Trumps dangerous call, and Space Command remains in limbo. Meanwhile, we have Rogers ready and willing to torture our military if it doesn't go his way.

President Biden could and should put a stop to this before things get more out of hand. He need only reverse a bad call by the man he replaced at the will of the public.
What did they expect?

In response to R.W. Zimmermanns letter Sunday, this year I believe we all noticed the massive amounts of illegal fireworks going off. Only my thinking was consumed from a different angle. More of: What did they expect?

When COVID first invaded our thinking in early 2020, the Memorial Park Celebration and most all other large public displays were cancelled in an over abundance of caution for spreading the disease. For the next couple years, thanks to political fear mongering and what we now know was mostly fabrications by the media, they were cancelled again. Why again this year, I have no idea. Whatever the reason, the current problem I believe lies in their answer to it all: Fireworks from your porch!

This is Colorado Springs in the Rocky Mountain State and most of us live in hilly, well established neighborhoods with beautiful large trees and watching legal fireworks from our porch only exists in somebodys P.R. fantasy. Those that we can see are just the shine over the trees coming from miles away. In my neighborhood, the answer has become private, illegal fireworks being shot off in the nearby park, that this year by the way were fantastic! And from our vantage point on a high spot in that park, we could see many other neighborhoods in our end of town had the same idea.

As much as the hundred or so neighbors gathered in the park that night enjoyed it, I couldnt help but wonder; Why has the Independence Day Celebration in Memorial Park and many other places not resumed? The COVID Emergency is and has been officially over. With the sudden windfall of 44% increase in property taxes we have all been suckered into, they can surely afford it.

I am certain myself and my family arent the only ones that miss the community celebrations of food, music and then the huge fireworks every year. It is pretty obvious with the noticeable rise in neighborhood illegal displays that we as a community arent very interested in watching flickering lights miles away from our porch, if we can see them at all.

Would resuming city celebrations in Memorial Park and other places giving people a place to go see them reduce the amount of illegal displays we see, or is the genie out of the bottle now and there is no going back? Who knows? However, in regards to the increase in illegal displays you have to ask: What did they expect?

Tim W. Smith

Colorado Springs

Police wont respond

I would like to expand on R.W. Zimmermanns letter regarding illegal fireworks. For 30 years, my neighbors have moved themselves out of their house and into our street at about 11 p.m. They then proceed to spend the next three hours setting off illegal fireworks, right in front of my house. Not only does it wake me and my husband up, but we are unable to fall back asleep until the onslaught ceases. I dread it every year.

This year, my two elderly dogs (our bedroom faces the front of the house) who are nine years old were especially impacted. When we arose Wednesday morning, they were cowered in the corner of the bedroom, and not on their beds. They are still cowering in the corner a solid four days later.

Fireworks in the city of Colorado Springs are illegal. Tuesday morning, the local news station issued a PSA. Do not call 911 if you are aware of illegal fireworks. Please leave those emergency calls for the real tragedies such as automobile accidents, shootings, homicides and other ghastly situations.

That is the reason these people continue to conduct the illegal activity of setting off fireworks. They know the police will not respond. They laugh at the absurdity of the ritual of being reminded that fireworks in the city of Colorado Springs are illegal. They do this on New Years Eve too. Generally not as long because it is rather cold out then. So unfair to law abiding citizens and particularly unfair to our four legged family members.

Trish Beyer

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Colorado Springs

Unbelievable and unacceptable

Regarding the front page article Sunday July 9 entitled Assisted Living, Troubled Deaths, it is with great dismay that I have recently discovered that the Colorado Department of Public Health does not have to be informed about injuries at assisted living facilities.

A family member recently fell and fractured their pelvis in three places while under the direct supervision of the facility employees. The facility informed me that they had contacted CDPHE and they were instructed that unless there was a brain injury, no reporting was required. In disbelief, I went to the website and discovered primarily only unexplained deaths; brain or spinal cord injuries; severe burns; missing persons; physical, verbal or sexual abuse; and neglect have to be reported. So even if my family member had 50 broken bones from a situation at an assisted living, CDPHE would not wanted to know. To me that is unbelievable and unacceptable.

Carol Downs

Colorado Springs

Why are we rushing through life?

As an old person, yes, old... not a senior, that was when I was graduating from school  old and realizing that when people

commented on how fast life went, they werent just kidding, it does. Yesterday I was full of energy, doing multiple things in a day, and today, well, not. All of a sudden my children are almost as old as I am!

This is why Id like to know why the rush. Summer just started and in the stores its Back to School time. Summer in the past was long, hot, fun time. Now, turn your back and its over. And then there are the holidays. Halloween appears before we have time to adjust to school and Thanksgiving is right on its tail, with Christmas showing up before we have time to enjoy Thanksgiving, New Years Eve crowding its way in to follow. While these holidays are not far apart, its the stores I am addressing here. Do we have to see the school supplies in July? The Christmas decorations in September? I remember when there was time to enjoy each one and time to look forward to the next, and it was so much better. Why rush through life? I know its greed  get people in to buy, buy, buy, and do it before someone else does.

People are so anxious to be older, to reach an age ahead. Drivers drive at break-neck speeds to get somewhere faster risking their lives as well as the lives of others. Parents cant wait until their kids get old enough to do whatever comes next. And on, and on.

We all seem to think we have forever to take care of any problems we have, why worry. Well, when one day youre 20 and suddenly, your kids and maybe your grandkids are not kids anymore. It races by and its a shock to your system to realize you are feeling the things OLD people feel, your hair is turning gray, and you are the oldest person in the room often.

Stop rushing, folks!

Sally Alberts

Monument
Dozens of civic, political and private sector leaders from throughout Colorado met online Tuesday to kick off a months-long conversation designed to produce a long-term game plan for growth in a state that's used to shouting about the topic.

The organizers of the ambitious initiative, dubbed the Colorado Project, said they hope the endeavor will also demonstrate that advocates representing a range of competing interests can reach the kind of consensus that seems elusive in the current, polarizing climate.

Participants said the end result  expected by the end of the year or early next year  will lay out a "sustainable and inclusive" plan for growth, addressing key aspects, from water and energy needs to workforce and housing challenges.

Sponsored by the University of Denver's Korbel School of International Studies and its Scrivner Institute of Public Policy, organizers said they envision the program as an annual project involving the university's students to help sort out longstanding challenges confronting the state. Participants plan to meet regularly  in person, starting with a session this week in Buena Vista, and remotely.

"The idea of the Colorado Project is to provide a forum for the community and policy leaders from across the state with different sets of expertise and different backgrounds and different perspectives to help shape an economic future for Colorado that's inclusive of all, that's economically sustainable, and that really maintains what is great about this state," said Fritz Mayer, dean of the Korbel School, in welcoming remarks on the Zoom teleconference platform.

"At its heart, the initiative is both about building a stronger Colorado and about strengthening democracy."

Mayer added that he believes the project can not only produce "innovative and compelling policy ideas" but can also be a "model for how meaningful engagement among community and policy leaders can reduce the polarization that we see, can improve policy and really strengthen the spirit of democracy in the state."

One goal, said Scrivner Institute Director Naazneen Barma is to use the "nonpartisan convening power of the university ... to serve as a platform for these substantively hard and politically difficult discussions that need to happen if we're going to move the state and the country forward in the context of our democratic project."

It's a tall order, a series of speakers agreed, though they all expressed confidence that the more than three dozen assembled community leaders can make it happen.

"If I were going to put together a group of people in Colorado to solve whatever problems that afflict us, this is the group of people I would put together," said U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, whose wife, Susan Daggett, the executive director of the Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute, is among the group. Others a bank president, a suburban mayor, a rural county commissioner, leading environmentalists, a power company executive and representatives of the state's farming and ranching industries.

Bennet lamented that too many Americans "are giving up" on what he termed the country's potential of pluralistic democracy and suggested that the project could be an antidote.

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"We're broken in many places," Bennet said. "I think there are a lot of reasons why Colorado can set the example but I think you guys in particular can do it."

Bennet compared the project to the process that yielded a national immigration reform proposal more than a decade ago when former U.S. Sen. Hank Brown, who also spoke at the event Tuesday, convened a similar group.

Brown cautioned against misunderstanding the connection between growth and the state's water resources, arguing that those concerned about rampant growth tend to focus on the wrong thing.

"We do indeed have a water problem, but it's not a water shortage, as many people think," Brown said. Noting that the vast bulk of water consumed in the state goes to agricultural use, not municipalities, Brown added: "We have more than enough water for more growth than any of us would ever want for the state of Colorado. But, tragically, people have in their concern over growth in Colorado have become opposed to water projects and water storage."

"The simple reality is this," Brown continued. "The victim of not building adequate water storage is our environment, not our growth. Growth will be there, whether we want it or not. What will be a challenge for us is the impact of growth on the environment. Without water storage, we have a chance of destroying much of the wonderful environment we have."

He urged the project's participants to "develop an education system or a system that helps Colorado understand our need for water storage," calling that outcome a "great favor" for the state.

Lone Tree Mayor Jackie Millet said she was excited at the prospect of getting to work on such thorny questions.

"I think it's really important to stress that this is a bipartisan effort," she said. "This is not a D or an R, it's not a red or a blue. I think it is a really wonderful opportunity to meaningfully engage with a diverse group of individuals to make our state stronger. It is a collaborative effort to ensure Colorado is strategically positioned to deliver an inclusive, sustainable future for the people and the businesses that are blessed to call this state home."

JB Holston, a consultant who specializes in sustainable and inclusive growth, said it's all connected.

"I think that the basic theory of the case here is that our future lives and livelihoods have to be sustainable and inclusive and growing," he said. "And while that may sound like pablum, I think it is very easy to not understand how interrelated all those things are.

"So I think the perspective that I come to this with, is that clearly we need to have a sustainable future from a climate perspective. Inclusion is fundamental to who America is, and we're still on that journey. But you can't deliver on those two without growth, and to a greater degree those conversations have been too siloed. So I think this is an opportunity to bring those together and in the classic, collaborative Colorado way  work together to figure out what we can do as a state to grow faster than our competitors by embracing these things, collectively."
A federal judge has declined to reconsider her dismissal of a Colorado Springs man's lawsuit, involving his termination from a defense contracting company because he refused to abide by corporate COVID-19 protocols.

Michael S. Freeman II, representing himself in court, alleged Raytheon Technologies and multiple federal officials violated his rights by issuing and enforcing requirements for employees to either vaccinate against COVID-19 or test and wear masks before entering company facilities. Earlier this year, U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney dismissed his claims, finding Freeman's allegations were insufficient to establish liability.

Freeman then asked Sweeney to overturn her ruling, accusing her and U.S. Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter of being "inept" and "fabricating" details. He asked both judges to recuse themselves and to have his case heard before a different judge.

"These unsubstantiated and unreasonable allegations," responded Sweeney on June 28, "fall far short of the high bar required to establish bias or partiality on the part of the Court."

Reached for comment, Freeman told Colorado Politics to "cease and desist" the "hit piece" against him.

"You have a narrative that you are going to push regardless of what I say or what the actual facts are about the vaccines," he said.

Freeman was a schedule analyst manager for Collins Aerospace, which is a subsidiary of defense contractor Raytheon. His employer had a policy, initially required by the U.S. Department of Defense, requiring employees to either vaccinate against COVID-19 or test themselves and wear face masks in order to be in company facilities.

Freeman has a blood disorder and opted against vaccination due to safety concerns. However, he notified his supervisor in January 2022 that he refused to abide by the other elements of the policy. He was terminated shortly afterward.

In response, Freeman alleged he was subject to disability discrimination. He likened COVID-19 vaccination to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, and claimed COVID-19 tests violated the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment because they are "so uncomfortable as to cross into the realm of painful."

Neureiter, in his initial evaluation of the lawsuit, recommended in February that Freeman's claims be dismissed. He called the complaint "unnecessarily long and peppered with irrelevant material" before noting Freeman had incorrectly brought his claims under federal laws banning race discrimination, but not disability discrimination.

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Moreover, Neureiter noted, Freeman had filed claims against Raytheon and the departments of Defense and Health and Human Services, but not against the entity that actually terminated him.

"Instead, it was Collins Aerospace who hired Plaintiff, who promulgated and enforced the complained-of COVID policies, and who fired him when he refused to comply," he wrote.

Sweeney adopted Neureiter's recommendation weeks later, rejecting Freeman's complaints about the magistrate judge's "inadequate and shallow understanding" of his case.

Freeman then requested that Sweeney vacate her order and that the court assign his case to a new judge.

"Plaintiff has his theories on why this currently assigned Magistrate Judge and the District Court Judge work so hard to shield the Defendants, but he will not speculate publicly at this time," Freeman wrote, calling them "attack dogs" for the defendants.

Sweeney responded that Freeman had not identified "any defect in the integrity of the proceedings." She assured him that, even if she or Neureiter had not addressed all of his arguments, Freeman can still raise them on appeal. Otherwise, Sweeney, a former workers' rights attorney appointed to the bench last year, was unpersuaded Freeman had identified any bias from the judges.

On July 11, Freeman submitted another set of allegations about the "overtly biased judiciary" and asked for his case to be transferred to a new set of judges in Colorado Springs. There are no district judges stationed in Colorado Springs.

Freeman declined to elaborate to Colorado Politics on his theory about why Sweeney and Neureiter "work so hard to shield" Raytheon and the government in his case. The original government directive requiring COVID-19 protocols for contractors, which Freeman relied upon for his claims against the federal officials, has been blocked by federal judges  and was blocked even before Freeman's firing.

The case is Freeman v. Raytheon Technologies Corporation et al.
Healthier Colorado recognized over a dozen state legislators for their work advancing physical, mental and social health during the 2023 legislative session.

The nonprofit advocacy organization Healthier Colorado released its annual legislative scorecard on Monday. The scorecard ranks the top three legislators from each political party and chamber based on how they voted for and sponsored bills intended to improve the health and well-being of Coloradans.

Our mantra has been, no permanent friends, no permanent enemies, only permanent interests,' said Healthier Colorado CEO Jake Williams. This legislative session is another proof point as to why this is important to pass meaningful health policies. ... We need champions from all backgrounds, perspectives and regions that believe the health and well-being of Coloradans is important and that they are held accountable to their votes.

The first-place winners for each category are as follows:

Care access

Expanding access to affordable, quality health care for all Coloradans. Legislators were scored on their actions on 16 bills, including letting psychologists prescribe mental health medications to patients, requiring Medicaid to cover behavioral health care for members under 21 without a formal diagnosis, and requiring dental insurance carriers to report how they spend premiums.

Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder

Sen. Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa

Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder

Rep. Mary Bradfield, R-Colorado Springs

Democrats allege pattern of illegal meetings at Colorado's Capitol

Bridging the gap

Addressing health disparities based on factors such as location, income and race. Legislators were scored on their actions on 13 bills, including increasing resources to serve children involved in or at risk of being involved in the juvenile justice system, removing medical debt from credit scores and reports, and studying ways to keep people with mental illnesses out of jail or homelessness.

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Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver

Sen. Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa

Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver

Rep. Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud

Healthy communities

Improving community health for those that are struggling. Legislators were scored on their actions on 14 bills, including requiring municipalities to zone for greater residential density, enabling Medicaid reimbursement for some Community Health Worker services, and creating a mental health assessment program for middle and high school students.

Sen. Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City

Sen. Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa

(Tie) Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, and Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver

Rep. Mary Bradfield, R-Colorado Springs

Early childhood

Providing Colorado's children with the opportunity to achieve health and success. Legislators were scored on their actions on six bills, including creating a ballot measure asking to use excess tax revenue on preschool funding, and requiring Colorados Medicaid department to apply to extend continuous coverage to children from birth until the age of 3.

Sen. Janet Buckner, D-Aurora

Sen. Janice Rich, R-Grand Junction

Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver

(Tie) Rep. Mary Bradfield, R-Colorado Springs, and Rep. Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs

Early childhood is a new category this year  the first category added to the scorecard since it launched in 2018.

In addition, 40 legislators were recognized for voting with Healthier Colorado's stance on all 49 bills it took a position on. Of the 40 legislators, 28 are House representatives and 12 are senators. All 40 are Democrats.

State Rep. Lindsey Daugherty to run for Colorado Senate District 19
Attorney General Phil Weiser is alerting businesses that his office will enforce Colorado's new data privacy law, which took effect July 1.

Under the Colorado Privacy Act, adopted by lawmakers in 2021, companies covered under the law must:

 Provide consumers with clear, understandable, and transparent information about how and why they collect, store, use, share, and sell personal data,

 Respond to consumer requests to access, delete, correct, and get a portable copy of their personal data,

 Allow consumers to opt out of the sale of personal data as well as targeted advertising and certain kinds of profiling,

 Obtain consent before collecting or using sensitive data,

Businesses subject to the Colorado Privacy Act are those that operate in Colorado or target Colorado citizens and collect data on more than 100,000 individuals, or that receive revenue from the sale of personal data for more than 25,000 individuals.

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The law also applies to collection of sensitive data, a subset of personal data, which includes any personal data regarding a child under age 13; data on the race, ethnic origin or religious beliefs, mental or physical health conditions or diagnoses, sexual activity, preferences or orientation, or citizenship status or citizenship of an individual; and biometric data that is used for identifying an individual.

It applies to Colorado citizens while browsing the internet or signing up for a retail rewards program, but not for data collected for employment or data covered under the federal health care privacy law, known as HIPAA. Financial institutions and affiliates subject to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act; air carries under the FAA and national securities associations registered under the Securities Exchange Act are also exempt.

An announcement from Weiser's office Wednesday said the first round of letters would focus on legal obligations for companies covered under the law, with an emphasis on collection and use of sensitive data, including the law's requirement that companies obtain consumer consent before collecting sensitive data, and the obligation to allow consumers to opt out of targeted advertising and profiling.

As Ive said publicly throughout the process, this Departments enforcement of the Colorado Privacy Act is a critical tool to protect consumers data and privacy. Our enforcement of this important law will not seek to make life challenging for organizations that are complying with the law, but rather will seek to support such efforts, Weiser said Wednesday.

These letters will help make businesses aware of the law and direct them to educational resources to help them comply. And, if we become aware of organizations that are flouting the law or refusing to comply with it, we are prepared to act.

Enforcement is up to the attorney general and not private citizens, according to the attorney general's website.
The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee says it's time for Supreme Court justices to bring their conduct in line with the standards of other branches of government. Sen. Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, was responding Tuesday to Associated Press investigative stories. He said that if the high court were to establish the basic standards of every other branch of government, it would give us much more confidence in their integrity. The AP stories showed how Justice Sonia Sotomayor, aided by her staff, has advanced sales of her books through college visits; how universities have used trips by justices as a lure for financial contributions, and how justices have taken expenses-paid teaching trips that are light on classroom instruction.
The American Red Cross is sounding an alarm ahead of a traditional summer slowdown of blood donations in hopes of staving off a possible shortage.

Over at the Sovah Blood Donor Center, donations were strong in June but have tapered off this month, LaTonya Martin, coordinator at the center, told the Register & Bee.

Summer months [July and August] are usually a slow time for blood donations due to family vacations and travel, as well as summer break for the local students, she explained.

While two different organizations, the Red Cross and Sovah Health have donation resources in the community for whats often called the gift of life.

Locally, the Red Cross plans a drive from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday at Centra Medical Group Danville located at 414 Park Ave., according to its website.

The nationwide organization reported it collected 50,000 fewer blood donations than needed over the last two months.

To help with incentives to donate, the Red Cross will enter anyone who gives blood through Aug. 15 for a chance to win a three-night New York getaway for two. That trip includes a private shark-dive adventure at Long Island Aquarium, according to a news release.

The ocean theme comes from the partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery for the 35th anniversary of Shark Week and the release of Meg 2: The Trench.

Also, anyone who donates to the Red Cross through Sunday will receive a $15 gift card via email to a merchant of choice.

When giving to the Sovah Blood Donor Center  or at one of its mobile drives  all of the blood stays within the hospital, so its used for the community.

When someone wants to give blood at the Sovah center, workers will perform whats known as a mini-physical, in which they check a persons temperature, blood pressure and iron levels to make sure its safe to donate. Theres also a questionnaire to complete.

Once everything is approved, the donation process takes about 30 minutes, Martin previously explained to the Register & Bee.

Theres no need for an appointment to donate blood at the Sovah Blood Donor Center located at 159 Executive Drive, Suite K in Danville. The hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.

The Red Cross encourages residents to download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, go to RedCrossBlood.org or call 800-RED CROSS to learn more or to schedule an appointment.

While being known for blood donations, the American Red Cross responds to a variety of emergencies.

The local Blue Ridge Chapter announced Monday that Danville Mayor Alonzo Jones, Vice Mayor Gary Miller and Twyla Gatsy will serve on the board of directors to represent Danville and Pittsylvania County.

Gatsy, a 2011 graduate of George Washington High School, works for Danville Public Schools and also founded BeltResoled a nonprofit organization aiming to raise awareness of sexual assault.

These appointments will increase our presence and programs for disaster victims including home fires, preparedness, including free smoke alarm installs in any home in need, service to our armed forces and their families, blood drives, training services and other programs essential to the health of our communities, Michelle Dowdy, executive director of the Blue Ridge Chapter of the American Red Cross, said in a prepared statement.
GREENSBORO  Beginning Wednesday morning, N.C. A&T will host a three-day public safety training event involving local, state, regional and federal agencies in Truist Stadium at East Lindsay and Sullivan streets.

The Truist Stadium parking lot will be closed to everyone except training participants during the three-day event. Sullivan Street remains closed to traffic for road work unrelated to this exercise, according to a news release from the university.

The training involves hazard detection alerts. It is designed, in part, to organize a systematic search of the facility and control, locate and identify the source, according to A&T.

I think it is vitally important that we take every opportunity to be a part of and host trainings like this, as it allows us to continue to improve on keeping our campus community safe, Travis Auman, A&Ts emergency management director, said in the news release. All of our local, state, and federal partners play a key role in assisting us during emergencies that impact our campus. Being able to train together in different scenarios like this allow us to work together more seamlessly.

Along with the A&T University Police and Emergency Management departments, participating agencies include the Greensboro, High Point, Statesville, Winston-Salem and Asheville fire departments; Greensboro and Winston-Salem police departments and bomb squads; Guilford County and North Carolina emergency management departments; North Carolina State Highway Patrol, North Carolina National Guard, the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

A&Ts news release states that about 60 personnel representing some or all of these agencies are expected to participate in each days exercises.
Three lower-profile statewide bills sponsored by Triad legislators have been signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper.

Senate Bill 45, titled CADC Supervision Requirements. was signed Friday. Its primary sponsor was Sen, Joyce Krawiec, R-Forsyth.

The bill received unanimous support in the Senate (a 48-0 vote on Feb. 21) and in the House (112-0 vote on June 28). It becomes law on Oct. 1.

The bill modifies supervisory requirements for certified alcohol and drug counselors, and for certified criminal justice addictions professionals.

Those professionals provide direct services to clients or offenders experiencing substance use disorders and have been determined to be involved in a criminal justice setting.

Krawiec also was primary sponsor of Senate Bill 722, titled Child Care Flexibilities, which Cooper signed into law Monday.

SB722 received unanimous support in the Senate (a 48-0 vote on April 26) and in the House (113-0 vote on June 28). It also becomes law on Oct. 1.

The essence of SB 722 is providing additional options in the recruitment and retention of pre-K childcare workers through a new child development associate credential.

The bill requires the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services to establish by March 31 the criteria for two sets of credentials: one for those working with children from birth to age 3; and from ages 3 to 5.

Applicants must have earned a high school diploma, a general education development credential, or be enrolled as a junior or senior in a high school career and technical program in early childhood education.

House Bill 181, titled Unclaimed Property Division Changes, also was signed into law Monday. Its primary sponsor was Rep. Jon Hardister, R-Guilford.

HB181 cleared the House by a 117-0 vote on May 3 and the Senate by a 46-0 vote June 28. It becomes law on Jan. 1.

Hardister filed HB 181 at the request of state Treasurer Dale Folwell.

Folwell has made a top priority of his two terms as treasurer the NC Cash program, which is the departments method for assisting North Carolinians with determining whether they have unclaimed funds in their names.

Folwell, who is running for the Republican nomination for governor in 2024, has crisscrossed the state to return selected unclaimed funds, typically to organizations.

Property, as defined in HB181, represents money currency or tangible personal property held by a holder that is physically located in a safe deposit box or other safekeeping depository held by a financial institution in North Carolina.

It also can be a fixed or certain interest in intangible property or money currency that is held, issued or owed in the course of a holders business or by a government, governmental subdivision or agency.
A 33-year-old Helena man is facing several felony and misdemeanor charges after authorities said he was found unresponsive behind the wheel of a car with a child trying to wake him up.

Helena police were dispatched July 9 to the 1700 block of Lockey Avenue for a report of an unresponsive man behind the wheel of a vehicle parked on the side of the road, authorities said.

The caller said a child was calling the person in the vehicle dad and trying to wake the man up. The child had also entered the vehicle and tried to wake the man up and tried chest compressions, police said in an affidavit.

Paramedics removed the man from the vehicle. He did not respond to stimulus and intravenous naloxone was administered, which brought the man back to consciousness, authorities said.

Police said they found several pieces of foil and a lighter on the drivers seat. Officers later, through a search warrant, found six fentanyl pills and drug paraphernalia. The mans vehicle was taken to the police impound lot.

The man was taken to the hospital, but refused medical treatment, police said. He underwent sobriety tests. He was arrested and taken to the Lewis and Clark County Detention Center.

Jacob James Nicholls was charged July 10 in Lewis and Clark County Justice Court with a count of criminal possession of dangerous drug, a felony count of criminal endangerment, a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence and a misdemeanor count of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was listed Tuesday as being on the inmate roster.
Property assessors with the Montana Department of Revenue fielded sometimes heated questions from some of the nearly 100 Lewis and Clark County residents regarding recent property appraisals that some said increased by more than 50%.

The department mailed out its biannual property assessments in June, and Department of Revenue Property Assessment Division's Lewis and Clark County Area Manager Roz Olson told attendees in about 90% of cases in which a property's assessed value increased more than 10%, market appreciation was cited as the cause.

"We have a very active market, or we've had in the last couple of years, so again, it's the market and it's people, it's supply and demand and people who are purchasing these properties that are driving the value up," Olson said.

Olson spoke to attendees Tuesday at a meeting at Helena Middle School about her and her staff's methods for calculating Montana properties' market value.

Olson said the 11 people in her Last Chance Gulch office appraised more than 66,000 homes in the county, and as a result, it is not uncommon for assessors to miss something about the property that could lower the market value, an outbuilding that was removed for example.

"Please, let us know and we will take it off of your property record card and you won't be assessed for it, but if we don't know, we can't remove it from your property," Olson said.

Property owners can review their property record card for inaccuracies online at property.mt.gov.

Those who disagree with the state's appraisal have 30 days from the date on their appraisal notice to file an appeal, via Form AB-26, though they are required to still pay property taxes under protest.

The state also uses comparable sales to determine the market value of a property.

Olson said three to five comparables are used to gauge property values and that property owners can work with assessors to select better comparables.

"There are avenues for you, but the first avenue would be to call us, so we can see how we can help you out," Olson said. "We are a part of the community, and we are very concerned."

Helena resident Andrew Elford told the assessors he listed his Broadway Street home for sale in 2021 and received numerous offers from corporations and hedge funds looking to turn the property into a rental or vacation rental.

He asked the assessors if they consider who or what entity is purchasing a property when using those sales numbers to determine market value.

"This is an investment firm, not a person; It's not contributing anything to our community, yet it's raising our taxes," Elford said in an interview following the meeting. "They're essentially creating a business and getting the lower tax rate."

In Montana, residential properties are charged a 1.35% tax rate while commercial properties face a 1.89% rate.

Olson said her office has no way of tracking such information and therefore does not make those considerations.

Mike and Kat Schwieterman made the drive from Lincoln to attend the town hall.

"It was just lip service," Mike Schwieterman said afterward. "We wanted to voice our concern, and we want them to take it seriously."

Kat Schwieterman called the assessment methods "so subjective."

The couple owns 28 acres in Lincoln. The property boasts a small body of water that Kat Schwieterman said is more like a pond, with depths upward of 5 feet and an abundance of leeches. She said the pond was included in the recent appraisal as an amenity.

The couple's property assessment shot up more than 50%.

"You have to use your brain; you can't blame things on a manual," she said. "I don't understand why the legislators don't do more to help."

A handful of legislators were in attendance, mostly Democrats who pointed the finger at their Republican counterparts.

"We did work on a lot of things last session, and unfortunately, we kinda missed the mark," Rep. Julie Dooling, a Republican, conceded to the audience. "This was my third session, and it was an issue during my second session as well. But when you have a $2 billion surplus, you kinda get that little sparkly squirrel in the corner of your eye, and you, you know, sometimes fail to take care of the things that actually mean a lot to our taxpayers."

An important message to come from the meeting is that when property taxes go up, the mill levies have to come down per state law.

We dont know exactly how it will shape out until October, Lewis and Clark County Treasurer and Clerk and Recorder Amy Reeves previously told the Independent Record, at which point the county finance office will finalize mill levies and determine property tax rates.

The Department of Revenue's next Helena town hall on property appraisals is slated for 5:30-8:30 p.m. July 18 at the Helena Middle School auditorium. Tuesday's meeting scheduled for the same time wrapped up around 7:30 p.m.

Two Townsend meetings are scheduled for July 19 from noon to 3 p.m. and 4:30-7 p.m.

A Boulder meeting was scheduled for Wednesday evening.

Virtual meetings via Zoom are scheduled for July 17 from 5:30-7 p.m. and July 25 from 4-5:30 p.m. A link to join the virtual meetings is available on the department's website at https://bit.ly/43ma6PA.
The Helena Police Department confirmed the sighting of a moose in the area of Sanders Street, the city said Wednesday, warning the public to avoid walking in the area.

Passersby spotted the moose in the vacant lot south of WinCo Foods near the intersection of Sanders and Birch streets, the city said in an email sent about 3:15 p.m.

The citys animal control officers are working with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to monitor the situation, the news release states.

Temporary fencing and signs were set up.

People should avoid walking through the area, especially near the ponds, until further notice, officials said.
DECATUR  Dennis School students may have a longer summer vacation than the rest of Decatur Public School students.

The modular classrooms that the district has ordered for the Garfield Learning Academy building, where Dennis' K-8 students will spend at least the upcoming school year, will not all be installed in time for the district's Aug. 14 start date, said Kent Metzger, director of buildings and grounds. The anticipated completion of the installation of the final modular unit is Aug. 31, with a move-in date of Sept. 3.

Hopefully (the Illinois State Board of Education) will get back to me tomorrow, so I'll know something by Monday, Superintendent Rochelle Clark said at the school board meeting on Tuesday.

The state board has to approve the plan, Clark said, but her hope is that they and the unions will agree to a later start date for Dennis, to leave time to get the modular classrooms installed and technology wired.

It will not extend their school year, Clark said of a late start for Dennis. As long as we start the rest of the district on time, everybody will end on time. What we have to do now is work with union leadership and work with ISBE on what we can do.

The start date for the school year, and the transportation issues involved in getting Dennis' approximately 500 students from their west end homes to the Garfield building at 300 Meadow Terrace, have yet to be determined. A robocall will go out to parents this week to ask if any of them plan to drive their children to school and if so, do they plan to do that all year, which the district needs to know to determine how many students will need bus service, Clark said.

The Mosaic campus  the original footprint for Dennis  needs its original staircase fully repaired or replaced, consultants found. At the Kaleidoscope campus, engineers have recommended partial demolition and replacement of the original 1913 three-story building.

The school will temporarily occupy Garfield Learning Academy's site with 16 modular classrooms to be leased, adding enough space to the 15 classrooms in the building to accommodate all K-8 students.

Garfield Learning Academy serves about 65 students in grades K-12 in an alternative setting, and those students will be assigned their own separate area at Stephen Decatur Middle School for the upcoming school year, with their own entrance, start and end times. The students in the alternative school will be kept separate from Stephen Decatur students with their own teachers, separate lunch times and use of the gym. Details will be worked out with the administrators of the two programs, Clark said.

One issue that parents of students at Dennis are concerned about is a playground. There is none at Garfield for the younger Dennis students to use, and those students worked on a playground project in the 2022-23 school year, only to have no playground to look forward to this year. But Metzger assured the people in attendance at the meeting that there would be a playground for Dennis students and it will remain at the building for Garfield students to use once they return there after a permanent solution is found.

As for that more permanent solution, there is, as yet, no estimate of the cost of repairs to the Mosaic and Kaleidoscope campuses, Metzger said. Contractors who specialize in masonry restoration on historic buildings have been contacted but the district has not yet received reports from them.

We want to be transparent, but we also want to be factual, he said.

Clark's plan is to bring in an outside agency to do an analysis of all district buildings, and once that is in hand, go through a planning process to consider what changes might be necessary, gather feedback from the community, make a plan and execute it.

Board member Al Scheider said he agreed that was necessary, but making a decision about a permanent location for Dennis had to take priority.

I don't think we should do the entire analysis before we decide what to do about repairs, he said.

If the repairs would be too costly, and a new building is necessary, the process to accomplish that could take two or three years, and the sooner a decision is made, he said, the better.

PHOTOS: All the members of the Decatur Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame Kenny Barnes, Stephen Decatur, 1962 (Aug. 2016) Marsha Bond, MacArthur, 1980 (Aug. 2016) Hubie Carter, Eisenhower, 1972 (Aug. 2016) Wayne Dunning, Lakeview, 1979 (Aug. 2016) Penny Hammel, MacArthur, 1979 (Aug. 2016) Gay Kintner, Decatur High, coach (Aug. 2016) Bill Madlock, Eisenhower, 1979 (Aug. 2016) Mark Malley, Stephen Decatur, 1969 (Aug. 2016) Rudy Phillips, MacArthur, 1963 (Aug. 2016) Lee Sentman Jr., Decatur High, 1927 (Aug. 2016) Deana Simmons, MacArthur, 1996 (Aug. 2016) 1965 Lakeview Football (Aug. 2016) Merle Bourne Jr., MacArthur, 1962 (Jan. 2017) Tim Cruz, Lakeview, 1974 (Jan. 2017) Bob "Chick" Doster, Decatur High, 1945 (Jan. 2017) Ray Goodman, Lakeview, 1975 (Jan. 2017) Bill Harbeck, MacArthur, coach (Jan. 2017) Dave Hood, Eisenhower, 1976 (Jan. 2017) Jeff Innis, Eisenhower, 1980 (Jan. 2017) Martha McCann, Eisenhower, 1983 (Jan. 2017) Marcia Morey, MacArthur, 1971 (Jan. 2017) Ken Park, Decatur High, 1936 (Jan. 2017) Dave Scholz, Stephen Decatur, 1965 (Jan. 2017) 1962 Stephen Decatur Basketball (Jan. 2017) John Alexander, Eisenhower (Aug. 2017) Terise Bryson, Stephen Decatur, 1997 (Aug. 2017) George Eubanks, Eisenhower, 1960 (Aug. 2017) Julie Foertsch, Stephen Decatur, 1986 (Aug. 2017) Elizabeth (Kampfe) Plinske, MacArthur, 1995 (Aug. 2017) Gwen Muex, Stephen Decatur, 1983 (Aug. 2017) Robert Pittenger, Lakeview, 1967 (Aug. 2017) Ray Rex, Decatur High, 1931 (Aug. 2017) Pete Scott, MacArthur, 1986 (Aug. 2017) Dion Simmons, MacArthur, 1990 (Aug. 2017) Roe Skidmore, Eisenhower, 1962 (Aug. 2017) 1992 MacArthur Boys Track (Aug. 2017) Tony Austin, Stephen Decatur, 1997 (Jan. 2018) Ben Cooper, Stephen Decatur, 1966 (Jan. 2018) Jerelene (Cummings) Ross, MacArthur, 1984 (Jan. 2018) Amber (Creason) Jackson, Eisenhower, 1995 (Jan. 2018) David Dakin, Lakeview, 1974 ( Jan. 2018) Jim Minton, MacArthur, 1982 (Jan. 2018) Dawn Pitman, Eisenhower, 1986 (Jan. 2018) Karen Roppa, MacArthur, 1966 (Jan. 2018) Tim Smith, Eisenhower, 1979 (Jan. 2018) Bill Wolfe, Lakeview, 1965 (Jan. 2018) Bob Witt, Eisenhower, coach (Feb. 2018) Ida Brooks, Eisenhower, coach (Feb. 2018) Jerry Curtis, MacArthur, coach (Feb. 2018) Ray DeMoulin, MacArthur, coach (Feb. 2018) Jack Kenny, Stephen Decatur, coach (Feb. 2018) Bob Matheson, MacArthur, coach (Feb. 2018) Mike Rusk, Eisenhower, coach (Feb. 2018) Joe Russell, Eisenhower, coach (Feb. 2018) Terry Cook, Stephen Decatur, 1984 (Oct. 2018) Joe Doolin, Lakeview, 1966 (Oct. 2018) Martha Downing, MacArthur, 1967 (Oct. 2018) Pat Hamilton, Eisenhower, 1983 (Oct. 2018) Gary Hunt, Lakeview, coach (Oct. 2018) T.J. Jackson, Stephen Decatur, 1962 (Oct. 2018) Reeni (McElyea) Letizia, Eisenhower, 1983 (Oct. 2018) Brit Miller, Eisenhower, 2005 (Oct. 2018) Dale Minick, Decatur High, 1937 (Oct. 2018) Steve Phillips, MacArthur, 1979 (Oct. 2018) Dante Ridgeway, MacArthur, 2002 (Oct. 2018) 1962 Eisenhower Baseball (Oct. 2018) Rease Binger, Stephen Decatur, coach (Jan. 2019) Lee Boyko, Eisenhower, 1963 (Jan. 2019) Terra (Crutchfield-Tyus) Jones, MacArthur, 1992 (Jan. 2019) Cary Eller, Eisenhower, 1968 (Jan. 2019) K.C. Hammond-Diedrich, Eisenhower, 1996 (Jan. 2019) Aaron Holloway, Stephen Decatur, 1966 (Jan. 2019) Tim Littrell, MacArthur, 1973 (Jan. 2019) David Marques, Lakeview, 1972 (Jan. 2019) Marcus Phillips, MacArthur, 1992 (Jan. 2019) Eddie Taylor, Lakeview, 1980 (Jan. 2019) Lee Utt, Decatur High, 1952 (Jan. 2019) 1930-31 Decatur High Boys Basketball (Jan. 2019) 1935-36 Decatur High Boys Basketball (Jan. 2019) 1944-45 Decatur High Boys Basketball (Jan. 2019) Michael Clevenger, MacArthur, 2012 (Oct. 2019) Paula (Keller) Holtman, Stephen Decatur, 1984 (Oct. 2019) Mike Larson, Lakeview, 1972 (Oct. 2019) Jad Mason, MacArthur, 1986 (Oct. 2019) Ty Mason, MacArthur, 1987 (Oct. 2019) Emily Price, Eisenhower, 2000 (Oct. 2019) Don Spain, Eisenhower. 1966 (Oct. 2019) Raisa Taylor, Eisenhower, 2008 (Oct. 2019) James Wills, Lakeview, 1978 (Oct. 2019) Greg Watchinski, Stephen Decatur, 1993 (Oct. 2019) Mike Wilks, Eisenhower, coach (Oct. 2019) 1986 MacArthur Boys Track (Oct. 2019) David Bond, MacArthur, 1984 (Feb. 2020) Greg Collingwood, coach, Eisenhower (Feb. 2020) Richard Floyd, Lakeview, 1964 (Feb. 2020) Adam Hodges, Eisenhower, 1993 (Feb. 2020) Perry Hines, Stephen Decatur, 1970 (Feb. 2020) Latoya Johnson, Eisenhower, 1993 (Feb. 2020) Mchael Phillips, MacArthur, 1997 (Feb. 2020) Jeff Roth, Eisenhower, 1976 (Feb. 2020) George "Butch" Smith, Stephen Decatur, 1965 (Feb. 2020) Stephanie (Spurlock) Fitzpatrick, Stephen Decatur, 1988 (Feb. 2020) Crystal Zeigler, MacArthur, 2008 (Feb. 2020) 1985 MacArthur Football (Feb. 2020) Scott Busboom, significant contributor, media (Spring 2021) Ferlaxnes "Lexy" Carson, MacArthur, 2011 (Spring 2021) Kostaki Chiligiris, Stephen Decatur, 1994 (Spring 2021) Harry "Rocky" Cook, Eisenhower, 1961 (Spring 2021) Tim Cox, Lakeview, 1974 (Spring 2021) Moe Dampeer, MacArthur, 2002 (Spring 2021) Leon Fonville, Eisenhower, 1969 (Spring 2021) Al Lawson, MacArthur, 1985 (Spring 2021) Lindsay Martin, Eisenhower, 1997 (Spring 2021) J. Thomas McNamara, special contributor, media (Spring 2021) Mike Nolan, Stephen Decatur, 1963 (Spring 2021) Steve Smith, Eisenhower, coach (Spring 2021) Adrian Walker, MacArthur, 2002 (Spring 2021) 1992 Eisenhower Football (Spring 2021) John Cliff, MacArthur, 1996 (Jan. 2022) Leonard Dabner, MacArthur, 1964 (Jan. 2022) Lewis Jackson, Eisenhower, 2008 (Jan. 2022) Ann Kampfe, MacArthur, 1993 (Jan. 2022) Amy McEvoy, Eisenhower, 1991 (Jan. 2022) Mike McLaughlin, MacArthur, wrestling (Jan. 2022) Betty Ray, Stephen Decatur, 1986 (Jan. 2022) Ray Rients, significant contributor, official (Jan. 2022) Patrick Ruwe, Eisenhower, 1979 (Jan. 2022) Michael Wilder, Stephen Decatur, 1998 (Jan. 2022) 1977 Stephen Decatur Baseball (Jan. 2022) Felicia Britton-Harris, Stephen Decatur, 1995 (Sept. 2022) Adrian DeVore, Eisenhower, 1990 (Sept. 2022) Chris DeVore, Eisenhower, 1992 (Sept. 2022) Malik Fonville-Simmons, MacArthur, 1990 (Sept. 2022) Brian Innis, Eisenhower, 1979 (Sept. 2022) John Kotzelnick, Lakeview, 1970 (Sept. 2022) Erin Didde Levy, Stephen Decatur, 1995 (Sept. 2022) Bob McAdam, MacArthur, 1981 (Sept. 2022) Sam McAdam, MacArthur, 1983 (Sept. 2022) Kevin Roberson, Eisenhower, 1986 (Sept. 2022) Tylian Smith, MacArthur, 2001 (Sept. 2022) Matt Tyner, MacArthur, 1976 (Sept. 2022) 1972 MacArthur football (Sept. 2022) Brenda Clark, Lakeview, Stephen Decatur, coach (Sept. 2022) Donna Dash, Lakeview, MacArthur, coach (Sept. 2022) Duane Garver, significant contributor, teacher (Sept. 2022) Darius Adams, MacArthur, 2007 (Sept. 2023) Cortez Bond, MacArthur, 1996 (Sept. 2023) Robert Bauer, Decatur High, 1948 (Sept. 2023) Jim Cook, Eisenhower, 1967 (Sept. 2023) Steve Daniel, MacArthur, 2003 (Sept. 2023) Barbee Kipper, Eisenhower, 1979 (Sept. 2023) Robin Liddell, Eisenhower, 1974 (Sept. 2023) Shawn (Rawls) Bond, Eisenhower, 1977 (Sept. 2023) Parker Shade, MacArthur, 1997 (Sept. 2023) Nick Reed, MacArthur, 1991 (Sept. 2023) Tucker Shade, MacArthur, 1995 (Sept. 2023) Rhasaan Smith, Stephen Decatur, 1995 (Sept. 2023) Don Novak, coach, Eisenhower baseball and wrestling (Sept. 2023) Dan Winter, Significant contributor (Sept. 2023) 1976 Eisenhower Boys Basketball (Sept. 2023) 1965 Macarthur Boys Tennis (Sept. 2023)
FORSYTH  Malachi Farmwald, 11, and his brother Chase, 10, joined brothers Drew, 10, and Drake Wentworth, 11, in creating a surprise dish with ingredients given to them by professional cooks.

The finished result was stuffed peppers the boys titled the Mona Lisa.

We had to cook the meat first, Malachi said.

Then we layered the meat, then olives, tomatoes, Chase said.

On Tuesday afternoon, University of Illinois Extension hosted a food challenge for children ages 10-18 at the Forsyth Public Library. Six groups were given a choice of several ingredients; however, they had to use one secret ingredient, a bell pepper.

This is the second year Ben Steele, U of I Extension youth development educator, has hosted the event in the Forsyth Library.

The kids do such a good job of staying safe, he said. And they are so enthusiastic.

The children were given the opportunity to win waffle makers and other 4-H swag.

Maren Steal and sisters Khadijah and Fatima Abdul-Rahman brought home the top prizes.

Judges included Steele, Millikin University Executive Chef Brian Pehr and 4-H youth development coordinators Cortney Benton and Marisa Capps.

While a bell pepper was a must for their dish, the other ingredients included items found in many kitchens, such as cheeses, spices, fresh produce, canned fruit, beans, and vegetables, flour, sugar and tortillas.

The day began with a food safety and nutrition discussion by Pehr. We try to cover our bases, Steele said.

Judges explained what they will be critiquing: nutrition, use of the ingredient, taste and presentation.

The groups created a variety of dishes including a burrito, spaghetti, nachos, and, the winner, a vegetarian dish with roasted chickpeas and egg noodles.

Ive been going to a cooking club, Drake said about his second year attending the food challenge. Its really fun coming here. And I like cooking a lot.

His brother, however, said he expects his cooking will remain at the challenges only.

I probably wont do this at home, Drew said.

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MONTICELLO  The City of Decatur and state climate researchers are urging local farmers to take advantage of certain soil nutrient loss-reducing practices, which are being financially incentivized thanks to a nearly $10 million U.S. Department of Agriculture grant.

The USDA awarded a Regional Conservation Partnership Program grant of $9.8 million to the city in August 2022. The grant will provide farmers with up to 100% cost covered for some practices meant to reduce nitrogen and other nutrient loss from topsoil runoff entering Lake Decatur.

The grant comes as changing climate patterns are making the risk of soil runoff more severe, and after the city has already invested nearly $100 million in dredging the lake to reclaim roughly 30% of its holding capacity.

We want to reduce the highest volume of nutrients and sediment at the lowest unit costs, said Jeff Boeckler, principal water resource specialist at Northwater Consulting. We know where we need to do that. So this RCPP will help support that with a huge influx of dollars.

Boeckler, whose firm was hired by the City of Decatur to help with the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, was one of the featured speakers at an informational session Wednesday in Monticello. The session was coordinated by the Macon, DeWitt and Piatt County Farm Bureaus.

Farmers in multiple townships around Lake Decatur are eligible to take part in the program. Targeted areas, in order of highest priority, are Bluffs Watershed, Friends Creek Watershed, Sand Creek Watershed, Willow Branch Watershed and Wildcat Creek Watershed.

Four primary practice incentives are being offered through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program for farmers in those watershed areas. They include:

Up to $103.80 per acre for cover crops following specific guidelines;

100% of costs covered for a nutrient management plan and up to $85.94 per acre for deep placement of nutrients;

$22.74 per acre to transition to no-till or strip till; and

100% cost-share for drainage water management.

RCPP advocates say the program could help both the city save money and farmers preserve their land.

It cost us almost $100 million to dredge the lake. One hundred million real dollars were paid out to help do that. We don't want to do that again, said Shane Ravellette, watershed specialist at the city of Decatur.

We wont be able to stop all nutrient loss, topsoil, phosphorus, nitrogen, Ravellette continued. But we can stop some of it from coming back to the lake, and hopefully it extends that life, that 100-year life for $100 million, hopefully can be extended out longer. And once again, keep it where it belongs  on the fields.

Two previously established city programs aimed at nutrient loss reduction have successfully prevented 1,399 pounds of nitrogen, 364 pounds of phosphorus and 595 tons of sediment from entering the lake, Ravellette said.

But watershed managers and farmers alike will have to continue adapting practices as the climate changes, said Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford.

Warmer climates are leading to heavier rainfall, and heavier rainfall produces more runoff, he said.

The problem with more intense rainfall, like I mentioned before, without a significant change in the total (rainfall) in the summertime, is that it changes how you recover from a drought, Ford said. Or, maybe, how you don't recover from a drought.

Rain gauges might reflect rainfall of three, four, five or more inches, he said, but the soil will only absorb about an inch. That leaves more and more rainfall to run off, often taking vital nutrients along with it.

Macon County Farm Bureau President Mat Muirheid told the Herald & Review hes participated in the USDAs Conservation Stewardship Program for over a decade.

Incentive programs like RCPP and CSP are a win-win for local governments and farmers, he said.

We make our livings off the soil. So we don't want to lose it, Muirheid said. We spend the money to put the nutrients in. We don't want to lose them either. And we want to do the best job we can do, and be the best stewards of the land that we can be.

Farmers, landowners and/or land managers interested in learning more about RCPP may contact Ravellette or Watershed and Lake Manager Jennifer Gunter at city of Decatur Lake Services at 217-424-2834.

The city is also seeking nominations for members of the local agricultural community to serve as voting members on the Lake Decatur Watershed Agriculture Advisory Board. Questions and nominations can be directed to:

Piatt County: Jeff Boeckler, 217-725-3181, jeff@northwaterco.com;

Macon County: Jennifer Gunter, 217-424-2834; jgunter@decaturil.gov; and

DeWitt County: Shane Ravellette, 217-450-2131; sravellette@decaturil.gov.

Photos: Centennial Lake Fest
One of the most watched reports of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE).

It is issued by the USDAs staff of the chief economist and looks deeply at domestic crop supply and demand estimates, as well as global numbers that indicate the potential for increased exports for U.S. farmers. The July WASDE report will be issued Wednesday, July 12, at noon in Washington, D.C., 11 a.m. central time. And it will garner quite a bit of farmer and grain market attention. That is because there is opportunity for the markets to move this week, the result of numbers projected by the USDA staff.

The grain traders have watched the rainfall maps since late June, and were correct in expecting corn and soybean conditions to improve when the National Agricultural Statistics Service released its crop conditions report on Monday afternoon.

For only the second time this season, USDA raised weekly corn conditions in Mondays report, due in large part to spotty rains across the Corn Belt over the past week. Through the week ending July 9, USDA rated 55% of anticipated U.S. corn acreage in good to excellent condition. That represented a turnaround in the trend and a 4% increase. But USDA only increased weekly soybean ratings by 1% to 51% good to excellent condition. Wednesdays WASDE will have USDA latest acreage data incorporated into production estimates data-driven supply, demand, and carryout numbers. With export numbers continuing to decline for the 2022 crop, ending stocks could be higher than past USDA projections.

Any big surprises, reminiscent of the June 30 acreage report when corn acreage rose and soybean fell larger than anyone dreamed, it will mean the market will have big moves. Astute farmers know their price risk must be managed, with flexibility for markets response. Will there be surprises on Wednesday?

Bloomberg news service surveyed 23 commodity market analysts to learn their thinking of what the USDA will report in the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates. The traders thought expected corn yields would fall to 176 bushels per acre and soybean yields would fall to 51 bushels per acre. Compare those to USDAs estimate, and that will be the reason for the grain markets trend moments after the release of the report.

Will USDA reduce its yield estimate, or wait for farmers to make that call in August? USDAs practice now is to base its August yield estimate on a survey of farmers, and then send its own enumerators into fields across the country for the official estimate to be released in September.

Since the June 30 acreage report, predicting more corn and fewer soybeans, those commodities have been traveling in opposite directions. November soybean futures have climbed over 92 cents per bushel, and December corn futures have fallen 36 cents per bushel since the USDAs acreage report.

Farmers are happy with soybean prices, but some more than others. Those are the ones who planted early, and have a potentially larger yield than later planted soybeans.

But Wednesdays WASDE will have more to say about that.

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Chinese premier meets ADB president

Xinhua) 08:41, July 12, 2023

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Masatsugu Asakawa, president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Masatsugu Asakawa, president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in Beijing on Tuesday.

Li said that the ADB is a vital multilateral development institution in the Asia-Pacific region, playing a positive role in promoting poverty reduction and development in the region and responding to regional and global challenges.

China is ready to work with all parties, including the ADB, to deepen practical cooperation, make a greater contribution to the sustainable recovery, prosperity and stability of the Asia-Pacific region, and inject more impetus into world economic development, Li said.

He pointed out that China is comprehensively promoting Chinese modernization and striving to promote high-quality development, and there is broad space for cooperation with the ADB in the future. He said it is hoped that the ADB will continue to support and participate in China's reform and opening up, and focus on key areas such as environmental protection as well as green and low-carbon development.

Li said China actively supports the ADB in addressing climate change and looks forward to ADB's further mobilization of climate finance to help developing members enhance climate adaptation and financing capacity and promote the transition to green and low-carbon development.

"We hope that multilateral development institutions, including the ADB, will actively call on developed countries to take the lead in fulfilling their emission reduction responsibilities and fulfilling their financial and technical support commitments to create necessary conditions for developing countries to cope with climate change and achieve sustainable development," he added.

Masatsugu Asakawa said the ADB has established a strong and close cooperative partnership with China, and China is the main contributor to Asia-Pacific economic growth.

He said the ADB supports China's high-quality development and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China on knowledge creation, green development, and climate change response.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Ami Feller (middle), owner of Roofer Chicks, is set to be featured on ABCs GMA3 Friday, July 14 at noon. The show is an afternoon spin-off of Good Morning America.
NEWTON  North Carolina Association of School Resource Officers recently named Officer Dale Lail, SRO for St. Stephens High School, as their C.C. McGee School Resource Officer of the Year.

The award, presented at the annual conference, recognizes a member of the NCASRO for their outstanding contributions to their school, law enforcement agency, and community.

The award is named in honor of the late C.C. McGee, a former assistant sheriff of Forsyth County, a founding member, and a past president of NCASRO. McGee worked to implement and advance the school resource officer concept. He served as a school resource officer and supervisor of school resource officers during his career.

Deputy Lail has been serving St. Stephens High School since 2007. In addition, Lail has been teaching martial arts to the local community for several decades. He often invites many at-risk students to attend his classes as a way to build essential life skills. Lail also provides self-defense classes to many local community organizations.

Lail is a member of the Catawba County Sheriffs Departments Special Tactics and Response (STAR) team. Lail uses this platform to help educate students about the importance of law enforcement in the community.

Of Lail, St. Stephens High School Principal Kyle Stocks notes, His service during school keeps us safe while building student relationships. His services outside the school day are beyond the call of duty. Deputy Lail is an intricate part of our school and community. We are fortunate to have him.
Matthew Beddingfield fought the law in and around the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, using a metal pole topped by an American flag to slash and stab at the legs and genitalia of police officers protecting the building from an angry mob.

On Tuesday, the law won.

Beddingfield, 23, a convicted felon from Nash County, due east of Raleigh, was sentenced to 38 months, three years of probation and $2,000 in restitution.

He becomes the 11th North Carolinian sent to prison for their roles in the Jan. 6 violence, in which hundreds of supporters of former President Donald Trump attacked police, smashed doors and windows, then marauded through the Capitol in an effort to stop congressional certification of Trumps election defeat.

The unprecedented political assault, fueled by Trumps baseless claims of a stolen election, has been tied to five deaths, injuries to some 140 police officers and almost $3 million in damages to the Capitol.

At least 30 N.C. residents have been swept up in the massive federal prosecution that has led to some 1,070 arrests. More than a third of the defendants  including Beddingfield  have been charged or convicted of assaulting, resisting, or impeding police or other employees.

Beddingfield, who was 20 when he and his father drove to Washington on Jan. 6, initially was indicted on nine counts. As part of a plea deal he signed in February, federal prosecutors dropped eight of the charges. He still faced up to eight years in prison for the single felony assault charge.

In a sentencing memo filed last week, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Murphy recommended Beddingfield serve 42 months, the midpoint of the defendants sentencing range.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, lowered that by four months. The judges reasoning is unknown. The federal courthouse in Washington no longer operates courtroom audio feeds that were set up during the pandemic.

Other N.C. defendants who already have been sentenced have received prison or jail time ranging from 15 days to 44 months.

Several, like Beddingfield, were in their teens or early 20s when they committed their alleged crimes. North Carolinas youngest defendant, Aiden Bilyard of Cary, was sentenced in July to 40 months.

On the day of the riot, Beddingfield was out on bond on an attempted murder charge tied to the 2019 shooting of a minor in a Kmart parking lot in Smithfield. He later pleaded guilty to a lesser felony charge and received probation.

At the Capitol, prosecutors say Beddingfield was one of 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.

He used his flagpole like a lance.

You need to back up. This is not the way to do it, one 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 filing last week  Beddingfield tore off a broken piece 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.

A year after the riot and shortly before his arrest, Beddingfield was still espousing violence online, posting as @rightwing.dissident on Instagram that hed like to reclaim America and it is fine if a few of my peoples enemies are hurt in the process.

He since has expressed remorse.
" " The Cape Florida Lighthouse at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne, Florida, off the coast of Miami, stands at the site of one of the major launch points of the Underground Saltwater Railroad. Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

When we hear the term "Underground Railroad," we usually think of the network of secret overland routes traversed by fugitive slaves escaping north into Ohio and across the border into Canada.

In early 19th century America, the Underground Railroad launched a freedom movement that brought people of varying religions and races together in a unified fight against the horror and injustice of chattel slavery.

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But did you know there was a Southern version of the Underground Railroad as well?

"There is a Southern Underground Railroad that is little known, not just to the average American, but also to many students of U.S. history," says Dr. Paul George, resident historian at HistoryMiami Museum, in an email interview.

In the early 1800s, enslaved Black people in Florida and other regions of the deep South were hundreds of miles from border states like Maryland and Kentucky and thousands of miles away from the "promised land" of British Canada, making their options and odds for a successful escape close to zero.

"The Saltwater Underground Railroad headed south into Spanish Florida  a region which was really off the grid and close to other areas outside of the U.S. which might be havens for fugitive slaves," says George.

Believed to have operated between 1821 and 1861, the Saltwater Underground Railroad refers to the coastal escape route followed by fugitive slaves into the British-controlled Bahamas. Fugitives from Southern slave states sought refuge on South Florida's beaches. "An underground from Georgia and Alabama, maybe South Carolina too, extended into Spanish Florida," says George.

From there, some paid for their passage on Bahamian vessels, while others made their way across the perilous Atlantic in dugout canoes and small boats. Once out to sea, under cover of night, they faced unimaginable unknowns: unpredictable weather and storms, recapture by slave hunters, assault by pirates, and unfathomably deep, dark waters.
VATICAN CITY  Pope Francis on Sunday announced he has chosen 21 new cardinals, including prelates from Jerusalem and Hong Kong  places where Catholics are a small minority  as he continues to leave his mark on the body of churchmen who will select his successor.

The pope announced his picks during his customary weekly appearance to the public in St. Peters Square, saying the ceremony to formally install the churchmen as cardinals will be held on Sept. 30.

Among those tapped are several prelates holding or about to assume major Vatican posts, including the archbishop from La Plata, Argentina, Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernandez, 59, whom the pope just named to lead the Holy Sees powerful office for ensuring doctrinal orthodoxy and overseeing processing of allegations of sexual abuse against clergy worldwide.

The new cardinals also include Hong Kong Bishop Stephen Sau-yan Chow, 64, and the Vaticans top official in the Middle East, Monsignor Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 58, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Those two churchmen guide flocks in geopolitical areas of keen concern to the Vatican.

On Sunday, in remarks preceding his reading out of the list of new cardinals, Pope Francis expressed hope that Israeli and Palestinian authorities would take up direct dialogue to end the spiral of violence  a reference to recent deadly clashes.

Francis repeatedly has cited the hardships of the Christian minority in the Middle East in recent decades.

In an interview in April with The Associated Press, Pizzaballa, an Italian prelate who is the top Catholic churchman in the Holy Land, said that the regions 2,000-year-old Christian community has come under increasing attack, with the most right-wing government in Israels history emboldening extremists who have harassed clergy and vandalized religious property at a quickening pace.

For decades, the Vatican and China have experienced tensions alternating with improvement of relations over the Communist-led nations insistence that it has the right to appoint bishops and the jailing of priests who professed loyalty to the pope.

Earlier this year, the Hong Kong bishop, who, like Francis, is a Jesuit, made the first visit to mainland China in nearly 30 years by a prelate in that post.

Chow told reporters Monday that it was somewhat unbelievable to learn about the news. It is a new mission  a mission that God assigned (to me) through the pope, he said.

In announcing their names, Francis said the appointment of cardinals from across the globe expresses the universality of the Church that continues to announce the merciful love of God to all men of the Earth.

Cardinals serve as advisers to the pontiff on matters of teaching and administration, including the Vaticans scandal-plagued finances. But their most crucial duty is gathering in a secret conclave to elect the next pontiff.

Francis has now named nine batches of new cardinals in his 10-year papacy. Even before this latest group, he had already appointed the large majority of those eligible to elect the next pontiff  those aged under 80. With the latest appointments, the number of cardinals who meet that condition stands at 137.

That means, increasingly, the men who will vote for whoever succeeds Francis, in the event of his resignation or death, are churchmen supportive of his values, priorities and perspectives and who share his vision for the future of the Catholic Church.

Three of the churchmen chosen to receive the cardinal red work in Africa, a continent where the Church has experienced growth in recent decades. They are Monsignor Stephen Brislin, 66, archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa; Monsignor Protase Rugambwa, 63, co-adjutor archbishop of Tabora, Tanzania; and Monsignor Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, 59, archbishop of Juba, South Sudan, which the pope visited earlier this year.

The office that Francis appointed Fernandez to is traditionally headed by a cardinal. But the speed with which the La Plata archbishop was tapped publicly as a cardinal  eight days after the appointment  was notable and highlights the attention the pontiff gives to that office.

A U.S.-based group that tracks how the Catholic hierarchy deals with allegations of sexual abuse by clergy says Francis made a troubling choice in picking the Argentine archbishop, who, in 2019, refused to believe victims who accused a priest in that archdiocese of sexually abusing boys.

Two others holding important offices at the Vatican were also among the popes picks on Sunday. They are the Chicago-born Monsignor Robert Francis Prevost, 67, who heads the Dicastery for Bishops; and Monsignor Claudio Gugerotti, 67, an Italian in charge of the Dicastery for Eastern Churches.

Also on the list are:

Monsignor Americo Manuel Alves Aguiar, an auxiliary bishop from Lisbon, Portugal, which the pope will visit next month for a Catholic youth jamboree. At 49, he is exceptionally young for a cardinal.

Monsignor Sebastian Francis, 71, bishop of Penang, Malaysia, who heads the bishops conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei; Monsignor Francois-Xavier Bustillo, 54, a Franciscan and native Spaniard who is bishop of Ajaccio, on the French island of Corsica; Monsignor Luis Jose Rueda Aparicio, 71, archbishop of Bogota, Colombia; and Monsignor Grzegorz Rys, 59, archbishop of Lodz, Poland.

Monsignor Emil Paul Tscherrig, 76, a Swiss prelate who is the first non-Italian to serve as papal ambassador to Italy and San Marino; and Monsignor Christopher Louis Yves Pierre, 77, a Frenchman whose diplomatic postings included Washington, D.C.

Monsignor Angel Sixto Rossi, 64, a Jesuit who is archbishop of his native Cordoba, Argentina; Monsignor Jose Cobo Cano, 57, who was just appointed last month by Francis to be archbishop of Madrid; and the Rev. Angel Fernandez Artime, 62, a Spaniard who is rector major of the Salesians, a congregation of priests present in 133 countries.

Three of the 21 new cardinals are 80 or older and thus not eligible to vote in a conclave. They are Italian prelate, Agostino Marchetto, 82, who served as the top Vatican diplomat in Belarus, Madagascar, Mauritius and Tanzania; Monsignor Diego Rafael Padron Sanchez, 84, archbishop emeritus of Cumana, Venezuela; and a Franciscan priest, Luis Pascual Dri, 96, famed for hearing confessions in the popes native Buenos Aires and who has been praised by Francis for his stress on mercy.
RALEIGH  N.C. Rep. Kevin Crutchfield, District 83 of Cabarrus and Rowan counties, who was sworn into office in January, has used his office in Raleigh as a way to promote local artists.

Every representative is allowed to decorate their own office. Crutchfield has taken this opportunity to promote the arts by coordinating with the Cabarrus Arts Council and Guild to decorate his office.

When I first arrived in Raleigh, my office was incredibly busy getting up to speed, that I didnt even consider what I was going to put on the walls, Crutchfield said. But after a few months of bare walls, I wanted to find a unique way to highlight my incredible district. I reached out to the Cabarrus Arts Council who connected us with the Cabarrus Arts Guild that coordinated with local artists to loan our office with North Carolina centric artwork.

The Cabarrus Arts Council was founded in 1980 in response to the North Carolina Arts Council's plan to establish a local arts council in every county. In 1982, the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners selected the arts council to serve as its designated county partner, receiving and distributing Grassroots funding from the state and the state arts council. The mission of the Cabarrus Art Guild is to bring together artists and art enthusiasts from Cabarrus and surrounding counties for art education, to share information about art, and exposure to original works of art.

We have anywhere from 50 to 200 people in our office a week. As a supporter of the arts, I am excited for this opportunity to show what our local artists, advocates, and volunteers are doing with the council and guild, Crutchfield said. If anyone has an interest in the arts, I highly encourage them to check out the work they are doing.

Crutchfield received pieces from five artists  Debra Joyce, Jutta Vest, Teresa Ungerer, OLynda Walker and Regina Burchette. All artists are members of the Cabarrus Arts Guild.
Database giant Oracle Corporation has joined the scrum of companies commenting on Red Hat's move to tighten its hold on the source code for its enterprise Linux distribution, claiming it appeared to be driven by a desire to eliminate competitors.

In a joint blog post published on 10 July, and headlined "Keep Linux Open and Free  We Cant Afford Not To", chief corporate architect Edward Screven and Oracle Linux Development chief Wim Coekaerts pointed out that by making it more difficult to obtain updated RHEL source code, Red Hat was directly attacking projects like Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux that have sprung up to fill the gap left by CentOS.

Oracle is the second major company to make an official statement about the Red Hat move. The first, German open source vendor SUSE, said on 11 July that it would invest more than US$10 million (A$14.97 million) to fork the publicly available RHEL source code and make it available to world+dog with no restrictions.

Prior to that, SUSE's chief technology officer Dr Thomas Di Giacomo issued a statement saying the company would not be making any changes to its policies on source code access, emphasising "that the freedom to access, modify, and distribute software should remain open to all".

Red Hat's vice-president of Core Platforms Engineering, Mike McGrath,on 21 June that the firm would be imposing more curbs on access to RHEL source code. Heto "clarify" the announcement a few days later.

Well-known open source writer Steven Vaughan-Nichols then took up cudgels for Red Hat, blaming IBM for the changes in access to RHEL source code.

IBM bought Red Hat in 2019, but has run it as a separate business unit. For a long time, anyone who wanted to use RHEL without payment could use the CentOS distribution which was set up in 2002; all that its developers did was to remove the trademarks from the RHEL code and offer it free.

In 2014, Red Hat acquired CentOS; it then shut down the project in December 2020 and pointed to a development stream which it called CentOS Stream as the avenue through which RHEL source code could be obtained.

Finally, on 21 June, Red Hat said RHEL source code would be available only to those who took out paid subscriptions. While source code can still be obtained from CentOS Stream, it would not be the same as in an RHEL release as CentOS Stream is an upstream environment. And Fedora, Red Hat's community distribution, would be even more outdated as it would be upstream to CentOS Stream.

Screven and Coekaerts said: "In 2006, we launched what is now called Oracle Linux, a RHEL-compatible distribution and support offering that is used widely, and powers Oracles engineered systems and our cloud infrastructure.

"We chose to be RHEL-compatible because we did not want to fragment the Linux community. Our effort to remain compatible has been enormously successful. In all the years since launch, we have had almost no compatibility bugs filed. Customers and ISVs can switch to Oracle Linux from RHEL without modifying their applications, and we certify Oracle software products on RHEL even though they are built and tested on Oracle Linux only, never on RHEL."

Oracle has been plugging what is sees as the virtues of its Linux distribution for a long time. As far back as 2008, this writer attended a talk given by Shane Owenby, senior director of the company's Linux and open source technology sales division in the Asia-Pacific region, during which he touted the virtues of what he called Unbreakable Linux - Oracle's offering of RHEL without the trademarks.

Screven and Coekaerts added: "While Oracle and IBM have compatible Linux distributions, we have very different ideas about our responsibilities as open source stewards and about operating under the GPLv2.

"Oracle has always made Oracle Linux binaries and source freely available to all. We do not have subscription agreements that interfere with a subscribers rights to redistribute Oracle Linux.

"On the other hand, IBM subscription agreements specify that youre in breach if you use those subscription services to exercise your GPLv2 rights. And now, as of 21 June, IBM no longer publicly releases RHEL source code."

The two Oracle officials asked, "Why did IBM make this change?" And they answered: "Well, if you read IBMs blog attempting to explain its rationale, it boils down to this: 'At Red Hat, thousands of people spend their time writing code to enable new features, fixing bugs, integrating different packages and then supporting that work for a long time  We have to pay the people to do that work'."

With more than a touch of sarcasm, Screven and Coekaerts commented: "Interesting. IBM doesnt want to continue publicly releasing RHEL source code because it has to pay its engineers?

"That seems odd, given that Red Hat, as a successful independent open source company, chose to publicly release RHEL source and pay its engineers for many years before IBM acquired Red Hat in 2019 for US$34 billion." (A$50.1 billion)

Screven and Coekaerts said the IBM blog post also mentioned CentOS. "It is no surprise CentOS was top of mind for the author attempting to justify withholding RHEL source," they said.

"CentOS had been a very popular free RHEL-compatible distribution. In December 2020, IBM effectively killed it as a free alternative to RHEL. Two new alternatives to RHEL have sprung up in CentOS place: AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux. Now, by withholding RHEL source code, IBM has directly attacked them.

"And perhaps that is the real answer to the question of why: eliminate competitors. Fewer competitors means more revenue opportunity for IBM."

The two officials said Oracle would continue pursuing its Linux goal as transparently and openly as it always had while minimising fragmentation.

"We will continue to develop and test our software products on Oracle Linux. Oracle Linux will continue to be RHEL-compatible to the extent we can make it so," they said.

"In the past, Oracles access to published RHEL source has been important for maintaining that compatibility. From a practical standpoint, we believe Oracle Linux will remain as compatible as it has always been through release 9.2, but after that, there may be a greater chance for a compatibility issue to arise. If an incompatibility does affect a customer or ISV, Oracle will work to remediate the problem.

"We want to emphasise to Linux developers, Linux customers, and Linux distributors that Oracle is committed to Linux freedom. Oracle makes the following promise: as long as Oracle distributes Linux, Oracle will make the binaries and source code for that distribution publicly and freely available.

"Furthermore, Oracle welcomes downstream distributions of every kind, community and commercial. We are happy to work with distributors to ease that process, work together on the content of Oracle Linux, and ensure Oracle software products are certified on your distribution.

"One observation for ISVs: IBMs actions are not in your best interest. By killing CentOS as a RHEL alternative and attacking AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux, IBM is eliminating one way your customers save money and make a larger share of their wallet available to you. If you dont yet support your product on Oracle Linux, we would be happy to show you how easy that is. Give your customers more choice."

In conclusion, Screven and Coekaerts took a dig at IBM, writing: "By the way, if you are a Linux developer who disagrees with IBMs actions and you believe in Linux freedom the way we do, we are hiring."

And they dug the knife in further, adding: "Finally, to IBM, heres a big idea for you. You say that you dont want to pay all those RHEL developers? Heres how you can save money: just pull from us. Become a downstream distributor of Oracle Linux. We will happily take on the burden."
Microsoft has warned users of its products that unpatched security holes in both Windows and Office are being exploited and hinted that it could release patches for these before its next monthly release.

The warning was issued as part of the company's July Patch Tuesday avalanche of patches, which addressed 130 CVEs, including five that are being exploited in the wild.

The unpatched Office vulnerabilities were identified as CVE-2023-36884. Elaborating on this, the company noted: "Microsoft is investigating reports of a series of remote code execution vulnerabilities impacting Windows and Office products. Microsoft is aware of targeted attacks that attempt to exploit these vulnerabilities by using specially-crafted Microsoft Office documents.

"An attacker could create a specially crafted Microsoft Office document that enables them to perform remote code execution in the context of the victim. However, an attacker would have to convince the victim to open the malicious file.

"Upon completion of this investigation, Microsoft will take the appropriate action to help protect our customers. This might include providing a security update through our monthly release process or providing an out-of-cycle security update, depending on customer needs.

Microsoft also warned of a phishing campaign using Office zero-day exploits to attack European and North American government and defence agencies.

iTWire's regular Patch Tuesday commentator Satnam Narang said: Two security feature bypass zero-day vulnerabilities in Microsoft Outlook (CVE-2023-35311) and Windows SmartScreen (CVE-2023-32049) were exploited in the wild by attackers.

"Details about exploitation were not available at the time Patch Tuesday updates were released, but it appears that the attackers were able to use social engineering to convince a target to click on a malicious URL. In both instances, security warning prompts that are designed to help protect users were bypassed."

Narang, a senior staff research engineer at security shop Tenable, added: Researchers at Googles Threat Analysis Group are credited with disclosing a zero-day in Microsofts Windows Error Reporting (CVE-2023-36874) which could grant an attacker administrative privileges.

"Additionally, the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Centre is credited with disclosing a zero-day in Windows MSHTML Platform (CVE-2023-32046). To exploit this flaw, a user would need to be convinced to open a specially crafted file, either via email or through a web-based attack vector.

"One interesting thing to note is the inclusion of IE Cumulative Updates. Despite the sunsetting of Internet Explorer 11, some of its components, including MSHTML and EdgeHTML, are still supported across several versions of Windows Server, which is why fixes were released for these products."

Narang said Microsoft had also patched CVE-2023-36884, a remote code execution flaw in Microsoft Windows and Office that has been exploited in the wild as a zero-day, and used in targeted attacks as part of malicious Microsoft Office documents.

"The attacks have been attributed to a threat actor known as Storm-0978 or DEV-0978, allegedly based out of Russia," he pointed out. "Storm-0978 is known to conduct ransomware and extortion-only attacks, including credential theft campaigns, against targets in Ukraine, North America and Europe.

Finally, Microsoft also issued guidance regarding the malicious use of signed drivers through its Microsoft Windows Hardware Developer Program. It was determined that certain Microsoft Partner Centre developer accounts submitted malicious drivers to gain a Microsoft signature.

"The abuse of these signed drivers was discovered as part of post-exploitation activity, which required an attacker to gain administrative privileges on the targeted system first before running the malicious signed drivers. These developer accounts have been suspended, and with the recent Windows Security updates the malicious drivers are now considered untrusted.

Rapid7s lead software engineer Adam Barnett advised anyone responsible on-prem SharePoint use to patch in order to avoid a variety of potential impacts from exploitation of CVE-2023-33157 and CVE-2023-33160, including information disclosure and editing, as well as availability of the targeted environment.

"While both these vulnerabilities require that an attacker already be authenticated as a user with at least Site Member privileges, this isnt necessarily much of a defence, since this is the lowest standard permission group with the least privileges other than the read-only Site Visitor role, and will typically be widely granted," he explained.

Dor Dali, head of Research at Cyolo, drew attention to CVE-2023-35332, which fixes a significant vulnerability in the Remote Desktop Gateway. "This vulnerability not only presents a substantial security risk, but also a significant compliance issue," he said.

"The use of deprecated and outdated security protocols, such as DTLS 1.0, may lead to non-compliance with industry standards and regulations  like SOC2, FEDRAMP, PCI, HIPAA, and others  incurring on potential legal disputes and hefty fines.

"In cases where an immediate update isn't possible, an effective workaround is to disable UDP support in the RDP Gateway. This prevents the establishment of the secondary channel over UDP, eliminating the use of the deprecated DTLS 1.0 and thereby mitigating the vulnerability. [This is] a necessary step that could potentially impact performance, but that will ensure security and compliance until the server can be updated."
California legal outfit Clarkson Law Firm has filed a lawsuit against search giant Google over the company's recently announced move to scrape all publicly available data from the Internet for training its AI products.

The proposed class action, against Google, its parent Alphabet and its AI subsidiary DeepMind, was filed in a California federal court on Tuesday, a CNN report says.

On its website, Clarkson has a page on which any Americans wishing to join the class action can register.

Under the heading, "Together on AI", the law firm says: "We all believe in the power of AI. And we all recognise the dangers. This is our chance to come together, to protect our identities and ideas, to put new safeguards in place, and to prepare for a future with AI.

"Clarkson is asking Open AI and Google to temporarily pause commercial use of all AI products and allow for the co-ordination of a responsible deployment of this powerful technology."

As iTWire reported on Tuesday, Google is taking pains to hide its latest intentions, shifting the text detailing it from web page to web page.

The company also appears to have scrubbed a link to the page that originally hosted details of its plan from the Internet Archive. The archive, run by technologist Brewster Kahle, crawls the Web periodically and stores versions of Web pages with the date specified.

As Google has not made any public statement about the lawsuit, iTWire has contacted the company for its take.

Contacted for comment, Ryan Clarkson, managing partner of Clarkson Law Firm, said in a statement: "We have only recently learned that Google has been taking everything ever created or shared online by millions of Internet users, including all our personal information, creative works, and professional works, and using all of that data to train and build commercial AI products.

Google harvested this data in secret for years, without providing notice to anyone, much less with anyones consent. Google does not own the Internet, it does not own our creative works, it does not own our expressions of our personhood, pictures of our families and children, or anything else simply because we share it online.

The statement said the suit alleges "theft of both copyrighted material and personal information of millions of Americans, including children of all ages to build profitable and dangerous AI technologies in violation of state and federal privacy, property, and consumer protection laws".

Timothy Giordano, partner at Clarkson Law, said: All of the stolen information belonged to real people who shared it online for specific purposes, not one of which was to train large language models to profit Google while putting the world at peril with untested and volatile AI products. Publicly available has never meant free to use for any purpose.

And Tracey Cowan, another partner at Clarkson Law, added: Every single response from Google to combat the widespread public backlash has been too little too late.

They not only ignored public opinion, they refused to comply with the Federal Trade Commission's warnings to collect data in a lawful way.

"Google is a leader in the tech industry, and we are calling on them to be a leader in AI development. They have every resource to collect data in a lawful way and set the standard for every other company working with AI by changing their practices.

The Clarkson statement said: "Seeking two major remedies, the lawsuit was filed on behalf of adult and minor Google users throughout the United States, and more plaintiffs are being added every day.

"First, the suit asks for immediate injunctive relief, instituting a temporary freeze on further commercial use of this tech until reasonable guardrails can be put in place.

"Second, it seeks payment of 'data dividends' as financial compensation to every person whose information was commercially misappropriated to help develop and train Googles AI, which has produced billions of dollars in company profits."
The UK regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority, has again changed its stance on Microsoft's bid to acquire gaming giant Activision Blizzard following a decision by an American court against the US Federal Trade Commission's bid to block the deal.

In April, the CMA announced it was blocking the deal as it would change the cloud gaming market and lessen choice for gamers in the country.

At that time, the regulator said Microsoft's solution had "significant shortcomings" and would need oversight.

A month prior, the CMA had signalled that it had received new evidence indicating that the deal would not lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the UK console gaming market.

In a statement sent to iTWire on Wednesday, a CMA spokesperson said: "We stand ready to consider any proposals from Microsoft to restructure the transaction in a way that would address the concerns set out in our Final Report.

"In order to be able to prioritise work on these proposals, Microsoft and Activision have agreed with the CMA that a stay of litigation in the UK would be in the public interest and all parties have made a joint submission to the Competition Appeal Tribunal to this effect."

The CMA announcement followed a decision by Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley in San Francisco which said the FTC had not shown that Microsofts merger with Activision would harm competition for gaming.

Her decision means 38 jurisdictions have green-lighted the deal, which has an 18 July deadline for closing.

The proposed US$70 billion (A$104.6 billion) deal, which would have made Microsoft the world's third-largest gaming company, was announced in January 2022.

While the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union, is also investigating the deal, it is unclear as to the stage it is at. In November 2022, the EC said it had concerns whether the deal would lessen competition in markets for distribution of console and personal computer video games and for PC operating systems.

The EC said at the time it had been notified of the intended deal on 30 September and now had 90 days (until 23 March 2023) to decide on whether it would approve the deal or not.

But there is no indication on the EU website of any further statement about the investigation though 23 March is long gone.

Correction: The EU gave its assent to the deal on 15 May.
PEOPLE MOVES: Senior engineer Tallaesen Fleming joins SMA Australia as Vice President of Large Scale and Project Solutions, with Josh Birmingham promoted to a global sales and markets role within SMAs global operations

SMA Australia, a global leader in manufacturing premium solar and battery inverter solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Tallaesen Fleming to the role of Vice President of Large Scale and Project Solutions.

Tallaesen is a highly accomplished Chartered Professional Engineer with an impressive track record of 20 years in the construction industry. His expertise spans across diverse sectors, including water, gas, and civil engineering. However, it is within the realm of renewables where he has discovered his true passion.

With his deep understanding of renewable energy and his ability to inspire and motivate teams, Tallaesen is an invaluable asset in driving sustainable and impactful projects forward. His visionary approach and ability to deliver remarkable results make him a sought-after professional within the industry.

Tallaesen has led teams of over 100 people in delivering excellent project and organisational outcomes. Through his diverse experiences and training, Tallaesen has developed an inclusive leadership style that challenges teams to excel.

In his new role within SMA Australia, Tallaesen will play a pivotal role in driving growth and fostering strategic partnerships within this crucial segment of the business.

Innovations from SMA have shaped the success of the energy transition for over 40 years, said Tallaesen. I look forward to being part of SMAs journey to make renewable energy accessible to everyone.

Doris Spielthenner, SMA Australias Managing Director, expressed great enthusiasm and confidence in Tallaesens ability to lead the large-scale segment towards new heights.

"We are thrilled to welcome Tallaesen to our management team, she said. With an impressive track record and deep industry insights, Tal is the ideal candidate to continue to drive our large-scale business forward. Under his guidance, we will further strengthen our market presence and capitalise on emerging opportunities in the renewable energy sector.

Josh Birmingham, who previously held Tallaesens role, has been promoted to the role of Senior Vice President of Sales and Markets on a global scale. Josh's exceptional leadership and extensive experience in the solar industry make him the ideal candidate to drive SMA Solar Technology's sales and market expansion worldwide.

During his tenure with SMA Australia, Josh has successfully led the Large Scale and Project Solutions team in the Australian market. Under his guidance, Josh has demonstrated a deep understanding of the local market dynamics and successfully spearheaded several initiatives that have resulted in significant growth for SMA Australia. His unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality solutions has earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues and customers alike.

Josh said, I am thrilled to start working with the wider global SMA community, taking the experience Ive acquired within the Australian team and applying it to an international context.

On the new appointments, Doris Spielthenner added: Whether its in the home, across the commercial sector or supporting large-scale and industrial projects, SMA continues to support the planets race to net zero - both within Australia and in the global arena. These strategic appointments reinforce SMA's commitment to becoming a global leader in the renewable energy sector.

With a focus on urgent topics within the industry including grid-forming and cybersecurity, SMA Australia is committed to revolutionising the global energy landscape and delivering innovative solutions that enable a brighter and more sustainable future for all.
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 A 72-year-old woman was arrested on Nov. 29 in Berlin after she allegedly turned off her hospital roommate's ventilator -- twice! -- because the sound of it was annoying her, The Washington Post reported.

After the first incident, police said, the woman was told the machine was necessary to keep the roommate alive, but she switched it off again later in the evening.

The other patient had to be revived, although she is expected to recover.

The suspect was charged with suspicion of attempted manslaughter. [Washington Post, 12/1/2022]

 On Dec. 5, as Hassan Chokr, 35, appeared virtually from jail for a hearing in Wayne County, Michigan, he became frustrated with Judge Regina Thomas and started yelling and pointing at the camera, Fox News reported.

Thomas asked for his microphone to be muted, and things escalated: "I want the record to reflect that ... now he has removed his pants to show the court his backside," Thomas said.

"I don't know why anyone would think it is appropriate to pull down his pants and show the court their behind during a court proceeding."

Chokr's attorney agreed with Thomas that a mental health evaluation "probably would be a good thing" and said Chokr was just exercising his right to free speech.

Thomas wasn't buying it, though: "We don't get to do and say anything we want to without the consequences of those actions," she said. "That's where your client finds himself today." [Fox News, 12/7/2022]
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One of the murkier aspects of congressional Republicans' investigation of President Joe Biden's financial history concerns an allegation that Biden, when he was vice president, accepted a $5 million bribe from the corrupt Ukrainian energy firm Burisma. The alleged scheme also involved Biden's son Hunter. Burisma, of course, was the company that for a time paid Hunter Biden about $1 million a year to do mostly nothing.

At issue is something called a form FD-1023, an FBI document that is said to "memorialize a confidential human source's conversations with a foreign national who claimed to have bribed then-Vice President Joe Biden," in the words of Rep. James Comer (R-KY), chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee. That FBI confidential human source, Comer continued, was no fly-by-night character. Instead, he was a "trusted" source who has worked with the FBI "for over 10 years" and was paid "over $200,000" for his work during that time. "This is one of our highest-paid, most trusted, most respected, most effective FBI informants in the whole bureau," Comer told Fox Business's Maria Bartiromo on June 15.

In other words, it was a serious allegation from a serious source. Yet the FBI, Comer said, "never did one single thing to investigate this." In a June 28 press release, Comer added, "The FBI has been sitting on allegations for years that Joe Biden solicited and received a bribe while he was Vice President of the United States. We have no confidence that the FBI did anything to verify the allegations contained within this record and may have intentionally withheld it during the investigation into Hunter Biden's tax evasion."

Here's the way investigators look at this. Is the bribery allegation true? Who knows? It might be false. It might be a misunderstanding. It might be a political hit job. Or it might be true. In any event, the only way its truth or falsity can be established is by investigation. If you don't investigate, you'll never know.

That is why top lawmakers, including Comer and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), are pressing the FBI to tell them what the bureau did to investigate the source's story. That has been the one key question they have asked the FBI and Justice Department all along: Did you investigate this? And that is what the FBI and Justice Department have refused to answer.

Of course, Republicans suspect the FBI did nothing to investigate and instead buried the allegation. And now they are focusing on who in the Justice Department might have stymied any investigation.

In a new letter to David Weiss, the Trump-appointed U.S. attorney in Delaware who handled the Hunter Biden investigation, Grassley suggests that a senior official in Weiss's office, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley Wolf, repeatedly took steps to frustrate the investigation of Hunter Biden's, and Joe Biden's, financial dealings.

In the letter, Grassley suggested the Justice Department cut IRS investigators out of key parts of the Hunter Biden investigation  like the FD-1023 form. Specifically, Grassley cited an Oct. 23, 2020, meeting in which Wolf received a briefing on the FD-1023 bribery issue from FBI agents. "The meeting did not include any IRS agents," Grassley noted, which was important because the IRS plays a critical role in federal investigations of financial crimes. A senior IRS official, Gary Shapley, is one of two IRS whistleblowers who have come forward accusing the Justice Department of favoritism in the Biden investigation.

But while the FBI excluded IRS investigators in looking at the FD-1023 form, it was happy to include nearly everybody else. "Potentially hundreds of Justice Department and FBI officials have had access to the FD-1023 at issue," Grassley wrote, "which begs the question that I've been asking since the start of my oversight in this matter: what steps have the Justice Department and FBI taken to investigate the allegations? You, Attorney General Garland, and Director Wray have failed to answer."

That's when Grassley turned to Wolf. "IRS whistleblowers have affirmed that AUSA Wolf prevented investigators from seeking information about Joe Biden's involvement in Hunter Biden's criminal business arrangements," Grassley wrote. "AUSA Wolf frustrated investigative efforts to question [Hunter Biden associate] Rob Walker about Joe Biden; AUSA Wolf admitted that 'more than enough probable cause' had been achieved for a physical search warrant at Joe Biden's guest house but prevented it from happening due to 'optics'; AUSA Wolf prevented investigators from searching Hunter Biden's storage unit; AUSA Wolf called Hunter Biden's defense counsel informing him of the interest in the storage unit."

It does not take a rocket scientist to see that Grassley is sharply focused on Wolf. Now, he wants to know: "Did AUSA Wolf take similar proactive measures to frustrate any investigation into the FD-1023?" The senator wants to know if what he calls Wolf's "alleged questionable and obstructive conduct during the course of [the Hunter Biden investigation]" includes her actions concerning the FD-1023.

Grassley, in the GOP minority in the Senate, is fighting an uphill battle. Justice Department officials know the Democrats who control the Senate are not seriously going to investigate a Democratic president. Comer, with the Republican majority in the House, has more power. But the experience of both men shows that it is not easy to pursue the facts about a president when so many in law enforcement seemingly don't want to know what happened.

(COMMENT, BELOW)




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"This is not a normal court," President Biden told reporters at the White House following the Supreme Court's decision that race-based affirmative action in college admissions is unconstitutional.

As criticisms go, that was quite measured, especially after the torrent of condemnation poured on the court after last year's abortion decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Critics then were tripping over themselves in their rush to declare that the high court had lost all legitimacy and no longer merited the respect or obedience of American citizens.

The justices "have burned whatever legitimacy they may still have had," seethed Senator Elizabeth Warren in a typical example of the 2022 outrage. "They just took the last of it and set a torch to it."

Everywhere on the left, there were similar denunciations. Senator Ed Markey railed against "the illegitimate, far-right majority on the Supreme Court," Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez diagnosed "a crisis of legitimacy," and the head of the Democratic National Committee scorned "this illegitimate Supreme Court." The progressive journal Current Affairs proclaimed in a headline: "The Supreme Court Has Destroyed Its Legitimacy and There Is No Reason to Respect It."

In The Grio, journalist/activist David Love called for abolishing the high court: "Now is the time to shut the whole thing down and start from scratch before more people die." The Jacobin, a socialist magazine, was only slightly less apocalyptic: "For too long, progressives have accepted without question the legitimacy of the courts," it thundered. "That needs to change now."

But the Supreme Court doesn't become "illegitimate" just because it issues a decision a lot of people detest. US history abounds with rulings that provoked rage, shock, and calls for massive resistance. From Dred Scott v. Sandford in 1857 to Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 to Roe v. Wade in 1973 to Bush v. Gore in 2000, the high court has often sent critics into paroxysms of wrath.

Perhaps no SCOTUS ruling was ever more widely loathed than Engel v. Vitale, the 1962 case in which the justices forbade government-sponsored prayer in public schools. Polls at the time found that 8 out of 10 Americans disapproved of the ruling. According to one scholar, "Engel provoked more outrage, more congressional attempts to overturn it, and more attacks on the justices than perhaps any other decision in Supreme Court history."

Yet in each of those cases, the court's decision was treated as binding. Just as Dobbs, once the tumult and the shouting died, was accepted as the law of the land. And just as the latest controversial rulings on racial preferences, same-sex wedding websites, and student debt cancellation will be accepted. Like most institutions in our strident era, the Supreme Court's reputation has taken a hit. But if the measure of judicial legitimacy is that rulings are obeyed, then the court's legitimacy is intact.

"Not a normal court"? That is hardly the worst thing presidents have said when justices ruled in ways they didn't like.

In 1801, President Thomas Jefferson condemned the "fraudulent use of the Constitution" that had filled the courts with "useless judges" who were using the judiciary as a base from which "all the works of republicanism are to be beaten down and erased." Three years later, he would go further, urging his allies in the House of Representatives to impeach Justice Samuel Chase, a staunch Federalist, on the grounds of political bias. (Chase was impeached, but the Senate refused to convict.)

In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was so incensed by Supreme Court rulings invalidating several New Deal measures that he famously tried to "pack" the court  i.e., to create additional seats in the hope of filling them with justices more to his liking. In one "fireside chat," he said Congress had to act "to save the Constitution from the court and the court from itself" and demanded "a Supreme Court which will do justice under the Constitution  not over it." Ultimately, FDR's court-packing scheme went nowhere.

Harsh, too, was President Barack Obama's attack on the justices to their faces during his 2010 State of the Union address. Vilifying the court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC, which upheld the right of corporations and unions to spend money on political campaigns, Obama accused the justices of having "open[ed] the floodgates for special interests" and allowing elections to be "bankrolled by America's most powerful interests, or worse, by foreign entities."

I say, have at it. Presidents should feel as free to excoriate Supreme Court justices as they do to upbraid lawmakers, and members of Congress who feel like slamming the court as "illegitimate" when a ruling doesn't go the way they want should go right ahead and do so. Let legislators say what they wish about judicial decisions. Ideally, of course, they should express themselves with dignity and care, but they're politicians, so expect intemperate hyperbole from most of them.

What matters in the end is that the court's decisions are adhered to and the constitutional order respected. The executive, legislative, and judicial branches are co-equal in our system, and need not see eye-to-eye. To be a "government of laws and not of men" requires that when the court says what the law is, the nation complies. But it also means that the men (and women) who want that law changed have every right to say so, as vigorously and sharply as they like.

Jeff Jacoby is a columnist for The Boston Globe, from which this is reprinted with permission."
MATTOON  Lincoln Home National Historic Site Superintendent Timothy Good is scheduled to discuss the Lincoln-Douglas debates during the Coles County Historical Society Founders' Day dinner on July 24.

The event at Stadium Grill is open to the public, but seating is limited and reservations are due by July 18. The dinner is set to begin at 6 p.m. and the cost is $25, with a choice of top sirloin, chicken Monterey, catfish, or tomato basil pasta. Reservations can be made by contacting Sandra Graven at sgraven2808@yahoo.com or 217-273-8968.

There will be a short presentation on the work of local historian Stephan Thompson and WWII contributions of Maj. Charles Blakesly Hall. Good will then speak on the 1858 debates.

Good, a 33-year veteran of the National Park Service, began his career serving at the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Fords Theatre National Historic Site in Washington. He also helped develop the NPS Civil War Soldiers & Sailors System. This is a computerized database of 6.3 million soldier records and several thousand-unit histories.

Good then served on the National Mall; Lincoln Home National Historic Site; Cuyahoga Valley National Park; Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park; the Midwest Regional Office in Omaha, Nebraska; and Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site in St. Louis before returning to Springfield in 2018.

For more information about the Coles County Historical Society, visit coleshistory.net or the Coles County Historical Society page on Facebook.

The best of Abraham Lincoln on film and TV 'Abraham Lincoln' 'Abe Lincoln in Illinois' (1940) "Drunk History" "The Lego Movie" 'Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure' (1989) 'Young Mr. Lincoln' (1939) 'Lincoln' (2012) 'The Birth of a Nation' (1915) 'Frederick Douglass  In Five Speeches'
BLOOMINGTON  Individuals and families will be allowed to attend Miller Park Zoo for free Monday in honor of Kristian Philpotts, an Illinois State University alumnus who was killed last year while working as a rideshare driver.

Admission for the first 300 people will be paid for by the generosity of the Philpotts family.

Kristian KP Philpotts Day has been adopted by five Central Illinois cities  Bloomington, Normal, Charleston, Champaign and Urbana  to honor Philpotts and celebrate his life on July 17, which would have been his 31st birthday.

Philpotts was killed in January 2022 while working as a Lyft driver in Urbana. Police said three 17-year-old boys attempted to rob him and then shot him in the back. Two have since pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in the case; murder charges are pending against the third.

Mayors from both Bloomington and Normal will meet at Miller Park Zoo at 11:30 a.m. that day to make an official proclamation. Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin will also be in attendance along with Philpotts family members, professors and fraternity brothers.

ISU mascot Reggie Redbird will also be in appearance.

Along with the free zoo admission, an all-day discount will be offered for Illinois State University students, staff and alumni as well as members of the Iota Phi Thea Fraternity.

There will also be free carousel rides and free snow cones offered throughout the day.

Philpotts graduated in 2016 with a bachelors degree from Illinois State University and obtained a masters degree from Eastern Illinois University in 2018.

He was in the process of applying to become a veterinarian at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign when he died. He was two years away from earning his doctorate in veterinary science.

While at EIU, he brought back the universitys chapter of Iota Phi Theta Inc. Fraternity in 2021 after a 27-year hiatus. Philpotts had been a member of the fraternity at ISU while studying for his bachelors degree in pre-veterinary medicine.

In all three locations Philpotts lived while attending school, he volunteered and participated in charities.

The Dr. Kristian KP Philpotts Memorial Scholarship at Illinois State was also started last year in his memory by his mother, Marla Rice. She raised more than $25,000 on GoFundMe to start the endowed scholarship.
A major Gildan Activewear production plant in Honduras is being closed with as many as 2,700 employees being affected.

The basic apparel manufacturer, which has three yarn-spinning plants in the Triad, said Tuesday the ramp-down at its San Miguel plant in Choloma is slated to begin by July 31.

Gildan did not disclose the number of jobs being eliminated, but SourcingJournal.com  a trade outlet devoted to the apparel industry  reported 2,700 at the facility.

That would represent about 5.3% of the manufacturers 51,000 global workforce.

At this time, the company does not have any plans to downsize its operations in the U.S., Gildan said.

Gildan, based in Montreal, had as of March 31 more than 500 jobs at its yarn-production plant in Mocksville as part of expanding domestic production capacity for new and existing products for its Gildan Yarns division.

Gildan has nine production facilities in Honduras, including six that are owned by the company, according to its fiscal 2022 annual report to investors.

Gildan said in a statement that the San Miguel plant closing is in context of the current market environment and to more effectively respond to changes with regards to market conditions, global competition, optimization and diversification of our operations.

Gildan made the difficult decision to reorganize its basic apparel sewing production.

The San Miguel facility is unionized and subject to collective bargaining agreements. Gildan said it will work with the union to facilitate the transition for employees.

As we navigate this change, the company will ensure that all workers affected by the San Miguel closure are paid all termination entitlements owed under Honduran Labor Law, the company said.

According to Gildans first-quarter earnings report on May 4, the company suffered a 33.3% decline in net income to $97.6 million. First-quarter sales were $702.9 million, down 9.3% year over year.

While the economic environment remains uncertain and we are seeing continued cautiousness on inventory levels with our customer base across channels, our point-of-sales trends were in line with our expectations for the first quarter, Gildan said.
Two Winston-Salem men were shot and wounded slightly two hours apart Tuesday night, authorities said.

Bradley John McDunnah, 42, of Kernersville Road arrived at 7:51 p.m. at the Kernersville Medical Center with a gunshot wound to his shoulder, Winston-Salem police said.

McDunnah told the hospital staff that he was shot while he was outside a building in the 4300 block of Kernersville Road, police said.

McDunnah was treated for non-life threatening injuries, police said.

McDunnah told officers that he was outside that building when he heard a gunshot, police said. McDunnah then fell to the ground and discovered that he had a gunshot wound to his shoulder.

McDunnah drove himself to the hospital, police said. McDunnah couldnt provide any suspect information.

A second incident occurred as officers responded at 10:13 p.m. to the 900 block of East Second Street on a report of gunfire, police said.

When police arrived, they found Corey Jamarr Davis, 39, of Second Street with a single gunshot wound to his upper leg.

Davis was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his non-life threatening injuries, police said. Davis is in stable condition at the hospital.

Investigators determined that Davis was in the 900 block of East Second Street when he was shot by an unknown assailant, police said. Davis told officers the shooter was a man, but he could not provide further information about the suspect.

Winston-Salem police are asking the publics assistance in both cases.

Anyone with information about these shootings can call Winston-Salem police at 336-773-7700, Crime Stopper at 336-727-2800 or its Spanish line at 336-728-3904.

Crime Stoppers of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County is on Facebook.

The Text-A-Tip program at 336-276-1717 allows people to text tips, photos and videos to the police.
Forsyth Technical Community College will offer free tuition to all 2023 North Carolina high school graduates for the fall and spring semesters.

Now in its third year, the College Commitment program is considered a "last-dollar" scholarship that will cover the gap left after federal, state and local grants and scholarships have been applied to a student's tuition. The college will use a variety of sources to cover that gap, according to a press release from Forsyth Tech.

Students must be a 2023 high school graduate from North Carolina and be a first-time college student.

Forsyth Tech President Janet Spriggs said in a statement: We believe in the trailblazing and transformative power of education and the doors it can open. We recognize your hard work, dedication and achievements throughout your high school years, and we want to support your dreams by providing a solid foundation for your future success.

The scholarship funds can only be used to cover tuition and assorted fees. It does not cover books, supplies and course materials.

Students interested in learning more should visit forsythtech.edu/Classof2023.
Piedmont Triad International Airport had a sizable increase in firearms being confiscated in carry-on luggage at security checkpoints during the first half of 2023, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration reported Wednesday.

The Greensboro airport was reported with 12 firearms discoveries, compared with seven in the first half of 2022 and 15 for all of 2022.

The firearms were all found by TSA officers during the routine screening of carry-on property at airport security checkpoints.

TSA and PTI did not provide comment on the report.

Although there were similar year-over-year increases in firearms discoveries at Charlotte-Douglas and Raleigh-Durham international airports, North Carolina had a slight rise overall.

For the 10 commercial airline airports in the state, there were 130 firearms discovered in carry-on luggage through June 30, compared with 128 a year ago.

For the full year, there were 250 in 2022, 254 in 2021, 105 in 2020, 194 in 2019 and 180 in 2018.

TSA said there were 66 firearms discoveries at Charlotte-Douglas, up from 52 in the first half of 2022. There were a record 117 firearms confiscated at Charlotte-Douglas in all of 2022.

Meanwhile, there were 39 firearms confiscated at Raleigh-Durham in the first half, compared with 34 in the same period for 2022.

When a TSA officers sees the image of a firearm on the X-ray screen, they immediately notify the local airport law enforcement agency, which responds to the security checkpoint.

A law enforcement officer removes the firearm from the X-ray tunnel and makes contact with the traveler.

In addition to potential criminal citations, travelers face civil penalties for bringing firearms to the security checkpoint.

TSA said it evaluates each firearm incident on a case-by-case basis. Among the factors TSA considers when determining the civil penalty amount includes whether the firearm was loaded and whether there was accessible ammunition.

The civil penalty can go up to a maximum of near $15,000 per violation.

Firearms can be transported on a commercial aircraft only if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and placed in checked baggage. Any type of replica firearm is prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be transported in checked luggage.

Even if a traveler has a concealed weapons permit, firearms are not permitted in carry-on luggage.

Individuals who violate rules regarding traveling with firearms will also have Trusted Traveler status and TSA PreCheck expedited-screening benefits revoked for a period of time.

The duration of the disqualification will depend upon the seriousness of the offense and if there is a repeated history of violations.
James Arthur Vineyards is moving forward on plans to build an event center and craft distillery on its Raymond acreage.

Co-owner Jim Ballard said the project, which involves rezoning the agricultural land to allow for a microdistillery, will come before the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission in the coming weeks.

"There are a lot of hurdles that we have to get over, but we're taking our time and we're doing it right," Ballard said. "We're making sure that we cross all our T's and dot all of our I's and that the county is happy with what we're doing."

If everything were to fall into place, Ballard envisions the project breaking ground in October and being up and running by as early as May.

Ballard has been looking for ways to move the family business forward. An event center and adjoining microdistillery would accomplish that, while also enhancing the community.

"There's a need for nice events venues here in the Lincoln area," he said. "And at the same time, we've been toying with the idea of a distillery for quite some time."

It made no sense to do one without the other, he said.

"I thought that we might as well attach a distillery to make it really cool," Ballard said. "There's nothing quite like that around here."

The event venue, to be located east of the vineyard's headquarters on land it already owns, would be suitable for weddings, reunions, fundraising events and company retreats, Ballard said.

A driveway to the new building will be added and the parking area will be expanded, Ballard said.

Lincoln-based Schemmer is the architect for the project, while Ironhide Construction, also in Lincoln, will build it.

James Arthur has brought in a firm to do a traffic study on West Raymond Road to determine if a turn-only lane will need to be added at the facility's entrance.

Ballard said, amid the tree-line vineyard, the new structure would make for "a nice little wedding venue."

"Our hope is that we can make it a one-stop shop in terms of weddings," he said. "They could get married out here and then have the reception out here as well."

The microdistillery is an added bonus  something Ballard has been toying with even before he experimented earlier this year with aging some of James Arthur's wines in used spirit bottles to enhance their flavor profiles.

"It's something I've been thinking about for a while," he said.

So much so, that he went to Louisville, Kentucky, earlier this year and took part in an intensive weeklong seminar called Moonshine University that taught some of the finer points in distilling alcohol.

"I know that it's a little bit different than winemaking, which is a little bit different than beer-making," he said. "But there are some similarities."

And, at the end of the day, it all comes down to the ingredients. Ballard said great wines "are made in a vineyard." The same is true with the best spirits, he said.

"We're in the middle of the best corn-growing state in the world," he said. "A lot of the grains we're gonna have will be great."

Ballard said he wants to use locally grown grains  from rye to corn  and the plan is to make bourbon and brandy, while possibly experimenting with a rum made from sugar beets.

"We're just at the beginning stages, and I've scoped out a lot of the equipment  I've got it picked out," he said, adding that he is working with a consultant in Kentucky who helped to get Woodford Reserve up and running.

"We want to make sure this is done right. We want to make sure that it's just an incredible facility that people can really be proud of and that we can showcase another aspect of what we can do here in Nebraska."

Top Journal Star photos for July 2023
Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird has nominated a local architect to be the new director of the city's Urban Development Department.

Peter Hind, who is manager of the Lincoln Architecture Group at Schemmer Associates Inc., will start in September, assuming his appointment is approved by the City Council. His salary will be $165,000.

Hind has more than 23 years of experience in residential, commercial, multifamily and health care design. Before joining Schemmer in 2019, he was a founding partner of studio951 in Lincoln and principal of award-winning FOUNDarchitects.

Hind also was a tenured professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is a member of the city's Urban Design Committee.

Peters diverse professional background and impressive portfolio position him to continue Lincolns trajectory of growth and success, Gaylor Baird said in a news release. He commands rich experience in seeing complex projects through to completion and brings with him a strong commitment to problem-solving, innovation, and public service.

Hind would take over for Dan Marvin, who is retiring this month after leading the department since 2019.

Dan Marvins visionary leadership of our Urban Development team resulted in record-setting progress on affordable housing, increased housing stability for our most economically vulnerable community members, improved quality and safety of our existing housing stock, and a boom of growth and development across the city," Gaylor Baird said. "He leaves a legacy that can be seen across Lincolns growing skyline and in the hearts and homes of residents across the community."

The Urban Development Department manages Lincoln's share of federal Community Development Block Grant funds, serves as the city's redevelopment authority, coordinates acquisition of right of way and sales of city property, and manages public parking resources.

"I am truly honored to be given this opportunity to serve the people of the city of Lincoln. I'm excited to work with the Urban Development Department team, the mayor's office, and the various constituents and stakeholders to help make Lincoln an even more vibrant, sustainable, and beautiful city," Hind said.
Margaret Reist Local government reporter Follow Margaret Reist Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

The saga of Lincolns Fairness Ordinance has moved to the courts.

Kay Siebler, a leader of a group called Let Lincoln Vote, is asking Lancaster County District Court to order the City Council to enact an ordinance updating city discrimination protections to include gender identity, sexual orientation and veterans  or put it on the ballot.

The lawsuit is the latest move in a 17-month controversy over whether the city should update Title 11, the city code dealing with equal opportunity in housing, employment and public accommodation.

The lawsuit alleges that had city officials followed its charter, the Let Lincoln Vote ballot initiative to get the ordinance passed or on the ballot wouldnt have been thrown out.

The group made the same argument to the City Council: That the city charter does not require the Lancaster County election commissioner to verify the signatures, and therefore doesnt require  as state law says  a notification in red ink indicating whether circulators are paid or volunteer.

That red ink notification, or the lack of it, led the election commissioner to throw out Let Lincoln Votes ballot initiative signatures last August.

That ballot initiative was just the latest turn in a process that began in February 2022 when the City Council passed an ordinance broadly updating Title 11  a decade after a different City Council had passed a more narrowly worded ordinance.

In addition to adding protections for sexual orientation and gender identity, the 2022 ordinance included veterans and updated definitions of marriage, race and natural origins; strengthened definitions and updated disability protections.

Opponents, led by the Nebraska Family Alliance, mounted a successful referendum petition drive, gathering enough signatures to force the council either to rescind the ordinance or let Lincoln voters decide.

A decade earlier, following a similar referendum petition, the council had done nothing and the original Fairness Ordinance sat dormant. This council was determined not to let that happen.

Division among supporters on how best to proceed  some worried they didnt have the organization or financing in place to successfully overcome well-organized, well-financed opponents and there werent sufficient supports for transgender people likely to be targeted  prompted a divided City Council to rescind the ordinance.

Siebler and other supporters then gathered signatures for its own ballot initiative, convinced voters would approve a Fairness Ordinance, given the opportunity.

The group collected more than 11,0000 signatures  well over the number needed  but in August the Lancaster County election commissioner threw them out, saying they were invalid because they didnt include the notice in red ink as required by state law.

Let Lincoln Vote filed a second ballot initiative to get the question on the May ballot, but were frustrated by what they said was an inability to get city or county officials to ensure the petition forms were accurate and valid this time around.

Now theyve asked the court to intervene. So stay tuned.

Aiming for synchronicity

If you thought there was no science to making traffic flow smoothly along city streets, think again.

The city got a $100,000 federal grant through the Nebraska Department of Transportation to use software designed by Iowa State University Professor Anuj Sharma. The grant will pay $80,000, the city the remaining $20,000.

Dan Carpenter, the citys traffic engineering manager, said the city can collect lots of data about how many cars go through an intersection, how long they sit at red lights and how many go through an intersection on a green light. But analyzing all that data is time intensive.

Enter Sharmas software, which can more effectively crunch all that data to show how the citys timing of traffic lights is working and how it might improve.

The city has been working to make the lights more efficient through a $6.8 million initiative called Green Light Lincoln. In September 2021, city officials touted the work, saying it had reduced the time Lincolnites spent in cars by 1.2 million hours, meant 68 million fewer vehicle stops, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and an annual saving of $23.7 million in fuel costs since the program began in 2016.

The professors software will continue that work.

Its another tool in our toolbox to do that, Carpenter said.

It will also allow Lincoln to compare its system to cities of comparable size, he said.

Will it result in dramatic changes Lincolns motorists will notice?

No, though maybe noticeable to the very observant among us.

But Carpenter warns that motorists will still find themselves stopped at lights that drive them nuts, which, he noted, turn red for a reason. Even if it might not be immediately obvious.

Keeping the water flowing

Lincoln Transportation and Utilities wants to give a nearly 13% jump in the salary range for nine positions for two different jobs that help keep Lincolns water and wastewater systems up and running.

Both jobs are basically technicians, one an electrician who monitors the high-voltage motors that make water pumps and other large equipment run (or get restarted when a thunderstorm knocks one out), the other a computer tech who runs the centralized system that operates the citys water and wastewater systems.

There are three of the technicians that handle the high-voltage electrical work and six of the computer technicians for Lincoln water and wastewater systems.

Steve Owen, superintendent of water production and treatment, said similar positions outside the city pay more, which resulted in the loss of several people. The city-county Human Resources Department did a study that bore out that theory and officials are now asking the City Council to make the jobs more competitive.

If the council approves the changes, the pay ranges would increase from $58,772-$75,055 to $66,310-$84,675.

With the possible change on the horizon, the city has been able to hire more people, Owen said, and is in the process of filling the last two open positions.

Top Journal Star photos for July 2023
A local Realtor who sits on the Lincoln Airport Authority announced Tuesday that she plans to run for a seat in Nebraskas Legislature in 2024.

In her announcement Tuesday, Behmer Popp said shes now running to join the Legislature because Nebraskans need someone who is going to put people over politics and knows how to fight for our families.

A Hastings College alumna with a masters degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Behmer Popp touted her experience in the Legislature, where she said she spent 10 years as a policy aide and advocate.

Behmer Popps campaign website also emphasized her accomplishments on the Lincoln Airport Authority, where she helped oversee a $56 million terminal expansion while increasing air service.

The Civic Nebraska board member and mother of two said on her campaign website that she plans to prioritize affordable housing, promoting small businesses and protecting public schools.

Behmer Popp would be the latest Airport Authority member to springboard from the body to the Legislature. Lincoln Sen. Anna Wishart, who represents Legislative District 27, was first elected to her seat in 2016 after serving for five years on the airports elected governing body.

Behmer Popp, a resident of southeast Lincoln, is the only candidate to have formally announced a run for the District 25 seat in the election cycle.

Pillen, a Republican, appointed Bosn to the seat April 7 to finish the term vacated by Sen. Suzanne Geist, who resigned from the Legislature halfway through her second term to focus on her unsuccessful run for Lincolns mayors office in a contentious race marked by attack ads and unprecedented campaign spending.

The 25th District includes the southeastern edge of Lincoln and all of Bennet.

As of this month, the district has 31,127 registered voters, including 15,310 Republicans, 8,960 Democrats and 6,466 nonpartisan voters, according to registration data maintained Nebraska Secretary of States Office.

Those total represent a similar split as November 2020  when the district last elected its state senator  despite redistricting since then. Geist, a Republican, beat Democrat Stephany Pleasant in that race with 67% of the vote.

The formal filing window for the 2024 election doesnt open until Jan. 5.

Top Journal Star photos for July 2023
The 69-year-old Colorado man who died when his single-engine plane crashed near Kearney last month had encountered ice and heavy rain in the lead-up to the crash June 2, investigators said in a preliminary report.

John G. Reading of Broomfield was two hours into his flight from Denver to Red Oak, Iowa, that morning when he asked air traffic controllers if he could lower his altitude from 15,000 feet after he encountered ice, National Transportation Safety Board investigators said in the report.

Controllers gave Reading clearance to descend to 11,000 feet, but soon after he began his descent, air traffic controllers warned of extreme precipitation in the area and permitted an even lower altitude, according to the report.

Reading never responded to the controllers' warning, NTSB Investigator Laura Abraham said in the report, filed last month.

Dashboard camera footage from a car driving east on Interstate 80 shortly after 9 a.m. June 2 captured Reading's plane  an amateur-built Van's RV7 in a nosedive before it crashed in a field 260 feet south of Interstate 80, about 12 miles east of Kearney, according to the report.

The impact killed Reading and destroyed the plane.

The dashboard camera footage also revealed that it was "raining heavily" at the time of the crash, Abraham said in the report.

Buffalo County Sheriff's deputies were called to the crash scene at 9:12 a.m.

First responders found the downed aircraft in a field near the east end of Bassway Strip State Wildlife Management Area, a state park that runs along the Platte River just south of the interstate, the Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

Reading had been a certified single-engine airplane pilot since June 2019, according to Federal Aviation Administration airmen records.

Top Journal Star photos for July 2023
Fillmore County Sheriff's deputies and investigators with the FBI are looking for a man who allegedly robbed a bank Tuesday afternoon in Geneva  marking the second time the bank has been robbed in 13 months.

The man  wearing a red and white ball cap, black long-sleeve sweatshirt and blue jeans  walked into Heartland Bank shortly before 2:45 p.m. Tuesday and handed the bank teller a note demanding money, Chief Fillmore County Deputy Mark McFarland said in a news release.

Bank employees turned over an undisclosed amount of money to the man, who did not display a weapon when carrying out the robbery, McFarland said in the news release.

The man, who is somewhere between 5-foot-8-inches and 6 feet tall and was described by deputies as stocky, fled the bank and was last seen driving west on G Street in Geneva in a newer model black Chevrolet mid-sized SUV, McFarland said.

Authorities searched the area but didn't find the man, who is thought to have fled the area immediately after the robbery, McFarland said.

The Sheriff's Office asked anyone with information regarding the robbery to call the FBI at 402-493-8688, email omaha@fbi.gov or call the Fillmore County Sheriffs Office at 402-759-4441.

Heartland Bank in Geneva was also robbed in June 2022, when a 30-year-old Lincoln man gave tellers a note demanding they give him money before making off with $17,088 cash.

The man, Michael McNeil, was sentenced last week to seven years in federal prison for robbing Heartland Bank and a US Bank branch in Lincoln.

Most dangerous cities in Nebraska Dangerous Cities in Nebraska 6. South Sioux City 5. Scottsbluff 4. North Platte 3. Lincoln 2. Grand Island 1. Omaha A note about the numbers
MADISON  A Nebraska mother pleaded guilty Friday to giving her 17-year-old daughter pills for an illegal abortion last year and helping to burn and bury the fetus.

Under a plea agreement, Jessica Burgess, 42, of Norfolk, admitted to providing an abortion after 20 weeks of gestation, false reporting and tampering with human skeletal remains. Charges of concealing the death of another person and abortion by someone other than a licensed physician were dismissed.

Burgess was accused of helping her then-17-year-old daughter, Celeste Burgess, end her pregnancy. Madison County District Court documents show she ordered abortion pills on the internet.

After the teen aborted the 29-week-old fetus, the two burned the remains and buried them in a field north of Norfolk. Authorities later found the burned fetus.

Madison County Attorney Joe Smith has said its the first time he has charged anyone with illegally performing an abortion after 20 weeks, a restriction that was passed in 2010. In May, Republican Gov. Jim Pillen signed a 12-week abortion ban,

Jessica Burgess is set for sentencing Sept. 22. Two of the counts against her are felonies; one is a misdemeanor.

Celeste Burgess, now 18, was charged as an adult and pleaded guilty in May to removing, concealing or abandoning a dead body. She is scheduled to be sentenced July 20. She faces up to two years in prison.

Via Facebook messages, the two discussed terminating the pregnancy and plans to destroy the evidence. The messages, which law enforcement acquired using a search warrant, were detailed in court documents.

According to the documents, the daughter talked in the messages about how she cant wait to get the thing out of her body. She also said I will finally be able to wear jeans. In one message, Jessica Burgess told her daughter she had obtained the pills and gave her instructions on how to end her pregnancy.

Last summer, a man pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor for helping the women bury the fetus on his parents land. He got probation.
Speaking from the site of this years NATO Summit, Nebraska GOP Sen. Pete Ricketts called Tuesday for the member countries to fulfill their defense spending commitments.

Ricketts, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, was part of a bipartisan congressional delegation attending the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The delegation is being led by U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), co-chairs of the Senate NATO Observer Group. The delegation visited the U.S. Army Base in Pabrade, Lithuania, on Monday and spoke Tuesday at an afternoon press conference. They were also slated to meet with NATO leaders during the trip.

During the press conference, Ricketts congratulated the European members of the alliance for their quick response to Ukraine following the Russian invasion. He also praised Turkey and other NATO members for finding common ground to allow Sweden to join the alliance.

But he also called for all NATO members to fulfill their pledges to commit 2% of their gross domestic product to defense spending. He noted that members had agreed to that level of spending in 2014 but, as of last year, only seven members had done so.

American taxpayers should not be the only ones who are supporting this alliance, he said. Its important that all NATO members reach that 2%. And I think what youre going to see come out of this conference is that is a floor to be reached.

On Friday, Ricketts and 34 Senate colleagues sent a letter urging President Joe Biden to push for a more concrete level of commitment by NATO members. The letter said that the United States, accounting for a little more than half of combined GDP, has paid more than 70% of NATOs defense spending.

During the Tuesday press conference, Ricketts also called for the alliance to be engaged with addressing threats from China as a means to keep the peace. He said China has been supporting Russia with economic trade and buying Russian energy.

Top Journal Star photos for July 2023
ANDOVER, Vt. (AP)  A storm that dumped up to two months of rain in two days in Vermont and other parts of the Northeast brought more flooding Tuesday to communities that included the state capital, where officials said that river levels at a dam just upstream appeared to be stable.

Muddy brown water from the Winooski River flowed Tuesday through the capital of Montpelier, obscuring vehicles and all but the tops of parking meters along picturesque streets lined with brick storefronts whose basements and lower floors were flooded. Some residents of the city of 8,000 slogged their way through the waist-high water; others canoed and kayaked along main streets to survey the scene. Shopkeepers took stock of damaged or lost goods.

Montpelier Town Manager Bill Fraser said the dam remains a lingering concern but that the city was shifting to a recovery mode, with water receding and public works employees expected Wednesday morning to start removing mud and debris from downtown streets. Building inspections will start as businesses begin cleaning up their properties.

The dam did not spill over. The water in the dam is still up there but it stabilized. We are feeling like the water going over the spillway of the dam is not an imminent threat, Fraser said. It looks like it wont breach. That is good. That is one less thing we have to have on our front burner.

There were other signs of hope as Vermont rivers crested and flood waters receded, allowing officials to begin assessing the damage and the scope of the clean-up ahead. The flooding has already caused tens of millions of dollars in damage throughout the state.

Its heartbreaking because you know all these businesses are losing inventory, and this person just clearly just lost their car, said state Sen. Anne Watson, noting a parked vehicle inundated with water in Montpelier. Similar scenes played out in neighboring Barre and in Bridgewater, where the Ottauquechee River spilled its banks.

Bryan Pfeiffer, a biologist who has lived in the Montpelier area for four decades, canoed around the downtown area to check out the damage and was appalled by what he saw. The basement of every building  including the one where he works  and the lower levels of most were inundated. Even the citys fire station was flooded.

Its really troubling when your fire station is under water, Pfeiffer said.

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said flood waters surpassed levels seen during Tropical Storm Irene. Irene killed six people in Vermont in August 2011, washing homes off their foundations and damaging or destroying more than 200 bridges and 500 miles (805 kilometers) of highway.

The sun was out Tuesday and more sunshine was expected Wednesday. More rain was forecast Thursday and Friday but Peter Banacos, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the state will be spared any further torrential downpours.

We sustained catastrophic damage. We just really took the brunt of the storm, Ludlow Municipal Manager Brendan McNamara said, as he assessed the flood's impact around the 1,500 person town.

I talked to people today that said my house is gone. Thankfully we got through it with no loss of life, he said, adding the damage was worse than Tropical Storm Irene. Ludlow will be fine. People are coming together and taking care of each other. Weve been here before and we will get through it.

Among the losses was the towns water treatment plant. Its main supermarket remained closed. The main roadway through town had yet to be fully reopened and McNamara couldnt begin to estimate how many houses had been damaged. The towns Little League field and a new skate park were destroyed, and scores of businesses were damaged.

Colleen Dooley returned to her condominium complex in Ludlow Tuesday to find the grounds covered in silt and mud and the pool filled with muddy river water. A wooden pool deck had been carried about 300 feet (100 meters) by flood waters; the adjacent Black River was still raging.

I dont know when well move back, but it will certainly be awhile, said Dooley, a 59-year-old retired teacher.

One woman was swept away in New York on Monday. There have been no reports of injuries or deaths related to the flooding in Vermont, where swift-water rescue teams aided by National Guard helicopter crews have done more than 100 rescues, Vermont Emergency Management said Tuesday.

That included an extremely high-risk rescue by a visiting New Hampshire team of a person who decided to drive around a barricaded road, said Mike Cannon of Vermont Urban Search and Rescue. The car was washed off the roadway almost into the river, he said.

Dozens of roads and highways were closed, including many along the spine of the Green Mountains. There were fewer flood warnings and advisories than on Monday, and most were concentrated in the north of the state. Road crews cleared debris Tuesday, reopening Interstate 89 as it follows the Winooski River between Montpelier and Middlesex.

The slow-moving storm reached New England after hitting parts of New York and Connecticut on Sunday. Some communities received between 7 and 9 inches (18 centimeters and 23 centimeters) of rain. Towns in southwest New Hampshire had heavy flooding and road washouts, and the Connecticut River was expected to crest above flood stage Wednesday in Hartford and towns to the south.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrator Richard Spinrad said Tuesday that 13.7 million people were under inland flooding alerts on Tuesday. Atmospheric scientists say destructive flooding events happen more frequently as storms form in a warmer atmosphere, and the planets rising temperatures will only make it worse.

President Joe Biden, attending the annual NATO summit in Lithuania, declared an emergency for Vermont and authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide assistance. He also spoke with the governor and Sen. Bernie Sanders.

FEMA sent a team to Vermont, along with emergency communications equipment, and is prepared to keep shelters supplied if the state requests it. The agency also is monitoring flooding in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire, regional spokesperson Dennis Pinkham said Tuesday.

One of the worst-hit places was New Yorks Hudson Valley, where a woman identified by police as Pamela Nugent, 43, died as she tried to escape her flooded home with her dog in the hamlet of Fort Montgomery.

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point was pounded with more than 8 inches (20 centimeters) of rain that sent debris sliding onto some roads and washed others out.

Multiple rescue crews were positioned in Montpelier, where dispatch, police and fire operations were relocated to a water treatment plant after heavy flooding at City Hall and the police and fire departments. Also, the radio towers they use for emergency calls were not functional, Police Chief Eric Nordenson said.

Shelters were set up at churches, town halls and the Barre Municipal Auditorium, where delivering food to the more than 200 people taking refuge there  including those forced to evacuate from two area homeless shelters  was a challenge.

Were trying to find paths to get supplies in to them, said John Montes, American Red Cross of Northern New England regional disaster officer.

Associated Press writers Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire; Michael Hill in Albany, New York; and Mark Pratt, Michael Casey and Steve LeBlanc in Boston contributed.
BURLINGTON  Federal investigators have ruled that a hot-air balloon collision with a moving freight train likely was caused by the balloon pilots decision to land his craft too close to the railroad tracks.

The pilot and two passengers in the balloon were injured June 1, 2022, when their craft got snagged on a train traveling about 30 mph, toppling the balloon basket and ejecting all three people.

The manager of the Lake Geneva Balloon Co., for whom the pilot was working, said the incident has improved balloon pilot training about the risks of trying to land near train tracks.

The National Transportation Safety Board concluded that balloon pilot Jim Winders decision-making precipitated the unusual balloon-train collision as his sightseeing craft descended near Downtown Burlington.

The pilot misjudged the landing, NTSB investigators wrote, adding that the incidents probable cause was the pilots selection of an inappropriate landing location.

The NTSB announced its findings July 6 after more than a year of investigation and analysis.

Winder, who was knocked unconscious in the incident, was taking Nikolay Veltchev and Elena Petrova on a sightseeing trip for the Lake Geneva Balloon Co., which is based in the Town of Geneva in Walworth County.

The NTSB said all three people were seriously injured, although details about their injuries have not been released.

Winder, 63, of Bristol could not be reached for comment.

Lake Geneva Balloon manager and chief pilot John Trione said his company accepts the NTSBs findings and that the Burlington incident has improved training of hot-air balloon pilots nationally.

Pilots are being trained not to approach train tracks when landing because of the risk of a deflating balloon getting caught in the wind of a passing train, Trione said.

The results of this final report will assist, not only the Lake Geneva Balloon Co., but balloonists throughout the United States in making hot-air ballooning safer in the future, he said.

Trione said Winder no longer is working as a commercial balloon pilot.

At the time of the Burlington incident, Winder was a subcontractor for Lake Geneva Balloon. He owned the balloon through his business, Pure Magic Balloon Team.

Veltchev and Petrova, both in their 30s and both of Barrington, Illinois, have declined to discuss the crash. Both have retained a Chicago law firm to represent them.

Attorney Timothy Cavanagh said in a statement that the NTSB investigation makes clear that pilot error is the cause of the crash.

Our clients, the passengers in the balloon, suffered serious injuries, Cavanagh said. The balloon company and its insurance carriers will be held accountable for the injuries that our clients suffered.

Officials at Canadian National Railroad could not be reached for comment about the NTSB findings.

The crash happened about 8 p.m. June 1, 2022, as witnesses in a nearby dog park and elsewhere watched the hot-air balloon descend upon Burlington.

According to the NTSB, the balloon embarked from Burlington Municipal Airport about an hour earlier in clear weather conditions.

When wind conditions changed, Winder looked for a place to land near the railroad tracks between Pine Street and the Fox River.

The pilot also noticed a slow-moving train to his left, but did not think it was a factor, the investigators reported.

After the balloon made contact with the northbound Canadian National train, Winder reported that he was knocked unconscious, adding, He did not recall anything else.

Train engineer Roy Rogers told investigators that he slowed down when he saw a hot-air balloon approaching, and he hit the emergency brakes when it got closer.

The NTSB reported that as the balloons inflatable envelope began to lose air and become limp, it was blown toward the train, which was moving between 27 mph and 33 mph. Fifteen cars back from the engine, an empty lumber car snagged the balloon, lifting it off the ground and dragging it with three people inside the basket.

The envelope tore away from the basket, and the three individuals in the basket fell out, the report states.

The damaged and partially deflated envelope then floated back up into the sky before landing about 80 feet from where the basket was found inverted near the railroad tracks.

NTSB investigators found no sign of mechanical malfunctions that would have prevented the balloon from operating normally.

Under the heading Personnel issues, investigators wrote of their findings: Decision making/judgment  Pilot.

Winder told investigators that his recommendation, in hindsight, would be to continue flying the balloon and wait for a different landing location. He also recommended having a better understanding of how trains affect the air around them.

I hope to find more information, he said, and bring it to the ballooning community.

Watch now: A view from above with the Lake Geneva Balloon Company Watch now: A view from above with the Lake Geneva Balloon Company A kiss Double trouble A view from above High above the rest The sunrise A morning view The morning sunrise Horses at Grand Geneva Over the open field Heating up the balloon More horses over Grand Geneva A silhouette A look from above A view of Burlington Another Burlington view The shadow of a balloon Lake Geneva Balloon Company pilot John Trione The White River A view for miles The White River Hello to our neighbors in the sky Another neighbor in the sky Farms below A look at Lyons Farms from above Up up and away Grand Geneva golf course from above A few more horses The basket Bucket list The 'adventurous friend' Best friends My selfie Grand Geneva The Grand Geneva Ski Hill Grand Geneva ski hill Timber Ridge Waterpark The landing The crew and the basket A champagne toast Cheers
RACINE The Racine Unified School District Board plans to form a subcommittee of board members to help with the search for a permanent superintendent.

During a work session Monday, Ally Docksey, board vice president, said members interested in volunteering for the subcommittee should be available to attend additional meetings where much of the initial work of the superintendent search will be done.

All subcommittee recommendations will be brought to the full board for consideration.

Docksey told board members to email her and Board President Jane Barbian if they are interested in volunteering for the subcommittee.

It is not yet known how many board members will be on the subcommittee.

At the boards July 24 business meeting, members likely will hear information about the subcommittees members and objectives before voting to form it.

The board on June 26 approved the resignation of former Superintendent Eric Gallien. His last day was June 30. Gallien had served as RUSD superintendent since 2018.

Last month, Gallien accepted a job to be superintendent of the Charleston County School District in South Carolina.

The School Board on June 26 also approved a contract with Soren Gajewski to be interim superintendent starting July 1. The contract does not have an end date.

Referendum-funded work

The board also discussed work related to referendum-funded projects at three schools.

Members received an update from Bray Architects about the design process of the Schulte K-8 School.

In December, the board awarded the Schulte design bid to Bray at a cost of $2.34 million.

In December, the board also approved up to $76 million to build the 153,000-square-foot Schulte K-8 School at a site next to Schulte Elementary.

The estimated budget is $65.28 million and the new school is scheduled to open in August 2025.

Board member Scott Coey complimented the plans for a new Schulte gym, which is expected to have numerous windows that let in natural light.

This in particular, I think, is one of the nicest things that Schulte will uniquely have access to, Coey said.

Peter Reynolds, RUSD chief operations officer, agreed and extolled the plans for Schulte and other referendum-funded schools that he said the district expects to use for 100 years.

When completed in 2025, Schulte will be a jewel within the crown of our buildings here at RUSD, Reynolds said. These are going to be century buildings  We want to make sure that were getting it as best as we can, because we know these are going to stand the test of 100 years down the road.

The board discussed who to hire as construction manager for renovations at Horlick High School.

RUSD administration has recommended that the board award a contract worth $2.715 million to J. P. Cullen & Sons Inc.

The Milwauke-based company was one of four bidders for the work at Horlick, which is scheduled to be completed by August 2025.

The board discussed the guaranteed maximum price for construction work at the future Starbuck K-8 School.

The recommended guaranteed maximum price is $40.48 million with Hunzinger Construction, the firm approved by the board in December.

The total cost is projected to be $50.54 million to expand Starbuck from a middle school into a K-8 school, which is scheduled to be done by August 2024.

This summer, Ryan Schmidt, senior project manager at CG Schmidt, the firm working on referendum projects with RUSD, said there have been minimal overtime requests among laborers doing referendum-funded construction work at Starbuck, Jerstad-Agerholm K-8 School and Julian Thomas Elementary School.

State funding projection error update

Jeff Serak, RUSD chief financial officer, told the board that an issue between the school district and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction should soon be corrected.

The issue regards the amount of state money RUSD is projected to receive for the 2023-24 school year. An error between RUSD and DPI systems resulted in an incorrect projection showing that Racine Unified would have a significant decrease.

Serak did not provide the projected number but said it aligns with what the district estimated.

The number that were getting is the number we anticipated in our budget, Serak said. This week, we should have it all done.

Other business

The board discussed contracting with the City of Racine RYDE program to provide bus transportation for students during the 2023-24 school year.

The proposal is for a one-year, $350,000 contract.

The proposed contract does not have any major changes from the 2022-23 school year contract, according to John Strack, RUSD transportation supervisor.

The School Board did not take action on any items, since it was a work session. The board is expected to vote on the items requiring further approval during its July 24 business meeting.

Seven photos of Horlick High School's graduation Belicia Barajas Chamblis, Hall and Sutton Teacher and student Getting ready Corey Prince and Kameron West Velasquez and Howard Friendly handshake
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is warning homeowners about suspicious mailers regarding home warranties.

The mailers often state that a home warranty may be expiring or may have already expired, and ask for payment, according to a news release issued Monday.

Some letters also include the name of a mortgage company to make the solicitation appear more legitimate. However, DATCP said the names of mortgage lenders and servicers are public record and can be found online.

These mailers are scams and should not be answered. Look for these red flags when encountering suspicious home warranty mailers:

Use of threatening language or unnecessary urgency: e.g. final notice, immediate response requested or we reserve the right to revoke your eligibility for service coverage after five days.

It appears to be from a government entity but does not include specific details: e.g. home warranty division or lender services.

Information that does not match your circumstances: e.g. stating your home warranty may be expiring, when you do not have a home warranty.

There is no return address and the only contact information given is a phone number.

A fake check is included with the mailer.

The safest course of action is to not respond.

Do not call the phone numbers listed on the mailers because the person who answers likely is seeking your personal information.

State Insurance Commissioner Nathan Houdek said residents should do research, utilize trusted resources and be careful about responding to calls, texts, letters or email solicitations from unrecognized people or companies.

Solicitations that use threatening language or unnecessary urgency are almost always a scam, stated Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions Secretary-designee Cheryll Olson-Collins. If you receive any correspondence about your mortgage or home warranty that you arent sure about, dont use the contact information in the message. Instead, call your lender directly to inquire about the matter.

Scammers try to pressure consumers into handing over their money or private information before they get a chance to question the requests legitimacy, DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski said. No honest agency or business will demand immediate payment.

Contact the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance with questions or to report issues regarding disputes about an extended warranty plan or service contract at oci.wi.gov/complaints or 608-266-0103.

Contact the Department of Financial Institutions Corporations Division with questions regarding business registrations and filings at DFICorporations@dfi.wisconsin.gov or 608-261-7577.

For other extended warranty questions contact DFIs Bureau of Consumer Affairs at ConsumerAct@dfi.wisconsin.gov or 608-264-7969.

For more information about current scams, consumer laws and publications, and how to file a complaint, contact the DATCPs Consumer Protection Hotline toll-free at 800-422-7128 or DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov.

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Its not about the heat. Its not about the water.

Its about power and politics, despite the frenzied warnings coming out of Texas last week over Republican Gov. Greg Abbotts signing of a law that will curb cities rights to enact worker protections and will junk Dallas and Austin ordinances requiring construction companies to give workers 10 minute water breaks every four hours.

The signing of the bill came  of course  as Texas was in the grips of a two-week killer heat wave and that lead to all sorts of hyperbole, including Democrats labeling the legislation the Death Star law. (Cue Darth Vader and the Star Wars theme.)

Workers are going to die. Theres no way around it, one construction worker told the New York Times.

Lets take a look at that. Yes, there is no question that the 115-degree heat across the state poses some dangers, particularly for outdoor and construction workers.

But the new law banning the break requirement doesnt go into effect until September. And, from news reports, the only Texas cities we can find that have such an ordinance are Dallas and Austin. Dallas adopted its ordinance eight years ago after a 25-year-old worker installing hardwood floors in a house without air conditioning became ill, but was denied a break, and ultimately collapsed and died.

Of 13 heat-related deaths reported in the state in the recent heat wave, nine died in Webb County and eight of those victims were over age 60. In Texas prisons, according to the Texas Tribune, there were nine inmate deaths, including two men in their 30s, from heart attacks or unknown causes in facilities which lack air conditioning.

Two other deaths, a 14-year-old boy and his stepfather, 31, died while hiking in Big Bend National Park as temperatures hit 119 degrees. The boy lost consciousness on the trail and the father died in a car crash when he went for help.

None of those deaths, so far as we know, involved construction workers or water breaks, despite attempts by opponents to paint it that way.

Annie Spilman, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said the law change came out of complaints about a growing number of local rules from business owners. She noted the law change did not prevent businesses from adopting their own rest and water break rules.

I think the rest break ordinance is only the tip of the iceberg to what were going to be seeing, said Rick Levy, the president of the AFL-CIO. Its probably the most sweeping transfer of power that weve seen in this state, transferring power from local communities to politicians in Austin.

The new law curbs cities rights to enact worker protections and a number of labor, agriculture, natural resources and finance measures  essentially reserving those powers to the GOP-controlled Legislature. Levy is probably closer to the truth on this fracas than any of the dust thats been thrown up over heat waves, deaths and water breaks.

Its a power fight between Republican legislators and Democrat-leaning municipalities  a fight we have seen across the country in recent years and a fight well worth having. But dont wrap it up in the black cloak of warnings of rising heat wave deaths when the facts dont bear that out.
1. Yes. Voters across the city filled the seat in the first place. Voters should decide again.

2. Yes. An election is much preferable to back-room decisions among council members.

3. No. The charter calls for the council to fill the vacancy by appointment. Follow the rules.

4. No. An election would be expensive, both for the city and for the potential candidates.

5. Unsure. An election seems more transparent, but its not the perfect answer.

Vote

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KEARNEY  The Kearney Police Department, in conjunction with the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety, will have additional officers working on Saturday during the Cruise Nite weekend.

Officers will be out in force focusing on alcohol violations to include minor in possession, open container and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The goal of this effort is to reduce impaired driving and related accidents.

As always, the Kearney Police Department is requesting that motorists and citizens obey Nebraska laws and city ordinances related to the consumption and possession of alcohol.

Designate a sober driver, call for a ride, Be Safe, Be Smart. This enforcement effort was made possible thanks to a grant from the Nebraska Department of Transportation Office of Highway Safety.

Cruise Nite is always a fun, family event for the entire community. Members of KPD and I are committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable weekend," Police Chief Bryan Waugh said. "Were thankful for the great partnership the Kearney Police Department has with the NDOT Office of Highway Safety to prevent alcohol-related tragedies in our community."

Waugh said KPD is proud to support the Be Safe Be Smart initiative with Buffalo County Community Partners, Buffalo County Sheriffs Office, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Cruise Nite organizers and local businesses.

According to a KPD press release, there will be parking restrictions downtown as a result of Cruise Nite events. Downtown parking is prohibited starting at 2 a.m. on Saturday in the following areas:

Central Avenue from 25th Street to North Railroad Street.

24th Street from Avenue A to First Avenue.

Third Street from Avenue A to First Avenue.

21st Street from Avenue A to First Avenue.

The parking lot west of Cunninghams Journal.

The parking lot north of City Hall.

Vehicles parked in these areas are subject to be towed at the owners expense.

The public's patience and cooperation is appreciated, KPD said.
KEARNEY  If its July, its time to Stuff the Bus.

Stuff the Bus, an annual effort of Dobytown Kiwanis, will be held in the Walmart parking lot 1-5 p.m. Friday and Sunday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.

The public is invited to bring school supplies for the clubs Back 2 School Backpack Program, where backpacks are provided for children in need.

Desired items include pens, pencils, highlighters, dry erase markers, notebook paper, spiral notebooks, composition notebooks, glue sticks, school glue, Crayola markers, Crayola crayons, scissors (blunt and pointed) and pencil boxes.

Monetary donations can also be given to volunteers in the bus. Kiwanians will purchase any additional school supplies needed before July 31, when the backpacks will be picked up by children who have registered for them.

The public can place school supplies in Stuff the Bus donation boxes at eight Kearney locations no later than Sunday:

Alpha Rehab, 920 E. 56th St.

First National Bank, 2223 Second Ave.

Cabela's, 3600 Highway 30.

CHI Pediatrics.

KRMC Outreach and Community Development.

Just for Ladies, 1540 W. 56th St.

Parker/Baldwins, 4400 East Highway 30.

Family of Christ Lutheran Church, 1319 Fifth Ave.

Dobytown Kiwanis works closely with the United Way and Kearney Public Schools on this effort.

Dobytown Kiwanis will also hold its annual garage sale 4-7 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church at 4511 Sixth Ave. Enter the church social hall through the door north of the main doors.

Dobytown members can pick up large items. Call Don Erickson at 308-440-2207 or Arlyn Hinrichs at 308-440-9714.

Last year, the club raised $1,500 on its garage sale. This years proceeds will go to Nebraska Teeth Forever, a program at Two Rivers Public Health Service for young childrens dental health.

In June, club members met for a morning of cutting, pressing and stitching to complete 60 decorated pillowcases for Royal Family Kids Camp, which serves children who have suffered abuse.

The pillowcases brighten campers' rooms and go home with each camper.
The Kenosha Pops Concert Band is going on a musical safari tonight  and everyone is invited, especially children.

Weve combined a safari theme with our childrens concert for Kinderkonzert: Pops on Safari, said Musical Director Craig Gall.

Band members will be dressed for exploring, and children are invited to bring their favorite stuffed animal to the show.

The tunes, Gall said, may lead people to to exclaim, Lions and tigers and bears  oh, my!

Speaking of lions, there are three on the program:

Soundtrack highlights from Disneys animated film The Lion King, including Hakuna Matata and Circle of Life, arranged by Calvin Custer.

Born Free, John Barrys title song for the 1966 British film about an orphaned lion cub named Elsa.

The Lion Sleeps Tonight. This tune was written and recorded first by Solomon Linda with the Evening Birds for the South African Gallo Record Company in 1939, under the title Mbube. Composed in Zulu, it was adapted and covered internationally by many 1950s pop and folk revival artists. In 1961, it became a No. 1 hit in the U.S. as adapted in English, with the best-known version by the doo-wop group the Tokens.

For the birds

Two pieces are related to our feathered friends: The Woodpecker Song and Red Raven Polka.

I found that Woodpecker tune in the files of the Port Washington City Band, Gall said. I thought it was the Woody Woodpecker theme, but its not. This Woodpecker Song was composed in 1939 by Eldo Di Lazzaro and is an Italian polka, he said. The song became a hit in 1940, recorded by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra.

The Red Raven Polka has roots in Wisconsin, Gall said. It was the theme song for Lawrence Duchows Red Raven Orchestra in the Fox River Valley area, and the name comes from the Red Raven Inn in Chilton, which was the bands home.

The composer, too, has roots here. Clayton Hofensperger was a member of the original Red Ravens Orchestra and wrote many pieces for the group.

Audience participation

Gall is also directing two pieces that require audience participation:

The Whistler and His Dog by Arthur Pryor, featuring piccolo soloist Vera Olguin. The composer was the legendary trombone player for the Sousa band, Gall said. I think he wrote this piece for his dog. Audience members should be prepared to whistle with this tune.

Greg Berg, the bands master of ceremonies, wont be singing with the Pops, but he will the narrator for Three Little Pigs, by Guy F. Foreman.

Kids in the audience will be asked to come up and sit at the front of the stage for storytime with Greg Berg, Gall said.

As Berg narrates the tale of the three little pigs and the Big Bad Wolf, the band plays musical cues to illustrate the story.

Also on the program

Two tunes composed by Henry Mancini: Baby Elephant Walk from the 1962 movie Hitari! and Mancinis theme for The Pink Panther. That theme was originally written for the 1963 Peter Sellers film The Pink Panther and, later for the animal cartoons series, Gall said.

The Walking Frog. This is an old two-step circus tune by Karl King that features our trombone section, Gall said.

The overture to the 1970 Broadway musical Two By Two, with music by Richard Rodgers. The show, which starred Danny Kaye, told the story of Noahs preparations for the Great Flood and the building of the Ark.

Soundtrack highlights from Jurassic Park, written by John Williams.

Two John Philip Sousa marches: 1926s The Pride of the Wolverines, dedicated to the people of Detroit, and The Invincible Eagle. That piece, which Sousa wrote for the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, N.Y., is one of Sousas finest marches, Gall said. We didnt have it in the Pops library until now, and its making its debut with the band tonight.

A trombone appetizer

The Bone Appetit trombone choir, made up of more than a dozen trombone players, will perform before the Pops, starting at 6:15 p.m.

John Schoettler, a longtime member of the Pops, plays with the choir.

Bone Appetits program will feature On Broadway (George Bensons version), When the Saints Come Marching In (arranged by Lennie Niehouse), Mr. Blue Sky (an ELO tune, arranged by Seb Skelly), When I Fall in Love (arranged by Matt Niess) and Hooked on a Feeling (Blue Suede version).

The group is also performing Saturday in the Park, a hit song from the band Chicago thats been arranged by Schoettler, and Back Bone. That piece, Schoettler said, is an original blues piece I wrote in 2003. It was performed 20 years ago by the Kenosha Pops trombone section.

Bone Appetit has two more performances this summer: 6:50 p.m. on July 20, before the Libertyville (Ill.) Concert Band program (and also joining the band on The Stars and Stripes Forever) and 5 to 6 p.m. July 28 at the Taste of Wisconsin festival. The group is playing on the Jazz Stage, accompanied by Kenosha Pops drummer Jerry Matteucci  who is also playing with the group tonight.

Most of the groups selections this summer feature jazz and pop songs adapted or arranged by group members John Nepper, Jeff Rosendahl and Schoettler.
Church was at the center of Jerry and Tonya Baldwins lives.

So it was fitting that a miracle of sorts happened this month.

We met at a church convention, Jerry Baldwin Jr. said of his wife Monday afternoon, standing in the shade of his church, Bethlehem Temple, 2528 Roosevelt Road.

We had never met, but our moms are friends, he said. Theyre both from Detroit, and when they both got married, my dad moved my mom here  where he started this church  and her dad moved his family to Albany, N.Y.

Having grown up in Albany, Tonya graduated in 1980 from Albany High School. She then went to Allegany College in Meadville, Pa., where she earned her bachelors degree and  apparently  lost her high school class ring.

Enter Dallas Winckler.

Hes one of those guys who looks for items with his metal detector  a detectorist who covers historic places here in Meadville and surrounding areas.

One evening, he found a ring in front of Bentley Hall on the Allegany College campus, along the sidewalk, five inches in the ground.

He spied Tonya Baldwins (then Tonya Thomas) name engraved inside and decided to investigate further.

I took it to work and my friend, Mike Leonard, did some research to try and find the owner or family so that we could hopefully return it, Winckler said. He made a few phone calls and made it happen.

That is why I metal detect, Winckler added, for the neat finds, and to return items to people who have lost them.

One of the phone calls Leonard made was to Steve Casey, owner of Casey Family Options funeral home.

When he was researching the family, he saw Tonyas obituary, with our name on it, Casey said. He asked me if I had a way to contact her husband, Jerry, and I laughed and said sure, his church is just around the corner.

Tonya Baldwin died in May 2020 of COVID complications, and getting this call about her class ring was amazing to Jerry.

All about education

She was all about education and helped a lot of young people get into college, he said of his wife, who earned a masters degree from Northwestern University and a doctorate in education from Marquette University. She was an educator at Bell Bible College in Chicago and an adjunct professor at Marquette.

Casey brought the ring to Jerry Baldwin on Monday, in a bright pink package mailed from Pennsylvania.

The people who found it cleaned it up very nicely and sent it to the funeral home, Casey said.

The ring was only discovered because the sidewalk is being torn up during a campus construction project. Otherwise, it would have stayed buried in Pennsylvania.

This shows how important obituaries are, Casey said. Thats why they could trace the ring to Kenosha.

Smiling as he held his wifes class ring, Jerry Baldwin marveled at how much mileage is on it.

Added Casey: Were just happy we could return it.

As for Baldwin  whos been busy trying to de-clutter his home, in which he and Tonya raised six kids  this ring adventure has him reconsidering that project.

Im cleaning out stuff, he said. And my philosophy has been, if I havent looked at something for 10 years, it needs to go. But after getting this ring back, Ill be more careful about what I toss out.

The class ring also reminds Jerry Baldwin of what his mother-in-law said to Tonya when she dropped her daughter off at Allegany College some 40 years ago.

Tonya was happy to be heading off to college and to be leaving home, he said with a smile. Her mom called her back to the car with one final message: Dont forget God.

After a life centered on family, church, education and serving her community, its safe to say Tonya Thomas Baldwin took that message to heart.
The logo of KB Innovation HUB / Courtesy of KB Financial Group



By Lee Min-hyung



KB Financial Group has picked 10 promising startups as winners for KB Starters  a program aimed at providing support for small, innovative firms here to make inroads into the global market, the company said Wednesday.



Under the program, the selected companies will be able to visit KB's fintech lab in Singapore and receive consulting services for their global expansion.



KB named a list of 10 Korean firms in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI), health care and environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG). They include H2O Hospitality, a hotel management solution provider, and SentBe, a money transfer service operator.



Considering local startups' growing desire for overseas expansion, KB widened the number of Starters winners this year. Last year, KB selected four startups for the program.





KB Financial Group headquarters in Seoul / Korea Times file
Ray Andress, 94, was honored July 5 by the Quilts of Valor Foundation for his military service during the Korean War. Ray sat next to his wife, Pat, 89, while receiving the quilt that featured red, white and blue and bald eagles.

The day the quilt was presented to Ray also happened to be the pairs wedding anniversary, making it a dual celebration. The Chippewa Falls couple has been married for 65 years.

We were planning an anniversary party, and we just thought it was going to be convenient to present the quilt at the same time, said Cambridge Senior Living registered nurse Sue Yetter.

Yetter has helped take care of the Andress couple for the past eight months. She said she spends about four days a week with the pair.

Its been an honor and a privilege, she said. Rays health is failing quickly and Pat has dementia, but they still know each other and their daughter and myself. Today is about his military service and their marriage.

Yetter nominated Ray to the Quilts of Valor Foundation.

Quilts of Valor are handmade or machine-stitched quilts awarded to an active duty service member or veteran who has been touched by war.

The Quilts of Valor Foundation has no paid staff, Wisconsin volunteer for Quilts of Valor Foundation Kathy Krug said. Still, the organization has given away more than 350,000 quilts as of May, she said.

The people that make these quilts are people that do it on their own just because they want to serve our veterans (and) make them feel wonderful for the jobs that theyve done, Krug said. So theyve volunteered their time and money that it costs to buy the material and spend the time to make these quilts.

Krug said 10,000 volunteers work on the project for American veterans.

In addition, 600 groups of quilters in the USA for Quilts of Valor have gone to war-torn areas. The quilts have been carried by medics, presented on aircraft carriers and on foreign soil, Krug said.

According to family members, Ray, who was unable to speak during his Quilts of Valor and anniversary celebration, was drafted into the Army during the Korean War and became a paratrooper as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, stationed out of what is formerly known as Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Fort Bragg Army base was renamed Fort Liberty on July 3.

The Armys 82nd Airborne Division is an elite division specializing in forcible entry operations.

After his military service in the Korean War, Ray returned to Chippewa Falls and took a position at the Railway Express Agency, an American company that at one time operated the nations largest ground and air express services, transporting parcels, money and goods, with pickup and delivery across the nation.

Ray is quoted by multiple friends and family members as saying that he only missed five days of work during his 25-year career with the railway.

Ray met Pat while he was a driver for the Railway Express Agency. Family members say he delivered packages to a dress shop in Chippewa Falls where Pats friend worked. Apparently, this friend set the duo up on a date.

When asked what impressed her about Ray when she first met him, Pat remarked, His jump stories, referencing the Army training he had as a paratrooper.

Pat described Ray with just the word handsome when asked to speak about her husband at their anniversary party.

Ray and Pat were married on July 5, 1958, at the First Presbyterian Church in Chippewa Falls, where they remained longtime members.

The couple recently sold their house on Terrill Street in Chippewa Falls. Although the pair now lives together at Cambridge Senior Livings memory care unit in Eau Claire, the family is Chippewa Falls through and through, their daughter Mary Rouleau said.

Mary and her brother Steve both graduated from Chippewa Falls High School in the 1980s.

Our whole family were all Chi-Hi graduates, she said. My parents have been in, pretty much, Chippewa their whole lives.

Pat graduated from Chippewa Falls High School in 1952 and Ray graduated in 1948, she said.

For Mary, her aging parents are a treasure trove of information. She said shes worked hard to get their accounts down on paper as Ray and Pat grow older.

Ask these questions before its too late, she said.

On their 65th wedding anniversary, Ray and Pat shared a Leinenkugels Light beer, each having half of the bottle. The couple has made it part of their life. Theyve had this daily routine for decades, their daughter and caretakers report.

IN PHOTOS: Pat and Ray Andress Pat and Ray Wedding steps Ray Adress Quilt of Valor Ray and Pat Pat and Ray
Bravos Top Chef television program is coming to Madison and Milwaukee for its 21st season.

In the show, which has gotten Emmy, James Beard and Critics Choice Awards, chefs from across the country compete for the Top Chef title.

According to a Bravo announcement, Madison and Milwaukee, and perhaps other locations in Wisconsin, will provide a backdrop of picturesque landscapes, acres of farmland, miles of shoreline and vibrant urban communities.

The cheftestants will explore the fresh flavors and local bounty of this rising culinary destination, it continued.

Madison is a hidden gem of the American culinary scene, and Top Chef could not have chosen a better place to include for its upcoming season, Destination Madison president and CEO Ellie Westman Chin said in a statement.

Madison has innovative chefs, exciting culinary makers, and is surrounded by some of the best agriculture in the country. We know contestants and viewers will be surprised and excited by what they find in Madison, she said.

Rob Gard, a spokesperson for Destination Madison, said a team from Top Chef did a couple of site visits in the past two months.

They were kind of on their own exploring Madison and getting some ideas, he said, adding that he doesnt know yet where or what they plan to film.

Were just happy that they found a compelling culinary story here in Madison. And we are excited to find out what theyre going to feature when they do film here, Gard said.

A representative from NBCUniversal, which runs Bravo, said information about exact locations wont be available until later this summer.

Chef and season 10 winner Kristen Kish has been named the host of the program and joins head judge Tom Colicchio and frequent judge Gail Simmons at the judges table this season.

Colicchio, a celebrity chef who co-founded the Gramercy Tavern in New York City, and Simmons, a Canadian-American food writer and cookbook author, both serve as executive producers for the series. Padma Lakshmi hosted for the last 19 seasons.

Ryan Flynn, senior vice president at NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, said Kish, who was born in South Korea and adopted into a family in Kentwood, Michigan, is the perfect host for the next chapter of Top Chef as we take on a new region of the country we havent explored.

The show has had many international adaptations and spinoffs since debuting in 2006. It has filmed seasons in New Orleans, Boston, Kentucky and Colorado and other U.S. cities.

The reality show awards cash prizes to those not told to please pack your knives and go.

Season 20, World All-Stars, was based in London, and brought together former Top Chef competitors from around the world.

The Top Chef Wisconsin shows are being produced in partnership with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., Travel Wisconsin, Visit Milwaukee, Destination Madison, Destination Door County, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association.

See the Wisconsin State Journal photo staff's favorites of 2022
Photo: The Canadian Press

The embattled former leader of the largest First Nations advocacy organization in Canada delivered a searing rebuke of its leadership, as chiefs rejected her pleas and voted in favour of a process to replace her Tuesday.

RoseAnne Archibald appeared virtually before hundreds of Indigenous leaders gathered in Halifax for the Assembly of First Nations annual general assembly, weeks after she was removed through a special vote.

Her historic election in 2021 as the first woman to lead the organization has been marked by tumult, including a suspension last year over human resources complaints and a reinstatement at last year's general assembly.

Archibald's attempt to seek redemption from chiefs for a second time fell short Tuesday.

They voted 143 to 28 in favour of a resolution to appoint a chief electoral officer who would oversee the election of her replacement. The new national chief would serve until July 2027.

Archibald, who served as Ontario regional chief before taking the helm, has said she was targeted because of her efforts to fight corruption.

Appearing by video, Archibald lambasted her treatment within the organization as disrespectful and an example of "lateral violence."

"What is being triggered in your heart? It's hatred," she told the chiefs. "It's resentment. It's based on lies, it's based on gossip, it's based on innuendo."

Archibald accused the organization of having "gone off the rails" and blasted the independent third-party review into complaints against her as "incomplete" and full of "bias."

The probe, which was conducted by a law firm, concluded that some of Archibald's behaviour amounted to harassment. Investigators also found she breached the organization's policies by retaliating against complainants and failing to maintain confidentiality.

"You haven't read the report," Archibald told the chiefs.

After several minutes of speaking, a co-chair of the meeting announced that based on its rules, it would no longer be admitting Archibald into its annual assembly.

That announcement was met with applause in the room.

In a statement released before the gathering in Halifax, Archibald told supporters she would attend virtually on Tuesday but might attend in person later in the week. The event runs until Thursday.

Earlier in the day, Archibald had unsuccessfully urged chiefs to reject the agenda set out for the meeting, and at least three chiefs tried to bring her reinstatement up for debate. Those resolutions failed.

Joanna Bernard, a regional chief from New Brunswick who was tapped to serve in the role temporarily, addressed the assembly for the first time since Archibald's ouster and committed to rebuild confidence in its governance.

"We know the decision was not taken lightly and was a result of careful consideration by the leadership and representatives of our nations," Bernard said.

Not all chiefs were present for the vote to remove Archibald. It happened June 28 at a special chiefs' assembly held to address the findings of an investigation into five staff members' complaints. Of the 231 chiefs who took part, 71 per cent voted to remove her.

Terry Teegee, regional chief for British Columbia, told reporters on Tuesday that even if not all were present, chiefs made the decision  not members of the assembly's executive committee, whom Archibald has accused of orchestrating her removal.

"We followed the rules, wherever it fell in terms of the vote, and that was decided by the chiefs."

The fact Archibald was the first woman to hold the role as national chief has sent a chill over other female First Nations leaders, said Joyce Naytowhow McLeod, chief of Montreal Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan. She called the decision to remove Archibald "a disgrace," adding it makes her feel "powerless."

"The message is  just stay quiet, don't voice anything," she said. "We deal with that enough back home, as women chiefs."

As chiefs prepare to elect a new permanent leader later in the year, Bernard told those gathered that she hopes to see "strong women leaders" come forward, but added they should select a candidate who is committed to unity regardless of their gender.

She said work was underway to address the shortcomings within the organization and "rebuilding staff morale," pointing to efforts around bolstering its whistleblower policies, code of conduct and the process for reporting harassment.

Bernard pledged that the organization wanted to offer a "safe and supportive environment where all individuals can speak up without fear of retaliation."

Archibald has alleged she was pushed out for demanding a financial audit.

Bernard expressed an openness during her speech Tuesday to Archibald's push for a financial audit, saying the organization's financial statements are audited annually, and rejected the former chief's claims around problematic spending.

If a committee tasked with examining the issue believes a forensic audit is necessary, "we will follow that guidance," Bernard said, adding she is committed to maintaining stability despite the challenging period of transition that now lies ahead.

Before the gathering got underway, the organization announced it was sharing the past decade's worth of independent, audited financial statements, which it said "confirm the absence of any financial concerns."

Teegee said it's "disappointing" that the attention paid to Archibald's leadership has meant slow progress on key files, including safe drinking water, housing, the drug crisis and climate change.

He rejected the belief that anything has been fully derailed, but acknowledged that turmoil has slowed the assembly's work. "Over the next few days, hopefully we can pick up the slack."

Annie Bernard-Daisley, co-chair of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs, said during the opening of the assembly that it's time to move on to more pressing issues.

"We have people in our community sitting in poverty, being murdered, a Winnipeg landfill not being searched," she said. "The longer we delay, the less we will do for our own people. Lets check our ego at the door and do our job."

Garrison Settee, grand chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, said its time to focus on the "dire situation" in First Nations communities.

"The chiefs are moving on."
A bench warrant has been issued for a 34-year-old La Crosse man after he reportedly failed to appear in court July 5 for a preliminary hearing.

Joshuah R. Scott faces multiple charges relating to allegations that he was engaged in a pattern of harassment against his ex-girlfriend, including trashing her apartment June 18. He was charged in La Crosse County Circuit Court with one count of felony burglary to a dwelling, three counts of felony bail jumping and two counts of misdemeanor criminal damage to property.

According to the criminal complaint, a woman told La Crosse police that Scott broke into her residence and left behind a significant amount of damage. The complaint says police determined the intruder entered the unit by breaking a window. Police observed most of the furniture flipped upside down, floors covered with broken glass and a bathroom and bedroom in disarray. There were also fist-sized holes in the wall.

The woman told police that she and Scott lived together at the residence before she initiated a breakup. She shared texts from Scott that reportedly contained threatening language toward her and an admission that he destroyed her residence. The buildings landlord told police he intended to pursue charges against Scott.

Scott allegedly violated no-contact orders with the woman June 25 and June 26 and broke more of the womans belongings during the second encounter. Scott was arrested near the womans home shortly after dawn June 27.

Judge Scott Horne ordered $1,000 cash bail for Scott during a June 28 preliminary hearing. Scott posted the bond July 3. The cash bond was forfeited after the scheduled preliminary hearing, and Judge Todd Bjerke ordered a new cash bond of $2,500.
Dozens of insurance companies are suing Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy to recoup money paid out to homes and businesses lost in Colorado's most destructive wildfire in 2021.

The lawsuit was filed Thursday, a few weeks after investigators announced that a sparking power line owned by Xcel was one of the causes of a fire that, fanned by high winds, destroyed nearly 1,000 homes and left two people dead. Embers from a smoldering scrap wood fire set days before on a nearby property used by a Christian religious communal group was also found to have been another cause.

The two fires combined to cause a blaze fanned by high winds that is blamed for causing $2 billion in damage in a suburban area between Denver and Boulder.

In response to the allegations, Xcel re-issued a statement first given in response to the results the fire investigation, saying that it strongly objected to its findings.

We strongly disagree with any suggestion that Xcel Energys power lines caused the second ignition, which according to the report started 80 to 110 feet away from Xcel Energys powerlines in an area with underground coal fire activity," it said.

More than 150 insurance companies allege in the lawsuit that Xcel, which operates in eight states in the Midwest and West, failed to properly design, construct, inspect, maintain, repair or operate its electrical equipment before the Marshall Fire broke out on Dec. 30, 2021. The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, said Xcel failed to de-energize its electrical equipment before the onset of strong winds.

The American Property Casualty Insurance Association, a trade group for insurance companies, said the lawsuit is part of a normal process known as subrogation that seeks to recover expenses from those found to be at fault in causing damage.

Subrogation is a common process in insurance claims where insurers seek to recover money paid to policyholders from the responsible party, which is an important tool to help keep insurance costs affordable for policyholders, Karen Collins, an assistant vice president for the group, said in a statement.

The smoldering fire at the Twelve Tribes property that was also blamed for sparking one of the fires that became the Marshall Fire had been buried by residents a few days before in a way that was approved by firefighters who stopped by to investigate, Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson said at a news conference last month.

The lawsuit points out that the official report found that the group's plan to manage their fire was responsible and that the fire, when stirred up by winds on Dec. 30, did not quickly spread because of factors including the property's topography and lack of ground fuels.

In contrast, the lawsuit accused Xcel of failing to do business in a reasonable way. It also says the fire sparked by its power line spread quickly because it was on top of a flat mesa, allowing the fire to spread along the ground, and ignited nearby vegetation. The lawsuit claims firebrands  flaming or glowing fuel particles carried by the wind  from the power line-ignited fire sparked spot fires that eventually spread and burned homes in the communities of Louisville and Superior.

In its statement, Xcel said it reviewed its maintenance records and believes the system was properly maintained.

A lawsuit by businesses and residents was filed last year against Xcel Energy, and two other residents fled a lawsuit against Xcel on Monday. More lawsuits are expected to be filed, which lawyers hope to have considered by the same judge.

This story has been changed to correct the spelling of Karen Collins' last name.
The Geneva Lake Environmental Agency (GLEA) Board of Directors held a celebratory dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the successful acquisiton and installation of four new stationary CD3 Roadside Units around Geneva Lake at Williams Bay, Fontana and Lake Geneva.

The 9 a.m. dedication ceremony took place on Friday, July 7, 2023, at the Williams Bay public boat launch on East Geneva Street, where board members, staff and citizens gathered to mark a new initiative aimed at preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) around Geneva Lake.

CD3 Roadside Units are stationary boat cleaning stations designed to help prevent the further spread of AIS and protect Geneva Lake water resources.

Patrick Siwula, Southeast Region AIS Coordinator at Wisconsin DNR, provided a statement about the DNRs efforts toward aquatic invasive species.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is pleased to have provided support for the installation of CD3 Roadside Units around Geneva Lake through the State Surface Water Grant program," Siwula said. "This program provides over $6 million annually to governmental bodies, lake associations/districts, non-profit groups, and other entities for surface water protection, management, and restoration. The CD3 Units at Geneva Lake were funded through the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Supplemental Prevention grant category, which are available for projects that reduce the spread or risk of introduction of AIS."

The CD3 Roadside Units are stationary cleaning stations that include educational information/prompts along with tools that can be used to help lake users comply with the required Clean/Drain/Dry prevention steps. Taking these simple steps when recreating on waterbodies is paramount to preventing the spread of AIS and protecting the health of local water resources.

"We are grateful for GLEAs partnership on this project and look forward to collaborating on other projects in the future," Siwula said.

For more information on the Surface Water Grants program, visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/aid/SurfaceWater.html.

"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for their invaluable support and funding, making this initiative possible," said GLEA Executive Director Jake Schmidt. "We would also like to thank elected officials, municipal staff, and all who came to support the purpose and installation of the CD3 Roadside Units."

The Williams Bay-based Geneva Lake Environmental Agency has a mission to maintain Geneva Lakes resources by protecting, preserving and enhancing a desirable lake and watershed quality through monitoring, protection and education.

For more information about GLEA, visit https://www.gleawi.org.

Green Bay Packer legend Donald Driver in Lake Geneva Former Green Bay Packer Donald Driver enters the U.S. Mailboat Walworth to prepare for a commercial shoot Green Bay Packer legend Donald Driver shares a laugh with Visit Lake Geneva President and CEO Stephanie Klett Green Bay Packer legend Donald Driver poses for a photo with the crew from the U.S. Mailboat Walworth Donald Driver prepares to make a mailboat jump during a commercial shoot Donald Driver strikes a pose after a successful commercial shoot Donald Driver
The 1,585-resident Village of Sharon was awash in patriotic red, white and blue as the volunteer-led Sharon July Fourth Committee hosted a day-long slate of Independence Day activities on Tuesday, July 4, including a parade, community-wide park party and dusk fireworks.

Festivities kicked off with 9 a.m. kids Big Wheel races on the downtown main drag.

A 75-minute parade, themed "Fourth of July Wisconsin Style," kicked off from downtown Sharon at 11 a.m., encompassing approximately 130 units according to Sharon July Fourth Committee coordinator Jennifer Lembke.

Among those honored in the parade were Sharon Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Mark A. Ruosch, village president since 2015, and Chamber Business of the Year Coffee Cup Cafe, 192 Baldwin St.

Also among those appearing in the parade were Walworth County Fair 2023 Fairest of the Fair Lillienne Cauffman, State Rep. Tyler August (R-32, Lake Geneva), Walworth County Sheriff Dave Gerber and Walworth County Undersheriff Tom Hausner.

Among the larger groups participating was the Rock-Ford A's Model A Restorers Club of Rockford, Ill. Founded in 1952, the club specializes in 1928-1931 Ford Model A's.

Emergency services agencies participating in the parade included the Sharon Police Department, Walworth County Sheriff's Department, Shared Parademics and fire-rescue departments including Sharon, Boone County, Clinton, Darien, Harvard, Hebron-Alden-Greenwood, North Boone and Walworth.

Immediately following the parade, the Sharon Fourth of July Committee held a Fourth of July Party in the Park at Goodland Memorial Park in the Village of Sharon.

Goodland Memorial Park, dedicated in July 1956, is named in honor of Sharon native Walter S. Goodland (1862-1947), who served as Wisconsin's governor from 1943-1947.

Held from noon to 9 p.m., the party included a food truck, 34-vendor craft fair market, a sweet corn roast, food and beverage concessions, dunk tank and live music by Rockford, Ill.-based 70s dance party cover band "That Gurl."

The post-parade community party at Goodland Park is a work in progress according to Lembke.

"We're reviving the park," she said. "The parade's always been fantastic. The fireworks have always been fantastic. The park kinda fell off for a little bit so we're bringing it back."

Party in the Park was followed by dusk fireworks.

Making the day-long roster of Independence Day magic happen in Sharon was a large cadre of community-minded volunteers.

"I think one of the misconceptions is that the village puts it on," Lembke said. "It's not put on by the village. It's put on by all volunteers ... You have to have people doing all those things or you can't make it work. There's lots that's involved."

Lembke was pleased with the day's patriotic observances, estimating total attendance at the "very well attended" festivities at "thousands of people" drawn from Sharon, neighboring communities, Walworth County, and regionally from across southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

"It was very successful, very well received," Lembke said. "It was a good day  good old-fashioned small town America celebrating America. People so badly want the times of the past."
Where have all the flowers gone?

Discover the unexpected answer at the next program in the ongoing slate of Nature Series presentations hosted by Barrett Memorial Library and Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy, slated for Monday, July 17, 6 p.m. at the library, 65 W. Geneva St. (State Hwy. 67) in Williams Bay.

Beloit native Dale Larsen, Professor of Practice, Honors faculty and Director of Community Relations & Engagement at Arizona State Universitys Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions, will facilitate Where Have All the Flowers Gone, a discussion focusing on Kishwauketoes community-based partnership model.

The discussion will emphasize environmental ethics, sound public policy and best practices of volunteer stewardship, all of which Kishwauketoe does in spades, said Barrett Memorial Library Director Joy Schnupp. Attendees will be encouraged to participate in the discussion with the hope that what theyve learned will be taken back to their own communities.

For nearly 30 years, Larsens career has taken him from Milwaukee County to to Phoenix. Prior to moving to Phoenix in 1983, Larsen enjoyed 12 years working in various management positions with the Milwaukee County Park Commisssion, and was an officer for the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association.

An executive manager/practitioner, educator and public service advocate in public lands for a half century, Larsen is a former director of the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department. In his current role, Larsen teaches undergraduate and graduate level coursework in public lands management, leadership, civic engagement and community organization at ASU.

Larsen has co-authored university textbooks and authored publications on parks and recreation administration and community external leadership.

A Past President and distinguished Fellow in the American Academy of Parks, Larsen served as Chairman for the Commission for Parks and Recreation Accreditations.

A member of the National Parks and Recreation Association, the Trust for Public Lands and City Parks Alliance, Larsen served as president and board member for the nonprofit Phoenix-based Camp Colley Foundation, which operated a secluded northern Arizona outdoor adventure camp for inner city children.

Chairman of the Arizona State Parks Board, Larsen serves on the White Tank Mountain Conservancy.

Larsen holds a bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and a masters of science in education and administrative leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

He is an interesting man, Schnupp said of Phoenix resident Larsen, who summers in a Williams Bay home he bought 13 years ago upon his retirement from the Phoenix Park and Recreation Department.

Larsen is currently summering in Williams Bay and working on a textbook he is helping write.

I befriended Jim Killian, who is one of the leaders and one of the main authors for the book on the Conservancy, Larsen said. I did a presentation a couple of years ago on natures heroes and Jim asked me if I would be willing to come back again this year, and Ill be doing just that this coming Monday.

Published by Lake Geneva-based NEI-Turner in 2021, Killian authored Kishwauketoe: A Nature Conservancy for the Children of Tomorrow in collaboration with Jen Schildgen.

Founded in 1990, KNC stewards a 231-acre oak woods, decidous forest and prairie nature preserve, which includes a boardwalk system, walking trails, pavilion and bird-viewing tower.

Larsens July 7 Nature Series presentation will highlight Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancys leading role nationally in the field of conservation ethics in partnership relationships.

Several years ago at ASU I did a parody on the old Keith Seeger song Where Have All the Flowers Gone and I rephrased it to Where Have All the Leaders Gone, he explained. As I was talking to Jim, coming out of COVID and all of the issues, the Conservancy here has continued to be exemplary of excellence of public partnership with non-profit organizations, so I suggested taking that same song, Where Have All the Flowers Gone, symbolizing the fact that the Conservancy ... is one of THE outstanding examples ... for the work that they have been doing since the Conservancy began in 1990 ... in a partnership relationship with the village of Williams Bay, all of the different state agencies that theyre working with, all of the different conservancy groups ... through volunteer leadership and volunteer stewardship ... In their boots-on-the-ground work they are actually creating a model which can be replicated by other organizations around the country that have conservation as a priority.

COVID, Larsen said, provided a prime example of the importance of Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancys work.

Even during the pandemic, nature never closed, he noted. It was the right therapy. Hikers came out of the woodwork, outdoors was THE safe place to be. Nature was the primary healing factor going through that tumultuous time that we all experience. The idea here is how do they sustain that community engagement that theyve embarked up here in Williams Bay so successfully ... Im going to use the Conservancy as an example in one of the chapters in this book that Im helping to write for university education.

In part, Larsen said his upcoing presentation will take a deeper dive into the ethics of what they (Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy) are doing in terms of long-term conservation community engagement.

This isnt a lecture, Larsen noted. This is really meant to be a facilitated conversation to get people thinking, not only about the great work they have done, but what do they need to do here after COVID to really make this organization an exemplary example around the country.

No stranger to Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy, Larsens home in Williams Bay is around a five-minute walk from Kishwauketoe.

I am a regular frequent hiker with our grandkids, going through the Conservancy, he said. For me, its sort of my backyard recreation.

About the Nature Series

Now in its fourth year, the Nature Series is a collaborative community educational outreach of the Barrett Memorial Library and the nonprofit Williams Bay-based Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy (KNC), 251 Elkhorn Rd. (State Hwy. 67).

We try to have a program about every six to eight weeks, Schupp noted of the Nature Series. We do book discussions, we have presenters, we watch documentaries. Were all over the board. We love participative discussions and the groups have been pretty lively. We really enjoy it.

Learn more

The Barrett Memorial Library is located at 65 W. Geneva St. (State Hwy. 67) in Williams Bay.

The library is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

For more information about the library, library programs and the upcoming July 17 Nature Series program, call 262-245-2709 or visit williamsbay.lib.wi.us.

In 135 Photos: Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy, Williams Bay Kishwauketoe Bumble Bee Feeds on White Snakeroot Kishwauketoe Honey Bee Feeds on White Snakeroot Kishwauketoe Bittersweet Nightshade Kishwauketoe Blue Vervain Kishwauketoe Boneset Brown Eyed Susan coneflower blooms at Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy Kishwauketoe Bull Thistle Kishwauketoe Calico Aster Kishwauketoe Canada Goldenrod Geneva Lake Conservancy Cardinal Flower Lobelia Kishwauketoe Climbing False Buckwheat Kishwauketoe Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Mile Post Kishwauketoe Railroad Spur Trail On Old Chicago & Northwestern Railway Right-Of-Way Kishwauketoe Common Milkweed Kishwauketoe Devil's Beggarticks Kishwauketoe Evening Primrose Kishwauketoe Hymenochaetaceae Fungi Kishwauketoe Giant Ragweed Kishwauketoe Giant Sunflower Geneva Lake Conservancy Sneezeweed Geneva Lake Conservancy Wetland Boardwalk Geneva Lake Conservancy Cardinal Flower Geneva Lake Conservancy Wetland Kishwauketoe Gray Dogwood Kishwauketoe Great Blue Lobelia 2 Kishwauketoe Great Blue Lobelia Kishwauketoe Guelder-rose (European Cranberry Bush) Kishwauketoe Harris Creek at Geneva Lake Kishwauketoe Hedge Bindweed (Wild Morning Glory, Granny-pop-out-of-bed) Geneva Lake Conservancy Hymenochaetaceae Fungi Kishwauketoe Ladies Thumb Kishwauketoe Main Entrance, 251 Elkhorn Road, Williams Bay Kishwauketoe Missouri Ironweed Kishwauketoe Motherwort Kishwauketoe Orange Jewelweed Kishwauketoe New England Aster Kishwauketoe Ninebark Kishwauketoe Obedient Plant (Lionshearts) Kishwauketoe Orange Jewelweed Close-up Kishwauketoe Oriental Ladies Thumb Kishwauketoe Pale Indian Plaintain Kishwauketoe Panicled Aster Kishwauketoe Prairie Dock Kishwauketoe Railroad Spur Trail Bridge at Harris Creek Chicago & Northwestern Railway remnant railroad trestle bridge supports Kishwauketoe Riverbank Grape Kishwauketoe Scenic View from Railroad Spur Trail Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy sign and Thomas B. Johnson Bridge, 251 Elkhorn Road, Williams Bay Kishwauketoe Soapwort Southwick Creek empties into Geneva Lake Kishwauketoe Southwick Creek Trail 2 Kishwauketoe Southwick Creek Trail Kishwauketoe Southwick Creek Kishwauketoe Spotted Joe-pyeweed Kishwauketoe Stiff Goldenrod Kishwauketoe summer intern Joel Myers performs boardwalk repairs Kishwauketoe Velvetleaf (Indian Mallow).jpg View from observation tower toward Geneva Lake at Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy Kishwauketoe Observation Tower Kishwauketoe Virgin's Bower Clematis Wetland Boardwalk off Railroad Spur Trail Kishwauketoe Wetland Off Railroad Spur Trail Kishwauketoe White Snakeroot Kishwauketoe Wild Bergamot Kishwauketoe Wild Campion Kishwauketoe Wild Cucumber Kishwauketo Bridge Over Southwick Creek Kishwauketo Nature Conservancy founder and chairman Harold Friestad Kishwauketoe American Elder Kishwauketoe American Elm Kishwauketoe American Pokeweed Kishwauketoe Bee Feeds on Common Chicory Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy Site Director Jennifer Yunker Kishwauketoe Blue Vervain Kishwauketoe - Broadleaf Cattail Kishwauketoe Arboretum - Bur Oak (Mossy-Cup Oak) Kishwauketoe - Calico Aster Kishwauketoe Arboretum - Chinquapin Oak.jpg Kishwauketoe Arboretum - Common Buttonbush Kishwauketoe - Common Crownvetch Kishwauketoe Arboretum - Common Hackberry Kishwauketoe - Evening Primrose Kishwauketoe - Grass Leaved Goldenrod Kishwauketoe - Indian Hemp Dogbane Kishwauketoe Arboretum - Kentucky Coffee Tree Kishwauketoe Arboretum sign Kishwauketoe - New England Aster Kishwauketoe Arboretum - Northern Catalpa.jpg Kishwauketoe - Late afternoon Observation Tower view looking toward Geneva Lake Kishwauketoe - Orange Jewelwood closeup view Kishwauketoe Arboretum - Paradise Apple.jpg Kishwauketoe - Scenic view of Southwick Creek with flowering Boneset and Brown-Eyed Susan Kishwauketoe Smooth Sumac.jpg Kishwauketoe Arboretum - Southern Crab Apple Kishwauketoe Southwick Creek at Geneva Lake Kishwauketoe Southwick Creek late afternoon view Kishwauketoe Southwick Creek early evening view Geneva Lake Conservancy/Helen Rohner Children's Fishing Park - sunning turtle in wetland Kishwauketoe Arboretum - Sycamore Kishwauketoe Virginia Creeper vine Kishwauketoe Wild Black Raspberry Kishwauketoe Wild Carrot (Queen Anne's Lace) Kishwauketoe - Arrowleaf Ragwort Kishwauketoe Arboretum - Bitternut Hickory Kishwauketoe - Wild Cucumber Kishwauketoe - Williams Bay School Bur Oak "wish tree" Arbor Day project Kishwauketoe - American Burnweed (Fireweed, Pilewort, White Fireweed, Eastern Burnweed, Butterweed) Kishwauketoe - American Groundnut (Potato Bean, Cinnamon Vine, Indian Potato, Hopniss) Kishwauketoe - Bee feeding on Joe-pyeweed Kishwauketoe - Blue Vervain Kishwauketoe - Boneset (Feverwort, Sweating Plant, March Sage, Wild Sage) Kishwauketoe - Canada Goldenrod Kishwauketoe - Cup Plant Kishwauketoe - Cutleaf Coneflower (Green-headed Coneflower, Wild Garden Glow, Thimbleweed) Kishwauketoe - Devil's Beggarsticks Kishwauketoe - Evening Primrose Geneva Lake Conservancy/Helen Rohner Children's Fishing Park, 159 Elkhorn Rd. (State Hwy. 67), Williams Bay Kishwauketoe - Great Blue Lobelia (Blue Cardinal Flower, Great Lobelia, Big Blue Lobelia, Blue Lobelia) Kishwauketoe - Green Ash Kishwauketoe - Guelder-rose (European Cranberry) Kishwauketoe - Hedge Bindweed (Wild Morning Glory or Granny-pop-out-of-bed) Kishwauketoe - Wetland scene near Geneva Lake Kishwauketoe - Wetland view near Geneva Lake Kishwauketoe - Main wetland boardwalk near Geneva Lake Kishwauketoe - Missouri Ironweed Kishwauketoe - Purple Loosestrife Kishwauketoe - Red Osier Dogwood Kishwauketoe - Riverbank Grape Kishwauketoe - Silky Dogwood Kishwauketoe - Southwick Creek mid-afternoon view Kishwauketoe - Spotted Joe-pyeweed Kishwauketoe - Spotted Water Hemlock Kishwauketoe - Tall Beggarsticks (Big Devils Beggarsticks, Common Beggarsticks, Tall Bur-Marigold) Kishwauketoe - Virgin's Bower Clematis (Woodbine, Italian Clematis, Devil's Darning Needles, Devil's Hari, Wild Hops, Love Vine) Kishwauketoe - Virgin's Bower Clematis
Photo: The Canadian Press

Three large tax preparation firms sent extraordinarily sensitive information on tens of millions of taxpayers to Facebook parent company Meta over the course of at least two years, a group of congressional Democrats reported on Wednesday.

Their report urges federal agencies to investigate and potentially go to court over the wealth of information that H&R Block, TaxAct and TaxSlayer shared with the social media giant.

In a letter to the heads of the IRS, the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission and the IRS watchdog, seven lawmakers say their findings reveal a shocking breach of taxpayer privacy by tax prep companies and by Big Tech firms.

Their report said highly personal and financial information about sources of taxpayers' income, tax deductions and exemptions was made accessible to Meta as taxpayers used the tax software to prepare their taxes.

That data came to Meta through its Pixel code, which the tax firms installed on their websites to gather information on how to improve their own marketing campaigns. In exchange, Meta was able to access the data to write targeted algorithms for its own users.

The program collected information on taxpayers filing status, income, refund amounts, names of dependents, approximate federal tax owed, which buttons were clicked on the tax preparers' websites and the names of text entry forms that the taxpayer navigated, the report states.

The letter to federal agencies was signed by Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, Richard Blumenthal, Tammy Duckworth, Bernie Sanders and Sheldon Whitehouse and Rep. Katie Porter. The lawmakers called for the agencies to immediately open an investigation into this incident.

They ask the agencies to investigate and prosecute any company or individuals who violated the law," saying it could result in billions of dollars in criminal liability to the firms.

The Markup, a nonprofit journalism outlet focusing on technology, initially reported on the data-sharing between tax firms and Meta in November. TaxAct told The Markup then that it takes the privacy of its customers data very seriously and endeavors to comply with all IRS regulations. TaxSlayer said then that its customers privacy is of utmost importance and that it had removed the Pixel to evaluate its use.

H&R Block said on Wednesday that it takes protecting client privacy very seriously and has taken steps to prevent the sharing of information through the Pixel coding.

And Meta said that it has been clear in its policies that advertisers should not send sensitive information about people through our Business Tools.

Doing so is against our policies and we educate advertisers on properly setting up Business tools to prevent this from occurring, the company said in an emailed statement. Our system is designed to filter out potentially sensitive data it is able to detect.

Representatives from the IRS, the DOJ, the FTC and the IRS watchdog also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Democrats say their report serves as an argument for the creation of an electronic free-file system for submitting tax returns that would be run by the government, which the IRS is currently piloting.

The IRS plans to launch a pilot program for the 2024 filing season to test a direct file system and help the federal government decide whether to move forward with potentially implementing it in the future.

The IRS in May published a feasibility report laying out taxpayer interest in direct file, how the system could work, its potential cost, operational challenges and more.

The report shows that the majority of surveyed taxpayers would be interested in using an IRS-provided tool to prepare and file their taxes electronically  almost 50% of respondents who preferred the IRS free-file option over commercial tax preparation firms said they preferred to give their financial information directly to the IRS instead of the third party.
Reps. Jacobs and Omar Introduce Amendment To Block U.S. Transfer of Cluster Bombs to Ukraine

July 11, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)U.S. Representatives Sara Jacobs (D-CA) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN) have introduced an amendment to the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would effectively block the transfer of the cluster munitions to Ukraine, announced by U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on July 7. The amendment reads:

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no military assistance shall be furnished for cluster munitions, no defense export license for cluster munitions may be issued, and no cluster munitions or cluster munitions technology shall be sold or transferred.

Rep. Jacobs wrote in a Twitter thread July 7,

Cluster munitions keep killing long after their initial use with the potential to injure and kill civilians for generations, something we have seen in many other post-war contexts like Cambodia and Vietnam. Cluster munitions also prevent successful rebuilding and economic recovery in the countries where theyre used.

Rep. Omar posted on her website,

Cluster munitions are illegal under international law. A total of 123 countries have ratified the convention to ban their use under all circumstancesincluding nearly all our allies. I was recently in Vietnam where I heard firsthand how innocent civilians continue to be killed by US cluster munitions a full fifty years after the conflict ended. Tens of thousands of explosives are found every year there.

Omar, who up to now has supported the British-U.S.-NATO proxy war in Ukraine, asserted, 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.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said on July 10 that he will co-sponsor the Jacobs-Omar measure to block President Biden from sending cluster bombs to Ukraine.

I will be the Republican co-sponsor on the NDAA amendment ...to stop the transfer of cluster bombs. These cluster bombs will not end the war in Ukraine and will not build a more stable country. Children will be left without limbs and without parents because of this decision if we do not work together in a bipartisan fashion to stop it,

Gaetz wrote in a tweet.  Cluster bombs are features of the worlds bloodiest and most inhumane wars, and some of the longest. Its hardly the cornerstone of a path to peace.

The July 10 Antiwar.com reports, Other lawmakers, including Reps. Jason Crow (D-CO), a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, and Barbara Lee (D-CA), have also voiced their opposition to the transfer of these bombs.

The opposition to the deployment of cluster bombs is not the final battle, but as Schiller Institute leader Helga Zepp-LaRouche told her colleagues, in mobilizing for international peace actions on August 6, the 78th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, The decision by President Biden to send cluster bombs to Ukraine ... is, from any point, the biggest blunder, because it mobilizes many, many more forces than probably Biden or the people who pushed him to do this, did imagine.
EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR WEDNESDAY JULY 12, 2023

Villainous Vilnius Summit Demonstrates Need To Dissolve NATO

July 11, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)The confederacy of dunces meeting at Vilnius have proclaimed, with dubious conviction, that someday, somehow, Ukraine will be in NATO. This displeased Little Caesar Zelenskyy, who took to the streets of the city and, speaking at a concert clearly staged on his behalf, castigated the whole Anglosphere as weak sisters, for being indecisive, for being afraid to throw caution to the winds, get some iron in the spine, and stand up to the Russians. Another Ukrainian official, Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, went further. He explained, in an ABC interview, why the West should not fear escalating toward nuclear war. Some countries, unfortunately, dont really understand the current Russia. Its not the country of Pushkin, Tchaikovsky, Russian ballet, one of the strongest armies in the world. Its the country [of] terrorists.

Those that have read Mein Kampfhopefully, only for research purposesknow that there was no one more rabidly obsessed with the extermination of Russianot merely Bolshevismthan Adolf Hitler. Certainly, that fact is not lost on Russia. But it is the mind-set, not the individual, that matters. Fascism was not a German-only phenomenon, as the tattoos of Ukraines Azov Battalion (and others) advertise, and as the financial policies of the City of London and Wall Street demonstrate every day.

The July 8-9 Schiller Institute Conference in Strasbourg, France, and the alternative culture of peace that it presented, including a new security and development architecture for the world as is now being discussed, if imperfectly, throughout the Global South, is the opposite of the universal fascism that the absurd North Atlantic Treaty Organization now exemplifies. Think about it. By decree, NATO has proclaimed that the Atlantic Ocean now includes the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, the Horn of Africa, and the Pacific Ocean. Madness! Worse, foolish nations go along with it, to be assimilated the way that a Venus fly-trap assimilates a fly.

The Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Mykhailo Podolyak, as recorded in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty yesterday, gave a preview of what he believed that his boss, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was going to discuss with Joe Biden today, in a side meeting of the ongoing Villainous Vilnius NATO Summit. Among other discussion topics, Podolyak said,

The third issue is still the question of Russias defeat. This is even a philosophical, doctrinal question, why Russia must necessarily defeat [sic], why it is beneficial to the democratic world, what Russia should look like after defeat, and why we should not be afraid of it, and why, in principle, Putin does not control Russia, is not a strong President, and why it is assistance to Ukraine that will accelerate the finalization of Russias existence as we see it today.

Formulations like the finalization of Russias existencetoo similar to the idea of a final solution to be a mistakeonly come out of one sort of mind-set. Hitler, Himmler, Goebbels, Sir Oswald Mosley, King Edward VIII, and Brooklyns own Hjalmar Horace Greeley Schacht were all of that sort of mind-set.

The International Assassination Bureau, the same that has operated for decades, but in different guises for different occasions, has killed another Russian target and then listed him as liquidated on its Myrotvorets list in Kiev. Note carefully, also, that the Ukrainian Presidencys Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) had referenced the Strasbourg International Peace Conference: Russia urges Europe to break free from U.S. shackles for a just multipolar world, and listed Helga Zepp-LaRouche, again, on its latest target list, used by the Ukrainian SBU security service to identify enemies of the state. What is unusual, however, is that this CCD citation was dated several days before the Schiller Institute conference occurred.

In the United States, the House Judiciary Committee has just released a report yesterday on the FBIs cooperation with the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) to suppress the social media accounts of Americans suspected of disseminating alleged Russian disinformation  as you can read in the intelligence item below. What constitutes Russian disinformation? Well, thats not so easy for Americans to identify. According to the head of Ukraines National Security Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov (who also runs CCD), for example, Americans, including American politicians, have been brainwashed from an early age about Russia: The thing is that the textbooks used by students, who graduate from respected Western universities, including American, British ones, were written by Russians and were written based on the version of history that was written in Russia.

Which, presumably, is why Americans dont understand that there has to be a commitment to the finalization of Russia, even if that means the finalization of America, and the whole world. Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump, who denounced President Bidens decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine, pointed out that Biden had blurted out the embarrassing truth. Despite the fact that the United States is spending, officially, just shy of $900 billion on wareuphemistically called defenseit has run out of weapons, and is now reduced to giving Ukraine 20-year-old ordnance which has been outlawed by 123 nations. Russias 2023 defense budget is estimated at $84 billionone-tenth of our present budgetbut we dont have ammunition. Democratic Presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, Jr. said, Last year, WH Press Secretary Jen Psaki called the use of cluster bombs a war crime. Now President Biden plans to send them to Ukraine. Stop the ceaseless escalation! It is time for peace.

And Zelenskyy wasnt the only one in the streets in Europe yesterday. In Sofia, Bulgaria, a NATO country, thousands marched against the idea of admitting Ukraine into NATO. Zelenskyy, killer of Ukrainians! was one slogan heard. While Charlie Chaplins Great Dictator character, Adenoid Hynkel, was also, like Zelenskyy, mistaken for a Fuhrer, he, at least, grew into the role. In the case of Zelenskyy, his desperation makes him shriek, and shrink, more and more, by the day. The more serious problem is, will this moment in history find only Lilliputians in leadership of the trans-Atlantic nations? There is world-class leadership in the Global South, Brazil, South Africa, Russia, and China. There are some signs of life in the United States. Now, from the ranks of the emerging International Peace Coalition, the movement known as Humanity For Peace, and the participants in the Schiller Institute conferences, must come the complement to the worlds aspirations for a new, just world system of sovereign nations united in a harmony of interests and a commitment to the common aims of mankind. Pacem In Terris is not only possible, but the natural condition of the human race.
Nathan Nkuzimana worked for a Kenyan company called Sama until early 2023.

Sama is a technology company that sold content moderation services to Facebook. Content moderators look at material posted to social media websites such as Facebook for quality control.

The 33-year-old Nkuzimana came to Kenya from Burundi to work for Sama. He said he looked at violent and sexual images and videos every workday.

He said he saw a child being sexually violated in one post and a woman being killed in another. Nkuzimana said seeing such horrors damaged his mental health.

Nkuzimana is not alone. He joined about 200 workers from Kenya who are part of a larger group in Africa suing Sama and Facebook. They say they suffered through harmful working conditions.

It is the first known international legal case related to Facebook content moderators. In 2020, Facebook settled a legal action against it brought by content workers in the U.S.

The Sama workers did their jobs at a Nairobi office. They looked at material that came from Facebook users in Africa. Their job was to remove harmful or illegal posts.

The workers in Africa are seeking $1.6 billion in compensation for their work. They say their employers did not pay them enough nor provide them enough mental health support. They also say Sama and Facebook should continue to pay them while courts consider the case.

Facebook and Sama both deny the workers accusations.

A Kenyan court is hearing the case.

Many of the workers came to Kenya from other countries because Sama paid well. Some earned $429 per month and workers from other countries, including Nkuzimana, made a little more.

People who follow technology news say the group in Kenya is the most visible because they are also pushing to form a workers group, or union.

While the case is being decided, however, the workers are not being paid. Their work permits have time limitations also.

Away from home

Many of the workers left their home countries because they heard about good pay. But they also wanted to leave because of conflicts at home. Fasica Gebrekidan is from Ethiopia. She left home for Kenya because she did not want to get caught up in her countrys civil war in the northern Tigray region.

She knew of the bad things happening in her country. When she started working for Sama, she said she saw frightening images and videos. In order to make a decision about a video, she would have to watch the first 50 seconds and the last 50 seconds. She would see images of war and rape.

You run away from the war, then you have to see the war, Fasica said. It was just a torture for us.

Many of the moderators said they started the work at Sama with good feelings. Nkuzimana said he and his co-workers felt like heroes to the community. He went on to say that people feel safe looking at Facebook because of workers like him. He compared the workers to soldiers who might be hurt so everyone else can be safe.

But those good feelings turned bad after hours watching harmful material. Nkuzimana said he would come home and close himself in his room so he would not have to speak with his family about what he saw that day.

The workers said the U.S.-based Sama did not help the moderators work through what they saw. The company, however, said mental health professionals were available to all employees.

Sarah Roberts is an expert in content moderation at the University of California, Los Angeles. She said workers might risk their mental health for a chance to work in technology and make good money.

When companies like Sama are hired to do work for Facebook, Roberts, explained, it permits Facebook to say the workers are not their employees. In addition, she said, the workers are telling the story of an exploitative industry.

Forever in their heads

Fasica said she is worried she will never be able to have a normal life. She always sees the images in her head. She called it garbage and worried it will be in her head forever.

She said Facebook should know what is going on with the workers. They should care about us, she said.

Im Dan Friedell. And Im Caty Weaver.

Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a story by The Associated Press.

_____________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

sue v. to start a legal action because you think you have been hurt by someone else

compensation n. another word for payment

visible adj. well-known

______________________________________________________________________

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Waterfalls are all over the Louisville area. Hike trails to find beautiful waterfalls for exploring and playing with your kids.

There are waterfalls in Louisville and in the areas around us. Explore these with your family for an active local adventure.

We love exploring waterfalls around Louisville. This summer, we have made a commitment to hike and find a waterfall each week. This activity earns us tons of steps for exercise and we learn things along the way. We look for animal tracks, critters hidden under rocks, in water, or in the trees, and we learn about the history of the places we explore.

Hiking to waterfalls in Louisville has become a really popular activity for families. Are there waterfalls near Louisville that you didnt visit last year? Finish off your list!

Additionally, many of these waterfalls around Louisville have markers for areas that are off-limits because they are not safe to explore beyond those points. Please adhere to the posted regulations at each location and be safe while having fun!

Adhere to all signage regarding property rules and guidelines as well as Project WIN water advisories.

Lets explore waterfalls around Louisville

Tioga Falls  Near Fort Knox, this is great for a day trip. You can picnic along the trail, near the waterfall, or at the trail entrance. Its also near Bridges to the Past so you can explore that trail as well if you are feeling really active! This area is very busy on summer weekends, we recommend going on a weekday if you can. It is a two mile walk (roundtrip) with many steep/rocky sections. Prepare to get wet at the waterfalls for the full experience!

Cove Springs  Cove Springs is in Frankfort, KY, so definitely doable for a day trip to find waterfalls near Louisville. It has three miles of trails and waterfalls! You can picnic there, and there are bathrooms. Along the way, theres learning opportunities with interpretive signage.

Buttermilk Falls  Located in Brandenburg, KY, Buttermilk Falls Park has a 2.5 mile-long trail with many streams (Buttermilk Falls Trail). Theres also a shorter trail (Emmert Falls Primitive Trail) that leads to Emmert Falls (off-shoot trail, unpaved). People have given tips online and one is that it is really kid friendly and even stroller friendly since most is paved or gravel.

Nine Penny Branch Nature Preserve  Heres a story about it that you might find helpful. This nature preserve is in Charlestown, IN on Tunnel Mill Road. The trail is a 1 mile loop with many small waterfalls. Click here for a map and directions.

Clifty Falls  This waterfall near Louisville makes for a fantastic day trip to Madison, IN. Here is a map so you can plan your visit because there are many trails  you should probably decide on a plan before you go! There are four falls on the map so you can choose your trails and parking accordingly. Hoffman Falls is the highest and it is on trail 4.

Fairmont Falls  This waterfall is in Jefferson Memorial Forest in Fairmont Falls Park right in Louisville, KY. Click here for a map. Limited access so contact the park before heading out.

Blackacre  Blackacre is in Jeffersontown, KY ready for family fun. People think of the animals at Blackacre and that is for sure fun for families. But, they also have trails. If you enter the Waterfall trail near the nature center, you will be closest to the waterfalls. I suggest hiking other trails and getting a bit tired or hot, then making your way to the waterfalls on the eastern side of the trails and hanging out there for a bit. You will be able to exit close to the waterfalls by the nature center and Sunrise Meadow area.

Karns Natural History Trails  Horseshoe Falls and Buddhas Belly in Indiana. Great photo opportunities and exploring. Hanover College has some more information on it and here is a map.

Harrods Creek  This park is nestled in Prospect, KY and has waterfalls to see that are small waterfalls. Theres also a new playground nearby.

Saunders Springs  Hidden just past Fort Knox, we discovered Saunders Springs Nature Preserve. It is packed full of nature trails, a beautiful fishing lake teaming with turtles, and a pretty waterfall near Tranquility Trail. A map of the Preserve is located near the Welcome Center to guide you in your travels and there are picnic tables and benches scattered around for picnicking.

Big Rock Park in Cherokee Park is a fun spot for families to play in the water and has small rushing waterfalls (not a big waterfall to get under). But, it has a great swimming hole and some rope swings. Bring small fishing nets to try and catch tiny fish! Heres a map, see Big Rock all the way on the bottom right and this map via Google.

If you want to explore further, check out this Facebook group thats all about waterfalls and the natural beauty of Kentucky.

Theres also a fantastic map of SO MANY waterfalls around Kentucky. Heres the link.

So many ways to stay cool in summer. Here are all of our posts that include water fun ideas.

We have many ideas for summer fun! Click here for more.
Dozens have been injured in the second consecutive night of violence in Portadown, County Armagh.

Violence flared when Orangemen converged on the town yesterday evening after their annual marches to commemorate the Battle of the Boyne.

Protestant youths began throwing missiles at the police as they attempted to section off Catholic areas.

Disturbances are expected into the night with nationalist and loyalist rioters directing their anger against the security forces and each other.

Vehicles have been overturned and police have been attacked with darts, bottles and stones. Four were seriously injured including one who was dragged from his car and stabbed in the neck.

RUC officers responded with baton charges and about 150 plastic bullets. A total of 127 police and civilians have been injured over the two nights.

Yesterday evening there were skirmishes between Catholic and Protestant factions as they hurled petrol bombs over wasteland in anticipation of todays parade.

The march in the Portadown area passed off peacefully this afternoon after the Orangemen accepted a compromise from the RUC late last night.

The authorities expected trouble after sealing off the Tunnel section of Obins Street yesterday. This is the traditional outward route of the Portadown parade to Drumcree church.

When the RUC allowed Orangemen down Obins Street last Sunday there were angry scenes between police, loyalist marchers and Catholic residents.

Today, hundreds of troops joined the 1,000-strong force of officers lining the re-routed parade.

It took the 400 Orangemen from eight lodges 25 minutes to walk down the mainly Catholic Garvaghy Road.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

The Orange Order was founded near Portadown in 1795 after a clash between Catholics and Protestants at the Battle of the Diamonds.

With about 75,000 members it remains the largest Protestant organisation in Northern Ireland.

Every 12 July it celebrates the victory of Protestant William of Orange over Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

Tensions were high in 1986 because loyalists claimed concessions were being made to Catholics through the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement.

In 1997 an independent Parades Commission was established.

The Garvaghy Road continues to be a source of unrest and Orangemen have not been allowed to march down there since 1997. /CPS:BOX>
The citys hotel rooms will be fully available for the upcoming summer holidays peak season, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes said on the sidelines of the opening of the G2E Asia and the Asian IR Expo.

After the resumption of normal travel, local hotels have been said to be operating at partial capacity due to a persistent lack of workforce. Earlier, Senna Fernandes told the Times that she believed with graduates and for summer job seekers, the situation should ease.

Her comment yesterday acted as a realization of her belief. She added that last week, the city saw an overall hotel occupancy rate of nearly 90%.

On tourist arrival figures, the tourism official disclosed that the first half of the year has counted 11.6 million arriving visitors. The numbers of mainland visitors have recovered to 60% of 2019 numbers and from Hong Kong, even 90%.

However, there is more work to be done to attract foreign visitors, because the quantities of these visitors have only recovered to about 20% of 2019 figures. That is why the MGTO has compiled plans for marketing efforts in foreign source markets in the second half of the year, with Korea the first stop and a campaign to commence next week.

She added that there have been an average of 80,000 arriving visitors per day in the first half of July.

These visitors have not only spent more compared to expenditure seen in 2019, they have also dispersed to community districts. Average tourist spending ranged between MOP2,000 and MOP3,000 in the first quarter of the year, while it was only MOP1,000 in 2019, the official underlined.

A bottleneck factor for tourism recovery is transport capacity, which is a global challenge, she said. It takes time to fill positions vacated during the past three years, she added.

Meanwhile, during his keynote speech at the Asian IR Expo, Dr Wilfred Wong, president and executive director of Sands China Ltd., told the audience that he anticipates this years gross gambling revenue (GGR) will reach or even surpass the government estimate of MOP130 billion.

In the first half of this year, the citys casinos have garnered about MOP80 billion in GGR.

At the same time, Wong also took the opportunity to highlight his companys past and future investments in the city. He said that since 2002, Sands China has invested MOP125 billion in Macau. Looking into the coming decade, the company pledges to invest an additional MOP30 billion, which Wong described as setting [a] new par for the industry. The promised investments will also help Macau upgrade and diversify, the executive said.
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang is unwell and the countrys senior diplomat will take his place at a two-day summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this week in Jakarta, Indonesia, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin gave no details of what was ailing Qin, who has not been seen in public in more than two weeks.

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang is unable to attend this series of foreign ministers meetings due to health reasons, Wang said at a daily briefing yesterday.

Wang Yi, a former foreign minister and the current head of the ruling Communist Partys Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, will represent China at the meetings Thursday and Friday, Wang Wenbin said.

Wang Yi drew controversy last week with comments saying Westerners are incapable of distinguishing among Chinese, Koreans and Japanese, and suggesting the three countries with vastly different societies and polities form an alliance based on racial and cultural similarities.

Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Teuku Faizasyah confirmed Wang Yi would be attending the ASEAN meeting in Qins stead. Wang will attend the China-ASEAN foreign ministers meeting, the ASEAN-China-Japan-South Korea foreign ministers meeting, the East Asia Summit foreign ministers meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum foreign ministers meeting.

China has sought to engage the 10 members of ASEAN, mainly through trade, as part of a campaign to dilute U.S. influence in the region and challenge the American-led liberal world order.

However, Chinas influence has been limited by its assertion of its claim to virtually all of the South China Sea.

ASEAN members Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines exercise overlapping claims and have largely welcomed the United States military presence in the region. China denounces U.S. involvement as outside meddling.

The foreign ministers meeting is a platform to enhance mutual trust and cooperation, Wang Wenbin told reporters. China hopes this meeting will help build more consensus, make political preparation for a fruitful ASEAN leaders summit in September, and promote regional peace, stability and prosperity.

In March, Qin warned Washington of conflict and confrontation, striking a combative tone amid conflicts over Taiwan, COVID-19 and Russias invasion of Ukraine. That followed an accusation by leader Xi Jinping that Western governments led by the U.S. wanted to encircle and suppress China.

According to the Foreign Ministrys website, Qins last public appearance was at a meeting with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry in Beijing on June 25. MDT/AP
The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un alleged that the countrys warplanes repelled a U.S. spy plane flying over nearby waters Monday and warned of shocking consequences if the U.S. continues reconnaissance in the area.

The United States and South Korea dismissed the Norths accusations and urged it to refrain from any acts or rhetoric that raises animosities.

Its unclear if North Korea would follow through. It has made numerous similar threats over alleged U.S. reconnaissance activities, but its latest statement came amid heightened animosities over North Koreas barrage of missile tests earlier this year.

Kim Yo Jong, one of her brothers top foreign policy officials, claimed that the U.S. spy plane reached into the Norths eastern exclusive economic zone eight times Monday. In a statement carried by state media Monday night, she claimed that the North scrambled warplanes to chase away the U.S. plane.

A shocking incident would occur in the long run in the 20-40 kilometer section in which the U.S. spy planes habitually intrude into the sky above the economic water zone of North Korea, Kim Yo Jong said.

Earlier Monday, North Koreas Defense Ministry accused the U.S. of flying a strategic reconnaissance plane into its inviolable airspace several times and warning that approaching aircraft might be shot down.

While the Defense Ministry statement seemed to imply an intrusion into North Korean territorial airspace, Kim Yo Jong accused the U.S. of conducting aerial surveillance over the Norths exclusive economic zone, the area within 200 nautical miles of its territory where it controls rights to natural resources.

Sabrina Singh, deputy Pentagon press secretary, called the Norths claim on the airspace violation just accusations.

The United States, as always, remains committed to safely and responsibly flying, sailing, operating anywhere that international law allows and alongside our allies and partners, Singh said.

Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said the United States urges North Korea to refrain from escalatory actions and engage in serious diplomacy.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff denied that the U.S. had flown any spy plane into North Korean territory. Spokesperson Lee Sung Joon said at a briefing that the U.S. was conducting standard reconnaissance activities in coordination with South Koreas military.

Later Monday, the South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a second statement that it strongly urges North Korea to stop rhetoric that raises tensions over normal flight by the Korea-U.S. alliance over open waters.

Early Tuesday, Kim Yo Jong issued another statement reasserting that intensifying U.S. reconnaissance activities were encroaching on the Norths sovereignty and that the U.S. forces would experience a very critical flight if they continue with their illegal intrusions.

Earlier this year, tensions on the Korean Peninsula rose sharply as the pace of North Korean weapon tests and U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises have intensified. North Korea has test-fired nearly 100 missiles since the start of 2022 as Kim Jong Un expands a nuclear arsenal he apparently sees as his strongest guarantee of survival.

The United States stations about 28,500 troops in South Korea as deterrence against potential aggression by North Korea. KIM TONG-HYUNG & HYUNG-JIN KIM, SEOUL, MDT/AP
Photo: The Canadian Press

A Metro Vancouver pharmacist allegedly gave people COVID-19 vaccine shots while repeatedly using the same syringe barrel but not the needle, a new B.C. Supreme Court lawsuit alleges.



The July 7 notice of civil claim filed by Kent Pharmacy doing business as Ultracare Pharmacy #2 in New Westminster alleged defendant Bhanu Prasad Seelaboyina administered COVID-19 vaccinations to patients of Kent Pharmacy and in doing so negligently reused the same syringe barrel for multiple patients without the knowledge or approval of Kent Pharmacy on Aug. 24-25, 2021.



The claim said a patient noticed the use of the same barrel Aug. 26.



The documents said Kent became aware of the situation from police later that day.



On Aug. 27, a patient made a complaint to the B.C. College of Pharmacists saying he had received an immunization from Seelaboyina with a reused syringe barrel and that he had done the same with other patients.



The claim said the college investigated and determined Seelaboyina had reused barrels.



The suit said despite Kents protocols, his experience and being a pharmacist in good standing, Seelaboyina provided vaccinations in a grossly negligent and dangerous manner.



As a result of the situation, two notices of civil claim have been brought against Kent, Seelaboyina and others as possible class-action suits, state court documents.



Kent disputes those actions, alleging any losses, breaches or negligence is that of Seelaboyina. The claim alleged Seelaboyinas actions have caused damages to Kents business and reputation.



The suit seeks damages for negligence, loss of business income, loss of goodwill and reputational harm.



None of the allegations have been proven in court.



Separate from the high court action is the college investigation.



The decision there said Seelaboyina practiced in New Westminster but is currently under suspension.



The college website said between Aug. 24-26, 2021, Seelaboyina administered COVID-19 immunizations to 96 patients, and reused the same syringe barrel for multiple patients.



Him not disclosing his conduct during this time period put 96 patients at risk and denied these patients the agency to determine how to make an informed decision to mitigate the risks, the college said.



The college required Seelaboyina to undergo education on:
The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) will unveil an Experience Macao Unlimited Mega Roadshow in Seoul, Korea on July 14 for four days in a row, after hosting the Macao-Korea Travel Trade Networking Seminar tomorrow. A delegation of Macaus travel trade will follow the offices lead to Korea for the seminar, which, together with the roadshow, are set to familiarize Korean residents and tourism businesses with the destinations fascinating offers.

Related
A new Hong Kong and Macao Work Office, under the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made its debut as its deputy head reportedly attended a recent event.

According to the website of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the 2023 Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Cooperation Chief Executives Joint Conference was held in Guiyang, Guizhou province.

The event was attended by heads of several provincial regions.

Yang Wanming, the deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office under the CPC Central Committee, and other officials from the office attended the meeting, according to the report.

It was the first time the newly launched office appeared in public reports, and also the first time that Yang made an appearance in his capacity as a senior official of the office.

Yang, 59, holds a doctoral degree in law. He has previously served as the director-general of the Latin American Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador of China to Chile, Ambassador of China to Argentina and Ambassador of China to Brazil.

He assumed the position of deputy director of the State Council Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office in April 2022.

A Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee will be formed based on the existing Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, according to a plan released by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on reforming Party and State institutions in March.

The new office will function as a working body of the CPC Central Committee, according to the plan. ChinaDaily
U.S. President Joe Biden yesterday hailed an agreement for Sweden to join NATO as more work remained to determine a path forward for Ukraines future with the alliance. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized as absurd the absence of a timetable for his countrys entry.

Biden described the summit as a historic moment and said the United States agreed with a proposal, yet to be released publicly, to outline a path for Ukraines eventual membership.

However, Zelenskyy, who was on his way to Vilnius to join the summit, expressed disappointment with how the negotiations were playing out.

We value our allies, he wrote on Twitter but added that Ukraine also deserves respect.

Its unprecedented and absurd when time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraines membership, Zelensky said. He finished with, Uncertainty is weakness. And I will openly discuss this at the summit.

A public flash of anger from the Ukrainian leader, who has been hailed by the West as a hero for his leadership during the Russian invasion, could renew tensions in Vilnius just as they had begun to subside.

On Monday evening, the night before the summit opened, Turkey withdrew its objections to Sweden joining the alliance, a step toward the unity that Western leaders have been eager to demonstrate in the face of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The deal was reached after days of intensive meetings, and its poised to expand the alliances strength in Northern Europe.

Rumors of the death of NATOs unity were greatly exaggerated, Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security adviser, told reporters triumphantly on Tuesday.

According to a joint statement issued when the deal was announced, Erdogan will ask Turkeys parliament to approve Sweden joining NATO. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, another holdout, is expected to take a similar step.

The outcome is a victory for Biden as well, who has touted NATOs expansion as an example of how Russias invasion of Ukraine has backfired on Moscow. Finland has already become the 31st member of the alliance, and Sweden is on deck to become the 32nd. Both Nordic countries were historically nonaligned until the war increased fears of Russian aggression.

Because of the deal on Swedens membership, this summit is already historic before it has started, Stoltenberg said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that NATOs expansion is one of the reasons that led to the current situation.

It looks like the Europeans dont understand their mistake, Peskov said. He warned against putting Ukraine on a fast track for NATO membership.

Potentially its very dangerous for the European security, it carries very big risks, Peskov said.

Biden began Tuesday by meeting with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, where he emphasized his commitment to transatlantic cooperation.

Nothing happens here that doesnt affect us, he told Nauseda. The White House said Nauseda presented Biden with the Order of Vytautas the Great, the highest award a Lithuanian president can bestow. Biden is the first U.S. president to receive it.

Biden and Erdogan were scheduled to meet Tuesday evening, and it was unclear how some of the Turkish presidents other demands will be resolved. He has been seeking advanced American fighter jets and a path toward membership in the European Union. The White House has expressed support for both, but publicly insisted that the issues were not related to Swedens membership in NATO.

I stand ready to work with President Erdogan and Turkey on enhancing defense and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area, Biden said in a statement late Monday.

The phrasing was a nod to Bidens commitment to help Turkey acquire new F-16 fighter jets, according to an administration official who was not authorized to comment publicly.

The Biden administration has backed Turkeys desire to buy 40 new F-16s as well as modernization kits from the U.S. Its a move some in Congress, most notably Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez, D-N.J, have opposed over Turkey blocking NATO membership for Sweden, its human rights record and other concerns.

In Washington, Menendez said he was continuing to have my reservations on providing the fighter aircraft to Turkey. If the Biden administration could show that Turkey wouldnt use the F-16s belligerently against other NATO members, particularly its neighbor Greece, and meet other conditions, then there may be a way forward, Menendez told reporters.

NATO members are now focused on Ukraines desire to join NATO. The Baltic states  including Lithuania, which is hosting the event  have pushed for a strong show of support and a clear pathway toward membership for Ukraine.

The United States and Germany have resisted that, and Biden said last week that Ukraine wasnt ready to join. Members of NATO, he told CNN, need to meet all the qualifications, from democratization to a whole range of other issues, a nod toward longstanding concerns about governance and corruption in Kyiv.

Zelenskyy is scheduled to attend the summit today and meet with Biden. CHRIS MEGERIAN, SEUNG MIN KIM & KARL RITTER, VILNIUS, MDT/AP
Tourists received no health and safety warnings before they landed on New Zealands most active volcano ahead of a 2019 eruption that killed 22 people, a prosecutor said yesterday.

There were 47 people on White Island, the tip of an undersea volcano also known by its Indigenous Maori name, Whakaari, when superheated gases erupted on Dec. 9. Most of the 25 people who survived were severely burned.

The islands owners, brothers Andrew, James and Peter Buttle; their company Whakaari Management Ltd.; and tour operators I.D. Tours NZ Ltd. and Tauranga Tourism Services Ltd. went on trial Tuesday in Auckland District Court for allegedly failing to adequately protect tourists and staff.

Prosecutor Kristy McDonald said in opening the prosecution case that the eruption at the popular tourist destination was not predictable but was foreseeable. The 20 tourists and two tour guides who died were given no warning of the risks, she said.

They were not given the opportunity to make any informed decision about whether they wanted to take the risk of walking into the crater of an active and unpredictable volcano that had erupted as recently as 2016, McDonald said.

The business of tourism on Whakaari was a risky business. It involved tours to an active volcano, taking people to the heart of the crater in circumstances where no one could predict when an eruption might occur, and if an eruption did occur, those on Whakaari were likely to die or suffer very serious injury. And tragically, that risk was realized, she said.

Of those killed, 14 were Australians, five were Americans, two were New Zealanders and one was German.

McDonald said the company that owned the volcano  Whakaari Management Ltd., which she called WML  failed to understand the risk, failed to consult with tour operators on the hazards, failed to ensure appropriate personal protective equipment was provided to tourists and staff, and failed to provide an adequate means of evacuation.

The company left tour operators to monitor the changing risk. An eruption on April 27, 2016, occurred at night without warning when no one was on the island. That should have prompted the owner to review the risk assessment, McDonald said.

The volcano had gone through 42 eruptive periods since colonial records began in 1826, McDonald said.

After the 2016 eruption, New Zealand geology agency GNS Science said its staff were banned from visiting the crater floor until further notice because of the heightened state of volcanic unrest, McDonald said.

Despite knowing this, several operators continued taking tourists to the crater from the day after the eruption, she said.

WHL, which made a profit of 1 million New Zealand dollars ($621,000) a year from tourists, could have paid GNS for a formal risk assessment but did not, she said.

McDonald said warning tourists of the dangers would obviously not be good for business.

However, profit should never come before safety, she said.

She blamed the Buttle brothers for the WMLs failure to assess the volcano danger. ROD McGUIRK, MDT/AP
Chef Andre Chiang will take on the new role of Culinary Ambassador with Wynn Macau, having previously served as Culinary Director for Sichuan Moon.

Celebrated around the world as a culinary genius, Chef Andre will create a new Sichuan Moon restaurant at Wynn Palace, which will open in a new, intimate setting to be announced soon, the gaming operator announced in a statement.

Sichuan Moon will close at the end of July to move to its new location, and in his new role as Culinary Ambassador, Chef Andre and the entire Sichuan Moon team will host a series of innovative events in August, including Sichuan Moon Culinary Tours in Shanghai and Singapore.

Meanwhile, on the heels of his renowned success at Wing Lei Palace of Wynn Palace, Cantonese Master Chef Tam Kwok Fung will present a new restaurant concept of his own in the existing Sichuan Moon location.

The concept is based upon his personal vision for elevating Cantonese cuisine to a global level.
BARABOO  A small wildfire that burned at Devil's Lake State Park was fully contained as of Tuesday morning, according to Lt. Sean Neverman of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The cause of the fire that broke out Monday is still under investigation. Neverman said fire crews were at the park monitoring any areas that may still be smoldering. It's estimated that around an acre of the park was damaged by the fire. There were no injuries.
Fall is the perfect time to fertilize your lawn, especially in the cold-weather-prone Midwest and Northeast.

Fertilizing is an essential part of winterizing your lawn. Fertilizer strengthens grass roots before the cold sets in, making for greener and healthier spring grass.

Generally, the best time to use fertilizer is in mid-October or a few weeks before the first frost in your area. Apply fertilizer in the early morning (dew can help it absorb into the soil) or early evening. Never use it just before or after a heavy downpour; the rain or leftover moisture will wash away the fertilizer.

If you have warm-season grass like zoysia or Bermuda, fertilize up to about a month before the first frost. That way, the grass can go dormant for the winter.

Along with regular fertilizer, give your lawn a boost with a fertilizer created specifically for the winter, which helps grass roots store nutrients over winter. Apply this four or five weeks after your regular fertilizer.
Faced with possible legal complications and a better understanding of the facts, the Madison City Council changed course early Wednesday on rejecting a Downtown student housing project as officials ran up against limits in their ability to dictate what developers can build amid the citys housing crisis.

The reversal of last months controversial decision by the council to deny rezoning an area just east of UWs campus will pave the way for the 12-story development from Core Spaces, of Chicago, which has put up other student housing projects in the city, including HUB and The James.

On June 20, the council rejected Core Spaces rezoning request that would create 232 market-rate housing units at the 400 block of West Dayton and West Johnson streets and 200 block of North Bassett Street, across the street from Bassett Street Brunch Club. The project, named Johnson and Bassett, would demolish 10 older residential buildings in that area.

Before an ultimate 13-6 vote last month, some council members decried the lack of low-cost units in the development and complaints from some students about the proliferation of luxury apartment buildings like Johnson and Bassett that have swanky amenities such as rooftop pools and gyms.

But after debate that pushed the meeting past 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, most on the council switched their stance toward their proposal, passing the rezoning on a 17-2 vote with one abstention. In statements, some council members said they didnt fully understand the project when they voted against it last month.

Ald. MGR Govindarajan, 8th District, who represents student areas, still voted against the rezoning, arguing that the city still needs to reimagine how it addresses student housing.

This is not the type of housing that students need, Govindarajan said.

Govindarajan was joined by Near East Side Ald. Marsha Rummel, 6th District, in opposing the rezoning. Ald. Amani Latimer Burris, 12th District, abstained.

The previous no-vote had instantly jeopardized prospects for building more lower-cost apartment units despite the councils discussions that night about building more of it. The day after the council vote, Core Spaces withdrew an application for a different 14-story student housing project at West Johnson and Broom streets that would include lower-cost units.

Core Spaces development told the council on Tuesday that the company couldnt financially swing the other project if Johnson & Bassett stalls.

Low-cost units could not be included in Johnson & Bassett because no mechanism to create them applies to the project and new city ordinances that incentivizes affordable units in exchange for more density do not apply either, the Core Spaces development team told the council on Tuesday.

Core Spaces also is building oLiv Madison at the corner of State Street and West Gorham Street, a behemoth new development in that area that includes affordable units.

Core Spaces had not responded to an email on Wednesday asking if the developers intend to resubmit the application for the Johnson and Broom development now that the council had passed their rezoning.

Plea delivered

In a plea for approval on Tuesday, Core Spaces representatives stressed that fixing the citys housing crisis wont be possible without building more units with the eventual hope that skyrocketing rents will stabilize.

Denying this project will have the opposite effect, said Doug Tichenor, Core Spaces vice president and director of development.

Denial sets the precedent that you can do everything by the book and still be denied, Tichenor said. The fight is not with us. Were part of the solution.

The questioning of the Core Spaces team from some on the council grew adversarial and tense on Tuesday. Govindarajan and Ald. Juliana Bennett, 8th District, who represents student-heavy areas Downtown, asked the developer to only give yes or no answers to questions, which led to Bennett and the development team talking over each other several times.

Bennett also questioned the developer about management complaints from tenants at HUB and The James, which the developer built but has since sold. Govindarajan further criticized amenities at the proposed development, such as a gym and rooftop pool, when students have access to those facilities on campus and a pool would be open in warmer months when students arent there.

Such amenities couldnt be replaced with more units because of the buildings design, the development team said. Removing them also wouldnt bring down rents, which is more dictated by needing to turn a profit on bigger-ticket costs such as land and construction materials.

Legal questions

Beyond the implications for the citys housing, the council might have skirted state law for handling rezoning changes when it rejected Core Spaces plans last month.

Council members are required to articulate their reasons for denying a rezoning in the public record, a standard that the citys legal team thought was not met at the June 20 meeting, City Attorney Michael Haas said on Tuesday.

Under state law, the city cannot compel developers to include low-cost units in their projects either, which meant the city ran the risk of getting sued by Core Spaces, Downtown Ald. Mike Verveer, 4th District, had said in the weeks between the two votes.

In addition to the Core Spaces project, the council had another development-related vote on Tuesday.

Members authorized putting about $6.3 million in tax incremental financing (TIF) funds toward a development on the North Side that would put low-cost units and senior housing near the former Oscar Mayer meat processing plant.

That development, located on the 2000 block of Roth Street, would provide 303 units for those making up to 60% of Dane Countys median income, or $62,280 for a household of three, and 446 parking spaces. Rents would be limited to $1,200 for a one-bedroom, $1,500 for a two-bedroom and $1,700 for a three-bedroom unit.

The senior housing component of the project would provide 250 units with the same income and rent restrictions as the family housing, 1,130 square feet of commercial space and 289 parking spaces.

With TIF, the city and other local taxing entities agree to freeze property values in an area. Tax revenues from growth are then invested in private development or public infrastructure. When investments are repaid, the district is closed and the higher-valued property is fully returned to the tax rolls.

How college admissions have changed in the last 80 years How college admissions have changed over the past 80 years 1944: GI Bill supports higher education access for veterans 1950s: Colleges begin using early admission 1958: National Defense Education Act creates federal scholarships to increase STEM research 1959: The American College Testing Program is created 1965: Higher Education Act provides additional financial aid opportunities 1975: The Common App is created 1992: The FAFSA is created Present: Schools begin to eliminate SAT/ACT as entry requirements
ON THE GREAT SALT LAKE  A brisk wind caught a Kevlar-fiber sail, sending it snapping as Bob Derby and Randy Atkin pulled lines to turn Red Stripe, their 25-foot boat, through the briny waters of the imperiled Great Salt Lake.

Little could be heard beyond the low hum of trucks wheeling past a copper smelter on the lakes shoreline  a respite from the bustle of Salt Lake City and its booming suburbs that push farther into Utah's deserts and farmland each year.

Everything that happened today drifts off behind you and theres nothing like it, said Derby, a 61-year-old veteran sailor battling cancer. There's no better therapy than being on the lake.

It's a feeling old friends Derby and Atkin weren't sure theyd experience again.

The Red Stripes return comes after it and hundreds of other sailboats were hoisted out of the shrinking Great Salt Lake as water levels plummeted in recent years, leaving docks along the lakes parched southern shore caked with dried mud. The harbormaster at Great Salt Lake State Parks marina, Dave Shearer, wondered whether hed see their return before he retires.

But a record winter of snow has melted and run down through the creeks, streams and rivers that feed the lake, raising its peak level this season about 6 feet from last years record low  enough to let sailors crane their boats back into the water and convene their beloved Wednesday races where cold beer and banter are as important as who wins.

With their return, they've joined many others  farmers, skiers and nearby homeowners  in rejoicing over the surprise rise of the Great Salt Lake amid long-term megadrought.

There's finally some life back in the marina, said Tyler Oborn, who guides pontoon tours on the lake and enjoys fire-dancing on its shoreline.

But it's not clear it will last.

The Great Salt Lake faces a supply-demand imbalance: As climate change-fueled drought decreases the amount of water that cascades down through the regions mountains and rivers, appetite for water is increasing from booming towns along the Wasatch Front as well as the farmers whose livelihoods hinge on their fields of alfalfa and onions.

Everybody talks about the lake being up, but its coming from a historic low. That was an unbelievable catastrophe, said Derby, who works for a medical device manufacturer. Now its just like a moderate disaster. I worry that everybody declares victory, says the Great Salt Lake has been saved and that we can stop worrying about conserving water.

The diminished Great Salt Lake isnt the boating mecca or vacation destination it was decades ago, when its footprint was about twice the size it is now. But it remains a lifeblood for Utahs economy, sustaining a $1.5 billion-a-year mining industry that extracts minerals including magnesium and table salt, an $80 million brine shrimp industry for fish feed and a $1.4 billion ski industry that markets itself with the fluffy lake effect snow that the geography supplies.

Brigham Young University ecologist Ben Abbott, who authored a January study that warned the lake could dry up within five years, said every foot of lake level rise helps  especially in suppressing hazardous dust from the exposed lake bed. But 6 feet  and images of boats going back in the water  shouldnt calm the sense of urgency for Utah to take action that could guarantee the lakes survival, he said.

Back on a crashing plane is not where we want to be," Abbott said. We should be viewing this big winter as a lease on life and an opportunity to get our long-term conservation measures in place."

Before the bump from this winters record snow, dire warnings like Abbotts made saving the Great Salt Lake a top priority for Utah politicians. State and local officials offered millions in incentives to encourage farmers to conserve and pushed education for homeowners and municipalities. But theyve avoided considering draconian policies being implemented elsewhere in the drought-stricken West: water rationing, zoning requirements or fines for overuse.

Mother Nature really helped us out, Republican Sen. Scott Sandall said earlier this year, during Utahs legislative session. We didnt have to pull that lever for emergency use.

If the great lake resumes its decline, it could mean collapse of the ecosystem. Without enough water flowing to the lake, the reefs that nurture species such as brine fly and shrimp will be decimated, in turn affecting the larger species that feed on them, including pelicans and other migratory birds. And every bit of exposed lakebed means more arsenic-laced dust available for wind to pick up and carry to nearby homes, schools and office parks.

For now, Derby and other sailors are relishing the opportunity to unfurl their sails and reconnect with friends over crisp breezes and corny jokes.

Its so nice, its beautiful, said Atkin, looking up at the sails. You feel the power of the wind a little bit, how bad can it be?"

Boating bounces back on the Great Salt Lake after record snowfall
BRUSSELS  Nearly 50,000 Russian men have died in the war in Ukraine, according to the first independent statistical analysis of Russias war dead.

Two independent Russian media outlets, Mediazona and Meduza, working with a data scientist from Germanys Tubingen University, used Russian government data to shed light on one of Moscows closest-held secrets  the true human cost of its invasion of Ukraine.

To do so, they relied on a statistical concept popularized during the COVID-19 pandemic called excess mortality. Drawing on inheritance records and official mortality data, they estimated how many more men under age 50 died between February 2022 and May 2023 than normal.

Neither Moscow nor Kyiv gives timely data on military losses, and each is at pains to amplify the other sides casualties. Russia has publicly acknowledged the deaths of just over 6,000 soldiers. Reports about military losses have been repressed in Russian media, activists and independent journalists say. Documenting the dead has become an act of defiance; those who do so face harassment and potential criminal charges.

Despite such challenges, Mediazona and the BBCs Russian Service, working with a network of volunteers, have used social media postings and photographs of cemeteries across Russia to build a database of confirmed war deaths. As of July 7, they had identified 27,423 dead Russian soldiers.

These are only soldiers who we know by name, and their deaths in each case are verified by multiple sources, said Dmitry Treshchanin, an editor at Mediazona who helped oversee the investigation. 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.

To come up with a more comprehensive tally, journalists from Mediazona and Meduza obtained records of inheritance cases filed with the Russian authorities. Their data from the National Probate Registry contained information about more than 11 million people who died between 2014 and May 2023.

According to their analysis, 25,000 more inheritance cases were opened in 2022 for males aged 15 to 49 than expected. By May 27, 2023, the number of excess cases had shot up to 47,000.

That surge is roughly in line with a May assessment by the White House that more than 20,000 Russians were killed in Ukraine since December, though lower than U.S. and U.K. intelligence assessments of overall Russian deaths.

In February, the U.K. Ministry of Defense said about 40,000 to 60,000 Russians had likely been killed in the war. A leaked assessment from the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency put the number of Russians killed in action in the first year of the war at 35,000 to 43,000.

Their figures might be accurate, or they might not be," Treshchanin, the Mediazona editor, said in an email. "Even if they have sources in the Russian Ministry of Defense, its own data could be incomplete. Its extremely difficult to pull together all of the casualties from the army, Rosgvardia, Akhmat battalion, various private military companies, of which Wagner is the largest, but not the only one. Casualties among inmates, first recruited by Wagner and now by the MoD, are also a very hazy subject, with a lot of potential for manipulation. Statistics could actually give better results.

Many Russian fatalities, as well as amputations, could have been prevented with better front-line first aid, the U.K. Ministry of Defense said in an intelligence assessment published Monday. Russia has suffered an average of around 400 casualties a day for 17 months, creating a crisis" in combat medical care that is likely undermining medical services for civilians in border regions near Ukraine, the ministry said.

Independently, Dmitry Kobak, a data scientist from Germanys Tubingen University who has published work on excess COVID-19 deaths in Russia, obtained mortality data broken down by age and sex for 2022 from Rosstat, Russias official statistics agency.

He found that 24,000 more men under age 50 died in 2022 than expected, a figure that aligns with the analysis of inheritance data.

The COVID-19 pandemic made it harder to figure out how many men would have died in Russia since February 2022 if there hadnt been a war. Both analyses corrected for the lingering effects of COVID on mortality by indexing male death rates against female deaths.

Sergei Scherbov, a scholar at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria, cautioned that differences in the number of deaths between males and females can vary significantly due to randomness alone.

I am not saying that there couldnt be an excess number of male deaths, but rather that statistically speaking, this difference in deaths could be a mere outcome of chance, he said.

Russians who are missing but not officially recognized 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.

Kobak acknowledged that some uncertainties remain, especially for deaths of older men. Moreover, its hard to know how many missing Russian soldiers are actually dead. But he said neither factor is likely to have a huge impact.

That uncertainty is in the thousands, he said. The results are plausible overall.

Photos: Russia's war in Ukraine reaches the 500-day mark
Photo: The Canadian Press Ontario Provincial Police say they found a baby raccoon in a car when they arrested a man for impaired driving Huntsville. A baby raccoon is seen inside a vehicle in an undated handout photo published to social media by the OPP Central Region Twitter account, @OPP_CR. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-OPP,

It was an arrest with a bit of a wild streak  police making an impaired driving arrest in Ontario say they found a baby raccoon in the suspect's car.

Ontario Provincial Police tweeted Wednesday that officers in Huntsville arrested a man for allegedly operating a vehicle while impaired.

OPP say the driver had a baby racoon with him in the car.

Police say they made the arrest after members of the public reported the driver.

The raccoon is on its way to the Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.

Police did not say why the driver had the raccoon with him.
VILNIUS, Lithuania  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed fresh pledges of weapons and ammunition to fight Russia's invasion along with longer-term security commitments from the West on Wednesday even as he expressed disappointment over the lack of a clear path for his country to join NATO as the alliance wrapped up its annual summit.

"The Ukrainian delegation is bringing home a significant security victory for the Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our children," he said while flanked by U.S. President Joe Biden and other leaders from the Group of Seven most powerful democratic nations.

A joint declaration issued by the G7 lays the groundwork for each nation to negotiate agreements to help Ukraine bolster its military over the long term. Zelenskyy described the initiative as a bridge toward eventual NATO membership and a deterrent against Russia.

"We will not waver," Biden vowed after the summit in Lithuania ended. "I mean that. Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for freedom today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes."

The Ukrainian and American presidents also met privately along with their advisers, and Biden acknowledged that Zelenskyy is sometimes "frustrated" by the pace of military assistance.

Zelenskyy thanked Biden, saying that "you spend this money for our lives," and said shipments of controversial cluster munitions would help Ukraine's fight against Russia.

It was a marked shift in tone from Zelenskyy's complaints a day earlier, when he said it was "unprecedented and absurd" to avoid setting a timeline for Ukraine to join NATO.

Biden said Zelenskyy understands that whether his country is formally in NATO is "not relevant as long as he has commitments" such as security guarantees. "So he's not concerned about that now."

On the final day of NATO's summit, the alliance launched a new forum for deepening ties with Ukraine: the NATO-Ukraine Council. It's intended to serve as a permanent body where the alliance's members and Ukraine can hold consultations and call for meetings in emergency situations.

The setting is part of NATO's effort to bring Ukraine as close as possible to the military alliance without actually joining it. On Tuesday, the leaders said in their communique summarizing the summit's conclusions that Ukraine can join "when allies agree and conditions are met."

"Today we meet as equals," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said at a news conference with Zelenskyy. "I look forward to the day we meet as allies."

The ambiguous plan for Ukraine's future membership reflects the challenges of reaching consensus among the alliance's current members while the war continues.

"The results of the summit are good, but if there were an invitation, that would be ideal," Zelenskyy said through a translator. He added that joining NATO would be "a serious motivating factor for Ukrainian society" as it resists Russia.

"NATO needs us just as we need NATO," he said alongside Stoltenberg.

Ukraine's future membership was the most divisive and emotionally charged issue at this year's summit. In essence, Western countries are willing to keep sending weapons to help Ukraine do the job that NATO was designed to do  hold the line against a Russian invasion  but not allow Ukraine to join its ranks and benefit from its security during the war.

"We have to stay outside of this war but be able to support Ukraine. We managed that very delicate balancing act for the last 17 months. It's to the benefit of everyone that we maintain that balancing act," Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said.

Symbols of support for Ukraine are common around Vilnius, where the country's blue-and-yellow flags hang from buildings and are pasted inside windows. One sign cursed Russian President Vladimir Putin. Another urged NATO leaders to "hurry up" their assistance for Ukraine.

However, there was caution inside the summit itself, especially from Biden, who has explicitly said he doesn't think Ukraine is ready to join NATO. There are concerns that the country's democracy is unstable and its corruption remains too deeply rooted.

Under Article 5 of the NATO charter, members are obligated to defend each other from attack, which could swiftly draw the U.S. and other nations into direct fighting with Russia.

Defining an end to hostilities is no easy task. Officials have declined to define the goal, which could suggest a negotiated cease-fire or Ukraine reclaiming all occupied territory. Either way, Putin would essentially have veto power over Ukraine's NATO membership by prolonging the conflict.

To repel Russian attack, the major powers promise "swift and sustained security assistance, modern military equipment across land, sea and air domains, and economic assistance." They also vow to slap more sanctions on Russia.

For now and into the future, they say, they will provide weapons and military equipment, including combat air power, as well as more training for Ukraine's beleaguered army. Zelenskky has asked that these assurances last at least until Ukraine joins NATO.

How NATO has grown since 1997 and its changing relationship with Russia How NATO has grown since 1997 and its changing relationship with Russia 1999 new members: Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland 2004 new members: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia 2009 new members: Albania and Croatia 2017 new members: Montenegro 2020 new members: North Macedonia 2022 aspiring members: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Finland, Georgia, Sweden, and Ukraine
Daily global temperatures reached an unofficial record high multiple times this week, according to at least one metric, and caused communities around the planet to take drastic measures to help people beat the heat.

A work stoppage in Beijing stretched into this week after a string of days where temperatures were higher than 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).

In North Grenville, Ontario, the city repurposed hockey rinks into cooling centers as temperatures reached 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) and felt like 38 degrees (100 degrees Fahrenheit) with humidity.

And the National Weather Service in the United States has issued heat advisories for a large swath of the continental U.S., reported a number of heat-related hospitalizations in Austin and San Antonio in Texas and recorded record-breaking temperatures in cities including Portland, Oregon, Tampa, Florida and El Paso, Texas.

Photographers for The Associated Press captured how people all over the world endured  and in some cases suffered from  the heat.

People dove into bodies of water in Ukraine, Turkey and Spain. Tourists in Rome and a man in Manila shielded themselves from the sun using umbrellas. A security guard in Beijing and a construction worker in Nashville wiped sweat from their faces on days when the temperature was over 100 degrees.

And climate scientists told the AP that the record-setting heat is poised to continue as the planet keeps warming. Commenting on the global temperature highs earlier this week, Stanford University climate scientist Chris Field said, A record like this is another piece of evidence for the now massively supported proposition that global warming is pushing us into a hotter future. ___

Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Phil Hands | Wisconsin State Journal Follow Phil Hands | Wisconsin State Journal Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

A Dane County judge ruled that a law passed in 1849 did not actually ban abortion in the state of Wisconsin.

The judge decided the archaic law on the books only addressed feticide, not consensual medical abortion. The law was passed decades before women even had the right to vote in Wisconsin.

The decision will likely be appealed to the state Supreme Court, where a majority of the justices are aligned with progressives and are likely to support abortion rights.

Close Hands on Wisconsin archive Get caught up with latest cartoons from State Journal cartoonist Phil Hands.
Fourth of July 2023 is in the history books and the fireworks that lit up the skies across Wisconsin are fading away along with the overhead blasts and the oohs and aaahhs of enthralled spectators.

Its a grand celebration of the countrys birth and pays homage to the words of Francis Scott Key who penned The Star-Spangled Banner  the national anthem  celebrating the defense of Fort McHenry against the British in the War of 1812: And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Those are stirring words that still fuel the fires of nationalistic fervor.

But while there were a multitude of fireworks celebrations across the country this year, there were also communities who, for several reasons, dropped away from the bomb-bursting sky shows and the attendant aerial booms.

They opted, instead, for drone shows to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Theres less risk of fire, less risk of damage, less risk of injury, said Rick Boss, president of Sky Elements Drone Shows, a Texas-based company, that has performed more than 500 drone shows using fleets of drones with brilliant LED lights to create animated scenes with shapes and patterns in the night sky.

Drones leave no smoke or debris behind them when performing, Boss said. We leave nothing behind but great memories.

Much of the rise in popularity of the drone show-alternative comes in the western U.S., where the risk of forest fires is running high this year.

Salt Lake City was one municipality that went drone, with Mayor Erin Mendenhall saying the change was made to minimize high fire danger and air quality concerns. As temperatures rise and fire danger increases we must be conscientious of both our air quality and the potential for wildfires, he said. Utah is one of the most wildfire-prone states in the country, with about 1,000 wildfires a year.

Boulder, Colorado, and Flagstaff, Arizona, shifted to laser light shows this year and in California several coastal cities also went to drone shows because of stricter laws on polluting the ocean with debris.

Closer to home, Highland Park, Illinois, honored seven people who were killed in last years July 4 parade with a ceremony and a walk  not a parade. At night the city planned a drone show instead of fireworks to avoid noises that sound like gunfire.

That noise factor from fireworks is echoed on social media neighborhood sites in Racine and Kenosha, where people have been highly critical of neighbors and do-it-yourself fireworks enthusiasts for shooting off their wares at all times during the day and night over the past week  scaring their pets and turning them into shivering, frightened animals. The commenters ire also focuses on military veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and struggle with fireworks noise.

Clearly, there is some fertile ground for those who wish to switch away from traditional pyrotechnics and go to a safer, less fiery and quieter Fourth of July celebration. It remains to be seen if that will take hold, but sometimes societal changes come in increments. It wasnt too long ago that children bounced down the road in the back of pickup trucks secured only by the parental admonition to hold on tight. And within recent memory, actors and TV stars were lighting up cigarettes as the ventured into our living rooms.

No more.

Sometimes change is afoot before we even see it.
ITD seeks feedback on 7-year draft plan

The Idaho Transportation Department is accepting feedback through July 31 on its latest Idaho Transportation Investment Program, which is designed to identify priorities and guide investment decisions through 2030.

The list of projects in the draft program are located throughout the states 44 counties  including the reconstruction of roadway on State Highway 75 from Saddle Road in Ketchum to North Fork Campground, bridge replacement on U.S. Highway 30 near Murtaugh, and road widening to four lanes on U.S. 93 from Jerome Butte to R Canal, according to a news release.

The complete draft is available for review online at itd.idaho.gov/funding. Comments will be accepted via email at itipcomments@itd.idaho.gov, or through the mail at: ITIP  Comments, Attn: Office of Communication, P.O. Box 7129, Boise, ID 83707.

Also:

The Lincoln County Commission

will discuss the tourism potential for Sundial Cave, located inside the Bureau of Land Managements Wilderness Study area, during its regular meeting on Monday at 10:30 a.m. Commissioners are meeting at the First Baptist Church, 205 E. 5th St. in Shoshone, during the remodeling of the courthouse.

Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo is inviting college-aged students to apply for internships in his Washington, D.C., and statewide offices. Applications for fall 2023 are now being accepted, and the spring 2024 deadline is open until Oct. 15. To apply or more information, go online to Sen. Crapos website at www.crapo.senate.gov/services/for-students/internships

.

The district staff for

Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson

will host mobile office hours in Hailey today, beginning with a discussion from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at City Hall, 115 S. Main St., followed by a lunch from noon to 1 p.m. at The Senior Connection, 721 S. 3rd Ave.

Times-News
Advocates who counsel and aid Idaho teenagers seeking abortion care filed suit Tuesday against Republican Attorney General Raul Labrador in a bid to overturn the states abortion travel ban.

The travel ban, which took effect May 5, created the crime of  abortion trafficking, punishable by a minimum of two years in prison. It forbids helping a person under 18 years old obtain abortion pills or leave the state for abortion care without parental permission.

The complaint, filed in federal court in Boise, Idaho, says the ban infringes on the right to interstate travel and on First Amendment rights to speak about abortion and engage in expressive conduct, including providing monies and transportation (and other support) for pregnant minors traveling within and outside of Idaho.

The suit also says the travel ban lacks clarity and invites arbitrary enforcement, raising the specter of traffic stops of girls of reproductive age, and infringes on the right of people to cross the border into neighboring states, including Washington, where minors can legally obtain abortion care without parental consent.

Wendy Heipt, senior reproductive health and justice counsel at Legal Voice, an advocacy group representing the plaintiffs, said Idahos law prohibits recruiting or harboring a minor, but what constitutes recruiting? Giving information? You cant stop [my clients] from providing information about conduct that is legal in another state.

She added, If we want to give money to a minor to go to another state, we should be able to do that.

Legal experts say the ban, based on a model bill written by National Right to Life, one of the countrys largest anti-abortion groups, is designed to sidestep implied constitutional protections for interstate travel.

The plaintiffs include the Indigenous Idaho Alliance, a nonprofit that has helped pregnant minors access abortion care outside the state; the Northwest Abortion Access Fund, which provided financial assistance to 166 Idahoans in 2022, including 18 minors; and Lourdes Matsumoto, an attorney who works with victims of domestic and sexual violence, many of whom are minors.

Domestic violence advocates dont know what advice they can give people, Matsumoto said. In the shelters, they are confused about what information they can and cannot give out without putting themselves in legal jeopardy. She said the teen travel ban has had a chilling effect on her work with teenagers dealing with the trauma of sexual assault.

Idahos law, the first in the nation to describe abortion trafficking, requires a minimum two-year prison sentence for any adult who acts with the intent to conceal an abortion from the parents or guardian of a pregnant, unemancipated minor.

But Matsumoto, who has two teenage nieces, said the law fails to detail what constitutes parental consent. If my niece comes to me and says, My mom says this is OK; can you take me to Oregon?  is that enough that the mom consented? Am I going to have to come back, get arrested, lose my law license, then go to court and say, The mom said its OK? Is it a nod? A thumbs-up in a text message?

The lawsuit cites a legal opinion dated March 27 from Labrador that stated that medical professionals who refer pregnant patients across state lines for either medical or chemical abortions violate Idahos Total Abortion Ban, a separate law that went into effect after the Supreme Court overturned federal abortion rights last year in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. Labrador withdrew the opinion on April 7, facing a legal challenge over constitutional rights of speech and movement.

It is unconstitutional to forbid citizens from traveling because you disapprove of the reasons they are driving to another state, Heipt said. Idahoans, like all people, should be free to travel within and between states without the specter of prison, even if they are traveling for a reason other people disagree with.

Idaho patients, including teenagers, have long crossed into Washington state to legally end their pregnancies. But fewer than 5% of patients at Planned Parenthood clinics in Washington who come for abortion care are minors, according to Karl Eastlund, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho.

Most of those patients, he said, do involve their parents in the process, even though parental consent is not mandatory in Washington. Those who dont, Eastlund said, have good reason not to. Some are in dangerous, abusive situations in which disclosing a pregnancy could put them at risk of further harm.

The lawsuit in Idaho cites Associate Justice Brett Kavanaughs concurring opinion in Dobbs, in which he claimed states could not bar residents from going to other states for abortions.

May a State bar a resident of that State from traveling to another state to obtain an abortion? Kavanaugh wrote. In my view, the answer is no based on the constitutional right to interstate travel.

But rather than settle the question of whether states can prohibit traveling for an abortion, Heipt said, Dobbs unleashed chaos. Whats next?
It is said that you cant judge a book by its cover, which often turns out to be true, but you have to read the book to learn the truth. However, if the cover is the only thing you ever see, it can give you a false impression as to the content of the book.

The same thing happens when voters are asked to sign an initiative petition. The titles, which Idaho law requires to be true and impartial, may well influence whether voters will add their signature to the petition or vote for it on election day. Misleading titles can help sink a worthy initiative. Thats why Idahoans for Open Primaries has filed suit to change the deceptive titles that the attorney generals office conjured up for the Open Primaries Initiative.

Signature petitions are required to have two ballot titles  a short descriptive title of no more than 20 words, which appears at the bottom of each signature page, and a general title of no more than 200 words, which explains the purpose of the initiative. The law specifically provides that the titles shall not be likely to create prejudice against the initiative. Most people will likely see the short title and make their decision to sign based on that and what they learn about it in the media. Few will read the initiative text.

The titles that Mr. Labrador proposed for the Open Primaries Initiative violate Idaho law because they are deceptive and designed to create prejudice against the measure. The purpose of the initiative is simply to end closed primaries and allow all Idaho voters to participate in electing our leaders.

Quote It is clear that the AGs game plan is to throw up enough smoke about the constitutionality of the Open Primaries Initiative to confuse and prejudice voters against it.

But Labradors short title says: Measure to (1) replace voter selection with nonparty blanket primary; (2) require ranked-choice voting for general elections. The longer general title carries through with these same themes, starting with this introduction: This measure proposes two distinct changes to elections for most public offices.

The attorney general is setting the stage for a campaign of confusion and deception against the initiative. By repeatedly claiming that the initiative deals with two separate subjectsprimary elections and general electionshe reaches the absurd conclusion that it violates what is called the single-subject rule in the Idaho Constitution.

If the rule was so unreasonably restrictive, a good deal of the laws currently on the books would also violate that rule. Its like contending that your bacon and egg breakfast is two separate meals. The initiative deals with a single subjectelections.

Labradors letter accompanying the titles tells the tale. He threatens to sue on a single-subject claim if the initiative is placed on the ballot. It is a lawsuit he would lose without IOPs attorneys having to work up a sweat. He is dead wrong on the law that applies, confusing constitutional amendments with legislative acts.

The claim that the open primary called for in the initiative is a blanket primary is also blatantly false. Labradors staff could merely have checked with Ballotpedia, or some other election-savvy source, to learn that a typical blanket primary would send the top vote-getters of each party that participated in the primary to the general election. Labrador used the false designation to create confusion because the U.S. Supreme Court declared Californias blanket primary unconstitutional in 2000. However, in 2008 that same court approved a system similar to the one proposed in the IOP initiative.

It is clear that the AGs game plan is to throw up enough smoke about the constitutionality of the Open Primaries Initiative to confuse and prejudice voters against it. His arguments are transparently wrong and Idaho voters should not be fooled.

The Open Primaries Initiative calls for non-partisan primary and general elections open to all candidates and all voters, regardless of party affiliation. If Idaho voters approve the initiative in the 2024 election, it will tip the balance against the most extreme candidates vying for office in the 2026 elections, including the office of governor.

That could certainly explain Mr. Labradors strident opposition to allowing all voters to have a say in electing Idahos leaders.
National Economic and Development Authority Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon underscored the need to invest in lifelong learning, job creation and increasing employability to maximize the countrys demographic dividend and achieve the goals of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

We have outlined various plans, programs, and policies in the PDP that will ensure that all Filipinos have access to social services, opportunities to improve their employability and social protection, Edillon said during a high-level meeting for this years World Population Day on July 11..

Edillon said it is important to align national and local development plans with the ongoing demographic transition.

She said this framework was cascaded to the regional level, and it was crucial to address the various challenges arising from the demographic transition at the municipal and city levels.

NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, in his keynote address read by Edillon, said the government places great importance on eradicating poverty, promoting lifelong learning and transformative education, providing accessible healthcare, ensuring gender equality and fostering sustainable economic growth.

The United Nations Population Fund released the State of the World Population report to commemorate the milestone of the global population surpassing the 8-billion mark.

As the worlds population surpasses 8 billion, it is essential that we take on the complexities of our changing reality and approach these concerns with depth, empathy, and evidence-based solutions, Balisacan said in his statement.

The Commission on Population and Development, in partnership with the Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development and the UNFPA, led the WPD celebration.

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Hundreds of delegates from international and local business organizations converged in this years International Tax Conference organized by the Asian Consulting Group (ACG) in partnership with the Center for Strategic Reforms of the Philippines.

With the theme Beyond Borders: Addressing Global and Local Challenges, the event, recently held at the IM Hotel in Makati City, marked an important gathering of tax experts, finance leaders, economists and business executives to tackle crucial issues in the world of taxation.

The conference brought together key speakers and panelists from The World Bank, Asian Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime among others. Also present were honorary speakers from private, corporate, and government sectors including former Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Win Gatchalian, former Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, and Assistant Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management Romeo Balanquit.

Photo shows former Vice President Leni Robredo (middle left), beside Mon Abrea (center), and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (middle right), along with the conference speakers, delegates, and participants.

ACG Founding Chairman and Chief Tax Advisor Mon Abrea, lead convenor of this years International Tax Conference, also launched his new book Reimagining the World Without Corruption, a compilation of global initiatives to fight against corruption.

In a special book launch held during the conference, former Vice President Robredo joined Abrea in discussing his latest book that tackles the different forms of corruption from measuring and addressing corruption to transparency and accountability.

Reimagining the World Without Corruption seeks to paint a portrait of a world free from the adverse effects of corruption. To help readers visualize such a world, the book references films, books, academic articles, and even recent events related to corruption. The book provides a discussion on the definition, origin, causes, and effects of corruption, as well as the different ways that experts have grouped the different forms and varieties of corruption. It also provides a compilation of the major initiatives in the fight against corruption.

In his presentation focused on good governance and ease of doing business, Abrea shared fresh insights on global governance and corruption. Through his latest book, Abrea hopes to enlighten readers on their role as citizens in promoting accountability from the government.

Abrea, known as the Philippine Tax Whiz, is a globally recognized advocate for good governance and tax reform in the Philippines. He was named Asia CEO Young Leader and one of the Outstanding Young Persons of the World. He serves as a founding Trustee of the Center for Strategic Reforms of the Philippines, working closely with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Anti-Red Tape Authority to streamline the ease of doing business. Abreas published books include VAT Ganun?, Got Questions About Taxes?, Tax Guide for Small Businesses, Iwas BUWISit: What To Do When Tax Attacks?, and IWAS BUWISit 2022 Edition.

Proceeds from the book will go to the Center for Strategic Reforms of the Philippines and Angat Buhay Foundation. For those interested to get copies of the book and for bulk orders, email [email protected] or fill out this order form. For more information about tax solutions and tax reform advocacy, visit the ACG website at https://www.acg.ph/.

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Photo: The Canadian Press FILE - Journalist Huw Edwards poses for photographers upon arrival at the Royal Television Society Programme Awards at the Grosvenor Hotel in London, Tuesday, March 21, 2017. London police say there's no evidence that a BBC presenter who allegedly paid a teenager for sexually explicit photos committed a crime. The Metropolitan police issued the statement Wednesday, July 12, 2023 as the wife of Huw Edwards identified him as the presenter. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland, File)

Theres no evidence a BBC presenter who allegedly paid a teenager for sexually explicit photos committed a crime, London police said Wednesday as the broadcaster's wife publicly identified him for the first time as veteran news anchor Huw Edwards.

Metropolitan police decided to take no further action after speaking with the alleged victim and that person's parents. The parents told The Sun newspaper last week that the presenter had been allowed to remain on air after the mother complained to the BBC in May that he paid the youth 35,000 pounds ($45,000) starting in 2020 when the person was 17.

As the story topped the news in Britain all week and embroiled the BBC in scandal, speculation swirled about the identify of the presenter. Some of the BBC's biggest on-air personalities publicly said it wasn't them and others called on the unnamed presenter to come forward.

Edward's wife, Vicky Flind, named her husband late Wednesday and said he was hospitalized with serious mental health issues.

After five extremely difficult days for our family, Flind said she was naming him primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children.

The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where hell stay for the foreseeable future," she said.

Edwards, 61, is one of Britains best-known and most authoritative news broadcasters, lead anchor on the BBCs nighttime news and the face of its election coverage. He led BBC coverage of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September. Hes among the broadcasters best-paid stars, with an annual salary of at least 435,000 pounds ($565,000).

The father of five said in a 2021 documentary that depression had left him bedridden for periods over two decades.

The BBC said it would continue its investigation into the matter.

The U.K.s publicly funded national broadcaster had scrambled to deal with the crisis after the claims were first published by The Sun over the weekend. It said it became aware of a complaint in May but new allegations were put to us on Thursday of a different nature.

It did not name Edwards, but said it had suspended a male star over the allegations. He last appeared on air a week ago in Edinburgh for a special broadcast on Scottish celebrations of the coronation of King Charles III.

A lawyer representing the young person in question, who was not named, told the BBC earlier this week that nothing inappropriate or unlawful has taken place between our client and the BBC personality. The lawyer said the allegations reported in The Sun were rubbish.

The tabloid defended its reporting, saying that concerned parents had made a complaint to the BBC that had not been acted on.

The Metropolitan Police issued a statement Wednesday saying no further action would be taken.

Detectives from the Mets Specialist Crime Command have now concluded their assessment and have determined there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed, the force said.

Though the age of sexual consent in Britain is 16, it is a crime to make or possess indecent images of anyone under 18.

Jon Sopel, the former BBC News North America editor, sent his best wishes to Edwards and his family.

This is an awful and shocking episode, where there was no criminality, but perhaps a complicated private life," Sopel tweeted. That doesnt feel very private now. I hope that will give some cause to reflect.

The episode comes less than two months after commercial U.K. broadcaster ITV faced its own scandal when Phillip Schofield, a long-time host on the channels popular morning show, quit in May, admitting he had lied about an affair with a much younger colleague.

The BBC has been hit by several scandals involving its stars over the years, most notoriously when longtime childrens TV host Jimmy Savile was exposed after his death in 2011 as a pedophile who abused children and teens over several decades.
PHNOM PENHIn white tuk-tuks kitted out with megaphones and banners, supporters of a tiny Cambodian opposition party wind down a dusty Phnom Penh street, rallying votes ahead of the countrys one-sided election.

It will be a herculean task for the little-known Grassroots Democratic Party to win any seats in Cambodias 125-member National Assembly at the July 23 election  widely dismissed as a sham.

But party president Yeng Virak insists his team is fighting the good fight.

We have a mission to restore democracy, he told AFP.

At the last national poll in 2018, Prime Minister Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) made a clean sweep, winning every parliamentary seat after a court outlawed the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party.

This time around, the Candlelight Party  the CPPs only credible rival  was barred from running over registration technicalities.

The future for the Cambodian opposition is dim, said Sebastian Strangio, author of Hun Sens Cambodia.

For the 17 remaining parties contesting the poll, its difficult to compete against the deep pockets and long-entrenched power of Hun Sens ruling party.

The prime minister has led Cambodia for nearly four decades, and critics accuse him of winding back democratic freedoms and using the court system to thwart political opponents.

Across the capital over the past week, CPP campaigning has featured musicians playing atop trucks and a rally with tens of thousands of supporters decked out in freebie T-shirts and hats bearing the partys logo.

The Grassroots Democratic Partys campaign, in contrast, is decidedly modest  banners on motorbikes, social media posts and old-fashioned leaflets.

We just want to try our best to reach out to the people, Yeng Virak said.

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Eight out of 10 Filipinos agree that the Philippines should form alliances and strengthen its relationships with like-minded countries to defend its territorial and economic rights in the West Philippine Sea, the latest commissioned Pulse Asia survey showed.

Results of the survey, commissioned by international think tank Stratbase ADR Institute, were released at its forum, The 7th Year of the Arbitral Victory: Defending the West Philippine Sea, the Indo-Pacific, and the Rules-Based Order.

Pulse Asia conducted the survey from June 19-23, 2023, and asked 1,200 Filipinos nationwide whether or not they agree with the statement: Alliances should be formed and relationships strengthened with other countries that have similar beliefs to the Philippines to defend the territorial and economic rights of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea and protect international order.

Protesters wave flags and hold placards in front of the Chinese Consulate in Makati on July 12. AFP

Eighty percent said that they agree, while 17 percent said they are undecided.

Moreover, when asked to identify measures the Marcos administration should prioritize to effectively address issues in the West Philippine Sea, seven out of 10 Filipinos, or 72 percent said the government should strengthen the military capability of the Philippines, especially the Navy, Coast Guard, and the Air Force.

Sixty-four percent said the government should conduct joint maritime patrols and military exercises with allied countries, and 61 percent said the government should shift the focus of Philippine defense institutions, and allocate more resources to strengthen the ability to defend the country from external threats.

In his speech during the forum, Stratbase president Dindo Manhit emphasized the importance of building and strengthening the Philippines alliances with like-minded countries in defending the West Philippine Sea.

We are here today marking the anniversary of our victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, but the real test is for us to continue in the struggle to actualize this victory We are happy to have our friends here with us today from Australia, the United States, Japan, European Union, France, the United Kingdom, and India. We are thankful for everything we have done together, and we look forward to future areas of collaboration as we deal with traditional, non-traditional, and evolving threats on various fronts, Manhit said.

The decision of the arbitral court assures us that we are on the right side of history and provides a solid foundation for our acts.

The challenge for us moving forward is how we can build on this foundation. We must commit that we will never allow this victory to be diminished and trampled on. We at Stratbase ADR Institute support all forms of cooperation with countries who share our ideals, values, and reverence for a rules-based order, he said.

Among those who participated in the forum were Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu PSM, US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko, Delegation of the European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron, French Ambassador Michele Boccoz, British Ambassador Laure Beaufils, and Indian Ambassador Shambhu Kumaran.

In a Pulse Asia survey, 89 percent of Filipinos said they trust the United States, 79 percent trust Australia, 78 percent trust Japan, and 64 percent trust the United Kingdom.

Defending our territory, asserting our sovereignty, and committing to uphold a rules-based international order in this dynamic, multipolar world is the right thing to do. It is the only thing to do. Together, let us defend the peace and stability of the West Philippine Sea, the Indo-Pacific, and the rules-based international order, Manhit said.

Manhit highlighted the need for a Philippine Strategic Initiative, which will explore the interplay between geopolitics and geo-economics development and focuses on cross-sectoral concerns revolving around the global economy, security, governance, energy, and the environment.

This initiative will bridge the gap between geopolitics and economic development and highlight the importance of shared democratic values and a rules-based order in a multipolar world, he said.

Meanwhile, the former Supreme Court Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza, who led the Philippine legal team that won the arbitral ruling against China over the maritime dispute in the South China Sea,called on legal advisers of the Marcos administration to considerlooking into the possibility of filing another case that would buttress its effort to enforce the Hague ruling.

Jardeleza also opposed the proposal calling the Philippine government to bring the issue before the United Nations, saying it would not work considering that China has veto power in the UN Security Council.

While the Philippine government can go before the UN General Assembly to debate Chinas actions in the WPS and possibly get the support of the majority of the member countries, Jardeleza said this would still not be binding as far as China is concerned.

Under all circumstances, another case before another ad hoc tribunal constitutes under the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) or perhaps ITLOS (International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea) but managed solely by Office of the Solicitor General of

Philippines without the heavy cost of hiring foreign counsel, Jardeleza told reporters.

Essentially litigation options would be a better way for the country, Jardeleza added.

Jardeleza said the OSG can choose from a menu of possible claims, damages, or other provisional reliefs against China.

The advantage of a case or an arbitration, is it can be commenced and finished within about ultimately around three years, he said.

However, Jardeleza said the decision on what options to take falls on the shoulders of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as the President is considered the main architect of foreign policy.

Jardeleza appeared before the media Wednesday to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the Hague ruling that invalidates Chinas nine-dash line claim that covers nearly the entire South China Sea.

China did not participate in the arbitration proceedings and refused to recognize the 2016 ruling.

On the other hand, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, Netherlands, affirmed the countrys sovereign rights in areas within its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

Jardeleza declined to give his assessment of the current administrations handling of the issues involving the WPS.

In other developments:

* The Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday launched a microsite featuring relevant materials and information on the Philippines victory against China in the United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration. The launching of the microsite coincided with the commemoration of the seventh anniversary of the arbitral award favoring the Philippines in its case against China.

The microsite provides the public with a central resource for official information and positions on the award and its contributions to the rule of law and peaceful settlement of disputes through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and international law.

It includes the material submitted to The Hague Tribunal made available by the Permanent Court of Arbitration; the statements of the DFA on the South China Sea Arbitration; the legal and geographic scope of the West Philippine Sea; answers to frequently asked questions; and links to other resources relevant to the subject.

* To commemorate the 2016 victory of the Philippines before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in Hague, Netherlands over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), July 12 should be declared as the National West Philippine Sea Victory Day, said Senator Risa Hontiveros. She said commemorating the victory can help weaken Chinas spurious claims over Philippine territories.

* Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez on Wednesday urged the Marcos administration to insist on Chinas compliance with the July 12, 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidating Beijings expansionist territorial claims in the South China Sea, including a big part of the Philippines 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

He made the call on the seventh anniversary of the countrys victory at the United Nations-sanctioned arbitral tribunal. Our government should mark this day with more vigor and the more forceful assertion of the ruling and our victory, he said.

* Senator Jinggoy Estrada said the Philippines must persist in asserting its claims and defending its rights in accordance with international law. Let us remember the sacrifices of our fishermen, who rely on the bounties of the sea for their livelihoods, as well as the brave men and women in the uniformed service who patrol our waters in the West Philippine Sea, he said. It is our duty to protect them and ensure their safety.

* Senator Francis Tolentino on Wednesday said he was saddened by the decision of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to allow the movie Barbie to be shown, arguing that there were scenes in the film that portrayed Chinas nine-dash line.

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Faced with the effects of the El Nino phenomenon, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) plans to diversify the countrys water sources.

Undersecretary Carlos David, Water Resources Management Office head, urged the public to conserve water, noting that the Angat Dam in Bulacan is already below its minimum operating level at 178.8 meters or slightly below the 180 meters minimum.

He added DENR is also adopting short-term water supply augmentation programs, such as using water from Laguna Lake and reprocessing wastewater.

Rep. Elizaldy Co of Ako Bicol on Wednesday hailed the Congress, under the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand G. Martin Romualdez, for taking proactive measures to address the water supply challenges faced by many Filipinos, particularly exacerbated by the El Nino phenomenon.

WATER ISSUES. As President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the inauguration of the 24.9-Megawatt Lake Mainit Hydro Power Plant in Jabonga, Agusan Del Norte on Wednesday, protesters picket the Maynilad office in Old Balara, Quezon City, demanding an explanation on the 9-hour water interruption in six cities in Metro Manila. Joey Razon and Manny Palmero

Co said that Romualdezs visionary leadership has provided solar water systems to the upland areas, enabling access to essential services that were previously lacking. This groundbreaking move demonstrates Congresss commitment to leaving a lasting impact on the lives of the Filipino people.

Even prior to the onset of the El Nino phenomenon, the Congress has allocated a significant budget of P10 billion in the 2023 GAA for the construction of solar-powered water supply systems across the country. Co, chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, said.

He noted that Romualdez is committed to providing a solar-powered water supply system to 60 percent or 40 million Filipinos in the upland barangays to have access to potable water.

The Angat Dam supplies 98 percent of potable water in Metro Manila and its nearby provinces.

One strategy is to diversify our sources of water, and not to rely too much on Angat. There are a couple of efforts over the last few months to increase our sources of water besides Angat, he said.

These include the construction of the Kaliwa Dam, he said.

He also underscored the importance of water conservation.

Every drop that we are able to save through individual efforts, through institutional strategies actually goes a long way because while the amount of water in Angat is still sufficient for Metro Manila and all concessionaires., we foresee the El Nino season to be moderate or strong, he said.

The drought conditions due to El Nino may extend until the first quarter of 2024, and its impact is likely to be more extreme than what is expected, he added.

Senator Grace Poe has renewed her assertion for the creation of the Department of Water Resources to lead the comprehensive developmentand management of water resources to address the water crisis as she vowed to conduct a Senate hearing on the matter.

Of course, we have been pushing for a long time to create the Department of Water Resources we understand that this administration wants to streamline, said Poe, who chairs the Senate public services committee.

She noted that the management of our water is under 30 agencies that have been contradicting each other. To solve this problem, she said these 30 agencies should be made as one.

Poes call dovetailed with a proposal by Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, who said the water crisis calls for the creation of a government department that will complete the circle when it comes to water management.

Our water supply problems right now come in large part from our failure as a state to manage our water resources in a holistic and forward-looking manner. Weve been in a water crisis for decades, and it took another President Marcos to call it what it is, Salceda said, in response to ongoing water issues among service providers in Metro Manila.

Our water systems are constructed with little regard for source development. We dont collect enough surface water, and when we want to, we dont know whom to talk to in government. We can only tighten our belts so much with demand management. The real issue is supply management, and weve been failing for decades, said Salceda, who chairs the House Ways and Means committee.

Thats why we need the Department of Water Resources. Many people dont get it. Its not just another new agency. Its an institutional solution to a decades-old problem of treating water resources as a peripheral and dispersed concern for the government, he said.

In other developments:

* The Water for the People Network (WPN) said that El Nino should not be used as an excuse for water service interruptions. The water interruptions are a result of poor water services by profit-driven private firms Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and Manila Water Company, Inc., as well as those in local water districts under joint venture agreements. Thus, these water companies should refund consumers instead of periodically increasing water rates while invoking improving services. In the long run, water privatization should be stopped, the group said.

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London, United Kingdom  A Romanian man who was part of a people-smuggling gang responsible for the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants in the UK was jailed for nearly 13 years on Tuesday.

Marius Mihai Draghici, 50, received a sentence of 12 years and seven months, after pleading guilty last month to 39 counts of manslaughter and one of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

The migrants, aged between 15 and 44, suffocated in scorching temperatures in an articulated trailer brought to the UK from Belgium in October 2019.

Their deaths in the sealed truck underlined the lengths many migrants are prepared to go to reach the UK, and the criminal gangs exploiting their desperation.

An international investigation into who was responsible has already seen 10 people jailed.

Sentencing Draghici at the Central Criminal Court, the Old Bailey, in central London, judge Neil Garnham said he was a small but essential cog in the wheels of this criminal conspiracy.

This was suffering of the most serious kind, and was suffered by 39 people  men, women and children, he told him.

Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones earlier told Garnham the migrants final hours must have entailed unimaginable suffering and anguish.

One of the migrants called the emergency number in Vietnam on his mobile phone. Another messaged: I cant breath, I cant breath.

The 28 men, eight women and three boys, were lured by the prospect of better-paid work in the UK, and paid between 10,000 and 13,000 ($13,000 $16,800) for the VIP route to the UK by lorry.

But during the trip from the Belgian port of Zeebrugge to Purfleet-on-Thames in Essex, temperatures became sweltering.

Oxygen levels slumped as the temperature rose to 38.5 Celsius (101 Fahrenheit) inside the unventilated trailer, making the air too toxic to breathe.

Draghici, who was extradited to the UK from Romania in late 2022, was recruited into the lucrative people-smuggling ring by fellow Romanian Gheorghe Nica.

The defendant had fled the country after the lorry driver Maurice Robinson, who picked up the trailer in Essex, rang the emergency services when he discovered the deaths.

Robinson was jailed for 13 years in January 2021. Another driver who towed the trailer to Zeebrugge, Eamonn Harrison, received an 18-year sentence.

Nica was jailed for 27 years while another ringleader, Ronan Hughes, got 20 years.

Six others have been jailed in the UK and Belgium.

Draghicis lawyer Gillian Jones said her client carried out an operational role under direction, did not plan or organise the conspiracy and had not benefited directly.

He fled the country because he was terrified and had been shocked and horrified by what happened. He was too afraid to return, she added.

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Tunis, Tunisia -The bodies of two migrants have been found in a desert region near Tunisias border with Algeria, a judicial official and a witness said on Tuesday.

Hundreds of migrants from sub-Saharan countries have fled or been forced out of Tunisias port city of Sfax after racial tensions flared following the July 3 killing of a Tunisian man in an altercation between locals and migrants.

Many have been left to fend for themselves in harsh conditions in remote desert areas near Tunisias borders with Algeria and with Libya.

Around 10 days ago one body was found in the Hazoua desert, near Algerias border, and another was discovered on Monday night, Nizar Skander, a spokesman for the court in the southeastern Tozeur district, told AFP.

Both bodies are of men, and rescuers have recovered the one found yesterday, a witness, who declined to be identified for security reasons, added.

The witness, a local merchant, told AFP that in one week two convoys were seen transporting migrants to the desert, with nearly 100 left in the vicinity of Hazoua.

Many of these migrants are trying to reach oases in the area where residents give them food and water, the witness said.

Skander said the authorities have launched a dubious death investigation to determine the exact cause of the two fatalities.

Youssouf Bilayer, 25, of Ivory Coast, told AFP on Tuesday that he was arrested on July 4 in Sfax where he had worked for four years as a welder and was taken to the Gafsa area near the border with Algeria.

We were in six buses and they left us in the forest  they made us get out by beating us, he said. His group of six people was now moving northwards.

 Suffering a lot 

We want out of here and to be taken to Tunis or Sfax, he said, adding that they were 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of Kasserine.

We are suffering a lot. We were able to find a little water in the forest, but weve got nothing to eat. The police wont let people give us food, all we can do is charge our phones a little, Bilayer said.

He said that when they try to continue their journey the police turn them back towards the forest and the border with Algeria.

This has already happened five times, he said.

The crackdown on migrants in Sfax  a departure point for many hoping to reach Europe  erupted after the funeral of the 41-year-old Tunisian man who had been stabbed to death.

Aid and rights groups have called for the stranded migrants to be helped as a matter of urgency.

According to Human Rights Watch, many migrants near the border with Algeria risk their lives if they are not provided with immediate assistance.

The watchdog estimates that there are between 150 and 200 migrants in that region.

Several days ago HRW carried a report quoting witnesses as saying that several migrants had died near the Algerian border.

Mamadou, a migrant from Guinea who gave only his first name, spoke to AFP on Monday by phone from the Algerian side of the border.

Please help us. If you can send the Red Cross here, help us, otherwise we will die. There is nothing here. Theres no food, theres no water, he said.

He could not be reached again by phone on Tuesday.

Tunisia has seen a rise in racially motivated attacks after President Kais Saied in February accused hordes of undocumented migrants of bringing violence to the country, and alleging a criminal plot to change its demographic make-up.

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The local DMV office has been open on Saturdays since early June but officials say people arent taking advantage of the new hours.

Marty Homan, communications manager for Division of Motor Vehicles, said the DMV offices in Morganton and Hudson are being underutilized during Saturday hours. The Morganton DMV office is at 115 Government Drive and the Hudson office is at 309 Pine Mountain Road.

We have the capacity to serve many more folks on Saturdays than we have been, Homan told The News Herald. Weve even had to send employees home early at some Saturday offices because there havent been customers to serve.

The two offices were among 16 throughout the state that started opening from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The Saturday hours were resumed on June 3 and will run through Aug. 26, according to information from the DMV.

Homan said DMV knows the services are needed because appointments are booked up to 90 days out at most offices in the area.

However, Saturday hours are walk-in only, Homan said.

While a lot of business can be done on the DMV website, Homan said there are times when people need to come into the office.

He said the occasions when someone must come into the DMV are:

To get a North Carolina license or ID for the first time, including new drivers and when a person moves here from another state.

To get a REAL ID.

To change your name on a license or ID.

If someone renewed their license online last time.

Before heading into a DMV office, people can check MyNCDMV.gov to see if they can complete their transaction online, according to information from Homan.

In most cases, people:

Can renew a license and ID every other time online.

Can change an address online.

Can order a replacement license or ID online.
TotalEnergies oil megaproject in Uganda is a disaster for the population, has devastated the livelihoods of thousands of people and will contribute to the global climate crisis, deplored Human Rights Watch (HRW), calling for it to be halted.

Last year, TotalEnergies announced a $10 billion investment agreement with Uganda, Tanzania and the Chinese company CNOOC, including the construction of a 1,443-kilometer pipeline (EACOP) linking the Lake Albert oil fields in western Uganda to the Tanzanian coast on the Indian Ocean.

However, the project has met with opposition from environmental activists and groups who believe it threatens the regions fragile ecosystem and the people who live there.

According to HRW, the project impoverishes thousands of people and will displace more than 100,000. EACOP has led to food insecurity and household indebtedness, contributed to children dropping out of school and is likely to have devastating effects on the environment, continues the NGO in a report based on more than 90 interviews, including with 75 displaced families in five districts of the East African country.

The oil project is a disaster for the tens of thousands of people who have lost land that provided food for their families and income to send their children to school, and who have received inadequate compensation from TotalEnergies, says Felix Horne, environmental researcher at HRW, in the report, before continuing: EACOP is also a disaster for the planet and the project should not go ahead.

In a response, the oil giant stated that it was untrue that the project would displace hundreds of thousands of people, saying: A total of 775 households, or around 5.000 people, will be relocated nearby and in better conditions on the 5.600 hectares acquired.
Cape Verdean President Jose Maria Neves expressed concern about the increase in femicide in recent years in Cape Verde and in its diaspora, and called for studies and political measures for a healthier society.

Femicide has increased worryingly in recent years. Failures in the education of boys and girls may partly explain the increase in this phenomenon of extreme violence, both on the islands and in the diaspora. These are reasons for studies and policy measures aimed at a healthier society, reads a message from the Presidency of the Republic on World Population Day.

For the Head of State, only with the construction of a country more modern, fair, inclusive and with more opportunities shared by all will allow to realize this desideratum of sanity.

Basically, we want a country where everyone, men, women, girls and boys, has a voice and a place. We have to go faster and it is everyones responsibility. We must absolutely consider the dreams of women and girls. We have to prepare men and boys for that future that counts, where everyone can dream, where our dreams are equally considered, she emphasized.

Jose Maria Neves said that he has always fought for greater gender equality and equity and that the law against gender-based violence against minors, advances in reproductive health and the enormous achievements in the field of education are important gains in Cape Verde.

But there are burning issues that should deserve everyones attention, namely poverty, social inequalities, economic policies, regional dissymmetries, violence and migration, he noted.

It was reported in March that the Cape Verdean Government will operationalize the Gender-Based Violence Victim Support Fund (VBG), which provides for the establishment of shelters for women victims of crime and other support.

As of 1 August 2022, Cape Verdean courts had more than 2.300 cases pending for GBV crimes, mainly against women, and the number of new complaints, which had been falling since 2016, has increased again in the last year.
The Mozambican government has accused mining companies of declaring less production than actual in order to get very low taxes, demanding that the sector increase its tax contribution and participation in the development of the country and communities.

The position of the Mozambican executive is contained in the summary of a meeting that members of the Government recently held with representatives of companies in the mining sector.

In the document, the Mozambican authorities consider that half of the exports that occur in Mozambique result from mining, however, this number of exports is not reflected in taxes, which are very low.

At the meeting, government representatives relied on the latest report by the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), an international mechanism that measures transparency in the sector, to point out disparate results between the ores produced and those declared, disparity in sales prices between the different mining companies in Mozambique and sales prices practiced in the country with what is charged on the international market.

On the other hand, there are different models for declaring production and non-compliance with the Mining Law, the text reads. The executive noted the need to study mechanisms for processing minerals produced in Mozambique, such as graphite, heavy sands and coal.

The processing of mineral products in the country would allow the creation of jobs and would contribute to industrialization. In short, the Government demands the valorization of all minerals produced in the country, the document said.

At the meeting, those present defended the imperative for companies to increase their participation in the social and economic development of communities where mining activities take place, through the creation of jobs, construction of technical schools, water supply, as well as access roads.